The Marines

I recieved this email from Cathy David the other day. Her son Jeremy Davis has just joined the Marines and is in booth camp in San Diego and he will be going to Camp Pendleton for the rest of his trainning.
I would like to say I am proud of Jeremy and we will be praying for his exprience in booth camp. In 1954 my Dad Joined the Marines and went to Camp Pendleton. Its a real close world. Lets all pray for him in his time of service. Also lets start writing Jeremy. Old mail not email. And a big box of cookies when he gets out of booth camp. No cookies allowed in booth camp.

Hi all,

I got a 2 page letter tonight Again thank you for your support and prayers! Ignore the attchment thingy in the window.
Cathy

Recruit Davis, Jeremy I
1st Bn Bravo Co. Platoon 1033
39001 Midway
MCRD San Diego, CA 92140-1033

Oh, I am going with girlfriends on Sat. 7-18 down to San Diego to see the American Idol concert! Then on Sunday we are driving over to the Marine Depot. I know I won’t be able to see Jeremy but at least I can be by the gates and pray for him! I told him in a letter that I will be out there from noon to 1:00 PM!

7-8-09
Dear Mom, Dad and Aaron,

I finally got all your letters!! They are so motivational and just what I needed. I was down for a while until we received mail! Lately we’ve been drilling all the time with our M16 A2 rifles. They weigh 12 lbs.! and get really heavy after awhile because we have to hold them at 90 degrees. I think I am getting taller because we have to stand perfectly straight all the time. Today we actually got to use rubber bayonets and stab dummies! Then we got to use the pugil sticks and spar with others. It’s really fun and we wear full gear and helmets. I won my fight after like 10 seconds because I hit the guy w/ an upper cut to the throat, with the red end, which simulates the bayonet end.

We’ve hardly had any free time so it is hard to write letters. But now we get 1 hr. per day. So I will try to write more. It gets frustrating drilling all the time because we have “stupid” recruits in our platoon who screw up everything for us. The hardest part I think is standing up all day long and when we do get to sit,it is cross legged. I am starting to get used to getting up at 4:45 am every morning. The food here is great and I’m trying to live “meal to meal”. Also the church here is the best I’ve ever had!

Continuing later
Today was a hard one. We practiced joint manipulations. We learned 3 types of take downs. My sparing partner was 200 lbs. and I was easily able to take him down and make him tap out. (that’s my boy! )

We also did the obstacle course and it is fun except for the 30-4- ft. rope climb straight up and there is nothing to catch you. I almost made it all the way up!
On the 4th I got to watch fireworks from my rack which is the top bunk and faces the city.
I’ve made lots of friends and we are starting to function as a team! I hope you guys are doing well because I am in spite of all the aches and pains. Our bodies are being rebuilt! Thanks so much for the letters.
Love, Jeremy