Musings....

I have some ideas about what I want to do with this blog......still mulling them over will let you know when I start making some design changes. I have a few more pics from the guy's in Afghanistan I am going to post sometime over the weekend. Hope your winter months are going good wherever you are reading this from. It is a lousy winter snow wise and a balmy almost 40 degrees here in the far NE. I haven't seen a winter like this in the North in so many yrs I can't recall when? Here's to all of ya, have a wonderful frost free day!

STAT COUNTER UPDATES

While managing my "stat counter" (located at the bottom right) I noticed that the numbers reflected were not the right numbers for visitors to my blog. While the stat counter will allow you to re-start it, you can not input whatever numbers you desire. It gives you 2 options: unique visitors and page loads. It now correctly reflects (by number's only) all of you folks that have enjoyed my blog! Thanks for following along over the years it has been a joy to share pictures, updates and the latest news with you all!
I always enjoy hearing from everyone, in particular, I would love your feedback on which direction I should take with this blog?

CONGRATULATIONS CORPORAL MANUEL E. URREGO!

A well deserved promotion!

I am still up in the air about what to do with my blog since Manuel's time in the Marines is ending within the year. Time for some "New" adventures in his and our lives. I will forever be a Marine Mom and the experience has been quite the eye-opener! Not coming from a military background myself, I truly had no idea of what it really meant to be a military family. The "PRIDE" it has brought all of Manuel's family to have a son, brother, grandson etc. serving his country goes beyond any written words of description.
I have learned what it means to these men serving overseas to have family and friends support while they are away, the packages, the letters, the phone calls and luckily, yes this last deployment some email interaction. The overwhelming sadness mixed with so much pride when they leave on deployment and the pure "Joy" and happiness when those buses roll in with our Marines aboard.
There is also the sadness and grief for their lost Marine brothers who did not make it back, but who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
I have met many wonderful Marine Mom's through all of this. I cherish the bond and friendships that have developed over the last many years. Most of you still have son's getting ready to go on yet another deployment, you will all be in my heart and prayers everyday. The bond our son's have is forever!
What a crew!
Congratulations "My Son" on a job well done, the world is at your feet to discover.

THANK YOU MARINES



PRIDE, FREEDOM REINS

Happy Labor Day weekend to 2/8th Golf

I want to wish you all a very "Happy" Holiday weekend and visit with your families on your extended leave!  It is because of you all that we are able to enjoy "Our" freedom as a country. I know that we are overjoyed to be able to spend time with you our son, Manuel! Extreme fishin' and backroadin' are on the agenda! Drive safe! The home fires at "Brookside" will be burning as you drive up that very long driveway to home, to people that have missed you so very much and love you beyond words.....

STORM SURVIVORS.......

Hurricane Irene was NOTHIN'....Just send in the Marines,,,they handled it!

RIP Hero's...

In light of the Memorial for the 2/8th fallen hero's at CLJ today, I did pull my earlier post. I will re-post at a later date.
Somethings are more important.

I am wishing the 2/8th families who lost a loved one during this last deployment in Afghanistan, all the love and prayers and heartfelt condolences that I can possibly share with you today. I am so very sorry for your loss.
To the brave men of the 2/8th: I am sorry for your loss of a Brother Marine, Semper Fi Marines you are always in my prayers.  Thank you for your service to this great country.
Love To You All....Manny's Mom

Welcome to the 2/8th Hurricane Party How to....

Alright since you guys (or some of you) are not leaving the base for Hurricane Irene. Here are a few party tips for a really Great time.......

http://digbatonrouge.com/article/hurricane-party-guide-2203/
Hilarious, don't be outside of this circle at your Hurricane Party!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/327222-hurricane-etiquette
Know-how's from a know it all....hurricane tips.....

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/james_mcmurtry/hurricane_party.html
A real song about a hurricane party.....and you can download the ringtone for free!

http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens/web_hurricane_party.asp
Good Ole fashion advice from New Orleans...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080830145335AAsJ3T9
Games you can play at a hurricane party!

http://www.themyths.co.uk/?p=48 A book to read when you get sick of everyone and have had to much to drink....

The old adage "if ya can't beat em, join em" applies here... quite liberally!
Be safe first and foremost, and of course have a Great time. We will be thinking of you all, prayers out to everyone on the base and in the path of Irene.
Love to you all Manny's Mom

WELCOME HOME GUY'S!

CHECK THESE GUY'S OUT HANDSOME AND BRAVE... AMERICAS FINEST MARINES!

THE THREE AMIGOS!

WELCOME HOME LCpl Manuel Urrego and 2/8th Golf Co.

Manuel and Zack

If wishes were real..

I wish....I wish I could say more than I can...this BLOG IS NOT exceeding all of my writing dreams THESE DAYS,  I can tell you that much.  I find myself at a loss lately, so much to say but limited by OPSEC. I DO NOT LIKE TO BE LIMITED ( I do understand, doesn't mean it doesn't suck)! I love you guys, so in that vain, I will do this for you, and you only.
I will be retiring this blog very soon ...I do however have someone in mind to takeover, if she agrees you will be entertained!
Manuel, this blog is for you, it always has been. It has been my way of dealing with deployment (and my way of letting you know we are still together no matter the distance) and to continue to show you and all of the guys in the 2/8th that you are all loved and missed daily.
So for today, my wish would be that my son, Lance Corporal Manuel E. Urrego were home sitting in front of the fire pit with us, laughing and talking. Me taking pictures and making everyone crazy and Manuel telling me to stop TAKING PICTURES PLEASE and how many pictures do you need to take Mom? I would give anything to hear that right now.....Soon, very soon Manuel, I will be driving you crazy with my picture taking.......

RANDOM, FUNNY, CUTE, STUPID....

Marines this is for you....

I speak to many different people in anyone one given week. I never know who I am going to meet or where? It could be at the local grocery store, Walmart, work, post office, drug store or even the doctors office, etc? I am a people person, so striking up a conversation with a complete stranger is not unheard of. I don't go looking for these people, they are just there.  I am getting to my point of the day, and this is for all of you guys in the 2/8th Golf (and all of you Marines out there if your reading this blog) from everyone I meet and speak to"THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE FOR THIS COUNTRY". They find out that I have a son serving in Afghanistan (I most certainly make sure everyone knows this) and these folks have some very heartfelt comments that they so sincerely want me to pass on to you Manuel, as well as all of your brother Marines. People get teared up, they have a hard time speaking, so true is their desire to have this message sent to you all. So for all of those folks out there that I have connected with this last year, your message has been sent. God Bless Marines......

While my Son Serves....by Dave Shiflett

This is a MUST READ for all.   Well written, funny, touching and so true. Long, but well worth the time...thank you Manny. Thank you Mr. Shiflett and Thank your "Sarge" for his service to this country.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304584004576417670477053368.html?mod=wsj_share_facebook

Manuel's address

LCpl. Manuel E. Urrego 
Golf Company 
2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment
PSC Box 20103
Camp Lejeune, NC 28542-0103

Chuck Holton's photo's Afghanistan 2011 Oliver north's visit

Below is a link to photo's from a few weeks ago when Oliver North visited the 2/8th.  Not just pictures of Golf company they are mixed see if you can find your loved one........Let me know if you find who your looking for. :) Enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rangerholton/sets/72157626892878171/with/5887792372/

A new page for you guys in the 2/8th Golf to see......

I have added a page to the right called Marine Mom's. It is dedicated to all of you out there. Stay strong,  keep the faith...  

Thank you to Marine Moms for the pics...

A VERY HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO MY HERO'S IN THE 2/8TH GOLF CO....

HAPPY 4TH GUY'S AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR DAILY SACRIFICES AND HUMBLE SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY....YOU ARE REMEMBERED DAILY, IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CALL THIS COUNTRY FREE AND ABLE TO CELEBRATE THIS HOLIDAY! GOD BLESS YOU ALL.......

To all of you guy's in the 2/8th G. co.

I can only speak for myself, but I do know others feel the same. I thank you for your hard work & sacrifice to your country. I thank you all for being such good friends to my son and keeping the faith. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you all at times, even though you are all such tough ass's as to not mention how much it sucks over there. I have enjoyed the pictures and comments and emails so very much, it has made me feel as though I am experiencing some of what you see daily and endure (during your crappy deployment in hell) a little bit, is better than nothing. You all have made me laugh and made cry with your pics and comments. You have made me Prouder than I ever thought possible to be a Marines Mom. So I want to thank each and everyone of you who have touched not only my son's life, but mine as well. Semper fi Marines. God Bless and much love to you all.....Manny's Mom