Here is my weekly diary entry, only one more to go,.
Today is an especially emotional day for me as well as you, my son Geramie Ervin. You had to endure the gas chamber exercise and now are getting ready for what you have been preparing for the past 12 weeks – The Crucible. At 2 a.m. tomorrow morning you and your fellow Deltas C. brothers will embark on the brutal 54 hour test of mental and physical endurance, that will make you dig down deeper that you ever have in your life to find that strength and stamina to succeed. I have no doubts that you and ALL the Deltas will do just that.
The Devil Dogs platoon portion of the video was released this afternoon. It was the first time I saw you in military attire. You are the first recruit when the video began and right away I knew it was you! Such an amazing transformation and my heart is full. I pray for you and all the Deltas daily. The next 54 hours you all will be constantly on my mind and in my heart.
This has been a wild ride since you shipped May 12th. Seeing your transformation through your letters was amazing, but today seeing you for the first time in 76 days was phenomenal Words escape me to express the pride I feel for you right now.
Your Platoon 1062 kicked ass and won the title of Honor Platoon. OOH RAH!
In 8 1/2 hours you will begin this last hurdle to earning your title and belonging to one of the few and the proud. Your brother, Jordan Ervin and I are sending you all the positive energy we can, because we know that by Thursday at 8 a.m. you will have accomplished the goal you left on May 12th to conquer. You, my son, will be a U.S. Marine.
I pray that God is with you and your Delta brothers during the Crucible. When you find there is nothing left remember to step out on your faith, because God is the rock. When you do, you will find that there is just a little more of what you need to get you through and finish.
I send this Psalm to you in hopes that it will sustain you through the Crucible:
“It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
He enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
My arms can bend a bow of bronze
You give me your shield of victory,
And your right hand sustains me;
You stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
So that my ankles do not turn. Psalm 18:2-36
God bless you, my son and ALL the Delta Co. recruits.
Stay strong, Ger. I love you so much!
Ooh Rah Oah Rah Ooh Rah!!! – feeling proud
