| Me and my best friend both decide to join the | | | | pulled the duvet covers over her head and cried |
| marines at the same time. When we left for the | | | | heavily. He pulled the duvet cover off and hugged |
| military he was happily married to his high school | | | | her. After a couple weeks she seemed back to her |
| sweet heart and they were expecting a child soon. | | | | normal self. But, once she found out that we would |
| Although she was not keen on the idea of him joining | | | | be leaving again only four months after returning for |
| the military she was still supportive and stood by him. | | | | another seven months of waiting for that call she |
| Going through boot camp was defiantly no cake walk | | | | began to break down. Then the arguments began. |
| but it was made a whole lot easier with my best | | | | When we reached Iraq he seemed like a completely |
| friend by my side. I remember seeing him and | | | | different person. My kind and gentle friend was gone |
| thinking how lucky he was whenever he received | | | | now he tortured the younger marines to a point |
| another update from his wife. My life was not so | | | | beyond since. One actually took his life in front of us |
| great by myself I had trouble with my parents and | | | | which my teasing also played a part in. When the gun |
| ran away early. He and his family took me in when I | | | | shot ran out everyone ran to the young marine |
| was only twelve. I had even ended up calling his | | | | except my friend who stood their dauntlessly. A |
| parents mom and dad. That is why to me he was | | | | month later he told me that his wife had left him for |
| more than a friend he was my brother and now he | | | | another man. After that day he was a different man |
| had become my brother in arms. | | | | constantly he would talk about death but since he |
| During our first tour to Iraq he had his daughter Katy, | | | | always said it jokingly I never took him seriously or |
| a beautiful little girl with eyes as blue as the ocean | | | | maybe I just did not want to believe it. |
| and a smile that could end all the world's wars. The | | | | One beautiful day ten days after we made it back |
| separation was difficult for his wife and she slept into | | | | from Iraq he called me but I did not answer him. |
| depression. It became so bad that she had to be | | | | That would be the same day that he would take his |
| hospitalized for awhile. So she could not be there | | | | life. I did not look out for my friend like I should have. |
| when we got back. But, his mother was there with | | | | Now he is gone and I only have my stories of him |
| little Katy and they where both very excited to see | | | | the best brother I have ever known. If my stories |
| us. During our vacation time we went to go visit his | | | | have any meaning I hope it is that they can change |
| wife she did not look like the same woman I | | | | someone's life and if you see the signs talk to the |
| remembered her being. When she san the him she | | | | person let them see that they are not alone. |