Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Back From Iraq

I put up a post (“From the Gym to Iraq,” Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005) about our young friend from the gym, Brad Avots. Brad was a college student when we met him. In a few short years, he graduated from college, went to USMC Officer Candidate School, earned a commission, and served in Iraq.

Last week, I walked into the local Starbucks and there he was, home on leave. We had coffee and talked. Getting an unfiltered perspective from someone who actually served in Iraq can be illuminating. He was grateful that all his Marines came home safely with him. His new assignment is with the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), in San Diego.

Patty invited him to speak to her middle-school class and he generously took time out from his leave to do it.

The physical side: Annually, all Marines must pass the USMC fitness test. A perfect score is 300. I forget his exact score but it was right up there, pretty close to perfect. Believe me, that means you are in top shape.

Semper Fi.

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