From the Halls of Montezuma?

We recently received our first letter from our oldest son, Paul, who is currently at OCS in Quantico, Virginia, finding out if he has what it takes (and if he wants to be) a US Marine officer.

Reading between the lines of the following paragraphs you might be able to see why we're proud of our son:

...I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm here and alive if nothing else. :o) These first 11 days (and believe me, I keep close track of how many days we have left) have been the hardest most grueling and intense days of my life -- and it's not even close to being over! Oh well, I guess I knew what I was getting into!

I wish you guys could be down here to see all of this! It's so amazing! Just talking to people and listening to instructors and everything -- just being here -- is an incredible honor -- and graduating an even bigger one. Last session, only 47 % of the class passed. They've already dropped something like three hundred guys with a lot more close on their heels.

Right now, I'm doing just fine, though, and I'm actually one of the more fit guys in my company -- so far...

... I can't wait to see everybody again! I love and miss you all!

Love,
Paul

But this part really explains why we're the most proud:

P.S. Can you send me a new scapular? I've lost mine in all the
confusion and feel naked without it. If you could, the small, braided-cord ones are the best.