Happy Birthday Hunter!

No, it’s not Jake–still his Dad having to be his “ghost writer” I guess.  Jake is still a little occupied, and unable to come to the phone.  I don’t know much, as he’s only been able to call us twice since the last post, since he mainly gets to make calls to Brittany his wife.  He even called Cooper last week before he called us.  We just hang around and pick up the table scraps of information I guess.

All I know is that after coming down from their mountain outpost and “hanging out” for a few weeks, they are back up on the same Magic Mountain doing their thing.  The Marines were moving into one city a few weeks ago, only to have the Taliban all hightail it out of there, allowing them to take the city without firing a shot.  Now that the Poppy harvesting season   is over (they need to grow something more worthwhile–like blueberries), apparently the Taliban have more time to set roadside bombs, ambush, and all the other cowardly stuff they do. 

Sadly, one of Jake’s buddies in his unit was killed last week by a roadside bomb.  He was a young, 21-year old Marine from just over in Fayetteville, Arkansas.   His name was listed in the small print that is posted daily in the Tulsa World.  When I saw that he was a Lance Corporal, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, I figured that Jake may have known him, which was confirmed from talking with Brittany.

Next week is Hunter’s 1-year birthday party, so Jake will have to be there in spirit only.  I know he’s looking forward to the day this coming fall when he can come and get re-acquainted with his goofy little boy, along with his two new daughters.  After keeping Hunter for just a few days last week, I don’t see how they are going to do it with three young kids all in diapers and all clamoring for attention.  They’ll figure it out though, as we and most other parents did. 

Mail is slow coming and going in Afghanistan, but I know he appreciates letters, and packages of goodies like Gatorade (it’s very hot there), power bars, etc.  His address is: Lcpl Jake Johnson, H & S platoon, Javelin Section, 1/2 B Co Unit 73050, FPO AE, 09510-3050.  

As the owner of a small business over many years, I’ve looked at alot of resume’s and spoken with alot of young men, and even some older men, during my tenure.  It often really strikes me as to how little many of these applicants have really done with their lives.  They may have a college degree, be very talented, and worked at some big-time companies-but what have they really done that is significant–that really makes a difference in the lives of others, their community, their families, or our country?   And truth be told, even Jake would admit that before he became a Marine serving his county, the same could be questioned as to his contribution towards others. 

I can assure you now that even in the brief one year that Jake has served in the Marines, his “resume” reflects more actions and accomplishments that have really made a difference in our world than most of the thousands of resume’s that have crossed my desk.  Defending our freedoms, fighting for good, at a cost of sometimes paying for it with your own life as his buddy did, is about as important and significant as it gets.  And he’s only a year into his service.  We’re very proud of Jake (and Luke and Katie–don’t want to forget them) for deciding at a fairly young age to make a difference with his life, in doing something that makes an impact on our world.  

Hunter chearing the Owasso Rams on at the recent Military Day held at Owasso. Owasso's pitcher wore a shirt honoring Jake, with the other players wearing camo shirts honoring past and present military with Owasso connections.

Pray for Jake, and all of the Marines and all of our troops overseas in Afgahistan.  Pray for his wife and family, as they are away from him.  And pray for poor ol’  Hunter, who will be at the end of the line real soon after his two new little sisters, Emma and Riley, come on board!