Alright everybody.....this post is for everysingle one of you and Shinedown (the greatest band in the world and the one that saved my life). I leave monday night at 6 for Syaracuse, New York and then leave tuesday morning for The United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, for 3 months of Basic Training. And I just wanted to say goodbye to all of you great people on here, this may be my last post for awhile, I'll try to get on Monday before I leave if I can. But don't worry I will be back for sure as often as I can. I'm thinking about giving my mom my login info and stuff so when she gets my letters she'll be able to update you guys, if I don't get held back for anything my graduation date will be sometime in early-mid October range. I'm not sure what else to put here except to thank every single one of you for being amazing people here and in the words of our beloved Reverend Mr. Brent Smith himself: "This life you are living right now is a gift and so are every single one of you, I love you all".

Semper Fidelis
Dillon Pritchard.

I thought you got internet in the barracks?

but hey man good luck, i may not support the war, but i support the soldiers 100%, Be safe, and god bless!

keep in touch!

Good luck

Dillon,

Please keep in touch. E-mail me when you can. You mean a lot to me. Hope you remember that! Please stay safe and know my thoughts are with ya. We'll miss you! Do come on when you can.

Luv ya, dude!


Beverly

thanks all of you and beverly i will. nope we as far as i know we get no computers/internet, no tv watching and only one phone call when first arrive at Parris Island that only lasts about 15 seconds, only way of "communication" is through writing letters and we are encouarged to do that as much as possible to send/recieve them.

Hey Dillon...be safe and come back to us.

Make sure you take some Shinedown with you so you can remember us!!!!

don't worry i'll come back, after boot camp we get 10 days of leave, so i'll definently come back on here.

God speed, soldier.

Cya
You know you should like listen to Second Chance while your leaving, that must be very emotional.
Good Luck!

Best of luck Dillon! I had to idea you didn't get computers or internet for Basic. The soldiers that were part of True Life: I'm Shipping Out who were in KY (can't think of the exact location, I think it was Fort something) were allowed internet (not sure how much access per day) but not books. As I type this I just remembered that was the Army rather than the Marines, maybe that's why. Anyway, hope all goes well!

Hi everyone, I am Dillon's Mom. I had to set up my own account as I couldn't get in under his info for some reason. I will ask him when I send my first letter to him--it probably won't be for 2 weeks or so though--it takes a while to get his address.

Thank you all for your support of him. I know it means a lot. He has always been an amazing kid, always caring and wants the best for everyone.

We dropped him off last night at the recruiter's office carrying just his permit, SS card and nothing else. They can't take anything with them. He just wanted us to leave, no long goodbye's or anything. That's fine, it made it a little easier, BUT once I left the recruiter's and all last night, I couldn't stop crying! I miss him so much! I keep expecting to hear his music coming from his room, but I don't. I may have to go put one of his CD's in and play it to make it feel like he is still home. I have a wicked headache today and don't feel like doing anything and I am spending way too much time thinking about him, which makes me feel even worse.

Anyway, I just had to let you all know how much I appreciate your caring. Post any messages you can here and I will be sure to send them to him as soon as I can.

Thanks again!

Robin (Dillon's Mom aka Ranger)

I will get you his address as soon as I have it.

I'm sorry that this is what brought you here, but I'm sure that you'll find that there are some very supportive people here that can relate in one way or another.

The best that I have to offer is hugs.

That's okay, Thanks Mel. He has shared info. with me from here before and I know he has had a lot of support from this board, so I am sure the support will continue to come in. I will send him your message in my first mail to him. Can I post pictures here? If I can, I will post one of his swearing in ceremony from yesterday.

Robin

Nevermind, I see that I can put pictures here--I will try them now....

Wow,I am sorry they are so big. How do I make them smaller? (I would be embarrassing Dillon right about now.)

I had them on here but they were huge, I am going to try to make them smaller.

Thanks for putting up with me. Here they are again, hopefully smaller.