marines

I got quite a nice surprise this morning: a call from my oldest son JW, who is in Jacksonville, NC training for his Marine job.

My son is a United States Marine. He will leave for his first major assignment in a few weeks. I know this CNN story would bring a tear to my tough Marines eyes. An Idaho couple makes you believe that true love does exist. The photo of the former Marine on his wife's back has gone viral and is hitting the hearts of thousands.

JW flew out of Dallas on Monday evening to report to Camp Geiger in North Carolina for about a month.

My son stopped by the studios to thank the KVKI listeners for all the prayers, letters and support he's gotten during his 13 weeks at boot camp. If you missed the show this morning, here are some of the stories he told us.

My son is now a Marine and he does not have too many chances to wear his dress blues. He wanted to wear them over the weekend, so he took his friend to Ernests for dinner.

Last week, I made my way to the US Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, SC. It's really hard to describe the emotion. I am so proud of my son, JW Cox III. He is now a United States Marine.

As all our regular listeners know, every Father's Day Erin writes - and reads on the air - a letter to her Dad, John, who passed away in 1987. In it, she tells him about the changes in her life, about her two sons, and the latest news concerning her Mother.

Erin's Facebook post Saturday was quite simple: 'My son finished The Crucible at Marine basic training. So proud!' On his own Facebook page, commenting for the first time in more than three months, Erin's son wrote: 'Finished the crucible unbelievably! I'm now a United States Marine. Miss you mom and dad. See you Thursday!'

My son is about to enter his final week of Marine Basic Training and I have been doing a lot of thinking about him and how much he reminds me of my father.

I really don't know how to explain to you how these photos have affected me. My oldest son, JW has been in South Carolina for the past 10 weeks going through Marine basic training. I have had no contact with him during these weeks (except for lots of letters) ...

She says Mother's Day was the hardest, 'the first I've been without both my sons. But now there's just three weeks to go!'

My son is now in the homestretch of his Marine basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. He sends thanks to all of my friends and listeners who have kept him in your prayers these past couple of months.