PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. It's just

before 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, and I'm sitting in metal bleachers

overlooking the parade deck (known around these parts as "the grinder")

as the hot South Carolina summer sun begins to make its brutal presence

known.

I am surrounded by hundreds

of proud friends, parents, grandparents, spouses, children, and siblings

who have come to watch their young man or woman graduate from the grueling

process that is Marine Corps Recruit Training, or "basic warrior

training." I am here to see and to congratulate Anthony Kyle Bond

of Tyrone, an outstanding young man that I have known since he was in

elementary school. Fifteen weeks earlier, our church prayed for Kyle the

Sunday before he left college and home in the hopes of earning the title

of United States Marine.

The first time I was here was

Friday the 13th of February 1970. Then, as now, there was a war on and,

like Kyle, I left the university to enlist. Then, as happened 15 weeks

ago, parents struggled to understand why a youth so full of promise would

leave college and join the Marines during a dangerous time. Then, as now,

people asked why a young person would risk losing everything to go off

to Parris Island.

In my case, my father had worked

hard to get me into the Tennessee National Guard, which, in those days,

unlike today, was how a number of young men honorably avoided the draft

and missed Vietnam. On Tuesday evening, February 10, my father excitedly

told me than I could now get into the Guard. I had been sworn into the

Marines that very morning. He was stunned. I had just turned 19.

On Thursday, my mom and dad

took me to the bus station and, as the bus pulled out, I saw my father,

a Navy veteran of World War II, shed tears for the first time in my life.

When Mom and Dad returned home later that night, they found a letter that

I had left on my bed.

Both my mom and dad are dead

now. Two weeks ago, as I was sorting through some of their papers, I found

the letter, which they kept for the past 33 years. Here's what it said:

There are some things that

I just can't explain. I feel that I owe the country something. I have

to serve. I feel also that I owe you all a great deal. Dad, I've always

wanted you to be proud of me more than anything else in the world. Could

you really be proud to say, "My son is a good National Guardsman?"

Wouldn't you much rather say, "My son is a Marine?" Maybe not.

I don't think it would really make any difference. But it does to me.

Whether the Marines are the best or not, that's the reputation they have.

I want to do something different for a change. I want to be part of the

best. I'm already part of the best family in the world. I have to prove

something. I have to prove it to myself.

I don't know if you understand

or not. But it's something I felt so strongly about, I did it no matter

what I was advised. Mom and Dad, please don't think I did this to get

away from you. I've never realized how much I love you all until now.

I feel badly and I've already done my crying. But, it's something I'd

do again. I'll see you all soon.

Thank you especially for the

last few days. You've been great. I'll write as soon as I can. Please

pray for me and I hope I made the right decision. I love you both more

than anything in the world.

-David

On April 25, 1970, after the

most intense training I could have possibly imagined, I marched on this

same "grinder" with hundreds of other young men and women who

had become United States Marines. My mom cried when she later saw me in

my uniform. My grandfather looked me over and just beamed. My dad shook

my hand, hesitated, then hugged me and, crying for the second time in

my life, told me how proud he was.

But this day belongs to Private

Kyle Bond, USMC, and those who share this proud day with him. This day

will become more significant, not less, with the passing of time. He will

look back on this day as the day when he became a man. He will, in future

times of difficulty, remind himself that if he could survive Parris Island,

he can do anything and he will "improvise, adapt, and overcome."

In a few minutes the new Marines

will march in review. It will be an impressive sight and will continue

the long, proud tradition. The band will play the Marine Corps Hymn and

my own heart will swell with pride, a lump will form in my throat, and,

in all likelihood, I will cry.

I know how hard these young

people have worked. I know the price they have paid. They and I, for an

eternity, will be one "Once a Marine, always a Marine."

I am proud of you Kyle. Welcome

to the Corps, Marine.Semper Fi.

[David Epps is rector of Christ

the King Charismatic Episcopal Church, which meets at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Sundays on Ga. Highway 34 between Peachtree City and Newnan. He may be

contacted at [email protected] or at www.CTKCEC.org.]