Friday, September 16, 2011

Still More San Diego ...



On Thursday September 1st the Heckmans's and the Lauterback's attended "Family Day" at MCRD in San Diego.  In the after noon I got to meet cousin Kyle Heckman!  An almost newly minted US Marine.  Below are some of the photos taken that day.
The start of the day's adventure.  We learned lots
of recruit training daily vocabulary and rules of
behavior.  The DI must have been hard of hearing
as he kept telling us to speak louder.  Hmmmmm

Kat my wife, enjoying the day's adventure!

Sandy Heckman, Kyle's father.
Pictured here: Jennifer, Josh and Willma.
Josh is Kyle's best friend of many years!
This short vid shows a small part of the motivational run the recruits make around the assembled family and friends.


Spotted first by Willma's long lens.  Standing at ease.
Oh, looking R to L, Kyle is the third one in line.
The Hickman's reunited.  What a wonderful sight!
Son and mother.  A happy woman!
Kyle and Jennifer

The thing about "Family Day" is that the day before graduation, the family and friends of the recruit meet and spend the day together.  The recruit cannot leave the depot and must be back in his quarters by 1800 hours and not a second later.  Kyle according to his parents departed for his quarters a little after 1700 hours.  Not EVEN taking a chance of not returning on time.  The penalty for being late? The recruit will have to wait for the next scheduled graduation ceremony to graduate.  Quite a motivator if you ask me.


The afternoon activities began with the "Liberty Lunch Buffet."  Evidently right after these photos were taken Kyle ushered everyone to the "Chow Hall."  Due to other concerns Kat and I were        unable to attend the buffet. 

Stay tuned.  Tomorrow?  Graduation Day!

More of our San Diego Vacation


I'm thinking that some photos of our visit will speak louder than any words I might have to add.  Enjoy!


Little guy on the move

King of Beasts

Condors


Hippopotamus ... thats imposarus (well not really).


These are just a few (as you can tell) of the many photos we all took.  May I invite you to plan your own visit?  It is truly an outstanding zoo!

Lunch Time • It's TGI Fridays!

Mother & Daughter hamming it up for the camera!


Next stop?  A San Diego Mission!


This is (get ready for a fairly long name) Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala´ It was established on July 16, 1769 in Mission Valley, just northeast of the the city.  I found it a lovely peaceful place to visit.


Facing the alter.


Inside the garden area, looking to the front of the Mission's Bell Tower.


A statue of Franciscan priest, Father Junipero Serra, founder of the California Missions.

Just as a side note the Garmin iPhone app pronounced "Junipero" as "uneepero."  Sometimes the Garmin's pronounciation takes a bit of getting used to.

Stay tuned ... coming up ... the OTHER reason the Heckman's and Lauterback's are in San Diego!