Jahhead88

[Phantom Blooper]

In you and your families time of mourning and strife I hope that you took time for yourself and had a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[Osotogary]

You were born today and I have become a better man for it.
I have never met you in person but I have read your postings and have been both humbled and enlightened by them, especially those postings concerning your sons.
Like I have said before, I had come perilously close, quite a number of years ago, to experiencing what you and you family have gone through these recent weeks. I don't know if I could have been so eloquent and insightfull if things had turned out otherwise.
The best of all possible birthday wishes to you and yours. Happy Birthday.
Sincerely,
Gary

[Wyoming]

In you and your families time of mourning and strife I hope that you took time for yourself and had a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Amen and Semper Fi, My Brother!!

[davblay]

Happy Birthday and Semper Fi to you and your family!

[jahhead88]

Thank you Marines. I appreciate your wishing me a happy birthday. Today I had to go pick out the plot for my boys to be laid to rest. It's ironic, I'm trained to shoot and hit a target at 500 yards. I've been trained in hand to hand. I've had drill instructors in my face calling me every name you can think of. I've seen building shot up in Kuwait after the cease fire in 1991.

I've had to take charge and bury my father. Yet, I don't recall anything being as difficult as what I did today. Your remarks are morale boosters, and I'm thankful for them.

Semper Fi,

Jahhead88

[LeonardLawrence]

Here is to another year and your best work for you and in the memory of your sons ahead of you!

I mourn and toast with you at the same time....

[jahhead88]

Semper Fi Marines. My sons will not be forgotten. Whenever I feel stress in traffic, I will remember my son's hooked up to those machines. Whenever I start to think I've got it bad, I will remember how hard my sons fought to stay alive for more than 24 hours.

The doctors told me that Daniel developed septic shock very quickly. Had he lived, I was told he would have been paralyzed. His brother Andrew had bleeding on the left side of his brain; a category 4; the highest and most severe. Andrew also developed pneumonia, his problems with his heart valves and his kidney's started to shut down. If Andrew had lived he would have had severe cerebal palsy, been wheel chair bound, and probably would not have developed beyond the mental capacity of a 5 year old.

These boys fought hard for a much deserved victory. Yes, I don't deny I wanted them to live, and to be able to take them home. However, with what they would have faced, and what they have to look forward to now, I do not mourn their passing. I rejoice in the fact they are no longer in pain.

I won't deny part of me still hurts, but at the same time I know these boys are standing tall, free from tubes, ventilators, and all sorts of machines. Let's toast their courage. I will always be grateful for the time I had with them, and look forward to the day I can re join them. Until then, I will strive to live each day to the fullest.

When I went to Cardinal Glennon Hospital, I will say that I thought things were going bad. Those boys locked me on. I didn't have it as bad as I thought I did.

Jahhead88

[Scottyva]

Semper Fi Bro and when you thought you were at your lowest point in life Your Brothers and Sisters in the Corps rose to the occasion as we have done so often in the History of the Republic.

I hope that you did have a great Birthday and that we all still recieve the Blessings from the Supreme Commandant

[jahhead88]

You're right. My brothers and sister Marines stepped up. Thanks for the birthday wishes. As far as blessings from the Supreme Commandant, many of them are on this board.

[thedrifter]

Happy Birthday!

You are in my prayers.

Ellie

[GUNNY MAX]

Happy belated Brian.

[jetdawgg]

Jarhead88 Happy birthday.

[Camper51]

A day late and a dollar short for me, as usual.

Happy Birthday Marine

Prayers outgoing...

[lovdog]

88:

Best wishes on your birthday!!
From the number of hits on your posts, your plight has touched the hearts of alot of Marines and families from coast to coast - probably worldwide by now.
I've always believed that everything happens for a reason - I'm not sure why bad things happen to good people sometimes - and at times things just don't make "any" sense at all - thats the wonderment of life I suppose.
But, I will guarantee that there are probably thousands out there now - that will hug their kids a little tighter, appreciate their wives a bit more for the sacrifices that they make and take a look up at the sky and thank God for the precious lives that they constantly take for granted because of your writings.
Thanks!!
Oh, by the way, when your talking to your boys tonight in "your" prayers - thank them too from all of us!!

SF

[BOOGIEMAN44]

Happy Birthday Brother, My Prayers Go Out To You And Your Family, Mark