Letter TODAY! SPIRITS UP!!!

I got a great letter from Cass today:

20 Sep 08

Dear Mom,

I loved the pictures you sent of the dogs.  Especially the ones of Max (I have attached).

I learned how to stick someone with an IV the other day.  I did it on one of my buddies on the first try.

Yesterday we got gassed.  Look up the "gas chamber" on You Tube (I already did weeks ago--I think I knew more about it than him before he went it.  But I kept it to myself!).  It is ten times worse in real life!  We had to take our masks off for like 2-3 minutes.  It burned!  Everything--skin, eyes, nose and lungs.  I did handle it better than anyone else though which surprised me.  I thought I would freak out.  Most people thought they were going to die and about a third threw up. LOL

The experiences I have had so far are unrivaled.  No one in the world will ever have these experiences unless they are in the U.S. Military.  It's pretty awesome.

I received letters from Chris and Mollie the other day.  So, that brought my spirits up.  Not that hearing from you and the family doesn't (yeah, I know where we rank LOL).  It is just good to hear what is going on with my friends.

I have a really interesting part of training today.  I don't think many people know about it so I will keep it quiet (he did--he did not tell me what it was).

I am trying to achieve a perfect PT score at the end of Basic.  If I do I will receive an Army Award, which are really hard to get!  Have to get: 2 mile in under 13:00; push-ups 78; and sit ups 78 (or somewhere around there).

Nov 6 is graduation.  I will have most of that day to spend with you.  Also, our Post Commander made a mandatory rule that all that go to Basic here and go straight to AIT will get the weekend after graduation free as well.  So I will be able to spend three days with you all.

If you would figure out who all will definitely be coming.  Don't tell me that they are going to come if it is not a guarantee.  100% positive.  I know it will be hard to tell, but at least they will know and can plan ahead.

Then you all come up we will have to rent a car.  I can't stand not driving!

Well, I got to go now.  I love you and miss you, and home.

Love,

Your Son & Soldier

Cass Marchant