Landon you know that I was at screening for the Police Academy on Friday and Saturday... well, a good friend of mine from Eastern Henrico was there as well that I went to the Citadel with. Hadn't seen him in over three years... he's about to make Captain in the Marine Corps, but has chosen instead to take a position in the reserves... his wife and he are about to have their second child, and he left 9 days after his first was born. So ironically we are both trying to get the gig with Henrico county, which would be pretty dang cool as he was one of the few people I readily hung out with on a regular basis both in and out of The Citadel.

Anyway, he did two tours in Iraq, got blown up a few times... he hears about as well as my muzzle blasted duck hunting ears do, but he was talking to another guy who is also stationed at Camp Lejune with 1/8 Marines. The first day we had to wear business suits, and I noticed this kid (he was 21) had a Lapel pin that was a ribbon award for a Purple Heart. I didn't ask because when I shook his hand I could see why. He had third degree burns all up and down BOTH arms. Skin graphs and everything... nasty scars... fortunately hardly any worse for wear other than on the surface... but good Lord... I couldn't imagine...

What those kids in your class don't realize is that when he got burned like that, he was only 18... which ain't hardly any older than they are... its a big shock for kids when they get out from under the blanket of mommy and daddy.