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Is This Overkill?

By
Real Estate Agent with Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 BRE# 01494165

Sorry...but how could I resist posting just one more picture? Especially this one. Last week they measured for their dress uniform and my son sent this to me. 

You don't know my son...but I know that smile. That's the smile of a young man who is wearing the culmination of many years of hard work. 

Richard became seriously interested in serving in the Marines about his first year of college. He was raised in a family that always valued our military and always showed our appreciation whenever possible. 

About the same time Richard decided to become an attorney, he also started to seriously look into military service....as a JAG Lawyer. For the following 3 years, he applied to every branch of our Armed Services to be accepted into the JAG Corps, but wasn't chosen. He went on to law school, got married, passed the bar and started at a great law firm.

But I think it nagged at him.

Last year he spoke to a recruiter about the Marine Reserves and began a strenuous workout schedule to be ready for the physical tests required. As he would be 29 years old at selection (too old), he also had to get an age waiver, which came in the week before selection.

All this while working full time and advancing within his firm. 

He did it!

Last week was the end of week 6 and the hardest part is over. He knows what to expect physically and mentally...and how to do it. 

This picture is so representative of that. That smile is the smile of accomplishment! So much work and dedication! How could I not share just one more picture? :)

Comments (30)

Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Karen, of course you had to post that picture, and the tale of your son's dedication. We would not have it any other way.

Jul 14, 2015 04:17 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Oh My Gosh Karen.....I love his story.  He's gone above and beyond and then some to accomplish his dreams. We are all so proud of him and his Momma!  Please do keep the pictures coming!!

Jul 14, 2015 05:55 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

A terrifically accomplished young man (and very dishy, too!). You deserve to be proud of the man you raised.

Jul 14, 2015 06:28 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Hi all, thanks....so proud, obviously since I can't stop posting. :)

Jul 14, 2015 06:35 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Karen 

By the smile on your sons face . . . . someone is very proud to be a Marine.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jul 14, 2015 07:29 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

I know you are one proud mom... as anyone would be! What an accomplishment!

Jul 14, 2015 09:33 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Karen, you should be very proud. He is one dedicated man. Enjoy all your smiles!

Jul 14, 2015 10:19 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Please Karen try to show a little pride in your son?

Jul 14, 2015 12:40 PM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

I know you are proud of him and you have every right to be! That is what makes us mothers!

Jul 15, 2015 03:17 AM
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

It doesn't matter that you may have a special angle on this one.

The facts are what the facts are.  Richard is a strong, determined & very capable man.  One which anyone in our country should be proud of.  Clearly, his Mom would have real good bragging rights on this one.

Jul 15, 2015 01:56 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Congratulations to his determination.  You have many reasons to be proud of him.  He'll be a huge asset to the Marine Corps.

Jul 17, 2015 04:41 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Karen, wow!  You must be totally proud of Richard.  Last month, the amazing kid who's been renting my downstairs apartment moved out after he was accepted into officer training for the Marines.  He is a great kid - handsome, smart, highly educated and in amazing physical shape, and he really wanted to serve his country.  Then, after three weeks,  he called me to say it didn't work out and was the apartment rented yet.  This is the first failure of this young man's life, and his friends and parents have been totally supportive.  And now, whenever I hear about someone who actually made it through the training, I have a new respect!

Jul 19, 2015 12:48 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Karen,

I included this one on today's list of last weeks favorites! 

Jul 19, 2015 01:40 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Patricia Kennedy , thank you so much for including this. The last 7 weeks have really tested every part of him, but he can see the goal now and when I talked with him yesterday he sounded really good.

Jul 19, 2015 01:56 PM
Hrisco & Associates
Hrisco & Associates - Roanoke, TX
Roanoke Homes for Sale - Roanoke Neighborhoods

Congrats to your son on his proud accomplishment.

Jul 19, 2015 05:14 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Karen, Congratulations to you and your Son. You must be proud of him.

Jul 19, 2015 08:05 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

This is definitely not overkill!  It is wonderful that he was able to get the waiver needed to follow his dream - we are all proud of him!

Jul 19, 2015 09:30 PM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I'm so happy for you. You have every right to be a proud mom. Your son sounds wonderful.

Jul 19, 2015 10:25 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Overkill? Never! My son serves in the Navy (medicine) and I am proud of him.  No matter what your child does, you are never wrong to brag!

Jul 20, 2015 01:55 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

When they say a few good men, that's what they mean!  I, too, have a son who is one of the few.  Congrats!

Jul 20, 2015 06:33 AM