Private Mitch

Well, we got Mitch off to boot camp. He spent Sunday night in Salt Lake, and we went down and met him for dinner. Then Dan went to the processing center with him on Monday morning and stayed with him for the swearing in ceremony. He got to San Diego about 6, and he called me from the airport there. We talked for a few minutes, then he said he would call again when he got to the recruit depot, which would probably not be til 2 or 3 in the morning. I kept both of my phones by my side all night, just waiting for the call, which would be the last time I would be able to talk to him for three months. And I MISSED THE CALL. About 10:30, I went downstairs for a few minutes to look for a book, and as I was coming upstairs, I heard my phone ringing and ran down the hall to grab it, and I picked it up just as it was disconnected. I was so upset with myself. He left a message, and it turns out he was only able to read a statement, not have any kind of conversation, so maybe it was easier on him to not have to actually talk to me, but I am still sick to my stomach that I missed him.

Today will be his second full day there. I don't think they let them sleep til tomorrow night. Right now he is just in processing- paperwork, physicals, haircuts, all that stuff. He will meet his drill instructor on Friday, and that is when boot camp really starts. We should have an address for him on Monday so we can write to him, but in his message he said something about we should plan on hearing from him in 2-3 weeks, which seems like forever.