Two years ago today was the last time we got to talk via skype....who would of thought that 2 days later you would be gone....you started off the conversation with your everlasting remark, "Hey Fag!"....that always got a laugh out of me....you were so happy that day, telling me it would be your last patrol and we would see you by the middle of August.... You were coming home on the advanced party back to the states....we bantered back and forth like we always did, with you telling me, when you got back, you would give my candy ass a smack down like I never saw....we both laughed....then We got a little serious and I told you how much I loved you and how proud I was of you....you looked directly at me and told me how much that meant to you....you gave me one of those smiles that you were so famous for....I told you to be real careful and you told me, "Don't worry dad, I got this! I'm good to go! Tell mom I love her....I'll talk to you guys when I get back!"....who would of thought that, two days later, I would see a white gov't van, sitting outside the gate with two Marines dressed in their Alpha's....but I will save that for the 1st....there is not a day that goes by that I still think this is a dream....There are times that I still sit and stare at my phone, waiting for it to ring and picking it up to hear that, "Hey Fag!" on the other end....what I wouldn't give to hear you say that again...I miss you so much Curtis. That is all for now, I'll talk to you again on the 1st my son...Your mother and I love you so very much....

Happy Birthday to my hero, Curtis......Celebrating what would of been his 24th birthday today....he is surrounded by friends and loved ones on this day....not a day to be sad, but to celebrate the life that he lived...

Curtis was always trying to wear any of my boots....I guess he definitely tried to follow in my footsteps....Remember this day when he had his mom put him in my boots....he always had that smile that would make you laugh...