Marine

A Chapter by Lu Schneider

Marine

It was a long day of airplane rides. We started off in California, then had a layover in Seattle, and finally headed back to Anchorage. The flight to Anchorage was less crowded and pretty quiet, which helped us to relax some. There was a young man sitting close to us who struck up a conversation with Micah. During that time, the subject of Erik and his treatment came up. Micah ended up sharing what our last two months had been like. Other passengers listened in.

When we finally arrived at Anchorage, we gathered our luggage and waited for Micah’s brother, Tim, to pick us up. We had left our car at Tim’s house, so we could have a vehicle to travel home in. Our plans were to stay a couple of days with Tim and Kandi to share all of our experiences with them. It would also give us time to catch up on some much needed rest before heading home to Anderson.

During this time, Micah had shared with Tim and Kandi what Erik had said to him in the van about wanting to be a Marine. Everyone thought it was so wonderful that Erik had that much resolve in him. It also made us all sad; because reality was that this dream probably would not come true. Kandi decided that she would ask her friend, a navy recruiter if there was some toys or other gifts she could get for Erik.

After our first two days, we received a phone call from Barbara wondering when we would return to Anderson. We told her that we wanted to stay a few more days, but then she said the school children had a welcome home surprise planned for Erik. The teachers wanted to plan it just right for our return. So it was decided we would head home on Monday, September 30^th 2002, before school let out for the day.

As we drove into town it seemed very quiet and still. I was pleasantly surprised that there was no snow on the ground. We were not too late to catch the last of fall. We turned up D Street and headed to our little house on the corner of 2^nd and D Street. As we approached the house we saw balloons tied to our trees and house in the front yard. The school children had all signed a balloon; some put messages on them, and then tied them around the yard. It was a great welcome home for Erik.

Apparently, the students were watching for us to drive by the school, because within five minutes of school being let out we had a small crowd of Erik and Natasha’s friends stopping in to say “Hi”. Erik was pretty exhausted from the drive home, so he waved to his friends and promised to see them all the following Monday. It would take us the rest of the week to get settled and unpack everything. There was also a follow-up appointment we had with Dr. McFarland in Fairbanks.

The following week Erik, Natasha, and I all reported to school. I would work as a Teacher’s Aide in the 5^th and 6^th grade class. Erik would be in the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th, grade class, while Natasha would remain in the Kindergarten and 1^st grade class. We were all very excited to be back in the school. The children couldn’t wait to tell all their adventures to their friends. We looked forward to getting into our daily routine again.

Sometime during the next two weeks, Micah had received a phone call. It was the Marine recruiter from Fairbanks. He informed Micah that he had orders from General Jones, the Commandant of the Marines at the time, to swear Erik in as an Honorary Marine. At first, Micah thought it was a joke. The sergeant assured Micah it was no joke, and wanted to know when he could come down to swear Erik in. After the initial shock wore off, Micah and the sergeant agreed to November 2^nd, 2002.

Micah could not believe what was happening. He came to the school and shared the whole story with Erik and me. We had shared what Erik had said about becoming a Marine, but never dreamed this would happen. Excitement quickly spread through out the school and community. At first, we had planned for the ceremony to take place at the church, but soon everyone wanted to witness it. The next thing we knew the whole celebration was being planned and would be held in the school’s multi-purpose room.

Micah’s two brothers made plans to come up and witness the festivities. We soon found out that when Kandi had gone to get toys for Erik from the Anchorage recruiter, word moved up the ranks and soon Erik’s wish to be a Marine landed on the Commandants desk. The navy recruiter was also showing up to present Erik with a plague that happened to have a k-bar attached to it.

As October was coming to an end, we found out the news channel in Anchorage was coming up to do a human-interest piece on Erik becoming a Marine. We found out that at the time Erik would become the youngest person to every be made an Honorary Marine. It was even a bigger deal that the orders were straight from the Commandant. The closer we got to the ceremony the more news we heard of people wanting to come celebrate with us. Micah and I had no idea what to expect, but I had a feeling it would be big.

On the morning of November 2^nd, we went to church like any other Sunday. Today was different we had Micah’s brothers and their families there, along with the Navy recruiter. Our little church seemed pretty full. Erik’s ceremony was scheduled for around 2 p.m. There was just enough time to finish church and grab a quick bite to eat. The news channel crew showed up at our house to interview Micah and I before we headed to the school. We were asked about Erik’s illness and how we were feeling about him becoming a Marine. Then they talked to Erik for a few moments.

It was time to head to the school. As we walked in I was amazed at the number of vehicles parked outside. Erik was immediately swept away to put on his uniform. It was the smallest size they could find in the new digitized camous, the sleeves and pant legs still had to rolled up in order to fit. The news crew began to set up their cameras. Micah and I were ushered into the multi-purpose room.

I was taken back at the sight of all the people there. I knew I would not be able to control any tears. Many of the town’s people were present and patiently waiting. The Marine Corp League out of Fairbanks was present and would be doing the opening and closing prayers. They had also brought gifts for Erik. The recruiter sergeant from Fairbanks was also there in his dress blues to issue the orders and swear Erik in.

As soon as everyone was settled, Erik was escorted in and stood in front of all the people. Micah, Natasha, and I were already standing there with the Marine Corp League waiting. There were cheers and a standing ovation as Erik walked to the front of the room. The prayer was said. Then there was the Pledge of Allegiance. At that point, a few people made some presentations; Micah’s brother Matt pinned his sniper metal onto Erik’s uniform, the Navy Recruiter presented Erik with the plague, and then there was a young lady, who graduated from Anderson, there to present letters to Erik from the two Alaska Senators. She also read a letter from her brother, a fellow Marine who was currently serving in Aphganastan.

Finally, the Marine sergeant walked in the room, in perfect formation, and stopped right in front of Erik. He read the orders aloud. Erik stood at attention, the best a seven-year-old boy could, and remained perfectly still. He faced the sergeant and repeated the oath word for word. The sergeant then saluted and Erik returned the salute perfectly. It was official. Erik was now a private in the Marine Corp. I don’t think I ever heard that much applause mixed in with tears of joy. There was not a dry eye in the whole room.

With the ceremony over it was now time for celebrating. Two sheet cakes were set out along punch to drink. It was told that the cakes were donated by the business once they found out what the cakes were for. Erik had a table full of Marine Corp toys and other items that were given to him. As the people began to leave, after giving their congratulations to Erik, the news crew wrapped up their gear. They would send us a copy of the story once it aired. The day’s excitement was starting to take its toll on Erik, and we needed to get him home to rest.

The next day, life returned to its regular routine. Honorary Private Erik Reams still had to go to his 2^nd grade class and learn reading, writing, and math. Every other week, Micah would have to take Erik into Fairbanks for doctor’s appointments. They were monitoring his progress, if any. So far, Erik was doing all right. We were noticing his speech slurring a little bit more, and he started to walk with a limp. The biggest change was his energy level. He would get tired really fast and his breathing was starting to get labored. We were given a nebulizer and had to start doing regular treatments three times a day to help his breathing. A wheelchair was also given to have on standby, when walking became too hard and Erik got too tired.

A week after Erik was sworn in, Micah received a large envelope in the mail. The postal clerk was holding it very carefully as she handed it over to Micah. He looked at the return address: 1800 Pennsylvania Drive, Washington D.C. Micah was taken back. He immediately brought the letter over to Erik at the school, since it was addressed to him. We opened it up and read a welcome letter from the President to Erik, congratulating him on becoming a marine. Inside was also a press package with pictures of Marine 1, the President and First Lady, and their dogs.

We were suddenly starting to receive letters, cards, and even emails from marines and their families from all over the world. Erik read each letter, or listened as I read them to him. A little later, we received a letter promoting Erik to Corporal, since he was the only active marine in the area. There was even a retired vet who would periodically stop by to see Erik, one day he brought a marine corp. bear for Erik. Micah and I were stunned by all the outpouring support and love sent to Erik, admiring him for his bravery.

As the weeks continued, Erik began to sit and watch the news. He was especially interested in the war going on and the marines fighting over there. One day, Erik was sitting in his wheelchair watching the news report.

“Mom?”

“Yes, Erik.”

“Are they going to need me to fight?”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” I replied, “I think they would want you to finish school first.”

Erik looked straight at me, “I’d fight if they needed me.”

“I know you would,” recognizing the seriousness of his statement, “Fortunately, I don’t think they need you right now.”

“I can fight, Mom,” he stated, “All they have to do is attach the guns to my chair and I’ll be able to fight.”

I had to smile. Erik was so serious, but the picture he painted with guns attached to his wheelchair was one of humor. Later, I shared with Micah what Erik had said to me. Micah had had a similar conversation with Erik; only I think there was talk of mowing down the enemy in the wheelchair. I had to shake my head. I was starting to wonder if Erik wasn’t watching too much news, but he insisted on it everyday. I guess he felt like it was his duty to make sure things were going all right with the marines during the war.