My son, Philip, to me and to my family, is a true American Hero. I am sure he would disagree; I'll let you be the judge. At 18, in his Senior year of High School, Philip quit school. With no real direction, but not wanting to go nowhere, he earned his GED. By 19 years of age, and after falling into some trouble, he enlisted with the NAVY. At this time, he moved from his Mother's house to mine and my wife's home. We vacationed in Virginia Beach; saw the Navy ships in Norfolk and believed he was on his way to sea. But God had different plans for him; a good friend of his had joined the Marine's and wanted and enticed Philip to join as well. After seeing what the Marine's had to offer, he was sold. But they wouldn't accept his GED, and by this time, he was 20 years old. It was either continue with the idea of the NAVY, or go back to school. Philip went back to High School at 20 years old. High School was no easier for him then than it was when he was a teenager. He struggled. But he made it. He had found himself in some trouble with friends before he left for bootcamp, and we wondered if he'd ever go. But by the grace of God, he made it. The day of his swearing in to the United States Marines; and after he was gone by plane, we received his High School diploma in the mail. It was both wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time. This man of 24 years old is now serving his second tour. He is considered a war veteran. During his first tour, in Iraq, he was in unfortunate danger, and lost six brothers on a mission; one in his arms. He came home shattered, broken; a different man.