The Rodriguez's Family Site

Bike Ride and Picnic

2009-09-07T10:38:00.005-04:00

Sunday, we got together with the McGuire family and went for a picnic and bike ride in New York Rockland Lake, Congers, NY. Good time was had by all.

Chris During Training

2009-09-07T10:22:00.003-04:00

Chris at Marine Corps Combat Training, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina

Chris' New Mailing Address

2009-08-27T09:42:00.002-04:00

If you would like to drop Chris a line, this is his new address until September 22, 2009:

Pvt. Rodriguez-Cyriax, C.G.
2nd Plt., India Co.
SOI - East, MCT BN
PSC Box 20161
Camp LeJeune, NC 28542-0161

Chris and Bryant

2009-08-26T11:25:00.004-04:00

This past Monday, August 24th, Christopher left for North Carolina where he will attend school for approximately 5 weeks. He will attend Marine Combat Training which is mandatory for all Marines. From there, he will go to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he will attend Artillery, Forward Observer School. Afterwards he will be assigned to his permanent duty station, where ever that may be. We are hoping for North Carolina.

Bryant is in Timor-Leste, Indonesia. He left August 3rd and will be back some time in February, 2010. He is doing great things out there for the people of Timor-Leste.

Like Father, Like Sons

2009-08-24T14:56:00.005-04:00

Carlos - April, 1977

Chris - August, 2009 and Bryant - July, 2007

Click HERE to View Picture Album of Family Day and Graduation

2009-08-20T15:09:00.002-04:00

Click on Title to view the pictures of Chris' Marine Corps Family Day and Graduation.

An e-mail from a good friend

2009-08-16T09:08:00.001-04:00

Congrats and Thanks for sharing friend! I’m in awe after seeing the pictures of your new Marine standing next to the proudest Marine Dad. When you look at his picture you can see in his eyes that he is undoubtedly Marine now. It’s just amazing how much change can come in three months. He is newly transformed man of extraordinary accomplishment and achievement. God Bless and many prayers that he may safely carry out his duties serving our great country!

Will talk and see you.

Semper Fi!

Joe Sinacore

Our New Marine

2009-08-14T20:45:00.005-04:00

Family Day

2009-08-13T20:51:00.003-04:00

The Day started with a Motivational 3 Mile run around Parris Island for the families to witness, enjoy and cheer their Marines on. It worked and it was one of the greatest events witnessed. As they ran by the many bells around Parris Island, a designated Marine would run to the bell and ring it until every runner passed the bell. It was quite a sight to see. Families were gathered throughout the streets with signs, banners and flags cheering on their Marine. This was the last run they would perform as a unit in Parris Island. After the run they returned to their barrcks to shower and dress. They then returned and entered the auditorium where Liberty for the Day was sounded. We got to spend several hours with Chris and several of his fellow Marine friends. We toured his barracks and met his Drill Instructors. We had lunch with them and at 2:45 pm Chris returned to his unit where he had to be by 3:00 pm. Marine motto, "If you are early, you're on time... If you are on time, you are late."

We would meet with Chris again Friday after the graduation ceremony.

The transformation has been terrific.

Good Time Had By All on Vacation

2009-08-13T09:48:00.006-04:00

Well, our vacation went well. We got to spend 2 days in Savannah, Georgia. Extremely hot, but we spent a lot of time in the hotel's roof top pool.

After the 2 days in Savannah, we went to Hilton Head, NC. Again hot, but we had a nice time between the beach and the pool.

After spending 2 days in lovely Parris Island, Marine Corps Recruit Depot for Chris' Liberty Day and Graduation, we returned back to Hilton Head for a couple more days. We couldn't believe the $26.50 room rate per night in Parris Island's Osprey Inn. Overall, we had a great time.

Chris is Officially a United States Marine

2009-08-09T23:48:00.002-04:00

Today we received a telephone call from Chris. Since finishing the Crucible on Saturday, today he was allowed 3 hours of on-base liberty and he called.

Hearing his voice for the first time in three months was a bit emotional but joyous as well. He is doing well and in good spirits. When he officially became a Marine at the end of the Crucible, he said it was the proudest day of his life. We will see him Thursday and we'll be able to spend time with him as well as on Friday during Graduation.

THANK YOU all for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers while facing the most challenging time of his life.

Hopefully you will get to see him while he enjoys 10 days of leave at home from August 14th to August 25th.

CHRIS' BIRTHDAY!!

2009-07-06T09:37:00.005-04:00

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS"

Saturday, July 11 will mark Christopher's 19th Birthday. Obviously, he will spend it in Boot Camp and will have no celebration whatsoever. It will be just another training day, but we can make it a bit different.

Please write him a birthday wish. He will be totally surprised and proud of the fact that you are thinking of him.

In case you don't have his address, here it is:

RCT. Rodriguez-Cyriax, Chris / 4840
Platoon 1053, "C" Co. 1st RTBN
P.O. Box 11053
Parris Island, SC 29905-1053

Chris is 1/3 of the Way Done

2009-06-24T19:20:00.003-04:00

On Tuesday June 23, 2009 Chris began his Second Phase of Basic Training. The first phase consisted of several classes including First Aid, Combat Conditioning, Marine Corps History, Swim Classes and qualifications, and much more. He also had classes on Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, tested on Friday, June 19 and he will graduate boot camp with a tan belt in Martial Arts.

Click here to view some of what he has been doing thus far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYRccSZgXV4

The Second Phase of training will include firearms qualification with the rifle and handgun, Land Navigation courses and many more. He is doing well, considering he has had his wisdom teeth removed and an upper respiratory infection.

Click here to view some of what the next four weeks will be like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPgkACv7grk&feature=related

He is asking that everyone please drop him a line. His address is as follows:

RCT Rodriguez-Cyriax, Chris / 4840
Platoon 1053, "C" Co., 1st RCTB
P. O. Box 11053
Parris Island, SC 29905-1053

He needs as much encouragement as possible. So please write a letter or a short note.
He will be happy to receive it.

2009-06-20T22:00:00.001-04:00

He loves his big brother.

At the WWII Memorial, Washington DC.

Yes!.... The brain washing begins early. Guess
what's going thru Julia's head......psychos!!!!

Letters from Chris and Training Update

2009-06-02T17:25:00.005-04:00

Today we received two letters from Chris, one for Daniel and the other for Julia. He sounds a lot better than the last letter we got from him. At least he sounds a little more upbeat. He is on his 7th day of training and only 72 more to go.

Today he had a 2.0 mile run as well as training on upper body strikes. Part of the training now consists of Marine Corps Martial Arts Program which he will learn throughout boot camp. The rest of the week is a lot of classroom work on Marine Corps Leadership and Values and on Saturday he will have his first 5 kilometer conditioning march with his entire gear on his back. It will be tough, but we are all pulling for him.

http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/matrix/matrix.pdf

Click on the link above to view Chris' training. Keep in mind that training is divided into three phases. Phase 1 is the phase he is on now and will complete it in 22 days. The "T" represents Training Day #.

Chris Is On His Way

2009-05-30T23:41:00.004-04:00

Today we received a letter from Chris. He wrote one to Daniel and one to Dad. Aside from being extremely homesick, he is doing well. He is in a platoon which he considers to be better than the other 2 platoons in the Company when it comes to marching and drill. He said he is going to church and when he does he thinks about us and home a lot.

He is on his third week, but the second week of training. The first week does not count since it's considered receiving week. During that week they get physicals, shots, uniform issue, a beautiful haircut and much more. At the end of the first week, they greet their Drill Instructors and perform an initial Physical Fitness Test which it's used as a base.

We have been blogging with his Drill Instructor over the past few days. He is great in that he gives us a minute by minute schedule of what the platoon is doing during the day. He is the Company Gunnery Sergeant who is in charge of the Drill Instructors. Isn't technology Great!!

If you have a chance, please send him a note. He would be extremely happy to receive a note from you. We are the only contact to the "outside" world he has. He would LOVE to hear from you. If you need his address, send me an e-mail and I will send it. I cannot post it here.

5 Days down and 75 more to go.

Bryant Is Home

2009-05-29T23:52:00.000-04:00

Today Bryant arrived Home.

He will be home for 13 days and then return to Gulfport, Mississippi. He is scheduled to be deployed to Indonesia during the first week of August, 2009

2009-05-20T21:38:00.001-04:00

Good Luck Chris. We Wish You Well.

Semper Fi

The Famous Scripted Telephone Call

2009-05-19T21:36:00.002-04:00

Today at approximately 2:00 a.m., we received the dreaded telephone call from Chris. He called and said he had arrived safely at Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina and we would hear from him via mail in approximately 2 weeks.

It's a dreaded call because there is no dialogue whatsoever. He said the above and hung up. We can only imgine he is doing well, and can't help but wonder how he is doing.

Chris "officially" on his way

2009-05-18T21:33:00.004-04:00

Today at 12:15 pm, Christopher officially became a United States Marine Corps "Recruit". I met him at the Processing Service Center in Brooklyn, New York where he was sworn-in and departed for the airport.

As you can only imagine, today has been an emotional roller coaster for Andrea and I. As I write this, he is onboard a Delta flight bound for Atlanta, Georgia and ultimately Parris Island, South Carolina, MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot).

He will arrive sometime in the very early mornin g hours of Tuesday, May 19th while it is still dark. This is done deliberatly in order to start the psych process.

Daniel's Karate "Board Breaking Night"

2009-05-15T22:05:00.006-04:00

Daniel had a GREAT evening when he participated in Board Breaking Night at his Karate School recently. He broke a board with his fist and another with his foot and participated in several other events.

Ours Is Proudly Displayed

2007-12-28T21:30:00.004-05:00

Click on this link to read about the history of this flag. She is proudly displayed on our front door.
http://cybersarges.tripod.com/bluestarflgs.html