2. The Graduation
The proudest moment of my life
and I didn’t have to do a thing.
This is a story on how I watched
my best friend succeed in his
dreams. The kid on the far right is
Kyle. Kyle and I decided we were
going go on a trip to Paris island
SC. This was Joshes Marine Boot
camp Graduation. I can still
remember when the announcer
said “friends and family go meet
your marine.” I ran with Kyle as
fast as I could to greet him and
give him a hug.
3. Our Graduation
I met Josh in elementary school but
would not say he was my best friend
until high school. Though out high school
I learned from him about drive and
motivation toward a goal. Senior goal our
goals were the same to graduate and get
the hell out of high school. So everyday
we made sure that each of us was doing
just enough to get through. Not to much
and not to little. We had 2 classes
together senior year and made the most
of it. He taught me the best way to throw
a quarter for the drinking game quarters.
We found a secret room in the library
and took naps when we could, and tried
to have a good time everyday and never
be mad at anything.
4. The First Letter
In Boot camp there are no phones or computers to make contact with the outside world.
So a letter was written to his to best friends. This letter meant the world to me it is a lesson
to not just me but everyone because it shows that if you love someone say it! It could be
family, friends or a girl just say it because you never know if you’ll get to say it again. The
three of us always said I love you bro or I love you boys but we didn’t care if people labeled
it as gay or weird because we were brothers it was like we were family. At the end of a
5. Who Cares This is me
This is Josh. Josh always said slow down
take in life but don’t forget to rest. This
was after one of the craziest nights of
our life and it is something we will
never forget. All of us were pretty much
dead and could make it to far. As you
can see Josh took his first bed and
made it a good sleep. He was a kid that
didn’t care what others thought of who
he was or what he did. I will remember
that because he taught me not to care
to be me and not change for anyone
because if someone wants you to
change then they are not someone you
should care about.
6. Keep Your Friends Close
Josh always believed that who you surrounded yourself with is what defined you and
shaped you. He always tried to have a group of friends around him and always made sure
that his friends were his true friends. Josh would do anything for anyone because he knew
that if he helped them they would return the favor if it came to it. He has changed me in so
many ways but this is one that I will always remember because I have surrounded myself
with some of the greatest people that I consider my friends and my family. I would take a
bullet for everyone of these friends or family members.
8. The last slide is a picture of Kyle, Josh and me. This was a recent photo
over thanksgiving break 2013. Josh had about three hours he could hangout
because he no longer lived where I did but his mom drove there just so he
could spend some time with Kyle and me. We made the most of it and were
together the entire time he was here. Near the end of his time his mom sad
lets take a picture… being three older boys we moaned and groaned against it
but were talked into it by the motherly guilt. I will never say no to a picture
again because how many people can say they have a picture of the last
moment they got to be with their best friend. Yes Josh passed away 1-13-14 4
days after arriving in California for his recon training. I can remember
perfectly him give Kyle and I a hug and say I love you boy and stay safe. We
always said that the three of use were going to grow old together and do all
these great thing together, get married, buy house, have kids and grow old
near each other remaining best friends. I will always love my best friend Josh I
hope to never lose a friend so close to me or anyone that I knew so well and
that I cared about so much. He my be gone but never forgotten. I wear a dog
tag that says something that keeps me moving ever day. “Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid. God is with you. Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9
