Thursday, December 4, 2008

Getting To Parris Island

Natalie left on Sunday, November 16th, she wasn't able to take anything with her but her wallet, hair straightener, make up and the clothes she was wearing. She stayed in SLC and her flight was the next day. On Monday, November 17th Norene went down to the recruiter's office, to find out what Natalie was in for, and he said he didn't think Natalie had left for the airport yet so he called the office down in SLC to find out. Natalie was still there and able to talk to Norene for a few minutes. She said she had just been sworn in and was on her way to the airport. She said she would try to call when she got to the airport.
Once she got to SLC airport she called and said she had made it and that she would call again when she got to the airport in Atlanta, Georgia. Once she got to Atlanta, she called and said she made it and found her gate and everything was good. She only had 30 minutes so she was going to hurry and grab a sandwich and get on the plane. If she was able to she would try to call when she got to the airport in South Carolina.
Well, about 20 minutes had past and Norene got another phone call from Natalie, and this was not a good one! She was crying and out of breath.... She had missed her flight!! Her ticket said gate V1 and once she got there it said it was going to Columbia. They changed her gate to V28. She took off running as fast as she could but didn't make it. She wasn't sure what to do and thought that she would be in so much trouble, we did too. Norene told her to call her recruiter and ask him what to do. Also, by now her calling card had run out so she had to use a random man's cell phone to make these calls. Her recruiter told her that their was a number to call if you miss your flight, so she did that. We were all so nervous about what would happen so Norene called the recruiter too. He said it happens all of the time and that she wouldn't be in any more trouble. Well Natalie called back, and she was able to get on a later flight and they said they would be there to pick her up when she got there. By now, Natalie had calmed down and found her new gate. There were about 5 other people at her gate that had missed their flights too. So at least now she wasn't alone. She told Norene she would try to call once she got to the airport but she didn't know if she could.
At about 11pm the phone rings and it was Natalie again, only this time she was calling from boot camp. She called and said "This is recruit Harris. I have made it to Parris Island." She said don't send her anything or try to contact her and that she will send a letter in 4-7 days with her address. Then she ended it with Good Evening. It was a very scripted phone call but at least we know she made it ok. This was a crazy day for everyone and we can't imagine what Natalie had to go through. We all just pray that she is ok and that she can adjust well to her new life as a marine.