WE CONTINUE ON,
PRESSING FORWARD,
PRESSING UPWARD.

June 22,1971
June 22,2001


The deep shadows of night faded. The sun peeked through the clouds
casting a golden hue that filtered through the bedroom blinds. In a
determined moment of time, dawn broke. The ceiling fan lazily circled
round and round ruffling the curtains with its breeze. We lay there
starring at the ceiling, aware that sleep had been eluded. Our minds
tried to hang onto a few precious moments of yesterday. But the
coming of the dawn forced us to acknowledge the day looming before us.

The 'day' time had been marching toward for thirty years. Tho we tried
in vain to hold it at bay, it arrived anyway. We often spoke of its coming.
We attempted to prepare for the inevitable but mostly we buried it 'somewhere'
in our minds. We tried to ignore the truth registered therein. Never really
believing it would arrive, but it did. It came rushing in, quickly thrusting
itself into our lives like waves upon the shore...uninvited.

We met the moment of truth with stony silence. Stoic controlled tears
hovered just below the surface. The day tasted like bad medicine
upon our tongues. We truly did not want the day to present itself.
Rousing from the restless night we sought each others eyes.
I moved into the warmth of his arms. The safest place in the world
to me. Laying my head upon his chest I listened to his heartbeat.
I knew the sad journey had already begun. I knew because my heart
itself was beginning to mourn.

A mourning not easily understood. No one word suitable to describe
the pain that grips a heart as it is coming to an end of a purpose.
Only understood by others who have served long, sacrificed well and completed
their Service. Those dedicated ones who gave as much as they received.
They have no choice when time has run its course.

Some begin the Dance with one special partner. A partner they choose
to share the adventure. A partner who still will be in their arms
when the last strains of'Goodnite Ladies' fades away.
We were so blessed. Not many like us but there are a few.
We set out in the same direction and we arrived together.
For this we are truly grateful to God.
Everything we faced always came to an end
and then we were, for a time, together again.

Life goes on in a different way but the desire for a piece
of what WAS will always remain. His Rank (Indeffinite), his priveleges earned,
we will continue to enjoy. So MANY will serve more faithfully
because he passed their way. So MANY will serve more honorably
because of the example he set.

Holding onto each other very tight we drew strength to face the day.
For Thirty years that is how it had been.
We began together. We would end together.
Our tears, regrets, desires and hopes to be shared in private.
Our secrets safe in each others care. Our lives richly blessed
because of The United Sates Marine Corps. Our memories
will be stored in a treasure chest to be taken out and refreshed
at the rarest of moments. The characteristics instilled would be
ever present in our lives.

Discipline,
Pride,
Valor,
Courage,
Honor,
Loyalty,
Dedication,
Committment.
Faithfulness.
Tradition.

He Served God.
He served Country.
He serves The Corps with his life.

I stand at his side, cheering him on.
HE IS MY HERO.

As the pomp and ceremony were finished and the day had come to a close,
we sought comfort in each others arms. We knew with this ending
came another beginning. We would shift in the Family from Active to Retired.
We would STILL be in the Family, our consolation.
Our lives would not change very much.
For him, time had run out and it was ended.

BUT with anticipation and a certain eagerness comes a NEW tomorrow.
Tomorrow ALWAYS brings with it a new Purpose.
A purpose that will unfold before us pointing us in a new direction.
And Tomorrow, as always, we will be together.
We will begin afresh.
We will begin anew.
CONTINUING ON,
PRESSING FORWARD,
PRESSING UPWARD.

~~~~ SEMPER FI ~~~~

BY
Roberta Rogers Wilcox
@6-2001



PROUD
Wife of MasterGunnerySergeant Gary C. Wilcox
and
Mother of GunnerySergeant Gary C. Wilcox,II
(Still Active)




Now, three years later I can say, "Yes," to the question,
" IS there life AFTER The Corps? "
Yes, the answer is yes
( but at the time I wasn't so sure.)
Tho life is a little different.
It is a little sweeter in a different way.
A little calmer,
A little less rigid.
But it IS as fulfilling.
Our love for the Corps will never end.
We are something of what we are, because of it.
It was the tool God used to mold us to who we NOW are.
It was the tool God used to take us around the Country and the World
to share the Good News of a Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our precious son continues the Traditions we hold dear.
We are MIGHTY PROUD of him!
We have received word he made the List!
June 2004
In a few months he will put on GunnerySergeant!
As he is in Iraq, ( his second tour)we will not
be there for the great moment. His father has
promoted him to Sgt. and then to StaffSgt.
We ARE looking forward to pictures tho!!
Roberta
5-30-2004