Getting Settled on Parris Island Marine Base and Thursday Morning’s Motovational Run

September 5, 2026

Photos: A mixture of mine and our daughter Deb’s

Wednesday Evening, September 2

Internet Photo

Shortly before arriving at the gate, Kristen said, “Everyone pray for a quick security check-in.”, and Jere messaged a prayer warrior. There was no one ahead of us, so we went directly to the security person. He looked at Jere’s paperwork and saw we were staying at the motel on base and that he had reserved electric scooters for Cerwin and me if we needed them. He replied, “Go ahead.”

Oh, wow! Our first “God Thing” of the next two days.

If you ever have to go to Parris Island for a Marine graduation, if possible, stay at the motel on base. We stayed on base during our entire stay. It saved us a lot of time. If you had to come on base for family day or graduation, there was a long waiting line at the gate – sometime hours long.

As we were driving to our motel, we waited at a crossroad as Jesse’s Charlie Company jogged by us. There are 474 new Marines, and they are all dressed alike, so finding Jesse among them was not easy. However, we did know that he is in Platoon 1054, so did not look for him until we saw the flag numbered 1054. (There were six platoons.) Deb was in the first seat with an open window and found him! Above.)

That was God Thing #2

When we could talk to him, he did see the big white van but did not recognize us.

We checked into Marine Lodge – a former barracks, which was basic and simple, but comfortable and clean. After getting settled in our rooms, we went to a nearby restaurant.

Kelli, Kristen, Jere, and Jana checking the menu.

Cerwin and I checking the menu. After traveling all day, we weren’t very hungry, so shared a turkey wrap and an order of fried pickles. When I was at the counter placing our order, we heard Kristen squealing with delight and looked to see what happened. That was when Deb discovered the above photo of Jesse jogging by us. 🙂

While some of us were still eating, Jere went back to the motel and heard the sound of Charlie Company coming toward him, so he just waited. As Jesse’s platoon arrived, they turned toward him and shouted, “Good Evening Sir.” Jere said it took a few seconds to realize, “They are addressing me!” Then he saw Jesse (center) who looked right at him and smiled. You can see the remains of his smile as he turned his attention back to the march.

Jere came rushing into the restaurant almost out of breath, smiling broadly and shouting, “I just saw Jesse.” He looked at me and smiled, and I got a picture.”

None of us had seen Jesse since early June, and we didn’t expect to see him until Thursday’s “Family Day” when he had several hours of leave. We were here less than two hours and saw him twice!

That was God Thing #3

(The next day Jesse said to Jere, how did you happen to be at that spot when we went by last night. Jere told him, it was a God Thing, I was going from the restaurant to the motel when I heard your company coming toward me, so just waited.)

Thursday Morning’s Motovational Run

We were up early to wait for the Motovational Run. Jere and Kristen were up even earlier to set up eleven chairs which they brought from home – in the trailer we pulled.

I love traveling with Jere and Kristen. They are great organizers and don’t miss a detail.

As 7 am approached, we began to see more security. As you can see, many families were dressed in red to honor their Marine. Red is the color of Charlie Company.

We were also dressed in red with a large Jesse High sign.

This was the back of the shirt of those who purchased special graduation t-shirts.

A photographer walked by and offered to take a photo of us. She then used Deb’s cell phone for this shot.

It looks like I didn’t warn anyone that I was taking this picture. 🙂

Jere holding the sign for good lighting in the rising sun.

There was a beautiful sunrise as the motovational run time approached.

The band announced the beginning of the run.

Those showing the colors as Charlie Company arrived.

Roy, retired from the Navy, saluted as the colors went by. We probably should have all done that, but most of us are not familiar with military rules and we didn’t notice other families standing. By-the-way Roy saved some of us from making stupid mistakes because of our lack of military rule knowledge.