 I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in Richland Township. Growing up was me, my brother, mom, and dad. My dad was awesome. He really was a family first kind of person. Just awesome to be around great motivator, great mentor, a good person to look up to. Just sitting down on the couch with him, talking about sports, talking about life, just embracing each other and always being together. Just that bond we had. My father was in the hospital a couple days before I left for Paris Island. He was nervous. It's not that he didn't want me to go. He wanted me to stay home and be with him forever, but he knew it was the right thing for me. We were in formation, going to Chow, and my senior drill instructor called out my name, said, Ramon, get over here. I screamed ICER and I ran over, and it was him and a lot of my chain of command personnel were standing there. They took me back to the squad bay into their office, and they broke the news that my father wasn't doing well. They received a Red Cross message saying get me home so I could go see them. When I found out, I immediately started crying. He was just an awesome person overall. Without him I wouldn't be here. He raised me, he taught me how to act, what to do, what not to do. Just a great role model, great father. I went home, did the whole funeral, which was super tough. They gave me ten days of emergency leave. I only used forward and came back. My dad said always start or finish what you start. That was one big thing. That's why I'm here. I signed up to better my life, and this is the start of a new chapter for me, and I'm going to finish it here. I just want to say I love you again. Give him a big hug. I never got to speak with him once he got to the hospital. Never got to see him once he got to the hospital. I left for boot camp right when he got in. All I would want to do is say I love you. Give him a hug and say thank you for everything you've done for me again. Just one more time.