BoBo/Daddy

Most anyone that knows our family, knows that "BoBo" is one of the most important people in Chad's life. BoBo for those that don't know is my daddy. He was more of a father to Chad all his life until the last 5 years when Tebo came into the picture and allowed daddy to just be a BoBo and enjoy the BoBo role 100% versus splitting between BoBo and father. Every time I would speak to Chad or he would write me he would always (without fail) tell me to make sure BoBo was okay and ask how he was, really. The biggest reason Chad chose the Marine Corps was because BoBo was/is a Marine and he said if he was going to do this thing he might as well be a bad ass (sorry) and be the toughest of the toughest. I couldn't have agreed more. Regardless why he joined this branch or any other branch, we were all so very proud (still am) of what he accomplished. His biggest goal was to be the same rank BoBo was when he got out and he achieved that goal within 2 weeks of being at his final destination in Afghanistan and that was picking up Corporal and NCO. That was the first thing he told me was that he was final the same rank as BoBo. What better compliment to a man than to have your grandchild or anyone for that matter want so badly to be just like you. I'm so proud not only of Chad, but of my daddy who apparently lived the life that my only son wanted to mirror. Thank you daddy for that. I hope and pray that I have that affect on someone one day. What a legacy. It is so hard for all of us to make sense of all this, but one thing makes perfect sense to me (at this moment anyway), my baby boy loved his BoBo so much and with all his heart that he would have done anything to make sure he was ok and he was proud to walk in his footsteps. It is my prayer that my daddy doesn't spend one second of his life ever regretting being a Marine or Chad walking in his footsteps, because I wouldn't have had it any other way. We have been blessed in our life to have two sets of parents to be so proud of and to have a huge family that I would have been proud for him to have mirrored his life after, but trust me when I say that I can think of no better man for my son to follow footsteps of than my daddy. I love you daddy and I am so proud of you and I'm proud of the example you were to my baby boy. I will forever be grateful for that and I know how proud Chad was to be just like you. There is a country song that (of course) I can't remember the name of or who sings it, but it talks about a son following his "father's" footsteps and joining the military and how proud he was. Every time I hear that song I replace "father" with "Grandfather/BoBo" and I know that song was written about you and Chad. I'm so very proud and honored for that and I want you to be as well. All my love, your daughter.