NHS Induction

Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character! Those are the values of the National Honor Society. This week, Michael Gilkenson was honored to be selected as a representative of those values at Milton High School. On Thursday the 18th of October, Michael and 48 of his school mates went through their induction ceremony. Congratulations Michael, your family is very proud of you.

Update From Hunter

Received a letter from Hunter. He reports that the schedule is a little off on the updates I have been giving you. He said the this coming week will be Team Week, then a week and a half of finishing up all the training. After that comes the Crucible. He is excited about getting his Eagle Globe and Anchor, which is basically when he has earned the right to be called a Marine. He will get this on November 10th, which is the anniversary of the Marine Corps. So, it will be an extra special day.

He also let us know that he developed Cellulitis. Below is an explanation of what Cellulitis is. He said they have given him an anti-biotic and the pain is gone. He didn't say where on his body he developed it, just that he was OK. He is also having a dry skin problem. "Welcome to the Gilkenson family of dry skin"...lol

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a spreading infection of the skin that usually begins as a small area of tenderness, swelling, and redness on the skin. As this red area begins to spread, the person may develop a fever, sometimes with chills and sweats, and swollen lymph nodes ("swollen glands") near the area of infected skin.

Unlike impetigo, which is a very superficial skin infection, cellulitis refers to an infection involving the skin's deeper layers; the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The main bacteria involved in cellulitis is Staphylococcus ("staph"), the same bacteria that causes many cases of impetigo. Occasionally, other bacteria may cause cellulitis as well.

Where does cellulitis occur?

Some cases of cellulitis appear on areas of trauma, where the skin has broken open, such as the skin near ulcers or surgical wounds. Many times, however, cellulitis occurs where there has been no break in the skin at all. In such cases.

Happy Birthday Hunter

Hi All, I wanted to give you another update on Hunter's training as well as a reminder that Hunter's 19th birthday is October 14th. I am sure that he would love to have a bunch of birthday cards, as he will miss being able to celebrate at home. If you have misplaced his mailing address, please see the August 24, 2007 post below.

As far as what to be praying for:

Hunter has been doing Marksmanship training all week.

He will continue with the marksmanship training on through all of this coming week. This week is what is known as "Firing Week" in the Corps.

Next Saturday, October 13, 2007 - A 10-Mile Conditioning March.