Military Tribute - PV2 Joshua Mercuri

Today's military tribute is PV2 Joshua Mercuri, my son. This young man was born May 21, 1992, under very tenuous health conditions that rendered my heart to stop beating on three separate counts.  However, God showed up mightily that day, and granted me the extreme privilege and honor of being allowed to parent this child. 

PV2 JOSHUA MERCURI

Joshua was a pecocious young child always testing his boundaries without full out rebellion and his first aspiration as young boy of five was to be a weather forecaster.  He knew exactly every type of cloud and was fascinated by storms and thought he would be a storm chaser.  He wanted to do it to help people.  PV2 Joshua Mercuri WE SALUTE YOU!!

Joshua comes from a long line of familial service to our great nation.  His maternal grandather served in the Navy, along with many uncles who served in all branches of the military.  His fraternal great grandfather was a WWII decorated hero.  He received the purple heart for attempting to rescue many Jewish families in an ambulance but eventually getting caught.  Joshua loves history and has great compassion for those in need.  He has a great love for this Country and from the 7th grade on he knew he wanted to serve in the military.  He has never waivered in his desire to enlist...war or no war. 

Joshua pursues his dreams with great effort.  He turned 18 on May 21, 2010 and graduated the following week.  June 9, 2010 he was on the plane to Georgia.  There wasn't a lot of time to breathe!  Here is a picture of him receiving his diploma of which he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.8 GPA.  He also played football his last two years of high school. 

A very proud mama!

Joshua loves his Lord and loves his family.  Since he has been at boot camp he has asked me to write to a couple of his battle buddies that he noticed were not getting any mail.  This is the kind of young man Joshua is.  He looks out for others.  He cares about others.  He also has invited these young men to church and Bible Study.  When I received a letter from one of the young soldiers he told me that he may not have a great home life but now he knows he has a God in Heaven who loves him and he has a great friend in Joshua and he is thankful.  I'm grateful my son continues to let his light shine before men and I pray he will always do so. 

Two more of my favorite pictures that we took for his senior pictures....very telling of where this young man was headed.

Senior Picture at Memorial Island

Tonight my son marches 12 miles and ends with a cross rifle ceremony.  Many of us Army moms are on pins and needles as we pray and worry over their well being and how they will do.  This is rigorous.  Not everyone makes it.  They have been sleep deprived for a week and in the woods doing the last phase of their training.  However, if they do make it, they receive the honor of being called Infantrymen.  As I write this, I can only wonder if my son has crossed the mark yet.  I wonder for the other mothers, as well.  I'm praying.  They are praying.  God be with our young men as they selflessly serve our nation.

JOSHUA 24:15 "AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD"