Sgt. and Mrs. John Sherman Lillard Jr.

Sgt. and Mrs. John Sherman Lillard Jr.

I am one of the lucky ones, my Marine is home with me. He would not agree. He would rather be overseas with his “brothers”. I met and married my Marine one year out of service. He is 90% disabled and gave 8.5 years of his life to the Marine Corps. He wore his dress blues for the last time the day of our wedding (picture attached). I am very proud of him and of our Military but I am partial to the Marine Corps.

I have two sons from a previous marriage who love and respect their step-father and want to follow in his footsteps. One will be joining the Marines this summer (delayed entry program). He will be a Senior in high school next year. My other one has 3 years before he can join.

My husband did 2 tours to the “sand box” as he calls it. I am very new to what is and what isn’t allowed when you are married to a Marine. He is very fickle about every part of him especially his Military career memorabilia. He had his back fused this past February (first back surgery in Japan , a few years ago) and has severe PTSD. We have a lot of sleepless nights and a lot of doctors appts. Even though he is disabled he would rather be fighting the fight then to fight the Veterans Affairs Department. I am very thankful for the years he spent in the Marine Corps even with his disabilities, because they made him who he is today. I fell in love with my Marine just like he is and wouldn’t trade any part of him for anything. I wish the best to all the Marines that are overseas and especially to the ones that are not with their families. My heart goes out to the families that are without their loved ones and I pray that all our men and women serving our country come home safe. To the Marine families Semper FI.

Sgt. and Mrs. John Sherman Lillard Jr.
Shelley R Lillard