Nate ... Semper Fi

Lance Cpl. Nate Salatin, 21, USMC
From Augusta County, VA
Currently deployed to Iraq

Those who regularly read my blog know about Nate and that he is currently deployed to Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Nate Salatin, 21, is from Augusta County. He grew up with my kids as one of the local home schoolers and was part of the home school teen group that I coordinated for 10 years, watching it eventually grow to over 100 young people.

Nate was a natural leader in the group from the time he was about 12 years old. He never met a challenge he wouldn't at least try -- I used to call him "crash-and-burn" Nate -- because in my back yard he would go full steam ahead at soccer or football or Capture the Flag.

Whether it was sports or leading the Home School Envirothon Team (that placed 2nd nationwide in 2004) or being President of the Virginia State 4-H ... or teaching this middle-aged mom public speaking -- thanks, Nate! ... he was always out there giving it his most.

Nate joined the Marines straight out of high school, attending boot camp and then entering Virginia Military Institute in Lexington for his first year where he excelled at his studies before being activated for Iraq.

Background posts about Nate are here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

In September Nate's Unit was sent to Iraq; they are scheduled to return to the States in mid-April. His parents have kept family and friends updated with regular emails from Nate; he has received packages and mail from everyone, and I have followed his journey on this blog.

The latest email update came last night after Nate called home around noon on Friday. He has been working hard during the cold winter in Iraq, and, as always, expressed gratitude and thanks to all who have remembered him throughout his stay. We are all looking forward to him coming home, and he's looking forward to getting back to school.

Keep praying for our armed forces. They're over there so the terrorists won't be over here, and they're doing a hell of a job. We are very appreciative of their dedication and sacrifice for our freedoms here at home.

Thanks Nate ... thanks Salatin family. You are all our heroes.

Semper Fi.