Salute to SSGT Barrett Dilley

“Where do I begin to tell the world about my Marine? There isn’t enough paper to describe him accurately. He is the epitome of what it means to be a model serviceman, husband, and father.

The road to military service began with his father. His father is a retired MSGT in the United States Marines. As a child, Barrett would go into work with his father, following his lead singing “left right left right left.” His father was also a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. To the layman, it means nothing, but to a Marine, it is the sweet sound of a Marine Corps Drill Instructor sounding cadence and leading Marines. Barrett would go on to enlist in the Marines, and also serve as a Drill Instructor for 3 years. This would begin his journey as someone who sacrifices his time for not only his fellow man, but his fellow Marines.

Barrett also is a qualified Swim Instructor in the Marines and is always ready and qualified to make sure that Marines are current with their Swim Qualifications. He is also CPR Certified and has given his own free time to train civilians with the Red Cross to properly administer CPR. This is yet something else he has sacrificed his time to do. He is passionate about helping others succeed and will surely be the first one to volunteer to do something, when no one else wants to do it.

The Marine Corps is his passion, but his family is his vitality. He loves his children and me very much. It pains him to be away from us, but we understand what he does and why he does it. I get asked on a daily basis.

“How does he do it?” “How does he go long periods of time without seeing you or his children?” This is how I respond:
Imagine a world where you can’t go outside and have to worry about a bomb going off in your neighborhood.” “Imagine not being able to take your kids to the park for a nice lunch on a summer day because there might be someone there who has a bomb strapped to them.” “Imagine if you had to be afraid every time you drive in your car.” I say “can’t imagine it?” “Because of him you don’t have to.

In all seriousness, I love my husband and will always stand by him. I am proud to say I am a military wife, and we should all salute those in uniform and never forget the blanket of freedom that they provide.”

-Brandy Dilley

Visit: https://salute.blogs.cnn.com/category/salute-to-troops/