It’s the Simple Things

Harrison Foust, United States Marine Corps

The time I was in Djibouti, Africa, it was just my fellow Marines and me. We were out in the desert and not a building or any type of light was within miles. We didn’t even have our tents at this time, and we were just sitting in the desert looking at the silhouettes of mountains from the moonlight and looking at the stars in the sky, missing home, and dreaming of what we’re going to do when we got back to the United States. I would talk with my fellow Marines and we would share stories about each other and talk about life in general.

I learned it’s the simple things in life that mean the most. Just sitting in an empty desert with a few good men that I call my brothers and feeling the desert breeze, seeing how the stars and moonlight shine on the desert and mountains is one of the most relaxing and most beautiful things I ever experienced. It was a simple moment where I realized that without technology or even a roof over our heads and being stranded in the middle of a desert with nowhere to go, that we as Marines still found happiness just having nothing else but each other.

Coming back home six months later, just walking on grass and knowing I am back in America was not only amazing but also rewarding. Being back home, I was appreciative of everything that I took for granted before. Being able to look at my parents and my siblings for the first time in a long time and being able to hug them, knowing how much we missed each other was a moment I wouldn’t trade for the world. Other moments I’ll never trade for the world are the moments spent with my brothers from the Marine Corps. I love them all and will always remember the good and bad times. Semper Fi to all my brothers in 3/6.

Born and raised in Asheboro, NC, Harrison spent four years at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina as a 0311 rifleman with 3rd Battalion 6th Marines Lima Company. He was deployed December 14, 2014 – July 15, 2015 with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the LHD Iwo Jima and the USS New York. While on deployment, he was selected to be a part of the Maritime Raid Force platoon and was attached to 2nd Recon as their security element.

Harrison says, “I joined the Marine Corps to learn discipline and to find direction in life. The Marine Corps gave me every bit and more of what I was looking for. I am forever grateful for the Marine Corps and cherish every memory and friendship that was made in my time of service. I currently attend Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC and work as a Veteran Mentor in the Veteran Center on campus.”