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Marine comes home from boot camp to great-grandfather

United States Marine Taylor Carr returned from boot camp today, but his first stop wasn't at home, it was at his great grandfather's retirement home.

Trinity Assisted Living Center.

That's where United States Marine Taylor Carr headed after 13 weeks at basic training.

Margaret Carr said seeing her grandson leaving to join the marines was hard.

"When he left of course it was heart breaking, he left before Christmas he missed his birthday," Margaret said.

It's not something that's new to her.

Her father was a military man too, serving in the Air Force in Vietnam.

James Gouger said having his great-grandson follow in his footsteps is a great honor.

"65 years and 2 days after I went in the air force, my great-grandson Taylor went in the marine core," James said. "I went in December of '52, and he went in December of 2017."

He made sure to give Taylor the advice he learned in his 21 years of service before sending him off.

"I've told him that the service is what he makes it. He can make it good, he can make it bad," James said. "And he has gone in and flying."

Margaret said Taylor embraced boot camp, he was even selected leader of his platoon.

But before he left, he was only focused on one challenge.

"He made a challenge to my dad who is in a wheel chair when he left, and he said I'll make a deal with you, I'm going to walk through that door in my uniform, he said I want you to walk and meet me half way," Margaret said. "And he did."

James got out of his chair as Taylor walked into the center.

"I told him I'll beat the boot camp part if you meet me in the middle," Taylor said. "I want you to walk to me and meet me and give me a hug. And he did. We both beat our challenges."

Taylor had an entire support system to greet him, he said knowing they were behind him got him through boot camp.

"Just know that even though we're not there physically, we're there with you, Margaret said. "We're in your heart and that's where we'll be. And just don't ever forget home and family and how much we love you."

Taylor will leave for combat training on March 27.

His grandmother said they just ask for prayers as he continues his journey.

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