USMC CALEB MEDLEY

There are collegues, mentors, team-mates and brothers.... Caleb Medley was a man who filled all these roles.

A solid brother to lean on when times got tough; a true confidant in your moment of doubt. He created a warm inviting atmosphere, and ensured many laughs over a heartfelt story.

••• Remembering a guardian angel •••

written by his mother, for an incredible son....

Caleb has been such a special gift to our family.

He had the biggest heart, and was absolutely hilarious.

When he was maybe three years old, I was shopping and he was sitting in that seat in shopping carts...

This lady stopped and said, "What a cute little boy! What’s your name?" Caleb smiled and said,“Christopher!”

I was shocked at his response, but right then I knew….

Life was going to be filled with surprises with Caleb.

He was a little guy. The smallest in his class.

When he was a freshman there was no weight class in wrestling for his weight.

He went out for football and would come home - sometimes upset... I asked him, one day after practice, what was wrong...

He said, "I don’t know why they don’t put me on the line."

"I could take those guys!"

(I knew he was convinced he could. I thought to myself,"You probably could, Caleb.")

You see, Caleb never thought of himself as small.

He was always tall on the inside. Always bigger. There was nothing too hard for him. Ever.

I was surprised when he said he wanted to join the Marines and said maybe he should go to comedian school instead! He really was hilarious, you see.

But, he became a Marine: by then he was 6’ tall (he went from the smallest to a tall young man between his sophomore and junior year of high school.)

His senior year he went out for track because he wanted to train for the Marines. He qualified for State and placed there! He left for boot camp the day after State Track.

It was no surprise when he became a 1st Force Recon Marine. He always gave a hundred percent and challenged himself to do better.

Caleb has changed my life. His name means Fearless. Courageous. Loyal.

When I hear stories of how he kept things light when in Iraq and Afghanistan, I think of that young man who seemed to have such a grasp on life and living life to its fullest.

Knowing he had such strong workout ethic, and was so disciplined and motivated, I know it’s true. I can hear him saying - "You can do it! Keep going!"

I remember one time at the gym, when he was doing CrossFit and was helping me!

I was doing burpees, and I’d look at him.. "Am I finished?" He’d say, "No. You’re doing good! One more set!"

I had jello legs by the time I was finished! But, he was so patient and encouraging.

There is a sculpture of Caleb at Camp Pendleton: called the Fallen Warrior. This 7’ sculpture represents all fallen Recon Marines through history.

I am so blessed and honored to be Caleb’s mom. I see the sculpture, and smile through tears, because I know Caleb wouldn’t want anything like that.

He was very humble. I look up and say, "Ah, but it is humility that brings greatness. My son, Caleb. My hero. Your selection and training, and mentorshop are worthy of your medals"

By submitting your story, you hereby grant SwissPL an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, and display your submission, in whole or in part, and to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed, while endeavoring to preserve the integrity of your original narrative. Thank you.