my hero, my son

My HeroMy Hero

My SonMy Son

New ArrivalMay 24,

1992

New ArrivalMay 24,

1992

Love at first sight.

Adorable

First Christmas

1992

His 1st BirthdayHis 1st BirthdayEnjoy Mom’s Cooking whileYou can, Son,Because it’s aHell of a lotBetter than MREs!

As his mother it is my duty

to post a nekkid photograph.

As his mother it is my duty

to post a nekkid photograph.

It’s a shame that his

great-grandfather

Cindric never got to see Tristan

become a Marine.

It’s a shame that his

great-grandfather

Cindric never got to see Tristan

become a Marine.

Thanksgiving 1992Niagara Falls, NY

. . . Because his great-grandpa was

a decorated Marine who served

in the Pacific Theater during

WWII.

. . . Because his great-grandpa was

a decorated Marine who served

in the Pacific Theater during

WWII.

Louis Martin Cindric

Niagara Falls, New York

Louis Martin Cindric

Niagara Falls, New York

It Must Have Been the Uniform . . .

It Must Have Been the Uniform . . .

Great Grandparents

Marty and Daisy. Saucy!

Great Grandparents

Marty and Daisy. Saucy!

Who could have guessed that Tristan would follow in his great-grandfather’s footsteps from those

tiny shoes . . .

Who could have guessed that Tristan would follow in his great-grandfather’s footsteps from those

tiny shoes . . .

To these . . .

At one year of age

Tristan was already a

pro at being photographe

d. It was easy for him

. . .Because he never runs

out of smiles.

At one year of age

Tristan was already a

pro at being photographe

d. It was easy for him

. . .Because he never runs

out of smiles.

Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington

Sitka, Alaska 1993

Nature Lover

Happy to be

Baptized at

Saint Peters By the Sea.

Sitka, Alaska

Did I mention

the endless smiles?

Did I mention

the endless smiles?

Welcoming home from the hospital his brother, Gabriel. I hope you enjoyed holding him while he was so small . . . Because he’s much bigger than you now!

Welcoming home from the hospital his brother, Gabriel. I hope you enjoyed holding him while he was so small . . . Because he’s much bigger than you now!January 18, 1995January 18, 1995

Halloween 1994Halloween 1994

Thank you for Wearing theCostumes I soLovingly sewedFor you . . .

Tristan loved all his stuffed animals so much. His favorite for years was a Beanie Baby giraffe he named Max Herna. Sssppppt! He still has Max!

Tristan loved all his stuffed animals so much. His favorite for years was a Beanie Baby giraffe he named Max Herna. Sssppppt! He still has Max!

Enjoying his first Easter as a big brother. You just know he ate all of Gabe’s candy.

Enjoying his first Easter as a big brother. You just know he ate all of Gabe’s candy.

Tristan got his sea-legs at an early age; so you know those sailors won’t be able to mess with him.

Tristan got his sea-legs at an early age; so you know those sailors won’t be able to mess with him.

Straights of Juan De Fuca, WA; just

outside of John Wayne Marina

Getting on the bus for his first day of school.

The excitement didn’t last long.

Getting on the bus for his first day of school.

The excitement didn’t last long.

Winding up for the pitch!Winding up for the pitch!

Port Angeles, WA

Little did I know that I was preparing

him for Basic Training!

Little did I know that I was preparing

him for Basic Training!

Christmas Eve, and they’re ready for bed.Christmas Eve, and they’re ready for bed.

Our log cabin Christmas on Mount Rainier.

Our log cabin Christmas on Mount Rainier.

December 2000

Learning the art of war; You can never start them too young.

Learning the art of war; You can never start them too young.

Psssst! There’s Max Herna!

Psssst! There’s Max Herna!

Scout

Antonio Banderas, eat your heart out.

Antonio Banderas, eat your heart out.

With an expression like that he wonders why I held off so long on allowing him to get his driver’s license?

With an expression like that he wonders why I held off so long on allowing him to get his driver’s license?

It is blatantly evident by the look on Gabe’s face that it is entirely his fault that we are in this mess.

It is blatantly evident by the look on Gabe’s face that it is entirely his fault that we are in this mess.

Tristan’s going to be an excellent Marine because he understands the importance of brotherhood.

Tristan’s going to be an excellent Marine because he understands the importance of brotherhood.

Redwood Forest, California

Practicing for tank driving?Practicing for tank driving?

There he goes again, trying to convince me to let him drive.

There he goes again, trying to convince me to let him drive.

His Grampy is no slouch either. John Bargel

served 20 years (active duty)in the U.S. Army andspecialized in long-rangemissiles (like the Nike-Hercules). He retired a First Seargent in 1986. Even though Tristan is a Marine,Grampy’s damned proud of him.

His Grampy is no slouch either. John Bargel

served 20 years (active duty)in the U.S. Army andspecialized in long-rangemissiles (like the Nike-Hercules). He retired a First Seargent in 1986. Even though Tristan is a Marine,Grampy’s damned proud of him.

Cascade Range, Pacific Northwest.

On the way to Mt. Saint

Helens.Gabe, Grampy

& Tristan.

Cascade Range, Pacific Northwest.

On the way to Mt. Saint

Helens.Gabe, Grampy

& Tristan.

As well as service to his country,

Grampy taught Tristan some other useful skills.

As well as service to his country,

Grampy taught Tristan some other useful skills.

Tristan, entertaining his cousins, Sierra & Mallory; proving early in life how brave he is.

Tristan, entertaining his cousins, Sierra & Mallory; proving early in life how brave he is.

Ladies Man

Bringing Sexy Back!Bringing Sexy Back!

BrotherBrother

In Middle School Tristan sang in Chorus. He sings Bass and has a beautiful voice. He also looks amazing in a tuxedo!

In Middle School Tristan sang in Chorus. He sings Bass and has a beautiful voice. He also looks amazing in a tuxedo!

Brothers and Best Friends . . . This was right before they discovered that beating the crap out of each other was a lot more fun than being buddies.

Brothers and Best Friends . . . This was right before they discovered that beating the crap out of each other was a lot more fun than being buddies.

After the way I disciplined my kidsBasic Training should be a piece of cake for Tristan.

After the way I disciplined my kidsBasic Training should be a piece of cake for Tristan.

I just have to say it again:

Ladies Man!

I just have to say it again:

Ladies Man!

Fear me, Terrorists!Fear me, Terrorists!

Orlando, Florida

Dreamy

Tristan, sweet at sixteen.

Dreamy

Tristan, sweet at sixteen.

Pre-training for hand-to-hand combat.Pre-training for hand-to-hand combat.

. . . But sometimes they get along.

Tristan and his big Little Bro.

. . . But sometimes they get along.

Tristan and his big Little Bro.

Dear Mom & Dad,This is not what I

meant when I said I wanted a car.

Dear Mom & Dad,This is not what I

meant when I said I wanted a car.

…Not cool.…Not cool.

Before the U.S. Marine Corps got hold of him.

Before the U.S. Marine Corps got hold of him.

Tristan showed enthusiasm for his new step-dad . . . He already understood that any object is a useful weapon in combat conditions.

Music to soothe the savage beast.

Music to soothe the savage beast.

Oh, Son, that haircut will never do!Oh, Son, that haircut will never do!

2010

Tristan (and Gabe)with step-sisters

Tawry, Bethany & Harmony.

Yes, Tristan was exposed to terrorists before he ever joined the Marines.

Tristan (and Gabe)with step-sisters

Tawry, Bethany & Harmony.

Yes, Tristan was exposed to terrorists before he ever joined the Marines.

High School GraduationHigh School Graduation

June 2010

Threatened with Death if they didn’t cooperate for a nice picture for Mommy.

Threatened with Death if they didn’t cooperate for a nice picture for Mommy.

Rock StarRock Star

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.

Manning up a month before leaving for Basic.

Manning up a month before leaving for Basic.

Going to the spa? Oops!

Going to the spa? Oops!

This is NOT the Yellow Brick Road and there is no Wizard who can help you get home.

This is NOT the Yellow Brick Road and there is no Wizard who can help you get home.

2nd Battalion, Echo Company2nd Battalion, Echo Company

Echo Company, Platoon 2101

Echo Company, Platoon 2101

Platoon 2101Platoon 2101

Echo Company; Final DrillEcho Company; Final Drill

“Hmmmm . . . I could do this.”“Hmmmm . . . I could do this.”

Liberty FormationLiberty Formation

Tristan is second on the left.

Tristan is second on the left.

Platoon 2101 Moto RunFamily Day, June 16, 2011

Platoon 2101 Moto RunFamily Day, June 16, 2011

Family Day (Day Before Graduation)

Family Day (Day Before Graduation)

They grow up too fast.

They grow up too fast.

(Second on the Left)

(Second on the Left)

Enjoying Liberty (Family Day)

Enjoying Liberty (Family Day)

Semper FidelisSemper Fidelis

No Longer a Boy . . .

No Longer a Boy . . .

. . .but he still has that boyish charm!

. . .but he still has that boyish charm!

Enjoying his first coke

since February!

Enjoying his first coke

since February!

The New Car Decal!

Where my boy became a Man.

Parade Deck USMCRD, San Diego, California

Where my boy became a Man.

Parade Deck USMCRD, San Diego, California

June 17, 2011

MyMarin

e

MyMarin

e

In memory of all members of our family, both past & present, who have honorably and proudly served for their country

Marines, Army & Navy

. . . I offer my most sincere gratitude.

In memory of all members of our family, both past & present, who have honorably and proudly served for their country

Marines, Army & Navy

. . . I offer my most sincere gratitude.