Inspiration

After my last post, something really positive was in order. This fits the bill perfectly...

Follow the links below, you won't regret it I promise.

First- go here and read "The Strongest Dad In The World" by Rick Reilly-
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/10/the_worlds_stro.html


Then go here and watch this-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryCTIigaloQ

Pathetic

By now I'm sure you've all seen and heard this...probably too many times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLuMWiQ6r2o

My son serves...98th percentile ACT score, AP Classes through high school, he chose to enlist to serve his nation. My nephew, 2 years of college, crushed his ASVAB, serving his second tour with the 82nd Airborne. Two second cousins, college grads- one in Iraq commanding a Bradley platoon, the other flying Apaches in Afghanistan. A good friend- enlisted in the USMC, got his degree, now an Officer.

“You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.” - John Kerry 30OCT06

What a complete waste of flesh, a low brow, no count, disrespectful piece of trash. How dare he. Like many of you I'm waiting for an apology, one worthy of a man, not a politician! Screw him. We'll never hear one from this asshat...


And in case you forgot, the same turd said our troops are "terrorizing" Iraqis-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFFk9qy_SBw

Eff off asshole!

Meandering Through Melancholy

I was out on the porch alone late in the evening, enjoying a cigar and a beer (and oh how I enjoy that combo), reflecting on life. Cigars enjoyed alone tend to cause reflection.

It was chilly, but I figured it was one of the few remaining evenings when I could truly enjoy a cigar without enduring the cold winter weather that is soon to be here...you take the opportunity when it arises! I sat there, enjoying the moment, content and at ease when I caught sight of the Army flag we now fly with our American flag when it hit me, again. Patrick is in the Army. It is not talk or conjecture, it isn't temporary, he's not on vacation or spring break or anything like that. It is real, it is here and now. This is the umpteenth time I've had this revelation since Patrick left for BCT, but tonight, that black and yellow Army flag, snapping in the breeze really drove the point home! He's an adult.

After all these years, I'm still stunned from time to time with the concept that I am a Dad, that I have children. Even now I occasionally look at my daughter Kelly and get this odd feeling, this weird sense of "She's my Daughter? My child? How did that happen?"

And there I sat, sipping my beer, smoking my cigar, the father of a child who has pledged his life to his Nation, to his Mom, to me, to his sister, to all of us. Trying to assimilate it, trying to grasp this new reality...

The sense of awe and confusion left almost as quickly as it came. I'm getting somewhat more used to the idea that he's an adult, that he's on his own in a great big world, a not too safe world, that his job entails going in harms way, that he won't be home for the weekend like his buddies from high school. I'm hoping and praying that we did a good job preparing him for this world, that he endures, that he overcomes and that he prospers. Prospers in the way that matters the most, that he is happy and content in his soul.

The breeze picked up a bit, the cold was starting to find its' way through my sweatshirt and down my collar. I finished my cigar and thought of other things...a nephew in Iraq, work tomorrow, the fact I was getting cold, the Detroit Tigers World Series bid. Ordinary thoughts, easy thoughts. Thoughts that wandered out of melancholy and back into the safe, comfortable mundane.

The Latest

We were out in the backyard, chasing Patrick's pup, the affable, mischievous Tiger, around the neighbor's yard. We got the little (55 lbs./ 6 months old) twit, hustled him inside, administered a good talking to, and put him in his room... a doggie time-out was in order. He's become quite the escape artist. And damned if we hadn't missed two calls from Patrick!

Fortunately he called a bit later and we had a great talk. Enough time to ask questions we kept forgetting, to find out his schedule after graduation, to just talk. It was great.

He's doing well. His platoon was out in the field all week doing "soldier stuff", and Patrick was damned happy with that! He's developing a deeper reliance on his buddies. Shared hardship! Monday (16-Oct) starts "White Phase". A bit less "in your face" approach, more focus on soldiering skills. He met Miss America the past week as well. She must be a brave woman to venture into BCT territory. We received pics from his CO of the event! Those are some lucky young men for sure!

Next week has more "soldier stuff" in store. His weapons training during the past week seemed to go very well and he had a confident tone about his qualification on Wednesday 18-Oct. In addition to qualifying he was expecting more time with their weapons, some time with M4s and M16s with optics. Some realistic weapons work, including urban settings...I think. He's received his orders to report to Fort Huachuca for training as a 97E. Knowing that he didn't somehow get his MOS changed is a big relief!

We've got our hotel reservations, our flight is booked, the rental car is reserved and we are counting the days (34)! I asked Patrick what he wanted for graduation. I had to get the process in motion as Patrick has rarely been a kid who wants "stuff". It took endless prodding to get out of him what he wanted when he graduated from High School (we got him a SOG Recon Bowie- just what all the other kids got). After asking the question a couple of times he came up with an answer- "I just want some of my own stuff again." Further prodding, with a suggestion this time, revealed that a Multi-Tool may serve him well.

Patrick's on his way, he's becoming his own man and we're extremely proud...and trying to get used to this huge change in our lives. Simply put, he does not live here any more...it sucks, but it's real. It is what Patrick has wanted for many years. We'll adjust, all parents do. Children grow up, they leave home and make a life for themselves. It is, they say, the natural order of things. But as a military parent I can tell you the time from "leaving the nest" to "left the nest" is a fraction of the typical college experience. There are no weekend laundry runs, no cruising home for a good meal, not every holiday is a weekend at the folks, summer is just another season for them and it no longer has the word "vacation" attached to it...no, these kid's, these young men and women, lead serious lives, they have immediate impact, they are doing this for US...

Bless them all!

Intense...In Tents

Last weekend (7-Oct & 8-Oct) we were very fortunate...we received two phone calls from Patrick, one Saturday and one on Sunday. I feel a bit guilty after reading some posts on other sites from some parents who didn't hear from their soldier kids for weeks...we ARE very lucky!

On Saturday as we pulled into the parking lot to do some grocery shopping the phone rang. It was Patrick. We talked about his experience in the Gas Chamber (he didn't puke), weapons familiarization, road marches and so on. It was great to hear his voice, if a bit raspy. The conversation touched on food, experiences, battle buddies, decisions (are you happy?), and so on. From his phone call it sounded like it is going as good as could be expected. A big relief!

We tried to bring him up to speed on the latest from the world as we know it. The Detroit Tigers we're rocking the Yankees back big-time, the dogs were doing fine, a brief update on his sister Kelly's homecoming, North Korea, and so on.

We both wound up asking about his upcoming week...Patrick said they were going to be intense...or did he say they were going to be in tents?

Being the ego-centric male that I am I was SURE it was going to be an INTENSE week ahead. Hell, I had asked Patrick what his upcoming week was going to be like- the clear, distinct answer was, "We're going to be INTENSE!" My bride was sure he was going to be "In TENTS!"

Flash to Sunday. We'd gone to the hobby shop right after church. I'm inside sorting out a goofed up layaway when Donna comes in. "Its' Patrick." she mouthes to me. Fantastic! "Ask him if its' intense or in tents", I mouth back...I'm determined to prove my superior intellect, my Army-sense, my "Ya. I'm right".

Well, Patrick was going to be IN TENTS! It wasn't a FX (Field Exercise), but they were going to be "out" for the week. Working with their weapons and more.

Still and all, it was damned fine to hear his voice! And to know they were going to be intense while in tents!

A Little Perspective

I grabbed the title for this post from the site where I found it www.armymomintraining.com


Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.
     -- --
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
     -- --
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
      -- --
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
     -- --
You make sure your cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
     -- --
You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
      -- --
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgients and terrorists.
     -- --
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
     -- --
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He does not get to eat today.
     -- --
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
     -- --
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
      -- --
You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.
     ----
You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
     -- --
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
     -- --
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
     -- --
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government and remembers why he is fighting.
     -- --
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.
He hears the gun fire and bombs.
      -- --
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the bodies lying around him.
      -- --
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does what he is told.
     -- --
You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and eat.
     -- --
You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gun fire.
     -- --
You sit there and judge him, saying the world is a worse place because of men like him.
If only there were more men like him.


anonymous

Awesome

The title of this post is one of the most over used words in today's vernacular. You hear it so often that its' meaning is diluted. So once again I went to the dictionary. I had to make sure its' use was correct.

Awe‧some  [aw-suhm]
–adjective
1. inspiring awe

It is the right word.

I found this video on Blackfive's website [ www.blackfive.net/main/ ], one of my daily stops on the web. It shows LTC Randolph C. White Jr. addressing a graduating class from Fort Benning Basic Training. Take the time to watch it, it'll make your day! It is awesome.

YouTube link- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbOcJ6kqJAA

Look here to download the original- www.infantry.army.mil/videos/video22/index.htm

Jim

From Matt

"Take a man and put him alone, Put him twelve thousand miles from home.
Empty his heart of all but blood, Make him live in sand, in mud.
This is the life I have to live, This the soul to God I give.
You have your parties and drink your beer,
While young men are dying over here.
Plant your signs in the side walk cracks; "Lets get our soliders out of Iraq".
Use your signs and have your fun, Then refuse to use a gun.
There's nothing else for you to do, Then I'm supposed to die for you?
There is one thing that you should know;
And that's where I think you should go!
I'm already here and it's too late.
I've traded all my love for all this hate. I'll hate you till the day I die.
You made me hear my buddy cry.
I saw his leg and his blood shed, Then I heard them say,
"This one's dead".
It was a large price for him to pay, To let you live another day.
He had the guts to fight and die, To keep the freedom you live by.
By his dying, your life he buys, But who gives a damn if a Soldier dies...."

I don't know Matt. I'll probably never meet him, although I wish I could. But I think about him and all who serve our country. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. They are serving with honor and pride, for you and me.

A MOS Change During BCT?

Patrick was asking about a different MOS last Sunday during his call. He signed up to be 97E (Humint-Interrogator), he wanted to know about 35M. "Its' the same thing, same training, but I think it is a bit longer. If I'm at Fort Huachuca for more than 6 months it'll be a permanent duty station. Check into it for me!"

The next evening I start poking around...35M is a Radar Repair Technician. Not exactly related to the 97E MOS, not even a tiny bit! Micro panic mode sets in. Has he signed anything? Has he given his word? Who's selling him this line of crap?

My niece (the wise Army wife) says, "It sucks not being able to just call doesn't it?" She should know, her husband is on tour #2 in Iraq as an 11B, 82nd Airborne. Yes it most assuredly sucks!

Off to www.armymomintraining.com to consult the experts! As is to be expected, a quick reply from the deep pool of knowledge over there allayed my fears, and allowed my wife to get some sleep!

Wordy-I apologize

My daughter is right- I can ramble on and on!

I'll work to shorten up the entries in the future. Dang, this is gonna be tough.

Sunday!

This post has had a bunch of titles so far, at least in my head! I'll list them and explain them because they are all relevant, they all describe the call and my mood.

Titles...
48m55s
What a Day
Some Days Are Diamonds...
A Phone Call



OK. lets break 'em down-

48m55s- that is how long I talked to my son Sunday! Just short of an hour- fantastic & weird! I can't remember the last time he and I talked that long in one stretch! I had so many questions in my brain, and forgot a bunch of them.

What a Day- Some days are WAY better than others, Sunday was just such a day! A day that in the BCT scheme of things will be hard to beat. Even if he has the chance to talk that long again this was a special call because it did so much to ease my mind.

Some Days Are Diamonds... This is a great John Denver song- and today was a DIAMOND! Give it a listen. I think that those who have kids in Basic or have had kids in Basic, or at any point in a military career will be able to relate to it!

Another Phone Call- the underlying reason behind this post!

OK, now for the details- Both my wife and myself got to speak to Patrick today! My wife was "there" and I was "here". She got her call while out shopping. My daughter's Homecoming is next weekend and after all, that is BIG. It requires some serious shopping! Patrick called me right after he talked to Mom.

Phone rang, area code looked like Patrick's- I pick up, there on the phone was my son! His voice was raspy and he had a runny nose. We talked for damned near an hour. I had a LOT of questions! Patrick had a LOT of answers. He sounds very at ease with what he is doing. I told him he was more homesick than I thought he'd be and he replied "Me too". As a parent it felt good in a selfish way to hear that! It also sounded like the tidal wave of homesick has ebbed. It hurt to hear his voice on the edge of emotion when we'd talk before...it hurt a lot. Now he has a confident tone in his voice.

He's rappelled and enjoyed it. Upon a wee bit of pushing by the old man he admitted it was a bit scary at first. He's got his Battle Buddy, is very happy with him and says that "really they are all my battle buddies". I like the 'tude!

The food is good. That has to be big to these guys. A bunch of young males, mostly teenagers, working their butts off, you can bet good food would be BIG!

They will start training with their weapon this week. Qualifying on his weapon concerned him a bit, but I am confident he'll do fine. Patrick's shot with me before so he doesn't have any apprehension about guns, he's comfortable and very respectful around them. BUT he hasn't shot enough to learn bad habits that he will have to un-learn.

I think he said they were doing First Aid today (Monday). That will be interesting. Patrick is not the blood and guts type.

Patrick said he hasn't rec'd any of our letters yet. That surprised me, but I'm sure he'll get them soon, and a steady stream from then on.

We talked about as lot...It was so good to just talk!

This Sunday was as good as a day can be...Church in the AM, great sermon (new Church for us), fantastic weather, Mom and Kelly went to our little nephew's soccer game, followed by some shopping and tanning (remember- Homecoming is next weekend). A good simple dinner. After dinner I retired to the back patio for a brew or two, stoked up the fire-pit, lit a cigar and enjoyed a perfect Sunday night!

Simply Awesome!

Sorry, this post is a stream of consciousness kinda thing...it was that kind of day!