TRANSITION

We (Mom, Dad & Sister) arrived at Fort Sill early (0200) on Tuesday after a delightfully uneventful flight from Detroit to Oklahoma City and a hi-speed blast down the expressway to Fort Sill. After contending with the hard to read signage (Oklahoma makes you work to decipher or read signs I think- no offense intended), we found our lodging (on post), settled in to our room, set the alarm and grabbed a bit of fitful sleep.

By 0830 (I figure I should use military time at least for this post) we were out the door for Family Day. Its' worth knowing that we are NOT early people, on-time is an accomplishment in most situations. This simply did not qualify as "most situations".

We arrived early to get a good seat, early as in 90 minutes. It was a cloudless, brisk morning. The sky was an amazingly clear, brilliant deep blue, simply awesome. We met the BC (Battery Commander as opposed to CO-Commanding Officer-Fort Sill is the Home of Artillery), talked with him for a bit, got some souvenirs (CD, magnets, etc.) and waited...impatiently. Soldiers were carrying things out to the parade ground for the Family Day events. We looked and looked- no Patrick. DAMN.

Finally (right on time actually, it just seemed like forever) the Family Day events began. Two groups of Soldiers took the field, one group in ACUs, the other in their PT uniforms. The Soldiers demonstrated a series of "combat" exercises, PT and so on. Up to this point we still hadn't seen Patrick... "I think I see Patrick!" our daughter Kelly exclaimed! Her voice was excited, so very different from her usual bored teenage girl voice. She was right, it was him. It was so good, deep down, soul satisfying good, even if it was from a distance!

After the demonstrations, we were briefed (more mil-speak ) on the rest of the day's events as the Soldiers, OUR son, OUR Soldiers, returned to their barracks. After an excruciatingly long 15 minutes, we were let in to the barracks. In we went, with Donna in the lead (and woe be unto anyone who was in her way), looking down the long rows for her son; rows with Soldiers lined up at attention, backs straight, chins held high. Then we saw him! Mere words can't describe how good it felt to see him, and hug him and shake his hand. I will never forget it! Proud beyond words as I looked at this man, my son. He was a boy when he left on that miserable, rainy, cold September morning so long ago. Before me stood a young man...

The only feeling I can relate to this experience is that of a child at Christmas. The all consuming anticipation before the event, the waiting to actually get your gift, and then FINALLY to have your gift. Words are hard to find to capture the feeling...it was just AWESOME! It is a feeling I will cherish forever.

After the time we had in the barracks we went to a luncheon at the Patriots Club, heard some speeches and finally got to have Patrick to ourselves. When asked what he wanted to do his answer was, "I don't know. Let's get off post." We drove up and down the local "strip" several times. I asked Patrick again- "What do you want to do Bud?" His answer- "Lets just drive around for a bit." He was so happy to be a part of the real world again, he just wanted to soak it up. More than a few times he commented on how weird it was to be free, to be out with cars, people, fast food joints, traffic lights and so on. All the little, seemingly insignificant things that make up the background noise of everyday life had disappeared for 10 weeks, now they were back and real again!

We drove some more, went back to our room, talked and just "chilled" as they say. He had his cell phone and was busy texting his buddies and bud-ette. Patrick wanted two types of food for sure, Mexican and Pizza! Just like everyone told us, FOOD is the number one goody they want! He also added Mickey D's, Applebees and Lonestar to his list, as well as Walmart. "WALMART?" I exclaimed, "you hate Walmart!". "They have really good deals Dad!" Now it is his dollar, his wages for his toil- it changes things!

We rounded the first evening out at a local Mexican resturant. I sat next to this young man, so full of dignity and bearing, back straight, tie tied just so. A young man who had moved beyond his boyhood on the fields and hills of Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

The next day was graduation. Again its' hard to find words for the feelings. Proud, happy, and a tinge of sadness! The ceremony was held indoors at the post movie theater, speeches were given and then the Soldiers went on stage and were "officially" graduated. The ceremony was a unique point in life, very moving, very unlike High School Graduation, this event was felt much deeper by Patrick and us as well. This was truly a momentous event.

We were the beneficiaries of good timing in that we got to spend Thanksgiving with Patrick. The Post put on a GREAT Thanksgiving dinner for the Soldiers and their families...with the Battery Commander and Drill Sergeants as servers!

Finally it was time to return him to his barracks for the goodbye. It was hard to say goodbye for him and us as well. The good news is that we'll see him again soon when he comes home for Christmas Exodus.

Bottom line- WOW, an awesome, deeply moving experience!