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!

BCT-Finale

I haven't put up many posts lately that reflect my son's time in BCT, his thoughts and feelings, our thoughts and feelings or any news about him. There is no reason, good or bad for this, time constraints, our adjustment to the situation and a lack of substantial news about his time at Fort Sill. But an update is due-

Patrick is ready to graduate in a few days, 22NOV2006 to be specific. He's accomplished his goals, passed his tests and as we speak he's transitioning from recruit to soldier. Wednesday he received his Black Beret- a "right of passage" according to his Battery Commander.

His experience at Basic Training has been positive. According to Patrick, his Drills treated them well- "fair and decent" were his words. Maybe it was the high Drill to Recruit ratio (only 2 platoons as opposed to the usual 3), or the composition of his platoon, who knows. We heard from him every weekend except one. A couple of times we heard from him more than once a weekend. For that we are very grateful! His calls were a Godsend- Donna and I would take turns talking for a few minutes, then trade the phone off. He just wanted to hear our voices. I kept telling him his life had variety, excitement (I don't get to throw grenades), he had the DIFFERENT life...still he just wanted to listen, to chat about odds and ends...his puppy, the weather, whatever. When prodded he'd offer up his experiences Cliff Notes style. Short, succinct and to the point. Little elaboration, sparse detail, just the facts. This from a kid who has a vocabulary that most college grads would envy, who can speak and write extremely well. He wanted idle talk, to hear anything, about anything, the mundane and ordinary seemed to be just fine! In all honesty Donna & I would have to work to come up with chit-chat...still he listened. It was magnificent!

His lowest point was the first week or so...he'd call, his voice would waver and break. He'd cover with a yawn or cough and push on. He later admitted that he was far more homesick than he thought he'd be- and we missed him more than we thought we would, and we thought we'd miss him a LOT! Time passed, he moved beyond the heartbreaking sadness in his voice. He was becoming a soldier and a man. He trained hard, worked hard, got worn down and sick- the crud! He coughed and sniffled, he was hoarse and tired. His spirits never sagged, he never once uttered a negative comment. He respected his battle buddies and the Drills. His foot was swollen, he couldn't give blood because he was hacking up "green shit" as he so delicately put it. His run time was a full minute off the required time and he pushed on. Never negative, always the objective in sight.

His cross to bear was the 2 mile run. He had knocked the other parts of the Physical Fitness test down without a problem. In fact he'd done more sit-ups than anyone else in his Battery (Battery=Company, he's at Fort Sill, home of Field Artillery), but the run plagued him. He's cut from the same cloth as his old man, we're not tall, we're not even average, we're short! Patrick is MAYBE 5'8" on a "tall" day, and has not so long legs. I pestered him to run more before he left for BCT, but, well, I'm the Dad. He had a couple of opportunities to do the run and had missed by a minute or so each time. A minute, not so much time unless you are running and the total run time goal is only 16:30, then its' a minute is a long time! When we talked to him he was confident he'd get it. In his words- "Don't worry." Our job is to WORRY, so we worried! He passed his run with a minute to spare.

We talked to him last night. He was just back from the current Fort Sill version of Victory Forge and there was a different tone in his voice. Through our entire conversation I noticed it. We ended our call. His Mom said it first- "He sounded relaxed." And indeed he did. He'd done it. His first mission is done.

I'm running out of things to say. I'm overwhelmed, I'm proud beyond words, I'm confident of our nations future, because we have kids like my son- maybe its' your son or daughter, brother or sister, husband or wife, maybe its' a friend. We are indeed blessed to have people like them. He's not a child anymore, he's graduated. He's a soldier, a man.

THANKS!

To any Vets to happen to read this, to any parents, spouses, children, relatives, friends of a Vet, a sincere heartfelt THANK YOU! We owe you so much...

God Bless our troops!

Jim

Phone Call

All is well...we heard from Patrick today, twice. Per his description- "Some stupid F*@#ers pissed off the Drills and we lost our phone privileges on Sunday." It sounds like high school hi-jinx, BCT style!

Anyhow, he called today while we were at work. My wife (the receptionist for our office) got his call. He needed some Mom and Dad research- a travel agent was coming in Wednesday to talk about airfares home at Christmas and he wanted some baseline $ amounts. I know...a travel agent at BCT? Anyhow, we did the research and lo and behold he called again this evening!

We got the "week in review" from him. He is really a low key kid. All news must be extracted. Our life varies hardly at all, his on the other hand is full of variety, etc. Yes he shot the M240 and the M249, yes they did pugil sticks...yawn, scratch- next question. Yes the shot the AT-4 and M203.

The rest of his week is looking low key, mostly prep for graduation including his PT test, including his nemesis THE 2 MILE RUN. Good news on that, he has worked his time to a passing level during "practice runs" and is very confident of his upcoming test! Our collective sigh could be heard.

We'll get to see him graduate soon...life is good! A good day, good to hear from our soldier!

DAMN!

Every Sunday, without fail we have heard from our son...until this Sunday. No call. What to think? Is he sick, in trouble, working to pass his 2 mile run, out of phone card time? What? Arghhhhh! Not knowing sucks! I know many of you have been through this already, I know intellectually that all is well, but why couldn't, why didn't he call?

Deep Sigh...

God Bless You Patrick- Soldier on Bud! Keep your focus, push on to the objective!

Love,

Mom & Dad

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.