Our country is gaining one more brave soldier...
By foxyfire33
@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
April 15, 2008 7:14pm CST
We said farewell and good luck to our oldest boy's childhood friend this morning. Late tonight he will be boarding a plane to his Oklahoma Army post for Basic Training. I'm not an Amy person so sorry if I use the wrong terms...he'll be in 13 Bravo which I guess has something to do with canons. So after 9 weeks of that he'll go for 5 weeks and 3 days of AIT and then will have 2 weeks home time.
We knew we would be going eventually but we thought we'd have a little more notice. Originally it was expected that he would go sometime in June. He went last Thursday to get his paperwork in order and sign up for his 'job'...he wanted mechanic, infantry or something else that I don't remember...none of them were available but they told him he could get into 13 Bravo if he was willing to leave now. He agreed and spent the weekend with his family and friends.
So, there's a 19 year old kid out there about to become a soldier. He's not just some faceless, nameless, statistic...he's someone I know, someone I have known since he was just a 10 year old kid playing little league and video games, someone who could easily be forgotten by the world...but not by me.
4 people like this
10 responses
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
16 Apr 08
All the troops deserve a standing ovation. They are fighting for our freedom.
One thing I never understood about our laws is that they aren't old enough to drink until the age of 21 but they are old enough to defend out country.
1 person likes this
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
16 Apr 08
I will pray that the sweet boy comes home in one wonderful, healthy piece! I salute him for protecting and serving our country. He is a brave and heroic boy. If you send him mail, let him know your mylot friends love and cherish him and send him big hugs.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
16 Apr 08
Thanks Trace...he assured me that he would write once he got settled so we'd know how he was doing. (It's been a hard day...this is about as close as I want to get to sending a child off to serve, I am and would be proud but that "mom instinct" keeps kicking in and makes me worry, we've been more of a family to him than his own.) I will pass along your kind words, and I'm very sure he will appreciate all the support!
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
17 Apr 08
well, Lawton - Fort Sill - is fortunate to have another gung ho, good guy joining their troops. We go to an army post a few times a year and it always touches my heart to see all the young faces... in a world so selfish as ours has become, it is heart rendering to find at least some of the youth of this day are willing to make the sacrifice even in times of unsettlement such as exists right now.
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
16 Apr 08
Well, 13 Bravo is a cannon artillery job. Don't worry about the military jargon...alot of it doesn't make sense and I have been around it most of my life hahaha! If none of his desired jobs were available he can always reclass at a later time, like when he re-enlists again if he chooses to do so, and try to get the job then. My husband is in communications and he loves his job so he will most likely be that until he retires. Thank you for letting us into your life to know the face of another soldier coming into the fold to serve his country! I wish him the best of luck!
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
17 Apr 08
It's a mixed emotion when people take off for training in the Army. I've had a few friends leave for training in certain areas of the Army, and I'm always so proud of them and sad at the same time.
The Army is definitely not for me, and it takes a strong person to make the decision to go out there and do it.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
17 Apr 08
Oh, foxyfire, I don't forget those who are brave enough to stand for what is right..I have many friends and children of friends that are overseas and I know each and every one, because they hold a special place in my heart. I come from a family that had been in WWII, even now as I type, I wear my favorite Uncles dog tags, (No, he didn't die in action, he lived a long life), and my sister has my Dad's.. I respect and love those who fight for freedom and I pray for them too..So know that your boy will be in my prayers..
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Apr 08
Yes, it's so easy for us to think that the many brave men and women are some faceless, nameless, statistics, but an entirely different thing when it's someone we have known...this too was my case as a few years ago, my super's only son got called for a "tour of duty" in Iraq. Danny went into the Marines, just for basic training, nothing more...you can imagine the shock his family felt when his particular unit then was called for active services. I've known the super's son since he was just a little boy when the super's family first moved in. The family was as you can guess petrified that their "little" boy was going...thank goodness, his tour of duty was fulfilled and he's now back home safe and sound
@MH4444 (2161)
• United States
16 Apr 08
Just came across your post here. Best wishes to you and yours. Thank-you to him for such an act of bravery. Be Blessed.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
16 Apr 08
Hey Foxy, I wish Josh the best. I wish him my strength to help him out.
He's got support from you as well as myself.
@milkfish (371)
• Philippines
16 Apr 08
This kid and other kids out there who have signed up for the Army, they are our country's unsung heroes. Imagine to live you family and friends behind and serve the country, risking your life and limbs. We could only pray and wish for their safety, that they may be able to come back intact and alive to their families. We salute them!
