My son left for the Army today...

[RandyB]

to Ft. Benning's School for Energetic Post-Adolescents. He's decided he wants to be an Airborne Ranger, then Special Forces as soon as he's eligible. I would have preferred he go in as an Air Force dental hygenist in Minot, ND, but I suppose he comes by it honestly. This'll be the third generation....

I called him last night: Of course he's pumped. I told him never to do anything he'd be ashamed to tell his grandchildren and only to be brave when he has to be.

I'm still in Iraq, but I told him I'd meet him on the drop zone. He should finish Airborne School the same day I did. 22 years later. Where does the time go? I told my wife (The Jan) "I think I'll make his last jump with him." She was very polite. All she said was "Have you lost your mind? You're still limping from your last jump." The ground seems to have gotten a lot harder in the last 20 years.

That makes two sons serving. The older one is in the Navy. He had the gall to complain about being TDY in Hawaii. Kids.... My daughter swears she isn't going to join. I've heard that before.

He's already got his first bike lined up, so I'll still have my riding buddy.

I say I wouldn't do it all again, but I'm lying. I wish I could go with him.

[Sue]

:clap

You must be so PROUD! Thank you to YOU and your family for your service and dedication.

[SCQTT]

Thank you, but those words are not big enough.


People seem to forget that our entire American way of life was paved by patriots such as yourself.

[j-budimlya]

Congratulations on getting two to the point of maturity to sign up for some serious service to themselves and the rest of us. Clearly, they have listened to you over the years in ways that still mistify us parents :) .
And while at it....thanks for your service too....it was long ago when I served....but despite the challenges, I still look back with pride...and we all learned something about ourselves....and others from the process.
The kids will be better off from it too.

[Oldhway]

THANKS to you and your sons for oyur service. You obviously set a great example. When I read all the crap in the news, I often forget that the backbone of America, people like you and your family, are still out there. Y'all restore my faith.

[Visian]

man, we just can't say enough to thank people like yourself.

you and your son make me so proud of our county's commitment to freedom and liberty.

ian

[Motor31]

Congrats to you for doing such a great job raising your kids.

Kudos to you and your sons for serving and thanks as well.

Hooah! (and what ever the Navy folks say for the same thing :D )

[ARValkguy]

That is great. You obviously have raised your children well. They seem to understand that the life we all enjoy does not come without some sactifice. I am sure you are very proud. Tell him "Good Luck" from a fellow warrior.

[glennhendricks]

Good luck to him and I hope you can make that jump together.:clap

[RandyB]

I'm a little proud. The other son is point man for the fleet, doing counter mine warfare. He's pretty quiet about it, so I wonder what's going on.

I really appreciate everyone's comments. Too often the youngsters turn on the news and hear trash talk. All these kids are incredible. It is absolutely awe inspiring to watch them in combat and a very humbling experience to lead them. America should be very proud.

[SIBUD]

Congratulations. Thanks to your family for your service to our country.

39 years ago, my office was next to the jump towers at Ft. Benning. Watched a lot of guys blown into the tower!

At that time, running up the big hill, they were singing "I wanna be an Airborne Ranger, I wanna go to Viet Nam". Wonder what they sing today?

[mrich12000]

Nice:bow :bow :usa :usa :usa :gerg :ca :nra :nra

[Greenwald]

Beamed with pride when I read your thread.

Thanks to you, your son and all those who serve - we enjoy this great nation because of people like you and him!!

[RJM2096]

Awesome!! When you hear about our society going down the tubes, people like you son reminds us what it is all about. :clap

[mIrvin]

I feel fortunate as well, wife an I were able to travel to So. Cal. to attend our oldest sons graduation from para-medic school, and to put icing on the cake our daughter, a Navy Corpsman, was able to get leave from her post in South Carolina to accompany us to the graduation. We are looking forward to a great week. Unfortunately, our youngest son was unable to get of work, he is a welder working for a mine service co. in Northern Nevada. need les to say me and mom are more than proud.. :clap :clap :D :D Mike

[franze]

Thank you for the sacrifices you and your family have and are making. I just had my 13 year old son read your post, " that's cool" was his reply regarding the father/son jump. He has wanted to go into the service ever since he was a little guy.

[mthelmet]

to Ft. Benning's School for Energetic Post-Adolescents. He's decided he wants to be an Airborne Ranger, then Special Forces as soon as he's eligible. I would have preferred he go in as an Air Force dental hygenist in Minot, ND, but I suppose he comes by it honestly. This'll be the third generation....

I called him last night: Of course he's pumped. I told him never to do anything he'd be ashamed to tell his grandchildren and only to be brave when he has to be.

I'm still in Iraq, but I told him I'd meet him on the drop zone. He should finish Airborne School the same day I did. 22 years later. Where does the time go? I told my wife (The Jan) "I think I'll make his last jump with him." She was very polite. All she said was "Have you lost your mind? You're still limping from your last jump." The ground seems to have gotten a lot harder in the last 20 years.

That makes two sons serving. The older one is in the Navy. He had the gall to complain about being TDY in Hawaii. Kids.... My daughter swears she isn't going to join. I've heard that before.

He's already got his first bike lined up, so I'll still have my riding buddy.

I say I wouldn't do it all again, but I'm lying. I wish I could go with him.

thanks to you and yours for serving.

But, watch you daughter just might join the Marine Corp, and whip you all.

[moondog]

Mine and all of us have your son and all the men and women who are serving in our hearts and hope for a speedy end of this mess so they can all come home.

[rgvilla]

I thank you and your son for your service to our country. I was a helicopter crew chief on a medical evacuation helicopter in Vietnam, 68-69 and saw way to much death and dying, we supported the 5th mech ID the Marines in Northern I Corp and the 101st Airborne, those guys were all my heroes. As a former flyer I couldn't help but chuckle at what we used to say about you airborne types, (tongue in cheek of course) "Only two things fall out of the sky, broken airplanes/helcopters and bird****"
BTW when I was at Ft. Hood's Robert Gray Army Airfield we took up guys every Saturday so they could jump out of the huey. It was fun to watch them go out.
Airborne all the way and God Bless you and your son!

Richard

[129654]

A big thanks for your warrior family's commitment to ensuring our continued security and safety.

May the Gods keep you all safe!

Hooyah!

[jlsquier]

Congratulations to your son tell him to do the Darby Queen well and good luck.
Jerry ( Hooah)
2/75 1982-1989

[jgr451]

My eldest is in the Canadian army in Afghanistan.
Tears well at the offer of self by your son,you,your other child,
and the others,present and not present,who have also offered and made that commitment.

Thanks.

[Muriel]

Congratulations on raising such fine children. As said before, don't count your daughter out. My two daughters and my son served, as did their father. He almost made a career of it - got caught by the last annual rif from Vietnam. He did get to pin LT bars on my oldest daughter, though - that was special.

I listened with pride to a young SGT give a speech at a local Memorial Day ceremony - he was a wonderful example of our young people who do feel the motivation to serve their country.

I am thankful for your children and others and I pray they all return safely. I hope you do get to make that jump with him.

Best,
Muriel