Sunday, November 11, 2012

In Honor of Veteran's Day

One of the most important people in my life is a military man.

My oldest child has always been a kind-hearted, fun-loving child.  His teachers loved him in school, the neighbors loved him growing up, and my friends repeatedly said he was the nicest child they'd ever seen. He was always very sweet and mild-mannered.  So when he decided to drop out of college to join the military, I was stunned, and I hoped it was 'just talk' because the military, while they have my full respect, can be a very dangerous place.  But he joined, and when he did, he went all out and signed up for Infantry, which would put him front and center in the middle of danger.  

In the beginning, I was overcome with emotion that sometimes just enveloped me out of the blue.  For me, his safety and well-being will always be paramount, so knowing he'd thrown himself into the unknown was very hard to adapt to as his mom.

When he graduated from Boot Camp, nothing short of the extraordinary happened...  
All of his things were on the bus for where he was supposed to go.  The ceremony went off without a hitch.  It was very nice, but parents/loved ones were worried because they didn't know where their soldiers were being sent, or what their destination(s) would entail.  At the very last second (literally), one of the men in charge came up and told my son to move his things off of the transport bus they were on, and move them to the bus headed for Air Borne, where he would now go to train to be a Paratrooper.  He was more than thrilled because that's where he wanted to be. 

Here he is posing with his Drill Sergeant at the Boot Camp Graduation Ceremony

Why that particular moment turned out to be so wonderful to me, is because it then led to him being selected (after he successfully completed his training) as one of the Old Guard members in DC.  It is a job to be revered, and a hard one for sure because they are constantly on-call to pick up the bodies and take part in the official ceremonies for their fellow comrades who have fallen (which is a highly respected job, but can never, ever can be considered a 'good' job).  But from a mother's perspective, it delayed him being sent overseas, and for that, I will always consider his last minute bus change nothing short of a miracle.

This picture is very profound to me.  My son is front, right.




Earning his EIB (my son is in the front of this picture)

Here he is below earning his Expert Infantry Badge (EIB).

He has since transferred out of Old Guard and into another area where he is learning and excelling at what he  does.  To our country and to us he is a hero.  But even more than that, to us he is family.  

He is the big brother whose two younger brothers are always ecstatic to see him.


Yeah, his not-so-little brother jumped in his arms too.  Hilarious group of guys I've got, let me tell you, but in truth we all feel happy like that when we get to see him.

He is the big brother who tries to soothe his sister who breaks down every time she has to leave him.


She's getting better as she gets older, but she still takes it really hard when it's time to part.

He is the considerate and loving husband who wears the pink tie his wife selected for him because it perfectly matches her dress (we're at their place in the photo below, headed out to get professional pictures taken).


Yes, he did wear it, and yes it did match perfectly.  

He is the son who loves his mama.


This is me, him, and his little bro on stilts in the background.  
I couldn't be more proud of the child he was or the man he has become.  

And he is also a young man who makes us even more proud with his decision to have become a soldier (love you C!).

Serving our country is no small thing, and I hope you will join me today, & every day, in honoring all of the men and women who are active, have served, or have lost their lives while serving in the United States Military.

Happy Veteran's Day.

37 comments:

  1. Proud mama, proud wife! Beautiful post Rosey!

    Thank you for linking your favorite post to the Raising Imperfection Sunday Link Up! Please come back Friday and see if you were featured!

    Lanaya
    www.raising-reagan.com

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  2. Lovely post. A big thank you to your husband and son.

    Thanks for linking up to Raising Imperfection!
    www.violetimperfection.com

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    1. Thanks, Leslie. Happy to pass along your kind words.

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  3. May God bless your son and husband for their faithful service, and you as well for your prayers and support. My husband is a retired Navy chief -- 7 years in the Air Force, then 15 in the Navy, both as a recruiter.
    Blessings to all of you,
    Laurie

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    1. Thank you, Laurie. And all of it right back to you! :)

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  4. This post just exudes pride. You have so much to be thankful for,not just today but every day.

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    1. I do count myself fortunate to be a part of this family. :) Thanks for stopping by, aren.

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  5. God bless your family for their service to their country. Thanks for sharing this!

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    1. Thank you for reading it, and for the nice words.

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  6. I so enjoyed this. My brother is in JAG, and recently returned from Afghanistan. I have to say that my perspective has changed since he served there. I have always felt deep respect for our military men and women, but when it becomes more personal and close to home, you feel even more admiration for all of them.

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    1. I can totally relate to what you are saying on a ton of different levels. I know that you're thrilled that he's home now!

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  7. That was simply beautiful, Rosey!

    Happy Monday!

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  8. HUGE thanks to your husband and son. It's very clear that you and your family are very proud of both of them (as you should be)! Thank you so much for sharing all of those wonderful photos.

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    1. Right back at you, I know you're proud of your military man too. :)

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  9. Great post, you are one proud mama. God Bless your family,

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  10. My dad and brother both served in the military. My brother is my kids' favorite uncle -- filled with such deep love under the gruff exterior. It takes someone very special to serve our country in the military. Thank you for sharing and may God continue to bless your family.

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    1. One of my two military men has a gruff exterior, soft heart too, so I can totally relate. The other one...he's just nice all the time, but can be really tough when he needs to be. :)

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  11. This is a beautiful, wonderful post that should remind everyone to thank a veteran for what they have given us--our freedom. You must be incredibly proud to have 2 such extraordinary men in your life!

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    1. Thanks, I like 'em pretty good (most of the time. ;) Kidding!). I'm happy to keep them. :)

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  12. Ahh Rosey, this brought tears to my eyes.
    I can see the miracle and God's gift to your heart.

    What a beautiful family! God bless y'all and hugs to you!

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    1. Cuz you are a gem! And you cannot even imagine how stunned, happy, delighted, thankful I was when that last minute bus change took place. And even more so when I knew what it meant for us all, especially for my oldest. :)

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  13. WOW. This is the best post I've read today. How proud you must be!

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  14. It is a hard and a wonderful position to be in at the same time. So proud for their service, but I know how much my mom stressed when my brother was gone.

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    1. It is just one of those things you have no idea how you're going to react to or feel until it happens I guess. I know the intensity of my emotions when my son joined really surprised me. I've never been so worried about anything in my entire life.

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  15. Such a wonderful tribute. It's got to be hard having them away sometimes.

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  16. Your son did a very brave thing dropping out of college to serve his country. These are some great pictures and personally, I think veterans (both young and old) should be thanked more than just one day a year.

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

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    1. I think they should be too, Laura, and thank you for your nice words and for stopping by!

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