Parenting unites us in a common experience. Wouldn't you agree? I recently joined the ranks of parents with the common experience which can be identified by a bumber sticker we all recieved that says "Proud Parent of a US Soldier."
My son graduated from high school in 2005. He had a rough year after that struggling with college, finding a job and life was a bit depressing for him. The second year out of high school he enlisted in the army reserve. For the next 4 months he and I corresponded by letter. Those letters have had a profound im[act on my life.
Can I share with you the transformation of a soldier?
Jason's first letter started something like this, "Dear Mom, pray for me. I am not sure I can do this." He went on to tell about haveing to wait in line for 3-4 hours, getting 2 hours sleep at a time and marching in the middle of the night. He was getting pushed to the limits of what he knew he could do and I felt compassion for his immense challenges and I was inspired by his courage and achievements.
The next few letters showed glimpses of transformation as he faced the task of completing basic training. From the Drill seargents swearing at them, to their mocking of people's faith and race to their verbal abuse he began to see how the process was more mental than physical. He told me one day, "the last few days have been the most challenging of my life but I don't want to quit anymore. I am glad I joined and I have never been so proud of myself!"
I knew he had broken through the wall. I was concerned about him at times. His battle armour was two sizes to big and it had mold on it. Hey I thought the Army took care of our guys? Then there was the Gas Chamber drill. FOr those of oyu who have cons and daughters in the army you have all heard about this one.
The soldiers are put in a gas chamber for 5 minutes and for the last 15 seconds must remove their gas masks and recite the army creed. It seems Jason's drill seargent made a mistake (or do they do this for everyone?) but they were told to take their gas masks off more than a minute too early. After a minute the men were charging the door yelling that they coulnd't breathe. By the time the last man got out they had been in their 2 full minutes without a gas mask on. TO add insult to inury because of the drill seargents mistake they had to repeat the drill and go back in to do it correclty. My son said he almost cried having to face that. So ther were some times during basic training that I worried about his safety.
Well finally graduation day came and I went to see him in South Carolina. I waited outside and was suddenly broadsided by this husge hug from my proud soldier son who was now about 20 pounds heavier and stronger! It was quite emotional for me as was the goodbye 2 days later.
Has come home from his basic and advanced training. He has been working 60 hours a week in addition to his weekend at Fort Snelling in MN. He will be leaving for Afghanistan in 10 days. Keep him and all our military in your prayers.
Friends, letters from a soldier have a strong impact on their mothers. The challenges they face and the personal growth they go through are uniquely felt through that bond. The Armytransformed my son and my own life has been profoundly impacted.
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