The Army's newest soldier

Post by **wncbmw** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:09 pm

Back in mid-May, and about 3 pages back on this forum, I posted that my son had joined the Army. Well, he graduated Basic Training last week and we got to visit with him before he shipped out for the next training location. Impressive graduation ceremony and impressive changes in the young man. I have to admit to being the proud father.

He is now in San Antonio at Fort Sam Houston for 16 weeks of combat medic training, then on the Airborne school! He did not pick an easy option but feels that is what he wants to do.

I have always been grateful for the people who volunteer for the military but now am especially understanding of the sacrifices they make on our behalf.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:22 pm

Give your son a big pat on the back from me.

You must be very proud..and a little worried.

Thanks for the post...and great picture.

DJ

NHighCotton · Post by **NHighCotton** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:24 pm

God bless you all!

Post by **JCsman** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:39 pm

Thanks to your son for the protection he will provide my loved ones.

May he return from all his duties safe and whole.

Post by **Biff's R** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:52 pm

Nice picture Vann. You must be extremely proud.

Did you remind him that YOU will always be able to whip him? And if you did, did he laugh?:D

Post by **DSKYZD** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:11 pm

Great picture, Vann.

So how's "Momma" handling it all these days?

DSKYZD

Post by **12bar1** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:04 am

You have a lot to be proud of, congrats.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:12 am

Congrats! What a great story and a nice picture.

Fortunately, your son looks like his mother.

Post by **MikeCam** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:02 am

Vann,

Push ups. He does them now. You should too.

Philbie · Post by **Philbie** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:04 am

I can understand how proud you must be! Congratulations, and I wish him luck in his new endevors.

Post by **sjbmw** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:02 am

Airborne!
Congratulations Vann.
You got a bad a$$ on your hands!

Post by **wncbmw** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:56 am

Thanks for the comments folks. This has been an interesting time for us.

You must be very proud..and a little worried.

Yes and yes. Sort of like when he was an undersized offensive lineman and consistently won his battles. Only more intense pride and worry now!

Did you remind him that YOU will always be able to whip him?

I haven't been able to whip him for some time without cheating! Of course, that is what old farts do to win!

So how's "Momma" handling it all these days?

Better. She's adjusting.

Fortunately, your son looks like his mother.

Amen to that!

You got a bad a$$ on your hands!

A gentle soul with a warriors heart. He still wants to help people, hence the medic choice. But he can't do what he is training to do without being able to hold up the combat end also.

Push ups. He does them now. You should too.

No thanks, I'll stick to my own workout. But it sure worked for him!

Thanks again and look for an update in about 16 weeks!

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:30 am

wncbmw, A great picture, I am sure you and your family are very proud, as well you should be! I would like you to let him know that he will be in our thoughts, as are all, who serve, have served, and those who will serve this great country. I would like to reference a quote that I think is approprite.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us" Ralph Waldo Emerson.

His desire to become a "Combat Medic" (next to God, a solders best friend) and "Airborne" training, (America's Best) Your son has demonstrated "What lies within him"." I Salute Him" Den

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:04 am

Vann - Many thanks to your son for protecting my freedom as an American.

Post by **NoRRmad** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:06 pm

I wish him the best.

Post by **garylspolar** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:36 pm

You realize, of course, that anything political you now say in the Playhouse will carry more weight.

I wish him and all your family the best as well. Thank your son for me.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:28 pm

garylspolar wrote:You realize, of course, that anything political you now say in the Playhouse will carry more weight.

I wish him and all your family the best as well. Thank your son for me.

Yup. Vann's family has put up. He's certainly earned the right to not shut up.

One of my regrets is not having served during my somewhat wayward years in my early 20s when I was searching for myself. Boot camp probably would have been good for me and saved me a few years of wandering in search of who I am as a person, all the while giving back to this great country for what it did for my family back in the early 50s.