Submitted by: Jon Searles(1,483) Jon Searles Log in to become a member of Jon Searles's Fan Club!
The sky is overcast, the flying insects are active and it is hot. Not just warm, but hot, sticky, underwear crawling towards your shoulder humidity and it hasnt even reached nine a.m. Then, gunfire, rapid gunfire and explosions shatter the thick humid air, smoke and the sound of armored vehicles moving closer. The vehicles come into view and fire towards the location of the gunfire. The Bradley Fighting vehicle and tank belong to the United States . They quickly stop and nine men pour from the rear door of each vehicle. Dressed in warrior clothing and pointing their weapons toward the enemy position they quickly overwhelm the insurgents with precision technique, superior fire power and complete control of the situation. During the entire exercise it is still hot, humid, and sticky. Suddenly, sensing an end to the violence, the crowds applause is deafening as the parents here at Fort Benning Georgia to see their sons graduate from Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training (A.I.T.) come to their feet and applaud the demonstration of the United States Army.
As my sons company and two others took the parade ground in military formation. Their young faces were forced tight by their desire for proper military bearing, I heard mothers weep and fathers catch their breath in short bursts so they would not have to borrow handkerchiefs from the women. Young men who still have the wants, desires, and humor of boys and are called to be men stood before us on that field. Most are not yet old enough to drink or rent a car but give them an M-16 and a grenade launcher and they will take a position of protection in front. Young men who have memorized and now live the Soldiers Creed:
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough
trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the
United States of America in close combat.
I am guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
(U.S. Army- no author listed)
Fort Benning , GA is the location of training many of the Armys warriors. My son, along with 200 or so other young men in his company that are now some of his best friends for life spent 14 weeks under the watchful eye of highly trained combat Drill Sergeants to learn the skills and discipline necessary to fight as an infantryman. Each earned the distinctive blue cord for their right shoulder and the crossed rifles. They spent fourteen weeks in the toughest mental and physical training that the Army can share. Many did not make it and were sent home early and those that did qualify to wear the blue cord, will forever pride themselves on their accomplishment. My son's grandfather was able to make the trip to place the blue cord on his grandson. What made it even more memorable was that cord that was placed on my sons shoulder was that same distinctive blue cord, slightly faded with age, that was put on my father in laws shoulder in 1957, fifty years between graduations.
The mood was amazing and the national pride flowed from the bleachers of parents, siblings, wives, grandparents, and other family members that traveled on that hot Georgia morning to see their son enter into an elite group of warrior. What was even more amazing was my trip home with my son, my soldier. It started with the driver of the Enterprise rent a car van that took us to the airport. A Vietnam vet who had flown helicopters and retired from the military after 30 years of service. He too had graduated from A.I.T. which connected this 68 year old man with my son.
As we walked into Atlanta Hartsfield airport we heard distant applause and cheers coming toward us. Soon we saw the soldiers coming around the corner as the airport inhabitants stopped their busy travel and began to clap and cheer for the soldiers returning from duty. Many were graduates of the same school at Fort Benning a short 12-18 months before.
The Delta Airline counter came to a stop anytime a soldier was in line. Although the Army moves the military personal via coach to avoid Congressional scrutiny, the Delta counter employees treated my son as if he were a First Class V.I.P. only gracing the airport once with his presence. And then, as I removed my shoes and practically undressed to go through the airport security check point, my son was told to keep his boots on and when they realized he had a 4 oz container of foot powder instead of the FAA maximum 3 oz he was quickly waved through and told thank you for your service to our country.
I watched my son as he graciously acknowledge each person that asked him where he was from and what his next assignment would be. I watched men of all ages grasp his 19 year old hand and thank him over and over for his service to the country and them personally. It was not the trite empty thank you of a stranger, but the heartfelt gratitude of fellow country men who understood the price of freedom.
My son slept in our home last night and there seemed to be a difference. For whatever reason or whatever emotion you want to call it, I have always been happy and proud to have him home but now I am honored to have my son under my roof.
You will notice that I did not mention the War in Iraq until now. When we talk of our fighting men and women it is not their job to question the mission, but to simply accomplish its goals. Politics are for the politicians and as they start and end conflicts throughout the world, the American Soldier will be called upon to do the job needed.
What have you done for a soldier? Today, my son the soldier and I are going to buy some clothes, get a game for his Playstation, and watch a movie. If for some reason in the next few months he and his unit are called upon to stand for our country he will put on his uniform, pick up his weapon, and step up to do what he is trained to do.
Army graduations ceremonies are opened with a prayer to God, a prayer to keep the soldiers safe and a prayer that they will not be needed. Definitely a prayer I will repeat often.
» left by James P Krehbiel(1,331) James P Krehbiel (1 year 40 days ago.)
Jon,
Thank for an articulately weaved heart-warming tribute to your son and those who serve our country in a dedicated and professional manner. I am so glad he had an opportunity to spend some time at home with you and your family. God bless. Respond to this comment
» left by Susan Thom(8,138) Susan Thom (1 year 39 days ago.)
hi jon,
i read this article not five minutes after my neighbor, who is in the navy, and about 24 years old, told me that our other neighbor, who went into the army, and was in Iraq, although he was never supposed to go, saw things that have changed who he is, and that someone shot off a firecracker and he hit the deck. he could not handle what he saw. this was within the last few days. he talks differently, he has split from his old self, he is 24, his life is changed forever, and he just wanted to make his parents happy and proud. they have not split from themselves, they did not see what he saw, nor will they ever. i don't think they are either happy or proud. the son they knew, is forever lost to them, even though he came back alive. what can we do for this soldier? this was a great article, by the way,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Jon Searles(1,483) Jon Searles (1 year 39 days ago.)
Susan,
There is no doubt that soldiers can be changed forever by the experiences that many of us only see on television. A soldier touched by the horror of war and the experience has many options through the Veteran's Administration and hopefully through friends who have also experienced the same things he did. He needs to know he was not the first to see it and will not be the last. My father was a Vietnam vet who was able to share his experiences, positive and negative but it took many years. Time and prayer will hopefully allow the son lost to return. I hope your friends' pride and happiness will return. Thank you for reading. Respond to this comment
» left by James Carrick(110) (1 year 39 days ago.)
Jon, I wish your son well and I hope he will not have to go to Iraq. Though I've never served, I have a brother that did and I commend your son. It is noble and honorable to serve one's country. I have a seventeen year old son and if he chose to serve his country, I would not try to dissuade him. Good luck to you and your family! Respond to this comment
» left by Robin Calamaio from Bowling Green, Ky (1 year 38 days ago.)
Lord bless you all. Respond to this comment
» left by secret33 (1 year 33 days ago.)
American soldiers are smart and brave fighters. The problem is that sometimes they have to do the fighting with inferior and dangerous weapons which is why there are always a lot of American casualites when there should not be Respond to this comment
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