I have said it before and I will say it again; I am proud of my son, a United States Army Soldier. On Wednesday of last week my beautiful bride and I drove to Columbia, SC to attend Family Day and Basic Combat Training graduation at Ft. Jackson for my son who successfully completed his training. As we drove I could feel my pride swell the closer we got to our destination. My feelings were very close to the surface and I began to reminisce about the past, the struggles and joys we traversed as my son grew to the man he most certainly is now.
I thought about the fights, the rebellions and the heartaches we endured with him as a bitter teenager. My mind traveled back to the days when he was just a small boy so full of energy and wonder; his eyes so wide-open at the littlest things. I remembered the day he was born and the pride I felt at having a son to carry on my name and family. And I was moved to tears several times – my wife just drove and smiled, she knew what I was thinking about.
On Thursday we attended Family Day at Ft. Jackson. This was the first time we were able to see our son since the day before he left for Boot Camp. As we sat in the grand stands listening to the Base Commander speak about our fine young soldiers, all I could think about was seeing my son in his uniform.
Finally, the Commander said, “I would now like to introduce you to the newest United States Army Soldiers…”
Suddenly the tree line at the rear of the parade field erupted with loud explosions and smoke canisters soared into the field emitting clouds of thick white smoke. A lone soldier charged through the smoke, ran to a spot in the middle of the field and stood at attention. Then a small group appeared through the smoke, the crowd roared and everyone stood as entire companies began to materialize from the smoke, running in formation, unit flags billowing in the smoke.
My heart leapt, my son was among these great warriors taking the field in such a dramatic fashion. My son was now a soldier, an honorable man, a fighter, a defender of our freedom, a MAN!
The companies of the 3-34th Battalion formed into neat rows of soldiers in their camouflage gear. All stood at attention, proud of themselves, reflecting the pride each family must have felt for their sons and daughters. Each soldier a member of an elite fighting force eager to defend their nation without regard for themselves, each with only an unwavering desire to protect and serve in whatever manner their country demands.
When the Commander told the families they were free to go down on the field to greet their soldier a mad dash to exit the stands and get on the field ensued. It took me several long minutes to get to my son, but when I did I was rewarded with a tight bear hug, tears of joy on both my part and his, and the greatest swelling of pride my heart has ever felt.
The little boy whose eyes were so wide with wonder and discovery was now a man whose future is filled with adventure and security. He had proven his worth to the world and earned the respect through sweat, sacrifice, and determination.
The next day, Christopher graduated from Basic Combat Training in a ceremony presided over by the President of the United States, George Bush. While I stood in line to be screened by the Secret Service, I spoke with other fathers about the pride they felt for their soldiers. Each one said that the feelings were nearly overwhelming. Each one said that this single achievement in their child’s life made up for everything that had come before – all the drama of the teenage years, all the worries over their child’s future, all the fights and struggles. All gone, wiped away by the joy and pride of this accomplishment.
The President’s speech was inspirational and patriotic, but it was secondary to the inspiration and patriotism I felt because of my son.
My son is a United States Army Soldier, my pride will never diminish for him and may God protect him as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
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