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Monday, November 29, 2010

Bite the Bullet

Alex is now down to his last two weeks of Basic Training!!

Thankfully, he passed his final PT test, and now - according to the Fort Benning website - he will be engaging in the most difficult training of all.  The list includes such things as:
  • 36 - 48 Hour Continuous Operations (The Gauntlet) - I have no idea what that is, but it's such serious stuff that it warrants its own ominous nickname. 
  • Battle March and Shoot
  • Five-Mile Eagle Run  
  • Foot March (12 miles)
  • Honor Hill Cross Rifle Ceremony
  • MK-19 Machine Gun Day & Night Familiarization Fire
  • Seven-Day Field Training Exercise
Graduation is Wednesday, December 15, so I just don't see how it's possible to fit all of this in within the time allotted.  But this is the Army, so I'm sure they're being pushed to hunker down, bite the bullet, and git 'er done.
For the past three months, my nerves have been shot wondering, "How is he doing?  Are his lungs okay?  Did he pass his PT test?  Did he do well on his rifle qualification?"  I haven't been able to relax, and I won't really do so until I pin the Blue Infantry Cord on his uniform.  Then I can relax.

Kinda.

Okay, not really.

I worry that he will come home, settle into work and school, and suddenly get deployed overseas (God forbid, to Afghanistan).  I realize now that Basic Training is the easy part.  The National Guard is an 8-year commitment.  I have no idea where it will take him; I just have to have faith that he's been trained by the best Army in the world and that he'll be prepared for anything.

He got a 48-hour pass over Thanksgiving, so his dad went down to see him.  He reported back to me that Alex has an increased confidence and a solid life plan in place.  Chalie said Alex is "beaming with pride and ready for the world."  Just when that begins to make me feel better, my Mommy self kicks in and once again... I worry.

So I have come to the realization that I will worry forever - it's in my nature.  It's in the nature of all mothers.  At the same time, however, I need to let go.

Guess it's time for me to bite the bullet as well.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving Day.  I miss my child so much and wish he were here with me today.  But he's got his Dad with him down in Georgia, so he's with someone who loves him as much as I do.  And he called last night and spoke to his grandparents, his aunts and uncle, and his little cousins.  So I'm sure he feels even a little more connected to home.

He's missing out on a lot this Thanksgiving:
  • Mom Mom's delectable escarole soup
  • Mom Mom's amazing stuffing (my grandmother's recipe, created more than 50 years ago)
  • pumpkin pie
  • playing with his little cousins
  • sitting around the table and laughing with family

But he's experiencing and learning so much:
  • discipline
  • teamwork
  • perseverance
  • honor
  • loyalty
  • sacrifice
These are values that he will carry through the rest of his life, so missing one Thanksgiving at home seems a small price to pay.

Chalie already sent me some pictures of Alex this morning.

Alex, and his friends Dave and Tyler.  I love the beret!!!

"I'm eating donuts omg. I've never loved coffee so much lol." (Actual texts from Alex)


I'm so thankful that Chalie went down to spend this time with him.  I wish I could have afforded to go as well, but there was no way I could have done it.  Graduation is only three weeks away, so I'll see him very soon!!!

Gather your loved ones around you today and be thankful every day for the blessings God has bestowed upon you.  And be thankful for our soldiers who sacrifice to keep us all safe and free.  I know I'm thankful for mine. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 

Monday, November 1, 2010

For My Soldier and His Platoon Buddies


Dear Alex & Charlie Company 1-19 TF330, 3rd Platoon:

For a while now, I've been wanting to write a post specifically dedicated to all of you who are training together. However, it's proven more difficult than I'd ever have imagined. Most of my posts are written in one day, sometimes under an hour.  This post, however, has taken me more than a week to compose.  Everything I start to say seems inadequate, so I scrap it and start all over.  But I want you all to see this before Graduation, so here goes...

I am in awe of each and every one of you!!  

You have made the decision to willingly leave your loved ones and put your lives on hold so that you can train to defend your country.  Because of you, those of us at home will continue to enjoy our freedom.  What an amazing sacrifice!  Obviously, I only know my son's experience and how he came to this decision.  I know that he has always loved his country; he just 11 years old when 9/11 happened, and it affected him deeply.  The heroism and patriotism that fell over the country in the weeks and months afterward settled into his soul and became a part of him.  Your story may be similar; it may be completely different. But there was something that inspired and influenced your very difficult decision.

I can't imagine how it feels to say goodbye to your parents, your spouse, your kids, your friends and embark on one of the most difficult journeys anyone could imagine.  Once you get to Basic, you're waking up before God, running in the dark or the heat (or both), crawling through dirt and mud, enduring the gas chamber, enduring your Drill Sergeants, running until your lungs feel they're going to burst, learning how to disassemble and reassemble your rifle until you can do it blindfolded, building your bodies and your minds... all the while aching for a letter or a picture from home.

I know from Alex's letters that he hates getting up early, but he loves the training. And he keeps telling me that what constantly drives him - besides the support of family and friends at home - is the thought of when he gets his Blue Infantry Cord.  Like the proverbial carrot on the end of the stick, that braided piece of material keeps him moving forward and motivated.  I can't wait until I can put that cord on his shoulder, and I'm sure every one of you is excited to have your parent, spouse, or other loved one do the same.

I recently found this Soldier's Creed.  I don't know if they teach it to you during Basic Training, but I thought it was beautiful, so I made this to share with all of you:





















"I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life."  That statement is so simple, yet so profound.  Many of us take our freedom for granted, but if it weren't for the soldiers who came before you, we wouldn't be enjoying our freedom.  And now because of you, your children and your grandchildren will continue to do so.
 
Some of you may go overseas but, God willing, most of you will serve at home, called on when you're needed most.  But no matter what, you are all SOLDIERS, and you each will learn to live by this creed.  Stand proud when you can say "I am an American Soldier."  
 
Mama Leone signing off, sending lots of love to everyone in 3rd Platoon!!  God Bless you all, and I hope to meet many of you on Graduation Day!!

HOOAH!!!  

GO GUARD!!!