A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER

Self | June 12, 2002 | ohioWfan

[ohioWfan]

A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER

I want you to meet my son, Eric. He was born in 1984, the third of our four children, and on Sunday he graduated from High School in the class of 2002 as part of the so-called ‘Millennium Generation.’ President Bush has told members of the class of 2002 that they are graduating into a very different world than previous classes have done. He is right.

Eric has always been called what child experts label a ‘compliant’ child. As a small boy, he was so sensitive to wrongdoing, that he would cry when we raised our voices at him. He never needed punishment. Eric is still acutely aware of his own sinful nature, even though outwardly he never does anything very wrong. At the same time, he is very sensitive to the pain of others, and has cried because friends of his were in rebellion against God, and hurting themselves and others as a result.

Eric loves to make people happy. From the time he was a baby, we called him our ‘laughing boy’ because he smiled or laughed all the time. He still does. He loves to make others laugh too, and is gifted at imitating voices…….he can do a perfect Yoda or any number of other Star Wars characters, and can recite the entire script of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in flawless dialect, or quote lines from Braveheart and any number of other movies with perfection. He is a charming young man, who makes people happy just to be around him.

At the same time, Eric has always been a warrior. At 18 months he was seen wielding a piece of orange and yellow Hotwheels track, keeping his older brother and sister hostage in the bathroom, and delighting at their yells for help. He once chased the neighborhood kids around with a saw because he felt he had been fouled one too many times in a pick-up basketball game. He was 6 years old. He has been an avid Civil War collector since he was 8 or 9, but the only things he ever really wanted were the guns and the swords. He ran an entire Cross Country race on a stress fracture in his foot because he refused to quit ‘pressing on toward the goal.’

He is quiet, yet bold; so bold in his faith that he told his classmates Sunday in his Valedictory speech that the only way they could have a truly successful future was through faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. His greatest desire in life is to serve that Savior and live a Christ-like life, and to serve others. He is handsome, mature, stable, interested in history and politics, fiercely competitive, wanting to be the best he can be at everything he pursues, a talented athlete and musician, and well liked by his peers…… and pretty much everyone who has ever met him. He is our son, and we are proud of him.

But today, our pride is mingled with tears, because last night he left for Army Basic training in Ft. Knox, Kentucky. In the Spring of 2001 when he was a junior, an Army Recruiter came to his school looking for potential recruits. Eric took note, but wasn’t really interested. Then in August, he got a call from the Recruiter, and felt as though he should pursue it. He and his Dad met with the Recruiter, we all prayed about it, and knew that God was leading him to join the Army Reserves.

It was a great deal. The men at the recruiting station did not try to hide their pleasure at the new Commander in Chief. The Army would help pay for college, train him in a different field while he attended college, so he would end up doubly ready for a career. He only had to put in a weekend a month, and two weeks in the summer, and would be paid for it to boot, and the only way his unit would ever be mobilized beyond the United States, would be ‘World War III’.......A great deal.

Then came September 11, and the world as we knew it came crashing down. I waited for a day after the attack, so he could start to absorb what it meant for him, and asked Eric how he was doing about the Army thing. He said ‘OK.’ And then said he now knew he had signed up for the right reasons…….not just for the college money, but because he wanted to serve his country, and now he knew they needed him.

Today he is beginning preparation for whatever his country, and his Commander in Chief, want him to do, along with thousands of others of young men and women who have made the same choice. A number of his friends have joined different branches of the service. Some young men and women have postponed college plans to serve actively, while others, like Eric, will be able to go later next year, and serve in a reserve capacity.

Last summer, Eric worked at a blueberry farm, cleaning barns and warehouses, played tennis and goofed around with his friends. This summer will be very different. Even though boot camp is not what it used to be, it is still tough, and Eric will need to pull up all the toughness he has inside to make it through. We are sure that he can do it, and he just might even like it, because he likes to be pushed and tested, and he does have that warrior inside of him. But there is also in him that little boy who cried when he was yelled at, and wants to make everyone happy. That part of himself will have to be buried deep inside for the next 9 weeks.

The reason I decided to write this, is that many of us never put a face on ‘our troops’……..even when we pray for them...... and perhaps my telling you about Eric can help you see one of those faces. Eric is not overseas……yet........ though he is seriously considering a military career, and may well end up there. He is not in combat, but many young men like him are……many young men and women are serving this great country all over the world and are in harm’s way, and in need of our support and prayers. Each one of them has a story that his or her mother or father could tell about what wonderful people they are, as I have done about Eric.

And many young men and women who last summer as teenagers, worked at blueberry farms or grocery stores, factories or fast food restaurants, are now beginning training to serve their country in this very dangerous new world…… as adults, preparing to fight the first war of the new millennium, in a very different kind of summer.

Please pray for them……..and those who love them.

[anniegetyourgun]

Still separated at birth!

BTW, do you know if they are going to televise the OSU commencement address? My lovely niece (graduating as a medical doctor) will be filing through those lines. I wish I could have been with her today - the only other in my family to graduate from my alma mater. I'm very proud of her.

[ohioWfan]

I haven't heard if they're televising it. I have heard that there have been protests, but that would be typical of a college campus.......arguably the most liberal havens left in the country........but I haven't heard much else.

I'll be listening today, and let you know if I hear anything.

btw, CONGRATS on the graduation!

[Texas Princess]

What a wonderful Story about your son. It brought tears to my eyes and a sense of pride in my heart... I am proud of your son and all the people who join up and protect us. I joined the Army when I was 19 and loved being there the short time I was in (Was retired with 60% Service Connected Disability due to SLE). I support our Guy's and Gal's in the Military (past and present).

I hope you don't mind me sharing something about my Nephew... He has grown up to be a fine young man like your son.
My nephew graduated from Basic Training at Lackland AFB Last October. He is now in North Dakota and I just found out from my little sister that he will be leaving in September for 4 months. He will be sent to a place in the Indian Ocean. It scares me, but I know God is watching over him and all the other Guys and Gals. : )

He signed up before Sept 11th, and was supposed to leave before Sept 11th. But he became sick with a Chest Infection and the Recruiter told him to wait till he is better. Then Sept 11th happened and They gave my nephew a choice to change his mind about joining or not. He said, Now more than ever I want to join. He works with Bombs. Loading onto Planes, Dismantling, and Checking. It scares me and my family, but we have Faith in God. He will be going to College while serving and wants to be a Chaplin.

Here is a picture of My Nephew and I at his graduation at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas:



Thank You so much for your story. Your son sounds like a Wonderful Young Man and I will be praying for him and all the other's who are in the Military. : )

[dutchess]

What a beautiful tribute to your wonderful son. You must be one proud mama. May God be with him these upcoming months.

[ohioWfan]

OH, thank you for sharing that story about your nephew! It is frightening to know that he will be going to such a dangerous place, but you can have confidence that he will be in God's hands, and will be protected.

Thank you for your kind words about my son. There are so many people who write off the whole generation as being self-centered and worthless, but there are plenty of young men and women just like him, and your nephew, who are strong and patriotic, and ready to serve this great nation!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, dutchess! I am!

[William Wallace]

RC, thank you my FRiend for pinging me or I would surely have missed this beautiful tribute.

Eric has always been a warrior. . . He ran an entire Cross Country race on a stress fracture in his foot because he refused to quit ‘pressing on toward the goal.’

He is quiet, yet bold; so bold in his faith that he told his classmates Sunday in his Valedictory speech that the only way they could have a truly successful future was through faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. His greatest desire in life is to serve that Savior and live a Christ-like life, and to serve others.

oWf thank you for writing this moving tribute, not only to your wonderful son, but to all the brave young men and women serving our country in these challenging times. Your son's name and story of his running the race with a stress fracture reminded me of another Eric who was a fine runner and a great warrior for Christ.

Eric Liddell was favored to win a gold medal in 100 meters in the 1924 Olympic games. When he arrived in Paris, he was stunned to learn that the preliminaries for his best events -- the 100 meters and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays -- were scheduled for Sunday. Eric considered the Lord's Day sacred and refused to take part in those events. He turned his attention to the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, events he had not trained for and was not expected to win. Surprisingly, he managed to win a bronze medal in the 200-meters. He then ran the race of his life. Arms thrashing, head tilted upward to the sky, "The Flying Scotsman" won the gold metal in the 400 meters, setting a world record of 47.6 seconds. Most important, he put his commitment to his faith ahead of his best chance to win earthly fame and glory.

Running the Race -- Eric Liddell 1902-1945

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

[William Wallace]

BTW, I notice those who would question your commitment to freedom are no where to be found

That very fact has not escaped me, annie. Where are those who would call me a Nazi, communist, or freedom hater? Where are those who question my patriotism now?

(A) Rooting out the booby-trapped caves of bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network in Afghanistan

(B) Digging through the rubble at Ground Zero to find more remains of the fallen heroes of September 11th

(C) Saying goodbye to their own sons and daughters heading overseas to fight for freedom

(D) Spending what's left of the welfare check on booze and cigarettes while thinking up yet another anti-Bush rant

Somehow I don't think you'll need to use a lifeline to answer this one. ;-)

[ohioWfan]

Thank you so much for that picture and info about Eric Liddell! He is a family hero of ours......especially Eric's older brother, Josh, who watched Chariots of Fire at least 300 times as a child, and last November ran the Chicago Marathon.

Not only is his perseverence exemplary, but his strong stance for Godliness above personal glory. In fact, I believe that Eric Liddell's example was one of the positive influences on both of our sons' lives.

btw, your screen name is also a hero of our sons, who are part Scot (on their father's side), and admire his courage and valor.

Thanks again!

[MistyCA]

Yes, when my son-in-law began training with the seals he had a ankle injury that put a halt to his hopes of completing that dream and goal. It was devastating for him at the time, but the problem was since corrected and he is now a fireman which he also loves. I wish your son safe passage in all of his endeavors. :)

[MistyCA]

That is a wonderful picture of you and your nephew. Give him my regards and tell him we are all proud of him as well! :)

[ohioWfan]

Oh, that's a tough one, WW, but I think I have my final answer! :o)

[ohioWfan]

Hey, annie, would you mind checking your pings yesterday to see if you got one from me for this thread?

You should have been on my ping list, but I noticed you said you only got a ping from Ragtime Cowgirl.

I want to make sure I didn't goof up and miss your name somehow!
It would be the first mistake I have ever made in my entire life........ ;o)

[HiJinx]

there are plenty of young men and women just like him...

I don't believe truer words have ever been spoken!
'Mass media' doesn't do anything to tell us about these kids, but we are getting the word out in other ways. And people who live outside the beltway know it.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You are very welcome, my friend.

"The Flying Scotsman" won the gold metal in the 400 meters, setting a world record of 47.6 seconds. Most important, he put his commitment to his faith ahead of his best chance to win earthly fame and glory.

Philippians 4:8. This thread has the potential to change the world. (^:

[JohnHuang2]

ohioWfan- Gotta run -- but I'm bookmarking this one for later reading =^)

Johnny Gage, thanks for the ping.

[William Wallace]

Not only is his perseverence exemplary, but his strong stance for Godliness above personal glory. In fact, I believe that Eric Liddell's example was one of the positive influences on both of our sons' lives.

Amen. Thanks oWf. Your boys' character and devotion shine through your beautiful tribute and comments on this thread. IMHO you did a great job raising two such outstanding young men.

FReegards,
WW

[William Wallace]

Philippians 4:8. This thread has the potential to change the world. (^:

That's the spirit RC! :-)

BTW Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses.

[ohioWfan]

I would very much appreciate your thoughts on this, John. I value your opinion as a writer highly!

[rintense]

Wow, oWf... I have tears in my eyes. What a beautifully written testimonial of the goodness and hope for all young people. You and your husband should be very proud, and both of you should be commended and praised for raising such a wonderfully faithful son. God bless you, and God bless you, Eric. Godspeed in your service to our country. May God protect you as you protect us.