A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER

Self | June 12, 2002 | ohioWfan

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, dear friend!

[Cinnamon Girl]

Wow. Thank you for sharing your story. G-d bless your son and give him strength.

[ohioWfan]

Does Sara come from a good home? If so, I will be happy to have Eric meet her! LOL!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you so much!

[duckbutt]

Dearest ohioWfan - - words fail me - - may God richly bless your boy as he defends his country. May He keep him in the palm of his hand and out of harm's way.

May God bless your family as you make this sacrifice for your country. Again, words fail me - - I just join in prayer for this country, this wonderful president, and your fine son - - and to all folks in freeperdom who have served or had family members serve. (Hubby was in AF, Father in Army, Son in Navy. Proud of all of them.)

[mtngrl@vrwc]

What a wonderful post, OhioWfan! Your words here have moved me to tears. I kind of understand what you must be going through because as you know I have a twenty year old son who is contemplating joining the army. He is going away to boot camp for a week this summer to see if it's what he really wants to do. He is going to college to become an engineer and is really interested in being part of the Army Corps of Engineers. He has had his physical, all systems are go, but I don't think he has signed on the dotted line yet. When that happens, I will be suffering (but proud as heck) right along side you.

[Salvation]

I also understand how you are feeling today. When my son left for the Navy I did not have much of a negative reaction, maybe because I had worked through it earlier.

My story:

When the recruiter came around to my son's high school he signed up for the Navy. One day the Navy recruiter called and asked if he could stop by to talk to John and have me sign something. I had no idea what was in store for me.

You see, my husband had passed away a year earlier, and the recruiter was there to collect my signature releasing my son since he was only 16 at the time.

I balked. I cried. I screamed. "Where is my husband; he is the one who is supposed to be signing papers like this!"

Finally I called a friend, a Vietnam vet, and went through the whole scene again, crying screaming, asking why my husband was not there to sign the papers. My friend listened calmly, and then got me to think about what I was doing. Throwing a roadblock in front of my son and not respecting his choices.

We must have talked for over 30 minutes, while the Navy recruiter sat by in another room talking with John. I finally DID sign the release papers willingly and did not blame my husband for his untimely absence due to the ravages of lung cancer.

My son served four years in the Navy during Desert Storm on a supply ship to start with and later on a battleship and aircraft carrier. (He fibbed to me, however, and said he was always on the supply ship..........................little stinker. I guess he was just being considerate of me, knowing that I was still dealing with the grief in my life.

And a little footnote:
During his service career, my mother-in-law died from heart failure; I had to identify the body of my father-in-law who had shot himself in a nearby town; my brother came down with AIDS and my mother died. My brother died a year after my son returned from the service.

I know it hurts, ohioWfan; I have been there.

[MoJo2001]

God Bless you ohioWfan and God Bless your son!! My military family understands and we pray for the safety of all those men and women in our country that rise to the call of freedom!! Now, I'm going to cry and I haven't even started lunch.

[Grampa Dave]

We will pray for Eric.

Our not very large church has over 60 men and women in the service that are on our weekly prayer list. Many were or are in Afghanistan or in the Navy ships that provide air cover and supplies.

Recently there was a meeting of the lay readers, prayer leaders and lay chalice bearers at our church. A new citizen wanted to know how long we would continue reading off this long list of service people.

Before anyone could say anything, our flag waving/patriotic priest, said, "Until the war was over and all were home safe. Do you have a problem with that?"

The clymer shook his head. One of the lay readers after the meeting said that maybe the clymer should ask Grampa Dave that question. He shook his head and left.

[Johnny Gage]

Thanks for the great post. Very touching. We should all hope our sons & daughters turn out like this.

Pinging some of the "Canteen Crew" too!

BUMPEROO

[Mo1]

Oh ohioWfan ... what a lovely tribute to your son .. he sounds like a lovely young man who will serve our country proudly

You must be so proud of him ... God Bless you and your family

[mtngrl@vrwc]

They let him say that in the Valedictory speech? I am greatly encouraged, as we've all heard stories about valedictorians who were forbidden to even mention Jesus in their speeches.

The speeches at my daughter's graduation last week were just full of references to God and how he has plans for the graduates' lives. It surprised me too, pleasantly though!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, lodwick. Your opinion is of great value to me!

And thank you as well, Bahbah, and SAMWolf for your link to the wonderful USO thread!

[ohioWfan]

Thank you all, for your prayers, for your tears, and for your kind words.

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, Mike! Your words mean much to me, friend.

[ohioWfan]

Remind of us your son in October.

You will need support, BIG TIME, and you will get it here at FR!

Thank you!

[MJY1288]

John, This thread needs your attention, Please give it a "King Size" ping for one of our FINEST and his family

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, Cinnamon Girl!

[MJY1288]

John, This thread needs your attention, Please give it a "King Size" ping for one of our FINEST and his family