He was in class last week at AIT in Ft. Lee, VA, and an officer came into the classroom and asked who had their Class B uniforms in shape, and who would like to volunteer for something......but didn't say what.
In spite of the general Army rule to never volunteer for anything, Eric raised his hand.
Later in the week he was told that he would be going to the NASCAR race in Richmond on Saturday to participate in a special 9/11 ceremony. He loves racing, so he was thrilled!!
When they got there yesterday, they were sitting in an amphitheatre waiting, and 14 of them (Eric included) were selected to be flag holders during the national anthem!
They had a giant flag that they unfurled while the anthem was being sung, and he stood between 2 NYC policemen, who were heroes of 9/11 (there were firefighters there too)! At the end four F-16 jets flew overhead! (It was on TNT last night, and we taped it, and we can actually see that it's Eric!)
He told me today on the phone, that last September 11, he never dreamed that in less than a year, he would be representing the Armed Forces of his country in a special ceremony honoring the brave men and women who sacrificed so much on September 11. He said he had tears in his eyes, and goosebumps all over because it was such a thrill!!
He also told me that he would go to Iraq in a heartbeat if he is called, because it is so clear to him that he is exactly where God wants him to be.
I am so proud of this kid!!
Oh......and one more thing.....he said that when they marched in formation singing their cadences, the crowd went wild with cheers and chants of USA!! I LOVE IT!!!
Brought tears to my eyes to hear of the USA chants and that Eric "knows" that he is where God wants him to be. Eric, and all of those to whom he witnesses, are in my prayers daily.