Posted on 09/11/2009 5:09:22 AM PDT by paterfamilias
On 9/11/09, my son had just started his third year in a Manhattan high school.
Although about a mile north of Ground Zero, he saw the thin coating of ash covering the cars, and he inhaled the stench of burning buildings and suffering humanity.
It took a long time to get home to the northern suburbs that night, but as we finally sat at dinner, not knowing what to expect next, I asked him if this had changed his plan to attend the US Naval Academy. He replied that, had he not been too young, that he would already have enlisted in the Marines.
Today, on 9-11-09, now a 1st Lieutenant of Marines, my son will be awarded his Naval Aviator's Wings of Gold, along with 20 other Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard officers.
He will be flying a CH-46 "Frog" and hopes to be tasked with casualty evacuation.
I am humbled by the honor, courage, and commitment of these young Naval Aviators. I pray that we, as a people, are deserving of their sacrifice.
May God keep and protect them as they protect us.
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On 9/11/01 my son was ten years old. Now he is a PFC in the USMC and scheduled to go to Afghanistan next year. I salute your son and your family, for you instilled the virtues of commitment and service in him. May God bless all those who answered freedom’s call.
Give him my congratulations.
My thanks to YOU for raising him right and my thanks and prayers for your son.
Congratulations to Your Son and to You and the family.
May he fly safe.
My son decided that day he was going to join the military. He's in the Air Force now and training.
May God bless your son, my son and all sons and daughters who serve.
Thank you, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard,
AND all the families that have supported and endured long, dangerous deployments in the last 8 years. So much courage and sacrifice.
You are America’s best!
My son was 11 yrs. old, in middle school,20th st. Manhattan, when he and his classmates heard the roar of the low flying plane just before it hit the tower. He is now in the Army, Special Ops, stationed in Afghanistan.
God bless you all. I’ve often seen reports about our young soldiers bravery and courage and have asked myself, ‘where do these magnificent young people come from?’
They come from patriots like YOU!
Thank you and best wishes to all your sons and daughters as they serve our country and keep us free.
I know you are very proud.
Thank him for his service.
Kathy, add another name to your thank you page.
Your son must be part of the USNA class of 2006 or 2007.
My 3 kids all decided to also serve.
My first, my daughter, joined the Army Reserve in 2003 and was trained as a Combat Medic - then she went ROTC and completed training as a Nurse. She is being called up for 1 year duty at a state-side hospital as an ICU nurse. (She made 1st Lt in June.)
My second - a son - went to USNA - graduated with the class of 2008. He is in Nuclear Power School in Charleston, SC, and will go on to be a submarine officer.
My second son loined the Army immediately after graduation from High School. He trained to become Airborne - and has been on the “tip of the spear” for the past 9 months, with his unit deployed in Iraq. (Right now - he is home on 15 day leave, and will return to Iraq for another 2 months before returning home.) Yet he is talking of volunteering to transfer from the 3rd Brigade over to the 4th Brigade - and joining them on a deployment in Afghanistan.
For all of us with kids serving in the military, I pray for leadership that is worthy of leading our fine men and women. Unfortunately, the Democrat leadership in Congress shows that it deserves nothing but contempt, and should not be entrusted with leading a Cub Scout group, much less having any input on how our military should and should not be used!!
Yes, my son was in the USNA Class of 2007. BTW, his older sister is now at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine (Army).
Your family is an example of what is right with this country.
You have done well. You may stand at ease.
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