Posted on 10/10/2005 12:52:52 PM PDT by Graybeard58
EAST HARTFORD -- These days there are two empty places at Elisa Amaro's dinner table.
Her husband, Luis Amaro, and his son Joshua are having their meals at boot camp in Fort Benning, Ga., while Elisa Amaro and the remaining five children stay in East Hartford.
Joshua, 18, left first, followed by his father.
"It is certainly extremely unusual," said Col. Gary Tocchet, associate professor of history at West Point.
While there are a number of fathers and sons in the service together, the Amaros' sequence could be the first time a father has followed his son into military service.
After Joshua received his high school diploma from Great Path Academy in June, he told his family he was joining the Army National Guard, citing its opportunities and the chance for a better future.
Meanwhile, his father, Luis Amaro, 36, was working at Battiston's Dry Cleaners in Manchester and was reminded of his own dreams -- to graduate from high school and to serve his country -- when he heard of Joshua's decision to enlist.
Luis Amaro put his energy into completing his high school education. He graduated in May from the East Hartford adult education program, earning his high school diploma.
Joshua left on July 5 for 14 weeks of basic training. Luis Amaro joined his son at boot camp on Aug. 9.
Though they do not train or eat together, the Army has allowed an occasional "father and son day," where they can spend a few hours together.
After basic training they will be deployed with the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, in Connecticut.
Elisa said both father and son hope to take advantage of the educational benefits offered by the Guard and become chaplain assistants.
Elisa said she misses both of them immensely.
She has already planned her trip to Georgia to attend Joshua's graduation on Oct. 21. and plans to take the 18-hour drive again in November to watch her husband graduate.
Elisa said she is not afraid of their future assignments, wherever they may be. "It was their dream. And if God gave them their dreams, he's gonna protect them," she said.
Cool.
The conservative concern over illegal immigration was never about raciam. Because it will cause as much harm to these two responsible American citizens as it will cause to caucasian, asian, and african people. That is one nice story you found, Graybeard.
Having to take care of the home and kids by herself, I bet she's overjoyed.
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
They're Puerto Rican
Ping for my affiliation regiment, the 102 Inf (formerly the "Second Connecticut," prior to that ye "New Haven Train Band." Motto: "Stand Forth" -- from Bunker Hill.
You really lost me on that one - what did the article have to do it immigration of any kind?
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