3 days...

Look at  that smile! That's my sailor-to-be at the helm

of a cruise ship way back in the day. 

Actually, wasn't that yesterday?

He leaves for his recruiter's office Sunday afternoon

then on to Great Lakes for boot camp.

He is 18.

I tell you, there is no way  to explain this letting go.

The military is not like college. It is grown-up stuff

 and there is little margin for error. 

I think of this sweet boy and how quickly

he must become a man and my 

mother-heart aches. 

But this is an opportunity for him to shine,

to meet the world head-on and 

get busy with the business of life.

I will let him go in a few days. I will fold my sorrow

like a secret and slip it deep in a pocket.

This is what a mother does

and strives to do so with grace. 

Godspeed son. 

I love you.

~♥~

the choice to serve

Having a child make the decision to serve their country 

can really make a parent think. 

While many people regard the choice to enlist in military service

as a fall back for young people that have few options, 

nothing is further from the truth. Today's Navy is over-manned-

due to downsizing and the current economic climate in our country.

Most recruits (after passing extensive testing) will encounter a long

wait until their field has an opening. 

My son enlisted in November, graduated last month

and departs in August. He qualified for one of the few under-manned 

rates- nuclear field (only about 3% of the Navy). 

It is not easy to enlist and even before recruits leave for 

boot camp they begin learning the Navy way. My son is

in the Navy's Delayed Entry Program (DEP) and attends

meetings and is in regular, close contact with his recruiters. 

He is expected to learn material, practice drills and keep his 

nose clean until his departure. 

Young people who choose to enter military service and 

are able to qualify are privileged to serve and we, 

as US citizens,are also privileged to have them

 looking after us in a dangerous, complex world. 

The next time you hear of a young person making this commitment,

don't assume they had no other options. 

Instead, understand that they are embarking on a noble,

challenging endeavor to benefit not only themselves,

but also the greater good of our nation and the world.

Know that they are among a select group of young men 

and women that qualify and choose to live an uncommon life

of self- sacrifice and courage.

~♥~

Ready or not...

Things are moving faster and faster now that my's son's boot-camp departure

is well under 100 days away! 

At the senior awards ceremony he was recognized

by the Navy. Graduation is this weekend!

  On Saturday he participated in the DEP Olympics.

Five local Navy Recruiting Stations sponsored this great family event.

Future Sailors participated in drills, sit-up, pull-up and  push-up competitions 

and tug-o-war. There was lunch and lots of time to meet some of the Chiefs

and other recruit family members. 

 The drills were impressive. You could tell the Future Sailors had worked hard.

  Tug-o-war was exciting! The highlight was when the Chiefs challenged the winning recruit team.

Of course they won... they way out-numbered the recruits. LOL! Too bad!! 

My favorite part of the day was seeing these eager, hopeful faces! 

The esprit-de-corps was wonderful! 

Already, these young people are supporting their future shipmates.

 Then on Saturday night my son participated in a mock swearing-in at the local arena

football team's game. The military was honored because it was Armed Forces Day.

It was very moving to see these future sailors and marines on the field. 

And to wrap up a wonderful weekend, our church celebrated the class of 2011.

Time is literally flying. My son is working out almost daily.

I think he will be ready when the day arrives.

And I will, too.

Healthy birds leave the nest.

~♥~

shipshape

Today I'm swabbing the deck and working in the galley.

My son's recruiter is coming for dinner and I have to make things 

nice for him. You'd think the Admiral was coming! But~ I have so many

questions for him I think I need to be sure everything is cozy 

and he is well-fed. It's not like I have to convince him to take my son. 

He has been USN property since he signed his contract in November

of last year. Still, I have a loooong list of questions regarding topics

ranging from wisdom teeth to boot camp choir. 

I'll post a recap tomorrow and hopefully have some good info to pass on.

Now, back to the deck. Seems the rest of the crew has disappeared,

so I'd better get busy!

~~~UPDATE~~~
The recruiter had to postpone his visit  due to some pressing
Navy business (perhaps he is pressing his uniform), so I now have time
to make my list of questions even longer!! If you have one you'd like
for me to ask him, post it as a comment below.
I'm figuring I'm going to have to hold him hostage for seven
or eight hours to ask him all mine, so what's a few more?? ;)