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| I was proud when he made good or bad grades in school, (he was learning). I was proud even when he was a dishwasher making his own money, (but he did not like washing dishes at home). I was still proud when he worked as a grocery stocker after school, (now he does not like to go grocery shopping). He did not have to do this to make me proud. Just watching him raise his children make me even more proud. |
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| I asked, “When are you leaving”? In a couple of days, he said. He acted as if he was going on a vacation. He was in for a shock. He did not like taking orders at home, how was he going to take orders in the military? Every word I said to him, his response was” I can handle it“. Yeah maybe you can, but can your family? There is a lot of sacrifices one has to make being in the military: not watching children as they grow up, not being there at night to tuck them into bed, not being there on your daughter’s 16th birthday and her first date, telling your wife happy anniversary 3,000 miles away. Many sacrifices are easy to make, some are not. You just have to hope you make the right choice. He said, “Dad I got to go”. Everything you have said to me, I already know. Yeah that figures, coming from a son who is wiser than his dad. |
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| It took all I could do to choke back the tears. I told him to take care, write when he could and call often. He did not know how long he would be gone, but I knew it would be long for his family. Each day when the phone rings, my heart will stop beating for a second or two. I’m just scared to answer the phone, wondering if the voice on the other end will say, “Sir, I am sorry to inform you”. Only if my son knew how proud I really am. |
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| SONG: ARMD FORCES MEDLEY |
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