My youngest son ships out to Army Basic Training today. After a nice family dinner, we dropped him off at the hotel around 7:30 last night. He's at the MEPS station this morning finalizing his paperwork and catches a plane to Fort Bliss, OK sometime today.

We've always known that he was going to serve - partially to honor the family tradition (I was in the Army 91-94 and my dad served in Nam), but mostly out of his deep sense of patriotism. He graduated high school with honors just a few weeks ago and he had the brains and test scores to do any enlisted job, yet he chose to be a Cannon Crew Member instead of a more technical (and less dangerous) MOS. He had considered becoming a linguist, yet he shared with me one evening that he'd been praying a lot over which MOS (military occupational specialty to you non-vets) he would chose and spelled it out to me like this, "Dad - I've been praying about it - especially about that verse in the Book of Luke that says '...unto whom much is given much will be asked...' - and while I could read that verse and interpret it to mean that because the Lord has gifted me with brains and high test scores, I should use them and not jump into a combat arms job. I know that those jobs are more dangerous. And I'm not trying to get hurt or die for this country - but I also think that I might be a bit more patriotic than most folks, so if I do happen to get tore up - well, unto whom much is given much will be asked."

Dude.

He's enlisted for 3 years and I couldn't be more proud. He's ready to serve and he will do well.

I am just missing him already and it's only been 12 hours since we dropped him off. Prayers please for him and for us. Thanks.

You should be very proud of him.

We will certainly send up prayers for his safety.

Proof that there are still many young people in America that believe in the USA and want to make a difference .Sounds like you have been a good influence

I commend your son on his decision to serve his country.

Just to inform you that there is already a SNAFU as Bliss is not in OK.

I understand your pride. It's wonderful to see that kind of thing in your son. Especially since he is doing it voluntarily.

My son is at Civil Air Patrol encampment this week - like boot camp for kids, and I feel a little of the same type of pride as you.

I heard one veteran talking recently about how people thanked him for his patriotism and willingness to serve his nation when he enlisted. but he said that wasn't really in his mind when he was 17 y.o. and joined the navy. He said he just joined up because he wanted a machine gun! I thought that was funny.

God bless your son in every way!

I think Fort Sill is the most common army base in OK. I believe they are artillery, if my "rememberer" is still working.

You boy sounds like a real patriot. If he was my son, I'd be proud of him too. Sounds like you raised a good one!

Good deal. Prayed.

Oops - I typed "Bliss", but meant "Sill".

U should be proud. Thanks for sharing. Good post to read to start ones day.