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Update on my Son

1893 Views 34 Replies 23 Participants Last post by reggiek, Jul 18, 2009

Ottis

Discussion Starter · Jul 16, 2009 (Edited by Moderator)

As some of you know….my son has been over seas in the military. He was a forward combat controller assigned to a Seal team. He was nominated by his commanding officer to go to the Air Force Academy to become a officer and was selected to go. He was just home on a three week leave and left yesterday for Colorado Springs Colorado.

I missed him dearly while he was gone, and lost MANY nights of sleep while he was over there….worrying about him and wondering what he was doing. He could never tell us where he was or what he was doing, and would be out of contact for LONG periods at a time.

While he is in the academy now, we will probably talk to him even less than we did before…but at least he is state side and we know he is out of harms way….maybe now I can finally get some sleep. But as worried as I was for him…I could NEVER be more proud of him. He was in collage on a full ride when he called and said "I am dropping out of school and joining the military" Needless to say we were NOT happy with his decision, and tried our best to talk him out of it….to wait until he finished collage and then join. But he was having nothing to do with that. He said "Dad, several of my friends are over there now, and some have died…while I sit around partying at collage…I can't do it anymore, I am going" Needless to say he is a bit "Hard headed"...I have no idea where he got this from, lol.

He was going to join the Marines…but we at least talked him into joining the Air Force. Nothing wrong with the Air Force…but lets face facts…you join the marines you go straight to the front lines. But even then he pulled a fast one and joined the special forces and became a forward combat controller, after his Air Force training he went to jump school and then Seal training and was assigned to a Seal team. (I would have rather he joined the Marines after all this)

Needless to say, we are VERY proud of him…..he comes from a LONG line of combat vets and veterans (Myself, both Grandpas, Great Grandpa's, several uncles etc)...but he will be the first to become a officer. While I would have preferred him to finish collage and THEN join the military….he did it his way and will have a academy ring when it is all done.

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1 - 20 of 35 Posts

patron

· #2 · Jul 16, 2009

congatulations to your son , on his promotion into the academy .
and to you and the wife , for your support in his decisions .
( even though it was hard on you ) .
now we can pray for those still " over there " and their families .
get some sleep now , dad !

sbryan55

· #3 · Jul 16, 2009

Don, you should be very proud of your son. Sometimes it is difficult to stand back and let our adult children make decisions in life that we, as parents, do not agree with, but that is part of the road to becoming a responsible adult. It sounds like your son is well on his way and let him know that we are proud of his sacrifice.

I know what you mean about sleepless nights. I have two nephews in Iraq right now and, while I realize that this was a conscious decision on their parts to join the military, I still worry about their safety. But I do let them know, every chance I get, that I am supportive of their chosen career path.

Brad_Nailor

· #4 · Jul 16, 2009

Unlike allot of kids these days, your son seems to have a solid head on his shoulders. It's refreshing to hear about a young man thats interested in something other than partying, and getting laid. You and your wife should be very proud..thank him for his service to his country from all of us.

Ottis

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 16, 2009

Thanks for all the kind words guys….it means allot to me and mine !!!

blackcherry

· #6 · Jul 16, 2009

This is a great story that I've followed for quit sometime now, thanks Don for sharing with all of us here the story of your son and the trail and tribulation of being a parent of a solider. My parents have 5 vets in the family and I know first hand the experience of having a family member in combat. My best wish to you and your son and may God watch over him through out his military career. He sound like a fine young man with a great sense of patriotic duty. Take care your friend in woodworking…Blkcherry

KayBee

· #7 · Jul 16, 2009

Congratulations to both your son and you! Very glad he made it home safe. I can see why you are proud of him. He didn't take the easy way out on anything. Not a lot of people make it through special forces training, a lot don't finish jump school and most don't finish SEAL training. I was a parachute rigger in the Navy, and dealt with SEALs and Marine Recon on many occasions and always had/have the utmost respect for them-even if some of them were a bit crazy. The academy should be just about be a cake walk for him at this point. Definitely a ring banger worth saluting.

bayspt

· #8 · Jul 16, 2009

This is the right way to be an Acadamey grad. From one who served to one who is, May God Keep Them Safe.

a1Jim

· #9 · Jul 16, 2009

I'm so happy for you and your family if only all are troops can get home safe

scarpenter002

· #10 · Jul 16, 2009

God Bless you and your son. I appreciiate him serving this fine country. I know you are very proud of him and I wish him the best of luck at the academy.

GaryC

· #11 · Jul 16, 2009

Hey proud daddy, got a larger hat yet? Any buttons left on the shirt? Great news Don. I can almost hear the shouting from here. Sometimes these things work out just perfectly and it looks like this one did. Man, you'd better start getting ready for that graduatiion. That's gonna be something. My best to you and, give my best to one of America's Hero's

gwurst

· #12 · Jul 16, 2009

My father-in-law went to the Air Force Academy. They're very selective, so your son must be exceptional (which I'm sure you'd agree with!).

PurpLev

· #13 · Jul 16, 2009

glad to hear that… better here than there. plus he's getting good training, and education at the academy.

thanks for keeping us a part of it.

JoeLyddon

· #14 · Jul 16, 2009

Congratulations proud Dad!

I hope & pray that he stays Safe and Sound and returns home ASAP!

degoose

· #15 · Jul 16, 2009

Kind regards to you and yours. God bless America.

Karson

· #16 · Jul 16, 2009

Congratulations to your son on his selection to the Acadamy, and congratulations to your family on your part in bringing him to these decisions in his life.

ND2ELK

· #17 · Jul 16, 2009

Hi Don

It is good that the boy is back in the USA. My thoughts and prayers goes out to your family.

God Bless
tom

Ottis

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 16, 2009

Thanks ALL for the kind words !!! And Gary….at the moment I do not believe they make a hat big enough for my head, lol.

reggiek

· #19 · Jul 16, 2009

Congrats and thank your son from all of us for his exceptional service to our country.

As a former Marine I can understand your concern about him joining the corps, especially during the times we are in now. But as a seal and a FCC he probably was closer to harms way just the same. Great to hear that he has been offered such a great opportunity.

As an officer he will get excellent training and the possibility of a wonderful career. He is indeed someone to be proud of…

Thank you for sharing his story with us.

cabinetmaster

· #20 · Jul 16, 2009

Congratulations Don. How big of a hat would we have to make for you?.........................LOL

From one vet to another, tell him thanks for serving and making this country safer.

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