My son, Bob, was inducted into the Army last June. He graduated from Basic Training in August and he has been at Fort Lee, Virginia ever since. He will be coming home in late November. We look forward to his return.

Today my wife, Kay, and I drove from the Washington, DC area to Fort Lee for a visit with Bob. We talk to him several times a week, but an in person visit was much better. My, how the boy has changed.

Every time he heard a Drill Sergeant he would jump to his feet. He showed a great deal of respect when addressed. He spoke clearly. He seemed happy. This was not the boy who left Utah early last summer.

During the entire visit he kept looking at his watch. After an hour or so we asked him if he needed to go. "No, I'm just checking the time so I'll know when to return," was his reply. He didn't seem to want us to leave but when the announcement came for him to report back to his room he gave each of us a quick hug and ran. He actually ran just to make sure he was where he needed to be when he needed to be there. I didn't think Bob had a hurry switch.

There is no way that I could have ever given Bob the experience he's had this summer and fall. If he'd stayed home we would have had some problems. I'd have insisted that he get out of the house and work. He would have complained that I was being unreasonable and mean. Neither of us would have realized a satisfactory result. Thanks to the Army, Bob has grown up and I've not had to witness all of the pain. Now that's pretty cool.........
8:15:02 PM    comment []