Popular Post MorningStar Posted July 29, 2020 Popular Post Posted July 29, 2020 One of my best friends called today and I cried as I told her this story. Our son decided to join the Army and it was something we debated with him all year as he tried to get us to sign while he was still 17. We felt like he needed to think it over more, especially since there were some big trials going on for him. Then the pandemic hit and I was feeling even less inclined to sign anything. Finally a month before he was to turn 18, we signed the papers because he wasn't changing his mind and he needed to move forward in life. He had no luck getting a job here and I don't understand why. He was kind of living in limbo during this lockdown. The recruiter made it sound like it would take months before he went to boot camp, but then he came home and told us he as leaving in just a couple weeks! I was heartbroken because I thought we had one more birthday with him and I felt like there wouldn't be any time for him to have his patriarchal blessing, which was not allowed until just a week ago. Our bishop was out of town and there were so many things we needed to do before he left. I broke down crying as I talked to my husband about it, but was especially bothered that he would be going into this situation without his PB. He wouldn't have a way to call, so we hastily got a cell phone plan for the family ( I didn't have one either) and then I decided to text a friend who's been off social media for months. I didn't realize I was texting her landline and literally minutes later - like 5 minutes later, she emailed me. I thought it was because she got my text, but no. She said I had been on her mind and I wrote back to tell her what was going on. She immediately asked if he had gotten his PB and I said no, that was one of the things upsetting me. Her husband is the executive secretary and said the bishop was coming back that night. This was Thursday and he was leaving Sunday morning. I then reached out to the patriarch who had just been out of town and he said he could do it Saturday and we caught them just in time because his wife was about to go out of town. He said, "We just got permission to give them again a week ago." The bishop interviewed our son through video chat on Friday and it happened on Saturday. It was such a relief and I finally felt some peace about him going. I'm so grateful my friend gave me that nudge to make it happen. I knew that Heavenly Father was mindful of our family. 11
Robert F. Smith Posted July 29, 2020 Posted July 29, 2020 15 hours ago, MorningStar said: One of my best friends called today and I cried as I told her this story. Our son decided to join the Army and it was something we debated with him all year as he tried to get us to sign while he was still 17. We felt like he needed to think it over more, especially since there were some big trials going on for him. Then the pandemic hit and I was feeling even less inclined to sign anything. Finally a month before he was to turn 18, we signed the papers because he wasn't changing his mind and he needed to move forward in life. He had no luck getting a job here and I don't understand why. He was kind of living in limbo during this lockdown. The recruiter made it sound like it would take months before he went to boot camp, but then he came home and told us he as leaving in just a couple weeks! I was heartbroken because I thought we had one more birthday with him and I felt like there wouldn't be any time for him to have his patriarchal blessing, which was not allowed until just a week ago. Our bishop was out of town and there were so many things we needed to do before he left. I broke down crying as I talked to my husband about it,............................. I joined the Marine Corps at age 17. My Dad signed my permission without arguing with me, and I appreciated his respect for my decision. The whole family came to see me graduate several months later, and my Dad was smiling. The Marine Corps took good care of me, and the guys in the barracks were like a band of brothers to me. You needn't worry, MorningStar. Your son is in good hands. Here is a photo of me with my Dad and my sister at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. 4
MorningStar Posted July 30, 2020 Author Posted July 30, 2020 6 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said: I joined the Marine Corps at age 17. My Dad signed my permission without arguing with me, and I appreciated his respect for my decision. The whole family came to see me graduate several months later, and my Dad was smiling. The Marine Corps took good care of me, and the guys in the barracks were like a band of brothers to me. You needn't worry, MorningStar. Your son is in good hands. Here is a photo of me with my Dad and my sister at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. What a great photo! 3
randy Posted July 30, 2020 Posted July 30, 2020 MorningStar, I want to thank you and your Husband for raising a Son who is willing and eager to serve his Country! On behalf of my Wife, 6 Kids and 24 Grandchildren...we ALL thank your family for your selflessness and service in keeping us, and our Country FREE and SAFE! He will be joining a "Band of Brothers" that will last forever! That Brotherhood and Bond survives through all generations, through all cultures...it is truly unbreakable. As a USAF Veteran...I salute your Son and your family! Welcome to the Family! We love you! Your Son will be took care of well! Thank You! 3
JamesBYoung Posted July 30, 2020 Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) Blessings on your son, MorningStar, and you and all of your family. His willingness to serve his country sets him apart as admirable among his comrades, and I honor his coming service. I served many years on active duty, and I did not have a PB when I enlisted. I wish I had, because it would have been both comfort and guide to me. Be sure and attend is graduation from Basic. The experience was memorable for me, and I wish my Dad and my Mom had been there to see what the experience had done for me. Never have I regretted serving my country. So what if I ache most mornings when I get up. That's part of the price for the honor of serving. GodSpeed your son. Edited July 30, 2020 by JamesBYoung 4
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted August 1, 2020 Posted August 1, 2020 I am glad that got resolved, he will be able to see and experience such great things in the Army. It was so long ago, but the things I got to see and experience changed my life forever. In fact it was while I was stationed in Germany in the late 70’s, early 80’s, where my wife and I found the Church, and were sealed in the Swiss Temple in 1981. Go Army! 3
USU78 Posted August 2, 2020 Posted August 2, 2020 Let no tears add to their hardship As the soldiers march along And although your heart is breaking Make it sing this cheery song: 2
MorningStar Posted August 2, 2020 Author Posted August 2, 2020 Thank you, everyone! Still waiting for my first letter from him! 2
Stargazer Posted August 2, 2020 Posted August 2, 2020 Wow! So please tell us what MOS he signed up for! You know, occupational specialty. I'm an 8 year veteran, started out in the infantry, transitioned to field artillery, and finished as an electronics tech. 4
MorningStar Posted August 3, 2020 Author Posted August 3, 2020 10 hours ago, Stargazer said: Wow! So please tell us what MOS he signed up for! You know, occupational specialty. I'm an 8 year veteran, started out in the infantry, transitioned to field artillery, and finished as an electronics tech. That's awesome! He's in 19D. 1
Kenngo1969 Posted August 3, 2020 Posted August 3, 2020 (edited) One-niner Delta, for the uninitiated, is "Cavalry Scout." (At least, it is if the source I just consulted is correct. ) * Continuing blessings upon you, upon your son, and upon your family, MorningStar. Godspeed. https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/combat/cavalry-scout.html * If it's not correct, blame the United States Army. P.S.: My daddy was Thirty-one Bravo, just for the record. Did two tours. Back then, one could either choose what he wanted to do and enlist, or he could wait to get drafted, in which case he was at the mercy of the gub-munt with respect to both of those choices. His choice was based on which MOS had the coolest uniforms. He always said, "I didn't join the Army to be a soldier, I joined the Army to be a cop!" Had a 43-year-career (not quite ten in the Army, thirty-plus in civilian law enforcement) based on how cool the uniform looked. Edited August 3, 2020 by Kenngo1969 2
JamesBYoung Posted August 4, 2020 Posted August 4, 2020 (edited) Cavalry Scout. That's cool. I served at 1st Cav HQs for a number of years at Fort Hood. Edited August 4, 2020 by JamesBYoung
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