Good Day, Sunshine

[Seahawk]

The world turns, we do our best, raise our children and turn to watch them grow, ever present concern, hopeful.

Even the good ones.

So, my Son decides to go Army and attend the Virginia Military Institute as a ROTC kid. I try and talk him out of it, just enough so he thinks about the choice he is making, noodles through the import of his decision.

VMI is an interesting place, and certainly not for many that may read this thread, who will not understand. Matters not to me. What matters is the email below, from Jack, one of many emails we have gotten. At VMI you are a Rat (not pretty) until breakout, then he becomes part of the Corp.

Jack turned 18 in September of last year. He is, and I say this not as his father but as an astute observer of men, a man I admire.

Good day.

Dad,

The time is upon the rats to breakout. It has been a long five months since we matriculated, and since then we have changed for the better. This week is the final week of the ratline, the fabled resurrection week. A solid five days of nothing but sweat until Saturday; breakout. I can honestly look back and say to myself that I gave my self a good ratline. I did my **** right the first time, and was not a target of the RDC. There were moments where I did fail, but I came back stronger and better than before. I can't thank you and Mom enough for all the support that you and Mom have given me though the past few months. I've never laughed harder or pushed myself further then I have here, and I will continue to do so.

Thank you,
The Rat

I wanted to share this with the Brothers and Sisters here who have served or understand the sacrifice the young men and women of Jack's age are willing to undertake.

He is just getting started but the foundation is being set.

Thanks to all.

[Burnin' oil]

I am going to cut and paste that and e-mail it to myself and act like it's from my son.

[Steve F]

Congratulations!

[vash]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

I am going to cut and paste that and e-mail it to myself and act like it's from my son.

send me one too! from my make believe son...

nice one DAD!! (and MOM!)

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by vash

send me one too! from my make believe son...

nice one DAD!! (and MOM!)

He did say he never laughed harder than at VMI.

He lies...he has watched me shoot.

[lowyder993s]

Nice note! All I get are FB pix from Australia of my son w/ a beer in 1 hand and arm drapped around a different chick.

Burnin CRAX me up!

[Jim Richards]

Great email from your son, Paul. Congrats on having a excellent son and doing a great parenting job.

[crustychief]

That is an EPIC e-mail Paul. Give your wife a hug and pat each others backs, you packed his toolbox right and he seems to be using that which was given to him.
Respectfully,
Sandy

[Burnin' oil]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I just got some great news from my son.

[GH85Carrera]

Congrats Paul. I guess the apple did not fall from the tree.

[Rikao4]

given the M service tree...
he's seen & felt the brotherhood..
so a career in fashion design wasn't likely...

he's gonna do well...
between you & Grandpa and those old foggies...
he already know's stuff that most butter-bars will learn in time..

Rika

[Rot 911]

I envy your son for the opportunity he has. Good to see he is taking advantage of it. That first year is one he will never forget.

[Rikao4]

Originally Posted by lowyder993s

Nice note! All I get are FB pix from Australia of my son w/ a beer in 1 hand and arm drapped around a different chick.

Burnin CRAX me up!

and then you tell your friends & us..
that's my boy with glee & pride ....

Rika

[Hard-Deck]

Paul, this is a wonderful letter. He's learning, but the foundation you and Mom installed/instilled were required. His self-discipline will now take him where he goes. A BIG Hooah! from Colonel Snapper.

[gatotom]

Congrats to you and your wife, job well done, the journey now begins, enjoy the ride.

I will never forget the day my youngest came home from summer camp at USNA and said to me with eyes like a deer starring in headlights," Dad, I know where I want to go to college, USNA"

Those were the best 4 yrs of his life and mine also.

[daepp]

A time to be proud - congrats to Dad and Mom!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by crustychief

That is an EPIC e-mail Paul. Give your wife a hug and pat each others backs, you packed his toolbox right and he seems to be using that which was given to him.
Respectfully,
Sandy

The best thing to me is that you would, Sandy, understand what you had in him when he showed up in your Division/Department.

That was my job, the rest is up to him and the choices he makes.

All good, plenty of sunshine on a fine day.

[on2wheels52]

We weren't blessed with a note like that but my son did share the journal he kept during his Army boot camp last year. It was an interesting hour spent.
But I digress; congratulations to you and and your wife.
Jim

[pitargue]

During this bleak period of the republic, where the current events inundates us w/ happenings which gives little hope in the way of honor, integrity and duty in our youth, this one letter shines extremely bright. Such evidence shows the beginnings of properly raised gentleman which rightfully should be the norm rather than the exception.

God Bless you sir for continuing the heritage that our forefathers laid before us to follow. Your son does great honor to your family name and I formally recognize this fact.

[Laneco]

Once again, Paul, I am honored to know you. Please congratulate your son for his astounding accomplishment. Sounds like he is made of right kind of steel.

angela