Monday, February 1, 2010
ANCHORS AWAY JAKE.....
This is the first time I have ever experienced a close friend or family member leaving for the military. I have pictures of my father in WW1, my brother in WW2 and I know and celebrate many families who are Military, especially my daughter-in-law Jennifer's family. It has been a very interesting journey to be involved with Jake, whom I have known since infancy. He is now 18, 6 foot 2, football star, kind loving brother, son, grandson, who, while not a blood relative, is one of my surrogate nephews.
As the "fuzzy headed liberal" that Mark calls me, I have not been one to embrace the idea of war, and as most others, I do not like seeing our young men and women going to war. On the other hand, I DO honor and respect their choices, appreciate their sacrifices and commitment to keep us safe. Whenever possible I will walk up to a young person in uniform and thank him/her personally. If I am flying and have a first class seat I will sometimes offer it to a young person in uniform. It may seem self-serving but I hope it lets that person know we care.
There were 17 of us, ages 7-74, at the Wadsworth farm in Crown Point, Indiana for Jake's send-off to the Navy luncheon. We all had bright red T-shirts, which we had made, with a "cute" transfer ironed on. It took many hours for this project since I had to learn how to do it as I did it and Mary kept going to the store to get more stuff as well as iron them all. The good news is we will wear them again on Tuesday night at the Bull's game when Jake is inducted. Dorky as the shirts are, it was fun. Dorky as it is he will be able to look up into the stands and see this mass of red shirts celebrating him. Wishing him well and all the other young men. Knowing how much we care.
The luncheon was at 11am, and the recruiter was due at 12:30. After eating delicious food, taking pictures and lots of hugs, we waited and waited for the recruiter to come pick him up. That may have been one of the hardest parts both for Jake and his family. Finally, at 2:00 he came. We went out enmass to the car hoping not to embarrass him too much. Well some, we will not name, may have hoped to embarrass him a bit.. This was the real moment ... after months of anticipation, preparation and waiting... he joined 3 other healthy strapping, young men in a Ford Escort. They were leaving their world of teen-age stuff and entering into a major life changing experience. They would have their hair shaved off, stripped of jewelry and... the biggies ... no texting, no facebook, no cell phone, no ipod, no computer, no civilian clothes for 9 weeks. My guess is, at that moment, giving up all the addictive tools of communication teens use today is even more disturbing than the thought of going into active duty.
I am happy he had a 2 hour ride, while crammed into that car, at least he was with 3 other young men on the same journey. He is not alone. He will share what they have in common and have lots of time to learn more about each other.
GOOD LUCK JAKE. WE ALL LOVE YOU AND WILL WELCOME YOU HOME SAFE. YOU ARE OUR SUPERSTAR.
// posted by Judith Pauly @ 5:34 AM 
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