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Penn · 11-16-2007, 12:14

My son deploys today. I’ll meet him at Newark airport. His first time pregnant wife is dropping him off. Goodbyes complete, she is allowing us/me this precious time. How he convinced her to do so; is beyond my comprehension. Our bond is unusual, single parenthood since he was 7 years old. Not a pretty story, but he and his sisters are ok, though they are beside themselves with his decision; they respect their big/little brother. We’ll grab a coffee and shoot the breeze. I’m sure he’ll be somewhat nervous, me more so, knowing the reality. I was, I think we all were on our first trip…It was yesterday, wasn’t it? Seems that way. I am second guessing myself here. Setting up the interview with the 20th, knowing/understanding how much my life was and is enriched by serving with the regiment. The caliber of people, lifelong friendships, trust…as a man, I wanted that for my son, as a parent, it’s also true. I want to go in his place. Old men should fight wars, we have less to risk. I want to hug him and not let him go. I want to look at every feature of his face; I want it indelibly etched in the core of my being.
My business is down the street from the WTC. When he was 10, I taught him how to orient himself in the city, using the Towers as landmarks. “They are south, the city is a grid, avenues run N&S, streets E&W. I hope I taught him other things, but none come to mind at the moment. No matter what room I’m in, I still face the door. Is that natural or common sense. Is it learned behavior…when I arrived home, the fire station was two blocks from my house, when the siren when off that night, I ripped the closet doors off my bedroom walls trying to get to a bunker…he’ll have nights like those…I don’t know what to say to him, to tell him what to expect, there no rules, I need help with this…take care of your equipment…pay attention…keep your shit tight…take care of yourself …and each other, and those with you… I love you… you are my only son… I love you…be safe, I love you…..We’ll grab a coffee and shoot the breeze.

11-16-2007, 12:14	#1
Penn Area Commander Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,477	Soldier/Parent My son deploys today. I’ll meet him at Newark airport. His first time pregnant wife is dropping him off. Goodbyes complete, she is allowing us/me this precious time. How he convinced her to do so; is beyond my comprehension. Our bond is unusual, single parenthood since he was 7 years old. Not a pretty story, but he and his sisters are ok, though they are beside themselves with his decision; they respect their big/little brother. We’ll grab a coffee and shoot the breeze. I’m sure he’ll be somewhat nervous, me more so, knowing the reality. I was, I think we all were on our first trip…It was yesterday, wasn’t it? Seems that way. I am second guessing myself here. Setting up the interview with the 20th, knowing/understanding how much my life was and is enriched by serving with the regiment. The caliber of people, lifelong friendships, trust…as a man, I wanted that for my son, as a parent, it’s also true. I want to go in his place. Old men should fight wars, we have less to risk. I want to hug him and not let him go. I want to look at every feature of his face; I want it indelibly etched in the core of my being. My business is down the street from the WTC. When he was 10, I taught him how to orient himself in the city, using the Towers as landmarks. “They are south, the city is a grid, avenues run N&S, streets E&W. I hope I taught him other things, but none come to mind at the moment. No matter what room I’m in, I still face the door. Is that natural or common sense. Is it learned behavior…when I arrived home, the fire station was two blocks from my house, when the siren when off that night, I ripped the closet doors off my bedroom walls trying to get to a bunker…he’ll have nights like those…I don’t know what to say to him, to tell him what to expect, there no rules, I need help with this…take care of your equipment…pay attention…keep your shit tight…take care of yourself …and each other, and those with you… I love you… you are my only son… I love you…be safe, I love you…..We’ll grab a coffee and shoot the breeze.
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