Most of you know that Andy has been interested in planes and the Army from the time he was very young. From about the age of 2, if he could hear a plane he always wanted to go and look at it. He learned the names of the different planes and helicopters when he was quite young. Here is a picture of him when he was about 4 and we had taken him to an air show. He was so excited to see the different planes, and actually go on some of them. The day got better when we went to a tent where they were selling things and he got an old army cap. He used to wear that cap a lot. We didn't realize at the time what a foreshadowing of future events this picture would be.
Here he is now - about 14 years later, learning more about helicopters and wearing army uniforms all the time. He is still excited about it. When he called a few days ago, he was listing off planes that he sees on a regular basis, like the Chinook, Raptor, F15 and 16 and the Black Hawk. I can't picture them all, but he knows them well. Until this week, he had been a "Nighthawk". This means his classes went from 4pm to 1am. This was a privilege because this group slept until 8am and the drill sergeants are a little easier on them. He was really disappointed this week, when he learned he would go back to being a "Dayhawk" for at least the next 3 weeks, because of a class he is in now. He finally was able to go off base for the first time last weekend. He went out with some friends, had breakfast at a Cracker Barrel and did some miniature golfing and shopped for new jeans. This was his first time in civilian clothes since July. He has gone down a few sizes, (is now wearing a 32 waist) so he needed a new pair!
For those of you who are sending letters, he thanks you. They really appreciate mail, but he did ask that no one sends any food. Someone from church sent him a box of cookies. A few other guys in his platoon also got a delivery and I guess they aren't supposed to get anything yet. They were all sent to the formation field and told that they had to eat everything that was sent in 10 minutes or they would have to do extra exercises. He said they managed to wolf it all down, but they don't want to do it again, especially since the whole group is punished for 1 person getting something. So - he said thanks, but don't send anymore! I guess that's the extent of this update. Thanks for your prayers - he is doing well and we are too!
TSK. That's just WRONG. But I'm glad he sounds happy and healthy. I know you love hearing from him!
ReplyDeleteYou must be so incredibly proud of your son, remembering him as a wee boy, seeing him growing up and moving on - that would be hard yet good all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteUgh! I can't imagine having to stuff everything down- Yuck!
ReplyDeleteSooo neat to see the pictures of him!
I hope all is well!
Precious blessings!
Renee
I guess thinking like a mom I would say that is the most stupid rule I've ever heard of. Why not just dump the food, it's not the guys fault? Ahhh!
ReplyDeleteMy BIL used to fly an F16. My husband is totally facinated with planes as well. We got to fly a simulator. I crashed!
On the postive side, at least the cookies didn't go to waste. (chuckles) I was hoping to bring some humor to the sillyness. What a bummer!
ReplyDeleteSmiles!
Aww, he's so cute!! You really can see that that's him when he was little. He doesn't like the day work huh? I guess sleep is a big priority - I don't blame him!
ReplyDeleteOh. How can you do this to me at work? I'm trying not to cry remembering my tiny little brother!
ReplyDeleteHe didn't tell me he was going back to dayhawk again. Bummer. Well at least he should be able to call at a better time again.
He also didn't tell me about the cookies. That's too bad. Maybe I'll send him a chocolate cake! :) Of course I wouldn't do that. But I do wish we could send him things! Oh well... soon...
That picture sure was a foreshadowing...wow. Looks like the same boy today!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute litte guy, now all grown up. I still can't believe they do that to those poor guys. I guess its all part of disipline.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update! I really don't understand their reasoning behind not letting the guys have baked goods. I mean, they're already separated from their friends and family, and now they're not even allowed to have yummy cookies, or they're "punished" for it? What a bummer! But like Jen said, at least they got to eat them, so they didn't go to waste! :)
ReplyDeleteOh- he's so cute in that first picture! You can tell it's still him though. Good to know about the packages. We won't make that mistake!
ReplyDeleteThat sure takes the fun out of getting cookies! That stinks that they are blamed for something out of their control!
ReplyDeleteYikes! Eventually he'll be able to enjoy goodies from home, won't he?
ReplyDeleteWhat a proud mama! I know how proud I am of him, especially after being here around all the sailors who sacrifice so much to defend our freedom!!
Having a 5 year old of my own, this kind of freaks me out. At the same time, I'm discovering that nothing can make a mama prouder than her son! Boy, I love those girls, but I totally revel in this child's BOY-NESS. There's something about it. (I think John would say something similar about the girls!) :)
ReplyDeleteI bought the stuff to make your chocolate cupcakes... it's on the agenda this weekend!
Look how cute he was as a boy - now he's handsome! Wow - I could totally eat all that food in 10 minutes but would get any enjoyment!
ReplyDeleteThat first photo is so cute !!
ReplyDeleteHis photo when he was little is sooo cute!! My brother used to dress up as Zorro almost every day when he was little:)
ReplyDeleteWhat if he was sent one cookie at a time??? He could scarf that down and still get a little enjoyment, right? Kidding...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he's doing good and that he's able to work with the planes that he loves!
Mari I love that photo and he looks so proud :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the baked goods, unfortunately that's how the military is!
Ahh, those pictures are so cute, then and now.
ReplyDelete