Comments on: 19, First Sergeant

By: Liz- a nurse

Liz- a nurse — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:28:17 +0000

This is all so very moving in my heart. I come from a family of servers. My father went in the Air Force at the tender age of 17. He served for 30 years and very proudly. He was there for the Viet Nam era also. My father in-law, ditto. All his kids, the boys, joined up also. My mother in-law was even in, back when women didn’t join very often. Now, young women see it as an adventure; some join to get away from home, or just because they are board. I once had a job on base, Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Tx- I worked as a cashier in the mess hall. I witnessed many young ones coming in day after day. So proud to have been the one to smile at them and greet the day. Most were so scared, came in with long hair, the next day bald. Many had never been out of their own backyards. Well, they learned what adventure was all about quickly. As a nurse, I can’t wonder what their bodies were doing in response to such changes- new foods, new sleeping quarters, new parents,sort of speak. Makes you wonder what keeps them going- running on fumes I guess.
Anyways, my son, who is 17, wants to join the service. If he does, I will be so ever proud. I was really scared for him, but after reading these stories and seeing the pictures, I’m ok with it. We have lost many neighborhood kids to drugs, suicides, and drinking accidents. Lots of them. It’s very sad. I guess if I was to lose a son, I would rather see that it was for a reason. That it mattered. I am USA proud.

By: HeyHeyPaula59

HeyHeyPaula59 — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:22:39 +0000

Thanks so much for posting this! Our 19 year old Soldier’s deployment date draws nearer and these post are a blessing! He’s a video playing, sometimes talks back, staying out all night with his buddies, and oh the girls, girls, girls, but on the other hand, he can become squared away in a heartbeat. God Bless Each & Every Man & Woman SERVING our Country!

By: Miriam

Miriam — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:49:37 +0000

All I can say, stlview, is I hope when they come home they are even allowed to earn the same level of trust that they carry now. When I returned to America, having been more places and seen more “stuff” in half the number of years that it takes most people, all anyone could see was my age. And I’ll admit, those Marines have likely seen more “stuff” than me. I can only hope they are shown respect despite their age and possible baby faces, but I’m not holding my breath. I also wouldn’t discount those “video gamers”. Number of years doesn’t guarantee wisdom. That is a truism in America today.

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 03:53:46 +0000

Wow! Thanks CJ for that post! What responsibility these young troops have. We as a nation should be so proud of our young men and women in the military. They are doing a job that few of us could do as ordinary citizens. They are risking their lives each day for our freedoms! God Bless all of our military!! You guys and gals rock!!

By: sue

sue — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:00:22 +0000

So sorry LL, thanks for the correction!! lol

By: Terri

Terri — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:13:42 +0000

Leslie, we’re all trying to get those stories out there. CJ does, we do at ASM, I know that TB’s do as well. Most of your milblogs try to get out the stories that the media always fails/refuses to put out there.

By: L40carruth

L40carruth — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:40:47 +0000

Leslie – believe it or not there are more stories like these out there than one could read in a life time. The media prefers to side with the terrorists and report only the news that helps to lead our nation towards not supporting our troops and their missions. One of the best ways you can help is to share this site with everyone you know so they can read it too. Additionally explore more of the military blog sites that report stories like this on a daily basis.

While this civilian cannot be more thankful for those like CJ, Cpl M, etc who spend so much of their time in order to get ALL of the news out to us I find it shameful that our nation continues to allow the MSM to feed us the garbage they do. Our military shouldn’t need to be involved in telling their stories – our media should be PROUD and anxious to share these types of stories with us each day.

By: leslie in Pa

leslie in Pa — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:07:12 +0000

I wish more people would read stories like that, it just makes you so proud of all of our brave men and women. My son has expressed an interest in the military and when ever I hear about young men like in this story, well, I would love for my son to have those same qualitites. And I have been lucky enough to get to know several members of our military and let me tell you, they all show the same great attitude and they are all so proud to serve our country.

Isn’t there some way to get stories like this one out there? The American public needs to start hearing more stories like this one. I am filled with such pride.

By: LL

LL — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:58:56 +0000

Ooooooo, Sue, he’s a senior enlisted, not an officer!! hahaha

And yes, America produces some astounding and awesome young men and women. I’m glad the 1st Sgt recognized that although the pup was young, he was steady and strong and true. I call them my pups and babies, but I DO know that they are men and women who have seen more in their short lives than I ever will and I NEVER mean disrespect when I say those words. I mean it with love and affection. What’s funny is that as a mom, I want to shield and protect the young in our country, but if it came down to the nitty-gritty, THEY would be the ones front and center, protecting me. *sigh*

Bless them.

By: Terri

Terri — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:58:50 +0000

Thanks for sharing CJ. You bring up a fantastic point. It’s too bad that sometimes even some of our older generation don’t understand what Patriotism and Self-Sacrifice mean. This is an example of a young man that many twice their age should learn from.