YOUNGEST IS GONE

[lukethedrifter]

Kids are growing up. We're getting old. I wish him well.

[jim]

Mike we are going to have to go to more Cardinal baseball games to keep you distracted next summer.

[stlouie_lipp]

The Army softball team just got a LOT better!

[Socnorb11]

Been there, done that Mike. I can't think of many things that have been tougher for me. The best thing you can do is write LOTS of letters to him.

I am shocked how difficult it was.....I guess because he is the youngest and the fact that we spent so much time together on baseball field and shared that love of the game made it so hard.

I don't know the specifics of what you're dealing with. In my case, I had to take my son to a hotel in St. Louis (about 3 hours from our home), and leave him there. Growing up, we took vacations every summer, so we had quite a bit of experience staying at hotels. It just felt so wrong to leave him there and not be able to stay there with him like normal. Even thinking about it now, it horrifies me a little bit.

I'm proud of the decision that he made, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't break my heart.

The first few letters that I got from him were pretty discouraging (it's a tough adjustment for anyone at that age), but by the end of Basic Training, he was really proud of his accomplishments, and the letters were much more positive. So hang in there..... it will get better.

[M1IRONMIKE]

Been there, done that Mike. I can't think of many things that have been tougher for me. The best thing you can do is write LOTS of letters to him.

I am shocked how difficult it was.....I guess because he is the youngest and the fact that we spent so much time together on baseball field and shared that love of the game made it so hard.

I don't know the specifics of what you're dealing with. In my case, I had to take my son to a hotel in St. Louis (about 3 hours from our home), and leave him there. Growing up, we took vacations every summer, so we had quite a bit of experience staying at hotels. It just felt so wrong to leave him there and not be able to stay there with him like normal. Even thinking about it now, it horrifies me a little bit.

I'm proud of the decision that he made, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't break my heart.

The first few letters that I got from him were pretty discouraging (it's a tough adjustment for anyone at that age), but by the end of Basic Training, he was really proud of his accomplishments, and the letters were much more positive. So hang in there..... it will get better.

we dropped him off at the recruiters office who then drove him to st. louis. Equally as hard. He texted me a few hours ago. his flight was leaving for georgia at 330pm so i can only guess he is near there now. i told him to call or text once he gets there if he can but i don't expect to hear drom him again until he writes his first letter. The worst part for me is not being able to advise as he goes along. After each game we would discuss the game and different things that went on but in this case i am hopelessly on the outside and i can't even look in. Great for his growth but terrible for me.

[Socnorb11]

Totally get it, Mike. Try to keep us posted when you hear from him.

[M1IRONMIKE]

Totally get it, Mike. Try to keep us posted when you hear from him.

I got a text about 6pm....he said he landed in Atlanta and already found his sergeant....noting since... I figure he has been in the front leaning rest position since then( push up position for all u non military type)...he is my boy after all...I spent a lot of time in that position

[jim]

I never thought about cell phones and the army .. do they let them keep those with them during camp or do they check those in?

[M1IRONMIKE]

I never thought about cell phones and the army .. do they let them keep those with them during camp or do they check those in?

They take them but my understanding is occasionly they get them to use as a performance incentive

[M1IRONMIKE]

I never thought about cell phones and the army .. do they let them keep those with them during camp or do they check those in?

They take them but my understanding is occasionly they get them to use as a performance incentive