He's Off to the Army

The days virtually flew by since Eric announced that he had enlisted in the US Army. When he broke the news to us, we were apprehensive for him, but also understood the decision he was making. He enlisted for a four year hitch as an MP. He is hoping that his four years military service and comprehensive training will help him land a job as a police officer when he gets out. Right now that field is seeing layoffs and any openings that occur are being filled by experienced officers.

These are tough times for folks with the high jobless rate, and the slowdown in our economy. They are even tougher for a newly wed couple starting out and trying to establish a home, and be comfortable. We are proud of Eric, and we know he will do well in the service. He has a good work ethic, and good bearing, and will work hard, and that will mean a lot in that environment. He and Amber have a good relationship, and we know she supports him and would have gone in the Army as well if she could.

As Sunday progressed and we had that great meal that Cindy made of Enchiladas, it was soon time for Eric to leave. He had packed his small army issue knapsack of toiletries, phone, stationary, stamps and a bag of great chocolate chip cookies that Amber made for him. It was time to meet the recruiter at the US Army recruiting station in Citrus Heights. As Eric and Amber walked out I snapped a picture for them to remember this day.  Eric quipped, oh, oh, the paparazzi!

As we dropped them off and he was told that he will spend the night at the Radisson hotel and fly out Monday to Fort Leonardwood, Missouri.  They call it Ft lost in the woods, and it is very cold there right now! He and Amber had that last embrace for a long while and he rode off with the recruiter. Amber will certainly be missing him over the next months.  Since Eric was gojng to be staying at the Radisson, we drove Amber down so they could have a little more time together before he leaves. When we got there, we learned that he is already under orders as to what to do, and where to go or not go since there will be other recruits arriving at the hotel.  So off we went for home, and perhaps Amber will get to say one more goodbye today before he leaves.

In the next months Amber will live with us while she continues on with her college and the job she recently landed as a personal trainer at a fitness center in Lincoln, while Eric goes through his basic and advanced training. She won't see him until July, and that is a long time to wait.

It makes me remember how I felt when I was drafted and reported to the US Army induction center in Los Angeles in 1966. Before I knew it I was whisked through the lines, proddded, examined, and interviewed and on a plane to Ft. Bliss Texas for basic training. Then I was off to Ft Ord for advanced training and then Kansas as the Ninth Division was formed up and trained so we could all be shipped to Viet Nam.

I'm hoping Eric receives a good assignment so that he and Amber can be in the US for awhile before he is deployed to some far off place. Keep him in your prayers will you, he will appreciate that very much and so will we!.