patriotic of an American, yet I do fly our flag on all those holidays including Flag Day. But our visit with Daniel brought new appreciation to being an American and for solders over the decades that have served and fought to give us our freedom. We hit the road to head south at 2pm Wednesday. We were a little behind schedule due to a last minute repair of a burnt out fuse in the Expedition. We meet up with Carol at the Pilot Truck Stop East of Crawfordsville to give her one of our roosters that she is going to give to her neighbor. The 9 hour trip was uneventful but long. We arrived at the Crown Plaza Hotel in down town Knoxville,TN at 11:15pm. Why such a nice Hotel you might ask? Because of a last minute substitution due to a fire at the cheap hotel we booked weeks ago. Too bad we didn’t have more time to enjoy the accommodations. We were in such a hurry to depart, that I left my pj’s hanging on the back of the bathroom door.
We were back on the road at 4:30 am, scheduled to arrive at Fort Jackson with 30 min to spare. But then we hit it….a road block. I-40 just before the NC border was closed due to a rock fall. We should have heeded the warning back at Newport. I guess we weren’t awake yet or where just hoping there was a shorter detour than the 1 hour one we were instructed by radio to take. We ended up going back to Newport and taking 25/70 South East. We were now 30 min. behind schedule and I was worried about being disciplined with push-ups when arriving at the Briefing late. We got there with 1 min to spare….but no time to use the restroom before the program.
After the short program, we met up with Daniel. Actually he had to come find us. They all look so similar to each other it is hard to spot one particular soldier. And as the drill sgt. said….most of them look quite
Joe pointing out Dan's bunk Dan packing up some things.
Dan ready to go. Bunk mate Zhao.
Daniel was allowed to hang out with us on base the rest of the day. We had a good day with him. Did some shopping, had Sub-way for lunch, saw the movie Legion, sat at a pub with internet access so Dan could serf the net, went to a couple of war museums, had a buffet dinner, did more shopping and then got some ice cream. Daniel really enjoyed the junk food. He was also thrilled to make a phone switch with his Dad and get Joe’s Blackberry.
We got back to his Company area with lots of time to spare. There were tons of soldiers milling around talking with family and friends. And then it happened….several drill sgt.s started yelling at the soldiers. Daniel quickly went to line up with his squad. The sgts continued to yell….and not all the soldiers were even there yet. But then they yelled at the soldiers to go away. That they were early and not to be there yet. Apparently one of the sgts got mad because when they had come to the area, the soldiers
had failed to call “At Ease” for the
First Sergeant. So the soldiers scattered and we tried to catch up with Dan. Then the First Sergeant, who is head of all the Drill Sgts called all us civilians over. Once again I thought we were going to get into trouble….but he explained to us what had just happened and why. He also said what a great group of soldiers this graduating class was. To the left is Dan with his drill Sgt. Thirty minutes later then, when all the soldiers formed up….there was more yelling by the Drill sgts. The soldiers were now getting into trouble for having candy in their pockets, not having their ID tag showing, being late to form up, smirking, and looking over at us civilians. They were doing push-ups when we were told to leave. Roll Call At Ease
Pocket Check....
looking for
contraband
Dan's good
to go.
We went back to the cabin to call it a night. We got a pretty good deal for $18. Other than it not having a shower, sink or restroom, (those were right across the street) it was quite nice. They even provided sheets and towels which I had not expected. Only thing I wanted were my pjs that were back in Tennessee.
Friday morning we headed back to Fort Jackson to see Dan’s graduation. It was a short ceremony but a nice one. It was held outside, so during the quite times, we could hear gun fire from the riffle ranges all around. The military band marched in with the soldiers following, marching to the patriotic music the band played, the soldiers yelled the “Soldiers Creed” in cadence, several special awards were given and a few speeches.... and then the soldiers parade marched down the field and back around in front of the crowd.
Dan is on the far right 3rd from back.... Dan is in front, far right,
his bunk mate is right behind him. next to the African American.
After the graduation we eventually hooked up with Daniel, he packed up, we got him signed out, and we headed SW for Fort Jackson in Augusta GA.
It was a relatively short trip after going the scenic route through Columbia SC. We drove around the base at Fort Gordon, ate lunch at a nice restaurant there, and then went to our hotel back in town. Daniel was so glad to get out of his uniform and into civilian clothing. We took him shopping for some needed supplies as well as for some luxuries. He got a new mini laptop (netbook) as a graduation/early birthday present. He messed with that the rest of the evening while also texting people with his “new” phone.
We had a leisurely morning before taking Dan to the base for his new assignment. We had been directed to the wrong building in his instruction packet, then his military transport was late to arrive, and then there was a question of space. They weren’t sure if they had room for him….so his new barracks placement may be temporary. And, we don’t yet have his new address. I don’t know if seeing Dan’s new living quarters helped ease my mind or not. He is back in a 56 man bay.
Here he is signing in. Here he is meeting a new sergeant.
I was a bit surprised to hear that thievery is such a problem in the barracks. You never know who you can or can’t trust these days. What I don’t understand, is if in the soldiers creed they pledge to not leave a fallen comrade, how can they then steal from them? Joe says there are always going to be a few rotten apples. Several soldiers were a bit negative about Charlie Company, others were full of "helpful"? advice, and some just wanted to chit chat. Good thing Dan is a good listener. I just hope they don’t lead him a stray, get him into trouble, or pick on him for obeying the rules. Some of them were kind of ornery. At least the one who transported us was very helpful and nice.
Above...Dan's new bay.
To right...the helpful soldier who transported Dan and showed him around, including his locker and bed.
I am sure Dan will make it through this next stretch….but he will need continued support and encouragement from us. His disappointment of not being in a more private living quarter, not getting into Bravo, not being able to keep all of his electronic stuff (due to room and security issues), and not starting classes for awhile, was well concealed by him. We had to make another quick shopping trip to get Dan a footlocker and some locks. After dropping him off with his footlocker and saying goodbye, we were on the road for Cincinnati (at 1:30) over an hour behind schedule.
Here are some of his new Charlie Company comrades starting to fall in.
And to the right, with foot locker in hand, he heads up to his second floor bay of the barracks.
We got to Dave and Patty’s just before 11pm, and talked till nearly 12:30. So with the time change, it was 1:30am. Wow, can’t believe we were up that late. We were slow to rise Sunday but quick to hit the trail for home at 10:30.
It was a kind of culture shock going from traveling mode to home and chores. Once home, I continued to dwell on our trip and time spent with Dan. I really had an enjoyable weekend with him. The adventure was fun, rewarding, educational, and an eye opener. I was quite taken aback with the transformation in Dan which has taken place in the last 10 weeks. I am very impressed with the soldier and man I see he has become so far. I was pleased by the etiquette and manners he showed, am excited about the accomplishments he has made (sharp shooter, more physically fit/in better shape) and glad he has embraced a healthier lifestyle (good diet and regular exercise). He had to go through a lot to graduate from Basic Training.
I am so very proud of him as I know Joe, Courtney and Britney are. At a gas stop in Georgia, near Tennessee, the cashier said “thanks to your son” just as I was turning away from the counter. I hesitated and probably gave her an inquisitive look and she pointed to my shirt (which Dan had given Joe and I) “My son defends freedom in the U.S. Army” And then I got it….and thanked her back. This next quote was from a Facebook entry yesterday "A Veteran is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America, for an amount up to, and including their life! That is honor!" The realization that Daniel is giving of himself to protect our freedom makes me so proud and glad to be an American.
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