The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Monday, May 25, 2015

"Out of the Womb in Camouflage"

        I've been buried under report cards and end-of-the-school year paperwork for the past week--still am--but I had to wish everyone a happy Memorial Day.

        In the middle of the night when I was hunched over my laptop, writing comments on 27 report cards, I saw a short feature on a veteran. He had loved the camaraderie of the military so much, he signed up for a second tour of duty. During that second tour, he got his leg blown off. When asked if he knew then what he knew now, would he do it again, he replied, "In a heartbeat."

        He later said, "I think I came out of the womb in camouflage." He received a Purple Heart from President Obama. He's now busy putting his life together...

       In two days my son is leaving for an air force base. He's finished his first year of med school; it's the military's nickel (millions of nickels?) that's paying his tuition. Beginning on the 28th of May, he has four weeks of officer training. When he's finished, he'll serve for four years to pay the country back.


      On this holiday I'm thinking of my dad, who served and wanted to be sent overseas. Unfortunately for him (but perhaps fortunately for me?) he blew out his knee playing basketball and never left a U.S. base. 

       I'm thinking of that veteran who is now adjusting to life with a new leg.

       And I'm thinking of my son...

       Happy Memorial Day!
Posted by at

19 comments:

  1. Maude LynnMay 25, 2015 at 6:29 AM

    Happy Memorial Day, Sioux.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 4:51 AM

      Mama Zen--I hope your holiday was enjoyable (she said almost a week late).

      Delete
  2. FireblossomMay 25, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    To you, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 4:52 AM

      Shay--Thank YOU for serving our country. I hope you put up your feet, took a nap with Skittles, or did something else relaxing and enjoyable on the holiday.

      Delete
  3. BookieMay 25, 2015 at 9:09 AM

    I am thinking of your son too, Miss S, and all the other mothers with sons "out there". My own were between the times and now are too old I'd say. I did not have to face this particular worry. I certainly feel with other mothers who do...both the worry and the pride!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 4:53 AM

      Claudia--Thankfully, officer training in Alabama is not too far "out there" so I'm too worried... for now.

      Delete
  4. Lisa Ricard ClaroMay 25, 2015 at 3:38 PM

    Oh, wow, Sioux. Please tell your son my family and I thank him for his service. You must be very proud.

    My father-in-law started out as a doctor in the Navy in the '40s, and he was recruited by the Air Force a year or two later because the then-new branch of the military needed physicians. He served for over 20 years and retired a full colonel. He loved the military and often said, right up to the time he died at the age of 88, that if there was any way the USAF would clear him, he'd join up again in an instant.

    Bless all who serve, and their families who sacrifice so much through the process.

    I'll keep you and your son in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 4:55 AM

      Lisa--Thanks. From the stories you tell about your father-in-law, I imagine you could have a whole book about him.

      And when does your book go on sale? Purchasing minds want to know...

      Delete
    2. Lisa Ricard ClaroMay 28, 2015 at 4:04 PM

      Thanks for asking. :) It releases June 20th, but should be available for pre-order through Amazon soon. And I'm giving away 10 copies on Goodreads, so if you haven't, you ought to jump over there and sign up. You might win!

      Delete
  5. TammyMay 25, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    I'm thinking of your son and you, too. Happy Memorial Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 4:56 AM

      Tammy--Thanks, I hope your holiday was relaxing.

      Delete
  6. joehMay 25, 2015 at 4:48 PM

    Several levels of pride for your son.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 4:57 AM

      Joeh--Yeah, he's grown up into a fine young man... despite my screw-ups as a mom. ;)

      Delete
  7. ValMay 25, 2015 at 6:29 PM

    Let's hear it for the boy! You must be so proud of him.

    Congrats to you, too, for raising a young man who actually cares about people and wants to help them! I'm sure you know what I'm referring to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 4:59 AM

      Val--Did you have a finger-snapping, chart-popping song with that first line?

      Delete
  8. Cathy C. HallMay 26, 2015 at 6:09 AM

    I'm so grateful for all the sons and daughters who give their service to this country--and to the moms, too. I know you're proud of him, Sioux, but I imagine it's not easy to give that loving send off to the military! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 5:00 AM

      Cathy--Well, if he was going overseas to REALLY serve, I'd be a soggy mess right now. The serving part will come later. Hopefully the overseas part will never come.

      Delete
  9. Linda O'ConnellMay 26, 2015 at 4:46 PM

    I had no idea he was in military. Thank him and wish him success.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sioux RoslawskiMay 28, 2015 at 5:01 AM

      Linda--He signed up so he could afford med school. And thanks for your good wishes and kind thoughts.

      Delete

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by...

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)