Personal Narrative: My American Soldier's Duty

Upon finishing my first cup of coffee, my son pulls in the driveway and enters the house with the words, "MOM I NEED TO TELL YOU SOMETHING." With heart wrenching thoughts, I sat back in my chair to prepare myself. Never once thinking of the rumors, which had orders coming to activate and deploy the 39TH Infantry Brigade, of the Arkansas National guard, for a 2ND tour of duty in Iraq. I guess I had just blocked this out especially since; My American Soldier's enlisted time would be up October 1, 2008. As he took a deep breath, I could not believe my ears. He said, "We've received Title 10 orders (Federal Activation & Deployment) as of October 1, 2008, and before you say anything I've re-enlisted for another 6-year term." Upon these words, I totally fell apart and I mean literally. The tears flowed with no
The first stop was the military base in FT. BENNING, GEORGIA, - May 3, 2002, Bo's graduation from BOOT CAMP and A.I.T... Over the last year, our relationship had consisted of a few letters and even fewer phone calls. After 9/11, the security levels were elevated off the charts, which was understandable. The first time set to see the soldiers was 3:00 P.M., the bells of the clock in the tower above had started the third chime of the four o'clock hour when the sound of marching boots, a singing drill sergeant seconded by his combat team turned the crowd of over 250 family members in an about face within seconds. The soldiers came to halt by the orders of the drill sergeant and then to attention. Funny how overwhelming the feeling is even now as if the time was at hand. The time spent at FT. BENNING, introduced a mother to a life that her son had chosen. The change that took place in my son, and 18 year old kid that had never been away from home in Foreman, Arkansas now had the domineer of an American Soldier. The walk, talk, and total air around him were totally