i haven't posted anything in a long long time, but today, October 29, has a special meaning to me, so i decided to share something.

On this day in 1991, i enlisted in the Army. that was 13 years ago. my my, how time flies! thirteen years ago today, i began the most exciting, adventurous, grueling, challenging, and life-changing 4-year journey i have ever taken; and probably will ever take. and what a journey it was! contrary to popular belief, the most challenging aspect of army life was not the physically demanding aspect; although i have endured all kinds of adverse weather, marched way farther, carried much heavier loads, and stayed awake much longer than i've ever thought i could. these things did not constitue the most difficult aspect of army life. by far, the most difficult aspect of my army life was the emotional aspect. i experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows during those years. the thought of the exhilarating feeling of throwing myself out of a perfectly good airplane, the sweet sound of the M-60 going full auto, the powerful limb-numbing blasts of a anti-tank weapon or claymore mine all still stir up very proud feelings of my military service. but i still can't hardly think about the loneliness and sadness of those years without holding back the tears. 

i told my mom last night that today was the 13th anniversary of my enlistment. no doubt she remembers that day very well also. she remembers the day as the day they took her boy away hours before daybreak. it was still dark outside when a recuriting sergeant came to pick me up. her boy was heading into harm's way. my mom and i didn't talk about it very much last night because i realized it was difficult for her to recall those sad feelings. through out the years, i've realized that my enlistment also took its toll on my mom's emotions.  it's not easy for a loving mom to know that her son is sleeping in the rain, deprived of sleep, or being yelled at, even for the sake of training. i didn't know what to say to my mom last night except to tell her that on that dark early morning 13 years ago, they took her boy and training him into a man.