Left Boston a Teenager; Came Back a Soldier - My Family Travels

Left Boston a Teenager; Came Back a Soldier

Article By: Dom, Winner

Ropes Course
Throwing a Grenade
Home Sweet Home

June 16th, 2015, the day my life changed forever.  My mom tried to hide the tears in her eyes as she told me how proud I make her.  It was the last time I would see my mom and sister again until August 27, 2015.  In front of our apartment was the government car and standing beside it, two soldiers.  I kissed my mom’s cheek one more time, threw my back pack on my shoulder, hopped into the waiting car and headed to the airport.

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I was nervous but this was meant to be.  I had never flown before.  I boarded the plane and sent my mom a text.  ‘Getting on the plane now, I love you’.

I arrived and called my mom to let her know I was okay and that I loved her.  We wouldn’t be able to talk to each other for a long time. 

The bus pulled into Fort Benning and my life as a soldier began!  It was intense; there was yelling, there were other recruits that were so nervous they urinated on themselves.  I was excited for this.  I knew it would be difficult but I was ready.  My mom sent me letters everyday and many with photos.   

On this unique summer trip at basic training, I was given a firearm which I named ‘Bonnie’ after my mom.  This firearm had to be strong, it had to be my protector.  There was no doubt I would name it after my mom who has been strong and my protector through all of the obstacles in our life.  During this trip, I slept in a fox hole with my firearm, I threw grenades, I made friends, I became physically and mentally stronger than I ever thought I could be. 

August 27th, It was time to go home!  I filled the two military duffle bags that I received and in them was a shirt for my sister that said ‘My Brother is in the US Army’.  The one thing that I was bringing home that I wouldn’t fit in duffle bags was the sense of pride in my country, pride in our military and pride in myself. 

As I boarded the plane a gentleman in First Class stood up and said, “Soldier, you can have my seat”.  I politely declined and sat in my seat in coach.  While headed to baggage claim, strangers were shaking my hand and thanking me for my service.  I didn’t go to war so I felt like the attention was not warranted; however, I felt so proud to be an American Soldier.  ‘Welcome home soldier’, one woman said to me as I walked down the stairs.  I was home! 

At the bottom of the escaltor stood my mom wearing a home made shirt that said ‘Army Mom’, she cried as she hugged me tight.

This trip is not the average summer trip.  It was not a trip taken for enjoyment; it was a trip taken for reasons beyond explanation.  A trip that felt so right from the first day until the last.  I have goals, discipline, respect and strong sense of pride.  I will continue this trip throughout the year, reporting for drills at the local military base monthly.  After I graduate I will be heading back to Fort Benning for more training.  In addition to being a soldier, I am excited for college next year and embracing another trip and challenges of the unknown while pushing myself to be my best.  That’s the only way I know, the way the Army trained me and the way my mom taught me to be.   

 

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