"...we part with tender relations stretching far behind us, that never can be exactly renewed..."
Congratulations to the proud father, too. You have written a wonderful tribute to one of the most important days in your son's life. A pleasure to read.
Kewl. the army plays George Thorogood.
A very proud day for you, and well presented. It's wonderful that you and your ex-wife can share these moments without any rancor and I am sure that your children benefit greatly from the support you each give them.
Congratulations to your son and to you too!
Thank you for sharing a special moment with us, in a way that made us feel a part of it. Special congratulations to you for having a son who makes you so proud. 
First, let there be no mistake on this on point--you were missed.
What a natural way you have of relating this story. It so sounds like it came from your head to the page without a single change. Please don't tell me otherwise. I was there with you every moment living every detail as if your son were my brother, enjoying his accomplishment, his pride and his hunger. I could use a good porterhouse about now myself.
The step by step way that you walked me through the event led me to the only conclusion there could be. That your children and grandchildren are indeed favored that you and the woman who shares them with you are share a bond that lives for them. Character indeed.
Clive,
Thanks for that. Appreciate you stopping by.
Scot
Ned,
Appreciate your kind, thoughtful comment. Thanks for stopping by.
Scot
Alan,
Thank you for your response. I appreciate your feedback, and I'm glad you enjoyed reading.
Scot
Liz,
Didn't mean to be missed. It took me a few days after I got back to let things settle. My son's achievement brought back a few memories of when I was his age, and it felt good to participate in something that he actually enjoys doing and is committed to. But more than that, I was struck by the tremendous personal growth he had realized during his time in training. After my experience with him at Ft. Benning, I am absolutely convinced that the Armed Services is one of the best things that our country has, and that our young people who choose to serve are truly remarkable people.
It wasn't an easy article to write. A lot of false starts before I was able to focus on the event itself without a lot of other stuff sifting through. I put the writing aside for a couple of days, and then sat down Friday night with a pot of coffee and went for it.
Conception and presentation is not always easy, and for me, it's the hardest aspect of writing; but once I've figured out what I'm trying to say, it comes pretty easy after that.
As always, I enjoy your positive feedback, and appreciate how you take the time to reflect on the various elements of my work that you liked.
Scot
Reminded me of when my son came home from Marine boot camp. Like your Michael, the fitness regimen had turned him into a new person. But what really amazed me was when he made his bed the next day as soon as he got up.
Congratulations to you and to your family.
A sense of accomplishment shines through this, without your ever having to actually articulate it. Isn't it amazing how parenting forms us?
Patry,
Thank you. The differences are amazing. With you, the bed. With us, the "yes sir's, yes, ma'me's" and letting people finish speaking before speaking himself.
When it comes to teaching young people etiquette, the armed services wins hands down.
Scot
Lorna,
What you say is so true. Parenting has changed me in so many ways that only now am I beginning to understand. Thanks for checking in.
Scot
Congratulations on your son. You have a right to be very proud.
Mojo,
Thank you for your kind sentiment. It's always good when you come by.
Scot
please thank your son for me and my family for his service. You deserve to be a proud dad.
Check out my site if you get a chance.
Excellent piece on the transition from boyhood to adulthood (that's what is really going on here, behind the scenes). I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Tom,
Thank you for your encouragement. It's always good when new readers stop in, and I'll be sure to come by your way.
Scot
Trent,
Appreciate your comment. Always good to see new readers checking in.
Scot
What a beautiful and touching report of a beautiful and touching event.
I could feel the pride and the tears with you.
Beautifully written.
You must be so proud. Congratulations Scot
What a nice tribute to your son and his accomplishment, and what a loving gift of respect for him by respecting his mother. It is wonderful that the focus could be on your son instead of on your differences.
Melly,
Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it when you come by, and your feedback is always welcomed.
Scot
Sky,
Thank you for coming by. Your kind, thoughful sentiment is appreciated.
Scot
I think about 12 or so years from now I'll be in your shoes. My son, who is 9, is obsessed with becoming a Marine. He eats, sleeps, and breathes all things military. His screensaver is a little sentence that bobs up and down and says, "Join the Marines."
If you go to my blog, you'll see a portrait that an artisit created with my little boy in it. It's a picture of him saluting in a military uniform and it was taken during a field trip to the Army Research Facility in Maryland. She imposed his picture onto the poster she created.
Anyway, that just shows his devotion. Everyone at the field trip said he's going to be a soldier one day. He knew all their ranks, knew how to stand and salute, etc.
Was your son like that as a kid? Part of me is so proud, and part of me is so afraid for him!
On graduation day after AIT back in 1969 they would not let me march at the front of the column during parade because I was too short. So I was at the end of the line. A year later as a combat medic with the 82nd I never brought up the rear. Strange how many of us old timers that survived, and once we get past 50 become the opposite of gung ho!
BUT for us Americans its mostly the young 19 year olds that go to war and not the five and 70 years olds in those other countries we fight and fought. I wonder if there is a lesson in there somewhere?
WriteWingNut,
When my son was growing up, I never was quite certain what he would eventually commit himself to. He knew I served in the Marine Corps, but he only had a passing interest in it. During his childhood, he focused on becoming many things: a martial arts expert, a guitarist, and a computer programmer and software designer. And in each, he became fairly proficient but never fully committed. Many times, he asked me, "What do you want me to be when I grow up?" And I responded by saying, "I want you to be the very best at whatever you finally decide is your purpose in life, and that you are successful in finding something you can dedicate yourself to." Becoming a Marine is what your son might be focused on now, and exploring his interest with him doesn't necessarily mean that that's what he will become. He may develop other interests and may choose to explore other things, and sometimes it can be exasperating, especially when they go from one thing to the next. But by guiding, mentoring, and helping your son appreciate his successes and getting past his disappointments, he will eventually discover his own path. Thank you for visiting. Your comment is appreciated.
Scot
Euro,
Good question, which I've sometimes wondered about myself. After age 50, I think we're just "gung-slow," and as such, we appreciate the absurdities we experience in life a little more fully.
Thanks for coming by,
Scot
I just want to say thank you to both you and your son for having the courage and willingness to serve. It is men & women like you who make this country great and are helping bring freedom to other soon-to-be-great countries.
LadyGunn,
You're welcome. Thank you for reading. Your compliment is appreciated.
Scot
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