State Of The Donut Address, July 2005
State Of The Donut - July 2005
Welcome to the first annual "State Of The Donut" address, where
I provide a re-cap of the happenings occurring during the previous
year. My goal is to not only remember where I've been, but also
consider where I might be going - along with providing an insight
into what doesn't get seen in a normal LJ entry.
June-October 04: U.S. Army BCT - Fort Benning, GA; Though physically
and mentally demanding, BCT was finally conquered. And though I
never really "officially" gave my appreciation to my Drill Sergeants,
I owe them more than I could possibly express. They've shown me more
about the Army - and myself - than I'd have ever learned on my own.
DS Smith
DS Thomas
DS Zdunowski, A Co. 2/47
and
DS Schultz
DS Minter, E Co. 2/47
Each of these outstanding gentlemen are responsible for influencing
a least some small portion of who I am today. I wouldn't be
the soldier I am without their wisdom and guidance.
October 04-March 05: U.S. Army AIT - Fort Gordon, GA; When the concept
of AIT was first described to me, I was told that it was, in essence,
a college setting (with PT added in).
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Sure, the setting is slightly more relaxed than BCT; however, discipline
still had to be maintained. BCT seemed like more of a physical exercise,
where AIT was much more mental. When compared to other AIT units, mine
was generally considered "crazy." After passing a certain point, it is
understood that a recruit is allowed more free time to take care of
neccessary business. Most soldiers from other units were openly allowed
their free time; most of my unit had to fight for it. Only as I was about
to graduate did I start to see the free time that we were allowed.
April - July 05: OIF III; Finally, something of a taste of the "real Army."
But aside from the threat of incoming enemy fire, nothing seems to have
changed from AIT. Cliques run rampant just as in most public schools. The
same seemingly-mindless jobs are handed out, and the same mental annoyances
are visible at almost any given moment. I've been told that things are
different in a garrison environment, but only time will tell if the changes
are for better or for worse...
On a side note, I received a package this morning from a group in California
who has put together what they call "Operation: Gratitude." This group sends
out "care packages" to soldiers fighting overseas. Inside the package, aside
from some of the basics - sunscreen, wet wipes, snacks, etc - were a few pages
of statements from some of the people "back home," including the following
letter:
Dear Serviceperson,
Hello from Texas. My name is {name omitted for privacy} and on behalf of my
wife of five years, {name}, and our two children {name} and {name}, I would like
to say thank you for your service to our country. For some of you, this is your
first deployment away from your loved ones and for others it is yet another
deployment in a long career of selfless service to this great nation. Wherever
you are stationed around the globe, just remember that there are a lot of
people back home who love you and support you. It is my family's honor and
privilege to support all of you wonderful men and women while you are
deployed overseas.
I would like you to know that my son and I pray for you every night as he goes
to bed. We pray that God gives President Bush the wisdom to make the right
decisions to protect our country. We pray He will give you strength, safety and
a speedy return home. We also pray that God will give your families the strength
to endure the hardships of your deployment. Finally, we pray for those families
who have lost loved ones in this war. We pray that God will ease their suffering
and let them know that their loved one died for a right and just cause: Freedom.
As a husband and a father of two beautiful children, I would like to say thank
you for protecting my family. I sleep better at night knowing that the best
America has to offer are watching my back. Words would not do justice to the love
and gratitude I have for each and every one of you. I am truly honored to support
you and I am proud to know you, if only through a letter. I will cherish every
letter or email I get in response and will share them with my children when they
get older. I will tell them how their Daddy got to meet some of his heroes through
Operation Gratitude and what a profound effect you all had on me.
As Memorial Day approaches, it is important to remember those, past and present,
that have died for freedom. It is important to honor their memory by continuing
their tradition of helping those who cannot help themselves. All of you brave
men and women are heroes to me and my family and we will keep you in our thoughts
and prayers until you are back safely on American soil. God Bless you.
Sincerely,
{Name}
Words cannot begin to express the profound impact this letter had upon me when
I first read it. Even as I reproduced it above, I could not help but cry. When I
originally signed on what seemed to be a million lines last year (and in '03), I
was concerned about how it would help me to acheive the education I was seeking.
How it would allow me to have a positive bank balance, while chasing my long-term
goal of opening a small software company.
After reading the above letter, none of that seems to matter as much anymore.
Because of me and my comrades, Iraqi children will finally be free to not only
have dreams of greatness, but to chase them as well.
Unfortunately, among all of the gains made within the last year, losses also occurred.
In March my former boss - and good friend - Alton (Leo) Anderson died of a heart attack.
He was a great man, even something of a father figure in my life. He is greatly missed;
and although his body lies still, his spirit will remain in the hearts of his friends and
family.
Over all, the last year has definately had its share of ups and downs. I'd like to
say that each experience has taught me something, but some lessons need a boost now
and then to be remembered.
I can only hope that the next year provides me with similar opportunities to grow - not
only as a soldier in the United States Army, but as a son, a man, and perhaps one day, a
loving husband.
- PFC Donut
Welcome to the first annual "State Of The Donut" address, where
I provide a re-cap of the happenings occurring during the previous
year. My goal is to not only remember where I've been, but also
consider where I might be going - along with providing an insight
into what doesn't get seen in a normal LJ entry.
June-October 04: U.S. Army BCT - Fort Benning, GA; Though physically
and mentally demanding, BCT was finally conquered. And though I
never really "officially" gave my appreciation to my Drill Sergeants,
I owe them more than I could possibly express. They've shown me more
about the Army - and myself - than I'd have ever learned on my own.
DS Smith
DS Thomas
DS Zdunowski, A Co. 2/47
and
DS Schultz
DS Minter, E Co. 2/47
Each of these outstanding gentlemen are responsible for influencing
a least some small portion of who I am today. I wouldn't be
the soldier I am without their wisdom and guidance.
October 04-March 05: U.S. Army AIT - Fort Gordon, GA; When the concept
of AIT was first described to me, I was told that it was, in essence,
a college setting (with PT added in).
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Sure, the setting is slightly more relaxed than BCT; however, discipline
still had to be maintained. BCT seemed like more of a physical exercise,
where AIT was much more mental. When compared to other AIT units, mine
was generally considered "crazy." After passing a certain point, it is
understood that a recruit is allowed more free time to take care of
neccessary business. Most soldiers from other units were openly allowed
their free time; most of my unit had to fight for it. Only as I was about
to graduate did I start to see the free time that we were allowed.
April - July 05: OIF III; Finally, something of a taste of the "real Army."
But aside from the threat of incoming enemy fire, nothing seems to have
changed from AIT. Cliques run rampant just as in most public schools. The
same seemingly-mindless jobs are handed out, and the same mental annoyances
are visible at almost any given moment. I've been told that things are
different in a garrison environment, but only time will tell if the changes
are for better or for worse...
On a side note, I received a package this morning from a group in California
who has put together what they call "Operation: Gratitude." This group sends
out "care packages" to soldiers fighting overseas. Inside the package, aside
from some of the basics - sunscreen, wet wipes, snacks, etc - were a few pages
of statements from some of the people "back home," including the following
letter:
Dear Serviceperson,
Hello from Texas. My name is {name omitted for privacy} and on behalf of my
wife of five years, {name}, and our two children {name} and {name}, I would like
to say thank you for your service to our country. For some of you, this is your
first deployment away from your loved ones and for others it is yet another
deployment in a long career of selfless service to this great nation. Wherever
you are stationed around the globe, just remember that there are a lot of
people back home who love you and support you. It is my family's honor and
privilege to support all of you wonderful men and women while you are
deployed overseas.
I would like you to know that my son and I pray for you every night as he goes
to bed. We pray that God gives President Bush the wisdom to make the right
decisions to protect our country. We pray He will give you strength, safety and
a speedy return home. We also pray that God will give your families the strength
to endure the hardships of your deployment. Finally, we pray for those families
who have lost loved ones in this war. We pray that God will ease their suffering
and let them know that their loved one died for a right and just cause: Freedom.
As a husband and a father of two beautiful children, I would like to say thank
you for protecting my family. I sleep better at night knowing that the best
America has to offer are watching my back. Words would not do justice to the love
and gratitude I have for each and every one of you. I am truly honored to support
you and I am proud to know you, if only through a letter. I will cherish every
letter or email I get in response and will share them with my children when they
get older. I will tell them how their Daddy got to meet some of his heroes through
Operation Gratitude and what a profound effect you all had on me.
As Memorial Day approaches, it is important to remember those, past and present,
that have died for freedom. It is important to honor their memory by continuing
their tradition of helping those who cannot help themselves. All of you brave
men and women are heroes to me and my family and we will keep you in our thoughts
and prayers until you are back safely on American soil. God Bless you.
Sincerely,
{Name}
Words cannot begin to express the profound impact this letter had upon me when
I first read it. Even as I reproduced it above, I could not help but cry. When I
originally signed on what seemed to be a million lines last year (and in '03), I
was concerned about how it would help me to acheive the education I was seeking.
How it would allow me to have a positive bank balance, while chasing my long-term
goal of opening a small software company.
After reading the above letter, none of that seems to matter as much anymore.
Because of me and my comrades, Iraqi children will finally be free to not only
have dreams of greatness, but to chase them as well.
Unfortunately, among all of the gains made within the last year, losses also occurred.
In March my former boss - and good friend - Alton (Leo) Anderson died of a heart attack.
He was a great man, even something of a father figure in my life. He is greatly missed;
and although his body lies still, his spirit will remain in the hearts of his friends and
family.
Over all, the last year has definately had its share of ups and downs. I'd like to
say that each experience has taught me something, but some lessons need a boost now
and then to be remembered.
I can only hope that the next year provides me with similar opportunities to grow - not
only as a soldier in the United States Army, but as a son, a man, and perhaps one day, a
loving husband.
- PFC Donut