up up and away
So tomorrow I will finally be on my way to Iraq. It's been over two months since I found out I was going, and I've been waiting ever since then. There's been a lot of stress, and even more training we've all done to get to this point, and now I finally feel 100% ready to do what I originally signed up to do.
I want to fill you all in on WHY I joined and what precisely made my mind up to do this. We all remember 9/11, and the devastation it caused. It's sad that it took such a traumatic event to bring out the patriotism that grew from that point forward. On that day a trigger was squeezed in my mind, and I started considering the military as an option. No one knew this, but it was happening. On my 17th birthday my wishes came true and I got the call from the recruiter. With in 48 hours the process started, and 4 months later I was officially sworn into the army. 6 months after that, I left for Basic at Ft Knox. As I finished High school I was fighting to graduate, so that gave me no way to look for a college, or even think about it. I knew when I did finally get my clearance I had completed step one to serving my country. The reason I joined, patriotism and the civic duty to protect the freedoms that we do enjoy.
Joining the military separates me from the average american in the fact that I'm willing to do what 99% of the population isn't able to do, or is unwilling to do. This does not make me any better then everyone, far from it. I just am doing something that is by far the most respected job in the US, and has been voted so the last few years in People Magazine. Finally after 2 years 8 months and 3 weeks I am finally able to put all the training I've received into good use.
I'm going to take this time to thank people that are special to me.
I'll start with my Mom and Dad: With out you guys backing me and my decisions I would not be who I am, or where I am. My whole goal this entire time has been to make you proud of me, and to represent the family as best as I know how. Your guys support means more then me I can ever express in words.
Grandma: When everyone else fails to see me for what I do, and where I'm going you always seem to be there. I've always been able to rely on you for anything, and I truly feel that I owe my entire life as it is now to everything you've done for me. I sincerly appreciate your prayers for me, as I no longer believe in that way, but I'm sure it helps keep me out of some of the trouble I've managed to steer clear of.
Matt: Even though we fought more then we were friends when we were younger, knowing that I influenced your decision to join makes me truly proud to call you my younger brother. Makes me feel as though I did something right as your big brother.
Ryan, Pat and Wayde: 4 for 1 and 1 for all. With out the three of you I'd definitely be a lot different. Pat put it the best, the four of us are basically brothers, it'd be hard to imagine my life without you three in it in some way.
Jessie: In a weird way we became so close blood couldn't make us closer in my eyes. I can always count on you to tell it like it is. I was truly honored that I got to make it home and watch you take the next step in your life in marrying Dan. To my big sis, I love you.
Ashley: In the short time we were together (and even shorter we were physically together) we went through more stuff then most couples will in a year or more. I believe this is what will always keep us close. I owe a lot to you, you taught me a lot of things in the game of life and love. As long as you're happy, regardless of who you're with, I will not mind. Of course I wish things were different, but I also understand what happened, and have dealt with it. If we have nothing, we have each other and the pepsi can. No one can, or ever will stop me from loving you.
To all of my other friends and family, there's far to many to name: Your support is appreciated. I do what I do so I can come back safe and sound and be able to spend another memorable moment with all of you. The memories are many, and all are significant in one way or another. In the same fashion, all things have shaped me into who I am, and who I continue to be to this day, and who I'll be in the coming days, weeks, months and years.
As I bring this to a close, I need to thank everybody as a whole, and wish you all the best of luck in everything you do now, and in the future. I am who I am because of the role all of you play in my life.
Forever grateful
Specialist Jason R Rynders 63B United States Army
I want to fill you all in on WHY I joined and what precisely made my mind up to do this. We all remember 9/11, and the devastation it caused. It's sad that it took such a traumatic event to bring out the patriotism that grew from that point forward. On that day a trigger was squeezed in my mind, and I started considering the military as an option. No one knew this, but it was happening. On my 17th birthday my wishes came true and I got the call from the recruiter. With in 48 hours the process started, and 4 months later I was officially sworn into the army. 6 months after that, I left for Basic at Ft Knox. As I finished High school I was fighting to graduate, so that gave me no way to look for a college, or even think about it. I knew when I did finally get my clearance I had completed step one to serving my country. The reason I joined, patriotism and the civic duty to protect the freedoms that we do enjoy.
Joining the military separates me from the average american in the fact that I'm willing to do what 99% of the population isn't able to do, or is unwilling to do. This does not make me any better then everyone, far from it. I just am doing something that is by far the most respected job in the US, and has been voted so the last few years in People Magazine. Finally after 2 years 8 months and 3 weeks I am finally able to put all the training I've received into good use.
I'm going to take this time to thank people that are special to me.
I'll start with my Mom and Dad: With out you guys backing me and my decisions I would not be who I am, or where I am. My whole goal this entire time has been to make you proud of me, and to represent the family as best as I know how. Your guys support means more then me I can ever express in words.
Grandma: When everyone else fails to see me for what I do, and where I'm going you always seem to be there. I've always been able to rely on you for anything, and I truly feel that I owe my entire life as it is now to everything you've done for me. I sincerly appreciate your prayers for me, as I no longer believe in that way, but I'm sure it helps keep me out of some of the trouble I've managed to steer clear of.
Matt: Even though we fought more then we were friends when we were younger, knowing that I influenced your decision to join makes me truly proud to call you my younger brother. Makes me feel as though I did something right as your big brother.
Ryan, Pat and Wayde: 4 for 1 and 1 for all. With out the three of you I'd definitely be a lot different. Pat put it the best, the four of us are basically brothers, it'd be hard to imagine my life without you three in it in some way.
Jessie: In a weird way we became so close blood couldn't make us closer in my eyes. I can always count on you to tell it like it is. I was truly honored that I got to make it home and watch you take the next step in your life in marrying Dan. To my big sis, I love you.
Ashley: In the short time we were together (and even shorter we were physically together) we went through more stuff then most couples will in a year or more. I believe this is what will always keep us close. I owe a lot to you, you taught me a lot of things in the game of life and love. As long as you're happy, regardless of who you're with, I will not mind. Of course I wish things were different, but I also understand what happened, and have dealt with it. If we have nothing, we have each other and the pepsi can. No one can, or ever will stop me from loving you.
To all of my other friends and family, there's far to many to name: Your support is appreciated. I do what I do so I can come back safe and sound and be able to spend another memorable moment with all of you. The memories are many, and all are significant in one way or another. In the same fashion, all things have shaped me into who I am, and who I continue to be to this day, and who I'll be in the coming days, weeks, months and years.
As I bring this to a close, I need to thank everybody as a whole, and wish you all the best of luck in everything you do now, and in the future. I am who I am because of the role all of you play in my life.
Forever grateful
Specialist Jason R Rynders 63B United States Army