wow, that's pretty cool
Well my Mom called me yesterday with lots of news, good and bad. I'll start with the bad. In order to buy my motorcycle I actually have to physically be present in order to sign the financing form, since I wont be home for a very long time and they coudln't even do it through the mail I've pretty much said F$#K it. I still very much want a bike, but after all the hassles and stresses it is trying to get it I'm gonna retreat for now and regroup later and try again. in the meantime I've begun looking for a cheap car to get me around. I found a 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee exactly the same make and model as my last one only a different color (charcoal) It's in great condition and I'll be able to afford to pay cash for it which means I wont have to carry full insurance on it so I'll still be able to save a lot of money for my future purchase of a bike. My plan as of right now, but if you read my past journal entries you'll see that my plan pretty much is constantly evolving, is to get this Jeep, or something similar if it falls through, and save save save then either buy the same kinda bike I just recently almost purchased or go all out and try to buy my dream bike, a Harley Davidson Softail. We'll see, I'll keep ya all posted, either way it's gonna be awhile till that.
On to the good news. My family was chosen by the American Legion in Harrison as the 2004 Military Family of the Year! Mom and Dad were presented a plaque recognizing them as the recipients of this honor in a small ceremony in the bandstand on the square back home. Also we were on the front page of the Harrison Daily Times on Friday with a picture of my Mom and Dad recieving the plaque along with pictures of Alex, Nick, and myself from boot camp along with a small story saying that my father served in the Army, that My oldest brother served in the Arkansas National Guard, that Alex has served for 6 years as a Cryptologic Technician and recently finished training to be a Navy Drill Instructor, that I am a Fire Control Technician serving aboard the USS Miami, a submarine stationed in Groton, CT, and that Nick is finishing up school as a Avionics Electrician in the Marine Corps. Also quoted my mother as saying that None of her boys are in Harms way at the time but that could change at any time. I thought that this honor was very cool. I never really think about it much, but really, how many families have to deal with 3 of their children all out there away from home serving in the Military. I remember how my mom used to worry when it was just Alex out there, or even for Bud when he was in the National Guard. I dont know how the deals with it now with three of us out there, I know she really worries about Nick knowing that him being a Marine he could be out there on the front lines very shortly. Lets hope not. and Dad has told me that Mom spent the 4 days I was underway last week praying and worrying even though they were on vacation in South Carolina. I wish I could tell her not to worry, but of course that's pointless she'll still worry, as will Amber. Though being on a Submarine is pretty darn safe, we're the best in the world, It's more dangerous than staying in Arkansas goin to school. But It's what I wanna do, I dont go out there wanting to be put in danger, but I know if it comes my way I'll be ready, I'm a highly trained professional. I wish I could only show my friends back home everything I know and how much I've learned. Many think the Military is for those who can't hack it goin to school, but I think that's fucking bullshit. I know of many people in the military that maybe couldn't hack it doing anything high tech or that requires a brain cell or two, but most of us are above average intelligence and more dedicated than most civilians. I know I"m kinda venting here, just bear with me. I wish my old friends who laugh at the military, think it's stupid to 'sign your life away' all the ones who tell me every stupid ass Submarine joke and gay sailor joke everytime I talk to them could only see what it's like onboard a submarine. You wont find a group of men better at what they do. We spend time joking around and fucking off, but lemme tell ya, when it comes time to carry out our mission, no matter now routine, there is nowhere I'd rather be. Rest Assured America, Our military is strong, well trained, we are the best on Earth. and All those anti military fucks can come over here and kiss my fucking ass. Me and my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines are out there fighting so that all of you have your right to protest against us, I know that's been said many times before. But the irony will never diminish in that statement. Though I plan on getting out of the service after my first enlistment it's not because I dont wanna serve. My main goal in life is to have myself a family, but I know that if I had started a family earlier and never served I would have felt like I cheated myself and my country. I know that not everyone agrees with me but I couldn't care less if you do or not. OK well enough venting for now.
On to the good news. My family was chosen by the American Legion in Harrison as the 2004 Military Family of the Year! Mom and Dad were presented a plaque recognizing them as the recipients of this honor in a small ceremony in the bandstand on the square back home. Also we were on the front page of the Harrison Daily Times on Friday with a picture of my Mom and Dad recieving the plaque along with pictures of Alex, Nick, and myself from boot camp along with a small story saying that my father served in the Army, that My oldest brother served in the Arkansas National Guard, that Alex has served for 6 years as a Cryptologic Technician and recently finished training to be a Navy Drill Instructor, that I am a Fire Control Technician serving aboard the USS Miami, a submarine stationed in Groton, CT, and that Nick is finishing up school as a Avionics Electrician in the Marine Corps. Also quoted my mother as saying that None of her boys are in Harms way at the time but that could change at any time. I thought that this honor was very cool. I never really think about it much, but really, how many families have to deal with 3 of their children all out there away from home serving in the Military. I remember how my mom used to worry when it was just Alex out there, or even for Bud when he was in the National Guard. I dont know how the deals with it now with three of us out there, I know she really worries about Nick knowing that him being a Marine he could be out there on the front lines very shortly. Lets hope not. and Dad has told me that Mom spent the 4 days I was underway last week praying and worrying even though they were on vacation in South Carolina. I wish I could tell her not to worry, but of course that's pointless she'll still worry, as will Amber. Though being on a Submarine is pretty darn safe, we're the best in the world, It's more dangerous than staying in Arkansas goin to school. But It's what I wanna do, I dont go out there wanting to be put in danger, but I know if it comes my way I'll be ready, I'm a highly trained professional. I wish I could only show my friends back home everything I know and how much I've learned. Many think the Military is for those who can't hack it goin to school, but I think that's fucking bullshit. I know of many people in the military that maybe couldn't hack it doing anything high tech or that requires a brain cell or two, but most of us are above average intelligence and more dedicated than most civilians. I know I"m kinda venting here, just bear with me. I wish my old friends who laugh at the military, think it's stupid to 'sign your life away' all the ones who tell me every stupid ass Submarine joke and gay sailor joke everytime I talk to them could only see what it's like onboard a submarine. You wont find a group of men better at what they do. We spend time joking around and fucking off, but lemme tell ya, when it comes time to carry out our mission, no matter now routine, there is nowhere I'd rather be. Rest Assured America, Our military is strong, well trained, we are the best on Earth. and All those anti military fucks can come over here and kiss my fucking ass. Me and my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines are out there fighting so that all of you have your right to protest against us, I know that's been said many times before. But the irony will never diminish in that statement. Though I plan on getting out of the service after my first enlistment it's not because I dont wanna serve. My main goal in life is to have myself a family, but I know that if I had started a family earlier and never served I would have felt like I cheated myself and my country. I know that not everyone agrees with me but I couldn't care less if you do or not. OK well enough venting for now.