Proud Navy Dad
November 25, 2008
&^%$@^&*)_(*^$$$
DIV 052 USS Arizona
Bldg. 7111
Recruitment Training Command
Great Lakes, IL 60088
Hello Stephen,
Well the holes in your cave have been patched up, the new carpet is down, the fresh paint is almost dried on your walls and the smell of new stuff almost makes you forget you are in what was affectionately called the "rat hole".
Still it seems to be missing something. The room seems empty, clean and sterile and each time your mom and I go into it we are saddened to realize it lacks the most rewarding thing we have ever created together…it lacks you.
Whether you know it or not you are on the path to becoming what I admire most in members of the US Armed Forces.
I have always admired men of resolve, men of honor, men of principal. Those few men who can weather the storm or public opinion and step forward when besieged by minions of weak minded fools, when they know in their head and in their heart, they are doing the right thing.
Men of principal all have common traits that are worthy of following;
• They all use their heart to tell them Gods will with a moral compass of what is right and what is wrong.
• They all use their head to derive reason to tell them what is legal and what is not, even though in some cases when confronting clear and unconscionable evil, they permit Gods will to usurp Mans laws.
• They accept the innate responsibility of every man to be responsible for his or her safely.
• They accept hardships and seemingly insurmountable tasks with measured determination and a smile in the face of adversity, as they do not doubt their ability to overcome every obstacle.
• They all protect and stand up and defend the defenseless.
• They all show reasoned compassion for those less fortunate then themselves.
• They all believe it better to lead through virtuous actions than to offer meaningless lip service.
I have tried to instill in my children the same values I admire, appreciate and aspire to, so that through direct example they can see I not only talk the talk but am willing to walk the walk when it counts. I do not know if you paid attention to my actions in the past, the lives I have saved, those I protected from evil, those I helped up when they had fallen down with a hand up and advice rather than a hand out. Those I mentored, those I counseled out of seemingly unnavigateable waters, and those I offered opportunities to get a better start in life than they may have deserved.
If you noticed these acts kudos, if not it matters little to me as I believe it is better to lead through actions than lip service. I prefer to leave the lip service to prostitutes and politicians as they already share so much in common.
My point is, it matters little where you live, what you wear, watch on TV, what music you listen to or what you say in most cases.
What matters most in life, is what you do.
Your actions speak volumes about what kind of person you are, your values and whether when faced with a tough decision; if you will rise to the challenge like King Leonis and his Spartans, or retreat like a Frenchman!
We are proud of your decision to take control of your future, your life and your destiny, by joining the US Navy. We support your decisions and the future sacrifices it will involve, not because it will save us some money, not because it gets you out of our house and for long periods out of our lives, but because you and the rest of those aspiring Seaman are doing what they consider to be the right thing for them at this time.
For many of you, this may be the first real choice any of you has made that will shape in a very positive way your future careers, while at the same time instilling those qualities that help make rational leaders in a society of mindless lemmings.
Those friends and peers you have now will forever be in the rear view mirror when compared to the technical training, management skills and opportunities that you can earn in the US Navy.
For that in the immortal lyrics of AC/DC….."For Those About To Rock, We Salute You!"
Remember Basic Training as the only thing standing between you and the future you deserve, so proceed to; go over it, around it or through it to prove you are worthy of becoming a team member of the finest fighting force this planet has even seen.
"Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of All Who Threaten It"
We will be missing you at Thanksgiving dinner at our place with our extended families this year of 20+. There will be a single empty chair and table setting for a man we all wish could be here to share Thanksgiving with his family.
Our hearts, thoughts and best wishes will always be with you no matter where you may be.
Love and best wishes from your family.