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| July 10, 2007 - It's official! |
Within
each of our lives we have milestones that we celebrate, some very openly with
friends and family and others are private ones that only each person knows for
themselves, or share with a few close personal friends.
Today,
July 10, 2014, is an anniversary for TJ, and whether he likes it or not, I’m
letting anyone who reads this blog know about it because I am very proud of him
and thankful for this anniversary.
It
was seven years ago today his Dad and I watched him take the first of several
oaths, giving his life to serve our country in the United States Air Force.
After taking that oath at the MEPS Center in Portland, OR, he then reviewed his
official papers, signed them and presented them to the officer on hand who then
welcomed him to the service (pictured above). And then he was off to boot camp.
During
his first six years of enlistment, there were times when it felt like they were
just crawling by – especially the weeks of boot camp, and the six months he
deployed to Kuwait. Then suddenly he was re-enlisting and we shook our heads
wondering where those first six years went!
He
has accomplished so much during the past seven years; obtaining his
Associates Degree, moving up in rank to the current status of Staff Sgt.; being
coined by over 30 officers, including a few Generals; earning multiple awards;
and doing numerous things as a volunteer that encourage, remember and honor his
fellow Airmen – especially the Security Forces.
Currently TJ is
serving as a Military Training Leader. He works with the Airmen just after they
leave boot camp and begin their specialized training. He has a three year
commitment to this position which will bring him to the end of his current
enlistment period. He is focused on completing his Bachelor’s Degree in
U.S. Military History and making a difference in the lives of those he oversees
right now.
Recently,
he went back to Lackland Air Force Base and re-connected with some of
his mentors. All of them encouraged him to continue to pursue his military
career. They see his incredible potential to influence those under his charge
and told him how badly the Air Force needs men like him coming up in the ranks.
