Black Hawk Up!

Today marks a monumental change for our family that affects all of us especially our daughter.

Her Superhero left home today.   

For a long time.

Click this link for: Superhero 

We are a particularly close family. This is big for us.

(Our son telling his sister the news)    
(Looking over the enlistment papers & his future career path)

An officer picked him up from the house; he will fly to South Carolina for the U.S. Army Aviation division.

He made the decision 3 weeks ago to defend & protect our nation & honor all those who have gone before him. 

It all happened quite quickly. He will become a Black Hawk engineer. The UH-60L Black Hawk starts at $5.9 million.

We thought it would just be for 2 or 3 years. He has been commissioned for 6 years!!!                                       

(Credit/3 photos: AlphaCoders.com  Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky Military UH-60 Black Hawk)

We celebrated Thanksgiving with him last Wednesday; he will be home for a few days for Christmas. We will have no contact with him except for 2-3 minute phone calls on a Sunday, only if earned.

On our last full day yesterday, 9 of us including his girlfriend and some friends enjoyed a memorable lunch & show at Medieval Times.    

Our family had breakfast this morning together and our children hugged their good byes. Our little one left for school with a brave face although her heart was breaking.

I’m glad for the hustle & bustle of the holidays so we can’t focus on the emptiness in our hearts during the coming weeks.

We thank everyone for the countless emails, texts, etc., pouring in. Here are a few:

From our daughter’s principal: “How proud of your son you all must be and I must say that I am too! I am sure this is difficult on all of you, in spite of the pride, but clearly your daughter will miss him tremendously. We will be sure to be of any support we can. Next time you speak with him please send him my best.”

Jane Fendelman, author, therapist & recurrent guest on “Let’s Talk!” wrote, “It takes a very generous heart for a mom to be happy for her son stepping out in a whole new way. His life is going to expand times 100.”

One of our daughter’s 6^th grade teachers wrote, “Tell your son thank you for his service – it takes a strong person to join the army. What an amazing role model he must be for his little sister.”

One of her 8^th grade teachers wrote, “My family is a big fan of Black Hawks! I have the utmost respect for her brother. What a selfless and generous decision.”

Our daughter’s 2^nd grade teacher wrote, “WOW! Proud mama moment! I’m sure you have a range of emotions with this one. Hang in there and know that his service is much appreciated.”

Oh, yes, the emotional pendulum is swinging, that’s for sure. Proud, happy, sad, nervous, excited, thrilled. He just left a few hours ago and we miss him so much already!

I suppose a uniform was always in our son’s future. From the time he wore the cap of one of New York City’s Finest to the moment the Associated Press captured this photo at the 9-1-1 Memorial at Yankee Stadium, he proudly wore his uniforms as a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Volunteer Firefighter & Cadet at Valley Forge Military Academy & College. 

The Academy was founded in 1928 by Lieutenant General Milton G. Baker. The 1st cadet to enroll was Guy Wheeler, Jr., who graduated in 1934. He was awarded the Outstanding Alumnus Award given for outstanding service to the school.                          (Fellow cadet & our son long ago)

General Baker awarded this flag to Cadet Wheeler, Jr., for his services to the school. The flag hung in his office until his retirement. Following his death, he was buried next to the chapel at Valley Forge and the flag was given to his son, Guy Wheeler, III, an alumnus of Valley Forge, Class of 1968.

Mr. Wheeler presented this flag to our son on July 15, 2008 for his inspiring passion and love of VFMA&C.

I’d like to say I’m prepared for what lies ahead, but, in truth, I am not.

It’s all happening so fast. I received an informational email with the Subject line: “Welcome to the Army Family – Pre-Ship Parent Information” followed

 by “I welcome you because as the parent of a soldier, you, too, are serving in the United States Army.”

Daunting. But the email is full of links, videos, seminars (one is tomorrow night – my husband & I will log into it to learn about the 1-2-3’s of the Reception Battalion and Basic Training before our son’s specialized training begins in his chosen field. 

The Bright Spot – Proud of our son. Proud of our country. Proud of all who serve. God bless America!

Well, here we go! Maybe you’ll leap right into something you’ve always wanted to do & see what new adventures lie ahead. Until we leap into his arms again, we will miss him with all our hearts. We love you, dear son!

See how our Darling’s brother became a Superhero, click here: Big Brother