But I'm getting ahead of myself. First came a brief, but poignant ceremony, at Hilton Field. There was an invocation by the chaplain, the Star-Spangled Banner was played, and then . . .
The Army proceeded to demonstrate a tactical maneuver in which they kill some terrorists trying to set off a bomb and then secure the area. I don't have a single photo of this, since I was in a state of shock. I'm sure the Army meant to impress the parents and reassure us of the very thorough training that the soldiers were receiving, but all I kept thinking was how very real, and how very scary war is, and how my child could potentially end up in a similar situation.
Then they set off a series of colorful smoke bombs . . .
More and more smoke, louder and louder . . .
And then, the soldiers began emerging from the smoke!
It was quite a show, but I didn't take any of these pictures either. I was still in shock. I'm very happy that my husband grabbed my camera and started shooting - pictures that is . . . not bombs . . .
Here's our soldier . . .
And here was one more shock for mom: My son is happy! He likes what he's doing and has a sense of purpose I had never seen in him before. Now, if only the world would behave itself for the next four years . . .
2 comments:
Maria, I think I might have had the very same reaction that you did. I don't know that I would have been able to sit through something so realistic and just snap pictures like it was a day at the zoo. I think men tend to be much more immune to those feelings that we as women and mothers have. Not saying that to be sexist...just saying it because it seems to me to be that way. Dads love their sons, too, but they see them as not just sons, but men. Especially if they're in uniform. I am very glad your husband gathered himself fast enough to get a photo of the soldiers emerging from the cloud of smoke. That is WAY COOL. Rock star maneuver! :-)
I am praying that the world behave itself for the next 4 years and beyond. The greed and hatred and closed-mindedness has just gone on for way too long. It needs to stop.
God bless you and your family.
I agree with you Maria. It is very scary. None of the graduations I attended with other nephews were like that. I would have been in a state of shock too. I am glad David is happy with what he is doing and he will be on my prayer list continuously.
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