I read some things about what some of these ROTC students face, exposed to, hours decicated to their unit, and expectations of just study time...
I have a story that I feel is important to all of you who have children that have taken on a greater responsibility then some. Respectfully, this is not to say the kids who don't serve are not equal or of less value it's just different for ROTC...
I feel from what I have read that any one of our kids would have come up with the same story.
Early this past spring our son was out with his friends and saw from a distance an American flag laying on the ground in a small public park. He told me that he did not like what he saw and instead of walking on he went over, picked the flag up off the ground and folded it to the best of his ability. He then told his friends he was going to the police department to drop the flag off (not knowing what else to do). It’s my understanding from our son that his friends though it was a waste of time and that he would be blamed for the missing flag. He could care less what his friends thought and drove to our local PD and gave them his story as well as the flag. When he got home he had told me what happened, we were very proud of our son. Fast fwd. a few months...
Recently, I was at a function and was approached by one of our local police sergeants. He asked me if I needed a letter written for my son. I was confused and asked why he would make such an offer. It was at that moment he reminded me of what our son did only a few months prior. The officer that was talking to me was the officer who our son gave the flag to.
At some level I was ashamed for forgetting the story but again reminded of how proud I was of our son. Have you gotten that lump in your throat that makes you feel so good about your daughter or son? The letter will have no bearing on our son's NROTC or college application; however, I will make sure he submits it because I don’t want to forget again and I feel more people should know. I can describe our son in one word that carries such a large image. “Selfless!” Just like his mother!!
For all of you have have ROTC children in college facing, living, and dealing with the ones who have not taken this road. It's a tough world right now, remind your child that they are also selfless and I, you, and others will not forget that they are there for us!!
I have a story that I feel is important to all of you who have children that have taken on a greater responsibility then some. Respectfully, this is not to say the kids who don't serve are not equal or of less value it's just different for ROTC...
I feel from what I have read that any one of our kids would have come up with the same story.
Early this past spring our son was out with his friends and saw from a distance an American flag laying on the ground in a small public park. He told me that he did not like what he saw and instead of walking on he went over, picked the flag up off the ground and folded it to the best of his ability. He then told his friends he was going to the police department to drop the flag off (not knowing what else to do). It’s my understanding from our son that his friends though it was a waste of time and that he would be blamed for the missing flag. He could care less what his friends thought and drove to our local PD and gave them his story as well as the flag. When he got home he had told me what happened, we were very proud of our son. Fast fwd. a few months...
Recently, I was at a function and was approached by one of our local police sergeants. He asked me if I needed a letter written for my son. I was confused and asked why he would make such an offer. It was at that moment he reminded me of what our son did only a few months prior. The officer that was talking to me was the officer who our son gave the flag to.
At some level I was ashamed for forgetting the story but again reminded of how proud I was of our son. Have you gotten that lump in your throat that makes you feel so good about your daughter or son? The letter will have no bearing on our son's NROTC or college application; however, I will make sure he submits it because I don’t want to forget again and I feel more people should know. I can describe our son in one word that carries such a large image. “Selfless!” Just like his mother!!
For all of you have have ROTC children in college facing, living, and dealing with the ones who have not taken this road. It's a tough world right now, remind your child that they are also selfless and I, you, and others will not forget that they are there for us!!
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