Greetings. I've been a lurker on the list for the last several years after learning about the site during well after our son arrived at VMI 3 years ago. My wife and I were also at Lexington yesterday for Matriculation, as our DS was the young man who spoke to all of you at the Matriculation Ceremony before your Rats formed up.
We hope that you enjoyed his speech.
We ran into Larry's Mom, who is also on this List and is a member of the Parents Council. Our son's have been close friends since the 2009 STP. We shared alot of laughs, stories, and admiration for the young men and women who we have met as they begin their final year. Many have said - these are friendships that will last for their lifetimes.
For those of you who are starting your VMI experience, some thoughts as we now enter our final year:
- There will be peaks and valleys. Every day, week, month and year will offer different challenges as your DS/DD goes through the VMI experience.
- When you see your Rat at New Market, you will likely find a changed Rat. You will smile with pride as you see them march down New Market's main street before they head back to VMI.
- VMI IS a Family! That VMI shirt and VMI logo on your car will be a pathway for some interesting opportunities over your next 4 years! The only folks who wear more "stuff" than the VMI community is probably the Marines!
- Enjoy the ride and the VMI experience. Although your Rat will not think so, it will go by very, very fast!
- Politics aside, these are tough days for our country. Similarly, one can get beat up listening to the continuous doom and gloom that comes from the media and chattering class. But when you go back to VMI over the next 4 years, you will always walk away feeling "proud and good" - not just about your Rat, but about this next generation of leaders. As my son has told me numerous times, VMI is a living leadership laboratory. I'm positive that this comment could be applied to any SMC or SA on this list.
- The Corps will hopefully have the opportunity to march in the 2013 Inauguration Parade on January 20th. If you want some goose bumps, check out the 2009 Corps and parade at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07dI-6OO6ho&feature=related
V/R
GGN