There are several things in life that make us proud. Meeting the person of our dreams, getting married, having children, and accomplishing those things in life that our parents wished for us. When it comes to our children, we want the best for them, hoping and praying that one day they will heed our advice and become productive adults and accomplish all those things that we could not.
When my son Zackary entered his senior year of high school, I got the shock of my life. It was always our hope and dream that he would continue his football career in college. We had it all planned out for him, where he would go and who he would play for. He had his profession picked out and the college of choice was perfect for him. That was the case until we got “the phone call”.
Zackary was finishing up football practice when he called and said that an Army recruiter was coming by the house in 45 minutes to sign papers. He was joining the Army. “What”? “Who’s joining the Army”? “Sign where”? “He’s leaving when”? All the emotions I could think of were flooding into me. They said sign here and this is going to happen, meanwhile I am sitting there in a fog. They could have told me that along with giving away my first born I also had to give them a million dollars and I was agreeing with it!
Zackary was now in the Army. My boy was going to go away and fight for his country. We expected military service, but hoped that it would be after college and that it was going to be the Air Force; following in his fathers and grand-fathers footsteps. And before I knew it football season was over (that year they went to state, lost, but it was something the school will never forget) and graduation day. Graduation day, my firstborn was a high school graduate; and before I would know it moved out of the house and becoming a productive adult.
But before I knew it I was saying goodbye. Off to boot camp he would go. I wrote everyday. I even sent cookies, enough for him and his unit, only to find out they were put in a refrigerator because they were not allowed to have them (that was the recruiters fault because I asked before I sent). He had one goof when there was not allowed to share in graduation, but instead stand in the back of the hall. But that did not stop me from attending. Sitting there as a proud parent should watching all the other cadets take their stand.
When he returned to his base another phone call rocked my world. “Mom I am going to Iraq I leave sometime in the next month”. My world was about to fall apart. Zackary had taken the trade of Bomb Disposal and Demolition. Well, you would think that with something like that the only place he could go was a war zone. I didn’t want it to happen. But this was not the Civil War and a hundred pieces of gold was not going to get him out. He was an adult. He made his choice and loving it. What else could I do? I sucked up the courage to tell him to be safe and be good, to remember that he is not the savior of the world and not to do anything dangerous.
Well a mother can wish, can’t she? I tried as much as I could to not watch the news and read the papers. I didn’t want to hear about what was going on in Iraq. I was even afraid to go home because I was worried that there would be someone there waiting for me. I was thankful when I would see his name pop up on Yahoo and I could talk to him, and there was those few phone calls that he made. Each conversation ending, “I love you be good and be safe”.
Then another phone call. “I am coming back to the states”! Praise Be! Zackary is coming home!! I could not wait! I called everyone. Told them to hold the letters and care packages because he is coming home!!
Zackary made it back to the states just after Christmas. I had been so sick in the months of November and December, but on the day that I felt better he called and said that he was back on base and we were going to be able to pick him up for a 12 day leave. Once again the emotions were high and the anxiety level was uncontrollable.
I was to pick up Zackary on Saturday, when yet there was a phone call. Zackary said that there was going to be a Redeployment Ceremony the day before. As I joined all the proud parents in the stands, it felt like high school graduation day all over again. I noticed that the row in front of me had been reserved. It took awhile to find out who it was for, but when I did I couldn’t help but shed a tear. It was for the family of wounded soldiers. Those families that lost loved ones had the honor of going to each of the units and unfolding their company flags. There were a few of the wounded at the ceremony. One in particular had lost both of his legs and come to find out was in Zackary’s unit. At the unveiling of the flags, he was the one that unveiled the company flag. Yet another tear was shed.
Needless to say, I cried thru most of the ceremony. To watch all those boys and girls, all standing in attention, knowing that they are giving their lives to protect our country. I couldn’t help but feel for those who weren’t there. For those whose families could not make the trip, for one reason or another. I was proud of each and every one of them, as if they were my own child. I sat thru all of the speeches, with each saying how proud they were and thanking them for their service and welcoming them home, and thankful they were all short and to the point.
As I got on the bus and headed back to my car, we passed the troops. I saw most of them and saw the experience on their faces. Wishing that they did not have to go thru what they did, but knowing that what they gained from it with be with them forever.
I went back to my motel room purely exhausted. In that short hour I endured every emotion you can have. Thanking each parent for their child, knowing that next year these saviors’ were going to head off again either to Iraq or Afghanistan.
To the members of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team 10th Mountain Division stationed out of Fort Polk, Louisiana I wish to thank you and welcome home. I had the pleasure of being able to write to some of you and hope that in the future I can write many more. Thank you for your time and your service. Thank you for protecting our country and being at the service of others. To the parents of these soldiers, I again say thank you for teaching your son/daughter courage and honor.
Chris Hartley, Littlefield, TX
Mother to
PFC Zackary Hauff - Fort Polk, LA
Chris has been married for 9 1/2 years. Her husband Terry along with his father and brother all served in the Air Force. Chris was chatting with an online buddy she met through an online game site. She had been part of Soldiers Angels and said that it would be great for Chris since I was looking to do more to help out. I started with letter writing. I loved sending the birthday cards and the welcome baby cards. That got me to do more. Now I have an adopted soldier and want more. When my son was in Iraq, I adopted three of his friends. I still have an adoptive son, PFC Russell Stoppel, in Iraq and enjoy sending him letters and care packages.
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