Maria's a Soldier Now!

Sunday, July 25, we arrived in the Valley of the Sun in time to enjoy a scorcher of a day and to enjoy the company of Leslie and Jim who joined us at a family favorite restaurant in Tempe to see Maria off for basic training in the U.S. Army. We speculated that she and her fellow "battle buddies" will probably suffer withdrawal symptoms due to confiscation of all electronic devises. Apparently that part of training has begun as we received no early morning texts today.

The induction process began early Monday morning. When we rolled out of bed at 4am we found Maria up, Army backpack ready and coffee in the pot. She had us parked in a Central Avenue parking lot before we could mumble or grumble (much) and we waited for her recruiter to arrive at 5:30. Maria then went off for medical processing (weighing in and a pregnancy test) and we were to arrive back at 8:00 am for her swearing -in ceremony. There's not much to do at 5:30 am in central Phoenix; we managed by hopping on the light rail and visiting a Sheraton on Central that we had stayed at for a medical trip. We enjoyed some coffee, then made the trip back in time to get through security for an 8 am oath taking. The family waiting area was clean, spacious, offers bathrooms and a vending machine for water and comes with quite a list of rules. The rules are sensible but do require some sacrifice for today's society: cell phones off, no picture taking and no food or drink. We became acquainted with the facilities, the processing procedures, and conversed with other families -because we sat there until 12:15. David was seated by the purse and briefcase screening conveyor belt. Boredom set in and twirling the rollers of the belt was a distraction--until he caught the attention of the greeter sergeant who had a lull in his welcoming speech and asked him to kindly cease. Later, David said he would like to do an "Angie" and twirl everyone of those rollers as fast as he could if he could catch the sergeant away from his post. Angie is now 6 years old and resists that type of behavior and so did her grandfather--so we got to stay for the ceremony.

There was another Herbert swearing in that day--a male-- some of his and Maria's records got switched about, however that mistake was easy to discern and rectify. Maria's group was one of the last to be sworn because they were not flying out until early Tuesday morning. The last was no doubt best, as the MEPS commander made the ceremony personal for each soldier, was sincere in manner and gave their oath taking the respect and dignity it deserved.

We hugged and left quickly. Much later in the day, we aided Maria in the purchasing of last minute travel-sized liquids and a burrito. In response to my statement, "Maria, I think you've found a good match" she replied "I've found a great match". Her positive attitude will see her through the throes of basic training, despite the possibility of being the 'granny" of her outfit. Maria is now at Ft Jackson receiving her uniforms, buying the special shoes and getting fitted for the only part of the uniform she dreaded--the BC glasses--specs so ugly they're referred to as birth control glasses.

Maria has joined the ranks of her father, brother and one sister. True, Leslie only served a few days due to adverse reaction to a bee sting (you would have made it Leslie).

FROM THE KNOTHOLE: Every soldier has their own personal story of their unique experience in the military service. For me, the whole story can pretty well be summed up with one word: Viet Nam. For Matt, my son and Maria's brother, I would guess that much or his experience could likewise be covered with one word: Iraq. God only knows what Maria's story will be. But it is very likely that some major event or sequence of events will form the nucleus of her military experience. For now, whether it be for days, weeks, months, or years, we salute you Maria. Thank you for your service.