It appears that we are getting letters from Zach once a week, which is great, I love to get letters from him. This week they have been busy qualifying his weapon. I've seen video's from their Facebook page. Keep looking for my soldier, but there are so many blondes with shaved heads it is hard to separate him from the rest. If you are interested in what he has been doing the Facebook page is F Battery, 1-40th Field Artillery.
In his letter he was telling us the difference in qualifying medals and they are as follows: Marksman of 23-29 (which is the bottom of qualification), Sharp Shooter which is 30-35 and expert which is 36-40. He says this is out of 40 targets. Proud to say he is a sharp shooter, he hit 33 out of the 40 targets. Not bad for someone who has only experienced shooting a weapon during Boy Scout camp. He gets his gernades next week.
It was nice to hear how much he misses us. What every Momma loves to hear. He wants everyone to continue writing even if he doesn't get a chance to write back. But I did find out some great information from an former Army Soldier who served in Afghanistan and had his training at Ft. Sill, he agreed that every piece of mail he gets, he has a to do push ups, however, he also said that the size of the envelope (card size) and color, he may have to give more push ups. I have been sending multi-colored cards. Uh Oh. More push ups for him.
Less then a month and I will be able to see all the hard work he has been doing. I am anxious as any mother who has been separated from their child, to see him and make sure he is OK. It's a Mom thing, very proud of him as his Dad is. I think Chas is living vicariously through him as Chas always wanted to serve, but couldn't do to being Diabetic. He is very proud of his son.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Friday, January 22, 2016
He's alive
It has been quiet on this part of the country when it comes to hearing from Pvt. Buchanan. We finally got a letter from him. He is back into the grind of basic training. Had a hard time readjusting because he had a great time while home on Holiday. He said he was homesick. Ahhh...what every Momma wants to hear.
He continues to say how easy training has been. He received his military weapon an M16A2 assault rifle that he has named after his lovely girlfriend Chandler and calls it Chan. He says he is having fun and is looking forward to family day. Family day is scheduled the day before he graduates from boot camp where the family members of these brave men and women in uniform get to spend the day with loved ones on Ft. Sill and show them what they have been working hard on and have been living for the past 12 weeks. The following day will be graduation from boot camp with ceremony and then they are off to their schooling.
Zach didn't have any fun stories to tell me as of yet (totally disappointed), I'm hoping he will have something fun to share with us. He did have PT test day and he was able to shave 2 minutes from his run even though he didn't run. I blame the two weeks of holiday where he worked out for all of two days and then he let the best of being home get to him. So keep those letters coming to Pvt. Zach as he has to do 25 push ups for every letter he receives.
Things are moving quick at Ft. Sill for these soldiers as they are learning Combat Casualty Care and tactical care, he said he aced it all and truly enjoys the military's way of teaching and testing. He says it is more practical. As he was writing his letter he said they are going to drop them off in the middle of the woods with a compass, protractor and map. Results of him finding his way is pending...hmmm...I hope I hear from him.
He did complete the combat conditioning course, he says 200 soldiers all participated. After all of them ran it they chose one solder from each platoon to represent their own platoons. Zach was chosen by his peers to represent. Pvt. Zach gave it his all and did everything correctly, but came in third place. He says they are not the strongest unit, but they are pretty dang smart and more disciplined. Pvt. Buchanan has been receiving more leadership positions and states he is not chosen from the Drill Sargent's but he from his peers. Knowing how Zach is, he stands up for what is right, he is fair and he doesn't take any one's bullshit. I can totally see him having the respect of his peers as he supports and see the brighter side of things instead of putting other down. Something I knew about him his whole life.
As for this Military Momma, I am sending letters almost daily. I've been trying to send him medical terminology and abbreviations he may encounter while being in training. Plus I need to make sure he stays in shape by doing his push ups and pray he passes his physical training.
He continues to say how easy training has been. He received his military weapon an M16A2 assault rifle that he has named after his lovely girlfriend Chandler and calls it Chan. He says he is having fun and is looking forward to family day. Family day is scheduled the day before he graduates from boot camp where the family members of these brave men and women in uniform get to spend the day with loved ones on Ft. Sill and show them what they have been working hard on and have been living for the past 12 weeks. The following day will be graduation from boot camp with ceremony and then they are off to their schooling.
Zach didn't have any fun stories to tell me as of yet (totally disappointed), I'm hoping he will have something fun to share with us. He did have PT test day and he was able to shave 2 minutes from his run even though he didn't run. I blame the two weeks of holiday where he worked out for all of two days and then he let the best of being home get to him. So keep those letters coming to Pvt. Zach as he has to do 25 push ups for every letter he receives.
Things are moving quick at Ft. Sill for these soldiers as they are learning Combat Casualty Care and tactical care, he said he aced it all and truly enjoys the military's way of teaching and testing. He says it is more practical. As he was writing his letter he said they are going to drop them off in the middle of the woods with a compass, protractor and map. Results of him finding his way is pending...hmmm...I hope I hear from him.
He did complete the combat conditioning course, he says 200 soldiers all participated. After all of them ran it they chose one solder from each platoon to represent their own platoons. Zach was chosen by his peers to represent. Pvt. Zach gave it his all and did everything correctly, but came in third place. He says they are not the strongest unit, but they are pretty dang smart and more disciplined. Pvt. Buchanan has been receiving more leadership positions and states he is not chosen from the Drill Sargent's but he from his peers. Knowing how Zach is, he stands up for what is right, he is fair and he doesn't take any one's bullshit. I can totally see him having the respect of his peers as he supports and see the brighter side of things instead of putting other down. Something I knew about him his whole life.
As for this Military Momma, I am sending letters almost daily. I've been trying to send him medical terminology and abbreviations he may encounter while being in training. Plus I need to make sure he stays in shape by doing his push ups and pray he passes his physical training.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Well the time arrived where Pvt. Buchanan had to return to basic training. The holidays are over. I had a dream last night that we were in the airport dropping him off. He was in his uniform, and I heard a group of old, overweight balding men complain about the soldiers flying out, how they were in uniform. I of course came unglued and went up to the man mouthing off and informed him that was my son, and he is required to be back in uniform when he arrives at his destination. His drill Sargent will be picking him up and expects him in uniform. The man's reply to me was then he should change into uniform at his destination. Clearly this man has little respect for our service men and women so I educated him. I was angry, I informed him I came from a strong military family where, my dad, uncles, brother and sisters served. This is my son, and his life is not worth your life, you ungrateful, well nourished, POS! You are the reason I struggle with my son serving. So many ungrateful people in our nation who stomp on our flags, disrespect men and women in uniform and breaking the law has more rights than law abiding citizens.
I woke up immediately after this dream upset and ready to pounce on anyone who gave my son an evil eye as we walked through the airport. I shared my dream with my family, they could tell I was mad.
We arrived at the airport, decided to get something to eat before he was fast tracked through security. Waiting at line at the counter, this adorable little boy with chunky little cheeks about the age of two, accompanied by his mom said to my son, "Thank you for protecting me!" My daughter lost it, which of course made me cry and then poor Chandler. The mother has a brother proudly serving in the Navy and understands the sacrafice. It was so sweet, so endearing and honest. As a mother of this fine young man, it gave me hope in humanity and I am so thankful I had the opposite experience at the airport than my dream.
I woke up immediately after this dream upset and ready to pounce on anyone who gave my son an evil eye as we walked through the airport. I shared my dream with my family, they could tell I was mad.
We arrived at the airport, decided to get something to eat before he was fast tracked through security. Waiting at line at the counter, this adorable little boy with chunky little cheeks about the age of two, accompanied by his mom said to my son, "Thank you for protecting me!" My daughter lost it, which of course made me cry and then poor Chandler. The mother has a brother proudly serving in the Navy and understands the sacrafice. It was so sweet, so endearing and honest. As a mother of this fine young man, it gave me hope in humanity and I am so thankful I had the opposite experience at the airport than my dream.
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