Well, the time's finally come. I've finished cleaning my house, preparing the yard, and the food is already sizzling on the grill. The banner's hung, my clothes are laid out, and my checklist is complete. Soon, my guests will start to arrive. They'll come in spurts and trickles over the course of the day. Family members, friends, friends of family members- I'll shake their hands and thank them for arriving to wish me well in the coming months and years.
Monday I leave to fulfill my duties with the US Army. My going away party is today, my last big hurrah with friends and family. Many of these people I won't see again for years, and it's been a rough few days. I've spent every waking moment with the friends I hope to keep for life this past week, and knowing that tonight is finally it has me scared shitless. These are the people I've seen every day for longer than I can remember, my close friends whom I have shared every major experience of my life with. We've trudged through difficult times together, and floated through the good times knowing they wouldn't last forever. I've watched some find love, and others take the first steps towards beginning their adult lives. Monday they'll wake up and continue their routine the same as they always have. They'll go to work, college; they'll kiss their girlfriends, and they'll resume living normal lives. I envy them that.
I'm not scared of what lays ahead, I'm even looking forward to it, but I'm terrified of what I have to leave behind. I've fought back tears more times in this past week than I have since I was a little boy. This is my farewell to everybody. Today, you're all my best friend. I've no enemies, and no wish for any. I want to take everybody into my arms and wish them the best lives possible. Always be happy. Never accept anything less. Don't take what you have for granted.
I don't go to fight or to kill. I don't go for a sense of duty and honor, or to further myself vocationally or educationally. I go because I want you all to be able to continue. Kiss the person you love tonight, enjoy every minute of your job tomorrow. Do your homework quickly, so you can spend your time with the friends you hold closest. Live a lazy life, or reach out for any seemingly impossible achievement you could imagine and know that you have what it takes to win it so long as you're willing to sweat. Live by your code and be happy.
I'll be back in four years for a time at least. This open letter is to my family, my friends, and every stranger I've never had the privilege of meeting. I'll be back, and we can pick up right where we left off. Please, give me the strength I need to leave everything I love behind me for this time. I'm trying as hard as I can to be strong today, but when I step on that bus Monday afternoon everything I've ever been and known is forfeit for a time. I'll be broken and rebuilt, made into a new person. Help me to hold onto the things that make me who I am by promising that your lives will be fruitful, and that you'll be waiting with a smile when I come back. I'm so fucking scared.
What the hell are you doing. Why would you join the army? Let someone else go "For Liberty and Honour". Don't waste your life, especially since you seem to at least be moderately intelligent.
But hey, good luck to you. I hope you don't die.
Lol bye
Good for you
You sound like a really nice guy, I hope it goes well for you.
Good luck wish you well. One of my best friends is leaving for the Army for 4 years in about 6 months :crying: a whole 4 years :(
[QUOTE=YoMother;16860168]What scares me is that this might be your last post.[/QUOTE]
God why did I laugh at that?!
:patriot:
Good luck out there.
My cousin is going to Afgan in a year, and I am pretty sure the chances of him or you dying are lowish. Good luck though.
Get blown up.
[highlight](User was banned for this post ("Trolling" - verynicelady))[/highlight]
Bon voyage
[QUOTE=Thorny;16860170]What the hell are you doing. Why would you join the army? Let someone else go "For Liberty and Honour". Don't waste your life, especially since you seem to at least be moderately intelligent. [/QUOTE]
Because he's not like you who only thinks about him self.
And joining the army isn't a "waste of life". Those men over there have more balls than you.
Maybe we will meet on the battlefield, allah allah.
Good luck man.
"It's basically like FPS, but better graphics. But what happens if I get lag out there? I'm dead! I mean, I even heard there's no respawn points in RL!"
I take it you signed yourself up, yet you talk as if you do not want to leave.
[QUOTE=Ragy;16860227]Because he's not like you who only thinks about him self.
And joining the army isn't a "waste of life". Those men over there have more balls than you.[/QUOTE]
Sorry mate, but going into the army doesn't help any americans unless they're in Afghanistan.
Don't die guy.
Good luck man, it was fun doing Eltoc's Late-A-Thon with you
Don't die for nothing.
Good luck out there buddy, You're gonna need it.
I remember my dad going out to war, when I was a child, he went to the first gulf war, he came back a different man.
Remember to keep your memories, they'll be all you'll have left.
Keep your buttcheeks together ;)
Goodbye, and best of luck in your future endeavors.
All the best to you and your family.
Best of luck to you. It's a shame that the U.S. has to be involved in everything outside of their borders.
Have fun, and good luck.
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