<p>Hold on to your hats folks, the never too serious Go4it is having a rare touchy feely moment. Someone must have put something in the graduation punchbowl. This will probably be my last posting before I leave for R-day.</p>
<p>It's almost time for me to report to West Point so I felt a need to add this discussion forum to my list of thank you notes (promised mom I would clear the list before I left). The list is a long one which included the obvious people like my parents, teachers and coaches, as well as my younger, often-annoying brother who had the unmanly need to tell me that, although he will enjoy having the bedroom to himself, he will miss me. What a sap !</p>
<p>I have been reading the posts on this forum for quite a while and only recently felt the urge to post anything. Like my relationships with my parents, teachers and coaches, I have certainly taken more than I have given. Someone told me that the giving/taking balance is going to shift pretty soon. Bummer!</p>
<p>Parents. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to share your thoughts and information. Although some of the posters have given you over-involved parents(you know who you are) a lot of crap about sticking your nose too deep into your kid's affairs, you have usually given good advice and taken the time to find out stuff that most of us were too lazy to search for. I could have used a little less bragging about your kids but, what the hey, I am probably just jealous. (Although BigGreen's son running backwards for miles carrying weights in a backpack was over-the-top. What a beast! Can't wait to challenge him with the pommel sticks.)</p>
<p>Other Soon-to-be-cadets. Thanks for reinforcing my fear that I will likely fall into the bottom half of the class in English composition skills. Also, your Rocky-like dedication to physical conditioning before R-day motivated me(really mean shamed me) to put in a few extra miles the last couple of weeks. Seriously, I am proud/humbled to be included in your class. Maybe the Class of '09 motto will be "Always over the Line".</p>
<p>Go4it: Best of luck to you. I'm so proud of all of you kids who are attending the different Service Academies. I spent 6 years working the World Trade Center and left a year before 9.11 for another job. Had I not left, I would have been sitting in a corner office on the 87th Floor of WTC 1 when the planes flew in. I was lucky - but 70 people I worked with and knew weren't and three of my good friends also weren't so lucky. One, in particular, a former Commander in the U.S. Navy, died helping the handicapped in wheelchairs who were trying to get out of the building. My point - times are different. We have a real enemy and I thank G-d that we have young people who understand what this country represents and that freedom isn't free.</p>
<p>Here's a great poem by Kipling that I think you'll enjoy - to me it says keep your own counsel and do what's right: </p>
<p>P.S. I didn't mean to brag about my son - he's coming off successful seasons in ice hockey and lacrosse and has had to go athletic practice every day since last October. Anyone would be in great shape. I was stressing more my own bad conditioning.</p>
<p>HERE! HERE! Well said Big Green, lest we forget! Good luck to all and safe travels. Class of 09 - You are what makes this country great and my family & I thank you for looking out for us. My son will join your proud ranks in another service academy in 15 days. This has to be one of the proudest moments we've experienced and its been a pleasure sharing it with kids and parents alike. Take care of yourselves and be kind to those you meet along the way. They may not be as fortunate as you. Stay safe and GO GET 'EM!!!</p>
<p>As I wait for the air conditioning on my car to be fixed (should have left a few hours ago) I thought I'd just check on my cc addiction. I'm already choked up as this whole experience is more and more real, and now you guys have gone and made me cry.</p>
<p>Go4it, thanks for the thanks - you have a marvelous future ahead of you. (I was also blown away by the running backwards thing.)</p>
<p>BigGreen, I couldn't say it any better. I lost colleagues on 9/11 also and marvel at the maturity of all of the kids on these boards. </p>
<p>Bulldog, sure wish you would be at R-Day. I know how proud you are of your son.</p>
<p>momoftwins - sorry you had to contend with an air conditioner before you leave. That has to be nerve wracking. You'll hit the road soon I hope. Be safe and know that theres a bunch of us there thinking about you all on R-Day. I'm sweating bullets about Indoc in 15 days. I'm gonna super glue my eyes shut and duct tape my heart in place on my chest. WHEW its gonna be tough. When you get back home, I'll be searching for your post telling us all how it went. Hope you have some advice for me to make it through dropping my kid and how well you do. Take care!</p>