Independence Day

It has been awhile since I've posted. This will also be sort of a book review for Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. Really just a huge lumpy post that will hopefully make sense. I've felt the urge to get some thoughts out in the universe.

I am leaving in almost 30 days to start basic training and a subsequent career in the United States Navy. I'm feeling a huge mixture of emotions ranging from excitement to nervousness to fear to worry and doubt. It's funny cuz the excitement, when it comes, usually overshadows any of the negative feelings. I'm apprehensive because of the unknown. I'm not sure what to expect with all of this even though I've had a year to prepare. It will have been literally a year since I made the decision to when I leave for basic. Probably almost to the day.

I'm worried about leaving my family and friends and all the things I will miss. My nieces and nephews will continue to grow and change while I'm away and I will miss milestones. I try not to focus on the things I will miss and rather the things I will gain from this.

For the first time in my life I am fully comprehending the sacrifice it takes for someone to serve in the military. Days like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day all take on a whole new meaning for me. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones to war.

I just recently read Marcus Luttrell's Lone Survivor. It was a tale of survival and the human capacity to overcome. It was a story about true fighting soldiers who gave it their all and the one man who lived to tell about them. My eyes misted over a couple times while reading as the men fought to their dying breath. I gave it a five-star rating and I think every American should read it just so they can get somewhat of an understanding of what our troops are facing.

I know I won't be on the front lines but I will be helping to gather the intel that will help those on the front lines make decisions. The US military is like a well-oiled machine especially if everyone works hard and does their part. I'm determined to be the best in my field, to be a reliable and helpful source, and to work my hardest. No time for slacking!

What if I'm not cut out for this? What if I mess this up? I want to be able to finish my service in the Navy, whether in 8 years of 20 years, and be able to say that I too gave it my all.

These are just some of the things I've been thinking about on this Independence Day. I've never been one for fireworks and, frankly, this year I've been worried about the state going up in flames with all the idiots out there playing with fire in the dry heat we've been having. So today I celebrated my independence by spending time with my family and friends and taking some time to think of my future in the military and of all those who have served valiantly before me. I hope to be able to live up to the standard they have set.

Happy Independence Day!

The above image taken by my good friend, Matthew Mellor.

I celebrated Independence Day by going on a date! We drove up to Rigby and had a Bambino. If you don't know what a Bambino is then you are missing out. It is pretty much life-altering just by partaking of this delicious morsel. Now, we went up to Rigby just so we could also go to Riot Zone, the local miniature golf and family fun center. By the time we got there, however, they were closing early for the fireworks show in Idaho Falls.

It had been 10 years since I had seen the Idaho Falls fireworks, and I thought it would be a fun date which it turned out to be a great idea. We trudged through the crowds, found a parking spot, then walked along the river until it got dark and the show started. It was spectacular and a lot cooler than I remember it being. My friend, Tianna, says that fireworks "tickle the cockles of [her] heart" and I can see why. You could feel the rumble of the popping explosions in your chest along with a swelling of emotion and love for our country.

I drove my date home and we actually escaped the crowds pretty quickly. That is until I left her house and there were several other people taking the same back road I was going to take.

All in all it was a great time. I love this time of year where we can reflect on our freedoms and the people that made it, and continue to make, it possible for us to live the way we do. However, it seems that the word "freedom" has become skewed to mean something more akin to "entitlement." I'm not a fan of people who feel that they are owed something because we live here. Part of the beauty of our American heritage is that we work hard for what we get. You cannot just sit by and let the government take control of everything. By feeling entitled to certain privileges we are, in fact, losing those freedoms. As government gets more power, we lose our voice and that is not what our founding fathers wanted.

So, on this 4th of July, think of your freedoms and decide now to fight for what you have and not let them be taken away. Make this a year of a change in perspective. I love this country and do not want to see it put it in a hand-basket and sent off to Hell.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!