Talkin' to my son....halfway through "Beast".

Today's the mid-point for Basic Training (Beast Barracks) for my son Colin at West Point. The Academy allows a phone call home on this day, as a part of the new cadets' duties.

The call received was more than a "duty".

Colin sounded great. He spoke to four of us on this end: Kona, Dad, Mom and Meg. The conversation lasted a little over an hour. it was just simply good to hear his voice and to know that he was doing well in what will one day be known by him as "the worst summer of my life & the best summer of my life".

Bullet points from the conversation? Sure. Here they are:

• Hardest thing to do is to write letters home. No time. None.
• Loves his letters from The Wrights and Kona!!
• Hardest thing to befall a new cadet? Falling asleep in ranks.
• Sleep is a VALUED commodity. One that's in short supply.
• The physical and mental challenge is unlike anything ever attempted.
• Memorize, memorize, memorize.
• Learned "The Days" on Thursday. (for those who have ears to hear)
• Sweating unlike ever before. 110 degrees, 90 percent humidity. 
• People dropping like flies.
• Cadre doing a great job leading the new cadets.
• Chapel service on Wed and Sun are the things to most look forward to.
• Tom and Cheri Austin at OCF: Godsend!
• His roommates are awesome: one prior service (USMAPS) and one, witty beyond belief.
• His sponsor for today's events at West Point was Maj Mike Golden - a man of integrity.
• Here are some pics of Colin:

 

 

 
  

Comments

[Sue Lund]

Dear Mansfield Family,
Thank you for posting Colin's remarks. We must admit they sounded extremely similar to the comments we have heard from our daughter, Johanna. She admits this has been the most challenging experience of her life, but also states she wouldn't trade it. She too states that Tom and Cheri are a blessing, as chaplain time and church on Sunday are the highlights of her week.Oh,another major highlight was her land navigation experience;a bear followed her through the woods for over forty minutes. She reminded us that this is a time when you get really close to God. Johanna also spent the 18th at Major Golden's home, so Colin and she have probably met.She agrees that Major Golden is truly a man of integrity. We will add Colin to our prayer list. Fill free to contact us if you wish.