Kaream is a SOLDIER

Kaream graduated this morning.  In his own words, “I owe Drill Sergeant Montenegro everything for helping me change my life.”  I imagine any young recruit who completes  basic training in any arm of our national military service might be able to say the same thing. But for Kaream, the man he needed in a DS was present and accounted for when Kaream arrived at Fort Leonard Wood ten short , and long, weeks ago. Thank you Drill sergeant!

 

A very special gift from his moms

No tears, this time.

Kaream’s parents said he had never told them in his several calls or letters of the hardest stuff he had to deal with as he ‘changed’ throughout his summer long ordeal. And the physical training was the easy part.  Oh, Kaream is still Kaream.  His smile was quick, and the twinkle in his eye still shone brightly.  But again, in his own words, in answer to my question as we left the auditorium together: What would you say will be most changed about you ten weeks from now, when you are fully back home and in twelfth grade? His immediate answer was, “My maturity.” And after seeing him today, and talking with mom and mom, I must agree. Kaream is a man.

His was one of three units graduating today. However their ranks were much thinned by the dropouts of the past weeks.  Army, or any services, basics are not for everyone.  Especially a high school junior someone.  But for those who made it through, they each know they have graduated into a group of persons who are connected forever by their experience.  And though they may never meet in or out of the service again, as they came from every point of the compass, and many of our states and territories, they will always be bound by this summer at Fort Leonard Wood.

When we left the Lincoln Building and the crowds behind Mona and I followed Kaream and mothers by car  to the PX.  He was looking for a particular shirt he wanted to take home as a souvenir. The shop where they were sold also made custom but regulation dog tags. The man who ran the shop was a US Marine veteran whose size and muscles put Kaream’s sizable biceps to shame.

Kaream asked him to make a dog tag of his name and when it was made he gave it to his Grammy. Kaream reached for his money but the shop owner firmly shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything. And here; take this chain as well.” Then he made a joke at Kaream’s expense about the milk run the Army give’s its recruits compared to what he went through in Marine Basics at Parris Island. But Kaream didn’t argue the point. He learned himself by getting to know some Marines in hospital (he was slightly injured one day) that the Marine basics are tougher, and physically more painful, than any other branches.

But those who serve together, we realized as the ladies and K headed east and we west on I- 44, are brothers and sisters now for sure under one flag. And that flag is one they now must spend their lives honoring together.

Congratulations Kaream!

Give hugs to your wonderful brothers!  And kiss them for me on the li… OK. Can that last request.

-Grandad Ken