Sam going to Okinawa

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Sam had been on leave for almost the full month of Dec and his leave time had been used up. It was January 3rd ,2009 and Samuel was about to be shipped out to the Japanese island of Okinawa to be with the Marines at Hansen Marine Corps base for the next two years. He told us that he was to leave at 6 pm from the Fort Wayne international airport. the next day.

Gale and I had stayed up as late as we could and then retired for the evening to catch up on some sleep. As we lay there in bed we talked about Sam and how we would miss him and how he would be gone for the next two years and that we would not be able to see him in person at home until his tour was up. We knew that when he returned he would not be the same guy that we knew. He would grow up a lot through life’s experiences in the Marines. This was a heartfelt moment which we knew had to come to pass and we had to face what was about to unfold.

As parents you realize how quickly your children grow up and leave home and it leaves you with a new found sense of emptiness and gratefulness at the same time and that your responsibilities have now taken on a new direction. All of your training is now being put to the test.

As we fell asleep we knew that his life was in the Lords hands and that we had to trust once again that God would take care of Sam.

At 3am Sam quietly came into our bedroom and woke us up and said that he had just re-read his orders and learned that he actually had to leave at 2 pm from the Airport and not 6 pm.

Then as only Sam could do he knelt next to my bedside and put his big muscular arms around me and laid his head on my chest and said how much he would miss us over the next two years. As I could feel the Marine Corps haircut on the back of his head in the palm of my hand I can tell you that it was becoming a somber moment in Sam’ s journey. The reality was starting to take on a new grip in his life. As he lingered there we reassured him that God would be with him where ever he was assigned and that we were behind his decision to join the Marine Corps 100%.

I decided to pray with Sam and ask God to protect him and bless him wherever he went and that Sam would hold firm to his Christian beliefs and faith in Christ that he had.

Sam is like a big kid who has a heart of gold and his life shows that he loves the Lord. I’ve watched Sam grow up and become a young man who is serious minded and leveled headed. His dedication to serve the Lord appears to be is solid even in times when it is unpopular to be a Christ follower.

Today we saw Sam off at the Airport. We had a moment of prayer and hugs and tears before he left and then he was off. He passed through the security check points and he waved goodbye and we all waved and wished him well. When he passed the corner you could see his Marine Corps mode kick in and he was focused and he didn’t turn back.

Sam is now in Okinawa....seems like he really likes it there. His Job changed from communications with fiber optic installation to phone installations; at least it's a job he can transfer to in civilian life.The day before he left he realized that his uniform was way too tight and that he had gained some weight while at home. So after some thought i went to my old duffel bag and pulled out my 30 year old uniform and had him try on my dress green trousers. it was a perfect fit and match. After a couple high fives and chest bumping Sam reported to his first duty station in his Dads Uniform from 30 years ago.

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