Flashback Friday.....Soldier Boy

When I made James and Shel's wedding video, I wanted to use the oldies song, Soldier Boy by the Shirelles, but I was hesitant.

I didn't want to appear that I was making lite of the very honorable service that James had made and was still making to our country by serving in the Army. 

But after seeing the adorable pictures that Shel had from their long distant relationship, I couldn't resist.

 

I used the chorus of the song;

and for the type of show, the couple they are and because James is such a good natured guy...

it worked.

But here, today, as we have just celebrated the Memorial Day weekend, I am a little more serious.

I want to be sincere and formally remember and thank this Soldier for his service.

You see, a few weeks ago, Sargent James Rockhill completed his service to the U.S. Army!
As far as I know, there was no fanfare, no parades or press conferences...
It's just one day he was a Soldier and the next day he was not.
But seriously, if there is one thing I know from growing up with a Dad who was once a Soldier,
I know that "once a Soldier, always a Soldier," is a truth no soldier can escape.

I am sure if we could turn back time...and we could walk with him thru his journey, there would be many people that remember him for many different reasons.

The thanks might come from the lives he touched in his travels and assignments across the globe.

The thanks might come from the fellow soldiers he served beside in the hard times and good times.

The thanks might come from being able to be a part of his send offs and his homecomings.

This girl probably has a few thanks to offer him for sticking out that long distant thing

A fellow veteran might remember meeting him and shaking his hand.

You might remember and thank him for the sweet memories from this day

These girls will look back and thank him for being a good provider and a dad they can be proud of.

And there are the obvious things...

The sacrifice of his time, his twenties.

We thank him for serving and protecting our freedoms.

All of these things are remembered and we thank him

But we.

We, Vandercars.

We, Vandercars will probably remember him and thank him most for standing with us on this day.

I remember parking by the side of the road and looking toward that hill and seeing the newest member of our family, STANDING there. "Our Soldier", saluting "Our Soldier" 

The moment took my breath away.

And for these moments...of stepping in and doing us this honor

We, Vandercars will never, ever forget it.

Thank you for that day.

That service.

That gift.

The words "thank you" are not big enough.
But we say say them, none-the less.

We thank you and salute you, Sergeant James Rockhill!

Directions to here:

Keep James and Shel in your prayers as James continues in his job search and plans for what is next on their journey : )