Do you remember the first time you put your firstborn on the school bus? Well, I do. He was all decked out in his best pair of shorts, a clean shirt, new sneakers and a medallion around his neck to tell him, his parents and the teachers which bus he was to get on at the end of the day so he could come safely back to us.

The memory is so vivid that it could have been yesterday. I can’t remember people’s names very well or what I had for dinner three nights ago, but that bus trip was this morning. I took the day off to be home with the family on the first day of school each year until our youngest was 8.
We prepared for that day weeks in advance. Bought crayons and all the supplies we could fit into a Cub Foods paper sack that came with the newspaper. We groomed him for the separation from mother and sister, to be kind and helpful to other kids on the bus and at school, be careful and most of all to stay safe.

Well, last Monday all went as planned. Our baby boy, now 23 years old, departed from Des Moines for California, then to San Diego and the Marine Corps. I found myself wanting to tell him the same things we had told him so many years ago.

Friday as I drove him to the induction center on a cloudless, bright sunny day. we passed the farmlands of Minnesota and Iowa. My heart swelled with pride. He was on his way to protect our inalienable right to be here, our American way of life.

What do you say to your children as they prepare to enter this phase of their lives? All the things that you have tried to teach them: fairness, do the right thing, keep your head down, the Golden Rule. I need not repeat them as he has learned his lessons well.

We want him to find his own way in life; after all, we won’t be around forever. But we did question him as to his motives when he told us he was going to join up as a private first class.

He said he likes the discipline that the Marines offer, as well as the camaraderie of the Corps. He feels it would be better for him to be in harm’s way than someone with two kids and a spouse back home. He wants to do well by his fellows. Few things could make us more proud.

Many have sent their children into battle before us, and many will after. We remember sadly Nick and Adam, and many others who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. All of us want our children to be contributing members of society and to do their fair share, and we want them to be secure in their decisions.

I am sure all families feel as we do: go if you must, but be careful, stay safe.

We love you and we’ll miss you.

God speed.

Christopher Leach is one of 13 Tribune Community Columnists, whose writing appears on the Sunday Opinion pages.

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