thedrifter
02-19-07, 11:21 AM
Fears, tears -- and pride Emotions swirl around young recruit's decision
Monday, February 19, 2007
By Chris Killian
Special to the Gazette
David Wrench sits on a couch in the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting office in Portage, his mother on his left, father on his right.
The skinny, fresh-faced 18-year-old is going over the final plans of a decision that he says will change his life forever.
He's joined the Marines.
Several documents are spread out on a table in front of David and his parents, Jonna Jameson and Tom Wrench. Across from them sits Staff Sgt. Shoji Harris, who explains what David can expect when he arrives at the Recruit Training Depot in San Diego.
``The first one to three weeks, it's going to be hard,'' he tells David. ``But after that, you're going to call home and say: `Mom, I love it here.'''
The American and Marine Corps flag loom over the family, fixed against the wall behind them. The recruiting center's walls are filled with pictures and inspirational quotes from past Marine Corps generals and commanding officers.
A portrait of a strong-jawed, serious-looking drill sergeant is nailed to the wall.
``Think of me as your new guidance counselor,'' it reads.
Still, David and his parents don't seem to notice all the prideful memorabilia that surrounds them. They are worried about more practical things.
Jonna studies the documents, which explain everything from how much David will be paid to when he will get free time, with intense motherly concern.
She is, after all, about to hand away the care of her youngest son to what many consider to be the most demanding branch of the armed services.
``David is just getting over strep throat; can I send his antibiotics with him?'' she asks Harris. ``Can I send a toothbrush with him?''
``We'll take care of all of that,'' he tells her. ``We'll get him a new toothbrush, even a new razor.''
Having a young face, nearly devoid of any whiskers, David jokes: ``I'll probably only use it once a month.''
For the past three years, David has thought about joining the armed forces. He graduated early from Plainwell High School in January so he could join the Marines sooner.
``I thought for a while that I wanted to go to Western (Michigan University) and do the ROTC programs there,'' he said. ``But then I thought, why not go with the best?
``I want to do something fun and exciting. Something that's good.''
He was a standout baseball player in high school, where he played second base and shortstop and pitched. In the time after he graduated, he did what any teenager would do, playing video games with his friends, loafing around and spending time with his girlfriend.
He also trained with other young recruits at the recruiting station, doing pull-ups, sit-ups and going on long runs, getting prepared for the rigors of basic training.
In an office off the center's main office area, David sits again between his parents. He lifts up his shirt and shows off his abdominal muscles.
``I think I'm in pretty good shape,'' he says, smiling.
When he's done with basic training sometime in early May, he will come home for 10 days, then return to San Diego, where he will begin specialist training, which will be complete in August. He said he wants to do reconnaissance work.
After that, David says, he's almost sure that he will be deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan.
The thought of him in harm's way, halfway around the world, weighs heavy on his parents.
``Obviously, we're concerned,'' Tom says. ``But this is his decision, so we support him.''
Thinking about her son leaving home and likely eventually being deployed, Jonna gets emotional.
``I just hate to see him go,'' she says.
She starts to cry.
``Don't do that or I'll cry too,'' David says.
Then he does.
The two of them embrace as, outside the office, 10 or so young recruits do sit-ups.
``I'm going to miss him so much, but I'm so proud of him,'' Jonna says as she looks at David, smiling.
David reported to the recruit depot on Feb. 5.
Ellie
Monday, February 19, 2007
By Chris Killian
Special to the Gazette
David Wrench sits on a couch in the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting office in Portage, his mother on his left, father on his right.
The skinny, fresh-faced 18-year-old is going over the final plans of a decision that he says will change his life forever.
He's joined the Marines.
Several documents are spread out on a table in front of David and his parents, Jonna Jameson and Tom Wrench. Across from them sits Staff Sgt. Shoji Harris, who explains what David can expect when he arrives at the Recruit Training Depot in San Diego.
``The first one to three weeks, it's going to be hard,'' he tells David. ``But after that, you're going to call home and say: `Mom, I love it here.'''
The American and Marine Corps flag loom over the family, fixed against the wall behind them. The recruiting center's walls are filled with pictures and inspirational quotes from past Marine Corps generals and commanding officers.
A portrait of a strong-jawed, serious-looking drill sergeant is nailed to the wall.
``Think of me as your new guidance counselor,'' it reads.
Still, David and his parents don't seem to notice all the prideful memorabilia that surrounds them. They are worried about more practical things.
Jonna studies the documents, which explain everything from how much David will be paid to when he will get free time, with intense motherly concern.
She is, after all, about to hand away the care of her youngest son to what many consider to be the most demanding branch of the armed services.
``David is just getting over strep throat; can I send his antibiotics with him?'' she asks Harris. ``Can I send a toothbrush with him?''
``We'll take care of all of that,'' he tells her. ``We'll get him a new toothbrush, even a new razor.''
Having a young face, nearly devoid of any whiskers, David jokes: ``I'll probably only use it once a month.''
For the past three years, David has thought about joining the armed forces. He graduated early from Plainwell High School in January so he could join the Marines sooner.
``I thought for a while that I wanted to go to Western (Michigan University) and do the ROTC programs there,'' he said. ``But then I thought, why not go with the best?
``I want to do something fun and exciting. Something that's good.''
He was a standout baseball player in high school, where he played second base and shortstop and pitched. In the time after he graduated, he did what any teenager would do, playing video games with his friends, loafing around and spending time with his girlfriend.
He also trained with other young recruits at the recruiting station, doing pull-ups, sit-ups and going on long runs, getting prepared for the rigors of basic training.
In an office off the center's main office area, David sits again between his parents. He lifts up his shirt and shows off his abdominal muscles.
``I think I'm in pretty good shape,'' he says, smiling.
When he's done with basic training sometime in early May, he will come home for 10 days, then return to San Diego, where he will begin specialist training, which will be complete in August. He said he wants to do reconnaissance work.
After that, David says, he's almost sure that he will be deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan.
The thought of him in harm's way, halfway around the world, weighs heavy on his parents.
``Obviously, we're concerned,'' Tom says. ``But this is his decision, so we support him.''
Thinking about her son leaving home and likely eventually being deployed, Jonna gets emotional.
``I just hate to see him go,'' she says.
She starts to cry.
``Don't do that or I'll cry too,'' David says.
Then he does.
The two of them embrace as, outside the office, 10 or so young recruits do sit-ups.
``I'm going to miss him so much, but I'm so proud of him,'' Jonna says as she looks at David, smiling.
David reported to the recruit depot on Feb. 5.
Ellie