Hey Everyone,
So Devin is in the Army and going Airborne on top of that! WOW! I’m very impressed. Becoming an American Commando and learning to be a hunter from the sky. I would guess that if you can get thru the idea of jumping out of perfectly good airplanes everything else is (relatively) easier.
Devin, Good job son. Give it your all, all the time. Hold back nothing. Listen and learn during the “on the ground” training, it will save you much grief when you start jumping, and move you ahead quicker. Know that you will make mistakes, everyone does; doing your best, though, will keep them small. And remember good men learn from their mistakes and become better through them. Good luck to you, we are all pulling for you; and know, above all, that you are loved!
John and Cindy,
Congratulations, you’ve raised a fine man. He has shown the courage and made a commitment very few can muster up. I know you are both very proud, that’s part of the payback for your work in raising him. His substance and mettle reflect well on you both.
Some Facts and Figures:
The first jump tower at Airborne school is 34 feet high. The saying goes: ”somebody smart figured out that if a person can jump from 34 feet, they could jump from 3400 feet.” The higher tower is considerably higher! The type of jump they do in Airborne is called a static line jump. That means there is a fixed ‘rope’ to the airplane that will open their chutes automatically, so no one has to worry about Devin forgetting to pull his ripcord.
A personal note:
My most ‘memorable’ boot camp punishment was: having to hold my “piece” at arms length out in front of me, parallel to the ground from a standing position. Can’t remember what I did wrong or even how long I was able to hold it. I do remember impressing some of my company members with my ability early on and I still remember the pain I was in when I was finally released. Funny what the mind selects to remember and what it doesn’t. And in case some of you youngsters are thinking piece means M16 – plastic gun, to the contrary, this was 8.7 lbs of ’03 Springfield we marched around with in those days. Pushups were pretty easy stuff after that.
That’s all I got for now.
Ken (Way coolest Aunt Cat’s husband)
Devin called today! (Cindy’s PISSED!!! she’s in Charleston and missed the call!)(That’ll teach her to leave me!!! 
)
Anyway, his 36 hour leave is still up in the air and no details yet. He sounds GREAT!
HE gave me a link of some pic’s the Chaplains corp. took. Click here and navigate into the pic archives. (Numbers at page top. These will change as new are added and old fall off) He’s in Alpha Company so cruise all archives under the Alpha headings. See if you can pick him out. Pics can be zoomed in on but they seriously lose resolution.
I think I picked him out in a few but will have to verify with him. But at any rate it feels great to be viewing those who are with him and knowing he’s there whether or not I can identify him. Let me know what you think you see!
Link is also posted in the “Links” section so check often for new pics posted!
Love y’all!
papaj
Well.. he got to do it! I’m jealous! Fired 50 cal. rifle, full auto machine gun, and a grenade launcher, as well as throwing a hand grenade. Every guy’s dream. My testosterone level went up just talkin’ about it! Did I mention I’m jealous…? (I wonder if he can get me in to try them out…?)
There’s a good chance he will get a 36 hour pass around 4-19, so Cindy and I are making plans to drive down to see him. We will get a BUNCH of pic’s if it comes off. I’ll post them ASAP after we get home so check back often.
He mentioned how much he appreciates all the letters he gets. Keep them coming! Anybody needs his address let me know and I’ll get it to you.
Thanks for all your support for Devin… Cindy and I appreciate it!
Love y’all!
papaj
This is Grammy !
I guess I’d better have my say before all the space fills up. You’ve got such a cheering squad out here, we’re all so interested in what’s going on in your life now. I talked to your father today; he’s keeping us up to date on what you’re doing every time he hears from you. Seems things are getting a bit more interesting for you now; this is a new chapter in your life. Enjoy it ! All the family here keeps asking for news of you. We’re all very proud! I can’t wait to see you in your uniform. All women love guys in uniform (even ol’ me!)
So stay safe and come home soon. We love you !
Grammy
Dearest Ddl, Your father has resorted to laying on the Jewish guilt he got from his mother. Please tell your father that the multi-page letter I will be sending your way will more than cover the temporary silence you have experienced from me, on this site. I have received your letter and will attempt to take my assigned task rather seriously, although, you may regret giving me that duty since I am absolutely clueless on exactly what you are seeking, so when you receive my missive, you may respond with further instruction of a more specific nature. Hoping this finds you well and smiling and manages to get past the ’code crunchers’.
“Proud of you” does not begin to cover the feelings we all share. Rock on, dear Ddl.
And, for my loving brother, NICE JOB!!! You have that Mom thing down!!! Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way coolest Aunt Cat
Devin called this AM. His platoon was at an airshow in Columbus and he was able to breakaway for a short call.
He’s doing great and looking forward to this weeks training. Rumor is he is going to be able to shoot a 50 cal. and throw his first grenade. I envy him both! 
He’s asked for pictures. (Nothing embarrassing)
That’s all for now! Keep Devin in your prayers and PLEASE contribute!!!
papaj
It’s Kat’s friend from Colorado. Hope everything is well for ya’ll!! Please send Devin all my best and he can write me anytime.
Miss you guys!!
Gee -you’re in the Army now ! And they didn’t have to draft you ! Hope you’re getting settled in and getting used to it; it’s sure a change from civilian life.
I told your mother she could write to the commanding general at Ft. Benning and let him know what time to wake you and what you like for breakfast, etc. I’m sure he’s interested.
So you’re getting a few push-ups ? Good — that’ll toughen you up for what’s ahead. Wait till you get to airborne training. Guess you’ll be packing your own chutes? I wouldn’t trust anyone else ! I remember we had a parachute rigger in Newfoundland who had a drinking problem. All the pilots repacked their own chutes every time they went up. Not that they were any better at it, but at least if they failed it was their own fault. It was customary for anyone who had to use a chute to bring a bottle of champagne to the rigger afterward.
Sounds like the folks are behind you all the way. Great ! Your grandmother and I are too. Grammy says she wants a picture of you in your dress uniform; she always was a pushover for men in uniform (like me!).
We got your letter(s); Grammy sniffles a bit over them, but she’ll get used to them. I suspect Mud does too.
So — write when you get time, and we’ll answer every chance we get. And here’s a parting shot from WWI (days of iron ships and wooden men). Courtesy of Irving Berlin:
Someday we’re going to murder the bugler
Someday you’re going to find him dead –
And we’ll amputate his reveille
And stamp upon it heavily
And spend the rest of our lives in bed.
God bless –
Grampa
Yep… I have them! They may be muddled… they may incomplete… but I have them!
As some of you may know I have been out of town working for Sporting Concepts. We have been installing PT (physical training) equipment at Fort Stewart in Hinesville Ga. (I’ll post some pictures as soon as one is complete. We have 4 partials done as of this writing)
Anyway, the point is, I have been spending a lot of time around soldiers of all ages and ranks for the past two weeks and this has made me feel much closer to Devin even though he is stationed at a different base in Ga. When soldiers come up to our worksite and ask what we are installing I first thank them for their service to our country and then explain the install. (24-20′ rope climbing stations, 20 chin-up stations, and 20 multi-level incline sit-up stations). I then take the opportunity to mention that my youngest son is at Fort Benning, “Down Range” (the “kick ass” part of basic training). This inevitably triggers a conversation on army careers and his preferences (Airborne) and “if he gets past THAT he’s gonna love it here” conversations. I kinda get a rush feeling like I’m a small part of all this because I’m an “Army Dad.” (Cindy got us car tag frames (licence plate frames for you Yankees) that say: “Army Dad” or “Army Mom” on them. They treat me with a little more respect I guess because my son is one of them. (I’m a sucker for this kinda stuff!)
As I’m writing this (Saturday night) we just received a call from Devin. He sounded GREAT! Say’s things are getting much better and he’s REALLY enjoying himself. He’s received letters from Mud, Grammy and Lynn, and is looking forward to MANY more from everybody. Sounds starved for news from home! (WRITE!!!!!!!) Even though he doesn’t yet have Internet access I told him about this website/blog and he’s excited to see it. ( SO SIGN UP AND CONTRIBUTE!!!!)
Besides daily workouts and drills, he’s been on marches. camp-outs, and has been rappelling. He’s officially three weeks into this and there is a family day at 9 weeks so we’re planning on going. Graduation is May 30th. I assume the time difference will be extra training for Airborne. I’ll get more details when possible.
Well, that’s it for now… Everybody PLEASE CONTRIBUTE!
Love y’all!
papaj
Just a short note to inform everyone that Cindy’s section is now online. It’s called “Mud’s Notes” (I wanted “Here’s Mud in Your Eye” or “The Mud Puddle” but she gave me the “look” so I had to back down.)
Please feel free to join and comment. I want this to be a great encouragement to Devin when he can finally access it!
Love y’all!
papaj
Shalom y’all!
Well its been a couple of weeks since our last post. A lot has happened since then, not the least of which is Devin sounds better on the phone… not quite so exhausted. Not to say the aren’t pushing him hard but I get the impression he’s settling in pretty well.
By now most of you have gotten a letter from him. (We’ve gotten three) He just requested more addresses, so if you haven’t received a note yet you probably will soon. If you’d like to have him write, send your address (papaj@devinsinthearmy.com) and I’ll send it to him.
By the time you read this Cindy (Mom, Mud) should have the Mud’s Notes section up. We’re still waiting for pic’s so please be patient.
And now for the Devin stuff:
- We received a Family & Friends update letter from the base Commander, Capt. Stephen Magennis, Infantry, who stated that Devin’s graduation ceremonies will be held the 29th & 30th of May, and those dates will not change. (I’ll try to post full text FYI soon).
- He is training with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion Infantry Regiment. His rank is PFC (due to his degree). Most of his boot mates are E1, he went in as an E3.
- He is presently in whats called “Down Range”. This is the equivalent of “hell week” where they kick your butt to see what you’ve got, and then turn it into something they can use.
- He says they were turned out in the rain at midnight one night and made to do push-ups in the rain. When someone messed up the whole platoon got “smoked” and had to do more! They didn’t get to stop until EVERYONE fell out!
- The platoon had to memorize the “Soldiers Creed”, General Orders” and the Army Song. Devin says he barely slipped by but got them and is getting better.
- When he is down because of the drilling he says his mantra is “I have to be here… I want to be here” and that works for him.
- His drill Sgt. said he was “squared away” and hasn’t gotten in his face as bad as some others, but he has blundered a few times and had to do push-ups.
- He says he may go to church this Sunday… not for the service but to get away for a couple of hours alone and do some writing.
- A quote: “I have met and made friends with some amazing guys, Guys that I feel would die for me!”
I’ll leave the rest for Cindy. Check out her “Mud’s Notes” section.
I’m as proud as a Dad can be! (I’ll bet y’all can tell!) PLEASE contribute here as much as possible so there will be some encouraging content for him, when he can access the site.
Love to all and stay tuned!
papaj