Family Traditions
Nov. 12th, 2007 01:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
andverygingerMy grandfather served during Korea. The son of a textile worker, he never went overseas, never "saw the world" as he thought he might. He was too busy tinkering with Army teletype machines, stateside. He went on to work for NSA, and eventually went on to help design the electronics for the overhead display of a fighter jet. Today, he satisfies himself tinkering with the old replica car kit his father left him.
My uncle served in the 1980s. He saw the wonders of Germany, and the excitement that was Fort Sill. He grew up in service, providing for his wife and an infant son. In time, he became his father's son, an uncle I could be proud of.
I served following Desert Storm. I never went overseas; I spent my time tinkering with oscilloscopes, modulators, demodulators, and packet transmissions. I wanted nothing more than to make a career out of it. My knees had other plans, however. Once discharged, I worked for Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Now, I work interoperable communications for a local council of government. This time, it's not the soldiers, sailors, or Marines I'm working for. This time, it's the firemen, the policemen, and the medics I'm working for. It's not the same, but I'm still serving.
My brother is currently in service. He hasn't been overseas yet; when the time comes, he'll be under the sea, coming up for air only once every few months. He will tinker with his gadgets, and he will earn his "dolphins." He has a lifetime ahead of him, and he has chosen to follow in our footsteps. He stands tall in his dress blues, and I can't help but smile. He is his grandfather's grandson, from his wiry frame, to the lopsided grin. I can't be anything but proud of him. He's the one saving the world now...even if it is in a pair of bellbottoms and a dixie cup.
My uncle served in the 1980s. He saw the wonders of Germany, and the excitement that was Fort Sill. He grew up in service, providing for his wife and an infant son. In time, he became his father's son, an uncle I could be proud of.
I served following Desert Storm. I never went overseas; I spent my time tinkering with oscilloscopes, modulators, demodulators, and packet transmissions. I wanted nothing more than to make a career out of it. My knees had other plans, however. Once discharged, I worked for Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Now, I work interoperable communications for a local council of government. This time, it's not the soldiers, sailors, or Marines I'm working for. This time, it's the firemen, the policemen, and the medics I'm working for. It's not the same, but I'm still serving.
My brother is currently in service. He hasn't been overseas yet; when the time comes, he'll be under the sea, coming up for air only once every few months. He will tinker with his gadgets, and he will earn his "dolphins." He has a lifetime ahead of him, and he has chosen to follow in our footsteps. He stands tall in his dress blues, and I can't help but smile. He is his grandfather's grandson, from his wiry frame, to the lopsided grin. I can't be anything but proud of him. He's the one saving the world now...even if it is in a pair of bellbottoms and a dixie cup.