Okay, Okay. I Get It.

I took this today. The guy parked right next to me.

For years I had the same sort of opinion. Then I joined the Army, got the hell out of small-town South Georgia and met very interesting people, some of whom changed my entire perspective on life and the world. Scott was the first.

I think I met Scott just a few days after I was assigned to 1/68 Armor at Fort Carson, CO in August 1998. He was crawling out from under a HMMWV (Humvee) and seemed to be working hard. He always did. Scott inspired me to always do the right thing and to do my best at most everything.

Then there was Dave, who not by many accounts inspired people, always gave me a positive outlook on my career. He was one of the biggest reasons I had looked so hard into Warrant Officer Candidate School. He was also a huge proponent of going to college.

I learned from Jeff that no matter how bad your life gets, you can always find something to enjoy. He loved Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and running.

Mike taught me that my tolerance for alcohol was all in my head.

Justin never lost his temper (around me, anyway). He always seemed to have control over his emotions, if it wasn't the beer. Justin showed me that not only can I think about things to build, I can build the things I think about. I owe him so much.

Beth still teaches me every day how to be patient, how to be myself, and how to love. She's also going to let me teach myself woodworking next month! Every day grows more and more doubt in my heart that I could ever live without her.

Had I not joined the Army with the intent of getting my life started, my life probably wouldn't have gotten started. I think that getting out a bit was good for me. Not that "go for a ride and come home later" kind of out, but that "several years in other states" kind of adventure. I'd very much like to get out more often, and meet so many new people who inadvertently shape my life. If I don't, I'll just end up on my front porch chewing tobacco and screaming "go home!!" to those damn yankees.