His first uniform was worn on his 4th birthday, an official Ghostbusters jumpsuit complete with proton pack.  Pretty sure he was more into the proton pack but the uniform definitely completed the look and he became a Ghostbuster.  This was followed by super hero uniforms and more weapons.  I wasn’t always crazy about the weapons but he seemed to love being the hero and it was a part of the persona created by his fertile imagination.

Flash forward to 8th grade and he is putting on a band uniform for the first time.  A year early, but another percussionist was needed and he was the band director’s son after all.  He looked so young and he was always easy to spot on the field because he was the smallest percussionist, but he was good.  His focus and skill became apparent quickly and he marched like someone who had been doing this all of his life.  He was a member of a group and he not only followed directions well, but as he gained more experience, he became a leader.  While his work ethic at home may have been questionable, (you should have seen his room!), his work ethic while in uniform was unquestionable.

He spent a summer during high school marching with a drum and bugle corps, yet another uniform, and in his first year played snare, unheard of during someon’es first year.  Still easy to spot as he was the shortest one in the line but certainly not lacking in skill. And he worked hard.  He later shared with us that doing drum corps that summer was more difficult than basic training that was yet to come.

9/11.  As a senior in high school, sitting in the band room, he watched as the planes crashed into the World Trade Center.  He was driven to do something, something to serve his country, something that would make a difference.  Shortly after graduation, he decided to enlist in the Army National Guard and yes, began wearing another uniform but this time, with real weapons.  His quest to be the hero continued.  Soon after that, he was sent to Afghanistan, a surreal experience for us as his parents, and literally unimaginable as we will never really know what he went through during his time over there.  He came back changed, but he stayed in uniform for 12 years, finally retiring a few years ago due to disabilities he acquired while serving and jumping out of planes.  In the mean time, he came back to wear other uniforms, for a while as a mechanic, then as a prison guard.  Remarkably, he was not allowed to carry a weapon as a guard, but after serving in the National Guard, he began to collect them as a form of security.  Still not crazy about that, but it’s something he’s gravitated to since he was little.  It’s who he is.

In the past couple of years, after leaving the prison (thank goodness!), he has changed into another uniform, this time with no weapons, installing satellite dishes and other things for customers.  Again, it’s something he does well, utilizing his great work ethic, troubleshooting abilities and his love for serving people.  And yesterday, in his uniform, he used his skills to become a hero again.

He and a co-worker were leaving work when there was a robbery at a local jewelry store.  His training kicked in as the two chased the robber, tackled him, called 911 and held him until police came.  It was not something he had to do, but it was the right thing to do and his years of training in all of those different experiences paid off.

Is this the life experience I would have created for him?  To be honest, it is not.  I would have preferred that he go to college, get a cushy degree, wear nice suits and make big bucks with some great company.  I’ve learned however, that despite the fact that we raised all of our children in the same home, they all grew up to be their own person and this is who he chose to be.  And in the process, he has lived what I would consider to be a tough life, but one that exhibits commitment, hard work, integrity and kindness.  I’m proud of who my son has become and he is my hero in uniform.