Note: This is Part One of a series of blogs I am going to be posting about my brother-in-law, Jaron Peck. I will be taking you through his journey of boot camp, his wants, wishes and what he wants to get out of life with the military. Although some might find this trite, we, his family, believe his story should be told, in hopes it will inspire someone else to do the same thing: Pick up, pack up and leave everything behind to do what you feel is right, deep down inside.
For almost a month, my brother-in-law, Jaron Peck, has been stationed in Ft. Benning, Georgia, completing the first of many obstacles in order to become a solider in the US Army. So far, we have received two letters from him. They have been short (as he hasn't had a lot of time to write) but nonetheless, we read them eagerly in wanting to know more.
Before Private Peck left, he approached me about the idea of using my blog to write about him, so people back home could have a way to see what he sees, what he is experiencing and why he made the choice to join the military. His entrance into the US Army is quite interesting.
Jaron and his girlfriend, Brittany, decided to move back to Illinois, (where they were both born and raised),in June of 2010. They had both decided a fresh start was in order for the two. So they packed Brittany's Monte Carlo, a little U-Haul and headed to the Land of Lincoln.
After work was hard to come by, Jaron was starting to fall on hard times and decided to visit his father in Jacksonville, Ill. One afternoon, he was walking to get a pack of cigarettes, when an Army recruiter van pulled over to talk to Jaron. He met the two recruiters, struck up a good conversation and Jaron started mulling over the idea of joining.
While the idea of joining the military was nothing new for Jaron, (He watched several of his friends ship off years before) he had not made the leap of faith himself. With the idea fresh in his mind, he brought it to the attention of family and friend. While everyone was supportive, watching a family member join is a hard pill to swallow.
So in late March, after a visit to his family here in Arizona, Jaron took his leap of faith, swore in and is now a member of the US Army.
Some pessimists may say Jaron's life is now over, but to us, his friends and family, this is just beginning. The military will forever change Jaron Scott Peck. They are going to make him stronger, faster and sharper than he already is. The US Army is going to mold him into a well-balanced man.
Before writing this, I consulted a military friend, asking him if Jaron was a soldier yet. He said no, not yet, but he will be.
Well Jaron, when that day comes, we will be there. We will rise, clap and be proud of what you have become. The tag: Our (Soon to be) soldier will no longer hold true. In fact, not only will you be a soldier, you'll also hold another title with us: Hero.
"Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be."-----Douglas MacArthur
