My old friend JR is being sent to Iraq.
JR is one of the youngest Majors in the United States Army, and the recipient of the elite McCarthur Army Leadership Award. His professional resume inspires respect in the most established of Army veterans. He's a West Point graduate, and a Ranger. He did three years of service on the Korean DMZ. He recently completed a Master's in International Relations.
Ever since I met JR in 7th grade, he has valued honor, honesty and diligence more than anyone I know. Back then, it was in terms that a middle schooler could understand, though none but JR could ever articulate. When we broke minor rules (and JR did, right along with us - I'm not claiming he was an angel), it was JR who spoke eloquently of the guilt he felt for letting his parents down.
In college, while the rest of us were struggling with identity and occasionally losing ourselves to the vices suddenly available to an 18-year-old on his own for the first time, JR always kept his eye on the ultimate goal. He gutted out four long years at West Point, and transitioned into his career with a surefootedness that left all of us in awe.
JR commands respect.
And this Fall, he will be commanding a group of solders whose task it is to embed with the Iraqi police - not one of the safer assignments over there.
Good luck JR. I know you will continue to be honorable and honest to yourself. My thoughts are with you.
JR is 2nd from the right, next to General Shinseki
JR is one of the youngest Majors in the United States Army, and the recipient of the elite McCarthur Army Leadership Award. His professional resume inspires respect in the most established of Army veterans. He's a West Point graduate, and a Ranger. He did three years of service on the Korean DMZ. He recently completed a Master's in International Relations.
Ever since I met JR in 7th grade, he has valued honor, honesty and diligence more than anyone I know. Back then, it was in terms that a middle schooler could understand, though none but JR could ever articulate. When we broke minor rules (and JR did, right along with us - I'm not claiming he was an angel), it was JR who spoke eloquently of the guilt he felt for letting his parents down.
In college, while the rest of us were struggling with identity and occasionally losing ourselves to the vices suddenly available to an 18-year-old on his own for the first time, JR always kept his eye on the ultimate goal. He gutted out four long years at West Point, and transitioned into his career with a surefootedness that left all of us in awe.
JR commands respect.
And this Fall, he will be commanding a group of solders whose task it is to embed with the Iraqi police - not one of the safer assignments over there.
Good luck JR. I know you will continue to be honorable and honest to yourself. My thoughts are with you.
JR is 2nd from the right, next to General Shinseki
posted by isaacjosephson at 8:54 AM
2 Comments:
Thank God for men like JR.
No doubt about it - JR always had his eye on the prize.
Congrats to JR.
God's speed.
drk
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