March 9, 2004

[CamaroSpike23]

Six years. Its not that long of a time span when you think about it. where were you six years ago?



I was standing in line on a cold night in Texas, getting yelled at for no apparent reason other than that was the mentality of my new temporary "home"...


Exactly 6 years ago today, I raised my right hand and swore before god and a room full of people that I would fight to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

after a couple months in basic, I got on a bus and rode to technical school, followed shortly by a plane trip to Charleston AFB, SC. I received my first orders for deployment.... Iraq. Not even able to drink legally and I was getting shipped to Iraq to fight for our country on christmas eve. Another deployment in less than a year after coming home... this time, Afghanistan, I got the phone call the wednesday before thanksgiving that year and was gone the saturday after. I soon learned that AMC was not an acronym for Air Mobility Command, but for Always Miss Christmas...lol.

Another string of short tours all around the world followed over the next few years. Countless faces and names, hundreds of different locations, beautiful cities, despicable slums, unspeakable atrocities, awe-inspiring sunsets.
While I've parted ways with many friends to relocations, deployments and more, I've found that no amount of time can remove the feeling of those friendships. There comes a day when I bump into those friends that I havent seen in years and in nearly every case, its like we never parted ways. We pick up our friendship right where we left off. My wife doesnt understand how I can still consider myself friends with people that I only talk to once or twice a year if that. "Its just how I am" I tell her.
Thats not to say that I haven't lost friends to other unfortunate incidents. My first incident report I ever filled out was for my first supervisor who was crushed under a tractor while trying to pull a stump out of his yard. My wife and a lot of my friends didnt understand why I was so upset (literally bawling my eyes out) when he died. To some people, a supervisor is just that, someone who trains you to do a task and overlooks your work and occasionally gives you feedback. But to me, he was much more than that. He was the person directly responsible for me. If I screwed up (and I did... a lot) I would get in trouble, but so would he. Sometimes more than I would. To an extent, he was a father figure. I never considered ourselves equals, he was always teaching me, always guiding me (cus I was a dumb teenager back then). He didnt believe in just handing out paperwork for me to sign and forget about when I screwed up. He would think of inventive ways of punishing me to ensure I learned my lesson. For that I thank him. I do wish (and I'm honestly tearing up right now), that I could have thanked him in person for all that he did for me. He literally flew halfway around the world when he found out I was in trouble while overseas. Its that dedication that he showed me that instilled in me the values on relationships that I have now. The bonds that we make in this life are more than what most give credit to. I forget names and voices but I remember those in my life that have played not only the vital roles, but also the less meaningful ones. Which brings me to my next thought...

Almost 4 years ago, I heard that there was going to be a live action transformers movie, featuring the new (at the time) concept camaro. A quick google search led me to Camaro5.com. I haven't left since. You guys have been as big a part of my life as the military has. The countless friendships I've made here, meeting so many of you, sharing our lives together on this site all unified for one reason.



It's been six years since I first enlisted in the military and now my term has come to an end. I have re-enlisted in the reserves mainly for the benefits and am already working at the local Home Depot to help with the finances. My wife and I will be moving in a couple months to a larger house upstate to really start our lives together. I'm going on to finish my education (she already has a masters) and see where the road before me leads.




Awards, decorations, punishments, joys, disappointments, and so much more. Thousands of hands shaking my own, thanking me for my service. Hundreds of meals and drinks paid for (tho not thru my own asking). I've been around the world and back, made friends from towns most have never heard of. Sure there were some things I would have done differently, but I'm happy with the way things turned out.

With the exception of going to war, this forum reminds me a lot of the military. We have a set of rules and guidelines to follow, thousands of members all dedicated to one goal. We mostly know each other by our screen names (military-wise, its last names) and we can go long periods of time without talking to each other and as soon as we come back, its like we never left.

I thank you Camaro5.com for being an outlet, a reason, a cause in my life, and I know you will be here with/for me as I embark on a new chapter in my life.

[FenwickHockey65]

Thanks for your service, Spike.

[Ghost of Vincent Price]

Well 3 years ago today, my son decided to ruin my first 72 in a long time by being born. He couldnt of waited 3 more days! LOL.

Ive been in the Marines for 10 years now. I spent my 10th anniversary sleeping in the same squad bays I went to boot camp in. That was weird. We got put there for a shooting competition. The time goes fast. The strangest thing for me is having military friends that I know better than my friends and family from home. Its even stranger when they meet each other. Like Im living a double life. LOL.

[ron10]

6 years!i can't tell you where i was 6 days ago.the only thing,i must have been alive.

[WadeWilson]

Thank you for your service Spike and enjoyed the write up. I can relate to a lot of what you were talking about. Good luck on your new chapter!

[jrc1122]

cool story-
________
Srx

[ljustin293]

wow

I remember when I joined you were the first member that really stood out, not sure why, but you just did. It was great to finally meet you in person a couple weeks ago in Charleston! Good luck with this next chapter in your life, and we'll be here every step of the way

[Dr Jkel]

A former Marine here, spent 5 years in the Corps and got out after Desert Storm. I fully understand where you are coming from and appreciate you service and sacrifices. I hope you new chapter is as exciting and rewarding as the last, Semper Fi and Thanks

[Xanthos]

Thank you for your service!
- X

[Rod10269]

Greg..thank you for your sacrafice for our country...you are truly a remarkable young man...God Bless You and your wife as you go forward and thank you again!!!!!

[DarthNacho08]

Thank you for everything you have done for our country, you have no idea how grateful I am for people like you. A friend of mine at school who was in the air force showed me a picture of himself and a bunch of his buddies in Iraq, he then told me that he was the only one who was still alive, that made me realize so much just how much danger you put yourselves in for millions of people who you will never meet. Thanks

[Da Hose]

Spike, I'm am honored to know you! and I thank you for your dedication to our country and for your bravery. Only two people in my life have been willing to die for me..My lord and savior Jesus the Christ and the American Soldier! I was born a military brat! My dad was a Marine and died way too young, I miss him dearly...But the friends that he had made while serving will always be part of my family...I know where you are coming from when you say friends for life..no matter how often you talk to them...

I'm looking forward to C5F and shaking your hand in person!

Ronnie

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by Ghost of Vincent Price

Well 3 years ago today, my son decided to ruin my first 72 in a long time by being born. He couldnt of waited 3 more days! LOL.

Ive been in the Marines for 10 years now. I spent my 10th anniversary sleeping in the same squad bays I went to boot camp in. That was weird. We got put there for a shooting competition. The time goes fast. The strangest thing for me is having military friends that I know better than my friends and family from home. Its even stranger when they meet each other. Like Im living a double life. LOL.

THAT would be trippy!

["prima"Donna]

Many thanks to you and all the military on Camaro5 and all over the country and this world serving and protecting us 'mere mortals'...
We owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, however I will give you my sincere thanks and admiration for a job well done...
You guys/gals are my heroes and I try to thank each and every one of you here on C5 that are in the military!!!...

My thanks also include the firefighters and police officers too...

My Dad was a proud WWII Navy Veteran and also a 60 year VOLUNTEER fireman in my home town...