Up a creek sometimes with and sometimes without a paddle: Our trip to see Benjamin our solder

On Tuesday August 30th Grant, Samantha Doney,(Bens girlfriend) and I left and headed to Oklahoma to spend family day with Ben and watch him graduate from Basic Training. We left early that morning and drove until we reached Salina Kansas at about 2am where we stopped and slept for a few hours. We then got up and headed for Oklahoma City where we met Sam’s mom and stepdad who were working there. Sam hadn’t seen her mom since June so we stopped and had lunch with them. They had been traveling with his work for the summer.

After we left there it was only a 2hr drive to Lawton Oklahoma. We arrived in the early afternoon so we checked in and then got our bearings around town. We found the eating places, the maul, the some museums, and we found the graduation hall. They used the McMahon hall which is right next to the great plains museum and as we drove into the parking lot look what we found.

They were just lining up from practicing their graduation. Sam and I wanted Grant to drive next to the buses but he wouldn’t for fear of getting Ben in trouble.We argued that he would only get in trouble if he came to talk to us and we knew he wouldn’t do that and we just wanted to try and see him. But it was a no go, Grant kept his distance. But Ben did see us, so he knew we were there just for him. So we went over to the museum but they were just about to lock up, but we got their times of business for the next day. and then we walked around out side and watched their prairie dogs at their prairie dog park. it’s a park devoted to the little prairie dogs that live on the plains. I thought they were cute little fellows. The next day we were up and ready to see Ben. When we got to the Base, the Battalion had a little program ready to put on for the families that had come. Capitan Smith told us about how each week went as our solders came to and went through Ft Sill. how they changed from not knowing anything to a well working group of Solders.

At the end of the program the entire group came out marching and singing cadence.

Ben looked so good, It was so nice to be able to see him up close even if he couldn’t look at me or give me any reorganization until the Captain released them. After they were released the men gave us a tour of their Bay where they sleep, and introduced us to some of their battle buddies.

Ben and Christen Jimenez Talking with a Drill Sergeant

Ben had bought himself a graduation ring that was really nice and then he gave Grant and I a parents graduation ring. That boy is so thoughtful and sharing. We are so proud to where our rings.

Then we left the Base and went and looked at places around Lawton. Oh and we went to the big PX on base that Ben wanted to see. It was supposed to be a really cool PX and the men and women hadn’t seen any type of shopping center since June. I thought it looked like a Wal Mart or pretty close to it. There is not much to see in Lawton. We went and had lunch, and then drove up to the top of Mt Scott. Oklahoma is not that great looking around Lawton, and there are many fires going on around Lawton and down into Texas.

Ben and Sam enjoyed being together.

After we left Scott Mt. we went to the museum and looked at things there. I didn’t take pictures on the inside of the museum but got some of the outside displays. This train depot is the original depot from Elgin Oklahoma, I have heard my grandmother talk about Elgin OK many times but I can’t remember what she said, But I know it was important to her.

Love the flag, there were several of them scattered around town.

We just spent the day enjoying Bens company looking at different things and going out to eat. Ben insisted on paying for a nice dinner at Texas Road House which was very nice of him. But the next day We insisted on paying for everything. The next day was Graduation, It started at 11 am and was awesome. Ben graduated 2nd in his class with high honors. He was also the Platoon Guide which carries a lot of responsibility. He had stayed up most of the night making sure his platoon was packed, uniforms were spotless, and the bay was clean for the next group so he was working very hard to stay awake during the graduation ceremonies.

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Capitan Smith and Ben. The Drill Sergeants.

After the graduation we spent the rest of the day with Ben, until 9pm. We drove to a little town 30 miles out of Lawton and went antiques shopping. Ben Sam and I love antiques. Grant tolerated it. Poor Ben was so tired that he fell asleep on Sam’s shoulder right after we got in the car so the ride to Duncan OK, gave him a well needed nap.

Drill Sergeant Savoie and Ben.

When we got back to the base all the sergeants had one last smoking in for the graduates. The Platoon Guides had to gather their platoons and get them ready for exercises. So we had to say a quick goodbye and let him do his job. but I didn’t leave until I got a few pictures in.

They got on their buses and were taken to OKC airport that night to fly out to their varied destinations, Ben boarded his plain and flew to Richmond VA to be taken to Ft.Lee at around 6 am the next day. We went back to our hotel and left the next morning for home.

On our way home we stopped at Mesa Verde in Colorado and then we stopped at 4 corners, and last we stopped at Arches National Park.