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isn't available. We crawled out of our sleeping bags in Sesquicentennial State Park before the sun was up, to a chill we were hoping to avoid. After all, we were in the South, in March. We piled on all our layers, put a pot of water on the stove to heat, and warmed up with tea, hot cider, and oatmeal. Then we headed off to Fort Jackson, anxious to see Sid.
The day before formal completion of basic training is "Family Day," and the recruits have the whole day to spend with their families. There is a greeting rally early in the morning, full of rah-rah theatrics to get everyone hyped up. We found it overdone and out of place, given to gravity of military service. It's as if the military wants to replace any concern about the serious implications of having a loved one in the military with the cheer and pomp of an ordinary sports event.
But it was good to know we would be seeing Sid soon. Despite having the day off to visit with family, the recruits have to stay on base.
There were five companies from the 3rd Battalion or the 60th Regiment completing their basic training: companies A, B, C, D, and ... I can't remember, something like H. Sid was in company B, 4th platoon.
We were all seated in bleachers on one side of a big parade grounds, with woods on the other side. The recruits were all massed in the woods where we couldn't see them, and supposedly they couldn't see us. We were told they couldn't see us, but they could hear us, and we were encouraged to cheer and yell and scream to show them how anxious we were to see them.
After much ado, smoke bombs were let off at the edge of the woods and the recruits came charging onto the field, where they reformed in their respective companies.
The recruits had to stay in their formation until a family member came onto the field to pick them out. That must have been emotionaly difficult for those with no family attending. Hopefully all of those had buddies with family who invited them along.
Dona had picked up a bright orange hat at the place where we rented the canoe the day before, and she made sure she wore it. She had told Sid on the phone the night before, and he had no trouble picking us out in the crowd. However, once we were turned lose, we did have some difficulty picking him out. Or at least I did.
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Theatrical Smokescreen
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Company B coming through the Smokescreen
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Company B coming through the Smokescreen
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Company B coming through the Smokescreen
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Company B
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Company B
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Company B
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Company B
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And of course, the recruits' favorite people, their drill sergeants. I didn't get their names; I'm sure Sid can fill me in!
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Drill Sergeant
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Drill Sergeant
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Drill Sergeant
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Drill Sergeant
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Drill Sergeant
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Drill Sergeant
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Drill Sergeant
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We had brought the makings of a picnic with us, so we headed for a quiet area by one of the ponds on the base. Sid was delighted to have something besides Army food. He looked great, and said he had gained about eight pounds. We watched the geese and gulls while we ate.
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| Canada Goose | Xxx Gull |
Then we toured the base. Sid picked up a few items at the PX, and we checked out the confidence course, which Dona described as a "Playground for Grownups." I had to agree, I'd love one of those in my backyard. We also visited one of the museums on the base. All to soon, we had to say good-night to Sid, and drove back to the park campground and our tent.
This page last updated on 2013-10-23.
