American Morning
A Soldier’s Story: Family reacts to son's service
Editor's Note: From the home front to the front lines, we're following one recruit's journey in our American Morning original series "A Soldier's Story." Today, in part four, our Jason Carroll checks in with Will McLain's family to find out what they think about the stress and time away from home. Tomorrow, we look at Will's training and get his feelings about deployment as it draws closer.
By Jason Carroll, CNN
So far, much of the focus of our series has been on Will McLain's impressions and experiences.
Now, we turn the camera in a different direction to get his parents' point of view of what it’s like to have a recruit in the family for the first time.
“Hey Mom and Dad, how are things going at home? I hope well,” Will's letter reads.
Nearly every time Laurie McLain reads a letter from her son, Will – or Junior as they call him at home in Rosamond, CA – it’s hard for her not to become emotional.
“I love you guys and I'll talk to you when I can. Love Junior."
The letters come from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where new recruit Will has been at boot camp for the past nine weeks.
From the beginning, we have followed him through his training, chronicling his toughest challenges.
His parents say they've seen the impact military service is having on Will. There's the physical transformation. They saw it when Will was home on holiday leave. But it's his letters, they say, where they see the most striking change in him.
“William's never been a person to pour his emotions out. He's always held them in and been strong and now he doesn't so much as pour his emotions in as he’s wondering what the rest of us are all doing and how we're getting along without him,” says Lori McLain, Will’s mother.
Will's father, Bill McLain, says his son is no longer the young 18-year-old who left home. He has had to grow up in a matter of weeks.
“He's never been farther than Rosamond, you know what I'm saying, and now he's clear across the country with nobody to bail him out, so he has to do it on his own.”
And along with pride, come the concerns with every passing day as Will comes closer to learning whether his next step from boot camp will lead to war.
“You gotta do what you gotta do, they'll send him wherever and he'll survive it,” says Bill. “There is nobody that wants his child to go to war, but I mean this is something we're fighting for.”
Will should get his orders for deployment in just a few weeks. He still has some specialized training to complete. Tuesday on American Morning, we take a look at that training and get Will's feelings about deployment as it draws closer.
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Your son is goin to have so much pride in him and you guys as well for being his parents! All I can say as for me being in the Army for 6 years and been deployed two times to Iraq. Supporting him in what he does no matter how you feel will mean the world to him and youll have an Amazing that every parent wishes for! Your son is doing the most bravest thing a human being can do, Serve his Country that gives his family and him FREEDOM!! and all he is doin is preserving it for HIS future generations!!
To all that oppose the war.. the worse thing someone can do is make comments about what those parent's sons and daugthers are doin.
May God be with your son as he finishes basic training and deploys!
My husband and I both are in the U.S. Army and we wake up every morning waiting for the phone ring to give us the word that we are going. This is what i have trained for this is my life i fight for a living i protect my country and at the end of the day thats what makes me happy. God bless all the new recruits and new boot fresh outta training. We lead the way. Hooah!
As the father of 2 boys in the military, one in Iraq and another on the way to Bahrain next month, I think not only of them but all that serve with them. I see how many people support the troops and I am so grateful for that, so they all know we the people of the greatest country on earth are standing behind themand believe in what they are doing. Let's not forget that we get to live in the land of the free ...because of the brave. Next time you see someone in uniform just thank them for their service – you may not realize how simple that is, but how much it means when they hear that.
Jason.I am going to explain this to but you must not let it out just yet.. I taught this lesson to my own children in the past and has to do with the soldiers
There is a police station where they bring you in where a table,two chairs and a mirror which we all know is is two way mirror. You can see all that there is in that room but those on the other side see their side an all that there is in your room.
Regardeless of where anyone of you go or do in life you all are forever in that room. Those soldiersthat have fallen are monitoring the processing from the other side of the window.Thanks Jason..realx reader...
My husband has served for over 25 yrs and has done over 15 deployments, the last being in Iraq. It never gets easy. Remember, even if you don't agree with us being in Afghanistan or Iraq, PLEASE support our troops. They need us. If you have extra time, volunteer at your local USO, VA hospitals or anywhere else where you can show your appreciation.
I know exactly how these parents are feeling because I am going through it now. My son left for the Navy at age 18 only one month after graduating high school. In less than a year was in Iraq. No one knows how it feels unless you go through it. It changes your entire life.
My parents had my brother at MCRD San Diego in 1965, and they bore the pressure. And the pressure of him being in Vietnam. They bore the pressure from me being at MCRD San Diego while my brother was Vietnam. And my wife and bore the pressure of our son being at MCRD Parris Island. Then bore the pressure of his service in Iraq. So, what is the point of your story?
I understand how this family is feeling, as my husband who has been Serving in the Army for 13 years, is currently deployed to Iraq again. I remember when he was in Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, and it can be a scary experience for the soldier and family. I send my prayers and please know there are many of us out here who understand what you are feeling, and are here to help.
As the parent of a soldier I can fully appreciate what this family is going through. The emotions will become more raw the closer deployment gets and it will become more difficult to hide the fear and anxiety. I hope they know that the country is behind them. I have had complete strangers approach me and offer kind word when I would become emotional at Memorial day or Veterans day events. May God bless them and keep them strong!
My son graduates as a United States Marine at Parris Island on March 5th. So much of what the McLain's related resonates so strongly with me. In every letter he grows stronger and more self-assured. I'm terrified but very very proud. God bless the McLain's, our sons and all the men and women who serve our country.
Bless your heart. My daughter is wrapping up USMC boot camp this week at Parris Island. I know exactly what you are thinking and feeling.
Where do we find such people that are willing to go through the punishment of bootcamp and then head overseas where people are shooting at you??
His parents have to be extremely proud.
“You gotta do what you gotta do, they'll send him wherever and he'll survive it,” says Bill. “There is nobody that wants his child to go to war, but I mean this is something we're fighting for.”
What exactly is your son fighting for?