We got up bright and early this morning and drove down to the Bronx.  We drove onto the Maritime College campus at about 0800 hours on this beautiful, sunny day.  At about 0810, we made our way to the A & B company dorms & stopped near the front of the building and removed Christian’s things from the trunk.  We deposited his dufflebag, fan, & lamp on the sidewalk (the remainder of his supplies had already been purchased at the Ship’s store) while Christian, wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers, went to stand on the check-in line at the front door of the dorm building.

The assistant commandant came around to each of the parents lingering on the sidewalk and greeted us.  Shortly thereafter, a young man in a Maritime sweatshirt and shorts told us in a rather nice way, to leave in order to make room for the other students arriving.  When we left, Christian was still standing on line, talking to the people, mostly young men, in front of and behind him.  These will be the people he will be spending the next four years with.  New friends, new directions.  When we return in two weeks for his Indoctrination graduation, he will be wearing a uniform.  The uniform of a Maritime Regimental Cadet.  He will have another uniform as well.  That of a member of the Strategic Sealift Officer Program.  The shorts, crazy T-shirts, earrings, big rimmed baseball caps, and low slung pants, will be gone.

As we get ready to leave, I catch another glimpse of the Empire State VI, the ship Christian will be spending part of the next four summers in, learning and earning his Coast Guard engine license, and visiting foreign ports.

My second son, one of my babies, born on the hottest day in July, 18 years ago, has become a wonderful young man.  I am so proud and I will miss him while he is gone.