A Soldier and A Marine, Like Father, Like Son: A Salute to All Veterans

Posted by~ Sheldon Redditt on 11/11/2014

    

On this Veterans Day, I would first like to thank all that have served and to give honor to the ones that have given the ultimate sacrifice.  We live in the greatest country in the world.  I especially want to thank my father today for his 20 plus years of service in The United States Army.  I, myself served 4 years in The United States Marine Corps.  So, Semper Fi to all my devil dogs, as well. 

When I was growing up I always admired my father.  It wasn't just because he was my father but because of how he carried himself.  When my Dad walks into a room, you feel his presence, his confidence and his mannerisms are like no other.  I always tried to carry myself, just like him.  I think a lot of this came from his serving in the Army.  My Dad taught me, through his actions, the principles of manhood.  He taught me to always have respect for others, to look a person in the eye when you are talking and to give a firm handshake.   He also taught me how to tie a tie, to always open doors for ladies and to be a gentleman.  I know that serving in the Army, he learned a lot of these principles.  I thank him for passing the principles on to me and for serving the country that I love for so many years, without complaint.  The four years I served, in The United States Marine Corps., were some of the best years of my life.  I will never forget getting off that bus at MCRD SAN DIEGO.  I was scared out of my mind!  The yelling and screaming of the Drill Instructor still rings in my ears.  I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life!  Those 18 weeks of boot camp were the best and worst weeks of my life.  That experience taught me, that it's not about me, but the team.  It taught me to always take pride in what you do and to have honor and respect.  

Could This Be The Answer We Have Been Looking For?

I think that the United States should require all males to serve at least 1 year in the armed services.  I think it would solve a lot of this countries problems.  A lot of other countries require this and I think it would be a great idea for the US!  The potential for it to successfully lay the foundation for a young mans life and directly effect the negative consequences of them entering manhood on this country, that we are too frequently seeing today, are profound.  What do I mean by this?  Structure, discipline and job skills learned in the military would reduce crime rates and thus lower the prison population, saving the tax payers money.  If these young men already have families, these families will be more likely to stay together and their sons will have a man around to teach them the core values of manhood.  The military teaches to honor and respect women and upholds the sanctity of marriage.  This foundation could possibly restore what has been lost in the success rate of the American family, which is an issue that needs to be addressed.  People wonder why kids are suddenly so out of control, but it's obvious to me.  So many of them are inadvertently fatherless because these young men haven't been taught to stay and fight to hold their family together.  The military could help to restore a sense of purpose for so many and teach both honor and respect for the common man.  It could teach them discipline in their work ethics, hopefully reducing the instability of the work force of today.  My hope is that it would have an effect by strengthening companies through added stability and allowing workers to earn larger pay checks based upon tenure, thus boosting the economy.  There are so May possibilities as to how serving could improve the America that we are living in today.

                        

I digress, I remember when I finally graduated boot camp my Dad drove down from Fort Ord.  We drove from San Diego to Monterey, CA.  This was, by far, my favorite time, I ever spent with my father.  We talked about everything!  He told me about his Army experiences, how they were the best experiences he had known and how the Army shaped his life.  I understood, years later, what he meant because some of the best years of my life were when I was stationed in Japan.  I wouldn't trade those experiences for the world.  My Dad, like myself, loves this country.  I am so thankful that he passed on to me, the principles that the Army instilled in him, so that I could also pass them on to my children.  I remember my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Matthews, asking the class what they wanted to be when they grew up and my answer was, like my Daddy.  He happened to be a Sergeant in the Army at the time.  That put the biggest smile on her face and she said that was the best answer she had ever heard.  So, on this day as we give thanks to all the Veterans, I want to thank the Veteran who has had the biggest impact on my life, my Father.  Dad, thank you for all that you have taught me through words but most importantly through your actions.  I haven't talked to my Dad in a while. I'm gonna pick up the phone today. 

Sanctity of Marriage, a Lost Art?

Posted by ~ Sheldon Redditt on 10/15/2014

The Sanctity of Marriage, is it lost?  At the age of 31, I found myself in divorce court for a second time. Two failed marriages by the age of 31.  Let that sink in.  I vowed to myself that I would NEVER marry again.  It wasn't for me. I promised myself I would be single for the rest of my life, marriage was too much work. Two of my good friends at the time, were going through divorces as well.  We would have pity parties almost nightly during those months. I think back on some of those conversations and I just begin to thank God for how FAR he has brought me.  

False Reality and Living Proof

Around this time, Amy and I became really good friends. We were friends for about 4 years prior to this, but we really became good friends after she moved back to Memphis from Hawaii. I remember talking to her on the phone, all hours of the night. I was an overnight counselor at the time, so we would talk literally for 6 or 7 hours at a time. I would tell her all of my problems and how I would never experience this pain again because the sanctity of marriage is dead. People only marry until it gets tough, then the marriage is over before the dishes have broken.  I myself, didn't take it seriously.  I married for all the wrong reasons, financial, looks, you name it.  I think often times, this generation is so bombarded with the images and stories of so called "reality TV".  People have television shows to find someone to date or marry just to grasp at ones' fortune.  Then, there's the celebrity marriages, that last 72 days and then those same celebrities are married again in less than a year or two.  For others, it is all about the actual wedding day and then reality sets in.  They feel that the good part is over and they're done.  I hear people say things like, "well if it doesn't work, just get a divorce" and no one bats an eye.  But then,  Amy tells me about her grandparents and how they had been married 50 plus years at the time and her Aunt Gayle and Uncle Mark had been married for over 20 years at that time.  Her best friend's parents had also been married for 30 years. She would tell me, that marriage works,  but only if you choose to work at it.  And I thought it was so refreshing to know, that some people still think and actually believe that marriage can work.

Never Say Never

Amy and I began to date, but I still had it in my mind that I would not walk down that aisle again. Amy and I have been happily married for 6 and a half years now. So much for what I thought!  For the first time in my life, I am truly happy. I was telling my friend the other day that I don't look at those past marriages as mistakes any more, but as learned lessons and life experiences. When I asked Amy to marry me, she told me that she values the sanctity of marriage and that she only plans to marry once.  She said that before she says yes, I must understand that this is for FOREVER. Asking for her hand is the best decision I ever made in my life. My friends joke all the time about the long lost Sheldon, that they say was so arrogant and conceited.  They ask me how I got anyone, let alone Amy, to marry me. 

What I've Learned To Do Right This Time Around

I truly wake up every morning thinking about how can I please her.  I think about what I can do to make her day better. Now, I truly believe in the sanctity of marriage. I saw on Facebook yesterday that Amy's best friends' parents, Mr. Brian and Ms. Amy, celebrated 42 years of marriage.  That is truly amazing. It must be something about the name Amy lol. I look at my friends Greg and Michelle Harris, whom have been married for over 20 years and remember asking Greg, "how have you done it?".  He married Michelle when he was 19 or 20, I believe. He told me, "man, I work at it every day!  I put Michelle and the kids needs before mine." But the most important thing he told me was, when the tough times come and they will come,  we pray and work them out. Divorce isn't a option, just like it wasn't with his parents. I'm sure if I were to talk to Mr. Brian and Ms.Amy, they would tell me the same thing. Years ago, I read Bill Cosby's book, Love and Marriage and Mr. Cosby said, that the key to a happy and lasting marriage is to understand, that the man doesn't run anything and that the wife is the boss period.  But, he said, a great wife will make you feel like you are the boss anyway. He said, to remember that you can either be happy or you can be right, but choosing to be happy will work much better for you.  I find that to be so true.  Amy will approach me, after I already know good and well she has made up in her mind, that we are gonna do whatever it is she wants to do at the time.  And then she asks, so what do you think?  So, it seems I am making the decision.  Lol.  I absolutely love being married to Amy.  And now I know, that the sanctity of marriage isn't lost. I have many friends and family, as examples. I was telling Amy last night, that I couldn't wait to celebrate 42 years of marriage.  On second thought, yes I can.  I would be in my late 70's and I'm not ready for that yet!  I made a vow that I would work at this marriage, every single day and I have.  I am so happy that I am married to my best friend, whom I love and like as well. This is my truth. What's yours?