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hmm is he single? Just kiddin Wow i'm older then someone! YAY... anyways... It takes a whole lot of character to do that and amazing parents to raise a kid into a great adult. Kudos!:D

Jester;782508 wrote: ahahahah Skittles he has a young lady that he is semi-interested in and its rather funny to see him attempt to talk with her! :wah:That's too funny! lol Just don't ever give him the kinda advice Nomad would...

Congrats Jester, he sounds like a chip off the old block.

I know how it feels to wonder about the result of being deployed so much when they were young. My son is 34 and I don't get to see him much. He holds my being gone against me. I always hoped I was doing the right thing and the example was most important. I get paid for a disability...100% wouldn't touch the pain from this.

It shounds like you and the wife have done a fine job. Stay close to him.

Jester;782561 wrote: As God gives the grace to over come our errors we do Clint. I'm thankful for the past three almost four years since Ive been out. Everyday at home, with them home/church schooling Ive been able to slice out time and be more of a help in raising him.

Make a fishing day, bud, go see him, ask him to forgive you specifically for this. God can do anything. If nothing else it will help clear your conscience. But soemthing tells me you have already have done this.

Give it time my friend!


You are right, I have asked him to forgive me. I'm counting on God and time now.

Your son sounds like a n incredible and out of the ordinary human being. You and your wife instilled the best values in him. He will be a wonderful friend, co worker, husband and father. At his young age he understands selflissness. That making others feel good, makes him feel good about himself.

Thats wonderful.

I imagine that call was somewhat of a turning point in how you view your son.

Perhaps a gentle nudge that as parents youve done your job to the best of your ability and now hes going to find his own way in the world.

You can exhale now, he'll be fine.

A big slap on the back to you & your son, Jester. I'm glad the team-study worked out. In the Air Force it was a punishable offense to help someone study for promotion -- yup, it was illegal to help someone study about teamwork, leadership, thinking outside the box, etc etc etc. :yh_eyebro

Wow Jester...........Good job you did there.

Your family life sounds fabulous, you had a good upbringing and that in turn has led you in good sted to return the favour to your own children. I can imagine how proud you must be feeling right now, its a great feeling. I hope he loves the job.

Thanks for sharing that Jester and Congratulations to you and your family :-6

And this is why I love coming into the garden Jester...to hear beautiful stories like yours.

You and your wife must be so proud of your son....It's wonderful to know that there are young people like him in our world:-4

Accountable;782680 wrote: yup, it was illegal to help someone study about teamwork, leadership, thinking outside the box, etc etc etc. :yh_eyebro
:yh_rotfl Military Intellegence.

Jester's son demonstrated what I came to learn much, much later in life. Power only grows when you give it away.

That's a great story Jester I'm so happy for you son and the whole of your family, and just goes to show that some hard study can really pay off! My brother is trying to get into the Fire service too and from what he has told me the competition is a lot harder than it used to be as you said, so actually getting accepted makes the joy even better.



Congrats once again!! :-6

Jester;783249 wrote: Wow thank you all very much.



Nomad your right my friend, my wife and I were chatting last night, she's having a difficult time untying those apron strings, after talking it through again last night she said that when he acts like that it makes it easier to let him go and make his way in the world.


Congratulations on your little man! I can imagine the apron strings problem, thankfully I have at least eight years to go !! :-6

the acron don't fall far from the old tree does it?

Congrats to you and the Mrs. for raising one heck of an upstanding young man.

What a great son you have, you should be proud of him. You and your beloved have done a great job in raising him, he will do so well!

Jester;782497 wrote: My son is nearly a man by the rules of our society, (he turns 18 in a few months).

He has completed all of his highschool requirments and is attending an EMT (emergency medical technician) school, he is considering a hitch in the US Navy as a firefighter (damage controlman) but lately he has sort of moved off that option now that he's gained some confidence in EMT school. His ultimate goal is to become a Firefighter.

I am very pleased with him, and his early success in life thus far. He is physically fit, mentaly established and intelligent, has a great sense of humor and he is very personable. Other adults that meet him tell me that he comes across as a well mannered and intelligent young man.

I of course see his faults and where he lacks in his character, and he and I talk about the areas he needs to work on, What I am most pleased with is that he is so open and teachable and willing to seek advice from his mother and I.

Lest ya'll think Im braggin as a dad, I give most of the credit for raising this boy to his mother! I was deployed for a large portion of his early to middle childhood.

We teach our kids that this world is so competitive and it is, theres no doubt in my mind about that. One of the things I admire about my son and it seems to be one of those things inate to his personality and that is his sense of helping others even if it hinders himself. We did certainly encourage it in all our children but he seems to be the kid that has this character built in him.

A few nights ago he went to an interview for his firefighting program (city run program in which the kids 14-19 learn firefighting skills by being immersed in the fire department sytem) The program makes a way for the kids to move from being a city volunteer to a reserve fire fighter and if they stick with it they also promise a preferential hire and pay for the fire academy as well.

The intervew was for his rank, every spring they loose thier ranks, and have to re-apply, re-interview, and secure either thier old rank, or move up. The chain of command is: Recruit, Lt., Capt., Battalion Chief, Division Chief. My son is currently a Cpt. he is in charge of 9 Recruits and one of the Recruits is a Lt. which is his assistant leader for the kids that are under his authority. He interviewed for the Battalion Chief position (there is only one of those). But while he was awaiting the interview he was taken aside by one of the advisors and told that he was aslo being considered for the higest rank of Division Chief as well and to be prepared for that.

As all the kids awaited thier inteview and a few of the first kids going in came out they told the others that the board of interviewers is asking new and tougher questions... My son started to put two and two together anf foudn out that quite by accident he had been studyign the very same interview questions they were asking which he found off of the internet weeks before and used as a study guide to prepare himself for his interview.

What he did in the crazy world of competition was unheard of, he opened his notes and began to coach everybody in the room to bring them up to speed and shared all his information. Including the other three kids that were going for his same position and the one kid that was supposed to be a shoe-in for the top spot.

It would appear to most that, thats the wrong thing to do, is help your competition, and at oen point he thought it backfired on him when they called him in and asked him if he was coaching all the kids and he said yes that he was sharing what he knew with his team mates.

He finally did his interview, and after we went to Mcdonalds and got some fries and chatted and he told me the whole story I just told you folks.

The next day I got a call from the Fire Cpt. that runs the program. He told me that there was so much cometiton amongst the kids that he wanted to be fair, so he brought in two firefighters from the city that conduct interviews for the hireing process for the real firefighters in the city. The Cpt. told me they were most impressed with my sons interview, and that he had done as well as some of the best professional firefighters, both of these firefighters recommended my son of the top spot, the advisors on the panel as well placed my son in the top spot. Next week it will be announced and I am under secrecy orders.

My son isn't super intelligent, and he's probably not the most confident kid in the world, but he's becoming a man in his own right, with his own ways about him, and I am most pleased that he is different from me. My wife and I have always stressed to him that character was more important than anything else and the proof of that is panning out as he transitions into manhood.

Just wanted to share a bit.


Just wanted hoss to see what a proud papa looks like...:-4

flopstock;1000146 wrote: Just wanted hoss to see what a proud papa looks like...:-4
And with good reason, from what I've seen. :-6

Accountable;1000264 wrote: And with good reason, from what I've seen. :-6


me too! :-6

Hoss;1000531 wrote: I don't know what to say but thank you. The continuation of that story is that I did get the top spot then I stepped down form it and gave it to who deserved it over me. I am in the second spot and due to move up when she leaves for college at the semester break. In the spot I'm in I have more contact with the cadets directly and can teach and train them better from here, this is where I belong for now and it has been a good decision.

I don't have time right now to write on this subject. I'm a bit chocked up and really mising my dad right now. Thanks to Flopstock for pulling this up!:)

FYI- He is due to return next Sunday for a two week visit home.


whoohoooo although we love you here Hoss, we miss Daddy Jester:-4

Proud, huh?

I reckon you are.



What can I say?

Manly hugs to ya both.

:-6

Ahhhhhh Hoss:-4...you made me cry there. It's so lovely to see a nice, young man like you as part of our forum. You add a lot of spark here.

Hoss;1001743 wrote: he loved us extra hard when he was there so that when he was gone the extra carried us over.




I like that phrase.



I agree that what he says stays with you. I remember once when he ...... um ...







Damn!

Hoss;1000531 wrote: I don't know what to say but thank you. The continuation of that story is that I did get the top spot then I stepped down form it and gave it to who deserved it over me. I am in the second spot and due to move up when she leaves for college at the semester break. In the spot I'm in I have more contact with the cadets directly and can teach and train them better from here, this is where I belong for now and it has been a good decision.

I don't have time right now to write on this subject. I'm a bit chocked up and really mising my dad right now. Thanks to Flopstock for pulling this up!:)

FYI- He is due to return next Sunday for a two week visit home.


he is so proud to have a son like you!

glad he is coming home for a visit soon!

Jester;782497 wrote: My son is nearly a man by the rules of our society, (he turns 18 in a few months).

He has completed all of his highschool requirments and is attending an EMT (emergency medical technician) school, he is considering a hitch in the US Navy as a firefighter (damage controlman) but lately he has sort of moved off that option now that he's gained some confidence in EMT school. His ultimate goal is to become a Firefighter.

I am very pleased with him, and his early success in life thus far. He is physically fit, mentaly established and intelligent, has a great sense of humor and he is very personable. Other adults that meet him tell me that he comes across as a well mannered and intelligent young man.

I of course see his faults and where he lacks in his character, and he and I talk about the areas he needs to work on, What I am most pleased with is that he is so open and teachable and willing to seek advice from his mother and I.

Lest ya'll think Im braggin as a dad, I give most of the credit for raising this boy to his mother! I was deployed for a large portion of his early to middle childhood.

We teach our kids that this world is so competitive and it is, theres no doubt in my mind about that. One of the things I admire about my son and it seems to be one of those things inate to his personality and that is his sense of helping others even if it hinders himself. We did certainly encourage it in all our children but he seems to be the kid that has this character built in him.

A few nights ago he went to an interview for his firefighting program (city run program in which the kids 14-19 learn firefighting skills by being immersed in the fire department sytem) The program makes a way for the kids to move from being a city volunteer to a reserve fire fighter and if they stick with it they also promise a preferential hire and pay for the fire academy as well.

The intervew was for his rank, every spring they loose thier ranks, and have to re-apply, re-interview, and secure either thier old rank, or move up. The chain of command is: Recruit, Lt., Capt., Battalion Chief, Division Chief. My son is currently a Cpt. he is in charge of 9 Recruits and one of the Recruits is a Lt. which is his assistant leader for the kids that are under his authority. He interviewed for the Battalion Chief position (there is only one of those). But while he was awaiting the interview he was taken aside by one of the advisors and told that he was aslo being considered for the higest rank of Division Chief as well and to be prepared for that.

As all the kids awaited thier inteview and a few of the first kids going in came out they told the others that the board of interviewers is asking new and tougher questions... My son started to put two and two together anf foudn out that quite by accident he had been studyign the very same interview questions they were asking which he found off of the internet weeks before and used as a study guide to prepare himself for his interview.

What he did in the crazy world of competition was unheard of, he opened his notes and began to coach everybody in the room to bring them up to speed and shared all his information. Including the other three kids that were going for his same position and the one kid that was supposed to be a shoe-in for the top spot.

It would appear to most that, thats the wrong thing to do, is help your competition, and at oen point he thought it backfired on him when they called him in and asked him if he was coaching all the kids and he said yes that he was sharing what he knew with his team mates.

He finally did his interview, and after we went to Mcdonalds and got some fries and chatted and he told me the whole story I just told you folks.

The next day I got a call from the Fire Cpt. that runs the program. He told me that there was so much cometiton amongst the kids that he wanted to be fair, so he brought in two firefighters from the city that conduct interviews for the hireing process for the real firefighters in the city. The Cpt. told me they were most impressed with my sons interview, and that he had done as well as some of the best professional firefighters, both of these firefighters recommended my son of the top spot, the advisors on the panel as well placed my son in the top spot. Next week it will be announced and I am under secrecy orders.

My son isn't super intelligent, and he's probably not the most confident kid in the world, but he's becoming a man in his own right, with his own ways about him, and I am most pleased that he is different from me. My wife and I have always stressed to him that character was more important than anything else and the proof of that is panning out as he transitions into manhood.

Just wanted to share a bit.


Your son shows great leadership qualites Jester, so glad that was recognised -

I see him doing very well indeed in his chosen career, with an attitude like that, he'll never go wrong.....

Love the proud dad post..... it was so nice to read, thanks for sharing... x

Hoss;1001743 wrote: I’ve been thinking about this all day. I wanted to write a story about dad like he did me but it just doesn’t come out right.

I am going to disagree with my dad on one point in his story. He underestimates his influence on us kids. He gave a lot of credit to my mom, and she deserves it, that is true. But dad is a giant. He leaves an impression on people and long after he’s left the room, or been deployed, or whatever, what he said or what he says stays with you. Even though he was gone a lot his presence was with us, he loved us extra hard when he was there so that when he was gone the extra carried us over.

Even now, as I get myself in situations I know what his advice for me would be, every time. He is still here with me even though he is thousands of miles away because he trained me well.


I bet your dads chest just swells with pride when he reads this post....

What a beautiful family you are.... a pleasure to read, both you and your father....

Jester;782497 wrote: My son is nearly a man by the rules of our society, (he turns 18 in a few months).

He has completed all of his highschool requirments and is attending an EMT (emergency medical technician) school, he is considering a hitch in the US Navy as a firefighter (damage controlman) but lately he has sort of moved off that option now that he's gained some confidence in EMT school. His ultimate goal is to become a Firefighter.

I am very pleased with him, and his early success in life thus far. He is physically fit, mentaly established and intelligent, has a great sense of humor and he is very personable. Other adults that meet him tell me that he comes across as a well mannered and intelligent young man.

I of course see his faults and where he lacks in his character, and he and I talk about the areas he needs to work on, What I am most pleased with is that he is so open and teachable and willing to seek advice from his mother and I.

Lest ya'll think Im braggin as a dad, I give most of the credit for raising this boy to his mother! I was deployed for a large portion of his early to middle childhood.

We teach our kids that this world is so competitive and it is, theres no doubt in my mind about that. One of the things I admire about my son and it seems to be one of those things inate to his personality and that is his sense of helping others even if it hinders himself. We did certainly encourage it in all our children but he seems to be the kid that has this character built in him.

A few nights ago he went to an interview for his firefighting program (city run program in which the kids 14-19 learn firefighting skills by being immersed in the fire department sytem) The program makes a way for the kids to move from being a city volunteer to a reserve fire fighter and if they stick with it they also promise a preferential hire and pay for the fire academy as well.

The intervew was for his rank, every spring they loose thier ranks, and have to re-apply, re-interview, and secure either thier old rank, or move up. The chain of command is: Recruit, Lt., Capt., Battalion Chief, Division Chief. My son is currently a Cpt. he is in charge of 9 Recruits and one of the Recruits is a Lt. which is his assistant leader for the kids that are under his authority. He interviewed for the Battalion Chief position (there is only one of those). But while he was awaiting the interview he was taken aside by one of the advisors and told that he was aslo being considered for the higest rank of Division Chief as well and to be prepared for that.

As all the kids awaited thier inteview and a few of the first kids going in came out they told the others that the board of interviewers is asking new and tougher questions... My son started to put two and two together anf foudn out that quite by accident he had been studyign the very same interview questions they were asking which he found off of the internet weeks before and used as a study guide to prepare himself for his interview.

What he did in the crazy world of competition was unheard of, he opened his notes and began to coach everybody in the room to bring them up to speed and shared all his information. Including the other three kids that were going for his same position and the one kid that was supposed to be a shoe-in for the top spot.

It would appear to most that, thats the wrong thing to do, is help your competition, and at oen point he thought it backfired on him when they called him in and asked him if he was coaching all the kids and he said yes that he was sharing what he knew with his team mates.

He finally did his interview, and after we went to Mcdonalds and got some fries and chatted and he told me the whole story I just told you folks.

The next day I got a call from the Fire Cpt. that runs the program. He told me that there was so much cometiton amongst the kids that he wanted to be fair, so he brought in two firefighters from the city that conduct interviews for the hireing process for the real firefighters in the city. The Cpt. told me they were most impressed with my sons interview, and that he had done as well as some of the best professional firefighters, both of these firefighters recommended my son of the top spot, the advisors on the panel as well placed my son in the top spot. Next week it will be announced and I am under secrecy orders.

My son isn't super intelligent, and he's probably not the most confident kid in the world, but he's becoming a man in his own right, with his own ways about him, and I am most pleased that he is different from me. My wife and I have always stressed to him that character was more important than anything else and the proof of that is panning out as he transitions into manhood.

Just wanted to share a bit.


Jester, you know that old saying, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree?

well Hoss sounds quite a bit like you my friend!

i'm sure you are very proud of him!

Hoss;1003404 wrote: No kidding! I may move to another state for the first day he is home!:wah::-2 are you crazy?

Hoss;1004651 wrote: Yes. Usually, today no, but when I wrote this, yes. You crazy? :)Pfft chyeah i am.

i felt i had to write a little about my son,he is 29,and a metropolitan police officer,but in my head he is a snotty nosed kid who needed me to carry him when he was circumsised,and sit by his hospital bed when he had his adenoides out.now i dont see him ,hes 6 foot 2,and 16 stones,,but i want my boy back.my dad is on the heavens now but he was a large character.tight as a mouses earhole,no sense of humour,cold as a cucumber ,and a bit strange from fighting all of ww2,mostly against the japs in burmah,we didnt get on very well ,but he was my dad,and i was with him to the end we never shook hands ,i never had a cuddle from him ,but he was my dad,and near his last days he needed me to even help him do a wee,it was a priveledge,,,he was my dad!

and who wouldn't love Kevin Costner!