Jeremy came to work at my place of work when he was in his teens.  He wanted to work with security but he became the darling of the workplace.  He was our kid, our youngster.  We all looked out for him.  He was sweet and easy-going and fun to talk to and a joy to tease because he would blush at the drop of a hat.

About 2 years after he joined us, Jeremy decided to join the Army.  Around January of 2003, Jeremy shipped out to begin his training. 

He promised to write and call when he could be we all knew he was embarking on a new adventure and he would forget us.

He wrote to his supervisor, to let us all know how he was doing.  Everytime he has gotten leave, he has come back to see us because we are his family just as much as his parents.

Jeremy came back today to say hello.  It may be the last time we see him for a very long time.

He’s been told that he will be shipping out to Iraq in January (and he doesn’t have any leave before that).

I hope that he doesn’t have to go in January.  I hope that something happens and we no longer have send our fresh-faced boys and girls over to fight this fight.

I hope, more than anything, that Jeremy comes home safe.