Private Cultrera

One of my good friends, Anthony, is leaving for more boot camp tomorrow. I have been so lame lately working 40 hours a week. When I get out of work I am typically so exhausted. I have been planning to meet up with Tony all week but things have not really worked out with my schedule. I have decided to dedicate this post to him, because I am not quite sure when I will see him again.

I have known Anthony since the state outdoor track meet our senior year. He ran for Sumner High School and I ran for George Stevens Academy. We both are 100 meter dash sprinters except he is amazing at it -- he went to New England’s his senior year and I believe his junior year as well. Kind of a shady story how we met but here is a picture from the instant I met him.

This photo pretty much sums up his personality. He's the creeper on the left pointing at me in the center.

At first I was really rude to him because he made fun of everyone else who didn't go to Sumner.  I remember at one point his facebook info was, “I hate everyone who goes to John Bapst, MDI, Ellsworth and GSA in that order."  Let's be serious, no offense but I wouldn't rate Sumner as the best high school in Eastern Maine. However, after him putting up with my sass for a while, we became friends.  There were a couple instances where he saved me from getting into trouble during the summer time. 

In the fall time he came out to me and said he was interested in joining ROTC and that some people were opposed to the idea. Of course as a good friend, I was supportive.  I actually liked the idea. So that following summer he went to boot camp down south.

Us at a college track meet

This past winter I met up with him and he told me he was going to finish the year at University of Southern Maine then enlist full time in the army. My reaction was probably not what he expected it to be. I was more than thrilled and proud one of my good friends had the courage to fully enlist. He said he would be back home the first week of August and then moving to Missouri shortly afterwards. 

Tony at his boot camp graduation

He is leaving tomorrow and I believe I am seeing him to say bye later on today.  I am not sure when I will be able to see him again after that.  People who have such great courage and decide to serve our country should be appreciated more.