Bullies

We all know about them. We've all heard of them and some of us have had the mis-fortune of getting our very own personal bully. Well, that would be Wil.

School had been going so well. Good grades, loving football, s...ky food, you know, boarding school stuff. Enter the bully. He started getting in Wil's face about the beginning of October. Telling lies and weaving webs you wouldn't believe. Then he started on Wil's personal space and going in to Wil's room with out permission. Then he was taking stuff (no real proof accept that when confronted, the stuff would magically re-appear) and messing with Wil's mind and then the final blow. He started to get physical. Taunting Wil to "bring it on" pushing him, elbowing him, always when no one was looking. Hoping to get Wil to take the first hard blow, consequently getting himself into trouble.

Wil is so smart and such a good kid. He stayed the course. He didn't give in to the bully and did the right thing, or so he thought. He kept quiet. This allowed the bully to have the upper hand and weave more lies and allow the idea of becoming a snitch (the worst thing in the World) to live ferociously in Wil's mind. Wil needs the crowd. He needs the acceptance of his peers and being a snitch just didn't fit in.

Finally on one fateful Sunday evening, Wil had reached capacity with this kid. He made three calls home, each one increasing in intensity until the third call, which started out "I hate this place, I want to come home". I gave the phone to dad and after great encouragement, Wil went and reported this cadet to the "Commandant on Duty", Maj. Williamson. Maj. Williamson encouraged Wil that it was ok. Wil did one thing right and one thing wrong. He was right in reporting the cadet and wrong in waiting so long. The bully will pay the consequences. Look out demerits and tours, here we come.

There's one kid who called Wil a snitch and Wil just blew him off and told him to "Shut up. You don't know what you're talking about. " and that was it.

Wil feels much better now and is back on track. Life is good. Football is over and Wil is on to wrestling. He's in his next course of study, Earth Sciences, and says his teacher is a hoot.

Wil sees this cadet every day. He's on the wrestling team, but not in Wil's weight class. He lives in the barracks down the hall from Wil and they have the same break times. But, he doesn't get under Wil's skin any more. Once Wil realized that the staff is interested in Wil and helping him succeed, everything fell into place. He wasn't lone man out or the Lone Ranger or just alone. He has a whole school filled with staff that want the best for Wil (and all the cadets).

This is the first time Wil has had to make the tough choices, and we all know it won't be the last. I am thankful for the men at FUMA who dedicate their lives to the Lord and the raising up of fine Godly young men. Even the bullies. Everyone will be given the same opportunities to succeed and do their best. They must simply choose.

Wil has chosen to succeed.

The Honor Roll

Yep, you heard me right. Wil made the Honor Roll. What a delight. Two days after Wil returned to school from Parents Weekend, we received in the mail, Wil's grades and notification of his making the Honor Roll. Now any one who knows Wil has their chin on his/her chest. Any one who knows the heart ache of Wil's academic history has their chin on his/her chest. Any one who knows Wil knows that it's about time.

Well meaning people have said that it was all the good training he had going in to it. Nope. Wil did it. Just like Wil failed and flailed around before, Wil did this. He went to class, He did the work, He studied and He took the tests. He got the good grades. He made the Honor Roll.

We are so proud of Wil.

Parents Weekend Part II

Wil came home Saturday afternoon with Grandmother and Granddaddy. Maggie and Charlie were both away for the day so, Wil went to see friends for the afternoon and then came home for a sumptuous feast with the adults. He spent the night with Joey and was back bright and early for church on Sunday. Maggie and Charlie also got home on Sunday so we spent the day together as a family doing absolutely nothing of importance but doing it together just the same. Robert went back to work on Monday so we spent the morning getting things together for Wil for school, aka laundry, and then we played poker for the afternoon before returning Mr. Wil to FUMA.

It was a quiet weekend. It was very busy at school before bringing Wil home and I think we all just wanted to be together with out the pressure of "making" a memory or "doing something" together. It was nice to just be together and breath the same air and share a couple of meals.

The return to school was a little harder this time though I don't know why for sure. I think I miss watching Wil grow up. He is becoming much more calm and confident. I miss watching the process, but I really enjoy the product.

Parents weekend indeed.

And A Good Time Was Had By All

Thursday Oct 19 brought Grandmother and Granddaddy up from Georgia to enjoy the festivities of Parents Weekend.
On Thursday the kids and I drove to Richmond to join Molly and David and to watch Wil (FUMA) play against Collegiate. We lost in a huge way. We were so far behind, that in the fourth quarter the officials invoked the no compete rule: the clock kept running no matter the penalty and no kicking on the fourth down. We lost 35 -0 .

After the game we went to the Subway with Wil and had a lovely time together. Wil went back to school, Maggie stayed with Molly and David in Richmond, and Charlie and I went home. On Friday Charlie went to Fall Camporee and Robert and I went back to FUMA for the rest of the activities.

Friday afternoon the Prep Team played Collegiate at home. Eddie George was there as well as a host of other NFL players. FUMA played so well. We lost by one point, but it was the most amazing game. The film team from NFL films was there and even they said the refs were making bad calls against FUMA but that just shows how well the team really did. Wil was able to join us after the half and he and Dad had a great time together.
After the game Wil went back to the barracks and the rest of us went to the Parents Association Spaghetti Dinner in the cafeteria. The food was Very Good, the boys choir was wonderful and it was great to see and talk to other parents and hear what was happening with the school.

Saturday morning we went to the Estes Center and met the staff, Wil's teachers and advisers and then we were off to the barracks with Wil to see his room, #45 on the second floor of Charlie Company. Wow. Small but very efficient. Then it got really exciting. We went to the parade field and got to watch the whole school parade in full dress and the band played and the canon went off and the parachuter(?) with the American flag flew over us and well it was all wonderful.

Immediately following the parade we checked Wil out and headed home.

A good time was indeed, had by all.

All Things Won, Lost and Returned

It has been a hard week for Wil.

We haven't seen Wil since he came home on leave but it's Sunday Oct 8 and Aunty Donna is here! Woo Hoo! We drove to the school after church and picked Wil up for a day pass. He and Aunty Donna get along so well. They really enjoy each others company and laughed a lot together. We went to lunch and then walked aound the mall until it was time to take Wil back to school.

Tuesday Oct 10, looked to be a good day. Wil was given the promotion to laundry corporal and we got to go to FUMA to see Wil play football before Aunty Donna goes home Wed. AM. They lost, Wil lost, all in all it ended as a really hard day. FUMA lost their game and Wil lost his watch. It was taken from his football locker and that just topped off an other wise miserable evening. He spoke to his coaches and his TAC officer to let them know his watch was missing and that he just wanted it back - he didn't care who took it. (Stealing is a dismissal offense)

Wednesday, Maggie and Charlie and I took Aunty Donna to the airport, Wil returned the promotion because it interfered with football and low and behold his watch was mysteriously returned in a toilet paper roll in the back of his football locker.

Things were won, lost and returned. Life's lessons in a nutshell, or toilet paper roll . . .

How Dumb Is That?

Well, It's Wil's first leave weekend and we have NO PICTURES!!!! How dumb is that. I guess it just proves we really had a wonderful time having a wonderful time and we didn't stop to think about pictures.

We picked Wil up on Friday afternoon Sept 29, 2006, at 12.30 he was in his Class A uniform. He is required to stay in his uniform until he arrives home so, at our stop at Costco and Giant Wil got some very nice looks from some very interested young ladies . . .

We arrived home in time for Wil to surprise our neighbors (I was under the "no tell clause" in the mother- son contract) and surprise them he did. They all couldn't believe how grown up he's gotten and how GREAT he looks in his uniform.

Dad got home at his usual time and we enjoyed a good dinner and some cards afterwards. Dad and Wil and Maggie stayed up and watched a movie while the smart ones went off to bed.

Saturday Wil visited friends, watched Maggie at her TKD Intramural competition and enjoyed another evening of monopoly and movies with all of us.

Sunday we had church and then to Cracker Barrel for our favorite Sunday chicken dinner and then back to school for Wil.

It wasn't nearly as hard to take Wil back this time. We all smiled as we left knowing we had had good times and he's doing so well and well, there's always football on Thursday . . .

NFL Films to Focus Their Cameras on FUMA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2006

Fork Union, VA – NFL Films, the winner of more television Emmy Awards than any other sports broadcaster, will soon be focusing their cameras on Fork Union Military Academy, the high school that has produced more NFL football players than any other prep school in the nation.

Fork Union Military Academy is to be the featured subject on an upcoming episode of the highly respected sports documentary show "NFL Films Presents." The documentary series airs on ESPN and the NFL Network and is hosted by Steve Sabol, who individually has won at least thirty of the more than ninety Emmy Awards presented for NFL Films programming.

"Fork Union has a list of alumni in the NFL that would be the pride of any school in the nation," says NFL Films producer Jay Jackson. "But Fork Union is not a football factory. It really is about the body, mind, and spirit there, and Fork Union is as much about academics and molding men of character as it is athletics. We hope to tell that story."

More than seventy alumni of Fork Union Military Academy have played for NFL teams, from the early days of the league until now. More than a dozen active NFL players on this season's rosters attended FUMA, including star wide receivers like Plaxico Burress of the New York Giants, Ernest Wilford of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Billy McMullen of the Minnesota Vikings, as well as other longtime veterans like offensive tackle Roman Oben of the San Diego Chargers and linebacker Dexter Coakley of the St. Louis Rams.

Jackson and his crew members from NFL Films are expected to arrive on campus beginning Wednesday, October 18th and work through the Academy's first full dress parade on Saturday, October 21st, filming scenes of cadet life and education and recording interviews with current students, staff, and notable NFL alumni including Eddie George and Don Majkowski.

On Friday, October 20th the NFL Films cinematographers will record the action at FUMA's much anticipated prep league game with rival Collegiate, kicking off at 3:30pm. All of FUMA's NFL alumni with whom the school has contact are being invited to return for this game and to participate in special halftime ceremonies. The football game is open to the public and all are invited to attend this event, although attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs as stadium seating is expected to fill quickly.

FUMA NFL alumni who are expected to return for this event include Tennessee Titans running back (and Heisman Trophy winner) Eddie George, the FUMA/UVa quarterback Don Majkowski (who was recently inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame), San Francisco Forty-Niners star Tyronne Drakeford, Ken Brown of the Denver Broncos, former Virginia Tech and NFL veteran quarterback Will Furrer (recently inducted into FUMA's Sports Hall of Fame), Jay Sherrill (who kicked for several NFL teams and whose son, Wes Sherrill, is the prep team kicker currently), UVa alumnus (and former Philadelphia Eagle and Minnesota Viking) Merrill Robertson, Duane Ashman of the Denver Broncos, and John Hilton (a Pittsburgh Steeler in the 1960s and former NFL coach).

Other invitees, whose attendance has not been confirmed at this time, include veteran quarterback (and FUMA's first Heisman Trophy winner) Vinny Testaverde, former Dallas Cowboy (and NFC Rookie of the Year) Robert Jones, San Francisco Forty-Niners quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, Green Bay Packers star Tyrone Davis, former Eagle and Patriot Don Oakes, former Green Bay Packer and current head of the Packer's scouting department John Dorsey, former New York Jet Maurice Anderson, former Washington Redskins Steve Hamilton and Brian Kozlowski, and many more.

"Football is one of the only sports where academic success is essential for professional success," said Dan Thompson, the Academy's Director of Communications. "Before a player arrives in the NFL, he must first have succeeded a good college program. We are proud that so many outstanding young men have come to Fork Union for that academic preparation. We are excited to have the incredible filmmakers from NFL Films help tell the story of their success."

About Fork Union Military Academy

Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia, is a college preparatory military boarding school for young men in Grades 6 through 12 and postgraduates. Affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia and open to those of all religious denominations, Fork Union was founded in 1898 and has a rich tradition promoting character, leadership, and scholarship.

####

Contact: Dan Thompson, 434-842-4372 or 434-996-7772

A Promotion on The Horizon

Gosh, It was so good to see Wil.

FUMA played Cosby High out of Chesterfield, Va and got punished in a big way. The score was 6-8 so it doesn't sound very exciting, but . . . They pushed each other up and down the field and came close to scoring so many times. There were roughing the kicker penalties and off sides so many times I lost count and sacking the QB and so many fumbles and on and on. FUMA had to play harder than they have ever played before. 2nd and 3rd string never showed their faces on the field. Now, FUMA has a great chance to really improve. The holes in their game were ever present yesterday (point conversions, throwing too low and not far enough in the snap) but all in all they played well. I'm really looking forward to next weeks game in Charlottesville. Here's to great improvement!

After the game we had thirty minutes with Wil. We had a picnic out of the back of the car, Dad got to go and see Wil's room on the 2nd floor in Charlie company and we got to meet Wil's biology teacher as he was passing by. We talked about school, he's got a solid B in Biology and found out that at last night's Commandant's Corner, Wil could be getting Rank Advancement to Laundry Guy (don't know the real title). He said that's the first step up the ladder. Woo Hoo for Wil. And, for the young man who could "sleep 'til noon", he's now getting up at 5.30 a.m. to shine his shoes and make his bunk and prepare for the day. 1st call is at 5.55 a.m.



Continue to pray for Wil. As much as football has been fun, school there is hard work. Everything you do is judged and assessed - EVERYTHING. Walking across campus, saluting the flag in the circle, the shine on your shoes, hands in your pockets, shaving, spots on your clothes, moving while in formation - EVERYTHING ("this school has lots of stupid rules"). It's hard living under a microscope for short periods of time and he lives it 24/7. Of course, He hasn't gotten a single demerit! Yea!

We have been blessed to have this weekly time with Wil. He will be getting phone and e-mail privileges this weekend so hopefully he can reach out to everyone else more often. He says he doesn't have that much free time but the use of the computer may help his communication skills.

We will send out a phone schedule (remember, he has to call you back) and his e-mail address as soon as we get it.

On a Scale of 1 to 10, He's an 8!!!

The Blue Devils had another FANTASTIC game yesterday. They whomped Hargrave Military Academy 26-0. GO TEAM. Wil played and did a great job. His opponent was again a head taller and didn't crouch during the snap so Wil had this huge guy standing, with his left hip toward him... Wil did not let him gain an inch - ever.

After the game we had about twenty minutes with him before he had to go to the Chapel for the Commandants Corner. "That's where he yells at us about all the stuff we're not doing right." I asked him on a scale of one to ten, one - being you want to die and ten - being the best thing that you've ever had or done in your whole life, "How do you like school?", and he said an eight! WOW! Then I asked if he thought it was because we have always been so strict with him and he said absolutely. He said there are guys there who have no idea what discipline means and there are some real goof offs.

We also feel that this is real freedom for Wil compared to being at home. Yes, he has all the trappings of school and the military lifestyle But, he also has an allowance (which has been straightened out) that he can go and spend anytime he wants, he has a great t.v. and cable IN HIS ROOM and he has this huge boys club, just outside his barracks bunk, that he decides when, if and how much he wants to participate in.

I have to tell you he looks great. He was so eager to show off how to stand at attention and parade rest. The following pictures are of Wil at play (#70) Wil in uniform and at attention. There is also a picture of his barracks and Wil marching to Chapel. Enjoy.

FUMA Blue Devils vs. Orange County Hornets

Fork Union Jr. Prep played the Hornets of Orange County High School last week (9/7) and won 20 - 0. Not bad for their first game. I spoke with Coach Hooper after the game and he said that FUMA had better team speed than Orange County. We had #19 and they had #24. Young, fast guys who dominate and carry the ball a lot. As a team, FUMA played better, which is what won the game for them. You can read the game report on the FUMA website.


Wil is #70 in the pictures. We didn't think that he would be able to play becuase of his shin splints, but the coaches put him in at the end of the 4th quarter on Defense and he got 7 plays. He did exceptionally well defending against a taller opponent and did not give up any ground.



Mom and Maggie made home baked cookies for the team. We gave him his weekly goodie box, some more Gatorade, lots of letters and a special LCD TV for his room. His room has now become the destination for quality cable t.v. viewing. He's still struggling with making his allowance last the whole week but as the commandant said " you get three squares - what more do you need". Between our goodie boxes and his allowance he should be doing fine . . .

It continues to be a breath of fresh air getting to see Wil weekly. It's still very hard not being able to talk with him but we are learning how to get along too. We love football.

Labor Day Weekend - Wil in Uniform

Wil had a great game on Thursday 9/7. The Jr. Prep team played Orange County High and won 20 - 0. I'll post pictures and a recap later this week. In the meantime, look at the following photos taken from Fork Union on 9/3. The cadets are in the football stands watching the Prep team (Jr.'s and Sr.'s) play Bridgewater. Fork Union won 29 - 0! The school photographer caught these photos of the cadets in the stands.

http://photos.forkunion.com/gallery/1863718

We Got Wil Mail

Wil Mail!

It can be heard through out the neigborhood as I get the letter, do a little happy dance and bring the rare and treasured item into the house.

Wil says he's doing o.k. "I hate the uniform, it's hot and it's heavy. And no of course not, we can't just shine our boots, we have to "spit shine" our boots. Other than that, I'm o.k.".

He's back to full pads and hitting and drills. No running more than five yard sprints in drives.
His first game is this Wednesday in Orange and if all goes well we'll all be there to see it.

Look for more photos and an update next week after the game.

Thursday August 24 Was A Great Day

Thursday August 24 was a great day - sort of.

Wil called home! Unfortunately we weren't there to get the call. He wanted to tell us that the scrimmage was on for Friday and that he wouldn't be playing but he would really appreciate it if we would come anyway. (as if we wouldn't)

Now you might be asking why weren't we home at 8.30 at night to get a call from Wil? Well, I would answer, it's because we were in the emergency room with Charlie preparing for an emergency appendectomy. That's why it was a great day. God got us in the right time to the right hospital and the right doctors and Charlie is now appendix-less, but very healthy and doing great, but I get ahead of my self.

So, here we are in the emergency room checking voice mails and we get the most pitiful sounding message from Wil that it makes his dad cry "but, why isn't he playing, is he alright?"

Soooo, while we waited on test results I was busily trying to get into the phone in the coaches office to inquire about Wil and to let him know about Charlie And to see if maybe Wil could come home to see his brother. Again, it was a great day. I was able to get through (the phones are on for only 30 mins for cadets to inform thair parents of the scrimmage) I actually got to speak to a coach and indeed Wil can come home after the scrimmage on Friday. Yea!


So, Wil didn't play in the scrimmage. He has suffered shin splints in his left leg and a bum right knee. They are painful but he will heal. Wil came home with his sister and dad after the scrimmage. They stopped at McDonald's and Wil said it tastes like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Charlie was so glad to see him. Charlie got into mom and dads bed where Maggie and Will joined him so they could see each other and catch up. It was great to see them all together. We had a barbecue at the house on Sat afternoon so the neighbors could come and see Wil and wish Charlie well.

It was good to see Wil and touch him and love on him. It was hard to have him away and be hurt but I got to see him and encourage him in person so taking him back on Sunday first thing in the morning wasn't so bad.

It was a great day indeed.

Wil's First Week on The Line

At 5'9"/200 lbs, the Jr. Prep squad coaches selected Wil to play both the "O-Line" and the"D-Line" (as the players call it). FUMA played a scrimage against Amherst yesterday (Sat 8/19) - FUMA is in white; Wil is the lineman #61 - in the middle, leaning over with his hand not yet on the ground.

Their team got soundly beaten in this scrimage, but they also showed some good team play. Wil made several good blocks off the line and pushed around one of the Amherst boys who was bigger than him. His immediate challenge will be to not only learn his position, but to learn the game. For instance; on defense, he came off the snap and blocked well, but didn't pay attention to the ball movement and move into tackling mode - he just kept blocking his man! For his first organized football scrimage after only 5 days of practice, I would rate his performance as an A. He hustled on the field, played his position, listened to his coaches and had a great attitude.

The Amherst HS football boosters hosted a lunch of Subway sandwiches for the players after the game and I got to visit with Wil for the first time since we dropped him off on Sunday 8/13 (after the game they got to take showers and change into their athletics).

He looked great, felt great, sounded great, was smiling and said he was having a good time. He had the usual list of gripes; the food s*cks, some of the kids are annonying, there's nothing to do in their free time - "Dad are you going to send me a TV? ... and a laptop? I really need one."


As you can see from the photo above, we ate lunch tailgate style. One of his new friends (I forgot his name) is from Richmond. He got a concussion on Friday and had a mountain-sized headache and didn't play. The bummer was that his parents didn't come to the game. I asked him if he'd like to call them and hardly finished my sentence before his eyes lit up and he said "Yes".

Wil got to talk to his Mom on the phone - and he got to listen to voice messages from his Mom and Maggie. We gave him a case of Gatorade and a new care package with some beef jerkey, chocolates from Maggie and Charlie, short socks (his favorites) and two letters.

He said next week they were doing more conditioning and running - not his favorite things :(. The following week classes start (9/01) and they move from a casual environment to full military drill, rules, new barracks, permanent room and roommate, etc. Wil had a great 1st game and we had a good time visiting with one another. His spirits were good and although he was tired and a bit sore, I think he's making friends and having a good time.

Beyond Aquia - the beginning

Sunday, August 13th will not be a day our family will ever forget - not Mom, Dad, or any of the kids, Wil (14), Maggie(12) or Charlie (10). Not withstanding our "many and great provocations" against one another over the years, what we discovered today in a new way, is the love we have for one another and especially for Wil - for today was the day that our family moved "Beyond Aquia". We took Wil to Fork Union Military Academy to start his high school career and begin his first football camp.

Yep - after 3 years of public school and 6 years of home school, our firstborn is venturing out into the world - not just to boarding school, but to military school. What? You're sending him to military school?


Please pray for Wil and for those of us at home in Aquia. Sadness is and was the theme of the day. In some respects it was to be expected - but it took us all by surprise. And unless you've lived through it, it's very hard to explain.

This blog will hopefully serve as a place for us to capture thoughts, pictures, stories and memories as we go along the path that God has for us and as our family spreads its wings and ventures out into the great unknown "Beyond Aquia".

Jer 29:11