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.