THE BEST WE’VE GOT
Today is a huge day for our family: our Grandson, Braden Camp, has graduated from Army Basic Training in Fort Benning, Georgia.
Braden is a fascinating and focused guy. He has two siblings, a kid brother Brexton and an older sister Bailey who recently graduated from West Georgia University and will do her graduate work at Valdosta State, majoring in Speech Therapy.
Braden’s Mom, Brandi, and his Dad, David, come from humble backgrounds and are two of the most focused and goal-oriented people I know. Both have been exceptionally successful in their vocations and have built a fabulous life for their kids and themselves. Both possess a phenomenal work ethic and are extremely creative.
Braden is a terrific athlete. While in Rome High School, he was a star placekicker and soccer player. He was also a band member and an outstanding student. While in high school, he became very interested in investments involving the stock market and precious metals. We decided to study together on a long-distance basis, and eventually, we would jointly invest. His brains and my money type of thing.
About six months ago, Braden went off to college. He joined a semi-pro soccer team and was very good. We kept up our training regarding investments and stayed in touch weekly. It seemed as if everything was going well when we received a call that Braden had decided to give up college to join the military. We were blown away.
It was then that I remembered Braden sent several political and patriotic emails to me over the years. He told us that when he was in high school, he had been approached by a recruiter and the thought of being a soldier never left his mind since. I asked him if he was sure of his decision, and his comment was, “ I AM A PATRIOT, AND I FEEL MY COUNTRY NEEDS ME!”. You can’t argue with that.
I have a routine I follow with members of my family. Rather than buying gifts for special occasions, I prefer to give money. Birthdays get $200, Christmas $200, Weddings $10,000, High School Graduation $500, College Graduation $1,000. Occasionally, the sums vary depending on certain circumstances; however, I am considered extremely generous on all levels. Real gifts selected by Carole also accompany my gifts. Everybody does very well by us, and once in a while, we even throw in Chanukkah gifts, although I am the only Jew in the bunch.
A couple of years ago, Braden worked for me during the summer. He drove here to Hilton Head from Calhoun, Ga. When he arrived, he was driving a snappy-looking sports car. It wasn’t new, but it was pretty flashy. My immediate thought was his Dad must have bought it for him at a weak moment, so I asked him about it.
Braden looked me in the eye and said he wanted to thank me for buying it for him. I said, “how did I do that?” Then he told me that all the money I had ever given him over the years went directly in the bank and that he had enough money to buy his car between the capital and earned interest. I was floored and couldn’t have been prouder. That is precisely the kind of man Braden has become.
That is why I appreciate his values, and if he says something, he means it. He is a grounded guy. If Braden says he is a patriot, I believe it.
One other thing. I hate war. It bothers me that it is a fact of life and such wonderful young men and women face the prospect of losing their lives in their pursuit. In this day and age, you would think society would have learned its lesson. There are other ways.
To David and Brandi - GREAT JOB.
To Braden – WE LOVE YOU AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.
