I had the honor of touring the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., on June 28. It was on that day that my family said goodbye to my little brother, 16 years younger than me, as he took an oath as a new cadet. We have no military experience in our family, so this was something very new to us and very big.

Usually, goodbyes mean until the next phone call or visit on the following day. However, this time it is for a minimum of nine years as Joseph will attend the academy and then serve for at least five more years in the U.S. Army, where he is sure to be stationed overseas.

Goodbye this time was certainly more definite. Sure, there will be some calls along the way, but they will be very limited and at the discretion of the army.

On June 28, Joseph was given 60 seconds to say his good-byes and then he began the "Beast Barracks," which refers to the next six weeks of rigorous mental and physical training.

When he left us he had hair and was smiling; when we saw him for his oath ceremony, he had already been transformed into a military man with his shaven head, his perfect uniform, his dark military issued glasses and a new march that the cadets were already doing in unison. There was no smiling cadet.

All these young boys were now on their way to becoming men, men with the serious purpose of defending our country. I wanted to yell "Way to go, Joe," as he marched with his group to Trophy Point. I was so proud of him on his acceptance into such a prestigious school and on his selfless decision to take on a career with such a noble purpose.

However, I was afraid that by cheering him on I might single him out to have to do more sit-ups or push-ups by his battalion leader. All I could do was watch him march on by and hope that deep inside he knew that I loved him, that I believed in him and that I was there, tears and all, cheering him on silently.

As I overlooked the Hudson River and these 1,200 plus new cadets standing in rows, memories of the last 17 years flooded my mind.

I remember holding my little brother when he was born at CentraState Medical Center when I was a junior in high school.

I remember being so proud to be a big sister. I watched him graduate from Rainbow Patch Pre-School, St. Veronica’s and CBA. I realized then that these were just 17 years of my memories.

I looked over to my parents and saw their faces, beaming with pride. I knew they were sad that he was leaving them. After 40 years, they would now have their empty nest that most adults experienced years ago.

Now, I felt so proud of both my brother and my parents who helped shape this young man. I realized that his character has been guided by their parenting, as well as by his teachers and his community.

As the new cadets marched away from their oath ceremony, I realized this day wasn’t just about my family.

All of these young men and women represented the good in our society. They brought to West Point not only their academic excellence and well-rounded characters, but moral fiber shaped by their families, their schooling and their communities.

So, as I watched them leave and I watched the sun set over the Hudson, I wished them all good luck and Godspeed. Goodbye for now. Keep the strength in the days ahead. You are the strong. God bless America and God bless our families.

Jeanette Speck

Freehold