Day 1

Remember the first day you laid eyes on your Soldier. Remember your first feelings and
thoughts and write them down as if you were reliving that day.

Day 2
Find a favorite photo of your Soldier. Remember the moment it was taken- what were
you doing, what was your Soldier doing. Reflect on the picture. Why is it your favorite?

Day 3
Remember a very special family moment- one that brought the most joy. Remember
how happy you were to be together as a family.

Day 4
Describe your Soldier's hometown and remember, in their words, what the best thing
about home was. What do they miss? Could it be the ice cream shop on the corner, a
favorite park, the beach, maybe the memories shared at the local high school. Wherever
it may be, if you said the name of their home town what memories would come to mind?

Day 5
Take a moment and remember your loved one's smile. Take a second to remember the
different feelings that come from seeing those pearly whites or the thoughts that run
through your mind when you catch his sneaky grin. Reflect on the laughter that comes
with that smile and how it makes you feel to hear his happiness.

Day 6

Take your Soldier's first name and use each of the letters to come up with a word or
sentence that describes your Soldier.

Day 7
Remember, in one of three ways, a touching moment between Parent and Child- your
Soldier as a Parent, your Soldier and his Parent, or your Soldier and someone who cared
for him as a Parent. Most of our special memories are made from the gentle moments
between parent and child(ren) and this is your day to remember.

Day 8
Items are always a great reminder of our loved ones. Find a photo of a flower that
reminds you the most of your Soldier. Think about the color, the reason it was given, and
the way the flower makes or made you feel.

Day 9
Days of summer- warm temperatures, sprinklers, and the smell of BBQ. Go out at
midday, close your eyes and bask in the sun. What is the first memory you have of your
Soldier while standing in the sun's warmth?

Day 10
Describe how you can't wait for the day that you are reunited with your SOLDIER- all your
expectations and what you plan to do to help make Family Day special and memorable
for you both.

Day 11
When was the last time you saw your Soldier stand up tall and proud to proclaim
something they believed in? Remember the moment, remember the reason, remember
the way it made you feel listening to your Soldier express those beliefs.

Day 12
Look back in the past and write about the one person who may have made an influential
decision on your Soldiers choice to become a US Soldier. If there was no one in
particular, describe their decision and then how it made you feel. Compare those
feelings to the ones you have now and then ask yourself if your Soldiers decision
influenced you in any way to be a different person who also stands strong and proud of
what you believe in.

Day 13
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. What was the last food your
Soldier desired before heading to Fort Jackson? Did you make a trip to a special
restaurant in celebration of their enlistment? What has been the most talked about
snack, drink or home cooked meal?

Day 14
If you had to pick a color that reminded you of your Soldier, what would it be and why?

Day 15
LOYALTY: One of the Army Values that your Soldier is expected to learn and live up to
while being one of the United States' finest. It is simply defined as "the state of being
loyal, a faithfulness to commitment and obligation." Remember a time when your
Soldier exemplified this value through word or deed.

Day 16
DUTY: Another Army Value. Doing your duty means more than carrying out assigned
tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. The work of the U.S.
Army is a complex combination of missions, tasks and responsibilities all in constant
motion. Your Soldier fulfills his obligations as a part of his unit every time he resists the
temptation to take shortcuts that might undermine the integrity of the final product.
How has your Soldier shown his commitment to Duty?

Day 17
RESPECT: Respect of self, country, the Army, and family. Describe a memory when your
Soldier was respectful to one of these.

Day 18
SELFLESS SACRIFICE: For your SOLDIER, it is putting the welfare of the nation, the Army
and their subordinates before their own. It is serving their country and doing their duty
loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service
is the commitment of each team member to go a little further, endure a little longer, and
look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort. Recall a time when your
Soldier put the needs of another above his own.

Day 19
HONOR: The Army value that ties all 7 together because as a Soldier each value allows
them to commit to a way of living that is respectable, fair, and holds their beliefs and
actions to a higher standard. Your loved one will stand proud for all he or she has
become in the last few weeks. How will you honor your Soldier for their commitment on
Graduation Day? Write about the honor your Soldier deserves for making the sacrifice to
serve his country.

Day 20
INTEGRITY: Do whats right- legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by
adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives
others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. The more choices
you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your
relationships with family and friends, and, finally, the fundamental acceptance of
yourself.
Your loved one understands the value of Integrity as it has helped them become a US
Soldier. Remember a decision that your SOLDIER made in their past to better
themselves and that possibly affected the lives of others.

Day 21
PERSONAL COURAGE: It is a value that has been long associated with the Army. It is
described as not only physical but also a moral courage. Your Soldier will display this
value when facing fear, danger or adversity. Remember the man who left weeks ago to
become one of America's finest. Remember the moment they swore oath into the US
Army. Was there a time before joining that your Soldier showed Personal Courage and
made you just as proud? Remember and share those feelings...

Day 22
Independence is the freedom to do and be without the control or influence of others. As
young children, many will show their parents how they can be big girls and big boys, and
do things all by themselves. As they age, they will learn how independence helps them
make sound judgment calls to be an adult and take care of themselves, all by
themselves. In the time that your Soldier has been at BCT, you may have noticed a
change. What change have you noticed? Have the experiences they shared made you
feel more confident in them? Remember your Soldier and the independent individual
they have become through the years.

Day 23

Your Soldier has expectations to succeed. With their best foot forward and determination,
they will. The "Warrior Ethos" has strong words and is said with conviction. Take each
line and relate it to a memorable moment when your Soldier exemplified the message of
that line.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

Day 24
Reflect back and remember how you first felt when they left. Remember all the
emotions you were going through and compare them to the feelings you have today.
What are the first words you might utter as soon as you see them? Tell your Soldier how
you felt, how you are feeling, and what you believe will help you continue to support
them no matter what.

Day 25
Finish this sentence: "To my US Soldier, I am ____________________." Find a picture that
captures the truth of that statement and paste it below. Describe why it is so special and
your reasons for the completion of the sentence.

Day 26
There are three true colors that represent our country. They fly in flags all across our
great nation and our Soldiers wear them proudly. They symbolize loyalty and
commitment to the United States of America. Close your eyes, say each color out loud,
and think of your Soldier. Describe the feeling each color brings.

Day 27
Remember a time your Soldier worked hard for a goal. How did the moment of
achievement impact your Soldier? How does that moment compare to how your Soldier
will feel on the Graduation field? How proud were you at his previous achievement and
how do your current feelings compare?

Day 28
Travel can be exhausting, but it is worth every hour and every mile to be there for your
Soldiers Graduation. Remember a favorite time when travel was just as exciting for you
and your Soldier. Where? when? Share all the details that made it such a special trip.

Day 29
ANXCITATIOUS [angk-sahy-TEY-shuhs] adj
The state of being both anxious and excited at the same time
Remember a very special moment that brought you to these exact feelings in the past.
Describe that moment and compare how you felt then to how you feel now.

Day 30
Take a deep breath and picture the sun coming up over the trees and climbing each
section of the bleachers. Picture sitting in the stands with fellow family members,
bursting with excitement. Picture yourself watching your Soldier running on to the field
and how you will feel when you hear the words, "Go get your Soldier!" When you meet
what do you say? How do you feel?