Bill's Blog

Sargent Josh Bartlett (Benton HS, 2004), US Army

Godspeed to Josh Bartlett. Josh is with the 688 Engineer Company; 489^th Engineer Battalion. He is attached to the 3^rd Infantry Division, deploying to Iraq.

Probably 60% of our year’s business happens between October through December. For the past few years, I’ve worked 90+ hours per week, 7 days a week. By the time Christmas break arrives, I am ready to be done!!! The final session of last year really put things in perspective for me. Let me take you back . . .

I can finally see the light at the end of the insanely-busy tunnel: in 15 minutes we’re closing the studio for the Christmas holiday! I can’t wait to leave town. The phone rings, Alana answers.

“Yes, we do,” I hear her reply. “I see. Can you be here right now? We’re about to close for the holidays. Oh, yeah–Bill can work you in. No, his camera isn’t packed up. He can do it.”

I cannot believe my ears: what is she doing?!!

“No problem, we’re glad to help,” she continues. “I’ll see you in five minutes.”

Alana looks up at my incredulous expression. Apparently she doesn’t quite understand how badly I want to get out, and get out of town! She laughs. She actually laughs!!

“It’s okay,” she begins. “He’s a soldier.” Now I’m not as upset.

“He’s in uniform right now. They want a portrait of him in front of the Flag, they’re panicked because they can’t find someone who can do it for them. He and his Mom are in the car right now, on the interstate. They’ll be here in five minutes.”

Now I’m calm, glad that I can do it. It will only take about 10 minutes, I think to myself. I am about to leave town for a trip to Missouri, then Alabama. We’ll see dear family members, eat too much amazing food, drink to family and good health and our prosperity. . . if only I could get out of town.

Then Alana shakes me out of my selfishness. “He’s shipping out to Iraq. If they can’t get the photo today, then they won’t be able to get one before he leaves.”

Shame on me.

Bartlett is leaving town, too. Thanks to men and women like him, I’ll celebrate holidays with family, eat amazing food, and drink to our prosperity. When I raise a toast to prosperity, it’s raised to our peacekeepers. Our thanks and prayers go with you, Josh.