Dear Son On Your Eighteenth Birthday... (yes this is firearms related)
- Thread starter GRB
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1911RjB
Member
Very good read, my father gave me talks pretty close to some of the stuff you wrote about. He is a great man too, I believe you both are.. keed it up!
You son will thank you one day.
You son will thank you one day.
My father is a man of few words, but he did teach me about guns from a young age. I wish he had the foresight to write a letter like that to me.
The day my son was born I had in mind a trip to the gunstore for a 1911 as a present. Of course if ever money was tight, it was then. The first birthday would be the best to do this in retrospect. Imagine pulling a gun from the back of the safe with a letter like that written on his first birthday, about all you hope he will become, with pictures of you holding him and the 1911 in the gunstore. January is his birthday, and money is a little less tight this year. I think the boy and I may make a trip down the road to STI for a custom serial #'d gun.
The day my son was born I had in mind a trip to the gunstore for a 1911 as a present. Of course if ever money was tight, it was then. The first birthday would be the best to do this in retrospect. Imagine pulling a gun from the back of the safe with a letter like that written on his first birthday, about all you hope he will become, with pictures of you holding him and the 1911 in the gunstore. January is his birthday, and money is a little less tight this year. I think the boy and I may make a trip down the road to STI for a custom serial #'d gun.
twoblink
Member
The last birthday I spent in the states, I bought me a Mauser 98 in rebarreled to 308. Mausers make a great birthday gift.
There's nothing that says "I love you son" like a gun and a lot of ammo.
There's nothing that says "I love you son" like a gun and a lot of ammo.
2Ais4U
Member.
wow, I cried like a baby while reading that, my father died when i was 16 years old.he left me a note much the same, tucked away inside a bible along with a couple $50 bills.
IME
Member
That's some good stuff there.
May I have your permission to use some of it with my sons? They are just now coming of age and learning of the responsibilities of manhood. Your letter says it better than anything I think I could say.
<><Peace
May I have your permission to use some of it with my sons? They are just now coming of age and learning of the responsibilities of manhood. Your letter says it better than anything I think I could say.
<><Peace
Dr. Peter Venkman
Member
Nice words, however quite long. That should have been ingrained long into their psyche before 18 though (as it probably has with your case) and a single letter is not going to change that until they actually experience it. I would trade a letter like that from my father for a trip with him to the gunshop and range any day of the week.
Long I guess because I am lng worded, and because it has to take him through the rest of his life. I do have to go back and edit in some corrections to spelling and grammar one of these days!
Thanks for the nice compliments though, I truly am surprised by how many have viewed and commented on this, all good too!
All the best,
GB
Thanks for the nice compliments though, I truly am surprised by how many have viewed and commented on this, all good too!
All the best,
GB
catfish101
Member
Glenn, Great letter. I feel the same way you do.My son is the thirteenth generation in my family in the county I live in, on the Might Ohio River somewhere in Kentucky. I had a family member in the Rev. war and several in the Civil War, (both sides). My wife and I waited later then most to have any kids so I treat my son alittle different then some do. He is seven and I talk to him about things like this. He isn't big enough for a "normal sized" gun but he is pretty tough with his Daisy Red Rider.
Great letter.
Great letter.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
Glenn you have done what good fathers want to do. I frequently hear "I wish my father would of said that to me", You get the point. What you wrote inspires me as a father as I have a son who just turned 13. He knows the four rules of gun safety and practices them. The letter to your son blends both, (firearms and manhood) well when assuming the role of a man.
KBintheSLC
Member
I hope your words didn't fall on deaf ears. Great letter, however, I don't know if 18 year olds are attentive enough to their societal surroundings for this stuff to really sink in. If yours is... I praise you as a parent. I know that I was not so at that age. Excellent letter nonetheless. I hope your son does not take it lightly.
ninjashoes
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Theres too many overprotective mothers out there who want to sheild their children from the big bad outside world instead of prepairing them.
My wife gave birth to our first child in Sept, so I know where you’re coming from. I think the original idea of a Colt 1911 with matching numbers would be great. You will both cherish the pistols forever and hopefully many generations of your family will have a piece of you for generations to come.
Best of luck!
Robb
Best of luck!
Robb
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
How?
. . . and it clearly needs to be widely shared.
The rest is simple, boring mechanics.
Thanks, Glenn.
Well, you see, every so often a really thoughtful, quality, well-composed, exceptionally pertinent, and emotionally moving post submission comes along . . .
. . . and it clearly needs to be widely shared.
The rest is simple, boring mechanics.
Thanks, Glenn.
I'm only 26, and still have memories of very similar and meaningful things said to me by my parents on my 18th birthday before my dad gave me my browning hi-power. Those things said to me affect me every single day, even when I thought it wouldn't when I was 18 and 19.
I think that families are the last strong root holding society together, and actions like this on behalf of other family members will be the cement that ensures this nation in the future. Well done, and thank you very much for sharing something so personal with us.
I think that families are the last strong root holding society together, and actions like this on behalf of other family members will be the cement that ensures this nation in the future. Well done, and thank you very much for sharing something so personal with us.
Glenn, You are the type of father that american children need right now.
incredibly written piece. I am 22 yrs old and wish to God that my father had taken the time to share with me something like that. I had to learn what patriotism is from many different people, and luckily came out all right. Your son is a lucky man, and no doubt will grow up a good man.
Your letter really moved me, and I have decided that if and when I have children, I will be working on something much the same, God willing.
Very well stated, and the "long windedness" was appropriate in my eyes.
God bless you and yours
incredibly written piece. I am 22 yrs old and wish to God that my father had taken the time to share with me something like that. I had to learn what patriotism is from many different people, and luckily came out all right. Your son is a lucky man, and no doubt will grow up a good man.
Your letter really moved me, and I have decided that if and when I have children, I will be working on something much the same, God willing.
Very well stated, and the "long windedness" was appropriate in my eyes.
God bless you and yours
DomMega
Member
My father has since passed and I can't recall him and I ever sharing a conversation or literature to this extent. However I can assure you that had I received a document such as this, I would laminate it to keep it safe from the ages, and I would in turn show it to my children in the future. This isn't just a letter about the right of passage into manhood, but it has, in effect, also become an heirloom in my opinion to be shared throughout the generations.
I tip my hat in your direction.
-Dom
I tip my hat in your direction.
-Dom
nstoolman1
Member
I just joined this forum this evening. This was the first thread I read. I can't believe how touched and patriotic I felt when I read it. Great job, great parenting. I have 2 girls 18 and 25 and have tried to teach them alot of those same ideas and principals you wrote about. Keep up the good work and thank you.
cpg
Member
17 years and 6 months
1st, my daughter is nearly 6 months old, and I am sure that we will have many a dinner discussion about all the topics you have talked about in your letter. Any letter like that on her 18th Bday will be a recap of the 18 years prior to that.
2nd, I also have an 16 year old step son that doesn't live with me, who will be getting something like that on his birthday. His real dad does not know a dam thing about anything out side of his little life. I take him shooting, and remind him gun use and ownership is a right, so lets exercise it! My wife and I go on and on about current topics and morals and religion and dissision making. He has actually said, why can't you just spank me and get it over with, this being talked to is too painful. I guess that is like a mental spanking. I make him read so many web sties and mags when he is here and make him realize how nice it is to live in America and be an American, no car bombs, ect. He is sick of hearing it, but I know that he has gotten much of the msg.
Almost last. My grandfather is in his 80's and is fading. I Have been in the Navy for about 14 years. He calls me about once a week to tell me how proud and to let me know all these things that I wish he would have said to me when I was becoming a man, not a man. I still love hearing it, and late is better than never. He has been doing this more and more in the last few years, and although our conversations are only a min or two long, they are and will have a lasting effect on me. Glad your not putting anything off.
With all that said, i am sure your son knows how you felt and I am sure that letter just solidified how he feels about you. As in most things in life, the best thing you can do is lead by example. Thanks for sharing.
1st, my daughter is nearly 6 months old, and I am sure that we will have many a dinner discussion about all the topics you have talked about in your letter. Any letter like that on her 18th Bday will be a recap of the 18 years prior to that.
2nd, I also have an 16 year old step son that doesn't live with me, who will be getting something like that on his birthday. His real dad does not know a dam thing about anything out side of his little life. I take him shooting, and remind him gun use and ownership is a right, so lets exercise it! My wife and I go on and on about current topics and morals and religion and dissision making. He has actually said, why can't you just spank me and get it over with, this being talked to is too painful. I guess that is like a mental spanking. I make him read so many web sties and mags when he is here and make him realize how nice it is to live in America and be an American, no car bombs, ect. He is sick of hearing it, but I know that he has gotten much of the msg.
Almost last. My grandfather is in his 80's and is fading. I Have been in the Navy for about 14 years. He calls me about once a week to tell me how proud and to let me know all these things that I wish he would have said to me when I was becoming a man, not a man. I still love hearing it, and late is better than never. He has been doing this more and more in the last few years, and although our conversations are only a min or two long, they are and will have a lasting effect on me. Glad your not putting anything off.
With all that said, i am sure your son knows how you felt and I am sure that letter just solidified how he feels about you. As in most things in life, the best thing you can do is lead by example. Thanks for sharing.
stellarpod
Member
Truly outstanding, Glenn.
My son is now 24 and highly independent. I was able to weave some aspects of libertarian logic and civic duty into his tapestry, although he seems completely disgusted by the entire political game and resulting turmoil in today's headlines. He does have a properly logical appreciation for the 2nd Ammendment, but sadly, somehow I was unable to instill my love of firearms in him - as he has opted for his music and writing above all else. But, hope springs eternal, as he asked for a .22 rifle for Christmas last year, which of course I fulfilled (Ruger 10/22DSP). I only hope it is the beginning of something new that we can appreciate together.
Thanks so much for sharing. Your letter is an inspiration.
stellarpod
My son is now 24 and highly independent. I was able to weave some aspects of libertarian logic and civic duty into his tapestry, although he seems completely disgusted by the entire political game and resulting turmoil in today's headlines. He does have a properly logical appreciation for the 2nd Ammendment, but sadly, somehow I was unable to instill my love of firearms in him - as he has opted for his music and writing above all else. But, hope springs eternal, as he asked for a .22 rifle for Christmas last year, which of course I fulfilled (Ruger 10/22DSP). I only hope it is the beginning of something new that we can appreciate together.
Thanks so much for sharing. Your letter is an inspiration.
stellarpod
CAPTAIN MIKE
Member
Very Good
Good for you. Your son will long appreciate and value of your words of wisdom. As a fellow Dad, I am awed by your willingness to share with your son in this way. Good for you. He is lucky to have you for his Dad.
Good for you. Your son will long appreciate and value of your words of wisdom. As a fellow Dad, I am awed by your willingness to share with your son in this way. Good for you. He is lucky to have you for his Dad.
sceetshooter
Member
my dad did not buy me a gun i worked at his buesness and paid for MY first gun myself when i was about 5, i had fired other guns but nothing could match the feel of that 22 revolver. now though i have 2 shotguns about 5rifles 2 pistles and a bow he certainly gave me the love and respect of a firearm
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