06/01/2026
I know this is my business page, but I have shared this journey so far (and some of you have watched my family grow for the past 16 years), so I wanted to show my amazing clients and friends my handsome son. Hunter left May 18 and arrived in Missouri at Fort Leonardwood for Army Basic Training on May 19. As soon as he arrived, they took his phone, and he was then in "reception." Lots of shots, physical, handing things out getting used to army life, etc. He sent the generic "I'm safe" phone call on May 24th. It was scripted basically saying what company he was in. That also meant he was officially out of "reception" and starting basic training. Yesterday, on May 31, we got our very first phone call where we got to hear his own words. It lasted only 4 minutes, but it was amazing. He sounded so confident and happy. He got all my letters a few days ago, and he said they really do help. They made him miss home more, but it also helps at the same time. He's even making friends. I'm pretty sure he's the youngest one there. He's only 17. He turns 18 this month ❤️ I know he will do great because he was preparing for this before he left. My son would run to the gym, work out, and then run back home. We live by Walmart in Laporte. The gym is by Rural King. He put 10 lb weights in his backpack 😳 He also wouldn't play on his xbox without "rules." For example, only a certain amount of time, and if he died in a game, he would do push-ups. He also got As and Bs throughout most of his schooling. I know he will do well. He's just my baby, and I will always worry, and the emptiness at home is super strong. I don't think I've ever cried this much in my life 😆 I just have a million scenarios running through my head or wondering what he's doing and if he's ok and how his mental state is. But, that 4 minute phone call was a lifeline.
Anywho!! LOOK!! Isn't he so handsome?! 😍 Fort Leonardwood has a website, and they have photos you can order. One is where a photographer goes out and takes photos of all the companies during training and uploads them to the website. It takes a week or two to make the website, but if you keep checking, you can sometimes see your SIT . And I was checking from Day 1 like a mad lady. Like hourly. Just to catch a glimpe to hopefully see his face and see if I could see if he "looked" ok. As if I could tell by a photo how his mental state was? Then, a few days ago, BAM there he was. I ugly cried 😆 yesterday when he called I asked why he looked angry, and he said that was day zero, and they were all standing there for hours and they didnt get to bed until 3am, so everyone was tired. 😆
This week, he will be issued his weapon, learn first aid, go on a 3 mile march, and continue learning new things.
I will be patently waiting for Sundays call ❤️ and for a letter from him.
End of July/beginning of August, availability will be limited as that is his graduation month, and we are waiting to find out the specific dates to be in Missouri ❤️❤️
Echo company 3rd Battalion 10th Infantry Regiment
Combat Medic PVT Hunter Krout
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