I would like the world to know, I am not only a bereaved mother whom lost her 9 yr old, in June of 2001, but I am a PROUD ARMY MOM! My son graduates basic training March 15, 2013... I cant wait to see him. He has been my rock since we lost our little boy(his brother). I love and miss Pvt Harris and we are so proud of him!

My life with Justin started Jan 12,1994. I was living in Gastonia North Carolina, right out side of Charlotte, NC. I was in the doctors office when she checked me, and said you need to go straight to the hospital, I will be there soon. She induced my labor, but it turns out, we were told that I had to have an emergency C-Section. There were papers that had to be signed, and was told that there was a 50/50 chance of one of us not making it. I wanted my baby, and I put my own life on the line in order to save him. Turns out, that both of us made it, and he was fine. We moved around until we finally settled down in Lexington, KY. Justin was always the sweet child that loved to help others. When my daughter was born he couldn't understand why that baby had to come home with us, and she wasn't leaving...lol, but he has been a great protector and awesome big brother. He always looked up to his brother, Davey before his death, he thought life was all about everything Davey did, he could do too. When the accident happened, Justin was lost... he was 7 yrs old, and trying to explain to a 7 yr old why his brother had to stay at the hospital, was unbareable. We had to explain that Davey went to heaven, and he would always be with us. As years went on, Justin made choices in life that he had to live on his own. He had no one to follow anymore, he was lost.... he grew into a fine young man. He made the choice in 2012 to enlist into the military, I told him I would support him, no matter what he chose to do in life, because thats what a parent does. Whether it be a bad choice or good choice. I was with him when he went to MEPS, to sign and be sworn in, it was very hard as a mother to know I was going to have to let him live his life, but no matter what I was still going to support him. As time went on, it was getting closer for Jan 2,2013 to get here, for him to leave. He was with us, from the middle of Dec 2012 until Dec 31, 2012. He then had to leave and it was time for him to become a "different person", I held onto him for as long as I could, I hugged him and didn't want to let him leave. In my mind it was like I was loosing another child and had to say my goodbyes all over.,s he drove away tears rolled down my face, and my heart began to sink further and further into my feet. I spoke to him on and off until Jan 8,2013. That was the last I heard his voice until Feb. 10, 2013- my heart sank when his ringtone came through my phone as I was sitting in my livingroom, I answered the phone and it was his voice on the other end, saying.... " mom, I love you!" It was so relieving to hear that voice. I was so happy, and when we had to hang up I once again cried, happy and sad tears. I have been counting  down the days to get to see him for graduation on March 15,2013. I have had this trip to drive 921 miles from Kentucky to Oklahoma for weeks. I am so ready to get to hug my soldier once more! He has made his step dad and I very proud! I sure miss him. My heart and thoughts are with him everyday! HOOAH- to all the soldiers.