A Father's Letter
A Father’s Letter shares the heartfelt words I wrote to my son as he prepared for his first military deployment.
Leon Alderman
9/25/20261 min read
I sit at the table, a pen resting in my hand. I wrote many letters during my twenty years of military service—to my mother, to my aunts, to my friends—but this one feels different.
This one is for my youngest son, as he leaves for his first deployment.
I begin thoughtfully, giving each word weight. I tell him what I’ve learned: to stay grounded when everything feels uncertain, to trust his training, to look out for those beside him. I remind him to hold onto who he is, no matter where the sea takes him.
There is more I want to say, but those sentiments speak between the lines—the pride I feel, the hardships that lie ahead, the quiet resolve to endure whatever comes.
I know the weight of service. My father lived it, my brother lived it, and I have lived it
When I finish, this letter offers more than advice. It carries my love—steady and enduring—across distance, ocean, and time.
Your friend,
Leon
"Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding."
- Proverbs 4:1-2:
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Personal reflections on faith, family, and service—offering hope and encouragement through life’s challenges.
Your friend,
Leon Alderman, CDR, USN (Ret.)
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