Military Moms feature Story by Ashley Elvington • Photographed by Laura McBryde Gainey
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AUSTIN GRADUATED IN SEPTEMBER 2015 . “ He always had discipline and loyalty , but the Marines definitely strengthened that in him . I think he changed the most in how he viewed us . He told me after graduation that he never realized how much he took me for granted before he left and that he was sorry and would never do that again . He has kept his word , and we are now closer than we have ever been . I credit the Marines 100 % for that .” Austin then moved to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for infantry training and graduated in November 2015 .
Brice will soon begin his two-week annual training and will remain home until activated . As for Austin , he is preparing to deploy overseas this month and will be gone for seven months . “ I ’ m trying not to think about it until the time comes . I ’ ve been through this process with Brice , and it ’ s terrifying . You can ’ t help but think of the terrible things that could happen , especially with what ’ s going on in the world right now . I just pray for peace of mind and try to live in the moment . I ’ m trying to enjoy every second with him that I can before he leaves .”
Barbara is now more aware of her children ’ s mortality , which she admits is a sobering thought . “ I have always been close to my boys , but I do not take any of our time together for granted anymore , ever . This world is a dangerous place for everyone , and the fact that my boys are in the military is just a constant reminder of that .” She believes they will always know that their mom is forever their number-one fan . “ I see them in a whole different light since they ’ ve enlisted , and I have a respect for them that I never imagined possible . They are my heroes . Knowing that they voluntarily chose to put others ’ lives before their own ? That ’ s a pride I cannot describe .” She is also proud of her youngest son , Max , who , thankfully , has no interest in joining the military . “ He ’ s starting college in the fall for a degree in marine biology . I could not be more proud of him ! Max is following his dream and his heart , and I am just as proud of the path that he has chosen as I am of Brice and Austin .”
Barbara has since joined a support group for Brice ’ s unit , where she has met many friends in addition to receiving words of kindness and encouragement from others impacted by the military life . “ These soldiers are not nameless , faceless people in uniform . They are sons and daughters , brothers and sisters , husbands and wives , fathers and mothers . When we don ’ t support our troops , we are belittling their sacrifices . When we urge our leaders to send protection , these are real people fighting for us . They have hearts and souls and feelings , so I urge each and every one of you to think of them as flesh and blood who chose to put you before themselves . Honor them … pray for them , and love them . That may be your child one day , if you ’ re truly lucky .”
Brice and Austin ’ s story is just beginning , and Barbara is eager to see how it all plays out , as she gets to witness them develop their careers and become the men they were meant to be . “ I just want my boys to know how proud I am of them and that they make me want to be a better mom . God chose my boys to be warriors ; not just for this country , but for Him . Of that , I am certain .”
“ THEY ARE MY HEROES . KNOWING THAT THEY VOLUNTARILY CHOSE TO PUT OTHERS ’ LIVES BEFORE THEIR OWN ? THAT ’ S A PRIDE I CANNOT DESCRIBE .”
Barbara Leggett resides in Florence , South Carolina , where she is a sales associate for Fisher Jewelers . She and her husband , Bryan , have three sons : Brice , Austin , and Max . Brice resides in Florence with his wife and daughter . He is a Sergeant with the 132nd Military Police Company in Lexington , South Carolina , and a sales associate at Verizon Wireless in Sumter , South Carolina . Austin is a Lance Corporal in the Light Armored Reconnaissance division of the Charlie Company at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina .
122 JULY 2016 SHEMAGAZINE . COM
Military Moms feature
Story by Ashley Elvington • Photographed by Laura McBryde Gainey
A
AUSTIN GRADUATED IN SEPTEMBER 2015. “He always had
discipline and loyalty, but the Marines definitely strengthened that
in him. I think he changed the most in how he viewed us. He told
me after graduation that he never realized how much he took me
for granted before he left and that he was sorry and would never
do that again. He has kept his word, and we are now closer than
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