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 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