The story of my tiger rag.

Mar 20, 2012, 9:06 AM

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My tiger rag is in my pocket. Yes. I dropped out of Clemson when I lost my scholarship. I joined the Air Force. I the past two years I have been around the world several times over, I have been deployed twice, and live overseas.

I have a little over a year on my contract, and as soon as that is done I plan to enroll back in Clemson. I have made mistakes and left Clemson as a boy, but I will return and GRADUATE as a man.

In the past few years I have been all over the world, and grown. I will return to Clemson, lord willing, and complete what I started. My tiger rag was sent to me by my parents on my first deployment. It has been with me on over 60 combat missions, and over 400 combat hours, plus many many more at my homestation.

I may not have graduated in the 4 years like many of you. But Clemson is part of who I am. And one way or the other my beloved university will be part of me forever. My grandparents, parents, and now sisters have attended and graduated from Clemson. I will be next.

Every day when I need motivation, I look at my tiger rag. To me it is not just a symbol of my favorite team, or even just a reminder of my school, but a motivator to be a better person. To go back to school, and to become a college graduate.

When I do get my degree from Clemson, I will never take it for granted. I have been in 2 wars, spent months and months in an unfamiliar place where people hate me for the color of my skin, and fought for my country in the past few years. And I am ready to come home. My rag has been with me every step of the way, and has encouraged me in times that I needed it the most.

The day I get my diploma from Clemson University I will have my tiger rag in my pocket, as I always do. And I will be sure to let you guys know the second it happens.

Go Tigers.