Dresden Anderson: an American Soldier

While most high school students were spending summer break vacationing, hanging out with friends, and relaxing by the pool, CHS senior Dresden Anderson was nearly 1,000 miles away training to become an American Soldier. Anderson enlisted with the United States Army on May 31of  last school year and decided to spend his summer break at boot camp. He left shortly after school was out in June and spent 10 weeks training to become a soldier at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

At Fort Sill Dresden received Initial Entry Training (IET) and Basic Combat Training (BCT). He also received training in war fighting and technical skills. The Indian Lore asked Dresden what the hardest part of his training was and he answered, “The gas chamber was the worst and hardest part of the 10 week training. The gas filled my eyes and it stung and burned. My eyes felt like they were on fire. I also couldn’t breathe.” Now that his BCT  is complete Dresden will continue to attend training with the Army Reserves throughout the school year. After he graduates in June he will go to Advanced Individual Training or AIT where he will complete more basic training and he will train in the field he has chosen which is to be a military truck driver.

On Saturday Anderson was welcomed back to Chattooga County with a large gathering of family and friends. His mother, Samantha Anderson, has counted the minutes until he would be home and has kept friends and family updated throughout the summer on his progress by posting on Facebook. She was able to see photos of Anderson in training by checking a Facebook page operated by Fort Sill. Samantha states that she is extremely proud of her son saying, “He is doing something that I woud never have dreamed of doing.”

The Chattooga High School Family and Chattooga County citizens are proud of you Dresden Anderson. Thank you for your service to our Country!

Contributed Story