Tiffany Ironside

1,003 miles driven from Allentown to Fort Leonard Wood (and another 1,003 miles back!), but I would drive it a million times over to see Zach get his Sapper Tab! 🪵🪖For those who don’t know, the U.S. Army Sapper Leader Course is a brutal, fast-paced 28-day peak combat engineer program. It tests soldiers to their absolute limits through extreme sleep deprivation, physical demolition, mountaineering, water operations, and intense tactical leadership phases. It is widely known as one of the toughest courses the military has to offer, and seeing Zach successfully graduate and earn that tab was a moment I will never forget. ⚡⚡Driving across the heart of the country, we saw so much of this beautiful “land of the free because of the brave.” Passing through so many states gives you a massive perspective check. I left Missouri with a much more profound, deep respect for all of our military service members and the staggering sacrifices they make daily for our freedom. 🇺🇸❤️A massive thank you is due to the Lehigh ROTC Steel Battalion. The exceptional training, mentorship, and preparation they provided Zach were absolutely instrumental in helping him endure and conquer this elite school. Steel Battalion, you built him to last! 💪⚙️(And because you know I can’t resist a good treasure hunt, even on a military mission... I managed to squeeze in a quick stop at the Goodwill bins in Ohio, and absolutely lucked out at the thrift store right on base at Fort Leonard Wood! 🛍️✨)So incredibly proud of you, Zach. Essayons! 🦅#Sapper #FortLeonardWood #LehighROTC #SteelBattalion #roadtrip