Lee's life about to take new flight
Former Washington athlete set to join Air Force
By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
Not all high school athletes will go on to play at the next level. In fact, most won't.
Once their playing days are over, when they put down the baseball bat or volleyball for the final time, they are faced with the decision of what to do next. Several will enroll at college.
For Misti Lee, a former standout athlete at Washington High School, she spent many grueling hours trying to come up with a game plan -- a game plan for her life.
Lee decided that her best course will be to join the Air Force. Although she's fully aware of the war in Iraq, Lee thinks her game plan will lead to some great rewards.
"I decided to join the Air Force so that I know I will have a successful future," Lee said. "The Air Force will pay for my education, give me a job and a place to live. This way I know that I will be stable in life and, at my age, it's hard to get started.
"I will be taking advantage of the free education and pursuing my nursing career and maybe even taking it further to become a nurse anesthetist."
Lee will depart for boot camp on Feb. 5. After spending a night in Raleigh for Military Entrance Processing, Lee will head to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where she'll be stationed for six-and-a-half weeks.
"Right now I'm in the DEP Program with the Air Force," Lee said. "As soon as training is over, I will then be ranked and officially be a part of the Air Force. That ranking will be an E1. After boot camp, I will then be sent to school for training with the job that has been chosen for me. My contract I signed was to enlist for six years of active duty, therefore making my rank an E3 within 21 days of school."
The first day of boot camp will be Feb. 7, which happens to be Lee's 19th birthday.
Instead of shagging fly balls, fielding grounders and running the bases as she did last year while practicing with the Washington Pam Pack softball team, Lee will be engaged in physical training, taking classes and shooting guns. That will continue until nearly September.
Lee said her athletic background should help her be somewhat prepared for what's to come.
"I do have to say that playing sports, volleyball and softball, will help me because of my coaches mainly," Lee said. "I have learned how to handle 'pressure.' They pushed me during practices and games so my mental state is where it should be with going to the military. I thank them for all the hard work."
While Lee is excited about the next chapter in her life, not everybody is exactly "on board" with her choice to join the Air Force.
"Me and my father (David Lee) had always talked about me joining the military so he supports my decision, as well as my step-mom (Patricia Lee)," Lee said. " But I don't think that my mom (Judy Lee) is too thrilled about it.
"I would love to retire from the military. After 20 years, I can retire. And at 39 I can go out and get the job of my dreams, which is to be a nurse anesthetist for a plastic surgeon."
It can be tough for any parent to see his or her child leave. But with a child heading into the military, that can just add to the pressure.
However, Lee thinks she has made the right choice for herself.
"Being in the service was a choice that I had to make for my future," she said. "I know that there are other ways to get out of Washington, but I know that I will be well taken care of. Plus, it's great to say that the president is your boss!"
As Lee's life begins to take off in a new direction, the WHS graduate knows she's leaving behind several people close to her heart.
"The hardest part about leaving would have to be my family and friends," she said. "I have met some wonderful people in my life that have helped me through a lot of my struggles. And to have to say 'bye' to them is going to be hard, especially leaving the one whom I'm in a relationship with. It's tough and there will be tears, but it's for my best interest. And if they love me, they will see that."
Lee admitted to having some nervousness about taking such a giant step in her life.
"When it comes to my feelings, I really don't know what to think because being nervous and excited all have the same reaction," she said. "I do know that what I'm doing is a great decision and is good for me but, at the same time, I think it scares me more than anything."
Lee obviously hopes that she won't have to be a part of any war. However, she said she'll be ready if called upon.
"I feel like if I would be shipped overseas to fight in the war that I would have more pride than anything," Lee said. "It would honor me to fight for my country and actually make me feel somewhat important."
Lee is spreading her wings and is ready to fly.
