Throwback Thursday: West Point Graduation!

Well, I have been putting this one off for a while because I have so many pictures and so much went on during this week, but this is obviously a time that deserves celebration and reflection.  I also figured it would be good to wait until Brian was promoted to do this one (since it was supposed to be 3 years exactly since commissioning, but the Army loves change!) and we are VERY close to that.  So here it is, over 3 years since we turned our tail lights to West Point and headed south for a spectacular summer!

I know the week was filled with parade rehearsals, graduation rehearsals, and meetings for the cadets, so I did not make my way up to New York until mid week.  Brian said that I wouldn't have seen much of him if I went up any earlier so I soaked up a few extra days at the beach.  When I finally did arrive on Wednesday before graduation I was greeted at the airport by Brian and Joe and taken to our very nice hotel room.  Brian's parents had reserved a suite for us to stay in at the Marriott and it was wonderful!  We went to the Firstie that night, one of Brian and Joe's favorite places to snag a few beers and enjoyed the time together before the whirlwind really started.  Over the next few days Brian's family members trickled in until there were about 30 of us there to support him.  Many made the trek all the way from California!

On Thursday before graduation, we attended a reception in the Superintendent's garden.  There was a ridiculous line to get in to the Garden and it was pretty hot out, but it was a beautiful day.  We all got some sun, which I am always excited about.  We then spent a few minutes taking pictures in front of the various flower bushes and enjoying some refreshments.  Brian did his typical series of goofy faces and tongue out pictures, but he wouldn't be Brian if he didn't do that!

Waiting to enter the Supe's garden

Brian and his parents nearing the front of the line

Finally in!

Brian, Me, Lindsey, and Joe

Best Buds!

On Friday before graduation there was a graduation parade.  The entire Corps of Cadets marches in together, some people say a few words and then the seniors, known as Firsties, march away from the rest of the Corps, then the rest of the Corps parade in front of the Firsties, its very symbolic.  After playing "Where's Waldo" for a good 15 minutes we were able to spot Brian through binoculars.  No one in his company was standing very still and a few minutes later we found out why.  As the Firsties stepped away from the rest of the Corps it appeared as though their plumes had shed a bunch of their feathers on the ground, there was a massive pile of black.  Upon examining the locations of the other companies we only found one other pile of black.  When the Firsties took their new location, very near us, it was obvious what that pile of black was...shoes.  14 people from Brian's company (including him) had removed their shoes, left them on the parade field, and marched in only their socks for the rest of the parade.  Needless to say, there were some higher-ups that were none too happy about this little stunt.  They walked around and wrote down the names of the cadets that were shoeless and then had them gather back by the barracks while they were reamed out.  After they were done being reamed out they were then told to walk hours while everyone else was visiting with family members and taking pictures.

Shoes

Lindsey and I enjoying a beer at the Firstie while Brian and Joe walked hours

Later that night was the graduation banquet and hop.  The banquet was fun, but it was ungodly hot in the mess hall.  The hop would have been fun, but the Frog 14 a.k.a. the Shoe Crew were only allowed to spend 1 hour at the hop due to their little stunt.  We had a short night before returning to the hotel to get some shut eye for the big day.

The only picture we got of the night because Brian was in trouble...surprise surprise.

Saturday morning was the graduation ceremony and we got there super early due to the security and traffic that was expected.  The skies looked like they wanted to open at any moment so we went equipped with umbrellas and ponchos.  We were able to spot Brian in the sea of cadets and all cheered like crazy when he walked up and received that diploma.  Just after the hat toss the rain began so we headed down to the Thayer Hotel to get ready for his commissioning ceremony.  Brian returned to his room to change into his Class A uniform and met us down at the hotel.  We had a brunch with his family and Joe's family and then headed outside for the ceremony.  Brian's uncle Ed, a retired COL that also graduated from West Point, gave him the oath and his mom, dad, and aunt pinned his LT bars on.  Joe's uncle is also in the Army and said some very sweet words about Joe.  We were then able to visit for a little while longer before Brian and Joe had to return to the barracks to pack up the rest of their stuff and finish out their punishment for their shoe stunt.  They had to clean the barracks before they were allowed to leave.  I went over and picked Brian up later that evening before we had a nice pizza dinner and drinks in the hotel.

Marching into the Stadium

Class of 2008

Getting ready to get all graduated!

Brian with his diploma!

Getting ready to receive his diploma!

Taking the Officer oath

Hat toss

Commissioning

Love these boys!

We thought that our journey out of NY would commence on Sunday, but Brian had some car issues, so we ended up spending an extra 2 days in NY.  We were lucky enough to have a close friend that lived near by, so she let us stay with her while the car was being repaired.  After our 2 day delay we were finally able to begin our trek to NC where we would spend several days surfing at the beach.  It was a wonderful week and wouldn't have been complete without some typical Brian shenanigans!

Joe packed into the back

Saying goodbye to all of his graduation money, it was exactly enough to pay for the new compressor

Southbound!

Leaving NJ

Now, just over 3 years later, Brian will be having his promotion ceremony on Wednesday where I will finally get to pin him as a Captain!  I missed his promotion ceremony to 1LT because he was in Korea, so I have really been looking forward to pinning him as CPT!  I can't believe 3 years has already gone by!