Joel's Graduation from USAF Basic Training
Our son Joel graduated this week from Basic training, He is a 3rd generation to serve his nation. He follows in the footsteps of his Grandfather and his father. We are so very proud of him and what follows is our trip to his graduation.
So our adventure began on Wednesday with a flight into San Antonio. It was hot very very hot! I use to think nothing was hotter then Georgia but this week I was proven wrong. Texas is the arm pit of hell. I remember Roxie saying once that hell was Texas in July. She needed to wait and visit in August pretty sure this is hell.
On Thursday morning we were up bright and early to show up for the Airman's run. This was our first sight of Joel in 8 and 1/2 weeks.
Can you see him? Yeah it took me a while to find him too. Truly I did not recognize him. Had to take the pic and zoom in on it to make sure it was the boy I birthed.
This was the part of the part of the AF I can not say I missed. It was a hurry up and wait. After the Airman's run we literally had to wait 2 hours for the next step which was the coin ceremony. It was HOT! but as hot as we were those poor airmen were at parade rest waiting on the hot pavement.
John and Joel this is after the Coin ceremony and before Joel pinned on his rank.
My boys! They all look so handsome.
Jaime and Joel, Jessica did not fly in until Thursday evening.
We were unable to leave base on Thursday and I must say that I think we have figured it out that this is a money maker for the government. You multiple 665 airmen graduating on average every Friday and you make their families stay on base and spend money on base and they rack up some revenue. This is the BX food court Cha Ching!
Since we were unable to leave base we about ran out of things to do. So toward the end of the afternoon we just drove out to the golf course to check out the Pro shop and the wonderful manager said Joel could hit some range balls but could not actually play golf. He even gave Joel a VIP set of clubs to swing with. Pawpaw Joel said to let you know that even though they were VIP they were not as nice as his new ones.
Look at that form.
There is my baby!
We woke up early Friday morning for Joel's official graduation. We showed up on the parade fields and grabbed a seat.
The airmen marched by the stands then took the oath.
Isn't that a pretty sight? All those boys and girls in blue. How could you not love this country?
The procession of the state Flags
The volunteer band made up of recruits who are actually going through basic
My beautiful daughters. They have not wilted from the heat yet.
Joel and Jessica this was her first sight of Joel. After the graduation we went to eat lunch at a Mexican restaurant where we met up with some old friends from Germany. We use to travel around Germany with Paul and Christy Lamb.We were so blessed to have the chance to sit and catch up with them. They walked around the river walk with us and we caught up on 20+ years in one afternoon.
