Monday, February 5, 2018

Celebrating David's Graduation From Basic Training!!

David's graduation at Ft. Sill was at the end of January and I wanted to go SO BADLY!
We had talked about this so much as a family, but as the day of departure got
closer, it was decided that it would be best if I stayed home.

Having a torn ACL and a leg brace is not conducive to long drives, and maneuvering
around in the travel trailer would be a chore.
Then, there was all the walking as part of the graduation festivities..........

We knew the actual graduation would be live-streamed, so I knew that I could hoot
and holler from the living room.

Joe took great pictures, and he and the boys had a wonderful adventure!



Half the fun of a trip is all the adventure along the way!



Arrived safely, and all set up at Buffalo Bob's RV Park in Lawton, Oklahoma!



The clubhouse was filled with all sorts of interesting things to do!



The first evening they were there, they attended an information meeting on what would
be happening over the next two days for graduation.





The beautiful chapel where the actual graduation was held.



The next day, January 25, was Family Day.  The boys were bundled up against the cold - David
says that Lawton is the coldest place on the face of the earth!
Especially for 4:00 am PT........







After some speeches, and several skits illustrating the transformation of these soldiers
over the past nine weeks, the graduates made their entrance.
David was a flag bearer!



Man, doesn't he look SHARP!!!!!!



So proud of this young man!





I was able to Face time with David before they fed him!
Off to the Golden Corral where he could eat whatever he wanted!


They spent the afternoon at the RV clubhouse after eating and then going to
the Verizon store to get a new phone!


Graduation Day - January 26, 2018



Joe did such a great job in capturing David announcing his name, and then walking
across the stage.  We were cheering him on here at home!





They all ate well again, and then David sorted through some civilian clothes that
he had wanted to take with him to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio.
(He later told me that anything they brought was immediately locked up once they arrived!)

They were all being bused out that night so time was short again.

But wow, what an accomplishment!
We are so proud of you, David, and can't wait to see where the Army sends you!