These two were during our travels to New York. I will admit I was nervous about traveling with Emmie, not knowing how she would do with the plane ride and layover, etc. She did FANTASTIC!! On both our flights (actually all 4, including the ones back), she did not make a single wimper. She slept some of them and played very quietly in my lap the rest of the time. Every flight, I had numerous people tell me how they didn't ever hear anything from her and was so impressed at what a happy baby she was the whole time. Not to brag too much, but I have to admit, she is genuinely a very happy baby 90% of the time. So, I don't know why I was so nervous, but it was a fun, enjoyable experience with her.
The first day (Wednesday) we met up with Michael, my mom, grandmother and Uncle Norman from Las Vegas and ate some dinner and relaxed at the hotel. Then, it was up bright and early Thursday for a day at West Point. The cadets had a parade without the Firstie's (Seniors) and we watched that. The rest of the time, we spent walking around and enjoying the beautiful weather and beautiful West Point grounds. My dad and stepmother drove in from Alabama and arrived that afternoon. My cousin, Danielle, flew in from Florida also that day. Here are a few pictures from us just walking around at West Point after the parade. And, BTW, you will notice in all the pictures, Emmie was just fascinated by her Uncle Mikie's Hats. As soon as he would hold her, she went for the hat!! It was too cute!!
Nikki and her family drove up from Alabama and arrived just in time for the Graduation Parade Friday morning. Of course, the kids couldn't keep their hands off Emmie for very long and so they enjoyed playing with her while we watched the parade. The Graduation Parade is a big part of the whole Graduation week. All the cadets march out in front of the barracks and the band plays and the drill team performs. The significant part of the parade is when all the Firstie's march away from the cadets to the front and then turn back around and face the remaining cadets. This signifies that they are no longer a part of the West Point Cadets. All the remaining cadets march in front of the Firstie's as they march back into the barracks. I wish I could describe the experience of this, it was so amazing to see. You will never see anything so spectacular from a "Parade" as this. With the 4,000+ cadets marching out of the barracks through the tunnels and onto the lawn in such perfect formations. It was absolutely amazing!! I wish you could have seen it!! The pictures certainly do not do it justice, but they will have to suffice :)
Friday night, my dad, Nikki and I went with Michael to a Banquet Dinner for all the graduates. The guest speaker was the U.S. Chief of Staff of the Army, General George W. Casey. He was an AMAZING speaker and it was a very, very fun experience to go. During the dinner, General Casey even walked around the Mess Hall and talked with a few cadets at tables, etc. Michael stood up and got his attention to come to our table and shook his hand and I got to shake his hand, too!! That was pretty awesome to be able to say I have met a 3 Star General AND he is the COS...he basically is THE Head of ALL the Army!! Very Cool!! Michael had gotten to meet him before last year when he got chosen (out of all the cadets, only 8 got chosen) to go to the Pentagon for a week where he met General Petrius, General Casey and tons of other "Elite" Generals and Army Staff!! Anyway, (off track for a minute:), I am so glad I got to be a part of it!! We were actually running late, so I didn't get many pictures.
Saturday was the Big Day and we went to graduation. It was outside at Michie Stadium (the West Point Football Stadium). It was a PERFECT day and everything went off smoothly!! The speaker for graduation was the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Dr. Robert M. Gates. His speech was truly a very emotional and heartfelt speech to all the cadets and families. One of the things that sticks out in my mind was him reminding us that all these cadets CHOSE to join West Point and the Army during a time of war! They KNOWINGLY have put their lives at risk to serve EACH and every one of us during such a tumultuous time. It makes me cry every time I think about what brave, courageous young men and women (and ALL U.S. Military personnel) they are for their dedication to us and our country! We should ALL Thank God for people like them every single day!
After graduation, the cadets all throw their hats up in the air and all the kids (ages 6-12) who are there get to run out on the field and get a hat. Each cadet will put something special inside their hat for the child who "finds" their hat. Some cadets put letters, money, special "souveniers" from West Point or from throughout their journey at West Point, etc. Ellie's hat had a note in it that was so sweet, it made all of us cry! I don't remember all of what it said, but I will paraphrase some of the parts I remember. Something like this:
Thank you for finding my hat. This hat has served me well over the past 4 years. Please take care of it, as I am leaving it to you for a good home. I have a special gift to give you. I would love to hear from you to learn about you. Please write me and tell me about yourself, your family, etc. After I hear from you, I will send you a gift. (He put his address in there) Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can not be whatever it is you want to be. You can be anything you want to be. Always reach for the stars and you will never fall short of the clouds.
So, it was very touching, to say the least...just AMAZING what kind of people these cadets are...and to think of how YOUNG they are, but SO mature and compassionate!! So, here are the pictures from Graduation!!
After Graduation, each cadet had an official "Pinning ceremony" where they are officially pinned and sworn into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. These ceremonies are broken up into very small groups and each cadet gets to choose how and where they get pinned. Michael and his closest friend chose to have a church ceremony at the West Point Church (one of about 10). I can not begin to describe how MAGNIFICANT this church is, but imagine what you see in movies of old, huge, cathedral churches...and this one is picture perfect!! It was beautiful and the service was great. Before the service, though, there was a nice picnic luncheon out on the lawn in front of the church. After the service, the cadets went to their respective places outside to be pinned and sworn in. Michael and his 2 best friends all chose to get sworn in together. Each cadet had his parents pin his Bars on his shoulder and then they took the oath. It was yet another beautiful, memorable event to watch. After this, Michael gathered all of the family around in a group and made a little speech to us. He thanked my mom and dad and Nikki and myself and went around the group and gave each person a special pin that symbolizes West Point. It was so touching and sweet and sad all at once. It was the first time I actually looked at my little brother and just stood in AWE at what a truly remarkable, mature, young man he has become. He is so far beyond what I could have ever imagined he would grow up to be and yet, it seems so natural at the same time, like this IS what he is supposed to do. Now, that I have myself crying, I will let you look at the pictures! LOL Also, the pretty young girl with Michael is Amanda, his girlfriend. She is from Texas and is now a Firstie herself at West Point. She is a remarkable young woman, also. Michael and her were on the cheerleading squad together and are just so perfect for each other!! She will graduate next year and is going into Military Intelligence, (i.e. C.I.A. or similar!)
Sunday, we all got up and headed into New York City with my dad, Angie and all of Nikki's family. We went to the Statue of Liberty and toured around at Times Square. We ate at Bubba Gump Restaurant right on Times Square. This was a neat place, it is based on the Forrest Gump Movie. We then went to the Hershey's Factory, M&M Store and Toys-R-Us (all in Times Square). The kids had a blast and so did all the grown-ups too!! It was so fun to watch the kids' faces when we went into the stores. Especially the Toys-R-Us store where there was a ferris wheen inside!! Abram just got HUGE eyes and put his hands over his mouth in complete AWE!! It was so funny!!
Whew!! This took a lot out of me and I STILL didn't even get to post all the actual details of a lot of my pictures and stuff, but I know none of you want to read a BOOK either!! LOL I hope you all enjoy the pictures. Don't forget to always keep our military and their families in your prayers!!
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