Red Pencils and Running Shoes

So I’ve been pretty busy lately and while busy = more to write about, it usually also means writers block.  In the case of this post, busy also meant that I never had time to get the pictures from my mom.  But alas, here we are, and I am trying to get back to a normal-ish schedule.

Anyway, I don’t know if you know this, but I am the oldest of 15 cousins on my Mom’s side.  (No cousins on my dad’s side!)  Even though I am only about a year and a half older than the next cousins, I look at them all as my little chickies!  Thus, when I was invited to my cousin’s graduation from… WEST POINT… I welled up with pride and immediately made plans to trek to NY.  On top of that, we found out that Obama was making the commencement speech, and I got really excited.  I mean – who cares about political orientation? Whether you voted for him or not, how often do you get to see the President make a speech?!

On that note… time for some pics!

Mom, Robert, and I stayed with my grandfather (GP for short), and traveled about an hour to get to Michie Stadium.  There was traffic everywhere!  If I were a local, I’d book vacation during graduation week every year

When we walked into the stadium, I was so excited to see this sign!  You can bet your bottom that I tweeted the whole time

The stadium was pretty full, even an hour prior to the ceremony.  All the underclassmen lined the top sections in a flood of white.

Finally it was time for the cadets to march into the stadium.  I admired their sweet marching skills   Every graduate and cadet from West Point are a part of the infinite continuum called the Long Grey Line.  Everything at West Point is so steeped in tradition!  I loved it.

After all the students, faculty, and military marched into the stadium, it was time for El Presidente.  We’d heard rumors that he was being transported by helicopter, and sure enough, 10 minutes after the cadets marched, the Obama-rama parachuted down from a helicopter to the main podium.

Ok, or maybe he just marched in too.  But it would have been awesome if he dropped from the sky!    He gave a great speech too – he even absolved all the underclassmen of any minor infractions!  He was great and personable, and really supported the graduates.  He also mentioned that the number one cadet and the valedictorian were both female – for the first time in history!  Girl power!  Here is a link to his speech.

Anyway, all of the honors graduates received their diploma from the President.  How cool is that?!  I wish I’d received my diploma from the President!

Here’s my cousin getting his diploma – I was so proud!  West Point is a tough place, but I know he made the best of it

After the graduation ceremony, we stopped for pictures, and then headed to his commissioning into the Army. 

I love touring college campuses, so I had to snap some pictures on the way to Trophy Point!

My uncle was in the Army as well, and got to issue the oath to Mark.

And there were some sweet moments too.  My littlest cousins never knew my uncle when he was in the Army, and it was so cool to see their reaction to him in his uniform.  They were amazed!  And the very youngest says to his brother “Wow, Mark, I’ve never seen you wear that uniform before!”  And Mark goes “I know – I’ve never worn this uniform before!”  And you could tell how excited they both were.  It was the cutest thing ever

Of course I insisted on taking a picture with my “little” cousin:

(ps can we take a minute to discuss this “million dollar view”?!  could you imagine walking past that on your way to class?!)

After the festivities, it was time to truly celebrate!  My uncle’s friend donated their house for party purposes, and we all gathered ‘round to toast to Mark.  It was the first time in ages that every single cousin was at the same party!

I am so grateful for my family – I love that we all get together to celebrate the good times with each other!  I am so proud of Mark, and I wish him all the luck in the world.

Do you have any family members in the military?  My dad was in the Navy, and of course my uncle and now cousin are in the Army… and my younger cousin is about to join Mark in the Army!  Hoo-rah!