Boot Camp Graduation

I don't know if I can even begin to describe the feelings and emotions involved in watching these new Marines graduate. Thursday was family day on base and they invited the families to come watch the "Moto Run" (Motivational Run). This is their last 4 mile run in boot camp and it is the first glimpse you get of your Marine after 3 long months. The neatest part was when we were waiting for them to come, all facing the direction they were supposed to come from and we were told to turn around. Across the huge parking lot...probably 1/2 mile away you could see them all lined up in formation facing us. They told us the only thing that would get them moving our direction was our cheering so of course everyone was cheering as loud as they could but I gotta say it's very hard to cheer loudly when you're crying...it was so emotional to see them lined up and knowing everything they had gone through the last 3 months to get to this point. Of course I pulled it together and cheered at the top of my lungs (as the sound from our video camera will attest). :) It was amazing when they all turned at the exact same moment and started running. They warned us as they were running our direction that it would be hard to spot our family member because they all basically look the same...and they did! :) We did finally spot Bryson in the very back on the right but that was after they started off running again.

 All the parents were then told to go to the Parade Deck while they finished their run, showered, and changed. They did all of that in about 30 minutes. Once they marched them out on the Parade Deck they said a few words and then released them for Liberty...which is free time for about 5 hours. That was the first chance we had to go hug him and talk with him.

 We went and ate lunch together and heard probably just a fraction of the stories he has to tell and it was so awesome spending time with him again. We have missed him so much!!! He earned a rank advancement (which apparently is very difficult to do in boot camp) for his fitness and leadership and he was in the top 6 of 300 boys for the fitness tests. We knew he was ready physically but it sounds like the mental aspect was the most challenging. He told us the only way he got through the last 3 months was through prayer. We are so grateful for all of your prayers that obviously made a difference to him!!!

One of the neatest parts of the day was after lunch the couple missionaries that serve on the base took us over to a small pavilion by the boat docks on the harbor and Brian ordained Bryson an Elder. It was an amazing experience in a beautiful place with a strong spirit.

 He had to report back at 5:30 that afternoon and it was really hard for him to have to go back when all he really wanted to do was go home. :)

The next day was graduation and again, it was amazing and highly emotional to see them marching in. You can see in the picture below that for those front few rows where they are directly in front of us it looks like one person marching but there are four people lined up per row and they are marching in perfect stride.

 Below Bryson is the the 4th person back in the middle row. One of the neatest parts of graduation is when the Colonial was talking to the crowd and then said, "Now if you'll excuse me a moment I'd like to address our nations newest Marines." When he said good morning to them, all 300 Marines in PERFECT unison responded to him with an "OOH RAH" at the end. It sent chills down your spine...SO COOL!!!

 Bryson is in the front in this picture the 2nd person over from the left.

 Again, Bryson's in the back row...3rd person back.

We are so proud of this boy and this great accomplishment in his life. He is now off on 17 days leave and then he'll be reporting back to Camp Pendleton for his next round of training.