NAVY GRADUATION

Early, early morning! We were out the door shortly after 6:00 this morning. Good thing too as even with the short cut they had posted online the traffic getting in to graduation was horrible!!! I cannot believe the city doesn't do something. We were about a mile and a half from where graduation was and it took a good hour. Just crazy! I watched Facebook once we were in the hall and as graduation got closer people were getting out the car and leaving the driver and walking in so at least someone was able to get in (they close the door once the ceremony starts). 

Got into the hall and now had a couple hour wait. Once again glad we were early as it looked like even the overflow seating filled up. They had stands showing where each division would stand so you knew where to sit. 

Waiting...

The ceremony started with the band and choir then the presentation of flags. They had a flag for every state with a recruit. I didn't pay attention to how many states were represented, I just wanted to lay eyes on my kiddo!!! It was interesting that there were also several other countries represented, I guess one way of becoming a citizen is joining the military. Chase said there were a few in his division. Right after graduation there was a naturalization ceremony for those recruits. 

Finally the big moment came and the recruits marched in by division, all 1290 of them! Took just a little bit but we found Chase! Helped that he had told me he was the tallest in his division!

He is the last in the row all the way to the left. 

Chases's RDCs (recruit division commander). He said the lady was the 

funniest but definitely the hardest one them.

The ceremony lasted about an hour and half or so. I couldn't tell you what they said, I tried to pay attention but really was just waiting for the "Liberty Call" meaning I could get to Chase! Finally the time came. I was told it was better to wait at the stands and let them come to you versus venturing out into the masses. This did not work so once we figured out he wasn't coming we made our way to him (and felt bad for making him wait...). 

Chase and Beacham

Chase and his fellow Road Guards (three of them were road guards and one fill 

in as they couldn't find the fourth). Road guards had to run ahead and 

stop traffic when they were out marching.

Chase and his rackmate Carta

After graduation Chase went back with his dad and Uncle Dave to see the rest of Brian's family and Kurt and I ran back to the hotel. We wanted to give them a minute to see Chase. Brian's family had rented an airbnb as 6 of them - Brian and Gina, Dave and Kelly, Abbie, and Donna all came. It was only about 15 minutes from where we were staying so headed over there. Took some more pictures of course and hung out for just a bit before we headed out for a late lunch. 

Chase and Abbie - her shirt really should about say sister!

Chase catching up with a friend on the phone. That really is a pocket,

he does not have his hand down his pants...

Asked Chase what he wanted and he said a good burger so we found Timothy O'Tooles. Just like his mom, he didn't have a burger though but macaroni and cheese. I had the fish and it was delicious. Kelly and Gina had a Bloody Mary. These were cool - almost made we wish I like Bloody Mary's...

Went back to their airbnb and just hung out for a bit then had to get Chase back to base. Chase entertained us all with stories from bootcamp. Got to see his official bootcamp photos.

I love this frame! So Chase! My favorite "Stop Screaming Carroll" and 

"Carroll Please Shut Up". Typical quiet Chase. He said they did all say he was 

the quietest until he yelled, then he was the loudest and they listened.

We weren't sure what the traffic would be like and didn't want him to be late so left about an hour before Chase had to be back. After dropping him off we went back to the hotel for another early night.

Picked Chase up around 8:00 the next morning. He wanted to go out to breakfast so headed to Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe. I had the meat lovers skillet which was quite yummy and Kurt the french toast. Chase had chocolate banana bread french toast. I tried a bite and it was delicious although quite sweet and rich. After breakfast we went back to the hotel and opened our Christmas presents. Kurt, Chase, and I all got Buck Naked Underwear from Buddy and Kitty. This came in handy as Chase took a nice hot shower (I guess those are hard to come by at bootcamp...) and put those new Buck Naked's to use. He said the first thing he was doing when he got to school was throwing away the cheap underwear provided during bootcamp and buying new. Played a couple games of Sequence and Skipbo before Abbie, Dave, and Brian came to pick him up. They wanted to celebrate Christmas too so we gave them some alone time. 

After Chase left I took at nice nap then Kurt and I went to the Silo for some pizza. I thought it was very good although it had large chunks of tomatoes. Not a fan of that but they were big enough you could easily pick them out. Kurt wasn't a fan... After pizza Kurt and I checked out the Museum of the American Sailor. Was an interesting little place - and it was free. Talked about the history of the Navy, bootcamp, and rankings. Also a section on tattoos in the Navy.

Soldiers used to embroider their seabags, sounded mostly for something to do.

The racks at bootcamp. Chase said this is accurate although those sheets

were sloppy and would not have passed inspection!

Battle Stations - the final test before becoming a Sailor!

After the museum we headed back to the airbnb. Gina made spaghetti for everyone. Kurt and I had just had pizza so we just kept them company. After supper we played some Uno before having to take Chase back again. On our way back to base Chase was saying how it was like he was heading off to bootcamp again. He was excited but very nervous for this next step. It was hard to say good-bye again but it was okay. I feel so deeply this is the perfect fit for Chase. . I am just SO happy that I think he has found his place. He is so positive and excited for the future that it is hard to be sad about saying good-bye!

Saturday for us:We headed for home around 8:00. We wanted to get moving as were driving all the way and wanted to get home before dark. We made one quick stop at Jimmy John's in LaCrosse for lunch but other just two quick potty breaks. (One stop was at this neat little gas station. They had my favorite gouda cheese pretzels that I have only ever seen at the MN Candy Store and Potosi beer for Kurt which they only sell in Wisconsin so good stop!) We made it home just a few minutes before 5:00. Unfortunately a half hour too late to pick up Buddy, that will have to wait until tomorrow. Went to supper at Stonehouse as I was not cooking!

Saturday for Chase: he called around 9:00 on Saturday morning. He said he got back to his compartment and their RDC announced the bus was leaving for the airport about midnight so they would be staying up. He said they had to pack and then clean the compartment. His flight was supposed to leave for Charleston, SC about 5:45 am and go through Atlanta. He said that flight was cancelled. So they had to wait to get rescheduled. They got rescheduled for standby on a 8:30 nonstop flight but by the time they found out the had to run 'Home Alone style' for the gate. When they got there only two of the six of them were cleared on the standby list. So now they were standby on the 10:30 flight. Thankfully they made that one. He said unfortunately didn't really get any sleep on the flight. About half hour from the airport to base. They got a quick liberty briefing, got their room assignments, and then could relax. He said he slept in for the first time in over 10 weeks - didn't get up until around 10:30. Sunday he met a fellow Seaman from his division at Subway then walked to the NEX which was about a mile and a half from their site. He gave me a little Facetime tour of his room which was really nice to be able to picture where he's at. He was going to meet up with the other 5 he traveled with, guys there from his division and his brother division that night to go out for supper or order pizza to celebrate bootcamp graduation.

It was funny when talking to him. He said it was odd to have free time and he was waiting for someone to come and tell him what to do. He said he feels more relaxed now that he is there and gotten his room and settled in a bit. He said his roommate has been there 8 months and really helpful. Answers any questions he has. He said the weather is beautiful and the base is out the city and bit and surrounded by trees which he really likes.

So excited to see what life has in store for him!!!