Graduation Day!!!!

 EARLY START to the big day!!! Chase texted at 4:15 this morning that he would be leaving in 15 minutes for so to head our way. Originally, he was just going to stay with us but decided to would be easier to just come in the morning. There was no limit to the number of people, just a limit to two cars. So his Dad got a parking pass and we got the other so he had to ride with us. As he is moved off the base now he no longer has a pass to park. We left the house about 5:45 as he was worried about traffic - there was no traffic so whizzed right onto base. We weren't the first ones there but it was close. Oh well, better early than late and we got great seats.

The ceremony was great. There were 400 some graduates and it took a good two and a half hours. There were just two speakers and they were both good and not overly long. Most of the time was each sailor walking the stage. Family was invited to come up front to get pictures as they walked. The Captain shook every hand and waved to each family if the sailor could point them out. It was a fun, casual ceremony. We had great seats under a tree so nice shade. 

With honors! This is for graduating with a GPA of 3.6 or higher. He finished with a 3.76, 4th in his section of about 33, and 18th in the class of over 428!
That's my hand waving to the Captain and Chase.
MCPON Herdt (Ninth Master Chief Petty Office of the Navy - the only MCPON to have been a Nuke)


Chase and Abbie
Chase and Pretrick

After the ceremony Chase had to turn in his badge and get his new orders. Although he has about 6 months left it is at a new Command (across the street) so he had to get new orders. Took some pictures and headed out. Chase has to be back at 2:15 for a hearing test - great timing... - so we were going to hang back at the house until he had to go. I think he wanted to get out of his uniform for a while. Traffic was so horrible leaving the base it took close to an hour (usually about 20-25 minutes) so he got to sit for about 20 minutes, have a snack, and had to head back.  We are just relaxing at the house until he is done - which means Kurt had a cigar and I am sitting on the couch.
Chase made it back to house and we headed out for a late lunch at New Realm Brewing. I had the roasted turkey sandwich with a white bbq sauce. So yummy!!! Chase had a buffalo chicken sandwich with what he said were the best sweet potato fries. Kurt had the chicken strips which he also said were great. Good lunch!
Headed back to house and stopped at Riverside Park for a little walk along the Cooper River. This was also the site of an old Naval base. There were still a couple building such as the Admirals House that are used for rentals. Beautiful, I would love to see the inside! There was also a Naval memorial and a boardwalk along the river. Was a beautiful night for a stroll. 



Back to the house for some relaxing - we were all up quite early! Chase picked out some weird movie to watch...

 What a great day celebrating Chase! We are so very proud the amazing young man he is and can't wait to see what the future holds for him.

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