Brian's Grad Week: Part I

Brian's graduation week was so crazy; looking back, it went by in such a blur! The time between last Tuesday when I left and Sunday night when we drove back feels like a whole month has passed when, in reality, it wasn't even an entire week. Graduation activities didn't really start until Thursday, so Brian's mom and I spent a couple of days before the rest of his family came up seeing the sights around WP one last time, hanging out with Brian when we could, and just relaxing before the chaos began. We packed so much stuff into a couple of days, didn't sleep much, and spent a lot of time running around, but I have never been happier or prouder of my boyfriend!

Thursday morning was the Superintendent's Awards and Farewell Review. We met Brian before the parade...he had been up since 4 a.m. practicing for graduation! While our days were long, his were definitely longer.

After a short performance by the Cadet Drill Team, the parade began. Parading is a constant at important WP events. The purpose is to demonstrate the military drill they have practiced, and each company marches by the 'Supe' to be reviewed.

After the Parade, the Firsties on the Cadet Parachute Team got to jump onto the field one last time!

Brian had to rush back to change into yet another uniform (his 3rd of the day, if you're keeping track), we grabbed some food in Ike Hall, and then we headed over to the Awards Ceremony for his academic department. Brian's Capstone group was given the Hollis Award for their work on deployment cycles in relation to soldier morale. His group presented the project to the DoD, and they are actually going to be using Brian's research to re-evaluate how often soldiers deploy! He was also announced as one of the cadets from the Systems Department graduating with honors!

After doing some shopping in the Cadet Store for last minute WP merchandise, we headed over to the Superintendent's Reception. The Supe holds four receptions for the graduating cadets in each regiment of the Corps. Brian shook hands with LTG Hagenbeck and his wife, and then introduced us each to them.

We stayed and mingled with Brian's classmates and their families for a bit and grabbed a much-needed beverage, before heading out (again, quickly) to have dinner at Grey Line Eatery.

Later that night, we went to the Cadet Chapel for a Baccalaureate Service for the Class of 2010. It was a really nice service to pause and reflect, and a good break from running around!

After the service, we were all exhausted...Brian still had to pack up his room and be awake in a handful of hours for more graduation practice!

We ended up dropping Brian off at his barracks and heading back to the hotel. It was definitely necessary to call it an early night so we could be well-rested for all the events of Friday, the day before graduation. :)