BT Graduation Notes

Going to James' graduation from Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri was fabulous! What's not to like about soldiers in uniform? After all, they are grandma's favorite!! James is my favorite soldier ever! Tho not in order, let me tell the stories off the photos below.

We were taking James back to the hotel to let Sonia give him a special poem she wrote. On the way there or back we stopped at a gas station and got drinks. While there dad called up grandma and then just handed the phone to James. They were both a little surprised but pleasantly so. Next is the picture of the half of Echo Company that were graduating and not staying for AIT.

This next photo was a high light for us. We were waiting for James to get one of his duffles when this drill sergeant comes out looking around. She spots the two Privates she's looking for and yells to them. "RANGE WALK! or how about I wait for you, how about that?!" The next photo is dinner at the Cracker Barrel in St. Roberts who had wonderfully delicious onion rings. The next one is at a museum area where there is a lot of army equipment.

Hillary had great fun giving James a noogy. Dad missed capturing it on camera so Hillary was more than happy to do it again for posterity's sake. It was fun meeting some of James' battle buddies. The next picture is two we saw at the PX. James got a haircut and we also looked at backpacks, jeans and under armor.

Church each Sunday was a time for a little peace from the norm and a reminder of home. Next James mimics the Sapper who stands for every US Army Engineer. Then he poses with Pvt Christensen who was headed home to Wyoming. Because of stress fractures, he has the opportunity to attend BT next summer. Next is James with Pvt. Ortega, then with a silly Shawn and Sonia. With all the PT James has had this summer, it surprised him how easily he could swing his sister up. That was almost as fun as being the pool shark as he won both Sonia and his dad.

At the graduation ceremony, the young men marched up on stage and stated their name, city and state. What a novel idea... then no one comes out at the wrong time while someone else states their names! He was very glad to see Hillary and Roxanne when they were dismissed. The next photo is Roxanne and James... don't know the story behind this one. Last, but not least, is the whole family. What a great day!