What a unforgettable week filled with special memories, celebration, tears of joy, and one of the proudest moments in our lives.
Do attend the General's reception on the 1st day. Lovely afternoon event and a photo opportunity with your family and him.
Arrive early for the graduation parade as there is no assigned seating.
Memorial Day parade had fewer people so seating isn't as much of an issue.
The evening of the reception and commissioning, hail and winds hit coupled with rush hour traffic, made a 20 minute trip into a 1 hour and 20 minute trip. We nearly missed the entire reception, but every minute there was wonderful. Sovenior USAFA labeled wine bottles, and the massive ice sculptures were exquisite.
The graduation ceremony was spectacular. As they marched in shivers went right through me and the Thunderbirds were breathtaking. There is assigned seating so account for traffic in, parking, walk time and lots of people.
Overall, take patience, a camera and savor every moment. It all goes by as fast as a Thunderbird flyover.
The Gustafson's are safely back from cool/cold Colorado but the warmth of the excitement generated by the graduating cadets made it very enjoyable.
Story told in reverse order.
Thursday we started the drive back to Phoenix.
On Wednesday morning - The Graduating Cadets all had to be at the field by 7:30 am to be scanned by the magic wand of President Bush's security detail. Then they had to stand around in what they referred to as the bull pen where a strong chilling breeze or wind made them very cold. Eventually the President arrived just in time for the ceremonies to start. The President was in good spirits as he saluted, shook hands, hugged the gals, waved at the parents, joked with the cadets - high fives, the robot dance, a couple of cadets had him sign their diploma, one had his cell phone ready and the President talked to the parents in the stand. It was amazing that he said something to every cadet.
The day of the graduation (Wednesday) we all woke up to a very overcast, off and on rain and drizzle and windy day - anyone who was going to dress up quickly changed to warmer clothes such as blue jeans, sweaters, stocking hats, rain ponchos (the kind you pick up for 99 cents at WalMart that fit in your pocket), warm shoes, etc. Those cheap plastic ponchos kept the wind from penetrating through the clothing. The layering of clothes was highly recommended. Also bring some large trash bags to use on the wet metal seats, better yet if you have the clip on stadium chairs you will be a lot more comfortable. They ran out of the stadium seats they rent. They sold a lot of hot chocolate and very little ice cream that day. No sun burn but a lot of wind burn. With the President there everyone had to go through metal detectors and if you weren't on the grounds by 9:50, too bad as you were turned away.
The cloud cover or low ceiling prevented the Thunderbirds from doing their show but at least they managed a fly over when the cadets threw their hats. You also got to give credit to the President who did not seem to let the weather bother him.
The 4th, 3rd and 2nd degree Cadets who were in the stands ended up huddling in the bathrooms to keep warm and stayed in the corridors of the stands
The Cadets were not supposed to use their cell phones or bring them as there is no place on the dress uniforms to keep them. But the cadets being creative and it being the last day for breaking the rules - put the cell phones under their hats, stuffed them in their socks or taped them to their arms. From the stands you could see them bending over in their seats and trying to be candid as they call their folks in the stands. So the cameras showed a few on the big screen using their phones and then everyone said heck with the rules and brought out the phones. Lots of laughs in the various antics of the cadets as they did unique dances, summersaults, football tackles as they left the reception stand.
There was no problem finding gathering places for meals - many families kept it more informal and met at Fridays, Old Chicago, Chili's, Applebees, etc. Most places did not take reservations but there were enough places in the City for everyone to meet at what ever time they wanted. It appeared that the cadets just wanted to get out of their uniforms and into jeans and kick back over a leisurely meal as the cadets still needed to check out of the Academy. Ryan checked out on Thursday after the rush - so therefore the Cadets really have two days to clear out. Ryan donated a lot of stuff to the underclassmen.
Suggested for Graduation day - arrive on base at least two hours early - that means you leave your lodging three hours before the event - once on base you can always kill time. We left at 8 am and it was a mess it took us until 9 to get to the handicap parking and another 45 minutes to just get inside the stadium gate. There was only one port-a-john outside of the gate - so those that drank a lot of coffee prior to heading out where definitely in agony. Thus we would have been better off to have left at 7 am. We and our guest stayed at the Microtel and the Hampton Inn just off Woodman and Academy. It was within walking distance of Old Chicago, TGI Fridays, Outback and of course, Hooters. There are several of each of these restraunts in the City.
On Tuesday - Parade Day if you weren't in the stands two hours prior to the performance you were out of luck finding a seat. The reviewing stands were packed. Once again if you can bring a stadium seat or a least a blanket to sit on you would be more comfortable. They quickly sold out of the stadium seats that you rent. Once again the morning was chilly and those gals who wore short skirts and open toed shoes were shivering - same for the men who wore shorts. The predominate dress seemed to be blue jeans. The lines to the port-a-johns were long and the ladies were begging the men to use the trees. Due to the low cloud cover all the planes (6 different ones were to fly) could not perform for the fly over. The key word is be flexible. It was a joy to see the class of 2008 separate out from the remainder of the Wing. Once it was over the Cadets and parents got together on the parade grass. Lots of smiling faces.
So after the Parade we just hung out on base visiting the Visitor Center, Chapel etc until time for the Afternoon Ceremonies.
On Tuesday Afternoon - we attended Ryan's Chemistry Department Recognition Ceremony in the Association of Graduates Building (Dolittle Hall). The Chemistry Department likes to hold its Ceremony here as it is the first building the new Doolies are processed in before they cross the bridge and so it was fitting that this be the last building for processing out of the Chemistry Department. It was very nice and there sure are some smart cadets. Of the 30 Cadets graduating from Chemistry - 12 are going to be pilots, 7 are going to medical school, 1 to dental school, 8 to other graduate schools or research bases and others to fields of personnel, intelligence, etc.
After that we went back for a meal near the hotel as Ryan's Squad did not have it's commissioning ceremony until 10 pm. When we returned to base in the dark they had taken down the guidance signs as to where to go and park. By then they had changed the whole parking scheme and so everyone was routed up to the field house and either bused or took a van to the respective hall - in our case Mitchell Hall. Since the President came into Colorado Springs around 9 pm it created havoc with traffic as the interstate was blocked off until the President's motorcade passed and many people almost missed the commissioning ceremony. The Ceremony itself was nice, teary eyes, people forgetting or stumbling over the oath. lots of proud family - most folks were more dressed up. However, our ceremony took a little longer and the buses had already departed the base. We had to get some vans and cadets to get their own cars to help shuttle people to the field house. The key is if you have the late ceremony get the name/number of security or the transportation coordinator so you can call and not be stranded. It was 1 am by the time we hit the bed and had to get up early to get to the Graduation Ceremonies - so lack of sleep. You will also find that your cadet is operating on pure adrenaline, no sleep as this is such an exciting time for them.
Monday was a free day - we helped moved Ryan into his apartment as he will be spending his summer in Colorado Springs just enjoying himself and taking a class that only UCLA requires of its incoming students.
We also used Monday which was Memorial Day to get our overheating car fixed. Thank Goodness that Firestone was open. And then on Thursday we had to get a tire fixed - thanks for the Discount Tire Warranty.
Sunday - we went to the play in Arnold Hall - "Kiss me Kate - it was very enjoyable of course we were influenced by Ryan having danced and choreographed the dancing routine. Anyhow its something to do.
On Sunday we did not go to the Superintendent's reception as Ryan said he was not going. He said he already met the General and of course we met the General when he was here at Luke. Ryan classified it as a cattle call with three groups rotating through for a quick handshake.
Bottom line:
• Be prepared for any type of weather.
• Bring something to seat on in the stadium or parade ground seats. If you can get there early enough you can rent them
• Arrive on base - that means through the guard gates at least two hours early - so depending on traffic (which was bad) you may have to leave your lodging three hours early
• Don't drink a lot of coffee or other fluids or your eyes will be crossed as you pray to get to the nearest bathroom as quickly as possible
• By those cheap pocket size rain ponchos
• Have sun block as it also helps with with burn
• Be flexible
• Don't be in any hurry to leave the stadium after graduation. It took about two hours to clear the place - so pack a snack and have a tail gate party
• There were quite a few cadets and family leaving town after graduation
• Note book your rooms now for graduation
• Have the phone number of base security or transportation coordinator in case you get stuck like we did with transportation after the late night commissioning
• Expect the unexpected as your Cadet may ask you to take a few items home with you such as big tubs of old uniforms. It seems that during this last week their minds are on a thousand things as packing up the room is the last
• Have your picture ID ready when you pass through the gate.
