Wednesday of last week Frank and I had the opportunity to attend the Air Force Academy graduation. This was a big deal because President Bush was the commencement speaker.
I didn’t feel well, I think the pollens in this part of Colorado are wreaking havoc on me, but that did not hinder us. We left the house at 7:15am, ate a breakfast of healthy kids snacks (a proper noun) and bananas on the way and arrived at the academy by 8:00, parked and made our way through security. I think by this point I had asked Frank if he was excited at least fifteen times. As we were getting out of the car, Frank pointed to his Stanford ball cap that Uncle Andy gave him and asked me if Stanford was an Air Force rival, I told him perhaps only in prestige. He was concerned that by wearing it he might be disrespectful. (What a kid.)
We got through security pretty quickly, perhaps it was because we were two hours early. We looked to where our seats were and thanks to Colonel Rush and Mr. Van Ness, who gave us the tickets, we saw that we were in the VIP section, which meant we got to sit in seats rather than on bleachers. Hoorah! Since it was drizzling and cold, we decided to invest $40 of the $65 in cash I brought with me on blankets. The first queue we were in ran out of blankets with the person in front of us. We raced to the next level and got in another queue. Success this time, but the credit card machines were down so cash was the only option. Again we decided it was worth it to be warm.
On our way to our seats, the seat cushions we saw others renting were mighty tempting. Regardless of whether we were in seats or bleachers, either would still be cold and damp. So away went another $10 of our precious cash.
To our seats we went, had to give our names along with our tickets to gain entrance to the coveted VIP section which was directly in front of the press box. While not at all close to the stage, we were directly in front of where the president would give his address. Fifteen more times by now I asked Frank if he was excited.
While others stayed near the concessions, under protection from the light drizzle and cold, Frank and I opted to sit in our seats and talk, taking in our surroundings, taking mental snapshots of all that was happening, and also taking photos. We chatted about how excited we were. We watched the 1,012 cadets lining up off in the distance, made note of the fog as it seemed to lift and then bank in again. We talked about what Frank might want to be some day and all the career paths these cadets might take if they didn’t become pilots. Frank decided he would save the two blankets we purchased and give them to his children. He said, “I’m going to give these to my kids and tell them I got them the day I saw the President of the United States in person.” (Did I already say, “what a kid!”) We spent another $10 on hot chocolate and coffee, two each during our wait. We were now down to $5, but it appeared the concessions did take debit cards on our level so we would be able to get lunch later.
We wagered on when and how the president would arrive and oohed and aahed when a number of limousines, including one bearing the presidential seal, drove into the stadium. Frank watched me closely when the air force marching band started to play to see if I had yet started to tear up. Soon the cadets made their way in, the crowd cheered and rose. Then came the announcement the various VIPs were arriving, including the hierarchy of the air force and defense department. “Hail to the Chief” began and the announcement came that the president was about to arrive. We looked to our left and saw President Bush walk the same path taken by the soon-to-be graduates. The crowd roared. Frank took off his Stanford cap and put it over his heart and as the national anthem began so did my stream of tears.
After the invocation and introductions, the president began his address. It was much of what I expected, but Frank and I listened intently through all thirty-five minutes of it. Unbelievably there were two cadets standing behind us talking through it. After seeing him turn and stare at them a number of times, I have to admit I was proud when I heard him “shush” them. One took notice of him and actually tapped the other telling her to be quiet. Again I was very proud that my not-yet-nine-year-old understood to respect that the leader of the free world was speaking and the proper thing to do was be quiet and listen.
Frank decided at the end of his address that he was starving. We made our way to the concessions only to discover (horrors!) that the credit card machines were down again. Thankfully Dave Van Ness was not only generous in giving us the tickets, he also bought our lunch. What a guy.
This is the part I will never forget. Remember I said there were 1,012 cadets graduating? After his address, I fully expected the president to leave, and he did not. He stayed and personally addressed each and every graduate as they received their diploma. It took about 90 minutes. Donna (Dave’s wife) and I commented repeatedly how wonderful it was that President Bush was taking the time to speak to each one of them. He shook hands, hugged when the cadets hugged him, danced when they danced, talked to one’s mother on the cell phone, knew their secret handshakes, punched shoulders, kissed the hands of the female cadets, smiled, joked, and gave each one the respect they deserved for their hard work and the sacrifices they made and were about to make. I have seldom been so proud of my country.
As the graduates went back to their seats, the time came for them to toss their hats. As the announcement was made, the hats went into the air and four thunderbirds flew threw the stadium in perfect formation. More waterworks from me. Note that I said the thunderbirds flew THROUGH the stadium, not OVER. I don’t know where they came from, but it was the most perfectly timed thing I have ever seen.
Due to the inclement weather, the thunderbirds could not put on their anticipated show. I’m sure many were very disappointed, but I have to admit I wasn’t. Frank has wonderful memories of this day and all the magical, spectacular events that took place, and none of those memories have anything to do with airplane tricks. Not to diminish the significance of the thunderbirds or the exceptional pilots that they are, but on that day, my son’s hero was the president.
Whether one agrees with his agenda or philosophies, whether he is, as the press reports, the least popular president in modern history, he is STILL the President of the United States and I’d much rather my son learn respect for the man and the office than have to hear what "popular" opinion might be. That respect will serve him much better in life than any news report ever will.
Frank and I left the graduation ceremony and met up with Daddy and Beckett for a late snack. We were both windburned, chilled and exhausted but no one could wipe the smiles off our faces. We shared our experiences and our eyes met from time to time. As mine filled once again with tears of pride as I listened to my fine son, I saw him pause and smile at me. What a kid.
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