Pomp and Circumstance

(Its a looooong one) & (click on any of the photos to see bigger)

Our first major of the event this summer was last week- Pat's graduation from the USMMA in Kings Point, NY. It was Cecilia's first airplane ride, and we almost missed the first one! For some reason the alarm didn't go off, or we slept through it. Thank goodness my mom called us at 5:30am (we were planning on being on the road at 5:30am). We rushed out of the house and managed to make it to the gate just in time to board the plane. I was so glad that my grandparents were flying with us too. They were life savers and got us breakfast and coffee that morning. Cecilia did great on her first flight. She was social with any one who looked in her general direction- waving, smiling, and making all sorts of new friends. My brother Petey made the suggestion of getting her suckers for the pressure change on the way down. They worked like a charm!! I would highly recommend this strategy to anyone traveling with a little one that can't pop their own ears yet. She didn't want any more water, and she didn't want to nurse, but, Dum Dums- yes please!!
We arrived at the campus after picking up a pack n' play from Babies Away. We were fortunate enough to be able to rent campers and stay on the campus. This was great especially for Cecilia. We didn't have to worry about getting back to a hotel for naps, or bedtime. We were also able to have food readily available and didn't have to eat out all the time.
We attended two awards ceremonies for Pat on Thursday and Friday. He received an athletic award for the sailing team, and he also received an academic award for an engineering essay that he wrote.

Friday morning, the regiment raised the BIG flag at Colors. It took 26 flag bearers to raise it! What a sight to see! They did it with such precision and respect.
The weather was gorgeous! Cecilia got to go swimming several times. And we were all able to go out on Pat's sail boat for a sunset cruise on the Long Island Sound. Cecilia did so well, even though it was bed time.

Saturday morning brought the first round of real "pomp and circumstance" with the change of command ceremony. This involves the current 4th classmen (freshmen) becoming 3rd classmen (sophomores), etc. until the 1st classmen (Seniors) are dismissed from the regiment. The ceremony involved a intricate sword passing from one regimental commander to the next, and then as soon as the 1st classmen were dismissed they all booked it from the oval at the top of campus to the pool and jumped in in full uniform!

Saturday evening was the June Ball. By this time we had a full crowd with us. My Aunt Jenny, Uncle Pete and Aunt Marguerite, and all of my brothers were finally in attendance. We got all gussied up and headed out to a local Italian Restaurant. We all enjoyed the company, and the food was NY Italian!! Cecilia did pretty well considering that it was beyond bed time by the time we finally got our food. She was a champ and stuck it out though. When we got back to campus C went straight to bed and we all went and danced the night away. It felt like we were in a scene from a movie- perhaps a Great Gatsby party even. The men were all in Military Dress Uniforms or suits, and some in tuxedos. The women were all dressed to the nines. The lighting was done with a string of large bulbs and light posts. There was a fountain in the pool lit up from under the water. There was a band and a DJ alternating sets of music. The entire event took place just above the docks on the water with Manhattan twinkling in the distance. We had a ball, and it was so romantic (in the novel kind of way).

Here are my brothers competing for the Popeye award:

Sunday brought us Father's Day- Jon's First, and my Grandparents 51st Wedding Anniversary. After church we headed into Manhattan to see the Statue of Liberty up close and personal. After a train ride and then a subway ride we arrived at Battery Park. It was so HOT!! When we got to Liberty Island I was struggling to make Cecilia comfortable for a nap in the sling, but it was only magnifying the heat. I was trying to stay calm and enjoy the amazing place that we were in, but I was starting to get frustrated with not being able to soothe my baby. We got inside the base of the Statue and into the museum, C was still fussy and wanting to sleep. Jon decided to take her for a bit in the sling, and with in 5 minuets she was asleep- I guess she just wanted to be with her Daddy on Father's Day. She missed the rest of the tour, but I enjoyed it. We got to go all the way to the base of the Statue and look up under her skirt to see the structure that holds her up. It was very cool to be that close to such and iconic figure. By the time we got back outside, Cecilia had woken up from her short nap and was ready for a photo shoot with the statue.


Sunday night we were able to sneak away after Cecilia went to bed and go out for sushi with my grandparents. OMG! Seriously the best sushi I have every had. AND it was all you can eat for $20!!! It was such a treat to have a date and spend time with Ma and Pa on their anniversary.

Monday was the Main Event:: GRADUATION!!!! I've been to several graduations before, and none were like this one. The pomp and circumstance of the military academy graduation were great to witness. In addition to an amazing speaker: Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the tradition of walking across the stage to receive your diploma, each of the graduates took an oath to the military service that they are now an officer of. The majority of the Graduates, including Pat, will be in the Naval Reserve for the next 6 years. However, of the 198 graduates, 65 of them are going in to active duty service in one of the five military branches. Each of these graduates took an oath to that branch of service. I also loved the very end of the ceremony when they gave three cheers (Hip Hip Hooray!) and threw their hats. Cecilia was not as entertained with the event. Fortunately for her, there was a little boy that was also just as entertained, and they got to play with each other. After the ceremony Pat had Sarah and my parents put his new shoulder boards on him to show that he is now an Ensign.

Overall it was a very successful trip. We enjoyed being together with family, celebrating Pat's accomplishment, and relaxing. Cecilia did great on the airplanes, and she was a great traveler in general. She was definitely whooped by the time we got home though- this is her on the shuttle from the terminal to the parking lot.
Congrats Uncle Pat! We love you!

*A special thank you to my Grandma, Mom, and Aunt Marguerite for sharing their photos with me.*