Wednesday, November 11

The making of a veteran


Last week I attended one of the most beautiful graduation ceremonies I've ever seen.

Like all graduations, it was a time of great festivity, of grand celebration.

But in a very important way, it wasn't like all graduations.  It was more than a graduation.  It was also a commissioning service.

Last week my oldest son, already a graduate of Duke University, graduated from Officer Candidate School.

He is now an officer of the United States Navy.

My son.  The baby I carried and cared for, the boy I taught to read and write, is not a boy any longer. Along with his classmates, he took this oath of office:

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

Here are some highlights from the week.

The night before graduation, the candidate officers hosted a reception for their families.


We were proud that our son was asked to read the toast to the POW's and MIA's.


There's always a table set for the POW's and MIA's, who are never forgotten.


Very early on the morning of graduation, families were allowed on base to watch their loved take a victory run.


The day was blustery and foggy and grey in Newport, but my husband and I were so grateful to be there.


One of our younger sons was able to be with us for graduation.  Can you tell he's proud of his brother?


Today is Veterans' Day, a special day that is set aside to honor all the men and women who have served in the armed forces of the United States.  Of course, today is also Armistice Day, the day that the armistice ending World War I was signed, so other countries are remembering their veterans today, as well.

My son is not a veteran yet.  So far he has served only 12 weeks in the United States Navy.  But those 12 weeks have been some of the toughest of his young life.  In the weeks to come, my son will learn to be a Naval Aviator.  After his training is complete, he could serve nearly anywhere in the world--wherever the U.S. Navy sends him.  

No matter the cost to himself or his family, he will fulfill the oath he took last week.

These days it seems to be rather popular to talk about all that's wrong with the United States.  I see many people, especially on social media, scoff at our country.  If those people are U.S. citizens, then our Constitution guarantees them the right to scoff.  

At least on this day, though, I would hope that even the most scornful could understand that the rights they take for granted must be defended.  And that defense doesn't come from clever Twitter posts or irate Facebook rants.

No, it's the men and women who have taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution who will continue to ensure those rights.  People like my son.  May God protect and bless them all.

12 comments:

  1. Richella,
    I, too. . .am so~o~o very proud of your son and his commitment to our Country!!!
    I, totally, l o v e d the photo of you in your Navy MoM Sweatshirt at his victory run, dear friend!!!
    God bless your son as he faces difficult times ahead serving the greatest Country e v e r!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat
    P.S. I am the wife of a US Army Career Soldier proudly serving our Country for 21 years of Active Service.

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  2. Oh, Pat, thank you so much! God bless you and your husband. I thank him for his faithful service!

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  3. Richella, go have every right to be proud. I'm proud I I don't know your son. My husband and I have such high regard for military and their families. They the most selfless people. They put themselves in harms way to give us the freedom we have. They sacrifice it all no matter what. God bless your son and then family

    Cindy

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  4. Oh wow, what special memories. Congratulations to you and your son and family. Please thank him for his service and commitment to our country.

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  5. Congratulations!! How exciting are the opportunities ahead of him! All the best as he embarks on this amazing journey. I was an Air Force officer and spent 16 years in, so I know he will enjoy every minute serving this great country:-)

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  6. May the Lord protect your son in his naval career. What a memorable day for y'all as a family.

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  7. Congratulations to your son and your family. Such a proud day!

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  8. I am so very, very proud of your son, Richella. That means that YOU did something right, you know? He has been blessed to have been raised in a family that taught honor and duty. I am sure your heart is filled to overflowing with love and pride for him...and also a bit of fear for what he might face.

    I love seeing those brothers together. They are so different in stature and yet I am sure they are alike in heart and soul.

    I bet you were the cutest "mom" there. Blessings...and tell your son that our green lights are burning strong in his honor today. xo Diana

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  9. So enjoyed the photos....yes, you must be so very proud....and we thank him for his service!

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  10. Congratulations to all of you! What a wonderful accomplishment. May God protect your son from evil...

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  11. Congratulations and blessings to your son! Thank you to him for his service (my Dad was a navy man for a time) and to you all who stand beside him.

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  12. Somehow I missed this earlier, but as I read this I'm tearing up. Your son is not the only one making a sacrifice--you all are. Thank you, Parham family, for believing in the good that is America and for being willing to do whatever it takes to defend the freedoms we all enjoy. I am forever grateful.

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