Jessica B. Graduates from Naval Training Course

Tuesday Yvonne and I got up at O dark 30 to attend Jessica's graduation from her Navy training course. It's been a long time since we've had anyone in our fellowship attending a Navy school. Traffic into the base went at a snail's pace. But, clever fellow that I am, I gave myself enough time to get there. Yea! We crawled through the gate at 0700. and made it to her school a few minutes later. WE had to be there in time for quarters at 0730.

But in typical Navy fashion, it was hurry up and wait! 0730 came and went. Then the decision was passed down that graduation would be at 0900. Everyone was cut loose until 0845, so Yvonne and I and Jessica decided to get some breakfast. We went to McDonald's and ate.

You didn't really take a picture of me eating did you?

I caught you trying to take another one!

OK then, this is the official McD's advertisement picture. See the logo??

But then it was time to hurry back and get to the graduation. We visited with some of her classmates and they practiced lining up.

I got a chance to visit with the senior chief in the class. He was stationed at the Submarine Squadron 7 in Hawaii. I was the squadron chaplain for Submarine Squadron 1 in Hawaii. And if you look real close at the young man on the left you almost get the impression he looks like Will Smith from the sitcom Fresh Prince of Belaire.

Then it came time for the actual graduation. Everyone looked sharp standing at attention while the instructor read the Honor Graduate citation. The young man in the front row on the right received that award.

Finally, the moment we were all waiting for, Jessica received her graduation certificate. Congratulations!

And, of course, everyone knows there has to be a class picture, right? Of course! Great morning!

Outside, we had "Will Smith" take a picture of Jessica and her adopted Virginia parents. :)