[Firebeef]

Geez, what does it take to get your next door neighbor to come over?!?!

When we graduated, we came out of the field from Robin Sage ...seems like it was a Monday. Anyways, we spent a day cleaning rifles and tents and all kinds of stuff. We reported back to our MOS companies, and as we finally got there, we were told our Group assignments and told we had @ 24 hours to have our group flashes sown on. I think I was issued 1 ea. Green Beret at that time as well. The next night was the regimental supper. That was truly superb, and will probably always be one of my fondest memories. Only cadre and students and distinguished guests were allowed. I think that only a father or brother who were GB's could attend. After they posted the colors, and several speakers spoke (wah-wah-wah-wa-wah...no disrespect to the speakers who were very articulate and motivational, but after the rigors of the course, Robin Sage, the excitement of everything and a couple brews....) Then came the order to stand. they played the ballad of the Green Beret, and came the command "Gentlemen, don your berets". Was the proudest moment of my life except for the birth of my kids.

The graduation proper was held in the Cumberland county Auditorium. It was the coolest, funnest and most exciting graduation I have ever attended. MG Garrison was our presenter. It was raucous, and loud...and it was encouraged!! MG Garrison said...these men have earned this, and let's celebrate!! Noone got rude or out of hand with the camera's. Family was encouraged to take pics as your diploma was handed out, and you could mug for the camera.(my brother got a good one of MG G handing me my diploma!) Don't get me wrong, it was all very respectful, I'm sure they posted the colors properly, and played the Army Song and all that happy horsedookey. It was so unlike anything I had ever experiecned in the regular Army, where graduations tend to be stuffy, hot and boring. This truly was a celebration, and I sure hope your son's is like that too!