|
Great Trip to Ft. Bragg
Greetings and Happy Memorial Day to All. We just returned last night from NC where we attended my son's graduation from SFQC. I must say I already miss that North Carolina sunshine as Seattle is characteristically cloudy and cool. We drove to Ft. Bragg the morning of the First Regimental Formation and spotted our son by accident as we were trying to locate our accomodations. He walked over to the car and said, "...this is not the right time for hugs and kisses." I looked over his shoulder and saw that all of the other graduates and other "officials" were gathered in the shaded area about 50 yards behind the magnificent statue of COL. Simons.
The First Regimental Formation was great as the new SF soldiers marched onto the grounds and took their places behind the markers noting their respective groups. I enjoyed seeing the representatives from past Wars and especially liked the vision of one older man dressed in his green blazer. Though his hair was sparse and his belly had grown a bit over the years, I could see the sharp eyes, the firm handshake, the sense of fraternal brotherhood and the quiet confidence with which he carried himself. While I neglected to catch his name, it was a pleasure to see him warmly welcome the other SF soldiers gathered. When the new guys donned their berets for the first time, it was almost surreal as my mind did a quick time-lapse back over the nearly two years since my son left for Basic Training. It was an amazing event to witness. A couple of my son's friends from the 82nd Airborne attended the ceremony and, for the first time, I saw first hand the respect that other soldiers have for the Quiet Professionals. I also met mtngoat and made arrangements to meet for dinner later in the week.
The graduation ceremony the following day at Crown Coliseum was tremendous as the new SF soldiers gathered by MOS dresssed so smartly in their Class A uniforms. I thought the speeches were frank and to the point and the entire ceremony was the epitome what I imagined a Quiet Professional ceremony to be. It's incredible to watch your son walk across the stage to receive their certificate and Yarborough knife. And speaking of knives, when my son opened the box containing his serial -numbered Yarborough, the words that came to mind were those uttered by character Mick Dundee, in "Crocodile Dundee" ....... "no mate, THIS is a knife." Nice work by Mr. Harsey and Chris Reeves.
There's probably more but I don't wish to bore you. The two SF museums (Ft. Bragg and Fayetteville) were wonderful and a must see. We did not make it to the Green Beret Club but did have dinner at the Texas Roadhouse with mtngoat, wife and kids. (Thanks for spending an evening with us mtngoat and for the mentoring of our son).
For those of you with sons in the Pipeline stay focused on the short-term goals. The SFQC begins a long journey, but when your son has earned the opportunity to join the Quiet Professionals, it is an experience not to be forgotten.
18C Dad
|
Hybrid Mode
