Posted on 03/28/2005 8:32:56 PM PST by justshutupandtakeit
Friday March 18 was a bitterly cold day in Charleston whence I had traveled to the ceremonies attending the graduation of almost 300 new Navy Nuclear Engineers from the Navy Nuclear Power Command Training school. This event was held out doors where a crowd of parents, family and friends watched our sons and daughters received their certificates marking the end of a grueling and intellectually challenging course of study which will enable the men to be assigned to the Submarines and Carriers defending our freedom across the globe. Female graduates will be performing their duties upon the air craft carriers and surface ships.
One of the graduates was my son, Arlen, who also sang in a quartet our National Anthem. His mother would have been brimming with pride as well.
These young sailors raised a great flame of pride, love and hope for the future in my heart and those of others there. Our Navy will be in good hands while our nation produces young citizens like these.
After graduation most transferred to Ballston Spa in New York's beautiful Hudson River Valley where they will be assigned to prototype training working on actual reactors.
Hats off to these sailors.
Arlen plans to be a bubblehead too. Congratulations to you and your grandson.
Two of my brothers were sailors and a third Air Force career. My dad was a WWII vet Army Air and father-in-law WWII vet Army.
This great generation of patriots is passing day by day and we pay no attention to that. These are truly deaths to be lamented and our nation's loss great. Deaths those who stood to sacrifice all for our Nation.
But our attention is elsewhere.
Very much so, sir.
Yeah, Arlen says some of his fellows are "Crazy smart" and he is about 97-99 percentile himself.
His mom was a wonderful mom and, though we lost her he has her great looks and drive. He looks just like her dad while all the time growing up we thought he looked like me.
Congratulations to your son, justshutupandtakeit! Thank you so much for the ping, Tonk!
Excellent thank you, him and his dad.
He is a fine son. Thank you.
Thanks
You're welcome, sir.
Thank you for my thoughts about your dad's service see #21.
Thank you ma'am.
Congrats on an outstanding son and keeping America safe!
When I was 17, I walked into the Navy recruitment office wanting info about SEALs, and he said it was "better" to "Go Nuke". Wish I had had the sense at the time to ask him to define "better". Course, I was 17..
most excellent day for you both.
Indeed!
Just so I understand, you wanted to be a SEAL, so you went Nuke and became a Fighter Pilot?
OK
; )
Please thank Arlen for his service to our country!
Prayers of safety for Arlen and all his classmates. You must be bursting with pride!
And he sings too? Wow!
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