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.
Silent Service ping.
(my apologies if TGYC already pinged you)
A big BRAVO ZULU to your son!
....and one to you as well, my FRiend!
Thank you for sharing your pride. It's America's.
I guess so! Exceptional! Congratulations for raising such a fine man!
You have every right to be "proud as hell"! Congrats to your grandson and a huge BRAVO ZULU!!
My husband and I just returned Sunday from Great Lakes from our sons graduation on Friday, March 25th. He will be attending A School in Great Lakes for the next four months. We're so proud to be Navy parents!!
BTTT!!!
BTTT!!!!!!
Congratulations to you and your son. He has definitely achieved something.
When I graduated in 1981, the school was in Orlando, and the weather was much better!
Congrats to you and your son. Please let Arlen know how grateful we all are that he has chosen this path.
FYI - I know exactly how you felt on that day. My oldest son graduated from Parris Island and the day of graduation was windy and cold. And, I like you, thought how could they make those young men and women stand at attention with dress uniforms and no coats, when we parents were in the stands wrapped in coats and scarves and shivering to pieces. But, the pride.......whew! You could almost feel it in the air!
The love of my highschool years graduated from Great Lakes. It was so hot that the boys lined up in formation were dropping like flies. God bless this fine young man, Arlen, his Dad and Mom who raised him, and all who serve with him.
Ain't it grand?
I know how proud you are of Arlen with good reason.
Our son graduated Nuclear Power school about two years ago so I know just how it feels. (I made a reply to you some months back about your son's observation that he was surrounded with folks who are 'crazy smart'. My son had made a similar comment to me when he was there.)
He just passed Engineering Officer quals so the pride just keep on coming. You'll see.
Anyway, congrats to you and Arlen (and God speed him through Prototype!).
Congrats!
salute
Good work on your part and his. Thanks.
JJ
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