Long read, lots of pics.

Long 8 weeks but my son survived boot camp. I wrote that boy a letter almost every day and the BS I was having to conjure up towards the end was, just that BS

The last two Sundays he could receive emails with pictures between 0700 and 1300 hours. First Sunday I sent 23 emails with 3 pics attached to each email, second Sunday 33 emails with 3 pictures attached, dang near went cross eyed a couple of times digging through pictures.

We flew into O’Hare early Thursday stayed in Waukegan, went to Sarge’s Meet and Greet Thursday night for the families and friends of all graduating divisions. Had a couple of cool ones ate well, shot the chit and took it to the No Tell Hotel.

Friday graduation started early, slow at first but it builds up to a great finish. Butt and back were killing me from sitting on those aluminum bleachers for 4 hours but it was worth every second of it, especially the end when the drums start beating and the sound of them marching out.

Saturday spent the day in Chicago, went to Wrigley field first then to the park, then Gino’s and then walked forever checking downtown out, walked 5.1 miles there. I will say this about downtown Chicago that Saturday, it was bustling with a lot of people having a great time and I enjoyed it.

Sunday was chill out day, went to the movies, pigged out again then took the Sailor back to base for his 2200 hour check in. Monday flew back to Big D.
Proud pop.

The meet and greet Thursday night, the wife and sons girlfriend. List of all the divisions graduating.



Graduation.




End of graduation, sailors marching out. ********** Watch the Video just for the sound effects ********

Saturday downtown Chicago.


Craziest thing, my sons girlfriend Aimee says we have to go to the park and see the bean, I am thinking she is nuts turned out to be pretty cool.



Great river walk, just like Dallas



I mean while your there right

The wife found her a real cowboy.



Back in the park.


Amazing how fast they grow up. My son was 6 weeks premature weighing in at 3.4 lb. Now a full grown man.

Great looking family! Congratulations on raising a man and a patriot!

Please pass along our thanks for his service!

Tell him Congrats, thanks for his service.

Congrats to you and the new Sailor. Thank him for his service!

Great post, Stub! You have a great family and a super son. Congratulations to him.

Congrats and thank him for his service

Go Navy!

You have every reason to be VERY proud! Please thank that young man for his service for me!

My son (9) told me the other day he's going join the military when he grows up, marines provided they'll let him off on Sunday's to play football! :-)

Thanks for posting, i enjoyed your post.

I think i remember you saying he wanted to be a seal. Pass this along. I have a friend, devgru red team.

He says they can break everyone physically in an hour if they wanted to.
He passed his swim on the last try, which was also a mind game.

Congrats!

Congrats to your son. My cousin just graduated from that boot camp a few months ago and is now stationed in New York I believe. Very exciting!

Congrats to you and your son. Well done sir.

Congrats to your son.

Where to now?

Yes sir, congrats to your son!

Roll Tide; From about the 7th or 8th grade on he talked about being a Seal or Ranger. He decided he wanted to go into the nuclear engineering program, qualified for it and was suppose to go to Charleston, SC.



A.B; When we got there he informed us that he switched career paths 4 weeks prior, now he is going into electronics. He will spend 9 months training right there in Great Lakes, IL.

Now the selfish side of me was hoping he would have gone to Charleston, SC so I could indulge in some of that wonderful southern cooking when we visit him

Outstanding Sir.


We will soon follow the same path.

Outstanding Stub Please congratulate him and thank him for his service for me.

Now that is an awesome read and pictorial Stub. Congrats on raising a fine young man. Looks like he takes after Dad. Both must be great salesmen to get those gals!

Congrats!!