David graduates from the Navy's Boot Camp

Thursday David’s girlfriend, Joanna, and I flew to Chicago and then drove to Great Lakes Naval Base to attend David’s graduation from boot camp. John, Tammi and Shiloh were there too, having driven through a pretty good snowstorm to get there. Despite getting lost in Chicago’s ghettos and accidentally driving to Wisconsin, we found our lovely motel not very far away from the base a great place. The graduation ceremony was held on base, so we had to pass through big time security, then park in a lot on the sheer ice that had formed after the last snowfall. But we managed to get into the auditorium about a half hour before things started, and settled into a fantastic seat in the balcony. The audience was very hyped, I could feel the tension there. Everyone was waiting for the moment when their recruit would march in. Finally after the beginning ceremonies, the drums started beating, the garage door opened, and in marched our men, division by division. The crowd went wild, cheering for each division and yelling out for their guy or girl. The recruits performed flawlessly. The ceremony was very solemn and full of meaning – I think I didn’t catch every nuance because I don’t have much military experience; for instance, they rang a ship’s bell several times, but I don’t know what that means. After all was finished and liberty was given, the parents ran into the middle to meet their recruit. Thank goodness, David pretty much stayed put and being tall, I was able to see my way over to him through all the crowds. We spent that day catching up and listening to David explain what boot camp was like. Of course we had to have a Chicago-style pizza; Shiloh got to try on David’s “cover” (his white cap). The next day we went shopping at the NEX (Navy Exchange) since David needed some clothes and such; then we drove downtown and toured the aquarium. Sunday we decided we had some time before Joanna and I had to catch our plane at 3:45, so we did some more shopping (David lost weight, but the clothes weren’t fitting right anyway) then drove downtown again to meet up with John, Tammi and Shiloh at the Field Museum. The Bears were playing a game that day, so parking was terrible; we ended up at a parking lot far away from the museum, and we took a shuttle bus over to Soldier Field with the football fans, pushed our way past everyone waiting to get into the game and got over into the museum. The T-Rex Sue was on display there – we all know the guy in Hill City, SD, who was in charge of her discovery and excavation – so it was neat to see her in person. Of course, my dilemma was what do you see in a world-class museum in one hour? I chose the gems and rocks then took a quick tour of the Pacific. After saying goodbye, Joanna and I took the shuttle back to the parking lot, couldn’t find the car and were rescued by security, then rushed to the airport to return the rental car on time and catch our plane on time. We made the car rental by 2 minutes and were the last ones on the plane, although it didn’t have to wait for us. What a fantastic trip!

David had to get a doctor’s waiver for his eyes, saying they are correctable to 20/20 by glasses. Unfortunately, an officer has to approve this waiver, and its sitting on someone’s desk somewhere, so now David is unable to leave Chicago. He is lost in the Navy’s paperwork sea . . . . but we’re all hopeful that he’ll get out of “purgatory” quickly. He is housed with other recruits who also have graduated from boot camp but have glitches before they can proceed. Say a little prayer that this ends quickly, if you can! When the waiver gets approved, he’s off to nuclear power school in Charlotte, SC, which will take approx. 18 months. Hopefully he’ll leave soon and then be able to go home for Christmas; otherwise, he’ll spend it at Great Lakes. I don’t have an address for him yet, but I’ll get it out as quick as possible. Congratulations to David, we’re so proud of you!