His dream came true yesterday - Grant was dropped off at the United States Air Force Academy for the Class of 2027.
Before he left, we did a few things... took a picture one last time with his truck before we get around to selling it.
His buddies came over for dinner and games.
Jason made Sunday waffles for the last time for three until Christmas break.
Picture with the yard sign given by the Oklahoma Parent Club.
Bye, Eddie!
This is Bob, Kay and Sarah Wettemann - his sponsor family. We took them to dinner and then we went back to their house to visit. Wonderful people and Grant feels so comfortable with them as well. Bob is an SPS grad and our principal hooked us up together.
We spent a few hours back on campus checking it out so Kyle could remember - it's been seven years since he has been there.
The gate to Jack's Valley (the physical obstacles/gas chamber/guns/tent living part of BCT) was open so we drove out there. Much of it was hidden but we did spot The Rock which is significant to a cadet.
Tuesday was an ice cream social where the kiddos can meet up with their squadron for the first time. The boys obliged me with a picture with The Bird.
Last night of hanging in the hotel room before I-Day!
Sporting the 2027 class tshirt - has all of the cadets names on it. His class is Yellow - so all accessories, etc, are yellow to represent the 2027. The class of 2031 will also be yellow and so forth... gray, red and blue are the other colors. His represents the grass of the plains (bleh).
A cadet from Edmond sent Grant this - his room and roommates! Three dudes, three desks and three bookshelves in one room. It'll make him really appreciate his 16x14 room growing up! :)
Took a picture of his boots as we've been told to take shots of anything that will help identify him in pictures as they will all look the same. His last meal was Chickfila for breakfast where we killed time until it was time for his squadron to report.
One final picture and we had to say our goodbyes before the drop off - picture the drop off to be the best organized elementary school drop off line ever - pull up, they get out, and they're off.
Brother hugs!
this one was serious and not posed.
Almost there!!
Fly, Grant, Fly!
The best activities were planned for the families after drop off. As this is such a unique situation, they've realized it is good to divert the parents' emotions. :) Surprisingly, Jason nor I cried much. We both got teary and it will eventually hit us, but Grant was so excited that it made us happy.
Parents had a cookout and an opportunity to write letters to the kids that should be received these first few days. We then got to go to the Planetarium which has only be reopened less than two years after being closed nearly two decades.
Sitting in a glider at the picnic.
We don't quite understand the purpose of a glider.
Walking on campus and seeing the Heritage Walk.
Bathroom break at Arnold Hall brought us to Nate Horn - one of Reid's pen pal's good friends. It was fun to see him in non-hockey gear.
It was a beautiful day for Old Glory on campus!
These next few pictures I snagged from their Instagram page just to have a copy of a few of the little things Grant experienced on I-day.
The initial Cadre experience - getting yelled at on the bus after all In Processing paperwork, shots, medical check, etc are complete.
These are "the footprints" where they are taken to directly after getting off the bus.
The cadre. They are mostly incoming juniors and although despised, their goal is to tear down the BCTs and train them back up with a military mindset.
During the family activities, we stopped to watch some of the cadets go through the process. They are coming up from the footprints/ramp on the right side of this. They go in to a building in "civies" (civilian clothes) and come out hauling 80lb bags of clothes and supplies. These must be carried in their left hand at all times and C4Cs (Cadet 4th class/freshmen) can only walk on the white part of the sidewalks.
They are being encouraged by the cadre the entire time!
During the game, I got a facetime call from Grant. They were allowed a very short call. We were able to see his buzz cut. He seemed very happy. Said he was kind of ignored on the footprints (a very good thing) and it was what he expected. Based on the parent facebook page, not all squadrons were allowed to call home so we are thankful for this image and a few words.
BCT Squadron - Hellcats
Academic squadron - 39/Jedi Knights
Meanwhile, Eddie was home being loved on by the Lawsons and the grandparents.
