After years of hard work, the big weekend finally came and went!
After graduating from Appalachian State University Magna Cum Laude, Ariel took the oath last Saturday and is now a Commissioned Officer.
We are honored that all in the family who could make it were in Boone to help us celebrate this milestone in his life!
You can see from the following pix that we all had a great time.
My sister hosted a fun picnic for him on Thursday night, we had a wonderful dinner at the beautiful Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock on Friday night, and lunch at the campus Broyhill Inn after the ceremony on Saturday.
In between of course, the women had plenty of opportunity to shop till they dropped.
Poor Grandma Irene was exhausted, the Queen, my sister Lily and my Aunt Kitty could and probably will shop until their last breath.
We guys just hung out.
The ceremony itself was brief, but very moving and inspirational.
The LT Col who delivered the address is an App grad himself, and he gave the young men and women some valuable advice on leadership.
His aunt and Uncle, Bev and Don Biesterfeld came, on the way to see our nephew Don at Ft Benning. Don also wears the uniform of the U.S. Army, we are proud of him!
My sister Lily, my mother's youngest sister Kitty (She and Irene are three months apart in age), Grandma Irene, Uncle Ken Wheeler all made it a special weekend!
The pictures are all over the map, but include the picnic, dinner and fun on the grounds afterwards, the ceremony itself, and the lunch after that.
I tried to include at least one picture of everyone in the family with Ariel, and a couple of happy group shots. The man who took the picture at Chetola was himself an Army vet, and his wife said "It's nice to see a family who enjoys each other!"
Ariel's ceremonial first salute was from the Battalion Sgt Major, a Green Beret with many years experience.
He told me " I was glad to see your son get infantry, he has a fine career in front of him and will be a great officer!"
Hooah, son, and Godspeed!
1 comment:
A.J.,
What gorgeous photos; an event to be truly celebrated!!!! We were absent aunt & uncle in body, but were present in our love, joy, and pride in Ariel!
Thanks so much for sending this!
Much love,
Kendra
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