Mike's Weapons School Graduation

 Finally, after a little more than five months, Mike graduated from Air Force Weapons School. This is twice as long as he's ever been gone, and we all definitely felt his absence. He was able to come home on a few long weekends, but those short trips weren't enough. Mike has tried to play down the significance of the program, but when we finally arrived at his graduation we got a better idea of how demanding and significant the program is. As part of the program they get call signs which are only given to fighter pilots and weapons school graduates, which are called "Patches". They get a new patch that they're expected to always wear. Mike tried to say he wouldn't wear the patch, but he came to appreciate it, and his commander insisted on it. Here he is getting the patch from his commander, Colonel Greg Foster. 

We brought the kids with us to Vegas and I dropped the boys and Audrey off at the "petting zoo" where they store old machinery and let you go in it. 

The night started with an airplane specific graduation where Mike was given the award/trophy for best flyer in his class. Steve, Lynette and Andy came out to support him. He had quite a few commanders and wing mates come to support him as well. 

His commanders, wing mates are: Nick Biggs, Jeff Gould, Mike, Dan Boyack, Brad Harris, Sean Price, and Doug Foster. 

The main event was a formal dinner and award ceremony with all of the Weapon School graduates. Each class had one graduate chosen as "Outstanding Graduate". I may have teared up a bit when they announced Mike's name. He worked his tail off and we were all incredibly proud of him and what he accomplished. 

We stopped off at the Vegas temple on our way out of town and the nice groundskeeper opened the gate so we could walk around and have lunch on the lawn. I'm not a Vegas fan, but it was a good weekend. We are all more thankful as ever to have Mike home, and it will be a while before we let him go again. (cough cough, until he goes to Delta)