Today's change of command ceremony went off without a hitch and there will be more to follow in the way of pictures and narrative. But for now...
The way we were, circa 1992 (or so... the actual date is a subject of much internal family debate). SN2 is an NROTC cadet, SN1 is a Senior Airman, and YrHmblScrb is a retired USAF Master Sergeant
The way we are, about two hours ago. SN2 is now a Commander... in both grade and position... SN2 is a Major, and I'm still a retired MSgt, which all goes to show some things change... for the better... and some things don't. Note that the top photo was done by a professional; today's pic was taken by a rank amateur... me.
SN2 (left) and SN1.
SN2 & a VERY proud Dad.
You have a right to be proud, and it looks good on you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. :)
Padnuh' that is WAY cool. WAY! So happy for you and your boys.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! What a fantastic day -- even the weather was gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like a man in Navy whites, in my book.
Can't wait to get details and more pics. Look at that smile! A full-blown smile, not just a little grin! You wear the pride well, as well you should.
Congrats to one and all!
Buck, pride looks good on you. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAlways the proud Poppa! You wear it well. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteSuper, wonderful, fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteSN2,a bazillion congrats!
And the pictures of y'all together are truly priceless. So happy for all of you. (This is soooo exciting!!)
Awesome stuff.
ReplyDeleteHow awesomely fantastic! Congrats to all - but especially to you Buck. You turned out 2 amazing men. That didn't happen in a vacuum!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, darlin'.
ReplyDeleteThe world is all good when your boys make you proud.
Buck; I'm almost envious. If I had Son's.... I would want Son's like yours. I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteYou win!
By the way; Pass on to SN2... I have three Gold Wreath's, too.
I wish I could have shared a beer with all three of the Penningtons.
Wow, that's about 10 chests worth of awards sitting on 3 chests. As my old man would say, that's shit hot! There was no higher compliment and I believe it extends to Buck and his sons.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I just grinned all the way through this one. What a great day for all of you & big congrats to SN2! I'm partial to Navy, you know.
ReplyDeleteI can feel your pride shining through. Jesse walked by and said, "Handsome men!"
ReplyDeleteNow that's a bunch of handsome and distinguished men! Congrats and thank you to you all, I know you are proud of them!
ReplyDeleteBTW, all is well back here in pville. Have had lots of rain and humidity.
Thank you ALL for your kind words; at this point I'm about as proud as a father can be. Please forgive my lack of attention to the blog for the last few but there have been other things on my plate. "Things" will get back to some semblance of normalcy once we get back to Pittsburgh and I have some time of my own.
ReplyDeleteDarryl: I'm thinkin' you would have REALLY enjoyed hangin' with us the last few days, coz the great majority of guys were of your tribe. They WERE a great bunch of guys... for Squids. ;-)
There's nothing like a man in Navy whites, in my book.
Watch this space, Moogie. There'll be more guys in whites than you can shake a stick at.
Anon: Thanks for the awards and decs thing... and the boys have definitely outshone the Ol' Man in this space, as you can see.
Jenny: It's good to know P-Ville is doing well without me. I've had the first twinges of homesickness already, believe it or don't.
Moogie, Kath,
ReplyDeleteThank you both very much... it was a great day. I've been very fortunate in life; I have a beautiful family and a gorgeous wife that allow me to do what I do for the Navy.
Thanks again to everybody~!
The juxtaposition of the two pictures (specifically the old school MSgt stripes vs the new version) reminded me of a story I heard a few days ago...a crusty old MSgt was talking about how he updates his blues about once a century, and how he waited so long in between updating his uniform and ribbons and stuff that he never had to buy the "officer" style non circle U.S. insignia because by the time he got around to updating it the AF had already gone back to the old school type.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you lucked out in the same way.
Mike: SN1 was sayin' it's too bad I got rid of the old uniform coz it would have been cool to wear it... vintage and all that (and it WOULD have fit!). I originally thought that, too, but in retrospect I'm glad I bought the new one... they fit better and are quite a bit sharper looking, IMHO.
ReplyDelete