Month: May 2018

Memorial Day Weekend Festivities

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Memorial Day weekend is a time of reflection. Most Americans use it as a kickoff to the summer as well. For me, as a military spouse, it’s a time to be grateful that my spouse has returned home time and time again. This year, I had the chance to use it as a celebratory time. I went to two events that focus on our military.

First, I went to the G.I. Film Festival. This is an event that starts in D.C. but also goes to San Diego. They just announced that they are partnering with PBS and with that, the festival’s reach is expanding too. Keep an eye out for that. This festival is an all-military film fest and it’s trying to bridge the civilian/military divide by using true stories to tell our tales. I got the VIP treatment because I was able to utilize my press credentials! Woot for me!

The film we previewed was called “Going to War”. Talk about a tear-jerker. The film follows multiple people as they progress from boot camp to reintegration. It’s easy to think of war in terms of Hollywood but it’s harder when you know that the face in front of you has actually experienced it and they are sharing their story. You need to watch it if you can. It’ll be streaming online. But make sure you go to an event near you and interact with the people at the festival.

Then on Saturday, I was able to attend the dress rehearsal for the PBS Memorial Day concert. PBS seems to be popular this weekend! I really felt like a celebrity that day because I was able to hob-nob with stars from film and music.

I met up with “EE-an Miller” from “My Big, Fat Greek Wedding” and D.K from “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”. Seriously, it was John Corbett and Brian Tee. They were narrating a story about two friends from the Korean War. Graham Greene, from “Dances With Wolves” was a jokester. He flashed the “ta-tonka”sign for me.

Allison Janney and Mary McCormack honored female vets.  But because the rehearsal was running so far behind, we didn’t get a chance to have one-on-one time with them. I did let Allison know that I loved her as C.J.Gregg on “West Wing”. She played such an empowering woman. It actually made me interested in what happened in real life at the White House! Also, I was able to hear Spensha Baker as well as Leona Lewis sing. Those ladies have pipes!

I know I’m going to be a little controversial, but when Gary Sinise announced that he wanted us to stand while his band played Proud to be an American, I’m not sure why I have to stand. I stand for the National Anthem but just because a song has the word “America” in it doesn’t necessarily mandate standing up. That was the only issue I had with the whole day. Otherwise, it was fabulous.

Well, maybe not the ONLY issue-it did downpour. But then I got to play in the rain. Can’t complain about that!

Air Force Academy Ring Dance

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Mother’s Day was last weekend. This is a day where our children remind us that we are loved. This weekend I heard from my youngest daughter. She is at the Air Force Academy and they had their Ring Dance on Friday. The Ring Dance is a tradition where the cadets receive their class rings and celebrate their upcoming move to their firstie year. You’ll find out at the end of this blog post how I was once again reminded that I am loved.

 

I remember when my spouse had his Ring Dance. I was living in Denver, CO as his fiancée.  Alain and his friends were hyped up for the day. After that event, they would begin counting down the days to their graduation. For me, it was my first introduction to military balls and their protocols. Who knew that I would still be doing it all these years later?

Fast forward twenty-six years and my daughter is attending the Ring Dance, not as a guest but as a cadet. I couldn’t imagine when I held that little girl that she would one day join the military, let alone attend a service academy. But here she was, living her dream.

She sent her dad a photo of her in her mess dress early Friday evening.

The first text I received from her Friday was of her in her gown with a fellow cadet.

She was very excited to wear that gown. We went shopping while she was home on winter break. It may be the last time she can wear “civilian” clothes while in the military.

Later that night, I heard my phone ding. It was my daughter texting me. On my phone, was a photo of her ring.

It’s a huge deal. She had been keeping the design under wraps. And now I was privy to the finished product.

But wait, the excitement wasn’t over. A few moments later, I had another text from her. This time she was letting me know the significance of the ring.

Cue the waterworks. You hope that your children will realize how much you love them and all the sacrifices that you make ONE DAY. But here it was, twenty years after I gave birth to her and she got it. I am one happy mom.

I wonder what will happen at graduation next year?