Uncle Mike's Commissioning

This last weekend, we packed up and traveled to Minnesota to watch Uncle Mike (my brother) be commissioned as an officer in the Navy. Uncle Mike has had a lot of big events in the last few weeks: first graduation, second commissioning, and third is his quickly approaching departure to flight school in Pensacola, FL.

We were so happy to share this very important event with him and sorry we weren't able to make the graduation ceremony also.

My parents got to change out his uniform to show he is now an officer

Proud parents

As part of the ceremony, my brother had his first salute. I'm not a big military person, so I can't really explain what that means, other than it was a BIG deal. Mike received his first salute from both his grandpas after his commissioning. I probably don't have to tell you how proud they were.

Mike's salute (my poor positioning meant I didn't get a shot of the grandpas saluting)

Silver dollar handshake with Budd

Silver dollar handshake with Tom

The group of new officers

Mike's high school hockey coach came to watch

Mike and his girl, Jemmy

My parents and Mike