Day 3-Jessica's Graduation!

When we got to the Naval Station at Great Lakes, we were a little surprised by the lack of security. Yes, there were men standing around with guns at the entrances, but no one searched our bags or checked our ideas before we went in. Not what we expected at all.

Once we got inside, it took forever for them to start. Matt, Andrew, and I sat separately from our family & these Sailors wouldn't let us go up the back of the bleachers and under a little rope. Instead, we had to climb over 20 people. It was annoying.

To start the graduation, they had a parade of flags, and each Sailor in the parade carried a flag from one of the states represented at the graduation that day. Then all of the Divisions marched in and were presented.



Jessica was in Division 204, and I was waiting for her Division to be announced to get a picture of her Division marching in and look for her. However, they called Division 203 and then 205, and skipped 204. So I was not looking forward. By the time I realized that the woman called 205 twice instead of 204 at all, I had already missed her walking today. I'm pretty sure every parent/relative in our section were MAD because they never corrected in.

After that, they all fell into formation and the Navy Band and Chorus performed. They gave out awards, and Jessie's Division got something, but I don't remember the name of the award.

Throughout the ceremony, this woman was driving me & Matt crazy. Yes, I was taking a lot of pictures. But unlike her, I knew not to get out of my seat and wander around to take pictures. She was all over the place, hanging off the bleachers, walking on the parade deck, and she was in a dress that I know was from the Junior Department at Kohl's because I tried it on. It was too small and she was like over 40. Gross.

Also, I noticed that all of these like drill instructor type people were pulling people out of their platoons, taking their covers (hats) off, and grabbing their arms and leading them away into this room. I could not figure out what was going on. They took around 20-30 people. I thought they were in trouble, but my sister filled me in later that someone had come into the station that was new and brought in the flu with them. So half of the people there were sick with the flu, and people were actually passing out during the ceremony.

After they called At Liberty, we went and found Jessie and met her friends/commanders. She lost weight! We took her to Cracker Barrel for her first meal out of camp, and she said it felt weird to be off base. Then we all headed back to our hotel because she said that she wanted to lay in bed and do nothing.

Fact: Even though she was At Liberty, she was not allowed to take off her uniform when she was with us off base because she would be considered AWOL (Absent Without Leave). Crazy!



Jessica with one of her commanders.



In the Navy chair at Cracker Barrel.



Jessica's Cover (hat).



Jessica's Cover, Ribbon for serving in a time of war, and two green stripes for being an E2 in Aviation. (Aviation people have green stripes-she told me it's green as in ground, as in you don't want to crash and hit the ground).