We started the day off with going to breakfast. There, the Commander talked to the families about what the pilots had gone through in the past 13 months and what the Columbus Air Force Base does. After that we all headed to the big event . . . GRADUATION!
Here is David getting his wings!
After the graduation ceremony all the pilots line up in front of the stage. There is a tradition called the Breaking of the Wings. All pilots break their first pair of wings given to them. One half stays with them and the other half is given to someone close to them. The pair of broken wings aren't supposed to touch again until after the pilot passes away. Here is David breaking his wings in half.
After the ceremony it is picture time. I got to pin Davids wings on!
Here is our group - Marilyn (family friend), my dad and mom, me and David, David's mom and dad.
Playing in the KC-135. This is the plane David will fly.
After that fun we were able to go and fly the simulators with David.
That night everyone gets all dressed up for the banquet.
It was a long but very fun day. Two days after graduation David and I started our long ride home. It is just under 1700 miles home. A wonderful 28 hours in the car! Well we left Sunday morning at 9:25. Just before 11:00 am David heard a weird vibration and we pulled over. We were pulling the car behind us on a trailer and when we got out and looked we found this . . .
The tire blew and broke off the tail light! My parents were following us because their flight was leaving out of Memphis. They said right before it blew you could see smoke and then afterwards just sparks flying. We called roadside assistance and since it was a Sunday it took forever! We were on the side of the road in the horrible heat for 3 1/2 hours!! I got heat stroke and my mom took me to the next closest town. We got it fixed, dropped it off to the closest Budget rental place and continued on our way. The next morning we found another trailer and continued our road trip. For the next two days we saw this . . .
We know it could have been a lot worse and we are so grateful that nothing happened to our car. We are home in Utah and we love it. 
4 comments:
First off Julie you look amazing, wonderful, outstanding. I can only still wish of looking so wonderful. It looks like you had a wonderful day. I am so excited that you guys are in UTah it really makes me wont to get out there. I can't wait to see you guys and hope to see you soon. congrates. When you have a chance and things slow down a little give me a call I need some Julie time.
Congrats to David! That is so great. What an accomplishment. Take care!
Glad you made it home. Grateful that Julie's parents were so close.
I became very eNotional reading your blog!! you nust have been very proud of your man.
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