Hail To The Class of 2022

Yes, hail to the USAFA Class of 2022, as they were officially accepted into the cadet wing on August 7^th, after successful completion of the 6-week basic cadet training program. But before we get to that, we need to first discuss hail of a different kind. The kind that falls from the sky.

As Jackie and I drove from Denver to Colorado Springs on Monday (August 6^th), we could see some dark ominous clouds hanging to the south of us. While we didn’t drive into any storm activity, others were experiencing some hail of biblical proportions. Such as what Angela and Dean Bancroft, Graham’s sponsor family, experienced. I’m sure some of you even saw reports on the national news, and saw video of people sitting in their cars as their windows were shattered.

Dean holds the hail that fell.

The same hail that shattered the windshield of their car.

The Broadmoor golf course, with hail divots!

Otherwise, the weather was nice. It did rain nearly every day that we were there, but the weather was cool and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the mountain air. Our first stop, after arriving into Colorado Springs, was DogHaus for some beer and gourmet hot dogs. It was right across the highway from USAFA in the Northgate area. It was a great way to start our short trip.

Ingenious way to use Hawaiian buns for the hot dogs at Dog Haus

This was followed by a trip to Bass Pro Shop, to pick up some supplies for Cadet Maas, including an air mattress to lay on his bed. Why? Because then he doesn’t have to make his bed to meet inspection each day. He just sleeps in his sleeping bag on the air mattress on top of the bed. I know, confusing right? Well, this is apparently the way its been done for years. The cadets learn by tradition.

We checked into our hotel room….we always stay at the Residence Inn near the Academy…as it only takes us 5-minutes to drive to the Academy from there. Then another supply trip to Target to get some snacks and other supplies for Cadet Maas. Dad put together a complete tote box of pharmacy supplies ranging from cold medications to moleskin to first aid supplies. He’ll probably become known as Doc Maas within the Skyraiders squadron.

Monday evening was spent visiting with the Bancroft’s, and then Jackie and I ate at the Colorado Brewing Company, also near the Academy in the Northgate area. We sat outside and watched a lightning storm in the distance.

Sitting outside the CO Brewing Company, with USAFA in the background.

Tuesday was Acceptance Day, which began at 9:00 am on Stillman Field. It should be no surprise that Jackie and I were there at 7:30 am. Keep in mind, we had not seen Graham for 6-weeks.  

Wing formation at Stillman Field. We will see the same formation at graduation in four years time. 

Here was the Acceptance Day sequence of events:

·         0825-0850: Falconry and Saber Drill Video Link

·         0855: Opening narration begins

·         0900: Cannon fire Video Link / 
                    March On Video Link /
                   Squadron Announcement Video Link (Graham is Squadron 37)

·         0930: National Anthem Video Link

·         1000: Conclusion, Class of 2022 receives their shoulder boards, the proud moment                   captured in this video. 

Cadet Maas looking all spiffy.

Cadet Maas in his dress blues.

Squadron 37, Skyraiders, on parade. The squadron leader is from Bismarck, NoDak.

Cadet Maas with Momma Bear

If you keep your eyes peeled in this video, you can see Cadets collapsing. They were dropping like fly's. Knees locked up. Standing at attention for an hour, plus marching. And probably not enough calories in the diet after six weeks of basic training!

There were food trucks ready to handle the onslaught of hungry people after the ceremony as Cadets were required to remain on the base, but we had gotten a supply of Jimmy John’s sandwiches for us, Graham, and his friends who didn’t have parents on hand.

We were family again, if for only a short time. 

We had two hours with Graham, eating, taking, and also visiting his dorm room. In typical parent fashion, we tried to help him organize the dorm room a bit better. Some of the items provided, such as the desk and chair, had seen their better days. Such is life at a military academy that depends on the government for funding. Then it was goodbye, as he and his fellow squadron cadets were off to their next duty location. 

Cadet Maas in his room. He shares with two others presently, thus the bunk bed.

Cadet Maas and The Old Man.

Tuesday night was spent downtown at the RabbitHole. The Rabbit Hole was once the county morgue years ago. Now, it is a sexy and swanky themed restaurant with a very hip and cool vibe. Its entrance is literally a hole on Tejon St in Downtown Colorado Springs. What looks like a bus stop glass enclosure is actually the door that leads you downstairs into the Rabbit Hole. Everything is black and red and dimly lit with creative references to the Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. The menu consists of a “Eat Me” and “Drink Me” sections and includes items such as Bacon Wrapped Rabbit Meatloaf, Fried Bunny Bites, and Carrot Cake. Jackie and I shared Cherry Braised Buffalo Short Ribs and fried chicken with goats’ cheese mash potato and bacon jalapeño gravy. My favorite was the White Rabbit, a vanilla vodka martini with a flaming marshmallow on top!

The White Rabbit, in all it's flaming glory.

Wednesday was back home. And best of all, we are back to visit with Graham over Parents Weekend in just three weeks’ time. During this time, Graham will be allowed to leave the Academy and stay with us for three nights off-base. We’ve certainly got some new restaurants to take him to!

Note: There are two new Flick Albums from which to see all the photos captured of Graham. One for the 2018 Fall Semester, which will cover his school activities now that school has started. The second has all the photos and videos from Acceptance Day.