General Discussion & Chat: Best/worse/what did I learn today?chat with friends.., 1 by barefootT

barefootT wrote:
Some thing that impressed me???? before the ceremony started...there were many High ranking folks....male and female walking around, stopping from time to time to talk to people.....and My hubs was wearing an Army hat......well this fella came up , pointed to his hat and said "Army?? what you doing here?" hubs said "here for Sons PIR, other son is in the Army,He is in Iraq this is his hat..been worn in iraq,,.so he can be with his brother,,,in spirit." he shook hubs hand and said "Thank you very much for giving two sons to the great US Military!!" he then turned to me and said "are you Momma?" I said YES, and he gave me a great big hug, and whispered "IT takes a very special Momma to raise a Military Man, and you did it twice!" and out loud said "thank you very much, way to go" hubs took our picture, and as he was walking away, hubs asked another person that was with him who he was??? He said THAT sir is MCPON (pronounced mik pon) West......Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.......we were not to sure about it but figured he was a "big wig" well we later found out that he is the Highest ranking official of the Navy!!!! only person Higher is the President of the USA!!!!! so I was very impressed that he would be wandering around through the crowd...talking with the "common folk". been to many army functions and never saw any of the higher rank officers mingle.

Kyle told us later that he had also gotten a pat on the back from him after their capping ceremony......after they pass the BIG 12 hour test they have, they get a new cap, says NAVY on it instead of RECRUIT!!! I think the capping ceremony means more to the Sailors than the PIR ceremony!!!!

and there was lady Admiral that gave a speech...she was awesome!! very lively, very emotional, motivational speech!!!! I have heard a number of military speeches over the years, and I would have to say hers was one of the best!!!