Friday, September 4

Photos: A combination of mine and Deb’s

Deb found someone to take a group photo of us in the bleachers as we waited for the graduation ceremony to begin.

The Parris Island Marine band

The Chaplain opened with prayer

The graduating Marines began marching onto the field.

Jesse’s Platoon #1054

Opha Mae the English Bulldog Mascot was also part of the ceremony.

Another great speech from the Marine who spoke the day before. We think he is the Commanding General on Parris Island.

Cannon Salute

We didn’t count the cannon salutes. Internet says there are 21 at Parris Island Graduations. We didn’t think it seemed like that many, but I will go with the Internet information

Colors ceremony

The graduates all marched in front of us. It was nice for us that Jesse was on our side.

Retiring each Platoon Flag Ceremony. Jesse’s is 1054. This is a formal, symbolic part of the graduation ceremony that marks the end of recruit training for the newest Marines.

Each platoon has a guidon – a ceremonial flag representing the unit. During graduation, honor graduates are selected to “retire” the guidon. This is done by presenting the guidon to the drill instructors of that platoon, who then carry it off the field.

That is one of the final parts of graduation. We then got to congratulate our graduates.

Jesse, Kelli, and Jere

Jesse, Kelli, Kristen, and Jere.

Jesse with his sister Jana. It was drizzling a bit during graduation. Jana hair shows that a bit.

Uncle Roy and Jesse

Aunt Deb and Jesse

Me hugging Jesse

Cerwin congratulating Jesse.

Full length photos of Jesse

Jesse’s siblings told him that if he joins a dating ap, he should use one of these pictures. 🙂

With his siblings and friends/spouses: Kelli and Josh, Jesse, Jana (her husband was not able to get off work), Nicole and Ian. You may remember that his brother Jared and wife Yeira were in Germany.

The eleven of us with Jesse.

Waiting in line to get pictures with Jesse in front of the Marine Statue.

The Monument to U.S. Marines

The famous “statue of Marines” on Parris Island is officially called the Monument to U.S. Marines, but it is widely known as “Iron Mike”. It was erected in 1924 to honor the Marines of Parris Island who died in World War I and was dedicated on July 24, 1924.

Jesse with Kristen and Jere

Jesse

Congratulations, Jesse. Graduating from Marine Boot Camp is no small feat.

From here we went to the van, then Jesse and Jere went to get everything that he was taking home.

Next post – our trip home.