My oldest son just completed Basic Training at West Point, and we got to high-five him on the way past us during their 12-mile March Back that concludes CBT. It's powerful to see 1,200 of America's finest youth march past to the applause of the many folks lining both sides of Washington Avenue; the relief, the pride, and the joy in what they are doing was evident on their young faces. Another amazing thing is that the alumni of West Point are invited to camp with them the night before and march along with them the following morning... and several hundred did (back to the class of 1948)! The "Long Gray Line" is a very real thing at the USMA.
Something has been getting in my eyes at odd times over the past few weeks as I process that my boy is gone...but he's off doing what he's always dreamt of doing and forging lifetime bonds with amazing peers.
Look at the smile- and of those around him too!
