Georgia in Pictures

Tuesday night, my Mom, Dad, and I flew to Georgia for my brother, Andy's, Army Family Day ceremony, and graduation from Basic Training.  Brad took his students to Camp Ebersole from Tuesday to Friday, (which happened to be the exact amount of time we were gone as well) so he was not able to come.  I missed him!

Instead of just typing about our trip, I will try my best to describe it through pictures. 

Wednesday morning we arrived to Fort Benning for Family Day.  Fort Benning was nothing like what I expected.  It was ginormous!

  As we were walking to the area where Family Day was being held, we passed these soldiers.  All I kept hearing from one of the Drill Sergeant's was, "There is no smiling!"

We made it to the pavilion where Family Day was being held.  Mom and Dad are waiting for the festivities to begin. 

On our way into the pavilion, vendors were selling the shirts that each platoon designed.  This is the shirt Andy's Platoon designed.  We each bought one.  If you look closely, you can see his name, "Dama."

Before we saw the soldiers, one of the Drill Sergeants addressed us, and told us that the rafters better be shaking as the soldiers marched in. Then came all four platoons.  They marched in to a very warm welcome! 

The soldiers are all lined up at the beginning of Family Day.  All three of us were pretty teary.

The soldiers who were receiving awards were called forward.  Andy is in the middle.

After the 30 minute ceremony, we got to go find our favorite soldier!  Specialist, Andrew John Dama.

Then came MANY pictures and hugs!  We were all so happy!

Mom and Andy together again.

Dad and Andy

Proud parents and their favorite soldier.

Mom, Andy, me

BROTHER and SISTER...No we are NOT married.  We must have been asked that a million times.  I apparently looked like one of the soldier's wives who posted a lot on the Charlie Company Facebook Page.

Andy and his Drill Sergeants; Sykes (left) and Martinez (right)

Andy and one of his buddies.

I wanted an action shot so I made Andy do a pull up. 

The patch he was awarded.  None of us were surprised in the least.

After the ceremony, Andy was allowed to leave Fort Benning with us until 21:00 hours.  He had to stay in the Columbus area, he could not drink, smoke, drive, or change out of his uniform unless he went swimming.

Naturally, our first stop was for junk food.  This is the first of Andy's four donuts.  He demolished them in about 5 minutes.

Don't forget that he could get coffee too!  Why he chose blueberry flavored coffee is beyond me.

Enjoying and savoring every bite.

Our next stop was to Best Buy so Andy could buy a laptop for OCS.  This huge cow was right outside Best Buy.  Not sure why but I felt the need to take my chance at an "udder" photo op.

Our third stop was here.  I got to know this store and the people in it very well since we were here for about 2.5 hours.  Thank goodness they had chairs.

Inside the store.  Free drinks were handed out.  I love the little things.

We were here so Andy could buy the things he needs for OCS (Officer Candidate School).  This was no small packing list.

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The store clerks took Andy and my Mom into this back room and had him go through piles and piles to find the items he needed. 

 Still locating OCS items.  I lasted about five minutes and then went to find a chair. 

As I was sitting and waiting, I made friends with this guy, who was fitting all the soldiers for a white dress shirt.  He was from Detroit so we talked about Michigan among many other subjects.  I probably watched 50 soldiers get fitted as I sat there.

Finally Andy's turn!

In my spectating seat.  I was cold and Andy allowed me to try on his jacket.

After Andy was FINALLY finished, he had to wait for all of his items to be rung up.  I guessed a grand total of $350.  Boy, was I wrong.

Andy with Mom, still smiling after dropping $800 bucks.

Our 4th stop was to Chili's!  We were all so tired and hungry.

And goofy.

Andy was craving Chili's chicken crispers.  My salad was sooo good.  Us Dama kids love us some Chili's!

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After eating, we went back to the hotel for some R & R.  I am trying to get Andy to say he will go swimming!

It was just Mom and me for a while and then guess who showed up...

We gave a big thumbs up for the Georgia sunshine.

Hooah!  Despite all the therapy I am doing, I still have some catching up to do.

Mom soaking up the beautiful Georgia sunshine.

After swimming it was REST time for me so I could enjoy dinner.  Andy is giving Army advice to his friend, Brandon while Facebooking.  Facebook + Phone time=Luxuries!

Two other "Andy splurges"~Protein bars and energy drinks.

After eating dinner at Fudruckers, it was time to take Andy back to his barracks.  We even got him back a half hour early.  I got to know the above address of his barracks very well the past two months.

After dropping Andy off, Mom, Dad, and I went back to the hotel and crashed HARD.  We had a good night's sleep in preparation for graduation the next day.  Thursday morning we got up and headed to the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning for the graduation ceremony. The museum is a very impressive place.

 

The National Infantry Museum

The sign on the walkway to the parade field.  Charlie 2-46 was Andy's Company.

The program for the ceremony.  Not only was it a graduation ceremony, but it was also a Memorial Day Celebration, and a ceremony for the 20th Anniversary of Desert Storm

Looking out onto the parade field from the bleachers.  You can see the soldiers preparing in the distance.

The Parade Field Bleachers

Dad and I waiting for the ceremony to begin.  Beaming with pride for Andy, all the troops who protect us everyday, and to be an American. 

The Ceremony began with the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band.

They gave me goosebumps.

Rifle Squad Demonstration

The platoons.  Andy's platoon is the first platoon on the left.  A few soldiers fell and had to receive medical attention due to passing out or almost passing out in the heat.

Closer Up

The graduates marching around the parade field.

Andy is in the 3rd row from the back, 2nd one in (closest to the shade)

Graduated!  Very handsome in his dress blues!

Mom and Andy

Andy and Dad

My Bubby and me

A smile!  Proud, proud, proud!

Bugging my bro as usual.

Andy's buddy, Mike Crumpton, with Andy

Crumpton, me, and Andy

Soldier Buds

Beless and Andy

More soldier buds

Mother and son sharing a moment on the walk to the car

After the graduation ceremony, Andy was released on a pass until Sunday when he begins OCS.  Since he was officially done with Basic Training, he was allowed to wear civilian clothes again, drive, drink (obviously not together), and celebrate!  We ended up going to Enterprise so he could rent a car.  He already had a hotel booked for after we left Friday morning.

As Andy went to change into civilian clothes, I decided to experience the jacket and the beret for just a moment.  They were warm!

Once changed, Andy wanted Mexican food.  He is enjoying his first beer since March.

After eating we were all wiped out.  It was naps all around while a crazy thunderstorm that set off the sirens blew through Columbus.

After down time, we all agreed we wanted seafood.  We found this restaurant in downtown Columbus.  Yum.  I had scallops and asparagus and they were delish.

I drew on the table while we listened to Andy tell us funny stories about the last 10 weeks.  The "motivate yourself" story was the BEST hands down. I had a belly ache from laughing so hard.

After dinner, our last stop before bed was to get ice cream (I am now officially on a diet). 

Friday morning we said our goodbyes again for another 12 weeks. Can you tell Andy just woke up?  Basic training. Check!  On to OCS!

See this name?  This Dama is destined for great things.  He is only beginning and we could not be any prouder.  He was a hero in my eyes as a civilian, and he is just as much a hero as a soldier.  Thanks Andy for a great trip, for so many great memories, and for making the commitment to serve our country.  I love you so very much.