On Saturday, July 26, at shortly after 11 am EDT, on the green in Lexington, Massachusetts, where the opening battle of the American Revolution was fought some 228 years ago, our own Lucretia was sworn in as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, taking the oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
It was a small but very beautiful and moving ceremony. The sun shone, there was a soft breeze, there was hardly a cloud in the sky. A small crowd of family and friends were present to witness the ceremony, with Airman Doors and yours truly representing the Straight Dope contingent, as well as her husband, Bluesman.
Afterwards, we all repaired to the officers’ club at nearby Hanscom AFB, where spirits (of both sorts) and conversation flowed freely. And after they finally kicked us out of there, those of us who were headed back to/through Connecticut repaired, after a delay of a couple of hours, to Lucretia’s parents’ house for yet more food, drink, and conversation. A splendid time was had by all.
I’ve got a bunch of pix of the ceremony and reception. I should have them posted in my webspace by Tuesday, and I’ll link to them from here.
But in the meantime, please do congratulate Lucretia. This is a very special moment in her life, culminating years of work, as Bluesman described quite eloquently in this thread.
No, I didn’t. Bluesman got the silver dollar, followed by her son, a retired Brigadier, and then me.
Still, I’ll settle for top 5. Besides, I told her to do some pushups just before she was sworn in, and then I made her spew her drink at the party afterward. Who else can say that?
Oh, that reminds me…you still do owe me some pushups, Lucretia.
Congratulations. Ma’am. Ma’am… I like the sound of that. Wear those bars well.
One thing that’s kinda linked to this big step forward in Lucretia’s life is that, unfortunately for us, the Air Force will soon be relocating her and the entire Bluesclan to the environs of Tampa, FL, probably before the beginning of the school year this fall.
I think we need to say a proper goodbye to these fine folks.
Depending on when they have a spare moment for such an event, Mrs. F. and I will be hosting a farewell party for them. Keep your eye on this forum for further announcements.
I just now got home from CT, and saw this thread. I’m just busting out proud to be a member of the USAF again. Thanks everyone for your good wishes, and thanks, RT, for starting it. It was very sweet of you.
I’m looking forward to partying muy hearty with all the MADs sometime next month.
Heeeyyyyy, maybe the GeoBills will still be in FL when the BlueLucs arrive!
Congratulations, Lucretia. I so wish we could have been there for the commissioning, but things just didn’t work out the way I wanted them to–it turns out we were moving this past weekend, and I would much rather have been in Lexington.
