Uncle Danny's West Point graduation and a quick trip to NYC!

Remember you can click on any of the pictures for a larger view, especially the panoramics-I apologize for the length of this post. I've got lots to say and many pictures to share!
Please click on the player above for some motivational music titled 'Army Strong'.
What an exciting (and exhausting) weekend we had. My brother Danny graduated from West Point Military Academy on Saturday and our little family decided to make the trip from Boston to see it happen.

To give an idea of the scale of this accomplishment, I feel that i should talk just a little bit about the history of West Point.

The Continental Army first occupied West Point in 1778. Strategically the area was chosen for its elevation and location on the Hudson River. In 1802 Congress formally authorized the formation of the college. The Academy's purpose is to provide well educated leaders to serve as officers in the Army. After 4 years cadets are commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants and receive a bachelors of science degree. The academic training is rigorous and in 2009 Forbes magazine named West Point the number one college in America. Admission is competitive and only about 12% of applicants are accepted. That's why I'm so proud to have TWO brothers who are West Point graduates. More than a few alumni have made their mark on the world. Perhaps you've heard of a few.....

Ulysses S Grant

Dwight D Eisenhower

Douglas MacArthur

George S Patton

Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin

It's only a matter of time before the Harris boys join their ranks! :-)

On Friday afternoon we took a train from Boston to New York and then on up to Garrison, NY. Here you can see a great picture of Jen and Kenzie on the train just before leaving.

The entire family-

That evening First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the graduates and their families during a formal banquet. Here is a picture of Mom and Dad with Danny and Ashley at the banquet.

 On graduation day we were up early to head to the West Point campus and our seats in the stadium. We were fortunate to get to park at a fellow graduate and friend's house whose father happens to be a Colonel. West Point is a beautiful campus and many of the flowers were in bloom.

The weather was fantastic and the stadium was impressive. Here you can see the graduates on the field for the ceremony.

Jen recently got a new camera that takes panoramic shots so I had to try it out in the stadium.

Kenzie got dressed up for Uncle Danny's graduation.

The keynote speaker this year was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. In this position he serves as the highest ranking officer in the military.

 His speech was fantastic! The ceremony concluded with a longstanding tradition-the cap toss. With the order of "class dismissed" the cadets toss there caps in the air. Each cadet leaves a note and/or money in the cap. Children are then allowed onto the field to pick up and keep the caps as a memory of the day. Danny left a $20 bill torn in half in his cap. He also left a note for the child promising to send the other half only if he gets a letter from him/her. Here you can see an action shot of the cap toss that I took-

Afterwards we returned to the Colonel's house for a formal commissioning ceremony. Here you can see Danny and his friends taking the officer's oath from Colonel Wagner.

The family gets to participate in the pinning of Danny's new rank.

Danny receives his first salute as an officer.

Danny will be entering medical school this fall and is a member of the Medical Corps. The medical corps branch color is purple and you can see the Caduceus symbol pinned on Danny's uniform.

I recently learned that the Caduceus is often used incorrectly as a symbol of medicine. It is actually the Rod of Asclepius that is used to represent medicine.

In ancient times the treatment of Dracunculus medinensis (winding worm of death) involved twisting a worm around a stick to remove it from a sore or blister on the body. Personally I am glad we don't see too much of that anymore! I'm always fascinated to learn why we use the symbols and language that we see everyday!

Here are a few family pictures....

Kenzie got to spend some quality time with Honey and Pops.

 The closest we can get to a swimming pool right now!

Too bad that Honey, Pops, Uncle Danny, and soon to be Aunt Ashley had to drive back home with a truck full of dorm room belongings.

The following morning we headed into New York City for a day of fun before getting on the train back home. Penn Station is within walking distance of Times Square so we made an afternoon of it. Here's a panoramic view-

A fantastic street band brought a taste of New Orleans to the city.

In Toys R Us we met up with Geoffrey and took a quick picture together!

We had such a fantastic time this weekend with our family and friends. I am so very proud of both of my brothers and I know that the future holds great things for both of them!

Kenzie was her usual angelic self for the entire trip. Here's just a few more pictures to wrap things up.

Look at those baby blues....

Have a great week!
Ashley