Dear Cadet (yes you)
Sometimes people want to go to something like LDAC graduation for reasons other than (or in addition to) witnessing their son or daughter graduate. If you are a current cadet, before shooting down your parents' idea to attend something, ask them WHY they want to go.
I would want to go to LDAC graduation:
* As an excuse to organize a gathering of the other parents from my son's school that I've already bonded with on other occasions.
* To hear any speeches made about the experience, i.e.: to learn more about what it was all about.
* Because it would help ME understand a little bit more about the military world, and since I am usually not "invited in" on ANY level, even one small event is something I'd be interested in attending if I could.
* To show support for not only my son, but the group of cadets from my son's school who made it through junior year, pre-camp, and LDAC. It might be one small step, but it's a bigger step than, say, NOT EVER MAKING IT TO LDAC IN THE FIRST PLACE because you dropped out or whatever.
* To show support for all of the cadets in that LDAC graduation -- I, for one, appreciate each and every cadet's commitment to becoming a leader in our military. It's an admirable thing for a young person to do, and I look for EVERY opportunity to show my appreciation for that spirit.
* Because I might actually get a chance to have lunch or dinner with my cadet, and these days since he goes to school so far away, ANY chance to spend an hour with him sounds like fun to me. If he doesn't have time for that, I'd still want to go, especially if I can connect with other parents from our school. Camaraderie among military families is extremely important to me.
So, you know, dear cadet, it's not always just about you.