Touchdown in Colorado Springs

Lifeisgood

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Feb 5, 2009
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My son called from Dallas FW and said that the plane to Colorado Springs was almost all cadets going to BCT. They should be touching down in about 30 minutes. My wife and I miss him already but we know that he has a great future ahead. Congratulations and thank you to all the young men and women who chose to serve this great country as their future.
 
My cadet left one year ago tomorrow. I know what you are feeling and maybe some of what you will feel. The pride is almost overwhelming. . . but, the missing them is. God bless the parents of 2013 too!!! :thumb:
 
Oh, Life is good. My twins left a year ago tomorrow and I will never EVER forget their hands waving to me from the plane's window. So bittersweet, this day - and really, every day during BCT (and during their whole Academy experience, I suspect).

They flew from western PA through Dallas, too, and said that there were only 6 ppl on the plane who were not incoming basics. They had a blast on that plane ride, from what they told (I suspect there was a lot they left out, me being their mother and all.).
 
Sincere well wishes to the incoming class!....I'm talking about the cadets AND their parents!

I would highly recommend the parents go directly to the AOG's site and hook up with Webguy! He will keep you informed of your Basic's every move during Training and you might even get a glimpse in a photo or video! That Webguy is a savior!! :)

Good Luck 2013-ers!

http://www.usafawebguy.com/
 
I just checked and WebGuy already has some videos up!!! There's already a video message from a soon-to-be Basic to her family!!! So sweet!!
 
Dang Fencemamma; I just picked my son up a few days ago for his summer break. We were just talking about how tomorrow is the 1 year mark. I said; "Time sure went by fast". He said; "You're nuts. Seems like it took forever". LOL!!!!! The 2-4 years are definitely faster. And I know how you all feel waving good bye as they board the plane. I remember how I felt saying good bye to my parents. And while I never would trade in being fortunate to Drive my son to the academy; that was the most awkward 2 1/2 hour drive ever. There was nothing I could really say to him. And I knew what was going through his mind and turning up in his stomach. But I couldn't say anything to him. No one spoke for 2 1/2 hours. That too is part of the process. Actually, I think those who take a plane and can share with some other future cadets, and make new friends, has it better than driving there. But there was no way I was not going to drive my son when we only live a couple hours away.

But for all you new cadet parents; it's OK!!! It really is. It's ok to cry and miss them. (Even this 200 lb retired military cried - I didn't let my son see it). And it's OK for the cadets to get emotional. (They all do). It's just part of the process of growing up. The academy will take very good care of your sons/daughters. And the upper classmen know what it's like, and also will take care of them. But if you flew them out to the academy; do everything in your power to go there and see them during Parent's Weekend. Best of luck all. Mike.....
 
where's he staying? is he doing the bed and breakfast?

No he is a soccer player and it was suggested that they stay in the Hilton Garden Inn because the team was meeting at Champs for dinner. He said that went well and that the team will inprocess together this morning. We are already signed up with Webguy and have already looked at pictures and videos as well as read his blog.
 
thats where i'm staying! i did see some parents with afa soccer shirts... but i didnt know... i wish i could have known this earlier! haha
 
We saw our cadet off yesterday at the Pittsburgh Airport. We got special passes to sit with him at the gate. There were some other cadets there that we chatted with. He called us from his B&B home in Colorado Springs at around 7pm. He had a good trip. It is shocking to look around the empty house and realize that after 18 years he is starting his own life now (our baby boy!). Intellectually, I knew this day would come, but there's no way to prepare for it emotionally...

Btw, what is the estimated local time of when he will be getting off the bus?
 
Our Cadet left yesterday morning...sigh. Now we are empty-nesters. trying to find the baby clothes so i can start dressing up the dog since he's the only one left at home.
 
I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking about dressing up the dog! You just made my day.
 
Our Cadet left yesterday morning...sigh. Now we are empty-nesters. trying to find the baby clothes so i can start dressing up the dog since he's the only one left at home.

We are also empty nesters after raising 3 sons for 30 years. We can't dress up a dog because he died in February at the age of 17. We did have a bird nest with three babies which the mother had been frantically feeding for the last two weeks in a wall mounted planter on our back covered porch. When we got home from the airport after dropping off our son, all three baby birds had left the nest. No Joke. My wife came in the house crying because all she has to take care of is me.
 
Oh My...the last post has to be the saddest post! :( I fear the same thing will happen when drop off our preppie in July.

I keep checking to see if the prep school has posted the football schedule because..I think we will be driving throughout KS to catch a glimpse of him. Even thought of how we would sneak the dog in!
 
We took our son to the Academy on the 25th. We met up with some cadre that had my son put his bag in a tent to hold why he did his inprocessing. Somehow, and I'm still not sure exactly how it came down, he got into the express line and before he or we knew it, he was over the bridge and unable to talk to us anymore.

I and my husband did not get to hug my son goodbye.

I'm fairly sure I will recover from this, but I have to tell you, I sobbed like a baby while I was there.

This was my first introduction to the fact that he was no longer mine, and I had no more rights to walk five feet and tell him how much he has made our life so wonderful, and how proud we are of him. I know he knows..but it would have been so nice to have that moment in time.

We love you son.

USAFAMOM
 
I-Day Experience

My wife and I were there last Thursday (and Friday morning to see the swearing in ceremony). My son flew out from Boston separately with a bunch of MA/NH/RI appointees. He said their connection through DFW was full of Basics and was alot of fun. Fortunately we were able to make it inside Doolittle and get our final hugs in before he went up the "front" stairs to "begin the journey" as the overhead sign read. We were also able to see him come down the "back" stairs but were only able to wave and shout our goodbyes. He left smiling :smile: and gave us a good thumbs up. :thumb: By the time all the kids "crossed the bridge" and waited in line to board the buses, there was a noticeable (or should I say unmistakeable) change in their facial expressions (like no expression) and body language. No one made eye or smile contact with any of their family, whether while in line or during the procession onto the buses. Definitely one of the toughest emotional days of my life---real sadness of seeing my first born leave, countered by bursting pride--but also true happiness in knowing this is where my son really wanted to be.
 
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