Flag ceremony & shoulder board ceremony

ChevyDad

5-Year Member
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Mar 26, 2010
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Is it the norm that parents will be able to spend time with their swab following the flag ceremony? Also, what and when is the shoulder board ceremony and is there an opportunity to see your swab following? Thanks for any info.
 
Is it the norm that parents will be able to spend time with their swab following the flag ceremony? Also, what and when is the shoulder board ceremony and is there an opportunity to see your swab following? Thanks for any info.

While we were not able to make it to either due to being on the West Coast, I do know that the swabs were given some time to visit with family (or call their family) at Mystic.

I think the shoulder board ceremony is quick and not a time for visiting with swabs. Again, we were grateful to the local folks who went and took pictures and posted them on the CGAPA site.
 
No real time for a visit unless they do not have a sports or duty obligation. Very quick ceremony. Worth the trip if you live close to the Academy. We never had more than 5 minutes with our cadet.
 
Is it the norm that parents will be able to spend time with their swab following the flag ceremony? Also, what and when is the shoulder board ceremony and is there an opportunity to see your swab following? Thanks for any info.

The Mystic Flag ceremony is, in my opinion, a "must attend" event. At Mystic you will have the first personal time with your Swab since R-Day and let me tell you, they are REAL happy to see you! Bring food! Our cadet ate like a horse and it avoided the long lines at the food counter at Mystic. That evening they will be released so you can take them out for dinner at a nearby restaurant. If possible, adopt a cadet or two who's parents could not make the trip.

Important: do not hug or kiss your cadet at Mystic! We didn't know and the entire company was given punishment "I.T." for "public display of affection while in uniform."
 
Agree, if Mystic is in commuting distance, make the trip. We did not come up from NC, but my mother and D's godmother who live in Baltimore took the Amtrak up to CT and were able to spend some time with her(and take a few other swabs without parents) out for dinner at Olive Garden! As for the shoulder board ceremony, they don't have much free time. Usually there are a lot of folks at both events taking pics so I was able to see lots of pics of my daughter without being there. (In fact even as Hotel Co cadre have seen a few pics of her posted from swearing in R-day march on).

Those of you who will be at Mystic and have kids in Swab Summer band - take pics at Mystic and post on parents site for me :shake: D has said she'll be marching with the band at Mystic. Also offer to adopt a swab who don't have family. Let them use your cell phone; offer a meal or quick break from CGA!
 
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Mystic Seaport Flag Ceremony - Phase 1 on Eagle

Phase 1 on the Eagle begins the weekend of July 24 which is coincident with the flag ceremony. Swabs in alpha, beta and Charlie company traditionally are flown to join the Eagle on flag ceremony weekend. In the past, those swabs will not attend the ceremonies at Mystic Seaport. Two years ago when my son was at Mystic, new cadets from Alpha Beta and Charlie company's were leaving for the airport at the same time the remaining cadets were leaving for Mystic Seaport. Before you make plans to visit your cadet, check with them as to whether they will be attending the Mystic ceremonies.

Since I live about two hours from the Academy, I attended the ceremony and had a fantastic day. It was a proud moment to watch the cadets marching into the Seaport and to observe how much they had matured in that short time. We got to spend several hours after the ceremonies with our son at the Seaport which in itself is a great place to visit. The cadets were then bussed back to the Academy where we were again able to join them for an extended visit. If you live across country from the Academy, it would be a long and expensive trip for a few hour visit. The parents that attend are more than happy to share their phones and even adopt additional cadets for the day. Other cadets whose parents could not attend for the most part have bonded with fellow cadets that made plans of their own. They typically share pictures and many are posted at the Coast Guard Academy parents Association website which is free to join for the first three months. It is a worthwhile method of obtaining a wealth of information which is shared among the parents.

I did not attend the shoulder board presentation since my son advise me that it was a very short ceremony and there was no time for visitation afterwards.

Best of wishes to all of the new cadets and their new Coast Guard extended families.
 
We'll be there!

Already scheduled the day for Mystic! Anyone wanting pics or a phone call...PM me and I'll do my best to accomodate...our swab is in Delta Company and we're used to having "extras" at dinner...have plenty of room in our vehicle...Delta or any other company...Class of 2014 sticks together! :biggrin:

By the way "Thanks!" for the info on "Hugs n' Kisses" :thumb:
 
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