Graduation Day!

Joel is graduated from Basic Training! Hooray! I am so proud of him! Here's how it went.

My parents and I arrived at St Robert (right next to Fort Leonard Wood) on Wednesday afternoon around 4pm. We went to Fort Leonard Wood to check things out for the next day's graduation ceremony. It was kind of fun driving around the Army post. We went to the PX and I bought an "Army Wife" car magnet for myself and an "Army Mom" car magnet for Joel's mom. My mom was an Air Force brat so she knew all about going to the PX and all that.

The next day, Thursday, was graduation day. We arrived at Fort Leonard Wood's Baker Theater around 7:15ish in the morning to wait outside for them to open the doors. The weather was beautiful on Weds. when we arrived but it was raining Thurs. boo! That's OK though, I just wanted to see Joel come rain or shine. We went into the theater and found seats in the center of the third row from the front so we were pretty close. Graduation started with the drill sergeants and then all the soldiers started marching onto the stage from the left and the right and off down the aisles to their seats chanting a cadence together. It was really neat. Joel was the last soldier to come out on the right side. It was so fun to see him come out. Since we were so close he saw us and sort of gave me a smile so I knew he had spotted us. His mom also came and sat next to us.

Joel graduated with Bravo Company, there are four platoons in Bravo Company and he was in the 4th platoon. Next, a prayer was said to start the graduation, that was really neat. We were surprised to see that he was sitting in the front row separately from his platoon. Then the drill sergeant of each platoon went on stage and ordered his/her platoon to rise. Then he/she started chanting a cadence and all the soldiers from that platoon started chanting and marching up onto the stage. Then the drill sergeant left and one by one the soldiers said their names and the state they were from and then marched off stage. It was fun to see where they were all from and how many women there were. There were 19 females in Joel's platoon and 36 males.

Joel didn't march up on stage with the rest of his platoon and we weren't sure what was going on. I knew he was receiving an award so I thought it might have something to do with that and I was right. After each platoon was presented, awards were given. Joel was the first to receive an award. He received the "Commanding General's Award" and it was awesome to see him go up on stage and be recognized for all his hard work. I am so proud of him. His award certificate says,

"Certificate of Achievement, presented to SPC Joel T. Yoder, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Chemical Brigade

For distinguishing himself as the most outstanding Soldier of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Chemical Brigade, for cycle 02-08. His leadership ability, physical fitness, warrior spirit, and overall knowledge of military subjects are commended as uniquely outstanding. His exemplary performance in all phases of training reflects distinct credit upon him, Fort Leonard Wood, and the United States Army.

Signed by Major General William H. McCoy"

Four others from his company received awards and one drill sergeant received an award. The awards were: Association of the United States Army Award, High Rifle Marksmanship Award, High Physical Fitness Test Award, Supporter of the Cycle, and Drill Sergeant of the Cycle.

Next, the Company Commander lead the company in the "Oath of Enlistment", the oath they each made when they joined the Army. To our surprise and delight, Joel went up on stage again and lead the company in the "Soldier's Creed". He did a beautiful job and I am so proud of him! There was a graduation speaker next, which was really neat. He has been in the Army for 28 years and has two sons in the Army, one of which graduated with Joel from Basic Training. The "Regimental Song" and the "Army Song" were played and at one point in the graduation one of the female soldiers from the company sang the National Anthem. They also played a video and a slide show. The graduation ceremony was very touching and made me proud to be an American and a soldier's wife. After the graduation ceremony, the Battalion Commander and other commanding officers stood by the stage with the award recipients (including Joel) to shake hands with people. I am so happy for Joel and his achievements and so proud of how well he did at Basic Training. Here are a few pictures of him at graduation and during that day.

Joel's Platoon

Joel receiving his award

Joel standing in line to shake hands

Joel and his mom

Joel, me, and my parents

Joel and the Battalion Commander (LTC Parsons)

Joel and me

Joel in his Class A uniform :)

Joel in front of his barracks

Joel with his battle buddy Private Floyd the next day at the airport

I am trying to upload the video from the graduation but need to buy a cable for my computer. Hopefully I'll have time to post that later this week. Also coming later will be details on our trip to Nauvoo, more pictures of Joel from Basic Training, and details about the rest of the day we spent together and the next day at the airport. If you want to email him now you can email him directly at joelmug@hotmail.com.