On Graduation day we saw the sunrise again for the third day in a row. I dropped Katie off at the Parade Deck stands so she could grab some good seats for us. Then I zoomed down to the visitor’s center to grab some coffee and a little nosh for us.
The sun came up and things actually got a little cooler when it did. Doesn’t our girl look sweet in the sunshine? Graduation wasn’t due to start till 9:00 A.M. so we had lots of time to occupy ourselves. People watching is always fun.
Finally the platoons marched in precision onto the parade deck to the beat that the Marine Corp band performed for them and us. The band played some patriotic songs and of course the National Anthem but then out of the blue they played the following song combined with a great swagger and the audience was surprised and cheered!
- Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning,
- No one could be sweeter than my sweetie when I meet her in the morning.
- Where the morning glories
- Twine around the door,
- Whispering pretty stories
- I long to hear once more.
- Strolling with my girlie where the dew is pearly early in the morning,
- Butterflies all flutter up and kiss each little buttercup at dawning,
- If I had Aladdin’s lamp for only a day,
- I’d make a wish and here’s what I’d say:
- Nothing could be finer than to be with Carolina in the morning.
Then I zoomed in to catch our Marine. Andrew is 2nd one back.
They marched closer to the stands just before they would be released for their 10 day leave. Andrew is 2nd row third Marine in.
First row third Marine in…
Love this smile when he spotted Katie.
Congratulations PFC Andrew for graduating and earning Expert on the firing range.
Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
I too loved that smile when he spotted Katie..great photos..thanks for sharing Ellen!
I love the surprise song they played.How cool. What great photos. I gotta ask ellen and forgive me if you have told us but I just can’t remember how did Katie and Andrew meet? Is he from Seattle? Great photos. 🙂
These are fantastic shots, Ellen. I love the precision you’ve captured in these young men.
Woo Hoo! That’s a wonderful thing to be an expert at if you’re in those situations. Well done! So proud of the men and women who take this path!
Military celebrations are such fun and so spectacular. We sponsored a cadet at the Air Force Academy for four years and it was always such a thrill to be part of the festivities. Graduation was great, and we got to throw him a big party.
Glad this is such a special time for Katie and Andrew, and you get to share in it too!
You did yourself proud with the camera Ellen! Those two deserved to have their joy captured forever.
I don’t think I have ever seen all the words to Carolina in the Morning before. Sweet! Everytime I go there I can’t help singing what I know (over and over) so now I can finish the song up on my next trip to Greenville!
I love the pictures of Katie and Andrew – so tender! I’ve never been to a military grad so thank you for taking us with you. I can feel the sense pomp and circumstance and pride in accomplishment. Congratulations to Andrew. I’ve heard that’s one tough course!
Love these photos of PI! Only been to graduations here at MCRD SD, so it’s fun to see another version of the ceremonies (though I’m SO glad we didn’t end up getting transferred there like they told us last spring!).
Tell Andrew “Semper Fi” and “Yut” for me and tell Katie she has the toughest job in the Corps. :o) USMC girlfriends, fiances, and wives (and moms too!) are pretty amazing, if I do say so.
You did a fine job of covering that, Ellen…great pic’s. Cute couple, too!
This was such a wonderful album . . . thank you for sharing!
(And all of those young marines ARE TOO SKINNY – – – they need to be fattened up!)
Love the pictures – what a sweet couple!
Wonderful photos of these special young men.
It is so sweet to see the two of them together.
Someday, maybe Andrew and our Marine will meet…