Erick's graduation

My little brother, Erick, graduated from West Point this weekend and is now a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Aside from the happiness of the occasion, the entire scene was pretty interesting. Photos and discussion below.

Cheney gave the graduation address, which meant war protesters...



...and Secret Service people everywhere.



Here, cadets file out to receive their diplomas. Numerous honors were announced, but no one got a bigger round of applause than the "goat"--by tradition, the cadet graduating at the very bottom of the class. This year's goat squeaked out with a 2.2 GPA. Every class's goat receives a silver dollar from each member of the class, and joins the ranks of famous goats like George Custer.



After graduating, the cadets toss their hats, above. Kids attending the ceremony are allowed to run out and grab a hat as a keepsake. Cadets typically put some money and a photo of themselves inside their hats for the kids.


Erick with our folks, in cadet uniform for the last time.


After graduating, Erick and the other cadets had an hour to change into their new uniforms and head out to their pinning ceremonies. This is where the grads officially hear their commissions read, take their oath of service, and have their very first set of officer's bars pinned on. These ceremonies were going on all over the place after graduation--some very quickly, as a formality; some more elaborate. The graduates from the men's rugby team, on which my brother played hooker, had their own pinning ceremony and had their orders read and oath administered by one of their coaches.

My mom and I pinned on Erick's bars. West Point grads are 2nd Lieutenants coming out of graduation and are committed to serve for at least five years.

Naturally the rugby team had arranged a barbecue and kegger afterwards.