Missyllany: United States Military Academy Graduation 2018

Today is the Day! It's here! Dominic has done it! He has graduated from West Point and will now serve our great country as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army!

It was a very, very hot day in NY. We were much more fortunate than the cadets because we didn't have to wear wool uniforms. Dominic and friends obliged me with a photo before graduation, and then the graduates were in an air conditioned area to try to keep them cool before marching into the stadium. Dominic's TAC officer had his company photographed together too.

Thankfully the grandmothers could sit in the senior section in the shade.

By 10:00 it was about 90 degrees and full on sun and humidity. We were sitting in two different spots. Many of the DelRossos were near the edge of the field. Perfect for our great niece to later participate in the hat toss.

The rest of us were in the corner of the stadium. We had a great view of where Dominic was sitting and with Steve's camera we were able to spot him so we could watch him the whole ceremony!

Graduation was beyond my expectations. The ceremony with the cadets walking in, the music, the leaders and the special guests entering. General Dunsford gave the commencement speech and it was perfect; relevant, yet not too long, which I'm sure everyone appreciated. Listening to each and every cadet's name being read was really incredible and fabulous to watch. I am generally not a crier but I cried, tears of happiness and relief I think, so happy to see Dominic walk across that stage and come out proud and happy.

The proud moms

Dominic is in the second to last full row of cadets, fifth from the end.

The cadets turn to face their parents, or where they think their parents are. Dominic is facing his grandmothers.

Dominic is the last cadet walking towards the stage.

Graduating!

Diploma in hand!

The hat toss is a long standing West Point Tradition and it was terrific to watch. They line up kids ages 4-10 beforehand and they all run out to try for a hat. Many cadets leave a note and some money in their hat, $20.18 was a popular amount.

The cadet with his head tipped back with his hand seeming to motion "YES! I did it" is Dominic!

Climbing over classmates to get to friends.

Dominic and Connal.

Dominic and Johnny.

Dominic heads towards his aunts and uncles. They were so pleased he came over to see them!

Next stop his parents and his grandmothers. We are such a proud family and so very happy for him.

While we all made our way to Eisenhower Hall for lunch in the glorious air conditioning Dominic completed his final checkout and changed into his new uniform. Look at him, he's a full fledged grown-up!

Second Lieutenant DelRosso

We all had a lovely lunch, I have never been so thankful to have booked something so close and so cool. We were right next to the windows so our table overlooked the Hudson. It was a wonderful afternoon celebrating Dominic.

She got a hat!

After lunch it was time for Dominic's commissioning ceremony. THIS was extremely special. Steve's cousin Dianne is a Brigadier General in the Army Reserves. Yes, this is a BIG deal. She agreed to commission him and it was truly an honor to have her there. Her father was also a general, so this is a wonderful family tradition. She was kind enough to share one of her father's 2nd Lieutenant Bars with Dominic. What a very special gift.

There is always a flag at a commissioning ceremony.

Dianne & Dominic

I'm not sure all Generals hug their officers after commissioning but I'm glad ours did.

Dianne's sister Julie and her kids Luke and Mia also joined us for graduation.

And of course we took family pictures with everyone who was there. We were so thankful to have both of our moms there, three of Steve's sibling, my sister, Steve's cousins and our niece and her family. It was so wonderful to have so much support.