Flashback Friday...Promotions gone by

Since we are coming up on Cliff's promotion, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the promotions and important events in his career.

This first one rocks! Cliff was a Marine reservist while he was going to college. After he graduated and still couldn't figure out what he wanted to do with that English degree...he decided to come back on active duty with the Marines in the FTS program in 1993. (Which is actually an amazing story worthy of blogging, in and of itself. Maybe someday.)

Once he was selected, part of the process required that he be sworn in again. Rather than sit in traffic to do this at the local recruiting office, we chose a more....casual ceremony.


My grandpa was a retired Naval Officer, and therefore authorized to perform these kind of ceremonies. All it cost us was dinner. I served chicken breasts stuffed with carrots, zucchini and summer squash (julienne cut) and homemade focaccia bread. Yum!



I just love the "This is your brain on New Orleans" t-shirt! It was actually mine, and Cliff was constantly stealing it.


Uncle Dennis and Aunt Sue were actually humming "America the Beautiful" in the background during the whole thing. It really did add an element of class that we were sorely lacking otherwise!


The next one is January 1994, when Cliff was unexpectedly promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was in the below zone, so we were thrilled...but not expecting it.


Seriously, how young are we?! I was pregnant with Patrick. (Trivia: This was my favorite maternity dress.)


This isn't a promotion...this was when he chaired the MC Ball committee in 1995. He just looks so awesome, I had to include it.


I don't even remember what award this was. I know it was on recruiting duty, late 1999ish...and he was also in graduate school. I just love the crowd of people that we are...and Patrick's triumphant pose.

OK...so this event is my fave, Cliff's commissioning, and I have to apologize in advance for the number of pictures here. This is really only a fraction of the pics my dad took, and it was hard to narrow it down. This was the first large event that I planned, and I loved doing it. I could see doing this for a living...on second thought, it probably wouldn't be as fun doing it for strangers.

A non-wrecky cake from the commissary.



This was held at the San Luis Rey Officers' Club on Camp Pendleton in August of 2000. We were fortunate enough to have so many friends and family join us. Part of that was due to a Parks family reunion that culminated with this event. 3 years of sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears...delayed gratification...and it was finally here!



Two of the sweetest parts...my grandpas that were able to participate in the ceremony. My retired Navy Grandpa (who came up from Merida, Mexico for this and the family reunion) was able to administer the oath to Cliff...and my mom's dad (who drove down from Utah just for this) gave the most amazing talk.



Cliff's dad and I put on his shoulder boards.



He looked so hot!



Cliff went from the Marine Corps one day, into the Navy the next...and his Marine command was (of course) also present. His LtCol, who was always so supportive, gave the most touching speech...and presented Cliff with another medal.



The Hinmans were there...as well as the Carmans. (I love the look on Dave's face.) SO many good friends here who had given us moral support through all of this craziness.



I shed some tears over this picture. This is Cliff's friend Dave, who passed away last year (about eight months ago) and Cliff went back to Kansas City to perform his memorial service. They were Marine Corps buddies back from the Joliet days (circa 1993).



Proud, proud boys (Jake was not quite two...so we opted to leave him with a sitter and actually enjoy the event).



Here's my grandpa who spoke...along with my brother Jimmy and sweet little Baylee. She's always been such a cutie pie. (Trivia: Notice the centerpiece in the lower right corner? I made all of them. OK...my dad cut the wood...and helped me tack the pilings together...and secure the lashings...but it was my idea, AND I cut out all those nets!)



Here's Grandpa Parks with Jimmy, Shellie and Baylee (Thomas was probably running around with Troy and Patrick). This was my Grandpa's last hurrah, so to speak. He passed away from a massive heart attack less than two months later. He was so proud of Cliff, and proud of the part he was able to play in this day...and we are SO grateful to have had this bonus time with him.



Here's the whole famn-damily. We are an extremely attractive group, I must say. This is one of those days I will cherish in my memory forever. Rarely do all the stars align like they did here. This one day made all the sacrifices worth it...and yet we've just been continually blessed with more and more experiences to cherish...but this one will always be special.



Here's the traditional silver dollar ceremony...



Yes, this was staged (in that they walked outside together so that Master Guns would be the one to give the first salute, and get Cliff's silver dollar).



Hopefully he didn't spend it all in one place!



Oh my goodness, how I do love a man in a uniform!

Sadly, I did not get to attend or participate in Cliff's promotion to LT. The Commodore decided to frock* him with no notice on Sep. 10, 2001 (bet you can't guess why I'll never forget that date?) and I guess didn't think I'd care about being there. Hmmph!

Looking forward to Monday! Even though I won't get to participate over the miles, I'm so touched by the efforts of his commands here and over there, so that we can at least watch it and feel a part of the ceremony.

Here's to many more to come, right?

*Frocking: A commander has the option to "pin on" a new rank to a service member immediately. The pay does not start until the official promotion date...but (s)he would be able to exercise the responsibilities/privileges of the new rank beginning at the time of the frocking.