Alert Cadet...West Virginia Father Son Camp

Darrell and the 3 older boys are in West Virginia today on their first day of the 2013 East Regional Encampment! After settling in last night and some liquid sunshine, they headed off today for a 5 mile hike into Harpers Ferry and were able to see some of the sites of the historic area.  Everyone is very tired today but enjoying their time!

Alert Cadet --New Hampshire Style

Last Saturday, after years of laying the ground work, lots of prayer and "beating the bushes" as Major Dagarin  phrased it...it was a moment to savor....the commissioning of New Hampshire 1st Bravo! Ten families start this group of eager dads and their sons to make a difference in the lives of their families and communities. The ceremony was a beautiful testament to these dads hearts to capture their sons hearts...Lt. Col. Kevin Edwards gave examples of preparing the arrow to be fired and how Alert can be used to prepare sons to enter the world. It was a beautiful ceremony.

Another really amazing thing was the unit flag designed by one of the cadets...Jonathon Bilodeau. It was beautiful! The even more amazing thing was that his mom Sarah sewed it...she was our own Betsy Ross!

Jonathon was also promoted to LTC--- Leadership Training Corp. His mother and father were able to pin on his new rank.

Darrell has taken leadership of the unit for now and was promoted to 2LT....he was this rank when we first married 25 years ago but in the Army. I told him that the second time round is always sweeter...I really believe it is...he is so excited about this program and its potential! Even sweeter is the fact that our oldest daughters, Michaela and Jessica, were able to pin his rank on...something they were never able to do when their dad was in the Army and made it to Major. Darrell's mom flew in to see this all happen too!

The ceremony was followed by a potluck in the gym...many folks lingered for hours. The young kids and moms went out to the playground while young adults played volleyball in the gym.

 

It was a cool beautiful evening to enjoy fellowship, laugh a bit after all the hard work and enjoy ourselves.

ALERT Cadet

The uniforms were pressed and starched, the labor intensive work had been completed. Their heads were filled with many verses of scripture, the bodies improved with exercise and their relationships with dads and sons and other like minded dads and sons were strengthened! They stood proud of what they accomplished and how far they have come. They stood humbled by the path the lays before them knowing it can not be completed with their strength alone!

Fathers and sons pinned in their awards on their uniforms! 

Mr Dan Otis from Maine first Alpha is promoted to Captain to work under Major Doug Darigin.

Mr. Kevin Edwards is promoted to Lt. Colonel ...and is now over all units in the US.

An exciting day for cadets, dads and I am sure The Lord  himself!