Wowsers, it was a busy week, complete with getting stranded in Florida for an extra day! As tired as I am (and as exhausted as Derek seems), it was totally worth it to be there for John’s winging and get to see where he works and what he does.
John showing our dad and Helen the ins and outs of their training helicopters
Soft Patch Ceremony — John’s flight instructor (“on wing?”) had to tell some stories about John before giving him the soft patch version of his wings
We all got to attend a presentation on the night vision goggles that the pilots use, plus a demonstration of how they work with model terrains. It was pretty awesome stuff!
Blessing of the Wings service–after John’s chaplain friend led us in prayers and singing “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” the other chaplain blessed their wings with holy water.
Winging Ceremony–My mom was determined to get the wings on his jacket securely!!
The whole Willett contingent—honorary sisters Susanna Fix and Helen Stearns, my mom and me, our newest unrestricted naval aviator, my dad, and John’s “other parents” (with whom he lived in DC), John and Kerry Fix
What a handsome pilot!
Wonderful …. glad you could move share that with John!
How cool! What an accomplishment!