PIR 11-9-12- Awesome

I guess I am not stating anything new for the Senior Navy Dads but PIR last Friday was simply an inspirational experience. When my son's division paraded into the hall past us I did not even recognize him as he walked 20 yds in front of me. What a change 8 weeks of bootcamp can make in a young man. My wife and other sons were saying "there he is" while I am saying "where? where?". I finally saw him and was struck by the thought that I did not recognize my own son. Crazy! We are very proud of him and I thought the entire event was moving. I loved it when they all sang Anchors Aweigh. We got to spend 8 hours with him. His division got two extra hours of leave till 9:00pm. I recommend the Lone Star Steak House next to Gurnee Mills Mall. Excellent steaks and service. He wanted a steak so of course we got him one. Three different people, (strangers), came up to him and congratulated him and thanked him for his service. This had an impact on him that people are watching him and he should never do anything to disgrace the uniform. Now he is in "A" school in Meridian, MS. It is nice to be able to speak to him every day now. Our initial Navy experience at Great Lakes will never be forgotten. Thanks to all of you who made it an easy trip with all the advice blogs posted here. We stayed at The Springhill Suites in Waukegan. Very nice and only 7-8 minutes from RTC. I guess I need to join a Logistics Specialist group now. So long for now.

Rod Keefe