Montgomery, AL to Columbus, GA to Dayton, OH

Athena has been studying for her doctorate in Psychology and accepted a very distinguished scholarship from the United States Air Force.  She was commissioned as a Captain as soon as she became Active Duty, giving service to the AF in return for their support of her studies.  She received many offers throughout the country for her internship and decided to take a position at Wright Patterson AF Base in Dayton, Ohio.  Before her internship, she was required to attend a five week Commissioned Officers Training (COT) in Montgomery, AL.  I was fortunate to be able to be there to experience her graduation.

Athena at COT training exercises.  To say that she hates
the uniform is an understatement.  I think whe looks cute!

First morning-orientation for families

These are members of her training group.  There were about 300 trainees
in all.  These are some of the best and brightest young people in the AF-
most are professionals:  doctors, dentists, mental health professionals, etc.
Most are in their twenties and early thirties.  

 There was a formal dinner that evening in the auditorium.  Lots of pomp and circumstance!   Amazing that I made it to this event at all.  My plane from Dallas to Montgomery was cancelled and to make a long story short, I flew to Ft. Walton Beach and rented a car with a very nice family from Boise, whose daughter was also graduating.  American essentially lost our bags for awhile and I was stuck with the clothes I was wearing for 2 days.  If my bag hadn't made it on time, I wouldn't have been able to go.  As you can see, it was a dress-up occasion.

Boise family

Can you believe these shoes on Athena!?!

And these "garters" attach to her blouse, to
keep it in place!

She received the Female Athletic Award which is an incredible honor,
especially considering her "points" were even higher than the recipient
of the Male Athletic Award and she was one of the oldest females at 38 yo.

Pretty lady!

Pretty darned cool!

She is having a hard time keeping a straight face!

Her group and their training leader.

She graduated!

It was hard to say goodbye!

After graduation, we threw her belongings in the car, picked up my stuff at the hotel and drove to pick up the dogs, Kramer and Leo, at their Vacay!  We got to bed early when we reached Columbus at Ft. Benning.  The next morning a friend of Josh's, Ian (who is an Army Ranger and built like it), came to help us move some of the larger items in Josh and Athena's house into the U Haul truck.  He could literally put his arms around the washer and dryer and carry them into the truck!  Thena is in such good shape herself that she could do most of the packing and lifting herself.  I was the cheerleader.  I drove the U Haul and Athena drove the Jeep with the two dogs.  We stopped in Knoxville at a La Quinta the first day and drove into Dayton the next day.

I got a kick out of the three of them sitting in a row in the front seat.
The pups missed their Mom!

Athena's townhouse near the base.

Thena in camo at the airport!!!!!
Bye, Theen!