When it comes to my children, I am truly a rich man.
I have four children and all are amazing individuals:
- Ben is 21, recently married Crystal and is a criminal justice major at the University of Phoenix.
- Jeremy is 23 and a mechanical engineering major at San Francisco State University
- LE is 13 and manages to put up with me on a daily basis.
Bethany Sara is my oldest and was married last July. She’s 25, pregnant with her first baby, and married to 2nd Lt. David Anderson.
Always a Gentleman, Now An Officer
Last Sunday, LE and I had the priviledge of attending David’s commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force.
David is a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. As I’ve become better acquainted with the man my daughter chose as her husband, my respect for him has grown accordingly.
His love for Bethany is evident in every word spoken and action taken.
For dads with daughters, there isn’t a better feeling than knowing their little girls are loved, cared for, respected, and cherished.
David holds both a BS in Aviation and recently received his MBA in Finance. Very soon he and Bethany will be moving further down the coast of California where he’ll become the Finance Officer at Vandenberg AFB near Lompoc.
Surprisingly Emotional
I wasn’t sure what to expect for a military commissioning ceremony. But I was surpriseb by how emotional it was. Each of the four commissionees had a slideshow produced by the cadets in the ROTC detachment at San Jose State University where the ceremony was held.
Each slideshow, set to music, was a celebration of their life as it led to this moment in time. Toward the end of David’s slides, there were several pictures of his and Bethany’s wedding. (I don’t have to tell you what kind of reaction it evoked in me.) 
After having his bars pinned on my his mom, dad, and Bethany, he gave some brief remarks and further mentioned his love for Bethany and the excitement surrounding their pregnancy.
Here was an accomplished young man about to embark upon a career as on officer in the United States Air Force and his remarks werre centered on his love for family and his bride.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, he’s both an officer and a gentleman and if it meant anything at all, I’d happily salute him.
Here’s LE, Dave, and me after the ceremony.
I’m sure your words here will mean more than any salute could.
This post is a mark of respect. Every young husband should be so kindly praised by their FIL.
Cathy – I’m glad you received it that way; it’s how I meant it. Funny thing is, I don’t think any of the kids read the blog. Just as well, I guess. It’s not something I talk about with them. I figure if they find it one day, perhaps they’ll say something. And David would probably be embarrassed by what I wrote; but again, I guess I’ll deal with that when the time comes.
Speaking as the daughter of a man who writes and speaks in toasts, I think that you should share this with your daughter and her husband.
They will love it!
As did I
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