Friday, February 13, 2009

Years In The Making!

Well...it finally happened.  I've officially outlived many of my peers!  I want to thank everyone past and present who have made me the person I am today.  The day was nearly perfect.  I wish more people from my past would have been able to make it.  I spoke about only three of my mentors from the past...mostly because I thought my 8-page speech was already too long.  But really, I just talked about MSgts, since that is the grade I was being promoted to.  I don't have the speech with me right now, but if you'd like to read my thoughts on the importance of being an NCO, send me an e-mail and I'll send it to you.  Here are a few pics from the day.  Enjoy!

Top Leftt: MAJ Bryant preparing to re-affirm my oath of enlistment.  Almost every pic of me, my eyes were closed.
Top Right: My boss, Retired Navy Chief, Keith Boydston making me an honorary Navy Chief.
Bottom:  The entire family tacking on my new rank.  Ollie and Maddy were happy to be able to "hit" me.

Me trying to read my speech.  I had to skip the first page.  It was all about Shelly and the kids.  I was in tears from the first word.  Shelly said she was happy I skipped it, because she started to cry too.  Ollie was more interested in his awesome shoes with flames on them.  I wish they fit me!  I think I would look cool in flame shoes.
That is Daddy Eagle...aka, Bill Hickman...friend and mentor giving me "much love."  The best part about promotions...CAKE!

We are doing great living La Dolce Vida in Italy!

14 comments:

Bob Souer said...

Chris,

Congratulations and thanks for all the photos. You have a lovely family!

Be well,
Bob

Kati said...

So....um....the rest of us promote on the first of each month. How in the world did YOU manage a Friday the 13th promo???

The stripes look good Chris, er, uh, I mean sir!

Unknown said...

Thanks Bob. Katie...the pics are from Jan 30th! I pinned 1 Feb, just like my last stripe...funny huh?

Melissa said...

Congrats Chris!

Liz de Nesnera said...

Chris!
Congratulations!

mmmmmmmmmmmm......CAKE! ;-)

Peace!

L.

Anonymous said...

Much congrats!

VO on The Go said...

Wow, Chris! Such and honor. and an obvious joy for that wonderful family of yours, too!

From a military brat, here, I just want to remind you to keep on enjoying your travels! I know you will.

Regards and congrats,

Charlie

www.charlieglaize.com

Unknown said...

Thanks everyone...I can't believe no one has said anything about my crooked tie tack! AHHH!

U.S. Pacific Air Forces said...

Congrats from the PACAF PA team!

- Lt Col Langley

Destination Afghanistan: One SNCO's Perspective said...

Welcome to the SNCO club! Now, your professional life changes. Seriously. You may not notice it right away, but when you do, it'll hit you like a ton of bricks.

It looks like you had an impressive pinning-on ceremony. When I made MSgt at Lackland, they just had a big generic ceremony the month after they announced for all promotees. My sew-on day was just another day of EPR's and headaches!

Now it's time for SMSgt...

Anonymous said...

Congratulations MSgt Eder! You certainly earned those stripes. Chris, you were a great mentor to me and I enjoyed working with you as well. Good luck in your future endeavors. I wish you all the best. Sorry, I was so late getting this message out.

Guy

Kari Matalone said...

Hi Chris,

I'm living in Belgium, and listen to AFN every morning while driving to work. Guess whose report from Ethiopia I heard today? Talk about a small world.

I hope you're well. You have a beautiful family.

Kari

Unknown said...

Thanks Kari. I'm having a hard time placing you. I'm sure I know you...just having a hard time remembering.

Kari said...

Early 1990s...cruise to Mexico...your nickname was 'Cadillac'... ;-)