White Water: Atlanta/Monster Golf

When the family decided to come down to Georgia for Joe's Ranger School graduation, we decided to make a weekend of it.  We first thought about Six Flags Amusement Park, but realized it'd be so hot and miserable and that everything would have a long line.  So, we instead opted for White Water: Atlanta, an awesome water park located about 1 1/2 hours north of us.  We knew the adult rides would have lines, but at least we could claim a section of chairs as our own and that the kids areas wouldn't have any lines.  Plus, we had the water and some shade to keep us cool.  We checked prices and ended up getting tickets at the MWR here on Ft. Benning to save about $5 a ticket.  David had all hopes of us getting out the door at 8am to be there when the park opened, but OF COURSE that didn't happen.  With gas stops, potty breaks, a breakfast stop, I'm shocked we even got there by lunch.  Somehow we found a group of seats still open, sunscreened up, and made a day of it.  The kids had no fear and loved every bit of it.  Ella and Gavin were inseparable, attached at the hip all day.  Only downsides to the day were the extremely high prices of food/beverages (if we could do it all over again we would pack a big lunch and have a picnic in the parking lot) and the long lines for adult rides.  The kid sections were amazing though.

Around 3pm, Stella and Reagan were breaking down so we headed to the hotel to continue the fun at the pool.  It was nice to have extra hands to hold Stella so that I could enjoy some time in the pool with Jason and Gavin.  The kids jumped, flipped, and swam their way to complete exhaustion. 

We got ready and drove to Olive Garden for dinner.  It wasn't packed at all, so we got a huge table pretty much in a room to ourselves.  Gavin fell asleep on the ride, so he slept in my lap until our food arrived.  

David is determined to make a golfer of someone in the family, so he found a indoor putt-putt place for our after dinner entertainment.  It turned into a serious competition between David, Joe, Jason, and Cara!  The kids instead enjoyed the arcade games.  

We all crashed back at the hotel shortly after.  A fun weekend was had by all!

Joe's Ranger School Graduation

We are so proud of my brother, Joe, and his graduation from Ranger School.  He earned his tab on the morning of June 24th, in a HOT, crowded ceremony on Hurley Hill.   Several were there to be there to witness his graduation… with many traveling in from Tennessee to be here for him.  

The ceremony began with a Ranger Demonstration put on by the Ranger Instructors.  It was a entertaining show, indeed.  The kids did great until the demolition show began.  That sure was loud - and I mean LOUD.  We tried to distract as much as possible during the combatives demonstration, assured that if Gavin and Reagan witnessed that our afternoon would be full of breaking them up.  Of course, when we asked Gavin afterwards what his favorite part of the show was he replied "The punch-punch!"  

After the show, the graduation began.  The guest speaker was a prior 1/75 guy that  was injured on a deployment while serving with the Rangers.  He spoke about the night that his platoon was on a mission and he took a bullet to the face, how his platoon responded to the attack, etc.  He discussed how because of his ranger buddies, he was alive and here to speak.  He ended the speech with saying that everyone in his platoon got a "Go" that night.  

I was reminded about  how a month after Jason graduated Ranger School in '07 that he was on the front lines serving on his first deployment in Iraq.   I looked out into this graduating class, knowing that many of those men graduating would also return to the units and would quickly deploy themselves.  So quickly being called to use the training they had just gotten at Ranger School.  Their units will be lucky to have them and their training.

Great job, Ranger Joseph Graham.  The Smith crew is forever proud… 

SPIES Extraction Demonstration

Combatives Demonstration

Front row, 3rd from left

CSM Smith

Cara pinning on his tab

RANGER GRAHAM

Joe's company with their tabs

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and "esprit de corps" of the Rangers.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move farther, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One-hundred- percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well- trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress, and care for equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.

Rangers Lead The Way!