10/01/2007

Kyle David McNeil,

United States Navy

Search and Rescue

Graduated Friday, September 27, 2007

Great Lakes Naval Base

Great Lakes, IL

When did Kyle grow up? When did either of us transition from being kids to being adults? As I watched the Navy Graduation ceremony that took place last Friday, I looked into the faces of 597 new sailors and thought, "They're just kids--still babies--too young to die." The magnitude and significance of the event were overwhelming. The volume of the graduating class took my breath away. But really, from where I sat, there was only one sailor graduating that day: my sailor.

This post is really for Kyle, and my parents, and the rest of the family and friends who diligently prayed Kyle through boot camp. The challenges Kyle faced during his weeks at Great Lakes Naval Base affected him physically, spiritually, and emotionally. This post will be significant to those who loved on, prayed for, and wrote to Kyle during these past weeks. All of us 'graduated' that day, but to God goes the glory. The other folks who regularly read my blog are welcome to read this post, of course, but I write it particularly with McNeil and Durling prayer-warriors in mind.

The following picture depicts the most powerful moment in the entire graduation ceremony. Lots of pomp and circumstance accompanied the graduation, and we patiently watched video clips, observed a flag ceremony (and cheered when the Michigan flag was raised to acknowledge the home of our graduate), and listened to the Navy band. It was nice...professionally done, of course. However, all of this to-do dims in comparison with this moment:
A massive garage door stood on the wall directly opposite our seats. The announcer said something like, "And without further ado..." The garage door rose slowly revealing rows and rows of perfectly polished black boots marching in flawless cadence. As the door rose further, the sound became deafening, and the sun reflecting off the impeccable white uniforms was blinding. The first group of sailors came marching toward us, and the following words were heard from the announcer: "Division Three....Three....Three!" This was Kyle's division. They were the first to enter. I wish I could describe the roar that went up from the crowd. Personally, I experienced immediate and overwhelming pride. Indescribable pride. The kind of pride that makes you want to laugh, and cry, and run out onto the ceremony floor all at one time. I wish you all could have seen it. I'm sure words cannot possibly do justice to the moment.


All the sailors entered carrying their raincoats--see the black packages tucked under their arms? When they go outside in dress uniform, they are required to carry the raincoat with them. One of the first orders of business in the ceremony was to collect those raincoats and pile them neatly at the back of the auditorium. The division pictured below is #333, Kyle's division. Every single sailor in this division is part of Navy Special Operations. This was the most elite group graduating last Friday. Only about 15 of the sailors are in the same special operation that Kyle is: Search and Rescue. Division 333 won several awards for their performance which were announced midway through the ceremony.

The next picture is a video clip. It shows Division 333 as they march into their final position for the graduation ceremony. I love how crisp they look...they all march perfectly together in those amazing uniforms. I've decided that based on dress code alone, the Navy may be slightly better than the other armed forces...or, at the very least, much cuter.

This clips shows the graduating class as they recite the Sailors' Creed. I just caught the second half on video. But, because I wanted everyone to know what the Sailors' Creed says, I looked it up.

Sailors' Creed:
I am a United States Sailor.
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.
I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.
I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.
I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

"Honor, Courage, and Commitment." Not bad, eh?


This is the last clip that I will include in this blog. This is the introduction of Division 333's officers. These are the folks that yelled at, encouraged, challenged, criticized, and were devoted to making their sailors the world's finest. A number of times during the ceremony we were reminded that we were witnessing as 597 sailors graduated and joined the finest Navy in the "history of the world." I have to reiterate that I scanned 596 sailors and thought, "Good for them." I honestly hoped that those sailors were the best in the world, too, because someday they could be called upon to save the one sailor among them all who I know is one of the finest: my brother. How do I know he is one of the finest? Because I know that he would be devoted to saving any of the 596 sailors in the room if they needed him. That's the search and rescue motto:

"That others might live."


After the ceremony we had just over an hour to spend with Kyle. He couldn't leave the base, but we all headed to our car so we could enjoy some private conversation. It was a good hour. Mom had baked an apple pie at Kyle's request. We enjoyed our hour and were instructed to meet Kyle at Chicago's Midway Airport a little later in the day. We weren't sure if we'd be able to talk with him or just wave goodbye, but we were willing to take what we could get. The next two pictures were taken in the parking lot at the Naval base. Here is Kyle with baby Nia and me. I was SO glad he got to meet her so soon after her arrival!
Dad and Mom with Kyle. I found it hard to peel my eyes off him. I just wanted to look, and look, and take in how he looked in uniform. Plus, after so many letters from boot camp that spoke of the various trials, it was good to see (with my own eyes) that he had made it through and was doing well. Here is where we found the Search and Rescue sailors at the airport. They are all waiting to check their baggage. The airport was more than willing to allow family to accompany their sailor into the terminal. We were given special passes and were allowed to go through the security checkpoint and everything! Kyle had a couple hours until he needed to rejoin his group to board his flight to Pensacola, so we found a nice restaurant and made the most of those few hours. Those moments with Kyle were totally priceless. We all expressed gratitude for our time in the airport on multiple occasions.

Kyle is the sailor just to the left of the woman in yellow. This is our goodbye. Kyle is boarding his flight to Florida where he will receive additional training. This time the training will be specific to his job: Search and Rescue. I thought saying goodbye was difficult. I have always felt protective of Kyle. He's four years younger than me and my best friend. I know he has the strength to do whatever must be done without my help, but I hate to let go. I realize, too, that in the Navy, goodbyes never get easier than this one. After all, the next time I say goodbye, he may be getting on a flight with a gun in his bag and orders in his hand. The next time I wave at an airplane, I may be waving to sailors on a mission. Sailors who will need to wear their camouflage and bullet-proof vests. Sailors who will be jumping into the ocean during a storm or the desert during a war. The Search and Rescue motto is appropriate, not just for the sailors who are part of the SAR, but also for their families. We bravely wave goodbye "So that others might live."
The plane that carried the Grad-N-Go Search and Rescue Unit down to Florida.

I don't know that I can really summarize the day. The feelings I experienced were many, some conflicting, and all intense. Since Kyle arrived in Pensacola, we have heard from him lots of times. The base in Florida is much less regimented and allows the sailors free time and access to telephones and computers. What a welcome change from the general hush-hush of boot camp!

Kyle shares a nicely sized room with one roommate. The two have their own bathroom. Kyle told me on the phone that he had taken a shower yesterday and was "thrilled not to have 50 other guys" with him. His room is about 100 yards from the bay. He took a run on the shore yesterday. He ate pizza, from a restaurant, for Sunday lunch!

Kyle has been forewarned about the strenuous physical training that will occur next week. That particular week has a reputation for being a killer, and Kyle has asked, in advance, for our prayers. Only 10% of the guys who enter SAR actually make it through the whole program. I asked Kyle yesterday if he would be equally OK doing a slightly different job. He said, "I'm in the Rescue Swimmer program--that's what I want to try and be." Sounds to me like we all should gear up for some more praying. The training is tough by necessity...the job is tough! For now, I'm proud of how far Kyle has gotten, and I've taken a deep breath and prepared myself to travel the next leg of this journey with him. Will you pack your bags, too?