2nd Lt. Hatton Updike

congratulations to my awesome and adventurous cousin Hatton on his graduation from the Unites states air force academy!! i know the hard work, discipline, and true dedication he has put into this accomplishment. this was my third time visiting the academy. the first for hatton's older brother, trenton's graduation, the second, for the traditional ring dance hatton's junior year and his graduation being the third. it is an amazing place on hundreds of acres of colorado beauty. the few days centered around the graduation were filled with new experiences followed by old traditions. the long weekend was concluded with a wonderful ceremony and an awesome thunderbird airshow!

 we went on an old fashioned cog train ride all the way up pike's peak. after running down the stairs and getting our tickets just in time to jump on the train and catch our seats the train began its climb. it sounds like something taken out of a movie but it was the start of our adventurous day. the warm summer air quickly turned into crisp cold air as we climbed the mountain gaining altitude with each chug of the train. at the top we were at 14,115 feet, where i felt like seasons had been skipped and suddenly i was surrounded by winter.

after the excitement of the cog railway it was time to attend some more serious matters, and the actual reason we came to colorado springs. we attended hattons pinning ceremony where he would receive his new rankings as a second leuitenant. my grandpa, norman saba under oath swore him in to the next phase of the military world. it was a day of smiles and joyous tears. the formal ceremony continued to a lovely dinner where we all ate as a family-italian style! delicious food and wonderful family the evening was filled with happiness.

the last day of our trip was the commencement ceremony.  we watched all of the graduates march out into the falcon arena in succession to receive their diplomas. one of my favorite parts is after the ceremony when all the graduates throw their hats, there is a tradition to put the amount of money inside the hat as the same year of their graduation. inside each hat there was $20.11. after all the hats had hit the ground, small children were allowed to go onto the field and collect one hat!! 

USAFA Chapel