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William and Mr. C. at Watts Barracks, The Citadel, SC |
With great pride and respect, we visited one of my top high quality students who is now attending The Citadel in Charleston, SC. William, or Will as he is know to most, graduated from the High School where I spent my 31 year teaching career. Over those 31 years, several students rise to the top of the list as outstanding students who are obviously in a league of their own. William is one of those few students and I am proud to have been his computer applications teacher in 2010. As we neared Georgetown, SC, we sent a text off to William to alert him of our impending arrival in Charleston in a few days. Will replied and informed me that it was Homecoming this weekend and that it also was Open Barracks and that it would be a shame we would miss all the fun.
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William in Watts Barracks, Citadel, SC |
Don't give "Team Island Spirit" a challenge like that, because....WE WILL MAKE IT....and make it we did. We dropped anchor 66 miles short of Charleston, in charming Georgetown, booked a rental car, departed the boat at 7 am on a frosty 40 degree morning, drove down Rt. 17 to The Citadel and breached the fortress of WATTS BARRACKS where we sent a text to William and said...."WE ARE IN THE COURTYARD....where are you?" William alerted us to climb the NOVEMBER tower staircase up to the 5th floor and there he was, looking better than ever. We visited for an hour, toured his barracks and met Frank, his local host family, who is a civil engineer and a 2006 Citadel graduate.
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Watts Barracks, Citadel, SC |
After the barracks closed at 1000 hrs, the corps formed up and the entire brigade was presented on the parade field where hundreds of family members and Citadel graduates lined the field. William told us where to stand in order to locate his NOVEMBER Company. We enjoyed watching the precision marching, the presentation and firing of the cannons and recognition of dignitaries and awards to honored graduates. I am so proud of William and his dedication to this Military College of South Carolina. The academics are difficult and the disciplined program even more challenging, but I am positive William will excel, just like he did in all his previous years. Congratulations and thank you again for alerting us to the Open Barracks and Homecoming festivities. You make me proud....very proud!
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Citadel BULLDOGS |
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Brigade Parade marching into the parade field |
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Smoke covers the main hall as the cannons are fired |
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November Company, with William in the center |
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William in formation, November Company, Citadel, SC |
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William in the center, 4th row back in this photo |
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You make me proud, William! |
Hayden that is SO COOL! Wow! What a great reason to fondly remember your teaching career.
ReplyDeleteHayden,
ReplyDeleteReally cool of you guys to drop by and visit Will!! He has and will continue to make PV proud. Fair winds my friend. --- Rob Heist