The Proudest Day of My Life

The two most exciting days of my life are the days my two daughters were born. I was absolutely thrilled to see these beautiful baby girls look at me with their gorgeous, innocent eyes. I was equally awestruck that I had helped created these new lives. Those days are etched into my memory above any other.

But there is another day in my life that stands out as the day on which I felt most proud. I can't explain why, it's just the mixture of elation and the feeling of achievement that I felt that gave me goosebumps and made me feel a way I had never felt before or since.

It was the day I graduated from Navy boot camp: March 27, 1999. I was a twenty-year old boy (I certainly was not yet a man, though I thought I was) that had actually accomplished something for the first time in my life. I had always been a promising young man with a lot of potential, but that day was the first time that I actually realized some of that potential.

The families and friends of hundreds of graduating recruits filled the stands in the Freedom Hall gymnasium on the site of the Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, about an hour north of Chicago. I knew my mother, two sisters, little brother, best friend, and girlfriend were all up there watching for me. I was incredibly excited, because it would be the first time I would see them since I had left for boot camp over two months before. I knew that I had changed a great deal and I was anxious to see their reactions.

As my division marched into the gymnasium from outside, someone on the loud speaker announced in a loud and victorious voice, "Division...9...1...7!!!" The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. That is the moment I felt chills all over my body. I couldn't help but grin, although we were supposed to be completely "professional" and serious. It was the first time that I had been a part of something noteworthy; the first time I had a gym full of people shouting triumphantly for a group that I was a member of. It was breathtaking.

I knew my family and friends were up there cheering above everyone. They knew my division number, and I'm sure they were desperately trying to catch a glimpse of me. I was keenly aware of their stares as I tried to march in step with the rest of my division. I tried to concentrate as we moved into our place on the gym floor, but it was impossible. I couldn't help but think of those people watching me; couldn't help but ponder what would happen when I finally got to talk to them again.

The next hour or so, as awards were presented and powerful people that I didn't know made speeches, were excruciating. I just wanted the ceremony to be over so I could see the people who had traveled there to see me. When that finally happened, it was well worth the wait. I had never been so proud as the moment I hugged my mom after the ceremony. I just couldn't stop smiling.

There are many moments in life that I will always remember, and many that I will cherish. The births of my daughters are certainly two of them; the two best days of my life. I've grown up a whole lot since boot camp. I'm a completely different person now. But I will never feel quite as proud as I did marching into Freedom Hall on March 27, 1999.