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This past week, my younger brother Leo graduated from Officer Candidate School for the Marine Corps in Quantico Virginia.  He spent 10 weeks going through the most vigorous training our armed forces offer.  His training group started out with over 280 candidates and 170 were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants on December 10th, 2010.  The first day we got there (after surviving the Washington D.C. traffic), it was Family Day.  The Colonel who runs OCS made a short presentation and then we got to pick up our Marines for a short Liberty (a break for them off-base).  After everything these men have gone through in the past 10 weeks, the reunion was very emotional.

Leo is to the right of the shoulder (first row) of the Marine in the very front.

We all went out to dinner after this, before Leo had to report back to the base.  The next day we reported to the base at 7:00 am….sorry Leo, 0700.   The Marines then went through graduation, with the traditional parade.  The amazing Quantico Band led the way.

In the shots below Leo is mainly in the center, except for the one with the Navy Officers.

We momentarily had sun, then the rest of the morning was overcast and freezing.

After the graduation ceremony we headed over to the Marine Museum for the Commissioning Ceremony.  The museum was beautiful and the ceremony even more so.

The statues in and around the tank were modeled after real soldiers.  And by modeled I mean that the soldiers actually sat and posed for these individual pieces.  I wish that the photo could capture how truly amazing these are.  After we toured the museum, everyone got settled for the ceremony, and all of the recent graduates were brought in.  Before the oath was the prayer, another moving moment for all the Marines and their families.

We then moved to a spot to pin on Leo’s Bars onto his uniform.  My parents, sister Emma, Leo’s best friend Kevin and I each got the honor of putting a bar on.

Leo then received his First Salute from retired Gunnery Sergeant Jim Osborne, a close family friend.

Leo, we are all so proud of you and congratulations Lieutenant!