​September 1st was one of the proudest moments of my life. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this day possible. Seeing my daughter graduate from boot camp along with Uniform 194 are memories that are going to last forever . I am very proud to join the USCG family.

​Words cannot express my gratitude to you and the kindness of others who have made it possible for me to see my daughter and her shipmates graduate from boot camp. My trip was indescribable, and the folks at Rhythm of the Seas were so welcoming. However, I must start at the beginning. Due to mechanical problems my flight was to be delayed by 3 hours, however, Southwest put me on a direct flight that left earlier.  This allowed me to drive from Philadelphia to Cape May and attend the meet and greet on Thursday evening.I met many families that I recognized from the face book page, and we shared our excitement of the coming day.  The information the officers gave was informative and meeting the mentor, (I’m not sure how to address his name properly) & his wife was great.
They shared some great stories and some facts about the selection of recruits and how some are reverted and some are sadly removed from the program.  I learned a lot about the Coast Guard and about boot camp, and information of what to expect the next day.
 
The following day, Friday, at breakfast you could feel the excitement throughout the room.  After eating a wonderful, filling breakfast.  And thanks to all the volunteers that made our meals.
What a beautiful way to serve our country,  That they create the meals for Thursday evenings and Friday mornings 42 weeks of the year.  That’s impressive!
 
So on to the Ida Lewis building. (I hope I spelled that correctly)  The film of boot camp was impressive, informative and a real eye-opener.  I think I had seen parts of the film but not in its entirety.
Then the officer who came forward and shared things to expect,  more things about boot camp.  How excited we were to see our graduate!  Ok.. so here is where I got weepy.  He said, as in boot camp,
That we wrote letters and were a connection to home, and something familiar.  That now we need to be our Coastie’s lifeline.  That now they are going to be making decisions and may from time to time,
run some ideas past us.  To be there for them.  I had to smile on the inside, because Patience knew right away that she wanted to be a fire-fighter, an EMT, and after high school she went after her dream.
Then she pursued the United States Coast Guard, and off to boot camp she went.  I’m told the firehouse isn’t the same without Patience.
 
To see Patience in her dress uniform was breath-taking.  I am so proud that my little girl wants to serve our great country.  As the other companies marched thru the parade field I prayed for their strength and courage, thanking the good Lord for their dedication t serve.  My daughter was so very grateful that I was able to attend the graduation.  She squeezed me so very tight and told me that I didn’t know how much it meant to her that I was there. 
 
Thank-you again from the bottom of my heart,
 
 
 

​Christi J May 2017
Thank you so much for a wonderful trip. It was very beautiful and exciting. The Hotel was wonderful and
I was able to attend the formal commencement ball and see the beautiful Coast Guard Academy Coming from Hawaii was beyond my means but the Mom in need fund made it happen!  Thank you.
 

From the moment my son swore in it was like both our lives changed moving forward. I had no idea what it would mean for him and me to have him join this amazing organization. I have felt so respected and honored from the moment he swore in. It was like the Coast Guard swooped in and surrounded us and made me feel like everything was going to be okay.
On graduation day I stepped on base and it was such an amazing day. I was so proud of my son. It was definately the happiest day of my life! It couldn't have been orchestrated any more beautifully. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this all happen!

​I cannot express to you how tremendously appreciative I am that I was able to be there for my son’s graduation.  I arrived and got my rental car and drove to Cape May to the bed and breakfast. I had never stayed at a bed and breakfast before. The house was beautiful and cozy. I slept comfortably and woke up early to get to the graduation location on time so I didn’t get to enjoy the breakfast they provide. Once at the Coast Guard location I couldn’t wait to see my son. I chatted with some of the mom’s as we waited for our son’s. Our sons and daughters marched in and I didn’t see my son so I was worried he wasn’t graduating. Then I saw him as honor guard and my heart soared…. He was surprising me with this honor and privilege that was given to him. I couldn’t wait to hold him and tell him how proud I was of him. When the graduation was over and they were dismissed I waiting on the bleachers so I wouldn’t lose him in the crowd. He came right over and we hugged for a long time and cried proud happy relieving tears. I only have pictures of him and not with us together since I was not thinking straight and had to race 2 hours back to the airport to catch my flight home. I was very sad we couldn’t go eat or celebrate at all due to having to race back to the airport so I wouldn’t miss my flight but I am very appreciative that I was able to be there no matter how stressful the 36 hours were. I have attached a few pictures above. God Bless You All!!!

​I was so blessed with the opportunity to see my boy graduate on Friday the 16th. A big thank you to the moms in need fund you were my life saver. I was literally at wits end when I saw the post on the boot camp Facebook page. Prayers are answered by you ladies!!! It was great experience I am happy to be a part of this Coast Guard family and such a great group!  My journey is one I will never forget. After Graduation my coastie and I flew out Friday to journey home. Due to extreme weather I got to spend an extra day and a half with him at the Denver airport. It was a great bonding experience!  We made it home safe Sunday afternoon and all is well!! Again I can't thank everyone enough!! 

​"I am eternally grateful for everyone with the mom in need fund. My son's recruiter asked him if anyone was going to his graduation, he said no we couldn't afford it. The recruiter handed him a pamphlet for the mom in need fund. I had never been more hopeful in my life. I'll never forget my excitement the I found out I was going to be able to go. 
The joy and pride I felt for all who graduated Tango 193 is insurmountable. The emotional roller-coaster of finally holding my son after 8 long weeks was amazing. The tears of wouldn't stop. Thank you for allowing me to participate in such a milestone of my son's life. I will definitely be supporting this endeavor so other moms can have the same opportunity I did. Thank you so very much.
With much love."

​Thank You all for allowing me to have this special moment with my son! This is the first hug after 8 long weeks! This hug is a feeling that I never would have gotten if it wasn't for your help! Believe it or not this is the only pic of the two of us from graduation. To me it's the best!!!   Thank you again for allowing me to share this special moment with him. He is not only my son, but my best friend! I sent the Coast Guard a boy and they sent me back a young man with an amazingly bright future.