A Promotion Party for Doc

As if life wasn't crazy enough with two kids' birthdays, a 2600 mile cross-country move, the Army decided Edward's promotion date would fall at the same time. Actually, his promotion date fell as we were en route to Ft. Bragg. We joked that what were we supposed to do? Stop by Ft. Campbell or something on the way and find someone to swear him in? Actually, that would have been cool if his cousin, who was already promoted, wasn't deployed, but it didn't happen that way.

So, I decided to throw Edward a promotion party in Yuma, and we had it the last Tuesday we were there, May 31. We had packers at our house that day until 4:30, and the party was at 5:00. I planned on 75-100, and we were right about at that. I served lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and a cake. What a blessing it is to have such wonderful friends! I miss them already, as some really helped me with the food. A special thanks to all of them for their help with cooking lasagnas, helping with the cleanup, and helping overall in anyway!

I decided to have the party at the Post Chapel Fellowhip Hall. Our neighbor and friend is the chaplain, so getting the room was no problem. Plus, he setup a lot of it. It was really the only room big enough on post to accommodate all of us too, and it had a nice kitchen.

So, Tuesday afternoon, I took a break from packing patrol to take the kids over and setup for the party.

Here's how the room turned out! I used the colors garnet and gold, NOT because we are Florida State fans (we aren't, even though I got my master's degree there)! Gold is for Major, and garnet is his branch color (medical corps).

My little assistant placed herself right by the cake.

Besides the cake, I setup this picture display to show Edward's different military milestones. Included were pictures form Airborne School, ROTC graduation at Clemson, medical school graduation, first day as a resident, graduation from residency, and graduation from HALO school.

Here's the cake! I had our friend from church, Sherri, make it. She owns a bakery in Yuma. I left all of it up to her, only asking she put the Freefall and the medical symbols on it.

The cake simply says, "Congratulations Doc!" as that is what everyone, even little kids, on post call him.

Freefall School (HALO School-High Altitude Low Open) Symbol-That is the unit in Yuma, the combat skydivers Edward has been taking care of for the last three years. He loves these guys and is so grateful he got to go through the course to become one too.

Medical Symbol, and yes, both were edible.

The food line to feed 100. We cooked eight lasagnas, three trays of stuffed shells, three huge salads, and nine loaves of garlic bread. Thankfully, six of the lasagnas I had help with! The rest I took care of.

A great party and a great time to say good-bye. We are so thankful for our time in Yuma. We had a great turnout and thank everyone who came to support Edward. Looking at these pictures, I didn't get one of Edward, except his back right here. It was a busy night!