Soldiers completing 10 weeks of grueling Basic Combat Training look forward to two things: Family Day and their graduation ceremony.
For the past few weeks, both events have fallen victim to the aftermath of flooding that resulted in gate closures, laundry lapses and motel room scarcities.
Two weeks ago, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment who were winding down their training cycle had to tell loved ones that their Family Day and graduation might be canceled as well.
"I was very disappointed when our drill sergeants told us to call our Families and tell them to cancel their tickets because graduation and Family Day may be off the table," said Pvt. Elijah Keegan Stark-Haws of Alpha Company, 1-34th, "but we knew about the devastation that was going on out in town with the floods, so we understood."
Pvt. Vichhay Tek of Foxtrot Company felt broken hearted, he said -- "I was really, really looking forward to it."
When the 1-34th informed its Facebook audience that it might have to cancel graduation ceremonies, the feedback was quick and vocal.
"All week, there were literally hundreds of Facebook posts from Families that were upset," said 1-34th commander Lt. Col. Geoffrey D. Greene. "A lot of them were offering to bring their own water, bring their own food, sleep in their car - things like that - because some of the hotels were closed and the city of Columbia didn't have potable water, Fort Jackson didn't have potable water.
"Now that we are having (graduation ceremonies), a lot of them are pretty ecstatic about it."
During the three small graduation ceremonies held Oct. 1, bleachers at the Solomon Center were empty. Families, friends and loved ones were absent, causing a somber quiet to settle over the graduating Soldiers -- but they still stood tall, proud of their accomplishments and happy to be recognized for completing their training.
"It sucked thinking your family couldn't come see how different and how much better you've become," Pvt. Isaiah Micheal Solis of Echo Company, 1-34th Infantry Battalion said anticipating a similar graduation ceremony. "I'd have to wait another 20 weeks (Advanced Individual Training) to see them. It hit me right in the heart."
Pvt. Hunter Gregory Sterling of Delta Company was more philosophical.
"I was hoping to graduate like my Family members had before me," he said, "but either way it turned out, I'm happy to be graduating."
Then the good news came last week: Graduation and all its attendant pomp and ceremony was back on schedule, and Families again were welcome to celebrate en masse at Hilton Field.
"Everybody went crazy when they said our graduation was back on," said Pvt. Tori Lynn Stevenson of Bravo Company, 1-34th. "There's a lot of people - especially those who have children that really need (time to see their Families), and I'm really, really happy for them."
Monday, the Soldiers were excited to practice for graduation -- even in cold, wet, blustery weather -- because they would have the much-anticipated impressive graduation ceremony.
"In our last week, we heard that it was back, so we got to re-call our Families and say, 'No -- come and enjoy Family Day with us and enjoy graduation with us.'
"That was a relief and very exciting for us. It's going to be a very proud moment for my parents to see me walk out on the field and graduate," Stark-Haws said.
Solis also was excited.
"Oh, man," he said, "it was such a relief, and I am glad my mother and sister can come and see that I have become a better person."
Wednesday, many Families came on post to spend the last day before graduation -- Family Day - with their new Soldiers.
Since Soldiers must spend the day on post, the timing was perfect - Starbucks, the food court at the Main Exchange and other restaurants had just reopened after the restoration of potable water to Fort Jackson.
Soldiers returned to their barracks Wednesday evening to prepare for the big day.
"When it was back on, all the prayers had been answered," Tek said. "We were all relieved -- especially everybody at the company and the battalion -- knowing all the hard work they had done and how proud they would be walking onto the field and having their families watching them. We felt like everything had paid off."
The only difference between this graduation ceremony and past ceremonies is that Soldiers will be in their Army Combat Uniforms instead of Army Service Uniforms because the facility that provides laundry and tailoring services could not complete orders after the flooding.
"In the Bible, it says if you have faith of the smallest mustard seed, you can move the mountains," said Pvt. David Elias Hankinson of Charlie Company.
"So I just kept faith in my God that He would give me Family Day and graduation, and refused to let any shred of a doubt cross my mind.
"(Having graduation is) an honor. I put in my best, and I'm getting to show out there on that field that I did what it takes to be part of the best military in the world.
"No matter how long I have to stand out there, I am honored to be part of the United States Army."
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