Closing remarks

Friday Seth and I went to Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford (about 15min away) for Mark's retirement ceremony. We arrived right at 3:02, thinking we were early for a 3:15 start, not knowing they actually started at 3:00. We said hi to Mark as he was waiting in the back for his grand entrance and took our seats just as they were reading our names on the guest list. Typical for us, I suppose, even though we thought we were early, for once!

It was neat to see the base. It really does seem like its own little world, and I imagine it will be quite a transition for Mark once he begins working a civilian job. Lots of jokes were made that after 21 years in the military he will have to start thinking about what he will have to wear to work in the mornings.

Mark, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant colonel

An award for Gina, too

Mark's parents (Bud and Jean) and work friends were in attendance, as well as Gina's parents and sister, who came all the way from Florida. After the ceremony and reception we breezed over to their house where Gina had managed to prepare a massive surprise party where many more friends, neighbors, and family were waiting for him. Mark wasn't kidding when he said he had to marry an energetic woman!

The surprise party

Today was also Graduation at Brandeis. While I was at the annual Spring Fling luncheon at church, Seth zipped off to the see the last few minutes of the big graduation ceremony. He got to miss all that boring speechy stuff and see the finale, a performance by Paul Simon, who was accepting an honorary degree. (After a petition circulated on Facebook, he agreed to sing a song).

Paul Simon performs The Boxer at Brandeis

After lunch I ran over to campus and attended the mini graduation ceremony for the arts departments. Here, Paul Simon gave the main address--and Seth got to sit on stage with him :o)

Seth "sharing a stage" with Paul Simon!

Before walking onto stage at the start of the ceremony, Paul Simon hung out in the room with the others, so Seth got to chat with him a little and asked him to sign our Graceland CD. With the majority of our music burned, it is a good thing we had a real copy! (This is an indication of a REALLY good album).