All,
In light of the recent dearth of blog entries and the subsequent (and well-deserved) call-out by Aunt Katie, here is what has been happening in my life. On May 17th I commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in a formal ceremony with all of the other cadets, as my parents, maternal grandmother, Father Beaver, and childhood friends looked on. The evening prior to that, I had a private commissioning performed by Father Beaver. We were both in our dress blues (he in army, I in air force). The ceremony consisted of Father saying a few words (attached in comments per Father's request), the administering of the Oath of Office, my parents pinning on my gold second lieutenant bars, me saying a few words, me receiving my first salute, and then lots of pictures with friends and family (full video available). On May 18th I graduated from Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. The ceremony was certainly full of pomp and grandeur and guests Cardinal McCarrick and Martin Sheen each spoke.
After moving out of my house, I departed South Bend with four of my friends from Walla Walla and we drove home, stopping to stay at Bart’s in Omaha, and in Boise at another friend’s house. Following that, I spent one night in Walla Walla before attending Chris Campbell’s wedding. The next day I left for Orlando to spend a week with several college friends for one last hurrah. I then came home for my sister’s high school graduation and two more nights in Walla Walla before beginning my next journey.
On June 2, I left Walla Walla and picked up Kevin Johnston in Portland and then headed down to San Francisco. We spent the night at Matt Baumel’s and the next day I headed up to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield for my first day of work. I have been slowly getting acclimated to my job (official title – project programmer, which means securing funds from congress for construction projects 5+ years down the road (yawn?)) and more quickly getting acclimated to the fun of San Francisco as I have spent every weekend there with a couple of my college buddies.
I am spending the 4th of July in Laguna Beach with several other college friends. To continue on with my immediate future plans, I leave here at the end of July for 7 weeks of school in Montgomery, AL followed soon after by 7 more weeks of school in Dayton, OH which leads into Thanksgiving. If you are still reading, there is the rundown of my life for the last 2 months and the next 5. I cannot wait to get settled in down here and start having visitors. I look forward to seeing everyone for Thanksgiving (as I have missed the last 4 -so it better be a great one!).
Colin
All,
8 comments:
Commissioning Ceremony
Colin Roach
From ROTC to United States Air Force
16 May 2008
It is, indeed a humbling source of pride for me to be invited to participate in the
commissioning of Colin Roach as a 2nd Lt into the United States Air Force.
There is no other place I could be this day.
Colin is one of my first cousin’s 44 grandchildren and the
first of the 44 to present himself for service
in the Department of Defense.
And as an Army Chaplain for 26 years, I want to assure Colin as well as all
assembled here that . . .
- there is no incompatibility between
- the strict requirements of the military and
- the rich tradition of our faith . . . and
- there is no inconsistency between
- the standard of the officer and
- the ideals of a Catholic.
In this intriguing mystery of life . . .
both civilians and military must advance together
- to do their very best and
- to pray for the day when
we all can subsist in harmony in order to survive in peace.
Moreover, it must be clearly understood that
the priority, posture, and position of military forces in places like Iraq and
around the world
is in the hands of our elected officials and
will not be yours to determine.
Nor should anyone ever forget that it is nominated and confirmed civilians
who debate, decide, and define our countries’ military mission.
2.
I don’t think I know anyone who is not a “peace lover.”
But I do know that people in uniform are the “peace makers.”
In my lifetime, I have repeatedly witnessed the generous spirit of sacrifice
displayed in, and shared by, those in uniform.
Perhaps this is why Our Lord, in the New Testament, always spoke of the soldier
in terms of deep respect and high regard . . . from
- the Roman Centurion whose son was sick to
- the Roman soldier at the foot of the cross who
was Christianity’s first convert.
The sacrifice of you young American defenders means that there can be
- no let up in time of peace, and
- no let down in time of war!
As I said
- let our congressional civilians debate the controversial issues of our day
- let other politicians look into the national notions that
divide the minds of men, but
it will be you, along with the combined military forces of volunteers,
who will stand night and day
- as our nation’s guardians . . .
- as our national life guards
- defending us from and
- protecting us against
the raging tide of international conflict.
Moreover, any foreign power that looks with acquisitive eyes and covetous thoughts
upon America,
will find our United States Air Force living up to its motto . .
In peace prepared
In war invincible. .
as the mystery continues.
Father Beaver
Colonel, US Army (ret)
Prayer on the occasion of Colin Roach’s commissioning
University of Notre Dame
16 May 2008
Father, majesty, mercy and mystery,
grant to Colin and all new military officers
- strength in times of tension;
- wisdom in times of uncertainty; and
- generosity in times of prosperity.
May Your light
guide them through the bitter and the better.
May Your Power
protect them through the thin and the thinner.
Keep their goals high and their character deep;
Give them prudence in judgment and courage in action.
Help us all to live in harmony, so we can relax in peace
as the intriguing mystery life on earth
continues through the merits
of Christ our Lord. Amen
Thank you so much Colin!! That was so great and definitely needed to be shared!
Such cool pictures of the event and your proud relatives and friends.
What nice comments by Fr. Beaver - he never ceases to amaze me with his ability to say things! - and a very nice prayer to go with it.
Glad to hear you're getting the lay of the land in San Fran. We'll see what we can do to get down that way to visit you one of these months.
Love,
Katie
Love you, honey. This is my visit to the blog and my first comment. Before you get to excited, Madeleine was reading this as I happened to pass by her room. Who knows I may get in to this yet!
Okay, Madeleine wants to make sure everyone knows that it was me, Colin's mom, who posted the above comment. She does love her brother though!!!!
You forgot to mention that you ran in to Townsend (the artist formerly known as Mike Barber) while you were in SF!
(Nice post!)
My boy, Colin, failed to mention that he also picked up a philosophy degree for the heck of it while getting that civil engineering degree. Bill referred to it as getting educated in the concrete as well as the abstract...
Colin...WOW! what great pictures...you are so cute in your uniform! :) Congratulations Colin and I think a cousins reunion is in order down in San Fran, what do you say??
yes please!
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