WSP Graduation

Andre is officially a Washington State Patrol Trooper. It is amazing how much work he put into this and what he went through. I got to ride home with him on Friday night and he told me some about some stuff that I had no idea about before then; it gave me a whole new outlook on how hard his training really was in so many ways.

Graduating from the WSP Trooper Basic Academy is a very cermonial event. Jeez, you get to shake hands with the governor...more than once! Gov. Gregoire is a big supporter of the WSP; her dog's name is even Trooper.

I flew to Seattle on Thursday morning and drove down to Olympia from there. I got to the academy at about 12:30 and was able to get a good seat for Andre's diploma and awards ceremony. He, of course, got his certificate of completion for Trooper Basic, and then barely missed out on the top cadet award for shooting. He was so close that the guy who got it is named Andre, too (what are the odds).

After the open house I drove to Tumwater/Olympia to meet up with our girls, my parents, and in-laws. All was good. They drove over and we met up in time to have a good dinner and then get to bed early (ish).

We got to the Capital campus about Noon on Friday. We got a smokin-awesome parking spot (a reward for clean living) and had time to walk around and check stuff out. As we walked into the legislative building (that's where the big dome is), we ran into the son of one of Tom's friends. Barrett (that's the guy's name) is the aide to Rep. Hewitt...so we got a tour! It was cool--we got to see the senate "floor" and the caucus room. Good stuff. Lots of marble (the building). It was really beautiful.

We then headed outside to watch the cadets (they were not troopers, yet) drive up in formation w/their lights going. The effect was impressive. They then marched inside...we ran behind them (they marched fast). We had a chance to visit for a bit, then the ceremony began. It was pretty short, amazingly. They took their oath and then received their commission cards from Gov. Gregoire and Chief Batiste.

THEN, we went to the governor's mansion for a reception. All of the new troopers (no longer cadets) had their pictures taken with the governor. Except us. We also got a picture of Olivia w/her daddy and the governor. It was so cute!!! I can't wait to see it. We were just standing around and the guy in charge asked if the the girls wanted to take a picture, too. Victoria was such a pill and refused, but Olivia was cool with it. I'll post the picture whenever we get it.

And then that was it. We picked up my rental car and returned it and headed home. Me and my WSP Trooper husband.

I've added some pictures...sorry the quality stinks. We need a new camera! If/when I learn how to add video, I'll try to post the cars driving in and some of the ceremony.