The dinner was held in the Ballroom of the Student Union Building. Tables were set up and arranged for the hundred or so invitees.
Alek's family members were seated at a table in the front of the room at which Alek was also seated as the host. Pictured below are Bruce, Alek's father; Carole, Alek's Grandmother; and myself.
The commissioning Ceremony was very impressive. The Base Commander at a nearby Air Force Base was the main speaker. The Colonel, who was the Commander of the CWU ROTC Detachment, also spoke as well as several others connected with the ROTC Program. The eight graduates were then in turn administered the oath of office, had their Lieutenant bars pinned on, presented parent pins to their parents, and received their certificate from the Unit Commander.
The most impressive part of the evening . . . and the most emotional and inspiring . . . was the administering of the Oath of Office to Alek. Alek's mother is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve and is currently serving a tour of duty in Kuwait. They arranged an Internet video connection between his Mother in Kuwait and the Ballroom on the CWU Campus allowing the Oath of Office to be administered to Alek by his Mother from Kuwait. Her video image was projected on a large screen at the side of the Ballroom during administering of the Oath of Office. That drew a huge patriotic response from all of those in attendance.
Following the administering of the Oath of Office, Bruce and Alek's brother pinned new 2nd Lieutenant bars on Alek. It was all a very impressive ceremony.
Following the ceremony, Alek, now Lieutenant Krallman, is pictured below receiving congratulations from his proud Grandmother, Carole, and his proud Father, Bruce.
Alek will soon be sent to Texas to begin pilot training. Congratulations, Lieutenant Krallman. I know you will serve your country proudly.
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