One of the really big events that happened this summer is that my sister, Kira, joined Utah's National Guard. She leaves for Basic Training (ie. Boot Camp) in the beginning of October, gets a short break for Christmas, and then heads off to Advanced Individual Training until April. I am so impressed with her and our family will do anything to support her and Travis over these next few months.
Our first chance to really show that was to come watch her march for the governor today. I don't think you can tell, but she is in the last row, second person in. She did such a great job. I admit that I started crying a little bit as I watched her walk by.
After all of the soldiers had finished their march, a group of helicopters flew overhead. Before the marching started, two ginormous jets - the kind that refuel other jets - did a fly-by. It was almost uncomfortable to watch them fly so low and slow over the crowd. It was amazing! I love jets. Brayden, on the other hand, was obsessed with the helicopters.
Once Kira was free to join us, we all wandered around to check out the numerous booths that were set up. Brayden's first stop was a booth that gave you the chance to fire a fully automatic air soft gun.
He did a really good job! He hit the little guy in the middle twelve times with only a little bit of help from my dad.
Brayden's next stop was a Fireman's Obstacle Course. After getting all setup in the right coat and helmet, he started off on the course.
Step 1: Climb through a metal box with different things blocking his way.
Step 2: Crawl through a relatively small and long black tube.
Step 3: Drag a fire hose for so many feet.
Step 4: (With the help of Grandpa) Drag a limp mannequin to safety.
Besides the zip line that Brayden was too small for, the last activity that was offered was a blown up obstacle course similar to the ones over at Bouncin' Off the Walls. I think Brayden would have stayed there all day if we would have let him.
Now it was time for Kira to get back to some of her training, but as we walked her back to her building, we found a tank that you could climb into. The soldier inside was awesome to explain to us how it work and what some of the different levers and buttons did.
Brayden even got to climb on top and sit on top of the barrel next to his Daddy and Grandpa. What a priceless picture!
At this point, everyone else in our party, besides my dad, had left to get back to their other obligations, but we couldn't leave without showing Brayden the helicopters. The soldiers at the medical helicopter were really friendly. They let Brayden climb right on in while they were cleaning things up.
They even let Brayden sit in the pilot's seat!
Our last stop was the fighting helicopter. It just looks mean, doesn't it?
Brayden wasn't allowed in the pilot's seat on this one because it was too dangerous, but we were allowed to sit him on the side. Brayden wasn't a fan of this at all, but he enjoyed looking at it from the ground and find all of it's guns.
Today really was a great day. I'm glad we could come out to support Kira. I was planning on coming when I thought we'd be really bored just watching her march. I had no idea how much fun we'd have!
