USAFA 2012 Graduation Day

On Wednesday of this week we were invited to attend the United States Air Force Academy 2012 graduation commencement. It was an experience we won't soon forget. 1073 cadets graduated (839 men and a record 234 women) and are now 2 Lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force. 
President Obama was the guest speaker. Following his commencement address, he saluted and shook the hands of every single one of the graduates as their names were called to receive their diplomas. Can you imagine doing that 1073 times - with no breaks?! We were quite impressed!
It was a very long ceremony but well worth it. It was also a very warm day. We were sitting in the stadium in the direct sun. So were the cadets (and they were in full uniform which included wool blazers!)

There's a lot of saluting going on here!