That's right! Marcel is no longer called "recruit" but is now called "Firefighter"! We celebrated his graduation and it was wonderful! He had so many people there to support him! There was my family, Neeley Grandparents, Uli & Dennis, Dani, Manuel, Gaby, Pascal & Suzanna, and Nadine & Joel even flew in as a surprise! He was so happy to see everyone there just for him! 
They started off the ceremony with the pledge of allegiance. I haven't been somewhere that I've had to recite that for a while, it was nice! They had all the graduates sitting in the front row with every one's families filling in behind them.
The ceremony was then opened by Battalion Chief Karl Steadman, followed by Chief Kurt Cook.
Here are the instructors who were there every step of the way through this Academy!
Next it was time to say a little something about each individual graduate. Davies, Kochevar, & Mackintosh divided the graduates amongst themselves to give a tidbit about them.
Kochevar had some really awesome things to say about Marcel! I can't even describe how proud I am of him! :)
The class speech was given by the eldest in the class, Kyle Marston. He did a great job and made sure to include inside jokes that only the other guys would get (which I actually got a few from Marcel's stories)! The guys in the class all went in on a very nice gift to give the instructors of academy so at the end of Marston's speech the bell was presented to Captain Jepperson.
The final speech was given by Captain Jepperson. It was very encouraging and inspirational for the guys!
Once the speeche's were finished all the head hancho's (not the most proper of terms but I don't know how else to describe them!) lined up for the final step of graduation. The reciting of the oath and pinning of the badges!
As each individual was called, the person they chose to pin on their badge was escorted by another firefighter to the stage and they went up together. Once the graduate had repeated the oath, the person they chose would pin on their badge and was then escorted back to their seat while the graduate recieved a handshake from all the head hancho's along with his new helmet!
They started off the ceremony with the pledge of allegiance. I haven't been somewhere that I've had to recite that for a while, it was nice! They had all the graduates sitting in the front row with every one's families filling in behind them.
The ceremony was then opened by Battalion Chief Karl Steadman, followed by Chief Kurt Cook.Here are the instructors who were there every step of the way through this Academy!Next it was time to say a little something about each individual graduate. Davies, Kochevar, & Mackintosh divided the graduates amongst themselves to give a tidbit about them.Kochevar had some really awesome things to say about Marcel! I can't even describe how proud I am of him! :)The class speech was given by the eldest in the class, Kyle Marston. He did a great job and made sure to include inside jokes that only the other guys would get (which I actually got a few from Marcel's stories)! The guys in the class all went in on a very nice gift to give the instructors of academy so at the end of Marston's speech the bell was presented to Captain Jepperson.The final speech was given by Captain Jepperson. It was very encouraging and inspirational for the guys!Once the speeche's were finished all the head hancho's (not the most proper of terms but I don't know how else to describe them!) lined up for the final step of graduation. The reciting of the oath and pinning of the badges!As each individual was called, the person they chose to pin on their badge was escorted by another firefighter to the stage and they went up together. Once the graduate had repeated the oath, the person they chose would pin on their badge and was then escorted back to their seat while the graduate recieved a handshake from all the head hancho's along with his new helmet!Wilcox & his wife Alesha
LaMarr & his wife Amy
Sim & his wife Hayley
Hudson & his nephew
Rowley & his wife Kerryann
Maples & his wife Megan
Andrews & his wife Lauren
Marston & his mother
In watching everyone go up before us I was getting very nervous. I was sitting in the middle of our row (best view for everything but a little difficult to gracefully shuffle past everyone with everyone watching!), and my heart was pounding. Finally they called Marcel's name. The firefighter who was there to escort me walked up the steps to our row and patiently waited for me to scoot past everyone. I then took his arm as he walked me to meet Marcel at the bottom of the stage. I took his hand and we walked up the steps to the stage together, the final steps to being officially graduated! We took those last steps together just as we'd taken all the steps neccesary to get to this moment together! We had finally made it! Once on stage Marcel squeezed my hand before letting go to take his step forward to recite the oath. As he began, a firefighter handed me the badge that I would be pinning on him. I examined it's detail carefully as I listened to everything Marcel was promising to do. I looked up to see him standing there in his uniform in the presence of family, friends, and fellow firemen and I felt so much love and pride for him in that moment! As he finished up, he shook Chief Cook's hand and turned to me with one of the happiest smiles I've seen on his face! This for sure would mark one of the happiest days of our lives! I returned the smile and now I was up. My hands were shaking so bad I was afraid I might stab Marcel with the pin but I got it on there! We looked in eachother's eyes for a brief moment, exchanged smiles and a quick kiss and then my turn was over. I walked across the stage where I was escorted back to my row and Marcel took his place in line on stage with the others. Being able to be a part of Marcel's graduating like this was such an honor! When Marcel asked me a week or so ago to be the one to pin on his badge I was so happy! I mean I know that it seems like the obvious choice but having him actually ask me to do it meant a lot to me! That badge symbolizes so much and I was able to be the one to give it to him. This was such an awesome experience that I know we will never forget!
LaMarr & his wife Amy
Sim & his wife Hayley
Hudson & his nephew
Rowley & his wife Kerryann
Maples & his wife Megan
Andrews & his wife Lauren
Marston & his motherIn watching everyone go up before us I was getting very nervous. I was sitting in the middle of our row (best view for everything but a little difficult to gracefully shuffle past everyone with everyone watching!), and my heart was pounding. Finally they called Marcel's name. The firefighter who was there to escort me walked up the steps to our row and patiently waited for me to scoot past everyone. I then took his arm as he walked me to meet Marcel at the bottom of the stage. I took his hand and we walked up the steps to the stage together, the final steps to being officially graduated! We took those last steps together just as we'd taken all the steps neccesary to get to this moment together! We had finally made it! Once on stage Marcel squeezed my hand before letting go to take his step forward to recite the oath. As he began, a firefighter handed me the badge that I would be pinning on him. I examined it's detail carefully as I listened to everything Marcel was promising to do. I looked up to see him standing there in his uniform in the presence of family, friends, and fellow firemen and I felt so much love and pride for him in that moment! As he finished up, he shook Chief Cook's hand and turned to me with one of the happiest smiles I've seen on his face! This for sure would mark one of the happiest days of our lives! I returned the smile and now I was up. My hands were shaking so bad I was afraid I might stab Marcel with the pin but I got it on there! We looked in eachother's eyes for a brief moment, exchanged smiles and a quick kiss and then my turn was over. I walked across the stage where I was escorted back to my row and Marcel took his place in line on stage with the others. Being able to be a part of Marcel's graduating like this was such an honor! When Marcel asked me a week or so ago to be the one to pin on his badge I was so happy! I mean I know that it seems like the obvious choice but having him actually ask me to do it meant a lot to me! That badge symbolizes so much and I was able to be the one to give it to him. This was such an awesome experience that I know we will never forget!Hubby & Me! 
Lasota & his son
Once everyone had recieved their badges it was picture time! They all looked so good in their uniforms and you could just feel the relief and happiness radiating off of them for having accomplished something so great!
I love this man SO much! And let's face it, he makes one smokin' hot fireman! ;)
When all the formalities were over the guys all mingled for a bit, congratulating one another and relishing in the fact that they'd done it!
Family picture time!
After a few pictures at the auditorium we all went to the training tower for Marcel to give us a tour of where he'd spent the last 3 months. It was awesome! I didn't get any pictures of the tour because we were having so much fun looking at everything I completely forgot about the camera!
Lasota & his son
Once everyone had recieved their badges it was picture time! They all looked so good in their uniforms and you could just feel the relief and happiness radiating off of them for having accomplished something so great!I love this man SO much! And let's face it, he makes one smokin' hot fireman! ;)When all the formalities were over the guys all mingled for a bit, congratulating one another and relishing in the fact that they'd done it!Family picture time!After a few pictures at the auditorium we all went to the training tower for Marcel to give us a tour of where he'd spent the last 3 months. It was awesome! I didn't get any pictures of the tour because we were having so much fun looking at everything I completely forgot about the camera!More family pictures! This painting is from Pascal, Suzanna, Nadine, & Joel. Hunting + fire = Perfect gift! Thanks guys!
After touring the tower we all met at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. More gifts were given and a good time was had by all!
I know I've already said it more than once in this post already but I am SO proud of Marcel for accomplishing what he set out to do. This has been his dream job for so long and to finally be able to say that he has his dream job is so awesome! How many people can say that?! We are so grateful that he was given this opportunity and that he had the strength and willpower to make it to the end! Granted there were some tough days (REALLY tough days) but we made it!Great job Firefighter Braun!!
After touring the tower we all met at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. More gifts were given and a good time was had by all!I know I've already said it more than once in this post already but I am SO proud of Marcel for accomplishing what he set out to do. This has been his dream job for so long and to finally be able to say that he has his dream job is so awesome! How many people can say that?! We are so grateful that he was given this opportunity and that he had the strength and willpower to make it to the end! Granted there were some tough days (REALLY tough days) but we made it!Great job Firefighter Braun!!
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