September 18, 2003
March 04, 2003
the Wedding (and Graduation)
I arose at 03:30, still having to finish packing for the trip. Clyde had been busy the last several weeks calling everyone at Lackland AFB attempting to make the arrangements happen. Ginny was picking me up in our rented Saturn and we were well on the road by 06:00. We talked about how proud we both were of Lauren and the positive changes that she'd made in her life over the last six months and, of course, how sudden the Wedding had come up and its' inclusion in the rest of the weekends' graduation activities.
We made the 14:00 briefing which saved us a lot of trouble and time the next morning. Clyde met us there, and we all attended the formation of the trainees at the end of the day. After saying our hellos and a quick trip to Pizza Hut and then to Clyde's room, we visited briefly and made plans for the next day and went our separate ways.
Friday morning, Feb 14th, was dark, cold, and raining. We made our way to the Parade Grounds at the Air Museum and found our places in the grandstands. It was steadily coming down, but all the graduating Flights were lined up, stock still, impressing those of us trying to stay dry. All the Airmen performed perfectly, bands and flags, salutes, protocol, Esprit DeCorps evident in the successes of the last months.
A dash back to the room to change into our "wedding attire" and we managed to find the Hope Chapel in time for the ceremony. Beautiful... and the Chaplin was terrific. I cried as did Clydes' mom. I walked Lauren down the aisle, Ginny was the Bridesmaid, Clyde Sr. the Best Man. Laurens' Uncle Allan and Kelly Conkling attended and witnessed the affair. Ginny brought the traditional "Conkling Porta-Wedding" consisting of cake, the wedding knife, sparkling juice, and an assortment of other goodies. We had a brief party at the NCO Club and left the newly weds to themselves for the remainder of the evening.
Pictures are available in the new and improved Gallery (Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Clyde & Lauren Hunt!) or in the "Features" section at the top of the right hand column click on the "Wedding" link.