. Jalbum 8.4 slides/PICT6073ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 After the Graduation Exercises we assembled at Col Kruger's (Steven's sponser) house for the "boarding" - the attaching of his second lieutenant bars on the shoulders of his uniform. This picture was taken before the the ceremony - on his shoulder you can see the clips that the boards will attach to. After the Graduation Exercises we assembled at Col Kruger's (Steven's sponser) house for the "boarding" - the attaching of his second lieutenant bars on the shoulders of his uniform. This picture was taken before the the ceremony - on his shoulder you can see the clips that the boards will attach to. slides/PICT6073ac.jpg slides/PICT6106ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 Ed and S/M attach Steven's second lieutenant's bars to clips on the shoulders of his uniform. Steven is wearing the new blue "Army Service Uniform". While Steven was at West Point the Army announced the adoption of a new blue uniform and the phase out of its green and white uniforms. The blue uniform is patterned after the current Army "dress blue" uniform (being worn by S/M Kerns). It is also a return to the traditional "blue coat" used by the army in Revolutionary War days. Steven is a member of the first USMA class to graduate into the new uniform. For them the lyrics of the song "We'll bid farewell to Kaydet Gray, And don the Army Blue." is accurate Ed and S/M attach Steven's second lieutenant's bars to clips on the shoulders of his uniform. Steven is wearing the new blue "Army Service Uniform". While Steven was at West Point the Army announced the adoption of a new blue uniform and the phase out of its green and white uniforms. The blue uniform is patterned after the current Army "dress blue" uniform (being worn by S/M Kerns). It is also a return to the traditional "blue coat" used by the army in Revolutionary War days. Steven is a member of the first USMA class to graduate into the new uniform. For them the lyrics of the song "We'll bid farewell to Kaydet Gray, And don the Army Blue." is accurate slides/PICT6106ac.jpg slides/PICT6116ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 After receiving his boards, Steven retook his commissioning oath, admisistered by retired Major Stephen Mayer. Major Mayer had been the Commandant of Cadets at Massanutten Military Academy when Steven graduated from high school. Ed and S/M look on. Note the stripes on S/M's sleeve. Each stripe represents 3 years of service. After receiving his boards, Steven retook his commissioning oath, admisistered by retired Major Stephen Mayer. Major Mayer had been the Commandant of Cadets at Massanutten Military Academy when Steven graduated from high school. Ed and S/M look on. Note the stripes on S/M's sleeve. Each stripe represents 3 years of service. slides/PICT6116ac.jpg slides/PICT6117ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 After the oath, Steven hugged Major Mayer After the oath, Steven hugged Major Mayer slides/PICT6117ac.jpg slides/PICT6099ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 Following the precedent of his graduation from Massanutten Military Academy, Steven gave his sword to Ed. This time it was not a surprise and was done with far less ceremony Following the precedent of his graduation from Massanutten Military Academy, Steven gave his sword to Ed. This time it was not a surprise and was done with far less ceremony slides/PICT6099ac.jpg slides/DSC00402ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 "The Massanutten Mafia" at the Boarding - S/M James Kerns, Lt Steven Cragg, Maj Stephen Mayor, SFC Gary Gill "The Massanutten Mafia" at the Boarding - S/M James Kerns, Lt Steven Cragg, Maj Stephen Mayor, SFC Gary Gill slides/DSC00402ac.jpg slides/DSC00396ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 The Craggs & Dayna taken after the boarding. Scott Cragg, Dayna Heater, Steven Cragg and Ed Cragg The Craggs & Dayna taken after the boarding. Scott Cragg, Dayna Heater, Steven Cragg and Ed Cragg slides/DSC00396ac.jpg slides/DSC00404ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 A Group picture of all the graduation guests taken after the boarding. From Left to Right: First Row: Carol Kerns (Mrs S/M), S/M James Kerns, Mrs Gill, SFC Gary Gill, Major Stephen Mayor, Brad Strahan Second Row: Scott Cragg, Ed Cragg, Lt Steven Cragg, Charley Hall, Back Row: Dayna Heater, Lucinda Romberg, Harriet Barton, Anthony "Vegas" Muehlberger A Group picture of all the graduation guests taken after the boarding. From Left to Right: First Row: Carol Kerns (Mrs S/M), S/M James Kerns, Mrs Gill, SFC Gary Gill, Major Stephen Mayor, Brad Strahan Second Row: Scott Cragg, Ed Cragg, Lt Steven Cragg, Charley Hall, Back Row: Dayna Heater, Lucinda Romberg, Harriet Barton, Anthony "Vegas" Muehlberger slides/DSC00404ac.jpg slides/PICT6136ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 Steven's Graduation / Commissioning was on the Saturday before Memorial Day. On Sunday he attended the wedding of his classmate Charles Bustamante, arriving home Sunday evening. On Memorial Day he went to Arlington Cemetery. His first stop was Grandpa's grave where he rendered this salute. Small flags are placed next to all gravestones in the cemetery every year for Memorial Day by members of the 1st Battalion of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) stationed at Ft Meyer Steven's Graduation / Commissioning was on the Saturday before Memorial Day. On Sunday he attended the wedding of his classmate Charles Bustamante, arriving home Sunday evening. On Memorial Day he went to Arlington Cemetery. His first stop was Grandpa's grave where he rendered this salute. Small flags are placed next to all gravestones in the cemetery every year for Memorial Day by members of the 1st Battalion of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) stationed at Ft Meyer slides/PICT6136ac.jpg slides/PICT6141ac.html# Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:22:27 -0500 Steven's second stop in Arlinton Cemetery was Sgt. James R McIlvaine's Grave. McIlvaine greatly influenced Steven during his first years at Massanutten Military Academy. Steven identified him as a role model in his application essay to West Point. He was Killed In Action in Iraq on 30 April 2009 and buried in Arlington on 12 May 2009. Since he was in Term End Exams at West Point, he could not attend the funeral. This is the salute he would have rendered had he been able to attend. Steven's second stop in Arlinton Cemetery was Sgt. James R McIlvaine's Grave. McIlvaine greatly influenced Steven during his first years at Massanutten Military Academy. Steven identified him as a role model in his application essay to West Point. He was Killed In Action in Iraq on 30 April 2009 and buried in Arlington on 12 May 2009. Since he was in Term End Exams at West Point, he could not attend the funeral. This is the salute he would have rendered had he been able to attend. slides/PICT6141ac.jpg