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| It's Lieutenant Colonel Steeves. (Boom!) I am so proud. |
Our family is very excited to share that Geoff recently was promoted from the rank of major to lieutenant colonel. Not all majors are promoted, and making Geoff's accomplishment even more noteworthy, he was actually promoted one year ahead of schedule, or what the military calls "below the zone." The Air Force chose just 119 officers out of 4,200 to promote early to lieutenant colonel, making Geoff part of an elite 2.8 percent.
It is customary for a higher-ranking officer to officiate the ceremony and administer the oath of office. Geoff asked his boss Col. Mike "Gravy" Manion to do so. Then, Leo and I changed the rank on one of Geoff's shoulder boards, and Eri changed the other. Geoff gave a speech to conclude the ceremony, and we hosted a party.
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| Col. Mike "Gravy" Manion says we are recognizing Geoff's past performance, and also his future potential. |
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| Gravy then listed all of Geoff's accomplishments ... |
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| ... the list was long, though, and a few audience members had trouble hanging in there. |
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| Leo and I are pinning on Geoff's new rank, which is a silver leaf. |
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| Eri is pinning on Geoff's other silver leaf. |
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| Sealed with a smooch. |
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| Geoff is being administered the oath of office, but no kiss. |
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| Geoff gives a speech highlighting his antics at the academy, which made everyone think his promotion to lieutenant wasn't likely, let alone lieutenant colonel. He also thanked those who have helped him along the way. |
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| Geoff: "Brye, out of everything, my greatest accomplishment has been marrying you." Me: sniff, sniff |
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| Eri and Leo got balloons and a shout out in Portuguese. (He speaks to them exclusively in our second language.) Geoff got a huge hug from Eri and collective "ahhh" from the audience. |
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| The after-party began with a receiving line, where our family accepted congratulations and well wishes. |
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| The chef-owner of our favorite Mexican restaurant in Seoul catered the party with an authentic dinner. |
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| The food was really good, but some guests just focused on the chocolates. |
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| Looking around for some trouble to cause! |
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| Two more future Lieutenant Colonel Steeves! Eri would like to be "in the Air Force" and "a lawyer" and Leo would like to be "up in the sky" (said with his index finger pointing upward). |
