A couple of days before we left Hawaii, Kelson was promoted from lieutenant junior grade to lieutenant. We had the privilege of holding the ceremony aboard USS MISSOURI, underneath the barrels of the number 3 gun. Pearl Harbor is in the dead-center of US military history, with World War II beginning here (see USS ARIZONA Memorial) and then formally ending on the forward starboard deck of USS MISSOURI (which was at sea in the Pacific at the time, but which is now parked at Pearl Harbor opposite the Arizona Memorial), when the instruments of surrender were signed by the Japanese imperial military delegation and accepted by General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur on behalf of the President and people of the US.
Three of Kelson's fellow JGs promoted that day as well. It was a small, informal ceremony with the CO and XO of USS PORT ROYAL, some fellow officers from the ship, and family members.
The captain was kind enough to take Sarah while I put on Kelson's new lieutenant shoulder boards. Sarah was pretty much terrified, though, so Kelson got to hold her. Notice she is still in her pajamas. We were running a little late that morning. At least they say "Daddy's Girl" on them.
I am so proud of Kelson and the service he does for our country.
Major Joe Watson, a good friend and an Air Force officer from our ward, also came to pay his respects. That was much appreciated.
On the way out, Kelson stopped to say hi to Chester Nimitz. The admiral looked back, amused, as if to say, "You've got a lot of years of learning to do, kid."
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