It's defianately bling bling! Here are some pictures of the top and sides and the ring box. I don't have pictures of the dinner and dance yet, but when I do, they will be posted. This ring means a great deal to all academy graduates. It signifies a bond that is forged between past classes from the first USAFA class of '59 to future classes such as the class of '07, which will inprocess this summer. It also represents one of the final milestones that culminates in graduation the following year. Each class ring has certain elements that must be included in each class crest.
Eagle- Both bold and dignified like our class and nation.
Polaris-Represents a light to guide us on our journey and to light a path for those who dare to follow.
Class Motto-"Parati Ad Bellum" (Ready for War).
Class Year- XLVI We will be the 46th class to leave its mark on USAFA, before taking on the challenges of a changing world.
Graduating Year- It represents our current goal (Graduation) and the beginning our next endeavor (Air Force Officers).
Saber- The eagle holds fast to the saber, as we have done to the military discipline that has been instilled in us as a class.
59 Links- It represents the first graduating class and and the bond we all share
The optional elements make each crest unique to each class because different events have shaped the Academy experience for each class in a different way.
American Flag-It symbolizes our nation and signifies our dedication to serving and protecting.
Lightning Bolts-Representing the power of the profession we will enter.
The Aircraft-2 F-15's and an F-16 add up to 46 our class year and are a symbol of a primary misson of the Air Force and the exciting, high speed and unique future that awaits our class.
Hat in the Ring-A tribute to our class exemplar, Capt. Eddie V. Rickenbacker.
Sunrise-Signifies the new beginning of Air Force life and hope that comes with each new day.
Chapel-Represents the moral and ethical values that lead us through life both as USAFA and as officers in the Air Force.
Like the Aggie Ring, the Academy ring must be "christened" in a special manner, but to the formal nature of the event, no chugging a pitcher of beer for us. Your date helps you christen the ring. There are a number of ways to do this. Basically, she or he, puts the ring in a glass of champagne, and then drinks it, and catches the ring with their teeth, the puts in on your finger. For those of you who go to Eloy, or were there during the Christmas boogie, you've met my date. I asked Serenity (The blond girl who works at the Bent Prop) We had a total blast. We didn't get to jump because of the weather and some other issues, but we had fun going up to Elitch Gardens up in Denver, and just wandering around Colorado.
The one bad event of the weekend was Thursday night, I got into a car accident. Luckily, it was minor and no one got hurt. ( Some paint damage, and the window wouldn't roll all the way up). What a way to start the weekend huh? What made it worse, was that I had just gotten the car the day before. And then, on Friday, she got detained by Security Forces because she didn't have clearance to enter the base, so they made her sit in the guard shack till I called. (I actually had cleared her, but there must have been a mix up).
After day of wandering around, we went back to the hotel to get ready, so then one of the straps on her dress breaks. She goes down to the front desk and has a "discussion" with the clerk for a sewing kit. She fixes her dress and all is good. She looks absolutely gorgeous. I guess I clean up pretty good too. We go off to the dinner, it's so fun. We wandered around the Academy campus and took some pictures and showed her around my dorm room. So we head off to dinner. The rings are handed to the dates early on, so Serenity is sitting there teasing me, because she's taking peeks at it and won't let me see. She also is smart enough to keep the ring in her purse on the far side of her plate. She keeps doing this until it's time to christen the ring 20:04 hrs (20:04 hours=2004). Oh, one of my friends date basically ditched him, so she has his ring too. She also christens his too, what a cool skychick. After the christening, we walked around talking to people, seeing everyone's rings and ring knocking (tapping your ring on every available surface). Serenity gets annoyed with this, so I have to stop.
So after some more pictures, we head off to the ballroom where they're holding the dance. We wander around bit, then go to the dance, walk around, get in a really really long line for pictures. As we're waiting, the Dean and his wife are talking everybody, by this time, she's walking around barefoot. Mrs. Wagie notices and says "There's a smart girl". We stay for another hour or so till the cut a HUGE cake, it must have been 15 feet tall.
After that, we just relaxed, and headed back to the hotel to get some sleep, it's been a really long day, and we were planning to jump the next day, but an event that I will forever remember. I'm really glad I made it this far, and was able to share it with a really special person. (Thanks Serenity!
