This was a big weekend for our family.
Jake, a Captain in the Army Reserves and veteran of both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, got promoted to Major. Here he is a few minutes before the pinning ceremony still wearing his Captain patch.
Don’t mind me bragging on Jake for a moment (sorry, Jake!), but getting promoted to Major is a big deal. It means he has successfully crossed over from middle management (Captain) to upper management (Major). And it’s happening a year early because he his such an exemplary leader and soldier. All of his evaluation papers — reports from his superiors summing up his service in Afghanistan — all said the same thing: Promote early. Promote early. Promote early. Making Major is a big deal, but making it a year early puts Jake in the top 10 percent of soldiers. (Sorry, Jake, I know you’re cringing right now but I am so proud of you!) Jake is the kind of guy you want representing the United States on the other side of the world.
His boss asked him what kind of ceremony he wanted and Jake opted to keep it simple; just a simple acknowledgement before his drill unit. No party, no cake, no crudite, no celebration. Typical Jake.
The tradition is for the spouse of the soldier to remove the old patch and “pin” on the new one. The patch is actually backed with velcro, which is just as well because pinning while holding this blond side of beef would have been cumbersome. June is at the stage where she likes to be held constantly in public.
Here, the old patch is removed…
…and flung gleefully onto the ground. Buh-bye, Captain Jake; hello, Major Wilson.
Something about this photo cracks me up.
Yeah! We’re so proud of you, Major Wilson!
The Major insignia is gold to signify metal that can be shaped and formed before returning to a state of solid black in the upper, upper ranks. This is the esoteric way of saying you get it from all sides as a Major.
I’m pretty sure Jake can handle it. This means he’ll probably be deploying again at some point in the future but we can handle it.
Afterward, Jake, June and I headed over to an area restaurant to celebrate. Burgers and beer for us, mac and cheese and fruit for June and a big slice of mousse pie for dessert. While we waited for our check, our server informed us that some anonymous well wisher in the restaurant, upon seeing a man in uniform dining with his family, opted to pay for our meal. We were both surprised and very grateful, but I find that happens a fair amount around here. Politcs aside, it’s nice to know there are strangers out there who value what men and women in uniform are willing to give up for their country. It was a much appreciated ending to a nice afternoon.
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Big week end is right…..it’s a very proud time and I know how big a ‘deal’ it really is. Congratulations all around and loved the pictures!
I love the picture of you holding June, looking up at Jake. You can see the pride and absolute love you have for him, in that moment. Beautiful!
Congrats to Jake – so impressive!!!!
Congrats to Jake! As the sister of a soldier and aunt of a marine I know what a really big accomplishment this is and what his service means.
Heartfelt thanks to the new major and his supportive wife.
Congratulations to Jake, with much gratitude for his service to our country, and appreciation for the sacrifices his service requires of all three of you as a family. Thank you so much!
Thank you Major for your service! Thank you Jesse and June for supporting him to success.
Congratulations to you all! Major is a big deal…my brother-in-law just got pinned on as Major in the Air Force. Unfortunately, this happened while he was deployed and my sister and their kids couldn’t be a part of it. In fact, she has never been at any of his pinning on ceremonies because they have all happened when he was gone! Fortunately (they kiddingly tell everyone) it happens while he is away and he doesn’t have to spring for a party for the entire squadron, which is the tradition in the Air Force. When they pin on the next level they have to throw a party or a lunch or something that is equivalent to the pay increase for the first month for the entire group…so memories missed, but money saved is their joke.
Sorry to hear another deployment is in the works, as we know how hard they are. But thank you for your service to our country and congratulations again Jake and all!
What a well deserved honor!!! We are so proud as well. He is just the best.
Congrats to you all and don’t apologize for bragging. Jake is a fine representative of our nation and you have every right to be proud. Great photos, too.
Congratulations, Jake! The attention may embarass you, but we readers of Jessie’s are proud that you’re among those heading up the (saner) efforts to maintain some semblance of peace and order in the world. And, not having any connection otherwise to the military myself, it’s interesting to learn about it and its effects on your lives through Jessie’s lens. How wonderful, too, that despite your apparent aversion to a spotlight of any sort, someone found a discreet way to honor your and your family’s service and sacrifice on such a special day. Namaste!
What a sweet post. Congratulations!
Kudos to the generous guy in the restaurant! This is so cheesy to say but it is people like Jake and that stranger who make me so proud and grateful to be an American. Oh, and way to go Jake!!!
He comes by it honestly, Marmie!
Wow!!! So proud to be able to say I have know this fine young man all of his life. Congratulations, Jake!! God bless the America represented by Jake’s fine service and that stranger’s kindness.
He’s a good one, that is for sure, Sue. Oh, and when Jake came home from drill last night, he told me that when he and a few buddies went out for lunch a day later, another anonymous diner picked up the tab. AGAIN. Can you believe that?
How great is that???!!!
What a blessing!!
Brag all you want!! He deserves it!! I love bragging on my sailor! So proud!!
Thanks for your service!!
Jenn
Congratulations from Canada!
Thanks from America!
Wonderful post…brought tears to my eyes!
Congratulations, Jake! I’m not surprised at all by this. Couldn’t have happened to a better guy. And also glad that anonymous gratefulness was showered on you all. I think you were beaming with pride and the universe just reflected it back to you guys. Happy day and one for June to be able to look back on in pictures and your words.
Thank you, Karen!
I was thrilled when I opened this post to see your “Major” announcement. Congratulations Jake! Well done and much deserved. Thank you for your service to our country and us all. You have sacrificed much and represented us so well. The photos show a very proud and loving family.
Congratulations Major Wilson! (the thing about the guy paying your bill made me tear up a bit, the world is not too bad of a place sometimes)
Congratulations Major Wilson. Well wishes to you and your wonderful family.
Congrats! Major is a big deal! Promotions are way more fun when the rank is still pinned instead of velcroed. My husband is a Marine and they still have rank pinned on. It’s not a good promotion ceremony if he’s not bleeding when he leaves!
Congratulations!
Words cannot express how proud we are of Jake! I cannot tell you how touched I was when I opened this and read it. We were in a restaurant and I stopped and read the entire thing to Uncle Doug! So incredibly proud of Jake and your family! Hugs to all of you!
Congratulations Major Wilson! Count me among the many who are grateful for your service and the sacrifices your family has made for our freedom!
Congratulations! It is really great that they allow the spouse to “pin” on the new patch. It speaks to your service along with his! I love that you were a big part of it!
Congratulations! The photos are wonderful.
Jake, what an accomplishment.
We are very proud of you.
Your faith, integrity & love for your country is noticed & appreciated.
Thank you for being the person you are!
Congratulations Major!! You deserve it. Great post Jessie…love the pics. Thanks for all the three of you for your sacrifice for our country.
Congratulations and thank you, all three, for your service.
Congrats Jessie, Jake and June!
I’m not at all surprised that Jake has achieved this honor. This exemplary soldier, husband and father has exemplary parents. He also has a very supportive wife. I, too, am so proud to have a guy like Jake representing the USA! Thank you all for your sacrifice.
Way to go, Major Wilson!
Beautiful post, Jessie!
Congratulations to Jake! Major is a very big deal. And thanks to all three of you for your service and sacrifice. Enjoyed the great pics!
You three are an adorable family. Congratulations!
Congrats!!!! That’s awesome.
Congratulations Jake!! We are all so proud of you!
…and you’re not so bad yourself Jessie
Awww, you’re just saying that….
Congratulations Major Wilson and thank you for your service.
Congratulations to all of you! I loved all the pictures. This country definitely needs more men like Jake.
Congratulations to you Jake and you, too Jessie (and Marmie and Jack and all the Wilsons) on your wonderful achievement !!! Thank you for your service – we are very grateful for men like you.
Blessings always.
Congratulations Jake and Jessie – this is an awesome accomplishment! It is also a reminder that today’s service members are all volunteers! That just blows me away – we are so indebted to these people and it should not come as any surprise that total strangers want to say thank you. Our service members and veterans all are truly heroes.
Congrats Jake!
Big congratulations, and thanks for sharing the ritual of the pins, which was new to me. Thanks to your entire family for your commitment and sacrifice.
Brag away. He deserves it! And we know what you went through too or at least what you shared with us. Thank you both for your sacrifices!!
Congrats Major Wilson. Very proud to say that I knew you when you were just a kid and very proud to see the man you are today. Thank you for your service, thank you for protecting my family.