The Macies' Story: Ensign Dwayne Macie

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, Dwayne had been working very hard on earning his Navy Commission. We received word some time ago that he had been accepted. The way things work in the military are generally not lightening fast (unless they need it to be) and it took some time before papers were finalized and we could have a ceremony.

On August 14, 2010 a group of us gathered at Dwayne's Naval reserve center in Reno to witness him being sworn in as an officer in the United States Navy.

We were all there and ready for the ceremony to begin. It was scheduled to begin just after they all returned from lunch.

It was warm in that building, Dwayne said the air conditioning had just gone out. I was glad I wasn't in the heavy uniform in that heat. Dwayne however, didn't even break a sweat!

The recruiter Dwayne had been working with flew to Reno to bring him his plaque from the president and to swear him in.

Dwayne raised his hand and took that oath to the office he was entering, to the United States Navy and further more, to the United States Country. He promised his time, his talents, and most of all his life, it was, as one of our friends Dan put it, his marriage vows to the Navy.

He was allowed to choose someone to change his rank over from enlisted to officer and I was able to have that privilege. I removed all signs of his lower ranking days and revealed the gold thread on his uniform that symbolized his higher rank as a Naval Officer.

Seeing him standing there in his uniform, wearing the rank of Officer, and having listened to him take his oath and be sworn in as an Officer, I had one of the proudest moments as "Mrs. Macie." I have watched him for the last 18 months or so work toward this goal, a dream of his and now I was watching as he accomplished it and received the recognition he deserved. It was a proud moment for him and a proud moment for me. I love him and feel blessed to be such an honorable man's wife.

Over the last few years at this Navy center, Dwayne has become friends with a fellow named Will Castleman. Castleman gave Dwayne his first salute as an officer. In exchange, Dwayne of course first gave Castleman a beautiful, shiny, polished, silver dollar. Castleman later told Dwayne he'd like to put that coin in a special place, something along the lines of a shadow box.

The recruiter gave Dwayne a letter on letter head from the President of the United States that commemorates his new rank in the Navy. We now display this letter in our home in Dwayne's special room.

After the ceremony was over, the other uniformed members at the drill center all filed through and congratulated Dwayne. There were many "Congratulations, Sir." Sir is something Dwayne says he is still getting used to hearing.

Next we took pictures with the new Ensign.

The family picture. Sadly, Dwayne's family from Texas wasn't able to make the ceremony and we sure did miss them. My family went and here he is with the "Black Family."

Here Dwayne is with our close friends the Baerwaldts. A little history for you: Dwayne and Dan were both at A-school together in Biloxi, MS. Later both were stationed together at NAS Fallon in the weather office for their first duty stations. We would later introduce Dan to Erin, my best friend and the two married. We all still remain close friends as you may have guessed from our many blog postings involving the Baerwaldts.

The pictures with friends and family continue and above is Dwayne with friend John.

Dwayne and Mellie

The siblings. We are rarely all together in one place at the same time these days. It was nice to have us all together for this extremely important event.

Mommy and her children

After the ceremony Dwayne had to finish the day but I was able to drive back home and get ready for the celebration afterwards.

A shot of Steven in the back seat.

The cake we served at the party

Dan handled the grilling duties for me since Dwayne was still in Reno and I was handling the other party things inside.

Before long the guest of honor arrived and it was time to celebrate!

But first, more pictures! Dwayne with Mom and John.

Proud Mother in Law, she loves him like her own.

Our picture together

My "Officer and Gentleman"

Dwayne with my Grandma Jody, she was also so very proud of him

Dwayne with Steven

Back to celebrating, no worries, he hasn't lost it, it was time for cake!

Dwayne with his cake

A couple of "Dwayne style" shots

The old-school pose. I do mean old-school, he and his buddy Joe from High School used to do this pose together. We even have a picture of the two of them doing this pose at our wedding.