<p>Hmmm...</p>
<p>well, not sure what to say.</p>
<p>
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What it looks like - is that you "parked" two elderly grandmother's to save seats (gotta agree with USNA1985 here) while you and your husband got to enjoy all the events of I-Day.
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hardly the case at all.</p>
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You say that like it's no big deal, but in reality you weren't the one sitting on the chair all day long.
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</p>
<p>not the reality either.</p>
<p>Actually, one grandmother decided to "sit" at 4:30 when the tour she (and a few others) were on ended in front of Bancroft. We neither asked, suggested, nor expected her to save us seats, or anything of the sort. </p>
<p>The plan all along was for all to meet in T-court at 5pm, which we did. I even packed a small satchel with refreshments to enjoy while we all waited. Nana happened to beat the rest of us to it, by about 30 minutes give or take. She tried to get a seat in the shade- they were all taken- so she opted for a seat in the front row, which, along with all the other "sunny seats," were empty. And truth be told, she was not alone- there were 2 other cousins that opted for that tour, and they were sitting right along with her in T-court until the rest of us arrived - in relatively short order. We all arrived by 5pm, for an event posted to start at 6:30pm, and there were empty seats all around us. There were people there for the event, sure enough- but they were all fighting for the shade.</p>
<p>So as much as you would berate me for parking the dear old lady in the sun while the rest of us did as we pleased, if that is the impression that was given, chaulk it up to literary license, as it was certainly not the reality.</p>
<p>What I will add, however, is that on that day- as hot and humid as it was- seats in the sun were plentiful.... heck, with the exception of our family and a few other brave souls, they were deserted! On the other hand, the bleachers- which on that day offered some seats in the shade, were just about filled to capacity by 5pm! We tried to get seats up there, but nothing doing- and there was plenty of seat-saving going on, rest assured! </p>
<p>Anyway, my advice remains.
If you want to sit up close to the plebes, expect to sit in the sun, on the hot bricks, and get there early. Pack an umbrella- it will help. 5pm seemed to be a good time for the "sunny seats".... and there were still plenty to have for at least an hour after that.</p>
<p>If, on the other hand, you want seats in the shade, can't tell you how early to arrive for those- the bleachers were well-filled by the time our group got there at 5.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do what is right for YOUR family..." no matter what it means for other families? That's possibly one of the most inconsiderate things I've ever heard. I realize it's a special day for you and your family, but you're not the ONLY family for whom this day is special.
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</p>
<p>taken well out of the context in which it was meant.</p>
<p>The message was to approach I-Day based on what works for your family.... as in: go/don't go, with/without the family, etc.....
what I was trying to point out is that there is "no one formula," no "right" or "wrong" way to approach the day. Some families will celebrate, some will not see the necessity. Some new plebes will want others there, some will want to go it alone, and some won't care either way. What I suggested is to do what works for your family---- and not necessarily based on the advice given by anyone else here on cc, mine included. Anything beyond that is an over-read.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Navy2010 - please consider this point of view - I wonder how Lt Winchester's familiy or any family for that matter of a fallen soldier would feel if they had been prevented from seeing him take the oath of office because his classmate's family of 26 forced them to the back.
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</p>
<p>We never know what will befall us, and who will be affected, and when. If only we could know in advance who's turn it is, we would do a lot of things differently. And while your analogy lacks logic (we cannot know on I-Day who will be a fallen hero 6 years later), perhaps it speaks more to the importance that some families place on I-Day, where others might consider it less than a notable event. </p>
<p>I have been blessed with a large family, and a close one to boot. We are fortunate to get together for many family events- notable ones and otherwise. We got the green light to have the family attend, which is what we did. It worked for our family, it may not work for others. Some things I would have done differently with the benefit of hindsight, some things I would do the same if given the opportunity.</p>
<p>take it for what it is, nothing more, nothing less.</p>
<p>
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Saving seats sucks. I agree. It should be limited to about 5-10 minutes MAX.
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yes, if the event is filled and if seats are in short supply.
At 5pm, neither was the case.
But one picture is worth a thousand words- and I have one of our little party, huddled under umbrellas, sharing a few snacks and some cold drinks- in a very, very empty T-court!</p>