Hero Salute and Celebration

Thursday night, Jamie was given the "Hero Salute" at HarborWalk Village's Red, White, and Blue Celebration. The celebration honors local heroes, military and civilian, during their summer long festivities. It was a huge honor that Jamie was chosen to be a "Hero" and it was an unforgettable experience!!
The evening started with an interview on a local radio station. They asked him several questions, including, "What does your family think about you being a hero?" Since we had been given the list of questions ahead of time, we asked Ravyn what she thought about Daddy being a hero. Her reply was, "But Daddy can't fly! He's gonna need a cape, but you can't use Mommy's special blankets!"
After the radio interview, we went over to the stage to get ready for the presentation. I had just enough time to get a quick snapshot of us.

Jamie also had a few minutes to talk with many of the people from his work who came out to support him.

After mingling, it was onto the festivities. Every military ceremony begins with the Honor Guard.

It was so surreal that they were there for Jamie!! It is not something they do for everyone. They were there solely as an extension of Jamie's service in the Air Force.

After a WWII-era airplane flyover, it was on with the show.

Destin, Florida's city councilman Jim Wood's talked about all of Jamie's military achievements and presented him with the key to the city!!!!


And the local radio station gave Jamie a beautiful plaque declaring him a "Local Hero."



Jamie was then given the microphone to say a few words. If you know Jamie, you know that his personality is incredibly outgoing, but by the time he had been given all of this recognition, his humble self was left nearly speechless!

Here's a look a the Who's Who of who came to support Jamie. To Jamie's immediate left is his Squadron Commander, Group Commander, Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), and Senior Master Sergeant (E-8).

Coincidentally, the Group Commander has only been in place a little over a week. He made it a point to tell us that Jamie receiving this honor was the best first impression anyone he had ever given him. : )
When the presentation was over, they put on a show for us.

They had dancers from a local performing arts school

and a group called the Highsteppers, that Ravyn couldn't help but to join in with.

Here's a look at the four of us enjoying the show.

Ravyn was beyond excited for her dad. She let everyone know that her dad won the trophy including Grammie who got to listen to the ceremony over the phone!

She was definitely over the rainbow enjoying all of this fun dedicated to her Dad. So when I saw this photo I snapped of her during the show I nearly fell over. She was, literally, over the rainbow.


And if we thought the night couldn't get any better, it was topped off with fireworks in Jamie's honor!!

Leaving that night, numerous people, young and old, made it a point to stop Jamie and thank him for his service and offer him their congratulations. I couldn't have been more proud to be his wife!!!

Here's a look at the awards up close.


And if you would like to see the actual presentation, you can view it here.

Jamie's Hero Salute Video