The Women of our Family

Today was another mile marker in the life of the Saffell Family.  Jessi Saffell, daughter of Mischell and David Saffell, Granddaughter of Pat and Gary Saffell, graduated from eight weeks Recruit Training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center today!  There were 960 sailors joining the Navy today. Most are going on to additional specialized training in the many fields of technology and seamanship that the Navy has to offer those that graduate from Recruit Training.  It is a time worn tradition on giving young people an opportunity to do two things.   1. Learn a life skill that can make them self sufficient if they should choose to rejoin the civilian work world when their commitment is done.  2. Serve their country in which a comparative few are either qualified or desire to share their time and skills, in the defense of this great country of ours.  Our granddaughter Jessi has committed to just that, and for that reason.  The quality of our young people of today is still out there to be cherished. We just don't hear about them too often, as those that are shrinking from their patriotic duties and seem to be running amok with society as a whole, are taking up so much "news space", that these fine young Americans are quietly going about doing what generations before them have done and that is to selflessly serve the land of the free and home of the brave, that is called the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  May God bless all of our young people who have chosen to serve in the military of our nation.

Jessi and mother Mishcell Saffell

Navy Yoeman Third Class Petty Officer Mischell Saffell

Navy Personalman Seaman Patricia Saffell

This is THREE GENERATIONS of Navy Women in the Saffell Family.  What a proud tradition of Service.  Who would have thought that a short 46 years ago we would have started such an exciting tradition.  We raised two fine men (David and Todd) that served in the Navy and a fantastic daughter (Amy) that has dedicated her life to teaching Special Needs youth how to live productive lives in this sometimes frightful world that we find ourselves in.  Pat and her brother joined the Navy, and Mike, retired as a Chief Petty Officer.  I started out in the Navy but after 9 years, was allowed to change over to the Army because of my profession not being needed any longer in the Navy Reserve.  But although I think highly of both services, it was my Navy time that I found the love of my life that got all this joy and now tradition started.  So how can I NOT like my Navy time?

Watching the graduation ceremony today via the internet was so awesome, that it brought tears to my eyes, seeing all theses men and women dedicating a large part of their lives to such a time honored profession in the service of their Country.  How better way to express this is for us to recognized them as true heroes!

A wonderful day today has been.  What wonderful traditions do you get to celebrate in your families?  I know, it is hard to top this one, but everyone has some great family traditions going on! That is part of what family is all about....traditions.

Boy, I just gotta love the Saffell women!  Such patriots!  Such dedication to God and Country.  Pat and I are so proud of our kids, and their kids (ALL granddaughters . . . by the way).