Countdown to the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony
The countdown is on for the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation, and it’s been quite the journey for cadets. Thursday is the day they finally walk across the graduation stage, taking their next steps in their military careers.
It’s one of the biggest days in Colorado Springs, but the event comes with a lot of moving parts.
“Our grandson is graduating from the Air Force Academy,” said Butch Spruill whose grandson graduates Thursday.
“It’s all about the air show and the Academy for us,” said Kim Raffel, whose grandson is also part of the 2019 graduating class.
One of the most iconic moments for many is the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flyover. It’s an occasion thousands look forward to each year.
(WATCH: All of the views of the hat toss, Thunderbirds flyover in 2018)
“I think seeing them throw their hats in the air with the jets coming over is probably going to be a really exciting moment,” said Tanya Spruill from Austin, Texas, whose son is graduating Thursday.
Tickets to this year’s graduation were all gone in less than 10 minutes. Much of the excitement is due to President Donald Trump addressing the Class of 2019.
“To see the Commander in Chief is always very exciting. Yes we’re very proud to be here and proud to be a part of it,” said Lynn Raffel from Milwaukee, WI.
But the journey to graduation will have to wait as the ceremony has been pushed back an hour.
Come Thursday, doors at the Air Force Academy will open at 6 a.m, while the graduation itself will begin at 10:30 a.m., an hour later than normal.
With the president arriving early Thursday morning, we will track his route from Peterson Air Force Base to the Academy.
