Air Force Academy Graduation Parade honors Class of 2022

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Tuesday morning brought some soggy weather to Stillman Field, but parents and guests of the U.S. Air Force Academy graduates didn't mind.

"It's fine. It doesn't matter, " said Al Gills, a parent of a graduating cadet.

"I'll take it. We're here. Four years later we're here for the rain," chimed in Sean and Karen Michael.

The soggy weather canceled all pre-parade demonstrations, but for the Michaels' it was all about watching their son Brian march.

"This class went through COVID. The resiliency of the class and how they handled it was awesome," said Sean Michael.

The Gill family feels the same. Their son, Brady Gill, is graduating and becoming a pilot. They told KRDO that being in the Air Force runs in their family.

"It means to the world to me. It’s a legacy. My dad, grandpa, he was a pilot in the Air Force, and I was an air traffic controller so to see that continue in the family, it means the world," said Kara Gills, Brady's mom.

The graduation parade symbolizes the assumption of command by the second class. The graduating class marches away from the cadet wing, passing their command to incoming firsties.

When it's all said and done they get to embrace their families.

"It feels good. I know they’ve always had my back this whole time," said Brady Gill, class of 2022.

"It's been a long four years. A lot of hard work, so it’s kind of just a culmination of that," said Brian Michael, class of 2022.

KRDO will have crews covering the USAFA graduation ceremony happening Wednesday morning.