McCartney Family: Bates Family

Wednesday, August 09, 2023

Bates Family - A Special Day

From Matthew Bates Instagram:

This week, I had the privilege of spending a few hours with my wife and children at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, and it was a visit like no other.

The Class of 2027 — All Earned, Nothing Given — was accepted into the Cadet Wing yesterday during the Acceptance Day Parade. Among them was my third son, Tommy, who joined his oldest brother, Isaac, who was able to welcome him into the Cadet Wing by pinning on his fourth-class shoulder boards and rendering his first salute as an officially accepted cadet.

Yesterday, Isaac became the Cadet Wing Commander for the fall semester, a leadership responsibility that demands selfless service to his fellow cadets, rooted in a deep love for and commitment to the future leaders of our nation’s United States Air Force.

As parents, most of us try to instill into our children strong values and moral character, and we hope that they will embrace the hard work, discipline, and resilience to be able to overcome life’s inevitable challenges. What’s more, we pray that they will be an instrument for good in the world and willingly render selfless service to as many people as possible in their spheres of influence.

When I grow up, I hope to be like my kids. They are good people and make me proud every day, and if you come across their path someday, I hope you will be proud to know them, too. They are loyal and true to one another, to their family, to their friends, and to our country. The future is bright!

Isaac: USAFA Class of 2024
Joey: Soon to be missionary for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving the people of Argentina, future Physical Therapist
Tommy: USAFA Class of 2027
Anna: Future OB-GYN
Ben: Resistance Fighter (with a soft spot for First Order Storm Troopers)

Isaac - front centre