This week we took a trip to Buffalo to see our oldest son receive his white coat to begin his Doctor of Chiropractic internship. The drive from southern Indiana to his house on Thursday was a mess. We hit a traffic gaggle somewhere between Columbus and Cleveland Ohio. It was bumper to bumper traffic and moved at a snails pace. Luckily my wife has the patience of a saint when she drives (most times) and got us through it.
The ceremony was Saturday and was in nicely decorated room, decked out in banners, signs, and balloons in the school colors and logos. They provided handouts with the ceremony agenda, student names, and an explanation of the white coat ceremony.
The pceremony began with the students proceeding to take there seats in line with white coats folded over their arms. Invocation was given, national anthems for Canada and the United States were sung. Speakers gave speeches about the white coat, the cohorts achievements thus far, what was to be expected moving forward and other encouragements.
White coats were then presented to each student one at a time as they carried their coat up, the professor would then take the coat from the students arm and place it on the student and shake their hand. Prayer was them provided with he blessing of their hands as the school does have a religious background. Then the ceremony was concluded.
During the reception, after the ceremony, I was able to talk with two of his professors. They informed us they have no reservations he will more than meet all the requirements before the required time for graduation. He only has one more year of his clinicals and a couple more practical exams from my understanding and he will fulfill all his requirements for graduation.
He would like to get a job working at a Veterans hospital working with veterans like his old man who have had their bodies beat up from their years of military service and injurie sustained from it.
All in all it was a shit drive to get there, but seeing him walk across that stage to get that white coat was well worth it!
Now we have the long drive back in the next day or two. Haven't made up our mind when we are leaving yet.
Note: All pictures were taken by my wife using her iPhone.