September 2, 2021:

Last year, the U.S. Air Force Academy cancelled Parents’ Weekend due to the pandemic, so we never really got to see the cadets on campus at all in their element.

Parents’ Weekend is back this year, though, and the first day on Friday was awesome! We got to see all 40 squadrons (about 4,000 students) parade out in formations on Stillman Field and then witness the subsequent chaos of thousands of parents coming out to find their children!

Then each squadron had a cookout for their parents in the dorm area. Murphy belongs to the Shadow Seven squadron, so we were able to buy some of their fundraising merchandise as well during the picnic.

Then, we were able to see his dorm room and wander around Fairchild Hall where most of his classes take place.

Lastly, we were able to go to the parachute training area where Murphy performed just a couple of months ago. I thought I would take the harness hanging from ceiling for a spin! (Literally – see the video!)

Overall, it was a great first day for Parents’ Weekend!!

September 4, 2021:

It’s hard to capture in photos and videos what football game day is like at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The cadet squadrons had their own tailgates next to the stadium, then they marched on the field, the band plays in the tunnel next to the Falcon locker room to get the team fired up (thanks Jennifer Murphy Kephart for that video), skydivers descend and F-15s fly over the stadium (check out that video!) right before kickoff, and an American flag as large as the field is displayed as part of the halftime festivities.

Oh…and Air Force beat Lafayette, 35-14, so it was a great day all around!

September 6, 2021:

Sunday, as part of Parents’ Weekend at the Air Force Academy, we got to visit Jacks Valley (on the grounds of the Academy) where Murphy went through one portion of Basic Cadet Training back in July 2020.

The obstacle courses and activities that he and his squadron mates went through a few weeks into his time at the Academy provided a foundation of discipline, self-confidence, and teamwork.

Bringing Murphy back here (along with his roommate Zach) resurrected a lot of memories (most good, some difficult) and reaffirmed the statement at the end of the obstacle course, “Only The Strong Survived.”