Grandfather to Granddaughter First Salute

My father, James Williams, retired Staff Sargent US Marines, has the honer of delivering the first salute to his Granddaughter, 2nd lieutenant, Charlotte Williams.
Ceremony has held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, VA. August 9, 2013.

[Setebos]

A grandfather can live for years off a moment like that.

[robschmidt]

That's his little girl and probably has been since before she can remember. But protocol was observed and honors were rendered. Well done! Now excuse me I'm going to step outside and cry

[tersan]

Honestly the best part was Dad in the background wiping away a tear. With this exchange he knew he’d validated both his dads sacrifice to raise him and his own efforts to raise a lineage he and grandpa can be proud of. That’s the definition of a badass moment.

[bgoats]

Awe that pulls at the heart strings

*"Permission denied! Now drop and give me 20!"*

[yvaine]

"...requests permission, ma'am to hug his granddaughter..." That line teared me up😭

[mdejesus]

Requesting permission, Ma'am. Because she outranks him now. This is the greatest thing to see.

[texasrangers]

I just love how since she outranks technically he treats her as such and not just as his granddaughter. That shows how proud he is for sure! Amazing!

[ronwilson]

Im a former Marine and papa of 4 beautiful strong granddaughters and this made me blubber like a big baby! Semper Fi and what a beautiful video!

[tomleonard]

My Dad, a retired USAF pilot put his uniform back on and swore me in when I was commissioned as a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant many years ago. It is something that I will never forget.

[stltwife]

As a female veteran and wife of a retired LDO Naval officer, the greatest day of our life was seeing my 2 time purple heart Asian theater 1st Marine Division WW11, Navy " pharmacist mate" dad put the shoulder boards on his son in law when he went from E6, BM1 to Ensign...your moment gave me chills!! Sisters in Service and Valor knows no gender! Carry on smartly m'am! God bless you, your family and 🇺🇸 🇺🇲 America!!

[antonbruce]

All these years later - grandpa is STILL a soldier. I'm proud of them both.

[greenmnm]

I teared up, her granpa must've been so proud.

[adityabairathi]

Safe to say, grandpa was a definite badass when he was younger.

[FIDEL_CASHFLOW_]

This brought a tear to my eye because it reminds me of when my grandfather saluted my little brother when he commissioned. My grandfather was a corporal in the army back in the 50s. He was a man's man and I never saw him get emotional about anything but when he saluted my little brother, tears came rolling down his cheeks because he was so proud and happy.

[doobiestudios]

What a beautiful moment. Grandpa must be so proud!

[AsuraDandy]

I just absolutely loved that even though she respects and holds him dear to her, that he knew the protocol when speaking to a superior officer, that all just made it even better.

[develynseether]

A friend of mine grew up in Tennessee so she was brought up always to say yes sir/ma'am to her parents, grandparents etc. When she became a Staff Sergeant in the marines her Grandpa (a former Corporal USMC) saluted her and started calling her ma'am, when questioned about this he simply said 'once a marine, always a marine'.

[Rednecknerd_rob]

Not ashamed to admit I'm crying. If I hadn't been physically disabled since childbirth, I would want a moment like this with my Stepdad and my maternal Grandpa.

[toddharrington]

Absolutely beautiful!! She made her grandfather so proud, loved watching this!

[firestorm]

A quick story. My grandpa Inspired me to join the military after high school. Although he was Army he encouraged me to join whichever branch I wanted. My grandfather was a WW1 veteran who fought in France. When I came from basic training after joining the Air Force he did the same with me in 1980 wit a salute I completed my 20 year career in the Air Force and of all the experiences, that moment stands out above all others. The last time I blew “taps” on a bugle at his burial in 1995, after which I retired the bugle. His only advice was that I help someone in a positive way while in the military. I join the Air Force fire department and had many life saving rescues. His final wish was that I receive his metals and burial flag which I cherish today. I also have an old portrait of him with his army buddies at the time of his deployment. I wish to thank all grandpas and grandmas who served our nation in all of the wars past and present. And, all military veterans past and present and to those in the future.