Graduation is undoubtedly an emotional moment for any student: it's a time when you move on to the next phase of your life. Standing onstage, you're proud that you'll be moving on to bigger and better things — and although you'll miss your friends and family if you're moving away, you can't help but get the feeling that your life is just beginning.
But this year, there was probably no graduate more emotional than Alix Idrache. Idrache was a cadet at West Point, and, judging by his face, he could not help but get emotional. After all, completing four years at the Academy is a huge accomplishment!
The cadet is the subject of a photo taken by Army Staff Sgt. Vito T. Bryant, and it's going viral for all the right reasons.
Now scroll down to take a closer look at Idrache's face…
Please SHARE if you're proud of all of this year's young military academy graduates!
Photo Source: Instagram/U.S. Military Academy
On May 21, cadets from the prestigious United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, graduated to become second lieutenants. Among them was Alix Idrache.
Idrache was among more than 950 proud soldiers being commissioned in the Army.
But this photo of the Haitian-born soldier, taken by Army Staff Sgt. Vito T. Bryant, is going viral for an incredible reason. The single shot managed to capture the pride of not just an individual, but of a country: though he stoically stands tall, he can't help but shed tears.
He explains his emotions in a comment on the original Instagram photo: "I want to thank everyone for your kind and thoughtful comments on this picture. SSG Bryant captured a moment that I will never forget. At this moment, I was overwhelmed with emotions. Three things came to mind and led to those tears. The first is where I started. I am from Haiti and never did I imagine that such honor would be one day bestowed on me. The second is where I am."
"Men and women who have preserved the very essence of the human condition stood in that position and took the same oath. Men who preserved the Union is a dark period of this country's history. Men who scaled the face of adversity and liberated Europe from fascism and nazism. Women like CPT Griest, LT Haver, MAJ Jaster who rewrote the narrative and challenged the status quo to prove themselves worthy of being called Rangers. The third is my future. Shortly after leave, I will report to FT. Rucker to start flight school. Knowing that one day I will be a pilot is humbling beyond words. I could not help but be flooded with emotions knowing that I will be leading these men and women who are willing to give their all to preserve what we value as the American way of life. To me, that is the greatest honor. Once again, thank you."
Please SHARE to congratulate this young man on graduating from West Point, and if you are as proud of the United States military as he is!
