slapped him on the back vigorously. "Well done!"
he cried, "Well done, man!"
26 To North's surprise the next name was his ...99.99! North nearly
fainted! He couldn't believe it ….an almost perfect score! The Cadets
went wild again, and the Commandant shifted his congratulations to
North.
27 There were two more extremely high grades, the rest were all
passing. The Commandant went up on the stage and shouted for order.
"Well done, gentlemen! " he cried, "Tomorrow's the official Graduation.
Your relatives will arrive this afternoon. I'm sure some of them have left their homes
several months ago to get here by tomorrow. Group A will be in the
morning, Group B in the afternoon. Be ready, gentlemen!"
28 It was no ordinary Graduation, to say the least! The Lord God was
there for the morning ceremonies to see Morn receive his
commission. Afterwards he stopped by the apartment Morn shared
with North to
congratulate North, also. "I'd like to stay for your ceremony, too," he
remarked, but to be away from my duties this long, will make more
duties tomorrow."
29 North thanked him. "I'm proud," he assured, "you took the time to
stop by."
30 The Lord God departed. A couple of hours later North stood nervously
outside the side door of the lecture hall, peering nervously at the
Commandant standing on the stage. He knew his mother and wife had been
escorted to the front row by the Commandant, himself. His wife was
the first Hashon ever allowed on Academy grounds, and present at a
graduation. Finally The Academy Band began playing "Officers To The
Line," and over the loudspeaker the Commandant called, "Ship's
Commander Norther Star, front and center!"
31 Proudly North marched onto the stage. Stepping before the Commandant
he saluted. The Commandant pinned the Command Symbols to the collar of
North's jacket, took