June 13, 2020 -- Thanks to a few active-duty military spouses, 2020’s graduating students who reside on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, received a special private graduation held June 13, 2020.
Once Elizabeth Burns, the head of a local event organization company, realized that air station students would not receive their own graduation ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she teamed up with two other Miramar spouses to orchestrate a small ceremony.
“I was approached by Audrey (Walker) and Michelle (Sreng) to organize a celebration for their son, and I thought, ‘well let’s try to make it a community event.’” said Burns.
The event was hosted at the Milcon Clubhouse located on MCAS Miramar base housing and included procedures and restrictions in place to prevent COVID transmission. It allowed for students of all ages to attend, including graduates ranging from elementary-age children through adult college students.
“We knew the kids couldn’t have a graduation, so we wanted to do something for them to show our appreciation,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Isiah Burns, the husband of Elizabeth Burns. “Just because this is going on, it doesn’t stop the celebration on their big day. It’s our way of supporting them, whether that be their accomplishment in graduating from elementary, middle school, high school, or college.”
More than 20 graduates and their families were also rewarded with food and refreshments as a way of congratulating them on their achievements before they head home for summer.