Weather cancels AFA Graduation Parade
Posted: 05.23.2011 at 3:20 PM
Updated: 05.25.2011 at 4:05 AM

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- As the Air Force Academy seniors get ready to graduate, there continues to be plenty of ceremonies.

The Class of 2011 Graduation Parade was supposed to be held Tuesday morning at the Stillman Parade Field. However, a round of severe weather moved through, bringing hail and frequent lightning. The parade was officially cancelled due to safety risks.

The Graduation Parade is meant to symbolize turning over command from the seniors to the juniors. The remaining squadrons salute the outgoing seniors to honor them.

While this is the first time this century the parade has been cancelled, there weren't too many hard feelings. Caleb Howard is a graduating Air Force Academy cadet.

"It's a little disappointing," he said. "This is the best parade to look forward to, but we still have the Commissioning Ceremony and Graduation Ball. Hopefully, there's better weather for the graduation ceremony."

Altogether, there are 1,021 cadets graduating in 2011.

Storms continued to push east which produced more severe weather and prompting tornado warning on the eastern plains of Colorado.