Command Sergeant Major Charles Tobin salutes his newly graduated son, 2LT Charles Tobin Jr after his West Point graduation, Wednesday, May 28, 2014, where President Barack Obama gave the keynote address.

Proud father CSM Tobin wrote the following tribute for the occasion:

“It was the highest honor of my life and military career to attend West Point's Graduation on Wednesday, 28 May 2014. It was even more special to attend the event and render my son's first salute, as he prepared to join our ranks as a 2LT. It was an emotional and teary event. I could not be more proud of him. Life couldn't get much better than this.

“The Graduation meant so much to me, because I never dreamed that my own son will have a sense of pride to give back to his country and become something bigger than himself. His commitment and accomplishments that he has made over the past four years at West Point is amazing and priceless. It absolutely takes courage, commitment and character to accomplish what he just accomplished.

“I have to admit that he has accomplished something that I could not achieved and has gone above and beyond my expectations. As a kid growing up in a small island named Samoa, I never had the sense of vision and attitude to accomplished what my son has accomplished. People asked me how it feels to salute my own son, after I've served 30 years in the greatest Army in the World. I feel blessed and honored! But more importantly, I feel great because he has joined our formation that is best led, best equipped and best trained. Furthermore, he selected this profession by choice and will train to lead. I'm grateful for his compassion to join our ranks and proud for his service to our great Nation.

“Finally, the greatest advice that I can give him as a Father and as a Command Sergeant Major  — be humble and treat people with dignity and respect and listen to them. They will serve you better. Live by your watchwords... trust, honesty and character. Once President Reagan said - at the end of each day, you wonder if you ever made a difference, but being a Soldier, you definitely already know that you have made a difference.”

(CSM Tobin is Command Sgt. Major of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command in Hawaii where he was born.  He was raised in Lotopa village, independent Samoa.)