My Son's Graduation/Commission

I am a single, widowed mother of 4 boys. My oldest son, Christopher Deshawn Bingham will be graduating from the United States Military Academy more commonly known as West Point. Prior to attending West Point, Chris served on on active duty in the regular army with a combat deployment to Afghanistan. Once he got back from deployment, Chris helped the family greatly with his savings during the year 2012 when we had several deaths within a span of 6 months. The greatest of which being his stepfather of 20 years, Byron Duncan, Sr. Chris went into debt as he shouldered all of the costs on his own due to the family financial instability. The very next year he was accepted to West Point to his surprise. Every vacation he had while home, Chris worked minimum wage jobs to help pay off his debts and take care of his little brothers, Byron, Brandon, and Bryant. He has been the most stable and positive influence in their life as well as mines. He has faced so much adversity on his own from the death of parents to the loss of a loved one, and the loss of a child to miscarriage. Through it all, he has been the shining light for me to do better and keep going. He inspires his little brothers and takes care of them by giving them his last. I am sorry for the long message, I am new to this.

While at West Point, Chris served as cadet first sergeant at the Prep School. As a freshman, he was voted class president by his peers and served a successful term which had others asking him to run again. His extracurriculars include boxing and basketball. After a 1 year recovery, Chris went on to compete for the national championship with the Army West Point Boxing team. As a last minute, unseeded, alternate coming off an injury, Chris defeated the 3x National Champion, Garrett Felling. His win gave the team the edge they needed to win the overall team trophy.

This year, my son will be graduating. He will be serving of the front lines as an Infantry officer in the United States Army. He understands that we cannot afford to come and be with him for his graduation which he will experience alone without his family and friends not from West Point. In light of that, he has decided to plan his own private ceremony in New Orleans, Louisiana so that we can enjoy the ceremony with him. He has invited his entire family who lives in the area. He has decided to have the event at the Word War 2 Museum in New Orleans. The cost for the venue and reservation is $800 which will allow his family to be with him in this ceremony and begin the next phase in his life. $700 is for the venue cost which just provides a reserved room, $100, and $100 for a graduation cake for drinks and refreshments for the guests, and .

Please, if you can find it in your heart to help me give my son this one gift, it would be very much appreciated. He has worked so hard since his teen years to provide for those around him, and I wish to give him something back. He was unable to experience any school events throughout high school. He didn't have the chance to go to his high school graduation to due circumstances out of his control. Any support would be greatly appreciated. Anything funds left over will go towards Chris's relocation costs and possibly an actual vacation for him to enjoy before he starts his journey. 



This is him singing 12 days of Xmas with his closest friends at his school annual Christmas dinner. He is wearing the his boxing team's beanie cap.


After he won his championship with the first sports team he has ever been able to join.



His match for Chicago-West Point benefit in 2017. His last amateur bout before he graduates.

My four boys,  Chris, Byron, Brandon, and Bryant.