On an evening 350 high school seniors took their pledge to join the military, Command Sgt. Maj. Sam Murphy shared a story about when he made his commitment coming out of high school.

Raised by his grandparents in New York, Murphy asked his grandfather, a Korean War vet, about joining the Army after graduating. His grandfather encouraged him to join.

"There will be fewer prouder moments as a parent and fewer prouder moments in your lives," Murphy said Tuesday night at Operation Red, the third annual recruit dinner at Saint Martin's University.

Murphy, who assumed responsibility of the 7th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in October, shared one regret.

"I'd like to change places with you for the opportunity to serve all over again," Murphy said. "Parents, thank you for raising such fine citizens."

Michelle Vojir, whose son, Zachary Delgado, took the pledge to join the Air Force last night, admitted she had mixed feelings about her son's decision.

"We're proud. We're excited and we're anxious," Vojir said.

Her son, who is going into medical care, reports to boot camp in August, two months after graduating from high school. Vojir and her husband both served in the Air Force, so they know what to expect.

"It will be good for him," Vojir said. "It will help him grow up."

The Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of AUSA hosts the dinner-pledge ceremony. It's where the high school recruits from Pierce and Thurston counties in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard make their pledge and receive a farewell dinner.

Roy Heynderickx, president of Saint Martin's University, thanked the high school seniors for joining the military and then gave them some timely advice.

"This is an important first step that you are taking," Heynderickx said. "Your time in the military will be a time of personal growth. You will learn and experience more while in the service than any other situation you could choose."

Cynthia Pratt, of the Lacey City Council and the deputy mayor, read a proclamation that thanked the inductees and their families for their commitment and service.

Kim Wyman, Washington's secretary of state, mixed humor, appreciation and insight in her speech.

"Earlier this evening a few hundred of you walked into this room as a civilian with your family and friends," Wyman said. "But I hope each of you has taken a moment to reflect on what it means to take that oath of office. What you're doing tonight is important. I want to congratulate you all."

Each time Wyman said a branch of the service, whether it was the Marines, which her father was in, or the Army, which she had a cousin serve in, those who were in that mentioned branch echoed a "hoo-ah."

"Since before the Declaration of Independence marked the establishment of the United States, people like you have done the same thing you're about to do this evening," Wyman said. "They answered the call of duty. Military service is an honorable calling."

Jan Angel, a Washington state representative, thanked the high school seniors and asked them to take inventory of their decision.

"You are taking the most prestigious job you can have," Angel said. "You are going to protect and defend America. You can't take that lightly."