My husband and I have been on the Yard since early morning, came home for a quick break in the mid afternoon, then back to Annapolis to finish off the day with the presentation of the plebes to the Brigade on Rip Miller Field tonight at 1900. What a day, we are so tired, we feel like WE were doing the Sea Trials! I think we walked a hundred miles, or at least it felt like it.

Despite severe thunderstorms and high humidity over the past few days, the forecast for today was supposed to be mild. When the plebes started their odyssey this am at 0400 it was about 42 degrees outside, by mid afternoon under mostly cloudy skies, the temp max was about 64. There is a steady wind of 20-30 mph with gusts of 40-50 mph, therefore the wind chill is pretty bad. Couple that with being in the cold water of the Severn, being sprayed with fire hoses, and wearing your full wet camouflage gear and soggy boots and you will get the picture of how the day is going for our plebes!

All in all, we saw plenty of smiles, despite their tired faces. I don't know for sure, but I believe someone on the staff up there told me there were 30 stations. I do know some were on the field at Hospital Point, some on Farragut field by the sailing center and several stations in the pool in LeJeune Hall, as well as a few over at the Naval Station. Due to the high winds and white caps, they were sent by bus over to the Naval Station, no zodiacs this time.

In the pool, we saw mids in full clothing (except shoes) jumping off the HIGH tower into the diving pool. They also did laps, swam in chains on their backs all connected with their legs around the next person's waist and pulling each other along, and they had to swim through a cage-like obstacle course, partly submerged.

On Farragut field we saw various stations that including calisthenics, pull-ups on high bars, running, and a rest area where they could get drinks, fresh oranges, and other food rations.

Most of the action was on Hospital Point. One station involved a group of 6-8 mids each, lifting a huge heavy log pole, carrying it around a course, doing push-ups with the pole above their heads, as well as squats while holding it, and then getting on the ground with the pole on their abdomens while they attempted sit-ups. Another station involved marine-type crawls under long paths of string just inches off the ground while they

were being hosed down with fire hoses. Another station involved boxing, and more sit-ups and push-ups. A favorite seemed to be by the Naval Academy Bridge, where they ran into the Severn with the zodiac rafts, climbed in and had to paddle around a launch in the river, then paddle back, then they had to do more sit-ups and push-ups half in the water, half on the beach, roll around in the sand and push their faces and heads into the sand to get really, really dirty. All of this fun plus more several mile runs, more push-ups and more sit-ups. We were tired just looking at them!

I will say for the most part everyone was able to keep up and seemed to be in good spirits. We did see a few stragglers who were really struggling to keep going in each company. In only one company, of those we were able to see, was it a female, in all the rest, it was several males. In each case, a group of other plebes in their company stayed behind with those who couldn't keep upand cheered them on, supported them, and kept them going -- it was wonderful to see such team work and enthusiasm. That one girl had 6 guys with her, being positive and supportive and really cheering each step she took, nice to see their attitude being help your teammate, not "she's holding us back". We witnessed the strength and camaraderie of the squads and companies, they took tremendous pride in completing each task and were concerned for each other, filling each other's water bottles, making sure everyone got a snack, helping the less strong to succeed! It was all about working as a team.

We returned to Annapolis for the recognition ceremony at 1900. Although the weather seemed to have improved (less windy and skies looked clear) they decided to hold it in Halsey Field House instead of Rip Miller Field. Shortly after it ended, a huge thunderstorm came through, so it was a wise choice.

The Field House was packed, with the upperclassmen all in summer whites in the stands and the plebes in their dirty, smelly, muddy, soaking wet cammies and boots standing by company on the arena area in the center. The Navy Band performed and played the National Anthem. The official party included about 30 members of the class of 1955 -- wow!! After a brief message by the Supe telling the plebes how proud he was of their accomplishments not only today but this entire year, he turned it over to the class of 1955. While the band played, "Proud to be an American", these men went to each company, shook hands with each plebe, and gave them personally their collar anchor signifying the 3/C rank. It was very moving to witness. They can't officially wear it from what they told me until after the commissioning ceremony, but how memorable to receive their first anchor from a graduate from 50 years ago. They mentioned how they hoped some of these plebes would be back in 2055 to do the same!!

After the ceremony, the Brigade headed to Dahlgren where they had a party with food and beverages. It is kind of funny that they gave the plebes town liberty until midnight tonight -- when they have been up since 0400 doing non-stop physical activity without even a chance to sit down or rest. I suspect most of them are going to shower, and go right into their racks.

All in all, a wonderful day, one the class of 2005 should be proud of, they have completed all of the difficult parts of their plebe year, the only thing left is Herndon, which will be fun and easy compared to everything else. They all seemed happy and relieved when they were dismissed, a day they dreaded, but made it through in great shape.

Go Navy!
Barbara and Pete Craig