Link Program Plebe Year activity
Past notices described the Link Program and interaction
opportunities. We now have some specific
dates for events to be held during the Plebe year for our possible
participation. Many folks have
volunteered to take part in any activity and some have specifically asked to
serve as speakers. Our participation in
any activity will be determined by classmate support. Your response to indicate a desire to attend
any of these specific occasions is requested.
21February2005
Specific plebe year activity tentative dates and
opportunities:
1. Reef points input: a write up describing our class has
been completed and submitted for inclusion in the booklet. A draft input was distributed to several
classmates for review and comment at a Washington, DC area class lunch.
2. Wednesday, June 29: Induction Day:
a. attend a
picnic on Hospital Point; volunteers are needed. Event will begin at about 1015 and continue
through about 1230. We are guests at
this event with only social activities involved.
b. attend
the oath taking ceremony in Bancroft court; volunteers needed. Event will be at about 1800 with folks
sitting in the Superintendent (about 10 classmates; wives are invited) and
Commandant (about 10 classmates; wives are invited) VIP seating areas. Guests
are requested to arrive by 1700.
3. Friday, July 15: P-rade:
` a. provide
one person to review the P-rade. Frank
Donovan has agreed to serve as the reviewer.
b. attend
the P-rade and sit in a VIP area; volunteers needed (about 20 classmates; wives
are invited).
4. Saturday, August 13: Honors and Oath Reaffirmation
ceremony:
a. provide
speakers to address significance of the oath and honors concept. J. Guy Reynolds and Gerry Garbacz have
volunteered to serve as speakers.
b. pass out
"honor coin" to each midshipman; 15 to 30 volunteers needed.
5. Monday, August 15: Plebe final dinner together after
completing plebe summer before joining the brigade:
a. provide
a speaker. Pete Van Nort has volunteered
to serve as the speaker.
b. attend
the dinner; volunteers are needed (about 20 classmates; wives are invited).
6. May 13, 2006 (about):
Plebe Recognition Week:
a. Sea
Trials - observe a teamwork physically challenging event: volunteers needed.
b. Herndon
climb: observe climb: volunteers needed (about 10 classmates; wives are invited).
c. attend a
P-rade and sit in VIP area: volunteers needed (about 20 classmates: wives are
invited).
d. Recognition
ceremony: provide a speaker: volunteer needed.
e. present 3rd
class anchor collar insignia to each midshipman: 15 to 30 volunteers needed.
f.
attend reception to congratulate "almost former" plebes: volunteers
needed.
The new plebes conduct physical fitness training each
morning during the summer at about 6:15 AM.
Anyone desiring to attend and/or participate in this event is welcome. Our "Rise and Shine with '59" banner
can be displayed and a watch bill established if we have enough volunteers to
spread the duty. One early riser from 58
attended each morning with that "58 is Great" flag - clearly "Rise
and Shine" fits and describes the activity better! A potential new event is interaction with the
plebes between church services each Sunday - a "donut" hour is held
in Dahlgren Hall between 1000-1100; comments welcome. Additionally, a possible plebe year activity
for the "dark ages" is being considered - suggestions welcome. Further, the end of Youngster year is a very
tenuous time for the midshipmen. Upon
return from cruise, they commit for a seven year obligation. A possible interaction opportunity other than
or in addition to a picnic is being investigated for that time frame;
suggestions welcome. The August events
are part of the parents weekend at the end of plebe summer. The May event is a new activity that is
devoted to the plebes before graduation (June) week begins.
I will a develop and maintain a master record of those who
desire to attend any event. Before the
specific activity, I will provide the listing to the Academy and Alumni Association
officials so they know who will represent the class. Dress code for each event will be provided to
all prospective attendees in advance of each activity.
The monies needed to carry out the plebe year activities
have been generously donated by many classmates. With some funds available in the class
treasury, we have about sixty-five percent of the total dollars needed to
complete the events conducted by our predecessor classes in this four year
program. The largest single expense is
still pending as the purchase and engraving of the officer collar devices that
are presented to each midshipman at graduation.
A fund has been established at the USNA Foundation for this project
under the Class of 59 account. Anyone
desiring to make a tax deductible donation can now make contributions directly
to the Foundation.
The acceptance and support of this program by our class has
been superb. Thank you to all who have
responded, volunteered and made financial contributions.
Marty Finerty, Link Program coordinator
1841 Northbridge Lane, Annapolis, MD 21401, tel: 410-849-2502,
email: mjfjef@erols.com