Link in the Chain, Spring 06 activity

The Fall season saw many 09ers attend the 59 tailgate at home football games. It was interesting to see the plebes arrive and ask to see Capt/Col/Cdr so-in-so by name. The classmate asked about was the individual who presented the plebe with the honor coin in an August 05 ceremony. Of course, the classmate only very vaguely, if at all, remembered the plebe, but the 09ers knew the 59ers with whom they had interacted by name - quite impressive!

Our next formal interaction with the class of 09 will occur during Plebe Recognition Week - a new activity. Specific dates and events are;

May 16 - the plebes are now required to complete a physically demanding day-long activity designated as Sea Trials. A variety of challenges are presented that we might recognize as a significantly expanded obstacle course. The day begins at 0450 AM and ends at 1800. The program is structured such that no plebe can complete the day without the help of an 09 classmate - team work is the key and the lesson. Class of 59 members are invited to come out and watch the days events. For those interested, a tour of the different stations that must be completed by each plebe can be arranged. Following the day-long activity, a cookout warrior's barbecue will be held which we are invited to attend; a cost of $4.00 per person must be charged to comply with government regulations. An unlimited number of classmates can attend the day's events.

May17 - a formal p-rade will be held. A limited number of classmates (first-come, first-served) will be invited to sit in the VIP area as guests of the Supe. An unlimited number of classmates may sit in the general visitors area.

May 18 - Herndon Climb begins at 0900. A limited number of classmates (first-come, first-served) will be invited to sit in the VIP area as guests of the Supe. An unlimited number of classmates may attend the event. A 59 classmate (Bob Michael) plans to work with the plebes to assist them in assaulting Herndon to set a new time record for the changing of the caps at the top. This might be the first ever plebe organized activity to climb Herndon. In the afternoon, the plebes will recieve their 3rd class anchor collar device at a formal cermony. We are asked to provide a speaker and 28 classmates to hand out the collar devices - the Supe and Commandant will complete the team to cover the 30 companies.

Our ladies are invited to all activities. For some events, a formal invitation will be sent to specific classmates (the first-come, first-served) by the protocal office. Accordingly, responses will be needed several weeks befor the scheduled events. April 28 is the set response date. Additionally, I will be on travel for 8 days beginning April 29 and unable to provide last minute updates to USNA. Hence, a timely response to participate in any of the events would be appreciated. To accomodate any last minute folks, Jack Brons has agreed to keep the communications lines open; all respondees please "copy to" Jack on all input - not just the post 28 April respondees.

Financial support for the program is now at 70 percent of the needed total; we still lack about $3,800 to fund all the activities. Anyone desiring to make a tax deductible donation to support the program can make the contribution directlly to the USNA Foundation for the Class of 59 Link project. Thanks to all who have provided funding assistance.

See you in May.

Marty Finerty, Link Program Coordinator, tel: 410-849-2502, email; mjfna59@comcast.net

Jack Brons, Asst Coordinator, tel: 410-349-9501, email:jbrons@comcast.net