We Were Gypsies in the Palace

  
Our travels this week took us back to Annapolis to enjoy the celebration of our nephew Timothy Whitney graduating from USNA and being commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy.  The Whitney family arrived early in the week and Cheri and I joined them early on Wednesday morning…we left Connecticut late Tuesday afternoon and after experiencing several hours of evening construction work—it is obvious that quite a bit of the stimulus money is being used in New Jersey—spent the first evening at the Whitney Estate in NJ before continuing south early on Wednesday.

Arriving early at the home Deb and Scott (Class of 79, 10th Company) had leased allowed us to have lunch with the gathered celebrants—Deb &Scott, Steve (Scott’s brother) & Ja, Dan (Tim’s older brother) & Monica, Laura (Tim’s sister), Adeline (Scott’s mother), and Ricky (Tim’s friend from high school)—and then working our way towards the door.
 
Wednesday afternoon included the Blue Angels performance and with bridges being closed and limited access to The Yard we needed to exercise some quick maneuvers to position ourselves for the show.

We tried a couple of different feints—including using my still active and valid Commander’s ID—finally gaining access to the Naval Support Facility across the Severn from the Academy.  Once on the base we tried several different locations before finding a “grassy knoll” that got us somewhat over the building heights.

FAA regulations…and the Police on bicycles circling the waterfront…kept us from getting any closer so we needed to take advantage of the slight rise to see the performance.
As usual, the Blue Angels were outstanding.  Several times flying directly over us, close enough to make the ground shake.

Being across the river from The Yard gave us a bit of an advantage after the performance as well.  Although a little crowded with traffic leaving the Base, we were back at the Palace (as in, “…we’re gypsies in the Palace, he’s left us here alone, the leaders of the sleepless nights will now assume the throne” a Jimmy B. song) and settling in while Tim  was trapped in The Yard trying to get away.

Ultimately we were all together at the Palace and able to enjoy the setting as our base.

Tim had scouted out available homes early in the year and found a place that worked exceptionally for our meager needs.  It has a pool to swim in plus pool to play, large screen tv, several gathering areas—indoors and out—and all the appliances you need to entertain well…and Deb & Scott entertained us well!

Thursday morning, following a little confusion over departure times, we got the troops moving toward The Yard to view the Color Parade—Tim’s last Parade as a Midshipman.  Again using my ID and a Captain’s vehicle from a classmate (and their DoD decal) we were able to get vehicles into The Yard (not a small feat during Commissioning Week), drop people off near the Parade Field—Worden Field—and then find some parking places for the vehicles well before the Parade started.  Several members of our group took advantage of the shade under the trees along the east side of the field, Cheri and I went to some bleacher seats, while Scott wandered between seats and the shade to get the best view of Tim in the Parade.

The weather was beautiful…unless you are wearing a heavy dark navy blue wool tunic with lots of brass buttons, carrying a several pound piece (rifle for the non-military readers), locking your knees, and not taking deep breaths…in which case you could join the thirty-plus Midshipmen that passed out on the Parade Field.  Fortunately, there were plenty of support staff and EMT’s along the back of the field—this is not an unusual occurrence—to assist the fallen to some shade, water and recovery.

Tim was in 6th Company and our seating put him directly in front of us.  There was the march onto the Field (forming up at the designated place on the field), the parade of the Navy Band, ruffles and flourishes plus gun salute for the reviewing officers, recognition of the Color Company, and then the Pass in Review of the Brigade.

Above is 6th Company as they turned the corner to pass in front of us…and the other reviewing officers.

Following the Parade several of us took advantage of being on The Yard to do some sightseeing (and reminiscing as well).  Steve had only been on The Yard occasionally and it was the first time for Ja, so Cheri and I tried to give them a good tour and picture opportunities.  Here are a few photos from around The Yard…

 Side of the Chapel

Chapel Entrance

 Across The Yard

 Inside the Main Chapel

 The Chapel Dome

 From the Rotunda to T-Court

   Superintendant’s Quarters

  Tecumseh Dressed for Graduation Battle

After our tour and a brief foray into the Mid-Store we headed back to the Palace.  Tonight was a time for ‘pig and peat’ (ribs on the barbecue) and relaxation before the big graduation day.

Friday morning, Commissioning Day, everyone was up and moving on time to first check the weather—verifying that the event would be outdoors—and then coordinating getting to the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium early.  With Vice President Biden giving the address security and screening were expected to be at a high level. 

Commencement was to begin at 1000 and we were in our seats by 0900.  Dan, Monica, Laura, Steve, Ja, Adeline, Cheri and I were on the upper level and slightly back from the dais—these would be great seats for a

football game if you like to watch the whole play develop.  Deb and Scott had seats on the field and fairly close to where Tim would be seated.

As expected the procession started right at 1000 and the Midshipmen filed in from the northern end zone up to their seats—those being   We were treated to another Blue Angels fly-by in salute of the graduating class, and then the dignitaries receiving ruffles and flourishes and gun salutes.

commissioned as Ensigns in their Dress Whites and those becoming Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corp in their Dress Navy Blues.

Commencement went smoothly, as expected, and Vice President Biden gave a very nice address—with the obligatory comments about the Administration’s Strategic Plan in the middle—focusing primarily on the importance of the training received at USNA.  He stressed the history of men and women stepping forward in times of National need to become members of our fighting force and how the service academies prepare them to be intellectual warriors…a balance needed in today’s world.

The new officers were sworn in with the Oath of Office and then diplomas handed out.  Vice President Biden spoke to each of the graduates while shaking their hands and they then proceeded back to their seats…you can see Tim with his diploma held high overhead in the photo with VP Biden in the background.

As is customary at the end of the proceedings, the Second Class Brigade Commander led the remaining Midshipmen in “Three Cheers for Those Who Go Before Us!”.  This was then followed by the former First Class Brigade Commander leading the new officers in “Three Cheers for Those We Leave Behind!” and the no longer valid hats being tossed into the air.

It took some time to work our way down to find Tim in the pre-designated spot on the field—primarily because everyone else was also working their way down onto the field over a limited number of narrow steps.  Once we were all together it was time for the new Ensign shoulder boards to be put on…in this case Tim initially used one of Scott’s original shoulder boards for one side and a new one on the other, later changing both to new boards.  Deb gave Tim his new Officer’s cover (hat) and helped to get it set correctly. Then we took a few more minutes taking group photos.

Getting out of the Stadium was one of the easier evolutions of the week and we were soon back at the Palace to settle in for one last evening.  Steve, Ja and Adeline were heading back north that evening, but waited for Tim to arrive before heading out.  They missed a great meal including steaks and good wine but felt it was time to make the first drive to NJ that evening and then on to Maine the following day.

Later in the evening Scott gave Tim his sword and graciously asked me and Ricky to assist in presenting the gifts—the sword belt and the gold braid knot.  I will admit to being a little choked up as I gave Tim the braid and stated that this signifies his being a member of the Naval Officers Corp and how proud we are of him.

Early the next morning Cheri and I quietly—so as not to bother others—left the house and headed back to Connecticut.  Travel was quick…much better than the trip south…and we made it home by early afternoon.

As we celebrate Tim’s graduation and commissioning we also want to be mindful of it being Memorial Day weekend.  Tim joins not only the 76,000 others who have crossed the dais in Annapolis before him, but the hundreds of thousands more that have served and are serving in our Armed Forces.  Let’s remember to celebrate Memorial Day as something more than the start of summer.

Our Adventures continue…