Parent Weekend at USNA

Parents Weekend has been traditionally held for Firstie Parents (seniors) but this year it was changed to include the second class parents to honor the midshipmen who signed their 2 for 7 paper. Jeff and I got to go to class with Tim and eat lunch in King Hall. Eating with 4,000 midshipmen and their parents was quite an experience! We also got to go up on the 5th deck to see Tim's room. Otherwise, we are not allowed in these places. Another tradition that happens each fall and spring are dress parades which happen weekly I think. We just happened to be standing where the Brigade forms and begins the march over to the parade field when along came 10th Company (Tim's) and there he was! Usually, we sit in the stands to watch but this day we chose to get a different view. As you will see all eyes are on the boat! Football games are a blast! The march-on of the Brigade always creates a lump in my throat. All 30 companies march into the stadium before the team enters waving the US flag. The brigade turns to face the visiting crowd...that's where we sit! They do a cheer for the visiting team and tip their covers. Then they turn to the cheers of the Navy crowd and do an enthusiasic Navy cheer! Then they head to the stands where they all stand and cheer the entire game! Always before the game is a fly over. And it's great when we win!