Naval Academy students give aging veterans a final salute

[Freda'sMom]

What a inspiring tribute, well done Mids.

The program, renamed the Honor Salute, is now year-round and has grown to include more than 140 midshipmen volunteers who have visited more than 50 veterans in hospice, hospitals, nursing homes and their own homes to offer a sign of respect and a sincere thank-you.

Richard Harryman was wearing a crisp blue shirt for the occasion, and his hospital bed was in the living room.

There were punch and cookies on a table in the hall, and family and friends were waiting when a car arrived carrying four midshipmen.

Harryman, 85, served in both the Marine Corps and the Air Force. The midshipmen were there to deliver a final salute to a dying veteran.

In a program unique among the service academies, young people from the Naval Academy, on the threshold of their military careers, are visiting veterans at the end of their lives to acknowledge their service as only another member of the military can.

 

[ca2midwestmom]

 

[tug_boat]

Very Nice....

Very respectful.


Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[NorwichDad]

A wonderful program!

 

[nofodad]

Wouldn't it be nice if this spread beyond USNA.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Great program! I really appreciate how involved and well-throught out it is too. Great job to the midshipmen from the Naval Academy. Wish the headline was a little less morbid "final salute".... but nothing USNA can do about the Sun's headline.