Plebe Parents During Commissioning Week

Dolphins2012

Dolphins2012

10-Year Member
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What should parents of plebes want to attend during commissioning week besides Herndon? To put it another way, how long would a plebe parent typically want to stay in Annapolis that week?
 
I will tell you what I was told during my son's Plebe year......it will be extremely crowded with Firstie parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, etc.......please do come to Herndon but realize it is CW and it is all about the Firsties. In otherwords, I believe I was being told to enjoy Herndon, then leave (as all those Plebe Parents, etc. would be taking up valuable real estate). LOL. I get it - and I agree, that we will all have our turn as Firstie parents and the Yard, the restaurants, the parking will already be crowded enough all week.
 
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popeyesmom said:
I will tell you what I was told during my son's Plebe year......it will be extremely crowded with Firstie parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, etc.......please do come to Herndon but realize it is CW and it is all about the Firsties. In otherwords, I believe I was being told to enjoy Herndon, then leave (as all those Plebe Parents, etc. would be taking up valuable real estate). LOL. I get it - and I agree, that we will all have our turn as Firstie parents and the Yard, the restaurants, the parking will already be crowded enough all week.
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That makes sense. When the time comes, perhaps the thing to do is simply to spend a couple of days in in D.C., driving to Annapolis just for Herndon and then back out again - I must admit, I'd hate to miss that. Thank you!
 
I hope you didn't take my comment as rude as I was not trying to be so. I think your plan is great. My son was on 0 Block assignment that summer and did not have the opportunity to participate in the Herndon Climb but we drove in for it anyway, took pictures of the event and then left.
 
popeyesmom said:
I hope you didn't take my comment as rude as I was not trying to be so. I think your plan is great. My son was on 0 Block assignment that summer and did not have the opportunity to participate in the Herndon Climb but we drove in for it anyway, took pictures of the event and then left.
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No, I certainly appreciate the sentiment that families of firsties and others may have that week. Makes sense. As to my original question, if there are no other plebe/rising youngster oriented events going on, I have no need to be taking up space in Annapolis and I know my wife would enjoy a weekend to ourselves in D.C. or Baltimore. Thanks!
 
Here's a bit different perspective. I, too read on the listserve way back then that we then-Plebe parents should watch Herndon, then get out of town. It was stated pretty much that way. Still, I stayed a good chunk of the week, as I had never seen the Blue Angels, which was open to the general public, and I was able to attend my first women's glee club concert, with DD singing.

Youngster year - stayed away. Last year - went, hoping to see the Blue Angels again, as it was already clear that "our" year was messed up beyond belief. Fast forward to now; had I listened to those Firstie parents, I would NEVER have seen the Blue Angels. This is not meant as advice one way or the other. However, the more you pay to travel in for Herndon and/or the harder it is for you to make trips to USNA, I'd say, do what is right for your situation. Frankly, the way this year is set up, I'm not sure there are any events you could attend other than Herndon.
 
I don't know what the schedule is thi syear, but he above post is accurate: do what is right for YOUR family. [AND this applies to commissioning week itself. don't get caught up in the whole "we have to rent a house" thing. If you need it, great; if not, you can still have a good time.]

If, depending upon your mid's schedule, you need to stay a few extra days [and there IS some merit to taking in a few of the events in your OFF year], then do it. BUT, this is not YOUR time. The week is for teh firsties, so do the best you can do and know that Annapolis just about gridlocks during the week.

And there is nothing to do for the plebe parents that week.
Heck, after graduation, the Academy just about kicks you and your mid/ens out the door with it barely missing your butt. All of a sudden . . . .at gradution plus one . . . you are Academy no more and you are Academy parents no more. Thank you for the trip; the fairy tale is over, now hit the road.

Nonetheless, it is a FANTASTIC week!
 
As others have said, the focus of Commissioning Week is on the firsties. However, there is plenty for parents of other classes to do.

There are two big parades. There are usually one or more ships in the yard open for tours. The Blue Angels (usually) perform. Bancroft and academic buildings are typically open during certain hours. There is a nice chapel service. It's a very happy time for all classes.

It IS crowded, but so is any university during the week of graduation. Look at the CW schedule, see what you might want to do, and stay for that length of time.
 
Color Parade on May 23rd?

Just made our reservations for when we drive down for the Herndon climb. As others suggested, we plan to be in Annapolis the weekend before and then head out immediately after the Herndon climb.

However, in looking at the calendar of events that my son e-mailed to me, I see there will be a "Color Parade" at 10:00 am on the 23rd. What is the difference between a "Color Parade" and the other formal parades that are scheduled at various times throughout the year? Will my Plebe (and other underclassmen) be marching in the "Color Parade" or only the graduating firsties?



 
Yes your son will be marching in the color parade as do all Midshipmen. The purpose of the color parade is when they recognize the company that won the most color points throughout the year and is recognized for their efforts. The presentation involves a "Color Girl" that has a long tradition. The parade is like any others you have seen, except the color girl part.
 
NavyHoops said:
The presentation involves a "Color Girl" that has a long tradition. The parade is like any others you have seen, except the color girl part.
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I believe the term is now "Color Honoree." Now, the person need not be female or young. For example, a few years ago, the color company commander was female and chose her father as the "honoree."

I'm sure some hate the loss of "tradition," but the new approach arguably makes more sense. Not only is there issue of a female company commander but it could also be the case that a male doesn't currently have a girlfriend or has no sister and/or maybe would prefer to choose a parent or someone else to honor in the parade. I will grant you that an older gentleman in a suit might not make for as pretty a publicity photo as a "girl" in a white dress and hat but . . .:smile:
 
Thanks for the explanation. Since we will be in town anyway, we will probably want to stick around for the color parade before we head for home.
 
gobamama,

While plebes aren't normally assigned "0" block (the summer training block that immediately begins after final exams and goes into late May/early June, ~2-3 weeks long), it might be a good idea to confirm your plebe IS NOT assigned to this block before making plans (you might have already done this, but just throwing this out there).

Make sure to hydrate well, as the parade is a mid-morning function and it can be pretty warm by then!
 
gobamama said:
Thanks for the explanation. Since we will be in town anyway, we will probably want to stick around for the color parade before we head for home.
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Make sure to take bets ahead of time on how many mids pass out. Color parade is a struggle.
 
Do the firsties still jump in the Severn or the pool or somewhere after the Color Parade? Or has that tradition gone the way of . . .
 
They did for 2010 but have not heard since. Generally they get thrown in by the Plebes if they don't willingly.
 
subvet said:
They did for 2010 but have not heard since. Generally they get thrown in by the Plebes if they don't willingly.
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We definitely went willingly. For years, it was a fountain. They cemented the fountain and, in our year, it was the Severn. I heard that it was later LeJeune -- a long way to run.:biggrin:
 
When is Herndon this year?

And since I'm asking, does anyone know the date for the Ring Dance? I'm trying to update our club's website and have not found info on these dates :redface:
 
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