HERNDON - Class of 2022

THParent

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I have seen a couple of these on YouTube, but this year I plan to be there in person.
If you have been there to see it, please post some of your stories. Also, if you're planning on going to I-Day this June, make sure you go over to the Herndon Monument. Last year, I could still smell the lard on it, and it was slick to the touch. Kind of nifty and disgusting, all at the same time.


History and Traditions of the Herndon Monument Climb

The Herndon Monument Climb is the traditional culmination of plebe year at the Naval Academy. Demonstrating the teamwork and perseverance they have learned during their first year at the academy, the plebes build a human pyramid to remove the “dixie cup” hat at the top of the vegetable shortening-covered monument and replace it with an upperclassman’s hat. After successfully completing the Herndon climb, the freshmen are no longer called plebes but “fourth class midshipmen.”

Facts:

  • Height: 21ft
  • Covered with: About 50 pounds of vegetable shortening applied to the monument by midshipmen of the 1st Company.
  • First recorded time: Class of 1962 - 12 minutes
  • Fastest Time: Class of 1972 - 1 minute, 30 seconds (no grease)
  • Longest time: Class of 1998 - 4:05:17 (Dixie cup glued and taped)
History

The Herndon Monument is named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, 1813-1857, who possessed the qualities of discipline, teamwork and courage. In command of the SS Central America and home-bound with gold-seekers from California, the ship encountered a three-day hurricane off the coast of North Carolina. Herndon went down with his ship after a gallant effort to save it, its sailors and passengers. A monument was erected on the Yard in his honor shortly after his death.

On the day of the Herndon Climb plebes are required to remove their shoes prior to the starting the climb. Over the past 10 years, thousands of these athletic shoes have been donated by the plebe classes to various charities through the Midshipman Action Group.
 
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Herndon is a great opportunity to take pictures of your Mid and their company mates as they stage up on Stribling. You will probably not see them once the mad rush begins. If you want a view from the front, get there early. People will save spots with chairs and blankets.
 
I would put his up there on the really try to go to events of your kids 4 years. It is like the capital of happyville. Seeing the joy and the absolutely can-do-anything positivity on the faces of these mids who 11 months earlier had sheer panic in their expressions marching into Bancroft on I-day was priceless. Such an incredible transition. We got there early and hung out with the "link in the chain" class who graduated 50 years earlier and showed up to cheer. I recommend the chapel side as it is slightly uphill and better viewing, although in the sun. I tried to post a pic of the dixie cup cap they had to get off Herndon first but could not get the file to show up. It had a basketball size amount of lard on top of it...hilarious!! Also know that if your plebe is in the Sea Trials winning company they get to storm the monument first, great photo op!!
 
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It’s fun for about 30 minutes. It’s wet, the lard and water makes your eyes burn and it’s a mess. It feels wonderful when you are done. We didn’t have Sea Trials and our company never let up on us (so no spooning, no carry on, continued to rate us, etc) until we climbed that thing. Walking back on deck and having all the upperclassmen come and greet you, shake your hands and introduce themselves with first names was a great day.
 
We will be watching from our laptop. Wave hello!!

Boy that went fast [emoji100]
 
I'll be there this year, since my DD is a firstie! I was there in 2016 when her class climbed because her older sister was graduating! Such a great time. The atmosphere on the yard is so happy during commissioning week!
 
Plus selecting major
Plus summer assignments

These days are killing me....
 
We missed Acceptance Day at USAFA for our 1C DD... learned my lesson. Front row and center Herndon - here we come .

When you say early???? What does early mean?
 
.....and 45 days until classes are over. I changed my countdown timer to 45 [emoji51]
 
It all depends what you want Herndon to be like. Early is like 7 am if you want front row. If you want to pop a chair on the other side of stribling with a cold drink... show up early enough or not be late. It takes a few hours... front row will he get old. Honestly we had time to step out of the pit and take some photos with my family on the edge of it all. Then again, not sure our parents ever had a count down or knew much more than a date we gave them to climb a weird thing covered in lard they saw a photo on the brochure once.
 
I think I am in the minority here, but neither DH or myself have the slightest desire to attend. Our plebe no more will want to hang with buddies. It’ll be hot. And crowded. We would rather watch online. And go to the yard when it’s calm on another weekend.
 
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