24 Apr Daily Shipmate

Thursday, April 24, 2025

1862 - MIDN John Anderson, Class of 1863, USN was killed in action aboard USS Brooklyn (1858) during the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip near New Orleans, Louisiana. He was survived by his mother, brother, and two sisters.

1914 - Four Navy airplanes arrive in Mexico on board the cruiser Birmingham and the battleship Mississippi (Battleship No. 23). The following day, Lieutenant Patrick N. L. Bellinger, Class of 1907, makes a reconnaissance flight over the harbor at Veracruz in the AB-3 flying boat, the first combat flight by a U.S. military aircraft.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

This is a photo of the last man standing in the class of 1947, Al Nimocks, and his great granddaughter Lizzie.  Al is 100 years young and will turn 101 in June.  He recently sent AA&F a donation for the GREAT CLASS CHALLENGE to ensure '47 achieved 100% participation! The Great Class Challenge 2025 is May 5-9. Are you and your class ready? What started out as a fun competition to BEAT ARMY and AIR FORCE over ten years ago has turned into a great way to show up for your Class and make a difference at the Academy. Let's see who rises to the top this year! Now is your chance to support the Academy while proving your class is the greatest!

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors will take place. Open to the public, May 05, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern Time Zone (ET). Closed to the public, May 05, 2025, from 11 a.m. to noon (12 p.m.) ET. This meeting will be held at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. Pending prevailing health directives, the meeting will be handicap accessible. Escort is required. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Ross Hammerer, USN, Executive Secretary to the Board of Visitors, Office of the Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD 21402-5000, 410-293-1503, [email protected].

When the Fluegel Alumni Center officially opened 20 months ago, the Alumni Association & Foundation staff had visions of a closer relationship with Navy Baseball…our neighbors across the street at Bishop Stadium. Yesterday, we celebrated the first of what will hopefully be many staff days at the stadium in support of Navy Baseball. We set up a grill and welcomed Baseball parents and alums to join us in cheering on the Mids vs William & Mary. In all, we had close to 100 staff, families, friends, parents and alums out there for the 5pm first pitch. The final result wasn't what we wanted for the team (they suffered a 9-3 loss), but fun was had by all and closer connections were built with our alums and parents.

Membership in the U.S. Naval Alumni Association comes with a range of valuable benefits while supporting the U.S. Navy, the Naval Academy, and the Brigade of Midshipmen—today and into the future. We're thrilled to introduce our newest perk: USNA AA&F Member Deals!  With Member Deals, Alumni Association members gain exclusive discounts on car rentals, hotels, theme parks, movie theaters, ski resorts, shows, sporting events, concerts, and more. Whether you're planning a weekend escape, a fun-filled family vacation, or simply looking for great shopping deals, Member Deals has you covered. Beyond this exciting new offering, Alumni Association membership includes access to Shipmate Magazine (both online and in print), career development programs like SACC, the ability to connect with fellow members on myUSNA, and exclusive access to our photo program, featuring 100,000+ images of Plebe Summer and other milestone events posted annually. As they say, membership has its privileges—and now, even more ways to enjoy them! Be sure to take advantage of this great new benefit.

The 2025 Pull for Navy rowing event in February was marked by a notable gift. Led by Dave Frost, who was recognized with the Craig Thrasher Service to Rowing Award, the Class '75 donated more than $275,000 to the Navy Crew Excellence Fund — the largest donation made by any class. Some of that money was used to completely refurbish and remodel what is now known as the Class of '75 Ergometer Room.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Navy Secretary John Phelan said he's rescinding a Navy plan focused on combating climate change established by the Biden administration. “Today, I'm focusing on warfighters first and I'm rescinding the Biden administration's climate action program,” he said in a video posted to X on Tuesday. “Our focus needs to be on lethality and our warfighters.” That plan was spearheaded by Meredith Berger, formerly the senior Navy civilian overseeing energy, installations and environment, during the Biden administration in 2022.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) recently transferred a number of historical artifacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic to the National Museum of Health and Medicine and is scheduled to exhibit military medical innovations to the public, 26 Apr. The Military Medical Innovation Family Event program takes place in the museum galleries where presenters from a variety of military activities conduct demonstrations and activities highlighting innovative products and research that benefit readiness, health, care, and rehabilitation of the warfighter.

A pair of T-54As arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Mar. 27 after completing their first cross-country flight to Washington State, showcasing the range capacity as the Navy's newest multi-engine trainer. This cross country was used as training flights within the Flight Instructor Training Unit (FITU) Syllabus. The Instructors Under Training (IUTs), taught by FITU Instructor Pilots (IPs), will be the next generation of squadron IPs and the first to teach student naval aviators how to fly the T-54A. LT Hunter Jones '97, USN, one of the visiting naval aviators, believes the T-54A will make a difference in the lives of student naval aviators at Training Wing Four, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Director of Business Development & Sales at Liberty Source PBC and CEO of Jones & Associates Consulting & Concierge Services, Hunter brings deep expertise in executive protection, insider threat, cybersecurity, and federal program management. His work spans collaborations with the U.S. Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Department of Homeland Security, and local enforcement agencies.

Each academic semester, the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) selects a new brigade commander to lead the Brigade of Midshipmen. As a prior enlisted Sailor, Midshipman 1st Class (Senior) Joshua McGill's experiences have earned him the highest leadership position amongst midshipmen. From his early experiences aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) to his transition into leadership at USNA, McGill's story is one of perseverance and an unwavering belief in the mission of the Naval Academy.

The Survivor Advocacy Network (SAN) is excited to present the second webinar in the 2025 Trauma Survivor Webinar series entitled "Living and Leading as a Survivor. " This webinar will take place June 10 from 7-9 p.m. ET.  The presenter is Rear Admiral Dana Thomas USCG, Ret, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Public Health Service. Dr. Thomas will share her own story of survivorship and healing and how her healing journey became a powerful path to service and authentic leadership. According to Admiral Thomas, “Living and leading with our authentic selves allows us to give voice to others, who may otherwise be unseen or unheard in the shadows of their trauma.” IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The Survivor Advocacy Network (SAN) is a committee of USNA Women which is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is a NON-FEDERAL ENTITY for USNA alumnae and all those who support its mission. USNA Women IS NOT A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OR ANY OF ITS COMPONENTS. As such, recently released Federal Executive Orders do not apply to SAN Programs which serve active duty, veteran and military service academy/college survivors of sexual assault.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Today's Matchups

Men's Track & Field vs Penn Relays - Philadelphia, Pa. - Noon

Women's Track & Field vs Penn Relays - Philadelphia, Pa. - Noon

Women's Lacrosse at American - Washington, D.C. - 1 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

APRIL

24 Apr - AA&F Vietnam Legacy of Valor Series Speaker Event - Fluegel Alumni Center

24-27 Apr - Class of 1970 - 55th Reunion

25 Apr - Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

25 Apr - USNA Dedication Parade, Worden Field

27 Apr - Frogman Swim to benefit the SEAL Foundation - Severn River

29 Apr - Erik Kristensen Memorial Lecture - St. John's College

30 Apr - USNA Capstone Day

30 Apr - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Welcome Reception

 

MAY

1 May - USNA Foundation Spring BOD meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

6-8 May - Class of 1957 - 70th Reunion

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring BOT Meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

8-9 May - SACC Washington DC

12-18 May - Richmond, VA Navy Week

14 May - Class of 2028 Herndon Climb

14 May - U.S. Naval Institute “Correcting Course: Revitalizing the Shipbuilding Industry to Meet Strategic Demands” Speaker Panel - Jack C. Taylor Conference Center - 4:45 p.m.

16-18 May - USA Warriors Sled Hockey Event

21 May -  Blue Angels CFR Event - Hospital Point, USNA

22 May - Color Parade, Worden Field

22 May - USNA Prizes & Awards, Alumni Hall, 2 p.m.

23 May - Class of 2025 Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, NMCMS

26 May - Run to Honor - Reading the names of the fallen alumni heroes in Memorial Hall

26 May - Run to Honor Nationwide Walk/Runs

28 May - Debut of the new usna.com

 

JUNE

16-22 Jun - Anchorage, Alaska Navy Week

17-18 Jun - Entrepreneur Summit, Fluegel Alumni Center

25 Jun - Athletic & Scholarship Program Pre-I Day Reception, Fluegel Alumni Center

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029

30 Jun-6 Jul - Duluth, Minnesota Navy Week

 

AUGUST

4-10 Aug - Sioux Falls, South Dakota Navy Week

7 Aug - Class of 2029 Plebe Parent Mixer, Fluegel

18 Aug - USNA Classes begin

18-24 Aug - Columbus, Ohio Navy Week

21-22 Aug - SACC San Diego

22 Aug - Friends of Navy Sailing Starting Gun Reception: Severn Sailing Association - 6 p.m.

23 Aug - Friends of Navy Sailing Supe brief, race and Sail Navy Banquet

24 Aug - Annapolis 10 Miler - Run to Honor is a charity partner

25-31 Aug - Springfield, Missouri Navy Week

28 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Weekend Kickoff Dinner w/ Football Coaching Staff

28-31 Aug - Class of 2010 15th Reunion

28-31 Aug - Class of 1960 65th Reunion

29 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Fallen Brothers Golf Classic & Evening Social

30 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Weekend Tailgater, NMCMS

30 Aug - Navy vs VMI, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

 

SEPTEMBER

4-6 Sep - Class of 2000 25th Reunion

4 Sep - Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) Medal Ceremony - Alumni Hall, 4:30 p.m.

6 Sep - Navy Football vs University of Alabama Birmingham, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

13 Sep - Navy Football vs Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

14 Sep - Annapolis Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

15-21 Sep - Wichita Falls, Texas Navy Week

18-21 Sep - Class of 1985 - 40th Reunion

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

22-28 Sep - Hartford, CT Navy Week

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

27 Sep - Navy Football vs Rice, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

 

OCTOBER

2 Oct - President Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - President Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 35th Reunion

2-5 Oct - CLass of 1995 30th Reunion

2 5 Oct - Class of 2015 10th Reunion

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

10 Oct - USNA Founder's Day

11 Oct - Navy Football @ Temple, Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

13 Oct - U.S. Navy Birthday

13 Oct - Surface Navy Museum Grand Opening - Battleship Iowa - Los Angeles

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 60th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 50th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 2005 20th Reunion

25 Oct - Navy Football vs Florida Atlantic, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

25 Oct - United States Naval Academy Homecoming

25 Oct - Welcome Home Event, Fluegel Alumni Center

25-31 - Eugene, Oregon Navy Week

 

NOVEMBER

1 Nov - Navy @ North Texas, DATCU Stadium, Denton TX

5-6 Nov - US Naval Academy Foundation Fall Board of Directors Reception/Meeting

6-9 Nov - Class of 1980 45th Reunion

8 Nov - Navy @ Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

10 Nov - Marine Corps Birthday

10-16  Nov - Santa Fe, New Mexico Navy Week.

14 Nov - US Naval Academy Athletic & Scholarship Program Fall Meeting, NMCMS

15 Nov - Navy vs University of South Florida, NMCMS

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes - Location TBD

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents Fall meeting, Fluegel

18-19 Nov - US Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Fall Meeting, Fluegel

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

27 Nov - Navy Football @ University of Memphis, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN

 

DECEMBER

5/6 Dec - American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

13 Dec - Army - Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD