27 May Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

1813 - Naval vessels under the command of Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry bombard British forces at Fort George on Lake Ontario, at the northern end of the Niagara River. Perry personally leads the landing party that consists of Army forces under the command of Colonel Winfield Scott.

 

1998 - LT Jonathan Nolan '91, USN was lost when his F/A-18 Hornet crashed during an exercise near Fallon, Nevada. He was a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37. Jonathan was survived by his parents and three brothers.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Reminder…the new usna.com website drops TOMORROW!

Midshipmen received their diplomas and were commissioned as officers at the U.S. Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony. Graduates were tested mentally and physically over last four years, receiving an education from one of the best institutions in the world. They converged Friday morning at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis to be sworn into the Navy as ensigns or into the Marine Corps as second lieutenants. "I'm super excited, really happy to be graduating with all my classmates. It's been a long four years, but it's worth it," U.S. Navy Ensign Stelios Boyaci told 11 News. "I just wanted a very interesting challenge in my life and do fun and gritty things while I'm young," U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Peter Lee told 11 News.

Future warfighters will always have a clear mission, with clear goals, before heading out to do the nation's business, Vice President JD Vance said today during his commencement address to the 2025 graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. During the ceremony, more than 1,000 uniformed young people graduated and are now bound for positions across the globe as either Navy ensigns or Marine Corps second lieutenants. Vance addressed them to let them know what they were getting into, what he and President Donald J. Trump expected of them during their careers, and how the president's vision of American diplomacy would change how their experience in uniform is expected to be different than the experiences of those who came before them.

This morning, the U.S. Naval Academy celebrated the graduation and commissioning of the Class of 2025 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. In a tradition-rich ceremony filled with pride, more than 1,000 midshipmen became officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The event featured remarks from Vice President JD Vance, a Blue Angels flyover, and the iconic hat toss, as families and friends gathered to honor years of rigorous academic, military, and athletic achievement. Here are some of the moments captured from this proud day in Annapolis.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Military air traffic controllers lost contact with an Army helicopter for about 20 seconds as it neared the Pentagon on the flight that caused two commercial jets to abort their landings this month at a Washington airport, the Army told The Associated Press on Friday. The aborted landings on May 1 added to general unease about continued close calls between government helicopters and commercial airplanes near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following a deadly midair collision in January between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday that acting Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday will be nominated for the permanent command role, filling the service's top leadership post. Noem's announcement of Lunday's promotion came at the Coast Guard academy graduation ceremony in Connecticut. In addition to that nomination, Adm. Thomas Allan Jr. will be tapped to serve as vice commandant. “These leaders have the full faith and trust of me, and they have the full faith and trust of the president of the United States,” Noem said. “I am certain that they will not let us down.”

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar early Friday morning as it headed home following an eight-month deployment. Truman is westbound in the Atlantic Ocean, a Navy official confirmed to USNI News Friday. The carrier transited the strait at around 1:45 a.m. local time, according to a ship spotter. Truman briefly participated in the NATO Neptune Strike drills as it sailed through the Mediterranean Sea this week. The carrier transited the Suez Canal on Saturday. The Nimitz-class carrier, which left its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk in mid-September, operated in the Red Sea for much of its deployment as the Yemen-based Houthis continued targeting both military and commercial shipping.

Select Thursdays from May to July | Movies begin at dusk. Grab a blanket or chair and relax under the stars with the Lone Sailor on Thursday evenings during the summer at Movies on the Memorial. Movies begin at dusk, but we encourage you to arrive early to get a prime spot on the plaza. In the case of inclement weather, movies will be canceled. 

 

29 May: Finding Nemo

5 June: Pirates of the Caribbean

12 June: The Guardian

19 June: Aquamarine

26 June: Aquaman

3 July: Moana

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

To the Class of 2023, on this special “Memorial Day,”  in addition to the many tributes we have to those who have fallen and have paved the path for us all to follow, the Class of 1973 salutes you who are receiving well earned promotions today.  As we follow you all in the Navy Fleet and Fleet Marine Force, you are all making a difference; Aviation, Surface Warfare, Nuclear Submarines, Intelligence, Infantry, Logistics, Artillery, Supply and on and on.  Thank you for your service and for “Making Us Proud” ….. we are (indeed) proud of you.

Trump addresses West Point graduates: 'You are winners'. 

President Donald Trump told U.S. Military Academy graduates at West Point's commencement ceremony that they are all winners.  "Let me begin by saying congratulations to the West Point Class of 2025," Trump said. "You are winners. Every single one of you. Today I can proudly say mission accomplished, great job." The speech to the 2025 graduation class marks the first military commencement address of Trump's second term.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park (AMM) has appointed Susan Thaxton as its new Chief Operating Officer. In her new role, Thaxton will be responsible for overseeing daily operations, guiding strategic planning, and leading program implementation to support the Museum's mission of educating the public on the maritime heritage and ecological significance of the Annapolis region. Her professional journey began in the United States Navy, where she served with distinction. A longtime Annapolis resident, Thaxton is active in the local community and has held positions on several nonprofit boards. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Thaxton is a USNA spouse, married to Michael “Mickey” Thaxton '92.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

MAY

28 May - Debut of the new usna.com

 

JUNE

2 Jun - Colorado Chapter & NAPC of CO & WY Roadshow - Alpha Charlie's Tap & Tavern - 5:30 p.m.

10 Jun - USNA Women Trauma Survivor Webinar - 7-9 pm ET. Virtual event: Major (USAF) Latetia Bland-Thergood, MSW speaking on the topic: "Exploring Moral Injury"

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

4-6 Sep - Class of 2000 25th Reunion

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

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

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

22-28 Sep - Hartford, CT Navy Week

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

26 Sep - Council of Annual Giving meeting - Fluegel Alumni Center

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 - 7:30 p.m.

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