6 Jun Daily Shipmate

Friday, Jun 6, 2025

1944 - The U.S. Navy supported the landings in Normandy, France, in Operation Neptune, providing gunfire support and landing Army troops at Omaha and Utah beaches.

1972 - LT Melvin Dry '68, USN was killed in action off the coast of Vietnam when he jumped from a helicopter in an attempt to link up with a submarine; his SEAL team was attempting to rescue prisoners of war at the “Hanoi Hilton”. For nearly 36 years his death was classified as a “training accident;” it wasn't until 2008 that he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and had his name added to the killed in action panel in the front of Memorial Hall. He was survived by his parents.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). A double interview episode this week. First, Kyle Butters. Kyle is hosting the Hero Run & Community Festival Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with the “Hero Run” at 11:30am at Annapolis High School. The event honors soldiers who have lost their lives to suicide. Butters will run 22 miles each day of the weekend, totaling 66 miles, to raise awareness and support for mental health and suicide prevention programs for military personnel and veterans. And Craig Symonds. Symonds just released the non-fiction book Annapolis Goes To War. It is an amazing read that chronicles the paths of the Class of 1940 from USNA as they graduated and entered into World War II. Craig talks about the book and his many years on the faculty at USNA. Those great convos … plus Chris and John talk about USS Harry S Truman's return from deployment, another great flag officer promotion for a USNA alum and their thoughts on the football game time schedule. Thanks for listening. Beat Arm y ... always.

LISTEN ON

Book Feature - Annapolis Goes to War

New from Craig L. Symonds, America's preeminent naval historian and Professor Emeritus at the United States Naval Academy offers a history of the Second World War based on the experiences of the young officers fresh out of the Academy who served on its front lines. Based on diaries, letters, and first-hand accounts of the Naval Academy class of 1940, Annapolis Goes to War is a powerful and poignant story about their loss of innocence and their discovery of the true meaning of sacrifice.

Ready for your next mission? 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐨, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟏–𝟐𝟐, for the 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐂) — the premier networking event for service academy grads exploring new career paths in business, tech, consulting, higher education, and more. Meet directly with top-tier employers and graduate programs who understand the value of your leadership and experience. Whether you're looking to 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐭, 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, SACC San Diego should be your next step.

The Great Class of 1975 has organized a charity bike ride - Gulf to Goat, or G2G - that will unite cycling classmates, family and friends in a quest for physical fitness, camaraderie, and charitable giving.  By pedaling nearly 1200 miles through our great nation – from Apalachicola, FL to USNA – these riders will honor the legacy of USNA '75 while supporting causes close to a classmates' heart. The goal is to pedal with purpose, have fun, forge bonds, and make a meaningful difference one mile at a time. The G2G charity bike ride will begin on Oct. 1, 2025, in Apalachicola and transit along the East Coast, arriving at the Bill the Goat statue inside Gate 1 on Oct. 22, 2025 to kick off 50th Reunion festivities.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Twenty-five cadets and midshipmen from five United States service academies have arrived in Poland to take part in the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation's (AJCF) American Service Academies Program (ASAP) — an impactful 16-day educational experience that challenges future military leaders to confront the history of the Holocaust and apply its lessons to modern-day ethical leadership. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the program. This year's cohort includes 25 cadets and midshipmen from the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. An additional ASAP group will travel later this summer. ASAP brings these future leaders through an intensive itinerary in both the U.S. and Poland, focusing on Holocaust history, ethical responsibility in the armed forces and the moral consequences of leadership during times of atrocity.

Naval Academy graduate Rayuan Lane III '25 has signed a rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars that is worth $4.422 million in total value, according to a published report. Lane agreed to the deal prior to attending Jacksonville's rookie minicamp that was held May 9-11. The Gilman graduate was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Lane agreed to a four-year deal that included a $222,175 guaranteed signing bonus. Jacksonville drafted Lane with the 24th pick of the sixth round (200th overall). The Jessup native is expected to see immediate playing time as a member of special teams. Lane will be able to play immediately as Section 557 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 amended the statutes defining the agreement signed by midshipmen and cadets attending a Military Service Academy and their resulting service obligations.

Philadelphia Union II announced today that they have signed goalkeeper Pierce Holbrook '25 to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract and will be added to Union II's active roster immediately. Holbrook joins Union II after a strong college career at Navy, becoming the third player in the last four years under coach Tim O'Donohue to turn pro, along with Matt Nocita (New York Red Bulls) and Jacob Williams (Crown Legacy FC). He is also the fourth Navy player in the past 11 years to sign with a professional team. Holbrook will be able to play immediately as Section 557 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 amended the statutes defining the agreement signed by midshipmen and cadets attending a Military Service Academy and their resulting service obligations.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

JUNE

7 Jun - Naval Engineers & STEM Advocates SIG “Women Can Fly” event - Warrenton-Fauquier Airport

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"

11 Jun - Hampton Roads Chapter - Midshipmen Meet and Greet Social - 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District - More Info

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

 

JULY

9 Jul - Hampton Roads Chapter - Chapter event with Navy Offensive Coordinator Drew Cronic  and Midshipmen Meet & Greet Social. 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District. More Info

14-16 Jul - YP visit to Yorktown, VA.

 

AUGUST

1-3 Aug - Seattle Sea Fair

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

6 Aug - Hampton Roads Chapter Midshipmen Summer Cruise Meet and Greet - Norfolk - 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District - More Info

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

10 Oct - Army-Navy Cup XIV. Soccer doubleheader vs Army at Subaru Park, Philadelphia. Women's Match - 4:00 p.m., Men's Match at 7:00 p.m.

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 - Run to Honor's annual pre-Honor Our Fallen Heroes Gathering (FAC)

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