28 Jul Daily Shipmate

Monday, Jul 28, 2025

1918 - Brigadier General John A. Lejeune, Class of 1888, assumed command of the 2d Division, U.S. Army in France, and remained in that capacity until August 1919 when the unit was demobilized. He was the first Marine officer to hold an Army divisional command, and following the Armistice, he led his division in the march into Germany

 

1945 - The destroyer Callaghan (DD-792) was hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa, Japan. It became the last ship sunk by a kamikaze attack during World War II.

2004 - LT COL David Greene '86, USMCR was killed in action when he was struck by ground fire while piloting an attack helicopter in Anbar Province, Iraq. He was on active duty until 1997; for the three years prior to his loss he was a project manager at the BF Goodrich Aerospace plant in Vergennes, Vermont. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Over the weekend, members of the Alumni Association engagement team connected with approximately 200 alumni and parents across Norfolk, Williamsburg, Richmond, Roanoke, and Charlottesville—continuing our multi-year initiative to meet our members where they are. Foundation staff also attended the events in Norfolk and Williamsburg, where we shared updates on Alumni Association programs and services, the impact of philanthropy on the Yard,  Plebe Summer, and recent leadership transitions. More importantly, these gatherings celebrated the incredible work of our chapters and parent clubs, who continue to strengthen bonds within the Naval Academy community. The one-on-one conversations offered invaluable insights into what matters most to our constituents and how we can better serve them. Next stops on the roadshow: Oklahoma and Texas, with events planned around upcoming away football games. Stay tuned to myUSNA for event details!

The Ohio State University President Ted Carter '81 joined Face the Nation to explain how he's handling a new era of higher education amid the Trump administration's push to assert control over private and public institutions across the U.S. The following is the transcript of the interview that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on July 27, 2025.

The Gateway Series is a unique experience centered around storytelling through conversation—with astronauts, space leaders, scientists, cybersecurity experts, authors, and even an Astronaut Wrangler. Hosted by the Inter Astra Institute virtually on Zoom, this series opens the door to dialogue across disciplines and sectors—connecting those who build, lead, and serve with those imagining what's next. With Chris Cassidy we will speak about Future Worlds and what it takes to lead without limits as well as quiet leadership, servant leadership and purposeful missions. He is the President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, was the Chief Astronaut at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and spent 378 days in the International Space Station. Wed, Jul 30, 2025 at  1 p.m. EDT.

Capital Gazette

By James Matheson

When asked to recall her best spring break memories as a U.S. Naval Academy student, Midshipman First Class Daisy Zamora described dozens of impromptu basketball games against a disproportionate number of six-year-olds.

 

Over the last three years, Zamora has grown accustomed to shooting hoops while wearing her dark blue service uniform, swarmed by youngsters from the Boys and Girls Club of Lummi Nation, a Native American tribe in northwestern Washington State.

 

Zamora, a native of Salinas, California, who's preparing to start her final year at the academy, has volunteered to mentor kids during each of her one-week spring breaks.

 

“It's one of the best things I've done at the Naval Academy and even just generally,” Zamora said of her three trips to the Lummi Nation. “They take our [hats] and run away or I give them the anchors that decorate my uniform. Just to foster that relationship is really important.”

 

Zamora is part of the Midshipmen Action Group (MAG), a volunteer service organization created in 1992. But the group's impact extends beyond a spring trip to assist children from Native American tribes in STEM education.

 

Through MAG, hundreds of midshipmen volunteer their time in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis yearly, amassing more than 14,400 hours across 29 volunteer projects during the 2024-25 academic year.

 

Areas of service include environmental stewardship, veteran and convalescent assistance, donations and youth mentorship; 835 midshipmen volunteered a combined 1,783 times at 119 different events during the last school year.

 

“It is just an incredible amount of service,” said Commander Kyle Bandermann, who provides the group logistical support as its officer representative. “Our moniker is that 'Service to the nation begins with service to the community.' And that is what they're choosing, that is what they're prioritizing.”

 

MAG is most active during the middle twelve weeks of each semester. Midshipmen, led by a group of about 50 seniors — or first-class midshipmen — dedicate hundreds of hours to environmental care through nature cleanups, snow shoveling in Annapolis, planting trees and general landscaping for people in need.

 

To support veterans, MAG works with groups that organize memorial trips and ceremonies.

 

The flagship program, Mids for Kids, works with about 10 Anne Arundel County Public Schools to put volunteers in classrooms.

 

Zamora volunteers at Walter S. Mills-Parole Elementary in Annapolis, assisting kindergartners and fifth graders with their studies.

 

MAG members also volunteer at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank's warehouse, where they sort and box food for distribution, among several other projects. Over their 15-year partnership with the food bank, MAG has donated more than 400,000 pounds of food.

 

“MAG members demonstrate a deep commitment to service and community,” Anne Arundel County Food Bank CEO Leah Paley said. “We are lucky to have them in our corner.”

 

MAG is the largest extracurricular activity at the Naval Academy. While midshipmen are required to compete in athletics, there is no requirement for service-related activities.

 

“There's no sense that people think midshipmen need to do more for their country, yet they are,” Bandermann said.

 

The Princeton Review ranks the U.S. Naval Academy number one in “Town-Gown Relations,” an analysis of a university's relationship with its surrounding population. Elizabeth Wrightson, the academy's director of media relations, credits that success to MAG.

 

There are nine other clubs at the academy that volunteer for various activities, like the Catholic Midshipmen Club, Latin American Studies Club and Black Studies Club. In total, 2,334 midshipmen volunteered on 189 different events, culminating in 16,943 total service hours from the 2024-2025 academic year.

 

MAG made up more than 85% of the entire university's service hours.

 

“So many projects and so little time,” Bandermann said of midshipmen choosing to participate in area service projects. “The mids have an incredible amount to do here. There's the task of making it through to the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and just matriculating through this university. And this is what they are choosing to spend their time on.”

 

Zamora will travel to Washington for the fourth time next spring. She says she's compelled to return year after year because she comes from a similar background as students at the Lummi Nation, one with minimal exposure to STEM.

 

“I've developed such a passion for STEM and research,” Zamora said. “I think it's so wonderful to be able to spark that with little kids.”

Government & Military News

In a peak moving season fraught with problems, a new Defense Department task force is trying to proactively identify and correct problems service members may be having with their household goods shipment, the task force commander said Wednesday. About 450 service members' household goods shipments remain in various stages of transit by the previous contractor HomeSafe Alliance, officials said, down from the 1,100 shipments in play when the HomeSafe contract was terminated on June 18. About 30 members of the task force operations team, including the call center, “have been proactively identifying service members who have PCS moves with HomeSafe who could potentially have difficulty with their move, without preventive steps,” said Army Maj. Gen. Lance Curtis, the task force commander, in a Wednesday call with reporters.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello '99 … a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week … Hanwha's acquisition of the Philadelphia Shipyard has created intense interest since the deal was completed in December, and the South Korean defense giant now is beginning to show off its first American shipyard. Hanwha Philly Ship CEO David Kim is with us to talk about the expectations for turning the yard into a showcase of expertise and efficiency.

Local, Education & other academy news

Rear Adm. Richard T. Brophy '91, Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), recently took to the skies over Pensacola, Florida, for a training flight with a fellow Carmel, California, native, Lt. William “Bubbles” Rudiger '17, a naval flight officer (NFO) instructor assigned to the “Wildcats” of Training Squadron (VT) 10. Though decades apart in service, both officers trace their roots back to the scenic coastal town of Carmel and are now shaping the next generation of naval aviators. Brophy graduated from Carmel High School in 1985 and from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991. Rudiger shares that same hometown and educational path, graduating from Carmel High in 2013 and the Naval Academy in 2017. “It was a true privilege to fly alongside a pilot from my hometown as professional and capable as Lt. Rudiger,” said Rear Adm. Brophy. “Carmel is a close-knit community and it's inspiring to see one of our own advancing such an important mission.”

Capt. Sharif Calfee '96 relieved Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski '95 as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK) and Commander, Navy Region Korea (CNRK) during a change of command ceremony at the Republic of Korea Fleet Headquarters Auditorium in Busan, July 25. The ceremony marked the 39th time CNFK has changed command since its establishment on July 1, 1957. During his tenure, Rear Adm. Koprowski oversaw a surge in trilateral naval exercises and engagements with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), following the 2023 Camp David Summit between the U.S., ROK, and Japanese governments.

Tuesday, July 29th from 7-8:30 p.m. at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. - A special U.S. Naval Academy Night during their Concerts on the Avenue series. This concert will be hosted by Vice Admiral Yvette Davids, and the Navy memorial invites everyone to join in the celebration by showing their Navy spirit! Whether you're a proud graduate, midshipman, or loyal fan, we want to see you in your Navy blue and gold! It's a great opportunity to honor the Naval Academy's legacy, enjoy an evening of live music by the full Navy Band, and connect with fellow members of the community.

USNA and AA&F Events

AUGUST

1 Aug - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

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 - 5-7 p.m. - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District - More Info

7 Aug - Class of 2029 Plebe Parent Mixer, Fluegel

8-10 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend

9 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend Formal Parade

9 Aug - Blue & Gold kick-off BBQ - N/MCMS

15 Aug - 2 for 7 Signing - Class of 2027

18 Aug - USNA Classes begin

18-24 Aug - Columbus, Ohio Navy Week

19 Aug - Class of 2027 Commitment Lunch

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 - A&SP/NAAA Trustee Appreciation Pre-Game Breakfast – Navy vs. VMI

30 Aug - Navy vs VMI, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD - 12 p.m.

 

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

19 Sep - USNI Dudley Knox Achievement Award Reception

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

1-22 Oct - Class of '75 Gulf to Goat Charity Bike Ride

2 Oct - President Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - President Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 2015 10th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1995 30th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 35th Reunion

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

9-16 Oct - Celebrating The Navy and Marine Corps' 250th Anniversary - Philadelphia

10 Oct - USNA Founder's Day - 180th Birthday of the Naval Academy

10 Oct - Army-Navy Cup XIV - Soccer doubleheader vs Army at Subaru Park, Philadelphia. Women's Match - 4 p.m., Men's Match at 7 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 2005 20th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 50th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 60th Reunion

24 Oct - Anchors Aweigh Open - Alumni Golf Tournament - Naval Academy Golf Course

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 Oct - Eugene, Oregon Navy Week

26 Oct - USMC Marathon w/ Run to Honor SIG participating and presenting the Penguin Award to final finisher

 

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) - 6:30pm - Register

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