10 September Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2025

1945 - Midway (CVB-41), the first of the large aircraft carriers built reflecting wartime experience, is placed in commission. In terms of displacement, it is the largest warship built by the U.S. Navy to date.

 

1960 - Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) is commissioned, becoming the first “keel up” missile destroyer built for the U.S. Navy. It is the first of a class of 16 ships.

 

1961 - The cruiser Long Beach (CG [N]-9) is commissioned. It is the world's first nuclear-powered surface warship and the first warship armed entirely with missiles.

 

1989 - LCDR Edward Abel, Jr. '79, USN was lost when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Del Mar, California. He was the aviation safety officer aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5). A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, he was remembered by his commanding officer as a “very special man… who never hesitated to help take some of the burden of command onto his shoulders.” He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, his parents, and two brothers.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Season six, episode 5. A big weekend ended without too much incident ... unless 2 hour rain delays during a football game bother you. Football prevailed despite the lightning, the Class of 2000 showed out for an epic reunion weekend, and we honored four amazing Distinguished Graduates. Our featured interview is with our partner in podcasting, Grant Vermeer. Grant's Academy Insider pod is now in the "Fleet of Sing Second Podcasts." He joins us to talk about the critically important context and perspective he - and we - can bring to parents and all audience members about the experience at USNA today. We will work together through these audio medium to better inform you all about life in and around the Annapolis Battlespace. And we're damn happy to do it. We also chat about our favorite Tom Hanks movies. Hint - It's The Man with One Red Shoe in a runaway. Give the best Alumni Association & Foundation flagship pod a listen. Beat Army. Sing Second!

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U.S. Naval aviation is rebuilding its decks. In a rollicking conversation, former Director of Air Warfare, Nimitz skipper, and current Tailhook Association chairman RADM Mike “Nasty” Manazir '81 gets into the details on F/A-XX, F-35, MQ-25, and the whole future of Naval aviation. It's fun and deeply informative. Powered by GE!

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Nestled in the Pacific Ocean—at the confluence of three ocean currents—the Galapagos Islands are a haven for explorers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a profound connection with the natural world. Join us on a transformative expedition voyage through these enchanting islands to celebrate life's diversity and to witness firsthand the stunning display of nature's endless wonders.

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Government & Military News

This Thursday, 60 Veterans Affairs cemeteries will hold volunteer events as part of Patriot Day, welcoming all who want to honor the fallen from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by helping restore and beautify the burial places of the nation's veterans and loved ones. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 47 former service members and dependents who died as a result of the attacks are buried or memorialized in national cemeteries, most notably at the Calverton and Long Island National Cemeteries in New York. The day is meant to honor those fallen, but also the service members, veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders who served on 9/11 as well as those who have given their lives for their country since.

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The Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Guam, Aug. 24. Cmdr. Jordan White '08 relieved Cmdr. Ronald Jenkins as commanding officer of Higgins during the change of command ceremony. “I am incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to command and lead an amazing ship and crew,” said White. Cmdr. White graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2008 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Systems Engineering. He also holds a Master's of Science Degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

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Local, Education & other academy news

The National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region of the American Red Cross invites community members to become heroes by donating blood at the 16th Wendi Winters Blood Drive on Sept. 13, 2025. This special event honors the memory of Wendi Winters (a daughter of a USNA alum and a mother of a USNA alum) , a dedicated Red Cross blood drive volunteer and journalist, who lost her life, along with four others, in the Capital Gazette workplace shooting on June 28, 2018. In about an hour, you can be a hero to people in your town and across the country. Wendi Winters dedicated much of her life to serving those who needed help as a church youth adviser, a Girl Scout troop leader and a Red Cross volunteer. Her heroic actions in the 2018 shooting saved the lives of several colleagues, and since her passing, over 2,600 units of blood have been donated in her honor.Join us at this special blood drive on Sept. 13, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 173 Jennifer Road Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Eligible donors can schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering the sponsor code ForWendi.

The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel restoration project is getting more expensive with yet another delay, now targeting November 2028 as the completion date. Last month, the Department of Defense (DoD) awarded another $88 million contract to construction firm J.E. Dunn for chapel restoration work, which bumped the estimated total cost up 36% from $247 million to $335 million. The ballooning price is approaching almost half of what was spent to restore the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a 2019 fire, but that project was completed in about half the time. The cadet chapel closed its doors in October 2019 as the intensive restoration process began, which was initially expected to cost about $158 million. Since then, the project has been delayed for years with rising costs attributed to an extensive discovery of asbestos.

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Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Women's Golf at Folds of Honor Collegiate - Grand Haven, MI

Men's Golf at Folds of Honor Collegiate - Grand Haven, MI

Men's Soccer at George Washington - Washington, D.C. - 3 p.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

SEPTEMBER

10 Sep - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5-6 p.m. @ 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: https://meet.goto.com/326914317

11 Sep - Be Somebody's Hero Golf Tourney - Norfolk VA - hosted by USNA AA Hampton Roads Chapter

11 Sep - OKC Chapter + NAPC of Oklahoma Roadshow - 5:30- 7:30 p.m. - Jones Assembly - 901 W Sheridan Ave, OKC

12 Sep - Tulsa Chapter Event & Roadshow - 6 p.m. - Marshall's Brewery - 1742 E 6th Street, Tulsa

13 Sep - Navy Football vs Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

14 Sep - Annapolis Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

18 Sep - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Happy Hour - 4-6 p.m. @ Tap House, Three Notch Rd California, MD 20619

18 Sep - 20th Anniversary of the opening of the Uriah P. Levy Center at USNA

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

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

19 Sep - USNI Dudley Knox Achievement Award Reception

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

26 Sep - Class of 2020 Happy Hour - Fluegel Alumni Center

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

3 Oct - 2025 Navy Rugby Alumni Association's 10th Annual "With You" Dinner and HOF Induction

4 Oct - 1958/2008 tailgate for 50 for 50 celebration - Open invitation to A/F and USNA grads and mids to celebrate 50 Years of women - 10 a.m.

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

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

30 Oct - Austin Chapter roadshow - 5:30 p.m. - Fast Friends Beer Co, Austin

31 Oct - North Texas Chapter + NAPC of North Texas Roadshow - 4:30 p.m. - Bitter Sisters Brewing Co, Addison

 

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) - 6:30 p.m. - 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 Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

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

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

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