Nov 11 Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 11 November 2025

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic '11. Otterson Wealth Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It's a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic '11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate, is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise.

1918 - The cease-fire ending World War I goes into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Armistice Day is now a holiday that honors those who have served in all the nation's wars, and is now known as Veterans Day.

1950 - 1LT Chester Penney, Jr. '46, USMCR was killed in action while leading an assault in Korea.A native of Long Beach, California, the author of his Lucky Bag biography was convinced that “the Fleet and nation will be well served when he gets his dolphins and joins the submarine forces in action.” He did not become a submariner, and instead commissioned into the Marine Corps. He left the regular Marines sometime after 1947; it's unclear when he rejoined active duty. He was a platoon leader in the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines; Chester was almost certainly with the battalion when it landed at Inchon in September 1950. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions in the 11 days before his death: “Coordinating and leading his platoon with superb skill until he was fatally struck down by a bursting hostile grenade, First Lieutenant Penney, by his aggressive leadership, valiant fighting spirit and grim determination, was directly instrumental in neutralizing the enemy force and in enabling his company to continue its advance. His fortitude and unrelenting devotion to duty throughout this period of intensive combat action served as a constant inspiration to all who observed him and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.” He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and parents.

 

1966 - Gemini XII, the last flight of Project Gemini, includes 59 orbits, a spacewalk, and practice docking with an Agena space vehicle. The astronauts are Commander, CAPT James A. Lovell, Jr. '52, USN (Ret.) and Lieutenant Colonel Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., USAF. (11-15 November)

Academy & Graduate happenings

Season six, episode 12. We've reached mid-November, and there's plenty happening at the Alumni Association & Foundation. Our team got on the road this past weekend for the Notre Dame game…meeting with the Chapters and Parents Clubs in Chicago and in and around South Bend. The game didn't end the way we wanted, but it was great connecting with our audiences. Back here at home, we honored Chet Gladchuk at our Foundation Board of Directors meeting with SecNav awarding Chet the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award. We also welcomed the Class of 1980 for their 45th reunion. 2021 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipient Janie Mines '80 and Class President Tony Verducci '80 join the pod to chat about the reunion and the togetherness the men and women experienced as the “first co-ed class at USNA.” Chris and John also chat about a busy week ahead…Veterans Day, the Fall A&SP meeting and our annual Honor our Fallen Heroes event and the last home game of the year vs. South Florida…a team new AD Michael Kelly might know a little about. That and more on the very best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army...always.

Be part of today's 28th annual Military Women's Memorial Veterans Day ceremony at 3:00 p.m. ET at the Military Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The event is free and open to the public, and we'll be capturing highlights at the event as they happen. Follow @USNAAlumni on Facebook and Instagram for live coverage and exclusive content from the ceremony.

RDML Alma Mei Oi Lau Grocki '81, USNR (Ret.) graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981. She was also the first woman from Hawaiʻi to graduate from the Academy. She was a member of only the 2nd co-ed class. Grocki is featured in a one-hour PBS special, “Salute to Service,” honoring our nation's veterans, which aired 10 November. She shared that she joined JROTC in high school to boost her grade point average at Punahou School. She said that her father worked at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as well, but she added that she never had dreams of being in the military. "I got a look at the shipyard and all these guys walking around, and they were experts in what they did, and they knew how to fix the ships and these submarines. And it was so amazing to me. But still, you know, no real thinking about being in the military," she said.

Government & Military News

Join the U.S. Navy Memorial in honoring our nation's veterans with a special Veterans Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony. The ceremony will be live streamed so you can honor, recognize, and celebrate their service from wherever you are.

When: Today, 11 November 2025

Time: 1:00-1:30 p.m. ET

Where: Navy Memorial (Livestream available)

Netflix recently announced MARINES, a new four-part documentary series offering an unprecedented inside look at the United States Marine Corps. Produced by Lucky 8 TV and Amblin Entertainment, and distributed by Netflix, the series premiered yesterday, 10 November 2025—coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps' founding on 10 November 1775. Directed by Chelsea Yarnell, known for her work producing Cheer and America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, MARINES follows several members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during a deployment across the Indo-Pacific. The series immerses viewers in the intensity, camaraderie and personal sacrifice of Marines as they undergo training and live aboard the USS America (LHA-6) and USS Green Bay (LPD-20), all while navigating the high-stakes region where the United States faces strategic challenges.

A Senate package was approved to end the government shutdown and fund federal agencies through January 2026 with key military construction and veterans legislation attached. For the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps this preserves short-term operational stability and avoids immediate readiness disruption. Next the measure heads to the House of Representatives for final passage before proceeding to the President's desk.

Local, Education & other academy news

We are coming up short for wreaths this year—about 700 shy of the 2,900 needed. If you can spare the change, please help. Each wreath is $17.00, and by using the website below, for every three wreaths you purchase, the Academy will receive a fourth for free. You do not need to do anything extra; it is automatic. Please ensure the website includes “MD0011” at the end. You can get to the website by using the QR code above. Every donation, no matter the size, directly honors the fallen at USNA.

 

One can also write a check (please include MD0011 in the memo line) and mail it to:

Wreaths Across America

PO Box 249

Columbia Falls, ME 04623

 

Please join us in ensuring that no hero buried at the USNA Cemetery goes unremembered—your generosity helps keep this important tradition alive. If you would like to participate in the ceremony and laying of the remembrance wreaths, it will take place on Friday, 12 December 2025. The ceremony and remarks will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Service members, veterans and their families know that Veterans Day means much more than a discount or deal at their local eatery or store. Still, a number of businesses want to show their appreciation for those who serve or have served, so check out the deals below that honor your service. Our annual list of verified Veterans Day deals is here to help you navigate offers from restaurants, retail establishments and other businesses. If you plan wisely, you could fortify yourself with free breakfast, lunch and dinner while you head to stores with a trove of in-person and online markdowns.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Before he became the exceptional quarterback who has led Navy's football resurgence over the past two seasons with his share of dazzling performances, senior Blake Horvath suffered a devastating setback. Or, as the analytical Horvath clarified, he took an opportunity thrust upon him and embraced it. Back on October 7, 2023, Horvath, then a sophomore making his first collegiate start, absorbed a nasty hit late in the second quarter of an eventual, 27-24 victory over visiting North Texas. And just like that, Horvath, playing in his fourth career game and one of four signal callers who lined up behind center during Navy's 5-7 year, was done for the season.

Today's Matchups:

Men's Basketball at PSU University Park - University Park, Pa. - 6:30 p.m.

 

Army - Navy Star Series: Army leads 4-2-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Women's outdoor. Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country. Tie - Women's Soccer)

 

6 Dec - M. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - Noon

6 Dec - W. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - Noon

13 Dec - Football - Baltimore, Md. - 3:00 p.m.

7 Feb - Rifle - West Point - 9:00 a.m.

7 Feb - Gymnastics - Annapolis - 2:00 p.m.

7 Feb - M. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

7 Feb - W. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

20 Feb - Wrestling - Annapolis - 7:30 p.m. - Alumni Hall

21 Feb - W. Basketball - West Point - TBA

21 Feb - M. Basketball - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - M. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

TBA - Baseball - Annapolis

TBA - M. Lacrosse - West Point

TBA - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis

TBA - M. Tennis - Annapolis

TBA - W. Tennis - Annapolis

USNA and AA&F Events

10 Nov - Marine Corps Birthday

10 Nov - Pensacola Congressional Academy Day - Naval Aviation Museum - Pensacola, FL

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

12 Nov - GSMC Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5-6 p.m. - 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: Meet - toh-nvgs-yvn

14 Nov - Run to Honor's annual pre-Honor Our Fallen Heroes Gathering (FAC) - 6:30 p.m. - Register

14 Nov - U.S. Naval Academy Athletic & Scholarship Program Fall Meeting, NMCMS

15 Nov - Navy vs University of South Florida, NMCMS

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes ceremony, USNA Chapel - 9 a.m.

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes tailgate luncheon, NMCMS - 10 a.m.

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents Fall meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

18-19 Nov - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Fall Meeting, FAC

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

20 Nov - Naval Academy Service Assignment Notification

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

 

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

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

10 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. - 5-6 p.m. - Brudergarten, 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Online event: https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

12 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter - 8:30-10 a.m. - Taphouse, 1637 23418 Three Notch Rd, California, MD 20619, USA

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

 

4 Jan - USNA Semester Leave ends

6 Jan - USNA Classes Begin, Spring Semester

10 Jan - Pensacola Chapter Congressional Academy Day - 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Fl.

24 Jan - Thriving as Leaders Award Recognition, Fluegel (TBD)

 

14 Feb - Commissioning 101, Fluegel

19 Feb - USNA Entrepreneurs event, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Fluegel