United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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THE LOG BOOK OF THE GRADUATING CLASS UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY KINGS POINT, NEW YORK

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who • • • What is Kings Point? The Academy? Why is it here? What purpose has it served, or does it serve, and what will the purpose evolve to, even in the very near future? The Academy of course is an institution, for what it’s worth, made up of buildings and paths; and fixtures, all with a past and a present and hopefully with a future. People make up an institute, many types of people. The instruc- tors are the obvious ones, and they are backed by the often recognized and honored administrators (another type of people). The people who cut the grass, rake the leaves, cut down the trees and occasionally clean up the build- ings is still another kind of people. These people are often given credit for things they are not responsible for and things they have not done. Then there are the people who operate quite successfully the services end of our institu- tion, such as the Canteen and hospital. Recognition of these individuals is pri- marily in private conversations, but nevertheless, they are given credit for their accomplishments. Who’s left? Well, the gate guards, Whiley Hall secretaries, and the fire chiefs. These groups are rated, recognized and thanked as part of the GS employee advancement pay scale based on length of services and other basic low pressure techniques. Now, is this an institution? Yes it is, but what services does it perform? The purpose of this institution is to provide capable men in the Maritime industry. That is the idea of the past, present and future, though, not as specific as some people would like it read. To perform this service, there is one other type of people needed: Students, or Midshipmen. If there were no Midshipmen, then this institution would probably only last a couple of years. The force that has caused this institution to be maintained in its steady state for all these years is probably mostly from Graduates and their accomplishments. So why not recognize the student element here; the Midshipmen. They forced most of the changes here and these only very recently. Graduates have proved the value of this institution. The all important element in this institution is the Mid- shipmen and the graduates. Midshipmen here, who fight the everyday urge to storm Whiley Hall, and undercover fight for improvement; and those who will come carrying their idealistic visions of what is to be, they keep this institution open and build its name. These are the people who deserve the greatest recognition, those who not because of, but in spite of all unnatural forces against them, fight their way through and prove that it really is worthwhile, the institution, and the men who have become part of it. We the staff, now offer this meager attempt at a display of the United States Merchant Marine Academy as it is, to you, the Midshipman, the gradu- ate, as our recognition of you.