United States Naval Academy - Lucky Bag Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

Page 9 text:

unc Week ' Falls y The Wayside NAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - her tradition has gone by cards at the U.S. Naval demy. No longer will the uation parades, parties ceremonies be known as Week. e new title announced by eniy officials Monday is missioning Week, e reason for the name ii ' je was simple. Because he revised academic ulc put into effect this c|i-, classes now end in May, June Week falls in May not in June. ear Adm. William P. La- nce, superintendent of the demy, said Monday that new title places proper phasis on the single pur- of this institution — to duate and commission fessional officers in the al service.

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In itself, the Naval Academy has acquired many traditions and customs in its 134 years, which pro- vide the color and enthusiasm we have come to know. Who knows why, when the Brigade used to ride the trains to the Army-Navy game, they pulled the window shades down each time they passed through Baltimore? Or how and when did it become a midshipman ' s duty to collect a kiss from the person who would don their cap? Mysteries such as these might just remain as such forever. Though it did not mean the loss a traditional event, changing the title of June Week to Commis- sioning Week was indeed necessary, due to the shifted academic year which now ends in May. And on the subject of Commissioning Week, what about the traditional Color Parade and Color Girl? Both the Color Parade and Girl were established in 1871 to increase the midshipmen competency in drill, by Captain Samuel P. Carter, then the Commandant of Midshipmen. On the day of the parade, the midshipmen would drill before a group of judges who selected the best comp any, and then the Color Girl would present the award. The first such winner was C company and the first Color Girl was Grace Worden, daughter of RADM John L. Worden, who was then the Superintendent.

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mmmmm mmmm k j miezjoj my. is 45 Zhe government, in affording you and opportunity of aequiring an education so important to the aecomplisliment of a J aval Offieer. lias bestowed on you all an inealeulable benefit. But few. if any. men in service, have had the advantage that you are about to receive. Commander Buchanan. Oct 10. IS45 ■0glf The heritage of the Naval Academy rests not so much on the traditions which abide within its walls, but in those men who have gone forth to become leaders in all aspects of our country ' s endeavors. These persons, by their dedication and perseverence, bring a great credit to this institution. For of what use is this Academy if the graduates it produces do not rise to the top of the ladder, or strive to obtain such a goal. To prepare midshipmen morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the Naval Ser- vice, such is the mission of the Naval Academy. A corollary to this mission has proven to be that Naval Academy graduates will assume a leadership role in the civilian world when they retire from active duty. Neither statement mentions that they must be male or female, black or white, but that they will assume a leadership role, and be professional in every aspect. The issue is not that the Class of 1979 is all male, or that the Class of 1980 is the first to graduate women, but that as the Navy and the Nation change, the Naval Academy too must alter itself to meet the needs of both. True, the traditional all male class will be no more, but traditional Naval Academy graduates will still be heading to the fleet. h pi ifip ;