There are times in your life when you don’t want any attention. You want to just keep your head down and your nose clean. Plebe summer at the United States Naval Academy was one such time in my life. If I could have been invisible that would have been ideal because attention meant correction, some form of humiliation and demerits. It was bad enough being a woman in the earliest years of integration at USNA. Attention…
6 CommentsCategory: Navy
Visiting my 88-year-old mother is part of my weekly rhythm. I don’t know what she’ll remember about dad or our long history together. That is no longer distressing as it makes for good improv. Whatever my mother says I can say, “Yes and… “ and run with it. There is one string of thought, however, that can be relied on. That happens when my mother remembers the house, her house now my house. It is…
Leave a CommentMy father was a part of the greatest generation. He served in the United States Navy. His father also served in the Navy during both WW1 and WW2 and I am sure that was a great influence on my dad’s decision to enter the United States Naval Academy in June 1938. When my father entered at the age of 17 he already knew he was graduating in 3 ½ years. The training at the Naval…
Leave a CommentWhen I was in junior high, I sang in a church choir. I wouldn’t say I had a great voice but Fr. Gaffney always did say I had chutzpah! During my years at the Naval Academy that singing chutzpah translated into a walk on audition to land the lead role as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof my senior year. I think it was more chutzpah then singing for my solo ability that got me…
Leave a Comment
Marching is just part of the learning to move together military culture – no matter the service. Part of the order and power of unity in drill movements is to order the ranks from tallest to shortest. And within that division, senior to junior in rank. When women were accepted to the military academies, it meant for the most part we were marching at the very back of the line. Everyone starts at the most…
Leave a Comment
Competitive Swimming has been a part of my life since childhood. I can understand why my mother selected it for our family. She could get all the kids to one practice, at one time, all in one place with other adults yelling at us to keep going for two whole hours. What’s not for a mother to love? Swimming gave me many benefits. I made some great friends who were really focused. The long time…
2 Comments