The United States Naval Academy

Yesterday I had the honor of going on board the US Naval Academy and taking a tour. I had to park on the street off-base (with a two hour time limit, no less! Yikes!), but it wasn't a long walk to the Visitors' Center.

My timing happened to be spot on, and I was able to join up with a tour which had just started. Our guide was a lady who had been a Naval Officer herself (along with her husband, and I believe that one of her two sons had just been sworn in as a plebe last week), and she was very knowledgeable and informative.

The tour took about an hour and a half, and it was well worth  the $8 I paid. It also made me realize - dimly - that for all my assumptions on how hard the Academy is, in reality it's even harder than I thought. These young men and women are busy all day long, every day is packed full of learning, training, sports, and extracurricular activities (ECAs) to mould them into well-rounded leaders.

The Naval Academy is really something which cannot be adequately described (certainly not with the impressions from the two hours I spend on board), and so I'll post pictures with brief descriptions and not try to play tour guide.

Before I begin, however, I would like to remind you of one of the Academy's distinguished graduates, Robert A. Heinlein.

Heinlein was the first-ever recipient of the Grand Master Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 1974. He was considered one of the giants of early science fiction; his influence on the genre continues to this day.

Heinlein graduated from the Academy in 1929, and only served for five years, when he was discharged due to pulmonary tuberculosis. His Academy and Navy years shaped him, however, and he remained a strong patriot all his life. 

In 1988, Heinlein died, but if he had lived, this Friday, 07 July, 2007, would have been his 100th birthday.

OK... On to the pictures!

 

Ah, the eternal rivalry...!

Dahlgren Hall, which was originally the armory. Now it's a temporary dining hall while the main facilities are being refurbished.

Bancroft Hall, with Tecumseh Court in front. The plebes are sworn in in the Court, and the Brigade musters there to march into meals.

Inside Bancroft Hall, looking up to the entrance of Memorial Hall.

Memorial Hall enshrines the names of men and women of the Academy who have given their lives in service to our country. Presiding over it is the flag from Oliver Hazard Perry's ship, the USS Lawrence. Perry's friend, Capt. James Lawrence spoke these words again and again as he lay dying on the deck of the Chesapeake:

During the War of 1812, Lawrence commanded the U.S.S. Hornet, which captured the H.M.S. Peacock, and was promoted to Captain as a result. On June 1, 1813, commanding a new and untrained crew on the 49-gun frigate U.S.S. Chesapeake off Boston, Lawrence accepted a challenge from Philip Bowes Vere Broke, captain of the 38-gun H.M.S. Shannon. Four years Lawrence's senior, Broke had commanded the Shannon for six years, and had the best trained crew in the Royal Navy.

In less than 15 minutes, Lawrence's crew was overwhelmed. Mortally wounded, Lawrence shouted, "Tell the men to fire faster and not to give up the ship; fight her till she sinks!" True to his words, every officer in the Chesapeake's chain of command fought until he was either killed or wounded. Even so, the battle was lost in under an hour, the Chesapeake was captured, and Lawrence died four days later, leaving his wife and a daughter.

In honor of Captain Lawrence, a group of women stitched the words "Don't Give Up The Ship" into a flag. The flag was presented to Oliver Hazard Perry, commander of the U.S.S. Lawrence - named for Captain Lawrence - in the summer of 1813. Perry went on to capture an entire squadron of British ships in the battle of Lake Erie, on September 13, though not before every officer on the Lawrence - except for Perry and his 13-year-old brother - was either killed or wounded.

Lawrence's words became the motto of the U.S. Navy, which has named numerous ships in his honor, and Perry's flag now hangs in a place of honor at the United States Naval Academy. Copies may be seen at other Navy installations and, of course, in Burlington. Far less well known is Lawrence's last command to his crew - "Burn her!"

Beautiful, meaningful and noble traditions are built upon this kind of fire, courage and dedication.

The Naval Academy Chapel - imposing but not threatening, displaying a firm and anchored faith in God.

On each side of the main aisle are four beautiful Tiffany stained glass windows. On the right, they depict nautical verses from the Old Testament, and on the left side, verses from the New Testament.

This is a view looking back. Up top is a votive ship, hanging above a statue of Christ. The pedestal is inscribed with the words, "Come unto Me."

Finally at the front of the Chapel is this window (also Tiffany) of Christ walking on the water. Above it is a large plaque with the opening words of the Navy Hymn "Eternal Father Strong to Save"

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.

Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Amen.

Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro' space,
Thro wind and storm, thro' sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.

Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air! Amen.

Oh Trinity of love and pow'r,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e'er they go.

Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.

Indeed. And Father, I thank You for the men and women who have stepper forward to serve their country. I ask Your blessing on their lives: give them courage and strength, lead them in honor and duty, cleanse and enlighten their hearts and minds, and protect them by Your almighty power.

Technorati Tags: Naval Academy, Eternal Father, chapel, Annapolis, Navy, Tiffany windows, Bancroft Hall, Dahlgren Hall

Comments

[Mom]

1.

You are just incredible. Your whole site is great. Keep it on for awhile. I will try to get Daddy in here to read it or i will read it to him. I never did know about the the Tiffany windows at the Naval Academy xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mom