Commissioning Week Part 8

Saturday, May 23rd

Since this was more-or-less a free day before going home, we had time to visit a war memorial just across the Severn from the Academy. This is Maryland's WWII memorial, and I think it might have been the inspiration for the one built more recently in Washington DC.


The black plaques are engraved with the names of Marylanders who died in the war

There are many plaques placed around the circle that tell the story of the war and its many theaters

It too has an Atlantic side and a Pacific side

This beautiful star is easy to spot when crossing the Naval Academy Bridge

Then we had a little time to go back to downtown Annapolis and pick up a couple things we had been thinking of buying. The first is a painting of Bancroft Hall, specifically the first wing, which was where Ben lived most of the time at the Academy

The second is a pastel of the famous tossing of their old "covers"

This is the most important thing Ben received while at the Academy!

For additional coverage of the graduation try this link: http://pentagondl.feedroom.com/ I don't know how long that will be available. Note that the icon for USNA's graduation has Ben in the picture! At minute 46:08, you can see Ben taking the oath, and at 51:10 you see him get his diploma.

There is also a nice article about a few of the Academy grads and Ben was interviewed: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=54480 There is a picture of him at the bottom of the article.

Here is a nice photo essay of graduation: http://www.defenselink.mil/photoessays/photoessaySS.aspx?id=1234

Ben was commissioned as a Navy Pilot, which means he'll spend two years in Pensacola, Florida learning how to fly F-18s or something even newer. Before that though, he'll be spending two years studying for masters degrees in the United Kingdom as a Marshall Scholar. Guess we'll go visit him if we have to!!

GO NAVY!

BEAT ARMY!

Commissioning Week Part 7.5

Still Friday - The Party!

Here are some pictures with various friends and USNA people who came by to celebrate:

Ben with Don Nelson & his wife

Capt. Klunder is the Commandant of Midshipmen


Here he is with his wife, 2 of his kids, and Ben

Ben had a great sponsor family: The Goodriches. Here he is with Mom Laura and the three kids Christine, Caitlin and Patrick

Peter with Patrick and Caitlin

This is Sam Kim, the Brigade Commander that Ben served with last fall

Here is Will Chua and his family all the way from Singapore!

Jessica sits on the new motorcycle, while Eric, Pat, Eric and Tom look on

Beer Pong!

Sprite Pong?



Ben & Caitlin - winners! Patrick & Pete - gracious losers!

Commissioning Week Part 7

Friday, May 22nd - THE BIG DAY!

Here we have Will Chua, Brandon Bocian, and Ben ready to walk over to the stadium. Plus, it was Brandon's "Golden Birthday." What a present !

Brought my ticket, but had to head back to the house for Ben's new cover (hat) and shoulder boards!

After everyone had processed in, and President Obama had arrived, the Blue Angels flew over at precisely 10:04 (so cool!) [this is an actual video - press the > button in the lower left corner]

We looked for Ben on the Jumbotron - here he is chatting with Maggie

Here he is receiving his diploma from Obama...

...and here he is celebrating!

Now they can relax while the rest of the 900+ names are read!

Say good-bye to your old covers, Mids!

Now you're an ensign!!

Ben's first salute was to a Plebe, but then to his friend Master Chief Clark. Then Ben gave him a silver dollar, a USNA tradition.

Here is Ensign Ben Zintak with his best friend 2nd Lieutenant Chuck Smith. They are currently seeing the USA on their new motorcycles!

Here's is a pic of the 3 of us. Pete's up in the crowd with Jessica, George, Donna, Mom Z, and Timmy behind us.

Commissioning Week Part 6

Thursday, May 21st - Today was a day of ceremonies, starting off with the Karel Montor Leadership Award, which 10 deserving Mids received, including Ben. They received an assortment of books dealing with leadership.

Then it was time for the last Dress Parade of Ben's academy career. They are always fun to watch, but I doubt they are all that much fun to march in. Ken and I had seats in the canopy area. The others got to see the Bridgade marching to Worden Field, and were much closer to Ben than we were!

Last fall Ben was in the Wedge of Brigade Officers.

There was also an awards ceremony in the afternoon at Alumni Hall. We were too far away to get any good pictures. The stage was full of Mids receiving all sorts of awards. Some received swords as prizes. Ben got a pair of binoculars. His award was from the National Woman's Relief Corps (http://suvcw.org/WRC/ourpurpose.htm) and was presented by Beverly Bond, the national press correspondent of the organization. There was a reception afterward where we were able to meet her and get a photo of her with Ben. She was very excited to be visiting the Academy for the first time!

Then it was time to have a celebratory dinner. Ben's friends from Illinois - Tom, Eric I, Eric R, and Pat - had driven in that day, and Jessica had flown up from Florida. We had a great meal at Yellowfin, a fine restaurant with a beautiful view of the waterfront.

Ben and Ken

Ken and me

Mom Z, George, Donna

GeeGee and Timmy

Peter, Eric I, Pat and Eric R

Tom, Jessica and Ben