Commissioning Week, chock full of activities, parties, pomp and circumstance, is marked by its official concluding event - commissioning itself, and even that has a final moment - the storied hat toss. But that long awaited week is not marked by an official kick-off event, unless you are a member of a Parents' Club, that, like ours, hosts a Firstie Brunch. As with all of our Club's gatherings, this one also involved food, fun, friends, and it was so much more. There was the inclusion of family members, the presentation of gifts to our almost commissioned 2007 Mids, the farewell remarks by Club officers to all, the private exchanges of farewells and congratulations, and, of course, picture-taking and more picture-taking. All of this added up to a sweet send-off for a group of people who have shared so much over the past 4 years. Now, that's an official kick-off event!

The Officers' Club on the Yard was the perfect venue to celebrate our soon-to-be officers. The surroundings had just the right combination of coziness and formality. Family and friends dressed up to complement the dress whites of the Firsties, and at the same time, all were cheerful and relaxed. Outside, as everyone was arriving, parents, friends, and family members handed off their cameras to each other for photo ops with their own Firsties. All eagerly exchanged stories of the trip down to Annapolis, the housing accommodations and parties they had arranged for the week, as well as plans and suggestions for attending the myriad of events USNA had scheduled for the week. Before entering the Officers' Club for the Brunch, all the Firsties graciously agreed to pose for a group picture as most of the guests snapped away. Doug took the "official" photo, which will be mailed to each Firstie Family to off-set the group Welcome Aboard picture that each was given as part of his or her gift. That gift also included a beautiful Chelsea Button Clock personalized for each Firstie with the engraving of his or her name followed by USNA '07.

Once inside, Cheryl and Doug officially welcomed all, and lead everyone in the "Pledge of Allegiance", after which co-chair of the event Doug Yoffe offered a heart felt invocation of gratitude for the accomplishments of these special young men and women and of hope for their future. This was followed by a delicious, varied, and beautifully presented buffet.

As the dining was drawing to a close, Cheryl and Doug again drew everyone's attention to introduce Doug Yoffe's co-chair, his lovely wife Patty, so that she could present the Firsties with their gifts. She began with congratulations to the Firsties and a request that, as each stepped forward to receive the gift, he or she consider offering a brief reflection about the 4 years past and the years to come. Each and every one accepted the invitation. Their comments included humor, gratitude, praise, joy, nostalgia, and everything in between, and all in attendance loved every minute of it.

Mark Engdahl, Treasurer for 2006-2007, was invited by Cheryl and Doug to make the farewell remarks, which he did with aplomb. His comments, too, were full of tender pride and joyous hope for all our Firsties. Finally, Cheryl and Doug offered praise and best wishes to the Firsties and their families, as well as their kudos to all in the Club for making their Presidency a success, concluding with their final goodbyes as Presidents, but not as Club members.

How fitting that a group of people who started this 4 year USNA roller coaster ride at a Club event called Welcome Aboard should share the poignant joy of its impending conclusion also at a Club event called Firstie Brunch. Welcome Aboard to Firstie Brunch - food, fun, friends, family, welcoming remarks, farewell remarks, interpersonal exchanges, picture-taking and more picture-taking - bookends to a remarkable journey, and, for some, hopefully all, of us, passports to a shared future. Fair winds and following seas to all Ensigns and 2nd LTs and their families and friends of the Class of 2007.

Click this link for the photo album from this event!