A message from a BGO

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>2 nights back my daughter was presented her Appointment in a formal manner at her high school awards presentation - by her BGO. This guy has been amazing. His enthusiasm, his support, his confidence for the success of our daughter has really inspired me.</p>

<p>Yesterday in the mail, the BGO sent the following letter. I thought it was so good that all of you on this forum should read his thoughts. If you want the additional 5 pages of comments from the article he is referring to, please send an email to <a href="mailto:commcfm@cox.net">commcfm@cox.net</a> and title it : For Diane Peske.</p>

<p>Here are his comments:</p>

<hr>

<p>If you have not already seen this, it is well worth the read as you begin to put High School behind you, and assume your role as guardians of the "Republic," which still clearly defines "The last best hope for mankind." </p>

<p>By volunteering to step up to the plate and go in harms way, you have opted to become one of the noble few who are willing to be "sheepdogs." Your success or failure in the struggle that will likely define your adult lives, will determine whether this small lifeboat in the cosmos we call home, will have a future based on freedom, hope, and individual human dignity, or one defined by tyranny, subjugation, and servitude. </p>

<p>The road you have chosen will not be easy, and like all those who have gone before will require great sacrifice. That is why I have told you from the outset that I am not a salesman for the Naval Academy. A choice such as the one you have made, needs to be first and foremost of your own design, so that you can fully embrace it even if you are not yet in a position to comprehend it's complete significance.</p>

<p>As you have probably already figured out the path you have chosen also comes with some very solemn obligations. You will certainly have to shepard the flock, even though some of them will never appreciate nor fully understand the reason for your presence, and the fact that their very existence is dependent on your success. On occasion, in their collective ambivalence, they may even subject you to some ridicule or disdain. Pay it no attention, for it is borne largely of ignorance and a life defined far more by material success and an overabundance of comfort, rather than the pursuit of making any significant contribution to their fellow human beings. </p>

<p>If the time ever comes when you question the valor of your choice based on what you observe in the world around you, please remember that what you are really safeguarding is no more than a simple but magnificent idea laid down in the two finest documents ever produced; The Declaration of Independence, and The Constitution of the United States. It is to those documents and the nation they define, that your loyalty, fidelity, and allegiance truly lie, and that you must "protect and defend," against all who would do them harm. If you can do that, and I have every confidence that you will, you will have helped ensure a future worthy of your heritage for those "sheep and sheepdogs" not yet born. Hopefully that will rightly be the source of much pride and contentment when the time comes many years from now to reflect on a life well lived.</p>

<p>Again congratulations on all your well deserved recognition and accomplishments to date. Looking forward to the many great things to come...
Warm regards,</p>

2

<p>Wish I could write that well.....</p>

<p>So I'll just cut and paste:</p>

<p>"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell </p>

<p>I, for one, thank the next generation of warriors who are stepping up to do their part. :)</p>

<p>
[quote]
On occasion, in their collective ambivalence, they may even subject you to some ridicule or disdain. Pay it no attention, for it is borne largely of ignorance and a life defined far more by material success and an overabundance of comfort, rather than the pursuit of making any significant contribution to their fellow human beings.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Are certain clueless trolls who lurk in this forum paying attention? :D</p>

3

<p>Last week was prom. My daughter and I were at another parent's home for the typical 'photo op' moment. People were commenting how beautiful everyone looked and I whispered to one mom, a long time friend of mine, "soon that long hair will be all gone" - talking about Janell's waist length hair. The mom's 3 older daughters were next to her and the mom turned to her daughters and proudly, loudly, announced : "Janell has an appointment to the Naval Academy!" </p>

<p>These girls were all honors students at our high school. They are either at a local jr. college or Christian college...they are the sweetest, kindest, nicest girls you'd ever meet.</p>

<p>This is what one of them said, with a truly quizzical look on her face: </p>

<p>"What's that?"</p>

<p>Janell and I chose to let the moment pass. It was never my intention to focus on that in the midst of prom photos anyway, but part of me just wanted to scream: Heck! We've sweat BLOOD to get to this achievement! Janell has worked 1000's of school hours, volunteer hours, sports hours and has achieved a goal many others will never achieve! And you have NO IDEA, you preciously lucky young lady how many other Janell's are doing what they will be doing for your innocence.</p>

<p>It was a wonderful reminder of what lies ahead for us and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces. Our democracy's survival depends on the military, but the reason we have such an amazing democracy is because that military is so self-limiting and so unobstrusive to most of our lives. My thoughts of that moment are certainly not to convey any animosity towards those young ladies. I think they truly reflect an honest segment of our nation. It falls on those of us who do know, like our BGO like Zaphod, fergusonfire, imatnavy and others on this forum, both parents, candidates and mids to be the supporters of the sheepdogs of America.</p>

<p>I for one, say: Thank you, one and all!!!</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
"What's that?"

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Just give them that, "I know something you don't" grin. </p>

<p>Drives 'em NUTS! :D</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
"soon that long hair will be all gone"

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Hope she considers a donation to Locks of love- it will make the whole experience something to really be proud of! ;)</p>

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<p>navy2010....Yep, it's all planned
she did this in 8th grade, donating her hair to them
and will do so again.
But thanks for plugging that group for others.... :-)</p>

7

<p>peskemom,</p>

<p>LOL! Reminds me of some of the comments from people who don't know about the service academies.</p>

<p>"West Point? That's supposed to be a good college, isn't it?"
"West Point? So she wants to be in the Navy? Really?"
"West Point? Isn't that a military something?"
"West Point? No kidding! That's such a beautiful campus in the mountains."</p>

8

<p>You want a good letter from a BGO. "Congratulations on being accepted to USNA. I was just able to get the information from ________." Got that today. Got accepted March 29th. HA!!!!</p>

9

<p>I still get alot of those momoftwins. USMMA is the "ghost" academy. No one seems to know of it.....</p>

<ul>
<li>Congrats. So how long has your son wanted to be a marine? </li>
<li>There are five service academies? I thought there were two. </li>
<li>He's in a Navy uniform. I thought he was a merchant marine?</li>
<li>Weren't the Merchant Mariner's those bunch of hell raisers during WWII?</li>
<li>I've never heard of that place.</li>
<li>Wow. NY you say? Why didn't he just stay closer to home & go to school with his friends and have fun?
^ That last one made me almost fume at the lady who asked it. In my head, not aloud, the response was, "Because you silly wench, he wants to serve our country in the best way he knows how."
Outside of this place, you just don't see alot of knowledge on service academies. Not that I blame people. They just don't know because they haven't been exposed to it. It can sure try your patience though. :)</li>
</ul>

<p>Fergs, yikes. A little slow on the ball weren't they. Oh well. Keep it for the scrap book!</p>

10

<p>I got it from a mom today. She was going on about her 9yods wanting to go to AFA. Well, I laid out the process for her. Well, later, found out this child has a severe peanut allergy--the entire group couldn't eat lunch until they had left. I had to give her the bad news about DoDMERB. Her answer--well, that's okay, he can just focus on continuing his education! Hello, I don't think the AFA is just a airplane mechanics school...</p>

11

<p>
[quote]
Hello, I don't think the AFA is just a airplane mechanics school...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>LOL!</p>

<p>And to think..... That idiot VOTES!</p>

<p>ROFL!</p>

12

<p>Gotta love these people. Even here, in Navyland USA, we have people who say, "Naval Academy? Where is that?" Or, "what's the matter, she couldn't get into a real school?" Ouch!</p>

<p>My favorite was the mom who was asking me about the Health School; her daughter wants to be a doctor and doesn't want to mortgage her future for it. The mom was against the idea because she doesn't want her girl "supporting that illegal war in Iraq".</p>

<p>Some people I just want to smack upside the head!</p>

<p>On a positive note. Her counselor called USNA to find out the value of its education (for the Senior Awards night we just learned about) and was stunned to hear that they value it at $286,000.00.</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
Or, "what's the matter, she couldn't get into a real school?"

[/quote]
</p>

<p>:mad:</p>

<p>My response would have been far less than chivalrous. I'd have lit that idiot up!</p>

<p>
[quote]
My favorite was the mom who was asking me about the Health School; her daughter wants to be a doctor and doesn't want to mortgage her future for it.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Oh? So how does she plan on doing it, then? :rolleyes:</p>

<p>
[quote]
The mom was against the idea because she doesn't want her girl "supporting that illegal war in Iraq".

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Oh, man...... I would have launched. :mad:</p>

<p>WHAT THE BLOODY BLUE BLAZES DOES BECOMING A DOCTOR HAVE TO DO WITH THE DAMNED WAR IN IRAQ?</p>

<p>AAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>
[quote]
Some people I just want to smack upside the head!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>SHOOTING them would be better. A little bleach in the gene pool is always a good thing. </p>

<p>
[quote]
On a positive note. Her counselor called USNA to find out the value of its education (for the Senior Awards night we just learned about) and was stunned to hear that they value it at $286,000.00.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I can hear her mom now: "What a waste of taxpayer dollars to prepare yet another generation of baby-killing warmongers, when that money could be put to good use bringing doctors and clean water to the oppressed peoples of the world, who are all suffering at the hands of Halliburton!" :rolleyes:</p>

<p>Damned IDIOTS! :mad:</p>

<p>You know....... I don't remember getting a letter from my BGO.... :confused:</p>

14

<p>Oh man - $286,000.!!<br>
(Our High School Guidance Dept. is so lame, they probably didn't even add that to their totals for the school - since it's "free" you know!).</p>

15

<p>I've had some people actually says: "Oh, so you're going to one of those military disciplinary schools." Even when I tried to explain what USNA really was, most were just like "oh how nice." </p>

<p>My favorite was when I said I was going to USNA to one of those people described above. I could tell they were judging me (not that I care) but after I said Notre Dame was my second behind Navy, he actually said "Oh, so you're not that bad afterall." </p>

<p>I was speechless.</p>

16

<p>My BGO presented mine at school today at the school-wide assembly (all other scholarships were presented last night). Everyone was listening politely until she got to the approximate worth of $250,000 -- and there was a gasp. My father particularly liked retelling that story this evening -- I think he likes thinking of all the money he's "saving!"</p>

17

<p>i have to think my all time favorite response after saying where i'm going (USMA, not USNA, but still the same theme) is: oh, west point, well, you know you have to be in the military after that, right?</p>

<p>....OHHHH, so thats the idea behind that, i never realized, thank you!</p>

18

<p>"West Point? That's supposed to be a good college, isn't it?"
"West Point? So she wants to be in the Navy? Really?"
"West Point? Isn't that a military something?"
"West Point? No kidding! That's such a beautiful campus in the mountains"</p>

<p>Let me add to that:</p>

<p>Naval Academy-"don't you need, like, an 85 average for that?"
Naval Academy-"she's going to be a sailor?"
Naval Academy-"who do you know?"</p>

19

<p>The one I hear a lot is: "Oh I thought you wanted to go to like an Ivy League or a really hard to get into school..." Because you know, it's acceptance rate isn't the exact same.
Or another one: "Yea, I got an early acceptance there last year but I wanted to finish up high school."
Yea, I had an ex who definetly said that about Air Force. And I tried to explain to him that they don't just give 'eary acceptances' but he wouldn't hear it. Whatever lol.</p>

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<p>Ugh, my least/most favorite was the one my mom got from a parent at our all night senior party...someone congratulated my mom on my scholarship that the BGO presented, and this mom goes "Well, it's not like it's that hard to get into the Naval Academy. Can't you just PAY to get in anyway?"</p>

<p>Yeah right, lady. Keep dreaming.</p>