<p>We just heard the exciting news that President Obama will indeed be the commissioning speaker for the great class of 2009 at the United States Naval Academy! It’s such a great honor for the members of the graduating class and their guests to have the Commander-in-Chief personally award the graduates their commissions. We hoped and prayed for the President of the United States to be speaking this year; our dreams have come true!</p>
<p>Seems like the President rotates around the Service Academies every 4 years.</p>
<p>2005 - President Bush spoke at USNA
2006 - President Bush spoke at USMA (& USMMA - 1st President to ever do so)
2007 - President Bush spoke at USCGA
2008 - President Bush spoke at USAFA</p>
<p>2009 - President Obama will speak at USNA
2010 - " " probably USMA
2011 - " " probably USCGA
2012 - " " probably USAFA</p>
<p>and so on.</p>
<p>^^^You’re correct and we knew that pattern called for the President to speak at USNA this year. HOWEVER, Senator McCain and his family members will be in the audience this year because his son is a member of the great class of 2009, so we didn’t know if the President would be handing Ensign McCain his commission under the circumstances…</p>
<p>Thats really cool!</p>
<p>Dang, missed the president by one year… oh well.</p>
<p>Now that is an interesting piece of history…a son of a defeated presidential candidate being handed his diploma/commission by the winner of the election. Although I’m sure he would have rather received it from his father that will be a pretty neat occassion.</p>
<p>As a striper, mid daughter had to go back three times to whomever issues the swords to get the correct length of loaner sword. She doesn’t want a sword for commissioning, but is getting one anyway. I’m looking at the premium sword at the mid store. However, I understand NEX carries a Spanish sword and a German-made sword. Are other parents buying swords? Are you also buying the insignia box empty or with the insignia? It appears that full insignia box is a better deal.</p>
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<p>When I first read this I read too quick and thought it said “As a stripper, mid daughter.” I got a good laugh for a bit after I realized I can’t read.</p>
<p>And I believe I have read that typically the Vice President will speak at an academy the year after the President. </p>
<p>For example, Pres Bush spoke at USAFA last year and Vice Pres. Biden has been invited to speak this year. The Air Force Graduation website indicates they plan to invite the Sec. of Defense for class of 2011 graduation.</p>
<p>If the pattern continues, Packermatt7, both you and my son will get the VP in '13.</p>
<p>kp2001,
Now you’re going to think I said hooker and stripper. Nah, we’re Lutheran.</p>
<p>haha, it’s that advanced english that I have trouble with :)</p>
<p>USNA09Mom,</p>
<p>We actually deposited the money for a sword in our son’s account and had him go down to the midstore and pick it out. This worked well since they have to be measured (ideally) for the sword. He also picked a different model than we would have, so it all worked out for the best.</p>
<p>Congratulations on the striper position! The day before we left we received an invite to sit under the awning with the VIPs for the Dedication Parade since ours was a 4 striper during Fall term. Spring Term stripers parents sat under the awning for the second parade. It totally took us by surprise and we only RSVPd for mom and dad, although when we go there there were many empty seats and we probably could have had our entire party there. Just letting you know so you are more prepared than we were.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>Congratulations USNA09Mom, </p>
<p>Two lessons we learned last year when President Bush was the speaker at the AFA :</p>
<p>1.I’m not familiar with the exact logistics at the Naval Academy, however, ALLOW LOTS OF EXTRA TIME for all of the extra security measures due to the president’s participation. We almost missed the march on of the cadets when all traffic was stopped for over an hour while the presidential motorcade arrived.
2. We had several folks in our party take pictures so that my husband and I could enjoy the moment!! We ended up with great pictures and the memory of watching our son shake hands and wave to us with the President. What a moment it was!</p>
<p>Don’t miss the big story on faux news today about the controversy surrounding President Obama as the scheduled commencement speaker. I liked Phil Donahue’s response.</p>
<p>I liked Bishop D’Arcy’s comment better.</p>
<p>With numerous friends who are graduates of ND and St. Mary’s all have supported President Obama speaking at graduation.</p>
<p>Commencement Address, all for it. Honorary Degree for leadership after sixty days, I don’t know about that part.</p>
<p>From what I’ve read, most of the objections are coming from ND alumni, but the majority of actual students there see no problem with him speaking and receiving the honorary degree.</p>
<p>Just a lot of drama drummed up by the partisans at both ends of the spectrum. He’s the President of the United States-- if they gave an honorary degree to Bush 43, Clinton, and Reagan, they sure as heck ought to give one to Obama. He’s probably smarter than all 3 combined lol</p>
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<p>Furthermore, as a Constitutional scholar, President Obama appears to respect the distinction between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the United States government. At least we know he won’t trample on the Constitution like Reagan (Iran/Contra) and Bush, Jr.</p>
<p>Thank you for pointing that out shogun! :)</p>
<p>Time will tell with that one</p>