<p>[adapted from a 2004 mid mom's poem~ reposted for you to enjoy!]</p>
<p>Twas the Night Before I-Day</p>
<p>Twas the night before I-Day, and all through the town,
Not a Plebe from aught 11 could be seen, heard or found.
Their bags had been packed long ago with such care,
In hopes that they all brought the right underwear. </p>
<p>These Plebes were not nestled all snug in their beds,
'Cause visions of Detailers danced in their heads.
And Dad with his camera, and Mom with a card,
Knew tonight would be tough, but tomorrow real hard.</p>
<p>When morning came round, we arose in such haste,
Got washed and dressed using one tube of toothpaste.
Away to the Academy, we drove like a flash,
Got right through Gate 1, with no FONA pass.</p>
<p>So, here by the Bay will be home for four years,
Weve already started to fight back the tears.
When what at Alumni Hall should appear?
But a group of Plebe Parents with that same look of fear. </p>
<p>Our child said "Goodbye", moving lively and quick,
I knew in a moment that I would be sick.
A last farewell wave, and then out of sight,
Leaving us all alone until 1800 that night.</p>
<p>Now Michael, now David, now Brian and Jim,
On Jenna, on Philip, on Lindsay and Kim.
Each name we could hear, as the Detailers called,
Now double time, double time, double time all!</p>
<p>We then left Alumni, and walked on the Yard,
Knowing full well "I-Days supposed to be hard."
Stopped into Dahlgren to get something to eat,
Then on to T Court to reserve a good seat.</p>
<p>From each side of Bancroft Hall they did come,
Marching in step, to the beat of each drum.
Each one dressed in white, from their head to their toes,
Their heads, buzzed so close, that their scalp even shows.</p>
<p>Which one is mine? They all look the same!
Is it this one, no that one; its a real guessing game.
We waited and watched as the Jets did "fly by,"
Lowered my head, l'est they all see me cry.</p>
<p>1,300 did raise their hands and "Declare,"
To protect this great country on land, sea and air.
What more noble or admirable a choice can there be,
And to think that this child is related to me!</p>
<p>Told that on Stribling we could again meet our Plebe,
So we bolted like rockets with the utmost of speed,
Past Tecumseh's great statue, the God of 2-0,
And arrived at our letter in a minute or so.</p>
<p>"How are you?" "How was it?" "Do you still want to stay?"
Were just some of the questions we asked on I-Day.
"I'm fine." "It's okay." "Hope till tomorrow Ill live."
"To stay here at Navy, one hundred percent I will give." </p>
<p>"I've no cell phone, no TV, but I did get a gun,
Perhaps after Plebe Summer, I will start to have fun."
One last hug and a kiss, was all we could bear,
With the Brigade of Midshipmen, this life well now share.</p>
<p>Twenty minutes flew by and our time was now done
To formation was where our Plebe had to run.
But we heard them exclaim as they marched out of sight,
"WELCOME CLASS of '11, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"</p>