<p>Uh....... Yes. </p>
<p>:confused:</p>
<p>I didn't know whether they recycled them, or what. Sorry for the blond moment! :D</p>
<p>Also, If you are staying within walking distance, you will have time to walk back to your hotel to get that first care package and walk over to the Annapolis Post Office to mail it. They will not take package at the Post Office on the yard on IDay.</p>
<p>We mailed our son's first care package from the USNA post office in Bancroft Hall on I-day this past year. We hope to do the same this year for our daughter. I hope this has not changed. We had the shoe box all ready to go with goodies, had it wrapped and even had the postage calculated from 21412 zip code before we came...and then all we had to do was to drop it off with the USPS person for mailing. The hardest part was finding the small post office hidden within Bancroft.</p>
<p>Last year we were told they would not accept the box when we got to the 7th wing to mail it from Bancroft and had to go back off the yard to mail from the city PO. You must have gotten there early and had a different clerk. :confused:</p>
<p>Both my parents will be there. My grandfather and father are both retired (enlisted) Navy. When I spoke with my dad about the Navy the only advice he had: "Go to college first." This was my sophmore year of high school. I looked into the Naval Academy and I never looked into anything else. My mother and father would not miss I-Day or PPW for the world. I just wish my grandfather was still alive to be part of this.</p>
<p>However, my sister was disappointed when she found out that the firsties were not going to be there.</p>
<p>Your sister will not be disappointed . . . there will be plenty of firsties there . . . It wouldn't be plebe summer without cadre.</p>
<p>Yea, but I hear some of them can be somewhat overbearing, even obnoxious,sort of. :eek:</p>
<p>Nah. They're complete angels and paragons of virtue.</p>
<p>Just ask their parents. ;)</p>
<p>And bring a plastic bag or cloth or something for your plebe to sit on. No grass stains on the white works! We didnt think of that and my daughter was tired and wanted to sit, we emptied all our midstore bags for her to sit on.</p>
<p>Alumni Association provided of all things chocolate chip cookies. Make sure you have clean hands before you give them that big hug!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Thought you guys would get a kick out of this. I told my mom about all the stuff going on on I-day, and I think both of my parents are coming now. The I-day ya'll described is very different than the one at USAFA my dad told me about(parents just take kids to drop off area and leave, possibly catching a glimpse of them being harrassed before departing).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>that is absolutely wonderful....and take this stranger's word on it, you- and they- will be SO VERY GLAD they did!!!! </p>
<p>(ps...i had a feeling it had to do with induction day at USAFA).... our mid's mate went USAFA, and our thorpedo nearly went USMA....induction day at both places are very different....beyond the "2 minutes to say goodby" there is nothing at all planned for parents to participate in... :(</p>
<p>unlike USNA...which has absolutely embraced families.... :) :) :)</p>
<p>(now old goats, I know some of this will give you agita over what I am about to post, but keep taking deep breaths and chant "change is good...change is good....change is good....) ;)</p>
<p>...anyway, :) SOME THINGS YOU WILL FIND ON I-DAY: :)</p>
<p>-Naval Officers "greeting" new plebes, shaking hands with family, wishing you well, WHILE you are on-line at Alumni hall just waiting to check in</p>
<p>-some of the above officers will even "volunteer their services" to take a last-minute of you and your supporting cast - you provide the camera of course! (they will even tell you to "Smile-Beat ARmy")</p>
<p>-there will be bleachers set up outside alumni hall...for those diehards who want to wait out the 90 minutes-4+hours it takes to process your plebe and have them emerge from the back doors...</p>
<p>-there are water stations set up all around the yard...provided for the comfort of your waiting family members</p>
<p>-there is a "welcome" session from the Supe for parents/visitors</p>
<p>-there is a "welcome" picnic lunch for parents/visitors</p>
<p>-there are several parent clubs represented...each to varying extent... to welcome and support plebe,parent and visitors...</p>
<p>-there are bleachers and thousands of chairs provided for family and visitors to view the Oath of Office</p>
<p>-the Alumni folks arrange for refreshments and cookies following the ceremony.... all arranged under tents set up along Stribling walk....wonderful!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>-they even arranged for a hot, clear day for the Class of 2010!!!</p>
<p>-shuttle busses that take you back-and-forth to parking at the stadium</p>
<p>-midstore with extended hours (and staff) to accomodate your purchases of your new "blue and gold" wardrobes</p>
<p>-EVERYONE shaking hands with EVERYONE</p>
<p>-officers, parents, club reps, volunteers, lots and lots of people to "meet and greet" unaccompanied plebes, and provide cell phones to them for calls to home from the mexican monument after the oath of office....</p>
<p>-and then the quiet, but firm announcement, to say your "final goodbyes"... athe the march of the plebes back into the halls of Bancroft, all to huge cheers and applause from waiting parents....who stand by until ALL COMPANIES have dissappeared through those doors..... :o</p>
<p>These are just a few of the ways USNA has embraced and incorporated families into this very unique experience that is I-Day at the United States Naval Academy.</p>
<p>And while I would venture to say this "warm and fuzzy" approach might be too much for some of the Old Goats to hear, all I can say is that I don't know how their parents did it without the support (no doubt they did and obviously survived), but how pleasant these changes have made the experience for everyone involved. It's a wonderful day....full of joy, pride, tears, excitement, entheusiasm, hugs and kisses..... </p>
<p>so danbeam, I am absolutely THRILLED for you that your parents will be attending.....THRILLED!!!!! You have NO IDEA of what awaits you.....savor each and every minute of the journey!!!!</p>
<p>BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE CLASS OF 2011!!!!!!!!!!!! :)</p>
<p>When I was a Plebe, the parents were thrown into a dungeon while the new Plebers were dragged across pits of flaming coals and oil....</p>
<p>Oh, never mind. You'll never believe it anyway. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Navy2010 has summarized it very well.
Let's just say that we have NEVER felt unwelcome at the yard.<br>
The Navy is very smart when it comes to PR and families. You will be SO glad to see a friendly [well, there are plenty of "friendly" faces, rather a familiar--as in family-face] that you will be glad they are there.
Not to mention mom's last look and dad trying to keep it all together.</p>
<p>DB, I am so glad for you and your family! I know it will be an excellent experience, and it sounds as if your dad was making a very sound decision from his own experience with USAFA. USNA really knows how to motivate and keep everyone engaged and moving forward. I know, my second class was just motivated yesterday when he called to let us know that his 2nd class loan had been deposited...</p>
<p>Enjoy! Even the bad times just make the good times so much better! Persevere and remember, we are all pulling for you and your family!</p>
<p>Maybe one of the rising firsties alluded to here by their parents will be your second set cadre! I think we have 3 parents of second set cadre who have chimed in so far. But don't worry, we won't dime you out! :)</p>
<p>I'm curious - is anyone perchance still wearing the blue rubber "I support my Plebe" bracelet handed out by the chaplains on I-day??
They go so well w/ the Livestrong band - we're wearing BLUE & GOLD at all times now! (GO NAVY!). </p>
<p>Thought I'd keep it on until Herndon - Plebe's little bro says he wants to wear it until graduation! haha! It will be a thread by then!</p>
<p>Yes I am still wearing the blue rubber bracelet handed out by the chaplains on I-day. So is my mom, sister and sister in law. We plan on wearing them until Herndon also. You never know we may be so used to themt by then we may just keep them on until Graduation. At Christmas time my son did comment that he thought it was very cool that we all were wearing the bracelets to support him in this incredible roller coaster journey.</p>
<p>I still have the "Support My Plebe" ribbon magnet on my car that the chaplains gave out at the same time. Hard to believe this year has gone by quickly (though I doubt our plebes feel the same way).</p>
<p>The bracelets, car magnets and packis of tissues (if I remember correctly) were handed to us while we stood in line at Alumni Hall on I-Day morning.</p>
<p>My "Support My Mid" is on my office door. It's a great conversation starter!</p>
<p>Not only were there Chaplains greating everyone in the line outside Alumni Hall, Mrs. Supe was greating people off an on too!</p>
<p>I had two of those car magnets. First one faded so bad, so I switched them around first of the year. Honda is still proudly wearing it.</p>