<p>Quote:</p>
<p>Personally, there is no way I would miss that game- they would have to tie me down and lock me away.....</p>
<p>At some point, it becomes less about "me" and more about the development of my son/daughter as an adult and future naval officer.</p>
<p>In order to balance the equities, surely you would agree that parents should attend one [maybe only one] Army/Navy game during the four years. That's our plan anyway.</p>
<p>Our family loves to attend the Army/Navy game REGARDLESS if our Mid wants to spend time with us or not. The same goes true for home games. We always offer the invitation of a meal out if he wants to attend and that invitation is usually extended to his close friends. We never want to crimp his style and he knows that. The fact of the matter is that we enjoy the games and if we see our son, that is a bonus. The option to spend time with us is just that, an option. I think that if as a Navy parent you wish to attend Navy football then you should absolutely do it. Talk about expectations regarding spending time together beforehand and all should go smoothly.</p>
<p>My wife and I go to Georgia Tech games with other parents. We usually stop at my daughter's tailgater before the game and sometimes afters and have even been invited to post game frat parties/barbeques and other times have just gone out to eat. I think if you're flexible with no expectations for yourselves you'll be fine and happy.</p>
<p>My father usually went to the Army-Navy game except Plebe year. Plebe year I hung out with some friends and went to local churches which hosted dinners for Mids/Woops. Soph year parents, dates and Mids all went to Bookbinders, Junior year we all went to some restaurant with our parents in Jersey and then had a wild and crazy time in Philly; and, Senior year I think we all went to Bookbinders again. My date use to seat with my father so that's a plus. I opting out this year but will be going to the Rutgers game. If I get to say Hello I'll be happy, if not I'll still be happy as Navy should be undefeated still. Just let your Mid know where you're at and if he or she wants a meal enjoy, if not, you can still enjoy a great meal in Annapolis, Philly, or Baltimore. </p>
<p>Army-Navy is a great experience and certainly going to a few games isn't a bad idea. As Mids we always made Company reservations and included our parents if they were at the game...they didn't hang out with afterwards and thing got a lil crazier but we certainly enjoyed the post game camaraderie with our company mates and family.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Personally, there is no way I would miss that game- they would have to tie me down and lock me away.....</p>
<p>(to which the response)</p>
<p>At some point, it becomes less about "me" and more about the development of my son/daughter as an adult and future naval officer.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Wow! Easy now.....</p>
<p>Mid or no mid, we have been going to the A-N Game for 25+ years now- ever since our best man graduated West Point, and both our dads served in the Navy- sea bees for one, 20-year Navy man the other. </p>
<p>There is no way, other than the good Lord taking me to Heaven (???) that I will miss the FIRST YEAR OUR PLEBE WALKS OUT ON THAT FIELD. NO WAY. </p>
<p>It's not about "me" at all.....</p>
<p>.....but then if you have been there, which I stongly suspect you might, then you would know that....</p>
<p>but hey, live and let live....enjoy the game on the TV from the comfort of your home....not sure how that will contribute, positive or otherwise, to the development of our future naval officers....</p>
<p>As for "me," I plan on cheering the Brigade on the field, live and in person! Along with a thousand-plus other very proud parents of the Class of 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, alumni, firends and die-hard fans- on BOTH sides of the field!
GO NAVY! ;)</p>
<p>Fergismom- I guess we should be impressed that you even got three minutes!? My Marine daughter probably would have talked the entire time to her BF and then told me she couldn't get phone reception.</p>
<p>Question about the Navy/Army Game (I have been instructed that this is the correct order): DD may be at a swim meet in Indiana that weekend, so she would not be at the game. If I get tickets now, am I correct in guessing they will be easy to sell if we don't need them? Hate to tie up tickets I don't use, but I don't want to miss the game, especially since next year we will be in Japan.</p>
<p>Decisions, decisions....</p>
<p>Hi Beachmom:</p>
<p>If you decide to let those tickets go, keep me in mind. I know the wife has definitely decided she and the son would go. I'm working and probably can't get away this year since I'm trying to save a few days around Christmas.</p>
<p>Plebe parents - tomorrow we get another phone call! Let's share some tidbits of news we continue to get so the rest of us can hear what life is like for all the Plebes, and for the rest of the hopefuls on this forum to continue to get a taste of what lies ahead
.
My Plebe - after having had 6 days off heavy PE for a minor back sprain that occured on the ropes course - continues to say she finds Plebe summer - "tolerable, even enjoyable, although I wouldn't want to repeat this experience" -and that life there is "crazy, but good."</p>
<p>The other thought- one thing I am realizing is that since high school graduation - in just these 3 weeks alone - our young Plebes already have had more opportunities - than perhaps any other person from their high school might experience all summer, or even all throughout college. The learning, the training, the comraderie, the physical activity, the sailing, the weapons training, the facing failure and success, the travel....already they are light years away from their 'civilian life' and their friends at home. For those who in a few short months will be trying to decide between an Appointment or another college - this is something to consider....The Naval Academy experience is like no other, right Zaphod!? :-)</p>
<p>My son has written me about 7 letters-some with just requests for items, others like today when he put down his thoughts. The letters he sends me will be treasured like the gold they are- My son was never one for a lot of conversation- unless he started it- Today's letter was a memo pad- 4 pager. My letters now start Hey Mom- which is so pure Bobby. Then he tells me about the weather- and then jumps to his girlfiend and the things he worries about. Its been a long time when he has opened up with stuff like this- and it was one of those mom moments- when you realize that no matter how big they get- they still need their moms- sometimes if just to vent. One note- he wrote- just keep the care packages coming.... end of quote</p>
<p>middiesmom - hey, don't forget they need ole dad too! ;) </p>
<p>It's just normally for money! LOL!</p>
<p>I noticed a BIG change in the "tone" of Sis's last couple letters. Very up-beat, matter-of-fact, pretty positive.</p>
<p>Your right about those letters being gold. I've been numbering mine to keep in order. Plan on placing them in the scrap book I've started.</p>
<p>Anyone else catch themselves trying to de-code acronyms and stilted sentences? Or am I just going off the deep end? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>DITTO on the care packages!</p>
<p>:(</p>
<p>only 2 letters....and each only a few lines long! He was never much for writing, so I consider myself lucky to have gotten that much! But what he does write in those few scribbled-down lines warm my heart for sure! "send more food".......so 3 more boxes went out! </p>
<p>But I have faith, and my mailbox has never been checked as often as it has been these past 3 weeks! He is missed dearly...... but I am so proud that, like 1200+ other mids, he keeps on going......!!!!</p>
<p>In Jake's last letter he said that he realized almost everything in the past was irrevelant to now at the Academy.</p>
<p>Navy 2010 - I have only gotten 2 short letters as well - Fergsonfire did something to his knee so was out of physical activity for a week -even with that he has lost 16 pounds as of last weekend. I am really looking forward to the phone call - GF and I are going to compare notes afterwards.</p>
<p>Keep the info coming - it is much appreciated!!</p>
<p>We just heard from our son during a 3 minute phone call. Last time he received 45 minutes since he was in K 20. He reported he received a "Double Eagle" in Pistol. For those who may have attended the Academy, what exactly is this? He didn't have time to elaborate. Thanks</p>
<p>My son called and was able to talk for 20 minutes to his girlfriend- she then called me from North Carolina where she is vacationing with her family. She told me- he asked how I was holding up and that he can't wait till PPW. He's only got another 8 days of regualr plebe summer before football practice starts- and then the rookies are pulled to practice with the team. That's when I start to worry- nothing beats football for causing injuries:) I can't wait to hear what he says about college 2- A- DAYS:). Katelyn told him how I fixed up his room and actually got his shower white again( I am not sure how he managed the particular color of grime on the shower- but I finally got it clean.) He also said the new cadres in his platoon were so much better and that things were looking up.</p>
<p>Heard from our Thorpedo....3 minutes and 48 seconds EXACT....
-"can you put me on speaker phone"
-"wow, how many people are there with you? Really?!!"
-he is happy and "doing OK"
-has "enough food"
-only "3 weeks left- can't wait until it's over"
-say "hi" to gf
-no lax this week because of summer camps
-all new cadre- "they seem nice"
-"only have one minute left"
-got the name of 1 out of 2 roomates
-earned his reef points back "a while ago"
-it "poured" as soon as the new cadre took over
-"only have 30 second left"
-ears perked up to hear the gf is comming down to annapolis this week
-"Tell everyone that I love them"
-"Have to go-"
CLICK!</p>
<p>Mom wipes a tear from her eye; Dad does too, but denies it; the rest just comment on how upbeat he sounds.....</p>
<p>3 more weeks guys!</p>
<p>We got a 5:58 long phone call...which seemed a heck of a lot longer than the 4:30 last time, so we were greatful. DD is physically dealing with lingering "plebe hack" -could hear it in her voice - but overall she asked us to ask questions and we listened to her answers:</p>
<p>She's still with her roommate ( sistersunnie's girl!!) and doing fine</p>
<p>She takes some kind of defense dept. language assessment test this thursday night - hopefully scoring high enough for placement in the Arab Language major that is opening up at USNA. She said one way they will figure out who gets into the program is a combined score of this placement test, plus your entrance math SAT scores and something else (didn't quite catch what she said and time was too limited to elaborate) ....so all you candidates - this was new information to us....it does seem to make a difference to score as high as you can on your SAT scores...since USNA seems to use this as a factor even after acceptance!</p>
<p>She says "it really IS like living in a zoo around here! Everyone knows more about us and what we're doing than we are....and people stop just to take pictures of us....yesterday Asiaian tourists came to the Academy and surrounded us in the pool, shooting pictures of us...which is something we just have to get used to."</p>
<p>Please send homemade cookies ( YEAH! I finally get to send my famous peskecookies to her!!) and some other candies</p>
<p>M Company got an award yesterday for the best parade marching in the previous parade and they get to wear a green ribbon on their guidon for awhile...and when I asked her if they got any kind of special privelege for this she said no. "Besides", she added, "I know our marching could have been better..." Ahhhh, my dd - always looking for how to improve and be better. That comment alone told me she mentally is doing well and is staying 'herself' in the midst of this Plebe summer.</p>
<p>church and choir is her lifeline to sanity</p>
<p>Tell everyone "I am doing fine and I love them".</p>
<p>We parents were attending a San Diego Naval Academy Parent's Club meeting during this time and it was fun to have those of us with Plebes hear our phones ring for those precious phone calls - have us go off to a corner of the area to talk and then come back and share with the group what our Plebes just said!!</p>
<p>You gotta love these amazing kids - God bless them one and all</p>
<p>We got about 4:30 minutes. "Sis" sounded fairly up beat but, like many, had the plebe hack and said she was on meds. Said she had enough food and NOT to send disposable camera. She said they had NO info concerning PPW. Knew nothing of the lunch with two family members, timing, etc. Keep this in mind when communicating with your mid. ;)</p>
<p>New cadre "okay" so far and still had same roomates.</p>
<p>Probably a good thing this was a short call since as the 30-second mark sounded I could tell her voice was cracking, emotions beginning to take hold. I'm thinking the "powers to be" know this is a tough time and short and sweet is best. </p>
<p>I strongly suggest some VERY positive, up-beat letters get to these outstanding young people ASAP. As PPW gets closer, it has to be harder, I sure know it is on ole dad! :rolleyes:</p>
<p>God bless and keep those letters and prayers flowing! :D</p>
<p>Spoke with Fergsonfire for 2 minutes - he hurt his knee and has not been able to participate in any PT activities for a week -even with a hurt knee he has lost 16 lbs - they told him his knee wouldn't get better until the academic year starts..........hmmmm - wonder what he did to it?? He sounded good - and is really looking forward to PPW - called GF and she only got 2 minutes as well, so must be the "short and sweet" call.</p>