<p>Twas the Night Before I-Day</p>
<p>Twas the night before I-Day, and all through the town,
Not a Plebe from '11, could be seen, heard or found.
Their bags had been packed long ago with such care,
In hopes that they all brought the correct 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 difficult, but tomorrow really hard.</p>
<p>When morning came, 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 is our child's home for four years,
Already were we all starting 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", moved lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, I was going to get sick.
A last wave to us, and then out of sight,
Leaving us alone until 1800 that night.</p>
<p>Now Michael, now David, now Megan and Jim,
On Jenna, on Philip, on Lindsay and Kim.
Each name we did hear, as the Detailers did call,
Now double time, double time, double time all!</p>
<p>We then left Alumni, and walked on the Yard,
Knowing full well "I-Day is 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, with the tap of each drum.
Each one dressed in white from their head to their toes,
Their heads, so little hair, that their scalp even shows.</p>
<p>Which one is mine, as they all look the same,
Is it this one, no that one; this is such a guessing game.
Waited and watched as the Jets did "fly by,"
Lowered my head, l'est they see I'm going to cry.</p>
<p>1,300 did raise their hands and "Declare,"
To protect this great country on the land, sea and air.
What a more noble or admirable choice this could be,
And to think that this child is related to me!</p>
<p>Told that on Stribling was the place to meet our Plebe,
So we bolted like rockets with the utmost of speed,
Past Tecumseh's 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 until tomorrow I will live."
"To stay at USNA, one hundred and ten 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 more than we could bear,
With the Brigade of Midshipmen, this life we would 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 we walked out of sight,
"WELCOME 2011, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"</p>
<p>Merry Christmas to all!!!!</p>
<p>Rosa</p>