Plebe Summer by Ray Shay

Plebe Summer  By Ray Shay 7.22.14    Raymond at US Naval Academy   After dropping our middle son Raymond at La Cross Camp at the US Naval Academy we took a tour of the campus. That is where we learned about Plebe Summer.  It is the indoctrination of the new class of 2018 cadets as they start their military career. Their trademark round white sailor caps with the blue stripe and their small blue notebooks made them easy to recognize.     What made them even more easy to spot is that if someone was yelling you could bet that a Plebe was at the receiving end of the tirade.  Class of 2018  US Naval Academy   As it was explained to us the new cadets were the "lowest of the low" and before you can lead you must learn to follow orders. Plebe is a word derived from "Plebian" the working class of ancient Rome. Over 20,000 people applied to the US Naval Academy this year. Only about 7% were selected. I hope each of the 1200 Naval Officers realize they are as lucky and fortunate as "Charlie" when he opened the chocolate bar and saw Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket.   It does not get any better.

 

The men and women of the current class were being repeatedly tested on a wide variety of rules and regulations.    

They could be seen marching and repeatedly standing at attention as they reviewed their small blue notebooks packed with information.  Information they must memorize and be able to repeat on command.   

Once selected as a Plebe you are committed to five years of service after graduation from the Naval Academy.    As tough as the journey may be, both the location where they are trained and the quality of instruction is off the charts.  Most graduates of the Naval Academy have double degrees with one of them in the sciences.  

As luck would have it while watching the above, I received a text from a friend who was visiting India who sent me a picture of people loitering around a street market. I thought to myself how incredibly blessed we are to live in America and how very lucky each of these Plebes are to be screamed and yelled at today.  There are literally millions of young people or their parents that would sacrifice anything to be  standing at attention or have their children attend this prestigious academy.  

I hope they each realize they are honestly living the dream.    

Have a great week, 

**If you know anyone who attended the Naval Academy and would like to share a photo please send it to Kevin@shayrealtors.com and we will run the photograph in next weeks Eweekly.

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Reality is so Different... by Ray Shay

Reality Is So Different...

By Ray Shay
7.15.14

Ok, I admit it.  I am a dreamer.  In my dreams the good guys always win.

It was over a year ago when our middle son Raymond blurted out at dinner, "I want to go to the US Naval Academy.  I want to be a Navy Seal so I can be in the fight!"  Raymond's sudden proclamation took my breath away.  He said so much, so quickly, and with so much conviction, it surprised me.  After all, Raymond was only twelve years old.

Just over a year had passed since then when found ourselves standing at the front gate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  Having Raymond attend a Lacrosse camp here seemed like a smart stepping stone on his path to adulthood.  A path that is rarely direct and will certainly be filled with multiple changes and countless obstacles. We checked into our hotel, I was on a mission to find the front gate of the US Naval Academy.  Having been raised as one of seven Navy brats, I knew each military base in the world has a front gate and I was determined to find it.  That was despite pleas from Theresa and Raymond for us to stop and eat, or even my own desires to drink an ice cold beer and eat some Maryland crabs.  I would not stop. I declined all requests.  I just needed to find it. When we finally did,Theresa and Raymond walked up to the front gate and turned so I could photograph them. I was again surprised.  I did not expect it, I was unsure of the cause, but I had to discreetly lower my sunglasses to hide the tears that suddenly filled my eyes. We were no longer just talking about military service.  Theresa and one of our beautiful sons were actually standing where so many other parents have stood before us.  Thoughts of my own family, military service and my dad filled my thoughts.  I could see the broad grin of innocence cross Raymond's face. His childhood dream starting to be fulfilled.  A dream without reality of the hardships and death that warriors all know too well. I really have no choice.  We will support his dream even though I know the good guys don't always win.     After we checked Raymond in we stopped at the Navy Chapel where I knelt quietly in the last row and said a little prayer.  A prayer like most of the prayers coming from that church.  A wish for protection of our son and his dreams and for all past and current warriors who serve our country with honor, pride and courage.  It is them and their parents that deserve our gratitude and our deepest appreciation. Great things like freedom come at a very high cost. Have a good week,