Pledges

At 8:25 am we were at Chick & Ruth’s Delly on Main Street Annapolis for breakfast, expecting Loopers Dale and Mary (Minnesotans; MV “Yes, Dear…”) to join us.  Mike and Brenda had already had breakfast, so why were we meeting here?  Every morning at 8:30 am at this very local diner-type cafe, staff and patrons are invited to stand, put our hand over our hearts, and corporately say the pledge of allegiance to the huge United States flag that is centrally hung over the kitchen area.  Now how cool is that?  When was the last time you had such an opportunity?

Yesterday after Chick & Ruth’s, we made the short walk to Gate 1 of the United States Naval Academy where we spent our entire morning.  The mission of the USNA is to develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders.  Many alumni of the Naval Academy have gone on to become astronauts.  Others, like Jimmy Carter or John McCain, continued their service as political leaders.  The academy has and is limited to 4,400 midshipmen (at West Point, the students would be called cadets).  Besides academics, every midshipmen also participates in a team sport; and with a 93% graduation rate, midshipmen—66% men and 33% women—earn engineering degrees.  Upon graduation, each receives his/her commission in the navy, marines or special forces.  John Paul Jones, a naval hero of the Revolutionary War and inspiration to midshipmen (His famous quote when all seemed lost and he was asked to surrender to the British:  “I have not yet begun to fight!”), is buried in the crypt of the beautiful campus Chapel.

After the USNA, it was a short walk to the State House, the oldest continuously used legislative building in the country.  The capital of Annapolis, it also served as our nation’s capital for about 9 months. In this place, General George Washington resigned his military post after the Revolutionary War.  This is the place the Treaty of Paris was ratified.  Its wooden dome is built with pegs, not a nail in it!  The lightning rod at the top of the dome—which some historians describe as the largest lightening rod ever attached to a colonial-era building--was constructed and grounded to Ben Franklin’s exact specifications….oh!  and this 200+ year-old designed invention is credited for averting a fire at this Maryland’s historic site in 2016. 

Mentally and physically spent, we returned to the moored Velsignet for a nap and light dinner before  a short ride to Yacht Basin Marina where Dale and Mary were docked.  Our time with them was cut short upon the sound of thunder.  We got back to Velsignet safely and just before the downpour of rain!

After coffee with “next door mooring” Loopers Deb and John (MV “Saltaire”), we departed Annapolis this morning and are cruising towards Baltimore.  We’ve plans to meet with Loopers Penny and Dave (MV “Southern Cross) at Anchorage Marina this evening.  On Monday, Mike will take the train from Baltimore to fly out of Washington DC to Seattle.  When Mike returns on Saturday, June 8^th, he will bring with him two teenage grandkids—Claudia (16) and Killian (13).  Brenda will be in Baltimore awaiting foursome fun!!

Velsignet is on a mooring ball in the Annapolis Harbor.  This is taken in the morning, when the sun shines upon this quaint town abuzz with boat activity.

While we didn't go into this place, it has historical significance:  Our nation's most revered leaders during the American Revolution--like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin--were among its prominent patrons.

This is Gate 1 into the USNA.  We needed to show a photo ID and go through a scanning process to a serious-looking guard to gain entrance.

Strength and pride were evident as we entered the visitors center on the campus.

This was our tour guide in front of the dorm hall; all 4,400 midshipmen are housed in this largest dormitory in the world.

The campus boasts an Olympic-sized pool, as well as a diving pool.  Olympian Michael Phelps (not a graduate) practices here before the big events.  Allison and Jordan and Claire and Nora, we were thinking of you and how much fun you might have had competing in this place!   

The architecture of the campus buildings were French-influenced.  The campus Chapel was no exception.  The stained glass window here is of stunning Tiffany glass.  The colors of the USNA accented the sanctuary.

Not the best photo (sorry).  At the back of the Chapel, this model ship was displayed.  It was a gift from the "Seabees" or CBs (Construction Battalion).  Our friend, Guy Falskow was a Seabee!  

This is looking towards the back of the sanctuary of the Chapel.  Notice the USNA blue railings.  The cushions of the pews are a matching navy.  To the very back and towards the ceiling, you'll see the mounted Seabees Ship.

This is the tomb of John Paul Jones a Revolutionary War hero and recognized around the world as an excellent naval leader.  He died in France and about 100 years later, President Teddy Roosevelt had his body returned to the US and, most appropriately, be laid to rest at the USNA.

This inside one of the entries of the dormitory building.  It's stunning!  We also saw an example of a typical dorm room, which was modern, plain, practical and ordinary.  We didn't have access to see the dining hall.

After our tour, we visited the Naval Museum on campus.  On the second floor was a large collection of model ships extending back to the 1600s.  Like today, models were created to display what was to be the finished product.  Most often, the model ship went to the ship's owner. 
By obtaining the model, researchers can learn alot about what life was like on the ship.

Another collection at the museum were model ships that were built by Frenchman in the 1790s who were imprisoned by the British.  These models, however, were made from BONE, not wood.  Prisoners would create these works of art and use them in the prison system to barter for other things.

This is an example of a ship built of bone by a French prisoner.  Beautiful detail!

Although it was very warm outside (84 degrees) and the cemetery was a good walk from the visitors center, we visited the gravesite of John McCain, obviously adorned by other visitors.  On trips to Vietnam taken separately, both Mike and Brenda visited "The Hanoi Hilton" where John McCain was held as a POW.  Since then, we have held McCain in the highest regard for his courageous service in the Navy Air and congress.  May he rest in peace.

The Maryland State House.

This is one of the chambers inside the State House.  It has been added onto a couple of times, but original parts have been preserved.

Inside the chambers where George Washington submitted his resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army is a life-sized statue (Brenda imagined GW to be much taller!).  Washington's gesture signified to our young nation that Congress governs our country, not the military; and that the President of our country is commander-in-chief, not our Military Generals.