On Saturday May 8 the USNA Parents Club hosted a Wine and Cheese Social for parents
of other Academies. This was the first time this event had happened in several years.
It was well attended by parents from Army and Navy. Many thanks to the McAllister's for hosting in their beautiful and spacious home. It was a perfect location to gather folks from the Rochester area as well as Buffalo.
Everyone had a wonderful time getting to know each other and sharing stories.
On December 26, 2009, we attended the CNY All Academy Ball. It was a great evening, and so very elegant. We travelled to Syracuse to the Doubletree Hotel. Starting with cash bar and appetizer snacks featuring a huge arrangement by Edible Arrangements, we had time to browse the silent auction items. We put a bid on a football signed by the Navy team.figuring none of the many Army folks were going to want it. (it went for $100.00!! ) so it turned out to be a hot item.
The official events began with the presentation of the colors by the Air Force Reserve group.
Each Midshipman or Cadet was introduced and given a coin of the event. A series of toasts followed presented by various Mids or Cadets. A wonderful dinner followed...really the food was fabulous. A fabulous chocolate fountain was available at that time also. A cake with the insignias of each of the service Academies on it was then cut with sabres by a representative of each Academy. (Navy cut through first-- a source of pride of the attending Midshipman)
The first dance followed- with Mids and Cadets dancing with a parent or date if no parent was there. It was a special moment to have that dance with my handsome Midshipman.
Each Midshipman/Cadet received a door prize, ranging from gift cards to chain restaurants to $25.00 for iTunes. Several large door prized were also awarded later in the evening.
Everyone had a wonderful time. Donny found some friends from the Academy there, and met a few new also. He and the Mids there have already made plans to attend next year and to take rooms at the hotel so they can stay later and enjoy the dancing etc.
I know that it is expensive, and a busy time of year, but I certainly hope that more of us will take advantage of this opportunity next year, and in the future. We had a great time, and as Donny said, it was a lot of fun, and nice to get dressed up in the formal attire and attend an event without the "big guys" there to monitor and comment on your behavior. They could let their hair down and have fun with no one watching. Our Naval Academy Mids really did us proud and our Academy was well represented at the event as you can see from the photos.
Please put this on your calendar for next year. You won't be sorry.