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| All Academy Challenge—Thank You! |
 The annual Challenge has come to a close, and as per last year, we placed fourth out of the five academies. But it’s the thousands of you—4.97% of all alumni—who took part that matter to us (and that we beat everyone when it came to our final tally of more than $1.5 million raised!) The Class competition was excellent as well. The top five in terms of participation were: 1) 1965, 2) 1978, 3) 1967, 4) 1970 and 5) 1996. Thank you so much for your generous support of the Naval Academy and its initiatives. We could not do it without you. |
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| Commissioning Week Wrap-Up |
 Another one for the books. 1,053 members of the Class of 2017 are officially graduated. Herndon happened in two hours, 21 minutes, Blue Angels buzzed Annapolis, the Color Parade was as humid as you remember and Vice President Pence spoke at graduation. Thanks to our Photo Program, we have thousands of photos from graduation behind your login, as well as a curated set of albums on Flickr. |
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| Kennedy’s 1963 Speech to Class of ’67 |
 The handsome young president told the midshipmen to stand at ease—none of them did. “Perhaps the plebes will. Did you explain that to them?” President John F. Kennedy joked to the Naval Academy leadership. He was addressing the Class of 1967 during their Plebe Summer in 1963. This class stood tall as Another Link in the Chain with the Class of 2017 from their I-Day in 2013 right through to handing the class their new rank devices by the stage at graduation this year. |
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| Planning to Visit USNA This Year? Read This |
 The Department of Homeland Security has a list of REAL ID Act compliant and non-compliant states, which means your license may not gain you access to the Yard without an additional form of ID. If you are from Minnesota or Missouri, this means you. The non-compliant states on the list may change again on 10 July, so check back on the DHS site if your visit is after that. A passport will always work no matter what state you are from. |
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| Holiday at Chateau Lake Louise with Fellow Alumni |
 Tucked away in the most breathtaking corner of the Canadian Rockies is the legendary Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Join us on this majestic winter journey this December. Visit our Alumni Travel page for more information on this trip (noted under “New to 2017”) and all of the remaining adventures in 2017. |
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| Manion ’04: 10 Years Remembered |
 In 2007, 1stLt Travis Manion ’04, USMC, was killed in Iraq. That same year, the Travis Manion Foundation was formed to assist our nation’s veterans and families of fallen heroes. His friend and fellow Academy wrestler Jim Letchford ’03 said it was impossible to put Travis into words, but this moving piece speaks otherwise. If you would like to honor this anniversary, there are 9/11 Heroes Run 5Ks and fun runs around the country, like the Annapolis run on 17 September—registration is open. |
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| Lax Makes It to Final Four and Special Graduation |
 Four members of the women’s team missed their own graduation this year to play against Boston College in the NCAA Final Four, so they had their own delayed graduation ceremony in Memorial Hall, complete with a surprise inclusion of their jerseys. Writer Gary Lambrecht had the chance to talk to these women about their stellar achievement. |
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| Matson ’06: World Record Row |
 In 49 days, 14 hours, 4 minutes and 20 seconds, Mike Matson ’06 and his two teammates rowed close to 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge in a 22-foot boat named Anne that resembled a Ford truck. He looked pretty put together before the race (image on left), but the after image is epic. |
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| Distinguished Graduate Award: Program Update |
 On 31 March 2017, the Alumni Association recognized four 2017 U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Distinguished Graduates after the Honorable Jim Webb ’68 declined to accept the award. After receiving significant feedback on the DGA program from alumni, Admiral Robert J. Natter ’67, USN (Ret.), chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees, directed a “stem to stern” review of the 19-year-program. The Alumni Association Board of Trustees reviewed the DGA process and made changes. |
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| Le ’98 and His Dinner Parties Across the Land |
 Steve Le ’98 has a gastro-goal—he wants to throw a dinner party in every state in the country. His quest is called Le Mobile Feast, and he is blogging, Facebooking and Instagramming all about it. One day it will also be a book. Some of his stats: 14 months, 30 states, 110 cities, 124 meals, 931 plates served and 60 dog-hosts. Pull up a chair! |
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| Tweel ’64: A Copper Fox |
 For the past 10 years, CDR John Tweel ’64, USN (Ret.), has been “quality control”/partner at a rye distillery in Virginia, Copper Fox Distillery, that floors their own malt, a technique that turns barley into malt. While he particularly likes giving tours to the Class of 1964, he would be more than happy to expand his demographic. |
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| Little Alumni Chapter? Get a Seat at the Table |
 Does your chapter hold regular events, promote USNA in your community and support your local Blue & Gold Officers as they recruit Another Link in the Chain of USNA leaders? Then you should have your voice heard via our Other Chapter Trustee—the selection process began this month. Find out more here and be a part of the process. |
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