History Is Our Heritage – And You Are Writing the Next Chapter

Our History Is Our Heritage!

– To the new Jewish Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy Class of 2030: Welcome Aboard!  You are not starting a story; you are continuing one!

– Outstanding lunch at the Eastport Yacht Club during Parents’ Weekend with six Plebes and their families from around the U.S. and overseas, along with a group of alumni from the Classes of ’61, ’83, ’03 (Matthew K.) and ’06 (Michael Kuiper), three Ensigns from the Class of ’26 awaiting Flight and Nuclear Power Schools), and many benefactors from the USNA Friends Of The Jewish Chapel.  In the spirit of “One Team, One Fight,” we even had a representative from the West Point Jewish Chapel Fund Board of Directors join us (Tim R. Cohen, whose father was United States Military Academy at West Point Class of ’46).

– Bonus Army-Navy ceremonial football presented by producer (Bonnie Berko)  of the #1 ESPN show, “Pardon The Interruption,” to MIDN 4/C Hugh Aaron of Bloomfield Hills, MI, who won an informative + fun USNA trivia contest.

From the early days of our Navy, American Jews have answered the call of duty with courage, excellence, and unwavering patriotism.

– Commodore Uriah Levy, the first Jewish officer to reach flag rank, and namesake of the USNA Jewish Chapel, served with distinction in the War of 1812, commanded the Mediterranean Squadron, led the successful fight to abolish flogging in the Navy, and preserved Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello for the nation. The Chapel which bears his name is a living reminder that faith and service belong here.

– Walking “The Yard” is walking among giants of that heritage:

– Albert Michelson, Class of 1873, whose groundbreaking work measuring the speed of light earned him the first American Nobel Prize in Physics. Michelson Hall honors him.

– ADM Hyman Rickover, Class of 1922,  “Father of the Nuclear Navy,” whose vision and relentless standards transformed American sea power. Rickover Hall stands as his legacy.

– And many others, including several Jewish USNA “Distinguished Graduate Awardees,” Navy Cross Awardees, and other prominent national leaders who have worn the Navy and Marine Corps uniforms with honor.

Plebes from the Class of 2030:  You now join that lineage, and one day your names will be on the Alumni Wall in the Jewish Chapel.

You inherit a tradition forged in the USNA crucible of intellectual rigor, leadership, moral courage, and tenacity in the face of adversity. You stand in the same Brigade of Midshipmen that produced scientists who measured light itself, engineers who harnessed the atom, and warriors who paid the ultimate sacrifice and helped keep the peace through strength.

Be proud. Carry forward the example of those who came before you. Serve with distinction. Lead with integrity. And never forget: History is our heritage—and you are now part of writing its next chapter.

– Welcome aboard, shipmates. Go Navy!