Congratulations Class Of 2006

prayerful_mom
Tue, 20 Jun 2006 09:06:12 +0000

latest article…

Day of pride, unprecedented glory

BY OLIVIA WINSLOW
Newsday Staff Writer

June 20, 2006

It was just before 7 a.m., and Cheryl Coffman of Macon, Ga., was early. But so was everyone else.

Coffman was in a cab that found itself merely inching along Steamboat Road yesterday, part of a long line of cars headed toward the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, where three hours later President George W. Bush would deliver the commencement address.

When it was clear it would be quicker to proceed on foot, Coffman got out of the cab and joined scores of others walking along the tree-lined street to witness not only a joyous graduation ceremony, but also history.

But Coffman wasn’t complaining. Not about the heavy security or the need to be at the academy’s Tomb Field an hour before the president’s arrival.

“I’m not too surprised at all,” Coffman said. “We expected a lot of people.” Coffman had come to witness the graduation of a cousin, Amy Tribble of Rome, Ga. “I’m just so proud of her I don’t know what to do.”

About 4,400 people – nearly three times the number of people who normally attend the academy’s graduations – attended the ceremony, where Bush’s appearance marked the first time a sitting president had visited the academy since it was dedicated in 1943.

Many people thought that Bush’s visit would give greater recognition to the academy, perhaps the least known of the five federal service academies, along with those training future members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

Bush noted in his address the Merchant Marine Academy’s service to the nation over the years, saying it is the only one of the five service academies where even before graduation students are sent into the theater of war – during their year at sea. That fact means the Kings Point campus is alone among the academies authorized to fly the country’s battle standard.

Bush’s presence, valedictorian Peter James Radzicki of Mint Hill, N.C., said in his speech, “brings hope and legitimacy to an academy that at times has felt forgotten.”

John Arntzen of Staten Island, a 1979 alumnus of the academy and now vice chairman of the academy’s Alumni Foundation, said the president’s appearance brings much-needed attention to the role the academy and merchant marines play in the nation’s commerce generally, and in a time of war. He and others said merchant mariners transport most of the supplies to the nation’s armed forces.

“We’re very happy with the president’s arrival,” Arntzen said. It means, he added, “there’s more focus on the mission of the school to the country’s national defense.”

Under a bright sky and intense heat, thousands waited patiently for the president in Tomb Field, under the watchful eyes of the Secret Service and Nassau County police. When shortly before 10 a.m. a dark green helicopter flew overhead with the words United States of America clearly visible, people applauded. “It’s him!” someone cried.

The crowd greeted Bush with hearty applause and cheers. During his half-hour speech, he praised the academy midshipmen for their service and sacrifices over the years, and also previewed his trip to Europe beginning today. His words were often interrupted with applause.

Bush shook the hand of all 202 graduates, often waving in the direction of each graduate’s family. Others went even further, hugging the president.

Kelsey Newell, 21, of Honolulu, said it was all “unbelievable. I never could have imagined this would come,” as her parents, Pamela and Capt. Steve Newell of the Coast Guard gathered near. “I couldn’t be any more pleased,” her father said beaming.

“It’s a really great day,” Anthony McDonald, 23, of Weymouth, Mass., said after the ceremony.

“It’s surreal to have the president here. Every year they say, we’re trying to get the president,” McDonald said.

But it wasn’t until this year that it finally happened.