Posted on 06/09/2009 9:26:43 PM PDT by OldCorps
Graduating midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are being told in writing to leave at home or in their vehicles all "ceremonial swords" and anything else "that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners" for Friday's outdoor commencement ceremonies featuring an address by President Barack Obama.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Notice the two flag officers are not wearing their swords?
This is telling graduates they are trusted enough to fight and die for the country, but still they might be a security threat to Obama.
This is truely amazing. Of course i'm not a grad of canoe u. I went to the other one, where graduating cadets/new lieutenants would still wear their ceremonial swords. I think this is an insult to the entire U.S. military.
I’d have to check with some shipmates, but I don’t think they ever wear swords at graduation.
“....that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners”
I felt so bad for the color guard
I could go on a long rant about the symbolic significance of the Officer Sword. Instead, I think it's telling that Obama doesn't trust the men and women that his country has just invested almost 300K in to wear their full occasion-appropriate uniform. This guy is a just a piece of work.
Naval Academy could tell the fraudulent person acting as prez that he’s not wanted as speaker.
Yes, you are right...we never wore swords during graduation. But, the fact that they made point of forbidding it is insulting.
Swords are only required for O-4 and above.
Class of ‘98
O is anathema to tradition and honor and the spirit of this nation.
Buyer’s remorse will flush him out if he doesn’t sell us out first.
The list, ping
Don’t the honor graduates wear them, perhaps no more than a few if that, or at least the Marine graduates?
I never attended tho I was offered a shot way back when I was in boot camp.
It’s a shame to see senior officers prevented from a tradition of pageantry. Change ain’t always good, imo.
Thank You for your service, btw.
That's interesting. I graduated from Marine Bootcamp ('81)and an NROTC ('85) program and both times, every officer or NCO in a command billet wore their sword.
I surprised that the cadets in command billets don't wear swords. But admittedly, I've never been to an NA grad ceremony.
Sword vs Sabre
http://www.militarysabers.com/us-army-sword.html
Just a little history. Just an Army guy, trying to hijack a Navy thread!
Nothing at all to do with the anointed one.
During Graduation, no one wore swords. To cumbersome, and to crowded.
It’s still insulting to have the President forbid such a thing for those who serve. Whether or not it’s SOP.
And, thank you so much for the “thank you”. Too often those who server are not recognized. Myself, I’m fine...but the younger and more junior need that support.
So, to anyone who reads this...find a young soldier/sailor and thank them. They are the true heroes of our country. Most likely they would like a beer and a discussion.
Remember, I said required. It’s a uniform item at that point. But, for many ceremonies, all the O’s will wear them.
I’m not defending Obama...just letting people know what the truth is...
We didn’t, and neither did anyone on the dias.
We only wore swords at drill.
No problem on the thanks, my pleasure.
I agree on the cumbersome part... and forbidding them is definitely over the top.
I come from family that has usually had an active duty service member around. Most were Army but a couple of us were in the Marines. 2 nephews served tours in Iraq most recently.
The only tradition OThuga respects . . .
is that of the traitor . . . to destroy the land he pretends is his own.
Obama doesn’t trust the troops!
Now why would that be???
All graduates and other attendees should be prepared to leave their spines and their brains at home; both anatomical entities are considered a threat to the butt wipes in the White House.
I didn't think you were at all. I appreciate the info. I was/am genuinely interested - and a little surprised and embarrassed after twenty+ years of service, I never new that.
I've actually been to a WP graduation and I know that they absolutely wore their swords. I wonder what Obama will do when he speaks there.
It wasn't a problem with this President.
That’s because he was a real president and had nothing to fear from our military. This one knows he doesn’t belong.
He didn't have a problem with the Hungarians.
He seems to be enjoying himself in the Philippines.
I went to search for some images but having a hard time. Knew I should have just hung around on this thread! Thanks!!
It is meant to be. The Anointed One trusts no one. He even had a food taster in Paris.
The glare on that Rwandan sword is making him squint a little.
Danger, Will Robinson...That Army guys got a sword!
They should ALL wear their swords, every last one of them, not as a threat but a declaration of protection of both him and this country. What would he do then - leave? Arrest them?
It used to be mandatory that military personnel were fully armed in the presence of their Commander, in order to protect him at all costs!
Well Obambi is not stupid...just ask his food taster.
And every person armed with a rifle in that picture also has a bayonet as well.
One thing I have notice about all of Obama's meetings with the troops is that he almost never has a Color Guard at them, Color guards are armed with weapons and routinely made up of ordinary soldiers.
Hell, he probably gets dizzy when ever he sees the pointed end of a guidon (flag pole).
Fair enough and we need to respect that.
Thank you for the photos. I am a female and one word keeps flashing in my mind to describe the oster when I see these pictures of ‘43.It begins with a c.
When I see photos like this of “W’(all five pics for that matter) it makes me well up with pride....I recall one of my favorite scriptures that is so fitting:
“The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1
George W. Bush loved and showed the highest regards for the Troops that served their country under him as their CiC, and they(most all) had the highest respect for him in turn. My son has served for 24+ yrs. and is still serving, but he had utmost respect for GWB. He was sad to see him go, as the troops knew he had their backs and wanted the best for them.
It’s the phony, that’s generally the coward!! They are always looking over their shoulders. I’m just wondering since they Congress passed the law that the former Presidents would only have 10 yrs of Security protection from now on.... how long it takes them to change it back the way it used to be for Mambi Bambi O? He’ll expect protection for life......Bush only gets protection for 10 years, then after that he’s on his own!! It seems like they instituted the 10 yr. limit just for GWB.
I was in the last group commissioned in 1969 in the Naval Reserve that was required to buy a sword when commissioned. They eliminated it from the requirement below a certain rank [O4 and above]. Marines however, the sword is part of the Uniform but not being a Marine I don’t know when it’s worn with the dress uniform.
The Marine Corps sword is curved and the Naval Officers sword is curved.
Mine is somewhere in the garage.
Present!
Not “Old Corps,” but I had the honor of bumping elbows with some of them.
Gunny G
‘52—’72
Unbelievable insult from the CIC.
And food tasters in France. This guy is a coward.
Far more so than any other President in my lifetime (even his combat veteran father) George W. Bush appears to have a Soldier’s heart, and be most comfortable in the company of Soldiers. He’s “at home”, and it shows.
Uh . . . trouble is, I went back to the year BEFORE this one, 2008.
And the Schedule of Events says EXACTLY THE SAME THING THEN.
See for yourself:
The following items are PROHIBITED from entering through the gates. Individuals shall be allowed entrance ONLY after disposing or securing prohibited items.
Furthermore, screeners we will NOT “hold” items; the owner must dispose of or secure the item(s) in their vehicle, etc.
Weapons/knives of any type, to include ceremonial swords
http://www.wisnapa.org/images/Web%20site%20info/2008%20CW%20Schedule.pdf
This looks like a lot of nothing . . .
This information is for the people in the stands and attending the various ceremonies. Not for the NA grads.
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