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.
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