SWORDLESS SAILORS

The Washington Times ^ | Thursday, May 21, 2009 | John McCaslin

[Wontsubmit]

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.

Inside the Beltway has obtained the academy's list of prohibited items for this year's graduation exercises, which, besides ceremonial swords, includes umbrellas.

[BIGLOOK]

“...includes umbrellas.”

But on the bright side he'll never visit Hilo!

[dalereed]

They should have told obama to keep his sorry ass off the Naval Acadamy property!

[Rembrandt]

weapon-less officers reporting to a dick-less CIC

[TigersEye]

You've been suckered.

The straight scoop on the Naval Academy graduation… UPDATED

[Political Junkie Too]

What? Are you afraid of li'l ol' me?

-PJ

[WellyP]

The Alumni Office had a near phone system meltdown! I can tell you, after contacting the “right people” (very right people) at the Academy, that the Officers, Alumni, active duty sailors and Marine and retired Navy everywhere are VERY, VERY ANGERY!

[ExTexasRedhead]

We need a barf bag for the news about the POS.

[April Lexington]

He’s as safe there as he is in his own bed at night!

That's what Pope John Paul I thought! LOL!

[USNBandit]

When I graduated in 1990 we didn’t wear swords. I think it is common practice for the graduating class to not wear swords. Can’t remember if the officials on the reviewing stand were wearing them or not.

[April Lexington]

Graduation would be an incredible time and place to stage a coup!!! Make for some great Hollywood, too! (not that I care much for Hollywood, but, you get the idea!)

[Cementjungle]

When I graduated in 1990 we didn’t wear swords. I think it is common practice for the graduating class to not wear swords. Can’t remember if the officials on the reviewing stand were wearing them or not.

I went to a military high school and we (at least the officers) did wear swords, even when big shots came to review our parades. We all got called out onto the football field in the middle of the night once becaue Nixon was supposed to make a visit... but it got cancelled after we were all assembled. Perhaps he heard there might be swords present!

[Oztrich Boy]

It helps if your Head of State is not afeared of cold steel

[Polynikes]

“That’s a mighty wicked looking umbrella you have there sailor. Don’t point that thing at me!”

This might be what the SS are leery of.
http://www.real-self-defense.com/umbrella1.html

[dusttoyou]

Commander in Chief scared of his own troops...

Hardly surprising, is it?

Right, not surprising at all. The HNIC clearly understands that his credibility with the Military is ZIP. Besides it’ll be a lot of real patriots there ARMED, who knows. Ol Slap Chop Vince would be proud.

I think its great that this anti-American imposter is afraid.

[RandallFlagg]

From your link:

A recent report claiming that graduating midshipmen were told not to wear their ceremonial swords has made the rounds on the internet.

SOF has contacted the Naval Acadaney’s Public Affairs Office, which denied the report.

UPDATE:

The Naval Academy’s press office provided additional comments, reprinted below:

Unfortunately, this article is extremely misleading. Midshipmen are not required to have swords as part of their normal uniform issue unless they are Brigade Officers, and then they are issued temporary swords for parades and other ceremonial events.

Officers may add the sword and wear it at ceremonial events such as change of commands, weddings, etc. as designated. They are not, nor have they ever been worn by Midshipmen at graduation.

Many parents give swords to graduates to be worn with their officer uniform after commissioning, but they along with many other items are routinely banned from being carried into the graduation ceremony for obvious security reasons.

I sincerely hope that this explains the issue.

The question I have is this: Were they going to have the full uniforms before this made it's rounds, and has this been ordered before by previous Presidents?

[Eye of Unk]

I think some sort of so called prophesier has told Obama that he will fall by a blade, or knife, or sword or someone holding scissors the wrong way.

Very recently he has decided to have an outright fear of anything sharp. Banning pocket knives soon, now swords?

All the news pressers now only felt pens can be used.

Canes will be confiscated from any guests in the Whitehouse.

Michelle will have to use an electric razor....

Anybody have a name for a person that fears sharp objects?

[A.A. Cunningham]

2007: no swords

070525-N-0696M-242 ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 25, 2007) – The United States Naval Academy (USNA), Class of 2007, take the oath of office during their Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony at Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., May 25, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley (RELEASED)

[TigersEye]

I found the previous info on this thread.

This post addresses your question but I don't know if it is definitive either. From that link...

"Neither was I - but I checked with the Public Affairs office for the Naval Academy, and they informed me that this policy was put into place in response to 9/11."

[TigersEye]

Let's try that 2nd link again. #49

[RandallFlagg]

Hmmm.
I wonder if there’s a thread here on FR showing President Bush at a similar ceremony with pics that shows the graduates.