Four Years as a Midshipman

At the ends of the mural, figures are placed to reflect the transformation which the Naval Academy caused to occur in our lives while we were here.

We came as Plebes from all parts of the Nation, and foreign nations as well. Some of us already had several years of service to our credit. We had wildly disparate value systems, family and educational backgrounds intellects and talents. We formed habits of banding together against common foes, and marveled at what we could get done. We learned to admire excellence and this transitioned easily to professionalism later. The figure at the left end of the mural represents graduates of the Academy at the outset of their training, as Plebes.

At the opposite end is the figure of a Midshipman about to graduate, well prepared for commissioning in the service of his choice. These figures enclose and conclude the mural. Between them is represented the enormous span of themes we have chosen for the work. This gift is only a token response to the gifts we received from the Academy while here as Midshipmen. The ideals we and many others formed here, which led us to habits of excellence, professionalism, athletics and leadership, contributed much to "Winning the Cold War".

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