Annapolis

On July 2nd we dropped John off at the United States Naval Academy. His only regret was that he could not have started a month earlier. Bob, Megan, Joey and I spent a relaxing day touring the yard, shopping at the Midshipman Store, going on boats, dining at the Drydock Restaurant and watching the show put on by the detailers ordering the new plebes around. John, on the other hand, started his military indoctrination process at 8:30 am by getting a new haircut, a new wardrobe, and a new outlook. We got to talk to him for about thirty minutes that evening after the Plebes took the Oath of Induction. He seemed pretty beaten down. He said he felt as if he had been handed a voluminous book and the detailers expected him to have the whole thing memorized without giving him a chance to open the pages. I really had a hard time feeling sorry for him. The memory of his eyes rolling into his head almost every time I opened my mouth was way too fresh. I love him to death and I think he is Captain America but even the best teens are hard on their parents.

We have received a few letters from John and a phone call today. He is doing great, not homesick at all. He loves church. He thinks there are about a dozen LDS plebes. He is starting to memorize that big book. He joined the track team. He appreciates any mail that he has gotten. He asked for white chalk to quickly cover dirt spots on his uniforms. It must be hard to keep white uniforms clean when you aren't sitting perfectly still in a sterile room.

When we were watching the detailers put on a show by screaming at the plebes I mentioned to Megan that I wished I had verbally abused John a little more while he was at home so that he would feel more comfortable with his new reality. Megan assured me that when I get on a rampage I sound exactly like the detailers. That came as a surprise but I am glad I did my part. No wonder John may have been so anxious to leave home.