Another (sort of) Family Member
Yeah, I know. It’s been a while.
About 2 months ago, The Wife and I took it upon ourselves (with encouragement of our brother-in-law) to avail ourselves of a unique Annapolis opportunity.
We are sponsoring a Plebe at the Academy. The Wife and I will act as a sort of host family for our Plebe, giving them a sort of home away from home. A place to get away (when they are allowed) and escape the rigors of the Yard.
The Wife and I attended sponsor training and a meet-and-greet towards the end of Plebe summer, where we got to see a little bit of what the Academy was like for the incoming class of 2012. We also learned about the rules and regs for the Plebes, as well as what we may expect over the next 4 years.
So far it has been an interesting experience to suddenly have an 18 year-old as part of your life. A lot has changed in the 20 years since my freshman year in college.
It probably goes without saying that our Plebe is quite impressive. It really does restore my faith in the youth of America.
There is a downside, of course. Our Plebe is closer to The Kid’s age than mine, 17 years as opposed to 20. We went to go watch the Plebe play rugby last Sunday, and another spectator asked (innocently) “so, which one is your child?” Upside? Well, the Plebe’s roommates all call me “sir” and always open my car door for me.
I could get used to that…
Posted by Jeopardy
On September 26th, 2008 under Family, Military, Parenting.
Comments: 2
Comments
Comment from doorkeeper
Time: September 26, 2008, 6:56 am
cool thing you’re doing, J. Wish I lived somewhere where I could–oh, wait. Not the same thing, but have been hosting teens here, friends of the offspring, for years, and now moving into the college years. Had a homesick freshwoman
over for dinner last week…
still, it would be cooler if they were, you know, in uniform.
d
Comment from Idaho Joe
Time: September 26, 2008, 7:47 am
Watch out. If you bond sufficiently with this youngster it will be hard to give him back to his parents and the service. We’re on our 5th foreign exchange student and it doesn’t get any easier to send them home.
I know what you mean by these kids restoring your faith. We have several friends of the family at the Academy and they’re the best sort, the kind you’d trust your family, life or country too. Oh wait, we are doing that aren’t we.
As some who’ve been here a while know I have a daughter who made a couple of attempts to get into the Academy, so I came here to post about her. See above.
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