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Wreaths Across America 2026
Posted: 11/5/2026

On Friday December 4, 2026 at 9:00 am we will gather at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium to take part in the meaningful tradition- Wreaths Across America. Each wreath placed on a veteran’s grave is more than a decoration- it is a reminder that someone’s life, service, sacrifice, and story will never be forgotten.

For $17, you can sponsor a wreath in honor or memory of a veteran. Your wreath can be a personal tribute to someone you knew and loved, or a way to recognize a veteran whose sacrifice made our freedom possible.

Imagine a sea of wreaths covering the grounds of the Naval Academy Cemetery, each one representing a life that mattered, a family that sacrificed, and a story worth remembering.

Please consider sponsoring a wreath and helping us say: “I remember you. I honor you. I will never forget.”

To sponsor a wreath, please visit: wreathsacrossAmerica.org/md0011

(1) Use QR code to access the special USNA Wreaths Across America website. It also has information for volunteers who want to help place the wreaths at the Academy on December 4.
(2) Click on link: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/md0011
(3) Mail check to:  Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623. Write MD0011 on the memo line of your check for USNA to get credit.

The Naval Academy ceremony, made possible through Wreaths Across America, holds a special place in the hearts of countless individuals touched by the sacrifices of our brave servicemen and women. It is through our collective effort that we can ensure their memories live on and inspire future generations. Join us in the noble cause and let us demonstrate that the spirit of remembrance can heal hearts, forge connections, and honor the heroes who have shaped our nation’s history.

Thank you for your help, we cannot accomplish this without your donations.

Remembering Many, Honoring All.

Carol Turman
Coordinator, Wreaths Across America USNA
2430 Kemper Rd
Crofton, MD 21114
443-336-6541

Wreaths Across America is an organization dedicated to ensuring that no grave at the Naval Academy remains bare during the annual ceremony. Their mission is to remember, honor, and teach – keeping alive the memory of those who fought for our freedom and inspiring younger generations to appreciate the sacrifices made on their behalf.


Back Aboard Nimitz: Jones and the Ship’s First CO, Now 97
Posted: 10/30/2026

Charlie and Ginny Jones flank RADM Bryan Compton.

Fifty-one years after serving on the pre-commissioning (PRECOMM) crew, Classmate Charlie Jones (22nd Company) and his wife, Ginny, went back aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for the ship’s association reunion in Norfolk. As a “Plank Owner,” Charlie oversaw the first criticalities of the reactors that launched the entire Nimitz Class. This visit brought a special reunion with the ship’s first Commanding Officer, RADM Bryan Compton, now 97. See the photos and read Charlie’s brief description here.


Beck Honored at Yankee Stadium
Posted: 10/28/2026

Bob Beck (25th Company) as honored as the “Veteran of the Game” on 29 August 2026 when the Yanks played the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium to a sold out crowd of 47,000 fans.

All in the stadium (and those watching on National TV) saw Bob on the field to be honored during the bottom of the 7th Inning.

Click HERE for a brief video of Bob’s recognition and the singing of God Bless America!

Interesting backstory to Bob’s recognition by the Yankees:

The process began about 3 years ago when he attended a Yankee game with some friends and witnessed the ceremony honoring a WWII Vet. Bob’s friends looked into the process and encouraged him to apply. After many different submissions, he was “qualified” about 2 years ago. In November 2025, Bob was tentatively selected to be the Vet of the Game on 6 June. He finally received official notification on 6 May.

As an aside, the current wait is greater than 6 years according to a Yankee official.



Who’s Coming to the Reunion as of 15 September?
Posted: 9/16/2026

The registration lists have just been updated! Click on the ALPHA or BATT/COMPANY link to see who’s registered as of Tuesday, 15 September 2026. For totals by EVENT, Click HERE.

Reunion Checklist (including how to access the Yard and Midstore), please click HERE.

Don’t see one of your buddies on the list? Be sure to contact them to encourage them to come to Annapolis for the great Class of 1966 60th Reunion!

Go Navy! Go Class of 1966!!


Who’s Coming to the Reunion as of 1 September?
Posted: 9/1/2026

The registration lists have just been updated! Click on the ALPHA or BATT/COMPANY link to see who’s registered as of Tuesday, 1 September 2026. For totals by EVENT, Click HERE.

Reunion Checklist (including how to access the Yard and Midstore), please click HERE.

Don’t see one of your buddies on the list? Be sure to contact them to encourage them to come to Annapolis for the great Class of 1966 60th Reunion!

Go Navy! Go Class of 1966!!


Class Lunch Focus: NAVY SPORTS
Posted: 8/4/2026

Seventeen USNA 1966 Classmates and Guests met on July 8th at The Fleet Reserve Club in Annapolis for the July 2026 Class Luncheon.

The Guest Speaker, Mike Kelly, President of the Naval Academy Athletic Association and Director of Athletics, joined us for the reception at 1130 and a delicious buffet lunch at 1200.

Carson Talbot from NAAA also attended and assisted with the presentation.

Mike Kelly gave a highly informative overview of NAAA with well-prepared slides and interesting comments. 

He identified the Midshipmen who have earned honors with the Atlantic Conference in football, baseball, and other sports.

He also pointed out that the Naval Academy supports 36 Varsity Sports and is one of only six other universities in the country that support 36 or more Varsity Sports.

Mike also plays key roles in the College Football Playoffs and NCAA committees, as well as sports in general. He received an Honorary Doctorate from St. Thomas University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of South Florda.


Dive Into History on Thursday, 29 October in Muskegon, MI
Posted: 7/21/2026

USNA 1966 Classmates are invited to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of Charlie Votava’s (17th Company) WWII Submarine Legacy at USS SILVERSIDES and Museum in Muskegon, MI on Thursday, 29 October.

Charlie Votava wants to celebrate the day he became a sailor in the US Navy Submarine Reserve. He would like any Classmates, spouses and widows to join him and Sharon, Thursday, (plus a day or two) on 29 October 2026 at the WWII submarine USS SILVERSIDES (SS 236) and Museum in Muskegon, MI.

That date, 66 years ago, Charlie was sworn in aboard SILVERSIDES and would like another photo with Classmates on the same deck location as shown in the newspaper photo. 

SILVERSIDES was the 3RD most decorated submarine of WWII: after THRESHER (SS 200) and TANG (SS 306).

A few Classmates have expressed interest in joining him and Sharon, but he would like to get an idea of who else may be interested before he arranges for a hotel gathering place. The museum has provided him a point of contact for a group visit.

Full disclosure: There may be an issue actually going aboard SILVERSIDES. Mid-July she was towed to a Sturgeon Bay, WI. shipyard for needed maintenance. Click HERE for an article on how she “Tows like a dream”. Present schedule is for her to return to Muskegon in mid- October.

Let him know if you would like to attend. Email: charlievots17@gmail.com.

For a look at the museum click: silversidesmuseum.org. Below is a photo of SILVERSIDES moored alongside the Chicago Naval Armory about the time Charlie enlisted onboard. That is not his MG. He drives a Fiat.


Prout Continues to Advocate for Veterans and Their Families
Posted: 7/14/2026

Kathy Prout, widow of ’66 Classmate Jay Prout (1st Company) was again recognized for her incredible advocacy for military spouses and families in a front page article of the July 9 Coronado Eagle & Journal.

Click HERE for story.

Prout was also quoted in the July 2026 issue of “Military Officer”, the magazine of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). “It is our job to educate them (Congress) about the issues. There are too many bills for any one person to know about all of them,” said Prout. The organization led a recent campaign on the Hill that included several MOAA members and staff among the advocacy teams meeting with legislative leaders. “Everyone should have the opportunity to see how democracy works,” said Prout, who was honored this year as one of MOAA’s 2025 Changemakers. “I feel so fortunate to be able to participate in our government through grassroots advocacy.”

The article lists three priorities of the Gold Star Spouses of America (GSSA) – each backed by MOAA.

  • The Love Lives On Act (H.R. 1004 | S. 410). This bill would allow surviving spouses to maintain certain benefits, including DIC and Survivor Benefit Plan payments, regardless of the age at which they remarry. Current law revokes these benefits if the spouse remarries before age 55, leaving many young spouses a stark choice: Restore a two-parent household or maintain financial security. [TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Support the Love Lives on Act]
  • The Caring for Survivors Act (H.R. 2055 | S. 611). Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rates for survivors of those who die in the line of duty, or of veterans who die of service-connected ailments, have been only minimally adjusted since 1993. They now rest at 43% of a 100% disabled veteran’s compensation; this bill would raise that rate to 55%, resulting in about $450 more per month and matching the compensation percentage offered by similar federal programs.
  • The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act (H.R. 6047). This bill would increase the rate of DIC to provide additional financial support for survivors and increase the rate of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) to boost financial support for catastrophically service-connected disabled veterans.

A list of resources for Gold Star families can be found at https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/resources-for-gold-star-families, and additional support can be found at https://www.goldstarspouses.org/ and https://www.navygoldstar.com/.

Prout’s advocacy Facebook group for military widows can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilitarySurvivingSpouses/, along with the Facebook group for Gold Star Spouses of America at https://www.facebook.com/groups/3429626710655087/.


’66 Ladies Announce Next Book Chat, Release Summer Book List
Posted: 7/9/2026

The wives and widows of the great Class of 1966 started a “Book Chat” in 2025; a low-key occassional discussion of books. In May, the ladies enjoyed reviewing Theo of Golden.

The next Book Chat will be on Wednesday, September 16 during the regular Zoom call. The book selection is Whistler by Ann Patchett. Click HERE for more details.

Additionally, the Ladies just released their Summer Book List. Click HERE to download a list of what some of the Band of Sisters are reading.

Finally, for fun, we share the New York Times Book Review’s “Summer Reading Bucket List”, a checklist of 10 literary “to do’s”.

Happy Reading!


Who’s Coming to the Reunion as of 9 July?

The registration lists have just been updated! Click on the ALPHA or BATT/COMPANY link to see who’s registered as of Thursday, 9 July 2026. For totals by EVENT, Click HERE.

Don’t see one of your buddies on the list? Be sure to contact them to encourage them to come to Annapolis for the great Class of 1966 60th Reunion!

Go Navy! Go Class of 1966!!


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