1966Sail on Solo |

’66 Sail On Solo (SOS)

We are a group of ’66 widows who would like to maintain contact with the Naval Academy, a particularly important part of our husbands’ lives. Although we come from different parts of the country and different circumstances, we share a unique bond with each other. Therefore, we have established a network to form friendships and offer mutual support, helpful advice, useful information and comfortable camaraderie to one another.

All ’66 widows are welcome to join our group. We connect primarily through emails, texts, notes, cards or calls and a Zoom meeting on the first Monday of the month at 4 pm (USNA time). We look forward to opportunities to meet in person, either at a tailgate or reunion in Annapolis “where Severn joins the tide” (adjacent photo is from the opening homegame on August 31, 2024) or perhaps in other locales “when two or three shall meet, and old tales be retold.” In this way, we hope to keep the ties that bind us to the Navy Blue and Gold.

If you are interested in being included in our ’66 Sail On Solo group, please send your contact information to: Linda McCook at limccook@gmail.com.

Special Invitation to All Widows of Deceased Classmates from USNA 1966

The Class of 1966 honors its Classmates who have crossed the bar before them by inviting surviving spouses to participate in its reunions. The 60th Reunion for the Class is October 1-4, 2026 in Annapolis, MD. If you are a widow of a 1966 USNA Classmate, please consider attending the reunion. Click HERE for a formal letter of invitation from USNA66 Class President, Jim Long.

It has always been The Class of 1966 policy to invite Surviving Spouses to attend all of the Reunion functions at no cost. Thus, when a Surviving Spouse signs up for the Reunion, no charges will be incurred for the Reunion functions. However, if a Surviving Spouse has remarried or is accompanied, she will incur no charges, but her husband or companion will have to pay for the Reunion functions.

’66 Surviving Spouses are invited to Click HERE to sign up for the 60th reunion of the Class of 1966.

City of Coronado Proclaims January 20, 2026 to be “Kathy Prout Day”

Kathy Prout was recognized for her service and leadership by the City of Coronado with a proclamation deeming that that Mayor “does hereby recognize and proclaim January 20, 2026, as ‘KATHY PROUT DAY’ in the City of Coronado.” Click HERE for more details.

Prout Named as National CHANGEMAKER by NOAA

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) recognized Kathy Prout, widow of Jay Prout (1st Company) as one of 5 national “CHANGEMAKERS”.

The cover story of the January 2026 MOAA publication, Military Officer, lauded Prout’s community impact in advocating for military surviving spouses.

Click HERE for this and several other recent advocacy activities in which Prout is spearheading.

Hoff Recognized for Sales Excellence

Trudy Hoff, widow of Michael (Mick) Hoff (29th Company), was recently recognized for the second year in a row for her sales excellence.

Click HERE for more information and photos.

Gold Star Spouses of America Take on Capitol Hill

Kathy Prout, widow of Rear Admiral James (“Jay”) Prout III (1st Company) who died in 1995, was among the Gold Star Spouses of America who flew in to Washington, D.C. in late June 2025 to lobby for The Caring for Survivors Act and Love Lives On. Click HERE for a link to a WUSA9 video interview with the President of the Gold Star Spouses.

Law Passed That May Impact You

The PACT Act

The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The Act adds to the list of health conditions that are assumed (or “presumed”) to be caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

Can Veterans’ survivors get compensation payments under the PACT Act?

Yes. If you’re a surviving family member of a Veteran, you may be eligible for these benefits:

A monthly VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) payment. You may qualify if you’re the surviving spouse, dependent child, or parent of a Veteran who died from a service-connected disability.
Learn how to apply for VA DIC.
A one-time accrued benefits payment. You may qualify if you’re the surviving spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent of a Veteran who was owed unpaid benefits at the time of their death.
Learn about evidence needed for accrued benefits.
A Survivors Pension. You may qualify if you’re the surviving spouse or child of a Veteran with wartime service.
Learn how to apply for a Survivors Pension.

For more information on the new PACT Act, Click HERE or call 1-800-698-2411.

SOS Get-togethers

June 26, 2025: I Day!

Kathy Madaleno attended the Induction of Rusty Rawson’s (USNA 66, 24th Company) granddaughter, Midshipman 4/c Allison Robinette, Class of 2029, on Worden Field following the induction ceremony. Both Rusty and Kathy are so proud of Allison!

May 1-3, 2025: Mini Reunion

SOS ladies gathered at Trudy Hoff’s home in Virginia Beach to tell her all about the April Comearound since she was not able to be there. In addition to a great visit at her home, the gals toured the Virginia Beach aquarium.

April 7-9, 2025: Comearound

Seven SOS ladies attended the USNA ’66 Comearound April 7-9 in Winterpark, FL. Check out Lori Scarbrough and Linda McCook in their “twin” outfits! Click HERE for more photos of the 2025 Comearound.

November 2024: Leadership Awards Celebration

Three Sail on Solo ladies attended the USS GONZALEZ Leadership Awards Celebration! Click Here to read about the event in which Trudy Hoff, Lori Scarbrough and Mary Mobley participated.

August 2024: SOS Reunion

The first home game of the year was the setting for the “Team SOS Reunion”. How fun to meet up with our sisters from VA, DE, MD, GA and CA. We enjoyed dinner Friday night at Fleet Reserve, and Saturday, after our Navy win, we celebrated at the Middletown Tavern on the Annapolis Waterfront. We parted ways Sunday morning after breakfast at the Iron Rooster. It was a movable feast and a great weekend!