CLEAR THE DECK
First Salute
“My first salute was with Midshipmen Austin A. Cusumano ’23 and André Nahal-Cuadrado ’21. Austin is a member of the karate team that I captained, while André is a squash player at the Academy. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were not allowed to do the usual first salute at NavyMarine Corps Memorial Stadium. Instead, we met up along the L.I.C. Piers located in Queens, NY. We had the iconic New York City skyline as our backdrop to our first salutes. Being in our whites and saluting is definitely something unfamiliar in our hometown environment. I would not have changed the circumstances or opportunity that allowed me to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am thankful and honored to have them be my first salute.” —Ensign Christopher M. Adames ’20, USN “My first salute and silver dollar went to a Navy admiral. After his enlisted service, he graduated from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1920. He was an aviator, captain of two aircraft carriers during World War II and received two Navy Crosses. He told me that even though he and his son, Lieutenant Colonel Stanley J. Michael Jr. ’54, USMC, had graduated from the Academy, I should be very clear of my goals ... after which he said, “I’m not sure you could make it.” Did I mention that admiral was my father? It was pointed out to me years later that I had been hustled by my father, Rear Admiral Stanley J. Michael, USN (Ret.), Class of 1920. I graduated higher in my class, better than either of them academically, athletically and in conduct.” —Robert D. Michael ’59 “My first salute was with Army Ranger E3 Chris Murray, and although he is reaching special forces status in another service branch on the opposite side of the country, our unbreakable
bond deeply rooted in childhood friendship always seems to bring us back together. Through thick and thin we have always relied on each other’s different perspectives and I look forward to serving with him as a service brother in the close future.” —Ensign Cameron H. Hurd ’20, USN
PHOTO COURTESY OF ENS ADAMES ’20, USN
The first salute for a newly commissioned Navy officer is a special memory for Naval Academy graduates often made in the moments after the traditional graduation cover toss. For others, it’s a chance to create a lasting link with a friend or connect the circle of service with a family member. Alumni shared some of their first-salute memories with Shipmate. Here is a sampling:
ENS Christopher M. Adames ’20, USN, used the New York City skyline as the backdrop for his
“My first salute was first salute with midshipmen Austin A. Cusumano ’23 and André Nahal-Cuadrado ’21. with Corporal Jack Galvin, USMC, because, when we were growing up, we always day of commissioning. I kept one of those dollar talked about joining the Marine Corps. He is my bills I received from a new ensign. It had been cousin and we are the same age. From the time passed down from officer candidate to officer we were 7 years old, we talked about the Marine candidate for a few years with each holder Corps. This was especially interesting in light of adding their name and class number—there the fact that we grew up during the Vietnam War. were about two dozen names on the bill when I Jack enlisted right out of high school. I had the got it. So I brought that dollar bill to the Naval great opportunity to attend the Naval Academy. Academy. Many a night it was the last dollar He was leaving the Marine Corps as I was being in my wallet. Never spent it. When I graduated, commissioned into the Corps. To me, it was a member of the Class of ’87 was my first much like the handing of cake at the Marine salute. I gave him a silver dollar plus the dollar Corps Ball, handing tradition from one Marine bill. I told him the story of where it came from. to another.” I hope he kept the tradition going.” —Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence F. Henigan ’85, —Commander Christopher M. Hickey ’86, USNR USMCR (Ret.) “My first salute was returning my father’s salute “I received my commission from the Naval to me. Aviation Electrician’s Mate John J. Vuolo, Academy on 5 June 1968. My dad, Chief USNR, gave me my first salute along with the Warrant Officer George Watson, Medical silver dollar he got when I was born. A World Service Corps, USN—a veteran of Guadalcanal War II veteran, he has long since passed.” and the Korean War—rendered me my first —Captain John F. Vuolo ’77, USN (Ret.) ® salute. On that day, I could brag that between my Dad and I we had more than 30 years service in the U.S. Navy.” —Commander Jerry C. Watson ’68, USN (Ret.) Looking ahead: What did your sponsor family mean to you? “I’m a NAPSter. While at NAPS, we found out Please send responses (200-word maximum) fast that we could make some good cash when to Managing Editor Jimmy DeButts at: the Officer Candidate School graduated a jimmy.debutts@usna.com. class. We would line up outside the graduation ceremony and clean up! They handed out dollar bills to anyone who saluted them on their first
Submissions have been edited for length and Shipmate style. MAY 2021 • SHIPMATE 31
