Dear Parents of the United States Naval Academy Class of 2008,

On behalf of the USNA Parents' Club of Washington State, we welcome you aboard and congratulate you and your sons and daughters for accepting this most challenging and rewarding opportunity. For both the Midshipman and his or her parents, the USNA offers a unique experience as each is challenged in learning a whole new language, accepting new experiences and making new lifelong friendships.

While your Midshipman meets challenges at the Academy, you as parents, have the opportunity to join forces to make the most of this experience with the USNA Parents' Club of Washington State. As a group, we are dedicated to providing a common base of support and understanding for ourselves and our Mids through the sharing of information and friendship.

Club members meet several times during the year for social functions, tours, events and more. Some of the annual events we enjoy are a summer picnic with the other service academies, the Army/Navy game(here and in Philadelphia) and the annual All Service Academy Ball held this year on December 30, 2004 when the Midshipman are home for the holidays. Mark the date on your calendar now - this is one event you will not want to miss!

The USNA Parents' Club of Washington State is very proud of our web site and is our main method of communication. Please visit it often to deep up with what is going on with our club. Just click on the calendar link at the top of the page to find the latest social events. If you have not done so, make sure to register as a new club member now. It is easy and can be done online by going back to the home page.

The annual dues cover the cost of various projects such as gifts to our Mids on their birthday, gifts for injured Mids, Dark Ages Packages (you'll soon learn what that term means!) and much more. Membership is open to all Naval Academy families, grandparents and interested relatives and friends.

We encourage you to take an active role in the club. The Parents' Club is a wonderful source of information. Remember - we've been there. We've lived through the good times and bad. Our young men and women have survived and prospered and so will yours.

Again, congratulations. Your calls and e-mails are both welcome and important to us anytime. We sincerely hope this coming year proves to be a wonderful adventure for your family. Hold on, because the roller coaster is just beginning.

Welcome aboard and "Go Navy - Beat Army!"

Kim Kimmy Tomczak (Doug '05)
Janet Ellinger (Ben Orloff '05)
Co-Presidents Washington State USNA Parents' Club.