Service Takes On Many Forms

It’s Plebe Parents Weekend in Annapolis. A little over five weeks ago, approximately 1,200 young men and women raised their right hands and took an oath to serve their country. I wrote about it here.

This summer, my wife, Wendy, was contracted to photograph midshipmen in action during Plebe Summer. I know I’m biased, but she’s a really good photographer. What I didn’t know was how much parents and loved ones cherished the opportunity to connect with their midshipmen. 

She woke up most mornings at 5:30 am to photograph midshipmen as they ran, did push-ups, or tackled the endurance, obstacle, or confidence course. She’d upload photos, then return to watch them sail, jump off a 10-meter platform, or march. She was new at this game, but she kept showing up and learning new techniques of her craft. Over time, a few hundred impressions turned into over two million. She honored the work of supporting someone who wanted to serve, and, in return, the parents and loved ones couldn’t stop hitting “like” and sending direct messages.  

Today she got to meet the parents whom she connected with over the last few weeks via social media. Together they were both doing hard things over the last five weeks, though perhaps not as physically strenuous as what the Plebes had endured. Both sacrificed in their own way this summer. You could feel the admiration and the mutual respect in the room this afternoon. 

There’s something about doing hard things. It makes us grow. It creates connection. And it reminds us that service takes on many forms.