U.S. Naval Academy

U.S. Naval Academy
Originally uploaded by cjo1961

Looking at this classic photograph of the U.S.Naval Academy reminds me that if I had really tried to get an appointment, I might have been able to do so, but I was not willing to sacrifice the good times for the character it took to enter this very elite academy.

It all has to do with ambitions, goals, personal sacrifice, sincerity, abilities, and character. It is the "character" aspect that makes the difference between those who graduate from the Naval Academy.

So, yes, I might have had a dream to someday enter the academy, but I didn't have the character. Now, after many years of realizations, I might have the kind of character it would take, but no old and foolish men are appointed.

My dream was more of a whim than a dream. Yes, it would have been great, but I can rationalize by admitting that my math and engineering skills would not have been up to the standards of the academy, thus I would have been dismissed and sent back to the fleet.

Dreams, dreams are great, but without character, dreams are only whims.
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MY THANKS TO CIO1961 for this magnificent photo. Please follow this link to view more of CIO's photographs.
U.S. Naval Academy
The chapel

Uploaded by cjo1961 on 14 Jun 09, 7.41AM PDT.