VIDEO
Each year at the Naval Academy, plebes welcome the end of their first year by mounting an upperclassman hat on top of the Herndon Monument.
Annapolis, MD — Plebes press together during the climbing of the greased Herndon Monument at the U.S. Naval Academy Monday, May. 20, 2013. The symbolic event – the final event of the year after the freshmen pass their sea trials – climaxed when Pat Lien of Orlando, FL replaced the plebe’s cap with a Midshipman’s cap in 1:32:43. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) [2013 HERNDON MONUMENT CLIMB] (_DSC5076.JPG)]
The class reached top after one hour, 12 minutes, and 30 seconds, with midshipman 4th class Chris Bianchi tossing the hat at the monument’s peak.