Tradition of properly greased obelisk makes a comeback at Naval Academy
All school year, there were rumors that the new U.S. Naval Academy superintendent would restore one of the most challenging aspects to a potentially dangerous rite of passage for first-year students: Climbing a 21-foot granite obelisk that’s covered with grease.
Officials have long worried that the generations-old ritual had become unsafe, and last year they outlawed the most dangerous ingredient — baking grease, the type usually used in home-style desserts.
Without that slippery impediment, last year’s challenge lasted mere minutes instead of several hours. It disappointed plebes, who wanted a memorable way to end their first year. It bored the hundreds of spectators who traveled miles to watch. And it angered alumni who love their traditions.
“It’s a great tradition,” said John H. Dalton, a 1964 graduate who was the Secretary of the Navy for five years during the Clinton Administration. “Plebe year is rough, so this is about having a major, final feat for the class.”
So, grease was allowed to return to the Herndon Monument climb Monday afternoon — along with medical professionals, water stations and safety zones for students who didn’t want to participate.
Vice Adm. Michael H. Miller, the academy’s top leader, said in a statement that keeping the tradition consistent — and greasing up Herndon — instills camaraderie among classmates and links them to alumni who endured the same feat.
Plus, he added, “the plebes are extremely athletic and in good health.”
kcdave wrote: ↑Sat Sep 09, 2023 8:05 am
I was actually going to to join in the best bets activity here at good ole T1B...The guy that runs that contest is a fucking prick
Derron wrote: ↑Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:07 pm
You are truly one of the worst pieces of shit to ever post on this board. Start giving up your paycheck for reparations now and then you can shut the fuck up about your racist blasts.
its only ghey if they wear fanny packs while they do it.
What kind of boredom do you have to be suffering to come up with the idea to climb a greased poll with your fellow halfnaked samesex classmates? They should try heavy drinking or war makeing to cure their boredom
gheyer than ordering delivery chocolate chip cookies to watch Glee.
""On a lonely planet spinning its way toward damnation amid the fear and despair of a broken human race, who is left to fight for all that is good and pure and gets you smashed for under a fiver? Yes, it's the surprising adventures of me, Sir Digby Chicken-Caesar!"
"
