Celebrate Naval Academy Graduates By Making Community Collage

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Because of the coronavirus pandemic, life has changed for everyone, including those at the U.S. Naval Academy. The commissioning is an emotional event that typically only friends, family members, fellow midshipmen, faculty, and journalists are allowed to attend. Until now.

To help ensure everyone's health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic, the Naval Academy has planned its first ever virtual graduation and commissioning for Friday. The live streamed event will kick off with a 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time tribute to the class of 2020. Even the community of Annapolis rallies around the Naval Academy to send its newly minted Navy Ensigns and Marine Corps Second Lieutenants into the world with a grand farewell.

Social distancing requirements have resulted in a Commissioning Week without some of the Naval Academy’s – and the community’s – cherished traditions. Everyone is invited to recognize the graduating class by watching the virtual commissioning and share their favorite images of Commissioning Week celebrations on social media using the hashtag #CelebrateOurMids and by uploading them here. Visit Annapolis will share the images later in May via a collage on the VisitAnnapolis.org website.