USNA Out members Jeff Petrie '89
Joe Soto '83 & Eric Shangle '97
with SUPT VADM Fowler
^{USNA Alumni Assn photo by Debbie Latta}

USNA Out members Jeff Petrie '89,
Joe Soto '83, Steve Clark Hall '75
USNA Out friend Thomas Strenge '97
^{USNA Alumni Assn photo by Debbie Latta}

Four members of USNA Out -- Steve Clark Hall '75, Joe Soto '83, Eric Shangle '97 and Jeff Petrie '89, attended the USNA Foundation's 2008 President's Circle Weekend in Annapolis. In addition to an awesome comeback win by Navy over Temple in football, all four attendees agreed that we had a truly successful weekend and a great time!

This was the third straight year in which USNA Out Members attended the President's Circle Weekend events. Eric Shangle '97 and his classmate Thomas were the only two attendees who had graduated in the past 15 years. Because of our relative youth among the participants, USNA Out members stood "OUT" in the crowd.

USNA Out member Eric Shangle '97
with Classmate Thomas Strenge '97
at the Halloween reception in the
new Westly Brown Field House
^{USNA Alumni Assn photo by Debbie Latta}

The events of the weekend serve to recognize and thank major donors the the USNA Foundation. The ambitious schedule included business meetings, cocktail receptions, tours of facilities, the final Fall Formal Dress Parade, and a delightful "Halloween Concert" in the chapel featuring the Naval Academy choruses performing to the accompaniment of the mighty M.P. Möller pipe organ.

Lou Adissi '88 and
Deric Camarigg '88 at their
20th Reunion

Hello,

Just a quick update on my 20 year Reunion held last week. First off we beat Rutgers. Go Navy!!! Not that I watched the game. My classmates and I were behind the scoreboard drinking like fish and catching up on 20 years.

I will say I was a little nervous going back being gay and all those fears were alleviated fast. Everyone knew and everyone was asking where my partner was. I was more aware that I was single than being the only gay guy there. Well it turns out I wasn't the only gay guy. Deric Camarigg was there, as seen in the photo.

This was my first reunion, and I will never miss one again. I can't wait for the 25th, and I recommend you do your best to attend your reunions. It brought back so many good memories and it was wonderful to see my buddies doing so well.

BEAT ARMY!!!!
Lou '88

USNA Out members Barb Wujciak '84,
Heather Davies '93, Joe Soto '83
and Lindsay Hawkins '00 before the
Annapolis 10 mile race

Runners and cheerleaders spent a weekend in Annapolis USNA Out style! The race course is challenging but not impossible. (Don't let the hills spook you!) The race was one of the best organized and well-supported races in which I have participated. My admiration to the other runners, Joe, Heather and Lindsay who trained during a steamy hot summer. Thanks to Paula and Mel who put together the best tailgater complete with decorations. And thanks to Jeff and Trey who woke up early on a Sunday and unleashed their inner cheerleader.

Seeing the Yard through the eyes of others from USNA Out is incredibly enlightening and inspiring. I arrived back home with warm, wonderful memories and a stomach ache from all of the gut-busting laughter. I hope you all can join us one way or another next year. Here's a re-cap from the other USNA Out, Annapolis 10 Miler Finishers in their own words.

It's a go! "Out Of Annapolis" will begin filming in November 2008. Leave it to a group of Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bisexual US Naval Academy alumni to put together a major team effort for producing a documentary film. The production staff will consist entirely of USNA Alumni and their partners.

How about a little motivation to stay in shape throughout the summer? USNA Out is recruiting you to run in the Annapolis 10 Miler at the end of August. If you are not a runner, then come out and be a cheerleader or a tailgate host. Jeff has already promised cosmos at the finish!

Check out the info page at: http://annapolisstriders.org/A10Info2008.htm (The finishers jacket is worth the price of running 10 miles)

Ralph Brunson '81 and Jeff Petrie '89
dining in King Hall

In early May 2008 the Naval Academy hosted its 10th Annual Admissions Outreach Conference. The title of this year's event was, "Diversity: Built on a Solid Foundation, Forging a Stronger Future." USNA Out members joined in on the discussion.

Campus Pride at US San Diego

USNA Out participated in the second-ever college admissions fair aimed at LGBT high schoolers at UC San Diego. For most of the 45 participating colleges -- such as Princeton University, Stanford University, Yale, Penn State, and UC San Diego -- the event was a perfect opportunity for them to advertise their fair and equal policies in recruiting the best and brightest of young gay Americans. USNA Out members attended to informed young gay Americans of the pros and cons of pursuing an appointment to a United States service academy.

Left Coast - Paul Culver '74,
Linda Postenrieder '82, Jeff Petrie '89 (seated)
Steve Clark Hall '75, Eric Shangle '97,
Greer Pucket '75, Joe Soto '83

The second USNA Out "National Meeting" was held on Army-Navy Friday, 30 November 2007 in Memorial Hall. Seven alumni were able to attend the a second "Left Coast Edition" of the national meeting held in San Francisco on Sunday, 16 December.

Joe Soto '83 with some of the Midshipmen
attending the Superintendent's Garden Party

USNA Out members Joe Soto '83 and Steve Clark Hall '75 attended the USNA President's Circle Weekend events in Annapolis. This is the second President's Circle weekend where representatives from USNA Out have attended.

Zoe Dunning '85, ??, Jeff Petrie '89
Greer Puckett'75 and Steve Clark Hall '75

Several USNA Out Members attended the LGBT Historical Society 2007 Gala. Zoe Dunning '85 accepted the "Walker Award" on behalf of the Service Members Legal Defense Network (SLDN).