Recipient of the Commodore Steven Decatur award

Take the last two weeks for example. It was thrilling to go to the University of South Carolina to see my youngest grandson, Angus Yeoman, not only graduate but also be commissioned an Ensign, in the US Navy of course, like his mom and dad, Chris and Tracie. Then after a quick visit home, I got to see him off to Penascola to begin his career in naval aviation.

But then, last week, I went to Barnegat High School to see my oldest great grandson, James Smith, son of my grandson Jason and his wife Melissa, receive numerous awards at the award ceremony of his NJROTC unit at Barnegat High School where James is a rising Junior.

James has always been outstanding in the NJROTC and has donated so many hours and weekends to volunteering on BB62, the Battleship New Jersey Museum at Camden. But at last week’s ceremony, he was also the sophomore recipient of the Commodore Steven Decatur award, named for the heroic commodore of the War of 1812.

Sponsored by the Naval Land Association, the award is given to a cadet who demonstartes those Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment, shows potential as a leader in his upper class high school years, and demonstrates motivation, performance of duty and military bearing. He aslo had to maintain a B or better in NROTC and a minimum of a cumulative B average in academic studies.

James also had the honor of having that award presented to him by his aunt, Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman. USN (ret), who had  not yet come off her own high in joy at her son Angus’s achievement as an Ensign.

But that wasn’t all. James received other awards at his ceremony, so his dad was also up on stage to make those presentations.

That makes a total of 16 awards James has received in his two years in NJROTC where he’s an ensign. His unit received the Distinguished Unit award for being the best unit in Area 4 of the NJROTC, as well as a personal award for aptitude for his dedication to the NJROTC program

He has also earned two awards for outstanding cadet based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance and conduct, another Exemplary Conduct and Personal Appearance award, a Physical Fitness award, a Unit Service award for being an upstanding member of the unit, as well as a Participation award for his work with the unit.

He has earned the community service award, the Academic Achievement award for being on the school’s honor roll, a drill team award, another for recruiting two members to the unit, one from the Sons of the Revolution, a medal, for outstanding leadership and soldierly bearing, the Order of the Dedallion for Citizenship, and has been in Honor Company for his first and second years of service. He is also in Sea Cadets where he is a petty officer third class.

Whew!

But being at the ceremony, I could also see why James received so many awards and praise from his commanding offier and other members of the NJROTC. He was on stage the entire awards ceremony, because it was he who had been in charge of gathering all the medals, arranging them in order so the presenters could take the time to congratulate and shake the hand of each medal or award recipient at the ceremony, and then present a few of the medals himself.

He was busy, he was happy, he knew what he was doing, and he certainly made me proud!

And to top it off even more, the youngest of my great grandchildren. Brynleigh McNamee, celebrated her first birthday and her parents Trey and Jamie, hosted a spectacular party for the occasion for four generations of both sides of the family and I got to see once again what incredibly wonderful parents my grandchildren are.

The McNamee house is filled with love, just the right amount of discipline, a handsome and dynamic son and brother to Brynleigh, Athan, and overflowing joy and happiness.

Everyone should be as fortunate as I.