2011 United States Naval Academy Graduate, MA, ENS Alaina DiBiasie Receives Commissioning

Online, June 7, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Commissioning of this year's graduating class at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland was comprised of to 1006 midshipman -800 men and 206 women- on Friday, May 27. Among them was Ensign Alaina Davin DiBiasie, of Saugus, MA. ENS DiBiasie, is the first female graduate of Valley Forge Military College, Valley Forge, PA, 2007 and also a former graduate of Northeast Metro Tech High School of Wakefield, MA 2006.

Before ENS DiBiasie heads to the Fleet her first duties will consist of safety officer and assistant coach onboard various sailing vessels working with the Naval Academy's Varsity Offshore Sailing Team, a team she was a member of since 2008. At the end of the summer she will be reporting for duty as a Surface Warfare Officer on board the USS Boxer LHD-4, a WASP Class Amphibious Assault Ship, stationed in San Diego, CA.

Proud dad, former Navy Corpsman Paul and Mom Debora (Tardanico) DiBiasie are still beaming with awe over their youngest of four children's accomplishments, let alone the 2011 Commissioning Week's events that began Friday, May 20, 2011.

The whirlwind of proceedings underway that took place throughout the historic, picturesque campus in various locations around the USNA YARD for Commissioning Week, were nonstop.

Among them were Awards Ceremonies for Leadership Education and Development, Varsity Athletic Excellence, Midshipman Community Service, Pi Sigma Alpha and various Academic Clubs, Orientations, Parents clubs and Alumni club Celebrations, to a traditional Ring Dance, the Graduation Ball, Baccalaureate Worship Services, the traditional Herndon Monument Climb of the Plebes, performances from the Naval Academy's Drill Team and the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, USNA Band, Drum and Bugle Corps, Men's and Women's Glee Club, Bag pipes, Gospel Choir and various brass, pipe and drum concerts, Color Parade display of marching midshipmen and musical performances with the Offshore Sailing Team sailing behind the parade sailing along the Severn River in formation of which Midn Alaina DiBiasie trimmed spinnaker on NA11 Swift, one of the five sailboats on display.

Then finally, the moment everyone had waited for four years began. The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium filled with supportive family, friends, sponsor families and distinguished guests as they watched 1006 Midshipmen of the class of 2011 file in for the Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies.

The commencement ceremony was graced by defense secretary Robert Gates, who delivered his last commencement address as the Secretary of Defense.

With attention to one of the last ceremonial traditions as a group, the covers were thrown in the air and the young children stormed the field hoping to be lucky enough to collect a cover worn by a midshipman who walked off as Ensigns in the US Navy or 2nd Lieutenants in the US Marine Corps.

Ensign DiBiasie's young cousins Matthew and Julia Cicero of Long Island, NY and Dean and Glen Kjelgaard of Bridgewater, MA were fortunate to obtain covers and will hold them dear from this most momentous occasion.

Following the ceremonial unveiling and adorning of the appropriate insignia and cover, ENS DiBiasie received her first salute from her sister, HM2 Leia DiBiasie SW/AW who has served 11 years as a Corpsman in the United States Navy, currently serving at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam, who was the inspiration behind it all.

The life of a midshipman is intense to say the least. Combining a college education, officer training program, along with daily regimented military routines requires more than your average ability. Luckily for the Midshipman, the Naval Academy has established the Sponsor Program were local residents accept Midshipmen into their homes and offer a "home away from home" atmosphere were the Mids can relax on the weekends and get away from the stresses of school. ENS DiBiasie was blessed to be a part of the Jordan Family, of Crofton, Maryland, during her four years at the Academy.

As these young men and women prepare to serve in the Navy and Marine Corps as officers, we wish them Fair Winds and Following Seas and pray for their well-being and safe return from wherever their duty calls them to serve.