A mother tells of her son’s first adrenaline-filled calls home from the Naval Academy and his passion for flying the newest Navy helicopters. A father recalls first hearing of the attacks on America Sept. 11, 2001 as he walked to class in his last year as a midshipman.
In The Shadow of Greatness, set for release Wednesday by the Naval Institute Press, shares the experiences of the first class since Vietnam to graduate during wartime. The book provides a glimpse into the post-9/11 careers of the academy’s class of 2002 through a compilation of 33 first-person accounts from Navy and Marine Corps officers, and even parents of those lost.
Editors Joshua Welle, John Ennis, and Annapolis residents Katherine Kranz and Graham Plaster — who all included essays — found a stirring array of stories after inviting classmates to share their accounts.
What was created was a book filled with “real” stories about how the class of 2002’s post-grad careers were different than any others, Kranz said.
“9/11 really did change our military careers,” Kranz said. “The fact that our country went to war with Iraq and into Afghanistan [right after we graduated] gave us an interesting platform to write the book and share our stories.”
Kranz’s essay provides a look at her experience just getting her feet on an aircraft carrier and stomaching the twists and turns while sitting in the back of a plane when those vehicles were used in Iraq.
These aren’t all Top Gun-like stories, though, Kranz said.
There’s one from a man who explains his struggles being homosexual prior to the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
Another came from a female describing her experience as the last female pilot to fly an F-14. The passage, entitled “Fulfilling a Top Gun Dream,” includes less about shots fired and more about her push to be a part of a team than singled out as a female.
The themes of service and teamwork are what sold Tom Cutler on the book. He is director of professional publishing and senior acquisitions editor at the Naval Institute Press. When Welle, the 2002 class president, brought the idea to Cutler, he thought it was nearly impossible.
“I think I used the term ?herding cats,’” Cutler said. “Even if you’ve only got six authors, it’s always difficult to get them coordinated.”
But 33 essays?
Sure enough, Cutler said when Welle delivered a product fit to print, it was “nothing short of a miracle,” Cutler said.
A book tour with the editors begins Saturday in Annapolis and ends Nov. 11 in California.
In the Shadow of Greatness’ official launch is planned for 11 a.m., Sept. 11, at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. Additional essays will be released on the book’s promotional website at shadowofgreatness.com. The book’s retail price is $29.95.
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