A Happy 6’7″ Merchant Marine and the CIC

A great story about innocent joy, persistance and hard work.

Gabriel Whitney says he did not plan to nearly suffocate President Bush in a bear hug. In fact, he did not plan to hug him at all.
[…]
With more reason than most to be overjoyed, the 6-foot-7 midshipman stepped onto the stage to accept his degree and hugged Vice Adm. Joseph D. Stewart, the academy’s superintendent. Then he raised both arms in a victorious salute as his classmates roared their approval.

Elated and with his arms still upraised, he turned toward President Bush, who had just delivered the commencement address.

Mr. Bush, wearing a quizzical expression, responded by raising his arms as well and moved in for a hug. The midshipman — almost unwittingly — found himself squeezing the president in his powerful arms. When the president caught his breath, he shook Mr. Whitney’s hand.
[…]

“The president thought the big bear hug was funny,” said Dana M. Perino, a White House spokeswoman. “He appreciates the terrific enthusiasm of our nation’s graduates, and he was honored to be the first president to address the Merchant Marine Academy. It was quite a thrill for everyone.”

Mr. Whitney’s sister, who works in an advertising office, had designed T-shirts for the 15 family members who attended the ceremony. Mr. Whitney’s many difficulties in reaching graduation were emblazoned on the front of the shirt: 4,872 demerits (“painful”); four and a half years on academic restriction (“wounding”); two visits to the committee that weighs student expulsions (“agonizing”); two reprieves from the admiral (“necessary”); and six years of school with only an undergraduate degree to show for it (“humbling”).

The back of the shirt, which bore a photograph of the midshipman and the American flag, celebrated his crowning achievement: “Passing all licensing exams, first try: Priceless.”

Congrats to Whitney and his family.