Class Widow Policy

Article 1 USNA Class of 1970 Membership and Objectives:

The U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1970 is a not-for-profit Maryland organization, incorporated and operated with the general purpose of organizing and operating programs and activities that perpetuate the friendships and associations formed by Members of the Class of 1970 as defined in our current Bylaws. Any person who was sworn in as a Midshipman on June 29, 1966, as a Member of the Brigade of Midshipmen, Class of 1970, at the Naval Academy, and any other Member of the Brigade of Midshipmen from a senior class who joined the Class of 1970, shall qualify as a Member of the Class of 1970. This population includes midshipmen who rolled back into 1970 from previous classes.

Article 2 Membership:

Original Members of the Class of 1970 are as described above in Article 1. The Class of 1970 extends this Membership to any spouse of a Member who is predeceased by her husband. That person automatically qualifies as and becomes a Member of the Class of 1970 and shall be afforded all the rights and privileges held by a Member, with the exception of holding office as a Class Officer.

Article 3 Purpose and Objectives of this Policy:

Widows of classmates are welcome and encouraged to participate in any and every event in which the Class is involved. The rights, privileges, and courtesies extended to this special and unique category of Class Membership are full and unencumbered. The Class is proud to extend other opportunities and benefits to this special class of Members. These specific opportunities include participation in a variety of Class events and activities as discussed herein. The purpose of this Addendum is to clarify Class policy on various conditions and circumstances under which these activities and events may occur.

Article 4 Widow Qualifications:

The Class recognizes and appreciates that there are many personal conditions under which widowhood occurred or may occur. This article identifies the qualifications and circumstances which need to be met by a widow to qualify as a Member of the Class of 1970 (a “Qualified Widow”) to be afforded all the rights and privileges held by a Member.

4.1 Induction Day: If a Classmate sworn in on “I” Day left the Naval Academy or rolls back to another class before graduation, the widow does not qualify as a Class of 1970 Member.

4.2 Divorce: If the widow and the Classmate were divorced, the widow does not qualify as a Class Member.

4.3 Remarried Widow: If the widow re-married another USNA Graduate, the widow does not qualify as a Class of 1970 Member.

4.4 Multiple Marriages: If the Classmate was married multiple times, only the most recent widow qualifies as a Class of 1970 Member.

4.5 Engagement: If the Classmate was engaged at the time of his death, his fiancé does not qualify as a Class of 1970 Member.

4.6 Honorary Classmates: Addendum 2 to the Class of 1970 Bylaws establishes Guidelines and Criteria for Honorary Members of the Class of 1970. A widow or fiancé who does not meet the above requirements for Qualified Widow status may nevertheless be nominated and approved as an Honorary Member if she meets the guidelines. However, if a widow or fiancé who does not meet the above requirements for Qualified Widow status becomes an Honorary Member, she is still not considered a “Qualified Widow.”

Note: Any exceptions to the above qualifications must be approved by vote of the Class Officers.

Article 5 Class Reunions and Tailgates:

Of all the events and activities in which the Class participates, the major draws are Class reunions (generally every 5 years), and home football games with Class tailgates. All widows and other family members of deceased classmates, all Honorary Members of the Class of 1970, and other guests of Members of the Class of 1970 are invited to participate and attend these events as guests of the Class. However, significant differences in policy are necessary between home game Class tailgates and Class Reunions, relative to the costs associated with guest participation.

Specifics regarding attending these events are discussed in more detail below.

5.1 Tailgates: Widows and other family members of deceased classmates, Honorary Members of the Class of 1970, and other guests of Members of the Class of 1970 are invited to attend Class tailgates at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD as guests of the Class. There are no numerical limits on guest attendance, but guests are requested to contribute to tailgate logistics. It is important that guests or their host(s) communicate with tailgate organizers in advance regarding how many guests will be in attendance and how guest attendance will be coordinated during the event. Guests are encouraged to participate in the potluck theme as much as they are able.

5.2 Reunions: Formal reunions are held every five years in Annapolis, MD. Widows and other family members of deceased classmates, Honorary Members of the Class of 1970, and other guests of Members of the Class of 1970 are encouraged and invited to attend and participate in Class Reunion events as guests of the Class. All such guests should be hosted by a Class Member. However, only Qualified Widows, as defined above in Article 4, may attend at the expense of the Class. This privilege is extended to one (1) guest of the Qualified Widow (e.g., current spouse, son, or daughter). All other guests are required to pay for reunion events per the fee structure established for each Reunion. An individual Company may choose to sponsor an additional guest or guests at its own expense, above this one guest limit. Further, the Class does not pay for the costs of football tickets to the game. Tickets are required to enter the stadium and the Class Reunion tailgate venue. While the Reunion tailgate is free to the widow and one guest, a paid ticket is required for entrance to the stadium and the tailgate venue.

This Policy was Approved by vote of the Class Officers on 15 April, 2021.

Edmund E. Moore
President, USNA '70

Updated: June 23, 2021
Curator: Ed Moore