US Naval Academy freshmen, known as plebes, climb the Herndon Monument, a tradition symbolizing the successful completion of the midshipmen freshman year May 23, 2016 in Annapolis, Maryland. The Herndon Monument Climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy, the freshman class works together to hoist a member of their class to the top of the lard cover monument to replace the Plebeian hat with an officer's hat. [Photo/IC] |