Testament to the USNA Class of 1952

Date: 20 Jul 2023
Location: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States

Photo Courtesy Shipmate magazine

Note: The following article was published in the Oct 2023 issue of Shipmate, the magazine of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, pages 49-50, Class News '52. ^[1]

Recognition of Chaplain Kimberly Moses, CAPT USN (Ret.), Honorary Member of the Class of 1952 and our Chaplain.

As she has so many times, Kimberly Moses gave the homily at the funeral of CAPT Jim Wilson, Jr., USN (Ret.) at Arlington National Cemetery on July 20, 2023. The homily was a marvelous testament to the Class and to Jim and his family. At my request, Kimberly has created a precis of her Homily to share here. Kimberly has served and inspired the Class for many years, and she continues to do so. It is an honor to present her remarks, which follow.
— Best, Jack Young

United States Naval Academy Class of '52 - Tough Shoes to Fill

"Shipmates,
Of late, I have been attending and conducting several funerals of Classmates from the Great Class of ’52. It’s that time of life, isn’t it? I thought I would put something together, drawn from the last several reunions to remind you of some important ideas. These can serve as memories to ponder and relish, but more importantly, I hope that they will serve as memory milestones and anchor points for you for the days ahead.

First, you arrived in Annapolis in 1948, a bunch of pretty hopeless Plebes. Some of you had some college education, two of you already had degrees, but together you suffered through the indignities of being Plebes. The Great Class of 1952 took as its motto, Tough Shoes to Fill, and indeed you set the standard for all the classes that followed.

You still hold the distinction of being the Class with the most Golden Eagles, the most astronauts, the experts of submarine warfare, and the most senior officers. So confident were you of your future that you left your shoes on the parade deck after the final parade incurring the wrath of the Academy and the threat of not graduating. But you were that good, and you graduated!

You graduated to war – first the Korean war, then Vietnam, and finally the Cold War – on Submarine patrol deep under the water, in the skies above, shot down and taken prisoner, on board ship, with the Marines, at home, around the world and around the moon. You stood the watch. And while you stood the watch over us, God stood the watch over you. We have read from Psalm 121 at each reunion, here are a few verses.

I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

The Lord watches over you,

The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life;

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more. ^[2]

God’s very character is to watch over you and He will watch over you until you are safely home.

Second, we make much of your shoes! We just do. It’s fun! At the 65th Reunion in 2017 we talked about the shoes, and the importance of what was done in the shoes. A pair of shoes doesn’t get you anywhere, it’s what you do in the shoes that counts, according to Michael Jordan. Living with courage, growing from adversity, raising the standard, working hard, believing in the impossible, and most importantly, being who you were born to be.

In Psalm 139, we are reminded that God knows us, and knows who He created us to be – in fact, He knows us so well that He knows our every move, even what we will say before we say it. He has a blueprint for our lives, and He thinks about us continually and all those thoughts are precious, they are good. God knows us. He created us. He knows what we were born to be and He is with us every step of the way. Finally, just last year, we reminded ourselves of the importance of knowing Who is holding us. Just as a football is worthless in my hands, but in the hands of Zug Zastrow it was worth a win over Army, it is important to know Who is holding us. Who is in charge of our lives, Who can make a difference in our lives.

II Corinthians 4:16 says: “We do not give up hope. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

Isn’t that amazing? I feel the effects everyday of a failing body, and while God gives me and you grace to deal with age and illness, He is at the same time renewing our spirit every day, giving us inner strength to face each challenge as it comes.

For someone with Alzheimer’s who can no longer talk, God still renews them inwardly every day. When the eyes no longer see so well, when hearing can’t be helped, when the hip, the back, the knees, or the heart all grow faint, God is still at work, renewing the spirit of those who trust in Him.

Shipmates, I celebrate your excellent lives, I celebrate the Great Class of ’52. I trust that as you complete your journey, that your shoes will bring you amazing memories and sure footing, that you will finish the work you were born to do, and that God will hold you gently in His hands.”

— Kimberly Moses, Capt, CHC, USN (Ret.)

References:

1. ↑ Article reprinted courtesy Shipmate magazine.
   Shipmate, Oct 2023, pages 49-50, Class News '52, Volume 86, No. 7.
   Publication of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation.
   Inquiries concerning membership or subscriptions and notification of change of address of members and subscribers should be addressed to:
   U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association
   301 King George St., Annapolis, MD 21402-1306
   
2. ↑ Psalm 121, verses 1, 2, 5, 7, & 8.

• United States Naval Academy Class of 1952