Schools

Weather Means Change Of Plans At Coast Guard Academy

Commencement moved indoors because of the rain; president is on schedule

President Barack Obama’s visit to New London today should have little effect on traffic, according to law enforcement officials.

“Any traffic disruption should be minimal,” said Agent in Charge Bob Barrett of the New Haven office of the United States Secret Service.

Barrett said there may be some delays in the area of the , where Obama is for the 130th commencement exercises at 11 a.m. Barrett said these delays would not be prolonged and would most likely occur around 10 a.m. as well as between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

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Deputy Chief Marshall Segar of the said Farnsworth, Oneco, Nameaug and Deshon streets will all be closed to traffic from 9:45am to 10:30am as well as 1:50pm to 2:40pm. Parking will also be banned on the streets from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The academy is graduating 229 cadets with Bachelor of Science degrees and commissioning them as ensigns in the United States Coast Guard. The ceremony has moved indoors, to Leamy Hall, because of the weather.

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First Cadet Nathanael Crum, a native of Bellevue, Wash. was named the academy’s distinguished graduate of the year and will deliver the cadet address. The honor recognizes the cadet who graduates with the highest Military Precedence List Average. Crum, who earned a degree in civil engineering and was a member of the school’s cross country and track teams, will attend flight school to learn how to fly Coast Guard aircraft.

Rear Admiral J. Scott Burhoe, superintendent of the academy, will make his last appearance at the school's commencement. Burhoe has served in the position for four years and will become president of Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. Other speakers include Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano; Admiral Robert J. Papp, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; and President Jureland Zedkaia of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, who will administer the oath of office to cadet Jefferson Bobo of that country.

The commencement is open to family members and other invited guests, and parking on campus is restricted to pre-approved vehicles during the ceremony. Guests have been directed to park at either the parking lots or at Crystal Mall, where a shuttle bus will be running to the academy from 7:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. with later shuttles returning guests to the mall.

Segar said protesters must have a permit from the city if they are using public address systems. One demonstration, organized by the Southeast Connecticut Peace and Justice Network, will march from Parade Plaza to the academy at 10 a.m. to present a petition protesting military spending, cuts to domestic program, conditions at Guantanamo Bay, and foreclosures by large banks. Participants will make stops at the Crystal Avenue high-rise, , the , and the and close by returning to the plaza for lunch.


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