Email sent 30 August 2021 to all registered:

Dear Classmate,

You have probably read the email sent by USMMA earlier today cancelling Homecoming due to a surge in COVID-19 cases on campus and in the surrounding area. (I've copied it below, in case you didn't receive it.) I'm sorry to report that we are thus cancelling the tailgate and dinner party scheduled for October 2, 2021.

As my heart is saying "have the party!", my head is saying "don't do it."

We would not be allowed on campus to tailgate. While our dinner/party was scheduled to be off campus at The Metropolitan in Glen Cove, daily COVID 19 cases are up eight times that of a year ago in Nassau County. 104 people registered for our class dinner with classmates coming from 19 states from NH, to FL, to TX, to WA. It would be awful for us to proceed, only to learn later that we were a "super spreader event" unnecessarily causing people to be ill or to die.

Thank you for registering and paying for the Class of 1986 35th Reunion events. Once I determine and deduct any non-recoverable costs, I will refund (via PayPal) tailgate and dinner party payments. If you prefer to donate some of your payment to the Class of 1986 Memorial Arbor fund, please let me know now. Do not hesitate to ask any questions about payments - I'm happy to share information on related finances.

We will reconvene soon - maybe in Vegas in March 2022 or somewhere else, or maybe even at KP next year... stay tuned.

Please be safe and do your best to keep you and your family healthy!

Best regards,

Connie

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From: USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation <aaf@usmmaalumni.com>

Date: Mon, Aug 30, 2021 at 4:26 PM

The following statement was released at USMMA this afternoon:

We are disappointed to announce that the Homecoming events currently scheduled for Sept. 10-11, and Oct 1-2, and Parents Weekend, currently scheduled for Sept. 24-26, are canceled.

Recent monitoring of the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant indicates that Nassau County, New York (where USMMA is located) is considered an area with a high transmission rate for that variant. That rate is high enough that additional safety protocols have been implemented at the Academy for indoor activities. Our experience with COVID is that once it is on campus, it is difficult to control and eradicate, and it is extremely disruptive to the quality of life of our Midshipmen.

Visitors from around the country are scheduled to attend each of these events, and while many are vaccinated, the prevalence of breakthrough exposure is too great to accept the risk of welcoming visitors aboard. In addition, likely restrictions on indoor events will undoubtedly affect our ability to provide quality events for our guests.

With that in mind, and out of an abundance of caution for the safety, health, and well-being of the Regiment of Midshipmen, the staff, and the faculty of the Academy, we have decided to cancel each of these events. Look for more information soon.

Acta Non Verba

To see a video announcement about these events and the new rules for Delano Hall, please review this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/lgSBMbR4wyo

COVID-19 WARNING:

As of 30 July 2021, New York State has no COVID-19 restrictions in place and the decision to go forward with Homecoming events (on and off campus) is based on current NY State Health Protocol Guidelines.

Some or all events may be changed/cancelled if NYS institutes new guidelines, including wearing of masks. Please make all travel

arrangements with the knowledge that the schedule is subject to change.