Keywords: US Navy 060518-N-6967M-556 Nearly 1,000 freshmen midshipmen attempt to climb a 21-foot lard-covered obelisk as thousands of spectators watch with the hopes that they complete the task quickly.jpg en Annapolis Md May 18 2006 - Nearly 1 000 freshmen midshipmen attempt to climb a 21-foot lard-covered obelisk as thousands of spectators watch with the hopes that they complete the task quickly At the firing of cannons the class of midshipmen works together in their attempt to climb to the top of the 21-foot gray obelisk covered in more than 200 pounds of lard and retrieve a white plebe dixie-cup hat According to legend the plebe who replaces the white hat with a midshipman's cover will become the first member of the class to become an Admiral U S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Shane T McCoy RELEASED 2006-05-18 060518-N-6967M-556 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 34681 U S Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Shane T McCoy PD-USGov-Military-Navy Herndon Monument Photographs by Shane T McCoy |