If any firstie parents are interested in a somewhat unique and relative
inexpensive graduation gift, they might consider a membership in The Army
and Navy Club. 

The Army and Navy Club, on Farragut Square in Washington DC, is a private
club for active duty, retired and prior service commissioned officers, and
has been in existence since 1885. The clubhouse is very exquisite. In
addition to a dining room and grill, it has a library, a ballroom, a number
of meeting rooms, an athletic facility, as well as 29 Bedroom Suites. 

The Club also has reciprocal agreements with over 130 Clubs around the U.S.
and the World. including such clubs as the Army and Navy Club of London, The
New York Athletic Club and The Marine Memorial Club in San Francisco, which
generally have excellent accommodations at reasonable rates. This  is one of the major advantages of being a member.

The Club has a special category of membership for newly commissioned
officers, where they waive the initiation fee and do not require sponsorship
if they have been commissioned five years or less. The application process
is very straight-forward. The annual dues for newly commissioned officers is
$30.00 per year for the first five years. Some may want to consider paying
the first five years dues as the gift. They will process the application
prior to commissioning, with membership effective as of that date.

If anyone is interested they can contact Karen Atkins Purifoy, the Club's
Membership Coordinator at (202) 721-2089, or e-mail her at
purifoyanc@yahoo.com. The Club has a website at www.armynavyclub.org.