Shipmate's Memorial (page under construction)

These pictures were taken in Annapolis, Maryland, at Shipmates' Memorial, located on Route 450, between Governor's Overlook and the World War II Monument. This lovely garden is a peaceful place to remember three friends who died together and it is dedicated to their memories: shipmates Lisa Winslow (Class of 94, age 21), Robin Pegram (Class of 96, age 20), and Autumn Pevzner (Class of 96, age 19).

Robin and Autumn are buried side by side in the Academy cemetery, but Lisa is buried in Ohio, so the garden provides a place for friends who knew and loved them all to go to pay their respects to all of them at once, leave flowers and small gifts, and let the world know they are all still remembered.

The originating idea and the force behind it all was a dear friend and classmate of Lisa's, Jason Berger, but the garden was paid for by the Brigade of Midshipmen (Classes 1994-1997) as well as other supporters, and it was planted by their own hands. They finished in time for it to be dedicated during 94's Commissioning Week, a ceremony attended by all three families and many of the midshipmen.

Along with bushes, plants, and three trees, the garden contains three memorial stones, each dedicated to one of the girls, each bearing a bronze plaque containing words written by that girl's family. I wrote Lisa's. We were only allowed to use so many words and (next to the eulogy that I wrote for her funeral) it was the hardest piece of writing I've ever done.

"Lisa Michelle Winslow
Aug. 17, 1972 - Dec. 5, 1993
Lisa was born in Painesville, Ohio to Mark and Betty Winslow and grew up in Bowling Green. She loved life and sang and danced her way through it. Most important to her were her parents, her siblings (Michael, Matthew, and Amanda), her friends, and her love for God. She joined the USNA Class of 94 after graduating from Toledo's Maumee Valley Country Day School in 1990. Lisa lived the Marine Corps motto, "Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)" and she wanted to be the first female USMC helicopter pilot. She died in an auto accident not far from this spot.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection, and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I have believed..." (John 11:25-27)"

Today, the trees are no longer skinny saplings and the bushes have grown tall, almost hiding the stones. The WWII monument, added years later, is an impressive sight, but its location blocks the view of Bancroft Hall (the girls' "home away from home" during their USNA years) that used to be visible when you stood on the brick trident's point facing the water.

It's OK, though. Lisa's and Robin's grandfathers were WWII veterans. Autumn's parents immigrated to the US from Israel. I'm sure all of the families involved would agree, the WWII vets deserve their place of honor. It is enough for us that the garden exists. It says quietly to all who visit there, "These three lived and were loved by many and they will not be forgotten."