Admiral Christopher W. Grady ’84
You are never alone. More than twenty years after Admiral Christopher Grady ‘84, 12th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was a sophomore at Notre Dame, a story from his father made him realize that in the Notre Dame community, you are truly loved, always supported, and never abandoned:
“The first semester of my sophomore year I was balancing ROTC, the fencing team, and increasingly intense history classes. I was down and struggling to keep up, but, apparently, not alone. Behind the scenes, my dorm rector, Fr. Mark Poorman, despite being responsible for more than 380 Notre Dame students, was reaching out to my father every week to discuss how best to support me.”
What a beautiful analogy in this season of Advent for the silent, powerful assistance of the Holy Spirit, who supported Mary and inspired St. Joseph to say ‘yes’ to the birth of Jesus, despite the challenges they faced. Thoughtful, subtle, and quietly steadfast — who are the people, guided by the Holy Spirit, who have loved and supported each of us to become the people we are today?
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Very inspirational story, Chris. It must have been amazing to recognize those who stood with you back then. May we all recognize that we are all from the Body of Christ annoited with goodness we continue to receive from our experiences at Notre Dame.
ADM Grady, thanks for your beautiful story about your Dad and Notre Dame as family – so true. Makes me be proud as an ND NROTC Class of ‘70 grad to support our current ND NROTC Mids, because they, too, are our family.
How lovely to hear this story & the wisdom it brings
What a joy it was to see Admiral Grady in my Faith ND feed today! He was my Commanding Officer over 25 years ago and I’m proud of all he has accomplished. Admiral Grady showed me the same kindness and concern that he received from his Rector and fencing coach. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Admiral!
I too was thrilled to see this come up. Admiral Grady is a wonderful example of faith in action, supporting young scholars in their pursuit of science.
Admiral Grady,
Thank you for sharing your story. Like you, many of us had those Guardian Angels, behind the scenes, encouraging and praying for us. We just didn’t realize it until we became older, wiser and more open to being grateful for the people and blessings in our lives. Notre Dame is such a special place. I ran into a woman last night at the grocery store, who in noticing my Class of ‘88 jacket, shared a story of her son as a ‘09 graduate. She and her husband, who attended the Air Force Academy and her father who retired from the USAF, still attend ND football games with their son. They all consider themselves part of the ND family, and understand the significance of their son’s blessing to have attended Out Lady’s University. That warms my heart.
How don you select a ND alum to tell their story?
Admiral,
Thank you for sharing this story. It reminded me of all those who have helped me so much along life’s journey, particularly my parents. And your thoughts about Coach were so perfect, particularly since he was just mentioned a few days ago by Suzanne Carney in her reflection. Coach had such a positive impact on so many of us. I wish you and your family a blessed and joyful Christmas.
Al Paulus ‘78
Admiral Chris,
What a fantastic testimonial to the power and love of the Holy Spirit. And, you provide such a shining example of being aware of and receptive to that power and love.
So glad to count you as a classmate, fellow NROTC member, and friend…
Class of 84 rules!,
Go Irish!
Loved this! Thank you for sharing.
This is a very thoughtful reflection on the importance of our parents and educators in our lives. Many of us have had similar experiences as a result of going to Notre Dame, and I know I did.
It’s important to reflect upon these times, especially during this season of advent. Admiral Grady, thank you for your thoughts.
Reading this powerful testament to the experience we share at Our Lady’s University encourages me to mention the Father Theodore M Hesburgh ROTC Fellowship which supports ROTC students with grants to offset Room and Board expenses while at Notre Dame. For ROTC grads please consider contributing to continue our acclaimed contribution to the formation of Officers in the Armed services,
A truly wonderful and inspirational story. The dedication, awareness, and service of Fr. Poorman and Coach DeCicco, I am happy to say, were marvelous—but certainly not unusual. Notre Dame was and still is to this day full of people whose encouragement, belief, and inculcation of self-discipline in its students make it such an amazing and unique institution. Everything there from football to academics runs on love. May it ever be so.
Admiral Grady, Thank you for sharing and Thank you for your Service….Go IRISH!!!!
Your beautiful thoughts can inspire many! I am also blessed to be in your
Alum community of Navy ROTC
at ND, Class of 1967.
Andy Reardon
Admiral Grady,
The small circle of ND came round to me, here in Vancouver, WA. When you mentioned Father Poorman as your mentor, it brought back great memories when he was dorm rector for my son at the University of Portland (sister school of ND) and later as President of the school when our youngest daughter was there. Fr. Poorman was an inspiration for me as a parent of these students and you, Admiral, just reminded me of how important it is to have someone praying for you. Thank you for sharing.
May God’s blessings continue to be yours.
Thanks Sir for your comments that certainly resonate with many of us! Notre Dame initiated a lifetime of selfless service based on God, Country, Notre Dame! Balancing Army ROTC, Lacrosse, Science Pre-professional Studies, and maintaining that balance as a Notre Dame student, prepared me for life, without a doubt!
Thank you for all you do!
Merry Christmas to all of our men and women that are in harms way and that serve our nation unconditionally! Go Irish!
Dr. Peter M. Tan, ’79
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital
What a wonderful story, and such a pleasure to meet you and your lovely wife recently. Thank you for sharing this.
What a beautiful inspiring story
Thank you Admiral Grady
ND’72 🍀
Admiral Grady I truly enjoyed your heartwarming remembrance of your time at Notre Dame and the support you received from faculty and staff. We have a few things in common. I left the Navy in 1970 as LT. Blanchard, having served on the USS Ramsey for two Vietnam tours. My mentor was Coach Dennis Stark, who you probably met. I was Captain of the Irish Swimming Team in 1963-64. Marine veteran Coach Stark was my hero.
Thank you for sharing your testimony, Chris. Living a few doors away from you in Dillon Hall during freshman yeat, it’s wonderful to know that Fr. Mark Poorman offered you support in your struggles just as Christ would want. He is an awesome priest. Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas..
What a wonderful story. Your wife and family should be very proud.