APRIL 1, 2021 1 WWW.WESTPOINT.EDU THE A PRIL 1, 2021 VOL. 78, NO. 12 OINTER IEW® DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY PSERVING THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AND THE COMMUNITY V OF WEST POINT ® West Point recognizes impact of extremism Staff , faculty and cadets gathered at Robinson Auditorium and Eisenhower Hall, respectively, to discuss the impact of extremism in America and how it does not align with the Army’s values during the U.S. Military Academy Extremist Stand Down day on March 24. During the event, the Secretary of Defense Honorable Lloyd Austin (left), USMA Class of 1975, gave a pre-recorded message and addressed the vital importance of the oath of offi ce, the dangers of extremism and how extremist views and conduct goes against true American ideology. Austin added extremist beliefs can also potentially tear at the fabric of what the country represents as an institution. Following Austin’s speech, Col. Mark Weathers (above and below), West Point’s Chief of Staff , further discussed the meaning of the oath of offi ce to the staff and faculty and acknowledged them for the commitment to the Long Gray Line. The staff and faculty (above and below) stood and raised their right hand to recite the oath of offi ce. Photos by Lt. Col. Beth Smith/USMA PAO and Jorge Garcia/PV 2 APRIL 1, 2021 NEWS & FEATURES POINTER VIEW Marathon team hosts half marathon honoring fallen graduates The ninth annual Fallen Comrades Half Marathon, hosted by the Army West Point Marathon team, took place March 21 at West Point. The event commemorated 13 fallen graduates who passed since 2001. There were 219 cadets who participated and 296 virtual participants who also ran and ruck marched as part of the half marathon. The weather set the perfect conditions for some great times on a course. The fi rst-place male runner, USMAPS Cadet Candidate Ian Crocker, fi nished in 1:10:58 (5:26 min/mile), and the fi rst-place female runner, Class of 2021 Cadet Emily Landeryou, fi nished in 1:30:51 (6:57 min/mile). The fi rst-place ruck marcher, Class of 2023 Cadet Rhett Perry, fi nished in 2:18:28 (10:35 min/mile). The marathon team looks forward to holding this event next year and hopes to host all participants in person. Photos by Class of 2024 Cadet Aaron Li 40 Mulberry Street, Middletown, NY 10940 POINTER VIEW ® To subscribe to the Pointer View or The Army civilian enterprise newspaper, the Pointer View, is an authorized publication for members The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not if you have delivery problems, call 845-346-3213. of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pointer View are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or the Times Herald- Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of the Army or the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Record. Superintendent Vacant The editorial content of the Pointer View is the responsibility of the U.S. Military Academy Public Everything advertised in this pub li ca tion will be made available for purchase, use or pa tron age Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt PV Assistant Editor Affairs Offi ce, Bldg. 600, West Point, New York 10996, (845) 938-2015. with out regard to race, color, re li gion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, phys i cal handi cap, Public Affairs Officer Jorge Garcia The Pointer View is printed weekly by the Times Herald-Record, a pri vate fi rm in no way connect ed po liti cal af fi l i a tion or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or pa tron. Eric S. Bartelt PV Staff Writer, 938-3684 with the De partment of the Army, under ex clu sive con tract with West Point. The Times Herald-Record is If a violation or re jec tion of this equal opportunity policy by an ad ver tis er is confi rmed, the publisher PV Managing Editor, 938-2015 [email protected] responsible for all commercial advertising. will refuse to print ad ver tis ing from that source until the violation has been corrected. [email protected] POINT POINTER VIEW IN FOCUS: CADETS AT CONSTITUTION ISLAND APRIL 1, 2021 3 Constitution Island: An historical haven paradise for cadets to enjoy By Eric S. Bartelt PV Managing Editor (Editor’s note: Class of 2021 Cadet Sarah Martin provided the Constitution Island material to shape this into an article.) Constitution Island is a sprawling landmass haven within a hop, skip, jump, short swim and view of the northeast part of the U.S. Military Academy with the Hudson River separating the two. History flourishes at Constitution Island, formerly known as “Martelaer’s Rock,” for many reasons as it is the site of the earliest Revolutionary War fortifications in the Hudson Valley. Taken briefly by the British in 1777, the island was re-occupied by American forces in 1778 and made an integral part of Fortress West Point, most famous for the eastern anchor point of the “Great Chain” used to prevent British naval vessels from navigating freely along the Hudson River. The island also includes the Warner A view of Constitution Island from the U.S. Military Academy grounds. Constitution Island is run by the West Point House, which is a part of the National Historic Museum and during its open hours, cadets and anyone associated with West Point can visit. Courtesy Photo Landmark of USMA. The Warner family, of the island’s scenery, the rich history of the location — more than 20,000 artifacts; the Warner sisters. including sisters Susan and Anna Warner, island, the beautiful museum being completed • The island led the Bald Eagle Conservation “President Dwight Eisenhower is thought who were prolific novelists and songwriters, (on the island) and the island caretaker, Roddy program beginning in 1997; to have appreciated these trips immensely,” owned the island and lived in the house from MacLeod.” • The Warner Family’s legacy is becoming Martin said. “The sisters were once socialites 1838 to 1915. Cadets no longer utilize the island as a immortalized on the property’s new museum; in New York City, but became authors and In 1908, seven years before her death, Anna location of respite like they did in the previous • The island’s significance in the American songwriters after the Warner Family lost Warner sold the island to Margaret Sage, widow two centuries, where they attended bible studies Revolutionary War. their money. These sisters were famous for of the financier Russell Sage. and had a rotation to have their chance to enjoy Martin said visiting the island and learning the hymn, “Jesus Loves Me.” The island was The island was bequeathed to USMA in the magic of the island. about what it offers should be essential for donated after the death of the youngest sister.” 1909 and has been managed by the West Point However, Martin hopes to change that every cadet. Martin said she believes the Warner sisters Museum ever since. thought process and lead the next generation “At one time, Cadet Basic Training was desired for the cadets to appreciate the island In recent years, cadets have sporadically of cadets to enjoy the robustness of the island’s conducted on the island for years, allowing indefinitely. visited Constitution Island for one reason or bliss. cadets to experience the island early in their “To honor their legacy, as well as those another, but on Oct. 31, 2020, the Energy “Constitution Island is truly a hidden cadet careers and to return to it as a place of legacies of cadets who attended the island,” and Environment team took cadets on an oasis for cadets,” Martin said. “Helping to respite throughout their time at the academy,” Martin said. “I felt it is my duty to develop E20 (Energy and Environment officer) trip reinvigorate the Cadet-Constitution Island Martin said. the relationship between the cadets and section to the island. While the island is owned relationship has been a remarkable conclusion Another member of the trip section, Class Constitution Island again.” and located at West Point, it was quite an of my cadet chapter. Learning about the storied of 2021 Cadet Annie Dunlap, said, “The history Travel to Constitution Island varies as experience that none of these cadets on the trip history of this land from Mr. MacLeod has been and serene nature of Constitution Island has cadets can take the ferry, which leaves south section had ever undergone while absorbing an the greatest privilege of this COVID-19 era.” allowed cadets to enjoy beauty away from dock to the Garrison train station and then astounding historical piece of the overall Martin, who is the 3rd Regiment Garrison through the pandemic’s lockdown. heads to the island — especially during the reservation. environmental officer, said the site is important Mr. MacLeod’s hospitality has been nothing warm weather months. Class of 2021 Cadet Sarah Martin, who for many reasons to include: short of a gift to all of us and we are so grateful “My hope is that cadets learn the ferry made the trip section visit, remarked, “The • Constitution Island is a site to the largest for his support.” service can take them to the island on cadets were blown away by the magnificence collection of Indian artifacts found in one From Martin’s perspective, in 2021, most weekends,” Martin said. “However, during cadets do not know Constitution Island exists the winter months, we have rented vans and and this is where she hopes the Energy and driven across Constitution Marsh.” Environment program changes this reality.