Parent's Pointer View
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Parent’s Pointer View A publication of the West Point Parent’s Club of MD-DC-VA www.west-point.org/parent/wppc-mddcva July 2007 Volume 07-08 Issue 1 The Presidents’ Corner June kicks off our busiest season as we welcome In July, our club focused on Plebe Parent Potlucks. cadet candidates and their parents to our club! Thanks to We sponsored gatherings in both Virginia and Maryland the efforts of our MALOs and the generosity of the that allowed new cadet parents to swap stories and bond WPSDC, we hosted 33 cadet candidates and their with each other and with current club members. Several parents at our Welcome Picnic at Spates NCO Club at cadets from the local area were generous with their time Ft. Myer on 3 June. and attended the two picnics. They were able to answer The area covered by parents’ questions effectively and courteously and all of our club actually had us swelled with pride at their poise and thoroughness. 66 cadet candidates We also passed along information about A Day, Plebe accepted and slated to Parent Weekend, and the bloc of rooms that we have report to USMA on R reserved for the Army-Navy Game in Baltimore on 1 Day!!! Having half December. of them come to our We look forward to a busy Fall and to continuing welcome reception the tradition of close support and coordination between was a coup! the WPSDC and our Parents’ Club. Go Army! Beat LTG (Ret.) William J. Lennox, the former supe, Navy! was our keynote speaker – what a treat!!! He was followed by cadets who spoke to both cadet candidates and their families regarding the emotional peaks and Ken O’Sullivan, ’63, and Mary O’Sullivan valleys of Beast Barracks. We had at least 10 local Co-Presidents, WPPC of MD-DC-VA Caroline, ‘08 cadets give up some of their free time to attend the picnic and welcome the newest members of the Long Gray Line! Table of Contents: On R Day, 2 July this year, several Parent Club The Presidents’ Corner ……………….……...1 Board members staffed a booth in Eisenhower Hall and Graduation 2007!! ………………………..…..2 New Cadet Candidate Picnic ..……...…….….2 offered our newest members a helping hand or a shoulder to lean upon that day. Twenty-six new families R-Day …………………………...……………3 Bits & Brags ……………………………….....3 joined our ranks that day!!! The Class of 2011 is well represented in the club with 70 members!!!! We expect Class Afghans 2007 ………...………………..5 Alumni Parents ………………………………5 great things from them. Plebe Parent Pot Lucks ………………………5 We have been very impressed with the Class of “On the fields of friendly strife…” ..…………5 1961’s efforts to reach out to the Class of 2011. On R Army Swimming …………...………………5 Day, the Class of ’61 hosted a Parents’ Lounge in Ike LAX 2007 Sandhurst ………………………6 Hall that offered coffee, doughnuts, and, most Army 10-Miler 2007 ………..……………...7 importantly, a place to sit down on that memorable day. Army Football 2007 ………..……………... 7 Cadet Receives East-West Fellowship …...….7 The Class of ’61 is also hosting a picnic on “A Day” for the Class of 2011 and their parents, families, and friends. Joint Service Academy Ball 2007 …….....…...7 Summertime / Buses …...…………………….8 We think they are setting a new standard – a good one at that! Joint Service Academy Ball 2007 Flyer ...…...9 Membership Application ...…………….…...10 Board Members .………………….…………11 1 Graduation USMA Class of 2007 and joy from family in the stands. Then, the white cadet hats were sent skyward as the Graduates hugged, The congratulated, and thanked one another for the support Graduation Parade and friendship that had grown over the past four years. on the day before Almost all of the young kids (right age, right size), the actual walked away from Michie Stadium with what was graduation was probably one of their most prized possessions. As I absolutely walked down the hill to attend one of the bar-pinning fantastic, in spite ceremonies, I said to a young girl, “Aren’t you the lucky of the start to a one to have got a nice hat like that.” She replied, “No warm day (the the hat is jinxed.” Taken aback she explained that there previous day several cadets had keeled over in the even was a note inside that started out “This hat is jinxed. It warmer practices). When the ‘07 has brought me nothing but bad luck over the past four Firsties separated from their years…” Many of these hats had special notes because respective Companies and they had meant so much to those who had worn them. marched to the stands, you could The 2nd Lieutenant feel that you were witnessing an Bar Pinning Ceremony event that happens to each cadet we attended was across only once in their West Point from Lee Barracks. “Always Remember, career. Upon conclusion of the Tactical Officer and Never Surrender” “Pass in Review” the ‘07’s were NCO conducted the able to “break ranks” and join their ceremony, reading the cheering families and friends. It was equally exciting to orders and the oath, as see the rest of the parents, relatives, and/or Corps march onto friends pinned a gold bar the Plain and take onto the shoulders of each of the newly minted 2LTs. over their new Our Club’s best wishes go out to all the Class of positions. 2007 Graduates and their families. Most parents, family, and visitors were up extremely Class of 2007 Graduation Parade New Cadet Candidate Picnic early for the big Center Kevin Quigley, Co. B-3 (‘09) Another super New Candidate picnic was held on 3 day at Michie June, 2007 at Fort Myer in Arlington, VA from noon to Stadium. Traffic coming into Stony Lonesome Gate 3 PM. In attendance were 35 New Cadet candidates, 11 went on for miles and the Vice-Presidential motorcade current cadets, their families and friends and numerous had most parking up at the Post Exchange. But with members of the MD-DC-VA WPPC, totaling more than typical military precision even visitors had passed the 175 people. Candidates and their families were met by metal detectors and were in their seats by the time the Barrett Weiser to sign Graduation ceremonies began. in, followed by a visit After the to John and Denise invocation and a Micham’s table for few introductory information folders speeches, Vice- and Deb Taylor’s table President Cheney for membership. gave the Before lunch, they commencement were able to mingle address under a with current cadets clear blue sky. and their families, Following the “The Supe”, LTG (Ret.) Lennox, shop new graduation Class of 2007 Graduation shares some thoughts with his merchandise, learn speeches and Beth Sutey, ‘07, with brother, Jack, former cadets about the Joint Service address, the and sister, Ellen, '09 Academy Ball and browse raffle items. Cadets filed up and were awarded their hard-earned Because of the welcome rain, the program began diplomas. In an incredibly short time all diplomas had indoors after everyone had a chance to get something to been distributed through the applause and tears of pride 2 eat from the About 7:00 AM, our Parent Club table greeted the sumptuous buffet. first of the Hot dogs, parents to hamburgers, potato experience the salad were just a “90-second few of the items goodbye.” from 4 long tables Some shock, of yummy food. some awe – When the program we remember! began, President That’s why Mary O'Sullivan we are there welcomed passing out everyone and laid camouflage- out the program wrapped Waiting to meet and greet New Cadet parents are the Club Co-Presidents and Lisa Lejk for the afternoon. candy kisses, The special Cadets Caroline O’Sullivan, '08 info on Plebe Parent Potlucks, buses, and general advice speakers followed: and Sean Mitcham, '09 about where to stand for the last look at the new cadet LTG (Ret.) Bill after the oath ceremony!!! Lennox, former Superintendent, cadet speakers Caroline After we closed up our WPPC table around 1300, O’Sullivan, ‘08 and Sean Mitcham, ‘09, and MALO we wandered around and learned comments by COL(Ret.) Ray McCann and LTC Mike that things were going splendidly Peffers. for the cadre and administration. After the speakers, she At that point, USMA was 300 introduced Board members cadets ahead of where they who described their jobs and expected to be in processing the gave parents insights into newest members of the Long Grey how the club works. Next, Line!! each future member of the It was a banner day for the Class of 2011 came forward club – we had 26 new members to introduce themselves. join on the spot in Ike Hall! That’s Once this was complete, the Virginian makes this the record – well, as far as the last new cadet candidates and year’s poster Cadet of three years!!!! Nothing the current cadets went the Red Sash (Wolf- happens in the club by chance, so outside to ask and answer many questions led by Ekkehard Hindrichs) we must extend thanks to Lisa Cadets John Jorgenson, ‘08 and Daniel Davison, ‘08 and Lejk, our club secretary and mother of David Scheys, to eat the delicious sheet cake. Inside, parents got to Class of ‘10, and her niece; Don O’Sullivan, associate pepper board members with numerous questions about member and uncle R-Day, A-Day, bus travel, Plebe Parent picnics, Plebe of Caroline Parent Weekend, etc. All too soon, it was 3 PM and O’Sullivan (’08); time to end. But, everyone agreed it was informative and the club co- and fun! presidents, Ken & The Club’s thanks go out to Hugh and Glen Cole Mary O’Sullivan.