My folks were excited that I got an appointment to West Point. It was a Saturday morning at breakfast that I got the call from our Congressman Garner Shriver (a personal call) and I said “Thanks, but I wasn’t sure that USMA was such a good choice.” Actually, I was set on going to the United States Air Force Academy and flying with the idea of becoming an astronaut someday.
Dad nearly whipped me and told me to call back the congressman immediately. I complied.
It was wheat harvest time in Kansas prior to my departure and we were harvesting & baling hay in late June. I had to park the tractor, say bye to Dad, take a quick bath before Mom and my high school sweetheart took me to the train station. I had to buy my ticket to West Point. Only TWA offered flights, but at a price well beyond my budget, and Dad’s budget.
In the Chicago station, I met this big guy from Keokuk, Iowa, Helmut Haas, and we both almost decided to return home, as we were missing our girlfriends. However, we stuck it out together for about 24 hours on the train to NY.
I don’t remember anything about how I arrived at school, nor much about getting clothes and haircuts. Joined 1st New Cadet Company in East New South barracks and four years of “fun & games” began.
Interesting that Helmut & I ended up in the same company and enjoyed the “frat life” that being in 1st Regt entailed!
Roger –
B-1 was a better place with you and Helmut as company mates.
It wasn’t until our B-1 Zooms during the pandemic that we learned Helmut’s father was in the German Army in WWII. Our classmates’ stories are uncountable.