The Days Forward

West Point Class of 1969

R-Day Memory

Late to R-Day

My parents were quite pleased when I found out I had been accepted to the United States Military Academy. However, they were very upset that I was leaving home. I’m not saying they did this deliberately, but no one set an alarm and I missed my fight to NYC. I was fortunate to catch a later flight from Des Moines to NYC. Late, late, that is what terrified me the whole flight and bus trip to our school. Late, late, to report to the man in the Red Sash. The next 10 minutes after reporting was just amazing!

Late, late

Meeting My Roommate on the Way to R-Day

Took a train from Grand Rapids, Michigan, switched trains in Detroit, then on to NYC.  Bus to the Thayer Hotel.  Sat on the brick wall at the hotel and met a confident and smart as hell Italian kid from upstate New York who later became my roommate and good friend – Jim Giacomini.

Wall at the Thayer Hotel (Just Inside the Gate at West Point)

Special Memory R-Day

Had never been further north than Memphis, so went several days early to see the big NY City.  In the hotel room next to mine were 3 midshipmen from deep South that had finished their first year, and my 8,000 population town was the biggest hometown of the bunch.  One afternoon we 4 hay seeds decided to go see a movie and were surprised by it being a play, Porgy & Bess. We ate our bags of street-purchased bags of peanuts to the horror of those around us.  On the last night, I shared a room with Tom Delwo and next day I rode up to West Point on a bus next to future roommate, Richard Taricska.  All I could understand was to report to the man in the “red ????.”  Since we couldn’t ask questions, I just went to the back of line to get another rendition of whatever he said.  Third time I finally got it along with a group of upperclassmen who were more than happy to ‘help’ me.

Huh? What Did He Say?

A Memory of R-Day at West Point

Mine is a pre-West Point story and shows how little I knew about West Point.  I’m from Long Island so my admission physical was done at Fort Jay on Governor’s Island, requiring a ferry ride. There were a number of future classmates there for the overnight stay. I met Bill Kyle from New Jersey and we hit it off right away. We hung out during our stay, and as we were heading home, we told each other “We’re going to be roommates when we get to The Point.”

I did not see him again until graduation day. 

Ferry to Governors Island

A Memory from R-Day Class of 1969

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!

Amtrak Train from Detroit