The Days Forward

West Point Class of 1969

What West Point Means to Me

What West Point Means to Me – Jack Gafford

West Point sets a guideline for my life conduct.  West Point is not perfect but points out what can be better.  It has been forgiving when I strayed from the path of doing what is right in the name of expediency.  West Point helped me to understand perfect conduct is an impossible goal and I must sometimes take a step backward to move two steps forward.

West Point taught me to admit when I was wrong.  Admission of wrong is very powerful and allows me to walk the path in a more honorable way.

West Point also taught me the benefits of teamwork and respect for every team member.  I gained the courage to embrace interdependence, not independence.  I owe my company mates for many lessons shown to me.

West Point’s motto “Duty, Honor, Country” has become for me “Duty, Honor, Humankind.” So, today, I may think in global terms, but I try to work and accomplish goals which are local.

What West Point Means to Me – Pat Porter

For me West Point represents an ideal, a special place, a special experience, something that is a source of great pride. We not only were part of it as Cadets for four years, but we remain part of it forever, as members of The Long Gray Line.

Four years at West Point was not a typical college experience. It was extraordinarily rigorous, regimented, and demanding – academically, physically, mentally and emotionally.

There were good times – football weekends, Army-Navy games, athletic events, hops, company intramurals, Buckner summer (even though very physically demanding, I enjoyed it), First Class trip, classmate camaraderie, and many others. I didn’t even mind the parades (I’m in the minority on that), and was very proud to be part of the Color Guard in the fall of First Class year. There were also the tough, grinding experiences – Beast Barracks, Plebe year, gloom period, punishment tours, reveille, inspections, regimented life and other inconvenient obligations of being a cadet. But then, they were meant to be tough – they were part of the experience, part of the character molding, part of the making of a West Pointer. Whether enjoyable or unpleasant, all of those experiences were integral in shaping me and my future in a significant and positive way.

During the earlier years after graduation I did not give much thought or reflection to my years at West Point. My focus was initially on fulfilling the demands of being an Army Officer. After my service obligation, I focused on my civilian career. It was not until my first reunion at the 15 year mark, that I began to reflect on the profound impact West Point had on shaping my life, and the extraordinary influence of that experience. That contemplation and realization has only deepened as the years roll on. The camaraderie, classmate bonds, and the unique, special, and intense experiences we all shared are things I genuinely treasure. Very few young men and women ever have the opportunity for this kind of special experience. I am thankful that I had that opportunity, and am very proud to be a member of The Long Gray Line.

What West Point Means to Me – Sallie Wallace

After several intense years of “muddy boot” soldiering, our family needed a break.  West Point needed a Director of Institutional Research.  Perfect match, though we did not know for how long.   We were waiting for the next “list” that would determine Dick’s career course. Our daughter would later reflect that “lists” often weighed heavily on our family culture. Nonetheless, off we went from Colorado to New York.

When I think back on that time, I can only say it was a gift, a revelation  and a reassurance.

The gift:  West Point brought me rest in mind and mission.  As focused and productive as the workings of the academy were, they allowed me time to savor life, sit on my front steps in Lee Area on a spring afternoon and feed nuts to the neighborhood squirrel Stubby (so named because of a tale missing some of its fullness—the story behind that is probably part of squirrel lore somewhere). There were many idyllic moments like that:  walking my son and his friends to soccer practice, their  laughter trailing behind me; seeing a baby deer bedded down while the mother foraged close by; reading the entire history of America on the tombstones in the cemetery.  I would often slip out my kitchen door just before sunset on those lingering summer evenings and walk among the heroes who slept there—such peace. Such a privilege. West Point was a journey to a higher place.

The revelation:  Committing all to the defense of this great country had a day to day “on the ground” result.  The American family.   It was all around me there.  Waving to my neighbors, walking the dog, standing in respect for retreat.

West Point was an incubator building the right leaders.  West Point was also an American small town at its best—we were all safe, thriving and moving into the future.

The reassurance: The “list” came out and we were headed back to “muddy boots” duty, where soldiers are made.  It was one of Dick’s dreams to be on that “list”. I was thrilled for him; I also knew my upcoming role as a commander’s wife would be taxing.  My time at the academy became a pat on the back for me.  West Point was affirmation that all the work would be worth it, my contribution to Duty, Honor, Country.

What West Point Means To Me – George Coan

Many USMA cadets (and their parents) treasured memorabilia acquired during the cadet’s years at West Point—the “tar bucket” dress hat, cadet saber, etc. Each item brought back memories of a special event, a unique set of circumstances, a personal relationship. My item was a tie tack.
I was fortunate to be on the Army baseball team for my four years at the academy. Officers and Coach Tipton continually taught and mentored us not only on baseball skills but also how to be leaders especially when circumstances didn’t go our way. We bonded as teammates in the crucible of Doubleday Field.
Each spring five major sports—golf, tennis, track, lacrosse, and baseball—competed against top-notch opponents to include Navy. During the spring of our firstie year, not only did the Army teams face tough competition but also extreme weather. As graduation neared, the Army baseball team faced Navy on our home field.
As one team mounted a seemingly insurmountable lead, the other responded and took the lead. In the ninth inning, Army was ahead and only needed one more out to beat Navy. With the bases loaded, the Navy batter hit a pop fly to the Army first baseman. We inwardly let out a victory scream; our first baseman, a very fine fielder, had this in the bag. He camped under the ball and then proceeded to drop it. The runners flew around the bases and Navy took a one-run lead. We were devastated.
Bottom of the ninth, Army gets runners on second and third but there are two outs. Navy needs only one out to defeat Army. The Army batter strides to the plate and proceeds to hit a hard grounder up the middle, past the pitcher, beyond the dives of the two Navy middle infielders, into the outfield for a single. Two runners score and Army wins by one run. And yes, you guessed it, the Army batter was our first baseman—from goat to hero!

Oh, the tie tack. With the baseball team’s win, Army completed a “clean sweep” of Navy in all five spring sports in 1969. The athletic department awarded each spring sports player a tie tack that had a broom sweeping Navy. For me, that tie tack symbolizes what it means to be a leader in the midst of difficult circumstances. And that is what West Point means to me.