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West Point Class of 1969

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Jul 01 2023

Haircut before R-Day

My parents dropped me off at the entrance to central area after a couple days drive from my home near Chicago.  We stopped one day in PA to visit my Dad’s relatives and drop off my siblings. We arrived in the morning of R-Day and I didn’t see my family again until Christmas. It seems kind of harsh especially since I was only 17, not turning 18 until December, but I didn’t know any better! It might have been harder on my parents; I was the oldest of 5, so this was new for everyone. 

My dad had given me a haircut the day before.  I remember going to the barber shop and being asked why I was there since “it’s obvious” I had already been there for a haircut!!!

I knew nothing about the military, so the rest of the day (and all of beast summer) is a blur.  I do remember marching out to Trophy point for the swearing-in ceremony.

I also remember a guy standing next to me before reporting to the “man in the red sash”, quit on the spot and left!!

Getting a Cadet Haircut on R-Day

Written by Suzanne Rice · Categorized: By Tom Kerestes, R-Day Memory

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eric Robyn says

    Feb 29, 2024 at 2:34 pm

    Ah, yes, your story brings back many memories, Tom! Thanks for sharing … send in more!

    Reply
  2. Ron Male says

    Mar 1, 2024 at 2:43 pm

    Tom,
    Thank you for the historical overview – I enjoyed hearing more about your life. Makes me think of our days together on the Beast Detail as upperclassmen; we had a good bunch of “kids” for that experience. WP prepared us to deal with whatever was thrown at us throughout life.

    Reply

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