For the eight years before entering USMA, I lived at West Point, most of the time in the Lusk housing area. The night before I entered, I swam in Lusk Reservoir, like my older brother had done. Totally unauthorized, of course. I forgot that something called “The Sound and Light Show” was going to be held that evening. So, about two minutes into my swim, there was a lot of light in the sky, and I rushed to shore before somebody like the MP’s saw me. In the morning, my best friend from Highland Falls High School drove onto post, picked me up and drove me to Central Area. As many know, I never made it to the Swearing-In Ceremony because my trousers were way too tight, I almost passed out, and I was dragged to the hospital. So, only five of the six West Point-based New Cadets were there.
“Mister, do you lie left or right?”
“Huh? What does that mean?”
We were young and ignorant, but enthusiastic.