USMA 1956 Class Gift

History

At the 40th Class Reunion (Nov. '96) it was decided to set five years as a goal to develop a major Gift from our Class to West Point for dedication at our 50th Reunion in 2006. It was intended to be a Gift that would be our legacy to our Alma Mater. The Fund Drive started in 1997 and the Gift was decided in June 1998.

Fund Drive Organization:

Al Hoffman and Don Ackerman were asked to Co-Chair the Gift Fund Drive, and representatives for each Cadet Bn. and Co. were identified. An extensive campaign to get 100% of the Class to contribute a total of $2 million towards the Gift was started, and then extended until our 50th Reunion (May 2006) to allow more time to meet the 100% goal and the increased costs of the Gift. The actual contributions from Classmates, friends and corporations came to $2.9 million and more than 90% of Class contributed. The results by each Cadet Company is shown at the Current Fund Drive Status.

Gift and Design Committee

Ward LeHardy was asked to Chair the Gift Committee and the Class Gift Committee was formed in Oct '97, and conducted their first meeting in Jan '98. They solicited gift ideas from the Class and 11 proposals were considered at a meeting in April '98. Of those, the Gift Committee's first choice (Long Grey Line Memorial) was not desired by West Point. The second choice of the Gift Committee (The Class of 1956 Walkway) was sent to the Class for approval. 83% of the Class responding approved the recommendation in June '98. The Class Gift Committee met frequently over the next six years to determine what should be contained in the Walkway. A final meeting was held in January 2004 where decisions were made as to costs and materials.

Sam Kem was asked to lead the Design Team which was chosen in August '98 and met frequently to develop the concept for the Interior of the Walkway. In Apr '99 the Gift Committee unanimously approved the Design Team's recommendations for the concept of the Class of 1956 Walkway. Five Classmates (Mike Conrad, Ward LeHardy, Sam Kem, Zeb Bradford, and Farrell Patrick) presented that concept to the Supe on 20 May '99, and he enthusiastically supported the entire Walkway concept. The Design Team met often over the next six years as the Design for the interior of the Walkway was refined. Staples and Charles, of Alexandria, VA was hired as the Design firm for the Walkway and were heavily involved from the concept to the dedication. For a look at the development of the Gift and the completed Class of 1956 Walkway see the Class Gift overview .

Dedication of the Walkway; 22 May 2006 :

The steel structure for the Walkway was completed in December 2005. The interior displays were installed by late February 2006, and a "Soft Opening" was conducted on 8 March 2006. Minor modifications were made and all work was completed in time for the Dedication during our 50th Reunion on 22 May 2006. Scenes from the "Soft Opening" and the dedication can be seen at: Soft Opening and Dedication.
Donations towards the maintenance of the Class of 1956 Walkway can be sent to:

Class of 1956 Gift Fund,
% AOG,
698 Mills Road,
West Point, NY 10996.