 Boat trip on Hudson: still tied to dock, but about to depart for cocktails and dinner on the river. |
 From Fort Put, Col Johnson explaining locations of batteries and redoubts along the Hudson ("three fingers to the right of the tall tree...."). |
 Walker Room Dedication: George Walker's sisters just unveiled his portrait in the new George Walker Debate Room, along with Col Dan Kaufman, the Professor of Social Sciences. |
 At Fort Putnam, small group gets class on West Point in the Revolutionary War |
| Bauchspies, Richard E. Bauer, Anthony G. Brintnall, Clarke Brockwell, Dan Buckalew, Richard J. Cartwright, Thomas F. Downing, Jack Fay, Leland G. Galen, John C. Glover, Charles W., Jr. Goodenough, Fred Guenther, F. J. (Joe) Hansult, Charles C. Holecek, John F. Hudson, Ronald E. Johnson, Daniel L. Johnson, H. Paul Lawton, George C. LeTowt, Zigmont J., III McGrew, Palmer Miller, Milton Lee |
Millspaugh, Peter Mitchell, Gerald C. Nun, John B. Oberg, Dick S. Oelke, Karl Prochaska, Jerome F. Puscheck, Herbert C. Rector, Zane K. Schaffer, John A. Sedgwick, Douglass A. Shellenberger, Robert T. Sibert, George Sigurski, Mark S. Stevens, Thomas E., Jr. Weckel, Ed York, Michael Mrs. Bauchspies Mrs. McGrew Mrs. York |
After Action Report from George Lawton
Those of you who were not able to attend this unique in-barracks mini really missed a good experience. Everyone I talked to not only had fun, but also learned a lot about what's going on at USMA these days. Here's how I saw it.
When Herb Puscheck, Lee Miller And I arrived at West Point on Monday, we picked up our bedding, schedule, a mug and PT shorts and T-shirt, and drove over to "Mac South" barracks (even started to pick up the names of some of the new facilities) where we found our rooms (two to a room). The academy had graciously given us rooms on the first floor, but there were numerous cadets on the upper floors who we were easily able to engage in conversation. They appeared as desirous of exploring with us what our experiences and life had been since our graduation and why we had returned, as we were of finding out from them what was going on at the Academy from their perspective, how they had heard about the Academy, etc., There were about four groups of cadets still at the Academy even though graduation was long past. There were those attending summer school both on a voluntary and involuntary bases, those who were being trained so they could give training to the new plebes and yearlings, those who had flunked out of a summer program, and a unique group that was shepherding around about 150 high school juniors who were getting a taste of both academics and plebe year for a week or so.
Tuesday morning at 0630 hours we went for PT. Although I had definite apprehensions about this class, it actually turned out to be very helpful and informative, as were all the classes. We got a briefing on the cadet PE program (essentially the same experiences we 'enjoyed'), a class on wellness for seniors, and a chance to explore the gym. Dan Brockwell & I found rooms in that place that we never even knew existed. We even found a plaque on the wall along the indoor track used for the obstacle course that showed all the names (I guess) of classmates who had won Major 'A's, including Brad Eliot's. Another series of plaques near the entrance to the gym closest to the Lost 50's showed which companies won intramural competitions in each sport each year. No five mile run as I had feared! The rest of the day was typical. In the mornings we were briefed on the academy programs (Dean one day, the Comdt the other); the afternoons were spent in electives in the academia or discussions on some facet of the academy that we wanted to explore. We were given the opportunity to fire the M-16 rifle (even the wives could, if they desired) and 'dead-eye' Mike York won the contest as best shooter; got a guided bus tour of Buckner and West Point by the facilities planning people who not only gave us a peek at the new facilities, but also showed us where new construction was planned; and had a dinner cruise on the Hudson with the Supe, his wife, and a number of cadets and faculty members who we could have discussions with at length. The last morning the Supe gave a very impressive short pitch and then allowed all the time we wanted to ask questions and get detailed answers to our questions from either him or his staff (to include the new Director of Athletics) who were present. At this wrap-up session, one of the participants suggested that this seminar was West Point's contribution to the Elderhostel program.
I would suggest that those who were not able to attend this graduate seminar to consider attending a future one. Every single one of us who attended this one were very enthusiastic about this experience. As I told John Luther, the academy organizer of this program, the only thing I'd change would be to issue ear plugs the first day, rather than waiting to do so at the rifle range, in case you were bunking with a classmate who didn't think he snored. Of course I had it made. Bunking with John Holecek was a piece of cake compared with hearing the nocturnal sounds emanating way down the hall from Jerry Mitchell.
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