All,

                As you probably read, Bob Ballagh commented yesterday that he, Tom Kullman, and I just completed the Plebe March Back with the Class of 2013.  Bob also reminded that next year is the 50th anniversary of our own Plebe March Back.

                Bob continued that about 10 years ago, the AOG-DAA established a ‘custom’ (not yet old enough to be a ‘tradition’, at least in my eyes) that grads could mark the 50th anniversary of their Plebe March Back by joining the incoming Plebe Class on theirs.  Since next year is the 50th anniversary of our 1960 Plebe March Back, it’s our turn in the queue as Bob points out.

                I attached a copy of this year’s program FYI.  I doubt next year’s will be much changed.  While I’m unable to attend our 45th Reunion, I believe Tom will be there to make a preezo and answer your questions about next year’s March Back.

                I hope you’ll join us next year and want to give you a bit more information from my perspective to help you decide.  So here goes.

 

Odds and Ends

                Based on past years, it appears that the March Back occurs 4 weeks before Labor Day.  If I’ve got the timeline right, that means next year’s will begin at o’ dark thirty on Monday, August 9, 2010.  You would need to be at WP to complete registration NLT Sunday, August 8, by mid-afternoon.

                You can either make the full March Back or a shorter version.  The last few years, the full version is 11.5 miles from either Lake Frederick or Camp Buckner to the Ski Lodge plus another 2 miles from the Ski Lodge to the Supe’s.  The short version marches only from the Ski Lodge to the Supe’s.  50 slots will be set aside for our class for the full version and an unlimited number can make the shorter one.

                Cost is about $150 for marchers.  Add-ons increase the cost depending on whether you have guests going to the Plebe Talent Show (box lunches provided), whether you buy extra March Back shirts and caps, and/or if you have guests at the luncheon after the March Back.  The post march luncheon is well worth it although I’ve had to skip a few to make flight connections at Newark.

                If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to WP, I like to fly in to Newark.  It’s about an hour drive up the Garden State/Palisades Parkways unless there’s an accident - then all bets are off.  Airports at White Plains and Newburgh are not as congested but seem significantly higher in both plane fares and car rentals – mostly regional carriers fly to these airports.  If you have a car rental from Newark, fuel up at the Lukoil station on the west side of the Garden State Parkway a few miles before you exit – it’s the last convenient gas station before the airport – it’s also close enough to the airport that the fuel gauge will register FULL when you return the car.  Last year, I flew in to JFK – big mistake – took me 4+ hours from WP to JFK because of a bottleneck on a bridge – darn near ran out of gas trapped in a traffic jam and nearly missed my flight.  La Guardia isn’t much better in my opinion.

 

Two notable facts from this year’s March Back

                86 year old Dick Williams ’45 made the full March Back from the Lake Frederick to the Supe’s – 13.5miles.  Incredible!  Second oldest was Class of ’46 or ’47, I can’t remember which.

                Coach Ellerson had the Plebe football players make the March Back with their classmates.  Coach Ellerson didn’t just send his Plebes – he made the March Back with them!

 

Marchers Tip

                While there are Port-A-Potties along the March Back Route, prepare for the March Back as if it was a colonoscopy.

 

 

What to expect if you make the full March Back in 2010

                This year, we boarded buses at 0230 near the Hotel Thayer for the ride to Lake Frederick.  When we left from Camp Buckner last year, you could spend the night there on a cot.  Regardless of SP, you can feast on a carb-loaded breakfast before you step off if you’re so inclined.  Some grads carry CamelBaks but there’s plenty of water en route.  Others have back packs with clean socks and an assortment of salves and ointments.  A few use hiking sticks.  Most grads are in Bermuda shorts although a few wear cargo pants or slacks.  All wear an identical polo shirt (very nice) and baseball cap you get when you register.  A good pair of well-broken-in hiking boots is an absolute must.  Because of the rocky terrain, I like something that comes up over my ankles for a bit more support.

                Some carry cell phones but must turn them off from Lake Frederick to the Ski Lodge.  A few have cameras.

                During the March Back, you’ll be assigned a platoon to march with.  You’re free to move up and down the column as you like to talk to New Cadets and cadre.  Vehicles follow each company so you can fall back if that’s necessary.

                A few of the recent March Backs started from Camp Buckner but most begin at Lake Frederick as it did this year.  Recent marches have been about 11.5 miles to the Ski Lodge regardless of the SP.  Some of the marches a few years ago were several miles longer but it seems as if USCC settled on the 11.5 mi or so length for the time being.  There are two stops en route to the Ski Lodge – one 10 minute stop at God Only Knows Where and the other at Round Pond (20 minutes).  While on the move, a 3 mph average is maintained.  This year, the climb out of Lake Frederick was 1.4 miles on a 7 to 8% grade according to the route map.  There were also a few grades (0.3+ miles long, some uphill, some downhill) that were probably in the 15 to 20% range, perhaps a bit more in spots.  It’s not climbing Mt Everest but the terrain is nonetheless difficult, especially under canopy at night.

                Up until a few years ago, the march to the Ski Lodge concluded with a trek up the back of the Ski Slope and down the front as we did 49 years ago.  They haven’t done that the last few years, though.  Personally, I attribute it to “The Corps Has”.  If we don’t do the Ski Slope, there’s a short uphill leaving Round Pond and then it’s a gradual downhill slope along the highway and golf course trails to the Ski Lodge.  If we do the Ski Slope, you’ll just have to ‘man up’!

                Rain threatened this year but never materialized.  Trails were a bit slick though due to rain from the days preceding the March Back.  (Brief periods of Big Rain at the Plebe Talent Show this year.)  Past years have marched with it raining in buckets, though.  Temperature and humidity was reasonably pleasant for this year’s early morning march to the Ski Lodge.  But it was well into the 90s in temperature and humidity for the 2 mile march to the Supe’s at mid-day.

                You’ll find plenty of refreshments at the Ski Lodge – an abundance of carb-filled donuts (the powdered jellies are my personal favorite), bagels, ice cold drinks, fresh fruit, and coffee.  Since there’s about 1400 people to move from the SP to the Ski Lodge, it takes about two hours before all units re-assemble for the march in to the Supe’s.  So there’s plenty of opportunity to mingle with the Plebes and cadre if you like.

 

What to expect if you make the abbreviated March Back in 2010

                These marchers form up in front of the Hotel Thayer at the more proper time of mid-morning and are bused to the Ski Slope.  You might find a few leftover refreshments at the Ski Slope but don’t count on it.  You’ll have a bit of time to mingle with the cadets and classmates depending on schedule.

                All grads form up at the Ski Lodge and precede the 8 New Cadet Companies through Washington Gate.  Order of march for the grads will be non-1964 grads 8 abreast followed by the Class of 1964 in the same 8 columns.  Once through Washington Gate, there’s an area to the right where grads halt and watch the Plebes march by in company formation.  The Hell Cats are there and usually the Army Mules.  Sometimes the cheerleaders, too.  Once the last cadet company passes, the non-1964 grads follow and the Class of 1964 brings up the rear.

                I guess I always thought that it was pretty flat from the Supe’s house to Washington Gate.  Well, it’s not.  There’s actually a noticeable downhill slope from the gate to the Supe’s.  It would be pretty easy to rub a significant blister if your foot was sliding in your shoe even though it’s only a 2 mile march.  Same caution for the 2 milers – make darn sure you have proper footware.

                The march down Washington Rd is great fun.  Hell Cats, Pep Band, and the USMA Band all playing their hearts out.  Both sides of the street lined with onlookers - new cadet families, girl friends, staff, faculty, spouses, fire trucks, kids with balloons, posters and signs.  A very friendly audience and a wonderfully festive atmosphere!  You won’t forget it.

                Once you get to the Supe’s, you’re released to clean up at the new gym and lick your wounds.  A bus will take you from the gym to the luncheon.  After the luncheon, buses are available to take you back to Buffalo Soldier Field.

 

In any event

                I hope you’ll help represent our class next year.  You won’t regret it.  Now’s the time to commit.  If you’re like me, you always have a few pounds to take off.  This is a good motivater.  Start scoping out training routes where you live.  Christmas isn’t too far away.  Ask those who love you to give you a good pair of hiking boots.  Socks too.  And, if nobody loves you, treat yourself!

 

Bob Weathers