The following story features Len McWherter's dughter who plays for the University of Washington:

 http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?columnist=hays_graham&id=4224381

– The Comm/ Dean's briefing was both enlightening & comforting.  Cadets have so much more opportunities these days.  And the military training is ratcheting up.  I can't help but wonder if I would have been accepted these days – much less survive 4 years and graduate.

– The dinner Friday night was a blur, but followed a general pattern: see someone you have not seen in years; handshakes & hugs; reminisce; exchange contact info; move on after far too short of a time.

– Our women classmates shared center stage for a photo and I couldn't help but think about what they had to endure to get to that spot.  I'm in awe.

– The natural instinctive response of myself and my classmates as we were told to "form up behind section G" for Saturday's review – until we all collectively realized that "forming up" was at best an optimistic notion.  More appropriate would have been "Gaggle formation, move!"

– As we waited for the review to start, the lone irreverent voice heard above the hum of our class: "If you're taller than the man in front of you, move-up!"

– The actual double-regimental review was… comforting & familiar.  No real noticeable differences (except for the smaller size of the Corps).

– The President of El Salvador, Bobby Knight, and the Class of 83:  sharing the plain on the same day.

– Our Rifle Drill Team performed before the review.  I'm not a big fan.  I think it takes away from what follows.

– We had our own personal fly-by at the start of "Pass-in-Review".  A perfect formation of 4 geese flew over our class at low altitude just as the band started playing.

– Terrible, awful, horrendously bad chow for lunch in the Mess Hall.  I hope it's not indicative of what cadets are having to endure now.

– Highland Falls eating establishments delivering food to the cadet area?  Say it ain't so, Joe.  One of the premier bonding activities between classes was "You fly, I buy."   This great tradition has now gone the way of gray sweaters, star-days, Saturday classes, and boodlers.

– The wreath I made of old chipwich wrappers and rocky-road ice cream lids was laid at the base of what used to be Boodlers.  Of all the changes, this was by far the hardest to bear.

– The new library is magnificent.  But a coffee shop?  Go figure.

– Myself and my two roommates from last semester Firstie year (along with our spouses) visiting our old room.  The CQ was a bit overwhelmed and not sure what to do, but had the common sense to let us old farts have our moment.

– The room itself was a pig sty.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I was never the Strac-est of cadets, and me and my roommates were always getting written up for some room infraction.  But even at 2200 on a weekend, our room never looked that bad – much less on a Football Saturday.  Even I was shocked.

– Futon's in Firstie rooms?  Refrigerators?

– I was standing in line waiting to get into Michie stadium (is it really necessary to wand grads?), and asked the Yearling behind me (who was all but making out with his date) if the President of El Salvador had granted amnesty.  He looked at me as if I had grown a third eye.  When I explained the tradition, he told me "that must have been how it was back then, but things have changed a lot over the years."  It was all I could do to hold myself back and not rip into the BJ yearling.

– Feeling totally and completely smug as the President of El Salvador announced amnesty during the football game.

– The football game itself was pitiful.  But no one really cared.  We were all too busy continuing our catching up.

– I spent a good part of the third quarter chatting with COL Billy Don Farris, a classmate and company mate (Go Bandits!).  For those of you who may not be aware, Billy Don was severely wounded in Iraq while Commanding a Brigade from the 82nd.  He spent 4 months in the hospital and then returned to his command in Iraq to finish his tour.  My heart overflows with love for this man and the many like him who stand in harm's way.

– A small group of my company mates and room mates went to dinner Saturday night.  It was one of the most enjoyable moments in my life.  The sheer joy of the evening was indescribable.

– Parting was achingly painful.  But as my wife wiped a few tears from my face, I realized I had been blessed.  I may not be particularly special, but I knew & served with very special men.

Proud to Be.

-Mike

Holden will follow father's lead

Royal midfielder selects West Point, Army after college

By Paul Shepherd / Star correspondent

Posted: September 25, 2008

Olivia Holden never sought this out.

The Hamilton Southeastern High School senior grew up on military bases. Her father, Col. Christopher Holden, was a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served nearly a quarter-century in the Army until recently retiring.

Following in her father's footsteps was never in Holden's plans until this summer when Army assistant coach Stefanie Golan expressed interest in Holden while scouting a soccer tournament in Nashville. She quickly emerged as one of Golan's top recruits.

Golan was unaware of Holden's lineage at the time. Holden and her father both said the decision to attend West Point was her own.

"I think it's a great opportunity," said Holden, a starting midfielder for the Hamilton Southeastern girls soccer team. "When deciding on colleges, I knew I wanted to go somewhere that was more than just about me. I wanted to make a difference. I knew I could make a difference at West Point."

Holden is committed to the Army for five years as part of her service requirement. She will head to basic training next summer before practicing with her new soccer teammates. Life at the academy is much different than in a college setting, however. Holden could follow in her father's own footsteps.

Christopher Holden, who served three separate tours of duty in the war in Iraq in 2004, '05 and '06, now trains each deploying brigade on Iraqi culture and one day could train his daughter.

"(Olivia could go to) Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else," Christopher Holden said.

"She knows what she's getting into. She's moved 11 times over the last 17 years of her life. She saw her father deployed for combat several times. She's a pretty smart girl. I'm just very proud of her."

Holden was born in Hawaii and has lived in 11 states. She and her family, which includes her mother, Aimee, and younger sister, Grace, relocated from Georgia to Fishers during Holden's sophomore year. The Holden family's longest stint in one area was four years along the Hudson River about 40 miles north of New York City, when they were stationed at West Point.

Moving often has shaped her, Holden said.

"I think it's helped me make new friends in the long run and adjust to new situations a lot easier," she said.

Holden directs the Royals' attack from the midfield position. She led the team last year with eight assists and is leading again this year with seven. Holden is the Royals' "playmaker" said coach Greg Davidson. Fifth-ranked HSE took a 7-1-2 record into Wednesday's game at Westfield. The Royals play Saturday at Brownsburg.

"I'm really proud of my team," Holden said. "Last year, we didn't have such a great year. My coach just expected a lot from us this year. Everyone has definitely stepped up and is playing their best. It's exciting."

Davidson wasn't surprised by Holden's decision.

"She kept it in the family," Davidson said. "What a kid to be able to do that. She's got the best work ethic on the team. Just her character and her work ethic . . . . All the right pieces of the puzzle aligned for her to do this."

Holden knows she can turn to her father for advice but insisted the decision remains hers alone.

"He let me go through the process and make my own decision," Holden said. "He wants me to go to West Point, not because I'm following in his footsteps. He wants me to go because I want to go there."