West Point Class of 1987

Dear Friends:

I would like to invite you to join your classmates to vote for the class gift that will be presented to the Academy at our 25th reunion. We have three important programs to choose from that will benefit cadets, graduates and the general public for years to come.

Please log in to the WPAOG website and cast your vote there. Alternately, you can vote by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or by calling 800-BE-A-GRAD ext. 1655/6. Voting will be opened until May 15, 2009; at that time we will close the website and announce the results.

Although I feel somewhat old when I say it, our 25th reunion is only three years away.  Our class set goals of raising $1MM and garnering 80% of our class to help support specific Margin of Excellence programs—and we are well on our way.  To date, over $360,000 has been collected or pledged and I encourage everyone to show leadership even in these trying times and support our beloved Alma Mater.

I think all of us would love to fund a granite monument or a soaring new building but the truth is that 1) the Academy is not accepting any more monuments at this time and 2) though substantial, a $1MM gift doesn’t cover much construction these days.  To narrow our selection options, a Gift Selection Committee of classmates that responded to a call for volunteers was assembled back in November to evaluate a list of “needs” that was offered by the Academy.  Over several months, the Committee reviewed each of the programs using three criteria:

·         FIT with the class

·         SIGNIFICANCE of a $1MM gift

·         EXCITEMENT of the program

After debate and due-diligence, the committee selected two “programs” and one tangible gift from the Academy needs list to offer to the class.  Please take a few minutes out of your hectic day and add your voice to the class by casting your vote for one of these important initiatives.

I know—with two wars on-going, a terrible economy and the general uncertainty of the time, it is easy to lapse into apathy.  But times like this are precisely what West Point prepared us for and I encourage everyone to step up as a leader to others during this difficult period.  Please vote and give generously to our class fundraising efforts.

To all of you still in uniform, thank you for your continued service to our country.  Best wishes to everyone.

OUR COUNTRY WE STRENGTHEN

Troy Garret