Jim "Moose" Mozden graduated from West Point in 1964. Following graduation he went to Airborne and Ranger training, and was assigned to Ft. Carson, CO. He was sent to Vietnam for his first tour. He received two citations for valor, for having risked his life by drawing fire to save his troops, and dragging them to safety. He was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. He also served as General Dean's Aide, and was the second man out on the one air drop conducted throughout the war. He extended this tour for an additional 3 months. After his return to the U.S. he was married. Within six weeks of his marriage, Jim went back to Vietnam for a second tour. He returned from Viet Nam ill. He was assigned to Ft. Benning and later that year, announced to his family that he had cancer. After surgery, chemotherapy, and stabilization, he was assigned to Ft. Lewis, WA. But in a few months the cancer returned and he became quite ill. Capt. Mozden died on January 25, 1973.

The military honor guard was unable to get to New Hampshire to render Capt. Mozden the military honors he deserved, because of a severe blizzard. His mother, Mrs. Cecelia Mozden was heartbroken that her son was denied his full military honors because of bad weather. She spent the rest of her life trying to secure those honors for her son. She was unable to convince the "Powers-that-be" to provide her son with his military honors, and felt that he had been forgotten. A member of the New Hampshire West Point Parents Club, Carol Grant, was in contact with Mrs. Mozden while working on the New Hampshire Register of West Point Graduates. At last Mrs. Mozden's story reached the ears of one who would understand; the mother of a cadet (class of '99). She offered to take the story to her club, and the club agreed to make sure that Capt. Mozden would finally receive the military honors he was denied.

On January 6, 1997 Mrs. Mozden wrote a detailed letter telling the story of her son to Mrs. Grant. She died knowing that this club had promised to see that her son would receive his military honors. They made good on that promise, involving Jim's West Point classmates, who have worked closely with West Point to make Mrs. Mozden's dream come true.

On June 12, 1999 Capt. Mozden will receive those honors in a way his mother would have never dreamed. There will be an organized parade, with the local High School band, the Boy Scouts, AARP and other volunteer groups that Mrs. Mozden was active in as well as the local New Hampshire National Guard unit marching. A memorial service will be given by the same Priest that Jim served as an altar boy and who handled the original funeral. The High School Chorus will sing the West Point Alma Mater and the National Guard unit will provide the firing squad and burial detail. The original flag will be presented to his widow. The USMA '64 class president is scheduled to make remarks. The Bugler is being provided from the USMA band for the taps rendition. A Bronze plaque is being dedicated by the class of '64 to hang permanently at the High School.

This is one demonstration of the bonding of the class, the families, and USMA itself. Mrs. Mozden's dream will not only render honor to her son, but also to herself, his class, the local West Point Parent Club, and his community.

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