MARCH BACK FROM LAKE FREDERICK: This event comes fast on the heels of R-day if you are having to travel long distance, many parents found that they would rather attend R-day and Plebe Parent Weekend. Your cadet has far more chance to visit with you on PPW than after the march back. But, if you want to cheer on the cadets and see them in a moment of glory, go to the March Back. Reorganization occurs after the March Back, there is much to do, they are tired and visitation is at a minimum at this time, but it is a wonderful sight to see them come back to WP having completed "Beast".
from a 2002 parent:
"On a whole the new cadets looked hot, sweaty, and proud of themselves.
After passing the reviewing stand, the new cadets lined up in their companies and platoons in front of Washington
hall where they shouted their cadences, seeming to compete with other companies in loudness. They then dropped
their gear and headed to the mess hall. After about 30-40 minutes, they came back out, put their rucks
back on, etc. and waited in position to be called out to their new company. They fell into the new companies
(no upper classmen other than cadre) and then marched off in order of regiment."
PLEBE-PARENT WEEKEND:For many of you, because of work schedules and/or finances, you will be able to make only one trip to West Point in the next twelve months. If that is the case, then you definitely should plan on going for Plebe-ParentWeekend (which happens to be Columbus Day weekend this year). Having parents there this weekend is very important to the Plebes. West Point is beautiful that time of year, and that whole weekend is especially designed for you and your Plebe to be together. I understand that there are even special tours planned for you this weekend that you would not have an opportunity to do any other time. (Anyone want to adopt me as an extra plebe parent that weekend? It sounds great.)
LABOR DAY WEEKEND:Your Plebe will be able to leave West Point for Labor Day weekend by using the one Fall pass allowed. (If you have need to do something some other weekend in the Fall, such as a family wedding, then your Plebe may want to save that pass for another time.) Many Plebes are able to go home for the weekend, depending upon distance and cost. If it is too hard to go home,the cadets are quite skilled at finding a classmate to spend the weekend with on the East Coast. Another option would be for parents to come to West Point that weekend, that is if several trips are possible.
THANKSGIVING & HOLIDAY BREAK:Thanksgiving Weekend in November and Holiday Break in December are automatic passes that will not be charged against your cadets. (Just have to include this bit of trivia. The Class of 1967 was the last class that had to spend Plebe Christmas at West Point. My husband and his classmates still tell of having to sing "I'll be home for Christmas... if only in mydreams" as the upperclassmen were packing. But once the upperclassmen were gone, they had a good time.)
ACCEPTANCE DAY:Several of you have told me about having gone to the Acceptance Day Parade and enjoyed seeing your Plebes. The Acceptance Day Parade is a nice, exciting parade (especially the Bicentennial Acceptance Parade last year) following the march-back. If you live close enough or if getting there isnot a problem, then I encourage you to attend.Having double-checked on the scheduled available "free" time for the Plebes following the Acceptance Day Parade, I cannot assure you that you will be able to have much time to see your Plebe. I am told that the Plebes then join process of Corps re-organization where they are moving into their barracks and are getting their computers, telephones, and books for the academic year, among their many other duties. Because they have so much todo, there may not be much available time left over for family visits. I thas filtered down to me from USCC that in the past, cadets have been given "walking privileges" provided ALL of their duties and assignments were completed. I wish I could tell you something different, but I have been told that, at this time, there can be no guarantee about what will happen for the Class of 2003. After all, this is the Army, and many decisions like this do not get made until the last minute after all the circumstances and conditions have been evaluated by the Command.Personally, I am grateful I do not have to try to make such a decision as this one. I have one of those sons who worries about disappointing me. It has taken me a long time to realize that he doesn't tell me when my visits are going to be inconvenient. If he were a Cadet, I bet he'd never let meknow if I were keeping him from tending to things that he needed to do.
Perhaps now would be a good time for you to assure your son/daughter that you expect to be told if you are keeping him/her from things that need to be done at any time during the next four years at West Point.
Just a thought.
*** PARENT-FORUM post by: PARR Joannie