Fall 2008 News
The West Point Parents Club (WPPC) of MD DC and VA has increased its National Capital Region (NCR) membership by 52 new families through a combination of events and recruitment opportunities this spring and summer.
After Denise and I and 1st Vice President, Karen Cecil (10), returned from the WPPC Presidents’ conference at West Point this spring, the club and the 2nd Vice President, Lisa Lejick (10), hosted a social luncheon in Alexandria with the Commandant’s assistant, LTC Jones, as our guest speaker. LTC Jones provided pertinent information about the new changes to the military training at West Point and its impact on our cadets’ summer leave and schedule this coming fall and winter.
After a wonderful 2008, May graduation luncheon at the West Point Officer’s Club organized by Paige Kellogg (08), our plebe parent mentor, Diane Ecklund (11) and her team of empathetic parents invited all 68 of the new 2012 cadet candidates from the NCR to our June picnic at Fort Myer. The picnic was enthusiastically organized by our 2nd Vice President, Lisa Lejick (10) and sponsored by the WPSDC. A highlight of the event was our guest speaker former West Point Commandant, MG Eric Olson. The club welcomed him warmly and from his heartfelt comments, the club membership gained significant insight into the rigors of the impending Beast Barracks training at the Academy. Also, the new cadets were able to meet with each other, as well as, with several cadets that were home on le ave. Furthermore, we were able to increase club membership as our Transportation coordinator; Ed Cragg (09) explained the convenience of our club’s bus service to West Point during the academic year. Thank you WPSDC for covering the cost of our new cadet meals and helping the WPPC bring in new members to the Long Gray Line.
Meanwhile, on R day, Denise and I went to West Point and set up a club table in Eisenhower Hall and were able to enroll several more NCR parents as they dropped off their new cadet candidates for Beast Barracks.
Upon our return to the DC area, the club hosted two social potluck luncheons. Jay Gourley (09) hosted the Virginia event and Rene and Manny Bobenreith (11) hosted the Maryland event in their homes and over 20 families attended and had a wonderful time and received valuable information about our bus service and our club’s plans to host a HOOAH tent at the Army Ten Miler with the WPSDC on October 5th.
We also talked about how the parents of the Class of 2009 are planning to attend Ring Weekend activities the weekend of September 12-14 at West Point.
In addition, the club is planning a Fort Belvoir Officers’ Club brunch and panel discussion about personal tips to get the most out of the West Point experience from the parents’ perspective on October 19th.
Moreover, shortly after Thanksgiving and a great fall football season, the club is looking forward to a victorious Army Navy game back in Philly this year on December 6th. Accordingly, the club has added a link to our club’s website to allow our members to sign up for a hotel room for the Army-Navy game. The club will be staying in the Crown Plaza, Philadelphia. Finally, in December the club is planning on attending the Joint Services Academy Ball (JSAB) at the Sheraton Premiere, Tysons Corner on December 27th, which promises to be another memorable event.
Respectfully submitted,
John and Denise Mitcham
Co-Presidents, WPPC of MD, DC, VA