The WPPC
of Oregon & SW Washington Newsletter

SHORT SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS

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West Point Report       Pointer View

West Point Parents' Club of Oregon
  & SW Washington Newsletter - July 1999

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday, August 29th at Hatton's
11:30 to preview Beast Video, 12:30 executive, 1:00 picnic/meeting
A-H salads, J-Maunu chips/ veggies & dip, McMullen-Wells ice cream &cookies Everyone bring your own meat item to BBQ
Contact Patty or Al Klascius by e-mail <klascius @teleport.com>
(503) 695-2824, for questions or to suggest agenda items

Directions to Hattons, 5190 SW Wichita St., Tualatin (503) 692-6442:
Take Exit 289 and turn east (left if coming from north,and right if coming from south) @ light onto Nyberg Road, going east over freeway. Mark trip meter at Texaco Station. Continue on Nyberg Road for ONLY 0.2 mile.
Turn LEFT at 7-11 Store ---NYBERG LANE
At first stop sign-----go STRAIGHT AHEAD
Take 1st RIGHT at next sign ----NATCHEZ STREET
Take 1st right at stop sign----51st STREET
Take 1st LEFT---- WICHITA STREET---3rd house on LEFT
Address: 5190 SW WICHITA ST.

                                                    Photos

We have a volunteer for club historian, thanks to Suzanne Olsen (Michael '03). So please--this includes '98 and '99 members, as well as all current cadet families-- SEND A PICTURE of your CADET/2Lt. (full name and graduating year on back) to her so she can have something to begin our club's book with. Formal or informal pictures gratefully accepted, as long as we get a good "face shot". Other pictures of interest (e.g., cadets participating in a WP activity or sport, etc.) are solicited also, just send along the who-what-when & wheres. Do it now so you don't forget. She'll bring what she has to the August BBQ.   Suzanne's address is: 3656 Camellia Dr. S., Salem, OR 97302.
Thank you sooo much!

BOODLE MAKING

     Next meeting (picnic, Sun. Aug.29th at Hatton's-Tualatin) we'll be assembling boodle bags for each cadet. We ask each family to begin gathering 20(?) of the same item to put in boodle bags to welcome cadets back to the academic year, and say, "Whew! You did it!" to plebes who have made it through Beast.
     Suggestions which have been well received in the past: useful items that would save them a trip to the PX (they don't have time) such as personal hygiene items-- toothbrushes, disposable razors, combs (oops! forgot--no hair!), tic tacs; desk/study items--White-out, highlighter pens, etc.; non-perishable food-- Rice Krispie Treats, Kudo or Energy bars, Nutri-Grain bars, microwave popcorn, packaged cookies, peanuts,  fruit snacks, lemon drops, gum, boxes of raisins, Gardetto’s Snack- ens, Fruit Roll-ups, Fruit by the Foot, String Things, Cheez’N Breadsticks, dry drink mixes (Tang, Gatorade, coffee, tea, etc).  Because of hot weather, chocolate bars or other things that could melt or spoil should wait until our winter boodle-assembling time, and heavy/bulky things will add cost (like fruit juices in cans).
      If you cannot make the August meeting, please try to either 1) get your items to someone who is going and can bring them for you, or 2) send a $ contribution to Hattons (5190 SW Wichita St., Tualatin, OR 97062) ahead of time to help cover mailing costs. Thank you! Tags will be put on the bags with each cadet’s name and company*, and sent to the Central Guard Room.
     *Plebe and cow parents: we'll be needing your cadet's (new) regular academic year's company in order assemble the bags for shipment properly, so please come to the meeting knowing it! If you cannot make meeting, please e-mail your cadet's new academic year company to Evelyn Mears at egmears@casco.com.
      An excerpt from Dotty Young on a post to parent-forum 7/99:
      Just wanted to share a recent observation. Our cadet was home this past weekend for a few days. She is a firstie now, which is truly hard for us to believe! While home she was baking up a storm one day. I asked where all the cookies were going as she boxed them up for the post office and she said off to Buckner to some cadets. Then she said that nothing makes a cadet happier than to get a package in the mail of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

NEW COMMANDANT OF CADETS NAMED-July 26, 1999, WEST POINT, N.Y.
     Brig. Gen. Eric T. Olson has been selected as the 67th Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy. He will assume command from Brig. Gen. John P. Abizaid in a ceremony on Friday, July 30, at 9 a.m. at Trophy Point. Brig. Gen. Abizaid will be promoted to major general at the ceremony and will assume command of the 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Wuerzberg, Germany, on Aug. 3.
     A native of New York, Brig. Gen. Olson is a 1972 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and holds a master's degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University.
     Brig. Gen. Olson has served in a wide variety of challenging command and staff positions. He commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson, Colo., from 1975 to 1976.   He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) during Operation Desert Storm. Additionally, he commanded the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Most recently he served as the Assistant Division Commander (Support), 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized).
     His primary staff assignments include Chief, Tactics Division, Combined Arms Tactics Directorate, U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga; and Chief, Strategic Plans and Policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Washington, D.C.

Dear Friends and Alumni,
   I promised in the last Assembly magazine to update you as soon as we heard from Department of the Army about our new commandant and about the follow-on assignment for Brigadier General John Abizaid.  As most of you know, John was selected last fall for promotion to Major General.  I am extremely pleased to announce that John was just picked to be the Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany
   John, Kathy and their wonderful family have been with us for the pas6t two years.  John has done an absolutely terrific job as the Commandant, and I am confident that he will continue in this tradition with the "Big Red One."   Kathy has also made lasting contributions to our community, most recently be leading a clothing drive for the Kosovo refugees relocated to Fort Dix.  We will certainly miss the Abzaids, and we wish them good luck in their next assignment   Jiohn's change of command date in Wuertzburg, Germany, will be 3 August.
   As we bid the Abizaids farewell, we welcome at the same time the new Commandant and his family from Germany.  Brigadier General Eric Olson, USMA Class of 1972, will assume duties on July 30th as the 67th Commandant of  Cadets.
Victoria and Ric are coming to us from the 1st Infantry Division where Ric served as the Assistant Division Commander for Support; his most recent posting as ADC was in Kosovo as part of Operation Joint Guardian.  Ric was commissioned in the Infantry and served in the 4th Infantry, 8th Infantry, 10th Mountain, and 1st Cavalry Divisions before joining the "Big Red One" in 1998.  He also distinguished himself during assignments at SHAPE, the Infantry School, and DCSOPS.  This is the second tour for Ric at West Point; he previously served in the Department of Social Sciences after earning a masters degree at Johns Hopkins University.  As a former batallion commander in Operation Desert Storm/Shield and brigade commander at Fort Hood, he brings a wealth of recent troop time to this critical USCC billet.
   I know all of you share in the enthusiasm we have at West Point in welcoming back one of the Class of '72's most distinguished graduates, and at the same time sending back to the Army one of the very best Commandants ever to have commanded the Corps of Cadets.    Go Army!
                                                                           DANIEL W. CHRISTMAN
                                                                           Lieutenant General, US Army
                                                                           Superintendent

West Point Tulips

     Here is a note that appeared on the parent-forum that I thought those of you who ordered the West Point tulip bulbs at our hot dog feed June 6th might be especially interested in:
     "Our club used the west point tulip as a fund raiser last year and it was not only successful, but this spring the Rhode Island West Point families had gorgeous tulip beds full of color and pride. One bit of trivia about the tulips… I researched the origin of the tulips all the way back to Holland and the only concrete info I could get is that they were developed in 1943 and the reason for the pointed petals is that it was to resemble the blades on the cadet sabers. The tulips are so distinct and beautiful, that we're all buying more this year.  They look absolutely gorgeous planted with muscari (grape hyacinths). It will really take your breath away....I don't know if it's the beauty or the pride...maybe a lot of both!"
     If you were not at the June 6th hot dog feed, but still want to order, you can at the Aug. 29th meeting. I will send in the order after that. Or here is an online site to visit and order if you wish, although our "group"order price is much cheaper (about 30 cents/bulb). I checked the site and this tulip is listed, but not pictured. The address is www.allbulb.com. Go to 1999 catalogue, click tulips, click "tulip", lily-flowered, and it should be listed there. Happy planting and thinking of our cadets as you do.--Patty
P.S. There is a butterfly bush (?) called Black Knight also.

Graduation Dates

     Note the following dates, as there is a major change between this year's graduation, and '01. Start finding out which relatives want to come, so you'll know how many rooms to reserve a year or more in advance.  There is a page on the parent-forum which has some hotel reservation information.
Graduation: 27 May 2000; 2 June 200l; 1 June 2002; 31 May 2003

'03 Printers

On Tue., 27 Jul 1999  "Hector, Mina" MHEDTOR@csuchico.edu writes:  "As parents of a new cadet we are trying to decide whether to purchase an Epson Color printer (ink jet type) or an HP Laser jet.  Our new cadet doesn't have a preference and has no knowledge of which might be best for the classes at WP>  Could some of the parents of the upper classes respond to us with thoughts on which might be best? Thank you very much."
   "The Cadet who used to live at our house noted that he thought that the Laser Printer was more useful than the Ink Jet - as most ALL that shall need to be printed are Text Pages - when the academic year begins!  Yup - the Laser Cartridges seem more expensive - but they do many more pages than the Ink Jet Cartridges, so the Laser is cheaper in the long term, although they do prefer the Laser Printer paper."   'The HP Laserjet printer being offered by the Cadet Bookstore is the HP Laserjet 1100.  This printer has another attachment that can be purchased directly from HP over the internet that attaches to the front of the printer and adds a scanner and a copier to the printer.  It becomes all three, a printer, scanner, and copy machine.   It's easier to copy in the printer and it's laser quality.  The scanner is quite simple.  I just fed a 20 page document into it a couple of days ago and it was sent directly to my computer where I was able to manipulate it with my word processing software and generate a new, and completely revised, finished document in no time.   The extra gadget costs about $150 if you buy it direct from HP.  You might be able to find it on the street somewhere cheaper.  I bought mine from HP directly.   It's a snap to install.  Took about 30 seconds to add the hardware and a couple of minutes to run the software that comes with it on a CD-ROM.  I highly rexcommend it if your cadet wants the extra flexibility.'  Larry D. Smith, '62, Sacrament, Co-Moderator usma2003 list.
   "Your choice - Our cadet was in a 3-cadet room - and he the only one with printer - so was heavily used Fall term.  By the way - Yes - there are printers in the company area - but Plebes learn to Not appear often out of their rooms - and the Dress to leave their rooms - a printer is a Good idea."   John ((Jim '02)

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE COMPLETES

     Limited club finances and energy dictate that this second mailing will be the last 'gratis' mailing we will be able to send to potential new members of the plebe class of 2003, and/or last years' members of all classes. If you were unable to make the June welcome hot dog feed, we still want and need you!…and hope that you will be able to join us for the Aug. picnic at Hatton's.
      It's a lot of fun, and well worth your time and the drive. However, to remain on the mailing list, you must fill out and return the membership form which has been sent to you and your annual dues to our club treasurers, Wayne & Carol Hatton, at the address provided on the form. They will be sending us (newsletter editors) the new 'cleansed' membership list (i.e., application for membership & dues received) by September 1, so please don't procastinate if you want to maintain this "life line" to other Oregon/SW Washington cadets' parents.
      Membership applications will be available at the picnic, but if you are unsure whether you will make it, or know now you can't, or even if you know for sure you will be there, it will be easiest for all of us if you will just return the application at your earliest convenience.  (If you do it now, your cadet will be included in the "boodle" packages which will be assembled at the Aug.29th and future meetings). A new roster of all members, including addresses, e-mails, and phone #s will be published in the next newsletter, so members can more easily stay in contact! Those who don't renew will be taken off the club's listserver, and will no longer receive newsletters, etc. Of course, you may join at any future date by simply contacting one of the officers and obtaining another membership form. Thank you for your help and participation! If you have misplaced your form, you can print out (if you are receiving this electronically) a form by clicking on "Membership" on our homepage (under "Parents" in the left table).
     Current members (as of 7/1/99) are: Adams(02), Browns(03), Conners(03), Coxes(00), Danelsons(00), Ewings(02), Halls(98), Harrises(03), Hattons (00), Haydens(03), Jensens(02), Klasciuses(01,02), Lakes(MALO), Lunds(MALO), Maunus(00) , Mears(01), Olsens(03), Sawsers(99), and Ways(03). If you name's not here, then we haven't received your form and dues for this year yet.

http://www.west-point.org/parent/wppc-oregon

     Yes, you read that right! Our club now has a website, and you should bookmark it then go visit it!  In fact, some of you may be  viewing this newsletter via it. Your newsletter editors are grateful for the help provided by mentor David Graham of Washington for providing his templates, taking personal time for a day's training, answering innumerable e-mails and phone calls, and being instrumental in seeing that we got this site up.
      Our intent is to post the newsletter to the website (that was, in fact, our initial impetus for making a website), then send you out a notice via e-mail (which will also contain the "Cadet News" portion of the newsletter) that it's been published, and you can go view it at our website. The advantage is that I will not have to send the newsletter out in "batches" like I have the past two, and what I publish is what you will see (hopefully), as the e- mail makes some formatting changes that I don't particularly appreciate when I've worked hard at having it visually presentable. Also, I will no longer attach the "West Point Report" from USMA's public affiairs office, as you can just "click" on it  (find it at the bottom of the "Short Schedule", above").
      We will discuss the website further at the Aug. 29th meeting, get feedback, etc., as we would like to know how many people this might "leave out"--those who have e-mail, but not Internet access. (We can still print out hard copies and send by regular mail to those who need it.) Also, we will review an initial draft of policies regarding the website, etc.

Here are some of my favorite West Point-related sites:

Scott Tackett's page at http://members.tripod.com/~sat46/index.html
I think this is one of the best pages I've ever seen. Be sure you click the picture at the bottom of his home page in order to "get in". 

http://www.west-point.org/family/bicent/
A special tribute to the class of 2002, with great historical synopsis of West Point, parents' testimonials, and much more. Originally originated by David Graham.

http://www.west-point.org/parent/parent- forum/links.html
Probably the most visited site by parents for practical information, pictures,&links.

The new USMA home page at http://www.usma.edu
(See related article, "Home is Where the Art Is",  in West Point Report, May/June edition, published at the end of this newsletter.)  Note: http://www.usma.army.mil takes you to the same site.

http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2001/;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2002/
and http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2003/
Each of the '01, '02, and '03 Memories websites is designed by a different set of people and each has its own unique style.

CALFEX

CALFEX= Combat Arms Live Fire Exchange/Exhibition, aka the "Million Dollar Minute"
July 26th  Ft. Knox, KY.
     I was there along with about 200 other sweat-soaked visitors, and West Point CFT companies 4-6.  It was record-setting hot (98 degrees, heat index of 105 on Monday, 115 by Friday, and about 130+ inside the tanks),  but  impressive to see the various armor vehicles and their capabilities (including the Black Hawk helicopter), as well as  the strategies employed in combat to best utilize each's capabilities.  Also, just becoming familiar with the base (the Wickam guest house and golf course, the pool and water park, the Leader's Club, the  bowling alley and   movie house,  the PX and  Military Clothing Store, seeing the housing and tganks displayed everywhere,  and touring the Patton Museum etc.) was interesting.   If you have the time, it is a worthwhile visit  during your cadet's second summer. You need to know to meet them in the gravel parking lot on 9th Cavalry Regiment Ave., just north of its intersection with Wilson, and across fromWest Point's MMT barracks.
     The Wickam House is new, but only takes reservations up to seven days before your arrival--call then, or it's likely to be full, as this is a popular time for parents to visit their cadets ($42/night in '99, next to the golf course, indoor Olympic-sized pool, and workout facility).  Besides the Bullion Room in the Leader's Club/officer's club (only serves dinner Thurs-Sat.--but you can get soup with tiny slivers of gold bullion-from the depository?? in it), there's a good Italian restaurant by the Wickam, and several fast-food outlets on base.      My best suggestion would be to stay off base at a fairly nice hotel or resort (may have to drive some for that) so your cadet "gets away from it all" on Saturday afternoon-Sun. (if he/she remembered to ask for leave before leaving Buckner), then stay at the Wickam Sunday night at least.  The CALFEX is usually on Monday (except for the first West Point MMT rotation, companies 1-3, when it is on Tuesday).  If you can stay through Weds. or Thurs. you can  visit you cadet in the evening on base the rest of the week.    ---Patty

Personal Histories of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
(from a moderator's post to the parent-forum on 7-5-99)

      Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
      Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
      Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
      Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
      Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
      At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
      Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
      John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.  Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
      Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
     They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot of what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't just fight the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted....We shouldn't. Instead, silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid............

MILITARY PHONETIC ALPHABET
(contributed by Michael Hadfield, 6/10, parent-forum)

This might help you decipher some of your cadet's new lingo.  If you are not military, why not memorize it now--as your "knowledge" assignment?--ed.
P.S. Are you doing your push-ups & sit-ups every day also?  Not a bad idea!

A - Alpha              H - Hotel                 O - Oscar             V - Victor
B - Bravo              I - India                    P - Papa              W - Whiskey
C - Charlie            J - Juliet                   Q - Quebec          X - Xray
D - Delta               K - Kilo                   R - Romeo           Y - Yankee
E - Echo                L - Lima                  S - Sierra               Z - Zulu
F - Foxtrot            M - Mike                 T - Tango
G - Golf                N - November         U - Uniform

             The "Administrative Units" of the Army
(a basic explanation for non-military types taken from The U.S. Army, by Tim Moran, Lerner Publicatons Co., Minneapolis, copyright 1990, pg. 48)

     The administrative units are groups of soldiers under the command of a particular officer. Each soldier is assigned to a squad made up of 10 people (like at Beast, Cadet Field Training, and during the academic year), who are usually led by a sergeant. A platoon, composed of several squads is under the leadership of a lieutenant (often what cadets on CTLC are assigned to during their third summer). A captain is normally assigned responsibility for a group of three or more platoons. In the infantry, this group of platoons is called a company. In air defense and field artillery units, this grouping is called a battery. In armored cavalry units it is named a troop. A battalion contains for to six companies and is headed by a lieutenant colonel. In armored cavalry units a similar-sized groups is called a squadron. A full colonel is usually assigned responsibility for several battalions merged into a brigade. A division is commanded by a major general and contains battalions and brigades from various combat branches. Command of a corps, a group of divisions and service troops, falls upon a lieutenant general.

1999 Oregon/SW Washington Club Officers

President: Al & Patty Klascius (Chad ‘01, Craig '02) klascius@teleport.com
V-President: Richard and Susan Adams (Matt '02) adams@proaxis.com
Secretary: George & Evelyn Mears (Dwight ‘01) egmears@casco.net
Treasurer: Wayne & Carol Hatton (Sarah ‘00) sarahpdx@aol.com
Historian Suzanne Olsen (Michael '03) kentolsen@home.com
Newsletter: Al & Patty Klascius (Chad ‘01, Craig '02) as above
**Please feel free to contact any of the above with questions, suggestions, corrections or for "free" advice.  Your  newsletter editors regret any errors, and appreciate notification of such. Thank you. **

This from Dolores Salvatore, USMA Public Affairs Office:
If interested in subscribing to the West Point weekly newspaper, the "Pointer View", contact the publisher Computer Graphics, at 914-561-7500 or www.ccipvscan.com. The address is: Computer Graphics, PO Box 431, Newburgh, New York 12550. e-mail:pv@ccipvscan.com
Ed note: I believe the annual subscription rate for mailed copies is about $60; in the April issue I brought home from the Presidents' conference, our club had THREE cadets mentioned and/or pictured. Sarah Hatton (pictured-- softball), Matt Adams (math competition), and David Stein (mountain biking). I thought that was pretty good, given the size of our club (about 30 of the corps)

SPORTS PAGE

    **ARMY-NAVY GAME RETURNS TO BALTIMORE IN 2000**

     The Army-Navy football game, "America's Classic," will return to the Baltimore-area for the first time in more than 50 years on Dec. 2, 2000 when the annual battle between the service academies is played at PSINet Stadium, it was announced today by U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Daniel W. Christman and U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Admiral John Ryan.
      The 101st edition of the storied Army-Navy series will mark the return of the game to the Baltimore area for the third time. The two previous Baltimore contests were played at Municipal Stadium in 1924 and 1944, with the Cadets winning both of those games. Army's 23-7 defeat of the Mids in 1944 capped an undefeated season for the Cadets and sealed the first of their three consecutive national championships (1944, 1945, 1946).
      "Army is thrilled to be playing in Baltimore after a 56-year absence," Christman said. "PSINet Stadium is a world-class facility, certainly befitting a game of the stature of Army-Navy. We look forward to bringing Army football into Navy's 'backyard' and showcasing this inter-service classic to another terrific part of the country."
     "This gives another city the chance to experience Navy Football," Ryan added. "Baltimore is a city with a great Navy tradition. The Brigade of Midshipmen and our alumni are looking forward to this historic event."   The Army-Navy game has been held in nine different cities and PSINet Stadium will become the 14th different venue to play host to the event. The city of Philadelphia, which will host the 100th edition of the classic at Veterans Stadium on Dec. 4 of this year, has served as site of the contest on a record 74 occasions. New York City has hosted the event 11 times, the second-highest total among U.S. cities.  A formal contract, signed nine years ago, called for the Army-Navy game to be played in Philadelphia from 1990 through 2002, with three possible exceptions. A window in that contract allowed the two academies to move the game to a different location three times in that 13-year period. In keeping with the terms of the agreement, the Army-Navy game was played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., in 1993 and 1997. The classic will return to Philadelphia in the years of 2001 and 2002.
      The 2000 clash will mark Army's third-ever appearance in the city of Baltimore and the first since 1944. It will be televised live by CBS Sports and broadcast worldwide by Westwood One Radio and the Armed Forces Radio and Television Networks. Ticket information will be available in January of 2000 by contacting the Army Ticket Office at (914) 446-4996. The Army-Navy football series has attracted nearly seven million fans in its previous 99 contests, more than any other collegiate rivalry in the nation.

FOOTBALL SATURDAY COFFEE HOURS

     A Coffee Hour is held on Saturday morning before each home football game. There will not be a coffee hour before the October 7 game against Louisville, since it is scheduled for Thursday evening. The West Point Parent Clubs (WPPC) sponsor the coffee hours. The Football Saturday Coffee Hours have become increasingly popular – as many as 200 people come by for coffee, juice, pastries, review tickets and conversation.

Date               Game
9/11/99      Wake Forest
9/25/99      Ball State
10/2/99      E. Carolina
10/7/99      Louisville night game no coffee hour
10/23/99    New Mexico State
11/20/99    Houston
All start times, except for Louisville, will be at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Louisville is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., but game dates and times are subject to change.

ARMY/NAVY FOOTBALL TICKETS

     The Army Ticket Office recommends for the upcoming Army/Navy game that members of Parent Clubs purchase a block of tickets as a group, instead of on an individual basis. Tickets are available now. If Club members belong to the Army Athletic Association they can order a block of tickets for the entire club. Your cadets can also purchase up to 8 tickets that will allow you to sit in the end zone with your cadet.
Ed. NOTE:  If you do not have your tickets for the ARMY/NAVY game by now, get them immediately, or you may not be going!

   WEST POINT, N.Y. - The number of Army football games televised to a regional or national audience climbed to four on Monday when Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan announced that the Cadets' contest against East Carolina on Oct. 2 at Michie Stadium will be broadcast by Fox Sports Net South. To accommodate Fox Sports Net South's broadcast window, kickoff time has been changed to 12 p.m.
    The largest of Fox Sports Net's 22 regional sports networks, Fox Sports Net South boasts more than 6.5 million subscribers in the southeast corridor of the United States. In addition, there remains a strong possibility that the telecast will be carried by other Fox regional sports networks across the nation, and could be broadcast in the New York-metro area by either Fox Sports Net New York or Madison Square Garden Network.
    "We are very pleased to gain an additional television appearance with the commitment from Fox Sports Net South to broadcast our game against East Carolina," Greenspan stated. "This gives our tremendous fan base in the southeast section of the country another opportunity to view Army football. The southeast remains a vital recruiting target for our program and we welcome the chance to reach potential cadet-athletes through this vehicle."
    Army's second season as a member of Conference USA will be well-chronicled on the airwaves. In all, four of the Cadets' games have been designated for either regional or national television broadcast.
    The Black Knights open their 110th season of intercollegiate competition before a national television audience on Sept. 11, hosting Wake Forest. Fox Sports Net will broadcast the noon-time kickoff from majestic Michie Stadium, in what will mark the cable outlet's fourth West Point broadcast in 12 months.
    History will be made along the banks of the Hudson on Oct. 7 when Heisman Trophy hopeful Chris Redman and high-powered Louisville visit West Point for a Thursday night Conference USA battle against Army. The contest will mark the Cadets' first-ever Thursday night tilt at Michie and will be televised nationally by Fox Sports Net. Army became the first service academy school to ever appear on ESPN's Thursday night college football package back in 1994 when it traveled to Duke.
    The Cadets' 1999 campaign will culminate in Philadelphia, Pa., on Dec. 4 when arch rivals Army and Navy square off in an historical encounter at Veterans Stadium. The matchup will mark the 100th meeting between the storied programs and will be televised nationally by CBS Sports. In addition to the Army and Navy regional radio broadcasts, Westwood One/Mutual will provide national radio origination from Veterans Stadium. Armed Forces Radio and Television will carry Westwood One's broadcast.
   Additionally, the possibility remains that additional Army league games will be televised as part of the Conference USA television agreement with Fox Sports Net. Decisions on those broadcasts will be made as the season progresses and can be made a minimum of 12 days prior to the actualgame date.
   Army, which has been no stranger to national television exposure in recent years, appeared on national or regional television six times a year ago, the most on-air showings in the Black Knights' illustrious history. In all, five of those games were telecast to a national audience. In the last three years, 12 Army games have been broadcast nationally, four via network television. The Cadets have posted a 14-12 (.538) record in games that have been televised to a regional or national television audience during the decade of the 1990s. As many as seven Cadet contests could find their way to the airwaves this fall.
    In one other schedule note, kickoff time for Army's game at Air Force on Nov. 6 has been returned to 2 p.m.(eastern). The game was tentatively switched to 1 p.m. (eastern) earlier this spring, but has been moved back to its original time slot.

Your newsletter editor (Klascius) has edited some of the following articles; as noted.

West Point Report - The Parents Club Newsletter-Edition 43 May/June 1999.  In the future, you will be able to access the West Point Report by just clicking on it (after the "short schedule") at the top of this page.  Edition 44, Jul/Aug is there now.

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS -by Irene D. Brown,editor

     West Point took a giant step toward the 21st century with the recent unveiling of its new Internet home page. The design was a collective effort between the U.S. Military Academy’s Directorate of Information Management and the Public Affairs Office. The decision to redesign the site came after USMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Daniel W. Christman issued the challenge to his staff. "He challenged us to redesign the USMA World Wide Web and make it highly competitive with other academic institutions," said Maj. Adam R. Albina, DOIM’S chief of the software engineering branch and one of the co-chairs of the Web redesign task force.
     Work on the redesign began in early January. Albina, along with Maj. David Astin, the public affairs office chief of command information, headed up a group consisting of representatives from DOIM, PAO, Admissions, The Dean’s Office, the U.S. Corps of Cadets, and the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. "The plan called for plenty of academy-wide cooperation," Albina said.
       The task force researched other online sites and set out to identify the attributes of each that could be desirable here. Albina said that some of those qualities included ease of navigation, site recognition, common look and feel, and an aesthetically-pleasing layout of information. Task force member Joseph Tombrello, PAO’s community relations chief, said these attributes are important for many reasons. "A Web site that is friendly, easy to navigate, visually appealing and that still provides quick and accurate information is not just something nice to have," Tombrello said. "It is a requirement for the world’s premier leader development institution to have a top-grade Web site."
     One important task for the group was to identify who West Point’s online customers were, and to make sure the site communicated West Point’s message. The first step towards that mission goal was for the group to pinpoint the audience. Albina said once the group identified the audience, various information requirements were considered. Those requirements were then grouped logically and categorized from the customer perspective. "The old USMA Web site was organized around internal organization boundaries that made navigation difficult for those unfamiliar with our organizational structure," Albina said. With all the pieces in place, the task force called on the talent and experience of personnel in DOIM’s software engineering branch to make the dream a reality.
       Task force member Maj. Maura Gillen, admission’s marketing and public relations officer, said the new site will also benefit potential candidates. "The new home page is a major improvement over previous pages in terms of design logic," Gillen said. "  Our candidates will have a much easier time finding answers to their questions."  The academy’s new Web site can be seen at  http://www.usma.edu . "If you haven’t visited it, you’re missing out on a real Internet treat," Albina added.

Drill and Ceremonies- From Field Manual 22-5

COLORS

  Klascius note:  **Click on colored hyperlinks to get the appropriate music.**

      Flags are almost as old as civilization itself. Imperial Egypt as well as the armies of Babylon, Chaldea, and Assyria followed the colors of their kings. The Old Testament frequently mentions banners and standards. Until comparatively recent years, the flags that identified nations usually were based on the personal or family heraldry of the reigning monarch or ruling nobleman. As autocracies faded or disappeared, dynastic colors were no longer popular and national flags, as thought of today, came into being. These national flags, such as the Union Jack of Great Britain, the Tricolor of France, and the Stars and Stripes, are relatively new to history. Many flags of different designs were present in parts of the American colonies before the Revolution. When the struggle for independence united the colonies, there grew a desire for a single flag to represent the new nation.
      The first flag borne by the Army, as a representative of the 13 colonies was the Grand Union flag. It was raised over the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 2 January 1776. That flag had the familiar 13 stripes (red and white) of the present flag, but the blue square contained the Crosses of St. George and St. Andrew from the British flag. The Stars and Stripes was born on 14 Jun 1777, two years to the day after the birth of the Army. On that date, Congress resolved that the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, and that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation. The arrangement of the stars on the blue field was not specified. According to some historians, the Stars and Stripes was first raised over Fort Stanwix, New York, on 3 August 1777. In that Army version of the flag, the stars were arranged in a circle. (The Navy version had the stars arranged to form crosses similar to the British flag.)
     When Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union; the flag was modified so that there were 15 stripes. It was that flag, flying triumphantly over Fort McHenry, Maryland, on 13 and 14 September 1814, that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the verses of "The Star-Spangled Banner,"  our National Anthem.  That flag was the national banner from 1795 until 1818. Thus, when it was raised over Tripoli by the Marines in 1805, it was the first United States flag to be hoisted over conquered territory in the Old World. Later, it was flown by General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans.
      Realizing that adding a stripe for each new state would soon spoil the appearance of the flag, Congress passed a law in 1818 fixing the number of stripes at 13 providing for the addition of a star in the Blue Union for each new state. The star is to be added and the new flag to become official on the Fourth of July following the admission of the new state to the Union. It was not until shortly before the Civil War that the Stars and Stripes actually became the National Color.
      From the earliest times, warriors used a banner or other symbol to identify specific units and to serve as a rallying point for troops. In medieval days, the standard or banner was used to signal a general assault, which was generated by a cry of "Advance your banners." After the Battle of Waterloo, a British sergeant wrote, "About 4 o’clock I was ordered to the Colours; this, although I was used to warfare as much as anyone, was a job I did not at all like. But still I went as boldly to work as I could. There had been before me that day 14 sergeants already killed and wounded and the staff and the Colours almost cut to pieces."
     Before the Civil War, in lieu of a National Color, the US soldiers carried a blue silk color on which was embroidered the arms of the United States, and an American eagle bearing a shield on its breast, and in its talons an olive branch and arrows, signifying peace and war. After the National Color was authorized, the organizational color with the eagle became the regimental color. Because of the high casualty rate among the members of the Color party, plus the advent of modern weapons, the time honored practice of carrying the Colors in battle was discontinued. Today, the Colors, with battle streamers attached, join their unit in formations during ceremonies to signify their presence during past battles.
(I omitted the dates of entry into the union of each state--ed. Klascius)

Ed. Note: During joint color guard ceremonies, when several branches of the U.S. military parade together, the Army flag is given a place of honor directly to the right of the United States flag. This is because the Army is the oldest of all the military services. The Army flag is a white silk rectangle with the blue insignia of the Department of the Army sewn on its front. Displayed near the bottom of the flag are a red scroll, the Army's birthdate -"1775" (the Army's history began before the signing of the Declaration of Independence)-and the words "United Sates Army". The Army flag bears 169 colored ribbons, each representing a major Army campaign. A red and white ribbon marks the Revolutionary War victory at Ticonderoga. Blue and grey ones commemorate Civil War battles. (taken from The U.S. Army by Tom Moran, published in 1990 by Lerner Publications Company, pp.10-11)

The Eleventh Annual West Point Parents Club Presidents' Conference

.....was held April 15-17 at Eisenhower Hall. A total of 102 club officers, representing 52 parents clubs and 29 states, attended. The first-day’s events began with registration on Thursday evening and concluded with a reception in Benny’s Lounge. Friday morning began early with a continental breakfast at 7:15 a.m. The conference opened with a short welcome from Dolores Salvatore, Parents Club Coordinator who introduced Lieutenant Colonel William H. Harkey, Director of Public Affairs. After a few opening remarks, Lt. Col. Harkey announced the arrival of the Senior Leadership. Lieutenant General Daniel Christman, United States Military Academy Superintendent, was the first speaker in the Issues and Answers Session.
      Lt. Gen. Christman thanked the parents for all their support to the Academy, especially for the Founder’s Day trips, outreach to new candidates and the cadets at West Point. He gave an update on the renovations at the Hotel Thayer and shared some photos of the completed rooms. He showed the architectural drawings for the new Thayer Walk as well as the Crew and Sailing Center, Shea Stadium and the Michie Stadium Athletic Complex. The Bicentennial Campaign is targeted to meet cadet needs and donors have given $90 million of $150 million goal. The Superintendent’s advice was to visit the new web page, watch internet rumors, and don’t hesitate to use your son’s or daughter’s tactical officer. Gen. Christman talked about Plebe Parent Weekend starting with the October 7th night football game vs. Louisville.
      Brigadier General John P. Abizaid, Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, Brigadier General Fletcher Lamkin, Dean of the Academic board, and Colonel Wayne Boy, Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, were next on the agenda. Brigadier General Abizaid spoke about the corps strength and keeping the corps to 4,000 cadets. He said that there will be no major changes in the military program but that the construction in Arvin Physical Fitness Center will have some impact on the physical program. The summer training program will be as tough as last year, with only minor changes such as more combatives, more road marches and bayonet training in CBT. Brig.
       Gen. Abizaid gave some key dates for the first term: R- Day June 28, CFT March-Back August 9, CBT March Back August 11, Acceptance Parade August 14, Ring Weekend August 20-22, Plebe Parent Weekend October 7-11, Homecoming Weekend October 22-24 and the Army-Navy Game December 4.
      Brigadier General Lamkin spoke about the academic program mission, which is to prepare graduates to anticipate and respond effectively to the uncertainties of a changing technological, social, political and economic world. He quoted from General Harold K. Johnson, Chief of Staff, Army, 1964-68, "The Army is like a funnel. At the top you pour doctrine, resources, concepts, equipment, and facilities. And out at the bottom comes one lone soldier walking point." He went over the academic program for the Bachelor of Science Degree.
       Colonel Boy spoke briefly on the sports program. The corps sports participation is 23% and the class of 2002 participation is 44%. He gave information on the 25 intercollegiate teams and Conference USA. He informed us that the upcoming football tickets prices for the 1999 season will be $132.00 per season ticket. He also explained that there will be a $30.00 fee for a parking pass for all cars and $60.00 parking fee for an RV. Cadets can purchase up to 8 football tickets for family and friends. They will be able to sit in the cadet area and with the purchase of a $30.00 seasonal parking pass they will be able to park in Buffalo Soldiers Field.
     After a short break, Colonel Michael Jones, Director of Admissions, and his staff addressed the conference. Admissions provided the names of all the offers. They handed out those all important new candidate lists of offers. This year the lists included the USMAPS Cadets.
      Colonel Bob Johnson, Deputy Director of Admissions, introduced the Regional Coordinators along with their staff and went over their programs and stayed to answer audience questions. Colonel Jones thanked the parents clubs and requested their further help with admissions and the admissions field force.
      The Brigade Tactical Officer, Colonel Joe Adamczyk, moderated a panel from USCC that included a company TAC officer, a TAC NCO, chaplain, Cadet Mess officer- in- charge, Chief of Military Training Branch, Deputy of the Department of Physical Education, USMA Surgeon, Center for Personnel Development, Leader Development Branch, Director of Cadet Activities and a representative from the Information Systems Division.
      Colonel (Retired) John Calabro, Director for West Point Society Programs for the Association of Graduates, spoke about the AOG and the parents clubs working together on various projects and events and the great results when parents were a part of the planning. The Association of Graduates furnished each attendee with a USMA lapel pin.
     Andrea Hamburger, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, encouraged parents to submit news releases about their cadets and club meetings. She stated that it is important for the general public to know the when, what, where and why about USMA.
     This year we had Mr. Bill Schutsky, Assistant Athletic Director for NCAA Compliance, from ODIA, talk about NCAA rulings in regard to recruiting athletes. After Mr. Schutsky concluded his presentation, the conference was over for the day.
     Saturday morning after breakfast was filled with small group discussions. Each topic was presented three times. Small group discussions included Fund Raising for Parents Clubs which was facilitated by James and Helen Coleman, from the WPPC of Northern California, How to Keep a Small Club Alive- Activities For Small Clubs facilitated by Jane Knoble, from the WPPC of NE Pennsylvania, Cadet Computers, E-mail & Telephones – Welcome to the 21st Century, facilitated by Maj.Dave Cook from the Goldcoats, Mrs. Jill Cook, from the Cadet Bookstore and Maj. Kirk Johnson, USCC, Cadet Activities and Services, facilitated by Lt. Col.Tom Endres, Directorate of Cadet Activities, Show and Tell – No Shortage of Good Ideas, by Maura Bock, WPPC of Delaware Valley and How To Work Successfully With Your MALO’S, by Roger Balog, WPPC of Greater Houston. They all did a wonderful job in sharing their time and knowledge with the small groups.
      The conference ended at 11:30 a.m. with renewed enthusiasm for efforts on behalf of cadets, parents and USMA. Dolores Salvatore thanked the participants for all they contributed. Conference surveys indicated that the 1999 conference was a success. Attendees were pleased with the information they were able to take back to their clubs. Copies of all slide presentations have been mailed to club presidents.

GRANT HALL RETURNS TO ITS ROOTS
By Dale Cruse, Photojournalist

     Tradition is one of the bedrock foundations of the U.S. Military Academy. Change does not come easily. The recent renovations to Grant Hall, one of the oldest structures here, signal not just change, but almost a return to the original purpose of the site. A plaque in the entranceway states, "On this site was erected, in 1850-2, the building afterward named Grant Hall, in 1887. It housed the Cadet Mess, the Officers Mess and Club and the Purveyor. In 1901 the Cadet Mess was enlarged to occupy the entire building, which was razed in 1930 to permit the construction of the present Grant Hall, erected in 1930-1."
      Originally the home of the Cadet Mess, Grant Hall has undergone several changes. In recent years, the eating area had only 30 or so seats. The rest of the area had been designed like a living room. Couches, chairs and a fireplace have occupied the area for some time. While the recent addition of extra restaurant seating and large-screen televisions has given the area a distinctly modern look, USMA made efforts to keep the building’s historical feel. "We have enlarged the seating area from 30 seats to 180, including 30 in the balcony," said Kevin D’Onofrio, Director of Cadet Activities Cadet Restaurant food service director since 1987. "For several years, we only had coffee and donuts available at Grant Hall to cadets and faculty. Every year we have added something new – whether it’s a wider food selection or staying open longer hours. This is part of the effort," he continued.
      During the renovations, the large painted portraits on display in Grant Hall had to be moved. West Point Museum Art Curator David Reel said the 12 portraits had to be removed so the renovation could be finished. "Since the paintings were no longer on display, we took that opportunity to have them restored, cleaned and covered in Plexiglas. That should prevent any further light damage." Reel explained that for the past five years, there has been no portrait of the man who gave his name to the hall, Gen. Ulysses S.Grant. "The portrait we have now placed in the hall is very rare," Reel said. "Instead of the traditional oil paint on canvas, this is pastel on paper done by Abraham Anderson – It’s very rare." The current portraits include: Gen. (and later President of the United States) Ulysses S. Grant (Class of 1843) Gen. of the Army Douglas MacArthur (Class of 1903) Gen. of the Air Force Henry H. Arnold (Class of 1907) Gen. of the Army (and later President of the United States) Dwight D.Eisenhower Gen. of the Army Omar N. Bradley (Class of 1915) (Class of 1915) Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell (Class of 1904) Gen. Jacob Devers (Class of 1909) Gen. Mark Wayne Clarke (Class of 1917) then-Lt. Gen. Robert C. Richardson, Jr. (Class of 1904) then-Lt. Gen. Lesley J. McNair (Class of 1904) Two non-West Point general officers are also included: Gen. of the Army George G. Marshall and then-Lt. Gen.Lucian K. Truscott, Jr. Reel said the portraits spotlight America’s five-and many of the four-star generals during World War II. Ceiling beams depict patches of all the U.S. Army’s divisions during World War II and the seal of each of the 50 states.

Dolores Salvatore, Parents Club Coordinator, Public Affairs Office, United States Military Academy,West Point, New York 10996 (914) 938-5650/3614 Email: yd2883@westpoint- emh2.army.mil or yd2883@exmail.usma.army.mil

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