West Point Parents' Club of Oregon & SW Washington Newsletter - Nov/Dec.'01
Notice of Jan. 26th Meeting
GIOVANNI'S MT PIZZA , 4435 LIBERTY ROAD S. , SALEM, OR
DIRECTIONS FROM I-5:  EXIT 252 - KUEBLER BLVD GO WEST TO LIGHT AT LIBERTY STREET S, AND TURN RIGHT AND CONTINUE TO SMALL SHOPPING MALL ON LEFT WHICH INCLUDES (AMONG OTHERS) THE DMV, ROTH'S AND GIOVANNI'S
List of Newsletter Articles:
Minutes of Oct. 28th Meeting
New requirements for Mailing Packages to West Point
A Brief Synopsis of the Pentagon Attack of 9/11
Army/Navy Game
Persuasion - WWII style
All Service Academies Ball Invitation & Registration Form
(NEW Secure on-line credit card Registration URL link)
Flag History--what the 13 folds stand for
Two thousand nine eleven (don't miss this one, below club officers)
Holiday Bus Schedule
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Prior to beginning our meeting, the Park Ranger for Fort Vancouver gave us a very interesting and informative presentation about Fort Vancouver and also about some West Point Grads who were posted there. One of these was Ulysses S. Grant. We all enjoyed and appreciated the presentation.

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Jill Hoffmann who began by leading us in the Cadet Prayer. The following families were represented at the meeting: Kerr, Doyle, Hoffmann, Klascius, Campbell, Lushenko, Lonergan, Adkins, Cox, Fox, DeVany, Bumcrot. We appreciate the attendance of Spence Williams, MALO, Portland.

The first item of business was a report by Treasurer Lou Fox. Currently, there is $1,371.48 in our account. We approved a request to send a $25.00 donation to West-Point.Org as they are in the process of a fund-raising drive.

The West Point Tulips were available to those who ordered them as well as a few extras for sale. Due to popular demand, we will place a larger order next year. The bulbs seemed particularly nice.

Pattty Klascius passed out the invitations and registration forms for the All Service Academys' Ball. If you were not at the meeting, the forms will be mailed to you as soon as possible. Don't delay in your response; we've had a good early turn-out, so secure your spot now.
     Patty passed out news release forms for the All Service Academies Ball. We would like to be sure the newspapers have the information for publication. If you would like a copy of this form for your local newspaper, please contact Patty Klascius.   It is good "press" for the academies, and it our last best chance of letting any academy graduates now living in Oregon & SW Washington know how to get in touch with us to come to the ball.
     We are also in need of small white lights and red poinsettia plants for decorations at the Ball. See if your local nursery or stores would be willing to donate their surplus poinsettias after Christmas. Bring the poinsettias and extra lights to the ball an hour early, please.  If you can help decorate, please contact Patty Klascius at klascius@teleport.com.   If you are unable to donate a door prize, we hope you will contribute to the much-needed decorating.  Thank you so much.
     Items or gift certificates are needed for door prizes for our cadets attending the ball. Should you have donated items or plan to obtain something, please let Patty know. She has a "donation" letter template she can customize for your donating business on club letterhead, if that would help facilitate your obtaining prizes.  These door prizes will add to the fun and be much appreciated by the cadets.  We'd like each one to go home with something, so please contribute.

There will be a group viewing of the Army/Navy Game again this year. It is great event, joining with the Navy folks for brunch and viewing at the Aurora Airport Club. (See related article in this newsletter). Please e-mail Jill Hoffmann ahja@home.com for reservations and directions.

The nominees for Club Officers was presented and approved. The new Board of Officers will be presented in the newsletter.

For those who were not present at the boodle meeting in August, these are the items placed in the Cadets' Boodle Bags: jelly beans, peanuts, apple chips, raisins, odwalla bar, fruit snacks, circus animal cookies, vienna creme cookies, oreo cookies, cornnuts, starburst, skittles, granola bars, rice krispie treats, cocoa mix, soup mix, protein drink mix. Quite a treat! (apologies if I forgot anything).

Our next meeting will be held in Salem on January 26, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. Location and directions in this newletter.
Respectfully Submitted:
Carole Cox, Secretary

When you send mail to your cadet through the United States Postal Service, please make sure that it is clearly markedwith the cadet's address as well as a return address.  Do not send packages that are wrapped in paper or envelopes that are taped.  Mail that does not meet the above standards or that looks suspicious will not be delivered to the cadets.

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A Brief Synopsis of the Pentagon Attack of 9/11
from Colonel Joe Tedesco, United States Army

Those of us stationed in the Pentagon have experienced an epiphany in the days since 11 September 2001. One could speculate that we normally do not have a total awareness of how many people really care about us until we die. Viewing our own funeral from afar (either from down or up; let's hope from up) we see family and friends touting our good qualities. Rarely do we experience this phenomenon while still alive. After logging over 100 telephone calls on 11, 12, and 13 September, I experienced concern and affection, which I will never forget. Please allow me to thank you from the depth of my heart. The time it takes to do the nation's work that you expect of me keeps me from thanking you in person or via telephone or electronic mail for quite some time. Thank you, my friends! Please allow me to also quickly share with you my account of the despicable, ruthless, and cowardly attack of 11 September.
0815 - I returned from our routine Tuesday Morning Video Teleconference (VTC) and asked my Deputy if we could gather our folks for a staff meeting.The wonderful family of soldiers and civilians known as the Focused Logistics Division (FDL) is made up of a range of 25 great Americans ranging from a 60-year-old civil servant to a 35-year-old Army Major to a 28-year-old contractor. I served in FDL 10 years ago as a young Major, and had just "returned home" on 14 June (The Army's 229th Birthday) to assume duties as their Division Chief.an honor to be a part of this family again.
0830 - We began the meeting in our tiny conference area across the office from the massive 1942-era steel-framed Pentagon windows. We normally met in my office next to the windows, but my desk and adjoining conference table were cluttered with briefs and staff actions. My deputy, Sheila Striegel, recommended we move to our conference area. One of our people Tom Bortner) placed a loaf of his famous sweet bread in the middle of the table as we sat down. As we munched and drank our coffee (some of the 30,000 cups served that morning in our 5-sided home) FDL folks grew weary of listening to my boring guidance. Answering phones during meetings was taboo in FDL, so little did we know that the world had totally changed by the time our meeting came to an abrupt and violent end.
0935 - We sometimes remember the strangest and smallest details of life. At 0935, Major (now Lieutenant Colonel) Jim Randazzo peered over the petition down toward the conference table. The only parts of him visible were his fingertips and his face from the nose up, reminiscent of the famous "Kilroy was here" drawings that American soldiers used to mark their presence during our parent's war, World War II. Being affectionately miffed at Jim for not completely joining our meeting, I cynically remarked that he looked like Kilroy. The older folks and students of history in FDL got the remark. Typically, Jim retreated to his cubicle and sat at his desk, knowledgeable that he could still hear my waxing, and increasingly boring guidance.
0938 - Bob Dotson, a civil servant from Redstone Arsena l, Alabama, and frequent visitor to FDL, pushed the cipher door buzzer to our office. He was thrown back. Gene Summerlin (a retired Colonel who now continues to serve his nation as a civilian) first heard a whooshing sound reminiscent to him as a missile. Kia Batmangladgi (a former 82nd Airborne Division Trooper of Iranian descent, and now hard-charging young American contractor) then heard the rumbling of an apparent earthquake, followed by violent shaking of the floor. Major Jay Bienlien (our youngest active duty soldier) then looked up to view the initial blast. The windows, across the office from us shattered, and sprayed against the old, heavy 3-inch 1942 steel Venetian blinds (Thank God for American steel) and crashed to the floor. The second wave, a deafening explosion then proceeded to cause those same heavy blinds to protrude from the wall horizontally. John Huber(a celebrated and well-liked civil servant and 60 year old Pittsburgh native) then saw the concrete wall next to Jim Randazzo's desk heave inward about three feet only to snap back, causing Jim's feet to jerk from his desktop, where moments earlier they rested while he "listened" intently to "guidance." At that moment, the three solid "particle board" book shelves descended on Jim, pinning him to his chair. All of the actions noted above happened within less than five seconds. I looked at my comrades in a surreal moment. I saw them sway left, then right. Denise Rawlings (my wonderfully caring admin assistant and quasi-mom to all in FDL) feel first into Sheila's lap, and then was thrust into mine. As I reached for, and held Denise, my senses became starkly real. I barked commands from the pure instinct of 30 years of military training. "EVERYONE LEAVE NOW! GO STRAIGHT OUT THE AMMO DOOR! (referring to my war reserve ammunition office's door, closest to us) The ceiling buckled above us. DO NOT GO TO YOUR DESKS! DO NOT GET YOUR HATS OR PURSES! GO RIGHT NOW! Of course,  it did not take much to convince FDL to leave their home. The smoke from the raging fire below filled the office, followed by the putrid dust ball from 50 glorious years of Pentagon history. We knew we would be back.we thought. We had absolutely no idea what had happened. We had no knowledge of the World Trade Center attacks, which had taken place an hour earlier. Most of us wondered if the Pentagon renovation crew had hit a gas line. I worried that a crippled small plan had fallen on to the roof above. For years, I had noticed that the approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport's western runway flew directly over "Ground Zero" (the famous center courtyard of the Pentagon.named in the cold war as dark humor figuring that the Soviets would target the first nuclear weapon above that spot) and had feared an accident from "wind shear" of mechanical failure.but never purposely perpetrated in the name of God. As a soldier, I had studied my entire life how people kill in the blasphemed name of God, but never had I witnessed it so closely, and with many of my dear   friends their victims. And never, as long as I breathe, will I agree with the equally despicable right wing "religious" fanatics of our nation, that we deserved this. How dare they?...
0945 - We tried to get accountability of FDL people. Dr Shaun Hickey (my friend and co-worker for 10 years) was missing. He was with us when we left the office, but in the confusion of evacuation, we were separated. Where was Shaun?
0950 - As my folks and I made it to the refuge of The Pentagon's North Parking lot, we witnessed the first act of what would be hundreds of acts of Americans at their best.what would become for me.America's finest hour.
Bravery, generosity, patriotism, and love.focused on survival and enduring freedom. That first act was that the Doctors, Nurses, and Medics from the DiLorenzo Health Clinic (a small, but very capable hospital within The Pentagon) had already begun establishing a triage area on the manicured lawn outside the Pentagon Officer's Athletic Club (the POAC). I spotted Mrs. Murphy (the Head Nurse) holding my friend of 10 years, Lieutenant Colonel Phil Smith. His arms were badly burned, and his forehead had most of the skin missing. We helped him to lie down next to the waters of the marina (a peaceful place) and began to administer physical and psychological first aid. I was joined by a nice gentleman I had never met.What a surprise.there are only 25,000 people assigned to The Pentagon Turns out he was Mrs. Murphy's husband. Eileen Murphy had been a friend
for many years, taking good care of my bosses, my people, and me. She  had advised me on how to approach neurosurgery and which doctor to see for minor illnesses, but I never talked of her husband. I had now met "the
lucky guy." As he and I treated Phil, with saline and an IV, Phil wanted to go find and help his people. They had been directly in the line of fire. Later we found that many of his co-workers in DCSPER had perished. For now, we begged him to lay still and focus on healing.
1010 - A very loud explosion emanated from the area of black smoke, which had been streamin g from our wedge of the building. We could only guess what it was. Later, we learned it was the floors of wedge one collapsing.an ugly sight. At about that time, an Air Force Captain came  up to me and asked for my white t-shirt that I was wearing under my Class B uniform shirt. Without thinking, I ripped open my shirt, removed my t-shirt, leaving my upper torso naked (an odd feeling for a soldier on  the Secretary of Defense's lawn). Then I asked the pilot (saw the wings on his chest) what he wanted it for. He said he would use it to wrap around his face as he went back in on a rescue team. I asked how he was on a rescue team, and he said he volunteered. Instinct then took over again, as I held my t-shirt for myself. I asked the Captain to find another.
1020 - As we lined up to go into The Pentagon, I felt a tap on my  shoulder. Thank God, it was Shaun Hickey and Bob Dotson, with a burned shirt, and a singed white beard. Dr. Hickey, although young and athletic lo oking for his age, had always worn the white beard of a professor for the 10 years  I had cherished his friendship. I felt like hugging him, but we had a mission to perform. I obviously inquired where he had been, only to find out that he had failed to heed my order to evacuate The Pentagon, because his instinct compelled him to go toward the smoke and search for survivors. He and Bob Dotson made it as far as the area where two of our comrades, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Dickerson and Sergeant First Class Maudlyn  White, were killed instantly. May their souls rest in peace. At that point,Shaun and Bob were overcome by smoke and heat, and falling debris. They heard no cries in response to their pleas. They crawled out and made  their way to the lawn, only to volunteer to go back in, hopefully this time  with respirators. We marched single file into Corridor 8, walked through the shower in the women's locker room (the place where Becky used to shower each morning after o ur Washington Monuments runs). It was one of the few rooms I had never been inside in "the World's Largest Federal Office Building." We then proceeded to Ground Zero (the Center Courtyard) where we met with the many firemen who had descended on our building. There, we waited.
1130 - It was not until this time that I heard rumors about New York. I  ignored the rumor about the World Trade Center being leveled. My  training had taught me that such hyperbole was probably untrue and insightful.  Boy,was I wrong! Cell phones would not work. We heard that the White House had been attacked.the State Department.the City of Pittsburgh (My Mom  lives there I thought).and the FAA building. From Ground Zero, one could not see anything but the A-Ring of The Pentagon and a smoke-filled sky, as the  fire raged. Bob, Shaun and I, and the rest of our band of brothers and sisters of Ground Zero, had no idea if the skyline of Washington was burning.  One of our team, an Air Force Chapl ain, managed to get through on his cell phone after 50 or 60 attempts. There were many Chaplains around us.those great clergymen who are as much counselor-soldiers as they are men and women of God.turns out there was a worldwide Chaplain's conference taking place that morning.interesting! The Chaplain proceeded to pass his phone around to as many people as possible to quickly say a point of contact   and phone number to let them know we survived. I hesitated, knowing we were going back into the building, then said Please tell Colonel Mackoy, my wife, that I am okay, and on a rescue team. I knew Bec would understand. At that time, I did not know that one of her old co-workers, LTC Keith Solveson, had called her headquarters to say he had seen me in North Parking. Bec called my Mom. The Firemen began to axe the Soda and Water machines in the courtyard, and we stuffed our pockets with water for victims. Then, we waited.
1400 - The fire spread to the roof of A-Ring, right n ext to Ground Zero. The FBI began tagging evidence in the courtyard. One piece, 2 feet by 2 feet, had the mark of American Airlines on it. At that moment, I was rudely awakened to the magnitude of what had happened. That piece had  made it over the five stories and the five rings of this massive building. At least 50 feet high, and at least 1500 feet long. Unbelievable! There we sat, waiting, still with no clue about the gaping whole on the outside of the building which all of the world could see on television. It was truly surreal. Finally, we entered the building, only to get to a point where only our brave firefighters could survive. Our hopes were dashed. My thoughts were focused on friends and colleagues whose offices I knew were close to what we thought was the impact point. Did General Edmunds make it? What about General Mahan? General Parker.whose office I was supposed to be in for a meeting at 1000 hours? Lieutenant Colonel Sue Sowers? Please don't let her be dead! ...
... Later in the week, I re-united with all of those mentioned.and worked with them on the crisis action team.and bonded with them even closer than before. Comrades-in-Arms.
1700 - After several attempts to re-organize, we were escorted out of Ground Zero, to join the teams on the front of the building. As Shaun  and I first saw the destroyed E-Ring we were overcome with emotion. We  walked around, finding many friends, and were never so happy to see them. We  saw Major Lee Mitchell (one of my officers from FDL), who was searching for  his brother-in-law (Sergeant Major Ivory). We later discovered that he and Sergeant Major Larry Strickland (a dear friend of mine for many years)  had run to a meeting with Lieutenant General Maude (The Army's Deputy Chief   of Staff for Personnel). All three were killed. Three wonderful American Patriots.senselessly removed from our ranks. They WILL NOT be forgotten. Larry Strickland, whose spouse is the Sergeant Major at Fort Belvoir, was scheduled to retire this month. We watched, and waited.a rag tag, motley crew, ready to respond. When the soldiers of the Old Guard (the 3rd Infantry Regiment) from Fort Myer arrived to relieve us, they of course looked sharp, in their starched Battle Dress Uniforms (BDUs) and driving their HMMWVs (High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle) (Dr. Hickey buys those for the Army and Nation) and their FMTVs (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles)(Jeff Brenton, another Great American from FDL buys those). The Old Guard relieved us of our assumed duties, and we left to report to our alternate command post.Major General Bill Bond's house on Fort Myer. It was there that we learned of the true facts of this day of infamy. As we walked up the hill, through Arlington National Cemetery, to Fort Myer, we turned around to see the ugly, surreal gash in our building.a scar on the face of our Army.and we cried. No one thought of embarrassment.that a soldier should not cry. We only thought of our comrades who had been  lost.
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12 September 2001 - 0900

The first day after the attacks marked the beginning of a period in American History rivaled only by the years during World War II. I had always told my father (a veteran of the South Pacific campaigns of World War II) that I longed for a realism of what America was like during World War II. The spirit of patriotism and unity must have been wonderful. Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines wore their uniforms with pride.even to social events. The Military had the unvarnished respect of the American people. Americans liked being Americans. I entered the Service of my Nation during the Vietnam War. My first memories in uniform, though  proud to me, carried an edge of cynicism. One never knew what a fellow  American might be thinking when encountered. Incid ents marred "welcome home" events of fellow soldiers. High School friends asked questions of why someone would want such a profession. That was 30 years ago. Now, as I walked,30 years older, still proudly in uniform on 12 September, across The Pentagon's South Parking lot.I came upon a number of tents and shelters that had been erected overnight. The first was the Salvation Army. Two officers of that Different Army shook my hand and asked, "Colonel, would you care for a bite to eat?" I answered that they should save it for the real rescue workers. "Well then, would you like some socks," they asked. I smiled perplexed and declined for the same reason. I thanked them profusely for the work they were doing so quickly, and moved on. I then passed the McDonalds and Burger King temporary shelters where the same thing happened. Then, as I got nearer the building, some very nice folks in blue shirts offered me a plate of food. I once again declined and   began a convers ation to thank them on behalf of The Army. As we were talking,I caught a glance of their sign, which advertised that they were volunteers from a small town church in North Carolina. Here it was less than 24 hours since the attack, and these folks had organized, packed, drove hundreds of miles, set up tents, and cooked food for me. I was absolutely  overwhelmed and overcome with emotion. I broke down in tears, hugged them, and whispered from somewhere in my soul."They care that Larry Strickland died for his country!" They were a bit surprised.comforted me, and acted as though it was just the natural and easy thing to do instead of watching  on television. I really hope I get to see those folks again, so that I can thank them again. True Patriots!
1015 - I made it into The Pentagon to find a flurry of activity. The Emergency Operations Center was buzzing with activity. I spotted my boss from my last Fort Hood tour.Brigadier General Jan Edmunds. The sight of her alive was outstanding. She was the first one I thought about after  the attack, since her office was so close to the point of impact. We were happy to see each other, but we knew that we had work to do, and we got   on with it. We spoke of the Mortuary Affairs situation and devised plans  for recovery of our friends' remains. That is just what we do.we are  soldiers. As I walked through the halls of The Building, countless projects had begun. The building managers, under the direction of our leaders, were immediately preparing previously unused space for occupation of those of  us who were homeless. It was amazing to watch on Day 2. Later that week,  as FDL was given a new home in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia, we were welcomed by people from the Defense and Army staffs with incredibly open arms. We were given a beautiful office in a high-rise building  overlooking a now silent Ronald Reagan National Airport. We were each issued a brand new, state-of-the-art Dell laptop computer donated by the Dell Corporation. Since then, we have been overwhelmed by the support and care provided  by our leaders. We have met with the President twice, and have been totally impressed by his leadership, and that of all of the leaders between him  and us. This newfound American Unity has only begun. Thank You America!
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22 September 2001 - 1120
FDL was about to Go Home. The Army had given us permission to attempt to re-enter the space that was once the proud home of DAPR-FDL. We were prepared with masks and helmets, and led into the torn and twisted Wedge One of The Building. We had decided that we would not send a small  party,but that we would all go back in together. The stress management counselors thought it to be a good idea. As we approached our office, a peaceful surrounding pervaded an area that had clearly been filled with mayhem and destruction only days earlier. We entered the first of our three offices. It looked NOTHING like our old home. We saw where the windows shattered, and the twisted steel had imploded. We saw where the walls had buckled and collapsed around us. We gazed on Jim Randazzo's  desk with pure amazement that he survived. We looked at the conference table where FDL was sitting.bored at 0937 on 9-11. The walls were collapsed around it. In the middle of the table was the half-eaten loaf of Tom Bortner's sweet bread.still in tact.with the M&M candy pieces on top a little faded from the brave Firemen's' water.but still in tact. We just had to laugh. We now joke about how that bread must still be preserved  in our digestive tracts. Then we walked to my office. Stark reality is sometimes a bit hard to take. The blinds in my office had been pulled up to allow maximum light. There were no steel blinds to protect any occupants. Thank God we had not had our meeting in there (as we often did). The stark reality was  that the steel from the window had pierced  the chair at the desk. At that point in my life, I understood what we mean  by the phrase There, but for the Grace of God, go I. The nose wheel of   the American Flight 11 had ended up directly below our conference table only about 10 feet away. We gathered the pictures of our loved ones, our wallets and purses, and our databases to continue the Nation's bidding,  and we left the old FDL for the last time. We dedicate the work we now do  the memory of our fallen comrades. We thank ALL of the great Americans who have participated in helping us to recover. We will recover. We will continue to serve with pride. We will defend our Nation to the last breath. Once again, we truly thank all of our friends who thought about us in our time of need. We can only hope that we can re-pay the favor some day,  when you need it. In closing, we our reminded of a phrase from General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, in his farewell speech at  West Point. Let me paraphrase. He said that soldiers are not warmongers. Quite the  contrary,soldiers long for and pray for peace, for it is soldiers who pay the ultimate sacrifice in war. In this war thus far, it has been soldiers  AND civilians who have paid that sacrifice, and our Nation feels this. May  all of their souls rest in peace. AMEN

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Army/Navy Game

70 degree weather.  The President, Generals Shenseki and Schwartzkoph are there. Good seats. We win. Tailgating.    Eating Philly sandwiches at Pat's with friends and your cadet.    Does it get any better than that?

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A Look at Persuasion through some WWII Government Posters

What's notable on the first and second posters is the star flag**.   These were commonly displayed in homes where there was a serviceman serving; I wonder if we will see them again?  One might see parallels in "Get a Job" (which changed the workplace forever)--notice the star flag again--and our president's current request to keep the American economy going through purchases.  Rosie the Riveter (last picture) may pay us a visit at the All Services Academy Ball--come and see.
**Star flags**  On May 28, 1918, President Wilson approved a suggestion made by the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defenses that, instead of wearing conventional mourning for relatives who died in the service of their country, American women should wear a black band on the left arm with a gilt star on the band for each member of the family who gave his life for the nation. This concept evolved to the display of a service flag, usually hung from the window of a family residence or other building. The service flag was displayed from homes, places of business, churches, schools, etc., to indicate the number of members of the family who were serving in the Armed Forces or died from such service. Service flags have a deep blue star for each living member in the service and a gold star for each member who has died. Thus, the gold Star and the term Gold Star Mother was applied to mothers whose sons or daughters died in the World Wars.   In the movie "Saving Private Ryan", there is a service flag displayed in Mrs. Ryan's house.
If interested, flags may be purchased from the Navy parent forum at  http://www.usna-net.org

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You will want to come to this event!  Mark your calendar and star talking it up with your cadet and close relatives (grandparents, etc.).  It's an outstanding opportunity for us to see our nations' future military leaders from all our area's academy clubs.  Our club is sponsoring; it's the first, and may be the only, ball like this you will have the opportunity to attend while your son/daughter is a cadet.  To hold your spot, we need you to send in your reservations  now!  You can also register by credit card at our secure on-line site at
https://www-secure.west-point.org/wppc-oregonsww/event/academies_ball
Thanks. Al & Patty Klascius, co-chairpersons ASAB 2001

An Interesting Flag History Lesson

     Have you ever noticed on TV or at military funerals that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times?
     The 21 gun salute was determined by adding the individual digits of 1776.  The question is asked why the flag was folded 13 times when it is lowered or when it is folded and handed to the widow at the burial of a veteran?  Here's the full explanation:
     The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
     The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
     The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
     The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.
     The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
     The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
     The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
     The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of  the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
     The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.
     The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
     The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
     The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.
     When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust".
     After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
     There are some traditions and ways of doing things which have deep meaning. You will see many flags folded in the coming weeks, and now you will know why.

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http://www.usflag.org   Everything you always wanted to know about the flag. Includes history with pictures of the different looks the flag has had over the years, the rules on folding the flag and flying it at half-staff, songs, poems, and much more.

Liaison Officers-OR & Newsletter Editors:
Al & Patty Klascius (Chad ‘01, Craig '02)  klascius@teleport.com

Graduation attire '01

L.O.-WA: David & Mary Graham (Doug '01, Franchesca '04)
merovin@halcyon.com

Treasurer: Lou & Marilyn Fox (David ‘03) mfox76@hotmail.com


**Please feel free to contact any of the above with questions, suggestions,  corrections, or for "free" advice.  Your  newsletter editor regrets any errors, and appreciates notification of such. Thank you.

Two thousand one, Nine eleven

With that the man in the stovepipe hat said,
"Take my hand," and from there he led
Five thousand plus heroes, newcomers to heaven
on this day, two thousand one, nine-eleven.
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Here are the GMK Travel Bus schedules for the below holiday dates. These schedules are linked to the wpp-net home page and parent-forum as well.
Approximate travel times are:
> West Point to Stewart Airport: 35-45 Minutes
> West Point to Newark Airport: 1 3/4 - 2 Hours
> West Point to LaGuardia Airport: 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 Hours
> West Point to JFK Airport: 2 - 2 1/4 Hours
> West Point to Albany: 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 Hours>
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CHRISTMAS 2001 TICKET SALES
Bus ticket sales will be on December 10 & 11, from1700-1930 hours, and December 16 from 1400-1730, in Grant Hall.
Bus departures from West Point: Wednesday, 19 December 2001
To Newark Airport  OW $15 RT $27 1200,1900
To LaGuardia Airport  OW $18 RT $35 1200,1900

Bus Departures from West Point: Thursday, 20 December 2001
To Stewart Airport  OW $10 RT $19 1200
To Newark Airport  OW $15 RT $27 0800,1200,1900
To LaGuardia Airport  OW $18 RT $35  1200, 1900
To JFK Airport 1200 OW $25 RT $45
To Albany Airport 1200 OW $25 RT $48

Bus Departures from West Point: Friday, 21 December2001
To Stewart Airport  OW $10 RT $18 1200
To Newark Airport  OW $15 RT $27 0800,1200,1900
To LaGuardia Airport 1200 OW $18 RT $35
To JFK Airport 1200 OW $25 RT $45
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Special return buses to West Point: Saturday, 5 January 2002
From Newark Airport 1900
From LaGuardia Airport 1730
From JFK Airport 1630

Return buses to West Point: Sunday, 6 January 2002
From Stewart Airport 150 From Newark Airport 0800,1000,1400,1700
From LaGuardia Airport 1200, 1400, 1700
From JFK Airport 1100
From Albany Airport 1630