In having been accepted as members of the United States Corps
of Cadets, we were given one of the greatest honors and opportunities our
nation can bestow upon a young person. In surviving the baptism of fire
of plebe year, we were inculcated with the greater part of the spiritual
strength – the pride and the will to overcome adversity – that is stitched
through the moral fiber of a West Pointer. The time we spent at the Academy
spanned our passage from adolescence to adulthood, and was beyond a doubt
THE definitive experience in the formation of the character that continues
to guide and define our lives to this day. We fought, bled and cherished
the bonds of camaraderie with our fellow cadets through the toughest challenges
Academy life could throw at us, only to fall before reaching our goal through
mishap, lapse or just plain bad luck. But we never quit. And that is an
achievement of which we can always be proud. We were, are, and will always
remain WEST POINTERS!
We
seek the fellowship of others with whom we can celebrate our common identity
as former cadets. Despite our untimely separation, we continue to cherish
and respect the values and traditions of the Corps. West Point holds a
special place in our hearts, and we will carry that with us to our graves.
