August, 2003; Page 3
THROUGH A MOM’S EYES – THE OATH
R-DAY 2003
By Rebeca Zambrano
We just got back from N.Y. We had a wonderful New York vacation! Even though at times my thoughts and feelings betrayed me. Tere was upbeat most of the time.
We walked through Chinatown, toured the UN, went to the movies, walked through the Financial District, took pictures with the bull at Bowling Green, window-shopped at places like Tiffany’s, Macy’s and Ermenegildo Zegna. We were in awe as we enjoyed Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theater on Broadway. What an experience it was to walk through Times Square at midnight and then during daylight. We even saw the Naked Cowboy right in the middle of Times Square! Carnegie Hall, Central Park and the Plaza Hotel were just a few of the other sites we enjoyed. We attended mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and heard familiar hymns played on the thunderous organ. On Sunday afternoon our vacation drew to a close and we were reminded why we had gone to New York in the first place, we left the City and moved closer to West Point. In the hotel in Newburgh we could see several young men quietly passing the time with family members. They nervously glanced at each other. We all knew very well, why we had converged there.
My last memory in the car was Tere’s smile and upbeat spirit- listening to the DD’s she had brought and playing one of them at least twice: I’m A One Girl Revolution. She was psyched!
It was quite an emotional experience to see West Point for the first time and turn over our beloved daughter to the Army on June 30th. It was a day full of emotion as she got her 90 seconds to “take care of her farewells” at 8:50 AM in Eisenhower Hall (she was dressed in a hot pink top, jeans, pink belt and pink visor- she looked cute but determined) and then we saw her again at 6:00 PM as she marched with her company behind the band (dressed in white over grays- she looked sharp and determined) then she took her Oath at Trophy Point overlooking the Hudson River. The oath she took was to defend the Constitution and obey all legal orders… As her company, the rest of the class of 2007 and their Cadre marched away we ran on the side of the road taking pictures and giving her words of encouragement. She gave us each a wink and she clearly held back a smile. She looked excellent- positive, confident and determined. We knew she was all right- She had survived R day in style.
Planning Dates
Date Time Remarks
-2003-
30 Aug-2 Sept Labor Day Cadets w pass privileges
may leave after last duty
1 Sept 6:00pm Cadets must be present
for accountability format
6 Sept 1:00pm Home Football game
vs. UConn
13 Sept 1:00pm Home Football game
vs. Rutgers
12 Sept 7:30pm Men’s Soccer
@Birmingham Southern
14 Sept 12:00pm Men’s Soccer @ UAB
Birmingham, Ala.
20 Sept 1:00 pm Home Football game
vs Tulane
26 Sept TBA Cross Country @ Great American Shootout
Raleigh, N.C.
27 Sept 1:00 pm Home Football game
vs USF
10-12 Oct Plebe-Parent Weekend
13 Oct Columbus Day No Classes
18 Oct Homecoming Home Football game
vs. Houston
11 Nov Veterans’ Day No Classes
15 Nov 1:00 pm Home Football game
vs E. Carolina
26-30 Nov Thanksgiving Cadets must be present
for accountability form.
at 6 pm on 30 Nov.
6 Dec 4:00 pm ARMY BEATS NAVY
Football Game-Philadel.
15-20 Dec TEEs Term End Exam Week
20 Dec-
5 Jan Winter Leave Cadets must be present
for accountability form.
At 6 pm on 5 Jan.
19 Jan MLK Day No Classes
13-16 Feb Pres. Day Cadets with pass privleg
may leave after last duty
11 Mar 6:45pm Plebes promote to Cadet
Private First Class
12-21 Mar Spring Leave Cadets must be present
for accountability forma
at 7pm on 21 Mar.
17-22 May TEEs Term End Exam Week
26 May Memorial Day Duty day for U.S. Corps
of Cadets
24-29 May Grad Week Graduation Week for
Class of 2004
29 May Graduation Class of 2004