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everyone was enjoying the time to visit. We all went to the dance but Greg Sr. and I left very early so Greg and Katie could have a nice evening together. Katie reports it was a magical evening.
Sunday was spent quietly with a trip to the Palisades mall and a movie but as usual by late afternoon our cadet was ready to get back to barracks to prepare for the return to his world.  We all had a great weekend and the weather could not have been better.

CADET NEWS
CLASS OF 2002

Misty Cantwell:  Misty recently visited the Defense Intelligence Agency in D.C. and has spent most weekends in October away from school - one of the perks of that Firstie year.  The academic year is going well and she is anxiously awaiting branch night.  Her first choice is Military Police.   Misty is looking forward to coming home early for Thanksgiving thanks to CPRC and her family is looking forward to having her great pumpkin pie.

Rob Decker:  Rob is having a very busy semester serving as company commander and playing on the water polo team. The fun news is that the water polo team won the New York Regionals and qualified for Nationals. The championships are in Gainesville, FL, on November 9, 10, and 11. Friends from UF and FSU and family members will be there to cheer the team!

David Nelson:  They really mature while at West Point. David has turned into a real man. Last week while hunting deer with a bow and arrow he happened on a big black bear and shot him with an arrow. Now we have a couple of hundred pounds of bear meat and a bear rug. Veterans weekend he is going to Frankfurt, Germany to visit a friend. Three years ago I couldn't
imagined him doing these things. He will be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He will be going skiing in Colorado for a few days over Christmas. What wonderful opportunities have opened up for him while at West Point. Graduation in June/02 will be on us before we know it.

Nicki Robbins: Nicki has been very busy with her academic schedule and playing Fall Softball. She is the captain of the team this year and hopes their success this Fall, (11 - 1), will be just the beginning of a winning 2002 Season, and another bid to the NCAA Championships.

    PLEBE PARENT WEEKEND REPORT
              The Van Bemden Family

We were able to take Greg's girlfriend, Katie to plebe-parent weekend so Greg was very happy to see us. Greg's roommate's girlfriend was on the same flight with us so we were able give her a ride up the mountain to West Point once we arrived on Friday afternoon. We ended up at the wrong gate, it was closed for security, and so we drove the long way around 293 to Thayer gate but were rewarded by the wonderful fall foliage long forgotten by years of living in Florida. We also saw camp Buckner and the ranger mountaineering course and a lot of the area where Beast took place.
As soon as we arrived at our hotel we called Greg and he came right over, we were able to get a room at the Five Star. He asked us what we wanted to do but also let us know he really wanted to get away for a while. So we went into Newburgh for dinner and once we got back he took us on an evening walking tour of West Point's grounds as well as some of the sports and recreational facilities. We had never seen it in the evening it is quite beautiful and it was nice to see where he played basketball.
Saturday was the only day we really followed much of the program, we got up early and watched the practice for the parade it's always nice to see them before the crowd arrives. Then we went to the Commandant and Deans briefing and the military department briefing. After that a quick (15 minute) stop at the book signing in the book store, and run to make it to the plain in time for the parade.
The change is remarkable from each time we've seen our son in parade, it mirrors the transformation in bearing and confidence he gains every time we see him. After the parade he met us for lunch in the mess hall, everything he has told us about the food is true. He was a squad leader so he had to rush off to see to his squad during lunch but we met up with him after the TAC briefing.
The TAC briefing was the most informative; we also got the most practical information from the team. Then we were taken to the barracks, the room looked like something from the museum it was so neat and orderly. It was nice to meet Greg's roommate and his family as well.
We all went back to our hotel, the ladies to get ready and the guys to relax. The security was very tight so we left our car at the hotel every time we went on post and walked or took the shuttle bus. The banquet was wonderful everyone looked so great, we got there early but due to the delays the banquet started late but