November, 2002; Page 3
WEB SITE FOR WEST POINT PARENTS CLUB OF GULF COAST OF FLORIDA
Our club web site is located at www.west-point.org/parent/wppc-gulf-coast/ everyone is encouraged to submit interesting articles, or any digital photos you would like to see posted on the site, please contact Dick Hull via email at wppchull@aol.com or by phone at 727-526-3090.
ANOTHER MESS HALL STORY
I believe that someone once said that an Army travels on its stomach. A lot of cadet memories harken back to the Mess Hall. One story recounts having to announce each item to the head of the table as it arrived. One day a cadet (from a Northern state) didn’t read the menu and found himself in a quandary when a strange dish arrived. It was black-eyed peas. He said “Sir the beans are on the table. Beans to the head of the table please sir.” The Firstie was from the south and immediately was incensed. He asked the cadet what they looked like. The response: brown beans with spots. The Firstie then yelled quite loudly “Mr. that’s gross.” Our illustrious cadet, without missing a beat, Said, “The gross is on the table. Gross to the head of the table please sir.” The Firstie spewed out what was in his mouth, and everyone began laughing uncontrollably; needless to say no one had much of a dinner that night. Another time brussel sprouts were on the menu. The same cadet announced that the baby cabbages had arrived……………..
More mess hall stories at:
http://www.west-point.org/family/bicent/food.html
THAYER AWARD PRESENTED TO
“THE AMERICAN SOLDIER”
WEST POINT, N.Y. – “The American Soldier” received the 2002 Thayer Award in ceremonies at the U. S. Military Academy on Thursday, Oct. 3. Prior to the presentation ceremony, a cadet review in honor of “The American Soldier” took place on the Plain.
The Thayer Award, established in honor of Col. Sylvanus Thayer, “Father of the Military Academy,” is usually presented to an outstanding citizen whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplifies the Military Academy motto, “Duty, Honor, Country.” The Association of Graduates has presented the award annually since 1958.
This year West Point has chosen “The American Soldier” to be honored as best representing these enduring values. By focusing on the accomplishments of American soldiers, both past and present, the award aims to further strengthen cadets’ commitment to and pride in the profession of arms.
This year’s award will also honor some of the nation’s most heroic soldiers. Eleven Medal of Honor recipients who served the nation during World War II and the war in Vietnam also graced the ceremony as representatives of “The American Soldier.”
Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff, U. S. Army, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army, Jack L. Tilley will accept the award on behalf of “The American Soldier.”
Past recipients of the Thayer Award include Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Billy Graham, Clare Boothe Luce, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Douglas MacArthur, Barbara Jordan, Walter Cronkite and Henry Kissinger.
EDITOR’S BOOK CORNER
For those of us who enjoy reading about West Point or the Civil War the book titled The Class of 1846; From West Point to Appomattox: Stonewall Jackson, George McClellan and their Brothers by John C. Waugh is an enjoyable and interesting read.
The author takes the men of the class of 1846 from their first fearful day as plebes at West Point through their careers together and apart. He blends humor and anecdote with stirring narrative and incisive analysis. He contrasts the successes of eccentric genius and sad failure of potential greatness within the leaders from the same class when they were faced with battling their brothers.
This book and others about West Point are available at the local libraries and bookstores.