West Point Society of Michigan Founders Day
Saturday, 4 March 2023 @ 1800 Hours (Benny Havens)
1715 – Cadet Candidate Pre-Reception
1800 – Benny Havens Cocktails
1900 – Dinner
As members of the parent club, we are offered the discounted dinner price of $90/person.
https://secure.west-point.org/wpsmi/foundersday/
Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac: 3600 Centerpoint Pkwy, Pontiac, MI 48341
Dress: Black Tie Optional; Face Masks Optional
Hotel Reservations: (248) 253-9800; Ask for the WPSMI rate of \$139.00.
There will be a private reception for candidates of the Class of 2027 starting at 5:15pm (1715 hours) to meet your future attending classmates and graduates. You will be able to ask questions as well.
This is a formal event (black tie optional), so please dress appropriately.
The history of Founders Day:
Although West Point, the post, had been in existence for nearly a quarter of a century and “cadets” had been learning field artillery and studying engineering at the garrison since 1794, March 16, 1802, marks the day when Congress formally authorized the funding for and President Thomas Jefferson signed the document establishing the existence of West Point, the military academy. On that date, Jefferson signed the Military Peace Establishment Act, directing that a Corps of Engineers be established and “stationed at West Point in the state of New York, and shall constitute a Military Academy” (West Point formally commenced its role as an institution for scientific and military learning on July 4, 1802). One hundred years later, probably in imitation of the extended celebration of the Centennial of the Academy’s founding, alumni started having anniversary dinners on March 16th.The first formally recognized Founders Day Dinner is attributed to the West Point Society of New York, which held one at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1914. Throughout the years, a particular form of celebration emerged to honor the Academy as well as it graduates who have fallen in service to the nation: a cocktail reception (referred to as the “Benny Havens Hour”), opening remarks, posting of the colors, reciting the Cadet Prayer, toasts, dinner, cake-cutting ceremony, speeches (by the guest speaker, by the oldest graduate present, and by the youngest graduate present), and singing the alma mater. Each Society is also welcome to add its own flair on the standard theme (e.g., live entertainment, memorabilia displays, door prizes, etc.).
Guest speaker will be BG Geoffrey Norman, WP class of 1994 and Director, Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team Army Futures Command