Acceptance Day at West Point

August 17th was Acceptance Day at West Point. That is the day the academy brings the survivors of the initial group of those entering the academy in June back to West Point to be formally accepted into the Corps of Cadets. It is a moving ceremony conducted in a series of marches on the marching grounds, the Plains of West Point. A friend and academy graduate, class of 03, invited my wife May and I to witness the event and then tour the academy grounds. The academy holds two hundred and twenty-two years of accumulated tradition and legend as strong as the granite stones which make up the imposing buildings of the school.

The photo of the cadets assembled on the plains shows the incoming cadets in formation facing across the field towards the cadet corps in formation ready to receive them into their ranks as the new cadets marched into formation.

You’ll notice in the lower left hand corner one cadet was momentarily overcome by the heat and sank to a knee. However, when the order to march was given the cadet was able to rise up and complete the march. I trust that cadet will be able to complete his or her time at the academy and graduate and be commissioned as an officer in the class of 2028.
The visit brought up memories of those who served our country and those who lost their lives in their service including members of my platoon. They should be remembered and their service respected.