<p>Well, R-Day has come and gone and we are back home in our empty nest (with an only child the first and last child leaves in one fell swoop).
Son had a late report time (8:30), so the morning was relaxed. Staying at the Thayer, makes things really easy (no traffic or parking issues, and you are already through security). At 8:10 we walked down to Buffalo Field and caught the 8:15 post shuttle to Ike Hall, and were in line by 8:20. We were lucky - the rain eased off during our wait so it wasnt unpleasant. Candidate Cadets lines up on the left, with their parents on the right. This allowed the Cadets to check their passes and count the number of candidates they allowed into the hall at one time. As one batch is being allowed in, another is being briefed, so we entered and left in near silence. When our turn came, the briefing was uplifting, and goodbyes were short and sweet (our son only needed 20 seconds to give us a bear hug before he left and joined the line to leave).
We followed the other parents to the parents center. Since 8:30 was the last reporting time, lines were long, and most of the morning was taken up standing in line for new cadet company addresses, Army/Navy football ticket orders etc. We mailed our first letters to our son. By late morning we walked over to Washington Hall area to see the incoming new cadets being processed (lining up for head shaving, reporting to the Cadet with the red sash etc.) We didnt see our son, but many families were able to spot their son/daughter. Most moms dissolved into tears when they did. One dad yelled go chief to his son as he came out from having his head shaved and headed uphill. The son put his arm up in acknowledgement he was at the back of the line and may have gotten way with it.
We returned to Ike Hall for the parent briefing at 3. It was really well done, and we left feeling that our son was in good hands. By 4:30 we were off to find our spot on the side of the road for the oath ceremony. They mark the area that each company will stand in, so you have some idea of where to stand. We were amazed at how early the area filled up. We chose to stand on the opposite side of the road facing Trophy Point. The heavens opened just before the band started playing, but it didnt damped anyones spirits, and those without rain ponchos happily stood in the rain so that their umbrellas didnt block anyone elses view. The class of 2010 marched out, looking so different from the diverse bunch that had stood in line at Ike Hall a few hours before. We were really lucky, and found our son quite easily in his company (even with his hair shaved and new found dorky glasses, I would have recognized him anywhere!). As they turned to march off after the oath he caught my eye and gave me a look that said he was doing fine. We were able to follow the parade along the road as they marched off to dinner, so we got to see quite a bit of him.
We walked back to the Thayer Hotel, and after drying off went to Schades for dinner. We joined a line of other proud parents/siblings/grandparents. The wait was pleasant, as we all shared stories of the day. These complete strangers all felt like friends!
The next morning, after one last drive around the post, we mailed two more letters, and headed for Newark Airport.
After arriving home and unpacking, I took my sons cell phone up to his room. His graduation balloons were still wilting in the corner. I sat down and shed my first real tears - a mixture of profound pride, joy and sadness, all rolled into one. What an experience!</p>
<p>Great memories, Ann! I haven't cried about sending my daughter to Buckner, but your post brought back all of the acute feelings of this time last year. You have every reason for all of those different feelings. Keep writing and think about that very first boodle you can send.</p>
<p>A few follow up comments, We have the first early time at 630am. We stayed in Peekskill at the Peekskill Inn. About 11miles away over the Bear Mtn. Bridge. A good clean, not fancy, but reasonable place to stay. Left at abt 515am, had located a bagel cafe in ft montgomery that was open - just right for the morning -. Stopped for maybe 15 minutes -NC was anxious to get going. Went through stony lonesome gate, parking was fine, went down to bus.. got on bus about 615. was at Ike hall about 625, Had not started letting anyone in, we may bave been third or fourth group. Got lucky no rain at that time. Walked in as noted . Had the goodbye.</p>
<p>Just some comments about our difference. Limited lines at that time. We were just tired,and actually went back to the car and napped for abt an hour.. went to organ recital in Chapel. </p>
<p>Briefing was good , Supe, Commandant, AcademicDean,...best may have been beast regimental commander (cadet) they also did a skit to help with some things on the phone calls. Supe wife talk was only time I nearly broke up with talk of one less plate at the table (and ours was at civil prep this last year) .. Same comments about where to stand and rain...</p>
<p>Getting out of parkign lot was slow .. drive back was fine , at at hotel , collapsed and travelled back the Newark Airport. </p>
<p>I will second all emotions above!</p>
<p>Thanks MOT.
Talking about boodle boxes (I know we have to wait six weeks, but I need to keep busy:)) I thought I would post links to the companies that had pamphlets at WP for parents who may not have been able to be there:
<a href="http://www.cadetscakesandcookies.com%5B/url%5D">www.cadetscakesandcookies.com</a>
<a href="http://www.spectacularsweets.com%5B/url%5D">www.spectacularsweets.com</a>
<a href="http://www.loveacadet.com%5B/url%5D">www.loveacadet.com</a>
The ice cream shop had a pamphlet, but has no website. Tel: 845 446 2380</p>
<p>I have no idea how good these companies are. Does anyone have any feedback?</p>
<p>And Fire Tower Chocolates is the fabulous chocolate and candy shop across the street from the Visitors Center. It's really good. mmmmm</p>
<p>They even have black and gold peanut m&m's in a cute West Point box along with some other WP decorated candies.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ftchocolates.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.ftchocolates.com/</a></p>
<p>R Day for the incoming West Point Class of 2010, on Monday, 26 June, began very early (6:30 am) with the arrival of the first cohort to begin the long day of in-processing and drill that culminated in the taking of the Cadet Oath at Battle Monument that evening. New cadets from the US Military Academy Prep School (196) and 15 International Cadets (including one Iraqi) actually formed up before 6 am. Although the morning was cool and overcast, summer had arrived with a vengeance in the Hudson Valley a few days before, bringing temperatures in the nineties, humidity to match, and late afternoon thunderstorms. The now-traditional Mock R Day on the previous Friday morning, using volunteers ranging from teenagers to old grads to test the logistics of the system and give the First Detail some practice teaching basic military courtesy and fundamental drill (and correcting the inevitable errors), took place in the heat. Now, however, it was time for the big show, with 1,311 genuine new cadets who had to be transformed from civilians to uniformed new cadets in less than twelve hours, and rain threatened. </p>
<p>Many of the new cadets boasted an entourage of parents, siblings, relatives and/or high school sweethearts. The mood was almost festive, despite the unpromising weather, as they assembled outside Eisenhower Hall according to assigned reporting times, awaiting the orientation briefing in the auditorium. Following each briefing, the ominous warning was given: You now have 90 seconds to say your farewells. While the new cadets then exited under the control of the upper class cadets of the First Detail, their family members were shepherded to the ballroom, where various activities vied for their attention until the 3 pm Superintendents Welcome at Ike Hall and the 5:40 pm Oath Ceremony at Trophy Point. </p>
<p>The Army Athletic Association offered season football tickets for $149, the Thayer Hotel took reservations for Plebe Parent Weekend in the fall and Graduation almost four years hence, and Academy Photo displayed graduation portraits of previous classes, in full color and beautifully framed, resplendent with full dress hat with ostrich plume, saber and full dress coat. The Association of Graduates publicized its support of West Point and its alumni, its Gift Shop and its open house at Herbert Hall and sold subscriptions to ASSEMBLY. Parent clubs from near and far hosted tables and solicited membership. The Daughters of the US Army offered various souvenirs, including a toy bear in full dress over white and a reprint of Red Reeders book, Bringing up the Brass, and the Post Exchange set up a display of cadet-uniformed teddy bears and other such items. The USMA Bookstore and Cadet Store also were there. As in years past, the favorite souvenirs were T-shirts and a tote bag, listing the names of almost all of the members of the new Class of 2010, sold by the ODIA Gift Shop. But it was the West Point Womens Club boutique that stole the show. Their offerings included an orange T-shirt emblazoned Old Grad, a doll-sized cadet long overcoat, a 70 by 90-inch lace West Point tablecloth, and old books, such as Dick Prescotts First Year at West Point, circa 1910, by H. Irving Hancock.</p>
<p>Parents and family members also had the option of viewing a somewhat damp display of military equipment on Daly Field, taking a bus tour, attending mass at the Catholic Chapel, open houses at all chapels, and an organ recital at the Cadet Chapel, visiting the Museum, climbing up to Fort Putnam or taking a boat across the river to Constitution Island.</p>
<p>For the new cadets, however, it was all business of a different nature. Although the Oath Ceremony would be impressive for the families, the actual oath (different for international cadets) would be explained to the new cadets in small groups in Thayer Hall and questions answered before all were required to sign the oath. Those with tattoos and/or piercings that did not disqualify them from admission would have these documented. Additions while a cadet would lead to disciplinary action, possibly dismissal. Some would require inoculations; others military eyeglasses. All would require the basic summer uniform of white short-sleeved shirt, blank shoulder boards, gray trousers, white gloves, and black socks to be worn later that evening, plus the athletic shorts and shirts worn for most of the morning and afternoon. Camouflage ponchos and collapsible canteens completed the uniform, although dehydration was not as big a problem this year.</p>
<p>Upon leaving Thayer Hall, all new cadets faced the inevitable confrontation with the Cadet in the Red Sash (Step up to the line, not on the line, not behind the line!). New cadets carrying large duffel bags of issue material were a common sight, as were groups of cadets being taught the intricacies of the hand salute or right face. Hurry up! was the command heard most frequently as the cadet detail spirited their charges from one location to another. Other comments concerned donning the rain poncho: The hole in the middle is for your head. Do not wear the hood. We do not wear the poncho hood in the Army, New Cadet! </p>
<p>The Cadet in the Red Sashs tape line had spawned other tape lines in the sally ports where much of the indoctrination took place. Tape marked various numbered lanes, open at one end and closed at the other, which new cadets only were permitted to enter via the open end. Violations of this tape protocol brought instant and loud correction. In the poorly lit sally ports, where lists were posted and new cadets were processed by members of the detail seated at desks with laptop computers, commands and corrections echoed off the walls with great ferocity, providing, for some already confused new cadets, a frustrating approximation of Dantes Inferno, despite the intermittent rain showers falling outside. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here. Although an occasional new cadet was corrected for smiling or smirking, no one was having fun yet. </p>
<p>Despite their harried look earlier in the day, the Class of 2010 marched out smartly to Trophy Point in a light, misty rain to swear their oath and be photographed by hundreds of proud relatives and friends. Then it was back to the reality of Beast Barracks and their first meal as official new cadets. When the new Class of 2010 finally bunked down for the night on R Day, another date loomed large: 12 August, the date upon which those who endured would become bona fide members of the Corps of Cadets. Today, that red letter day is just 43 days and a wakeup away.</p>
<p>Your humble servant, J. Phoenix, Esquire</p>
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<hr>
<p>If you liked this news letter, you may also enjoy ASSEMBLY magazine, the Voice of the Long Gray Line. For additional information, visit
<a href="http://www.aogusma.org/sd/pubs/site/index.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.aogusma.org/sd/pubs/site/index.cfm</a>.</p>