Newsletter # 246
May 29, 2009
Dear Neighbor,
We returned Monday morning from New York where we attended Abe’s graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. It was an incredible trip and I’d like to share some of it with you.
To begin with, West Point has a long history that dates to the Revolutionary War. It is situated about 50 miles north of New York City on a strategic S-curve in the Hudson River. Recognizing that if the British had access to the river they could sail all the way into the New York harbor and divide the colonies, the Continental Army fortified West Point. A 600 yard chain, with each link measuring 2 feet and 114 pounds, was foundered and stretched across the river; it was attached to rafts to keep it afloat. The chain idea reminds me of Red Rover, Red Rover where you know better than to try to break through the strongest links. The British must have been aware of that game too, because they never attempted to come up the Hudson River after the chain was made, even when Benedict Arnold was in command and secretly agreed to surrender the post to them.
After the war, President Washington wanted to start a military academy at West Point but was deterred by Thomas Jefferson because it implied a standing army. However by 1802, Congress, under the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, recognized the need for a military academy and well-trained standing army and established it. With a 207 year history, one could reasonably expect a ceremonial graduation . . . and ceremonious it was.
The dress uniforms at West Point have changed little over the years. They are still hand-fitted and sewn on post and though the coats are made of gray wool, they are worn spring, summer, fall and winter. I’ve yet to meet a cadet that enjoys wearing his uniform, especially during hot parades. Perhaps the most formal of the ceremonies are the military parades where the cadets march through sally ports, or large granite archways, from the barracks to the plain.
It is simply overwhelming to sit and watch nearly four thousand cadets emerge through the sally ports dressed in full-dress revolutionary uniforms with sabers, rifles and tar bucket hats while marching in unison, exactness and perfect rhythm to the beat of the drum and tune of the band. Recognizing that each cadet has volunteered for service “to protect and defend the Constitution from enemies both foreign and domestic” adds to the overpowering sentiment. During one of the military parades, I watched a graduate from the class of 1934 sitting quietly in his wheelchair watching the cadets and drum and bugle corps march past. However, when the color guard bearing the American flag drew near, he struggled and struggled to gain his footing and stand. He barely got his knees under him before the flag passed in front of him and he saluted it proudly before softly falling back into his wheelchair with a little humph. A hundred other “old grads” were in attendance at the parade, some of them walking with two canes, and each proudly saluting the flag that he protected and singing aloud “The Star Spangled Banner” and “The Army Goes Rolling Along.”
Abe had his own fan club at the parade—my brother-in-law and sister, Bert and Rachel, and their children, Justin, Cache, Jesse, Calder, Maddie, Pal and Hydn all came to the graduation as well as Cali, Ray, Ande and Abe’s fiancée, Grace. Though a military parade is hardly the place to woot and whistle—our chests were pretty puffed.
Another official event at graduation was the banquet and hop. In formal dresses and black tie/military dress attire, thousands of cadets, dates and guests streamed into the gray granite Washington Hall where we toasted “The Corps,” “The Class of 2009,” and to the class motto, “Your Freedom and Mine” with our sparkling cider. I’m still amazed at the efficiency with which the mess hall staff can serve Caesar salad, chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed green beans and chocolate cheesecake.
The family that shared our table had three daughters who had graduated from West Point. Paige, the 2009 graduating cadet, told us about her first experience with Abe. Abe was a member of the cadre during her BEAST, meaning he was her superior while she was in basic training. She said she was so scared of him, avoided him at all costs and ran past him when she did have to go near him. He laughed and said, “You never could salute right” and she countered, “You were mean.”
Because Abe resigned to serve a two-year religious mission and then re-entered the academy, Paige and Abe ended up being classmates with Abe as her company commander. Paige continued her story, “Just this year I discovered Abe was Cadet-Payne-the-cadre-from-BEAST and I said, ‘No way. There is no way this Payne is that Payne. This Payne is fun, happy and nice; that Payne wasn’t.”
General Casey, Chief of Staff for the United States Army, was the featured guest and speaker and treated the cadets with dignity and respect, glad to have them join the ranks. General Casey stated that the Class of 2009 was the first class from West Point to ever enter and graduate during the same war.
There were other incredible events during the week, such as the Glee Club concert, too. It was an amazing performance of opera, folk and patriotic songs. I cried and cried when they sang “Shenandoah”—it just sounded so lonely and sad—but then they sang a funny upbeat folk song and I forgot I was sad. Then they sang “We Were Soldiers” and I cried all over again, but soon after they sang the Armed Forces Medley and during each branch’s song the veterans and servicemen that served in that branch stood: some for the Navy, a few for the Marines, more for the Air Force and then they hit the Army song where Abe and Calvin stood tall shoulder to shoulder and that was a stirring sight for me.
Saturday was the graduation held in the football stadium. All cadets, whether graduating or not, were in attendance. To appease Calvin’s anxiety, we arrived at the stadium two hours early—in time to see the cadets march down the hill and through the trees, hear the band warm up and listen to the Glee Club run through the scales. Crowd watching was an added bonus as family and friends from all walks of life and economic classes entered to cheer on their cadet. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was the featured speaker and he gave an incredible talk on leadership. My favorite story he told was from the Revolutionary War. A group of soldiers were digging a culvert with their commanding officer watching from the side. A man rode up on his horse and asked the commanding officer why he wasn’t digging and he said, “Because I am in charge.” The man on the horse grabbed a shovel and began digging with the working men. When the task was finished, the commanding officer asked the horseman who he might be and he replied, “General George Washington, sir” as he mounted and rode away.
Traditionally, each cadet donates a dollar to “the goat”—the lowest ranking cadet in the class. When the goat’s name was called to receive his diploma Secretary Gates handed him the envelope filled with dollar bills while the crowd cheered loudly and the cadets rose and gave him a standing ovation. (Incidentally, General Custer was his class’ goat.)
One of my favorite sites during the graduation was watching Abe from the stands. It was easy to spot him among the hundreds of classmates because he was so animated, excited, talkative and happy that he fairly bounced while sitting still on his chair. Watching his row stand and make their way to the podium was a thrilling site.
A few months before Abe was born I was sitting in church when the speaker mentioned the great prophet Abraham and my mind wandered to Abraham Lincoln also. The name rung deep inside me and I knew that was the name I’d like to give our baby. Thinking Calvin would need convincing, I began preparing my case. My solution was to add Calvin’s grandfather’s name as a middle name. To my surprise, Calvin didn’t need convincing; however after Abe was born and just a few minutes old, Calvin looked at him and then at me and said, “He doesn’t look much like an Abe.” I agreed he didn’t, but since I didn’t know what a baby Abe should look like I suggested we give him another day. The next day he didn’t look any more like an Abe than the day before, but fearing I’d never get to name a boy Abe if we didn’t now, I fibbed and said I thought Abe fit him . . . hoping I’d be right someday.
When “Abe L. Payne” was read in front of 970 cadet classmates as well as thousands and thousands of family, friends, dignitaries and mentors . . . well, I knew we named him right. It fit and sounded wonderful.
After the graduation we ate our lunch at Trophy Point, a beautiful hill overlooking the Hudson where artillery captured from our different wars is displayed, and then went to Abe’s commission ceremony where Calvin and I pinned on his second lieutenant bars.
Abe publically thanked those who had helped him successfully complete his education and training, bringing his graduation to a formal close. Shortly after the pinning ceremony, the rain that had been forecast all week poured. It was perfect timing for an incredible week.
Tip of the Week
A fabric softener sheet in the bottom of malodorous shoes helps to make them more bearable.
Recipe of the Week
The West Point Parents’ Club of Washington put together a Boodle Book with recipes and packaging tips for sending treats in the mail to cadets. Here’s a recipe from Brenda Anderson whose cadet graduates in 2011.
Cadet Cookies
2 ½ cups flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
48 Rolo chewy caramels in milk chocolate, unwrapped
1 Tbsp sugar
4 oz vanilla-flavored candy coating
Cream together sugars and margarine until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs; beat well. Add dry ingredients that have been sifted together; blend well. Stir in ½ cup pecans.
With floured hands, shape about 1 Tbsp of dough around 1 caramel candy, covering completely. In small bowl, combine remaining ½ cup pecans and 1 Tbsp sugar. Press the side of each ball into pecan mixture.
Place, nut side up, 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-10 minutes or until set and slightly cracked. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely on wire rack.
Melt candy coating in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. Yields 4 dozen cookies.
Packaging Tip: Lay’s stacked chip containers are great for shipping cookies (better than Pringles because they are plastic instead of cardboard).
Letter from the Trunk
The military academies have the traditional hat toss at the end of the graduation ceremony and young children are allowed to run onto the field and grab a hat as a memento. If you’re lucky, you might get a hat that a cadet put money and a note inside, too. Our kids were lucky, along with $20 there was this note in one of the hats:
Dear Trooper,
I hope you enjoy this hat as much as I did. If you want to be successful in life, remember the following:
- Be Honest
- Laugh at yourself
- Work hard
- Don't take charity
- Love your country.
- Matthew Tramel
Thank you for letting me share our trip with you. I hope you have a great week. Till next Friday, your neighbor—
Jane
