Posted on 05/27/2006 5:19:39 PM PDT by Wolfstar
You're welcome, OWF. Glad you could stop by.
Those kids work so hard, it's great to see them smiling. I love watching the hats go into the air.
Did you notice how relaxed and happy to be there our president seemed to be at that graduation. You can tell he loves the troops so much. God bless him...and them!
What beautiful uniforms they have. Although I must say the women who chose to wear skirts looked much nicer than the ones who wore the slacks like the men. JMHO!
And the first shot in # 5, good 'un!
Hi snugs. I always worry about you when I can't get the thread up earlier. I know it's very late for you. :(
Also glad to know others have had problems with the WH website. Wasn't sure what was going on, and can only speculate that their servers are either undergoing maintenance or they are overloaded.
Good for you! Congrats Echo Talon.
Good evening, friends.
Special thanks to Dr. Deb for posting the link for the live commencement address last night. I watched President Bush's speech, and it was excellent. He was very bold, eloquent, and inspiring.
Bush referred several times to President Truman, and the tone of admiration in his voice was unmistakable. It was almost ironic. He's much too humble to ever recognize it, but there's a lot of Truman in this president. If the history books don't recognize it, the Almighty will.
Mega dittos!
Yes, very similar. West Point is the oldest of our service academies. It's on the east side of the Hudson River in New York State, north of New York City.
We also have the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, the Air Force Academy at Boulder, Colorado, and other service academies. The Marine Corps doesn't have one because they are actually part of the Navy Department. So youngsters who want to attend a service academy and become Marines will go to Annapolis.
West Point is a 4 Year Process.
About The Academy
Since its founding two centuries ago, the Military Academy has accomplished its mission by developing cadets in four critical areas: intellectual, physical, military, and moral-ethical - a four-year process called the "West Point Experience." Specific developmental goals are addressed through several fully coordinated and integrated programs.
A challenging Academic Program that consists of a core of 31 courses provides a balanced education in the arts and sciences. This core curriculum establishes the foundation for elective courses that permit cadets to explore in greater depth a field of study or an optional major. All cadets receive a Bachelor of Science degree, which is designed specifically to meet the intellectual requirements of a commissioned officer in today's Army.
The Physical Program at West Point includes both physical education classes and competitive athletics. Every cadet participates in an intercollegiate, club or intramural level sport each semester. This rigorous physical program contributes to the mental and physical fitness that is required for service as an officer in the Army.
Cadets learn basic military skills, including leadership, through a demanding Military Program which begins on their first day at West Point. Most military training takes place during the summer, with new cadets undergoing Cadet Basic Training - or Beast Barracks - the first year, followed by Cadet Field Training at nearby Camp Buckner the second year. Cadets spend their third and fourth summers serving in active Army units around the world; attending advanced training courses such as airborne, air assault or northern warfare; or training the first and second year cadets as members of the leadership cadre. Military training is combined with military science instruction to provide a solid military foundation for officership.
Moral-ethical development occurs throughout the formal programs as well as a host of activities and experiences available at the Military Academy. These include formal instruction in the important values of the military profession, voluntary religious programs, interaction with staff and faculty role models, and a vigorous guest speaker program. The foundation of the ethical code at West Point is found in the Academy's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country." Cadets also develop ethically by adhering to the Cadet Honor Code, which states "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."
Admission is open to all young men and women, and is extremely competitive. Candidates must receive a nomination from a member of Congress or from the Department of the Army. They are then evaluated on their academic, physical and leadership potential. Those candidates who are fully qualified receive appointments to the Academy.
The life of a cadet is demanding, but leisure time does permit recreational activities such as golf, skiing, sailing, and ice-skating, Intramural clubs include a cadet radio station, orienteering, rock climbing, and Big Brother-Big Sister. A wide variety of religious activities are available to cadets from virtually all religious backgrounds.
Difficult to pick which photo is my favorite. They're all GREAT.
She looks like a little thing, but she'd have to be tough in order to make it through four years at West Point and wind up valedictorian.
It seems a strange tradition throwing the caps in the air.
"Grin...I love the President. :)"
Oh... oh, count me in on that! :)
Received and understood
I SO agree. Ugh, but the talking heads are just one giant irritation (with rare exceptions like Brit Hume).
I feel sorry for her future husband! :D
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