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'Class of 9-11' graduates from West Point
contra costa times.com - AP ^ | 5/28/5 | MICHAEL HILL

Posted on 05/28/2005 7:05:27 PM PDT by SmithL

Graduating U.S. Military Academy cadets - who came here just weeks before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks - were told Saturday they were a special group forged by historic events.

Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called the class "one of the few since the early days of the Vietnam War who came to West Point in peace time, saw the nation transition to war and chose to stay, knowing you would raise your right hand and take an oath and swear to defend the constitution of a nation that was still at war."

The Class of 2005 is nicknamed the "Class of 9-11" and, ironically, the number of graduates was 911.

The class spent almost all of the past four years drilling and studying under what West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. William Lennox called "the shadow of war." About seven in 10 of the new second lieutenants who threw their caps in the air are expected to be in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan within a year.

After the ceremony, a number of the newly commissioned officers said the double blow of the Sept. 11 attacks and a boot camp-like introduction to West Point did little to deter them from pursuing their careers.

"At first, we were thinking, 'Is this it? Is this the real thing?'" said 2nd Lt. Laura Watson of Slippery Rock, Pa. "Other than one little thought, that's all. I knew I was ready for it."

Robert Milmore of Cornwall, N.Y. said the attacks strengthened his resolve.

"Everyone's a little nervous but ready to go out there and do it," he said.

Myers, the outgoing Joint Chiefs chairman, told cadets that the attacks and resulting global battles have braced them to serve an evolving Army engaged in a struggle in which failure is not an option.

"I'm sure those events shaped every day of your past four years and gave you a clear sense of purpose and a heightened sense of resolve," he said.

Lennox reminded the cadets of that "seemingly harmless September morning" four years ago.

"Think about how much the world has changed since that day," Lennox said. "And think about how much you have changed since that day."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: americanhero; anamericansoldier; army; cotw; freedom; genuinehero; graduation; hero; manofvalor; menofvalor; military; qfn; quagmirefreenews; ringknocker; ringknockers; soldier; soldierstory; usarmy; usma; westpoint; wheredowefindsuchmen; wheredowegetsuchmen; wherewefindsuchmen; wherewefindsuchwomen; wherewegetsuchmen; wherewegetsuchwomen; womaninthemilitary; womaninuniform; womanofvalor; womeninthemilitary; womeninuniform; womenofvalor
Salute!
1 posted on 05/28/2005 7:05:28 PM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

Go get'em Army. Kick some 9/11 butt.


2 posted on 05/28/2005 7:08:56 PM PDT by ProudVet77 (Warning: Frequent sarcastic posts)
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To: ducks1944; Ragtime Cowgirl; Alamo-Girl; TrueBeliever9; anniegetyourgun; maestro; TEXOKIE; ...
Graduating U.S. Military Academy cadets - who came here just weeks before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks - were told Saturday they were a special group forged by historic events.

Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called the class "one of the few since the early days of the Vietnam War who came to West Point in peace time, saw the nation transition to war and chose to stay, knowing you would raise your right hand and take an oath and swear to defend the constitution of a nation that was still at war."

3 posted on 05/28/2005 7:10:09 PM PDT by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: SmithL
"The Class of 2005 is nicknamed the "Class of 9-11" and, ironically, the number of graduates was 911."

That is so spooky. Its a good omen.....

4 posted on 05/28/2005 7:17:05 PM PDT by yooper (If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there......)
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To: Calpernia


.


RICK RESCORLA: Help honor 911 Lifesaving Hero

http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361

.


5 posted on 05/28/2005 7:24:30 PM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.coms')
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To: SmithL
"The Class of 2005 is nicknamed the "Class of 9-11" and, ironically, the number of graduates was 911."

Wow, that is curious. Is that a typical number or was someone on the inside trying to dazzle us?

6 posted on 05/28/2005 7:27:53 PM PDT by Radix (Having the best Free Republic Tag Lines since...what time is it anyhow?)
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To: Calpernia

bttt


7 posted on 05/28/2005 8:05:19 PM PDT by floriduh voter (www.terrisfight.org & www.theemppirejournal.com... The Schindlers "Never again.")
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To: Calpernia

Thanks for the ping!


8 posted on 05/28/2005 8:21:50 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Calpernia; ModernDayHeroes.com

.

911's West Pointers are...


MODERN DAY HEROES: In Defense of America

http://www.ModernDayHeroes.com/aloha

.


9 posted on 05/28/2005 8:24:02 PM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.coms')
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To: ALOHA RONNIE

Proud to report our son is West Point class of 2009. He is off to Beast in 4 weeks.


10 posted on 05/29/2005 3:14:46 PM PDT by CT
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To: Radix
Is that a typical number or was someone on the inside trying to dazzle us?

Typical, but on the high side. Normally, the academy starts with between 1200-1400. They lose many during BEAST (bootcamp). Then there is the normal attrition of scholastic, military, and physical demands. Maybe some discipline too. All in all, they normally have around 850-900 that make it all the way.

11 posted on 05/29/2005 3:18:01 PM PDT by CT
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To: Radix

Wouldn't matter if the number is exactly 911 or not. It is close enough to call it 911, and, yes, it is a favorable omen for those who like such things.


12 posted on 05/29/2005 3:21:46 PM PDT by RightWhale (These problems would not exist if we had had a moon base all along)
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To: SmithL; Liz; Howlin; ALOHA RONNIE; RonDog; Mudboy Slim; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; The Sailor; ...
The Class of 2005 is nicknamed the "Class of 9-11" and, ironically, the number of graduates was 911.

This past week, Laura Ingraham had a guest on her radio show who chatted about the West Point Cadets. I missed his name and position. I did hear him say that soon after the Twin Towers fell, Cadets at the Academy were given the option to leave - knowing that they, more than likely, were going into a wartime situation in the near future. They all stayed...

13 posted on 06/04/2005 9:45:03 AM PDT by Libloather (Hillary, I want my FBI file back...)
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To: Libloather


.


RICK RESCORLA was there from the very 1st 9-11 Minute at the World Trade Center:

http://www.RickRescorla.com

.


14 posted on 06/04/2005 10:09:44 AM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.coms')
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To: Libloather

Thanks for the ping!


15 posted on 06/04/2005 8:11:56 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Libloather
They all can leave any time before their junior year. After that they're comitted to the military. I did read that after 911, some wanted to immediately and go in as enlisted, to get right into the fight. I think most were talked into staying.
16 posted on 06/04/2005 8:17:25 PM PDT by kms61
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To: Libloather

Cool stuff, bump!


17 posted on 06/05/2005 5:32:38 PM PDT by TBall
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