Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Plebe Parent Weekend



Plebe Parent Weekend was held March 9-11, 2012. The upper class cadets are released for spring leave and the plebes stay on post a few days to welcome their parents and show them around. Over the cadets four years at West Point, this is the only time the parents are allowed in the cadet barracks. The weekend included many activities for parents to get a feel for what their cadet is experiencing. Tours included Jefferson Library, the uniform factory, and academic classrooms. The Plebes conduct a parade review for the parents and later attend a formal dinner in their honor.







































































































































Mike visits a friend after practice.


Michael and friends discover bowling as a fun pass time activity.


Taking a break after class…. Michael is in company F1. This company has some pretty famous graduates like President Eisenhower and many famous Generals.






Michael was making great progress in his basketball quest and was close to seeing playing time when his first college basketball injury hit. Luckily it was a small stress fracture in his foot and he was able to rehab and get stronger for next season. He is working hard to gain weight and keep improving.












Every Christmas a formal dinner is held for the cadets and the plebes are responsible for table decorations. The highlight of the evening is the entire corps singing the 12 days of Christmas.









Michael celebrated his 19th birthday in October and his parents posted this picture on face book… he always did look good in a uniform.




















In October the West Point Parent Club of Greater Houston along with our Dallas parents hosted the Texas Tamale Tailgate party for all cadets. Several thousands tamales were shipped with all the Texas style fixings. Here is Michael and fellow Houston plebe Milton Washington enjoying some encouragement to eat up from club president Mr. Desplinter. This weekend also brought the first blizzard of the winter season, Michael said, " I just experience my first blizzard ... apparently it does this often around here.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Mike in New York with James

Michael and James - two Strake Jesuit buddies take on Time Square and all the lights. Michael really enjoys these weekend passes and James took advantage of the three day Columbus Day weekend to fly up and spend some time with Michael. They both stayed with Michael's older brother, Terry Jr.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

West Point Wins!




















Like any college, the weekend highlight is the home football game. On Oct. 1, 2011 West Point held their homecoming game agaist Tuland University in Michie Stadium. The Black Knights won 45-6. As is tradition, all 4200 cadets attend home football games together. West Point is famous for its tail gate parites, but visitors most treasure seeing the cadet review drill on the plain. Game day is a family affair and the basketball team does its part by hosting a tent area in the "black knight alley" where they sign autographs for kids and assist with shooting skills.


Pictures of Michael







We spent the end of our summer trying to find any pictures of Michael during basic training. With basic training behind him, Michael is able to provide us pictures himself. I am not sure which was easier on us, finding them on the web sites or getting Michael to slow down and snap a few for us. After many requests for pictures in different uniforms, he provided these with a promise to send pictures more often. We will see ....




Sunday, August 28, 2011

2nd Week of Classes



The second week of classes was full of unexpected excitement as the plebes not only dealt with the rigorous academics environment, but an earthquake and hurricane. The earthquake was hardly noticed and it appears the hurricane (now a tropical storm) will be the same. The cadets were placed under "code red" which means they must stay in their barracks and all activities are canceled. They are getting more comfortable in their new living space and after many request Michael sent a few pictures of his room. He even included his basketball locker.

Look at Michael's Room































Pictures of West Point






































A-Day Pictures

























Acceptance Day - Class of 2015

A very special event for West Point took place on August 13, 2011. The class of 2015 was accepted into the Corps of Cadets during a full brigade review; also known as the Acceptance Day Parade. The A-Day parade is rich in symbolism, as the soon to be plebes are in formation in front of the upperclassmen. They are given the order to join their new company and soon disappear into the mass of 4,000 cadets. Each complete company then parades pass the reviewing stand and head back to the barracks. Many feel the A-Day parade is second only to the graduation parade in which the first class graduating cadets march with their company for the last time.
The six weeks of beast barracks in now but a memory. No longer new cadets, they are now Plebes looking forward to the challenge of college academics. Go Army!



Tuesday, August 9, 2011

March Back Video

Take a few minutes and watch a video clip of the March Back. It made me cry. You will see Company H around 2:00 minutes into the video. Michael is on the left side and comes into view around 2 minutes and 11 seconds. Look for the tall guy on the left side.



Beast Is Over!

Congratulation to all the new cadets as they completed Cadet Basic Training with a 12-mile ruck march also known as the March Back. The West Point community lined the roads and welcomed the cadets back to post with cheers and well wishes. The cadets have a busy week getting ready for the academic year to start. They have moved to their new rooms and will soon have their computers and communication with the outside world.

Michael got his cell phone back on Monday night and reported the road march went well. He said the basketball coaches marched the 12 miles with the NCs to encourage everyone on.Michael and his roommate from CBT will remain roommate during the academic year. Michael was very excited about that. He got along well with his roommate.




The re-orgy week will keep the new cadets busy with setting up their new room for inspection, picking up class schedules, books and additional uniforms.


Being assigned to a new company brings the challenge of greeting all new upperclassmen and learning their ranks. In addition, they will drill every day in practice for the Acceptance Day ceremony scheduled for Saturday morning. They will take part in the traditional plebe pillow fight on Friday where all the soonto be plebes suit up in helmets and take to the court yard to do battle. The A-Day ceremony will mark the change in status from "new cadet" to "cadet" as they become officially a part of the "Long gray line."Terry and I would like to thank all of you who sent cards and letters during beast. It was your words of encouragement and prayers that help Michael get through it.


May God bless all the cadets in our service academies and all the men and women who serve our country with honor and pride! GO ARMY!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

It's Almost Over

This is Michael's last week of Beast. Over the past five weeks he has become skilled in marksmanship, land navigation, live fire, rappeling and much more. Check out this video created by WPAOG.

Monday, August 1, 2011

One Week To Go!








The final week of basic is upon the new cadets and soon they will be accepted into the corp of cadets as plebes. Here are some recent pictures with Michael and his friends looking happier than earlier photos. Michael made his 3rd and final phone call of beast barracks to us on Saturday evening. Except for a slight cold, he is in good health and determined to make it through the week. He was in good spirits and looking forward to moving to his new academic company, especially since he learned his entire squad of 10 will stay together. He was looking forward to "live fire" on Monday and on Wednesday everyone heads out to Camp Buckner for the final days of field training ending with a 12 mile march back. He again thanked everyone for the cards and letters. We asked if he was getting too much mail and he replied "Oh no, we can never have too much mail. It's the highlight of our day."





Last week we learned of the death of New Cadet Jacob Bower during field training. Please pray for Jacob, his family, and all the service men and women who serve our country.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Week 5 Activities




























Four weeks down and two to go. This week will be full of "Out Door Training & Team Building Drills." These are not pictures of Michael's squad, however; you will get a feel for what the NCs are doing.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Wed. July 20 at Catholic Chaplains Time



The new cadets are in good spirits and enjoy refreshments after the Chaplains service. Rumor has it the Catholic Chaplains time is one of the best on post, based on the treats served. Michael writes often and expresses his gratitude for all the cards and letters he has received from all of you.




This past Sunday was special as it marked the half-way point of Beast Barracks (Cadet Basic Training). We received a phone call from Michael and he sounds great. He was relieved to have his first day off in 3 weeks and the ability to call home. Maybe more importantly he was able to get on Facebook. He thinks the worst part is behind him and he is beginning to enjoy his fellow new cadets. He reports the food is great and he even likes the army MRE's (meals ready to eat).




The next 2 weeks will be out in the field repelling down mountains and marksmanship with guns and big army toys. Please pray for the new cadets and all our servicemen around the world. Go Army!



Friday, July 15, 2011

Michael's Squad Members



On July 15, 2011 all new cadets participated in the first Goeke Challenge with their squad. The competition is timed, but the actual goal is for new cadets to work well in a team. The Goeke Challenge is named after LT Christopher Goeke, who died July 13, 2010, in Kandahar City Afghanistan.