My USMA Class of 1972 had it’s annual Mini-Reunion this week in Louisville, KY. Every five years we have the official one at West Point. We’ve gone to different spots around the U.S.A. since 2013, with only one Covid Krazy blip.
I started the Memorial Service as part of our time together in Williamsburg VA in 2014. We plan on having four more Mini-Reunions through 2031. After that the living classmates will all be in their 80s. 2032 ENDEX: Mini-Reunions and Memorial Services.
We are at the short end of the candle where the past memorials we’ve had outnumber the future memorials we plan. It’s a clear milestone. The actuarial tables tell the tale to come.
So what?
First, the casual equanimity most classmates and wives exhibit towards ending our time here speaks more to their Christian faith than fatalism. Not sure why the non-Believers seem non-plussed as well. Second, the significance of our Memorial Service stands out in the very, very casual, relaxed fun times of our mini-Reunions. Having a dignified ceremony for our classmates seems more and more important as more pass away. Remembering them is important to us.
Why do dead classmates from so long ago matter to living old men, wives, and widows?
Because our four years were a cauldron of youth forged into military manhood at a time of war. We took an oath as one to defend the Constitution.
We volunteered when so many others didn’t.
1244 entered and 822 graduated. To date, 130 shed this mortal coil.
We thought we were going to go to Vietnam. Through four years we watched a large wooden board fill up with small silver nametags as West Pointers got killed in Vietnam. Then, another was filling up when we graduated.
West Point was more prison than college back then. The tortures of the Fourth Class System included some sadism and a lot of harassment and punishment for pain’s sake alone.
After Plebe year, Cadet life was Spartan with rules detailed and Draconian and too many demands on too little time designed in.
On purpose.
To cull our numbers of any weak in resolve, lacking resiliency, without total dedication or doubting their purpose.
Stressing us to master stress and lead soldiers in combat
Oddly enough, most of the bad stuff is uproariously amusing to us now. Only the parts we made fun were funny back then.
We were commissioned into the Army, Navy, and Air Force for at least 5 years. All the Services were a mess after Vietnam. We did our part to restore discipline, training, honor, and integrity wherever we served.
At the Ten Year mark half the Class was still in service. I think that is at the high end for the classes of the 1970s. A goodly number of classmates stayed through 30 years of service. A few even beyond that. I heard the per cent of General Officers is high compared to classes close to us.
Whether a classmate served 5 years or 35 years, you sense what Duty, Honor, Country means to them at the Memorial Services. The reverence resounds.
Furthermore, despite the divisions caused by the Great U.S. Culture War, classmates on both sides claim their conviction and fealty to one West Point, the U.S. Army, and these United States.
We care about what happens when we are gone. Not just on behalf of our adult children, grandchildren, and a few great-grandchildren. But for West Point, the Army, and the Nation themselves.
For Duty, Honor, Country.
Read James Atticus Bowden at https://jatticus.wordpress.com/ and https://substack.com/@jamesatticusbowden and https://x.com/jatticusbowden
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