October 18, 2012, Sylvanus Thayer Award - Ike Skelton. Colonel Sylvanus Thayer was one of the early superintendents of West Point. He is one of the longest serving superintendents and is credited with making the Military Academy the world renown institution it is today. The Thayer Award is the highest award given by the Military Academy. I have mentioned other recipients of the award in earlier posts. Ike received the award last night He is in grand company.
It was a full day. We began with a personal tour conducted by a major who teaches history at the Academy. Afterwards, we had lunch with the Superintendent at his residence - the residence is pictured in an earlier post. The Superintendent is a three-star general who considers the assignment to be the apex of his career. There was a reception at the West Point Club, followed by a full review of the 4400 cadets attending West Point. Ike was, of course, the honoree of the review and did a motorized inspection of the cadets. Then dinner was served to 5000 attendees at the mess hall, an incredibly impressive structure with six wings. Ike received the award following dinner and offered appropriate remarks. The dinner was followed by yet another reception in Haig Hall - named for General Alexander Haig who served as President Nixon's Chief of Staff.
Today's pictures attempt to capture the glory of the day. The sky was clear until the review with temperatures in the lower 70s. It is hard to describe the grandeur of seeing 4400 cadets marching in stride and saluting our friend, Ike. It is a great honor for him and we are extremely happy for him.
Most of the pictures are self-explanatory. The statues commemorate some of the highest achieving graduates of West Point, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The chain links displayed are the few surviving links of a chain strung across the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War. Commander-in-Chief, George Washington, personally ordered the placement of the chain to keep the British from navigating the river and, in so doing, cutting the colonies in half. The chapel is the protestant chapel at the Academy, another massive and impressive structure providing seating for 1500 cadets.
It was a good day. We are so pleased to have been included.
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