Update:  Tuesday night (Aug 31) Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska conceded to Tea Party-backed candidate Joe Miller in the state's Republican Senate primary.  More from The Associated Press on Joe Miller's Senate Primary victory.  More from the WSJ

Grad Joseph Miller '89:  Alaskan Swaps Law Court for the Limelight--FAIRBANKS, Alaska—This time last year, Joe Miller '89 was augmenting his income from his private legal practice by working as a part-time attorney for the borough here, and had to put in for leave to take an elk-hunting trip with two of his sons.

Now, the 43-year-old Mr. Miller stands on the brink of what would be one of this year's biggest political upsets. If his slim lead in last Tuesday's GOP primary holds, he will oust Sen. Lisa Murkowski from a seat she and her father, Frank, have held for 30 years.

Mr. Miller—a graduate of West Point and Yale Law School, a combat veteran and former state and federal magistrate—advocates dismantling some federal agencies, saying many of their functions, such as the federal welfare system, should be handled by states. "The age of the entitlement state is over," he said.

Read more about Joe Miller's lead in the election...

NEW YORK— On August 15, 2010 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan Engineer District-North, dedicated its new dining facility to Col. John B. O’Dowd who served as commander from July 2004-2005 and recently passed away in January 2010. His leadership set the course for the thousands of personnel who followed and shared the mission.

"Col. O'D still lives on in our hearts. He was a charismatic, affable, inspiring leader and close friend, and the glue that held us together during 9/11,” said retired civilian Peter Shugert, who served as Col. O’Dowd’s chief of public affairs during his tenure at New York District.  “He was a leader among men, and a 4-star General to us who served with him.”

Read the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Announcement...

On August 24, 2010, Bill Montgomery ’89, won a stunning victory in the Republican primary for Maricopa County Attorney.  Bill, a former armor officer, faced interim Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley in the Republican primary.  Many viewed Bill as the underdog in the race since Mr. Romley was appointed as the Maricopa County Attorney in April 2010, and was previously elected to serve four terms as the Maricopa County Attorney between 1989 to 2004.  Bill’s margin of victory was impressive:  50% to 38%.

Thank you to grad Mike Mitchell '97 for sending in this news item.

Read announcement of Bill Montgomery's election...

Associated Press -Aug. 27, 2010 - ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions linebacker Caleb Campbell '08 says he got emotional two weeks ago when he sang the national anthem in a football uniform for the first time in 32 months.

The West Point graduate says he thought about his classmates protecting the country while he was representing them in the NFL. Campbell will get another chance Saturday night in Detroit against the Cleveland Browns.  He has a shot to make the team after enduring a long wait to resume his dream of playing professional football.

Detroit drafted Campbell in 2008 in the seventh round. He was a day away signing his contract when the Army revised a policy and forced him to cease playing football in order to perform "full time traditional military duties," until at least 2010.  (Source:  AP News / Syracuse.com)

Starting Today Morris Herbert, ’50, will once again renew his weekly sports letter. The letter – which covers the results of all Army Corps Squad and club sports, goes by email to subscribers.  If you don’t already subscribe, email us and ask for “HERBERT ON SPORTS.”

"Greetings to all! And, here’s hoping we enjoy winning seasons across the board for 2010-11!" 

Read Herbert On Sports

Just In -- Capt. Scotty Smiley '03 with Doug Crandall '95 have authored a new book, Hope Unseen, The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer

“Scotty Smiley’s story is one all Americans should hear.  It will inspire them in tough times
and help them through some of the difficult challenges they face in life.”
 – Senator Bob Dole

Five years ago, Captain Scotty Smiley was on top of the world.  A twenty-five year old Army officer, he was strong, fit, and whip-smart, married to a kind and beautiful woman, had graduated from West Point, survived Ranger school, and was shipping out to Iraq to fight for his country.  But on April 6, 2005, the six month anniversary of his tour of duty, a suicide bomber set off a car bomb thirty meters from Scotty’s vehicle.  Shrapnel penetrated his brain, and two weeks later, Scotty woke up in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, critically wounded and unable to see. 

This tragic event would have defeated many others, but for Captain Scotty Smiley, it was only the beginning.  This fall, he shares his remarkable journey of faith, hope and courage with the help of writer Doug Crandall in a new book: HOPE UNSEEN: The Story of the U.S. Army’s First Blind Active-Duty Officer (Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster: September 14, 2010: hardcover, $24.99).  This inspiring story of an American hero will warm the hearts and capture the imaginations of readers of all kinds. 

Press Release PDF about Hope Unseen

Paige Dellavalle '09 and Ashley Dellavalle '04 enjoy a challenge, no matter what the odds or obstacles. Swimming competitively during their years growing up in East Amwell, they were determined to excel in sports.

Both attended and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, majoring in management with a minor in systems engineering. Although Paige suffered a shoulder injury that prevented her from deploying to a combat zone, Ashley served in Afghanistan from March 2007 through June 2008.

Now, both are civilians again and business partners. In November, they formed a company called “stella valle” and are actively working on “turning a dream into a reality,” Ashley said.

“Two sisters, one dream, Army past, fashion future” an advertisement for stella valle reads. hoto:  Paige Dellavalle '09 and Ashley Dellavalle '04, originally of East Amwell - sisters, soldiers, entrepreneurs.

Read more about the entrepreneurial Dellavalle sisters...

Two space station astronauts hit pay dirt in orbit Aug 16 after successfully replacing a vital pump to restore their spacecraft's cooling system, which has been limping along at half-power for more than two weeks.

Astronauts Douglas Wheelock '83 and Tracy Caldwell Dyson wired up a bulky ammonia pump the size of a kitchen oven into the right side of the space station during the hours-long spacewalk. It was the third spacewalk for the astronauts to make the tricky repair 220 miles (354 km) above Earth.  A fourth spacewalk is planned for later to clean up some final work.

"Game over!" Wheelock said as they wrapped up the pump replacement work. Mission Control used remote commands to start filling the pump with liquid ammonia and plans to start testing it on Tuesday.  The crew affectionately call him "Wheels."

Photo caption:  NASA astronauts Tracy Caldwell Dyson (left) and Doug Wheelock work to set up the ammonia spare pump module after it was installed on the S1 Truss during an Aug. 16, 2010 spacewalk outside the International Space Station. It was the third spacewalk dedicated to the repair.

Their recent space walk fixed cooling problems...

HARTFORD, Conn., Aug 17, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!hig/quotes/nls/hig (HIG 20.88, +0.54, +2.66%) announced that it has named Andy Napoli, [West Point Class of 1986], 45, president of Consumer Markets, effective Aug. 23.

"Consumer Markets is one of The Hartford's three growth businesses," said Liam E. McGee, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The Hartford. "Andy's track record managing products in personal lines insurance and cultivating affinity markets, combined with his broad operational experience and 15 years as a military officer, uniquely positions him to execute on the Consumer Markets strategy we outlined in April. His commitment to operational excellence, innovation and creativity makes him an ideal leader for this business."

Read the release--Andy Napoli named President, Consumer Markets at The Hartford...

Recruiting, Development, and Retention of Cyber Warriors...by Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Conti '89 Academy Professor and Director of West Point's Cyber Security Research Center  and Lieutenant Colonel Jen Easterly '90 member of the US Cyber Command Commander's Action Group (CAG).

Make no mistake, our nation faces persistent, widespread and growing threats in cyberspace. Across the array of dangerous actors and their capabilities, we’ve witnessed an evolution from data compromise and loss, to the disruption of information networks to the physical destruction of information systems...The United States Government recognized the clear and present danger posed by this increasingly perilous threat environment and created United States Cyber Command. 

We are at a unique cusp in history, as we have the first-ever opportunity to create a large-scale organization to fight and win wars in cyber space.   This isn’t a trivial undertaking...

Read more of "Recruiting, Developent, and Retention of Cyber Warriors...

Bob Schieffer spoke with the commander for U.S. forces in Iraq General Ray Odierno '76 on the future of Iraq after last U.S. combat brigade left the country, yesterday morning, Sunday, 22 August 2010.

Video excerpt from the Face the Nation
interview with Gen Odierno...
(posted from the blog "Politico" as the direct link to Face the Nation required additonal software downloads).

WEST POINT, N.Y. (Aug. 11, 2010) ...They may not have immediately recognized the three stars of their new superintendent LTG David Huntoon '73 who joined them on a 10-mile ruck march in late July, but he's working on that.

"I started from the back of the formation and moved to the front, and I'm pretty sure I had the opportunity to speak to the vast majority of those 164 great cadets who were moving along with purpose under that heavy ruck in the middle of the night," Lt. Gen. David Huntoon, Jr. said of the Cadet Basic Training company. "I just came away so inspired by their commitment. They were fired up and could see the end of CBT coming pretty soon."  (Story, Mike Strasser / photo credit Sgt. Vincent Fusco, West Point Directorate of Public Affairs and Communications)

Caption: Lt. Gen. David Huntoon Jr., West Point Superintendent, relieved the Company F guidon bearer during the 'March Back' for the class of 2014 on Aug. 9.

Superintendent David Huntoon '73 joins the 2014 March Back...

CINCINNATI – AUGUST 18, 2010 – LCA-Vision Inc. (NASDAQ: LCAV), a leading provider of laser vision correction services under the LasikPlus® brand, today announced its partnership with the Fisher House Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and providing a “home away from home” for military families while their loved ones are hospitalized for an illness, disease or injury.

“It is an absolute honor to partner with Fisher House Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the soldiers and families of service men and women who were wounded or injured during their
deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are working diligently with the Wounded Warrior Project to
provide our wounded heroes with the access and care they need to achieve enhanced vision, alleviating at least one daily burden,” stated David Thomas '82, Chief Operating Officer of LCA-Vision.  Dave Thomas provided the leadership for making this program possible. 

More about free eye surgery & the Wounded Warrior Project (Press Release)...

FORT HOOD, Texas — Col. Douglas Crissman '88, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, his wife Carolyn, as well as the Heart of Texas West Point Society, hosted a reception for the U.S. Military Academy cadets participating in the Cadet Troop Leading Training program.

Crissman noted that the program gives cadets a feel for what life in the Army is like outside of the classroom.

Cadets and alumni from WPS Heart of Texas...

The West Point Society of North Florida held its Third Annual Ceremony on Aug. 14th, commemorating the anniversary of the end of the hostilities with the Seminole and Miccosukee Indians and remembering the soldiers and West Point Graduates who perished in the Florida Indian Wars.  The ceremony was held at the St. Augustine National Cemetery at the Monument honoring Major Francis Dade and the other war dead from the Florida Indian Wars.  Attached photograph is of the west Point Graduates in attendance at the ceremony with two re-enactors at the Dade Monument.  Thanks to Don Jacobovitz '77 for submitting the story and photo.

MG and Mrs. Alan Salisbury '58 (USA-Ret.) recently donated $100,000 to sponsor an exhibit with unique ties between the US Army and their family.  MG Salisbury, a retired Signal Corps officer, and his wife Florence were interested in supporting the campaign to build The National Museum of the United States Army.

...MG Salisbury’s connections to music and the military date back to his days in The United States Military Academy Glee Club and Mrs. Salisbury has performed with chorale groups throughout her adult life. ...While exploring sponsorship options the Civil War Exhibit resonated with them. This interactive exhibit will feature three Civil War music selections including “Home Sweet Home,” taps and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Ultimately, sponsoring the Civil War Exhibit was a perfect match for the Salisburys.

...Using his father’s records and some genealogy research tools, Salisbury traced his way back to Javin Butterfield Salisbury, who was also a Civil War general and a third cousin of Daniel Butterfield.
During the Civil War, MG Daniel Butterfield revised a bugle call specifically for his brigade to signal “lights out.”  The bugler played it to signal the troops for the first time in July, 1862.

[Alan] Salisbury also added that the Museum is “long, long, long over due” and that the Washington, DC area location will provide a critical historical link for visitors to the monuments that are related to specific wars such as World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Imagine a week on a tropical beach that leaves you trimmer and fitter yet still feels like a vacation. Southern California–based West Point graduate and international fitness champion Sonki Hong '93 takes his fitness boot camp methods—which combine everything from plyometrics and beach running to body-weight drills and martial arts—to Waikiki Beach in the spring and Maui in the fall for 7 days each. You'll also be kayaking, swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and scarfing ultrafresh sashimi.

More on 'sonkifitness'...

On 28 June 2010, then-COL Tim Trainor '83, Professor and Head of the Department of Systems Engineering, was nominated for promotion to brigadier general and assignment as Dean of the Academic Board. He replaces BG Patrick Finnegan '71, who retired and is now the 25th President of Longwood University in Farmville, VA. Trainor selected the Engineer Branch upon graduation from West Point and served in operational assignments that included Germany, Honduras, Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Riley, KS, and Sarajevo, Bosnia. In 2007, he deployed to Basrah, Iraq, to work with the United Kingdom-led Provincial Reconstruction Team and Iraqi leaders to improve their infrastructure revitalization plans. Trainor earned an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke and a doctorate in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University.  He is a member of the Military Operations Research Society, American Society for Engineering Management and American Society of Engineering Education. The formal promotion ceremony and reception was held at Eisenhower Hall on the afternoon of 17 August 2010.

Slide show of Dean Trainor's Ceremony...

GEN Odierno '76 and three members of his Commander's Initiatives Group recently took a picture at Camp Victory, Iraq.  We felt it was exceptional that we had three decades of USMA graduates represented in one small office:

GEN Raymond T. Odierno, '76; COL Joesph M. Martin, '86; MAJ Derek F. Burt, '96; CPT Jessamyn J. Liu, '06.  Truly an example of the Long Gray Line.  Go Army!

Thank you to CPT Jessamyn Liu, Commander's Inititives Group, Special Assistant United States Forces-Iraq for sending the photo.

Over the last two days we have been experiencing occasional difficulties on our website.  Please bear with us--we hope to have it resolved shortly.

West Point graduate Bruce E. Kasold (Class of 1973) assumed the mantle chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in an August 6 investiture ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Created by the U.S. Congress in 1988, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims remains the nation's youngest federal appellate court. Congress created the court to provide  veterans, for the first time, a right to seek  judicial review of claims denied by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Board of Veterans' Appeals. The court has exclusive judicial jurisdiction over adverse decisions of the Board of Veterans' Claims. The court is located in Washington, D.C.

Read the Press Release...

MELBOURNE, FL/WASHINGTON, DC, August 10, 2010 — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has named John Heller '84 president of its IT Services business, reporting to Daniel R. Pearson, chief operating officer (COO). Heller, 48, has served as vice president and general manager of IT Services' Department of Defense (DoD) Programs since joining Harris in 2007 with the acquisition of Multimax, Inc. Heller succeeds Ted Hengst, who recently was named vice president and chief information officer (CIO) for Harris.

In his role as president of IT Services, Heller will lead all aspects of the business, including partnering with cross-divisional operational leadership, key staff members, and customers to shape growth strategies and advance innovation in the global delivery of mission-enabling IT Transformation, Managed Solutions and Information Assurance.

Press Release...

Brian Stoltz, left ...was accepted to West Point and graduated in 2005. The 29-year-old was honorably discharged in May. Mario Cicconetti, also 29, earned a Bronze Star in Iraq and is now attending law school.

Brian and Mario were sharing cigars and watching the sunset over the Diyala Province in Iraq during their 2009 deployment when the idea to climb Mount McKinley hit them.  What might seem like a heat-induced fantasy actually made sense.  Both were experienced climbers and infantry captains who wanted a swan song to end their Army careers.

They were stationed at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska, where 20,320-foot Mount McKinley - North America's highest peak - looms on the horizon.  And they wanted to do more than climb a mountain: They wanted to help fellow soldiers who had not escaped unscathed from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So they used their climb as a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project. The effort raised thousands of dollars and the sum is still growing through donations at their website, www.sawtoothsoldiers.com.

Read about their adventure...

Grad Don Jacobovitz '77 recently received the Government Engineer of the Year Award for 2010 from the Florida Engineering Society.  The award was based upon his contributions to the engineering profession and the community in which he serves.  He is the Public Works Director for Putnam County, Florida. Don is a member of the class of 1977, and lives in Florida.

Thank you to Don Jacobovitz for the story and photo.

The West Point Association of Graduates iPhone App is now available in the Apple Store!

An important thing to know is that there is an Alumni Directory piece requiring a one-time login.  You will need to enter your Cullum Number and last four of your Social Security Number.  Check your email box for a messsage from the WPAOG with your cullum number in it.  If you didn't receive the email and you don't know your cullum number you can email address@wpaog.org with your name, graduation year and last four of your social and we will send it to you.

Explore, have fun, and stay in touch with West Point and the Long Gray Line!

The Android App is in Development for a future release.  Give us your feedback and suggestions.

CEO of Celestar Corporation, Gregory Celestan, NamedErnst & Young Entrepreneur of the year 2010

Tampa, FL, June 21, 2010 – Celestar Corporation, a leading provider of technology and strategic consulting services and solutions to government organizations and commercial clients, today announced that CEO Gregory Celestan received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award in the Distribution, Manufacturing and Defense category in Florida. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Gregory Celestan was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at
a gala event at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate on June 10.

Read the Press Release...
Read article excerpt...

19 July 2010 -FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.-- US Logistics, a wholly owned subsidiary of private equity consolidator Ranger International Services Group, announces the promotion of Major General (ret.) Chuck Swannack to President & Chief Executive Officer.  Swannack had previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. US Logistics is a government outsourcing contractor specialized in tactical vehicle overhauls and repairs, technical staffing, base logistics, and aircraft technical services, headquartered near Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  General Swannack retired from the US Army in 2005 after 33 years of service, culminating as the Commander of the fabled 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.  As the new Chief Executive Officer of US Logistics, Swannack will lead the continuing aggressive growth of that award winning company, with constant vigilance on quality, safety, and F.A.R. compliance. US Logistics has strong backing from large institutional shareholders, and a deeply experienced management team at multiple levels which Swannack now leads.

Read more...

August 9, 2010 - (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) ...It’s strange to think that a professional football player is coming into the 2010 season with no NFL experience, despite being drafted in 2008.  Even stranger is the image of that same player, who will turn 26 in September, being forced to carry the pads of, say, 23-year-old second-year player Zack Follett.  Yet that scenario is just one of many unusual circumstances brought about by the tale of West Point graduate Caleb Campbell.

Read more...

Roland Smith '78, President and Chief Executive Officer for Wendy's/Arby's Group Roland Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer for Wendy's/Arby's Group

When Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc. CEO Roland Smith (West Point, 1978) attended the Army’s Northern Warfare School as a Cadet, he had a pronounced fear of heights; even 10 feet in the air was a challenge for him. Yet, in the 30+ years that followed, he became an accomplished Army pilot, climbed mountains that rank among the world’s tallest, and earned a well-deserved reputation as a turnaround artist for struggling companies.

“If you are not willing to take risks, then you're a prisoner of your ability to go outside the comfort zone,” he said in an exclusive interview with Veterans Advantage.

Read more...

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s Board of Directors has selected Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella ’75 as Commander/Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Defense’s oldest and largest exchange service.

General Casella comes to AAFES from the Army Reserves where he served as the Commander of the 63rd Regional Support Command in Moffett Field, Calif...

During Casella’s 35 years of service, he has been assigned to a variety of command and staff positions including command at company, battalion and group levels. His overseas assignments included tours in Korea and Germany as well as a deployment in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom in 2005, where he served as the Commanding General for the 377th Theater Support Command (Forward).

(Photo:  Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella met with AAFES associates and customers during a recent visit to the world’s largest exchange at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center in Ramstein, Germany.)

Paul Mlakar, Jr. '94 was invited to ring the closing bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange in June.  He received the invitation as President of BiologicsMD a pharmaceutical development company he formed with 3 other MBA colleagues.  They are developing a preclinical trial drug for the treatment of osteoporosis.  They entered and won the Rice University Global Business Plan Competition and as a result were awarded the prize of ringing the closing bell.  Paul's Dad, Paul Mlakar, Sr. '66, accompanied him to the event as a distinguished guest. 

Donna McAleer '87 has learned that her new book, Porcelain on Steel:  Women of West Point's Long Gray Line, has won a gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America for their 2009-2010 literary awards, in the category of Military/ Army.

Read a review

For Immediate Release--The chief of staff, Army announced today the following assignment.

                   Brig. Gen. Lynn A. Collyar '79, commandant, U.S. Army Ordnance Schools, U.S. Army Sustainment Center of Excellence, Fort Lee, Va., to director, logistics operations, Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va. 

US DOD News Release...

Military Officer online magazine features 2010 Grad on August's cover.

Matthew McClary doesn't fit the profile of a typical Army cadet at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, NY.  McClary's classmates refer to him as "Grandpa McClary" because at 25, he's a bit older than most of them and he has combat experience.  Someone will say, "Tell us a war story, Grandpa McClary," and I'm always happy to," he says. 

Story on page 64...

Karen Lee '86, Washington's Employment Security commissioner, said Monday that she's taken a new job as the head of Pioneer Human Services in Seattle.

Lee, a West Point graduate, had served in Gov. Chris Gregoire's administration since 2005. Her new job with the non-profit will have her leading more than 1,000 employees across the state at more than 50 locations who deliver social, health, economic and employment services to needy people.

"Under Karen's leadership, the Employment Security Department has been transformed to become one of highest-performing agencies in state government," Gregoire said in a statement. "I will greatly miss her energy and commitment to excellence."

Read more...

DENVER, CO, August 02, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Axion Health(TM) (www.axionhealth.com), a workforce health protection, emergency preparedness and clinical response provider, today is pleased to announce the appointment of distinguished clinicians, Gilad S. Gordon, MD, MBA and William L. Lang '83, MD, MHA to the Axion Health National Advisory Board.

William L. Lang, MD, MHA, a graduate of West Point, received his medical degree from at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) and his Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. He completed his residency in Family Practice at Madigan Army Medical Center. Dr. Lang has held academic appointments at both UNC and USUHS. Dr. Lang was the physician member of "Task Force Mercury", chartered by the Army Surgeon General to develop the Army's approach to managing medical information in the twenty-first century.

Read Press Release...

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus '80, R-Collinsville, is accepting applications from people interested in attending one of the U.S. military academies.

High school seniors, college students and anyone else interested in the academies must apply now for summer 2011 admission.

"As a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and the recipient of a Congressional appointment myself, I am very proud to now assist others wishing to advance their lives and careers by serving their country," Shimkus said. "I encourage young men and women with any level of interest to contact us now. There are several steps in this process, and applications must be filed with both my office and the individual academies."

Read more...

Lt. General Michael A. Vane '75 Joins the Ranks of Leading Professionals

FORT MONROE, VA, July 28, 2010 /Cambridge Who's Who/ -- Lt. General Michael A. Vane, Director Army Capabilities Integration Center for the United States Army, has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership and excellence in Defense Department force modernization.

Lt. General Vane has served in various positions comparable to chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and senior board member. He has specifically served as commander at all levels to include commanding general at Fort Bliss in Texas for two years.

Read more...

WAYNE, PA, Jul 29, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- U-Store-It Trust /quotes/comstock/13*!ysi/quotes/nls/ysi (YSI 8.18, +0.03, +0.37%) announced the appointment of Robert G. Blatz '83 as Senior Vice President of Operations.

Bob Blatz, age 49, served as President and Chief Operating Officer for American Land Lease (NYSE: ANL) and its predecessors, Asset Investors Corp. and Commercial Assets Corp. from 1999 through 2009.

Mr. Blatz received his bachelor of science degree in general engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a masters in business administration from The George Washington University. Mr. Blatz served as an officer in the United States Army for ten years. His assignments included both domestic and international responsibilities.

Read more...

Brig. Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III '80 will become deputy commander for operations at Fort Bragg's Joint Special Operations Command, the Army announced Thursday.

He has been Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III's deputy director for special operations on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon since August.

JSOC oversees the U.S. military's secret counterterrorist units. During the first Gulf War, Thomas was aide-de-camp to then-Maj. Gen. Wayne Downing, the JSOC commander. He also has been JSOC's director of operations and chief of staff and previously served as deputy commander.

Read more...

2005 grads Joel Glover, Dan Marques, Pete Phipps, and Kevin (Pedalin'withapurpose.com) pedaled coast to coast to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. 

"Thank You Donors - Without all of you this trip would not be complete... "

Read more...

1 Aug, 2010 - Kristopher Webber '10 of Gilford is congratulated by President Obama upon his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point on May 22, 2010. 

Webber, a 2006 graduate of Gilford High School, was commissioned after graduation as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry and will be stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. with the 2nd Infantry Division after going through infantry officer and Ranger training at Fort Benning, Ga.

He is the fourth generation in his family to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, joining his great grandfather (class of 1923), grandfather (class of 1948), uncle (class of 1974) and father (class of 1979) in the ranks of the "Long Gray Line."

His younger brother, Ken, a 2009 graduate of Gilford High School, entered the U.S. Military Academy as a member of the class of 2014 at the end of June.

U.S. Army Capt. Sarah Wolberg graduated from the U.S. Army Pathfinder School at Fort Benning, Ga. 
Of the approximately 160 soldiers who began the course, only about 40 graduated, and Wolberg was the only woman.

Wolberg, a 1997 graduate of Socorro High School, was a West Point graduate, Class of 2002. She served in the 101st Airborne as a combat engineer under the command of Gen. David Petraeus through the entire invasion of Iraq, from Kuwait to Mosul.

Wolberg also recently graduated from the U.S. Military graduate school in Monterey, Calif., with a master's degrees in mathematics and physics, and will now return to West Point to teach mathematics.

Sarah is the daughter of Dr. Donald Wolberg and the late Patsy Reinard, a Socorro attorney. By circumstance, her graduation from Pathfinder's School comes on the third anniversary of her mother's death.  (Source: El Defensor Chieftan, 17 July 2010)

Mr. Robert L. Gordon, III '79, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, serving as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, effective July 19, 2010.

Mr. Gordon is responsible for policy, advocacy, and oversight of all community support to service members and families; quality of life issues; state liaison initiatives; family programs and the 24/7, 1-800 family assistance services; child development and youth programs; military spouse career advancement; the off-duty, voluntary education program for military personnel; tuition assistance; morale, welfare, and recreation; defense resale for commissaries and exchanges; and family violence prevention and intervention.   Included within the purview of his office is advocacy for quality education for all military students and defense-wide policy responsibility for the Department of Defense Education Activity that serves approximately 84,000 students in 192 schools in 14 districts located in 12 foreign countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.   His oversight includes the Armed Forces Retirement Home, casualty and mortuary affairs, and military funeral honors.

Prior to his appointment, Gordon served as the Chief People and Program Officer and Senior Vice President for Civic Leadership at City Year, where he was responsible for the organization’s people programs including:  recruitment, human resources, program and service, research and evaluation, the development of City Year’s 1,600 member corps of young leaders, the appointment of more than 12,000 alumni as ‘leaders for life,’ and the engagement of children and teens in service and civic leadership.

Read more...

CARSON CITY – An Army officer who served in Iraq has been named executive director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services.  Gov. Jim Gibbons has selected Caleb Cage '02 of Reno for the job to succeed Charles Harvey who held it for only a short time before returning to his post as director of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act that handles federal stimulus money.

Cage is a graduate of West Point and attained the rank of Army Captain. He was awarded the Army’s Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. In his new post he will be charged with helping 339,000 veterans and their families in Nevada.

He has been senior policy advisor for rural and veterans issues for Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki.  (Source:  Las Vegas Sun, 30 July 2010)

Press Release...

William F. Lewis, who was an instructor in the Department of Physical Education (DPE) from 1945 to 1978, lived by a simple philosophy: Be happy. Whether he was performing one-armed pull-ups to inspire faculty and cadets to exercise or teaching a roomful of plebes how to dance, Lewis always lived by this motto. West Point is fortunate to benefit from a charitable bequest made from his and his wife’s estate.

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Join fellow West Point travelers to beautiful locations where expert guides will lead you through fascinating educational and cultural experiences. 

2011 WPAOG Trip List

San Diego, CA SACC - 26-27 August 2010
Registration Deadline: 13 August 2010

If you miss the registration deadline please attend as a walk-in candidate and pay $40 at the door on Friday. Bring 25-30 resumes.

Future SACC Conferences

Austin, TX - November 11-12, 2010
Washington, DC - May 2011

More Details and Registration

Norman E. Beatty '63, First Hope Bank’s Chairman, President, and CEO, has been nominated to a three-year term as a member of the board of directors of the American Bankers Association (ABA). Beatty was selected by the ABA’s Nominating Community as part of its official slate of candidates for election at the association’s annual convention to be held Oct. 17-20 in Boston. ABA’s board is the association’s governing body between annual conventions.

ABA represents banks of all sizes and charters and is the voice for the nation’s $13 trillion banking industry and its 2 million employees. ABA’s extensive resources enhance the success of the nation’s banks and strengthen America’s economy and communities. The majority of ABA’s members are banks with less than $165 million in assets, states a press release from First Hope Bank.

”I am honored to be nominated to represent our bank, our region and our industry,” said Beatty.

Read more...

Take part in the 1st Annual Team Red, White & Blue Charity Golf Tournament, and help us support our wounded veterans. The tournament will be held on September 7, 2010 at Tour 18 in Houston, where they've reproduced the most renowned holes in the history of golf from tournaments like the U.S. Open, The Masters, The Tour Championship and the PGA Championship. The course is one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the region, so don't miss out on your chance to play at a top notch course and support a great cause all in one effort.

The Non Profit formed a Fundraiser by several members of the Class of 2002.  Thank you to Gary Bartels '02 for sending in this story.

Read more at Team RWB...

Retired Gen. Donn A. Starry '48 (l) and Lt. Gen. Robert P. Lennox '77 (r), the Army G-8, unveil the Force Management Hall of Fame display during Starry's induction ceremony June 15, at the Pentagon. Starry is only the 10th inductee into the hall of fame. The display hangs on the wall in the E-Ring of the Pentagon in the G-8 area.

Gen. Starry is considered to be the architect of the 1980s' Air-Land Battle Doctrine, which transformed how the Army fights conventional wars. Even though he retired more than 25 years ago, his lasting contributions to the Army were recognized recently. Gen. Starry... earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, the Soldier's Medal, and the Purple Heart, during two tours in Vietnam...and was an award recpient of the West Point Distinguished Graduate Award in 2009.

Thank you to Robert D. Weiss '71 and John J. McCuen '48 for submitting this story. Original Post 25 June

Updated:  Thank you to Mr. Max Maxfield, G-8Force Development, for sending the full article infomration (Photo - Marla Hurtado, G-8 Force Development). 

Full story and photo at www.army.mil...
Distinguished Graduate Citation...

Lt. Gen. William Caldwell says Afghan mission has not changed.  The leadership in Afghanistan has changed, but the mission there remains the same.

That’s what top Afghan commander Gen. David Petraeus told Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, when he visited Caldwell and his team in theater earlier this month.

“He’s being real clear to everybody that, ‘Look, what we were doing before, the strategy that was in place, is still valid,’” Caldwell said during a recent telephone interview. “We’re still going to continue to execute it, but there has been a change in personnel.”   (Photo: Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV '76)

A native of Columbus, Caldwell returned July 9 to begin two weeks of leave, taking his family on a beach vacation and then relaxing at home with friends and loved ones.

The general spoke to the Ledger-Enquirer just hours after his flight landed in Atlanta about the progress his team has made and the challenges it now faces, specifically with cultivating competent leaders to serve within the Afghan National Security Force.

28 July...officers from the Guyana Defence Force were recently awarded with their master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Management respectively.

2LT Cedric Fraser '10, (Photo-right) )who was privileged to undergo his Officer Cadet training at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Management with a Minor in Systems Engineering.

... Fraser said the military aspect of his training was done at the US Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He said that the training covered several aspects including Cadet Basic Training, Cadet Field Training and advanced training courses in airborne, air assault and Cadet Leadership Development Training.

During his years of study at the university he was also active in Boxing and won the heavyweight title at the National Championships of the National Collegiate Boxing Association
“It was a challenge to manage the academic work load with the physical demands of the course, but in the end it is all rewarding,” Fraser expressed.

Read more...

Two West Point graduates have received law degrees from the Universityof Washington.

Thomas Mott '02 and Justin Kato '01, alumni of the US Military Academy, received law degrees from the University of Washington School of Law on Sunday, June 13, 2010. The UW School of Law awarded degrees to 174 JD, 131 LL.M, and two PhD graduates.  The School of Law is located on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington.  (Source:  UW School of Law News Release)

Brig. Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III '80, deputy director for special operations, J-37, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., to deputy commander for operations, Joint Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C. (Source:  DOD General Officer Assignments)

Zachary “Zach” Horan '06 has done a lot in his short 25 years of living. The Army officer with Fort Mill roots led a U.S. Army platoon of 33 soldiers.  He escorted top military dignitaries.  As an Army company commander, Horan, a Fort Mill High School graduate whose family lives in Fort Mill, trained at least 200 soldiers in basic combat “must dos.”

Now, he can add one more accolade to the lineup. Capt. Horan, a West Point graduate, this month stepped into a new role as aide-de-camp for Brig. Gen. Bradley May.

Read more...

Dr. Sean Ghidella '85 has joined Puget Sound Orthopaedics at the Lakewood and Tacoma clinics. He is a graduate of West Point and the Georgetown University School of Medicine. Ghidella has served in the military as an orthopedic and hand surgeon with the last eight years of his career holding positions of chief of hand surgery and chief of orthopaedic surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center. He retired from the Army as a colonel and a combat veteran after 21 years of service this year to pursue civilian practice.  (Source: Business Examiner)

Texas A&M University-San Antonio has named ...Charles G. Rodriguez '75 as vice president for strategic initiatives, institutional advancement and military affairs...Rodriguez is a graduate of West Point and retired from the U.S. Army, where he spent four years as Adjutant General of Texas.

“Texas A&M-San Antonio has experienced unprecedented enrollment growth and program expansion and these strong leaders will help us keep our momentum,” said Maria Hernandez Ferrier, president of A&M-San Antonio.  (Source: MySanAntonio.com)

The 2010 Alumni Meet will take place at Crandall Pool on Friday, 1 October 2010.  There is something for everyone... swimmers, divers, children... there is even a 25 underwater event this year.  The activities will begin at 3:30 pm with a meet and greet with Coach Wender and FOAS President John VanSant on the pool deck.  You can sign up at https://secure.west-point.org/armyswimming/alumnimeet/.  We hope to see you all there!

Carolyn Furdek (Harris) 
Class of 2000 

Col. Ed Fleming '89 took control of the local Army Corps of Engineers this morning as the New Orleans District's 61st chief engineer, the second new commander installed here since Hurricane Katrina plowed into the Gulf Coast in 2005 and thrust the federal levee-building agency into a new and often difficult spotlight.

Read more...

The sunset ceremony, held at Fort McNair on the Anacostia River, marked Gen McChrystal's retirement from the military after 34 years - 23 July 2010.

"With my resignation, I . . . left unfulfilled commitments I made to many comrades in the fight, commitments I hold sacred," McChrystal said. "My service did not end as I would have wished."

Mostly, though, McChrystal's speech -- which was disarmingly funny, personal and often wistful -- poked fun at himself, paid homage to the troops who fought for him and offered thanks to his wife.

Retirement Speech video clip...
Article and Photos...

Three '05 grads are in the last two weeks of their cross-country bicycle ride for the Wounded Warrior Project. Pete Phipps, Dan Marques and Joel Glover report...

After a great breakfast at Peggy’s Diner in Milford, Utah, we set out at 5:30 am for the Nevada border. After riding 10 or 15 miles we couldn’t help but stop to turn around and take in the gorgeous sunrise. Afterward, we passed through a curious plot of old looking buildings. We were surprised to learn that the odd looking buildings were actually the remnants of Frisco, an old Utah mining town.

Read more at their website, 'pedalinwithapurpose.com'

"Change of command" ceremony for the West Point Society of Northwest Florida, which was held on the banks of Tom's Bayou in Valparaiso, Florida. 

Featured in the photo are officers and members of the advisory council (l -r), Chuck Merkel, secretary; Chris Beam, incoming president and treasurer; Fred Dent, vice president; Jerry White, outgoing president [see his smile?]; John Streit; Bob Caron.

Thank you to West Point friend and supporter, Chuck Merkel, for submitting this news item.

FOUNDERS DAY WEEKEND: 'Human Target' actor Mark Valley '87 was among soldiers participating in anniversary of final skirmish of French and Indian War--1760 Ogdensburg Battle

OGDENSBURG — When Mark T. Valley, Operation Desert Storm veteran and U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate, was growing up in Ogdensburg, he knew that Abbe Francois Picquet had founded his hometown on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, but no one ever told him about its role in the French and Indian War.  But on Saturday, with musket in hand and dressed in a French soldier's uniform, the Fox network star of "Human Target" was firing volleys at hundreds dressed as British soldiers as part of Founders Day weekend.

"It's kind of like a movie set," Mr. Valley said as he stood on Lighthouse Point, preparing to participate in the 250th anniversary of the final battle of the French and Indian War.  ...Mr. Valley said he was impressed by the 800 to 1,000 historical re-enactors who joined him in remembering the battle that was fought off the shore of Ogdensburg in 1760.

During what's become known as the "Battle of the Thousand Islands," 11,000 British and colonials under the command of Sir Jeffrey Amherst traveled down the St. Lawrence River on their way to Montreal, where they hoped to defeat the French army.

Read more...

Lt. Col. Martin J. Barr '91, formerly of Mason City, assumed command of the Second Battalion, 58th Infantry on June 16 at Fort Benning, Ga.

He is a 1991 graduate of West Point Military Academy.

Read more...

Joshua Maurmeier '10, son of David Howard of Green Twp and Joyce Gibbs of Price Hill, has graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with the class of 2010 with a Bachelor of Science - Physics.

2nd LT Maurmeier next reports to Ft. Knox, Ky to learn advanced armor tactics and platoon leadership skills in preparation for his assignment with the 4th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) with the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg, NC.

All graduates of West Point must serve five years of active duty after their graduation from the academy. At this time, it is expected that 2LT Maurmeier will deploy to Afghanistan during his service.  (Source: Cincinnati.com - Photo: 2LT Joshua Maurmeier minutes after being commissioned in the U.S. Army)

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Venture Labs at The University of Texas at Austin announced Randall Crowder '02 as the first Texas Venture Labs Fellow. Crowder is also an entrepreneur, active investor and executive director of the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) and a managing partner at TEXO Ventures.

"Randall is the perfect person to help us grow our organization," said Rob Adams, director of Texas Venture Labs. "He is passionate about new venture creation and the innovative spirit that fuels entrepreneurs. He understands what makes a startup successful and what it takes to successfully raise and leverage investor capital."

Read more...

Nebraska Governor, Dave Heineman '70, Honors America's Service Members by joining the Education Center at the Wall Leadership Team

Washington, D.C. – Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, a West Point graduate who served in the United States Army, has joined the leadership team for the campaign to build the Education Center at The Wall, announced Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), the group that is leading the drive to build the Education Center

Read more...

COB BASRA, IRAQ – Maj. Jonathan Doyle '95 was born at West Point 37 years ago while his father was an instructor there. Now he is in his second tour in Iraq as senior military police officer in the 1st Infantry Division where he serves as commanding general’s senior advisor on military police and law enforcement issues.

Doyle, who is a graduate of West Point, told MidHudsonNews.com in an interview from his base in Iraq that he has seen a “dramatic” improvement among the Iraqi over the two tours that he has spent there.  “They are becoming a more professional force,” he said. “They are developing, they are gaining confidence and they are gaining confidence not only in themselves but the people they are representing, the population is gaining confidence in their abilities to protect them and enforce their laws.”

Doyle said the US led forces are turning more and more responsibilities over to the Iraqi military and taking on more of an advisory role. That gives him confidence as the American forces begin to pull out later this summer.

Doyle’s second tour in Iraqi ends next January.  (Source: Empire State News)

2nd Lt. Jason Sexton '10, a graduate of West Point, was packing his bags for Fort Sill, Okla.

...Jason  Sexton is the youngest of three children and the only boy. His oldest sister, Leslie, always prodded him to be his best, their mother said.  Three months before her high school graduation, Leslie Sexton was killed in a car crash. Jason was 14.

Jason Sexton decided to honor his sister by living up to her image of him. He worked hard, studied and applied to the United State Military Academy.

Story & 3-Min. Video...

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, July 14, 2010) -- The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program gained a new director Tuesday -- one who has a lot in common with those he'll be leading.

Lt. Col. Gregory D. Gadson '89, a West Point graduate, lost both of his legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2007. Despite nearly losing his life, Gadson went on to complete two graduate degrees and recovered with assistance from the Wounded Warrior Program, which he is now responsible for.

Read more...

...A couple of Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star

WALLINGFORD - Chris Migliaro Sr. said his son has known what he wanted to do with his life ever since he watched television specials about the military on the Discovery Channel in the 10th grade.  And he's done it well.

U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Migliaro '06, a Lyman Hall High School graduate, received two Purple Hearts in April and May after serving two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was awarded a Bronze Star for his leadership role following his second deployment. A two-star general awarded the Bronze Star to Migliaro.

"It makes deployment all worth it," he said of the honor.  While on his tours, Migliaro was responsible for securing neighborhoods, setting up councils and leading platoons.  (Source: My Record-Journal.com, Conn., 03 July 2010)

Living with War: A Rare Woman General
Radio KPLU-NPR  Listen: http://www.kplu.org/listen_now.html

JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD, TACOMA, WA  (KPLU) - As part of the Obama administration's rapid drawdown of troops from Iraq, millions of pieces of equipment - from office support to weaponry - must be identified and moved.

Doing that while making sure troops aren't adversely affected is a huge logistical puzzle.
In this first installment of our regional series, Living With War, we get a glimpse into the life of a rare U.S. Army general who was at the helm of those decisions: Brigadier General Heidi Brown -- one of only 23 female general officers in the army.

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Doug Heckman '81 (D-Norcross), in the race to replace John Linder as Rep of the 7th Congressional District. The seat was left open after the retirement of Linder earlier this year who decided not to run for re-election.

Eastwood graduate is back in El Paso to lead Fort Bliss
By Ouisa D. Davis; El Paso Times, 09 July 2010

Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, left, smiled as Gen. James D. Thurman mentioned he is a 1977 graduate of Eastwood High School during a change of command ceremony at Fort Bliss Friday. Pittard took command of Fort Bliss from Maj. Gen. Howard Bromberg, right. During his remarks Pittard said he loves soldiering and loves El Paso. "There is truly no place like home," he said.                          

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A 4-year member of the team handball club while at West Point, Matt (Lee M.) Van Houten '89, had the opportunity to play on the US National Team and participated in 2 Pan Am Games (the Olympic Qualifier for team handball).

Matt is currently serving a four year term as the chair of the US Olympic Committee Athletes' Advisory Council, which is composed of one rep from each olympic sport, who must have played in the Olympics or other high level international competition.  Matt is a 1989 Graduate of West Point.

The Senate has confirmed GEN Ray Odierno '76, the current commander of U.S. Forces-Iraq, to lead U.S. Joint Forces Command.

LTG Lloyd Austin '75 to receive a 4th star and confirmed to succeed General Odierno as Commander of US Forces Iraq. (Photos-file photos)

Pentagon Channel video clip
Updated 15 July:  News article - LTG Austin

Tom Carhart '66 is a West Point graduate and Vietnam veteran, with a doctorate in military history from Princeton and a law degree from the University of Michigan. He is the author of five previous books. 

"...Carhart tells the moving story of six cadets of the Point class of 1861 and the bonds among them, which grew out of the shared experience of being cadets as well as attending illegal dinner parties at the tavern run by Benny Haven, former food supplier to the college (“former” because he had also run forbidden liquor to cadets)..." Then came the Civil War.

Sacred Ties: From West Point Brothers to Battlefield Rivals: A True Story of the Civil War.
Hardcover, 384 pages, May 4, 2010

Haley Murray '08 had made a self-fulfilling prophecy when she was an eighth-grader at Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School. The Army lieutenant had been required to write an essay about what she wanted to do when she finished high school. For Murray her path was clear: She was going to West Point.

It took Murray about a year to get to Fort Bragg, N.C., the posting she had requested. Her then-boyfriend (and now husband) Lt. Matt Hamilton-her West Point classmate-had also requested to be posted to Fort Bragg. Coincidentally, they were both assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion. When they learned they would be deployed to Afghanistan last December, the couple, already engaged, decided to get married prior to leaving the U.S.

It's rare, Lewis and Brenda Murray said, for a woman to lead a combat unit. In fact, Lt. Murray is one of the very few females-if not the only one-to be placed in this position.

In addition to making the roads safer for both the soldiers and the villagers, Murray and the men she commands serve another purpose. "A lot of what they do," Brenda Murray said, "is make friends."

Read more...

14 July - U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander (left), R-Quitman, honored 2nd Lt. Brian J. Clayton '10, a recent West Point graduate, Monday by presenting Clayton with a flag that flew over the Capitol.

"We just want to say thank you for accepting this position," Alexander said as he presented Brian with an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the grad. "Thank you and good luck."

Read more...

There are so many books out there-boring, predictable books-about a charming, good-looking protagonist; a dashing hero facing impossible odds who saves the day...But not OXYGEN DEBT. 
Published just last month, there is a rave review at Amazon.

"...I get a lot of inspiration out of talking to [top runners] these people. Again, you don't have to be this great runner. But if you run a lot, you instantly relate to people that are at the top of their sport. They have a lot of gifts and talent and they've applied it and they've worked hard and they're successful, but it's no different than anyone who's just trying hard. A 20-mile run is a 20-mile run. It's hard no matter what..."

Interview:  Runner's World...

LTG Ben Freakley '75  May 2010 on Serving this Great Nation ...[West Point] was a phenominal experience and a great education...  I never looked back. I served for 25 years in the Infantry with phenominal soldiers, ordinary people who did ever day extraordinary things and just motivated me personally...

Army Strong Stories
Enjoy a video clip...video...

ARVADA, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Christmas arrives early this year as theThird Annual Santa University kicks off July 13-16, 2010.

Bryant S. “Corky” Messner '79, CEO of Messner & Reeves and graduate of West Point, viewed the program as a creative and heartfelt way to show support for our nation’s troops. Messner & Reeves, an entrepreneurial-minded law firm based in Denver, provided a financial donation to help support this year’s Santa University program.  The Noerr Programs deploy more than 2,000 seasonal cast members and 250 kindly gentlemen to take on the role of Santa each November.

Read more...

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Lieutenant Gen. David H. Huntoon, Jr. '73, will assume command as the 58th Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy from Lt. Gen. Franklin L. “Buster” Hagenbeck '71 in a ceremony Monday, July 19, starting at 10 a.m. at Trophy Point.

Hagenbeck is scheduled to retire from the U.S. Army after serving for almost 40 years.

Huntoon graduated from West Point in 1973, received his Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from Georgetown University. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, Army Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies.

News Release...

Donald Horner Jr. '81, an expert in management and leadership at Jacksonville University, explains how BP and Obama stumbled.  Here are Horner’s observations about leadership as demonstrated in response to the Gulf oil spill.

What are some key lessons business leaders should learn from the BP disaster, both leading up to the spill and in response to it?

The first mission of leaders is “do no harm.” Do no harm does not mean “do nothing.” It appears that neither BP nor the administration understood this distinction.

Another key lesson is to properly diagnose the magnitude of an untoward event. It is really, really important to get this right, because everything that follows is based on this assessment.

Read more of the Interview...

Dumaguete City, Philippines - old and new City Councilors Mull over House Rules before Going into full legislation. (L) Presiding Officer City Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova '89

Newly installed City Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova, 43, vowed to live up to the expectations of Dumagueteños by confirming his drive to lead the new City Council to new heights of professionalism and genuine commitment to the people by minimizing if not eliminating mediocrity, dilatory tactics, and selfish interest in their functions as city policymakers and legislators.  Vice Mayor Cordova told the CHRONICLE in an exclusive interview that “it must have been providential that I ran and won as independent, in fact the first in the city’s history, because then I owe nothing to politicians, but I owe everything to the people, those faceless and nameless citizens who staked their confidence in me. Thus, I will not fail them.”

Read more...

Day 34 Recap; Western Continental Divide

Class of 2005 classmates, Pete Phipps, Dan Marques, Joel Glover--10 July, Today was one of the most beautiful and painful days we’ve had on this entire trip. We started in Salida, CO at an elevation of just over 7,000 feet. For 24 long, winding miles we climbed up the Monarch Pass on route 50 to reach the Western Continental Divide at 11,312 feet above sea level. While the climb was grueling and the rain was annoying, we couldn’t help but take in some of the sheer beauty that Colorado has to offer. Around every corner was a breathtaking view of another set of sprawling mountains. The air, as thin as it was at 11,000+ feet, felt clean and fresh and was laced with the scent of pine trees. Reaching the Continental Divide was a big moment for each of us. Each of us felt a sense of pride and satisfaction, knowing that we started our ride at sea level in Portland, Maine and that we had reached the highest point on our trip.  Please spread the word so we can show them some support.

Read more...
and
Day 32: West Point Friends along the way...

LTC (R) Rick Albrecht '80 has been named "American Legion of South Dakota Good Samaritan of the Year."  He has earned this recognition with over 9,000 hours of volunteer efforts to a long list of individuals and organizations.  Earlier this year he received the "SERTOMA" (Service to Mankind) Award, presented by the by the Sertoma Club who nominated him for the American Legion award.  He's pictured showing the Sertoma Award. 

Updated 12 July to show the new Good Samaratin Award, Rick writes..."very nicely done, it has the Biblical quote about the Good Samaritan on one side and the award data on the other side."

Congratulations!!

Members of the Long Gray Line,

A letter naming those whom the Nominating Committee is recommending for positions on the Board of Directors and Advisory Council is available online. The letter also describes two amendments to the WPAOG Bylaws that the Board is proposing to the membership for approval.

The election of Directors and Advisors, along with the proposed amendments to the Bylaws, will be the matters taken up at the WPAOG Annual Meeting on 20 October 2010, at five in the afternoon in the Herbert Alumni Center.

Election and Proposed Bylaws Changes

John Thurman, Jr. '00 recognized for academic, community leadership Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

(ATSU-KCOM) Dean Philip Slcoum, D.O., formally recognized the service of second-year student doctor John Thurman Jr. with a Dean’s Letter of Commendation. This is an infrequent recognition honoring the rare student who displays all of the positive virtues sought by the University. Only three letters have been extended since 2004.

Thurman was honored during a surprise ceremony on May 28 on ATSU’s Missouri campus. “This letter is presented to John in recognition of his leadership, courage, strength of character, perseverance, honesty, integrity, and compassion,” said Dr. Slocum. “In the 118-year history of KCOM, few people have been better ambassadors. John Thurman will be a success in whatever field he chooses to serve humanity.”

Thurman grew up in Midland, Texas, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point Academy from 1996-2000. He served seven years in the U.S. Army, including tours in Kuwait and Baghdad, Iraq, for Operation Iraqi Freedom.  (Photo: KCOM Dean Philip Slocum, D.O.; John Thurman Jr., OMS II; and ATSU President Jack Magruder)

Press Release

Men's Lacrosse Player Becomes Fourth Black Knight to Win Award

July 6, 2010 - Army men’s lacrosse player Andrew Maisano'10 has been named the 2009-10 Patriot League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, it was announced Tuesday. Maisano earned the honor after being named the 2010 Scholar-Athlete of the Year in men’s lacrosse. The voting was conducted by one sports information director from each school around the League who could not vote for their own student-athletes.

On the field, Maisano started every game at midfield for the Black Knights over the last two seasons. This year as a senior, he scored three goals and added five assists for eight points while picking up 10 ground balls in 17 games. His steady play helped the Black Knights finish 6-0 against Patriot League teams, capture the League title and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993.

A native of Lakeview, N.Y., Maisano graduated 26th in his class at the United States Military Academy in May, which put him in the top five percent. He netted a 4.00 cumulative grade-point average, which placed him on the Patriot League’s Academic Honor Roll for the fourth year in a row. He was named the winner of the 2010 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award during the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Final Four and earned First-Team Academic All-America selection by ESPN The Magazine and the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) last month.

Read more...

When Micah Highwalking tossed her hat in the air at West Point graduation ceremonies May 22, she was celebrating her mother and her Northern Cheyenne people as much as her own accomplishment.

The 23-year-old, who grew up in Lame Deer, was the first member of her tribe to graduate from the nation’s oldest military academy and one of only five American Indian West Point graduates.

Read more...

National Military Academy of Afghanistan honors Ambassador Eikenberry '73

Nato Training Mission-Afghanistan, 22 June 2010 - Members of the Afghan Ministry of Defense presented Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, with an honorary degree from the National Military Academy of Afghanistan June 21... he was presented a diploma and a sword for his efforts in 2002 while serving in Afghanistan, which ultimately led to the establishment of the academy.

“My dear friend Ambassador Eikenberry, you are the first to receive an honorary diploma from the National Military Academy of Afghanistan,” said Afghan Lt. Gen. Mohammad Amayoon Raizeem Fowzi, Deputy of Ministry of Defense. “You have played a key role in establishing this academy and as a representative of the Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan, I present you with - I present you with my heartfelt congratulations and thank you for all your help.”

Read more...

Jimmy got to play the newest edition to the Call of Duty franchise, 'Call of Duty: Black Ops!'  On hand to show him the game was Treyarch developer Mark Lamia and retired Lieutenant Colonel Hank Keirsey '76. Call of Duty has sold more than any other with $1.2 billion in sales. Gamers await the new Black Ops due out in November.

Video Clip

West Point, N.Y. – Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced 28 June that President Barack Obama has nominated Col. Tim Trainor for promotion to the grade of brigadier general and assignment as the U.S. Military Academy’s Dean of the Academic Board. He is currently serving as Professor and Head of the Systems Engineering department here.

Trainor will replace Brig. Gen. Patrick Finnegan, who retired earlier this month and will assume the position as the 25th President of Longwood University.

“I am both honored and humbled to be nominated to this position and look forward to serving as Dean and continuing to enhance and broaden our cadets learning opportunities both here and abroad,Trainor said.

Read the Press Release

The newly appointed Superintendent at West Point, LTG David H. Huntoon, Jr.'73, recently visited Walter Reed with West Point Cadets.  LTG Huntoon spent the morning (25 Jun) visiting soldiers, graduates and their families, later presenting a soldier with a Purple Heart Award at a ceremony in the auditorium.  He was greeted at the main lobby of Walter Reed by Ms. Phyllis Kuberek (Executive Services), COL Jim Wartski '82, Mr. Fred Larson, Cadet Luis Rivas '11, Cadet Lauren Yoon '11, and Cadet Anna Stein '12. Not available was Cadet Mary Beth Worth '12 who was observing surgery next to an Army Surgeon in the OR. Programs similar to these that orient cadets toward career paths are funded through WPAOG.  LTG Huntoon had a VIP parking spot that stated "Reserved for Black Knight Parking Only." The Grads, Families, and cadets welcomed him and look forward to his arrival at West Point.

Gen. David Petraeus '74 is visiting his hometown today to honor vets and graduates.  He is scheduled to give the commencement address at his alma mater, Cornwall High School, and be the special guest speaker at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Tribute in New Windsor. (Source: Times Herald-Record 25 June 10)

West Point graduate, U.S. Army Captain John David Silvers '90 believes in giving back to the community. "A lifetime of service will present challenges in your life," he said.

At 42, Silvers is a freshman member of the Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors. He strongly believes in giving back to his community.

...“I joined [the Army] because I went to West Point,” he said. “I had a five-year obligation upon graduation in 1990. I actually served six years, but I went to West Point for the education and the leadership qualities that they teach.”

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Afghan Army Col. Lajward Kanin, left, Leadership and Management Department head at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan, discusses the plan for launching the management major with U.S. Army Maj. Aram Donigian '98, faculty mentor, during their initial meeting. While NMAA is six years old and has graduated two classes, the management major will be a new offering in 2011.  (Source: Story courtesy of Sgt. Vincent Fusco, West Point, N.Y., La Grande Observer, Ore., 22 June 2010, Page 12A / Photo courtesy Maj. Aram Donigian)

NYTimes 24 Jun 2010..."I've always said that Afghanistan would be the tougher fight,” General Petraeus '74...

Now the burden falls to him, at perhaps the decisive moment in President Obama’s campaign to reverse the deteriorating situation on the ground here and regain the momentum in this nine-year-old war. In many ways, General Petraeus is being summoned to Afghanistan at a moment similar to the one he faced three years ago in Iraq, when the situation seemed hopeless to a growing number of Americans and their elected representatives as well.

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 “I loved the Army: it reared me, it nurtured me, and it gave me the most satisfying years of my life.  Thanks to it, I have lived an entire lifetime in 26 years.  It is only fitting that I should die in its service... I deny that I died FOR anything—not my country, not my Army, not my fellow man, none of these things.  I LIVED for these things.”  To continue the tradition of integrity and honor of MAJ Hottell '64 and countless other Academy graduates into the future, Thayer Award recipient Ross Perot visited West Point and honored John Alexander Hottell by endowing this Chair of Character Development in his memory.

In recognition of the sacrifice of MAJ Hottel '64 and the generosity of Ross Perot, a small, dignified ceremony was held in the Thayer Award Room of Taylor Hall on the morning of 16 June 2010.  There, LTG Buster Hagenbeck ’71; MAJ Hottell’s widow, Mrs. Linda Pickett; Mr. Perot; and COL (Ret.) Bob McClure ’76, West Point AOG President, unveiled a large bronze plaque formally dedicating the new John Alexander Hottell III ’64 Chair for Character Development. 

Read more...
Slide show... 

Col. Mark Armstrong Sr. administers the military oath of office to his son, 2nd Lt. Mark Armstrong Jr., at West Point May 22 as Armstrong Jr. becomes the fifth generation of his family that has graduated from the United States Military Academy. His father, a 1981 graduate of West Point, serves on active duty as the U.S. Army North Region IX Defense Coordinating Officer in Oakland, Calif. 

   2LT Mark H. Armstrong, Jr., '10 
   Father         - COL Mark H. Armstrong, Sr. '81  
   Two uncles  - John L. Armstrong Jr. '78
                      - Jon Halsey '85
   Grandfather - LTC John L. Armstrong '46
   Both Great Grandfathers
                     - Col John D. Armstrong '19
                     - MG Milton B. Halsey '17
   and Great Great Grandfather 
                     - COL Frank S. Armstrong  1891

 Read More

Five Class of '62 Company I-2 classmates and spouses recently went on a 14-day cruise from New York to Venice and continued for an additional 7 days in the Greek Isles and back to Venice. 

Wish we were there!

Photo:  Sue and Fred LaRoque, Jane and Ed Hamilton, Fran and Jerry Garwick, Marti and John Ulmer, Marianne and E.K. Whiting

Slide show...

...skeptics may have forgotten that counterinsurgency is always slow and grinding - "like eating soup with a knife," in the words of T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia), a man who knew something of this most challenging kind of war.

Defeating an insurgency requires the patience to implement the classic "clear-hold-build-transition" counterinsurgency strategy. Efforts to clear the enemy from an area require large numbers of well-trained and usually foreign troops; hard as it is, clearing is the easy part. Success requires local troops to hold the area so that the insurgents cannot return to disrupt the process of building a better life for the population in the cleared area, which can then be transitioned to local control. Setbacks are likely at each stage of the process, but there are no shortcuts; defeating insurgents is hard, slow work.

John Nagl is president of the Center for a New American Security. A retired Army officer, he served in both wars in Iraq and is the author of "Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam."

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Syracuse, NY -- After a tour of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, Maj. Brian Steele '97 is back. 

A joint collaboration between the U.S. Department of Defense Syracuse University, it is the only program of its kind in the nation...  In 14 months, Steele will earn a master’s degree in business administration and an executive master’s in public administration, specifically geared toward a military application.

Photo:  Army Maj. Brian Steele poses at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management, where he is earning a graduate degree in the school's defense comptrollership program.

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What Are They Teaching at West Point and Why?

A talk by David S. Maurer '95, Lieutenant Colonel, USA (Ret.)

The Military Academy at West Point has taught leadership and graduated leaders of character for more than 200 years. During times of war, the emphasis on the principles of leadership is even more profound. Today, with our nation embroiled in the Global War on Terrorism, these young graduates are being asked to lead in the most demanding and extreme conditions imaginable and to be ready to do so almost immediately. This presentation examines key aspects of the leadership curriculum at the Academy and suggests lessons that can be learned by non-military leaders struggling to perform, do the right thing and lead with character, integrity and competence.

SIOR Rookie of the Year - “We are honored that Brad won a SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) award in Largest Dollar Volume Transaction category, but not surprised.  Brad’s strong motivation and leadership skills give him the ability to consistently deliver tangible results for his clients,” says CCR president, Wayne Hach.  (Photo: Brad with SIOR President, Lynn Reich)

Brad’s leadership skills were honed early through his education and graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point and while serving as Army Infantry Captain in Iraq where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

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Washington Post--On Leadership
By Military scholar Col. Charles D. Allen, Washington Post, 17 June 2010

Colonel Charles D. Allen '78 (U.S. Army, Ret.) is the Professor of Cultural Science in the Department of Command, Leadership, and Management at the U.S. Army War College.

Read more...

Pete Phipps, Dan Marques, Joel Glover, class of 2005 grads will be biking across the country to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.  "In May 2005, Joel, Dan, and Pete graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, leaving New York after four years together to lead and serve our nation’s finest. Since then, they’ve finished a combined five combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Now they get to honor those American soldiers whose courage has inspired them."   Please spread the word so we can show them some support. http://www.pedalinwithapurpose.com/

Susan Moblo '84 has joined TAPCO Credit Union as Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.  She is a graduate of West Point and served in the Army as a transportation officer for five years before beginning her career in banking. She has 21 years of retail and commercial banking experience in the Pierce County and Puget Sound area.  (Source: Business Examiner )

Sims is the deputy of the Force Management Division, Headquarters U.S. Army Europe G-3. His office is responsible for helping to field new equipment to Soldiers and maintaining readiness for Army units in Europe.  He came to the division in 1993 after 27 years as a Soldier...

Sims graduated from West Point in 1966 and left for Vietnam soon after. During his time there, the young officer experienced a chance encounter with the late actor Jimmy Stewart, best known for his role in the 1946 American classic, "It's a Wonderful Life."

...One of his sons, Douglas A. Sims II, is also a West Point Grad--Class of 1991.

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The Union League Club of Chicago has elected Andrew C. Dillon, of Western Springs, to a three-year term as a director. He will also chair the Club communications committee. Previously Dillon served on the Union League Club’s communications, membership, library, technology, and art committees. He has also served on several special subcommittees including the “Commitment to Country Committee” formed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the Club’s initial Website development subcommittee and a Task Force Katrina organized to help refurnish and rebuild Boys & Girls Clubs in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Dillon served as an organizing member of the Club’s Younger Members Group in 1995. He is currently vice president of the Chicago Engineers’ Foundation and he is the immediate past commander of the Union League Club of Chicago’s American Legion Post 758.

1LT Zach Osborne '08 gave an inspirational address to the graduating class in his hometown of Roanoke, VA on 12 June 10.  Osborne was wounded in Afghanistan in January and is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  Read More

COL(R) Jack Jacobs' story on how women are playing a larger role in combat.  The video features BG(R) Becky Halstead '81 and CPT(R) Dawn Halfaker '01.  Watch Video

Three former Army captains who entered West Point a few months before Sept. 11, 2001, are going to bike across the country to see the America they served.

After five years in the Army, Pete Phipps '05 of Hudson [Ohio] and two of his best friends will get a close-up look at their homeland and will raise money to help those wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan at the same time.

Phipps, Dan Marques and Joel Glover, all 2005 graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, started their their bike trip on D-Day in Portland, Maine, and expect to travel more than 3,000 miles by Aug. 1.   Photos /Read more...

Zach Keefer '05 grins after completing his ultra marathon before noon on May 16. The Army captain and helicopter pilot was celebrating his safe return from a second tour in Afghanistan with the run.

He starts where the highway ends, a man on the beach beginning a long run.  With his first steps where N.C. 12 meets the sea, in Corolla at the far northern end of the Outer Banks, Zach Keefer began a weeklong run of almost 180 miles to Emerald Isle by foot and ferry.  (Source:  The Charlotte Observer, May 2010)

Proud Dad Timothy Joseph Flynn '85 and son, Timothy Albert Flynn '10, after the parade, and on Graduation Day, 22 May, during the commissioning.

4-Minute Video of Graduation highlights by the Times Herald-Record Online
--added to our page of the President's Speech and Graduation photos.

Lennox International Appoints Michael Blatz '87 President And COO Service Experts Following Retirement Of Scott Boxer

DALLAS, May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) today announced the appointment of Michael J. Blatz  as president and chief operating officer of its Service Experts business segment, effective July 1, 2010. Blatz succeeds Scott Boxer, who has elected to retire effective June 30, 2010.

"I'd like to thank Scott for his many outstanding contributions to LII over the last 12 years, including his leadership of Service Experts since 2003, and wish him a healthy and happy retirement," said Todd Bluedorn, LII chief executive officer. "Michael's strong operational focus will help us build upon our solid foundation for growth in Service Experts."

Through its subsidiaries, Lennox International Inc. is a global leader in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets. Lennox International stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LII." Additional information is available at http://www.lennoxinternational.com/

Among the representatives from the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team “Dagger,” 1st Infantry Division, at the annual Battle Command Conference at West Point April 12-13 were a pair of young officers, who had, until relatively recently, been students at the U.S. Military Academy.

First Lt. Guillermo Guandique, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd HBCT, and 1st Lt. Anna Johnson, 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd HBCT, made their return as mentors and gave their advice on platoon leadership for cadets nearing graduation day.

Guandique, a Kentucky native and 2007 graduate of West Point, had taken part in this event during his own final year and appreciated then, as now, the significance of learning directly from recently deployed personnel.

Read more...

President Barack Obama addressed the West Point Graduation Class of 2010 on 22 May 2010 (Photo: 2nd LT Dan C. Riggs '10 Salutes as President Obama hands him his Diploma.)

Speech (video from the White House)...

 

MAJ Khanh Diep '99, Class Secretary, presents Cadet Thomas Olmstead '10, the Class of 1999 Award given to the 4th Regimental Commander during the Awards Convocation on May 21, 2010.  This award was established as part of the Class Gift during the Class of 1999's Tenth Year Reunion.

*2LT Thomas Olmstead since 22 May 2010. 

On 22 May 1869 West Pointers, from North and South, gathered in New York City to organize the Association of Graduates – to rekindle the bonds they formed as cadets, and to start healing the terrible national division of the Civil War.  Since then the Association of Graduates has been energetically supporting the Military Academy as well as all graduates, and everyone working in Herbert Hall continues this proud tradition of service that now dates back nearly a century and a half.  An extract from the New York Times, 23 May 1869:

"An association of the Graduates of the West Point Military Academy was organized yesterday at the New-York City College for social purposes.  There were present sixteen gentlemen, all of whom were graduates, and whose names were as follows:

"Dr. HoraceWebster...Major-General Leslie, Brigadier-General Robert Anderson, Colonel Van Buren, Major-General George W. Cullum, Major-General Z.B. Tower, Rev. Francis Vinton, D.D.; Major-General A. P. Webb, Colonel Parsons, Captain A. M. Miler, Lieutenant Luigi Lornier, Major J. Smith Brice,Brigadier-General Egbert Viele, Brigadier-General T. G. Pitcher, Major General Prince, Major-General Rufus Ingalls...and a unanimous wish that Brigadier-General Thayer should be chosen President of the Association when an election should take place."  ~ New York Times, 23 May 1869

More about WPAOG's History... 

Cadet Bradley Cohn, center, brings his regiment into position on the plain at West Point Tuesday at the beginning of the annual placing of a wreath at the statue of Col. Sylvanus Thayer, the Point's fifth superintendent

WEST POINT — As a sprinkle became a steady downpour Monday, hundreds of West Point alumni marched across the plain to the statue of Col. Sylvanus Thayer.

There, retired Gen. Ralph E. Haines of the class of 1935, the oldest graduate present, laid a wreath of yellow flowers before the statue.

It's one of the many traditions of graduation week at the academy: paying tribute to the man known as the Father of the Military Academy.  

More at the Times Herald-Record...

1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing to receive Medal of Honor

Seven score and seven years ago, a wounded Wisconsin soldier stood his ground on the Gettysburg battlefield and made a valiant stand before he was felled by a Confederate bullet...Cushing died on July 3, 1863, the last day of the three-day battle of Gettysburg. He was 22. 

Now, thanks to the dogged efforts of modern-day supporters, 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing shall not have died in vain, nor shall his memory have perished from the earth.

Descendants and some Civil War history buffs have been pushing the U.S. Army to award the soldier the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration. They'll soon get their wish.

Read more...

Men's Team Handball hailed the incoming head coach MAJ Mike Tilton '00 and farewelled the outgoing head coach MAJ Adam Hodges '98 and enjoyed their end of the year awards banquet, unveiling the 2010 National Championship banner and watched the national final match between West Point Black and West Point Gold.

Update:  21 May 2010                                                                  DOD Press Release

Gen. Keith Alexander will head the U.S. Cyber Command, created to protect U.S. military networks from cyberattacks.

After a weeks-long delay to have questions answered about the Department of Defense's cybersecurity role, the Senate Friday unanimously confirmed National Security Agency director Keith Alexander as head of a new DoD command tasked with defending military networks from cyber attacks.
 
When it becomes fully operational in October, the U.S. Cyber Command will be headquartered at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland alongside NSA, and will report through the U.S. Strategic Command. Cyber Command will absorb two of the organizations currently leading much of the military's cyber-defense capabilities -- the Joint Functional Component Command for Network Warfare and the Joint Task Force for Network Operations. Source: InformationWeek, 11 May 2010

Read more... 

By Mike Strasser and Tommy Gilligan, West Point Public Affairs
WEST POINT, N.Y. (May 20, 2010) -- "Are you wearing your long underwear today," asked a visiting graduate from the Class of 1945 to a group of cadets assisting alumni before the alumni exercises May 18.

Chuck Watters leads a procession from the West Point Class of 1950 at the start of the Alumni March and Thayer Wreath-Laying Ceremony May 18 at West Point, N.Y.   

Photo Credit: Mike Strasser, West Point Public Affairs.

Read more at www.army.mil

58^th Superintendent nominated by the President

LTG Dave Huntoon ’73, is to become the next superintendent at West Point.

Career Bio...

Photos of the 2010 Founder's Day in Albuquerque.  We had the largest turnout in 5-6 years.   Oldest and youngest grads (right) Colonel Donald E. Fowler, USMA 1945 standing with Captain Timothy Eng, USMA 2005 (left).  
 
Others in attendance were members of the classes of 45, 48, 49.  They are: Colonel Don and Mrs. Betty Fowler (45),  Mrs. Mary Stoer (widow of  Colonel John Stoer, 45), Mrs. Fran Avery (widow of Colonel Charles Avery, 45), Colonel Fred and Mrs. Teresa Chanatry (48), Colonel Arnie Sargeant (48), Lieutenant Colonel Ed and Mrs. Mary Carroll Nelson (48), Mrs. Corky Thevenet (widow of Lieutenant Colonel Stan Thevenet, 48), Colonel Bill and Mrs. Dee Liddecoat (49), Colonel Bob Kemble (49).
 
 

Founders Day Slide Show

Retired Gen. Ralph E. Haines, Jr., 96, accompanied by Cadet First Captain Tyler Gordy salute the “Father of the Academy” Sylvanus Thayer at the foot of Thayer Statue during the annual alumni wreath-laying ceremony Tuesday on the Plain. (PointerView)

Slide show...

Read more about GEN Haines...

In a decade, Bell Helicopter has shifted, even lurched, at times from one priority to another, one crisis to another. John Garrison '82, the fifth chief executive in nine years, says he wants to change that by setting a clear, focused and balanced long-term direction. That direction and his mission, Garrison says, are to return Bell to a place of technological and business leadership in an industry where it was once viewed as the gold standard of excellence.

In his first interview since taking over as CEO in August, Garrison said he's "thrilled, honored and humbled" to be running Bell because of the company's "incredible legacy" of building civil and military aircraft that perform "amazing feats." A 1982 graduate of West Point, Garrison served 10 years of active duty in the Army as an Airborne Ranger and taught in the social sciences department at West Point, where the Army assigns promising officers to broaden their education and intellectual horizons.

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Lieutenant Colonel Steve Hart ‘88, Assistant Professor D/CME is the national winner of the Gerald R. Seeley Award.  This award is presented annually to the best paper for the national conference of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).  The award was established in memory of Gerald R. Seeley, a champion of civil engineering education and a past chair of the ASEE Civil Engineering Division.  The Award will be presented at the 2010 ASEE Annual Conference in June this year in Louisville, KY. 

Major Adam Chalmers ‘97 Assistant Professor D/CME, is a winner of the 2010 American Society of Civil Engineers Young Government Civil Engineer of the Year Award.  This Award is presented annually to a distinguished young civil engineer for demonstrated leadership potential in and for significant contributions to public service engineering.  The criteria included demonstrated leadership potential in public sector civil engineering; evidence of high character and professional integrity, and demonstrated commitment to civic and humanitarian enterprises.  The Award will be presented at the 2010 ASCE Annual Conference in October in Las Vegas, NV.

 
“How can you do anything better than be among the first to land and walk on the moon? How can you reach a more magnificent apex in your career than that?” Buzz Aldrin Jr., now 80, is voicing the questions that tortured him for years. For the second man to walk on the moon, the period that followed Apollo 11's lunar landing in 1969 was anything but magnificent. "I titled my first memoir Return to Earth, because that's exactly what I had to do," he says. (Source: Success Magazine, 11 May 2010)

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Camp Zama, Japan--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan District, changed leadership on 3 May.  In a ceremony at the Camp Zama Community Cultural Centr, Col Bryan P. Truesdell'87 assumed command from Lt. Col. Rick A. Davis '90. 

News Release...

The third annual Greenwich Supports the Troops Benefit, supporting Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), will be held at the Belle Haven Club on Saturday, May 15. U.S. Army Captain Anthony K. Odierno '01, last year’s speaker and a Greenwich resident, is the honorary chair. U.S. Army First Lt. John Fernandez '01 will share his story, focusing on life after combat and the importance of family and community in the recovery process. The event will include cocktails and dinner along with auction and raffle items.

WWP’s mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. To date, more than 34,000 members of our nation’s armed forces have been physically wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Studies estimate that more than 300,000 will suffer from the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. WWP provides programs and services to assist injured veterans and their families during their recovery, rehabilitation and transition.

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NY Times Best Selling author Bob Mayer '81 with the help of local author Jennifer Talty have created a new publishing company, Who Dares Wins Publishing, specializing in authors with backlist reversion rights, military fiction and specialized non-fiction in excellence. The idea behind the company comes from Bob Mayer's background in special forces where he commanded a Green Beret A Team. He used what he learned in the military and applied it to becoming a best selling author.

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LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.,- U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) will give the keynote address to Georgia Gwinnett College students who graduate in May. Sixty students are expected to receive their diplomas following the spring 2010 semester, and the commencement ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 28 at 7 p.m. on the quadrangle.

A leader on defense, education, and health care issues, Reed is a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, member of the Appropriations Committee and senior member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Before being elected to serve in the Senate in 1996, Reed was a three-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District. 
  
After graduating from West Point and receiving an active duty commission in the United States Army, Reed attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he received a master’s of public policy. (Source:  Duluth Weekly, Ga., 03 May 2010)

This is a soldier’s story, a tale of life and of death and of life’s return.  It is the story of one soldier, Capt. Joshua A. Mantz '05, who was shot in Iraq. Technically, he was dead, a flat-liner for a full 15 minutes — long past the time many doctors use as their mark for ordering a halt in life-saving efforts, since brain damage can start within just a few minutes without vital signs.

But it also is the story of how Captain Mantz will journey to Washington this week, where he will speak of the battlefield physicians who brought him back to life, and thank the counselors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who balanced discipline with empathy and pushed him through rehabilitation.  Photo:  Capt. Joshua A. Mantz '05 and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kan. (Photo: Department of Defense by Cherie Cullen)

New York Times...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wilmington Trust, one of the nation’s leading wealth management companies, announced that it has hired Lawrence E. Gore as managing director and senior private client advisor in the company’s Wealth Advisory Services (WAS) business in the Northeast region. 

...Wilmington Trust announced that Pete Dawkins '59, the former vice chairman of Citigroup Private Bank, has joined the advisory board of Wilmington Trust FSB, New York. Mr. Dawkins enjoyed a successful career as an athlete, student, military officer, and business executive. As captain of the football team at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he served as president of his class and became a Rhodes Scholar, Mr. Dawkins won the Heisman Trophy in 1958 as the nation’s top college football player. He later earned a master’s degree from Oxford University and a Ph.D. from Princeton University. He received two Bronze Stars for valor and three Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses for his military service in Vietnam. After 24 years in the U.S. Army, Mr. Dawkins began a distinguished business career, during which he held senior positions at Lehman Brothers, Bain & Company, Primerica Financial Services, Traveler’s Insurance, and Citigroup.

Read more... 

Steve Rowe '75
Running for Governor of Maine 2010

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Leo Flor - 2010 Gates Scholar

It was a career in the military that led Leo Flor to consider a career in law.  As an infantry company commander in the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Kunar Providence, Afghanistan, Flor was responsible for leading security operations with his soldiers and Afghan police and provincial governments. Military operations moved swiftly and efficiently, but were often met with resentment by the Afghans they were trying to help. At the same time, NGOs could earn consistent Afghan support, but were stymied by lack of resources or slow decision processes.

“After spending 27 months in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Flor, “I am convinced we need broadly educated and experienced leaders to operate successfully in the space between rushing to failure with bad information and waiting until failure for perfect information.”

After an eight-year career in the Army, Flor realized that someone who had military and combat experience coupled with a law degree would be well positioned to more effectively alloy elements of defense, diplomacy and development.

Flor, a West Point graduate, said he hopes his legal education will lead him to a career in helping conflict-stricken communities establish and reinforce culturally compatible Rule of Law.  Source:  University of Washington, School of Law.

Cleveland, Ohio - Babe Kwasniak has been hired as the boys basketball coach at his alma mater, Villa Angela-St. Joseph.

Kwasniak was a star guard on the VASJ team that won the Division II state championship in 1994. He played for his father, Tedd, who coached the Vikings to a repeat state title in 1995.

Kwasniak, whose real name is Babejohn, is a graduate of West Point. He was in the first class to attend VASJ all four years following the merger between St. Joseph and Villa Angela Academy.  Source:  The Plain Dealer,  May 05, 2010 12:31 p.m

...“The U.S. is the most saturated (fast-food) market in the world,” said Roland Smith '78, CEO of Wendy’s/Arby’s. “It’s harder to expand here, depending on your brand.”  International expansion helps balance a company’s risk and protects its profits, he said.

Here’s how four Atlanta-based companies are going after international growth:

Wendy’s/Arby’s Group

Smith, a West Point graduate, has lived and worked in Germany, Canada and Islamabad, Pakistan. Moving up the ladder at Pepsi and KFC International, he looked to international experience to differentiate himself. Now, he hopes international growth will set his company apart.

Read more...