West Point cadets bring spirit, song, and connection to senior graduates, honoring legacy, service, and shared traditions during a pre-Army-Navy gathering.

Some arrived in wheelchairs, some with walkers—but make no mistake, these Old Grads showed up ready to celebrate the biggest game of the year: Army-Navy. On December 11, the West Point Spirit Band and the Rabble Rousers visited the Fairfax Belvoir Senior Center, home to approximately 50 West Point graduates, spouses, and widows. The cadets filled the space with songs, cheers, and—of course—the Rocket, bringing the unmistakable spirit of West Point directly to those who have carried it for decades.

Temperatures hovered in the high 30s with gusty winds, but the audience—combat veterans, spouses, and widows who continue to honor their husbands’ legacies—never mentioned the cold. They were captivated instead by the cadets’ energy, enthusiasm, and genuine presence.

But the day was about more than cheering and music. It was about connection.

The visit was part of a new initiative launched this summer by the West Point Society of Washington, DC’s Outreach Committee, chaired by Lorraine Parrish ’85. Known as The Gray Line Legacy, the program focuses on honoring and engaging West Point’s oldest graduates—heroes and mentors to generations of West Pointers—who now reside in assisted living and nursing home communities.

Parrish, alongside Liz Halford ’88, works closely with on-site graduates and facility staff to facilitate luncheons, watch parties, and special events like this one, ensuring that Army spirit, fellowship, and appreciation continue to reach those who helped build the Long Gray Line.

At the Fairfax Belvoir Senior Center, the cadets did more than perform. They moved throughout the cafeteria, foyer, and health center, spending time in conversation with residents and sharing meaningful moments across generations.

During the visit, cadets also had the privilege of meeting two Distinguished Graduates: GEN (R) Carl E. Vuono ’57 and COL (R) William DeGraf ’50.

Vuono served three tours in Vietnam and commanded the 8th Infantry Division before culminating his career as the Chief of Staff of the Army from 1987 to 1991. During his tenure, he led the Army through Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, retiring from active duty in 1991.

DeGraf began his extraordinary career on January 17, 1945, when he was battlefield commissioned at just nineteen years old—the youngest officer in World War II. A first lieutenant on R-Day, he earned the Bronze Star during his plebe year. First in his graduating class, he went on to serve in both Korea and Vietnam, earning three Combat Infantryman Badges. After retiring from active duty in 1974, DeGraf designed, developed, and activated the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

The day was a success for all—an exchange across generations of West Pointers, where bright futures met powerful histories. And, as always, it ended with a shared purpose and a unified chant that transcends time and age: Beat Navy!