On September 26, West Point and WPAOG dedicated the Malek Soccer Stadium, the new state-of-the-art home of Army West Point Men’s and Women’s Soccer. The project was fully funded by Frederic V. Malek ’59 (co-chair of the For Us All Campaign, a 2014 recipient of the West Point Distinguished Graduate Award, and former chair of the West Point Board of Visitors). Malek has also supported the Malek Tennis Center and the O’Meara, Malek, Dawkins, Class of 1959 Strength Development Center in the Kimsey Complex. The new stadium features enhanced spectator seating, restroom facilities, and new press box facilities for broadcast and photography. It was designed to integrate with the architecture of nearby buildings. Following the dedication ceremony, Malek was recognized on the field at the Army West Point Men’s Soccer match against Sacred Heart, which Army won 2-1. WPAOG is honored to construct and deliver top-quality gift-funded buildings and facilities to the U.S. Military Academy. With the completion of Malek Soccer Stadium, the number of brick-and-mortar projects delivered by the Association now exceeds 30. Read more. Photos.

Almost 2,500 cadets, cadet candidates, faculty, and staff from the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School volunteered to participate in the Tunnel to Towers 5K in New York City on September 24. Begun in 2002, the annual run commemorates the heroic act of New York Firefighter Stephen Siller, who was on his way home when planes struck the World Trade Center on 9-11, and ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel with 60 pounds of gear on his back to the Twin Towers, giving up his life to save others. Photos.

On September 20, West Point’s oldest graduate, joined the "ghostly assemblage." In his 80-plus years as a member of the Long Gray Line, Ely was a devoted supporter of West Point. This summer, he was inducted into WPAOG’s John J. Pershing Lifetime Giving Society, which recognizes donors who have given $25,000 or more to West Point. He was among the first to donate during this year’s All Academy Challenge, and recently led the alumni procession across the Plain during Grad Week to place a wreath at the statue of Sylvanus Thayer. During his visit, he was interviewed on video by the West Point Center for Oral History, sharing “Lessons Learned from the First 105 Years,” which includes discussions about his childhood, his West Point experiences, his service during World War II, and his 74-year marriage to the love of his live, his wife Helen. With the passing of LTG Ely, COL (R) Kermit R. Dyke ’40 is now the oldest living West Point graduate (103 years old).

WPAOG treated class officers from the Classes of 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021—as well as their class advisors and OICs—to lunch at the First Class Club on September 18. This annual lunch offers an opportunity for the officers to meet WPAOG staff and attend breakout sessions by class to discuss the ways in which WPAOG serves them, as well as how they can serve their classmates during cadet years and after graduation.

2LT Austin Lachance ’17 recently created a “hyperlapse” video of West Point, including footage of the new Davis Barracks, Grant Hall, Michie Stadium, Washington Hall and more. Similar to time-lapse photography, hyperlapse video is achieved by manually moving the camera a short distance between each shot. The result is a stunning view of West Point that has never been recorded before. Check it out!

In response to the devastation caused by recent Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, WPAOG established a “Gripping Hands” program to connect members of the Long Gray Line affected by these natural disasters. More than 400 grads logged on to this centralized communication hub, where those offering help could respond directly to those requesting help for temporary lodging, emergency pet care, transportation, assistance with filing insurance claims, and other services. George Godfrey ’90 from Florida, said, “Things are bad here but we’re all pulling together,” while Chuck Calvin ’86, President of the West Point Society of Greater Houston, said, “It was all very helpful and was a great touch.” Grads responded from all over the country. Here are a few of the notes WPAOG has received: “Great idea! My class of ’71 classmates have produced a torrent of offers of assistance and are checking on others we know, relating to Harvey and Irma.” (Bill Hancock ’71) “This is great! Thanks for setting this up! We have gotten many calls from West Pointers around the country.” (Justin Cremer ’96) “This is awesome. What a powerful way to take care of our graduates.” (COL Mark Bieger ’91) “Great thinking and reaction. Proud of the AOG for this action.” (MG(R) R. Mark Brown '77)

Representatives and displays from all 17 U.S. Army branches came to West Point recently for Branch Week 2017. Started in 2012, Branch Week is the Department of Military Instruction’s main effort for branch education and mentorship for the Corps of Cadets. Throughout the week, cadets from all class years, as well as U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School cadet candidates and ROTC cadets from other colleges, have the chance to speak with branch representatives and ask questions in order to help them decide which of the branches to pursue for their future career. View Photos.

The latest round of “Career Webinars on Wednesday” is now available online at SACCentral! Each week, join your Joint Service Academy Career Program team for a variety of career-oriented topics, including career plan development, personal branding, resume writing, career fair preparation, and more. Log into your SACCentral account today for more information and to register for next week’s Webinar Wednesday!

The West Point Society of Connecticut sponsored an Affirmation Ceremony on September 21 for four members of the Class of 2019 who are currently part of a semester exchange program with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Frank Tabela and Phil Smith from the Class of 1969, which is the Class of 2019’s 50-Year Affiliation Class, led the presentation of coins and memorabilia to the cadets, and COL (R) Kevin Brown ’87 administered the Oath of Affirmation. In addition to the four cadets at USCGA, six exchange cadets at USNA and seven exchange cadets at USAFA took the Oath outside of the Affirmation Ceremony held at West Point on August 20.

The holiday gift-giving season is just months away, and for those seeking the ultimate West Point gift, the time to buy is now. A limited number of copies of the 2015 Register of Graduates & Former Cadets, WPAOG’s most historic publication and the ultimate West Point reference book, are still available. Visit WPAOG’s Gift Shop online or call 800.426.4725 to order your copy before they’re gone.