By Leigh Gust, Communications Manager

In September, the American Foundations (AF) program welcomed three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and bestselling author Rick Atkinson back to West Point to reflect on freedom, military service, and the people who have shaped the American story.

His visit brought together cadets, faculty, alumni, and friends of the Academy during a year when the nation is marking its 250th anniversary.

For members of the West Point Class of 1966, the visit held special significance. Atkinson authored The Long Gray Line, his acclaimed account of the class and the extraordinary paths its members followed from West Point through the Vietnam era and beyond. He has maintained a longstanding friendship with members of the class and was named an honorary member of the Class of 1966.

During his return, Atkinson engaged with cadets through a question-and-answer session following his remarks. He also toured the West Point Museum’s Revolutionary War Collection; participated in a staff ride examining the Academy’s terrain and historic fortifications; met with Academy leaders; and shared meals with cadets, faculty, alumni, and American Foundations supporters.

His reflections on the American Revolution resonated with cadets. “The Sol Feinstone Lecture, as well as the dinner afterwards, was truly impactful for me,” said Cadet Anthony Petracca ’27. “Hearing stories from the American Revolution brought to life by Mr. Atkinson highlighted the sacrifices our founders were willing to make in defense of freedom and the principles upon which our nation was founded.”

Members of the Class of 1966 joined Atkinson and the cadets for dinner, sharing stories about their time at West Point and their service to the nation. Among those in attendance were Class Secretary Bill Thomas ’66 and his wife, Lyn, and Frank Hock ’66 and his wife, Sandy.

For Petracca, hearing these accounts reinforced the connection between the nation’s founding ideals and the generations of graduates who followed. “Seeing the members of that class and hearing about their experiences reminded me that the same spirit of sacrifice that defined the Revolution continues today,” he said. “I was inspired to see the spirit of the Revolution carried on 250 years later, embodied by West Point graduates.”

The evening also brought together members of the Class of 1966 and their 50-year affiliate class, the Class of 2016. Major Chris Canty ’16, an instructor in the Department of History and War Studies, and Major Theo Lipsky ’16, an instructor in the Department of Social Sciences, participated in the dinner honoring Atkinson. Petracca joined Thomas and Canty in presenting Atkinson with a framed gift recognizing his longstanding friendship with West Point and his honorary membership in the Class of 1966.

The event is just one example of the many educational opportunities American Foundations provides beyond the classroom.

Cadet Zach Olson ’27 reflected on the chance to hear Atkinson and engage with graduates and faculty. “American Foundations consistently makes a meaningful and measurable impact on the lives of cadets in a myriad of ways,” Olson said. “The Sol Feinstone lecture, and the AF program at large afforded me the opportunity to listen to one of the great American writers of our time. Beyond the engaging speech, I was offered an exclusive chance to exchange ideas and ask questions of Mr. Atkinson and various famed USMA graduates and faculty.”

“It was an experience I will never forget,” Olson added. “Life at West Point, and my appreciation for the country that I serve is always expanded in breadth and depth by the sophisticated and engaging events that American Foundations sponsors. I am grateful, and excited for the impactful year ahead!”

Cadet Crawford Freedman ’28, an American History major, said Atkinson’s perspectives deepened his appreciation for the people and ideas that shaped the nation’s founding. Freedman recalled Atkinson’s admiration for figures such as George Washington, along with stories about lesser-known figures such as John Laurens.

Meeting members of the Class of 1966 also left a lasting impression. “The Classes of 1965 and 1966 have had a lasting impact on West Point through both their time at the Academy and their service to the nation. Hearing firsthand stories about Vietnam and about West Point figures such as Bob Arvin and Thomas Hayes, whose legacies remain visible across the Academy today, made the evening especially memorable and meaningful,” Freedman said.

The visit concluded with dinner at the historic Old ’76 House restaurant in Tappan, New York. The site holds a connection to West Point’s Revolutionary War history. British Major John André was confined there following the discovery of Benedict Arnold’s plot to surrender West Point to the British.

Atkinson’s return to West Point connected the nation’s founding ideals with the experiences of the Vietnam generation and the cadets preparing to serve today. Through his historical work and conversations with West Point graduates, cadets gained a deeper appreciation for those who shaped the nation’s history and the responsibility of carrying its ideals forward.