The Long Gray Line’s history includes a legacy of multiple generations of U.S. Military Academy graduates. Since 2005, the West Point Class of 1982 has established a tradition of presenting an engraved silver plate to any son or daughter of the class who graduates from West Point. That tradition continued Thursday, May 21, when WPAOG’s Senior Director of Major and Leadership Giving, Mike White ’82, presented the silver plate to Stryker Gay ’26, son of Rocky and Patrice Gay. The names of both Stryker and his father were engraved on the plate. 

“This is a tradition that I’m pleased to help continue,” said White. “Two of my children, Gavin ’11 and Morgan ’14 have received a plate from the class and they are prominently displayed in their homes. All credit to Bryan Goda and Paul Merritt, who have administered the program and made sure that we acknowledge this milestone every year.” 

The tradition was first envisioned by COL (R) Bryan Goda, who was stationed at West Point in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Since that time, a son or daughter of the Select Few has graduated from West Point for 21 consecutive years. Stryker Gay is the 100th offspring of the Class of 1982 to receive a plate. There have also been 15 children of the class who entered West Point but did not graduate due to resignation or separation. 

Of the 100 graduating children, 25 have been daughters, and 75 have been sons. Fourteen members of the Class of ’82 have had two children graduate from West Point, and two members of the class have had three children graduate. 

As there are no children of the Class of 1982 currently enrolled at West Point, this may well be the end of the line for this time-honored class tradition. However, a few classmates do have teenage children, so the chance of another plate being awarded in the future can’t be ruled out—further linking generations and strengthening the bond of the Long Gray Line. 

The Class of 1982’s silver plate presentation is one example of the meaningful traditions West Point classes have created to honor family members who follow in their footsteps. Across the Long Gray Line, these class traditions help celebrate generational service, strengthen class bonds, and connect graduates and cadets through shared pride in West Point.