By Justin Conti, WPAOG Staff
This week, West Point Association of Graduates welcomed 101 Veterans and Survivor Community members back to their Rockbound Highland Home.
On November 10, the day before Veterans Day, the Survivor Community joined together to hike up the Trail of the Fallen and finish with a dinner at the Bear Mountain Inn. That night, back on post, Herbert Hall was lit up green as part of the nationwide “Operation Greenlight for Veterans” initiative. Symbolizing hope and renewal, WPAOG showed its appreciation for the Long Gray Line and every Veteran.
On Tuesday morning, the Survivor Community started with the choice between two morning activities: gentle yoga at the Bear Mountain Inn or a guided walk/jog around Hessian Lake. After the morning activities, they met in the Perkins Ballroom at the Inn for breakfast. Members of the Survivor Community went to breakout rooms and then made their way to West Point for lunch, joining the Veterans in Washington Hall. WPAOG President and CEO COL (R) Mark Bieger ’91 shared some remarks with the attendees prior to lunch. “Today we celebrate not just service and sacrifice, but the enduring spirit of this community. This year’s theme, “Shedding Light on Our Loved Ones,” reminds us that every name, every story, and every memory represented here continues to inspire future generations,” said Bieger.
Kathy Belden, the surviving spouse of David Belden ’69, made the trip from California to honor her husband. However, her trip wasn’t easy. Landing in Philadelphia on Monday, she was unable to board her connecting flight to New York. Determined to arrive, Belden took a taxi two and a half hours (148 miles) to West Point. “I’m here to honor my husband,” Belden said when asked what this event meant to her. “The support of West Point… speechless. It was just what I needed.” Belden also took time to visit the West Point Cemetery, where she saw her husband’s headstone for the first time since she buried him.
Lunch was followed by a speech from the 61st Superintendent of West Point LTG Steven Gilland ’90 who spoke on his gratitude and admiration for every Veteran and member of the Survivor Community in attendance.
Attendees were then offered a tour of West Point starting in the Mess Hall. The tour brought a lot of stories and memories being told by the Old Grads and the spouses. A sense of community and support continued to show throughout the day. The tour continued with stops at Arvin Gym, where attendees were shown the Crandall Pool, the Class of 1979 Rock Wall, and the boxing room; and at Jefferson Hall, where they spent time examining the collection in the Ring Case and on the Class of 1975 Terrace.
After the tour, attendees were welcomed back at WPAOG’s Herbert Alumni Center’s Great Hall for dinner. Adorning each high-top table was a card from students at AOG’s CONNECT program thanking the Veterans for their service. DGA Recipient Kathy Hildreth ’83 gave the evening’s remarks. Hildreth discussed what it means to be a Veteran and how she has continued to serve after transitioning back to civilian life.
The night ended with the attendees heading up the hill to Christl Arena for a very special Army West Point Men’s Basketball game versus Duke, as former player and coach Mike Krzyzewski ’69 (Coach K) was in attendance. “It’s Veterans Day, and I just want to thank all our service men and women and their families [for the] sacrifices they’ve made to protect the values of our great country,” said Krzyzewski.
Learn more about the Survivor Community.
(Photos by Justin Conti)
