On Friday evening the Class of 2010 and guests filled Eisenhower Hall to witness members of the the Class of 2010 to receive their class rings.  The impressive ceremony included recognition of the ring donor program contributors in attendance.  The ring donor program melts gold from donated rings from past classes (of which 23 where specifically earmarked for ring for the Class of 2010). The Class of 1960 was recognized for all its efforts as the affiliation’s 50 year class.  The Superintendent, Commandant, Dean and many 2010 members took the time to ask John and I to pass on to all our classmates how important they felt the affiliation program is and how much our class’ efforts were appreciated.  The Commandant told me he felt our class epitomized the Class of 2010's motto “loyal to the end”.

So, gentlemen, turn your rings and count the “days”.

A reception followed the ceremony in “Bening Havens’ at Ike Hall sponsored by our class.  The Ring committee, donors and brass were present.  John Denton spoke on our behalf and used a wonderful analogy to his field of medicine by considering the Ring Donor Program as giving a very special DNA to each 2010 ring.

Saturday evening was the Superintendent’s reception at Cullum Hall, dinner at the Mess Hall and Hop at Ike Hall.  The Class of 2010 in whites and maroon sashes looked great and the drags were all 3.0.  General (Retired) David D. McKiernan, former Commander (ISAF) US Forces Afghanistan gave an inspirational speech at dinner on leadership.  His daughter is in the Class of 2010.  He and almost every speaker over the weekend recognized the Forbes rating of West Point as the #1 college in the USA, the great professional staff training and teaching the cadets, the support of the class parents and our efforts as the affiliation class.

As your representatives at this event the four of us did our best to relate only the “good” stories of the old days. It seems the 2010 members take genuine interest in ancient history.  For example, since we were the last class segregated by height, explanations of what happened to a Runt caught in Flanker area provided philosophical evaluations and questions such as how did the Runt companies ever win a basketball game.

Last year a Firstie asked what branch had I served. I said “Infantry, by choice” and started to offer an explanation of what “by choice” meant. The cadet said I am infantry “by choice too”.   “I signed up for three years in addition to the five year commitment to get infantry branch”.  I understand combat arms slots are filled before 50% of the class has selected.  These men and women are dedicated and will do our country proud.

Both your representative couples had their September 12, 1959 Ring Hop pictures with them to show the Class of 2010 (see below).  However, neither John nor I remember any specific ceremony to get our rings. How did they get distributed????

The coordination and hospitality of Joel Jebb of AOG and Army Captain Katrina Lewison, Class Officer In Charge and the Class of 2010 committee and officers was spectacular and deserves a big “well done”.

No one is talking miracles but the buzz is that the football program is on the road to respectability.  Joel Jebb’s, son, a plebe, is an offensive tackle.  Unlike some past years, the plebe football players were trucked back to Buckner so they could do the March back with their class.