A West Point Day

Today was a day to tour the U.S. Military Academy(West Point). We drove to the visitor center, located just outside the post, in the small town of Highland Falls. Boy, those 9/11 attacks have really destroyed the free access Americans had previously enjoyed to various sights. To see any of the sights we've seen the last few weeks, we have had to remove everything from our pockets and pass a more stringent screening than we do for the airport. The only way to see any of West Point now is by a tour bus with a tour guide. You must stay with the guide so you only see what the short tour will allow.

Our stops included the newest Cadet Chapel (there are several chapels of many faiths), the cemetery and Trophy Point. The organist was practicing several numbers for a Friday event in the chapel so that was a treat. The organ is the largest pipe organ in any church in the country! On this next Tuesday, the 1200 newest candidates for admission arrive to begin their basic training program..Those who successfully complete basic will become plebes.
We next stopped at the cemetery and the "old" chapel. The old chapel, constructed in 1837, was moved from its original location to make room for the current Library. Embedded in the walls are cannons captured from our adversaries we fought in our numerous wars. Also on the walls are plaques honoring all the Generals in the Revolutionary War, including Benedict Arnold, for his success at Saratoga, even though his treason was perpetrated right at West Point. He had agreed to surrender the West Point garrison to the British for a sum of money.
We were surprised to recognize so many of the West Pointers buried there. Some of the names included Lucius Clay(Commander of the Berlin Airlift in '48), William Westmoreland,( Commander in Viet Nam Mac V), Ed White(1st American Space Walker, died in Apollo 1 fire with Chafee& Grissom), Winfield Scott(Commander Mexican War), Robert Anderson(Commanded Ft. Sumter), and of course Lt. Col. George A Custer(Custer's Last Stand at Little Big Horn). Custer was a Brevet General in the Civil War. There were many more names recognizable, but we don't have enough room to list them here. "ALL GAVE SOME; SOME GAVE ALL."

We moved from the cemetery to Trophy Point, overlooking the Hudson River. This point is named for all the trophies (captured artillery pieces) displayed here. It's also where many Cadets propose marriage. Just below this point is the location Washington choose to place a huge floating barrier of chain and logs. It was designed to be adjusted with the river flow and tidal changes, and was removed in the winters and reinstalled each spring...The Brits never tested it! The photo shows a few of the actual links from the chain.
We left West Point after having a quick lunch at McDonalds. By the way, this McDonalds DELIVERS to the West Point dorms!!


We found yet another building that was "Washington's Headquarters" while he was encamped in Newburgh, New York. How many Headquarters have we seen now? Can you remember? I can't. Did you know Martha traveled with him? She lived here also.


While leaving Newburgh, we stumbled upon a real treat! There is a Karpeles Museum located in this little town! There are a number of items on permanent display but today they have a traveling exhibit of Einstein's Original letters and papers of his Theory of Relativity, along with several original papers belonging to Faraday and Newton. For those of you unfamiliar with the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums, please go to www.karpeles.com to learn more about what this eccentric gentleman has collected and accomplished by spending his wealth on some items that you wouldn't believe would have ever been offered for sale. He owns and exhibits some unique documents/letters, etc.