West Point is the home to American civil engineering. The nation’s first professional engineers were graduates of West Point. The Army Corps takes their insignia from our host’s old dorm room building. Engineering students occupy a key part of West Point’s campus.
Mrs. Martin was met at Washington gate – and denied entry. No civilians – our mistake. Once cleared for entry she was given the treatment of a General’s wife with curbside parking. Our host thought it appropriate that she occupy the spot normally reserved for cars of the future. Per agreed.
Bade of honor.
My hosts old dorm room is at the corner of the fabled hall. The building jetting out at the right is Eisenhower Hall.
Looking up the Hudson River from West Point.
A chain segment was laid across the Hudson River by George Washington’s army to prevent British warships in Lake Champlain from sacking Manhattan. West Point is the longest continually occupied army post in America.
My father took me to see “Patton,” the Academy Award winning film for Best Picture. I’ve been a fan since. The famous bombastic general stands guard outside West Point’s library. He was a 4 star general but a 5 year student – rare at West Point. He’s looking down the Hudson River over a statue’s shoulder of his boss, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ike was not a great student either, getting demerits for smoking and gambling. That’s why I like Ike.
We were on a need to know basis. I’ll never know who this military man was, but he loved the Hudson. He jumped out of a Cadillac SUV looking upper brass. I thought someone called him Colonel – Ike’s rank as the Big Duce was breaking out. He said in a veteran officer’s way, “My grandfather had a 49′ Hudson too.” He snapped a photo and was driven off.