so my subject today is numbers numbers and West Point now since you first
and West Point now since you first
and West Point now since you first arrived here as a cadet you’ve been
arrived here as a cadet you’ve been
arrived here as a cadet you’ve been surrounded by numbers 47 what months at
surrounded by numbers 47 what months at
surrounded by numbers 47 what months at the academy but some of you might get to
the academy but some of you might get to
the academy but some of you might get to stay a little longer
stay a little longer
stay a little longer 78 million what gallons in lost gross of
78 million what gallons in lost gross of
78 million what gallons in lost gross of are there you go
are there you go
are there you go okay two thousand two hundred and forty
okay two thousand two hundred and forty
okay two thousand two hundred and forty what names on battle monument right for
what names on battle monument right for
what names on battle monument right for the first east twenty-eight in the but
the first east twenty-eight in the but
the first east twenty-eight in the but days till graduation
days till graduation
days till graduation aha there we go we even have a first
aha there we go we even have a first
aha there we go we even have a first captain at West Point come on work
captain at West Point come on work
captain at West Point come on work that’s a number but today I’m gonna
that’s a number but today I’m gonna
that’s a number but today I’m gonna highlight a number that I think is a
highlight a number that I think is a
highlight a number that I think is a little different you may not have heard
little different you may not have heard
little different you may not have heard about it before
about it before
about it before but I believe symbolizes the unspoken
but I believe symbolizes the unspoken
but I believe symbolizes the unspoken bond that connects all West Point
bond that connects all West Point
bond that connects all West Point graduates with each other and this place
graduates with each other and this place
graduates with each other and this place but many of you probably not thinking
but many of you probably not thinking
but many of you probably not thinking about numbers right now you’re thinking
about numbers right now you’re thinking
about numbers right now you’re thinking about graduation and you can’t wait to
about graduation and you can’t wait to
about graduation and you can’t wait to see West Point for the last time in the
see West Point for the last time in the
see West Point for the last time in the rearview mirror
rearview mirror
rearview mirror because this place causes stress their
because this place causes stress their
because this place causes stress their stress caused caused by an instructor
stress caused caused by an instructor
stress caused caused by an instructor there’s always stress caused by attack
there’s always stress caused by attack
there’s always stress caused by attack and then there’s stress caused by a
and then there’s stress caused by a
and then there’s stress caused by a coach or a combination of all three but
coach or a combination of all three but
coach or a combination of all three but we see old grads coming back year after
we see old grads coming back year after
we see old grads coming back year after year continuing to come back to this
year continuing to come back to this
year continuing to come back to this rockbound Highland home as the song says
rockbound Highland home as the song says
rockbound Highland home as the song says and why they return I believe is the
and why they return I believe is the
and why they return I believe is the essence of what it means to be a West
essence of what it means to be a West
essence of what it means to be a West Point graduate because on these grounds
Point graduate because on these grounds
Point graduate because on these grounds the bonds of comradery trust and respect
the bonds of comradery trust and respect
the bonds of comradery trust and respect were and continue to be forged by a
were and continue to be forged by a
were and continue to be forged by a combination of what I call the three P’s
combination of what I call the three P’s
combination of what I call the three P’s persons place and purpose charles davies
persons place and purpose charles davies
persons place and purpose charles davies class of 1815 summed up best speaking at
class of 1815 summed up best speaking at
class of 1815 summed up best speaking at the first annual reunion in 1870 he said
the first annual reunion in 1870 he said
the first annual reunion in 1870 he said the graduates are bound together the
the graduates are bound together the
the graduates are bound together the living and the dead are the tender
living and the dead are the tender
living and the dead are the tender sympathies of an ingenuous youth by the
sympathies of an ingenuous youth by the
sympathies of an ingenuous youth by the strong ties of a noble profession the
strong ties of a noble profession the
strong ties of a noble profession the undying love
undying love
undying love and country are the annual gatherings at
and country are the annual gatherings at
and country are the annual gatherings at the place we honor and love so much 43
the place we honor and love so much 43
the place we honor and love so much 43 graduates were here for that first
graduates were here for that first
graduates were here for that first reunion and it’s thousands of done sense
reunion and it’s thousands of done sense
reunion and it’s thousands of done sense I’ll bet you could hear the same
I’ll bet you could hear the same
I’ll bet you could hear the same question over and over again do you
question over and over again do you
question over and over again do you remember the time when we fill in the
remember the time when we fill in the
remember the time when we fill in the blank threw up after the IOC T move the
blank threw up after the IOC T move the
blank threw up after the IOC T move the navy’s tax office onto the plane pulled
navy’s tax office onto the plane pulled
navy’s tax office onto the plane pulled an all-nighter i had to rush and sprint
an all-nighter i had to rush and sprint
an all-nighter i had to rush and sprint the social building turning our papers
the social building turning our papers
the social building turning our papers snuck off post to go to benny havens
snuck off post to go to benny havens
snuck off post to go to benny havens nearly drowned in plebe swimming
nearly drowned in plebe swimming
nearly drowned in plebe swimming survival swimming how did we all get
survival swimming how did we all get
survival swimming how did we all get through this well of course they like
through this well of course they like
through this well of course they like you and everybody got through because of
you and everybody got through because of
you and everybody got through because of each other it’s no secret the deep bonds
each other it’s no secret the deep bonds
each other it’s no secret the deep bonds take hold when faced with tough
take hold when faced with tough
take hold when faced with tough challenges and particularly people like
challenges and particularly people like
challenges and particularly people like the Corps of Cadets when you face those
the Corps of Cadets when you face those
the Corps of Cadets when you face those challenges together because here those
challenges together because here those
challenges together because here those same bonds also connect through the
same bonds also connect through the
same bonds also connect through the ranks of the long gray line with the
ranks of the long gray line with the
ranks of the long gray line with the ghostly assemblage of past generations
ghostly assemblage of past generations
ghostly assemblage of past generations for example each year in Florida a group
for example each year in Florida a group
for example each year in Florida a group of graduates clean and maintain the
of graduates clean and maintain the
of graduates clean and maintain the gravesite of Henry ole flipper why do
gravesite of Henry ole flipper why do
gravesite of Henry ole flipper why do they do that
they do that
they do that nobody asked them to none of them knew
nobody asked them to none of them knew
nobody asked them to none of them knew flipper they were all born long after
flipper they were all born long after
flipper they were all born long after flipper had died they know that flipper
flipper had died they know that flipper
flipper had died they know that flipper went through the same rite of passage
went through the same rite of passage
went through the same rite of passage they did here in this place only his
they did here in this place only his
they did here in this place only his experience at West Point was no question
experience at West Point was no question
experience at West Point was no question much tougher or consider this nearly 30
much tougher or consider this nearly 30
much tougher or consider this nearly 30 years after the Civil War on a cold
years after the Civil War on a cold
years after the Civil War on a cold February day former Confederate General
February day former Confederate General
February day former Confederate General Joseph II Johnston said stood hatless in
Joseph II Johnston said stood hatless in
Joseph II Johnston said stood hatless in the freezing rain for over an hour
the freezing rain for over an hour
the freezing rain for over an hour at the funeral he was a pallbearer of
at the funeral he was a pallbearer of
at the funeral he was a pallbearer of former Union General William to come
former Union General William to come
former Union General William to come some Sir William Tecumseh Sherman the
some Sir William Tecumseh Sherman the
some Sir William Tecumseh Sherman the sleet and cold that day caused Johnson
sleet and cold that day caused Johnson
sleet and cold that day caused Johnson to catch pneumonia
to catch pneumonia
to catch pneumonia and as Johnston Lay Dying a few days
and as Johnston Lay Dying a few days
and as Johnston Lay Dying a few days later he merely said if he Sherman had
later he merely said if he Sherman had
later he merely said if he Sherman had been in my place he would have done the
been in my place he would have done the
been in my place he would have done the same
same
same now all of us know that this place on
now all of us know that this place on
now all of us know that this place on the Esther and the s-curve of the Hudson
the Esther and the s-curve of the Hudson
the Esther and the s-curve of the Hudson River and below Storm King Mountain is
River and below Storm King Mountain is
River and below Storm King Mountain is iconic this place is the granite gothic
iconic this place is the granite gothic
iconic this place is the granite gothic buildings this place is the green
buildings this place is the green
buildings this place is the green athletic fields and the peaceful West
athletic fields and the peaceful West
athletic fields and the peaceful West Point Cemetery but let’s be honest this
Point Cemetery but let’s be honest this
Point Cemetery but let’s be honest this place is also the area this place is
place is also the area this place is
place is also the area this place is also the cadet in the red sash this
also the cadet in the red sash this
also the cadet in the red sash this place is also taking boards in math
place is also taking boards in math
place is also taking boards in math class and it’s also taking that step off
class and it’s also taking that step off
class and it’s also taking that step off the 10-meter platform and Crandall pool
the 10-meter platform and Crandall pool
the 10-meter platform and Crandall pool these core experiences some remain
these core experiences some remain
these core experiences some remain purely symbolic established reference
purely symbolic established reference
purely symbolic established reference points that connect generations of grads
points that connect generations of grads
points that connect generations of grads every member of the long gray line has
every member of the long gray line has
every member of the long gray line has felt the icy wind whipping plain every
felt the icy wind whipping plain every
felt the icy wind whipping plain every member of the long gray line has felt
member of the long gray line has felt
member of the long gray line has felt the pounding headache of a tar bucket
the pounding headache of a tar bucket
the pounding headache of a tar bucket jammed down on a summer parade every
jammed down on a summer parade every
jammed down on a summer parade every grad every member of the long gray line
grad every member of the long gray line
grad every member of the long gray line has known the board of guard duty and
has known the board of guard duty and
has known the board of guard duty and some and a hundred other many ordeals
some and a hundred other many ordeals
some and a hundred other many ordeals that cadets have experienced in some
that cadets have experienced in some
that cadets have experienced in some form literally for centuries here at
form literally for centuries here at
form literally for centuries here at West Point taken together all these
West Point taken together all these
West Point taken together all these experiences and more are the basis for
experiences and more are the basis for
experiences and more are the basis for the respect and bond that graduates have
the respect and bond that graduates have
the respect and bond that graduates have for one another and their alma mater so
for one another and their alma mater so
for one another and their alma mater so this fusion this fusion of the 3 of 2 of
this fusion this fusion of the 3 of 2 of
this fusion this fusion of the 3 of 2 of the 3 p’s of persons the Corps of Cadets
the 3 p’s of persons the Corps of Cadets
the 3 p’s of persons the Corps of Cadets with the place has found its way into
with the place has found its way into
with the place has found its way into many of the songs we sing grip hands
many of the songs we sing grip hands
many of the songs we sing grip hands with us now though we see not grip hands
with us now though we see not grip hands
with us now though we see not grip hands these words from the Corps are spoken to
these words from the Corps are spoken to
these words from the Corps are spoken to those of the Corps long-dead the bond of
those of the Corps long-dead the bond of
those of the Corps long-dead the bond of respect extends backward and forward
respect extends backward and forward
respect extends backward and forward across generations it transcends the
across generations it transcends the
across generations it transcends the visible world our consider the last line
visible world our consider the last line
visible world our consider the last line of the alma mater live serve and die we
of the alma mater live serve and die we
of the alma mater live serve and die we pray West Point for thee West Point
pray West Point for thee West Point
pray West Point for thee West Point itself is animated with a spirit all the
itself is animated with a spirit all the
itself is animated with a spirit all the poetry the songs and O’s are summarized
poetry the songs and O’s are summarized
poetry the songs and O’s are summarized in three words
in three words
in three words duty honor country the Academy motto the
duty honor country the Academy motto the
duty honor country the Academy motto the Corps the alma mater the cadet prayer
Corps the alma mater the cadet prayer
Corps the alma mater the cadet prayer the honor code have all become spoken
the honor code have all become spoken
the honor code have all become spoken lore of of a people about West Point
lore of of a people about West Point
lore of of a people about West Point expressions of men and women from all
expressions of men and women from all
expressions of men and women from all across the country and what they think
across the country and what they think
across the country and what they think about each other in this place we got
about each other in this place we got
about each other in this place we got one more
one more
one more that third P purpose here here’s what
that third P purpose here here’s what
that third P purpose here here’s what happened the US Military Academy one at
happened the US Military Academy one at
happened the US Military Academy one at one point was at risk of being closed
one point was at risk of being closed
one point was at risk of being closed you see during the Civil War it came
you see during the Civil War it came
you see during the Civil War it came within a few votes in Congress of being
within a few votes in Congress of being
within a few votes in Congress of being closed because many believe that because
closed because many believe that because
closed because many believe that because of the some cadets and some graduates
of the some cadets and some graduates
of the some cadets and some graduates had gone to Fort fight against the Union
had gone to Fort fight against the Union
had gone to Fort fight against the Union and the War of the rebellion it should
and the War of the rebellion it should
and the War of the rebellion it should be closed that West Point the national
be closed that West Point the national
be closed that West Point the national institution had lost sight of its
institution had lost sight of its
institution had lost sight of its purpose to produce leaders for the
purpose to produce leaders for the
purpose to produce leaders for the National Defense to help counter this
National Defense to help counter this
National Defense to help counter this claim George Cullen who was soup during
claim George Cullen who was soup during
claim George Cullen who was soup during the Civil War class of 1833 published a
the Civil War class of 1833 published a
the Civil War class of 1833 published a collection of biographies and all West
collection of biographies and all West
collection of biographies and all West Point graduates and included both
Point graduates and included both
Point graduates and included both military and civilian accomplishments it
military and civilian accomplishments it
military and civilian accomplishments it was the first edition of the register of
was the first edition of the register of
was the first edition of the register of graduates in his preface he said he
graduates in his preface he said he
graduates in his preface he said he hoped the biographies of the long gray
hoped the biographies of the long gray
hoped the biographies of the long gray line would be his last legacy to alma
line would be his last legacy to alma
line would be his last legacy to alma mater and her numerous sons and proved
mater and her numerous sons and proved
mater and her numerous sons and proved the usefulness of West Point as a noble
the usefulness of West Point as a noble
the usefulness of West Point as a noble national institution he also assigned
national institution he also assigned
national institution he also assigned each grad beginning with the first an
each grad beginning with the first an
each grad beginning with the first an 1802 a permanent number perhaps the most
1802 a permanent number perhaps the most
1802 a permanent number perhaps the most important number at West Point
important number at West Point
important number at West Point let’s get back to purpose it is our
let’s get back to purpose it is our
let’s get back to purpose it is our North Star and makes West Point unlike
North Star and makes West Point unlike
North Star and makes West Point unlike any other institution in the country the
any other institution in the country the
any other institution in the country the oath on our day slightly restated in the
oath on our day slightly restated in the
oath on our day slightly restated in the affirmation day and then taken as an
affirmation day and then taken as an
affirmation day and then taken as an officer graduation is the root of it all
officer graduation is the root of it all
officer graduation is the root of it all this subordination of oneself to higher
this subordination of oneself to higher
this subordination of oneself to higher purpose the noble purpose as Charles
purpose the noble purpose as Charles
purpose the noble purpose as Charles Davy said is believed who is I believe y
Davy said is believed who is I believe y
Davy said is believed who is I believe y ou grads the people gather in this place
ou grads the people gather in this place
ou grads the people gather in this place to honor those who have
to honor those who have
to honor those who have just to laugh with classmates who helped
just to laugh with classmates who helped
just to laugh with classmates who helped get them through this place now why not
get them through this place now why not
get them through this place now why not tell you this well upon graduation
tell you this well upon graduation
tell you this well upon graduation you’ll be given a diploma whose design
you’ll be given a diploma whose design
you’ll be given a diploma whose design was approved by Sylvain astaire column
was approved by Sylvain astaire column
was approved by Sylvain astaire column number 33 what you will not hear in any
number 33 what you will not hear in any
number 33 what you will not hear in any speech that day is you will also be
speech that day is you will also be
speech that day is you will also be given your own column number no one will
given your own column number no one will
given your own column number no one will have your number it will be distinct
have your number it will be distinct
have your number it will be distinct from that of Joseph e Johnston column
from that of Joseph e Johnston column
from that of Joseph e Johnston column number five five three class of 1829 who
number five five three class of 1829 who
number five five three class of 1829 who stood in the rain paying respects to his
stood in the rain paying respects to his
stood in the rain paying respects to his former adversary William Tecumseh
former adversary William Tecumseh
former adversary William Tecumseh Sherman column number one zero two two
Sherman column number one zero two two
Sherman column number one zero two two class of 1840 and your columnar would be
class of 1840 and your columnar would be
class of 1840 and your columnar would be seventy thousand higher than that of
seventy thousand higher than that of
seventy thousand higher than that of Henry Oh flipper column number two six
Henry Oh flipper column number two six
Henry Oh flipper column number two six nine zero class of 1877 the first
nine zero class of 1877 the first
nine zero class of 1877 the first african-american graduate of West Point
african-american graduate of West Point
african-american graduate of West Point and it’ll be forty thousand numbers
and it’ll be forty thousand numbers
and it’ll be forty thousand numbers higher than Donna ilish white class of
higher than Donna ilish white class of
higher than Donna ilish white class of 1980 holds the lowest column number
1980 holds the lowest column number
1980 holds the lowest column number assigned to a woman it will signify your
assigned to a woman it will signify your
assigned to a woman it will signify your place in the long gray line your first
place in the long gray line your first
place in the long gray line your first East will walk off the stage at my key
East will walk off the stage at my key
East will walk off the stage at my key stadium owning a column number of five
stadium owning a column number of five
stadium owning a column number of five digits beginning with seven two at the
digits beginning with seven two at the
digits beginning with seven two at the bottom of the ramp an old grad will
bottom of the ramp an old grad will
bottom of the ramp an old grad will greet you he walked down graduation ramp
greet you he walked down graduation ramp
greet you he walked down graduation ramp fifty years ago his column number starts
fifty years ago his column number starts
fifty years ago his column number starts with 26 he will proudly hand you a set
with 26 he will proudly hand you a set
with 26 he will proudly hand you a set of lieutenant bars and say well done
of lieutenant bars and say well done
of lieutenant bars and say well done that’s when you become a full-fledged
that’s when you become a full-fledged
that’s when you become a full-fledged member of the long gray line and you
member of the long gray line and you
member of the long gray line and you will receive the bond of trust and
will receive the bond of trust and
will receive the bond of trust and respect from everyone who’s graduated
respect from everyone who’s graduated
respect from everyone who’s graduated from West Point now you may be in the
from West Point now you may be in the
from West Point now you may be in the Army for a few years or a few decades
Army for a few years or a few decades
Army for a few years or a few decades but you will forever be a member of the
but you will forever be a member of the
but you will forever be a member of the long gray line the expectation of the
long gray line the expectation of the
long gray line the expectation of the bond is simple is that whenever you can
bond is simple is that whenever you can
bond is simple is that whenever you can you return to this place and remember
you return to this place and remember
you return to this place and remember the persons that you were and are and
the persons that you were and are and
the persons that you were and are and you reflect on the purpose of what
you reflect on the purpose of what
you reflect on the purpose of what George column called this noble
George column called this noble
George column called this noble institution while vowing to support yet
institution while vowing to support yet
institution while vowing to support yet and each other
and each other
and each other now personally I continue to believe
now personally I continue to believe
now personally I continue to believe that being a West Point graduate and
that being a West Point graduate and
that being a West Point graduate and servant or nation is the most noble
servant or nation is the most noble
servant or nation is the most noble thing you can do in your life because it
thing you can do in your life because it
thing you can do in your life because it has been for me
has been for me
has been for me so from column number 33 822 class of
so from column number 33 822 class of
so from column number 33 822 class of 1976 I encourage each of you to go out
1976 I encourage each of you to go out
1976 I encourage each of you to go out and embrace your number do what you can
and embrace your number do what you can
and embrace your number do what you can with your classmates and other grants to
with your classmates and other grants to
with your classmates and other grants to help keep this place strong for a few
help keep this place strong for a few
help keep this place strong for a few generations be proud of your decision to
generations be proud of your decision to
generations be proud of your decision to serve our nation be proud of your place
serve our nation be proud of your place
serve our nation be proud of your place in the long gray line thank you
in the long gray line thank you
in the long gray line thank you [Applause]
”
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