West Point was teeming with visitors as cadets and their families and friends reconnected during a picturesque fall weekend.
The U.S. Military Academy staff and cadets welcomed families and friends Friday through Sunday, as more than 1,200 guests signed up for the 2022 Family Weekend.
“This was for all classes of cadets and their family members and friends. It was not just limited to parents specifically because we noticed, several years ago, that it wasn’t just parents that showed up, it was other family members as well,ˮ said Debra Dalton, the Parent Communication coordinator. “There were many things for families and friends to see while visiting their cadet here on West Point this weekend.ˮ
With the help of many volunteers and several months of planning, this year’s Family Weekend was able to take place.
The first day began as the sun rose over the Hudson Valley. Volunteers arrived early to greet the families and friends with maps, information, refreshments and warm smiles on a cool morning outside the Jefferson Hall Library.
Families could visit the library, all the academy stores in Thayer Hall, the Cadet Uniform Factory and the Simulation Center. If guests made prior arrangements, they could enjoy meals with their cadets inside the Cadet Mess Hall in Washington Hall.
“Again, there were lots of different things for parents to see and do,ˮ Dalton explained. “The gymnasium, the barracks, the Army Sports Hall of Fame and the library, which is just an amazing treasure trove of information and people. These people are here to support the cadets through their learning experience.ˮ
Dalton explained how vital collaboration and teamwork were in planning and executing Family Weekend.
“This event was really a team effort to get everybody together to help put our best foot forward,ˮ Dalton, the primary planner for this event, said. “We were all excited to showcase what cool things their Cadets and our staff do here on these historical grounds.ˮ
For a parent like Thomas Ward II, traveling by train to West Point from Mississippi was worth it because of the opportunity to learn America’s history. Now that part of his family history is here; the trip is all more special.
“It is such a delight anytime you can walk on this beautiful historic campus, but now our family has another reason to be proud to come here and that’s because our family has real history here,ˮ Ward II said.
Class of 2024 Cadet Thomas Ward III said he wanted to come to West Point to challenge himself mentally, physically and spiritually. He added that having his dad here for Family Weekend meant the world to him.
“I wanted to serve our nation because service was very important to me,ˮ Ward III said. “Having someone who supports you in your goals and dreams inspires me to keep going and going.ˮ
Dalton mentioned that because of COVID, the academy could only partially host these events.
“Things have slowly begun to open back up, and Family Weekend was designed to bring faculty, staff, cadets and families together for a weekend,ˮ Dalton said. “Families get an opportunity to experience the life of a cadet with special activities such as presentations, tours, live music, performances including some cadet clubs at historic Trophy Point.ˮ
The West Point support services representatives were available in the Thayer Hall rotunda outside Robinson Auditorium throughout Friday, including chaplains, the Center of Personal Development, the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program, Military and Family Life counselors and other resources.
The 61th Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Steve W. Gilland, and his staff, including the Dean and U.S. Corps of Cadets leadership team, gave a brief presentation in Robinson Auditorium at Thayer Hall.
On Saturday morning, cadet leadership, faculty and staff showcased their drill and ceremony skills during a Double Regiment Review and a Parachute Team demonstration on The Plain.
If you had tickets for the big game, guests later cheered on the Army football team as they claimed victory over the University of Louisiana at Monroe, 48-24.
“Family Weekend was the perfect opportunity for our community to come together and reconnect after a great start to the fall 2022 semester,ˮ Dalton said. “We also had an opportunity to witness the variety of talents, skills, intelligence and athleticism from our cadets. There were games from the soccer, lacrosse, hockey and sprint football teams this weekend.ˮ
To wrap up the weekend’s festivities, guests were able to take a Hudson River boat ride with Dr. Jon Malinowski, USMA professor of Geography, down at South Dock.
“This was an opportunity for families to come in and see our people, talk to staff and better understand the interesting dynamic here at West Point,ˮ Dalton said. “We want the families and friends to feel good knowing their son or daughter’s choice to be here is the right one.ˮ
For more information on the 2022 Family Weekend schedule, visit https://www.westpoint.edu/parents/family-weekend.
For more photos of the event, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/west_point/albums/72177720303078237.