by Jonathan Ansley Ward

I visited West Point as part of a family heritage trip.  My family, the Weyants, settled in this area in the early 1700’s; I was visiting to learn more.  My father, from Georgia, had a PhD, and during World War II he ended up teaching at West Point. That’s where he met my mother, Susan-Jane Weyant, of Highland Falls.  

As part of this trip I wanted to see the chapel where my parents were married at the West Point Military Academy.  My cousin David warned me that the grounds were closed to visitors, and my best chance of seeing the Academy was to sign on to a tour.  Well the morning of my planned visit arrived, and for some reason I felt like seeing the sites alone.  Thus, I decided to go to the Visitors Center at the entrance and plead my case.  

I told the receptionists about my mother and father being married there right after World War II, and they gave me a Pass to see the chapel and grounds.  At the entrance, my rental car was thoroughly searched.  Thankfully no weapons were found, and I was in.  I first visited the huge newer chapel, being amazed at its size and beauty.  Then I went to see the smaller, older chapel where my parents married, down by the cemetery.  I wandered through, looking at the memorabilia on the walls, and then sat for a while in the solitude.  Outside, I spent some time walking in the cemetery, reading the headstones – the names and ranks, dates and where served.  

Then I drove down past some athletic fields by the Hudson River and got out again and walked, looking around; it was a quiet Sunday and a good time to reflect and absorb the scene, the beautiful river and awe-inspiring historical place.  I drove up to the large parade grounds bordered by stone gray buildings and statues of famous warriors, notably Generals Washington, Eisenhower, and Patton

I’m the youngest of four children, two older brothers and one older sister.  My teen years were during the Vietnam War.  My eldest brother supported the war, and my other brother did not.  They were exempt from the draft physically as they had had back and knee operations. I was a year or two too young to be drafted.  Many young men and women were being drafted, fighting and dying; 50,000 Americans gave their lives.  And some young people were leaving American to avoid the war.  Thus, it was a challenging time for our country. Later during my college years I never considered enlisting myself.

As I walked on the parade grounds, looking at the statues of great men and the beautiful field, I was wearing shorts, an aloha shirt, flip-flops, and sunglasses.  Approaching me in workout clothes was a very young cadet of perhaps 19 or 20.  I gave him a big smile and said, “GOOD MORNING SOLDIER.”  He lit up and replied, “Good morning sir;” he said it with happiness I suppose at being addressed as “soldier,” and he answered with respect.  

I stopped and sat on a nearby bench, in awe at the commitment and selflessness – this soldier completely willing to give his life for my life, his life for our country.  Needless to say, the respect was due him for his service and commitment.  God bless the soldiers.