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Month: May 2010

Why We Remember–Memorial Day

Published on May 29, 2010

There is a cartoon that circulates annually this time of year. With a picture of a young boy at the table and hands in prayer position and a set of dog tags in the opposite corner, the cloud reads, “Thanksgiving is a day we take pause to give thanks for the things that we have. Memorial Day is the day we set aside to give thanks to those who fought for the things we have.”

Memorial Day evokes for many, memories that run a myriad of deep emotions. On this Memorial Day, please remember in your thoughts and prayers, service members past, present and future.

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Honored Role (part 18): 2nd Lt. Taneshina Wright – Body & Mind

Published on May 21, 2010

This is the 18th installment in the Honored Role Series.

Saturday’s graduation at West Point will mark 30 years since the first women joined “the long gray line” of graduates of the storied Military Academy. During the commencement exercises, Taneshina Wright will take the oath of a commissioned officer and become a Second Lieutenant in the U.S, Army, a goal seven years in the making.

Of the 119 women who entered on July 1, 1976, 62 graduated four years later in the class of 1980, the first West Point class to include women. The class of 2010 will graduate 135 women of the 181 who entered four years ago. Wright is one of 27 cadets who previously served in the Army.

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Honored Role (part 17): Maj. Candice O’Brien – One Step at Time

Published on May 7, 2010

This is the 17th installment in the Honored Role Series.

In Kindergarten Candice O’Brien started running the 1/8th of a mile loop around her elementary school in Muscatine, Iowa. Each time she finished ahead of all the other kids—girls and boys. Although she ran for fun, she did not want anyone to beat her.

From a family of mid-western educators, Candice planned on attending Drake University in her home state and studying journalism. When she learned of West Point, the challenge and scholarship it offered, she applied.

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