Legacy Class Update for 2019-BCT and Acceptance
This summer, '73 participated in several events with our 50-year Legacy Class, the Class of 2023. Classmates from as far away as Wisconsin, North Carolina and Northern Virginia joined locals as we talked with parents, participated in honor lessons, attended a couple of parades, marched back from Jack's Valley with the basics, and more.
At In-Processing on 27 June, the new basics were given a special edition of Contrails that identified the Class of 1973 as their legacy class (the term legacy class is used for both '73 and '23). Ron Scott's dedication from '73 was prominently placed in the front of the book, ahead of even the current Superintendent's letter. We also contributed about half of cost of the publication of the Contrails to upgrade the binding. As a result of budget cuts over the years, the quality of the binding had been downgraded to paperback and was so poor that pages were falling out by the end of 2nd BCT. We decided to remedy that for 2023. We weren't able to get the cover embossed as ours was, but we were able to get it published with a hard cover and sewn binding.
As the arriving cadet candidates were kept rather busy during in processing at the Field House by the Academy staff and cadet cadre, we were asked to interact with parents at the AOG's Doolittle Hall. About 10 of us mingled with parents as they wandered among various tents and booths and the Heritage Trail. Many were quite interested in talking with us, especially first-time parents. (I was surprised how many multiple-cadet families there were.) Of course there were a few verklempt mothers who were already missing "little Johnny," as Rich Fazio likes to refer to the generic fledgling who has just left the nest. One über-helicopter mother related she had installed an app on her son's phone that would allow her to see just where he was in the Cadet Area all day long. Don't guess she got the memo that he wouldn't have his phone at all during BCT.
The next day was the Oath of Office Parade. About 20 assorted classmates and family members attended. How things have changed. Instead of the candidates taking the oath in some room on the Terrazzo right after getting their shots, the Academy has turned it into something the parents can attend on the parade field. It was fun watching parents try to identify their son or daughter as they marched by, having had their locks shorn the day before and camouflaged among some 1155 classmates.
On 18 July, eight classmates, including Norty Schwartz, and one wife, Suzie Schwartz, participated in hour-long Honor lessons with the basics. This year's sessions were held during 1st BCT instead of in Jack's Valley as in previous years. Feedback indicated the Academy has some kinks to work out, but the lessons gave us an opportunity to interact directly with individual members of '23.
Second BCT ended on 1 August with the basics marching back from Jack's Valley up to the Cadet Area. Twelve of us accepted the Supt's invitation and made the 5½-mile, 2-hour march with them. After lining the basics' route at the beginning of the march and cheering them on, the grads fell in behind and marched "at the gaggle." Somebody had to bring up the rear, and about half a dozen of us from '73 assumed the position. After marching up the ramp to the Terrazzo, the basics were positioned in front of the Chapel wall, then the grads formed up in front of the class crests in a gap left between the BCT squadrons. After appropriate remarks by the Comm and others and recognition of the grads, we were all dismissed to mingle with the basics for a few minutes. Mike Arnett reports finding Barbarians Squadron, Delta Flight, who were heading to Ninth Squadron, his cadet squadron. Others talked with whomever they found. After a class photo in front of the class crest, we headed out to a cookout at Dave and Sheryl Ellis's.
At In-Processing on 27 June, the new basics were given a special edition of Contrails that identified the Class of 1973 as their legacy class (the term legacy class is used for both '73 and '23). Ron Scott's dedication from '73 was prominently placed in the front of the book, ahead of even the current Superintendent's letter. We also contributed about half of cost of the publication of the Contrails to upgrade the binding. As a result of budget cuts over the years, the quality of the binding had been downgraded to paperback and was so poor that pages were falling out by the end of 2nd BCT. We decided to remedy that for 2023. We weren't able to get the cover embossed as ours was, but we were able to get it published with a hard cover and sewn binding.
As the arriving cadet candidates were kept rather busy during in processing at the Field House by the Academy staff and cadet cadre, we were asked to interact with parents at the AOG's Doolittle Hall. About 10 of us mingled with parents as they wandered among various tents and booths and the Heritage Trail. Many were quite interested in talking with us, especially first-time parents. (I was surprised how many multiple-cadet families there were.) Of course there were a few verklempt mothers who were already missing "little Johnny," as Rich Fazio likes to refer to the generic fledgling who has just left the nest. One über-helicopter mother related she had installed an app on her son's phone that would allow her to see just where he was in the Cadet Area all day long. Don't guess she got the memo that he wouldn't have his phone at all during BCT.
The next day was the Oath of Office Parade. About 20 assorted classmates and family members attended. How things have changed. Instead of the candidates taking the oath in some room on the Terrazzo right after getting their shots, the Academy has turned it into something the parents can attend on the parade field. It was fun watching parents try to identify their son or daughter as they marched by, having had their locks shorn the day before and camouflaged among some 1155 classmates.
On 18 July, eight classmates, including Norty Schwartz, and one wife, Suzie Schwartz, participated in hour-long Honor lessons with the basics. This year's sessions were held during 1st BCT instead of in Jack's Valley as in previous years. Feedback indicated the Academy has some kinks to work out, but the lessons gave us an opportunity to interact directly with individual members of '23.
Second BCT ended on 1 August with the basics marching back from Jack's Valley up to the Cadet Area. Twelve of us accepted the Supt's invitation and made the 5½-mile, 2-hour march with them. After lining the basics' route at the beginning of the march and cheering them on, the grads fell in behind and marched "at the gaggle." Somebody had to bring up the rear, and about half a dozen of us from '73 assumed the position. After marching up the ramp to the Terrazzo, the basics were positioned in front of the Chapel wall, then the grads formed up in front of the class crests in a gap left between the BCT squadrons. After appropriate remarks by the Comm and others and recognition of the grads, we were all dismissed to mingle with the basics for a few minutes. Mike Arnett reports finding Barbarians Squadron, Delta Flight, who were heading to Ninth Squadron, his cadet squadron. Others talked with whomever they found. After a class photo in front of the class crest, we headed out to a cookout at Dave and Sheryl Ellis's.
March Back From Jack's Valley: Aug 1
The next day, 1 Aug, five classmates joined grads from various classes for BCT Heritage Day at Doolittle Hall. The grads took groups of basics on a tour of Doolittle Hall, the Heritage Trail, the Southeast Asia Pavilion and the Plaza of Heroes. If you haven't taken the time to do the tour on your own, you really need to take an hour to do so next time you are in the Springs or at the Academy.
At the Acceptance Parade on 6 Aug we were recognized as the Legacy Class for 2023. Classmate and former USAFA Superintendent John Regni gave an stirring (even for us jaded ex-cadets) speech challenging '23 to excellence modeled by members of our class. Eight of us presented a pristine copy of Contrails, signed by John and the presenter, to the outstanding basic in each of the eight summer squadrons. (Each summer squadron now has five flights, rather than the four we had, and the squadrons have been renamed: Aggressors, Barbarians, Cobras, Demons, Executioners, Flying Tigers, Guts and Hellcats.) About 20 classmates and family members attended the parade and a class cookout at the Academy FamCamp afterward.
It's been a great summer. Everybody has chipped in, so no one has gotten saddled with doing everything. That said, special thanks go out to Bill Diffley for honchoing the Legacy events this summer. As other Legacy Class events are scheduled, details will be shared on the webpage
At the Acceptance Parade on 6 Aug we were recognized as the Legacy Class for 2023. Classmate and former USAFA Superintendent John Regni gave an stirring (even for us jaded ex-cadets) speech challenging '23 to excellence modeled by members of our class. Eight of us presented a pristine copy of Contrails, signed by John and the presenter, to the outstanding basic in each of the eight summer squadrons. (Each summer squadron now has five flights, rather than the four we had, and the squadrons have been renamed: Aggressors, Barbarians, Cobras, Demons, Executioners, Flying Tigers, Guts and Hellcats.) About 20 classmates and family members attended the parade and a class cookout at the Academy FamCamp afterward.
It's been a great summer. Everybody has chipped in, so no one has gotten saddled with doing everything. That said, special thanks go out to Bill Diffley for honchoing the Legacy events this summer. As other Legacy Class events are scheduled, details will be shared on the webpage
