United States Military Academy West Point - Howitzer Yearbook (West Point, NY)

Page 9 text:

THE I9IZ my i I-IOWITZER -'-'V i .E A ! H. . Hfll Ilgl gillil y .ex -2 K E! Bk. f' vp-N V1 r - I ' K ik, . Apylgzm UIX to day is what eq ip duty was in the days i l of Caesar and before. Honor to4day conveys to the mind of man the same idea as on the day the word was first coined: The exact shade of meaning attached may be different from that rof the Crusaders or the mail-clad chivalry of medimval Europe, but in their day Honor meant something greater in value than life, something enno- bling,uplifting, and so it does f - to-day. The love of Country . is a fire which was lighted in the era in which man and man bandeditogether that they might be more evenly matched in the struggle for existence with the merciless forces of Nature. Around these three words the life of the Academy is centered. They are words which are more closely linked in the mind of ' a soldier perhaps than in that of any other profes- sional man. He cannot escape from them if he would. VVhen the last sad note of Taps', has passed into silence, wistfully as if it were loath to die, whether the stars above look down on him in garrison or in the crowded camp, if he stop to think of the day,s work and to judge fairly he will know if his honor has been kept unsullied and his duty well done. If these things be true then it must follow that he has served his country with the best he had. Most likely, however, he will not think of these things. Either he will have done them or left them un- done according to the spirit that he took to his work. Herein lies the true value of VVest Point. From the day when, untrained and raw, from divers paths of civil life, the young man awkwardly salutes and reports for duty, to the -f- 9 ',

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H Sl I ' Q :X fox 'fx IRG' TH E 1912 My M my I-IOWITZER :J , ! ! ' - ' x. , :F i 495 55- i 'E-5 Lf: : : 1,3 gf? 4 ' ' -as- .sm Y X i -E - S! a way they are symbolic of the aims and visitor they offer a scene of rare beauty purely physical aspect which is grasped and greater conception in store for those ideals of YVest Point. To the chance and impressive grandeur. This is the at first sight. Then there is another who linger to loolc beneath the super- ficial exterior, who stay long enough to feel the influence of an atmosphere pregnant with historic traditions and legends. To the latter class there comes sooner or later a mystic something, invisible, indescribable, yet nevertheless potent and real. VVhat this force may be no one can tell. It may be the men of the Corps long dead who are keeping bright the watchfires of the Academy, kindled in the long ago. It may be the spirit of the Past, bringing home the fame of the men who have made that spirit so glorious, keeping alive in memory an appreciation of their deeds, of the solemn duty they left to those who follow after, of the priceless privilege it is to fol- low where they have pointed the Way. VVhatsocver it may be it is undoubtedly the most valued heritage that the Alma hlater of the Army can transmit to her sons. It a birthright which they may carry with them to the end of life itself and which, if they ever hold in due reverence, and listen to its teachings, will add new lustre to her name. -X E- ' H115- - ir-, xg-1 -LW, -al mn -F ,XC ,Tj Q57 - Q , Q'-1 Q 41 1-5 A if ' xre-:. -u. 2 ig . V, 5.2 , 1. f- Q- 'f2 'v1..'ff 1 Y .. 15221 '5F3::.-ri' - ' 1 x. -,,. 3 ,g,.i V, '- , - , 'le 1,-f Lhnrqw Lk Q 1, - bi' ,,Q?i '2',:.g-ag- ff' , ., i. ,w'4m -4 -' , 'gi n I Q :rar . -, I wwf. 'us--sfzm. Aw , ,af .f ., -, 3 ' 4 iff' J L 'K J.. V- -1' . . f H ' i?'15:-9-ff' -la, 1 ' e 'X Ffa' 'rf' .1 ,AA ,, I .-11' xg '-1, 1 ,N Q my gp-we --.,.,. -, gf- S

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TH E 1912 tlOWlTZER ltd' day when with mingled feel- ings of joy and sadness he watches the stern gray walls fade from view, she labors to create in him a spirit true and high, and so firmly in- grained that it shall abide with him to the end of life. It has been said that no matter how great a man may become in the eyes of the V world he will ever remain a 4' little boy to his mother. All through the years of his childhood she gives ungrudgingly to him of love and care. She watches over and guides him till the time shall come when, a man in years, but still her boy, she sends him forth to battle for the right. The greater part of her work is done. She may sit then with folded hands and watch his future career with maternal solicitude. She prays for him when temptations shall come, shares his sorrow, suffers with him in the days of adversity and her face brightens with joy at his triumph. His every transgression is a thorn in her side, his every triumph is an added jewel in her crown. So it is with the Foster hlother of the Corps. Like a Spartan mother she rules her sons sternly, not with mercy, but with justice, which may be the highest proof of love. To every son she gives without stint all that she has to offer. She opens to him her treasure hoard of wisdom gathered in a century of heroic endeavor. She lays before him the example of other sons, to be comiected with whom, be it in ever so little, is an honor and a privilege. She appeals by- tradition- and exalted ideals to all that is best in his nature. Then she sends him forth to justify her worth in the eyes of men. Through all the years of his service she follows him, reaping honor and glory from his deeds or being wounded to the heart at 10