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

Page 26 text:

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H iOT 3 s e: ' €W!i iH V ■ l vf ' ' J vJ ' v ' l ' t ' ?t ' ! if !fvt V ; l i tjf ' J ' vt ' I - V ir« - T p» - , f r sci ; RidiiKj ' {cademy After a casual inspection of the inscription on the base of the monument we move slowly along Diagonal Walk until the Sally Port of North Barracks be- comes visible through the trees. Due to its comparative newness this apartment house extraordinary is of course, not as rich in tradition as its older sister, but its mute divisions could tell nevertheless a tale of moments sad and glad, of gaiety and mirth, of dour days and dull, ' ' if given voice. Situated in either half of this million dollar dormitory, finished in neither rosewood nor mahogany, were the meeting rooms of the two upper classes, Mahan and Church Halls, the latter a popular retreat in the days of King Arthur, when Friday evening privileges were in order. In this fictional tour, the crusty colonel of to-morrow (ambition is limitless as June approaches) halts within sight of the Gym, scene of his most strenuous undergraduate endeavors whether he willed so or otherwise. This structure sug- gestive of strength in all its lineaments saw him through his awkward efiforts to master the intricacies of Koehler ' s evolutions and later was a silent witness to his crowning moment of grace — waltzing to the closing strains of Army Blue. During the winter months it was the center of extra-curricular activity; particu- larly was it a favorite gathering place on Saturday. The afternoon ' s athletic [»j j yfijjw j|4. Vj;v JT riir Tr r r r E r

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tf.-if4f ' ir S fb ■tr l jr f ■ t t ' ' ' tf l l Al tr t; lr lf t l ' i ' lr ' ! v ¥ Cull II ni Hall carnival and the evening ' s movie show provided ahnost his entire entertainment and relaxation from the galling grind of seemingly endless hours of spec. How lustily, we reflect, did the rival yells of ' 24 and ' 25, ' 26 and ' 27 boom out across the main floor on the night of indoor meet, the biggest expression of interclass spirit of the season. As we near the stiff up grade which inevitably evoked a stout blasphemy on icy Sabbath mornings, the most striking scenic efifect which the Post alifords, greets the eye. Looming large and majestic, the Chapel edifice, a fine example of pure Gothic, thrusts its towers into the blue. From the vantage point of its north portal can be enjoyed as fair a vista of hill locked countryside as the far- famed Hudson Valley has to ofTer. Within, the sense of the beautiful is further enhanced. Contrary to the snatches of precious slumber we often stole while seated with our fellows during service, the atmosphere of this sanctum never failed to awaken a spirit of reverence. Our four years in toils knew no higher inspiration than when to the reverberation of a mighty organ, the choir rendered the closing stanza of the Corps. Though no vestige of ritualistic detail nor quotable passage of the Holy lessons delivered from its altar remains, there does . Tiveniy-three j j jp.j j; jl it y; ' 4 j; j;