Valley Forge Military Academy - Crossed Sabres Yearbook (Wayne, PA)

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President Lincoln made his Gettysburg Address on November l9, i863 and on this date in l963, a con- tingent of Cadets took part in the remembrance ceremonies at Gettysburg National Cemetery at the request of General Eisenhower, As General Eisen- hower, Governor Scranton and General Baker talked, the Corps remained attentive at Parade Rest, con- scious of one of the great aspects of our country's history. November 22, 1963. The President of the United States is dead! From the moment our radios picked up that first urgent bulletin to the ofhcial confirma- tion of death, an hour later, we all prayed for him, his family, and his country. The only sound on post after T130 P.lvl. was the mournful flapping of Old Glory at half-staff. A special memorial service was held in the Chapel on Monday, in coniunction with President Kennedys funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. General Baker paid tribute to our fallen Chief Executive in an emotional speech to the Corps of Cadets and Faculty, few of whom could resist shedding a tear or two. ln the next two weeks, two special leaves were granted by the Superintendent - for Thanksgiving Day and the Army-Navy Game. ln conflict with the great football classic in Philadelphia on December 7, many First Classmen took their College Boards. Ex- tremely decisive in the intense competition for a col- lege seat, these tests would represent to both the colleges and the Guidance ofhcers the degree of preparedness and the proficiency of the student for college work. The traditional Christmas Vesper Service was held Sunday, December 8th in the Chapel with the Ellis School and Valley Forge Choirs joining voices in a beautiful presentation of l-landel's The Messiah. On the l5th, the Christmas Pageant, directed by Commander Ralph Jones, was presented to the Corps of Cadets and guests. The following night, Television Station WFIL filmed the Pageant for later presenta- tion. The Annual Christmas Pageant.

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To the beat of muttled and draped drums, the Corps of Cadets marches into the Alumni Chapel to pay last respects to the late President John F. Kennedy. John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1917 - 1964 '59ixC.,la.,! . mv' -1 1 r igtyi AM, ff- or Arr, , rw. 455 , Flanked by l864 cannon, the VFMA Corps of Cadets stands at Present Arms at Gettysburg National Cemetery. Regimental Staft and Band precede Corps of Cadets in Parade at Gettysburg. 20 ,.,- A, A on

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Quizzes again! Gleaming faces enioy Alumni Dinner at table with Mr. Glenn George Seybolt, '32, Past Presi- Hqke 33 dent of Alumni Association, as he talks with a group of cadets at banquet. during the Christmas Season. The Gold Star Cadets left tor Christmas Leave on the ioth, tollovved by the Silver Star Cadets the next day, and the Corps lett the campus on the i8th, heade-d home atter three months ot good, honest labor. Time and Tide wait tor no man . . . Our Christmas Leave terminated at 5100 P.M. sharp, Sun- day the 5th of January. The next morning at 6:30, we were eating another Academy breakfast and by 8:00 Shannon Hall was alive again with Cadets scurrying to beat the bugle. The graduating classmen had just adiusted their Neither rain nor snow . . . stop these determined cadets from attending classes.