WEST POINT – To the cheers of hundreds
of proud family members, the more than 1,200 members of the United States
Military Academy’s class of 2019 completed a 12-mile hike, in full
gear, walking up the last long hill and past the Superintendent’s
residence. The march marked the end of the grueling six weeks of “Beast
Barracks” training.
This is not a new experience for Denise VanBuren, a Central Hudson executive
who is watching her second son join the elite Long Gray Line.
This time, six years later, is a bit different. She has been in touch
with her son.
“We have, and I’ll have to tell you, that is a big difference
between the six years of when my oldest [who] graduated in 2013, compared
to this experience,” VanBuren said. “We had opportunity to
speak with him on the phone three times.
His spirits have been very good. He’s challenged. He’s exhausted,
but he’s loved every minute of everything that is offered to them
here.”
Linda Wright was also waiting, but not for her son.
— “I’m waiting for my husband,” Wright said. “He’s
a Class of 1966 West Point and he’s marching back with the new class.”
New cadets end “Beast Barracks” with the March Back on
Monday
In fact, a large a large contingent of elder grads traditionally marches
in following the new cadets.
Senior Cadet Eugene Coleman of Alexandria, Virginia, is the First Captain
of the Corps of Cadets for the 2015-2016 academic year, achieving the
highest position in the cadet chain of command.
For Coleman, it is the culmination of growth as a cadet and as a person.
“I’ve learned a lot about my leadership style,” Coleman
said. “I think that’s probably one of the most important things
I’ve learned. You don’t always have to yell at people or be
an authoritarian in order to get things done. Probably better to act to
be more personable, understanding on a human level, and that’s usually
the best way to get things done. And, that’s what I’ve learned
most, here, from the Academy.”
The cadets will spend the rest of the week organizing before their formal
acceptance on Friday, and the start of classes next Monday.
