Our Visit to West Point Military Academy

Oct 17, 2016 was a "long-awaited day" for some in our Missionary Group! It had been mentioned . . . And considered by the previous Activity Coordinators--the Rogers. But there had been an excursion to this "historical" place before. So they were waiting for "newer" people to express interest in going up there. Well, there is a Missionary couple who travel down from West Point each Thursday to serve a shift in the Temple. The Riedlers are serving a Military Relations Mission--assigned to West Point, New York. Elder Riedler was a Cadet at West Poin t and was one of the first Cadets to ever be allowed to "interrupt"their training/schooling there, to serve an LDS MISSION, and still be able to return as resume his admission there. Elder Riedler had mentioned to E Grimley, another Temple Missionary and "retired" National Guard military man, that if our Group weíre interested in coming up to West Point, he would love to get them "through the Gate" and take them on a tour. So--E. Grimley mentioned it to E Mumford and--the planning began!! Pres & Sister Bench, who will become Temple Pres & Matron here in just a few weeks, were the ones we had to clear this Activity  with--and they thought it was a wonderful activity for those interested. The Grimleys offered to help with the "details"-- including taking a "dry run" up to that area by train to get the logistics of what would be needed. They were invaluable in this--actually purchasing the tickets and getting the Itinerary/Schedule of train stops and station changes. They also worked out with Riedlers the details of getting our Group from the last train station into private vehicles and traveling to the Post, the "tour" led by Riedler and then lunch in their home, prepared by Sister Riedler. Everything worked out so well--including the weather! A beautiful Fall day with the foliage not quite at it's "peak of change" but so colorful nonetheless. Our Group of 14 Missionaries left our Apartment lobby early Monday morning, Oct 17th, to go to Penn Station and catch the NJT train to Secaucus and then change trains to get to the Harriman station/stop where the Riedlers met us, along with a Sister Crandall, who had offered to use her vehicle to help transport us to Post. We had traveled up one side of the Hudson River and then on our return home--we would travel on the other side of the river--back to Grand
Central Station in NYC. The Tour led by E Riedler was so interesting and filled with his knowledge and experiences there as a Cadet. What happened at West Point during the Revolutionary War?
West Point is located on a plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River approximately sixty miles north of New York City. In 1781, George Washington called the fortified site “the most important Post in America,” and he worked to keep Patriot control of West Point throughout the Revolutionary War.
Today the U.S. Military Academy at West Point is over 4000 strong and continues to supply the U.S. Army with leaders of character. In concert with the increasing role of minorities and women in society, greater numbers of minorities and women have entered and graduated from the Military Academy. Their presence has enhanced the quality and maintained the traditional representativeness of the institution.

Academy graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving a minimum of five years on active duty. The Academy, with its long and noble history, remains an energetic, vibrant institution that attracts some of the best and brightest young men and women. It offers a challenging and comprehensive array of opportunities while retaining its enduring commitment to Duty, Honor, Country.

We took "many pictures" of which I will now include in this narrative. Thanks to E & S Grimey for making these available to us.

Missionary Group photo at Camp Buckner--where Cadets do their outdoor training in the summer

More fall colors along the highway heading to West Point

From top-- L to R: statue of General George Patton (a cadet at WP); our Group just outside of Michie (Mikee) Stadium--where Army football team plays; beautiful view of the Hudson River from campus; on Michie Field; our Group in front of Riedlers home on Post; statue of George Washington; boat dock on the Hudson; Statue of General Dwight D Einsenhower (a cadet at WP)

Looking across Hudson River--fall foliage beginning to change

Our Missionary Group

From L to R: Ray Smith ( temple volunteer), S Kathy Thompson, S Melba Grimley, (her husband, E Terry Grimley, is our Photographer), S Diane Adams, E Golden Adams, E John Harris, ScElaine Holloway, E Richard Holloway, E Riedler, S Dee Ann Buchanan, E Bob Buchanan, S Mary Huntington, E Ric Huntington, S Carol Mumford, & E Ron Mumford

Inside Cadet Chapel

At entrance to Cadet Chapel

Flags on display in the Mess  Hall 

The Mess Hall  is MASSIVE--can seat and feed over 4,000 Cadets in 15 minutes! 

Mural in one of the 4 wings of the Mess Hall 

Area where the Army football team is seated in Mess Hall 

Cadet housing--sign is in honor of a Cadet who played on football team--who was killed in a car accident this season. All games are played in his honor for this Season 

Facing the Parade Field from the stands 

More views across the Hudson River

Above and below

E Rieder talking about the huge link of chain that "stopped" the British ships from overtaking this important Military  outpost during the Revolutionary War

Beautiful colors!! 

Monument that is made of marble--very sturdy! 

Omar Bradley Hall 

Our group outside the Riedler home on Post after a nice lunch prepared by S Riedler

Michie Field/Stadium ( pronounced Mikee) where Army plays their college football games 

Abner Doubleday Baseball Stadium (he was the inventor of baseball)

We so enjoyed this visit to such a historical place!! We were treated so well and the tour was amazing!  Elder Riedler is truly a "wealth"  of information spiced with his own experiences as a Cadet. He has retired as a full Colonel and is now helping the 64 LDS cadets who are among the 4,000+ Cadets in the 4 classes attending this Miliary Academy. ( along with Sister Riedler, who keeps one of the  fridges  in their home " for Cadets" stocked with food they can access at any time and fixes Sunday meals  for those who do not have a dinner invitation that week. The Ward is supposed to help feed these young people--as the Mess Hall s closed after "Sunday Brunch"-but one is always without a place to go (that is a lot of young people to find a dinner appointment for each week!!). Thank you, Elder and Sister Riedler for your examples of service. . . And for taking time to help us experience West Point MA.