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West Point
Society
of the
District of Columbia
and the
National Capital
Region
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History of the Society
The
West Point Society of the District of Columbia has a relatively short history.
Nevertheless, the dedicated work of many West Pointers in the Washington area
has enabled the Society to become a strong organization with a comprehensive
program and growing membership. Today, it is the largest of the 120 West
Point Societies worldwide.
The
actual genesis of the West Point Society of the District of Columbia emerged
after World War II. Before the
war, very few officers had been stationed in Washington; thus roots were not
established here, and Washington was not considered by many as a place for
retirement. In the late 1940s, most USMA graduates in the area were still
on active duty, moving in and out on a regular basis, and, while here, tending
to be busy in their Pentagon or other local assignments. A number of graduates, however, saw a need for an organized
group in the Washington area to further the Academy's goals and values.
A
healthy debate ensued about the wisdom of creating such a group.
Some felt it would be perceived as a “ringknocker” society and
should not be established. Others
favored creating one but for different reasons.
Still others saw it as a good way to maintain contact with fellow West
Pointers, both active and retired, and stressed either the social or the
post-retirement job placement advantages of such a body.
Many considered it an excellent way to help recruit outstanding young
men as future cadets. Among this
latter group were those particularly interested in recruiting athletes.
A few felt that all of these goals could be well served by the
formation of a West Point Society of the District of Columbia.
The
1951 cheating scandal at the Academy proved to be a major catalyst.
Faced with considerable adverse publicity in the Washington news media
about USMA, its sense of priorities, and its honor system, many graduates felt
the time had come to form an organized body of alumni and former cadets who
could convey a more accurate picture of the Military Academy and its important
role.
Thus,
the West Point Society of the District of Columbia was launched in the early
1950's with a mere handful of members but with the basic structure that still
exists today,
Although
many individuals helped bring the Society into existence, Ben Castle '07, and
his strong right-hand man, Pete King '30, were the “founding fathers.”
John Schulz '08 and Willet Baird '26 joined them as the first officers of the
Society. And, certainly, Fred
Irving 'l7, from his position as Superintendent, provided strong influence and
support. Through the years, a number of distinguished graduates have served as
the Society’s president. Among these are: Castle ‘07, Irving Apr ‘17,
Eddleman ‘24, King ‘30, Polk ‘33, Collins ‘38, McCaffrey ‘39, Greene
‘41, Camm Jan ‘43, Smith ‘48, Scott ‘48, Griffith ‘49, Raiford
‘52, McNair ‘55 and Saint ‘58.
The
annual Founders Day Dinner became the centerpiece of Society activities.
Luncheons, with prominent speakers, were soon added.
Recruitment of high-quality young men from local schools for admission
to USMA was actively pursued. Membership
grew slowly, to about 3OO by the early 1960's.
Late in that decade a major membership drive more than doubled the
number, which stood at about 800 by 1970.
Among
efforts undertaken to expand membership were two special projects.
One was the inauguration of a Newsletter, providing members information
on upcoming Society and USMA activities and other items of interest. As it
evolved, the newsletter contains many items of interest to the membership and
usually runs eight pages. The
second was the Directory, intended as another means of solidifying the
camaraderie among West Pointers living in local communities. The Directory is
published every two years and runs some 240 pages, and is the most complete
and comprehensive directory of all the 120 West Point Societies directory of
members. In addition to the alphabetical listing of the membership, there are
sections which list members by class, by industry, and by advanced schooling.
It is an excellent tool for those transitioning to the civilian sector.
Today,
as at its beginning, the Society's objectives are to lend support to the
United States Military Academy, conduct programs to attract the highest
caliber of candidates for admission, and provide a social focus for graduates
and former cadets in the greater Washington Metropolitan area.
To
achieve those objectives, the Society -
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supports
the local Admissions Program with 45-50 admissions each year.
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presents
the Maxwell D. Taylor Leadership Award to the top graduate in military
leadership at the USMA Preparatory School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.
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presents
annually the Castle Memorial Award and the Distinguished Member Awards
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conducts
an active career advisory service to help members in job searches.
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hosts
luncheons capitalizing on the availability of notable speakers in the
area; hosts the annual Founders Day Dinner; hosts the Army-Navy Luncheon
and Rally the Wednesday before the game with an array of distinguished
speakers.
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hosts
two golf tournaments each year; the Black-Gold-Gray in the Spring and
the Army vs. Navy in the fall.
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provides
scholarship funds to AOG for special programs.
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donates
funds to USMA in support of the Cadet Clubs.
Our
2001 membership stands around 1,800, although some 4,000 USMA graduates and
former cadets live in the greater Washington Metropolitan area.
The Society hopes to reach more of these potential members to encourage
their participation in its significant activities.
Communication
between the Society's Board of Governors and its members has been excellent
through the years, with the Board considering many suggestions that members have
offered concerning programs and improvements.
Inasmuch as a number of USMA classes have monthly or quarterly luncheons
of their own, there apparently is also a great deal of communication within
class groups. Members of the Board
of Governors welcome opportunities to make short presentations to these groups
and to receive their comments, suggestions, and criticism.
In
1995, the Board of Governors expanded the formal title of the Society to West
Point Society of D.C. and the National Capital Region to reflect the larger
demographic area encompassed by the membership.
The original title will continue to be used in most correspondence.
The
address of the Society is: West Point Society of D.C., 4348 Autumn Olive Court,
Amissville, VA 20106. The Society
telephone number is (703) 237-7958 and the home page on the internet is at
www.wpsdc.org.
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