Mules and Riders
Dad was a Mule Rider his Plebe year (1953-1954). The Army Mules are trained by cadet Mule Riders, a part of the Spirit Support Activity of the U.S. Corps of Cadets. The Class of 57 and Dad would have known Pancho "Skippy", Bud (aka Hannibal I), K.C. Mo, and Trotter.
THE ARMY MULE
SINCE 1899 THE MULE HAS BEEN THE WEST POINT MASCOT PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF THE CORPS OF CADETS.
MULES WERE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE ARMY IN THE LATE 1800s THROUGH WORLD WAR I.
WHILE NOT REGULAR CALVARY MOUNTS, MULES WERE USED EXTENSIVELY TO PULL SUPPLY WAGONS, CAISSONS, AND ARTILLERY PIECES.
MULES ARE STRONGER, MORE SUREFOOTED, MORE INTELLIGENT AND EAT LESS THAN HORSES.
RIDING MULES LIKE "HANNIBAL" WERE USED BY MOUNTED GUARDS AND BY MESSENGERS.
HANNIBAL (249-183 B.C.) WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST MILITARY LEADERS OF ALL TIME.
"HANNIBAL" WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL WEST POINT MASCOT. HE SERVED THE CORPS OF CADETS FAITHFULLY FROM 1947-1964.