Prologue
Our dad went to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY from 1953 to graduation on the 4th of June 1957. Prior to West Point he attended the University Military School in Mobile, Alabama for Middle and High School. One day in his Grandfather's barber shop, the local Congressional Representative stopped in for a hair cut when our Great-Grandfather mentioned to Laurie C. Battle that his grandson was interested in West Point and if he would support him.
In 1955, dad met our mom and they married at the Old Cadet Chapel on the 4th of June 1957 following a few hours of suspense as to whether or not the class of 1957 would graduate in time for the wedding after they broke ranks during the Graduation Parade on the Plains.
For our young lives, my brother and I were riveted to dad's stories of West Point that seemed shrouded in icons and legend. We trembled from the intensity and stress of dining hall hazing, grilling on Corps facts, 2 minute showers, and nightmares of racing up and down stairs to find the right classroom without being late for a test. We were thrilled hearing about riding the Mules and intense cheering during Army vs Navy football games; then amazed and awed by feats of daring such as parachuting, fencing, boxing and calmer pursuits as singing in the Chapel Choir.
As kids we would sing "Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail, and those caissons go rolling along." then scream out "It's HI! HI! HEE! in the field artillery, shout out your numbers loud and strong, 1, 2, 3, 4".
In the years to come we would frequently hear fondly the names of dad's closest classmates and listen to the vinyl record of General McArthur's 'Duty, Honor, Country' address to the Corps of Cadets. We would thumb through dad's USMA Yearbook and Annuals that were always close by his chair. As sons of a West Point alum, we were always expected to stand straight, keep creases, shine shoes and brass, speak clearly and protect our equipment.
Like Camelot on the hill, these modern knights were forged by fire, dedication, and honor. The bond that those young men forged together at West Point stayed with them for the remainder of their lives. It was a dream to us as young boys, but very real and deep to them.
My brother, Jud, would forge his own path achieving Major as a Military Helicopter Aviator and I would strive to keep true to the creeds; "Do Your Best" and "Rangers lead the way. Follow Me!"
Here's a revisit looking back and looking forward.
Thomas Dan McCrary, Jr
Shaker Heights, Ohio
May 30, 2022
Juddy & Tommy
AIRBORNE All the way!