Duty, Honor, Country

"A-Ten-Hut! Double time...March! Momma Momma don't you see...the baby's life is for me! Left...right...left," exclaimed David as he mimicked a drill instructor singing cadence for young cadet, William Noel LaCombe.

The U.S. Military Academy is a mere twenty-minute drive from our new house. So, last weekend we piled into our car and drove along the most scenic route to West Point. The view of mountains and the Hudson River was spectacular.

We took a one-hour tour of the Academy - visiting the Cadet Chapel, the million-dollar view, and monuments to great figures in our military history.

David was touched by one of the Academy's traditions - a candle remains lit in the Cadet Chapel for armed forces personel missing in action. The candle is stationed in a pew - the seat is always left vacant...waiting for the lost men and women to return home.

Will was great during the tour. He listened intently and seemed to respond to the pulse of the campus. It's hard not to experience a sense of reverence (even as an 11 month old) when at the place where so many important people have walked.

Who knows what school William will choose or what work he'll ultimately do. Regardless of his choice, we hope that he'll be positively impacted by growing up near the legendary U.S. Military Academy.

Dismissed!

Candle lit for missing service personnel at the Cadet Chapel.

The million-dollar-view of West Point over looking the Hudson.