I'm not one to step into the political furore of a Presidential address coupled with mass troop movement announcements and added to that controversy over where political addresses such as these should be done - but I was struck by the scene of all those troops lined up awaiting their Commander in Chiefs news on Tuesday night.
We skipped up to West Point only the other week to watch the Army Football - "Go Army!", and were similarly struck by how those troops could stand (in the rain) en mass for the duration with such cheery demeanour. I suppose its all part of the 'building the team' deal that goes on in the military - remember GI Jane & an Officer and a Gentleman?
This was my second trip to West Point - the first being a complete mistake when, as a graduate, I'd worked on a summer camp in upstate NY one summer and taken a weekend to visit some buddies in Long Island. Granted this was before Sat Nav was invented, but needless to say my map reading skills were not at their best and after 3 solid hours driving my cohort and I drew up to the West Point gates where we were charmed to find that we were in fact at the ubiquitous seat of military learning and nowhere near our actual destination!
West Point itself is a freaky place - hidden amongst the New England shrubbery, a small town behind barriers but once you get there a stunning mix of architecture, tradition and endless views of fall trees turning - they even have camouflage trees...
So, Washington or West Point, troops in or troops out, whatever your point of view, spare a thought for those guys living their dream as cadets.
No comments:
Post a Comment