Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"October 25, 2002
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
October
25, 2002
|
| Plebe Peter Mathews (l) poses with mom Dianna and friend Cadet 3rd Class Blake Saksa. Kathy Eastwood/PV |
Abbreviated cadet classes, tours, open houses and special events greeted parents as they arrived at the U.S. Military Academy Oct 18 for the annual plebe-parent weekend.
|
| Cadet 4th Class Duane Carpenter and his fiancee, Christine Williams, share a moment together before they say their goodbyes. Spc. Eric S. Bartelt/PV |
Plebes could be seen everywhere on post escorting their parents and pointing out historical buildings and monuments.
Families got to tour the uniform factory, laundry and attend receptions all the while surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Hudson Valley’s autumn colors.
"It’s awesome. I haven’t seen her since August 17," said Susan Brouse, who drove from Ohio to see Cadet 4th class Stephanie Brouse.
|
| Ed Wagnone, an accounting tech at the USMA Uniform Factory distributes 2006 patches to parents during Plebe Parent Weekend here. The event ran from Oct. 18 to 20. |
"We always look forward to her [Stephanie] phone calls and emails, but there is nothing like seeing her in person," Susan said. "She’s my first to go away and that’s a little tough.
"She’s doing very well so that helps a lot, but you never stop worrying," she added.
At the uniform factory, parents got on long lines to purchase the traditional black parkas and watched as the seamstress sewed on "2006" patches.
"Parents are always interested in how the uniforms are made, especially the details that tell rank," said Raymond Wimmer, a worker at the factory.
|
| Cadet 4th Class Nick Nussdorfer takes a moment to talk with his parents at Grant Hall. |
Parents were also shown various cadet uniforms of the past in a display representing colonial times to the present.
While parents kept their cadets under strict scrutiny, questioning everything from health care to meals, the plebes seemed to take everything in stride.
|
| Cadet 4th Class Jamie Gjurgevich hugs her mother, Jan, goodbye Sunday as Plebe-Parent Weekend wraps up. The family and friends of the Class of 2006 used PPW to see what academy life is like inside the Corps of Cadets. See page 8 for more PPW coverage. Spc. Eric S. Bartelt/PV |
"I don’t have time to get homesick, they keep volunteering me for things," Cadet 4th class Alex Hensley assured his parents, who drove fourteen hours from Indiana to be here.
"It’s quite a change from back home, but I like it," Alex added.
Dianna Mathews was not only able to visit her son, cadet 4th class Peter Mathews, but his best friend, Cadet 3rd class Blake Saksa, whom he has known since birth.
"His mother and I have know each other since before these two were born," Dianna explained.
"It’s great that Pete has some one here to help him through the rough spots," she added. "Although a parent always worries, it eases my mind somewhat knowing his best friend is here."
Although a lot of tearful good-bys were said as the parents left for home Sunday, most of them said they are looking forward to the not too distant future, when young soldiers return home for a few days during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
