Old Grad Question

buff81

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Tossing around graduation gift ideas for DS.
Class pistol and saber are at the top of the list.
Thoughts about either or other suggestions?
Did you get a graduation gift that you are now really glad that you have?
Trying to separate what a parent thinks is cool v what a cadet would really like to have.
Thanks.
 
A new car :smile:.

I didn't get anything for my graduation, but I didn't care as I was just glad to graduate.

I actually got my parents a cadet saber.

My class didn't have a class pistol.

A class pistol might be cumbersome right now unless you want to store it for your DS. When I PCSed with my POWs, I moved them with me. Not sure how I would have handled it if I had to do an OCONUS PCS.
 
There's a class pistol??

I was recently surprised to see that USCGA has one as well, at least they do for 2013. No one knew anything about it last year.

2013USCGAPistol_thumb.jpg


https://secure.west-point.org/uscga-pistol/
 
We had a request to use the Coast Guard emblem on a firearm come through my office once.

Request DENIED.


Of course, the person denying the request was a civilian who had never fired a gun in her life.

"Do we really want the Coast Guard's symbol on a gun?"

"Um, we do tell our people to CARRY GUNS!!!"
 
There's a class pistol??
Yes - two to choose from:
http://tinyurl.com/b5gp666

A new car :smile:.
Seed money for a Roth IRA.

Cow loan took care of all those.
Was thinking more in terms of something he could keep that would be special to him.

I didn't get anything for my graduation, but I didn't care as I was just glad to graduate.
Starting to feel the same after seeing several Firsties being separated right now. :eek:

I actually got my parents a cadet saber.
Now, I like that idea. Will have to drop that hint. :wink:
I have heard of sabers being bought for Firsties to have for the Graduation parade and Graduation. That way, their saber is actually one they used for Graduation.

My class didn't have a class pistol.
I'm not sure when they started the Class Pistol program. It is a fundraiser for the WP Pistol Team.
 
Now, I like that idea. Will have to drop that hint. :wink:
I have heard of sabers being bought for Firsties to have for the Graduation parade and Graduation. That way, their saber is actually one they used for Graduation.


I'm not sure when they started the Class Pistol program. It is a fundraiser for the WP Pistol Team.

We had a class pistol for 2001.

Good idea to buy a red sash as well. One less thing to turn in!
 
That’s really cool that USMA and other service academies do class pistols and sabers, I was unaware. I think they would be cool to own, but how practical would they really be? And why not just ask DS what he wants? :wink:

You think they’ll have them for class of 2017?
 
Those pistols are beautiful! Even if its not practical it's another thing that a graduate could store as a memento. If I go and graduate with the class of 2017 I'd definitely want one (not just for display, either) even if it meant storing it for several years.
 
I am a grad. Call me non-sentimental, but I would have preferred $$ in my Roth IRA as someone mentioned earlier. It is the gift that keeps on giving!
 
I am a grad. Call me non-sentimental, but I would have preferred $$ in my Roth IRA as someone mentioned earlier. It is the gift that keeps on giving!


Depends on, don't underestimate the investment value of colletiable guns

Class of 2002 pistol was listed for $2099

http://www.gunsamerica.com/94722763...West_Point_Class_Pistol_2002_Bicentennial.htm

Class of 2005 was offered for $790 through West Point Pistal Team.

If we assume 2002 pistol was sold at $2099, the purchase price was $800, we are talking about 9% return tax free.

A good thing about investing in a collectable gun is that it will survive any market crach and actually use it to defend your home, if needed.
 
Re: Grad gift ideas

I am one of the ones who was just glad to graduate and see Thayer gate in my rear view mirror.

I was also one the many cadets (new Lts) who got married immediately after graduation. Graduated 25 May, married 27 May at the Catholic Chapel. Both our families helped with the wedding and graduation craziness - that was enough for me :smile:

I also bought 2 new sabers one for my wife to be as well as one for my parents. They liked that ...it's still on their wall back home. On the topic of sabers - our class had the opportunity to buy our issued sabers we used all year... I did that and my 2010 son used it at times while a senior. I got it back from him when he deployed and hopefully will be able to do that again with number 2...
 
And why not just ask DS what he wants? :wink:
I did but he doesn't necessarily know what will be meaningful to him in the future.

I am one of the ones who was just glad to graduate and see Thayer gate in my rear view mirror.

I was also one the many cadets (new Lts) who got married immediately after graduation. Graduated 25 May, married 27 May at the Catholic Chapel. Both our families helped with the wedding and graduation craziness - that was enough for me :smile:

I also bought 2 new sabers one for my wife to be as well as one for my parents. They liked that ...it's still on their wall back home. On the topic of sabers - our class had the opportunity to buy our issued sabers we used all year... I did that and my 2010 son used it at times while a senior. I got it back from him when he deployed and hopefully will be able to do that again with number 2...

Great ideas to think about.
Thanks! :thumb:
 
as a USMA 01 grad i spent 13 years regretting and searching for my class pistol... I found my white whale 2 years ago and started the West point Class Pistol Project to commemorate our 15th anniversary as well as acting as the Pistol Recovery Team.. we have designed and started ordering this rendition.
 

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Besides pistols and sabers (both excellent), graduation day is sentimental but with a busy week and not much sleep, details can be hard to come by - recommend a shadow box that includes a flag (possibly the one from their oath ceremony when they pin or have it flown over your state capital/US capital on graduation day - the MOC can make that happen usually), and then put in the butter bar they are given (usually from the 50 or 30 year affiliated class), a program from the ceremony, and anything else you find memorable that they can look back on fondly as the memories fade. Personally, I remember getting up way too early that day, standing in the rain (class of 2001 got rained on for everything) and then getting roasted in the humidity when the sun came out while Paul Wolfowitz dragged on way too long about I can't even remember what in his speech. I don't hardly remember much else after tossing my hat, except backing my truck into a pole in central area trying to get out of there too quickly...not sure where those butter bars are anymore, flag finally found a case years later, there may be some other mementos in lock boxes, foot lockers (sitting at my parents house to this day), or various boxes spread across two continents...22 year olds typically aren't sentimental or don't care to organize those things that look awesome on your love me wall as a conversation piece years later...
 
as a USMA 01 grad i spent 13 years regretting and searching for my class pistol... I found my white whale 2 years ago and started the West point Class Pistol Project to commemorate our 15th anniversary as well as acting as the Pistol Recovery Team.. we have designed and started ordering this rendition.
If you want an '01 pistol I have an extra I'd be willing to discuss parting with.
 
As for a regular gift...the saber is good. Otherwise, you can buy their diploma frame for them. A trip can be nice, too. Memories outlast anything you can hang on your wall.
 
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