4th of July at West Point

ten042

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Mar 25, 2016
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Are there "special events" on the 4th of July that parents might enjoy? R Day is July 3, and obviously our DS will be busy with his "Beast Barracks", but I began to wonder if West Point has some 4th of July festivities that we could attend. Not sure if we are allowed to attend anything on the campus if we are not accompanied by someone, but thought I'd ask just in case. It seems like a special place to spend the 4th of July!
 
Are there "special events" on the 4th of July that parents might enjoy? R Day is July 3, and obviously our DS will be busy with his "Beast Barracks", but I began to wonder if West Point has some 4th of July festivities that we could attend. Not sure if we are allowed to attend anything on the campus if we are not accompanied by someone, but thought I'd ask just in case. It seems like a special place to spend the 4th of July!
Funny. I was just wondering the same thing. I was looking into flights and we had planned to leave the day after R-day and then realized its the 4th of July. Now I'm wondering if they're going to have something we wouldn't want to miss. Hopefully someone on the forum has the answer.
 
Don't come out for the 4th of July - there will probably be some kind of event for the New Cadets, but they are forbidden from making contact with any non-Cadets/ Army personnel, so you'll be unloading lots of money for nothing.
 
Don't come out for the 4th of July - there will probably be some kind of event for the New Cadets, but they are forbidden from making contact with any non-Cadets/ Army personnel, so you'll be unloading lots of money for nothing.

I should have mentioned R Day is July 3. Many of us will already be on campus July 3. I do know that my son will not be available to visit, nor do I want to stalk him! I just really like the campus and before I book my plane tickets, I want to be sure I am not missing out on anything that might be cool to attend on the 4th.
 
In past years, the West Point Band has held a Fourth of July concert and fireworks at the bandshell at Trophy Point that is open to the public, (and is attended by some pretty miserable-looking plebes). Looking at the band website, it looks as if it might be held on the 8th instead this year; suggest you confirm before booking tickets.
 
There is generally an excellent Independence Day concert at the band shell, with fireworks. The new Cadets are marched in wearing whites over gray, looking sharp. This past year they had a concert I think on A-day weekend, and we attended. It was a good show, and the fireworks were amazing. My son really enjoyed the 4th of July concert, and welcomed the rare opportunity to relax and enjoy. The public is welcome , and it fills up in a big way, so get there early.
 
As pointed out, the concert at Trophy Point. You can watch your cadet march out, but no contact.
 
So, if I don't have anything to rush home to, maybe I will stay and enjoy the 4th of July at West Point. Sounds like a lovely day/evening in a very special place. Thanks everyone.
 
Doublecheck the dates == right now, the Band's website is blank for Independence Day, showing a concert the following Saturday July 8.
 
The concert will not be on the 4th. I also had hoped to stay for it after being at Rday for a book signing...but the concert will be the following weekend.
 
Regarding R-day and the weeks that follow, parents of new cadets should be advised in general to stay away. I don't think there is a problem just attending the concert, but for sure beyond that you should just stay home. First, you don't want your new Cadet seeing you or thinking you might be there. Second, WP will warn you not to be there and will do what it can to chase you out. But mostly, for yourself you shouldn't be there.

Honestly, that seven weeks between R-day and A-day was very hard. My son and I have been best buddies and spent a ton of time together. When he went to WP that was very difficult. It is hard core, because you don't really hear from them at all, beyond a couple phone calls and in our case a few letters which don't arive until about 2 1/2 weeks after he sent them. We drove home to Michigan immediately after the R-Day oath, and didn't go back till A-Day. Staying for the concert would have been like a smoker who is trying to quit, then hanging out at a bar with a group of smokers the day after you quit.

Last year's concert was supposed to be streamed live, but they had technical problems, but I bet this year's concert will be. The Thayer did a video of all the cadets marching in. It was great, and you get a better look at your kid with that then you would if you were there.

Just my two cents.
 
Well stated brovol. Parents, enjoy r day as it is an amazing experience and after the ceremony on the plain in the afternoon, that is a good time to head on out. Before you know it, a day will be here and then you will get some time to spend with your cadet. Btw...the change in them in that short amount of time is amazing! But get comfortable knowing from here on out, you are going to have very limited time with your cadet so make the most of it! Congratulations and enjoy the ride!
 
Thanks for the thoughtful replies everyone. I really appreciate the insight and direction. Sounds like we, and our son, will be best served by finding 4th of July activities somewhere else, whether that's somewhere else in New York or back home in Texas.
 
Regarding R-day and the weeks that follow, parents of new cadets should be advised in general to stay away. I don't think there is a problem just attending the concert, but for sure beyond that you should just stay home. First, you don't want your new Cadet seeing you or thinking you might be there. Second, WP will warn you not to be there and will do what it can to chase you out. But mostly, for yourself you shouldn't be there.

Honestly, that seven weeks between R-day and A-day was very hard. My son and I have been best buddies and spent a ton of time together. When he went to WP that was very difficult. It is hard core, because you don't really hear from them at all, beyond a couple phone calls and in our case a few letters which don't arive until about 2 1/2 weeks after he sent them. We drove home to Michigan immediately after the R-Day oath, and didn't go back till A-Day. Staying for the concert would have been like a smoker who is trying to quit, then hanging out at a bar with a group of smokers the day after you quit.

Last year's concert was supposed to be streamed live, but they had technical problems, but I bet this year's concert will be. The Thayer did a video of all the cadets marching in. It was great, and you get a better look at your kid with that then you would if you were there.

Just my two cents.

Thank you Brovol. Somehow your "two cents" tends to convert itself into pounds of wisdom and help for others. Neat trick! We all appreciate it.
 
The concert will not be on the 4th. I also had hoped to stay for it after being at Rday for a book signing...but the concert will be the following weekend.
Good point. I just assumed it was, but forgot it's not a Saturday this year. There will be a concert on the 1st for those who arrive a few days early.
 
Thank you Brovol. Somehow your "two cents" tends to convert itself into pounds of wisdom and help for others. Neat trick! We all appreciate it.
No problem.

I will add that from R-day on you will Cherish every moment you have with your Cadet. My son was home this weekend, and we get super excited when we see him, and bummed when we drop him at the airport. There are a lot of opportunities to see your cadet though at West Point, particularly football weekends.

Lastly, as a side note, when you are at an event with your Cadet when the national anthem is played, take a peek at him/her. It still makes me tingle with pride seeing my son salute. If you can find your cadet at the parade on R-day, and even if you can't see him, when they salute for the national anthem, and when the Army goes rolling along is played, I bet you won't be able to hold back a tear. Great memories. And I am a guy that had teared up only three times in the previous 20 years (not counting cutting onions). Just saying....
 
No problem.

I will add that from R-day on you will Cherish every moment you have with your Cadet. My son was home this weekend, and we get super excited when we see him, and bummed when we drop him at the airport. There are a lot of opportunities to see your cadet though at West Point, particularly football weekends.

Lastly, as a side note, when you are at an event with your Cadet when the national anthem is played, take a peek at him/her. It still makes me tingle with pride seeing my son salute. If you can find your cadet at the parade on R-day, and even if you can't see him, when they salute for the national anthem, and when the Army goes rolling along is played, I bet you won't be able to hold back a tear. Great memories. And I am a guy that had teared up only three times in the previous 20 years (not counting cutting onions). Just saying....

We were dropping off our 2020 at the Thayer turnaround after spending time together parent weekend. It was right before they strike the colors for the evening. I was busy getting junk out of the trunk we had bought in town for him when I saw him snap to attention in the direction of the colors and salute. That picture stays with me.
 
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