Attention Texas parents
- Thread starter jbowman55
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- May 13, 2008
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We went last year and it was well worth it! (Hard to believe that my son's plebe year is almost over-- I think you will find that this year just flies by!)
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- Apr 15, 2009
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Gryffinmom - Can you tell us a little bit about what the event was like? Was there time for the kids to get together and meet their future classmates, or was it more of a "sit in the audience and watch the program" type of thing?
- Joined
- May 13, 2008
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Positive Thinking:
I just pulled out the program to refresh my memory. Last year it was at Bowie High School (is it there again this year?) which is a very large high school in SW Austin. The program was in the auditorium. Before it started people registered and got name tags (I think the name tags were already made up and that for the appointees the name of the service academy was on the name tag). There was a lot of milling around and introductions. My son had some friends from other high schools going to other academies so we spent time catching up with the parents, etc. in the foyer. Then everyone went into the auditorium. The choir from Camp Mabry sang and there was the presentation of colors, pledge of allegiance and invocation. Sen. Cornyn made some brief remarks. The keynote speaker was Lt. Gen Dave Palmer, who was the superintendent at West Point in the late 80s. He was excellent (I have heard him speak at other functions and he is always good). Then they introduced all of the appointees by service academy. I think they started out with the Air Force Academy and each appointee was announced (name and hometown). As they were announced, they shook hands with Sen. Cornyn and Gen Palmer and then took their place with the rest of the class for their service academy. At the end, all of the appointees from all of the service academies were standing on the stage. it was an impressive sight. (One thing that I particularly remember was that the guys-- and it was all guys- who were going to the Merchant Marine Academy were huge! It looked a big offensive line up there!) Then the choir sang a armed forces medley and as each song was sung the family members of that academy stood up. Afterward, each appointee had their photo taken with Senator Cornyn and Gen. Palmer and we received a copy signed by Sen. Cornyn some weeks later. During the photo session there were refreshments (cake and lemonade, I think) in the foyer and it was another opportunity to meet people.
Last year they asked for people to RSVP ahead of time-- i think that was just to make sure they had enough refreshments and the name tags. There was plenty of room in the auditorium for any last-minute invitee.
Also, I recall thinking at the time that it being on Memorial Day was particularly moving.
I just pulled out the program to refresh my memory. Last year it was at Bowie High School (is it there again this year?) which is a very large high school in SW Austin. The program was in the auditorium. Before it started people registered and got name tags (I think the name tags were already made up and that for the appointees the name of the service academy was on the name tag). There was a lot of milling around and introductions. My son had some friends from other high schools going to other academies so we spent time catching up with the parents, etc. in the foyer. Then everyone went into the auditorium. The choir from Camp Mabry sang and there was the presentation of colors, pledge of allegiance and invocation. Sen. Cornyn made some brief remarks. The keynote speaker was Lt. Gen Dave Palmer, who was the superintendent at West Point in the late 80s. He was excellent (I have heard him speak at other functions and he is always good). Then they introduced all of the appointees by service academy. I think they started out with the Air Force Academy and each appointee was announced (name and hometown). As they were announced, they shook hands with Sen. Cornyn and Gen Palmer and then took their place with the rest of the class for their service academy. At the end, all of the appointees from all of the service academies were standing on the stage. it was an impressive sight. (One thing that I particularly remember was that the guys-- and it was all guys- who were going to the Merchant Marine Academy were huge! It looked a big offensive line up there!) Then the choir sang a armed forces medley and as each song was sung the family members of that academy stood up. Afterward, each appointee had their photo taken with Senator Cornyn and Gen. Palmer and we received a copy signed by Sen. Cornyn some weeks later. During the photo session there were refreshments (cake and lemonade, I think) in the foyer and it was another opportunity to meet people.
Last year they asked for people to RSVP ahead of time-- i think that was just to make sure they had enough refreshments and the name tags. There was plenty of room in the auditorium for any last-minute invitee.
Also, I recall thinking at the time that it being on Memorial Day was particularly moving.
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- Apr 15, 2009
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- 333
Thanks so much, Gryffinmom! It sounds like a great event! Son wants the chance to meet some of his classmates before plebe summer so he might be able to spot a familiar face or two once he gets there. The event is going to be held at Bowie HS again this year. 
jjohnson55
5-Year Member
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- Mar 12, 2010
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time
can some relate the start time? Our invitation has gone awol.
can some relate the start time? Our invitation has gone awol.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2009
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- 333
It's 1:30-3:30 pm on Monday, May 31, at James Bowie High School Auditorium in Austin. Dress is "business attire".
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- Oct 14, 2009
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We attended this program and thought it was very nice. Gen. Hagee is a very impressive speaker and I think he really connected with the appointees.
I looked at the parents and tried to imagine which of you were there. I wished there was a specific area for USNA parents to gather after so it would be easier to identify each other. I just couldn't bring my self to yell "attention, service academy forum posters!!!" I embarrass my daughter enough!
I looked at the parents and tried to imagine which of you were there. I wished there was a specific area for USNA parents to gather after so it would be easier to identify each other. I just couldn't bring my self to yell "attention, service academy forum posters!!!" I embarrass my daughter enough!