Better that than 50-something years of manufactured "tradition" and some Soviet architecture!
Long Blue Line?
SOVIET architecture? I think not...
I'm "guessing" you're referring to the famous Nike Jesus Missile System (search this one for internet lore...)
Supposedly in the '60's a reporter asked a USAFA cadet why there were 17 spires on the chapel?
The cadet in the FINEST traditions of the service, and understanding fully that a reporter probably wasn't interested in the finer designs styles of a modern chapel, as opposed to some monolithic relics of the middle ages, explained fully why there were 17 spires.
"Sir...there are 12 spires, one for each of the apostles in the Bible, they are placed there in reverance."
What about the other 5 he was asked?
"Sir...the other 5 are for the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
There endeth the interview.
As for "manufactured" tradition...well, when you're late to the dance I suppose anything you do that's original would be considered "manufactured" by the old and the stodgy.
Of course, we DID break with "manufactured tradition" of yellow rings and modernize with white gold...oh, rings? Did I say we had them from day ONE while our esteemed senior service academy had them after...what....33 years?
(Let's give them credit though, they were the FIRST US University to have them)
Nah...we just saw what we liked from our counterparts, took those as examples, and then of course we made them better!
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
(Silver Anniversary Class)