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Custer, Calculus and Cadet Ol' SimmonsPosted Wednesday, June 25, 2008, at 4:05 PM
West Point the Un-College
I mentioned previously that I went to West Point for my undergraduate studies. It is a beautiful place nestled into the highlands above the Hudson River about 50 miles north of New York City. It is definitely worth the trip to visit this place, not just because of the beauty of the setting, but to enjoy the rich history of the Academy and the surrounding area. Just go spend a weekend at the Bear Mountain Inn in the fall and drive around the area, you'll understand. The beauty of the place didn't quite strike me for almost a year after I arrived. During that first year I was totally obsessed with staying out of trouble and staying alive. From that first day of July in 1971 until Graduation Day for the Class of 1972 the following spring, I was living on the edge. And when I say on the edge, I mean mentally, spiritually, physically, and, unfortunately, academically. Taking 20 credit hours my Plebe year, for an old dummy like me, was akin to making Mr. Ed race backwards in the Kentucky Derby. I took calculus 6 days a week and to this day I don't understand why. Unless I'm severely mistaken, this old broken down engineer hasn't been tasked to use calculus even one time since he graduated. When I open a calculus book today, I may as well be opening a text on Egyptian hieroglyphics or some sheet music for a rap musician. I don't remember any of it, but I passed and somehow, I graduated. I have often wondered what it would have been like to have gone to college. I've known a lot of people who have gone and I have 2 sons and a daughter who have graduated from college. I've heard a lot of stories about their experiences and it sounds very interesting. I wonder what my life would have been like had I chosen to do that instead of the path that I took. When I hear about people skipping classes it just seems so foreign to me. I never missed a class in 4 years because I couldn't. Missing a class was the same as missing a military formation, an infraction of the rules for which you were severely penalized. Meeting someone for lunch or dinner somewhere wasn't an option either. We had formations for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, attendance was mandatory and we marched in formation to the Mess Hall. Going out of an evening to party sounded like a lot of fun when I heard about various mid-week college get-togethers. Unfortunately, we were confined to the Post and someone checked our rooms at a certain hour every evening. I don't recall any of my kids or friends going to class on Saturday mornings either. I did that for 4 years and in good weather that was followed with a Full Dress Parade on the Plain. After seeing where my kids lived at college, I know they did not undergo room inspections every week by Tactical Officers. My summer vacations were spent at places like Camp Buckner, Camp Sherman, Ft. Benning, Ft. Richardson, Ft. Greeley, Ft. Knox, Ft. Bliss, Ft. Sill, Ft. Carson and Ft. Wainwright. My kids went to concerts and parties. I never had to worry about what I was going to wear to class. Every morning, we just stuck our heads out the window and looked at the uniform flag and we knew what to wear. I definitely didn't have to worry about this poor old Hoosier not dressing as well as the rich kids, heck, we all dressed alike. Back then there were no females at the Academy, so we did all dress alike. I wonder what college life with females would have been like? I guess it is too late to worry about that now. Life is what it is, I led mine down a different road and there's no backing up. The Academy was a wonderful experience and I don't regret going there at all. But if I'm reincarnated, I'm going to the University of South Florida. Go Bulls. If you are so interested, here are a couple of recent articles about the Academy that I found interesting: Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
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For those of you who were curious too, just had to look it up while I was packing, Lee Greenwood was not a Vet, he was Classified 3-A for the draft (Hardship Deferment), because he was married with kids.
I had an old friend call recently who saw the Jazz Ambassadors at Gettysburg about a week ago and his comments were much the same.
Coincidently, the Battle of Gettysburg ended on July 3rd and Custer played an important part in harassing Jeb Stuart's cavalry throughout the battle.
The 4th is here and I'm off to see the Cards/Cubs at Busch and the St. Louis fireworks, which will not be "On the Levee" this year because of the flood waters.
Just curious, was Lee Greenwood a vet?
49 posts- is that a record breaker?
Had the distinct pleasure of seeing and listening to the US Army Field Band's Jazz Ambassadors up in Lafayette last night. The Long Center was SRO, with a decidedly older, patriotic crowd. While jazz is not my personal favorite, the band was very good and the crowd was enthusiastically supportive. At one point they asked for all WWII veterans to stand and there were a few and as you might expect they got the biggest ovation. Then the band played all of the service songs and had the veterans of each one stand. They finished with Lee Greenwood's, God Bless the USA. That song never fails to give me goose bumps, and as we all rose to the words, "I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today", it did again. Happy 4th, everybody!
Great post, Mr. Simmons. A brilliant assessment. That guilt you write about is something we share, though your help and activism with the matter far exceeds what little I seem to be doing.
Hope your 4th is a safe one,and I hope you keep blowing that horn and shinning that bright light of yours for a long time to come.
Mike, it was an Arrow Shirt. Old joke from an old man.
I have a copy of the Declaration of Independence hanging in my living room. It was a present from No. 2 son, Jay, that he bought while on a trip to DC. It is a very special document to me, which was written by some extremely intelligent individuals in a time that we, of this spoiled generation, could hardly understand.
As I read the news, on a daily basis, I am saddened by the deaths of so many young men and women who have volunteered to serve in our armed forces. Patriotism? These folks are the true patriots. I am often ashamed of myself to be living such a good life and having such great times with my family and friends while our country continues to fight a war.
In the 60's we protested against a war that many thought we had no business fighting. Today we are faced with the same dilemma, but we have learned (hopefully) that our protests should be aimed at the administration that makes those decisions and not at our military. Our support for our servicemen and women has been exemplary and rightfully so. But are we really doing enough?
As I email and talk to our sailors in the Gulf, it is evident that they are in good spirits and are truly a well trained and competent bunch of young folks who are dedicated to their jobs. They are a shining example of why this is such a great nation. For these young people and their families, my patriotism is shown in my prayers for their safety and my hope that they come home alive and well.
It is somewhat strange that we continue to celebrate our independence from the King of England, but I know that was only the beginning of being a free and independent nation. When you look around at much of this world, you know that is really something to celebrate.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July weekend. Think of our troops, who are currently deployed in some extremely nasty places, as you celebrate this weekend and be thankful for all that they are doing for us.
C/J, I knew he lost the brother and a nephew. It's been 20 years since I studied the battle; I had forgotten that he had turned the Gatlings down as well. Vulcans were amazing to watch after the sun went down.
What brand of shirt was Custer wearing?
I have had a fondness for the Cutster story myself-- the boy General and all. I just aint been able to finnish reading Son of the Morning Star yet ( I started in 1988).
I feel a lot of the Patriotism we see is just show and is not really from the heart-- and that showiness stuff tends to make those of us who are not Showy uneasy. God's been good to this country and slowly we have turned our backs...
In other talk-- the original signers never really thought anything about JULY 4th being a special day. But then again they put it on the top of the Page didnt they?
"I just about lost a nephew in Bloomfield one night." That would've been terrible, but on the plus side it would've opened up the position of "favorite nephew".
Custer needed the 20th century version of the Gatling, the 20mm Vulcan; the SP version could've kept up with the 7th Cav.
Custer has always been one of my favorite military figures, if only for the priceless joke/riddle about what brand of shirt he was wearing at the Battle.
minermama: having lived through the 60's and the Vietnam era, I think our present-day patriotism is pretty darned good. It could always be better and it's reminders like yours that help keep people from taking our freedoms for granted. Sometimes people just need someone to nudge them in the right direction or someone to lead by example. I second your God Bless America.
I just about lost a nephew in Bloomfield one night.
It is difficult, at best, to determine what was going through Custer's mind, but many historians express the opinion that he thought he would be pursuing the Sioux and that the guns would slow him down.
Turning down the support of a Gatling gun battery was another definite SNAFU. Hindsight is definitely 20/20, but there seems to be lots to criticize at the Battle of the Greasy Grass as the Native Americans refer to it. Did you know Custer lost 2 brothers, a brother-in-law and a nephew at the Battle?
He been disciplined more than once, and I think he was playing for all the marbles. There were people who wanted him to run for President because of his popularity, and this was his chance to end the Indian problem and make every newspaper. There were a lot of things that went wrong at the same time. I'd have never split the unit.
One thing is for sure I know you were a better Cadet than Cadet Custer! and WHAT was he smoking in 1876?
"I really think that he was a much better person than this old fellow..."
I'd wager a years pay that you're wrong on that one.
I'm sorry Mark, I don't even know that guy anymore. I really think that he was a much better person than this old fellow and I'm sure he would have been quite a good interview. I keep asking myself, "What happened to that guy?"
That's a great photo of you and family, Keith. No doubt your father was behind the camera, which says a lot, doesn't it? A conversation with that young graduate would be quite interesting if possible.
I thought I would need typing.. took it. got the basics and then tried to quit before the D's took my GPA off the top 10 --- Mr. Enochs didn't let me get by with my plan.. thus I was the #11 graduate of the class of 80. and I still cant type a letter right or a report LOL but I know the home row!
I'm too old. But thanks for the pep talk.
Hopeanddust.....you have an awesome body.....Yahoo!
Thanks B ball fan. Billiards, huh? I enjoy the game myself, though I am rarely competitive at it. Seems I read somewhere the first balls were carved from ivory...but I don't trust my memory anymore.
Read about the homicide here online.
............
What little calculus I was exposed to did manage to stretch my noggin' a bit-which was a good thing. Wish I could remember it, but it's lost, I think.
I also wish I would have taken typing in high school. I use about 6 fingers, though 2 of them do most of the work. Sigh.
If I could only take the maturity and lessons I've learned so far back with me to a younger man's body...
I agree, CapNick. And the high school course that I use the most was typing, or what they now call keyboarding. My Dad made me take it, (and I hated taking it), but I'm sure glad I did.
I never understood the whole thing about Calculus either. When young folks asked me what college course I used most in my career, I told them, English!!!
It comes in really handy when you have to write a memo or report.
Billiard ball?
...................
Here we are ankle deep in summer 2008. Sure never thought I'd make it...my mother died when she was 48, so when we, my siblings and I, approach our 49th b-day it is naturally fraught with anxiety and apprehension. The gnawing question of "Am I about to expire?" keeps interrupting our daydreams from time to time. And whenever a new little ache or pain registers in our brains we begin to wonder...
As for me I have accepted the way of the flesh. Seriously, I should have died on a 1975 Kawasaki 750 cc 3-cylinder two-stroke back in '77...if there exists such things as personal guardian spirits, then surely mine has had a challenge with me. A few years later I lost a snowmobile through the ice on lake Monroe-the ol' Honda lays there to this day as far as I know. It was a miracle I survived that one. And then there was the time I was on a slow run in my McGreager 26 with my ex and a few friends...thought I had a crew able to handle the boat, but unfortunately after I dove off the side to cool down she just sailed on by...I was pulled from that one by the hands of young man from another boat who heard the screams of my ex when I finally went under from exhaustion and cramps.
Yup, I've had my share of near-death experiences, but they were all self inflicted...you know, a result of my own stupidity.
I've never been in war. No one has ever raised a gun to me; no man has ever held responsibility for my adult life.
I keep thinking about all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice... and my heart aches for the 2008 graduates of West Point.
Custer was someone I would have loved to interview. Obviously fearless and resouceful, I'd want to know why he didn't wait on Gibbons and Terry. I'd ask him why he thought his intelligence was bad while he was in the Crow's Nest deciding to go forward. And why he split his unit. Benteen and Reno, well, I guess they managed to keep their soldiers alive.
I'm just going "what?" well I need a real interpetation before I make a judgement call.. well if I really need to make one..
I did not mean to make light of the above mentioned tragedy. If I offended anyone out there by my spin on the matter, I appologize, and I assure you now that that was not my intent. We normally don't experience that sort of thing here in Greene county.
On a lighter note, B ball fan, I was wondering, what is b ball? Basketball? Baseball? Bowling ball? Bocce ball? Blue ball? Black ball?
Just curious.
A news flash just came in to Mayberry: There's been a homicide just outside the city limits of Mt. Pilot...south off of 59.
Keith, you slipped out before I could thank you. Hope you enjoyed the visit, and hope you have a great time in St. Louis. You might want to take along your snorkle gear, just in case the flood waters are over the top~
The second article that I referenced mentions Nicholas Uhorchak, who is the son of one of my classmates, Dr. John Uhorchak. John was the Chief Surgeon at West Point until just recently when he retired. He also has a daughter, Jacquelyn, who is a member of the class of 2009.
The first comment to this blog, which contained the reference to a bumper sticker, came from my brother, a veteran of the first Gulf War and now a math teacher. I'm not sure what has raised your ire, B ball fan. I just don't get it.
Bballfan: It appears your comments are to me, I'm the only one in this blog that talked about a bumper sticker.
1. I assure you I don't believe I know everything. As a matter of fact, I don't even know what your first sentence means. "...and even knows who does not know anything, ..." ???
2. For the record, I'm fairly certain we rank above all undeveloped countries in math and probably near the middle of all developed ones.
3. Where did the golf team comment come from? I don't see any other mention of golf in this blog. Also for the record, I've never cut a 5th grader from a golf team. Not even a 6th grader. And I stated in some earlier blog that I didn't like cutting the 7th & 8th graders that I had to cut.
4. The bumper sticker comment was a joke. Not an original one, nor necessarily all that funny, but a joke, none the less.
Now, if all the comments weren't to me, or they were made in jest, you win.
That 2nd link made my stomach tight and my eyes moisten. Damn it.
Great blog and links, Keith.
The Man He Killed ~Thomas Hardy
"Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin!
"But ranged as infantry,
And staring face to face,
I shot at him and he at me,
And killed him in his place.
"I shot him dead because --
Because he was my foe,
Just so -- my foe of course he was;
That's clear enough; although
"He thought he'd 'list perhaps,
Off-hand like -- just as I --
Was out of work -- had sold his traps --
No other reason why.
"Yes; quaint and curious war is!
You shoot a fellow down
You'd treat if met where any bar is,
Or help to half-a-crown."
I read them all because I love the ideas that each of you propose and the differing view points which are expressed so eloquently.
Most of the time when I write these articles, I present them in a very lighthearted manner because it is just my nature to do so. It is strange to me the paths that these blogs take from time to time, but that is what makes them so interesting. The reading of any written passage provokes so many different thoughts and emotions from the various readers based on their preconceived notions and ideals. That is what makes for good conversation and for good blogs.
It is easy to have your feelings drift towards melancholy at the thought of war, especially in times of war. I often find myself being very sore at myself and my friends for having such a good time, while others are offering their lives for our freedom.
Our troops, who put themselves in harms way on a daily basis in that infernal region of discontent, shoulder the burden for all of us and should be admired above all. However, it is important to understand the burden of our military's leadership as well, for it was not they who decided that we must make this fight, but are duty bound to support this decision.
From the day you step on that path towards being a leader of men in battle, you are cognizant of the immense responsibility for those lives of everyone who serves in your command. Whether you are a young platoon leader on the front lines with 100+ individuals counting on your decision making abilities in the face of severe adversity or a high level commander responsible for the lives of thousands, it is an extremely tough burden to bear. There are sons and daughters, wives and parents, friends and lovers, waiting nervously and anxiously back home for the safe return of our servicemen and those in command must shoulder that responsibility while at the same time accomplishing their mission.
It is a tough hand dealt to all who serve and it saddens me to think that the condition of our world demands it.
The freshman was working on an advanced algebra problem and I was not able to help-- you know the stuff that they teach you before they let you in the real water--- I had slipped that far.
I was trying to be Sgt Schulz-- but the didnt believe me till they saw me try and work it LOL.
sCDude, there's a Linton freshman taking Calculus? I'm amazed, impressed and a little skeptical.
Bballfan, Did you mean to use the word "reverent" in relation to Nazi? It doesn't seem to make sense.
I hope all those privates driving up and down the roads in Iraq feel good about what they are doing. I'm sure proud of them all.
Sgt Schulz, probably not your typical Nazi, would translate your last comment as, "I know nothing!"
Sorry, B ball, if the comment offended you. That was certainly not the intent.
I'm not really sure what the rest of your rant translates to as I had more luck interpreting Finnegan's Wake, but I'll just say that I agree with you.
Hope the desert air is fair.
Jeesh EggMan, I could never stand anything that was finite, sounds too much like death to me. I'm into infinity just about every day of the week. Also, I've always been confused about calculus and never really could differentiate just when I was supposed to differentiate with when I was supposed to integrate. There were times when I would be integrating a rational function (I might add that it was done in a very irrational manner) and suddenly I was left with some kind of inverse tangent function (which nearly blew my socks off). And, of course, you can imagine what that would do to a young man's psyche in the wee hours of the morning.
It's not on the level of Calculus, but I always wondered why I was forced to take finite mathematics.
Before the tilted myopic comment nazis delete my previous submission, let it be known that I'm a big fan of David Petraeus. He's been dealt a tough hand.
I'm just a bigger fan of Keith Sims.
Also, did brother Paul return his jacket to Willy Wonka?
It takes a very special person to give what West Point requires.
"Peaches" is world famous.
Give me "Rio" all day.
I too wandered what I would do with Calculess..but I found out last winter. IF you remember it; when your highschool friends call you and ask you to help their child do math homework you can HELP. I forgot my instructions from Profs Bailey-LeutzenHouser-Oxman and Kinney. I could not help a freshman in the Linton school system .
I found out that is what calculus is for.
I also know that the Eel River and White Rivers know Integration.... they took it to the Limit..
I will gladly join you at USF. And I couldn't agree more with your sentiments on The Calculus. Maybe the only ones that use it are calculus teachers. I probably wouldn't have gotten through it without the aid of my roommate, Jim Gilman, who ended up being our top graduate and is now an Army doctor and General. I didn't know you spent any time at Benning, what did you do there? Both of the news articles were interesting. The stand-off between the anti-war and anti-anti-war demonstrators reminded me of a bumper sticker I saw (again) today that read "War is not the Answer". I wondered to myself, what was the question?