[Oasis]

Twice I tried to go to a game at West Point.  The first time was September 15, 2001.  I was at a convention in NYC, which started -- and ended -- on the morning of 9-11.  I ended up walking all over Manhattan that day trying to give blood; no one needed any. It was a spectacular day and all afternoon you could see the fighters circling over the city. 

In planning the trip I decided it would be fun after the convention to go up and see a football game at West Point. I was never as relieved in my life when they honored my reservation (many weren't honored), put me in a rental car and I drove across the river.  In the days after 9-11 no one knew what was going to happen next. There was a lot of angst about an attempt to blow up the tunnels into the city. 

The drive up the Hudson to West Point was beautiful.  They canceled the game but it was still alumni weekend, the alums showed up and the cadets put on a full-dress parade.  It was very moving, especially under the circumstances.  In their polite, yes-sir, no-sir way the cadets were seething with rage.  During the parade you could see snipers dressed in black moving along the roofs of the buildings.  A gnat with bad intent probably would've been shot out of the sky. Before the parade got started they handed out little American flags to the spectators in the stands.
   
While I was at West Point the airline canceled my flight and I ended up driving back to California. Quite a trip.

The next year I had better luck and saw a game at Michie (pronounced "Mikey") Stadium.  It was delightful. The stadium area environs are beautiful.  The fans I remember were Army brass, the cadets -- who make you proud just to see them and exchange a few pleasantries -- and a bunch of locals, including some charming little old ladies from neighboring Highland Falls, NY. 

Army played Louisville, then about a number 20 team.  Louisville built up a big lead but when Army scored late in the 4th to narrow the deficit to about three TDs you would've thought they'd just won the Super Bowl.  The cadets erupted, the band struck up "On Brave Old Army Team" and from generals to grandmas everybody was on their feet. 

After the game the alumni retired to the Thayer Hotel for some serious drinking and discussion about how much they love West Point.  The Michie Stadium experience has to be one of the best. 

[Oasis]

Twice I tried to go to a game at West Point.  The first time was September 15, 2001.  I was at a convention in NYC, which started -- and ended -- on the morning of 9-11.  I ended up walking all over Manhattan that day trying to give blood; no one needed any. It was a spectacular day and all afternoon you could see the fighters circling over the city. 

In planning the trip I decided it would be fun after the convention to go up and see a football game at West Point. I was never as relieved in my life when they honored my reservation (many weren't honored), put me in a rental car and I drove across the river.  In the days after 9-11 no one knew what was going to happen next. There was a lot of angst about an attempt to blow up the tunnels into the city. 

The drive up the Hudson to West Point was beautiful.  They canceled the game but it was still alumni weekend, the alums showed up and the cadets put on a full-dress parade.  It was very moving, especially under the circumstances.  In their polite, yes-sir, no-sir way the cadets were seething with rage.  During the parade you could see snipers dressed in black moving along the roofs of the buildings.  A gnat with bad intent probably would've been shot out of the sky. Before the parade got started they handed out little American flags to the spectators in the stands.
   
While I was at West Point the airline canceled my flight and I ended up driving back to California. Quite a trip.

The next year I had better luck and saw a game at Michie (pronounced "Mikey") Stadium.  It was delightful. The stadium area environs are beautiful.  The fans I remember were Army brass, the cadets -- who make you proud just to see them and exchange a few pleasantries -- and a bunch of locals, including some charming little old ladies from neighboring Highland Falls, NY. 

Army played Louisville, then about a number 20 team.  Louisville built up a big lead but when Army scored late in the 4th to narrow the deficit to about three TDs you would've thought they'd just won the Super Bowl.  The cadets erupted, the band struck up "On Brave Old Army Team" and from generals to grandmas everybody was on their feet. 

After the game the alumni retired to the Thayer Hotel for some serious drinking and discussion about how much they love West Point.  The Michie Stadium experience has to be one of the best.