ASSEMBLY ARTICLE
As West Point’s Bicentennial Approaches

POCs
COL (Ret.) Dan Evans
(O) 703 704-2176
(H) 703 978-7354 (voice and fax)

Liz White
845-446-1569

Extensive preparations are underway at West Point, and in a number of Societies to celebrate the West Point Bicentennial. The attached article from the current issue of the Assembly adequately summarizes the current Bicentennial planning status of the Superintendent’s Bicentennial Steering Group. Most of the noted activities and events are oriented and centered at West Point, however, we expect that your Society will be able to capitalize on them and use this as a foundation for developing your own Bicentennial Plan. As you already know, this year’s Annual Presidents Conference will take place in August and will be centered around the ceremonies of the unveiling of the Bicentennial Seal, the unfurling of the Bicentennial Flag and the acceptance of the Class of 2002 into the Corps. 

The worldwide, televised Founders Day Celebration in Washington Hall will definitely become a part of your 2002 Founders’ Day Activities. Specific information will be forthcoming when time-zone differences are factored into the overall plan. Activities centered on the minting of the commemorative silver dollar and first-day issue of the U.S. postage stamp could be incorporated into your Society activities. The Steering Group will definitely need Society support in publicizing the engineering design exercise for local high schools. Other opportunities, from music, publications, art, movies and television will become available over the next three years for you to use. 

Although many Societies have already initiated discussions and plans for supporting the West Point 2002 Bicentennial, it is now time to begin formalizing Society plans. It is expected that Society Bicentennial planning will be a major time block on this year’s Presidents Conference. Attached also, is a timetable of critical activities for West Point Societies and the Association of Graduates Special Events Subcommittee in support of the West Point Bicentennial. You will note that in the Spring of this year we will be soliciting all Societies for tentative Bicentennial plans. The results of this solicitation will be presented at the August Presidents Conference. Bicentennial planning and activities will continue to be factored into the Distinguished Society Award Program.

At the Presidents Conference, we hope to report that: 
 

• Each Society has developed a draft Bicentennial Plan.
• Each Society has at least a point-of-contact (who will stay the course through 2002) and for the larger Societies, a planning committee for Bicentennial Activities.