Setting a Personal and Enduring Example of Leadership

The pageantry of Graduation Week at West Point is unmatched. This year, it began on Tuesday with the annual alumni procession across the Plain to the statue of Sylvanus Thayer. COL (R) Richard ‘Doc’ Hesse ’45, the oldest graduate present, led the Long Gray Line across Diagonal Walk and placed a wreath at the statue’s base to honor “the father of the U.S. Military Academy.” Afterwards, the graduates, including those from the Classes of 1945, 1950, 1955 and 1965, who returned to their alma mater for spring reunions, took their places on the Plain for the Alumni Review Parade.

Before the full Corps of Cadets marched by in their white-over-gray uniforms, six graduates were called to a place of honor and recognized by the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) as Distinguished Graduates: LTG (R) Max W. Noah ’53, Mr. Roderic B. Vitty ’55, LTG (R) John H. Moellering ’59, Mr. William F. Murdy II ’64, Mr. Jodie K. Glore ’69 and LTG (R) Thomas F. Metz ’71.

LTG (R) Larry R. Jordan ’68, Chairman of WPAOG, bestowed upon each honoree a medal, emblazoned with the words “Duty, Honor, Country,” to recognize how their lives of outstanding service to the nation (read their bios here) embody the values for which West Point strives. Later, at the Alumni Luncheon in the Cadet Mess Hall, LTG Robert L. Caslen ’75, the 59th Superintendent of West Point, thanked these Distinguished Graduates for their “personal and enduring example of what it means to be a leader of character” and for the way each one them has displayed “selfless service and given back to the Army, the nation and West Point.”

With Graduation just days away, the Distinguished Graduate Award ceremony provided the Class of 2015 a final opportunity to learn leadership lessons from some of the Academy’s most accomplished graduate leaders. Metz, who commanded at every level in the U.S. Army and successfully led Coalition Forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, reminds 2015 graduates to hold on to and cherish their character. “Many people have helped form it, but your character is yours—only you can lose it,” he said. Glore, Chairman of the West Point Association of Graduates from 2010-13, wants graduates to know that they’ll have high moments and low moments in their careers, but to do the best they can at all times. “In moments of doubt, know that you come from the best leadership institution in the world, and that West Point has taught you well,” Glore said. Noah, Vitty and Murdy all advise graduates to always follow their hearts and passions in life: “If that means staying with the Army, all the better,” said Noah; while Murdy said, “There are many ways you can serve and give back;” and Vitty reminds them “to maintain a relationship with West Point and try to remain committed to your class, too.” Finally, Moellering, who was the West Point Commandant from 1982-84 and later chaired USAA, and led Lear Siegler Services to new levels of success, notes that West Point has changed greatly from his cadet days, but is still producing great leaders. He said, “My advice with regard to leadership is that when you make a decision you don’t look back; be as confident in your leadership ability as I am in West Point’s ability to create the next generation of America’s leaders." SEE PHOTOS ON FLICKR