West Point '52 grads relate moral, ethical standards to Class of 2002

By Jim Fox
Staff Writer

Members of the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 1952 discussed moral and ethical decisions that young officers may encounter on the battlefield with groups of first class cadets as part of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic’s Senior Leadership Panel III.

The SLP is a program begun last academic year by the SCPME’s Visiting Professor, retired Gen. Fred M. Franks, Jr. who sponsors retired military commanders to come and speak to firsties.

The lecture gave members of the Bicentennial Class a firsthand glance at the similarities between themselves and the ’52 members, although the latter are 50 years removed from the academy’s gray surroundings. The Class of ’52 faced an uncertain future because of the Korean War.

"As graduation approaches," Cadet 1st Class Deborah J. Welle said, "we are in the situation they were in. It is now 2002 and our heads are spinning."

Welle and the rest of her classmates from cadet company H1 heard from four members of the sesquicentennial class, three Army officers and one Air Force officer.

"It was educational," Welle said. "Especially (hearing) about what they had to do in combat. It was good to hear.

"It is a really good opportunity to talk to people who have been there," she said.

Welle said that with the leadership challenges she and her classmates expect to face in the near future, "It is good to hear that we are going to have experienced (NCOs) and officers to interact with."

Company mate Kevin A. Mattessich thought being able to have successful former battalion commanders sit down and talk openly and frankly was special. He especially liked the 12 principles for success passed on by retired Maj. Gen. Donald R. Lasher.

"Like stop and smell the roses now and then," he said. "Communicate with your people. Laugh at yourself or those around you will laugh at you and you won’t get the joke. That was a good one."

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles D. Youree, Jr. told his audience, "West Point has changed a lot and for the most part for the better. (The Class of 2002 has) a much more balanced program than we had."