Greetings,

It's an exciting time to be at West Point! Planning for our bicentennial celebration is in full swing, and I'd like to give you a quick update on our efforts.

The USMA Office of Bicentennial Planning was established in August of this year and is led by COL Pat Kane, our former Garrison Commander. Pat, and his staff of two, are responsible for planning, coordinating, synchronizing, and executing all USMA events. In addition, he will integrate commemorative acts of the international community in their recognition of USMA's two hundredth anniversary. Pat is working closely with our Association of Graduates and with Mr. Bill Raiford, Chairman of the Bicentennial Steering Group, on some exciting initiatives. We have now established our bicentennial window (Acceptance Day Parade, 18 Aug '01 to Graduation, 1 June '02), developed a theme, outlined a tentative calendar of events, and developed other initiatives to make this celebration truly memorable. I'll highlight these below. One of the first steps was to choose a bicentennial theme for this historic occasion that captures the essence of the Academy. I believe we have done so.

• How was the theme chosen? We wanted to use as many resources as possible to get ideas and input. We asked graduates through the AOG, the Leader Team at USMA and the Army, and the Staff and Faculty for their thoughts. I briefed a draft theme to the Bicentennial Steering Group in the Pentagon last month and asked for their feedback. After considering all the recommendations, I chose the following theme and I'm using this forum to formally announce it:

  Duty - Honor - Country: West Point at 200 Years -- Timeless Leadership

• Why this particular theme? Using a concise statement, I wanted to capture both the historical significance of the bicentennial, while at the same time looking to the future. I wanted, in short, a phrase that symbolizes what the Academy represents for our Army and our Nation.
• How does the Academy plan to advertise the theme? This article is one way! We will also post it on the Academy Home Page. In addition, we plan to include the theme and the Bicentennial logo on all Academy letterhead for official correspondence. Finally, the theme will be displayed at appropriate "bicentennial" venues throughout the year.

Next, let me give you an update on the calendar of events and initiatives for the bicentennial year. Events actually began with Acceptance Day for the Class of 2002, since our celebration is centered around the Bicentennial Class. Alumni from each ‘living class' were invited to represent the ‘Long Gray Line' at the acceptance parade for the Class of 2002 on 15 August 1998. On this same day, we hosted an unveiling ceremony where we dedicated the Bicentennial Seal. The seal is sculpted in a limestone shield and is placed in the courtyard of Taylor Hall, West Point's historic Headquarters building.

Bicentennial events currently being planned can be found on the Bicentennial Events web page:

It is important to note that our intention is to invite the President for graduation and either the President or a senior administration official for Founder's Day 2002 at West Point.

Other initiatives that Pat's office is working on include folding the international celebrations into the schedule and solidifying the local Founder's Day celebration here at West Point. At the Bicentennial Steering Group meeting this past September, it was decided that the USMA Leader Team would not be traveling to societies during the Founder's Day 2002 window. The decision not to travel was based on the desire to keep the Leader Team at West Point to focus this special event on the Academy itself; societies can celebrate along with the Corps via live internet webcast, television broadcast, or through a video tape of the event.

Our Bicentennial Office has developed a website that is linked off the USMA homepage. This will allow everyone the opportunity to learn more about the many events and projects that are being planned to celebrate the Academy’s 200th birthday. The web address is http://www.usma.edu/bicentennial.

Thanks to all who continue to contribute to this important effort. This is an electrifying time for West Point as we celebrate 200 years of service to the Nation while preparing cadets for a third century of service.

In closing, I'd like to highlight a quote Jack Hammack, the Chairman of our Association of Graduates, recently made regarding the Academy's bicentennial celebration. He noted that "Our graduates expect it, our Academy deserves it, and our Army and Nation will revel in it." How very true. We plan to make this a celebration people will talk about for the next two hundred years!

DANIEL W. CHRISTMAN
Lieutenant General, US Army
Superintendent