Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"August 9, 2002
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
August
9, 2002
Story
and photos by Spc. Nate Jastrzemski
Staff Writer
|
| Penny Franciosi, of Keller Army Community Hospital’s personnel division, speaks with new KACH commander Col. Brain Allgood. |
Eisenhower Hall here was bustling the evening of July 31 as hundreds of new community members flocked to the annual Community Fair -- a night dedicated to showing off everything West Point and Highland Falls have to offer recently-arrived residents and personnel.
Dozens of stands were set up in the ballroom, each supporting a local business or activity here on post, and each with staff members to answer questions and provide any information requested.
U.S. Military Academy Superintendent, Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox Jr., and Garrison Commander, Col. Ann Horner, briefed newcomers and their families during the event.
|
| Cadet Book Store employee Jen Edwards (right) discusses special offers with community member Mary Ann Hampton. |
Lennox reiterated topics touched on earlier in the day during a briefing to new personnel. He talked about the importance of safety on post, the entertainment and facilities available to community members and the many ties West Point has with the Army at large because of the approximately 4,100 future officers who are currently training here.
As garrison commander, Horner shared her concerns for keeping residents aware of post functions and other things -- such as the cadet march back -- that may affect life on the installation. She spoke of the mediums to watch for command information, such as Channel 8/23 and this newspaper, as well as maintaining awareness of differences in security at West Point from any previous duty stations.
|
| Vistors Amy Lennox (left) and Kathy Hilburn (center) see what Laura Hewitt has to offer from her home business "Sweet Pea Stationary." |
Though the air conditioners in Ike Hall were on the fritz, newcomers stayed around to gather all the information they could from the event and hobnob with their new co-workers.
"I feel this was very beneficial for new families," said Capt. Patrick Buckley, who is joining the department of social sciences. "Here we have access to all the pertinent information of West Point and Highland Falls in one place and time."
Also at the ready to meet and greet new community members was Highland Falls Mayor Joe D’Onofrio.
"Five years ago we asked West Point if we could participate in the Community Fair, and we’ve come ever since," he said. "This is a great place for our new community members to get to know us."
