Return to Pointer View home page September 24,  2004

Post ready for Thayer ceremony

By Spc. Benjamin Gruver
Staff writer

 West Point will present the Thayer Award to former Senator Robert J. Dole, during a ceremony Wednesday, 5 p.m., on the Plain here.

Dole, who has a long and distinguished career in public service, said he is honored by the selection.

“I am delighted to receive this award, not only because of its distinguished list of recipients, but because it represents the core values that Americans must renew with each generation,” Dole said. “It reminds all of us there is something larger than ourselves, and West Point sets the standard.

“I consider this one of the highest honors any individual can receive.”

Dole is the 47th recipient of the award. The Association of Graduates presents this award yearly to “an outstanding citizen whose service and accomplishments exemplify the USMA motto, “Duty, Honor, and Country.” The AOG has been presenting the award, established in honor of Col. Sylvanus Thayer, the “Father of the Military Academy,” since 1958.

Nominations for the award are sought from West Point societies and classes by mid-November for the following year’s award. The award committee meets at the beginning of each year to select one nomination for the award, and the selected nominee is given one condition for acceptance: they must come to West Point to receive the award.

“Committee members were struck by the extraordinary service of Sen. Dole given his continuous service which began in World War II and extends right to the present,” said retired Col. John Calabro, AOG vice president for alumni support and secretary of the award committee.

“He is a military hero who was wounded while fighting for his country, a public servant in his home state and on the national stage and a staunch supporter of an array of worthy causes,” Calabro added. “That made him an extremely strong candidate for the selection.” 

A review by the Corps of Cadets will start the event, followed by the award presentation. The public is invited to attend the review.

West Point officials recommend that anyone not attending the ceremony leave the Trophy Point area before 4:45 p.m. Cars parked around Clinton lot or other lots around Trophy Point will be free to exit during the event by going past the Cadet Library.

Security officials said blocking positions will be set up on Cullum Road near the entrance to the Thayer roof parking lot and at the intersection of Washington and Ruger roads beginning at 4:30 p.m. Traffic will be stopped at these points from entering the Trophy Point area before the start of the ceremony.