On Saturday, November 14th 2009, the RedBird Hook & Ladder Company along with some special invited guests, boarded a coach bus and headed to West Point Military Academy, to see the Army 'Black Knights' go against the VMI (Virginia Military Institute) 'Keydets' on a rainy, windy day.
Upon arrival we enjoyed hero sandwiches and refreshments, with many thanks to trip coordinator Ex-Captain Joe Kaelin. Shuttle buses were used to move people around the huge property. Before the game started, some of us managed to get to the museum, and viewed what is considered to be the oldest and largest diversified public collection of miltaria in the Western Hemisphere.
We had pretty good seats, mostly because all the seats at Michie Stadium are good. There were some shuttle problems at the end of the game, because everyone headed to the buses at the same time. In the end, Army beat VMI 22 to 17. We all had a great time. Thanks Joe!
Army Cadets marching into Michie Stadium
Here come the BLACK KNIGHTS!
Our group is somewhere under all that rain gear
Kevin asks Richie if everyone knows him there
LT Burgess brought his Dad
Bill and Mark
Joe, Jake, Allen, Dennis, Ray, Kevin and Scott
Richie and Jamie
Jim, the 'Colonel', and the Burgess'
Bobby Jr. and Joe
Army goes for a field goal
Is that holding?
At halftime, 'Purple Heart' recipients were recognized
The cadets section of the stadium
The West Point Army Band performs at halftime
A three-star General
The museum 'motley' crew
The ultimate high-speed interceptor unit!
The powerful 100 to 155mm 'Howitzer' Cannons in the woods across the pond. Fired once for every Army point scored. That would be 22-times on this day! Very impressive!
