I too am a parent of a West Point cadet, Class of 2009. I was surprised when my son told me of his intentions to go to West Point as we are not a "military family". I supported his decision then and have grown to have the utmost respect for our miltary and those who lead them. He has grown mentally and physically and has opted to major in International Relations and minor in Terrorism Studies. These young men and women are truly dedicated to "Duty, Honor, Country" and are steadfast in their decsions to serve their country with eyes wide open. It truly saddens me when people say they support our troops and turn right around with terrible comments about what they accomplish
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Date
I served over 31 years in the Air Force. My last tour was at Lackland AFB, in San Antonio which... [MORE]
Lee Rodgers
Jan 28, 2007 09:37
What an eloquent account of your family's journey to West Point. My Plebe son had a similar path from a... [MORE]
KNT
Dec 13, 2006 21:04
I agree with the things Ms. De Rosa writes about West Point. I wish she had shown more respect for... [MORE]
West Point Supporter
Dec 13, 2006 19:36
Having two sons who served and are retired. I congratulate all those who go through West Point and wish them... [MORE]
IDA JEAN SCHROY
Dec 3, 2006 15:57
I congratulate Mrs DeRosa and her family for their support of their son's decision to apply for admission to the... [MORE]
Kenneth L. Jones, SSGT, USAF (Ret)
Dec 2, 2006 23:09
Thank you for putting into words what many of us feel and live with on a daily basis. Our son... [MORE]
Francine Ferrante Krupski
Nov 30, 2006 12:48
West Point exposes young men and women to the history of this country and molds young people to be America's... [MORE]
A Gorman
Nov 27, 2006 17:30
Congratulations to your son on his accomplishment. Getting into West Point is not easy and should refelct on his high... [MORE]
MP
Nov 21, 2006 10:48
Well said Ma'am,
We deeply appreciate your comments. Most Americans, to include those "elites" on the Upper East Side have no... [MORE]
scott taylor
Nov 20, 2006 20:46
This article really resonated with me, mostly because of this sentence: "I imagined military academies to be filled with dull... [MORE]
Current Cadet
Nov 20, 2006 18:54
Duty, Honor, Country outhsine "what's in it for me".
As a 1975 graduate, I know what your son is experiencing. This... [MORE]
E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II
Nov 20, 2006 09:26
Thanks so much for your wonderfully written letter. I can relate to your situation as I'm sure the rest of... [MORE]
Gina Newton
Nov 20, 2006 01:42
I for one just got back from visiting my son/plebe at West Point. Many thoughts filled my mind as my... [MORE]
William McCord
Nov 20, 2006 00:03
In a morass of overt as well as veiled anti-miltary rhetoric (CNN one of many repeat offenders), Amy De Rosa's... [MORE]
Gary Greenstein
Nov 19, 2006 22:21
I am 54 years old and I live in New York City. I completely understand the reason why Amy wrote... [MORE]
Peter Mearsheimer
Nov 17, 2006 16:34
Thank you for writing this article. Perhaps others in New York will realize what it truly means to support our... [MORE]
Frank McKnight
Nov 17, 2006 15:55
As the aunt & godmother of a soon-to-be West Point graduate (class of 2007), your words are so true. I... [MORE]
Bette Escudier
Nov 17, 2006 14:31
As the father of a graduate of the the class of 1986, I can understand the emotions that must have... [MORE]
Dave Carew
Nov 17, 2006 13:56
" There is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his country."
Mary Kathryn [MORE]
MMary Kathryn
Nov 17, 2006 13:03
Mrs. de Rosa,
As a fellow baby boomer, I agree with your sentiment whole heartedly. I look back on our generation... [MORE]
Mary Kathryn
Nov 17, 2006 12:55
I applaud your son for making such a mature and responsible decision to attend the military academy for his education... [MORE]
roy allgeyer
Nov 17, 2006 11:20
My son is a 2008 cadet. I too see mixed emotions when I talk about West Point. There is still... [MORE]
Terry Mills
Nov 17, 2006 11:07
Ms. DeRosa, thank you for your thoughts. You made my day with your patriotism and your mother's love. You have... [MORE]
Colonel Matthew Moten
Nov 17, 2006 15:29
We are parents of both a Midshipman First Class at the Naval Academy and a Fourth Class Cadet at Air... [MORE]
Pat Rice
Nov 16, 2006 21:45
Congratulations to your son, Amy. He has chosen a very difficult but rewarding path, one that will challenge him and... [MORE]
Scott Steinfort
Nov 16, 2006 21:28
I don't have any connection to the miltary. I don't know anyone at West Point. I will almost certainly never... [MORE]
David
Nov 16, 2006 21:12
There are the Harvards, the Yales, the Stanfords, the elite of the elite, but if I had to do it... [MORE]
Linda Clinton
Nov 17, 2006 16:01
It's too bad this article was in the New York Sun and not the New York Times, because it presents... [MORE]
Bill Hough
Nov 16, 2006 20:33
For those of your son's class that graduate and serve, there will never be a closer fraternity. They and their... [MORE]
Greg Wold, '56
Nov 16, 2006 20:33
What a great article, Ms. De Rosa. Congratulations on your son's accomplishments. I too have a plebe and the changes... [MORE]
Sam Contreras
Nov 16, 2006 19:18
I will join all the rest and say thank you for your perspective, and for having the courage to express... [MORE]
Stan
Nov 20, 2006 11:48
Mrs. De Rosa hit the nail on the head. I entered West Point in 1972 in the midst of Vietnam... [MORE]
Paul P
Nov 16, 2006 17:44
God Bless you ! Mrs De Rosa ! our son is a 2004 graduate of West Point & is now... [MORE]
rick ireland
Nov 16, 2006 17:33
Mrs. DeRosa:
Your son is a patriot, and you are giving the best that you have to offer to this great... [MORE]
Mario F. Romagnoli
Nov 16, 2006 17:00
When we read the Declaration of Independence we find that our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their... [MORE]
Robert Otto
Nov 16, 2006 16:41
Thank you for your article. My family has a long history of service to our country as well as service... [MORE]
Karen Farrar
Nov 16, 2006 16:30
West Point is full of the best and the brightest. I have visited there enough to carry pride in that... [MORE]
Phoebe
Nov 16, 2006 16:30
When I meet people that do not care for the military, I like to quote USMC Chaplain Father Dennis Edward... [MORE]
Robert Lundin
Nov 16, 2006 16:26
I grew up in Alabama and now live in Virginia. It would never occur to anyone in either of those... [MORE]
Bill
Nov 16, 2006 16:26
Thank you for your letter; I know you will take pride in your son's service, and that he will carry... [MORE]
Fred Upchurch
Nov 16, 2006 16:06
I'm an 83 year old vet and I only wish I had had the opportunity open to your son. Those... [MORE]
Robert Bascom
Nov 16, 2006 15:56
TREMENDOUS!!----I SHALL DISTRIBUTE-----I HOPE THAT WE CAN WAKE OUR COUNTRY UP [MORE]
MAHLON B (MAX) HAMMOND COL USAF RET
Nov 16, 2006 15:47
I am moved by the example that Ms. DeRosa, her son and family have set. Even so, her detractors are... [MORE]
Matthew Coleman
Nov 16, 2006 15:29
As a grandparent of a West Point cadet, class of 2007, I can tell you that I'm so very proud... [MORE]
Rich Sider
Nov 16, 2006 13:45
I am the proud Aunt of Amy's son. I remember the first time my brother (his dad) told me about... [MORE]
Susan
Nov 16, 2006 12:43
My thanks to Amy De Rosa for her excellent article about her son, the U S Military Academy at West... [MORE]
Robert Michaud
Nov 16, 2006 11:17
There are 2 pro-military student organizations at Columbia University in New York City: the US Military Veterans of Columbia University... [MORE]
Eric Chen
Nov 16, 2006 11:03
I am the VERY proud parent of a West Point cadet and an Army Ranger - both of my sons... [MORE]
Jennifer P. Lee
Nov 16, 2006 10:48
Congratulations to you, your family, and your son at the Point. Tell your son to hang in there as it... [MORE]
Joseph C. Britain, CDR, U.S. Naval Reserve
Nov 16, 2006 09:12
"And, one parent added angrily, only 17-year-olds are "stupid" enough to consider the military as an option."
But they are smart... [MORE]
Tom Wahl
Nov 16, 2006 08:51
Nice article and one that further confirms the fact the the true greatness of the Military Academy is not just... [MORE]
Eric McNaul
Nov 16, 2006 06:50
Mrs. De Rosa's article is a bit different than what might otherwise be expected. I think she is to be... [MORE]
Norm Monson
Nov 16, 2006 03:19
Amy,
You said so eloquently what I have been trying to verbalize for the past 2 years. Thank you so very... [MORE]
Evie Moschel
Nov 16, 2006 00:08
I too was a New Yorker. Born in Brooklyn and married in 1954 to a new Army Lieutenant and embarked... [MORE]
Mary Ng
Nov 15, 2006 23:32
As a graduate of the US Military, Class of 1965, and a veteran of the Viet Nam war, I was... [MORE]
Dr. Dave La Rochelle, MD
Nov 15, 2006 23:25
As a member of the West Point class of 1955, I can only say Thank You.
Making a career of service... [MORE]
James E. "Jim" Barker
Nov 15, 2006 22:56
As a 58 year old retired police officer, I am never surprised by comments from our liberal friends. The choice... [MORE]
Ron Garcia
Nov 15, 2006 22:37
Thank you so much for your wonderful article! I wish everyone would get behind our military and support them-they are... [MORE]
Leslie Palmatier
Nov 15, 2006 21:55
The venomous or condescending reaction by Ms. DeRosa's left wing and "liberal" neighbors and friends shows what hypocrites they are... [MORE]
Jim Longo
Nov 15, 2006 20:58
When will those in the Blue States wake up to the threats we face. The only thing standing between civilization... [MORE]
Bob
Nov 15, 2006 19:10
THANK YOU MRS. De ROSA!
A heartfelt article ! You express what so many of us parents feel about our children... [MORE]
JanetC
Nov 15, 2006 18:43
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and enlightening article. Believe me, Manhattan isn't the only place people's reaction to... [MORE]
Celeste Bunz
Nov 15, 2006 17:37
Fifty-two years of happy marriage, to a West Pointer, have been an incredible gift to me. I met my husband... [MORE]
Gerry
Nov 15, 2006 17:24
Great Article....GREAT!!!
George Washington had to deal with Traitors (of West Point), Loyalists to the Crown 'bushwhacking" his ragged, underfed, underclothed,... [MORE]
Jim G
Nov 15, 2006 17:21
Our son, class of 2007, the son of two humanities professors and a dual citizen and who had spent all... [MORE]
Clifford Orwin
Nov 15, 2006 17:13
My son is a high school senior, and has decided he wants to go to West Point. For the last... [MORE]
ak
Nov 15, 2006 15:46
For AK, up and coming West Point Cadet.
Recommend your son apply to all academies (USMA, USNA, USAFA, USCGA, USMMA) plus... [MORE]
Joseph C. Britain
Nov 16, 2006 12:38
My younger brother started out at West Point 3 1/2 years ago and will be graduating in May. Before he... [MORE]
Christine
Nov 15, 2006 15:26
My son is a Cow and my daughter is a Plebe at West Point. Of course, I fear for their... [MORE]
Mary Jane Heid
Nov 15, 2006 15:21
Thank you for your insightful article. My son is presently a cadet (cow - 2008 graduating class) at West Point,... [MORE]
Laurel McMahon
Nov 16, 2006 11:29
As a parent of a yearling at West Point I can say the article was right on. I will also... [MORE]
Jim Lafferty
Nov 15, 2006 15:04
Ms. De Rosa,
I felt compelled to respond to your article. I, too, am a Baby Boomer. I turned 18 in... [MORE]
Albert G. Leddy
Nov 15, 2006 15:04
I just returned from West Point. I had to catch 3 airplanes and spend the entire day traveling there to... [MORE]
stangrub@bellsouth.net
Nov 16, 2006 14:03
Regardless of opinions, someone has to step up to the plate when this country is in need. It is a... [MORE]
Trudy Johnson
Nov 15, 2006 15:02
My son is a Cow this year at West Point. Your article was fantastic. He is quite proud and very... [MORE]