THEY WEAR WEST POINT JACKETS AND THEY CALL IT HOLY NAME
“THEY WEAR WEST POINT JACKETS” and “They call it HOLY NAME”
The uniform the cadets wear is a maroon West Point Jacket, white trousers, and an ostrich plumed cover. It is symbolic of the uniform worn by the cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. West Point is the oldest active Fort of the United States hailing back to the days of the revolution. Those were the days of fife and drums. The birth of the United States Military Academy, the beginning of “the Long Gray Line”, formed as the lineage of all graduates, instilled the ideals of duty, honor, and country. The words are somber and solemn enough but do not really convey the energy and or passion of what it means to embody that collection of beliefs, values, and pursuit of excellence that exemplifies the nicest sense of what a member of the long gray line embodies.
The ideas of teamwork, attention to detail, personal grooming, precision marching, pride in doing a job well done, innovation, vision, determination, not to mention overcoming obstacles in the face of seemingly great adversity are all contained in the ideal of a cadet. All this done not with a sense of personal aggrandizement but to be a part of something bigger than themselves. To do it for the good of the corps, and in a very real sense it is for the good of the country. This I believe is what the early organizers of the early organizations that grew in to the cadets envisioned. They then chose the WEST POINT uniform as its symbol.
From the early roots of fife and drum corps, to the early roots of military discipline and fanfare, to the evolution of Drum and Bugle Corps, first nurtured by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Corps emerged as vibrant, powerful organizations of bright youth to exemplify the Spirit of those West Point roots as well as the spiritual values of Holy Name Church. It is the Holy Name that talks of our Christian Values. It is the name HOLY NAME CADETS and the WEST POINT JAKETS that remind us of that honorable heritage.
The Long Maroon Line -----THE HOLY NAME CADETS------THE CADETS -------- continue to show the right to wear the uniform that is an icon for those ideals.
I have read in a book “The Long Gray Line” a part of the prologue talks about The Hellcats drum and bugle corps (The West Point Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps) playing “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” to honor those returning from battles some who were not still living but very much a part of The Long Gray Line.
I look forward to the 75th celebration and to hear “American Salute” to remind me of those cadets, The Hellcats who paid tribute to the long gray line and to recognize that it is the long maroon line of which I am a part that is paying tribute to all those, living, passed or yet to be born, who have participated and will participate in the education and affirmation of those values and energies or passions that have so greatly been displayed by the HOLY NAME CADETS.
I see it as our obligation rather than and as well as privilege to financially support the current and future growth and evolution of THE LONG MAROON LINE. However you give, Give.
The uniform the cadets wear is a maroon West Point Jacket, white trousers, and an ostrich plumed cover. It is symbolic of the uniform worn by the cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. West Point is the oldest active Fort of the United States hailing back to the days of the revolution. Those were the days of fife and drums. The birth of the United States Military Academy, the beginning of “the Long Gray Line”, formed as the lineage of all graduates, instilled the ideals of duty, honor, and country. The words are somber and solemn enough but do not really convey the energy and or passion of what it means to embody that collection of beliefs, values, and pursuit of excellence that exemplifies the nicest sense of what a member of the long gray line embodies.
The ideas of teamwork, attention to detail, personal grooming, precision marching, pride in doing a job well done, innovation, vision, determination, not to mention overcoming obstacles in the face of seemingly great adversity are all contained in the ideal of a cadet. All this done not with a sense of personal aggrandizement but to be a part of something bigger than themselves. To do it for the good of the corps, and in a very real sense it is for the good of the country. This I believe is what the early organizers of the early organizations that grew in to the cadets envisioned. They then chose the WEST POINT uniform as its symbol.
From the early roots of fife and drum corps, to the early roots of military discipline and fanfare, to the evolution of Drum and Bugle Corps, first nurtured by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Corps emerged as vibrant, powerful organizations of bright youth to exemplify the Spirit of those West Point roots as well as the spiritual values of Holy Name Church. It is the Holy Name that talks of our Christian Values. It is the name HOLY NAME CADETS and the WEST POINT JAKETS that remind us of that honorable heritage.
The Long Maroon Line -----THE HOLY NAME CADETS------THE CADETS -------- continue to show the right to wear the uniform that is an icon for those ideals.
I have read in a book “The Long Gray Line” a part of the prologue talks about The Hellcats drum and bugle corps (The West Point Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps) playing “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” to honor those returning from battles some who were not still living but very much a part of The Long Gray Line.
I look forward to the 75th celebration and to hear “American Salute” to remind me of those cadets, The Hellcats who paid tribute to the long gray line and to recognize that it is the long maroon line of which I am a part that is paying tribute to all those, living, passed or yet to be born, who have participated and will participate in the education and affirmation of those values and energies or passions that have so greatly been displayed by the HOLY NAME CADETS.
I see it as our obligation rather than and as well as privilege to financially support the current and future growth and evolution of THE LONG MAROON LINE. However you give, Give.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bill Traina on -
Al, I would like to forward "They Wear West Point Jackets. . ." to fellow members of our Alumni Corp. Since American Salute (When Johnny Comes Marching Home) is in our repertoire, being aware of it's dedication, I believe, will deepen our appreciation and responsibility when it is performed, knowing that it is indeed a tribute to those who have served our Nation and in many cases have given the ultimate sacrifice to it's principals and timeless ideals. We will perform it with pride and a sense of privilege. Thank you for your insight into that hallowed place of true heroes. FHNSAB
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Permalink Reply by Alexander J. Callahan, Jr. on -
I would appreciate this item to get a wide distribution to all associated with Holy Name Cadets and all the other names the Corps has had over the years.
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Permalink Reply by DeAnna (Queen) Imbro on -
Check out my new pictures to see this year's long Maroon Line...For Holy Name Shall Always Be
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Permalink Reply by Robin McShane Namian on -
Hey DeeDee! Can alumni get one of THOSE Holy Name patches??
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Permalink Reply by John E Schneider on -
GREAT IDEA!!!
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Permalink Reply by Dave Shaw on -
I would like to add my endorsement to this as well. I keep meeting alumni who tell me they "have been meaning to send a check, but it keeps slipping my mind." Luckily for us it didn't "slip the minds" of earlier benefactors and alumni contributors who gave to us during our years in uniform. If you think back you can probably recall the faces of those that were there for us, constantly giving us their time, their hard work, and whatever personal resources they could spare (some even going beyond "what they could spare" as they mortgaged their homes and took out personal loans... mostly without our knowledge or any desire on their part for recognition). They did it for OUR benefit...YOU AND I... because they recognized the value of the Cadets to us and to the generations to follow. No one is asking you to mortgage your home or take out a personal load, but surely every single one of you, every single man and woman who ever wore the uniform we revere, at one time or another thought to yourself, "someday I'm going to give something back for everything I received." So, what's the problem? You know in your heart you should send a few dollars, or more than just a few dollars if you can afford it...because it's OUR turn NOW!. You know how you feel when you fill the gas tank on your car and see the cost going up every day. Well, imagine what it feels like to the Cadets when it comes time, as it does almost every day, to fill the tanks of four buses two tractor trailers, and three RVs . Suppose they don't have the money to fill those tanks, or to feed the Cadets, or to pay their bills? What do they do? Tell the Cadets who make us all so proud; "Sorry, we're out of money. We're going to have to send you home..and, oh yeah, there is no more corps!" It's possible that day could come you know...UNLESS you're there for them to ensure that it doesn't happen. If not us...who? If not now...when? Don't let it "slip your mind" my fellow Cadets. It's just too damn important to let it slide. Our 75th year...are you as proud as I am? One or more of those 75 years were YOUR time in the maroon and gold. Make sure with your financial support that some other young person gets that same opportunity that you were once given. Write a check, send a money order, use your credit card...but DO SOMETHING!! SEND THEM YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRESENT AND TO THE FUTURE SURVIVAL OF OUR CORPS!! Do your share, so we can continue to say with confidence and pride" For Holy Name shall always be...
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Permalink Reply by Mitch Orcutt on -
As a Mom of a daughter who had the wonderful indirect experience of the Cadets long before she became a rookie Cadet this year, I say "MANY THANKS" to all of you who have supported the Cadets all of these years in any way. She spent four years in high school in a very competitive marching band directed by....A Former CADET! We had NO idea about marching band before she began her freshman year, and I will tell you that many times early on she wanted to QUIT! But, our family rule is that you finish what you start, but you never have to do it again. Needless to say, we ALL learned about the value of something as rich as a dedicated marching band program. By the end of that first year, she was fully committed to participating every year of high school and they went on to be very successful despite a lack of support from our high school community. Last year she marched her first corps and this year she became a Cadet. The values she learns as she becomes a stronger member of the corps is priceless. We donated money to the Inaugural Parade, to the tour and will continue to support such a worthwhile activity. Our money could not be better spent! She is the only female trumpet player this year in the Cadets, so look for her and silently cheer her on when you see the next show! We will finally get to see the show when we travel to Texas this summer, and I can't wait! I am so proud of these kids and all who came before them including her high school band director! :-) Go Cadets!
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