The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-06-11
This is to be Gala Day at the West
Point Military Academy.
The Young Soldiers Are Celebrating
the Centennial Anniversary
of West Point.
NOTABLE VISITORS PRESENT

West Point, N. Y, June ll-old
soldiers long since retired from active
service, soldiers still in their prime
and at the head Of Uncle Sans army,
and young soldiers who have yet to
win their spurs gathered here today
and helped to make the centennial eel
ebration Of the United States Military
Academy the greatest Of all days in
the annals of the institution. The
occasion was inspired also by the pres.
ence Of the president of the nation, his
cabinet members, high officials Of the
army and navy, senators and repre-
sentatives, foreign diplomats and
scores of other persons prominent in
official life. But the "old grads"
were the particular guests of the day.
From every section Of the country and
from lands far away they came to re-
visit the scenes of youthful escapades
when they were receiving their first
military training. One Of the most
pleasing features of the reunion was
the presence Of General Simon B.
Buckner and one or two others Of the
handful of surviving Southern generals
whose military training was obtained
at West Point. Next to the president
of the United States these distin.
guished guests from Dixie land re-
ceived more attention than did any of
the other visitors.
The ceremonies of the day really
began with the arrival Of the presi-
dent and his party shortly before 10
o'clock, though the formal exercises
did not take place until afternoon.
With President Roosevelt were Secre-
tary Hay, Secretary Root and other
members of his official family, Speak
er Henderson Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, a number of senators, the
military attaches Of the foreign lega-
tions in Washington and number Of
other specially invited guests.
The appearance Of President Roose-
welt on the plateau upon which the |
buildings of the post are located was
the signal for salute of 81 guns from
the post battery. The first thing on
the program was review of the ca.
diets. Following the review President
Roosevelt and the other great person
ages were escorted to their quarters.
The president was entertained at the |
superintendent quarters and Secre-
tary Of War Root, Postmaster Gen
eral Payne and other cabinet officials
were entertained at the officers quar-.
tiers. The diplomats and other invited |
guests were by special arrangements
accommodated at the hotel When the |
isitors had had time to brush some
Of the dust Of travel from their clothes
they assembled at the official residence
of Colonel Mills, and after a hand
shaking all around the guests repaired |
to Memorial Hall and took luncheon
in company with the alumni of the
academy.
Following the presidents address
came the unwilling of the commemo-
rative tablet in the front vestibule of
the hall. General John NJ. sohofeld,
president of the Association Of Gradu-
ates of the military academy, delivered
the dedicatory address.
The tablet, which is an artistic
piece Of work, bears the following
"This tablet, unveiled June IL,
1902, commentaries the completion of
the first century of the United States
Academy, proposed and ad-
vocated by Washington, founded by
the patriots OF the Revolution, fos-
tered by the devoted efforts of her
this academy has nobly jus
titled her creation.
Her rigorous discipline has formed
her graduates into faithful, honorable
and efficient public servants. In war
md in peace they have horne aistin-
yuished part in the progress of the ma