August 10 West Point

We drove from Suffern to West Point to tour the US Military Academy there.

The first image shows a bend in the Hudson river. This is why a fortified position was established there during the revolutionary war. The point of the position was to deny the British full use of the Hudson as transit on the premise that ships would be most vulnerable at the bend. Although General Benedict Arnold, who commanded this position gave the details of the fortifications and weapon stations to the British, it didn't seem to do them any good. 

This location was eventually chosen for the military academy.

The monument (images with and without Ann) located at this point is said to be the tallest piece of polished granite in the western hemisphere. The monument has the names of 2000+ soldiers of the regular army who died in the civil war.  According to our tour guide, of the 60 biggest battles of the civil war, West Point graduates commanded both sides in 55 and one side in 5.

We came on what is know as 'M' day, when new cadets complete a 12 mile march back to the Academy from where intensive training was being given them.