September 23rd. West Point

Today we decided to take it a little easy. We drove up to the West Point Military Academy for a tour. The history was really amazing. If it wasn't for West Point, we may still be a British Colony.

The American Soldier's Statue dedicated to Cadets who died during flight.

This is the key spot of West Point. Here the patriots could monitor any British ships coming in. They also laid a very large chain across the river floating it with logs to prevent any British ships from coming up the river.

This canon was at Trophy Point where the canons taken in battle are displayed. This one is very interesting because it appears to have been hit by a canon ball. Zoom in and see.

Battle Monument dedicated in 1897 by Civil War Veterans.

More canons at Trophy Point

Sedgwick Monument. The cadets have a midnight lights out. On nights before exams some cadets can be seen spinning the spurs for luck on their exam

There were two ladies on our tour. One pushing her mother in a wheel chair. After we visited Battle Monument a cadet ran up to them. The two ladies were the cadet's mother and grandmother. It was a very moving moment. Here the cadet is pushing her grandmother back to our tour bus.

Kosciuszko's Monument the pedestal was dedicated in 1828 and the statue was added in 1913.

After we left the Academy, we headed back stopping at Fort Montgomery which was built in 1776 by the Continental Army on the west bank of the Hudson River. These images are the remnants of foundations of the various buildings.