Class of 2024 Cadets Benjamin Guerrieri, Julian Sanchez, and Ian Winch each reached the finish line and became members of the Long Gray Line as they graduated on June 14 in the Haig Room during the Class of 2024 Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony.
Joined by family, friends, staff, faculty, and other supporters, the graduates basked in the moment of their day as USMA Superintendent LTG Steven W. Gilland ’90 made the graduation address, presented the diplomas and commissioned each graduate. A member of the USMA Class of 1974, Timothy C. Tyson, part of the Class of 2024’s 50-year affiliate class, congratulated and bestowed second lieutenant bars to each graduate after they received their diplomas.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with my 50-year affiliate class and getting to work with them throughout my four years here,” Winch said. “Today, above all days, has been the day where I’m saying, ‘OK, I’m a part of something now. Now I know I’m a part of something bigger, even if I didn’t know it before.’ Now it just feels solidified – set in stone.”
He considered being a part of the Ring and Crest Committee a “great and very unique experience where I got to interact with a lot of Old Grads.”
As a cadet who was deeply involved with the Ring and Crest of the Class of 2024, he recognizes the significance of looking at his ring as a new member of the Long Gray Line. “The Ring Ceremony a year ago was one of those special moments right next to this one right now,” Winch concluded. “It does solidify (the importance of the ring) and it’s a constant reminder that this is the line that you’re a part of and these are the special people who you choose to be around.”
Excerpt and images taken from https://www.westpoint.edu.
