On August 25, 2024, the West Point Society of Annapolis (WPSOA) hosted its annual Welcome Picnic for the fall exchange cadets at the Fairwinds Community Pavilion, Severna Park, MD. The exchange cadets from the Class of 2026 will spend their fall semester at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. 43 WPSOA members and guests, including four 50-year Affiliation class members from the Class of 1976, welcomed the cadets and hosted a picnic buffet catered by Mission BBQ.

WPSOA President Steve Heinecke ’77 addressed the assemblage and explained the annual welcome picnic tradition. He then asked the cadets to introduce themselves and to explain the training they experienced over this summer.

The primary mission of the West Point Society of Annapolis is to support the exchange cadets during their fall semester at the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as other cadets traveling through the Annapolis area or visiting for club or athletic competition. In so doing, the WPSOA strives to serve West Point in Annapolis and Maryland by developing and sustaining programs that promote West Point, support graduates and cadets and reflect the values of West Point in Annapolis and the communities throughout Maryland.