MORALE BOOSTER – AT 4:58 P.M. ET:  Yes, I know, the news is grim.  Things seem to be falling apart.   A pseudo-president sits in the White House.  The country appears to be failing as never before.

And yet...there are moments when we realize that there's a lot more to America than headlines written on the west side of Manhattan.  My wife and I went to West Point on Saturday to hear a concert by the United States Military Academy Band – our nation's oldest military band – and the alumni Glee Club.  It was a tremendous boost to the morale.  The performance was sharp.  The audience was respectful, and appreciated the patriotic tone.  The academy itself is inspiring, and its presence reminds us that there are men and women of character in our young generation who will always answer the call.  You might be interested in some photographs I took Saturday.  I'll be posting pictures from time to time as I visit more historic sites in America:

United States Military Academy Band and alumni Glee Club performing at Trophy Point Saturday night,
July 25, 2015.  In the background is Constitution Island (which is also featured on the daily masthead
of Urgent Agenda.)  There are still remains from forts on Constitution Island that defended West Point
during the Revolutionary War.  During that war West Point was a military installation only.  It became
the site of the United States Military Academy in 1802, during the administration of Thomas Jefferson.

The base of Battle Monument at Trophy Point, United States Military Academy, West Point.   The monument was designed
by the distinguished architect, Stanford White, and was dedicated in 1897 by veterans of the Civil War.  It memorializes
officers and soldiers of the Regular Army killed in that war.   The monument is surrounded by greened cannons placed
barrel down in the ground, symbolizing the desire that Americans never fire on each other again.

Jefferson Hall, a library building at the United States Military Academy, West Point.  It will surprise the political left
that West Point has a library.  It actually has several, which are well equipped and well attended.  West Point accepts
only 9% of applicants, making it one of the most competitive educational institutions in the nation.

July 27,  2015