Friday Smiles 349: I'm back and we're heading to the Eisenhower Museum again

I've been on hiatus because of Art Every Day Month (AEDM), but I'm back and hoping to catch up on a few things I have missed.  It's Friday and that means it's time once again to join Annie (at A Stitch in Time) and the ladies at Friday Smiles.

We're once again heading to the Eisenhower Museum.  We've already seen the gift shop, his boyhood home, and the murals inside the museum.  Now it's time to return to the revolving gallery.

These photos cover Eisenhower's life in High School and around his town during his days of growing up in Abilene, Kansas (USA).  Ike worked here for two years after graduating from High School.

School days.

It's hard to see these things because of the reflecting plexiglass.

His first six grades were at Lincoln school directly across the street from his boyhood home.  My how times have changed.

His high school diploma.  It was a lot fancier than the ones I received.

Ike's parents marriage license.

We learned earlier that "Little Ike" and his brother "Big Ike" planned to go to college in alternating years, with Big Ike going first.  To pay for Big Ike's college, Ike took a job at the Belle Springs Creamery where he worked for nearly two years.

A friend encouraged Ike to apply for an appointment to the naval academy at Annapolis. In August, 1910, Ike wrote a letter to a Kansas senator, Joseph W. Bristow, asking for an appointment, but received no reply. Then, when a notice for academy applications appeared in the local newspaper in early September, Ike wrote again. This time the Senator wrote back with the information that Ike needed to proceed.

In October, Ike traveled to Topeka, Kansas, to take Senator Bristow’s service academies exam. He placed first for Annapolis and second for West Point with an overall score of 87%. But, at age 20, Ike was too old to be admitted to Annapolis. Although he had placed second for West Point, the letters of recommendation written for him were so impressive that Bristow awarded him the appointment anyway. In January 1911, Ike took the West Point entrance exams, both academic and physical.

Because it was difficult to read the various notes, I copied this from the web site:

On June 14, 1911, Dwight Eisenhower, and 245 others, arrived at West Point on Initiation Day. For the newly arrived plebes, the experience was nothing short of bewilderment. Upperclassmen barked out orders to be obeyed, in double-time. Wide-eyed plebes raced in every direction to follow orders as best they could. At day’s end, the new arrivals took the oath of allegiance, which made them official cadets of the USMA. For 20-year-old Dwight Eisenhower, the ceremony had an unexpected and profound impact. He knew that from this day forward, “Duty, Honor, Country” would guide his path through life.

Also, Ike was too small to be part of the Varsity in his freshman year, so over the summer, he ate everything in sight, bulked up using weights, and ran sprints.  It worked, and his sophomore year, he was part of the varsity football team.   

According to the site:

By the fall of 1912, Ike had made varsity and led his Army team to victory against Stevens Institute and Rutgers. He had known no greater glory. The New York Times proclaimed him “one of the most promising backs in Eastern Football.” In the next game, against Tufts, Ike’s knee was badly injured when he was tackled. Later the same week, during riding class, his right knee collapsed. Weeks later, when the cast was removed, it was clear he would never play football or baseball again.

Further:

Ike was despondent. Had his friends not intervened, he would have quit school and returned home. He smoked, accumulated demerits, and let his grades slide. As the football season began in 1913, he was once again depressed. When asked to help coach the junior varsity team, he discovered an alternative way to express his passion for football. Ike had a natural talent for bringing out the best in those under his leadership. When he was selected for a coveted position on the Honor Guard, he carried the American flag with pride. Ike Eisenhower had found his way again.

There were a lot of "Stars" in Ike's graduating class.   The stars are the number of stars each man (yes, man) received as he advanced through the ranks of the army.  Both Ike and Omar Bradley received five stars. They were the last of the 5 star generals, and both men had remained officially on active duty until their death, as do all five-star generals. 

According to the web site:

Eisenhower graduated from West Point, ranking 64th out of 164 academically and 125th in discipline. His damaged knee threatened an early end to his military career, especially when he stubbornly insisted on an assignment to the infantry.

This is the end of Ike's journey from High School in Abilene, KS to his military beginning at West Point.

Now let's see what others are smiling about this Friday.  Please don't forget to start your weekend off right by visiting Annie for a few Friday Smiles.  We would love to have you join us, too.