FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT J.R. “Sonny” SESSIONS Sheriff 1965-2001 UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY WEST POINT, NEW YORK To me West Point similar to Camelot as never sure if or where it was or is until Grandson J.R. III became a Cadet there in 2006. JR now completing his junior year and scheduled to study in China in the near future. He has done well in all as now in top 20% of his class. West Point was his choice of the Military Academies and his personal efforts made this possible with a appointment assisted by Congressman Herslinger. My first time to this historic site with son James to visit JR was not disappointing. Located about 60 miles north of New York City on the beautiful Hudson River in a sharp turn of the River, a natural place for a Fort to protect the River from the British during the American War for Independence. It one of those places you got to be going to get there as rather isolated in the rural areas north of New York City in the land of Rip Van Winkle and Headless Horseman. General George Washington called this location the key to the Continent and trained troops here. Also called the Gibraltar of America. Opposed originally by Congress and Jefferson for a military academy established l802 to train officers for the Army. Some of the original stone buildings are still used today, all very impressive. The War of l812 showed the desperate need for this. West Point Fort was a key factor in the American Revolution, so important the traitor Gen. Benedict Arnold caught in the act of trying to sell out to the British and escaped to England. In l778 a giant chain was put across the River to keep the British from using it along with a log jam. West Point stresses the lessons of leadership while he other Academies Stress technology. The Long Grey Line has trained more officers than any other school. They stress Duty, Honor and Country. A Cadet should not lie, steal, cheat or allow it to be done. Most of the leaders in most of our wars were graduates of West Point. It humbling to walk on hallowed ground where Washington walked during the War for Independence followed in later years by Pershing, Eisenhower, McArthur, Bradley, Marshall, Lee, Grant, Custer, Davis and too many to mention. George Patton when asked why it took him five years to graduate answered because he couldn’t find the library, a statue of him later put near the library entrance. Some are interned in the small Cemetery at the Fort For many years the Army Mule was the mascot for the Corps, when changed the loyal past erected a large bronze Mule just outside the Main Gate with its rear end facing the Fort. For many years West Point the only Engineering School available and there 10 applicants for every appointment, even today there many more applicants than appointments, the cost for four years is some $250,000. The Army Engineers involved in many projects, railroads, exploring, even the Panama Canal. We are very proud of JR and wish him all the success possible. *** Grandpa’s Report About 36 years ago while the Sheriffs Office still in the portable type building sitting beside the old Jail one Saturday afternoon an impressive unknown man stopped to visit and let it is known he might be looking for a job with the Sheriffs Office. The only position open were Federal grants which he accepted and in time worked into the Chief Deputy position. his name was Charles Nicholson, he and wife Betty and children were living in Ft. Worth where he was employed with Leonard Bros. Stores security. Charles Nicholson who retired from the military filled every and worked in every position of the Sheriffs Office, they also became involved in local events, they also brought an interest in square dancing and the VFW Post where he served. Retiring a few years before I did he was still involved when needed at the Sheriff’s Office. For several months he has severe medical problems that ended after more surgery. This weekend with memorial services conducted by Rev. Don Suits he returned to the resting place of his ancestors, Mount Pleasant Cemetery in the Robertson Co. sand hills he left some 60 years ago to make his place in the world serving and retiring from the United States Marine Corps. A motorcyclist escort with US flags accompanied the procession, A Marine Corps military funeral ending with Taps played by a uniformed Navy man, all very impressive and deserved. Chief Deputy Nicholson well known and respected in law enforcement a true and trusted friend over many years, we shared many experiences together. *** Grandpa’s Report The March Historical Comm. meeting Tuesday, March 4th. at 7pm at The Training Center on west 84 at 7pm with guest speaker Julian Walthall who served in the US Navy in WWII as a Navy Corpsman who was at the Battle of Iwo Jima on a hospital type ship. Navy Corpsmen were the medical personell for the Marines. Everyone invited to come and share Julian’s Experiences. Seldom mention politics but with important District Judges race pending and asked often my opinion. I do not know the lady attorney but know Patrick Simmons well. Always found him honest, qualified and fair and will cast my vote for him. Kenzie and Dev love to help work cattle, last week Dev sick and Kenzie after calling on phone twice every day checking if going to work ended up spending night before with friend and missing. Sara only grandkid there as Cooper sick, Sara worked gates, gave inoculation shots or what ever needed doing. Sara, Cooper and Kenzie to Wortham Elementary School Valentines dance. Carried small boxes of candy to Ham and Karla’s bunch, some said they going to keep theirs, three year old Abigail ready for hers then. Their other Grandpa or Poppa Willy Ward in hospital recouping from open heart surgery, proud to report doing great.. Daniel to San Antonio for more gymnastic tumbling event. Jacob, Ham and Samuel to re-enactment Madisonville.