CEC Essay: West Point Museum Visit During my latest visit to West Point Military Academy, I had the opportunity to visit our country's most prestigious military museum. As a scout I attended West Point Camporees and camped at West Point's Lake Frederick cadet boot camp. I also took an orienteering course at Trophy point, where I saw the famous cannon display, and numerous statues and monuments, for the first time. However, during my visits, I never had the opportunity to visit the West Point Museum. On my first visit to West Point Military Academy, I was stunned by the enormous statue of George Washington that stands fittingly in front of the parade field, where West Point Cadets graduate each year. While serving as president of the United States, Washington, known as "the conceptual founder" of the academy, was the first to propose a national military academy. However, it was not established until 1802, when President Thomas Jefferson signed an act of Congress launching the office as a military academy. I finally found the time to visit the museum! Although the artifact collection is primarily used for the academic education of cadets, the collection also educated a college freshman, like me, who is studying U.S. history. I was able to appreciate the exhibits and connect the artifacts to class materials and lessons. I found the exhibits and the stories behind the artifacts to be the most amazing. I didn't initially know that West Point is the oldest operational military post in the United States. I was impressed to learn that our country's most recognized generals; Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower and H. Norman Schwarzkopf participated and gr...... at the heart of the document ...... is "Preserving the heritage American military" "and to "educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values ​​of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army." Another part of the mission is to educate all Americans and visitors about how America has sustained its freedom for over 200 years. In today's world, with our fight to defeat terrorism and turmoil in other nations, the museum and the academy are a good place to find inspiration and American pride. That said, I think the directors of the West Point Museum are achieving their goal and staying true to their mission . I can't wait to go back and learn more about our country's history and the impact wars have had and still have on our world.