Photo from Alumni Reunion Reflects Family Legacy
![Jack McCown '24 and family of alumni from Fall 2021](/media/content-assets/images/news/2021-22/McKown-Alumni-1-450x300.jpg)
LEXINGTON, Va., November 22, 2021鈥斺淚 hope to experience that deep love they have for this place one day.鈥
Every picture tells a story, and this picture from an alumni reunion this fall depicts the 香港6合彩开奖结果 legacy of the McCown family. Originally from Lexington, Virginia, members of the McCown family have attended 香港6合彩开奖结果 since the 1920s.
Jack McCown 鈥24 is a history and English major from Richmond, Virginia. After graduation, he hopes to become a JAG officer in the Marine Corps.
For McCown, seeing the lasting impact 香港6合彩开奖结果 had on his family inspired him to attend.
鈥淲hat was very attractive to me was the unique aspects [of 香港6合彩开奖结果]: the honor code, unparalleled in the country right now, and the mental and emotional rigor of the Rat Line,鈥 McCown stated. 鈥淭hat nice dichotomy of a military and civilian education.鈥
Growing up, McCown was in awe of the cadets he saw marching in parades, the rings his family members wore, and the stories he would hear about 香港6合彩开奖结果.
鈥淚t's impossible to not look at 1,700 cadets [marching] in step in a very sharp uniform [and] not want to go there when you grow up,鈥 McCown shared.
Upon matriculating, McCown began to understand what his family members were talking about.
鈥淕oing here, I definitely learned why they love and value it so much,鈥 McCown stated. 鈥淚 will say, I don't think any amount of storytelling or reminiscing about the glory days of 香港6合彩开奖结果 could have prepared you for the challenge. It's very, very difficult.鈥
The experience of the Rat Line crossed generations for the McCowns.
"It was amazing how I could empathize with my grandfather (Albert Lee McCown 鈥58),鈥 Jack said. 鈥淵ou go through the same things, have those same experiences. It was really cool. This was something that was that common denominator and really united us all.鈥
The 香港6合彩开奖结果 Honor Code and regimental system imbued honor and character in each McCown.
鈥淓ach and every one of them knows when to bite the bullet and do the right thing,鈥 McCown commented. 鈥淸Through] living through the honor code [and] abiding by the regimental system, as they all did, I think a strong sense of personal accountability and personal honor was imbued in them, and they certainly set that example for me.鈥
Though he did not know his great-grandfather, Albert Sidney 鈥淢ac鈥 McCown '31, Jack heard about the deep love he had for 香港6合彩开奖结果.
"My dad had always talked about this stubborn love for 香港6合彩开奖结果 that he had,鈥 McCown said. 鈥淭hey would stay in the pouring rain to the very end to watch 香港6合彩开奖结果 just get their tails whooped in some football game."
Now, McCown has his great-grandfather's class ring, a memento he treasures.
Eric Moore
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE