Goodbye, Bill Welter

It is with sadness that I note the sudden and unexpected passing of Bill Welter, West Point class of 1955.

Bill was one of the early members of the WP-ORG Board of Advisors. Back in the days when the organization was just beginning to make itself known in cyberspace Bill was there with us, providing his unique viewpoints and perspectives.

Never one to sidestep a challenge or to shirk responsibility, Bill was the original keeper of WP-ORG’s Moderator discussion list, an essential vehicle providing for centralized communication among the people that make the organization run.

For many years Bill was an essential gear in the machinery that made WP-ORG work; he left his unique stamp on us all.

We have established a eulogy page where thoughts and memories of Bill may be shared.

Thank you, Bill, for your time, your effort, and your passion.

Rest in Peace.

This Holiday Season

To the members of the profession of arms, the noblest of professions, who this season will find themselves on foreign soil, far from home and loved ones; may the brightness of a child’s eyes of a Christmas morn light your loneliest of hours; may the warmth of our hearth transcend time and distance and ease the chill of your winter’s night. In that silent moment of peace, after Santa’s labor is complete and before the little ones shriek with glee at their good fortune, in that fleeting period when all is calm and right with the world; know that I will raise a warm glass in salute to you, to your loved ones, and to your sacrifice.

To all of you; may Love pervade your Holiday Season.

For all of us here at WP-ORG, Happy Holidays!

~ Dempsey

Random Ramblings

One of the difficult things about a BLOG is keeping it current, writing something from time to time. Since WP-ORG is a non-profit organization I’m somewhat limited in what I can put here. Also, when I started this BLOG, I didn’t want to just post generic, sanitized information that’s of no interest to anyone.

So, on that note, I happened to be watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of my favorite football teams, on TV today and I noticed that the end zone at Heinz Field has the word “Pittsburgh” painted on the field. No news flash there. But then there’s this, recently taken over Michie Stadium at West Point by Lee Ross. That symbol you see after the words “West Point” is ®; the name has been registered as a trademark by the Academy. Memorabilia bought at the Academy will carry this tag as well. Makes me wonder why the Pittsburgh Steelers football organization, a commercial entity, hasn’t done the same thing, and it makes me wonder when I’ll get a recall notice for my class ring so the symbol can be added there as well.

Past readers will notice that the banner on the BLOG has been replaced. That’s because it contained the words “West Point” and we (WP-ORG) were told by the Academy’s lawyers that we didn’t have permission to use the words. West-Point.Org is OK, but “West Point” is not, not without specific permission. Many thanks to Lee Ross and his skill with a camera for the current banner; it’s a shot of West Point, Hudson River view, taken from above Constitution Island.

On a bright note we’ve successfully completed fund drive 24 and achieved our operating budget for the next six months. Here’s hoping everyone’s week starts on a good note.

~ Dempsey

Trademarks, Threats, and Failure

It’s been almost a week since the letter of clarification (see my previous BLOG entry) was disseminated to limited distribution by the Superintendent of West Point. The damage caused by the Academy’s re-branding and trademarking campaign remains. Hopefully there has been additional and personal back channel communication with parents whose graduates are fighting and continue to die for their country. That they have been profoundly hurt and offended by the Cease and Desist letters they’ve received is a matter of record. 

The USMA Association of Graduates (AOG) is attempting to distance itself from this entire affair and who can blame them? They’re poised to kick off a fund raising campaign in the near future and it’s in their best interest to let the furor die and hope that people will forget. Or, with enough time having passed, at least forgive. This distancing, stating that the Cease and Desist campaign is a unilateral move on the part of the Academy, takes on a pronounced pallor when viewed in light of the fact that the AOG is a beneficiary by contract of a percentage of the income stream generated by the USMA trademarks.

To the extent that his or her staff determines a commander’s effectiveness, the Superintendent’s staff failed him. From the poorly planned and even more poorly executed campaign against graduates and parents by the USMA Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA – the lawyers), to the lack of effective direction provided by the Academy’s Dr. Seuss quoting Public Affairs Officer, the trademarking and re-branding effort continues to plow along with all the finesse of a drunk at High Tea.

~ Dempsey

Behind the Scenes, a Response

In reaction to the uproar caused by the OSJA, USMA sending threatening letters to West Point Parents Clubs, the Superintendent of West Point today had the email below forwarded to West Point Society, Class, and Parents Club Presidents for whom the AOG, USMA has an email address (I know, it’s signed by the President of the AOG but the original was sent by the Superintendent):

***This message is being sent to Society Presidents.***

Dear Society Leaders:
The Superintendent and Chairman have asked that I share with you a message sent by LTG Hagenbeck to Parents Club Presidents today.  Thank you again for all you do for West Point and its graduates. 

Bob

West Point Society Leaders (West Point Class Leaders),

I know there has been discussion about our recent trademarking efforts so I wanted you to see this email I just sent to our Parents Club Presidents. Hope to see you here for the AOG Leaders Conference in August.

LTG Hagenbeck
Superintendent
Parents Club Presidents,

As many of you know, West Point has begun the necessary task of more stringently enforcing our trademarks, and we have sent letters explaining this to our Parents Clubs. I understand that these letters worried and even offended some of you, our most ardent supporters. For that I apologize. Let me assure you of my continued appreciation and respect for you and your organizations.

However, for the good of the Academy we must continue to ensure all uses of our trademarks are approved and appropriate. This spring, at the Parents Clubs conference, we gave a presentation on the trademark program, and later sent out information letters to the approximately 100 parents clubs. Of those 100 clubs, only nine remained out of compliance and received a second notification.

Trademarks are a type of intellectual property. They are the words, phrases, and symbols that represent West Point. We began registering our marks in the mid-1970s and the program has grown, particularly as the market for sports related goods has exploded. Information on our trademarks has been on our website for several years at <http://www.westpoint.edu/trademark.asp>http://www.westpoint.edu/trademark.asp

Under US law we must protect these trademarks or we will lose our right to the exclusive use of our own marks. Truly, the potential exists that, without the proper enforcement our marks could be used without permission. If that happens, not only could anyone anywhere sell merchandise with our name and logos, costing cadet activities and athletics approximately $400,000 a year, but our marks could be modified and even used in profane or political ways.

The enforcement process is not directed specifically at you, our Parents Clubs, or at our Societies, Class Organizations or the Association of Graduates. We have not, and will not, ask for those who support us to pay for the use of the West Point name or logos. But, to ensure we meet our legal obligations as trademark owners, we do limit the use of our logos and we will work with you to ensure that all items have been licensed with our agent, the Collegiate Licensing Corporation, and any products sold pay the licensing fee.

Thanks for trusting us with your most precious possession, your children, and thanks your continued support of West Point.

Beat Navy!

Buster Hagenbeck
Superintendent

Robert L. McClure ‘76
COL (USA, RET)
President & CEO
West Point Association of Graduates
698 Mills Road
West Point, NY 10996
Phone:  845-446-1600
FAX:  845-446-1696
robert.mcclure@wpaog.org
www.westpointaog.org

Serving West Point and the Long Gray Line

*****

For history regarding the above and other issues, see Behind the Scenes, Behind the Scenes Part II, and Behind the Scenes – Reactions.