In 1949, Gray Parks and Scott Shipe were West Point cadets. They took a train to Union Station for President Harry Truman's inauguration. They even marched in the parade.
"It was quite an honor to be in the parade as far as I was concerned," says Parks.
Jim Upp was also there. He was a 16-year-old D.C. Boy Scout assigned the duty of helping to line the inaugural parade route.
"It was fun because you had the best eye view of the whole parade as it came by," says Upp.
All three of these men who participated in the 1949 inauguration are neighbors. They all live at Greenspring retirement community in Springfield. They all remember it being quite cold on that day in 1949.
"The cars were coming by the front of the parade," says Upp. "Off went the coats when they passed. Up went the salute. Of course, it was a three-fingered salute at the time."
"Still is - only I can't hold my fingers together anymore," says Shipe.
Yes, they caught a glimpse of the President.
"Yes, I vaguely saw him, but, mainly, I was concerned about these two buttons on the side of my hat," says Shipe. "It seemed like they were constantly tightening and giving me more of headache."
Parks and Shipe also remember Truman's visit to West Point to speak at their commencement in 1952. A pole with a clock on top had been freshly painted for the President's visit - until a cadet played a prank.
"He went out and painted the red stripe like a barber pole around the clock," says Parks.
Administrators were horrified, but the President seemed to get a kick out of it.
"President Truman apparently said if you catch the guy that did it, I am going to pardon him," says Parks laughingly. "This is one of the great things that's happened."
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:46 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:46:08 GMT
A car has crashed into a building on 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village. At least eight people are injured. Three victims are in serious condition, said FDNY officials. A white colored vehicle that may have jumped the curb and struck the store came to a stop in a cross walk. It sustained heavy front-end damage. There is a large emergency response on scene.
A car has crashed into a building on 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village. At least eight people are injured. Three victims are in serious condition, said FDNY officials. A white colored vehicle that may have jumped the curb and struck the store came to a stop in a cross walk. It sustained heavy front-end damage. There is a large emergency response on scene.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:12:52 GMT
A senior administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have struck a deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion...
A senior administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have struck a deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion proposal...
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:07:22 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
