Cadets, faculty, and staff convened at the West Point Cemetery for the 19th annual "Inspiration to Serve” (ITS) Cemetery Tour & Pre-Affirmation Reflection. The event was a tribute to West Point graduates who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation, held on May 2 at the U.S. Military Academy. 

"At its roots, the Inspiration to Serve event is about human connection," said Maj. Adam Scott, an instructor of management at West Point. "If we are able to demonstrate to the Class of 2026 that those who went before them, and paid the ultimate sacrifice are no different from them, hopefully it inspires them to volunteer and continue in a career of service."  

This year, the ITS honored 32 graduates who lost their lives while carrying out their military duties and are interred in West Point’s cemetery.

Moreover, this year’s tour highlighted members of the Long Gray Line who perished in non-combat military training accidents, including Class of 2020 Cadet Christopher Morgan. This marked a departure from previous years, where only graduates who fell in battle were featured. 

This year also marked the first time since 2019 that Gold Star Parents were among the speakers sharing stories about their fallen sons or daughters with the cadets.

The Simon Center for Professional Military Ethics and the Brigade Tactical Department arranges this tour annually as part of West Point's Cadet Character Education Program.

Organized into groups of about 25 and led by an officer or noncommissioned officer, more than 1100 cadets visited the cemetery to hear testimonials from families and Army officers who knew and loved the fallen graduates. They shared insights into their lives of honor, integrity, and selfless service. 

Scott was among the Army officers imparting enduring lessons on honorable living and leadership. He recounted the story of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dan Prial, highlighting his exemplary life as an embodiment for cadets.

"I was humbled and honored to be a small part of the day," said Scott. "I shared the story of CW2 Dan Prial, my West Point classmate, Flight School roommate, best friend, and the person who introduced my wife and I." 

Scott also remarked on cadets taking note of how their actions impact others.

"I wanted the cadets to consider how they live their current day-to-day lives – are they doing so in a manner that is positively impacting others?" Scott said. "Although the ITS cemetery tour is centered around individuals who gave their lives in service to their country, I wanted to emphasize that, in the end, it doesn’t matter how you die – what really matters is how you live and impact others."

Dr. Peter Kilner, who holds the John Hottell ’64  Chair for Character Development, described how the ITS event provides sophomore cadets with a chance to introspect on the values they uphold, their level of dedication to those values and how it ties to taking critical risks on the battlefield should the need demand it.

"The event taps into motivations for military service that are timeless, such as service to society, sacrifice, loyalty, and courage," Kilner said. "If USMA had an “Inspiration to Serve” in the 1980’s, I think it would have been conducted the same way, for the same reasons, regardless of the different recruiting environment."

For Class of 2026 Cadet Peter Connelly, one of the most significant aspects of the event was the willpower and courage displayed by the Goldstar families who shared pivotal stories of their loved ones.

"The one thing that I think is so important to recognize is the families," Connelly said. "It's not just an individual that's serving, it's a family that's dedicating their lives and their souls to the practice and the purpose of this profession."

The first gravesite that Connelly visited was 1st. Lt. Hailey Hodsden, a USMA 2021 graduate who died during a training accident in Germany. 

"I'm good friends with Hailey's younger brother (Maximilian Hodsden), who is now a firstie (senior) here," Connelly said. "Hailey's family was there and they spoke to us about how much purpose Hailey had brought to them and read to us actual words she had written that inspired her to keep going when she doubted herself or got too bogged down in the day-to-day cadet life."

Connelly added that this moment struck him with the realization that the focus in life has never been about reaching the summit but on the lessons you learn during the climb. 

"The Hodsden family had summoned incredible resolve to endure reading Hailey's words so that the cadets in attendance could find purpose in the profession of arms," Connelly said. "I think there is no greater strength than to see a family come together like that." 

Since its inception in the early years of the Global War on Terror[PK3] , the ITS has been dedicated to educating cadets such as Connelly about the inherent risks and sacrifices of the military profession. This impactful experience has forged a deep connection between thousands of cadets and the esteemed Long Gray Line, aiming to inspire them as they embark on the significant journey of affirming and pursuing a career in the armed forces.

"I strongly believe that the Inspiration to Serve cemetery tour is one of – if not -- the most impactful event cadets will participate in over their 47-month experience," Scott said. "The day emphasizes the importance of humility and choosing to serve, even when presented with the most dire of circumstances. 

"We hope that cadets can recognize themselves in these graduates who paid the ultimate sacrifice and understand that they are not appreciably different from any of them," Scott concluded. "Their decision to commit to service could have the same impact on someone as these fallen graduates have had on us."