By Debbie Gregory.
For the first time in more than 30 years, three brothers will be graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at the same time.
It was four years ago that brothers Noah, Sumner and Cole Ogrydziak entered West Point as cadets. On May 27th, the Texas natives will be graduating with the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2017.
Oldest brother Noah is 23, and twins Cole and Sumner are 21.
While they were in different regiments at the school, they always tried to make time for each other.
“Usually on the weekends we’ll buy a pizza at Grant Hall over there and we’ll watch a movie together. Just hang out,” Cole said.
Their mother, Kristine, served in the Coast Guard for 10 years, and their father, Randal, is a Coast Guard captain who is retiring next month after 38 years of service. Following the graduation ceremony, the family will take part in the traditional “pinning ceremony.” Dad Randal will exercise his privilege as a commissioned officer to personally give his sons their oaths and place bars on each of their boys’ shoulders as they become second lieutenants.
“He’ll be our first salute, too,” Sumner said. “And I couldn’t be more happy.”
Both of their grandfathers were also in the military. The three Ogrydziak brothers received presidential appointments, which are available for children of career military personnel.
Noah will be in the Signal Corps , Sumner is headed to South Korea, assigned to the Army engineers, and Cole is headed to a medical school to become a doctor.
This will be the first time three siblings graduated West Point together since 1985, when Rose, Anne and John Forrester became officers at the same time.
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