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Newburgh Jeweler Has a Role in West Point Ring Melting Ceremony In the past, I have shared with you some of my stories about growing up an Army Brat. My father graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA), he was part of the Class of 1961. While I was growing up we had the opportunity to travel and live in many places but some of my fondest memories were of living at West Point in the early 1970s. This could be the main reason I want to share some news from West Point that took place today.

I was calling him because Ray Renola, born and raised in Providence, holds a unique military distinction. He is the oldest living graduate of West Point, where for centuries the Army has trained its elite candidates. There are 54,132 graduates of the academy still among us. Ray, at 104, is their elder statesman. I found him in assisted living in Virginia — that’s now home. My hope was to tell his full story, but it seemed there was a piece of it I would never know: what Ray went through in World War II. He married late, did not have children, and never spoke of it to his wider family.

Opinion/Patinkin: At 104, Providence native is West Point's oldest graduate Mark Patinkin, The Providence Journal © Courtesy of the Renola family Ray Renola in 2019, with nieces Karen Renola, left, and Jean Boshco. The old soldier’s image came onto FaceTime. I was calling him because Ray Renola, born and raised in Providence, holds a unique military distinction. He is the oldest living graduate of West Point, where for centuries the Army has trained its elite candidates. There are 54,132 graduates of the academy still among us. Ray, at 104, is their elder statesman. I fou...

The Army Rangers were some of the most highly trained soldiers around. Here's What You Need to Know: The Rangers distinguished themselves in many battles, including on D-Day. On a June morning in 1942, a battalion of American soldiers stepped down from a train at Fort William in the northern highlands of Scotland. Bagpipes of the Cameron Highlanders’ band sounded the call to battle, and the Americans were greeted by Lt. Col. Charles Vaughan, a burly, ruddy-cheeked British Army officer. Radiating enthusiasm and goodwill, he welcomed the Americans to Scotland and told them he would lead the ...

On a June morning in 1942, a battalion of American soldiers stepped down from a train at Fort William in the northern highlands of Scotland. Bagpipes of the Cameron Highlanders’ band sounded the call to battle, and the Americans were greeted by Lt. Col. Charles Vaughan, a burly, ruddy-cheeked British Army officer. Radiating enthusiasm and goodwill, he welcomed the Americans to Scotland and told them he would lead the way to Achnacarry Castle, site of the British Commando training depot. The GIs slung their rifles and packs, formed a column, and followed the band up a hilly road. Heartened b...