Norwich University Cadets are out and about in Norwich VT...but Why?

It is an annual tradition

Good morning Norwich, and the Upper Valley,

Yesterday morning on my way to work I noticed soldiers or should I say cadets for now leaving the Congregational Church and I thought it must be their annual Legacy March/Trek to their campus in Northfield VT.

I asked Emily Meyers to gather them up for a group photo and to provide some information so that I could share with my readers. Photos were taken by Emily Myers and Demo Sofronas.

After a quick photo I went on to my daily crossing guard assignment and they started their journey.

And here is their story:

A group photo is always nice to get things going

Every year, Norwich University cadets participate in a Legacy March to learn history, test their endurance, build bonds and fundraiser for the Veterans Place in Northfield, VT.  The 50 or so cadets start their 50 mile march at the Norwich Congregational Church where members of the Norwich University Upper Valley Alumni Club prepare breakfast to get them on their way.

First they study and go over the maps for their journey

And then it will be breakfast soon as the volunteers and Alumni Prepare the breakfast to give the cadets the get up and go for their journey.

And it sure looks like this breakfast is ok or should I say good to go!

More info shared in a casual setting

Emily Myers gives a little history talk on the Legacy March to go over the how’s and why’s

And outside the church, Norwich University Alumni Emily Myers points to the site where the Norwich University once stood and explains the history of the school and it’s founder Captain Alden Partridge.

This tablet marks the site

And this sign is for the first fraternity for the school was started

 While they are at Norwich, they can see first hand where the University once stood, see historic buildings that were used during the time the University was here (boarding houses, tailor shop, University staff and presidents homes). They also stop to pay respect to Captain Alden Partridge’s (founder of Norwich University) resting place at Fairview Cemetery before heading north.

Paying their respects

Here the cadets are getting a talk from Alumni at the gravesite

And here she is explaining the step by step legacy march that they will be doing

And they are off

on their 50 mile march.

Followed by the Norwich University van for safety sake.

The cadets will divide the trek into 3 days, stopping in Sharon the first night, Brookfield the second night and then back on campus in Northfield on the third day. This is a tradition that is in keeping with the extensive excursions that Captain Partridge took his cadets on (all over VT, NH, NY and more).

These excursions spanned days, sometimes weeks and hundreds of miles. Cadets participating in the Legacy March today, are exemplifying what Partridge wanted to instill in his citizen soldier. During the trek to Buffalo NY and back (1300 mile, 4 week adventure) Partridge said, “They have the opportunity of seeing interesting parts of our country, of becoming acquainted with the people and the species of the practical and everyday knowledge of the world which can never be derived from books or in the closet...On these excursions youth became accustomed to endurance fatigue and privation and also to take care of themselves which I consider a very important part of education.” It is a wonderful experience for these cadets and we look forward to hosting them every year.