Tammy and Andy Crippen, daughter-in-law and son of Moline Rotarian Ken Crippen, told us of the journey of Lieutenant General Steve Gilland, Tammy's childhood best friend, and Steve's journey from son of a single mom living in a trailer park, to being the 61st Superintendent of The U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
A little history: Tammy mentioned that on the morning of her first day of kindergarten, her father had met a young single mom in a situation where she had no one to watch her son, Steve, after school. Tammy’s dad volunteered his wife and mother-in-law to babysit the young man after morning kindergarten every day and that is where Tammy met him and subsequently became best friends.
They share many memories growing up, not the least of which their mutual participation in a Bicentennial play at school in 1976, where Tammy was Betsy Ross, and Steve was Uncle Sam!
Steve and Tammy both graduated from Sherard HS in 1986, and Steve applied and was accepted to West Point. Tammy went off to Illinois State to become a teacher. Tammy has been a teacher ever since.
Steve is married to a WP grad, and the two of them have three children. Steve has had an amazing military career is currently a 3-Star General.
Read more about his career here.
Tammy has made it to all but one of Steve’s promotions in rank, but this one was very special. Steve in the next one up in a very distinguished line of Superintendents of West Point Academy.
Lieutenant General Steve Gilland
She showed a video of Steve’s acceptance speech for his new position. It was quite an honor for Steve and a thrill for his entire family and friends to witness his promotion.
It’s pretty cool to know that the Superintendent of West Point was born and raised in our own Quad City area!
The 50/50 jackpot continues to grow! You can't win if you don't play! Contact our NEW esteemed Sergeant at Arms, Sam Moyer, for your entry tickets before each meeting!
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