In June, 1893, the Association of Graduates adopted a miniature bell button to be worn by members in the upper buttonhole of civilian coats; the part nearest an observer is a gold plate with the year of graduation on it, next is a gray stone, then a gold band with the class motto on it, then a dark blue stone; the date plate being fastened by a shank to a circular metal base on the under side of which are the owner’s name and the letters U. S. M. A. In June, 1904, this button was substituted by another showing the West Point colors, gray, black and gold. In June, 1910, the bell button was re-adopted. BADGE. [Illustration] Badge of the “Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy[56],” adopted June 9, 1902. Composed of the Coat of Arms of the United States Military Academy and a bar pin made of bronze gilt, silver gilt or gold pierced by the Corps colors, a gray, black and gold ribbon. The date of graduation is put on the bar. Worn only by members of the association at graduate re-unions, graduate dinners, class dinners, etc. [Illustration: CAMP THAYER THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY IS REQUESTED AT THE HOPS TO GIVEN BY THE CORPS OF CADETS EVERY MONDAY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING DURING THE ENCAMPMENT _MANAGERS_ W. G. BIRNEY G. F. HARRISON A. S. CUMMINS E. D. HOYLE J. M. BALDWIN E. W. CASEY E. S. BEACOM H. C. LA POINT J. J. CRITTENDEN J. H. KING C. M. O’CONNOR J. E. BLOOM R. LONDON J. R. JEFFERSON H. W. ISBELL _West Point N.Y._ _June 1872._] CHAPTER VIII. THE GRADUATE. After the June examinations were over we went into camp again at the usual place. This year it was named “Camp Thayer” in honor of a former superintendent of the Academy, and as first classmen have precedence over all other cadets, it was “our camp.” Among the young lady visitors were many who had been to the Point for several summers. They seemed like old friends and the pleasure of meeting again was mutual. The first thing of importance for us to do was to arrange for the celebration of the Fourth of July and for a special hop that evening. We elected officers to conduct the holiday exercises and to have charge of the special hop. It was not obligatory upon any one to attend those festivities, but as the weather was perfect and as there were no other inviting places to go, everybody who could be present attended the exercises held in the morning in the pretty little chapel,[57] and in the evening some witnessed the handsome pyrotechnic display, while others attended the hop, and as usual the Mess Hall was beautifully decorated and used for the special hop.[58]