Class Ring Memorial Program
What is the big deal with donating one’s class ring to the Ring Melt program? The proverbial answer: “It depends”.
Let’s start out with the program’s official publicized perspective:
“The USMA Ring Melt is a powerful West Point tradition where gold from donated Class Rings (often from deceased or veteran graduates) is ceremonially melted down. This tradition makes each ring deeply personal, carrying the stories and courage of those who served before.
During the annual Ring Melt, the Class Ring Memorial Program (CRMP) takes graduates' donated class rings, ceremoniously places each ring into a crucible, melts the rings to form a single gold bar, and gifts this gold bar to the newest members of the Long Gray Line to be used in the making of their class rings. blended with gold for current cadets' rings, symbolizing the "Long Gray Line" of shared history, sacrifice, and service, physically connecting past and present generations of officers. This solemn, emotional event ensures that graduates' legacies, including those who served in major conflicts, are literally forged into the rings of future leaders, reinforcing West Point's values of Duty, Honor, Country.
How the Ring Melt Works:
- Donation: Graduates or their families donate their class rings, often from past decades.
- The Ceremony: Donated rings, along with "Legacy Gold" (gold shavings from previous melts), are placed into a cauldron and melted.
- Legacy Gold: A portion of the new gold ingot is set aside as Legacy Gold to be added to future melts, creating an ever-growing, shared history.
- New Rings: The blended gold is then used to craft the rings for the current graduating class (e.g., Class of 2028), who receive them later.
Significance:
- Create a Physical Connection: It's a tangible link, allowing current cadets to feel the presence and sacrifice of earlier graduates.
- Advocate Continuity: It reinforces the idea of the "Long Gray Line" and the continuous legacy of service.
- Recognize Honor & Sacrifice: It honors veterans, POWs, and fallen soldiers by incorporating their rings into the symbols of new officers.”
So that elucidates the process and provides some insights as to what motivates individuals and families to donate their class rings but what actually drives someone to “give away” a family heirloom, an article that carries personal significance on multiple levels .
The answer, “it depends”. It depends on a multitude of factors. A fundamental question requiring reflection is ultimately what is your perspective regarding one’s legacy. As we enter the autumn of our lives, placing your affairs in order becomes more and more important. One question and decision that warrants consideration, regardless of the answer, is will you genuinely consider donating your class ring to support the Ring Melt.
At this time, we are asking each of you to set aside time to consider the possibility of becoming a contributor.
Should you decide to donate your ring please familiarize yourself with the process and timetable. The best resource is the Class Ring Memorial Program section of the West Point AOG.
As you will glean from the program specifics, the key items are: Submit donation forms with the ring (without the stone) along with a memorial article for deceased classmates, or a biography for living contributors. These items must be received at AOG by 1 September 2026 in order to be considered in the Ring Melt feeding the Class of 2028 rings production.
For each ring donated up to four family members are invited to attend the Ring Melt Ceremony held at Eisenhower Hall January 2027 (Date TBA)
Please let Reese Delorey, 13reese56@gmail.com, know of your intent to donate so he can help ensure things go smoothly. Feel free to share thoughts and questions as well.
Proud & Great,
ReeseUSMA ’78 Ring Melt Lead