All it took was a notice from a humble West Point “plebe” for Massachusetts Senate President Pro Tempore Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) to realize that the Bay State has yet to formally recognize the founding of the United States Army. In light of the Commonwealth’s lengthy oversight, Moore has filed legislation to celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Army as well as that of Brevet Brigadier General Sylvanus Thayer, known as “the Father of West Point.”

After all, the main branch of the American armed forces was conceived right in Boston’s backyard, Cambridge, as the Continental Army on June 14, 1775 in an attempt to fend of invading British forces during the thick of the American Revolution.

According to Senator Moore’s office, Cadet Timothy B. McLaughlin, Jr. of Millville, Mass. enlightened Moore during an internship in the Senator’s office of the historical significance the Continental forces had in forming the United States Army – and the part Braintree-native General Sylvanus Thayer had on molding young minds like McLaughlin’s at United States Military Academy at West Point.

“Tim told me about General Thayer’s important contribution to the training of America’s military leaders, and I was surprised that Massachusetts hasn’t previously honored such a distinguished citizen,” noted Senator Moore in a press release. “Last June, Cadet McLaughlin and I visited the Thayer Historic Homestead in Braintree with Mayor Joseph C. Sullivan. That visit, and Cadet McLaughlin’s love of West Point, convinced me that Massachusetts, not just Braintree, should honor General Thayer.”

It was General Thayer who, after touring Europe and studying rigorously at the French Polytechnique, introduced the college of engineering to West Point benefiting the likes of legendary military man and former Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who graduated second in his class, under the tutelage of Thayer.

Interestingly, current Superintendent of West Point Lt. General Robert L. Caslen, Jr., is endowed with his own ties to Massachusetts, having spent some of his upbringing on Cape Cod.

Under Moore’s legislation, June 9 would carry the designation of “General Sylvanus Thayer Day” while boasting June 14 as “United States Army Birthday.” Subsequently, it would require the Governor of Massachusetts  to annually issue a proclamation for each event calling upon the citizens to appropriately recognize these important dates.