CHS Grad Completes Basic Training at West Point

When Raymond El-Khoury left Cranford on July 18, he knew the next few weeks of his life wouldn't be easy, but he was up to the challenge. In fact, he had been looking forward to it for more than a year.

Ever since El-Khoury visited West Point Military Academy during his junior year at Cranford High School, he knew that was where he wanted to continue his education, no matter how difficult it would be. His mother, Barbara El-Khoury, said she never had a doubt that Raymond would be a good fit for Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point, also known as USMAPS.

His interest in attending the prestigious school, which requires a letter of recommendation from a congressman in order to be accepted, began when he attended a soccer camp at the academy, located about 40 miles from New York City, on the west bank of the Hudson River.
During his junior year at Cranford High School, El-Khoury went to Texas, where he played with the FC Copa, soccer club, for Team Forza, under the direction of Coach Roberto Aguas. During the game, he caught the eye of a coach from West Point, who invited him to visit the military academy.

"From there on, it was all he wanted. It was tunnel vision," Barbara said.

Raymond, who was the co-captain of his high school soccer team, went on to attend a soccer camp at West Point, where he explored the campus and talked to some of the cadets at the school. He was amazed by the school's rich history. The academy was founded on March 16, 1802. Leaders such as Grant, Lee, Pershing, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Patton, Schwarzkopf and Petraeus are among the more than 50,000 graduates. The teen knew the admissions process would be competitive and was based on academic standing, physical fitness and leadership potential. He wasted no time getting the wheels in motion. That included getting a letter of recommendation from Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ.

Now 18, Raymond is fully immersed in his West Point education, having just completed the rigorous basic training that is required of all cadets. He was unable to call his mother or use the Internet during the first few weeks of the process, but he has managed to write her three letters.

"In his letters he says that he's happy, but that training is really tough," his mother said.

She was finally able to visit her son this past weekend. During their visit, Raymond told his mother that he was selected out of a pool of 244 cadets to serve as an Activities Officer. Only 15 students receive this honor from each class.

One of the Raymond's most difficult tasks to master during basic training, Barbara said, was making his bed in the precise way that is required of all cadets.

"In one of his letters, he said to me, 'Mom, I can't begin to describe how difficult it is to make the bed,'" Barbara said, adding that she has written o her son - who is one of five children in the family - nearly every day since he left. "It's mixed emotions, because I'm so proud of him, but I'm always wondering if he's eating, if he's happy."

But Raymond is eating. In fact, breakfast is served to cadets at 5:30 a.m. From there, he maintains a busy schedule that includes physical training, three hours a soccer practice each day, classroom session and training on everything from learning Army values to practicing military drills and learning everyday required skills such as maintaining their uniforms and dorm rooms.

Barbara is confident that her son will continue to thrive at West Point. He has always excelled and been involved in school and the community and has been a "really good kid."

"I never had to worry about him because he always made the right decision. he cares; he wants to do well," she said, adding that she and Raymond have a special connection. "He's my child, but sometimes I feel like I've given birth to my best friend, and he's also a great brother."

As a CHS student, Raymond started a Top Soccer program while in high school in which he taught lung, handicapped children to play the game. He was a peer leader and involved in community service - something he will continue while attending West Point. When he graduates from the academy, he will be required to serve five years of active purity in the Army, followed by three years as a U.S. Army reservist.