Mr. Lou Gross is an idea man. He comes up with a good idea and then gets it done. After enlisting in the New York National Guard upon graduating from High School in 1948 and earned a competitive appointment to the United States Military Academy in 1950. After graduating from West Point, he spent three years in the military as an Engineer Officer. Upon leaving the military, he became a professional engineer and ran a business. He has devoted his life to making West Point a better place for future generations. In this interview, he talks about the New York National Guard of the late 40s, and West Point in the early 50s. The most interesting and important part of this interview is when he discusses his life after the military and the various ways he has given back to West Point over the years. He talks about his relationship with Herbert S. Lichtenberg (USMA ’55) and Lewis L. Zickel (USMA ’49), the “Three Amigos” who made it their mission to improve three areas at West Point; the academic, the athletic, and the religious. He discusses the tradition of the “March Back” at the end of Plebe summer. Finally, he explains why West Point is so important, not only to him, but also to the nation.