Posted by Eric W. Kelly on June 7, 2005:

Tony & Family, You were a much larger part of my life, than you probably know. The competition between Tony and I, although it wasn't evident, was instrumental in my decision to attend West Point. Tony was a great football player. He was very popular, at Sidney High School. I would also say that he was very popular at West Point. I was in company C-3, while Tony was in company D-3. Although I didn't acknowledge the rivalry, Tony and I were very competitive. He was much-better suited, to be the Sidney High School, Class of 1987 Class President. He was a great person. I remember being a Plebe at West Point. It was forbidden for Plebes to speak, in public. However, every time I passed Tony, in the halls, or in Central Area, I always whispered, "Hey Tony. Keep up the good work." I also remember seeing Tony's brother, Jon, at West Point. It was almost like a family reunion, when we passed each other, 600 miles from home. We all came from a small town of 20,000 people, in rural Ohio. Tony was a very intelligent, athletic person, who also had both parents as teachers, in the Sidney City School system. I knew that my chances were very slim, against Tony, to get into West Point. My congressman only had 10 nominations, to get into West Point, and Tony was a shoe-in. He was a natural leader, who was very savy with personal relations. Somehow, I was able to convince Congressman Oxley to appoint me to West Point. Little did Tony know how influential he would be, in my decision to stay at West Point. I nearly failed out, but I used Tony as my motivation. It is not fair that Tony should be taken, when there was so much more that he could do. I knew he was a great football player, basketball player, baseball player, tennis player, and general humanitarian. He knew how to deal with other people. I'll never forget your nice house, with the cool tennis court, in your yard. Sidney High School just installed the Class of 1971 Freedom Rock, at the High School. I intend to visit it often, to pay my respects to Mark Anthony "Tony" Wildermuth. Sidney High School Class of 1987 - West Point Class of 1991. My wishes are that your family is at peace. Eric W. Kelly SHS '87 / USMA '91

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