Copyright Arkansas Online
In the fall of 2001, the Army had a problem. More specifically, its venerated institution, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was facing a crisis. Just as the University of Arkansas has a razorback as its mascot, the West Point mascot is a mule. And during the football season of 2001, the academy veterinarian, an officer with keen insight into the nature and health of mules, knew that the school's two stars were getting a bit too old for the limelight. This football season would be a challenge for them. In short, the mules, Trooper and Traveler, aka Ernie and Dan, were ready for retirement. Through his past service on the USMA Board of Visitors, my husband Bob had become aware of the plan to retire Trooper and Traveler, whose period of service had started in 1990. Bob knew that his friend, Federal District Court Judge Bill Wilson, raised mules on his Wye Mountain farm outside Little Rock. So, Bob approached the judge about assuming responsibility for an Army mule. Judge Wilson enthusiastically expressed his interest. What followed was an extended period of negotiation, facilitated by Bob, between the academy's vet and the federal judge. As Judge Wilson was proving his competence to care for a special symbol of the academy, the vet decided that the bond between Trooper and Traveler was so strong that, if, at all possible, they should remain together. Bob was instructed to ask Judge Wilson whether he would be interested in having not one, but two Army mules. To Bob's and the academy's great relief, Wilson said yes. Despite West Point's superintendent's knowledge that Wilson had served three years, five months, three days and five hours in the U.S. Navy, the superintendent accepted the recommendation of the academy's vet to transfer custody of Trooper and Traveler to the judge. This transfer of ownership was made official during the Sept. 7, 2002, Army-Holy Cross football game at West Point's Michie Stadium. The stadium, the site of many an Army-Navy duel, overlooks the Hudson River. Bob and our son Charles attended the game and proudly applauded with the rest of the Army fans when the two mules were presented at halftime to their new custodian. At the end of this ceremony, their replacements were introduced and presented to the Corps of Cadets. After Judge Wilson transported the mules back to his farm, Bob arranged for Trooper and Traveler to be welcomed to Arkansas at an event at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. This event was held on Oct. 19, 2002. The day was cool with threatening rain. The two friends, Trooper and Traveler, stood quietly in a pen scattered with straw in front of the museum. Their many new and old fans greeted them with smiles, laughter, petting and even a few nose kisses. Lt. Gov. Winthrop Paul Rockefeller welcomed the crowd and the mules. Secretary of State Sharon Priest presented Arkansas Traveler certificates to Trooper and Traveler. Despite being the guests of honor, the mules stayed outside in the rain during the ceremony. At its conclusion, great applause followed the judge as he left to take the mules to their new home. Coincidentally, the event was noted in an Oct. 24, 2002, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette column by Richard Allin, whose godfather was Bob's father. Through the years, whenever Bob and the judge were together, Trooper and Traveler were always a great subject of discussion. The judge seemed to love hosting the two mules. He said according to their breed's nature, they had acclimated slowly but steadily to their new home. Knowing mules as well as Wilson did, he assured Bob their integration was certainly a smooth one and that his other mules had welcomed them in their own mule way to Rasputin Farm. So, a former Naval officer and federal judge in Arkansas solved an Army crisis with generosity, grace and good humor. Arkansas was now the proud home of Trooper and Traveler, former football mascots and now, residents of the Natural State. Nell Weaver Lyford is a retired Little Rock-based public relations consultant and an author of several books for Runner's World Magazine. She now lives in St. Louis.
