Air Gardens
From USAFA Folklore
The Air Gardens stretch from the northeast corner of the Terrazzo near the flagpole and War Memorial, to the southeast corner near the Eagle and Fledglings Statue. They contain walkways, grass, hedges, two reflecting pools with fountains, and 141 honey locust trees to commemmorate the 141 graduates of the Academy lost in the Vietnam War.
The Air Gardens are off-limits to fourth class cadets. However, if a Fourth Class Cadet can navigate through the Air Gardens five times without being caught, he can become an Air Gardens Ace.
[edit] Notes
- The Air Gardens once held an ordered geometry of lighted pools, lowered grass sections and maze-like walkways. The Academy filled and leveled the pools in 1975 following perceived drainage problems. In recent years, both north and south ends of the garden have been excavated and the terminating fountains and lighted pools restored.
- For some time, the X-4 was on static display at the south end of the Air Gardens. It was the subject of many spirit missions and was eventually moved to behind A-Hall, then moved off the Academy reservation entirely.
- The statues of the Wright Brothers were once in the Air Gardens. They were later moved to a spot just outside Fairchild Hall. They now reside inside the McDermott Library.
- Cadets used to polish the crotch area of the Risner Statue, located in the Air Gardens.
- During June Week the firsties would be thrown into the fountains. Sometimes they would jump in themselves after their last final exam.
