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........

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