Andrei Joseph Rosu, son of Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Alfred Rosu and Mrs. Candace Rosu, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday, May 22 and was commissioned in a ceremony by his father on May 23.

Rosu graduated from West Orange High School in 2017. While at West Point, he concentrated his studies in Systems and Decision Sciences with Honors Distinction. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army within the Engineers branch and following six months of Engineer Basic Office Leadership training at Fort Leonard Hood in Missouri, he will report to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Joint-Base Lewis McChord, WA for his first assignment.

Rosu’s commissioning ceremony was held at Rock Spring Golf Club in West Orange before family, friends, and community members that had been part of Rosu’s life, including Mayor Robert Parisi, former teachers from Redwood Elementary Principal Kimya Jackson and Amanda Hegedus, Roosevelt Middle School Principal Lionel Hush, WOHS Principal Hayden Moore, and high school coaches including Steve Zichella and Jeff Mazurek. JRAFROTC leaders Major Joseph Marchesini (Ret.) and Chief Ricardo Thurston, soccer and wrestling friends from WOHS and Mountaintop, and members of Rosu’s Boy Scout Troop were also in attendance. (Rosu is an Eagle Scout.)

After acknowledging family and community members, Lt. Colonel Rosu noted, “It took more than Candace and I to raise Andrei.  It wasn’t just us, it really took a village – in this case a Township – to raise Andrei. On behalf of our family, I want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for a job well done!” 

The commencement ceremony was comprised of three parts: Administering the Oath of Office, the Bar Pinning Ceremony, and the First Salute. 

“As you will note, a US flag is appropriately displayed,” Lt. Colonel Rosu continued as sons Ari and Arthur unfolded and held up the family heirloom. 

“This very flag was given to Army Lieutenant Dexter Yokum, Jr., Candace’s grandfather, Andrei’s great-grandfather for serving in the US Army, European Theater, in Germany in WW2,” he explained.

After administering The Oath of Office to his son, Rosu explained that the “Second Lieutenant Rank” (aka the Gold Bars) was given to him by the West Point Class of 1971 – his 50-year class sponsor. Second Lt. Rosu was pinned by his mother and paternal grandmother.

The final component – the First Salute, was rendered by Chief Ricardo Thurston, who also gifted 2LT Rosu with a ceremonial silver coin.

“This is only the third coin I have given out in my lifetime, and I am giving it to you,” Thurston said to Rosu. 

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to graduate and commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point,” stated 2LT Rosu.

“I wouldn’t be the man I am today without my family and friends. Thank you. The entire town of West Orange and the public school system provided me immense opportunities to succeed in reaching my goals. All my teachers, coaches, and mentors have had a profound impact on my life and I look forward to giving back to this amazing community in the future. I am truly humbled and honored to serve this great country, Go Mountaineers and Go Army!” he concluded.

For more information on West Point, go to www.westpoint.edu.