Westy’s & EBENEEZER
Every tradition has a beginning – some are written in ink and marble, while others are etched in memory, laughter, and a little bit of whiskey. One such tradition, though lesser-known, carries the weight of patriotism, friendship, and an unapologetic sense of fun. It begins with a name from Revolutionary War history: Ebeneezer McIntosh.
Ebeneezer McIntosh was no general, no congressman, no founding father carved into stone – but he was a patriot. A shoemaker from the New England colonies, McIntosh fought for liberty during the turbulent years leading to the American Revolution. He represented the voice of the common man – bold, brave, and ever ready to raise his hand for freedom. It is precisely this spirit that inspired two West Pointers to immortalize his name in the form of a fur hat – Yes, a fur hat.
Somewhere between nostalgia and satire, a tight knit group of U.S. Military Academy alumni decided to honor Ebeneezer McIntosh not with a statue or a plaque, but with something far more animated: a ceremonial hat affectionately named “Ebeneezer.” What began as a vision, quickly became a legendary tradition – one that continues to thrive decades later.
Each year, on the Friday night before the Army-Navy football game, these patriotic graduates of West Point gather at a local bar. The location may change, the drinks may vary, but the ritual is sacred. In a ceremony filled with libations, loud toasts, and far-fetched storytelling, the hat is passed to a new caretaker – someone deemed worthy of carrying the torch (and the hat) for the next twelve months.
The honoree just doesn’t take the hat home. He or she becomes the Keeper of the Ebeneezer, entrusted with chronicling their adventures with the hat through photos and journal entries. From mountaintop selfies to candid shots at weddings, cookouts, on the battlefield, or other international escapades, the fur hat sees the world – and the journal fills with stories that straddle the line between legend and reality.
Holly and Mark had the honor of being co-Keepers of the Ebeneezer from 2019-2021 while stationed at West Point. The first year, travel was limited because of the Corona Virus outbreak. We were granted a one-year extension and made the most of it by introducing Ebeneezer to the staff, faculty, and cadets of West Point. Many pictures were taken, and a lot of memories were made. The cadets had the most fun with Ebeneezer and truly appreciated the legacy that the fur hat represented. Ebeneezer was most popular at Club 64, but I will save that story for next week.
The tongue-in-cheek tradition is more than just revelry; it reflects the values that brought these graduates together in the first place: service, loyalty, honor, and camaraderie. The hat may seem funny to some, but the bond behind it is sincere. It reminds us that while battles are fought in different ways over time – whether in war, in life, or on the fields of friendly strife, the spirit of freedom and friendship is always worth celebrating.
So, when you see a group of proud West Pointers raising a glass the night before Army faces Navy, keep an eye out for a worn fur hat. That is Ebeneezer. He may have started as a colonial patriot, but thanks to this enduring tradition, he marches on – one story, one drink, and one wild photo at a time. And when you walk into Westy’s for the first time, don’t be surprised by what you might see.
Mark & Holly
Owners - Westy’s
