Word: verre
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...case in point, which coincidentally is causing a furor this spring, involves Steven Verr, 19, a slight (5 ft. 9 in., 140 Ibs.), mild-mannered fourth classman, or freshman. Verr's troubles began last August while he was attending "Beast Barracks," the summer of rigorous training and hazing given to incoming plebes (a word derived from plebeians). Verr was subjected to a traditional form of harassment: upperclassmen ordered him not to put certain foods on his tray, or made him sit at attention while others ate. After going hungry for two days, Verr had tears in his eyes...
Berry reversed the findings, saying that Verr had had "no intent to deceive." But it was an unpopular decision, and Verr's troubles were only beginning. He found himself shunned by many of his classmates, although the practice-known as "the silence"-has been officially banned at West Point since 1973. In that year, wide publicity was given to the case of Cadet James J. Pelosi, who was subjected to this treatment for 19 months after having been reinstated on a legal technicality, although he had been convicted of an honor code violation. Referring to Verr's experience...
...Verr claims that his mail has been intercepted and his room ransacked, and there have been vague reports that his life has been threatened. The academy has assigned him a bodyguard. Verr has complained to newsmen about his treatment, much to the disgust of some cadets. Says one: "Verr is getting every ounce of publicity he can out of this and is doing the academy a disservice...