First week of September 1959 a teen at the USAFA from the south of the USA rediscovers winter. At breakfast formation in summer kaki uniforms, to the west over the Rockies, is noted the very violent rolling of clouds. Just as if one were rolling up a huge grey blanket. At noon lunch formation, very noticeable cold wind, about 20-25 degrees F. lower temperature. At dinner formation, p-coats over kakis, it is snowing with ice forming. After dinner, in rooms, it is noted the power lines have accumulated ice about 12 inches in diameter. After the power fails, the speaker announces the backup generator will be started. The backup generator powers the lights for about five minutes.. The speaker announces the second backup generator will be started. The lights are back on but with a very noticeable A/C ripple. The speaker announces the second backup generator will be shut down to protect it and be patient for repairs to be made. After about 15-20 minutes in near darkness inside, the speaker askes for volunteers to shake snow off the newly planted trees along both sides of the North road. Being from the south, I was not a volunteer. Besides, as a reader of military books since an early age, I knew "never volunteer for nuthin." As I watched from safely inside, the spectacle soon developed into a very large snowball fight in which two sides surged back and forth capturing and recapturing the north road. After about two hours, the warriors began to tire and filtered back in and went to bed.. Years later, I recognised the mark of leadership as the trees did not need preserving, but what to do with around 3000 young men under 24 with no studies to keep them busy.