Lafayette served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American War of Independence. In 1824, he returned to his adopted country for a Farewell Tour, at the invitation of Congress. His final journey across the young republic lasted 13 months. He was welcomed as a veteran by fellow soldiers of the American Army, their families and friends. On September 15th, 1824, Lafayette was welcomed at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He returned on July 2, 1825, for a sec