Newly arrived in America, Maher's first job was as a waiter at West Point. Clumsy and boisterous, he quickly broke so much of the military academy's china that he was forced to join the Army to repay his debts. But once in, the rough-and-ready Dubliner served his adopted nation with rare dedication, establishing himself as an inspriational coach at West Point. Spanning 50 years and two world wars, the film shows Maher at his best, molding and motivating the young men who would become America's heroes and presidents.