THE QUILL II VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2015

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1 THE QUILL II VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 WINTER BRIGADE S-2 STAFF SECTION COME FALL IN LINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE BRIGADE LEADERSHIP PG. 2-3 MILITARY FEATURE PG. 4 RELIGIOUS FEATURE PG. 5 DR. ANTOSCA S COMMENTS PG. 6 YOU MEN OF OL BC. FR. FRANK S COMMENTS PG. 7 COMMISSIONING FETATURE PG. 8 RIFLE TEAM FEATURE PG. 9 SAI COMMENTS PG. 10 S-2 CLOSING REMARKS PG. 11

2 2 BRIGADE LEADERSHIP BRIGADE COMMANDER S COMMENTS The Brigade, yet again, has had another impressive quarter. JPA is just around the corner, but Gannam Day has barely passed. After the great success we had on the drill field, I expect another success on inspection day. I encourage every cadet to take pride in his uniform and view this inspection as a challenge. We have beaten every challenge we have faced, and, once again, we shall emerge triumphant. - CDT COL Connor Robertson CDT COL Robertson BRIGADE EXECUTIVE OFFICER S COMMENTS In my opinion, the Brigade staff is in the running for a very successful year. We have managed to completely outfit the entire Brigade in dress blues in a timely manner, and we continue to maintain discipline in the supply room. Our ceremonies went very well, and I look forward to the challenge of JPA. We will continue to work hard, and I am confident in our ability to complete the year successfully. - CDT LTC Grant Lancer CDT LTC Lancer BRIGADE COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR S COMMENTS As we continue to prepare for the JPA inspection, the Brigade at Benedictine is polishing all aspects of the unit. The cadets are receiving all of their newly earned awards and ribbons that they have acquired over the first semester and will be displaying them on their uniforms. We hope and plan to continue the twenty-eight year streak of being regarded as an honor unit with distinction. We aim to uphold the traditon of transforming young boys into respectable men. -CDT CSM Will Bradley CDT CSM Bradley

3 BRIGADE LEADERSHIP 3 FIRST BATTALION COMMANDER S COMMENTS First battalion is progressing very well. Our freshmen have learned what it takes to be followers and will become great leaders. Our companies and platoons need each individual person in order to be successful. We have to keep working in order to be perfect for the JPA inspection. I strongly believe we can do it if we work together. - CDT LTC Warren Wright CDT LTC Wright SECOND BATTALION COMMANDER S COMMENTS Second battalion has improved tremendously since the beginning of the school year. Our freshmen have learned all of the techniques and cadences they need to learn in order to be successful. Our companies have come together and brought about a sense of teamwork. As a whole, second battalion has done an exceptional job. -CDT LTC Brad Stewart CDT LTC Stewart THIRD BATTALION COMMANDER S COMMENTS This year has been a year of teaching and learning. Many preparations have been made in addressing the the upcoming JPA inspection. The leaders of the brigade have stepped up and really delivered. The challenge of the new inspection is ahead of us, and we are preparing to the best of our ability. There is no doubt that we will retain our gold star with the group of young men in the Brigade along with the leadership and guidance available. - CDT LTC Youssef Awad CDT LTC Awad

4 4 MILITARY IN THE WORLD CHINA AND NORTH KOREA China Warry as Violence Spills From North Korea By Jane Perlez HELONG, China On a cold, clear winter day last month, a North Korean soldier packed a pistol and slipped across the frozen Tumen River into northeastern China. He trekked about a mile to the tiny village of Jidi Tun. Then at dusk he opened fire on two older couples, killing all four people. Original Source: jpg That night, a phalanx of Chinese security forces hunted him down and shot him in the stomach. They ferried him to the hospital here in Jilin Province, about 20 miles from the scene of the killings, but the soldier died a day or so later and his body was returned to his homeland, according to local accounts. Military Significance: Typically, desperate souls fleeing across the North Korean border in search of food and supplies are treated with a fair degree of amnesty. However, recent events involving a North Korean soldier crossing the border into China and killing three innocent people have aided in rising tensions between China and North Korea. Due to the fact that analysis has suggested North Korean soldiers are fed fairly well, the event draws further skepticism. Hopefully, the murder will not prove to be a slippery slope for rapidly deteriorating conditions.

5 5 RELIGION IN THE WORLD EGYPT Egypt s War on Atheism By Mona Eltahawy Also telling is that Mr. Banna was originally arrested, in November, when he went to the police to complain that his neighbors were harassing him. This was after his name had appeared in a local newspaper on a list of known atheists. Instead of protecting him, the police accused him of insulting Islam. Religious Significance: The influence of Islam in Egypt is undoubtedly powerful, and the effects include a rather extreme interpretation of law itself. Specifically, men have been arrested for being Atheists; however, it must be noted that Atheism is not illegal. Blasphemy is illegal, and that is exactly the charge brought against defendants in Egyptian courts. Notably, Christians suffer from laws against blasphemy as well, for the arm of Islam is so strong in that part of the world that it dictates a prominence over alternate religious views. Original Source:

6 6 DR. ANTOSCA S COMMENTS A REFLECTION ON THE BENEDICTINE EXPERIENCE THE ESSENCE OF OUR SCHOOL Each day, I have the privilege of coming to work at a place that I love. The campus of our school is set of the road; it s simple and stately. Crossing our plaza each morning is the part that always makes me think of the reason we are all here our Cadets. It is they, our students, who make BC what she is. It is they in whom I see the future of our world, our country, our state and Savannah. Each, for the most part, accepts his responsibility as a college bound student, which means working diligently in his classes, being a part of a team or an organization, participating in events and supporting activities. My hope for all our young men is that they see their individual strengths and capitalize on them; that they see and admit to their weaknesses and strive to improve to the best of their ability. I wish for each to learn and take personal responsibility, to be a young man of integrity and high moral values. As I see our Cadet Corps form up on our plaza for Drill each Monday and Wednesday, I beam with pride and I am pleased with the picture I see in front of me. May God bless BC and our Cadets now and always. I just love everything about this place.

7 FR. FRANK S COMMENTS A REFLECTION ON OPPORTUNITY AT BENEDICTINE 7 ON A GIVEN MONDAY OR WEDNESDAY MORNING, I CAN LOOK OUT OF MY WINDOW AND SEE OUR CADETS DRILLING ON THE PLAZA. ON ANY GIVEN EVENING, I CAN SEE OUR CADETS PRACTICING THEIR SPORT AND AT ANY TIME DURING THE DAY, I CAN SEE OUR CADETS IN THE CLASSROOM. IN FACT THE MORE I THINK OF IT, BE THEY ON THE PRACTICE FIELD, THE COURT OR ON THE MAT, IN THE POOL, PLAZA OR IN THE CLASSROOM, I LIKE TO THINK OF OUR CADETS AS IN A CLASSROOM. IT MAY BE WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE ACADEMIC BUILDING OR ON THE DRILL OR PRACTICE FIELDS BUT EITHER WAY, I SEE YOU ALL, OUR STUDENTS AS IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. BENEDICTINE IS AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH, FOR NOW, YOU ALL HAVE THE PRECIOUS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN. I NEVER CEASE TO BE IMPRESSED BY THE INTENSITY YOU APPLY TO THE SEEMINGLY MUNDANE MATTERS OF ROUTINE THAT INEVITABLY ARE THE FOUNDATION OF ANY LEARNING PROCESS. SO MANY OF YOU ALL, OUR CADETS, GRASP THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OPPORTUNITY NOW AVAILABLE TO YOU ALL IN THESE VARIOUS CLASSROOMS AND HOW FLEETING THESE OPPORTUNITIES TRULY ARE. I AM SURE THERE ARE TIMES WHEN DRILL OR PRACTICE OR WRITING OR MATH OR ANY OTHER DISCIPLINE MAY SEEM LIKE ENDLESS DRUDGERY. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE SO MANY, NOT SO MANY YEARS OLDER THAN YOU ALL WHO WOULD GIVE MUCH TO HAVE A SECOND CHANCE AT SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS NOW THE TIME TO INSURE THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY, I SHOULD HAVE, COULD HAVE, OR I WISH I WOULD HAVE. THESE DAYS/YEARS AT BC ARE AS PRECIOUS AS THEY ARE FLEETING. NO CLASSROOM IS WITHOUT ITS OPPORTUNITY WAITING TO BE SEIZED. WE TOO STAND TO JOIN IN GOD S REDEMPTIVE PROCESS WHEN WE ALLOW TIME TO BE OUR ALLY IN OUR OWN ACT OF CREATION; THE ACT OF CREATING OURSELVES, THE SELF WE TAKE WITH US INTO ETERNITY. BEST WISHES, FR. FRANK HEADMASTER.

8 8 COMMISSIONING FEATURE JANUARY COMMISSIONING CEREMONY USHERING IN 2015, JOSH WILLIAMS AND DJ OWENS WERE COMMISSIONED IN JANUARY. THEY NOW JOIN THE REST OF THEIR COMMISSIONED CLASSMATES AS OFFICERS IN THE CORPS OF CADETS AT BENEDICTINE. BOTH CADETS ARE ACTIVELY INVOVED IN ATHLETICS AND NOW SEEK TO CONTRIBUTE AS LEADERS IN THE BRIGADE BY SETTING THE EXAMPLE WHILE UPHOLDING TRADITION. FEBRUARY COMMISSIONING CEREMONY AS A NOTABLE HONORARY ADDITION TO THE COMMISSIONED OFFICER CORPS, THOMAS DEGEORGE WAS COMMISSIONED ON THE 18 TH OF FEBRUARY. HE RIGHTFULLY EARNED THE HONORARY COMMISSION THROUGH HIS CONSISTENT HARD WORK AND ACTION. IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE THAT WE WELCOME THOMAS INTO THE CORPS OF CADETS. \

9 12 RIFLE TEAM FEATURE JROTC SPORTS FEATURE 9 BC S RIFLEMEN Team Members: Patrick Watson- Senior Keegan McDonald-Senior Riley Harriss- Junior Nicholas Wright- Junior Nick Cutino-Sophomore Joshua Garner-Sophomore Evan Page- Freshman Coach- CW4 (R) Don Schaefer CONGRATULATION TO OUR RIFLEMEN FOR WINNING FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON! BC WF- 920 JOSHUA- 280 KEEGAN- 278 NICK- 277 PATRICK- 268 HIGHEST SCORE PRONE POSITION-NICK-99

10 10 SAI COMMENTS A REVIEW OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMMENTS FROM COLONEL RICHARD E. LA ROSSA I am extremely proud of what the Brigade Corps Of Cadets have successfully planned and executed during the first semester: The establishment of BC s First Raider Team (AUG-OCT) Our 2 nd Annual 9-11 Ceremony (SEP), so that we will never forget those who were killed on that tragic day in America s history Commissioning Ceremony (SEP), to recognize the new slate of Senior Officers who will lead the Brigade this SY Gannam Day Ceremonies (DEC), a standing tribute to honor the 30 BC Cadets who were killed in WWII and to honor SGT George K. Gannam, the first Savannahian killed in WWII. Annual Can Food Drive (OCT-DEC), Cadets exceeded our expectation by donating over 25,000 meals for the hungry of Savannah I look forward to this semester as we begin our Rifle Matches, Drill and Color Guard Competitions and prepare for the following significant traditional BC events: The JPA (JROTC Program of Accreditation), which replaced the RFL (Regional Formal Inspection). We were selected by 6 th Brigade, United States Army Cadet Command, to be the test pilot school for this area and we expect to achieve, for the 29 th consecutive year, the distinction of Program of Excellence symbolized by the Gold Star we proudly display on our uniforms To continue our long standing and proud tradition of marching in Saint Patrick s Day Parade (since 1902) Finally, to finish out the SY with our Senior Review Ceremony to recognize seniors and other Cadets for their many accomplishments. Again, I am very proud of how our Cadets honored BC s lineage by their actions, in the classroom, in JROTC, on our playing fields and throughout our community. I am sure they will continue to exceed our expectations. Come Fall In Line You Men of Ol BC v/r COL (R) Richard E. La Rossa SAI, Benedictine Military School

11 S-2 CLOSING REMARKS A BRIEF FINAL STATEMENT 11 CAPTURING THE PAST, SAVORING THE PRESENT, AND ANTICIPATING THE FUTURE The research and work involved in producing the second issue of the Quill II brought to mind the essence of a walk through a neighborhood park. Each step somewhat calculated, yet every turn somewhat unexpected: This is the quintessence of crafting a comprehensive work aiming to detail events with due respect while providing some space for personal interpretation. I sincerely hope that you all take a minute to reflect upon and understand for which exactly the Quill II stands. Other than a means of education, it is a poignant snapshot of Benedictine life, of our life and times. A profound summary of communal action, intent, belief, and value, The Quill II is both a transcendent production and an ideological stalwart ever-holding firm in the passage of time, for one must know where one has been to have an idea of where one is going. The Quill II is but a reflection of the changing times while never forgetting the importance of the present. Efficiency, progression, and erudition are at the forefront of our times. In some form, these values are reflected in the Quill II, and I am henceforth compelled to ask the question: If this is where we are now, where may we be going next? -CDT. LTC. Alfred Edward Pesto III

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