Alumni Newsletter – June 2016 - Valley Forge Military Academy

Alumni Newsletter
May/June 2016
Commissioning – Valley Forge Military College
We want to congratulate the Valley Forge Military College Army ROTC Commissioning
Class of 2016.
2LT Samantha Barnes
2LT Stephen Mayone-Paquin
2LT Philip McCusker
2LT Sky Faneco
2LT Ryan Sevret
2LT Caleb Gillett
2LT Jason Hang
2LT Marina Torchia
2LT Tristan Kidney
2LT Jared Knightley
2LT Adrian Cabiles
2LT Tyler Eccles
2LT Joshua Rosen
2LT Thomas Gagnon
2LT Alex Hammond
2LT Rebecca Timm
2LT Noreeza Khan
2LT Bryan Beatty
2LT Alexander Castueras
2LT Henry Richardson
2LT Cynthia Filpo-Diaz
2LT Jennifer Sprengelmeyer
2LT Maxwell Thomas
2LT Aaron Harbaugh
2LT Benjamin White
The presiding officer for the Valley Forge
Military College 2016 Army ROTC
Commissioning was Major General William
H. Johnson, USA, Retired, Senior United
States Army Reserve Ambassador. Major
General Johnson was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant, Armor, upon his graduation from
North Georgia College and entered active
duty in 1972. His professional military
education includes Armor Officer Basic
Course, Rotary Wing Aviation School,
Transportation officer Advanced Course,
United States Army Command and General Staff College and United States Army War College.
We were honored to have such a distinguished Military Commander present to give the Oath of
Office to our newest Army officers and VFMC graduates. Assisting Major General Johnson in
officiating the marvelous ceremony were Professor of Military Science LTC David Key, USA and
Senior Military Science Instructor MSG John Cuevas, USA.
Commencement VFMC 2016
On May 20, 2016 Commencement Ceremonies were held for
Valley Forge Military College when 102 and cadets and students took
the next step into their futures by attaining their Association Degree.
The graduating class of 2016 was one of largest in recent College
history and was very well attended by parents, faculty, staff, alumni
and visitors. Our Commencement speaker
was the Honorable Lieutenant Governor of
Pennsylvania Mike Stack who gave an
inspiring address to all those present in the
Alumni Memorial Chapel of St. Cornelius
the Centurion.
We take great pleasure in recognizing our Valedictorian and Salutatorian
2 Lieutenant Cynthia Filpo-Dias ’16C and 2nd Lieutenant Noreeza
Khan ’16C. This is the first time in Valley Forge Military College where the
top two cadets in their class were both ECP and women. Congratulations
to you both and we wish you all the success in the world in your future.
nd
2016 VFMC Academic Honors
Summa Cum Laude
With Highest Honors GPA 3.7 or higher
Mohammed Bahubaishi
Cynthia Filpo-Diaz
Noreeza Khan
Stephen Mayone-Paquin
Tyler Eccles
Alex Hammond
Juan Martinez-Rodriguez
Rebecca Timm
Magna Cum Laude
With High Honor GPA 3.5 to 3.69
Thomas Gagnon
Tristan Kidney
Jennifer Sprengelmeyer
Akshay Thevar
Marina Torchia
Benjamin White
Caleb Gillett
Jared Knightly
Hannah Terwilliger
Maxwell Thomas
Thomas Wages
Cum Laude
With Honor GPA 3.3 to 3.49
Samantha Barnes
Amanda Botelho
Arianna Lozano
Alex Raub
Alexander Ross
Kobee Texter
Bryan Beatty
Adrian Cabiles
Liam Moran
Brittany Robertson
Rafael Sanz
Congratulations to the College Class of 2016
As a final tribute to the graduating Class of 2016 of
Valley Forge Military College and the excellent
academic standards that they set, we baked a cake for
your enjoyment and good wishes.
The Alumni Association of Valley Forge Military
Academy and College wishes you all the success in the
world, welcomes you to our ranks as Brothers and
Sisters and offers you a helping hand wherever you are
in the world. If you need us we will be there, you are
one of us. Congratulations!!!!
Inducted (College) into the
Order of Anthony Wayne
Brianna Clincy
Elizabeth Cross
Tyler Eccles
Ryan Joyce
Eric Kumar
Juan Martinez-Rodriguez
Joshua Rosen
Alexander Ross
Officiating 2016 Valley Forge Military College Graduation
Stacey R. Sauchuk, Ph.D.- President of Valley Forge Military Academy & College
Colonel William Gallagher, USA (Retired) – Commandant of Cadets and Dean of the
College
Hon. Mike Stack – Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Middle School Promotion Ceremony
One Thursday June 2, 2016 Valley Forge Military Academy promoted our Middle School cadets
to the status of freshmen in the Academy. Congratulations for your outstanding achievement and
taking the next step in your successful lives.
The promotion ceremony was officiated by Dr. Stacey R. Sauchuk, President of Valley Forge
Military Academy & College, Mrs. Sandra R. Young, Head of School, COL. William Gallagher,
USA (Ret.), Commandant of Cadets, Mr. Aaron Barkley, Dean of Cadets and CAPT. Gerald
Hale, USCG (Ret.), Chaplin.
The Alumni Association of Valley Forge Military Academy and College is pleased to congratulate
the following graduates of the Middle School:
Chandler Bodtmann
Terrence Froman
Nicholas Lombardi
ZhiTong Peng
Brent Rosina
Rurui Tian
Jonah Wood
Hao Chen
Aoxiang Huang
Zachary Lombardi
Dang Khuong Pham
William Schweizer
Yunji Wang
JaeWoo Yoon - Valedictorian
Alexander Consentino
Qinghao Lin
Gregory Nesterov
Trevor Phinney
Seokjin Sonn
Andrew Willoughby
Si Ming Yue
2016 Senior Class Tree Planting Ceremony
One of the great customs and traditions of Valley
Forge Military Academy is for each class to plant a
tree commemorating the continued life and health of
the class and the Academy. This year the tree was
planted behind Lafayette Hall and was well attended
by the senior class of the Academy. Supervising and
taking the pictures was Mrs. Sandra Young, Head
of School for the Academy and Dr. Glenn Horsky
’74 representing the Alumni Association. Matthew
Horsky ’16 and Patrick Horsky ’15 were also there
representing the senior class and the alumni.
We appreciate the placement of the tree by the
facilities department headed by COL Brian
Geiling, VFMAC ’94, ’96C, Vice President of
Facilities management and his staff.
2016 Valley Forge Military Academy Graduation
Saturday, June 4, 2016 the Senior Class
of Valley Forge Military Academy
formed up on the parade field to begin
Commencement marking the start of a
new chapter in their lives. Presiding
Officers were Stacey R. Sauchuk, Ph.D.,
President of Valley Forge Military
Academy & College, Sandra R. Young,
M.Ed., Head of School, COL William
Gallagher, USA (Ret.), Commandant of
Cadets and Dean of the College, Aaron
Barkley MS, Dean of Students and
CAPT. Gerald L. Hale, USCG (Ret.),
Chaplain.
The morning was made even brighter with the wonderful music of the Regimental Band under
the direction of WO2 Phil Evans. Our commencement speaker was Donald B. Taylor Ph.D.,
President of Cabrini College and his addressed motivated the graduating class to new heights of
enthusiasm to go out and conquer the world. In a combined address delivered by Cadet Zongda
Che, Valedictorian and Cadet Gabriel Henderson, Senior Class President making our graduates
remember all the good times and good friends they have made for life.
The culmination of these wonderful festivities occurred when COL William Gallagher, USA
(Ret.) Commandant of Cadets and Dean of the College called the graduating class to attention and
gave the final command “Dismissed” prompting the tradition cap toss. Congratulations to the Class
of 2016 and our wish for the continued success of the 88th Corps of Cadets.
Valley Forge Military Academy 2016 Graduation Honors
Summa Cum Laude
Zongda Che – Valedictorian
Magna Cum Laude
Vladimir Korol – Salutatorian
Julian Bodnar
Gabriel Henderson
Zhekai Jiang
Victor Ochei
Cum Laude
Douglas Eglington-Civitello
Matthew Horsky
David Litovsky
Zhenghan Xu
Gerardo Galan Garzafox
Elias Jesus
Cameron McCutcheon
National Honor Society Members
Julian Rhodes Bodnar
Elias Phinehas Jesus
Cameron G. McCutcheon
Miguel F. Ramirez
Zongda Che
Vladimir A. Korol
Seamus M. Mooney
Devon Allan Williams
Gabriel Michael Henderson
David S. Litovsky
Victor O. Ochei
Zhenghan Xu
Inducted (Academy) into the
Order of Anthony Wayne
Vladimir Korol
Tyler William Umphred
Matthew G. Horsky
Victor O. Ochei
Miguel F. Raimirez
Zongda Che
CPT Joshua Irvan
Valley Forge Cadets Work Hard to make Ultra-Running Dreams Come
True!
On May 14th and 15th 2016, cadets from Valley Forge Military Academy
volunteered their time at the Dawn to Dusk to Dawn Track Ultra event held at
the Academy Park High School Track in Sharon Hill, PA.
Runners from all over the country and around the world came to this little
town to run one of 3 different events; the 50K run, the 12 hour run and the 24 hour run. Many of
the runners where attempting to qualify for the U.S.A., Canada, Russia or French National 24 Hour
Teams which will complete at the 24 Hour World Championships held next year in Belfast, Ireland.
Starting at 6am these fine cadets helped set-up camp sites, work two different hydration stations,
work the food table and in the kitchen. The 24 hour and 50k started at 7AM and the 12 hour started
later that night at 7pm.
Around and around the runners went changing direction every four hours. The Valley Forge
Cadets not only helped at the event the entire 24 hour but also witnessed world class performances.
At the end of the event they broke down the campsites, loaded vans, helped runners bring stuff to
their cars and over all did what was needed for the event to be a huge success.
As their art teacher and an employee of Valley Forge I am
extremely proud of these fine young men. I’d like to thank
Cadet Zongda Che especially for organizing and helping the
cadets look sharp in their BDU pants and boots. They looked
great with the D3 t-shirt. Also Cadet Che had them use hand
radios for communicating between each station. A huge help.
As a side note 2 State records, 7 American records and 1 world record where set during the
event.
Memorial Day Celebrations Honoring our Veterans
Valley Forge Military Academy & College PresidentDesignate Col John C. Church Jr., USMCR spoke at
Pemberton Township High School during their Memorial Day
Observance.
We were honored to take part in the yearly Memorial Day
Parade in our home town of Wayne, Pennsylvania. Leading
the 88th Corps of Cadets down Lancaster Avenue was Cadet
Battalion Commander Vladimir Korol ’16 and his staff,
followed by the Color Guard and the Regimental Band under the direction of RM (Ret.) WO2
Philip Evan. Pictured below show the Corps of Cadets marching in honor of all those who gave
the ultimate in service of our Country.
Colonel John C. Church, Jr. USMCR visits our Veterans on USS Olympia
Niall Gallagher ’15
Niall Gallagher VFMA ’15 completed his Plebe Recognition
Ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis on Monday 23 May
2016. This event culminated with the “Herndon Climb,” the scaling of a
21 foot obelisk coated in 200 pounds of lard.
For decades, the Herndon Climb has marked the end of plebe year
for midshipmen and a true test of the class’s teamwork and
determination. They must form a human pyramid to scale the monument and
remove a "Dixie cup" hat from the top of the structure and replace it with an
upperclassman's hat. The Class of 2019 completed the Herndon Climb in 1
hour 12 minutes and 30 seconds- the fastest time since 1969.
Congratulations to Gallagher and we wish him well this summer during
his NOLS Navy training in the Alaskan wilderness!
Reported by: Captain Christopher Bechtel, VFMAC
History Instructor
Spotlight on our Alumni – George M. Newell, Jr. '51, '53C (Told in his own words)
“As a 1955 graduate of The Ohio State
University, where I played drums in a big
band, I got a call to go to Germany for a sixweek summer tour of military bases. The trip
over there was my first airplane ride – and in
a DC-6 to boot. In the middle of the tour we
got another call: You are all going to North
Africa to be Billy Eckstine’s Backup Big
Band.”
“After a stint as stage manager or
occasional director on the original Mr.
Rogers in Pittsburgh, I came to NBC in 1958
as an executive trainee, then program
coordinator on Loretta Young Theatre. On my very first day, July 1st, the main hall elevator
uniformed page was Ted Koppel.”
“In 1959 I was tapped as Associate Director and temporary full Director and sent out on
location to 6 countries, more than 30 locations stateside, 6 political conventions, Associate Director
on John F. Kennedy’s funeral day in DC, and outside pool director on Robert Kennedy’s funeral in
New York City, and on several Papal visits.”
“Years later, on the early morning Studio 5H shift I could
arrive at the RCA Building’s Florida Showcase 49th Street secret
door, greet a typing “Bobbie” Walters, pour 2 coffees, and elevate
to the 5th floor “action center” a/k/a 5H. This shift would
accommodate and occasional visit from newbies Chris Wallace, Ed
Newman, Mary Alice Williams, etc.”
“I resigned and departed 30 Rock in June of 1981.”
George has since devoted most of his life to his music in composing,
arranging, playing and directing Big Bands. He took time to create a
marvelous historic account of Valley Forge Military Academy and College
from its founding in 1928 until 1970 called “Past in Review.” We want to
thank George for sharing with us being honored in the NBC Newsmagazine
and for the pride we have in him as a Valley Forge Grad and a member of the
World Famous VFMA&C Band.
William R. Barker '42
LTG Michael S. Linnington USA (Ret.) ’76
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 16, 2016 /PRNewswireUSNewswire/ -- The Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Board of
Directors today announced the appointment of Michael S.
Linnington ’77 to the position of Chief Executive Officer, effective
July 18, 2016. LTG Linnington ’77 is joining WWP from the Defense
POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), where he was appointed
Director by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter in 2015. His decorated 35year military career includes three tours in combat operations and key
command positions in numerous assignments around the world.
As permanent CEO of WWP, LTG. Linnington ’77 will oversee
the organization's day-to-day operations and set the strategic vision to
guide the organization forward. He will be responsible for ensuring that WWP's free, direct
programs and services continue to have the greatest possible impact on the more than 100,000
warriors, WWP Alumni, caretakers and families who rely on the organization's life-changing services.
He will be based at WWP's headquarters in Jacksonville and will report to the WWP Board of
Directors.
VFMA&C Rifle Club and Color Guard
On Saturday 21 May 2016 the VFMA Rifle
Club and Color Guard was proud to celebrate the
grand opening of Bucks Guns, Ammo and
Training in Oxford, PA.
Cadets raised the flag at the store's opening,
met with pro-2nd amendment / military / LEO
supporters, and promoted both Valley Forge
Military Academy and VF Rifle.
VF Rifle continues to receive outstanding support from IDS Tactical, which will be offering selfdefense and firearms training at the Bucks facility. Special
thanks to Mr. Rick Masho, Parent '18C (VFMC) and Mr. Van
Bentem, Parent'18 (VFMA) for letting us be a part of this great
day- we look forward to coming back for training! Representing
the Alumni Association Board of Directors were Chairman
COL. Joe Bartasius ’81, ’83C, USA (Ret.), Director Franz
Hahn ’82, ’84C and 1LT Siobhan Cusumano, VFMAC.
Reporting Captain Chris Bechtel, VFMAC
VFMA History Faculty / Rifle Adviser
Coming Events
June 18, 2016 – AABOD Monthly Meeting – Conference Call Only – See Webpage
June 24, 2016
VFMA&C N.E. Ohio Alumni – Rudy Herzog Regiment
This is an invitation to join your fellow alumni and guests for luncheon
June 24 at 12PM
Sarah’s Vineyard
1204 W. Steels Corners Rd.
Cuyahoga Falls OH 44223
330-929-8057
Please order off the menu and a cash wine bar is available.
Please RSVP to 330-656-9051 or [email protected].
This is a sincere thank you to our generous contributors to the Eric Fisher Wood monument fund.
The temporally installed monument and dedication ceremony will be shown on a DVD. The
Regiment has set a high standard that will, hopefully, be emulated by the other alumni regiments.
July 16, 2016 – AABOD Monthly Meeting – Conference Call Only – See Webpage
SoCal Regiment
Southern California (SoCal) Alumni Regiment
Pool party Barbecue....Sunday June 5th, 2016
Alumni Regiments are localized lifelong connections. The ultimate Network. Start a Regiment in
your area! Summer is a great time for Alumni get togethers. You lead, we’ll help. Having a good
time at this get-together are Sean Condron ’97 (Secretary of the AABOD), Robin Lahiri ’85
(Visiting from Florida and Chairman of the Regiments), Bill Cushing ’70 (SoCal Co-Founding
Member), Matthew Hulit ’89, John McBrearty ’80C (Director – AABOD), Paul McKenna
Jr. ’79C (Director – AABOD) and Chris Compton ’90C Everyone came and contributed to
the food supply, and as you can see from the picture it was really high end.
To purchase this marvelous book please place your order with Tom Goldblum ’69, ’71C, Director
of Alumni Relations, 610-989-1329 or [email protected].
The price (which includes domestic shipping and handling) $40.00
Homecoming Auction Special Event:
Alumni Homecoming Auction for 2017 – Bidding begins now. Minimum $4,000
Donated by:
Col. William Ridley ’64 USA (Ret.)
To place your bid: [email protected] of call Tom Goldblum ’69, ’71C
610-989-1329
Colleges of Acceptance - Academy
Bloomfield College
Cabrini College
Brandon University
Broome Community College
Cabrini College
Carlow University
Central Connecticut State University
Clarion University
Colorado State University
Cornell University
Creighton University
Dowling College
Drexel University
Duquesne University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Five Towns College
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University
Fordham University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Hofstra University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey
Iona College
James Madison University
Johnson and Wales University
Keystone College
Kutztown University
La Roche College
La Salle University
Lehigh University
Long Island University, Brooklyn
Louisiana State University
Loyola University Maryland
Manhattanville College
McMurry University
Morehouse College
Mount Saint Mary’s University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Norwich University
Nyack College
Pace University, New York City
Pennsylvania State University
Pfeiffer University
Plymouth State University
Robert Morris University
Roger Williams University
Rosemont College
Rutgers University– New Brunswick
Saint Joseph’s University
San Francisco State University
Santa Barbara City College
Savannah College of Art & Design
Seton Hall University
Southern Connecticut State University
Stockton University
Stony Brook University
Syracuse University
Temple University
Texas Christian University
Texas Tech University
The Art Institute of Philadelphia
The Catholic University of America
The Culinary Institute of America
The George Washington University
The University Arizona
The University of Scranton
The University of Tampa
Tompkins Cortland Community College
United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Military Academy– Army
United States Naval Academy
University at Buffalo, SUNY
University of California
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Hartford
University of Hawaii
University of Maryland
University of Mary Washington
University of Massachusetts
University of New Hampshire at Durham
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
University of Pittsburgh
University of San Francisco
Ursinus College
Valley Forge Military College
West Chester University
West Virginia University
Point Park University
Post University
Princeton University
Purdue University
Quinnipiac University
West Connecticut State University
Westminster College
Wilkes University
Xavier University
Xavier University of Louisiana
Congratulations to all the graduates for their outstanding Academic accomplishments. It is a tribute
to Valley Forge Military Academy to have our graduates attend such prestigious Colleges and
Universities and to the faculty which led them to these accomplishments.
TAPs
Carey B. LeCamp ’17, May 26, 2016, Riverside, CT
“We have lost a great gunner. Words
cannot adequately describe our sorrow for the
loss of our brother, Carey Brandon Lecamp
’17. We grieve his passing and pray that God’s
mercies reconcile his family, friends, and loved
ones during this difficult time. We wish
Carey’s soul peace and happiness.”
The above was the sentiment posted on
the Facebook Page “The Arsenal” dedicated
to E Battery. The author represented the
sentiments of all of E Battery. They are a fantastic group of young men who showed extraordinary
control in a crisis. We salute them. Carey was the Alumni/Development Senior NCO assigned to
our office and he did a fantastic job. We are going to miss him terribly. A Memorial Service was held
for our Brother in the Chapel where E Battery Alum Mentor and former Company Commander
Hector Arguello ’95, came in from Washington D.C. with a flag that had flown over the Capital.
The E Battery Cadets presented the flag directly to his parents. Rest in Peace with the Lord My
Brother!!!
Jeremy Gift ’98, September 22, 2015, Spotsylvania, VA
Mr. Ray A. Hess '42, May 11, TAPS, Bethlehem, PA
Mr. Donald A. Mosites '52, TAPS, May 18, 2016, Peters, PA
Mr. Hugh J. Herron '58, TAPS, May 9, 2016, Mays Landing, NJ
Mr. Richard M. Owens '58, TAPS, May 1, 2016, New Hartford, NY
Mr. Thomas S. Underwood '64, TAPS, June 2, 2016, Ormond Beach, FL
MAJ John W. Carr, USAR (Ret.) '83C, TAPS, May 22, 2016, Beverly, MA
Dear AABOD Member and Director
In 1940 Ronald Reagan played the role of Knute Rockne and became famous for the quote from
his hospital bed: “Boys, win one for the Gipper.” I write to you in all seriousness to ask you to
win one in memory of our dear sister Holly Cheshire ’15H TAPS?, who loved the Forge with
all her heart and did everything in her power to advance future of our School. It was at our
request that Dr. Sauchuk made her an honorary alumna last spring – now I ask you to honor her
by stepping up before June 30 and again hitting 100% AABOD participation.
I want to personally thank you for your service on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
This past year was the first year that the AABOD demonstrated their leadership and firm
commitment to Valley Forge Military Academy & College by reaching a 100% donation level. It
is a testament to the leadership the AABOD receives from Joseph Bartasius ’81, ’83C, and
Roque Schipilliti ’06 and it builds the credibility and importance of the organization. Just to let
you know how special that is I have to point out that the rate of participation by graduates is
about 5%. It is a testament to the leadership and membership of this body that they lead the way.
Although we cannot go above 100%, we can strive to add more directors and members to the
membership rolls of The Society of the Golden Sword. Membership in the Society is very
simple. It is a total donation of $1,000.00 by June 30. If you can’t do it now, please make a
generous gift this month (to count for 2015-16), and then tell me to sign you up for monthly
donations starting next month (it only costs $84 a month if we charge your credit card beginning
in July). Although I realize it’s not possible for everyone to do this, it would be an incredible
thing to see the Golden Sword lapel pin on every collar of every member of the AABOD.
Above all, I want you to know how grateful we all are for contributions of time, talent, and
treasure. You really are the backbone of the Alumni Association. Your gift to the Forge Fund
will help us stand that much taller and prouder, and it provides those extra things around post
that make a huge difference to today’s faculty, TACs, and Cadets.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all that you do and will continue to do.
Sincerely Yours
Tom Goldblum ’69, ’71C
Director of Alumni Relations
Past Chairman and Past President
Commandant of Cadets
Colonel Gerard P. Tertychny, USA (Ret.)
Valley Forge Military Academy & College Names Gerard P.
Tertychny, Ed.D. Colonel, US Army (Ret.), Commandant
Gerard P. Tertychny, Ed.D. Colonel US Army (Ret.), has been
named Valley Forge Military Academy and College’s (VFMAC)
Commandant of Cadets.
“We are very enthusiastic about the appointment of Colonel
Tertychny as the new Commandant of Cadets,” said Colonel John C.
Church, Jr., USMCR, and President-Designate. “Colonel Tertychny
was chosen after a vigorous and thorough vetting process comprised
of dozens of qualified candidates. His experience as Assistant
Professor of Military Science at the Virginia Military Institute and as
the Professor of Military Science at Valley Forge Military College, combined with his 28 years
of decorated military service, gives him a unique perspective. This leader has what it takes to
drive and develop our Corps of Cadets to where it needs to be now. And more importantly, he is
poised to take us where we need to be in the future.”
First Fundraising Effort by TAMV Group
Fred Betman, ’74, Founder of The Alumni Monthly Voice –
TAMV, announced their first fundraising event to raise $1,500 for
a digital portable piano. My leadership team learned about the
piano need from WO2 Phil Evans, RM (Ret.), Bandmaster.
Given the optimistic outlook for VFMA&C returning to its roots
& traditions, my leadership team set out to fill the need.
We want the Band for its practice and performances, and the
Corps of Cadets interested in playing the piano, to have a portable
digital keyboard. We also wanted to avoid fees in raising the
monies. By opting to use VFMA&C secure donate page we
rd
eliminate 3 party vendor fees handling the donation transaction. This ensures 100% of donor
monies were applied to the piano event. VFMA&C will cover the cost of the credit card
transactions.
My leadership team, the TAMV members and myself take great pride in meeting our obligations
to ensure the Band has that much need piano. As the Forge moves forward with the incoming
leadership, all participants in this event should be proud to know that they have made a small but
important difference on this new day at the Forge. I want to also thank Mr. Doug Hasbrouck,
VP, Institutional Advancement & Development, his staff, Mr. Vincent Vuono, Chief Financial
Officer; Chief Operation Officer, and all of those who participate in the event.