monstrat viam - Association of the First Corps of Cadets

MONSTRAT VIAM
association of
the first corps of cadets
April 2008
Governor Deval Patrick swearing in MG Joseph Carter
as TAG
MG Carter and parents Betty and Clarence
Executive Board Member Major General Joseph C.
Carter Appointed Adjutant General Massachusetts
National Guard
In August 2007, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick selected AFCC Executive Board
Member, Major General Joseph C. Carter, to replace BG Oliver Mason as Adjutant General of the
Massachusetts National Guard, thereby making BG Carter the first African-American TAG in the
370-year history the State’s Guard. MG Carter was officially sworn into the job on October 26,
2007, by Governor Patrick at a ceremony conducted at the Massachusetts State House. During the
ceremony MG Carter received a 13 gun howitzer salute from the 101st Field Artillery Regiment,
and was awarded the Legion of Merit. From 2003 through 2007, MG Carter served as the head of
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Police and in 2006-07 he served as the President of the
International Order of Chiefs of Police. MG Carter is a life time member of the AFCC.
President’s Column
General Petraeus Re-enlists
Mass. Guard Soldiers
By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Hickey, 972nd Military Police
Company
BAGHDAD, IRAQ - The 972nd Military Police
Company received the distinct honor of hosting a
reenlistment ceremony for 15 of its Soldiers here on
February 10th. The reenlistment oath was administered by Gen. David Petraeus, the Commanding General of Multi National Forces - Iraq. The ceremony
also included two Soldiers from Delta Company, 1st
Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment of the Massachusetts National Guard and seven Soldiers from the U.S.
Army’s 720th Military Police Battalion.
The ceremony was held poolside at Freedom
Rest, a rest and relaxation facility co-located with the
972nd’s home away from home, Forward Operating Base Freedom. The ceremony was well-attended
and honored guests included Command Sgt. Major
Bernard McPherson, command sergeant major of
the 18th Military Police Brigade; Lt. Col. Frank Y.
Rangel, commander of the 720th Military Police
Battalion; and Command Sgt. Major J. Drew Craig,
command sergeant major of the 720th.
The ceremony was the culmination of weeks of
hard work and coordination by 1st Sgt. Steven Buccheri as the result of a chance meeting he had with a
member of Petraeus’ staff. Buccheri figured “it couldn’t
hurt to ask,” and was a bit surprised when things started coming together. “With so many units in theater,
we were pleasantly surprised that General Petraeus
agreed to join us for our ceremony,” said Buccheri.
Petraeus spoke of the dedication and commitment
of the reenlistees and the entire company as well as his
appreciation of the personal sacrifices of the Soldiers
and their families as a result of their service to their
country. He then shook hands with the Soldiers and
presented each of them with his coin. After the ceremony, each Soldier was presented with their Oath of
Reenlistment Certificate, personally signed by General
Petraeus. “I think it was great,” said Staff Sgt. John
Quinn, the unit retention NCO, “these Soldiers will
remember this for the rest of their lives.”
My year and a half as president of the Association of the First
Corps of Cadets (AFCC) has been a terrific experience. During
this time I have been able to interact with many patriotic people
who share our values. Although there are many organizations
with similar goals and purposes, I have grown to appreciate the
uniqueness of the AFCC. We are the only group with an affiliation with an active unit, the 211th MP Battalion. The Battalion
carries the colors of the First Corps and provides AFCC membership with a close relationship with men and women who are
presently serving their country in the Global War Against Terror.
The “Commander’s Corner” letter from LTC MacPherson
describes the present activities of the 211th MPs and subordinate
units. This affiliation with the Active Corps gives our organizational mission of supporting the active corps and preserving the
history of the First Corps greater urgency, meaning, and purpose.
I want to express my sincere thanks to all those individuals
who actively participate in AFCC events and work on various
projects and activities. They are key to our financial well-being
and to our mission of support to the Active Corps. In July 2007,
I was able to present a check for $1,000 to the commander of
the 972nd MP Company during the unit’s activation ceremony
at BU. This money will be used to support their Family Readiness Group (FRG) while loved ones are serving in Iraq. This
makes $5000 that we have donated to the FRGs of the 211th
MPs since 9/11. In particular I want to thank the Golf Tournament committee (Arthur Burt, John Silva, Bill Hurley, John
Sheehan, John Beale and John Cristoforo) for the great job
they did this year raising $4800 for 211th family support committees. I also want to thank the Veterans Recognition committee of
Margie Cahn, Dean Saluti, and Bill Hurley for the first class
job they have done and continue to do with this event. The annual Christmas Party also continues to be one of the finest social
events of the year with entertainment from the College of the
Holy Cross Christmas Carolers and with raffle gifts donated
by many members of the board and too many active members to
identify.
Although our fundraising events are going well and our
investments are helping to balance our budget, it is critical for
the future existence of the AFCC that we actively recruit new
members. I want to focus my efforts in the time remaining on
improving our new member welcome, in-processing and mentoring.
Thank you all for your continued support. I hope to see you
at future events. Send me your comments on how we can make
this a better organization for you.
Monsrat Viam
Bill Wood
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF:
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
211th MILITARY POLICE BATTALION
MASSACHUSETTS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
459 BEDFORD STREET
LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420-1499
211MPBN-CDR
19 December 2007
MEMORANDUM FOR All Who Support Our Troops.
SUBJECT: 972nd Military Police Adopt a Soldier Program
1. This memorandum is to kick off a program that we are initiating at the 211th Military Police Battalion
to assist our fellow soldiers in the 972nd MP Company currently deployed to Iraq. The program is entitled
“Adopt a Soldier”. It is an effort for the soldiers deployed to receive constant support and gratification for the
sacrifices that they are making on a daily basis. 100 Percent of the money raised will go to the soldiers of the
972nd Military Police Company. The money will be distributed throughout the company to help defray costs
of internet to increase the ability for soldiers to communicate with loved ones back home. In addition it will
go towards morale and welfare activities or equipment that will help soldiers adapt to life overseas and make
there time away from home as comfortable as possible.
2. The details of the program are outlined as follows. For a small one time donation of $100 you will be able
to adopt a soldier in the 972nd MP Company. Once we receive your request to adopt a soldier you will be
contacted by SGT Kimberly Linatopi who will maintain the roster of deployed soldiers. If you have a particular soldier that you would like to adopt you can request that soldier. It is our goal to have every soldier in the
972nd adopted through this program. You will be provided the soldier’s name, rank, email address and APO
address so you can begin to reach out to the soldier. The soldier will also be notified that they were adopted
by you and will be provided your name, address and email address.
3. Once you have adopted a soldier you can feel free to contact them however works best for you. It is our
goal that you will able to maintain communications with the soldier through email as well as cards, letters,
care packages. As a veteran I remember how much we looked forward to the mail each day in hopes that you
would receive something from back home. We ask a lot of our men and women in the armed forces and this
is a great opportunity to give back, and keep the lines of communication open. Thank you for your support
and please consider adopting a soldier.
4. Any questions can be addressed to the undersigned or CPT Jeffrey M. Holloway at 1-781-861-0341 ext 12.
JOHN A. MACPHERSON
LTC, MP
Commanding
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
211th MILITARY POLICE BATTALION
MASSACHUSETTS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
459 BEDFORD STREET
LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420-1499
211MPBN-CDR
MEMORANDUM FOR Association of the First Corp Of Cadets
SUBJECT: 211TH Military Police Battalion Annual Summary
The OPTEMPO of the Massachusetts Army National Guard continues to be at an all time high. The 211th
Military Police Battalion continues to be a model of excellence and stands at the forefront to support the
Global War On Terrorism in addition to domestic actions and state of emergencies throughout the commonwealth. This year began with the 972nd MP Company out of Reading receiving the alert order that would
eventually mobilize the unit for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The patriotism, duty and honor that lies in each
of the soldiers within the battalion came through as volunteers step forward to fill the requirements of this
mission. During the months prior to the 972nd MP company departing for Mobilization station the battalion
acted on several missions.
Earlier in the year the 747 MP, based in Ware, MA played a pivotal role in an exchange of techniques with the
Paraguay Military. In March 2007 a Paraguayin team spent time with soldiers from the 747 to learn the techniques and procedures of the 211th Military Police. This role was reversed in April and the 747th MP Company sent a team to Paraguay to learn the different techniques used by the military police of Paraguay. In April
the 211th MP BN played a vital role in the successful execution of the Boston Marathon. This is an annual
event in which the MP’s augment the local police to assist in the crowd control measures for this high profile
event. Following the marathon the Commonwealth was hit was severe weather and heavy rains. Operation
Spring Storm activated the 972nd MP Company to assist towns throughout the Commonwealth that were hit
with heavy flooding.
In June the battalion traveled to Fort AP Hill in Virginia for its annual training period. Annual Training
2007 was the culmination of a years worth of planning, preparation and training at the unit level. The training at A.P. Hill ran full spectrum of operations running from convoy operations, live fire ranges, mounted
land navigation, and the Combat Village. Fort A.P. Hill has tremendous training facilities which provided
realistic training for the soldiers, which will continue to help prepare them for the GWOT. Realistic training
is a key to overall mission success. As the year moved on the battalion was tasked with numerous domestic actions throughout the Commonwealth. These domestic actions were highlighted by the Air Show at Otis, AFB
which was supported by the 772nd MP Company out of Taunton. Most recently the battalion was tasked to
provide security and escort details during the swearing in ceremony at the State House for the new Adjutant
General, Major General Joseph Carter.
Our focus continues to be on supporting the GWOT and preparing our soldiers for whatever mission may
come our way. The 772nd MP Company established a working relationship with the Southeast Correction
Complex Bridgewater, which provides top notch training at its Military Operation Urban Terrain site. The
realistic training plays a crucial role in recruiting and retention. New equipment fielding and the latest in individual equipment for the soldiers keeps the units motivated. We strive to continue to increase unit readiness.
As always the soldiers of the 211th Military Police battalion stand ready to support the Commonwealth, and
the United States of America.
JOHN MACPHERSON
LTC, MP
COMMANDING
The Association of the First Corps
of Cadets Annual Meeting
29 April 2007
The meeting began at 15:25 at the AFCC Museum, 227
Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA. COL William Wood
presided.
MEMBERS PRESENT: See below
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag. President Wood introduced board and committee members
to the membership.
Secretary Report
Minutes were distributed and approved.
Treasurer’s report
The treasurer’s report was distributed. Treasurer Eldon
Clingan explained the accounting methods he employed. A net
loss of $3,895.86 for April 2006-March 2007 was explained.
Funds have been encumbered for outfitting the color guard and
the profit from the golf tournament will be spent to support
the families of 211th Military Police Battalion units deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq. We have $20,000 of unrealized
gain on investments. The next statement will have encumbered
items pulled out of it. The organization, in hard expenses runs
at $30,000 to $35,000 per year, which is good. We earn our
income from 3 sources, 1) Membership dues, 2) Event income,
3) Investment income.
Treasurer’s report was approved as presented.
President’s report
President Bill Wood reported on the following:
Active unit. Business: The money raised on the golf tournament from last year and for next year will help support the
families of units deployed. $1,000 will be given to the families
at each deployment. The next golf tournament will be held on
September 17, 2007. We are looking for attendees and sponsors.
Past events:
1) Veteran’s recognition event on November 12, 2006, was
an outstanding success @ Smith and Wollensky. The
only problem we continue to have is limited seating.
2) December 1, 211th MP Battalion Ball: The active unit
commander complained that we haven’t been supporting the ball, despite the fact that he has been supporting the AFCC with color guards whenever asked.
President Wood said that we should plan to support the
ball next year with a table.
3) Christmas Party, December 10: The party was its usual
success with the Holy Cross carolers, the full turkey
dinner, and the extended raffle of donated items.
4) Historic Pub Crawl January 20, 2007: This was a first
time experiment, which turned out to be successful.
About 20 took part in crawling from historic pub to historic pub in the area of the Union Oyster House, the
starting point of the crawl.
5) March 25th, 2007: New member meet and greet. This
was a modest success.
Upcoming events:
1) Memorial Day, 28 May 2007: Members will march to
the First Corps monument in Mt Auburn Cemetery at
11:30 for a ceremony in honor of the fallen members
of the Corps. The proceedings at the monument will be
followed by a collation at Guido’s.
2) June Day, 4 June 2007: As usual, the AFCC is invited
to march in the parade, but there have been complaints
that more members show up for the dinner than
march in the parade. Also, of those who do march, not
many remain in the parade to the end.
3) Charles River Cruise, 28 July 2007: last year we went
up the Charles, this year we will be going through the
locks into Boston Harbor.
4) Family Support Fund Raiser Golf Tournament, 17
September 2007.
5) 211th MP Battalion Ball Saturday, 1 December 2007.
Come and show your support.
Information on all of these is forthcoming to the membership.
Building Report:
1) The neighborhood association approved plans for renovation of both front doors. 2) Several board members
got stuck in the elevator because it was not capable of
holding 1200 lbs due to friction in the drive motor.
As a result, we have hired a new elevator maintenance
company. A weight test will be given again. We may
reduce our cost from $30K to $4K by working with our
new company Commonwealth Elevator.
Building report was approved.
Museum Report:
Outside researchers have contacted us regarding doing
research projects on our collection. One believes we
have a powder horn worth over $50,000.
It was asked if we check background of people requesting access to our collections. The answer was that
Craig Brown requires three letters of reference before
researchers are allowed access to the collection.
Nominating Committee:
The nominating committee presented its slate of officers:
Board members up for election are:
Mr. James Bethune – Director (2007-09)
Mr. John Beale – Director (2007-09)
Mr. Salvatore Di Stefano – Director (2007-09)
Mr. Leonard Wolfe – Prudential Committee
Col Bernard Flynn – Finance Committee
There were no nominations from the floor.
The election was held and the nominees were approved
unanimously.
New BusinessNo New Business
The meeting adjourned to dinner at 4:45.
Members in attendance:
Dean Saluti
Craig Brown
Len Wolfe
Bob Davenport
continued on page 6
continued from page 5
Sal LaRosa
John Christoforo
John O’Brien
Jim Bethume
Christopher Ormonde
Ron Brennan
Don Phillips
Dan O’Shea
Tim O’Shea
John Sheridan
Sal Di Stefano
Eldon Clingan
William Wood
Thomas Finn
Rich Matlak
William B. Hurley
John J. __________ (cannot read)
Douglas Ness
Rich Matlak
introduces Vietnam
vet Joseph Consigli
as wife Maureen and
son Joseph look on
Veterans Recognition Event
Veterans Day, 2007
On Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2007, the AFCC held its
annual Veterans Recognition Event at the Smith & Wollensky
Steakhouse in the headquarters room of the “castle” on Arlington
Street, Boston. Honored for their service to the Country were
World War II veterans: Gunner’s Mate 2nd class Charles Albert
(Bud) Dasey, US Navy; PFC Joseph M. McHugh, US Army;
Signalman 1st Class Petty Officer Robert G. Oliver, US Navy;
PFC Franklin Pierce Pomroy, U.S. Marines; and LTC Lowell A.
Warren, Jr., U.S. Army. The Korean War honorees were Corporal William D. Furey, U.S. Marines, and Corporal Robert Blake
Hathaway, U.S. Army. The Viet Nam veterans honored were
Corporal Ronald Louis Camacho, U.S. Marines; Sergeant Joseph
L. Consigli, Jr., U.S. Army; CSM David Costa, U.S. Army; and
Dental Technician (DT3) Howard Everett Rollins, U.S. Navy.
Honored with the President’s Award for outstanding contributions to the AFCC were CSM William M. Davidson, Jr., 211th
MP Battalion (FCC), and John F. O’Brien, who serves on the
Museum staff as House Manager. The Keynote speaker of the
event was Executive Board Member and TAG, MG Joseph C.
Carter.
CSM Davidson
and Family
Curator’s Column
The Brigadier General Charles Chauncy Foster
Arms Collection
Approximately 95% of the arms displayed in the
Arms Room on the second floor of the AFCC Museum
are the 1942 gift of BG Charles C. Foster (18561943), an early and discriminating collector of US
Service arms and a member of the First Corps.
Foster was born in 1856 and attended Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, graduating from the
last in 1883; his specialty was orthopedic surgery. He
enlisted in Company D of the First Corps of Cadets
on 11 March 1886 and was discharged on 30 June
1887. After leaving the Corps he rose steadily in rank
serving as a medical officer in one capacity or another
from 1887 until he resigned in June 1913 when he was
Surgeon General with the rank of Brigadier General.
He returned to service with the First Corps of Cadets
during the First World War (for the US 1917-1918)
serving in the First Motor Corps (First Corps of
Cadets), Massachusetts State Guard during through
the Boston Police Strike of 1919. He continued in his
chosen profession until his death in 1943.
Foster seems to have developed an interest in firearms and marksmanship early on. While an undergraduate at Harvard he helped in the formation of one of
the first college rifle teams. After graduating from the
Medical School, he joined the Massachusetts Rifle Association as a Life Member and he was an Endowment
Member of the National Rifle Association, a member
of the Loyal Legion, and a number of other military,
medical and hospital organizations. He is said to have
maintained his interest in marksmanship to within a
few weeks of his death. He is still revered by the Massachusetts Rifle Association.
Just when Foster began collecting and what he
envisaged as the scope of his collection is unknown. In
the Museum files there is a reference to a list of his collection “to be found among (his) papers” but it is long
lost – if the Museum ever had a copy at all. Perhaps
that list revealed his thoughts; we will never know. As
it stands the collection is for the most part US military
shoulder arms (including some trail arms) from the
Colonial Period through World War I. The collection
is extensive, but it is by no means comprehensive. The
collection is distinguished by the quality of its specimens. When Foster was collecting he had the distinct
advantage of doing so at a time when there was very
little competition for specimens and when there was
a much larger pool of prime condition arms available
than there is for today’s collector. Whatever Foster’s
intentions were, we honor his efforts and remain grateful for his truly extraordinary gift.
-Craig W. C. Brown, AFCC Curator
Golf Outing
On 17 September 2007, the AFCC held its second annual golf tournament in support of the Family Readiness Groups of the 211th MP Battalion (FCC) at the Far Corner
Golf Course in Boxford, MA. Seventy-five golfers had a great day playing “best-ball” golf,
followed by a fabulous cookout and a raffle of delights and surprises. All told, the many
AFCC members, friends, and 211th unit members in attendance helped to raise $4700,
which exceeded by almost $2000 the total raised last year. Everyone is looking forward to
returning for another great outing in September 2008 in support of our troops and their
families.
211TH MP MEMBERS
Bill Maijenski, Leslie Davidson,
Bill Davidson, Rich Johnson
GOLF PLANNING COMMITTEE
From left to Right: John Silva, Arthur Burt,
Bill Hurley, Bill Wood, Paul Mendoza,
John Burt
Annual Christmas Party
The Annual Christmas Party was held
at the Museum on Sunday, 9 December
2007, with almost 70 members in attendance. The program was our traditional
one: open bar at 5:00, turkey dinner with
all of the trimmings at 6:00, the President’s
reading of the “Night Before Christmas at
7:00, the Holy Cross Christmas Chorus under the direction of Pam Getnick
Mindell caroling until 7:30, and finally
the opening of presents, in other words,
the Christmas raffle for gifts donated by
the Executive Board and other members.
Raffle items again included free airline
tickets and symphony tickets donated by
Dean Saluti and Margie Cahn, a dinner
with MG Davenport and Paulie, wine
and various liquors donated by members
of the Executive Board, along with assorted plants, flowers, prints, and books of
military history. One of the extra highlights
of the evening was the awarding of the
President’s Plaque to our custodian John
O’Brien. It was truly a delightful evening
and one that comes around every year!
Pam Getnick Mindell Leads the Holy Cross
Carolers
Enjoying Christmas Dinner
Bill Wood Reads
“The Night Before Christmas”
John O’Brien getting his award
MONSTRAT VIAM
association of the first corps of cadets
227 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02116