David presented the Saber to 2nd Lieutenant Myles Durking at commissioning. It was quite moving to see and I hope you enjoy reading it below. 2LT Durkin, at the end of the presentation sheaths the saber as was done at the end of each year at PMC. Good stuff.
One of my researchers 2LT Keith Bright was commisioned. I was able to watch via a webcast.
Another cadet a combat veteran, Chris Housel, 24, of Easton, performed route-clearing of improvised explosive devices in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division, 458th Engineering Battalion in 2004 as an NCO.
The guest speaker, Brig. Gen. Frederick Hodges, deputy chief of legislative liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Army in Washington, D.C., reminded the cadets of the importance of their oath to defend the Constitution, complete the mission and lead their soldiers.He also reminded those in attendance that even after observing the war on terror for the last eight years, these cadets still chose to join, and help lead, the nation’s military.“That gives me a lot of hope that there are still young people out there willing to do that,” he said. “I want you to know how proud I am of you and your parents. Looking at you, you are going to be terrific.” DE County Daily Times 15 MAY article.
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COMMISSIONING CEREMONY Widener University, May 14, 2009
David W. McNulty, Esquire, PMC Class of 1963, to:2nd Lt. Myles W. Durkin:
It is my honor and my privilege to be asked to participate in this service today.
It is a deeply moving and sentimental time for me, for this is the forty-sixth anniversary of my graduation from this institution which was then known as Pennsylvania Military College, “PMC”, the 2nd oldest military college in the nation.
It is also the forty-sixth anniversary of my commissioning as a young 2nd Lt. on the parade field behind Old Main.
I come to you as a voice from the past bringing you a message of insight and truth for your future. It is the same message that we received as incoming Freshmen Cadets in 1959.
That timeless message is this, that “character counts”. It counted then and it counts today more than ever.
Dr. Harris’ predecessor from generations past, Col. Hyatt, coined an epigram of truth for all young cadets at this institution. It is part of the Wisdom literature of PMC and Widener that has stood the test of time and the devolution of our modern mores. His proverb was as follows:
“When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, all is lost.”
In the opening line of our PMC Alma Mater, we sang:
“Beneath the dome of PMC the “Cadets” in gray march byThe banners of our loyalty held ever bright & highThough weary years have called us forth From home to foreign sodThe truths you taught will hold us fast to country and to God.”
Weary years have called me and my classmates from home to hostile foreign sod, and yes, the truths we were taught under this Dome, as symbolized by this sabre, have indeed held us fast to country and to God.
Two of my classmates paid the ultimate price for the preservation of these truths by their combat service in Vietnam. On the plaque behind us you will find their names. John Lance Geoghegan, affectionately known as “Jack”, and William James Stephenson, affectionately known as “Buddy”.
My friend Jack was the top cadet and President of our class. He was the Brigade Commander. He was a man of character and integrity, one of the most distinguished military students in the entire nation in 1963.
Like you, Jack was the recipient of this sabre 46 years ago. In an historic ceremony behind Old Main, retired President and former Five Star General, Dwight D. Eisenhower, reviewed the Pennsylvania Military College Corps of Cadets prior to our commissioning ceremony.
In return Jack Geoghegan presented another ceremonial sabre to President Eisenhower and we, the Cadet Corps, were saluted and blessed by the Supreme Allied Commander of World War II and President of the United States.
Today as a member of the Freedom Battalion you are the continuing heir and benefactor of that salute and blessing by General Eisenhower. By my presentation of this sabre I link you back in time to that historic event.
Two years later Jack would be killed in Vietnam in the battle of the Ia Drang Valley.
Jack’s heroic story is portrayed in the Mel Gibson movie, “We Were Soldiers”.
Jack’s death was like his life, virtuous and noble. He received the Silver Star for gallantry in action trying to save the life of one of his wounded troopers.
It is with the sacred honor and cherished memory of Jack and Buddy from my class, Captain Nathan Raudenbush Class of ‘05 killed in Iraq, and on behalf of all the members, living and deceased, of the long gray line of PMC and Freedom Battalion Cadets, that this sabre shall be passed on to you.
There is one caveat, however.
The sabre comes heavy with responsibility and symbolism. The good news is that it is lightened by the heart felt prayers of your loved ones and all the members of the Cadet Corps that have preceded you.
Receiving this sabre is very much like unto the anointing of a Knight. On behalf of all of your fellow officers you are being sanctified, set apart for a noble and decent purpose.
General Eisenhower told us, “History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.”
In “Saving Private Ryan”, Captain John Miller whispered in the ear of Private James Ryan, “James. Earn this. Earn it”.
In WWI in Flanders Field, Dr. John McCrae passed the torch to a new generation saying; “If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep.”
On behalf of all those who have gone before, Jack and Buddy and Nathan, and all those yet to be commissioned, I charge you to “earn it”, do not “break faith with us”.
I charge you to be a person of firm character.
A lieutenant of unshakeable ethic.
An officer of unmatched integrity.
George Washington said, “When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen.”
You are to be a leader beyond reproach. A servant of inexhaustible patience and grace.
A patriot aglow with zeal and passion for your country and constitution and a model citizen and alumnus of the highest virtue and nobility.
May God bless you, Lieutenant Durkin and keep you in His care.
Here is a Press Release from Widener about the event:
Widener's Freedom Battalion to Commission 15 ROTC Cadets
Chester, Pa. (May 8, 2008) -- Widener University's Freedom Battalion will commission 15 cadets as second lieutenants of the U.S. Army on Thursday, May 14 at 1:30 p.m. by the Veterans Memorial at Widener's Old Main building, 14th and Melrose Ave., Chester, Pa. In addition to Widener University, this year's ceremony will feature cadets from the Abington Campus of Pennsylvania State University and Villanova University.
Widener serves as the host for Army ROTC activity at the Abington and Brandywine campuses of Pennsylvania State University, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Neumann University, Villanova University and West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Widener's Freedom Battalion currently has 122 cadets actively enrolled. The cadets who will participate in the May 14 commissioning include: Keith M. Bright of Glenolden, Pa., Widener University; James J. Doherty of Haverford, Pa., Villanova University; Myles W. Durkin of Towson, Md., Villanova University; Robert F. Gold of Hammonton, NJ, Widener University; Franklin G. Guth of Northampton, Pa., Widener University; Tyler D. Harvey of West Chester, Pa., Widener University; Christopher S. Housel of Easton, Pa., Widener University; Meghan N. Housel of Easton, Pa., Widener University; Brendan M. Kane of Carlisle, Pa., Villanova University; Alexander C. Lamb of West Chester, Pa., Widener University; Sarah M. Painter of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Widener University; Michael A. Quaglia of Bensalem, Pa., Penn State Abington; Caroline H. Smith of Bloomingdale, NJ, Widener University; Edmund H. Waldeyer of Berwyn, Pa., Widener University; and Adam W. Wiley of Dover, Pa., Widener University.
"These cadets have proven themselves as students, athletes, and most importantly, as leaders," said LTC Jon Peterson, battalion commander and professor of military science. "They have earned the honor and privilege to lead our nation's soldiers in service of our country.
"US Army Brigadier General Frederick B. Hodges, the Deputy Chief of Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Army, will deliver the keynote address at the commissioning ceremony. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, Hodges has served the US Army for about 30 years, rising in rank and earning multiple awards and decorations. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he led assignments as commander of the 1st Brigade, 101ist Airborne Division, and as assistant chief of staff of the CJ3, Multi-National Corps. In his current position, he acts as an advisor on legislative aspects of Army policies, plans, programs and the political climate regarding Army issues.
