From rforno at infowarrior.org Mon Oct 1 17:20:19 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:20:19 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Support The Tac Officers' Dinner! Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Gentlemen, I first want to express my heartfelt thanks to those of you who have already sent a donation to support this year?s Tac Dinner. Because of your generosity, we are to thank Colonel Medearis and his hard-working staff for preserving the important customs and traditions that are essential to the Corps of Cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy and College. If you would like to sponsor a Tactical Officer for the dinner, it is not too late! Contributions are fully tax deductible. Also, I want to extend an invitation to all of you to join us for this very enjoyable annual event. Details for the dinner are as follows: Date: Thursday, October 18, 2007 Place: Kimberton Inn Time: 6:30 P.M. for cocktails, dinner to follow Cost: $75 per person Please make all checks payable to the VFMAC Alumni Association and indicate on the message line if it is for a Tac Dinner donation or payment for yourself to attend. In order to keep track of how many are attending (and/or contributing), please send your checks directly to: John R. Rapp, 1239 Victoria Lane, West Chester, PA 19380. We need to confirm the number of attendees to the restaurant by Friday, October 5, so please have your reservations submitted before that date. Thanks, again, for your generous support of the efforts of the Alumni Association and, especially, Colonel Tom Medearis and the Tactical Department. COURAGE, HONOR, CONQUER John R. Rapp ?74C President, Alumni Association Board of Directors -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRwEsTClmcjtvXmz2EQKCMwCg8qXwKPA2anYnp1/VVtVuh9L15KUAoN3S V8M64FtaomjeiZARLyiOA+w+ =LIbh -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Oct 5 16:09:52 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:09:52 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Trustee Resignation: John Rapp Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 For years, the person elected as President of the VFMAC Alumni Association also was a member of the VFMAC Board of Trustees to serve as a liasion between the Alumni Association and the Trustees on Alumni issues. This morning, the following letter was sent by current Alumni Association President John Rapp '74C to to Bill Floyd, the Chairman of the VFMAC Board of Trustees. To my knowledge, this is the third person to resign from the VFMAC Board of Trustees in the past several weeks. - - - -Rick '90 '92C < - > October 5, 2007 Dear Bill, The purpose of this note is to inform you of my resignation from the Valley Forge Military Academy & College Board of Trustees, effective immediately. It is a decision that I have already shared with the Alumni Association?s officers and which I plan to share with the Association?s full Board of Directors and all of the Alumni, who are lifetime members of the Association. My decision to resign, while precipitated by the recent action of the Board?s leadership to require Trustees to sign a re-worded Trustee Agreement, is also based on my belief that my honesty and outspokenness in representing Alumni concerns became a bone of contention between us. When approached to return to active service to the Alumni Association, I made it very clear that I would represent the Alumni as honestly and as thoroughly as I could. And, given the literally hundreds of hours I have spent over the past year in phone, face-to-face, and e-mail conversations with many Alumni, I believe that I have been able to understand the numerous concerns and opinions that were shared with me. It goes without saying that there is not a unanimous viewpoint among all Alumni, nor would I expect there to be. And, I don?t agree with every opinion that was expressed to me. However, it was important to me to respect each and every opinion and concern and, where appropriate, share those issues with the Board of Trustees. It was never my intention to stifle or discourage open debate among the Alumni, which I sometimes felt you or other Trustees wanted me to do. Further, as a designated Alumni representative appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees, I felt that Alumni deserved to know my honest opinion when asked. Signing the new Trustee Agreement would have prevented that. My dedication and loyalty to Valley Forge should be obvious to you. I served on staff for three years in the Tactical Department and, as a result, I developed a deep and abiding respect for the long hours and hard work of the staff and faculty. They are a remarkably dedicated group of men and women, and I truly admire those who have served the school for many years. Additionally, I have been active with the Alumni Association for a very long time, beginning in 1988 and serving on every conceivable committee, holding every office, and spending countless hours at events and activities that support the Alumni and the cadets. I have been a longtime donor and, while I am not a wealthy man, have tried to support my Alma Mater to the best of my ability. I will continue to support Valley Forge Military Academy & College. I can?t find a better way of expressing myself than how Jack Wyatt put it recently: ?I was an Alumnus long before I became a Trustee.? I will always be proud of that achievement. Sincerely, John R. Rapp ?74C President, Alumni Association -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRwZhtylmcjtvXmz2EQJoGgCgxNfa5h1mydWL7TyT8aMPicYDCUEAn3lR Svro8SlXSoHWZI9b6+tdnHun =acyp -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Oct 5 20:19:40 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:19:40 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - VF Alumnus named Chief of Naval Operations Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Gentlemen -- One of our own, ADM Gary Roughead '69 recently was named Chief of Naval Operations and assumed his responsibilities on 29 September 2007. Gary's official Navy biography can be found at: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=253 Additionally, he is listed on the VFMA Alumni Association Website as a "Notable Alumni" where you can read more about his military career and time as a VFMA cadet. (http://www.vfmac.edu/alumni_notable.html#) Please join me in congratulating ADM Roughead in his new assignment and in offering him our best wishes as he assumes leadership of our national sea service! - --Rick '90 '92C -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRwacPClmcjtvXmz2EQJsYQCeODo8xR78zRKlM1F8YLodLDiWT9EAnipC SglI/At9DQo1acC2R8FZyI7v =3otA -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Tue Oct 9 23:45:08 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:45:08 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Recognition Weekend Parade Report Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Dear Fellow Alumni, This past weekend, I attended the Parents Weekend/Recognition Parade Festivities. While the Corps strength may be lower than anticipated this year, its heart and spirit showed through in greater numbers than were on the field. I was pleased to see that the Garrison Review following Chapel was well performed and it was clear that COL Thomas W. Medearis, VFMAC ?66, our Commandant of Cadets, had a very strong hand in shaping this performance. Although this was the Corps' first public parade, you could see that the Cadets and Tactical Department worked hard to show the audience they were ready for the task. I am pleased to report that in some ways, this parade looked much better than the Garrison Review on Alumni Weekend this past April. Indeed, this Parade was reminiscent of past Reviews, and included a greater adherence to the traditions and customs one expects at a Valley Forge parade. The Corps of Cadets and Tactical Officers should feel proud of this first Parade of the season, and I am certain that Alumni will feel equally-proud at what they will see on the Parade Field -- to that end, I hope that you have a chance to stop by for a Parade and give your support to the Cadets. Yours in Service, John Rapp '74C President VFMAC Alumni Association -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRwwSeClmcjtvXmz2EQLLGQCgr2aCHsz7Pfo9vxb1RYmXgfcnlO0AnicD E+nMwyTT9E4yUSG+YSwOAJcG =t3eU -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Oct 12 20:11:51 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:11:51 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - VFMAC in the Philly News Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Gentlemen: The following news stories about VFMAC are provided FYI. 2 resign as Valley Forge Military faces questions on grades (Philly News) http://tinyurl.com/2epxpf Ex-Dean Claims He was Pressured to Alter Grades http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=5691475 Cheers Rick '90 '92C -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRw/URilmcjtvXmz2EQJltgCfeC2kfspJsM1azMfdCJ1v1pCMKIAAoK1p pmRgchPtwKi2/UBNBw33sW9l =W/rx -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Oct 12 20:12:04 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:12:04 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - VFMAC Statement re: Philly News Story Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Gentlemen -- for your information. - -Rick '90 '92C - ------ Forwarded Message From: "Griffiths, Barry" Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:17:04 -0400 To: "Griffiths, Barry" Subject: Message from the VFMA&C President Dear Alumni, You may have heard by now about a misleading article that ran yesterday in the Philadelphia Daily News. It incorrectly implies that two Valley Forge officials allegedly resigned over grade changing issues. I want to make sure you have the facts about two very separate matters. The first involves a complaint we received about grade changes in the college last year. In late August, nearly one month after leaving Valley Forge to take a position in another institution, I received a letter from Associate Dean of the College. Mr. Richard Robitaille submitted a written complaint about improper behavior on the part of a senior Valley Forge administrator relating to changes in some student?s grades. Following our strict policies on this, I immediately established an independent board to conduct a complete investigation. It was led by a former Trustee who is recognized as an accomplished academician. The conclusion reached by the board was clear and unanimous. It found that the claims alleged by Mr. Robitaille were without merit. A week ago, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees reviewed the investigation and was satisfied with its findings. On a separate matter, former Valley Forge Trustee and President of the Alumni Association, John Rapp, resigned from the Academy?s board of trustees. We are saddened by this news. His contributions will be missed. The decision was entirely his own and is not related in any way to the complaint of Mr. Robitaille. As I talk to parents and alumni in my travels, I am continually impressed by the depth and strength of your support in so many ways. There are many new and positive developments at ?the Forge.? Thank you for your continued encouragement. The institution is focused on the new strategic plan and all the wonderful things it promises to bring with it. The largest project will be our $13.6M major gift initiative which will help us launch our new college, ?The Military College of Pennsylvania? and rehabilitate the dormitories. We are making great progress and need your active participation. Walter Mosetter ?75/?77C is doing a superb job on the latrine project so I hope you will give him your full support. The Naval Academy Prepsters and I had the pleasure of welcoming the new Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead ?69 to Philadelphia. We had a very informative luncheon with him at the Navy League. We were joined by VFMAC?s 8th President, Virgil Hill and his wife, Kim. It was a wonderful day for Valley Forge! Sincerely, Tony McGeorge President Valley Forge Military Academy & College -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRw/U8SlmcjtvXmz2EQIErgCfTcVGK+5NbTrTTKr0t4M0QtNYWd0Anju1 rHFdi+8jOHtB6zGJIX+EoLqk =l0cE -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Fri Oct 19 00:46:28 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:46:28 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Philly News article & official VF response Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Gentlemen -- The following article appeared in the Philly news this week, and is being distributed to the Sticklist for your information. Battle lines drawn at Valley Forge Military Academy http://tinyurl.com/2n9gm9 In response to this (and other) increased media interest in VFMAC over the past few weeks on a variety of issues, the following statement was released this afternoon by the school. I pass along both to you as an FYI without comment. - -Rick '90 '92C < - > From: Myers, Jennifer [mailto:JMyers at vfmac.edu] Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 4:09 PM To: Myers, Jennifer Subject: VFMA&C Message from the Chairman of the Board & President Dear VFMA&C Community, We continue to be dismayed by the unprecedented scrutiny of Valley Forge Military Academy & College playing out in a few news articles this week. We want to personally assure you that the safety and well-being of our cadets, remains our top priority. As anyone connected to our school knows, any form of misbehavior is addressed firmly and fairly. While these articles have referred to VFMA&C as an ?elite academy? and ?premiere training ground for the nation?s military elite? in full, these articles do not reflect the honor and teamwork we see on campus every day. Our controlled environment is one of our strongest assets. That is why we monitor our cadets at all times. It?s important that you understand the context for this aggression we see in the news. The articles are a direct result of the efforts of a small faction of estranged alumni that has mounted a hate campaign against our school. Until now, we have refused to engage these extremists who hide their identities behind cowardly code names in online chat rooms. However, to protect the reputation of this great institution and the bright future in front of us, it is time for us to expose their true intentions. These people have dug in on obsolete issues, and failed to support our vision for bringing the school into the 21st century. We can trace their actions almost to the day when we opened our doors to women. The admission of women was widely held as a positive and necessary step for our growth. Since that time, their anger has only intensified. Recently, they have resorted to attacking specific staff and our family members. We tried to act with patience, deliberation and restraint in coping with this destructive group. We have openly responded to legitimate inquiries, met with individuals and made informative open and available. At best, we have made only limited progress. These dissidents continue to manufacture one lurid situation after another. But this will not distract us from our vision for the Forge. We must all fill ourselves with resolve to go through these difficult times while keeping our focus on the vision we have created for the school. We extend our sincere gratitude to those of you who support the school and we know that our long-standing traditions will continue. Sincerely, Bill Floyd Tony McGeorge Chairman President Board of Trustees VFMA&C -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRxf+LilmcjtvXmz2EQJ7+ACgqYgk7Agmg1IHfUeJGupYvLzHkxwAnjar coZzkOsTcl3YrdgTlyZzNf1E =snJg -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Mon Oct 22 00:37:58 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:37:58 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - Story of VF grad killed in Iraq to be a movie Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Soldier who bequeathed party draws interest from Hollywood By ANNIE TASKER Bucks County Courier Times A few days after Army Special Forces Capt. Jeffrey Toczylowski died in Iraq, friends found his last message waiting in their inbox: ?If you are getting this e-mail, it means that I have passed away. No, it's not a sick Toz joke, but a letter I wanted to write in case this happened.? The Upper Moreland native then invited them to a $100,000 Las Vegas party he'd planned in celebration of his life. If it sounds like a movie, Hollywood agrees. New Line Cinema bought the rights to Toczylowski's story for a movie it's calling ?Time of Your Life,? according to Variety Magazine. The screenplay, which has not been written, will be based on the events leading up to Toczylowski's death in 2005 after falling from a helicopter in Iraq's Al-Anbar province. Toczylowski wrote the e-mail before leaving for Iraq and asked a friend to forward it to loved ones in the event of his death. About 125 people showed up for the celebration at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas a year later. < - > Toczylowski was an Archbishop Wood High School graduate who went on to become a second lieutenant in the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the Valley Forge Military Academy. Toczylowski, who was 30 when he died, is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Article Link: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/articlePrint.cfm?id=1426777 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRxvwySlmcjtvXmz2EQKFUQCgwYCeTVVDTshrbEAg4VnKloJQ0NoAoLSw E3phCFCBrVff/dd97JArnMPB =JGRl -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From rforno at infowarrior.org Thu Oct 25 18:30:59 2007 From: rforno at infowarrior.org (Richard Forno) Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:30:59 -0400 Subject: [sticklist] - VFMC Named 'Official Military College of Pennsylvania' Message-ID: -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 State Rep. Bryan Lentz D-Delaware www.pahouse.com/Lentz http://www.pahouse.com/PR/161102307b.asp Lentz resolution honors Valley Forge Military College, distinguishes it as official military college of Pennsylvania HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 ? The House of Representatives today adopted a resolution (H.R. 335) introduced by state Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware, designating the Valley Forge Military College as the official military college of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Valley Forge Military College is a private, coeducational, two-year college enrolling approximately 220 cadets in its first- and second-year programs. It is one of only five early commissioning military programs in the entire United States. ?In this era of global war, it is certain that our country will continue to have a critical demand to produce trained professional military officers,? Lentz said. ?The Valley Forge Military College has trained many fine young men and women to lead honorable careers in the military and beyond and should be recognized for its contributions to the safety and integrity of our country.? Lentz added that students at Valley Forge Military College benefit from a complete military school education that encompasses a strong academic program, leadership opportunities, character development, athletic competition, physical fitness, extracurricular activities and social interactions with a diverse group of peers. When students leave Valley Forge Military College, some pursue military careers or attend the nation's most-respected service academies, while others continue on to the country's most competitive four-year colleges and universities. Lentz himself is a fourth-generation Army veteran and, after graduating from Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College in 1984, he received a full Army scholarship to attend Georgetown University. ?If Pennsylvania is to retain a role in the training and education of our military officer corps, it is essential that Valley Forge Military College be a vibrant and sustainable institution,? Lentz said. ?Its proud and distinguished tradition is an asset to our Commonwealth and deserves our full support.? The many accomplished Valley Forge Military College alumni include General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Admiral Gary Roughead, Wesley "Wes" Moore, Colonel Herbert Raymond McMaster, and Colonel Walter T. Lord. ###ac/2007/bt l:\print\releases\vforge.161 CONTACT: Ann Collis House Democratic Communications Office Phone: 717-787-7895 Fax: 717-783-6839 Email: acollis at pahouse.net -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Desktop 9.0.6 (Build 6060) Comment: Rick's Current Public Key @ http://infowarrior.org/pgpkey.txt iQA/AwUBRyDgpilmcjtvXmz2EQLhWgCcCFjsf/wAErXU4NABguPiNQaTa9cAn2DQ G47oLNf9s/1pshqMkIqe7W09 =xRIl -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----