This past Friday, I had the opportunity to spend a great day with Dan B, Dave G, Jim S, Brian B, Dave F, Dave W and John B(10th Tenn) at Jefferson School doing a LH for about 200 students from five schools. For those who are not familiar with Appleton and the Fox Valley, it is the third largest metro area in Wisconsin. The program was almost cancelled about two months ago, because a few administrators and parents thought that the "battle" was against the district's violence policy. Anyway, the teachers stood their ground by threatening to cancel the event entirely and many parents petitioned to have the program proceed with the battle. The entire controversy was covered on the radio, TV and newspaper. The teachers and the pro-parents won, but the real winners were the students. The ONV presented a quality program, and the members received many grateful comments from the teachers, parents and students. Our friends in the 2nd Wisconsin, Battery B and the 10th Tennessee participated in programs at other schools with a resounding success. Political correctness was put aside for the sake of students learning about history. The TV news carried the story and it was front page news in the local newspaper. The reporters supported the event and battle. The interviews with the students were outstanding and they expressed how much they had learned and the great time they had participating in the program. Our members had a most rewarding day indeed.
Following the event, some of the members headed for Galena. I had plans to meet my wife Up North, but John B asked if I could help him with an event at Shattuck School that evening. The principal at Shattuck is an LtCol in the WIARNG and has done two tours in Iraq as an infantry battalion commander. He is the epitome of the American citizen-soldier. There were modern day soldiers at the Shattuck event and two Black Hawk helicopters. About a dozen ROTC college students ran the students through some learning stations. John B and I were dressed in our CS uniforms and did a uniform and equipment station. The students were 8th graders and very interested. At their request, we allowed students to fire our P53 Enfields with blank cartridges. Our learning station became very popular and we finally ran out of ammo.
John and I joined the participants in a pig roast. John and I were presented with framed pictures of us firing our vintage weapons at the final formation. It was a really nice ceremony and quite impressive for even an old soldier. They gave us a big Army....HOOAH...and then broke ranks.
Some of those ROTC men and women will be newly minted 2ndLt's in two weeks. I am glad that I got to spend an evening with them. I am sure that the Shattuck students, faculty and parents feel the same way.
As I drove North that evening, I reflected that it was a great day to be with my pards and share the day with those young people. It was an all American experience. I am already looking forward to next year and hope that a few more members can join us.
Dan M.

Hey all,

I would concur with Dan on the Appleton School Show, great time and a great
bunch of kids that really put some time into this (there were small speeches
to conclude, and the young lady that memorized "Oh Captain, My Captain" was
really fine, I gave a whoop at the end of her recitation!) Almost everyone
enjoyed the hardtack! We all talked so much that Mr. Gerow was hoarse the
rest of the weekend in Galena, yet still valiantly gave a talk on adequate
shelter and avoiding cold-related problems in the field, as well as the
dangers of dehydration. (We did our level best to drink as much as we
could Saturday night, mostly Port wine and some elixer of Mr. Gerow's!)
Mr. McGraw was a valiant commander for the Confederacy, but it seemed there
were always more Yanks down in that holler! We fought well, and left many
men still (perhaps not silent!) on the field.
A big thanks to Dan Barker, for all his hard work bringing this together,
and his lovely wife Dawn, for the wonderful lunch! I am in for next year!

yer comrade and messmate, Jim Schumann late of the 14th Virginia, ANV

In the category of "NO Good Deed goes Unpunished" I just found out today that I have to pay taxes on the money we received from the school. Since the check was made out to me and I then paid everyone after that, I am the victim.

It is a nice feeling to take a day off from work to spend time with the school kids and then have to pay taxes for the opportunity. It reminds me of when my wife and I ran the concession stand for our local not for profit Little League organization and the State of Wisconsin got on us for not paying sales tax on the sales from the concessions.

This should help pay off our multi-trillion dollar deficit

You are right Dan , It does seem that no good deed goes un punished. Been there alot of times.

It helps me to remeber the priceless nature of igniting the spark of knowledge in a young person. I am sure that you all did some ingiting at the school that day . I appreicate your sacrifice my friend .

Rod

You are right Rod; after reading my post I was a rather whiny. The kids do get a lot out of it and it is fun to observe their joy and excitement in being there

Not saying that you were whining just pointing out the good stuff. In my buisness that is what you have to do .

RM

Sorry Rod; No you did not imply that. I was reading what I had written down and was thinking out loud more than anything. And in hindsight what I wrote was rather whiny. But time to move on.

Thanks for the kind words Rod

Dan Barker