Most news about West Point, my alma mater, makes me exceedingly proud. While the news about West Point being ranked #4 this year in Forbes list of top colleges, (down from #1 last year) is reinforcing and encouraging, last Tuesday’s news is not. It makes me sick and angry. Cadet Sergeant Katherine Miller from Findlay, […]
Tag Archives | Military
Honored Role (part 20): Capt. Jana Fajardo – New Starts
July 23, 2010 in Role Models
This is the 20th installment in the Honored Role Series. Jana Fajardo grew up wanting to serve in the military, despite the fact that less than two percent of Americans do so. Both her maternal grandparents served in the Armed Forces. Her grandmother enlisted in the British Navy and her grandfather served 27 years in […]
Honored Role (part 19): Lt. Col. (ret.) Angela Lungu – A Leap into the Unknown
July 9, 2010 in Role Models
This is the 19th installment in the Honored Role Series. Like many, Angela Maria Lungu joined the Army to earn a college degree and did not anticipate serving past her initial five-year obligation or remotely consider the possibility of living and working overseas. The retired lieutenant colonel remarked, “I never thought I would stay in. […]
Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Stories – Porcelain on Steel Now Available
June 8, 2010 in The Book
Today is an important day; Porcelain on Steel: Women of West Point’s Long Gray Line is officially released. While writing is a solitary act, publishing requires a team effort. Bringing this book to life was a six-year journey during which many supported me. It came to fruition thanks to many friends, family members, mentors and […]
Why We Remember–Memorial Day
May 29, 2010 in Issues
There is a cartoon that circulates annually this time of year. With a picture of a young boy at the table and hands in prayer position and a set of dog tags in the opposite corner, the cloud reads, “Thanksgiving is a day we take pause to give thanks for the things that we have. […]
Honored Role (part 18): 2nd Lt. Taneshina Wright – Body & Mind
May 21, 2010 in Role Models
This is the 18th installment in the Honored Role Series. Saturday’s graduation at West Point will mark 30 years since the first women joined “the long gray line” of graduates of the storied Military Academy. During the commencement exercises, Taneshina Wright will take the oath of a commissioned officer and become a Second Lieutenant in […]
Honored Role (part 17): Maj. Candice O’Brien – One Step at Time
May 7, 2010 in Role Models
This is the 17th installment in the Honored Role Series. In Kindergarten Candice O’Brien started running the 1/8th of a mile loop around her elementary school in Muscatine, Iowa. Each time she finished ahead of all the other kids—girls and boys. Although she ran for fun, she did not want anyone to beat her. From […]
Honored Role (part 16): Col. (ret.) Crissy Gayagas – In Balance
April 26, 2010 in Role Models
This is the 16th installment in the Honored Role Series. More than a word of welcome or parting, “Aloha”, in the Hawaiian language means affection, love, peace, compassion and mercy. Often described as the coordination of mind and heart, it also means the extension of warmth in caring with no obligation in return. This would […]