Tarmac October 2007.pdf - Chaminade High School

Four-Star General Fields a Few Questions
by Salvatore Garofalo ‘08
would like to stop talking at you and
answer your questions,” said General
Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff. “The rules are pretty simple. You
get to ask anything you want on any topic you
want. I get to give you whatever answer I
want. If I know the answer, I’ll tell you. If I
don’t, I’ll make something up. By the time
you figure out I made it up, I’ll be gone.”
Timidly at first, and then quite eagerly,
Chaminade students took advantage of
the opportunity to pose their questions to
the most powerful man in the United
States military after the
Commander in Chief.
The question-and-answer
session lasted for
53 minutes.
At the September 19th I
assembly with General
Pace, held in the newly
opened Activity-Athletic
Center, the Flyers asked a
range of questions regarding
the challenges of the
General’s job; the diplomatic
and military situation
in the Middle East; the
military’s “don’t ask, don’t
tell” policy; and even civilian
Peter Pace’s views on
illegal immigration.
General Pace invites
questions from the floor.
“AAC Construction,” continued from page 13 Capt. Terzi’s Uniform Now
Others involved with the project became members of the Chaminade Family “by adoption.”
In a letter to “Fr. James, Fathers, Brothers, and students,” Mr. Tom Bruder, one of
the union carpenters on the job, put it this way: “I want you all to know that being a part
of your team has been a wonderful experience for me as well as my brother carpenters.”
“In all my years,” he continued, “this is the job that I am most proud of. I want you
to know that I feel like I have become a part of your family, and for that I thank you.”
“It was a wonderful experience working side-by-side with the professionals and
learning many parts of the trade from them,” said summer worker Eddie Corrigan
’08, a member of Chaminade’s Woodworking Club.
“It’s going to be very exciting to see the same spirit that characterized the House
of Noise carry over into the new gym,” said John Buonocore ’08, a fellow woodworker.
“I’m glad to have played a part in making it happen.”
“State,” continued from page 20
By 8:30 a.m., the program’s participants had convened for a daily assembly, during
which time updates were published and announcements were made. At 10:30
p.m., taps sounded to signify the day’s end.
Participants held elections throughout the week for the different positions in the fictional
Boys’ State government. Dennis Grabowski was elected mayor of his city, the party
chairman for his city and county, a legislator on the state level, and the party candidate
for attorney general. He also passed the Boys’ State Bar Exam to become an attorney.
Gary Dawes was a member of his party platform committee, and Jack Gamber was
responsible for leading his party as the chairman for his county.
“The most difficult part about the election process was definitely the deal-making,”
said Jack Gamber. “Sometimes we made promises to other party’s candidates
that we ended up breaking, but I guess that’s politics.”
Everyone was happy to return home after a long week of physical and political training,
but most were glad they had the chance to attend. “Boys’ State has encouraged
me to take a bigger role in my government,” said Gary Dawes. “I’d definitely advise
those who get the chance to attend Boys’ State to really take advantage of it.”
18 THE GENERAL’S VISIT
“This is not going to end on board the deck
of the Missouri with a peace treaty,” said the
General with regard to the war in Iraq. Instead,
American troop levels in Iraq will decrease
significantly, he said, “not when Iraq is
free of terrorist acts – because they will continue
– but when the terrorist acts are at a level
that local security forces can handle on their
own and when the people can go about their
daily lives living the way they want to live.”
Turning to the nuclear threat posed by Iran,
General Pace said, “Iran is a problem, but it is not
a problem for the United States to solve ourselves.
. . . Having weapons [of mass destruction] in the
hands of terrorists – who do
not respond to the same
kind of logic, ethics, and persuasion
that most nations
do – is a big problem for the
international community.”
Before giving his responses
to these and
other inquiries, General
Pace asked each questioner
to raise his hand so
that he could address the
student directly. “He really
made you feel as if he
was speaking directly to
you,” said Anthony
Mastroianni ’08, who
asked a question concerning
the situation in Iraq.
a Cherished CHS Memento
by Joseph Dalli ‘10
Since the 1940s, the name of Captain Joseph A. Terzi ’37 has been listed on the Gold Star Alumni
roster found in the school’s lobby. The award for the Varsity Football Team’s Most Valuable
Player bears his name. Now, his uniform will grace the annual Gold Star Masses
and other tributes to Chaminade men serving in the United States military.
Recently, Captain Terzi’s nephew donated the uniform to the school. It was first displayed
when General Peter Pace spoke to the student body on September 19.
“It is a great honor for Chaminade to be given this gift by the Terzi family,” said CHS
president Fr. James Williams.
Like the other Gold Stars of this country,
Terzi gave his life while serving in the military.
He was killed in action in the South Pacific
on Christmas Day, 1945.
Terzi was not only a model student; he
was also a star football player. After graduating
from Chaminade, he continued his academic
and athletic career at Niagara University.
Captain Terzi served with honor in the
Marine Corps during World War II.
Several items remind Chaminade students of
the sacrifices made by the Gold Star Alumni.
Among them are a photo album of all of their
pictures, a flag that once draped the coffin of a
Gold Star Alumnus, and 1 st Lieutenant Stephen
E. Karopczyc’s ‘61 Congressional Medal of Honor.
General Pace also answered a number of personal
questions. One student asked the General
how he felt when he learned that he would
become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff –
the first Marine, in fact, to occupy that post.
“It was and is an incredible honor,” he responded,
adding quickly, “I also know for a
fact that the reason I got the opportunity was
because other Marines who have gone before
me in positions of high rank gave the country’s
leaders faith and confidence in the Marines.”
Answering a question about the decisions
he must make every day, General
Pace explained, “I try to stand back, especially
if it has to do with people’s lives, in
combat or in day-to-day living. I take a
step back and think about the decision I’m
about to make and how it is going to impact
individuals.”
“I get up every morning and say, ‘God,
please give me the wisdom to know what
is right and the courage to do it.’ At the
end of the day, I thank Him for the help.”
“I was impressed with how deliberately and
sincerely General Pace responded to the questions.
Some of the questions were difficult, but
he answered each one with careful consideration
and remarkable candor,” said Victor Garcia ’08.
“Although General Pace thanked us for the
invitation to visit Chaminade, I think we’re
the ones who should be thankful,” Victor said.
“It’s not often that we get a chance to speak
with someone as important as he is.”
Captain Joseph Terzi ‘37
Now, Captain Terzi’s uniform occupies a place of honor among these cherished mementos.
As CHS chaplain Fr. Garrett Long said, “His uniform is a great symbol of sacrifice from people
who gave all they had for our freedom, and Chaminade is honored to have it.”
Tarmac • October 2007