Rikki Feightner

Halloween at Norwich

Halloween is here!(And Samhain as well!)

And Norwich is doing its best to celebrate, though it’s not quite the same without the Corps in costume. (And were we provided the chance, I KNOW that it’d be a sight to see!) The chow hall had Pumpkin carving and “Halloween Cupcake” decorating stations, and a themed bake-sale to boot. Work, of course, outdid itself with a full Halloween lunch.

The “no costumes during the duty day” rule doesn’t, however, stop students (especially the corps) from slipping into festive clothing following dinner and simply walking around campus to showcase their attire. It’s quite common, in fact, and I imagine that this weekend, we’ll see costumes aplenty in an uncharacteristic display of joviality by the Corps.

Also uncharacteristically, I’m somewhat out of things to say. It’s been a long, meeting-filled week. But the good news comes in the form of tomorrow being Friday, and a nice, long weekend just (literally) over the horizon. My plans for it? Relax, read, and sleep. Sounds lame, but by the time Junior year rolls around, you learn the value of a good “chill weekend”.

And chill is –exactly- what I plan to do. Have a good one, everybody!

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner,

Band Co. ‘15

Regimental Ball

Regimental Ball is something for the Corps, by the Corps, and though I’m in favor of keeping friendships and lifestyles harmonious between the Corps and Civilian lifestyles, I enjoy, every once in a while, getting the Regiment together for a big event. And though true, not everyone from the Corps attends Regi Ball, it’s a blast.

My “date”, my boyfriend, Winston, flew up from California to see me. When you’re a freshman, having a date up for Regi Ball, despite the Saturday morning inspection, despite still waking up early, and despite the midnight accountability formations, is one of the most exciting moments of all of October. Admittedly, as an upperclassman, once you have the freedom to leave potentially every weekend, and your “date” can come up pretty much at will, the idea loses a lot of its glimmer. But for someone who only gets to see her significant other once in a few months, it’s just as exciting, and driving to the airport gave me just as many butterflies.

The weekend was a lot of fun; the Ball (and preparation for it) took up most of my Saturday, but Sunday, after the fact, was where the real fun came in. Winston and I, along with a few of the Band Corporals, headed into Montpelier for some browsing, exploring, and a few well-deserved Crepes at the Skinny Pancake. (If you’ve never been and are considering going, I’d recommend the Heartbreaker crepe… it’s heavenly.) Not only was it fun in the form of good food, but it was an excellent way to showcase some of the best things about Vermont, especially since Winston’s from SoCal.

Vermont is, yes, cold and sparsely populated, but the people that live here are, on the average, incredibly artsy and creative; just take a stroll around Burlington to confirm that. A lot of “homegrown”, a lot of “handmade”, and a lot of fresh air.

It was a pretty great weekend.

 

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner

Band Co. ‘15

 

Fall Academics

Speaking as a Junior and a third-year Cadet at Norwich, academics in the fall are sort of sneaky. What exactly, do you ask, do I mean by “sneaky”? Well, remember that call you promised you’d take notes for every day and read ahead on the weekends? Yeah… not as easy in application as in theory. One week transitions into the next, and if you’re not careful and staying on top of your stuff, soon that “due in three weeks” essay on the Crimean War is due… tomorrow. At 8am. (Whoops… Look who’s not sleeping tonight!) This, sadly, isn’t even a dramatized example. It’s happened to me before, and if you’re not careful and continuous with your studies, it’ll happen to you, too. Or at least, it’s likely. So, from a student with a bit of experience doing things the right- and wrong- way, here’s a few tips to keep yourself on track (and much happier!);

• First off, notice that I said “tips” and not “tips and tricks” or even “tricks”. There’s a reason for this; there is no, I repeat, no way to “shortcut” your way through Academics. Sure, you can bust out a paper last-minute, or fake your way by on a power-point if you’re a master at improv, but in the end, all you’re doing is improving your improv skills. It pays, and you’ll truly feel better, if you just own up and do the reading, or the homework. After all, it’s what you’re here for, right?

• The mentality of “I have enough time for hanging out/chilling AND homework” is NOT the way to go. I’m not saying don’t have a social life; I certainly do, but hanging out with friends and doing non-academic stuff, then starting on homework around 11… to finish around 3am… every night… is NOT good or productive. I admittedly am guilty of this. But if you can put off Game of Thrones until the weekend, your grades will benefit from it. Trust me.

• Along with the second point, especially at Norwich, getting a good night’s sleep is key. Joe Babitsky will firmly back me up on this. In Corps in particular, your schedule, whether freshman or senior, is going to be regimented to some extent, and that regiment goes with the presupposition that you sleep during the night. Trying to consistently burn the midnight oil and then napping for three, four hours during the day is ultimately going to cause you more stress than it’s worth.

• Take care of your body in your spare time. This means keeping a good eating/workout schedule, mostly as an upperclassman, where things are less scheduled for you. But no worries; here, more than most colleges, people who are skilled in proper diets and armed with workout plans can be found virtually everywhere- just ask.

• Make lists! Seriously, if you have to plan out everything from “Study for Bio 5-6:30pm” to “Call Jessica  2:30-2:40pm”, then do it. List-making can be extremely productive for getting things on paper that you might otherwise forget if you’re just keeping it in your head. If you’re not a fan of paper, Google Lists can also be productive.

• Reward yourself! Make study/fitness goals, and when you reach them, have a day of relaxation, or get yourself a gift. Positive re-enforcement is a great motivator.

Keep to these tips, and keep on track! Best of luck, guys.

 

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner

Band Co. ‘15

Midsemester Break

Midsemester Break is, for many students, the first real time during the fall that we’re able to get off of campus (unless you live in Vermont/Boston, etc….) and got do something for the weekend. I, being the adventurous type, decided to go off and see my cousin, Kristen. To give a bit of background, Kristen is my cousin, exactly (almost to the hour) two weeks older than me. Nearly the same hair color(hers is a bit lighter), same Major(though I added Chinese), same year in school(both academic Seniors). Growing up, even though we didn’t see each other very often, we were inseparable. There were four of us girls, but Kristen and I just always seemed to “get” each other. And the weekend of Midsemester Break was the first that I was able to actually spend some quality time with her, just the two of us, no outside family, and relax. It was strange, but wonderful to not only see my cousin for the first time in a few years’ time, but also to experience (albeit briefly) what it’s like to go to a “normal” college.

Kristen goes to school at the University of Kentucky, which, for everything I saw, is nearly the opposite of Norwich. It’s big, warm, full of civilian students (all with very distinct fashion sense), has a not only active but thriving Greek life, and, did I mention, cultural diversity/artsy majors/local flavor abound. Oh, and it’s the top of “the South”.  Right from the beginning, I elicited a couple of laughs from Kristen by rubbernecking at students when we drove by, honestly un-used to all the different styles of dress. It was pretty typical, and though I felt a little naïve, I know that I’m just being honest in say that I was fascinated; for all our love of the military, most Norwich kids are secretly (or not so secretly!) a little jealous of the freedom of expression that comes when you only wear your uniform once a week- or not at all.

My second shock came in waiting for Kristen to finish her last class for Friday (I had flown up the night before). I was minding my own in a little café-type setting when my ears picked up the familiar strains of someone practicing Chinese vocabulary words. I looked up to see two students, both of non-Asian heritage, early practicing the words. And no one was giving them funny looks. That, for the record, is not a naturally occurring thing at Norwich. Soon enough, they were joined by four or five more students, also not of Asian heritage, and the group began to converse in nearly flawless Mandarin; to the point where about 30% of the conversation flew right over my head.

I’m not saying that I regret studying a foreign language here; in fact, this is my school and the language is my calling. But since we’re in the first real year of having Chinese as a major, compared to UK’s thriving and well-established Chinese major, I have to be truthful in saying that it got me pretty depressed, sinking further into my seat and sipping Mocha, turning up the music through my headphones to drown them out. The thought followed me through the course of the night, ad Kristen, being a spookily good reader of body language, finally cornered my in the car after dinner, asking what was wrong. I admitted, a little hesitantly, that I felt a little envious of the “normal” college experience. And I did. It was easy to be content at Norwich, but here, with the life I –could- be living…. UK is far cheaper than Norwich, and bigger, -and- they have AFROTC… Kristen listened to me and, after a few minutes, pulled the car over and turned to me, smiling gently. “Rikki… listen.” She said. “UK is amazing, and yes, it has a lot of, let’s say, “attractive differences” over Norwich. But the environment, the friendships, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the brotherhood you’ll be a part of when you leave…. That, you’ll never find anywhere else. And it’s worth more than some cool clothes and a few parties.”

 

I felt pretty chagrined. In a few sentences, Kristen had, as always, laid things out perfectly with her precise, pointed logic. And I grinned back, realizing that though we’ve led very different lifestyles, Kristen and I are very alike; and we’re both right where we belong.

Very Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner

Band Co. '15

 

(The picture is a treat; something I drew while at art class with Kristen. What can I say; I love to doodle.)

Fall for the Corps.

Fall is a time of year to recap everything you did last year; what worked, what didn't and what you could probably be doing better this time 'round.

Fall brings new faces and new adventures to be had, whether you are a Rook, Growing Sophomore, Ring-Dazzled Junior, or Graduation-bound Senior (and even beyond!).

Fall is a time to renew workout commitments and realize that hey, beach season is only eight months away. And there's nothing but snow here in the winter... time to get up to the gym.

Fall brings Air Force POC contracting and earning their new uniforms, wearing that fabric with pride that a summer of struggle and sweat earned you. And hey, you can roll your sleeves.

Fall is the time that familiar, timeless Norwich music swells forth from the new Sabine Field, where Alumni will soon walk on a new place with old feet.

Fall brings bills, and textbooks, and homework. Sleeping in late or just late nights in the library. But also a few well-deserved Saturday morning snoozes for upperclassmen. And the watchful eyes of Rooks taking in "civi Sunday" at the chow hall.

Fall is the time of "remember whens" and recounting of Rookdom adventures over a bonfire, caught between a fondness for the Corps and a wonder and what will come after.

Fall brings meetings and presentations and a slow building tension that will end with exam week and for some, a few good (exensive) nights at the Rustic.

Fall is the time for worship, and recollection, and reflection. For little flags on the UP and slow marching and buglers at night.

Fall for the Corps comes, and goes, and outlasts all of us.

Norwich Forever.

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner,

Band Co. '15

Quick Recap of China

(WAY overdue from the summer. But thought I'd leave this here.)

Well. Right now, we’re about five hours away from America as I write this. Slightly different scenario on the plane here than it was last summer. I’m next to a lady from Hebei province, traveling through Beijing to her job to Detroit. It’s not only her first time flying, but she speaks no English and this is her first time going to America. I’ve been translating everything for her as best I can and chatting with her about her life, my life; small talk. But it seems to really calm her nerves. And as someone who was in approximately her same situation last summer, even though I don’t understand –everything-, I can tell that she appreciates the effort.

What a summer it’s been. If I could do it again, I would in a heartbeat. And probably take the time to sit down and write more blogs, too.

I learned more about my limits than I ever had this summer. Out of Norwich for exactly two days, and it was off to Field Training for 28 days, where I was trained and prepared to enter the POC (Professional Officer Corps; the upperclassman group of Air Force Cadets) this coming fall. Field Training was incredibly intense, but I loved the overall experience and made some really good friends. And then, exactly 13 hours to pack yet again, and it was back to China, back to Minzu University, Beijing. Round 2.

The feeling of stepping into a place on the other side of the world and having it suddenly feel like home is beyond words. I walked up and down the halls and relived the previous summer for the first several days; remembering old friends, old faces, old jokes. Relishing the feeling of being back. The only summer camps I really ever went to as a kid were military oriented, and so… in a weird kind of way, Beijing last year was really my first summer-camp type experience. And it blew my mind. Really, it shaped my outlook on life, made me who I am today. And it took being in a totally foreign place to find what I loved the most about home. Funny how things work out that way.

I had one of my best friends there (besides Joe). Trung Nguyen and several other Norwich cadets joined in on this summer’s program and gladly put Norwich on the map for everybody else there. Being the biggest group of students from any one college, we sort of made a name for ourselves by just how closely we worked together and how obnoxiously proud we were of our school. In the words of our friend and classmate Phil Carr; “When I met you guys, being that you were from a Corps School, I figured you were all going to be clique-y and sort of stuck up. But you proved me wrong. Very wrong. I have a lot of respect for Norwich now.” A lot of kids on the hill will gripe and complain about our school, how we don’t like it, how this and that could be better, but get us away from the hill and get more than one of us together, and you can be guaranteed to know where we’re from. Don’t worry; we’ll tell you.

I had a lot of adventures this summer, but to be fair, I studied harder than I ever have in my life. (Minus some senior-itis the last week, I’ll admit.) We’re talking about 6-7 hours of interviewing, researching, translating, homework, review and preview. Every day. This may have been easier, granted, if I hadn’t skipped two levels. Yes, last year I was first-level in the program. And this year, I was third-level. And let me tell you, the first day was –rough-. Like, doubting everything I ever learned about Chinese rough. I walked in with a first-year vocabulary.Basically, I could speak Chinese, but I still had the internal wordbank of a six year old. (Probably less, to be realistic.) I walked in to third year, and they started talking about the current state of the Chinese economy.

I felt like I was in an ocean of words, and I was drowning. I couldn’t understand any of what they were saying. I almost went to second year right then and there. But I remembered my friend Will from last year, cheering me on. And I knew that I could either go back to second year, which would be very doable, or continue to do third year, which would be a fight right up to the bitter end. And in the end, I chose third year. And it was indeed a bitter struggle. But I stuck with it, sometimes grimly, and my Chinese exploded in learning progress.

There are the disadvantages, of course. While I’m a huge fan of the food in China (note that I don’t say Chinese food; our perception and their reality of this is very, very different!), it can get old sometimes, and occasionally I’d just like some cheese or a Deli-style sandwich. Or unsweetened tea. Good lord. That’s practically all I like to drink in America and it’s non-existent other than the hot-tea-at-a-restaurant form. (First world, problems, I know.) I’m also looking forward to being back In America because I have this magical ability now to order food, ask for directions and express my opinions without having to ask how to say things, stumbling over my words, or paraphrasing for lack of vocabulary and sounding… dumb. That, I won’t miss.

But despite the ups and downs, the culture shock second time 'round and the reverse shock that's sure to sink in these next few days, I'm ready and excited for the year. I'm home!

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner

Band Co. '15

Leadership Style

Wow. I woke up this morning and realized that we’re already halfway through September! And what a month it’s been so far. With the return to school I’ve come to realize that it’s going to be a long, cold Winter, and that if I thought that I was busy –last- year, then this year might well swallow me alive. That being said, though, it’s been a good year. Classes are going pretty well; I’m finding that Astronomy is challenging but pretty interesting (it’s the math. It’s always the math. I admittedly have been horrible at math since the eighth grade… hence the double Liberal Arts major.), and my language classes are going great.

I’ve also found that my tolerance for the normal six hours of sleep combined with a full Norwich day had tanked considerably. I’m not exactly sure why…. It’s not that I was slacking off in the summer…. In fact, I was studying longer and more intensely during the summer than I do during a normal Norwich day, so if anything, my tolerance should be better. But who knows.

I do know that being a First Sergeant is one heck of a job, however. Despite the paperwork and additional responsibilities, even in the first month I’m able to tell that this job is going to make me a better person and allow me to expand and hammer down my leadership style.

Recently in our Aerospace studies course (known by the vernacular of Air Force class), we’ve been talking a lot about personality type and how it relates to leadership. For example, our Colonel had us take the Myers-Briggs personality test. If you’ve never tried it, then I’d highly, highly suggest it; it can teach you a lot about yourself and your “leadership personality”.

It’s got me thinking about leadership and the types of leaders where we become. Also, about Art. vs Practicality. Now, when I say “Art” and “Practicality”, I’m talking about the two general types of leaders. There’s the free-thinking, creative ones, and the structured, by-the-book ones. Now I certainly fit into the "Art" side of things. I've a very creative, spontaneous leader that works well with people and changes plans easily. "Flexible" and "Adaptive" are words that apply to me. This is, of course, in stark contrast to the thinkers and planners, like fellow blogger Joe Babitsky, who scores at virtually the opposite end of the chart- a solid INTJ.

Each of these personality/leadership types has its own particular advantages, but the main problem of my own type, the “artsy” kind, is that art and form can often be confused for senselessness. There’s a creative way to do things, and a frivolous way; a good leader with a personality type of, say, ENFP (my type) has to find the balance between these two and steer themselves into the throes of creativity while still retaining credibility and responsibility. If achieved, it can be a very powerful type. But it’s not easy.

Norwich, though, can prepare you for this sort of thing. It’s not all taught in the classroom, but learned as well through the personal experiences and under the arm of mentors.  And whether here or abroad, a student that takes advantage of these opportunities in the larger world helps us to live up to the name of being “Global Citizens”. Now that’s a name to live up to.

Back to class, and back to the grind. Here's a picture of the Dog river for your enjoyment. Thanks for reading, and as always, have a great week.

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner,

Band Co. '15

Cadre

And we’re back! I’ve finally returned to the world of blogging after a long and hectic hiatus during the Summer. And what a summer it’s been. I started things out almost right after my last blog with a full Summer of Field Training, back-to-back with two months in Beijing (again!) , back-to-back with the Band FTX Week and eventually the start of the school year. School started a full week ago, now. Crazy to think that I’m finally a Junior. (If you’re curious about my summer, a secondhand account can be gleaned from looking at Joe Babitsky’s blog; he was able to document the Summer while I was buried in ridiculous amounts of homework.)

First of all, let me describe some of the mystery surrounding Junior year. It’s often described as the busiest (and often, as the toughest) year in the Corps., let alone Norwich as a whole.  Junior year is when a student takes the direct followership they learned as a Rook, coupled with the passive followership/passive leadership learned from Sophomore year, and from these two experiences creates their own style of leadership. The whole experience is a leadership laboratory, to be cliché, and though the Seniors keep the Corps. on track, the Juniors are what makes it run.

I’m very fortunate to have the friends/Rook Buddies that I do. Especially from my Rook family, a lot of us strove for- and achieved- good jobs in the Corps. We have Cadet Sergeant Majors, First Sergeants, Sergeant First Class cadets, and last, but certainly not least, three of the remaining 11-6-3 cadets are Rook Cadre this year. Every job that we’ll hold while Cadets at Norwich have some sort of purpose. Junior positions, especially, nearly all have a vital function in the Corps. But specifically, I’d like to take a moment to discuss the role of Cadre.

At first, being Cadre doesn’t seem like a terribly impressive job. It’s a low “pay grade” (even though let’s be honest; no one is getting paid here…), long hours, lots of coordination, frustration, and the pressure of walking the straight and narrow both as a stern teacher and also as an appropriate and fair-minded leader. Sound tough already? It is. Add to this that often it isn’t a glamorous job; it involves telling Freshman how to dress, when to go to class, how to eat… basically restructuring the lives of twenty to thirty people to get them “ready” for potential life in the Corps. and for the majority of the year, you’re giving up your own personal time with friends, significant others, and hobbies/interests for a mostly thankless job.

So why, then, would anyone consider this position? The Devil’s in the details. When you’re training a group of people (this applies on a larger scale to Cadre of all sorts), you have the rare and amazing opportunity to shape them as leaders in their most formative stages as college students; teach them again what’s right and what’s wrong, influence their character, help people through their lows and carry them to heights that neither the Cadre nor the trainee could ever have imagined reaching. And a good Cadre will do all of this and more.

When Rookdom is said and done in January, the Rooks that have completed their necessary training will become Norwich University’s newest class of Cadets. That’s a title that is always earned and never just allowed, or given. And it’s the tireless sacrifices of their Cadre that will make this possible. The result? Even if they don’t keep in touch much after Rookdom, both groups will remember the experience for the rest of their lives. And for the Cadre, this is experience is enriched by not only having the point at which their own limits were taken to new levels, but also the distinct honor of creating a new Generation of leaders that will one day propel America, and possibly the world, forward.

Sounds pretty dramatic, doesn’t it? But it’s the truth, when you think of it. Not that you’ll ever really hear a Cadre member say this, whether their trainees are Rooks, Special Unit candidates, or Provisional Unit trainees. They’re a humble group about what they do. It’s just a trademark of the profession, as it were.

So past the classes and the paperwork, the slew of 21^st birthdays and the enormous, earth-shaking event that is Junior Ring (of which I am sure will on its own merit a full Blog post and many, many Facebook statuses), the main purpose of Junior year is simply; find your passion, find your leadership style, and develop it.

In the following few days I’m hoping to have several almost back-to-back blogs covering the Summer in China, my personal outlook on the year, and other fun things. For now though, welcome back everyone, and stay tuned for more!

 

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner,

Band Co. ‘15

Spring Weekends

And finally, it actually feels like Spring. Norwich has come back to life this weekend… people are out in force, sunbathing, playing all kinds of sports, fishing, making bonfires…. It’s been wonderful. Yesterday, Lower Disney was filled with I’d say close to 80 people at one point, crowding around the volleyball and basketball courts, trucks pulled up to the grills, tailgating, and people everywhere actually sunbathing. If it hits above 60 at Norwich, you’re bound to find it.

Studying FTP stuff for our Air Force training this summer, my friend Dan and I discussed it. “I could have gone to Florida, you know,” he grumbled, lifting his hands towards what, for us, felt like summery heat. “This, all year ‘round.” But even though this line of conversation is pretty common, I have to say that if I’d gone to a school in So. Cal., or Florida or even Texas, I probably wouldn’t have the genuine appreciation for sunlight and summery spring weekends like this one. And I do. Even now, as soon as I’m done with this blog post and a little bit more studying, it’s off with the computer and out with my books to find a sunny spot on the grass to study and sunbathe and relax. Once we get back from the summer, it’s another month or two of beautiful weather and swimming and fun. But that’s a ways away.

One more week of classes. Then a week of finals. Then… Field Training. (Essentially a month-long Basic Training for AFROTC cadets before they contract as officers. Like an Air Force LDAC, if you wish.) I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous. It’s a lot of intense training for a solid 28 days. Like hyper-rookdom, I’ve heard. And Norwich kids seem to have a rough time with it because when we go, we slip into rookdom mode and sort of tune everything out, which is NOT what they want. But I’m hoping to overcome that.

And besides, I get back from Field Training, and the very next day… it’s back to Beijing. Funny that we’ve almost come full circle, from the time I was already in the city to the time that I’ll be going back. There will be familiar faces and new ones. But the setting will be close to the same, and the adventures can only get better from here on out.

Let’s go, finals!! I wanna get this done with!

 

Respecfully,

CPL Feightner

Band Co. ‘15

Echo Taps

Respect. Respect is a Norwich value. It’s something we learn, follow, use. Something that we try to earn and guard from being lost. Respect is a currency of professionalism. It’s something we strive for. And sometimes, when it is most called upon, respect is something that we give, every one of us, in our own way.

Last week, there was a call for respect. It comes as no surprise to anyone in the United States now about the tragedy of Boston, the bombings and death that washed over our friends, our classmates and our media. Some knew victims. Some had friends that were running the marathon. But everyone recognized the somber and solemn reason for our gathering last Wednesday night.

Each night, every night, Taps as a military custom is played by one of our buglers at 2200. It’s a quiet ceremony that closes every day and, sadly, is largely ignored. But at 2150 Wednesday night, all the UP-side room lights went out. The Upper Parade ground became silent and still, absent from its usual one or two loud students passing through. And for a campus that is usually itching to get out of uniform right at 1700, droves of students started to come outside, silently, dressed in Tunic. It was quieter than morning formation, or any other part of our waking day. The Corps, and a few civilians, had gathered once again for Echo Taps.

Echo Taps is a ceremony observed by the Corps in the aftermath of a tragedy. It is completely silent, from beginning to end; once outside, cadets simply stop talking, using hand motions and miming things to get their point across. The only sound is that of shoes moving, slowly or briskly, across the pavement.  Everyone forms up in their respective platoons, goes to attention, and then waits, with baited breath, until that slow salute when the bugler begins to play.

It’s a heady thing to witness. The darkness, broken only by the dim lighting of outside lightposts, creates a murky, unfocused sort of world. The only real tangible thing is the stillness of hundreds of people and the slow, mournful sound of two echoing bugles, one after the other, playing taps. If you’ve never heard what Echo Taps sounds like, I suggest that you look it up. It’s beautiful.

And it’s completely voluntary. No accountability is taken, no one is forced to go. But they do. Because while respect may be a Norwich value, it’s bigger than Norwich. Or any one of us. And in the darkness, at 2200, we realize that.

I haven’t included a picture with this post. Nor do I need to. My hopes, thoughts, and prayers go out to all those affected by this, and every tragedy, today.

Respectfully,

CPL Feightner,

Band Co. '15