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Navy News

Capt James Cooper, USN & Capt Bill Howell, USMC

Spring break is over and midterms are complete.  Finals are imminent and there are still several projects and activities within the Battalion before the Spring 2001 semester comes to a close.

  Recently, the Battalion cleaned up a stretch of highway near Lecompton.  Members of the battalion and active duty staff spent several hours picking up trash and debris along a two-mile stretch of road just south of Highway 40 near Lecompton.  Members of the battalion also participated in a cleanup of veteran's graves at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Lawrence.  Battalion members cleaned over 55 gravesites, including that of one veteran who fought in the War of 1812. 

On March 9th, the Battalion held their annual Dining In at the Hereford House in Lawrence.   The event was well attended and high spirited, and was a fitting sendoff for our 2001 graduates.

The Battalion sent a team of ten midshipmen to Texas A&M to compete in their annual "Commando Challenge" on April 7.   The KUNROTC Sail Team finished 1st overall in our annual "Fools' Day" regatta, handily out sailing Nebraska and Oklahoma in this event hosted by KU at Clinton Lake in Lawrence.  The Drill Team competed for the second year in a row at the Tulane Drill Competition in New Orleans.  The Team was measured against 60+ schools in squad drill and exhibition competition.  While in New Orleans, the team also marched in the annual Iris Mardi Gras parade and received a private tour of the new National D-day Museum.  Mr. Marty Morgan, Visitors Services Manager, gave the team a behind -the-scenes look at all of the 19 "D-Days" which occurred during World War II.  The midshipmen were pictured with the famous "Higgins" boat, a Sherman Tank, and other memorabilia from the time.

Seven members from the Battalion and our Marine Instructor recently returned from the University of Notre Dame's 2001 Leadership Conference.  The highlight of the weekend were speeches from former Congressman of Pennsylvania, and Marine Lieutenant Colonel Paul McHale. A motivational speaker, he challenged the midshipmen to strive to be the best and not to compromise their values for gain and achievement.  The group of 150 midshipmen from around the country also heard from Mr. Lynn Lowder, former Marine Major and current Chief Operating Officer of Colt's Manufacturing Company.  Additionally, Admiral Chiles, USN (Retired), a 1960 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, spoke to the midshipmen and provided a theme on leadership that hit home with all in attendance.  The final speaker of the weekend was the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Alford McMichael, who stirred the group with his offering of  "Receive the baton of Leadership" for the 21st century.  All seven members of the KU group were able to talk with each guest speaker and take photos - a rewarding weekend for all.  Lastly, the group received a private tour of the Notre Dame locker room, stadium, and press boxes.

Summer cruise assignments are being announced, and those Midshipmen going on cruise are eagerly awaiting their assignments.  Captain Cooper will be the Commanding Officer for the CORTRAMID West training detachment in San Diego during July.  Career Training for Midshipmen introduces NROTC sophomores to Navy Aviation, Submarines, and Surface jobs along with a week at Camp Pendleton during Marine Week.  The Executive Officer, Commander Richards, will be attending the new instructor's course as course coordinator for the Navy's Leadership course.  Lastly, our AMOI, Gunnery Sergeant Harrison, will be putting his drill instructor's hat on as he will be assigned to Marine Bulldog training in Quantico, Virginia, from May 13 through July 8.

We will be conducting Spring Awards on April 25 at the Kansas Union, Woodruff Auditorium from 1530-1730.  We also will have the Joint Commissioning Ceremony on 21 May at 1000.  Eight (8) midshipmen will receive commissions as Ensigns in the Navy.  Please give us a call at 1-800-JHK-NAVY if you would like to attend.

  And finally, the second annual alumni affairs golf tournament will be 12 May at 1400 at Eagle Bend Golf Course.  A luncheon will precede the event.  Information will be forthcoming, but if you have questions please call Lt. Rob Wood with any questions.
At 1-800-545-6289.

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