Alumni US Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

Welcome to the Alumni Page of the Army ROTC WEB page. This cooperative effort between the Military Science Department and the alumni is designed to keep ROTC alumni current on alumni affairs and activities. While the Military Science Department will handle the mechanics of maintaining the page, I have agreed to serve as the alumni point of contact. I look forward to this new venture and meeting my fellow alumni; my mailing address is Dept of Military Science, PO Box 30001, MSC 3469, Las Cruces, NM 88003. Call 505-646-4030 To e-mail click on the following LTC (R) Gary R. Cataldo.

HOMECOMING: OCTOBER 2007

 

Homecoming 2007 by LTC (R) Gary R. Cataldo, President, AROTC Alumni

The theme for NMSU Homecoming 2007 was “Aggies through the Ages” and our celebrating the 105th year of ROTC at New Mexico A & M – New Mexico State University could not have been a better fit.

The Alumni Chapter invited alumni from each decade, starting with the 1930’s thru the 2000 to accompany the AROTC Cadets in the Homecoming Parade and represent all who have served in the Corps since its founding in 1902.  Prior to the parade Alumni and Cadets formed for the first Anniversary ‘A’ photo. 

ANNIVERSARY ‘A’

ALUMNI AND CADETS REPRESENTING 11 DECADES OF ROTC AT NMSU

 

                                                   60’s – Mr. Ben Holstein ‘68
          50’s – LTC (R) Robert Evans ‘57                         70’s – LTC (R) Gary Cataldo '70
      20’s Cadet Michael Daniels                                            80’s – Mr. Warren Walton ‘88
   10’s – Cadet Anthony Filosa                                      90’s – Cadet Melissa Archetti
00’s - Cadet Amy Walton                                                              00’s – 2LT Eugene Levin ‘07
                                                            (Center Row)
  30’s – Mr. Richard Johnson ’36   ‘40’s – Mr. George Allen ’41 & Mr. Earl Hathorn

Prior to the parade, the alumni representatives got an opportunity to visit with old friends.  Earl Hathorn and Ben Holstein spent a few moments visiting with the parade's Grand Marshal, Mr. J. Paul Taylor.

Meanwhile Dick Johnson ’36 and Bob Evans ’57 spent their time making a new acquaintance, Ms. Cara Beth Lee, an Aggie cheerleader.  It appears sauvé –faire only improves with age.
                   

However, it was hard for any of us to top Warren Walton ’88 quiet pride in having his daughter, Cadet Amy Walton, join him as part of the Anniversary ‘A’ and ride beside him in the parade. 

With the traditional round from the AROTC cannon crew, we were off.

The warm welcome accorded the Alumni representatives by the parade spectators was especially gratifying.  The fact that some in the crowd were family, such as George Allen’s wife and daughters (below) certainly didn’t hurt. 

  

 I suspect the kids would rather have gotten candy than hand waves.

  

The pre-game tailgate was an opportunity to visit with the faculty and cadets.

    

 

 
 Ben Holstein and VP Cruzado- Salas Just hanging out
  

The tailgate concluded with the Alumni Chapter presenting of a small token of appreciation to Provost Waded Crizado-Salas for her support of AROTC while Dean of the College of Arts and Science.  We wish her well in her new position and look forward to her continued support

The Alumni Chapter also took a moment to recognize and thank Col (R) Kary Wall for his endowing a scholarship for AROTC Cadets. 

His gift places him in the top three of financial contributors to Army ROTC.  He said he wanted to offer financial support for those cadets who could match his record of academic achievement, which he noted was in the mid – 2 point range.  Many cadets seemed to appreciate the sentiment and took heart at seeing that success in the Army is not dictated by one’s college transcripts.

The tail gate ended with a group photo with the flag that will be sent to Major James Wilburn ‘94. 

Major Wilburn is in an Attack Helicopter Battalion in the 3rd Infantry Division.  He requested a flag from NMSU to fly at his compound.  The flag has a very personal meaning for me. Each morning, my step - grandfather, Mr. Archie Pinnock of Aurora, Colorado, placed an American flag in front of his home. Mr. Pinnock was a disabled veteran of WWI.  As a private in the communication platoon of an infantry battalion, he received two Silver Stars for repairing broken wire communication lines while under severe enemy fire.  I can think of no better way to recognize his service and patriotism than by having his last flag once again flying over those who go in harms way.  I’m sure Archie would be pleased and proud.

The day’s activities concluded at the football game, where, at the end of the third quarter, the alumni representatives were introduced following the presentation of a short history of the AROTC “Bataan Battalion”. 

While all of the Alumni were honored to represent our fellow graduates, those of us from later decades were especially pleased with the reception accorded the three alumni who served in World War II: Mr. Dick Johnson ’36, Mr. George Allen, ’41 and Mr. Earl Hathorn, ’47.  The standing ovation during the reading of the Corps history and the on-field introductions was unexpected and somewhat overwhelming.  It gave all of us a memory to be cherished and was for all alumni of Army ROTC. 

By all measures this was a special Homecoming.  On behalf of the AROTC Alumni Chapter, I want to thank the staff, faculty and Corps of Cadets for all their work and hospitality.  A special note for SFC James Perry who made sure the Alumni representatives rode behind Corps of Cadets and were not stuck in 17th place somewhere behind the PSL Janitor float.   
Remember Bataan, Always!!.