Vo1 XV Issue 136 5 cents December 22, 2014 Colonel Roger Donlon vision. “I had a medical examination is an iconic figure of history in and was disqualified because of an eye Saugerties and the world at large. 50 Years of Pride problem,” said Donlon in a phone in- You may recognize him from the By Clinton Stutzman and Alex Mooers terview. Although he never flew a jet, 2013 Veteran’s Conference at he jumped out of quite a few. He indi- Saugerties High School, JPI TV, cated another door opened when the the Donlon Auditorium or even his books. opportunity to be a jet pilot was interrupted. He Either way, he is a role model for all. quickly moved to another division of the Air Force. December marks the fiftieth anni- The military saw leadership qualities in versary of his Congressional Medal of Honor Roger. He was soon put into training to become a and Saugerties’ historic Roger Donlon Day. platoon leader. He trained vigorously under battle He was awarded the Medal of Honor on savvy generals. They had a special mission for Don- December 4, 1964 by President Lyndon B. lon. In 1964, He and a group of specially trained Johnson and Roger Donlon Day was cele- soldiers were given the mission of controlling a brated on December 28, 1964. highly hostile command post in Vietnam. Donlon retired from the US Army Two days after the United States celebrated their after 32 years and six months while achiev- Independence in July 1964, Donlon and his troops ing the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He were awakened by a loud explosion. The Viet Cong, started in the Air Force and then moved to who had been watching the command post closely, the Army and was commissioned for 29 had attacked at 2:30 in the morning. The battle, years after achieving the rank of officer. He Morse Principal, Mr. Dieckmann shakes the hand which is detailed in his books Beyond Nam Dong attained the rank of Colonel during the last of Lt. Col. Donlon, Saugerties’ Hometown Hero. and Outpost of Freedom as well as on personal eight years of service. account video clips available on Youtube, resulted in the Congressional After seeing his older brothers serve the country in the Medal of Honor getting bestowed on Donlon, and various prestigious military, he enlisted at the age of 19, dreaming of becoming a jet medals and citations given to the Americans battling beside him. pilot. His dreams were crushed when he was denied because of his (Continued on page 2) Morse Students Celebrate Veterans www.justprintit.net By Madilin Green and Spencer has 2 other veterans in her family. Their names are Margret Flanagan and Inside this issue: Samantha Tubby Richard Flanagan. “I felt a little sad because Richard Flanagan was not there because he passed away, Grant D. Morse “said Spencer about her great-grand Page 1 Continuations 2 celebrated Veterans` Day on father. “He came last year. He looked a Monday, November 10, in the lot like my dad. It was better last year Sports 4 & 5 gymnasium. Each year stu- because my great grandpa was there.” dents invited veterans from Spencer feels it is important to recog- Men of Steelers 6 their family to tell them nize all who have served in the military. “thank you for serving our “We honor veterans because they have country”. knowledge and are awesome. “ 7 Morse Students Spencer Lynn Mackenzie Sullivan is a fourth Flanagan is a 5th grade student grader in Mrs. Dudzic`s class ‘’I have a whose dad served in the Iraq veteran but he was not there, he had 10 Fiction Stories war. “My dad has been com- meetings to go to. He was in the Air ing to the Veterans Day as- Force and is no longer doing it.’’ His sembly for 4 years “said name is Richard. ‘’I have more then one 11 Spencer Flanagan and her dad. Did You Know? Spencer, who is in Mr. Rey- veteran in my family, his name is Willy. nolds` class. Spencer `s dad Thomas Flanagan He was in World War II.’’ He passed away before is in the National Guard and is a chief warrant she got to meet him. “The assembly made me feel Christmas in the Village 12 officer. He has been to Iraq many times and happy but sad at the same time,” she said. expects to go back to serve again. (Continued on page 2) PAGE 2 JUST PRINT IT VO1 XV ISSUE 136 (Continued from page 1) and theater. Just a few weeks ago Murphy Col. Donlon looks back at his up- completed the plan of installing new win- ily that prays together stays together.’ I found great solace and great strength in daily bringing in Saugerties as being important in dows and a new gym floor in the Saugerties his later success. landmark. Donlon was prayer,” he said. “Saugerties is near and humbled by the atten- Community roots have allowed him dear to my heart,” he said. tion and the honor. to see beyond himself. Decades after the bloody battle at Nam Dong changed the lives “I am proud of my family “The refurbishing and the people of Sauger- demonstrates a rededi- of all involved, Col. Donlon helped build a ties. It has always been a cation to rejuvenate, Children’s learning Library on the exact site source of pride.” He cred- rebuild and redirect of the command post in honor of his friends who were killed there and for future genera- its his schooling at St. ourselves to keep go- Mary of the Snow and ing. It is an honor. tions to use this site as a way to build knowl- Saugerties High School, That is where they had edge and understanding. Donlon lives each his family and his scout the Welcome Home day with a full understanding of the responsi- bility of his survival in battle. masters as being responsi- Ceremony fifty years ble for his ability to lead ago,” he said. “It is an Donlon asked us all to consider the and think on behalf of unbelievable feeling of words inscribed on the inside of his wedding others. Sports played a big pride and joy. It ring, given by his wife Norma who had lost her first husband to the Vietnam War, “What role in his preparation for makes me reflect on later life, as well. “The my upbringing in Sau- we are is God’s gift to us, what we become is lessons you learn in sports gerties.” our gift to God.” are the lessons you learn His upbringing in Saugerties is a better place for the gift of Col. Roger Donlon. for life. You find out you Saugerties centered on can work together as a his family of ten team. You learn how to brothers and sisters handle victory and defeat,” and his mother and he remarked. “It also father. Two of his taught me you can shine, Saugerties’ artist, Joe Sinnott, honored Donlon siblings died shortly but not at the expense of with this drawing on Roger Donlon Day in 1964. after childbirth. your team.” Though his father died at a young Donlon played football and ran age in 1947, he had introduced Roger to the track for SHS and while at the United States Boy Scouts and instructed the scoutmasters Publisher’s Note: Military Academy in West Point, he played to take special care of Roger after he lacrosse. passed. Scouting was important to shaping Since 1991, students have created this news- 50 years after Donlon’s bravery his future and allowing him to set and paper. Each year the paper takes on the personality of the earned him the highest military honor, Sau- achieve goals. “My daddy died when I was class that runs it. Students take great pride in this endeavor and we are proud to share our work with you. gerties mayor William Murphy led the effort thirteen,” he said. “He is always in my Students perform all the tasks associated with to refurbish the Donlon Auditorium which heart.” the creation of this publication. As the publisher of the was dedicated and named in his honor in His mother was an extremely faith paper, I feel that its unique and indelible value lies in 1964. The mayor of Saugerties at the time -filled woman who taught Roger the value student ownership of the publication. This is a student paper run by students and read by students. Students are was Neil Cox and he spearheaded Roger of one’s soul. She and her family attended involved in all areas of decision making, content selection, Donlon Day, as well as the dedication of the daily mass at St. Mary of the Snow and she writing, editing, proofreading and layout. Sometimes municipal gym. In the 50 year span, the taught him the value of prayer. “I have to mistakes are made, but it is these mistakes that many valuable lessons are learned. My role as publisher is Auditorium has been the focal point of com- credit my mother’s influence on all of this,” facilitator, coach and mentor. munity programs such as basketball, music he said, My mother always said, ‘The fam- Publisher: Mr. Defino (Continued from page 1) Editorial Advisory Board Mrs. Bishop is one of the teachers in our school. Editor-in Chief Mr. Bishop, Kevin P., John, Robert, Brother Ed, Charles, and Clinton Stutzman Ed Gardner are all related to her, they were in the service. Composition Editor Ed Gardner was in the Navy, Mr.