By CNB Sports

The 2008 Gloucester Lions Football team has worked together since August 19. The summer double sessions are where the foundation is laid for a total team effort. These Lion\’s worked together through the heat of the mid-summer afternoon sun to bond the relationships needed to succeed.

The 2008 Lion\’s welcomed newcomer Zach Hans into the Lion\’s Den and immediately started working together to build a Championship and Playoff contender. After 7 weeks of games Zach Han\’s name associated with the Lion\’s 5 – 2 record. Yes, Han\’s has been the poster child for the 2008 Lion\’s. Yes, it is the name Hans plastered across every article about our beloved Lion\’s. Like the World Champions Philadelphia Phillies our Lion\’s have stars and role players. Pat Burrell contributed one hit, just one hit that turned our Phillies into the Champions.

Gloucester has its own share of Pat Burrell\’s. Our own Pat Burrell is many times overlooked, starting with #9 on the roster Kyle Stewart (Stewart will be honored this week by the Brooks-Irvine Football Club). If not for some unfortunate penalties Stewart would have many of the longest run of the season. All Stewart does is gain positive yardage. That #33 and #22 don\’t do a bad job either. #33 Ian Harter along with #22 Frank Heitman are the men who unselfishly give up the stardom so Hans or Stewart are able to run through the opposing defense\’s.

Linemen Joe Collins, Kyle Revens, Sonny Bryant, Colin Fitzpatrick and John Alberta work the trenches so Hans and Stewarts can run the ball and Quarterback Brett Darrow has time to throw. These men have done the dirty work without asking anything in return, their only reward, knowing they are part of the Lion\’s success. People who understand the game of football realize the importance on the young men. Not only Han\’s but every running back or quarterback have to be thankful for the hard work and dedication of these linemen.

Darrow gets credit for the pass completions and touchdowns but has anyone ever seen the coverage on Robert Filer or Owen Dobleman. Sure Darrow gets the ink but it\’s the work of these receivers that make these catches possible. They must not only run an assigned route but attempt to make a catch knowing at any time they will be hit and hit hard.

Injured Brandon Blackiston was one of receivers (a season ending knee injury) along with Byron Mc Elwee and Robert Filer. Blackiston worked extra hard as a sophomore to start at one of the end positions and unfortunately never had a reception during a game. Mc Elwee has one reception. Back-up Guy Alaimo would be a featured back at another school but at GHS his role as a back-up cannot be underestimated. Ever TEAM has its role player and a TEAM can never win without these men.

Mike Beese, missed time last season through injuries and just recently appeared to have been injured again. But his dedication to the Lion\’s football can never be over estimated. Matt Gorman has spent 3 years as a tight-end and until this past Saturday never had a TD.

All of these players along with 20 other players have made a commitment to the Lion\’s program knowing they are part of a program where friendships will last much longer than any football season. Every player will have the honor to return once they graduate to their second home. They will always remember the part they played whether it is practice, a tackle, a run or a catch while wearing the Lion\’s jersey.

It\’s a shame that EVERYWHERE this game is played you have so many unsung hero\’s. But without these young men your running backs or quarterback would never achieve the laurels they receive. Cleary\’s Notebook would like to thank these hero\’s and hope that through the pictures and this small article these player\’s know they are appreciated.

 

Image by Jeff Kubina via Flickr

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2008 – It’s important to recognize the efforts of America’s military veterans –- past and present — because their contributions and sacrifices have enabled all Americans to stay free, a group of veterans said here today.

America’s military men and women have provided selfless service in defense of the nation since its inception, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, 78, said at the annual American Veterans Center conference held in downtown Washington. The center’s mission is to preserve and promote the legacy of America’s veterans from World War II to the present.

\”Being a part of that long line of history is something that I am particularly proud of, as I observe each Veterans Day and each Memorial Day,\” said Vaught, a long-time advocate for military women and the president of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Va.

\”I am for women serving wherever they can,\” said Vaught, who served in Vietnam in the late 1960s. After 28 years of service, Vaught retired from the Air Force in 1985 as one of America’s most highly-decorated military women.

\”During the time that I was serving, it was always very much in my mind that I had to do well, so that another woman would have an opportunity to come behind me and perhaps have that same job,\” Vaught said.

Almost no women were trained to use weapons when she joined the Air Force in 1957, Vaught said. All military women today are taught to operate rifles or pistols, she said, because \”with terrorist-type activities, you never know where the threat is and you need to be able to defend yourself and you need to be able to take the offensive, if that’s what is required.\”

Like their predecessors, today’s women in the military \”are proud that they’re serving; they feel that they are doing something for their nation — and they are,\” Vaught said.

Another veteran, 86-year-old Robert Cone, regaled conference attendees with tales of his World War II experiences. Cone was an enlisted Army paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division in Europe. He was a member of the group known as the \”Filthy Thirteen,\” whose exploits became the inspiration for the 1960s movie, \”The Dirty Dozen,\” that depicted a group of trouble-making soldiers chosen to conduct an important mission behind enemy lines.

Cone and other members of his unit signed copies of the book, \”The Filthy Thirteen,\” at the conference.

Military members’ sacrifices, Cone said, enable Americans at home to enjoy their freedoms and way of life.

\”I admire anybody that is a veteran and is fighting for this country and everybody else should really admire them as much as I do,\” Cone said.

Retired Marine Corps Col. Wesley L. Fox, 77, enlisted in the Marines in 1950 and became an officer during the Vietnam War. He received the Medal of Honor in Vietnam for his actions in leading a rifle company against an overwhelming enemy force. Fox was a Marine paratrooper and he retired in 1993 after 43 years of active duty. Fox is the author of two books, \”Marine Rifleman\” and \”Courage and Fear.\”

A \”vocal minority\” in the United States, Fox said, prevented Vietnam veterans from receiving deserved praise from the American public after the war ended.

That’s all changed, Fox said. Today’s military veterans returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan \”are heroes — we recognize that,\” he said.

Military veteran Michael H. Frederick, 50, is a writer working on a book about Marine Corps paratroopers. The Baltimore native served as an enlisted person during stints in the Marines and the Navy between 1976 and 1988.

\”It’s important that later generations do not forget what it took to get the United States to where we are and the sacrifices that people have made,\” Frederick said. \”Some people have lost limbs and shed blood and we should not forget that.\”

 

Related articles by Zemanta

• \’Screaming Eagles\’ to Go Home Early

Note: A series of articles about the history of the Gloucester Catholic vs. Gloucester High football games was published in a booklet released in 1993 entitled \”The Renewal of Friendship\”. This great history of the series was put together my members of the Gloucester High Alumni Association.

Unfortunately I don’t have the entire book. But over the next couple of weeks leading up to this year’s game on Thanksgiving Day I will post the articles and photo pages that are in my possession. Drawing on front cover of booklet by Todd Whitten

~ Bill Cleary

Rams Win City Title Again; Beat Lions 12-7

1957

In what was the most thrilling game of their 10 games series, Gloucester Catholic High on Thursday morning captured it\’s fifth straight city championship. By so doing they evened up the series record at five wins for each school.

An estimated 3500 spectators witnessed the game at the Charles St. Stadium, which when the final whistle blew saw the Rams victorious by a 12-7 score.

The determined Public High eleven looked good even in defeat and were pressing until the end.

Catholic scored in both the second and third quarters and had to beat back a fourth period rally by the Blue and Gold, who having scored in the third period went all out to try and upset the ultimate victors.

Richie Shields and Ray McCann produced the touchdowns for the Rams while both Terry Reiss and Ozark Underwood failed in the P.A.T.

Jack Persichetti plunged over from the one to gather the Public High score after which Larry Pusey added the extra point.

Early in the first period, City High threatened when it reached the Rams 19 after Persichetti returned a punt from the 40. However, Catholic stiffened and following a 78 yard drive of their own, went on to hit pay dirt.

McCann started with a 12 yard gain at the middle, to be followed by Shields and Frank DiGiacomo who with McCann combined to bring the pigskin to the nine yard line as the quarter ended.

On the next play, DiGiacomo went to the six and Shields went around end to score.

During the same period Bill Brennan of Gloucester scampered 28 yards to put the ball on the Rams 30, but the Catholic team with the help of Pat Grace, stiffened and held for downs to take possession on their own 25 as the period ended.

Gloucester started fast in the second half as it reached Catholic\’s 27 on a series of running plays mainly by Persichetti and a 19 yard pass play from Persichetti to Joe Connolly. Catholic stopped this threat and began a drive of its own that netted its second touchdown.

Shields, DiGiacomo and Reiss bore the brunt of the march that covered 73 yards. Shields had the biggest run in the drive, an 11 yard smash through tackle while Bill Reinhart had a six yard pass completion to Reiss in the effort. McCann covered the final 17 yards on a wide sweep to his left in which he smartly faked out the last defender on the five.

Gloucester fumbled on the first play after the next kickoff and Catholic recovered on the 27. Gloucester\’s defense then tightened up and took over on its own 25. The Raiders promptly began their touchdown drive.

A roughing penalty gave Gloucester the ball on the Gloucester 42 and Avis connected with Bart Rettew on a 19 yard pass completion play that was worked from a single wing formation. Persichetti then hit Connolly with a 20 yard pass gainer to reach the Rams\’ 19. A running play made two yards and Catholic was caught on a pass interference violation to put the ball on the one. Persichetti then bucked over and Pusey converted.

Gloucester was not through yet as Catholic after picking up one first down following the kickoff was forced to punt. Taking over on its own 43 Gloucester had two plays left.

Avis hit Persichetti with an aerial near the sidelines and the halfback shook off one tackier and only a good defensive tackle by co-captain DiGiacomo on the Catholic 43 prevented Persichetti from going the distance. Avis was thrown for an eight yard loss while attempting to pass on the final play of the game.

HOW MANY DO YOU KNOW?

MEMORIES-The photo was taken at the Charles Street Stadium, Gloucester City. Submitted by Joseph Farrell. Click on photo to enlarge.

Joe writes. \” I do remember some names. First row: l.to r. M. Doughtery, Tom Baker, myself Joe Farrell, Stan DiSantas, Pat Brett. #2 Whitey Porch.

 

Second-C. Murtaugh, F. Murphy, George Murphy, #11 Bill Giberson, #13 Ralph Saunders, #16 Woo Robertson.

 

\”They\’re the only ones that I remember. Some of the faces I recall but not their names. Some of the guys were on the 1948 St. Mary’s Championship baseball team. I remember the Charles Street Stadium I lived at Broadway and Kohler Street from 1934 when I was born until 1958 when I got married.\”

 

Related articles by Zemanta

• Breaking News:HS Football Playoff Brackets Announced
• Sophomore trio powers Lions to win
• Gloucester High 40 Wildwood 0; Lions make playoffs
• New Jersey High School Football Scoreboard – Week 9
• Gloucester Catholic Clinches Playoff Spot with Win over Highland
• 1993: Renewal of Friendship (introduction)

Image via Wikipedia

Link: DefenseLink News Article:

By Samantha L. Quigley American Forces Press Service

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2008 – The grey sky had been trying to hold back the rain forecasters had promised yesterday, but it couldn’t stave off the drops any longer as wounded servicemembers worked to check their tears during a ceremony at Ground Zero here, where the twin towers of the World Trade Center stood until Sept. 11, 2001.

For many, including Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, Army vice chief of staff, it was a first visit to the hallowed ground. He had been on the job at the Pentagon as director of the Army Operations Center for three weeks on that day when American Airlines Flight 77 tore a hole in the side of building.

\”For me, this is particularly a difficult place to be. I just didn’t want to come,\” Chiarelli told the wounded warriors. \”Today, I know why I never came to this location. [It was so] I could be here for the first time with you. Being here with you is truly something very, very special.

\”I salute each and every one of you,\” he said, adding a crisp hand salute.

The visit was extremely emotional for some of the servicemembers. Army Staff Sgt. Charles Eggleston, who suffered multiple injuries when his patrol was hit by a roadside bomb near Mosul, Iraq, in 2005, said he was near the Pentagon on Sept. 11, and it was good for him to see the New York site.

\”It’s good to get a chance to really establish that closure that you never had a chance to [before],\” he said. \”You can almost feel the spirits here. That’s cool. That’s the way it is.\”

Army Cpl. Jeffrey Stowers, who suffers from an enlarged heart caused by a blunt-force trauma about a month ago, called the experience surreal.

\”I viewed [the Sept. 11 attack] as it was unfolding on TV at my house,\” he said. \”My wife and I, for the past five years, discussed making a trip up here.\”

He said it was especially meaningful for him to have made his first trip with ‘my family and my family,’ referring to his wife, Karri, and his military brethren.

Raw emotions bubbled to the surface when Chiarelli concluded the ceremony by presenting each of the warriors with a cased American flag that had been flown over Ground Zero.

\”There are so many people that deserve this more than me. I don’t feel worthy of this,\” Stowers said. \”There are people who gave everything.\”

Related articles by Zemanta

• Somber ceremonies mark 9/11 anniversary
• Nation remembers 9/11 victims, heroes