GFG and GHG Attend AHAC June Day - First Company Governor's …

1st Co. Governor's Foot Guard 860-522-1337

July 2015

GFG and GHG Attend AHAC June Day

SSG Michael C Chiaro

On Monday, 1 June,

members from both companies

of the Governor's Foot Guard

along with members of the

Governor's Horse Guard made

their annual road trip to Boston

for the Ancient and Honorable

Artillery Company's June Day

celebration.

Every first Monday of June,

the AHAC of Massachusetts

celebrates the election of their

new officers with a march

through the streets of Boston, a

battalion parade of historical

militia units in Boston Common,

CPT Ted Samolik, LTC Chris Cain, MAJ Roger Conley, and LT Kevin McCrewell pose for a photo before the June Day parade.

and a memorial necrology service.

Photo courtesy of MAJ Roger Conley

Preceding the step-off of the

parade, lunch was provided by

the AHAC in their Faneuil Hall meeting room and museum. With the AHAC taking the lead, all the militia

units of the Centennial Legion stepped off Congress Street at 13:00 and marched directly toward Boston Common. Newly elected Major Commandant Mark Boudreau led the 1st Company GFG officers, Color

Guard, and drumline.

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Arriving at the Common, all militia units

assembled for the "Drum Head Election", a

recreation of the AHAC's first election of

officers highlighted by a ceremonial exchange

of spontoons between sergeants and

accompanied by deafening salutes from the

Massachusetts National Guard's howitzers.

The Honorable Charlie Baker, Govenor of

the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

addressed the entire formation praising the

AHAC for their efforts in keeping alive the

military history of Massachusetts and thanking

them for the pride they bring to the State. After

a Pass and Review before the AHAC

Command officers, the entire formation

marched out of the Common to Copley Square

where the members of the AHAC promptly

entered historic Trinity Church for their

memorial service.

Once dismissed, members of all units returned to the Westin Hotel and changed into either formal Dress Blues or Dress Mess jackets for the AHAC's lavish evening banquette. The dinner was, as usual, spectacular and punctuated throughout the

Members of the Foot Guard, under the command of MAJ Mark Boudreau, attend the June Day activities of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts on Boston, MA on 1 June.

Photo courtesy of CPL Emma Sherman

evening by several formal toasts and speeches

by honored guests and dignitaries. Although the AHAC festivities last well into the late evening, our

Company had to return to our bus immediately following dinner for the trip home, satisfied that once

again we represented our State with dignity and honor.

Members of the Foot Guard, under the command of MAJ Mark Boudreau, march in the New Britain Memorial Day Parade on 30 May.

Photo courtesy of Janet Dexter

Members of the Foot Guard, under the command of MAJ Mark Boudreau, march in the Fourth of July Parade in Columbia.

Photo courtesy of Janet Dexter

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Hartford Celebrates

St. Patrick's Day

MAJ Bob Nearine

On the first day of spring, 21 March, it was

snowing. However, the weather pundits from

CBS, NBC, and Fox News swore (or affirmed)

that the snow would be over about midnight,

well in advance of Saturday's St. Patrick's Day

parade.

Unfortunately, it didn't happen, and when the

First Company left their armory at 1030 hours

(well fortified with hot coffee and doughnuts), it

was still snowing, and snow it did for the next

hour or so. Former Air Force meteorologist, Loren Schave, blamed it all on technology; in the good old days, meteorologists took sightings, read weather maps, and made forecasts. "We didn't need Doppler," he said.

The Foot Guard, under the command of MAJ Christopher Cain, march in the Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade on 21 March.

Photo courtesy of Lori Macsata

From all reports, there was a large and enthusiastic audience (although the Courant reported that it was

lighter than last year). Even so, despite the cold (the sun did come out, finally), it was a fine day for the

Irish.

After the parade, marchers and friends gathered at the High Street Armory for corned beef and cabbage

sandwiches, prepared by the First Company's kitchen crew; Dickey Welch, Mike Infantino, and John

Flanagan. Doggy bags for home stayers were in evidence, and it was reported that there were no left overs

after the festivities ended. Too bad, since there was a drill on the following Monday.

The First and Second Company Governor's Foot Guards led by MAJ Christopher Cain and MAJ Richard Greenalch, respectively, march in the Victory Parade held on 12 April honoring the University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Team's 10th NCAA tournament win.

Photo courtesy of Susan Gozzo Andrews (2GFG)

UCONN Women Champions Again

MAJ Bob Nearine Gino and the UConn women did it again, and for the tenth time. National champions, and time for a celebratory parade. They had one Wednesday on the Storrs campus, but this one was in Hartford, a time for all to celebrate. There was a large crowd--estimated by the media at 20,000, but somewhat smaller than last year's turn out. Next year should be even better.

The crowd was enthusiastic, the First Company Command and band had a good turn out, and at least in the world of women's basketball, all was well in the world, or at least in Connecticut. Go Huskies!

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Students from Hartford High Schools Receive Foot Guard

Scholarships

MAJ Mark Boudreau

The following students were nominated by the guidance staffs at their respective schools for scholastic achievements, strength of character and involvement in the school and community to receive the First Company Governor's Foot Guard High School Scholarships this year. These students all graduated from their respective high schools during June.

Amina Huric attended Bulkeley High School's Teacher Preparation and Humanities Academy and will be attending the University of Connecticut this fall to study special education. During her high school career, Amina was on the school's honor roll for all four years and served on the student council as vicepresident, was a member of the Key Club and the National Honor Society. She played soccer and basketball and was recognized as the most improved player on the team in 2012. Out of school, she participates in the Bosnian American Youth Association of Hartford and volunteers at soup kitchens through the Key Club at school. Amina will be the first member of her family to attend college.

Keyla Scott attended Weaver High School's Culinary Arts Academy and will be attending Southern Connecticut State University to study nursing. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was recognized as a Governor's Scholar. She also played softball and hopes to continue playing in college. When not in school, Keyla volunteered with the Blue Hills Civic Organization and the Summer Youth Employment Program.

Danay Marie Alvarez-Melendez attended the Hartford Public High School's Law and Government Academy and will be attending American International College in Springfield, MA to pursue a degree in nursing, following her interest in being in the medical profession and her passion for helping people and to follow in the footsteps of her uncle and older sister. Danay was on the Honor Roll every year in high school. She also served on the student council, one year serving as co-treasurer and one year on the senior prom planning committee. She received recognition for her work during internships and on summer jobs. She also volunteers at her church and with the Urban League of Greater Hartford.

The First Company Governor's Foot Guard congratulates these exceptional Hartford students on their achievements and for being recommended for the Foot Guard scholarship and sends their best wishes as they pursue their chosen fields of study.

The Color Guard, under the command of SFC Ray Hite, presents the colors at the Talcott Mountain Music Festival's 'Celebrate America' concert on 3 July at the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows in Simsbury.

Photo courtesy of Pat Boudreau

Members of the Foot Guard, under the command of MAJ Mark Boudreau, march in the Old Home Day Parade in East Hampton on 11 July.

Photo courtesy of Pat Boudreau

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Foot Guarders In The News

MAJ Bob Nearine

March 11, and it almost seems as if spring is here; snow is melting, birds are chirping, and even the idiots

are flourishing. But I digress. Twenty-three A & A members and friends gathered at Windsor's Tunxis Grill,

located on the bank of the Farmington River, across from the local fire station, and in a facility that

according to our tour guide (Dennis Conroy), used to be a florist shop. The food; chicken, corned beef

(ugh!) ,and fish was plentiful, and extremely tasty; enough for a second meal if you wanted to doggie bag it.

Liz, the manager was extremely helpful, even in the presence of her father, Rich Gatewood.

Before the meal started, Dennis Conroy presented George Sloan with a pot of Irish shamrocks for his wife

Charlene. This was to thank her for delivering Dennis's keys which had apparently been lost, stolen, or

simply misplaced (by whom, was not disclosed).

It being the month of the Irish, Jim Throwe (BG, USA, Ret) provided an Irish invocation, while Inspector

John Flanagan (recently arrived from sunny Florida) read off the birthdays for March. A moment of silence

was omitted for our absent snowbird brothers; Rocco Laraia, Frank Castro, John O'Connell, and probably I

J Zembrzuski (BG, USA, Ret). You remember last year's photo of that crew along side a wooden fish?

The session was closed with an opportunity for Commandant Chris Cain (another host) to speak; he

declined to thunderous applause.

Virtually every child looks forward to Easter and to the opportunity to interact with the Easter Bunny. For

some kinds, its the Easter egg hunt' for others the religious activities or perhaps Easter dinner.

For the children of national guard and militia members, the big event is "Breakfast with the Easter Bunny."

Usually held on a Saturday preceding Easter at the Broad Street Armory, this year the event was

transferred to the Air National Guard Readiness Center at Bradley Field, because of water damage to the

armory. Water damage was a major problem in Connecticut this year because of the build up of ice dams

on roofs across the State.

The program, which was sponsored by the Connecticut National Guard Service Member and Family

Support Center, included crafts, activities, and the opportunity to be photographed with the Easter Bunny.

In addition, breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, assorted bagels with butter and

cream cheese, coffee, tea, white and

chocolate milk, fruit salad, orange juice,

pancakes, and assorted cold cereals was

served to approximately 400 youngsters

and their parents.

Volunteer cooks and Bunny-helpers

included Dicky and Linda Welch (who put

the whole cooking operation together),

John and Joan Flanagan, Mike Infantino,

Bob Butler, Mark Boudreau (our

Commandant), Mark Torres, John and

Members of the First Company Governor's Foot Guard and their families prepared breakfast for the families of Connecticut National Guard members at the Windsor Locks Readiness Center on 4 April.

Cammy Ferreira, Marty Klukas, Rich Gatewood, and Lee Fongemie.

Photo courtesy of MAJ Mark Boudreau

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