SAHS in Afghanistan

Brian Rees MD MPH MSS

Colonel, Medical Corps

US Army Reserve

411th Civil Affairs Battalion

NIPR: brian.rees@afghan.swa.army.mil

SIPR: brian.rees@afghan.swa.army.smil.mil

CENTRIX: brian.rees@afgh.centcom.isaf.cmil.mil

As we commemorate Veterans' Day, November 11, 2010, let us remember

all who are presently serving our country in the armed forces, especially

Colonel Brian Rees, MD MPH MSS, Class of 1971,

and all who have given their lives in the service of our country.

God bless and keep you and everyone safe, Brian;

all who are serving with you, and all who love,

miss, and support you here at home.

(Thanks for sharing these and the other wonderful photos,

Ed Lamoureux, 1971 Class Captain, ell@bradley.edu )

Beautiful Afghan Children

Thank you, Brian Rees '71 for these beautiful, thought-provoking photos.

. . .the bad guys must recognize they get most of their effect from catastrophic kills, so not much point in smaller detonations. so, bigger IEDs. not much to do about that either but hope the engineers have done a good job clearing routes. so, couple days ago went out (obviously, no IEDs, catastrophic, vehicle borne, or otherwise) to look over the construction site for the new Nursing and Midwifery Institute, almost $3 million project. (and went around to three mosques and another project, quite a tour of the town, that's where i took the photos of the children etc.) thank God it wasn't too hot, but i will not miss wearing the body armor when i'm done with it. (Excerpt from Brian Rees' email to Ed Lamoureux, 11/6/10.)

Update: Brian on his way home!

Last week we got a sneak viewing of “Restrepo,” a documentary that national geographic sponsored or somehow got us a copy of… I can recommend it. It’s not gory or shocking so anyone can watch it (it’s supposed to be in theaters back home soon if not already there). It does give an unvarnished look at a US rifle company in 2007 in the Korengal valley up northeast of here near the Pakistani border of course. Without explicit violence it manages to convey the circumstances that clearly have left many of the soldiers with ptsd. It also shows the difficulties that infantry soldiers, even officers (maybe especially officers) have in fighting an insurgency.

You can see that their training, which is basically to kill people and blow stuff up, and temperament, which tends to be aggressive, are essential to their survival, but not necessarily the best skill set with which to thrive in a COIN environment. They could have used some more civil affairs assets… the whole country could use more civil affairs assets. I’m ambivalent about leaving, much more so than in past deployments. Not dealing with detainees was a break, and the mission of the unit I’ve been in these last months is one I can muster enthusiasm for. I wouldn’t mind coming back here to be with them if I could swing it, they’re really a great bunch.

It’s day-to-day when we’ll leave here and fly to Kuwait. I doubt that anything particularly interesting will occur between now and then or while I’m in Kuwait, so this may be the last note from me for this deployment. Then again, I may find myself bored to tears for days waiting for a plane in Kuwait and the muse may strike. If you don’t hear from me, thanks for all the support and emails, I have loved getting them.

All for now, and all the best, Brian

Joe Amalfitano '51, Mike Lamp '66

"Joey Amalfitano coached my brother when he was with the Chicago Cubs."

Mike Lamp

(Joe's San Francisco Giants clinched League Championship while Joe was at

SAHS 90th Jubilee;

went on to win WORLD SERIES toppling Texas Rangers tonight,

November 1, 2010 (All Saints Day!)

CONGRATULATIONS,

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS!

(First World Series win since coming to San Francisco; won in 1954 when Joe was on team.)

TONY PEREZ PHOTO

Enjoy the 90th Jubilee photos from the link below and share with friends

http://perezfoto.smugmug.com/Other/SAHS90th-Anniversary/14160192_gYmHA

Tony Perez

LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Pat O'Shea Kelly, President's Ambassadors

Jack O'Shea '57, Pat O' K '51

Pat, Mary Kelly, Rudy Gonzales '51, Patsy Kelly Teuton

Dan O'Shea '88, cousins Mary & Patsy, Debbie Ford

Patrick O'Shea '86. cousin David Kelly,

Laurie Hutchinson & Dennis Kelly

Teresa O'Shea Leguizano '92, Aunt Pat

Never have so many been graciously, lovingly, expertly,

cared for by so few! Heartfelt thanks and gratitude to

90th Jubilee & HOF Committees, including

St. Anthony High School Administration,

Staff, Faculty, Parents Club (PEP),

President's Ambassadors, awesome Alumni,

and ALL who participated in the months-long involvement that

produced a memorable, unforgettable, evening extraordinaire!

Lovin' you all lots,

Pat O'Shea Kelly '51

HOMECOMING 2010

SAINTS' HOMECOMING
Friday, October 1, 2010

Alma Mater

Hail, Hail fair Alma Mater

Hail to the Purple and White

Hail to St. Anthony's

Our hearts keep thy memories bright.

Ever grateful, ever true

May our lives enrich thy fame

Through the years we shall renew

The glory of thy name.

Honoring Mike McBride '87

Tim '82, Pat, Mike McBride, President Gina Maguire '67

Thanks, Mike, for 10 years of bringing SAINTS together for

terrific Homecoming Tailgate parties!

"That's our boy!" Dick '53 & Barbara McBride

Enjoying Homecoming Pre-Party

Rudy Gonzales '51, Carolyn & Vince Di Leva '51

Jack Cheatham '51, BI Mais '49

Joe '51 & Ruby Esposito, Mary (Ruby's sister)

Jack O'Shea '57, Jim Kennelly '56

Jim's Varsity Letter

Rudy sporting Varsity number, Carolyn wearing Vince's

Letterman Sweater

Brian Walsh's '95 sister, Amy

Miguel Beason '88, '86 Classmates, Jim Sherrin '86

Ken Miller '64, Pat O'Shea Kelly '51, Frank Kaspar '47

Janet Backes '77, Tim Schugt '78, Melanie Schugt

IN THE STANDS

Alums pack stands! (Note: 50/50 ticket deal goin' down;

'61 Alum holds the winning number!)

Sheila O'Rourke '59, Alumni Affairs & Public Relations, with Classmates
(Donations to SAHS gleefully accepted!)

Gina '67 & Tom Maguire '65 enjoying game with

'65 Classmates and T's Sis '61 (should have won prize for

traveling the farthest; arrived from Rhode Island for Homecoming!)

SAINTS from the day. . .Joe Esposito '51, Jack Cheatham '51

More SAINTS from the day; Ray '47 & Pat (Kelly) '50 Zilink

(Pat O' K's Bro-in-law & Sis-in-law)

SAINTS' Cheerleaders. . .YES THEY ARE!

YES WE ARE!

IT'S A WRAP!

'Twas a Banner event for an outstanding SAINT!

H-e-r-e' s Mike Mc B wrapping up a great

SAINTS HOMECOMING 2010!

Mike Schabert, SAHS Principal

" Thanks, everyone for supporting the SAINTS!"

Kelly Jondle, Development Director

"Proud to be a 2-SAINTS' Parent!"

IT'S A WRAP!

On Monday, June 21, 2010, the 27th Annual Msgr. Gualderon Golf Classic Committee, headed by Jim Sherrin '86, Chairman, produced another memorable SAHS memory and successful event, raising $50,000 for SAHS Athletic Programs.

Kudos to everyone who helped make this tournament a rousing success: Gina Maguire, President, Mike Schabert, Principal, Liz Brennan, Director of Development, Brian Walsh, Athletic Director, Awesome Alumni, St. Anthony High School Foundation, SAHS Advisory Board, Super Saints' Parents & Students, Golfers, Auction & Raffle Donors, Dinner Guests, Recreation Park Staff, Di Piazzas (pleasin' pizza), Big Red Bus, Legends (succulent pork sliders), Joe Josts (perfect pickled eggs), and ALL who provided ongoing assistance and sustenance throughout the day. From dawn to dusk, heard nothing but wonderful comments from all who participated, enthusiastically enjoying everything including the smooth sounds of Phil Carillo '84 and his Steelparade Band.

Special thanks to all-day onsite Professional Photographer, Saints' parent, Anthony Perez, perezfoto@verizon.net , who captured the day in over 200 photographs--all keepers! Check 'em out at http://www.smugmug.com/

Added feature this year was a motorcycle raffle, with pre-sale tickets @$10 being sold at the April 5K Beach Run/Walk, sponsored by SAHS parents, as well as at the June SAINTS Night at Frisco's Bar & Grill, Long Beach. Enthusiastic "Let's Ride" Saints and friends raised $7,000 on this raffle. Special thanks to Mike Lamp & Kevin Lamp for their involvement in spearheading this special feature. Johnny Pag of BAR HOG fame promises to return next year for another exciting motorcycle raffle. In case you haven't heard, winner of the BAR HOG drawing at the Golf Classic was none other than:

Marlene Wynne Moncure '66

CONGRATULATIONS "LET'S RIDE" SAINT!

GO SAINTS!

BAR HOG DESIGNER AND OWNER

Johnny Pag

Marlene Wynne Moncure '66

5K OUT THE GATE! CLASS OF 1966

We've got SAINTS' 5K SPIRIT. . .how 'bout you? Getting on their mark, set to run/walk:

L - R: Colleen Bentley '66, Stephanie (Secrest) James '66,

Richard "Co" DeCoudres, Judy (Shutts) DeCoudres '66, Lynne (Flaherty) Misajon '66, Roland Misajon. (Thanks, Colleen, for sending this fun photo!)