March 4, 2007 at the invitation of Senator Richard T. Moore and his wife, 8 Oxford cadets and I attended the 43rd Annual Polish American Veterans Dinner at the PAV Hall near Webster Memorial Athletic Field. Invitation was opened to Seniors on the Drill Team and Color Guard, as well as other members of this year's Southern New England Drill League and American Legion National Champion Color Guard. Bartlett AFJROTC Unit Seniors and their Color Guard were also asked to attend with their SASI (Senior Aerospace Science Instructor) Major Wayne Seelig.

Oxford and Bartlett Color Guards did dual simultaneous presentation of Colors for opening ceremonies. Following breakfast, BGEN Mason, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard gave a video and audible keynote address. He was highly complementary of the cadets from both schools and said he was aware of Oxford's recent achievements. Senator Moore as Master of Ceremonies introduced all attending cadets by name and specifically mentioned before all assembled what he read the in both the Patriot and Times newspapers over the past two weeks about the Drill Team and Color Guard league and national championship achievements. (Seems like the Senator gets his own copies of the Patriot each week and is highly suported by its owner. Patriot photographer in attendance so there will likely be an article in this week's edition). Most folks in attendance also told Senator of today's Sunday Telegram coverage of Oxford's Drill Teams and Color Guards in color on the front page of the Heritage section. Senator Moore also presented the PAV organization with a print of Casimir Pulaski, father of the American Cavalry, depicted in action at the Battle of Savannah in 1779, that he and his wife obtained from Chicago's Polish National Heritage Museum during a visit to the city last December. Superb locally prepared buffet breakfast enjoyed by all cadets - they even had their version of Eggs Benedict! We told Senator Moore of Siobhan Bennett's appointment to the Naval Academy Prep School subsequent to her nomination to Naval Academy by myself and Senator Kennedy (we still await word on nomination lists from Sen Kerry, Vice President Cheney and Representative Neal). USNA Prep School Seat is confirmed - once she successfully completes the year of training then she will recieve automatic appointment to the Naval Academy.

All in all a great morning with great camaraderie amongst our cadets and our students recieving high praise from all the vets and their spouses and the PAV Auxiliary. Oxford was also assured of a continuation of future invites to the annual breakfast in the coming years. BGEN Mason's office also requested we send materials on Oxford Cadets to him at his office which we will do in the near future.

Attending cadets included Siobhan Bennett, Breeyn Green, Tina Weldon, Ashley Snider, Joshua Boucher, Joshua Hines, Amy Fish and Kathleen Coonan. All 2007 American Legion National Champion Color Guard members were able to make it except Katie Hebden who had a cheerleading competition today at Shepherd Hill and another site.

Attached are some photos I took with the digital camera before I get the film developed later this week. Proud once again to escort our Oxford students to this special affair!

Very respectfully,

CDR Mike Masley, Jr.