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2008 Rockin for the Troops comments

Hey everyone,

My family and I had a great time at the OSOT Rockin' 2008 concert. This was my 
first experience at a rock event. I love the Beetle rendition by the American English band, then the contemporary rock of the Lt. Dan Band… It's way too cool! .


We danced and made a fools of our selves, sang along, on key and off key with the music, and rocked with the rhythm of the night. This year we had another large crowd from the club and everyone had a great time. Many Wppci members, friends & family attended the concert. Each bringing their practical creature comforts from favorite lawn chairs to finger foods. Also bring treats to share among the many; talking, singing and laughing was the theme to this event. As I looked around I was fascinated by the furniture some people brought to the park, from picnic tables to coffee tables to centerpieces. It certainly was home away from home.


For those who came early, they had the pick of the place, and thanks to Aleida Netzel & Guy Antonides' group a hugh area was staked out for all to enjoy. My family planted ourselves in the front section closer to the stage, not so far that you couldn't see and not so close that you couldn't hear! We wanted to "experience" our first event to the fullest without bursting our eardrums. Next time I will bring ear plugs and sit closer to the stage! The park had a jumbotron that helped enhanced many of the band's singers and musicians, details that would have been lost for people afar to see. 
Overall I can't ever remember seeing this many people gathered at a fundraiser. I heard Dick Biondi mentioned on his show the next day that there were close to 14,000 attendees at the event. Sitting in the front doesn't give you that perspective, but when you stand to see the sitting crowd, it was a sight to behold. I am at awe by the support from families, friends, and the community attending the Rockin' 2008. Even more so, is how Gary Sines & his band working together with the community to create this huge event towards a great cause. America is wonderful in that she places heavy emphasis on the support of all service men and women… Rockin' 08 was a sold out performance!

The weather turned out perfect. It was just one of those days that demanded 
perfection! We started out with storms in the wee hours of the morning, but the 
rain slowed down as we headed to Cantigny. By the time we arrived the sky had 
mostly cleared and the rain stopped. The sun came out sporadically, the air humid, but with the constant breeze it was the cooling factor of what would have been a hot steamy day. 

My husband Tom & I got to meet Gary Sinise back stage and even got his autograph after his test session. We caught him at the right place & at the right time! Initially, Tom thought how wonderful it would be if Mr. Sinise could sign our DVD of Forest Gump, I brought it along just in case and wouldn't you know it… We love seeing Gary Sinise as an actor, now we got to see him as a musician. Never being star struck, I feel closer to him knowing he is a native of Illinois and the fact I got to meet him. Yeah! In the Forest Gump movie, Gary Sinise played the character Lt. Dan and that's where the name of his band originated from. Another treat Tom received was that he finally got the chance to take a picture with Dick Biondi… The last time he tried the photographer (our youngest son) wasn't tall enough to handle the shot, so it never happened. He was flabbergasted that Mr. Biondi remembered the incident. Boy… he was really gung-ho over that photograph because it took him so many years to get it. Great things happen to those who wait!


The opening ceremony had many guest appearances. OSOT's honor guards were all 
women both Active and Reserve. I was very impressed. The Pledge was lead by Miss 
Illinois 2008, Katy Lorenz, the national anthem was sang by Ken Karlso. The 
opening act was performed by a mother daughter duet, Kim & Emily Viancourt with 
a salute presentation to all the servicemen and women. All these people played a special part entertaining the audience.
 
The second act was the comedian performer Tom Dreesen. He too is a native of 
Illinois, who once did opening acts for the Rat Pack in Vegas. His humor was adorable 
and evoked a lot of laughters from the crowd. In addition to the music there were raffle drawings, with first prize being a unique electric guitar, custom hand made by Mike Balinski. It was gorgeous! Only one lucky winner.

The first band was the performance made by American English. It was remarkable! 
Their tribute to the Beetle's music was imitated to perfection. They had three acts where they dressed the part. From the early 60's stages of the Beetle's career to the long hair era of the 70's, costume and all. We sang to them because we knew most of the words. Even though I was never part of the Beetle-mania, I knew the music as well as any baby-boomers. The Beetles was part of a great era in music history. 


The Lt. Dan Band eventually came on and rock the house down! What fun to watch Gary Sinise jamming on his base guitar with his band members. The history behind his band was started with his friend, Kimo Williams, a music composer who was a Vietnam vet and guitarist for the band. Gary & Kimo put together the band with the many talents and eventually committed themselves to one the most rewarding adventures… the USO, this in turn catapulted their music career. 
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The band had many talents, there were three female soloists who did a beautiful job singing and audience participation. Amazing intensity of voices. Can't help but have fun. The lead male vocalist was Jeff Vezian. He sang many of the contemporary lyrics to the night's music from rhythm & blues to hip hop. I was fascinated by the two drummers  who turned out to be a husband and wife team. What a talented group of entertainers who pleased the crowd with their passion. A great time and a great place to be at!

I took pictures throughout the event. I hope you will find them interesting 
enough to use for the website and the newsletter. It was a fantastic event and 
I am glad I got the chance to experience it! Thank you all for the opportunity…

Respectfully,
Ann Fong

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List of Cadets 2012

 

Cadets '12
Cadet Name Co. Hometown
Anthony, Ashley ? Saint Anne
Bassoul, Antonine ? Barrington
Boone, Merlin ? Naperville
Cohen, Jonathan ? Deerfield
Grange, Matthew C2 Wheaton
Gryfinski, Robert ? St. Charles
Hacholski, Gregory A3 La Grange
Hastings, Patrick ? Orland Hills
Jostes, Russell ? Elgin
King, Nicholas ? Glenview
Kuchan, Morgan B2 Chicago
Mallari, Idi ? Cicero
Mathieu, Jackie ? Elburn
Meszaros, Michael ? Aurora
Moesta, Pat ? Lake Forest
Redenius, Wade B4 Gilman
Rice, Kevin ? Lindenhurst
Roessler, Bret ? Libertyville
Rossi, Nicolas E1 Shorewood
Toberman, Peter ? Rive Forest
Ward, Lisa ? Joliet

Last update – 10-15-2008

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List of Cadets 2011

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Cadet Name Co. Hometown
Allman, Thomas H4 Highland Park
Alvey, Daniel H2 Lemont
Baki, Philip A2 Aurora
Beck, Michael D4 Homer Glen
Bonnema, Joseph A4 Orland Park
Brod, Ryan D2 Elk Grove Village
Caddigan, Michael C2 TInley Park
Calhoun, Brigid A1 Hinsdale
Daker, Zachary A2 Bartlett
Dallman, James E2 Glen Ellyn
Duncan, Charles G1 Batavia
Elich, Corry G3 Oak Park
Elliott, Megan B3 Lake Zurich
Evensen, Thomas E3 Batavia
Fong, Kyle E4 Willowbrook
Garcia, Daniel D3 Bollingbrook
George, Bennet H4 Batavia
Gregor, Steven H3 Itasca
Held, Nathan E3 Loves Park
Herb, Alex A4 Aurora
Johnson, Andrew H1 Bryon Hills
Kim, Josephine F1 Glenview
Kobor, Hans C4 Barrington Hills
Melnicoff, Myles H1 Naperville
Mendez, Juan D1 Chicago
Osilaja, William F2 Evanston
Porter, Kirk G4 Lake Zurich
Raygoza, Matthew A4 Arlington Hts.
Rife, Clayton D3 McHenry
Sioson, Patrick C2 Woodridge
Vetter, Jake H4 Spring Grove
Vinakos, Andrew B3 Chicago
West, Christina B4 Warrenville
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List of Cadets 2010

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Cadet Name Co. Hometown
Bell, Carter ? Antioch
Bentley, Bridget F1 Chicago
Brown, Joseph C4 Naperville
Carlson, David D4 Indian Head Park
Flett, Kevin D3 Bonfield
Gardner, Elliot D1 Wheaton
Grealish, Conor G1 Roselle
Harrell, Krystle G3 Round Lake
Heid, Claire B1 Mundelein
Horswill, Nate F2 Barrington
Kruger, Jason G3 Spring Grove
Magnesen, Patrick D3 Burr Ridge
McCole, Christopher G4 River Forest
McCurdy, David ? South Elgin
Niedbala, Richard F3 Geneva
Noble, Corinne A2 Barrington Hills
Riley, Bennett C4 Hickory Hills
Rupprecht, Daniel H1 Gurnee
Vottero, Nick F1 Lake Bluff
Witkamper, Jackson H1 LaGrange
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List of Cadets 2009

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Cadet Name Co. Hometown
Carfang, Andrew C2 Evanston
Correll, Thomas F2 Downers Grove
Dieter, Nicholas D2 Maple Park
Doyle, Joe F4 Elmhurst
Drake, Nathaniel F1 LaGrange
Healy, Anthony D4 Buffalo Grove
Jaramillo, Saloman F3 Cicero
Mayer, Amy G3 Elk Grove Village
Moschel, Becky D4 Lincolnshire
Netzel, Andrew B2 Orland Park
Ritchey, Brandon D1 Batavia
Roderick, Evan A2 Pittsfield
Saffold, Kenneth E2 Chicago
Tolbert, Jeffery A3 Burr Ridge
Watson, Andrew C2 Chicago
Welte,Joshua C2 Rockford
Werner, Adam E2 Worth

Last Updated 11-5-2008

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President’s Message:

Dear Fellow Parents, West Point Society Members, West Point Alumni, and Other Supporters of West Point,

I have thought long and hard about what I would like to accomplish as President of our Parent Club. The one thing that I have a passion for is doing my very best to build a bridge between the parents of current cadets, our alumni parents, and our grads that are represented through the West Point Societies.

We need our West Point Society Members and our alumni parents. They have a wealth of experience to share. We sometimes get so busy living in the Chicago area that we may forget that we are not in this journey alone. Some of us have become extremely reliant on the wonderful WP. Org parent forums that we forget that we have real live people that we can also tap into for information, support, and encouragement.

By the same token, we have alumni parents who could use that same interest from those of us with cadets still attending the academy.  Some have children who are currently deployed. Others have children who have returned from deployment well or trying to get well. Still others have children who are out of the Army and adjusting to civilian life or have moved on. Lastly, there are those who have children who are still in the Army, our career warriors. They all could use our support at some point and time. Or just the fellowship with people who might understand better than their co-workers or even other family members what is means to have a child serving in the military at this time in our history.

Our "Old Grads", as we fondly call them, have been very faithful in supporting us, and more importantly, our cadets. They make themselves available to answer questions and attend our events so that they can become better acquainted with us and our cadets. Our West Point Society members have made it through West Point and have experienced their military careers. They have so much to offer us in terms of experience, history, and tradition. I say, let's take full advantage of EVERY opportunity that we have to spend with the folks! We can learn much. I also believe that these are the people that can help us experience a littleof where our cadets will go and what they will experience as they leave the hallowed halls of West Point. We can't go there with our new LT's but we can sort of feel the experience through some of the stories that I have heard some of our West Point Society members tell. I have not yet had one say, I don't wanna talk about it. They all have stories and experiences to share.

Keep checking back at this site weekly as we are now in the throes of updating and making it an information resource for local and national goings on. You will also see what is happening that you and your family might want to tie into with our Parent Group or West Point Society.  We will soon have pictures availble from local events and some events that parents may have attended with their Cadets. Soon, we will be able to accept membership applications and dues online and our Treasurer can make her reports available to the membership via this website. Our secretary's minutes will also be available.

Please know that your Board of Directors is very commited to serving the needs of our Parent Group and facilitating our interaction with our local West Point Society.  Each officer has objectives in service that they hope to fulfill over the course of this year. We hope that you will all join with us in this endeavor.

Most Sincerely yours,

Deb Doyle

07/17/2008