By J. Edward Mendez
The trophy cases in the military science department were dedicated to the memory of 26 fallen brothers, two of whom were killed during the Vietnam War, of a Greek fraternity and national military honors society.
Alumni, some dressed in army fatigue and some wearing suits, ROTC cadets, parents and active students in Q-8 crowding the hallway during an emotional ceremony.
As a Q-8 Alumnus and master of ceremonies, Bill Wagner was especially touched by the ceremony because two of his close friends were honored.
“I can hear first lieutenant Ron Midgette telling me to honor someone else that deserved it more than him, and I can hear Master Sergeant Tom Zvonik yelling at me for spending perfectly good beer money on a plaque for him,” Wagner said in the dedication speech.
Each of the trophies, rusted with age, were sent away to be cleaned and polished weeks before the dedication, Jim Riddley, president of the Pershing Rifles Q-8 Alumni Association said.
Three new trophies were added, all of which were won the weekend before the dedication at the Pershing Rifles National convention at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Winning a 4th place trophy in the national individual trick drill competition for company Q-8 is merely another accomplishment for Barry Parker, an active brother from Queens.
“I learned [how to spin the rifle around safely] in JROTC. I practiced for the competition for about 3 weeks, and mostly improvised,” Parker said after displaying his ability to twirl and catch the decommissioned rifle with precision.
Commander of Q-8, Captain Jennifer Brown, came forward with the new Q-8 guidon, Wagner said.
“This guidon is an exact replica of the original which is now retired and mounted for display after 52 years of service,” Wagner said of the flag, which was a gift of the alumni association and active brothers.
The Pershing Rifles Alumni Association, which boasts over 468 members since 1952 was founded at the University in 2004 in order to “encourage, preserve, and develop the ideals espoused by the National Society of Pershing Rifles, Company Q-8, the University and to provide for a continuation of the bonds of brotherhood born in them while active members,” the Q-8 alumni association website said.
The audience was silenced toward the end of the ceremony while a student played taps on a horn.