An Update from the Regiment

With 12 cadets competing at Raider Nationals and many more honoring our nation’s veterans during celebrations last week, it’s been a busy month for the Xavier Regiment.

In early November, Cadet Colonel Ted Colter ’17, Kevin Kuranowski ’17, Matt Miani ’17, Liam Mellon ’17, John Pagano ’17, Mark Pepperman ’17, Kraig Puccia ’17, Yosef Uy ’17, Steven Vasile ’17, Ryan Messer ’18, Taylor Kramer ’19, and Elijah Kramer ’20 traveled to Molena, Georgia, for the annual Raider Nationals competition. Led by Senior Army Instructor LTC Roy Campbell, USA (Ret.), and SFC Wayne Atherton, USA (Ret.), the cadets participated in fierce competition. “Teams from all over the country competed on an uphill 5K running course, a one-mile trek through the forest carrying a weighted stretcher and 35 pounds of equipment in a rucksack, and many more physically challenging tasks,” Mellon said.

On Friday, November 11, cadets were spread far and wide across the city. Mark Pepperman ’17 and Eoin Sansevero '17 represented the Regiment on the Plaza at The Today Show as they and fellow students from Xavier, Fordham Prep, Regis, Loyola, and St. Peter’s Prep publicized the Great Ignatian Challenge, the joint Thanksgiving food drive that has so far raised more than 40,000 pounds of food for needy families. Later that day, a group of cadets visited the VA Hospital, and then the Regiment marched in its first-ever Veterans Day Parade. “Despite the parade being optional to all cadets, the parade saw a strong Xavier showing,” Mellon added. “Performances while marching were provided by the X Squad, and special mention should be given to the drummers who were vital to maintaining cadence while marching.”

“I was overwhelmed with happiness at the sight of the Xavier Regiment marching up Fifth Avenue at America’s Veterans Day Parade this afternoon. Gentlemen of the Regiment, you acquitted yourselves with exceptional honor,” LTC Campbell wrote to the Regiment later that day. “I was impressed with wave after wave of cadets standing tall and looking good, culminating in the Rifle Team, Regulation X Squad and Exhibition X Squad. … Your efforts brought great credit to Xavier High School, to your Regiment, and to your families.”

Al Nilles, who taught French and German at Xavier for 31 years, watched the Regiment march in the parade. Born in Luxembourg, he has vivid memories of American soldiers giving him chocolate bars as a child as they liberated his nation from Nazi rule.

“The Regiment looked fabulous,” he said.