Fishburne Military School Blessing of the Colors
Waynesboro, VA — The Fishburne Family gathered in Lawton Chapel yesterday for Fishburne Military School’s annual Blessing of the Colors ceremony. The ceremony, which hearkens back generations, calls for protection and guidance to be granted to those who organize beneath the colorful standards. The event also pays homage to those who have marched beneath those colors in years past.
In the days when battle was conducted at close quarters, it was necessary for soldiers to be able to determine where, during the heat of battle, their regiment was located. As time passed and methods of warfare changed, the organizational colors took on a more metaphorical meaning and came to represent the members, history, and accomplishments of a unit.
Fishburne Superintendent, retired Navy Captain Mark Black, welcomed those assembled noting: “This is a great day and an important day within the FMS calendar…” Black then introduced the guest of honor, noting to the Corps that “one of the monikers replete throughout his introduction is the word “special” … it’s important for each one of you to comprehend that you are special as well…coming to this school and going through this challenge is indicative of someone who is special…the qualities that enabled him to achieve what he has were learned here when he was no older than you.”
Major Kurt Cook USA(ret) arrived at FMS at the age of twelve. He was a five-year cadet who graduated in 1987 and went on to a military career with the US 7th Special Forces. Following medical retirement
from the Army, Cook now serves as a vice-president for Racing for Heroes, a non-profit supporting Special Forces and other wounded veterans by introducing them to the sport of auto-racing.
Cook directed his remarks specifically to the Corps of Cadets, urging them on in their endeavors saying “it is imperative that you challenge yourself daily to improve…whether it be in academics, on the field, or in your personal life.”
A former Green Beret, Cook noted to the Cadets that the most meaningful title ever ascribed to him was: “Warrior Scholar”. He explained the importance of learning “outside of your comfort zone” and maintaining a high level of personal accountability in developing leadership skills. “Fishburne can instill a lot of traits in you,” he went on “but the one that will always be with you is Leadership…Leaders are not born, they are developed through time, effort and experience…a true Leader cannot be weak in mind, body or spirit…”
“When you go into the next chapter of your life, you’ll find that there are not a lot of leaders…there are plenty of managers but not a lot of leaders. This country needs leaders of the future and I see them sitting here before me today. ”
Reverend Tim Bolhman, of Bethany Lutheran Church, then presided over the blessing of the the American and Virginia colors, the Fishburne Military School flag, the Corps of Cadets’ company guidons and, for the first time, an Augusta Military School flag donated to FMS in honor of former rival AMA, which closed its doors in 1984. Each company stood together and bowed their heads as Reverend Bolhman blessed their guidon.
Cadet Major Luciano Dolfi (Stuarts Draft, VA), FMS Battalion Commander, delivered the Senior prayer; Cadet First Sergeant Theodore Barger (Crozet, VA) delivered the Junior prayer; Cadet Corporal Garrett Overton (Sanford, NC) delivered the Underclassman prayer; and, Cadet Second Lieutenant Joshua Beard (Aguila, AZ), who also acted as the master of ceremonies, recited the Cadet Prayer (first written by Cadet Ralph Piland in 1983).
Following the ceremony guests and Cadets were welcomed to the school’s main Foyer for an opportunity to meet MAJ Cook and to mingle with other FMS Family members.
The oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia, Fishburne Military School’s college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command.
