ALEXANDER REALUYO ’ 17
Why West Point ? Why the Army ? My decision to serve comes from a sense of duty , opportunity , and the pursuit of excellence . Duty : I chose to serve because I am able , and I feel a desire to protect the values I cherish . I am lucky to have had the opportunity and ability to develop many talents before coming to the United States Military Academy that others have not . Talents that I feel obligated to use for the benefit of everyone . I believe that becoming an Army Officer will provide me with the most significant opportunity to contribute to the country . It is not an easy path , but I chose this path , in part , because of the challenges . I am always looking to be the best I can be , which means taking advantage of opportunities and seeking out challenges that will force me to improve .
Saint David ’ s taught me many things , including the genuine intellectual curiosity that has helped me become a well-rounded individual . Being well-rounded is a good trait for an officer , however , perhaps the most important aspects of the school are the community and values . The community at Saint David ’ s is truly unique and it is one of the things that taught me the importance of service . The Thanksgiving food drives , walkathons , and nursing home visits were all important experiences that instilled a sense of service and duty to the community from an early age at Saint David ’ s . However , the reason the community flourishes is each individual ’ s commitment to not just themselves , but others , and to spirituality . The values I developed at Saint David ’ s are more encompassing than what is required in the military , which has helped guide some of my decisions . I am grateful to Saint David ’ s School because it not only prepared me for a profession of service but also inspired in me the values that I might be fighting for in the future .
GEORGE BEDNAR ’ 15
I
once sat in your seat at Chapel , performed in the same plays , and ate lunch at East 89th Street . Eight years later , I am a Marine Corps officer . I am no different than you . So how did I end up here ? I may suggest an answer .
One spring morning when I was in third grade , in the middle of the night , my family ’ s apartment burned down . It was a miracle that we all made it out alive . My brother , Joe , one year my junior , was supposed to receive his First Holy Communion only three days later . Everything we owned was destroyed in the fire . It was not only our insurance that came to the rescue , but rather the Saint David ’ s community , my brothers . The Doughertys gave us a kitchen table . The Careys stopped by to take care of us that morning . Other families gave us blazers so that , instead of lamenting our fate as victims , we could celebrate Joe ’ s communion arm-in-arm . A few weeks later , Dr . O ’ Halloran invited me up to his office and gifted me a Moleskine notebook with the following message from Marcus Aurelius ’ Meditations : “ I was once a fortunate man , but at some point , fortune abandoned me . But true good fortune is what you make for yourself . Good fortune : good character , good intentions , good actions .” I still have that journal 12 years later . This was our brotherhood .
Alexander is a cadet at the U . S . Military Academy at Westpoint .
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