Memphis Council Salutes Command Standouts in Mid-South Region
By Brett Davis
On Friday, May 21, a warm and beautiful evening on board USS Constitution, members of the Massachusetts Bay Council and Cmdr. John Benda, commanding officer of USS Constitution, presented the council’s sword award for outstanding leadership performance to Worcester Polytechnic Institute Midshipman Victoria Kahler of the Holy Cross Crusader Battalion.
The presentation was unique in that Kahler is a 2021 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Benda is a 2001 graduate of WPI and was also a member of the Crusader Battalion of the NROTC at the College of the Holy Cross. That marks a first for this award, which the Massachusetts Bay Council has presented to NROTC units in the area for over three decades.
In addition, the awardee’s grandfather Andrew Card, chief of staff to President George W. Bush, ad-dressed family members, USS Constitution crew, Navy, Coast Guard, and other guests with positively heartwarming and patriotic remarks as to the significance to “all those that serve” in the defense and well-being of America.
Massachusetts Bay Council President Stephen Schnitzer and his wife, Iris, provided refreshments for the event in behalf of the council. In addition to family members, also present were Capt. Marvin Carlin, commanding officer, NROTC College of the Holy Cross; Capt. Eric Doucette, Coast Guard captain of the Port of Boston; and his second-in-command, Cmdr. Elisa Garret; among many others.
Challenge coins were distributed by Benda and Vietnam Veterans of America Post 116. Evening colors were observed as the award recipient fired the ship’s saluting battery and the huge 13-star ensign was lowered.
The onboard ceremony came on Constitution’s first harbor cruise in 18 months for morning crew training and the long-awaited afternoon reopening to public visitors.