November 26, 2007

Bob Wingate

A SOLDIER COMES HOME

A room, not unlike any other room in any other building, became slightly more significant today (11/26/07). Four plaques adorn the brick walls of the Performing Arts atrium, on this day a fifth was to be added. The plaques pay tribute to those fallen Upper Darby Alumni who served their country and community with honor and dignity.

Lieutenant Col. Mark Patrick Phelan '79 - Operation Iraqi - Freedom, would be the lone name on this latest addition to a wall of honor.

I fought back tears as his friends,troops, and wife spoke of the respect, commitment, and love they held for Lt. Col. Phelan. I stood in appreciation while those who spoke of him, brought the person and soldier he was into the room of students who needed the reality of war, not the 11:00 packaging.