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Walking Into The Light At Gettysburg: A Review

Written by: Gale & Robert Jaeger
Photography: Bill Gaydos & Kitch Loftus-Mussari
January 19, 2013
Lenfest Theater, Visitor Center
Gettysburg National Military Park
Copyright 2013 Face of America, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

On a recent bright and shining Saturday morning, we traveled from our home in Waverly PA to a most enchanting and inspiring place… the Gettysburg National Military Park.  Although it has been on our list of places to visit for many years, it was the first opportunity we have had to actually get there, and we were not in any way disappointed.

The purpose of our trip was to attend the premier of a production by Dr. Tony Mussari and his wife and able partner, Kitch Loftus Mussari. We knew that our travels would reward us with an exceptional experience and we were correct in our supposition. It was an evening we will long remember.

As we all assembled in the theater, having been warmly welcomed by Tony and Kitch, people prepared to settle down and see the show. Mr. Frank Orlando, a former public school principal clearly devoted to education and learning, was the master of ceremonies.  He and his wife, Bonnie, were attired in civil war costume and proceeded to act their roles while providing the audience with charming reflections and historical facts of the era.

Following the Orlandos was Mr. William Troxell, long time mayor of Gettysburg. He gave some history of this historic town – really a lovely hamlet of sorts – and told of his many generations of relatives who had resided here before him.  He was most gracious in his welcome and made us all feel quite at home.

Ms. Stacy Fox, VP of Sales and Marketing, Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, was exuberant in her discussion of the military park and all that it stands for in terms of American history.  It is easy to see why she holds the position she does!

Finally, just before the actual screening, Dr. Tony Mussari gave some reflections on why he and Kitch had decided to produce this documentary.

He spoke about visiting Gettysburg for the first time with his brother. Tony was 15 at the time and the experience, in his words,”changed his life.”

A part of the Face of America Project, Walking Into the Light is indeed enlightening. It educates us about the infamous Battle of Gettysburg. As important, as we view the monuments and battlefields through the lens of period photographs and renderings, we feel both the terror and the courage that these 161,000 soldiers must have experienced in this history making three day battle.

We were inspired and moved as the Battle Hymn of the Republic and other very moving music, well selected for this documentary, played in the background with footage of our great flag imposed across the screen, undulating in a stiff breeze. It was truly inspiring and our hearts were filled with pride for our new republic and for what it has become.

Central to this documentary was the presence of ten students from North Plainfield High School in New Jersey. A diverse group, there was clearly one thing these students had very much in common: a thirst for knowledge and a true sense of astonishment and amazement at what they learned through this life changing experience – exactly what Tony and Kitch had hoped for.

Articulate and insightful beyond their years and life experiences, these students learned how much their forefathers sacrificed for our collective freedom. It caused them to do some critical thinking and express gratitude for all that they enjoy today. It clearly changed them in very real ways. We wondered how this experience might also move and inspire university level students who might come to Gettysburg with a higher level of understanding and perhaps see things that might have been lost on such young students. Clearly, people of all ages leave this place enriched and inclined to learn much more about our nation’s history during those Civil War years.

Also notable were the many comments made by General Robert E. Lee, so nicely interpreted by Frank Orlando.

While we never understood him as well as we did after hearing some of his “commentary,” we were reminded that even those whom we might disagree with ideologically, have something to say and, when given the opportunity, it is often something we can admire. We wondered what General Grant might have told us about and what memorable quotes we would have taken away from his commentary had he been a part of the proceedings!

And finally, the memorable quotes from President Abraham Lincoln, a man who overcame so many obstacles to be a president who changed the world in so many ways, touched our hearts once again. Some were new to us, other we had known. All were words which are timeless and could have been spoken today with just as much meaning and power.

Iconic in today’s world for his many contributions, Lincoln was often misunderstood in his lifetime. One who understood him was T.V.Smith who said:

“This Lincoln, whom so many living friends and foes alike deemed foolish, hid bitterness in laughter, fed his sympathy on solitude, and met recurring disaster with whimsicality to muffle the murmur of a bleeding heart… and won through death what life disdains to bestow upon such simple souls –lasting peace and everlasting glory.”

While Lincoln and the soldiers who fought so valiantly at Gettysburg may not have provided for a lasting peace – perhaps humans are not capable of that –they did provide us with everlasting glory.

Thank you Tony and Kitch for this extraordinary film and for all the expertise, insight and love that went into it.

Surely you changed the lives of many of us in your audience just as you changed the lives of your ten students, and just,Tony, as your own life was changed when you first visited Gettysburg many long years ago
with your beloved brother. He is surely proud of all that came of that visit and smiles on you today.

Godspeed to you and to all who helped to make this fine documentary a reality.

The Illumined Gifts of a Teacher

Written by: Thomas A. Mazur, Supervisor: Fine, Practical & Performing Arts, North Plainfield School District, North Plainfield, New Jersey
Photographs by: Bill Gaydos & Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2013 Face of America, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

A celebration followed the premier of Tony Mussari’s documentary “Walking Into the Light at
Gettysburg” (1/19/13). It was held at the Eisenhower Hotel and Convention Center just outside Gettysburg.

It was an appropriate and characteristic occasion to augment Mussari’s artful film, which elicited a
rousing standing ovation at its emotional conclusion in the Lenfest Theater at the Gettysburg National Military Park.

“Walking Into the Light at Gettysburg” was such an uplifting experience, the opportunity to sit, break
bread and chat afterwards was a pleasantry, only to be surpassed by demonstrations of the values that
were offered in the film.

A highlight of the banquet was the address by Dr. Stephen Post, Director of the Center for Medical
Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University, New York.

Dr. Post is a man of many honors, awards and innovations. His address centered on the scientific evidence of the value of doing good, and its benefits to one’s health and well-being. At the conclusion of his talk, Dr. Post did not hide his best-selling book “The Hidden Gifts of Helping,” rather he gave it to everyone to take home as a gift.

Another rare and special highlight came when the Mayor of Gettysburg, William Troxell presented the key to his city to North Plainfield, New Jersey. The key was accepted by North Plainfield Board of Education Vice President, David Branan, Board member Thomas Kasper and North Plainfield Councilwoman, Mary Forbes.

The celebration concluded with a demonstration of of kindness as Tony and his wife, Kitch presented a
thoughtful gift to everyone who participated in the special occasion. It was characteristic of them to
“walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk.”

The old professor paced a larger than usual classroom,
modeling the values he seeks in others, accenting the positive with passion and humility, giving illumined gifts to those who love and support his leadership.

Dwight D. Eisenhower would have approved.

Gettysburg Gifts, Part 2, Mayor William Troxell

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Photographs, Kitch & Tony Mussari
Copyright 2013, Face of America, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD.

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. Henry Ford

Three months ago, I had a coming together moment.  It happened during the Medal of Honor flag raising in Lincoln Square in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Prior to the ceremony, I met and photographed Mayor William Troxell as he greeted people who came to participate in the ceremony. 

Last week, Kitch and I met with Mayor Troxell in his office. During that meeting we got to know the mayor up close and personal as some would say.

The Mayor is an engaging man, a good man, a kind man and a very interesting man. His family roots run deep into the soil of this historic town.  They were here during the American Revolution, and he and his brother have spent a good deal of time documenting the Troxell family tree.

When you are with the mayor you feel welcome and very comfortable.  That is a by-product of his humility. This is a man who is dedicated to service not debilitated by the false pride of power, prominence and influence. He is generous with his time, and he makes you feel welcome, wanted and valued.

His office is a museum of interesting artifacts of genealogy, and public service. When he learned about Kitch’s interest in her family history, he shared his experiences while compiling two manuscripts about his ancestors.

Then he took us to the Council Chamber, and he explained the origin and significance of the beautiful historical paintings that hang on every wall.

Kitch was taken by the huge painting of General Eisenhower. Her father served in Europe during World War II. She has spent many hours documenting his movement from Sicily to a liberated concentration camp in Germany.

I could not take my eyes off the unusual painting of Abraham Lincoln.  It is called the Blue Lincoln, and it has an intriguing quality of solemnity and sadness.

Before we left the municipal building, we discussed the protocol for the premiere of Walking Into The Light at Gettysburg and the banquet which would follow. The Mayor graciously accepted our invitation to welcome our guests at the screening, and he was a willing participant in a surprise we had planned for the elected officials from North Plainfield, New Jersey, who would be in attendance. He showed us the key to the city he would present to them, and he explained its symbolism.

Little did I know at the time, the mayor had a surprise of his own for Kitch and me.

It was so refreshing to work with Mayor Troxell.  He did not play any power games. He was available, and enthusiastic about our film and the screening.  There were not filters or questions about the appropriateness of his attending the event. His staff did not make us jump through hoops to get a meeting with him.  He answered every e-mail. When we met, he affirmed our work, and he made us feel at home. I am convinced that we were treated no differently than any other person who would ask for his help.

On Saturday, January 19, Mayor Troxell and his wife became a part of our documentary family. There were no uncomfortable moments. They were there to help us, to enhance the experience for our guests and to do whatever they could do to represent Gettysburg in a warm and friendly manner.

Mayor Wiliam Troxell is accomplished in many ways; a celebrated high school athlete, a successful coach, a World War ll veteran, a respected member of his community and one of the longest serving mayors in Pennsylvania. These are all important elements in his resume, but in the end it is his kindness, his gentle spirit, his humility and his welcoming way that draws people to him and creates a bond of admiration, respect and gratitude.

Would that every leader in America had the innate gifts of leadership possessed by Mayor William Troxell.

Would that Gettysburg will have the able leadership of William Troxell for many years to come.

Thank You Mayor Troxell. You are a face of America on its best day, and we are in your debt.

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

Gettysburg Gifts: Part 3, Tim Johnson

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Photographs by Kitch Loftus-Mussari & Tony Mussari
Copyright 2013, Face of America, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

There is incredible value in being of service to others. Elizabeth Berg

Every now and then you meet someone who makes an indelible impression on your heart and soul.  That’s exactly what happened the day I met Tim Johnson, the manager of the Hampton Inn in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Tim is a quiet man, an unassuming man, a caring man, and a competent man. He has the perfect personality and temperament for the position he holds.

Tim Johnson is all about quality service for everyone who stays at the Hampton Inn.

How does he do it? He gives each guest more than they expect when they enter the door.  He puts a face behind the brand so they have a personal connection.  He trains his people in the art of customer service. He attends to the little things that people in a hurry often forget.

He is pleasant to his customers, because he believes they are entitled to a pleasant experience.

I have never had a conversation with Tim that has not included this question from him, “How can I help you?”

Everything about Tim speaks to his willingness to help people. It is not a formula or a strategy; it is a valued principle and a way of life.

During our visit in April 2012, he helped us convert a suite on the first floor into a classroom. We had our meetings there and we constructed a set in that room where living historians could perform and we could videotape their performance.

During our recent visit, the challenge was greater. The lobby of the Hampton Inn was being renovated. Signs of construction and repair were everywhere when we visited one week before our screening. Tim assured us, it would be presentable and functional on January 19, for our guests.

Arriving early to attend to many last minute details, Kitch and I observed Tim supervising the construction crew. He placed two large signs in the entrance; one apologized for any inconvenience the renovation would cause guests, the other welcomed our group from North Plainfield, New Jersey, our friends, family, former students and their parents.

He stayed until 10 p.m. one night to oversee the arrangement of furniture for the meet-and-greet event we had planned for the members of our group. He saw to it that everything was in place for the complimentary breakfast the next morning.

Then he took the extra step, he and his teenage daughter Cassandra attended both the screening and the banquet.

In my opinion, Tim Johnson is a genuine Face of America on its best day. He is a living breathing example of customer service at its best, and he is one of the genuine gifts of Gettysburg that made our screening a success. He and his wonderful staff make every visit to Gettysburg an enjoyable experience.

Would that everyone would attend Tim Johnson’s school of customer service. What a wonderful world it would be.

Thank You Tim
Thank You Ann
Thank You Mary
Thank You John

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

Gettysburg Gifts, Part 4, Bonnie & Frank Orlando

Written by Kitch & Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Photographs by: Tony & kitch Mussari
Copyright 2013, Face of America Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

What a cruel thing war is to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors. General Robert E. Lee

The Civil War arrived at the door of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, when General Robert E. Lee led his Army of Northern Virginia into town and set up camp.

Three days later he was forced to retreat, leaving a large contingent, thirty percent, of his soldiers either dead, dying, seriously injured or captured.

Lee is not an historical figure we talk about much in the North. That is unfortunate. If, however, you are walking the streets of Gettysburg during the 150th anniversary of the battle or attending a function in town, he may become the focus of your attention.

A double-take is in order when you see him and his wife, Ann Custis Lee, walking about and nodding to all they see.  Lee’s uniform is just like the one we have seen in historical photographs. Mrs. Lee wears a dress similar to the ones we remember from “Gone With The Wind:” six layers of clothing covered by a magnificent silk moire dress, ear bobs, hair caught up in a net topped by an elegant hat carrying a parasol or a cane.

The famous general and his wife are the creation of Frank and Bonnie Orlando who came to Gettysburg when the retired from their careers in education. They are called upon to perform in many venues, and they are exceptional at what they do. They are living breathing experts on the Lees.  They have read extensively-not only the books written but journals, letters, and family histories. This research brings a depth of knowledge and understanding to their performance.

The ten students in our documentary and everyone in our production crew can give testimony to the many important lessons they teach when given the opportunity to recount the wit, wisdom and insight of the General and his lady.

There is another side to the Orlandos that Kitch and I were privileged to see. They are wonderful people with caring hearts and willingness to help others. From the moment our eyes met, we became fast friends. We recognized their talent, expertise and noble purpose. They believed in our work, and the enormous obstacles we faced in realizing our dream to produce Walking Into The Light At Gettysburg.

During the past nine months we have rendezvoused several times with Bonnie and Frank for coffee, for dinner, for dessert. They opened many doors for us. They encouraged us and they helped us navigate the bumps in the road during our journey to the screening and the banquet.

Every encounter was joyful and pleasant. Every one of the 185 e-mails we exchanged contained kind words of affirmation.

Every memory we have of Bonnie and Frank is positive. The last sentence in the note Frank sent to us the night after the screening and banquet says everything one needs to know about why Bonnie and Frank Orlando are Gettysburg Gifts to Kitch and me and two radiant Faces of America on its best day for everyone who visits Gettysburg:

"God speed, thank you for your gifts, and never forget that you possess one of the greatest gifts God ever bestowed upon mankind – true friends in Gettysburg, PA."

Thank You Bonnie and Frank for helping us make our dream become a reality.

Thank you for giving your time, effort and energy to teach young people like the students from North Plainfield what really matters in life.

Thank you for the priceless gift of friendship.

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

Friendship
Written by: Tony Mussari
Photographs by: Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2013, Face of America, Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

It takes a good soul to be a good friend, Anna Robertson-Brown

Throughout the Gettysburg Project, Tom Mazur has been a wonderful friend. He was there with great enthusiasm at the beginning, and he was there sharing the joy of accomplishment at the end.

During all the days and months in between, he was there working hard to guarantee the success of the project.

He composed music for the project.  He coordinated all of the logistics for the project in North Plainfield, New Jersey.  He set up the workshop for the students and he coordinated the in-service for teachers. He drove to Dallas to attend meetings, and he hosted our visits to North Plainfield.

No job was too big or too small for Tom. Every job was done with competence, care and good will.

He gave more than was expected to guarantee the success of the project. He gave willingly, enthuiastically and generously of his time, energy and talent.    

This is what I learned about friendship working with Tom during our Gettysburg Project:

A friend brings you up;

A friend is always available to help;

A friend shares your dreams;

A friend gives without expectation of return;

A friend offers support, and translates that offer into meaningful action;

A friend always goes the extra mile for you;

A friend reduces anxiety;

A friend lifts your spirits;

A friend keeps you focused;

A friend clarifies things you don’t understand;

A friend stands with you when everybody else walks away;

A friend is caring, kind and patient;

A friend stands behind you so he/she can always cover your back.

Joe Katz defined friendship with these words:

“Friends are part of the glue that holds life together.”

Tom Mazur is the glue that held the Gettysburg Project together.

When Coach Herb Brooks said these words to his Miracle team, he was describing Tom Mazur:

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”

Thanks Tom for making the dream become a reality.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

Dick Orlowski: A Good Man in All the Ways that Matter

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2013
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project

Dick Orlowski was a man I admired, a man I liked, a man who defined all the things that make life worth living.

We met many years ago, and then life took over. Recently we were reunited because of the library Dick loved, and the garden Kitch and I built.

We never had a bad moment during our friendship, and he always reminded me how much he enjoyed reading the quotes in the articles I posted in our Face of America blog.

For several months, Dick and his family have been battling a vicious form of cancer. Today he is resting comfortably in the arms of the God he loves.

What follows here comes from my heart.

I want this wonderful man and his family to know the depth of my admiration, affection and gratitude for all the good things I learned watching this genuine Face of America demonstrate what our country and our community is all about on its best day.

When I think about Dick Orlowski, eight words flash through my mind: Character, Community, Family, Friendship, Integrity, Industry, Leadership and Service.

Character

The Dick Orlowski I knew was a person who always did the right thing for the right reason.

He knew and respected William Arthur Ward’s fundamental truth of life:

“Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.”

Community

Someone once said the essence of community is belonging.  Dick Orlowski cultivated that feeling of belonging.  He built close, warm, harmonious relationships with people.  He did kind things for people.

Last summer, he visited our garden on a day when my granddaughter was building her rock garden. Dick was welcoming and kind to Julia.  When he left our Angel Garden, he and Ginny went to a shopping center where they bought several little presents for Julia.  Then, they gave these surprises to an eleven-year-old child in a way she will never forget.

That story says more about Dick Orlowski’s heart of gold and sense of community than any words I can write. It reinforces the words of Thomas Merton:

In the end, it is the reality of personal relationships that saves everything.

Family

Anyone who had the pleasure of visiting Dick’s home felt the healing energy of family. It is recorded in the pictures, the decorations, and the atmosphere that speaks to the advice of Pope John Paul II:

“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.”

Dick Orlowski loved his family, and he made his friends a part of that family.

Friendship

His friendship was generous and kind. He identified the best in his friends. He accepted their imperfections. He understood their needs. He promoted their strengths. He took time to understand their needs, and he joined hands in good fellowship with them.

He lived the words of Helen Keller:

 “I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”

Integrity

When our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, wrote these words, he was writing the subtext of Dick Orlowski’s life:

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have.”

Industry

He learned early in life the inspirational power of Vince Lombardi’s axiom:

“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

Whatever assignment he was given, he worked hard and long hours to complete it with dignity, class and distinction.

Leadership

Anyone who knew Dick Orlowski felt the positive glow of his enormous and effective leadership skills.

He was a quiet, unassuming, caring and competent force for good.

He was a responsible person and he always attended to the little details that people in a hurry often forget.

If Walter Lippmann were alive, he would write these words about Dick Orlowski:

“The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.”

Service

After his love of family, the brightest jewel in the crown of his life was service to his community.

Ask anyone in St Theresa’s Parish, the Back Mountain Ecumenical Group, the members who served with him on the Dallas Area Board of Education, and the Back Mountain Memorial Library Board and they will tell you that Dick Orlowski loved to serve. He did it willingly, joyfully and purposefully.

His own words spoken the night he completed his term on the Dallas Area School Board best describe his thoughts about service:

“I loved every minute of it, and I thank the community for giving me the opportunity to do this.”

It was very difficult to watch a giant of a man like Dick Orlowski suffer. It is equally difficult to find words of comfort for his wife Ginny and his daughters Julianne and Sharon

Providence called him home, and he will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Those of us who knew him are better people because of his friendship. We learned from his example, and we grew because of his encouragement.

The words of the immortal Seneca will help heal our broken hearts and fill the void we are feeling:

“The day which we feel as our last is but the beginning of eternity.”

Dick Orlowski is now in heaven where he will participate in the glory of the God he loves because of the wonderful life he lived and the many people like Kitch and me he inspired.

When Abraham Lincoln’s friend William McCullough died, he wrote these words to his daughter. I hope they give Ginny, Julianne and Sharon comfort:

In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it…

I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time…

You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have had experience enough to know what I say; and you need only to believe it, to feel better at once…

Dick Orlowski will live on in our hearts forever, because his was a good man, a caring man, a thoughtful man, a gratitude man, a welcoming man and a genuine Face of America on its best day.

God Bless you Dick. May God have mercy on your soul, and may God give us the courage, determination, kindness and strength to live in the light of your marvelous example.

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

Christmas Gifts, December 24, 2012

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

The Christmas heart is a giving heart. George Matthew Adams

The Question
In the silence of the early morning hours, I asked myself this question, “What words describe the best Christmas gifts?”

Then, I asked myself another question, “Why did it take you so long to look at Christmas in this way?”

Like most people, the past two weeks have been filled with anxious moments, worrisome moments and shopping moments as Kitch and I searched for what we thought were appropriate gifts for this holiday season. In a way, we had commodified Christmas.

Then, one of life’s moments happened, and I returned to St. Mary’s, the church of my parents, to celebrate the life of our neighbor and friend, Kathleen Kane.

The Setting

During my childhood, St. Mary’s Church was like a second home. We went there for Confession on Saturday, Mass on Sunday, novenas, Stations of the Cross, benedictions, retreats and a variety of other religious services throughout the year.

I was baptized in that church during World War II. I graduated from high school in that church in 1959.  Four years later, St. Mary’s hosted the Baccalaureate Mass during my college graduation weekend. Almost a quarter century later, Kitch and I were married in St. Mary’s on a beautiful July evening.

Sitting in the sanctified building where so much time had been spent with my parents, my brother and sister and my friends caused me to think about what really matters in life, “Is it the getting or the giving, is it about me or thee, is it the here or the hereafter?”

The Answer

Listening to the words of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,” my focus began to change. 

“He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.” The words of Christmas began to take shape in my heart.

In this place of worship, I was at peace with the world and all of its distractions. It was a kind of peace that removes the discomfort caused by having, wanting and doing more for the sake of fulfillment.

When the celebrant, Fr. John Lambert, talked about the gift of age and how the deceased personified the independence, strength, understanding and wisdom that come with age, I felt the calming gift of serenity.  I was ready to accept the things I could not change; I was willing to change the things I could. In this moment, I humbly accepted the gift of wisdom to know the difference.

When the sweet sounds of the organ announced the beginning of the hymn Be Not Afraid, I felt a soothing kind of joy that lifted my spirits. It helped me come to terms with the empty feelings and broken connections my friends in Al-Anon speak about in our meetings:

You shall walk the barren desert,
But you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety,
Though you do not find the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands
And all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.

During the presentation of the gifts, I was reminded about our obligation to be kind to one another. That requires the gift of Christmas generosity every day of the year.

People who have a generous spirit are much more likely to have another Christmas gift, the gift of encouragement.  That’s a priceless gift, especially in our digital world where so many people are alone together, connected but not communicating, texting not talking.

The words of the ever popular and poignant On Eagles Wings inspired me to think about the ultimate Christmas gift, hope:

And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

Before we left the church, Kevin Kane talked about his mother.  His remarks underlined another Christmas gift, family.

Without question, family is the centerpiece of Christmas. A family traveling together, seeking shelter, needing help, and giving thanks for the birth of a child.

The final moments of the celebration of Kathleen Kane’s life attended to the issues of faith and redemption. Very personal gifts to be sure, but personified in beautiful ways by the symbolism of the manger, the innocence of the Christ child, and the fulfillment of the prophesy:

“For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.”  

Going home to St. Mary’s to honor a friend and neighbor, I was given an invaluable opportunity to sharpen my Christmas focus and refine my Christmas thinking.  The most valuable Christmas gifts are not placed under a tree, they are forged on our hearts with the words: Peace, Serenity, Joy, Kindness, Encouragement, Hope, Faith, Family, and Redemption. 

These gifts are made permanent with love. Collectively they enable us to accept whatever life gives us and reflect the light of Christmas in all that we do and say.

George Matthew Adams, a journalist who knew something about Amrica at its best, said it another way:

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. 

Merry Christmas

(This article is dedicated to Dr. Richard Loomis my teacher and friend.)

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

Newtown’s Legacy: What Are We Living?

Written By Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Death is someone you see very clearly with eyes in the center of your heart. Thomas Merton

I’ve been sitting here for what seems like an eternity with a huge hole in my heart.

Surrounded by pictures of my grandchildren, I cannot get the images of death, destruction, pain, suffering, anger and despair recorded in Newtown, Connecticut, out of my mind.

The senseless slaughter of innocents and their teachers in the sacred space of a classroom torturers my soul. It defies logic and it challenges everything we believe about civilized behavior.

Call it whatever you want, there is no word to accurately describe or explain it. It is madness personified.

On Thursday, Kitch was in Newtown. She called it bucolic and peaceful. Today it resembles a war zone.

“Looking for America,” an article written by Gail Collins and published in the New York Times got me thinking. It opened my mind, and I wrote a comment. This is the long version of that comment:

On December 23, 1862, our greatest president Abraham Lincoln, a father who knew the pain caused by the premature death of a child, wrote these words to comfort a friend:
Dear Fanny

It is with deep grief that I learn of the death of your kind and brave Father; and, especially, that it is affecting your young heart beyond what is common in such cases. In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it. I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You can not now realize that you will ever feel better. Is not this so? And yet it is a mistake. You are sure to be happy again. To know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. I have had experience enough to know what I say; and you need only to believe it, to feel better at once. The memory of your dear Father, instead of an agony, will yet be a sad sweet feeling in your heart, of a purer and holier sort than you have known before.

Please present my kind regards to your afflicted mother.

Your sincere friend
A. Lincoln

All these years later, Lincoln’s words ring true for people all over our country and the world who want to ease the pain of parents, teachers, grandparents and students in Newtown, Connecticut.

Several years ago, a child painted five words on a tile and hung it on the wall of tributes at the temporary memorial to the Heroes of Flight 93. Those words put everything in perspective for me.

“Hope is stronger than Death”

On December 14, 2012, we were driven to our knees because, like our 16th president, we had nowhere else to go.

Today we want the people of Newtown to know we are crying with you, praying for you and standing next to you.
We will not forget you in your hour of need.

I think it is safe to say that anyone who has followed this nightmare worries about the children who were in the school when it happened, and the millions of children who saw the coverage on TV. Innocents all. Impressionable all. In pain all.

Words written by Dorothy Law Nolte when I was a child might help us help them:

If a child lives with criticism,

he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with pity,
he learns to feel sorry for himself.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with jealousy,
he learns what envy is.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition,
he learns that it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with sharing,
he learns about generosity.
If a child lives with honesty and fairness,
he learns what truth and justice are.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.
If a child lives with friendliness,
he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.
If you live with serenity,
your child will live with peace of mind.
With what is your child living?

In the shadow of the Newtown’s yesterday, we adults would be wise to ask ourselves what are we living?

The words of Thomas Merton will help us find our way from the
darkness of this long night of suffering into the light of healing and recovery.

Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone-we find it with another. Thomas Merton

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tony.mussari@gmail.com

If the Walls Could Talk: Thanksgiving 2012

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.  Johannes A. Gaertner

Wellstones of Gratitude

The walls in the room where I work are covered with symbols of affirmation, encouragement and gratitude. On the difficult days they give me hope, on the good days they remind me of my responsibility to be the best person I can be.

On this day before Thanksgiving, I decided to sit back and think about what they tell me about life, love, happiness and gratitude. 

From the Heart of a Child

By far, the largest collection of mementoes came from my grandchildren.

Thank you for the GIANT marshmallows, chips, pretzels Cracker Jacks and the popcorn.  I really like them.  Love Julia

Dear Papa Tony and Grand Kitch, Thank You, PJ.

To our Grandpa, We love you.

I always marvel at the honesty of children.  They say what they mean and they mean what they say.

Through the Eyes of a Child

Pictures of my children are everywhere. They capture various stages of growth and development.

For some reason, my eyes always land on two pictures, one with my daughter, the other with my son.

Both shots are joyful. Both scenes are memorable.

In each picture the eyes and the body language say everything about a perfect moment of happiness, joy and security.

These are the moments a parent lives for, hopes for, and prays for. These are memories parents cherish forever, because they help us navigate the bumps in the road of life.

Classroom Moments

Two of my favorite notes were handcrafted by students. Both speak to gratitude. One reads, “Thank you for coming to our classroom.”  The other addresses what I like to call a learning attitude, “Thank you for asking me those questions. I liked it.”

Notes like these remind old teachers like me that teaching is a noble profession, and teachers have an obligation to help students grow. To do that, we must make an effort to grow in the ways of the heart and mind every day of our life.

Art from the Heart

A number of the items on the walls are original works of art:

Two paintings of Windsor Park by Sue Hand;

A magnificent photograph of the Amish given to us by Bill Coleman;

Children’s art designed by Julia and PJ;

A beautiful representation of the American flag that welcomed people to one of our screenings at the North Plainfield High School;

A picture taken with the North Plainfield cheerleaders at the Memorial to the Heroes of Flight 93;

A handcrafted gratitude note designed by Adriana, one the students in our Gettysburg Project.

Collectively these images spell HOPE, LOVE, GRATITUDE and SERVICE

Friendship

Messages from friends fill in almost all of the empty spaces on the walls. Some are handwritten, others are typed and a good number are cards with inspirational sayings:

Thanks for being so nice, so thoughtful and so giving;

Thank you for the phone call;

Tony. I thought deeply… prayerfully about you and Kitch…

Wishing you a day that makes you feel good…

I can’t begin to tell you how your kindness through taking the time to write this letter has elevated my spirits in a way that monetary bonuses and superficial job titles could never affect;

Hope is stronger than death.

Each one speaks to a quality or a value that makes life worth living.

The Face of America

A very select group of mementoes represent magic moments from our Face of America journey. They include:

A map of our travels;

A postcard from Mount Rushmore:

A note from a student who attended the guest lecture I gave in Julie Marvel’s class at, St. Mary’s College in California;

A post card from Little America, Wyoming; and a gift bag that proudly proclaims the Little America philosophy, “A Tradition of Excellence Since 1934;

A gift bag from the book store at the University of Iowa, a place of great significance in my life;

A picture of an outdoor advertising sign featuring Abraham Lincoln and these words, “Failed, failed, failed And then… PERSISTENCE, Pass It On, Values.com.

Kitch’s Magic

The final group I will mention without any elaboration. They are handwritten notes from Kitch. They speak to her beautiful heart and her wonderful spirit. They reflect the light of her love and partnership.

Every day I am surrounded by these images. Needless to say for me they are priceless. They help me bring a gratitude mindset to my work, but more important they remind me to affirm others, to care about others, to share with others and to appreciate the opportunities I have, and the freedom our country guarantees everyone who lives here.

To paraphrase the words of William A. Ward, God gave us 86,400 seconds in this day. I took a few of them to stare at the images on my wall, and they reinforced the words of the ancients:

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues. Cicero
Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. Seneca

Kitch and I agree with those who believe that “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates vision for tomorrow.”

Thank you America for the freedom, justice and liberty we enjoy.

Thank you North Plainfield for giving an old teacher a new classroom.

Thank you Gettysburg for giving life and meaning to the words of Abraham Lincoln, “We cannot escape our History.”

Thank you Dan Kopen, MD, Sal Lawrence, MD, David Greenwald, MD, and Norman Schulman, MD for giving Kitch a second chance at life.

Thank you dear friends and relatives all, you light the way with profound and poignant examples of caring, kindness, and goodness. That’s what Thanksgiving is all about, and that’s what America is on its very best day.

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Sophia Bacho: A Hero Without a Headline

Written By Tony Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Watching a peaceful death of a human being reminds us of a falling star; one of a million lights in a vast sky that flares up for a brief moment only to disappear into the endless night forever.  Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

The Setting

On this beautiful November morning, my Face of America journey took me to a place of Justice, Hospitality, Mercy and Service.

At 9:45 a.m., I entered Mercy Center on the campus of Misericordia University. This is where I said good-bye to my mentor Sister Mary Hilary in 1990, my debate coach Sister Mary Felician in 2006, and this is where I would say good-bye to Sophia Bacho, the grandmother of one of my students, Christopher Boos, on this autumn morning.

A few minutes after the door to this place of care, comfort and peace closed behind me, I had an unexpected rendezvous with one of my high school classmates.  In 1959, I knew her as Mildred Lockman.  Today she is Sister Robert Marie R.S.M., a woman of dignity and class who carries on the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy. My classmate and friend is blessed with the voice of an angel. During the funeral service she used it to praise the God she worships and to celebrate the woman who is resting in the serenity of His eternal grace.  

The Service

During the service, Father John Kulavich described Sophia as a woman of music, a woman who had the gift of faith, and a woman who held her family close. Sophia was married for almost 64 years.  People who knew her and her husband Michael marveled at the beauty of their relationship.  They were always together, and when they were together they usually were holding hands. According to Father John, Sophia and Michael celebrated their marriage every day of their life together.
Sophia was not a celebrity.  Her name is not a household word, but her example eclipses the notoriety we shower on famous people. She lived a life of integrity, service and love.

Born, raised and educated in our little corner of the world, she lived for a time in New York City. She was a receptionist at the Bulova Watch Co. During World War II, she worked with radar systems as part of the war effort.

She and her husband returned to the place of her birth. They married, and for 63 years Sophia and Michael modeled the behavior of America at its best for their two children, Jeanne and James, and their spouses Bob and Mary Jo. Sophia was the proud grandmother of three grandchildren Christopher, Laura and Thomas.

The Message

Listening to Father John’s eulogy, I heard a litany of the characteristics of America at its best. Sophia was a woman of creativity, loyalty, service to church and community, musical talent and strength. She was a welcoming woman who was quick to give encouragement. She gave comfort to others in time of need. She and her family made positive memories drawn from the little things in life.

After the burial service, family and friends gathered for lunch and conversation. It was a marvelous moment of community. Many of us were perfect strangers, but at that table we were family. We shared stories of success and failure. We shared stories of those moments when we were challenged to do the right thing even when the consequence was not pleasant. We shared our concerns about the seismic shift in our culture and the brave new world for those who have crossed the digital divide. Our conversation was pleasant, uplifting and without rancor.  We talked about the things we learned from our parents at the kitchen table, and the values of industry, perseverance and thrift they taught us.

As I sat there listening to the stories, I thought to myself, this is Sophia’s legacy. This is her light and the light of millions of parents just like her who wanted their children to live virtuous lives of hospitality, justice, mercy and service.

Maybe that’s why the words of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross ring so true.

For those of us who were privileged to share this moment with Michael Bacho, Jeanne Boos and James Bacho, this was a celebration of a wonderful mother and friend who is now one of the millions of lights that will live forever in the world beyond the vast sky.

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Cory Booker’s Magic: Hope, Inspiration and Service

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Mr. Booker, born April 27, 1969, is still the energetic youngster, full of optimism and eloquence. New York Times

The Man

Cory Booker’s magic is deeply rooted in his optimism, his faith, his willingness to serve, his courage to get out of bed on those days when it would be more comfortable to hide his head under his pillow.

Booker is a man of dreams, a man of hope, a man of possibilities, and a man of vision.

Where cynics see an ugly empty lot, he envisions an urban garden.

When the “Henny Pennys” of his city see the markings of gloom and doom written on the walls of deteriorating buildings, he finds a way to convert the decaying structures into buildings with a purpose.

Energized and inspired by people like Mrs. Virginia Jones, affectionately known as the tenant lady with an indefatigable will and a determination to serve others, the big man, with the big brain and the infectious smile goes about the business of turning Newark around one problem at a time.

On this October weekend, he was in our hometown to share his message at the Dorothy Dixon Darte Center for the Performing Arts on the Wilkes University campus. The occasion was the 31st Annual Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities.

The event began with polite applause. It ended with a standing ovation. Everything in between was a kind of poetry that reflected the light of Cory Booker’s heart of gold, and his infectious enthusiasm for his family, his friends, his city, and his country

The Message

What follows here are 20 starred thoughts from Cory Booker’s Rosenn Lecture. They are taken from the 16 pages of notes I took during his presentation:

1. Sometimes you are on the go, and you forget to be in the present;

2. Children are never good at listening to their parents, but they are never shy about imitating them; (Quoting James Baldwin)

3. Anybody can be great in a moment, but real greatness is found in people who get up every day and perform consistent acts of goodness, decency and kindness;

4. My grandfather told us to fall in love with America;

5. Look at the night and see the stars. Remember that light, energy and brilliance cannot be destroyed;

6. The common way people give up their power is by not realizing they have it; (Quoting Alice Walker)

7. I am an American. I have privileges and obligations;

8. The world you see outside you is the world you see inside you;

9. Power is a vision…an oasis of hope and an island of possibility;

10. We have a choice between power and surrender;

11. We have a choice to show up and not be distracted;

12. The greatest disease is sedentary agitation;

13. Even when there was no you, this woman (Mrs. Virginia Jones) fought for you. This woman worked for you;

14. You are the physical manifestation of an act of love;

15. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together; (African proverb)

16. We are all caught in an inescapable fabric of destiny;

17. We need light from goodness and kindness;

18. We must not get into the cynicism of negativity. We must come together and give testimony to the achievement of the possible;

19. We have a terrible way of dealing with problems. We will pay $100 on the back end to fix them, but we refuse to pay a few dollars on the front end to prevent them;

20. Show me a problem in America, and I can find an innovative program to fix it.

Mayor Booker’s ideas are hopeful and positive. His credentials are impeccable, Stanford, Oxford University and Yale Law School. His leadership style is welcoming, personal and hands on. His energy levels rival Vesuvius.

He has known both success and failure, and he interprets criticism as an opportunity to learn.

Watching him tell his story, I got the impression that he is confident yet humble, compassionate not confrontational, hopeful not cynical. He has a great sense of humor, and most of the jokes he tells are self-deprecating.

He is a grateful man. Throughout his presentation he thanked others for the opportunities he had had and his successes. Again and again, he mentioned the incredible contribution of his parents and his grandfather. Quite frankly, I admire that quality.

Kitch and I had three interactions with the mayor. The first time he was gracious when we asked him if he would have his picture taken with Attorney Joe Savitz. The second time he honored a request to have his picture taken with Kitch. The third time was the most insightful moment. It happened at the end of his lecture. I raised my hand to ask a question and he acknowledged my request. Then someone in his entourage gave him the sign to end the presentation.

He walked across the stage to align himself with the place where I was standing, and he announced to the audience that this would be the final question. Then with a big smile on his face he looked at me and said, the pressure is on you sir. This is the last question.

The essence of my question was about the importance of education in the Booker formula for reclaiming our country’s future.

When I finished he surprised me and everyone in the room with words that went something like this: Thank you and God bless you sir for asking that question.

The sweet sound of spontaneous applause filled the room, and Mayor Cory Booker went into overdrive.

Once again, he told his story in a personal. non-partisan, non-inflammatory, thoughtful way. Using data from a McKinsey research report, he divided schools into two categories; those that serve students with a high level of education, and schools that do not offer students a high level of education. He was very specific about the responsibility we have to educate all of our children. He openly admitted that he is a big advocate of charter schools and mentoring programs. On the issue of faith based education, he was candid. “I don’t care how you pray, I care how you serve.”

Most impressive was his reluctance to make teachers scapegoats.

The last words recorded in my notes to come out of Cory Booker’s mouth came straight from his heart. In the end, what matters most is what you do for other people.

Pulitzer Prize winner Ernest Becker believed that man is driven by an essential dualism. He needs to be a part of something and to stick out. He has a burning desire to count for something. I think that’s an insight into Cory Booker the man, the mayor and the motivator. He is an example of good, a force for change and a model of participation.

As I left the Dorothy Dixon Darte Center, I thought to myself, every America city has at least one and perhaps several Cory Bookers. If we want a better future for our country, we need to find Mayor Booker’s male and female counterparts and partner them with the Virginia Jones of our world. That’s what America at its very best is, and that’s what the face of America is on its best day.

The Annual Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities is a first class community event. Mayor Cory Booker and his message of hope, inspiration and service lived up to that tradition. It honored the legacy of Judge Max Rosenn who believed that elected officials must maintain a high standard of responsibility and service to the citizns they represent.

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Catonsville Redux: One Day in October

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

Fellowship is heaven, and lack of fellowship is hell; fellowship is life, and lack of fellowship is death; and the deeds that ye do upon the earth, it is for fellowship’s sake ye do them. William Morris

Context

The Catonsville campus of the Community College of Baltimore is an impressive place. The buildings and grounds are immaculately kept. The hallways and classrooms are filled with students of all ages who want to improve their status in life.

Dr. Rick Ostopowicz is a thoughtful man. People respect him. He is acaring, competent, creative teacher. That being said, he is no pushover in the classroom. He has high expectations for his students, and virtually all of his students respond accordingly.

Many years ago, Rick and I had one of those teaching moments that, in my opinion, was necessary, but not necessarily pleasant for the student. It could have gone either way. Fortunately, Rick had then, as he does now, a desire to learn and grow. Consequently, the outcome was positive, productive, and professionally rewarding.

Fast forward 20 years. Rick is a devoted husband, a loving father, a successful new media manager, and an Adjunct Professor at Community College of Baltimore County. Every semester he invites me to give a guest lecture in one of his courses. It’s something I look forward to with great anticipation.

One Day in October 1960

On this night, I screened a documentary Kitch and I produced almost a decade ago. It focused on one day of the 1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy. It was designed to preserve the record of that day in October when Senator John F. Kennedy campaigned in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We used the day as the canvas for a painting about the man, the moment, and the magic of that time in our history.

The documentary is not a political polemic or an advertisement for a particular political party. On the contrary, it is about how the candidate made millions of young people look at themselves, their potential, and their responsibilities in a new way. One Day in October 1960 is a story about a campaign visit, but it is also a story about courage, conviction, and hope. It is an attempt to help the viewer better understand Kennedy’s message that each of us, in our own way, can make a difference and public service is a noble profession.

To accomplish this, we take the viewer beyond the geographic confines of the Pennsylvania towns Senator Kennedy visited in 1960. We give them a glimpse of election evening, the inauguration, and how those events played in the hearts and minds of people who were there.

We take them into the White House during the CBS News production with Jacqueline Kennedy. We introduce them to the Civil Rights Movement and we take them to the famous speech President Kennedy made to Peace Corps volunteers. That enabled us to include Thomas Scanlon’s “Waiting for the Snow” story.

As historian Dr. Michael MacDowell, President of Misericordia University, said toward the end of the film, Kennedy’s message has relevance today.

I felt that way more than half a century ago, and I hoped the students in Dr. O’s class would feel that way after they watched the documentary. I wasn’t disappointed.

Feedback

During the Q&A after the film, students asked thoughtful questions, and they offered insights that I was delighted to hear. They liked the message. They related to the call to public service. They wanted to know more about the process of documentary filmmaking. One student asked about scheduling interviews. How do you find and select the people? Another student questioned the placement of a famous picture of Dr. Martin Luther King.

After the Q&A period, I showed the class a six minute trailer for our latest documentary, Walking Into the Light at Gettysburg. It was well received.

Before the class ended, everyone participated in a one minute drill. It’s a device I used in every one of my classes to determine what, if anything, students learned in the class. The drill is very simple in design. Every student must stand and express in a minute or less what was learned during the class.

A student named Tricia and another student named Sara enthusiastically talked about how the film and the class discussion opened their eyes to the possibility that they could make a difference in the lives of the people they met. During the class, Tricia’s body language spoke to her total involvement in the class. Whenever I needed reinforcement, I made eye contact with Tricia.

A very tall young man named Joseph stood and proudly proclaimed that he was resolved to make a difference in his life by finishing his education. Joseph is the student who took the discussion of the film to a higher level with his questions about content and production values. He is a personable young man with a winning smile.

A soft spoken and youthful looking student named Matthew stood and told the class about his successful battle with cancer, and how the values in the film reinforced his determination to move forward with his life.

An adult student named Alex talked about the energy and inspiration he got from the people he saw in the film. Alex recently had successful knee surgery. He will have surgery for spinal stenosis in December, which he postponed so that he could finish the current semester in good standing.

The heartfelt comments of Matthew and Alex created one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced in a classroom.

All of the other students spoke. Unfortunately, I was so involved in the class and what was happening that I did not take notes.

At one point, I was unsuccessful in an attempt to point out the power of body language and the need for an open, receptive mind in learning situations.

I remember the student who wants to become a musician, and the young woman of faith who shared a biblical interpretation of her experience.

I was honored to be in the presence of a retired Army photographer who offered positive comments about his experience while he watched the film, and another student who is a career learner that had vivid memories of the 1960 presidential campaign.

One of the last people to speak was a student named Rachel. She greeted me at the door with a picture she took the last time I was at the college. It was a great gift because it made me feel welcome. She addressed the ways she was inspired by the film and the class discussion. She told me privately she has every intention of finishing her education either in Maryland or New York.

Richard Morris is right, “Fellowship is heaven.” It is central to community, and that’s what learning is all about. It is as much about cultivating a spirit of fellowship as it is mastering material for a test. It is all about the genuine exchange of ideas. It is about open minds and open hearts. The classroom is a place where students can stretch their imagination and shrink their egos. It’s a place where a young teacher and an old teacher can come together to offer students two different styles and one unified purpose.

In the end, America at its best is America learning, growing and thinking with discipline, empathy and understanding. Americans learn when teachers have the opportunity to be themselves, give of themselves, and share what they know in a community of learners. Content, knowledge, and the ability to transmit information are all important. There is however, another ingredient that is essential. It was best described by Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieliwocki. Teachers must have infectious enthusiasm for students.

I would add that it helps when students have infectious enthusiasm for learning.

That’s the atmosphere Dr. O and his students created when they gave an old teacher a new classroom for one night in October 2012.

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Lost and Found in Maryland

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

"It is not until we are lost that we begin to understand ourselves" Henry David Thoreau

Lost

I was on my way to Catonsville, Maryland, by way of the Baltimore Pike in Gettysburg. It was a beautiful fall afternoon, and I was alone with my thoughts and at peace with myself.

Following the directions I was given by two people who had driven this road many times, my goal was to successfully reach the red, white and blue road sign I-695 West. At that point I had specific instructions on how to reach my destination.

Unfortunately, I could not find the sign for the bypass around Baltimore, and I ended up in the parking lot of Koons Ford on Security Avenue in Baltimore.

I parked my Toyota Prius where it would not be too conspicuous, and I made my way to the showroom. As I approached the front door, I took a deep breath, and I said to myself, “I hope this is a pleasant experience.”

To my surprise and great delight it was one of the best experiences on a day that fit the description, “Practically perfect in every way.”

Found

Shortly after I entered, a gentleman in a suit and tie asked if he could help me.

I told him I was hopelessly lost.

He replied, “Aren’t we all?”

I explained my situation, and out of nowhere a woman with a welcoming smile appeared.

“I think I can help you. Where do you want to go?”

I gave her the information and she disappeared behind a computer to search for directions.

While I was waiting, a young man walked into the reception area. He introduced himself, and we engaged in a conversation that included the who, what, when, where and why of my trip. When I told him I lived in Pennsylvania, a broad smile filled his face.

That’s where I’m from. Then the improbable happened. The town of his birth and the university he attended are less than an hour away from my home.

The woman at the computer lifted her head, and exclaimed, “I found it. I’ll print out the directions.”

The young man showed me how I could use the road in the dealership to get to a traffic light that would guarantee my safety when crossing Security Boulevard.

In that place at that time, I felt a sense of community that is hard to describe. We were strangers. There was no commercial advantage in what they were doing, nor was there any likelihood that we would ever see one another again. Nevertheless, they did everything they could to help me.

The kindness of Alona Holland and Matt Stoudt spoke to the goodness of their hearts. It spoke to a kind of service that expects nothing in return.

When I asked them if I could take a picture of them, they did not hesitate to say yes. We exchanged contact information so I could send them a copy of the picture.

Recently, I was asked a simple question: “What is this face of America you are looking for?”

My answer brought a look of disbelief from the person who asked the question.

It’s not a picture of any one person. It’s a mosaic of many people who reflect the spirit of our country at its best. It’s many things, but belonging, kindness and service are always at the top of the list that distinguishes America and Americans. It’s making people feel comfortable. It’s affirming their work, encouraging them, helping them succeed, embracing their differences and expressing gratitude for their contributions and sacrifices. It’s about providing opportunities and reconciling differences peacefully.

To paraphrase something I heard Medal of Honor recipient Barney Barnum say earlier in the day, The face of America on its best day is an “us” face not a “me” face. It’s a giving face not a taking face. It’s a kind face not a cruel face.

That’s exactly what I saw at Koons Ford in the classroom of Business Development Officer Alona Holland and Sales Consultant Matt Stoudt. They are the face of America on its best day, and I was so fortunate to be lost and found in their presence.

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Heroes without Headlines, Gettysburg, 2012

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2012
Mussari-Loftus Associates
All Rights Reserved
The Face of America Project
faceofamericawps.com

"Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure" Abraham Lincoln

Flag of Honor

The headline in the Gettysburg Times read, “Flies with honor.”

The accompanying picture recorded the moment, shortly before noon, when Barney Barnum and Brian Thacker raised the light blue flag with the impressive emblem under the Stars and Stripes in Lincoln Square on October 17, 2012.

For the people who came to witness this event, it was a very significant moment.

Barnum and Thacker are Medal of Honor recipients. The flag is the simple, but elegant, Medal of Honor flag.

The occasion was a celebration. The Medal of Honor Convention will be held in Gettysburg next September, the place where 63 Medals of Honor were earned in the battle that changed the course of the Civil War.

The flag will fly high above Lincoln Square for one year as a symbol of courage, honor, hope, respect and service.

The flag raising was the highlight of an inspiring ceremony that helped people better understand the Medal of Honor, the veterans who earned it and everything it symbolizes.

For me, it was the beginning of a day, I will never forget.

Serendipity

I did not know about the event when I arrived in Gettysburg on Tuesday, October 16.  My mind was focused on the seven meetings, I had arranged to finalize plans for the premiere of our documentary, Walking Into the Light at Gettysburg.  I was on my way to a meeting at the Convention and Visitors Bureau when I literally bumped it to a very pleasant man on Steinwehr Ave.

I was lost. When I asked him for directions to Middle Street, he took the time to respond in detail. Before we knew it, we were engaged in a wonderful conversation about his work as a photographer and my mission to get the word out about our project.

Del Hilbert is a welcoming person, a kind person, a thoughtful person and a person of faith. He invited me to visit his studio. I accepted, and he put a coin in the parking meter.  That unexpected act of kindness established the foundation and tone of our emerging friendship. We talked about our interests and one of our mutual friends, Frank Orlando, aka General Robert E. Lee. Del gave me one of the pictures he took of Frank, and he invited me to join him on Wednesday morning at the circle by the David Wills House, the home where President Lincoln was a guest during his visit to Gettysburg in November 1863.

A Unique Face of America Moment

Wednesday, October 17, was a magnificent autumn day. When I arrived at the circle, I did not know what to expect.

A crowd was building. The mood was festive, but reserved.  People were talking in hushed tones.  Wherever one looked something was happening.

Two bright yellow school vans transporting 14 members of the Gettysburg High School Band were being parked adjacent to the Gettysburg Hotel.

Junior ROTC students,Emma Bahm, Gabrielle Minor, John Tully and Aaron Scruggs were taking their places under the watchful eye of Thomas A Bores, SFC, U.S. Army retired. 

An Honor Guard was forming, Gettysburg’s Mayor, William Troxell, was greeting people with a smile and a firm handshake.

A pleasant young woman named Ashley greeted everyone with her radiant smile as she distributed folders containing information about the event and the Medal of Honor Society.

An incredibly talented senior executive from the Webster Group, AJ Bowanas, helped people make connections. Kristen Holland, Project Manager for the Congressional Medal of Honor Convention in Gettysburg, attended to last minute details with great dignity.

Carl Whitehall, Media Relations Manager, for the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, greeted old friends like Frank and Bonnie Orlando and Pastor Steve Herr.

Then it happened, two men appeared to my left. They were quietly and politely shaking hands with people as they made their way toward the platform where the program would take place. I watched them with great interest. It was the first time I had ever seen a Medal of Honor recipient. In fact, it was the first time I had seen a person wearing a Medal of Honor.

Suddenly I was face to face with Brian Thacker. He was dressed in a blue sport coat and grey dress pants. He was not as tall as I had imagined he would be. Without the medal he was wearing, one could easily misidentify him as a business executive.  He was more reserved than I expected, and he was more generous with his time than I expected.

On March 31, 1971, he earned the Medal of Honor because he was a leader who displayed no thought for himself as he worked courageously and effectively in the face of unimaginable danger to guarantee the safety of others. He was the person who survived eight days in the jungle of Vietnam without food or water. He was the junior officer who years later told a reporter, “I was afraid. Yet fear is a wonderful motivator. It sharpens your brain and then your only objective is to survive.”

When my moment came, all I could do was look him in the eye and say these words, “Thank you for your service to America.”

His response was polite and grateful.

A few minutes later, I found myself in a similar situation with Barney Barnum. He is smaller than I thought he would be. In my mind, he is a giant for what he did and the way he did it.

Barnum is a man with a perpetual smile on his face. Without the gold medal with the blue ribbon hanging from his neck, you would think he is everyone’s favorite grandfather. When you are in his presence the feeling of awe is palpable, but his smile puts you at ease. 

His moment came on December 18, 1965. Like all Medal of Honor recipients in the face of danger, he acted with complete disregard for his own safety. He took the initiative. He gave encouragement. He assumed a leadership position. What he did is best described in his citation:

“His sound and swift decisions and his obvious calm served to stabilize the badly decimated units and his gallant example as he stood exposed repeatedly to point out targets served as an inspiration to all. Provided with two armed helicopters, he moved fearlessly through enemy fire to control the air attack against the firmly entrenched enemy while skillfully directing one platoon in a successful counterattack in the key enemy positions. Having thus cleared a small area, he requested and directed the landing of two transport helicopters for the evacuation of the dead and wounded. He then assisted in the mopping up and final seizure of the battalion’s objective.”

When I met Barney Barnum, I offered my expression of gratitude. He responded with a smile, a warm handshake and the words, “Thank you so much.”

After that moment, time passed quickly.

Dressed in their Army of the Potomac uniforms and directed by David Conklin, the high school musicians played popular selections from the Civil War.

Robert J. Monahan, Jr., President and CEO of the Congressional Medal of Honor Convention in Gettysburg, began the program with a well-crafted welcome.

The Gettysburg Area High School Army JROTC Cadets recited the Pledge of Allegiance with conviction and passion.

Pastor Steve Herr delivered his invocation with feeling and grace. The concluding three sentences of his prayer touched the hearts of everyone in the crowd:

“Finally, Lord we also pray for peace among all peoples. For peace in our hearts and minds, among our citizens, and among nations. We pray that you would inspire us with the courage to devote our lives to serving our fellow citizens and caring for your people.”

Without warning, the most instructive moment of the ceremony happened. Mayor Troxell came to the podium to offer remarks. For some reason, the microphone moved and he could not be heard.

Without hesitation, Barney Barnum stealthfully made his way to the mike stand. He dislodged the mike from its holder, and he stood next to the mayor holding the microphone in just the right place so that everyone in the audience could hear what he was saying.

That act, that moment, that rescue spoke volumes about Barnum, his values and his medal. Just as he had done in a much more dangerous circumstance in Vietnam all those years ago, his instinctive sense of service to others took over.  He forgot about his role as a distinguished guest. He dismissed his personal comfort. He rushed in to help the mayor and everyone else.

In that moment, with that act, he exemplified why he is the personification of America at its best. His action sent a powerful message to everyone assembled in Lincoln Square. Service to others, kindness to others, helping others and caring about the success of others is central to America at its best.

Shortly before I left Lincoln Square, I noticed a TV cameraman setting up a shot for an interview with Barney Barnum. When I reached the location, I took a picture of the man who saved the moment for the mayor. Then I positioned myself in a place where we could make eye contact. The words I spoke to this unassuming hero came straight from my heart, “You are an American treasure.”

He blushed. Then he smiled with an expression of gratitude unlike anything I have ever experienced, and one which I will never forget.

That’s what heroes without headlines do. They make indelible impressions on our heart, and they make us want to reach up for our higher angels.

There are 81 living Medal of Honor recipients. Would that every American would have the opportunity to meet at least one of them and experience, in real time, the goodness, kindness, courage, patriotism and service that makes each of them a model to be imitated, respected and honored.

In my opinion, what makes them so special is not power, wealth, status or notoriety.  On the contrary, they are special because they are just like us. They are human, they have fears, they wonder about their future, they love their children and yearn for their safety, happiness and success. They bear the aches and pains of life, yet they never complain. Their actions are motivated by service not selfishness, grace not greed, humility not pride.

The two men I met in Gettysburg see themselves as a soldier and a marine who did nothing more than serve their country.

The Medal of Honor does not signify perfection. In my mind, it is a statement about excellence. The 3,458 men and one woman who have earned it acted in the best interest of their neighbors, their friends and their country. They thought about others before themselves. In so doing, they established a model of behavior that encourages the weak to be strong, the timid to be courageous, and the powerful to be generous. Their behavior on the battlefield and in the public square gives truth to the words of Abraham Lincoln, “We must rise with the occasion…Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

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