Cadets Write Letters to the Editor

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Every year LTC Bill Hitchcock encourages his students to submit Letters to the Editor of local newspapers to comment on newsworthy issues. During the 2008-2009 school year, thirteen students in LTC Hitchcock's U.S. Government, Political Science and International Relations classes were successful in getting published. As a matter of fact, four of these students, Haden Yonce, Cody Watson, Ben Wood and Justin Moore, were selected "Correspondent of the Day" in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Another student, Ron Berscak, had two of his submissions published. Perhaps a key to this success is the required reading from current periodicals and newspapers and the historical perspective provided by LTC Hitchcock. The project also would not have been possible without the personal involvement and generous cooperation of Mrs. Lynn Armstrong, FUMA Librarian. She opened the library to the students and provided them with the editorial assistance, individual encouragement, and her personal time necessary in completing the work. On numerous occasions Mrs. Armstrong was engaged in telephone conversations with the Times-Dispatch. She participated in this operation from beginning to end and her enthusiasm for what the students were doing was contagious. Letter to the Editor Writers (Richmond Times-Dispatch): Haden Yonce wrote a "Correspondent of the Day" letter entitled "Dems Weren't in Charge And Aren't To Blame"; and a second letter entitled"Why Tax Failing Industry". T. Cody Watson wrote a "Correspondent of the Day" letter entitled "What's So Great About Socialism". Ben Wood wrote a "Correspondent of the Day" letter entitled "Similarities To Book Can't Be Shrugged Off", (Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged). Justin Moore wrote a "Correspondent of the Day" letter entitled "Leaving Iraq Early Seems Gravely Misguided". Ronald Virgilius Berscak wrote two letters,"GOP Bears Blame For Financial Mess", and "Time To Leave Iraq, Other Crises Await". Kyrylo Kovalenko wrote "Obama is One Pragmatic President". Bennett Wales wrote "We've Come Far In Four Decades". (Obama's presidential victory) Jake Hargrove wrote "Daschle's Woes Spotlight Reality Of Insider Politics". Timothy Liu wrote "Blame Failed State For Somali Pirates". Eric Maranga wrote "No Peace In The Mideast Until Hamas Is Removed". Albert Yeh wrote "Government Policies Lead To Socialism". Carsten Christensen wrote "Wren Column Is For The Birds" (renaming William & Mary's mascot) Matthew Daugherty wrote "Be Aware of Current Events Outside County" in The Recorder (Highland County newspaper)