Volume XX, Number 47 (Issue 999) November 21, 2022
Making a Difference Award for November
Following October’s Making a Difference Award, Bob Dunkin, a former client, long-time Musings reader, and even longer-time friend wrote to share a story about something that recently took place involving the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas.
As Bob tells it, at that institution’s April board meeting, the board voted to establish five scholarships specifically meant for high school-age boys from Ukraine who have suffered the loss of a family member in that country’s war with Russia. To ensure their plan was achieved, the board together with other supporters of the Academy raised the required funds to pay the tuition for those students. As a result, there are five young men attending that school today. Without sharing any details, Bob says their personal stories will break your heart.
For those unfamiliar with the Marine Military Academy and its mission, it is not a military boot camp. It is a college preparatory boarding school for young men in the seventh to twelfth grades. As its name suggests, it follows Marine Corp principles to teach leadership and build character. As such it helps its students learn to focus their energies to accomplish great things. The students are not enrolled to address disciplinary problems. Rather, they attend the Academy to learn self-discipline and academic skills that prepare them for college as well as a productive adulthood.
Cadets are assigned to a company overseen by a retired Chief Master Sergeant and their spouse. Together, they help the new students transition from being at home to an environment that is miles away – possibly on the other side of the world. The CMSs and their family live on the bottom floor of the barracks with the cadets above. Because the students are from all over the world, the Ukrainian students quickly blended into the program. If all goes well, when these young men graduate from the Academy, they will be equipped to attend any college or university in the world.
Funds permitting, the board of the Marine Military Academy would like to expand this program. For those interested in learning more about the Academy and its programs, you can check it out at www.mma-tx.org.
In closing, let me say that in this special season of the year, it is altogether appropriate for us to give thanks for the many blessings we have received as well as honor those who are able to share their blessings with those in need.
Soli Deo Gloria
“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:9b-12
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210)260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Web site: www.jkeithhughey.com
Transforming Potential into Unmatched Performance
Copyright 2022 by J. Keith Hughey. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for reproduction and redistribution of this essay as provided under the copyright laws of the United States of America. The entire early library of Monday Morning Musings issues may be found at www.jkeithhughey.com. Your comments are welcome and encouraged.