This is the first blog post of the New Year and, as I am sure many posts around the internet are doing, I will be reflecting on the previous year.

Yes, the year 2020 was for the most part a disaster. However, I do not wish to focus on the negative but would prefer to bring to light something that should be acknowledged – the service of our students in the National Guard who were called to action during Minnesota’s trying times.

The month of May last year was truly horrible, and it brought the state and country to its knees. Reactions brought about destruction. Then the governor called up the National Guard. Many of St. Thomas’s students were called and some had to leave school to fulfill military obligations. These students were called to help the state and its citizens. They were called to give aid to a situation which needed it. They answered the call, they served, and they did so with the quiet dignity indicative of their commitment to helping their community, the state, and the country.

Covid-19 hit Minnesota. Numbers climbed and help was needed. Again, the National Guard was called upon to provide assistance. Student at St. Thomas, again, answered their obligation, and were required to halt their studies in order to do so. They were placed in an unfamiliar situation to assist medical workers in trying to combat the pandemic. These St. Thomas students contributed to making sure the state can meet the challenge presented by the virus.

I am thankful to these students. I am thankful that they chose to serve and, when called to action, they did so in a way which makes us proud – proud that they are Minnesota National Guardsmen, and proud that they are Tommies. Our Tommies. Thank you.