From The Scarlet Knight

The Scarlet Knight Alongside Brother Knight John at Hawk’s Lair

The Skirmish, an unplanned yet strategic fighting between Knight and Unfriendly occurs within The Land and environs throughout All Seasons and is a daring adventure for The Quest of each Knight. These skirmishes are acknowledged by Challenge to one Another whether as individuals or small contingents meeting together by chance while on patrol or in transit for their respective realms. Knight and Unfriendly choose their Stand, accept the rules outlined for engagement, and Challenge the Other in skirmish in order to discover weakness and strength, courage or doubt, engagement or disregard for the Other. Under these conditions, engagement can lead to injury but is rarely fatal while disregard allows a more lucid approach for the immediate future and beyond. Many Times I have willingly participated in these engagements as a Knight of Campion aligned with my Brother Knights and have survived The Day without injury. Many Times these engagements would give rise to Mutual Respect and Trust such that Unfriendlys would be no more. The Borders and Forests of The Land routinely presented themselves to all Suitors for oversight of these Skirmishes.

Skirmishes are also readily supported during times of upheaval between realms and each Body Politic. These interactions are not honorable in nature but rather designed to foment more upheaval and discord causing pain and suffering to the perceived adversary in order to render capitulation of some value to the Antagonist. The Land, Guardians and Knights do not abide by this strategy between realms when Diplomacy and Mutual Benefit should Stay the Sword. Unfortunately, these dishonorable skirmishes are used both by highwaymen in search of plunder and rogue sects of established sovereign states and clans in search of some Repute deficient in All Honor and ceding All Respect.

The Day was in the Month of “Never Remember, Never Forget”. It must of have been a cold month since it was a very cold day. My Brother Knight John and I held security patrol over a stretch of the Southeastern Forest of The Land known as Hawk’s Lair. It is a dense and secluded area of forest with Towering Trees overlooking the surrounding landscape for miles. While Knights on security would use the lower branches to erect tree stands for surveillance of the forest and beyond, a Community of Hawks top off the high branches of These Towers to provide both safety for their young and excellent odds for a favorable hunt. Together, Knights and Hawks Are One in Vigilance for this sector.

In the early afternoon of that Day, John and I were preparing to ride to join other Knights near the Town of Ashford in order to evaluate and strengthen their defensive measures against unpleasantries. It was a four mile ride from Hawk’s Lair to Ashford. An easy ride for Knight and Steed.

We had just gathered ourselves and were upon Steed when from the edge of the forest seven men on horse approached us under a hue of arrogance and disrespect. While we were readily identifiable as Knights of The Land, The Arrogant Seven displayed no colors, insignia or Claim of Honors. John was having none of their hubris and disrespect and so expressed Himself in several razor-sharp exchanges. I remember their mothers and sisters along with male donkeys being discussed at some length by John. As the horses of The Seven became more agitated and uncontrollable in our presence, Our Steeds were of calm and focused demeanor, obedient to our slightest commands.

It was then that the perceived leader of The Seven began to rear his horse behind his comrades, almost hiding behind them and lost amongst the foliage. John and I glanced at one another and then stared intently at the Seven before us. Our Steeds had already come together as One with Hooves smoothing the ground beneath Them for traction, and Nostrils flaring to capture the surrounding air so as to stoke the fire within needed for the inevitable assault. John and I again glanced at one another but this later time with sword in hand and contempt and anger in our eyes.

John approached Three of the Seven on our far left while I closely followed John’s right flank protecting his sword arm and studying the encircling move of the other Four. The perceived leader was still hidden at the rear of the Four. John challenged the two closest to me, one with sword and the other with body slams by His Steed. The horseman nearest to me soon faltered when his horse reared up from a body slam and I was able to administer a fatal sword strike to his neck as he was falling to the ground. It was then that I realized my best chance for safeguarding John would be by attacking the Four. So while John continued with the remaining Two on the left, I planned my attack on the Four to our right.

After my first Kill, I steadied myself and Steed and slowly placed ourselves between John and the Four before me. They had just witnessed my dispatching of one of Their Own. I now hold the advantage as the first to shed blood. John will hold his own but I need to attack now while my sword arm and Steed are raging for engagement. My attack on the Four begins now.

The Four had formed into a wide half circle with only the outside two approaching me while the other two remained in place. I immediately attacked the outside Unfriendly nearest to John and I. I attacked on his left flank forcing him backwards and away from his comrades. I did not want him to leave his mount. I could see that he was a poor horseman and would be useless to his comrades while still in stirrups. My Steed and I moved the both of them off the field into the forest with ease. I then moved onto the second outside Unfriendly, engaging his left flank and soon separating him from his shield with an upward sword strike. I targeted his sword arm with a strike to his right shoulder. There was little blood that accompanied the sound of a branch breaking – his collarbone was now broken and his sword arm rendered useless.

Looking to my left, John had dispatched the second of his Three. He and Steed still look strong as he engaged the last of his immediate threat. They were getting closer.

I scanned the area for the perceived leader of the Seven. My eyes found Him still in the rear of the action as he appeared frozen in place. I decided that it was time to introduce Him to a Campion Knight of The Land up close and personal. As I was into my charge, I was intercepted by the last of his comrades yet to engage. He was a good horseman with a good horse under him. His sword arm was strong and his sword strikes rang true. My Steed repeatedly slammed his mount getting us nearer to him for a damaging sword strike. Regrettably, he always maneuvered out of danger while keeping his mount safe from attack. I thought him a gallant adversary.

After some time, I needed to end the current engagement – I’ve lost sight of John. With a well placed body slam to his mount, I was able to sever the reins controlling their offensive. Upon this outcome, my adversary displayed a glaring scowl of disbelief followed by a wry smile and finally a gracious sword salute. He then left the field and entered the forest.

The first of the Four that I forced into the forest returned onto the field to attend to his comrade suffering from the broken collarbone. They both departed the area using a well traveled deer path through the forest. They appeared done for the day.

I found John. He had gone off Steed to deal with his final threat. His last adversary was on one knee in contrition with his sword in John’s hand. John was speaking to him none of which I could hear. John handed back his sword and the adversary mounted easily but noticeably weakened and left the field showing a strong salute to John. It was then I realized that the perceived leader of The Seven had quietly abandoned his comrades sometime during the skirmish – he was not within sight. The Seven thus relinquished any claim to Hawk’s Lair.

John and I met off Steed and embraced, our Steeds standing alongside us. All was safe and well. Suddenly there was a distant sound of rustling leaves followed by the sound of rushing air between us standing in the field. John had been taken to his knees by an arrow to the chest. Our Steeds immediately stood on Alert around us while I tended to John. When I looked into the forest I saw the perceived leader, the only One of The Seven who did not engage, coming out of the forest on horse while holding his bow at eye level. He smiled and waved as he rode back into the forest. For All Time, I would never speak of the Hatred that I felt at that moment knowing that it would then be a cancer growing inside of Me until My Life needed to End.

We were now in danger. The others would certainly return to retrieve their dead. I helped John onto my Steed supporting his torso with six inches of arrow point and shaft remaining in his chest. I mounted behind him off saddle and we began our Ride together. John’s Steed would protect our flank as we set out for Ashford.

John was coherent, but would not stop talking. He critiqued the day for me, the lousy breakfast that I cooked for us, my faults in engagement with The Seven, the hard ride that now lay before us all the while cursing the arrow resting inside his chest. Good, keep talking. His lungs appeared clear and his breathing not labored. His voice was strong. But there was loss of blood – not much I thought thankfully since I had dressed his wound to my satisfaction.

Our ride to Ashford was uneventful. We reined up twice in order to clean and add a fresh dressing to John’s wound. John appeared to be doing well and still in good humor but the Ride was hard on Him. We needed to quickly get to Ashford. There was a Healer in Ashford. She would save the Day.

We arrived at Ashford with the townsfolk and Several Knights hailing our arrival. All saw the injured John. The waiting Knights rushed to his side and supported his descent from my Steed. He was immediately escorted to the Healer at the edge of town. We all kept vigil nearby as I recounted our engagement with The Arrogant Seven.

After three days at Ashford John was doing better – he was gaining strength and his wound remained clean and uninfected. But the arrowhead still remained in his chest and his right arm had lost noticeable dexterity and skill. We soon returned to our Homeland for John to receive further attention and much needed healing.

After several months, John was alive. The arrowhead had been excised and his surface wound had healed. By that time, however, John had lost much of his remarkable skills and strength dominant in his sword arm. In fact, John had lost much of the skills needed by a Campion Knight of The Land so much so that John’s Quest, and The Promise Made to John, would be terminated by The Land. John would finally leave The Land to little fanfare and celebration.

I grieved for so long and have always felt the Hurt of that Day.

Some years after achieving my Quest I was told about a Knight of Old, injured in combat protecting His Land, who was teaching the Jesuit Way. He was teaching boys and young men the Meaning of Someone Else. A Knight who with just His Words and Beliefs was saving The World. Nay, A Leader Of Men Saving All The World.

He is known as John.

Requiem For A Knight – The Birth Of A Legend

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From Steve Schneider '68

CAMPION CAMPUS

Prairie du Chien, Wis.
September 2, 1995

Kathy, the kids, and I thought we would spend Labor Day Weekend in the SW part of Wisconsin. We spent the evening of the 2nd in Prairie and I took the opportunity to jog through the campus "memory hunting," as I haven't been back there in decades. It was late in the day and vacant.

The memories are still there everywhere. The place hasn't (will never) change.

I jogged past Campion Hall where my father had dropped me off the first day. I don't know why I had immediately said "yes" when my parents had asked me if I wanted to go there. I was in 8th grade and had never heard of it before. I think I wanted an escape from my three sisters. Campion Hall is being torn down.

I jogged the perimeter of the campus along the cross-country (the stealth sport) course we ran during football halftimes. The track field was foot-long grass.

Behind Lucy Hall is the stairwell where someone (we suspected Mike Scott) slammed the upstairs door while Frenchy and I were popping corn in the middle of the night. When we ran back to our room, white-hot popper in hand, we found our door locked. Triple Jug.

I ran past the dining hall door where fine collections of "greenie hocks" had always laid. Bojo and Fahler's were always the most colorful.

Past the Campion Hall annex where Jim Valerie taught me to play the drums.

Past the Chapel behind which we would talk during silent retreats about Fr. Rohr's latest retreat sermon . . . you know the subject.

I peered into Campion Hall where the lower floor lockers used to be and where I had seen several guys lift Van Landingham into the dumpster. I forgot who all did this but I guess we all did. He freaked out not long after that. I wonder what he's doing now.

Past Lawler Hall where I served Mass for shaky elderly priests who were never otherwise seen.

Through the quadrangle where we had endless pep rallies with LGF and others holding torches on the platform.

I ran passed what used to be the Pantry. There's an autographed picture of George Wendt on the wall. He wrote that he learned some of his first jokes there.

We drove up to Wyalusing State Park. I looked down onto the railroad tracks where I, French and Hinds left a Campion picnic, hiked the tracks to the Town of Wyalusing, bought a case of beer with our fake ID's made from college catalogs, got tree-hugging drunk, somehow got back to the park while dodging trains, and made the bus back to campus. I can't believe we pulled this spur- of-the-moment-idea off, but it never occurred to us that we would get caught. We didn't.

I visited the island where the 100 year flood of 1965 had devastated all the homes, never since rebuilt. I ran into Ed Wachuta who is Gerry's youngest brother. He said that he was just about to follow his older brothers to Campion when it closed.

30 minutes is my daily jog, but a full hour had passed while on campus without effort. I didn't want to leave. Time stops. Where have the years gone? If you get the opportunity, go there and jog around.

Do it soon. I was stopped while jogging on campus and informed that it is now state property and being converted to a state correctional facility. This will change things especially with Campion Hall gone and tight security (well maybe not the security). This Fall may be the last chance to jog the campus in solitude.

Best,
Steve Schneider

[EDITOR:] Now almost 30 years later there is no way to be on the campus and Campion Hall is gone.

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From Pat Mower '64

Class of 1964 Reunion - Milwaukee

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From the desk of John Duskey '63

Regrets

I found an article some time ago about the major regrets people have about their lives, as they approach their eighties and beyond. It led me to thinking about the feeling of regrets stated in the article, and, while I am not quoting exactly from the article, it has awakened my thinking. Here are some points I would put on my list, although not all of them pertain to my experience, and certainly not to the experience of many Campion alumni. For most of us, these regrets are already part of a personal history, with little opportunity for change.

(1) “I wish I had taken better care of my health.” This would certainly exist in the case of someone who had smoked cigarettes for most of his life and then began to suffer the consequences. But it is not just smoking. Exposure to pesticides can be equally dangerous to a person’s health. Bad eating habits, like too much sugar, can lead to health problems. We all seemed to get enough exercise when we were at Campion. The Jesuits made sure we participated in intramural league games and other sports activities in those days. However, we did not have a Physical Education class to offer the guidance that some of us may have needed. But did we keep up a regular schedule of exercise after graduating from high school? This can seem unimportant until the time when you are confronted by a major health problem. Even those who have no other regrets may have some related to health.

(2) “I could have done better in making a career choice.” Late teens and early twenties are a key time in life. It is the time when most of us choose a career. Sometimes parental pressure has too much of an influence on a person’s decision. It’s difficult to say “no” to your father, especially when he’s paying the bills. But sometimes it’s better to say no, and sometimes it is really necessary. There may be other external pressures on a high school graduate—like where to go to college and what subject to major in as an undergraduate. Sometimes we make decisions that are “ok for right now” but which, ultimately lead to a lack of job interest. For some people, going to work becomes an experience that is not fulfilling, especially after several years go by.

To be sure, a vocational choice should depend on interest, knowledge, and ability. One could be interested in Chemistry or Physics, and do well in the high school level course. But if there is no curiosity about the subject, that is, if there’s no interest in further research to find out more about the subject, then it might not be the right choice. Likewise, if the student dreads the Lab sessions and does not do well in that part of the course, then he might not have the ability to sustain a career. In such cases as these, a science based course of study, might not be a good choice—even if the student does well in a high school level course.. The student has to ask “Would I like to do something like this for the next 20, 30, or 40 years?” Teachers and guidance counselors can be helpful, however they tend to encourage the student. But would the motivation continue throughout a career?

A few years ago, I read of a survey of Engineering College graduates that indicated a large percentage of those graduates had gone on to success in other fields. This was explained by noting that, above all, engineers are problem solvers. They get confronted by a problem and have to figure out how to examine all the possible ways to arrive at a solution. In some cases, a career change can be very rewarding.

(3) “I spent too much time doing what other people wanted me to do that I ended up not having time to do the things that I wanted to do.” My father loved to play golf; he could hardly wait to retire so that he could play golf whenever he wanted to. He could hardly wait to move to Arizona, so that he could play golf all year round.

But it isn’t just golf. The years of retirement could be the right time to give priority to some other interests, like a community service project, or to spend some time as an artist or as a musician. All of this depends on the assumption that one has enough ability and knowledge and experience to know where and how to begin. That’s another reason to get involved in some other projects besides work, during the years before retirement. It is also a good reason to broaden one’s education during high school and college years.

(4) “I wish I had spent more time with my wife and family.” Some companies make excessive demands on the time of their employees. Each employee should be able to take time to spend with family and on recreational activities. If that time just doesn’t exist (for example, due to excessive overtime demands) it may be time to make a change. On the other hand, a job change that involves moving to another city might seem to put family life into a lower priority; it can be especially difficult if one has school-age children. Often there are no simple answers.

(5) “I wish I had kept in touch with the friends I had earlier in my life, especially during my school years.” Too often we don’t do a very good job on this. Sometimes, time runs out on us. One of my classmates from fifth grade was Peter Cline (CHS’64). I had a few phone conversations with Peter; I wish I had gone to see him in person, but he had moved away and I was unable to travel. And now that I can travel, Peter is gone.

As we advance in years, more of us will depart this world. Travel can be difficult, but still it is good to attend reunions and small group get-togethers when the opportunity presents itself.

There are a number of reasons why someone might decide not to go to a reunion. Some have not had much success in their professional lives and feel that they would be ‘out of their element’ to be among such a successful group as Campion alumni. But this shouldn’t be a problem for those who attend a Campion reunion.

One reason is “so many of my friends are dead and the ones that are still alive won’t be there.” However, you shouldn’t minimize that number of friends. Go to the reunion and you’ll find many of your classmates regard you as a friend and are happy to see you. At a reunion, or whenever Campion guys get together, they will regard each other as friends, even if they are not classmates, even if they rarely spoke to each other at Campion, or even if their most recent contact was less than ideal. I know of at least two cases where, upon re-contacting after 50 years, the parties realized their previous misunderstandings were simply false, and they resumed their good relationship. A lost opportunity for friendship is certainly a cause for regret.

If one of your friends dies, one really good way to pay tribute to that friendship is to be present among his friends whenever it is possible. (That’s why people have funeral banquets and celebrations of life.) These continuing relationships add to our joy and reduce our grief. They leave us with one less regret as we approach old age.

There have been problematic relationships between individuals, and sometimes even between classes. It’s been more than half a century, and it is time to set those conflicts aside and rejoice in the fact that we all shared the experience of Campion High School.

I have always been interested in Campion reunions. During the October 1969 conversation (See CF October 2023) with someone who was a friend of Paul Simon, I mentioned that I was really looking forward to the June 1973, tenth anniversary reunion of our class. It was no simple coincidence that, four years later, some of the things I said (Kodachrome) came bouncing back to me on the juke box in a PdC tavern that weekend. When I spoke, I had no idea how many people would hear what I said. I enjoyed that reunion and every one since

I have had busy months in July and August. This started with the funeral for Fr. Tom Schloemer, S.J., at Camillus in early July. Later in July, I arranged for a memorial Mass for my sister, Mary Frances. There was the celebration of life for Paul Pazdan ’63, the wake for Tom Hamilton ’60, and the wake and funeral for Tom O’Brien ’72.

Additionally, in August, the class of ‘63 had two small-group luncheons, one at Tiffany’s in Des Plaines in the Chicago area, and one at the Coon Rapids Olive Garden in the Minneapolis area.

I was especially pleased to see John Ormsby and Bill McErlain from the class of 1971, at the memorial Mass for my sister Mary Frances. Likewise I note that Jim Hidding ’64 joined our group in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Hidding was in the pep band and concert band with Jim Cellette and me (and a whole bunch of others) during our Campion days. It was good to see him again.

One final note: This year is the tenth anniversary of the publication of Sean Strub’s book Body Counts, published by Scribner, a division of Simon & Shuster. Sean was in the class of 1976, but left Campion during its final year. He was very much a part of Campion as it existed in the 1970s, yet he still has some very critical things to say about the school, including the conflict among the Jesuits and other staff, the chaotic environment, the lack of structure in student life, and poor academic programs (and some other problems, too). Parents and older alumni were very critical at the time, but it is even more interesting to see this 21st century evaluation by someone who lived through all that, and was still able to experience success in his later life.

Jim Hidding '64, Jim Cellette '63, Jim Favre '63
Taken at the Campion Luncheon at Olive Garden, Coon Rapids, MN, Augustt 20, 2024

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Obituaries:

name class_of deceaseddate city_grad C. Patrick Wagner 1956 2024-01-12 Chicago Theodore R. Glaser 1964 2024-01-14 Chicago G. Jeffrey George 1965 2024-01-22 Dyersville John M. McGinnis 1964 2024-01-24 Chicago Fr. James J. King, S.J. 1947 2024-01-30 Akron William A. Brown 1967 2024-02-02 New York Michael B. Frain 1957 2024-02-20 Chicago Francis Balcaen 1970 2024-02-21 Coal Valley Robert T. McNamara 1970 2024-03-05 Toledo James Peter Helldorfer 1970 2024-03-19 Dayton John G. Riley 1967 2024-03-29 Munster Bill P. Small 1972 2024-03-31 Prairie du Chien James B. Morrow 1957 2024-04-00 Highland Park George L. West 1976 2024-04-21 Darlington Stephen F. Graver 1969 2024-04-27 Chicago Paul E. Pazdan 1963 2024-05-19 Oak Park Stephen C. Miller 1968 2024-05-27 Rock Island Keith M. Oakes 1965 2024-05-30 Des Plaines Frederick E. Gellerup 1950 2024-06-05 Milwaukee Joseph A. Metzger 1956 2024-06-15 Shelby Thomas J. Hamilton 1960 2024-07-17 Dodgeville Thomas J. Willenborg 1960 2024-07-24 Dyersville Thomas O'Brien 1972 2024-08-01 McHenry John C. Hynes 1959 2024-08-06 Coggen Edward Francis Gorman 1945 2024-08-12 Blue Earth Michael J. Burke 1964 2024-08-29 Casper Roger J. Jerrick 1970 2024-09-21 Berwyn John M. Mezera 1968 2024-11-02 Prairie du Chien

Alumni who have passed in...
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, All known by class.

Faculty who have passed:

• Fr. Laurence Kerrigan, S.J., 2024-08-14, Teacher of Theology 1969-71.
• Rev. Thomas Schloemer, S.J., 2024-06-18, Teacher of Latin 1962-65.
• Mr. Theodore Kalamaja, S.J, 2024-05-08, Teacher of Latin 1963-64.
• Mr. Cyril (AKA Zeke) Des Rocher 2024-02-27, Baseball and Swimming Coarch, Drivers Ed 1970-74.
• Mr. Michael C. Drake, 2023-11-24, Teacher of French 1968-75.
• Clem J. Steele, 2023-06-09, Teacher of Math, Asst. Coach Basketball, JV Football Coach 1968-1973.
• Rev. Joseph F. Eagan, S.J., 2022-12-20, Teacher of English, Religion 1955-1962.
• Lawrence R. Reuter, 2022-10-23, Scholastic, Teacher of Latin, Speech, 1952-1955
• Coach Clem Massey 2022-08-07. Teacher of History and Social Studies. Basketball and Wrestling Coach. 1966-69
• Fr. Patrick L. Murphy, S.J., 2022-05-24, Scholastic: Teacher of English and Social Studies 1966 and 1972-74.
• Fr. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J., 2021-09-30, Scholastic: Teacher of Latin, Sodality 1959-61; Priest: Principal 1969-70, President 1970-75, Rector 1973-75.
• Lieselotte "Lu" Patnode, 2021-09-09.
  She married Donald Kenneth Patnode in Manheim, Germany on April 11, 1947. She followed Don to Prairie du Chien for his position at Campion Jesuit High School as the head of the ROTC program. Together they raised their family in the Prairie du Chien...
• Fr. Philip Dreckman, S.J., 2021-03-25, Teacher of History 1966-1975
• Doris M. Buening, 2021-02-10, Secretary 19??-19??
• Fr. Eugene Dutkiewicz, S.J., 2021-01-24, Scholastic: Teacher of Chemistry 1957-58; Priest: Teacher of Math 1963-69, Asst. Principal 1965-69