World’s Greatest NROTC Battalion (WGNB)

Newsletter
November 2021

Navy & Marine Corps Veterans Day Luncheon Bell Trailer Upgrade from
Birthday Ball with Chez Veterans Center Hall of Fame Plaques and Signs

MIDN 1/C Minetti and MIDN 2/C Bright march on

to start the ceremonial sword arch. MIDN 3/C Hudgens stands at Present Arms during
this year’s Veterans Day celebration. MIDN 4/C Xie rings the bell during the Nov 27
game against Northwestern!
Perhaps one of our most proud traditions in
the Navy and Marine Corps is our annual Each year, the staff of Bravo Company
organizes a luncheon event in coordination Fans of Fighting Illini football always look
Birthday Ball! The WGNB is proud to carry on
with the Chez Veterans Center here on forward to watching the NROTC Bell Team
the tradition with a night of formal proceedings,
campus to celebrate Veterans Day. This year’s cheer on the team and celebrate scores at
good food and drinks, and most importantly,
event was arguably the most successful yet, home games. We at the WGNB have the
comradery. This year’s event was put on by
featuring a well-attended lunch with Chick-fil-A distinct privilege of participating in the home-
Alpha Company and held on November 12th in
catering, a very sharp tri-service color guard game hype from the Zuppke Field, ringing our
the Illini Union Ballroom. This year marked a
from Illinois cadets and midshipmen, and a authentic battleship bell. The bell itself is
welcome shift to our usual ballroom program,
keynote address from our very own Captain marked with the year “1946” and is from the
after being forced to hold a stripped-down
Casteel! CAPT Casteel emphasized the battleship USS Illinois, which was ordered
program outdoors in 2020. Our guest of honor
importance of understanding the history of during WWII and never completed. It has since
was Major General Robert F. Castellvi, USMC,
Veterans Day, from its roots in Armistice Day been mounted on a trailer with overhead signs
who is a 1984 graduate of Illinois NROTC with
at the close of WWI, to its meaning to featuring a destroyer profile and the classic
a long and distinguished Marine career.
Veterans and those serving today. It may words “UNSINKABLE TEAM.” Recently, those
Midshipmen were impressed with Maj Gen
seem mundane and repetitive, but the study of signs began to fade in the sunlight at Memorial
Castellvi’s down-to-earth nature and listened
history is vital to shape our actions in the Stadium.
eagerly to his remarks. Other highlights from
the night included the sword arch, remarks present, especially when put in the context of
devastating wars such as the First World War.Local small-business Hall of Fame Plaques
from our Commanding Officer, CAPT Casteel,
Veterans Day is always a balance between and Signs from nearby Danville, IL noticed the
and Battalion Commander, MIDN 1/C
celebration and somber remembrance, and the condition of the old signs during a football
Thompson, and of course the open dance floor
Chez Veterans Center and Bravo Company game this semester and worked with the
following the dinner and ceremony. While the
found that balance to put on a meaningful battalion to replace them with brand-new,
night was one of celebration, time was also set
shiny metal signage. They did an excellent job
gathering. Congratulations to MIDN 1/C Minetti
aside to reflect on those who have gone
and his staff on yet another successful maintaining the time-honored design while
before us and those who have given the
operation this semester! creating a new work of art that will last for
ultimate sacrifice. As per custom, a table for
many, many years to come! Special thanks to
one with an empty chair was set to honor
those POW/MIA who did not return to This time of year is one of great significance to our AMOI, Gunnery Sergeant Berryhill, for his
our Navy and Marine Corps. At the time of work on the bell and trailer this semester, and
celebrate with their brothers and sisters in
publishing, National Pearl Harbor of course to the folks over at Hall of Fame in
arms.
Remembrance Day is fresh on the minds of Danville for their exceptional craftsmanship!
Organizing such an event is always a the Nation. As you read this, we invite you to
take a moment to reflect on the Navy and The new signs made their debut during the
monumental undertaking, so congratulations
Senior Night game against Northwestern on
are in order for Alpha Company Commander, Marine Corps Birthdays, Veterans Day, and
November 27th, which was an amazing last
MIDN 1/C Jenkot, and his staff. Job well done! Pearl Harbor. These times of joyful celebration
and of somber remembrance are part of what game for U of I seniors. The bell saw plenty of
defines our past, and what guides our future. use as the Fighting Illini finally hit their stride!

Battalion Member of the Month
Do YOU want to be part of the WGNB?
You can apply for the 4-year national scholarship
online and list your top school as UIUC. If you are
accepted, you will get your tuition paid for, a stipend
during the year, and you will begin training over
summer to become a future naval officer. Even if you
don’t get accepted, don’t worry! You can still pick up
scholarship during the year. Also, if you are a resident
of Illinois and not on scholarship, the University of
Illinois offers in-state tuition waivers for ROTC
students! We look forward to seeing you at the World's
Greatest Naval ROTC Battalion!

MIDN 3/C Park receiving his award from the

Battalion XO, MIDN 1/C Hudson.

Congratulations to MIDN 3/C William Park for

being selected as this month’s Battalion Check out Hall of Fame at
Member of the Month! MIDN Park is studying https://www.halloffameplaques.com/
Economics and currently serves as Battalion
Supply Officer, where he manages unit
equipment and logistics and keeps us all us on Facebook at:
looking good in our uniforms! MIDN Park has https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisNROTC
also taken on additional responsibility as Follow us on Instagram at: @wgnb_uiuc
Donate at: http://rotc.navy.illinois.edu/donate.html
Bravo Company Chief Petty Officer.

Battalion Member of the Month winners are

always top performers in leadership,
academics, and physical fitness, and MIDN
Park is no exception. As a 3/C midshipman,
Park has stepped up into two major roles in
the battalion and had a positive impact on
everyone he works with. Bravo Zulu, MIDN
Park!