On September 10th, 2005, one day prior to the fourth anniversary of September 11th, the catalyst that put the lives of thousands of U.S. Soldiers in harms way, many from the Rugby community got together to show their support and say Thank You.

Through a combined effort of Old Boys rugby, The Morris Rugby Club hosted The Gentlemen of New York, Monmouth and the always traveling Connecticut Greys in Denville, New Jersey at what was dubbed the First Annual Ruckin’ Regatta.

It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm 85 degree day which made the shortened 20 minute halves of round robin rugby the order of the day. The games were very competitive, if unusually friendly even for Old Boys. As teams changed sides between halves handshakes and “thanks for coming” were exchanged as the “Support the Troops” theme echoed throughout the day as everyone was aware that the reason that we were playing on this day was not so much for our own enjoyment and love of the game as is usually the case. But rather to give the men and women of the US Armed forces a chance to call their loved ones, say hello and tell them they love them, because as in any war no one ever knows what tomorrow will bring.

Over $1,000 in Pre-Paid calling cards were collected which was a prerequisite for getting a game as well as some food and drink at the customary party that followed at nearby Cedar Lake. (Thanks to Frankie DeAngelo for the food donation) And with the recent devastation to the Gulf Coast due to Hurricane Katrina, many were concerned about helping those at home as well. T-Shirts were made available at a huge discount by Alfred’s Sport shop in nearby Madison, NJ (along with a $100 donation to the troops) the proceeds of which raised almost another $1,000 with the help of a matching donation by Merrill Lynch which was given to the Red Cross.

There was a moment of silence to remember those that were lost nearly four years ago to reflect this country’s most tragic event as Bag Pipers played amazing grace. As well as those that are currently in harms way.

The amount of pride as well as thanks that were given was tremendous from the first time the idea came to light. Emails were received from as far south as Philadelphia and as far north as upper New England with calling cards being sent in place of those that could not attend. As well as family members that were generous and willing to contribute. But as I’ve always been told no good deed goes unpunished and that there is one in every group. One email was sent saying that he is not pro war, pro violence or pro troops, ours, theirs or otherwise and that this is something that he was taught by his father long ago when they first came to this country. He then noted that he wasn’t available to play that weekend anyway as his schedule didn’t allow…typical.

I had to explain that the idea came about because the office next to mine is vacant due to the fact that my colleague was sent overseas and left his new born daughter behind, not knowing if he would ever see her again. That nobody I know is Pro war or Pro violence. Who is? No matter your political affiliation, whether you are pro or con, conservative or liberal, people are in harms way and they didn’t necessarily ask to be there. But they are there and that’s a fact. And the least we can do is try and help them call home to their parents, children or spouses. What I should have added is that his father should have taught him what my father taught me. Manners as well as a lesson in history! When someone invites you to their home for a party and you don’t like the theme…be it Hawaiian, Mardi Gras, the 60’s or Support the Troops, you simply decline, or say nothing at all. You don’t proceed to contact all that have been invited to let them know that you don’t like it. Not to mention the fact that in our home we were taught that this is a country of good, not evil, and that if you came here believing anything different then maybe you should reconsider what it is you’re doing here. A perfect example of what this country has to offer was found about 15 miles from my home when I heard on the radio a father of a soldier that was in Iraq not long ago.

I handed most of the cards collected to the family of Lieutenant JT Wroblewski of the United States Marine Corp a few weeks ago after making a nerve wracked call to his mother Shawn inviting their family to our event. Lt. Wrobo as he was affectionately known was recently married and at 25 considered the old man in his unit. He lived not far from me in Morris County, NJ, and he was killed in an ambush in April of last year. His family has been on a roller coaster ride of emotions ever since. After getting his mother on the phone and delicately letting her know why it was that I was calling she was thrilled. I said that I didn’t want to stir up any old wounds but that we just wanted to try and let them know that there were people that appreciated the sacrifice that JT and the entire Wroblowski family had made. She proceeded to tell me that she was thrilled to take a call to speak about her son and that “the only time a Soldier really dies is when he is forgotten.” Unable to attend, Shawn and her husband John came to our home the following week and from the time they pulled in my driveway it was as if I had reunited with a long time friend. They brought me a picture of JT taken the day before he was killed walking down a dirt covered road with his unit as the Orange sunken sun surrounding him made it look as if he was walking straight into heaven. This is how Shawn and John like to remember him, when he was happiest, with his unit and doing what he loved. Was he pro violent? Was he pro war? He was simply a man that died doing his job. One he loved and one that happens to give the rest of us the right to do ours. The least we can do is help them call home.

Shawn and John Wroblewski shared with my family the love and outpouring that they have received ever since their lives had changed when JT was killed in action. Shawn’s employer Wyeth Drug Co., also located in nearby Madison, NJ had given her a company credit card, no questions asked, and full access to the company jet to fly to Germany to be by JT’s side but unfornately it wasn’t needed as he passed before leaving Iraq. The food comfort and outpouring for all over was overwhelming they told us as they thanked us again for the T-Shirts and cards that they were going to distribute to JT’s unit. They thanked us repeatedly and told us to make sure that we pass along their gratitude to all that attended and donated. So much so that you would have thought that one of us had given our life for them. Hopefully next year you can see how such a small donation helped a family in a very difficult time and thank them yourselves at the 2nd Annual Ruckin’ Regatta.

Special thanks to all those that came and contributed to help a soldier call home.

To all those overseas in harms way, Ruck On.

Support the Troops!!!

Neil Hogan

Iona RFC ‘88-‘91
NYRFC ‘91-‘97
Monmouth ‘98-‘00
Morris RFC ‘01-03