THE FISHBOWL - West Point Association of Graduates

THE FISHBOWL

COMPANY G4 NEWSLETTER -- FEBRUARY 2011

1LT DAREN MIGUEL HIDALGO COMMANDERS
CORNER
1LT Daren Hidalgo, 2009 G4 Company Commander, was
killed in action in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on February CDT CPT Michael White,
20, 2011 while serving as a Platoon Leader in 3rd Squadron, 2nd Guppy Company CO
Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. >> Greetings from Scott
Barracks,
Daren was known to the Guppies as an extremely This semester we are
competent and friendly commander, cadet, and friend. An hoping to use this
individual of unrivaled professionalism, he was always ready newsletter to keep former
with a smile a helping hand. His contributions to the Guppies, to Guppies, family and
the USMA Racquetball team (where he was an accomplished friends up to date on all
champion), and to the community were well known and the great things we are
recognized. doing as a company. This
semester alone has
The Guppies wish to extend their prayers and support to the already seen Guppies
Hidalgo family. Daren’s photo will be added G4 Memorial Wall win Brigade
located in the Company Day Room between the 43rd and 44th Championships and
divisions. volunteer in Africa. Sadly
one of our own has also
recently passed away, so
I ask that as you read this
newsletter please keep
Daren and his family in
your thoughts and
prayers. He was a great
example as a cadet and
a person and we are all
proud to say he was a
Guppy.
Terrors of the Deep!

[Pick the date] [Edition 1, Volume 1]

Company G4 Newsletter -- February 2011

A BROADER VIEW

Story by Tommy Gilligan, Pointer View

For one West Point cadet, volunteer work meant
self-sacrifice, a long distance from home during the
holidays and a lot of work. But he returned
encouraged by the opportunity for having
received a broader view.

As last semester came to an end, the
majority of the Corps of Cadets was busy making
travel plans for the holidays. For one cadet, the
comforts and familiarity of home were not
something he was looking for. What he really
wanted turned out to be quite the opposite.

Cadet Dan Thueneman (Class of 2011) was
looking for something more—an opportunity not
only to experience something that most would
never know, but also to volunteer his time to others
who were in need.

Thueneman traveled to the rural community of Mukono district of Uganda for 11 days to volunteer with
the non-governmental organization called A Broader View.

“I wanted to do something more before I graduated,” Thueneman said. “When I began researching non-
governmental organizations, I thought this was the best fit for what I wanted to do when I finish my career
in the Army.”

Once arriving in the Eastern province of Africa, Thueneman was completely immersed in Uganda’s
culture. During his time there, he was the only American in the area.

Every morning, Thueneman would wake up and prepare for his day, eating breakfast with his host family,
the Busingyes.

Then he walked more than a mile on a dirt road to the site of the school where he worked side-by-side
with the local populace on various projects.

“When I would get to the school, I would change into my work clothes and begin making bricks that
would be used to build their school,” Thueneman said.

Thueneman and three children from the area would pack mud into molds which were baked in the sun
to setup before they were used.

“We worked for about eight hours a day—yet even while we were working, the kids were very inquisitive,”
Thueneman said. “There were two girls that volunteered from Scotland who acted as their teachers
during the school year, so when I was there, they always wanted to know more about everything.”

(continued on page 4)

Company G4 Newsletter -- February 2011

GREY PERIOD REMAINS

Despite the weekly snowstorms and perpetual “grey” of West Point, G4 Cadets find

ways to relax and stay motivated.

Snow was the frequent As the novelty quickly wore off Cheese during ESP and taxi
response when quizzing plebes and thoughts of sunshine services for underclassman to
on upcoming weather became the daydream of every and from the Peekskill train station
throughout January and February Guppy, the G4 Activities Section on the weekends. “Activities will
here at West Point. “Never in my 4 stepped up to keep morale and continue to provide relief for the
years have we worn ACU’s this welfare high despite the Guppies, whether it be from
often!” says CDT LT Dan Alvey, conditions. The Activities staff, weather, drill, or dreaded Thayer
referring to the practice of consisting of CDTs Alvey and weeks with BBQs, events, and a
wearing ACU’s (for their boots) in Faber, with additional assistance fully stocked company store,”
order to trudge through feet of from CDT Weigand, put together reports CDT LT Alvey.
slush and powder on the way to several BBQs (one even featuring
Thayer. An estimated “13.28 feet 45+ lbs of hand pressed beef --Michael Weigand
of snow fell since Christmas” patties), Taco Tuesday nights,
reported CDT PVT Stepat with a and have been combating
smile. gloom by providing Grilled

OVERLOOKING THE HUDSON RIVER BETWEEN THAYER AND MAHAN HALLS
THE GREY OR "GLOOM PERIOD" – THIS PICTURE TAKING AT 1PM!

Company G4 Newsletter -- February 2011

Continued from page 2… GUPPY
ATHLETICS
At the end of the day, Thueneman would walk back to his host
family’s home while chatting with local community members. Congratulations to CDT
Seth Merrigan for winning the
“Everyone there dressed in slacks and a collared shirt. It did not Brigade Championship in
matter what economic class they were,” Thueneman said. Grappling in his weight class
and coming in 2nd place in
Each night, Thueneman would sit down with the head of the ALL weight classes! Guppies
household and talk on a variety of different topics. Roll!

“(He) was a very intelligent man ... we would talk for hours about CHECK OUT
local and international subjects,” Thueneman said. THE GUPPIES
ON FACEBOOK!
While one of the most taboo subjects in the community years ago
was HIV/AIDS, Thueneman said the Mukono district community Join the Guppies on
now talks openly about the epidemic that once crippled the area. Facebook to keep up to
date with the latest around
The elders also educate the younger members of the community the company and at West
about prevention. Point. Search “USCC G4
Guppies” and “USMA G4
“It was a great experience, and it is one that I would encourage Guppies” to check out
others to take part in if they have the opportunity,” Thueneman pages followed by current
said. Gups and Alum!

Reprinted with permission from The Pointer View
(USMA newspaper) www.pointerview.com

CALLING ALL OLD GRADS!

If you’re an old Grad, please send us
something so we can learn about our history and
publish it in the next newsletter (next month)!

This newsletter is written and published by Golf Company, 4th Regiment, USCC,
West Point. If you wish to contact the writer, add or remove yourself and others from

the distribution list, or find out how you can contribute articles and pictures to the
Guppy Newsletter, contact the Company Historian:
CDT LT Michael Weigand, [email protected]