The North Georgia Corps Association is a supporter of the University of North Georgia Foundation - Corps Fund.

In the above image is a photo of Alfa Company freshmen, FROG Week 1978.
 

North Georgia College banner from the 40's, property of the NGCA/Stathakis.

 

2016 NGCA Lunch with Cadets in Dalhonega, Ben, Roy (LTC, Ret.), Bill Stat & Josh, original members of the North Georgia Corps of Cadets Association (NGCCA) and the North Georgia Corps Association. 

Veterans Day 2019 - a Saint-Soldier

Veterans Day 2019, Nov 11, one of the feastdays of Saint Martin of Tours ...

Martin was born in 316 or 317 in Sabaria, Pannonia, in present day Hungary, into a military family. His father was a tribune in the Imperial Horse Guard and was stationed in Ticinum, Cisapline Gaul, which is modern day Pavia, Italy. He was named after the Roman god Mars. Against his parents' wishes, young Martin began attending church at the age of ten, becoming a catechumen. At the age of fifteen, and being the son of a Roman officer, he was required to join the cavalry. In the course of his duties in 334 he was stationed at Samarobriva, Gaul, modern day Amiens, France.

It was while in Amiens that he experienced a vision that became a memorialized event in his life. He had met at the gates of the city of Amiens a scantily dressed beggar for whom Martin cut in half his military cloak to share it with the beggar. That night he dreamed of Jesus wearing the half cloak that Martin had given away and heard Jesus telling the angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who was not baptized. He has clad me." Confirmed in his intent by this vision, Martin was baptized and after serving two more years left the army. He then traveled to Tours, to become a disciple of St. Hilary of Poitiers.

St. Hilary was a chief proponent of Trinitarian Christianity and opposed the Arianism of the Visigothic nobility. Martin returned to Italy after Hilary was exiled. In Italy, he confronted the Arian Auxentius, Archbishop of Milan, who expelled Martin from the city. Martin then found refuge and lived the life of a hermit on an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Martin rejoined Hilary when Hilary returned to Poitiers in 361. Here, Martin established a monastery that in time became the Bendictine Abbey of Liguge. From his monastery, Martin traveled and preached throughout western Gaul, the memory of which is remembered in many local legends.

In 371, Martin was acclaimed bishop of Tours. As bishop of Tours he greatly impressed the city's inhabitants with his demeanor and zeal in destroying the pagan temples. Sulpicius Severus recorded in the Vita of St. Martin many of the events of this period. Sulpicius further recorded Martin's withdrawal from the tensions of the city to the monastery, Marmoutier, that he founded across the Loire river from Tours. Here Martin led a austere life among the cave-dwelling cenobites who had gathered around him.

St. Martin of Tours died on November 11, 397, at Candes.

North Georgia Saint-Dog T-shirt

Sizes:  XL, L, M & S

Currently out of 2XL shirts

1, 3XL available

Price: Selling T-shirts to cover cost.

Please see "Buy Now" button right of page. --You may also pay by check.

Mailing Address: NGCA, PO Box 1284, Anderson, SC 29622

NGCA Members

NGCA members to date:

Ben Lane,  Class of 83,  A Company, Dahlonega, GA, IM

Bill Stathakis, Class of 82, A Company, Anderson, SC  (*), IM
Michael K. Glowaski, 'Class of 90,  Echo & Charlie Companies, LTC (active), Lawton, OK, IM
Roy L. Fishel, '82, HQ Company, LTC (R), Newnan, GA
Joshua Fishel, 08, HHC/Blue Ridge Rifles, Atlanta, GA  (*), IM
Michael W. Childers, '83, A & E Companies, COL (R), Monument, CO, IM
John L. Smith, '82, HQ Co. & Staff, COL (R), Fayetteville, GA
Tom Harris, '70, LTC (R) Charleston, SC
Eddie Wayne, '82, Dahlonega, GA
Gary Engen, '65, LTC (R), Foxtrot Company, Augusta, GA, IM
Aaron  SW. Brown, '13, Bravo Co., Falls Church, VA

(*) Former Board members of the NGCCA

IM = Inaugural member of the original NGCCA

>> NGCA Membership Form is on second page of this site.

"It is the soldier..."

"It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

— Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, Sergeant, USMC


PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Sullivan/GETTY IMAGES

A letter from a general's spouse

"Bill --I just read your email and so appreciate you mentioning non-commissioning cadets in the Corps. Our son was a member of the NGC Corps of Cadets for 4 years but was not able to commission due to a preexisting medical condition. Of the many many parades and guest speakers I sat through no one ever mentioned those non-commissioning cadets. My son chose NGC knowing he could not commission. He chose it for the strong academics, structure, and camaraderie. It was the best decision he ever made and his time at North Georgia has served him well.

Didn't mean to ramble but just wanted to say thank you.
Sincerely,"

"Inside Politics" - NGCA & NGCCA

Inside Politics concerning the two groups, NGCA and NGCCA >>

One of two surveys involving the "original" NGCCA membership during the organizing process, 7 May 2013 >>

1) Do you prefer being a SIG (Shared Interest Group)?

yes: 27.5%
no: 55.1%
need more information: 17.2% 

2)  Do you prefer independent status for the Association to date?

yes:  67.8%
no:  17.8%
need more information: 14.2%

The SIGers also re-chartered and changed the By-Laws.

Note: Both the NGCA and NGCCA were founded by Bill Stathakis; therefore, the NGCA has the original mission and intent the "original" NGGCA. -- Both surveys resulted in favoring independent status.

In response to a few questions and comments from Facebook

In response to a few questions and comments:

On our Facebook page, we try to engage the alumni and friends of the Corps. We are not a press office for the Alumni & Annual Giving Office. Transparency is not a bad thing for public institutions or public organizations. It would have been nice if we had a little transparency before the "merger" (etc.). I believe North Georgia is strong enough to have conversations.

Concerning being an independent organization, just think about the American Legion, the VFW, the Fraternal Order of Police, the IAVA, postal unions... These groups are voices for their members, but not part (or under the) of the government. UNG already has groups to fund raise such as the UNG Foundation, the Alumni Association, the CAC... The NGCA maintains the original mission and intent of the "original" NGCCA which had 77 members including 4 or 5 generals (one active).  A FACT: the "original" NGCCA conducted two surveys of the membership that resulted being in favor of independent status. Like the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association, the Corps Association (NGCA) is a fully independent organization (NOT under any SIG guidelines of the Alumni & Annual Giving Office).

According to a SIGer, we the NGCA are on the "outside". Maybe true, but this is the decision of Phil Collins and company. Therefore, we have to shout from the outside. As we all know, politics is alive and well at all institutions. To have clout, it must be in Atlanta, not being some small group on campus such as the SIG or us. But we will continue our small part in the conversation and in support of the (silent) Corps alumni.

Sincerely,

Bill Stat

A Facebook post from a female alum and former Alumni Council member

From 2014

A Facebook post from a female alum >>

"Today I received my UNG magazine and frankly it made me sad. Yes there were a few pictures and an article about the ROTC, however in the picture depicting students representing "the future", there were no ROTC students represented. None. It's like the emphasis is on a brand new school, new mascot, new majors, new campuses. I would have no problem with that if there was a recognition of our tradition. A Tradition that made North Georgia the college that has created leaders in our country. I don't understand why the powers that be can't honor the TRADITION of North Georgia as the school grows and changes. My children's high school successfully emphasizes and honors the tradition of what they were founded on as they have moved ahead with each generation. Larger universities than North Georgia are known for honoring their past and embracing the future. Why can't UNG do that? I have said for years that my fear was that the ROTC - the foundation of North Georgia - was at risk for being diluted. Today, based on that magazine, my concerns appear to be reality. The new UNG is just another liberal arts college in Georgia. Is is just me? Am I the only one who doesn't recognize this current institution?"

The NGCA Challenge Coin

All regular NGCA members will receive a coin, a token of membership and solidarity.

NGCA Cap

NGCA caps for members: $15 plus $2.50 for shipping & handling

Hell's Angels, NGC Alums