NORFOLK – The Joint Forces Staff College recognized Constitution Day 2007 today. Events began with Constitution I.Q. brain teasers, and a Constitution Essay Contest that was opened to all staff, faculty and students. The Constitution Day Celebration culminated with a Constitution Day Game Show which was held at JFSC to commemorate the 220th anniversary of the United States Constitution. Major General Bryon S. Bagby, U.S. Army, 27th Commandant, addressed a group of approximately 100 students, faculty, and staff members. He told the audience about the importance of the Constitution and reminded them that the very oath they took as Officers in the military declares that we “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic”. He also asked the audience to remember the men and women in uniform who are currently fighting the Global War on Terrorism around the Globe.
The ten teams competing in the Constitution Game Show were asked a series of questions on the Preamble, the Articles, and the Bill of Rights. The contest was hosted by College staff member Mr. Larry Humphrey who posed as “Pat Paycheck.” He was assisted by College staff member Navy Seaman Jessica Carney who posed as “Vanna Wright.” The contest was won by Team 7, the “Soft Partitioners.” At the time of the Constitution, Federalists were sometimes referred to as Partitioners. Winning team members were Air Force Lt Cols Craig Greenwood (faculty) and Rob Hunt (student), Navy CDR Steve Dennis (faculty), and Army LTC Mark Hovattar (faculty) and MAJ Mike Senn (student). They are all faculty members.
Prior to the game show getting underway, College faculty member Navy CAPT David Price was recognized as the winner of an essay contest entitled “What Does the Constitution Mean to Me.”
Originally established as the Armed Forces Staff College in 1946, JFSC continues to educate national security leaders in joint, multinational, and interagency operational-level planning and warfighting, to instill a primary commitment to joint, multinational, and interagency teamwork, attitudes, and perspectives.