Spring 2003 - Fenwick High School

Heroes
Prayer for those serving in the military:
Gracious God, Commander of all, guide our forces to swift and complete victory so that justice may
prevail and peace be assured for the people of Iraq and the whole world. Be with our men and women
in combat, especially those captured. Keep them safe and courageous. Be also with their families to
sustain them in their time of anxious concern and prayer. Bless all the citizens of our country. Help each
to discern your will in these challenging times. We ask this through our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen
Provided by Chaplain J. (Kilian) O’Malley, O.P., USAF (Ret.)
With the recent war
constantly on the news
and on our minds, we
also remember other
wars and others who
have served.
The Coakley family
contributed the military services of
four members who are Fenwick
graduates:
Jerry Coakley ’44 – US Navy, World War II
Jack Coakley ’47 – US Army, Korea
Bill Coakley ’47 – US Army, Korea
Gene Coakley ’57 – US Coast Guard
Fascinating Reading:
If you’d like to read about Afghanistan
and other dangerous places from the
unique perspective of a non-combatant
who was, nonetheless, on the front lines,
try “No Means of Escape,” by Phil
Caputo ’59, Pulitzer Prize-winning
journalist. The book is a memoir of his
years as a foreign correspondent,
including being held captive in Beirut in
the late 1960s.
Bill Ward ’65 served in
Vietnam, and he returned from the war
to serve in other ways. He was a Marine
in a platoon of combat engineers
responsible for clearing mine fields,
building bunkers, installing artillery,
and other tasks. In the photo below, Bill
is in the foreground and to his right is
his company commander, Captain
Zinni, who later went on to become a
four-star general and is currently a
special advisor to President Bush and
an ambassador at large to the Middle
East. Approximately an hour after that
photo was taken, the pack was shot off
Bill’s back and Captain Zinni was
seriously wounded. Bill’s experiences in
Vietnam earned him a Bronze Star.
When Bill came back to the U.S., he
worked in business for a few years, then
joined the police force of suburban
Palos Hills. More than 20 years later –
after working up from a patrolman to a
lieutenant -- Bill was able to retire from
police work and refocus on what had
been his original intention: to become a
teacher. He returned to school to
complete his teaching requirements as
well as complete a master’s degree in
special education. Today, at Oak Lawn
High School, he teaches students with
learning disabilities and behavior
disorders many of the skills they’ll need
in life – keeping track of their money,
choosing a place to live, etc. Bill is also
the head defensive coach for the football
team. He enjoys the work because it
is an opportunity to “possibly make a
difference” in the lives of his
students and players.
Bill and his wife of nearly
23 years, Theresa
18
SPRING 2003
TEACHERS AS HEROES
The Gift of a Great Teacher
“Teachers are more than any other class the
guardians of civilization.” Bertrand Russell
Recent gifts have been received honoring:
Dan O’Brien ’34
Rev. Nicholas Raymond Ashenbrener, O.P.
Rev. David Delich, O.P.
Rev. Edward Robinson, O.P., former physics
teacher, currently living in Irving, Texas.
Giving a Gift to
Honor a Fenwick Teacher:
A number of alumni/ae have chosen to donate to Fenwick in honor
of a teacher who made a difference in their lives.
If you would like to give a special gift honoring a teacher, please send
your donation to “The Gift of a Great Teacher,” c/o Development Office,
Fenwick High School, 505 Washington Blvd., Oak Park, Illinois 60302-4095.
Your sentiment and your donation are greatly appreciated.