For the second year in a row, Prep hosted a panel of alumni military veterans to share their insights and experiences with current students. Juniors and seniors gathered in the gym Wednesday morning to hear from the panel as we look ahead to Veterans’ Day.
Thank you to our panelists, pictured left to right above: Jo Emperio, ’03 (Army), Len Mrozak, ’63 (Marine Corps), Bob Pipchick, ’58 (Air Force), Anthony Vitanzo, ’98 (Army), Kevin DePinto, ’08 (Marine Corps), and Brian Castelli, ’01 (Army). A seventh panelist—a Canisius High School alumnus and friend of Prep who served in the U.S. Army—has asked that we not publish his name or image, but we are also grateful for his participation.
Insights from the Panel
The military experiences of the panelists differ significantly, reflecting the varied branches, eras, and missions that shaped them. But some recurring themes emerged during the discussion. Several panelists noted that a desire to serve, formed at Grand & Warren, drove their decisions to enter the military. Jo Emperio recalled “the value of being men for others was ingrained from the moment I walked through the doors” of Prep. Combined with the experience of witnessing the 9/11 attacks from Prep—a defining moment for four classes of alumni—this was an inspiration to enlist after graduation.
The panelists also discussed many lessons learned at Prep that proved useful during their service. Kevin DePinto highlighted “Empathy, compassion, and selfless leadership,” noting, “These are things you need as an officer, as a leader of men,” he explained. He added that part of his responsibility in training fellow Marines is to “return them to civilian life as better citizens.” Anthony Vitanzo recalled “learning to face your fears” and being open to new experiences, developing the discipline to apply oneself to any challenge, and a sense of responsibility to others: “to borrow an Army Ranger expression, ‘leave no man behind.'” Bob Pipchick echoed that sentiment: “At Prep, I learned responsibility for myself and my peers.”
As Brian Castelli noted, the lessons learned while serving can echo those learned at Prep. Encountering more people and places “just broadens your perspective,” he explained. “You gain great insight into the experiences and motivations of others.” Len Mrozak added, “I learned how much people can withstand…just how much adversity people can overcome.”