Introduction

One of the distinct features of our armed forces is that our officer corps and the soldiery come from all segments of society, unlike in some countries where they are drawn from one social group. We can thus regard our armed forces as the "armed forces of the people," a term enshrined in the 1935 Constitution.

By tradition and by the law, our military is subject to the will of our people through the highest civilian magistrate, the Chief Executive/ President. He is designated by the same Constitution as the "Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces." The primacy of civilian leadership was, however, explicitly stated only in the 1973 Constitution through Article 11 Section 8 thereof, which states that "civilian authority is at all times supreme over the military."

This political realization is an outcome of our revolutionary uprisings in 1896. Our people did not confront the Spaniards, and later the Americans, as a rebellious group, nor did they fight as guerrilla forces. Rather, they confronted the enemy as an organized army.

From the Aggie Green and Gold (c .1949), courtesy of Col. Guillermo B. Francisco Jr. (Ret). UP Vanguard Class 1950

As the semester comes to a close, every cadet looks back with the air of a conqueror as he tries to recall once more the events that made this semester what it was. As he racks his memory, he invariably visualizes the happy as well as the unhappy events, sometimes, but more often than not, in their chronological order.

Uppermost in the mind of a cadet are the long, tedious and unappreciated hours of lectures and drills that he has spent in the classrooms and on the drill grounds. In the classroom, he sees the instructor (usually a non-com) already perspiring as he tries to impress upon cadets some of whom are busy taking notes while others are not even listening at all, the basic fundamentals of modern warfare. While on the drill grounds, there is that vivid picture of himself and his fellow cadets marching to the dissonant music struck up by the "old unreliable" band led by Cdt. Sgt. Jose "Tikboy" Alonzo. On other occasions, he sees the cadets doing the combat drills. This consists of squad formations given by hand signals and executed at a run with the rifle held at high port. Usually confusion arises as the cadets forget where to face, forget their places, etc. Sometimes the cadets are ordered to crawl on their bellies in any kind of ground. The nerve of those ... officers!

From " The Meaning of Convention," 62nd U.P. Vanguard Annual Souvenir Program, 1984

The old cadet comes home. Once again he walks the fields and the corridors of his youth. Familiar faces bring shenanigans shared. And memories of standing shoulder to shoulder, yet not seeing eye to eye. He hopes to fill himself with the past, but will leave with even a greater void. Unless-

Unless he can give meaning to the assembly beyond mere reminiscence.

As we Vanguards begin to gather, we will first honor our heroes who have gone ahead. But we must also and more significantly inspire new heroes to stand where others have fallen. We must kindle not only a memorial flame but a beacon for others to follow. Because we grieve for the Dead, we must look to the Corps and keep it alive.

Then we should examine ourselves. Our collective strenght must not be squandered for lack of focus. It is time to renew the pledges and the commitmments which brought us together. it is time to choose and stand behind leadership of Principle, Visions and Action.

True to our name, we must ourselves, all of us, help guide our fellow countrymen through the uncertain times. If we must blaze new trails, seek new directions, now is the time to decide. Whatever the future may hold, it is not for us to stand back. It is our task to command the march forward.

The Vanguard Homecoming
A coming together
to lead the way

(Brig. Gen. Benjamin - Vallejo, UPV '52)

You've gone ahead,
Left us behind;
Farewell dear friend.

You've gone through wars,
Won many battles;
Farewell dear friend.

You've been a good teacher,
You've taught us as well;
Farewell dear friend.

You've been a good brother,
We'll miss your presence;
Farewell dear friend.

You've done your job,
You've earned your rest;
Now you're on God's breast.

Farewell Brod Ben.

Teto Inocencio, UPV '54