To the Band of Brothers: September 15, 2025

In 1981, there was an assassination attempt on one of my heroes. After delivering a speech at the Washington Hilton Hotel, President Ronald Reagan was shot while exiting the building and walking to his limousine. As you can imagine, the scene was chaotic. After rushing him to the hospital and performing emergency surgery, one of the first people to visit the President in the recovery room was then Speaker of the House Thomas “Tip” O’Neill. Others present said the Speaker rushed to the President’s side, took his hand, and said, “God bless you.” Then, he knelt by his bedside, said a prayer, and proceeded to kiss him on the forehead.

No doubt, it was a touching exchange between two of the most powerful men in the world who were also very close friends. But what makes this story even more beautiful is that they were fierce political competitors. President Reagan was a republican and Speaker of the House O’Neill was a democrat. They constantly debated each other publicly and privately, challenging one another’s views and fighting for what they believed to be the best course of action for the nation. And yet, almost every night, after fierce debate, they would gather together in the Oval Office to have a drink and celebrate their friendship.

Where has that gone?

Look, I don’t consider myself to be an expert, by any means, in politics or diplomacy or history, but I do know enough to observe the intensified tension that exists in our country today, especially in the world of politics. One of the things that has driven the strength of our nation is that, for as varied a political view may be, a shared love of country and fellow man should drive not only what we say, but especially what we do. The United States needs a variety of thoughts and opinions to sort out best practices and move the country forward. That adversity is not a curse, but an opportunity.

The recent assassination of political activist, thinker, and speaker Charlie Kirk is a direct threat to what makes our country so great. This well-versed and well-informed individual challenged people, especially young people, to engage in debates. He visited college campuses around the country and encouraged students to “prove him wrong.” Even the title of his presentations expressed a challenge to formulate educated arguments that could not only inform those who attended, but also himself. 

The assassination of Charlie Kirk was a terrorist attack because it intended to create terror. Because college campuses, stadiums, and convention halls are no longer perceived as safe, many may be afraid to speak their minds and express their convictions. Many may choose to keep it to themselves. But nothing can be more un-American than that. It is not fear that got us here, but courage. 

This year’s theme, “Iron sharpens iron,” is a testament to the fact God creates us to come together and make each other better. It is precisely in the clashing and banging of iron that not one, but both are sharpened. Our convictions, arguments, and beliefs are refined and strengthened by that respectful and lively debate which Charlie Kirk engaged in. It is for this reason that I refer back to one of the previous themes of our school, “Do not be afraid!” These powerful words spoken by St. Pope John Paul II when he celebrated Mass in Poland, when it was under a brutal communist regime, are more pertinent now than they’ve ever been. 

The glorious martyrs of our Catholic faith are living examples of men and women whose convictions were so strong that when push came to shove, they remained steadfast. Their witness fuels our faith to this day. The terror their persecutors tried to instill backfired because the Church marches on. Charlie Kirk may be a martyr of sorts. We can only hope his death was not in vain, but helps fuel a change and return to the days that seem to have gone by. 

Auspice Maria.