Benedictine’s Stars and Stripes Day to Honor Brigadier General, Veterans and Military Personnel

Benedictine College will honor all U.S. military personnel during its “Stars and Stripes” Celebration on Saturday, October 15, during the home football game set to kick off at 1:00 p.m. in Wilcox Stadium. The St. Martin of Tours Award, named for the patron saint of soldiers, will be given to Brigadier General James P. Schreffler, a Benedictine graduate from the Class of ’91, during halftime of the Ravens’ football game against Central Methodist University. Anyone with a U.S. Military ID will receive free admission to the game.

The halftime show also includes performances by the Raven Dance Team and the Raven Regiment Marching Band, an extravaganza that features elaborate formations along with the anthems of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. It all culminates with the dramatic unfurling of a huge, 60-foot American flag. This will be the college’s fifteenth recognition of active duty, reservist and veteran men and women in the U.S. military.

General Schreffler received his commission through the Army ROTC in 1991 upon graduating from Benedictine College. Initially assigned to the Army Chemical Corps, he received a branch transfer to Aviation in 1995 after completing flight training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. He is a senior aviator and is qualified in the Iroquois, Cobra, Apache, and Blackhawk helicopters.

General Schreffler’s deployments include Kosovo in 2008 as the Chief of Helicopter Operations, Afghanistan in 2013 as commander of Aviation Task Force Reaper, and most recently to the Middle East as commander of the 1107th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Throughout his career, he has held numerous positions at the company, battalion and brigade level. Since 2003, he has been employed by the College of the Ozarks and currently serves as the Assistant Adjutant General-Army for the Missouri National Guard.

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is honored to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, the best private college in Kansas by The Wall Street Journal, and one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. Benedictine College has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.