SCHOOL  VISITS  AND   LECTURES

Legion XXIV has made many visits to local schools, and some schools not so local, enhancing the learning experiences of students, young and old.  Teachers from other classes and even Principals, have often come-in to witness these "Show and Tell" presentations.  The students relish the opportunity to try on the helmets and form battle lines with the shields and engage in forming a "testudo" (turtle) formation, as was done by Roman Legionaries many centuries ago.  

The demonstration and lecture is done in period attire and deals with the life of the Roman soldier, the weapons he used, methods of battle and the origins and formations if the Roman Legions, as well as some discussion on the heritage of Ancient Rome to modern society.  Questions are answered and asked of the students during and after the session.  If time permits, the students may try on the helmets and armor.  

Views of some of these visitations are shown below. 

A minimum of one full class period of 50 minutes or more (preferably more) is required to do justice to the topic and to allow some time for questions and examination of the equipment.  Combining two class periods and/or class groups is suggested and recommended.  The lecture is most effective if the students have already studied Ancient Rome at least up through the Republican Period.  Some exposure to Latin is also beneficial.   

Valley Forge Military Academy, in Wayne PA, of which the Commander is an Alumnus (Class of 1959), has invited  Legion XXIV to return for a number years to demonstrate the heritage and tactics of the Ancient Roman Army to the future military leaders being trained at the Academy. -  Photo courtesy of the VFMA Photo Dept. 

An auditorium, library area or large classroom with ample space in front or a "horseshoe" or "in the round" seating arrangement is recommended.  About twelve feet of table space or stage front is also requested for the display of the equipment.  The demonstration space should be available at least 30 minutes prior to the time of the demonstration to allow for the set-up and preparation of the displays, etc.  A number of available Roman Army Recruits (students) is always welcome to assist in moving the equipment to and from the presentation area.  Travel time to your location from Newtown Square PA, 15 miles west of Philadelphia, and 30 minutes of set-up time should be considered in scheduling early morning presentations.   

Commander Gallio Marsallas gives an explanation as the students of the Pennington Day School in Pennington, NJ  form a testudo formation with the seven "scuta" (shields) supplied by Legion XXIV and the cardboard shields made by the students.  About 20 students from the assembly of 50 took part in this exercise on  January 21, 2004.  At Right - A student tries on Lorica Segmentata body armor. 

PLEASE NOTE -The demonstration involves the display of real functional weapons of iron and steel.  You may want to advise your school office that such items are being brought onto the school property.  Wood swords are provided for use by the students during the demonstration.  

Commander Gallio leads students in forming a "Testudo" (turtle) formation of "Scutum" (shields). 

For additional information or to schedule a demonstration, please contact the Praefectus/Commander at  www.legionxxiv.org  or  610-353-4982.  I am retired, so most any weekday is available by mutual agreement.   

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SCHOOL  CAMPAIGNS  OF  LEGION  XXIV 

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 Feb. 07   Council Rock High School - South,  Holland / South Hampton, PA   Erin Parfitt

June 01   Lower Macungie Middle School, Macungie, PA   Deborah Lichtenwainer

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 Aug 16   Penn Museum, Univ. of Penna. Philadelphia - History Summer Camp

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Mar 29   National Constitution Center, Philadelphia  Francesca Reynolds

 Apr 10   Rutgers University of N.J., Piscataway, NJ 

 Aug 04   Veritas Academy, Leola, PA  Chris Walker

 Aug 18   Penn Museum, Univ. of Penna. Philadelphia - History Summer Camp  Jennifer Reifsteck

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May 21  Elkton Middle School, Elkton, MD  Michael Hinton 

July 08   Chris Walker  Lancaster, PA 

July 24   Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, PA  Zee Poerio

Nov 03   Highland High School, Warrington, VA  Sara Roach 

Dec 08   Haverford School, Haverford, PA   Emily Hulme 

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Mar 07   Ethel Hoppock Middle School,  Asbury NJ   Matthew Esposito 

 Apr 24   Council Rock High School North, Newtown, PA  Barbara Cavenaugh 

May 07  Council Rock High School North, Newtown, PA  Barbara Cavenaugh 

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Feb. 27    Wardlaw Hartridge  K-12 School, Edison, NJ  Joan Anthony

May 14   Harrisburg Academy, Wormleysburg, PA  Heather Jorgenson

Oct.  22   South Regional HS, Manahawkin NJ,  2 sessions Bob Johnson, 609-597-5498

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Feb. 14    Lancaster County Day School, Travis O'Gorman 

Feb. 15    Princeton Day School, Amy Beckford,  

Mar. 22   Heritage HS, Leesburg VA, Mike Krepich, 571-215-6792  

May  2     Clearview Regional HS, Mullica Hill NJ  Martha Pearlman 

May 22    Renaissance School, Montclair NJ  Nahum Prasarn 

July  19    Univ-PA Summer Camp Program, Philadelphia  

July  24    Project Forward Leap, Millersville Univ. Millersville PA 

 Oct  19    South Regional HS, Manahawkin NJ,  Bob Johnson, 609-597-5498

 Nov  9    Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne PA, 6 sessions Phil Townsend, 800-234-8362  

 Oct  30    South Regional HS, Manahawkin NJ, 7 sessions Bob Johnson, 609-597-5498

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Jan. 11    Bala Cynwyd Middle School, PA, Noelle Samulewicz, 610-664-4500 

Feb. 15 & 16 - Princeton Day School, Princeton NJ, Amy Beckford, 609-468-4322  abeckford@pds.org  

April 11   ET Richardson School, Springfield PA 

April 27   Lancaster County Day School, PA,  Leslie Blythe

May  4    Council Rock HS, Newtown PA, Barb Cavenaugh

May 11   Academy of New Church, Bryn Athen PA, Gail Cooper, 267-502-2552

May 17    Egg Harbor Township Classical League, Egg Harbor NJ, Misty Kammerman 609-226-8436

May 17 - Atlantic City High School Latin Club, Atlantic City, NJ, Misty  Kammerman, 609-226-8436

May 19   Neshaminy Middle School, Langhorne PA, Barbara Epting, 215-752-3600 

July 28    Millersville Univ. Summer Camp, Lancaster PA, Diana Collins, 717-871-5986, 717-341-4025  

Nov  19   Roman Display, Central-Dauphin HS  Rich Hower, 717-651-1197   

Dec.  7    Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne PA, 6 sessions Phil Townsend, 800-234-8362

Dec. 16   Academy New Church, Bryn Athyn, Gail Cooper 267-502-2552

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Jan. 21 - Pennington School, NJ, Randy Beckford

Feb.  7 - Boy Scouts, Meeting House Hill School, New Fairfield CT

Feb. 10 - Princeton Day School, Princeton NJ, Amy Beckford,  abeckford@pds.org  

April  8 - Saint Mary's Hall, Burlington NJ, Oliver Morris, 267-973-5967

April 15 - Community Evangelical  Free Church, Elverson PA 

April 19 - Lancaster County Day School, Lancaster PA,  Leslie Blythe

May 12 - Neshaminy Middle School, Langhorne PA, Barbara Epting, 215-752-3600

July 22 - Millersville Univ. Summer Camp, Lancaster PA, Diana Collins, 717-871-5986, 717-341-4025

July 23 - Roman-Gladiator Demonstration, Univ-PA Museum Summer School, Philadelphia, Bonnie Wright  

Nov. 19 - West Chester PA East High School, Janet Booze

Nov. 23 - Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne PA, 6 sessions Phil Townsend, 800-234-8362  

Dec. 17 - Bala Cynwyd Middle School, Noelle Samulewicz, 610-645-1800   

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Feb. 26 - Exeter HS, Reading PA, Mike Kitsock, 610-779-3060

April  3 - Alverna College, Reading PA, Mike Kitsock, 610-779-3060  

April  3 - Academy of New Church, Bryn Athen PA, Gail Cooper, 267-502-2552

April  9 - High School, Mullica Hill NJ 

April 23 - Lancaster County Day School, Lancaster PA,  Leslie Blythe

May  6 - Council Rock HS North, Newtown PA, Barb Cavenaugh

May 12 - Neshaminy Middle School, Langhorne PA, Barbara Epting, 215-752-3600 

May 15 - Henderson School, West Chester PA,  Janet Boosz, 738-9102-H

May 20 - Dunbar School, Philadelphia, Gloria, 215-755-5686H, 215-684-5065S

July 18 - Roman-Gladiator Demonstration, Univ-PA Museum Summer School, Philadelphia, Bonnie Wright 

July 24 - Millersville Univ. Summer Camp, Lancaster PA, Diana Collins, 717-871-5986

Nov. 14 - Academy of New Church, Bryn Athen PA, Gail Cooper, 267-502-2552

Dec. 10 - Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne PA, 6 sessions Phil Townsend  

Dec. 12 - Bala Cynwyd Middle School, PA, Hegeman, 610-664-4500 x304

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Feb.  4 -  Academy of New Church, Bryn Athen PA, Gail Cooper, 267-502-2552

Feb. 14 - Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne PA, Phil Townsend, 800-234-8362 

May 17 - Neshaminy Middle School, Langhorne PA, Barbara Epting, 215-752-3600 

May 31 - Neshaminy Middle School, Langhorne PA, Debra Deacon, 215-752-3600 

Nov. 15 - Bala Cynwyd Middle School, PA, Hegeman, 610-664-4500 x304

Dec. 11 - Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne PA, Phil Townsend 

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Feb. 13 - Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne PA, 6 sessions Phil Townsend, 800-234-8362 

March 30 - Holicong School, Holicong PA 

April 6 - Temple Univ. Law Library, Philadelphia 

July 1 - Millersville Univ. Summer Camp, Lancaster PA   

Aug. 6 - Boy Scout Camp, Toledo, OH 

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Jan. 28 - Valley Forge Military Academy, Wayne PA, 6 sessions Phil Townsend, 800-234-8362 

1 9 9 9 

May 5 - Interboro High School, Prospect Park PA  

Oct. 25 - West Chester PA East High School  

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University of PA Museum Classical History Day Camp - July 18, 2003

At Left - A Testudo (turtle) formation of 35 students, in the UPM Courtyard using the Commander's helmets and scutum shields along with the small cardboard shields the students had made earlier in the week.   At Right - The Commander talks to students.

Lupus Britannicus (Wolf of Britain - Mike Catellier) in the "Secutor" style at left, faces off against Aulus (Albert  Barbato) , as a "Retiarius" (net & trident) in the Courtyard of the University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia, on July 18, 2003.  At right, the "Wolf" is victorious as "Aulus" raises his trident in defeat.  The kids were attending an annual week-long Classical History Day Camp and were enthralled with the authentic living history lesson being presented before them. 

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Above and below, two pages from the "Digital View" pictorial publication of the Neshaminy Middle School, in Newtown, PA.   

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"Multas Gratias tibi Agimus" (Much Thanks)  from Henderson High School, West Chester, PA  May 2003 

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