On Friday, September 8, alumni, family, and friends joined us for our annual Flag Raising Ceremony held to signify the beginning of the 2017-18 school year and remember those who lost their lives 16 years ago on September 11, 2001.

During this ceremony, CBA inducted two alumni into the JROTC Hall of Fame. General Steven Spano ’79 and General Gerald C. Kelleher ’26 were inducted into the JROTC Hall of Fame and honored for their outstanding contribution to school, service, and country.

General Steven Spano ’79

General Steven Spano, class of 1979 served more than 28 years in the United States Air Force serving in a variety of leadership roles. He retired in 2011 from Air Combat Command where he served as the Director of Communications. General Spano is currently the president and chief operating officer of CIS (Center of Internet Security), a company that utilizes the power of a global IT community to safeguard private and public organizations against cyber threats.

The Kelleher Family

General Gerald C. Kelleher graduated from CBA in 1926 and passed away in 2003 at the age of 95. He was a lifelong resident of Albany and was Albany’s highest medal award winner and one of the highest award winners in New York State for gallantry in World War II, Korea, and the Vietnam War. General Kelleher started a deep family tradition at CBA. Between the years of 1926 and 1976, thirteen Kellehers graduated from CBA. His grandson Thomas, class of 1972 spoke and accepted the award on General Kelleher’s behalf.

Their names, Brigadier General Steven Spano ’79 and Brigadier General Gerald C. Kelleher ’26 will be forever engraved in a brick around the flag pole in honor of their service.