Military & Veteran Alumni Share Stories on Zoom

On Wednesay, November 10– the eve of Veterans Day–a group of alumni from various decades gathered on Zoom for a conversation about their lives and experiences as active duty or veteran members of the US Military.

The conversation, facilitated by Trustee Emeritus Robert (Bob) Cory ’63 and Gabrielle Garcia Murray ’15, had representatives from the Air Force, Army, and Navy and class years ranging from 1963 to 2020. The group also included a current SKS student, junior Kaitlin Bou ’23 (daughter of Kari McNaughton Bou ’91), who is interested in the Air Force as a path into the field of meteorology.

“We all have two things in common,” began Bob as he kicked off the discussion. “We are all alums and members of the Armed Forces, making us a unique group.” “Our experience of serving was and is so meaningful and relevant in each of our lives, as SKS has been,” added Mike Brower ’63.

The first in the School’s Fall 2021 Alumni Conversation Series, the participants agreed that the event was a fitting commemoration of Veterans Day. Across the decades, a wealth of understanding and advice was shared, as well as some good-natured bantering. After the conversation, John Garrett ’63 wrote “I found it insightful, broadening and a meaningful way to connect with the broader SKS community.”

Head of School Jonathan Lamb, who also attended the discussion, commented “When I speak to alums, I always want to know, not just about their SKS experience, but also where life took them after Storm King. Our focus with current students is not just ‘college prep,’ but more importantly, life preparation. College is a vector to what we hope to be a positive and successful life. Listening to everyone tie their SKS experience to their life experiences was great, inspiring and provocative. Thank you to everyone for participating.” Participants:

Pierce Pramuka ’20 is an Air Force ROTC cadet and sophomore majoring in public policy and pre-med at the University of Chicago. Pierce hopes to join the medical field in the Air Force.

Dennis “Ricky” McMahon ’17, a graduate of Norwich University, served as a combat engineer in the National Guard for two years, and is now a plebe at USMA/ West Point.

Gabrielle Garcia Murray ’15 is an energetic and enthusiastic E5 (Staff Sergeant) in the Air Force. As a Geospatial Intelligence Analyst and a trainer, she is “always learning and challenged every day.”

Caynan Picard ’93 served 21 years in the Air Force and Army as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot and deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Germany with missions that included humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and air assault narcotics eradication.

Tim Keogh ’79 served in the Air Force as a family legacy, with his fifth great-grandfather having fought in the American Revolution and every generation since having served. Tim has also served on the Congressional Veterans Advisory Council for the 10th District of California.

Michael Brower ’63 served in the Air Force from 1966- 1969. He “had the bug to fly” and his service led to a 10-year journey in the field of aviation. He said that the service gave him the structure and routine he needed back then.

John Garrett ’63 is a seven-year Navy veteran who served on two Polaris submarines, including as a supply officer on the submarine USS James Monroe from 1969-1971.

Bob Cory ’63 was drafted during the Vietnam War, but instead chose to enlist in the Air Force. He served four years of active duty and 18 more years in the Air National Guard.

Tom Leeds ’69 spent six and a half years of active duty in the Army’s Quartermaster Corps furnishing vital supplies and services under adverse and dangerous conditions. After becoming a reservist, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.