Alumni Review 2011 Issue 4 by VMI Alumni Agencies

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ALUMNI REVIEW 2011-Issue 4

Contents

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE Alumni Review 2011-Issue 4

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

This issue includes class notes covering the time period of May 16 to Aug. 15, 2011. Other than class notes, most stories and news in this issue were received in the May through August ’11 time frame.

Matriculation, Class of 2015

Short ’25: Press Secretary

Lang ’62: A Great Spy

Hoenig ’69: Life in China

Nagel ’02: Gives Back

OEF/OIF: An Update

Association/Chapter News

Class Notes

136 Births, Marriages, Degrees 137 Most Senior Alumni 138 Taps 147 Alumni News

President’s Letter

145 Association Directory 156 The Institute 160 VMI Athletics 165 The Foundation 174 The Keydet Club

2011-Issue 4

Editor: Hope Hennessey Assistant Editor: Traci Mierzwa Editorial Assistant: Brenda Stoner

PRINTER Progress Printing Co., Inc. Lynchburg, Virginia

NEWS AND UPDATES

DEPARTMENTS

PUBLISHER The President of The VMI Alumni Association, Inc.

PUBLISHING OFFICE The VMI Alumni Association, Inc., Alumni Review Office VMI Moody Hall, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450; 540/464-7224 review@vmiaa.org

FEATURES 9

Volume 87, No. 3

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The VMI Alumni Review (USPS 954-740) is published four times yearly in fall, winter, spring and summer by The VMI Alumni Association, Inc., P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450. It is sent to alumni and friends of the Institute without subscription. ATTENTION POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to: VMI Alumni Review, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 Periodicals postage paid at Lynchburg, VA. PURPOSE OF THE VMI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION To organize the alumni, the better to keep alive the memories of Institute life and—by their united efforts—to aid in the promotion of the welfare of the Institute, and the successful prosecution of its educational purposes. VMI ALUMNI AGENCIES TELEPHONE NUMBERS The VMI Alumni Association: The VMI Foundation: The VMI Keydet Club:

540/464-7221 540/464-7287 540/464-7328

WEB SITE ADDRESSES Alumni Agencies: www.vmialumni.org VMI: www.vmi.edu ON OUR COVER Front Cover: Member of the VMI Band playing the bass drum during parade. Inside Back Cover: Members of the Cadet Corps leading new cadets into Barracks through Jackson Arch. Photo taken during Matriculation Weekend, Aug. 20, 2011, by Kevin Remington.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Alumni, In my last letter, I congratulated Bill Paulette ’69 on his new role as president of the Keydet Club. I did not mention that Walt Jeffress ’68 has assumed the role of Foundation president, since his election had not occurred at Review publication time. Walt, congratulations! Bill, Walt and I are all from Mecklenburg County, Virginia. This may be a first – for the three agencies to be headed by individuals from the same area.

Blanks ’67 Occasionally, I hear comments that “the only time we hear from VMI is when someone wants money.” Certainly, our beloved Institute always needs more support, especially in light of the dwindling state support of higher education. Since 2000, state support to VMI has decreased from 33% to 14% in 2011, and so I urge you to meet the challenge given to us by the legislature. Having noted the economic situation, let me outline what your Alumni Association has accomplished in the last year. We held 30 New Cadet Recruiting events with the Admissions Office and, through these, reached over 800 prospective cadets, contributing to another record year of applicants; we supported almost 100 chapter events across the country, providing speakers and meeting materials; we published and mailed four Alumni Review magazines, distributing over 20,000 copies per edition; we hosted many successful reunions, which brought more than 2,000 people back to VMI to see the Institute and rekindle connections with their Brother Rats; 1,100 alumni guests enjoyed a comfortable stay at Moody Hall during the past year; we initiated numerous networking events for alumni seeking employment and began distributing our monthly Networking News Letter, which has provided assistance to more than 300 alumni seeking employment; and we now have a mobile application for your smart phone to help you stay in touch with Brother Rats and other alumni as you travel around the country. Through these activities and initiatives, the Alumni Association is meeting important needs in serving alumni and providing support to chapters, class agents and our sister agencies for the betterment of VMI. I would be remiss if I did not mention the outstanding support that the elected Alumni Association Board members, special appointees and chapter representatives provide to our full time staff. The New Cadet Recruiting, Placement, Young Alumni and Senior Alumni Committees are offering the staff a wealth of new ideas, refinement of current programs and support to execute new initiatives. Everyone’s combined efforts net excellent service to our alumni who have a strong heritage of involvement and support of the Institute. If you have suggestions as to how we can better serve you, please let Adam or me know. We want to continue to improve. As a tribute to VMI’s illustrious heritage, this Alumni Review contains an article about Joseph Short ’25, a highly regarded news journalist who was appointed White House press secretary, serving President Harry Truman. Also, don’t miss the Athletics section in which you will read about eight alumni who have recently been inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame, along with two former Athletic Department personnel. Congratulations to all! Proudly serving you,

Randolph Blanks, President The VMI Alumni Association, Inc.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

Remington Adams ’09, USA, far left, is a member of the 3rd Platoon, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Operation

Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom An Update The following alumni names have been received since the publication of the 2011-Issue 4 Alumni Review. This update does not include alumni names received after Aug. 15, 2011. Also, once the name of an alumnus has been listed in the Review, it will not appear again, even if the alumnus is re-deployed at a later date. Not all of the alumni listed are currently serving in OEF/OIF, but they all have served at one time. Names and photographs are e-mailed to us almost every week.

Class of 1991 Bewley, Lee W. Lt. Col., USA 2011-Issue 4

Because we have to have a cut-off date for each issue, your name and picture may have arrived past that date and therefore are not published in this issue; they will be published in the next issue. Please send additions, corrections and photographs to the Alumni Review staff at: VMI Alumni Review, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 (e-mail: review@vmiaa.org). For a complete list of names that we have received, go to http://www.vmialumni.org and click on the link titled “OEF/ OIF,” or go directly to http://www.vmialumni.org/oifoef.

Class of 1999

Class of 2010

Dressler, Cory J. Sgt., USMC

Page, Thomas N. 2nd Lt., USA 3

rotation, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, in which he served as the battalion assistant operations officer (S3) until August 2007. Capt. Michael Wray Newton ’03, USA, of Newport News, Virginia, After graduating from the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course died on June 11, 2011, of a non-combat related incident while serv- at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in February 2008, Newton was assigned to ing in Faryab Province, Afghanistan. He was 30. Fort Riley, Kansas, where he conducted Military Transition Team In his honor, flags were flown at half-staff on June training. 29, 2011, at the state capitol and in Newport News. From October 2008-October 2009, he was deployed Newton graduated from Newport News Denbigh High to Mosul, Iraq, with the 182 Iraqi Army Battalion School in 1999. While at Denbigh, he was a member of Military Transition Team where he served as a senior the band, Executive Council, Future Business Leaders advisor and fire support advisor. of America, Mayor’s Youth Commission, Model United He was then relocated to Baumholder, Germany, Nations, Spanish Club, junior varsity football team where he received his most recent duty assignment as and wrestling team. Additionally, he was a student aide service battery commander, 1st Battalion, 84th Field and sports manager, and he was the recipient of the Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Mayor’s Outstanding Youth Award at Denbigh in 1999. Team. From Germany, he was deployed to Camp He graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree Griffin, Faryab Province, Afghanistan. in history. During his cadetship, he was a member Newton’s awards and decorations include the of the band and the rifle team and served as a batBronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Newton ’03 talion executive officer. He was also a member the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Serof the History Society and The Institute Society. vice Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Newton began his military career on May 10, 2001, when he enlisted Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global in U.S. Army Reserve. After completing Basic Training, he transferred War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, to the National Guard. He was commissioned as an officer in 2003 the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and was first assigned to Camp Casey, Korea, where he served as Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and Overseas Service Bar. the fire direction officer for Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 15th Field He was also a member of the Order of Saint Barbara. Artillery Regiment until 2005. Newton is survived by his mother and father, Barbara and WilIn December 2005, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division lie Newton of Newport News; a sister, Kelly Fullwood of Stone in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was immediately deployed to Iraq Mountain, Georgia; grandparents, Abe and Margaret Newton of with Delta Company, 3rd Brigade, 187th Infantry Regiment, serving Newport News; aunts, Margie Lowery, Audrey Brice and Joyce Ricks as the company fire support officer. (Charles); uncles, William Clark III of Hampton, Virginia, and Avery In October 2006, upon completion of his Operation Iraqi Freedom Newton of Newport News; and many other relatives and friends.

Michael W. Newton ’03

Camp is Named in Honor of Ransom ’01 Editor’s Note: The following article about the late Maj. Charles A. Ransom ’01, USAF, appeared as a June 2, 2011, posting on the Af.mil website, which is the official site of the U.S. Air Force. Sadly, Ransom died while on duty in Afghanistan. His obituary appeared in the 2011-Issue 3 Alumni Review.

Group Members Dedicate Camp to Fallen Hero by Capt. Jamie Humphries 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Members of the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group [AEAG] at Kandahar Air Wing dedicated their camp recently at a ceremony to honor the life of Maj. Charles Ransom. Maj. Ransom was assigned to the 738th AEAG when he died as a result of wounds received from enemy gunfire at the Afghan air force base compound [on] April 27, along with seven other Airmen and one civilian contractor. The 2001 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute was deployed to the 738th AEAG from the 83rd Network Operations Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, where he served in cyberspace operations. While assigned to the 738th

AEAG, he acted as an adviser to Afghan communications professionals. The idea to name the camp after Maj. Ransom was led by Master Sgt. Jeff Eshleman, deployed to the 738th AEAG. He was assisted in the project by Tech. Sgt. Rachel Youkey who painted U.S. and Afghan flags by hand and Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Kreuger and Spc. Marisol Munoz who cut, sanded, painted and sealed pieces used to create the memorial sign displayed at the camp. “Maj. Ransom was a friend, a close co-worker and a well-respected professional [who] we all looked up to,” Sgt. Eshleman said. “I wanted to Maj. Charles Ransom honor him in some way. I hope all ’01, USAF, in Afghanitake comfort in knowing the deep stan. This photo also respect we all hold for those who appeared with Ransom’s obituary on page have lost their lives and the price that 5 of the last Review, some pay.” 2011-Issue 3. Memorial services to honor the life of Maj. Ransom were held at KAW and Langley AFB, April 30 and May 12, 2011, respectively.

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Photo above: Lt. Col. Todd Hubbard ’91, USA, on the road to Gardez, Afghanistan, with Afghan Army Col. Abdul Qadir. Hubbard is the mentor team chief at the National Military Command Center (NMCC) in Kabul. He works with Qadir and his staff to assist them with operations

and improve their processes. (Photo above: Qadir’s staff with Hubbard.) The NMCC provides support to the Afghan National Army and gives feedback to their general officer staff. Hubbard deployed to Afghanistan in fall 2010 with the 29th Infantry Division Security Partnering Team. He is serving a one-year tour. Lt. Col. John Wranek ’85, USAR, and Lt. Col. Travis Mabrey ’90, USA, are on Hubbard’s team. Photos courtesy Hubbard.

Ed Kopsick ’80 wrote to the Alumni Review staff: “I am deploying to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in early August [2011] for a two-year tour. I will be the deputy commander of the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Center at Kandahar Air Field [Afghanistan].

I plan on flying the VMI flag at the depot and will have a VMI guest book available. [Please] publish this, so any VMI alumnus who visits Kandahar [can] stop by to sign it. When my tour is over, I plan on donating the flag and book to the VMI Museum.”

Col. Roland J. Tiso Jr ’73, USA (Ret), left, with Chris Meyers ’05 at the Joint Operations Center compound, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Both serve as analysts in the Regional Command-East (1st Cavalry Division) Intelligence Center. Photo courtesy Steve Chadwick ’73.

Commander, NATO International Security Assistance Force / Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan Gen. David Petraeus, left, with Chaplain/Lt. Col. Pete Sniffin ’85, U.S. Forces Afghanistan Ops and Plans chaplain, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

VMI Seeks Commissioning Information for Classes of 1990-2009 In order to more accurately reflect commissioning percentages at VMI, the Institute is seeking to uncover those alumni who have commissioned in any branch of service following their graduation through

2011-Issue 4

an Officer Candidate Program or other commissioning avenue. VMI believes that there may be a sizeable number of alumni in this category. If you commissioned after graduation, by some

means other than direct commission through VMI ROTC, please contact Lt. Col. Gary Bissell ’89, assistant chief of staff, by e-mail at bissellga@vmi.edu or by phone at 540/464-7104. 5

Snapshots and Field Reports from Wranek ’85 in Afghanistan 2

Editor’s Note: Lt. Col. John Wranek ’85, USAR, has been completing a one-year tour in Afghanistan with the Combined Joint Engineer Branch at the International Joint Command Headquarters in Kabul. Since the start of his deployment, he has kept in contact with many VMI alumni serving in the Mideast and has provided the Alumni Review staff with photos of those he has met. We are grateful to Col. Wranek for his efforts and for his service to our country. As of this writing, he is scheduled to return home in October 2011. Safe travels, John, and thank you!

Photo 1: “John Pollack ’85 [left] and I crossed paths in Kabul on July 14th and had lunch,” wrote Wranek. “John works for the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. He’s the in-country team lead for about 90 people. John and his group are working on a variety of different Defense Department projects, some related to improvised and homemade explosive detection.” Photo 2: From left, Capt. Chris Haviley ’08, Chaplain/Lt. Col. Pete Sniffin ’85, Lt. Anthony Bravo ’01 and Wranek at the North Kabul Compound in July 2011. Photos 3, 4, 5: In July 2011, Wranek wrote, “[Here are] a few photos I took during a recent trip to the Green Zone in downtown Kabul. One of the most difficult things for me to see are the little kids living in such abject poverty in and around the city. These children congregate around the entry control points at Camp Eggers, selling little trinkets, asking for money, candy, food, etc. They’re all very friendly and speak pretty good English, which they have learned from watching American shows on Afghan television.” He continued, “On a positive note, we are seeing more foreign aid organizations being allowed into Afghanistan to provide some relief, and kids of all ages are attending school in record numbers. The coalition forces also have an outreach program through a headquarters section call ‘STABOPS’ or Stability Operations.” Photo 6: “U.S. Air Force Capt. Jason Reinitz ’05 arrived in Afghanistan on May 21, 2011, and is working in the Target Support Cell (TSC) at the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) Headquarters,” wrote Wranek. “The TSC coordinates with six regional commands and is responsible for evaluating target recommendations and maintaining target lists for Afghanistan. Reinitz is on a six-month tour.” Photo 7: Wranek wrote: “U.S. Navy Lt. Anthony Bravo ’01 [at the North Kabul Compound, July 2011] has worked as the Biometrics officer in charge at the Armed Contractor Oversight Directorate (ACOD) in Afghanistan.” Editor’s Note: See page 8 and the Alumni News section of this issue for more about Bravo.

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Editor’s Note: The following article appeared in the June 30, 2011, edition of the Virginia National Guard publication, The Commonwealth’s Guardian. It is reprinted with permission.

Virginia Guard Soldiers Help Build Afghan Facilities

and future Afghan forces. Wranek’s team has already hosted eight major conferences since December 2010. “From an infrastructure standpoint, the most challenging aspect of our effort is to keep the construction of the facilities ahead of the fielding of the ANSF,” Wranek said. “It is also very difficult to build tactical infrastructure (forward operating bases, combat outposts, etc.) fast enough to keep up with the rapidly changing dynamics on the battlefield.” Record-keeping and digital databases are not commonly used, as they are in the western world, and this often delays projects until everyone can agree on ownership. This process takes months, because it requires a consensus of local leaders and government officials. “In many cases, it’s very difficult to find Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan-owned land to build on, which is required for permanent bases, and real-estate records are sparse at best,” said Wranek. Wranek is a member of the 29th Infantry Division Headquarters. Approximately 70 soldiers from the 29th Headquarters were deployed to Afghanistan in December 2010 and plan on returning in fall 2011.

Officers from the 29th Infantry Division are helping to build permanent facilities for the Afghan National Security Forces [ANSF]. Afghanistan infrastructure is changing across the country, as Afghans and coalition partners join together to build bases for the ANSF. The ANSF is comprised of the Afghan National Army and the five divisions of the Afghan Police. The International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] Joint Command Engineer Team is stationed at the ISAF Joint Command Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is charged with planning and coordinating engineer support and construction operations across Afghanistan. The staff is made up of officers from Australia, Canada, England, France, Greece, Italy, Macedonia and two officers from the 29th Infantry Division. In the next few years, the size of the ANSF will grow to over 300,000 service members. The final size of the force has not been completely decided, but the Afghan National Army alone, when Lt. Col John Wranek ’85, USAR, left, fully fielded, will be roughly the size of and Col. Jamil, an Afghan engineer ofthe United States Marine Corps. The ficer, at the Regional Command-North Infrastructure Conference at Camp infrastructure needed to support this Shaheen, which, according to Wranek, force is immense. means “eagle” in Dari. Photo courtesy “We’re essentially building enough Wranek. temporary and permanent bases to house 4,000 newly fielded Afghan soldiers every month, about the size of a U.S. infantry brigade,” said Lt. Col. John Wranek from the 29th Security Partnering Team. The National Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan leads the permanent construction program, and IJC has operational control of the battle space. As the ANSF development engineer, Wranek is tasked with organizing Regional Infrastructure Conferences, which bring together individuals and agencies from across Afghanistan including IJC, NTM-A engineers, Regional and Regional Support Command engineers, United States Forces-Afghanistan engineers, the Army Corps of Engineers, Afghan Army/Police Operational Mentor/Liaison Teams and local representatives from the ANSF. The primary purpose of these planning conferences The International Joint Command (IJC) Combined Joint Engineer Branch is to finalize the locations of permanent personnel are shown above, including Lt. Col. John Wranek, standing, third or “enduring” facilities for the existing from left. Photo by IJC Public Affairs Office. 2011-Issue 4

Photo at left: Lt. Col. Jerry Brooks ’85, left, U.S. Forces-Iraq (USF-I) Command historian, and Brig. Gen. Scott (Rock) Donahue ’83, USF-I J-7/director of Joint Engineering, in the Perfume Palace on Camp Slayer outside Baghdad, Iraq. About the photo, Brooks wrote, “The [June 1, 2011] ceremony was for the closing of the U.S. mission in the palace.”

VMI Veterans Transition Program

At Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in June 2011, were, John Adams ’85, chief, Engineering and Construction Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan Engineer District, and his Brother Rat Lt. Col. Mick Chang ’85, Joint Plans officer for U.S. ForcesAfghanistan, South and Southwest Regions. Adams, who submitted this photo, wrote, “We had not seen each other since 1985 and [were] enjoying our mini-reunion before we both redeployed … .”

Are you retiring or planning to transition from active duty military service to another job or career? If so, The VMI Alumni Association, Inc. can help. Please contact Placement and Career Networking Officer Eric Hunter ’08, at ehunter@ vmiaa.org, and discover how you can find a rewarding career in the civilian workforce through networking with other alumni.

In Baghdad, Iraq, May 2011, were Col. Sean Le ’82, USA (Ret), left, senior advisor, Iraq Ministry of Defense International Affairs, and Army Col. W.G. Rowlett ’85, director, Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command-Iraq at Forward Operating Base Union III. The two were on the roof of U.S. Forces-Iraq Headquarters, in front of a hole in the wall caused by an insurgent rocket that struck the building on May 16th. Rowlett has since completed his Iraq tour and returned to U.S.

Lt. Anthony Bravo ’01, USN, was deployed to Afghanistan following an assignment in Chile. Regarding this photo and his current responsibilities as the biometrics officer in charge for the Armed Contractor Oversight Directorate, he wrote: “This directorate oversees every non-coalition armed security guard working on a Department of Defense contract for a private security company in Afghanistan – approximately 17,000 personnel. [Since] life measurements (i.e., fingerprints and irises) do not lie and are essentially impossible to manipulate, the objective of employing biometrics technology throughout the Combined Joint Operations Area-Afghanistan is to mitigate the inherent risk associated in working with armed local nationals and third country nationals. That is, Afghan and foreign guards are carrying loaded weapons and providing static/mobile security for U.S. and Coalition forces while working alongside sailors, soldiers, airmen, marines and contractors. Although no one can measure intent, knowing who these guards are, where they come from and if they present a viable threat is imperative to protecting lives.” See the Alumni News section for an article about Bravo.

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VMI Matriculates

Largest Incoming Class Ever Matriculation for the class of 2015 was well underway by mid-morning Aug. 20, 2011, as anxious new cadets declared academic majors, registered for classes and signed VMI’s venerable Matriculation Book. “It’s kind of an organized chaos that all comes together,” said Lt. Col. William Oliver, VMI’s associate registrar, as he surveyed the floor of Cameron Hall, which was crammed with tables and booths representing various academic and ROTC departments and NCAA athletics. New cadets moved from table to table accompanied by parents who took pictures and offered a chin-up to an apprehensive son or daughter. In some cases, it was the parents who needed a chin-up. “You have parents who are excited for the new adventure, and you have parents who are worried about their kids,” said Tom Johnson, a Parents Council co-president with his wife, Karen. “We try to bring the parents together and reassure them; VMI is family,” Johnson said. Sometimes cadets come to matriculation day unaccompanied by parents. Steve and Kitty Coor, Parents Council co-vice presidents, spent much of their day accompanying a Rat from Colorado who arrived on Post by himself. “We wanted to do it, because we have been through this before with our son, Patrick, and we wanted to go through the experience again,” said Steve Coor. “Plus, we didn’t want this cadet to be alone.” By early afternoon, the incoming Rat class totaled 509, including 56 women and 122 NCAA athletes. Col. Vernon Beitzel ’72, VMI’s director of admissions, said members of the class of

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2015 were selected from a pool of 2, 243 applicants, a 25 percent increase over the previous year and the largest number in VMI history. Seven foreign countries and 34 states are represented in the class, of whom 57 percent of cadets are in-state students. VMI’s superintendent, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, welcomed new cadets and parents Saturday afternoon. Following the address, cadets left Cameron Hall in companies to begin their nineday cadre period. Capt. Chris Perry ’05, assistant commandant for Cadet Life, said the class of 2015 will be in the hands of one the best cadre teams VMI has produced. “It’s still intense, but it’s a different kind of intense,” said Perry, recalling his own days on the Ratline. “Today, the mission is different: you take care of your people, not weed out the weak.” Editor’s Note: The preceding article was provided by VMI Communications and Marketing.

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Short ’25, White House Press Secretary and “Crackerjack” Reporter by Marge Weimer, Contributing Writer

At just 17 years old, Joseph H. Short Jr. voted family man and a crackerjack ’25 matriculated with 257 of his Brother reporter,” stated a New York Times Rats. Four years later, he was officially a article written in 1952. VMI man and one of 104 to graduate in During his time covering his class. Short built a highly regarded Roosevelt, Short met and married career as a newspaper man, becom- fellow A.P. reporter Beth Campbell. Joseph H. Short ’25, right, with President ing National Press Club president and Campbell was an accomplished Harry Truman. Short served as White eventually serving as White House press young journalist in her own right House press secretary beginning in late secretary. – an exceptional feat for a woman in 1950, until his death in September 1952. Photo copyright unknown, courtesy of In an article written about Short in the early days of news reporting. the Baltimore Sun on Dec. 9, 1950, it Short continued to work on Harry S. Truman Library, Independence, Missouri. was reported that a VMI professor was Capitol Hill as White House correresponsible for inspiring Short’s journal- spondent for the Chicago Sun and ism career. the Baltimore Sun. In 1950, Short was his grief and shock at Short’s unexpected Col. William N. Hunley, an economics appointed White House press secretary to passing. “Joe Short’s death is as shocking to and political science professor, “who had President Harry S. Truman. He succeeded me as if he had been a member of my once been a Baltimore Sun reporter – so Charles G. Ross, who had collapsed and own family,” stated Truman in a public extolled the glories of the reporter’s life died at his desk on Dec. 4th of that year. address. “Here was a public servant to that he enticed Short away from a miliAs press secretary, Short was responinspire others, a rare model which cannot tary career,” stated the article. (See note sible for handling media interactions and be replaced.” about Hunley following this article.) fielding questions from the White House Directly following Short’s death, TruWhile attending the Institute, Short press corps during press conferences. By man appointed Mrs. Short as his correserved as editor of The Cadet, honing default, Short’s position required a cerspondence secretary. She became the first his skills as a journalist. Upon gradu- tain amount of closeness with Truman. woman in White House ating from VMI in 1925, history to hold such a Short returned to his native Here was a public servant to inspire others, a rare high paying position. She Mississippi, reporting for received an annual salary the Jackson Daily News, model which cannot be replaced. of $18,000, the same as the Vicksburg Post and the President Harry S. Truman her late husband’s, which Vicksburg Herald. reportedly placed her in The life of a newspaperman the top tier of White House staff. in the 1920s was challenging, but Short’s He traveled extensively with Truman In a letter to VMI Alumni Association reputation was one of unfaltering accu- to Mexico, Brazil and the Caribbean Executive Secretary H.A. Jacob, Mrs. racy and careful attention to the truth. Islands – to name a few. Short wrote of her husband’s character “He was a person who put an enormous On these trips, Short was known to join amount of stock in truthfulness in his in on a poker game or two with the presi- and his belief in good newspaper rereporting,” said son Alexander Short. dent and even developed a reputation porting. “He was a great man, I think, “He was willing to be competitive with as a renowned fisherman. During one as well as a perfect husband and loving all the other people trying to get stories, presidential vacation trip to Key West, father.” but I think it was very important to him Short’s catch was a reported 13-foot-long Editor’s Note: Col. William (College Bill) to get it right and be fair – I heard those hammerhead shark. Hunley was a professor at VMI from 1915 comments being made by editors at the Short acted as Truman’s spokesperson to his retirement in 1949. After attending (Baltimore) Sun long after he died.” during one of the most memorable Baltimore City College and Johns HopShort spent a brief time working on The events of that period – the firing of Gen. kins University, Hunley was a newspaper Times Picayune (New Orleans) before Douglas MacArthur. It was a grave time reporter and then taught political science taking a position at the Associated Press in the U.S. and certainly for the Truman at the University of Virginia for four years (AP) in Richmond in 1929. Two years administration. before joining the VMI faculty. During later, he transferred to the A.P.’s WashAt age 48, Short died tragically of a ington Bureau, reporting on Capitol Hill heart-attack in his home on Sept. 18, World War I, he served as executive secduring the Roosevelt administration. 1952. He was survived by his wife, Beth, retary of the Virginia Council of Defense, chaired by Gen. E.W. Nichols, former VMI “Among the Washington press corps, and their three young children. he was known as a staunch friend, a dePresident Truman publicly expressed superintendent. 2011-Issue 4

Lang ’62: “One of the 20th Century’s Great Spies” by George Abry, Contributing Writer

W. Pat Lang ’62 has never been one to rest on his laurels or dote on past achievements. He served for 26 years in the U.S. Army. After 14 years as a distinguished commissioned officer and Vietnam veteran behind him, Lang became the first professor of Arabic and Middle East Studies at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, starting that program from scratch in 1976. After that, he spent several years as the defense and Army attaché in the embassies in North Yemen and Saudi Arabia, before joining the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 1985. Lang, who is fluent in Arabic and French, supervised worldwide intelligence gathering for all Department of Defense (DoD) espionage assets. “Lang’s knack for getting big questions right made him one of the 20th

century’s great spies,” wrote author Mark Riebling in an excerpt from a forthcoming book about the DIA’s first 50 years. “As a colonel, he led a covert operation that changed the course of the bloodiest war in Mideast history. As a civilian, he forged a military espionage service that rivaled [the] CIA’s. As a Defense Intelligence officer, he brought the Pentagon to the highest state of alert, for the first time, before a war began.” A lot of 71-year-olds with a bio like that might be thinking about starting their memoirs. And Lang would like to, except he doesn’t have time. He’s too busy blogging, participating in war games for the U.S., making podcasts and working on a novel. Lang is also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, an honorific Roman Catholic order of knighthood that promotes Christian values and the Catholic Church’s interests in the Holy Land. Lang, an expert on the Middle East, Islam and terrorism, is an independent strategic military and political intelligence analyst who routinely advises DoD officials and the intelligence community. Often, he’s called to testify as an expert witness in ’62 Lang national security cases at the Federal level. Since 2001, he has worked as an independent consultant. “All of this takes up a lot of my time,” said Lang, who lists as his interests: history (all kinds), theology, literature, cowboy boots, the War Between the States and Norwich terriers. Lang’s blog, “Sic Semper Tyrannis” – which in Latin means “thus ever to tyrants” – is not exactly light reading. It mixes Lang’s musings on current affairs with serious commentary on the state of international military affairs, the Middle East peace process and the threat of terrorism. The blog caught the attention of intelligence experts during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, when Lang identified the Hizbollah defense as a series of isolated, fortified defense positions, as opposed to classic guerilla tactics. Lang’s blog isn’t all meat and potatoes. Other categories of discussion include art, books, travel and sports. The blog has received as many as 5,000 hits a day, and in the seven years it’s been online, has received 6.5 million page hits. “I don’t know how long I will continue with it, but it’s difficult to shut off,” Lang said, referring to the blog’s adThe above photo, which appeared in the fall 2000 isdictive appeal. sue of the Alumni Review, shows W. Pat Lang ’62, left, Perhaps the real love of Lang’s life these days is meeting Pope John Paul II in Rome, July 2000. Lang, a member of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre his novel, the final volume in his Strike the Tent of Jerusalem, had been recently elevated to the rank of trilogy, which includes The Butcher’s Cleaver and knight commander for the work he had done in protecting Death Piled Hard. Lang’s trilogy is an epic story shrines in Jerusalem and other places in the Mideast. of military intelligence and espionage during the At the same ceremony, he was also awarded the “Palm of Jerusalem,” a papal decoration for those who have Civil War, peopled with soldiers, spies and slaves. distinguished themselves for extraordinary service to the It tells the story of Claude Devereux, a ConfederOrder and the Holy Land. ate spy who infiltrates enemy lines and becomes a 12

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trusted advisor to Edwin Stanton, President Lincoln’s secretary the welfare of others, not of himself. of war. “I have to kill these guys in the end, which is tough,” “VMI gave me a standard of behavior for life,” Lang said. “It gave said Lang, who expects to finish the draft of the me a very good academic background, but mostly I book by the end of 2011, with a publication date learned a standard of behavior, that people should set for spring 2012. do their duty, not feel too sorry for themselves, just Lang has bequeathed the copyrights of the trilget on with things.” ogy to the VMI Museum. “I wanted them to be a So, is he or isn’t he thinking of retiring? “No, part of the patrimony of VMI,” Lang said. “They I’m not thinking of retiring; there are still a lot are important books that deal with a large piece of of people who want me to do things. It’s just a the Institute’s history, and there are a lot of VMI matter of making sure I’ve got enough time to people in the books.” do them all,” Lang said. Lang, who majored in English at VMI, has In addition to providing expert commentary on fond memories of studying under Col. Herbert important matters of the day, one of the things Nash Dillard, who was head of the English De- Lang as a colonel in Lang is frequently asked to do is write an autobithe U.S. Army. partment at the time. In addition to receiving ography, which might be difficult for reasons that a first rate academic education, Lang said VMI go beyond simple time constraints. “My proudest taught him to be a gentleman, one who is concerned with achievements are still classified,” Lang said.

Jay Hoenig ’69: A Life in Shanghai by Laure Stevens-Lubin, Contributing Writer

Everyone knows a VMI education can take you places. and traffic. Now, thousands of American and European Jay Hoenig ’69 has been living and working in Asia, expats come to Shanghai to find work. It’s also the “place mostly in Shanghai, since 1994. During that time, he has to be” for young people. “Shanghai is like it was in the ’30s seen China and the rest of the Asian world undergo great – the Paris of Asia – but with a new infrastructure,” said Hoenig. “When people arrive, they expect to see old China. transformations. When Hoenig first arrived in Shanghai and Beijing in It’s here, but you must travel an hour outside Shanghai or 1989, there was little infrastructure and even fewer of what other major cities to find it.” As a cadet, Hoenig studied civil engineering are considered Western luxuries, even in the but recalled, “At VMI, I played intramural major cities. sports and studied but mostly visited the “Living abroad, you must learn patience local girls’ colleges. I kept a low profile and and tolerance but also the value of cultural never walked a penalty tour, but only because diversity. You learn to accept different people, I was never caught – not that I was a model opinions, beliefs, styles and approaches to Keydet.” social interaction,” said Hoenig. “But [I’ve] Upon graduating, Hoenig worked for Exxon also realized how fortunate we are to live in briefly and then completed a tour in Vietnam. America and be American. We are blessed in When he returned to the U.S., he continued the United States for having an unsurpassed with Exxon for five years and then got his quality of life that we must cherish and Hoenig ’69 professional engineer license. He relocated protect. to Greenville, South Carolina, working for “China is now very different than it was 17 years ago,” he continued. “Then, it was polluted and Fluor Daniel, where he negotiated large ($100 million-plus) crowded with lots of bikes, a few [small] cars … some industrial contracts in a variety of industries, including rickshaws and open-air, wet markets – where you can buy pharmaceutical, chemical, steel and aluminum, semiconlive everything from fish to dogs. There were no Western ductor, and automotive. Hoenig then moved to Birmingham, Alabama, to work supermarkets or products, no wine, no Starbucks – only beer, tea and baijiu [distilled alcohol between 80 and 120 for Rust International, where he was asked to develop the proof]. Many expatriots were required to live in govern- aerospace industry with clients such as Aerojet, Thiokol, ment-sponsored villas within compounds, and we all knew UTC, Rockwell, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, Northrop and the close-knit expat community. It was like the China you General Dynamics. “We became quite successful in this business, with major contracts for NASA on the shuttle assee in old movies.” Hoenig has witnessed the arrival of five-star hotels and sembly building and shuttle external tank facility; Thiokol, restaurants, skyscrapers, airports, bullet trains, highways Aerojet and UTC solid rocket boosters; (cont. next page)

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and [President] Reagan’s Strategic advisory firm of 250 people, with of- prejudicial. Stalking, kidnapping, exDefense Initiative Program, known fices based worldwide from Japan to tortion, labor actions, blackmail and as ‘Star Wars,’” said Hoenig. “We also Pakistan. “Over the years, I have had the death threats can all be part of a day’s were hired to design and construct opportunity to meet with many U.S. and work. “In many commercial disputes, the manufacturing complex in which multinational companies, advising them it is common for one party in the solid rocket boosters were made for on how to structure their investments in dispute to send thugs to your office, the Shuttle Program after the Chal- the Chinese market and avoid the many rather than sitting down and reviewlenger accident. operating risks. The business climate ing the contracts,” Hoenig continued. “During that period, I was spending in China is booming, but business here “One human resources manager was a lot of time on ‘the hill’ [in Washing- is very difficult, hyper-competitive and mailed a meat cleaver along with a ton, D.C.] lobbying Congress and the considerably different from business in photo of her family shopping at the major aerospace companies grocery store after she fired to ensure funding would 10 employees.” be passed for these major Despite the challenges, aerospace programs,” HoeHoenig believes that livnig continued. “I was asked ing in a foreign country to join the Reagan Adminencourages a person to istration as a White House develop a broader perspecexchange executive.” He tive on life. “When you set spent a year as special assisaside people’s cultural diftant to the Undersecretary ferences and surroundings, of Defense. While in this we are fundamentally the position, Hoenig had the same. We all want respect, good fortune to travel to appreciation and an imthe Asia Pacific region. At proved quality of life for the end of his assignment, our families.” he relocated to Singapore Hoenig, who is nearing and then Shanghai as vice retirement, plans to return president and general manto the U.S. in the near ager of Bechtel Industrial. future. He intends to comLife in Asia has been both mute between Scottsdale, exciting and challenging Arizona, and Shanghai and for Hoenig. In China, it has maybe write a book about been like experiencing the Jay Hoenig ’69 in Zhuo Zhong, a small town an hour China. Industrial Revolution in outside of Shanghai. “The older I get, the more fast forward. As chairman of I am drawn to my roots, the American Chamber in including VMI, Virginia Shanghai, Hoenig met with business the U.S. or Western Europe. It’s a fast and the United States in general,” executives, as well as administration paced environment, and relationships admits Hoenig. “VMI builds, in young and congressional leaders, to give still do count – they last a lifetime,” men and women, a solid personal them a realistic “on-the-ground” as- Hoenig explained. foundation based on basic human sessment of U.S.-China relations and “Fraud, corruption, bribery and con- values: character, responsibility for the pros and cons of various trade flicts of interest in China and other parts one’s actions, self confidence and a and related business issues. These of Asia are rampant, so U.S. companies quest for continuous learning. Over issues have included China’s entry must be cautious on how they structure the years, I have come to truly value into the World Trade Organization, and manage their operations – there are my VMI experience. the currency valuation, import du- significant regulatory and compliance The well-known phrases at VMI, ties and tariffs, unfair trading prac- issues that must be followed. Many U.S. such as, ‘You may be whatever you tices, intellectual property theft and companies [have been] easily misled, resolve to be [Stonewall Jackson]’ and permanent normal trade relations until they gain operating experience on ‘We don’t lie, cheat, steal or tolerate (PNTR) status. the ground,” observed Hoenig. those who do’ have stayed with me For the past five years, Hoenig has The legal system and law enforcement for life.” run an enterprise risk management in China are still developing and can be

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Heidi Nagel ’02 Finds VMI Educational Dividends Keep Paying Off by Laure Stevens-Lubin, Contributing Writer

programs and guest speakers that set us apart from other Heidi F. Nagel ’02 never forgets what her VMI education schools.” has done for her. “Many parents and students are confused about the comShe met her husband, David Nagel ’01, while she was a missioning procedures and how special student ROTC cadet, and they married a year after her graduation. She program works,” said Nagel. There are also concerns about was hired by a VMI alumnus for her first job with the preparing for the Ratline. “I tell people who find out about Department of the Navy. “The VMI network really works if VMI in the fall that it is never too late. Even a couple of you take advantage of it,” said Nagel. “If you seek it out it months of preparation can help you get ready. You will be pays dividends.” more successful in the Ratline if you arrive in your best After a year with the Department of the Navy, Nagel landed shape, mentally and physically.” her dream job with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Nagel also tries to dispel the myth that the Ratline is the only Agency (NGA), where, using her international studies hard year at VMI. “The Ratline is hard and different, but VMI is degree, she analyzed satellite imagery for intelligence pura four-year challenge. You won’t get the best out of VMI unless poses. “I was on a team with graduates of The Citadel and you stay focused and comthe Air Force Academy,” she mitted to all four years. said. “I was told that I was Unexpected challenges hired because I was a VMI Serving on the Alumni Association Board and frustrations will arise graduate.” … “A Great Experience” throughout your cadetNagel credits The VMI ship. You want to graduAlumni Association’s Caate knowing that you gave reer Services (now called it your all and pulled the best out of the experience.” Placement and Career Networking) with helping her attain Recently named the Alumni Association’s Southeast her goals by assisting her with the NGA job application and Region director, Nagel hopes that all alumni will take the providing encouragement, she said. time to recruit great prospective cadets and that more female After her daughter was born, Nagel and her husband alumni will become involved with the board. “Some might moved to Atlanta, and she made the decision to remain at wonder if women will be well received, but I have gotten a warm home as a full time mother, although she works part time welcome on the board. It has been a great experience.” as a judge at gymnastics competitions. She has also served for five years on the Alumni Association Board, having just finished her term as a director at large on the board as of this writing. “I was on a full scholarship at VMI, so I have a strong sense of wanting to give back. I am grateful for the education I received that was paid for,” explained Nagel. Her experience has inspired Nagel to actively recruit for VMI as part of her Alumni Association involvement. “I came from California, and now I live in Atlanta. Many people outside of Virginia don’t know about VMI. When I cross paths with great, potential cadets, I am compelled to tell them about the Institute,” she added. She makes a point of dispelling what she believes are common preconceived notions about VMI. “Prospective cadets and parents often focus on things like Rat haircuts, uniforms and pushups and are often unaware of the specialized Heidi Nagel ’02 with husband David Nagel ’01 and their children, 1-year-old Mason and 4-year-old Charlotte. classes, small class size, study abroad 2011-Issue 4

ASSOCIATION NEWS ASSOCIATION NEWS Boston and Philadelphia Chapters Host Superintendent On June 14-15, 2011, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, USA (Ret), was the honored guest speaker at Boston and Philadelphia Chapter events. At both locations, the superintendent provided an update on the Institute, as well as leadership programs underway at VMI. More than 60 alumni attended from the recently rekindled Philadelphia Chapter, led

by Chapter President Rick Killmeyer ’95. In Boston, over 40 alumni were present, and at that event, Chapter President Pat Griffin ’80 presented Gen. Peay with a gift. The two-city visit supported the efforts of chapters to remain active and to offer alumni an opportunity for meaningful connections in their local communities.

Photo 1: VMI superintendent, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, USA (Ret), received a book from Boston Chapter President Pat Griffin ’80. Photo 2: Class of 1988 Brother Rats Adam Volant ’88, who had traveled to Boston with the superintendent from Lexington, and Bill Burns. Photo 3: Steve Motylinski ’85 and his wife, Deborah, enjoyed a nice with evening the chapter inside the Union League in Philadelphia. Photo 4: Dennis Maguire ’80; Pat Griffin ’80; Col. Keith Gibson ’77, VMI Museum director; and John Woodward ’57. Since he had traveled the greatest distance to be at the meeting, Woodward was presented with a copy of Gibson’s most recent book, Virginia Military Institute: The Campus History Series, at the Boston Chapter event. Photo 5: Stephen Horstmann and his wife, Megan, right – parents of current cadet Stephen Horstmann – had the opportunity to speak with the superintendent after his presentation in Philadelphia. Photo 6: Young alumni were well represented at the Boston gathering, including Brother Rats Jackson Castleberry ’02 and his wife, Michelle, and also 4 Ben Midura ’02 and his wife, Dr. Brieanne Midura.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Superintendent Visits Tsen ’55 and Views Extensive British Military Collection During a recent trip to New England, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, USA (Ret), VMI superintendent, visited with Meng Chi Tsen ’55 and had an opportunity to view Tsen’s extensive collection of British military uniforms and regalia. Tsen is a passionate student of British military history and an expert on British military uniforms and accoutrements of the 19th and 20th centuries. His knowledge comes not only through familiarity

The uniforms of one British military man remained intact and well preserved, since they were originally stored in a London tailor shop.

with dress regulations, but also through his experiences – friendships with contacts at regimental museums and, thereby, accessibility to changes stipulated by Regimental Standing Orders, as well as friendships he formed with tailors in London. His love of British military history began while attending boarding school in England, during which time he witnessed a number of military pageantries, including the Coronation Procession of the Queen.

Drums are one element of the British military items that Meng Chi Tsen ’55 has collected over his lifetime.

After graduating from VMI with a degree in electrical engineering, he often traveled on business through London, where he became acquainted with military tailors along London’s Savile Row and began to acquire his collection. Tsen’s present collection is the outgrowth of a core of uniforms that he purchased in London, along with purchases from auctions in Britain over many years. It includes complete uniform sets of the British army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, as well as Court and Civil Dress. The original charter of Tsen’s collection covered the late Victorian period – around the 1880s – to the First World War in 1914. The charter now extends through World War II.

Meng Chi Tsen ’55, left, discussed a pre-World War I Wilkinson saber with Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, USA (Ret), at right.

New Market Day in Knoxville At the Knoxville Chapter New Market Day Meeting were, from left, standing, Chris Jones ’96, John Perry ’93, Kevin Snell ’82 and Brad Pruitt ’07. Kneeling: Eric East ’00, Andrew Harter ’02 and John Sterrett ’73. The chapter agreed that the interim officers will remain in place through 2012. Chapter officers are: Chris Jones, president; Brad Pruitt, vice president; Eric East, secretary and treasurer; and Kevin Snell, chapter representative. About the event, Jones wrote, “We had a great time with seven alumni and families in attendance. The weather could have been warmer – kind of a freak cold snap for May in Tennessee!”

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Alumni Travel to Italy In May 2011, more than 150 alumni and friends traveled aboard the Royal Clipper, the world’s largest five-masted, fullyrigged sailing vessel – one of the last of its kind. The journey was the second time that alumni have boarded the Royal, this time setting sail on an exclusive charter to the Western Mediterranean. The program of travel for this trip relied on the success of the 2009 trip to the Caribbean when the Alumni Association first chartered the vessel with Star Clipper cruise lines. The sailing portion of the Western Mediterranean experience was preceded by a land-only tour of Rome in which approximately 60 passengers participated. During the fast-paced program, the group visited the Vatican, downtown Rome, the Coliseum and Roman Forum, along with a number of other sites. Once the pre-sail tour was complete, the group boarded buses to meet at the departing port and begin their eight-day, seven-night adventure. Setting sail from the small sea port of Civitavecchia, Italy, the group and 100 crew members traveled to ports in Ponza, Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi, Taormina, Sicily and the Lipari-Aeolian Islands and took an evening sail to observe the volcano on Stromboli. Along the way, passengers renewed relationships and again marveled at the opportunity to share the experience with generations – seven decades – of VMI alumni. Several classes were pleased to have a good turnout, such as the class of ’70, with

At Mount Etna, the group enjoyed a chance to walk near an active volcano site. Temperatures on top were more than 15 degrees lower than at sea level.

five couples onboard. The class of ’63 was also well represented, including Hobbs Goodwin ’63, who conceived of an alumni sailing trip more than six years ago. At the ports of call, there were ample opportunities for site-seeing, including a land excursion to Pompeii, Mount Etna and Capri and an assortment of other short trips. For those not taking part in the organized tours, coastal towns offered passengers a chance to experience quaint villages, extraordinary food and abundant shopping. For some, this meant renting scooters and adjusting to local traffic, while enjoying the scenery. For others, the chance to walk narrow streets and stop at a local café made the trip enjoyable and completely unique. Onboard the ship, travelers could relax VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ASSOCIATION NEWS while sailing or take part in nightly entertainment. When the ship first set sail, the group raised the VMI colors with special permission from the ship captain, an experienced sailor from Estonia who spoke several languages and entertained the group playing guitar. There were talented passengers aboard, too, who shared music, songs and special stories. At the end of the week, as the sun came down on the Mediterranean coastline, the VMI flag was brought to rest, and the

The class of 1963 turned out in great numbers for the cruise.

Sightseeing in Pompeii. Jeff and Vicky Gausepohl ’65 dressed for the “Barracks Challenge” evening entertainment aboard ship.

From left, Lee Camp, a member of the VMI Board of Visitors; Paul Maini ’66; Linda Maini; Douglas Naumann; Carolyn Robertson; Maj. Gen. Robert Newman ’73; Becky Newman; and Anne Blanks.

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During the pre-sail tour in Rome, the group was led through the Roman Coliseum.

ASSOCIATION NEWS group sang “The Doxology.” Nichole Kramer ’03, the Alumni Association’s new cadet recruiting officer, then presented the flag to the most senior alumnus, Dick Meade ’44. On the final morning, alumni and guests offered farewells and made their way home, bringing with them memories of time spent enjoying fellowship aboard the Royal Clipper.

From left, Roy Palmer ’58, Nichole Kramer ’03 and Guy Murray ’57.

Photo above: Sharon and Jim Joustra ’76 in downtown Rome. Photo below: Nichole Kramer ’03, left, and Dick Meade ’44 on board.

Sharon Joustra enjoying a beverage named “The VMI Spirit.”

Observing the closing ceremony onboard the Royal Clipper were Parky Parkman ’66, Mary Fran Parkman, Cindy Peckham and Lee Camp.

Dennis and Anne Witt ’63 from Orange Park, Florida, took part in this cruise and the inaugural cruise to the Caribbean in 2009.

From left, Sharon Peters, Carolyn Worrell, Carolyn Wirtz and Patti Hammond.

Jeff Gausepohl ’65 had some quiet moments for a crossword puzzle during a day of sailing back to the Port of Civitavecchia.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Invitations to Connect – LinkedIn by Eric Hunter ’08, Placement and Career Networking Officer First impressions are very important. When using LinkedIn, first impressions are often conveyed through “invitations to connect,” which is when one person invites another to become part of their network. The issue that arises is that we become lazy in our efforts to build relationships with others, and we use the generic/standard invitation-toconnect statement offered by the networking website. When you send the generic statement, which reads “I’d like to add you to my professional network,” you have lost the opportunity to plant an early relationship seed and make a first impression that is different from others. To address this issue, customize and personalize your invitations, reminding the person of where you met and what you spoke about. More than likely, the person will then remember who you are and be more inclined to view your profile. Keep in mind that LinkedIn is about professional networking. When networking, the ultimate goal is to create and develop a relationship, and to do that, it takes effort. With over 100 million users, you cannot afford to be like everyone else. Yes, the tool may be the same for everyone, but the care, courtesy and effort that goes into using it can be different. Tips when customizing/personalizing your “Invitations to Connect”: Consider mentioning: • • • • •

When and where you met What you spoke about Why you are connecting with them Who provided his or her name to you Class year (when connecting with another alumnus)

Example of a customized invitation to connect: Tom, It was great meeting you at the Baltimore networking event on Friday. I appreciate your taking the time to speak with me about opportunities within the area. Would you mind if I contacted you with any further questions? I look forward to staying in touch. Have a great day, Eric Hunter ’08 Currently, the VMI Alumni Association group on LinkedIn has more than 1,700 members. Join the group today, and start connecting with other alumni on a professional level.

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VMI Veterans Transition Program Are you retiring or planning to transition from active duty military service to another job or career? If so, The VMI Alumni Association, Inc. can help. Please contact Eric Hunter ’08 at ehunter@vmiaa.org, and discover how you can find a rewarding career in the civilian workforce through networking with other alumni.

Networking Boot Camp a Success by Eric Hunter ’08, Placement and Career Networking Officer Each year, VMI’s graduating class members sit anxiously among their Brother Rats, ready to receive their diplomas. They are excited and proud of having earned their degree but nervous about the road ahead. Within the class, there are always some cadets more nervous than others; these are the ones who have not yet experienced the success of finding a job. Landing a position right after college can be extremely challenging, even for VMI cadets. Career Networking Services wanted to address this issue and assist cadets and recently graduated alumni who are still looking for employment. With a focus on educating them about the different areas of the job search process, networking and how to better use the services of The VMI Alumni Association, the Networking Boot Camp was created and launched. On June 17, 2011, three recent graduates – two from the class of 2011 and one from 2010 – attended the first-ever Networking Boot Camp. Throughout the morning, we addressed five areas: Big Picture Thinking, Finding a Job, Services and Tools of The VMI Alumni Association, Social Media, and Interviews. We also wanted the Boot Camp participants to hear from an alumnus who is passionate about keeping the VMI network strong and continually growing. So, we arranged a conference call with Jim Joustra ’76, director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Walgreens and president of the Alumni Association’s Central Florida Chapter. He spoke about his background and experiences, as well as what has helped him throughout his career, and he offered advice/tips on addressing a job search in this economy. The 2011 Networking Boot Camp was a huge success. Of the three alumni who attended, two became employed within a few weeks. “The Networking Boot Camp provided me with extremely helpful information in regard to my professional network, [and it] taught me useful techniques when applying for jobs and interviewing for each position,” said Boot Camp attendee Josh Kinder ’11. “This seminar helped me get the position I currently hold, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about what the Alumni Association has to offer and how to properly and effectively use these resources.”

ASSOCIATION NEWS Multi-generation Lacrosse Mini Reunion There was a mini VMI Lacrosse Reunion at the Lacrosse Academy Camp which was held at the Blue Ridge School in St. George, Virginia. Attending were, from left, John Westfall ’93 with son Jack; Col. James Myers ’92, USA (son James attended but is not pictured); Peter Tunnard ’90 with son Adam; David Hope ’88 with son Talmadge; Coach Doug Bartlett; Don Spears ’93 with son Joey; Ryan Olson ‘96 and nephew Kyle Olson (son of Erik Olson ’92); Clay Tharrington ’06; and David Ahrens ’90 (sons Luke and Owen attended but are not pictured).

Five Alumni Get Ranger Tabs On June 24, 2011, five alumni graduated from the Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia. From left, Lieutenants Josh Hughes ’10, West Whitcomb ’10, Chaz Crowder ’10 and Mike Hutchings ’10 are Ranger School graduates along with Capt. Patrick Zanelotti ’08 (not pictured). Former VMI commandant and current deputy athletic director, Col. Eric Hutchings ’77, USA (Ret), far right, said, “Ranger school is an extremely intense, 61-day combat leadership course [in which] students are pushed to the limits of exhaustion while being trained to infiltrate through various terrain by means of dismounted combat patrols. Graduates are experts at small-unit tactics and close combat.”

Alumni in Germany Meet at Ceremony Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Smith ’79, USA, right, and Col. George Seiferth ’82, USA, left, at the 1st Armored Division Flag Casing ceremony in Wiesbaden, Germany, May 2011. Smith is the commander of 5th Signal Command in Wiesbaden, and Seiferth is chief of the U.S. Army Europe Headquarters Relocation Task Force.

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VMI Locket is Now Available for Purchase

Unique, One-of-a-Kind Jewelry Honors VMI Legacy and Tradition This magnificent Fabergé-style egg locket hides a surprise that would please the master himself. Fashioned from 925 (millesimal fineness) sterling silver and 24kt gold vermeil, this inaugural locket honors the service and legacy of the graduates and families of Virginia Military Institute. Featuring exquisite guilloché patterns covered with hand-applied Italian enamels, this locket is adorned with the “VMI” monogram on both sides. The piece opens to reveal the VMI shako, the traditional parade hat and recognizable cadet uniform item, hanging from a gold chain. This truly unique piece of jewelry was handmade in the United States by immigrant Russian master jewelers in the same style and tradition as the czar’s treasured pieces. Attractive and indicative of the quality expected by alumni, this special gift includes your choice of an 18- , 20- or 24-inch gold-filled chain, manufacturer’s certificate of authenticity and an exquisite presentation box. Suitable for wear with formal-, business or casual attire, these lockets are wonderful keepsakes and conversation pieces. Pricing is as follows: VMI Locket Shako Pendant only

The locket is adorned with the VMI Spider monogram on both sides. Above, the shako is displayed.

$124.99 plus shipping $34.99 plus shipping

Shipping cost for Locket and Pendant: $6.00 ground, $15.00 overnight

To order, call 800/444-1839, or mail a check or money order to The VMI Alumni Association, Inc., P. O. Box 932, Lexington, Virginia 24450. To order online, go to www.vmialumni.org/vmilocket. About the manufacturer: For nearly two decades, The Artel Collection has provided the most creative, original and inspired assortment of egg pendants to major Fabergé exhibits across the United States. The manufacturer is currently the source of original egg pendants offered at numerous museum shops, jewelry stores and fine gift shops across the United States and abroad. 2011-Issue 4

When opened, the locket reveals the VMI shako hanging from a gold chain.

CLASSNOTES NOTES CLASS

’35

Richard H. Knight ’70

Greetings to the class of 1935! I am sure that you find it hard to believe that it was 80 years ago this last September that the class of ’35 entered the Ratline. In many ways, I am sure it seems like yesterday. Brother Rat Gilbert White Carpenter captured the experience in the iconic poem he wrote that year. Here are the first four verses: Away back yonder in nineteen thirty, When I was a lad, disheveled and dirty; I had a bright idea, Oh me, Oh my, To catch the train for V.M.I. When I arrived in my city of dreams, I was but a lad in my early ‘teens. I took a taxi to that inevitable place And met my doom, face to face. When I was asked my initials and name, Also the place from whence I came; When I answered the question without a stir, “What the Hell, Mister, how about a ‘sir’”? From that day on, I’ll never forget, But in my heart, I will always regret, That I came to a “prison” very widely known, That I was “less than nothing” was plainly shown. Mr. Carpenter’s poem is too long to reprint in its entirety, but if anyone would like a copy, please contact me. Mr. Carpenter entered VMI from Johnson City, TN, and graduated with a degree in chemistry. He had quite a record at VMI: Cadet first captain, member of the Honor Court and General Committee, and recipient of the Pershing Medal, to name a few of his achievements. I have had two phone conversations with James C. Sherman, our distinguished former class agent. I had written Mr. Sherman to let him know that I would be in Maine over the summer and would like to call on him. Well, it turns out that he and Peggy are still in North Carolina, and have been for years. Jim has a grandson 24

in Portland, Maine, and for some reason the grandson’s address appeared on my printout. We were talking about our cadet days, and Mr. Sherman and I agreed that the young ladies at Sweet Briar College were charming. The two of us crossed the mountain to Sweet Briar on several occasions (although not at the same time). I think this conversation was prompted by my disclosure that I have been married to a young lady from Sweet Briar since shortly after my own graduation. Mr. Sherman is nothing, if not a gentleman. We also talked about the “Old Corps” and the custom of “taking in” a Rat. This usually involved a “light” tap or two across the backsides with a rifle butt. Jim remembers getting taken in by Walter Schuyler Grant Jr. ’33, of Fort Ethan Allen, VT. Grant intoned, “Gen. Sherman, here comes Gen. Grant.” The Shermans are doing fine. They visited Lexington a year or so ago and were very impressed with VMI’s physical plant, especially its athletic facilities. Mr. Sherman said that he enjoyed his 15 years as class agent and, to be honest, I think he would have said “yes” if I had asked, “Do you want it back?” It was great to hear from Mr. Sherman, and now I have spoken with all of ’35s Brother Rats. I received a nice letter (dated July 21) from Harry F. Byrd Jr. Sen. Byrd wrote: “My best hope at the moment is that the Republicans in the congress will stand firm and will demand a reduction in spending before agreeing to increase the amount of the debt.” When I met with Sen. Byrd in his home last March, we discussed the governorship of his father, Harry F. Byrd Sr., and his father’s reputation for “paying as you go.” It does seem hard to believe that there was a time when our state and national governments balanced their budgets every year and when doing so was considered a laudable objective. I received a long letter from Jane Ferrell (Mrs. William Barksdale Ferrell), written from her ancestral home, “Bush Hill,” in Charles City, VA. She had recently completed the long drive from Florida (and evidently without being pinched; her “fuzz buster” must have been working). Mrs. Farrell knows of my interest in

genealogy, and her letter was full of interesting information, especially about the Blands (my ancestors) and the Byrds and their ancestral home, “Westover,” one of the James River plantations. Mrs. Ferrell noted that she married “Nip” at Westover Church, which had been moved – brick by brick – a few miles from Westover Plantation. It is now located on Route 5. Mrs. Ferrell’s letter was a treasure trove. I spoke recently with Edwin T. Arnold, who is now fully settled in New Mexico. He enjoys his new surroundings and is doing very well. I would like to hear from the Brother and Sister Rats on a regular basis. If I have not heard from you, please give me a call, write me a letter or send me an e-mail. I would be happy to hear from your designee (any family member, for example), if that would be more convenient. Until next time, here is wishing each of you my very best. God bless you and our little school. Dick

’39

Frank Parker III ’64

Greetings from a very hot and very dry Texas. Our pond got so low that we had to round up the catfish before they all died from sunburn. They had to be the most expensive catfish in Texas, because I have been feeding them for years just so my grandkids would have something to catch when they visited. We all enjoyed the big fish fry anyway. In desperation for news I started calling around. If I missed you it’s probably because I did not have a number or the one I had was incorrect. Please update your contact information and include an e-mail address if you have one. I talked briefly with Col. Alex Morrison, and he is still doing well and living at his Old Mill home. Ira Saxe just got back from visiting his son in Atlanta, GA. They were able to attend the PGA Championship match at the Atlanta Athletic Club and reports it was an exciting event. His golf game is on hold till we get some cooler weather here in the Gulf Coast. I had a long conversation with Bert BrayVMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES an e-mail responding to our class notes in life. I could rely on him to get me some shaw’s son, Bill. Bill reports that his dad is the Review. His father’s sister, Nina Myer’s information for the Review every quarter. in an assisted living facility in Port Lavaca, daughter, Sara, is matriculating at Virginia His daughter, Betsy Shires, wrote a nice TX, and doing as well as expected. He has Tech this fall. She joins Mack’s [’82] two note to tell us how much he loved VMI. experienced a series of falls and could no daughters also at VPI! He feels there is still William F. “Bill” Brand passed on June longer live at his beachfront place. hope for the fourth and final grandchild Wil- 30 in Salem, VA. Bill was one of the BRs I was able to contact Joseph Ross who liam Mackenzie Myers becoming a Keydet. that kept in contact and encouraged me to came to VMI on a football scholarship While expressing some interest, he still has be the class agent. I will personally miss but left the Institute after 15 months. a few years to decide. I have a similar prob- him. I’m sure the class joins me in sending He returned to his hometown of New lem in that I’m slowly working through my our condolences to their families. More Kensington, PA, where he had a career in grandchildren without success. various endeavors including the family details can be found in the Taps section of I want to thank my BR Hank Cronin ’64 this Review. fruit business and in the Westmoreland for representing us at the last Class Agent County tax assessor’s office. He recently Marcy and I are doing fine. We went to Conference. He reports that progress on celebrated his 96th birthday and really Pagosa Springs, CO, with my son’s famProject 2039 is being made. However, enjoys reading the Review; he has many ily. We did all the things that Colorado is like everyone else, the economy has not pleasant memories of his time at VMI and famous for, including horseback riding, been generous and there is always a need the BRs and others he met. white water rafting, fishing and site seeing. for additional funds. I did receive the John Chiles Jr. ’67 sent me an e-mail It was very nice to wake up to 52-degree Institute’s report on Annual Giving and providing some information concerning weather every day. the class of ’39 was well represented. The his mother Elizabeth Talman Chiles. She Robert Smith Institute thanks you for your gifts. It looks is doing well and is the sister of John Talman. She remains extremely interlike the class of ’34 led the way with some ested in VMI and especially the class of $1.7MM. “Us old guys still are being ’39. Howard Golladay is still “moseying heard from.” along” in sunny San Diego. Jennifer, his We lost three Brother Rats since the last granddaughter, is still taking great care This time, as the gratifying task of Review. Patrick William “Pat or Pedro” of him even though she is recovering telephoning and talking with all of you and Riddleberger passed on June 4 at his from walking pneumonia. They recently reporting on your interests and activities home in Edwardsville, IL. Pat had retired acquired a puppy which is keeping them proceeds, there is once again the sad news as a professor emeritus from the Universibusy an entertained. that two of our essentials have passed on. ty of Illinois, Edwardsville. Tyree Lawson Max Hopkins ’97 reports that he has been “Egg” Wright passed on June 26 in AmA message came in from Laura Bivans transferred to the 11th Marines and will herst, VA, after a long and distinguished just as these notes were being completed probably deploy in the spring of which said, “My son was 2012. He visited Roberta Bigler at VMI last year so we are in July and reports that she is receiving the alum magazine. doing very well. Finally, Max Last year when reading my has become the San Diego VMI first edition I saw your notice Alumni Chapter President, as if about Bob Merchant – unforhe wasn’t busy enough. tunately I’m now writing to let Richard H. Knight ’70, who you know that Virginia passed has become ’35’s class agent, away Aug. 5, 2011. She had a sent me a nice e-mail. When he stroke back last spring (I think moved to Nashville, TN, he met it was in May) and never fully Charlie Nelson, Jack Peebles and recovered. Her funeral will be Cy Fraser through their alumni on Aug. 30 at Metropolitan chapter. Charlie Nelson hosted Methodist. When I know more a big dinner for the chapter in details I can let you know if the early ’80s where Gen. Irby you’d like to. Their daughter, was the guest of honor. He also Ginger, lives in Texas – not sure knows some of my BRs including what her plans are yet. We’ve John Manley ’64, Lee Fleshood known them for over 30 years. ’64 and Parker Duncan ’64. Class of 1940: Jim Creek at his Nashville, Tennessee, She was a fabulous, sweet lady home when Dick Knight ’70 visited in August 2011. Knight His roommate John Hill ’70 is a wrote of the visit, “He is doing well. He enjoys the Alumni and will be sorely missed.” brother to my BR Tom Hill ’64. Review and appreciates the remarkable improvements at This is such a loss to our class. Mack Tabb ’82, the son of our VMI under Gen. Peay’s ’62 leadership.” Our dear Virginia Merchant BR John “Mack” Tabb, sent me continually kept herself a part

’40

2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES of us. She was a reminder of Bob, our first class president. We all shared her love for him. Jack Camp died on Aug. 11. When the news came, I immediately recalled his warm and thoughtful cell phone calls in recent years to Brother and Sister Rats, whenever he felt that a caring chat inspired by our great class spirit and the inspiring aura of the VMI legacy was something the people he called might appreciate. But certainly more significant over the years has been his lifetime of unbridled support for the Institute that earned the respect of all that knew him. We shall all miss him and his friendship deeply. (His obituary will appear in the 2012-Issue 1 VMI Alumni Review coming out in February.) Jack’s cousin, Sol Rawls, told me about attending Jack’s funeral on August 12 and how a former chaplain to the Corps of Cadets, Col. Charles Caudill, flew up from Bradenton to take part in the service. He was a great friend of Jack’s and was the second VMI Chaplain. The chaplains are supported by one of the Camp Foundations. Sometime before, Sol had called, and I learned that he had talked with Ben Hardaway. It seems that Sol’s son, Waite Rawls ’70, now has the Museum of the Confederacy’s new museum facility at Appomattox under construction and in that connection they have records for all those soldiers who were surrendered. It turns out that Ben Hardaway’s greatgrandfather, John H. Hardaway, is among those soldiers. His service records have been sent to Ben. Sol doesn’t have any of his own activities to report, but he says he keeps busy. Ben Hardaway had just gotten back to his home in Georgia from his mountain place in Cashiers, NC, when I reached him. He agreed that he had told Sol that “he was still circling the drain” but now “the drain is getting smaller.” I asked about his Hardaway Crossbreed hounds, which are described as “a cocktail of American July hound and English Fell hound,” and he said that he had turned over the managing of that breed to his son-in-law Mason Lampton. Now Ben has gotten into the breeding of English Cocker Spaniels. It seems, and I hope I can describe this properly, that the breed 26

in this country had gotten down to too few individuals and that the ongoing breeding sometimes results in hip dysplasia or other defects. So Ben located an outstanding male in England, brought him over and has built up a new robust stock, whose litters are breeding very true and turning out to be a beautiful chocolate color. Ben is really happy about these results and is to be congratulated. He has used DNA for 20 years to check on the origins of his dogs and for breeding control. (I found this interesting since I have been learning about DNA markers in my genealogy work – that is to say in human breeding!) Ben was anticipating a visit from some three children and grandchildren who live in England. His daughter’s place is just north of London, and she has 40 to 50 horses there – some of which are polo ponies. Matt Friedlander and Jackie were reached at their Highlands, NC, place in the mountains. I talked first with Jackie and she surprised me with so much appreciation for their being kept up with in the AR and for the news about VMI. They are doing well and have just enjoyed a visit from their grandson and great-grandson that live in Hong Kong. To reach Dan Flowers, I called his home one recent morning and spoke with Jeanie. She was wonderfully cordial and upbeat and said Dan was going along great but was at work at his office as usual. When I phoned his office I was asked whether I wished to speak to senior or junior. It turned out that I guessed the answer to that question correctly. He was busy but quickly called me back, and we then talked a little about, among other things, his time on the board at VMI. He remembered making two points which he gave me permission to report here. First, in the interest of turning out complete officers, he wanted the cadets to be made aware that as officers, they would have the responsibility to act as chaplains for their men whenever their chaplain was not there or had not arrived. Second, he advocated a greater emphasis for VMI on the Academic AllAmerican program, while orienting our inter-collegiate program activities into competing with our “peers.” By peers he meant universities or colleges, mostly in Division III, that also emphasized the Academic All-American program and that

are in our size class. The Academic AllAmerican program bestows recognition on male and female athletes in Divisions I, II and III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as well as NAIA athletes, covering all championship sports. He is still advocating these things. Doug Cook and Barbara were doing well and enjoying life in cool Ithaca. One of their pleasures is their Netflix subscription that gets them movies for Saturday night viewing – a pleasure which Betty-Jane and I share, but we do it only at those times when the winning Phillies are not on TV. They get their movies from DVDs mailed to them while Betty-Jane and I are trying Netflix’s movie streaming service. Doug has begun to use a walker, except that he uses two sticks when he goes out (That’s what he said. Wouldn’t you think he would get himself some nice gold or silver headed canes?) We then enjoyed reminiscing about the “VMI Connection.” We both still appreciate the help we got from our inspiring role model Buzz Marr ’918 who helped so many CE grads get jobs during those hard depression times. Doug got his start at DuPont after Buzz’s advice that he should apply to a certain plant manager. As for me, Buzz saw to it that I took the civil service exams for professional engineers which got me an appointment to start my career. Once again, I was unable to talk to Jim Cheek on the phone in his room, but the staff in the care center where he lives, after saying that he is about the same, offered to have someone call me. Then a wonderful thing happened. An e-mail came in which Dick Knight ’70 wrote, “Dear Mr. Smith. I plan to get over to Jim Cheek’s assisted living center next week to say hello to him. I’ll take a camera and render a full report. Jim was instrumental in getting the Nashville chapter back on its feet 30 years ago. He is a great guy.” Now he has sent the photo showing Jim heartily displaying his VMI pennant and smiling happily. What a wonderful thing for Dick to do. It demonstrates that the VMI Connection is working wonderfully. Dick wrote in much more detail about Jim’s family and personal history which I will draw on for the next report. He did conclude by writing “Jim is in great shape.” He is 93 and, in his words, is “feeling fine” and “still kicking.” You should be aware that this same Dick VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Knight ’70 is preparing the reports in this magazine for the class of 1935 – what a caring thing to do! John Augustine and June had just enjoyed visiting with their son from Arlington and several grandchildren when we talked. They had all gathered at nearby and beautiful Anna Maria Island on the Gulf near Bradenton. One has a cottage there which is in a rental program but available whenever time is blocked out. John also reported that his grandson, A.J., who is in the football program at VMI, had reported to school on August 8 for training. John and June will be going in September to his 22nd Bomb Group Reunion in New Orleans. John told me that next summer there will be a major Civil War history meeting in Richmond, which will offer tours of the many battlefields in the area. He plans to attend and enjoy getting back to his home town. Bud Irwin and Ruth are, as she put it, holding on but have given up travelling even though they are “hale and hearty.” One of their daughters, Kathy, lives only about 10 miles away and sees them frequently. They follow the Cubs because Bud lived in Chicago when he was little – I mean young. He also follows the Sox. In answer to my query, Gene Phillippi said he was improving but I thought he had said perky. After we talked it seemed to me that he really was perky. Gene is one of those that call me now and then, and I really appreciate his doing so. Frazier Baldwin and Jinny described themselves a settling in to a quiet lifestyle in their retirement community which has about 200 people. They take long walks and do a lot of reading. They like baseball and are fond of keeping up with Delaware’s Blue Rocks which is one of the Kansas City Royals farm teams. They also admire the teachings of Dr. Ben Franklin including the one that says “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” When I called Dick Moncure to check on him, it was a very delightful surprise when his caretaker put him on the phone after saying that he had been improving recently. We had not ever spoken before. We exchanged a little small talk about VMI which was truly wonderful. John Cowart told me that he is having trouble with his walking but uses a 2011-Issue 4

scooter, and he was about to go to lunch. He expects to get some improvements soon to his hearing device. Since he has been such a stalwart contributor over the years in almost single handedly creating our class scholarship fund, I’m sure he will be interested in my last item here which is about a bit of class business. For years, we have had a bank account as sort of a convenience from which we have sent memorial gifts to the Class Scholarship Fund and paid a very few other expenses. This account has been in my and Walt’s name. Rather than getting another person to be a signatory with me, I have decided that the best thing to do is to close the account and contribute it all to the Scholarship Fund in one fell swoop. This will tidy up the situation, as opposed to leaving it to be sorted out by my estate administrator. A letter accomplishing this has gone forward to Pat Webb, vice president for Annual and Reunion Giving, VMI Foundation Inc.

’41

Alfred Rooklin

Walt Richards has been our class agent since our 50th Reunion – over 20 years since Stan Navas prevailed upon him to accept the job. Walt’s final class notes in the last Review, Issue 3, were superior. They will serve to guide my rendition of future notes. Thank you, “Red;” I will call you. An “Old Yell” for Red. Thank you for a job well done. For my first class notes, I want to share some trivia with you. Let’s start with our matriculation date, Sept. 13, 1937. Paul Shu ’40 formed Frank Louthan, Zeke Cann, Stephen Castlebury and myself taking us into Barracks and our temporary room prior to “makeovers.” Paul Shu was part of third class entry cadre. From the 254 who entered VMI, there are 28 still living. Strangely enough all those Brother Rats are at least 90 years old. Buddy Bryan ’71 said, “In his time, it never happened before. Congratulations, survivors. H.P. Clark, 90 on May 12, 2011, the youngest still with us today. Perhaps one

of us will remain to become the “oldest surviving VMI alumnus.” The youngest to enter was Ed Vazquez born April 23, 1922; next H. R. Gantt born Nov. 26, 1921; the last to enter was Seth Hobart on April 22, 1938, number 255. Did you know that Buck Hudson’s photo is in the ’41 and the ’42 Bomb? He had an accident that kept him from graduating in June 1941. He left school and returned to repeat his first class with ’42. Thus, two Bomb photos … Nice going Seabiscuit! Since our 65th Reunion, 20 Brother Rats have passed on. I would list them here, but I won’t. If you want to know, call me or write me, and I will list them for you. Did you know that 10 of us on May 15, 1942, graduated with ’42? Littlejohn, Newbold, M.O. Simpson, Richmond, Franchina, L.A. Lillard, Oglesby, Willis, Hudson and me. Joseph L. Parrish died on July 6, 2010. I only learned of this several months ago in the Alumni Review. His obituary is in the Taps section on page 149 of the 2010 Issue 4 VMI Review. He was recently buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery. We lost the following in WWII: Fred B. Hill, North Africa, 11-8-42; Gilder S. Horne, Tunisia, 11-31-43; Philip H. Killey, Tunisia, 4-2-43; Dan J. Morton, France, 7-28-44; James F. Searcy, South Pacific, 9-1-43; A.R. Spencer, Italy, 11-443; R.T. Lemmon, France, 12-4-44; William S. McCauley, France, 12-2-44; W.G. Shultz, Belgium, 1-13-45, M.O. Simpson, Okinawa, 5-6-45; and N.R. Turpin, Philippines, 7-14-45. Keep the Spirit, ’41

’43

Jeffrey G. Smith

The dog days of August are upon us once more, by legend the hottest and most humid of the year. However, to date, they remain eclipsed – in our parts at least – by a July that set local records for beastly days which frequently brought to mind the old Noel Coward ditty that “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun!” A couple of years ago, I did my daily jog in the afternoons, heat and humidity be 27

CLASS NOTES damned. Father Time and common sense have now compelled me to substitute a daily two (plus) miles at a brisk walk during the summer heat. And I do that only in the relative cool of the morning. Still, we in our climes ought to count our blessings. My same-age cousin, who has lived forever in Dallas, called me to chat about family matters. Almost as an afterthought, he mentioned that the Dallas region was enduring its umpteenth straight day of 100 plus degrees, but they were (somehow) used to it. As I write, the end of those Dallas temperatures was not in sight. We lost another of our Brother Rats on June 27, 2011, when James Edwin (Jim) Fortson died in Corsicana, TX, his lifetime home. It was the 66th wedding anniversary of Jim and his late wife, Marie. We now stand at 40 survivors. Jim left VMI at the end of our third class year, to enter the University of Texas from which he graduated in 1943 and then served in WWII as a Naval Aviator. He was a great prankster. Although such matters were very “close hold” in the Corps, I long suspected that Jim was one of a clandestine few Brother Rats who made and tossed into the courtyard the three bombs that a deeply flawed “tradition” expected from our class. The bombs were tossed during the wee hours of the morning with an accompanying shout “Bomb in the courtyard.” (It was a GC offense to shout a false alarm.) Understandably, very few in the Corps of our day saw a bomb “in the flesh.” As shown in a few photos in various editions of the VMI yearbook, the Bomb, the bombs were typically spherical, perhaps the size of a softball, bound in black electrician’s tape with a fuse protruding. The bombs were intended to make only noise, without harm to people, animals or structures. Nevertheless, bomb tossing called for instant dismissal, but rarely (if ever) was a perpetrator caught. Each year, volunteer members of the third class were expected to make and toss a quantity of bombs (at intervals through the academic year) equal to the fourth numeral of the respective class. (Note: I long wondered but never knew what classes with a fourth numeral of zero did.) The “tradition” abruptly ceased, forevermore, during our second class year after Dick Niess, a dis28

tinguished graduate of the class of 1944, lost the sight of one eye from an errant fragment of one – perhaps the first of the four bombs tradition had expected from his class. One pleasant morning during our third class year, the four of us Brother Rats living in Room 335 witnessed a sample of Jim Fortson’s derring-do. Our windows were wide open, permitting us to savor the fresh air and attractive view during a free period between classes. Jim suddenly burst into our room and hurried to the windows. In his hand was stick of dynamite. Room 335 was/is located directly over the outside steps that descended four stoops to what was then the outside entrance to the old PX. Highly regarded Active Army and tactical officer, 1st Lt. (later Major) Eddie Arnold ’35, was passing Jackson Arch with his small fox terrier in the direction of those stairs. As we roommates watched with fascinated, almost unbelieving dismay, Jim quickly lit a fuse and tossed the dynamite down the steps. Moments later, the little dog was bowled over by the blast, which fortunately caused no lasting harm to anyone (dog included), caused no structural damage but made one helluva bang. Our room was hastily evacuated. We took refuge in nearby academic buildings to avoid the inevitable stick check that soon followed. Jim escaped official detection. At one of our reunions – as best I recall, the 55th or 50th, I mentioned the incident to Jim who said it was something he’d rather not remember. (Note: I was delighted to read in the 1935 class notes written by my good friend Dick Knight ’70, which arrived a few days ago, that Eddie Arnold, now a widower, is alive and well. He had recently moved to Albuquerque, NM, to be near his son. Should Eddie read the above account, I hope he will forgive.) I am saddened to report that Judy Halsey, John Halsey’s beloved wife died at Westminster-Canterbury, Richmond, on the Fourth of July 2011. Judy had been ailing for several years and was recovering from a recent fall. She was a lovely, accomplished lady in so many respects. One not so long ago summer, Jane and I and Judy and John spent several enjoyable and relaxed days as house guests of Bill (Snapper) and Evelyn Andrew at their country home in New Hampshire. John and Snap-

per had been patients in the Army General Hospital in Richmond, recovering from serious wounds in WWII – and the three of us were proudly commissioned second lieutenants of Cavalry at Fort Riley, KS, not long after graduation from VMI. A welcome and pleasant Aug. 2nd note from John Van Landingham stated that Shirley and he were in Virginia Beach the preceding week for a lumber dealers’ management conference. (Good to learn that Johnny is one of our rare Brother Rats still actively engaged in business. Speaks very well for his physical condition and cognitive powers!) On the way home they stopped in Norfolk for a visit with Vince and Betty Thomas and Frank and Indie Bain Bilisoly in their Harbor’s Edge retirement residence. And John went on: “The girls looked lovely, as usual, and Frank and Vince were in good spirits although somewhat incapacitated. As so many of my friends, they are having balance problems. Frank uses a walker, and Vince was in a wheel chair. Frank and Indie were getting ready to go to their place on the beach at Sandbridge for a few days. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.” And we thoroughly enjoyed that account, Johnny. Thanks. Gordon Smith checked into the net with a Aug. 2nd letter. He wrote that “I’m doing pretty good. Get tired fast and can’t work in my garden as much as I want. No golf yet, but I’m aiming toward a match with Van Landingham at next reunion.” Gordon’s letter came with two raunchy and humorous enclosures, unfortunately unsuitable for reproduction in the Alumni Review. When next you see or communicate with him, ask him to send or read the one about the Indian named “One Stone” and the other about a former USMC Commandant’s colorful language. Speaking of our next reunion, it will be our 70th and in less than two years – April 2013. In the most recent Alumni Review there is a group photo of the seven who were at the class of 1941’s 70th. They looked very good. However, I hope that our attendance will exceed seven. My goal is at least 16 classmates attending – and in my private notes, I have penciled in by name at least 20 of our 40 survivors who I think could make it to Lexington. The Alumni Association will defray almost all VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES the expenses less the hotel rooms. On Aug. 12th, I had a long and upbeat telephone chat with Baylor Gibson. He and Peggy remain happily in Chapel Hill, NC. Baylor’s cancer is blessedly “not bothering him” and is seemingly in some sort of remission which his doctors closely monitor. The Gibson’s have five sons and six grandchildren, only one of whom is a male. One of Baylor’s sons is an orthopedic surgeon whose board certification score was the highest – the year in which he was examined – throughout the entire U.S. His son, Baylor’s only grandson, already has an M.D. degree. In September, he will be awarded a Ph.D. in medical research by Harvard. A hearty well done! Peggy and Baylor are planning to attend the big day. Not so incidentally, Peg and Baylor’s granddaughters are all very accomplished as well. Our Rock of Gibraltar when it comes to reunions is the stalwart Bruce Suter. And he’s honing his organizing skills by serving as chairman of the building and garden (I think that’s the name) group in the retirement residence where Joan and Bruce live in Lakewood, NJ. When Bruce and I spoke a few days ago, Joan was visiting children and grandchildren in Wisconsin and Houston. Meanwhile, Bruce had the very first garden party in the residence. Bruce was the emcee. Music and dancing went on till the wee hours (which is to say 10 p.m.). Many of the 350 residents attended but with resident ladies outnumbering the men eight to one, dancing was a bit limited. Bruce lost one of his two sisters two months ago. The other, married to a retired USAF colonel, broke her hip recently but is on the mend. Bruce keeps in frequent touch with Bill Bell, resident of Falcon’s Landing in Leesburg, VA. Bill has had a truly remarkable turn for the better in health since I reported about a year ago that his doctors (and all of us) were quite concerned about a loss of weight and stamina. Bruce says that Bill’s recovery is due to an experimental pill. So if any of you are concerned about loss of weight and pep, I suggest you contact Bill – muy pronto. Chuck Beckham joined the big 90 Club on June 1 last. God willing, I’ll join the club this coming Oct. 14, but I doubt that I – or any of us in the class – can equal 2011-Issue 4

Chuck’s stamina and prowess as demonstrated in the 2011 Summer U.S. National Senior Games held June 16-30 in Chuck’s hometown of Houston, TX. (Think of the Texas heat I mentioned at the start of these notes!) Chuck played singles tennis in the 90/94 age bracket, and won the Gold Medal competing against nine others from Pennsylvania, Ohio, California and Texas. Chuck wrote that he is “fortunate to have good genes” and hopes to compete in the 95/99 age bracket come 2016. I had forgotten that Chuck roomed with fellow VMI Tennis Teammate Hugh Birchett. I was happy indeed to learn from Chuck that Hugh (Apopka, FL) is well and active. It’s been years since I’ve heard directly from him, but I do know that he is a regular contributor to the VMI Foundation. Many thanks, Hugh. George Snead is one of those whose health has had a significant improvement over the past year. I reported in my last notes that his “horse medicine” (suvisc) injections were doing wonders for the knee. His doctors had seen no solution other than a risky (at our age and stage) knee replacement to keep him from being bound to a wheel chair. George is now down to his VMI weight with nary a twinge in his knees. He’s “slowing trying to give up his many volunteer jobs at Westminster-Canterbury in Lynchburg,” and he no longer directs the 75 strong, sing-along group at the residence. However, true to his love of singing, he keeps actively participating in the group. Kitty remains fine, spirited and active to include daily PT before lunch. Our other Brother Rat Lynchburg resident, Brian Bowen, gave me an optimistic status check recently. When we spoke, he had just returned from a delightful and relaxing stay at the Cape Cod beach house of his daughter-in-law’s parents. Thanks to the solicitous attention of the airline, the travel up and back was problem free despite his need for a walker (at times) and cane (whenever he’s not using the walker). His pulmonary doctor diagnosed Brian’s tiredness in past months as stemming from borderline sleep apnea (not uncommon at our ages and stages). As a result, Brian now wears a comfortable sleeping mask when sleeping. He awakes daily, a new man refreshed and ready to take on the world. Brian continues to drop by the

family jewelry store/business three times a week. But it’s on a relaxed schedule, and he leaves the management to his very capable son. With the astronomical rise in gold prices, Brian has noted a remarkable increase in customers who sell their (often very small) gold items to the Bowens for subsequent melting. Brian is rightfully proud of his grandson, a recent VES graduate, who seeking to sort out his future traveled to Maine and then hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail to Georgia. A lot of miles – all on foot. Col. Pat Webb, The VMI Foundation’s VP for Alumni & Reunion Giving, sent us class agents the Fiscal Year final report (as of June 30, 2011) for giving by class. I’m happy to report we did better than most of the 13 classes associated with the decade of 1940-49. We stood third in “Total Giving” with $187,806 after 1949B’s $621,955 and 1945’s $495,856. As usual, year in and out, we owe that praiseworthy showing to one Brother Rat in particular, with notable support from a few others. We had eight classmates at the Institute Society level – minimum of $1500. However, as you’ve heard from me before, it is the percent of classmates giving – regardless of amount – that is the truest indicator of class spirit. The percentage – 62% of our 26 Brother Rats who donated was second only to the class of 1949A’s 70%. However, there were only seven donors from ’49A (contributing $4960). Clearly, in a practical sense, 1943 was the de facto, moral victor. Many thanks, but we should not be satisfied with anything less than 90%. I would be remiss indeed if I failed to mention the financial support to VMI coming from our widowed Sister Rats. There are many whose faithfulness in giving is never failing and generous. Please join in my thanks (listed alphabetically) to Janet Dennis, Charlotte Hansbarger, Betty Haskins, Ann Heller, Sally Hodgkin, Margery McGrath, Audrey Moyer, Lucy Phillips, Bette Potts, Jeanne Rae, Norma Romm, Sue Ross, Renee Tynan, Virginia Wyatt and Barbara Young. Just writing their names saddens me in so many ways, but it also stirs warm and gratifying memories. For three straight days recently, I tried to call Bill Winter. Each time an auto29

CLASS NOTES mated voice said to call later. Bill failed, unlike him, to respond to a follow-up e-mail. Harry Jones, also uncharacteristically, recently failed to respond to my e-mail. I fret about the increasing number of our 40 class survivors from whom I have heard nothing for some time. Bob Reveley remains completely incommunicado for what might well be health problems. There are some such as Jim Demmler who has, as we regretfully know, advanced Alzheimer’s disease. And Bob Reeves who long ago deliberately cut his VMI ties. But there are others – perhaps 20 survivors about whom we know little or nothing. Perhaps it’s by choice, but I suspect mostly because of procrastination. The deadlines for my submission of class notes to the editors of the VMI Alumni Review are Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15 and Nov. 15. I suggest that each of you mark your calendars one month ahead of each of those dates to read: “Jeff Smith due an update.” Realistically, I wouldn’t expect to hear from each of you every quarter, but surely you could send something at least every six months if for nothing else to let me know that all was well. A stick check, if you will – needing only an “all right.” Take care and God Bless.

’44

Robert P. Jones Jr.

With the dog days of summer in full bloom, I find it easier to stay inside and get started on these notes. In mid May, I had a fine long letter from Winslow Whitehurst who signs herself as “Win” (daughter of Guzzling Gus). You all will remember Gus Whitehurst, whose name was omitted from the 2005 Register of Former Cadets along with John Stevens by the contractor hired by the Alumni Association to produce that edition. Win’s mom, Nell, whom many of you may remember, died after a fairly brief illness in October of 2010 at the Atlantic Shores Retirement Community in Virginia Beach. In early June, Andy Jones, son of our BR, Joe Jones, wrote to give me his dad’s new address at a retirement home in Indianapolis. It is: Joseph R. Jones Jr., 30

Rittenhouse Senior Living, 1251M W. 96th St. #27, Indianapolis, IN 46260 and telephone 317/575-9200. Andy wrote that his dad was doing great, wears his VMI apparel every day and would like to hear from some of us. I called Joe, and our attempt at conversation was nearly completely garbled by a bad connection and my hearing aids. I did determine he was glad to hear from me and really likes his new quarters. There was good news from Mabbot Warren in mid May. Although her brain tumor had acted up awhile back, it was retreated and the treatment had been successful. The bad side was the one treatment cost $65,000.00. I was scared to ask if insurance covered it. She might have asked me for a loan. In June, Juliet Hupp wrote that the Hupps recently had a series of celebrations: three birthdays and three graduations of Tom’s grandchildren. All of these occasions were very enjoyable except that Tom wasn’t there. Juliet had also recently enjoyed attending one of the quarterly gatherings of the VMI alumni living at the Westminster-Canterbury Retirement Center. Sadly, she said, “more widows than couples.” With regret, I had a sort of farewell talk with Inda Cook, Tom’s widow. Faye and I had gotten to know Inda well when we visited them in San Antonio some years ago. I was checking to see which VMI mailings she wanted to continue receiving. Inda said that we were the only VMI folks she really knew, and we might as well discontinue all of them. We reminisced a bit and sadly acknowledged that was probably the last time we’d converse. I also had a similar chat with Harriet Tobey. Her son, Bruce, still lives at home with her and remains one of the big joys of her life. Some of you may remember that Bruce was born with cerebral palsy. Harriet still enjoys our written class notes but wants us to be relieved of having to send her all the other mailings. Nell Watt wrote: “As soon as I saw the beautiful red, white and yellow flowers come through the front door I knew who they came from.” Nell wanted me to be sure to thank all of you for sending them. She changed the water often and when she wrote in mid June said they were still

there as a comfort to the family. I wrote you that Bob had played golf and tennis every week until he fell and broke his hip. Unable to get any exercise, his prostate cancer got active, and he was gone in a week. Nell said he wanted a military funeral with “Reveille” played after “Taps.” She remarked that Bob had said, “I’ll go to sleep on earth, but I’ll rise and shine in Heaven with Jesus.” Nell closed her letter saying, “It wasn’t’ a sad funeral but a real celebration of his fabulous life, giving God the Glory. Robert loved you all.” After receiving my May class notes, Bill Eickelberg wrote that he understood all of it and wished me luck in my hunt for dollars. He planned to help the search succeed in September. My having read a lot of the press printing published in recent days by those scrambling to see who can predict the highest level of doom, I can only hope that Ike’s cup remains “half full.” Ike remarked that when he and Chris had dinner with Harry and Nancy Ratrie recently, the wives were in noticeable better shape than the “older” husbands. Miriam Helmen arranged for Hotdog to accompany her on a trip to her old stomping grounds in Newport News and Hampton to see some old familiar sights and visit a few old friends. Faye and I got into the act by offering a free dinner and we had a fine but short visit. At the end of the school year they had attended five grandchild graduations. Although these affairs are not real entertainment, Hotdog agreed that they are memorable occasions and also can be expensive. As always Dick Niess touched base and we chatted a bit. He and Ann both have walking problems and have a fitness professional helping them try to improve or at least hold their own by guiding their efforts on his equipment a couple of times a week. The Meades had a good time on their VMI Alumni sailing cruise out of Italy, although the weather was not as good as it had been on others they have taken. Again, he was the oldest alumnus aboard and a lady from the class of 2003 was the youngest. Dick also noted that the alumni from the younger classes seem to be heavier than those of our era, and his hearing aids are still a problem. I know that I, and feel that most of us, agree with those observations. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Another of my faithful correspondents, Patricia Wen, wrote to thank me for my birthday card. She also noted that although she doesn’t usually know them very well, she really feels sorry for the wife when she gets a postcard announcing that another of our Brother Rats has died. In mid June, the weather temperature in Taipei had been hovering around 100 degrees which had Patricia staying in an air conditioned room. She remarked that folks in Taipei were even hoping for a small typhoon to cool things off and bring some much needed rain. Patricia planned to be in San Francisco from July 16th to Aug. 14th to visit with sisters and brothers she hadn’t seen in nearly five years. That should have been fun, as those affairs usually are. Recently, I called Bob Smothers, and Hazel told me he was on the tennis court. When he called back, I explained that I was looking for help in verifying the number of folks in our class who had received VMI diplomas. He did help with that and also mentioned something that indicated he might be catching up with the rest of us. One of his knees hurt so bad after playing two sets of tennis that morning, he had to stop. I did express my sympathy; I know the feeling, except mine occurred about eight years ago. In similar search that same day, Bob Sherrard helped me and then mentioned he was “wrestling” with some health problems. I didn’t ask questions but did sympathize. Guess we’re all sorta in the same boat in one way or another. The last issue of the Alumni Review had a quote I like in the 1954 class notes: “You’re getting old when your memories are more important that your dreams.” How true! That’s all for now. Take care of yourselves wherever you are. God bless all of you, and God bless America and VMI.

’45

Richard A. Matheis

Since our last deadline, my conversations with my Brother Rats have generally started off with prolonged discussions regarding the weather. When we talk these 2011-Issue 4

days it’s all about heat waves and tempera- floor. It had a swinging louvered door at the entrance. As I attempted to depart, I tures hovering around the 100 mark. Not long ago it was all about low temperatures, pushed the swinging door, but I was opposed by a stronger force from the outside. high winds and flooding. And, by the time I stepped aside and who was on the other you read this in the next Review, we all side – Joe McCullough! will no doubt be cussing the early freeze Even stranger was, when comparing and possibly snow fall. This has certainly notes, we learned that we both were in the been a weather oriented rollercoaster. In between numerous comments noted 8th, both shot down, and both prisoners at above, I have managed to accumulate a Stalagluft 1. Yet we had not seen each other few items of interest regarding our Sisters since being called up in March of 1943. The next time I saw Joe was in 1998. Joe and BRs. The first that comes to mind is a phone call with Sally and A.B. Windham. In Addington, John Williams and I decided response to my “What’s happening?” Sally to travel on a Baltic cruise sponsored by said, “An exciting day for us is deciding to The VMI Alumni Association. Joe and his go out in the morning and have breakfast at wife, Alice, decided to join us at the last IHOP!” I assured her they were not alone. minute. We all, including the wives, had an She added in an e-mail to me the next day stating one of A.B.’s lasting regrets is that he did not return to VMI after the war, but his leg wound from Okinawa was still healing. Now the sad news section. I must report the McCullough ’45 Morgan ’ 45 Windham ’45 passing of two Sisters and one BR. Catherine Bear’s son-in-law reports that she died Aug. 26, outstanding time. Now there’s only John 2010. He added his grandfather was in the and me … Depressing. On a happier note, I recently learned class of 1909 and his uncle in 1933. A VMI we have a musician in our midst. None family indeed. other than the world renowned Joe Gantt. The other sister was Betty Adair. Her Kay Gantt reports the following, “Joe is daughter e-mailed me she passed away playing the harmonica again after a short back in March of 2010. hiatus. He plays for church, retirement The BR we lost was good old Joe centers and such. They all know these Big McCullough after a prolonged illness. Band tunes. They like ‘Stardust,’ ‘GeorHis daughter reported as follows: “I just gia,’ ‘Embrace Me’ and others. How about wanted you to know that my Daddy died ‘Good Night Sweetheart.’? Do any of on June 1st. He loves his VMI friends with a passion, and he was one of the most those take you back?” You betcha’ they do. As a matter of fact, I play them myself on loyal of friends. You all had a special kina Lowery Home Orchestra. But not good ship. I hope you are well and life is good! enough to go public. All the best to you.” Got a couple of notes from Vic Bray. In I’ve got a WWII story involving Joe one, he asked if I remember our marchand me. ing into Lexington to attend church; as After being shot down while flying we passed the Catholic cadets returning with the 8th Air Force and being a guest to the Institute, we folded into their ranks of the German government for a year at thus making a much larger group avoiding Stalagluft 1, I ducked the planned voyage back to the states on a Liberty ship and had churches in town. Well, Vic, I do remember what you rascals did, except I was orders cut to return via Paris and London. one of those Catholics whose ranks were The first night in London was spent at an swelled. upscale hotel. The next morning I decided His other note was in regard to his prowto get a professional haircut for a change. There was a barber shop on the hotels’ first ess playing golf. He and P.J. are trying to 31

CLASS NOTES regain their form of 2010. Something was said about the high 90s. It wasn’t very clear if he was referencing air temperatures or golf scores. Got a couple of address changes for you. Jack Burnett called in a change of address and phone number: 517 Allison Ave., Apt. 3, Roanoke, VA 24016 and phone 540/9046401. Buddy Metz only has an e-mail change to: buddymetz1364@gmail.com. And now our flower of the banking world, Russ Newton (hope you don’t object to your introduction, Russ). His e-mail is so loaded with info, it defies condensation, so here it is in its entirety. “Dick, nothing great but interesting to me. Granddaughter Maddie, who lives in London and has lived in Paris, has a close friend who was a schoolmate in Paris. Friend’s father, a VMI grad, David Royer ’89, was assigned to France by his company, is now back home in Lynchburg. Maddie was invited by them, which she just did. Included in the visit was a day-long visit to VMI. Maddie is 13, 5’ 11”, smart, gorgeous and a winner, even if granddaddy says so. Long time before college, but who knows?” You may remember that, in an earlier report this year I mentioned Russ was a founder of Everbank. They acquired Florida Bank and its many branches down here in Naples. I pass by its major branch in town at least six times a day. I still wonder if I could float a sizeable loan unsecured through that branch – with Russ’s help. Dream on, Richard. I phoned Sam Walker the day before his birthday. I like to do that when I can. I stand a good chance of being the first to say “happy birthday.” Charlotte answered the call and laughingly said, “Howdy do, Dick.” I thought I must be on a TV program. She knew I was on the prowl for material for this issue. She asked if I knew Sam was a protégé of General G.C. Marshall ’901. I was impressed but not surprised. She continued, “Sam was 11 years old at the time. H-m-m-m. Both Sam’s dad and Gen. Marshall were stationed at the same post in the state of Washington. Marshall taught Sam poker – and how to cut a lawn!” I always like to talk to Charlotte. See, I already have forgotten your nickname you no longer want as an identity. 32

Anyway, I finally got to talk to the birthday boy. He is still the youngest of all of us. Another golfer. What else in Pinehurst, NC. He was very proud of his latest round of nine. He shot a 45. Not bad, Sam. I have a number of little things I’ve picked up the last three months, or as I like to describe it, while I’m “mousing around.” I’m going to just call it RAMblings. RAMblings Buddy Metz gave me a link to a website that, as he said, may save you or someone else’s life knowing a new CPR procedure. Here it is: http://tinyurl.com/2fx8r59 “One big thing happened to the Brays … they celebrated their 67th anniversary! They were married in Manhattan, KS (near Fort Riley), in 1944, and are still going strong! … Vic and P.J. “In my last note I mentioned fishing tournaments this year. In our first one, we caught a 60 lb. Dolphin (mai-mai) for third place and $2500. We’ll keep trying. Jess Reed captjess@charter.net” As reported by Doug Pritchard’s daughters, Judy and Rosemary: “Daddy is very proud of just receiving an award from Rotary International for 61 years of service.” Anyone lonely? Got a solution for you. Get on Hugh Dischinger’s computer mailing list. I can guarantee you at least five mailings a day! As most of you know, John Williams has had two homes for some time – one in Richmond and another for weekends and summer at Gwynn’s Island on the Chesapeake Bay. He is now in the process of restoring an old family home in Buckingham County near Charlottesville. Can you imagine? Three homes! He won’t have much time for Mary Balou. Any volunteers to help him out? … And not with the houses! Walter Weber is still very active in his law practice located in Bergen County, NJ. His home actually is in Catskill, NY, where he still owns and operates a marina on the Hudson River. Now the wrapup. First of all, I wrote to all the previous class agents and asked that they send me a “short note” regarding their life since departure from the Institute. So far, I have received a short note from Jim Morgan and Jack Burnett – both of them are five pages long! Initially, I had

intended including them in our notes in their entirety but decided a more prudent approach would be to give you a “Reader’s Digest” version. Both are extremely interesting. The abbreviated summary of Jim’s life after cadet days follows. Jack’s will be included in the next issue. I will have both on file and will happily send an unabridged text upon request. “After graduation in March 1946, I attended the University of Virginia School of Law for less than one semester, but it wasn’t scientific enough for me. I dropped out and accepted an engineering position with the Virginia Department of Highways. In July 1946, I was offered an instructor teaching position for one year as a ‘fill in.’ “In September 1947, I enrolled in Johns Hopkins and began studying for a master’s degree in sanitary engineering which was awarded in June 1948. “Returning to VMI in August 1948, I was introduced to Jean Aldhizer by the wife of a staff member (ed.: enters a matchmaker – the plot thickens). Jean herself was on staff at VMI. “Jean and I married Aug. 4, 1950, in Richmond and honeymooned in Nassau, Bahamas. We had three children – Mary, Stuart and Mark ’84. “In July 1953, I returned to Johns Hopkins and was awarded a doctorate in water resourced in 1959. However, I returned to VMI in 1954 to continue teaching part time. I taught in the civil engineering department until 1965. In 1963, I was named director of the VMI Research Laboratories. Then, in 1965, I was appointed dean of the faculty and served until 1984 at retirement. “My military career consisted of being in the infantry during 1943-44 and then in the Army Reserve, Medical Service Corps, retiring as a colonel.” Please keep in mind the above are not exactly Jim’s words. I took some liberties in the interest of brevity. One last comment. Only the class agents can appreciate the support we receive from the staff of the alumni office – in my case, Norma Robinson, Traci Mierzwa and Brenda Stoner. They are all so cooperative in fulfilling any of my requests. They do not know the meaning of “no.” Thank you, thank you. That’s all folks. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES God bless VMI and the class of ’45. P.S. – Breaking News! I just received from the alumni office a “Giving” summary, class by class, dollars in contributions and percentage of class contributing years of 2010 and 2011 ending June 30th. The percentage of our class giving those two years JUMPED from 45 to 54! Congratulations!

’46

William A. Eliason

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes from the class of 1946 for this issue.

’47

Bill Hallett

On a bright and cloudless spring-like day as the haunting sound of echo “Taps,” played by two VMI cadets, resounded through Richmond’s historic Hollywood Cemetery there among family, many friends and VMI alumni, the body of Frank A. “Buck” Cavedo Jr. was laid to rest next to his beloved Martha who died Thanksgiving Day 2007. Buck died Memorial Day, May 30, 2011. He is survived by two brothers and his two sons; Allen Cavedo III and Judge Bradley Cavedo, his wife, Pamela, and their sons Brent and Rob. After our Rat year, he served in the Army Air Corps. Following WWII, he was graduated from the University of Richmond and the MCV School of Dentistry. Then after a decade of general dentistry, he studied orthodontic dentistry and continued his orthodontic practice until he retired. Buck was a man of many talents and interests and had three great loves; his family, sailing and VMI and its Regimental Band. Buck and Martha established the Cavedo Band Fund several years ago. If you watched the Rose Bowl Parade two years ago, you saw and heard the results of Buck’s love; there were 16 new trumpets in the band that day. Earlier on, he provided three tubas for the band which previously had only one; he thought there should be one on each corner. He was a great friend and a loyal 2011-Issue 4

and generous Bro’ Rat. I enjoyed sailing with him and will miss him, as will all who knew him. And on July 2, 2011, from a continent away, “Taps” sounded for Col. Albert Cromwell Smith, USMC (Ret). Sorry to say. Al had been on the gim for several months. He matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and was graduated with the class of ’49C. Al had a distinguished military career with service in WWII, Korea and two tours in Vietnam. His decorations included the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. He is survived by his wife, Laura (known to many of us as Lolly), son Al III and daughters Elizabeth and Laura. Again the bugler reports for duty and “Taps” sounds for William Thomas Hawkins, who died July 6, 2011. He was predeceased by Arlene, his devoted wife for 40 years. As was the case for many of us, Tom signed the Matriculation Book the day after graduating from high school. Soon after the end of our Rat year he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served with the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Battle of Okinawa (one of the bloodiest of the many Pacific battles) and received the Purple Heart for wounds incurred there. After being discharged from the Marine Corps, Tom returned to VMI and was graduated with the class of ’49C. He was one of the 17 of our fellow matriculants to be graduated with that unique class. In July 1966, he and his friend, Paul Graves, formed HawkinsGraves Inc., and he served as president of that company until it was sold in 1996. Tom was most generous in his support of the Institute. The sound of “Taps” is heard again; Catesby Brooke Jones died July 9, 2011. He matriculated from Washington, D.C.; his father was a Bro’ Rat of the class of 1913. Following our Rat year during which he was a member of the football team, he served in the Army and reached the rank of first lieutenant. After the war, he was graduated from Yale and soon thereafter joined a Richmond bank now known as SunTrust, where he became a senior vice president before retiring in 1985. Catesby was very active in the Society of the Cincinnati and ultimately became president general of that orga-

nization which was formed in 1783 at the close of the Revolutionary War. He was active in the Richmond and Virginia Chambers of Commerce. Catesby is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their children. During July’s hotter-than-hell usual spell, I called Alice and Ben McCarley to thank them for sharing their excess degrees with us. Both were well and warm! Alice and your scribe continue to smile at our retinologists. Ben and I remembered that neither of us left air-conditioned homes to sign in at VMI. I do remember that in those days paper fans (provided by one of the local funeral homes) were in place on each pew of every country church. During the mid-summer parades, even though we were in khaki, a Bro’ Rat would pass out and then be rewarded with five demerits for “deserting” formation. For those of us with a few extra funds cooled air was available at Lexington’s State Theater. A mid-May note from Bill Haughton reminded me once again of what a good job President Obama is doing. Bill says most of his non-fishing and loafing time is spent reading. A mid-June note sounded as though some of Bill’s political leanings had moved somewhat to the right. Seems to think the unemployment picture will change a few minds. Beverly must be a very tolerant lady! Meade Gregory represented ’47 at the New Market ceremonies at 14:00 hours on Sunday, May 15th. I asked Meade how he was doing; he said that about “average” was about as good as he could do. Four years ago, I reported that the Redmond triplets (Angela, Stephen and Thomas) had matriculated; they received their VMI diplomas on May 16th and “turned” 22 later that month. Angela said any whining elicited a response often heard at VMI: “Shut up and get over it.” I’m not much of a writer and even worse proof-reader. In the May 15th edition I wrote that Gus Robbins had signed up with the ESSO-sponsored Reserve unit and by so doing failed to enjoy duty in frozen Chosen. That item was incomplete when this sentence was garbled. “The ESSO agreement with the Department of the Army specified that ESSO employees who signed up with that unit would not be 33

CLASS NOTES called to active duty unless the entire unit was activated because of a national emergency.” Norma and John Burton sent a feature article from the Charlotte Observer about the volunteer work Col. Grigg Mullen ’76 and 14 of his engineering students did at Mint Hill for its Historical Society. They designed and erected a timberframed shelter for two granite Chilean mill wheels which were used to grind quartz to separate gold. When water was added, the quartz dust would wash away leaving the shiny particles of gold. John said he did not find any gold. Maybe later. While May’s floodings were flushing the Mississippi, I made a few calls. Allene and Lucius Dabney were well and dry. Great-grandfather Dabney had planned well and the homeplace he established in Vicksburg is on high ground about a half mile from the river. Lucius was enjoying a late breakfast; to maintain his boyish figure, two meals a day is his usual routine. Post-breakfast, he was replacing the transmission pan on his car; he’d been a bit aggressive with a concrete parking block. Lucius is still practicing law and goes to his office at least five days each week. I suggested he over-charge one or two of his clients and give the “excess” to VMI. Dick Spencer continues his spring routine of enjoying the hospitality of Dabney’s B&B during his trips to and from Texas to visit his sister. Lucius said Spencer looked good and is still standing tall on his new knees. Roger Rosenfield indicated that good planning many years ago located Jackson away from the river. He said that he and Lynne were both well and that Lynne was recovering nicely from injuries incurred when her horse took a fall. Now horseback riding has been replaced with bike riding on “one of those horizontal bikes with a flag” – Roger is not participating. Still resting up from the strains of company room many years ago! They have arranged a New England tour during the summer for their daughters and sons-in-law; a great relaxing family get-together. Roger admitted that he knew how to turn a computer on and off; slow progress. They are planning to attend our 65th. On a hot late June day, Lady Luck and years of accumulated skill collaborated to assist Rives Fleming score a 96-yard hole in one on Richmond’s Westhampton 34

course. Rivo’s wife, Mary, and one of their friends witnessed that event. On the same day two other holes in one were reported on other Commonwealth courses. In a recent “Letter to the Editor” of Lexington’s News-Gazette, Col. Robert Saylor, USA (Ret) told of his life at VMI in 1943. He had enlisted in 1942 and on May 7, 1943, was among the 144 Army lads transferred from Georgetown University to VMI for college training under the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). Buck Private Saylor was elected president of that Army unit and from that position forwarded a letter to Lt. Gen. Kilbourne ’894 objecting to required Sunday church attendance; with reluctance, the superintendent approved and exception for the ASTP unit. Saylor also remembered having to learn the sabre manual after he was chosen to be “cadet” captain of the Army unit. I do not remember seeing an ASTP parade; however, in the ASTP section of the 1944 War Bomb there is a picture of an Army private carrying a sabre leading the Army unit on parade. The Army had settled in on the 2nd and 4th stoops a month before we arrived June 9th. Also in that unit was a man then known as Melvin Kaminsky, who changed his name many years later when as a movie producer he was known as Mel Brooks. In an interview later in his life, Brooks remembered his days at VMI and referred to General Kilbourne ’894 as a courtly and kind Southern gentleman. On their way home following several weeks of touring in Europe, Jim Willson called. Carol and “Double L” were spending a week in New York visiting friends and waiting there to enjoy fireworks’ displays there. On their tour they met an M.D. of the class of ’60. He and Jim spent a few hours comparing Barracks life and lingo of their different decades. To celebrate surviving the first half of 2011 and looking forward to the second, Marshall Brittain and Joe Reynolds enjoyed lunch together. Several matters, including our 65th, were discussed but, so far, no problems solved. In late May, Jorge Sarmiento sent an email/YouTube documentary video of Peru, with English subtitles, showing a group of Peruvians “invading” Peru, Nebraska, with tasty dishes, music, dances, smiles and love. His quote: “It is all a mess. I hope

you will enjoy it.” Jorge, it was and we did. He hopes he and Delia will be “present and accounted for” at our 65th which begins Sunday, April 22, 2012. Truisms: Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be. Always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila. A clear conscience is usually the sign of bad memory. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried. I failed to mention a few items from “Jock” Maggard’s YE 2010 letter. Three of his uncles went to VMI as did his cousin Lt. Gen. John McGiffert ’48B (I knew John). Jock had asked about Rives Fleming; now he knows what Rives has been doing. He also wanted to make sure the BRs bought “Florida Natural OJ” which is made from oranges grown in his Mountain Lake, FL, hometown. He remembered a visit by Gus Robbins a few years ago; as Gus drove away his car horn played “The Spirit.” The North American Roller Hockey Tournament was held in Fort Myers, FL. Sarah Newsom and the Colorado branch of her clan were there to enjoy seeing her grandson (the goalie) and his Colorado teammates defeat two Canadian teams. An exciting five-day event surrounded by sweaty smelly teenagers! During the Foundations’ fiscal year ending June 30th, 31 Bro’ Rats (53% of our 58 known survivors) contributed; bless them and their loyalty. My sincere thanks to all who contributed and another plea to those who haven’t yet done so, but soon will I hope. Numbers of note: the Institute estimated that approximately 515 new names will be added to the Matriculation Book on Aug. 20, 2011, as the future class of 2015 begins a new life. When Barnum & Bailey Circus next plays in the District of Columbia area it should have no trouble recruiting clowns; Congress and the White House have many well-qualified; our country deserves much better. I hope your summer is one of fun and relaxation; you deserve both. Class notes depend on each of you. Our 65th Reunion begins April 22, 2012; please plan to be there! Stay well, keep smiling and age gracefully. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

’48A

Dale E. Wykoff

Billy and Betty Bond are suffering through the 110-degree weather in Fort Worth, but Billy is soon off on a fishing expedition into New Mexico where (he hopes) the weather will be cooler. Mike Calhoun continues to enjoy retirement in Florida, but he was a bit put out by the 103-degree weather there. His bout with cancer is well behind him, and he keeps fit with lengthy walks around his small town. I tried several times to see how Don Florence is doing but have had no answer. I hope soon to be in touch with him or his daughter, Debra Pianka, who accompanied him here for our 60th Reunion in 2008. Dora Meler makes us envious of her good health. She is soon to be off on a bike trip to Ireland for 10 days. In spite of having a high-profile job in the financial district of NYC, she said she is not responsible for the terrible condition of the stock market! Bev Laws, in Houston, is suffering through the same miserable heat wave, up to 106-degree, Bev is still experiencing some difficulty in walking but hopes a wheel chair will soon help his mobility. Hang in there, Bev! It is always a pleasure to talk with J.Y. O’Neal. In spite of some visual problems, he is already planning to attend our upcoming 65th Reunion in 2013, with son Jim as his chauffeur. I am having trouble with the telephone of Gilly and Mary Ann Williamson, but I’ll keep after them. Blake McFeely and I were hit by a bad telephone connection but all turned out to be fine. Blake and Cheddy enjoy California life, and in many ways, we envy him! Paul Stagg, in spite of having mandatory multiple weekly visits to his doctor has arranged his schedule to allow freedom to attend the upcoming VMI football games! John Trumbo and Dale Wykoff will be there with him. For well over 60 years we have been hearing that while we may not be having much football luck this year – just wait until next year when we shall have a wonder2011-Issue 4

fully victorious one. Well, let’s all hope for the best. Irene Sadler has recovered from her terrible fall and long hospitalization last summer and has again been able to visit her ancestral home in Hawaii. Good luck, Irene – from all of us! Our Brother Rat Bob Patterson (whom we share with 1949C) is recovering from his February stroke, after spending six weeks in the hospital. Along with Anne, we all very much hope that he’ll soon be fully restored to good health! It is sad to realize that we now have two additional widows in the class. Peggy Kritzer plans to remain here in Lexington for the foreseeable future and is doing as well as can be expected now that Ed is gone. Lamar Whitmore

Class of 1948A: John Trumbo, above, had lunch with Dale Wykoff in June 2011.

is just getting along day by day without Bill. We send both Peggy and Lamar our warmest wishes for the coming days as they adjust to these difficult times. Finally, please remember that the 1948A Scholarship depends solely on you! If you have not recently given a couple of bucks, please do so by sending your check, so marked, to Col. Pat Webb, director of Alumni Giving, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450. Keep in touch!

’48B

Louis Castellano Jr.

Heard from Mickey Lawson, and he spends his summer months in New Paltz, NY. Mickey and Helen have three children, now about 50. and one of their grandchildren graduated from Florida law school this past year, passed the D.C. Bar in May 2011 and has a job in Washington. It is extremely difficult to generate any news at this time in our lives. However, I must give a tremendous thanks to Pat Webb who, at my request, has sent out personal reminders to all my Brother and Sister Rats to contact me and pass along whatever information might be of interest to all of us. Serving as class agent, the only way that I could secure recent information was to contact some of our Brother and Sister Rats in the class directory. I believe we started with a Rat class of 180, and quite frankly, I don’t know after my first year what the number was at that time, but I am sure there was a significant decrease. My life at the Institute for the first year was rather isolated. We would know our roommates and perhaps some of our Brother Rats in nearby rooms, others that sat at the same hall table and who were assigned to our platoons. However, at least 50 percent, or maybe more of our Brother Rats, were known by their name only because of their rather restricted isolation with reference to our existence. However, I will now report to you as best as I can with reference to those that I contacted through the VMI directory. Spoke to Brother Rat Chuck Alberto recently, and he became a great-grandfather to Leo Augustus Alberto. Chuck and his wife have six children, one living in New York City, four in North Carolina and one in South Carolina. One of his daughters recently gave birth to triplets. Although he was employed by Dow Chemical for 11 years and Celanese for eight years, his last employer for 20 years was Bassett Walker, and he retired as a vice president and technical director. Bill Atkins practiced family medicine for over 40 years, has been retired for 35

CLASS NOTES some time and is living in Englewood, FL. John Ayres is partially retired at this time, and his son is running the business. He has been involved in real estate development in the state of Louisiana and also the development of truck stops all over the south. I called our Brother Rat Woodson Bercaw, and unfortunately, I found out from his son that he had passed away in the early part of July. Spoke to Richard Blackwell. After a year and a half at VMI, he went to the Naval Academy, served in the U.S. Navy, reached the rank of lieutenant commander and had 20 years of service. After that, he went to grad school and went into the farming business, and he is still somewhat occupied in that career. Bruce Brand is living in Fort Worth, TX. His first unfortunate memory of VMI was when we returned from Christmas vacation one day late, and he was put on house confinement for the balance of his Rat year. Bruce was in the cooling tower business for over 50 years and now is retired. Charlie Brown lives in Shreveport, LA, and has been in the oil and water business for many years. He lost his wife about two years ago. Charlie has two children and six grandchildren. His son is a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and has been overseas for four different tours of duty. Ed Cortright lives in Madison, MS. Ed served as a judge for approximately 30 years. He is now retired and unfortunately has glaucoma. However, he too has traumatic memories of our monastic way of life at the Institute during our first year. I also might mention that Ed served multiple terms of the Chancery Court and never was opposed to any elections. Delbert Findley Jr. who was living in Grand Junction, CO, passed away in 1997. Delbert was in the retail business for many years. Jim Fitts is unfortunately living in a nursing home. Robert Goad started his career with the Virginia State Police. He had two service terms in the Army. He was wounded on Pork Chop Hill in Korea and also was wounded while serving in Vietnam. Towards the end of his career, he served as chief of security for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 36

After playing phone tag for a long time, I was able to reach Paul Applin. He is in good health and retired. He told me that he was married to his newest wife for nine months, and then, in the background, I heard someone yell nine years. Rob Kallgren served two terms in the Army. The second terms resulted in his going to Korea where he was a battery commander. Rod has been married for 59 years, has six sons and 18 grandchildren. Joe Reynolds ’47 called me to let me know that our Brother Rat Rex Sheppard recently passed away.

’49A

James Harrington

Herb Johnston was first off the block for this issue: “Your note request arrived as we were doing our final errands for our annual trip to the Outer Banks (about our 35th year). We are both fairly well. I had a good report from the Cleveland Clinic after a complete check-up in June. We also attended a Johnston family reunion near Chicago, Jeanne’s high school class reunion, and now we are off to North Carolina. We will stop briefly at VMI and check out the class bricks. I’m sorry we don’t have more exciting news but just wanted to let you know that we are still OK.” Allen Penniman’s quarterly newsletter helps fill up the notes for this quarter. Many thanks to Allen and his efficient assistant: “Dear Brother Rats: In responding to Jim Harrington’s request for information, I am pleased to be able to say that Joanie and I have been just a little bit more active in the last couple of months than we have been before. Although our traveling is a bit limited, at least we have done a couple of fun things that I can write about. “In May, I felt like getting away from Baton Rouge and discovered a beautiful place in Tennessee called Blackberry Farm. It is just outside of Knoxville, so we flew up and spent a week at a very special place. It is an old working farm which was purchased by the developer of the Ruby Tuesday Restaurants. He has done very well, and he has found a perfect place to put his fortune to work. It is first class in every way. We had a nice cabin in the

woods, and I spent the entire week reading and resting and enjoying the magnificent scenery. The food was exceptional as well. Joanie and I wanted some time off, and we found the perfect place, Blackberry Farm. I recommend it highly for a bit of get away. I am aware, just as everyone my age is aware, of the fact that I am losing many of my closest friends and, therefore attend funerals frequently. These are always ‘downers’ for me, so to balance my report a bit let me tell you about a recent ‘upper’ that I attended. Three weeks ago Joanie and I flew to Santa Fe, NM. We were there for about a week, but during that time some very wonderful things happened to us. I refer to them as ‘uppers.’ To begin with, we attended the marriage of my granddaughter, Claire. With all of the grandchildren we have, this is only the second one who is married. She picked a grand young man and her wedding was a wonderful occasion and adds a new branch to our family tree. We enjoyed every moment of it. The second thing that happened for us was that I was formally introduced to my first great-granddaughter. I have been made a grandfather 23 times, but this is my first great-granddaughter. Her parents named her Lily, and she is indeed a lily. What a beautiful baby! I can’t tell you the feeling I had when I was able to hold her and realize that she was the newest addition to my family. If this publication would allow photographs, I would certainly add one to this note because each of you would be impressed by her. It is almost like an extension of my life. I guess you could call it part of my legacy. “Joanie and I have been blessed in so many ways, and yet as I grow older, I do feel better when ‘upper’ things happen. When they do, I am invigorated, and the birth of my first great-grandchild and the marriage of a granddaughter were very important events in our lives. “I am going to forgo any comments about our government or the financial condition of our country or the total ineptness of the congress of this country. It is beyond my belief, I don’t understand it and, therefore I will not comment on it. Pathetic is the first word that comes to mind. All else is well with the Pennimans, and I send each of you my very best regards.” As much as I appreciate Allen’s letters, VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES I’m upset at the news of his great-granddaughter. We (the Harringtons) have two grandchildren marrying this summer, and I had hopes of beating Allen to the first great-grandchild. Oh, well! We did have a busy summer, entertaining numerous children and grandchildren at our annual “Camp Chaos.” This entails a lot of cooking, swimming pool maintenance, golf cart instruction and generally insuring that each attendee enjoys the visit and learns to respect his/her parents/grandparents. So far, it seems to work. As I write these notes, we’re hosting the last of the summer campers and looking forward to a little peace and quiet, as we plan a trip to Maine for our number one granddaughter’s wedding. The summer enjoyment has been blighted by the incompetent actions of our political leadership and the constraints imposed on our retirement budget by the economic results of those actions. Those same grandchildren that we are trying to help raise will suffer from this political malfeasance, and we have to wait another year before we can do anything about it. I would write more succinctly of my concerns, but the Review probably wouldn’t print it. I can count on Stan Millimet to share some of my views: “I confess that I almost forgot you. Not that I have very much to write about. We spend most of our time listening to talk radio (that’s depressing) or watching the news – that’s depressing too – or checking on children. Fortunately, they and our grandchildren are doing well. But for an old guy, I’m hanging in pretty well. No, I haven’t done anything exciting. Still have lunch once weekly with the guys I worked with at General Dynamics – unfortunately we never solve any problems – either of our own or our great country. Yes, things could be worse – we could be like England with rioting in the streets and looting. I pray that we never get that far. But what kind of country have we become with half of it on food stamps and 10% unemployed for up to a year or longer? Okay, I’ll get off my soap box. I do hope that our few Brother Rats and their families are doing well. Yes, I often recall the good times (and a few not so good) during our VMI years. I’ll try to think of something newsworthy. If I do I’ll write 2011-Issue 4

immediately. Otherwise fond regards from Sunny and me and best wishes to you and Ann and our Brother Rats.” Joe Fil was tardy for the last notes issue, but I did get this from him in late June: “I just returned from a weeks’ work session up at the lake. I don’t know why I enjoy that place so much, because I mostly spend my time weed whacking and repairing things. It is a beautiful large lake though, with lots of fish, and we have a beautiful view. It’s also nice to be able to get away from the problems of earning a living. TV is also good to get away from. Sorry about that invitation in my name. It didn’t come from me. I received something from my daughter-in-law (a flight attendant) from some professional website. I have to check this out with her. Unfortunately, they are on the road moving from Maryland to Florida, so I’ll have to wait until they arrive. Not much to report. The big event, and a sad one, is that my little dog was killed by a local coyote. They have really been active here, and I frequently see them in the neighborhood. We also have had a number of mountain lions roaming through our little town, but I haven’t seen any.” Joe wrote again, just in time for these notes: “Sue and I finally were able to spend a little time at the lake. The weather here and at the lake has really been terrific. This week our granddaughter is at the lake cottage with a few of her friends, and it’s nice to know that the place is being used by the younger generation. California is truly a beautiful state. It’s too bad we have such a dysfunctional government. We have had some great news. Our third son, Jonathan, has been appointed a judge. “Sue and I are both getting our old bodies rebuilt. Sue is getting set up for a hip replacement. They have decided that my problems rest with that bump sitting above my shoulders. I’ve just completed three bone grafts, but my thinking hasn’t improved one bit. I still lose all our arguments. It’s a great life, and Sue and I are glad we’re living it. Say hello to Ann for me and keep vertical.” That’s one thing I share with Joe. Our place here on the island takes a lot of daily maintenance, but it gives me exercise and a purpose, which I suppose helps with my verticality. I have not shared the

experience of body part replacements. All of my operations have been one way – removal. And that’s all I have to say about that!

’49B

Dan Smaw

These are the class notes for August 2011. The last class notes mentioned that Tom Cooke was in the hospital. Virginia wrote in late May to say he was out of the hospital and at home where he was having physical and occupational therapy. Hope by now you are fully recovered, Tom. Vaughn Maxwell suffered a stroke right after Easter and was still hospitalized in June when I was talking with Isabelle. I talked with Isabelle Aug. 9 and was told Vaughn had transferred from the nursing home to the VA Hospital where they have an intensive therapy program. He is progressing but at a slower rate than they hoped. It is anticipated that he will be released on Aug. 30. The hospital personnel expect a full recovery and that is certainly what we all hope and pray for. Jimmy Shepherd called in May to say Axel Bolvig was back in the hospital, this time with a broken pelvis. Axel has been in and out of the hospital ever since our 60th Reunion, usually with back problems. We wish you well, Axel. In May Margaret Lee Overton wrote that she was doing very well and was looking forward to taking her children and grandchildren on a cruise to Alaska in June. She informed them that she expected them for cocktails in her suite at 5 p.m. each day – also they were to have dinner with her. She said her East Coast family had not seen the West Coast family in three years. I hope they all had a great reunion and trip. Earthmole Lewis visited family, children and grandchildren, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in May. While there he also visited Nancy Lewis, the widow of Paul Lewis ’45 and several other of her family members. Had a quick chat with Boyd Guttery in late May. He had not been able to arrange a time to meet the Pattons when they were in Florida for the winter – conflicting schedules. 37

CLASS NOTES Harv Bradley said he had pulled a hamstring in June while playing basketball with several kids at an orphanage. Talking with him on Aug. 8, he allowed that the heat last week almost made him cut his golf game short. Jimmy Shepherd said he and Frances were at Cattaloochee in June when he thought he as having a stroke. Frances took him to the hospital where it was determined he had not had a stroke. Upon return to Birmingham, his doctor informed him he had something, not a stroke, that made it prudent for him to remain in town. Looks like he will not make the October reunion. Hope all goes well for you, Jimmy. In late June, I had a quick conversation with Bobby Thomason. He and Jean were doing well. In fact Jean was out to lunch with “the girls.” We had our annual family reunion on the Outer Banks of North Carolina the first week in July. The parents of our grandson-in-law, Kurt Helfrich ’08, who is in Afghanistan, came for an afternoon visit, which was very nice, as well as unexpected – they were spending the week at Virginia Beach. The next surprise visit was from our grandson, Andrew Timpner ’07, who had returned from deployment two days earlier. His wife, Christin, did not come since she was far enough along in her pregnancy that riding in a car was uncomfortable. Louise had hip replacement surgery around the middle of July. Four days later she went to in-patient rehab for three weeks. She came home Aug. 6 and will have in-home therapy for several weeks. Our daughter, Sally, came to help out for several days for which I am grateful. Louise is doing well and hopes to be up and around before too long. Country Lauerman wrote in late July to say Mort Massie had entertained him and Liz along with Max Feinman, George and Jane Dooley and George and Harriet Ramsey ’48B in April. Country said occasionally they see Walter Whitehurst’s son, Stuart, on the “Antique Roadshow” program. They hope to be at the October reunion. Grover Outland wrote in late July to say he and Teancy are getting along nicely and are enjoying good health (that is a real plus at our age). They had spent two weeks on the Eastern Shore with their children and 38

grandchildren and had a great time catching flounder and crabs and enjoying the beach. Grover plans to attend the alumni board meeting on Sept. 10 and the VMIW&M game that afternoon. In one of several conversations with the Pattons, Ding mentioned that he had a long conversation with Tommy Altizer. Maybe he can prevail upon Tommy to come to a reunion. Ding and Nobbie have been busy putting some finishing touches on their Staunton home and putting up with the normal delays they get from workmen – some things never change. Leo Soucek wrote in early August that he and Evelyn are both ambulatory but each uses a walker from time to time. They passed through Lexington in April on their way home from a family reunion in Branson, MO. Their younger son is the senior U.S. military man in Oman. This fall, the Institute is realigning the bricks on the west side of Barracks. You can collect up to five bricks, one brick for each $2,500 contributed since 1989. There are several BRs who have the maximum number of bricks. At one of our recent reunions, we talked about giving our extra bricks to those of our deceased BRs who did not have one, and everyone agreed that we would do it. The Institute needs to know that this is still the case prior to the realignment. If anyone does not know how many bricks he has, call me. We can discuss this further at the October reunion. As you can see, summer does not bring a lot of news, but you can correct that by calling, e-mailing or writing. Hope to see many of you at the October reunion which will be history when this is published. Thanks to all who have contributed to Annual Giving. God Bless America, VMI and ’49B

’49C

Haywood France

I hope you had a great summer and that it was not too hot for your planned activities. We lost another from our slim ranks with the passing of W. Thomas Hawkins on July 6, 2011. A graveside service, with Masonic Rites, was held July 16th. VMI and the class of ’49C were well

represented at the service. Among those I saw were Mary and Bob Ellet, Ann and Stew Snoddy, Stock Fleming, Caroline Robertson, Buddy Bryan ’71, George Dooley ’49B, Doug Hamner ’48B, Bill Robertson ’78 and Bill Moore ’50A. Tom planned for all to have lunch at the Masonic Lodge and to especially try the strawberry soup (delicious). Bill Hallet ’47 sent me an article from the Richmond Times Dispatch (6/16/11) concerning the efforts of Jim Cobb’s brother, Donald, and Rusty McGuire ’96 to assist a future cadet in gaining admission to VMI. (Editor’s Note: See the Alumni News section of this issue for the reprinted article that appeared in the Richmond-Times Dispatch.) They were successful, and he will enter with the Rat class this fall. In the article, Don stated that he was planning to attend VMI but enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. He loves the place as if he were an alumnus. Don was with Jim at our 40th (I think) Reunion in Lexington. Don, you and Rusty did a great job for the cadet and the Institute. Dan Forsyth underwent heart valve replacement in early July. He went home and was regaining his strength, then developed pneumonia and was back in the hospital on a respirator. He is now off the ventilator and is making slow progress to regain his strength. At last report he is still in the hospital. Anne Patterson reports that Bob is home and is doing outpatient rehab. He is making good progress and is following instructions. He sends his regards to all. Mary Ellett sent me an e-mail concerning class notes. From her earlier experience at R-MWC, she was frustrated when older alums said we don’t do anything worth writing about. Her reply was that classmates are eager for news of old friends. To follow her advice and help me, she wrote the following. “Ten or so years ago we might have considered our usual schedule today pretty boring – a leisurely breakfast, some errands, perhaps a nap after lunch, a Netflix movie after supper and in bed around 11. But now it’s just right and despite our infirmities, we celebrate how fortunate we are to still have each other and a large and supportive family close by. Brother Bill Sweeny ’49B and Bob enjoy going to lunch together and VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES watching tennis and football on TV. All five grandchildren live in the area and are a great help to us on the usual household chores. My sister also lives within a couple of blocks, so we all go out for Sibling Supper once a month and laugh a lot.” Now that Mary has shown you how, I look forward to all your replies. We lost another member of our small number with the passing of Mrs. Norman (Betty) Purdy on June 6, 2011. Lib Hathaway sent a brief note reminiscing about Hawkeye and how his contagious laugh and friendship will be missed by all of us. Lib has a new address: 2009 Battery Park Road, Chesapeake, VA 23323.

’50A

Bill Moore

I just this minute hung up the phone on a most delightful conversation with Charlotte (Harold “Loggie”) Logsdon. We had the best time talking about almost everything. I had hesitated calling her as I knew that the telephone is not her favorite method of communication. Having tried e-mails with no success, I just plain got desperate for some news of her and took the plunge. We had no problem talking with one another at all. She uses a type of closed caption that works great if you pause between subjects so her reader can catch up. Her daughter, Cheryl, and husband Robert just celebrated their first wedding anniversary and are happy as the preverbal clams. Charlotte plans to go to Colombia to visit her daughter and grandchildren soon but not before her second cataract operation. Her first one went so well that she is having the second one in a few days. Like many of us that have had that operation, she now sees better than she did as a kid. She reports that Dallas heat is just as bad as advertised and is careful to keep the time and distance between house, car, shop and pool as short as possible. Not so her son. He works outside in that intense heat all day and comes home exhausted and practically cooked. Ah, youth. Guess that’s the only way a person could stand it. She’s in great health, enjoying life and sounds like it. 2011-Issue 4

B.J. and Kenny Stagg have spent most of the summer in, and to and from, Tarboro, NC. As I mentioned in the last notes, B.J. is the administrator and executor of a kinsman’s estate in Tarboro. She’s had her hands full. Kenny says it’s been an endurance test and calls it their “summer of discontent.” They’re so used to being not tied down and going places that I understand how they must feel. They are looking forward to football season and son Bill’s ’97 wedding in November. Anne and I are planning on staying with them for the Richmond game, and Kenny has promised to try to spend a night with us when VMI plays Liberty in Lynchburg. We’re certainly excited about that. Man the bilge pumps! Gene Witcher has put up with the Texas heat, as well. The always crafty Gene wrangled a vacation with a party of 10 up in the Texas “hill country” on the Rio Frio, a cool, spring-fed river. He reports “a good time was had by all.” He’s planning a Christmas trip to he knows not where. We’ll eventually find out. He’s recently had a personal “lube and oil change” including a battery of tests, all of which turned out “normal.” I’d like to ask his doctors whether it was normal for Gene or normal for everyone else. There is a difference. He is his usual full-of-it self, sounds great and we had a wonderful chat. I wish we were closer in terms of distance. Anne and I have been talking about one day making a southern swing and visiting Gene, Charlotte, the Clarks and the Hudgins. When it cools off we’re going to revisit the idea. Jackie (Dick) Martin made her 3,000+ mile pilgrimage to California and the great southwest alone except for dog, cooler, computer and GPS. She visited relatives and friends and thoroughly enjoyed herself but was glad to get back to the nice Spokane climate. It’s great to see that she is slowly recovering from her/our great loss and sounds once more like her old charming, animated self again. Barbara (Hugh) Barnes has been taking granddaughter Brooklyn to swim meets this summer and does well in competition. A highlight was visiting with Brooklyn’s parents, Lori and Clark Barnes ’87, at the Lynchburg swim meet. Nan and Elliott Hudgins have been able to spend some time with son Reed ’90

this summer and have had a welcome visit from him. He is usually so on the go that they see him infrequently and then for short times. Just now he is between assignments and doesn’t know where the next one will take him. Elliott has recovered from his stroke and is on the mend from his internal bleeding. Nan says he can do almost anything except drive. Dick Mandt always scares me, as I seldom get him on the first call. This time was no exception. However, he did return my call promptly. When I make my rounds I call Dick first for reasons you all know. I’m very happy to report that Dick is still doing well, perhaps even better than when we last saw him. He sounds great and says that Jeannie is doing well, also. Not much news to report but what he reports is good. I talked to Carol and Bill Clark simultaneously when I called. Bill says he is weak but still manages to get around. Carol seems to be thriving, as much as you can expect, with her chemo therapy sessions. She sounds great, and Bill says that she is doing better than he is. Harriett and Jennings Bunch have, like many of us, been stay-at-homes this summer. They were very relieved to find that Harriett’s thyroid problem was swelling caused by inflammation rather than something more serious. They are expecting a great-grandchild in November. That’s great news. That and the thyroid business are all good or nonexistent news and that is good news itself. Judy Mooney tells me that the hot weather has restricted her and Ralph’s time on the bike trails this summer. I didn’t get to talk with Ralph, but Judy tells me that he’s had an up and down summer. Their children and grandchildren are all well, and that’s always good news. Mary (Joe) Ripley and daughter Anne have just returned from the Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax. She reminisces how much she and Joe used to enjoy going to that. Anne and I have also been stay-at-homes this summer. It’s been hot here but not as hot as it’s been all around us, so we’ve just stayed put. We haven’t seen a 100-degree day yet. It got to 99 one day. That’s plenty hot, too hot for me. We didn’t make it to Nova Scotia. We didn’t even make it to the beach. Oh well, beach is much better in September and October anyway. Big 39

CLASS NOTES garden to take care of. Anne has been busy cooking, freezing and canning stuff. We have sold 447 pounds of the first tomato crop to David for use in their stores. I expect to have almost as much from the late crop. We may get tired of tomato juice before next summer. Right now it tastes real good. We, children and grandchildren are all well. Savannah, 7, (aka “pocket rocket”) has been helping me in the garden. Those little fingers can do a lot of things easier and faster than I can. Joanne (Ed) Miller says her daughters, Maria and Adrian, won’t let her drive in the D.C./northern Virginia traffic anymore. From what she tells me, it’s even worse than it used to be. Perhaps eventually my lifelong plan to annex West Virginia and let northern Virginia secede will get some traction! Every time I see a map of Virginia before the illegal actions of 1863 and then see one afterwards, I see a big hole. Anyway before I digressed, Joanne did get one break from being home bound when she, Maria and granddaughter Alexandria went on a cruise. She sounds great and feels good. She had a small stroke sometime in the recent past that she wasn’t aware of. Its footprint surfaced when she was being examined for something else. Fortunately, I was able to catch up with Nancy (Hank) McWane at the last minute. Her daughter, Catherine, has been visiting for the last 10 days and both have been having a good, good time. Catherine lives in Oregon, and I suspect that hot weather has been a shock to her. Nancy sounds just like always and says she is enjoying her good health.

’50B

Robert White

Brig. Gen. Thomas P. Harwood III, the son of our Brother Rat Tom Harwood and Mary Virginia Harwood, was promoted to major general on June 14, 2011. The ceremony took place at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and was conducted by Lt. Gen. Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle. The new stars were pinned on Gen. Harwood’s shoulders by his wife, Elizabeth, and his mother. Gen. Harwood is a distinguished gradu40

ate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, having finished in 1981. He then attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University from 1991-93, finishing with a master’s degree in public policy. Gen. Harwood flew and was an instruction and flight examiner in different Air Force planes in different locations until 1991 when he converted to F-16 Fighting Falcon. He completed seven combat deployments as a member of the 944th Fighter Wing, with missions in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours. Gen. Harwood’s major awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Gallant Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Award and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and three oak leaf clusters. As of this summer the general will be stationed at The Pentagon and his job will be the mobilization assistant to the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Bob and Nancy Lynd stayed in Fort Myers/Sanibel after our South Florida mini until June. They are the ones who took us to the Green Flash restaurant while we were there for the mini. It is a great restaurant, named for the green flash that the setting sun makes just as it disappears in the water. They took a cruise during the summer in the Baltic Sea, visiting various country capitals along the way and with a stop at St. Petersburg. In October, they are going to Las Vegas to celebrate Nancy’s birthday (80th) with her brother from Seattle and their kids from elsewhere. Bob says that except for a few aches and pains from “oldness,” they are doing fine. I talked to Ed and Jean Oast. They have been enjoying the summer at their house at Sandbridge (Virginia Beach) and have had all children and grandchildren with them. They say that there is no better way to spend the summer. Lee Lewane says that he and Sally still love living in Lexington. Lee is in his 28th year of teaching history and government at

Blue Ridge Community College. He works out at the VMI gym and you can be sure that he is in great shape. When I talked to him, Sally was in California visiting relatives and friends. Lee said that living on spaghetti and tuna fish wasn’t too bad. I told Lee that he and Sally should make it a point now to come to the South Florida mini in January. Bob and Nancy Lynd are always there, and he was the one who introduced them to each other and was also Bob’s best man at their wedding. There have been so many fierce fires in Arizona this year that I called Tom and Norma Kelly to see whether they have had any problems. They said that the state has really taken it on the chin, but they have not been bothered – not even any problems with the smoke. They are lucky on that count. I know that we have really been bothered with smoke here in South Florida. We are in the middle of a long drought and that means lots of fire problem in the Everglades. We have supposedly come to the rainy season now, but it is still very dry. Ralph Warren sends this update: “After returning from Florida, Marilyn and I settled down to our normal, quiet life which revolves around our children and grandchildren … so far so good. Benjamin, our youngest grandson, decided that after spending most of his time on video games that he would go out for his high school’s lacrosse team and much to my surprise, he made the team and got a letter. Of course the team had graduated some 10 to 12 players last year, and it is a small school. In June, we had the privilege of attending the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Annual Award Ceremony to see our son-in-law receive the NRC’s second highest award. It was a grand affair. In August, Matthew, our oldest grandson who just completed his second year at Wheaton College, will take off for a semester at Oxford and a tour of Europe and Scandinavia. His younger brother is joining him for the first nine days in Europe and Scandinavia. Marilyn and I will keep our fingers crossed. I was saddened to learn of the death of Bob Waring. He was extraordinarily bright, and he was also a very nice person. I got to know him best while we were both at Fort Bragg summer camp. Our bunks VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES were next to each other. In addition to all the different things that we did, Bob somehow hurt his back and the people at the infirmary gave him some liniment which just happened to have a chloroform base which seems to help the back problem. On the other hand, at some military exercise or other, where we had to crawl around on the ground, I picked up a bunch of chiggers, which ended up on rather tender places. One night, in that hot steamy Fort Bragg barracks, those chiggers were going at it, or rather at me, and I complained to Bob about it. He, being the brilliant and kind person that he was, suggested that I try his back lotion on the chiggers: “maybe you can chloroform them.” So, I took some of the back medicine, as suggested by Dr. Waring, and rubbed it on those tender places. The first sensation was great, both warm and effectively stopping the itching. That was first; second was that the warm became hot and hot became hotter – very. I jumped up and ran to the barracks bathroom where I splashed great amounts of cold water on the appropriate places. The effect was not instant but in a while all was well, and the chiggers were quiet, dead, I think. The only other thing that Dr. Waring’s prescription caused was some skin to be shed, but it sure cured the chiggers. Regardless of the other great things that Bob did in his life, and there were many, I count his chigger treatment right up there, that and convincing me to make every effort to avoid them.”

’51

John Ross

This note covers the period May 12 – Aug. 10, 2011. Taylor Hay called from Frankfort, KY, to say how great the 60th was, to which I replied, “It was due to the hard work of Johnny Gray and Peggy Hays.” Taylor noted that Joanna was still very busy in her professional career. He said that Rufus Lazzell was scheduled for surgery and that he intended to visit Rufus in the near future. I received a very nice and much appreciated note from Robbin Jordan thanking me and the committee for a successful and 2011-Issue 4

enjoyable reunion. She writes, “I enjoyed seeing many classmates and everyone ever so nice and lovely to me – I have to admit the parade and time in the Barracks was hard but being at VMI is always an emotional time for anyone who loves what the Institute stands for.” In response to Robbin, I want to thank her and Ellen Nelson for participating with us in celebrating our 60th. It was great to see them, and I hope that many more of our SRs can make the next reunion. Robbin also appreciated Bill Turner’s ’54 class note eulogizing Johnny (2011Issue 2 VMI Alumni Review, p.48). Our Brother Rat, Frank Seiboth celebrated another birthday on May 14th, however, I did not attempt to contact him, as he does not desire to have anything to do with VMI. I have repeatedly tried to reach out to him. Perhaps one of you could have some success. Jack Evans called from Virginia Beach to say how much he enjoyed the 60th and visiting with his roommate, Straud Davis. However, he was sorry that Jack Nichols could not make it. I left a birthday message for Jim Connolly and then reached him the following day. His health condition which precluded his attendance at the 60th, is about the same. I conveyed to him our appreciation and thanks for the great job he does for the class. I left birthday greetings for Claud Eley and Jim Close. The latter called, after returning from a clean annual physical. He reports that, after the reunion, he and Alice hosted Ann and John Evans and Frances and Joe Tom Howard for the rest of the week at their Northern Neck cottage. I could not reach Mrs. Ewing on her birthday, as the Institute does not have a current telephone number. I left birthday greetings for Don Baldwin with his wife, Jody, as he was at his office. I had a nice visit with Brom Nichol in Pensacola, FL. He had just returned from a birthday lunch with his son, Brad. Brom and Jack, the parrot, are both doing well. He regrets missing the 60th but could not risk being any distance from his doctors. He is most fortunate to have two sons and a daughter living in the Pensacola area. I received a call from Sam Scott thanking me for the birthday card. Sam reports

he took a very serious fall while working on his lawn. Fortunately, there was no serious injury. I tried to reach Audrey Wick in Arlington, TX, but she was visiting Yellowstone Park. I, therefore, asked her daughter to pass on birthday greetings. I wished Gene Held a happy birthday, and he inquired about Henry Bryan, Doc Laville and Lang Sheffield. Marie fell and fractured her right wrist, the same one that had been surgically repaired last October. Rav Marshall called. Both he and Sheila are doing well and enjoyed the 60th. Rav reminisced about a meeting he had in May of 1952 with his roommates Cab Pratt and Woody Woodward in Korea. Marie chatted with Sally Carstens and Pat Holloway about her new injury, and they both wished her well. Homer Ambrose called and said he was very glad to hear we had a great 60th. Homer is basically house bound in a wheelchair but is very upbeat. He asked me to remind the class about the commemorative brick program and a desire to achieve 100 percent participation. I made a birthday call to Sam Scott, who reports that his neighbors had decorated the outside of his house overnight. He is recovering fairly well from his fall. I reached Charlotte Marr in Atlanta to extend birthday greetings. She is doing well and keeping busy with two of her grandchildren. I learned that Jane Catlin is having a problem with a limiting neck condition. I then checked with Jane and learned she is doing OK – a touch of arthritis. She keeps busy as a docent at the local art museum. Jane plans to move to Columbus, OH, to be near her two sons but will keep her Florida abode for the winter. I forgot to mention that I received an email from Bounce Carstens in early May in which he notes how much he enjoyed the 60th and Gen. Peay’s ’62 presentation. Toward the end of May, I received a note from Joe Stump in Knoxville, TN. He writes, “The ‘re-union’ was terrific, and we are still talking about the trip – the Brother Rats and everything in general! Too bad the parade was cancelled – I really wanted Anna to see the parade and all its glory.” Unfortunately, Joe then notes a tornado 41

CLASS NOTES hit the same day they returned from the reunion. The heavy hail damaged their roof necessitating a total replacement of the shingles. I heard from Johnny and Pat Gray with good news. He is undergoing a course of HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy), which appears to be quite successful. Richey Dickson ’50B sent a nice note. He writes, “Had a great time at your reunion and saw plenty of old friends.” He thought the memorial service “was very well done” and concludes, “Thanks again and my best wishes to you and the class of 1951.” I received a letter from John Batsakis with a change of address. John left us after the first semester, and subsequently received his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He then enjoyed a distinguished medical career – chief, clinical labs, Walter Reed Medical Center; professor, University of Michigan Medical School; chairman, pathology, Maine Medical Center; chairman, pathology, University of Texas-M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, retiring in 1996. John, who had been a long-time supporter of the Institute, concludes his letter, “I regret not staying at VMI.” John Herring called from Richmond to request some information. I failed to reach Mrs. Dougherty on her birthday and trust all is well. Bob Nolley called and had the same request as Homer Ambrose concerning the commemorative brick program. On June 6, I received a telephone call from Max Rogers ’83 with the sad news that Bobby Guthans died in Mobile, AL, the previous day. I immediately sent an e-mail communicating this news and asked Duane Holloway and Jake Wamsley to help with the dissemination. Bobby was a great supporter of VMI and a considerate and thoughtful classmate. He was a true “southern gentleman” and will be missed. I sent Barbara Ann a condolence note from the class and made a memorial contribution to the Institute. I reached Beano Graf in Stuart, FL, to wish him a happy birthday. Both he and Ann are progressing but have not yet been cleared medically. Marie had successful wrist surgery at the Georgetown University Hospital on June 14. When I returned home that evening, I 42

contacted Lain Peck in Meriden, CT, and wished him a happy birthday. I also tried to reach Pete Philp but was forced to leave birthday greetings on his voice-mail. On the following evening Pete called to thank me for my message, and we had a nice visit. Pete reminisced about driving with Jack Friend, Bobby Guthans and Clyde Green to Mobile, AL, after summer ROTC camp and a subsequent fishing excursion. Marie had a nice visit on the phone with Pat and Duane Holloway and filled them in on her operation. She also had a long call with Sally Carstens on the same subject. I missed connecting with Bill Hairston in Hickory, NC, on his birthday. However, I was successful to leave birthday wishes for Mrs. Agnor in Charlottesville on her voice-mail. I have had numerous calls with Jake Wamsley, our new president, concerning various administrative matters. He and Eday are doing well. I checked with Mary Ellen Connolly and was glad to hear that Jim had been discharged from the hospital and, once again, immediately resumed running the e-mail network. It is hard to keep this old Marine down despite his medical problems – we owe Jim big time. Bland Wilson called from Birmingham, AL, to check whether I knew of Bobby Guthans’ death. I assured him I did. In the course of our conversation we reminisced about what a great guy Bobby was. I reminded Bland that his picture with Bobby and Johnny Lyden had been posted on the network a short time ago. Incidentally, Johnny was an honorary pall bearer at Bobby’s service. I reached George Cohen in Hilton Head to extend birthday greetings. He reports that he is fully recovered from his fall and even offered to assist Sam Scott after the latter’s fall. George said Marty is very busy up in New York helping with her new grandchild. Marie called Nancy Hill to thank her for a get well card. Nancy said Jack is doing very well in his rehab program. Pat and Johnny Gray called to check on Marie before they left for a beach vacation. Johnny completed his HBOT and is doing very well.

Bob Nolley called to report that Ed May is now in the health center at Cedarfield, after a short hospital stay for an electrolytic problem. At the same time Mary Lee moved from their cottage to an apartment in the main building to be near Ed. I subsequently called Mary Lee, and she reports Ed has lost a lot of weight; is very frail; and has difficulty eating. I checked on Randy Thompson, one of our few surviving EEs, in Fairfax, VA. Despite physical limitations, he is still hanging in there. Randy reminisced about his Army time at Camp Polk, LA, with Sam Thornton, Ralph Wray and Scott Underwood. I was glad to hear from Dick Cole that he is slowly recovering from the loss of Mona. Dick asked me to thank all the BRs who sent him sympathy notes. Henry Bryan called from Port Huron, MI, for contact information on Jigger Baxley. Henry inquired about the 60th, which he was sorry to miss, as he was recovering from a quadricep tear. He reports Joanna is fine and quite busy due to his injury. I wished Ellen Nelson in Accomack, VA, a happy birthday – a day late. Her family took her to dinner for a celebration. I told her how much the class appreciated her attendance at the reunion. Ellen continues to wear Bill’s ring on a chain around her neck. I called Sam Scott in Hollywood, SC, and warned him, pursuant to instructions from Marie, to behave himself and avoid fireworks on the Fourth. Sam, in his inimitable style responded, “I always obey my sweethearts.” I had a long chat with Anita Chaplin in Tarzana, CA. She reports Richard is about the same, with some cognitive and physical problems but still remembers and speaks fondly of VMI. Anita is quite busy with Richard’s care and visiting her mother, who is in a nearby health facility. I tried to reach Harry Bailey, a neighbor in Arlington County, VA, and left word. When Harry returned my call, he reports that he is fine and that Lou is now in a health facility. Harry inquired about John Phillips and Richard Chaplin. I filled Harry in on this inquiry and on the 60th. On the Fourth, I left birthday greetings for Patty Blackwell in Abingdon, VA. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES In mid July, I received a call from Ed May who is still in the health facility of Cedarfield. Ed reports that he is quite weak, has difficulty eating and that there is no medical procedure available to correct his anomaly. He asked me to contact George Cohen. As soon as Ed terminated his call, I contacted George at Hilton Head and, as requested, reported on Ed’s condition. George inquired about Sam Scott and informed me that Marty and he were leaving for Connecticut in the near future. I reached Jane Catlin in Florida to extend birthday greetings and learned that she, with the help of a son, was leaving for a retirement community in Columbus, OH, that weekend. I received a call from Johnny Gray reporting on a visit he and Pat had with Ed May. He found Ed to have lost substantial weight but in good spirits. Dave Kneessy called from Indianapolis. He is very disappointed with the current 2010 Register of Former Cadets. He cited to me numerous instances of erroneous or truncated biographical entries. An egregious example – compare the entry of Gen. George Marshall ’901 in the 2005 Register with that in the 2010. Dave also reports that his daughter, Katherine, who accompanied him to the 60th, is ready for the 65th. I contacted Duane Holloway my horticultural adviser, concerning a deer problem. After providing a solution, Duane reported he and Pat are well. Homer Ambrose checked in to report he is in fitness training three times a week trying to regain his health. Dick Cole sent an e-mail to the class thanking BRs who remembered him during Ramona’s illness and death. He reports that he had turned the corner and expects some big news around Christmas. When I contacted Dick, shortly thereafter on his birthday, he confirmed that he is doing fine and feels great. Johnny Gray called to report that Ed May was now in Hospice care. Shortly thereafter, I received word that our BR Ed May died on July 25 in the health facility at Cedarfield, after a long struggle, including a courageous attendance at our 60th Reunion, while confined to a wheelchair. As was said of Ed in our Bomb, “The 2011-Issue 4

memory of four pleasant years with him will follow all of us of ’51.” How true and prescient. I shall miss him, as I am sure will the class. On July 28, I attended a memorial service for Ed in Richmond, VA. Marie could not make it, as she is still recovering from her hand surgery and had a doctor’s appointment. The service was very well attended and impressed everyone. Jake Wamsley delivered a sympathetic and informative reminiscence based on his life-long relationship with Ed, and the service concluded with “Taps” followed by “The Spirit.” Following the service a reception was held at which we were able to visit with Mary Lee and the family and offer our condolences. Thanks to the efforts of Pat and Johnny Gray the class was represented by – Sam Bass; Pat and Duane Holloway; Barbara and Jack Lowden; Glennie Brown; George Cohen; Sam Scott; Gerry Eggleston; Jim Smith; John Phillips; Nancy and Jack Hill; Eday and Jake Wamsley; Eleanore and John Blakemore; Gracelyn and Skip Parks; and the Grays. On behalf of the class I sent a note of condolence to Mary Lee and made a contribution in memory of Ed to VMI. I failed to reach both Willard Hays and Lang Sheffield to extend birthday greetings and left voice-mail messages. However, I did manage to connect with Bland Wilson in Birmingham with birthday greetings. Bland says he is doing well in between visits to the hospital and was sorry to hear about the death of Ed May. I received a note from Bill Hallett ’47, who graduated with us, enclosing a copy of the obituary for Ed May that appeared in the Richmond newspaper. I received good news from Maureen Leck reporting that Bill is doing very well in his recovery from lung surgery. Polly Shrader also reported that Paul is doing well after a second hospitalization for a heart problem. Further, Marie had good news from her hand surgeon that everything looks good and further physio is not required. I left birthday greetings for Robbin Jordan and expressed appreciation for her attendance at the 60th. I contacted Cooper Kunkel in Trent

Woods, NC, and was glad to hear that, despite reports to the contrary, he is doing well and continues to volunteer his medical services. Jane Owen reports that Dick had a lot of pain with his back condition and is not very mobile. However, Walt Carraway is doing well in his recovery for a back condition. Walt is very appreciative of VMI contacts. Shortly before closing this note, I received a call from A.J. Marchand ’52 concerning our e-mail network. A.J., who lives in Luling, LA, has some health issues – diabetes and heart but sounds upbeat. I provided him contact info on Ken Crisp, which he requested, and learned that he has had contact with Winston Baber, Henry Quisinberry, Jimmy Gonzales and Earl Patton. Marie and I hope you have a great fall and an enjoyable holiday season. Semper Fi – Jack

’52

James M. Mecredy

I talked to Dave White on his birthday (May 6) to learn that he received no damage from the recent tornados that blanketed the South. Dave lives in Raleigh and the tornados went South, East, West and North of him. Dave says he is still recovering from Mary Kee’s death back in March. Jay Grumbling wrote me about his horse farm. He has seven stalls and six retired horses, and his daughter-in-law has about 40 stalls and probably almost that many horses. He has a one-half acre indoor riding arena and the horses keep Jay busy. He has recently slowed down after getting a heart valve replacement. Jay is in the process of turning the entire horse business over to his son. He announced that he has a new granddaughter. Bill Ruffin reports that Peyton Robertson ’50 was in Roanoke Veterans Home and saw Swede Larson. Swede seems to be in pretty good health and is there because that is a good place to live if you do not have any other place. I called Swede on May 15 to learn he is well except for an irregular heart beat and bursitis. He 43

CLASS NOTES lives in the Virginia Veterans C.C. (an assisted living facility) because he does need some care. He is divorced and this is a comfortable place to live. Swede no longer drives, so he gave up his driver’s license. He sounds upbeat and says he has nothing to complain about. Hume Powers has improved very much from the bout he had with Alzheimer’s back in March. We talked quite a while and Hume sounds good, except for an occasional problem with memory and speaking. Hume says he just decided to get better. Maybe with a lot of prayer support he will be able to make it to our 60th. I have a nice photo of Hume in a bright red jacket from our 55th Reunion that I think is worth including in these class notes. Jim Miller reports from Oklahoma that he has two grandsons playing high school football in nearby schools in Oklahoma which he enjoys. One grandson graduates this year and wants to be a lawyer. This grandson is planning to go to Stanford in Birmingham, AL. Jim retired in 1993. He keeps active by walking a lot and taking care of his yard. Robert Lee Travers III ’51, better known as “Beadle,” saw that I had become the ’52 class agent in the Alumni Review, so he called me. Some of you may remember that “Beadle” worked his way through VMI selling ice cream in Barracks. Somehow, the reining first class let him get away with it. He lives in his

Class of 1952: Hume Powers at the 55th Reunion in 2002.

son’s garage apartment in California. Bill Ruffin sent me a picture of Army Wellford sporting a bandage on his nose following surgery. He was receiving instructions about the reunion plans from Sally Birge. I called Army to ask about the surgery. Army told me the doctors got all of the infected area, and he will be free of the bandage in a few weeks. In answer to my question, Army declined the opportunity to have this picture included in the class notes. So I ask him to send me another picture with complete healing which I can include in the class notes. I talked to Frank Butler on his birthday and learned that he is living in Florida, swims daily and dances occasionally. Frank even swims in 100-yard races and usually wins for his age group. He must use leg braces when he walks and dances because of weakness in his legs. He has an adopted son, Martin, who lives in Sweden. Martin has two boys, ages 8 and 9, who visit Frank a couple of times a year. I have been unable to reach George Harrington, Larry Patrick or Hal Berke because the phones are disconnected. Perhaps they have moved, and we haven’t gotten new addresses. Also I have called Warren Meola and Keith Durbin, leaving messages because they were not home. I called Charlie Coulburn on his birthday. He is planning to take his grandson to VMI in August to spend the night and see if he would like to go to VMI. His grandson plays water polo and is interested in environmental engineering. Charlie is hoping his grandson will be convinced. Jim Stallings wrote in June that they are moving from Pawleys Island, SC. They have been there for 22 years. Their new home is: 3716 Hoskins Dr., Glen Allen, VA 23060. They will be near their son and back in the areas where they grew up. I got a letter from “Red” Gerdetz written June 13, that they are adjusting to the weather in Austin, TX. Red and Pat Berry have been in touch and hope to meet for lunch soon. I am sure that they have been together more than once by the time you read these class notes. Red took his grandson, Cadet Ben Smith¸ of the new born class of 2014 to a recent meeting of the Central Texas Chapter of

the VMI Alumni Association. Red and Hutch Hutchinson would get together on the annual trek to Florida, but he missed Hutch this winter because of the move to Austin. He and Ann had dinner with Clarence and Dottie Brauner, at which time Red got a personal report of the parachute jump Clarence made on his 80th birthday. I talked to Natalie Long. She is selling her house so she can move to be close to her son. She says she is trying to keep busy and is doing well, considering the difficulty of missing Bob. Howard Williamson writes that they spent a few hours with Clarence Brauner when Clarence was on his way to San Diego. (Clarence is sure getting around a lot!) The big news in Tucson is the lack of rain and the resulting forest fires. Howard says even the cacti pods are drying up. Fortunately, Tucson was not hit by any of the fires. Clarence Brauner writes that they are back from their cross-country road trip to San Diego. They met with Russ McCarthy in San Antonio; his wife, Patricia, arranged a champagne dinner the night they arrived. Russ was out of town and expected late that night. Another VMI couple, Knute Lawson ’55, lives at Air Force Villages and was present. They met with Russ for BRC and took off for Las Cruses, NM. In Tucson, they had dinner with Howard and Bernie Williamson at an Arizona-Mex restaurant. From there, they proceeded to Coronado in San Diego but had to forfeit their contact with Jack Roach, as Dottie developed a terrible eye infection. This also postponed their Oregon and Washington destination. Lou Delisio reports that he played a good game of golf on his birthday on June 22. He did admit that he and his golf buddies play by the “old man rules.” Also the gang of Bob Leighty, Sally Birge, Carol Clingempeel, and Nutz and Barbara Navas, Lou and Elle had breakfast a few weeks ago. They have been doing this for a number of years. He tells me that Johnny Portasik continues to grow orchids since moving to New Mexico. Johnny had a hobby of growing orchids in Virginia and has continued. Lou says Johnny is quite an expert with orchids. Joe Duff and his wife, Mary Jean, live in a comfortable two bedroom retirement VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES home with a patio. Joe reports that his health is good and his eyes are excellent. Joe does use an electric chair to get around most of the time. Joe has three grandchildren and his son lives nearby. On June 25th, I talked to Lou Delisio, Lucy Marshall, Joe Duff, Bud Becker, Wilson Gaillard and Walt Ames. All calls except for Lucy were birthday calls. Lucy called me because she has not been receiving communications from VMI, and she thinks they do not have her correct address. I promised to check this out with VMI Alumni. Lucy continues to be a strong supporter of the Institute and does not want to be overlooked. Lucy wants to attend our 60th Reunion but has no easy way of attending. She lives in a small town, Catonsville, MD, which is near Baltimore. If any of you have a way of helping her get to Lexington next April, call her at 410/242-2132. Wilson Gaillard only attended VMI for two years, but Doc Carroll must have influenced him greatly because he went on to become a dentist. We talked about the number of BRs who became doctors. Apparently Doc Carroll had influence with all of the medical schools and could get anyone deserving into medical school. Norma Robinson, administrative assistant in the VMI Foundation, wrote me that Doug Webb died on June 16th. I don’t have any details, but they will be reported in Taps. Rem Simpson advised me of Bill Zollman’s death on June 24th after a long siege of heart trouble. Rem and Bill had worked together in Fairfax, VA. Bill was city manager, and Rem worked for him as director of public works. Bill’s obituary is reported in Taps. Rem attended the funeral for Bill Zollman. Rem reported that Bill’s obituary noted that he had received a Bronze Star while in the Army. Rem didn’t think anyone ever knew that, even Bill’s wife, Jean, until fairly recently. He knew Bill pretty well at VMI and even later, having worked with him after they both got out of the service. He through perhaps Hume Powers would be there, but he wasn’t. When Rem returned home he called a friend of Pat Powers to inquire about Hume. It seems that Hume has been overwhelmed 2011-Issue 4

with dementia and requires constant attention. Pat is doing everything for him but quite possible he needs more than that. Chris Holland learned about Hume’s difficulty from Nutz Navas and wrote us that there is a group in South Carolina called “Agape” that may be funded by the VA. Chris attended a seminar where the spokesman was a VMI graduate. Later, Chris called me to share what he had learned. I called Hume and Pat to learn that today (July 2) is a better day for Hume. The pattern seems to be some good days and some bad days. I passed on to Hume the information about possible help from the VA. I think the best way we can support Hume and, for that matter any of our Brother Rats who are struggling, is to call them as often as we can. Just a phone call is a strong source of encouragement. Chris Holland also informed me that Neal Petree is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sept. 2nd. Chris is very active in Masonic Lodge charities, especially help for wounded veterans and children of fallen soldiers. We were all delighted to receive the letter from VMI regarding the selection of Neal Petree for induction into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame. Chris Holland said he will be attending the ceremony, and I hope some of the rest of the class will be able to attend. Chris has learned that Weir Goodwin has limited mobility and gets around on a scooter and a walker. Bill Ruffin took his wife, Anne, to Boston July 6th to be operated on for pancreatic cancer. This is a very serious form of cancer, so our prayers were with them for success. Later in July, I received a report through Andy Dickinson that the operation was a complete success, and Anne would be able to return home in a couple of weeks. Later, I learned from Walt Ames that Bill and Anne Ruffin were on the way home from Boston. Joe Webber is into big-time DVD production. He is involved in producing interesting memories and stories from people who grew up during WWII. I just received his DVD about memories of people around Lancaster who grew up during WWII. I watched the DVD with great interest, because I had many simi-

lar memories growing up in Roanoke, VA, during that time. About 20 Brother Rats of ’52 will be gathering on Oct. 29th for the VMICitadel game. I will have a full report, hopefully with pictures in the next issue of our class notes. I called Gary Colonna for his birthday. If you remember, he went to VMI for one year then transferred to West Point. Gary says that caused him to repeat the Rat year twice. After a career in the Army, he went to Tulane and after that he went to another collage to get a Ph.D. in higher education and is still teaching at a community college. Charlie Shoaf had a birthday on July 22nd. Charlie is in a retirement community under support care, so I called his wife, Mary, to learn how he is doing. Charlie is ambulatory and has short memory of about four hours, so as long as the nurses can keep him stable, he is doing well. Mary goes to see him almost every day. Charlie spent his career at DuPont and retired as senior legal counsel. I called Doug Webb for his birthday and was told by his wife that he died on June 16th after a long illness. His wife said that most of the grieving was before he died. She did not write an obituary but notified VMI with a death certificate, and the news of his death will appear in Taps. I just found that I made a major mistake in the last issue of the class notes. Somehow, don’t ask me how, I wrote in the last notes issued in August that Don Williamson lived in Dallas after retiring. He spent 20 years flying T6s, B25s and B26s mostly in Air Sea Rescue. He has three sons and is doing well today with few aliments such as arthritis. The part about living in Dallas is all wrong, and I do not know how I made that mistake. I just learned of the error when Jim Spellings called me to ask for Don’s phone number in Dallas. After going through all of my files, I called Don at the number I had for his home in Hampton, VA. Sure enough, he answered and assured me that he still lives in Virginia and has no plans for moving. The moral of this story is you guys need to check on me to correct any future mistakes. 45

CLASS NOTES

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William C. Noell Jr.

Regretfully, Jim Morris is still in the hospital in Richmond; it has been seven weeks, and as of this date, he does not know when he is going home. He had surgery for a blocked upper intestine. Jack Townes and Mickey Woodward visited with Jim last weekend. Jack said he is on a walker but has lost a great deal of weight. I did send out an e-mail after the operation with Jim’s hospital address in Richmond – hope some of you wrote to him. Did you note that his room number was 531? In regard to the sad news this quarter, Will Allison’s daughter, Holly Allison, died in June at the Fauquier Hospital near Warrenton. Her brother, Luther Lee Allison, lives in Great Falls, Virginia, outside of D.C. A graveside service was held at the Warrenton Cemetery. Betty Woodward spent 10 days in the hospital in Richmond in June, after Mickey had to take her to the ER from being suddenly ill. Have no details, but Mickey said she is fine now. While at the hospital, he saw Ellen Hofheimer, who had recently taken Herold because he had

Class of 1953: Bill Noell says his grandchildren are getting an early VMI sleeping experience, using his VMI hay at the family’s lake house. Pictured are, above, Jackson, 13, and below, Judson, 4.

“become non-responsive.” Mickey saw him later that week, and Herold was much better. Betty and Mickey visited Jack and Meredith Townes down on the river, and then also got to see Warren Goddard, who also lives in the area on the water. When I last heard from Ann, Warren was not doing well and not traveling far from the house. An email from Carey Colvin filled me in on her mother, Barbara’s, death, which came soon after Tom’s, as she had been in poor health for a long time. Judy and I did get to visit with Barbara at Tom’s service. An e-mail from Paul LaForce said that he and Jean and family are all enjoying good health these days and are blessed indeed. They are still living up in the North Carolina mountains at Bevard and have not gotten back to VMI and Lexington in a couple years. They do make it to Williamsburg once or twice a year to see friends in the area and “to contribute golf losses to the local economy thru those falsified high handicappers that I associate with.” We have yet to make it up to Bevard to accept their hospitality invitation, but one day … An e-mail from Gayle Shorter shows that she continues to communicate with Peachy Trigg, which Jack says is very good for Peachy. Gayle seems to be doing very well these days … family coming in a lot and all her gardening. An e-mail from Norma Woy said that she is home again after six months recovering from a stroke. Said it was great to be back in her comfortable 42-year-old home and nice neighborhood. An e-mail from Jerilu Mallo noted that her first visit to the Southern Inn was when Dick took her there during our 25th Reunion. They met the Hinmans there – said that is when she learned what being a Brother Rat

Class of 1953: Bill Noell’s grandson, Judson, says, “Life on the lake is good.”

really meant, and that it has been reinforced many times over the years. Jerilu is still volunteering at the USO and working with returning soldiers from combat. By the way, the Southern Inn has now re-opened and looks great … best thing – no more single, standing in line, rest rooms. We are having dinner there tomorrow night with two other couples before taking off overseas tomorrow. An e-mail from Walt Sanders indicated he has just about completed publishing

Class of 1953: John Tharrington ’61 with Bill Noell at the class of ’61 spring reunion. Tharrington and Noell served together in the 459th Tactical Airlift Wing (C-130) in the 1970s at Andrews AFB, Washington, D.C. See photo on next page.

his mother’s memoirs and has reviewed the second proof, thus it should have been published by now. I know that this is a tiring and time consuming project, as I put together 12 books for the family from my mother’s writing about growing up in Birmingham, Sullens College, going to VMI and our family up through WWII. I also inserted photos of my mother, family and various pertinent places … it was quite a task for a Christmas present and without having it published, so I really feel for Walt. In October, Walt and Emily are planning on coming to Tennessee to stay with us and go to the UT-UGA football game. An e-mail from Frank Spencer noted that he has just received his 60-year Masonic Lodge membership pin, which even has a small diamond in it. It came with a very beautiful framed certificate noting the occasion. Frank inquired if I knew whether Frank Wootton had received a similar pin, as they went to the same lodge in Farmville in 1951. Frank (Spencer) says he is now a Washington Nationals baseball fan … however, via VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES did you know that VMI has produced what happened to your VMI “hay” that you the TV, not by driving to D.C. During the more Rhodes Scholars than all other senior stacked and slept on for four years back WWII days when my father was stationed at some 58 years ago? Well, mine is still doing military colleges (Virginia Tech, Norwich, the Pentagon, I was a Washington Senators the Citadel, Texas A&M, North Georgia fan … went to many, many games, including well and in use at our Lake House in TenCollege and State University) combined? nessee. Our 13-year-old grandson, Jackson, a Sunday double-header, where the first It has graduated more Rhodes Scholars has slept on it for about 10 years each game went 18 innings. Judy and I went (11) per capita than any state college or summer when he is at the lake, which is a to one of the opening games of the initial university in the United States. Eleven lot. This summer, his 4-year- old brother, season of the Nationals. since 1921 and two in the last six years. Foy Braswell advised that he and Trudy at- Judson, has taken over the position, while In 2007, the Institute had two Rhodes tended an Army reunion in Colorado Springs his older brother was sleeping in our “Tree House” (extra sleeping cabin). The hay is in scholarship finalists and one Marshall recently and visited with our Rev. Bob and Scholarship finalist. So, the next time very good shape; however, about 15 years Jane Andrews and spent a couple of days anyone wants to cross verbal swords with ago, I did replace the mattress from VMI with Ann Carpenter. All had a great time you about the school’s academic standing, (Col. Jim Joyner ’67), since it had gotten talking about experiences at the Institute. tell ‘em. And stand tall. The VMI doesn’t kind of lumpy from being rolled up for 45 When Foy was on a fishing trip out there take a back seat to anyone, on either front, years … but I still have the old mattress many years ago, he had dinner with the four academic or military. rolled up with its belts tucked away under of them. Just talked with Jack Huyette. Remema bed, in case it is ever needed. You will A note from Stuart McCloskey said he is note the pictures of my grandsons in my on his second pacemaker since 2001 and all ber ol’ Jack? Well, he’s still hangin’ around VMI hay with my name and city still on the Charles Town, WV, a couple of blocks goes well now; he hopes to see all at the big sides. 60th in Lexington. from where the irascible John Brown was I received a nice birthday note from Lucy hanged. (Did you know that the VMI proBill Turner Moise, as her birthday is before mine in vided a contingent of its finest to maintain March. some semblance of order at the hanging? An e-mail from our class president, J. Thought you’d be interested.) Anyway, Parker Cross, said that he is recovering where was I? Oh yes, Jack Huyette; well quite well now … even has been able “to Jack was class agent a while back, did a Never forget where you came from; you ladder up and clean gutters.” Annah’s grand commendable job. Apparently the most nephew is going to attend VMI this fall on as have a past, a tradition. Honor it. The only interesting thing that’s happened to him things we’ll leave behind in this world are a scholar/athlete – Travis Hawkins. in recent memory is that his defibrillator our relationships … and love. I might add Ken Perry was in Lexington for his went off, said it startled him, but it seemed “reputation.” grandson, Chris’s, graduation in May, with to work. I had been looking for Jack for The VMI is probably noted more for its his whole family. Regretfully, we did not get some time, but it took a phone call to Lois military excellence than anything else. But Windle before I got his right number. to visit with them, as we were not in town that’s not entirely an accurate assessment. that weekend. They all enjoyed Chris’s last Speaking of Lois, I had a delightful It is a fine military school, no dispute, but parade … I sent Ken a bunch of pictures of conversation with her last evening. Took it is also an above average academic instiChris all decked out from an earlier parade. my time and really enjoyed our getting I am sure all have seen the info published by tution; way above average. For example, together. What a “cool” gal; I think John the Institute in regard to the VMIgot lucky there. Told Lois I Citadel football game in Charleswas writing a series of articles ton in October. At the time being, on ‘The Widows of ’54,’ and Bob Cheatham and I are putting she offered to send me her the together a small ’53 gathering for story of her experience in the the game and a dinner afterwards “healing” process. I’ve already for which I sent out an e-mail to received material from several all on the list. At the time being, of our ‘First Ladies’ and hope we have eight couples planning to have the first part ready for on coming and a few others publication in the near time. It’s considering. Judy and I will be a story I believe that needs to be out of the country for three weeks told. Look for it. It’ll appear in a starting on Thursday in Italy, so newsstand near you. you will not hear from me until Read recently that “Infinite we return after Labor Day, as I love is a weapon of matcham not taking e-mail/laptop on Class of 1953: Arthur (Herb) Guyton ’66, John Thar- less potency. It is the summum rington ’61, Bill Noell, Nelson Trinkle ’64 and James Neale an overseas vacation. bonum of life. It is an attribute of ’71 in 1976. Photo courtesy Bill Noell. Class Trivia: Do you know the brave; in fact, it is their all.”

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2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES Powerful stuff. Certainly works for me. Have just now concluded a really great conversation with Tom Mayo. The real beauty of this job is that it presents the opportunity to re-unite with old comrades you’ve not seen for far too long. My conversation with the old physics professor is a classic example. Tom taught at Hampden Sydney for 39 years. After he retired, he was invited back to teach one course for seven years. But after one year, Tom decided the language and cultural divide between his students and himself was just too great. So, he retired again, this time for keeps. He says he stays busy; in fact, he was dusting furniture when I called. Tom reminded me that he was our first class agent, a position he held for only a year since he was then in graduate school. When I told him I had walked about a thousand miles in penalty tours the first year we were there and was under confinement for most of our Rat year, he told me I should have done what he had done, join the Rat wrestling team, training table and all that. I told him that apparently I wasn’t smart enough. He agreed with me. Called Jobil Cole earlier today, and we had a delightful discussion. Of course she still misses Jack – a 55+-year marriage can make you feel that way – but with the help of friends and family is doing “OK.” She travels some and reads. I would like to see and spend some time with Jobil. She sounds like a truly beautiful person. Which reminds me. I have already begun thinking about our next reunion – our 60th. Good grief! Anyway, I’m thinking we need to make a big thing about inviting our ‘First Ladies’ back for a little “special attention.” I think it would be a good thing, for them and for us. Give me your thoughts. You know, I’m really concerned that this “Politically Correct” and “Linguistically Precise” fetish is going to get us all killed. Recently, I read that “failure” is no longer failure, only “deferred success.” Osama Ben Laden is no longer considered a “Terrorist, but a displaced person from Saudi Arabia.” What BS. Is anyone concerned besides me: Maybe I’m the one who’s paranoid. “A liberal is a person who is too broadminded to take his own side in an argument.” (Anon.) Shortly after I graduated from the 48

Institute, I remember meeting with a gentleman who was then sports editor of the Richmond Times Dispatch. His name was Chauncey Durden. I had met him earlier when, as co-sports editor of the VMI Cadet, (I shared the role with Jay Langhammer) we shared a reporter’s press booth at an Institute game. I was in Mr. Durden’s Richmond office investigating the possibility of a job on the editorial staff. He was very kind and did offer me a position covering high school sports. That was considered a plum for young, aspiring, inexperienced writers, most of whom were generally farmed out to lesser newspapers. Anyway, recently something penned by Mr. Durden caught my attention. It was a tribute to the Institute. I’d like to share it here with you now. The sportswriter emeritus wrote: “The Spirit of VMI,” revered in deed and song, perhaps surpasses that of any other American college. That song is an intangible quality and defies definition. But it goes back through the years to the Battle of New Market, and even before, and is part and parcel of the cadet corps. It perplexes an outsider. He can neither explain nor put his hand on it, but he’s always aware of the “Spirit of VMI.” Thank you, Mr. Durden, for defining so eloquently a major part of what VMI is all about. The VMI 1970 Bomb presented essentially the same sentiments expressed a little differently. “(VMI) has always been a

Class of 1954: Bill Turner received the Ken Burns Award of Excellence from Connie Golden for a lecture series on the Civil War that he presented to the Brandermill Woods retirement community, spring 2011.

place of extraordinary loneliness – of symbolic, traditional, awe-inspiring silence. Age shows; it is pervasive. It exudes and hangs heavy as a vapor. The Institute is a cold place; yet, paradoxically, emits a hidden warmth.” How many of you remember walking guard at two or three o’clock of a January’s morning in front of Jackson Arch? I can. It was a lonely place. Have just finished teaching an elevenweek course of study on ‘The American Civil War.’ Exhilarating. A lot of work but richly rewarding. Had trouble with the ending though; tried hard to fashion a different outcome. Facts are such pesky things. Talked with Johnny Mapp a little while ago. John is recovering from lung cancer surgery. He sounded good. Said he felt good. Please keep Johnny and Betty in your prayers. Had the privilege recently of presenting scholarship awards to two young people, a male and a female, who have opted to attend VMI. Nonetheless, they seemed very bright and well-adjusted. Just might make it. It still amazes me that so many young men and women today actually want to attend the “toughest military college” in the country, particularly when there is no draft. It’s equally surprising that more than 60 percent of this year’s graduating class accepted commissions, knowing full well that such exotic places as Iraq and Afghanistan are waiting in the wings. I am very proud that we are still raising some of our children who are willing to give something back to a country that has given them so much. Just when I begin to conclude there’s little hope for the future, something like this comes along to give me pause to reconsider my negative assessment. Got an interesting e-mail from Don Walden, who informs me that he and his good wife, Maureen, have just returned from a week in Italy, visiting Rome, Florence, Venice and other cities in north Italy. Said they had a great time. Hope to see Don and Maureen sometime in August when my son, Jack, and I head for Texas to see the Boston Red Sox play the Rangers. Don cordially invited the two of us to stay with them. Most gracious. Even said he’d meet us at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Now please don’t try to tell me the term “Brother Rat” doesn’t mean anything. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Got a nice e-mail from Wendle Snapp. He writes that a year or so ago his daughter and husband, who live in the mountains of Colorado, offered to take “Mom” and “Dad” on a tour of the national parks of southern Utah and ending in Las Vegas for a few nights. He says their first stop was Grand Junction, CO, where they went on a self-driving tour of the new Colorado National Monument which featured a 26-mile-loop road around the canyon rim. Wendle says that to protect his fragile face from the sun’s harmful rays, he was wearing his VMI 55th Reunion straw hat. At one of the overlooks, a lady looked at him and asked if he really went to VMI. (Ed. note: It’s been my experience that the presence of a VMI association seems to attract a certain incredulity among the general populace; therefore, the lady’s question was not that unusual). When Wendle answered in the affirmative, she said her nephew went to VMI and his name was Jack Sanguigni, but that “probably he was before me. (Snapp).” Wendle admitted that he did know him and that they were in the same class and same Company D. As if that weren’t enough, Wendle says that when he and his wife were in Zion National Park, another person spotted the tell-tale straw hat and again asked: “Did you really go to VMI?” (Ed. note: Apparently, the number of people living in the United States or, in the world for that matter really believe that rational people actually attend such a place, pay to go there and will admit it.) Misto Snapp reports that when he finally admitted having gone there, the gentleman said he taught history for 30 years at the place “Stonewall” made famous, this after we graduated. Wendle asks rhetorically, “Now how old does that make us?” Answering his own question, he says: “Really old, I guess.” Great hearing from you Wendle. But I really want to thank you for reminding me that I have become not only old but damn near irrelevant as well. Thanks, Wendle. I needed that. “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others remains immortal.” “To help ensure a good relationship, when you kiss, do it as though it’s the first time … and the last time.” Bill Ralph tells me he got a letter from Augusta Military Academy (AMA) telling 2011-Issue 4

him he had been selected to the school’s Sports Hall of Fame. Not surprised. Bill taught and coached there for a number of years. Obviously, he did one heckuva job. Bill’s like that. Attaboy, Bill. Keep getting those accolades A guy can’t get too many. One of the best point guards VMI ever had, Don Colwell, is having a little trouble. I just spoke with him, and he said he’s on dialysis four times a day, self-administered. He’ll have a machine helping in a week or so. I’m sure he’d like to hear from some of his old comrades-in-arms. Do it! “This I will remember when the rest of life is through. The finest thing I’ve ever done … is simply loving you.” (Anon.) “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” (Booker T. Washington) Got a nice e-mail from Pat Morgan. Some of you may remember that Pat left VMI after his second class year. He then went into the Army and served in Korea as a tank commander in the 31st Infantry, 7th Division. Pat married while in the Army and so, under the rules of the day, could not return to the Institute. He attended Wofford College for a year and a half before graduating in January 1958. Through it all, Pat has remained a loyal VMI supporter, and I consider him a bona fide VMI man. I think I’ve remarked in these columns before that to me it is significant that some of the most loyal “alumni” I’ve encountered, financially and otherwise, are among the most loyal I have known. Must be something in the water. Got a nice note from Jack Fuller thanking me for his birthday card and giving me an update of his life. I roomed with Jack for a time, but he was so “running” I could hardly stand him. “Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” To my mind Jack is best remembered for having for a dad one of my all-time favorite VMI professors, the incomparable “Whiskey John” Fuller. I could write reams about the old colonel, but one story rises above all the others. Col. Fuller seemed to have some difficulty in getting test scores back in a reasonable time, e.g., sometime during the semester in which the tests were taken. Therefore,

as self-appointed spokesman for our section, I approached Col. Fuller’s desk one day – not without some trepidation – and inquired: “Sir, I hate to bother you, but do you remember those tests we took … a couple of months ago? Well, have you gotten around to grading them yet?” Col. Fuller looked up from his papers, eyed me suspiciously and intoned: “Mr. Turner, if you hate to bother me, why do you?” Well, for the life of me, I couldn’t think of an appropriated response, so I retreated to the relative safety of my seat, while my section associates, most prominently one John Benson, just looked over, shook their sorry heads and smiled smugly, as though they had suddenly dodged a bullet. As say, Col. Fuller was one of my favorites, though I’m not completely certain the feelings were mutual. Anyway, Jack, like many of us, is battling prostate cancer (part of the male “Rite of Passage,” I suppose) but seems to be “holding his own.” Jack reports that his youngest daughter is about to have her second baby, a girl, and that she might deliver on his birthday. Congrats, Jack. What a neat idea. I guess that’s about it for now. ‘Til next time, stay well, try to be happy, tell those you love you really do, and do all the good you can, for everyone you can, for as long as ever you can. *KUTF! (*Keep Up the Fire!) Shalom

’55

Read Hanmer

As you sit by your fireside this November, think back to August, when the weather was routinely in the high 90s and in many places over 100 degrees, with humidity to go with it. However, lest the global warmers get giddy, we were informed on the news tonight (Aug. 6) that the record temperature on that date in D.C. is 105 degrees, recorded in 1919! Put that in your pipe and blow soap bubbles (but not so many that you will be accused of polluting the atmosphere). I am pleased to announce that I have been invited to join the VMI Foundation’s Board of Advisors as an associate member, to become a full member as retirements 49

CLASS NOTES from the board occur. I’ll begin to learn the ropes at the board’s meeting in November, sandwiched around Founders Day. Please let me know if there are any items or suggestions you would like to have me raise with the board. The Third Annual MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) Wounded Warriors Golf Tournament was held in early August. The tournament is sponsored by the George C. Marshall Chapter of the MOAA, and held at the Lexington Golf and Country Club. All net proceeds from the tournament go to the “Wounded Warriors Program of Virginia.” Tom Tait advises that the tournament grossed over $16,000 which, after expenses, should yield about $12,000 for the Wounded Warrior Program. As last year, The class of 1955 sponsored three holes in the names of our Brother Rats who died in combat: Walt Draeger, Bill Martin and Moon Osborne. Other BRs also sponsored holes for a total of eight. Way to go, guys and gals! From the inbox: Marty Fisher was first out of the box in responding to my “call for papers” for this class agent report. Unfortunately, part of his news was not good – he is being treated for prostate cancer. He said two of 12 biopsies were positive and located at the base of the prostate by the bladder, which is a bad spot. He says, however, that Hampton University’s proton facility that cost $140 million came online in October 2010, and Marty has been approved for treatment which will last for nine weeks. Marty says that this is state-of-the art treatment in that the protons target only the prostate and do not proceed on through the body. Turning to the good news, Marty reports that his grandson, Miguel, has completed his fiveyear commitment to the Coast Guard and is now a seminarian on his way to becoming a Catholic priest. Sam Hill continues to be involved in good works, this time helping to send “care” packages to troops in Afghanistan. Turns out that our classmate Jim Atkinson’s grandson, Christopher Brown ’09, is an Army lieutenant serving in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division. A group in his hometown, Norfolk, is sending monthly packages to Chris and the members of his Infantry Company. Please see page 7 of the Alumni Review that came 50

out in August (2011-Issue 3) for details of the operation. Sam asks that anyone who would like to contribute to this outstanding project (it costs about $1000/month to procure, package and mail the boxes) please contact him at SHill@physiciansforpeace. org or 757/423-4551. In other news, Tom Tait advises that he and Margaret have two grandchildren entering VMI. Elizabeth Affronti is on an athletic scholarship to play soccer for the Keydets, and Zachary Jones hopes to join the VMI baseball team as a walk-on. A long and informative note from Leon and Zella Cock, which I will try to transliterate: Leon professes to have had a great life in the 56 years since graduation. He was ninth out of 96 in Uncle Buzz’s civil engineering program and went through pilot training at Lackland AFB in Big Spring, TX. He went through instructors’ school at Selma, AL, and taught students at Enid, OK, where he was fortunate to meet the love of his life, Zella. Leon spent the ’60s ’70s and ’80s with Alcoa or its affiliates in such locations as Houston, San Francisco, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and San Diego. Leon’s skills enabled him to rise from territory sales engineer to national sales and marketing manager. In a pitch for Alcoa, Leon observes that aluminum (AL) is a versatile metal used in a wide range if items, from Boeing 777s, to all beverage cans, to automobile engines. Alcoa had four million pounds of aluminum curtain walls on each of the World Trade Center buildings. Leon says “that was our stuff sticking up through the rubble at ground zero.” Leon continued, noting that upon retirement in 1990, he and Zella spent 14 years at Spanish Trail in Las Vegas and now have spent seven years at Robson Ranch in Texas. Leon says he and Zella are in great health, considering their ages (being a gentleman, Leon did not report Zella’s age) and have visited all 50 states, many of the continents and all of the Canadian provinces. Zella has had her own distinguished career, managing and marketing huge shopping centers in California and Nevada. Leon concluded with a marketing pitch for Texas: “Come to Texas, guys. Go Cowboys, go Rangers and go Stars. Texas’ economy has created as many new jobs since the recession bottom of 2009 as all the other 49 states

added together. Why? An atmosphere of less government, less taxes, less regulation and tax incentives for entrepreneurs and risk takers to invest here.” And, a capitalized “Go Mavericks!” Thanks, Leon, but I will still root for the Nationals and the Redskins. A great note from Bill Davidson: “I recently had a long telephone chat with Brother Rat Harry Fahrner. Harry had received the Alumni Review and was saddened to read the notice that Jerry Trice had passed away. Jerry, Harry, Jack Dorey and I were roommates at VMI for three years. Harry now resides in Spokane, WA. He is retired from the CIA after some 30+ years of service. He is married and has three grown daughters. Harry said that he would enjoy a visit to Lexington and to see Brother Rats but that his wife has difficulty traveling. He told me his health was very good. I told him that I would keep in touch. He gave me his e-mail address and said he would welcome your adding him to the list so he can receive up-dated information about our class (Ed. note: Done). Bill continued: “I still enjoy golf and try to play at least twice a week. On June 3rd, I played in the Leadership Outing event sponsored by the Keydet Club. My team was BR Ronnie Bryan, Rody Rhodes (wife of BR Dusty) and Jane Mortensen (her husband is employed by VMI). We didn’t win, but we had a great time. All the participants for the day are good supporters of VMI Athletics.” Bill continued: “My health is good but Pattie is having some problems. She will have to have both shoulders replaced and also have her right wrist operated on. All of this in addition to having back problems. I attended my 60th high school reunion in Jonesville, VA. I’m able to work in my garden and still mow grass with a push mower (it is, however, self-propelled). Pattie and I assist with the delivery of the meals-on-wheels program thru our church. I assist with bingo at the Elks Club. I am responsible for seeing that our church has persons available to usher at our worship services.” An upbeat note from Dusty Rhodes: “Things are well with Rody and me. We just returned from two and one-half weeks in Florida. We stayed a week at the Double Tree at Readington Beach. We got another room for son Hunter and family who VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES stayed with us. Great fun in the sun and surf with two lovable grandsons. Another evening, we were on a new 32-foot boat that oldest son Steve recently bought. We sailed on it to a terrific restaurant on the inter-coastal waterway. Our second week was just Rody and me at the newest Hilton Resort in Orlando, followed by three nights in Ponte Vedra with our friend that I caddied for years ago when he got his PGA Tour card. He now is the man under Fincham who is responsible for The Nationwide Tour. I’m now back in Lexington doing my three days a week at the fitness center and pool rehabbing from my back surgery. I am able to do a mile and one-half on the treadmill and the resistance machines are finally restoring some tone in muscles that had not paid any rent in the last year and one-half. Rody is playing all the golf she can.” Morty Bregman checked in with this note: “Jean and I are finally settled in our new home in the Army Retirement Community in San Antonio. It was hard to leave Fair Oaks and our home on the number one tee box, but the move puts us very close to our children and our great-grandson which has made Jean a very happy camper. We just found out that we will become great-grandparents again and thus the move becomes even more important. People in the neighborhood are very friendly, and I’m sure we will enjoy the new community. Could use some help on the following. There are a lot of college flags flying alongside of old glory in the neighborhood, and I have struck out trying to find a VMI flag. If anyone knows where I can find one, I sure would appreciate knowing who I can contact. If anyone has a contact, please let me know at: mortb@ satx.rr.com. More on Larry Price’s eye travails: “The eye situation is not good at this time, but I have hopes for improvement within the next several months. I would like to be OK by the November Institute Society Dinner, which we would like to attend. I have had 10 eye surgeries since Feb. 28, involving several detached retinas, one detached macula, fluid between iris and cornea and other problems. The Aug. 2 surgery was to remove scar tissue and attempt to smooth a retinal area. I may not be able to see for several more months, as the eye 2011-Issue 4

is full of a silicone fluid – to be removed later perhaps.” Larry closed, saying: “We are still unpacking and arranging things in our new patio home. I am sure that I have more VMI items of interest to you. If so, I will mail those later (ed. note – I’m stocking up for the next reunion). I still have my shako, which I can display at a reunion. The latest Alumni Review continues to make me proud of the Institute.” Thanks for the update, Larry. Keep your chin up – we’re cheering for you. Doc and Maxine May sent in this informative travelogue: “Maxine and I celebrated our 50th in May of this year and decided rather than spend a wad on a big party few would remember, we would spend the wad on us. We took a trip to the fjords of Norway. We flew from Atlanta to Helsinki via New York. Started with a tour and sightseeing in Helsinki, then flew to Ivalo in Northern Finland above the Arctic Circle. The highlight of this segment, which is in Lapland, a region that includes the northern part of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia, was a visit to a reindeer farm. Reindeer graze on open range and are identified by their owners by a pattern of notches in their ear. Reindeer meat is eaten, their fur is used for clothes and rugs, their horns and bones are used for tools and decorations. The Sami people who live in Lapland are said to have been around almost 5,000 years. We boarded a working boat in Kirkenes, Norway, and sailed down the western coast of the country. In addition to people, the ship carried cargo and mail to the towns along the coast. The fjords were formed during the Ice Age when glaciers cut deeply into former river valleys, creating spectacular landscapes. One of the fjords is 120 miles long. The rock walls rise to more than 3300 feet. We passed and visited many towns along the route ending at Bergen. From there we traveled by bus, train and ferry to Oslo. From Oslo it was back to the U.S., 16 days later. Norway, like all of Scandinavia, is socialist country; all schooling is free, one year leave after birth of a child for either mother or father with reduced salary, free medical care, etc. But, everything is expensive, i.e. hamburgers, $12, hot dogs, $10. However, minimum wage is $27/ hr. After over two years my ’57 Chevy pickup truck is almost finished. My dad

bought the truck new and drove it until he died – through fields, into trees and over ditches, so the body was in bad shape. But, the engine is in excellent condition, only 24,000 miles. I’ll have pictures next time we meet.” This from Frank Brooke: “Judy and I are hanging in there, trying to survive while watching our small 401s shrink. I’m afraid this country is really going to pot and our children and grandchildren have their work cut out for them! Speaking of grandchildren, our oldest, Emily, graduates from NC State in December with a degree in accounting and has several prospective jobs lined up. She wants to get her CPA and then go to law school. We are mighty proud of her as she worked her way through school, and with other help from scholarships and extended family, she has excelled. Our other grandchildren are doing great, as two will be seniors in high school, one a sophomore, and one a freshman, all in private school in Jacksonville. We are blessed! We have enjoyed our summer at Lake Gaston and have been privileged to have all our family and lots of friends visit on numerous occasions. We are relatively healthy although I am having my left hip replaced in the fall. It has been bothering me for over 15 years, so I decided to make the plunge. We go back to Jacksonville, FL, the end of September. We are planning to come to Lexington for our annual football trip to watch the Keydets beat W&M! Hope to see some BRs and reminisce.” Sam Marshall noted that he and his crew took second place in the Leukemia Cup regatta at Fishing Bay Yacht Club. They do about 10 races/year and have a great time even when they lose. Sam noted that sailing keeps him on his toes (literally). His crew of five races in the spinnaker class. I’m envious, Sam. Thanks for the input. I’ll end on this item: BR Bob Coffee recently was commissioned by Southern Methodist University – Taos, NM, to create “Big Trouble,” a bronze statue of an 1845 Mounted Dragoon. The statue was used as a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for Dr. Fred Wendorf, the SMU archeologist who discovered and then led the excavation and restoration of Fort Burgwin near Taos. Wendorf also set up SMU’s summer programs in Archeology 51

CLASS NOTES and Anthropology. It’s a beautiful statue, Bob. Thank you for sharing it with us. (Ed. note: Bob spent his freshman year at VMI and now lives in Austin, TX.) Thanks, and good night. Keep those cards and e-mails flowing.

’56

Richard M. Smith

In the month since our 55th Reunion, we have lost two Brother Rats: Sonny Schoen and Bill Higinbotham. This is not very comforting to say the least! Marshall Mundy was listed once again in the 2011 edition of the “Best Lawyers in America.” He also was named one of Virginia’s Super Lawyers. He says he still loves trial work and has no plans to retire. As the hot and humid weather sets in for us Virginians, Honey and I had a brief reprieve during an eight-day trip to Colorado. We enjoyed a Rockies vs. White Sox baseball game prior to visiting my son, Mac’s, family in Salida for my grandson’s fifth birthday. From there we traveled to Colorado Springs to be with my son, Scott’s ’90, family. We enjoyed a number of events over the Fourth of July including the Women’s LPGA US Open at the Broadmore Hotel. I had a nice chat with BR Scottie Boland concerning the possibility of going Tarpon fishing with him later this summer in the Gulf. He has a few health issues to take care of before we can be assured he can handle the boat with a big fish on the line. I received a warm and thoughtful message in my birthday card from Bob Brickner. He always has a way with words that I wish I had. His dedication to regular exercise and diet to keep his body strong are good messages to all of us “advanced citizens.” He plans to run in the Half Marathon and the Chicago Sr. Track and Field Events in September. He says that he is considering a move to Tulsa to be closer to some of his relatives but hates to leave the social life in Chicago. George Clark e-mailed Spider Allison a picture of a gorgeous nude lady stating, “Female Aliens are invading earth, kidnapping sexy, good looking men who are great golfers and have [other desirable attri52

butes]. You personally aren’t in danger.” “I just wanted to say goodbye!” George certainly hasn’t lost his sense of humor. I got an e-mail from Paul Gronroos saying he was “ordered” by Spider Allison to say something for this printing. He says he has been playing more golf, better sometimes than others. The St. Lucie Mets, (NY farm team) play pretty good ball, and the NY Mets players rehab here. Not a bad type ball game to watch. His family had a reunion at Wild Dunes, Charleston, SC, on the Fourth of July and says there is plenty to do there. He comments his oldest grandchild, Kira, was accepted into engineering at UC-Berkeley, CA. That’s a real score for a California resident. This is a bargain although he is expected to contribute some. Paul gives his regards to all the class. He says when I come down next time we should try playing from the “senior” tees. The following notes were received from Spider Allison: Bob and Jackie Morris are back in Middlesex, VA, for the summer. He sends an open invitation to any BR who is a real golfer to drop by and show him how the game is supposed to be played. Dave and Anne Blair went to Atlanta for Sonny Schoen’s memorial service. They were able to talk briefly with Wes Foster, Marshall Mundy and Jim Brawner in a very crowded church. Dave said Sonny’s good work was beyond measure, both for church and community. Dave still loves flying his airplane and does every chance he gets. George Clark says that all in all life is good, that he and Joyce still have good health and enjoy getting out and about. He says, “Lots of days we sit around waiting on 5 o’clock and the cocktail hour. Some days we get impatient and figure its 5 o’clock somewhere so we start pouring. Of course it is primarily for medicinal purposes.” That quote might be appropriate for a lot of us these days. After all George is a medical doctor and if he says it is good for your health; that should be good enough for the rest of us. Thanks George! Spider and Anne Allison continue to enjoy life in their retired military community. Both are active in community activities. Anne is president of the 9-hole ladies golf association, a member of the architectural review committee and is on the club advisory board. Spider is using his VMI civil engineering knowledge

as a member of the pavement resurfacing committee, chairman of the air conditioning renovation project for the banquet hall and a member of the nominating committee for the board of directors. Life is good, but the social environment is causing their livers to gain weight. “Summertime and the living is easy,” but getting feedback on what all of you are doing is anything but easy. I hope you enjoyed the last issue of the Alumni Review which had more to say than this one. I do hope many of you are planning on coming to Charleston, SC, in the fall and will let me know so I can plan something for us to do together. Having just received a summary of Annual Giving by VMI Alumni for FY11 from Pat Webb, I’ll pass this on. Foundation Fund $2,543,894; Keydet Club Scholarship Fund $1,552,006; Athletic Operations Fund $1,309,199. A grand total of $14,620,556 in gifts from 6,906 donors to all funds were raised by the staffs of both the Keydet Club and Foundation. This shows the generosity of all alumni in difficult economic times. Thanks to you who helped make it possible. Yours in the Spirit, Dick

’57

Clayton M. Thomas III

This is the 13th summer in Florida, and by far, the hottest and most humid. The whole country is in a vast heat wave, but I still want to complain. The August 15 class notes are due next week, and I procrastinate writing, hoping to receive the Annual Giving latest figures for Fiscal Year 2011 as of June 30. Sadly, with the passing of 17 Brother Rats since our 50th Reunion, the opportunity of reaching our goal of 100 donors has become more of a challenge. We can only hope and keep trying. After several weeks, we finally found an honest and reliable repairman who fixed our computer. It is up and running, but he told us to keep off the Internet. You may phone or write us, but we haven’t had e-mail for three years. The repairman declared the printer was beyond saving, so we bought a new one. Dawn is already hard at work on our next Reunion Booklet. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES We should have our 11th booklet in time for the 55th Class Reunion on April 22-25, 2012. We have scheduled the first mini-reunion of the class of 1957 in the last four years. We will gather at VMI on Saturday, Sept. 3rd for the VMI-Delaware State Football game at 1:30 p.m. Cocktails begin at 4 p.m., followed by dinner in the Moody Hall Activity Room. We expect a great turnout of the class. Karen Ashbaugh from Fairport, NY, wrote that she and her son, Max, plan to attend. Max wants to see where his father, John A. Maticic went to school. A second site for a mini-reunion could be Charleston, SC. On Oct. 29, 2011, VMI plays the Citadel at 1 p.m. The Alumni Association has secured a block of rooms at the Charleston Marriott, and it is in walking distance of the football stadium. In the Taps section of the VMI Alumni Review 2011-Issue 3, we read that our Brother Rat Earlie P. Blanks Jr. ’57 died on March 19, 2011. He had been in poor health for several years and lived in an assisted living community in Martinsville. JoAnne, his wife, passed away 11 years ago. In the same Alumni Review under “Alumni News” is an excellent tribute to Frank Gilmore, who as chancellor at Montana Tech had touched many lives and made a significant contribution for 13 years. Jack and Jo Trant, Virginia Beach, are building a vacation cabin in Luna, NM, but with the massive wild fires out there, the cabin, may have burned down. Jack had an unexpected call from Cliff Dowdy. Cliff said his wife, Susan, had died, and he and his son were visiting in Tidewater. I sent Cliff a sympathy card, and he gratefully wrote back. Susan succumbed to cancer on July 3, 2008, after a twoyear battle. They had been married for 51 years. Cliff retired in 1999 as vice president of Worth Chemical Corp. Now his is working with his son who has a dental practice in Eden, NC. Cliff handles his accounts receivable. It gives him something to do. He has a daughter in Provo, UT, and another son in Raleigh, NC. Cliff has eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. “I will always recall the time I ran into you at the Institute 2011-Issue 4

when you were Capt. Thomas teaching in the history department. I can remember visiting and giving you a ride to Lexington to pick up your car.” In July, Johnny St. George phoned that Lynn and Bunny Wiggins from Portsmouth, VA, were on a Walt Disney Cruise Ship with their family when Bunny fell and broke his hip while trying to play basketball with his grandson. He is in rehab in Melbourne, FL. I wrote Lynn and Bunny a get well card. Then phoned Katie and Ken Dickinson on Merritt Island who visited Bunny at the Sea Pine Rehab. They were delighted to visit him, as they live only about half an hour away. Yesterday, Bob Fiske phoned seeking Van Sessoms’ address. He had just read in our class notes in the Alumni Review that Lanthe had died, and Bob wanted to send Van a sympathy card. During our conversation, Bob believed with 150 Brother Rats we should have many more than just 100 donors. Bob feels all of us could make a donation even if it is only a small contribution.

Wes Roberts

’58 Dear Brother Rats and Ladies: As you all know, today’s Corps is composed of a good number of young ladies who are competing with their male counterparts, both academically and militarily. As the class agent, I am following the example of older class agents, who regard their spouses as “Sister Rats” when speaking of the Corps as a whole. Therefore, I should probably have begun this report, addressing it to “Brother and Sister Rats.” VMI has gone through so many changes, that if one of us were to miss being at VMI for only one year, he or she would be impressed, overwhelmed and confused. So … BRs and Ladies, or Brother and Sister Rats, here we go! You may have noticed that in the header for this column, the top address for your reporter is Virginia.

Due to health reasons, this is the first time in almost two years that we have been able to come back to the valley. Everything is beautiful, even the weeds! Call us or call on us anytime! My first matter of business is to report the passing of our Brother Rat and my roommate, Paul Edwin Johnson, M.D. Paul died on Saturday, July 16, 2011, in the Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX. He was suffering from and succumbed to metastatic prostate cancer. At this time, I would enlarge on the importance of prostate health, which most males over the age of 40 have checked regularly. There are many tests and treatment options available. If you have not done so, please, avail yourself of them. Paul considered himself invincible; however, in this case, he lost the battle. More than once, Paul shared his medical expertise with BRs in need of advice and direction. He was a graduate of Bowman Gray School of Medicine and completed a residency there in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat specialist). He was a faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, for over 25 years. He served as a professor of surgery and Chief of Otolaryngology at the VA Medical Center in Houston. As Sully Griffin wrote, Paul “was a hell of a man.” In attendance at Paul’s Memorial Service were Jim and Peggy Poteet and Jack and Lynn Boze. Also in attendance were many of Houston’s medical community, as well as his four sons and his partner, Cynthia Cox. Jim writes, “Paul’s achievements as a physician, teacher and father were recognized, as well as his wonderful sense of humor and gift of storytelling. It was a special and moving memorial to a special man.” (Mike Smeltzer, class treasurer, sent a donation to the VMI Foundation from the class of 1958 in Paul’s name.) BR Gene Grayson (my fishing nemesis) reported that his high school had a reunion, with class of ’54 members Bob Buckland, Walter Leach, Bob and Diana Jordan, Gene and wife Betty in attendance. Gene said he talks with Joe Gray frequently. They both are looking forward to the football season. At the time of this writing, Gene is trying to organize a get together of some of the more local BRs for a Moody Hall lunch. We look forward to that! BR Tony Lash reports from Oregon 53

CLASS NOTES that he continues to attend the U.S. Naval Academy alumni group meetings, where he is “often quoted” (?). He is to be a featured speaker at the USMA alumni group, West Point Society of Oregon. His topic is “VMI’s Legacy in the Sea Services.” Way to go, BR! Jim and Margaret Cowan spent a month in Albuquerque, NM, where Margaret had extensive back surgery to correct problems which have caused increasing discomfort over the years. They were fortunate enough to stay with family during this time. The surgery was performed by Margaret’s nephew! Jim reports that Margaret gained about one-half inch in height and says, “If this keeps up, I’ll be known as ‘Shorty’ around here.” Happy to hear of such seemingly positive results! BR Jim Moore reported that BR Dave Johnson fell, apparently while visiting family in south Florida and fractured his hip. He was in a local hospital in MiamiDade County recovering from surgery. I spoke briefly with Dave, but he was still groggy from medications and pretty uncomfortable. He was moved to rehab, and I never did catch up with him again. Dave, we hope all is well now and the whole incident is just a dim memory. Our inveterate traveler, Sandy Yon, reported her extensive travel experiences which included whale watching in the Baja of Mexico, and several weeks in numerous Central American countries, studying the Mayan culture. Upon her return, she was honored as the Southeastern Virginia Volunteer of the year. She noted that she still continues with all of her hospital and Aquarium activities. Later this year, she will visit the Canadian Maritimes; in October she will travel to the Persian Gulf to visit Oman, Qatar and the UAE. She advised that she just booked a trip to Namibia and South Africa in January, 2012. Have fun, Sandy! BR Tom Smythe (Aloha!) reminds the BRs of the trip to Honolulu by the VMI Band over the Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 21-27). The band will be staying at Schofield Barracks and making appearances at Tripler Army Medical Center, the Arizona Memorial, U.S.S. Missouri and a concert in downtown Waikiki. The local alumni are planning a barbeque on Nov. 26 at Bellows Air Force Station prior to their departure. 54

BR Sully Griffin reported from Surfside, TX, where he says his property is about 150 feet from the water. At this writing, he was waiting for this year’s first hurricane which he says will, no doubt, make its presence known. Sully will retire the first of the year. The Griffins took an Alaska cruise in July of this year. They will be going to Cobo San Lucas in November. This has become a yearly trip for them. Sully’s wife, Fran, had knee replacement in the spring, joining the ever growing number of “bionic” folks our age. They invite all who might be in the area to stop by (281/7939802). Brooke Doggett and Dave Camper made a trip in June, to France to visit the D-Day battlefields and beaches. Brooke lost his hearing aid on the beach, which was found by another tourist. Moon Menefee states that he is looking forward to the annual cruise on George Shrieves’ boat. He will be accompanied by Frank Boeggeman and Gates Sykes. From Pasadena, Gary Harris reported in. He is still active with his Explorers Club and shared with me some writing and remembrances of noted explorer, Quentin Keynes, who was Charles Darwin’s great grandson and with whom Gary was acquainted. If any are interested, more information can be found on the Internet or from Gary himself. Closing with my personal submission: shortly after our arrival in Virginia this August, we were contacted by Moon Menefee saying that he, Bill Holland and Brooke Doggett would like to visit the Roberts’ residence. According to plan, they arrived with lunch in hand prepared by Carol and Laura Menefee. We spent a pleasant afternoon reminiscing about the “Old Corps” days. I appreciate the extra effort made by these three BRs and the Menefee ladies. It left your reporter with many pleasant memories. To those of you who shared experiences with the class via this medium, many thanks. I am, however, curious about the great silence from so many of you others. Maybe you were just in the summer doldrums. Cooler weather is on the horizon. Perhaps it will stimulate you to write. Keep the Spirit … God’s Blessings, Wes

’59

Shep Shepard

It is with great sadness that I report our Brother Rat Willis J. Wichlei passed away during this past quarter. Wich died of complications from cancer surgery. He died in the presence of his family at the Medical University of South Carolina after many months of battling esophageal cancer. He is survived by his wife, Linda, his three children; daughter Christy Monteith, sons Bill and Brian and six grandchildren. Wich found joy in bringing a smile to the face of everyone he came in contact with even in his most challenging days and hours. His last words to his grandchildren were “no no ja tez cie Kocham” which is Polish for “no no I love you.” We will miss Wich and send our condolences to his family. Mary Alice Marley, loving wife of Ron, dropped me a note indicating that she was somewhat concerned with Ron’s mental state. She noticed that he had placed a name tag on the steering wheel of his truck. When queried about it he was very noncommittal. Mary Alice thought perhaps he placed it there to identify his truck or worse that he might have forgotten who he was. Assuming the worst, she tried to think of a way to better protect him in case he lost his way or the name tag. She first considered having his telephone number tattooed on his chest but that seemed painful and he would have to remember to look at his chest to find the number to call. She then considered having a chip implanted behind his ear. At least the vet would put him to sleep to implant the chip, so it wouldn’t be painful. Mary Alice was also told that AT&T would provide for one free telephone number change if needed free of charge on their “bundle” program. After much thought, she has decided to let it go for the moment. After all, Ron is the first to say he is cheap and she thinks this might be his idea of “auto detailing on the cheap.” How can Ron not love this sensitive and thoughtful woman? As far as John, Anne and Jack Reed are concerned it is business as usual; Jack at summer camp and Anne and John putting away child sex abusers. John is preparing VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES to take 15 people on a medical mission to the mountains of southern Haiti. Getting away from his day job will be therapeutic for John; after 24 years of Haiti trips it is fairly relaxing, with the exception of the primitive accommodations. The last trip he took was to construct new facilities and their meals consisted of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), which are fascinating in that they cook themselves, but are a far cry from the old C-rations. A message from Mike Vargosko about his recent vacation in Las Vegas reminded Russ Chew about his last trip to “The Sin City” about 12 years ago. Russ traveled with the Red Men’s Club for the inaugural NASCAR race. Not unlike a VMI sponsored trip, they met at the club at 0300 hours and before the airport bus got out of the parking lot, Bloody Mary’s and

tip jars suddenly appeared. On the flight back from Vegas, the club consumed all the plane’s alcoholic beverages. The flight attendant announced they set an all time Southwest Airline record for total alcohol consumption. Sound familiar? Russ recalls when we boarded the train for the Corps trip to Norfolk to play in the Oyster Bowl our third class year a large quantity of beer somehow got on the train during our stop in Lynchburg! He also remembers that after celebrating our release from the Ratline at the Rat picnic, he was hauled back from the picnic in a large flat bed truck with a number of other inebriated BRs, dumped out on the east side of Barracks and pushed through the nearest first class room open window to avoid detection. Sounds like the “good ole days.” Mike and Julie Vargosko spent the past

several months visiting Brother Rats. They had a wonderful visit with Larry and Nancy Wood in Las Vegas and enjoyed all the local sights courtesy of Larry. They also had lunch with Dick and Barbara Trandel on their way to spending time with John and Chris Patane. Mike says John plays better golf every year. By the time the next reunion rolls around he thinks John will be hard to beat. Shortly after returning home they had a pleasant visit from Don and Carol Messner. Carol played an excellent round of golf and beat both Mike and Don unmercifully. We’ve got to do something about this women’s lib; first admission to VMI, next thing they will want to run for president of the USA. Mike is still waiting with baited breath for a call from John Van Kesteren and thinks hell might freeze over before that happens. Let’s hope not and

Photos clockwise from top, right: - June 2011, the MacGregors met Larry Wood in Lynchburg. From left: Kristine, the MacGregors’ daughter-in-law; Harry and Terry MacGregor; and Wood. In front: the MacGregors’ grandchildren, Brock, Ian and Quinn. - Shep and Ann Shepard saw the Broadway musical “Memphis” while visiting New York City. - Bud and Denyse Kramer enjoyed a summer vacation in Cherokee, North Carolina. - Chase Southard ’19, pulling in a 160-pound tarpon. - At the Route 460 class of ’59 mini reunion were, from left, Jim Vermillion, Vern Keefer, Harlee Pate, Lee Southard, Art Brandriff, Jim McFalls, Rusty Loth, John Martin, Leon Elsarelli and Baldy Fall.

Class of 1959

2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES John and Pat, get on the stick, and contact Mike. Bill and Susie Kirkland have become grandparents again for the seventh time. Their daughter, Susan, gave birth to a beautiful girl who weighed almost nine pounds. Both baby and Susan are doing well. Bill is not sure where the name Sophie Lynn came from but family name or not, he thinks it is as beautiful as his new granddaughter. Larry Wood returned to Lynchburg for a family reunion and while there he visited with his old roommate, Harry MacGregor. Mac and Terry’s youngest son, Lee ’92, is a lieutenant colonel in the Army and just departed for an accompanied tour to Qatar for his command time. His family will follow him shortly but will stay with Mac and Terry until they departed. Ann and I were fortunate to meet Lee and his family at Disney World a few years ago; a serendipitous meeting on the parking lot tram. We were so impressed with Lee and his wonderful family. Terry and Harry MacGregor recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. They celebrated by attending one of their 17 grandchildren’s high school graduation in Leesburg. Congrats to Harry and Terry, here’s too many more to come. Spence Tucker had a revised edition of his four-volume “Encyclopedia of the VN War” just published. The first edition, published 10 years ago, had two volumes of entries and one of documents. This edition adds an additional volume of entries. It is believed to be the most comprehensive reference work on the war available. Keep up the good work, Spence. Jack and Joy Angolia have just returned from a Med-cruise vacation. Joy took charge of arranging tours at each stop, as well as the pre and post cruise stops. As a result, they saw more, learned more, and experienced more than ever before. The weather cooperated with only one day of rain. Jack and Joy were designated by the cruise line as “The Most Traveled” having logged over a year at sea with this cruise line. They intend to defend their title and have already scheduled their cruises for ’12; Singapore to Dubai with a side trip to Angkor Wat, a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia. Trips for ’13 include Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and the surrounding areas. The 56

“bucket list” place they still want to see is Mongolia. Jack has to find out if they really have radio active goby in the Gobi Desert. Jack was very appreciative of his former roomie, Bob Hobson’s, donation to his museum; Bob donated his father’s brigadier general Army uniform replete with awards and decorations. Jack would appreciate any other donations Brother Rats might be interested in making. Speaking of the Hobsons, Bob and Lois recently returned from a 12-day cruise including the Inland Passage and Alaska. They went with Bob’s brother and his wife. Bob never thought he would get Lois past her phobia of the water, but he laid a huge guilt trip on her by telling her he might never see his brother, who is five years older, again. Bob blindfolded her to get her up the gangplank; but, then again, whatever it takes. Mort Eggleston had a second hip replacement in the spring and is recovering nicely. Phil and Betty Sellers spent two weeks aboard a transatlantic cruise to Barcelona followed by a week traveling around Spain in a rented car. Phil is thankful they had a GPS or they might still be in some unknown corner of Spain. They lived in Europe years ago and observed many changes, it’s so different now. It is particularly depressing to see what a dollar will buy today vs. 25 years ago. Three European trips in two years have convinced Phil and Betty that there are still places they want to see in the USA. Royall and Geri Geis will be traveling across our northern border to visit Geri’s former home, Canada. They will visit the North Eastern part which includes Prince Edward Island. So far this year Royall and Geri have been pretty busy; they’ve done a week in Burlingame, CA, outside San Francisco with daughter Stacey, her husband, Peter, and their wonderful and exceptionally talented grandchildren Parker and Hope. Stacey is still a U.S. Attorney and Peter is now a VP with Micro Systems. A few months ago Royall and Geri spent three nights in the Manhattan Club, New York City, opposite Carnegie Hall where they enjoyed several stage shows. Not long after they found themselves back in San Francisco to care for the grandchildren while Stacey and Peter went to a

wedding. It wasn’t long before they were off again to Kansas City to observe the International Barbershop Society Chorus contest. Royall no longer sings with them and the last time he was there was ’89 when they won a gold medal. This year the Alexandria Harmonizers placed 5th, as they did last year in Pennsylvania. Obviously, they miss Royall’s golden tones and Geri’s professional direction. Mark and June Smith recently attended Mark’s high school reunion in Heidelberg, Germany, where he attended high school. This was the last reunion to be held in Heidelberg because all U.S. facilities and all the troops are moving to Stuttgart. It’s a sad day for the U.S. Army. Ann and I will particularly feel the loss since we lived in Heidelberg back in the late ’60s and early ’70s and loved the city, the food and the people. Life goes on and Mark and June enjoyed seeing all his old high school friends. Bud and Denyse Kramer camped for a month this summer in Cherokee, NC, home of the great nation of Cherokee Indians. They made their way through the Great Smokey Mountains where they learned a lot about how our ancestors lived. They attended the long running play entitled “Unto These Hills,” a story about how the white man forced the Indians out of their homeland and forced marched them to Oklahoma. The show was held in an amphitheater carved from the forest. The cast was Indians who did a marvelous job. Bud is one-fourth Pamunkey Indian, so he really got into the spirit of this tribe. At an Indian dance demonstration they asked for volunteers. You guessed it, Bud got up and made a fool of himself; at least that’s the way Denyse describes it. Bud, being part Indian and part German, sometimes could not make up his mind if he should march or chase a deer. Noland and Mary Pipes visited Richmond in early June for Mary’s 25th reunion, I think, from Westhampton (UR) and then on to Tappahannock and Bedford for brief visits with family members. While in Richmond, Noland enjoyed lunch with Rusty “The Bear” Loth but Mary’s reunion schedule left no time for other visits. Noland observed that the U of R has been fully integrated by gender, which means Westhampton, as a distinctly female VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES college, has all but disappeared. Noland also found it interesting that they had wine served at banquets and open bars in a setting that once was absolute in the prohibition of liquid spirits. My, how some things do change. Noland and Mary are looking forward to their previously delayed river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest in October. They hope Oktoberfest is as enjoyable as it is said to be. They plan to be back in Virginia (Bedford, Lynchburg, etc.) for Thanksgiving and hope to see some BRs in the course of this visit. In the meantime, the welcome mat is always out at the Pipes residence in Memphis. Rusty Loth wrote of the visit to “Mecca” by Noland and Mary Pipes. Rusty had lunch with Noland and his good friend Don Black, both retired Episcopal Reverends. Don was the one who introduced Noland to Mary when they were in the seminary together, and he was the first rector of St. Mathias Episcopal Church right up the street from where Rusty lives. The dining experience was delightful, delicious and, as Rusty recalls, quite different from Crozet Hall. Rusty doesn’t know why but he felt like a thorn between two roses. It was a delightful visit with the Pipes. Mary and Noland motored on over to Tappahannock to visit long lost cousins before heading back to Memphis. Rusty and Jack Barnett are planning a road trip to Fort Myers and Sanibel Island, FL, just as this article is being written. Their main mission will be to conduct a reconnaissance looking for a condo for Jack. They intend to end up at Gen. Lee Southard’s headquarters for part of the mission, and Lee will travel with them back to Virginia Beach for the August mini reunion lunch at Baldy Fall’s favorite pub, The Beach Pub. Rusty had a little surgery a few months ago; he had a stent placed in his right coronary artery and a pacemaker. He has now got a Timex on his arm and a Rolex, (GPS equipped) in his chest. He’s clickin’ and tickin’ and should be a hell of a navigator for their trip to Florida. Details will appear in the next class notes giving the exact details of this expected memorable trip. Rusty reports that all is well with the Richmond group, at least with the ones that make it to the bi-weekly lunch. The last one included Brother Rats Addison, Eggleston, Myers, Goode and Rusty. Keep the faith. The 2011-Issue 4

Mecca remains standing, but things could change. Charlie and Agnes Inge Carter are healthy and stay busy tending to home, children and grandchildren which are abundant in many ways. They visited Nassau and Eleuthera last winter but have no other travel plans right now. They have a lot of places on their “bucket list” but they are looking for a place closer than Africa, where they went last fall. Agnes youngest son, Wallace Inge ’96, a history teacher and assistant athletic director at The Steward School in Richmond, VA, has been working very hard the past few years to get a War on Terrorism Memorial dedicated at VMI. Wallace ran several marathons to raise money for this memorial and now it has come to fruition. Wallace has been the prime mover behind the memorial. The Institute has approved his proposal and will dedicate the War on Terrorism Memorial plaque, covering the period from 11 September to 11 September ’11, on 9 September ’11. The plaque will be designed similar to the WWII and Korea ones and will be placed outside Third Barracks Arch. An old yell for Wallace! Mike and Karen Irvine have all but stopped the cruising business and have opted for driving through the western states. They recently spent a week in Yellowstone National Park and enjoyed the beautiful country and wildlife. Their next trip is planned for the beautiful city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, followed by, maybe, a Trans Canada trip. Lee Southard’s son, Brian ’93, and his grandson, Chase, came down to Florida for some tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass. Hottest tarpon fishing place in the world from mid May to mid June. Lee says it is a real experience with as many as 10,000 tarpon in the pass. They each caught a 150 lb. tarpon. Most significantly was Chase at age 10, 110 lbs., bringing in a 160 lb. Tarpon. You can tell they are fisherman as the fish just gets bigger with each telling. Lee hooked one but thank goodness it slipped the hook and got away. Lee’s not sure his heart could stand a fight like that. However, he was more pleased that Chase caught one. With Chase’s height and size at age 10 and his love for sports do not be surprised to see VMI with the next Tyler Hansborough or Tim Tebow in ’18-’20.

More importantly he is an exceptional young man. Do you think Lee might be a proud grandpa? The entire Southard family met at the Corolla, NC, house for the first time without Marilyn. She was very much missed by the family but everyone had a great time and Lee needed that. Lee also attended the mini reunion in Wakefield. Lee met Harley Pate at his house in Norfolk and along with Art Brandriff and Vern Keefer they all went up to the mini reunion together. Also attending were Jim Vermillion, Rusty Loth, Jim McFalls, John Martin, Leon Elsarelli, Billy Kornegay and Baldy Fall. All went well and everyone agreed to meet again the following month in Virginia Beach. Buzz Nowlin continues to fire his 24pound civil war howitzer at reenactments, the last time in Winchester. He has finally retired for good and hopes he will be able to take some time to attend the Virginia mini-reunion lunches. In the last class notes I mentioned that Ann and I were on our way to a river cruise through Germany and Austria. Well, a funny thing happened on our way to Amsterdam. We made it safely to New York City; took in a great show (Memphis) Friday night; toured Ellis Island Saturday and New York City that night. We were visiting SoHo and Greenwich Village Sunday afternoon killing time before going to the airport for our flight to Amsterdam when we received word that our tour had been canceled. Seems the Riverboat M/S Concerto, the riverboat we were scheduled to be on, was on its way from Basel to Amsterdam. During the night the M/S Concerto riverboat collided with the tanker MARGAUX on the Rhine River. The M/S Concerto was damaged above the waterline and required dry dock repair. Therefore the tour was canceled and left us stranded in New York City. We were fortunate to get a flight to Orlando and got home safely late that evening. Thank goodness we had not left New York City yet but we had other reasons to be thankful. While in the city, we did an unusual amount of walking. Ann was showing signs of fatigue and had to stop and sit down often. When we returned to Melbourne she called her doctor right away and was told she experienced some minor heart attacks, and if we had gone 57

CLASS NOTES on our trip she could have experienced a major one. She had a stress test and did not do well so she had a heart catheterization which resulted in implanting two stents in her heart. The stents along with a major adjustment of her pacemaker seems to have solved the problem, we hope. This was the second time we have had a Germany riverboat cruise cancelled, the first time in 2010. With this in mind we have informed our kids that when we reschedule another trip next year and for some reason we should meet our maker on that trip, just put on our tombstone “I warned you twice!” As I prepare this article, Ann and I are about to walk out the door and board a plane for Vancouver where we will embark on a Trans Canada Railroad trip. I will report on that trip next quarter. In the meantime keep those cards, letters and e-mails coming in. I enjoy hearing from you and it makes good fodder for next quarter’s class notes. It would be nice to receive some input from those Brother Rats that we have not heard from in many years. Yours in the Spirit, Shep

’60

L. Edward Tolley

Brother Rats and Ladies of ’60, It is with a heavy heart that I report that we lost two more of our Brother Rats, Dan “Polar Bear” Marston, 73, on May 14, 2011, and George “Buck” Gough, also 73, on July 16, 2011. Daniel Hoover Marston had worked for the Virginia Department of Highways for his total career and ended up as the Bristol District Administrator at his retirement. At the VDOT, Dan had been assigned at various locations in various positions across the state. Nancy, Dan’s wife, told me that Dan had suffered from heart ailments over the past four or so years but his condition was in check, and he was able to do pretty much as he desired. Dan expressed his great pleasure that he was able to attend the 50th class reunion. The cause of death was a severe and abrupt heart attack. They had no children. A donation was made to the VMI Foundation Fund in lieu of flowers per Nancy’s request. 58

George Rawlings Gough was a medical equipment salesman for Sparrow Medical Systems and Equipment Supplies Inc. for many years. Buck and Marjorie were married in 1989. Later they divorced only to re-marry and re-divorce! Buck came to VMI from Port Huron, MI, and spent his working years in Mason, MI. He had a son, Michael, who passed away at age 47. A second son, Doug Gough, lives in Michigan. Majorie, Buck’s ex-wife, lives in Mason, MI. A donation was made to the VMI Foundation Fund, per Marjorie’s request, in memory of our deceased Brother Rat. Mike Shoemaker, Buck’s roomie, was able to get most of the information relative to his passing and helped inform BRs. Mike and Alice are well and hitting normal speed. Mike says that the July mini reunion was set up by Bob and Lucy Clay at a Smithfield restaurant. It was nice that Elizabeth Zimmerman was able to come over from Hampton. Howard Moss is on tap for the next meeting of the gang. Talked to Phil Hamric who was getting ready for a fishing trip. I’m sure he doesn’t miss the heat we are experiencing here in the south. My check into the data base of the class of ’60, i.e. on Hap Miller, I learned that Hap is recuperating from teaching summer school at the “I” and the transitional program for incoming Rats. The transitional program consists of 4.5 hours of math and 2.5 hours of PT. During their time in the course, Rats get their uniforms and get indoctrinated to the lay of the land and probably pick up some other tidbits of useful information. There were 250 high school graduates involved in the program. Hap taught some 30 his course in probability and statistics. And, if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, the grandchildren from Michigan were with him and Mary for the month of July. I fully understand what he is really recuperating from! Hap checked in with Jim French lately and found him in good spirits and hitting on all cylinders (Jim has downgraded to four 1930 model A Ford cylinders so you can hear him stroke). Now I need the latest from Joe “Bananas” Sisler to complete the roomie roster. George Salaita sends me very interesting e-mails, mostly about George Bush and his

responsibility for the misery experienced by the present administration. His latest was a funny one about “dating during the ’60s” and a father confusing the name for dancing the twist with [something else that can’t be printed here]. George is pretty much retired from his cell phone business and will probably work for Obama’s reelection team. George, why don’t you take up golf or fishing? I called Frank Bruce to get his latest medical update. Of course, Alice answered and after 15 minutes of her description of her condition, I realized that Frank was in considerable better shape! Alice has had severe heart problems, valve replacement, pace maker, three surgeries and now is hopefully on the road to recovery. As for Frank, he has gone through numerous tests with conflicting reports from competing labs and finally declared OK except that he is on Crestor to clear up plaque. You recall that in years past as an avid football fan, Frank has vacillated between the Redskins and Ravens only to have recently trashed both for loyalty to the Cleveland Browns. Pete McGue and Nick Delaplane, here are acres of ground for you to plow. I got Frank pumped on the political situation in the country and almost had to hang up to get him settled down. The Brute is still a very passionate man. The latest from Ashby Chamberlin is that he is on Coumadin but is back to 60 miles per day at 15 mph on his bike, so that should assure you that he is in fair shape. We talked for 15 minutes about his malady. I still don’t understand what he is paying the doctors for and he probably doesn’t either. His daughter, Amy – an OR nurse probably knows but uses medical terms vacant from engineering terms. The grandchildren were with Ashby for three weeks. They evidently snapped him out of his funk. The Jimbo Smith golf tournament was again a great success. It raised $21000 of which $17000 was used to purchase a 33 kw portable, diesel generator that is used to maintain power to the facility. The cost of diesel fuel is cheaper in the Dominican Republic, surprise, surprise! The next trip to Dominican will be September 10th for two weeks. The team that goes is all volunteers and work is aggressive but all enjoy what they do. Brother Rats Sam VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Horner, Jim O’Dell, Jim Savage and Henry Brown were in attendance and enjoyed the play and visitations. Jimbo and Ruth and several others plan to make the Citadel football game in the fall. That should be a grand weekend. Jimbo says that Andy Wise and Donna have both had bouts with ailments; both are doing well enough that Andy is still working, and they travel occasionally. Jim Pittman says he is closing in on the end of the DVD of the reunion. He and Nancy just finished a similar project for Nancy’s class of UVa alumni. Both Jim and Nancy have had their share of ailments. Jim is recuperating from pneumonia that has dragged on longer than he wanted but antibiotics seem to have it in the final stages of healing. Many phone numbers in my data base are indicating “no longer in service.” Frank Swoboda, and Carl Thornburg are among them. Phil Spivey, Ed Duncan, Frank Dudley, Doc Mallory, and Dick Murphy did not answer. I think Dick Murphy may have moved to Winchester and Doc Mallory may still be working in North Carolina. Any e-mail addresses and phone numbers that need updating would be appreciated. Here is a recap of the class of ’60 donations for fiscal year 2011. Of the 178 BRs on my list, we had 94 BRs and five widows who contributed for a 53% participation. That compares to 59% for fiscal year 2010. That is very good and compares slightly above for the classes of the ’60s after you remove the class of ’61 who celebrated their 50th.

’61

Sal Vitale Jr.

The greatest reunion in VMI history may be over but I am still flying high. Again thank you! It is hard to believe that summer is almost over. The class news has been light so I did not use all my allocated space for the first time in years. Please tell me what you are doing! The final campaign numbers are in and we made history. There are 218 Brother Rats currently on the 1961 class role. From this list 198 BRs (90.8%) have made a 2011-Issue 4

contribution to VMI since our 45th Reunion (aka 50th Reunion credit) and of the 198, 189 BRs (95.5%) made an additional contribution during our 2011 Reunion Campaign. I sincerely hope you are proud of these very impressive statistics, because I am. The last few months have, for me, been a blur. After the reunion we had house guests, Honey Tarrall, followed by our old friends from the West Coast. On the day the friends left we drove to Baltimore and flew from there to our time share in St. Maarten’s for two restful weeks. As part of our 50th Reunion, a visit to Arlington Cemetery seemed appropriate so upon return to Baltimore from St. Maarten, Sue joined Carl and Becky Hirsch, Dave and Charlotte Harbach, Spike and Mary Callander, Ray Hanlein and J.C. Tharrington and visited Arlington. It was a beautiful day and thanks to the J.C. for securing vehicle passes which eliminated lots of walking and Dave for locating all the Brother Rat and spouse locations. We placed flowers on our Brother Rats and BR spouses graves to include: Bill Woodford, Pete Kleinberg, Bill Powell, Lou Anjier, Paul Hill, Max Haydon, Dennis Nicholas, Mickey Runion, Dibby Copenhaver and Judy Tharrington. Pete Kleinberg’s grave is on high ground over looking several notable generals including G.C. Marshall ’901 and L.C. Shepherd ’917. Pete is in good company. After the visit we gathered at the Fort Myer “O” Club for lunch and told stories about those who are gone. We returned to Virginia Beach, paid all the remaining reunion vendor accounts and put the surplus funds in the bank for the 55th Reunion. Then it was off to Buena Vista, VA, for Sue’s Southern Seminary Junior College (SEM) reunion. SEM is now owned and operated by the Mormons and was renamed Southern Virginia College (SVC). “Main Hall,” the old historic building, looks the same and SVC has attempted to keep the SEM history alive. Only 46 women attended the reunion functions and four from Sue’s and Becky Hirsch’s class. While the ladies were at SVC Carl Hirsch and I visited VMI and I cleaned the bird droppings off of my bench. (Smile) From Lexington it was off to Baltimore to pick up a grandson for his visit with us in Virginia Beach. Then it

was back to Baltimore to attend our oldest granddaughter’s high school graduation and then back to Virginia Beach with another two grandchildren for a visit with us. In July, the last of the grandchildren, Barbara’s (SEM ’88) two boys arrived for their visit and we returned them to Baltimore in time to catch a flight to Quebec, Canada, for our seven-day trip on the St. Lawrence River with very old friends from Florida. We spent a few days in Toronto and visited Niagara Falls. Niagara has greatly changed since the construction of two casinos. We flew back into Baltimore and stayed with Barbara until the surprise 70th birthday party for Sue. Sue had no clue and was totally surprised. Next day we drove home for three days in order to wash clothes, repack for a wedding in Cancun, Mexico, and attend the celebration of Jane Farleigh’s life in Richmond. When I finish these notes we are driving to Baltimore to meet the wedding party and fly to Cancun. Class notes are due while we are away. As I said the last few months have been a blur. Following are the BR activities thru Aug. 9, 2011. As you may recall, the week before reunion Lou Shuba and Alison Drescher rode in the Face of America bike ride from Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg, PA. As a follow up Allison talked with Donnie Ross ’74 (VP Keydet Club) about the event and Donnie and Mathew Dale ’12 (cadet that rode with Lou) are working on the team for next year. The goal is to have a minimum of 50 cadets, faculty and alumni ride. Those interested call Lou Shuba or Donnie Ross. Tom Phlegar’s Music Festival was a huge success. The weather cooled and cooperated and Tom’s barbecue fed about 200 people. Tom estimates that 300 to 400 music lovers passed thru during the weekend. Barry Orndorff and Dick Hurley were in attendance. Phlegar is very active in the Revolutionary Colonial Army activities in the Charlotte area and he was featured on the front page of the Charlotte Observer in his period uniform and playing a drum in the anniversary parade for the Battle of Charlotte (September 1780). I tried to get a copy of picture from the paper but the photographer never responded. Bill and Sandra Fout were in Charlotte for the NASCAR Coca Cola 600 on Memorial Day, 59

CLASS NOTES and Tom Phlegar gave them a personal tour of the Charlotte Museum of History where he is a docent. Hugh Gouldthorpe has finally retired from Owens-Minor. To celebrate his retirement and acknowledge his good works over the many years, Hugh Gouldthorpe “Goldie” was featured in a two and one-half page spread, “A Tribute to Goldie” in the Richmond newspaper. The section had many pictures and messages from the university presidents, CEO’s, retailers and just folks. We sure are proud of you, BR Goldie! Ray and Sally Hanlein said many thanks for the continued support for the Relay for Life honoring their daughter “Sarah.” Ray was especially honored to have John Tharrington attend the Relay for Life event and to walk around the track with him. The Hanleins, the class’s new golfing couple, spent time in South Port and played golf with Dickie and Diane Stone. Ray says that Sally is really improving and while he is no Tiger Woods, he did sink a 50+ putt for a birdie for his foursome. The Military Officer, June 2011 magazine, featured an article on Mike Bissell. It is a nice write up on his current activities at VWIL and included a great picture of Mike in uniform. We all say it is a small world. Well Wyatt Durrette recently learned that his oldest grandson, Jordan, is dating Snake Daniels’s granddaughter, “M.J.” Wyatt met her and she is delightful. The couple has been dating regularly for a couple of months and from what I recently heard from Snake, it is serious. How ’bout that! Jim and Johanna Needham, Dick and Anne Weede and Willard and Pat Hoskins met at Quantico to celebrate their 50th Reunion of their graduation from the Marine Corps Basic School. It was a nice time and the BRs declined to run the obstacle course for old time sake. “Too hot” was the excuse. (Smile) Ed Hollowell enjoyed his eight days active duty at The Coast Guard Academy for his annual AIM Staff duty. Ed has been a recruiter for the academy for many years and was especially pleased that a few recent VMI graduates accepted Coast Guard commissions. Bob Reitz is enjoying his house in the Georgia mountains and even the frequent bear visits to his porch or hot tub. Bob says the bear visits are exhilarating! In late July, Bill Puette drove up to Asheville, NC, in 60

his beautiful vintage 356 Porsche coupe which he has nurtured for many years. Battle Haslam rendezvoused with him, driving Battle’s Porsche 911S and lunched at a nice German restaurant in the nearby Black Mountain to discuss the drama associated with oil changes. Battle has also had a busy summer. He was invited to visit the 10,000-acre Ruby River Ranch, in far southwest Montana. It belongs to Nancy and Bruce Gottwald ’54 of Richmond. The Ruby River Ranch adjoins that of Ted Turner and David Letterman. For the trip to the ranch, Battle refused to give the airlines the chance to gouge, and the TSA the chance to grope. He drove his truck, covering 10 states and 4800 miles in 13 days! Also at the ranch as guests were Cammy and Charlie Bryan ’69. Charlie is Battle’s brother-in-law, and he was CEO of the Virginia Historical Society for 20 years and is currently a trustee on the VMI Foundation Board. Speaking of the foundation board, Graham King joined the board as a trustee and will be working with Battle, one of the two vice presidents and John Miller who is on the executive committee.1961 Brother Rats continue to “be heard from” in leadership roles. Irv Wells stopped at VMI on his way to Abingdon, VA, and was pleased to find that the VMI bookstore carries Women of Summer Irv’s novel. Irv was also surprised at the vigorous activity on Post – so many young men and women moving about. He assumed some were in summer school; and clearly could see pre-Rats in the summer training program before they matriculate. I was pleased that Irv used the Sal Vitale bench when he ate lunch overlooking the parade ground. You may have noticed during reunion that the brass plaque located at the base of the 1961 Memorial Tree was covered by mulch and could not be seen. Thanks to Dave Harbach and the cooperation of the VMI Building and Grounds the plaque was raised out of the dirt and now is clearly visible. Dick Hartman’s son, Dean, an AF lieutenant colonel, was deploying to Afghanistan during our reunion weekend and that is why we did not see Dick. Dean was scheduled to be a reconstruction team leader out of Kandahar where most of the casualties occur but for some reason was reassigned to a staff position in Kabul a

safer place maybe. Tom enjoys his farm in Pennsylvania and this year it was not a good year for making maple syrup as he only processed four gallons. Dick, for the 40th year, entertained his Air Force buddies at the farm. They caught lots of trout, drank a few martinis and told lots of lies. It sounds like many of our BR get-togethers less the trout. Richard McMurray is still writing books and giving lectures. In mid May, Dick was a speaker at a Civil War Conference at VPI and then went to Lexington and visited with Bill and Virginia Dabney and Col. Barrett. You have heard me talk about the wonderful visits and meals I have had with Skip and Harriotte McDannald. Well Jim Harrison spent a few days with the McDannalds, and Jim had the following to say: “The meals that were prepared and served, and the many different beverages consumed was something you would experience only at a five star hotel. The treatment I received in my humble opinion far exceed that. On my departure, I was given a care package.” Now that is hospitality. Bill Hala has been racing his 35-year-old O’Day Day Sailer on the Great Lakes for many years and this year he achieved his fifth win in the 105th Oliphant Regatta. Bill says the trophy is bigger than the America’s Cup. The crew included daughter-in-law Ashley and the grandkids were extra ballast! Bill’s son, Wendell, took third in the Laser class sailing race and also medaled in swimming and canoeing. Bill Gibbings is still sailing and or performing racing committee duties like placing and moving buoys and chairing the protest committee. Friday night is beer and cookies at the Gibbings, and it has been nice to see the Patricks, Wetsels, Wells, Williamsons, Garland Payne, Stevens and any other strays that may be in the area. So if it is Friday and you are nearby it is worth stopping in. Sue and I received thank you e-mails, notes and cards from many of you who attended the reunion. Thank you! We also received thank you notes from BRs who did not attend and did received the lapel pin and decal etc. to include Tom Artman, Richard McMurry, Hill Browning, Ed Hollowell, Fred Stephenson, Jack Bell, Mike Payne, Jim Mowery, Jim Gabbert, Jepp Housley and George Ward. Again “Thank you,” because without you we VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES could not have a reunion. Health issues change quickly and “Gim” list grows. It is possible that by the time you read this, all will be history. Jack Bell completed his last follow up test for his heart and all is well. Jack’s next appointment is in September for a stent check. Frankie Ring completed her radiation and chemo treatments, and she had a clear CT

scan and has been declared “cancer free!” Her hair is finally beginning to come back and she will again be making hair appointments.(Smile) Sue Wells is doing great and keeping Irv on his toes. Ken Patrick looks great and the new kidney works very well. Ken is still a little slow for a rabbit but at least he is vertical. George Ward had spinal surgery on what the surgeon called “an insanely bad spinal condition.” George was able to stand up straight and take full steps for the first time in years and he got rid of the electric mobility cart and is about done with a walker and needs only a cane. John Steadman survived

his two major life threatening operations and the doctors were pleased with the outcome. John is undergoing intense therapy in Lynchburg and when I spoke to him he was very optimistic about the future. Barry Smith was diagnosed as having papillary thyroid cancer with the nodule protruding into his windpipe. The operation lasted six hours and the surgeon freed the left vocal cord nerve from the tumor so Barry still has a voice, which is important for a lawyer. Radiation is next. Hugh Gouldthorpe underwent chemo and radiation treatments and sounded very up when I talked with him. Goldie hopes to be

Class of 1961 Photos clockwise from top, left: -Bill Hala and his family were the winning team at the 105th Oliphant Regatta Sailboat Race in Lake Ontario, Canada, July 9, 2011. Pictured with the trophy were, from left, grandchild Audrey, Ashley, Bill and grandchild Ethan. -Brother Rats visited Maxwell Haydon’s grave at Arlington Cemetery on June 4, 2011. Placing flowers on the grave were, front row, from left, Carl Hirsch, Sal Vitale, Ray Hanlein and David Harbach (kneeling). Back row: John Tharrington and Spike Callander. -Battle Haslam, left, met Bill Puette in Asheville, North Carolina, on July 21, 2011. They posed with their Porsches – Haslam’s Porsche is the 911S, and Puette’s is a vintage 356 Porsche coupe. -Attending the 50th Reunion of the Marine Corps Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, July 11, 2011, were, from left, Pat and Willard Hoskins, Johanna and Jim Needham, and Anne and Dick Weede.

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CLASS NOTES finished with the treatments in Nov.-Dec. Sleepy Hollowell is on dialysis as well as treatment for an infection in his good leg that required his knee to be removed and a block inserted until the infection is gone. The infection did more damage in his good knee that first thought. Sleepy is in good spirits and will probably get a new knee in the fall. The Annual Shuba Pig Roast was canceled this year due to shoulder problems on Lou’s good arm. When I spoke to Pris, she said Lou was in pain and he is not one who complains. A real challenge after surgery will be Lou’s everyday life demands with his good arm immobilized. On the bright side, Pris Shuba’s shoulder rehabilitation is almost complete and she has very good mobility. Bill Daniels is undergoing chemo for lymphoma and while a little tired is doing well. Buzz Bossart is now in a nursing home and under Hospice care. Almost every time I talk with him he is upbeat but the outlook is not good. Our prayer list unfortunately keeps growing. Please keep Buzz Bossart, Bill Daniels, Andy Thacker, Floyd Roberts, Bill Dabney, Len Martin, Mike Payne, Pam Kurstedt, MJ Harrison, John Moore, Ernie Johnson, Sleepy Hollowell, Roy Schall, Robert Huddle, Fred Stephenson, Ben Cleveland, George Ward, John Steadman and many more who have been silently struggling in your prayers. In reviewing our old class notes I realized that I did not report on Brother Rat Tom Langdon’s funeral service in November 2010. Sorry! Present at the service were Ken Legum, Bob Polk, Bob Reitz and Jim Harrison who gave the first eulogy and I have been told lasted an hour. Tom would have enjoyed it. We lost Jane Farleigh on Aug. 1, 2011. Jane loved the VMI family and they loved her back. To celebrate her life the family held a service at the Westwood Club. Sue and I along with Bill and Joyce Gibbings attended. She looked forward to inviting anyone who shared her affection for the VMI Spirit to her home to meet her friends and neighbors and would have been pleased to see all the BRs and friends who came to celebrate her life. Those attending were: Jeff and Diane Barg and their children (Booty’s roommate), Oscar and Caroline Mabry, Bill Nelms, John and Linda Butler, Bill and Sue Daniels, Dick 62

and Betty Jarvis, Rhett and Jane Clarkson, Dick and Judy Youngblood and Anne Woodfin. Also several of Jeff Farleigh ’89 BRs attended the celebration and included Jason Gray ’89, Frank Campion ’89 and Mike Biliunas ’89. Jane will be missed. On Aug. 3rd Brother Rat A.L. “Pete” McCormick passed away. Ann, his wife of 50 years, said Pete was a one man Ranger team fighting cancer (it was almost a fair fight). After a four-month struggle he lost the fight. Pete will be buried at Arlington Cemetery in the near future. Thanks to those who have sent me reunion pictures. I will soon be creating a reunion CD, so please send me via e-mail or whatever, your favorite pictures for inclusion. When you read these notes it will be November and hopefully Sue and I will be seeing you at the Institute Society Dinner. In any case stay well and keep in touch and pray for those who are struggling with health issues and who have lost loved ones. God bless the class and VMI.

’62

Jerry Burnett

I begin my Aug. 15, 2011, class notes on a sad note. BR Nelson Prince died July 12, 2011, in Williamston, NC. Nelson was born in Albany, NY, and finished high school in Miamisburg, OH. He graduated with a chemistry degree and received his master’s degree from the University of Maine in 1964. His funeral service was held at First Christian Church in Williamston, and he was buried in Crestview Memorial Park, South Hill, Virginia. I spoke to his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Amanda. Thanks to Don Redd ’61, for calling me and notifying me of Nelson’s death. They had worked together at a paper company in Williamston. I told Elizabeth that George Collins had e-mailed me to relay his sympathies and the following message, “Nelson was a great swimmer. All those championships from 1960-62 would not have been won without Nelson, a truly outstanding backstroker.” I e-mailed the 156 BRs whose e-mail addresses I have. To the 101 other BRs whose e-mail address I do not have please send them to me so that I can relay urgent information to you when it arrives. Speaking of George Collins, plans are underway for that magic 50th Reunion, April 27-29, 2012. Thanks to the Reunion Committee and Carolyn Worrell, letters have been sent out

to 26 known widows of the class of 1962. The committee requests the presence of the widows at this celebration to be its special guest, thereby eliminating the registration fee. The only cost to attend therefore would be lodging, transportation and any miscellaneous expenses. They have been invited to bring a friend who might accompany them or if re-married, their spouse. It has come to the attention of the Reunion Committee that some BRs are hesitant to commit to attending the reunion because of financial constraints. A secret committee, and a fund has been donated, to help any BR wishing to attend, can have any or all of his expenses covered. If you have this need, please send me a letter addressed Secret Committee, c/o Dr. Gerald C. Burnett, P.O. Box 835, South Boston, Virginia 24592. Many of you want to make your plans. The reunion headquarters will be at the Holiday Inn Select (800-463-7351) and the overflow will be at the Best Western, Lexington Inn which is right next door to the Holiday Inn (800-4641501). For those of you who will be arriving Thursday, April 27th, you can sign in at Holiday Inn, 880 North Lee Hwy., Lexington, and then attend a welcoming party at Carolyn Worrell’s beginning at 5 p.m. at 799 Ross Road, Lexington. On Friday morning, there will be a golf/ skeet/tennis tourney. If there is enough interest, a bus tour of the New Market Battlefield can be arranged. At 6 p.m. there will be a reception at BR Binnie Peay’s superintendent quarters. Afterwards, we will walk (or ride if you are handicapped) to the “Center for Leadership & Ethics” Marshall Hall for the alumni dinner and program. On Saturday, we will meet for a quick class meeting and class photos followed by the VMI parade with the class march into Old Barracks. We will have a class lunch in a private room at Crozet Hall. After lunch, buses will be available for a tour of the new north Post and other points of interests made possible by the hard work of BR Peay in the Vision 2039 master plan. On Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. we are planning a reception and dinner at a beautiful mountain top home and horse farm. On Sunday morning, we will gather for a breakfast/brunch at the Holiday Inn Select and depart safely until our next mini reunion or the 55th Reunion. The Reunion Committee’s main focus is having you present for the 50-year celebration. Many of you have received calls from the Reunion Committee encouraging attendance at the reunion and asking each BR if he has any questions about the campaign or the information he has received. As you may be aware, the committee has set a goal of $17 million of which $10,420,791 has already been raised. The parallel objective will be to achieve 95%

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CLASS NOTES participation of the class. To date, we have an overall donor count of 179 out of 257 solicitable BRs. For those of you who have not been called please be firming up your plans to attend the reunion so the Reunion Committee can be finalizing plans. Thanks to Tony and Judy Curtis, 184 bios have been received and submitted to the printer. If your address has changed since you submitted your bio, please keep your address updated with Tony so that the reunion book can be mailed to you as soon as it arrives from the printer. For those of you who did not submit a bio, please notify Tony that you would like to purchase a book so that we can order enough books. On a personal note, I have received the giving summary for the decade of the 1960s at the end of the Foundations fiscal year. For the classes from 1960-69, the average percentage of alumni participation was 53%. The class of 1962 had a 41% participation rate. Gentlemen, we can do better than this. I had a note from Joe Weakley, “Much to our regret, we have been unable to initiate the project (videography) we had wanted for the 50th Reunion. There have been quite a few setbacks with numerous deaths of family members and friends over the past few years.” Hopefully, Joe can attend the reunion and do some videos for purchase and to be used at our 55th Reunion. I received notes from John Anthony after I e-mailed the death notice of Bill Hoehl. He said, “Who among us could ever forget “Hateful Hoehl? How ironic that a BR who garnered such a nickname early on was beneath it all one of the most lovable.” Also I received a note from Bill Bryant who said, that BR Hoehl “was a fellow electrical engineer, an excellent football player and a great guy liked by everybody. In those days they did not cut football players much slack and I remember his having to struggle to keep up in class during football season, particularly our last two years when we carried a heavy load of classes and labs. One of the most vivid memories was finals our last year. The last exam we took was thermodynamics, a tough course taught by Mr. Taylor, a tough teacher and grader. We all remember you had to get a 5.0 on your final exam to pass regardless of your grade going in. They made the announcement in Barracks that thermo grades had been posted and there was a stampede of EEs out of the Barracks. Just as I got there, Bill was turning around with the biggest grin I have ever seen on anyone’s face, saying over and over, “I maxed it!” When I looked at the board he had a 5.0. I have never been happier for anyone in my life. Sometimes the good guys win.” Eldridge Blanton reports that he talked to Jimmy Cox. Jimmy is doing fine and will be

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attending the reunion. He lives on an island off the coast of Washington and still flies but only as a hobby, no longer for profit. I received a nice note from Bruce Ballard, “For the first time my wife and I are planning on attending the 50th Reunion. Bruce attended Granby High School and later transferred to Fork Union Military Academy to better prepare for VMI. I made it but because of my dyslexia and considerably tougher academics, the Institute didn’t invite me back for my third class year.” After VMI, Bruce attended Old Dominion University and ultimately graduated with a BS in business administration. You may recall that Bruce and Cynthia moved to East Tennessee State University where he was director of purchasing. They are now back at home in Portsmouth where they are involved in numerous activities. Jerry Connors left after our second class year to enter dental school at the Medical College of Virginia and did a residency at the VA Hospital in Richmond. Later he transferred to a VA Hospital in Sturgis, SD, and in 1970 moved to Clear Lake, TX, south of Houston, where he went into private practice. In 2005, Carol and he sold their practice and home, bought a motor coach and took off to see the country. Currently, they spend their winters in the Texas Rio Grande Valley, along the Mexican border and travel during the summer. Jerry, hope to see you and Carol at the 50th. It is always nice to get e-mails and forwards from Bobby Howard. He and Katherine have two sons, one daughter and eight grandchildren. They are retired and enjoy tennis, golf, duplicate bridge, Kiwanis Club, reading, traveling, fishing, cooking and “honey dos” for Katherine. They are still living in Birmingham, AL. I received this note from Don and Ellen Arey, “Just returned from North Conway, NH, on Thursday. I hiked to the summit of Mt. Washington again with a friend from Winter Haven. Great weather fortunately. Glad I can still do it at age 71. Hope to do it many more times before I check out. Still remember the hike in 2004 in which Tom Bandy, Tony Curtis and you did with me when we summitted Mt. Washington.” Paul Rhodes wrote, “I hope the summer is going well for you and your family. Hot weather and sudden storms seem to be the routine in Bedford, VA, this summer, but I’m liking it better than the winter weather.” Paul said the 50th Reunion will be here before you know it and will be a great milestone not to be missed. He guarantees that being together with our BRs and also seeing the wonderful campus improvements implemented by BR General Peay will make this an outstanding occasion. “I’m truly looking forward to being with all BRs at the

50th. Come visit us in Bedford on the way to Lexington or anytime.” I recently saw Edmund Strickler in South Boston. Margie’s mother, Frances Compton, died several weeks ago and was buried in South Boston. Edmund and Margie are living about 20 miles southwest of San Antonio. They are still traveling and looking forward to the 50th Reunion. Nick Nicholson recently sent me the announcement on “The Judy Nicholson Foundation program, An Evening of Motivation.” This event will be held Nov. 3, 2011, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Marriot Hotel. The keynote speaker will be Coach Bobby Ross ’59, retired college and NFL football head coach. The mission statement reads, “In partnership with dedicated professionals at Mayo ClinicFlorida, we are working to reduce the burden of kidney cancer through innovative research and compassionate patient/family support.” I encourage all BRs and alumni in the Jacksonville area to support Nick’s deceased wife, Judy, in this endeavor. I would be remiss if again I did not “toot the horn” for Pat Lang. I encourage each of you to google in North Carolina State History Museum website. The interview lasts about 20 minutes. One of the reviewers had this to say about Pat: “Lang’s knack for getting big questions right made him one of 20th century’s great spies. As a colonel, he led a covert operation that changed the course of the bloodiest war in Mideast history. As a civilian, he forged a military espionage service that rivaled CIA’s. As a defense intelligence officer, he brought the Pentagon to the highest state of alert, for the first time, before a war began.” Pat, at present, is preoccupied in finishing his third volume entitled, Strike the Tent. It is set in the War Between the States and is preoccupied with government and intelligence matters. He has published the first two volumes and hopes to complete the third volume soon. He has bequeathed the copyrights to the VMI Museum system. I hope all BRs have as much admiration for Pat Lang as I do for his contributions in the defense of our nation. Congratulations to John Allen on his appointment to the Board of Visitors and thanks for all you have done for the Institute since 1962. Another thanks to our Reunion Chairman, George Collins, for all that he is doing to make the totality of our 50th Reunion a resounding success. Thanks to Butch Armistead, Allan Bamforth and Walt Perrin for their work with the VMI Foundation. Thanks to Carolyn Worrell, Doug Marechal, Wayne Pacine, Mary Linda Merklinger, Columbus Cartwright and many more of you whom I will be calling on to help with the 50th Reunion celebration. A

CLASS NOTES special thanks to Pat Webb and Carole Green and all the other alumni staff as we prepare for our celebration. Thank all of you for your notes, calls and e-mails. In the Bonds and Spirit of VMI, Jerry Burnett

’63

Michael J. Curley

Wayne O’Hern from Yogi Doar “ … just got a call from Wayne O’Hern’s sister, Kathy, saying that Wayne died July 14th. He was in hospice care when he passed away; she’s a bit overwhelmed by all this since he sadly left very few instructions.” According to his brother, David, his service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 23rd. “Kathy is afraid no one will be there because of the date and time. She is right to be concerned, but I hope there will be a good showing. Sharon and I plan to be there, as well as my daughter, Ashley, who got to know Wayne quite well when she did an internship at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum directly after college.” Remembrance … Wayne and I were fellow “Tweets” and spent four years in the same EE section. Aside from reunions, I remember him for his generosity, particularly when he opened his home to 75 of his Brother Rats following Mell Lacy’s interment at Arlington. Peg and I spent that night with him as he dazzled us with his intelligence and wit. Wayne was brilliant, a widely published rocket scientist in his professional life, as well as a very spiritual human being. No one who’s ever experienced his “crystal room” could ever forget the mystical feeling and peace that enveloped you; Peg and I spent hours there quietly chatting and learning from Wayne. “Best friend I ever had” says Ron Colan. From Jim Hoge: “I was very sorry to hear about our fellow EE Wayne O’Hern. Wayne and I had a long and pleasant talk during the 45th about what each of us has done career wise since leaving the EE Department. He was a great friend who always had a smile for everyone and is missed.” George Blood contributes “Still thinking of O’Hern,” you and I both spent good times with him as a member of Band Company and a fellow EE. Didn’t see much of him after we left VMI until we both retired from the military. Then we both worked in missile defense and our paths crossed from time to time. He was well thought of in the missile defense community. It will be a shame if we can’t give him a proper sendoff. But perhaps he

didn’t want it.” Fausto Molinet writes, “This is sad. I knew Wayne well in the USAF and afterward at many of Charlie and Cindy Peckham’s minis at Lake Winnipesaukee. We also had some professional dealings post USAF. He was a great guy with a big heart. I’ll miss him” New Beginnings … Words of wisdom from Fausto Molinet: “For every ending there are new beginnings: We finally got our first granddaughter, Caterina Aftanas, born July 5th in Tucson, AZ (daughter’s husband stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB). Our son Fausto III also pins on his new major’s leaves in San Antonio on July 29th. We hope to be there for it.” The Ring Thing … Here’s how it started … an e-mail from Aaron Michael ’94, Brother Rat of my son, Paul Curley. And the race was on! I sent an e-mail to the class; suddenly my mailbox was jammed with ’63 volunteers ready for war. Seems some Aussie bloke was offering a VMI ’63 Class ring for sale on eBay … everyone descended upon him at once. Unfortunately, he was arrogant and replied haughtily that he had spoken with the now-deceased owner who said he no longer wanted the ring. I think Pete Ippolito’s response to that claim said it best “Mike, our ring represents the confirmation of our lifelong friendship, devotion and class unity that nobody who has not walked the walk with us can steal, sell, covet or bargain. He is lucky he lives so far away. What do we do to retrieve the ring?” Perhaps most offensive, the guy quoted our very own class of ’63 website home page in an attempt to smack up to everyone and move the bidding up. Fortunately, some ownership clues were gleaned from the photos on eBay and it wasn’t long before we discovered that the ring belonged to Gene Grimsley and had been lost while he was at Fort Rucker during helicopter flight training … in the 70s. Bob Powell, Gene’s roomie and lifetime friend, was the person who unraveled the mystery. Bob writes, “I spoke with Gene’s brother, Joe, his mother (90 and sharp) and daughter Heather. Gene’s mother remembered that he had lost his ring while swimming at Fort Rucker and the ring was replaced. His other daughter, LeAnne, believes they have the replacement ring and will confirm same tomorrow. I plan to visit Gene’s mother this Thursday. The family thanks you for your concern. Too bad this wasn’t two years ago when I was in Australia and could have checked with the local authorities.” (mjc: I’ll bet that ring was reported stolen to eBay no fewer than a dozen times!) A Good Outcome! I mentioned to Bob after the dust had settled that Pruyn (Mike’s wife) Hildebrand asked if there was a program to return unwanted rings to VMI. “Better than sitting in the back of some drawer” she said. From there, Bob picked up the ball and ran with

it. The concept of donating unwanted rings to VMI to have them re-cast as new class rings for future graduates who couldn’t afford them had been born. VMIAA already has a plan in place to donate rings to those graduates who cannot afford to purchase them. Bob wrote to Bryan Crockett at VMIAA and said, “I will be glad to contact Jostens or whoever is your preferred vendor to see if this can be done. Not only is this a good legacy for future cadets, but it would make many of us oldies feel better knowing our VMI rings are being put to good use. I do believe this should be done by the Foundation and could be included as a future gift obligation to VMI. I recently had the rather traumatic experience of seeing my deceased roommate’s ring auctioned off on eBay for $835.00. I personally contacted or visited most of Col. Grimsley’s family on this. Really a sad thing to see happen to classmates, family and friends. Anyway I hope you will get back to me soon, Bob Powell.” (mjc: Nice job, Bob.) Gil Minor … . Most of us are already aware that Gil was inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 2nd, and Randy Williams organized a mini reunion at VMI for the game weekend in his honor. Good wishes have been heard from many corners of the class. From Pete Ippolito “Mike, please convey my congratulations to Gil. He has been a strong advocate of all things VMI since we graduated.” From Kenny Reeder “We are planning to attend the induction ceremonies as are so many others, I am sure. We wouldn’t miss it. Gil is very deserving of the honor. I hope he gets lots of support from the class of ’63. This ought to be like a mini reunion! We look forward to seeing many of you there.” Yogi Doar, more news … “Daughter Ashley is pregnant with her first child. I have been hearing for years about how great it is to be a grandparent; now I’ll get my chance to experience what it’s really like. I mentioned to you that my old roommate, Harry, and Sarah Tatum recently moved to Charlotte and that we have been able to get together quite often along with Leland Caldwell. Harry volunteers his Cessna 172 Skyhawk for use with Angel Flight, all at his expense. I haven’t been able to get together with Leland in the last two months. He’s had some health issues and our schedules just haven’t coincided. It’s too bad that work has to interfere with my social schedule, but maybe that will change one day. Frank and Sally Allison “are flying to Canton, OH, for Chris Hanburger’s induction into the NFL Hall of Fame August 5th. Chris was a linebacker for the Washington Redskins for 14 years. Chris and his wife, Evelyn, and I go back to Hampton High School Class of 1959. John Cockey remembers him from way back. That was the end

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CLASS NOTES of the story until Frank called me from Canton this morning saying that when they boarded a bus back from the ceremony to the hotel last night, he struck up a conversation with Dick Vermeil, former coach of the Eagles, Rams and the Chiefs. Dick who was seated in front of Frank and Sally asked him how he came to be in attendance. Frank replied that he had gone to Hampton High in 1959 with Chris. He was startled when the person seated behind him said that he, too, had been at Hampton with Chris. Frank turned around, instantly recognized Mike Walton and said, “You’re my Brother Rat, too!” Think about those odds! Bill and Becky Wells say “We leave tomorrow for a hiking/ photography trek in Glacier National Park and will return August 16th.” (mjc: The Wells recently built a home in Rockbridge County, and we should be seeing a lot more of them around the Institute.) Bob Walton and four other VMI Alumni “had

breakfast with two incoming Rats and their parents in late July. Both of these future Keydets participated in the summer program which is a terrific way to get a leg up on the experience they will soon face. We also had two other students in attendance who plan to apply to VMI next year. The quality of these young men bodes well for The Institute.” Charlie Straub writes, “As you know, you do not hear much from me as a rule, but this time in my life is dif-

ferent from the past. I am very passionate about VMI and what it gave me as an 18 year old and what it offers today for our young people. I have three sons from my first marriage and the oldest came close to going to VMI, but at the last minute chose Emory and Henry where he received an ‘A’ in partying. He spent four years there and did not receive a degree. He ended up going into the Navy for four years (he was on the first ship called into combat in the first

Class of 1963 Photos clockwise from top, middle: -Missy Alden (Ogle), “VMI ’63 Ambassador,” visiting Scotland in July 2011. -During a June 2011 trip to Belize, George Blood visited the Temple of the Sun at the Mayan ruins in Altun Ha. -Peggy and Steve Riethmiller with granddaughter Kernie at a mountain pass near La Raya, Peru, elevation 14,300 feet, during a vacation in July 2011. -Pat Kelly says, “Come see us, but please practice parking first!” -Wayne O’Hern during a pensive moment at the USAF Memorial. Class Agent Mike Curley wrote, “Dona Nobis Pacem” which means “grant us peace” in Latin.

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CLASS NOTES Iraq war) and is now a fireman for Roanoke County, married to a school teacher and they have two beautiful children. So in spite of not going to VMI, he has done very well. Lynn and I have two daughters, 17 (Maggie) and almost 11 (Mollie). The good Lord blessed them with looks and skills. They are very good students and basically, good all around girls. Our oldest, Maggie, is a rising senior at Christiansburg High School. Along with being a good student, she is passionate about band, chorus and soccer. She has done about all a high school student can do at this point in her life. She is not a party animal like her Dad and her older brother. She is a disciplined teenager therefore a great candidate for the VMI experience. When she spent the night at one of the Legacy overnights at the Institute last fall, she came away telling me that she liked what she experienced, so VMI was at the top of her list. She wrote an English paper about the decision-making process she was going through and why VMI was probably where she would end up. I told her that if and when she committed to VMI, I was either going to ask you to put that paper in our class notes or I would e-mail it to all of my Brother Rats. Like most VMI Dads, I am worried. Since my wife asked me to stop bugging her, I am not sure if VMI is at the top. (mjc: Been there, done that, Charlie!) Also, I would like to congratulate my great friend and roommate Gilmer for being selected for the VMI Sports Hall of Fame. My Dad was inducted years ago and our family is anxious to attend the ceremonies. Lynn and the girls, along with a friend for each, spent a great five days as guests of the Lampleys at their home in Shalamar, FL, in late June. The Lampleys, Hinton and Jane, both from Alabama, know what real southern hospitality is all about!” Charlie Talbott e-mailed me in response to one of my pleas for news from the troops, “Sorry, Mike. My life is boring. No trips, just working my 10 acres with two horses and playing golf with Bob Miller ’62. Bob and I have boats moored at the same marina and often cruise the Potomac. I did get in contact via e-mail with my dyke, Ed Duncan ’60. Ed is also retired but works 130 acres as a gentleman farmer six days a week. Some retirement! It was good corresponding with him.” Logan Jennings also checked in. “Mike, have been in contact with Tony Hancock and it appears that he has recently changed jobs or retired. Cheryl and I took the train from Newport News, VA, to Stamford, CT (no train changes), with a cooler of steamed crabs to Howard Reynolds in June. Howard and I spent several hours picking all the crab meat from the critters and left him with several pounds of crab meat for future enjoyment. He was ecstatic! Saw a great

looking flagpole in his front yard with the U.S. flag and a large VMI flag. It was quite beautiful and refreshing. Visited John and Judy Mills in Virginia Beach several weeks ago and enjoyed a few hours of conversation and breakfast at a location near Rudee Inlet. Reconnected with my dyke, Jim Seeley ’60, in Jacksonville, FL, in January and arranged to see him on our winter trip to Florida. However, he was quite ill before the visit and for many weeks thereafter, and I did not get the opportunity to see him. Have since reconnected with him after his illness passed and plan to try to visit him in February 2012. I speak to and see Harry Jones in Edenton several times each year. I plan on another surf fishing trip with others to OBX in November. Logan” Here’s a welcome first! Cliff Miller writing, “I have a farm in Sperryville, just west of Warrenton and Culpeper along the Blue Ridge; we have just renovated our 184year-old family home into what we think is a very special B&B that honors our heritage and the grand old home; it also has some wonderful modern amenities. Check out the inn at the farm on the Internet and come see us when travelling through or for a vacation. There is plenty to do. I was in the Rappahannock County Court House a few weeks back and came upon Judge Herman Whisenant. Since neither of us has changed at all, we instantly recognized each other, had a great lunch talking about old times … and he picked up the tab! None of that happens to me often enough. He looks great and we hope to get a larger ’63 group together from the area soon. Also see W.O. Jones some, as he is a member of a fly fishing club that rents the stream that runs through the farm. Often he is in and out without our having the chance to visit ... causing me to think he is taking some of those big rainbows home ... against club rules!” (mjc: Beautiful place, Cliff!) Another fellow EE and Tweet Brother Rat George Blood sent an informative e-mail and a picture … Love it! George writes, “I started teaching a history course at the Chesapeake Community College during the spring semester this year and have been asked to return for the fall semester. After many years studying and practicing engineering, my latent interest in history bubbled to the surface while I was attending the Naval War College in the mid ’80s. After leaving Newport, I continued reading history and began studying genealogy, including a course at the National Archives. When the opportunity to teach at Chesapeake presented itself I grabbed it. The bad news is that after five years in retirement I have a work schedule again. It’s hardly a pressing schedule but it does require me to be present in class a couple of times each week and that has cut down our travel time. So we are trying to pack as much

vacation travel as possible into the summer and school vacations. We planned a road trip in June to visit Rita’s sister and brother-in-law in Texas but since we were traveling that far, it seemed like a good idea to detour to New Orleans and pick up a cruise. We found one to the Yucatan, Belize and Roatan that provided an opportunity to visit the Mayan ruins at Altun Ha, Chacchoban and Tulum. Our middle daughter Liz, also a history teacher, thought this all sounded like a good idea so she signed up for the trip. On the way to New Orleans we stopped for a day at Tuscaloosa to visit the University of Alabama where I did graduate work in EE during the 70’s and Liz and her husband got their undergraduate degrees. We were saddened by the total destruction left by the tornado that passed through several weeks before we arrived; entire blocks of the city were wiped out – it looked like a war zone. We continued on to New Orleans and after returning from the cruise drove to Texas and visited for several days before continuing on to Lawton/Fort Sill, Rita’s old home town. We spent a few hours in the new Artillery Museum on post, and the renovated Artillery Walk. It is a first class museum and I encourage all who are interested to visit it when you are in the area. Leaving Oklahoma we returned home for approximately a week before departing again for Orlando to visit the parks with kids and grandkids. We are back home again now on the Eastern Shore; only a couple of weeks before classes begin, so we are locked down until Thanksgiving vacation.” I’m privileged to exchange frequent e-mails with Si Bunting on his Blackberry and it produced a great story about Gil. Si writes, “Hard to believe we are contemplating our 50th Reunion, seems like only yesterday I was in the R.E. Lee Hotel with my parents the night before matriculation. We were there at a very good time, I think … the early 60s. My favorite class story is of Gil Minor et al at Catholic Mass which they had decided to ‘try’ and had been put in the first pew with no idea what to ‘do.’ Coach McKenna was sitting behind them unknown to Minor et al, and was definitely not amused.” (mjc: Catholic aerobics are difficult, Si, particularly in the first pew!) Kennie Reams responded to my plea by writing, “All is well here in Tennessee. However, both parents are in an assisted living facility and I spend much time with them. As a result I have had very little time at our place in Virginia this summer. Just went up yesterday to drop Linda off for a few weeks of R&R and I returned to Tennessee today, 600 miles each way. Enough driving for a day or two! Good to hear from you. We have a beach house in Mathews County just across from Gwynn’s Island. We bought it in 2001 and have been attempting to get up there every

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES month or so but it’s been quite difficult for the past couple of years while dealing with my parents situation. Since the Bible teaches us that to ‘honor thy father and mother that thy days will be long upon the land … ’ I fully expect to live to be 120 years old and spend the last 50 of them fishing in Virginia.” Missy Alden (Ogle) writes, “Attached is a picture of me in Edinburgh, Scotland, wearing the VMI wind shirt from the 45th Reunion. The gentleman I am standing with collects money for sick children and has his picture taken with tourists in order to collect the money. I was leaving a pub after dinner on the Royal Mile and heard someone shout out ‘VMI,’ so I stopped and chatted with a young lady who was from Rockbridge County!” News from Steve and Peggy Riethmiller … “Peggy and I went to Peru with our granddaughter for two weeks in July and visited Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Machu Picchu, then back to Cusco, then Lima, then home. Great trip and the weather was very cool … while we were in Puno (on the shores of Lake Titicaca) it got below freezing at night. All of this while, the heat wave was on in Virginia. Attached is a picture of the three of us at the mountain pass La Raya, elevation 14,300 ft. We had a great time and we’re glad to get home too.” Please remember that our roster, class notes and other interesting information can be found on the class Web site located at www.VMI63. net and at m.VMI63.net on your mobile devices. That’s all from here for now. Pray for our troops in harm’s way, our departed and those on the gim. God bless! Plan now to attend our 50th Reunion April 26th, 27th and 28th, 2013! Curleyrat

’64

John R. Cavedo

It’s become easier and more user friendly to use the VMI website to locate BRs, widows, addresses, phone numbers, etc. It is now the preferred method to obtain information on our own class as well as others. It nearly replaces the Register of Cadets and certainly does replace the roster I use to publish annually. Even more importantly, it is the best place for you to record changes in your personal information. If you haven’t already logged on and obtained a personal account, you should do so. Any problems? Give me a call and I can talk you through it. For those who don’t use a computer, you can still call me and I will be your conduit to obtain class info and to submit your changes. By the time this reaches your doorsteps in November, at least 34 of us will have travelled

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to Charleston to see the VMI-Citadel football game on October 29. As I write this, in addition to the game, we’ll have three social get-togethers. Dinners Friday and Saturday nights in two different restaurants plus a brunch just prior to the game. At present, in addition to Sherrel and me, attending should be Tom & Carol Allen, Ashley Briggs, Don & Margaret Carson, Parker Duncan, Bill & Marion Garber, Bill Grubb, Mary Jo Jordan, WJ & Lauranne Kitchen, John & Mary Manley, Bob & Peggy Neely, George & Jane Rapport (plus two guests), Tom & Penny Sebrell, Don Stickles, Walt & Karen Sykes, John Thornton and Andy and Callie Tucker. Sherrel and I were pleased that Dick & Susan Atkinson came to visit us on Hilton Head. Dick remains extremely busy with his obesity research and travel. While here, we guys played golf one day while the ladies practiced their credit card skills. We also spent a really nice day walking Savannah. We ate well, had lots of time to swap lies and Dick was extremely helpful discussing all the follow up and details of Sherrel’s Thyroid Cancer treatment and follow-up. Pat Taylor, “I was class agent for three years when our class graduated. I was teaching Rat chemistry at VMI and had time to do it. The problem was there was no e-mails or 24 hour TV news cycles, so it was hard to get information. I was at Fort Bragg with BR Rogers who gratefully took over for me. “Diane and I don’t like to travel much other than car trips. Both of my daughters live about three blocks from me, so no traveling there. If I drink too much during one of my frequent visits with them, I don’t have far to drive home. I have a condo at Virginia Beach, and we go down there some. Mostly my kids use it. I just don’t get the same kick out drinking and eating peanuts on the beach that I use to. I’d rather sit at home at drink scotch. I take a couple of hunting trips a year to South Dakota and Texas. I love Texas. I lived in Houston for three years in the early ’70 s. “I retired about six years ago and now spend time playing golf and taking care of things. I do mentor fourth grade math once a week at an inner city school. I had eye surgery last November and lost much of my vision in my left eye, but other than ending my handball/racquetball career, I’m OK with everything else. That’s all I’m going to say. Nobody cares how many times I’ve been to the barber shop.” Tony Putamanonda also wrote, “Thanks for the update on VMI-Citadel Football game. We wish we could join you guys but it’s just too far away. So we can only be with you in spirit. You all are going to enjoy the game and related activities because VMI is going to win big this time.

“Dusadee and I are doing OK so far this year. Our health has been as well as can be expected for senior citizens who we are. We took a trip to India with Joe and Pongsri in February to follow Buddha’s trails and visit other places. I went along reluctantly on Dusadee’s insistance and came back thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Then in April, two of us went to Bhutan, an exotic kingdom near Nepal and India. Later on this month we are scheduled to vacation in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Then we have a date with the Kitchens in September. Dusadee and I plan to visit them in San Diego and spend more time on a driving tour of America’s West Coast and Vancouver area. So all in all, 2011 has been and is going to be a busy year for us.” Tony went on to say, “Cliff Crittsinger emailed to say that he wanted to visit Thailand. Joe Chompaisal and I suggested the period before or after Christmas. He said he wanted to visit other parts of the country besides Bangkok where he spent time for R&R during the Vietnam War. So we’ll have him come to Chiang Mai to spend time with us.” Mike Murphy sent a quick e-mail, “Andy Colyer, George Rapport, Dave Harbach ’61, (C Company CO) in our Rat year and VMI Commandant in the mId ’80s, and I had lunch together in Bethesda, MD, today. Three hours flew by, but it was great catching up with these folks.” Don Carson, always a good correspondent, wrote, “Margaret and I took our boat to the Bahamas for a week earlier this month. (class agent note – Photo on our Class of 1964 Facebook page). We stayed on the boat and had a wonderful time visiting some of our favorite spots in The Bahamas. We enjoyed the magnificent beaches, heard some great island music and ate our share of cracked conch and grouper. The Bahamas are nice, relaxing islands and the people are great. The weather was nice the entire week we were there. When we left to come home, the weather was nice, but the National Weather Service had missed tropical depression Brett, which had formed just north of Grand Bahama Island, so they issued no severe weather warnings. The winds and seas quickly built and we wound up crossing the Gulf Stream in six- to seven-foot seas. Our boat is very stable and took it all in stride. It was a good crossing, other than seeing a lot of blue water crashing over the deck. We may go back again later in the summer.” “John, I had sent you a copy of an e-mail note from Bill Crone, asking about the Florida trip. If you want to do it again this year, we are willing to host a dinner again and organize the events. Margaret already is planning her dinner, so we will be ready if people want to come.”

CLASS NOTES As a result of Don and Lee Fleshood getting together, we now have a date for the 2012 Florida Mini Reunion, March 7-11. As before, we can expect good dining, fine weather and many opportunities to get together. In the past we’ve had as many as 30 attend. Everybody has had a great time. More details will follow in the late fall or early winter. Don Jones e-mailed, “Just wanted to bring you up to date on a few things from here in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. For one we have a contract on a house in Broadway, VA, which is about nine miles west of New Market. Hopefully we will be in the Shenandoah soon but depends on the sale of the condo here. There’s plenty of room for guests and for my cars. For the first time in a long time Diana will be able to have a garden, as the property is 1.85 acres in size. “There is one more VMI related issue to finish up and I am working on it. I wonder how many Brother Rats are aware of the fact that there was a Barracks clock on the East side of the Barracks building above Washington Arch at one time. In 1851/52 Gen. Smith was

in correspondence with the Sherry and Bryam Company about purchasing a clock for the Barracks. Eventually, he secured a Bryam 4 clock for $700.00 and had it installed and working. Apparently, it had a bell as it did ring on the hour, half-hour and quarter-hour. From 1852-64 the clock kept accurate time and gave cadets to determine the time of day since cadets did not wear watches in those days. “In early June of 1864, the Union forces of General David Hunter occupied Lexington for 21/2 days destroying buildings and homes and looting others. Of course, one of those was the Institute. Before destroying the Barracks he allowed his enlisted men to loot it and he, himself, took valuable property, as well as being known as a war profiteer. “Circumstantial evidence points to the fact that the clock was removed from the building prior to its destruction, during this looting. Pictures I have examined, one being in Col. Keith Gibson’s ’77, latest book shows the eastside of the Barracks after it was destroyed and you can actually see that the clock had been removed. The real mystery is what happened to it? Some

thought it was destroyed but others did not think so. If it wasn’t destroyed where was it? “If you fast forward to this year, I believe there is an answer to this mystery. The clock was taken as a war trophy and removed to the north. It has been found gracing the clock tower of the Warren County Courthouse in Belvedere, NJ. Dr. J. Marshall Paul, a prominent resident of the county, had earlier given it to the county. “There is more to the story but it is very long. Suffice to say, once the Institute decides if it wants the clock back, a presentation will be made to the County Commissioners circumstantially proving the rightful ownership of the clock and requesting its return. Stay tuned, as there will be more to this story.” Tom Allen sent a nice letter which I followed up with a phone call. He wrote, “Can’t wait to

Class of 1964 Photos clockwise from top, right: -Dick and Susan Atkinson celebrated Dick’s birthday at the Cavedos’ home in Hilton Head, South Carolina, May 2011. -In July 2011, Sherrel and John Cavedo, Walt Sykes, Lauranne Kitchen, Dolores and Harvey Sargent, and John Thornton walked into Galway, Ireland, for a night on the town. -Harvey Sargent, John Thornton and Walt Sykes posed for a photo with Charlie Chaplin’s statue in Waterville, Ireland, July 2011. -In front of Kilkenny Castle, Ireland, in July 2011 were, from left, back row, Walt and Karen Sykes, John Cavedo, Harvey Sargent, Lauranne and W.J. Kitchen, and John Thornton. Front row: Connie Gage, Sherrel Cavedo, and Dolores and Char Segesman.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES get more details on your Ireland trip. I hope you had nice weather – when Carol and I were there for a week, we had only a half day of sunshine. I got tickled with your e-mails from Ireland. We received at least 20 of them; all with the same three pictures. On one day alone we got 12 emails, each with the same three pictures.” Class agent note: I was experimenting with our Facebook page and trying to post photos on a daily basis from my mini laptop. After the first three or four times, I finally figured it out. Actually, Tom and the others received automatic e-mails from Facebook every time I put a photo on. And, each day, by accident, I kept uploading the same photos. I think I’ve got it right now. I never said I understand this computer stuff. Tom’s letter, continued, “I have good news. I finally found a neurosurgeon who said he could fix my back. After he showed me my MRIs, I thought there was no way he could be successful. My operation was June 18th. The operation was on the L2, L3, L4 & L5. After seven weeks, I’m still in some pain, but at least not having to take any medication. “Carol and I visited Dan & Sandy DeForrest on our way to Amelia Island & Okefenokee Swamp. Kenny & Barbara Dice also came down from their Florida winter home for a while. We had a blast! “Other than the Citadel game in October, in September, we are planning to attend a USAF reunion with fellow officers and civilians from the Weapons Lab in Santa Fe.” He and Carol also have planned a trip to Tahiti in December. In our phone call, Tom amazed me with his knowledge of the stock market. This was right in the middle of the August crash. I need Tom to sit at my desk with me for a month or so. But I can’t afford him. Walt Sykes sent the following, “Eleven of us headed to Ireland for 12 days, July 8-20. The VMI group consisted of John & Sherrel Cavedo, W.J. & Lauranne Kitchen, Harvey & Dolores Sargent, Karen & me, John Thornton, Char Segesman and Connie Gage. Five of us missed our connecting flight out of Newark to Shannon, Ireland, because of weather on the East Coast. We were delayed a full day along with Harvey, Dolores and Char, which we did not know about until the next day. “Arriving in Shannon, a day late, we were bussed to Galway and hooked up the rest of the VMI contingent. There, the VMI group opted out of an optional dinner and ceili that night and decided to walk downtown to check out the Pubs. It seemed more like a forced march. The VMI ladies were leading the pack; they had us in a sweat in no time. We finally found a pub with some Irish music. There I tasted my first Guinness. “The next day consisted of a full day optional

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tour to Connemara, Kylemore Abbey and a lunch cruise. There was a split with those who went with this tour and the other’s ventured out with a rental car trying to duplicate the optional tour with some modifications of their own. To me, this was a bit venturesome, being the Irish drive on the wrong side of the road. In emergency situations, I would have defaulted to the right which would be a bad idea there. John Cavedo was the volunteer driver of the “going it on their own group” with his crew acting like backseat drivers yelling to him to keep left at every traffic circle! That night, the pub search continued for the elusive Irish music. “We then headed to Killarney. Along the way we enjoyed the landscape of the Burren and viewed the imposing Cliffs of Moher. The countryside was beautiful green with rolling hills and lakes. We had dinner at the hotel and had a surprise 70th birthday party for John Cavedo. Later that evening, the pub search continued. You can assume the pub search happened every evening by selected members of the VMI group. “The following day we continued with the Ring of Kerry, enjoying the breathtaking views of Ireland’s majestic mountains and rugged coastline. During our rides in the countryside, we saw the miles and miles of stone fences built by the Irish during this famine. The ruling English paid the Irish a penny a day and wanted something in return so they required the Irish to build these stone walls. We made a stop in Waterville and rubbed Charlie Chaplin’s statue’s nose for luck. Chaplin vacationed there in Waterville. Charlie also entered a Chaplin lookalike contest in Waterville and came in third! That night we attended an optional National Folk Theater performance. The story was about the king’s children, that were turned into swans by the evil stepmother and ended up dying at the end – rather depressing – probably should have opted out of this and continued with the pub search. “Another full day optional tour was the Dingle Peninsula excursion. We enjoyed beautiful views of Emerald Isle’s spectacular coastline, the famed Blasket Islands and stopped at a pub for fish and chips in the fishing village of Dingle. John Thornton was able to hook up at another Dingle Pub with the folks John had met on a previous trip with his sons. I was glad not to be driving on the Dingle Peninsula. Driving on the wrong side of a narrow road with no guard rail is not to be toyed with. “Day nine we headed to Cork. We enjoyed a sheep dog demonstration and stopped in Blarney to kiss the famous Blarney Stone at the Blarney Castle. This was not at all how I pictured it. We went into the castle, up the narrow, winding and steep steps of a tower. I kept ask-

ing myself, ‘why am I doing this?’ Finally we made it to the top. Then we stepped outside in the pouring rain, we were now way up on top of this castle. I then lay down on my back on the wet ground, leaned over and kissed the Blarney stone that had been kissed by millions of people over the years, all to get the gift of gab? “The following day we toured Cobh, a seaside town that served as a major emigration point for families leaving Ireland during the Great Potato Famine. Cobh was also the last port of call for two famously doomed ships: the Titanic and the Lusitania, whose sinking brought America into World War I. Later that afternoon, we enjoyed a traditional Home-Hosted meal with a local family. “In Waterford, we visited the local Waterford Crystal Factory where the ladies stocked up on the world famous Waterford Crystal. Then onto Dublin where, at Trinity College, we saw the famous Book of Kells, an elaborate manuscript from the Middle Ages. Some toured the Guinness factory while some opted out. They apparently felt that by now they were Guinness connoisseurs. “Then sadly, our adventure came to an end, with all traveling home safely with loads of great memories, new friends and thousands of pictures to remember the trip by.” Walt, thanks for the great write-up. In closing, more of you should consider joining our private Class of 1964 Facebook page. It is highly secure (no problems after 18 months of use). More BRs are finding it useful to just keep up and especially post photos. Unlike the Alumni Review, there are no limits to the number of photos allowed and no limitations on the size of the photos. At present, there are 50 of us using the site with nearly 120 photos posted. The photos are organized by event or date or subject and all show the names of everyone in the photo. It’s a great way to watch us grow old before your eyes. As always, thanks to every one of you who assists me in publishing these notes. Your e-mails, letters and phone calls are appreciated more than you can know.

’65

Mickey Finn

What a nice summer to be here on the Cape Fear Coast of North Carolina. These notes are due just before our 50th Reunion Matriculation Party on Aug. 27th in Lexington so a report on the “Moose Lodge Party” without walls will be in the next issue. I can hear the rock an’ roll band warming up now! David Hillquist writes, “I sent a small contribution to the VMI Foundation after receiving

CLASS NOTES your recent letter. It will help the participation rate but not the bottom line. Kitty and I have several favored charities before our schools on our list of donations. I thank you sincerely for your diligent attention year after year to the interests of the class of ’65. It’s much more than a trivial burden you bear for us. The challenge medal you sent a few months ago was particularly welcome as a worthy heirloom in lieu of my class ring stolen and gone these 40 years. My best regards to those who gather Aug. 27 in Lexington! My pervasive neurological decline makes travel and socializing seriously problematic. I enjoy my sequestered life in the Ozark wilderness, often walking long miles in the forest to keep my muscles working, and I continue to look forward to your periodic bulletins on the lives of our Brother Rats.” John “Mac” Gibbons checks in with this great story: “I haven’t written to you and our Brother Rats since I was only with you during our Rat year. I have kept track of things through Johnny Mac Marshall but have attended only one reunion in 1985. But something happened recently I just feel I need to tell someone, and you are he. First, I attended two other universities after VMI and received degrees from both. Yet my year at VMI remains my most memorable. My daughter is a captain in the Army Medical Corps doing her neurology residency at Fort Lewis, WA. She went to med school on the Army scholarship. Each year my wife and I go out to visit and this year she invited us to her neurology department’s graduation party. One resident would be leaving so they celebrated that graduation with a banquet. People started coming in and our daughter introduced us to a new resident, Russ Henriet ’07 and his wife. We began talking and I asked him where he had gone to med school and then asked him where he had gone to undergraduate. He told me he had gone to a small school in Virginia so I asked him where. I just about fell out of my seat when he said VMI, class of 2007. So I whipped out my VMI challenge coin (he didn’t have his) to show him my colors. So we spent the next hour or so comparing our times there. They got out of the Ratline after Christmas and, by the way, he did not know what a Rat ring was. When did they stop doing that? Anyway, it seems like I cannot go too far without running into someone from VMI. “Thanks for a chance to tell this tale. I made my wife agree to coming to the 50th, so we are looking forward to that. Hope there are still lots of you around. Thanks for the challenge coin. It is one of my dearest possessions. When my daughter graduated from her AMEDD Basic Officers Course at Fort Sam Houston she had

one made for me from there. But this is the first one I have had for reasons of my own. I really cherish it.” Mac, great to hear from you and so glad to hear that you carry the VMI Class of ’65 Challenge Coin with you (the class of 2007 does not have one)! Good question about the Rat Ring – anyone know the answer to that question? Looking forward to seeing you both at the 50th! Norman “Feindox” Radford reports, “Dorothy and I just got back from three weeks in the Colorado mountains escaping the Texas heat. Unfortunately, we got back too soon and today Dallas is to hit its 40th 100 degree plus day in a row. While in Colorado I hiked to the top of another 14-teener, Mt. Lincoln at 14,286 feet. I just need to prove to myself that I still have some life left in me. Hope you all have a great time at the 50th Reunion Matriculation Party. I remember Sept. 13, 1961, well.” Johnny Mac Marshall will be in D.C. the weekend before the 50th Reunion Matriculation Party (Aug. 20, 2011) to receive the Thirty-Third Degree of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry. For those of you who understand Free Masonry you understand what a great honor it is to receive the “White Hat.” Awesome achievement Brother Rat! Norman Land will miss the party. “I am sorry to say that because I’m still teaching at the University of Missouri-Columbia, I will not be able to attend the next gathering. I enjoyed visiting The Institute a few weeks ago when I was in Virginia to attend my mother’s funeral. I particularly wanted to see the new, New Barracks. The place – the buildings and grounds – has a simple beauty that I always find inspiring. Other than teaching, I’m nearing completion of a book titled, The Psychopathic Artist: Parrhasius, Michelangelo, Giotto and Others.” Hummmm. Sounds like a gripping read, Norm. Bob Morgan travels a lot and reports, “I’ve recently returned from the Khe Sanh Vets Reunion in Rochester, MN. We saw the film “Bravo!” made by a Khe Sanh Vet in 1/26. Its penultimate version was two hours long. It’s undergoing final edit at the Luke Skywalker Ranch in California. It’s professional quality, stunning, and grim – as grim as any war documentary I’ve ever seen. Its focus is Bravo/1/26, at the siege of Khe Sanh with emphasis on the Ghost Patrol of Feb. 25, ’68, commanded by Don Jacques, and the revenge assault (Mar. 30, ’68) led by Capt. Ken Pipes - now Lt. Col. (Ret) Ken Pipes. Don Jacques stood directly opposite me in the squad bay in B/3/43rd OCC at Quantico. Don turned 19 1/2 prior to OCS – the minimum ager for commissioning in the Marine Corps. The blown up picture at the Vietnam section entrance of the MC Museum just off I-95, is of Don being brought in; I believe it’s

the same picture that appeared on the cover of Newsweek. Many may want to watch for its release sometime in ’12. The Web site is easy to find.” Reed McDowell reports that he and his wife, Ann, are enjoying retirement in Westover, MD (near Crisfield and Ocean City). They are playing golf, traveling and enjoying their four grandchildren. Sounds like a home run to me! Hank Wittel says that “This year has been a parts replacement year (cataracts) or repair (oral surgery) for Hank but nothing yet for Sonia. Our Malinois and King shepherd just bagged another possum in the backyard. It’s been hot in Georgia. These banal observations are offered in lieu of a long rant on the current political/ economic conditions. I’m saving that rant for some unfortunate at the upcoming matriculation party or not. Have completed a Mindful Breathing Stress Reduction course so may opt for developing listening skills instead alcoholic gibberish.” My only comment as editor is that I found this out after I included him in our dinner reservations at the Southern Inn on Friday, August 26th. To the others at the table, I apologize. You gotta’ love the way Bob Wilkinson summed up life after our matriculation with this comment: “25 years after we matriculated, my first child started college, in May of our 50th year after matriculation, our fifth and last child finished. It has been a long 25 years but they all graduated and are gainfully employed. We are blessed.” Speaking of blessed, how about this response from Dickey Hightower! “I guess once every 45 years is not too often to e-mail you. I am living at Lake Oconee in Eatonton, GA, and life now is going pretty good. My wife is retired and I still coach a high school softball team in Conyers, GA. We get together with roommates Steve Irving and Greg Paynter and also Donny White and Bill Loughridge about once a year, in fact Greg is at the house now with his wife, Joan. They are passing thru on their way to the PGA Golf Tournament in Duluth, GA. Anybody down this way is welcome.” Jim Turner is serving as a colonel on the VMI Faculty and, well, I’ll let him explain. “After a very exciting and rewarding career in biomedical research and medical school administration, Virginia and I ‘retired’ to Lexington in 2001. At that time, I accepted the VMI Weichmeister Distinguished Visiting Chair in Science for what I thought would provide me with a short stint at VMI. However, VMI had other plans for me and soon thereafter I became VMI’s first director for undergraduate research. After approximately a decade at that rewarding position, the dean asked me to chair the Biology Department. I am now into my third year of this responsibility. I am also delighted to be able

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

“Put the Boys In…

and may God forgive me for the order.”

General John C. Breckinridge New Market, May 15, 1864

“Put the Boys In” by Don Troiani On a drizzly May 15th in 1864, a small Confederate force risked being overwhelmed by a larger Federal unit commanded by Franz Sigel near New Market, Virginia, in the Shenandoah. Suffering the combined effects of Union muskets and artillery canister rounds, the center of the Confederate line evaporated. Confederate Gen. John C. Breckinridge quickly realized his options: repair the gap in the line or fall back. With the young cadets from VMI as his only reserve, he hesitated, but then commanded, “Put the boys in,” he stated, “and may God forgive me for the order.” The young cadets advanced, cheering loudly, with many losing their shoes in the muddy field. The cadets engaged the Federals of Von Klieser’s Battery who attempted to defend their position. Moments later, Cadet Oliver Evans jumped up on a captured cannon, madly waving the VMI flag as the cadets cheered wildly, having helped rout the Union force. Afterward, Gen. Breckinridge rode up to the young men stating, “Well done, Virginians. Well done, men.” Don Troiani, one the finest military artists of this century, has created a beautiful and arguably the most historically accurate portrayal of the VMI cadets at the Battle of New Market in his latest work, “Put the Boys In.” The original oil is an 80”x 50” masterpiece which hangs in Moody Hall. Print Size: 19 x 29 inches. Including white border, the size is 23-1/2 x 32 inches.

The Cross of Honor

Order Your Copy of Troiani’s “Put the Boys In” Today! To Order: Call the VMI Alumni Association at 800/444-1839 or send check to Lisla Danas, VMI Alumni Association, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450. Make checks payable to: VMI Alumni Association UNFRAMED PRINT: $250 + $20 Shipping & Handling = $270.00 (VA & CT residents add $16.20) = $286.20 FRAMED PRINT: $545 + $100 Shipping & Handling = $645.00 (VA & CT residents add $38.70) = $683.70

2011-Issue 4

“CROSS of HONOR” VMI SPECIAL EDITIONS: There are only 400 “VMI Special Edition” prints of the total 950 produced. These prints, uniquely, have the “Cross of Honor” (shown above). In 1904, The VMI Alumni Association presented to each member of the New Market Corps or his descendant a bronze “Cross of Honor.” Description: Suspended from a bar bearing the words “For Valor,” is a cross which appears around the seal of the state of Virginia, “VMI Cadet Battalion, New Market, May 15, 1864.” On the reverse is engraved the name of the battle veteran. Please Note: Print numbers may vary from 1 to 950. 71

CLASS NOTES to engage our cadets in my research programs and to see what it does for enhancing their problem solving skills. To be back at VMI is a dream come true story, and I am excited to be able to return something back to the Institute. I am excited to see my Brother Rats at our 50th matriculation year celebration!” Bruce Herczogh says, “My biggest accomplishment was to harass his royal mayor John Hinton to the point where he finally is going to join us at a reunion. Other than that, ‘Nothing much!’ Start teaching at TriCounty Tech, Pendleton, SC, on Aug. 15th. I have been adjunct faculty there since 1983 and beginning to feel like I was born there. Retired from Clemson University staff after 32 years. This past spring my job was to wake at 4:30 a.m. for two months and go to the farm and pick up 300 gal of strawberries for my son’s produce stand.” The Idaho report from Butch Hemphill is “Sorry we can’t make the August wing ding. We’re back in Boise pretending to be a moving company moving our daughter and her new roommate into a new house. Kate goes to camp and mom and dad do the move. Seems we are spending more time in Palm Desert each year. We certainly enjoy the winters there now that the world is a lot older that it was 50 years ago. We’re on for the 50th Reunion in the spring of ’15.” Jack Cook will not be with us for the matriculation party so had this to share. “This was the summer for high school reunions for most of us. I was able to attend my 50th Reunion at Benedictine High School in early June in Richmond, VA. What a wonderful time especially with the great turnout and varied activities. There was even a shared event (social and cookout along the banks of the James River) one evening with the ladies from Saint Gertrude’s High School (our sister school and class)! Unlike VMI ’65, BHS ’61 hadn’t had a ‘formal’ reunion in 25 years so there was a lot to catch up on. Back in ’61, Clyde Bragg, Brian McNeil and I made up the contingent from BHS matriculating to VMI. Brian chaired the reunion committee and even had ‘challenge coins’ made for the reunion. Now when I see these BRs we have to be armed with both the VMI and BHS challenge coins.” Dave Kiger reports from Lynchburg that he is “still practicing dentistry, maybe for couple more years. Have hired a new associate and he is smarter than I, but that doesn’t take much. He is going to be a great addition to my practice. I will not be able to attend the 26th, because I will be in Hilton Head taking a continuing ed course. Still trying to learn. I wonder about roommate for four years, Dick Waters. Heard he finally married but haven’t chatted with him. How can I find his number,

etc. I guess I could call Carole Green to find out. She worked for me for nine years in my early practice and still comes to me as a patient. Anyway, will miss the party on the 26th but planning on the 50th. I missed the 45th because my step-daughter married that weekend in Aspen, CO.” [Editor’s comment – need you guys to send me your e-mail addresses, so I can help you link up. You can also put your contact information on the VMI Alumni Association database by going to: https://www. vmialumni.org. By doing that, other BRs can find out how to best contact you. And know to whom you are married to.] A report from Alaska’s Michael McBride came in at press time “A recent visit to the Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge.com by Greg and Dottie Robertson from their home in New York City caused the Homer, AK, police authority to elevate the threat status to red. A full contingent of emergency response personnel were on high alert in the vicinity of the Salty Dawg Saloon at the Homer boat harbor. The threat status was lowered when the troublemakers left Homer by boat for the Wilderness Lodge. The Robertsons found that the numbers of bears on and around the lodge property to be similar to what they were familiar with in Central Park. The wrist ergonomics that Greg has perfected on his laptop were vigorously tested as the CEO of TM Capitol battled with thrashing salmon. Bowls of fresh oysters and mussels with fine wines disappeared as if by magic when placed in front of the New Yorkers. They found the decor in their private cabin to be surprisingly similar to that of their apartment at 211 Central Park West. They compared their sea kayaking adventures among whales and seals, sea otter and seabird colonies to their rides on the New York subway system. In the land of the midnight sun, tall tales were recounted of the mythological hero’s Gen. Shell ’31, Capt. Drudik, Col. German, Doc Carrol and others of legendary status. McBride suggests that other Brother Rats should visit incognito arriving by helicopter to avoid the local police and harassment by the press.” We can always rely on Larry Britton to tell it like it is: “Per your request, still vertical and breathing air. Not much new here in Manassas.” Ya’ gotta’ love it! With that in mind, please send me your e-mail address so you can be included in the quarterly blast for input for these notes. If e-mail is not your thing, then please remember to mail a note to me when you receive your copy of the Review. Notes are due to the editor on the 15th of the month in which you received the Review. Let us hear from you! Rah Virginia Mil! ’65! ’65! ’65!

’66

Al Carr Albert Conner Lexingt 5

As I write these brief notes, we’re cranking up for the 45th Reunion of my favorite VMI class. Woody Sadler and Paul Maini, with help from Cliff Martin, have been working hard for at least the last nine months on this event for us. I know Woody’s wife and Co-Colonel Lori has been aiding all the way and wouldn’t be a bit surprised if there were others helping. They’ve paid a high price for living in Lexington. Also I’d like to thank Ray Saunders in our ’66 New Mexico office for his absolutely great job in assembling a touching and memorable slide and music show on our cadet days. A copy of the slide show will go to each BR at the reunion and there will be a few extras for some of those unable to attend. E-mail me if you want one and I’ll send them until expended. Thanks to Charlie Ramsburg (and to Ray for adding them). We’ve been able to add a .pdf file with scans of the original September 1962 matriculation book entries for our class. I’m sure every BR is grateful for the efforts of these wonderful class members. I’ll be there trying to find out about all in attendance and will report to you after the event. By the time you see these notes the reunion will have entered into history, and we’ll be headed downhill with a full head of steam for number 50! If you weren’t “present or accounted for” at this reunion, you’ve got to make your plans now to be there in 2016. Speaking of “accounted for,” I want to thank all the BRs who contributed to last year’s annual campaign for both your support and your generosity. We came in second among the classes of the ’60s with 59 percent participation and number of alumni giving. We also, in tough times I may say, kicked in a huge chunk of money (third most in our decade-group) for VMI’s operations. Incidentally, we were second in participation to this year’s 50th Reunion class, the great class of 1961 – who racked up 79 percent participation, first in giving amount and set a record for reunion attendance to boot! The gauntlet has definitely been flung at our feet guys. I’ll render a more complete summary in my next e-mail to those on my e-mail list – and if you’re not on that e-list, it is easily remedied by e-contacting me at the e-address in the header. I’d like to also pass on something additional about two members of the class of 1965. When I recently sent in my book manuscript, Union Army’s “Valley Forge” 1863: 93 Days That Saved America, to the publishers, I happened to

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES add that train travel was easy and comfortable. see Jack Mountcastle ’65 at a ground-breaking The ’67 travelers who enjoyed the Alumni All on board the cruise had a good time from ceremony for a Civil War park here in Stafford. As Association trip and cruise to Italy were the most senior, Col. Dick Meade ’44, USAF you may know, Jack is a retired Army brigadier Allison and Dave Bristow, Anne and Randy (Ret) to the most junior, Capt. Nicole Kramer general and was the Army’s Chief of Military Blanks, Marie Wertz and Joan and I. It was a History (earning a Ph.D. at Duke while serving treat to visit with old friends and so many VMI ’03, USMC. There are more steps and stairways in Europe than I recall from when we as an armor officer). He’s also teaching “in retire- people from more than 60 years of classes. were stationed there. Italy is a great country ment” at the University of Richmond. I mailed Nearly every person who made the trip visited for walking and climbing. Those him a copy and just asked for his early Romans certainly must have impressions. Well, he reviewed the been a hardy bunch. entire manuscript and rendered his I received a note from Tom expert opinions and assistance – all Engelman in June. It was printed certainly “above and beyond the on the back of a photo showing the call.” You know, that’s something long, two-tire track drive leading I’ve always admired in people to what he calls the “shack.” There and I have to say VMI Alumni are is a great view of the West Virginia among the very best people I know. mountains in the background. I also A wise man once said that character found a card from Vern Knuckles is revealed in what you do when no from last fall extolling the virtues of one is watching. Also I got a call the SEC football teams. Sorry to be from Woody Watkinson ’65, who late with your note Vern. In addition graduated with us and roomed with to those two messages I received 12 Bob Fowler, Ollie Creekmore and cards from Bob Green – he refers Rowdy Lloyd (who died our first to himself as “Bob T’Other.” He class year). Woody was planning was on a several-hundred mile trek on and trying to come down for from France (beginning somewhere the reunion because he thought so Class of 1966: Members of the class aboard the Royal Clipper for The VMI Alumni Association Mediterranean in the Loire Valley in a town called much of our BRs. Well, here’s an Cruise in May 2011 were, from left, Pete Farley, George Le Puy En Velay) into Spain and Ole Yell for ’65! ’65! ’65! Dyer, Randolph Williams, Doug Richard, Pete Charending near Santiago de ComposFinally, I’d like to say I’ve rington, Parky Parkman, Paul Maini and Jim Whitehurst. tella. He began his walk – the start really enjoyed hearing from They said the cruise was “fantastic, and the weather and of the “Chemin de St. Jacques” on a number of BRs on various food were outstanding.” Photo by Mary Fran Parkman. April 12 in front of the Cathedral de reunion-related or -inspired matNotre Dame in Velay. April 17: “ … ters. I won’t rehash the names or feet tired, weather good, day of rest discussions here; but, I just want here … ” April 24: “Spent Easter in Conques en to add that it is always a real pleasure to hear the Roman Forum, the Coliseum, Pompeii, the Rourgue … 125 miles of 475 done … feet tired from each of you – especially when I can help Vatican and other historical sites. There were you connect with a BR, roommate, etc. or fill in no sandy beaches to enjoy but brave souls … ” May 5: “Cahors … French still hate us (or a gap of any sort. You always leave me feeling got to swim in the middle of the Ionian Sea U.S.) … halfway point … ” May 15: Montreal good and always excited to be a part of such a one day. It was chilly in May to say the least. Du Gers … nothing to report from this tiny and wonderful group of men and women (referring Joan and I flew over early and went to two boring town beyond things are cheap … wish to our terrific group of wives, mothers and sisplaces we would recommend. First we went a beach was near” May 19: Aire sur l’Adour ters). Please continue to stay in touch with one to the Island of Ischia to a great spa. It was a “ … 96 miles to go … the beach can wait … another and with your proud class agent. haul from Rome to Naples by train, trolley to May 28: Saint Jean Pied de Port “Plan B can the port, ferry to the island and then taxi to wait (beach?) and Plan C to walk to Santiago the Villa Angelica. Mama Michelangelo was is on … staying at a hostal to rest up for the Jan Abernathy a superb cook and the location and massages additional 494 miles … ” June 3: Cuidadela made the visit a wonderful choice. I received a Pamplona-Navarra “walk over Pyrenees was note from Bob Randolph saying he and Nina cold in driving rain … nine hours … will stay spent their honeymoon on the same island. here two nights … ” June 26: Real Colegiata Then we went to Siena for a couple of days. de San Isidoro, Leon, Spain “ … 209 miles to Hi to all. There is quite a lot of news fit to We missed the Paolo horse races but did catch Santiago … the basilica has a chapel called the print. I know many of you traveled far and the Milla Miglia antique vehicles passing Sistine Chapel of Spain … ” June 16: Burgos, wide this summer and took lots of photos. through the town center. I did not know there Spain “ … beautiful cathedral in the 12th year Don’t forget we are allowed (every class has were that many Bugattis, Alphas, Ferraris of a 10-year restoration … guidebook says the same allowance) five photos per issue. and Lamborghinis and other old autos in the 311 miles to Santiago … ” July 12: Santiago Even if you did not visit any exotic places whole world. Following Siena we connected “Arrived alive … heading for a beach.” Bob your pictures deserve “exposure” in these with the Bristows, Kelly Sullivan and Melissa also ended his journey with a quote from notes. Your BRs and friends would like to see Williams, both ’01, and Melissa’s parents for Lewis Carroll between Alice and the Cheshire you in print. When you share your photos with time in Venice and Florence prior to joining cat regarding which way to go from “here.” your families, please send me a copy. We will the entire group in Rome. We purchased our Somewhere in his messages he mentioned he make you famous in a great magazine! train passes before we left the U.S., and I will had been to part of the area he covered three

’67

2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES times in the last three years. I recall two others who have walked all or part of this section of the Pilgrim’s Way. One is J.I. Orrison’s oldest daughter and one was my 80-year-old brotherin-law. The young lady did it in a single trek visit but my brother-in-law did it with a walking partner in sections over several years. Speaking of J.I. it is with pleasure that I mention (with permission) that he came through prostate surgery in good shape. He is back to work and on a doctor supervised regimen for additional treatment. I should also mention he had a pacemaker implanted in April. That was a good thing as it led to the prostate discovery. Brenda says J.I. has applied for Agent Orange benefits, and it is a grueling process. John Chiles, a real estate agent, sold himself a new house. He was one of many who sent J.I. good wishes and prayers. While many contacted J.I. directly others relayed messages through me including (someone always gets left out of lists like this) Chuck Keblusek, Jim Hayes, Jim and Marie Waehler, Tex Young, Chuck Shorter and Tom Gritzmacher. In a short update on Ginny’s cancer from Chuck Keblusek he says: “As far as we know she is cancer free. It’s been eight years since its recurrence. She does have arthritis in her neck and back. She must constantly have her heart monitored due to the drug she gets every three weeks as an IV (Hersepton), but it seems to be doing the trick.” It goes without saying that our collective prayers for Ginny and J.I. continue to help. Jim Ferrell’s daughter is now a certified paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Brenda says Jim (a pilot) is a little jittery about Amanda’s interest in jumping out of airplanes. Bill Teveri sent information on a VA Administration lawsuit that spelled out proper and timely medical and psychiatric treatment for veterans. Dragging testimony out of VA employees who admit delays in treatment was not easy. If you are not on the ’67 e-mail list you do not know that Mike and Rebecca Schlosser’s youngest son, David, passed in early June. A standing floral wreath of red, white and yellow was sent to his service on behalf of all ’67 Brother Rats. Young David had just recently graduated from Elon College. Our hearts go out to the Schlosser family at their loss. My thanks to Charlie Ramsburg ’66, for contacting me with this information. Mike was just recently named Father of the Year in Greensboro, NC, by The Greater Greensboro Father’s Council which supports the American Diabetes Foundation. Charlie was on the committee that sponsored the award, along with a number of local VMI men in the Greensboro area. I sent a contribution from the class to the fund which supported the event. On occasion a number of you ask about go-

ings on in Lexington. If you have ever wanted to know just what is going on in Lexington and Rockbridge County as far as entertainment, wine (and beer) tastings, festivals and concerts and more, a real estate lady puts out a free listing each month. She will add you to her e-mailings if you would like to receive this information. Some good free events are regularly listed … such as the weekly wine (and beer) tastings. Contact me if you would like her e-mail. Pete Wells sent me another book suggestion: Cruel and Unusual Punishment: The Terrifying Implications of Islamic Law by Nonie Darwish. I have not read it yet but plan to do so. Pete generally gives good information. Jake de Steiguer sent me his annual message with the itinerary for his club’s annual Range Rover overland trip. Ome Crawford sent me a great photo of a beer ad regarding the recent work of the Navy Seals in Pakistan. If you would like to see it you must ask me to send it to you. It refers to “Miller Time.” I wish I could pass along more of the e-mails I receive. But I have learned the hard way that, no matter what your political feelings, it is just too easy to touch on a tender spot. And one thing about ’67, few among us ever has any difficulty expressing our feelings on a subject. I still get virtually daily side splitters from Barrett Graham. Bob Poland runs a close second when it comes to passing along semi-important (to him) blurbs. Should you want to be on their SPAM lists, just let me know and I will give them your e-mail. I should add that Burt Burckard sends me good stuff also. Dave Hobgood asked me to join him on LinkedIN as have a couple of others. I tried to do so but may not have done the sign-in correctly. I remain a non tech person who can type messages (and class notes) on a computer but am still learning other techno stuff. Just call me or use my regular e-mail if it is important to get a message through. I should add that I also get requests to join people I have never heard of on LinkedIN. Not sure why but I try to not sign-in with them. Bill Fleshood sent an e-mail suggesting he and I might be related. It read: “Jan, thought we might be related, William.” Then there was an attachment with dozens of names and many photos of folks with every sort of last name one might imagine. Eventually it wound down to some Abernathys in Brunswick County, VA, and it appears he and I probably are related. Bill, I would like to tell you there is money in the family but there is not. If there ever was money in our family your Yankee ancestors took it home with them in 1865. Bruce Weiner checked in with a new e-mail address and a reminder he and Hollace were

postponing their bicycle trip in France, as she needs her knee replacement surgery moved up. They are going to tour England, Scotland and Ireland instead. He adds: “I just happen to have an international pediatric dental meeting in Edinburgh (at which a couple of friends will be speaking) so we’ll just keep our air Advantage airline tickets to Europe and visit Ireland after the meeting instead of doing the bike trip.” Wiley McIlrath sent me a new email address also. I asked how his pest control business was doing and he replied: “This is the company that I started in 2007 just in time for the recession/depression. We have slugged our way through and survived so far. Actually this year we are growing at a 40% rate. The e-mail change comes as a result of the end of my contract w/ATT.” A number of you sent me the Billy Ray Cyrus link to his song where he mentions VMI. If you need this contact just let me know. My request for photos of your vanity license plates brought a number of great ones showing various combinations of VMI and 67 numerals. I am not certain how to use them yet but thanks to John Lee, Jim Ferrell, John Chiles (he started it) Jack Sheeran, Jake de Steiguer and Bob Nablo, Will Plentl, Jim Robertson and Dave and Bev Johnson for sending their photos. Max Toch sent me a story about a non VMI person with a VMI plate. Larry Rutherford’s office manager sent a message saying Larry did not have a vanity plate. If you still want to send in your photos on this I will figure out how to get all of them in print. They do not have to have VMI or our class numerals on them. Mine is a SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterans) plate with a Confederate battle flag. Will Plentl also asked for the name of our ring company. It is Jostens. I hope he just needs a size adjustment. Randy Heneberger writes: “Here’s hoping you and Joan are surviving this heat wave we are currently experiencing. Sue and I were able to spend some time at Virginia Beach, VA, in June on vacation. We hope to be able to go back in August. We visited Max, Terryann Toch and their triplets at their river house on the South River, near Annapolis, MD, the weekend of July 8-10, 2011. We had a grand time, as always. The triplets will be 16 years old on Dec. 1st. Maria (one of the triplets) drove us around that Saturday morning. She is a good driver. It will not be long before there will be three additional drivers in the Toch household!” Most of you received my forward message from Ron Lowry regarding his suggestion that you join him for his annual Salmon River wilderness rafting trip. If you did not get a reserved spot there will be next year. Ron sent me photos last year, and it looks as if it would be a great experience. Apparently,

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES you float and fish and drink while someone else does all of the work and cooking. Many of you know Joan and I have been mentoring female cadets since women were admitted. This summer we were able to assist one rising third with summer work in Lexington. She lifeguards by day and works in the VMI Call Center most evenings. Tubby Wilkinson and John Gupton offered to give a recent grad interviews as they both work in research. The young lady in question was a biology major and wants to work in a lab. Both offered her an interview, but I don’t know any results at this writing. VMI has a great networking program on Post. Perhaps it would be a reasonable idea to teach cadets some networking skills for those needing jobs after graduation. I want to thank Tubby and John for their interest in assisting VMI grads to start their careers. I sent a message from Dan Wells to all on the ’67 e-mail list showing a photo of a bald eagle standing guard on a headstone in a national cemetery in Minneapolis. It is a moving picture. If you would like to see it and are not currently on the ’67 e-mail list I maintain, please let me know. My last message before I put this set of notes to bed comes from Richard Stanard regarding Ron Lowry’s invitation to go cruising on the Salmon River. “Sounds super, but I’ll put

up my open-ocean sailing passages to and from the Caribbean via Bermuda and more recent long-range coastal runs to and from Key West with my Bayliner Express cruiser and associated wahoo, king, cobia, grouper and barracuda fishing with trips to the Salmon River any day … my strong supposition is that each of us has equally gratifying pursuits … that’s what us guys do. FYI, I am planning to be in Lexington 8/29-9/5 or 6 for my first extended visit to include the season-opening football game. This is in conjunction with my youngest granddaughter’s baptism near Mt. Airy, NC.” Ron, you and Richard should co-ordinate some fishing trips.” Wayne Marshall might want to join you. More of you have begun asking about the next reunion than at any previous time I can recall. It is time to remind all of us that our 45th Reunion will be held next Sept. 12-15, 2012. VMI says it is only the 14th and 15th but, as we are almost all retired, we can use the extra days to catch up on our youth. It will take at least that much time to tell and retell all of the lies and exploits we more or less recall. Terry Moore and his team of George Elmore and Wayne Marshall are making a significant effort to find all of the misplaced and truly lost Brother Rats who matriculated with us. I have been bumping down this trail for years, but they

are going after it with a strong purpose. This is not a money year so we are making contact with all we can to encourage them to come back to just see their friends. And we are inviting widows, also. Early in 2012 Carole Green from the alumni office will send out a letter with the hotel and other information. Rooms are blocked already close in and not at the Natural Bridge Hotel this time. Kermit Quick has volunteered to work with a golf outing. George Elmore has said he wants to be on the overall planning committee. If you want to work with any aspect of the reunion, please raise your hand. Anyway, put the dates on your calendar now please. In closing, I learned on Aug. 12th, that the holiday seasons are just around the corner. I was in Lowe’s today, and they have their blowup pumpkins and witches on display. Happy Halloween! L. Jan Abernathy

Class of 1967 Photos clockwise from top, right: -John Chiles in his 1966 Corvette during the Fourth of July holiday in Duck, North Carolina. -Kate and Ted Jenks during their eight-week RV journey from Lexington to Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia during summer 2011. -During The VMI Alumni Association Mediterranean Cruise in May 2011, were, from left, Dave Bristow, Marshall and Susan Williams, Kelly Sullivan ’01, Allison Bristow, Melissa Williams ’01, and Joan and Jan Abernathy. -Members of the class attending the 17th annual Pinehurst golf outing in North Carolina. Kneeling, from left: Tex Young, Ted Mervosh, John Vaughan, George Sanborn and Jim Phlegar. Standing: Dave Fink, Ricky Irby, Bob Ward, Tom Gillette, Robert Klink, Bruce Weiner and Dave Wilkinson.

2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES Tom Hickey

’68

Ron Gallagher

I’ll start off with a big “bad on me.” In the last set of notes, I included some material that I attributed to John Pabst (Wrightsville, NC). Well, this was wrong, oh so wrong. Sorry about that, John. I’ll start with material that I certify came from John: “Living full-time at Wrightsville Beach now and will not be able to attend (the Rat Parade party at John Crim’s (New Market, VA)). But plan on making one of the mid-October ball games and will keep an eye out for you then.” Now, material from BRs who responded to requests for updates. Steve Miller (Durham, NC): “Oh, my God, another year has passed. Hope you are doing well. Let’s see – have another novel coming out, this one from Delacorte, an imprint of Random House. Should be out next summer. Has been sold to U.S., Canada, Spanish language worldwide and Israel, plus audio books. The title right now is called The Martyr’s Song, but that may change. Not a whole heck of a lot of TV or movie work now. I am aging out of the profession and the industry is in the doldrums. You may have heard that Blockbuster has gone out of business and that everyone is shifting over to downloading. What that means is that the price point is dropping per entertainment minute and the producers and the studios have lost another revenue stream. Once everything is only available on the Internet and your bandwidth provider rules your life, then production might increase but right now nobody knows what’s going to happen. So, I am quite happy to just sit around in my pajamas and write. Suzie and I are trying to become snowbirds and move to the Big Island to escape future winters. Our son is in Montreal finishing his degree and preparing to launch into the abyss. We’re all healthy if not wealthy, wise and gaining in size.” Tom Coffey (Wytheville, VA): “Ilona and I just got back from a long road trip to Texas to introduce ourselves to our new granddaughter. Don’t feel old enough to be a grandfather, but I suppose the Medicare card I’m carrying would contradict that! And my mother, who will be 98 in July, only has two great-grandchildren. We’re late starters and slow workers, it seems. Still trying to keep running a few miles most days to keep from using said Medicare card, but during

one run in Texas I noticed a buzzard circling overhead, which tells you something about my pace. And I am still translating, mostly Chinese. Seems to be a good market for that these days.” Jim Fleming (Cincinnati, OH): “I retired last year from corporate America as we know it. That didn’t last too long; I suppose I was used to a little faster pace of life so I went back to school. I guess you can think of us as baby boomers, and now they also talk about us as not retiring but rather reinventing ourselves. I have to say that’s kind of what I did. I’m a few months away from being a paramedic. Needless to say, I’m older than the oldest professor. It has been fun though. I think it will be really nice to have an occasion to help people in a really concrete way. I’ve always envied people who do that. What a relief to not work about making money for making money’s sake. Damn, I was tired of just finding ways to take money from one company’s pocket into the great coffers of our corporation. I suppose I was pretty good at it, but it sure wasn’t any fun; let alone that it hardly was a positive contribution to bettering society.” Jim continued, “I’ve about divested all my Cincinnati holdings and am ready to move to Texas. We’ve been looking at houses and properties on Padre Island and hope to be there some time after the beginning of the year. However, May was a pretty hectic month. We were able to sell a house we remodeled. We moved back to our condo, and three days after we moved the condo sold. Two moves in one month is not something to wish on someone. The place we are renting is a small townhouse, necessitating us stuffing 10 pounds into the five-pound sack (or townhouse). All good things in the big picture, but it has been a strain on the system. I’ve been able to stay in touch with a few BRs. With this move to Texas, I’ll be in hollerin’ proximity to Dion Johnson (Humble, TX). Hopefully, we can meet up next year in the Lonestar State. I’m in pretty regular touch with John Warwick (Virginia Beach, VA) and Ad Hagan (Lexington, VA). I see John every couple of months, less regularly as the paramedic program heats up. I hope to see Ad and his mountain cottage in a month or so. That place he’s putting together is an engineering and construction masterpiece.” Joe Petitta (Safety Harbor, FL): “I’m in the process of slowly winding down my expert witness practice and experience total retirement to spend more time with the four grandkids that, fortunately for me, all live here in the Tampa area. Kind of scary that I started on Medicare on June 1st! Going to get my first real taste at retirement as my wife and I leave on a sevenday cruise out of Barcelona, Spain, to ports in France and Italy.”

Jim Polley (Stafford, VA): “Son Charles heading into Afghanistan with the 1st Cav Div as USAF Air Liaison Officer.” Jim’s note prompted a couple of responses. Creigh Kelley (Centennial, CO) wrote, “Tell the ‘lieutenant’ there’s a herd of VMI guys sending positive thoughts and prayers his way! I know you’re very proud to have such a fine, sharp son!” Dee Biggs (Acton, MA) added, “Very best wishes for a safe journey and return.” Later, Jim wrote: “Greetings from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Down doing some prep work for the resumption of trials this fall. We’ve been busy traveling so far this year – Texas in April to see son off to Afghanistan; Ohio in July to see Jessica’s family; Maine for a wedding and hopefully a long vacation in New Hampshire in August plus the New Market weekend in September. While in New Hampshire hope to swing over to Massachusetts and see Dee Biggs and his family.” Dave Avery (Lyme, NH): “Dartmouth honors its employees for their service at 15, 20 and 25 years of employment with a formal dinner and a token of appreciation. This year marked my own 25th year at Dartmouth, and I planned to attend the dinner anonymously and receive my commerative rocking chair after having tactfully chosen a seat near the back of the hall. That plan went awry when the president’s secretary called to say the college president had read through the resumes of this year’s honorees, and he would like me to join him at the head table. At the event I was seated between the president and the chief information officer of the college, what in the Army we used to call “danger close.” The embarrassment increased when President Kim in his remarks mentioned that my tenure in computing extended from the time when all the servers in use at the college had less storage than a modern iPod, until today when I’m responsible for managing 690 terabytes. He also mentioned that according to HR, I’m the most disabled college employee, as well as the only technical staff member who also teaches. At commencement, Dartmouth faculty march behind the president, provost and dean in order of seniority, defined by year of first undergraduate degree. That put me in the 28th slot for graduation this June. I think I’ll rock for a while.” Hal Switzer (Cambridge, MD): “Sandy and I are at home in Cambridge for the summer, doing stuff around the house and getting ready for our fall and winter RV trips. One of our granddaughters was born on May 15th, eight years ago, so this year we took her to see the New Market activities. Her parents are Hokie grads and fans, so naturally I’ve taught her since she could speak to answer the question, ‘Lindsey, when were you born?’ with the remark, ‘New

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Market Day, Papi.’ She told everyone near us that she was born on New Market Day and made her Papi very proud.” Herb Brasington (Hillsboro, OR): “Still in Portland and will probably be here for a couple more years. Am looking forward to our 45th.” Clay Thompson (Salisbury, MD): “We have continued cruising doing a River Cruise on the Danube in May – fantastic. Stay in touch with the Switzers and Flavins (Carlisle, PA) – suppose to have them for dinner late July. Hope Rat Parade at Crims is still on – a fantastic way to reconnect with BRs.” John Hince (Bryan, TX): “I guess we are all about to be officially old. That’s OK because I really like retirement.” Les Martin (Hanover, PA): “We’re scheduled for a granddaughter the 20th of July and on my birthday I got a hole in one on a par three, sorta special.” Richard Wallach (Middleburg, VA): “Not much going on with me that is particularly noteworthy. I had lunch with Cary Cook (Campbell, CA) last December while in California. He is in good shape and good spirits and enjoying life. He continues to be a counselor with the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. I am trying to get him to come east and see his BRs at John Crims this Labor Day weekend. In early May I played in the Norment (Williamsburg, VA) Golf Fundraiser with Jim Henry (Williamsburg, VA), Rick Siegel (Bethesda, MD) and Chandler Williams (Midlothian, VA). As usual we enjoyed four hours of playing golf poorly. Jack Ferguson and Rick Martinez live nearby and I see them with certain regularity. They too are in good shape and spirits. Jack actually stopped by my office yesterday for a social cup of coffee. I had a long chat with Tom Jeffrey (Glen Allen, VA) at some steeplechase races in early May. He is back in the Richmond area and looks great. I do not think he is going back and forth to Liberia any more. I continue to work in the international travel insurance business and with a 13-year-old daughter (Madeleine). I am pretty sure that routine is going to continue for quite a bit longer. Retirement is sort of meaningless to me, particularly since I do not work that hard anyway, never did!” Wayne Spruell (Ashburn, VA): “Lan and I are both well and long retired (since 2005). We enjoy attending classes daily at our sport and health club and spending time with our 5-yearold grandchild, Ethan. We just got back from a trip to Rome and Paris. It was too short.” Jim Burg (Prescott, AZ): “Finally surpassed 20, 000 hours of service to veterans and their families. However, in doing so I needed the use of my electric mobility scooter; apparently my injured legs finally gave out; while using said scooter I slid off the specialized seat built to

2011-Issue 4

accommodate my blown off tailbone I landed on my left elbow. Luckily I was immediately outside the ER at the VA. After being picked up by three techs, I was given the once over by the nurse. Not wanting to take valuable time from those in dire need, I asked the nurse to let me go back to work so she could attend to those in real need. She responded by saying not to worry – nurses are like that – then the Doc then had me sent for the usual array of X-rays. Returning to the scene of the crime, the doctor was not satisfied with the results of the pictures so back for a CAT scan for greater resolution; the new pics revealed a largely enflamed, broken elbow, the effects of which I’m presently enduring. Oh well, another VMI moment in time for a chosen warrior selected to help others.” Skip Anders: “The Anders family will be moving to Arizona in the very near future. We’re going out there at the end of July to lay some groundwork for the move and have a bit of vacation.” Mike Smythers (Chesapeake, VA): “Never thought we young Spartan trained cadets would get this old! Already been on Medicare for a month. When I received your message Carol and I were in Vancouver, Canada, enjoying the cool weather (unseasonably cold for them – they were complaining about not having a summer.). In Whistler, at the 2010 Winter Olympic Park, saw the most black bears I’ve ever seen in my life on a four-mile stretch of road. More black bears than I saw when I drove the whole of the Alaskan Highway a couple of years ago. Carol wouldn’t let me drive up too close to the bears afraid they’d attack the car (NPS fear factor maybe). Only one had a cub with it. Of course, we were driving a rented Chevy HHR which is all they had left that day – Carol said it looked like a small hearse! Maybe bears don’t like GM either for the same bailout reasons – you know Canada helped on that deal as well! Speaking of the NPS, we also visited the Olympic N.P. in Washington – beautiful place. Did some hiking there and as with all our trips, it seems we get unusual weather. Walked several trails in the Hoh Rain Forest of Olympic and didn’t see a drop of rain until we were literally driving out of the park – this is where the average rainfall is measured in feet! Love to travel – thankful for retirement! Continuing to live vicariously through our children and grandchildren – they will be here to celebrate the old 65. Two days later get to celebrate the oldest granddaughter’s 9th birthday.” Bill Carter (Raleigh, NC): “Susan and I have been spending a lot of time at the beach enjoying our two grandsons. Daughter Kate graduated from Ole Miss Law School in May and will take the Virginia bar exam February 2012. She’s moving to Norfolk at the end of this year. Son Scott

and his wife, Jill, recently moved to Richmond. He joined MeadWestvaco as director of communications. Son George and his wife, Juli, are still living in Raleigh. He is a broker with MorganStanley/SmithBarney. George and I plan to take John, his oldest son, to a football game in Lexington this year.” Rich Andrassy (Houston, TX): “I am still the chairman of surgery at UT Medical School in Houston (17 years as chair and before that, nine years as head of pediatric surgery). Busy with six grandchildren (ages 12-2). Play golf a lot (member of the United States Senior Golf Association). Grandson playing a lot of baseball (select team). Turn 65 this year but plan to keep operating for a number of years yet. Saw a picture of the ’68 group at the party. Who are all those old guys?” Howard Chapman (Mount Pleasant, SC): “I retired on July 29th after almost 42 years in public service. CARTA, where I worked, gave me a nice resolution, plaque and an engraved clock. Charleston City Council is planning on naming a building at the Visitor Reception and Transportation Center after me, and Charleston County Council is doing a resolution for me on the same night. I am lucky to have all of my children here for several weeks and all five of my grandchildren will be here too. I am still on the County Transportation Committee and the Mount Pleasant Planning Commission. Will have more time for golf and tennis, finally. Guy Wilson (Charlotte, NC) has vowed to help me get my golf handicap down, which is no small task given my lack of playing for quite a while. I still have my P.E. license in South Carolina and Florida and will look at interesting opportunities if they materialize. However, do not plan on working full time.” Ken Pennington (Amelia, Island, FL): “Barb and I traveled to Lexington April 23, 2011, to see the new baseball complex and other new Post additions. I was able to see the Saturday game against Liberty and was amazed at the complex compared to when I played ’65-’68. What a great addition to the athletic program! We enjoyed our stay at the downtown Hampton and had a wonderful dinner at The Southern Inn. Extend our welcome to anyone visiting the Amelia Island area.” Howard Donald (Richmond, VA): “Since retirement, I lead a rather quiet and uneventful life. Recently, I did spend a long golfing weekend as Kevin Henry’s guest in Winston-Salem, NC. Kevin has become quite good and I … well, let’s just say have fun. We were able to have dinner one night with Susan and John Royster (Advance, NC). The Roysters, Betty and Herb Laine (Chesapeake, VA), and I are planning to attend the U of R game in September. John, Herb, and I were roommates for two years along with B.J. Waldo (Lakeside, AZ) and John Sutton (Tucson, AZ).”

CLASS NOTES initiative from the Keydet Club. Soon Bunny Paulette will be president of the Keydet Club and I would hope we all would want to support him in his leadership role. Yesterday, I joined the new Gridiron Club as a charter member. It only requires a minimum investment of $50 and is a great way to show your direct support of Greetings, BRs, from the cool breezes of the the football team. All the monies go to support great North American Northwest. I report to the players and the coaches in their efforts to you this week from Victoria and Vancouver, get us back into winning ways. The class of ’69 British Columbia, as I am completing my first will soon hold [most] of the major positions for trip to this beautiful Canadian province. Lots of alumni support when Bobby Heely becomes news to pass this quarter so let’s jump right in! president next year of the Alumni Association. At the same time as my notes were being Bobby and Bunny (and the class of ’69) will submitted, I received this word from Gary soon be in charge! I encourage you to join the Mackey: “Fred Smith died on Aug. 16th at Girdiron Club and show the Institute that the his home in Memphis, TN, after a long battle class of ’69 has not forgotten how to supagainst FTD, (frontotemporal dementia) the port our team. ‘VMI Football fans, the VMI disease that many believe is caused by head Keydet Club and VMI Football are excited to trauma. Fred was a three-year letterman on announce the unveiling of The Gridiron Club! our football team (#52 in our heart) and will This new booster organization will serve as be remembered as a friend who loved life and the most updated, most well-informed and was always kind to everyone. Several years ago most socially active organization VMI fans he was able to make it to the Two Bellies Golf have ever seen! The topic of this club: all Outing and had a grand time reminiscing with things VMI Football. The purpose of the club: many of his BRs. After serving in the Army, support our Keydet football team socially and Fred spent most of his career in the manufacturfinancially. In the past two years a similar club ing industry and for years was an official for was started in support of VMI Baseball known youth soccer. A high point for Fred and Linda as The Diamond Club. This past year, its second came when they learned that several members year, The Diamond Club raised over $130,000 of our class had purchased and dedicated in through 120 members in support of the baseball Fred’s honor a locker in the VMI football program! These club members received weekly locker room. The two went to a game several e-mail newsletters regarding pregame/postgame years ago in Lexington and were able to see the write-ups, special information regarding events #52 locker dedicated to him. Our prayers and and road games and every pertinent news link sympathies go out to Linda, their two sons and involving our VMI Baseball team. We even two grandchildren.” More info will be available include some of our own personal assessments later when the obit is posted. about what’s happening around Post and what Medical advice from Johnny Mitchell via to look for in the upcoming weekends along Jim Long: “Something that we can do to help with financial news regarding the ourselves … nice to know: Bayer status of our club’s support to AOF is making crystal aspirin to dissolve Baseball! These e-mails spread under the tongue. They work much like wildfire among former VMI faster than the tablets. Why keep Baseball players, VMI alumni aspirin by your bedside? About heart and fans encouraging others to attacks: There are other symptoms join them in the Club, which was of a heart attack besides the pain on evident by the immediate success! the left arm. One must also be aware Now, VMI Football supporters are of an intense pain on the chin, as going to have the same opportunity well as nausea and lots of sweating; on a much larger scale! The greatest however, these symptoms may also concept about The Gridiron Club is occur less frequently. Note: There that your membership involves one may be NO pain in the chest during simple thing: making a minimum a heart attack. The majority of people (about 60%), who had a heart attack gift of $50 to Athletic Operating during their sleep, did not wake up. Fund-Football (AOF-Football). However, if it occurs, the chest pain This covers not only your membermay wake you up from your deep ship to The Gridiron Club, but also sleep. If that happens: immediately your membership into the VMI Class of 1969: The late Fred Smith, sitting, with Gary dissolve two aspirins in your mouth Keydet Club. All the important upMackey, B.A. Reynolds and Gene Beale at Beale’s home and swallow them with a bit of water. dates, game-day information, sneak in Norfolk, Virginia, 2009. Afterwards: Call 911 and say ‘heart peeks and Gridiron Club members-

’69

Walter Judd

attack!’ Say that you have taken two aspirins. Phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by, take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and … DO NOT lie down.” Got all that? Good advice from someone paying attention. On June 3rd, VMI Keydet Club had a Leadership Outing in Lexington. We met early for breakfast at Nikko’s on Main St. Attending were: Tommy Thompson, Dick Jeter, Tom Jones, Tom Morris and me. Then we headed out to the Lexington Golf and Country Club for a great day of golf and conversation. Art and Becky Bushey played with Jim and Beth Long on one team; Weasel Chapman, Dick Jeter, Tommy Jones and T.B. Thompson formed another team; Bunny Paulette played with basketball coach Duggar Baucom and other fanatics; and Tom Morris, John Sebrell and I played with wrestling coach Rocky Trudgeon. Dave and Susan Prugh and Ron and Betsy Wall joined us for the terrific evening meal later that evening. After golf many of us headed to John and Sally Sebrell’s condo for a tour and short visit then ate dinner at Alumni Hall. Team Long/Bushey finished third in their flight, just ahead of Bunny’s team. Art and Mav also collected “closest to the hole” prizes. In conversation after our visit in June, Mav called me with some suggestions for our class presence at VMI: get bigger plaques under the pictures of our BRs in our library room (as it is hard to read the details on the images hanging high above); get right dates for Jack Kennedy’s death on several pictures on Post; and start collecting dates and names of the class of ’69, as we pass away. Actions are still under way in getting these ideas accepted. Gary Mackey on Aug. 12th: “Below is a new

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES only social events all involve that minimum the distant past. There was my application, filled now there are not two BRs living half a block $50 gift! If you’re interested in becoming one out in hand, with a photo of a very young me from each other on a short street in West End of the charter members of The Gridiron Club, as a high school senior. I said I wanted to be an Richmond. Knox will be splitting his time beit’s as simple as this: click this link <http:// economics major (what was I thinking!). There tween the river country of eastern VA and a new www.vmialumni.org/NETCOMMUNITY/page. was a two-page typewritten essay titled ‘Why I condo in Richmond. Hard to believe he gave up redir?target=https%3a%2f%2fwww.vmikeydeWant a Military College Education,’ in which I his frequent trips to Europe just to go fishing. tclub.com%2fsslpage.aspx%3fpid%3d879&src stated the following: ‘I believe that military trainDoug Marks had his special day among id=31214&srctid=1&erid=1847555&trid=07ec ing teaches the value of methodical and orderly days. “Today at Fort Jackson here in Columbia, 2ca7-84ea-4112-8069-00b9a75c8987> to make approach to tasks, of physical and mental fitness I played in a captain’s choice tournament in a minimum gift of $50 to AOF-Football and put and of alertness and self-confidence. It instills in honor of veterans/military retirees. My group in the comments ‘The Gridiron Club’ or mail the student the conviction that sacrifices must be and I played the Wildcat Course, and we started a check to the Keydet Club at P.O. Box 932, made when principle is involved, and that truth, on the par four, seventh hole. We ended up with Lexington, VA 24450. We’ll take care of the honor and integrity are the basis of character.’ I one mulligan left over, and we scored a group rest! Our team is working hard day after day to guess that helped get me in, because Lord knows, score of 55. That’s 17 under par! That’s a birdie give us a successful program. It’s time we stood my SAT scores didn’t! Finally, there were my on every hole except number 10. We never behind them and showed them our supporters grades and, of course, a listing of all my bones. struggled on any hole until the very last ... a par in mass can do great things! Be sure to signThere’s other stuff in my file, but I found those I three of about 155 yards that Jim O’Brien used up soon though, you don’t want to miss any mentioned to be the most interesting. I bring all his mulligan on to get it to about 15 feet away. important updates before the opening kickoff on of this up to let our BRs know that the next time Teammate Goad was third to putt and sank September 3rd!” that they’re on Post, they can take a trip down it. We had no eagles. The ‘counted putts’ for Coach Gary McPherson, basketball coach memory lane by visiting the VMI archives in the group was 19. We one-putted every green when we were Keydets, turned 75 recently Preston Library. I advise, however, that they let except number 10 which we two-putted. Only and was rewarded with cards and messages Lt. Col. Diane Jacob, VMI archivist, know in three of the putts were less than 10 feet. They from many ex-players and friends. Although advance, and she can have the file ready.” I did flighted the groups (about 160 people total) into he and wife still work with West VA sports, he the same last winter and enjoyed the time spent two flights ... one on each course. Our team and his family fondly remember their days in in gathering info about our class. had the low gross (55) and the low net (51.5) Lexington. When asked how he was doing in mid June, out of all the teams playing today. We paid David Prugh took advantage of a unique David Bush replied, “Last August I had my $40 to play. We got free drinks, snacks, a nice invitation in April and traveled from Hawaii to second heart problem and had two stents put in; barbeque lunch and a fun round of golf. For San Diego with his son, Lt. j.g. Stephen ’07, on a since then I’ve been doing good … thanks for winning, we got a $40 gift certificate at the pro U.S. Navy ship. The picture nearby was taken on asking. Hope to make a few games this year. shop! (Oh well, we basically played for free!) the destroyer, the U.S.S. DECATUR (DDG-73) Golf game is not real good these days – need to I’ve played in a good many captain’s choice during a 2011 Tiger Cruise from Honolulu to San play more. But I have a great garden!” tourneys, but this one was an extraordinary day! Diego. Stephen and his shipmates were returnIn talking with Pat Branch on our scorching For four old guys with an average age of about ing from seven months in the Persian Gulf, and hot golf day in July, I learned that Knox Hu68 and an average handicap of nearly 16, we Dave was invited to share the return trip. Dave bard had retired and headed to the “Rivah.” So did pretty good! Okay. Bragging is over!” also reported his daughter, Katherine, Chunk Neale had a tough couple will be getting married in October, of weeks in May. First he had surand his older son, Daniel, a Lutheran gery and while recovering had to minister, will perform the ceremony. weather a terrible tornado near his Life is good when you can gather all home. He survived both of them the family together for such special and was busy healing from both occasions. experiences when we last talked. Scott Rhodes retired at the end of Gene Beale keeps up with Chunk the school year in June and is enjoying on a regular basis and was part of his time away from organized work. the news exchange. From Chunk, He visited Jess Powell recently in “Thank goodness for Mayo’s [for Shelby, NC, to see what Jess is docompleting successful surgery]. ing with his program for homeless On the mend … Then we got home men. Scott and several others with and 11 days later – ugh – tornado him are considering establishment of came about 250 yards from us. a similar program in his hometown. Hiroshima nearby is tough to see. He and wife Amy will be heading in We had water damage – out of September to Montana to visit son house probably another two-toand grandkids. three months. So sad for so many. Class of 1969: David Prugh with his son, Lt. j.g. Stephen Prugh ’07, on the U.S.S. Decatur during a July 2011 tiger Charlie Bryan reminiscing recently: Never say die.” cruise from Hawaii to California. (Editor’s Note: When an “I was going through some files this Marty Parks reports his son is aircraft carrier is coming home from deployment, the Navy weekend, and rediscovered copies of attending college closer to home gives relatives a chance to meet the ship and cruise the some papers that I had retrieved from this fall. “Trevor will be going rest of the way home with them. The relatives are called my file in the VMI archives a couple to Ferrum next fall majoring in “tigers.”) of years ago. Talk about peering into criminal justice.” Last Jan we

2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES had talked at a VMI basketball game about his and Lee Barnes’ sons being some of the last children of our BRs to look at colleges. Now from Lee Barnes, proud papa. “West Point, USMA, has a unique system; they cannot redshirt, as once you start, you must move through in four years; so when we talked (extensively) with the coach, and let me add, I was disturbed when he recommended this, but he feels Bryce can place in the NCAA matches if he were bigger and stronger that fifth year … just ask our coaching staff about redshirting kids … so we’ve agreed to forego ‘direct admit’ and go to USMAPS (the on-campus prep school – it counts as one year of your commitment of your five … the coach says this thing is chocked full of football players, then five wrestlers (Bryce won’t be alone). Now what proud Dad doesn’t want to hear that your son could qualify for the NCAA national tournaments … ok … [WP coaches say] if only we could work with him for a year in weight training, muscle development, etc. So the USMAPS kids have an abbreviated ‘beast barracks’ which starts July 18, 7:00 a.m. Monday morning.” Good luck, young Bryce. Lee also sent an interesting article about the right of secession from the United States originally agreed by the several initial states of the Union. The author (Anthony Radd) suggested Mr. Lincoln was not correct in calling to task the southern states wishing to exercise their right to separate from the new collection of independent states. “He contends that Lincoln’s intractable and intransigent approach combined with the prevailing of the ‘hot heads’ on both sides, brought on the tragic war.” I have the lengthy article if anyone wants to read it. Lots of politics fouling the airways these days. Don Hinshelwood, Roy Swatts, Drew Brantley, and Bob Slay bemoaned our current rules for elected officials in D.C. and called for change (but a very different sort of “change” from that advertised a couple of years ago). Also Roy (our old Dana) recently became the grandfather of twins. Lucky man! While golfing at Langley AFB one day after work this summer, I noted a sign on the second hole which apparently had been left over from the tournament played that day. “Hole sponsored by Hampton Stationery, John Cabot Ishon” was written on the sign. In talking later with Mr Ishon, he admitted supporting local community clubs in their fund raising activities. His family was good with one daughter married and working in New York City and the other working in a financial firm in D.C. Don Mercer was traveling again – this time to the Caribbean. He was heading to St. Thomas and St. Maarten with family when he wrote. They were sailing on the Oasis of the

Seas cruise ship. In May he completed a photo safari to Africa and returned with many photos and experiences. On his birthday I checked in with Tom Reynolds in Omaha. He was fine but not happy when UVa did not get to the finals this year in College Baseball World Series. Hope you all noted the local team went far in the tournament but ended up losing to eventual winner in a tight semi-final series. Ward Carr ran his sports camp again this year in Frankfurt area for any kids (boys or girls) interested in learning to play football, lacrosse or baseball at the American Sports Camp Frankfurt July 2010. Check out this YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Z7-wZYAXMJI <http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-wZYAXMJI> Ward also was involved in getting a traveling baseball team from Kansas (16 to 18 year olds) to play an All Star team from his area. The U.S. kids won this close game. Once again, Ward reported “My camp was honored to have the U.S. Consul Edward ‘Ned’ Alford (W&L ’73) open the camp for us. The Consulate has been giving me great support.” Kudos to both Ward and the local government representative to Frankfurt region. Time now for you to start monitoring football again and getting to see BRs in Lexington and other Big South cities. Get out and support those Keydets whenever you can and definitely support Bunny by joining The Gridiron Club. Do it today! Good living and safe travels for you all. In the Spirit, Walt

’70

Warren Grasty

So, I’m sitting on the couch, channel surfing while the Lovely Liz reads a book when I stumble across a vintage concert in progress. “Who is that?” she asks. “Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dear.” “Who?” Several minutes later, during “Sweet Home Alabama” comes, “Is that the Rebel flag wrapped around the singer’s microphone?” “That’s the Confederate flag, Dear.” Pregnant pause. “Well, back home in Massachusetts, we called it the Rebel flag.” So, after 30+ years, I must declare my ongoing efforts to educate my wife in Southern culture an abject failure. Never mind her acquired tastes for beach music, shrimp, grits, and succotash. They simply covered up a deeper, darker misunderstanding of all things Southern. (Note to readers: This is what you call “filler.” We now return to our regularly scheduled programming).

The class of 1970 was well represented on the Alumni Association’s Mediterranean sailing cruise aboard the Royal Clipper in late May. Taking in the sites were Herbert and Susan Braun, Gray and Nancy Chandler, Tom and Jill Cooke, Ralph and Marsha Costen and Lew and Judy Reynolds. All reports were that this was an amazing adventure. The captain was also pleased, since the ship never once had to use its engines with all the hot air on board. Over Memorial Day weekend, Charlie and Margaret Walker made the trek from Norfolk to Northern Virginia to celebrate the birthday of Margaret and her twin sister, Katherine. As you might surmise, a golf game broke out with Charlie’s brother-in-law, Lewis, joining Charlie, John Bailey and me. On Sunday, John and June hosted a brunch at their home. The quality of the significant landscaping and home improvements John has done over the years implies that he actually learned something in those CE courses at VMI. Showing a rare sign of wisdom, he left the electrical wiring to a professional. The month of June kicked off with the Annual Keydet Club Pup Cup/Leadership Outing in Lexington, a day of golf, good food and great camaraderie. Much to their chagrin, I was teamed up with Reed Heddleston, Neil Steverson and Dixie Walker. Little did we know that Da Judge would use a yet-to-be-discovered mathematical system for keeping the official score. Fortunately, that means no one really knows how bad it was. Damiso Alexander ’10 came down from D.C. to join us for the dinner and the hilarious after-dinner talk by Coach Duggar Baucom. Also in attendance were Ralph Costen, Steve Craddock, John and Carole Flemming, Bill Gearhart and Bill O’Connor. Among those recently extirpating themselves from the “where the heck have you been lately” list were Jeff Lyon. Jeff now resides in Accident, MD, which, as everyone knows is home of the Drane House and other exciting attractions, and whose 353 residents are called “Accidentals.” Ain’t Google great? In any case, good to hear from you, Jeff! Bill Thomas also checked in, saying that he and Carolyn sold their Tidewater home last year and are now “suffering” as retirees in Jupiter, FL. Our hearts bleed for you, Bill. Ace Armstrong dropped a line from Las Cruces, NM, where he and Nancy have built their dream house. They moved in last November after Ace retired as a teacher in Virginia. Also out of the ether came former roomie George Ritko. He and Lisa are still in Goldsboro, NC, where, unfortunately, Lisa has had to go on permanent disability due to medical problems. George had some major surgery a few years back, but he’s almost as good as new (hold the jalapenos, please). They frequently

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES travel up to the Tidewater area to visit their he and Fricka were preparing to move into their mer roomie, Tom Norris, and wife Amy were two grandchildren, and George looks forward new home at the end of August. He invites any spending a long weekend with Jack and Barbara to retirement in another year or two. And last, BRs to stay with them when in Richmond. If you Hoffman and their family. Tom reported that but not least, fellow Tweet Bruce Kirchner can find them. they actually sobered up long enough to catch a dropped a line from Cincinnati to relate this Even more good news came from Tom few fish. He also related that Jack and Barbara’s disturbing story from out last reunion. After the Cooke, who received an “all clear” from his daughter, Caroline, will be getting married April class paraded into the courtyard for the “Old doctors following several years of cancer 12th next year in San Antonio. Word has it that Yell,” Cousin Brucie turned to the guy standing therapy. This included a strict diet of what the governor is considering going back to work next to him, stuck out his hand and introduced appeared to be bark chips. Tommy confesses a few days a week as a hedge against a horde of himself. It turns out the guy was none other that it was almost too mulch. (I can’t help it.) BRs descending upon the reception. Rest easy, than Jim Dawson, not only a fellow Tweet for In July, Bill O’Connor underwent successful Jack. We would never, ever, take advantage of a four years but Bruce’s third class year roomcataract surgery, so now he will be able to see situation like that! mate, for Pete’s sake! Bruce is still not sure exactly where his golf balls enter the water hazDick Cheatham, yet another former roomie whether the problem was due to deterioration in ards. And in early August, Ralph Costen had a (I really slept around back then), gave a his eyesight or in Jim’s looks. I shall humbly re- scare with another heart episode that resulted in revised forecast for completion of his book frain from weighing in on this sad conundrum. a brief hospital stay, but as of submission time, for young people on citizen leadership, which Another former Tweet, Diehl Jones, checked there was no sign of any damage to the heart is sometime in the next millennium. Dick, we in from sunny Fayetteville, NC, where Diehl’s muscles. Just to be on the safe side, I think I’ll await with bated breath. In July, he was invited real estate appraisal business is hanging tough, steer clear of Richmond for a while, just in case to join some friends participating in the 150th helped somewhat by the expansion underway at there is something in the water. anniversary re-enactment of the First Battle Fort Bragg. He and Pat recently bought a home I am pleased to report that the man cave on of Manassas as an officer on the staff of the in Blowing Rock, NC, in anticipation of retire- the beach near Charlie and Margaret Walker’s Stonewall Brigade. However, the forecast of ment, so Diehl has a special deal awaiting any beach house in Corolla, NC, was significantly a 118-degree heat index for that day caused BR looking to buy a mountain condo. The phone upgraded this year. No more 2 x 4’s and duct him to beg off. I guess one could say that he lines are now open. Meanwhile, Pat and their older tape this year, by gosh. It now consists of not Stonewalled them. Dick also passed along an daughter work at Methodist Hospital, the only one, but two state-of-the-art, adjustable-height, article that ran in Investors’ Business Daily in mother-daughter pair there. Their younger daugh- pop-up shelter thingies with optional side which he was quoted. The article was about ter lives in San Francisco, where she handles the flaps. So impressive was this structure that the John Rolfe, Captain John Smith, Pocohantas, Sprint advertising account. Diehl relates that back lifeguard actually made us move it out of his Jamestown and the birth of Virginia’s tobacco in 2007, after returning from his dream trip to direct line of sight. Oh, the indignity! Sharing economy. Personally, I prefer Bob Newhart’s the Monaco Grand Prix, he was diagnosed with refuge with us under this monolith were John rendition of these events from the 1960’s prostate cancer. He went overseas to receive High and June Bailey, Gray and Nancy Chandler, whereby John Rolfe calls Queen Elizabeth Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, Jim and Judy Mawyer and the Walkers. I must on the phone and explains to her the conwhich is a non-invasive treatment currently in admit that it did an admiral job of protecting us cept of sticking a lighted wad of tobacco in U.S. clinical trials. The treatment was a resound- from dangerous UV ray exposure while keeping your mouth while trying to breathe. (I have ing (pun intended) success. Seriously, Diehl will our beers from overheating. Also making an got to find that old LP.) Dick runs into Bob be more than happy to share his experiences with appearance during the week were A.C. and Beth Hawthorne between Hayroll’s gigs with the this treatment with anyone. He also highly recom- Arnn, Dave Schmidt and several members of Thomas Jefferson High School Cadet Corps mends www.prostatecancerawarenessproject.org, the Bailey, Mawyer and Walker clans. Alumni Band, more familiarly known as the a Web site run by Bob Hess ’67, a prostate cancer Meanwhile, at Gulf Shores, AL, another forTJHSCCAB. Not quite as catchy as ABBA or survivor and an avid bicyclist. One BS&T, but then again, you have to of this organization’s fundraising play the hand you’re dealt. and awareness activities is the Tour Also hailing in from Richmond, de Skyline Drive, which is a bicycle Waite Rawls wrote of a recent lock ride along Virginia’s Skyline Drive, down scare at the Museum of the just one event in their Black Tire AfConfederacy due to rumors of an fair series. (I can’t take responsibility eminent terrorist attack. It turned for that one.) out to be a visit by Drew Brantley Also providing good news was ’69 and T.O. Palmer ’69, so they Ned Haley, who has almost rereally only needed to lock down the covered from some pretty intense liquor cabinet. Soda said Drew and facial surgery to remove a cancerT.O. were duly impressed with the ous growth as previously reported. museum, “but what blew their minds He just had “minor” surgery on the were Stonewall Jackson’s shoulder other side of his face, and the doctor epaulets from his VMI uniform, said that he got it all. I assume he complete with the Corps of Engiwas referring to Ned’s tumor, not neers insignia.” Luckily, they both to his money. The really good news have pretty small minds so there Class of 1970: J.C. Hanks with the rainbow trout he is that Ned can now qualify for the wasn’t much of an explosion. caught during his five-week, fly fishing trip to Montana, fast track into the witness protection This summer’s “Go West Old summer 2011. program, which may explain why Man” award will have to be shared

2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES (Note to L.A.’s: Those were puns, and pretty among three BRs. Having retired from a 38-year … Z-Z-Z-Z-Z. Sorry, must have dozed off. career in marketing at ExxonMobil three years Anyway, the book contains papers presented at good ones, too, I might add.) Earlier this year, ago, J.C. Hanks and a friend took a five-week the conference, which Dave co-organized and he and Judy vacationed in France for two fly fishing trip from Nitro, WV, to Montana and co-chaired. (Could it be he is becoming co-deweeks, which included a weeklong Rhone back covering 7,129 miles! After returning, a pendent?) Earlier on April 8, 2011, grandchild River cruise, six days in Paris and a side trip friend converted J.C.’s daily diary and pictures number two was born, namely Orion Michael to the Normandy beaches. Kent says the view into an excellent digitized journal of their trip. Curry, providing 3-year-old Sofie with a little of Omaha Beach at low tide gave him a much Meanwhile, Dick Knight was on his second brother to torment, I mean to play with. All in better appreciation for what the Bedford Boys adventure out West this year, a three-week trip all, a pretty good year for them. had to deal with on D-Day. Upon returning, to Yosemite National Park to see the 2,500 feet Jack and Melanie Kern wrote to kindly offer they spent a few days on the Outer Banks and high waterfalls that were, well, overflowing their services to all BRs as Chesapeake Bay then headed back to Haiti to help in the mediwith a record runoff from last winter’s snow- tour guides on their sailboat. Their specialty cal relief efforts. One of the doctors assured fall, the heaviest in 80 years. He returned just is a three hour tour, a three hour tour. Questhem that it would be cooler there in July than in time to head to Maine for a family reunion tion: If a golf do-over is called a Mulligan, is in Charlottesville. HA! It was so hot that the that included Moosehead Lake and the coastal a sailing do-over called a Gilligan? Moving thermometer readings actually went down towns of Camden and Rockland. Although he right along, Jack says that he has been invited while taking patients’ temperatures. Fortunatehas vacationed in Maine for years, Dick says this to speak to the graduating class at the John F. ly, these trips did not wreak the geopolitical was his first run-in with the state’s havoc that last year’s trips to Egypt infamous black flies … which only and Haiti did. goes to prove that one man’s bane This summer witnessed several is another man’s bait, or something more occurrences of the infamous like that. In late August, Bobby and North/South Golf Challenge, Betty Brown also vacationed in featuring Herb Braun and Jim Montana, although I am still awaitMawyer, representing the Capital ing indisputable video evidence of of the Confederacy, pitted against this trip. Earlier in the summer, they John Bailey and yours truly, repmet up in Williamsburg with Donresenting northern Virginia. Never nie Wheatley and Carl and Julie ones to miss a good meal, we were Class of 1970: Members of the class aboard the Strock where Betty, Julie and Donjoined after the round in Richmond Royal Clipper for The VMI Alumni Association Medinie attended at a Boys’ Home Board by Tom Cooke, Bill O’Connor terranean Cruise in May 2011 were, from left, Nancy meeting. Bobby also found time for and Neil Steverson. The ensuing and Gray Chandler, Marsha and Ralph Costen, Lew lunch with Ned Perrow. event in northern Virginia was used and Judy Reynolds, Susan and Herb Braun, and A half a world away, Phil Jornlin as an excuse to take in a WashJill and Tom Cooke. is six months into a multi-year stint ington Nationals/Atlanta Braves in Baghdad as Regional Site Secubaseball game, a feeble attempt to rity Manager with the Department add some social redeeming value. of State. He seems to take exception to my moan- Kennedy Special Warfare Center in August For any of you who are not yet one of the ing and groaning about the heat. I have to admit and then at a Military Order of the World 255 BRs on the BR e-mail list, please e-mail that, fortunately, I can’t come close to matching Wars luncheon. With public speakers, book me at ClassAgent1970@aol.com or call me at a prevailing temperature of 123 degrees. Phil is editors and authors, performing musicians 703-904-8151 so we can add you to this list. working on the establishment of the Enduring and, let’s not forget, our very own low-budget Then you can stay on top of what other BRs Presence sites that will be staffed upon the U.S. scary home movie director on the Left Coast, are doing on a more frequent basis than once military pull out at year end. Luckily, he is able I am beginning to feel somewhat of a cultural every three months and, just as importantly, to get home every three or four months. you can let us know what you are up to when underachiever among this crowd. But I’ll It appears that Dave Curry has turned into a the spirit moves you, so to speak. survive. serial retirer. After retiring from Devon Energy And last but not least, I want to thank all of From Charlottesville, Ben Dick reports that when they sold their Brazilian assets to BP, you who contributed so generously to VMI’s he is spending an inordinate amount of time he somehow got committed to go to work for Annual Giving Campaign during the past fiscal pleading to a higher authority to allow his son BP, from which he “retired” in June. Going year. Our participation rate was 43% and our to graduate from the University of Virginia for the three-peat, Dave is now working for total contributions were up 14.5% over the next spring. A positive sign is that his son HRT America, a newly-formed U.S. affiliate previous year. As we did the previous year, actually has post-graduation plans, either a job of the Brazilian oil company HRT Participaoes the class of 1970 not only raised more money in Foreign Service or graduate school. Ben, located in Rio. Since this entails working with for the Institute than any other class in the have you considered animal sacrifice? I read HRT’s analytical and geochemistry subsidiary, decade of the ’70s, we had the second highest somewhere that it increases your chances sighe’ll probably be going back and forth becontribution level and participation rate for nificantly, although you might want to check tween Houston and Rio, but only if absolutely all classes from 1970 through 2011. In these for any homeowners’ association prohibitions. necessary, of course. He is also co-editor of tough economic times, your support continues Also chiming in from C’ville was Kent a book soon to be published by the American to be truly amazing and extremely valuable. Schlussel, who spends his spare time teaching Association of Petroleum Geologists titled Here’s wishing you and yours a great calculus at the local community college. It’s “Proceedings of the Hedberg Conference on Thanksgiving and holiday season! good to see he is differentiating himself by Basin Modeling” Napa California, May 2009 In the Spirit! becoming an integral part of the community.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES James Kelly

’71

These notes will cover the period between May 15, 2011 and Aug. 15, 2011. As you are reading this edition of the class notes it is surely cooler where most of you are now than it has been all summer … but, as I write, things are about “normal” for summer 2011 … mid to upper 90s and dry. I have thought a lot about our BRs out in Texas and neighboring areas that remain in the midst of horrible drought conditions this season. So far these people can’t even get a tropical storm to hit them and, given the size of Texas, that is some bad luck. It is my sad duty to report that our class has experienced the loss of two Brother Rats and a spouse since our 40th Reunion. Chris Rackley died in a Richmond hospital on June 6, 2011, from heart related problems that he had struggled with for quite some time. Chris left VMI during our third class year but had remained in touch with his classmates. He was the beloved pastor of Elk Union Church in Sandston, VA, and is survived by his wife, Susan, and two children. On July 5, 2011, Andy Yurchak died as a result of pancreatic cancer. He was an honor graduate from VMI and served with the 2nd Armored Division of the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, TX. Andy was buried in the Middle Ten-

nessee Veteran’s Cemetery located in Pegram, TN, and is survived by his wife, Roseann, three sons and seven grandchildren. Ross Horton’s wife Marchia died June 30, 2011, and funeral services were held in Nokesville, VA, July 7, 2011. In addition to Ross, Marchia is survived by two children and two grandchildren. On behalf of the class of 1971 and the VMI community, I extend our heartfelt condolences to each of these families. Around the first of June, I got a nice e-mail from Steve “Cat” Ballowe saying that he had been contacted by VMI about being “lost.” The truth is that he is not lost but has indeed been on the move for some time. Cat retired from the public school business in the U.S. (mostly in the “low country”) back in 2010 and proceeded to Bangkok, Thailand, where he was Head of School for an established Catholic school with 1800 students. He also has remarried and has gained two daughters (all lovely ladies) to go along with his two grown sons. Supporting a new family will require that he work a little longer for a second retirement, so Steve has accepted a three-year appointment as Head of School, American International School, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The school is opening a new campus that Steve says would rival many U.S. colleges (check it out at als.edu.vn). Cat keeps up with VMI and will return after his next retirement. I also received a link (Postcards) associated with Fortune magazine that featured an article on a woman doctor by the name of Debbie

Brown who is serving in Iraq. It turns out that this doctor, Col. Debbie Brown, is the wife of John Nilon. Debbie had joined the Army in 1973 and attended medical school under the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship program. She is an anesthesiologist at Mount Vernon Hospital in northern Virginia specializing in hip and knee replacements. In March of this year, four days prior to her 60th birthday, John gave Debbie the news that “their lives were about to change,” as she was being deployed to Iraq. Over the next few months John helped Debbie get in to shape for desert duty and practiced with her using her current sidearm. Col. Brown is now in the OR of a hospital outside of Mosul, Iraq. In addition to her regular duties, she is also chief of professional services and the medical advisor to the commander. For the complete story check out this site: postcards.blogs. fortune.cnn.com … for July 2011. The Richmond area members of ’71 have had a longstanding luncheon meeting at a local pub. Realizing what a good idea that is, a number of us formed a very loosely organized group of southwest Virginia ’71 alumni. We held our first meeting at Sal’s Restaurant in Radford in July. Twelve of our band were on hand: Buz Booker, Buddy Bryan, Jim Gearhart, Erwin Hanke, Jim Kelly, Rick Littleton, John Metzger, J.D. Morefield, Barry O’Donnell, Bruce Rush, John Saunders and Herb Whitley. We had a great evening filled with the usual amount of war stories. Our slate of officers includes Mouse as president, Bear as corresponding sec-

Class of 1971 Photo top, right: Meeting for dinner at Sal’s Restaurant in Radford, Virginia, July 2011, were, from left, J.D Moreifeld, Herb Whitley, Rick Littleton, John Metzger, Erwin Hanke, John Saunders, Barry O’Donnell, Buz Booker, Bruce Rush, Jim Gearhart, Buddy Bryan and Jim Kelly. Photo courtesy Jim Gearhart. Photo bottom, far right: Atop the sentinel box in Old Barracks during the 40th Reunion and leading the Old Yell were, from left, Vice President Al Davis, President Jan Essenburg, Historian Bob Lockridge, Class Agent Jim Kelly and a cadet first classman. Photo courtesy JoAnn Ashman. Photo right: “The 1971 banner ‘floats on high’ at the 40th Reunion,” wrote Class Agent Jim Kelly. Photo courtesy JoAnne Ashman.

2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES retary and Buz as social chairman. Our boundaries are flexible so our membership is open to anyone that wishes to join in the fellowship. The next outing scheduled is to attend a Pulaski Mariners baseball game in historic Calfee Park where we are being chaperoned by our wives … let the good times roll with the peanuts and cracker jacks. If you are a fan of country music then you probably know that VMI was mentioned in the song titled “Runway Lights” by Billy Ray Cyrus. According to the lyrics, the hero “made his way through VMI” on his way to becoming a jet pilot – much like many of our Brother Rats who are not famous recording artists. Lanny Gault notified us of the release. He observed that it “must be the first mention of VMI in a song since “The Spirit.” Mom and the flag were honored but not any pickup trucks, trains or prison. Give it a listen on your grandchildren’s smart phone. Billy Ray, as far as I know, does not have a VMI connection. For the last 15 years the Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club has sponsored the BB&T Fourth of July Balloon Rally on the VMI parade ground. John and Laura Metzger are the only ones I know who may have been there this time around. VMI has provided space, facilities, police and other employee assistance over the years as a community service. The traditional fireworks had to be launched from the campus of W&L because of the construction VMI has done near the old rifle range. This resulted in that area being no longer suitable as a launch site. Officials at VMI are hopeful that a new launch site will be approved that will once again allow the fireworks to be displayed bursting over the Barracks. Some of you may remember (or may have been involved with) fireworks that were displayed in Barracks back in the day even when it was not the Fourth of July. Speaking of displays, the city of Lexington is hotly debating the display of certain flags (notably Confederate flags) in the downtown area. Some might understand that debate but the proposed ordinance is worded in such a way that VMI and W&L flags would be banned from city flagpoles. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 1 in Lexington. Check the flag poles on your next trip to VMI and see how this situation was resolved. Too bad that Tim Golden is not the mayor. Buddy and Carol Bryan spent some time in August with family and grandchildren at Topsail Beach and are now resting up prior to football season. Kathryn and I hope to spend some time later this summer with Lauren (’26) and Ryan (’27) at Emerald Isle, NC, and then do a stopover in Raleigh to attend my brother Mike Kelly’s ’73 end of summer pool bash …

our version of a “float and bloat.” Football season will be about over when these notes are published. I know that our coaches and players are working hard to bring victories to the Big Red. The season will also provide several opportunities to get guys together either in Lexington or on the road. I hope to have many good things to report after that time. Also, check your winter schedules for chances to see the Runnin’ Roos in action. This year’s squad has the potential to be even better than last year’s team which gave us the best record of the last 30 years. There are new opportunities to support two of VMI’s athletic teams. The Diamond Club was started a couple of years ago in support of VMI Baseball and that group has generated over $130,000 to go directly to baseball. Most recently the Keydet Club has established The Gridiron Club which will support our football program. Similar in nature, the groups offer special newsletters and activities for contributors. Check the Keydet Club’s Web site for additional information and give some thought to becoming a part of these efforts. VMI has published the figures for Annual Giving during FY11. A grand total of over 14.6 million dollars was contributed by 6,906 donors. The goal for the Institute was to have 35% alumni participation. The class of 1971 accounted for 104 of those donors with an alumni participation rate of 40%. We surpassed every class in our decade with the exception of ’70 (an Old Yell for them) and every class thereafter with the exception of ’85 (25th Reunion year). Gentlemen, our strong showing of support for VMI is outstanding, and I thank each of you that contributed for your dedication to Annual Giving. Having said that, I want you to read and reflect on the next paragraph. Forbes magazine just released their annual rating of “America’s Top Colleges” and I think that you will find the results much to your liking. VMI was ranked 65th overall and in the top 100 of colleges providing the best overall value for the cost. According to Forbes, the rankings are based upon things that “matter most to students:” quality of teaching; great career prospects; graduation rates; low levels of debt; and national scholarship awards (Marshall, Rhodes etc.). VMI was also highly ranked in the most recent listings published by U.S News & World Report especially with regard to liberal arts and engineering. Now, I would say to each of you, what better success story can you find? VMI has made the most out of every dollar that has been received from all sources … and the men and women of today’s Corps are attending college at a place that has only gotten better with time … not a place that very well could rest on it’s reputation

and accept the fact that times are difficult and money is tight and thus spiral downward. I hope that our faithful donors will continue to support VMI and those who have yet to contribute will give serious thought to making that first step – however large – this year! Unlike the stock market and our 401K’s … it is not risky and the dividends are realized every day when VMI men and women develop into the citizen soldiers that our nation so desperately needs. Kathryn and I wish all of you a great holiday season and a prosperous New Year for 2012. I hope to see many of you, as well as hear from you. Next deadline for class notes will be Oct. 17, 2011. Be safe out there. God bless our team and VMI. Jim

’72

Larry Houseworth

Greetings, all, These notes cover mid May through the end (??) of the “doggest” summer in recent memory – two weeks ago the index was 105; today it’s a balmy 78 … ahh, the meteorological times they are a changin’ … Next week, VMI matriculates over 500 Rats. This historic number (the result of an astounding 25% increase in applications from last year) is a tribute to the rising stature of the Institute and is, in no small fashion, a testament to the dedication and efforts of Col. Vern Beitzel and his staff. During Vern’s tenure as director of admissions, VMI has successfully assimilated women (several Cadet Captains this year – to include a battalion commander), remains in the top three public liberal arts colleges in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges and Universities in the United States, and ranks in the top 10% of Forbes Magazine’s 650 best colleges in the nation. Only three schools in Virginia rank higher (Washington and Lee, UVa, William and Mary). Vern and his staff have created a Corps with recognized International Study Programs, composite GPA’s far in excess of those in the past, and a 57% military commissioning rate, all while maintaining the nation’s strictest Honor Code. The class and the entire Institute family, salutes you, BR – A quick look at VMI’s academic program reveals why its rankings have soared. (From Gen. Peay’s ’62 “Superintendent’s Update to the Parents of VMI Cadets”): One hundred percent of the faculty holds a doctorate degree. Thirteen members of the class of 2011 graduated with Institute Honors and 25 were certified as Distinguished Graduates (cumulative GPA of 3.5

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CLASS NOTES or higher); an additional 74 graduated With Dis- and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) was the com- for only 23 cents out of every dollar required to tinction (cumulative GPA between 3.0 and 3.5). missioning officer. Nineteen cadets were commis- stay open; and with declining tax revenues, this Recent changes in the academic program greatly sioned into the Air Force by Maj. Gen. (and former contribution will continue to diminish. That’s expand opportunities for cadets to pursue a minor Regimental Commander) Darren W. McDew ’82. why I was so heartened to receive the Giving or double major. The Department of Mathematics One hundred percent of the Second Class Air Summary from the foundation. One hundred and Computer Science has developed a minor in Force ROTC cadets received their first or second of our throng of 265 (37%) contributed over information technology and design, focusing on choice in career field and the detachment had a $77,000 in general or targeted donations to the need for safe and secure integration of IT. The 90% selection rate for the pilot, combat systems the Institute. What was particularly gratifyDepartments of Biology and Physical Education officer, and air battle manager career fields (the ing was to see the large number of “lost BRs” have developed a minor in exercise physiology. Air Force ROTC national average is 60%). The and first-time givers. While many of us face The Department of International Studies has Navy ROTC unit presented 38 scholarship appli- financial challenges – raising kids while supdeveloped a minor in national security. The new cations and was awarded 31 – an 82% acceptance porting parents, paying tuition, perhaps even Math Education and Resource Center, supported rate. The Marines had a 97% pass rate at Officer facing job layoffs – please remember this; for by the Jackson-Hope Fund, addresses universally Candidate School, compared to a national average the price of two Venti Frapacinos a week, VMI recognized deficiencies in the math skills of col- of 75%. The Navy had a 100% acceptance rate could receive over $400 to support its growing lege freshmen. VMI now has 14 partnership for scholarships or College Program Advanced academic reputation – for the price of a monthly agreements with other colleges and universities Standing, putting seven additional students on a dinner and a movie, over $1000 could assist including guaranteed admissions agreements with guaranteed commissioning track. Overall, 90% an underprivileged HS student receive the life three Virginia medical schools and provisions received their first or second choice for selection. experience that only VMI can offer. Remember, in the application process, such as guaranteed The Marine Corps commissioning officer was BRs, it’s not how much you contribute – it’s personal interviews, for UVa’s School of Law and Maj. Gen. John M. Croley, deputy commander how many of you choose to give … thank you. Darden School of Business, William and Mary’s of the U.S. Marine Forces Command and ComNow to us … L-o-o-n-g lost BR, Bill Read Mason Business School and VCU’s business mander of the U.S. Marine Corps South. The Navy wrote proudly of his twin sons,’ Samuel Ian school. Maj. Tim Moore ’97 established a chapter commissioning officer was Adm. Gary Roughead, Read and Benjamin Davis Read, acceptance of Engineers without Borders with summer cadets chief of Naval Operations. into VMI’s class of 2015. After leaving VMI, from several majors involved in the first phase of And, in what should be music to Joe Derie’s Bill got his J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall multi-year project to develop a water treatment and Jack Miller’s ears, VMI is one of six U.S. School of Law and practices in Richmond, and irrigation system in rural Bolivia. VMI joined Coast Guard Direct Commission Selected Ohio. Great to hear from you, BR – don’t be a eight other colleges to form a national consortium Schools. Participating cadets meet the majority stranger! that will develop curricula and internship expe- of USCG commissioning requirements upon The Washington Business Journal honored riences to allow students to understand issues graduation, requiring only a short stint at USCG Gale Sommers as Chief Financial Officer of the related to poverty in the United States. Twenty OCS before pinning on their Ensign’s bars. Year (real estate). Gale is senior vice president cadets are pursuing teaching certification to teach With Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the and CFO of Professional Warranty Service at the secondary school level thanks to VMI’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, giving the commenceCorporation, which offers new home warranties expanding pre-professional programs. Two VMI ment address, the commissioned cadets of 2011 and administrative services to leading domestic engineering professors (Col. Jim Squire, Col. Jay entered their respective services with a fanfare. residential construction companies such as Sullivan) and 1st Lt. Will Flathers ’08, USAF Now to my recurring pitch – All of this sucNVR, Pulte Homes and Toll Brothers. The were issued a patent for a device that uses seismic cess comes at a tremendous cost; and at a time judges said, “Gale’s ability to lead his company signaling to locate survivors in a mine collapse. of rapidly decreasing revenue contributions through what have been extremely challenging Flathers a Distinguished Graduate with Institute from the state. VMI can count on Richmond years separates him from his peers. While other Honors, majoring in electrical and companies in the homebuilding and computer engineering, was VMI’s construction industry have disapfirst Marshall Scholar. Having peared, Gale has kept his company earned a graduate degree in avionmoving forward by focusing on both ics at Great Britain’s University of short- and long-term opportuniSheffield, he commissioned and ties ripe for the taking.” In typical serves as an Air Force EngineerGale-style, he battled the downturn ing Officer; and Heidi Beemer ’11 by taking on a variety of non-CFOrecently completed an assignment ish functions such as company at NASA’s Ames Academy where operations and handling everything she was executive officer, chief from human resources to leasing geologist and science team leader. documents to underwriting. When a The military commissioning large national builder went bankrupt, numbers are impressive. Twelve Gale developed a new service line of the 59 commissioning officers whereby homeowner claims could in the Army ROTC program were be deflected away from the builder declared Distinguished Military to PWSC – who accommodated the Graduates and three of the 12 were workload through new employees Class of 1972: Jack and Donna Miller, center, with fellow in the top 10% in the nation. Gen. and software. Of course, your humble U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary search and rescue teammates Robert W. Cone, commanding scribe was convinced of Gale’s Bill Terrell, left, and Jim Roche, right. general of the U.S. Army Training business acumen when, over one of

2011-Issue 4

CLASS NOTES Red’s grey-bacon burgers in the spring of 1971, we discussed the impending business success of “Love Story” and hot pants … just sayin,’ I knew it all along … A.J. Fojt shared a very heartening note relating correspondence between Phil Wilkerson (retired Army O-6 Cav Aviator) and A.J.’s godson Capt. Comador M. Ferguson, an AIRCAV CO in Afghanistan. A.J. had recommended that young Capt. Ferguson seek Phil’s counsel on aviation safety equipment in a combat environment; Phil not only graciously responded with his recommendations and insights but also offered up spiritual guidance for which the young captain was extremely grateful. And, in inimitable Wilkerson family style, Phil mentioned nothing of this to me when he and I (as his guest) attended a Nationals-Phils game shortly thereafter. Jim Van Landingham sent along a great note just ahead of deadline. He says, “Hey Larry, I thought I would send you a bit of news of some other BRs that I have run in to lately. For the past six years Lindley Vaughan, Wayne Harrell, Colby Fitzhugh and I have played in the Richmond Keydet Club’s golf tournament in Richmond at Independence Golf Club. We even had Rick Minor as a substitute one year. Since we all turned 60 last year we got to move up to the ‘senior’ tees and we won the tournament last year and again this year. We were 20 under par this year with 16 birdies and two eagles. Too much fun! All these guys are doing fine and actually still gainfully employed in a horrible economy … I also spent an afternoon in July with Taz Carrington at Camp Maxwelton located in Rockbridge Baths outside of Lexington. Turns out he has two sons going to the camp with my 14-year-old son. I couldn’t believe one of our BRs had a younger child than me … Looking for a good turnout for our 40th next year.” Jim and Taz – with teenage sons; we definitely salute you, gentlemen … and want your prescription! Bob MacMeccan wrote of goings-on and near-retirement; “Dominion Virginia Power offered a voluntary separation package in March 2010 which was too good to turn down, so I subsequently retired after 28 years of service effective 1 Aug. 1, 2010. When I retired I was a supervisor in nuclear engineering, Fleet Projects at our Corporate Technical Center in Glen Allen, Virginia. I spent the rest of 2010 moving my mother into an assisted living facility, clearing out the family home place, selling her house, having rotator cuff surgery and going through physical therapy. I had surgery again the first of January due to a frozen shoulder and went through more physical therapy. I was just beginning to experience real retired life when unfortunately I got another job as a project

manager at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant in Jensen Beach, FL. I am just finishing my fourth month in an 18-month assignment and then hopefully I will retire for good. The plan is to go home to Chesterfield, VA, once a month for a three-day weekend. I will be back for an annual pilgrimage to Lexington for the football game on Oct. 22nd and plan on making our 40th Reunion next spring.” Ahhh retirement … so close, yet so far … Jack Miller sent along a great story of “Old Dogs and Panthers” (ask him to share it with you – Ms. Traci and Ms. Hope would be less than pleased if I shared it here). He also sent me the picture and this – “Our U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary SAR (Search and Rescue) Florida team is going to compete at U.S. Nationals! We are all excited to be going to Yorktown, VA, to compete with U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarists across the U.S. The competition includes everything from first aid to navigation; to boat handling; to lifesaving competency. Yorktown even plans a surprise element for us to complete. It will prove to be a real challenge! Wish us good luck! Go Florida USCGAUX!” Semper Paratus, BR! Proud grandpa Tom Hathaway passed along news of the newest member of the Hathaway throng – and – YouTube links of his band “Kickstart” tearing up Bob Segar’s “Rock ‘n Roll Never Forgets,” among others … TC, you’re a role model for “how it’s done, son!” George Kosovic shared a recent New York Times article on Cam Fine’s (President of the Independent Bankers of America) role in lobbying Congress on the effects of the Dodd-Frank law and its effects on Cam’s constituents. The article states, “In recent months, the community banking industry has started an aggressive grassroots campaign, taking aim at regulation enacted in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Small banks fear new rules under the DoddFrank law, especially certain consumer protection provisions and debit card fee restrictions, could hurt their bottom line and even cause a few banks to fail. The Independent Community Bankers of America, an industry trade group, spent roughly $1.2 million lobbying regulators and lawmakers in the first quarter of 2011, according to the Center for Responsive Politics … (b)ut small banks perhaps benefited most from the overhaul of deposit insurance rules. The change, which forces large risk-taking banks to pay a bigger share of deposit insurance premiums, is expected to save small banks more than $4 billion over the next three years, according to Camden Fine, who leads the community bankers group …’(t)he legislation was a very mixed bag for community banks,’ Mr. Fine said. ‘There were some good provisions; some provisions will have a horrendous impact

if we can’t get them changed.’ Mr. Fine and his constituents are now focusing on a rule that restricts the fees banks charge grocery stores and other retailers each time a customer uses a debit card. The Federal Reserve has proposed capping the so-called swipe fee at 12 cents for each transaction, 70 percent below the average fee charged in 2009 … (a)lthough Dodd-Frank excused community banks from the rules, Mr. Fine says the exemption is ‘worthless’ because retailers could refuse to accept cards issued by small banks that carry higher fees.” The article states that Cam’s concerns are shared by both Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, and by Elizabeth Warren, who was President Obama’s initial choice to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Heady company, indeed – and check out Cam’s blog, “Finer Points” at http://camfine.wordpress.com for a clear, concise, “I’m from Missouri – show me” approach to the banking industry. Gotta love the by-lines; “Taking Responsibility and Standing Tall” and “Real Facts and Beer.” In closing, I find I’m becoming more hooked on Jim Yolda’s incredible nature photography (Facebook) and Jack Hornberger’s blog at the “Future of Freedom Foundation” – check them both out if you haven’t. Last note of assembly’s fading so that’s a wrap for this issue … Be strong, be safe, and be there for you and yours, BRs – Rah Virginia Mil! Honored, Larry

’73

Mike Kelly

Hello, BRs! It is almost Christmas as you read these notes; however, it is mid August and in the middle of dog days as I write them. Thus far, August hasn’t been nearly as hot as June and July! Wow, it has been rough here. At least it will be cooler when you get Issue 4 of the Review, and we may even be wishing for some warm weather by then. It is always disheartening to begin notes with sad news. I expect that by now most of you have heard about the passing of Michael W. Burks. Michael died on May 19, 2011, at his home in Mechanicsville, VA. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sandra. Klaus Worrell prepared a poster with Michael’s obituary information, along with his pictures and personal information from the ’73 Bomb and had it displayed at the funeral home. Stuart Seaton, our class fund treasurer, made a donation to the American Cancer Society from the class in

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CLASS NOTES Michael’s name. Please keep Sandra and all of Michael’s extended family in your thoughts and prayers. His passing brings the total to 17 of our BRs that have passed away. Mike MacKenzie told me that Michael had been fighting mesothelioma for several months. I heard from several of you regarding Michael’s death. Paul Jalbert and Mike MacKenzie were the first to let me know. Sandy McNamara shared his grief, and Tom Clark noted that although we are getting older, at least we still can remember that we all shared that VMI bond and Brother Rat experience together. Mike Burke added his remembrances of the two of them getting their share of each other’s status slips, including the special report for Mike’s most famous escapade! I also had comments from John Pinner, Rich Lykins and Doug Payne. Things have certainly changed around the Kelly household in the past few weeks. As I expected, my job was eliminated, effective July 1, as part of a massive cutback in state employees and agencies. What wasn’t expected was that my wife, Pat, also lost her job when the legislature made additional last-minute cuts. So we’ve both been home pretty much since the middle of June, however, we’ve been extremely busy. In fact, I’m not sure how we even had time to work! We’ve traveled some, including to our annual family July 4th outing at my parent’s home in Pulaski, VA, for the cookout, homemade ice cream and of course the fireworks! What a great weekend! We spent some time with a friend at her family’s place on the Chesapeake Bay near Prince Frederick, MD, followed by a trip to Atlanta to visit my oldest son, Scott, and his family. As I mentioned in the last notes, Scott was transferred back to Atlanta from Las Vegas by Bank of America. It looks like we’ll be heading south a lot more now rather than out west. I told Scott that Pat and I could just move in and keep his pool and yard for him, and babysit the grandkids, but I don’t think he’s buying it on a full-time basis. Anyway, Pat has put in for retirement which will take place following her severance package, and I’ll probably do the same in the near future. However, I have started doing some environmental consulting work similar to what I was doing more than 20 years ago before I came to work for the state, just to keep active in some areas. We are in much better shape than a lot of folks and plan to enjoy life to the fullest, so I’m not going to get too wrapped up in another job. In fact, we had already planned a trip to Great Britain the end of this month, so we’re looking forward to that, and I expect we’ll visit kids and family in Pennsylvania and Florida this fall. Life is good. I continued to hear from a number of you

2011-Issue 4

after the “cut-off” day for my notes in May, so I’m including some of those notes in this article, as well. One of the messages came May 19 from Tom Clark who reminded me that it was 38 years ago that most of the class received their commissions, and May 20 was the 38th anniversary of our graduation. We’ll be having our 40th Reunion before long. In fact, it most likely will be in the spring of 2013, so put that on your calendar! M.B. Adelson sent me a note in June saying that he was still struggling to keep his head above water while working and trying to finish his dissertation for his LL.M. He said that while he thought it was tough trying to juggle all the academics, military and sports stuff at VMI, this year has been a challenge for him. He told me this month that he had everything done but his dissertation and hopefully had enrolled in his last semester of graduate school! M.B. stays in touch with a number of BRs. He said that Buck Harrison’s youngest daughter, Kristen, graduated magna cum laude in May from the University of Richmond and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps. His oldest daughter, Becky, is a first lieutenant with the 101st Airmobile and is due home this summer from Afghanistan. I know Buck is really proud of his daughters. M.B. also reminisced about some of the good old days in Barracks, and fondly remembered some things with Buck, Michael Burks, Blake Thomas and Tom Murray. In fact, M.B. wondered what Tom was up to as we haven’t heard from him in a long time? M.B. also stays in close contact with Roland Tiso. At the time of this writing, Roland was in Afghanistan at Bagram Air Base. He left Tampa June 21 and is supposed to return in early November. He’s currently working with the 1st CAV. As I reported in my last notes, Roland and Judie are now empty nesters as C.J. has moved to Chicago to pursue her dance career, and Allie has returned to the Pittsburgh Ballet, so I know Judie will be glad to see Roland back home. Dave Sutherland still lives in Brownsburg, IN, and told me that during the Memorial Day weekend, he visited Father Ron Martin, and his wife, Nikki, and their son, Will, at their home just outside of Chicago. Ron is a Greek Orthodox priest, and he and his family are doing well. Ron’s son is becoming an outstanding piano player. Dave said Will kept them entertained playing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” on their grand piano. The subject for Ron’s honor’s English thesis for Col. Tom Gentry ’44 was Gershwin, so as Dave said, the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree! Dave continues to be active in new cadet recruiting and indicated that 10 cadets from Indiana were admitted to VMI’s class of 2015,

which was a rather large number of admitted applicants from the Hoosier State. Dave also said he spoke to Dave Northcraft and John Ciriaco this spring. While I have not heard from John Ciriaco in awhile, I would hear from Dave Northcraft fairly regularly and recently called him to see how he was doing. He was supposed to have a surgical procedure in late July to harvest stem cells (stem cell mining) and then his immune system was to be “taken down” so the stem cells could be re-injected. This transplant procedure is a way to address the type of lymphoma he has. However, Dave became ill right before the procedure was to start and due to some complications, was not able to have the procedures done. When I spoke to him in August, he was much better and hoped to have the procedures done sometime before the end of the month. Please keep Dave, Susan and all of the family in your thoughts and prayers. Don “Hap” Reisch said he had survived his daughter, Emily’s, wedding in Delaware, though it stirred a lot of emotions from dear old dad. He returned back home to Nashville, putting up with the 100-degree weather and is back at work in order to pay for the wedding! Hap continues to do well following his treatments for lymphoma and tries to stay in touch with Dave Northcraft, who has a much more severe case than Hap. Hap encourages anyone who can give Dave a call to do so and let him know we’re thinking about him. I know P.X. English was really disappointed not to have been able to take his cross-country bike ride because of a broken collar bone, but I think he generated some support and a lot of interest in this fundraiser for the Covington Boy’s Home. I heard from Bill Stephens, Ed Hall, Stu Seaton and a few other folks who were very interested in the ride and hope that P.X. will be able to hit the trail again in the future. In the last issue I also talked about a trip Mac Kirkpatrick and his son, Clark, were taking on their BMW bikes this summer. Mac and Clark just returned from a 35-day road trip that totaled 12,000 miles. They traveled from eastern Pennsylvania all the way to Deadhorse, AK, which is adjacent to Prudhoe Bay – that is as far north as you can drive. Although they averaged 350 miles a day, they went 1,050 miles one day just to go over 1,000 miles in a single day! What a trip. In August, I sent his log out to the ’73 VMI cyber mail list for you to look at, so if you’re interested in this journey and didn’t see it, please let me know. They had a great time. Clark, however, is busy this week getting packed up and ready to go to VMI on August 20 for his matriculation! Clark wants to be a special ops Marine officer and major in Arabic and International Studies. Good luck,

CLASS NOTES Clark! Look forward to seeing you in the near Family Life Chaplain at Fort Benning, GA. This the Maryland alumni. Ed said they are sending future. Mac said his 15-year-old daughter, Julia, is the third cadet they’ve sponsored. The other off another group and getting ready for a new isn’t interested in attending VMI, but perhaps two are now pilots with the USAF; one flies an recruitment year. Thanks so much for all of Clark can change her mind. Thanks for sharing F-16 and the other the B-1. Tom also told me he your support! the trip with us, Mac. had created a new Facebook group and now has Ralph Littreal told me that it wasn’t so hot in Also in the May issue, I mentioned that Phil 40 BRs listed. San Jose, CA, at least not weather wise. He said Coulter sent me a message saying Fred Hall Ed Hall copied me on a message from John that he’s still with Lockheed Martin but as the was the hero on the mountain in Roanoke, as DiGiovanni. John talked about the VMI Class defense budget tightens, he’s a little concerned he was the “go to” guy for getting out of the of ’73 Facebook group and mentioned that he about the future. Otherwise, he said there snow when stuck, and the man with the plow to was recovering from foot surgery. Apparently, wasn’t much to report from the West Coast. keep the mountain roads open. Fred sent a note he had a bone spur rubbing his Achilles tendon. This has been a very successful summer in as well indicating he got a kick out of the comHe said that after a month or so of not drivlocating “lost BRs.” In fact, I have heard from ments and provided a picture his wife Donna ing, he should be OK and planned to be back three folks who have been out of touch for quite had taken of him with his “snow plow.” Fred teaching middle school math this fall. John also some time. Bill Spencer wrote to say that he said that when he’s not plowing, he stays busy mentioned that he recently saw Richard Rogwas living in Orange Park, FL, which is near with their stock market holdings, which gives ers, who is living in Austin, TX. Jacksonville. Bill said he was doing fine and if true meaning to the words “never say die.” Ed said that he was at the VMI graduation in anyone was passing through the Jacksonville Donna teaches in the Roanoke City schools. May and was privileged to sit with the family area to give him a shout. One of Bill’s neighbors Fred said it was nice and cool on Windy Gap of Daniel Jones ’08 who was finally able to is Sticks Chandler ’70, who works at the Fleet Mountain this summer, and he and Phil ocget his diploma. Ed met Daniel last year at the Readiness Center in Jacksonville. I also heard casionally have to shoot a rattlesnake or two. Bethesda Naval Hospital where he was recoverfrom A.J. Kendrick. A.J. lives in Hopewell, He said he’d be glad to submit photographic ing from wounds he had received in a firefight VA, and has enjoyed the retired life for two and evidence of that as well – if necessary. July 29, 2010. USMC Sgt. Jones was a VMI one-half years. His wife just retired in June, so Wes Carr sent me a message to say that our “alumni” with no degree. Seems Daniel went they are enjoying traveling and visiting their two hot weather in North Carolina this summer was to support the nation and fell short of getting boys. A.J. said “life is good!” One son graduated really nothing. I guess Texas is always “bigger,” his degree. Through some extra work with the from Virginia Tech and has a great job but travels but he said they were getting a taste of a sinner’s superintendant’s office, Ed and Daniel made it a lot; their oldest son has settled down and afterlife this summer, so maybe it is hotter there. possible for him to finally graduate. Admiral bought a house in Tennessee. Great hearing from He and Gary Lape ’74 are working together in Mullen, the guest speaker, recognized Daniel you guys. Don’t be such strangers. the Klein Collins High School Band Association who received a standing ovation and super The “lost BR” of the month award goes to where he’s the president and Gary is the budget round of applause. What a wonderful story; Larry Cerruti. Larry actually sent me two officer. Wes said that is going to change this fall, congratulations, Daniel! Thanks to Ed for his notes; one came in after the “deadline” for my however, as Gary’s son, Zac, is going to Texas help and sharing of the story. notes in May, and the other just recently. He and A&M, while Wes’ daughter, Flavia, is headed to Ed and John also attended the “new cadet his wife, Laurel, live in the D.C. area. Laurel the University of Texas, so they’ll be on opposite send off” in August, which is held each year by works for Arlington County School Health, sides of the field this Thanksgivand Larry is pursuing his second ing! Wes said he already has four Army career as a civil servant. Their burnt orange shirts that go well daughter, Lauren, is in the Air Force, with his white hair! and Larry said he just traveled to Tom and Bonnie Clark continue Wright-Patterson AFB to promote to stay busy with their travels and her to captain. Her husband, Evan, is are headed to Nebraska and South also an Air Force captain currently Dakota this fall. While in Nebraska, serving in Afghanistan. When Evan they plan to visit the Pioneer Vilreturns in September, they will both lage Museum in Minden. The be transferred to San Antonio. Larry museum has 350 classic cars. Tom said that their son, Peter, is a master said he’s still longing for his dream certified technician with Mercedes car – a ’67 Vette or ’70 Chevelle Benz and works at the American SS. Tom found a Facebook page Service Center. Larry and Laurel while browsing VMI Alumni and stay pretty busy in their off time discovered a VMI Digitized Project volunteering for a number of agenwhere all the old Cadet newspapers cies and their church. In July, Larry and Bombs had been scanned. He said Dave Schwab was in town for said he had a great time going down a visit, and they had a great dinner memory lane 42 years ago and and visited the Iwo Jima and Air Class of 1973: Phil Coulter said that he appreciates his reading about our matriculation and Force Memorials. Dave was on leave Brother Rat and neighbor, Fred Hall, who, with his snow release from the Ratline on Jan. 23, from Germany where he teaches at plow, keeps their mountain roads in Roanoke, Virginia, 1970! Tom and Bonnie have also a DODS school and was on his way clear and provides a tow when a neighbor gets stuck in enjoyed sponsoring a new cadet to the Caribbean for a scuba diving the snow. Hall’s wife, Donna, took the above photo after at the Air Force Academy. She cruise. Thanks for the update, Larry. one of his missions in winter 2011. is the daughter of the U.S. Army Great hearing from you.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Well that about wraps it up for now. Thanks for all of your notes and letters. It is a pleasure to keep up with everyone. If you’re communicating with a BR that may not be on our cyber list, please let me know. It is almost the end of the year, as Christmas will be upon us when you read these notes. Once again I want to say thanks to all of you who graciously supported VMI throughout the year. As of the end of the fiscal year, June 30, the class of ’73 had contributed $74,019 to the Institute. These funds came from 73 donors out of a possible 209 class members, which is 35 percent participation. This is up from FY-2009/10 when we had 32 percent donor participation. I know we can continue to grow. You will be receiving a letter from me in December regarding donations and a request for support, so please consider making a tax deductible gift to the Institute before the end of the year. It is really interesting to read in the notes from everyone how our VMI experiences become so much more important to us as we get older and how the meaning of Brother Rat and “in the bonds” really jumps out at you, as we reflect over our lives and experiences. Let’s help keep that memory going by supporting the school we all love. I hope all of you have a wonderful Hanukah, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! In the bonds, Mike

’74

Snookie Parker

Greetings, Brother Rats. Trust all is well with you and yours. All is well here. Summer has rocketed by. Marla and I are on the cusp of Olivia’s high school senior year … and college applications – yikes! We did spend a week at Margaritaville Pensacola Beach, FL, with junkets to Gulf Shores … to LuLu’s and the infamous FloraBama. Nothing like the Redneck Rivera to close out the summer. John Smithey sent me a 1 June Roanoke Times article about Bill Old being named the Director of the Virginia Tech Women’s Basketball program. The following is a quote form that article, “Old, whose late father used to be the VMI campus physician, played basketball at now de-funct Lexington High School.” John also sent word that the Southern Inn, damaged by a lightning bolt fire last year, has returned from the ashes. I understand bringing the old building up to code while keeping the same look and feel was a challenge. I’d like a situation report from anyone who has dined at the

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Southern Inn since it has been restored. John, thanks for the heads up! Charley Banning just got back from the 11 June Breakfast Club – Mike Andriani, Mike Jr., Charlie Gardner, Steve Orr, Bob Johnson, John Valenstein and Arnie Leonard were present and accounted for. Mike Jr. was sporting a silver badge for jump school (I think). Mike Andriani was dressed for the ordination of some new priests. He was bracing for a twohour service that included a number of Bishops from Rome. Bob Johnson has been teaching a writing class for war veterans at Walter Reed. He’s been going there for about six weeks, one night a week. He may be on to something, because he has some soldiers with compelling stories. Steve Orr is still running things with Fairchild Controls. He described the business environment as still running into strong headwinds. Investment capital is being closely held due to heavy federal regulation. Arnie Leonard’s daughter is getting married on15 June. His new in-laws are avid golfers, so he’s facing the prospect of having to golf a round or two sometime soon. John Valenstein is fretting over the past few weeks of economic slide. Charley said he is in his corner watching his investment portfolio and has done a pretty fair job under the circumstances. And Charlie Gardner is tending to his medical practice. Charley Banning saw Charlie Gardner a couple of weeks ago at CVS and reported that Charlie Gardner left in what looked like a new Cadillac. Isn’t that just like a doctor? Although Tom Cunningham did not attend the breakfast – Charley Banning did hook up with Tom for lunch and reports that Tom has a new CD out. It was actually released last November, and Tom was going to Baltimore the following day to be interviewed by a Jazz radio station about his new CD. Charley did purchase a copy, loaded it in his CD changer and has played it every day since. Charley says it is Tom’s best product yet. Well done, Tom! Charley reports that he and wife Deb plan to take son Will to Australia after graduation. In other news, Charley’s band has a new singer and anticipates sessions in a recording studio this August. Thanks for the news Charley, and good luck while in the recording studio. Pat Flynn writes that he attended the annual meeting of the Association of Defense Communities on 17-20 July in the Norfolk-Hampton Roads area in his capacity as Chairman of the Florida Defense Alliance. The Association of Defense Communities is the nation’s premier membership organization serving America’s defense communities. The event was attended by many notables; including the Keynote Speaker, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim’71. Also in attendance were Brother Rats Bob Moore,

representing the USAF, and Mike Coleman, representing the Office of the Governor of Virginia. Beers were drunk, deals were struck, and a good time was had by all. Pat also writes that he and his wife, Sue, traveled to Lexington on 22-23 July to look at some land with a realtor. On the evening of 22 July, Pat and Sue met with Donnie and Barbara Ross at the home of BR Russ Harlow and his wife, Mary Stuart. Russ and Mary Stuart have just recently purchased a Bed and Breakfast at 502 Main Street. The Inn is called “502 Main Street” and is an absolutely wonderful place. All present strongly recommend it to alumni who may be traveling to Lexington – you couldn’t find a better place to stay. Pat and Sue, Donnie and Barbara, and Russ and Mary Stuart then went to the Lexington Golf and Country Club for dinner and tall tales. All enjoyed the great location, great company, wonderful meal and exaggerated stories. Once again, beers were drunk, deals were struck, and a good time was had by all. At the time of this writing, Pat and Sue are en route to Roland and Karen Lazenby’s home for a visit. We have alerted the neighbors and notified the Roanoke Police Department to be prepared for a loud and raucous event. Paul Van Doren, the Grand Pooh Bah of the Tidewater Breakfast Club, reports attendance at the most recent breakfast meeting: Paul Van Doren, Bill Pennypacker, Chip Beaman, Sam Turner and Dave Sheppard. Notice that Bill Pennypacker had his eyes shut even though there was not a flash. Paul reports an extended exchange of motorcycle stories from three attendees stemming from Dave Sheppard’s death defying episode a week prior. All were shocked to learn that Bill Pennypacker once owned a bike which he road over 100 mph on occasion. After all the stories, the idea that it is only a matter of when you will have your motorcycle accident was confirmed. On 10 August the available Tidewater Breakfast Club members met Bill Minor for dinner at Gus and Georges Spaghetti and Steak House on VA Beach Blvd on the occasion of his annual judge junket to VA Beach. I understand a grand time was had by all. No report of coin checks! I learned that Michael “Mick” Ernzen has a lake house on Gaston Lake (Lizard Creek) within a mile or two from Marla’s parent’s lake house (Pea Hill Creek). The last time we were at the lake in July, we decided to find Mick’s place … and found Mick and wife Debbie there as well. We enjoyed a cheerful morning chat and promised to spend time together at the lake since we were so close. In addition, we are contemplating a mini-reunion at the lake … possibly during a Richmond football weekend. Stand by! Rich Forbes read a note I sent him regarding

CLASS NOTES Pete Van Hooser at point in his career being the me snookieparker1974@earthlink.net, Charley him if he knows the whereabouts of his old CO of Seal Team 6 and reported the following Banning cbanning@cox.net or Kevin Nettrour roommate, Danny Heiken. He does not, but flashback. Our Rat year, Ming made Rich take (our Web Master) nettrour@accessus.net. Check he said he would love to hear from him. Hey, two pieces of bread to the Regimental Staff out the website. Send me a note. Yada, Yada, Danny, touch base with me, and I will get you table in Crozet and slap a slice on each side of Yada and Yaba Daba Dooooo! Warm Regards, guys in touch with each other. Same goes for Desi Deslongchamps. Interestingly, Bo did not the cadet’s head who was sitting at the head of Snookie mention another roommate by the name of Ronthe table and shout at the top of his lungs “S**T SANDWICH!” Rich had no idea at the time Art Nunn III nie Norman. Is that a surprise? I had the pleasure of spending some time with that it was Pete, but found out almost instantly. a number of great gentlemen from our class at Ming wasn’t one of the Corps’ favorite persons, the annual VMI Keydet Club Dinner in June. but Rich didn’t Rat him out. Long story short If memory serves (highly questionable), our ... Rich thinks he is probably the only person table consisted of yours truly along with Mike ... Alive ... that has made a s**t sandwich out Hunter, Steve Chapin, Rob Taylor, Allen of the CO of Seal Team 6 and lived to tell the As I sit preparing these notes, it is inspiring, Morgan, Chip Louthan and the irrepressible story. Ha! Hopefully, by revealing this story, and a bit frightening to recognize that we are Tom Mason. While we all spent time catching Rich won’t wake up some night surrounded now celebrating 40 years since we first entered up with one another, the conversation was, at by intense looking guys wearing night vision the hallowed halls of the Institute. Yes, it was times, dominated by Tom Mason, complaining goggles shouting “S**T SANDWICH” while 40 years ago when we first learned, up close to me that his name had not appeared in any he has a heart attack and soils his PJs. Way to and personal, what it meant to be a Rat. Many recent issues of the class notes. The name again, go Rich! memories from those first few days are but a for those of you who may have forgotten it, is Graham Undercoffer was home for a short blur, whereas others remain with us, indelibly Tom Mason. Now, my duty is done. spell then headed out to the hinterland for etched in who have all become. I don’t know Doug Harvey sent a note letting us know another four-month border adventure. He is what that really means, but it sure sounds good! that he is preparing to begin his 36th year of expecting an interesting tour with the recent deI want to lead off with a special thanks to officiating football, and he worked a couple of mise of UBL and the ongoing Spring Offensive, our Brother Rat, Bo Temple. As everyone may scrimmages at VMI and UVa this past spring, as as well as going back to taking a daily malaria already know, Bo is serving as the Acting Comwell as the VMI spring game. Doug was lookpill. Although Red just finished a short break, manding General and Chief Engineer of the ing forward to seeing Harry McKnight at the he reports that it was fruitful. He was able to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In that capacity, ODAC clinic. He also spent time playing on a link up with our Dykes for their 40th Reunion. Bo wrote a very nice letter to my father, Bill church softball team with Chip Louthan. Also Red’s eldest son, Andrew, graduated from Nunn ’43, in celebration of his impending Rick “Dawg” Law had dinner with Ron BonVA Tech, so its “one down and three more to 90th birthday. My dad served in the 135th giovanni and his family back in May down in educate.” As a final thought, Red suggests that Engineering Combat Battalion in the 3rd Army, Jacksonville, while visiting his daughter, Whitwith the demise of UBL, we keep our guard up. during WWII. It was a thrill for him to receive ney, who is studying to become a physician’s There are still a number of domestic and intera personal letter from the current commanding assistant. Rick claims that Ron looks great, and national terrorists out there. Be safe, Red! general of the Corps of Engineers, and I want to so far is defying the aging process. Dawg’s son Tom Parker update: Tom has moved from publically thank Bo for his time and considis in West Lafayette, IN, and is expecting Rick’s Rhode Island (Naval War College) back to eration. Bo and Nancy continue to live at Fort first grandchild in October. Colorado Springs, CO. If you find yourself out Belvoir. Glen Garland sent me a link to a YouTube West, drop in on Tom and Ann: In my last communication with Bo, I asked recording of the “SUUSIBOYZ,” 4757 Bella Collins Court, of which he is a member, performColorado Springs, CO 80906, 719ing a rousing rendition of “Bring 661-9545! Me Sunshine” on some stage at Finally, the latest author in the class Radford University. Disturbing, is of ’74 family is Glenn Greene’s wife, the only word that comes to mind. (and Gene Rice’s sister) Grace. Her It is very disturbing! book Beach Rental is getting rave Bernie Cobb and Dan Brooks reviews. Kudos, Grace. Once I finish went on their 14th Annual Canareading your book, I’m sending it to you to get my ‘signed copy’. dian Fishing extravaganza to ReinCLASS AGENT PLEA! Don’t deer Lake, northern Saskatchewan, be caught without your class coin. where they tied for largest fish If you need one, send $10 (cost of (46” Northern Pike) of the week. coin and postage). Please forward It is rumored that they also tied for any news regarding births, deaths, largest weight gain (7 lbs) of the illnesses, marriages and other sigweek. While the “Spartanism” of nificant events concerning your VMI may not have carried through Class of 1974: At the Tidewater Area Breakfast family and/or careers. Brother Rats to the luxury accommodations of Club Meeting in July 2011 were, from left, Dave are interested and do care. I know this vacation tradition; certainly Sheppard, Chip Beaman, Bill Pennypacker, Paul e-mail addresses have a half-life of the wisdom (which comes with the Van Doren and Sam Turner. about six months. Keep us current. passing years) of knowing when Send your updated e-mail address to and where to seek relaxation from

’75

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES the modern world did. Clearly, a great time was had. Guy Conte and Mike Hunter both celebrated the VMI graduation of their sons this past May. A great party was provided in Rockbridge County by Sloan Hunter and was attended by the two proud fathers, as well as Tom Baur, Dave Schuyler, Jerry DeWaters, Allen Morgan, Rob Taylor, David Miller, Kimo Wong, Billy Hunter and Robert Mills. Jerry said that the weekend consisted of golf, then parade; then golf, then another parade; then golf; then graduation. Obviously, there was some time for partying as well. Guy Conte also called me and told me that he had the pleasure of travelling to the great northwest to see his son receive his Army Commission. I believe that Guy was able to pin the bars on his son. In addition to his exploits during graduation weekend, Jerry DeWaters writes that he and his wife are approaching 36 years of marital bliss, and that his wife truly deserves the Medal of Honor. No question about that! Jerry’s son, Joe, is working with him and is taking care of dealing with the tasks that Jerry hates to do; which is just about everything. His daughter is completing her masters and will be a great guidance counselor (takes after her mother). Mike Mulligan checked in to say that he and Teresa are doing very well. They went on the Alumni Association’s Tall-ship Cruise in the Med and Rome tour in May. Great experience and wonderful time with other VMI alums and spouses. Mike was the only ’75 guy on the cruise this year. He and Jimmy Seitz plan to

make the Ride to the I motorcycle adventure in early September. Mike Fleenor has had a very busy summer. As an orthopedic surgeon, Mike has been busy in part because, in his words, “a lot of idiots out there, doing stupid things.” I know what you are thinking, and no; not me – this time. Beyond that, Mike has had his hands full helping his daughter, Devon, through a series of medical issues, all of which are now thankfully under control. She will be returning to Radford this fall, where she has been accepted into the athletic trainer program. Mike’s son, Skyler, as of mid-summer, was unsure whether or not he will be returning to VMI in the fall. No doubt, with Mike’s guidance, he will make the decision that is best for him. Rick Davison sent a note to say that he is still working for BP in Houston, currently mapping locations for natural gas wells in Texas and Oklahoma. Rick and his wife spend a lot of time with volunteer work. This was their third summer to spend at least a week or two at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico teaching geology at one of the backcountry camps. Their two oldest are in college, and their third will graduate from high school in the spring. He hopes to go back to Georgia to attend college. Rick and Stella plan to remain in Houston for at least a few more years before returning to the southeast. At that time, they hope they can make more frequent trips to Virginia. Oliver Way is marrying off another son. Barrett Way ’08 proposed to Jessica Sheff and a late spring or summer 2012 wedding is planned. Not sure where, as Barrett’s job will likely

Class of 1975: Present for the 2011 VMI graduation weekend were, from left, Tom Baur, Dave Schuyler, Mike Hunter, Jerry DeWaters, Allen Morgan, David Miller, Rob Taylor, Kimo Wong and Guy Conte.

2011-Issue 4

have him moving to another city by the spring. Barrett and Jessi met while attending Ohio University. Like Barrett, she was finance major at Ohio U, additionally speaks fluid Japanese. She is a singer and sings solos in church and has recently sung the National Anthem at the Memphis Redbirds games. Chuck Wohlrab checked in while on vacation in Palmerston North in New Zealand. He was on vacation from Afghanistan with Deb and the kids (younger ones) while the older ones (Philip and Kirkland) were visiting family in Illinois. Philip (a sergeant combat medic in the VA Guard) was scheduled to deploy for Iraq. Kirkland headed back to her job with Sigma Nu. Chuck’s younger kids (Conor who is now 13 and Seren who will be 11 in October) were on winter break from school. We spent time traveling around the North Island (Auckland, Lake Taupo and Hawke’s Bay), seeing the sights and generally doing touristy things. After a brief vacation, Chuck headed back to Afghanistan. Allen Morgan wrote to tell us all that his dogs, Henry and Greta, and cats, Montana and Mango, say hi! Geez! You make one smartaleck comment in an e-mail requesting information, and some people hit you over the head with it. Larry Hendry sent me a note to tell me that his dog had died. Suffice it to say that I will not be referencing pets in any future solicitations for information for these notes. Larry Hendry also wrote to let us know that he has had to withdraw from the commercial real estate and boat businesses and return to dentistry full time, as the current economy was not making the other ventures sustainable. It is good to hear, though, that things are starting to look better for Larry. The most amazing bit of information was that he actually heard from John Sheffield last year. I was beginning to think that John was probably in the witness protection program somewhere. Glad to hear that he is alive and well. Hey, John, give me a call, or send me an e-mail sometime. Though Allen Morgan chose to speak only about his pets, Sandy Morgan wrote to let us know that Tom and Judy Baur stayed with them the weekend they came to Richmond to run the Monument Avenue 10K. In mid-July, Allen and Sandy went on a cruise to the Bahamas to celebrate their 35th anniversary. Sandy said that she got Allen to sign on for another 35, though I suspect it was the other way around. Their daughter, Blaire, donated a brick she’d painted with the front of Barracks to the Keydet Club online silent auction. The brick was listed under ‘artwork’ and brought $550. Their son, Justin, is leaving his job as an analyst in recoveries with Capital One and will be going to law school at Northwestern in Chicago. I heard from Randy Frank who touched base

CLASS NOTES to keep us up to date on his “less than fascinating existence” (his words – not mine). He and Terry headed to Kodiak, AK, for, among other things, some halibut fishing. Randy and a team of friends competed in the Sea to Sky 100-mile relay race in Washington State. His “bunch of old guys” finished 115th out of 500 teams. Tad MacGowan and his family continue to love life in Annapolis. Bev is working hard at building “Annapolis Premium Homes,” and Tad continues to shuffle between Annapolis and Manassas. Tad’s daughter that Calee graduated from Woodson HS and a few weeks later celebrated her 18th birthday. She is headed to Emory and Henry College in the fall. The venerable Kimo Wong had dinner with Dan and Vickie Darnell who were enjoying their time in Hawaii. Kimo also recently had lunch with Jim Mesnard who is working as an attorney in D.C. and raising his family. I received a nice note from Andy Dearman after the storms that ripped through Alabama. Andy and Mary Love were incredibly fortunate in that a storm passed right over their house, but spared it, though it did take out a lot of big trees. Andy said that he spent about two weeks cutting up trees and hauling brush to the street. Consequently, he has enough firewood for most of our class, but anyone who wants it will have to go get it. Other than that, the Dearmans are enjoying retirement and spending the summer between Birmingham and their place at Lake Martin. They have also spent quite a bit of time keeping their young granddaughter. Keeping babies is reportedly definitely for young folks as Andy and Mary Love are exhausted after a couple of days, but of course, they cherish the opportunity. Andy was planning on getting together with Mike Hunter and his sons for a fly-in fishing adventure in Ontario in mid-August. Ellett and Fran Smith report that they are so busy these days that all they do is pass each other in the night. He hears from Yulee and Karen Richardson often and reports that they are both doing well. Ellett’s and Fran’s youngest, Lauren, graduated from NOVA and will start at George Mason University in the Fall. George, their middle child, visited from Long Beach, and then Lauren flew back with him for a week. Jason, their oldest, continues to work on his Ph.D. and he was fortunate to get a PAID fellowship at a Washington Think Tank down in D.C. which he is really enjoying. Bill Turpin checked in from Houston to give me a hard time about being able to use the magic of cut-and-paste from e-mails to create these notes. He is absolutely right. Doing this from handwritten cards and letters would be much more of a task than this humble correspondent could ever attempt to master. Bill tried

to interest his son in VMI, but he chose Babson College in Wellesley, MA, where he will be playing lacrosse. His daughter, Liz, graduated from Wellesley College in 2010, and now is working with Tory Burch. Ann is still finding oil, and Bill is still recycling waste for Waste Management. He and Charlie Collins welcome visitors to Houston. Devery Miller checked in for the first time in a while. He is reportedly alive and well in southwest Illinois, just east of St. Louis and has just completed his 35th year working for Uncle Sam – retired from active duty in 2000 and has been working as a government contractor since then. Devery is working as a software transition manager providing a new airlift capacity scheduler which will improve the USTC Fusion Center’s ability to match demands for airlift against projected aircraft and aircrew availability. I have absolutely no clue what any of that means, but it sure sounds impressive! Devery and Bette have two wonderful granddaughters (Andy Miller ’05) with another due around Thanksgiving. Barb and Scott Risser moved into their new home outside of Lexington in July. Sadly, soon after they moved, Barb’s mother passed away unexpectedly. Barb retired after 30 years in the Federal Civil Service. Scott had planned to leave Federal service the same day she did, but his boss asked him to continue working part-time and is allowing him to work from home part of the time. Right now, Scott works 40 hours each pay period; three eight-hour days from home and two 8-hour days working in their offices in Arlington, VA. He is working with the Army Anti-Terrorism office on a project and is actually enjoying it. Dean Armstrong has been flying all over the world lately, and a recent flight took him right over VMI at 38,000 feet. He said that the Institute looked awesome from that view. Dino still finds time to be involved with the LST 325 memorial in Evansville, IN. where he is a tour guide and is trying to help them get it to France for the 70th anniversary of D-Day in 2014. Frank Hilson wrote the Dean took the time to gather some sand from Iwo Jima when he was over there, as a gift for Frank’s brother, Carsten Hilson ’72. Carsten loved it. Meanwhile, Frank is pushing through his Ph.D. dissertation in colonial literature. I am sorry to report that Charlie Collins was “downsized” after 26 years with Genentech/ Roche. He gave a moment of thought to going back into the Army but quickly decided that he couldn’t do 100 push-ups and run three miles to save his life anymore. In the middle of all this, Charlie’s daughter announced her engagement to her Aggie boyfriend, Michael. Oldest son Charlie is transferring to Texas State and is now

interested in taking ROTC. Don’t know where he got that from! Tristan will be a senior in high school. Attending VMI is rapidly losing out to LSU. He’s not buying into the concept that Zollmans parties are better than anything LSU could muster! Michaella, their youngest, starts junior high in the fall. She has really gotten into swim team this summer and did really well. She wants to compete in high school. Charlie’s wife, Kathy, is still holding the family together, and out of trouble, in spite of Charlie. Salvo Lape checked in from northern Virginia, with some family news. Karen, and their son-in-law, J.J., are enjoying their summer break, and daughter Stephanie is really decompressing after finishing her first year at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Salvo reports that he is being somewhat less than sympathetic to Stephanie’s plight. As for Salvo himself, he is steady at the budget business for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Training and Development. The excitement is just about all he can take. Salvo and Karen have plans for Thanksgiving to attend the Texas A&M/Texas game with Salvo’s brother Gary Lape ’74, his family, and Bill Faistenhammer ’74 and his wife, Linda. Their son, Dave Jr., is at Fort Bragg and doing well. I got a really interesting note from Clayton and Aleece DePuey. Apparently, without Aleece’s direct knowledge, Clayton signed up with the California State Military Reserve and is attending annual training at Fort Irwin, CA, with his reserve unit. Not bad for a 57-year-old grandpa! He went and got himself sworn in while Aleece was away in San Francisco at a conference. He was only supposed to go and get some questions answered about joining. I guess he liked the answers he got, because they swore him in on the spot! Aleece took it all in stride. Robert Mills took time out from running endless commercials on the TV in Roanoke, to report that he has nothing to report. Not much, that is, other than trips to Anguilla and Turks and Caicos for sun and rum and West Indian Reggae. He has been dusting off and polishing up the old tennis game and even took a day off to play 36 holes of golf in one day! That is not a feat that is likely to be repeated any time soon. Robert’s daughter, Valerie, left to begin a master’s program in Oxford, England, and he plans to visit her in Italy when he heads that way in September. Gary Taylor and his wife are loving living in the Big Easy, where they have lived since 2007. Gary works for Entergy, and his office overlooks the Superdome. Back in the spring, Judy and I were in New Orleans visiting Andrea and Jason, and as we were driving down St. Charles Street one day, I mentioned that I saw someone waiting for the trolley who looked a lot like this

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES guy, Gary Taylor. He looked fairly sober and in control of his senses, so I can’t be sure, but who knows? One last note about Mike Hunter. Sloane told me that on the day Mike was “celebrating” hitting the Big 6-0, he received word that son Budge had successfully completed his last remaining Spanish course so that he was, as of that day, an official VMI graduate. I guess it sort of took some of the sting out of having just turned 60. Not too much to report from the Nunn household. Judy continues to struggle to turn students into actual nurses, with amazing success. Meredith – in Raleigh, Andrea – in New Orleans, Pammy – in Charlotte, and Matt – in San Diego, all continue to do extremely well. Our youngest, Alison, graduated from Montreat College this past May. I sincerely hope that by the time these notes are published, she will be gainfully employed and beginning her “real life” experiences. As for me, each day is just another day in paradise, working to keep my business afloat in a really nasty economy. The general health of my business is pretty closely tied to that of the general industrial economy, which ain’t too great. A number of firms in my industry have gone under, but we are still kicking, and we will persevere. One closing note. I only have e-mail addresses for about half of our class. Your humble servant would greatly appreciate it if all of you who do not receive routine e-mails from me would kindly send me your e-mail address. I assure you that some of the banter that runs through the e-mail list is pretty entertaining at times. I had no idea that the mere mention of Billy Ray Cyrus could evoke such a response. Please join the madness. It would be great to hear from everybody. Until the next set of notes, which will be here before I know it, stay safe and healthy. I hope to see as many of you as possible at upcoming football games. Oh yeah, please stay in touch.

’76

William Bhatta

Brother Rats: It’s November already! The Rat Mass of 2015 matriculated and the class of 2013 is preparing to receive their rings. (After typing that sentence, I reminded myself we are “Old Corps” now.) But these notes were written on August 15th, and I cannot find my crystal ball to describe the 35th Reunion to you. Right now,

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approximately 100 BRs, wives and friends plan to attend. Stay tuned! The November 15th class notes will cover the reunion weekend; to be published in the February 2012 Alumni Review edition. (I will have the notes and reunion pictures available via the Internet as soon as possible following the event.) In the meantime, here are your BR updates since May: Mark Sculley left Joint Forces Command for greener pastures in Europe. The DIA Director and Under Secretary of Defense (Intelligence) nominated him – and he was subsequently selected – to the post of assistant general manager for Intelligence Service Strategy, NATO. Between March and June, Mark flew back and forth between Brussels, Belgium, and Yorktown, VA, balancing work and family. In July, J.R. Mott and I met Mark (plus wives and families) in Williamsburg, VA, to bid them “Bon voyage!” At that point in time, Mark’s job had morphed into something new requiring diplomatic credentials, so he was waiting for the UN ambassador to NATO to approve the change. Shortly after we met, Mark’s new assignment was approved and the Sculley family was off to Belgium. Mark extended invitations to all BRs to visit him, except Jake Berberich. Mark said: “Jake, I’d invite you, but I know you’d only buy a one-way ticket …” Frank Estis and his wife, Norma, are retired in Florida. In 1995, they met in Washington, D.C., and were married two years later in January 1997. Norma added a step-son and step-daughter to his life. Fifteen years later, they are enjoying three grandchildren. Frank and Norma have a small place in Bradenton, FL, (south of Tampa) that they call home – when they are not on the road crisscrossing the United States visiting family and friends. Ted Mouras had an exciting summer in southeastern Arizona. Ted said Arizona has been under drought conditions the past 15 years. As a result, it is susceptible to wildfires. Unfortunately, the canyon he lives in was completely burned during the Monument Fire. (The Monument Fire was in the national news. It started mid-June in the Coronado National Monument at the southern tip of the Huachuca Mountains near the Mexican border.) Ted’s home sustained minor damage, but 40 of his neighbors were less fortunate. Ted said every tree, shrub and blade of grass on his property was completely burned away. He is busy repairing the house, recovering the landscape and working to prevent flood damage if and when it does rain – with little ground cover, the water just flows off the land. Ted said he had to purchase flood insurance!

Pat and Linda Barnum still live in Christiansburg, VA. Linda continues to work for Luna Innovations (a research and development company) as a chemist. She plans to return to school and earn her degree as a physician’s assistant, something she has always wanted to do. Pat still works for Northrop-Grumman as a financial analyst. He was hired four years ago and has already survived several downsizing “opportunities.” Pat said, “I also continue to work from home as a telecommuter; really do enjoy that aspect of the job. My daily commute is going 15 steps upstairs! Looks like I will probably stay on for retirement … if they let me.” His stepdaughter graduated from Ithaca College and currently lives in Ithaca, NY. His oldest stepson graduated from Michigan Law School last year and passed the New York bar the first time. He is having a hard time finding a job so he moved to Kansas City, MO, with his girlfriend (where she has a legal job). Both just took the Missouri bar, so the Barnum’s hope all turns out well for them. Pat’s youngest step-son graduated from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) last year and has been working in the Roanoke area. The Barnum’s have been hiking and camping in the Roanoke area. Pat said last October they hiked to McAfee’s Knob, and they paid for it with sore muscles. As for me, life is good. I continue working at Altria as an IT technical lead and project development coordinator. On and off shore developers look at my last name and think I am from India – Bhattacharyya; it’s a long story. Michelle is an assistant director for financial aid at the University of Richmond. Not ready to retire but starting to think about it; we are two-thirds empty nesters. Our son David ’06 is a captain at Fort Bragg, NC. His family moved into a new house west of Fort Bragg in July. Our oldest daughter, Laura, is a nurse at VCU Medical Center (I still call it MCV) on the cardiac ward. Our youngest daughter, Allison, graduated from Virginia Tech in May. She started graduate school at VCU this fall and will live at home until next spring. I saved the best for last! This may be a class of 1976 historical moment: Clyde Furr’s son, John, is going to marry Keith Dickson’s daughter, Kathryn. John is a captain in the Army, currently attending the field artillery career course at Fort Sill, OK. Kathryn is teaching and pursuing a master’s degree in Virginia Beach. They will be married on 30 December 2011. Clyde asked “So, does that make Keith and I Brother Rats-in-law?” Have a great Thanksgiving holiday! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CLASS NOTES

’77

Bland Massie

Rah, Super 77, Rah, Rah, Rah… Well it’s great to see more news this time from the BRs. Keep up the good work. Unfortunately, not all the news was great. Moe received a forwarded e-mail about our BR Ed Glackin who died on 26 Jun 11.At this time Moe has no other details. Ed attended Staunton Military Academy before entering VMI. “Fast Eddie” started four years for the VMI football team on our offensive line. He also served as co-captain of the team with Eric Hutchings our first class year. #63 will be missed by all of Super 77. On a better note, Moe got the good news that BR Eric Radford got his first hole-in – one in Aiken, SC. It also happened on 26 June 11. Moe knows Ed Glackin was already doing a good deed from heaven by helping out a BR and teammate. Help from above would be the only way Eric could get a hole-in-one. Great shot, Eric and Ed. BR Mike Parish sent news of BR Shelton Rhodes being named the dean of the College of Business at Delaware State University starting 6 June 11. (http://www.desu.edu/dsu-namesdr-shelton-rhodes-new-dean-college-business) Congratulations, Shelton, now maybe you can send some of your graduates to Washington, D.C., to straighten out the business of running our government. A little fiscal responsibility and common sense would go a long way. Mike Parish also has been in contact with several BRs, one being BR Mike Smith who has retired from the military and is staying out of trouble working with Target. Patrick Smith (his son) finished airborne school at Fort Benning and is now in the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan by the time you read this. We all thank him for his service and pray for his safety. Mike Parish also talked with BR Mike Davis who is making a career change in New Market and hoping to get on with the Army Corps of Engineers in Winchester or with VDOT. You Mikes really stick together! Mike Parish has also had a job change to CHI (Catholic Health Initiatives) as a seniors operations consultant. His responsibilities are: assessing and identifying labor productivity and other operational improvement opportunities, implementing strategies and tools for operational improvements, coordinating teams of multi-disciplinary functional specialists to assist and support facilities in improving their financial, operational and quality of service levels, and providing assessments of facility practices, analysis of opportunities, edu-

cation, and assistance with implementation as needed. While he’s assigned to the performance management team that’s part of the Denverbased national headquarters, he’ll continue to live in Lincoln, since his primary focus is on CHI Nebraska. This includes four (soon to be five) hospitals, along with other functions such as home health and physician practices. The job will involve a little travel, ranging west to Kearney (two+ hours from Lincoln) to Nebraska City (one+ hour east). But since he’s got a home office his daily commute is a breeze! Moe is glad something is a breeze because typing all this caused his fingers to cramp up. Now it’s time for a drink and a nap. Oh, Mike also said his family is doing well. Viva Las Vegas took place November 3rd – 6th. J.J. got the word out this summer but not in time for the August notes. Bad J.J. for missing the May deadline, it would have given Moe something to print. Maybe the next issue will have the top secret info from the paid informant (spy), or Moe will have to go undercover disguised as a gambling fool, golfing shankaponamus, or drunken sailor. This may not work, because Moe could be mistaken for anyone in the Super 77 Vegas group. BR John Marshall referred to this jaunt as either an “unofficial STAG mini-reunion” or an “unofficial MINISTAG reunion”. Which one will be determined by the next set of notes? Pat Gibson wrote Moe to say BR Keith Gibson was a CE major, even though he took a lot of LA courses – primarily the LA BEACH course. Now the gun exhibit makes sense to Moe. A very precise and methodical display with a little bit of dramatic flair to expose the almost naked firearms! Keith has also expanded his list of responsibilities since VMI has added the Stonewall Jackson House to the VMI museum system. No rest for the weary! Pat has had back surgery and now physical therapy, so Keith is also applying his medical knowledge at home. Keith, do you stay at a Holiday Inn Express every now and then to keep up your skill level? Bob Hartzell has been in contact with Doug Sebert in Missouri. Thankfully, Doug and his family are OK from the devastation which hit the state. Doug’s son is a paramedic who was deployed to Joplin to render aid. Harts said Doug plans to attend next year’s reunion, and Harts wants a finder’s fee. NO PROBLEM MAN (MON)! Thomas Cole organized another golf outing with the VMI/Richmond game 16 September 11. Naked Golf II was played at the Federal Club in Glen Allen west of Richmond. The golf results to be posted next time as well as the game results in the Richmond Spiders new stadium.

Chris Nash wrote Moe to thank him for his birthday card and to say he has to think to remember how old he is. Chris it could be all downhill from here but hopefully from a very tall gentle sloping mountain producing a long and great ride. This reminds Moe to let you all know to keep your address and other contact info up to date with Moe if you want to get a birthday card etc. Please send the changes ASAP, but most importantly, notify Moe right away of a death by e-mail and follow up phone call if the e-mail is not answered. Moe will then notify the proper VMI officials and make other necessary arrangements. Moe would like to get the word before the next set of notes. Moe got a phone call from BR Mark Bryant letting him know of his engagement to Caryl (pronounced Carol). The wedding was held 1 Oct 11 and attended by close family. Moe wasn’t surprised because of the S.E. Grin on Mark’s face ever since he met her. If you don’t believe Moe, look at his picture at the Institute Society dinner in the ’77 notes section of 2011Issue 2 of the Alumni Review (page 103) Moe knows! HOORAH! BR Tim Thompson’s karate school continues to win awards and championships. Too many to mention. Check out his web site at ryoshinkan@juno.com. Their summer programs were amazing. BR Max Floyd sent word from Russia. He is starting his second year of his four year hitch. Max is working hard but really enjoying himself. There is a ski slope 10 minutes from his house, so he has learned to ski. He also enjoys world class salmon fishing. As for travel, he has been to Thailand, Vietnam and Bangkok. He and BR Yanyong Phataralaoha had dinner together in Bangkok. Hopefully Max can give us an update on Yanyong. Brenda and BR Tom Orrell are doing fine in Winchester, VA. This past May, their youngest daughter, Sarah, graduated from Bridgewater College with a degree in psychology. Their oldest daughter, Emily, got married last July (2010), and Becky and BR Glenn Trimmer as well as Pat and BR Tim Liles were in attendance. Emily moved from Philly to Chicago last fall (2010). Brenda and Tom visited Emily and her husband, Justin, this past May for a whirlwind tour of the windy city. Tom is still with Sofasco Inc. in Winchester and saw BR Larry “ Red” Foltz a couple of times in the past when he dropped by the office for a visit. Tom sees Glenn Trimmer every so often in Winchester or at his home in Stafford County. Tom also plans to attend our 35th in 2012. Speaking of BR Glenn Trimmer Moe received a call from him recently. We talked for a while to catch up. Glenn has achieved some amazing things with his leadership and hard

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CLASS NOTES work in the construction of a new Civil War Park in Stafford. Way to follow through Glenn. Jane and Moe went on the VMI sailing cruise to Italy in May. Super ’77 doesn’t seem to understand how nice these past two sailing trips have been. Moe wishes you all would seriously consider making the next one in 2013. After spending several days in Rome, we set sail for Ponza where Stu Gitchell ’78 and Moe rented scooters and picked up two Amish girls to be their tour guides. Next stop, Pompeii to see the 2/3 uncovered part of the city. 1/3 of the city is still being excavated. Almost everyone went on this excursion because of the history to be seen. Now you’re talking about going back in time. Next stop, Sorrento and the island of Capri. The Europeans that vacation in Italy go to Sorrento, and the Italians that stay in Italy vacation in Capri. Both were beautiful and great shopping for the ladies. Pressing onward to see the Amalfi Coast on a tour bus by land and then cruised the coastline in a small boat. Great view from the upper deck. We sailed through the Straits of Messina, only two miles across between Italy

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2011-Issue 4

and the island of Sicily, which is also part of Italy. We stopped in Taormina, Sicily, for the day. Moe and Stu went to the top of Mt. Etna which is just under 11,000 feet high and plenty of snow up top. It is the highest and largest active volcano in Europe with eruptions in 1971, 1992, 2001 and 2003. Walking around the crater of an active volcano was a new adventure for this marsupial. VMI pressed on again sailing to the island of Lipari and then past a lava spurting from a volcano on Stromboli. Moe had never seen red hot lava. Thank goodness we were on a ship with water all around us. The last day of the cruise was all sailing back to Rome. That day was a chance to rest, enjoy others on the trip at a relaxed pace, and take dip in the Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Seas. The ship’s captain said the depth where we swam was 5,000 feet and water temperatures of 64 degrees F. (Deep and cold). Having the rope circle behind the ship to designate the swimming area made most of the polar bear club swimmers feel safe, but Moe couldn’t help but wonder how large the critters below us could be in 5,000 feet of

H2O. The rope swimming circle was probably considered the “feeding zone” to the creatures below. 64-degree water can be adjusted to in several minutes and become quite refreshing. Moe swam – 45 minutes before getting out unharmed. Rome was great and full of history and gelato (ice cream). Hopefully, the next alumni outing will interest some of the ’77 BRs. Moe should take a minute to thank the BRs who have ask him to befriend them on Facebook and LinkedIn. Moe hasn’t joined any of these social medias because he HAS A LIFE – just kidding – maybe it’s because he spends his day with his hands in someone’s mouth and not in front of a computer. Don’t take any of this personally – Moe doesn’t tweet either. Another VMI adventure Moe had this August with several other VMI grads was a motorcycle trip to Sturgis, SD, bike rally. Moe joined Rich Lykins ’73 (from Memphis, TN), Tom Napier ’73 (from Richmond, VA), and Rich’s cousin, Tony Chadwick (Daytona, FL), in Huntington, WVa to start our journey. Three days later, we met my Rat, Dennis Jacobs ’80 (Sacramento,

Photos clockwise from top, left: -Bland Massie with Dennis Jacobs ’80 at Badlands in Wall, South Dakota, during the Sturgis Motor cycle Rally trip. -During The VMI Alumni Association Mediterranean Cruise in May 2011, Bland Massie took a photo of “two Amish girls,” Jane Massie and Emily Gitchell, prior to their moped ride in Ponza, Italy. -Tim Thompson with his karate team during a halftime show at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex Stadium on July 23, 2011. -While in South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August 2011, Rich Lykins ’73, Tom Napier ’73, Bland Massie and Dennis Jacobs ’80 visited Mount Rushmore.

CLASS NOTES CA), in Spearfish, SD just a few miles from Sturgis. The trip there and back took Moe through 10 different states and 4,550 miles. Moe saw enough corn going through Iowa to last a lifetime. The windmill farms were fascinating to see, sometimes 100 windmills at a time. Each of the windmills has three blades. We passed a tractor-trailer hauling one of the blades which was the length of one and a half flatbed trailers. Seeing the prairie grasslands of South Dakota was so beautiful. The grasslands and blue ski seemed to go on forever. While we were out there, we saw the Badlands, Wall Drug Store (the western version of “South of the Border”), Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower in Wyoming, rally motorcycles, and of course rally girls. (No pictures of the rally girls included). It was a great trip with very few hiccups. Moe and Dennis rode the BMW motorcycles, and Rich, Tom and Tony went on Harleys. All Moe can say to you Harley Davison riders is “You could have had a BMW”, enough said! Well BR Chris Manno rose to the call. Moe had ask for some news to help with notes, and he sent an e-mail right away. Thank you, Chris; “you da man.” He is still flying for American Airlines after 26 years. He says he is doing east or west coast turnarounds in a 737-800, which he went to last year. “It’s cosmic in its technology: advanced data linked GPS navigation, state-of-art electronic engine controls, even has a nitrogen generating system that refills fuel tanks as they empty with fire-suppressing nitrogen.” The $63 million jets are brand new, and A.A. gets two per month. Moe is relieved to know if any of Super ’77 ends up on a flight Chris is piloting, we all can rest easy, because he is captain of a plane that flies itself. (There is no other way an airline would trust Manno with a $63 million aircraft). His son, Scott, is a first lieutenant, finishing his three-year tour at Aviano air base, Italy, and is heading PCS to Tinker AFB, OK, in October. His daughter, Betsy, is an attorney. She is law-clerking for the chief justice of Colorado Supreme Court in Denver. Thankfully, she is gainfully employed, or she might have to use all her legal skills keeping her father out of trouble. Catherine is 11 and the youngest child and starting the sixth grade. Chris says she is the joy that keeps him going to work. Chris saw several BRs in May when they came to hear his band play outdoors one hot afternoon – Carolyn and BR Ed Anderson, Marty and BR Bob Manteuffel, and BR John Quackenbush and his fiancée. Chris said it was great to see them and a few friendly faces in the crowd. Hopefully this was a great football season and a record setting basketball season to come. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Super ’77 Christmas. Don’t forget VMI’s Christmas list at

year’s end and be as generous as possible. Rah, Rah, VMI Whole Da#* Class, In the Spirit of VMI, Never Say Die, Moe

’78

Tom Brown

Greetings to all you Brother Rats, as it is now fall, the heat is long gone and some of you may even have had snow, not like the hot summer we all endured. Here is the latest news. Greg Gearhart reports the room 161 reunion was the highlight of the year! The Tanners and their neighbors were great hosts, the war stories get better with every retelling, and each year there is a new water toy that only half-kills anyone trying to ride it! Allen Moore adds, just another outstanding weekend at the Tanners! Allen and Susan were honored to be a part of the event. Tom and Ginger are the best hosts ever (with Terry and Dee a close second). Allen is just happy he survived it! Mark and Ann-Ashby McKissick send thanks to great host/hostess Tom and Ginger! As always a great time was had by all. Perfect weather, delicious food and drink, fun and challenging water sports, but best of all was the time spent with dear great friends …! “Bless your hearts!!” Tom Tanner says he can’t wait until next year. It sounds like a great time was had by all. Garry Brumback has relocated to Southington, CT, to accept the position of town manager. Garry says, as always, BRs are always welcome! Dave Wrenn joined Booz Allen Hamilton as an associate in 2008. He works as a strategic planner for the National Guard Bureau, with emphasis on Domestic Emergency Response Planning. Dave specifically supports the National Guard in the states in FEMA regions V, VI, VII (“Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast”). He also teaches planning to new NG State-level J5 (plans and policy) personnel twice a year in training workshops around the country. Dave joined Booz Allen’s in-house band, first as a roadie and has now become the manager. He has also picked up his instruments again, sitting in on bass. (He still has his old Fender Precision he bought from Tom Tanner back in ’75 when Dave played in the VMI Commanders). For this upcoming performance season, Dave has picked up his alto sax, plus added tenor and soprano sax. The band is now hinting at Dave playing baritone but not sure the family wants anymore horns in the house. It sounds like Dave is ready to be a one man band.

Danny Thorton says he had a nice visit with BR Rick Wolffe in July. They played a round at Baltusrol, Rick’s club in NJ. Danny’s ’75 dyke, Jerry DeWaters, joined them. Rick was the host later that evening for the inaugural Northern NJ Alumni Association meeting at the club. Quite a few in attendance, and despite that, Snare was elected president of the local chapter. Adam Volant ’88 provided a fine presentation as well. Rick, Bill Hardy and Danny purchased a round of golf at the Army Navy club with our BR Admiral Terrence McKnight on the Keydet Club Auction. They hope to make the road trip to D.C. sometime. The next night, Danny had the chance to join the NYC Alumni group for a VMI gathering at a fine old NY steak house, Peter Luger’s. Commandant Tom Trumps was the special guest for the evening. Danny has been getting around. Mike McCarthy is keeping busy with the Army Smartphone project. Mike says it seems to be escaping the army and drawing interest not only from the other services, but also other parts of the federal government. The only downside is Mike seems to be living at the airport. Mike says Paula and the dogs, cat and horses are doing well and enjoying El Paso. Their youngest dog chews him out every time he gets back from a trip. Nice to know you were missed, Mike. Tim Berkhimer says not too much to report. Tim’s recent highlight was spending Father’s Day weekend at Cocoa Beach with his daughters doing some surfing. Of course his board is red, white and yellow and has a VMI spider logo decal on the nose. It’s a long board that is good for old, fat men! (Tim’s words.) If anyone is interested in trying to “hang ten,” just give Tim a shout, and he will meet you at Ron Jon’s! Tim has started to collect some old stuff from school that he has purchased on e-bay. So far, Tim’s collection includes a Civil War era coatee button, an 1880s hat ornament, some post cards of when the cavalry was still there and an original copy of Commodore Matthew F. Maury’s address to the graduating class of 1869. Tim even saw a copy of the 1978 Bomb for sale! Now who would be selling their yearbook? Not me, I use mine to remember when I had hair. Gary Snyder reports some sad news that Bil Greg’s wife, Carrie, has been battling colon cancer for some time, and his regular e-mails relay the progress, sense of humor and courage of Carrie and his children. They are an example for us all. Gary says Jim Reynolds dropped by for the Snyder 4th of July alcohol and gunpowder fest, and Jim is doing well with college graduates under his belt. Jim and Sue have done a wonderful job of supporting their children, and now they are adjusting to

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES hopefully enjoying each other again. Jim’s son spends a great deal of time in Africa, and the tales of his exploits would rival many of our BRs adventures. Gary also reports Tom Shaw is in San Antonio and has not had an update since his last note on his future plans. Gary says Ken Lafferty continues to be an enigma wrapped in a riddle. But Gary will buy his book. Gary has started a small business and is working some contracts in Dayton and supporting some Iraq and Afghanistan work. Thanks for the news on the crew Gary. Pat Wilson says he and Laura are officially “empty nesters.” Their son, Patrick, graduated from high school this past spring and is headed off to college in upstate New York majoring in forestry. Pat went to Copenhagen, he reports women are beautiful, but the beer sucks. Pat will be traveling to D.C., Chicago, Scottsdale and taking some time off at their cabin in New York to fish the upper Delaware River. He thinks he’s gonna enjoy this empty nester gig. Hopefully, they’ll get to Lexington for a game as well. Pat says, as always, if anyone is coming through Memphis, there’s a warm bed and cold beer(s) waiting. Thanks, Pat. Sam Saunders reports he stopped by to visit Tom Sliwoski who is keeping busy with his children. Mary and Sam are empty nesters and both keep busy with work. Sam is the manager of Timmons Group engineering office in Charlottesville. BR Dave Lucado is his boss. (Sam says he is the best boss he ever had). Mary works as an oncology nurse in Richmond. Sam’s son, Tom ’09, has moved to Los Angeles and is trying to get into the film making business. His other son, Sam IV, lives in Omaha. He just finished his Ph.D. in environmental engineering and is now going to Stanford Law School. The Sams went on a backpacking trip in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Leland Horn sends greetings from hot Dallas! Leland moved there in March and finally settled in a house in May. He is still working for Boeing leading technical engineering teams and teaching in the Colorado Technical University’s Doctoral Program (same one from which he received his doctorate). Stan Walchock accepted a job in Heidelberg, Germany. Stan was planning on seeing the Mighty Keydets in action this fall, but looks like he’ll have to follow them on the internet. Hope you get to Oktoberfest, Stan. That is the latest from the crew. Please remember to keep the “I” in mind as you make your Christmas list. Every little bit helps. Keep the news coming by updating your email address with me. As always, time to send more news as you read this. Hope all have a wonderful holiday.

2011-Issue 4

’79

Michael Ogden

August 2011. Hope this finds everyone safe and well. I will start off this edition with some thoughtful words from Tom Handy who writes from Miami. “We all went to the ‘I’ to reinforce something within us that we knew was right. We did not go to learn what was right. 30 years gives you the experience of two types of people. Those that you want in your foxhole shooting with you and those that you really don’t care if they are shooting at you. The vast majority of the people I know from the ‘I’ would be welcome in my foxhole.” For what it is worth, I tend to agree. John Arthur and Jess did the Bike Virginia in June. The ride was 201 miles over five days in the Shenandoah Valley (Pulaski/Radford/Christiansburg/Blacksburg area). They ran (road) into a couple of VMI graduates while they dragged their “butts up some of the Shenandoah ‘foothills’ in Radford County … even up to and including the Blue Ridge Parkway.” At the Western Tidewater Chapter Annual Rising “Rat” Barbeque, Asa Page and John ran into Frank Jester. We (’79) came in third for the largest participating class. John also reports that “son 1st Lt. (p) John ’08 now off the Army Medical Recovery rolls, and he PCSs from Fort Lewis and is now with 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment in Hohenfels, Germany.” John and Jess wish to thank all our BRs prayers and their visits with him when he was up at Walter Reed. Sam “Nectar” Pace checks in following a summer vacation in Hilton Head with: “Been involved most of the spring and summer with Little League baseball with my youngest son, Powell. Lots of fun and some great baseball! Heard from Bill Albro who is getting his daughter, Allysa, ready for college. Had a great dinner at Dave and Cindy Jeter’s house recently when Dave Taylor was in town. Thanks, Dave and Cindy, for a great dinner and awesome time! Just read an impressive article about Mac Curtis and an award that his company, Vangent, received. Congrats to Mac! Jay Higginbotham and I talk fairly often about our year in Iraq together. Perhaps someday we will be able to visit the Iraqi Military Academy at Qalachulon to visit our good friends and see how the final product turned out.” John Kailey as of this writing has 37 days left in his deployment in Iraq and is looking forward to getting home, although he is not

quite sure what he will be doing employment wise when he returns. John writes, “I may have written you about 6 June (an attack on FOB LOYALTY), but suffice it to say that date will have quite a different meaning for me, for the rest of my life. I carry a 3X5 card with seven names on it, of the brave young men that have given their lives, from this FOB. You may have seen the poem by Maj. John Michael O’donnel of Dak to Vietnam, it tells us to ‘save one backward glance when we leave for the places they can no longer go.’ I am forever making that backward glance. My family seems to have borne up pretty well during this deployment; Lord knows my wife deserves a Bronze Star. I owe her a lot, and I am grateful to them. I owe VMI a lot; I think it taught how to deal with stuff that other schools would not have. I am eternally grateful for that.” Hope your last 37 days are boring and uneventful and you return home safe, Brother Rat. Jay Virtue said he had nothing new to report and then went on with discussing our growing children: “Funny – they will always be ‘boys’ but they are men really. Still look at mine as if they are still children. No grandchildren yet. Ben – the oldest – (you would really like him) called the other night to tell me about a big change in his and his wife’s life. I thought this was it. He would tell me they were pregnant right after I had torn down the old tree house! I did this over protest, but it was unsafe, and no one was helping to make it better. I did promise I would build a new one when I have grandchildren. ANYWAY – the big news was they had bought a new car. I will make him pay.” And he should pay … Just think of all the spoiling you can do with your eventual grandchildren

Class of 1979: Jess and John Arthur participated in the 201-mile, five-day Bike Virginia event in the Shenandoah Valley, June 2011. Class Agent Mike Ogden wrote, “Note the riding jerseys. Jess received free Starbucks coffee along the routes for the ‘advertising’ … John in his VMI New Market jersey didn’t get anything free!”

CLASS NOTES Rodney DeCorte: “I did tell you that I all been fine students as well as athletes (boys and then just hand them back to Ben! graduated from UMC with a master’s in pubhave excelled in wrestling and our daughter Doug Doerr is busy with work, Scouts, lic management right? May 20th 2011.” in volleyball). They are good people, whom the museum and church. He and Corinne did Dan Kornacki: “I had a great time this anyone would be proud to count as a friend. take a week to celebrate their 30th wedding We are truly blessed.” I’m warning you BRs, anniversary (Congratulations!) with a cruise summer accomplishing absolutely nothing if you do not write, your wife will! Sincere to Alaska. They flew to Seattle, visited with …” thanks, Phyllis. relatives, and set sail for Ketchikan, Juneau Bill Albro: “text/e-mail and cryptic phone Frank Jester checks in with: “Nothing to and Skagway. Doug said it was a marvelous messages from some of the BRs … spent Sat report on the home front except that my rising night w/Sput (Leadbetter) in Whitestone ... trip and one that made them want to go back. high school senior has only made one deciHe recommends for those that have never he is well and enjoys life ... he remarks with sion about college. ‘I am not going to VMI!’ been to Alaska – GO! the same message I said earlier... ‘didn’t we Still hope for my sophomore son though. By J.J. Carty says that he has been looking already pay for a sentinel box?’ … e-mail the way ... cleaning out my father’s house, I through photos for a picture with both wife back and forth with Nektar (Pace) about found my coatee and two blouses (with gray Maria and VMI ’79 alumnus cap. J.J. says, “I having our own country to get away from the tried to wear it frequently when out and about woolies) hanging in the closet. Yes, they are madness … e-mail from Noel (Harris) who too small.” You are not alone! in Italy, but as she takes most of the pictures, seems to be doing OK and all are well down Kirk Latsha is starting his ninth year as I wanted to make sure we were both in it. there … e -mail from (Meade) Spotts on a high school PE teacher in Kentucky and We had a great time there in northern Italy what I missed this year at the picnic ... appareighth year as head wrestling coach. Kirk and made our way around pretty well, aided ently (Brad) Jones was giving out pecan pies, writes “I’m proud to say that the ‘Southern to a great extent by Maria’s near fluency in and I wasn’t there to steal one … DANG! HS’ wrestlers have won three consecutive the language, not to mention her magnetic … text message from Deano (Smith) at a region championships and are up for the personality which is in distinct contrast to Harvard school asking if I knew the guard challenge as the new school year begins.” my own! Having spent the better part of our folks in class w/him … see BR Tim Bridges Congrats, Kirk. Feel sure your wrestlers are Army careers stationed in Germany, we have in Pentagon hallway as we pass each other having a blast under your tutelage! been to Italy before so decided to spend our going to meetings… so … not a lot of news Tom Bright checks in with: “I’m back in time digging around in the northern part from Waldorf.” Afghanistan consulting on some K-Span which we like best.” J.J. sends his best to all. John Colonna attended the wedding of Bob construction projects. Pete Underwood and Newlyweds John and Deb Blake took a Norris’ daughter back in May. The wedding I connected and discussing some opportunijourney to “Duck, NC, on the Outer Banks was outside of Dallas, and Henry Rogers was ties for our respective companies. Heard to a beach house we shared with her son and supposed to be his “date,” but Henry had to from John Kailey, USMC, who is wrapping wife plus granddaughter for a seven-day go to Amarillo, TX, for the birth of his first up a very interesting tour in Iraq and said he vacation on the beach. Then we were off to grandchild that weekend. (Henry’s daughter should be heading back home on September Virginia Beach for the Heart/Def Leppard delivered a beautiful baby.) John writes that 15th. My youngest brother, Col. James (Jim) concerts during which I wished I was back on “the wedding was very nice and that ‘Bob Bright ’87, USMC, is now Chief of Staff the dance floor dancing to disco music when did a remarkable job of maintaining his comof II MEF on Camp Lejeune, NC. My older Def Leppard played their rock music.” Again, posure while handing off his daughter to her brother Joe Bright ’77 is finally tying the congratulations to the happy couple! husband, Anthony Cuesta. I believe this was Phyllis Higginbotham, Jay’s wife, provides knot on Jan. 20, 2012, in Tampa, FL, after made much easier by the fact Danielle has being single since birth.” this update: married an outstanding young man (though Some short notes from BRs (and please “We are still living in Altavista, VA, where not a VMI alumnus). The bride and groom we moved as newlyweds almost 28 years ago. note what I have to work with!): are both officers in the Arlington, TX, Police Our four children are nearly Department. Anthony is also workgrown, which is really hard ing his way through Law School. for us to fathom … the years A red letter weekend for the class have gone by so quickly. Our of ’79 in the Lone Star state. P.S. I oldest, Hunter (24), a graduate hate the Cowboys.” Why, so do I. of Virginia Tech, has just started Hate the Cowboys I mean. his own construction business in Renee and I met up with John Lynchburg; our next child, Meg and Jess Arthur as the guests of (22), a graduate of William and Asa and Karen Page for dinner on Mary, is about to begin her secthe 4th of July at the Norfolk Town ond year of teaching English at Point Club. While Mother Nature St. Margaret’s School in Tappaplayed havoc with the schedule, hannock; our third child, Win a grand time was had by all. We (19), is beginning his third-class think we will need to expand the year at VMI (we just returned “Norfolk Deck Club” to include from taking him to Lexington); more BRs next year! Class of 1979: The Virginia Army National Guard cleared and our youngest son, Sumner That’s all for this time around, roads for the new Stafford Civil War Park in Stafford, (16), is about to begin his junior Brother Rats. Hope this finds Virginia. Pictured from left: Glenn Trimmer ’77, Charles year at Virginia Episcopal everyone well, in both good health DeKeyser ’02, Matt Swanson ’92 and Jeff Goldhart. School in Lynchburg. They have and spirits.

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CLASS NOTES Walt Wood sent a “save-the-date” e-mail for Aug. 13th. Walt and Mary Lynne are traveling from their home in Peru to Ashland, VA, and are organizing a mini-reunion cookout. As noted at the start of these notes, Patti and I could not attend due to a prior commitment. Any report I receive on the event will appear in the next set of class notes. Walt also wrote that they are on SKYPE and just spoke with Dusty Boyd. Hello Brother Rats Dixon Tucker copied me on an e-mail to Tom These notes cover the period May 16, 2011, Wilson asking for elaboration on an award Tom through Aug. 15, 2011, with a caveat. I will be accepted at NASA. Congratulations Tom. Please “traveling” (full disclosure below) Aug. 11th elaborate. through Aug. 15th, so these notes only include Tom Gelles copied a number of our USMC information received through Aug. 10th. BRs on an e-mail containing a link to an inspirThe period began with an e-mail from Tom ing news clip of a Marine who holds a salute for Bersson. Tom was in New Orleans on business three hours as the “rolling thunder” veterans ride and while there he visited with Elliott Wolffe. by on their motorcycles. A photo of Tom and Elliott should appear with Jim O’Connor sent an e-mail with a link to the these notes. play that he wrote that ran Off-Broadway in July. Paul Burkholder sent an e-mail after receiving June closed with the first of several e-mail his birthday card. Paul and Ann celebrated his messages between Dan Conn, Rob Dalesbirthday by hiking on Skyline Drive. Paul also sandro, Mike Harper, Jack Keane, Tom Kelly wrote that they were headed to Utah in July and Mike Knapp. The group met for dinner in to attend Joe Paustenbaugh’s wedding. In a the D.C. area and plans to meet again in October. separate message Paul wrote that he was headed July began with the above e-mail messages to Richmond to visit his dad and while there he expanding to include Bruno Loefstedt who was hoped to catch up with some of our BRs. traveling on business in Germany. Subsequent Brian Hub sent an e-mail from his home in messages included a number of recommendaColorado Springs after reading the Alumni Review. tions to your class agent for birthday card inserts. Brian and Karen have been married for 30 years. Stay tuned. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1990 where Mike Lunning sent a message noting that the Brian took a job at Peterson AFB as a contracts annual trip he arranges to VMI for a football manager. He then moved to the base level civil game, tailgate, etc. will be the weekend of Oct. engineering squadron as a design engineer, a posi22nd. Confirmed attendees are Don Bradshaw, tion he’s held since 1999. From 1996-99 Brian was Larry Hupertz, Jay McConnell and Rob Chief of Design at Ramstein AFB, Germany. Their Quarles. daughter, Tracy (26) graduated from Colorado State Elliott and Amy Wolffe made their annual sumwith a degree in interior design. She is a lighting mer trip from their home in New Orleans to visit designer in Colorado Springs. Kevin (23) lives in their families in New Jersey. The trip coincides Los Angeles and is pursuing a career in snowboard with Elliott playing with his brother in manufacturing. Sean is a sophomore the member-member golf tournament at the University of Colorado at at Baltusrol which they won this year. Colorado Springs. Brian commented Elliott invited me to play a round that he has recently read about his at Baltusrol and I stayed for drinks. former roommates, Tom Kelly, Andy Elliott, Amy and their children are all Ludlum and Hal Snyder in our class doing well. notes but he has not read about John Patti and I attended Jim Blasser, Bob Liguori or Mark Pauls O’Connor’s play, “Tea in a Tempest” and he challenges them to write in. with Matthew and Tanya Keys. The Steve Andrews sent an e-mail play was part of the Midtown Internanoting that he and Cathy and their tional Theatre Festival. On a separate daughters, Virginia and Caroline, are night Larry and Rose Ciacci attended all OK. Virginia completed her freshthe play as part of a visit to New York man year at VCU and will spend the City from their home in Connecticut summer in Richmond working and to celebrate their 30th anniversary. taking a course. Matthew Keys and I also atChal Glenn sent an e-mail noting tended a VMI chapter dinner at Peter that the Keydet Club Annual LeaderLuger’s Steak House in Brooklyn. ship Outing in June marked the first Class of 1980: Tom Bersson visited with Elliott Wolffe during Bersson’s trip to New Orleans in May 2011. Class The guest of honor was the VMI time the event was renamed the Jeff Agent John Gibney wrote, they were “having breakfast.” commandant. Morgan ’80 Annual Leadership

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Outing. Chal also wrote that all sponsorship dollars go to the Jeff Morgan ’80 Memorial Football Scholarship. Jay Hawkins sent an e-mail after reading the Alumni Review noting that he and Janice moved from Solana Beach, CA, to Lompoc, CA. They have spent the better part of the last seven years sailing and scuba diving up and down the Gulf of California. Recently, Jay has returned to work with the Army Corps of Engineers as a project engineer at Vandenberg AFB. They are now enjoying living in a large home as opposed to on a 40-foot sailboat. At the end of May the VMI Web site listed VMI cadets, faculty and staff honored for achievement at the 2011 Institute Awards Ceremony. Included was John Alerding’s son, Johnny, and John’s wife Anne. Johnny was recognized twice. He received the Raptor Award as the top-ranking second-class Air Force cadet and the Francis H. Smith Award for a rising first class cadet with outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular participation, leadership ability and potential for a professional career. Anne received the Thomas Jefferson Teaching Award for inspiring cadets in development of intellect and character. June began with the wedding of Brig. Gen. Jonathan Ives and Whitney Steger in JM Hall. Scott Sayre sent a text message in response to a birthday card. Scott reports that all is well in Lexington. Ben Judge sent an e-mail with a new address in Lewisberry, PA. Jack Keane sent a message requesting contact information for Forrest Marion. Forrest replied after returning from Kabul where he did a second short tour as wing historian. Jack is doing research on a grand-uncle. He also asked for assistance from Rob Dalessandro and Mike Knapp.

CLASS NOTES Ed Baker sent an e-mail having just returned with Dianna from Yellowstone. Ed admitted that Dianna out-fished him. Gary Levenson, VMI’s deputy commandant, called as his summer was winding down and the Rats were approaching. Gary was also preparing to move. His house on Post is being razed to accommodate a parking facility. July ended with a call from Chal Glenn, when the Dow was above 12,000 and the U.S. had a rating from the S&P of AAA. He and Robin were enjoying their summer. Their oldest daughter, McKenzie, is teaching at a Charter School in Nashville. Their younger daughter, Jennifer, is a nurse in D.C., who is spending a year in Barcelona teaching English as a second language and traveling throughout Europe. Josh is a rising sophomore at Clemson. August began with an e-mail from Tom “Gunny” Kelly containing inspirational sports quotes. Tolar Nolley called. He plans to attend Walt Wood’s mini reunion and he said that Josh Priest and Tom Wilson may also attend. Tolar heard that Patti and I were also planning to attend. Now for full disclosure promised above. I will be traveling to the Poconos Aug. 11-15 to play in my golf club’s three-day member-guest tournament with a practice round on Thursday. I told this to Tolar who suggested that some of the Richmond guys, including John Blankenship, Hugh Fain and Allen Ramer, might welcome a road trip to play golf. We closed with the invitation open and a promise to set a date in the near future. As the period ended I received an e-mail from Jack Keane who wanted Tuck Masker’s e-mail address to invite Tuck to the October dinner. Finally, Wade Stinnette called. He and Lannie are visiting New York City at the end of August. Patti and I plan to have dinner with them during their stay. In closing, thank you to all our BRs for your support. I look forward to hearing from and/or seeing as many of you as possible.

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Trip Lloyd

Dear Brother Rats and Families, Thank you to everyone for your kind wishes as your incoming class agent. I am honored to be following in Jerry Manley’s footsteps as our class agent and ask for your patience and understanding as I take these reins. There may be a few bumps, but with so many of our BRs stepping up to offer assistance, I know we will succeed.

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Rob Costello reported a bunch of VMI ’81 bubbas attended Jim Hart’s famous “Plantation Point” on Smith Mountain Lake over the Fourth of July weekend. I’m sure it was a hot time and regret not being able to join the group. Chip Collingwood wrote to say he had intended to come to our 30th Reunion. He promises not miss the next one. Chip reports he’s been married to his tremendous wife and friend, Beth, for seven years now. They have a boy Cade, who will be 5 in September, and a little girl Camryn, who just turned 2. Beth is a pediatrician in Richmond and does outstanding work. Chip has an automotive restoration business that keeps him out of trouble. Occasionally, Beth gives him the OK to go to the race track (VIR, or Summit Point) to run his racecar. Chip says the beauty is that he always paddocks with Mike Moore ’78, Tom Kent ’93 and Chris West ’91, whose race crews are also made up of VMI alums. Chip reports he and Mike have had some good runs on the track together as their cars are fairly evenly matched, although he admits Mike has always gotten the better of him. Until recently, Chip would catch up with Dickie Augustine at Phil’s to have a golden beverage. Unfortunately, Phil’s closed/moved in July and is hoping to reopen in a different location. His new watering hole is The Grill just down the street. Chip was also able to catch up a little with Mike Denton and hopes to catch some of the guys down at Havanas for the cigar social. Chip echoed what I have come to realize: “The past 30 years have gone by and I can’t tell how sorry I am that I have not kept in better touch. As you well know the time spent bonding with your BRs, even if only for a year, is an experience like no other.” Our BRs have sadly lost members of their families: Mr. Angel Adames-Arce passed away on June 26, 2011, father of Marianne Tennant, wife of Steve Tennant. Mrs. Helen Jane Smith Moss, passed away on July 2, 2011, mother of Clinker Moss. Mrs. Kathryn A. Lawson passed away on July 18, 2011, mother of Ray Lawson. John Goode’s mother also passed away. Jerry Manley spent two weeks on a Guam/ Japan trip spending nearly a week in Tokyo. Paul “CP” Davis writes that he recently sold a textile business and is now working on several merger and acquisition projects and assignments with a small private equity group out of Charlotte, NC. All four of his children are doing well and everyone had a great summer. He is looking forward to getting up to Lexington for a ball game or two and says he will definitely make the Citadel game in Charleston. He offers that he has a place there and would like to see if we can get a small class gathering down for the game. Ed Boylan writes that Texas is HOT! Forty-

four days of over 100 degrees and 37 consecutive days of triple digits. He just returned from a vacation in Rosemary Beach, FL. It was the first vacation he and the family have had in three years so it felt really good. He shared that on Aug. 20th, they took their daughter down to Austin to begin her sophomore year at the University of Texas. He had to say a sad goodbye to Sandy and Tom Savage in July. Sandy and Tom lived in the Dallas area and recently moved to Atlanta. Sandy usually has a large group over for Thanksgiving or Christmas, so Ed says he doesn’t know what his family is going to do this year. Ray Lawson took the summer off from graduate school to take care of his mom during her fight with cancer. He appreciates the condolences and kinds words he received from many of our BRs. He starts back this fall and has five classes left for his master’s in nuclear engineering. He shared, “Somehow I’m still maintaining a 4.0. Who would have thunk it?” Older and wiser, Ray, older and wiser. As it turns out, all three of the men in the family are now in college. Son, Ray J. is in his senior year majoring in mechanical engineering at the University of South Carolina. He is on full academic scholarship and did an internship this summer with Mead & Hunt Engineers. They have a few VMI folks in their ranks including John Barefoot ’93, who founded a company acquired by Mead & Hunt. Son Brandon just received a full academic scholarship, as well. He has been dualenrolled at the Aiken Technical College during his last two years of high school. He is going to take a few more courses there (to get all of his liberal arts electives out of the way) and transfer to the University of South Carolina majoring in computer engineering. Daughter Savannah is a high school freshman and has been excelling in math and science. She may be engineer material as well, although she is an excellent cook and may look at that career path. His wife, Gale, told Savannah, “Someday you’re going to make your husband very happy!” Savannah replied, “Someday I’m going to make my husband very fat!” With their children slowly leaving the nest, Gale is looking to start a business. She has been testing the waters with good success. As a stress relief, Ray took on the P90X program this summer and managed to complete it. He lost some weight, lost some inches, and gained flexibility in his lower back again. He reports it worked wonders for him and confessed, “I did it on a dare from my oldest son.” Mat Merriman sent me a quick note saying he is now working for Paul Boulden’s company in Richmond. John Dixon writes that he has been spending the summer at their home on Gwynn’s Island in Mathews County, VA, subsisting on nothing

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES and another friend. The regionally renowned but fish (all legal and in season, of course) and Charles Kause “rope swing” on Luce Creek was quite an atsome of the largest crabs they have caught in some time! John is preparing for another year as traction, then they were back at the house for some huge steamed crabs and shrimp! a faculty officer teaching high school chemistry Paul Brier reports he and Rhonda have and physics and serving as a building officer moved back to Richmond after one year in responsible for 30 to 35 cadets at Carson Long Guam and two years in Germany. He is going Military Academy in New Bloomfield, PA. He As summer into autumn slips back to his civilian job with the U.S. Court of returned to Gwynn’s Island in mid August with And yet we sooner say Appeals and will continue with the military as his wife, Patricia, where they celebrated their “The summer” than “the autumn,” lest the vice commander, U.S. Marine Forces Comannual concert festival appropriately named We turn the sun away, mand, headquartered in Norfolk. “Gwynnstock!” Ray Moschler writes that he is about to Jeff Adler shared that he and his wife, ChrisAnd almost count it an Affront become a grandfather. His daughter is expecttie, volunteered for and were asked to serve The presence to concede ing a baby boy this fall! The father is an OK on the VMI Parent’s Council. They will be at Of one however lovely, not young man; flies helicopters (like I did for the numerous events at the Institute throughout the The one that we have loved … USAF) so that gives him street cred – despite year to answer questions of prospective cadet’s his Naval Academy background. Ray’s oldest and new cadet’s parents. This is an opportunity So we evade the charge of Years son, Daniel, entered VMI as a Rat on Aug. 20. to give back to the Institute and also to give On one attempting shy Ray whined and fussed about a year ago about something to the young men and women conThe Circumvention of the Shaf Daniel getting accepted – and he earned his sidering VMI. I encourage any BR to consider Of Life’s Declivity. way in. Ray confides that Daniel is superior to taking on this service. Emily Dickinson him in many ways as an entering Rat. Ray also Corky Mitchell and Dan Dorsey’s band “Fast said, “So if my lazy butt made it through, he Train Home” performed at Durty Nell’s Pub in So, I am getting older and my misspent youth should do OK!” Jim Frishkorn reports that on Charlottesville on August 13th. has caught up to me. My summer has been June 30, Mei-Ling and he had a great time in I just finished playing the role of Ali Hakim spent recovering from ACL reconstruction Hawaii celebrating his retirement from the Air the peddler from the musical “Oklahoma!” for surgery in my left knee. I have been without the Force Reserve. John Cawthorne flew in from the summer. I still act and am now part of a services of my anterior cruciate ligament since northern Virginia and was gracious enough to professional theater company performing in the before Sept. 11, 2001, and my body finally shake the dust off his Air Force uniform and northern Virginia area. I retired from the Navy tired of compensating for the loss. The surgery take part as a guest speaker … what a great BR! on June 1 completing 30 years of service but was easy; recovery has been slow, but steady. Mei-Ling’s twin sister, Melani, honored him by figure I’ll be working for another 13 years to My physical therapists, all petite, polite, young performing a hula dance and assisting Mei-Ling get the children through college. ladies, are always happy to bring a tear to my in presenting leis to family and friends who Grover Outland writes that at the Maryland eye by stretching and exercising my recalcitrant were in attendance. Jim and Mei-Ling spent the Chapter breakfast in mid May, he ran into Mike ligaments and tendons, now swollen from dealfollowing four days at the Royal Hawaiian hotel ing with bolts in the knee. But I am now back at Shupp, who was there in his impressive downgetting pampered on the beach. Jim came to the town D.C. “government relations” uniform – he work, the Clown Prince has departed for Marine quick conclusion that he could quickly adapt really looks the part and served as pied piper Corps basic training, and Mrs. Kause is dealing having invited a couple of sharp, newly minted with semi-empty nest syndrome while battling to carefree living on a beautiful beach. It really (but non-commissioned) ’11 grads whom he with the Daughter of Darkness over any and all was a wonderful few weeks in paradise! had been mentoring on their career female teenage issues that emerge searches. In mid June, Grover took on a daily basis. Since I cannot the Amtrak from BWI up to Philly relate, I mumble some encouraging words and retreat into a book, – his roommate Robert Digby, who television or the Internet. is CEO of a company headquarOne day in June, I was attending tered in NJ and local printing the Daughter of Darkness’ final magnate John Ferry were kind soccer game of the season. She enough to meet him at the 30th St. was preparing to play in a match train station and drive him to the to decide which team would earn VMI event at the Union League, third place in her league. As I was downtown. Grover says he really limping up a small hill to the pitch, enjoyed the rides to and from the proudly earing my VMI baseball station and all the chatter with hat, I was accosted by a strange, yet “Digs” and “Yo-Ferry,” as well somehow familiar figure, enquiras Gen. Peay’s ’62 remarks at the ing as to my association with the event to the alumni and friends. Joe school. That figure turned out to Tulskie from our dykes class was be my old second class roommate, on hand for the event, too – great Class of 1981: The Fast Train Home band – Dan Dorsey; Jeb Snider, who had just watched time had by all. In early July, Grohis son, Garen, playing the saxophone; and Corky Mitchhis daughter’s team’s victorious ver went boating on the Severn and ell – performed at a Relay for Life fundraiser in June match for first place. I had not seen around the Annapolis harbor area 2011. Jeb since we graduated in ’82 but w/Ken Herbert, his two daughters,

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CLASS NOTES overseeing U.S. Air Force judges. Gordy’s boss recognized him right away by the twinkle in his Jim Outland is now Lt. Gen. Darren McDew. eye. Jeb, on the other hand, did not recognize As a bonus, BR Ron McGovern was able me, and I had to convince him I was his old to attend Mark’s ceremony. Before Mark’s bunkie. Besides being a proud soccer dad, Jeb ceremony, his family was able to share a Cape is now president of Rinker Design AssociCod vacation with Jack Wainwright and family ates, in Manassas, VA. Rinker (or RDA) is Unfortunately, it is my sad duty to pass along along the beach in Wellfleet, MA. prominent in the design and surveying field of news of the death of our BR Eric Buchanan. Buck Bob Louthan makes periodic visits up to residential land development throughout the Washington, D.C., to promote companies his northern Virginia Community. RDA generates passed away suddenly of heart failure in Tampa over half of its revenue by providing unmatched venture capital firm supports in the informaon May 17th and leaves behind wife Anna, a son, tion technology and defense sectors. We had professional consulting services to the majority a daughter, and a grand-daughter. As many of you coffee a few weeks ago to discuss business and of northern Virginia public sector clients. This may recall, our EE BR was an Army-commission to talk about the “I.” Bob was beaming when solid and proven strategy has allowed RDA guy, and I still remember getting lost in the woods he discussed his son’s Ratline adventures and to provide outstanding consulting and design of Rockbridge County with him during a Rat year progress as a walk on defensive back with the services on a variety of private, residential, inland navigation exercise. I also remember Buck football team. Blake has worked hard to bedustrial and commercial projects throughout the being proud of his first class private status which come competitive for the team and interrupted northern Virginia area and beyond. RDA’s conincluded a stint in the Illustrious #1 Club. His his summer vacation, in order to report back to tinuing commitment to excellence, technology, membership there was apparently due to some Lexington for football season. Look for Bob and customer service has produced additional “simple misunderstanding” with the administraduring home football weekends at the center of qualifications and talents. tion concerning his operation of “The Buck the biggest party on the parade deck or raising The company now provides services in Truck” in Lexington. Buck’s good friend and work hell at all away games. transportation planning and design, traffic colleague, Bob Bailey ’72, called me to relay the Ron Mecredy did his own hell raising on engineering, environmental consulting services, sad news shortly after notifying their command vacation. His adventure consisted of going to surveying, land planning, land development at MacDill Air Force Base where our BR was Arkansas for his wife’s family reunion. This design and forensic engineering. RDA is chief technology officer of Headquarters, U.S. entailed driving cross country in a pick-up truck Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Bob extremely delighted and proud of the fact that it with dogs in the back seat. Ron is settling in has been influential in changing the landscape spoke very fondly of his working relationship with as president of the Sterling Volunteer Rescue of northern Virginia for the past 25 years and Buck and also briefed me on details of his profesSquad and his duties include representing his will continue to be well into the future. sional life, illness and untimely passing. After organization at county budget hearings, personOf course, I had to look up the above inforhaving served 12 years of active Army, Reserve nel management, and, oh yeah … helping mation on my own, because all Jeb told me was and National Guard service in operational and people in trouble in Eastern Loudoun County. he has an engineering and surveying company program development positions, Buck then transIn a short note, Jim Hickey has started his in Manassas. As cadets, Jeb would always try to ferred to the Air Force in January 1995. While in second career as a business development execuconvince me of the natural superiority of engithe Air Force, he held a variety of squadron optive for the U.S. Training Center, part of Xe neers over weak liberal artists, such as myself, erational positions which culminated as a squadServices. in the work world. That opinion may or may ron commander. During his years of service to So, summer slips into autumn, and I hope to not be true, but I recall cringing in fear when our country, Buck earned master’s degrees in hear from you or see you at a football weekend. he asked me to review the papers he wrote for electrical engineering and mathematics in addition Don’t forget to come to our class’ 30th Reunion his environmental engineering class. I would to being awarded a variety of major service during the weekend of April 27-28, 2012, in mumble a few words of support and then head awards and decorations. He eventually attained Lexington. out to take a nap at LA Beach before he could the rank of colonel, USAF, before retiring from ever get the opportunity to query active duty around the beginning of me on specifics. this year. He then continued his service One BR who thrived as a liberal as a USAF civilian supporting Spec artist has now became a judge. Ops Command’s communications acMark Ciarrocca was sworn in tivities. I sent a card to Buck’s family as a New Jersey Superior Court on behalf of the class and know he will judge on August 2nd. One of the be greatly missed. Anna has kindly speakers at Mark’s swearing in shared with me her husband’s bio, as I ceremony was Col. Gordy Hamwas not aware of his considerable mock, USAF. One interesting achievements since our graduation. point that Gordy made in his She also intends to remain in the ’83 remarks was that there were three loop via the Alumni Review. In addiVMI grads in the same class at tion, I’m very appreciative of Bob Washington & Lee Law School Bailey’s concern in promptly reaching (Mark, Gordy, and Chip Johnson out to me and keeping me apprised of ’81). Now all three lawyers the situation. Bob has the grateful apClass of 1982: On Aug. 2, 2011, Mark Ciarrocca was have served as judges. Chip is a preciation of the entire class of ‘83 for sworn in as a New Jersey Superior Court judge. Attending federal judge in New Mexico, and thinking of us during a difficult and the ceremony were, from left, Ron McGovern, Ciarrocca Gordy was the chief U.S. military stressful time. In other news, summer and Col. Gordy Hammock, USAF. judge in Europe and is presently has been hot but several folks were still

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES able to make the most of our nation’s Indepen- was successfully shamed into attending this year’s Dave Clarke. As of this writing Dave is making dence Day holiday. Just before the long weekend event after he sent his wife Vicki on an ill-con- his plans for attending matriculation day that inbegan, I received an update from Matt Waring at ceived solo mission to cover for his absence last clude socializing with Scott Belliveau at the the Pentagon with news that he “was having a year. Her excuse then that he was “keeping an Foundation table as well as enjoying a meal at very VMI day.” “First thing this morning, I follow appointment with his recliner” is likely now re- “The Club Crozet.” I expect young Ben’s plans some guy up the escalator in a VMI shirt. Then, placed with something more suitable involving for that day may be a bit different than his Dad’s. I go into a meeting and sit next to Lt. Col. Chris the project he is working on to replace Rich- Ted Gottwald will also have a nephew matriculatReid ’93, followed by a sidebar with Col. Lee mond’s aging Huguenot Bridge. Your guess, ing in the Rat mass this year and the young man Wimbush ’84 and then an office call with Ed however, is as good as mine. Our dykes’ class was is transferring into VMI from UNC, no less! FleeBodling ’79. The most important meeting of the also present and accounted for with Hugh Fain ing “Chapel Thrill” to go to Lexington and the day was in the hallway with COL (P) Cedric Wins ’80 and Jeff Washington ’80 in attendance. I had safe confines of Barracks makes me think the ’85 and Lt. Col. Jon Milner ’91, because everyone not seen Jeff since he graduated and enjoyed “Ram Line” must be pretty tough down in the knows the real work gets done at the Pentagon in catching up. Other folks supporting the picnic Tarheel state. Teddy, however, is not making plans the hallway. The best alternative meeting sites are included Frank Kollmansperger ’84, Hank Sel- to attend matriculation day this year. By my count the snack bar (Curtis Southern ’82 last month) man ’84, and Clint Hubbard ’86. Hubbard is he has already been to three or four of them which and the Auditorium (Bill Collier ’72 and Phil the class agent for ’86 and was busily putting the makes him well-qualified to know the ins and outs Wilkerson ’72 at a farewell event on Tuesday).” final touches on our dykes’ 25th reunion celebra- as well as to make the following cogent observaMatt also has a Pentagon Lunch Bunch of ‘83ers tion. Their big event is scheduled for early Sep- tion about how things have changed over the that gathers from time to time and includes Col. tember and will no doubt have been a smashing years, “It’s a far cry from the good ol’ days of Jamie MacDonald, Capt. Andy “Slim” Whitson, success by the time you read these notes. Planning dropping unsuspecting children off at Jackson Col. Gregg Brinegar, Tom Winckler, Dr Mark for reunions reminds me that our 30th is just Arch into the friendly, helping hands of nice boys Roltsch and Mark McDonald. With so much around the corner in spring 2013. Once I have a in crisp uniforms who just told our mothers they’d action happening in the Pentagon’s hallways, confirmed date, I’ll let you all know but believe take real good care of us.” Another BR with a snack bars and auditoriums, I can only imagine it will be in April of that year. J.J. Costello is nephew in the Rat Mass is Owen Dunlap. Like the discussions this brain-trust is having over already asking me for the exact date which makes Teddy, however, OD will not be attending VMI’s lunch. Matt says they are looking to pull in Mark me think he is ready to clear his calendar this time matriculation day this year due to something about Sykes and Tim Craul who are both down near around. Another event which will have concluded moving his daughter in at Chapel Hill. Seems Ft. Belvoir and if anyone else is in the AO they by the time you read this will be the 20 August Disco will go to any lengths to avoid another are welcome to join in. Also in preparation for the matriculation of VMI’s next Rat Mass. As you matriculation day - I still don’t think he has re4th of July, I was privy to a flash “Room 101 know, our class is already well- represented covered from the last one he attended in ‘79. In Alert” with the breaking news that BR Bobby within the Corps with Sons-of-’83 Richard Luck other news, Will Creekmur sent me an humidityEdwards was returning to his hometown of Va. making Regimental S-5, Cameron Murray named free “Aloha” e-mail concerning his move with Beach for a visit. As many of you can appreciate, VP of the Honor Court, and James Goodwillie Heidi and their daughter Makena from Arizona this is big news because Edwards now hangs his named as prosecutor. Matriculating this year will to Honolulu, HI. We were also able to have a long hat near some beach on the left coast in “Sunny be another son, Ben Clarke, courtesy of our BR distance chat via telephone once they settled in. SoCal.” Indeed, he rarely even gets After he sent me pictures of their new back to see the rest of America. back yard, however, I wished I had Anyway, I understand a fun-filled had that discussion with him over Blue Mexican-themed dinner with many Hawaiis on his porch. Will’s new teeth-tingling beverages enhanced position as a Financial Consultant VP the event which included Ben Cotwith Schwab is a good fit for the work trell, Ted Gottwald, Franklin he has done over the years, most reHudgins, and others. Although my cently as owner of a financial firm in request for a group-photo of our Scottsdale. The big difference now is boys in sombreros remains unfulhe drives a moped to work, wears filled, I’m sure a good time was had Hawaiian shirts as business attire, and by all and you can just use your keeps a lei hanging on his office door imagination for the rest. Like BR for off-duty socializing. As you all Waring, I also had “a very VMI know, Will and family have been day” in July along the banks of The through some difficult times with the James while attending the VMI sudden death of his son Ruffin last Club of Richmond’s annual picnic year, but I’m really glad to hear how at the lovely home of Meade and things are now progressing for them. Cheryl Spotts ’79. Warren GroseWill especially wants to convey his Class of 1983: Will Creekmur and daughter Makena celebrated his 50th Birthday in August 2011 at Honolulu close and I were the only ’83s there appreciation to all of you for the supBurger Company after his family moved from Arizona to to carry our banner, but this was no port he received during the most difHawaii. Jim Outland wrote, “Creekmur observed that problem for Warren, having been a ficult days, especially during the futhe free-range, grass-fed Maui beef, sweet potato fries guidon-bearer at some point for neral. It really shows how important and vanilla shake were different from the hot dogs, “derrière-kicking” Alpha Company. our bonds can be. And finally, several Natty Bohs and pool he enjoyed as a cadet at Estelle’s Notably absent, however, was our of you may still not be subscribed to in Lexington.” BR M-Ray Johnston. I thought he the class of ’83 group I have set up at

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CLASS NOTES yahoo.com. Being subscribed to the VMI83 group allows you to send or receive an e-mail message either to or from all others who are also subscribed. Many of us are using this medium as a quick and handy means to blast out news, share updates and job opportunities, coordinate VMI pre-game logistics, etc. Recently, BR Tom Beckhoff joined our group and I was glad to hook him up. Tom is down in Williamsburg as a corrections officer. Now I would love to bring in a number of you who are still unsubscribed. If you are not receiving these e-mails and would like to be added (heck, it is a free service), please contact me at the information listed above and I will add you or you can just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/VMI83/ and click the “Join This Group!” button. As the moderator, I will then receive an electronic message from yahoo requesting that I subscribe your e-mail address. Please provide me some text to let me know who you are when you request to join because I’ve had some pretty interesting offers to signup people with e-mail addresses such as “goodtime 21,” “ramanjohn33,” and “graemeswann40.” Even if these are a few of the many aliases BR Max Rogers uses for his web-socializing I just can’t subscribe folks if they don’t identify themselves. By the way, where is Rogers anyway? Does he still let people stop by his room after taps? Maybe I’ll know by next time. Until then, GO KEYDETS!

’84

Barry Coceano

Thanks to all who answered my call for last minute updates! The perfect storm of events (mostly my failure to remember when the class notes were due to the Alumni Association, combined with my e-mail service on the Alumni Association web site being corrupted) almost led to a default on the class of ’84 notes for this edition of the Alumni Review. I know you wouldn’t be happy opening the Alumni Review, turning to the class of ’84 page, and seeing a one-liner under the block where our class notes should be that reads – “Notes were not submitted by the class agent.” In other words, as they would say in the military, a dereliction of duty on the part of the class agent; or in the civilian world, a failure to perform by the class agent; or at VMI, simply put – BRF! So, without further adieu – your class notes. Dawn and I had dinner with Jim and Leslie Dixon recently. Jim and his family remain well in northern Virginia. Jim and Leslie’s daughter (Gingy) is in her last year at The Potomac School, and they’ve been taking lots of short road trips to explore colleges. Jim

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would delight in having Gingy go to W&L, so that he and Leslie could make frequent trips to Lexington, but he’s having a bit of difficulty in convincing his daughter of the virtues of a small Southern town of a bygone era. Jim promises to cater great tailgate parties for our class if Lexington ends up in their future. Trust me, guys – Jim can create some incredible meals on the barbie and would make for a great class of ’84 tailgate party. Please, Gingy, go to W&L! Chris Parks answered my plea with the following update: “Greetings from Charlottesville! Jill, Tucker and I just returned from a nice vacation in Traverse City, MI. It was nice to get away from the heat and humidity for a short time. Work is going well. I will be going to Bosnia this Friday for two weeks to help train their court police. It should be a good trip. In September, I will be going up to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. The U.S. Marshal Service provides assistance to the Department of State on the dignitary protection details. I was selected to serve as the coordinator for the Marshal Service contingent again this year. We took my 11-year-old son, Tucker, to the Institute for Legacy Day. It was lots of fun, and we got to see a little bit of the lacrosse game before we had to head back home. Tucker started lacrosse this spring, and he really likes it. It looks like we will be putting on our annual Law Enforcement Information Seminar at the Institute on Nov. 3rd. We had a great turnout last year of both cadets and alumni.” Chris, thanks for the update. Glad to hear you are indoctrinating Tucker at an early age to both VMI and lacrosse … could be another legacy cadet in the making. The ever-suave and debonair Frank

Kollmansperger provided the following: “Although I had to bail on a Room 101 Fishing Trip hosted by first captain/admiral Jamie Shoemaker, I did spend some time with Bruce “The Viking” Hauck in Richmond at an event for Bill Janis on the night before their voyage. Mark Morgan, Alex Thompson, Bruce and Jamie worked it hard but, I am told, ended up with much bait but no fish. Bruce is doing great. Bill Janis is doing well. Steve Reardon invited the Koll’ger clan to a Richmond Flying Squirrels game, which was wonderful. Am 50 years old today and so am reflecting on that fact but promise to not reflect too long. Life is good. Hank Selman lives next door. You just can’t have everything, but I do love his great wife and two boys. I hope things are going well for you and your family!” Frank, with the exception of John Brown, I think you are the first to make it to the big 50 … congratulations! I think John reached that milestone our first class year. (Figured I would try anything to get John to respond with an update … we’ll see if it works.) Ty Dawson recently reported in with the following: “Barry, I have some news for you. My middle daughter, Abigail L. Dawson, is returning on 14 Aug. to start her third class year at VMI as a member of F Troop. She is returning on the 14th to begin working in the QMD in preparation for the Rat Mass matriculating on 20 Aug. Abigail is a biology major who also hopes to minor in chemistry and psychology. She is enrolled in Air Force ROTC and will be one of the cadets-in-charge of club volleyball for female and possibly male cadets, depending on the turnout. She is also one of the upper classmen staffing the high water entry station for Rat Challenge (Rat Training in years gone by). She is one of

Class of 1984: Tom Anthony, Tom Carboni and Dan Gettings in Lima, Peru, prior to Gettings’ deployment to Afghanistan.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES five students from her graduating high school, percentage of alumni participation! returned from our annual camping vacation Paul VI in Fairfax, VA, who will be returning Curtis Hinton helped me out also with the in beautiful Shenandoah National Park where this year, as well. Also, my wife, Debra, and I following: “Was traveling for work and conwe ran into numerous bears, deer and even are members of the VMI Parents’ Council. We nected through Atlanta, GA, on Delta. Was a rattlesnake. We hiked every day and the will be working for the council at matriculasurprised when leaving the plane to discover kids (Dominic and Alexis, ages 6.5 and 5.5, tion as well as football games this fall. Also, that none other than our own Gus Agostinelli respectively) were really tested on the long we visited Nils Weirick and his new bride, was piloting the craft. We got a chance to speak uphill hikes – something akin to the ‘Bataan Silvina, in June. Debra was able to attend their for a few minutes and the next night, got a page Death March,’ according to them. I ran into wedding in May, but I was not able to go due from Bill Janis. He had spoken with Gus, and Maj. Gen. ‘Bo’ Temple ’75 last year at a Soto work requirements. I have just completed we all got together, along with my wife, Una, at ciety of American Military Engineers (SAME) my 15th year with General Dynamics Corpora- Legends Brewing Co. for some adult beverages function in Philadelphia. Bo is the acting chief tion. I work and live in the northern Virginia and important discussion. Seems Gus is based of Engineers and acting commanding general area. We have lived in Ashburn for 15 years out of Atlanta but living in the Pittsburgh area. of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Well, and have an older daughter, Kimberly, who I used to see him frequently at corporate air that’s it for me. Please let me know when you graduated from nursing school at George Materminals when he used to pilot the big-wigs for (or any BR, for that matter) will be in Philly, son University. My youngest daughter, Emily, Hecht’s, and I used to commute on Philip Morand we’ll try to get together for a beer, a ball is a senior in high school and wants to study ris’ corporate aircraft. Seems he has been flying game or a cigar.” Tom, that was awesome that marine biology in college. Hope this helps you for Delta now for 15 years. We had a great time you and Tom Anthony traveled to Peru to visit with your deadline.” Ty, great update. Thank catching up and telling the old stories! Hope Dan prior to his deployment. That visit speaks you for all you and Debra are doing to support this helps, Barry … not a whole lot of other volumes about the true meaning of Brother VMI and glad to know Abigail is following in news or sightings.” Curt, it helped tremenRat! Will let you know the next time I am in your footsteps as an ’84 legacy cadet. dously. Now, we need Gus to pay it forward and Philly. Greg “Cav” Cavallaro, who I talk to weekly, provide an update. Speaking of Bruce Hauck, I received the chimed in to ensure I would not default on my Tom Carboni sent me the following from following from his lovely bride, Dawn: “Hey, notes: “Yo, Barry – sorry your inbox is empty! his home in Philadelphia: “Yo, Barry! Hope all Barry! I don’t want you panicking, but the Big Let me see if I can help. I’m into my 28th year is well with you, Dawn and the family. Here Guy is on call this week, and it’s not a pretty working at VMI. Two in Admissions, 14 in the is a brief class note update: Tom Anthony, sight. Bruce just got together with all of his VMI Foundation and now starting on year 12 in Dan Gettings and I got together in Lima, Peru, roommates for a day of ocean fishing – though the Keydet Club. My time flies! I can say that in February to have fun and watch the Super they caught no fish – you do the math. He VMI is doing better, on most every front, than Bowl together. Dan is the military group comalso caught up with Bill Janis to solve all the it ever has since we matriculated 31 years ago! mander at the U.S. Embassy in Peru, but he is world’s problems. Touch base with them, and Winning athletics and a highly successful VMI now serving in Afghanistan. We all had a blast I am sure they have some happy stories to campaign will be the final, crowning piece to visiting the local bars/clubs/ruins, drinking share. Bruce drove two hours out of his way General Peay’s ’62 unbelievable legacy. It has Pisco Sours and enjoying the summer in the to hit the new VMI Barracks – loved them. been really neat to see so many of our Brother southern hemisphere. We wanted to spend He has four new hats to prove he stopped by! Rats and guys who we were with in Barracks, time with Dan prior to his deployment, and Good luck; hope this helps!” Dawn, I know who have experienced VMI through their sons he really appreciated that. Debbie and I just I can always count on you to cover down for and daughters attending the Institute Bruce. Given that Bruce, Alex, over the past several years. One highMark and Jamie caught zero fish light: my roommate, John Munno’s, between the four of them, do you son, Joseph, and his cadetship. Our think that they went fishing in BRs would be proud to know that the ocean or at the local watering ‘Joe’ is the president of the class of hole? My bet is they caught some 2012! Marlene and I celebrated our big Budweiser’s! 21st anniversary in August, and life Bob Hooper must have felt with five, active grandchildren has his stock rising as a contender been great. We spend down time, for being singled out in my away from Lexington, at our place closing paragraph of the class at Smith Mountain Lake. I hope our notes. Bob sent me the following Brother Rats will do whatever they awesome update: “Barry, yes, can to support you in your efforts on it takes a plea from a Brother behalf of the class and our beloved Rat to dig up a voice from the VMI. A gift of any size will help past. I’m currently living in the with class participation – wouldn’t Midlothian area and have been it be cool if ’84 could again realize an iSeries system engineer for a the highest percentage of alumni parbroadband company based out of ticipation in support of VMI?!! I am Princeton, NJ, since 2001. As a looking forward to our 30th Reunion virtual (remote) worker, I work Class of 1984: Tom Caboni and Maj. Gen. Bo Temple ’75, primarily from home and travel already.” Cav, there is no doubt in my USA, at a Society of American Military Engineers function as needed. Currently, I have a mind … the class of ’84 will be heard in Philadelphia, summer 2011. from today. We WILL have the largest son serving with the U.S. Army

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CLASS NOTES 10th Mountain Division (Fort Drum, NY) 1-32 of time on tax policy and regulatory work, while her master’s in nursing in May, and our daughInfantry, TF Chosen, in Kandahar province, also specializing on flood damage estimates ter will be headed off to Utah State University Afghanistan. His twin brother is finishing around the world. I am retiring from the Army in August. I couldn’t convince her to try the up at UVa, and his sister graduated from Reserve this year and look forward to putting a ‘Mother I.’ Oh, well – I get one more chance VCU with a degree in psychology. My lady lot of uniforms in storage. This is just as well, in two years to see if I can swing my son and I recently hosted John (Kos) and Sylvia since my brother, Mark Hicks ’86, has just been that way. I graduate in December and should Kostisin ’81 prior to the class of 81’s reunion. promoted to Air Force BG, and I am not sure he be headed back to Salt Lake City for a little Kos was Ed Gainsborg’s dyke. We did a spin has forgiven me for the demerits I gave him as a while. There is rumor that I may be heading through Richmond, touring the Museum and third, and I sure don’t need a general doing any to Denver to prepare and take a new unit to White House of the Confederacy, Church Hill, by-name-taskings for Antarctica. My wife, Janet, Afghanistan. That’s the one place I have yet Chimborazo Park and Hollywood Cemetery. and I have three young ’uns – a girl in 7th grade to go, and I suppose my number is coming up We toured St. John’s Church where Kos was and boys in 5th and 2nd. We do the usual circuit quickly.” Jeff, good luck in school and with asked to proclaim the words of Patrick Henry’s of swim practice, cross country, baseball, soccer, the new unit. And thank you for your contin“Give me liberty or give me death” speech piano, violin and cello lessons. VMI just hired ued service. Be safe. in the very isle where Patrick Henry spoke one of the best economists I know, Jeff Smith, Jerome Brinkley sent me the following from those words. It was a humbling experience whom they lured away from USAFA to teach in Charleston, SC: “Hi, Barry. I wanted to open for all. We also introduced the Kostisins to Lexington. This is great news for the economics and close my note with the statement: Roland the quintessential Richmond box lunch that is department.” Mike, thanks for the update, and Staiano is kicking cancer’s butt. Roland and Sally Bells. It was quite an enjoyable day, and make me a promise … put it on the calendar to his girlfriend came to Charleston for a visit, we look forward to their next visit to the East come back to the 30th Reunion. to see that the sun actually exists and there Coast. Hope this helps fill your inbox a bit.” Now that we finally got Bob Epperson to are such things as warm ocean breezes – these Hoop, thanks again, and stay in touch. Hopeupdate us (see the last Alumni Review), I want apparently don’t exist in Seattle! He is doing fully, you will make it to the 30th Reunion, to keep him from sliding back into hiding. Bob well, and I have nicknamed him the ‘Vitamin and if you can get Ed to send in an update, answered my plea also with the following: “I King.’ We’ve been busy in Charleston. Stephayou’ll be golden. regret I have nothing new to report. Still at nie and I opened her law firm last spring (BrinChris Caplice, an early contender (along with Triple Canopy, still engaged to Ms. Jo Anne kley Law Firm, LLC) – like the name? She is Tom Anthony) to be anointed as the next class Murphy (had to postpone the wedding due to very busy keeping families together through agent, sent me the following: “Hi, Barry. I had me having back surgery), and that is about it.” assisted reproductive technology and adoption a couple of BRs stop by Boston this month. Pete Bob, I love it – short, sweet, to the point. Hope cases. We figured there were enough divorce Nealley came by on business – he is working the back is mending well, and let us know attorneys out there already! I am still running with DuPont, and they are talking with MIT when the wedding happens. 5 and 10K races, and enjoyed the Bridge Run about doing some research together on supply Jeff Duncan wrote from the Army Staff in Charleston. I was allowed to start up front chain stuff. It was great seeing him – it had College: “Not a whole lot to tell you about with the Kenyans, and there were 40,000 runbeen 20+ years since New-Wave and I had seen myself. I am still at the Command and General ners behind us – including my younger brotheach other. We both have less hair. Later that Staff College. They’re trying to ‘learn me er, Anthony ’92. I have started a new career week, Mike and Jan Locher (along with 2/3 something.’ I’m just hoping that some of this with the National Federation of Independent kids) came to New England for a whirlwind sticks!! As for the family, Nancy completed Business and look forward to working with tour. They visited Clay and Andrea business owners once again! Kyle Goss and stopped by for a game at Sinisi and I attended the retireFenway and a night in Boston. We ment ceremony for Col. “Brent” had lunch, and Mike pointed out all Dunahoe ’83 in early June at The of the buildings in Boston built with Citadel. Brent reminded everyone Locher Brick. It was great catching that he enjoyed doing mean things up.” Chris, thanks for the steady to mean people, and he commisstream of updates … I know I can sioned dozens of those Citadel always count on you to help me out. boys to become USMC and USN Much appreciated! officers. I ran into Jim Kenkel’s I think Mike Hicks got the same former boot camp roommate – Col. feeling as Bob Hooper about being Greg Kitchens, El Cid ’84, at the targeted for my closing paragraph, party after the ceremony. Small as Mike, too, reported in with the world. Greg Cavallaro was the following great update: “I enjoyed official guest speaker at our winter the recent update and thought I’d meeting when the chapter was rectouch base. I live in beautiful Munognized officially by the VMIAA. cie, IN, where I am an economics It was good to see him. Mike professor and run an economic Efremov was also in attendance! policy research center of about 20 I have passed the baton of leaderfolks at Ball State University. Our ship for the SC Coastal Chapter for work hits national TV, radio and the VMIAA to Brendan Kearney Class of 1984: Chris Caplice with Pete Nealley at the Masnewspapers a few times a year. ’03, and we are looking forward sachusetts Institute of Technology where Caplice works. This is a fun gig, and I spend a lot to beating the Bulldogs on their

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES home turf in their new football stadium in late October. Greg Michigan is still up in Boston with his wife and three cloned kids – they all look exactly like him. Good looking kids. He is with the Dept. of Labor – OIG. Well, have a good one, and remember: Roland Staiano is kicking cancer’s butt!” Jerome, that was a wonderful update, especially the news about Roland!!! My final update came from Paul Tate. I kept it to last, because as the class agent, I couldn’t have written about VMI any better than Paul has done in the latter part of his update: “Barry, I’ve been living in Charlotte for 25 years and just recently moved my daughter, Nicole, into her new freshman dorm at The University of Georgia. My wife, Ginna, who has tolerated me for 22 years, had me sequestered at the Athens Target for about 2 hours. It wasn’t the most painful experience, since every single co-ed at UGA was getting supplies for the upcoming year. Quite a different parade than what I experienced while at VMI. This parade was sundresses and blonde hair, with shopping carts loaded with microwaves, toasters and toiletries. I must admit, it was spectacular and reminded me of what VMI wasn’t when I was a teenager. My 15-year-old son, Robert, remained back in Charlotte, for I am trying to protect him from this scene. I don’t want him distracted by girls while I train him to serve our country … Some thoughts about VMI: The only similarity between UGA and VMI are each has three initials comprising the acronym. UGA is a tremendous school, but VMI carries a distinction that no school can match. We are the ultimate grinders, and we followed the law of honor above all else. When I tell people I graduated from VMI, they are at first stunned, and then a river of compliments follows, as if I accomplished something unimaginable. To most people, it may be unimaginable. To me, looking back, it was the single most important decision I have ever made in my life. Brother Rats, support VMI with a check today. Our country needs more grinders!” Paul, I have only one word … AWESOME! It would be hard to finish this edition of our class notes with anything better than what Paul Tate conveyed, so I won’t even try. However, I will add to his comments with the following from Forbes magazine – Virginia Military Institute remains among the nation’s best colleges, according to rankings released earlier this month by Forbes magazine. VMI ranks No. 65 among the 650 colleges on the Forbes listing of Top Colleges in America. It wasn’t only Paul’s best decision … for each of us, it was our best decision! Until next time, goodnight Dan Troutman, wherever you are.

2011-Issue 4

’85

Matt Daniel

“Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Coach Tom Virgets My youngest carnivore, Johnny, attended the USNA lacrosse camp in July ’11. On the trip to Annapolis to retrieve him, I did a drive-by, dropped by Ricketts Hall in the “Yard.” I was looking for Coach Tom “Virg” Virgets. Remember him? The Cajun TAC? I found him. He has not changed. Coach Virgets seemed genuinely pleased to see me and asked for others to visit him there, as well. From what I gather, Virg’s responsibilities at the USNA include ensuring that the young midshipmen are tough enough to do much of America’s fighting. His title? Senior associate athletic director/physical mission. “Physical Mission” – how appropriate! I still remember Virg’s message to us, his runners: “Get comfortable being uncomfortable; that’s how you win the important ones.” He and Head Coach Wade “Elmo” Williams taught us all a tremendous set of lessons. Virg also serves as the chairman of USA Boxing (http://usaboxing.org). Virg tells me that they will be bringing boxing back from hiding by 2015. Tom Virgets will be heard from today! Matt Henderson: Random name drop. The 2011 ACCGS – 2011 Annual Charlie Company Golf Safari. 12-14 August 2011. Lexington, VA. Dang; I missed it. Annual: How many years? Unknown. Let’s say 18. What do you think? Charlie Company: Not necessary. We ALL were invited, regardless of vertical status. Lots of big guys, some tall guys and a few big tall guys were there, I hear. Golf: Again, not necessary. The activities included adult beverages, golf, shooting at Joe “Beef” Irby, righteous chow, hanging out by the river, telling fish stories, talking about Roland Tiso, Buzz Snyder and Kitty Sandy. Safari: Not sure what a safari really is. In any event, I missed it. I heard it was a great time. Let’s not miss it again! Hagan will never forgive us! Tom Greenspon, that means YOU (and me, of course). Mark Jackson, Paul Marsenison, Steve Medeiros, Judson Springer, you too! Jake Spivey shared some great stuff from the Safari. I edited some of his notes for fear of an Alumni Review black-balling of the fabulous class of 1985: ACCGS Golf Pairings with Highlights – Greek Halages & Nobby Carroll/Chuck

McCarthy & Neb Neblett: Amazingly, this foursome was the winning team at 3 under par. Mark Carroll also had the longest drive (on No. 3). George Halages was completely entertaining and as quiet as he usually is. Chuck McCarthy and Neb Neblett are still working together at WM Jordan. Meade King & John Henry Jordan /Borny Bornhorst & V-Man Vaughan: Borny had the first closest to the pin on No. 2 sticking his drive from a 156 ft within 8 feet of the cup. He also brought along his pellet gun and was shooting at everyone on the course. (Agent note: He was almost sent to the hoosegow, but Palmer Hamilton talked the authorities out of it.) These guys finished in second place as a team at 2 under. Brent Hearn & Palmer Hamilton/W.G. Rowlett & Rob McIntire: Palmer made the trek from Charlotte, and Brent showed up Friday night and was able to fill in for BRF Kirk, since Fester never shared that he wasn’t coming. Palmer subbed-in for BRF Ormsby (who was also a no-show). W.G. was the next closest to the pin on No.4, clearing the water hazard but leaving himself a mere 30’8” putt. Jeff Golembiewski & Sam Maroon/Shawn Oliver & Scotty Bryant: This foursome was a total bust. Jeff and Shawn (Twist) played as a twosome. Shawn was so overwhelmed by Goley’s physique, he played holes 2 through 6 without his shirt on, until the course marshal admonished him to stop flexing and get dressed. Bill Bowman & Tequila! Lane/Grandpa Johnson & Russ Orrison: Bill was a monster driving the ball, but alas, this foursome’s short game was nowhere to be found. Mike Johnson got to Lexington early Friday, opened his first Bud Light and ended up the highlight of Saturday night. Yes, we have photos of Mike and the Kentucky Monkey. As a result of the events Saturday night, the Monkey is currently in a rehab and counseling clinic, often patronized by Hollywood celebrities, and is receiving the best care possible. We are all confident he’ll make a full and complete recovery in time for next year’s Safari. However, he asks Jeff Lane (Safari ’09) and now Mike either be sequestered from the balcony or armed guards be provided by the Safari attendees, providing 24-hour protection to the Monkey. Snake Spivey & Huge Hill/Hook Hagan & Flea Williams: Hugh got on the course by the fifth hole, driving up from Raleigh. The day was characterized by Flea Williams’ long, straight drives and a combination of Spivey and Hill putting to save par. Hookhead Hagan left his clubs and his short game back in Tucson. D-oh! Despite all that, at one point they were four under par with four holes to play. Sadly, the wheels fell off the cart, and they finished one under for the day.

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CLASS NOTES The ACCGS event followed the same weekLots of fun and buffoonery were had by all, I I saw Jess Waltz on a TV commercial … I end format as last year. Met at Moody, bought hear. This is something that all of us are invited was all: “Hey kids! Look, look, look! It’s Jesse beer at Wal-Mart and went to the river, even to and no one should miss. Waltz!!” JES Construction (www.jeswork. though Harry Warner ’57 has sold the place to Onward with more stuff. com). My kids did not know who I was talking W&L. Our pre-planned response (PPR) if any I was driving home from SMIB-land (Southabout. My youngest, Johnny, gives me a “cool W&L official showed up was to feign ignorance ern Maryland Inbred) the other day: Leonarstory, Dad” when I tried to give the G-rated (or death) (“Ignorance is our excuse, sir”) and dtown, MD. As I was driving north through explanation of who Jesse Waltz is and his VMI claim we weren’t aware of the sale of the propWaldorf with my better half in the car, I saw a escapades. Jesse seems to be doing very well erty. No one showed, so it wasn’t an issue. recognizable license plate on a car in front of with JES. Dinner Friday night was at Salerno’s, where us. The license plate read “TAB W.” So, I looks Bob Louthan ’82 and I had lunch in July. Bill Weiners regaled everyone with his stories over to my wife and sez, “Hold on honey; that’s Bob is a president at Pelion Financial Group. and commentary. one of my fellow college commiseratadors!” Pelion is a venture capital group. They do Saturday’s agenda consisted of golf, followed So, I speed up to his 9:00 (left wing), perform some good work in the defense and homeland by BBQ at Joe and Cindy Irby’s pad. Awesome my VID (Visual Identification), confirm that, security arenas. Boston Butts, fresh Irby garden vegetables, yes, indeed, it was Tabb Warlitner, and then Scott Medeiros: Random name drop. coleslaw and fantastic banana pudding were on commence to honking and waving. Old Tabb I also have the opportunity to rub elbows with the menu. After lunch and the obligatory photosure concentrates when he drives. I never got Ted “Hoover” Clarkson ’82 now and again. Ted graph, some folks went down behind the garden his attention. I did succeed in upsetting all the works as a digital communications interoperto shoot skeet, while another group ability SME (subject matter expert) went back to the river for a swim. for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in The shooters eventually showed Crystal City. Smart feller, Ted is. up at the river, as well. While at Our good pal, J.J. Wranek, the river, a bearded guy showed should be home by the time you up with a young boy. Uh … scary. read this … or close to it. The scruffy dude was John Pollock Dan “Fido” Riley ’88 (former with his son, Connor (14). John USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon flyer: and Connor also joined the crowd alliteration. Col. Gentry would be for breakfast at the Lexington proud) and I work for the same conRestaurant (the diner) Sunday tracting company. I see Fido quite morning. often. He is kicking arse down in Dinner was thoroughly enjoyed Pax River, MD, working on a Naval at the Sheridan Livery Inn. CockAir Systems Command contract tails and shenanigans then were which helps us plan for and procure Class of 1985: Class Agent Matt Daniel wrote, “RDC the order of the evening up on the worthy air-to-air weapons. members, Mike Schwitter and Brent Harder, assaulted balcony at Moody Hall. Pete Sniffin: Random name drop. the paparazzi at a jazz concert on the lake” in Zurich, Switzerland, July 2011. Other attendees not playing golf Barry Brockaway sends that he is were Jim Spellman and Jack EmWinchester, VA, now (August 2011) erson. Jim stayed on for the whole for training and in-processing in weekend; Jack was only up for the day, Saturdrivers around me, however. At least I tried. preparation for six months in Afghanistan. Keep day. Jack had the best one-liner (despite Bill RVM, Tabb Warlitner! your head down, Brother Brock! Wieners being around) when he described one Steve Palmer: Random name drop. The Presslers: Random name drop. night when he was trying to get a little loving Mike Schwitter, our SwissMissBR, sends John Adams is back from the Desert now from his wife. She said EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT that he got together with Brent Harder for an and winning road races all over America.Eric EDIT … EDIT (Ha, ha, ha!! Can’t you hear the RDC-85 reunion at the Rapperswil Blues ‘n’ Enslen responds to the data call: laughter?) Neither did Jack, and she put him in Jazz festival in Zurich, Switzerland. In his own He says that life is good for him in Williamsthe dog house for the next three weeks. inimitable style, BRiss Schwitter stated: “As burg, VA. Currently he works as the broker for Safari side notes: ve vantet to make zem all strain, a paparazzi a worldwide resort sales company in WilliamsJohn Pollock has changed jobs again and is showed up, and zen ve sent him avay viss ze burg. He will probably start looking for another an SES for DARPA. words: “No paparazzi here; zis sweat-party ist challenge soon, now that his daughter, Holly, is Joe Irby is working for a new start-up softclassified!” off to college. Eric’s son, Michael, just graduware company. Dave Tingley makes clocks. Cool ones. He ated from VA Tech and is planning to enter the George Halages is still busy with Archer Seal. was making one for the ACCGS but was pulled real world as soon as the water is too cold for Everyone needs rubber, he says. Those jokes away from attendance at the last moment. He anymore beachcombing and wakeboarding never stop being funny. had made a clock for the event. Catch up with this season. By the time you read this, young Bornhorst wore a t-shirt Sunday, “Life is him, and ask him about his clocks. Enslen will have entered the real world. crap,” which is a riff (riff?) on the Life is Good John Witty has posted some job opportunities Eric shares that he likes tennis, racquetball series. It pictured a guy who is being written up on the VMI ’85 Facebook page/group. Way to and long walks on the beach. He and his girlfor speeding 90 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. Mark go, John. friend spend time catching breeze on his custom told us this is something he knows all too well, John Powers: Random name drop. chopper. Life is good. having received over 100 traffic tickets. (Key Has anyone seen or heard from Sylvester Eric says: “Please pass on my deep gratiWest, anyone?) “Sly” Davis? tude to all our BRs (and non-BRs too, for that

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CLASS NOTES matter) in uniform around the world for their service to our country -- you all are the best!!” Oorah, Double E! Jack Rose: Random name drop. Henry Sanchez: Another. George Halages also answered the call for class notes input. Here is what he says: “All is well in Winston Salem, NC. We just got back from an awesome trip to Italy and Greece – it was the absolute best vacation I have ever had. Son is now sophomore at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) majoring in illustration and industrial design. Oldest daughter is going into freshman year at high school, and the youngest is going into grade 8. Business is good (by the grace of God), and the bills are getting paid. I have been traveling a good bit, mostly domestic, but several trips per year to China. Recently bought about 40 acres on Leesville Lake in VA (bought from my folks), and it is about as far away from everything as you can get. Currently looking for a place on Smith Mountain Lake, but that will take some time. With real estate down so much, now is the time to strike. I keep in pretty regular touch with Mark Carroll and Bill Wieners – both are well. Joe Irby does not call as much as he used to, since he is not trying to suck money out of me anymore! That’s about it. Thanks! My best e-mail is ghalages@archerseal.com.” I see Col. Tom Rahe (USA) in the Pentagon pretty frequently. He sends some notes to all of us: “Still plugging away here on the Army Staff. I see Matt Daniel (man, is he a righteous dude) pan-handling around the five-sided wind tunnel all too often. But I digress … I am now a War College graduate. I have attached a photo as proof. (Agent note: Blame VMI’s Traci Mierzwa if it does not show up here. *Grin). Phil Ridderhof ’86, Mark Bartholf ’87 and Lapthe Flora ’87 also graduated with me. Phil received one of the writing awards for his efforts! Regarding the photo, if Matt gets it in (cue Steve Carell’s famous line): It was a hot day, and I had to tell Maj. Gen. Martin (War College commandant) to keep it snappy!” *Thanks, Tom! Matt Hamilton: Random name drop. Ron Reimann gave me a lead on Benny Hill, but no joy up to now. Anyone else up to the task? Any super sleuths out there who can help us find “Hill, T.B., Chester Virginia, sir”? Kyle Goldsmith: Random name drop. Visit the 85 Facebook page, and share some news. Drop by Boombag Art to tell me what I should be drawing. Anyone heard from Della Rocco? Maybe he’s hanging around with Jim Chartier and Benny Hill. I do not know how many of you have noticed, but I have gotten fatally behind in the birthday

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card sending department. If I have missed your birthday, gomenasai / please forgive. I have a plan to fix my delinquency. More to follow. Check six amigos, and bless the warriors! … Matt Daniel

’86

Clint Hubbard

The dog days of August are upon us – hot and sticky, so you have to drink your beer fast before it gets hot – well, I guess August may not be that bad after all. Among the other items for the month is another installment of masterful prose recounting the lives and times of the mighty class of 1986. Either that or a few paragraphs of drivel thrown together haphazardly by your BR Hubbard. This set of the “notes” will be short and sweet, as the news has been sparse this quarter. Evidently the men of 1986 are busy at work preparing for the 25th Reunion or working on the honey-do lists generated by the ladies of 1986. Either way, it seems the whole class is pulling a Malavet-Urie on us and has gone underground. In a few short weeks, we will descend upon the sleepy hamlet of Lexington, VA, to celebrate our 25th Class Reunion. Where in the world have the 25 years gone? It seems like only yesterday we were a Rat mass sitting in JM Hall, hearing Col. Buzz Snyder ’57 tell us about reaching out for the bottom rung on the VMI ladder. Do you remember that speech? Do you recall who was sitting to your right or left? I, alas, cannot tell you who was sitting beside me; it is probably just as well, because as Max Rogers ’83 outlined in his little chat with us, they may well have been a liar, a cheater or a thief, in which case I could never mention their name around the halls of the Institute again. Or they might not have made it through the Ratline otherwise as Mister (I know some people think his name is “Brent,” but I’m pretty sure his first name is “Mister”) Dunahoe ’83 later told us. My wish for those stalwart members of the class of 1983 is that they have mellowed a bit with age and learned to chill a bit. They always seemed so angry for some reason … the afternoon I had the opportunity to dine at Mr. Dunahoe’s private table in Crozet Hall, he seemed uncommonly provoked and agitated about something. And the time or two it became necessary to stop by Mr. Rogers’ room – whew – well, let’s just say he was a man who obviously did not like to be disturbed, and leave it at that. Well, we have indeed come a long way since

August 1982. My initial Rat roommates were Pat D’Antonio, Mike Davis and Lee Faulkner in room 503 on the 5th stoop in New Barracks. After a day or so in Bravo Company (where I marched in front of or behind Bobby Rainer – we were not the same size), I was moved to Fierce Fighting Foxtrot. In good ol’ F Troop, my roommates for the duration of Rat year were Phil Howard, Max Morehead, Mike Necessary and Scott Wilson in room 442. Our wall lockers were lined up alphabetically: Howard – Hubbard – Morehead – Necessary – Wilson. Needless to say, that drew a lot of comments from the upperclassmen who visited our room. I am proud to note that all five of us graduated, and furthermore we all graduated as virgin privates. Over the Memorial Day weekend, Brother Rats Stewart Barnes, Phil Howard, Jon Moody and yours truly, along with our families, enjoyed a lovely weekend on Bald Head Island, NC, gathered at BR Howard’s beach house. We had 19 people in one cottage and managed to have a great time without anyone wanting to kill anyone else. We have been doing this for several years now, and it is always a good time. The setting in North Carolina was appropriate since that is the home of John Edwards who of course coined the idea of “Two Americas” – that is one world for those who work for a living and another for the people of means who enjoy a life of leisure. Over the weekend, it was discovered that BR Moody and I are still slugging it out in middle America while the ship has evidently come in for BRs Barnes and Howard. A seemingly innocuous conversation about golf turned into an ostentatious display of one-upsmanship, as BR Barnes and BR Howard regaled Jon and me with tales of a life we dare only dream about – exclusive golf outings at Pebble Beach and various private venues, as well as travel by exclusive corporate jets and the ability to by-pass regular airline terminal security checks and the dreaded commercial flight where one might be forced to sit next to a regular Jon or even a Clint. BR Moody and I agreed it’s so nice to have friends in such high places, particularly those who hold themselves in such high regard. Looking forward to the 25th, some of the early responders included some names we haven’t seen or heard from in a while. Among others, we’re looking forward to seeing Steve Sinclair, Steve Weiss, Tim Macaulay, Eric Whiteman and Jim Seeley. Time will only tell if BR Seeley is driving the Partridge Family bus that was mentioned several years ago. One of our favorite special ops BRs, Steve Grzeszczak, checked in from the Navy Seals to let us know he was standing watch and

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CLASS NOTES would not be able to slip away, even for the 25th. To borrow a phrase from the movie “A Few Good Men” and with a nod to Jack Nicholson, “We want BR Grzeszczak on that wall; we need him on that wall.” I am supremely disappointed that he won’t be at the 25th, as I was hoping to get a peek at the Osama bin Laden death photos. Perhaps BR Moquin will have one in his pocket, as I’m sure his U.S. Army special ops aviation compadres had a few good tales to tell about that operation. Seriously, I have no idea if either of those guys was involved, but God bless them for their service, anyway. It seems every quarter has info from one of our Sister Rats; this quarter it is from Karen Yap who is the widow of our dear departed Gary. Among her other duties, SR Yap has served as an honor escort for Honor Flight. Honor Flight is an organization that brings World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial and honors their service. Karen’s inaugural flight was in the company of two veterans: Bill Glaeser and Cecil Denton. Karen said her favorite moment was when they were deplaning in D.C., and there was a welcoming crowd of active duty military personnel, veterans and civilians. The World War II veterans were announced, and the crowd thanked them with a rousing round of clapping and cheering. Karen says it made her proud but also moved her emotions. Thanks for sharing, Karen, and thanks for making all of us proud of you; we are certainly not surprised, as we would expect no less from a lady who captured the heart of our BR Gary Yap. Well, gents, that is it. The next edition should have an after-action report on the 25th. I’m sure that Reunion Fund Chairman Steve Thacker would want me to mention that you still have time to make a 25th Reunion gift or commitment to VMI. Think of the impact your cadetship has had on your life and offer whatever you are able to contribute; it is all appreciated and will have an impact on VMI.

’87

Ernie Edgar

Brother Rats, It’s been a quiet summer, as I compose these notes for the Alumni Review. The only news from Tampa is that we have moved to a new house here. Somehow, moving a mile away is harder work than moving cross country ... Simultaneously, my company has changed names and e-mail addresses – so, while the old e-mail address remains live, my new e-mail,

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“@atkinsglobal.com,” is the best way to send me information electronically. Again, it’s been a quiet summer. Real quiet. Can’t-wait-to-hearfrom-you-guys quiet … I literally bumped into one of our dykes, Buddy Garbett ’90, at Camp High Rocks near Brevard, NC, in early August. Buddy and his family live in Richmond. Our sons were finishing the two-week camp session at High Rocks and were showing off their skills on the air rifle range. Buddy dyked for Dave Cochran, Matt Howard and Sean Miller. A good Alpha Company room! I bragged on Dave making colonel and Matt retiring from Marine One, and we both agreed that High Rocks was the kind of outdoor adventure that Sean loves. Recently, I received a long e-mail from Alpha’s commander (and my roommate), John Johnson. It’s been a wild ride for them this summer. In early June, John and his daughter, Anne, took a church mission trip to South Dakota to work with Native American children and really had an incredible time. In late June, though, John’s wife, Gwyn, had a stroke-like event. Fortunately, the doctors determined it was not a stroke – in which the blood vessels in the brain actually rupture – but a migraine at the base of the brain stem that caused blood vessels to constrict but not rupture. The great news is that, while her recovery was similar to a stroke victim’s, Gwyn is now just about back to normal. Finally, after graduating high school in the spring, John’s son, Thomas, has just enlisted in the Marine Corps. On Aug. 15th, Thomas processed through MEPS at Fort Lee, was accepted and sworn in, and will ship to Parris Island at the latest in March but probably sooner. John said, “Because he is an Eagle Scout, he goes in as an E2, so that’s an extra $320 or so per month. (I got to tell him that it paid to be an Eagle, and Dad was right all along.) He scored high enough on his ASVAB to have his pick of any MOS that he wants, so he picked Marine Infantry. Obviously, Gwyn and I are scared but incredibly proud. This was a decision that he reached, and by all accounts, he reached this decision for all the right reasons. I told him that, regardless of the branch he selected, we would be proud of him and supportive of his decision. “I also told him that some of the finest Marines I know came from the class of 1987.” Semper Fi … Ernie

’88

Drew McKone

Editor’s Note: We did not receive class notes from the class of 1988 for this issue.

’89

Nathaniel L. Cross

So, you guys do read the notes! (As a brief point of reference, it takes about three months to get these notes out. So, the 2011-Issue 3 is just around the corner [due out in August], and these notes will be in Issue 4.) Anyway, in Issue 2, I wrote that Scott Leonard’s son would be the first child from our class to attend the Mother I. What follows are parts of a letter I received from Mike Dolbey: “As I mentioned, I haven’t spoken with many guys from ’89 since I left after that first semester back in 1985. Seems like a lifetime ago, yet I remember parts of that fall like it was yesterday. Even though I was only there for a few months, VMI made a lasting impact on my life – I know it sounds cliché, but things like honor and integrity still mean something to me to this day, and I’ve tried to instill those ideals in my sons over the years. I’ve touched base with both Jason Gray and Lee Rimler once in the last few years, got to talk with Gary Bissell a few times while serving on the VMI Parents Council during my son’s cadetship and I’ve spoken with Craig Covert ’87 several times over the last few years – he was the Hotel Company master sergeant when we were Rats and was a huge influence on me. Unfortunately, I didn’t even manage to stay close to my dyke – he was my best man at my wedding in January 1986, but I’ve only spoken to him once or twice since then. I thought about coming to the 20th Reunion, especially since my son was a second at the time, but I just didn’t feel like I would really know anyone. Watching my son’s experience the last few years really brought home for me the true depth of the friendships that are built during four years in Barracks – something I know I really missed out on. Frankly, I’ve often felt very weird saying that I was part of the class of ’89 and usually end up saying that I matriculated with them. I have no regrets though – well, OK, I kind of wish I had stuck around through Breakout!! Looking back over the last 25 years, I know I made the right decision. Anyway, after getting married and starting a family, I ended up enlisting in the Air Force and serving on active duty for a little over 10 years as an aircraft mechanic, all at Dover AFB. Shortly after getting out, I was fortunate enough to get a civil service job back at Dover where I still work today – 24 years at one base is a long time. I’ve seen a lot of changes there since 1987. Lisa and I celebrated 25 years of marriage this past January, and we have three wonderful sons – Chris, 24 (VMI class of ’10);

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Adam, 22 (McDaniel College, class of ’11); and Justin, 17 (a high school junior.) Our son Chris transferred to VMI after attending the University of Delaware for two years. UD didn’t turn out to be a very good fit for him. Thank God Col. Lee DeWald – the head of the Math and Computer Science Department at VMI when Chris interviewed – saw something in him and decided to take a chance. The rest, as they say, is history – he graduated #2 in his class with a 4.0 in applied mathematics, a real example of what happens when a young person is put in the right environment (for them) and given an opportunity to excel. He was a regimental color corporal as a third, 2nd Battalion S2 sergeant as a second, spent a semester in Australia and played Rugby as a first. Sorry – like I said when I called, fatherly pride!!” Thanks for the great update, and I hope some of you who have been away for a while will send us an update soon. Mike, I hope to see you at the 25th Reunion in three years! Saw Tom “Buzzard” Spivey at a baseball game

a couple of weeks ago. He is currently midway through the Chesterfield Police Academy and should be out on the streets when you are reading this. Tom said that he is having a lot of fun and putting in a good showing as the “old” man of the class. Best of luck, Tom, but I hope not to see you while you are performing your duties. Got a great update from Erick Ames: “I’m living in the West End (Richmond) with my wife, Betty, and two children. I’ve worked at Capital One the past 10 years in finance and program management positions. My son is [attending] St. Christopher’s Middle School in the fall, so I’ve traded a couple of e-mails with Ren O’Ferrall, as he is an athletic director there. I ran across Dave Brown and Gordy Fox in the winter, as they both had sons in the metro wrestling league. Dave was coaching one of the teams and is active in the local wrestling clubs. I made it up to VMI last winter for a wrestling reunion. They had over 1,500 people at the match against The Citadel, and Cocke Hall was rocking. I had a good chat with Dave Royer and one of his

Class of 1989: On May 6, 2011, Frank Campion celebrated his retirement with some Brother Rats. From left: John Gheen, Mike Biliunas, Paul Canada, Jason Gray, Campion, John Shipley and Ashley Fairchild.

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daughters. He seems to be enjoying Lynchburg. My daughter [is] attending kindergarten in the fall. So, the fall will be a big transition for us, as we’ll have both kids in new schools.” Got two e-mails the same day: one was from Keith Sykes and the other from Wayne Jones. Seems they ran in the same half marathon in northern Virginia and, around mile 10, found that they were together. In true Brother Rat fashion, they crossed the finish line together. They sent some good pictures, but unfortunately the resolution was not high enough to make this publication. I will see if we can post them on the class Facebook page. Mike Biliunas was in attendance at Frank Campion’s retirement in May. Also attending were Pat Becker, Paul Canada, John Gheen, Jason Grey, John Shiply, Ashley Fairchild, Sean Cantrell ’88, Chris Kanter ’86, and Frank’s brother, John Campion ’82. Frank, thank you for your service, and I am sure there was a great party in Norfolk that night. As a civilian, Frank will now be using his skills for W&O Supply as a business development manager, Government and Military Sales. On a sadder note, Mike attended the wake of Jeff Farleigh’s mom. Jeff’s dad was class of ’61, and his brother, T.K., was ’87. Jeff, our condolences go out to your family. I heard from Bob Spieldenner: “Brooke and I are doing well. We are getting ready for our little girl, Jillian’s, 2nd birthday. We just helped Ken Cobb celebrate his son’s 2nd. Kind of weird when some of our BRs have kids headed to college. Ken and his family are doing great. I’m still working at the Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management, and Brooke is a branch manager for Richmond Public Library. I had a busy April with all the tornadoes, but I’m hoping this hurricane season is quiet. I haven’t seen many other BRs lately, but I did work with some Coasties who knew Marty Malloy. Apparently, Marty is somewhat of a legend in the Coast Guard.” Bob, thanks for the update, and I’m not even going to touch the Marty comment! However, I did hear that Marty got picked up for promotion, as well as Mike Monfalcone and Dave Clement in the Navy. If I missed your promotion, let me hear from you. I heard from Quinn Donovan. He just moved into his new house in Windsor, California. He has completed his fifth Vineman Triathlon. Other families on the move are the Pardews. They arrived in Italy June 30 and finally moved into a house in early August. “Italy is a lesson in patience.” They are almost settled in and ready for their three-year Italian adventure! Paul and Kelly are hoping that friends will come visit! That’s all I have for now. Hope you are having a great fall, and keep those e-mails and calls coming.

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’90

Robert Clark

Great to hear from everyone with their notes, e-mails and letters this summer – keep ’em coming! Congratulations to Garrett Peck, who recently released his second book entitled, Prohibition in Washington, DC: How Dry We Weren’t. Garrett released his book this summer at an event at the Woodrow Wilson House in D.C. The book includes 80 pictures, 11 vintage cocktail recipes and five neighborhood maps “to explore where the mayhem occurred.” (Editor’s Note: A book announcement appeared on page 169 in the last Review, 2011-Issue 3.) Charlie Tujo and his wife, who are stationed back at Travis AFB in California, and Alex Luther ’92 were all able to make it to the book opening in D.C. This is definitely a book to read with a cocktail, so head to your local book store or Amazon, and read Garrett’s handiwork! Heard from Raynor Garey that he has been recalled to the active duty Air Force and will be heading to Shaw AFB in South Carolina. If you or someone you know in the VMI community is stationed at Shaw, Raynor would love to hear from you. Congratulations to Brian Albro, who retired from the Navy after 23 years this past July! Thanks for your service to the Navy. As you can guess, many of our BRs are hitting that retirement zone. Would love to hear from those who are retiring, and let me know where you’re heading in your career after the military. Taylor Farmer checked in from Oklahoma where he is active in The VMI Alumni Association Oklahoma Chapter. The group recently held a New Market Day event at a local minor league baseball stadium. Their efforts are paying off, as they were successful in recruiting a new cadet who started this August. The new cadet will be pursuing a career in the Navy. Lee Havird, currently a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, was recently accepted to and will attend the Naval War College over the next year. Lee will be lucky enough to attend this class with his dyke, Donnie Holloway ’93. What a coup to have your dyke there to do your laundry and make your bed. That’s why Lee’s a lieutenant colonel and on the fast track to general! I got a great note from Gwen Whitmore, wife of BR Neil Whitmore. The Whitmores remain in the Lexington area where Neil serves as the associate director of Admis-

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sions for VMI. Carlos Fernandes, and his son, Carlos, hooked up with Neil to catch a few VMI basketball games last season. Rob Oviatt also made a recent trip to Lexington, and I understand he and Neil made the pilgrimage to the Lee Hi Truck Stop for the breakfast of champions. The Whitmores also recently traveled to Stockton, IL, for Luis del Valle’s wedding in January. Neil served as Luis’ best man. As I put in recent class notes, Luis was then stationed in Afghanistan. Thankfully, Luis was able to return for the baptism of his new daughter, Emma, in August. Congratulations to the DeValles, and we wish Luis a speedy return from Afghanistan! One more word on Gwen’s note … I am happy to get notes from spouses, so feel free to follow Gwen’s lead! The Clarks are still hunkered down here in the beautiful Minneapolis area. Fall is getting close, so my two boys, Nathan (11) and Andrew (7), will be hitting the ice soon for another hockey

Class of 1990: On July 15, 2011, Paul Hartigan had a chance encounter with Keith Mangum ’84 while the two were on vacation with their families in Rothenburg, Germany. Pictured are Hartigan and Mangum with Hartigan’s son, Bryan, in the town square.

season. Laura continues to rack up the miles in the SUV as “hockey mom.” If you are going to be in the Minneapolis area, give us a call! A continued thank you to all of our BRs in the military serving here and overseas! Don’t forget to keep your contact information updated with me and VMI. You can do this via VMI Ranks at the vmialumni.org web site, and make sure you check out our ’90 page on Facebook. Drop me a line, and let me know what you are up to, and thanks for a great bunch of e-mails and letters this go ’round. Keep them coming, and God bless you all! Rob

’91

George Petty III

I didn’t hear from many folks this summer, so this will be a short post. Let’s start with Iraq/Afghanistan. Spike Watson has returned home again. Todd Hubbard is expected back shortly after these notes. Lee Bewley is making his first excursion into the fracas. He is serving as deputy commander of the 47th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq. Jack Woodfin is now at the helm as CEO of the family businesses. Jack’s father passed earlier this year. I offer my condolences to the Woodfins on behalf of the class. Matt Gaddis continues to fight his cancer. Steve Costello paid him a visit in May and says Matt is in high spirits and remains active. Matt and Jill plan to move the family to Florida soon to escape the cold winters. They are thinking about Jacksonville. Steve and Marion Blasch have returned to the D.C. area with his latest posting with the Navy. Steve gets together monthly with Chris Buckland and Dan Robinson. Pete Finan ’90 (lieutenant colonel, USMC), Matt Ott ’92 (commander, USN) and Steve graduated on 9 June from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. Matt is headed off to be the supply officer on the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in San Diego, and Steve is headed to the Defense Intelligence Agency / Joint Chiefs of Staff J2. My Rat, Mike Eason ’94, shared this tale from Afghanistan in July. Someone in his battalion (Mike is XO) had cornered a suicide bomber. The guy wouldn’t surrender and they were not given permission to “neutralize the threat” in the obvious, easy and expedient manner. So, EOD sent in a robot. Mike relates the story here: “The bomber didn’t want to detonate on just a

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CLASS NOTES robot, so he kept trying to flip it over. The claw had too good a grip on his vest and kept jerking him around. The bot finally was able to pin him against a wall and park on one of his feet, so he couldn’t dance around. They then started to pull the vest apart piece by piece …” Sadly, the video is still classified. Be on the watch for Rufus Owen. He is now working for Itron (www.itron.com). Rufus will be traveling about the country working on software implementation for utility metering. Mike Milner competed in a triathlon in Richmond back in July. He did very well, placing 1st in age group and 8th overall, with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 24 seconds. That’s all the info I could scrounge up from my notes. Of course, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t more to share; I just couldn’t find the notes. I would like to draw attention to the wonderful job the Review staff does in publishing and mailing quickly. If you haven’t noticed, you receive the notes before the next submission of news is due to the VMIAA. So, when you read this in the Review, put it down and hustle an e-mail to me for inclusion in the next edition.

Adam Gregory

’92

304

Andy Tate

Gentlemen: I hope everyone had a great summer and that you are making plans to attend our 20th Class Reunion next spring (April 27-28, 2012). Seriously, like you really need an excuse to go to Lex for excessive drink and talking shmack with your BRs. Mark it off, already. Jay Frey reports, “We’ve just moved into Chateau Rouveroy in Belgium due to my assignment to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Jennifer, the kids and I will be here for the next three years.” Mike Starling writes, “I’ve been joined by Col. Matt St Clair ’89 (CO) and Maj. Rich Pitchford ’95 (assistant OpsO) for 26 MEU.” That’s cool – Rich was my nephew-dyke (not to mention a Gulf War veteran). Mike, tell him to get out. Tom Timmes writes: “I met up with J.J. Eget at West Point. He was just visiting for the afternoon, so we drank beer, told stories, joked about the West Point slackers and promised to do it all again at the 20th Reunion in April.” Marr Snyder kindly shares the following: “Last August, I was diagnosed with bile duct cancer. It’s a fairly rare cancer with only 250 cases per year in the U.S., and there’s currently

2011-Issue 4

no way to screen for it or see it coming. Once we knew what we were dealing with, the local doctors referred me to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Over the past year, the doctors at Mayo have thrown everything at me except the kitchen sink. This is what happens when you are relatively young and healthy. They can hit you with the works and not have to worry so much about killing you with the cure. I underwent three weeks of radiation treatment twice a day, combined with infusion chemotherapy. Then, I got a double dose of bracytherapy. That’s where they put radioactive beads on the end of a line and then run the line down your nose/throat, all the way through to the bile duct to park the beads next to the cancer tumor. (That was a most lovely 24 hours in a lead-lined hospital room!) And then that was followed with multiple courses of traditional oral chemotherapy. All of that was to set me up for the only possible ‘cure’ which was a liver transplant. Mayo had me on a two-track course, shooting for either a live liver transplant (where I received approx 1/2 of a living donor’s liver) or a deceased liver transplant (where I received a full liver). We were extremely blessed that we had lots of friends and family who were willing to put themselves out there for us as donors. In March, we came very close to success when Guy Gormley ’88 volunteered. Guy has the scars to show how close we came to success. Both of us were on the operating table and Guy was opened up, before the docs ran into complications and couldn’t proceed. No one personifies the VMI Spirit more than Guy, and I will be forever grateful for what he did for my family and me. After going through many more volunteer candidates, I finally had my number called for a deceased donor transplant in late

July. As it turns out, this is the surgery God meant for me. Once the docs got inside of me, they discovered that things were much more complicated than expected. Because of the new complications, a live liver transplant would’ve been ‘dicey,’ at best. As it was, my single transplant surgery became three major surgeries at the same time. I gained an 81-year-old, gently used liver and a new set of bile ducts and lost a small chunk of both my stomach and pancreas. The best news though, was that my doctor feels strongly that he got all of the cancer cells. I’ll still have to have annual check-ups to keep tabs on that, and I’ll be on anti-rejection drugs for the rest of my life, but that’s a small price to pay for a second shot at life. Recovery from the surgery is now ongoing. I’m out of the hospital, but still in Rochester on an out-patient basis, probably for another two weeks. Then, I’ll be released back home to South Dakota where I’ll continue my recovery for another couple of months. If all goes well, I should be close to 100% by Thanksgiving. It’s been a very long year but, surprisingly, a good one in many ways. My faith in God has never been stronger. We have been blessed with amazing friends and family whose support and prayers have been invaluable. And those four years at VMI left me with the fighting spirit, stubbornness and, yes, warped sense of humor necessary to fight something as tenacious as cancer. Thank you to all of my Brother Rats for helping me find all of those traits within myself back in the day ... I couldn’t have made it through this like I have without the experience of VMI and the Ratline!” Rah Virginia Mil!” Outstanding news, Marr! Chuck Douglas posts, “Anyone passing through Carlisle, PA ... stop in and say hi. Curtis Mason is up here for the year in school, too.

Class of 1992: Keith Peloquin married the former Kelly Goforth in Tampa, Florida, August 2011. Attending were, from left, Anthony Brinkley, the groom and bride, and Bob Burgess.

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CLASS NOTES VMI. I ask each of you to take a minute in the Rats. Lastly, I want to briefly and humbly thank rvm!” Chris Bergen updates, “I’m on deploynext three months to drop me a line with current all of you who previously or are now serving in ment on board the U.S.S. John C. Stennis as CO happenings in your life, so I can include them our military or otherwise on behalf of America. of VAQ-133, I ran into Colby Howard who’s into the class notes. On to the news ... Among your many selfless and noble achieveCO of the U.S.S. Dewey in the same strike Neil Osbon and his wife lost most of their ments, you do honor to our school and perpetugroup. Did we take a picture? Nope.” belongings and their house in a fire last month. ate its finest traditions. Thank you. I received concise updates from Brian McSadly, they had moved in the same day. I have Best regards … Adam Carthy, “NSTR, BR! More, I hope, next time,” asked Neil what can be done to help, but in and Michael Kamin, “NSTR. I take over as XO 3/14 in the fall but otherwise ... .” Col. Brody Bill Cox typically stoic VMI fashion, Neil has yet to provide any real needs and has only said that he posts: “Band is going to Hawaii in November! and Georgette are doing fine. Let us know what 92 92 92! 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor we can do to help, Neil. I can assure you that if Parade.” Jon Manley writes, “I’m living and working I ever experience a fire, then I will whine like a It’s August 15th. Many of you remember this in Australia and New Zealand for the next year little girl for help!!!! Lincoln Swineford sent an day with not too much fondness – 22 years ago or so. If anyone gets out this way, please look e-mail. He is still in Richmond, aka The Mecca, today, we matriculated. Yes, unfortunately that me up.” Beats Southern Shores. Well done, Sir. and doing well. His two little girls are both Kent Gring reports, “I transitioned to Deloitte makes us rather old, I must say. While this day into softball, and Lincoln is enjoying coachConsulting as a part of the BearingPoint bank- was not particularly enjoyable, it inevitably led ing them. He has been with his new company ruptcy and subsequent acquisition by Deloitte to great things for many of us. Furthermore, about a year, and while the stymied economy in May 2009. In May 2011, I completed nearly many of us continue to experience great things has slowed his construction-related business, two years working in Riyadh Saudi Arabia for and can attribute a lot of our successes back to he is surviving. He hired a rising third, Patrick the Ministry of Interior, providing Callaway ’14, as a summer intern program support for their Border and was impressed with the caliber Guard Development Program, of work Patrick did. Lincoln talks working closely overseeing the periodically with Cameron Briody work of EADS. The beginning who recently bought a house and is of July, I arrived in Kabul in supusing it for rental property currently. port of the USAID Afghan Civil Welcome to the world of being a Service Support (ACSS) Program. slum lord. It’s fun stuff. Lincoln also Will be here until the beginning saw Bryan Newman at church and of November. Since the beginning Matt Gill at the pool. They both live of the year, Rob Haeberle made a fairly close to Linc which surprised trip up to Virginia from New Bern, him. Linc passed on that Matt’s NC, and I had beers on an early wife, Britney, is expecting again. Friday afternoon with Ahn-Tuan Brian Southard’s father, Lee (class Nguyen.” of ’59) passed on some news about Keith Peloquin shares, “Got Brian. He sent along a great picture hitched! (Aug. 6, 2011). Bob of Brian fishing for tarpon in Boca Burgess was my best man, and Grande Pass. Brian and his son, Anthony Brinkley was in attenChase, both caught 160-pounders. dance, with his wife, Samantha, Brian is in Carmel, IN, as owner of and sons. The other roomies were Abalard Construction and has offices invited (Franco Neto and Shannon in Indianapolis, St. Louis, ScottsTerhune), but they couldn’t make dale, Reston and Minneapolis. His it for family reasons. A great time company repairs storm damage with was had, and I’ll be bringing my an interesting business model. new wife, Kelly, to the reunion next Tom Kent and I run into each other spring to see if that helps her underperiodically. He just purchased an stand why I am the way I am.” older model Maserati which looks Anthony Brinkley testifies: “Resimilar to a Ferrari 308. I will get cently attended Keith Peloquin’s to see it when I am over at his place wedding … to the lovely bride, putting a lift kit on my Jeep. Tom has Kelly Goforth. Bob Burgess was an awesome shop behind his house. best man. It was held at the Tampa Mitch Copenhaver called the other Aquarium and the backdrop was a day. He lives literally around the huge glass aquarium with turtles, corner from me, but I haven’t seen sharks, amberjack and all sorts of him much around in Lynchburg. Our other saltwater species. Kelly is schedules are pretty insane. Tomorquite the match for Keith – they row night [Aug. 16th] is the annual Class of 1993: Brian Southard fishing for tarpon in Boca make a fun couple.” Rat send-off here in Lynchburg, so Grande Pass, summer 2011. Thanks for the updates, Brother hopefully I can catch up with him

’93

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CLASS NOTES and some others there. Mitch is surviving the slow housing market, as he is in real estate. I have bumped into various other alumni in the past few weeks. Gerry Bingeman let me know that he and Higgins, Eversole and Hutchins got together at Higgy’s place outside of Lexington. Gerry has been helping navigate the waters of the Roanoke Police Department recently. My car was broken into and, among trivial items stolen, my VMI ring was stolen. So far, I have not had any luck recovering it, but there have been some recent developments that might help them find the little scumbag. You might find it funny that the ring company wants a receipt from the purchase of the ring. (Ummm, that was 21 years ago; let’s just say I have misplaced it.) Anyhow, Bingeman is doing well. Jamie Joyner ’95 just got a promotion at work and has graduated to the second floor. I have taken to calling him general and popping off each time I see him which I am sure he doesn’t enjoy. We lost our third VMI member at the building, Scott Miles ’01, when he left for deployment. I recently got an e-mail from Scott, and he is doing well but not having much fun. Scott is deploying to what used to be Camp Adder at the Talil airbase. He is charged with convoy security. It reminded me how many of us have friends in harm’s way over there still. I saw Chuck Story ’91 recently, when he pulled up next to me at a stoplight in Forest, VA. We didn’t have a chance to talk but agreed to catch up for a beer sometime. I also caught up with David Massie ’92 last month when he was in the area of my plant. David is doing well, and we had some good laughs. Craig Chwojdak is still in Richmond and surviving his daily battles within the pharmaceutical industry. His company has been through some painful downsizing, but Craig is surviving. I am well. Still navigating the tricky waters of divorce and trying to make the best of a bad situation. If nothing else, I have learned a lot about myself and taught myself a whole new level of perseverance and patience through this process. My daughter, Addison, is adjusting well, and we have had a great summer, camping, kayaking, etc. We are heading to Busch Gardens in a few weeks for the last hurrah of the summer. I personally am ready for fall; I am tired of heat and humidity. Maybe I’m getting old. Well that’s a wrap for this addition. To those serving, I offer my now-old compliments. I can’t say enough how much we all appreciate the sacrifices you make and have made in the past. We are all better people for knowing you. To all those serving here and abroad, thanks. I don’t know what else to say. God bless the Armed Forces, VMI and the class of 1993.

2011-Issue 4

’94

Christopher L. Doyle

Hello, Brother Rats. We have some good things to report this month. If I haven’t touched base in a while (or never at all), please write and let me know how you are doing. Joey Davis and his wife, Allison, recently opened up a cooking school in Lexington, KY. The school is called Wild Thyme (wildthymecooking.com and on Facebook at WildThyme). They hold cooking classes and hands-on cooking parties. The Davises had 375 people at their VIP grand opening party. They are extremely excited about the early success. Joey and Allison have a beautiful little girl, Jayda Lillian Davis, age 4. Joey still works with Urban Active Fitness, where he has been for about 12 years. Urban Active Fitness now has 38 facilities. When Joey first started working there, they had five. Joey regularly speaks to Pete Major, Travis McDaniel and Charlie Evans and reports they are all doing well. Pat Peschka recently reported to the Pentagon, where he will work for the Joint Staff J-5. He is living in Silver Spring, MD, with his wife and kids. Pat is glad to be back in the D.C. area, where he grew up. John Paul Goode is living and working in Norfolk. He works for the Navy’s Magnetic Silencing Facility. He is living in a 100-year-old home on the southern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. John Paul says life is “trending toward very good.” Congratulations to Jon Lauder, who was selected to command the Marine Corps’ 2d Tank Battalion. Geraldo Guinto is living in Vallejo, CA, and working as a telecommunications technician. He has been married to his wife, Theresa, for 10 years, and they have two boys, Chris (7) and Mike (5). Geraldo served in the Air Force from 1998 to 2002. He spent over three months away from family last year during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, facilitating and maintaining communications. Tim Silva just relocated to Stuttgart, Germany, from Cherry Point, NC. Skippy is on a threeyear, joint duty assignment working for U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM). He will start out as an operations officer in their Joint Operations Center, then be reassigned (after about a year) to another billet within the J-3. Tim had been at the Command from October ’10 to April ’11 and had run into several VMI men, including Scott Lawrence (class year unknown), Charlie Kaune ’75, Craig Streeter ’91, Tim

Collier ’95. Additionally, he worked for Capt. John Dixon ’86 and Brig. Gen. James Owens ’79, as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. Chris and Liz Gibson moved to Fairfax Station this past summer. Chris has been assigned to the Headquarters Marine Corps Ground Safety Branch. Please stay safe, and continue to do great things.

’95

Thomas A. Brashears

Dan Williams

Gentlemen … OK, I’ve got to admit that it’s awfully hard to believe that 2011 is half over. Heck, by the time you read these notes, it will be three-fourths over! I hope and trust that everybody had a great summer! Lots of updates for these notes; hopefully, I’m able to capture them all. Congrats to BR and Co-class Agent Daniel “Seymour” Williams on his successful return from Afghanistan with the Nebraska National Guard. Dan, wife Jodie and kids were able to stop by the house recently and are happy to announce that kid #3 is due early next year! While deployed, Dan was able to do some great community capacity building with the Afghans and, in particular, helped them with their Boy Scout program. Also recently, I was able to catch up with Mike Bernard, wife Tera and their children during their vacation to the D.C. area. Mike reported that all is well and that work is keeping him quite busy. Mike maintains good contact with Tim Miller and relayed that recently Tim has ventured out on his own and, along with a partner or two, has started his own construction business. Dave Fleck continues to hold down the fort in Charlotte and relayed a great story about a vacation he took this summer. He and about five of his buddies took a trip to the Keys in an RV … I asked him if he would allow me to live vicariously through his adventures, as I stayed at home with my two children under the age of two and a half! I cannot wait to hear the stories! Dave has also graciously agreed to help me once and for all get a legitimate and viable e-mail distribution list for our class. Got a great phone call from Mark Wysong. We chatted for a good bit, and Mark let me know that he and his wife (who he married right

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CLASS NOTES I’ve kept in regular contact with Tim Wilafter graduation), along with their four kids, are liams, and he’s helping me, as well, in an effort doing great down in Charleston, SC. They are David Zirkle to incorporate a larger cross-section of our class looking forward to the VMI vs. Citadel game in support of the Institute and to also increase down that way this fall. Mark is running his participation in class activities. As a financial own medical supply/equipment distributorship. advisor, Tim is doing quite well working in the Those BRs who were in Charlie Company as I trust this edition of the Alumni Review Richmond area, handling a region that spans a Rats will remember the name Alex Devarona finds you well. I heard from Addison Hagan ’93 well. Alex and I taught together in the Army good bit of the state. in response to my plea for news for ROTC department at VMI, and the last set of notes back in May but I’m happy to report that Alex didn’t want him to get singled out for recently took command of 2nd being the only one in the notes. He Bn, 502nd INF in the 2nd BCT reports, “Janice and I are still in Richat Fort Campbell. Speaking of mond. Addison V is 9, Tyler is 7 and battalion command, BR Larry Lucy will be 5 by the time this is pubBurris is taking command in the lished. I’ve been representing a small 4th ID out at Fort Carson in the but quickly growing money manager early fall. Congrats, Larry! out of Watkinsville, GA, in Virginia, Will Christopher sent me a Maryland, D.C. and Delaware. It has note. Will recently graduated been my most fulfilling job to date. from ILE at Fort Leavenworth and then PCSed to Fort Riley Our days and weekends are filled where he is now the brigade fire with kids’ activities from Cub Scouts support officer for 4th BCT, 1st and Indian Guides, to lacrosse and ID. Seems like forever ago that wrestling. We’re looking forward to a Will, myself and Jeff Godby family-filled summer with some fun were all on the same soccer vacations along the East Coast.” Also team together at Hampton Roads back in May, Jeremy King wrote, Academy down in Newport “We are doing well and staying very News, VA. I believe that was the busy in keeping up with Whitney Class of 1995: Blake Fuller Brashears was born Aug. 3, fall of 1986! and all our dogs. I’m still working 2011, to Jill and Tom. Benji Bird relayed that he’s with Westinghouse but traveling a lot working in the Ops Center in more, and my wife, Amy, has started I am also very happy to announce that Jill the Pentagon for the next couple of years after her own dog training business. We are looking and I welcomed our second child, Blake Fuller his recent graduation from the Marine Corps forward to the VMI/Citadel game this October. Brashears, to this world at 0535 on 3 August Staff School at Quantico. Wife Amy is doing Her father and two brothers went to The Citawell, and his two kids are now 5 and 8. He’s run 2011. Little man weighed 6 lbs., 12 oz. and del, so it should be a good family weekend.” was 19 inches long. Big sister Alanah is quite into a few BRs recently. He saw Drew Bissell Jeremy felt that our notes could use some flair, proud! in Fredericksburg where, unbeknownst to each so he sent a photo of his daughter, Whitney. Football season is right around the corner, and other, they both ran the half marathon there. Will Tong also wrote to announce, “My wife, this will be my fourth season as “The Voice of Benji noted that, while Drew finished ahead of Shannon Ly, and I welcomed our second child, Foster Stadium,” the public address announcer him, he did his best to give him a run for his a baby boy, Jacob William Tong, on June 23, for VMI football. Last year, I took on full-time money. Apparently, my old roommate, Mike announcing duties for VMI basketball, as well, Johnson, is now down at Indian Head Naval and even announced the Big South Baseball Base, working with the USMC’s Chemical Tournament this past spring. Needless to say, Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF). I’m in Lexington quite often, so if anybody If I’m not mistaken, Mike had also recently been a TAC officer up in Annapolis at the Naval needs anything, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Academy. Chris Wills is also in the D.C. area, Again, please send me as many updates as working in support of some inter-agency law enforcement efforts for the National Capital Re- you can, as often as possible. I look forward to hearing what everybody is up to. Keep safe, gion. Finally, looks as though Buddy Meador BRs, and I hope to hear from you soon! and his wife, Meg, did somewhat of a “Galax PCS move” from Alaska to Fort Drum, NY. In perfect Galax style, Buddy bought a travel Rusty McGuire trailer, and then he and the family drove all the way from Alaska to Fort Drum … not sure of the mileage count, but I’m sure it’s up there. Buddy made lieutenant colonel below the zone Class of 1997: Grace Berry was and should take command of a general support born July 25, 2011, to Chris and Editor’s Note:We did not receive notes from aviation battalion sometime this fall. Thanks, Maggie. the class of 1996 for this issue. Benji, for the great updates!

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’96

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CLASS NOTES 2011. He came five weeks early at a whopping 4 lbs., 14.5 oz. Other than that, nothing too exciting for the summer. I hope this e-mail finds you well. Looking forward to catching up with everyone during our 2012 reunion.” Speaking of our reunion, it’s slated for the weekend of Oct. 6, though the Institute is under the misguided notion that 15 years will have elapsed since we graduated. I saw Will at Joey Klapatch’s wedding this fall. He writes that he and Kristen “got married in September 2010. Honeymoon was Orlando for five days, then Jackson Hole, WY, for seven days.” He’s now the “officer in charge of a U.S. Navy facility at the Royal Navy Headquarters in Northwood, UK, on the outskirts of London.” I got to see most of the same crew at the other Hassletine wedding in May. Also in attendance were Dan Hall, Keith Peterson and class agent emeritus John Duckworth. I spent a few hours the night of the wedding with Keith and his wife, Brooke, debating the merits of healthcare reform. Bryan Smith and I talked for some time about the rocks ahead as we raise our daughters in the 21st century. In early August, many of you received e-mails from me, specifically those of you in the first quarter of the alphabet, with active e-mail addresses at vmiaa.org. The responses formed a “gratifying spectacle” in my inbox and, unless otherwise noted, are the basis for most of the

rest of my newsfeed. Those of you in the next quarter of the alphabet can expect to hear from me around election day, so please make sure your e-mail address is up to date. If you’re in my half of the alphabet, feel free to go out of turn! Ed Bonham, whom I have been trying to catch up with during my trips to the Northern Neck, reports that he “was promoted to captain back in December [and is] currently the Operations captain and a fire investigator for Caroline County Fire Rescue. We haven’t had any children yet, but as of a year ago, we have taken in our 13-year-old nephew and are raising him as our own. I haven’t bumped into anyone in a while but was in San Francisco for a Homeland Security Conference a month ago and tried to get in touch with Tony Bobb. Although we did trade e-mails, I didn’t get to see him, because he is currently living in Guam.” Befitting a former S-5, Mike Belenky had a lot to say: “Blythe is very happy to have me home, as are the kids. Things are going great. Sarah (5) started kindergarten this week, and Emma (4) is back in Pre-K. Cooper (2) goes to PDO twice a week, so that gives Blythe some much needed and deserved time to herself. Blythe recently left her job at The Mommies Network and is using her new-found free time to start planning for our next PCS. We will move to the D.C. area next summer, as I

Class of 1997: Attending Joey Klapatch’s wedding were, from left, front row, Andy Staich, Daniel Owens, Donnie Hasseltine and Will Tong. Middle row: John Brodie, Honorary VMI Alumnus and ’92 Brother Rat; Dave Witherspoon; Kristen and Joey Klapatch; and David Zirkle. Back row: Greg Doltz, Ryan Doltz’s ’00 brother; Bryan Smith; Kevin Thomas ’98; and Walt Judd ’69.

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selected for a training with industry (TWI) program with the HQ, American Red Cross. It is a one-year program, and we may remain in D.C. after its completion, but that is still to be decided. I am currently the XO for the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). The job keeps me busy, but at least I get to go home to my family at the end of the day. In other news, around the time I returned from Afghanistan, I found out that I was the recipient of the 2011 Capt. John R. Teal Leadership Award. This is a yearly award presented to one officer and one NCO in the Medical Plans and Operations career field for their performance that year. Capt. John Teal ’94 was the first Medical Service Corps officer killed in Iraq back in 2003, so this award has a special meaning to me. Maj. Lee Freeman ’96 was the recipient of this award two years ago. As far as running into people ... We see Garrett Field and his wife, Jada, and son, Greyson, every now and then. Garrett just returned from a year in Iraq. We just bid farewell to Brady Gallagher ’98, his wife, Amanda, and their three boys (Garrett, Luke and Noah). We’ve spent the last two years at Fort Campbell with them, and they are now off to Fort Bragg. Capt. Daniel Belzer ’04 is my battalion S4, and there are several BN CDRs on post that are VMI grads. The Alumni network in Clarksville, TN, is growing by the day.” Matt Coley wrote that he is “now working for Baker Distributing/WATSCO as regional vice president for the Mid-Atlantic region; moved from Ohio to Richmond, VA, first of August 2011; and had our third child, Joshua John Coley, on May 24, 2010.” Also reporting an expanded family was Charles Ayers who wrote, “I’ve had my hands full with a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old. Henry Randolph Ayers was born on the 7th of June. His big brother, Charles the 4th, is really enjoying a little brother. We spent some time with Chris and Danielle Hobbs, Brett and Katherine Ogletree, and Jill and Tripp Costen several weeks ago. The Hobbs were in Richmond for the day. Good times. I took a new job last September with an engineering firm in town, Dunlap & Partners. I was previously with an A&E firm, since graduating from VMI. Crazy to think I’ve had two jobs in 14 years. Also, I’m working on a job down at Langley AFB, and the team includes David Tiller ’96.” Tyler Chase said that he “can’t wait for the reunion next October.” He wanted me to spread the word about the Class of ’97 Golf Classic. He wrote, “The 4-man scramble will be held on Friday morning at The Lexington C.C. with lunch to follow. Please have all interested parties contact me via e-mail (preferably with the names of the rest of their foursome), and I will happily be the host again. Last reunion we had about 20 guys. I hope we can double the

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CLASS NOTES ing markets, such as China and parts of South number this coming year! Let’s give Chuck a America, and I’ve spent a fair bit of time in chance to win his money back ...” Remember, both parts of the world in my research endeavour reunion is slated for the weekend of Oct. 6, ors. I see George Mosby ’97, Justin Wolfe ’98, 2012. Tyler went on to note, “I’m still living in Chris Braun ’98, Erik Seaman ’98, Steve Mills Wichita with Betty and our two boys (Connor, 6, and Cooper, 4). Golf has replaced rugby as my main exercise, and I have the waistline to prove it. However, my shoulders thank me every Sunday morning! I got to catch up with Ki Kim about a month ago via e-mail. He is married with two boys, also, and in the Army, back home in South Korea. He sounds like he is doing well. I hope he can make it back to the states for our reunion; it has been too long. Eric Jones was in Denver, CO, on business and got together with my brother and mom (who was also passing through for a visit). They both said he was happy and Class of 1997: Whitney Chappell King was looked good. He is still living in VA Beach born Dec. 22, 2010, to Jeremy and Amy. with his MUCH better half, Lisa.” Keith Braxton wrote that he is “still coach’95 and Kurt Polk ’95, among others, pretty ing at Edinboro University of PA. This will be frequently up here.” my sixth season. I just completed a minority Jason Foresman says he’s “been well” and internship with the St. Louis Rams. I haven’t is working for a general contractor called run into any BRs lately.” I also heard from the Ranger Construction in Charlotte, NC. He’s Keystone state that Shannon Baines is living been “in Charlotte since 2001 when I got out of “in Malvern, PA, with my wife, Lisa, and my the Army, except for a year and a half I spent two daughters, Abigal (4) and Avery (2).” working in Richmond, VA, for another GC” [ Likewise, Billy Edmunds has “not run into anyone recently,” but has “just moved from Fort where he] “worked with Carter Mackey ’96.” I will forgive Jason for saying that he prefers Leavenworth back to Dyess AFB, TX, and I Charlotte to Richmond. Jason has taken up the am happy to be back in Air Force country and rugby mantle from Tyler and has “been playing flying the B-1 again.” Also with news from above, Chad Bigelow rugby since 1999 when I was stationed at Fort wrote that he has been “married to Becky (comHood and have been playing year round since, ing up on nine years soon) and has three kids, apart from two six-month periods rehabbing ages 5, 4 and 1. Still in the Air Force, and after from ACL tears. In March, I was able to travel flying the B-52 for eight years, I am currently to Mexico City to play the Mexican National assigned to USSTRATCOM, living in Omaha. Team and then, in June, to Kingston, Jamaica, Loving life! Just talked to Cooper Reid. Going to play the Jamaican National Team. It’s been to see him in Richmond. I am currently attendfun, but I’m getting along in years and will ing a 10-week planning course in Norfolk. Just probably start slowing down, especially since ran into Derek Fix attending the same school.” I will be starting seminary in about a month, Darryl Faulkner wrote that “things are great as well as working full time. It seems to be a here in MD.” He has three kids – Taion, 12, daunting task, but I’m excited about it. I see Asiya, 4 and Amari, 3 – and is working at Adam Mickiewicz ’96 every time I go home Verizon Wireless with Nakia Young. Darryl to Virginia Beach, because he lives across the has been with Verizon for 11 years. After VMI, street from my mother.” he played a couple of seasons of basketball in Just in time for publication, I heard from Trey Larnaca and Nicosia, Cyprus. Dail who is living in Sandpoint, ID, with his Chris Berry is “still living in Brooklyn, NY, wife, Angela, and children, Fisher and Morgan, and my wife, Maggie, just had our second who are “several years old.” He’s been working daughter July 25th, named Grace, to go along “as a civil engineer with same company for with my other daughter, Lucy, who is 3-1/2 last seven years.” He is just back from an East years old.” A few years ago, he “founded my Coast vacation to Nags Head, NC, and the own economic and equity research shop which mountains of Georgia. I’ve had the pleasure focuses on emerging markets and the mining of seeing both of Trey’s roommates in the last sector. It’s called House Mountain Partners, year. I had lunch with Joe and Chris Howard LLC (www.house-mountain.com). Recognize in Arizona. They were between jumping out of that name from somewhere?!?!? Things are airplanes and VMI cruises at the time. Gary and going well given the growth rates in emergMelissa Compton and I have gotten together

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for a couple of play dates this summer. My daughter, Ainsley, had a great time playing with Maggie and Ben. It took me the better part of a year, but I finally got together with Jason Ancarrow a few weeks ago. Things are going well for him at Capital One. He has lunch periodically with Matt Linderman. Matt and I ran into each other at the Monument Avenue 10k and chased each other through the city. About the same time, I caught up with Elk Richardson at the grocery store. He’s doing well and is on my “ran into and need to grab a beer with list,” along with Tripp Costen and others who have slipped my mind. For my part, my daughter and I have just moved into our own place in Atlee. I’m teaching at UVa again this year and have just started back in grad school at VCU. My focus has narrowed from economics to health policy. And yes, as penalty for all those days I took as a first, I have been doomed to stay in college forever. As you read these notes, I will be getting ready for the next iteration, so let me know what you’ve been up to before I spam you.

’98

Hamel Reinmiller

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes from the class of 1998 for this issue.

’99

William Steinbach

Brother Rats, I hope everyone has had a good summer. Fall is right around the corner, and it will be time for two of my favorite things: Rats in the Ratline and football. Not too much to report this go around. There must have been a glitch in my call for updates or something. First of all, I would like to extend well-deserved congratulations to our Brother Rats Isaac Moore and Les Apedoe. They were inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame this year for their outstanding careers on the wrestling mat. Way to go, guys. (Editor’s Note: See the Athletics section of this issue for an article about the Hall of Fame induction.) I saw Cornell Lewis back in late June. I stopped in Atlanta on my drive back to Virginia from Fort Benning. T-Bird took me out on the

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CLASS NOTES town in the ATL and showed me a great time. Thanks again for the hospitality, man. I saw Jake Abell, Pierce Bogese and Billy Gage over the Fourth of July weekend. Goose and Jake were re-building Billy’s deck. Not being very good with a hammer, Billy mostly stood around and was made fun of. I offered my services but decided I was best used in my role as straw boss. In case anyone else wants Jake and Goose to build their deck, be forewarned. Jake sent Billy to Home Depot to get some additional supplies. While he was gone, Goose noticed that one of the rails they had just hung was crooked. He told Jake, “Hey, man. I think this rail is crooked.” Jake replied, “It won’t look crooked from Richmond!” I guess you get what you pay for. I had a beer with Billy several weeks later, and he said it actually turned out pretty well. I ran into Charles Faulkner not too long ago. He was going to meet his family for dinner. We discussed getting together to play golf, but we have not fit it in yet. Jason Trubenbach e-mailed me. He said he is back in the Pentagon and wanted to hook up soon. Unfortunately, this is the second straight edition of notes that I have to send my condolences to the class of 2001. Howie Cook ’01 was killed in a tragic car accident in Texas when he was hit by a driver on the wrong side of the highway. This was particularly hard for me, because Howie dyked in my room when we were Seconds and we remained friends throughout the years. He was a great friend, and it was tough to say goodbye. His memorial service was literally standing room only, and there were representatives from several classes. Well, that wraps up this edition. Let me know if anyone needs anything. In the Bonds … Bill

’00

Matthew McComas

Gentlemen, I don’t know about the rest of you, but this has been a pretty busy year for me. As such, I missed the deadline for the last class notes submission, and I wanted to apologize if you were disappointed when you opened up your Alumni Review in August only to find no notes for the class of 2000. I will try to not let that happen again. Since I am writing these notes, I will get things started with my update. In May, I attended a bachelor party in my honor in Dewey Beach, DE. We rented a house, just steps from the beach and a couple blocks from the bar that was hosting JamFest – a live music festival

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involving over 40 bands on four stages over the course of the weekend. I had a blast hanging out with my family and Brother Rats. Over the weekend, we heard a lot of good music, ate a lot of good food and drank way too much, but I appreciate the guys sending me out in style. Those in attendance included Jon Palmer, Matthew Crowgey, Mickey Wing, Brian “Squirrel” Hay, Matt Tyson, Tony Esteve, Shawn Segreti and Marty Silman. This was followed by my wedding to Miss Meredith Baker on July 16 in Berryville, VA. The wedding was better than we ever could have dreamed. Meredith and I are so happy to be starting our life together and look forward to many more times spent with Brother Rats! The reception was at the historic George Washington Hotel in Winchester, VA, and from the looks of my car the next morning, everyone seemed to have had a great time. Many Keydets were in attendance, including best men Jon Palmer and Matthew Crowgey; groomsmen Bobby Bartolomeo, Jim Bourie ’01, Mickey Wing and Shawn Segreti; Brother Rats Tony Esteve, Matt Keller, “Squirrel” Hay and Marty Silman; dykes Kirk Summers ’97, Jason Ancarrow ’97 and Patrick Atchison ’03; and my former (and Meredith’s current) co-worker, David “Bum” Phillips ’84. Jon Palmer just made a lateral change at his job at Orbital Sciences in Sterling, VA. He is still working with satellites but is now working as a software engineer. Jon, Mickey Wing and Matthew Crowgey are planning to ride together on the Bank of America Cycle Team in September benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This ride is a two-day, 200-mile bike ride from Charlotte, NC, to the beach. Jon is a seasoned rider now, after his cross country trip, but he is worried how the other two will fare sitting on a bike for 200 miles. I am glad it is them and not me! Good luck, guys! It is certainly a good cause. I got a chance to catch up with Tony Esteve at the bachelor party. He is currently busy planning alumni chapter events in the Northern Virginia area and just moved to a new position as a project manager with the Ennis Electric Company in Manassas, VA. Tony reports that it is the same type of commercial electrical construction as he has been doing since graduation but involves less stress and more pay. Sounds like a good gig to me! Tony is working on several interesting and varying projects to include the Smithsonian Arts & Industries building renovation, the Department of Energy Headquarters efficiency improvements, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts lighting renovations and Yorktown High School in Arlington County. Also in attendance at my wedding was Maxi-

mus Basil Keller, first son of Matthew and Suzy Keller, welcomed to the world on June 15. For only being 31 days old and not able to eat any cake or do any dancing, he really seemed to have a great time at the reception. A couple weeks after my wedding, Shawn Segreti attended the wedding of Ben Inyama to Heidi Sullivan in Dulles, Virginia. Shawn reports that he and Erin had a great time at the reception and were very honored to be part of their celebration. Congratulations and best wishes to Heidi and Ben as they begin their life together! As I write these notes, I just got an update from Bobby Bartolomeo. Bobby just found out that he was promoted to lieutenant in the Virginia Beach Sherriff’s Office. Congratulations, Bobby! Hopefully, by the time you read this, I will have an insurmountable lead in the VBSO Fantasy Football League! Bobby also passed along word that fellow law enforcement officer and VMI roommate, Matt Okuley, was recently promoted from senior trooper to special agent – Bureau of Criminal Investigation with the Virginia State Police. I will be sure to pass the word along to my dad, a 31- year veteran of the VSP. Thank you both for the very tough jobs you do for the commonwealth! Don O’Sullivan checked in a couple times in the past three months. In May, he was promoted to a position as an enterprise account manager for Symantec, covering the entire portfolio of Symantec services for a handful of national and global accounts. Don lives in Balmville, NY, near West Point and the filming of “American Chopper.” He and his wife, Krysta, both live in the city and get to take the train into the city together every day. Don reports that he recently spoke to Stefan Supon who is doing well and living in Las Vegas. I happen to be friends with Stefan on Facebook and can report that, based on his self portraits, he is still just as in love with himself as he was when we were cadets. Being so close to West Point, Don also reports sightings of our two Brother Rats who are currently infiltrating the faculty at the “VMI of the North.” Don recently ran into Chris Lowrance allegedly dancing the night away in a club nearby and played soccer with Paul Belmont in a pick-up game recently. They are trying to put together a round of golf in the area soon. Back in May, I was perusing my Facebook news feeds and read a report about Paul being on TV. It was not until a couple nights later, while watching the History Channel program “Lee and Grant,” that I saw Maj. Paul N. Belmont III providing historical insight on the two famous generals from the campus of West Point. I am an avid fan of anything on

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CLASS NOTES the History Channel, and I was really proud to for Michelin, and the family has been preparing “still assigned to B-1 FTU in Texas, but I am see Paul representing the class on the network. for Carter’s first day of kindergarten this fall. currently deployed with my old squadron for Congratulations, Paul! Should be a fun time for all! mainly Afghanistan missions.” John and wife Speaking of Facebook, one of my favorite Checking in again from halfway around Molly have a busy fall ahead of them, celpeople to follow is Ed Pearson. Ed has been the world is Tony Cerella who is about six ebrating the third birthdays of their twins and living in Southern California since June 2010 months into a two-year exchange assignment expecting their third child in a few months. and travels back and forth to northern Virginia with the Australian Defense Force. Tony and Also deploying soon is Matthew Martin. quite often. Ed’s a faithful poster, and it is wife Bethany are settling into life in Australia. By the time this is published, Matt will be fun to follow his jet-setting. He and his wife, Bethany is teaching yoga again, and the family deployed as the OIC of the world famous Shana, are expecting their first son in Septemis traveling all over the continent together, tak- Desert Hawks stationed in Bahrain. He reports ber, and Ed reports, “We are both extremely ing advantage of the experience. Twins Tony that he and wife Wendy are doing well and he excited, and as this will be our first kid, we are and Sophie turn three this September, and I am “will miss our children, Ally and Hank, the both looking forward to the trials and tribulasure they are enjoying the funny accents and most. They are growing up so fast, 3.5 and tions of being parents.” I am sure some of you kangaroos. Just imagine … they may grow up 1.5, respectively.” Thank you for your service, seasoned parents out there are getting a kick thinking that a kangaroo is a perfectly normal Matt, and stay safe! out of Ed’s enthusiasm about the trials and sports mascot! Another naval aviator checking in is Conrad tribulations of being a first-time parent! Good Jared Snawder recently reported in from Bicknell. Conrad is in Panama City, FL, and luck, Ed! Afghanistan where he had just arrived for a is the lone Navy pilot working with the USAF Perhaps Derek Engelhard and wife Jennifer year-long deployment as the S3 for the 44th at Tyndall AFB. He and wife Leonie are doing can provide some pointers to Ed and Shana. Signal Battalion. He is in Regional Commandwell, and he reports that 15-month-old son Derek and Jennifer welcomed daughter AnNorth, running network operations for U.S. Vincent “is keeping us super busy!” nelise Katherine into the world on Aug. 4th. forces. Before heading to Afghanistan, Jared Conrad reports a recent “random run in with Derek reports, “Everyone is doing well, and and wife Amy were stationed in Schweinfurt, Mike Lowrance ’98 in the Atlanta airport a we hope she will have her days and nights Germany, and enjoyed travelling through few months ago,” and he regularly keeps in figured out by the time this is published. She is Europe. After seeing pictures on Facebook touch with Chuck Minski and Pat Haddock. currently up all night and sleeps all day.” Good of Jared and Amy travelling through Italy, I Another report from Florida comes from luck, Derek! reached out for some advice in planning my Chris Abbott. Chris sold his property manageAnother new parent, Mac Semler sent honeymoon there in September. Jared gave me ment company (Ryntal) in December and a message informing me that he and wife great tips on traveling cheap, must-see sites launched a toy at the Toy Fair (BeBaLa) in Katrina welcomed their first girl, Madeleine and things to avoid. Thanks for the informaNew York City where he hung out with Don Anne, last November. He reports, “She is tion, Jared! I will fill you in on how our travels O’Sullivan. Chris reports that he has his “findoing great and is a handful.” Mac finished went when we return. gers in a handful of start-ups and is currently up his MBA from Villanova School of BusiPerhaps flying overhead in Afghanistan will evaluating a handful of opportunities that have ness in June, and he is ready to rejoin the real be John Ferguson. John reports that he is been presented. The kids and I are still in Saraworld. To pass the time during his sota but looking to relocate to a schooling, Mac has been volunnew area of town.” Chris recently teering as a firefighter just outside proposed to his girlfriend. Chris of Philadelphia. hosted Chris Gamble and his famBobby Kennedy and wife Alicia ily and taught him the proper way recently welcomed daughter and to catch sharks and grouper. Chris third child Adelina to the class of also had the pleasure of having 2000 family in early April. Bobby lunch with Adam Priest in the reports that work is going great, Keys, and he reports that Adam’s and he was recently promoted to “hair has grown an extra inch since supervisor. the reunion.” Bobby recently caught up with Micah North reports that things Eric Schnabel. Eric, his wife, Trish, are going well in Dayton, OH, and daughter, JJ, moved to the D.C. and that Nadia and the kids are area about a year ago. doing well. Jackson will be two in An update from Donovan, IL … October. Micah left his position B.J. Arvin reports that things are with ATK to start a small business going well, as he prepares to enter in the defense community doing his fourth year of teaching business/ antenna and radome design and computers and coaching football, manufacturing. He reports that basketball and track at Donovan things are going well. As we all Junior/Senior High School. know, Micah is one smart dude, Carl Hammond checked in from and I expect nothing but success Lexington, SC, where he, wife Rafrom him as he ventures out on his chael, and children Carter and Anna own. Good luck, Micah! Class of 2000: Ben Inyama married the former Heidi Catherine are doing well. Carl was Micah also spoke to Kenny Sullivan on July 29, 2011. recently promoted to shop manager Myers and reports that Kenny was

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CLASS NOTES planning a move to Evansville, IN, in May. I trust Kenny is settling in, and I hope to hear from him soon. The ever-social Micah recently went rafting with John Archer, Pat Haddock and their wives. And he also hung out with Nick Castleberry in Mississippi. Micah, Pat Haddock, Ethan Graham, Jeremy Clary and Colin Mahle were in attendance at the wedding of Matt Vordermark and Annie Gordon Johnston in June in Litchfield Beach, SC. Whit Johnston had the distinct honor of serving as both brother of the bride and best man. Congratulations and best wishes, Matt and Annie Gordon! Tony Cerella passed along a message reminding everyone that the first anniversary of the passing of Brother Rat Pat Coyle is approaching. Please remember to take care of our extended class of 2000 family by donating to the education fund for Pat’s daughter, Hayleigh. Donations can be made online at www.hncedufund.com. I hope, as 2011 closes, everyone has a fun and safe fall and winter. I hope to see many of you and get more updates at the VMI-Citadel football game in Charleston on Oct. 29th. Rah Virginia Mil!!

’01

Jason Whitaker

It is with great sorrow that we said goodbye to our dear Brother Rat Howie Cook on July 7, 2011. Howie is a true hero as his actions before the accident that took his life saved the life of his passenger, a female army officer who is the mother of three boys. Howie’s wife, Shelley, his parents, and his sister, Emily, are very thankful for the great deal of love and prayers they received since Howie’s passing. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the celebration of life service for Howie, and I want to specifically thank Justin Walskey, Justin Harber, Nate Charles and Parker Reeves who shared wonderful stories about Howie during the service. You four did a great job capturing the Howie who made us all laugh and who was a dedicated friend who did anything to help a person out. Our class has experienced much loss this year, and I know everyone has been deeply affected. I want to thank all of you for pulling together during these tough times to support each other and most importantly to support the families of our departed Brother Rats. By the time you read this, we will have celebrated our 10-year Reunion. I hope the reunion is everything you wanted it to be and that you had the opportunity to rekindle the spirit and

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friendship we all share as Brother Rats. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped organize the reunion and reunion campaign, starting first with Charlie Bunting. Charlie and I have spent many hours talking over the last year about all aspects of the reunion. Charlie is a dedicated Brother Rat who puts the class first. His love for VMI and our class cannot be matched. Thank you to the rest of the reunion campaign committee who volunteered their personal time to participate in conference calls and contact Brother Rats to encourage attendance at the reunion and participation in our reunion campaign to support the establishment of the Class of 2001 Memorial Scholarship. In addition to Charlie and me, the Brother Rats who made up the reunion campaign committee are Aaron Mitchell, Will Alley, Chris Butera, Chris Simpson, Justin Prior, Stewart Curcio and John Koubaroulis. Kudos to Stew for participating in teleconferences while he was serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marine Corps. Stew, I know those conference calls took place in the wee hours of the morning in Afghanistan, so we are grateful to you for sacrificing precious sleep time while serving in a combat zone – that is dedication. I did not receive much in the way of notes this month, but we did have some additions to the class of 2001 family. Congratulations to Brandon Garrett and his wife, Nicole, who welcomed a daughter, Micaela Mae on June 3, 2011. My VMI roommate Chris Simpson and his wife, Kacie, welcomed a son, Cole William Simpson on July 23, 2011. I spoke to Chris a couple days before putting these notes together, and he told me that other than Cole having his day and nights mixed up, they are doing well. Seems like the only ones getting sleep in the Simpson house right now are Cole and their two-year-old son, Connor. Kevin Ryan and his wife, Danielle, welcomed Skipton Michael Ryan aka “Skip” on July 7th. Skip weighed a whopping 10lbs, and Kevin told me “Mom was happy to have him out and big brothers Wes (6) and Hudson (3) were happy to see him. Scott Miles wrote me and said he will not be able to make the 10-year reunion because his Army National Guard unit is deploying to Iraq around July. Scott is serving as a forward observer in the 2nd Squadron 183rd Cavalry Regiment. Scott our thoughts are with you, Rob O’Neal, Charlie Benbow, Anthony Bravo, Willie Moses and all the other brave men and women serving in the armed forces and civilian workforce overseas. You all will be with us in spirit at the reunion, and we look forward to your return home. Well that’s all for now. Two and a half months until the 10-year Reunion, and I hope to see you there. Rah VA Mil, Jason

’02

Salmaan Khawaja

Brother Rats, I hope that this edition of the Alumni Review finds you and yours doing well. Though I was on call and could not make it myself, I heard that 2002 had a strong showing at the funeral of CW2 Howie Cook ’01 recently. For those who may not know, Howie died sacrificing himself to save the life of the passenger of his car as their car was struck by another vehicle that was travelling the wrong way in Texas. Howie was posthumously awarded the Texas Medal of Valor for his bravery. Thank you all for being there for Shelly and his family and friends, and I just know Howie is somewhere laughing his laugh having a good time. I also was honored to be joined by other Brother Rats at the funeral of Charles Ransom ’01, KIA while serving in Afghanistan earlier this summer. Among them, Nathan Wahlgren graciously and played the bagpipes for the funeral service in Richmond. Given that some of our BRs (understandably so) still have some mixed feelings about VMI, knowing that we still are there for members of the VMI family continue to make me feel proud to represent our class as a class agent. It has been an interesting last few months at Chez K. Laura and I had been discussing my starting my own private practice for at least the past year, when out of the blue, I found out that I was being recruited to join a rather large medical group, and, well, at the time these notes were written, they gave me an offer I could not refuse. So, I have chosen to accept that offer and will be continuing to provide examples of my daily stupidity on Facebook while also working on developing an integrated, interdisciplinary care clinic for patients with moderate to severe neurocognitive and/or behavioral issues. There will be a strong emphasis on working with active duty and retired military, and I’m very excited about it. Enough about me though, and on to the notes! Matt Thompson graduated from Harvard Business School in May of last year, and he is the cofounder and COO of TroopSwap. If you’d like to check it out, head to www.troopswap.com. It’s pretty awesome and can be “Liked” on Facebook as well. Matt was also recently elected to the board of directors for the U.S. Veterans Initiative. Well done, Matt!! Alex Martin and long time fiancée, Audra, were married on May 24, 2011, during a sunset beach ceremony at the Westin Resort and Marina in Key West, FL. For those who

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CLASS NOTES USAFE command staff to attend the George C. may not remember, Audra and Alex had been William Talley V Marshall European Center for Security Studies together since our Rat year. In attendance from June to July of 2010, where I was one of were fellow trouble maker and F-Troop BR six Americans serving among 75 other reprePatrick Khattak and his wife, Samatha. Alex sentatives from 55 nations around the globe and Audra honeymooned in Rome and took a participating in their program for terrorism and Mediterranean cruise for two weeks. They had Phil Kerns security studies. Additionally, this past March a great time and are looking forward to seeing of 2011, I was selected for major, along with everyone at the reunion. our other Brother Rats still serving in the Air John Trant and his wife, Lea, welcomed Force from 2002.” the birth of their baby girl, Spencer Campbell Right now, Dave is deployed to Kandahar Trant, on July 3, 2011. John and Lea reside Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes from Airbase, Afghanistan, commanding the 466 in Chesapeake, VA. He is working for Turner the class of 2003 for this issue. Bravo EOD Flight in support of the 1-25 Strategic Solutions in Virginia Beach as a SBCT operating in this region. Also, out of senior project manager. Congratulations to pure and simple luck, he is with the 192D John and Lea!! Ryan Shealy EOD BN again and is looking forward to Virginia Conville (formerly Upham) wrote repeating the experience he had with them in to let me know that she has been living in before. When he returns, Dave is not 100% North Carolina for the past nine years now and sure what his next plans will be, other than to teaches middle school math in Wilmington. accept another assignment and continue his She has been married to her husband, Dale, C. Justin Roberts career. Dave’s looking forward to the 10-year for the past 10 years, and has two wonderful Reunion as well. daughters, Trinity (turns ten in December) and That’s it for the notes this time around. Taryn (who will be 1 ½ by the time these notes Remember that not all BRs have easy access to go for publication). Virginia received her masonline media sites like Facebook. I know many ter’s of education degree in December 2010 of you chat with each other and me online, from the UNCW Watson School of EducaHey, BRs, but please also consider sending me information. Once Taryn gets a bit older, Virginia will I apologize for the quick-n-dirty updates. I’m tion that you specifically give me permission revisit the idea of getting the Ph.D. so she can in the process of moving but still wanted to get to post in the Review. The 10-year Reunion is get into administration in the school system. these submitted for y’all! She also aspires to develop and open a military right around the corner! Tony Peters left active duty on 1 January In the Spirit ... Salmaan high school in her area, and so, if anybody in and is working as a reservist for the Wilmington area is interCOMSUBGRU 9 (Expeditionary ested in putting something like A NEW VMI TRADITION Maintenance Detachment). Tony is together, please contact Virginia. also going to school at Whitworth Maj. David Troxell, USAF, and University to become a high school his kind wife, Rebekah, are in their math and physics teacher. He and his last year at Ramstein Airbase in wife are gearing up to leave Spokane, Germany. David noted that it’s sad Made in New Hampshire by skilled WA, for Oklahoma. She just received to think the time went by so fast. artisans, these distinctive clocks will a verbal confirmation on orders to Regardless, he was lucky enough make a great graduation or retirement gift. teach pilot training in the T-6. They to be selected as a staff member Jefferson I – $129 also just had their second child, Amethe HQ U.S. Air Forces Europe. Clocks are made of cherry wood and Jefferson II (chiming) – $179 Dimensions 11.5"h x 8"w x 4"d lie (Molly) Ann Peters, on 21 June. So far, Dave has spent the last two available in either burgundy cherry Scott Campbell finished the Army years as the Emergency Services (dark) or antique cherry (light) finish. Branch Chief to represent the fire, public affairs course in March, and To order a clock, visit us at emergency management and explohe was back to working for the police www.nhclocks.com or call 800-808-9871. sive ordnance disposal functions at department afterward. Scott was at the command. Fort Jackson for two weeks in May to David writes, “This assignment start the AG Captain’s Career Course. is good to me so far as well. Last His dyke, John Parson ’01, graduWinchester I – $119 year, I was lucky enough to deploy ated from the College of Charleston Winchester II (chiming) – $169 with the 192D EOD Battalion at Law School while Scott was down Dimensions 10"h x 8"w x 4"d Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan, there. The week before Scott left, his where I was the battle captain girlfriend, Misia, found out that she is Alton – $80 Dimensions from January to May of 2010 pregnant! They’re expecting a baby 10 .5"h x 10 .5"w x 2"d girl on or about January 1st! Beyond – they treated me great despite Lexington – $199 that, he’s on active duty working for being an Air Force member in an $72 Madison – (PERSONALIZED Lexington Regulator (chiming) – $249 the National Guard and expecting a Army unit. In February of 2010, Dimensions 5"h x 10 "w x 2"d PLAQUE IS OPTIONAL) Dimensions 23"h x 13"w x 3"d promotion to captain by the end of I completed my master’s degree The VMI Alumni Association receives a generous the year. in emergency and disaster manroyalty on each clock sold! Jon Rushin is living in Springfield, agement. I was selected by the

’03

’04

Handcrafted Clocks

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate VA. He got out of the Army two years ago School. He is in Newport, RI, awaiting the start and is working for Boeing Defense Systems of the Department Head Course. Gary Cutler is as a project manager at the Joint IED Defeat just about finished in Missouri. He’s finishing his Organization. David Yaman was medically master’s at MS&T and moving to White Sands retired from the Marines for injuries in June of Missile Range, NM, to take a combat engineer this year and is currently working for a defense company command. His wife, Erin, and he are contractor in the Washington, D.C., area but expecting a baby girl this December. is looking to transition over to government Dave Coleman rejects deadlines – brazenly employment in the near future. David is also so – but he sends in a great list of updates, so getting married this November in Washington, I’ll forgive him this time. Haha! He’s a JAG at D.C. Congrats, Dave! R.C. Simmons is still Bragg (but living in Raleigh), and he prosworking for BB&T as a financial center leader ecutes civilians and contractors. He and his in Strasburg, VA. R.C. is in Winchester with wonderful wife, Carrie, whom he’s spent many his wife, Marcella, who teaches 8th grade at long hours indoctrinating into the wonderful Admiral Byrd Middle School. They’re expectgreatness of the Institute, are expecting a baby ing their first child on Nov. 28th – a son, who in October. There’s nothing the world needs they will name Robert Anderson Simmons! On more than a little Coleman boy. Chip Satterlee, June 7, 2011, Sara and Josh Wright welcomed “our beloved chaplain,” is getting married in their second daughter, Addison, to the world. October. He got back from Afghanistan in July The Wright clan is moving to Groton, CT, in and popped the question to his lovely fiancée October where Josh will begin the Department (another Carrie). Joe Doane – He’s returned Head Course. As for now, he is finishing up to upstate New York where he is an engineer. his master’s in engineering management while Mike Scott – Dave recently heard from him. trying to keep up with a toddler and an infant – He and his wife, Christina, are doing well. He’s busy man! still in the Army in Colorado. Tony Miller – Sean McElroy is back at Fort Polk, LA, after graduating from the Combined Logistics CapRemains a structural engineer in Charlotte. He tains Career Course at Fort Lee, VA, in May. He sent Dave “an annoying e-mail about how the is in his second company of command, currentPittsburg Pirates were leading the NL Central.” ly commander of C Co., 1/353 INF REG, 162 Here we sit, a few weeks later, and that couldn’t INF BDE. Other than that, just spending time be further from the truth. Lastly, Josh Mulford with his family and playing poker. Upcoming – He and his wife, Sohira, and 16-month-old tournaments he will be participating in are the daughter, Anais, are doing well at Fort Hood. World Series of Poker Circuit Event in Shreveport, LA, at Horseshoe Casino, and the 7 Clams Tournament at Coushatta Casino. Both tournaments run in September. Rory Miller got married on July 29, 2011, to Jessica Powers at a vineyard in Stonington, CT. Kent Monas and his wife, Malorie; Ryan Koniak; Vinny Laorenza and his wife, Natasha (Davis) Laorenza; and Will Doyle ’07 all came up to celebrate at the wedding and then the beach the next day. All is well up in Fort Drum for Joe DiDomenico. He got back from Afghanistan in March and took command of a cavalry troop on 22 August! He saw our BR Glen Walton recently doing PT on Fort Drum. Joe also got in touch with our BR Mark Buhl who I just learned is in the same brigade as he is. Dan Hall just ran the Rock ‘N’ Roll Half Marathon in Providence, RI, in preparation for the NYC Marathon this November. He’ll be running for “Team Hope for the Warriors,” raising money Class of 2004: Holding the bride, Erin Miller, for wounded vets. Jonathan Saburn Tony Miller and Adam Zimmerman. has finished up his master’s degree in

2011-Issue 4

Ryan Walker and his wife, Rebecca, are getting ready to have their son, Owen’s, 2nd birthday. He is working as a trial attorney for GEICO in Richmond, VA. Went on a two-day hike on the AT with Tom Gorski ’03 in June and has some great pics on Facebook. This is the second year in a row they have done part of the AT, and they are going to try to keep this an annual event. Matt Vogel and his wife just had their first kid (girl). All are doing well. Matt is getting stationed in New Jersey. Brent Long – last time he and Ryan spoke – was moving to the northern part of Japan. They spoke right after the earthquake and the meltdown of the power plant. He told Ryan that he was fine and not near the hard hit areas. He is out of the Air Force and has his own business, teaching English. Eric Waters and his wife now have two kids (both girls). Last time Ryan spoke with Mark Hamilton, he was in New Mexico, married and deploying on a pretty regular rotation. Derek Raymond and his wife are still in TN, and they are trying to get a hiking trip scheduled. Speaking of the relief efforts in Japan, Bree (Adams) Guiterman was in Japan in April and May helping out, as well, in Operation Tomodachi with her Reserve unit. My co-dyke, Chris Richman, is currently assigned to 19th Special Forces group in Columbus, OH, and hopefully leaving for Special Forces assessment and selection in October. Been a long time comin’, but almost there. Still

were, from left, Rob Metz, Joe Doane,

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CLASS NOTES a bachelor, staying busy by working out, going to concerts, chasing girls and “sometimes getting chased [himself]!” As for me, I was able to land an amazing position doing engineering with the Navy up in Washington, D.C. Jumped on the opportunity when it was offered and can’t wait to get started. I’m in the process of moving everything from Richmond and took the month off in order to get settled in my new city. Outside of that, still playing way too many rec leagues. My football team in the spring won the championships, and I was lucky enough to be chosen for one of the league’s travel teams. We played in a tournament in Chicago and ended up getting 6th in our division. Until next time. Rah Virginia Mil! … Ryan Shealy

Timothy Johnson

’05

William Ray

Brother Rats, I hope you are enjoying the fall weather and have had plenty of opportunities to head to our beloved Institute to watch the Keydets battle on the gridiron. As I write this set of notes, it is August, and I feel like it has been ages since I have seen and heard from many of you. I will take some of the blame for that one, as my computer crashed, and I was not able to extract anything from my hard drive. As a result, I lost any updates and photos sent in before July 2011, and I lost my entire e-mail contact list. Since I was unable to send out any reminders that I needed your updates, the notes will be very short this time, but I will see to it that you have notes! Before I get into the notes, Will and I want to thank those of you who gave to VMI this past fiscal year. Our class did very well in terms of giving totals, and we hope to see this number grow even more in the next few years. It speaks volumes about your commitment to VMI that you gave so much in such tough economic times when many other schools are struggling to maintain fundraising levels and their endowments.

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And last but not least, the class notes: Kirk Stokes relocated to Singapore with RR Donnelley & Sons, which is in the same financial communications industry, but now he is responsible for sales in Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and India. Kirk adds, “I’ve traded the chaos of Greater China for warmer weather and emerging markets in S.E. Asia. Pick your poison ... India or China!” He invites any of the Navy guys ever in town to give him a shout. Kirks says the transition has been the right one professionally; it is just a really long way from home. He’ll also be coaching an American Little League team again in Singapore, and “Yes, we do push-ups for mental errors,” he said. His team finished the season 9-6, and he couldn’t be more proud, but “Try explaining the ‘in-field-fly’ rule to the Japanese,” he said. “… I need a translator ... ” Lt. Col. Wiggers sends greetings from the Netherlands and the land of NATO! He and Betsy just found out that they will be stationed at Cornell University in the NROTC starting in July 2012. Wiggers adds, “Seeing as how Cornell doesn’t have BRC, SRC or DRC or a Barracks (let alone a PA system that I can yell into), I am going to have some unique

challenges connecting with all of the students at the school.” Despite that, the Wiggerses are excited about working with college students again and getting those young men and women ready for service in the Marine Corps and Navy. He says, “I miss all of you very much, and I wish each of you the best! (Although it may sound mushy, I love you guys, too – in a big brother kind of way!)” Mark Conley is stationed down in Little Rock, training C-130 navigators. His younger sister, Bridget Conley ’12, is part of this group. Mark was on the crew transporting cadets at Air Force Field Training back to Maxwell AFB, and she happened to be in one of the groups he was flying. At this point, I would normally wrap up the notes, but things seem a little brief. So, rather than bidding farewell, I dug through the annals of my zip drive and dug up this little gem written by our very own Jonathan Proctor for The Cadet titled, “How to Spot a Keydet:” “Due to popular demand (or an extreme case of boredom on my part), your favorite grey-clad writer is back in the saddle one week earlier than expected. Without further ado, away we go …

Class of 2005 Photo right: “Kirk Stokes channeled his inner Bobby Cox as he discussed a call while coaching his American Little League baseball team in Singapore,” wrote Class Agent Tim Johnson. Photo below: Kirk Stokes and his American Little League baseball team in Singapore, summer 2011.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Brennan, Sean Wolf and Jason Long off “Though normally one can spot a Keydet Will Davis and on. And randomly, Brad Bascope works from a mile away, occasionally when wearwith me at DHS. Brad is doing a rotation in ing our blazer and Ronald McDonald tie or training right now, so John sees him a couple sneaking uptown in (spitting noise) civilian of days every quarter. By virtue of John’s job, attire, we may manage to blend in (especially he travels quite a bit, and his VMI flag travels when the eye of the beholder is glassy and with him. John is in NOVA and invites anyone dilated). Therefore, I thought that I would to come visit. Brother Rats, offer some helpful hints as to how one may The following is a letter submitted by Joey Sorry it has been awhile since my last identify said Keydets on a glorious, Lexsubmission; I’ve been busy, as usual. Since my Zyra’s fiancée about his heroic actions. [I tastic weekend. “If one is at the Palms, then recognizing a last submission, I’ve been to Operation Odyshave reprinted her words exactly] ... after all Veemie is a rudimentary task. All you have to sey Dawn/Operation Unified Protector where I she is an English teacher, and I’m a biology do is find the guy that is treated with disdain by ran into Mike Yeo at Souda Bay NAS in Crete. major. (The letter is also printed in the Alumni the staff, talks/shouts way too loudly News section of this Review.) and stares down every Minkette as if “Dear Sir or Madam, he were the lion and she the gazelle. “I hope this e-mail finds you all Upon exiting the establishment, he doing well. I am writing in regards will more than likely stumble on to one of your alumni, Mr. Joseph the disproportionate stairs (which K. Zyra Jr., class of 2006. If I should really be fixed), where he could please preface the purpose will then be arrested for being drunk of my e-mail for one of your in public (do not scoff, dear readers, alumni with some background for it has happened on more than one information. occasion). After spending a night “Upon graduation from VMI, with Rockbridge County’s finest, Joseph ‘Joey’ Zyra attended and he will then get in trouble upon graduated from the Virginia State returning to Post and spend the next Police Academy in October of few months on confinement (a.k.a. 2007 located in Richmond, VA. “time-out”). Joey was then stationed in Prince “When at the Mirage, the best William County of northern place to find a Keydet would be to Virginia and two years later translook at the dance floor for one of ferred to the Hampton Roads locaClass of 2005: Mark Conley posed for a picture with his sister, Bridget Conley ’12, when he transported her and a two possible situations: (a) a group tion, more specifically Area 47. group of Air Force field training cadets on his C-130 plane of eight to 12 virile young men “The reason as to why I am from Little Rock AFB to Maxwell AFB, summer 2011. dancing a bit too closely together, writing is to inform you of Joey’s belting out the chorus of ‘November selfless acts on the evening of Rain’ with a bit too much zeal, or June 13, 2010. (b) a lone couple re-enacting scenes from our We caught up for a day or so, and nothing “At approximately 11:47 p.m., Trooper Jofavorite episode of ‘The Grind,’ the male in his much has changed. Mike makes fun of my seph Zyra, was on routine patrol on Interstate early 20s and the female in her early 40s (fresh accent, but I didn’t mind because I couldn’t 64 working the mid-night shift in Area 47, understand what he was saying. I also ran into off of Wal-Mart’s night shift). … which consists of the cities of Chesapeake, John Kelton at Joint Base Fort Lewis, WA, “Remember, when one encounters a Keydet Portsmouth and Suffolk. He received radio where he is assigned to the Ranger unit up outside of his natural habitat, one should not traffic that the Chesapeake Police Department there. We got some supper together and caught be meek due to our lack of social graces. I aswas in pursuit of a 2010 Chevrolet Impala up as well. Both John and Mike are doing well sure you that we are indeed some of the most occupied by two males on Interstate 664 and give everyone their best. The only submiswell-mannered people that you will ever come southbound for narcotics violations and was sion I received was from Jonathan Everiss and across, but on those nights when we attempt requesting assistance from the State Police. As Joey Zyra. to drown our Pain and Sorrow (that’s right … the pursuit turned onto Interstate 64 westThings are going well for Everiss. John, capital P, capital S; it is, in fact, that bad), it bound, heading towards Zyra’s location, it his girlfriend, Ruth, and, their dog Taco, are would be prudent to leave well enough alone. increased to speeds in excess of 100 miles per living in a townhouse in Alexandria, VA. He Otherwise, we are always looking for a good hour. Trooper Joseph Zyra attempted to pull is a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve with time, ladies and gentlemen, so feel free to say out in front of the fleeing vehicle to slow it the 450th Civil Affairs BN (Airborne) right hello or even to buy us a round or five. Until down, but its speed was too great and it passed outside of D.C. Charlie Brennan seems to next time, neighbors, keep on truckin’…” Zyra along with several other police vehicles. have outted his profession in a previous issue I am certain I have missed some updates and “The fleeing vehicle then exited the Interof the Alumni Review. But as a civilian, John failed to communicate some of my journeys state at Dominion Boulevard and turned into is a federal law enforcement officer with in the last few months, but I promise to give a residential neighborhood as Zyra continued Homeland Security. Ruth and John have had a you a full report in the first edition of the 2012 in the pursuit to offer assistance. The vehicle great summer -- they saw U2 in Philly and just Alumni Review. Stay safe and remember: turned onto Robert Welch Lane which is a got back from a trip to NYC to see the “Lion we’re all in this together. Until next time … dead-end road with a large retention pond at King” on Broadway. Everiss talks to Charlie In the Bonds … Tim Johnson the end. The vehicle accelerated and continued

’06

2011-Issue 4

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CLASS NOTES off the end of the road striking a dirt hill, going airborne for 30 yards and then going front-end into the middle of the 12 foot deep retention pond. “Trooper Zyra, without any hesitation or concern of his own personal safety, immediately dove into the murky and stagnant water of the retention pond without removing his shoes or gun belt. The passenger, Richard Henry Taylor, had exited the vehicle upon impact with the water. Zyra first swam to Mr. Taylor finding him alright and able to swim and directed him towards the officers waiting on the bank of the pond. Zyra, realizing that the vehicle was quickly sinking and the driver was still inside, swam to the sinking vehicle. The rear passenger side window was the only glass visible above the water, so Zyra used his ASP collapsible baton to break out the glass. The driver, Frederick Forson-Peebles, stuck his head through the broken glass as he was gasping for air. Trooper Zyra pulled Mr. Peebles through the window before the car sank and found that Mr. Peebles could not swim. Zyra struggled attempting to keep Mr. Peebles from drowning until fellow officers threw him a life preserver, tied to a rope and pulled both to safety. “Trooper Zyra sustained a serious laceration to his right hand and tendon damage as a result of breaking the glass out. He received several stitches and subsequently had surgery to his hand. Consequently, he was out of work for approximately 11 weeks recuperating. According to all Officers and State Troopers present, Mr. Peebles would have definitely drowned if it had not been for the heroic, courageous and immediate actions of Trooper Joseph Zyra. {facts from Department of State Police; Commonwealth of Virginia} “Trooper Zyra exudes the example of bravery, and I am more than honored to write this e-mail as his fiancée. Because of his selfless acts of heroism, he has received much recognition-including the Portsmouth American Legion Award for Trooper of the Year.

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Class of 2006: Above: John Everiss in front of a hotel in downtown Amsterdam. Below: Everiss at Trafalgar Square in London, next to a statue of George Washington that was donated by the commonwealth of Virginia.

He most recently received the distinguished Superintendent’s Award of Honor from the Commonwealth of Virginia on May 24, 2011. I would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this e-mail concerning one of your distinguished alumni. With kindest regards, I am Susan O. Smith, MSEd (Trooper Zyra’s fiancée) 6th Grade English Teacher” (Editor’s Note: See article in the Alumni News section of this issue about Joseph Zyra receiving the Virginia State Police Award of Honor and the Superintendent’s Award for the State Police.) David wrote: “These notes were written on 14 August, this is what I know about our class. I have run into a fair amount of our BRs here at Fort Bragg. The person I ran into last was Gabby Canceran. He is in the 18th Fires Brigade as a Logistician. On the same day, I ran into Andrew Walton, who was diligently studying French for the first part of Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). I am doing Civil Affairs training myself, but have run into John Diehl, Kyle Schriefer, Shawn Hogan and Ben Chovanec who are at different phases of the SFQC. Schriefer’s wife had their first little boy about a month ago, and he is healthy and well. I have seen Isaac Cecil once and also Blake Faller [do you know what they are up to?]. I recently hung out with Mike Werner and his wife, Jenn, up in Greensboro, NC. They are living in Maryland and working in D.C. now. In March, Mike Werner and Jenn got married; from what I recall Corry Murray, Clark Dudley, Chris Smith, Mike Carney, Christian Porter and I had a good time. Chris Smith’s wife had their first little girl, Lily, on the Aug. 3, and he is working hard in D.C. for Turner Construction. I got a note from Nate Parson’s a few nights ago, who got to hang with Shawn Hogan and Scott Bartholomew before he PCS’d (permanent change of station) from North Carolina to Colorado. Nate is flying C-130s out of Cheyenne, WY, and living in Fort Collins.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES In Cheyenne, Nate has run into Q Rohlfs and John Burton ’07. Also, he has been knocking out Colorado’s 53 ‘14ers’ one weekend at a time and preparing for the GORUCK Ascent in September. Mike Carney commissioned in the Coast Guard Reserve in July, attended by at least John Kelton and Mark Searles. In July, a couple keydets met up in Boston for Mike Carney’s bachelor party (Kelton, Searles, Dudley, Worley, Hann, LeCerda ’07). They pushed the limits and spent a lot of money. Thank god no pictures were taken. It has been a year for engagements for the Sinks crew. Bud Webb, Dan Wilmoth, Kyle Rosch and Clark Dudley all jumped off the ledge. Todd Wilson is still undefeated in his pro boxing career. Don’t quote me on anything I am about to right but here is what I know about other BRs: Tommy Collins is in Germany. I ran into Nolan Maxwell while we were in the same brigade in Korea and I think Robyn Schaperjahn replaced the brigade lawyer just as I was leaving.” As I close out my last submission, I thank you for the honor and privilege of being your class agent. I know I was not 100% on submission, but I trust that everyone understands how busy we all are. I want to thank all the people who have worked hard on our reunion. I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall and hope everyone is happy and healthy. Rah VA Mil, Will Davis

’07

a happy and healthy baby. Congratulations to the Watsons for their new bundle of joy! Mike also says that he and Brian Renaghan will be competing in the Tough Mudder competition in Virginia on 22 October 2011. Also proud new parents are Stefan Dietrich and Alicia, who met their new daughter, Heidi Marie, on 25 June 2011. Stefan is stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, WA, where he flies the KC-135. He says that fellow alumnus Dave Sullivan ’08 is a squadron mate there. Grayson Ernst was just recently moved to Okinawa, Japan, where he has been serving with the Combat Assault Battalion. He says that he ran into Evan Hanks a few weeks ago and as far as he knows, he and Evan are the only two VMI ’07 guys on Okinawa. Soon, Grayson will be headed to Qatar for six months to serve in a joint billet. Zach Huson writes that he, John Lento and Chris Chang-lo attended Russ Henriet’s wedding to Ms. Stephanie Krieborn in Honolulu, Hawaii, in May. Eri (Kamura) McMullen was recently married as well! She and Robert McMullen ’10 were married in Charlotte, NC, on 12 March 2011. They currently reside in Boston where Eri works in a research lab for Brigham & Women’s Hospital. She pretty much had a miniVMI reunion at her wedding. In attendance were Wesley Thomas, Matt Leary, Mira Veis, Jeff Berwell ’06 and Vanessa Berwell, Chris Schmeelk ’13, Rhyne Seward ’13, Matthew

Sinkez ’10, Jay York ’10, Tyler Pumphery ’11, George Dooley ’49B, Ericsson Davis ’10, Raevon Pulliam, Abigail Ward, Tabitha Pinter, Karen Bill, Jenifer Farkas and David Lochart ’10. Congratulations, Eri and David! I wish you two the best. Jonathan Fredericks is stationed at Fort Campbell with the 101st Airborne Division. He and his wife just bought a house in Clarksville, TN. I received a wonderful note from Dustin Schultz chock full of good information. He married Sarah Schultz in July 2007 and was commissioned in October of the same year. In January 2010, Dustin and Sarah had their first daughter, Jacqueline Paige, and are expecting a second daughter, Taylor Elizabeth, in September of this year. Congrats, guys! Dustin also writes that he completed one tour on U.S.S. Boone FFG 28 where he served as first lieutenant. He is starting a second tour as Navigator on U.S.S. Underwood FFG 36. He has also finished one full deployment in the Horn of Africa conducting counter piracy operations. He also completed a second full training cycle, including an INSURV, where his division (deck) scored the best score for any Frigate in the Navy in more than a decade. He will deploy to South America on Underwood in the spring as part of a UNITAS deployment. He was kind enough to pass on that Manuel Caballero just deployed on the U.S.S. Topeka last week while Cabby’s wife is

Sally Coffman Arciero

The final days of summer are soon to be upon us and I, for one, am pleased with this turn of events. These should be my final notes written in the sunny paradise that is Iraq. Cooler weather and less sand sounds like heaven to me, and I hope the coming fall finds everyone in similar high spirits. I hope to finally have time to catch a football game or two this season and perhaps run into some of y’all at the Mother I one weekend. I would love to catch up with some BRs on our old stomping grounds, maybe over a cold beer at The Palms or a hot greasy mess of a pizza at Salerno’s. Speaking of VMI, by now, I’m sure everyone has received the invitation to the five-year reunion in a year. Start getting your ideas together for making this a memorable reunion for us, and hopefully we’ll come up with something truly amazing. Mike Watson recently e-mailed me to tell me the good news that he and his wife just welcomed their first child, Hailey Brooke Watson, into the world on 6 August 2011. He said she is

2011-Issue 4

Class of 2007: Russ Henriet married the former Stephanie Krieborn in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 2011. Pictured were, from left, John Lento, the groom, Zach Huson and Chris Chang-lo.

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CLASS NOTES deployed on a cruiser. Rob Russman still works for VDOT but is planning a move to NOVA with his fiancée soon. Mira Veis married Paul Marseilles on 1 July. She writes that their son will be two in December and is learning something new every day. They are looking forward to expanding their family more in a year or two. Currently, Mira works at Booz Allen Hamilton in Crystal City. She works with the Army in that capacity. In September, they are planning a bachelorette party in Miami for Karen Bill who will be marrying Wes Thomas in October. Chad Simmons married Anne Reynolds on 25 June 2011 in Vinton. Chad is in his third year of law school at Appalachian School of Law and will graduate in May 2012. The wedding party included Ian Casher, Isaac Ostlund, Michael Rice and Chase Perry. Ian Casher has completed his MBA and is working in Pennsylvania. Isaac Ostlund is currently stationed in California with the United States Navy and expects to be stationed back in Virginia in the fall. Michael is a first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and is currently deployed. Chase Perry recently accepted a position working in admissions for VMI. Rob Jacaruso is still working for the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland. He was able to visit recently with one of his Rats, Paul Bailey ’10, who is in the

testing process for Baltimore City PD. Rob says that Ryan Young just left for Afghanistan for the next year. Fortunately, Ryan Steptoe has recovered from the injuries he sustained from an IED in Afghanistan. He spent six months at Walter Reed and is now back at Fort Campbell, KY. Tyler Freeman and his wife welcomed a baby girl, Remington Lee, on 6 September 2010. Tyler, Meghan and Remington moved from Oceanside, CA. to Hampton, VA, on 3 May

2011. He is currently stationed at Norfolk, VA, with the Marine Security Forces Regiment for the next three years. Josh Prible is engaged! He proposed to his girlfriend, Heather, in late January on top of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. His sister, brother-in-law and girlfriend planned the guided hike for two months, and as they reached the summit, Josh popped the question. Congrats, guys! That should be about it, guys. Feel free to hit me up at arcieros@gmail.com if you have anything you want added in the future. Stay safe and God bless!

’08

Robert Hill

Greetings, Brother Rats! I hope that you are all doing well. I’d like to start with a note from Justus O’Connor. Justus e-mailed me a few days after I submitted the previous notes. Justus and Molly Newton took a picture together at Class of 2007: Ryan Steptoe with then-Secretary of Camp Vance at Bagram Airfiled in Afghanistan. Defense Robert Gates at At the time of the photo, Molly was attached the Pentagon during one of to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Steptoe’s many trips there. Force-Afghanistan, and Justus was with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3. Justus will be stateside in time for his Rat’s graduation in December of 2011. Ryan Rose’s mom was kind enough to send me a picture of her son’s wedding to Miss Kay Johnson from Oct. 23, 2010. In attendance were Jake Jackson, John Richardson, Tom Redmond ’11, Dr. Andrew Rose ’89, Evan Lyne, Mike Boykin, Dr. Graham Rose ’85, Peter Brookes, Chad Zurcher, Brian McGettigan, Jeff Marcy and Mr. Les Rose III ’82. Congrats to Ryan and Kay. Chris Beyer and his fiancée, Misty Bright are tying the knot on Sept. 10th. He mentioned quite a bit of VMI alumni will be in attendance; so I look forward to sharing the picture with all of you. He’s still working as a CPA with Pricewaterhouse Coopers in D.C. Congrats, Chris! Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs (Dave Jacobs’ parents) were also kind enough to provide an update about Dave and his men. Dave was recently proClass of 2007: Eri Kamura married Robert McMullen ’10 in Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 12, 2011. Attending the wedding were, from left, front row, Vanessa Berwell, moted to captain during his current Raevon Pulliam, Abigail Ward, the bride, Tabitha Pinter, Karen Bill and Jenifer Farkas. deployment in Afghanistan. When Back row: Wesley Thomas, Jeff Berwell ’06, Matthew Leary, Mira Veis, Chris Schmeelk I received word from the Jacobs, it ’13, Rhyne Seward ’13, Matthew Sinkez ’10, Jay York ’13, Tyler Pumphery ’11, George was the heart of the spring/summer Dooley ’49B, the groom and Ericsson Davis ’10. fighting season with the Taliban.

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CLASS NOTES Dave passed along his thanks for the packupdate in the next round of notes. healthy baby to their family. By the way, Dave ages that were sent to him and his troops while Dave Kerr checked in from North Carolina. had just returned home from a “very successdeployed. If all goes as planned, Dave should When I first read his e-mail, I only read the first ful” deployment in Marjah, Afghanistan. Jacob be home by the time you are reading these paragraph about his recent trip with his pregalso passed along his congratulations to Alec notes. His parents ask that we all continue to nant wife, Christine, to see Jacob Visneski and and Grace Grey, who were married on May keep Dave and the rest of our service members his soon to be doctor wife, Susie. Turns out that 14th in Richmond, VA. in your prayers. Andrew Vezza and his wife, Before Rob Kelly left Fort Hood for Lauren, are expecting their first another tour of duty in Iraq, he sent child on St. Patrick’s Day 2012. me an update. Alec Gray and Rob Andrew has already planned out were deploying to separate regions in his graduating year from VMI, Iraq, Baghdad and Najaf respectively. 2034. Congrats to both you and Like Dave, Rob and Alec were both Lauren, and we’re all praying for promoted to captain on July 1st. Rob a healthy boy or girl! Chip Chace was also promoted to the Battalion checked in from Fork Union where Maintenance Officer, which he noted he is working as a Post Graduate was a pretty “cake” job. We’ll see if Football Coach and is the head that stands true during his deploylacrosse Coach. He mentioned that ment. With Rob and Alec heading the lacrosse team went 6-6 in there over, Dan Boyd and Dan McKeegan last season, the best in memory for will be headed home. Rob also noted FUMA. Chip would like to move that Zach West and his wife, Melonie, into the college football ranks have a baby on the way. Before leavwhen a spot opens up. ing for Iraq, Rob went to the promoAndrew Czaplicki and his wife tion ceremony for Zach, and Stan Class of 2008: Gen. McChrystal, USA (Ret), and Dawson moved to Fredericksburg, VA to be Cheng and Paul Childrey were in Boyer on the beaches of Normandy, France. closer to his job with the VA Army attendance as well. Stan is stationed at National Guard. He was recently Seymour-Johnson AFB with an F-15 selected for company command Squadron, and Paul is working with AREVA and when I read the rest of the e-mail, Christine was of the 229th Chemical Company out of Rocky has a small business on the side. Phil McCloskey 39 weeks pregnant, and Dave went to the doctor Mount, VA. This unit is tasked with the CBRNE is finishing up his deployment as well in Mosul, who later found a large mass in his abdomen. Emergency Response Force Mass Casualty Iraq. He’s excited to return to Fort Hood after a While there, Dave and Jacob with their wives Decontamination Mission. Andrew mentioned long year. In January, Phil will be headed to Fort had a great time together, I felt awful for not there are several fellow Keydets in the company Hauchuca for the Intelligence Captains Career reading the entire e-mail at the time that it was as platoon leaders. Gerald Payne has been Course in Arizona. Congrats on the promotion sent. With that said, by the time you read this, promoted to Lead Trainmaster for Norfolk and the new post. During his mid-tour leave, hopefully Dave has recovered from his surgery Southern in Chattanooga, TN. Congrats on the Phil and Ms. Victoria Vargas were engaged and to remove the tumor and they have welcomed a promotion! Speaking of Norfolk Southern, Kyle are planning on a July 2012 wedding! Adams recently moved to the Congrats to you both! Harrisburg area. I look forward to After Rob settled into Iraq, he sent a few cold beverages with my old me a follow up e-mail. He’s currently roommate, and Dennis Harbin is stationed at COS Echo in Iraq. The only a few minutes away at Dicklast time he had heard from Alec inson Law School. Gray was while there were both in Dawson Boyer sent me a note Kuwait. In Kuwait, Rob ran into about his recent trip to Normandy. Andrew Stiles and Andy Sullivan. Rather than cut and paste bits and Both are assigned to the 4th Brigade, pieces, I’ve decided to share his 1st Armored. He also was nice enough entire text: “In June, I had the to send two pictures, which will be opportunity to go to Normandy, posted online due to the resolution. France, with a friend who works Brandon DeLong checked in from as a corporate photographer. He Italy. He and his wife, Jessie, recently was shooting a leadership training made the move from Tyndall AFB in trip for 20 GE executives. GE had Florida to Aviano AFB near Venice. hired the McChrystal Group (Gen. As always, Brandon has an open Stanley McChrystal) to conduct invitation for Keydets to stay at their the training. house. Brian Peeler is continuing to “On June 26, I embarked on recover from his traffic accident that an once-in-a-lifetime opportuhe was involved with earlier this year. nity that would prove to be more Class of 2008: Molly Newton and Justus O’Connor in His wife, Christine, has joined him in powerful than I ever could have Afghanistan. Alaska, and I hope to provide a full imagined. My friend, Casey, is a

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CLASS NOTES JMU grad who works for himself as a corporate photographer. He was hired to document a leadership development trip with 20 of GE’s top executives. GE had hired the McChrystal group to conduct the training. Casey invited

ding. It’s an exciting time, and I can’t believe how quickly next March is approaching. In June, after helping her aunt and uncle pack for Colorado, Lauren and I visited my dyke, Preston McFaddin ’05 in Staunton. Preston and his wife, Jenna, just had their first child together, Preston. Our visit was short but it was great to see his family. I also spoke to my roommate Matt Mitchell recently. He was on the east coast for a few days to see family in August. He was recently promoted to the rank of captain as well. Next year, the class agents conference will be held on my wedding weekend, March 30th and 31st. If you are interested in attending, please let me know. Events typically start on Friday around lunch and conclude on Saturday with lunch. Feel free to reach out to me by phone or e-mail about this opportunity. God Bless and stay safe! Please keep those BRs who are serving in your prayers, as well as Dave Kerr Class of 2008: Attending the wedding reception of Alec and Grace Gray were, from and his family! left, Ryan Corcoran, Jacob Vishneski, the bride and groom, and Nate Brown.

me to be his assistant. The training took place in Normandy, France, over a four-day period. We spent time at Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery and Memorial, Sainte-Mere-Eglise, and toured the site of many other battles. Gen. Stanley McChrystal led conversations and worked with the GE executives to draw parallels between the logistics, planning and operational aspects of the invasion with scenarios they encounter in their corporate jobs. The time spent in the ‘field’ was truly one of the most humbling experiences of my life. A retired Army colonel, who is an expert on the history of the D-Day invasion, recounted the hell the troops went through as they made the ultimate sacrifice to take the beach and turn the tide of the war. Those brave men, many of whom were under 18, believed in a cause greater than themselves and fought for their country, freedom, and their brothers to their left and their right. The cemetery was truly a hallowed ground kept in the most immaculate condition. Many of the crosses bore the names of fallen soldiers, while others simply read, “Known but to God.” The time with Gen. McChrystal was unbelievable, as well. Stan, as he told us to call him, is a man of great vision and vast experience. He had a great sense of humor and was one of the most hospitable people I have ever encountered. If any of you ever have the chance to visit Normandy … take it! The sight of the beaches, the bunkers and the cemetery is enough to strike one to the core, to

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make you think about how great their mission, how selfless their service and to ponder the true cost and meaning of freedom.” Thanks, Dawson, for sharing your story! Lauren and I are continuing to plan our wed-

Class of 2008: Dave Kerr atop Jacob Vishneski’s shoulders during a recent visit together.

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CLASS NOTES Hall and accepted our diplomas and embarked on our own individual journeys. Reflecting on a year away from the Mother “I,” there have been numerous additions to the VMI 2010 family as we’ve had many BRs become engaged, married and some have even added some future cadets to the VMI 2031 ranks! Our BRs have been contributing to all aspects Hello once again, Brother Rats! It has finally of society across nearly every continent happened; our Rats are first classmen! I don’t except for Antarctica (I think Bloomstrom or know about you, but I am feeling a bit old. It Squire may be working on that as we speak!). was a short three years ago when we had made Our class has stretched across nearly every it to the first stoop. Now, the Rats that we had spectrum of the world in the past year from to help answer specials, show how to study the spring training fields in Scottsdale, AZ, and hopefully bonded with are now in charge. (Ballard) to the dangerous streets of Kabul, Congratulations, class of 2012! Afghanistan (Hafkemeyer), from small and By the time this makes it to your house or dusty villages of Mozambique (Cook) to the FOB, the academic year will be in full swing. Matthew Allen rugged terrain of Bozeman, MT (Deverna). The football team will be close to wrapping The Institute has been heard from and will up their regular season and hopefully capping continue to be heard from the class of 2010. off a great season. As time passes and cadet I’d like to start out the class notes on a life continues on Post, it also pushes forward somber note as Ryan Williams passed away outside of limits gate. Brother Rats continue on April 14, 2011. Ryan matriculated from the Editor’s Note: Our sincere apologizes to to spread around the globe in the civilian and Culver Military Academy and attended VMI the class of 2010 and Matt Allen for omitting military sectors. for a short time. At the time of his passing, he the class notes from the 2011-Issue 3 Alumni Remington Adams is off with his platoon in was a senior engineering major at the Ohio Review. Below are the notes from May 2011 Baghdad, Iraq. He is enjoying it as much as he State University. His obituary can be found followed by the notes from August 2011. can. Chris Brown is still currently deployed to in the Taps section. The class of 2010 sends Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division its prayers and condolences to the Williams As I sit here in Fort Worth, TX, writing anout of Fort Drum. A close friend of both of ours, family. other edition of class notes, I’ve found myself Tom Duncan, deployed for a few weeks to Fort I’d like to make special recognition of 2nd reflecting on how quick the past year has gone Polk in Louisiana. He is cadre down there for Lt. Lee Hafkeymeyer after a safe and sucJRTC. While he was there, so was Dave Radke. by and the many changes and new happenings cessful deployment and return to stateside that our class has experienced. It was a year Unlike Tom, Dave was there as an excited from Afghanistan. Lee was deployed at the ago today as I am writing that the great class participant. Finney Kimsey has been stationed beginning of the year and returned stateside at of 2010 walked across the stage in Cameron in Alaska. He has been recovering from some the end of April. The class of 2010 sends its congratulations on a mission well done! During the past few months, several BRs have successfully completed or have begun the arduous training of becoming an Army Ranger. 2nd Lt. Clayton Melton was the first from our class to gain the tab followed by 2nd Lt. Jonathan Buckland and 2nd Lt. Chas Crowder. Other BRs in the process of acquiring the tab at the time of the writing are 2nd Lt. Josh Hughes, 2nd Lt. Mike Hutchings, 2nd Lt. Gerald Popko, 2nd Lt. Will Rowcliffe, 2nd Lt. Ryan Stull and 2nd Lt. Wes Whitcomb. We wish these guys the best of luck and look forward to receiving some pictures and news about their accomplishments in further Reviews. Other Army news, 2nd Lt. Matt Graham informed me that he, 2nd Class of 2009: Daniel Stanislawski married the former Ania Grazynska on July 23, Lt. Jack Curtis, 2nd Lt. Shawn Fox 2011, in Gdansk, Poland. and 2nd Lt. Ben Robertson were all

’09

Ian Williams

surgery, and I think I speak for everyone when I wish him the best with that. Alex Kari has been resting a lot since he arrived home from his deployment. He finally got his first platoon, and he could not be happier. Lastly, Jed Miller has a new duty station back here in the USA. He is coming from Misawa, Japan, and being stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio. That is all I have for now. Just as a reminder to everyone. I cannot just take information from social networking websites. If you would like me to put something into the notes, just let me know! I hope everyone has fun and safe holidays. Until the next time. Ian

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CLASS NOTES stationed at Fort Knox, KY, and in an Army sitting for the CPA exam later this summer. recon course together keeping the spirit alive Congratulations to Steve for such a great acand dominating. complishment! Jordan Ballard is still with the 2nd Lt. Chris Czupryna (stationed in Fort Colorado Rockies organization in Scottsdale, Hood, TX) and 2nd Lt. Ian Black (stationed at AZ, but was sidelined for most of spring. He is Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, TX) stopped by making a speedy recovery and is in extended to visit and have a few drinks before conquerspring training at the moment. ing their Warrior Dash Mud Run in Dallas. Ian Elizabeth Dobbins was kind enough to subinformed me that he visited Kyle Nikmard mit an update on several of our Marine Corps (who is an analyst at Schlumberger in HousBRs as well as our future lawyers over the past ton) in Houston with 2nd Lt. Brian Molina few months. 2nd Lt. Preston Landt completed (stationed at Dover AFB) and 2nd Lt. Hugo TBS and is now a Marine Corps. Infantry offiBustamante (stationed in Pensacola, Florida) cer and is currently attending IOC in Quantico, who were visiting Kyle. Other Air Force news: VA. 2nd Lt. Mike Kromm graduated from I spoke with 2nd Lt. Carter Brown (stationed TBS and is now a Communications officer in at Andrews AFB) and 2nd Lt. Chris Dommert the Marine Corps and is set to graduate from (stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB). Carter Comm School in Quantico. 2nd Lt. Dave has gone “universal” as he and his girlfriend Padgett graduated from TBS and is currently have been travelling across the U.S. and at combat engineer school in Camp Lejeune, Europe courtesy of the Air Force. Carter is NC. Dave will be sent to his permanent duty working in logistics and plans to start either an station in Okinawa, Japan, after completion of MBA or a master’s in supply chain management in the near term. Chris was returning to Virginia when we spoke to celebrate his wife, Rachael’s, graduation from Longwood University. Chris and Rachael will be living at Seymour Johnson AFB where Chris is attached to the Civil Engineering Squadron focusing on project development. 2nd Lt. Kuan-Chih Wang wrote back to me and mentioned that he had returned to Taiwan to continue field artillery training after being at Fort Sill, OK, from November to April. While he was at Fort Sill he was Class of 2010: Carter Kunz, right, comable to run into 2nd Lt. Emily Neuman, 2nd peted in a Tough Mudder 10- mile comLt. Gerald Popko and the newly married petition in Colorado, June 2011. 2nd Lt. Charles Range. Kuan-Chih notes that 2nd Lt. Yuwei Chang is in the midst of flight school in Taiwan and that Colin Wu is combat engineering school. 2nd Lt. Andrew stationed on a battleship on the east coast of Baity is set to graduate from TBS and head Taiwan. to Pensacola, FL, for Marine Corps Flight A couple of Kyles wrote to me and informed School. 2nd Lt. Dave Phillips is now engaged me of their whereabouts. Kyle Deverna is now to his long-time girlfriend, Alice Bergen; conliving in Bozeman, MT, enjoying the great gratulations to the both of them! 2nd Lt. Evan outdoors before beginning his career teachFarley is also engaged and will have been ing high school math and science at a small married by the time of this publication (May private Christian school this fall. Kyle told 28th). Congratulations to Evan and his wife! me that Ensign Dan Strausbaugh is coming On the law school front, Daniel Welsh and to visit at the end of May from flight school Jon Ferro have both finished up their first training in Oklahoma. Dan and Ensign Jason successful year of law school at Washington Barnes are both stationed in Oklahoma and & Lee University. Bob Fendley finished his attending Navy flight school together. Kyle first year of law school at American University Nweeia wrote to me and informed me that he while Elizabeth Dobbins finished her first year passed the second of two exams for CompTIA at the University of Virginia School Of Law, in A+ certification and is seeking employment Charlottesville. She is studying Human Rights opportunities in the New York City area. Law and is a member of the Human Rights Please contact Kyle if you know of anyone in Study Project, a group of eight students who the New York area that may have an IT related will travel to Sri Lanka for a month over Winopportunity. Stephen Cary finished up his ter Break to conduct Human Rights research. Certificate of Accounting program at Virginia She is on the editorial board of the Virginia Commonwealth with a 4.0 GPA and will be Journal of Environmental Law. She is a pro

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bono student volunteer with the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, completing over sixty hours of pro bono work this year. This summer, she is working for the Staff Judge Advocate on Marine Corps Base – Quantico, getting experience as a future Marine Corps JAG Officer. She has two more years in Law School as an inactive law contract before graduating in 2013 and being activated in the Marine Corps as a JAG officer. If any members or parents of the class of 2010 would like to contribute a short passage or pictures of any happenings of their son or daughter, please contact me directly using the contact information above. I apologize for any errors that may be displayed above,as I am mostly going on hearsay. With that said, give me a shout and let me know how you’re doing. In the Spirit, Matthew L. Allen ’10 Notes from Aug 2011 Wow how the time has flown by. At the time of this writing it is August 16th, just three days before the fifth anniversary of the class of 2010 taking its place in VMI history. I hope all is well with everyone and their respective families. As I begin the notes, I would like to take a few moments to recognize Cody Hennelly. As we all know from his days as Alpha Company cadre and as a member of the RDC, Cody has always demonstrated a knack for leadership, quick action and selfless sacrifice while doing the right thing. While on duty at the Western Virginia Regional Jail, Cody and two others took quick action to quell 22 rioting inmates who had struck his partner to the ground unconscious. Cody along with two other officers rescued his partner, who suffered broken ribs and a broken jaw while also needing 30 stitches for his injuries while subduing the rowdy crowd. The three inmates who instigated the riot were charged with attempted murder of a police officer and are awaiting trial for their charges. Cody, his partner and the two additional officers received the first commendations ever awarded by their department for their sacrifice and heroism amid overwhelming odds during the melee. Cody has also been instrumental as he has created the “Military BRs of the Class of 2010 … We want your addresses!” Facebook group to support our BRs who are currently deployed or in the process of being deployed. The site has generated considerable attention and is the source of many of the ensuing notes within this edition. Alpha Company XO Carter Kunz wrote in after finishing a 10-mile Tough Mudder in Colorado in June with a fellow Air Force

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CLASS NOTES lieutenant and mentioned that he is currently stationed in Clovis, NM, with the 27th Special Operations Engineer Squadron and will have been deployed to Afghanistan in September just ahead of this publication. Alpha Company 1st Lt. Zach Williams is currently deployed in Iraq at Joint Base Ballad as a Maneuver Platoon Leader. C.J. Knight is currently in pilot training in Columbus, MS, while Matt Graham is a Scout PLT in Cobra Troop 6-1 CAV Fort Bliss, TX, and is slated for Afghanistan sometime in 2012. Newly married Charles Range is currently in airborne school at Fort Benning while Evan Aguirre is XO, A CO, 2nd BSB, 2-210 SBCT and is slated to deploy to Afghanistan in March with the 82nd. Brian Bopp is stationed in Vandenberg AFB, CA, for missile training and is slated to graduate in September and then move to F.E. Warren AFB, WY. Ben Robertson is currently a PL with Blackhawk Troop in 1-13 CAV 3 BDE, 1 AD in Fort Bliss. Charlie Nicotera made it back from deployment safely while Dave Messina is working at the Newport News Shipyard focusing on nuclear engineering. Bravo Company CO Alex Beckstrand is currently stationed at Camp Lejeune with 3rd Batallion/9th Marines alongside Reg XO Barker Squire who is also with 3rd Batallion/9th Marines. Bravo XO Pete Karonis is currently with 2nd Batallion/ 9th Marines. Clayton Melton fresh off earning his Ranger Tab is with 2-502 IN/ 2 BCT/ 101st Air Assault. Brandon Stratz is currently with 412 Test Wing out of Edwards AFB. Jack Curtis is with 2-38 squadron 504th BFSB West Fort Hood and is slated to deploy at the time of this writing to Afghanistan. Aaron McKeen was selected for the U.S.S. Maryland in Kings Bay, GA, and will join the crew after submarine officer Basic Course in Groton, CT, sometime in November. Chris Mendillo is working at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a Nuclear Engineer in a civilian role. He is anxiously awaiting NFL season to begin so he can root on his Pittsburgh Steelers! Charlie Company’s Bill Feldmann wrote in after a deployment to Iraq and is currently based out of Fort Stewart, GA, with 4-3 BSTB/4 BCT/ 3 ID. Jorge Tellez is in the Western Pacific on U.S.S. Curtis Wilbur and is stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. Andrew Miller is working at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and is prepping for Navy OCS. Alex Taylor is now engaged to Miss Jessica Rogers and is currently stationed in Texas with the Army. John Sheehan is at Camp Lejeune as the Asst XO for G Battery 2/10 Collateral Duties Officer and is slated to deploy in May. John Maurice is working as a civilian with the U.S. Navy in Portsmouth alongside Berley

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Rister. The RDC’s very own Dave Padgett is currently at Camp Lejeune, NC, and is slated to graduate from Combat Engineer Course in September ahead of this writing. Dave will be headed to Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) in October. Delta Company’s Kyle Nikmard e-mailed me and informed me that he too is working in the oil and gas business. Kyle had been working for Smith Bits, a subsidiary of Schlumberger for over a year since graduation but has made the transition over to Chesapeake Energy in August. Kyle will be moving from Houston to Oklahoma City and will be spending most of his time as a drilling engineer focusing on North East U.S operations predominantly within the newly discovered Utica Shale, an emerging oil and gas discovery in Ohio that is being compared to the highly economical Eagle Ford Shale play in south Texas. Scott MacDonald is in the late stages of Primary for flight training in Pensacola, FL, according to Dominik Wermus. Jarrod Cartwright has been accepted to Marine OCS beginning in October while Greg Fiasconaro is teaching children in New Jersey … Fiasco teaching school?? Haha Greg insists if anyone is in the New Jersey area that they should stop by for some beer and brats and hang out by his nice pool. Newly married Lance Hindle is currently stationed with 3rd BN 3rd Marines in Hawaii and is slated to deploy this fall. The newly married Adam Aikens finished TBS and is with Delta Company 4th PLT. Echo Company’s own Shawn Wongkachonkitti is with the 3rd ID with Nelson Page and Mitchell Gardner. Nelson Page recently competed at the All Army Combative match at Fort Hood, TX. Lee Hafkemeyer completed a short deployment to Afghanistan and is going back next fall. He is currently with 101st ABN at Fort Campbell with Dan Parker and Clay Melton. F Troop’s own John Price wrote in and informed us that he got through hell week with BUD/S Class 287 but suffered a pulmonary edema and med rolled. Being the tough and motivated guy John is, he rejoined and entered with BUD/s Class 289 but became ill with dysentery and was dropped from the program. John is now planning on switching over the Marine Corps. Jonathan Buckland is currently a platoon leader in Aco, 2-16IN, 4 1BCT, 1ID. Kenny Green recently commissioned in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. Logan Barnhill is currently at Fort Rucker flying helicopters with 1/145th AVN REG. Ray Starsman is currently XO of 507th Signal Company based in Anchorage, AK. Josh Hughes is currently at Fort Bragg going to be

a PL in 1 BDE 2-504. Alex Wade is currently in Afghanistan with 3-89 CAV, 4th BCT, 10th Mountain Division. Golf Company’s Dominik Wermus is in nuclear school in Charleston, SC, until October then is moving to Groton, CT, for SOBC then off to Balliston Spa, NY, for six months of prototype then attached to his first submarine. Ericson Davis has completed Cesna flight training and is onto his next stage beginning in September with the Marines. Jonathan Bisulca is currently at TBS in Quantico, VA, while former roommate Leo Weschler is stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with 505th QM BN and just returned from Philippines and is leaving for India soon. Charles Crowder is stationed at Fort Bragg and may be going to E co 2-82 CAB and leaving in September but is still in processing and is unsure at the moment. Dan Perestock is currently working for a venture capital/private equity firm in Pittsburgh and seems to be enjoying it. Hotel CO Gerald Bentley Popko wrote in and is currently in the field as a FSO in B Troop, 1-89 CAV, 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Division in New York and is currently living in Sackets Harbor. His former roommate, Chris Czupryna, is currently a platoon leader at Fort Hood in Texas. Hotel XO Jason Barnes is currently in flight training with the Navy in Enid, OK, while Kyle Deverna wrote in to inform me that he is now engaged to Miss Ally Jackson and will be teaching this fall in Bozeman, MT, at a small private Christian School. Ian Black wrote in and is currently with 315th Training Squadron at Goodfellow AFB and is set to graduate Tech School in December. Emily Neumann is currently stationed in Korea with the Army. Steve Stark is currently stationed at Schofield Barracks, HI ,working in the S-3 shop for the 65th EN BN until a PL slot opens up. He is working towards going to Sapper School and Air Assault. Word is that Wes Whitcomb is also stationed at the same base as Steve. John Krahling is headed to the Philippines after being stationed at Camp Hansen with 3rd Marine Division Group G-8. I spoke with Jonathan Safrit (Big Safe), and he informed me that he has been working at the Virginia Museum of History and will likely be pursuing further career opportunities targeting his strong knack for American history or graduate school. Band Company’s Chris Leach wrote in and is currently working as an engineer for a HVAC company designing large scale units to control temperatures in major commercial buildings. He is currently helping coach football at a local high school and is set to be married to Miss Kayla Ann Foresman on Sept. 17, 2011, just ahead of this writing. Eddie

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CLASS NOTES Preisser is currently at Fort Bragg in jump school and is slated to deploy next fall. Laird Bryant is currently stationed with Buckland providing support to Aco, 2-16IN, 4 1BCT, 1 ID. Patrick Wentzel is currently at Eglin AFB and just finished EOD School. Jared Hendee is an infantry officer with 3rd PLT India Company, 3rd Battallion, 8th Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune and is expected to deploy in June 2012 to Afghanistan. He is currently rooming with his former roommate Preston Landt who is also stationed in Camp Lejeune with 2nd Radio BN. Berley Rister is working as a civilian with the U.S. Navy and is based out of Portsmouth, VA. Berley works mostly in Newport News, VA, and Groton, CT. Rachael Toman is now engaged to Casey McElligot ’11. For the class of 2010, I would like to thank the service of all of those within the class of 2010, the VMI Ranks and all of those that serve this great country. May all of you be safe, and I wish each and every member of the class of 2010 prosperity and continued excellence in all that you do going into the 4th quarter of 2011. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any updates that you would like to be published. Godspeed and until next time. Matthew L. Allen

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Allen McCown

Brother Rats: By now you have received your first Alumni Review. I apologize for the lack of notes in the last issue, and at printing, I believed our first notes were to be included in the fourth issue for 2011. It has been a very busy summer for many of us. I began my summer by attending Rob Jones’ wedding to the now Stephanie Jones on May 21st. I drove down with Tyler Secrest, Tyler is now living in Richmond and training for a job at VAMAC, Tyler will be moving to Manassas following the training in Richmond. VAMAC is a plumbing company that is based in Richmond and run by Chris Perry ’77. His son, Dave Perry, just began there as well, along with Jason Cobb. I saw a number of BRs at the Jones wedding including Brian Blincoe. Brian has enlisted with the Navy but is delaying his basic date until he can secure a slot in BUDs. Jake Hentges entered Navy OCS in July. I hope all is going well for Jake! Mario Giordani was in attended the wedding as well. Mario recently celebrated a one-

Class of 2010: Cody Hennelly, right, received the first-ever commendation in his jurisdiction from his police chief after quelling a 22-prisoner riot at Western Virginia Regional Jail and saving his partner who was severely beaten.

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year anniversary of his engagement and is now in the Prince William County police academy. Mario reported it has been a “more fun version of the Ratline.” I caught up with Nic Williams, who is now at IBOLC and has enjoyed some weekends in Panama City and at Auburn University on his time off. Nic also recently bought a new car, a Charger. I also saw Casey McElligott and his fiancé Racheal Toman ’10. Casey has spent part of his summer at Fort Lewis, Washington, at LDAC as a cadre member. Korey Wessel was also at Fort Lewis. Following the Jones wedding, I had the great fortune to catch up with Tyler Pumphrey and Lansing Wilson. Together with Tyler, we collectively scored an invite to a W&L wedding reception and ran into Dan Welsh ’10. Korey Tighe was married to Emma Tighe on June 26th this summer. In attendance were best man James Lockett, Curt Herron, Alex Crow, Hank Baker, Phil Pryor ’14, Colin Blake ’14 and Cory Rienecke ’14. Alex was commissioned in August at VMI. Hank is applying to work for VAMAC as well and plans to be moving to Virginia soon. James is bartending in Massachusetts until he gets stationed with the Army. A number of our BRs commissioned this summer, including Trent Gordon, who commissioned at the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. Trent was congratulated by a WWII vet just following his commission. I saw Bryan Deane at a concert recently, and he gave me the report on some LDAC commissions out in Washington – Bryan in addition to Ross Harris, Patrick Sweeney, Heidi Beemer and Michael Girardi. Brodie Gleason is currently underway as a SWO officer out of Norfolk. The Navy has Jon Twigg studying hard in Charleston, SC, in nuke school. Jon’s roommate, Nate Salatin ’09, just got a job in New York City and seems to be doing well. Quinn Wicks and Chris John recently began medical school at Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA. This summer, Chris visited his family in Germany to celebrate his mother’s promotion in the Air Force. Another medical student, Drew Luxhoj began at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. Earlier in the summer, Drew went to Spain and enjoyed surfing off the northern coast; Drew also just bought a new Xterra. One of the other students in his VCOM class is Sean McCoy ’10. Tim Brust is beginning a graduate program in field biology this fall with Auburn University. Some of our BRs are starting law school this fall including, Hunter Fede at Elon University,

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES and Sharif Gray and Luke Leichty are starting at UVA. Sharif said he hasn’t been up to much this summer other than finding an apartment with Luke in Charlottesville. Andrew Hilber will begin law school this fall in West Virginia. Shane Tierny begins at American this fall as well; best of luck to all our future lawyers! I talked to Nick Chang this summer, and he has been busy studying for the MCAT until he is off to training with the Army. I recently caught up with Vinne Do, and he had a lot of news to report. Vinnie was married this summer to Jocelyn Do and had a great wedding with a number of Keydets in attendance. Vinnie also attended Clarke Morgret’s wedding to the former Savannah Tate. Clark is now waiting to head to NFO training. Vinnie has been working at a bookstore while he waits for his November 6th report date for BOLC in Fort Lee, VA. Dylan Knehr is already at Fort Lee for BOLC. Vinnie also reported that Joe Cicero is now in the Navy and will be going to basic soon. Chris Buck is now engaged to be married November 12th. Chris will be gold barring in northern Virginia until then.

from Cam Rushton who went to Ireland after he commissioned. While there, he ran into Mark Thompson ’86, while visiting the Bunratty Castle. The two, naturally, then headed to the oldest pub in Ireland, Durty Nelly’s. They shared Old Corps and New Corps stories, and despite having never met each other, they shared the common bond of the Brotherhood and enjoyed a few pints together. Matt Deacon and Budge Hunter ’10 met up at Pebble Beach for a post graduation round of golf. Matt reported they kept their Keydet traditions true by enjoying good golf, bourbon and relaxation. Matt’s roommate, Tom Pace, reported not much had changed in his life, not engaged or a parent yet. Tom spent the summer relaxing and did a bit of traveling with his father in Western Europe. He also said he is looking forward to contributing to society when he reports to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Tom also said he will definitely be packing sunscreen. Matt Lowe dropped me an e-mail and reported his recent engagement to Kylie Turner ’12. Matt spent the summer as a police officer in Ocean City, MD, and doesn’t want to see the beach anytime soon. Matt is reporting to San Antonio, TX, to join Hunter Davis in training for Remote Piloted Aircrafts (formerly UAVs). The two will bounce between San Antonio, Pueblo, CO, and Las Vegas before being stationed. I hope Our famous handcrafted Virginia “Keeping Box”, that Matt and Hunter enjoy similar to English keeping boxes found in colonial the Southwest! homes, is now available in solid walnut or cherry Another Air Force 2nd Lt. with the VMI spider or seal with the graduate’s name/class year laser engraved into the wood. Justin Simmons is between This can serve a variety of purposes in the home training and is stationed in or office and makes an ideal gift for graduates Florida. Stephen Rhodes has that will be seen and used for many years. been enjoying the summer and is awaiting a call from As shown solid walnut the Air Force, bringing him $239.95 + S&H See website for more options to active duty. I spent a lot of the summer traveling Box actual size: 15 1/2” X 10 1/2” X 7 1/2” deep through Europe and living in Germany with my girlfriend’s family. I am now working We now offer, an award plaque with Made in Virginia by for a Solar Power company the VMI seal, name and graduation year laser engraved. This VMI alumni based in Waynesboro, VA, plaque really looks magnificent and living in Harrisonburg. If displayed proudly in the office or anyone is passing through on home! A portion of the sale proceeds 81, please drop me a line. I of each VMI plaque will be donated look forward to hearing from to the VMI Alumni Association. Order online at Only in solid cherry you. If I missed anything for www.halwoodworking.com $47.50 + S&H this Review, it’s never too late See website for more options or call toll free 800-755-8546 to let me know. Actual size: 7” X 9” email: info@halwoodworking.com Stay in touch ... Rah VA Mil! The VMI Alumni Association, c/o Hal Woodworking,, 9475 Big Island Hwy., Bedford, VA 24523 Allen McCown A number of our BRs are now at Ft. Benning, GA, including Noah Gibson, Jonathan Razak, Case Thompson and Zach Kier. Zach has had a busy summer, right after graduation he headed to Fort Knox, KY, as an instructor at lieutenant colonel teaching rappelling. While he was at Benning, Zach ran into Charles Range ’10 and Matt Graham ’10. He also saw two from our Rat class, Matt Lawson ’14 and Jonathan Vignali ’14 while they were at Airborne school. Zach said he took them out to dinner in Columbus. Shane Wilkinson will be heading to Marine basic later this year. Ronnie Ellsworth just got a Marine OCS slot. He was happy to say he is now engaged to Zipporah McCann, and they will be married at the end of August. Matt Parmer went to Italy with his parents after graduation and saw one of his Rats, Will Lawrence ’14, in Venice. Matt is working at a restaurant until he reports for the Army. A number of our BRs went abroad this summer, as well. Chris Conte went to Portugal and a few other European countries after he commissioned this summer. I got a nice e-mail

The Deluxe VMI Alumni “Keeping Box”

The e VMI Al Alumni “Plaque”

2011-Issue 4

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CLASS NOTES Stephanie and Brent D. Kennedy ’00 on March 26, 2011.

BIRTHS ALTIZER – A son, Cale Bowman, to Courtney and Clayton B. Altizer ’94 on Jan. 11, 2011.

KENNEDY – A daughter, Adelina, to Alicia and Robert S. Kennedy ’00 on April 6, 2011.

BRASHEARS – A son, Blake Fuller, to Jill and Thomas A. Brashears ’95 on Aug. 3, 2011.

SEMLER – A daughter, Madeleine Anne, to Katrina and Charles M. Semler ’00 on Nov. 9, 2010.

SUMMERS – A son, Jacob Eli, to Betsy and Benjamin K. Summers ’97 on Feb. 16, 2011.

GARRETT – A daughter, Micaela Mae, to Nicole and G. Brandon Garrett ’01 on June 3, 2011.

KEESEE – A son, William Hubert, to Lisa and Abbott W. Kessee ’00 on Aug. 25, 2011. ENGLEHARD – A daughter, Annelise Katherine, to Jennifer and Derek C. Engelhard ’00 on Aug. 4, 2011.

SIMPSON – A son, Cole William, to Kacie and Christopher W. Simpson ’01 on July 23, 2011.

MARRIAGES

KELLER – A son, Maximus Basil, to Suzy and Matthew R. Keller ’00 on June 15, 2011.

INYAMA – Heidi Sullivan to Benedict C. Inyama ’00 on July 29, 2011.

KENNEDY – A son, Luke James, to

MCCOMAS – Meredith Baker to Mat-

thew S. McComas ’00 on July 16, 2011. VORDERMARK – Annie Gordon Johnston to Matthew T. Vordermark ’00 on June 4, 2011.

DEGREES Charles M. Semler ’00 Business Villanova School of Business Philadelphia, PA June 2011

M.B.A.

Jonathan L. Saburn ’04 Naval Defense Naval Post-graduate School Monterey, CA July 2011

M.S.

Brandon K. Fellers ’05 Law University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law May 2011

J.D.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2016

APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2028

Jeffery Ken Law Jr. Ryan William Moore Alexander Witt Stilley

John Sanguigni ’54 Pat Moore ’72 Anthony T. Zoetis ’80

Grandfather Father Uncle

2017 John Lee Mullenix III Kaitlyn Marie Whitt

Charles J. Williamson ’07 George J. O’Neill ’59

Uncle Grandfather

2018 Cameron James Elkins

Benjamin W.L. Semmes Jr. ’55 Grandfather Benjamin W.L. Semmes III ’88 Uncle

2019 Madison Noelle Murphy Connor Brooks Usher

Michael K. Murphy ’64 Lee B. Usher ’90

Grandfather Father

2020

Audrey A. Hala Emily Lindsey Hala

Joseph R. Cunningham ’09 Benjamin A. Lilly ’93 Timothy J. Moriarty George J. O’Neill ’59 Lee B. Usher ’90

Stepbrother Father Uncle Grandfather Father

Alexis Carolina Atkins Heidi Lynn Hala

James D. Whalen Jr. ’94

Father

2024 Tyler Lane Benson

Nolon J. Benson Jr. ’73 Wallace G. Cox Jr. ’71

Grandfather Great-uncle

William W. Hala ’61 George J. O’Neill ’59

Grandfather Grandfather

Benjamin A. Lilly ’93

Father

2026 Ethan William Hala Jessica Louise O’Neill

2027 Ashlynn Nicole Lilly

Robert F. Atkins Jr. ’63 William W. Hala ’61

Grandfather Grandfather

David K. Grimm ’86 John C. Christian II ’93

Grandfather Grandfather

Robert F. Atkins Jr. ’63 Nolon J. Benson Jr. ’73 Wallace G. Cox Jr. ’71

Grandfather Grandfather

Burt MacKenzie ’70 Michael MacKenzie ’73 James Waller ’81

Grandfather Great-uncle Father

Edmund R. Strickler ’62 James W. Garten Jr. ’74 Michael A. Garten ’75 Matthew Garten ’84 Dermot J. Gavin ’03 James Hewitt ’94 Kirk Murray ’71 Matthew R. Keller ’00 Fred G. Kennedy Jr. ’63 Angela Vizzi Mainville ’02 John C. Christian II ’93 Col. David Fink ’67 Lee D. Badgett ’61 Leslie P. Ridout Jr. ’68 James F. White ’06

Great-uncle Grandfather Uncle Cousin Father Father Grandfather Father Grandfather Mother Grandfather Grandfather Grandfather Grandfather Father

2030 Joshua Brooks Carter Antonio Munoz

2031 Robert Fenton Atkins, III Avery John Benson

Great-uncle

2032

Sara N. Waller

2033 Elizabeth Ryan Ericson Maeghan Campbell Garten Fane

2023 Brennan Whalen

Grandfather Grandfather

2029

Carter Jacob Kennedy

Jacob Michael Johnson Katelyn Elizabeth Lilly Danielle Logan Moriarty Thomas Christopher O’Neill Zachary Charles Usher

William W. Hala ’61 William W. Hala ’61

Seamus Michael Gavin Nathan Hewitt Savannah Jean Hoffman Maximus Basil Keller Megan Marie Kennedy Vincent Toussaint Mainville Liam Munoz Frederick Josef Mustell Tamika Maxine Pierce Emelia Ridout Zachary Bryan White

VMI’s 25 Most Senior Alumni According to the records of The VMI Alumni Association, the men listed below constitute the 25 senior alumni of the Institute. Please contact the Alumni Review should any errors be noted. William E. Cantrell ’26 Richard D. Schmitz ’31 Ernest C. Johnson ’29 Thomas M. Zeledon ’30 Richard C.Wight Jr. ’30 Howard J. Bell ’33 William R. Landrum ’34 James Heine ’34 E. Lane Whitley ’34

2011-Issue 4

Oct. 17, 1905 Feb. 24, 1908 May 19, 1908 Dec. 21, 1908 May 26, 1910 Nov. 25, 1910 Dec. 3, 1910 Mar. 18, 1911 April 1, 1911

Emmett J. Heerdt ’34 John D. Todd Jr. ’34 Richard H. McCormick ’34 James E. Kirk ’36 Edwin T. Arnold ’35 James C. Sherman ’35 Gardner F. Goodwyn ’36 Randolph Tucker Jr. ’37

Feb. 27, 1912 June 30, 1912 Dec. 4, 1912 Oct. 25, 1913 Feb. 7, 1914 March 31, 1914 April 27, 1914 June 29, 1914

John A. Gialanella ’36 John H. Divine III ’36 Harry F. Byrd Jr. ’35 George C. Freeman ’35 Joseph H. Keller ’36 James A. List ’36 Joseph R. Ross ’39 W. Barton Baldwin ’37

Aug. 28, 1914 Nov. 13, 1914 Dec. 20, 1914 Jan. 27, 1915 Feb. 5, 1915 Feb. 26, 1915 June 12, 1915 July 26, 1915

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TAPS TAPS William F. Brand Jr. ’39

Nicholas H. Hobbie ’39

Col. William FitzGerald Brand Jr. ’39, USA (Ret), of Salem, Virginia, and Tyler, Texas, died on June 30, 2011. He was 92. Brand matriculated from Salem and earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from VMI. He went on to Pennsylvania State University where he earned a master of science degree in organic chemistry in 1940. After working briefly with Celanese Corporation of America, he was called to active duty in the U.S. Army as a field artillery second lieutenant in early 1941. In October 1942, he was granted a commission in the regular Army and made the Army his career for the next 31 years, retiring in 1972 as a colonel. Army decorations include the Legion of Merit with two clusters, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 12 clusters and numerous campaign ribbons. He attended branch and combined arms schools including the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College. He served in Europe twice, at the Pentagon twice and in Southeast Asia twice. In Europe during World War II, his combat unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation twice – once for the defense of St. Vith, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge and then for the capture of the bridge over the Rhine River at Remagen, Germany, in March 1945. During his second tour in Southeast Asia, he was commander of the First Air Cavalry Artillery in Vietnam. Following his retirement, he worked for his brother, Cabell, at the Stuart McGuire Company in Salem and later at the Home Shopping Network. He was inducted into the Andrew Lewis High School Hall of Fame in 1990. Predeceasing him in death were his parents, Gerald and Ruth Brand of Salem; his wife of 54 years, Yvonne, of Hoenheim, France; his daughter, Betsy; a sister; and a brother. Surviving him are his wife, Tickie, of Tyler; a son, Billy, and daughter-in-law Janet of Salem, Virginia; a son, Bobby, and daughter-in-law Debby of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; a brother, E. Cabell Brand ’44, and sister-in-law Shirley of Salem; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Holmes and Fred Smith of Alexandria, Virginia; a son-in-law, Larry, and wife Colette of Hershey, Pennsylvania; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, with special mention of deceased daughter Betsy’s three sons, Tommy, Stephen and Andrew; and several nieces and nephews.

Nicholas Hairston Hobbie ’39 of Midlothian, Virginia, died on June 14, 2011. He was 93. Hobbie matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and attended VMI for one year, four months and 15 days. While at VMI, he participated in the sports of tennis and golf. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Roanoke College. As a lieutenant during World War II, Hobbie flew the “Spitfire” with the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1940-45. Employed by the Wren Coal Company, Hobbie had served as company chairman before his retirement. He is survived by two daughters, Brown M. Hobbie and Frances H. Hill and husband Nelson, of Midlothian, Virginia. He was predeceased by his wife, Frances Maxwell Hobbie, and his son, Nicholas H. Hobbie Jr.

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Patrick W. Riddleberger ’39 Patrick Williams Riddleberger ’39, Ph.D., of Edwardsville, Illinois, died on June 4, 2011. He was 95. Riddleberger matriculated from Woodstock, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts from VMI. In 1953, he received a doctorate degree in history from the University of California. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1939-45, attaining the rank of major. A professor emeritus of historical studies at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE), Riddleberger was one of the university’s pioneers. Joining the faculty in 1960 as an associate professor in the social sciences division at the SIU-Alton campus, Riddleberger later won the SIUE Teaching Excellence Award, the SIUE Alumni Association’s Great Teacher Award and the university’s Outstanding Scholar Award. He received a Fulbright to teach in India during the 1960s and was presented a president’s award of merit in 1993. In 2000, he received an honorary doctor of humane letters from the university. Riddleberger was a prolific researcher who authored papers and books about the history of the South, especially about the American Civil War and the Reconstruction Era. He retired from SIUE in 1984 but continued his research well into his retirement years. Before joining SIUE, Riddleberger taught history at the University of Maryland for seven years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Patrick Riddleberger Jr. He is survived by his cherished friend, Tina Siegler of Carlyle, Illinois; a daughter, Anne (Gordon Litwin) Luzzatto of New York, New York; two grandchildren, Benjamin (Alexandra Tydings) Luzzatto and Marisa (Paul Neaville) Luzzatto; and five great-grandchildren.

Tyree L. Wright ’39 Tyree Lawson (Bud) Wright ’39 of Richmond, Virginia, died on June 26, 2011. He was 94. Wright matriculated from South Boston, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from VMI. In 1941-46, he served during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Pacific Theatre, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Upon separation from the military, he was employed at the Piney River Virginia Plant of the American Cyanamid Company. He retired after 25 years and joined the Virginia Manufacturer’s Association in Richmond as a vice president. He retired from the VMA in 1981 but continued as a consultant for some years. As a resident of Amherst, Virginia, he served on the Amherst Town Council and Amherst County School Board and as senior warden of Ascension Episcopal Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tyree Wright and Bessie Lawson Wright, and his wife of 59 years, Custis Carter Wright. He is survived by his children, Betsy Shires and Susan Faulconer and son-in-law Mark Faulconer; grandchildren, Emily Lawson and husband James Williams, Charles Cash and fiancée Ashley Irwin, William Cash, Mary Beth Schaeffer, Lindsay Allgood and Matthew Faulconer. He is also survived by Flannery Williams and Ruby Williams.

James E. Fortson ’43 James Edwin Fortson ’39 of Corsicana, Texas, died on June 27, 2011. He was 89. Fortson matriculated from Corsicana and attended VMI for two years and 10 days. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1943 and served as a U.S. Navy pilot during World War II. In 1959, Fortson founded the Rice Water Supply and Sewer Service Corporation as a community-owned, non-profit utility – the first water system for the City of Rice that did not involve a cistern. He served as chairman of the board for the utility until 2008. Fortson also served the Texas banking industry for more than 50 years as director and

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

TAPS chairman of the board of First State Bank of Rice and as director of First Bank and Trust of Dawson. He was a member of numerous boards and agencies in Corsicana including Soil Conservation Service, Navarro Central Appraisal District and First United Methodist Church of Corsicana. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Benjamin and Lyda McGee Fortson; his wife; brother; and sister. Surviving are his three children and their spouses, Ann and Bob Marcy of Clinton, Oklahoma, Jane and Fred Hardaway of Richardson, James Hurley Fortson of Rice, and Emily Fortson of Corsicana. Surviving grandchildren and their families are Jill and Brent Atchley and children Bryler and Madison of Clinton, Oklahoma; Todd and Emily Marcy and children Caleb and Joshua of Oklahoma City; Mary and Mitch Czuk and children Adam, James and William of Federal Way, Washington; Dixie and Don Stevenson and children Ella and Vivian of Naples, Florida; Miles and Kathryn Hardaway and children Dalton and Travis of Lubbock; Brett Hardaway, Kittie Ellis and Andrew of Garland; Jennifer Fortson and Ellie of Rice; and Jessica Fortson of San Marcos.

Robert G. Watt ’44 Robert Gilkeson Watt ’44 of Atlanta, Georgia, died on June 2, 2011. He was 89. Watt matriculated from Thomasville, Georgia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He was on the Cadet staff, golf team and played basketball for two years. Watt served in the U.S. Army infantry during World War II from 1943-46, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He was a tank commander in Europe and Asia and was later stationed in Japan. He worked for Plantation Pipeline Company and in the financial industry for 30 years, retiring from Dean Witter Morgan Stanley. He was a 50-year member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon, elder and president of the Men’s Bible Class. Later, he joined Westminster Presbyterian Church. Watt was a member of Ansley Country Club and Griffin Country Club and was also active in the Atlanta Kiwanis Club, the Tuesday Morning Prayer Group, the Breakfast Club and Stevens Ministeries. He helped establish and was former president of the Atlanta Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Presbyterian College, Mary Baldwin College, Eagle Ranch, Metropolitan Atlanta YMCA and Montreat College, where he served

2011-Issue 4

for 11 years and was named trustee emeritus. He is survived by his wife, Nell Hodgson Watt; children and grandchildren, Robert Watt Jr. of Clarksville, Georgia; Josh Watt and wife Julie and daughters Ashley and Alison of Johns Creek, Georgia; Nell Watt Hanson, husband Mark and daughters Lydia and Tait of Driggs, Idaho; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Joseph W. McCullough ’45 Joseph Watkins McCullough ’45 of Birmingham, Alabama, died on June 1, 2011. He was 86. McCullough matriculated from Birmingham and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He played football for three years, basketball for two years and track for one year. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II from 1943-45, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. During the war, he flew B-17s over Berlin and was a prisoner of war. He was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine Knudson McCullough and George Crouch McCullough; his wife of 58 years, Alice Marbury McCullough; and his brothers, Robert F. McCullough, Donald L. McCullough and John K. McCullough. He is survived by his daughter, Martha McCullough Hiden; his son, John Knudson McCullough and wife Sara; four grandchildren, Joseph McCullough Hiden, Margaret Hearin Hiden, William Marbury McCullough (Kathleen) and John Whitfield McCullough; his sisters, Ruth M. Pinkney, Shirley M. Isbell and Joan M. Scott; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Conrad F. Sauer III ’46 Conrad Frederick Sauer III ’46 of Richmond, Virginia, died on May 14, 2011. He was 87. Sauer matriculated from Richmond and attended VMI for six months. After VMI, he enlisted in the Army on Dec. 7, 1942. He was sent to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, for basic training and was then assigned to the 84th Infantry Division. He was wounded on Dec. 24, 1944, in Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge for which he received the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1945, returned to Richmond and graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in business. After the death of his father in 1954, Sauer became president of The C.F. Sauer Company. During his tenure, he significantly expanded the company’s holdings. He increased the capacity of its manufacturing plants in Green-

ville, South Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia. He started a food service division, as well as a real estate division, and made a number of acquisitions, such as Metrolina Plastics; C&T Oil Refinery; Dean Foods; a distribution center in Orlando, Florida; a barbecue sauce brand which was rebranded “Sauer’s;” and Pleasant Hardware Inc. of Richmond, in order to diversify the company’s operations. Sauer led the company through tremendous growth, increasing the number of employees from 100 to 600. He held this position until 1993 when he retired at age 70. At that time, the board of directors elected him chairman. Sauer was a member of the Commonwealth Club and the Country Club of Virginia. He was preceded in death by his brother, David, and his son, Matt. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his brother, Tremaine; four sons, Conrad, Brad, Mark and Tyler; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Frank A. Cavedo ’47 Frank Allen “Buck” Cavedo ’47, D.D.S., of Richmond, Virginia, died on May 30, 2011. He was 85. Cavedo matriculated from Richmond and attended VMI for one year, after which he joined the Army Air Corps. Following his World War II service, he graduated from the University of Richmond and, four years later, the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) School of Dentistry. He practiced dentistry at Columbia University. In 1964, he returned to Richmond where he joined Dr. Hugh O. Wrenn and Dr. William C. Williams Orthodontics practice, which later became Wrenn, Cavedo and Riley. He also taught dentistry at MCV and was a member of the local, state and American dental societies, as well as the state southern and American orthodontic societies. Cavedo was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Lynn Sprye Cavedo. He is survived by their two sons, F. Allen Cavedo III and Bradley Brent Cavedo, and his wife, Pamela Asbell Cavedo, and their two sons, Bradley B. Cavedo Jr. and Robert Walter Cavedo; two brothers, Kermit Brent Cavedo and Richard Thomas Cavedo; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Catesby B. Jones ’47 Former Head of the Society of the Cincinnati Catesby Brooke Jones ’47 of Richmond, Virginia, died on July 9, 2011. He was 86.

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TAPS Jones matriculated from Washington, D.C., and attended VMI for one year during which he played Rat football. He served in the U.S. Army infantry from 1944-46, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. After the war, he went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree from Yale University. Jones was the great-great-great-greatgrandnephew of John Catesby Cocke, a captain in the Virginia Navy during the Revolutionary War. That lineage made him eligible to be a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, formed in 1783 at the close of that war. The organization included societies from each of the 13 original states and from France, America’s ally during the war. George Washington was its first president general, serving until his death in 1799. The next Virginian to hold that office was Jones’ father, Catesby ap Catesby Jones (“ap” is the Welsh term for “son of”). In 1983 – 200 years after Washington originated the office and 25 years after his father held it – Jones became Virginia’s third president general. The Society of the Cincinnati, originally a brotherhood of officers who had fought for the cause of freedom, evolved into a group dedicated to promoting the understanding of history, particularly America’s early history. It has about 3,800 members, of whom 360 are French. Catesby B. Jones was a past president general of the Society of the Cincinnati. During his tenure as leader, the organization’s endowment increased by 50 percent, and the number of volumes in its historical library quadrupled. He did not stop working for the society when he passed the position to his successor. He was chairman of the audit committee at the time of his death and had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support the organization. Jones retired as a senior vice president of SunTrust Bank, previously named United Virginia Bank. He had also been a financial consultant and a director and officer of several corporate, civic and charitable boards. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Jeffreys Jones; a son, Catesby ap Catesby Jones of Richmond; daughters, Brooke J. Hodges of Baltimore and Elizabeth H. Hiatt of Richmond; stepsons, Steven K. Webb and Glenn E. Webb, both of Richmond; stepdaughter, Kelly W. Hagan of Richmond; a brother, William C. Jones of Richmond; and 12 grandchildren.

Ivan L. Ross ’47 Ivan Lee Ross ’47 of Birmingham, Michigan, died on May 1, 2011. He was 85.

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Ross matriculated from Covington, Kentucky, and attended VMI for one year, two months and 25 days. He earned an engineering degree from Stanford University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944-46 during World War II. Ross began his career as a mechanical engineer at Mechanical Handling Systems in Warren, Michigan, and remained with the company through several acquisitions and mergers, retiring after 38 years. He was was predeceased by a daughter, Susan Smith. Ross is survived by his wife, Betty Bramiage Ross; daughters, Mary Ann Rosenberger, JoAnne Ross and Katherine Kiousis; and deceased daughter Susan’s sons, Christopher and Andrew.

Albert C. Smith Jr. ’47 Col. Albert Cromwell Smith Jr. ’47, USMC (Ret), of Coronado, California, died on July 2, 2011. He was 85. Smith matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. His club and athletic affiliations while at VMI included the Norfolk Club (four years), Turnout (three years), Polo Club (two years) and track (one year). He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Smith served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1944-74, participating in the Korean Police Action and the Vietnam War. He was awarded two Legions of Merit with valor; Meritorious Service Medal; three Air Medals with valor; Navy Commendation Medal with valor; Army Commendation Medal; a Bronze Star with valor; the Purple Heart; and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He is survived by his wife, Laura Thaxton Smith; his three children, Albert C. Smith III of Geneva, Illinois, Elizabeth Anne Smith Storm, R.N., and her husband, Matthew T. Storm, D.D.S., of Spotsylvania, Virginia, Laura Susan Smith White and her husband, Robert S. White of Wildomar, California; and his four granddaughters, Virginia Leigh Storm, Charity Marye Storm, R.N., Catherine Emily Smith and Jennifer Ann Smith.

Woodson W. Bercaw Jr. ’48B Woodson Woods (Bill) Bercaw Jr. ’48B of Berthoud, Colorado, died on July 14, 2011. He was 83. Bercaw matriculated from Wilmington, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He was

a member of the Monogram Club and Polo Club for two years. Bercaw served for 22 years in the U.S. Army armored division – including World War II and the Korean Police Action – attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. He retired from military service at the age of 41 and began a second career as an operations research analyst for government agencies, including a senior executive service position in the Environmental Protection Agency. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Bercaw ’50B. Bercaw is survived by his children, Woodson S. Bercaw of Berthoud, Colorado, John Bercaw of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Nancy D. Bercaw of Silver Spring, Maryland; brothers, Peter Bercaw of Fort Myers, Florida, and Beauregard Bercaw of Naples, Florida; five grandchildren; his wife, Karen Bercaw of Palmyra, Virginia; and his former wife, Sue Allison of Venice, California.

Charles I. Hiltzheimer ’48B Charles Irvine Hiltzheimer ’48B of Charlottesville, Virginia, died on June 20, 2011. He was 83. Hiltzheimer matriculated from Pulaski, Virginia, and attended VMI for 3 months and 22 days. He earned an associate degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Richmond. Hiltzheimer was a member of the First Baptist Church and a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War II. For many years, he was associated with Roadway Express Inc., a prominent nationwide truck transportation company. In 1963, he joined Sea Land, six years after the company introduced containerized shipping to the transportation industry. In his 22-year career with the company, he held various positions, including executive vice president, Pacific Group. In 1975, he was appointed president of Sea Land Service Inc. and one year later was elected chairman and appointed chief executive officer of Sea Land Industries Investments Inc. Throughout his career as Sea Land’s CEO, he was recognized as a maritime industry leader. Hiltzheimer is survived by his wife, Kathleen; daughters, Linnea and Sally; son, John; and granddaughter, Heidi.

Claude E. Swecker ’48B Capt. Claude Eugene Swecker ’48B, USN (Ret), of Burlington, North Carolina, died on Feb. 26, 2011. He was 83.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

TAPS Swecker matriculated from Wytheville, Virginia, and attended VMI for one year. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He retired as a Navy captain after serving for 27 years in civil engineering, including one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. Following his Navy retirement, Swecker held the position of associate vice chancellor for business affairs at UNC-Chapel Hill for 15 years. He is survived by his wife, Heather MacDonald Swecker; four sons, Capt. Mitchell Thomas Swecker, USN (Ret), and wife Kim of Corvallis, Oregon, Chris Swecker and wife Sue of Charlotte, North Carolina, Steven Lee Swecker and wife Karen of Columbus, Ohio, and Timothy Taylor Swecker of Johnson City, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Julie, Matthew, Alex, Lauren, Ashley, Kristen and Andrew; two great-grandchildren, Bella and Beckett; a sister, Marie Flewellen and husband Bob; and a nephew, Randy Harrison.

Robert K. Waring Jr. ’50B Robert Kerr Waring Jr. ’50B of Baltimore, Maryland, died on May 1, 2011. He was 82. Waring matriculated from Palmerton, Pennsylvania, and was a Distinguished Graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He was awarded the Institute’s Jackson Hope Medal, First Honor, and was on the wrestling team for three years. He earned a doctorate degree from Yale University. Waring was employed for 30 years by the E.I. DuPont de Nemours Company as a research physicist. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Robert K. Waring Sr. ’924, who died on Aug. 27, 1989; his brother, David Lane Waring; his grandfather, James M.S. Waring ’894, who died on Oct. 23, 1946; and his uncle, Mowton LeCompte Waring ’927, who died on Oct. 28, 1990. Surviving him are his wife, Judith Malin Waring; his son, Adam LeCompte Waring of New York; his daughters, Sarah Waring Mohan and Rebecca Saunders Waring, both of Baltimore, and Ann Waring Faggard (John) of Sandpoint; and his grandchildren, William, Susannah and Rose Mohan, and Nathan and Elisabeth Faggard.

Robert A. Guthans ’51 Robert Anthony Guthans ’51 of Mobile, Alabama, died on June 5, 2011. He was 82. Guthans matriculated from Mobile and

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earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from VMI. He served in the U.S. Army, chemical warfare, during the Korean War from 1951-53, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. After his military service, he returned to Mobile where he worked for Southern Industries Corporation as vice president of corporate development. He later served as president of B.R. Dredging Co. and retired as president and CEO of Midstream Fuel Service Inc. Active in many business and civic organizations, Guthans was a member of the board of trustees of Spring Hill College and the VMI Foundation. He was also a board member of Amsouth Bank, Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Alabama, the Industrial Development Board of Mobile, the Business Council of Alabama and the American Club. Additionally, he served as chairman of the American Waterways Operators and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club. Guthans was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Loretta Couvillion Guthans. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Taylor Guthans; children, Robert A. Guthans Jr. (Tami), Jeanie Guthans Wilkins (Richard) and daughter-in-law, Lynn Turner Guthans; grandchildren, C. Richard Wilkins Jr., Christopher Wilkins, Michael Wilkins, Robert A. Guthans III and Taylor Lynn Guthans; sister, Gretchen Guthans Rehm; and many nieces and nephews.

Clarence E. May Jr. ’51 Clarence Edward May Jr. ’51 of Richmond, Virginia, formally of Raleigh, North Carolina, died on July 25, 2011. He was 82. May matriculated from Bridgewater, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers for three years and was on the Cadet staff for one year. May served in the U.S. Marine Corps infantry during the Korean War from 1951-55, attaining the rank of captain. He was awarded two Purple Hearts. He retired in 1984 as the eastern Virginia sales engineer with Price Brothers Pressure Pipe. May was a member of The Friends of Preston Library and The Institute Society, as well as a former VMI Alumni Association chapter president. He was predeceased by his parents, Frances and Clarence Edward May; and his first wife, Eleanor Neild May.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Vinson May; daughters, Gayle May Moody, her husband, Brad, and son, Bradley, of Raleigh, North Carolina, and daughter Claire May; granddaughter, Nicole Bruno, and grandson, Mathew Bruno, of Charlotte, North Carolina; stepdaughter, Melissa V. Christian, and Mark A. Christian, Cadet Mark A. Christian Jr. ’12, Elizabeth and Katie Christian; stepson, Thomas T. Vinson III, and Thomas T. Vinson IV, Leigh Anne Vinson, Tessa Elizabeth Vinson and Kathleen Vinson; and caregiver, Sayonara Hanks.

William M. Zollman Jr. ’52 William Marshall Zollman Jr. ’52 of Roanoke, Virginia, died on June 24, 2011. He was 80. Zollman matriculated from Lexington, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers for two years. Zollman served in the U.S. Army from 195255, including 14 months in Korea, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. Before leaving the Army, he had attained the rank of first lieutenant. When his military duty was complete, he obtained the position of city engineer in Fairfax City, Virginia, and from 1961-67, served as city manager. He then joined the firm of Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern, where he remained until his retirement in 1999. He is survived by his wife, Jean Kreienbaum Zollman; daughter, Katherine Dillard and husband Edwin; granddaughters, Courtney and Leigh Dillard, all of Chattanooga, Tennessee; sisters, Mary Florence of LaJolla, California, Doris Womeldorf of Lexington, Virginia, and Jo Ann Tate of Dalton, Pennsylvania.

Thomas E. Beauchamp ’56 Col. Thomas Evan Beauchamp ’56, USA (Ret), of Palm Coast, Florida, died on Sept. 25, 2009. He was 74. Beauchamp matriculated from Castlewood, Virginia, and attended VMI for one year. He pursued further college studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Webster University. In the U.S. Army, he rose to the rank of full colonel, and as an aviator, flew helicopters. He served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, as well as other decorations and awards. While still active in the Army Reserve, Beauchamp served for 20 years in a civilian capacity as commanding operations officer for

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TAPS the 123rd Army Reserve Command. He is predeceased by his sibling, Beech Beauchamp. He is survived by his wife, Bobbe; daughters, Amanda Kae Beauchamp Sauls (David) and Annette Beauchamp Gaunce (Mike); son, Evan Alonzo Beauchamp (Haley); grandchildren, Jordan, Morgan, Adam, Stone and Cooper; and sister, Carolyn Capelli (Steve).

William H. Higinbotham Jr. ’56 William Hopwood Higinbotham Jr. ’56, D.D.S., of Suffolk, Virginia, died on May 30, 2011. He was 76. Higinbotham matriculated from Suffolk and earned a bachelor of arts degree in biology from VMI. He participated in track for four years. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1957-64, attaining the rank of first lieutenant and earned a doctor of dental science degree from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 1962. He was a member of the American Dental Association, Virginia Dental Association, Tidewater Dental Association, Fellow International College of Dentists, Academy of General Dentistry, Portsmouth-Suffolk Dental Study Club and Southeastern Medical Dental Society and was an active staff dentist at Louise Obici Memorial Hospital and Hillhaven Nansemond Nursing Center. Higinbotham served on the Suffolk School Board from 1971-78, Suffolk City Council from 1982-90, Virginia Municipal League Education Committee from 1984-90 and Governor’s Advisory Committee Planning District 20 from 1985-89. He also served as chairman of Downtown Suffolk Revitalization Commission from 1994-96. He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church, where he had served on the Administrative Board and as chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee. He has been a member of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Franklin-Suffolk Chapter of The VMI Alumni Association, American Legion Post 57, BPOE #685, Traveler Protective Association, Troop 1 Boy Scout Committee, Progressive Men’s Club, United Way, Salvation Army Building Committee, SuffolkNansemond Historical Society, Riddick’s Folly, Virginia Art League and Suffolk Art League. Higinbotham was predeceased by his first wife, Doris Leigh Kiser Higinbotham. He is survived by his wife, Joanna Taylor Higinbotham; two daughters, Susan Higinbotham-Conner and husband Michael of Richmond, and Mary Keith Floyd and husband

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Daniel of Lakewood, Colorado; son, William Edward Higinbotham and wife Edith Saecker Higinbotham of Suffolk; five grandchildren, Ann Wellington Higinbotham, Sarah Mills Higinbotham, Taylor Leigh Conner, Jacob William Floyd and Madeline Avery Floyd.

Paul E. Johnson ’58 Paul Edwin Johnson ’58, M.D., of Houston, Texas, died on July 16, 2011. He was 74.

Johnson, who matriculated from Miami, graduated from VMI with a bachelor of arts degree in biology. As a cadet, he was a member of the Honor Court. In addition to his VMI degree, Johnson held a bachelor of science degree from the University of North Dakota and a doctor of medicine degree from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, where he completed his residency in otolaryngology. He was a faculty member at Baylor College of

Charles C. Schoen III ’56 by Scott E. Belliveau ’83, Director of Communications, VMI Foundation

Successful businessman and prominent Atlanta-area civic leader, Charles C. (Sonny) Schoen III ’56, died on May 10, 2011. He was 77. A third-generation cadet, Schoen matriculated from Atlanta, Georgia, in 1952. As a cadet, he was a member of the Honor Court for two years and served as its vice president in his first class year. He was active on the Hop Committee for three years. He was a lieutenant in Bravo Company and a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Deep South Club. After graduating from VMI with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and as a Distinguished Military Graduate, Schoen served in the U.S. Army as a field artillery officer for six months. He worked for Kaiser Aluminum in Maryland for a year before returning to Atlanta and joining the family company, Electrical Insulation Suppliers Inc., which was started by his grandfather, Charles C. Schoen ’898. After the death of his father and uncle in 1963, Schoen became the company’s president. Working closely with his brother and a cousin, Schoen expanded the company Schoen III ’56 from one location in Atlanta to 44 locations across the country. He retired from the business in 1992, after it was sold. An active professional citizen, Schoen served as president of the Electrical and Electronic Materials Distributor Association and was a member of the Young Presidents Organization and the Chief Executives Organization. Schoen was also actively involved in many civic and religious organizations. He was a member of the Buckhead Civitan Club and the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation. He served on the board of trustees of The Cathedral of Saint Philip and on the boards of The Episcopal Media Center, Buckhead Christian Ministry, Windsong Ministries and Young Life Northwestern Atlanta. A consistent supporter of the Institute, Schoen was a trustee of the VMI Foundation from 1985-92. He made donations to many funds, including the Foundation Fund, the Keydet Club Scholarship Fund and the Coach John McKenna Football Scholarship. In 1988, he established the Schoen Family Fund, the purpose of which is to provide for faculty development and supplemental pay to attract and retain professors who are VMI graduates. He was the chairman of the Class of 1956’s 25th and 50th Reunion Fund Committees and, with the latter, presided over an effort that raised more than $15.5 million in gifts and commitments in support of VMI. At the time, this result marked the third consecutive year in which a 50th Reunion Fund had set a new record for donations. Schoen is survived by his two children, Laura Schoen Warren and Charles C. Schoen IV ’86, as well as his brother, two sisters, five grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. His wife, Ann Yates Schoen, who he married in 1960, predeceased him.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

TAPS Medicine for over 25 years, serving as professor of surgery and chief of the otolaryngology service at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center. Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959-63 in law enforcement and was stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana, working as squadron commander of a Strategic Air Command military police unit. He attained the rank of captain. He is survived by four sons, Paul E. Johnson of Taos, New Mexico, Victor S. Johnson of Seattle, Washington, James M. Johnson of Houston, Texas, and George D. Johnson of Taos, New Mexico; three grandchildren, Savannah, Scott and Erin Johnson; cousin, Bill Hiddle of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and dear friends, Cynthia Cox, Jonathan Simmons and Richard Brent Simmons of Houston, Texas.

the Institute of Electrical Engineers and the fencing team. He went on to earn a master of business administration degree from Florida State University and a doctorate degree from Texas A&M University. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, O’Hern attended the IndusDaniel H. Marston ’60 trial College of the Armed Forces Daniel Hoover Marston ’60 of and was awarded the Meritorious Bristol, Virginia, died on May 14, Service Medal, Air Force Com2011. He was 73. mendation Medal and Legion of Marston matriculated from AlMerit. exandria, Virginia, and earned a Gough ’60 O’Hern was partner and chief bachelor of science degree in civil financial officer of Technology engineering from VMI. He served in the U.S. Army in the infantry Strategies & Alliances in Fairfax, Virginia. He is survived by a daughter, Shannon Kathdivision from 1962-64, attaining the rank of leen, and a son, Sean Patrick O’Hern. captain. He was employed by and had retired from Willis J. Wichlei ’59 the Virginia Department of Transportation, Raymond C. Cullen ’66 Willis Jones (Bill) Wichlei ’59 of Saluda, North where his last position was Bristol District Raymond Charles Cullen ’66 of Richmond, Carolina, died on May 18, 2011. He was 73. administrator. Virginia, died on Feb. 7, 2011. He was 67. Wichlei graduated from VMI with a bachelor He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Although born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of science degree in electrical engiand Jessee Marston of Edinburg. he matriculated from Topeka, Kansas, and neering and also earned a master’s He is survived by his wife, Nancy earned a bachelor’s degree in history from VMI. degree in business education from King Marston; several cousins; and As a cadet, he was described by his classmates The Citadel. many friends. as “the perfect private’s’ lieutenant.” He roomed In 1962, he was hired by Vitro with Peter Charrington, Peter V. Farley and Laboratories as manager of opPaul B. Maini throughout his cadetship. They Nelson B. Prince ’62 erations at the Charleston Naval Nelson Brian Prince ’62 of Wil- remained Brothers until his passing. Base. He later held positions with Following graduation, Cullen settled in liamston, North Carolina, died on Tracore and Northstar. Richmond. He worked for Shell Oil, Wheat July 12, 2011. He was 70. He is survived by his wife, Linda Prince matriculated from Miam- First Securities and was a co-owner of Dynasty Wichlei; daughter, Christy Monisburg, Ohio, and earned a bachelor World Travel. Wichlei ’59 teith and husband Edmund of Most recently, he served as president of of science degree in chemistry from Blythewood, South Carolina; son, VMI. He was a member of the VMI United Leasing Corporation in Richmond. Bill Wichlei of Lexington, South Carolina; Commanders for three years and on the swim He also served as past president of the VMI son, Brian Wichlei of Ormond Beach, Florida; team for four years. Club of Richmond, Pediatric Liver Associasix grandchildren, Brandon Bogle, Krystyna In addition to his VMI degree, he held a mas- tion, Ronald McDonald House and Richmond Bogle, Zachary Wichlei, Allyson Wichlei, Grant ter’s degree from the University of Maine. Bonsai Society. Wichlei and Ian Wichlei; his stepbrother, RichCullen was a member of the VMI Institute He was employed by Weyerhaeuser Company ard Wichlei of Madison, Wisconsin; his father- and had retired after 39 years of service. Society, the Virginia Historical Society, Lewis in-law, Woodrow Wilson Warner of Johnson He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; daugh- Ginter Botanical Garden, the Virginia Museum City, Tennessee; his sisters and brothers-in-law, ters, Amanda Prince Peele and husband John, of Fine Arts, the Richmond Bonsai Society and Carol and Tom Foster, Sandy and Larry Hudson, and Elizabeth Prince Bartolomeo, both of Ra- St. Bridget Catholic Church. and their children, Gregg, Michelle, Lea and leigh; sister, Gayle Prince Shorter of Camden, Loving husband, wonderful father, adoring John Paul; and many friends. Alabama; brother, Dr. John Prince of South Am- grandfather, loyal friend, avid gardener and hurst, Ohio; and grandchildren, Brian Carter Renaissance man, he will be missed by those whose lives he touched. George R. Gough ’60 Peele and Elizabeth Lynn Bartolomeo. He was predeceased by his father, Lt. Col. George Rawlings (Buck) Gough ’60 of Mason, Dorsey Hurd Cullen ’933, and mother, Isabel Michigan, died on July 16, 2011. He was 73. Wayne L. O’Hern ’63 Gough matriculated from Port Huron, MichiWayne Laverne O’Hern Jr. ’63, Ph.D., of Kearney Cullen; a sister, Isabel Horner; brother, gan, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in Arlington, Virginia, died on July 14, 2011. He Peter Cullen; and great-uncle, Simon Cullen ’867, who died on Dec. 12, 1891. history from VMI. He was a member of the VMI was 70. Cullen is survived by his wife, Annie Flye Commanders for four years and participated in O’Hern matriculated from Arlington and golf for one year. He went on to earn his master earned a bachelor of science degree in elec- Cullen; sons, Matthew Hurd Cullen and his of business administration degree from the trical engineering from VMI. As a cadet, he wife, Randall, and Thomas Kearney Cullen University of Michigan. was a member of the Baptist Student Union, of Richmond, Virginia; granddaughters,

2011-Issue 4

Gough was a partner and vice president of sales and marketing with Computer Health Products of Michigan. He is survived by his son, Douglas, and was predeceased by his son, Michael.

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TAPS Katherine Ann Cullen and Jane Randall Cullen; his brother, Dorsey and his wife, Karen, of San Diego, California, Philip of Bay Pines, Florida; and brother David, sister Mary Cullen Lynch, both of Topeka, Kansas; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, including Frank M. Horner ’82.

Christopher C. Rackley ’71 Christopher Carson Rackley ’71 of Richmond, Virginia, died on June 6, 2011. He was 61. Rackley matriculated from Mineral, Virginia, and attended VMI for one year, four months and 22 days. As a cadet, he was a member of the Baptist Student Union, Glee Club, band, cross country team and track team for one year. He graduated from the University of Richmond and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. For over 40 years, Rackley served churches in Surry, Mine Run (Orange County), Partlow (Spotsylvania County), Amherst and Prince William. At the time of his death, he was the pastor of Elko Union Church in Sandston, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Susan Buchanan Rackley; his daughter, Jennifer Blair Rackley; his son, James Christopher Rackley; his mother, Florence (Peggy) Sieg; sister, Bette Vaughn; brothers, David Rackley (Connie), Rev. Sam Sieg (Kathy), George Sieg (Leigh Ann) and Robert Sieg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Robert V. Bailey III ’72 Robert Victor (Zirc) Bailey III ’72 of Arlington, Virginia, died on Jan. 12, 2011. He was 60. Bailey matriculated from Arlington and graduated from VMI with a bachelor of arts degree in English. As a cadet, he was on the Bomb staff for three years, was a member of the lacrosse team for two years and participated in VMI Theatre. Bailey served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972-74. He was a program analyst for the U.S. Coast Guard/CG 926 and had recently retired. He is survived by his wife, Karen Lesher Bailey; two daughters, Clare E. Bailey and Mary M. Bailey; a son, Patrick S. Bailey; and brother-in-law, Matthew J. Carter ’85, who lives in Burke, Virginia.

Michael W. Burks ’73 Michael Waldemar Burks ’73 of Mechanicsville, Virginia, died on May 19, 2011. He was 60. Burks matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree

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in electrical engineering from VMI. He was a member of the Civil War Roundtable, Institute of Electrical Engineers, Rifle & Pistol Club and the rugby team. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1974-82 in the Signal Corps, attaining the rank of captain. Burks had been employed with Virginia Power as a supervisor in the Transmission Engineering Department. He was preceded in death by his father, Waldemar Epple, and his stepfather, Ramon L. Burks. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Saum Burks; mother, Gerda Burks; and many family members and friends.

Eric L. Buchanan ’83 Col. Eric Leon Buchanan ’83, USAF (Ret), of New Port Richey, Florida, died on May 17, 2011. He was 50. Buchanan matriculated from Wharton, New Jersey, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He also held a master of science degree in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Buchanan served in the U.S. Army from 1983-94 in the Signal Corps, attaining the rank of captain. In 1994, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserve. During his military service, he took part in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. In his last position, he was employed with the U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida. Buchanan was predeceased by his parents, Leon and Joan Buchanan. He is survived by his wife, Anna; son, James and daughter-in-law Karolina of Amsterdam, Netherlands; daughter, Rosina Cavano of Port Richey, Florida; granddaughter, Miliana; grandson, Danny; and sister, Susan of Vienna, Virginia.

Howard J. Cook III ’01 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Howard June Cook III ’01, TNG, of San Antonio, Texas, died on July 7, 2011. He was 31. Cook matriculated from West Point, Virginia, and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from VMI. Prior to joining the Texas National Guard, he was a decorated veteran in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and served in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, both during and after his cadetship.

Howie Cook, left, pictured with his wife, Shelley, and Brig. Gen. Tim Crosby after graduation from the U.S. Army Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in May 2010. This photo appeared with the class of 2001 class notes in the 2010-Issue 4 Alumni Review. At the time of his death, Cook was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan as a Blackhawk pilot, having graduated with honors from flight school. He is survived by his wife, Shelley Valentine Cook, and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Howard J. Cook Jr.

Michael W. Newton ’03 Capt. Michael Wray Newton ’03, USA, died on June 11, 2011, of a non-combat related incident while serving in Faryab Province, Afghanistan. His obituary appears in the OEF/OIF Update section of this Alumni Review.

Death in the VMI Family Edward P. Joyce Former Sports Information Director Edward Patrick Joyce of Asheboro, North Carolina, died on May 30, 2011. He was 75. Joyce graduated from the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary. A lifelong Redskin and Senator fan, he was a journalist and radio broadcaster. He worked at the Richmond Times-Dispatch; was Sports Information director at VMI; was a sports writer with the Charleston Post and Courier; and was a long-time radio broadcaster in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. He is survived by his daughters, Ayn-Martha Joyce and Julia Domenick, both of Jesup, Georgia; son, Mark Joyce of Asheboro, North Carolina; the mother of his children, Faith Joyce of Jesup; and grandchildren, Collin and Hannah Joyce of Asheboro and Taylor Domenick of Jesup.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

THE VMI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY The VMI Alumni Association, Inc. President

Randolph M. Blanks ’67 4773 Charter Ct. Woodbridge, VA 22192 vmi67@comcast.net

First Vice President Robert A. Heely ’69 507 Westover Ave. Norfolk, VA 23507 bob_heely@wcbay.com

Second Vice President Edgar J.T. Perrow Jr. ’96 PO Box 3133 Lynchburg, VA 24503-0133 tperrow@wwassociates.net

The VMI Foundation, Inc.

Executive Vice President

President

Walton M. Jeffress Jr. ’68

Adam C. Volant ’88 P.O. Box 932 Lexington, VA 24450 avolant@vmiaa.org

President

William A. Paulette ’69

Thomas W. Davis ’64 davistw@vmi.edu

Richmond P. Lykins Jr. ’73 1882 Elmhurst Dr. Germantown, TN 38138 vmi73agent@aol.com

Brian S. Crockett

The VMI Keydet Club, Inc.

Historian

Immediate Past President

Chief Executive Officer

Directors at Large

Chief Executive Officer Gregory M. Cavallaro ’84

Terms Expire June 30, 2013 Jamel Lynch Jr. ’94 region2aetchair2003@yahoo.com Michael Soares ’75 mLodington@gmail.com

Terms Expire June 30, 2014 Terms Expire June 30, 2012 Walter Chalkley ’72 waltchalkley@aol.com Kenneth Herbert ‘81 kherbert81@cox.net Matthew Hemenez ’90 mhemenez@surefire.com Dallas Clark ‘99 clarkdb@vmi.edu

Region/ Director

Chapter Name

Chapter President

President’s E-mail

Russell Shun Takata ’74 John D. Bolt ’99 Todd E. Arris ’87 James R. Farmer ’68 Thomas R. Clark III ’73 Max H. Hopkins ’97 Andre J. Gibson ’78 Trent L. Boggs ’83 Matthew L. Wilson ’89 Kenneth S. Krynski ’89

russell.takata@yahoo.com jdbolt@hotmail.com tearris@gmail.com seattlefarmer@comcast.net vmiman@comcast.net hoppymh@gmail.com andrejg@aol.com tboggs@gci.com mwilson@goldfc.com krynskiks@pendleton.usmc.mil

Russell Shun Takata ’74 Matthew R. Hemenez ’90 Todd E. Arris ’87 James R. Farmer ’68 William V. Trumpore ’89 Nathaniel P. Ward IV ’65 Peter H. Lyons ’54 Marcus Bruce Paine ’81 Joseph S. Howard III ’97 John D. Christie ’59

San Antonio Centex Chicago Kansas City, Missouri North TX - Dallas Rio Grande SE TX - Houston Southwest Ohio St. Louis Detroit Little Rock Bluegrass Third Coast (Corpus Christi) Oklahoma

Robert R. Costigan ’70 Stephen J. Barcik III ’85 Christopher L. Haney ’00 Jeffrey D. Vordermark ’79 Timothy S. Feagans ’90 Alexander E. Woelper ’80 Joseph J. Leonard Jr. ’83 Michael A. Demers ’80 Harry W. Gore Jr. ’72 David C. Hagemann ’80 James F. Dittrich ’76 Gregory G. McDearmon ’99 Walter J. Kleine ’63 Hamel B. Reinmiller ’98

bcosti@mindspring.com steve.barcik@htds2.com haneycl@yahoo.com vordermark@juno.com TFeagans@robertlynn.com alexw@enconinternational.com Joseph.J.Leonard@uscg.mil michael.demers2@wpafb.af.mil goreharry@vmialumni.org dhag80@aol.com jim_dittrich@leisurearts.com ggmcd34@earthlink.net WKleine@STX.RR.com HBRvmi98@vmialumni.org

Jimmie V. Thurmond ’56 Jeffrey L. Minch ’73 Donald A. Noschese Jr. ’92 Todd J. Jacobs ’90

Greater Rhode Island New England NY City - Long Island North Jersey

Patrick L. McGuire ’85 Patrick J. Griffin ’80 Robert A. Munno ’81 Richard C. Wolffe Jr. ’78

magsvmi@email.com anchors80@comcast.net ram81vmi@hotmail.com RWolffe@tspcapitalmgt.com

Patrick L. McGuire ’85 John W. Wainwright III ’82 John R. Gibney Jr. ’80

Thomas M. Wirth ’98 Duane E. Williams ’66 Frederick J. Killmeyer IV ’95 Allan R. Berenbrok ’80

twirth@mragta.com dwilliams@pa.net rkillmeyer@mcintyre-group.com allan.berenbrok@tetratech.com

Thomas J. Hickey Jr. ’68 Lester C. Martin ’68 John T. Pace IV ’77 Robert A. Lane ’75

Terence L. Bowers ’68 Thomas N. Daniel Jr. ’60 Charles C. Schoen IV ’86 John R. Savage ’74 Robert P. Quarles III ’80 William E. Kirby III ’96 Christopher R. Jones ’96

terrybowers@vmialumni.org tomdaniel60@charter.net cschoen@ironwoodins.com

Raymond R. Lawson ’81 Campbell C. Hyatt III ’65 Charles C. Schoen IV ’86 Steve E. Hively ’72 Philip J. Altizer Jr. ’80 Charles S. Sanger ’82 Kevin L. Snell ’82

Hawaii Greater Los Angeles Bob Clingenpeel ’69 Northern California Pacific Northwest bclingenpeel1@ Rocky Mountain gmail.com San Diego Inland Empire Chapter Alaska Arizona Las Vegas

Region I Far West

Region II Midwest

Jim Dittrich ’76

jim.dittrich @leisurearts.com

Region III Northeast

Felix Wolkowitz ’75 fwolkowitz@ wolkowbraker.com

Region IV Mid Atlantic

Baltimore Central Keystone Peter Charrington ’66 Delaware Valley pcharrin@ Western PA - Pittsburgh comcast.net

Region V Southeast

Augusta Appalachian Atlanta heidimason@aol.com Coastal GA - South Carolina Midsouth Middle TN - Nashville East TN - Knoxville Heidi F. Nagel ’02

2011-Issue 4

rpquarles@buckman.com ktkirby@comcast.net crj2112@gmail.com

Chapter Representative

Walter E. Woelper Sr. ’42 Steven P. Weiss ’86 Michael A. Demers ’80 Robert C. Polk ’61 Mark A. Benvenuto ’83 Hugh R. Hill ’85 M. Douglass Payne ’73 David R. Yockel Jr. ’90

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THE VMI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY Region/ Director

Chapter Name

Chapter President

President’s E-mail

Chapter Representative

Club of the Triad Cape Fear Central NC - Raleigh Charlotte Camp Lejeune/Crystal Coast

Jeffrey B. Morrison ’99 Charles L. Toomey ’74 Michael J. Tutor ’96 Michael S. Anderson ’88 Stephen L. Skakandy ’01 (C) John Moder ’98 (AD)

roo1999@gmail.com toomeyl@pinehurst.net mjtutor@hotmail.com mike.anderson@allentate.com Stephen@SkakandyGroup.com

Charles H. Alligood ’61 Charles L. Toomey ’74 Jonathan D. Atkins ’98 James A. Sharp ’93

Brendan A. Kearney ’03

bakearney@hotmail.com

Birmingham Central Florida Mobile NE Florida - Jacksonville Southern Florida Tennessee Valley West Coast FL - Tampa Southwest Florida-Fort Meyer Greater New Orleans Mississippi The Villages - Florida

William H. Cather Jr. ’65 James G. Joustra Jr. ’76 Charles M. Rogers IV ’83 Jason M. Goldstein ’02 John A. Weekes Jr. ’97 Herbert U. Fluhler ’77 Larry L. Fluty ’78 Bradford T. Herrell ’01 Rhys D. Williams ’07 P. Wells Griffith III ’05 Walter L. Chalkley ’72

billcather@bellsouth.net jim.joustra@walgreens.com max.rogers@mobileinfirmary.org jmgoldstein@mactec.com jweekeslaw@gmail.com huf2000@aol.com lfluty@tbegroup.com vmigrad1@hotmail.com rhys.david.williams@gmail.com wellsgriffith@gmail.com waltchalkley@aol.com

William H. Cather Jr. ’65

New River Valley Lynchburg Roanoke

bmadison@themadisonfamily.net William A. Madison ’90 Christopher M. Boswell ’00 chrisboswellvmi@gmail.com Christopher D. Copenhaver ’99 chrisc@protossecurity.com

William A. Madison ’90 John T. McCarthy ’87 J. Patrick Henderson ’99

N. Shenandoah Valley Chapter Charlottesville Blue Ridge Rockbridge County Allegheny Highlands Stonewall Jackson

W. Douglas Thomas ’65 James E. Duncan ’98 G. Wayne Eastham ’76 Thomas E. Jenks III ’67 T. Troy Barbour ’89 Jason K. Gruse ’97

wdtllt@comcast.net jim@realcentralva.com weastham@carrhyde.com tedjenks@comcast.net troy.barbour@hcahealthcare.com jasongruse@hotmail.com

Kevin J. Callanan ’78 Mark H. Bryant ’77 R. Edward Duncan ’60 Lewis V. Graybill ’62 Harrison L. Fridley Jr. ’61 Roger A. Jarrell II ’91

Eastern Shore

lbcpa2@verizon.net dtyler4@cox.net joshua.p.priest@navy.mil ed.plucinski@hanson.com ghaste@associatedcontracting.com jrowe66@cox.net

Thomas F. Wilson ’80

Norfolk Peninsula Virginia Beach Western Tidewater

Robert W. Leatherbury ’80 David G. Tyler IV ’86 Joshua P. Priest ’80 Edward M. Plucinski ’86 Gary J. Haste ’77 John L. Rowe Jr. ’66

George C. Marshall Potomac River

Douglas B. Warner ’03 William C. Collier ’72

douglas.warner1@gmail.com wcol72@aol.com

G. Anthony Esteve ’00

Richmond Tri Cities

William R. Charlet ’01 William H. Talley IV ’77

wcharlet@investdavenport.com wht4@whts.com

Samuel N. Stocks ’90 Augustus Robbins III ’47

Rappahannock Richard Duke ’90

Fredericksburg - Quantico Rappahannock Williamsburg Southside

Carl J. DeBernard Jr. ’94 Stephen E. Wilson ’68 Peter J. Kokolis ’96 George D. Dyer ’66

carl.debernard@dhs.gov sewilson68@verizon.net pkokolis@cox.net spookfive@aol.com

R. C. Thompson III ’74 Robert B. Powell ’63 Jim E. Henry ’68

Region XIV Pacific Rim

Thailand Taiwan

Vaipot Srinual ’72 Ching-Pu Chen ’85

chingpu@saturn.yzu.edu.tw

Europe

Italy

Steven G. Cade ’87

steven.cade@us.army.mil

Region VI Carolinas

Charles Ramsburg ’66

clramsburg@gmail.com

Palmetto, South Carolina Coastal Carolina, SC

Region VII Deep South Jim Joustra ’76 Jim.Joustra@ Walgreens.com

Region VIII Southwest VA Bland Massie ’77

super77@vmialumni.org

Region IX Shenandoah Valley Ted Jenks ’67 tedjenks@ comcast.net

Region X Hampton Roads Asa Page III ’79 vmi79@verizon.net Douglas Burdett ’82 douglasburdett@ yahoo.com

Karl L. Klinar ’54 Steve E. Hively ’72

John H. Friend III ’82 Grafton D. Addison III ’82 Christopher R. Jones ’72 Raymond J. Pietruszka ’77 Andrew M. Neff ’79 Brett R. Martin ’00

James A. Parsons ’80 David J. Trenholm ’70 H. Ali Mahan ’80 Oliver D. Creekmore ’66

Region XI Metro D.C.

Sean Boyle ’91

boyle100@comcast.net

Steve Nakazawa ’03

steve.nakazawa@gmail.com

Region XII Central VA

Hilbert Wilkinson III ’94 vmirichmondnetwork @gmail.com

Samuel Stocks ’90

sstocks@kbsgc.com

Region XIII rduke@ mcguirewoods.com

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Vaipot Srinual ’72 Ching-Pu Chen ’85

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS In June 2011, Tom McKenna, a West Point graduate from Stowe, Vermont, wrote to ask for a photo of one of his best friends, the late Walter R. McCarthy ’54. His intent was to post the photo on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website to honor those who fought and died in the Vietnam War. McCarthy was killed in Vietnam on June 16, 1962. According to McKenna, McCarthy’s name is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 01E Line10. McKenna wrote that the memorial fund administrators have received congressional approval to build an education center at the same site as the memorial, and they are collecting photos to match each of the over 58,000 names on the Wall. McCarthy’s photo and complete profile appear on a virtual Wall at http://www.vvmf.org/thewall/ Wall_Id_No=36175.

of business transactions and in call-in show features people who the planning and administration have converted to Catholicism of estates, foundations and trusts. from another religion or those He is an accredited estate planner who are returning to it. Werth and serves on the Hampton Roads converted to Catholicism in Tax Forum, Hampton Roads 1988. After losing his wife and Estate Planning Council and the daughter in a tragic automobile Professional Advisors Committee accident, he studied to become a of the Hampton Roads ComCatholic priest and was ordained munity Foundation. This is the Dolph IV ’70 in 2007. He currently serves fourth year in a row that Dolph parishoners in the Diocese of has been selected by Charlotte, North Carolina. Virginia Super Lawyers in the Werth matriculated from Marion, Virginia, Estate Planning and Probate, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s Business and Corporate, and Tax degree in English. He earned a juris doctor categories. degree from the University of Virginia. Dolph matriculated from North Post Office, Virginia, and graduNathaniel “Chip” Beaman IV ’74 was ated from VMI with a bachelor’s named president of the Norfolk & Portsdegree in English. He earned a mouth Bar Association (NPBR) on May 25, master’s degree from Marshall- 2011. The NPBR serves Norfolk, Virginia Wythe Law School and a juris Beach, Portsmouth McCarthy ’54 doctor degree from T.C. Wil- and Chesapeake Cyrus A. Dolph IV ’70 was liams School of Law. areas. In his new named a Super Lawyer in the 2011 edition role, Beaman is reof Virginia Super Lawyers. Dolph has repFrederick M. Werth III ’70 was featured sponsible for leadresented large and small companies, founda- on the show “Journey Home” which aired ing the 868-member tions, non-profits, individuals and financial July 25, 2011, on the Eternal Word Televi- organization and is institutions. He advises clients in a variety sion Network. The hour-long interview/ facilitating growth and change within the current economic climate. Beaman IV ’74 Beaman matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in

William I. Rodier III ’64, Ph.D., above, far right, is holder of the Francis W. de Serio Chair of Strategic and Theater Intelligence, which was awarded by the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The chair is funded by an endowment from Charlotte H. Watts, third from left, in honor of her late husband, Francis W. de Serio. According to the USAWC Foundation website, “The de Serio Chair provides the incumbent with opportunities to expand and exchange knowledge with students, faculty, the National Intelligence Community and Unified Command intelligence organizations on the critical role of intelligence in the formulation of national and theater security and strategy, and to enhance public understanding of the vital contributions of strategic intelligence to national security affairs.” The USAWC Academic Chairs recognize and honor faculty members who have made significant contributions to the college’s mission. Rodier matriculated from Yonkers, New York, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Hollins College and a doctorate degree from the University of Virginia.

2011-Issue 4

Gale F. Sommers ’72, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Professional Warranty Service Corp., received the CFO of the Year Award (Real Estate) from the Washington Business Journal (WBJ) on July 14, 2011. Pictured, WBJ Publisher Alex Orfinger, left, and Editor Doug Fruehling, right, presented the real estate category award to Sommers at the fifth annual WBJ award event in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

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ALUMNI NEWS history. He earned a juris doctor degree from the College of William & Mary. He is a past president of The VMI Alumni Association.

On May 23, 2011, Lt. Col. William R. “Ron” LaGrone ’76, USA (Ret), acting course director of Baltic Defence College Joint Command and General Staff Course in Vilnius, Lithuania, received the Medal of Merit for Civilians. LaGrone, left, received the award for “his personal extraordinary effort and dedication in developing Baltic and particularly Lithuanian Corps of Officers, thus strengthening Lithuanian defense …” Lithuanian Minister of Defence Rasa Juknevičienė presented LaGrone with the award.

Col. Keith E. Gibson ’77 is helping to determine if the Warren County, New Jersey, courthouse clock is the one presumed stolen from VMI in 1864 when Union Army Gen. David Hunter ordered his men to burn down the college. While researchers have measured the clock size, height and pendulum weight, Gibson has been compiling documents from VMI archives to compare the two. The clock was built by Ephraim Niles Byram in Long Island, New York. Byram kept meticulous notes about his clocks. The only clock for which there is no account is the clock sold to VMI for $700 in 1852. There were no records of Byram selling a clock in Warren County. If the clock is the original, Freeholder Director of Warren County Everett Chamberlain thinks it would be a great gesture to wagon-train it back to Lexington, according to an article in the Express-Times (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania). Shelton P. Rhodes ’77 has been named the new dean of Delaware State University (DSU) Business College. Rhodes is responsible for the leadership of a school with (continued on page 151) 148

Mullen ’76 and Cadets Help Assemble Chilean Mill Wheels and Shelter at Historic Village As reported in the Charlotte (North Carolina) Observer, Col. W. Grigg Mullen Jr. ’76, Ph.D., and 14 of his students traveled to Mint Hill, North Carolina, in April 2011 to help assemble two granite Chilean mill wheels and create a shelter for the machine at the Carl J. McEwen Historic Village. The project lasted for two days, and according to the Mint Hill Historical Society, the working Chilean mill is the only one of its kind in the country. The article states that VMI and the historical society were initially introduced by way of VMI parent Carl Smith, who lives near the Historic Village. Smith’s son, Andy, is a 2002 VMI graduate and was part of the class that built a full-scale working trebuchet, or catapult – another hands-on project tackled by Mullen and his students. Mullen, who has been doing hands-on projects with his classes each year since 1997, is proud of the practical application of theory that the VMI engineering curriculum offers, according to the Observer article. “An engineer [who] can’t build anything isn’t worth anything. To be a good designer, you have to know how things are built. In my opinion, most engineering programs spend way too much time on book work and not enough hands on,” Mullen said. Now, he and his classes participate in two projects a year to benefit a nonprofit. Mullen and several of his students visited Mint Hill beforehand to get an overview of

Photo above: Cadets pulling a rope that was part of a pulley system used to raise a section of the shelter protecting the Chilean mill.

what the project required, and Nick Bates, a senior civil engineering major, spent more than 70 hours designing plans for the machine and the surrounding structure. As explained in the Observer, the Friday before they arrived in Mint Hill, the project was nothing more than two piles, Mullen said – a pile of timber that had just been delivered to his front yard by a local saw mill and a pile of papers drawn up by Bates. The project gave students a chance to see how plans come to life. The group cut timbers to length, planed the edges, connected them with mortise and tenon joints, and fastened them with wooden pegs. Side frames and top beams were raised with a pulley system, which was the same method used to raise the stones on the cathedrals of Europe thousands of years ago, the article stated. Electrical tools were used to saw, but all other construction was done manually. Students spent the night at a nearby scout camp, weathering the storm that swept through the area. The next morning, they put the finishing touches on the project and also erected a timber sign frame that is being transformed into a kiosk for visitor information. Pleased with the outcome, Historic Village Administrative Director Sue McDonald was quoted in the Observer as saying, “Honestly, what I was most impressed with was the discipline of these boys. They listened to each other, were respectful and they were so precise in everything they did. It was a wonderful experience having them here. …”

Photo above: Pictured is a Chilean mill wheel that was used in the early 1800s to extract gold. Both photos by Melinda Johnston, who also wrote the article quoted above.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS Searching for Treasure is More Than a Pastime under the tutelage of Dale Davis ’82 and decided to marry my long-time love of metal detecting with the sea (in this case, the Persian Gulf).” Novacek recalls one of his first trips vividly. “I had stumbled onto virgin territory at Jumeirah Beach, having uncovered dozens of coins and over 50 rings – including four gold The 523-foot U.S.N.S. Gen. Hoyt rings – within 20 hours of work. I was S. Vandenberg held more than just hooked.” a new home for sea life after it was During summer 2011, Novacek, scuttled and became an artificial along with six other men, traveled to reef off Key West, Florida, in May the French island of Guadeloupe in 2009. As a promotion to draw divers the Caribbean for a two-week treasure to the area, documentary filmmaker hunting expedition. Using top-of-thePat Clyne hid a $2,400 silver coin line, underwater metal detectors, the from the 17th-century Spanish galgroup covered all parts of the island, leon Atocha on the Vandenberg, and searching for treasure. the rule was finders-keepers. Clyne “Very few [people] on the island spoke posted monthly clues on his blog to English,” wrote Novacek. “Fortunately, keep divers enticed. I spoke enough French to be helpful, On June 18, 2011, Randall J. courtesy of a summer internship in Paris Pekarik ’79, dive master with Subduring my cadetship which was orgatropic Dive Center, found the prized nized by Gen. Alan Farrell, then-VMI’s silver coin after following Clyne’s dean of faculty. I wouldn’t have known last clue. about this wonderful opportunity had it Pekarik is familiar with the Vannot been for VMI’s director of Internadenberg, having logged more than Randall Pekarik ’79 holding the Spanish tional Studies, Col. Pat Mayerchak … 300 dives on the ship. He was one of piece of eight coin, worth $2,400, originally for this and more, I owe him a large debt a team of clearance divers that made found on the 17th-century Spanish galleon of gratitude.” sure the ship was safe after it was Nuestro Senora de Atocha. Among the seven men, they found a scuttled, and he regularly instructs combined total of 278, 18k-gold pieces divers on the popular site. His last 30 dives on the Vandenberg were dedicated solely to – 26 ounces – worth over $30,000. “Some highlights of the finding the coin. “I really wanted to find it,” Pekarik said. “I finds were an 1892 British half sovereign gold coin,” explained wanted to solve these clues. It gave purpose to my dives. ... I Novacek, “a gigantic, 1-ounce gold ring; a toy soldier; and a must have [swum] past it at least 50 times. I have to thank my couple of hull spikes from old sailing ships. Much of the fun is that you never know what you’re going to find.” wife, who kept encouraging me to look for it.” Pekarik found the coin in a small cabin on a lower deck in roughly 90 feet of Photo at left: Chad Novacek ’98 in water, hidden by some pipes on a ledge St. Anne’s, Guadaloupe, during his near an asbestos warning sign. “It was two-week treasure hunting expediunbelievably exciting,” he said. tion. Photo below: A 1892 British half sovereign gold coin that Novacek The coin was from the 1622 shipwreck found during the trip. of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, a Spanish cargo ship which was originally discovered in 1985 and which carried $400-500 million in gold and silver bars, coins, emeralds and other artifacts. Although not a professional diver like Pekarik, Chad A. Novacek ’98 began his search for treasure in 2008. He wrote, “I cut my teeth on beach prospecting while working in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Throughout history, the hunt for treasure has enticed many thrill seekers to take their chance in a search for gold. Two VMI alumni, Randall J. Pekarik ’79 and Chad A. Novacek ’98, have been successful in their search, as detailed in the stories below.

2011-Issue 4

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ALUMNI NEWS Thomas ’79 and Moss ’81 Assist Virginia Library in Remembering the Greatest Generation Editor’s Note: The following article featuring Michael D. Thomas ’79 and Robert C. “Clinker” Moss III ’81 appeared in the June 6, 2011, issue of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. It is reprinted here with the publisher’s permission.

Virginia Seeking WWII Memories for State Library

by Steve Szkotak | The Associated Press

All four Thomas brothers fought in World War II, leaving behind the coal mines of Southwest Virginia for battlefields in the faraway Pacific: Fiji, the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. One left a leg behind, and another survived the sinking of his ship, but all four came home. For the Thomas family and many others, the extraordinary experiences of the Virginians who served in World War II have been preserved in photos and letters home, often stuffed in boxes packed with mementoes and stored in an attic. The Library of Virginia is collecting those memories, asking veterans, their spouses and children to submit documents, diaries and photographs that will help keep alive the wartime experiences of those 300,000 Virginians. About 11,000 never returned from the war. “This ‘Greatest Generation’ is passing from the scene,” said Sandra Gioia Treadway, librarian of Virginia. “While people are still alive and their records – their letters, diaries, artifacts, medals – are still in family hands, we want to raise awareness that this is history and that this is the perfect place to bring those items.” Michael Thomas [’79], an attorney with the State Corporation Commission, heeded the call recently. He brought a panoramic photograph of his father, Charlie, taken on July 5, 1943, as his unit departed for the Pacific. He also brought stories of the remarkable Thomas brothers, all coal miners from the Wise County crossroads of Banner. “My father always joked throughout the rest of his life that the best thing that ever happened to him was World War II, because it got him out of the coal mines,” Thomas said. All of the Thomas men found adventure in the Pacific. Charlie’s anti-aircraft unit was part of Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s Army “as it leapfrogged from New Guinea into the Philippines,” Thomas said. Howard Thomas served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin, which lost more than 700 crew members in a Japanese attack. Ray served on the U.S.S. Laffey, a destroyer that suffered heavy casualties and sank after a fierce, close-quarters battle with several Japanese warships. John, a Marine, lost a leg scrambling out of a foxhole in Guadalcanal. “We’re probably losing 100 of the World War II vets a day across the United States,” Michael Thomas said. “They have

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important stories to tell. I felt compelled to come down and at least tell my father’s story.” Robert C. “Clinker” Moss III ’81 felt the same tug to share the wartime experiences of his father, Robert C. Moss Jr. He came bearing stories, letters and even a map his father drew of Chef-du-Pont, Normandy, where he and other D-Day troops arrived by parachute in 1944. He crashed through the thatched roof of a stone barn. As he swung from the rafters like a marionette and struggled to free himself from the nylon lines, Moss heard Germans approaching the barn. They fired through a window, missing Moss. He pulled out his .45-caliber, fired an errant shot, then kept firing. Moss caught one German with his frantic gunfire. “I did not see that man move again,” he wrote. He then sliced the suspension lines with his knife. “I went down flat and crawled to the door,” Moss wrote. “I saw the other one standing about [five] or [six] feet away and shot him. He spun around and went backward and fell and lay there.” Moss, a Richmond native, had been working as a reporter in Waynesboro before he enlisted in 1942, leaving a wife and baby behind. He was a second lieutenant. His map, drawn with great precision, depicts roads, a creamery, chicken house and trees. Moss was so inspired by his father’s narrative that he led a family trip there in June 2000, with a stop in Paris. Two residents claimed his father had parachuted into their roofs. “That was interesting,” Moss said.”It definitely was not their roofs.” Moss, an engineer, said he began researching his father’s exploits a decade ago. “I realized how hungry I was for information on his experience,” he said of his father, a lawyer, who died in 1985. “I want others to have access to these details.” The Library of Virginia has materials dating to the Revolutionary War and is in the midst of a statewide drive to collect and digitalize documents from the Civil War. Curators are mindful of the passing decades and of baby boomers who may be downsizing as they near retirement. “We want to be sure that, if they don’t have space for that material, they know there is a historical repository and archives that would love to have them, because it’s Virginia’s and America’s history,” Treadway said. Note: To donate correspondence, documents, photographs and diaries, contact the Library of Virginia at 804/692-3795 or e-mail jessica.tyree@lva.virginia.gov.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS 25 faculty members and approximately 600 students. According to an article in Delaware Online, Rhodes believes that the college should be a leader within the university to improve fundraising and alumni relations, something DSU has struggled with in the past. Previously, Rhodes was the founding dean of the Howard S. Brown School of Business and Leadership at Stevenson University in Baltimore, Maryland. Rhodes matriculated from Elizabethtown, North Carolina, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in history. He earned master’s and doctorate degrees from Howard University and Old Dominion University, respectively. Joseph J. Santelli ’77, owner of Santelli Tempered Glass in Monessen, Pennsylvania, has been named 2011 Pennsylvania Small Business Person of the Year. After retiring in 2006 from a 29-year career in safety glass sales, Santelli started his own safety glass production business, at which time he purchased a glass oven and a former steel mill, and hired 23 employees. Over the past four years, Santelli Tempered Glass has refined its process, hired 28 more employees, increased sales by 800 percent and opened two more facilities in Florida and Indiana. Santelli matriculated from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Nicholas T. Collins ’79 and Charles L. Weatherman ’92 have started the company, Weatherman-Collins Contracting, located in Staunton, Virginia. They offer paving and concrete services from Harrisonburg to Lexington, Virginia. Weatherman-Collins currently employs 10 people. Collins matriculated from Staunton and Weatherman matriculated from Suffolk, Virginia; they both earned bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering from VMI. James V. O’Connor ’80 has written and produced the Off-Broadway play “Tea in a Tempest,” which debuted in July 2011. “Tea in a Tempest” is a comedy about love, infidelity and family. The play is running as part of the Midtown International Theater Festival in New York City, and this is O’Connor’s third consecutive 2011-Issue 4

year as a festival participant. O’Connor matriculated from Pelham Manor, New York, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in English. He earned his master’s degree from Manhattan College. Hurbert G. Schneider ’80 received the Engineering Excellence in Leadership Quarterly Award for Systems Design and Performance from Raytheon Missile Systems on June 8, 2011. As one of only 19 recipients, Schneider received his award at the Desert Diamond Conference Center in Tucson, Arizona. Schneider matriculated from Frederick, Maryland, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Arizona.

Hurbert G. Schneider ’80, left, accepted the Engineering Excellence in Leadership Quarterly Award for Systems Design and Performance from Raytheon Missile System on June 8, 2011.

Senator Ralph S. Northam ’81, M.D., received the Champion Award from the Virginia Brain Injury Council for his commitment and dedication to championing the needs of Virginians with brain injuries. Northam’s medical practice is based at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. He also serves as the medical director for Edmarc Children’s Hospice in Portsmouth. In 2007, Northam was elected chairman of the Behavioral Health Care Subcommittee which is part of the Virginia General Assembly Joint Commission on Health Care. As chairman, he successfully

Col. Matthew G. St. Clair ’89, USMC, left, assumed command of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from outgoing Col. Mark Desens on June 17, 2011. St. Clair’s executive officer is Lt. Col. Michael C. Starling ’92 and assistant operations officer is Maj. Richard H. Pitchford ’95.

sponsored legislation to protect the health of young athletes who have sustained concussions. Northam matriculated from Onancock, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with distinction, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. He earned a medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Matthew R. Hemenez ’90 has been named to the Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition (WPRC) Board of Directors. The WPRC was founded to create a unified voice of advocacy for the tactical and operational equipment needs of the war fighter. The WPRC is committed to ensuring that American service members train and fight with superior gear. Hemenez matriculated from Visa, California, and graduated with distinction from VMI, earning a bachelor’s degree in modern languages. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Patrick R. Baker ’98 (photo on next page) was promoted to assistant professor of law, a tenure-track faculty position, at the Appalachian School of Law. Located in Grundy, Virginia, Baker teaches legal process and Virginia procedure. His scholarship and research focus on mineral and energy, natural resource, and environmental law. Baker matriculated from Carlisle, Kentucky, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in history. 151

ALUMNI NEWS Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has named Maxwell P. Chance ’99 senior project manager in the firm’s Richmond, Virginia, office. In his new role, Chance manages engineering disciplines in water and energy infrastructure design practices and assists in business development efforts throughout the firm’s Southeast region. Chance matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Jennings W. McGraw ’99 has earned a certificate in retirement planning from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is one of few financial professionals nationwide to complete this retirement planning education program. McGraw matriculated from Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, and graduated with distinction from VMI, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He earned a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.

area since the early 1900s. They have recently expanded their farm to include over 1700 acres of organic crops with which they participate in community supported agriculture. According to the Lanes, Whole Foods in the surrounding area sells GreenHearts sweet-hot chili. Lane matriculated from Culpepper, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business.

Baker ’98

Chance ’99

Christopher B. Lane ’02 with his wife, Jennifer, own and operate GreenHearts Farm in Caroline County, Virginia. Lane and his family have been farming in that

McGraw ’99

O’Brien ’03

Brent B. Barth ’03 has been appointed financial representative by Northwestern Mutual Financial Network – The Virginia Peninsula Group. Barth matriculated from Chatham, New Jersey, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in English. Col. Doug Messner ’87, VaNG, right, assumed command of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Virginia, on July 23, 2011. During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. William R. Phillips II, Virginia National Guard land component commander, said, “Col. Messner is the right soldier for this job, and we are fortunate to have him as the new commander of the 183rd Regiment.” Phillips promoted Messner to colonel before the change of command ceremony. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia Department of Military Affairs. )

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Devin F. O’Brien ’03 has been hired as the director of McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations, LLC, Washington, D.C., office. McNeely Pigott & Fox is a public relations firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. It provides communications and marketing services at local, regional and national levels. O’Brien matriculated from St. Louis, Missouri, and grad-

uated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business. At the time of this writing, he is working on a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School. Shannon P. Meehan ’05 has been named public affairs director of Veterans Across America (VAA). Meehan is responsible for communications operations and media relations while working on outreach for the Champion Mentorship program. This program matches business mentors with veterans who are unemployed or underemployed. Meehan matriculated from Primos, Pennsylvania, and graduated with distinction from VMI, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. While in the Army, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with Valor and Army Achievement Medal. Meehan had to take a medical retirement in November 2009. Cpl. Jehan N.G. Keitt ’07, USMC, provided the following update. In 2008, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Since that time, Keitt has been recognized as Platoon Honor Graduate, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island; Honor Graduate, Marine Combat Training, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina; and for outstanding leadership during Marine Corps Cannon Course, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was singled out as Marine of the Year in 2009 (3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment) and in June 2010, was named class president of the 69th Basic Jailer Academy which is part of the Crater Criminal Justice Training Academy in Disputanta, Virginia. Keitt lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Keitt ’07

2nd Lt. David N. Lochart ’10, USMC, has graduated from the Combat Engineer Officer Course. After completing this course, Lochart is qualified to perform tasks appropriate for platoon commander. Lochart matriculated from Spotsylvania, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in international studies. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS McGuire ’96 Works with Brother of ’49C Alumnus to Pay it Forward Editor’s Note: The following article, featuring Russell E. McGuire ’96, and the brother of the late James E. Cobb ’49C, appeared in the June 16, 2011, issue of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The article and photo are reprinted here with the publisher’s permission.

Retiree Helps Teen Attain His VMI Dream by Bill Lohmann, Richmond Times-Dispatch

While thumbing through an American Legion magazine a couple of years ago, Donald J. Cobb came upon a story about a West Virginia family that caught his eye. “It just kind of touched my heart,” said Cobb, a retired Henrico County police Donald J. Cobb, left, brother of the late James E. Cobb ’49C, listened as Russell officer who later started a business, Cobb E. McGuire ’96, second from left, deputy commonwealth’s attorney for Louisa Technologies, with his sons. County, talked to Sean McVey, right, and Sean’s mother, Teresa, about VMI. The article about the McVey family detailed how a Legion scholarship was Sean has always had his eye on the military, a reflection of his helping Joseph McVey attend West Virginia University in the dad who served in Vietnam as a Marine and later joined the West wake of the death of his father, Sgt. Otie J. McVey, an Army Virginia National Guard and the Army Reserve. He was 53 at the reservist who became ill while on active duty in Iraq and died time of his death. two months later. And VMI? As an aside, the story mentioned that Joseph’s younger brother, “It was one of my dreams,” said Sean, who recently graduated Sean, who was still in high school, hoped to attend Virginia Milifrom high school and is the battalion commander of his Army tary Institute. That’s what really got Cobb’s attention. Junior ROTC unit back home in Oak Hill, W.Va. Cobb’s brother, James [’49C], was a well-decorated VMI graduate He loves the history surrounding VMI, the friendships for life he and football player in the 1940s, and Cobb himself was planning expects to make with classmates and the strict honor code. to attend before he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. “It’s an honorable school,” he said. “It means something to Even though he was never a cadet, Cobb loves the place as if he graduate from there.” were an alum and has turned his office into what he calls a “VMI When I caught up with everyone, McGuire was giving Sean room” with school paraphernalia and photographs of Gen. George a little advice about surviving the Ratline – the first challenging C. Marshall [’901]. months of freshman year at VMI – with your grade-point average Cobb contacted Russell E. “Rusty” McGuire [’96], deputy comin something other than tatters. Sean took it all in, eyes and ears monwealth’s attorney for Louisa County and a graduate of VMI, wide open. and said, “I sure would like to find this kid and help him get into “I know what I’m getting myself into,” said Sean, who wants to VMI,” McGuire recalled. make the military a career when he’s done at VMI. “I’m excited They found Sean, and through phone calls over the course of for it.” more than a year, Cobb and McGuire got to know Sean, learning he McGuire said he was drawn to helping Sean because back when wanted to follow in his father’s military footsteps. They determined he needed a hand, someone was there to offer one. He was a high that he would be a great asset to VMI, encouraged him to apply school dropout who had joined the Army before going to VMI, and then went to bat for him with school officials. a place he never would have attended without the support and Long story short, Sean was accepted at VMI and [arrived] in encouragement of others. Lexington in July for a summer transition program before launching “There were people who had watched what I had done and headlong into the Ratline. believed in me and helped me out,” he said. But first, Sean and his mom, Teresa, drove to Richmond to meet Now, McGuire said, he’s just paying it forward. Cobb and McGuire face-to-face for the first time and to thank them.

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ALUMNI NEWS Trooper Joseph K. Zyra, Jr. ’06 has been honored by the Virginia State Police for his selfless determination and honorable efforts put forth in a life-threatening situation on June 13, 2010. Zyra received the Award for Honor and The Superintendent’s Award for the (Virginia) State Police. According to a Virginia State Police press release, “Trooper Joseph K. Zyra Jr. (Chesapeake Division, Area 47) … joined in to assist Chesapeake Police with a high-speed pursuit of two wanted subjects on Interstate 664 on the night of June 13, 2010. As the suspect vehicle reached speeds of more than 100 mph, it turned down a dead-end road with a large retention pond. Unable to stop in time at the end of the road, the suspect vehicle went airborne and landed front-end first in the 12-[foot]-deep pond. Fully clothed and with no thought for his safety, Zyra dove into the pond to assist the sinking vehicle’s occupants. The passenger was able to escape the car and swim to the surface, but the driver was still inside. Zyra broke out the rear passenger window with his ASP [collapsible baton] and pulled the driver out of the vehicle moments before it sunk to the bottom of the pond.

The driver could not swim and struggled with Zyra, who refused to let go and was able to keep the man from drowning until he received assistance from the officers at the scene. Zyra sustained serious injuries to

his hands from breaking out the window. Zyra is most deserving of such esteemed recognition for his selfless determination and honorable efforts put forth in a lifethreatening situation.”

Capt. Joshua D. Powers ’04, USA, commander of A Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, received the 2010 General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award for recognition of his leadership abilities both at home station and while deployed to Afghanistan. According to the Department of the Army’s overview, the MacArthur Award recognizes company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which Gen. MacArthur stood – duty, honor and country. The award promotes and sustains effective junior officer leadership in the Army. Powers, one of 14 active duty officers selected in the Army-wide competition, demonstrated outstanding leadership while commanding A Company, bringing company-level leadership skills to bear through the preparation and execution phases of Task Force Iron Rakkasans’ year-long mission to Afghanistan. Lt. Col. David Fivecoat, 3-187 Infantry

commander said, “[Powers] possesses the rare ability to be at the right place to influence the fight and courageously inspire his men.” Fivecoat also said that Powers’ leadership skills extended beyond his own unit members, allowing him to inspire local Afghan government officials. Col. Viet X. Luong, 3rd Brigade Combat

Team commander, stated that Powers cultivated a climate where soldiers can learn and grow, and “as such, the fighting spirit and discipline of his formation are simply unparalleled.” Powers matriculated from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in history.

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Trooper Joseph K. Zyra ’06, center, accepted the Virginia State Police Award of Honor and the Superintendent’s Award for the State Police at the Annual Superintendent’s Award Ceremony on May 14, 2011, in Richmond. Superintendent of State Police Col. W. Steven Flaherty, left, presented Zyra with the awards. Next to Zyra is his fiancée, Susan Smith.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS Bravo ’01 Takes Part in Exchange Program with Chile Editor’s Note: The following article about Lt. Anthony Bravo ’01 and his experiences in the U.S. Navy Personnel Exchange Program appeared in the spring 2011 issue of Naval Aviation News and is reprinted here with the publisher’s permission.

Three Years in Chile: Forging Friendships with a South American Navy by Lt. Cmdr. Mike Cody In three years as an exchange pilot flying the P-3 ACH (the Chilean model of the P-3A Orion) with the Chilean Armada, U.S. Navy Lt. Anthony Bravo [’01] may not have logged as many hours as he would have in a regular Navy assignment, but he saw and did things that many of his peers never will. A qualified co-pilot, patrol plane commander and mission commander in the armada’s only patrol and reconnaissance squadron, VP-1, Bravo flew in support of missions to protect Chilean sovereignty and to collect data for a NASA study on global warming. Bravo had the honor of flying the Comandante en Jefe de la Armada de Chile (the Chilean Chief of Naval Operations) to Easter Island. Supporting other unique requirements, he also had members of the Chilean, Colombian and Ecuadorean special forces jump from his aircraft at altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 25,000 feet. In addition to more routine flights, Bravo also participated in a search-and-rescue operation when a Peruvian fishing vessel capsized in Chilean waters. He also helped to airlift a three-day-old girl for medical attention and transported the body of a Chilean marine home to his family. As Bravo wound down his tour with the Navy’s Personnel Exchange Program (PEP), he looked back on the experience with pride and recommended it for others. “I will be leaving South America with another language, experiences I could never put a price on, knowledge and appreciation of other cultures, and special, lifelong friendships,” said Bravo. The exchange program, part of the Navy’s language skills, regional expertise and cultural awareness strategy, dates back to the late 1940s and currently includes about 200

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U.S. officers and enlisted members assigned around the globe. Many participants serve with traditional NATO allies as well as in South America, Korea, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East. “The main goal, from an operational standpoint, is to improve our interoperability,” said Lt. Cmdr. Greg Francioch, the PEP program manager. “Through such programs, you have a better idea of what your partners may bring to the fight.” Arriving in Chile in June 2007, Bravo discovered he had a lot to learn. The Chilean version of the Spanish language is unique and can be challenging, even for experienced Spanishspeakers. To overcome the obstacles of strong accents, rapid speech and colloquial expressions, Bravo fell back on a technique his instructors had promoted at Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, California. “Since I was unable to become fluent in the Spanish language, much less many of the Chilenismos – a courteous term used to describe the unique Castilian sayings of the Andean country – in the time allotted at DLI, I had to depend on body language, voice inflection, tone of speech and facial movements,” Bravo said. Although Chilean and U.S. P-3 operations are similar, Bravo was impressed by how carefully the Chileans cleaned the inside and outside of their aircraft, which date to the 1960s. Many of the enlisted men were members of VP-1 in the 1990s, when the Chilean Armada acquired its P-3s. Since then, their experience and hard work have kept the aircraft in impeccable condition. Bravo was happy to share what he knew about U.S.-style P-3 operations and presented several briefings on safety hazards. He was also enthusiastic about participating in sports and social activities, learning about Chilean culture, and striking up friendships with Chileans. Bravo joined a local church, La Iglesia Union Cristiana de Viña del Mar, and served meals to homeless people and visited prisoners in a nearby city. For his 30th birthday in March 2009, members of the church threw him a surprise party, complete with a tradition called malteo, which consisted of taking Bravo to the terrace of his apartment building and lofting him up in the air 30 times. When his concierge told him about a plan to provide Christmas presents for local children, Bravo raised enough money to buy gifts, not only for the children, but for their parents.

He and other U.S. military personnel in the area also bought and delivered presents to 90 underprivileged children at a school in Valparaiso. In February 2010, a severe earthquake and tsunami struck Chile. In addition to his professional duties over the next six months, Bravo raised $10,000 for survivors in the most devastated cities, which he donated through La Fundacion Blanca Estela, the Chilean Armada’s foundation. Donors included friends, relatives, organizations such as the Rotary Club and the Knights of Columbus, and churches in the United States and Puerto Rico. A few weeks before returning to the United States, Bravo flew with the Chilean Armada’s only training squadron, VT-1. While waiting for another pilot, he looked at photographs of aviation school graduates and came to a surprising realization: he knew at least one person from each graduating class of the past 20 years. The relatively small size of the Chilean Armada had something to do with that. So did an armada tradition, in which all of the officers on a base eat lunch together daily. “Therefore, I will not only know the P-3 leadership, but that of the Armada’s other aviation communities, for years to come,” said Bravo. Bravo received the Antarctic Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal as a result of his service in Chile. He negotiated his current orders, which call for a year in Afghanistan as a liaison officer to the Afghan National Army, and discussed the follow-on set, which could give him an operational East Coast assignment. The combination would give him a chance to do his part in the War on Terror and to keep him on track with his peers. Editor’s Note: As of August 2011, Bravo is stationed in Afghanistan. See additional photos of him in the OEF/OIF Update section of this Review.

Slater ’66 Receives Superintendent’s Meritorious Service Award On June 7, 2011, Thomas G. Slater Jr. ’66 was presented with the Superintendent’s Meritorious Service Award – the VMI administration’s highest honor. Slater received the award for his service as a member of the VMI Board of Visitors from 2003 to 2011 and as its president from 2008-11. Slater is the award’s sixth recipient.

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INSTITUTE INSTITUTE New Members Named to VMI Board of Visitors

Allen ’62

Sampson ’88

Galanti

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Three new members have taken their seats on the VMI Board of Visitors and one existing member has been reappointed, as announced in July 2011 by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. Named to the board were John C. Allen ’62 of Coalton, West Virginia, and Paul E. Galanti and Ernesto Vicente Sampson Jr. ’88, both of Richmond. Reappointed was P. Wesley Foster Jr. ’56 of Chantilly. Also, the board elected a new president, Paul D. Fraim ’71, at its May meeting. Allen, who graduated from VMI with a bachelor of science degree in biology, pursued a career in his family’s J.F. Allen Co. construction firm, serving for years as president and chairman of the board. Allen and his wife, Joyce, were honored in 2011 by the West Virginia Association of Fundraising Professionals as Outstanding West Virginia Philanthropists. Allen’s service to VMI includes a five-year term as the class agent for the class of 1962 and four years on the VMI Foundation’s Board of Trustees. A donor to the Foundation Fund and the VMI Keydet Club, he has supported the James F. Allen ’33 Scholarship and endowed the John C. Allen 1962 Distinguished Professorship in Chemistry in 1998. He received the VMI Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award in 2009. Galanti, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a master of commerce degree from the University of Richmond. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1983. Foster ’56 Shot down after flying 97 missions, Navy pilot Galanti was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for almost seven years from 1966-73. He is national director for the East Central Region of the American Ex-Prisoners of War service organization. Galanti, an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, serves on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee on Former POWs. The Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center, which opened last year at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, was named for him and his wife. Sampson graduated from VMI with a bachelor of arts degree in economics and business. An independent financial adviser for Ameriprise Financial Inc. in Richmond, he also holds a master of business administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a chartered Fraim ’71 retirement planning counselor. Sampson’s community service activities include the Southside Community Development and Housing Authority, City of Richmond Electoral Board, Metropolitan Business League, Richmond Leadership Network, VMI Club of Richmond, and Urban Financial Services Coalition. Foster, who was named to a second term on the board of visitors, is founder, chairman and CEO of Long & Foster Real Estate Co., has served on the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees and the Keydet Club Board of Governors and is a recipient of the Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award. Fraim, who graduated from VMI with a degree in English, is mayor of the city of Norfolk and is in his second term on the VMI Board of Visitors. He holds a master of education degree from the University of Virginia and a juris doctor degree from the University of Richmond Law School. He serves on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Hampton Roads Partnership, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, the Hampton Roads Mayors and Chairs Caucus, and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, as well as the National Maritime Center and Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

INSTITUTE VMI Still Among Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges Virginia Military Institute retained its ranking just behind the service academies in the latest U.S. News and World Report ranking of national public liberal arts colleges and in the top tier of all liberal arts colleges, private as well as public, in America. VMI was ranked fourth in the list of public liberal arts colleges, as the U.S. Air Force Academy took the third ranking, held by VMI for the past five years. VMI had been ranked third behind the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy since 2007, when the federal service academies were first added to that category; previous to that, VMI held the No. 1 position for six years running. Among all public and private liberal arts

colleges, VMI was ranked No. 71, down from the No. 62 spot it had held for the prior two years. “VMI remains solidly in the top tier of national liberal arts colleges,” said Brig. Gen. R. Wane Schneiter, deputy superintendent and dean of the faculty. “Our approach, which offers a relatively small number of excellent majors, a rigorous core curriculum, and complementary academic enrichment programs like honors

Band Travels to Hawaii Over Holiday Break

The VMI Regimental Band and Pipe Band are traveling to Hawaii during the Thanksgiving 2011 break, primarily to help commemorate the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The band is scheduled to perform on the U.S.S. Arizona and U.S.S. Missouri, as well as at the Tripler Army Medical Center. The band also will be marching in the internationally televised Waikiki Holiday Parade. Band Company cadets – 120, at last count – will be accompanied by the band director, Col. John Brodie ’92 (Hon.); pipe band director, Maj. Burt Mitchell; band company TAC officer, Lt. Col. Roy Funkhouser; and sergeant major to the Corps, Sgt. Maj. John Neel. The cadets will spend Thanksgiving Day at the Hale Koa Hotel.

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and undergraduate research, allows our faculty and staff to ensure our cadets an outstanding education.” The rankings are based on such factors as a college’s reputation as rated by academic leaders nationally; the retention of students; class size; the quality of the faculty; the quality of students; financial resources; graduation rate performance; and the alumni giving rate. Among engineering schools whose highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s degree, VMI retained its rank as No. 21. The rankings in the engineering category are based exclusively on the reputation of the program. VMI moved up one notch among national liberal arts colleges on the list of Great Schools, Great Prices, to No. 13. The ranking is based on academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. The Institute was also included in the non-ranked list of A-Plus Schools for B Students among national liberal arts colleges. The listing evaluates the quality of the school’s academic program and the academic profile of admitted students. In August 2011, Forbes magazine ranked VMI among the top 10 percent of colleges and universities nationally.

Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherwise, the articles and photos in the Institute section of the Alumni Review are provided by VMI Communications and Marketing.

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INSTITUTE Award Honors New Market Cadet Battalion by Bernie G. Hylton ’64, Committee Member The Cadet New Market Legacy Award (CNMLA) became official on May 20, 2011, when Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintendent, signed and approved the proposal submitted by the class of 1964. As class of ’64 members began to plan their 50th Reunion, which is scheduled for spring 2014, the question was asked, “What would make this event special beyond the usual socializing, parade and class gift?” As one Brother Rat put it, “We are the New Market centennial class, and we should do something significant to mark the New Market sesquicentennial.” Coincidentally, Cliff Crittsinger had been mulling over the same question for years. He was certain that whatever his class did to highlight their 50thReunion had to have something to do with the New Market heritage – something beyond the longstanding New Market Parade and the poignant “Died on the Field of Honor” roll call; something more than the relatively recent tradition of the new cadets’ visit to the New Market Battle site, where they take the New Cadet Oath, followed by the reenactment of the charge across the field of lost shoes. Crittsinger’s thoughts coalesced around the idea of a cadet award – one based on the uniquely VMI New Market experience, the Brother Rat concept, and the traditions of Corps and class spirit. “New Market is the most defining moment in the history of the Virginia Military Institute,” wrote Crittsinger, “and there is no parallel in the annals of any institution of higher learning in America, perhaps the world. A century and a half has passed since New Market, and yet there is not one distinctive cadet award that specifically captures or acknowledges the significance of what the Corps and its cadets did for the Institute and for each other on that day.” The CNMLA concept was presented at the class of ’64 45th Reunion; it received unanimous support. A committee was formed consisting of representatives from the class of ’64, the Institute and the class of 2011. Crittsinger was named committee chairman, and Warren Budd, Tom Davis, Ron Fischer, Bernie Hylton, Don Jones, Mike Murphy, George Rapport, King von Schilling and Doug Walker, all class of ’64, also volunteered. Col. Keith Gibson ’77, director of VMI Museum Operations, agreed to represent the Institute. Class of 2011 cadet full-time members, as selected by their class officers, were Dave Arthur, Matt Palmer and

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Curt Herron. The committee met often during the following two years to produce a detailed proposal for the superintendent’s consideration and ultimate approval. The following description in the proposal identifies the award criteria: The Cadet New Market Legacy Award is presented to a Brother Rat of the first class whose whole cadetship most reflects the character, honor and spirit of the 1864 New Market Cadet. The award recognizes unusual perseverance in the face of adversity; a commitment to fulfill one’s duties; and selfless support of other cadets’ successes. Through this award, Brother Rats honor a Brother Rat whose mental courage and stamina, tenacity, mature judgment and personal integrity embody the spirit of VMI and the New Market Cadets. Eligibility is limited to Brother Rats of the selecting class. Graduation is not a requirement. A Brother Rat not currently attending VMI remains eligible if he or she did not leave for any reason that reflects negatively upon the class or the Institute. Posthumous awards are permissible. The CNMLA may be the only cadet award in Institute history given solely on the basis of nominations and votes of Brother Rats – in a process managed by a selection committee with a majority cadet membership and minimal In-

stitute participation. The process follows three steps: nomination by Brother Rats; review by the committee; and a final vote by all Brother Rats. Secret ballots are used in all steps. Unlike most awards that focus on academic achievement, sports prowess or Corps leadership, any cadet meeting the CNMLA criteria may be nominated by a Brother Rat and may ultimately receive the award. A Brother Rat of the class 2014, the Sesquicentennial New Market Class, will become the first recipient of this award. The inaugural presentation will be part of the 50th Reunion festivities of the New Market Centennial Class of 1964 in April 2014. An award artifact is currently under development by the CNMLA Committee. It will consist of a bronze statuette in keeping with the spirit of the award and will be executed by a respected sculptor who is noted for Civil War subjects. A rendition of the final award will be printed in a forthcoming issue of the Alumni Review. The class of 1964 is providing the funding necessary to administer the award. Additionally, a life-size reproduction of the sculpture will be created in the years ahead and placed on a monument where the name(s) of the recipients will be prominently displayed. Its placement will be determined once it is ready to be erected and dedicated. The class of 1964 and VMI alumni owe a deep debt of gratitude to Gen. Peay for his guidance, patience and foresight in helping to establish this truly unique cadet award which honors the 1864 New Market battalion of cadets.

The Cadet New Market Legacy Award Committee in Moody Hall, VMI.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

INSTITUTE VMI Acquisition of Jackson Foundation Complete The Stonewall Jackson Foundation has sure the museum continues to operate as become part of VMI. it has in the past – “The experience and the The process was completed in late May availability to the public won’t change,” said 2011 following a decision by Virginia Gov. Clark – and long-term planning is looking Bob McDonnell authorizing the transfer of at ways to broaden the interpretation of the the Stonewall Jackson House, the adjacent Stonewall Jackson House. Davidson-Tucker House and the founda“We do have a confident sense that there is tion’s collection to VMI. They will become an economy of scale that can assist with the a part of VMI’s museum operations, which operation of the house in bringing it under also include the VMI Museum, New Market the VMI umbrella,” said Col. Keith Gibson Battlefield State Historical Park and Vir- ’77, VMI director of museum operations. ginia Museum of the Civil War. “We think that this is not only desirable The proposal was sent to the governor from an operational perspective but also after being approved by VMI Board of Visi- from a programmatic perspective. We see tors and the Stonewall Jackson Foundation opportunities in the future to have a greater Board of Trustees. VMI presence in the house and in the story Also transferred to VMI is the Stonewall and to have greater cadet involvement in Jackson Foundation’s endowment, which the house as interpreters or as assistants.” will be held by the VMI Foundation. Confederate Gen. Thomas J. Jackson lived “The VMI Foundation will hold those in the house during the final two years funds for the express purpose of supporting of his tenure as professor of natural and the Stonewell Jackson House museum and experimental philosophy and instructor its operations,” said Lt. Col. Dallas Clark of artillery at VMI between 1851 and 1861. ’99, Institute planning officer. “All those The house was rented out after his death, resources will be dedicated to the operation and for nearly 50 years the house – with of the Stonewall Jackson House.” “The state is interested in seeing that higher education is involved in economic development,” said Clark. “We [VMI] have a presence downtown now. We’re part of the community; we’re a community partner. It helps the local economy; one of the key local industries is tourism.” “We’re all very excited about having the Jackson House under the umbrella of the VMI museums,” said Michael Lynn, executive director of the Stonewall Jackson Foundation. “We’re hoping to strengthen both institutions through this collaboration.” At VMI, short-term planning is under way to make The Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington, Virginia.

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additions – served as the only hospital in Rockbridge County. “This is sort of what could be considered the third evolutionary phase of the house,” said Gibson, citing its opening as a museum in 1954 as the first phase and its 1979 renovation and restoration to its appearance during Jackson’s occupancy as its second. From VMI’s perspective, though, there is more to the significance of the house than its occupancy by Jackson before the Civil War. The future might include thematic tours exploring Jackson as a gardener in the 1850s or Jackson as a soldier or Jackson as a teacher. It might also include wider use of the house next door. “We see the Davidson-Tucker House as a valuable resource, not necessarily for interpreting history but for orientation and other types of programming,” said Gibson. “So, incorporating the Davidson-Tucker House more into the visitor experience is definitely an opportunity, as well.” Joining the Jackson House with the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park and the VMI Museum, said Gibson, provides a more complete interpretation of the VMI story. “Like so many house museums throughout the country, the Stonewall Jackson House faced substantial challenges going forward,” said Farris Hotchkiss, president of the Stonewall Jackson Foundation, noting the board’s appreciation of the dedication over the years of loyal volunteers and donors. “We believe it will be a great asset to VMI and will be an even more important move for Lexington and our community in assuring the ongoing operation of the Stonewall Jackson House.” The Jackson House is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www. stonewalljackson.org. The VMI Museum in Lexington (www.vmi.edu/museum) and the Virginia Museum of the Civil War in New Market, Virginia, (www.vmi.edu/ newmarket) are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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ATHLETICS ATHLETICS VMI Sports Hall of Fame Taps 10 for Induction Eight former athletes and two former Athletic Department personnel were officially inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, at a dinner in Marshall Hall. The dinner kicked-off a weekend of Hall of Fame festivities that included recognition of the inductees during a full review, Corps of Cadets parade on Saturday, Sept. 3rd, and a halftime ceremony later that day during the VMI-Delaware State football at Foster Stadium. The 2011 Sports Hall of Fame inductees are listed in alphabetical order briefly below and with expanded biographical information following. Leslie Apedoe ’99 (Wrestling) Earned All-America honors at the 1999 NCAA Wrestling Championships when he placed sixth in the heavyweight division … also became the first VMI heavyweight wrestler to win four consecutive titles in the Southern Conference (1996-99). Chris Catanzaro ’01 (Baseball) One of the top, left-handed batters in Keydet baseball … finished his career with a .356 career batting average, the highest in VMI history Rich Daughtridge ’98 (Soccer) Scored 13 goals and three assists for 29 points his senior season and finished as the program’s all-time career scorer … finished his career with 34 goals, 14 assists and 82 points. Joey DuBose ’96 (Track & Field) Co-captained the 2006 track squad and also served as regimental commander in the Corps of Cadets … won the Southern Conference outdoor 400-meter hurdles in 1996 and 1995. Gil Minor ’63 (Baseball/Football) Selected to the All-Southern Conference baseball team at catcher as a junior in 1962 … was second team All-State in football and honorable mention All-Conference … played on Southern Conference championship football teams in 1960 and 1962 and captained the 1962 football team. 160

Issac Moore ’99 (Wrestling) A two-time Southern Conference champion who won the title at 197 lbs. in 1999 and 190 lbs. in 1998 … was 29-8 as a senior, including a perfect 12-0 in dual match competition, and helped VMI to a share of the Southern Conference title. Neal Petree ’52 (Football) A three-year starter at end for VMI and caught 79 passes for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns during that span … Named first team All-Conference by United Press, first team All-State by Associated Press and was honorable mention Al- America by the Associated Press in 1951. Gary Sibayan ’89 (Baseball) Compiled a .306 career batting average with a then-school record 92 stolen bases ... named All-Southern Conference Northern Division for three straight years, 1986-88. Karylos Hayslett Inducted on Special Citation … Former equipment manager and served as head in the post for 23 years from 1982-2005. Ike Sherlock Inducted on Special Citation … former VMI head wrestling coach from 1978-85 … amassed a dual-meet record of 84 wins against only 19 losses … his 1982-83 team recorded a perfect 19-0 dual-meet record, and the 1985 team won the coveted Southern Conference Wrestling Tournament Championship. Expanded Inductee Bios Leslie Apedoe ’99 (Wrestling) Earned All-America honors at the 1999 NCAA Wrestling Championships when he placed sixth in the heavyweight division … became the first VMI heavyweight wrestler to win four consecutive titles in the Southern Conference (1996-99) and the first in the conference to accomplish that feat in 60 years … also became the first VMI wrestler to participate in four NCAA tournaments, all in one weight class

… maintained a national ranking of No. 4 throughout most of his senior season and captured heavyweight titles in the Bloomsburg Invitational, Virginia State Championships and All-Academy Championships … compiled a 33-6 record his senior season and a career mark of 111-29 which placed him second among VMI career wins leader Charley Branch who ranked No. 1 at the time … helped his team to the 1997 Southern Conference wrestling team title and a team co-championship in 1999 … named Southern Conference outstanding wrestler of the year in 1998 and 1999 … currently works in medical supply sales in Newport News where he lives. Chris Catanzaro ’01 (Baseball) One of the top, left-handed batters in Keydet baseball and finished his career with a .356 career batting average, the highest in VMI history … also graduated with then-school career records in hits (258), runs scored (171), doubles (71), runs batted in (155) and total bases (410) … also set season marks in hits (76-2000), runs scored (56-2000) and doubles (24-2000) … heading into the 2011 season, he still held the VMI career marks for batting average, doubles, runs batted in and total bases … hit .335 as a senior and led the team in homers in 2001 with eight … reached 100 career hits faster than any player in VMI history up to that time … hit safely in 42 of 49 games as a junior and had 24 multihit games, batted .346 as a freshman, .347 as a sophomore, .392 as a junior and .335 as a senior … is currently chief operations officer for Real Estate Management and Investment, working primarily with the company’s online school, Digital Learning Center, and the technology division in Kailua, Hawaii. Rich Daughtridge ’98 (Soccer) Scored 13 goals and three assists for 29 points his senior season and finished as the program’s all-time career scorer … finished his career with 34 goals, 14 assists and 82 points … finished among the conference region and national leaders in all three stat categories in 1997 … set a new VMI career VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ATHLETICS points record and ranks among the VMI career top five in career goals (2nd-34), career assists (4th-14), points (1st-82), shots (1st246), games played (3rd-73), starts (T-2nd73) … also ranks second in the VMI record books for season goals (13-1997) and fourth and fifth, respectively, for most points in a season with 29 and 27 in 1997 and 1994 … was team co-captain his senior year … was the first VMI player to be named to the All-South Atlantic Region team (1996) … was named first team All-Southern Conference and second team All-State in 1997 … also named All-Southern Conference in 1995 and netted a game-winning goal over military rival, The Citadel, in overtime … was named Southern Conference Freshman of the Year in 1994 when he scored 11 goals and handed out five assists for 27 points which was then the third most points in a season in VMI soccer history … played indoor soccer professionally with the Baltimore Blast after graduation … is the founder and president of High Studio in Hagerstown, Maryland, which provides graphic design, web development, video production and strategic marketing to its customers. Joey DuBose ’96 (Track) Co-captained the 1996 track squad and also served as regimental commander … won the Southern Conference outdoor 400-meter hurdles in 1996 and also ran a leg on the winning mile relay team ... captured the 2005 Southern Conference outdoor 400 meters with a time of 52.23 … earned All-Conference honors in 1995 in the indoor 55m hurdles and outdoor 4x100 and 1600-meter relay team … ran a leg on the 1994 Southern Conference champion 4 x 400m relay team that won with a time of 3:16.43 … earned All-Southern Conference honors by placing second in the 1995 indoor Southern Conference 55 meters with a time of 7.78 and was All-Conference in the indoor 2006 season for running a leg on the runnerup 1600 relay team ... awarded the 2006 Hardin Massie Award, the Col. Bev Read Academic Award and the Walt Cormack Leadership Award … is currently a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, promotable – doctor, trauma surgeon at the Baltimore Shock Trauma Center for Sustainment and Readiness Skills. 2011-Issue 4

Gil Minor ’63 (Baseball/Football) Was a three-year letterman in baseball as a catcher and was co-captain of the team his senior year … was selected to the All-Southern Conference team as a junior in 1962 … knocked in the winning run in one of the two victories over Virginia Tech in 1962 … as a senior, he batted .241 with VMI posting a 14-11 record – one of the best in the sport’s history at that time … regarded as having the strongest throwing arm among Southern Conference catchers at that time … lettered three years in football and started for two as a defensive lineman but also started a handful of games as a sophomore … as a junior, he was second team All-State in football and honorable mention All-Conference … played on Southern Conference championship football teams in 1960 and 1962 and captained the 1962 football team … is currently chairman of the board of OwensMinor Inc., the nation’s leading distributor of medical and surgical supplies to the acute care market. Issac Moore ’99 (Wrestling) A two-time Southern Conference champion who won the title at 197 lbs. in 1999 and 190 lbs. in 1998 … was 29-8 as a senior, including a perfect 12-0 in dual match competition, and helped VMI to a share of the Southern Conference title … twice competed in the NCAA championships … captured the Bloomsburg Invitational as a senior and was a runner-up at the Virginia State Championships … was 22-8 as a junior and placed second at the All-Academy Championships and Virginia Intercollegiates … placed third in the Southern Conference in the 190-lb. bracket as a sophomore … was 77-32 for his career … served as team co-captain and was regimental S-6 as a first classman … is currently a captain in U.S. Marine Corps who is scheduled to be deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in August, as of this writing. Neal Petree ’52 (Football) A three-year starter at end for VMI and caught 79 passes for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns during that span … caught 29 and 30 passes, respectively, his final two seasons in which he was selected first team All-State by the Associated Press

… was one of the South’s leading receivers both years … in 1951 (his senior year), he helped VMI to a 7-3 record, totaling 464 yards receiving, and a share of the Southern Conference title with Maryland … he was also the Keydets punter, averaging 38.1 yards per punt … following the season, he was named first team All-Conference by United Press and was named honorable mention All-America by the Associated Press … was also a letterman in both baseball and basketball … is currently a retired U.S. Army colonel living in Chipley, Florida. Gary Sibayan ’89 (Baseball) Compiled a .306 career batting average with a then-school record 92 stolen bases ... named All-Southern Conference Northern Division for three straight years, 1986-88 ... hit .359 in 1987 which led the squad that advanced to the Southern Conference championship game ... played second base and started four years including the 1988 Southern Conference North Division title squad ... also hit .300 in his Rat year, 1986 ... he hit 24 career homers and socked 12 which led the team in VMI’s North Division title year, 1988 ... set then-school season records in 1988 in runs (53) and stolen bases (29) in 1986 ... in the current VMI record books, he still ranks third in season stolen bases (26) and fifth in season runs scored (53), and on the career charts, he is third in runs scored (166) and second in stolen bases (92) ... during his career, he was successful in stolen bases in 92 out of 101 attempts, including a perfect 29 of 29 in his Rat year ... hit for the cycle against Marshall in 1988 … is currently Commercial Sales manager of Virginia for HH Gregg, a regional leader in the sale of appliances and electronics. Special Citation, Karylos Hayslett (Equipment manager, 1982-2005) Served as head VMI equipment manager for 23 years … stepped into the shoes of Hall of Fame inductee Henry Johnson in 1982-93 after serving as an assistant equipment manager under Johnson since 1965 … worked a total of 40 years at VMI … oversaw an operation that went from nine sports in his first year as head equipment manager to 16 sports at the time of his retirement … was the mentor of current 161

ATHLETICS head equipment coach Jimmy Mason … is retired and living in Buena Vista, Virginia. Special Citation, Ike Sherlock (Wrestling Coach, 1978-85) During his tenure at VMI, Coach Sherlock’s teams amassed an incredible dualmeet record of 84 wins against only 19 losses … his 1982-83 team recorded a perfect 19-0 dual-meet record … the 1985 team won the coveted Southern Conference Wrestling Tournament Championship … Ten of the wrestlers he recruited to VMI became Southern Conference Champions and three of these wrestlers still rank in the top ten in the category of career wins: # 6, Ben Walker ’86 (107-21-1); # 7, John Munno ’84 (99-34); and # 8, John Ehrenberger ’84 (99-48-2). Munno and Walker also have been inducted into The VMI Sports Hall of Fame…the Southern Conference recognized Sherlock’s many successes by naming him as its coach of the year in 1980, 1982, 1984 and 1985 … later worked with the VMI Keydet Club and VMI Foundation … is currently executive vice president of Kentuckiana Curb Company, Metal Fabrications Specialists, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherwise, the articles and photos in the Athletics section of the Alumni Review are produced by the VMI Sports Information Office.

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Athletics Attains Highest Rankings in Sasser Cup The 2010-11 athletics year marked the most successful year to date for VMI sports that compete in the Big South Conference. The Institute placed third of 10 schools among men’s programs in the overall George F. (Buddy) Sasser Cup standings which rank schools on overall success in competition based on their respective program performances in regular season and tournament action. The Keydets also placed fifth in the all-sports Sasser Cup standings based on both men’s and women’s programs combined. Both rankings are the highest for VMI sports programs in the Sasser Cup standings since 2003-04 when Keydet teams began competition in the Big South season. “We are very happy with the results of the Big South Conference Sasser Cup this year,” said VMI Athletic Director Donny White ’65. “Our goal is to win the All Sports award, and we will continue to pursue that goal. For our men’s teams to finish in third place overall, our highest finish since joining the conference, we are very pleased. This is a tribute to our coaches and cadet-athletes for their hard work and competitive success.” The Sasser Cup Trophy, named for former Big South Commissioner Buddy Sasser, is awarded to the Big South member institution with the most successful year athletically, using an average points system. Points are awarded based on both regular-season and tournament finish in each of the league’s 18 championships, depending on the number of teams participating in the regular-season and tournament, respectively. A school must be eligible to participate in a specific sport championship to receive Sasser Cup points in that sport. There is a weighted factor of 1.5 for those sports that only participate in regular-season play (football) or a tournament (cross country, track or golf) but not both. Teams tied in regular-season or tournament play split the points earned. VMI was bolstered by performances by the men’s basketball, men’s indoor track and field, and cross country teams, which all posted 10 or more points in the Sasser Cup scoring system. The baseball team also posted a winning conference record, and the outdoor track team finished in the upper half of the championship meet to help boost the men’s rankings. The women’s track team also garnered 10.5 points for its highest finish in the Big South meet last fall. VMI finished behind only Coastal Carolina and Liberty in the 2010-11 Sasser Cup men’s standings for the their best mark since a fourth place finish during the 2008-09 year. VMI also placed sixth in the all-sports standings that year.

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ATHLETICS Baucom’s Contract Extended through 2015 Head basketball Coach Duggar Baucom has received a contract extension through the 2014-15 season, Athletic Director Donny White ’65 announced. Baucom, who has established a fast-paced, up-tempo style of hoops for his team that has led the nation in Division I scoring for an unprecedented five consecutive years, has guided the Keydets to winning campaigns in two of the last three seasons. His 87 career wins rank second all-time on the alltime coaching list at the Institute. Over the last five years, the VMI basketball program under Baucom also has posted more wins (80) than all of the service academies and The Citadel during that time. “I am most pleased to sign Duggar Baucom to an extension on his contract,” said White. “VMI basketball is in excellent position to compete for conference championships each year due to the good work of Coach Baucom and his staff. His offensive style is exciting, and it has helped greatly in recruiting outstanding young players. I look forward to another successful basketball season at VMI with Duggar Baucom.” VMI concluded its 2010-11 season – Baucom’s sixth at the helm – with an 18-13 record which matched the 1995-96 squad for the second-most wins posted in a season by a VMI basketball team since 1978. The Keydets closed out the season winning six of their last eight contests. VMI also advanced to the semi-finals of the Big South Conference Championship Tournament for the third time in five years. Since transitioning to the up-tempo, high-flying system, the VMI record books have undergone a major facelift, as 78

school individual, team and facility records been rewritten in the Baucom era. In 2008-09, Baucom also led VMI to a 24-8 mark and a berth in the Big South Conference finals, their second such berth in three years. The 24 victories were the second most in school history, and the campaign began with a bang when the Keydets knocked off Kentucky, 111-103, in historic Rupp Arena. That victory kick-started an unforgettable campaign that saw the Keydets profiled in Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine and the New York Times, along with several other major media outlets. The season saw Baucom honored as the 2009 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) District 3 Coach of the Year, and he was also among 10 finalists for the Hugh Durham Award, given annually to the nation’s top mid-major coach. VMI players under Baucom have attained All-Conference honors seven times, All- Freshman honors four times, and one has been selected Freshman of the Year, while another was picked the conference’s top defender. Reggie Williams, who graduated in 2008 as the school’s all-time leading scorer (2,556 points) after leading the nation in scoring two consecutive years, has played with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors the past two seasons. “I appreciate the confidence that Gen. Peay ’62 [superintendent] and Coach White have in me to continue to lead this program,” said Baucom. “I am fortunate to have a great staff, and I am blessed to have awesome cadet-athletes who have bought in to what we are trying to accomplish here.”

Shupe Named Associate Athletics Director Tom Shupe has been named VMI’s associate athletics director, Marketing and Promotions, replacing Andrew Westhouse who resigned to accept the position of director, Marketing/Promotions, at James Madison University. He began his intercollegiate athletics career as Sports Information director at VMI and returns to Lexington following tenures at four schools, including Virginia Commonwealth University where he served as associate athletics director for External Affairs. Shupe has extensive NCAA Division I, administrative experience, having managed regional championship tournaments in men’s basketball, baseball, golf, tennis and soccer. In addition, he served on the NCAA Final Four 2011-Issue 4

Media Relations Committee while at Purdue University. He was associate athletics director at West Virginia University when the Mountaineers made four football bowl appearances and director of athletics at Wichita State University when the university won the College World Series baseball championship. The Rockbridge County resident served most recently as assistant executive director and special projects manager for the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, in which he was primarily responsible for development, sponsorships, advertising sales and corporate trade. He co-directed the Rockbridge County Fair in 2010, is a member of the Lexington Sunrise Rotary and a committee

Tom Shupe, who began his intercollegiate athletics career as Sports Information director at VMI, has extensive experience in Division I. He returns to Lexington following tenures at four schools.

chair for the July 4th Balloon Rally held annually at VMI. Shupe’s responsibilities include development, selling and execution of corporate partnerships, supervision of in-game and special event promotions that build crowd awareness, community outreach, and game-day environment. In addition, he oversees the Athletics Department’s licensing program game management assistance and duties as assigned by the director. 163

ATHLETICS Cowart ’08 Hits Olympic B Standard for Second Time, Finishes Sixth at USATFs Donnie Cowart ’08 has enjoyed a successful summer in 3,000-meter steeplechase competition, not only finishing sixth at the U.S.A. Track & Field (USATF) Championships on June 25, 2011, but also hitting the Olympic B Standard for the second time at the Savo Games in Finland on July 24th. (See Note below for a definition of Olympic A and B standards.) Competing in Lapinlahti, Finland, Cowart posted a personal best 8:26.38 in the steeplechase, good enough for a fourthplace finish at the highly regarded Savo Games. The effort was the fifth-fastest time by an American this year and was just over three seconds shy of the Olympic A mark. It followed up his effort at the USATFs in June, where he continued his climb up the national rankings with a sixth-

place effort. After failing to make the finals in 2009, Cowart finished ninth in 2010 before placing three spots better this year. There are numerous qualification scenarios for Cowart as he tries to make the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, but he is assured a berth in London if he cracks the Olympic A standard and finishes in the top three at next summer’s Olympic Trials. Editor’s Note: According to the USATF website, the definitions of Olympic A and B Standards are: A Standard – Athletes who attain the A standard will automatically be included in the Olympic Trial event, provided they enter and declare. B Standard – Athletes who attain the B Standard will be included in the Olympic

Cowart ’08 Trial event if additional competitors are needed to make the event competitive (i.e., not enough athletes have attained the A Standard).

VMI’s Gray-Minor Stadium, which served as host of the 2011 Big South Conference Baseball Championships, held its first-ever, televised contest when ESPN3.com carried the championship game between Coastal Carolina and GardnerWebb on May 28, 2011.

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FOUNDATION, INC. VMIVMI FOUNDATION, INC. New Members Join VMI Foundation Board of Trustees On July 1, 2011, the VMI Foundation’s Board of Trustees welcomed five new members. The family of Richard L. Goodall ’66 has strong VMI connections. Goodall’s father and his brother are members of the class of 1931 and class of 1967, respectively. Also, one of his two children, Richard, is a member of the class of 2003, and a nephew, Douglas B. Goodall, graduated in 2004. Goodall is chief executive officer of DVCC, Inc., an international corporation headquartered in Chestertown, Maryland. It specializes in the manufacture and distribution of couplings, valves and other equipment for a wide range of industries, including fire protection, food, mobile tankers, mining, construction, chemical processing, petroleum, oil fields, refining and manufacturing. He has held this position since 2001. Previous to that, he had been president of the company from 1988-94, when he became both its president and chief executive officer. Deeply involved in civic affairs for many years in Kent County, Maryland, he now serves on the Character Counts Kent County Board and the Kent County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. In the past, he has served on the Maryland State Board of Education, the Board of Directors for the Kent County Chamber of Commerce, the American Cancer Society of Kent County, the American Red Cross, the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, the Kent County Educational Partnership, the Upper Shore Manufacturing Business Council and the Washington College President’s Advisory Board. He also has been a youth basketball coach, coached a high school swim team and served as a Sunday school teacher. When asked for his thoughts on the importance of the mission of the VMI Foundation, he replied, “The VMI mission is vital to preserve. Our country needs what we produce. Duty, honor, respect, fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness and good citizenship are the values we need to support, and the VMI Foundation is the right vehicle to do so.” Graduating from VMI with a bachelor of arts degree in English, Richard K. Hines V 2011-Issue 4

’66 was editor of the Bomb and captain of the tennis team while attending the Institute. Following graduation, he served two years as a U.S. Army armor officer and in 1969 entered Vanderbilt University School of Law, earning a juris doctor degree in 1972. Currently a senior litigation partner in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Atlanta, Georgia, Hines has focused on litigation involving product liability, mass torts and toxic torts, franchisor, and transportation-related cases for 40 years. In recent years, his practice has expanded to include numerous class actions as well as litigation of commercial and intellectual property interests. Although based in Atlanta, Hines’ experience and expertise in trial and appellate practice has led him to appear in numerous state and federal courts throughout the United States. In 2004, he participated successfully in a matter before the U.S. Supreme Court on issues involving the international carriage of goods. Hines’s professional successes have earned him regular listings in such publications as The Best Lawyers in America and The Georgia Super Lawyers. He also has been included in Atlanta magazine’s surveys of Best Lawyers in Atlanta in both the commercial litigation and the personal injury litigation selections. A solid professional citizen, Hines was the president of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel – a national organization whose membership is limited to attorneys who represent the rail industry – from 2004-05. A member of the State Bar of Georgia, he also is a member of the American Bar Association, the Atlanta Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute and the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. There is more to him, Hines insists, than his professional life. “I hate it when someone thinks that all one does is lead a professional life.” Indeed, there is much more. He and his wife, Dorothy (known to most people as “Wawa”), have been involved in the Atlanta community for many years, serving a large number of organizations. For example, Hines is a long-serving board member of Crossroad Community Ministries which provides services to Atlanta’s homeless, and Mrs.

Goodall ’66

Hines V ’66

Hines is the current chairman of the board of the Fernbank Museum, Atlanta’s natural history museum. Apart from this civic work, he and his wife are devoted to the outdoors and especially enjoy hiking. They have hiked the “The Finest Walk in the World” – New Zealand’s Milford Track – and the equally famous Inca Trail in Peru, as well as climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. About the Foundation Board, Hines said, “I am honored to have been elected to the board and at the same time saddened by the fact that it happened in no small measure because of the untimely death of my twin brother, Edwin (Edwin Y. Hines ’66). However, it does present the wonderful opportunity to serve VMI, especially in light of the challenging economic times that face all educational and philanthropic institutions. I very much look forward to my next four years on the board, which perhaps is emblematic of the fact that Edwin and I were fourth generation graduates of VMI – a year for every generation who attended,” he concluded. After graduating from VMI with a bachelor of arts degree in history, Graham O. King ’61 attended business school at Indiana University, earning a master’s in business administration in 1963. After two years of Army service, King started working for IBM and, by doing so, began a career in information technology that would last almost 40 years. Beginning with three extremely successful years in sales, King moved on to a series of management posts, becoming the director of Business Planning for IBM’s General System Division in 1978. In 1980, he joined Auto Trol, a company that manufactured, developed, marketed and serviced computer-aided design and manufacturing systems. By 1982, the company had revenues of approximately $50 million, and King was its chairman and chief executive officer. In 1983, he took a break from the information 165

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. technology industry to become president and chief operating officer of Daseke Company, a privately owned real-estate investment and property-management firm that, during King’s tenure, managed a portfolio in excess of $1 billion. He rejoined the industry in 1983 by becoming the president of Shared Medical Systems, which provided information systems and related professional services to hospitals, clinics and physician groups. When King left this position in 1993, the company had more than $750 million dollars in revenues and 2,800 employees. King next joined US Servis Company as its chairman and chief executive officer. In five years, he had restored operational and financial health to the company, which provided outsourcing services and proprietary information systems to hospitals and physician groups. It was sold to HBO & Company in October 1998, and in January 1999, McKesson Corporation acquired HBO & Company.

From 1999-2004, King served as corporate executive vice president for McKesson and as president of McKesson Information Solutions, the world’s largest provider of information systems and related services to hospitals and physician groups. In these positions, he was responsible for restoring the company’s fortunes and reputation, and when he retired in 2004, McKesson Provider Solutions, as the division was then known, employed more than 6,300 people and had $1.3 billion in revenues. For the past seven years, King has been the president of King Consulting, LLC. In this capacity, he works as a coach and mentor to several executives running small businesses and/or sales organizations. He also serves in select situations as a board member and has served as an advisor to the senior management of McKesson’s technology business. King also has served on the boards of numerous corporations involved in healthcare services and infor-

VMI Foundation Board of Trustees The volunteer leaders of the VMI Foundation share an unshakeable commitment to the advancement of VMI and to the education and welfare of its cadets. Drawing from a wealth of knowledge and experience in various career fields, they contribute immeasurably to work of the VMI Foundation and, therefore, the many successes of VMI. From July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, the following alumni and friends of VMI will serve on the board of trustees:

Walton M. Jeffress Jr. ’68 J. Battle Haslam ’61 Stephen H. Sewell Jr. ’60 C. Allan Bamforth Jr. ’62 T. Bryan Barton ’68 Randolph M. Blanks ’67 * Charles F. Bryan Jr. ’69 Kathleen D. Bulger-Barnett ** Kim Y. (Danny) Chu ’83 Richard E. Collier ’57 Luther C. (Dan) Daniels Jr. ’75 Darryl L. Deke ’82 ** Robert Evans ’80 Paul D. Fraim ’71 John F. Fick III ’72 Richard W. Flowers ’72 John R. Gibney Jr. ’80 Richard L. Goodall ’66 * Ex-officio member

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President Vice President-Fundraising Vice President-Administration Conrad M. Hall ’65 Richard K. Hines V ’66 James R. Hobbs ’75 Stephen E. Hupp ’84 Graham O. King ’61 Scot W. Marsh ’81 John C. Miller ’61 P. William Moore Jr. ’63 William A. Paulette ’69 * J.H. Binford Peay III ’62 ** George M. Rapport ’64 C.M.A. Rogers IV ’83 Robert C. Troxler ’63 Thomas H. Zarges ’70

** Ex-officio member, non-voting

mation technology industries. In late 2010, he established the Colonel (USMC) William H. Dabney 1961 Scholarship for Merit. (Detailed information on the scholarship can be found in the 2011-Issue 2 VMI Alumni Review.) A native of Winchester, Virginia, Scot W. Marsh ’81 graduated from VMI with a degree in civil engineering. Upon graduation, he received a commission in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was assigned as a combat engineer in the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Infantry Division. He completed the Army Basic Engineer Officers Course and the Engineers Sapper School, and he graduated from the Army Parachute School. He served as an instructor in VMI’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering from 1981-83, teaching basic engineering and basic surveying. Marsh is a Virginia professional land surveyor and has practiced and taught land surveying for more than 25 years. He currently is the presiding partner of Marsh & Legge Land Surveyors, PLC, a company he helped found in 1995. It specializes in land surveying services in support of engineering and architectural projects in Virginia, as well as in West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. Marsh was appointed to the Planning Commission for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield National Park and took part in the drafting of the park plan, which was later adopted by the U. S. Congress to establish the Regional Historic District. He is a member of the ASCE, NSPS, ACSM and the Virginia Association of Surveyors. In 1990, he was called to active duty for the Persian Gulf War as a combat engineer assigned to a U. S. Army Civil Affairs command and took part in the liberation of Kuwait City. For his combat service, he was awarded the Army Bronze Star Medal. He retired from the Army Reserve with the rank of major. Marsh is married to the former Susan Willis of Newport News, Virginia. They have three children: Kate, a junior at the University of Virginia; Sally, a freshman at James Madison University; and Ben, a middle school student. They live in Frederick County, Virginia. Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherwise, all articles in the Foundation section of the Alumni Review are provided by the VMI Foundation.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. William E. Welsh ’64 is not a new trustee, exactly. He returns to the Foundation Board of Trustees three years after completing eight years of service that ended in June 30, 2008. As a cadet, Welsh was a civil engineering major and a Distinguished Military Graduate. He also was a stand-out football player – playing for four years and serving as the co-captain of the 1963 team – and a member of the Honor Court. After VMI, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam, and later worked for Concrete Pipe and Products in Richmond, Virginia. In 1968, he entered the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business from which he graduated in 1970 with a master’s degree in business administration. Relocating to Akron, Ohio, he then joined The Akron Coca-Cola Bottling Company where he rose in ranks from an assistant position to the chairman of the board and finally in 1984 to president and chief operating officer. In 1986, he left the company to found William E. Welsh and Associates, Inc., an independent consulting firm, which, as he describes it, fixes broken businesses. “I work out of one business crisis and then proceed to another,” he said. Besides his previous service on the VMI Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Welsh also has served on The VMI Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. Informally, he tirelessly “markets” VMI to young people. “I tell them that, in addition to the excellent academic education they will receive at VMI, they also will learn comradeship and community and deepen their love of country. They will develop a sense of responsibility, as well as the self-discipline necessary to carry their responsibilities, and they will learn the importance of being involved in life,” said Welsh. About his return to the board of trustees, he said, “I am a firm believer in the idea of ‘giving back’ to VMI, because it has been so meaningful and beneficial to me and others. I am honored, therefore, to participate in the Foundation’s efforts to help this invaluable institution continue its mission of developing future leaders for Virginia and the nation.” Walt Jeffress, president of the VMI Foundation, said, “I am pleased to welcome these alumni to the board of trustees. With their impressive array of talents and their amazing range of experiences, I am sure they will make strong contributions to the work of the VMI Foundation.” 2011-Issue 4

Message from the CEO by Brian S. Crockett As anyone who has been to Post in early November knows, this is a great time of year at VMI. The cadets and faculty are fully in the rhythm of a new academic year. The Rats have emerged from the initial shock of Matriculation, and while they are not enjoying themselves by any stretch of the imagination, each of them has more confidence in his or her ability to make it through VMI. The fall sports season, although coming to a close, still offers all sorts of opportunities to see our cadet-athletes compete. The entire Corps of Cadets is looking forward to Thanksgiving Furlough, and as they have since last fall, the Brother Rats of the second class – this year, the class of 2013 – are counting the days to Ring Figure. On Nov. 11, 2011, members of the VMI family will gather on Post and other places around Virginia and the world in order to mark the establishment of the Institute 172 years ago. As they do so, I am sure that many of these alumni, friends and parents will take a moment to consider how far VMI has come from that snowy day in 1839 and how promising its future looks in 2011. Today, VMI is a remarkable college. The story of how it became what it is today is a compelling one, marked by often daunting challenges, such as war and economic depression, that the school was able to surmount, because some amazing people, such as Francis H. Smith and John A. Lejeune, took on the responsibility of leading the school. Of course, the story of VMI is not just the story of its superintendents. It also is the story of devoted faculty, staff members and coaches, the men and women who gave decades of service to VMI and its cadets and kept the VMI education vigorous and relevant. It also is the story of VMI’s alumni who applied the lessons learned during their years in Barracks and became leaders in their professions and communities; they established for VMI a reputation as being a college that produces graduates of noteworthy determination, honor, integrity and purposefulness. There is another group of people within the VMI family who also have been important in VMI’s story. They are the people who have provided VMI with private financial support, as well as those who have served as volunteers for VMI’s fundraising campaigns and as volunteer leaders of the VMI Alumni Agencies. Although the importance of private money has increased in more recent years, donors have been making gifts to VMI since before the Civil War. The VMI Foundation, which has operated since 1937, began its first fundraising campaign on Nov. 11, 1939 – the day that VMI celebrated its centennial. In the years since that first campaign, the VMI family has made hundreds of millions of dollars in gifts in support of the Institute, money that fostered academic progress, built needed facilities and bolstered VMI’s distinctive extracurricular programs. In the current academic year, VMI will receive more than $17.5 million – or more than a quarter – of its $68.5 million budget from private sources. This money positively affects every aspect of the extraordinary education that VMI provides to its cadets. Private funds are the source of more than $8.6 million in financial aid to hundreds of young men and women, allowing them the opportunity to attend VMI and reap the many benefits of being a VMI cadet. It is highly appropriate, therefore, that on Founders Day, the VMI Foundation recognize many of its most loyal and energetic donors at the annual Institute Society Dinner. Held in the Hall of Valor in VMI’s Marshall Hall, it brings together hundreds of those who have made leadership gifts to the Foundation Fund – which raised more than $2.5 million in unrestricted funds – as well as the Brother Rats of the previous fiscal year’s 25th and 50th Reunion Classes (this year, the class of 1985 and the class of 1961, respectively). The leadership of the VMI Foundation and the Institute recognize and thank these men and women for their steadfast loyalty and commendable generosity to VMI. If you made a gift in support of VMI in Fiscal Year 2011, you deserve the thanks of every member of the VMI family – to include the cadets, faculty and staff. Your generosity will ensure that VMI will remain the truly extraordinary college that its founders imagined it would become.

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VMI FOUNDATION, INC.

Class of 1961 Reunion Nets More Than $8.6 Million

n June 30, 2011, the class of 1961 closed out its 50th Reunion Fund. When the late-arriving gifts and commitments were tallied, the class had brought in a magnificent $8,648,865.16. Even more impressive, 192 Brother Rats made a gift or commitment to the fund, giving the class of 1961 a participation rate of 90%. “This was a truly marvelous effort,” said Patrick Webb, the VMI Foundation’s director of Annual and Reunion Giving. “The class of 1961 is known for being a close knit group – that, in no small part, thanks to its long-time class agent, Sal Vitale – and for its willingness to come together on behalf of the Institute. I knew, therefore, that they would do something special.” The responsibility for the success of the class of 1961’s reunion fund was its Reunion Campaign Committee, a 28man group chaired by Brig. Gen. Lee Badgett, a former provost and dean of the faculty and economics professor at VMI. The committee began its work in March 2010 at a meeting on Post during which the members examined VMI’s needs and then considered ways that the class of 1961 could help VMI by establishing their own goals and defining specific funds to support. “Overall,” explained Badgett, “the occasion of our 50th Reunion was an opportunity for us to take stock of ourselves and of the role VMI played in our lives. We agreed that the Institute’s basic tenets of honor, integrity and self-discipline – instilled in us as cadets – are critically needed in today’s 168

world and essential to pass on to future cadets. That transmission, however, requires resources at least as much as it requires commitment and nostalgia.” The committee encouraged as many of the class as possible to return for the 50th Reunion. The second objective was to achieve 100% participation in the Reunion Campaign. “Our greatest concern was to have Brother Rats join us in Lexington for the Reunion, but we also wanted those BRs to join us in supporting VMI,” said Badgett. “It was not the form or the amount of participation in the campaign which mattered to the committee, but the fact that as many BRs as possible did participate that was important. The class did not attain the 100% goal, which is rare in VMI history, but the 90% achieved is nonetheless impressive. I am greatly appreciative of the committee’s initiative, energy and good humor which led to the class’s achievement, and I particularly note the committee’s one ‘true volunteer.’” The members of the class were encouraged to contribute to whatever aspect of the Institute seemed most important and appropriate to them as individuals. However, the committee highlighted one major objective which was seen to provide a fitting focus for memorializing the class: the Institute’s new Marshall Center for Leadership and Ethics. Consequently, in their contacts with BRs, the committee members placed particular emphasis on the Class of 1961 Fund for the Center for Leadership and Ethics. “We were extremely

impressed by the work of the center and its leadership and keenly aware of the positive effect that the center already has had in the lives and educations of cadets,” explained Badgett. In a relatively short time, the members of the Reunion Fund Committee took up the task of contacting the more than 200 Brother Rats, urging their support. The fruit of the class’s generosity and commitment was the traditional check presentation ceremony at the Saturday morning parade on April 30th during reunion weekend. Then, the class of 1961 presented the Institute with an initial gift of $8,609,735. In the next eight weeks, the committee kept up its work and was rewarded with additional gifts totaling approximately another $40,000. Brian Scott Crockett, chief executive officer of the VMI Foundation, praised the class of 1961 for its successful campaign. “Again, a 50th Reunion class has provided a superb example of what can be done for the Institute. Determined and well-organized, the class of 1961 came through with an excellent result. They deserve the thanks of everyone in the VMI family for their generosity toward VMI.” Badgett added, “The campaign was our ultimate effort as a class to provide a lasting testament and memorial to our Brother Rats and to support those who follow in our footsteps at the Institute. I am proud of the participation and generosity of our class’s response. The outstanding result is worthy of the 341 Rats who entered the Barracks in 1957.” VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Memorial Gifts The VMI Foundation, Inc., and the VMI Keydet Club, Inc., received the following gifts in memory of deceased alumni, parents and friends during the time frame of May 1, 2011, through July 31, 2011.

Mrs. Donna M. Adams Mr. William L. Ginder ’71

Douglas E. Andrews ’53, M.D. Mr. David E. Wheeler ’80 and Mrs. Wheeler

Mr. Robert F. Atkins Jr. ’63 Mr. John S. Cockey Jr. ’63

Capt. Paul D. Barnes II ’92, USMC Mr. Christopher L. Doyle ’94

Mr. Nathaniel Beaman III ’46 Mr. Nathaniel Beaman IV ’74

Capt. Paul M. Bayliss ’60, USAF Samuel W. Horner III ’60, D.V.M.

1st Lt. William B. Bell ’67, USA Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67

Mr. Ryan K. Betton ’98 Mr. Hamel B. Reinmiller ’98

Mr. W.R. Blandford Jr. ’69 Mr. Joseph B. Farrar Jr. ’69 Bruce Gregory ’69 and Sherry Gregory

Mr. Edwin H. Bodenheim, II ’71 Mr. Kirk Roselle Murray ’71

Mr. Francis G. Boehm ’50B Robert M. Reardon ’50B, M.D.

Mr. Keith E. Bonn Mr. Raymond O. Denman Jr.

Mrs. Celia Branch Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

Col. George M. Brooke Jr. ’36 Mr. Henry L. Baxley Jr. ’51 Mrs. Charles M. Hunter Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66 Mr. Eugene K. Wilson III ’62

Mr. Herb Brooks Mr. Ray S. Brooks ’76

Mr. Brisbane H. Brown Jr. ’52 Mr. Robert L. Lambert ’52

Mr. Charles H. Caldwell ’57 Mr. Alan S. Baumgartner ’57

2011-Issue 4

Mr. Jack K. Callender Mr. Robert L. Brickner ’56

Mr. Daniel D. Cameron ’42 Buzz Birzenieks ’64 and Jane Birzenieks

Mr. Peter R. Candler ’71 Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71 Mr. William L. Ginder ’71 Mrs. DeWitt S. Worrell

F. Allen Cavedo ’47, D.D.S. Mrs. Howard M. Allen Mrs. Stephanie D. Asbell Lt. Archer, Deputy Stankiewicz, Deputy Braxton, Sgt. Randolph, Stephanie Connelly, Dora Lee Sellers and Mary Brooks Brenda Caputo and Kathy Hnatt Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Curry Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Dennis Mr. Rives Fleming Jr. ’47 Mr. and Mrs. Drew Gallalee Ms. Linda Gayle Mrs. Samuel S.M. Gillespie Mr. Thomas E. Gottwald ’83 The Honorable Elmon T. Gray ’46 Mr. Monroe M. Gregory Jr. ’47 Mr. William A. Hallett Jr. ’47 Mr. Michael A. Hamway Mr. and Mrs. J. Hunter Harris Mr. W. Thomas Hawkins ’49C Mr. and Mrs. James D. Holden Sr. Long, Foster CRES: David, Gayle, Allison, Mimi, Nikki and Carolyne Ms. Charlotte G. Ivey Ms. Mary Lou H. Ivey Mrs. Ted B. Jacobsen Mr. L.H. Jameison Mr. Catesby B. Jones ’47 and Mrs. Jones Dr. and Mrs. S. Bernard Jones Mr. William C. Jones Mr. and Mrs. H.T. Leary Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Levey Mrs. Shirley G. May Mr. and Mrs. Andrew H. McCutcheon Jr. Ms. Margaret F. V. McGehee Mr. Edwin B. Meade Jr. Henrico Community Band Members Mr. and Mrs. P. Bradley Nott Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Watson O. Powell Jr. Mrs. Martha P. Rice Richmond SHRM Mr. James L. Riley Mr. Augustus Robbins III ’47 Mary and Billy Stone Mr. and Mrs. John M. Street Mr. John K. Taylor ’50B Ms. Louise L. Toms Ms. Jane D. Ware Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Wells Mr. Herbert S. Wheary and Family Edward J. Wiley Jr. ’52, M.D.

Mr. Bruce R. Chambers ’73 Mr. Michael R. MacKenzie ’73

Mr. Edwin H. Chauncey ’55 Capt. Benjamin L. Angle III ’55, USA (Ret)

Mr. Ronald C. Coleman ’55 Mr. Everette A. Powell Jr. ’55

Mr. Howard J. Cook III ’01 Mr. and Mrs. John P. Causey Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William F. Etherington Mr. R. Bruce Gregory ’69 Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence S. Hill Mr. and Mrs. Juhani Karhatsu Family of Brian Keefer Mr. Fred W. Keefer Mrs. Marcella Gregory Sturtz Virginia State Police Association Inc. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Weaver

Mr. Edwin Cox III ’53 Anonymous

Mrs. Edwin Cox III Anonymous

Mr. Paul E. Crawford ’65 Mr. and Mrs. Larry P. Egan

Mr. William E. Crumpler ’53 Mr. W. Scott Crumpler ’82

Mr. Raymond C. Cullen ’66 Mrs. Raymond C. Cullen Mr. R. Bruce Gregory ’69 Mr. Robert H. Gregory II ’04 Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66 Mr. Frank G. Louthan III ’66 Mr. Hugh H. Tompkins ’69

Mr. Herbert C. Davis Jr. 100th Infantry Division Association

Ms. Madelyne Davis Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Duvall

Deceased Members of 1941 Mr. Harold P. Clark ’41

Mr. William P. Diehl Jr. ’52 Mr. Robert L. Lambert ’52

Sgt. Ryan E. Doltz ’00, ANG Mr. Matthew S. McComas ’00 Capt. David D. Troxell ’02

Mr. Henry S. Dunbar III ’48B Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

Donald J. Dunlap ’54, D.Min. Mrs. Donald J. Dunlap

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VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Mr. Ralph E. Eckert ’66 Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Col. Walter A. Edens ’40, USA Mr. Scott E. Belliveau ’83 Mr. Charles W. Bragg Jr. ’50B Ms. Marietta S. Dormire Col. John M. Patton ’42, USAF (Ret) Col. Daniel G. Smaw III ’49B, USA (Ret), and Mrs. Smaw

Capt. James C. Edge ’96 Mr. Christopher D. Antonelli ’96

Mrs. Lillian W. Enochs Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

Mr. John Fenton Mr. Graham L. Undercoffer ’74

Robert H. Filer ’55 Robert H. Bowden Jr. ’55, M.D. and Mrs. Bowden J. Parker Cross Jr. ’53, M.D. Mr. Robert S. Rennicks Jr. ’55 Willcox Ruffin Jr. ’52, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Thirlwell

Lt. Arthur L. Galloway Jr. ’69 Mr. Russell S. Evans Jr. ’65

James Samuel Gillespie III ’94 Mr. Christopher L. Doyle ’94 Col. and Mrs. George Piegari

Mr. Roger D. Goos Mr. Larry Madison

Paul J. Graham Mr. Graham L. Undercoffer ’74

Mr. Dennis W. Graves ’67 Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67

Col. Turner E. Grimsley ’63, USA Mr. Robert B. Powell ’63

Mr. Eugene S. Groseclose Jr. ’67 Mr. and Mrs. Hunsdon Cary III

Col. Oscar W. Gupton Mr. Kirk Roselle Murray ’71

Col. Karen Gutermuth Col. Charles E. Fraley

Mr. R.A. Guthans ’51 Mrs. Frances W. Arehart Sharon Faile Mr. John J. Ross III ’51 and Mrs. Ross Mrs. Selden H. Stephens Jr. Col. and Mrs. Douglas E. Taylor Mr. Jacob H. Wamsley II ’51

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Lt. Col. Carroll B. Guthrie III ’67, USA Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67

Mrs. Gail Guthrie

Mr. John Overton Guthrie ’71

Col. Leroy D. Hammond ’57 Mrs. Leroy D. Hammond

Mr. W. Thomas Hawkins ’49C Mr. William A. Hallett Jr. ’47 Mr. George P. Ramsey Jr. ’48B Mr. R. Coleman Rice Jr. ’49C

Mr William A. Herbert ’97 Mr. Christopher L. Doyle ’94

W.H. Higinbotham Jr. ’56, D.D.S.

Dr. Patrick Conner J. Parker Cross Jr. ’53, M.D. R. Kirkland Hubbard Jr. ’57, D.D.S. Mrs. Elizabeth H. Jamerson Mr. James E. Mann Jr. ’56 Mr. J. Peyton Moore ’56 Mr. Jack W. Nurney Jr. ’50B and Mrs. Nurney Mr. John P. Pittman ’56 Mr. John L. Rowe Jr. ’66 and Mrs. Rowe Nelson and Mae Taylor

Col. Peter W. Hoadley

Col. and Mrs. Charles D. Morgan

Mr. William H. Hoofnagle, Jr. ’36 Mr. Jackson M. Andrews, IV ’68

Dr. Wilfred B. Howsmon Mr. Larry Madison

Mrs. Mary Jane R. Johann Ms. Bonnie DeHaven

Mr. William H. Johann Jr. ’43

Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bradley Mr. Richard H. Catlett Jr. ’43 and Mrs. Catlett Ms. Bonnie DeHaven Mr. Howard E. Gill Jr. Ms. Doris T. Gresham Mrs. James O. Hodgkin III Jane Burian, James and Louise Kite Mr. Harry G. Lee ’47 Mrs. Anne W. Muller-Thym Col. Gordon M. Shoemaker Jr. ’60, USMC Mr. and Mrs. Vincent J. Thomas ’43 Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Wharton Mr. and Mrs. John E. Whitmore ’42 Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Wilson III

Mr. Henry Johnson

Mr. John C. Blake Jr. ’79

Paul E. Johnson ’58, M.D. Class of 1958

Mr. Catesby B. Jones ’47

Mr. and Mrs. H. Harding Brown Richard M. Clary ’70, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. William Couper Skip and Margaret Ford Mr. H. Waldo Forster Jr. ’46 Mr. William A. Hallett Jr. ’47 Mr. and Mrs. Bruce R. Hazelgrove Jr. Mr. and Mrs. H. Winston Holt III Mr. Wallace S. Inge ’96 Mr. Harry G. Lee ’47 Bob and Keith Miller ’53 Mr. R. Coleman Rice Jr. ’49C Mr. William R. Shands Jr. Mr. Harry H. Warner ’57

Mr. J. Roddey Jones ’45

Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Young

Mr. Dan L. Jordan ’67

Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67

The Reverend J.H. Jordan Jr. ’51 Mr. J. Victor Arthur III ’75

Mr. Samuel P. Jordan Jr. ’64

Mary Jo Jordan, Jo Ellan Jordan Auble and Samuel P. Jordan II

Mr. David N. Kaliski ’64 Mrs. David N. Kaliski

Mr. Thomas O. Kelly ’66

Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Capt. John W. Kennedy ’69, USAF Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Duvall

Lt. Col. Edward A. Kritzer ’48A, USAF Mr. Paul W. Stagg ’48A Mr. John W. Trumbo ’48 and Mrs. Trumbo

Col. Mell J. Lacy Jr. ’63, USAF Anonymous

Capt. Stanley E. Leck ’79, USAR Mr. Gregory M. Leck ’77

Mr. Lloyd L. Leech III ’66

Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66 Mr. Frank G. Louthan III ’66 Col. John M. Patton ’42, USAF (Ret)

Liviv Librescu

Mr. Alan S. Baumgartner ’57

Mr. R.N. Lineweaver III ’63 Mr. Howard I. Reynolds ’63

Mr. Gordon H. Lloyd ’66

Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Mr. Robert G. Long ’52

Mr. Robert L. Lambert ’52 Mrs. Sherril L. Wright

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Mr. Frank F. Lumpkin ’79 Mr. W. Massie Meredith Jr. ’79

Col. Horace Mann III ’54, USA Mr. Howard W. Mizell Jr. ’55 and Mrs. Mizell

Mr. Daniel H. Marston ’60 Mr. John J. Beall Mr. J.G. Goodwillie III ’60 Jack and Mary Hodge Mr. William R. King ’60 Mr. James W. Long Jr. ’69 Mrs. Daniel H. Marston James A. Smith III ’60, M.D. and Mrs. Smith Mr. Anderson Wise ’60

Capt. James J. Masotti ’59, USA Mr. John C. Reed ’59

James D. Massie ’55, M.D. Mr. David T. Massie ’92

Lawrence G. Mathews ’39, D.D.S. Mrs. Lawrence G. Mathews

Capt. Donald J. Mattaro Jr. ’66, USA Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Mr. Robert V. Mazzoni ’71 Mr. William L. Ginder ’71

Col, Cleyburn L. McCauley ’49B, USAF Col. Daniel G. Smaw III ’49B, USA (Ret), and Mrs. Smaw

Mr. Joseph W. McCullough ’45 Mr. and Mrs. David Mills

Norma McDill Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Duvall

Mr. Thomas C. McLeod ’43 Mr. James A. McLeod ’72

Mr. Charles E. McNeillie ’66 Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Mr. Thaddeus J. Meler ’48A Mr. Thomas R. Meler ’62

Mr. James P. Milton ’66 Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Mr. W. Clark Minnigerode ’92 Mr. Christopher L. Doyle ’94

Maj. Joseph G. Mixson ’57, USMC Mrs. Joseph G. Mixson

Mrs. Agnes Fort More Mrs. James H. Akin Arcade Company Inc.

2011-Issue 4

Mr. Maclin P. Davis Jr. ’47 Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Mizell III Mr. Walter O. Stokes ’61 and Family

Mr. James R. Kelly ’71

James E. Rayhorn ’47, D.D.S. Mrs. James E. Rayhorn

Mr. Jeffrey J. Morgan ’80 Mr. John J. Ross III ’51 and Mrs. Ross Mrs. DeWitt S. Worrell

Mr. Alexander H. Morrison II ’66 Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Mr. L. VanLoan Naisawald ’42 William M. Massie ’52, M.D. and Mrs. Massie Col. John M. Patton ’42, USAF (Ret)

Mr. H. Albert Nance Jr. ’67 Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67

The Rev. James H. Newsom Jr. ’47 Mrs. James H. Newsom Jr.

Mrs. Susan G. Norris Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Cleary

Walter J. O’Donohue Jr. ’57 Mrs. Maria S. Brookhouser

Mr. Daniel J. Ogle ’63 Mrs. Frances W. Arehart Anonymous

Capt. Thomas T. Oliver ’63, USA Mr. Howard I. Reynolds ’63

Mr. Asa H. Page Jr. Capt. Asa H. Page III ’79, USN

Louis S. Pappas ’72, M.D. Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

Mr. Charles G. Peckham ’63 Anonymous Mr. Howard I. Reynolds ’63

Mr. Hugh M. Penley ’67 Mr. L. Jan Abernathy ’67

Mr. Robert N. Petrola ’71 Mr. Kirk Roselle Murray ’71 Mr. Michael Gary Rogers ’71

Mr. E. Keith Phillips Jr. ’43 Mr. John S. Halsey ’43

Mr. John B. Pipkin II ’57 Mrs. John B. Pipkin II

Mr. H.E. Pope Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Duvall

Mr. Christopher C. Rackley ’71 Mr. Warren J. Bryan ’71 and Mrs. Bryan Mr. William L. Ginder ’71

Cadet Andrew L. Reavis ’12 Class of 2012

J. Darrell Rice ’58, D.D.S. Class of 1958

Col. Herbert E. Ritchey J.J. Kleinschuster ’64, Ph.D.

Mr. James W. Rountree Jr. ’67 Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67

John J. Salley ’47, Ph.D. Mr. John S. Halsey ’43

Mr. Conrad F. Sauer III ’46 Ms. Mildred S. Barnes Mrs. Maria S. Brookhouser Mr. and Mrs. Joe Buhrman Anonymous CFSauer Information Technology Department Members Commonwealth Architects Commonwealth Commercial Partners Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Cosby Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Disharoon Mr. H. Waldo Forster Jr. ’46 Mr. Boyd L. George Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Giannasi Mr. and Mrs. W. Clifford Hendrix IV Mr. Robert Holden Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Holsworth Dr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Janney Mr. Francis R. Kollmansperger III ’84 Mr. and Mrs. T. Leitch Lancaster III Mr. Lawrence N. Mauck Jr. ’46 and Mrs. Mauck Mr. Charles B. Miller ’42 Mr. and Mrs. L. Wayne Puglisi Mr. and Mrs. Duane H. Ragsdale Rayco Industries Inc. Ring Container Technolgies Mr. and Mrs. Randal L. Ringhaver Mr. Thomas G. Slater Jr. ’66 Mr. and Mrs. Harold C. Thaxton Mr. Robert S. Ukrop United Network for Organ Sharing Company Mrs. Thomas E. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Williford

Mr. George R. Schell ’58 Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

Mr. Charles C. Schoen III ’56 Mrs. Frances W. Arehart Mr. Warren J. Bryan ’71 and Mrs. Bryan Mr. J. Peyton Moore ’56 Mr. G. Marshall Mundy ’56

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VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Mr. Dick Woodman ’50B and Julia Woodman

Mr. Frank W. Scroggins ’54

Mr. J. Fenimore Cooper Jr. ’54

Jay R. Sculley ’62, Ph.D.

Col. and Mrs. George Piegari Mr. John E. Woodward III ’78

Mr. Stephen J. Simulcik ’89 Mrs. Rebecca S. Tate

Mr. Gerald E. Smallwood ’50B Class of 1950B

Col. Albert C. Smith Jr. ’47, USMC Mr. William A. Hallett Jr. ’47 Mr. Wilson E.D. Shepherd ’50B

Capt. Rodney H. Stone ’66, USAF Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Mr. Robert E. Strauss Jr. ’63 Anonymous

Maj. Paul R. Syverson III ’93, USA Mr. Bowlman T. Bowles III ’87

Mr. Robert L. Tannen ’67 Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67

Capt. John R. Teal ’94, USA Mr. Christopher L. Doyle ’94 Mr. Kevin C. Miller ’94

Mr. Eugene N. Touchstone ’67 Mr. Thomas B. Rhodes Jr. ’67 Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67

Jerry A. Trice ’55, M.D.

Capt. Benjamin L. Angle III ’55, USA (Ret)

Mr. Robert J. Trinkle Jr. ’50B Robert M. Reardon ’50B, M.D.

Mr. Bruce Turner

Mr. Graham L. Undercoffer ’74

Mr. Bruce W. Undercoffer ’76 Mr. Graham L. Undercoffer ’74

Mr. John L. Undercoffer

Mr. Graham L. Undercoffer ’74

Lt. Col. J. Thomas Undercoffer ’56, USA Mr. Graham L. Undercoffer ’74

Col. Godfrey W. Updike Jr. ’69, USA Anonymous

Mr. Joseph E. Vojtecky ’70 Mr. David C. Sadowski ’75

Mr. Robert K. Waring Jr. ’50B Col. M.L. Waring Jr.’56, (USA, (Ret)

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Mr. Robert G. Watt ’44

Mr. Charles W. Parker Jr. ’44

Mr. Julian M. Weaver Jr. ’925 Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

Mr. Richard C. Weaver ’921 Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

Col. Siegfried Weing

Mr. Kirk Roselle Murray ’71

Mr. Larry W. Wertz ’67 Mr. John J. Sheeran ’67 Mrs. Larry W. Wertz

William H. Whitmore ’48A, M.D.

Mrs. Linda D. Devine Ms. Rae E. Devine Dr. and Mrs. Russell D. Evett Mr. and Mrs. Christopher P. Kotarides Mrs. Elizabeth F. Reed Mr. Paul W. Stagg ’48A Mr. Vincent J. Thomas ’43 and Mrs. Thomas Mr. John W. Trumbo ’48 and Mrs. Trumbo Mr. James Utt

Col. David V. Harbach ’61, USA (Ret) Mrs. Nancy C. Mitchell Col. and Mrs. George Piegari Mr. Laurence B. Ritter Mr. Edward B. Willis ’66 Mrs. DeWitt S. Worrell

Mr. Gregory R. Wright Jr. ’95 Mr. Thomas Citrano

Capt. Luke C. Wullenwaber ’02, USA Mr. Gregory G. McDearmon ’99 Mr. Reuben F. Trant II ’02

Mr. Carden Young Mr. Larry Madison

Mr. William M. Zollman Jr. ’52 Mr. W. Ware Smith Jr. ’62

Matching Gifts The following companies or related foundations have made contributions to VMI, matching the gifts of alumni and friends listed under each. These gifts were received during the time frame of May 1, 2011, through July 31, 2011.

2nd Lt. Mark C. Whittier ’66, USMC

Abbott Laboratories Fund

Mr. Willis J. Wichlei ’59

Aerojet

Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66

Lt. Col. Michael M. Irvine Jr. ’59, USA (Ret)

Lt. David L. Williams ’91, USN Mr. David T. Hart ’91 Mr. Hans C. Peeders ’91

Col. Ronald W. Williams ’64 Mr. Thomas G. Allen ’64 H. Lee Fleshood ’64, Ph.D. William F. Grubb III ’64, Ph.D. Mr. Thomas E. Sebrell IV ’64 Mr. William E. Welsh ’64

Mr. Thomas E. Williams ’44 Mr. Harry G. Lee ’47 Brad and Janet Sauer

Mr. A.H. Wilson III ’57 Mrs. A.H. Wilson III

Mr. Roger F. Witt

Mr. Robert R. Fair

Mr. Clinton T. Glover ’57

Mr. and Mrs. John Schumacher

Alaska Airline Lt. Col. Thomas D. McGinnis ’86, USMC (Ret)

Alcoa Foundation Mr. T.F. Drumwright Jr. ’50B

Altria Group Inc. Mr. William K. Bhatta ’76 Mr. Michael A. Moore ’78 Mr. John R. Munno ’84

American Electric Power Mr. William G. Rogers ’86 Mr. James G. Tapley ’43

American International Group Inc. Mr. John W. Frazer Jr. ’65 Mr. Peter H. Segersten ’96

Mr. Sherrill A. Witt ’66

Ameriprise Financial Advisor

Mr. John H. Woodfin Sr. ’61

Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc.

Mr. Robert S. Woods ’66

AT&T Foundation

Mr. DeWitt S. Worrell ’62

Bank of America Foundation Inc.

Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66 Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

Mr. Howard M. Lloyd Jr. ’66 Mr. Christopher L. Doyle ’94

Mr. Richard Lee Clary ’71

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hughes

Mr. James M. Outland ’83

Mr. Willard D. Hoskins III ’61

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Mr. Robert E. Kozyra ’65

Bechtel Foundation Mr. Hunter F. Taylor ’67

BP Foundation Inc. Mr. Frederick Davison Jr. ’75

Coca-Cola Company Mr. C. Pat Haddock ’00 Col. Joseph P. Moan ’81, USAF (Ret)

Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Piligian

Dominion Foundation Mr. Rudolph J. Bartol ’79 Mr. Kevin M. Cordray ’80 Mr. H.A. Curle Jr. ’76 Mr. Robert G. Gregory Jr. ’63 Mr. Robert A. Harris III ’55 Mr. Andrew T. Kratt ’99 Mr. F. Brian McNeil ’65 Mr. O. Preston Sloane III ’75 Mr. John S. Thornton Jr. ’64

The Duke Energy Foundation Mr. Kenneth R. Jordan ’65

Eaton Corporation Mrs. Marshall Wright

Eli Lilly and Company Foundation Mr. Russell C. Proctor III ’65

Fulton Financial Corporation Mr. Oliver L. Way ’75

The General Electric Foundation Mr. Jennings B. Bunch Jr. ’50A Maj. Gen. Richard E. Leithiser ’50B, USAR (Ret)

Hershey Foods Corporation Mr. Bernard M. Banas Jr. ’81

IBM Corporation Mr. Thomas G. Allen ’64 Mr. T. Bryan Barton ’68 Mr. Joseph R. Brenner ’55 Col. Louis C. Delisio ’52, USAF (Ret) Mr. G.T. Durvin Jr. ’70 Mr. John Goode ’81 Mr. James A. Griffin ’63 Mr. James P. Hart III ’55 Mr. James E. Henry Jr. ’68 James C. Kyle Jr. ’57, Ph.D. Mr. Robert S. Miller ’53 Mr. Stephen V. Motylinski ’85 Mr. Kramer W. Reeves ’89

2011-Issue 4

Mr. Tarn M. Rosenbaum Mr. Ira N. Saxe ’39 Mr. Robert E. Schaefer Mr. Ralph A. Warren Jr. ’50B Mr. Frank H. White ’59

Ingersoll-Rand Charitable Foundation Mr. Warren W. Michelsen ’87

Intel Foundation Mr. Robert A. Shults ’91

Intelliware Systems Inc. Capt. Michael C. Coleman ’88, USNR

Johnson & Johnson Company Mr. John M. Reilly Jr. ’93

Kraft Foods Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Keith

Lockheed Martin Corporation Mr. C. Wayne Burton ’68 Lt. Col. Marc L. Fielder ’72, USAF (Ret) Mr. Joseph W. Keyes Jr.’82 Mr. David L. Lawson Jr. ’96

The Medtronic Foundation Mr. Patrick M. Wilson ’78

The Merck Company Foundation Mr. William Terpeluk ’75

MMC Mr. Thomas R. Buckner ’69 Mr. Douglas Lawrence Rowe ’71

Norfolk Southern Foundation Mr. Phillip R. Ogden ’63 Mr. Edwin R. Trinkle ’70 Mr. Lawrence E. Wetsel Jr. ’61

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. Mr. J. Daniel Coogan Jr. ’59

Pfizer Foundation Mr. William R. Haeberlein ’61

Pitney Bowes Company Mr. Benjamin W.L. Semmes III ’88

Raytheon Company

Mr. Kenneth K. Kauffman Mr. Ira P. Parkman Jr. ’66

State Farm Companies Foundation Mr. H. Lee Barnes Jr. ’69 Mr. J.G. Goodwillie III ’60 Mr. Quinter J. Herring Jr. ’50B

SunTrust Mid-Atlantic Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Howard Mr. Vincent A. Wood III ’81

Temple-Inland Foundation Col. David R. Elliott ’61, USA (Ret)

The Lubrizol Foundation Ms. Jane L. Haag

Thompson & Litton Inc. Mr. Gregory H. Hurst ’91

UBS Mr. W. Bogart Holland ’68

United Technologies Corporation Mr. James R. Greene ’87

Verizon Foundation Mr. Edgar R. Bare ’54 Mr. Francis E. Boeggeman ’58 Mr. Edgar L. Brown Jr. ’53 Mr. Wayne D. Chiles ’65 Mr. Scott Lee Fraser ’74 Mr. Glen N. Jones ’78 Mr. William K. Kays Jr. ’55 Mr. W.B. Kuykendall Jr. ’50B Mr. I. Thomas Orrell ’77 Mr. Eugene Scott Jr. ’80 Mr. Ben W.L. Semmes Jr. ’55 Mr. David T. Wagner ’82 Mr. A. Thomas Wallace ’54 Mr. David E. Wheeler ’80 Mr. Michael C. Zirkle ’97

Victaulic Co of America Inc. Mr. Ronald L. Gault Jr. ’71

VISA Lt. Col. William T. Viar ’92, USAR

Wells Fargo Foundation Mr. George K. Gill Jr. Mr. Brian D. Tate ’90

Col. Paul G. Munch ’70, USA (Ret)

Saint Gobain Abrasives Maj. A.B. Loefstedt III ’80, USA (Ret)

Shell Oil Company Foundation Mr. Stephen J. Barcik ’59

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KEYDET CLUB KEYDET CLUB Keydet Club Welcomes New President and Seven New Board Members

Holland ’52

Merhige

Morgan ’75 Sommers ’72

The Keydet Club Board of Governors welcomed a new president and seven new members on July 1, 2011. William A. (Bill) Paulette ’69 took over as president from Charles F. Plageman ’90. The other officers of the board for 2012 are: U. Buzz Birzenieks ’64, first vice president; Joseph W. Keyes Jr. ’82, second vice president; and Gerald J. Acuff Jr. ’71, secretary and treasurer. New board members, effective July 1, 2011, are : Chris Holland Jr. ’52, Gale F. Sommers ’72, P. Allen Morgan ’75, Bland Massie Jr. ’77, David K. Grimm ’86, Jack A. Collins ’92 and Mark Merhige. Returning board members, who will serve a second, three-year term, are: Donald B. Heslep ’56, Gary A. Morgan ’81, Barry W. Coceano ’84, John R. Munno ’84 and Scott M. Saunders ’97. Following are brief biographies of the new board members: Chris Holland ’52 Holland was born in Richmond, Virginia, in September 1929. His hometown is Eastville, Virginia, on the Eastern Shore. He was raised in Short Hills, New Jersey, where his father found employment after the depression. He graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1948. While in high school, he was a member of the 1947 championship football team, which was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame as one of the most outstanding teams ever. Holland entered VMI in September 1948 and was named captain of the Rat football team. He wrestled and played Rat baseball. At that time, freshmen were not allowed to play college varsity sports. He graduated from the Institute with a degree in civil engineering. In June of that year, he married Sugar Hunley, a graduate of Southern Seminary. At that time, he went to work for EI DuPont at the Atomic Energy Plant in Aiken, South Carolina. He was called into the Army as a second lieutenant and spent 17 months in Korea, between Inchon and Seoul, South Korea, with the 44th Engineer

Grimm ’86 Construction Battalion. Following active duty, he served for 28 years in the Reserve and retired as a lieutenant colonel. After Korea, Holland returned to the Savannah River Plant Explosives Department for one year and went to work with Ethyl Corporation as a sales and service engineer. He became a district manager in the International Division with territory including the Caribbean, Central America, Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru. In this role, he was instrumental in introducing bulk sales overseas to refineries in that area. He later went into real estate and building custom homes. Holland has maintained an interest in volunteering for civic activities such as PTA and Kiwanis. He has chaired several committees, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Realtors and Home Builders Association. He is presently in charge of road maintenance for his home owners association and is the district deputy grand master of the 29th Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. The Hollands have two daughters, Cathrine Slattum and Patricia Verones; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Gale Sommers ’72 Gale Sommers graduated from VMI with bachelor arts degree in math. He was a scholarship player in basketball and lettered in basketball and track while at VMI. Following graduation, he went on to obtain a master of arts degree in accounting from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. As of this writing, he is the senior vice president and chief financial officer for Professional Warranty Service Corporation – a leading company in the new home warranty administration industry – and oversees all financial areas of the company. He is also responsible for human resources, information technology, underwriting and facilities management. Prior to joining Professional Warranty in 2007, he served for 11 years as the senior vice president and chief financial officer of Reilly Mortgage Group, Inc., one of the largest, privately held commercial mortgage bankers in the U.S. Before that, Sommers worked for 18 years in public accounting

VMI Keydet Club Mission Statement: To contribute to the SPIRIT and development of a successful Division I athletic program that benefits the whole of VMI.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

KEYDET CLUB and was a partner with the international firm of Ernst & Young, LLP, with a focus on the financial services and real estate industries. Sommers is a certified public accountant and a member of the board of directors of LetsGiveBack.org. He was recently named a 2011 Chief Financial Officer of the Year by the Washington Business Journal. (Editor’s Note: See a photo and write-up about Sommers’ award in the Alumni News section of this Review.) He and Anne, his wife of 34 years, live in Falls Church, Virginia, and have three daughters who also live in Virginia: Megan in Richmond, Lauren in Fairfax and Kristin in Arlington. P. Allen Morgan ’75 Allen Morgan matriculated from Buckingham County, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. As a cadet, he lettered in varsity baseball his third class year and lettered in varsity football his third, second and first class years. During his career in manufacturing, Allen was employed by Virginia Precast Corporation; Richmond Engineering Company (RECO), both in Richmond, Virginia, and in Natchez, Mississippi; Nucletron USA; and Metalspray. In 1999, he started a company called PAM’s (Patrick Allen Morgan’s) Blinds, Shades & Shutters. At the time of this writing, he is selling and installing window treatments throughout central Virginia. Allen and Sandy, his wife of 35 years, live in Moseley, Virginia. They have a son, Justin, who is in law school at Northwestern University, and a daughter, Blaire, who lives in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sandy Morgan is the daughter of VMI alumnus Frank E. Spencer ’53. An avid supporter of VMI athletics, Allen continues to take pride in the fact that while the class of ’75 was on the football field, it never lost to Tech, also known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia. David Grimm ’86 Dave Grimm matriculated from Williamsburg, Virginia, where he played varsity football and tennis at Lafayette High School. At VMI, he was an economics major, 2011-Issue 4

with Army ROTC option, who attended U.S. Army Airborne School immediately after Rat year. He was a three-year letterman on the tennis team, vice president of the Circle K Club, a member of the Mono-

gram Club, a 4-year private in Delta Company and a sports writer for The Cadet newspaper. Following graduation, he was commissioned into the Army infantry. Grimm served (continued on next page)

Keydet Club Board Terms of Office FY2012 Officers President – Bill A. Paulette ’69 1st Vice President – U. “Buzz” Birzenieks ’64 2nd Vice President – Joseph W. Keyes Jr. ’82 Secretary/Treasurer – Gerald J. Acuff ’71 Immediate Past President – Charles F. Plageman ’90 Historian – Ralph Costen Jr. ’70

1st Term Ends Board Members Can Be Re-elected Thomas C. Jones ’69 Lois W. Ford Kevin J. Henry ’68 June 30, 2012 James W. Long Jr. ’69 June 30, 2012 Daniel P. Thornton ’78 June 30, 2012 Lewis E. Preston ’92 June 30, 2012 Andrew J. Mulcunry ’94 June 30, 2012 Thomas A. Brashears ’95 June 30, 2012 Ronald M. Bryan Sr. ’55 Bill O’Connor ’70 R. Cameron Thompson III ’74 M. Kimo Wong ’75 Andre J. Gibson ’78 Bruce R. Kitchen ’81 Richard F. Hewitt ’83 Kelly K. Sullivan ’01 Thomas A. Mortenson Paul A. Bouis ’67 June 30, 2013 Christopher M. Perry ’77 June 30, 2013 Calvin L. Murray III ’83 June 30, 2013 Mo Khandan-Barani ’84 June 30, 2013 W. Brett Hayes ’86 June 30, 2013 Alfred C. Lester Jr. ’98 June 30, 2013 Donald B. Heslep ’56 Gary A. Morgan ’81 Barry W. Coceano ’84 John R. Munno ’84 Scott M. Saunders ’97 Chris Holland Jr. ’52 June 30, 2014 Gale F. Sommers ’72 June 30, 2014 P. Allen Morgan ’75 June 30, 2014 Bland Massie Jr. ’77 June 30, 2014 David K. Grimm ’86 June 30, 2014 Jack A. Collins ’92 June 30, 2014 Mark Merhige June 30, 2014

2nd Term End Cannot Be Re-elected June 30, 2012 June 30, 2012

June 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 June 30, 2013 June 30, 2013

June 30, 2014 June 30, 2014 June 30, 2014 June 30, 2014 June 30, 2014

Young Associates Rick Killmeyer ’95; Frank Dingle ’96; Rick Mattoso ’96; Charles Ayers ’97; Wes Barrow ’99; Brian Ross ’99; Matt Erwin ’02; Adam Britt ’03; Ben Rand ’03; Bill Kastelberg ’04; Tommy Walton ’04; Will Paulette ’05; Marc Antonelli ’06, Todd Baldwin ’06 and Worth Bugg ’07.

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KEYDET CLUB in the Army for more than 20 years in a variety of infantry command and staff assignments and deployments around the world and completed his career in December 2006 as an operational research and systems analyst on the Army staff. During his military career, he earned Expert Infantry, Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger tabs. Upon his Army retirement, Grimm was selected into government executive service as a highly qualified expert in the field of test and evaluation (T&E). He was named the deputy U.S. Army T&E executive in 2006 and, at the time of this writing, is serving as the acting assistant deputy under secretary of the Army for T&E. In this role, he is the primary agent for the secretary of the Army in coordinating T&E issues, policy, positions and reports with the other military departments, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff and congressional staffs. Grimm is also dual-hatted as the Department of Defense Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Program T&E executive. Dave oversees development of the Army T&E Strategic Plan and T&E Investment Strategy, which is approximately $20B across a five-year planning horizon and includes over one third of the Army’s total land mass and infrastructure. Grimm lives in Montclair, Virginia, and is married to the former Janelle Fike (Hollins ’86). They have four children – Alix, Sarah, Rebeccah and Caroline, ranging in age from 23 to 16 years old – and are the proud grandparents of three grandchildren – Joshua, Jordan and Journi. Mark R. Merhige Mark Merhige began his real estate career in 1982. He formed the precursor to his present endeavor, Shockoe Company, in 1986 when he opened Mark Merhige Real Estate in downtown Richmond. Merhige has been a pioneer in urban redevelopment, creating some of the first warehouse lofts in the Shockoe Slip Historic District. He has been involved in the development of over $30 million of mixed use and apartment projects in the Shockoe Slip neighborhood. He owns and manages many of these properties which include apartments, restaurants, and retail and commercial spaces. 176

Merhige is actively involved in a broad range of community activities, from Boy Scouts to professional organizations. He serves or has served on a number of boards and commissions, such as St. Christopher School Board of Governors, Venture Richmond Board of Directors, VCU Health Systems Board of Directors, Virginia Transportation Accountability Commission and Richmond Riverfront Corporation, in

which he has served as chairman and as a member of its board of directors. He is married to the former Laura Kent, and they have four children: Sayre, 21; Rennie, 19; Mariah, 15; and Alex, 12. Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherwise, all articles in the Keydet Club section of the Alumni Review are provided by the Keydet Club.

Leadership Member Spotlight: Ben Rand ’03 The Keydet Club recently talked with alumnus and two-sport athlete Ben Rand ’03 about some of his VMI memories and his membership in the Keydet Club. Name: Ben Rand Class: 2003 Major: English Matriculated From: South Boston, Virginia Sports: Basketball and Baseball

Occupation:

Attorney at law. I’m a partner with Blackburn, Conte, Schilling & Click in Richmond, Virginia. The majority of my practice is focused on criminal, personal injury, domestic relations and business law.

Most influential person(s) at VMI during cadetship:

Coaches Marlin Ikenberry ’95 and Tom Slater ’90. I learned a lot about leadership from both Coach Slater and Coach Ikenberry. Both men were excellent at leading by example, and they never got too high after a big victory or too low after a tough loss. They helped me develop a leadership style that works well for me, and they did this by establishing an atmosphere where I could be myself within the framework of the team.

Best athletic memory:

In 2003, beating Davidson in the Southern Conference basketball tournament and then beating The Citadel in a 2-1 walk-off win in the Southern Conference baseball tournament in the same year (which was the last year that VMI was a member of the Southern Conference).

Rand ’03

How VMI prepared me for life:

VMI taught me that it is not whether you get knocked down but how you get up and continue to pursue life’s challenges that are most important. We all get knocked down, but success and character are built by how quickly we can rise above an obstacle to reach a goal or objective. Every day at VMI was a challenge, and my experience as a cadet certainly helped prepare me for the rigors of practicing law.

Why did you decide to become a Keydet Club Leadership Member? Successful athletic teams provide positive exposure that is seen throughout the country. Anytime VMI is successful in an athletic venue it only enhances the Institute’s overall reputation. Donating to the Keydet Club allows me to help cadetathletes and their teams while contributing to the future success of VMI. Ben Rand is a BIG RED-level Leadership Member in the Keydet Club. Contact the Keydet Club at 800/444-1839 if you’re interested in becoming the newest BIG RED member, and join Ben in being a Leadership Member in the VMI Keydet Club!

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW