Alumni Review 2012 Issue 1 by VMI Alumni Agencies

VMI

ALUMNI REVIEW 2012-Issue 1

Contents

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE Alumni Review 2012-Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

This issue includes class notes covering the time period of Aug. 16 to Oct. 17, 2011. Other than class notes, most stories and news in this issue were received in the August to November ’11 time frame.

FEATURES

Founders Day 2011

Institute Society Dinner

Matheis ’45: Longest Day

Hanmer ’55: Ambassador

21 Acuff ’71: Giving Back The Powers Brothers:

Fall Reunions 2011

NEWS AND UPDATES 3

OEF/OIF: An Update

Periodicals postage paid at Lynchburg, VA.

Association/Chapter News

Class Notes

143 Taps 148 Alumni News

President’s Letter

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

WEB SITE ADDRESSES Alumni Agencies: www.vmialumni.org VMI: www.vmi.edu

146 Association Directory 150 The Institute 156 VMI Athletics 158 The Foundation

2012-Issue 1

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:

DEPARTMENTS

164 The Keydet Club

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

ATTENTION POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to: VMI Alumni Review, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450

141 Most Senior Alumni

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

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.

141 Births, Marriages, Degrees

PUBLISHER The President of The VMI Alumni Association, Inc.

PRINTER Progress Printing Co., Inc. Lynchburg, Virginia

and Negotiator 22

Volume 87, No. 4

153

ON OUR COVER Front Cover: VMI celebrated its 172nd birthday with cannon salute during the Founders Day Parade. Inside Front Cover: The Honored Class of 1986 atop the sentinal box for an Old Yell during the class’s 35th Reunion weekend. Inside Back Cover: The Corps First Battalion commander passing in review on Founders Day. All photos by Kevin Remington.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Fellow Alumni, In this first Alumni Review issue of 2012, the Alumni Association is proud to highlight several notable alumni, their service and contributions to VMI. Along with current stories and reflections about VMI alumni history – including an interesting article about Dick Matheis ’45 and his World War II experiences – we also feature our fall 2011 Reunions and showcase the great involvement of alumni classes.

Blanks ’67

It’s interesting to note that on many college campuses today, class reunions are dwindling and are quickly being replaced on fall calendars. Such is not the case at your alma mater, where we see increases in overall attendance and a sustained affinity for our school. Inside that truth is a message: alumni care about their school and savor the opportunity to rekindle relationships forged within the Barracks right here in Lexington. This Review profiles long-time supporters of VMI and offers some insight into the impact of their generosity. We honor the memories of the late John M. Camp Jr. ’40 and The Honorable Elmon T. Gray ’46. We feature Jerry Acuff ’71 in an article that explains why he contributes to VMI and how his contributions are helping Cadet D.J. Covington ’14. Seeing the effect of small and large donations makes clear the importance of investing in our Institute, and I am once again reminded of how cadets are supported in such meaningful ways by our alumni. We can all be proud of this testimony and are fortunate to have so many instances about which to report. In future issues, we will continue to highlight ongoing alumni support and involvement. This Review also contains articles about: • VMI’s Founders Day, the dedication of Crozet Point and the Institute Society Dinner. • Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41, who has been selected to receive VMI’s prestigious New Market Medal. (See the Institute section for this article.) • S. Read Hanmer ’55, ambassador and member of the delegation that negotiated the Strategic Arms Reduction (START) I Treaty. • Steve Powers ’79 and his brother, Karl Powers ’90, who operate PaPa Bear Adventures, a remote wilderness outfitter in Bethel, Alaska. Also noteworthy is coverage of the Scholarship Recognition Banquet, which can be found in the Keydet Club section. Remarks by the superintendent, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, are printed there. Last but not least, an article about the latest recipients of the Spirit of VMI Award – Paul Bouis ’67 and Ralph Costen ’70 – appears in the Keydet Club section. The largest part of the magazine, as it is with every issue, is the Class Notes section, with notes written by more than 75 dedicated Brother Rats. The information that they share with classmates is invaluable, and we know from survey data that alumni read that part of the magazine first. This is proof of ongoing interest, and we owe a great deal to class agents for their hard work. Congratulations and many thanks to these staff writers, card senders and important communicators who help to keep us all connected with our classes and VMI.

Yours serving the Institute and her alumni,

Randolph M. Blanks ’67, President The VMI Alumni Association, Inc.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

U.S. Forces Afghanistan Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Pete Sniffin ’85, left, with Lt. Col. John Wranek ’85, USAR, after having lunch together at the Kabul Compound in Afghanistan. Since this photo was submitted, Wranek has returned safely to the states.

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 Oct. 17, 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.

Because we must 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 1988

Class of 1989

Class of 2001

Gillespie, John M., Maj., USAR

Masley, Michael E., Col., USA

Norris, Benjamin S., USA

2012-Issue 1

From left, U.S. Forces Afghanistan Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Pete Sniffin ’85; Maj. Sean Lanier ’94, USA; and Lt. Col. John Wranek ’85, USAR, at the new Kabul Compound in Afghanistan. Wranek, who submitted this photo, wrote: “[Lanier] arrived in Afghanistan in July 2011 and is scheduled to be here for six months before he returns to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He works for Army Central Command and is a Support Element Logistics & Sustainment planner. He is responsible for tracking all classes of supply, battle loss/battle damage vehicles and container management for the theater. He also monitors the Combined Joint Area of Operations, looking for trends and attempting to solve problems before they become crises. This is Lanier’s sixth deployment, and he will very likely get promoted to lieutenant colonel in 2012. He is considering several possible assignments following his tour in Afghanistan, which could land him in Washington, D.C., or Stuttgart, Germany.”

Col. Dan Gettings ’84, USA, is the senior advisor to the deputy minister (DM) of Counter Narcotics, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan / Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. The photo at right was taken at Camp Eggers in Kabul. About his current assignment and career, Gettings wrote: “I work with the DM to improve the organization’s ability to sustain itself when we transition to an Afghan solution to the narco-terrorist war. Afghanistan supplies approximately 90% of the world’s heroin. The Taliban and other terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and neighboring countries rely heavily on proceeds they receive from drug traffickers for direct participation in the drug trade, protection services and/or intimidation. I left my family in Peru where I served as the chief of the Military Assistance and Advisory Group for three years. I’m an Army Foreign Area officer with a Latin American designation. I’ve also served in Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and Panama. [After Afghanistan], I’ll return to Peru, pick up my family and move to Colorado where I will serve in the Northern Command as the chief of Security Cooperation and Engagement. My position will focus on Mexico and Canada. I will retire from there in 2014 at the completion of 30 years in the U.S. Army. [This is] just a little bit of insight into what the Army can offer young men and women who want to serve, see the world and work with other people.”

U.S. Army Maj. Chris Lowe ’96 is a Future Operations planner at the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to Lt. Col. John Wranek ’85, USAR, who submitted this photo, Lowe recently graduated from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The SAMS program teaches leaders to be agile and adaptive, to think critically at strategic and operational levels, and to solve complex, ambiguous problems, according to the program’s website (www.cgsc.edu/SAMS). Due to the U.S. military’s increasing requirements for SAMS graduates, Wranek explained, these officers must perform a 12-month utilization tour in a critical battle staff position. “Lowe’s 12-month ‘utilization tour’ has begun,” Wranek wrote.

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

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. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

Photo left: Col. Roland J. Tiso Jr. ’73, USA (Ret), is on assignment as a subject matter expert, CTR USA Combined Joint Task Force, at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. He is pictured at an outpost overlooking Khyber Pass. Tiso is stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

Photo left: Capt. Rob Kelly ’08 and Lt. Col. Jason Carrico ’92 ran into each other at Contingency Operating Station Echo, Iraq. Carrico is commander of 115th Brigade Support Battalion, and Kelly is serving with the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment. Both men are part of the U.S. Army 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

Army National Guard Lt. Col. Weedon Gallagher ’90 is commander of the 1297th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Afghanistan. Above, he is pictured with Command Sgt. Maj. Willett, also in Gallagher’s unit, in front of a building named Marshall Hall. Note the prominently displayed VMI spider.

Rotary Honors Ransom ’01 Editor’s Note: The following news release was submitted to VMI by the Midlothian, Virginia, Rotary Club. Midlothian Rotary Honors The Late Maj. Charles A. Ransom On Sept. 27, 2011, the Midlothian Rotary Club honored Midlothian-native, Maj. Charles A. Ransom [’01], USAF, by presenting his parents with the Paul Harris Fellowship. Ransom was killed in Afghanistan on April 27, 2011, at the Kabul airport in an attack by a rogue Afghan soldier. ...“After all that Maj. Ransom did to serve the Midlothian community and this country, honoring him with the Paul Harris Fellowship really is the least we can do,” said Midlothian Rotary President Chandler Williams [’68]. “Maj. Ransom was the epitome of what Rotary stands for, and it is with humility that Midlothian Rotary Club honors him.” Mr. and Mrs. Willie Ransom, mother and father of the late Maj. Ransom, accepted the Paul Harris Fellowship on behalf of their son. The theme of Rotary is “Service Above Self,” making the Midlothian-native an exemplary choice for the Paul Harris Fellowship. Ransom was an honor student at Midlothian High School and served as captain of both the Midlothian football and baseball teams. After high school, he attended VMI where he was elected vice president of his class, majored in computer

2012-Issue 1

science and graduated in 2001. After leaving VMI, Ransom was commissioned as a U.S. Air Force officer, had a distinguished career and was selected for promotion to the rank of major in his 10th year of service, before his 32nd birthday. Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellowship – named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary International over 105 years ago – is one of the highest honors given by Rotary. The Paul Harris Fellowship is awarded to those Rotarians who have made significant contributions to the work of Rotary. However, the Fellowship is also used by individual Rotary Clubs in recognition of an outstanding individual in their community, as is the case with Midlothian Rotary’s recognition of Maj. Ransom.

Lt. Col. Brent Hashimoto ’88, USA, serves in the office of the deputy commander for International Security Cooperation at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to Lt. Col. John Wranek ’85, USAR, who submitted this photo, Hashimoto’s section is part of NATO Training MissionAfghanistan / Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.

The following note from Ed Kopsick ’80 appeared in the last Alumni Review, 2011-Issue 4: “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 [DLA] 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.” On Sept. 10, 2011, Kopsick sent the photo, at left, and wrote, “The VMI flag flies over the DLA Distribution Center in Kandahar, Afghanistan.”

VMI Founders Day Parade Nov. 11, 2011

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

2012-Issue 1

Crozet Point Dedicated on Founders Day

The first president of the VMI Board of Visitors and the Remarks by Col. Keith E. Gibson ’77, executive director of architect of VMI’s academic program and military organiza- VMI Museum Operations, told the story of Crozet’s life, his tion was honored on Nov. 11, 2011, in a ceremony dedicating contributions to VMI in its early years and his continuing career Crozet Point. as Virginia’s state engineer. (See Gibson’s remarks on page 9.) The remains of Col. Claudius Crozet are buried there, just across After setting the course for VMI at its opening, Crozet went on Letcher Avenue from Crozet Hall. The monument honoring Crozet was finished earlier in 2011, with the placement of a bronze medallion bearing his likeness on its pink granite surface and construction and landscaping of a small plaza around it. As one of VMI’s three founders, Crozet drew on his experiences as a military student in Napoleonic France in shaping the “distinctive organization, early curriculum and even the daily life of cadets at our Institute,” noted Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintendent, in opening the ceremony. The ceremony took place during VMI’s observation of its Founders Day – honoring, with Crozet, early faculty member J.T.L. Preston and first VMI superintendent Francis H. Smith. “The early influence of the founders In his remarks to open the ceremony, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI remains strong and immediate,” said superintendent, noted that Crozet shaped the organization, curriculum and daily life of cadets. Also pictured above are, from left, Chaplain to the Corps Peay. “I believe that if Crozet, Smith and of Cadets James S. Park, Board of Visitors President Paul D. Fraim ’71 and Preston were to return this morning to Executive Director of VMI Museum Operations Col. Keith E. Gibson ’77. the Institute, they would find much that Photos on this page by VMI, Kevin Remington. they would recognize and appreciate.” 8

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

to create a new map of the state of Virginia and a railroad across the Blue Ridge Mountains requiring four tunnels, one of which was the longest in America at that time. The plaza at Crozet Point takes the shape of the parabolic curve of that tunnel’s opening. Gibson’s remarks also told the story of Crozet’s remains, first buried in Richmond in a cast iron coffin, then moved to the area in front of Preston Library at VMI in 1939, with the construction of the monument there interrupted by World War II. In the completion of the memorial this year at Crozet Point, the original plan for Crozet’s interment at VMI has been fulfilled. During the process of relocating the memorial, Gibson supervised a forensic examination of Crozet’s exhumed remains by the Smithsonian Institution. “It might be said that Col. Gibson has a special relationship

with Col. Crozet,” Peay had noted in his introduction. “I can safely say … that Col. Gibson is one of only a few living individuals to have actually seen Col. Crozet.” Chuckles at the remark were heard in the audience, which included Col. And Mrs. Brice Houdet, military attaché at the French Embassy to the United States, and Battle Haslam ’61, M.D., a trustee of the VMI Foundation who sponsored the creation of the medallion for the monument. It is thought, Gibson said, that each cadet will pass Crozet Point 7,600 times during his or her cadetship. “Perhaps on one or two of those … occasions,” concluded Gibson, “the cadet will pause at this spot and reflect on the amazing circumstances that resulted in an officer of the Grand Armee of Napoleon to rest here with us.” Editor’s Note: The preceding article was written by VMI Communications and Marketing.

Dedication of Crozet Plaza, Nov. 11, 2011 Col. Keith Gibson E. Gibson ’77 Remarks An officer of the Grand Armee of Napoleon rests here with us. The French Revolution was six months old when Claudius Crozet was born in the southeast of France on 2 January 1790. At age 15, he gained entrance into the famed Ecole Polytechnique from which he graduated in July 1807. His standing in the middle of his class destined him to become an artillery officer. Two more years of study and he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Grand Armee and was assigned to Napoleon’s headquarters. The young engineer spent the next four years in the capacity of a combat engineer, building bridges and roadways across Europe. With a promotion to captain, Crozet and the Grand Armee began the invasion of Russia on 23 July 1812. He was captured at the Battle of Borodino. Legend suggests that Crozet spent the next two years in captivity at the manor house of a Russian nobleman, where he taught the captor’s children French and hunted wolves. In the spring of 1814, he was released and returned to Paris. The following year, Napoleon’s forces were defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. Crozet began to think of America. Now that he was out of the army, the 26-year-old married Agathe Decamp on 7 June 1816; two months later, they were en route to New York City. A fellow passenger, the great French engineer Simon Bernard, may have arranged for Crozet to be hired by the U.S. Military Photo by Ed Dooley. Academy upon his arrival in 2012-Issue 1

the new world. 1816 was a pivotal year in the life of Claudius Crozet. In a few short months, he left the army, married, immigrated to America and was appointed professor of engineering at West Point. That same year, the commonwealth of Virginia opened an arsenal in the hamlet of Lexington for the storage for militia arms. Crozet remained at West Point for seven years, during which time he observed – and participated in – the often volatile development of the young military academy, as Joseph Swift, Alden Partidge and Sylvanus Thayer each struggled to impose their own educational philosophy. This experience proved to be a great education for what lay ahead in Crozet’s life. In 1823, Crozet eagerly accepted the request of the commonwealth of Virginia to become the state engineer under the Board of Public Works. This was the era of great internal improvement projects around the nation. Virginia realized that to stay economically viable, she too must develop transportation systems and natural resources. Regrettably, the unruly manner by which this was to happen had little to do with transportation or engineering and much to do with politics. The General Assembly proposed civil engineering projects around the state from which the Board of Public Works would create a list for the state engineer to execute. The state engineer did not actually oversee the construction of projects – he 9

was simply to lay out the course of a proposed roadway or canal. Private companies with state funding were to execute the projects – often with disregard for the state engineer’s well-thought-out plans. The frustrations inherent in the position led Crozet to resign his post in 1832 to become the state engineer of Louisiana. He hoped that the position in Louisiana would be less political – it was not. Crozet returned to his adopted state of Virginia in 1837 when he was once again asked to resume his post as state engineer. By now, many of the old issues of canal, versus turnpike, versus railroad had been settled. On 30 May 1837, the governor of Virginia, David Campbell, appointed Claudius Crozet and three others as the first board of visitors of a “military school to be established in Lexington.” It was left to the group to appoint a president from the membership. The other three members were all general officers in the state militia. Assuming that the president would be doing all the work, the generals unanimously elected the colonel to the post. It proved to be the perfect choice. Crozet tirelessly threw himself into the work. He proposed that the state military school be framed on the model of West Point but with several distinct differences. While West Point pursued a focused mission of educating career officers, the Virginia school would educate citizen soldiers. Later that year, Crozet toured the state arsenal in Lexington for the very first time. The road leading up to the building followed the very path where we now gather. It was apparent to the engineer that buildings designed for

housing firearms would not serve to house a college. Over the next two years, Crozet attended to the smallest details in preparing for a yet-to-be-determined opening date of this new experiment in higher education. One of the most important details was hiring the first principle professor – the superintendent, as he would be called. Only two men were seriously considered: Joseph A. Anderson and Francis H. Smith, both graduates of West Point. On the day that Crozet had the board debate the merits of the two candidates, most of the discussion centered on the merits of Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Anderson! Finally, Crozet stood up and called for a vote on which of the two charming ladies should be elected superintendent! Committed to the virtues of a disciplined lifestyle, Col. Crozet personally wrote the 244 regulations governing the daily routine of the Cadet Corps – today, every cadet recognizes this volume as the Blue Book. It was clear that the president of the board drew heavily upon his own cadetship at Ecole Polytechnique and his seven years at West Point to fashion a new model for higher education in a military setting. 11 November, 1839: At last, the day arrived when the arsenal was ready to assume its expanded role as the nation’s first state sponsored military college. The name, Virginia Military Institute, had been suggested by co-founder John Preston, but the initials by which the school would become universally known – VMI – was first penned by Claudius Crozet when he submitted his first report to the governor on 21 November. Crozet would continue to serve as president of the board until 1845, but in a very real way, his greatest work had been done. The vision of this officer of Napoleon would be executed by his lieutenants. Once the Institute was a reality, others, such as Francis Smith and John Preston, ably guided the young school. Crozet found himself increasingly more occupied with his responsibilities as state engineer. His most important engineering accomplishments lay before him: the completion of a new map of the commonwealth in 1848 and the construction of a railroad across the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1850. Traversing the mountain range required four tunnels, including the 4,263-foot Blue Ridge Tunnel near the top of the pass at Afton Mountain. Construction proceeded from each side, digging though granite and shale with only hand drills and black powder. When the two ends came together on Christmas Day 1856, the bores were a remarkable six inches off perfect alignment! Heralded as one of the great engineering feats of its day, Crozet had built the longest tunnel in America. Col. Keith E. Gibson ’77 explained that Crozet Plaza is in the same parabolic shape as the entrance portal to Crozet’s great engineering work, the Blue The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 Ridge Tunnel. Photo by VMI, Kevin Remington. threatened much of the world Crozet

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

had helped build. For the first time in his long and productive life, he was only an observer of the events around him. Claudius Crozet died at the home of his daughter, just west of Richmond, on 29 January 1864. He was buried beside his wife in Richmond in a cast iron casket. The casket was a new item of technology in the 1860s – it must have appealed to the engineer. When the Institute, which owed so much to the vision of this Napoleonic soldier, neared its 100th anniversary in 1939, the board of visitors resolved to bring the body of Crozet to VMI. Just a few years earlier, in 1935, the Institute had named the mess hall in tribute to the French engineer. The original plan was to bury Crozet at the entrance to this facility. The emergencies of World War II, however, precluded moving Crozet to Lexington until 1942. Under war-time conditions, only a simple grave was prepared in front of Preston Library. It would take another six years before that spot was marked by a simple, tripartite, granite stone. The Cadet newspaper reported that a bronze medallion was to be placed on the stone at some later date, but soon that detail was forgotten. In 2006, a construction project required the remains of Crozet to be moved once again. I called the noted forensic anthropologist, Dr. Doug Owsley, at the Smithsonian Institution who I knew was conducting a survey of 19th century cast iron caskets. Dr. Owsley was very interested in examining both Crozet and the casket. He assembled a team of internationally recognized experts to perform a complete forensic examination of our first president. The study that followed revealed that this war veteran and engineer, who spent much

of his life in the field, never suffered a broken bone. His sturdy skeleton was remarkably free from arthritis. The remains of Col. Crozet were returned to the casket, placed on a VMI monogrammed blanket and interred in a vault across from Crozet Hall. We could now create the monument our visionary founder deserved. Crozet Plaza is in the same parabolic shape as the entrance portal to his great work, the Blue Ridge Tunnel. His grave and marker align with the entrance to the building which bears his name. And, at last, through the generosity of Battle Haslam, M.D., class of 1961, the bronze medallion likeness of Crozet now adorns his stone. When Crozet stepped down from the VMI Board in 1845, Superintendent Smith wrote to his mentor, “I hope you will permit me to add that nothing has transpired since the establishment of the Institute, which its friends have more cause to lament, than your separation from it … Although the state of your adoption has not rendered you the credit to which your eminent services have entitled you, the time will come when your services in the organization and control of this favored institution of the state will be more generally known and appreciated.” That, in a small way, is what we gather here to do this morning. It has been estimated that a cadet will pass this place over 7,600 times during a cadetship. Perhaps on one or two of those 7,600 occasions, the cadet will pause at this spot and reflect on the amazing circumstances that resulted in an officer of the Grand Armee of Napoleon to rest here with us.

The VMI Barracks 1847

This drawing depicts the VMI Barracks around the time that Claudius Crozet served as the first president of the Institute’s Board of Visitors (1837-45). Crozet was a graduate of France’s École Polytechnique and a part of Napoleon’s army that invaded Russia in 1812. He later emigrated to the United States, taught at West Point and was Virginia’s state engineer when he joined the BOV. Provided by VMI Archives.

2012-Issue 1

The 2011 Institute Society Dinner As it has for more than 25 years, on Nov. 11, 2011, the VMI Foundation hosted the Institute Society Dinner. The event honors the men, women, alumni and friends who are leaders in providing unrestricted financial support to the Institute’s academic and co-curricular programs through the Foundation Fund, which is managed by the VMI Foundation. This year, more than 500 people were in attendance, as were a number of cadets. In Fiscal Year 2011, the 879 members of The Institute Society donated more than $1.77 million of the $2.55 million that the Foundation Fund received. They also provided millions of dollars more in support to VMI, including $2.8 million to other Foundation-managed funds. At this event, the VMI Foundation also honors the classes that conducted a reunion campaign as part of their 50th and 25th Reunions. This year, the honored classes were the class of 1961 and the class of 1985. Both classes enjoyed tremendous success in their reunion campaigns. With 90% of its Brother Rats participating, the class of 1961 raised more

The Hall of Valor in Marshall Hall provided a superb setting for the evening’s festivities.

than $8.6 million. The class of 1985 turned in an impressive performance as well, raising more than $2 million from 65% of its Brother Rats. As is tradition at the Institute Society Dinner, the evening began with Posting of the Colors by the VMI Color Guard and the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by the VMI Herald Trumpets. At this year’s dinner, the keynote speaker was Lt. Gen. Carl A.

Photo captions on page 14.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

Strock ’70, U.S. Army (Ret), who served as chief of engineers and commanding general of the Corps of Engineers from 2004-07. He was the second VMI alumnus to serve in this post – the first being his immediate predecessor, Robert B. Flowers’69, who was present at the dinner. The guests also were treated to remarks from the president of the first class, Joseph I. Munno ’12. He thanked the attendees, not only for their gifts, but also for the example of leadership in support of VMI that they have provided his Brother Rats and the rest of the Corps of Cadets. After dinner, the VMI Glee Club entertained the guests, and the evening ended as it began on a traditional note, in this case, a rousing performance of “The Spirit” and “The VMI Doxology.” Alumni and friends who are interested in joining the ranks of The Institute Society should contact Sam Sorrells at the VMI Foundation: ssorrells@vmiaa.org or 800/444-1839. (Preceding article by Scott Belliveau ’83, VMI Foundation.)

6 7

10 9

Photo captions on page 14.

2012-Issue 1

Photo 1: Col. James Park, the John M. Camp 1905 Chaplain to the Corps of Cadets, center, and his wife, Kathryn, took a few moments to chat with Cadet Kevin Kyle ’13. Photo 2: The VMI Herald Trumpets performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Photo 3: The dinner brought together the first two VMI alumni who served in the prestigious post of chief of engineers and commanding general of the Corps of Engineers: Lt. Gen. Robert Flowers ’69, left, and Lt. Gen. Carl Strock ’70, right. Photo 4: On behalf of the Institute, the superintendent, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, thanked the guests for their generosity to VMI and introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Lt. Gen. Carl Strock ’70. Photo 5: Brian Crockett, the VMI Foundation’s CEO, welcomed the evening’s guests. Photo 6: Some of the Brother Rats of the class of 1957 who attended the dinner were, from left, Bill Moore, Drummond Ayres, Harry Warner and Dick Collier. Photo 7: Among the Brother Rats of the class of 1963 in attendance was Bill Jones – here with his wife, Carolyn. Photos 8 and 9: Always popular with VMI alumni and friends, the VMI Glee Club entertained the guests with a well-received program of songs. Photo 10: Lt. Col. John Wranek ’85 and his wife, Cathy. Just days before the dinner, Wranek had returned from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan. Photo 11: The evening’s keynote speaker was Lt. Gen. Carl Strock ’70, USA (Ret), who served as chief of engineers and commanding general of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers from July 2004 until June 2007. Photo 12: VMI Foundation Trustee Tom Zarges’70; his wife, Jan; and former president of the VMI Foundation Conrad Hall ’65. Photo 13: Some of the younger alumni who attended were, second from left, Racheal Toman ’10, Nohelia Martin’08 and Bree Adams ’04. Joining them was Cadet Sarah Hunziker ’13, left. Photo 14: The evening began with Posting of the Colors. Photo 15: Walton Jeffress ’68, president of the VMI Foundation, extended his thanks to the members of The Institute Society and classes of 1961 and 1985 for the financial support they had provided VMI in Fiscal Year 2011. Photo 16: The class of 1961 was honored at the dinner for its successful 50th Reunion Fund campaign. After the dinner, these Brother Rats took a moment to gather for this photograph. Photos by Sarah Brown, VMI Foundation.

11 12

14 13

15 14

16 VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

Cadet Joseph I. Munno ’12 Institute Society Dinner Remarks Nov. 11, 2011

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am Cadet Joseph Munno, president of the class of 2012. On behalf of my Brother Rats and all cadets in Barracks, I extend a warm welcome to you. My Brother Rats are well aware of how much private financial support has meant to us during our years in Barracks. Donors like you have provided us scholarships, supported our instructors, enhanced our facilities and, overall, improved our education. Your support means that, when we graduate in a few months, we will be better prepared for our careers, ready to succeed and ready to lead. Donors like you also have provided the

class of 2012 with an example of one of VMI’s great traditions: alumni support of those who follow them into Barracks. Your example has made us mindful of the responsibility that we will have as alumni to provide future cadets with the same opportunities to learn that we had – by giving to VMI. Your example also has inspired us to organize an effort within the class that I am sure will culminate in a truly impressive Graduation Gift next May. Thank you for coming to Post this evening, and again, thank you for your generosity.

Establishing a new custom, the VMI Foundation invited the president of the class of 2012, Cadet Joseph Munno, to address the event attendees.

Reception for Young Alumni

Above: Norfolk (Virginia) Mayor Paul Fraim ’71, president of the VMI Board of Visitors, left, attended the reception, as did Ernesto Sampson ’98, newly appointed member of the BOV, right, With them is Randy Blanks ’67, President of The VMI Alumni Association, Inc.

Young alumni – graduates within the last 15 years – who attended the Institute Society Dinner were invited to a cocktail reception hosted by Randy Blanks ’67, president of The VMI Alumni Association, Inc. During his brief remarks, Blanks expressed his thanks for their early involvement and financial support. The evening also provided an opportunity for young alumni to receive a red, white and yellow ribbon frequently worn with formal attire at the Institute Society Dinner. Receiving their red, white and yellow ribbons from Randy Blanks ’67 were, photo at right, Will Ray ’05; below right, Bree Adams ’04; and below middle, David Baber ’02.

John Adams ’96 and his wife, Lisa.

2012-Issue 1

In Memory and began work for Camp Manufacturing Co., his family’s company, which specialized in wood products. In 1956, the company merged with Union Bag to become Union Camp and, later, Union Former Board of Visitors President Camp Corporation. He held various positions in the corporation, and Distinguished Service Award Recipient including assistant treasurer and building products manager, by Scott E. Belliveau ’83, before retiring in 1983. Director of Communication, VMI Foundation Camp was involved in many religious, civic and philanthropic activities. He was a life-long member of the Franklin Baptist Church, Former president of VMI’s Board of Visitors, John Madison Camp where he served as a deacon and chairman of the deacon board. Jr. ’40 of Franklin, Virginia, died on Aug. 11, 2011, in Wilmington, He also served the Camp Family Foundations for many years and was a member of the Virginia National Bank Board, the Industrial North Carolina. He was 92. Born July 8, 1919, in Wallace, North Carolina, Camp followed Commission for the City of Franklin and the Southern Forest Pine Association, of which he also was president. his father, James M. Camp ’905, to VMI, A devoted alumnus, Camp served as a matriculating in fall 1936. As cadet, Camp member of the VMI Foundation’s Board of was a manager for the track and football Trustees in 1964 and as the VMI Foundateams and a member of the business staff tion’s president from 1984-87. He also of the Bomb. He graduated from VMI with served as a member of The George C. Mara bachelor of science degree in chemistry, shall Foundation’s Board of Advisors from after which he earned a master’s in busi1987-2007. In 1993, the VMI Foundation ness administration from Babson College recognized his service to VMI by presenting in Wellesley, Massachusetts. him its highest honor, the Distinguished In 1941, Camp, who had taken flying Service Award. Camp was one of five lessons during his time at Babson College, Brother Rats of the class of 1940 to receive joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and soon this award. In 1989, Camp published his qualified as a pilot. His first postings were memoirs, While You’re Up. as an aviation instructor. He volunteered Camp married first Jean Stafford who to serve abroad, however, and served in the predeceased him in 1983. His second wife, China-Burma-India Theater for the duraRachel Cameron, whom he married in tion of the war. During his overseas service, 1989, survives him, as does his sister, Olhe participated in the 42-month aerial ive Camp Johnson, and his four children, resupply mission of China, often known Sharon Camp Carter, Jean Camp Harrell, as “flying The Hump,” that demanded flyJohn Madison Camp III and Robert Hill ing over the Himalayas in often atrocious Camp. In addition, he is survived by eight weather. Camp ended his service in 1946 at grandchildren, four great-grandchildren the grade of captain. Camp ’40 and three stepchildren. After the war, Camp returned to Franklin

In Memory of John M. Camp Jr. ’40

In Memory of Elmon T. Gray ’46 Former State Senator and President of BOV, Alumni Association by Scott E. Belliveau ’83, Director of Communication, VMI Foundation

Former president of the VMI Board of Visitors and VMI Alumni Association and former State Senator Elmon T. Gray ’46 died on Sept. 27, 2011. He was 86. Matriculating from Waverly, Virginia, in fall 1942, Gray left VMI in 1944 to serve with the U.S. Navy. After service aboard minesweepers, he was discharged as an ensign in 1946 and

returned to VMI to complete his degree. Graduating from VMI in 1947, he joined his family’s business, Gray Lumber Company. Over the next few decades, the company, which was originally centered on timber and lumber, expanded into real estate development and, in 1992, became GrayCo. Gray became president of the corporation in 1953 and, at the time of his death, was its chairman. He also served on numerous corporate boards, including Virginia Electric and Power Company (the forerunner of today’s Dominion Resources), James River Bankshares, and Universal Leaf Tobacco Company. Elected to the Senate of Virginia in 1971, Gray served two decades in that body, filling the same seat his father had held. During his time as a state senator, he was a member

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

In Memory of many key committees, including the Senate Finance Committee, and was widely respected by colleagues of both parties. As the chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee, he was a recognized leader in the effort to expand and improve higher education opportunities in Virginia. He also was instrumental in the creation of the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. VMI recognized his distinguished service to the commonwealth in 2009 by presenting him its Harry F. Byrd Jr. ’35 Public Service Award. A dedicated philanthropist, Gray was a generous supporter of many organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and Stuart Hall School. He also served as a trustee of the Virginia Historical Society, the Historic Petersburg Foundation and the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation. Exceptionally devoted to the Institute, Gray served as the president of the Board of Visitors and as president of The VMI Alumni Association from 1964-66 and 1971-73, respectively. He also was known for his support of VMI athletics, especially baseball, which he played as a cadet. Perhaps his greatest contribution to VMI, however, was his service as cogeneral chairman with Sol W. Rawls Jr. ’40 of the VMI Campaign, the first capital campaign on VMI’s behalf, which ran from 1978-90. Rawls recalls that, in the late 1970s, when he was the president of the VMI Board of Visitors, he was routinely frustrated in his attempts to improve VMI’s education because of a lack of private money. “At the time, only about $13 million in endowments supported VMI. One day, as I was sitting in Moody Hall, I decided that something had to be done. I got in touch with Elmon, who I knew through our work with the Boy Scouts, and after discussing the situation faced by VMI, we began to organize the effort.”

2012-Issue 1

Prior to the campaign, Gray and Rawls often organized matters over breakfast at the Commonwealth Club. Later on, as the campaign became officially organized, the meetings moved to an office at the Ethyl Corporation, and the volunteer leaders soon included such alumni as Frank G. Louthan ’41, J. Smith Ferebee ’27, Bruce C. Gottwald Sr. ’54, Robert H. Patterson Jr. ’49C, J. Clifford Miller Jr. ’28, James C. Wheat Jr. ’41 and O.D. Dennis Jr. ’43.

Gray ’46

Although, according to Rawls, Gray was “great at detail as well as detailing work to me,” he enjoyed visiting alumni all over the country. “All told,” recalled Rawls, “Elmon and I made 62 trips to 17 states and visited 64 alumni. Although we had the support of the VMI Foundation, then being managed by Harry Warner ’57, we arranged and paid for those trips ourselves.” By the time, the VMI Campaign closed in 1989, VMI was in the position of being supported by more than $150 million in

endowments and commitments, and the Institute had been brought firmly into the era of modern fundraising. Indeed, many of the endowments that underpin VMI’s educational excellence were established during this time. Rawls gives a lot of credit for this success to Senator Gray, saying, “When he got behind something, he saw it through.” Robert H. Patterson Jr. ’49C, who also was an early leader in the campaign, remembers “the skepticism within the VMI family that it could be done.” However, “Elmon led the charge, and his unwavering commitment to VMI and his boundless energy for fundraising established a solid financial foundation for VMI. I think it’s fair to say that the Institute would not be what it is today were it not for Elmon Gray.” Patterson remembers Gray as “a wonderful friend to many and someone who gave generously, not only of his wealth but also of what no amount of money can buy – his time – for his beloved Institute.” Rawls closed his reminiscences by describing Gray as “the epitome of an old-style, courtly gentleman.” In 1980, the Institute’s Board of Visitors awarded him VMI’s highest honor, the New Market Medal. He was presented with the VMI Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award and the VMI Keydet Club’s Spirit of VMI Award in 1977 and 1991, respectively. Gray is the only person to ever hold all three of these awards. In 2007, the Institute further honored him by naming its renovated baseball field, Gray-Minor Stadium. (G. Gilmer Minor III ’63 was the other honoree.) Senator Gray’s wife, Pamela, predeceased him in November 2010. He is survived by his three children, Katherine Taylor Gray, Garland Gray II ’73, and Bruce Burnside Gray; five grandchildren, including Garland Gray III ’10; two great grandchildren; and numerous other relatives.

Matheis ’45: The Longest Day July 21, 1944 by Laure Stevens-Lubin, Contributing Writer

ichard A. “Dick” Matheis ’45 said the longest day of his life began July 21, 1944, on Old Buckenham Airfield in Attleborough, England. Matheis was to fly his fifth and what was to be his final bombing mission on the B-24 “Liberator,” as navigator and back-up pilot, along with a crew of 10, including six gunners, a radio operator, a flight engineer, bombardier, the pilot and copilot. Their operations officer, famed actor Jimmy Stewart, revealed the target on that foggy morning – a large and critical railroad yard in a suburb of Munich, requiring eight hours of flying time over enemy territory. Matheis and his crew managed to make it to Munich and drop their bomb load, but on their return, anti-aircraft fire became very intense. “The black bomb bursts became so thick, it appeared as though you could walk on them,” recalled Matheis. Their B-24 was hit, and they lost two engines. “The good news was we had one operating engine on each side,” said Matheis. “Two lost on the same side could have thrown us into a deadly spin.” They were still six hundred miles from England, but decided to make a try for it. Eventually, they were forced to crash land on the French and German border. The entire crew got out safely. They broke into teams of two and split up, trying to make their way back to safety on foot. Matheis and his partner were caught and faced a firing squad in a village square for resisting arrest. “My VMI training and discipline served me well in that tight spot,” said Matheis.

“I didn’t let fear of the consequences impede my thinking.” Luckily, both young men had German names, and Matheis used his three years of high school German to soften the commanding officer. Matheis’ longest day ended 18 hours later in St. Croix, France, where he was imprisoned in a local dungeon. Solitary confinement and interrogations as well as several train rides followed, before Matheis was transferred to the place where he would spend the remainder of the war, Stalag Luft 1. Stalag Luft 1 was a German military-run prisoner-of-war camp for captured Allied airmen, located on the Baltic Sea on the outskirts of the village of Barth. It was divided into five compounds enclosed by a double barbed wire fence, patrolled by guard dogs at night. The prison camp Matheis remembered was not unlike those depicted in the movies “The Great Escape” and “Stalag 17.” “There was a military organization within the POWs,” explained Matheis. “It was known as the Allied Field Force, commanded by the ranking American officer with support from senior officers of the Royal Air Force.” A hidden radio gave them news from the BBC, and at least 50 escape tunnels were dug, although no prisoners ever escaped for more than a couple of weeks. Matheis was asked by the inner command to become a trader after it was learned that he could speak German. “This involved working with the guards, trading mainly cigarettes for whatever needs the fellow prisoners might have,” said Matheis. “My duties were strictly trading, particularly for contraband needed by the inner command.” Matheis spent not quite a year in Stalag Luft 1, including the difficult months of December 1944 and January 1945 when food was hard to come by. “But those were some of the most exciting times of my life,” said Matheis. “I learned to be resourceful and an opportunist, which helped me later during my business career.” The Russians liberated the prison camp on May 1, 1945, and Matheis assisted in a massive airlift by the 8th Air Force that took place between May 12th and 14th, dubbed “Operation Revival.” “My new orders were to assist in forming up the groups as scheduled, march them to the field and load them up on the designated planes,” recalled Matheis. Dick Matheis ’45, second from left, kneeling, and crew after his third bombing Matheis had quite a surprise after he mission, July 1944. evacuated to London. During his first

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

morning there, he decided to get his first professional haircut in over a year. As he was leaving the barbershop, he stepped aside to let another person enter. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was Joe McCullough, a good friend and classmate at VMI!” Like Matheis, McCullough had also flown in the 8th Air Force and had been shot down. He too had been imprisoned in Stalag Luft 1 but in a different compound. “Our paths never crossed there, but we made up for it many times in later life.” Matheis had matriculated at VMI in September 1941. “I was somewhat headstrong then,” he admitted. “I had to learn discipline and teamwork and manto-man bonding with my Brother Rats. This stood me in excellent stead during the war and continued to serve me well as I went into the business world.” Three months after matriculation, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. “The Cadet Corps was inflamed, and we all quickly enlisted

in the reserve units of the three services,” he recalled. “I entered the Army Air Corps (later known as the Air Force), as did one of my roommates, George Renneman of New York. We were the first to be called into active duty, as were all the cadets who were in the Air Corps Reserve. We

Matheis with his wife, Sandra, in Fliorida, April 2009.

were the envy of all the others, some of whom were not called up until two years later,” Matheis continued. Unfortunately, his roommate, George, died in a training plane crash a year later. “It was not until many years after that we learned the reason for our early date of active duty. It was triggered by a very high rate of attrition among the flying officers in the war zones, resulting in an urgent need for replacements. It was probably just as well we didn’t know,” he added. Despite the potential danger, Matheis continued indulging his passion for flying after the war, logging over 4,000 hours of business and personal flying, including coming in fourth as copilot in a New York to Paris air race. Matheis, who is now 87, has recently published his memoir, recounting this exciting period in his life. Also, he serves as class agent for the class of 1945 and, in this role, writes quarterly class notes for the VMI Alumni Review.

Hanmer ’55, Ambassador and Arms Negotiator by George Abry, Contributing Writer

Much has been made of Ronald Reagan’s mental state “It’s fantastic to watch how the Corps has evolved, survivin office since it was revealed the president suffered from ing gender and racial integration to become what it has,” Alzheimer’s disease. But Ambassador Hanmer said. “And the revitalization S. Read Hanmer ’55 recalls Reagan of Post by Gen. Peay has been specas someone who was a quick study, tacular, along with the broadening of “bright, involved and decisive, on top the curriculum.” of his game.” Hanmer graduated from VMI in 1955 As a member of the delegation that with a degree in physics. In 2002, he negotiated the Strategic Arms Rereturned to the Institute to hold the duction (START) I Treaty during the Mary Moody Northen Chair in Inter1980s, Hanmer attended his share of national Studies, teaching a seminar high-level briefings, in close proximfor first classmen that included trips ity to former Presidents Reagan and to Washington, D.C., for the top two George H.W. Bush, who also imgraduates of the international studies pressed Hanmer as someone who was program. Hanmer also took cadets to “direct, straightforward and decisive.” visit members of Congress, officials Hanmer visited Post in fall 2011 to with the Department of Defense and attend the VMI-Charleston Southern State Department, and to visit newsfootball game and Parents Weekend. paper editors and think tanks. “I tried Along the way, he shared a few memoto give them a broad exposure to the ries from his days as ambassador and nation’s capital,” Hanmer said. admired the changes that have taken The expansion of VMI’s international place at his old alma mater, notably studies program, particularly the emthe revitalization of the Post and phasis on the Arabic language, has been S. Read Hanmer ’55 in December 1984. Corps. encouraging to (continued on next page)

2012-Issue 1

Hanmer. “I would emphasize even more language; it is so necessary in all the disciplines,” Hanmer said. “The way the international studies program has developed under Pat Mayerchak and Jim Hentz has been phenomenal.” Prior to joining the Civil Service, Hanmer spent 21 years as an officer in the U.S. Army, serving in field artillery assignments worldwide, including command of a heavy artillery battalion in Vietnam. Hanmer also served as an associate professor of fluid mechanics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He retired from active military service in 1977 with the rank of colonel. From 1981 through February 1984, Hanmer was director of the Pentagon’s Office of Theater Nuclear Forces Policy, developing policy initiatives for non-strategic nuclear forces worldwide. He also oversaw U.S. participation in NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group and played a key role in the process that resulted in NATO acceptance of the Ground-Launched Cruise Missile and Pershing II Missile systems. During the late 1980s, Hanmer was the chief U.S. negotiator for strategic offensive arms during U.S. and Soviet negotiations on nuclear arms. During the 1988 Moscow Summit, Hanmer negotiated the agreement between the U.S. and Soviet Union on launch notification of intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Prior to this, from May 1985 to May 1987, he was the personal representative of the Secretary of Defense to START, and from May 1987 to January 1988, he served as the deputy U.S. START negotiator. Hanmer said the life of an ambassador wasn’t all cocktail parties and state dinners. As head of the delegation, Hanmer recalls late nights and years of drawn-out negotiations with his Soviet counterparts. “I met Gorbachev once; he was a very impressive man. He really had the tiger by the tail as his country began to dissolve,” Hanmer said. “The

thing I remember about the Soviets is that they were very formidable negotiators. We had to be on our toes; there was a lot of give and take.” Ultimately, Hanmer is proud to have led the delegation that negotiated the first treaty in history to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world’s arsenal. Hanmer left the Civil Service in 1992 and became a consultant in the field of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons policy and arms control. He stopped consulting in the late 1990s and became an active member of the Saint Andrew’s Society, a Scottish heritage society in Washington, D.C., which organizes various charitable activities, including the annual “Kirkin’ of the Tartans” celebration at the Washington National Cathedral. In 2006, he served as president of the society. Hanmer now enjoys his time as post commander of the Augustus P. Gardner Post #18 of The American Legion. “It’s a very informal post – not time consuming. It’s an honor to be a part of it,” he said. Hanmer hasn’t been back to Moscow since 1993, but two years ago, he visited St. Petersburg, Russia. Over the years, he said he wishes he could have stayed in touch with his Soviet negotiating counterparts, “but it was awkward; there were sensitivities on both sides,” he said. Hanmer has for several years been the class agent for his class, a job he says “is, in many ways, as challenging as negotiating with the Soviets.” He recently was named an alternate member of the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees and is ready to assume full trustee responsibilities as current board members depart. When asked to reflect on what was the most important thing he learned at VMI, Hanmer responded: “From the Ratline and throughout the VMI experience, you learn the absolute importance of acting with integrity and honor in all your endeavors.”

This photo, taken in April 2005, appeared in the fall 2005 Alumni Review with the article titled “Class of 1955 50th Reunion Fund Sets New Record.” Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, superintendent, far left, thanked the class for their record-setting contribution. Representing the class were, next to Gen. Peay, from left, S. Read Hanmer, Fielding Tyler, Charles Luck III, C. Carey Jones and Tom Tait. Far right: Robert Newman ’73, then-president of The VMI Alumni Association.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

Why Acuff ’71 Gives Back to VMI “You cannot be around [these] young people and not feel proud of them …”

erry Acuff ’71 is the CEO and founder of Delta Point, a strategic sales and marketing consulting firm. He founded the firm after a successful career in pharmaceutical sales in which he rose to the position of vice president and general manager of Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals. He is the executive in residence at Dartmouth College’s Amos Tuck School of Business and the author of three bestselling business books: The Relationship Edge, The Relationship Edge in Business, and Stop Acting Like a Seller and Start Thinking Like a Buyer. As a cadet, he was an English major, played football for four years and was a member of The Cadet staff. Recently, Scott Belliveau’83, director of Communication for the VMI Foundation, spoke with Acuff to find out why he remains so actively involved and supportive of VMI. The following are excerpts from their conversation.

Belliveau: What funds at VMI do you support? Acuff: I support the Keydet Club and the VMI Foundation. I have been on the Keydet Club’s Board of Governors since 2006 and currently and proudly serve as the Keydet Club’s secretary-treasurer. Belliveau: Why do you support them? Acuff: My primary support goes to the Keydet Club, because 40 years ago, someone – and I have no idea who – generously provided the money that allowed me to attend VMI as a scholarship athlete. When I got to a place in my life where I could pay it back, my wife and I decided to sponsor a scholarship. It has been incredibly rewarding to know that we are giving cadets the same opportunity I had and that, as the years pass, they too will realize that their lives have been defined by their years at VMI. I have a connection to the Foundation through my Brother Rat, Buddy Bryan ’71, who has worked there for decades. More important, however, my support of the Foundation ensures that I am supporting academics as well as athletics at VMI. That is important to me, because the value of the education I got at VMI and of the chance to learn from incredible professors like John Barrett and Herbert Nash Dillard ’34 is incalculable.

Belliveau: Why do you give to VMI? Acuff: In general, I give because I believe passionately in the VMI experience and the difference it makes in cadets’ lives. My four years at VMI shaped my life in every way, and who I am today and what I have been fortunate enough to achieve are the result of much of what I learned there. Since VMI relies on the financial support of alumni and others who believe in this unique and important Belliveau: What special relationships institution, my wife and I feel compelled have you developed through your support to do our part to ensure that others get of VMI? the same opportunity that I had. Acuff: I have been fortunate to develop relationships with so many people at VMI. Belliveau: When did you start giving to I have had the pleasure of getting close to VMI on a regular basis? coaches like Sparky Woods and Duggar Acuff: I have given to VMI regularly for Baucom, as well as their players and other many years. However, I significantly in- alumni. You cannot be around young peocreased my contributions eight years ago ple like Kelly Sullivan ’01, David Martin ’11, after a visit by Donnie Ross ’74 of the VMI Reggie Williams ’08, Austin Kennon ’11, Keydet Club. He simply said, “You can do Shawn Chapman ’13, Michael Sparks ’12 more, and you should do more for these and D.J. Covington ’14 and not feel proud young people at VMI.” He was right, and of them, their achievements, and, most ever since, my wife, Maryann, and I have importantly, the depth of their character made VMI the most significant effort that and the strength of their integrity. we support financially. 2012-Issue 1

Covington ’14 Reaps Benefits of Acuff’s Support One of the many cadets benefiting from Jerry Acuff’s support of VMI is D.J. Covington ’14. A psychology major from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Covington was a standout in football and basketball at Norfolk Academy. When asked why he chose VMI, he said, “I knew it would help me later in life because of the unique set of skills that it teaches you.” In his first year on VMI’s basketball team, he certainly made a substantial impact and received many honors. After the 2010-11 season, the Big South Conference selected Covington as Freshman of the Year and named him to its all-freshman team. The sports information directors of Virginia’s colleges and universities also voted him the top freshman among Virginia’s NCAA Division 1 teams.

“Mr. Acuff has been one of the most influential people I have met at VMI …” Appreciative of the opportunities that Acuff’s support has afforded him at VMI, Covington also highly values their personal relationship. “Mr. Acuff has been one of the most influential people I have met at VMI. He always encourages me to do my best on and off the court and always knows how to motivate me if I am having a hard time D.J. Covington at VMI. He truly is ’14 was named a great guy, and I top freshman am grateful to have among Virginia’s NCAA Divibeen able to get to sion 1 teams. know him.” 21

Powers Brothers, Steve ’79 and Karl ’90, Specialize in Adventure by George Abry, Contributing Writer

If you can survive four years in VMI’s Barracks, you’ll be ready ing to Alaska to run the burgeoning adventure company. It was for just about anything life sends your way. This is according a good fit, Steve explained, because this was his forte when he to Steve Powers ’79 and his younger brother, Karl Powers ’90. was in the Army. “I was a logistics guy,” he said. “I already had Together, the brothers operate PaPa Bear Adventures, a remote a real solid job, but I looked at this as a good opportunity. So, wilderness outfitter in Bethel, Alaska, specializing in float fish- I told them I’d be willing to look at it if they could convince ing, hunting and rafting trips. Their customers include indi- my wife, Robin, to move to the middle of nowhere to live.” viduals and corporate clients in search of something authentic, Apparently, Robin was convinced. “I came up here and started folks who want a remote wilderness experience, who want to working with them,” explained Steve. “In 2004, I bought out my fish for salmon and rainbow trout, or hunt moose and bear. brother’s original partner, and it became a family-run business.” “I don’t think we have any fear of accepting risk or stepping “We’re not getting rich, but we enjoy what we do, and we’re out and doing something like this,” Steve Powers said. “At making a living like anybody else,” Karl said. VMI, we learned to think things through before we did them.” The Powers brothers said most of PaPa Bear’s clients are repeat Growing up in Ocala, Florida, there was a time when living on customers who book fishing trips. “The window for hunting is the Last Frontier was probably the last thing on the Powers short, so we don’t book as many hunters; it’s about five to one, brothers’ minds. But when Steve accepted a U.S. Army commis- fishers to hunters,” Steve said. sion right out of VMI, he eventually found himself in Fairbanks, While thoughts of retirement might be premature, Steve has stationed at Fort Wainwright, “Home of the Arctic Warriors.” already started spending much of the winter in western KenFor Karl, having an older brother in Alaska had its perks. He tucky, while Karl lives in Bethel year-round. Karl’s wife, Willow, could visit Steve during the summer – work, play and fish. “It grew up in Alaska and still has family there. “I probably won’t kind of got in our blood,” Steve said. Although the Army sent leave Alaska; we might move to Anchorage at some point, but Steve elsewhere, causing him to leave Alaska, Karl ended up that’s down the road for us,” Karl said. there after he graduated from VMI. When he got out of the service, Steve went to work as a manager for U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana. The transition from a military lifestyle to a corporate way of life was an eye-opening experience that exposed him to the sensitive inner workings of union/management relations. In Gary, he may have been thousands of miles away, but Steve missed Alaska and never passed up an opportunity to do some hunting or fishing with his younger brother. Meanwhile, Karl had earned a civil engineering degree from VMI, and in 1991, he moved to Alaska and got a job with the Indian Health Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides medical and public health services to members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska natives. Karl moved to Bethel in 1994. It was around this time that the idea for PaPa Bear began to percolate and take shape. “We just started it on a whim,” Karl said. “Originally, it was an outdoor fishing booking agency. People would want to go fishing; they didn’t know where to go; they would contact me; and I set it all up for them.” In 1996, Karl merged his operation with a small outfitter in Anchorage. One thing led to another, they added a plane in Bethel, then sold that airplane and bought another one, and Standing in front of one of their planes, Steve Powers ’79, right, and things slowly started picking up. “It got to be brother Karl Powers ’90 operate PaPa Bear Adventures, a remote wildertoo much for me to do by myself,” Karl said. ness outfitter in Bethel, Alaska, specializing in float fishing, hunting When he least expected it, Steve got a phone and rafting trips. call in 2001, asking if he’d be interested in com22

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

First Fall Reunion

Sept. 9-10, 2011 Classes of 1966, 1976 and the honored class of 1986

2012-Issue 1

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

2012-Issue 1

Second Fall Reunion

Sept. 21-22, 2011 Classes of 1996, 2006 and the honored class of 2001

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

2012-Issue 1

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ASSOCIATION NEWS ASSOCIATION NEWS Thank You and Welcome Back!

Sgt. Michael Lund ’10, USMCR, above, left; Cpl. David Downing ’09, VaARNG, center; and Spec. Thomas McConnell ’13, VaARNG, right, have recently returned to VMI to complete their education after being deployed to war zones. Lund, a combat engineer, has been deployed twice since matriculating at VMI, first to Iraq in 2008 and then to Afghani-

stan in 2010. He is majoring in mechanical engineering and is the vice president of the VMI chapter of Student Veterans of America. McConnell, an infantryman, was deployed to Iraq in 2010. He is majoring in economics/business. Downing, an infantryman and military policeman, was first sent to Kosovo in 2006 for an 18-month deployment and then to Iraq

in 2009. When asked about his service, he wrote, “In Baghdad, I was the team leader of the personal security detail team for Lt. Gen. Hunzeker, the deputy commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq.” Downing is president of the VMI chapter of Student Veterans of America. About his experience in leaving and then returning to VMI, he wrote, “It has been very difficult to leave VMI, deploy overseas and then return to the Institute (especially doing it twice like Mike [Lund] and I have done). At times, life can be a struggle at VMI, particularly after your Brother Rats graduate and you are surrounded by cadets who are much younger and often have a lot less life experience. Fortunately, this year Lt. Col. Gary Bissell ’89 and I founded the VMI Veterans Club and now have a chapter of the Student Veterans of America at VMI. These groups are designed to provide support and fellowship for the cadet veterans in Barracks.” Note the VMI Alumni Association ball caps worn by the three cadets. These were a welcome home gift from the Alumni Association in gratitude for the cadets’ service and in celebration of their safe return.

Scribner ’09 Appreciates Well Wishes Lt. Noah Scribner ’09 was injured in Afghanistan and, at the time of this photo in October, was being treated at The Hunter Holmes McGuire Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center at Richmond (Virginia), one of only five centers of its kind in the country. Scribner had a portion of his skull removed and replaced to release swelling from a traumatic brain injury, which was caused by rocket-propelled grenade fire aimed at his MRAP vehicle. According to Adam Volant ’88, executive vice president of The VMI Alumni Association who visited Scribner, “His prospects are quite bright, and he loved getting a flag signed by Echo Company, a get well card signed by Rats, an Army coffee cup and coin, and the ball cap that the Alumni Association sends to alumni in theater.”

Chicago Chapter Gathering The Chicago Chapter’s fall picnic, hosted by Ed Roney ’60, was well attended, including VMI Alumni Association Executive Vice President Adam Volant ’88 who was visiting from Lexington.

2012-Issue 1

ASSOCIATION NEWS New Networking Workshop: It’s About Relationships by Eric Hunter ’08, Placement Office, VMI Alumni Association “Too often, the relationships that aren’t what we want them to be are so because we don’t know the other person well enough.” Jerry Acuff ’71

ness relationships, and make them ready before they are fully developed? Are we damaging our brand by pushing our products or services on others?

Within today’s society, we seem to want everything now or, worse, yesterday. If we are trying to lose weight, we want to lose it all in one week. If we are striving to become financially wealthy and it doesn’t happen in the time frame we set for ourselves – which is often unrealistically short – we get frustrated.

In the new Career Networking Services workshop, “It’s About Relationships,” we look at what goes into developing relationships and how we can approach situations differently in order to establish trust with each other. We also discuss small steps to take when using LinkedIn, the popular professional networking website, to network more effectively.

Many recent college graduates want to buy a nicer house or vehicle than their parents have. Often, we want everything our parents have and more, but fail to comprehend that it took 30 years of their hard work to slowly acquire what they have. Are we acting in a similar fashion when it comes to networking and building relationships? Do we try to microwave busi-

Career Networking Services is offering this workshop to any Alumni Association chapter that indicates interest. If relationship building is important to you and your chapter, and you wish to schedule a workshop in your area, please contact Eric Hunter ’08 at ehunter@vmiaa.org.

Still Together 72 Years Later Bainy Cyrus, daughter of Frank Bilisoly ’43, submitted the photo below of her father, left, and Vince Thomas ’43, right, former president of The VMI Alumni Association, along with the following update on the two Brother Rats: “Frank Bilisoly and Vince Thomas are once again living close to each other on the same health care floor at Harbor’s Edge, a retirement facility in Norfolk, Virginia – that’s 72 years after these VMI Rats became roommates in fall 1939. They shared the same Barracks room until their graduation in 1943. After VMI, Frank and Vince continued their great friendship when they moved back to their hometown, Norfolk. Vince eventually became mayor of Norfolk, and Frank maintained his internal medicine practice for 40 years. Although they have different interests – Frank plays golf and Vince plays tennis – these two have kept up with each other over the years and have continued to reminisce about their time at VMI. In fact, VMI is what Frank and Vince are all about. In their younger years, they did a VMI ‘march-with-proud-fists dance’ at many wedding receptions (which they are demonstrating with their arms and fists in the photo at right). After they performed this the first time, it was so popular that everyone pushed Frank and Vince onto the dance floor at future events, urging them to show their VMI pride. “After Frank’s mother’s funeral in 1988, Vince told the story of how she helped 30

Frank pack for his freshman year at VMI. She handed him a brand new Bible and said, “Frank, I want you to read the Bible while you’re in college.” Frank replied, “Yes, I will, Mother.” Four years later in 1943, while Frank’s mother was helping him pack to leave VMI after graduation, she found the Bible and said, “Frank, did you read the Bible?” Frank replied, “Yes, I did, Mother.” She flipped through the book and declared, “No, you did not.” She pulled out a crisp, $20 bill from the Bible and put it in her pocket. Vince witnessed this and could not resist telling the story years later. Frank admitted that he had been poor all the way through college and could have used that $20, which was a lot of money back then.”

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ASSOCIATION NEWS Alumni Head Out to the Ball Game At the Arkansas Travelers baseball game in August 2011 were, from left, Scott Burch ’91, Jim Dittrich ’76, Todd Baldwin ’06 (in rear), Nathan McCall ’07 (1st row), Brice Strickland ’04 (who recently returned to the states after six and a half years in China), Herb Guyton ’66, Matt Vogel ’04 and Ken Walters ’87, holding the corn dog. Dittrich, who submitted this photo, wrote about the event, “The Travelers lost, but we had a good time.”

Rocky Mountain Chapter Party In October 2011, Creigh Kelley ’68 hosted a cocktail party for the Rocky Mountain Chapter. Tom Clark, chapter president, who submitted this photo, said everyone had a great time. Clark explained that the chapter would also be attending the All Military Classic Basketball Tournament, Nov. 11-12, at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Police Academy Class Graduates On Sept. 23, 2011, Chesterfield County hosted a graduation ceremony for its 56th Basic Police Academy Class. In attendance were graduate Jared Lawson ’10, Lt. Timothy A.W. Spivey ’86, the Honorable Joseph M. Spivey III ’57, Class President Thomas N.C. Spivey ’89 and Joseph M. Spivey IV ’85.

2012-Issue 1

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Ride to the “I” Sept. 3, 2011

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ASSOCIATION NEWS 1 2

On May 12, 2011, the Westminster-Canterbury VMI Alumni Group gathered to welcome The Honorable Elmon T. Gray ’46. According to JoAnn O’Hara (wife of the late Robert G. O’Hara ’35), who submitted the photos on this page, “[Senator Gray] had a great time with all of his VMI friends.” (Editor’s Note: Sadly, Sen. Gray died on Sept. 27, 2011. An article in memory of him appears on pages 16 and 17 of this Review. )

5 6

Westminster-Canterbury in Richmond

Photo 1: Harry and Elizabeth Lee ’47. Photo 2: Ben Harmon ’49B. Photo 3: R.B. and Maya Barnes ’54. Photo 4: Audrey and Morton Eggleston ’59. Photo 5: The late Sen. Elmon Gray ’46 and Mary Easterly (Harry ’44). Photo 6: Maggie Belle Moore (daughter of Col. George D. Wilshire, professor) and Bunny Tucker ’37. Photo 7: Ed and Sarah Smith ’50B. Photo 8: Taz and Marguerite Ellett ’44. Photo 9: John Halsey ’41 and Jean Salley (John ’47). Photo 10: JoAnn O’Hara (Robert ’35), photographer. Photo 11: Ann Artz (Ed ’53). Photo 12: Charles Miller ’42. Photo 13: Mary and George Hutter ’52. Photo 14: Charles and Anne Miller ’42. Photo 15: Bunny Tucker ’37, Elmon Gray ’46, and Sarah and Ed Smith ’50B. Photo 16: Bunny Tucker ’37 and Elmon Gray ’46. Photo 17: Ben Harmon ’49B with Audrey and Morton Eggleston ’59. Photo 18: Theda Royall (Archer ’37). Photo 19: Maya Barnes (R.B. ’54) and Barbara Guvernator (George ’56 ).

10 14

2012-Issue 1

ASSOCIATION NEWS Pilgrimage in Alabama Honors Daniels ’61 In Hayneville, Alabama, on Aug. 13, 2011, Thomas C. Jones ’69, M.D., attended the 14th pilgrimage to honor Jonathan M. Daniels ’61. Daniels was killed on Aug. 20, 1965, in Hayneville when he put himself in front of a black teenage girl who was being threatened by a man with a shotgun. The gun blast killed Daniels, who had spent the preceding five months in Selma, Alabama, and Lowndes County actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement. At the time, Daniels was a seminarian at The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was 26 years old when he died. Jones and Father David Probst, an Episcopal priest, drove from Georgia to the Lowndes County courthouse square to participate in the pilgrimage. Jones described the event, as follows: “Three hundred people attended on this dreadfully hot day. William Lee ’59 was there with his wife. … He wore his VMI shirt, so I easily spotted him in the crowd. The procession began with clergy and [others] singing old gospel music on the way to the jail where Daniels and others were kept for a week for picketing whites-only stores in Fort Deposit, Alabama. Some in the procession carried large pictures of [those] killed in Alabama during that tumultuous time in America. We then walked to the grocery store where Jonathan was murdered and then back to the courthouse square. In one corner of the square is a memorial to Daniels, erected by Shirley and Cabell Brand ’44.” There were readings and testimonials, Jones explained, as well as prayers and a service. “Jonathan Daniels was … a soldier of justice, freedom and hope,” said Jones, who invites all VMI alumni to join him at the pilgrimage next August in Hayneville.

Photo, top: Next to the Jonathan M. Daniels ’61 monument erected by Cabell Brand ’44 and Shirley Brand in Hayneville, Alabama, were Thomas Jones ’69, M.D., and Father David Probst. Jones and Probst were there to attend the Daniels pilgrimage on Aug. 13, 2011. Photo, above: William Lee ‘59 talking with the verger.

Family Honors Smith ’38 and VMI Heritage Standing in front of the Francis H. Smith statue and Smith Hall at VMI were family members of the late W. Mayo Smith ’38, great-grandson of Francis Smith, who was VMI’s first superintendent. A devoted supporter of VMI, Mayo Smith died on Sept. 5, 2010. See the class of 1938 class notes section in this issue for a photo of family members standing in front of the Parade Ground bench that has been dedicated to Smith ’38. Photo at left, top: With Patricia Smith, center, Mayo’s widow, were their four daughters, from left, Pat Rosseland of Jacksonville, Florida, Lynn Clemens of Woodbury, New Jersey, Patricia Smith of Jacksonville, Florida, Susan Nowack of Atlanta, Georgia, and Carol Mitaly of Jacksonville. Photo at left, bottom: Mayo Smith’s seven grandchildren, from left, Melissa Clemens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lisa Salazer-Adams, also of Philadelphia, Scott Rosseland of Jacksonville, Florida, Mickey Mitaly, also of Jacksonville, Will Nowack of Jackson, Wyoming, Nicole Rosseland Aaron of Jacksonville, and Christi Catalano of Pacific Palisades, California, as well as Smith’s great-grandson in the foreground, Mayo Catalano of Pacific Palisades.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASSNOTES NOTES CLASS

’35

Richard H. Knight ’70

Greetings to the distinguished class of 1935! I spoke recently with Garth Fort II, of St. Louis, MO. I met Mr. Fort years ago, so he was not hard to find. Mr. Fort remembered that he and his father, Garth. E. Fort, M.D., drove to Virginia in the early 60s to look at colleges. He eventually enrolled at the University of Virginia. I asked Garth if he had considered VMI. He replied that he had, but that he and his father had stopped in Charlottesville first and in Lexington second. The first stop made the strongest impression, as it often does. Garth told me that, once he had seen Mr. Jefferson’s university, he knew where he wanted to go. (Footnote: We evened the score. A few years later, my father and I went on the same road trip. We stopped at VMI first.) In early October, Linda and I were at an English-Speaking Union event in Nashville, where we saw Chloe Fort Lenderman, Dr. Fort’s daughter. Chloe now divides her time between Nashville and Savannah. Chloe and I chatted about her father, and she related his dramatic experience during the North African Campaign, where Dr. Fort was an Army physician and surgeon. Dr. Tom Arnold sent me an e-mail and reported that he and his dad, Edwin T. Arnold, attended an October air show in Albuquerque. The highlight was an authentic B-17 that flew in for the occasion.

Tom attached some outstanding photos of this exciting event, and one would have to agree that the class of ’35 never looked better! I recently exchanged e-mails with Lt. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith ’43, USA (Ret). Gen. Smith asked that I remember him to Mr. Arnold. (As an aside, Gen. Smith writes the class notes for the class of ’43, and they are highly recommended. Turn the page and take a look.) I had a nice letter this fall from Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr. All is well in Winchester, VA. I presented a “Churchill” program to the Richmond, Virginia Branch of the English-Speaking Union, in the fall, and among the panelists was a member of the British House of Lords. I fielded some tough questions, and found myself wishing that Sen. Byrd had been there to answer them! I spoke in early October with your outstanding class agent emeritus, James C. Sherman, of Southern Pines, NC. He and Peggy are doing well. After submitting these class notes, I am on my way to Virginia Beach to visit my mother. I hope to see Lt. Col. George C. Freeman and Mrs. Freeman while I am there. The class of ’35 really came through for VMI Annual Giving in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011. A tip of the kepi and a hearty “well done” to all concerned, including the ladies! I wish to thank all of you for supporting your class notes. Please continue to send me news and photo-

Class of 1935: Ed Arnold at the Albuquerque Air Show, October 2011.

2012-Issue 1

graphs. If you are not using e-mail, consider asking family members to send e-mails for you. E-mail is an easy form of communication, and it is a good way to send photographs. Until next time, my very best wishes to you and yours in the New Year. Sincerely ... Dick Knight ’70

’37

Frank Forsyth

This is Frank Forsyth, taking a shot at class of ’37 notes. Thought there may be a few folks who remain interested in what’s been happening with our class. My beloved wife, Catherine Arnest Forsyth, known to all as ‘Kitty,’ left for Glory this past February. So, after 95 wonderful years in Virginia with the last five living at the Baldwin Park Retirement Community in Staunton, I decided it would be best to pull up stakes and move closer to family. My son, John ’67, and his wife, Leslie, live in Lone Tree, Colorado, near their children and grandchildren, niece and family. In all, I have three grandchildren and a total of 16 family members residing around the Denver metro area. In early spring, I drove John down Route 11, the Valley Pike, to Lexington for a walk down memory lane. The Institute grounds were beautiful, and we enjoyed a brief view of Third Barracks and had a tour of the new PX and bookstore. As I gazed at the parade ground, the vision of me negotiating the area, bouncing on the back of my cavalry mount, brought forth a flood of memories. I remember soon realizing that the horse was a lot smarter than me! While making preparation for my departure from Virginia, son John and my doctor attempted to convince me that I should take ground transport west, 35

CLASS NOTES to avoid the risk that flying might bring. However, I reminded both that I had flown no less than 50 years without incident; so I preferred a 3-4 hour flight in a comfortable airliner versus 3-4 days either by train or automobile. I told both the only way I could be comfortable was observing the Kansas prairie from 30,000 feet! John and his daughter, Becky, arrived July 25th to assist my relocation. After packing a few travel essentials the morning of July 27th, John drove to the Washington area where he dropped Becky and me at Dulles International Airport to catch the Denver flight. The Southwest Airlines flight was direct and uneventful, and John’s other daughter, Carrie, was waiting for us upon arrival. In no time, my two granddaughters had delivered me to the doorstep where daughter-inlaw, Leslie, was waiting with a hot meal. Meanwhile, John returned to Staunton, cleared the apartment and completed final business matters before pointing his truck, with trailer in tow, west on Interstate 64 toward St. Louis. John crossed the Great Plains in 1-1/2 days, set up my easy chair and bed, and was back at work the next day. So, today, I’m settled in Colorado, not quite a native but comfortable with my accommodations. I miss Virginia and my many friends I left behind; however, it’s good to be surrounded by family. Here’s some more news: Colorado got its first snow of the season in early October. Although there was some accumulation around Denver, most melted before the day was out. However, I did note that a

Class of 1937: Frank Forsyth and his son, John ’67, at the September 2011 Rocky Mountain Chapter Picnic hosted by Mike and Lorraine Devens ’83. Photo courtesy Tom Clark ’73.

mountain ski area called “Wolf Creek” reported receiving three feet of the white stuff. John is excited about the prospect of winter skiing with his grandkids again, but since the weather is turning and I’m markedly more rational than my son, I’ve decided not to ski this or any other winter. I plan to stick close to home where I can control the thermostat! Last month, John and I contacted Pat Webb at the Alumni Association and received a class listing with addresses. Here is a brief rundown on the class demographics. At the time I submitted these notes, besides myself, W. Barton Baldwin, Hansford McLeod, J. Terry Taylor and Bunny Tucker still answer roll call. However, the wives’ portion remains numerous and strong. A total of 23 ladies associated with the class of ’37 continue on the list. I have received numerous replies, including a delightful call with Margery Couper (John L.) who lives in Lexington. She wanted to convey her support of restarting contact with the ’37 class community. Helen Church (Bill) returned the post card with well wishes to everyone. She offered her congratulations in continuing Strother Smith’s notes for the class. She said that Strother was Bill’s roommate at the Institute, and Bill thought a lot of him. Anne Townes [William Waverley (Wakey)] sends a big “Hello!” from Louisville, KY, via her granddaughter, Courtney. All is well with Anne, but she is recovering from hip replacement surgery. Anne and family have property near Kerr’s Creek, which provides opportunity for frequent trips to Rockbridge County, Virginia, and possible Keydet sightings. Anne sends her best to the class of ’37 Brother Rat families. And thanks to Courtney for passing along Anne’s salutation via iPhone. A postcard reply arrived last week from Theda Royall (Archer) indicating that she is enjoying the creature comforts of Westminster Canterbury, Richmond. She said Bunny Tucker lives close to her and the VMI. contingent often gets together to socialize. (See Association News section.) And Bunny Tucker found some stationary and a pen to reply from his home at Westminster Canterbury, Richmond, with a lengthy, newsy letter. He said there are about 20 to 25 alumni and widows residing there. Bunny remains active, enjoying

a daily two-mile morning stroll, playing croquet and pool regularly. The Institute recently notified him that he has been elevated to the ranks of the 25 oldest living alumni … he says, a rather dubious distinction! Bunny recalled when he, Strother Smith and I represented ’37 at the 70th Class Reunion in 2007. At the age of 92, Bunny climbed the Old Barracks Sentry Box to lead the Corps in the Old Yell. Now 97, he’s looking forward to attending the 75th Reunion, Monday and Tuesday, April 23-24, 2012, but he says he’s staying off the top of the Sentry Box! The class of ’37 will be attached to another class at the reunion next spring. Bunny, to answer your question, the Institute rolls carry five active BRs. Besides you and me, there’s Barton Baldwin, Hansford McLeod and Terry Taylor. Ann Hunter (Clarence) sent a note from her place in Pittsford, NY, which is a suburb of Rochester, relating that she has two children and three grandsons. Ann volunteered that she has fond memories of VMI days. Dot Helfrich (Robert) sent a note from Richmond and provided her phone number. She acknowledged that she has no contact with ’37 member wives or any others, indicating that she simply has lost contact over the years. But Dot went on to say that if she did hear from anyone, she would let me know! So, if there is anyone wanting to contact Dorothy Helfrich, call me, and I’ll provide her phone number. Also, I received a nice email from Donna Callar (Don) just full of information about herself. Donna related that her life’s work has been in education, helping young people find their career path to become contributing members of society. During her career, she has served as an elementary teacher, a principal, school social worker and an elementary guidance counselor. Her passions remain flying and traveling. A private pilot with an instrument rating, Donna relaxes by taking her Cessna 172 Skyhawk airplane aloft from time to time. Her other love is travel, getting in at least a couple weeks each summer. Last summer, Donna flew to Holland and boarded a cruise boat to see the sights of Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Sweden. Some sad news to share regarding ’37 family members: I received a postcard VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES from Mrs. Su Clark, a daughter-in-law of the late Walter E. Clark. Su informed me that Linda Clark, Walter’s widow and Su’s mother-in-law, passed away in June 2009. In October, my daughter-in-law, Leslie, received a phone call from Wyn Minor, a god-daughter of Kathleen J. Durden, wife of the late William F. Durden. Wyn related that Kathleen passed away July 28, 2011. That’s about it for these notes. Our branch of the VMI family stepped up and provided excellent responses to my request for information. I hope others from ’37 will share a bit of their present lives through class notes, and I’m looking forward to increasing contact among our group. Besides those who responded to my call for information and the BRs mentioned above, the following names are provided so all may know who is still around to contact: Celeste Adams (Sam), Mrs. Lee H. Dressler Jr., Frances Freeman (Arthur), Nell Jetton (John), Frances King (Louis), June McNeal (Frank), Carrington Pasco (Merrill), Katherine Read (Henry), Jan Silver (Francis), Mildred Small (John), Mrs. Frank H. Travis Jr.,

Dorothy Turner (James), Elizabeth White (Claude), Mollie Wilson (Ed), Nancy Worsham (James) and Jean Zimmerman (James). If anyone desires contact information with any of the folks mentioned, please, let me know. Son John has the class membership list with addresses and some phone numbers, so he may be able to assist getting the communication going! John has assured me that he will continue to consolidate any communications and provide the Alumni Review editor our ’37 class notes in time to meet each publishing cut-off date. Any correspondence arriving later will be held for the following notes submission. Keep in touch, please. It’s wonderful to restore contact!

’39

Frank Parker III ’64

It is hard to believe that 2011 is almost over and that Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are just around the corner. It

is a great time of the year to celebrate and enjoy our families and to remember that no matter what difficulties have transpired we have much to be grateful for. Marcy and I just got back from a trip to the Netherlands, Germany and Austria. It was great and we learned a lot. I was especially impressed with Germany. Even though things were expensive by our standards (gasoline $7.80/gallon), they seemed very prosperous. Everywhere we went, we encountered pleasant people living in very nice communities. Their cities were clean and in excellent repair. The most impressive event was a statement by an economics professor that part of what is motivating Germany to support the EU bailout of Greece is a feeling that Germany was saved by the Marshall Plan, and they had a duty to help others. I received a very nice note from Joe Savage who informed me that he was Alex Morrison’s roommate for all four years at VMI. Joe is doing well for 94 and is proud of his four sons. His son, John, is a member of the class of 1974. To prove it’s hard to get away from VMI, among the first folks we met on our tour were Jim and Joan Kivlighan ’60 who are retired and living in Staunton. Virginia Bernstein sent me an e-mail informing us of the passing of her father, Henry Bernstein, on July 31st at the age of 94. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

’40 Class of 1938: Standing in front of the bench dedicated to the late W. Mayo Smith, great-grandson of former superintendent Francis H. Smith, were, from left, Mayo Smith’s great-grandsons, Mason and Mikey Mitaly; his grandson, Mickey Mitaly; daughter, Susan Nowack; daughter, Carol Mitaly; and granddaughter, Christi Catalano. The group had traveled from Florida, Georgia and California. This photo was taken after a parade at VMI on Sept. 3, 2011. (See page 34 of this Review for more photos of Mayo Smith’s family.)

2012-Issue 1

Robert Smith

The moving finger that old Omar Khayyam wrote about has writ again, and this time we lost our Doug Cook on August 22. I can’t tell you with how much pleasure I always looked forward to talking to him over these past years because of his great good humor and friendship for all VMI men, as well as his Brother Rats. We also shared those special memories of our CE student days together and how we both were helped with getting employed as we began our careers. A photograph should be with these notes as well as details of his life in the Taps section. 37

CLASS NOTES The words his daughter Patricia Gallagher has written about him are heartwarming-especially because they express his legacy of high standards derived from VMI that Doug passed on to his next generation . “I have been thinking about him and VMI and the influence VMI had on his life …. The experience he had at VMI, the lifelong friends that he made, and especially the honor code shaped his whole life. Late in his life, my sister and I coined the term “Mr. Integrity” to describe him. He recognized superficiality when he saw it, he was unforgiving when he caught someone trying to pull a fast one, and he could not abide dishonesty or immoral behavior. These traits served him well, earning the respect of his colleagues, neighbors and friends, not to mention the love, devotion and respect of his immediate and extended family… And he loved VMI.” When I wrote last time about the passing of Virginia Merchant, it was so recent that there were few details available. But now, tributes to her life have come in and I want to share a little of those. One such tribute that I mentioned last time was sent by Laura Bivans, a long time friend of the family whose son was at VMI last year, and who said “She was a fabulous, sweet lady who will be sorely missed.” Another was sent to us by Tom Moncure ’72, son of out Brother Rat in the form of the notice from the Washington Post: “Virginia L. Merchant, 92, a military spouse who helped administer secretarial testing for the CIA in the early 1960s, died Aug. 7 at her home in Potomac. She died of cardiopulmonary arrest and congestive heart failure. Mrs. Merchant’s memberships included Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church in Washington, Little Farms Garden Club of Potomac and Friends of Montgomery County Animals, which raises money for animal protection projects and organizations.” Then under comments in the Post on the obit an Adam Bernstein added: “She was a life member of the Women’s Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra. Virginia Lucille Muse was born in Omaha and raised in Norfolk. During World War II, she worked for the War Production Board and other war agencies while attending George Washington University. She married in 1943 and accompanied her 38

husband on his Marine Corps assignments before resettling in the Washington area in the early 1960s. Her husband, retired Marine Corps Col. Robert A. Merchant, died in 1990. Survivors include a daughter, Virginia “Ginger” Merchant of Kerrville, Tex.; and a brother. Previously I told you that Dick Knight ’70 planned to get over to Jim Cheek’s residence and to take a camera. He has since sent a photo. His report says, “I had the most delightful visit with Jim Cheek on Tuesday, August 16. Jim resides in Nashville, Tennessee at the Blakeford, a magnificent retirement center that blends both independent and assisted living. He is doing exceptionally well. We had a long conversation, and I would like to present it in the form of a narrative … Jim’s paternal grandfather was the founder of Maxwell House coffee, which started in Nashville. Jim confirmed that President Theodore Roosevelt remarked to Jim’s grandfather that Maxwell House coffee was “good to the last drop.” Jim’s father went to work for Maxwell House, and that took the family to Richmond, Virginia. However, at the age of 8 or 9, Jim’s family moved to the West Coast, and that is how Jim happened to enter the Institute from Los Angeles (Ojai), California ... In addition to the family house, Jim’s family also owned a beach house at Hermosa Beach, California. Jim recalled that it cost 15 cents to take the trolley from downtown L.A. to the beach. Jim was evidently a fixture at some of Southern California’s famous beaches, including Venice Beach ... Jim’s VMI roommates were Marshall Burwell Hardy, Jr. (Louisville, KY) and John Frederick Larrick (Middletown, VA). According to Jim, it was a perfect blend. Marshall was a high-ranking cadet and Fred was an outstanding football player. Jim was a determined cadet private, except for the one semester he dropped his guard and was promoted to corporal. (Jim is too modest. The Register of Former Cadets discloses that Jim graduated with a degree in electrical engineering with distinction.) … After graduation, Jim worked briefly in Schenectady, NY, for General Electric, but soon entered the service. During the War, he achieved the rank of captain and served as S-2, 434th Field Artillery, 7th Armored Division, 3rd Army. Jim was involved in

the 3rd Army’s relief of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne. Jim was with the 3rd Army as it fought its way across France and into Germany. Jim saw the 3rd Army’s commanding officer, George S. Patton Jr. ’907, one time … Jim said that his 40th Reunion was probably his last visit to the Institute. However, he has kept up with developments, and said he was most impressed with the progress VMI has made under Gen. Peay’s ’62 leadership. Jim reads the VMI Alumni Review cover to cover. Jim is in great shape. He is 93 and, in his words, is “feelin’ fine” and ‘still kickin.’” He is passionate about reading and watching movies, with a strong preference for science fiction and history. Among the many books in his apartment are the Harry Potter titles, The Storm of War by Andrew Roberts, and Patton. Among the many DVDs in his apartment, there is the entire Star Wars collection. It could not have been a nicer visit. Jim said he enjoys company, so I look forward to my return. I will bring some of the younger alumni with me to give them a chance to meet someone from the Old Corps … Best regards, Dick Knight ’70.” What a great thing Dick did in giving us this report. One other thing of interest that Dick mentioned in another e-mail was that Jim was instrumental in getting the Nashville chapter back on its feet 30 years ago. We all thank Dick heartily for all this news. Dick also has volunteered as the Class Agent for 1935 and does a great job - give it a look. A current call to Jim Cheek did not result in our talking, but I was advised that he is OK. John Augustine and June enjoyed their trip to New Orleans in September to attend his 22nd Bomb Group Reunion. He saw two men that he served with, a J. B. Wells who was a pilot and another man who checked out the planes and kept them safe to fly. Their next trip will be to Richmond next June for a series of Civil war battlefield tours sponsored by the The Civil War Preservation Trust. Ben Hardaway was enjoying the pleasure of improved sight resulting from his first cataract operation early in October. He had had a birthday in September and referred to the new vision as a present which made me think of the joke about the older person who didn’t understand and thought VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES interested in a forthcoming presidential visit Earl Brown says he is in “disgustingly” the operation involved his getting a new to the Hampton area because of the imminent good health and enjoying the company of Cadillac as a present from the surgeon. Ben and I talked about our relatives closing of Fort Monroe and a hope that it many good friends especially when they who were in the Civil War and he told me might become a national park or a museum dine together - they have gracious waiter a little more about his great-grandfather location. He said that Jack Camp’s Franklin service because they are in the assisted livwho I had identified in a previous report, home is on the market. Recently he attended ing section, known as Fairways, of Caroprobably wrongly, as John H. Hardaway. the funeral in Waverly, VA of the Honorable lina Meadows; Bud Irwin and Ruth are on This time Ben gave me more details that Elmon Taylor Gray ’46 at which there were an even keel - so Ruth said - with nothing on Google match a different Hardaway. four other past Presidents of the VMI Board much to report except their surprise at All this may be especially interesting of Visitors sitting with Sol all in a row. Doug Cook’s passing, because they had As for us, Betty-Jane and I are doing because of the field artillery days of many visited together last April when Doug was of us-I hope that what I’ve now found is well and keeping busy with exercise at the quite well; Gene Phillippi calls from time correct. Apparently his great-grandfather Spa, which happens to be next door to our to time to check on me, and I thoroughly was Lt. Col. Robert Archelaus Hardaway, home, plus our history and family history enjoy that - this time, I called him first to get ahead of him and found that he is a native of Georgia, born Feb. 2, 1829, who activities. My latest thing is two talks this doing well. A call to Fred Flowers reached began the war as commander of an Alabama past week on the same topic. One was his home, but I was advised he was at the battery. In time, Hardaway’s gunners used short and given before a Rotary chapter. office, so he must be OK. a gun imported by the confederates from The other was a major power point lecture These notes were required a month early, Manchester, England that was designed by with many pictures given for the public at and so I’m sorry that I couldn’t reach Joseph Whitworth and known by that name. the Heritage Library. The subject was the background for this everybody. Whitworth had patented a process called “fluid-compressed steel” for casting steel area of SC leading our growing young naunder pressure, and that, plus a polygonal tion into the Civil War. Then, by being the Alfred Rooklin spiral bore of uniform pitch gave it remark- first, they moved our state and the other able power and extremely long range with southern states into trying to dissolve the excellent accuracy. At the Battle of Chan- Union. This topic was chosen, because cellorsville directly under the command of we are in the second year of the four-year I changed my mind regarding the Brother Gen Robert E. Lee, Hardaway assembled a Civil War Sesquicentennial CommemoraRats who passed on since our 60th Regroup of rifled guns to bombard the federal tion. Briefs: Frasier Baldwin was reading a union. Here is the list: Satterfield, Jeffrey, camps on morning of May 4, 1863. Finally Sancken, Cuozzi, Traver, Oliver, Blackin the war, Hardaway’s gunners served un- Bill O’Reilly book which I surmised was der Gordon in the Appomattox Campaign, Killing Lincoln - he and Jinny are enjoying burn, Goldsmith, Brauer, A.L. Nelson, E. Meyer, Rose, Pitts, Moriarty, Lucas, firing one of the last shots before Lee’s sur- their retirement community; John Cowart render. After the war, Hardaway returned to told of his recent, great birthday party with Doland, Clark, Rudulph, Satterwhite, Strudwick, Kaiser and Parrish. his plantation in Georgia and then went into one of his sons and lots of other family I heard from Bob Maling via Seaton that railroad work. He also was an engineering present - his birthday was September 2; he and Mila are flying to Portuprofessor at Auburn University gal on Oct. 3rd and will return from 1873 to 1881, and at the on Oct. 11. University of Alabama from It would not surprise me if 1882 to 1897. In between, he they were planning a two-week was an engineer for the Central trip to Anartica! Railroad in Mexico in 1881 and The Alumni Review, due to 1882. Robert Hardaway died on a change in scheduling for the April 27, 1899 in Columbus, 2012 Issue 1 input for class Georgia. notes, etc., was expected by Sol Rawls and I talked about Oct. 17th rather than Nov. 15, Franklin’s pleasant weather at 2011. the time because he recently Please keep me informed of had told me of terrible floods any change in our current status and because of the newspaper of 26 remaining with us. reports that the peanut crop was Traver was a Brother Rat of in trouble because of drought. In Class of 1941: Stuart M. Seaton, right, with well known ’40. Blackburn entered the effect he said that this drought film director/producer/writer Steven Spielberg and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, at the Virginia War Memorial Institute as a Brother Rat of news was balderdash for their in Richmond, Oct. 12, 2011. Spielberg visited Richmond in 1943 and graduated with ’41. area-the peanuts are fine-I know preparation for his upcoming movie on Abraham Lincoln. M.A. Prideaux was our class you would want to know. He was

’41

2012-Issue 1

CLASS NOTES president “Rat year” and third class years. Parrish was never our class president only president of the Officer of the Guard Association – O.G.A. ’41 Forever! Al

’42

Charles B. Miller

In early October, I joined Ernie Keppel and Tish, Wortham Spilman and Alice, Charlie Chewning’s widow, Virginia, and Frank Louthan ’41 and Marylyn at The Hermitage here in Richmond to celebrate Jed Wilson’s 90th. Jed and Libby Schmidt moved into this nice, 100-year-old retirement facility earlier this year. Then, he fell and broke his leg and ended up at Westport Health Care Facility for recovery. Jack Whitmore fell and broke his leg, too, and joined Jed at Westport. They are both back at home now and walking with walkers. Spilly walks with a cane, also. Kep and I navigate without them. Frank and Mary Ann Lee took a two-day, two-night train to California to visit their son in June. Then they returned, and their daughter Sara drove them to Tennessee. There they saw their grandson and his family. From there they drove to Marian, VA, to see Frank’s sister, Mary Ann, Graybeal’s widow. Then, it was on to Washington for five days and a long drive

Class of 1942: Jed Wilson relaxing at his Richmond home.

back to Wichita Falls. His cane came in handy. They plan to make the reunion and hope Mary Ann Graybeal will join them. Lloyd Stallings writes that Evie gave him a weekend 90th birthday party with all three sons and their wives and the eight grandchildren. It was a real “shot in the arm” with all these young adults. He is recovering from his fourth fall, no balance. I am going to fall one of these days, too. You tax payers paid $2,000, through Medicare, for a therapist to try to help my balance without success. I received a nice email from Corbin, Jimmy Hume’s widow. She keeps up with VMI through Marguerite Ellett, the wife Taz Ellett ’44 and the Review. Becky Wilson, the daughter of Tommy Wilson, sent an email after her mother, Margaret, had received the card I sent earlier. She gave her email address, rlw121253@alo.com and phone 540-4347617. Russell Major’s widow, Blair, could not contact me with the incorrect number shown on my card. She found the correct one by calling the Institute. She called, and we had a nice chat. I thank Harry Siebert for writing to all the brother rats and sending me their replies. Ernie Keppel told him that he and Tish spend their time in Richmond and Wintergreen. Tish has retired. While she was working Ernie was the at-home husband, doing all the house work, including the cooking. Gordon Moore told Harry that his wife, Flo, passed away in May 2010. He lives is a nice apartment in Chico, CA, spends a lot of time playing cards, swims four times a week and exercises daily. He is in good shape, except for his hearing, which he lost in WWII. Gordon sent me a number of pages of notes, which I hope to read soon. My Anne has had a broken leg, a broken foot, a fractured hip and both knees replaced, and she does not want to stop. She wants to do it all: church, circle, symphony, opera, forum, bridge, therapy and all the shows we have here at Westminster Canterbury. She does not drive, so I get to do a lot of taking and picking up. I get my tennis and fitness center in every weekday morning starting at 6:30 and try to get home before she gets up around 9:00. Harry Siebert and Judy summer in

North Carolina and winter in New Smyrna Beach, FL. He expects his book, As I Remember, to be published in November 2011 by Ralph Roberts a Book Company, 65 Macedonia Road, Alexander, NC 28710, phone 828/252-95153. It covers his three years in the Army from VMI to England, D Day+2 landing, St Lo, etc. I was in almost four years, but I could not fill a book with my memories. I hope you saw the pictures and notes in the Alumni Review 2011-Issue 3, page 38. This First Wednesday of the Month VMI gathering was started by Jack Whitmore, maybe 20 years ago, with a very few alumni, say five. Walter Edens ’40 and Tom Hupp ’44, both dead, were regulars. When the crowd grew a little and the restaurant would not let us put two tables together for the group, we moved to Harry Easterly’s ’44 favorite Chinese restaurant, the Mandarin Palace, where they gave us a room with a nice large table. Retired Army Col. Walter Edens said he had eaten enough oriental food in Cambodia and would not order any food. He would leave a dollar tip. Others objected, so we moved about 2005 to Topeka Steakhouse, Parham and Three Chopt Roads. Bunny Tucker ’37 is the oldest. We have had a few from ’01. The average class year is ’54. Jack Woodward takes advantage of the tax laws and spends half the year in Sarasota, FL, and the other half in Virginia Beach, VA. We exchange emails. I am surprised at his nice, religious ones. Jack claims to be in good health. I do, too, thanks in part to Jack’s Healthy Breakfast. The recipe calls for items such as ginger root, oatmeal and pumpkin seed. If you like, I will send you a copy. I see Gelene Williams, Alex William’s widow, often. She still looks good. She and Spillman live in Cedarfield, a retirement community west of Richmond. It is large and nice, but they do not have the pleasant bar that we have at Westminster Canterbury. Received a nice note from Paul Cabell’s widow, Dot. She joined the 90+ club and enjoys working four days a week in an antique shop, claiming that she is the oldest antique there. Her address is: 1200 C Ave E, Albia, IA, phone: 641-932-5054 and cell devsoma@yahoo.com. Butterflies are her hobby. VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Jane and I plan two trips to the Institute Paul Geary emails from his retirement put together. There are disproportionate community, the Bonaventure in Ventura, CA. words about my goings on, mainly because, very soon. One is on 28-29 October to attend the dedication of Shell Hall, so named He says he needs aortic valve replacement dear Brother Rats, there was little spare in honor of General (BG, USMC-Retired) surgery, but he has declined. He has delight- time for me to make a few calls, and as is George R. E. “Buddy” Shell ful lady friend, much younger ’931, ninth superintendent of than he, from Berlin, who keeps VMI. We have special and close him alert and is a wonderful ties to the Shell family dating companion, Getting through LA from 1960. His first three years as traffic and flying to Roanoke and the Superintendent were during getting to Lexington for the 70th my three years as the Commight be too much. He is undemandant of Cadets. He led VMI cided yet. His sons were never in through the tumultuous years the service, but a grandson is in of the Vietnam War, and was, the Army and a great grandson is in the Air Force. Having offduring my years at VMI, my spring on Medicare makes him strong supporter through times of feel much older. Contact him by great achievement as well as the phone: 805-323-5575 or email: periodic occasions of cadet unrest pxf45@hotmail.com. when enforcement of various I was out of town for Charlie rules were stressed. A superb offiChewning’s funeral in August. cer of great principles whose wife Keppel and Jones made it as well was as gracious as they come. as Al Goddin’s brother Hobson. And on the 11th of NovemClass of 1942: Harry Siebert, who sent the above photo, Ed Jones has been telling me ber, VMI celebrates its 172nd wrote: “Several years ago, Fred Love invited a group of us to his summer home in the mountains of North Carolina. for years that he is the oldest birthday. Jane and I plan to attend Willoughby Williams, George Esser, Love, Jed Wilson, Gabe Brother Rat. The list provided by the Institute Society Dinner Horne and I, along with our ladies, were present for the the Alumni Association shows that night. And we hope – with weekend, and we celebrated Gabe’s birthday.” At the event, that Herb Thornton is the oldest good reason – that George and Siebert was elected “class poet,” and he wrote a poem titled, by six days. Kitty Snead, Johnny and Shirley “To Gabe, On His Birthday, Maybe # 80.” Charles Purdum’s daughter, Van Landingham, and Betty Janet Lant, emailed that her Haskins will also attend. In my dad wanted us to know that he was “above the wont of most of you, only a very few next Notes, I’ll tell you all about it. initiated calls or messages to me. the grass” and well with all his original Speaking of George Snead, he reports (7 Blessedly, there are no deaths of Brother body parts intact. No surgeries yet. His Oct.) that both Kitty and he are mentally Rats to report. We are holding at 40 wife died in 2000 and has been living alert but not quite as agile. Nevertheless, survivors. I do very much regret to report, alone. Janet visits him every day and says they are ambulatory and need no aids to he is as sharp as ever. He is not too good at however, that Byron Nettrour’s widow, walk. George’s “magical” equine knee luEleanor, died – fortunately, peacefully – in bricant needs refreshing every six months, cooking but can microwave with the best Pittsburg on 13 September 2011. Byron, of them. Purdum is a wonderful name; I and his next due date is early November – you’ll recall, died a relatively young man had forgotten his given name was Charles. just in time for the big dinner at VMI. on 26 May 1986. Kevin Nettrour, VMI Jim Tapley called me on 23 September Jeffrey G. Smith 1974, Eleanor and Byron’s son, called (2011) because he thought I’d apprecime from his St. Louis home to tell me. ate his checking into the net. And indeed Kevin’s older brother, Byron Jr., is also a I did! I don’t get many of those calls. Jim VMI graduate, class of 1968. is fine. As we chatted, it turned out, to my As I peck away at my computer keysurprise, he’d had a triple bypass operation board, I am into the first few days of my These notes will be somewhat abbrevion his heart 20 years ago. A great success; 90th year which began on the 14th of Octoated. For reasons not quite clear to me, the no problems since. And Jim joins us in the editors of the Review had to make adjustage 90 ranks in December (2011). Gordon ber. Our six children and several grandments which necessitated the submission of children helped me celebrate with dinner Smith called him recently and they plan to Class Notes a month earlier than usual. My attend our 70th Reunion together. Speaking at one of our daughter’s home nearby. As plate has been more than full these past few my Texas aunt remarked when I congratuof hearts, that news certainly gladdened months, and I’ve had scant time to gather lated her on her 90th, it really isn’t all that mine. Jim said his wife, Martha, is in pretty the news. This edition – these notes – will good shape, but is bothered by tremors remarkable. But it was a grand reason for reach you early next year. So, with a Happy Jane and me to enjoy a joyous gathering of which are being treated at the UVa Hospital. New Year to all, herewith is what I hastily I know we all wish Martha our very best. our extended family.

’43

2012-Issue 1

CLASS NOTES John Halsey and I exchanged e-mails following the death of Judy. His last (received too late to mention in my Class Notes for the issue preceding this one) told of his three daughters’ loving attention. John had just returned from a week long visit with them and their families in Martha’s Vineyard. One daughter – lucky lady – has a summer home on the island. John, so rightfully, has multiple reasons to be proud of his six grandchildren. Two in Stanford, one in high school at Sidwell Friends in Washington, D.C., a granddaughter just graduated from U of Penn law school and now working in Washington, D.C. – and finally a recent Peace Corps returnee now with the Ocean Conservancy. John followed up in a later message stating, very graciously, that his grandchildren “obviously” inherited their genes from Judy. Two welcome e-mails on 30 August and 2 September from Judy Winter, wife of Dr. Bill. In August they were still summering in Vermont and survived hurricane Irene despite two trees falling near but not on their house. And blessedly, no high water. Their telephones in Texas had been put in “vacation mode”, but in September were waked up when the Winters returned in time for Bill and his son to attend an Air Force (Academy) football game. What a start I had on 7 September when upon my e-mail screen appeared a notice that I had a message from Bill Emory. Of course, it was from Bill Emory, Jr. His father, our Bill, remains ever bright among my favorite memories. “Young” Bill, mind you he’s a proud father in his own right, lives in Charlottesville (where, I recollect, he attended UVa). He enjoys my Class Notes – always nice to hear – and as he was writing, was looking at my photo in the 1943 Bomb (ancient history). His dad left him his hay, Class ring and the yearbook. You might recall that (our) Bill’s widow, Emma Gray, remarried only a few years ago to Howard McCue and that they lived in that beehive of VMI related residents, aka the Westminster Canterbury (of Richmond). Sadly, Howard McCue died last December 23, but Emma Gray continues in residence. “Young” Bill’s daughter is a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, an aviator whose current duties are classified. Bill writes that “she can’t tell me what she does but I am proud of her anyway, as I know 42

my Dad would be.” He surely would. Never a week goes by that I fail to receive e-mails from Chuck Beckham – our iron man on the tennis courts. Chuck has not written me directly for a few months, but he and two other VMI alumni keep me abreast of many events and exposes and things humorous via the web. The other two are our Brother Rat Fielding Greaves (valiantly trying to keep things from further leftward movement in the People’s Republic of California) and Hugh Dischinger ’45, brother of our own Jim Dischinger. I am a member of the Military Officers Association. Among its many services to the thousands who belong, it publishes a very slick, informative monthly magazine, Military Officer. In that publication’s September (2011) issue, were listed the retirement residences in cities across the nation which were most highly recommended to career retired officers. For the first time (the list is periodically updated), one of the featured residences was Harbor’s Edge, 1 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, VA. Readers will recall that is where our illustrious Brother Rats, Vince Thomas and Frank Bilisoly, have lived for several years. I can only assume that Frank and Vince are doing well in “Norfolk’s only high rise luxury retirement community (which) offers breathtaking waterfront and downtown views, open and elegant floor plans, the finest amenities, true life care…” and much more. Tempting? A few weeks ago, I asked Buddy Bryan ’71, VP VMI Foundation, to attempt to get information on the status of Bob Reveley’s health. Buddy has for years been in relatively close contact with Bob, who has been most generous in his financial support of VMI. However, Buddy’s calls to Bob’s only surviving son were unanswered. As best Buddy and I know, Bob remains in California – but address and state of mental or physical health are unknown. And it appears that his son does not wish to enlighten his VMI contacts. So sad. Gordon Smith followed up his earlier jokes (re: Indians and Marines) sent me with yet another that lifted my spirits for the day. He continues to work long and hard on his rehabilitation exercising (from his stroke). As I recounted above, he is aiming to attend our 70th. A few weeks ago, I spoke to Carole Green (Alumni Assn) about that event and am delighted to state,

our plans are underway for that gathering on 22 (Mon) and 23 (Tues) April 2013. There are 15 rooms blocked for our Class at the Hampton Inn (Col Alto) in Lexington (breakfast included). One of the Inn’s two hospitality areas will be reserved for our headquarters. As you might recall, Class Reunions for the senior Classes (55th Reunion and older) are held separately from those of the younger Classes. On the evening of 22 April, VMI will host a dinner (with Classes seated together) in the (new) Marshall Hall with music and entertainment. General Peay ’62 will speak. We, our class, is free to choose where we will dine on the 23rd, but VMI will pick up the tab! And, of course, there will be the usual Class photo, the Parade and the Old Yell in the (Old) Courtyard. I will do my best to keep you posted. An Army friend, Lewis “Bob” Sorley (PhD Johns Hopkins, third generation West Pointer 1956) is nearing the end of weekly interviews with me for an “Oral History” of my life. Were I to have known in advance the work entailed and the associated soul searching and mental turmoil, I would have thought long and hard before embarking. After each several-hours-long interview, my memory kept regurgitating things I should have mentioned. Consequently, after the first few sessions, I began each new one with catch-up recollections. Fortunately, my memory serves me well – too well at times, as stray thoughts continually bombard me. As I write, we’ve taped about 30 hours, with, I’d guess, 10 more hours to go. And it all requires editing. Eventually, the edited transcript will be augmented by photos and attachments and then bound. Not a book for sale, but one for the Army historical archives VMI archives – and above all, my family. Bob is an ardent admirer of VMI – and a widely published author (several acclaimed biographies and Vietnam War analyses). He was the first to occupy the rotating chair – endowed by Bill and Bruce Gottwald -- of the Ethics and Leadership program in VMI’s newly built Marshall Hall. Bob’s latest book, published by Houghton &Mifflin & Harcourt, is Westmoreland – The General Who Lost Vietnam. It has had very favorable reviews and stirred a few pots in Army circles. However, mistake me not, my oral history involves no accounts VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES of lofty echelons or grand stratagems or political maneuvering. Basically, it will be the account of an active, but to some, mundane, life mostly devoted to the service of the nation. In closing, let’s go back to our start as a Class at VMI. Do you remember the date? That is, the day and month upon which we matriculated? Do you know the date of our nation’s most recent traumatic event? It was, of course, Nine Eleven – 9/11/2001, the day of the Twin Towers & elsewhere attacks. Our class matriculated on Nine Eleven Sept. 11, 1939.

’44

Robert P. Jones Jr.

The VMI Alumni Association in its unfathomable way let me know about Sept. 23rd that the date these notes would be due was Oct. 17th instead of the regular date of Nov. 15th without any exceptions allowed. I didn’t get any explanation or expressed reason for the decision, but it sounded like I’d better be on time. My notes will be short with a lot fewer in depth comments as I find myself with a host of other things demanding my attention. In a thank you note from Miriam Helmen for our hospitality on their visit here in August she mentioned further travels. This one was to western Virginia and the Bristol, TN, area. Her dad was from Holston Valley in East Tennessee just outside of Bristol. As she put it another “memories trip” and lots of fun. Hap Irby sent me a copy of a newspaper article written by an old buddy of his, Doug Coleburn, in Blackstone, VA, who owns the weekly newspaper in that town. Hap had sent Doug information on Everett and Edwin King ’42 (twin brothers of our Jack King) and their experiences flying P47s in the states and in Europe during WWII. Everett was shot down and killed during one of their missions. Doug had included that in an article he had written about the old Blackstone Army Air Base. The King brothers had at one time been stationed there. I plan to send this for ’42s class agent for his notes. Hap added that he and Margaret are, to date, effectively 2012-Issue 1

handling all their normal old age problems. In August, Bob and Hazel Smothers again won the swing music dancing contest on the U.S.S. Midway at the annual Big Band affair held there. The crowd liked their performance of the Balboa Hop. Bob said, “Twas fun” but it set his gimpy knee back a lot. In late August, Ezra Trice called to ask me how Hurricane Irene had treated us; as did Dick Niess, Tom Peyton and Jim Doss. I told them all that Irene decided not to visit roughly and her center passed Tidewater, VA, about 25 miles off the coast. We got mostly pretty high tides and lots of rain with only moderately heavy winds. Ezra also told me that Bob Sherrard had been in the hospital for about a week with a heart problem. I haven’t heard anything further but still live by that old saying “no news is good news.” It saves a lot of worrying. Tom Peyton wanted to thank me for my card congratulating him on hanging in there for another year. He also wanted to lend me his copy of the book Unbroken if I hadn’t read it. I told him that Bob Smothers had sent me a copy several months ago and I had read and thoroughly enjoyed it. I told Tom that the Japanese prison camp, Omori, mentioned in that book was where I and my roommates were moved from our dungeon quarters in the Tokyo Kempi Tai (military police) headquarters in Tokyo after the combat operations in the Pacific ended. Jim Doss added to his remarks that Bill Ellinghaus, the husband of Ruth Miller Ellinghaus, had been marooned in his New York apartment by flooding from Irene as she went by. In September, Ezra Trice said he had an e-mail from Bob Smothers telling him that he had a cancerous problem on his kidney that was highly treatable with chemo therapy which he was undergoing. Radford, VA, had a great party for Mabbot Warren to celebrate her 85th birthday. A whole crowd of kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, other relatives from three marriages and friends gathered to enjoy food, drinks, music and the great companionship of the occasion. She was happy to find three of the male attendees to enjoy dancing with. She was thrilled! I mentioned in my August class notes that I was trying to put a list together of all the members of our class who received a VMI diploma after completing their senior year

and getting a bachelor’s degree at another institution after WWII and notifying VMI of that award. I had hoped to hear from any of you who fell into that category to help complete my list. Have heard nothing, so I reckon there are none except those who I’ve already talked to. In talking to Peck Chambers and knowing he didn’t tell VMI about his BS degree from Harvard after WWII, I learned how he thinks he managed to pass calculus at Harvard. Peck said that following the first class his professor asked him to step into his office. Once there, the professor asked him what language he spoke. Peck told him “Southern American” and both had a good laugh. Peck noted that the professor and the rest of the students spoke “Harvard English.” That’s about it for now as my deadline is upon me. Take care of yourselves wherever you are. God bless all of you and God bless America and VMI.

’45

Richard A. Matheis

This is the second attempt of preparing the current class notes – thanks to a computer glitch dumping the entire first version. Feel sorry for me. Oh well, they say everything is better the second time around anyway. On Sept. 11th, I advised everyone the deadline for the next issue of the Review was changed from Nov. 15 to Oct. 15. My concern was this might result in a might small assembly of notes. I never should have been concerned. The response was great. Information came in a way of phone calls, regular mail, e-mails – everything but carrier pigeons! Before the flow of material hit me, I was contemplating accepting several offers to fabricate tales. I came this close! The response noted above though, avoided the despicable temptation, and thereby kept me an honest man. Digging into the mailbag, the first item is a sad e-mail from Sarge Wise’s son, Charley. The subject is “Taps for Sarge Wise.” Yes, we have lost our class’s first vice president. The message reads: “With great sadness at his passing but huge joy at his great and inspiring life, I’m writing to let you and all 43

CLASS NOTES my dear Pop’s Brother Rats, know that he was passed on to you and previously publuggage at home – no computer. At almost died peacefully on Aug. 26 of heart failure lished. I’ve shared it with his son, Roby, and the same time, I noticed an envelope containattributed to aortic stenosis.” several of his most devoted and appreciative ing $2300.00 was missing from the top of He further stated, “I will send you some friends here – we still laugh whenever it my dresser. One of the construction people of Pop’s experiences and related items of resurfaces to mind. working on the renovation of our home hit which I’m not certain the historians of the “My request of your Brother Rats is for pay dirt. No computer, no cash. I’ll be a little great class of 1945 are aware – or may have more such remembrances of Bucky. As his more cautious when traveling to Lexington forgotten.” memory slips away from him, I find myself for the 70th. Look forward to receiving them, Charley, trying to recall all I can of his tales, wisdom I just learned we lost Frank Collins on and again our condolences. and wit and to learn of even more. So send Aug. 15, 2011. He was living in Verona, PA, Next, a note from John Anderson, the stepthem on! His children, grandchildren (when at the time. The information came to me son of Walt Tucker. He states, “Please delete they’re old enough to hear such) and I will indirectly, so I have no other details. W.L. Tucker from your mailing list. Walt, be forever grateful to you.” A little story was received from one of our My mother’s husband, a gentleman who You’ve got it, Karen. sisters, who prefers to remain anonymous. loved family, community and VMI, passed A quick one from Buddy Metz. “Sorry, but She has two friends who are also widows. away 1/8/10. He was a devout Christian. I have no news. The letter from Jim Morgan They were on a beach in the Southeast U.S. My daughter is particularly saddened by his was outstanding. I had no idea he did all that. enjoying the sunshine and the waters of the passing. Walter was, in effect, her grandfaJim is something else.” ocean. Along came a mature, attractive, but ther – quiet, reliable, unassuming, wise. If you were so totally impressed with what very pale, male. He placed a towel on the Then another e-mail – this from sand, sat down on it and was Jim Cocke. A few excerpts from obviously enjoying the view it follow. “On July 24, 2011, my of the surf. After a bit of time, wife of the past 11 years, Inez R. one of two widows said to the Cocke, passed away.” He went other, “He sure looks intereston to say he roomed with Joe ing. I wonder if he’s married, or McCullough and Gordon Mills. possibly a widower.” The other Since he now stands alone, he replied, “I’m just going to walk guessed that labeled him a survipast him and see if I can strike up vor, but he doesn’t feel like one. a conversation.” Hey Jim, if you read the obits in She jumped up and, as she was the morning and your name is walking past him – noting his Burnett ’45 Redwine ’45 Wise ’45 not listed, you are a survivor! paleness – said casually, “Hi, He also mentioned he rememyou must have just escaped the bered studying German with Jim Morgan you have already read, Buddy, I should send winter weather up north and are now workand seeing him in a hall about 30 years ago you a copy of an addendum I later received ing on a tan.” at Santa Labs. Just passing this on to you, from Jim. It included his further credentials “Oh no,” he said rather subdued, “I just got Jim. of two honorary societies, two historical out of prison.” On a lighter note, a little levity from Jim organizations, five professional organiza“Out of prison? And why were you in Lewter. He writes, “I don’t have anything of tions, one engineering license, directorships prison?” she asked. interest to report. I did have my pacemaker on four company boards and five military “I shot and killed my wife,” he replied. replaced – my fourth. They said this one service awards. “Oh,” she said with a great sense of anticimight last 12 years. I told them I wasn’t inDid I miss anything, Jim? pation, “then you are single!” terested, as I would be 99!” You never know, Then a short note from Kay Gantt. She Now you understand why I cannot reveal Jim; you never know! writes, “Joe and I will travel to VMI Friday my source for this shameless act. It did bring to mind an incident involvnight for the Hall of Fame Dinner. We enjoy RAMblings: I recently noted while reading ing me. As part of remodeling our home in seeing all those appointed. Last year we about an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Naples, I had a discussion with my contracenjoyed Malachi M. Mills ’48 and his son, FL, that the game was played in Everbank tor regarding a new roof. He quoted me one Malachi III ’83, with whom we sat.” Field. You may remember Everbank had, as with a 20-year guarantee and another for 10 Talking about traveling to VMI reminds one of its founders in 1985, our Brother Rat, years. Reflecting on my age, I asked, “How me of my last trip to Lexington for the 65th Russ Newton. Everbank bought the name about one with a five-year guarantee?” He Reunion. It turned out to be much more exrights to the stadium in July of this year. It just smiled … Smart man. pensive than I could have possibly imagined. was interesting to learn of this, as well, that Moving right along, now a beautiful e-mail On the return trip, I made the masterful de- his bank now has over 2200 employees. Atta’ from Buck Redwine’s wife, Karen. I quote it cision to pack my computer in my checked way to go, Russ. in its entirety. luggage so as to avoid the inconvenience of I’ve been initiating five to six phone calls “I loved the Bucky matriculation story that getting through security. When opening the for each issue, principally to those of you 44

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES who I have not spoken to in over 60 years. Last month I called Jim Adams. He has had a career in the field of real estate law and is presently teaching a course in marketing, principally as it applies to insurance sales. He volunteered an enjoyable tale about his naval career during WW II. He was in command of an LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) at the time. It was the closest he ever got to action while in the Southwest Pacific. The seas were calm and flat. All of a sudden he spotted what appeared to be a periscope. He immediately sounded, “General quarters!” As the ship eased up to the periscope, it became obvious his highly trained naval eyes had failed him; it was only a bird standing on a log!” Charlie Bigger was on my “to call” list. He’s a professor at LSU and teaches psychology. He was more interested in telling me about his recent visit to Virginia and visiting John Williams, as well as his daughter. He happened to mention she owns 12 cars! I may have misunderstood but that may well be correct, since apparently his son-in-law is a geologist and has done very well with oil wells. I had a nice conversation with Booley Anthony a short time ago. He tells me he plays golf two or three times a week. More importantly, he is the proud head of a family of 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren! That caused me to scurry for my roster to see how many children he and his wife, Jane, had. The number is six. Now that’s family. Recently, I had an opportunity to speak with Verne Chaney and Bob Allen. They both wanted to talk about Bob’s visit to Verne a few months ago in New York. The highlight, according to Bob, was eating at the prestigious New York Athletic Club as a guest of Verne’s. Verne, incidentally, has enjoyed a great career in his law practice located in New York City. Closer to home base, one of my calls was to Nate Adams in Lexington. I first spoke to Eloise, his wife. It turns out she is a big fan of VMI dress parades. Apparently, she has been watching them on a regular basis ever since she was very young. Her father taught at VMI, thus the longevity of her interest. Nate has an equal interest in their treks across town to watch the colorful drills. He added they have a grandson in Afghanistan who is a W&L graduate. How did you ever let this happen, Nate? 2012-Issue 1

The last feature of these notes is the second of the autobiographies of past class agents – this time, Jack Burnett of Roanoke. My request of those nine BRs was for a “short” note covering their lives during the period of time between leaving the Corps and today. I now know I was asking for the impossible. Again, Jack’s was also four pages, as was with Jim Morgan. As before, it will be included with the mailing of the advanced copy of these notes in the next few weeks. It is a terrific story. To convert it into a Reader’s Digest version would be a travesty, as you will see. Incidentally, Hugh Dischinger is not the only fighter pilot we had amongst our BRs. Jack flew P-51s, as well as transport planes over China. I just know you will enjoy the story. By the way, I have a tale involving Hugh and one of his P-47s for the next issue you will equally enjoy. Once again, God bless VMI and the great class of ’45!

’46

William A. Eliason

Because you’re already into 2012 and have already received my letter explaining the absence of class notes for 1946 last year including any news of the class available at this time, I will save the Review some paper and ink by not dwelling on repetition here. In anticipation that the several issues noted in the aforementioned letters will have been resolved by the time you read this, I plan to resume the class notes in full for the next issue.

’47

Bill Hallett

Taps sounded yet again … this time for Samuel Lewis Duff, who died peacefully at his Houston, TX, home on April 26, 2011. He matriculated from Lebanon, VA, which he always referred to as God’s Country. After a year and a half at VMI, Sam entered the Army and served with distinction as a medic with the 47th Infantry Division during its European campaigns. Before retiring he was a sales executive with American Cyanamid. He is survived

by Betty Jane, his wife of 60 years, and their children Sam Jr., Sue Charles and Joseph. Heads were bowed as Taps sounded for Ivan Lee Ross who died May 1, 2011. He matriculated from Covington, KY, where he was valedictorian of his high school class. After our Rat year, he served for two years in the Army and after separation from service he received his mechanical engineering degree from Stanford University. Ivan traveled the world designing and installing conveyor and equipment handling systems. He is survived by Betty, his wife of 61 years, and their three daughters. Taps sounded for Harry John “Jack” McDargh III who died peacefully on Aug. 25, 2011, He matriculated from Atlanta, GA, entered the Army soon after our Rat year and, following discharge from service, was graduated from the University of Denver. He also served in the USAF during the Korean War. As a civil engineer, one of his works was construction of the runways at Landstuhl AFB. Jack is survived by his wife, Betsy, and his five children. The bugler reported for duty to sound Taps for William Caffey Rudulph who died Aug. 27, 2011, following an extended illness. He matriculated from Montgomery, AL, and after a year and a half at VMI, the Army found him and he served in the ETO for two years. Following graduation from the University of Alabama, Rudy worked many years for Sears Roebuck & Co. He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay, and is survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Rudy was a frequent attendee at our reunions. To escape Richmond’s summer heat and humidity, Bettie Jacobsen flew to

Class of 1947: Ben McCarley took a photo of the sign pictured above, during a family vacation on Vir ginia’s Eastern Shore.

CLASS NOTES Vancouver to begin a cruise and enjoy a tour of Sewards Folly, currently known as Alaska. Living was tough aboard the Silver Shadow with a crew of 200 to serve its 300 passengers. Glaciers to provide cooling and the 60 million acre Denali National Forest to present awe and wonder with its breath-taking spread of flora and fauna. While Bettie was away, our Richmond area was rattled by a biggestsince-1874 earthquake of 5.8 magnitude, Hurricane Irene and a visit to the University of Richmond by our Disaster-in-Chief who implied that the recent earthquake which triggered a shut-down of the two nearby nuclear reactor power generators was caused by the Bush fault. We really didn’t need either of them! Just four days after Hurricane Irene had done her worst, a pre-breakfast call from Lucius Dabney requesting a status check. Happy to report no property damage, no trees down in our yard, much debris, four inches of rain and thankfully power was restored four days after we sang “Goodnight Irene.” Lucius reported that other than a recent hernia repair (likely caused by a heavy legal brief or a voluminous client billing) all was well in his “I work everyday” world and that Allene’s regular Avastin shots keeps macular degeneration away. She and your scribe “enjoy” the wonderful effect of that injectable. Strange to say that drug was developed as a treatment for colon cancer; I won’t print here my somewhat inappropriate one-liner. Maybe later. Our August notes reminded Dick White of one of his Rat year events. Following the Temple game (VMI 0 – Temple 27) in Philadelphia, when his battered body was returned to the Post hospital, Colonels Cord and Davis decided Dick needed a blood transfusion. Dick was told later that the donor was a Jewish chap in the ASTP unit; could have been Mel Blanc. Those men had their blood type identified when they entered the Army. As far as I know, none of us knew our blood type until entering service when blood type was stamped on our dog tags. Now Dick has his cardiac matters tended at the Jacksonville, FL, Mayo Clinic. Four of Dick’s children including his one daughter are lawyers. Years ago, Ted Williams of baseball fame was one of his clients and

as a favor, he coached Dick’s son, Wilson, how to stand to get a solid hit; two minutes of advice did the trick. We talked a while of our VMI days and he asked about Jerry Johnson, Bill Mendlow and several others. Do any of you have helpful info? Many of our fellow matriculants are unaccounted for. Questions to ponder: Is television chewing gum for the eyes? Would opera be improved if there were no singers? Should community organizers and shepherds have a combined union? Is laziness nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired? Is ballet baseball for fairies? Will adding Metamucil to your martini create a multi-purpose libation? Nice letter from Max Lamont in which he noted, with much regret, the increasing number of Bro’ Rat deaths and gim reports. Father Time and Mother Nature continue to do their thing. He and Hilma were enjoying the hurricane-induced, much-needed rain falling on their parched property. Max has outsourced their heavy yard work; in my case, substitute the word “any” for the word “heavy.” He continues to play golf and serve as a county election commissioner, while Hilma continues to carry on as homemaker. A call from Jim Willson on his birthday to affirm that he was still younger than your scribe. He still serves as a “gofer” at their local hospital; much of his other volunteer time is “used” with his work on the Disaster Preparedness Committee for the 2,000 residents of the gated community where he and Carol live. I don’t remember him being that energetic as room orderly in room 148 in 1943. We finally re-established contact with Dan Williamson who has moved from Atlanta to Raleigh, NC. Even though I was one of the five cheerleaders during our Rat year (the others Dick Niess ’44, Ed Brando ’44, Jerry Isear ’46 and Double L Willson), I usually refrain from commenting on VMI’s sports programs. However, an event of interest took place on Sept. 24th, as our Big Red team played Akron at Akron where at kick-off time both teams “enjoyed” 0-3 records. That game was a zoological rarity since both teams have a kangaroo as mascot. A clash of the kangaroos ended with Akron winning 36-13. The Big Red team has not enjoyed a winning season since 1981 when, in the last game

of that season, VMI beat VPI 6-0. Joy abounded and much ice was melted! Fred Floyd said Irene brought muchneeded rain, blew over a few pines and thankfully did little damage on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. In our Aug. 15th notes, I reported that 31 Bro’ Rats had contributed $36,700 to support VMI during the fiscal year which ended June 30th. Those numbers indicate an average gift of $1,180. However, you should know that seven of those generous lads each contributed more than $2,000; our thanks to them. They know that excellence is not inexpensive. Your participation counts and VMI is counting on you. Seven of our ladies continue to be most generous in their support of the Institute. A special thank you to Jean Salley for her most generous gift in John’s memory. Of the 13 classes in the decade of the ’40s, 11 of them had a higher participation percentage. Your help will assure that ’47 is a leader of the pack for FY 2012 when we celebrate our 65th Reunion. From Labor Day until Sept. 18th, Betty Lane and Gus Robbins enjoyed what they described as an “awesome Alaskan experience.” Seven days of cruising and upscale dining aboard the Zaandam and seven days ashore to enjoy the Denali, vistadome train trips and many other ways to enjoy that state’s scenic wonders. A very short note from George Ashby telling that he and Barbara (Bobbie) Kaiser were married April 30th. Congratulations to those recently weds from the Bro’ Rats of ’47. Soon after the mailing reminding us to make room reservations at the Hampton Inn (540/463-2223) before March 1, 2012, I talked with Bruce Taylor who said that he and Anna were planning to attend, that they seemed to be doing fine and only on rare occasions did they have to wear name tags. In case you think you may not remember the name of a former roommate, our reunion name tags will have large print. A big celebration for Rick and Sambo Roddey’s family on Oct. 1st when their grandson, Robert Wilson, married Annie Wessinger in Columbia, SC. Reliable reports indicate that Sambo kept his shoes on all during the reception. Dan Williamson says that Raleigh, NC, is a laid-back state capitol compared to Atlanta which is hurley-burley squared. He is wellVMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES and taken by the federal government to build will ask you to let me know your plans to pleased with the Whitaker Glen facility a seacoast artillery fort for 16-inch guns; attend. That information is needed so that which is within a three-hour drive of all of the project failed and the government kept attendance fees can be determined. Please his kids and grandkids. that land. Bill Haughton’s certified note said “one reply promptly. At Thanksgiving and all Journalism is the ability to meet the chal- other times, remember that we have much of the reasons I write to you is because you are one of the few remaining alive that lenge of filling space; somewhat like class about which to be thankful. Have a very notes. I’m tired of writing and I guess I knew.” Recent trouble with his printer Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy you are tired of reading. Remember our drive caused him to purchase “Driver De65th Reunion New Year. 65th Reunion which begins with check-in tective” for $29.95. Post failure thinking Dale E. Wykoff at Hampton Inn, Lexington on Sunday, caused him to remember that something April 22, 2012. Make your room reservawas omitted when his son hooked up the tions now by calling 540/463-2223 and printer; volia, it was not plugged in. Too requesting rooms in the class of ’47 room many modern day trinkets with Chinese block. In a month or so I will send a form instructions. Bill always sends some leftfor you to complete and return to me; it of-center publication to test my hypertenA brief glance at days past seems to be sion medication; never a dull in order. A child born the day moment. we matriculated at VMI would At long last a note, in fact today be 67 years old! Where two notes, from Fred LeBlanc; has the time gone? Of the 50 of both notes included contribuus who arrived on Feb. 7, 1944, tion checks and several words 35 (70%) finished the Ratline; in what he described as his of the 50 only 12 (24%) finally old-age French. He signed off graduated (all after the end of as “Fredito the Dyslectic one.” WWII); and again, of the 50, Great to hear from Fred; maybe only 10 (20%) are still with his checks were written after us. The superintendent was Lt. successful golf matches. A Gen. Charles Kilbourne ’894, picture postcard featuring the a highly respected holder of the Citadel from Mary Anne and Congressional Medal of Honor. Jim Sizer. She hinted that they The ROTC unit was made up were there “checking out” a site of 10 active-duty Army officers for our next VMI reunion. They headed by Col. John M. Fray Class of 1948A: Alex Mason, Ted Schad, Dale Wykoff really were in Charleston for ’908, field artillery. and Jack Sadler in September 1944. a reunion of classmates from As WW II drew cadets into Woo Bucket’s Naval career. the military services, there were In talking with Jim later, he only two first classmen left in said he had noticed the aging Barracks, but some 420 ASTP process was catching up with (Army Specialized Training some of his cohort. I seem to Program Cadets) filled the third remember Jim saying his first and fourth stoops. Costs were ship was the Juno. quite different from today. During their extended family’s Upon matriculation the followEast Coast vacation in the big ing fees for 10 months were town of Quimby on Virginia’s required for a Virginia cadet Eastern Shore, Alice and Ben and in ( ) for a non-Virginian: McCarley made a side trip to Tuition $0 ($230), Board $270 the Kiptopeke Wildlife Preserve. ($270), Laundry $40 ($40), A picture taken there in front of Room Rent $30 ($30), New the Hallett Circle route marker Construction Fee $35 ($35), brought back many memories. Other Fixed Charges [fuel, That marker and the McCarlights, janitor, use of bath, Class of 1948A: An aerial view of the Institute as it apleys stand on property formerly haircutting, post band, library, peared in April 1947, following WWII. Cavalry horses are shown at center, left, while the first Cadet Band, formed owned by your scribe’s father medical attention and athletics] that month, appears in center field. The Guard Tree, still and grandfather. During WWII $155 ($155). Certain variable standing but now without branches, is seen in the upper that wonderful 200 acres of charges were also assessed for right of the Parade Ground. prime farmland was condemned books, stationery, clothing, etc.,

’48A

2012-Issue 1

CLASS NOTES $325 for a new Virginia cadet and $125 for an old one ($325 and $125). The total deposit required upon matriculation was therefore $655 for an old Virginia cadet and $855 for a new one ($885 for an old non-Virginian and $1085 for a new one). In addition to all the above, each cadet was required to purchase the following: 1 blanket ($6), 1 comforter ($4.50), 1 pillow ($1), 2 pillow cases ($.70), 4 sheets ($5) and 6 bath towels ($3). By comparison, the 2011/12 fee for a Virginian is a little over $20,000 and that for a non-Virginian is almost $40,000. Indeed, time has slipped by us!

’48B

Louis Castellano Jr.

Angus Crook has been a practicing physician specializing in OB-GYN for 52 years. He is still practicing in Nashville, TN. He left VMI and went into the Navy for 18 months and eventually went to the University of Virginia Medical School. Angus has been married 46 years. Kathy Fitts advised that our Rat Brother Jim has been in a nursing home since April 2011. Before his illness, he was an architect and graduated from the architectural school at Yale University. Our Brother Rat, Don Graffam left VMI after the Rat year, went into the Navy, was in flight school when the war ended and had an option to become a Navy pilot and stay in for eight years or be discharged, and he chose to be discharged. He then went to Brown University and eventually wound up at Harvard University where he secured his engineering degree. Don has been retired since 1996 but in past years he was involved in constructing banking facilities in the Northeast, as well as Puerto Rico. David Halpin left VMI after one year, went into the Navy, came back and graduated with the class of 1950. David went into the heavy construction business and thereafter real estate development, mainly in the commercial area. He has four children and five grandchildren and I believe one great-grandchild. I was able to reach George Bell. George was at VMI for one year. I believe he was in the Navy for a short time and graduated 48

from West Point in 1950. He was a fighter pilot and was in the Air Force for 26 years. He has one daughter, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. I often wondered how George, on Christmas leave, would go from Lexington to California, and I finally got my answer. He took a train to Chicago and flew to California. Spoke to Billy Guin. Bill spent a year and a half at VMI, went into the Marine Corps for about two years, came back and graduated with the VMI Class of 1950. He was commissioned into the Army and served in the Army for 33 years. Billy has five children and nine grandchildren. I believe during the Korean War he spent some time with the 24th Division in Japan. Lest I forget, Billy underwent a triple bypass about a year ago and is doing very well. Christian Hoeser graduated from VMI in 1947. He went into the Reserve and served in Korea for one year. He spent 40 years with Norfolk and Western and is now retired. Contacted our Brother Rat John E. Josephson. Joe was at VMI for one year then went to the Naval Academy. He came out of Western Montana. Thereafter, he was in the Navy for over 30 years, was a rear admiral and also, I believe, a fighter pilot. It is my recollection he was in charge of two squadrons and other Naval craft during his career. He is now retired and living with his wife in Pinehurst, NC. As the class agent and then speaking to many of our Brother Rats, the experience of the Ratline and the Honor Court has its unique permanent impact, you might say, on our souls. It is amazing to me, how many of us have been uniquely successful. The spirit never dies. We had no clue of the effect that these experiences would have on us for the rest of our lives. However, I am sure most of us are forever grateful.

’49A

James Harrington

Tropical Storm Lee assaulted the East Coast in early September, drenching everything in its path as it wound its way northward along the spine of the Appala-

chian Mountains. We went with it, driving through torrential rain for two days, white knuckles on the wheel along Interstate 81 and 84 among the thundering herd of eighteen wheelers. On the third day, the rains let up a little, clouds appeared, and we made it in time for our number one granddaughter’s wedding on the coast of Maine. Fortunately for her (and for all the rest of us) the sun appeared and the wedding was held in bright autumn sunlight on a hilltop overlooking the rocky coast and calm Atlantic at the southern tip of Maine. There was much family from all sides in attendance, and we had a great time. Maine lobster is good! The return trip was faster, in clear sunny weather, and unexciting. Hurricane “Irene” passed north of us, but we had a few anxious hours. (See Herb Johnston’s note, below). We have since entertained a couple of grandchildren as the closing act of our annual “Camp Chaos”, and are now settled in for a quiet fall. Ann continues with her tennis, and I continue with the regular home maintenance routine. I am scheduled for a week’s work helping to build walls for a Habitat for Humanity house, which is about all the excitement I can handle. We’ve received a couple of e-mails from Margaret Anne Noftsinger: “It has been a while since I last e-mailed you! We are still above ground and doing ok, thank goodness. Bill has not played golf since summer began. Like everyone else our summer has been a bit warm - too warm for ol’ folks to be on the course. But we have been busy with grandchildren and their activities. Our oldest granddaughter was married in June, a beautiful garden wedding. Yes, it was hot but it did not rain!! Also a grandson graduated from Collegiate and is going to the University of Delaware to play lacrosse. He was a goalie and received many honors in the sport, including All- American. Needless to say we are quite proud of him. Now he has to work as hard on the books to keep his scholarship. We had another granddaughter to finish the Darden School at The University of VA with her MBA and was fortunate to get a job in Richmond with MeadeWestvaco. And still another granddaughter is starting school to become a nurse practitioner. We seem to keep a Noftsinger in school at all times! And not VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES to leave anyone out, our great granddaughter starts school for the first time. This is a milestone that I never thought I’d pass. Our 5 year old granddaughter has just started school at the same school from which I graduated. Needless to say she is very bright, outgoing and of course as beautiful as her great- grandmother. Anyway I am thrilled to have her there and I get to see her often since Collegiate is across the street from our home. This is making me realize that a lot of birthdays have passed my way!! Other than that we have no news. We did enjoy lunch with Bill May and Dolores in early summer -they were both fine. Bill May updates us as follows: “Started teaching today. Title: ‘A Non-Partisan Story of the Arab-Israeli Conflict’. Enjoyed a good turn out. Have been working on it for some time. Seven more lectures to go! Will finish just in time for rabbit hunting to start. Had a great trip to the Southwest -- Canyon Lands, Arizona, Utah, Lake Powell raft trip, small plane up the canyons. Great geology! Dolores says it was the best of all our traveling.” Well, Margaret Anne and Bill both make me feel old! Allen Penniman’s usual long letter shows him still active: “I am happy to say that several enjoyable things happened in the Penniman family during the month of September. This is unusual because we had to stretch at times to find interesting things to tell the Class about. Anyway, here we go. On the first weekend in September, Joanie and I met a son, his wife and two children in Dallas to see the LSU-Oregon football game. As they say on the east coast, it was a corker and LSU came away with a 40-27 victory. The Tiger fans packed the stadium and because it is closed, the noise was deafening. We never let up and it was impossible to hear the referee and even the LSU band. While we were in Dallas, Joanie and I attended a dinner party for five couples. Each of the husbands was born in the last quarter of 1927, and will be 84 years old this year. We were all Cub Scouts together, attended elementary, junior high and high school together and have been friends for almost 80 years. We are in good health and it is remarkable that we have been in touch with each other all these years. What a nice reunion and what a nice 2012-Issue 1

way to celebrate our birthdays. They are a grand bunch of guys, each with a wonderful wife. Following that adventure, my oldest daughter, Laurie, and I flew to New York and spent a week driving the Hudson River Valley. It was a beautiful trip and being with her added greatly to the trip. She drove all of the way and was always sure that our accommodations were in order and that we had proper tickets for some of the historic homes we visited. One of the highlights of the trip was our visit to Roosevelt’s home in Hyde Park. During the tour, the docent asked if anyone remembered the name of the president’s dog. I raised my hand and properly identified Fala. I was the only one in the crowd who knew the answer because I was the only one there gray-headed. We also visited West Point and I had to stand up for the South when I reminded the docent that Robert E. Lee was buried on the Washington and Lee campus just outside the Limit Gates. She agreed to share him with us. Again, the trip was wonderful and I suggest it to those who have not been there before. This weekend Joanie and I will fly to Atlanta and meet that family at Callaway Gardens. The parents have six children and it is my understanding that everyone will be present. Joanie and I are both fortunate to have such a large family, as we are fortunate to be able to spend time with each of them. I almost forgot to mention that she traveled to Amarillo to see that family while I was touring up and down the Hudson River. September was a busy month for the Pennimans, and I can assure you that we enjoyed every day of it. With all of our traveling, I must admit that the dinner party in Dallas with my old friends was the highlight of the month. It took many years for me to develop the relationship I have with these four men. The feeling I have for those of my Brother Rats, who will read these comments, is the same feeling for each of you, and we achieved this in about 3-1/2 years. Our time at the Institute was intensive and for me, it worked.” Allen later sent me an e-mail in which he listed 70-80 diseases and conditions, most of which apply to old folk. I suppose I’ll have to check all of them out – who knows what’s coming! Herb Johnston shared our experience with North Carolina weather this summer:

“Our most interesting summer event happened in North Carolina. We were at Nags Head in August when Hurricane Irene visited the East coast and we were part of the mandatory evacuation of non-residents. We left on Thursday and went to Norfolk, to Richmond and on to Beckley. Rain caught up with us in Richmond but we left the next morning and the weather cleared as we continued north. During this time we were rescheduling air line reservations, motels, etc. The good news is that we had a great time with our kids and the weather was great until the very end. The bad news is that we missed 4 or 5 days of our vacation time. This is the third time we have evacuated the O.B. because of hurricanes and we stayed for one. We found a great place to buy peanuts between Norfolk and Richmond. It is the Wakefield Peanut Co. in Wakefield Va. I’m sure the Va. folks are familiar with the company I’ll end by saying that Jeanne and I are well and doing lots of fun activities.” And this from Joe Fil: “We have had an especially cool summer and it’s moving right into fall-rainy and cold. Where did the summer go? I seem to be missing a lot of things lately. My doctor seems to think I’m OK and that I shouldn’t worry about a little forgetfulness, but to lose a whole summer? One of the big events that I do remember is that Sue had a hip replacement recently. The operation turned out well but unfortunately blood clots developed in her lungs. Now she has to get blood tests every 2-3 days which keeps us pretty close to home. On the good side Sue says it doesn’t hurt, remains in good spirits and is gradually healing. Our gorgeous Italian daughter-in-law came out from Florida to lend a hand. Maria is a real worker and the house is so clean, I’m not sure I can live here. Plus she made some great Italian meals --super! We haven’t been able to make it up to the lake this summer. However, the kids enjoyed it. A granddaughter and some of her college friends spent some time there. It’s nice to know that the place is being used. Our oldest son, Joe, was out here on an inspection tour. It was wonderful to see him for a few days. Best news of all, our third son, Jonathan, was appointed a judge. I hope that he can operate from the bay area as the family is spread out enough.” 49

CLASS NOTES

’49B

Dan Smaw

These are the class notes for October 2011 - normally November. On 23 August I received a phone call from Holly Lewis Ferguson, Earthmole’s daughter, who called to say Earthmole had died on 13 June in Oklahoma City. He was buried in Bunkie, LA in the family plot there. Earthmole was one of the most faithful callers in the class - not just to me but to to a great number of the BRs. Our sympathy to all the members of the Lewis family. Central Virginia experienced an earthquake 23 August. Following are some comments from BRs about what they recalled : Mack Van Hook caught his coffee cup before it walked off the table. Their daughter Susan living about 40 miles from the epicenter lost some china. Inge was on the road and thought something was wrong with the car. Beanie Branch was out in his heavy Lincoln and felt nothing. Greg Nelson was 28 miles from the epicenter and was having lunch with Kitty. He thought the dishwasher was making a lot of noise, but when it got really loud he figured it was an earthquake and they moved outside. It lasted about 30 seconds and they had no damage. George Wolfe thought Jean’s caregiver had overloaded the washing machine. I am glad none of you had serious damage. I will try to paraphrase a very lengthy email I received in August. The writer was one of 10 US and 20 European and Asian physicians who arrived in Warsaw, Poland around 1977-78 to attend a conference on Disability Research and Rehabiltation. He sat down at the lunch table to tomatoes, cheese, ham slices, old stale bread and a gentleman across the table he had never met. He asked what did he do and was told he was a Neurosurgeon. He asked where he had trained and he started off with his training at McGill and his medical degree from Tulane. When asked about his undergraduate training he was told that it was at a small school he had probably never heard of - VMI. He was 50

then asked about his training and said he had done his orthopedic training in New Orleans at Charity Hospital and at Rancho Los Amigos in California with his medical degree from Tulane. His undergraduate degree was from a small school you probably never heard of -VMI. They both had a good laugh. The gentleman he had been speaking to was Phanor Perot. The writer of the email is Paul Meyer ’54. Both Phanor and Paul spent years doing Neurological- Spinal Cord Injury work. I hope you all can follow my poor accounting of their meeting. Our grandson Andrew Timpner ’07 and his wife Christin had a baby girl, Gwendolyn, on 1 September. Mother and child are doing well. Gwendolyn is a beautiful little girl which I am sure all great-grandparents say about their great-grandchildren. Our grandson-in-law,Kurt Helfrich ’08, got home from his seven month tour with the Air Force in Afganistan for which we are very thankful. George Wolfe called in early September to say he, Greg Nelson, George Dooley and Nux Enochs were at the opening football game of the season in Lexington. George also said he would arrive at the reunion early Sunday in order to help. That was appreciated. Dan Payne went to the hospital 1 September with heart problems. The doctor mentioned surgery which might or might not do much good. Dan and June turned it down and they returned home where Dan could “sit on the porch”. His heart kept failing and he died on 17 September surrounded by his family of four children and twelve grandchildren. A graveside service was held at 1100 a.m. 20 September at Mountain View Cemetery in Lovingston, VA. Dan and June had been married 59 years. He had a sister who preceded him in death and was survived by his wife June, a sister, four children and 12 grandchildren. Dan, Lon Walter and I were roommates for four years. Dan was a life-long friend and a great Brother Rat who will be missed by all who knew him. The service was attended by BRs: Beanie Branch, George Dooley, Nux Enochs, Max Feinman, Mort Massie, Mack Van Hook and Bill Sweeney. On another sad note Tommy Altizer ‘s wife, Nancy, died in September after a

long illness. We offer our deepest sympathy to Tommy and his family on their loss. Dick Rawles called in mid-September to say their schedule of travel would not allow them to make the reunion which they were sorry to miss. He said his heart and Dot’s hip were wearing out, but they were hanging in and planning on making the 65th. Country Lauerman wrote in to say they would miss the reunion because his brother-in-law was being buried at Arlington National Cemetery during that time. Grover Outland called and we had a long conversation covering the waterfront, without solving many of the world’s problems. Grover has been suffering with shingles which I understand is very painful. For anyone who might be a candidate for shingles, there is a vaccine you can take. Louise and I had the shot several years ago. I talked with Vaughn Maxwell last month and he was home from the hospital, but not recovering as fast as he would have liked. He is taking physical therapy at the VA Hospital several times a week. It seems he had the same problem with the therapy that Louise did - too much for your body to take, so you suffer a setback, which both did. Vaughn was sorry he would miss the reunion, but glad he is showing progress in recovering from the stroke that hit him right after Easter. We wish you well in your recovery - don’t push it. Betty Lu Stephens and Clint and Rose Anne Hurd were kind enough to drop by to see us for an hour or so Saturday on their way to the reunion. We really enjoyed them since it had been four years. Louise had hip replacement surgery 14 July and was recovering very well until the ball popped out of the socket about the middle of August. It popped out the second time a few weeks later. The surgeon operated a second time on 22 September and placed a wire mesh around the socket -it should not come out again. Even though she has been having physical therapy, it is not responding as quickly as she would like. We determined it would not be prudent to try to go to Lexington even though we both wanted to. We have been to every reunion since the thirtieth - this one is the 62nd and a half. Greg Nelson graciously agreed to step in and oversee the reunion VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES for which I am grateful. Others jumped in to help and Greg said things were set to run okay. Greg wrote that the mini-reunion went very well and the accommodations, hospitality suite, dinners Monday and Tuesday nights, and the Aramark food on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were excellent. The Holiday Inn Express people and the Aramark people went out of their way to help and make things work well. Tommy Bowers said grace Monday night and Ann Stribling Tuesday night. Greg said he had a lot of excellent help from five people: Deegee Watling, Kitty, George Dooley, George Wolfe and Buddy Marshall. They sold all the leftover “adult beverages.” Margaret Lee Overton surprised them all by providing a favor for everyone at the class banquet on Tuesday night. It was a tiny box wrapped in red, white and yellow ribbon, and filled with M and Ms with “VMI ’49B” on each piece. She had personally wrapped every one of those tiny boxes. In the absence of any class officers, Greg asked Grover Outland to handle the class meeting since he was the “rankest” person there, having been elected Honorary First Captain of the Corps of Cadets - how no one knows. Nothing significant came out of that and no one volunteered to host a mini. June Payne and her son, Stuart ‘84, came over for dinner on Monday night. Leo Soucek wrote to say the reunion was a completely successful gathering, which I was glad to hear. The attendees were: John and Glenna Allen, Tommy and Pam Bowers, Harv and Barbara Bradley, Tommy and Glad Challoner, Tom and Virginia Cooke, George and Jane Dooley, Nux Enochs, Max Feinman, Carel and Ikey Humme, Clint and Rose Anne Hurd, Buddy and June Marshall, Jim and Hester Morgan, Greg and Kitty Nelson, Grover and Teancy Outland, Margaret Lee Overton, Ding and Nobbie Patton, Leo and Evelyn Soucek, Betty Lu Stephens, Bill and Ann Stribling, Bill and Nada Sweeney, Mack and Inge Van Hook, Ed and Deegee Watling and George Wolfe. Thanks to all who have contributed to Annual Giving. ‘49B led the 40s classes in giving for the past fiscal year, due to the large gift from Frank Liddell’s estate. God Bless America, VMI and ’49B. 2012-Issue 1

’49C

Haywood France

We have started a new year and I hope everyone was satisfied with the old one. At least we are able to complain, if necessary. We can set new goals and aim higher. These Review notes were requested a month early due to a change in scheduling for the 2012-Issue 1 Review. I hope that didn’t upset your plans to submit information for this issue. We lost another Brother Rat with the passing of Dan Forsyth on Aug. 17, 2011. I attended his funeral on August 27th in Marietta, GA, and represented the Class of 49C. Georgia Hening called with information that her daughter, Patrica Wood, died August 11th. Many of you knew her and knew of her lengthy battle with cancer. My thanks to Mary Ellet again for her e-mail, which resulted in an increase in correspondence activity during the last quarter. Max Lamont called and we had a good discussion on our Class losses during the past year. He reports that he and Hilma Anne are not traveling too far from home now days. He, however, was heading to the golf course that afternoon. Had a note from Stock Fleming in which he agreed with many of Mary’s comments and made several of his own. Stock reported that he and Jean, like most of us, had their problems but were thankful to still be looking at the green side. Jan and Bob Fretz had stopped by for a short visit and they hashed out old times over lunch. Jan and Bob are two of a few from our class that I’ve heard about who are still covering a lot of territory. Received a letter from the Foundation concerning contributions received over the past fiscal year (7/2010-6/2011). Our alumni participation percentage dropped from 73 to 63 over this past fiscal year. We will make an effort to improve on that figure.

’50A

Bill Moore

Anne and I spent a delightful weekend recently with BJ and Kenny Stagg. The occasion was the VMI-Richmond foot-

ball game. Unfortunately the Keydets lost but were not beaten. Remove a couple of muffed punts and a fumble across the goal line after an 85 yard drive and it could have been a very different result. The four of us had a great time together, anyway. We definitely talked about everything, told old and new stories and enjoyed every minute of the time together and were treated to a delicious Sunday breakfast by BJ. They were scheduled to return the visit when VMI plays Liberty in Lynchburg but unfortunately had a conflict - a very important one. Their son, Bill ’97, is getting married on the same Saturday. Both are doing well and “keeping up”. Kenny complains a little about not moving well and he should know but he moves fine so far as I can tell. BJ is still her usual youthful and energetic self. I did find out something I didn’t know about our BR Kenny. He is an excellent cabinet maker. He’s made some beautiful pieces. One, a Queen Anne highboy in walnut, is one of the most gorgeous pieces I’ve ever seen. I had no idea that he had such talent and patience. Any museum would be more than glad to have that highboy. Mary (Joe) Ripley told me that she and daughter, Anne, had a lovely trip and stay at Tybee Island near Savannah. They ate a lot of good seafood and obviously enjoyed their “girls’ excursion”. It brought back some nice, old memories for Mary. She and Joe used to enjoy visiting Savannah and its many little square parks and cobblestone streets on the river front. She is doing well and sounds great. Harriett and Jennings Bunch are both well but have lost too many friends lately. Like all of us, too many funerals and too many lost loved ones and friends. Anne and I feel very fortunate to have all of you and we wish reunions weren’t so far apart. I didn’t get to talk with Bill Clark when I called. But Carol and I had a long talk and she brought me up to date on Bill. His congestive heart failure has progressed to the point where he is very weak and has trouble breathing. Fortunately Carol has good help in caring for him. He’s not confined to his bed and enjoys breakfast and coffee in his den and watching the games on TV at night. Hold it. Update coming. Bill himself just called me and apologized for not being able to talk when I called last night. He sounded like his old self at the beginning but got 51

CLASS NOTES weaker and weaker as we talked. He is having a great deal of trouble breathing and is under hospice care. He obviously called to say goodbye to me and all his Brother Rats. He said to tell you of his great love for all of you and that his journey is almost ended. I’ll keep you updated. I missed Barbara (Hugh) Barnes when Anne and I were in Richmond visiting Kenny and BJ. But I did get her on the phone on the way back to Lynchburg. Just like ours, her granddaughters are growing up and have many more interests. She did get to take Brooklyn to George Mason for a big swim meet recently. Like most of us Barbara has some aches and pains but keeps active and engaged with her family, church, and friends. Jackie (Dick) Martin has had few adventures since her 3000+ mile trip last summer. She has been occupied with house, yard, car and dog. Getting ready for the Spokane winter. She is dreading the short days after daylight savings is over because night comes so soon and lasts so long in Washington State. But for now the trees and weather are enjoyable and pretty. She sends her fondest greetings and love to all. Jackie told me a good story about of all things, grits. After our 50th Jackie and Dick spent several days with us on our hill here east of Lynchburg. They were greatly taken by the grits Anne served for breakfast - Jim Dandy by the Martha White people. These grits are nothing like the tasteless, fine-ground, sloppy-textured grits served by most restaurants. Its no wonder that a lot of people trying grits for the first time don’t find them appetizing. Well, Dick and Jackie tried literally every market they came to between Lynchburg and Spokane hunting for Jim Dandy grits. No luck. A year later Jackie was in a convenience store in Tucson. There was a black lady employee in the store and Jackie asked her about the grits. Turns out the lady was from South Carolina and immediately brightened up. “Lawdy me, honey. They’s just across the street at the Safeway.” Dick and Jackie bought a whole case and you well remember that Dick was from Long Island! Dick Mandt is keeping his doctors happy and getting good reports from then. He says Jeanne gets around even better than he does. Nothing new to report but we’re all thrilled by how well he has recovered from 52

all the things he’s endured. Once again, little or no news is good. Dick is disturbed about how the Carolina Panthers are doing. That seems to be his main concern just now. I noticed that today (Sunday) the Panthers are doing no better. Joanne (Ed) Miller is becoming more and more used to living in her apartment rather than the lovely home she and Ed shared for so many years. Her grandson, Eric, a high school senior, is looking at colleges all up and down the east coast. She’s had a hard time trying to get Eric to consider VMI. He’s professed to have no interest in the military. As I remember our class I suspect that most of us went to VMI not because of the military but in spite of it. Notable exceptions. Of course in our day there was the Draft and nobody wanted to be drafted as a grunt. Elliott Hudgins has been recovering from the flu and that hasn’t been easy considering all the other things he’s had to overcome but Nan assures me that he’s on the mend because he’s becoming hungry for real food after all the Jell-O and pudding he’s had to endure. Miss Irene gave them and New Bern in general quite a brush during her path up the east coast. Elliott and Nan were fortunate that they aren’t in a low area as those places had very significant flooding. They got by with the loss of a few shingles, a back yard tree and of course a lot of debris from nearby properties. Judy and Ralph Mooney have a new great grandson born 10/10/11 over in the Valley at Stuarts Draft near Waynesboro. The new great grandparents are going over to “help” take care of the new baby for a few days or weeks or so. They’ll be joined by one of his grandmothers on the project. They’ll spoil him to death. Oh, I forgot, you can’t spoil a baby the first six months so I suppose he’s “safe”. He’ll be one happy little boy with that much loving attention. Ralph has been having to use auxiliary oxygen for some time. I asked him about it and he said that although he probably wasn’t any better he was definitely not any worse. At our age and stage that’s good news. Most anybody could use a little oxygen if they were as high up in the Blue Ridge as they are. Charlotte (Harold/ “Loggie”) Logsdon has had cataracts removed from both eyes and can see things she never saw before

(like wrinkles?!). Her comment - not mine. While she could occasionally smell the recent Texas wildfires they never were close enough to pose a potential threat. She’s enjoying the rains finally coming but they need much more. She is well and sounds even better. Nothing exciting going on at the Moore household these days. Just the usual yard and gardening work. Both Anne and I are a little slower but that’s to be expected. Our health in general is good with no recent reverses to speak of. We still enjoy our grandchildren but as they grow older and more independent we see less and less of them. But that is to be expected. Longest trip we’ve taken this summer has been to Richmond to visit BJ and Kenny Stagg. We’re about due for a road trip. Syd Stealey just called to bring us up to date on our “flying Eskimo” and family. We know that Syd has the reconstruction of a Piper J-3 underway but I didn’t know that he also had a Cessna 150 project going on. Anyway, Syd’s son had the plane on the runway ground checking the engine and it took off! Anyone who has ever flown a 150 knows that it’s almost impossible to keep the thing from flying. It just flat out wants to fly. Syd decided he’d better hurry up and get it licensed before it takes any more illegal flights. Syd’s news other than his airplanes was about growing tomatoes. Two years ago Syd and I were discussing growing tomatoes in Alaska’s short growing season. Knowing that he and Beverly had a greenhouse I sent him some seeds of my favorite garden and commercial tomato, Parks Improved Whopper. They didn’t have much luck the first year but saved seeds from the original crop and planted them outside. That worked. They got tomatoes of the size and taste that I had bragged on. Now the Whopper is a hybrid. So, Syd and Beverly got the produce from one of the Whopper’s parents. Now I have to figure out which one(s). Perhaps the Unimproved Whopper? Any plant biologists out there? After several tries I finally caught up with Gene Witcher. Just as I expected he was away visiting old friends. Austin this time and for a whole week. Gene says the 108 degree heat and the severe drought didn’t diminish his enjoyment one bit. Bill Moore VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

’50B

Robert White

Last summer, for the first time in some years, we had a family reunion at Pawley’s Island in South Carolina. It wasn’t exactly a reunion, because we all live in Miami a mile or so from each other, but Pawley’s is so special, and we wanted to enjoy it together. When our children were younger we had Polo shirts for everyone inscribed “White House Staff.” We all thought our uniforms were funny, but this year when I ordered them from one of the big sportswear catalogs, the word came back that the legal department said that we couldn’t. Did they have visions of our motley crew slipping into the real White House? I was still in shock when a few days later the call came that the legal department concluded that we were not a treacherous bunch after all, and it would be safe to let us have them. I spoke to Bill Kelly, and he said that his beach house on the Outer Banks was in no way damaged by Irene. Everybody in the area was evacuated, and there were no injuries of which he was aware. Bill and Catherine spend a lot of time at the beach, but he is still somewhat active in his executive search work for his firm of Myers McRae but not so much as to interfere with other things he would rather do. Tom Kelly writes that he and Norma will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary in November. Congratulations are in order. Tom and Norma’s grandson, Tommy, is on the staff of Representative Ben Quayle (Dan Quayle’s son) in Washington, D.C. He worked for two years as an intern to get a job on the hill, so he is very happy. Granddaughter Kelsey is a teaching assistant at Zavier College Prep, a Catholic high school in Phoenix, and she is pleased with her employment. Granddaughter Molly is a junior at SMU in Dallas studying broadcasting and hoping to get some role in TV. Tom heard from Richey Dickson and learned that Richey’s grandson is an Air Force F-16 pilot and that he hopes to be transferred soon to Luke AFB in Phoenix. If so, Tom expects Richey to follow soon. Vince Palazzo recently moved into an 2012-Issue 1

assisted living establishment and likes it very much. The only thing wrong is that he had a fall and broke his hand and that has been painful and also debilitating. He is recovering very nicely, though, and feels optimistic about everything, including being at the mini in Fort Myers in January. I know that he would very much like to hear from any of the Brothers. Bee and Frankie Rhees are well and pleased with their home at the Westminster-Canterbury complex at Little Creek, VA, which is about halfway between Norfolk and Virginia Beach. They will be there until right after Thanksgiving when they will go to their place in Boca Raton for the winter. Once again they are looking forward to our mini in Fort Myers in January. That mini would not be the same without them. Because of ill health, Tom Drumwright had to drop out of VMI during his second class year, but he returned after that year and was graduated in 1951. That is the reason that he was not included in our 1950 yearbook. After graduation, he was called to active duty and was sent to Korea. When he returned, he went to work for the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company where he worked for several years. He then went to Ohio State University from which he earned a master’s degree and most importantly met his wife, Patricia. He then went to work for The Aluminum Company of America as a technician in their laboratories where he remained for 33 years until his retirement. Soon thereafter, he and Pat moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where they have been ever since. They have two children and are quite content with their retirement. They devote a good bit of their time to charitable activities. I talked to Tom Eva about the middle of September. He and Julia live in Delray Beach, FL, which is just north of Boca Raton. He is having a very bad time with his vision. His eyes do not make any tears and the consequences of that are that his eyes are constantly uncomfortable, and among other things he cannot drive a car. The good news is that he is being treated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute which is part of the University of Miami and is routinely ranked either as number one or two in the country for the treatment of eye problems.

Needless to say, we pray for his recovery and that he will be able to do some of the things that are so important to all of us.

’51

John Ross

This note covers the period Aug. 11 – Oct. 15, 2011. Jimmy Gonzales in Kenner, LA, was sorry to miss the 60th but his wife, Joy, had a rough time with a knee replacement. Jimmy reports that his urological problem does not require surgery. I reached John Batsakis in Houston to wish him a happy birthday. He is doing well. Jim Evers and I had a nice chat when I extended birthday greetings. He does not intend to winter in Florida this year but will remain in Illinois. His sciatic problem limits driving. Win Baber in Omaha called to thank me for his birthday card. Win inquired about A.J. Marchand ’52, Jimmy Gonzales, Billy Stewart, Ken Crisp and Henry Quisenberry. Incidentally, Win is still cutting his lawn … Way to go! I wished Donna Raeburn in New York City a happy birthday. She is doing well, except for an eye problem. I reached our president, Jake Wamsley, with birthday wishes. He had just returned from a two-mile jog and reports that Eday and he are doing well. Jake shares his natal day with Win Baber and Marie. I reached John Evans in Greenville, SC, to wish him a happy birthday. He had just returned from the cool weather of Maine. During August I failed to reach a number of Brother Rats and left birthday messages for them: Cooper Kunkel in Trent Woods, NC; Paul Shrader in Pensacola, FL; Jack Nichols in Asheville, NC; and Jim Marshall in Melbourne, FL. I also left birthday greetings for Mrs. Hamlin in Danville, VA, and failed to even reach Steve Meader, as his phone was “disconnected.” In the last week of August there were two big events on the East Coast – an earthquake of 5.8 in Central Virginia, and Hurricane Irene, which caused damage from South Carolina to Maine. Fortunately, as 53

CLASS NOTES far as I have heard, no one in the class suffered substantial damage. This includes: Jake Wamsley in Tucker, GA; Sam Scott in the Charleston area; Duane Holloway in Williamsburg; Jack Evans in Virginia Beach; Bob Nolley on the North Carolina Beach; Johnny Gray in Richmond; Frans Kasteel in Lancaster, VA; Rav Marshall in Alexandria, VA and myself. George Cohen reports from Connecticut that Marty is recovering from orthopedic surgery and that he finally has a contract for the sale of his Hilton Head house. I received an e-mail from Gracelyn Parks that Skip’s dad, Victor Parks Jr. ’915, was added to the Hall of Valor on Aug. 19th. He flew with the Lafayette Escadrille during World War I and was awarded a Silver Star and a Croix de Guerre. I received a nice note from Barbara Ann Guthans thanking Marie and me for the memorial contribution to VMI and the note of condolence for the class. I called Barbara Ann to see how she is doing and to thank her. She reports that she is adjusting to the loss of Bobby but that it is difficult. Mary Ellen Connolly reports from Fairfax, VA, no damage from Irene or the earthquake. Jim and she were looking forward to a family visit. Jack Nichols sent me a note of thanks for his birthday card and call. He reports his cornea transplants were very successful and that he is quite active, walking a mile or two daily with his hybrid wolf. Jack also has a “Meals on Wheels” route once a week. He also included a substantial check for VMI, which has become a tradition in response to my birthday wishes to him. Incidentally, in regard to our class participation in giving to VMI, we only had a 61% participation rate – 40 of our BRs did not contribute in the fiscal year that ended June 30th. I hope we can do better this fiscal year. Franz Kasteel in Lancaster, VA, called in response to my birthday greetings. He and Shirley are in good health, and Franz is still very active in his Coast Guard duties. He reports no real storm damage. Jim Marshall called from Melbourne, FL. He is still involved with his golf and running. Jim intended to travel up to Lexington for the W&M game, which we 54

unfortunately lost. He then intended to visit his family in Virginia. Unfortunately, Cindy is still suffering with a back problem, despite two operations. I had a nice visit with Johnny Lyden in Mobile, AL. He had just returned from visiting a daughter in New England and described the difficulty in driving the storm damaged roads of the Northeast. Johnny reports he lost his wife this past June and had a close call himself last January (heart problem). I caught up with Fred Watson in Weatherford, TX, to extend birthday greetings, after missing on his birth date. Fred reports his area is bone dry with water restrictions but that he fortunately has a well. He also has escaped the firey conflagration engulfing much of Texas. Jerry Eggleston reports he had a big birthday celebration in Lexington for his 86th, with two daughters from Roanoke in attendance. Jerry is still doing well and walks regularly at the Institute. I wished Jack Evans in Virginia Beach a happy birthday. He and Joyce celebrated by attending a military expo. I left birthday wishes for George Maxwell in Savannah, GA. I received an e-mail from Jigger Baxley informing me that our BR Frank Gorham, who graduated in 1952, died at his home in Springfield, VA, after a long illness on Sept. 4. I had a nice visit with Lee Duval in Lewisville, TX, on her birthday. She is doing well and is fortunate to have a daughter and granddaughter living with her. She inquired about Harry Bailey. Jim Close called to inform me he is leaving for a week in Denver and then for a month in France, where Alice and he have rented a house. As those of you who are on the class net may have noted, Jim Connolly again went on the gim list for five days. As soon as he was discharged, he resumed forwarding the accumulated e-mails. I will repeat myself again – we owe Jim big time for his efforts. When I tried to pass Lee Duval’s inquiry to Harry Bailey, I was informed that his number “was disconnected and no further information was available.” I wished Earl Patton in New Iberia, LA, a happy birthday. Earl was disappointed

that he missed the 60th. We had a nice visit, and I identified the class members in our picture at the 60th (2011 Issue 3 VMI Alumni Review. Earl reminisced that he roomed with George Crowson, also from New Iberia, Jim Foster, who subsequently became governor of Louisiana, and Bill Leck. I missed connecting with Medford Canby on his birthday and was unable also to extend birthday greetings to Mrs. Recher, as I do not have a telephone number. I finally caught up with Harry Bailey with his phone service reinstated, after prevailing in a dispute with his carrier. Harry is doing well but reports that Lou, his wife, is quite ill in a healthcare facility. I passed Lee Duval’s inquiry on to him. Jim Marshall called from Florida to inform me he is forwarding some material concerning his military service. Pat Wise and Steve Carlon in Middletown, PA, are about the same but fortunately were spared the flooding caused by Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Tom Carozza, who graduated with us, reports from Baltimore that he and Marion are doing well considering their age. Henry Bryan in Port Huron, MI, and I had a long visit. Henry is still recovering from his quadriceps’ injuries and is limited to a walker or wheelchair. Fortunately, Joan is well. Phil Barton called from Garden Grove, CA, to say how much he and his guests enjoyed the 60th. I know that the class recognizes Phil’s “spirit” in continuing to cross the country to make our reunions. I provided Phil with contact information for Richard Chaplin, his fellow Californian, and John Evans, a roommate. Jim Marshall sent me a note enclosing an article describing the declassification and 50th anniversary of The Gambit and Hexagon spy satellites by the National Reconnaissance Office. Jim worked in this program for seven years and was the NRO Commander for three years in launching those satellites. Joe Tom Howard thanked me for some info concerning his roommate, Richard Owen, which he requested. He and Frances are doing well. In fact, Frances is in San Diego caring for her grandchildren while their mother visits her husband, Joe Tom’s son, who commands a Navy VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES ship, during port calls in Hong Kong and Singapore. I visited with Sid Hannah in Cincinnati while discussing his back-up role to Jim Connolly. Sid is doing well and finally is recovering from his cataract surgery. George Cohen called from Connecticut and reports that Marty is still on crutches after her orthopedic surgery and that he is recovering from a cataract procedure. Jack Hill is doing well in his rehab program and he recently participated in a golf tournament. Sam Scott called to report that he had lunch with Pat and Johnny Gray in Richmond. Sam reports Johnny is fighting some health problems. Sam was on the way to pick up his daughter in Charlottesville and then drove up to his old homestead in West Virginia. I missed connecting with Jim Enochs in Jackson, MS, on his birthday, but I had a nice visit with Jean, who reports they are both doing well. Jim, of course, was celebrating on the golf course. I checked in with Johnny Gray and he sounds fairly optimistic, despite the fact that he is undergoing about every conceivable medical test at multiple Richmond hospitals. I extended birthday greetings to Roger Little in St. Louis. He and Betty are doing well. When I inquired as to what he is doing, Roger replied “taking life easy and reading history.” I did learn that Roger is fluent in Spanish and served tours of duty in Paraguay, Panama and twice in the Dominican Republic. I finally reached Steve Meader, who spent the summer at his place in New England. Marion is doing fairly well and they, like many of us, spend considerable time in doctor’s offices. As you may have noticed this note only covers two months, rather than the usual three. Thus, I made my last two calls and contacts in mid October. I reached Dick McFarlin in Lakeland, FL, to wish him a happy birthday. He reports that he is awaiting a surgical procedure and that Clare’s mobility is somewhat limited. Dick and his brother are now busy restoring their fifth vintage car – a 1962 Austin Healy. Then I called Bill Caldwell in Roanoke, VA, to extend birthday wishes. Bill reports 2012-Issue 1

that he and his family are well, although his mobility is limited by his post-polio syndrome. Marie and I once again wish you a joyous holiday season. Semper Fi … Jack

’52

James M. Mecredy

By the time you read these notes we will have forgotten about the Citadel game and will be looking forward to our 60th Reunion. Incidentally, I am beginning to write these notes on Aug. 10th, as I just mailed in my notes for the Alumni Review you will receive in November. I received a phone call from David Allen Crockett ’54 asking for Jack Frankeberger’s phone number. He had called Jack because they were together in Fort Union Military School. The number is wrong, so I am searching to find a correct number. (The number I put in the last Alumni Review is wrong, so I will have to try to get it right.) I now have the correct number – 727/392-4912. Nutz Navas called me to thank me for the article in the Alumni Review that we just received. Nutz is doing well, except for concern for Barbara. Barbara’s vision is steadily getting worse and he is taking her to the doctor several times a week. I write this because they both need your prayers. I received the following e-mail from Rem Simpson. “Hi Jim: Congratulations on our class news in the latest Alumni News. I knew Toulmin Greer was one of the youngest. I think Joe McCarthy and I join the under 80 group also. I will be 80 on 12/29/11. (Rem is right.) My wife and I are in good health and I have just finished up a two-year term as commodore of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club in Easton, MD. We are a 125-year-old club with 160 members but many of us are past our yachting days. (We’ve been in our present building for over 100 years.) I am staying in contact with Pat Powers and I did talk with Hume Powers briefly the other day and he still has that same warm and good humored personality … Rem Simpson”

I heard from Scurvy Patton asking me to call Turk Lane. Scurvy says that Turk needs some encouragement, so I will call Turk tomorrow (Aug. 13). Scurvy also pointed out that Toully Greer is not the only one under 80. So I started checking my birthday records and learn that Flick Valack, Bill Shunk, Bill Gilley and Charlie Hogge are under 80. Joe McCarthy was under 80 when I turned in the class notes, but Joe turned 80 in July before you read those notes, so I am safe. Chuck Haley called to make sure we have him counted for the 60th Reunion. We had a long conversation. Chuck says he is in excellent health today. It seems that God has taken him through every problem including replacement of a broken femur. He has 52 staples in his leg and is doing fine. He has three children; two daughters and a son, all of whom are doing well. He has six grandsons and two granddaughters. Chuck and his wife took a trip to Norway last year on a “mail” boat, which is nice but not a luxury liner. They take a trip about once a year, including a trip to Russia. I called Hume Powers for his birthday, which was on Aug. 12. He was doing well at that time and looking forward to being able to make our reunion next year. Received a note from Rem Simpson stating that Hume had died on Oct. 6. The following information is from his daughter, Sara Ostrom: A memorial service was held on Monday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. in Roanoke at St. John’s Episcopal Church. There was an obituary in The Roanoke Times, Oct. 9th. (Editor’s note: The obituary appears in the Taps section of this issue.) I called Vann Boudreaux, John Roche and Doug Webb to find no one at home. So, I will call them again. I called Turk Lane, who was not home and he returned my call later. Turk has experienced three strokes and must use a walker to even get around the house. Turk says he has about lost his memory, but I found that he remembered me and the several other Brother Rats that I mentioned in our conversation, so maybe he is not doing quite as bad as he thinks. I learned from Ray Gilchrist that he had congestive heart failure a few weeks ago and spent four days in the hospital getting 55

CLASS NOTES filled with medicine. He is now in recovery at home and is going to the pool every day doing “power walking” in the pool. Ray says he cannot swim because an old injury to his shoulder began to bleed internally a year ago and he had a steel replacement which interferes with swimming. It seems the steel shoulder puts him off balance enough that he sinks. All of you guys who are still healthy give thanks to God every day for your health. Lucette and I certainly do give thanks for our health. Also you guys that are not as healthy as you would like, give God thanks for the health you do have and also ask God for improvement in your health. Be sure to ask God why He is keeping you around. I no longer believe things happen purely by accident, so I believe God has a purpose for each of us and we need to seek that purpose. Root Hopkins tells me that he is flat on his back, having had some problems. He claims that he is hanging in there. We talked for a while. Root doubts that he will be able to make it to our 60th, but in time he may experience some recovery. We are asking God to bring healing to Root, even a miracle that he recovers enough to attend our 60th. I later heard from John Roche and he tells me that he is continuing to keep active, swimming 1600 meters three or four times a week. He also teaches political science and conducts community projects. He has got me beat. I have not done any swimming since VMI. I do walk and exercise with push-ups plus participate in some community and church activities. I am enjoying hearing from many of you by e-mail regarding national issues and other news that you believe is worth passing on. Recently, Zeke Finney, J.B. Hyatt, Bud Becker and Chris Holland have sent me e-mails that are worth reading and important for each of us to consider. Earlier I have heard from many of you. I think we are all becoming more aware of the many difficulties that our nation is facing. It is especially important that we register to vote in the next election. I recently read an article that half the Christians in the USA are not registered to vote. I see voting is a Christian duty and even non-Christians should vote in elections because we all have to live 56

with the actions of our elected leaders. If we do not vote we have no grounds for complaint. I just heard from Howard Williamson bringing me up to date on his activities. He reported that on Memorial Day weekend, Clarence Brauner drove through and stopped for a short while. Howard shared the following: “On Aug. 6, the alumni club of Phoenix came to Tucson. We had a very nice meeting. Only a few from Tucson showed up. When we identified ourselves by name and class there was some applause when I said ‘Class of ’52.’ Then I realized that you have to be 80 or real close to being 80 to be in our Brother Rat class. I have enjoyed the job you are doing as our class agent. Keep up the good work. Bernie and I are in good health with the help of modern medicine. Hope you and Lucette are remaining I good health. I assume the hurricane going through right now has missed you. When I lived in Augusta I don’t remember any bad storms, just heat and humidity. We had no air conditioning in those days … Bernie & Howard” I called John Cure for his birthday. Mary-Dillon answered the phone to tell me John had just left and she was leaving to be gone for two weeks. So, I passed the birthday wishes on to John. Cameron Barr says he is doing well for his age. He wife, Virginia, is awaiting a hip replacement. The timing is unknown because she is anemic and the doctors are working to get her health up before operating. Cameron’s youngest son is in Afghanistan with the 116th Brigade Combat Team. His oldest son is retired Special Forces and his daughter is married to a retired Air Force pilot who flew C130s. I got no answer when I called Ted Ball, so I will have to call him again next week. Chris Holland sent me the latest update on the Gridiron Club and a note about his appointment to the Board of Governors of the Keydet Club for a three-year term. He had mentioned Neal Petree was to be inducted. He has not seen Neal since we graduated. Chris added that they got through the storm (Irene) unscathed. Only a lot of pine cones and needles and very little rain came down. George Bookman let me know that I had his phone number incorrect in the last class

notes. The correct number is 717/3977076. Sorry George, I need to double check these things that go into the class notes. It takes six months to correct them. I talked to Charlie Piper on his birthday and learned that he and Sharon had recently taken a riverboat trip visiting Russia and Finland which included a rail trip to Helsinki. Charlie says they are both in good health having recovered from breast cancer and prostate cancer a number of years ago. I was unable to reach Dan Conoly, Neal Petree and Chris Holland on their birthdays. I am sure that Neal and Chris were at the VMI ceremony in which Neal was elected to the VMI Hall of Fame. Congratulations Neal! I was also unable to reach Skip Hogan because the phone number I have is no longer in service. I did talk with Miles Hutchinson to learn he is planning to be at our 60th Reunion “if the creek don’t rise.” I had hoped to include some photos of our mini reunion at the Citadel game; however, the deadline for turning in these notes was moved back to Oct. 17th, so I have no photos to include in this report. On Sept. 5th, I received an e-mail from Bunny Webb (Doug Webb’s wife) announcing Frank Gorham’s death on Sept. 4. He had been ill for a long time. Frank’s daughter, Laura, called Bunny to let me and the VMI Alumni office know. The funeral was Sept. 19, at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Springfield, VA. Frank is survived by his wife, Evelyn, who is not well; his children, Laura, Daniel and Virginia are wonderful. Bunny relates that she has known Frank since she was in the fifth grade and he was in the seventh. Frank introduced Bunny to her husband, Doug Webb, on a blind date a week after they graduated, they from VMI and Bunny from Randolph-Macon. Frank, Doug and Lou Finney roomed together at VMI. They are all dead now and leave an empty 1952 room in Barracks. I called Chris Holland and Neal Petree the week after their birthdays because they were both at the VMI Football Hall of Fame dinner at the time of their birthdays. Neal says he plays golf once in a while and watches the grass grow in Florida. Chris was not at home when I called him so I left a message. He called VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES me back and we had a long conversation reminiscing about our Brother Rats. Chris roomed with Weir Goodwin and Tommy Birge, so I learned about some of their adventures that I had not known before. For example, Chris helped Tommy run 215 yards during their last game by doing the blocking for Tommy. They played ball in high school, so they knew how to work together. I called Dan Conoly on the same day but was unable to reach him so I left a message. Ron McCarthy writes that he and Patricia were able to complete five things on Russ’s “Bucket List” this year. In April they visited Yosemite and Sequoia Parks. The first day at Yosemite was great. The second day a blizzard dumped a bunch of snow and they had to stay in the hotel. When they got to Sequoia, driving with chains was mandatory. The actual size of those giant Sequoia trees cannot be appreciated until you touch the trunk of the tree and look up. Watching the snow reminded Russ of why he moved to San Antonio. After that they drove to Las Vegas for a reunion with their CIA outfit in Vietnam. Russ was commander of the First Flight Squadron which was “Vietnam’s most secret squadron.” Russ sent me a copy of an article recently cleared for publication describing the First Flight Mission. In Las Vegas Russ visited The Gun Store where he was permitted to fire a “Tommy Gun” which he had never had an opportunity to fire before. He fired 50 rounds for $50. In August they toured Eastern Canada including Niagara Falls. Next year Russ says that the 60th Reunion is at the top of his “Bucket List.” I called Toully Greer for his birthday. He was busy watching a ball game, but he was willing to interrupt that to talk for a few minutes. Toully seems to have trouble with short-term memory, but I was able to confirm that his long-term memory is good, so he is not much worse off than the rest of us. My excuse is I have never had a good memory. The things I should remember I forget immediately, but the unimportant things I can remember for eons. I received a letter from Bill Croswell summarizing an amazing career. I was unable to get it in this time because I have a five-page limit and I am already on page 2012-Issue 1

five. I will put it in the class notes that I submit in February. You should receive it before our reunion. Jim Wiley and Carole attended the VMI-Richmond game last weekend in Richmond. As we all know it didn’t turn out like we had hoped. Jim said the boys played well and they should do OK in their own league. They didn’t see any of our Brother Rats but they did sit in back of Jerry Eggleston ’51, Sookie Hill ’51 and Johnny Gray ’51. It was a fun day. Jim Wiley and Carole have agreed to take care of the bar area at our 60th Reunion and arrange for the displaying of memorabilia with regards to our class. Jim asked me to let the class know that we are planning on having the area and suggests that they bring with them anything they feel would be of interest to us all. Things that happened during our cadetship, as well as things directly related to ’52 would be appreciated. I just received a notice that John Portasik died June 9th of this year. At the moment I do not have any further details. The Alumni Association did not receive a formal obituary for him. I received a letter from James J. Truscott. He reminds me that after two years he left VMI to attend “Uncle Sam’s Trade School for Boys” on the Hudson (aka West Point). He writes that he and his wife, Helen, are comfortable in Independence Village, a nice retirement community in San Antonio. His youngest, Sarah, lives about 30 miles away but works in the ICU of the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital in San Antonio, so they see her and family from time to time. Their three sons are rather scattered – one in California, one in Virginia and one near Chicago; so they do not see them as often. Helen’s mobility is quite limited as the result of an auto accident about 10 years ago, and they have pretty much given up on traveling, so the kids come to them. I called Bob Caudle for his birthday. Bob is doing well, except he is slowing down some because of his knee. It is nothing serious. Bob closed his business down some years ago and is now keeping occupied serving at two civic centers. Bob said he would send me an update for my next class notes. That is all for this report, as I have run out of the allowed space.

’53

William C. Noell Jr.

The good news this quarter is that Jim Morris has recuperated ... mostly, as he was in attendance for the First Wednesday alumni lunch in Richmond in September. I doubt if he is yet up to playing golf, but at least he is now getting around after a very long stay in the hospital. The sad news is that BR Ted Harris passed away last month in Marietta, Ohio, at home with family, after being home from the hospital a few days---being released in the care of hospice. Ted matriculated from Richmond with us, left, came back, and left again, and was listed as a ’54 in the alumni records. He went on to UVa and on to the seminary. Frank Spencer received his 60-year Masonic pin in September. According to his daughter, Sandy Morgan, Frank was very proud of receiving it and gave a very nice speech about his years with the Masons. He was wearing his father’s Masonic ring that night and made a donation to their scholarship fund in the name of his father’s memory. The photograph of the family gathering for the special occasion was sent to me by his daughter. Will Allison called in September to say that he and Christina had just returned from several weeks in Sweden, visiting Christina’s family and friends. Will said that they could not make the Charleston gathering but to say Hi to all. As reported in the last notes, Will’s daughter, Holly, died in June. Will was very pleased that Holly had lived for six years after her heart transplant. Foy Braswell advised that he and Trudy attended an Army reunion in Colorado. The unit was an artillery battalion where they spent together in Hanau Germany in the period of 1957-1959. Foy says that Paul LaForce and Jim Sutherland were there at the same time but in other units. Foy and Trudy went to Colorado Springs early, and stayed a couple days with Ann Carpenter before the reunion. One evening, Ann hosted a mini-reunion at her house with Foy and Trudy and Bob and Jane Andrews attending---they all had a great time talking about their experiences 57

CLASS NOTES mother, that he and Bebe compiled with at the Institute. Bob and Bebe Cheatham Bill Turner his mother, about life on the family farm were supposed to come to Roanoke for up in Bluefield. “Bee’s Story, 100 years of Bebe’s 60th reunion, but due to her lymLove, Frustration and Faith;” Mary Easley phoma acting up, she had to cancel. Thus Sanders. It is being published by Amazon. they had to give up plans to visit daughter, By the time you read these note, we will Karen, in Charlotte on the way up, and “I would remind you that extremism in have had our small ’53 gathering of 20 (10 daughter, Cathy. She is now getting better, the defense of liberty is no vice! And let BRs) in Charleston for the VMI-Citadel able to take hour long walks, and expects me remind you also that moderation in football game. All arrangements being put to be back to par by the VMI week end. the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” - Barry together by Bob and Bebe Cheatham, I am not supposed to say too much about Goldwater with a group dinner after the game on this in these class notes, so this is brief... Just got an e-mail from Ed Garbee Saturday night in historic Charleston. hope brief enough, Bebe? Information was sent out about this gather- looking for Perry Archer’s e-mail address. Judy and I are once again attending the This reminds me that several of your ing, but I only sent it to all those on my University of Tennessee football games e-mail addresses on file at VMI’s Alumni class e-mail list, in case some wanted to here in Knoxville, although UT is not come from afar. There was not a snail-mail Office are not valid. This complicates doing too well in the SEC yet, with the my trying to contact you with important mailing on this. Foy and Trudy Braswell new coach. However, regardless, we are heading for B’ham in about 10 days for the are coming from Texas--the furthest. Some announcement, e.g. the death of a Brother Rat. So I would urge you to update your of the weekend details will be given in the UT-Bama game, staying with our daughaddresses. Bob wrote to thank me for his next class notes. ter’s husbands parents, and on Monday birthday card (Quite the opposite heading to Camden to visit from being in denial, Ed seems with Gayle Shorter, along grateful for having experienced with Jack and Peachy Trigg. another one.) Sadly, Ed reports Jack and Peachy have visited that the year has not been a with Gayle on numerous times good one for him. His wife was over the last year, as Gayle is diagnosed with cancer and unvery good and refreshing for derwent several operations. She Peachy in her medical state. also endured a siege of chemoWe are even giving up our therapy. Although both doctors UT-SC game tickets in order and home health care providers to attend the VMI Charleston were not sanguine about her week end, and we are on the recovery, Ed says she actually 50, 4th row … where you can seems to be improving. Keep see all the action...but right the faith, Ed; miracles continue now, coming from the other to happen every day, providing SEC teams. Class of 1953: Walt and Emily Sanders at Noell Harbor in Tennessee, October 2011, for the UT-UGA SEC game. outcomes that even doctors can’t Speaking of football, Walt explain. Know that you and your and Emily Sanders just spent family will be in our thoughts 4 days with us in Tennessee and prayers. to attend the UT vs. UGA Just talked with Jack Huyette. football game. Hate to say it, but the Dawghs won big time, Remember ol’ Jack? Well, he’s but otherwise we had a great still hangin’ around Charles week end. The weather was Town, West Virginia, a couple of good enough to be able to take blocks from where the irascible them boating on the lake for John Brown was hanged. (Did about four hours that Friday you know that the VMI provided afternoon. We also had some a contingent of its finest to mainvery good meals out on the tain some semblance of order at river and lakes in the evening the hanging? Thought you’d be in Knoxville---a special fried interested.) Anyway, where was asparagus treat for hors d’ I? Oh yes, Jack Huyette; well oeuvres one place that all Jack was Class Agent a while Class of 1953: Frank Spencer surrounded by family at his 60-year Masonic pinning ceremony. From left: Son enjoyed. While here, Walt back, did a commendable job. Tom and wife Lynn; Frank with daughter Jane and wife showed me his book that is Apparently the most interesting Ida; daughter Sandy and her husband, Allen Morgan ’75. just being published about his thing that’s happened to him

’54

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES in recent memory is that his defibrillator went off, said it startled him, but it seemed to work. I had been looking for Jack for some time, but it took a phone call to Lois Windle before I got his right number. Speaking of Lois, I had a delightful conversation with her last evening. Took my time and really enjoyed our getting together. What a “cool” gal; I think John got lucky there. Received an interesting communiqué from Borrego Springs, CA. The kindly old “Doc” Boring rhapsodized on “Things Remembered.” For example (and I’m paraphrasing), …“An exhilarating mixture of enthusiastic teachers and fascinated students at the Women’s Hospital in New York….The unanticipated adventure in the U.S. Navy’s Submarine and Deep Sea Diving schools….Some folks in France and Italy who suggested different notions about ways to navigate through one’s time here on earth….Summers climbing the high mountain passes made famous by the riders of the Tour de France in the Alps and Pyrenees on a bicycle while drawing Social Security checks, all made more special by the company of a woman who could do all that and make my life easier by “chatting up” the locals in their own language, and ….Living in the extreme climates and weather of the Sierra Nevada at seven thousand feet and the desert of Anza Borrego (near San Diego) at seven hundred feet allows for no time to quit paying attention.” An eclectic yet fascinating stream- ofconsciousness recitation things that matter. Thanks, Wayne, for reminding us that there really are things worth remembering. “Smart is when you believe only half of what you hear; brilliant is when you know which half to believe.” 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 were just too great. So, he retired again, 2012-Issue 1

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. Hugh White writes that he is still battling a blood disorder requiring some pretty heavy medication. (I understand that this condition has been ongoing for about eight years.) Hugh reports that he’s doing “fairly well,” given the nature of the problem, and that he’s able to maintain a “reasonable life style” in most cases. He does a lot of yard work, maintains a “reasonable” social life, etc. He gives a lot of the credit for his quality of life to his wife, Mary. (I don’t know how many times I’ve heard this repetitive refrain from BRs in similar circumstances. Goes with the turf. A husband and a wife…a whole greater than the sum of the parts. You know, I think God might have had that in mind.) Hugh, be assured that you are in a whole lot of prayers. Got an interesting email 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. 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. “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 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 59

CLASS NOTES from some of his old comrades-in-arms. Do it! Talked briefly with the ‘Old Hacker,’ Bill Wood who told me he’s fighting colon cancer. A bummer. Bill, you’ve had more “birdies” than the number of times I’ve gotten off the “tee” without falling down, so I know if anybody can beat this thing you can. Hang tough Pardner. I’m sure you’ll be the recipient of a barrage of prayers,. Never give up. Never! “This I will remember when the rest of life is through. The finest thing I’ve ever done is simply lovin’ you.” Got a fascinating exegesis from BR Perry Archer recently describing the three achievements since leaving the Institute he considers most gratifying. (This is in keeping with a number of letters and emails I’m getting from BRs on the same topic.) Perry cautions that while important they nonetheless rank below his children and having graduated from the VMI. First, Perry ranks his success as a trial lawyer as one area which has given him his greatest satisfaction. He admits that it wasn’t something that came naturally or easily, and that he had to experience many disappointments before success. He first had to convince himself that he was up to the task, no small accomplishment, and says he “wasn’t very good” for the first few years. After he “lost a case that should have been won,” he was approached by the jury foreman, who just happened to be a VMI man, who told Perry “Perry, you’re just too big to be mean.” That was a pivotal moment in the life of a trial attorney. Perry says he batted about .800 after that en route to a very successful career. My old “roomie” and BR Joseph Carney, the “Lawrence, Massachusetts Hummingbird,” was the catalyst for Perry’s second most significant achievement. Perry says that “Joe taught me how to sing,” and that he used to get up and sing in Staunton, VA when he got the chance to “work out” with a band or combo, and after he had had enough to drink to get “loose.” After a few voice lessons, Perry got a “gig” singing with an outfit called the Texas Music Opry Jamboree in Magnolia, Texas. After cutting a couple of records, Perry auditioned for one of the big bands, the Chuck Nolen Orchestra. He got the job and for a couple of years played local ho60

tels and honkytonks. Now Perry performs for senior citizens, sometimes for pay and sometimes for free. He says this has been not only an avocation but a ministry. Today he does about 50 shows a year, as a volunteer. He says he’s now as “young” as the people he’s entertaining. To Perry, it’s still fun and it helps others. (Editor’s note: Several months ago, Perry was kind enough to send me several of his CDs. They are quite good. For our next reunion, I plan to play some of Perry’s stuff, along with some recordings by Joe Carney, supported by the VMI Commanders of 1953-54, and featuring Ted Benson on the trumpet. How sweet it was.) Perry concludes by telling me that the third accomplishment for which he’s proudest has been his success as a marathon runner and triathlon athlete. He tried his first full marathon in Galveston, TX in 1971, after never having run further than eight miles and in basketball shoes, and nearly died. But he was hooked. It took him five years but he finally competed in the famed Boston Marathon. He finished Boston three times, qualified four times. His fastest Boston – Three hours and twenty-two minutes. Fastest marathon three hours seventeen minutes. Perry ran over twenty-five marathons, including New York three times and London. Now he says he’s “too beat up to run at all.” Triathlons? He doesn’t really know how many, but usually won or placed in his age group. He says he came within 10 seconds of qualifying for the Ironman in Hawaii. Perry reports that his athlete wife, Shirley, has completed that particular triathlon. He says “now that takes a REAL athlete.” After visiting Hawaii with his wife and seeing the Ironman course, he was thankful that he never did it. While Perry readily admits that he’s not remotely in the same league of such legitimate athletes as BRs Mapp, Ralph, Ramer, Klinar, et al, he believes nonetheless that what he accomplished as a runner, the personal challenge he set for himself, represents an accomplishment that beats so many of the other things he has done with his life. He concludes: “Hell, if it hadn’t been for my teenage love affair with Lucky Strikes, bourbon and girls, I might have done something worthwhile at the Institute besides playing in one lousy

lacrosse game against AMA in 1953.” (VMI killed ‘em.) I don’t know, Perry. I think you did pretty darn well in all departments. “Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.” Saint Augustine They had a birthday party for Rev. Bill Ralph recently. It was Bill’s 80th. There were many who came. A few had nice things to say about Bill. I am told that many attendees were from various churches with which the big guy had been affiliated. Two were former students from Augusta Military Academy where Bill had taught and coached. Many in the audience stood and lauded Bill for the way he had touched their lives. By all accounts, it was a fitting and moving tribute to a good man. Bill was recently featured in an article in the Virginian-Pilot and Ledger Star. The article described how as coach of Granby High’s football coach, he took them to a state championship in 1962. Bill continues to be a “life coach” teaching pastors-intraining what to look for in the pastoral ministry and grounding them in sound biblical doctrine. Despite all this “involvement,” Bill still finds time to catch 5-6 pound catfish in the Northwest River. Bill plans to publish his second book in 2011. His first book won first place in history at a presentation held in Raleigh, NC. Bill’s motto is: “A Christian never retires; it’s not in the Bible.” Got a nice telephone call from Williamsburg’s Lennie Wagner which was much appreciated. Len has been one of my more faithful correspondents and it’s always uplifting to share stories with him. Although he spends much of his time in a wheelchair, you wouldn’t know it. He is one of the most buoyant and uplifting people I know. Len reports he’s taking several of his grandchildren to the upcoming William & Mary game in September. Just had a nice conversation with Billy Fulgham. Bill is retired now but still lives in his old home town of Suffolk, Virginia. A retired dentist, Says he doesn’t do much anymore except sit around drinking Bombay Sapphires and counting the money h made yanking teeth and doing root canals. When I asked him if he was still chasing hot chicks, he said he couldn’t remember VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES but did hope he’d never catch one again. Would be just too embarrassing. Great to talk with William again, always one of my favorite people. Praise the Lord! Just got a call from Len Wagner who told me he saw John Mapp and George Ramer at the Delaware State game Saturday. John told him his lung cancer was in total remission and he’s back playing golf. Doesn’t get better than that. Never, ever underestimate the power of prayer. And I’m sure Johnny had a lot of prayers raised up on his behalf. (I know I laid down a barrage.) They say that “seeing is believing,” but I believe the obverse is more like it; “Believing is seeing.” That’s it for yet another fascinating set of notes. Sometimes I feel so unnecessary. Keep those cards and letters coming, guys. I couldn’t do it without you. Know what I’m sayin? Take care. *KUTF! (*Keep Up the Fire!) “Wild Bill”

’55

Read Hanmer

This is being written as I gaze upon the beginning of the spectacular fall colors in northern Virginia. The beastly hot days of summer 2011 are seemingly behind us and the weather here (Falls Church) has been mild and sunny. Some of the local news items: the Washington Nationals didn’t finish in the basement, achieving third place in the NL East. And, the Redskins opened the season at three and one, ‘tho they must play the Eagles next – a team that regularly beats the ‘Skins. Sadly, the VMI football team has yet to taste victory – hopefully that will have turned around by the time you read this. An administrative note: if you have email access and you have not been getting occasional emails from me, it’s because I do not have your email address! The cycle for these Class Notes requires that I submit the Notes to the Alumni Association three months before they are published in the Alumni Review. For those BRs for whom I have email addresses, I send the Notes to them at the same time I submit the Notes to VMI, giving them access to more current information. Please let me add you to the list. I 2012-Issue 1

promise not to overload the system. I received a nice note from Helen O’Neill in response to my birthday card. Helen reported that “the O’Neills are well,” but lamented that she has lost touch with those classmates she knew, and would like to reestablish contact. Her address is Helen H. O’Neill, 332 Diamond Oaks Drive, Weatherford, TX 76087. From Frank Brooke: “Judy and I are hanging in there, trying to survive while watching our small 401’s 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 she 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! (Editor’s note – VMI lost 24-7.) Hope to see some BR’s and reminisce.” This bit of research from Fielding Tyler: “Carroll Thackston just sent me an e-mail reminding us of Fred Willard’s birthday. I just did a bit of research at a Willard site and noted that he graduated in 1955 from VMI. Go figure. Following is the entry: Born on Sept. 18, 1938 in Shaker Heights, OH, Willard was an athletic teen who groomed himself for a career in the military, spending most of his high school years at the Kentucky Military Institute, before going on to graduate in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in English from the Virginia Military Institute. After two years of

service in the U.S. Army, Willard was ready for a lifestyle change, so began pursuing a career as a comic actor. He moved to New York City to study acting and while there, formed a comedy team with actor Vic Greco. The duo achieved enough positive word-of-mouth that they were booked on the famed “Ed Sullivan Show” (CBS, 1948-1971) and Steve Allen’s syndicated talk show. In 1965, Willard moved to Chicago, IL, where he joined the fledgling Second City theater, learning the fundamentals of improvised comedy while appearing in regional comedy and musical productions, as well. In 1966, the Second City troupe traveled to New York to perform off-Broadway in ‘The Return of Second City in 20,000 Frozen Grenadiers.’” Morty Bregman reported on his successful search for a VMI flag: “I want to thank you and my old roomie, Dick Georgiades, for coming through on my request for flag info. I am now the proud owner of a VMI flag which will be flown alongside old glory from my front porch. Can’t wait to hear from the many Texas A&M grads here when they see they finally have some competition. “The last month hasn’t been my best. After a visit to the emergency room, it was finally determined that I had a big kidney stone which had no place to go. The first procedure to remove it via laser surgery didn’t work—damn thing just bounced off of the rock. Last Tuesday, they cut it out, and I haven’t recouped as fast as I thought I would. I go back to the doctor on 22 (September) and hopefully will get the tubes out, so I can begin to become human again.” Morty, give us a final report! A great number of BRs and wives (and sweethearts) again congregated at Sandbridge Beach in Virginia Beach for the (now) “Annual Beach Bash.” On the Tuesday after Labor Day, Gayle and Mac McCants and Jane and Bob Bowden entertained at the Bowden’s Sandbridge home. On Thursday, Nita and Ron Bryan did the honors at their lovely beach rental. The weather was great, but I didn’t see much swimming in the ocean! All told, the following were at one or both of the events: Clara and Bob Rennicks, Carvel and Carter Valentine, Lois and Read Hanmer, Rody and Dusty Rhodes, 61

CLASS NOTES Harryette and I send best regards to all our and Marty remembers it like it happened Sarah and Casey Jones, Boots and Bill BRs.” Wainwright, Pat and Bob Timms, Sue yesterday. His father, a Chief Mineman, Larry Price has been having a long and and Sam Hill, Ann and Sam Segar, Marty was a crew member aboard the U.S.S. very difficult bout with cataract surgery. Fisher and Anne Holup, Fielding Tyler Oglala, a mine layer that was sunk during In a late September note, Larry reported and Betsy Gilliam, and friends and relathe first wave of the attack. Marty’s dad real progress, with (hopefully) a final tives Walt Ames ’52, Ann Morris, Lortook the family to a friend’s home located raine Taylor and Amanda Chilcott. Drinks procedure to restore sight to his left eye on the side of Mauna Loa (now called and dinner along with lots of conversation to be performed after this goes to press. the punch bowl by many). From this high Our thoughts and prayers are with you and vantage point Marty watched the second were enjoyed by all. See a nearby group Boots, Larry. photo! wave attack on Ford Island and the exploAs my dad used to say during road trips Barney Lawless relayed the following: sion and sinking of the USS Arizona. The “I have sort of sponsored two of this year’s through wonderful places in Europe, “It’s most traumatic experience, however, was rat class; one a boy from my church and the time for un peu d’histoire” (a little histhe witnessing of our anti-aircraft gunners other a young lady from my neighborhood. tory). Marty Fisher sent in the following shooting down seven of our B-17s that On a recent Wednesday evening I went reflections: “December 7th is the 70th anarrived from the States after dark. The through Lexington and decided to take niversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor tracers and search lights were a fireworks them away from the Regimendisplay that equals any that he’s tal Room of Club Crozet for a ever seen. Marty is now telling decent meal. (The Commandant high school students about this approved my request - a first ‘ancient history’ event—which at getting one of my permit brings history alive to many of requests approved.) The young them.” Marty, I have a cousin man came out Jackson Arch whose family was stationed at with a proper salute; we shook Schofield barracks on Pearl Harhands and waited for the young bor Day. Bob Leard (USMA ’57) lady. When she came out I enremembers finding spent ammucountered a first in my life - a nition lying around their quarters Rat broke out of the rat line and when the family returned from ran up to me and hugged me the bomb shelter. I was lucky. without saluting! Things have Before the war, my dad had been changed!” stationed at Fort McKinley in the Don Kulp provided the folPhilippines, where the US Army lowing update: “Harryette and I Engineers were building fortificaClass of 1955: Above, from left, Lois Hanmer, Nita are in good health and trying to tions on the Bataan peninsula. Bryan, Anne Segar, Betsy Gilliam, Sarah Jones, Pat Timms (hidden), Carvel Valentine, Boots Wainwright, keep up with our seven grandWe rotated back to the States in Anne Holum, Sue Hill, Clara Rennicks, Jane Bowden, children. One graduated with a March 1939, and so were out of Rody Rhodes and Gayle McCants at ’55 Party Time in degree in sports medicine and harm’s way on December 7. Sandbridge, VA, September 2011. Below: At the same the other six play soccer (two in To close, I relay a philosophical event were, from left, Dusty Rhodes, Casey Jones, Ron college on soccer scholarships). gem sent to me by a friend and Bryan, Carter Valentine, Read Hanmer, Marty Fisher, Fielding Tyler, Bill Wainwright, Bob Bowden, Sam Hill, When one gets a ding, they call co-member of the Saint Andrew’s Sam Segar, Mac McCants, Bob Timms, Bob Rennicks their cousin. She tells them the Society of Washington, D.C. … and Walt Ames ’52. same thing...”put ice on it!” We Five pearls of Scottish wisdom recently attended my 60th high to remember: 1. Money cannot school reunion in Roanoke and buy happiness but somehow, had a great time. I visited with it’s more comfortable to cry in BR Al Stuart who left us early a Mercedes Benz than it is on a to pursue a PHD in Geology and bicycle. 2. Forgive your enemy spent many years as a Professor but don’t forget the b***d’s in the UNC system. We just got name. 3. Help a man when he is back from visiting friends and in trouble and he will remember seeing shows in Renfro Valley, you when he is in trouble again. KY. Even an old Sinatra fan 4. Many people are alive only like me really enjoyed all the because it’s illegal to shoot Country/Blue Grass music. We them. 5. Alcohol does not solve any problem, but then neither are off shortly to Huntsville to does milk. see granddaughter play soccer. 62

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

’56

Richard M. Smith

Fred Farthing reports that he and Mary Jo recently had lunch with Bill and Else Tolley on the grounds at the old Chambelain Hotel at Fort Monroe when the U.S. Army Band presented a concert for the residents. Bill has his good and bad days but recently went for a visit with his sister several days in Lexington. Fred had talked with Gaylord Williams who recently underwent colon surgery for dimiticulosis. He is at home recovering now and expects to get better soon. The Farthings have had a busy summer with lots of family visiting. They had a nice week at Smith Mountain Lake with his sister-in-law and other family members. In September they plan to go on a European tour with a group. I talked with Scotty Boland who has had a busy summer with his doctors in Miami, first with eye surgery then with heart bypass surgery. Unknowing to him he had 70% blockage in a major artery. He now has a stint installed and is doing fine he feels. He will go back in Sept. for a follow up procedure with his cardiologist. Needless to say this knocks out our fishing trip we planned this fall for tarpon. I talked with Bob Brickner and learned he had successfully completed another Chicago Senior Marathon several weeks ago. He said it still bothers him to see younger runners pass him. His competitive spirit is always present. His health is holding up pretty well and he is interested in his BR’s wellbeing. His plans for the future include moving to Tulsa, OK where he owns property and has relatives for about five months out of the year to get away from some of the bad Chicago weather. He continues to send birthday cards to many of us BR’s and their family members. I was happy to learn he was having a birthday the next day and wished him a Happy Birthday. I talked with Bill Lamb after the earthquake we had in Virginia to see if his log carriage house he lives in west of Richmond close to the epicenter of the quake had fallen in around him. He said it stood up well in spite of the age and construction. However, Irene had a number of pictures fall off tables and some 2012-Issue 1

cracks show up at her place. They were lucky to have attended a family get-together last week at the beach in N.C. and not be this week with the hurricane coming thru. He is still working several days a week and holding us as well as can be expected. I received an unexpected call from former BR Steve Glick who attended VMI one year before going on to West Point and graduating. He was interesting in contacting Jim Brawner after reading of Sonny Scheon’s death in the Alumni Review. He roomed with Brawner, Scheon, and Foster. I talked with Les Belsha regarding the class get together at Charleston in Oct. Since he and Pat will be visiting in California just before the game he won’t commit until they return. I also talked with Don Heslep who plans to be on another cruise with Jo’s Mary Washington University friends during this time. Sorry they will miss our party. Alan(Tiger) Jackson responded to my request for information with news that he and his son, Mark(VMI ’85) completed the Original Bicycle 460 Mile Tour of Colorado in June. High Points included: Trail Ridge in Estes Park 12,183 ft., Rabbit Ears Pass 9,426 ft., Vail Pass 10,666 ft., and Loveland Pass 11,990 ft. It took Tiger several weeks to perch properly after six days in the saddle. Fred Farthing passed on information that Bill Tolley and Elsie along with other occupants of the Chamberlin Hotel were evacuated during Hurricane Irene. As a result they went up to Lexington and stayed with his sister, Nancy. While there Bill was able to attend his Natural Bridge High School class reunion. He enjoyed seeing many of his old classmates. His health condition remains much the same, according to Fred. Fred and Mary Jo will leave late Sept. for 16 days trip with Grand European Tours to Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. He plans to enjoy plenty of Famous Grouse Scotch and a few pints of Stout. I received a nice note from Sharky Pate thanking me for keeping him informed of things happening to our class. He is still working but thinks he needs to retire soon. He won’t be able to make it to Charleston but says to give everyone his best regards. I chatted with Amos and Lane Dickinson on the phone to see what their summer was like and inquire if they planned to come to Charleston next month for our get-together. As expected Amos said he couldn’t bear to

see VMI get beaten again so they wouldn’t be there. They have had a quiet summer but have enjoyed visits to see their grandson in Atlanta. It wasn’t surprising to hear Amos state that he is brilliant and expects him to make a fortune! I invited him to bring Bill Lamb down to my place to help me eat up some of my remaining quail in the freezer. He will check with Bill for a convenient time for their visit. The following comes from Spider Allison: Harry Jones, wife Linda writes that she is fine and has been traveling a lot. She will spend this winter in Florida and I hope we get a chance to see her. The Allisons and Nicolettis meet for lunch once a month, both couples are fine. The Barks will be back in Florida in mid October and join the group. Honey and I attended the wedding of Julie and Everette Irby’s ’55 son, Rhett, on the top of Bent Mountain outside Roanoke Oct. 8th. It was beautiful and we had a ball in spite of Honey being in a wheelchair. She hopes to be back on both feet by Thanksgiving. Russ and Margarete Wiltshire spent a week in San Francisco attending several operas. One was “Heart of a Soldier,” the life of Rick Rescorla, a highly decorated, retired Army colonel, who saved the lives of 2,700 people in the North Tower before it collapsed. He was an amateur singer who sang during desperate situations to calm others. The Wiltshires will be taking a month-long cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti and other South Pacific Islands in the near future. I wish I had more news to report to you guys and gals, but you won’t let me know what is happening in your lives. I can only guess that life is good! Yours in the Spirit, Dick

’57

Clayton M. Thomas III

In late September, the class agents received a decree from the editor of the Alumni Review notifying us that the class notes due Nov. 15th must be submitted not later than Oct. 17th. With an apology to Alfred Lord Tennyson, “Ours not to reason why, ours but to write and comply.” Hope Hennessey, and her two assistants, Traci 63

Cadet Real’s 1956 Letter to Parents Reveals Story Behind Barracks Bomb Blast

Real ’56 Jere Real ’56 submitted a portion of a letter, at right, that he wrote to those at home when he was a cadet at VMI. In the letter, he described something that happened which is hard to believe but which is corroborated by this letter. Recently, he also submitted the following as an addendum and further explanation: “Readers of [my] letter may be curious as to the presence of a VMI faculty member in the clean-up following Doc Hardee’s blast in Room 176. William Marks Simpson ’24 was a sculptor who was teaching history of art at VMI that year. Simpson, who had won the Prix de Rome in the 1920s, loved to regale cadets with tales of the ‘Old Corps’ of his era, and he had urged the class of 1956 to resume the bomb in the courtyard tradition. That encouragement ultimately led to the class of 1956 meeting that elected Hardee as the bomb thrower and [also led], of course, to the eventual bomb blast in Room 176 of [then-] New Barracks.”

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Mierzwa and Brenda Stoner, have done an outstanding job of producing a splendid magazine every three months. The VMI Alumni Review is far superior to many quarterlies of much larger schools, and VMI does it with a staff of only three very talented young ladies. Patrick F. Webb, vice president for Annual and Reunion Giving, sent the giving summary for Fiscal Year 2011, as of June 30th. Our class was first in our decade with 102 donors, 92 Brother Rats and 10 widows. Our 10 widows are: Maria S. Brookhouser, Judith Fabella, Patricia L. Hammond, Deborah S. Michelsen, Betty Mixson, Anne B. Pipkin, Patricia E. Saunders, Chieko Schwendinger, Ann M. Wilson and Mary L. Wright. Lew and Kay Diuguid in Baltimore Harbor had a mini reunion of sorts when two recent widowers, Van Sessoms and J.T. Parks, drove up from Richmond to see an Oriole victory. This was the first we learned of the passing of Virginia, and we sent J.T. Parks a sympathy note. Sadly, we never met Virginia. Lew was delighted that Jay and Olive Long moved to Baltimore, and they attended a baseball game also. Finally, the Diuguids got together with Paul and Harriet Muldowney, who took a “hike” down form Hagerstown to see the “O’s” play. Ruth Smith wrote the sad news that the “Great White Owl” soared to heaven on Aug. 18th. She was with Ron Kaye all the way until he breathed his last. Even in failing health, he enjoyed the strawberry ice cream cake for his 76th birthday on June 25th. Ruth will keep in touch, and she enclosed a personal check to VMI in Ron’s

memory. She had been his significant other and caregiver for 26 years. Joan Atkeson from Monterey, VA, reported the sad news that Tom left us on Aug. 22, 2011, after a long battle with lung cancer. “Considering he had been given three to six months in 2001, he managed his length of time quite well.” Joan will carry Tom’s ashes in a 105 Howitzer shell and bury him next to daughter Katie in New Jersey in October. Tom left a generous bequest to the VMI Foundation which Joan sent in his name. Last Wednesday, Dawn and I drove the 40 miles to Deland for lunch with Malcolm Smith at the Main Street Grill. It has been four years since his liver transplant, and Malcolm is doing well. Also last week, Jim Snead called from Riverside, FL. This spring he had a close call with his heart but is better now, and Janice is taking good care of him. Just as I was finishing these notes, Carl and Mary LeBourdais dropped in. They both looked great, and life in The Villages is good for them. We count on seeing them at the 55th Reunion in April. On Sept. 3rd, the class had its first mini reunion in four years. George Sydnor and Van Sessoms planned for a gathering at the opening football game followed by cocktails and dinner in Moody Hall. Nancy Lincoln sent the names of the 47 people who attended the affair. This was an excellent turn out. Our next meeting of our 55th Reunion Committee will be on Thursday, Nov. 10th. The Bereavement Committee will meet on the same day, and Saturday morning, the class agents gather. Of course the big day is Nov. 11, 2011, Founders Day

Class of 1957: Seated: G.E. Murray, J.J. Kirchmier, George Sydnor, Jay Woodward, Nick Kallelis and John Emmerich. Standing: Jay Long, Don Jamison, Buz Snyder, Dick Collier, Nat Pendleton, Russ Davis, John St George, John Kuchnia, Van Sessoms, Jim Piggott, Bill Batten, Bill Moore and Carl Schladitz.

2012-Issue 1

with the Crozet Point Dedication Parade and The Institute Society reception and dinner in Marshall Hall. Even though the schedule for our 55th Reunion is still tentative, the dates are solid. We begin at noon on Sunday, April 22nd, and end with a farewell brunch at noon on Wednesday, April 25th. We will be the youngest of five classes, the most numerous and certainly the most vivacious. It is great to be young again!

Wes Roberts

’58 Hello, BRs! As I write this column, the leaves are changing outside my window and the rain is falling softly. Per a request from the Alumni Review staff, notes are being compiled a month earlier this quarter, and surprise of surprises, the mailbag is full to bursting! Problem: all of the above causes some confusion relative to timeliness of the information. Please bear with me. It is a great burden on my heart to share with you the passing of our beloved BR, William E. Holland, M.D. Most of you should know that our BR Bill passed away Oct. 1, 2011. If I had a wish to make this job easier, it would be that all of us had access to the Internet. That not being the case, I always fear the possibility that some will not receive notices in a timely fashion. In the words of J.O. Peters, “Bill fought an amazingly valiant battle [with melanoma] for many months in good spirit. We should all be exceptionally proud of him.” Up to the end, I sought his council; we discussed many issues. Many of you are aware of the “change” that took place in our BR in the last 15 years of his life. One thing is certain, and Bill spoke to me of it repeatedly- he knew where he was going and he was ready. He placed himself in the hands of his Lord. All of the above was borne out at the Memorial Service and expressed by family, friends and clergy. Rest assured, our BR Bill is in good hands. I am sharing with you a list of those 65

CLASS NOTES who were in attendance at the Visitation and the Memorial Service. This may not be all inclusive, as many notified us that they would have liked to be in attendance, but for various reasons were not able to do so. Charlie Hayes shared such a list of BRs whom he saw at the Visitation the evening prior to the Memorial Service: Duke Bishop, Brooke Doggett, Jim and Peggy Poteet, J.O. and Susie Peters, Hunter and Betty Jean Clarke, Jack Cunningham, Stuart Whitehurst, “Moon” and Carol Menefee, Roland Tharp. BRs we saw at the Memorial Service were Hunter and Betty Jean Clarke, Jack and Jane Cunningham, Brooke and Linda Doggett, Bill Dunn, Joe Gray, Bobby Jordan, Bill Kump, “Moon” , Carol and Laura Menefee, Frank Norvell and Martha Booker, J.O. and Susie Peters, Jim and Peggy Poteet, Wes and Annemarie Roberts, Paul Royer, George and Harriett Shrieves, Mike and Cathy Smeltzer, Stuart Whitehurst, Stirling and Jane Williamson, Sam Witt, Sam Woolwine, a fitting tribute a wonderful Brother Rat, friend and comrade. Bill touched many lives, both personally and professionally. He was instrumental in bringing innovations in cardiac care to Virginia and will be remembered for his impact on the lives of many people. In early August, Brooke Doggett, “Moon” Menefee and Bill drove over the mountain from Richmond to welcome Annemarie and me back to Virginia. Like Greeks bearing gifts, they brought a beautiful lunch for all of us, prepared by Carol and Laura Menefee. (If you ever want anyone to do any baking for you, call Laura. There was pecan pie, baklava and crispy cookies, mmmm!) Following this delightful repast, Bill displayed his undiminished sense of humor. Brooke was reading from Paul Johnson’s obituary and came upon the word “otolaryngology” (Paul’s specialty). When Brooke asked Bill what “otolaryngology” is, Bill replied, without cracking a smile, “It’s the reason you’re selling boxes.” It was a memorable afternoon. (Who knew Brooke sold boxes!) Gene Grayson organized a “Lunch Mini-Reunion” in late August, held at the Sheridan Livery in Lexington. Eighteen BRs and 4 wives met the main dining room good food and good fellowship. In 66

attendance were Joe and Betty Gray, Gene Grayson, Bill and Agnes Kump, Charlie Hayes, Onza Hyatt, Howell Bowen, Lou Farmer, Jerry Paull, Jim and Ruth Beamer, Sam Witt, Bill Dunn, Barney Odend’hal, Bert Bramble, Dave Camper, Lee McCown, J.O. Peters, “Moon” Menefee, Wes and Annemarie Roberts. This, too, was a “Welcome Back” for the Roberts after a 2 year hiatus from the Valley. Jim and Ruth Beamer met the Roberts for lunch at the recently renovated Southern Inn (You may not know that the Southern Inn had a fire 2 years ago which essentially gutted the restaurant.) The renovations were major, adding a second floor dining area above the main restaurant. Needless to say, it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. BR Jim Cowan reported that his wife, Margaret, underwent her fifth spinal surgery in May and is doing well to date. While they were in Denver in September, Jim met with BR Bob Beale. They had an extended breakfast meeting in a quaint downtown Denver eatery, called “The Egg Shell”. Jim reports that Bob said he believes the VMI Ratline to be much tougher than Plebe year at the “Trade School on the Hudson” (West Point). He also told Jim that BR Boeggie was the motivator that talked him into coming to the 50th Reunion. They had remained in touch over the years. (Kudos to Frank!) Got a short message from BR Walter Leach, complaining about losing his memory (join the crowd, “Belvedere”).

Class of 1958: Tony Lash with Todd Wynn ’04 at Todd’s going-away party in September 2011. According to Lash, Wynn, formerly vice president of the Cascade Policy Institute in Portland, Oregon, accepted a position with American Legislative Exchange Council ALEC in Washington, D.C.

“What’s-his-name” reports that his son, Stephen, is now living with him. Stephen can be irritating, but helps him do things he is supposed to do, tends to the yard and cooks! Walter is prepared for severe loss of memory, and has bought a GPS so he can find his way home. He hasn’t needed to do that … Yet! Ewing Best (BR Charlie’s widow) reports in from Virginia Beach that she has been working on “fix-ups and renovations” to her “little country house” in hopes that the real estate market will thrive again. Her grandson, “Little Charlie”, keeps her busy and is growing ever more charming and handsome, reminding her of his granddad. BR Ken Godfrey phoned on Sept. 11 to say he was sorry to have missed the Lexington Luncheon. While we ate and drank, Ken was busy cleaning up after Hurricane Irene. Ken and wife, Lorna, traveled to Great Britain this summer, which is her home. A three week trip to Spain is planned. Other BRs who were affected by Hurricane Irene’s wind and rain were Julius Berman, Gene Grayson , who said he lost his “last tree” on the Williamsburg property (damaging the deck), and Stirling Williamson, whose sailboat ended up in the yard at their house on Albemarle Sound. Hopefully, no one else suffered damage or inconvenience. BR Roy (“Flying is My Game”) Palmer advised that he would be flying to Australia to complete a flight test of a modified Qantas 747. This was to be a short trip, returning to Seattle beginning of October. Roy further advised that in late October he will be taking a Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale. Roy quipped, “With my ‘fear of flying’, I thought we should travel to Florida by boat.” I spoke to BR Bill Walker on the phone recently. He advised that he is recovering from surgery to remove his kidney. We hope your recuperation will continue to be a good one, Bill. BR Gene Grayson checked in and reported that he enjoyed speaking with Bob Spurrier on the phone recently when Bob was in the area. Gene said he saw Bob and Diana Jordan and speaks with Joe Gray weekly. Gene VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES has been enjoying canoe trips on the New River with his #1 son (What the “H” does Gene know about canoeing?). He bragged about fishing with his son, who uses night crawlers for bait, while Gene uses all that fancy stuff. To his credit, Gene said his son catches about ten fish to Gene’s one. (I usually disregard anything Gene says about fishing, while I have photographs to prove my fishing prowess.) At the first football game of the season, Gene had lunch with Joe Gray and saw Bill Harshaw … no other Brother Rats. Gene said he is contemplating his other shoulder replaced … “need to get my nerves in better order first.” BR Frank Boeggeman wrote in to say that he was sorry to have missed the annual cruise hosted by George Shrieves. Usually, Frank and Elaine join George, Gates Sykes and “Moon” Menefee. However, Elaine was recovering from foot surgery at the time. Boeggie’s 15-year-old granddaughter has a provisional appointment to VMI, with the Class of 2018. She just received information brochures, piquing his curiosity as to whether any other BRs have grandkids in the Corps today, or may have in the next few years. BR Art Carnevale writes that he and Joan are fine, “doing what you are supposed to do in Florida, fish and play a little golf.” He said they are blessed with good health, and do a little traveling, to visit their son, who lives in Aachen, Germany, where he has his own business teaching English and does some translating. Their daughter lives in San Francisco and works as a comptroller for Agilent. She and her “significant other” have just opened a restaurant on Pier 5 called Lafitte. Art plans to attend this year’s Citadel game in Charleston and hopes to see some of the Brother Rats there. Heard from Drew Troxler that all is well in Savannah. Drew keeps busy with his Masonic Lodge. JoAnn, his daughters and grandchildren look out for him. Drew proudly reports that his eldest granddaughter will graduate next year with a degree in nursing. He calls her his “Inshoance”. “So mote it be”, Drew. BR Alex Clarke popped in with an email informing that he is “full time taxi driver” for his school age children. We, the class collectively, haven’t seen BR 2012-Issue 1

Alex at a reunion or class gathering in the past 25 years. (Alex says he did make it to the 25th.) He spoke of reminiscing with Charlie Hayes, of my “quick draw” accident with a “Single Six” in quick draw practice. In the past years, I have improved considerably and may use these talents and finesse in kidnapping BR Alex for our next function. We can’t keep making excuses to cover our absences, as, after all, Alex, we are all in the 75 year age bracket. So, Alex, - be prepared. Our “circumnavigator” (almost), Bert Bramble, surprised everyone by showing up at the “Livery Luncheon”, not having attended a VMI function in 50+ years. Bert looked healthy, lean and tan, having recently returned from the sea. He shared with me a compilation of some of his voyages, telling of how he and his wife, Lorraine (and for awhile, a crewman named Jim), crossed the Atlantic and cruised the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. He sent me a collection of messages involving ham radio connections (which gave them access to the internet); log entries of successive nautical exploits; and maps showing some of their ports of call. Bert, we think you should compile this into a book. It certainly would make interesting reading for many people. We’re glad you weren’t “hosted” by the Somali pirates! Our BR Bert Bramble and his nautical exploits, remind me of Stonewall Jackson’s famous quote, “You may be whatever you resolve to be.” We wish you, BR Bert, “fair winds and following seas.” Keep the Spirit! God’s Blessings, Wes

’59

Shep Shepard

Bill and Yvonne Traylor had a ball this summer when they took their grandchildren to Everglades National Park and Islamorada in the Florida Keys. They had great times fishing, snorkeling and just enjoying the beautiful turquoise waters of the Gulf. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the Adirondacks this year and during their stay Hurricane Irene visited and dumped 10 inches of

rain on them causing incredible flooding in the area. Fortunately Bill and Yvonne were on high ground and only had a few leaks but several towns at lower elevations were almost washed away. When Bill celebrated his 74th birthday earlier this year he reminisced about the fact that he was only 18 when he first passed through the portals of VMI. It seems like it was only yesterday and he wouldn’t trade his 4 years there as a member of the great “Stonewall Class” for anything. Nor would he trade the years after graduation at VMI when he shared a “house” with George O’Neill and Kurt Gloeckner while they taught there with lofty titles of “Instructor”. Their rent was $10 a month each and it didn’t exactly compete with the houses on the Parade Ground, but it more than suited them. They ate lunch and dinner at Stevesville for about $10 per week. Billy Kornegay was also there and they had at least one escapade where they wound up in Roanoke and convinced a couple of Hollins’ girls to have a few beers with them at the Hollins Inn. Somehow they managed to make it back to Lexington in one piece on that super narrow Highway 11. Billy, Mort Eggleston and Bill were in the same Infantry Officer’s Basic Course at Ft. Benning during the summer of 1960 where practically every night was New Year’s Eve on Victory Drive in Columbus, GA. Mort and Bill followed IOBC with Jump School where they were joined by Mike Maupin and John Engels. Bill and Yvonne were married in 1961 and during their honeymoon in VA the next week, had dinner with Mort and Audrey Eggleston and Billy and Sue Kornegay in Richmond. A bunch of great memories that last a lifetime. Bobby Ross and Leon Elsarelli took Jake Nicholls to lunch at The Grill in Richmond. Leon is Jake’s mentor and has him on the preliminary list to attend VMI, Class of ’22. Bobby gave Jake an autographed picture and a football much appreciated by Jake since he plays for the Fairfield Youth Football program and hopes to play for VMI in 10 years. Bob and Lois Hobson have a new address; they decided it was time to downsize. Bob would not wish this on his worst enemy. They anticipated the loss of living space but completely forgot about Lois’s collections of 50+ years together with a 67

CLASS NOTES total lack of storage. They bought a nice place in a senior’s only neighborhood so at least the HOA takes care of the yard maintenance. They also are very thankful for the fact that even in this awful real estate market their old home sold in 2 weeks. They joined Bob’s brother, Ron, and his wife, Ann, on a cruise to Alaska to celebrate Ann’s 80th birthday. They fished for Halibut and Salmon and managed to catch the limit in 40 minutes. They enjoyed the scenery and wildlife on the Inland Passage, but were among the 70% who don’t actually get to see Denali because of clouds. They consumed vast quantities of food and drink and now are paying the piper. Bob defines a cruise as: “an event where you strap on a feedbag for 2 weeks!” They pack up again soon and depart for Istanbul and the Holy Lands with their daughter and her family who are on an exchange program in Italy. Jack and Joy Angolia have just received word that their oldest granddaughter, currently studying at VPI to become a doctor’s assistant, is to be married in August 2012. What makes this so significant, besides being the first grandchild to be married, is that the ceremony will be held at House Mountain. Jack has been working on a new series of books, The Heroes in Our Midst, and has recently been informed that

the December 2011 release date will not be met. Seems Jack was too verbose and the book reached about 800 pages, which would make it rather costly. So, it will be broken into two volumes. He’s currently about half way through what has become Volume III. This series will continue for so long as Jack can put a sentence together. This is his obligation to WWII Veterans. John and Teddi Martin dreamed for years of taking all 6 of their grandchildren, ranging in age from 6 to 20, on a guest ranch vacation. This idea was routinely trumped by the Colorado gang because they wanted to come east to the beach! A year ago, however, they announced their intentions to do the ranch thing. Their invitation was accepted by all and they were also joined by son Rod and daughter Sydney, which was likely a blessing in that they could help be responsible for their kids. This magical week was spent at the Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch located in Parshall, CO located next to the magnificent Colorado River. Every one of their clan of 10 said it was the best family vacation ever! John was proud of the fact that he was able to distinguish the front end of the horse from the back and did not fall off of his trusty steed, Hank, the entire week; this included riding every day and a couple of fordings of the Colorado River

Class of 1959: John and Teddi Martin at a dude ranch with family.

on horseback for added excitement. Ralph and Janice Rae Lawson seem to be challenging Jack and Joy Angolia for the “Globetrotter Award”. They recently took a wonderful riverboat cruise through southern France on the Rhone-Saone. Along the way they visited Avignon, Chateauuneuf du Pape, Vienne, Lyon, Tournon and much more. When they returned home, Hurricane Irene did a job with the electrical power in their home in Cobbs Creek but caused very little damage. Ralph felt he was back in the Corps having to “camp out” for seven days until the power came back on. All is well now and they are getting ready to get back on the road again. Bruce and Norma Mackenzie will spend the first week in October on a leaf cruise in Canada; sailing out of Kinston Ontario to Ottawa. They will then visit with their daughter and her two children in Guilford, CT. Bruce continues to volunteer at the local hospital and also getting ready for 2 craft shows where he will display kiln made glass jewelry. Mark and June Smith visited Heidelberg, Germany where they attended an All-Years High School Reunion. It was a bittersweet time because this may be the last reunion held in Heidelberg. The US Government is in the process of closing down all US military facilities there and moving them to Stuttgart. They visited old haunts including the Red Ox Inn, the Hauptstrasse, the Alte Bruecke and even had a dinner dance at the Stadthalle. They visited Mark Twain Village where the old High School stood and capped off the event with a cruise on the Neckar River. Mark was delighted to see so many old high school friends and looks forward to the next reunion even if it is not in Heidelberg. Buzz Noland has retired for the 4th time and now plans to do some traveling. Now, however, he still lives in Hot Springs at 121 French’s Hill Drive, Hot Springs, VA 24445 and has free bed and breakfast for Brother Rats who care to take advantage of it. Jack and Gail Christie took a 2 week cruise from Venice to Monte Carlo to celebrate Gail’s 35th birthday. Happy Birthday Gail and a wish for many more to come. Jimmy and Linda Johnson hear from Bill Fuqua and Bob Baillio from time to time. Jimmy frequently reminds Bob that he is a “Virginia VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Aggie” since he has a degree from Virginia Tech. Bob’s not happy with that label but “it is what it is”. Jimmy’s health is pretty good but he had another cardiac ablation to treat his atrial fibrillation. There was no recurrence this time but he’s still taking warfarin. Jimmy feels he has a lot to be thankful for. He’s still working part time on the admission’s committee at the University of Texas School of Dentistry as well as being on the Dental Hygiene Admissions Committee. It’s really tough, interviewing beautiful 18 year old girls, but somebody has to do it. Jimmy confesses that none are as beautiful as his wife, Linda, and that’s the truth. Got a nice note from Marti Strunk announcing the good news that Joel Strunk, is finally filming his movie in Rockport, ME. His cast and crew arrived several months ago and filming will probably be completed by the time this article is published. I’m sure the entire class joins Ann and me when we congratulate Marti; we are so happy for Joel because he has worked so hard to bring this project together. “Anatomy of the Tide” is a feature film written, produced and directed by Joel. Joel is a tuna fisherman by day and a scriptwriter at night. He has worked the Maine waterfront all his life and has always wanted to do this. Good luck, Joel; we are anxious to hear about the release date. Jud would be so proud of your accomplishments. (See more on this in Alumni News.) Rusty Loth reports that as Hurricane Irene was lining up to take a bead on Florida, Lee

Southard headed for Richmond. Unfortunately for Richmonders, he brought Irene with him, making it absolutely essential that a hurricane task force be formed immediately to develop a contingency plan. The team met at Manakin-Sabot’s famous Sunset Grill. There was no one more experienced, nor better informed about hurricanes than Lee, so he was selected to chair the task force. The task force finished the immediate business at hand, which was lunch, before the lights went out, and a complete plan had not been put on the table before the team was forced to adjourn. Ned Addison was safer than the rest. He was driven to the luncheon by Bunny and daughter Lucy Page who wanted to make sure he wasn’t blown off the road or hit by a falling tree. All managed to survive. Gordo Keiser continues to plug away as a defense contractor at the Quantico Warfighting Laboratory. He has always and will continue to enjoy being around Marines. Eddie and Carolyn Barnes go to most of the VMI football and some basketball games. Eddie says he has recently observed that our class has been “missing in action.” He did get a chance to talk with Max Guggenheimer and Rusty Loth at a recent game. Max is doing well and enjoys retirement by playing a lot of golf. He informed Eddie that John and Anne Reed have spent a considerable amount of time in Haiti this year trying to repair the schools damaged during the devastating

Class of 1959: The “Goodnight Irene Hurricane Task Force” met to have lunch and libation at Manakin-Sabot’s famous Sunset Grill. Seated were, from left: Dave Goode, Mort Eggleston, Bobby Ross, Lee Southard, Marve Myers, Ned Addison and Rusty Loth.

2012-Issue 1

hurricane a few years ago. Rusty is doing great and keeps Eddie posted on the Richmond crowd. Jim Sam Gillespie makes it to most games as he and Lucy continue to live the good life spoiling grandchildren and enjoying some travel. Eddie and Carolyn are headed to China for the third and hopefully last time to visit their son Rob and his family who should be coming home next year. Mike and Julie Vargosko and Don and Carol Messner; three Connecticut Yankees and a Pennsylvanian (Carol) spent 2 days at Gettysburg getting a dose of history. They all had been there at one time or another but so long ago none could remember when. The whole experience was enhanced by the revitalized Cyclorama, without a doubt the most impressive aspect of the visit, but the museum with its artifacts and photos was a close second. They took a self guided tour of the battlefield and marveled at the courage and fortitude of both sides culminating in the mile long trek Pickett’s men endured as they charged across that open battlefield. They went from Gettysburg to the upper Hudson, lured by a Groupon reduced rate, to the historic Rhinecliff Inn where they indulged more on food and drink than history. They enjoyed 4 days of good fellowship and sustenance. Their motto continues to be: “if you don’t weaken, retirement can continue to be great”. Spence and Beverly Tucker enjoy the seasonal changes in Lexington. They recently visited Wilmington, NC where

Class of 1959: Cowboy Jimmy Johnson on his trusty steed with his faithful companion, Tonto, preparing to check the south 40.

CLASS NOTES Spence was the keynote speaker for a and squaw to retire to the guest bedroom and cute freshmen girls. They invited them to conference of naval historians. Who better things quieted down. Late in the evening, the movies but were informed that since than our own in house historian whose Jud wanted to go back to his hotel to get they were freshmen they could not go off three-volume Encyclopedia of North a good night’s sleep. When he opened the campus at night. It was 7 o’clock, their American Indian Wars, 1607-1890, has door to wake up the Chief, a cloud of acrid cab was not due back until 11 and they had just recently been published. smoke poured out of the room, which John four hours to kill. This made Bill wonder Bill and Connie Nebraska have been liv- soon realized could cause him to lose his how they were going to entertain these ing a rather hectic life. Bill goes on his an- law license if reported. John proceeded to girls for 4 hours. Without missing a beat nual fishing trips soon, one to Canada for load the group into his stationwagon and Jud took charge and taught them some salmon and the other to Ohio for steelhead hurriedly sped them back to Miami Beach, new songs which became classics, includtrout. Both are excellent trips that he looks much to his wife’s relief! John said Jud put ing “Michael Row the Boat Ashore” and forward to each year. He’s been doing the on an incredible show the next evening to a “Sara, Sara” and before they knew it the Canada trip for over 20 years. Bill and standing ovation and 2 curtain calls. He then cab had arrived. What had the prospects Connie have been travelling this summer closed with a song about “a woman who had of a bummer of an evening turned into a visiting kids in Ohio and Vermont. The the biggest Parakeets in town”! Jud was truly memorable one because of Jud’s incredible Vermont crew dodged the floods, thank “one of a kind” and our lives have all been talent. God, but many of their friends were not enriched by our brotherhood with him – and Jim and Bet Vermillion recently returned so lucky. Future plans include a Christmas dear Marti. from a week on the Blueridge. It was a cruise over the holiday. Bill Traylor also had great memories of great trip to Ashville, NC and staying at When I sent out information about Joel Jud. Bill remembers early in our Rat Year, quaint hotels on the parkway. They were Strunk’s upcoming movie John Reed was one Saturday evening he and Jud went to too early for the fall colors, but they knew quick to respond with “creativity is a genetic Southern Seminary where they met two that and were trying to avoid the crowds in quality which Joel has no doubt October. inherited from his father.” When For 68 years, Bud Mease John was at VMI, he remembers wondered about his father, Jud directing the “chorus line” at who was declared dead in the Monogram Minstrel which inWWII after his plane went cluded Jud, Marvin Myers, Herdown over the Himalayas bie Richardson, Billie Walker, in 1943. Bud’s father, Capt Truman Baxter, Gene King, and Jennings H. “Bud” Mease, John. They each had a letter on the was pilot of a five-man crew seat of their underwear that spell aboard a C-87 cargo plane that out something (no doubt crude) left China on April 24, 1943. which we displayed at the end The plane never arrived at its Class of 1959: Bobby Ross, left, and Leon Elsarelli of the “performance.” Perhaps destination, Chabua, India. The lunched with Jake Nicholls, who Elsarelli mentors and some of you can fill in the blanks. Army searched for the plane who is a preliminary candidate for VMI class of 2022. His other fond recollection was but never found it, and the when Jud came to visit them in crew was officially declared Miami in the early 70’s. He was dead three years later. Clayton performing a one man show at the Kuhles, who makes frequent Miami Beach Convention Center trips to the Himalayas to find for the General Motors execuWWII downed aircraft, located tives and dealers at their annual the crash site in 2003. The convention. The day before the artifacts were sent to the POW/ show, John invited Jud to stay MIA Accounting Command in with them, but he had a suite at Hawaii where they confirmed the Fontainebleau, and only came it was Bud’s dad. Bud and for supper. He showed up in a Susan put Capt. Mease to rest Limo with a rather disheveled in Mt. Calvary cemetery in “Indian Chief” and his youthful Sandy, UT, the cemetery that squaw. Complete with headdress Bud administered for many and pipe, he was, at first, very years after he retired from the Class of 1959: Ann and Shep Shepard with daughter Colleen and son-in-law Mike Merrigan, visiting the entertaining, however, after many Army. Bud was completely legendary Canadian Columbia Ice Fields and standing drinks, he reminded me of the old overwhelmed by the remarkbefore the “Sno-Coach” on the Athabasca Glacier, which saying about not giving firewater able turn of events and wonis 900 frozen feet deep. to Indians. Jud coaxed “the chief” derful ceremony conducted 70

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES by the U.S. Army but thinks his dad will be happy resting where Bud can visit him occasionally. After the disappointment of our cancelled trip to Europe wore off, Ann and I packed up and headed for Canada for a Trans Canada Railroad trip from Vancouver to Toronto. The trip was a gift from our kids for our 50th wedding anniversary which we celebrated last year. We were happy that our oldest daughter, Colleen, and her husband, Mike, were able to join us. What a wonderful experience; two days on the Gold Leaf Grand Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff followed by another four days on via the Canadian National Railroad that took us from Jasper to Toronto. Along the way we saw some magnificent scenery traveling along the Fraser River riverbeds, passing Hell’s Gate, and trashing our way through the Rockies, galloping over the plains and water ways. Prior to departing Jasper, we visited Banff National Park and Lake Louise, a beautiful mountain lake and resort in the shadows of Victoria Glacier. We also visited the Columbia Ice Field where we experienced the thrill of walking on the Athabasca Glacier. We made a quick stop in Winnipeg where we visited St. Boniface, then on to Toronto where we capped off the trip with a visit to Niagara Falls where we experienced, once again, the thrill of cruising through the fall’s mist on Maid of the Mist. We had a wonderful trip, made all the more special being able to share it with our daughter and her husband. Shortly after returning from Canada, we drove to Alabama where we joined Bud and Susan Mease at my brother’s place in Madison. My brother, Thatch, is waiting for a very special heart operation at Vanderbilt so we thought we’d get together and cheer him up. We drove to Fairfield Glade in Crossville where we intended to get in a few days of golf, but Hurricane Irene had other plans, and it rained the whole time we were there. We did get the opportunity to remember the good ole days and spend time with family. Ann and I left Crossville, TN, and made our way to Frankfort, KY, where we spent a few wonderful days with Chuck and Margo Cotton. Chuck is doing great, albeit he has trouble getting around without his walker. We packed Chuck and Margo in their van and drove down to Louis2012-Issue 1

ville where we spent the day with two of their sons, Russell and Shelton, and their families. We had a wonderful day, and it was great spending time with Chuck and Margo and renewing our friendships with their boys and their families. It’s so neat to watch the grandchildren grow. Thanks for all your input; keep those cards, letters and e-mails coming in. Yours in the Spirit, Shep

’60

L. Edward Tolley

Brother Rats and Ladies of ’60, The football team got off to a very shaky start in spite of the fact that we have a bunch of good players. Dick and Mary Ann Murphy came down from Winchester for the September 3 opening game. Hap and Mary Miller, Jim French, Dick and Mary Ann, and I had a semi-early lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s that allowed good quiet conversation time. I was, again, impressed by the relative good physical and mental shape everyone seemed to be enjoying as we press on into our mid seventies. As you may recall, the game had some bright spots only to be an omen of more dark days to come on the gridiron. Finally, we broke into the win column on Oct 15 with a victory over Charleston Southern, 21-17, in Lexington. Jon Quinn called to advise that he, son Joe and Joe’s wife, and brother-in-law and his wife planned to make the Stoney Brook game on October 22. It will be the first time Jon has been on post since the days of yore. He is in for some good surprises. The physical plant is immaculate and the Corps of Cadets looks exceptionally clean, crisp, and polished. Jon’s family will see the Institute for their first time. Jon resides with son Joe in Alexandria since returning from South America. Several BRs have been contacted by Kevin Rue, USMA ’77, in regards to the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Alexandria, VA, where 67 Vietnam War Fallen Heroes, including Captain Paul Bayliss, from the area are remembered. Kevin advised that on November 11, there will be a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Captain

Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial with a public invitation. The memorial is located at 2701 Commonwealth Ave and Mount Vernon Ave. in Alexandria, 22305. Ms. Laurie Woodson, daughter of deceased Brother Rat Ron Woodson, contacted the Alumni Association in search of a copy of our ’60 Bomb. Adam Volant ’88, executive vice president, was able to provide the family with one. Should anyone else need items of this sort, let me or the Alumni Association know what it is and, chances are, we can resurrect the item. Several have misplaced a reunion booklet, a Bomb, or other items that are available so, try us. Frank and Alice Bruce are on the mend from their latest about with heart, blood, and other ills. The woes of the Redskins, courtesy of the Eagles, had them in a funk on a beautiful sunny Sunday in mid October. Bob and Lucy Clay attended the Georgia Tech vs. UVa game in Charlottesville, October 15, in anticipation of seeing a UVa defeat but that was not to happen! They had family commitments for the following parents weekend at Christopher Newport thus were not able to join Quinn, Miller, French and I for the Stoney Brook weekend dinner and game. Joe Collins was relaxing in front of the Falcons/ Colts game at his place in Mt. Pleasant, SC when I called. He is truly retired but wife, Mary, is still grinding it out. Joe’s youngest son, Patrick, is in Mt. Pleasants attending the College of Charleston. Kevin, the middle aged son, works with Otis elevator and Tim, his oldest, is vice president of a building concern in Florida. Jim French spends much of his time restoring antique cars. He has several old fords and takes them apart down to the nuts and bolts, overhauling all parts, and repainting them. He had prior commitments on Saturday but was able to join Jon Quinn, Hap and Mary Miller, and me for a breaking of the bread during Jon’s trip down from Alexandria. Jay Jarrett still resides in Huntington Beach, Ca, and plans to go to Arkansas for Thanksgiving weekend for a visit with several family members. Jay’s gang now spreads over Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, 71

CLASS NOTES Ohio, and points in between. I got a return call from Seaborn Brown from Sarasota, Florida, who updated me as to his activities since leaving the Institute. We covered everything from dating and barracks experiences through active duty military and careers to retirement! I was especially impressed with his world travels associated with his pharmaceutical industry career. He had several Doc Carroll stories I had not heard that were vintage Doc Carroll. Seab asked about Small Man Worst. I was, of course, unaware that he had introduced Smallie Ho to his wife when they were at Fort Benning way back when. Seab and Pril have a couple grandchildren who are the apples of their eyes. Ashby Chamberlin is back hitting with a full stroke since he got his valve overhaul job. His doctors gave him a “gofor-it” clearance on his last visit. They did suggest that he add a grandpa gear to his bike, which he promptly accomplished. As you would expect, the bug count in his teeth has fallen off so his protein intake took a hit. I guess he’ll have to increase his “Five hour Energy” intake in order to stay in the pack. That’s it guys. Keep those cards and letters rollin’ in … wrong! Start those cards and letters to roll in.

’61

rank; an excellent leader of whom the Corps should be proud.” Bud Alligood was in Lexington to attend an Alumni Board meeting. During a break he took time to find and sit on the Vitale bench and enjoyed watching the cadets do PT on the parade ground. Bud also saw Harrison and Terry Fridley. Ray and Sally Hanlein, Spike and Mary Callander and Dick and Diane Stone took a river cruise in Germany. Everything was just wonderful especially the beer and sausages. John Tharrington attend a football weekend at VMI where the weather was absolutely perfect for football, but the team lost to W&M. John was having dinner at The Natural Bridge Hotel where he ran across Hill and Heather Browning, Bob Huddle, Barry and Elizabeth Orndorff Tom and Faye Bradshaw. John had a wonderful evening with the Brother Rats and had a departing breakfast with the group at Tom B’s favorite restaurant the Pink Cadillac a couple of miles from the hotel. When John arrived at the restaurant a few minutes before the group and told the waitress that he would be having breakfast with Tom Bradshaw and several others she practically genuflected at the mention of Tom’s name. While at VMI, John took the opportunity

Sal Vitale Jr.

Our reunion may be over but I am still flying high. Again thank you for being the best class a Brother Rat can have! It is hard to believe that autumn is over and Christmas is around the corner. These notes were prepared on Oct. 13, 2011, in lieu of November, so reporting on the Institute Society Dinner and other exciting events will be delayed until you receive Volume 2 of the Review sometime in the spring of 2012. Also the Class news has been light, so I did not use all my allocated space for the second time in years. Please tell me what you are doing! Tom Whalen, my Rat roommate, said that the Episcopal Church added the date of Jonathan Daniel’s death, August 14th, to its Calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, and in England’s Canterbury Cathedral, 72

Daniels name is among the fifteen honored in the Chapel of Martyrs. Tom attended the Daniels service in his local church in Nevada. My dyke, Ancher Lee Madison’64, e-mailed me to say how much he enjoyed reading our notes and seeing us old guys. “Pull your chin in mister” if you can find it. We all know that John Steadman has been going thru hell with all his operations and rehab. What I did learn was Ken Templeton took an ambulance up to UVa and picked John up so he could be at the Westminster Canterbury Rehab Center. When Ken returned for a visit, John requested that Ken smuggle in a slice of apple pie which he did. I am sure John would love to hear from his brother rats. John Gangemi pointed me to a VMI computer site that has digitalized all copies of the Cadet (http://www2.vmi.edu/ thecadet/). I went to it and enjoyed reading stories that rekindled lots of memories, so give it a try. Meghan Ederle, Ken Ederle’s daughter, is a Captain in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of 10th Mountain Division and stationed at Fort Drum in NY. Megan’s boss is a VMI grad, LTC Rhett R. Cox’93. Megan says he is “a great commander, and highly respected by Soldiers of every

Class of 1961: From left, Harrison and Terry Fridley, George and Edna Henning, Barry and Elizabeth Orndorff, Barbara and Tom Phlegar, and Sue and Sal Vitale at Paint Bank, West Virginia, October 2011.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES to sit on the famous bench donated in my honor and did clean off a few spots of bird poop so it was clean again. (Smile). John also had the pleasure of visiting with his dyke, Frank Crawley ’65 and his lovely wife Ellen in Greenville, NC. Frank arranged a mini reunion at dinner in his home with our BR Bill and Danya Redd. Bill and Frank belong to the same church and while there, Bill showed me a bronze plaque donated by a church member honoring our BR Jonathan Daniels. Crawley is a full professor and former Department head at East Carolina University in Greenville. With all the rain we have had, Bill Hala and family members were hit fairly hard at both his Ontario and New York homes. The area had over two feet of rain in three weeks and therefore there was no place for the water to go. Imagine if it were snow! Tom Jones’s new wife Annett arrived at Logan Airport on 6 October after waiting months for her K1 marriage visa. Tom and Annett were married at a simple ceremony on the October 22nd on board a sail boat Olad. As you may recall, Tom’s first wife passed away several years ago. Congratulations Tom and we need to meet Annett! I always kid Ray Hanlein about his golf. Well Ray has not played since the first of July because he got tennis elbow in his left arm hitting golf balls at a practice range. However, he is able to play tennis. It was nice to hear from Paula Hill, Paul Hill’s widow. Paula loves being in Tampa with all the nice weather and no snow or ice to worry about and has a beautiful home with a pool and would love for some visitors anytime! Bob Reitz is settling in to his mountain home and has finally set up his computer, Yeah! Bob sent me a page from the 2ND BN, 75th Ranger Regiment magazine Patrolling which contained a photo of the monument to Col William “Bill” Powell and several others who on September 21, 1981 rescued rangers from the MC-130 aircraft wreckage until it exploded. Posthumously Bill received the Soldiers Medal for his actions. How well I remember his funeral at Arlington. Mike Carmichael told a story that most of us did not know. When cadets, Mike and Bill Daniels stayed up all night at a First Sergeants’ meeting to rank the Third Class Corporals and the persuasive arguments Daniels made to keep Si Bunting’63 the first ranking corporal even though he 2012-Issue 1

had received a major penalty. Si probably doesn’t know to this day just how hard Daniels fought for Si! Doug Popp attended the Army Sniper Competition as a representative for his company, Gibbs Brand Lubricant, who sells to and supports the Army Sniper School at Ft. Benning. This year marked his 7th year in attendance and Doug is allowed to either coach some of the teams or at least observe some of the competition from the firing line. Last year Doug was at the Range for the 50 Cal. competition and had a great time working with and watching the “Kids” fire from roughly 1 mile + and get hits. Doug Popp also had a story about the 61B graduation. Bill Daniels, Karl Zick and Doug roomed together in 274 and gave an Old Yell for 61B at the Sally Port when they graduated with ’62. Dick Stone attended a barbeque and had his VMI hat on. A fellow Dick thought was about our age came up and asked him when he graduated, etc. Then, he asked Dick what company he was in and Dick told him “D”. He responded artillery right? Things did change from the time Tom Peyton’44 left VMI his 2nd class year to fight in Germany 6 months before the war ended. Dick said Tom looked great and it was hard to believe he was in his late 80’s. Harrison and Terry Fridley are moving from Covington to Lexington and should

be settled in by December. Downsizing is the reason. George Henning is becoming a master woodworker. Ask George for the pictures of his new dinning room table. It is beautiful. Bill and Connie Nelms were at the Beach after Labor Day for a week and took Sue and me out for steamed crabs and it was a treat. Sue and I have been busy. We went to a wedding in Cancun, stayed a week and had a wonderful time. I was honored to work with Ken Patrick in his prepare for a deposition dealing with an unhappy developer. Ken did very well say the attorney. I continue to be a part time range officer and Virginia Concealed Carry instructor at the Lynhaven gun range and really enjoy the “guys”. Next year I plan to teach Hunter Safety as required by the Conservation Department to first time hunters. My attendance at Gibbings Friday night beer and cookies has been curtailed somewhat due to teaching on Fridays, but Sue is a regular. Sue was off to Maryland for a couple of weeks to take care of grand children and a daughter and she left me to perform hard labor in the yard. I survived and did rescue my wife long enough to spend a wonderful weekend with Tom and Barbara Phlegar at their farm in Virginia’s Pembroke/New River area. The foliage colors were great. Tom arranged for a mini reunion and we

Class of 1961: Dick Stone, Ray Hanlein, Diane Stone, Sally Hanlein, and Mary and Spike Callander at Regensburg, Germany, September 2011.

CLASS NOTES Thanks to you 30 other BRs who submitted enjoyed dinning out at the Swinging Bridge ton Cemetery in November. BIOs in the last second of bugle call to formaRestaurant with Harrison and Terry Fridley, That is our news thru October 13. It is tion. I hope all of you will purchase the reunion George and Edna Henning, Barry and Eliza- on the light side, so please send in news. book at a price of $40 per book. There is a lot beth Orndorff. Tom also took us the GreenPlease stay well and keep in touch and pray of interesting information in this book that I brier to see the secret underground structure for those who are struggling with health am sure you will enjoy for years. To date, we that was to house the government during the issues and who have lost loved ones. God have had 12 class agents and the book will list “Cold War”. It was very interesting. Sue and bless the class and VMI. the name and number of senior officers in our I are leaving for Phoenix to meet up with Bill Armed Services and numerous tidbits of inforJerry Burnett and Sandy Fout for a trip to the mountains mation concerning our BRs since we graduated and dessert in Arizona. Before we leave we from the Institute in June 1962. plan to attend beer and cookies and welcome I would like to mention the members of the Class of 1962 in the Hall of Valor by alphabetiJim “Noodles” Harrison to Hermitage cal order who have received the Bronze Star Point. Gibbings has planned a welcoming I begin my Oct. 15, 2011, class notes on a Medal or above in decorations in the Marine event and we hope for a good turnout. Jim is happy note. We have no deceased Brother or Corps, Army, Air Force or Navy. Jim Bierman, planning to visit with Oscar Mabry and fish Sister Rats to my knowledge over the last two Charlie Brown, Tony Curtis, Mark Graybill, for a few days and then with Irv Wells until months. These notes are one month earlier than Jim Hiller, Bobby Howard, Bobby Lamhe leaves. You have will have to wait for usual, because the staff at the Alumni Review bert, Pat Lang, Derk LeMay, Calvin Lloyd, next issue to hear what went on in Arizona has deadlines to meet. Vernon Lynch, Per Madsen, Ed Northrop, I am always receiving notes from BRs regardand beer and cookies. Binnie Peay, Noel Pinckard, Jim Rogan, Cal ing the most recent statistics of our class. To Health issues change quickly and “Gim” Seybold, Fred Shirley, Ron Shoemake, Steve date we have 62 deceased BRs that we can list grows. It is possible that by the time Toth, Paul Trusik, Bob Tyson, Jerry Wagner, document, 387 BRs matriculated leaving the you read this, all will be history. The good Gene Wilson, and Bob Yearout. For your inforpossibility of 325 living BRs. Of these 325, I mation, the decorations received by these brave news was hearing that Bill Daniels is well have addresses for 247. This means there are 78 soldiers will be listed in your Reunion Book. and recent tests show the cancer has gone. BRs unaccounted for through the Alumni office The book is a must “buy.” Hugh Gouldthorpe begins the next phase and myself. When you visit VMI, I hope each one of you of treatment with several different drugs inThanks to Tony and Judy Curtis, we now will stop by Memorial Gardens and pay tribute fused through his port, until January 2012. have 214 BIOs which have gone to the printer. to BRs Wyatt Respess and David Weisiger Our prayer list unfortunately whose untimely deaths were deeply keeps growing. Please keep, felt by their BRs while we were Andy Thacker, Floyd Robcadets. Also located on the North erts, Bill Dabney, Len Martin, end of Memorial Gardens plaques, Carl Hirsch, Mike Payne, Pam I hope you will pay tribute to Jim Kurstedt, MJ Harrison, John Rogan and Derk LeMay who were killed in Vietnam and Steve Toth Moore, Ernie Johnson, Sleepy who was serving a board a U.S. Hollowell, Bill Keech, Roy Navy vessel that was erroneously Schall, Robert Huddle, Fred attacked by a “friendly” force in the Stephenson, Ben Cleveland, Mediterranean. George Ward, John Steadman, Anyway, for those of you who Gerry Coen, Ann Woodfin and are not planning on attending the many more who have been si50th Reunion, please reconsider. For lently struggling in your prayers. those of you who did not get my We lost Brother Rat Buzz emails and want to know the reunion Bossart and you should have schedule, please note the following. received by mail the eulogy preCheck-in at Holiday Inn Express or the Best Western, Lexington Inn pared by Bob Reitz. The family next door on Thursday April 26 then requested a private ceremony attend a welcoming party at Carolyn and we honored the request. On Worrell’s beginning at 5 p.m. at August 3rd Brother Rat A.L. 799 Ross Road, Lexington, heavy “Pete”, McCormick, passed horderves will be served. On Friday away and for those with email morning, there will be a golf/skeet/ were notified. Ann, Pete’s wife tennis tourney. If there is enough of 50 years, said he was a one interest, a bus tour of the New man Ranger team fighting cancer Market Battlefield can be arranged. (it was almost a fair fight). After At 6 p.m. there will be a reception Class of 1962: Walt and Mary Perrin with Maureen and a 4-month struggle he lost the at BR Binnie Peay’s superintenGeorge Collins in Doonbeg, Ireland, on Sept.14, 2011. dent quarters followed by the 50th fight. Pete was buried at Arling-

’62

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Reunion Alumni dinner and program at the “Center for Leadership and Ethics”, Marshall Hall. On Saturday morning, we will meet for a quick class meeting, class photos, and a Memorial service in Memorial Gardens followed by the VMI parade with the class marching to Old Barracks. We will have a class lunch in a private dining 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 Binnie Peay in the Visioning 2039 master plan. On Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. we are planning a reception and dinner at a beautiful mountain top home of our VMI Foundation Executive Director, Brian Crockett. On Sunday morning, we will gather for a breakfast/brunch at the Holiday Inn Express and depart safely until our next mini reunion or the 55th Reunion. Speaking of mini reunions, you will be receiving an invitation from me inviting you to the Founders Day Parade and Institute Society Dinner on November 11, 2011. You are invited to a brunch at noon before you depart Lexington. There will not be a football game in Lexington since VMI will be playing Presbyterian in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Please mark your calendar for this mini reunion event in conjunction with Founders Day. Ryland and Sharon Davis are looking forward to the 50th, a target that always seemed so far away. He said, “I have basically retired from Providence, but continue to consult and stay involved with a number of board activities. I have enjoyed helping others grow their businesses and see the same enthusiasm that we had in our younger days. It gives me great faith in our country’s future reading our Alumni Review and knowing so many of the younger generation are motivated to make a difference. While the challenges may be different, the spirit is alive and well.” Skip and Sharon are enjoying a more flexible schedule traveling, fly fishing the west, flying and enjoying their children and grandchildren. I submitted a photo of Skip flying the B-17, “Aluminum Sky”, a working piece of WWII history. Skip had a fun talk with

Class of 1962: Ryland Davis at the controls of a B-17.

2012-Issue 1

Jim West. He said, “Jim and I were history majors and he helped me laugh my way through the Institute. His latest wisdom is: “that when he was young golf took too much time; and now, he plays because it takes lots of time!!” A great retired prospective! Wayne Vanderaar reports that he and Audrey are looking forward to the 50th. He retired from a teaching career that spanned three decades in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania school district. He retired in 1996. He and Audrey spend a lot of time in the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington training and jumping horses. Gary Gilmore, Tom Meler, Richard Carlisle, Chauncey Lapp, Gary Kaylor, Mark Muth, Ron Gilman, Tom Luce, Don Johnson, Buddy Glover, Paul Rouser, and John Sibilsky have all reported in that for health and/or other reasons, they will not be able to attend the reunion unless their situation changes in the interim. John Lilge reports that he plans to make the 50th Reunion but feels that Rosemary may not be able to attend because of some back issues. My roommate, Monty Williams, has made hotel reservations for the 50th and is looking forward to seeing everyone. Carol and Monty are doing fine. They have enjoyed traveling and have just returned from a three week trip to Oregon where they visited Portland, Depoe Bay on the Coast, McMinnville in wine country and Hood River on the Columbia River. They are planning to go to Blowing Rock, North Carolina soon. Carol Bierman reports that Jay currently lives in The Memory Center in Virginia Beach. Jay and I were roommates our rat year. Any of you in the Beach area, should stop by and speak to Jay when you have a chance.

Doug Marechal sent me a note that Dave Wagner has been in the hospital and been diagnosed with kidney cancer and is scheduled to have that kidney removed soon. The doctors say it is 100% contained in the one kidney. I had sent out an email blast to the 157 known email recipients I have on my address book. Walt and Mary Perrin and George and Maureen Collins have just returned from a five-day golfing trip in Ireland. George is a member of Doonbeg, and Walt reports that they always have an enjoyable trip traveling together. They stayed in the guest quarters at Doonbeg and enjoyed playing other notable courses around Doonbeg. In September, I had the pleasure of being the guest of Dick Smith, Class Agent of the class of ’56, at the Henderson, North Carolina Country Club. Dick and I, as well as our friends, enjoy quail hunting. Our “golf shooting” is about as good as our “quail shooting,” i.e., it leaves a lot to be desired at times and other times we are right on the money. We have enjoyed reminiscing about all of our Southside Virginia VMI people. I have enjoyed meeting VMI people in my travels and talks on the VMI Cadets in the Battle of New Market to various historical heritage groups. Again, I would be remiss if I did not offer deepest thanks to Tony and Judy Curtis on behalf of our class for the monumental tasks they undertook to bring the Reunion Book to fruition. For those of you who cannot attend the 50th, by all means give Tony your order. It is worth your read. Thanks to all of you for your notes, calls and e-mails. In the Bonds and Spirit of VMI, Jerry Burnett

’63

Class of 1962: George Collins and Walt Perrin stopped for a rest during a round of golf in Doonbeg, Ireland, September 2011.

Michael J. Curley

For some mysterious reason, the deadline for the notes was moved up a month, so I will use this opportunity to catch up on some contributions that didn’t make it into earlier Notes. Local news first: Richard Warren & Mike Curley are trying to re-gain their once hard-body VMI forms, working out at the Zacharias-Ganey Health Institute here in Richmond. We’re actually having fun sweating it out together (3, one and a half hour sessions per week) and some progress is actually being made. Behind the scenes, preparation for our 50th Reunion to be held April 26th, 27th & 28th, 2013, are already underway. Co-chairs and staff of the financial committee have been appointed and they are currently recruiting teammates. Planning for

CLASS NOTES the social side of the festivities will commence acceptance speech was heart rending; he is such treatment for the last two months for prostate no later than April of 2012…that’s next spring, a dear man and we are so proud of him. Loved cancer and I am happy to report that my most folks! Volunteers? seeing Steve Riethmiller again (missed Peggy recent PSA showed that there was no evidence John Mills sent details about a cruise Christi and hope she’s feeling better each day); had the of any cancer remaining. The last two years & Wayne Custer took with him & Judy the last pleasure of meeting Steve’s son Alex (pretty have been rough but I am one tough SOB (mjc: part of July and the first part of August. “We much a carbon copy there!) It was nice to be we’re happy for you, Jim!)…he adds…In early met in Budapest, Hungary and boarded a river with Bob Byrd who always has a few good June, I spent a great 7 days with Eric Fygi (my boat for a six day cruise up the Danube River. tidbits to share. We visited with Lucy and Jim roommate) & his wife Mary. “Pat Kelly and We visited Vienna, Austria, Salzburg Germany, Sam Gillespie ’60, dear friends from teaching Billy Wray came down to Tucson on the 5th and a number of other beautiful cities along the days in Courtland. Ken & I talked about our for a micro/mini” reports Pres Holtry. “Pat Danube. We ended the river cruise in Passau, weekend a good bit of the way home. We surely and Billy were in Phoenix for Pat’s induction Germany, and then went to Prague, Czechofeel blessed to know so many good people and into KA (bravo, Pat!). We had a great time. Pat slovakia by motor coach for three days in that loved feeling the old VMI spirit. We were glad and I drank beer while Billy talked. I’m conmost spectacular city! Dusty & Christi flew to be part of such an important occasion; it was vinced Billy is a walking, talking ‘63 archive. home and Judy & I had the chance to spend a pretty special all around. I think it’s exceptional He knows and remembers everything about night before heading home in London observing that Pam Traugott comes to VMI events … she everybody during the four years at VMI, but the riots that were taking place. For a bunch of is delightful!” (mjc: We think so, too, Bonnie!) the really scary part is that he hasn’t stopped ol’ civil engineers, Do Do Dillard would have John Taylor reports: “I finally have some gathering data! Another San Antonio micro/ been quite proud of our interest and enthusinews worth reporting. This week I sent the mini in November is in the planning stages with asm as we took in some of the wonders of old manuscript of my latest book ‘Ultrawideband Pat Kelly, Chuck Weddington and Anthony world Europe. Aside from the airline flights, it Radar Applications and Technology’ to my Holtry. Tony and I are going to be there for a was a great experience and one that we would publisher. With luck they will publish it in time family reunion/wedding (no, not Chuck’s) 10th definitely recommend. I am attaching a picture for the summer beach reading market and back -14th. From Pat Kelly, “Bill Wray and I went taken of the four of us outside the town of to school. Ultrawideband radar has taken off out to Tucson to visit Preston Holtry & wife Durnstein overlooking the Danube River.” during the past 10 years especially with medical Judy. The Holtry twins plan a trip to San AntoSeptember 2nd was a noteworthy occasion applications including remote heart/respiration nio in early November. Chuck Weddington and at VMI when Gil Minor, among others, was measurement and diagnosis of pneumothorax, I also plan to go there for the weekend with the inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. Proudly, intracranial hematoma and stroke. Other than wives to visit with them.” the Class of ’63 easily had the largest number that, everything goes well here. With the book Haven’t heard a lot from Pete Ippolito over of Brother Rats of any Class present to honor finished, now I can search for bigger and better the years so here’s a catch-up: “My first wife Gil’s accomplishments. He delivered a most windmills to attack and another book to write. was an army nurse stationed in Vietnam at a worthy yet incredibly humble speech, no doubt A very proud Charlie & Lynn Straub write of M.A.S.H. hospital. I met her while in Italy getinspired by Bob Byrd’s rousing support! The their daughter … “Maggie is a senior in high ting some surgical stuff done. We married there best reporter on scene was, without question, school and VMI is on her list of colleges. She and returned to the US where I was fortunate Bonnie Reeder who said “Can’t say enough knows that she is going to get the VMI ‘talking to get a job with the Corps of Engineers as an what a wonderful visit we enjoyed with everyto’ from my roommates Gilmer Minor, Hobbs attorney. I worked for the Army about 4 years, one this weekend. Ken & I were able to catch Goodwin, Steve Riethmiller and Jud Downs earned a LLM in Tax, thinking I wanted to be a some quality time with so many of our friends, yet she is still coming!” Jim Hickerson has tax attorney. Found out that the market was full it was absolutely the best time we’ve had in a been flying under the radar lately due to health of tax attorneys and what law firms were looklong while. Everyone looks so good! So nice to issues. He writes “I have been under radiation ing for were construction attorneys which was see Bobby Earle & Bromby doing what I was with the COE. Moved well. It was fun listening to Bob to San Diego in ’75, stayed with Powell’s tales and spending time the same law firm for nearly 25 with Randy & Maureen Williams. years but moved to my present firm All weekend we enjoyed reliving about 10 years ago. I had 4 children the old days, re-telling old stories with my ex-wife and remarried and tuning into new ones, lots of a few years ago. We now live in laughs. We were delighted to hear Fallbrook CA, a small avocado Cathy & Judd Down’s good news! growing area. I am not sure what Had a lovely dinner Saturday at my next move will be. I have some the Livery with Hobbs Goodwin, opportunities to move on to other Pam Traugott, Judy & Bunny lawyer positions where I will act Reynolds, Bill & Becki Wells, as a mediator or arbitrator. I am Bob Troxler, Charlie Straub and good at it and enjoy it. Duty in Italy Randy & Maureen Williams. It was pretty good but after my tours was the best evening for us in a in Vietnam, I thought I deserved long while, and I think we’d have easy duty. The nice thing about stayed longer into the night were it was traveling all over Europe, Class of 1963: Christi Custer, John and Judy Mills, it not for the Livery staff needthe Middle East and North Africa and Dusty Custer in Durnstein, Austria, August 2011, ing to get home. Had the pleasure on TDY. Ethiopia was the worst enjoyed a Danube River cruise. of a nice, long visit with Gil. His country I was in...terrible poverty

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES and crime.” Pete continues “It is hard to be so far from the flagpole. Pete Brunel got in touch with me and I damned near fainted!! Have you ever entertained the idea of visiting RVN? (mjc: You bet!) I was over there for nearly two years, most of it with the First Infantry Division and after that a 4 year stint in Italy. (Tough duty). The CO at my Italian duty station wanted me to come with him to Vietnam. I told him I had just returned and if he gave me a year I would do it. He was already on orders and was leaving in a few months. Not enough time for me to enjoy Italy. I had a hell of a time getting out of the Army. We wrangled about how much time I owed them and of course they won! I wound up staying an extra year in Italy with the promise of great stateside duty if I stayed in. I left. No job, no prospects, a pregnant wife and nowhere to go. It eventually worked itself out.” (mjc: As you know, Pete, I’ve been there, done that!) Anne Modarelli successfully staged a surprise 70th birthday party for husband Bob. “Bob is doing well. He is still working because as he says ‘I can’t do anything else’ due to his hips/knees/foot drop on the right from last surgery. But I can tell you, he runs circles around me! He NEVER loses his sense of humor and one thing I have done for this party is to invite people he has ‘saved’ (Seriously, people who wouldn’t be here today if it hadn’t been for the Grace of God and for Bob being their physician.) He needs to know how he has touched people. Bob is humble, kind and NEVER lost his VMI honor.” Another success story is Roy Evans who writes “Greetings to all; my sincere apologies to all of you who have sent cards or letters, called, visited, or simply held me in your thoughts since

October 30th of last year. I owe so many Thank You notes that I thought I’d write a letter of gratitude to all of you and try to catch up with each of you in the near future. I won’t bore you with a woe-is-me tale, but to bring you up to date, I had a stroke last fall. It took a week in intensive care to finally resolve itself and for me to realize what had happened. Most of that week I was unconscious or simply being wheeled from place to place having another picture of my brain taken. Pamela was by my side the whole time and her courage and care is clearly what pulled me through. After the emergency procedures, I spent three weeks exercising and sleeping at Community Hospital. Pamela was there 3 or 4 times a day taking care of me and the hospital staff was wonderful. Following the first week, I couldn’t raise my arm, couldn’t walk without assistance and could only speak in the simplest of sentences. Pamela, the hospital staff, family, and friends that visited me were wonderful and I appreciate their putting up with me as I tried to relearn and reassemble years and years of my life. I finally made it home on November 30th and went from six therapy sessions a day to a couple of months of three sessions per week of lower legs, upper body, and speech therapy. My care givers took me from not being able to remember more than one or two plants, animals, or days of the week, to becoming worthy of my Ph.D. and remembering more and more each day. After that I was an outpatient

at Community Hospital training in the same three areas, but once a week now. That was another couple of months and took me from not being able to raise my right arm and walking with a cane to raising my arm and moving my fingers, able to remember people’s names and getting back in touch with my memory. I taught one class with Pamela’s assistance (on line, from home) last semester and am now looking forward to teaching that course and two others in the classroom. This summer I’ve been going to school two days a week and working out at Fitness Pointe three times a week. I’ve regained almost all my arm functions and my leg improves every day. I’m looking forward to a rich, new semester this fall and getting even better than I was before. During all of this I realize I owe so much to Pamela and all the family, friends and professional who cared for me. They got my legs and arms working and repaired my brain, but most of all, taught me how important and complex our minds and bodies are, not just for the necessities, but for the joys of life.” (mjc: That about says it all, Roy; we’re glad you’re back!) John “Rudy” Amos (mjc: remember him?) also surfaced after a significant absence and said, “I just finished reading the Alumni Review-Issue

Class of 1963: Judy Holtry, Billy Wray and Pres Holtry at the ranch, with Judy serving for DRC.

Class of 1963: Pres and Judy Holtry were ready for a parade at their Tucson, Arizona, home in August 2011.

2012-Issue 1

Class of 1963: Pat Kelly, Pres Holtry and Billy Wray in Tucson. Class Agent Mike Curley wondered, “Where are the two other coatees, Gentlemen?”

CLASS NOTES move around a lot and each time we counted 3 and continue to be grateful and impressed by Congratulations and our wishes for a long and we came up with a different number but settled your good work as class agent. (mjc: Aw, shucks!) happy life together, John & Susan; we are lookon 18 new calves. When we reported back to Many thanks for being the glue that holds the class ing forward to meeting Susan at the 50th! Walt Christi and Sharon, we told them there were together. I am still practicing law full time with Kleine writes that wife Karen is recovering 18 and that 2 were in the neighbor’s pasture. our youngest son who left the bright lights of LA well from her recent back surgery. Jimmy Hoge We were told that we were wrong; there were to join me in Goochland. I think it was quite a reports “Mike Smither and I are making plans only 14. About that time Pat & Gwen Kelly cultural shock but he is adjusting well to being to round up as many members of F Company as arrived to spend the night. So all 3 VMI men ‘home’. Our oldest son continues to be a member we can for our 50th. There are 39 of us left, and left on the ATV to mend the fence where the of the firm but he works full time for UVA. A we’ll do our best to have as many as possible in calves had crossed into the neighbor’s pasture couple of years ago I accepted an appointment attendance.” John Yurachek checked in with “I as a substitute judge in the 16th Judicial District finally retired on May 31st 2011 after working – and to recount the calves. Well this time we (Louisa, Goochland, Orange, Charlottesville, 32+ years for DuPont and 14 years for CSC came up with 16, a little better but not the 14 Fluvanna, Greene, and Culpeper) which adds to (Computer Science Corporation). I am truly that Christi said, so while the VMI men were an already busy schedule. We are fortunate to now enjoying my new life style and recommend it to enjoying their beverages, the gals went out, have 4 of our 8 grandchildren nearby...the other 4 anyone who hasn’t tried it! Barbara and I now counted the calves, and confirmed 14! After a live in Pittsburg with our daughter and son in law have six grandsons (no granddaughters), ranggreat dinner and a few more beverages and a (also an attorney). One grandchild bunch of VMI stories, we retired is in college! Judy & I have owned for the evening. The next morning a river home in Urbanna for many after breakfast, Pat & Gwen had to years and that is our destination leave. Christi then asked Chuck if most weekends. I cannot believe he & I could move half of a 55 gal that we have a 50th reunion coming drum filled with what looked like molasses to the pasture where the up...I don’t know where all the time calves and cows were. Of course went. Give me a call sometime and we said ‘no problem’. So we took perhaps we can catch lunch. Rudy” the ATV to the feed and decided (mjc: Great news, Rudy…wanna’ we would just put it onto the back run the bar for the 50th?) of the ATV and deliver it to the “I just finished reading this, so I’m cows. However, after a couple of 5 days late, huh?” writes Lee Spestries to pick up the feed we decided sard. (mjc: Yup, you surely were!) that the job was going to require Dianne & I just got back from 16 the bucket on Chuck’s new John days in the great Northwest (our Deere. This is when the real fun bucket list trip and celebration of started! Chuck wanted to remove 46 years of marriage). We visited the bush hog from the tractor Vancouver and Victoria, British Class of 1963: Bob Powell with guide, Pierre, parasailing and then hook up to the bucket. Colombia for 2 days and then did a over Lake Annecy in the French Alps, September 2011. What should have been about a 30 14 day Royal Caribbean cruise tour minute job took us well over an of Alaska (sailing from Vancouver to hour since Chuck had never done it before, but Seward) and then inland by bus and rail. It was ing in age from 6 months to 15 years. This fall, the two of us, mostly Chuck, figured it out and our first cruise and it was fantastic. That’s our big we are also going on a vacation in the Dominiremoved the bush hog. Then it took us a little news”. From Mike Spencer, my 3rd Class roomie, can Republic with my brother Bob Yurachek longer to figure out how to hook up the bucket comes this. “I received my Alumni Review today ‘68 and several other couples.” but with two VMI men I’m sure there was no This sounds like fun…read on; although and as always went to Class notes only to see doubt that we would succeed. Once we had that my old roomie hadn’t forgotten me. I still it reads like satire it’s a true tale about Pat, the bucket on it took very little time to deliver have very fond memories of my days at VMI. Tommy & Chuck on a Texas ranch! Tommy the cow feed, take off the bucket and reinstall Some of my best memories are of Band Co. and Rountree writes “Sharon & I were going to the bush hog. That evening we had another the Glee Club. I can still hear Battle Haslam ’61 a reunion of D Troop 1/10 Cav, in Ft. Worth great meal and a few beverages and a great singing the lead on ‘Shenandoah’ Remember our TX, the unit I deployed with from Ft Lewis time with the gals and related our experiences trips to Southern Seminary & Randolph Macon WA aboard ship with all of our helicopters for of the day with them….lots of fun and laughs with the Glee Club? I think I may have spent too Vietnam. On our first day April 25th we made prior to turning in. The next morning, another much time thinking about those ‘Hotties’ we met it as far as Gulfport MS so Sharon could lose great breakfast and more talking as Sharon on those excursions and not enough on studies. all of her quarters there! She didn’t disappoint & I prepared to leave for Ft. Worth. The time And who can forget being part of JFK’s Inaugural me, it only took a couple of hours to lose her with Chuck & Christi Weddington and Pat & parade? I will do my best to be at the 50th. Hope $. It then took two days to reach Mount Calm Gwen Kelly was most enjoyable. We did take all the roomies will be there along with Chuck TX around noon on the 27th. That’s when I got pictures but not of the quality VMI requires.” Weddington, one of my roomies from our Rat to live a few days as a ‘cowboy’ with Chuck (mjc: @$)#*%!) Year! The Italian Stallion, Mike Spencer” (mjc: & Christi Weddington. That afternoon Chuck Please remember that our Roster, Class Notes Sorry Mike, Chuck’s banned and can’t attend… took me on a tour of the ranch on his ATV and & other interesting information can be found on just kidding…but we want you there!) as we entered the pasture where he had his the Class website located at www.VMI63.net GOOD NEWS: John Cloe & Susan Satin beef, we decided to count them because they and at m.VMI63.net on your mobile devices. were married June 10, 2011 in Anchorage AK. were having calves. Well those damn things

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES 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 & 28th, 2013! Curleyrat

’64

John R. Cavedo

Since January 2011, we’ve lost 12 Brother Rats from our email list. There may be a couple who dropped off voluntarily. However I suspect that most simply changed their email address and forgot to notify either VMI or me. So, if you used to receive emails announcing news of your BRs, activities, mini reunions, etc., but haven’t seen any for a while, look at it as a clue. Even with Facebook, emails are still the best way to get information out to the class in a hurry. Hurricane Irene was our big news immediately after closing out the previous class notes. While most brother rats came out OK, quite a few saw some damage to their homes/cars and boats. A chain of concern was shared – with the really helpful email list. Immediate word went out and offers of assistance came in quickly. Just another good reason to join the 21st Century with email and Facebook. Both Doug Walker and John Thornton felt the effects of Hurricane Irene, with serious damage to their property. It turns out that the class of 1964 are some travelling fools. Not just referring to the fifteen mini reunions, but individual and groups going all over the globe. If you have the means, and you’re retired, now is the time to take advantage. Some of you have heard me joke about taking two or three SKI vacations each year. That stands for Spend Kids Inheritance. Trips of which I’ve heard being planned for the next year: Can provide details if needed. India, Palm Shores, Florida, Africa, Transatlantic Crossing, another group to Russia, Cruise to the east coast of Mexico, etc., etc. In late August, Sherrel and I drove to Lake Toxaway,in the far southwestern corner of North Carolina to join Butch & Joan Nunnally and Tom & Yvonne Myers. Yvonne’s brother has a three bedroom cabin right on the lake. Her brother also kindly allowed us the use of his power boat. We just lazed about for three days, gabbing, playing cards and enjoying the much cooler mountain air. I’ll admit to all that I was really surprised at how much the life of the party Joan is. Butch rolled his eyes a lot. What an absolutley great time with four wonderful people. By the time these class notes reach you in the Alumni Review, there will probably be a

2012-Issue 1

letter sent out from the Class Officers (Andy Tucker, Ken Dice & Bill Thompson). Planning is underway for the 50th Reunion. There are three separate activities, each of which requires help from each of YOU! The various committees of the Reunion itself, Fund Raising and the New Market Award. If you haven’t already responded to the call for help, do so now. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Lexington or Thailand or even California (much farther away politically than Thailand), with email and cheap cell phone calls, distance is not an issue. For a list of who is already on which committee, give me a call or drop an email. Sherrel and I also travelled to Hawaii with Tom & Yvonne Myers. We spent three nights at Bellows Air Force Base with our son and his family on vacation from Alaska on the eastern shore of Oahu. Tom & Yvonne did some sightseeing while Sherrel and I played with and baby-sat two of our grandchildren. My son, John, Jr took a leave from his command in Alaska. He’s on the promotion list to Colonel. So we’re real proud. After those three days, Tom, Yvonne, Sherrel and I flew to Maui where we had a condo on the south beach for another full week. More card playing, sightseeing and leisurly times in the tropics. Actually we did the normal tourist sightseeing. And Maui is a great place to do just that. Wally Hawkins emailed, “I recently entered the City of Lexington Tennis Tournament and won the over age 55 singles event. Tennis has always been important to me, as it was at VMI. Washington & Lee University has always been gracious in letting us use their courts, both indoor and outdoor. Just wanted to let you know I’m still hanging in there”! WJ Kitchen emailed that “Within a few days of our return from this trip (Greek Isles), we were delighted to haveTony and Dusadee Putamanonda visit with us. We enjoyed our opportunity toshow them around San Diego, as this was their first visit ever here. Someof our adventures included Sea World, a ‘50s Woody Car Show, trip to Coronado and the Hotel Del Coronado, a visit to Swami’s Meditation Garden, exploring Balboa Park, seeing Seaport Village, walking the Torrey Pines Beach and being treated to a fabulous Thai Dinner by the Putamanondas. For those who have thought in the past about joining one of the mini reuions, read thoroughly the description provided by Tony Munera and Lauranne Kitchen: “The Greek Island minireunion began on August 27, 2011. Seven of our group, Joe and Pongsri Chompaisal, Dan and Sandy DeForrest, Connie Gage, Jim (Mary Jo Jordan’s brother) and Marilyn Anderson, Mary,

departed from the US on the 27th and arrived in Istanbul, Turkey for a two day tour. On the first day they toured Istanbul including the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and a stroll through the Grand Bazaar. On the second day they flew to Izmir (the group joined by Mary Jo who had been delayed due to Hurricane Irene). On arrival they took a coach ride to the ruins of Ephesus, St. John’s Basilica by the Temple of Artemis, visited a local carpet market, and then boarded our ship, the Arethusa. “The remaining six of our group (Tony and Barb Munera, W.J. and Lauranne Kitchen and Bob and Barbara Mahiques, Tony’s friends), having missed all of Turkey due to Hurricane Irene, finally arrived in Izmir and boarded a coach to join the rest of our group on board the Arethusa. There we met our fabulous tour guide, Katia Mavrelli. “The first Greek Island we visited was Patmos. We drove by coach to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian and visited the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse. This is where John the Theologian dictated his visions of the Book of Revelations in the New Testament. We then explored the Island of Patmos. Some in our group swam in the dramatically blue water of the Aegean Sea. “The second island visited was Amorgos. We drove by coach to the foothills of the Virgin of Hozoviotissa Monastery and climbed to the top of the 980 foot cliff to see the thousand year old structure full of holy Icons. Tony who has just had open heart surgery kept climbed with the group. Later he said that after this climb the rest of the walking on the tour was piece of cake. Later we went to Hora, the capital of Amorgos, and met locals –everyone in our group received a cup of homemade wine from one very friendly couple. “Santorini was the third island visited. Some of the adventuresome among us rode donkeys to the top of a very steep mountain. The rest of us took the tram. At the top we toured a modern monastery and museum in the city of Fira. We then drove by coach to Oia and saw the exquisitely beautiful city on the cliffs which you see on postcard and tour books of Santorini. Back at Fira, we ate first Gyros of the trip for lunch. “On the next day we boarded a tender to Delos and explored the over 3,000 year old ruins in the island, the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and now only an archaeological site. Later that day we sailed to Mykonos and walked with our guide through the maze of narrow streets, homes built right on the water (Venice of Greece) saw windmills, and a particularly protected fat, pink pelican. “We next explored the island of Naxos. We hiked to an ancient Roman aqueduct, then to a garden with a broken unfinished Kouros

CLASS NOTES (statue of a young man) which was very old. Afterward, we had a home-hosted lunch in the beautiful home of Danae and Nikiforest, a wonderful Greek couple, who fed us splendidly. Next, we hiked to ruins of Apollo’s Temple overlooking the city of Naxos. A swim party was organized, and we rode by bus to a

famous beach in Naxos to swim once again in the Aegean. “The last island visited was Syros. We explored the city of Ermoupolis on Syros, the island considered to be the administrative capital of the Cyclades (Greek Islands in the Aegean), a more European, Venetian style city. Our tour

guide challenged us to a treasure hunt type game looking for facts about an “El Greco” painting in the Church of the Dormition (Assumption). All of us enjoyed loukoumi, a Greek candy, like Turkish Delight, and other Greek pastries. Some of us climbed over 470 steps to see Catholic Church and down again to see Orthodox Greek Cathedral. “We disembarked our ship in Port of Piraeus in city of Athens and took bus to the Acropolis and walked to Athena Parthenon and explored Mars Hill where Paul the Apostle preached to the Athenians. Afterward, we drove by bus to

Class of 1964 Photos clockwise from top, left: -Butch and Joan Nunnally, Sherrel and John Cavedo, and Yvonne and Tom Myers at Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, August 2011. -Vacationing at the Outer Banks, North Carolina, in June 2011 were, from left, Ronnie and John Thornton, Susan and Dick Atkinson, Bill Garber, Walt and Karen Sykes, and Mille and Bill McVey.

-John and Sherrel Cavedo with Yvonne and Tom Myers atop Hana, Maui, Hawaii, September 2011. -W.J. Kitchen, Marilyn Anderson (Mary Jo’s sister-in-law) and Mary Jo Jordan rode donkeys to the top of Santorini during the Greek Isles mini reunion, August 2011. -Mary Jo Jordan, Dan and Sandy DeForrest, W.J. and Lauranne Kitchen, Connie Gage, Joe and Pongsri Chompaisal, and Barbara and Tony Munera at the Greek Isles mini-reunion.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Arachova, a mountain resort and visited an Icon-painting workshop. “The next day we drove to Delphi and explore ruins of the Oracle of Delphi and visited the Delphi Archaeological Museum and later the ruins of the Temple of Athena where we drank from Fountain of Youth and ate Baklava. WJ and Lauranne look 10 years younger. It didn’t take for the rest of us. Afterwards we drove to the site of the Battle of Thermopolis. Those were courageous men. “We then drove to Meteora where we visited astonishing rocky pinnacles that looked like large rocks 1,000 feet in height that had been deposited on the ground. On top of these rocks were a number of monasteries and nunneries. WE visited the Monasteries of Varlaan, St. Nicholas, and St. Barbara. That evening we had an amazing home hosted dinner with three different Greek families in Kalambaka on the foothills right beneath the mountains of Meterora. “The last day was spent in Athens visiting the Acropolis Museum, Dionysus Theatre. and Zeus Temple. That evening we ate farewell dinner at Zorba’s Restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf. A good time was had by all. Overall this was a very relaxing trip enjoyed by all.” Now that was a trip. All that time and amazing visions and time together at a very reasonable cost. Thailand has been devastated by flooding. At my request, Tony Puntamanonda sent the following appraisal of their situation. “Dusadee and I are still all right. All areas north of Bangkok have been flooded. Bangkok is being protected be a temporary dike system. At present we are keeping fingers crossed hoping that they will hold. The amount of flood water, which normally runs from north to south, is so massive this year that it is unprecedented. It is sad to see many industrial parks north of Bangkok fall victim to the flood one after the other. These industrial parks were also protected by dikes but none of them could withstand the raging waters. Bangkok is closer to the Gulf of Siam. The Government is trying to divert flood waters around the city to empty into the sea. Whether the scheme is going to work or not, nobody knows at the moment. So Dusadee and I are bracing for the worse. We live relatively close to the city center. We hope that we will have a warning if the dike breaks. Like a lot of people here, we have a small amount of food and drinking water stocked up (and sand bags to protect our home incase worse come to worse) but hopeful that we won’t have to use them. It will be about a week to 10 days before we know for sure that we are lucky enough to escape the devastation or not. So wish us luck for we need plenty of it.”

2012-Issue 1

Tony added that they had the really nice visit reported by WJ Kitchen earlier. Joe Chompaisal also e-mailed, “My family and I are all OK. As far as I know, Tony and his family are also fine. If you recall the big building on the edge of Chaopraya river which is the Commerce Ministry right on the bank of the river and is about 4 Kilometers from my house. I walk there every morning, and the water level there is still safe. A lot of other people had suffered. Though, I am sure we’ll get through all of this. I know Tony and Joe would appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Also, Joe is on Skype. That connection works like a champ. In closing, you may have noticed that this is a slightly shorter version of the notes. We were asked to send them in an entire month early. And, again, my thanks to all of you who keep me up to date on your comings and goings, your family and your experiences. Especially, thanks to those who send in photos.

’65

Mickey Finn

Harry Bartosik provided this update in August, but it missed the deadline, so he leads off for this issue. “I retired on 13 May and am enjoying the good life. And no, I am not bored out of my skull. Our trip of a lifetime was postponed/cancelled when Lynn went in for a routine CT Scan for her cancer and they found a partially blocked Inferior Vena Cava. She ended up spending more time in the hospital in May than at home. But all is well and at least she is still here. The doctors indicated that she could have gotten on the airplane to Rome but would not have gotten off alive. So, we are looking forward to talking to Bill Ryan, Bruce Herczogh, Easley Moore and Jeff Gausepohl and their wives to find out what we missed on the VMI Italy Cruise. Lynn’s latest chemo has allowed us to start spending every other four weeks here in Virginia and then down in Florida at our beach house in the Panhandle of Florida. My golf game is improving and one of these days we will finally make it over to link up with Vic Tucker and his wife, Kay.” Jan Brueckmann reports: “Connie and I drove to Winchester yesterday (8/10/11) to see Moon Porterfield. We found him asleep in his wheelchair in the doorway to his room. Called the Sergeant of the Guard and had him boned for sleeping on his post. Moon looked and sounded good. Reportedly, one foot is almost healed. His doctors will have another look this coming Monday and make a decision from there as to how much longer he will be

an Envoy. At this point, still can’t walk and is confined to his wheelchair. Chances good he will be able to go home next week. Will keep you posted.” Editor’s note: Moon is home and recovering nicely. Wayne Chiles shares his thoughts on the 50th Matriculation Reunion Party: “Easley, Mickey, Thank you for arranging a wonderful reason to revisit Lexington. The weekend was a winner from beginning to end. Ann and I really enjoyed the meal and time to visit at Niko’s, as well as the street fair on Saturday, but all were just a prelude to the great Saturday evening “happening.” Fine band, the weather held miraculously, and a good time was had by all. The venue was also a plus, and the windshields really kept the conditioning in check. Very well done, Brother Rats, and a sincere thank you. I apologize for being so thoughtless to leave a few minutes early and not do my part to clean up. I’ll try to do better next time.” Nola Lee writes: “Mickey, It was wonderful to run into you in the Raleigh airport. I had a wonderful cruise with my sister and then she and I played tourist for four days in New York City. No one could ever pay me enough to live there, a wonderful place to visit, but a good place to leave. I enjoyed the typical sites, Empire State Building, went up 86 floors, the Statue of Liberty, awesome, Broadway, saw two plays so now I have culture, Times square, several times as we got “lost” trying to find the subway we needed to get back to our hotel in Queens, but we did find it. We rode the subway system twice and I am amazed at it. Someone asked if we had subways in Louisiana, I laughed and so no, we would have to have submarine systems, as our water level to too high to dig for subways. All in all a wonderful trip, relaxing and fun, and an extra bonus to see a brother rat. Bob spoke of you all often and had a special place in his heart for VMI which I didn’t understand for many years, but now do. So, my best to the class of 65. A special group of men.” Thanks Nola for the time we spent in the airport! Marshall Henry reports: “Bob Deaderick and I enjoyed going to the VMI - Richmond football game in September, particularly the second half of the game. Got in good visits with Billy Loughridge, Steve Irving, Donnie White, Frank Louthan ’66, the Supt and others during the second half. Enjoyed an early supper with Bob’s mother, Jane Deaderick ’40. Bob’s dad was a member of the class of ‘40, I believe. Bob continues to practice law in Fredericksburg.” Irwin McCumber who seems to be forever working on Linda’s new house has this update on the progress of the project: “OK - we’re still not in the house yet, but will send you the address to share with all BRs once we

CLASS NOTES finally make the move so whenever they’re in addition to money. these northerly climates and by the time you in Rockbridge they will always have a place So, take care of yourself. BR’s take care of return, your cold will most like have gotten to stay. We’ll be about 15 minutes from VMI. yourselves!” Editors note on the 50 + 5 (The frozen out. A dramatic climate change for a few Linda’s says that I may have been an engineer Class of 1965 + 50). We had 47 responses days often jump starts our bodily systems and but I drive a really slow train. Since we started despite a letter to 258 BR’s and emails to 185 enables us to get rid of hanging illnesses like in March 2010 it is getting a little tiring but I BR’s. While that is an 18% return it is not colds. In my case, I would have to go to Hawaii have enjoyed it and it has helped keep my mind enough to make a program on. Perhaps Lou is or Tahiti. I’ve been to Hawaii and I like Alaska busy for sure. correct – “we need a worthy program or objecbetter.” Had a great time at the 50th matriculation tive”. Send your input to Lou Siegel, Phil Shu, And from Robert Whaley comes a differreunion weekend, and it was really interesting Greg Robertson or myself. ent response to those in Alaska: “Not much to to see Buddy Dalton’s copy of the book we all Michael Carlsen reports of college life in report! Attended my 50th high school reunion signed on that fateful Sept. 13, 1961. Alaska: “I’m busy slugging it out with ‘the last week and saw BR Bob Law there. Got to play golf with Donny Headed south for the winter this White, Billy Loughridge, and Greg weekend.” Editors note: Bob is off Paynter in a little VMI tournament to winter in the Florida Keys! at The Federal Club the day before Jack Mountcastle has been busy the Richmond-VMI football game in the USA and in Europe, serving and somehow we managed to take as the historian on a number of the prize money away from the tours conducted by Matterhorn younger classes who were talking a Travel. He enjoyed a 12-day tour lot of smack about us old guys before of World War II battlefields from the round.” Normandy to the Alps in July and Lou Siegel opines this review of conducted two weeklong Civil War the state of things that is worth the tours as well. Meeting people from ink and the thoughtful review by us all parts of the United States on all. “I missed seeing you and the these historical tour groups is the other gray hairs in August. We were best part of the operation for Jack. helping Irene go by not so peacefully. John Cocke, who lives in The last female that ripped through Lynchburg, is “Looking forward to the area was Isabel and we had damthe Liberty vs VMI game Nov. 5 age from her. Irene got into three here in Lynchburg. The Lynchburg trees around the house, blew them chapter of the Alumni Association down but with no direct damage. Two is providing a beer plus buffet at Class of 1965: Randy Earnest ’66, Jim Earnest and weeks later we had Lee with an in1 PM at the Wingate Hotel prior Tom Crush ’64 on vacation in the Tanana Valley Alaskan Wilderness. credible amount of rain - that actually to the game. Game time is 3:30. I did more damage in a different way: have some extra bed space if any some flooding and washing away of Brother Rats need a space to stay. topsoil. Mulch heals many a ground issue and I crocs and gators’ in Calculus I. Calculus II Go big Red! My four year roommates, Ted and am lifting and moving what feels like hundreds of comes next semester. It is going to be a long Chuck email me that Ted Goodloe is on his way 45# bags. Looking for something to do? year with little to report. As you might rememto Germany to visit his son, and any one needAfter 50 years the mother ship, located in ber, I decided to try for a BS in Geology here at ing a house in Northern VA, Chuck Hough has Sweden, has decided to close down the factory UAF. The weatherman has promised us snow his place up for sale. in Richmond, Virginia, where I reside (or so by tomorrow. We are in the middle of a heat JJ O’Keefe reports he is “Getting ready it seems). The company is on a massive cost wave with today’s lows in the 20s and the high for my 50th high school reunion at Norfolk reduction effort and is closing others. It has in the 30s. But this is Alaska. So that is actually Academy this fall. Six of us went to VMI: Lee factories in South Asia, the US, Europe, and normal for here. It sounds funny, but here in Chapman, Tom Howard, Richard Marshall, Eastern Europe. About fifty-five jobs will Alaska when it gets cold enough and then there Randy Rau, Skip Stirling and myself. As we be lost here, many held by talented men and is a sudden rise in temperature, the “warm air” know Randy didn’t stay very long but the rest women who have worked in this building since brings in more moisture and it snows. Warm of the group made it through. Richard, Tommy, they graduated from high school, some for 40 is a relative term. While the rest of the world Skip and Mary Chapman are slated to be there; years. They will never get another job that pays is concerned about global warming, Alaskans we shall probably talk about both institutions.” as well as they are being paid now. Truly, they are hoping for as much global warming as they Bruce Herczogh has not moved. “I am still are representative of the results of globalization can get. Come to Fairbanks anytime between in the northwest corner of South Carolina and and lack of a coherent industrial policy by the November and March and you will see why. invite any in the area to visit. Lot of people go US. Breakup of ice on the rivers usually occurs camping or riding on the Chatooga River and Joan is lovely and well. I’ve got an attitude. about April or May. I would be willing to act as a home base for We need to talk more about the 50 + 5. I still When you get your next winter cold and can’t them. think we need a worthy program or objective. quite get rid of it, hop on a plane and get off in Jan (the crazy dancer) and I went to the We are smart, have seen and been through Fairbanks, or further north in Alaska. Barrow Coastal Carolina game and talked with Donnie great social changes, been active warriors, are would be especially nice--temperatures can go White. Both of us will be going to the Citadel civil and have something to add to the Institute to minus 90s there, or lower. Spend 3 days in game and hope to see other brother rats. I guess

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES the game will be long gone when this comes out. My son just ran out of gas on the highway! Have to go help him.” Editors note: We provide the latest breaking news! Joe Straub reports “Barb and I are having fun with our first grandchild. His name is Liam and is all of 14 months. He has not started saying Opa (German for grandfather) but I sense it is only days away. Our daughter Ann and her husband are living only 3 blocks from us so we see them often. We will be going to the Blue Ridge Parkway for the leave changing and breakfast on the 16th of October after decorating for Halloween on the 15th. Don’t tell anyone but I park cars with the Lions Club for the Tech game here is Blacksburg. I keep having these reoccurring dreams that I am at early football doing the exercise, ‘bull in the ring’ and the ring is made up of Tech football players. I know what is meant by the phrase, “It builds character.” I know now that I was meant to live in Blacksburg so that I would develop a “great anger management program.” Our son and his wife are expecting this November. It will be a girl and with my son being in the same HS class as Shane Beamer (Frank’s son) and a big Hokie, and Erin a diehard WV fan, there is not much chance of doing a provisional for her. I guess I will have to concentrate on Liam.” From Curtis White we get this update: “I am still working as a volunteer with both the Utah Natural History Museum in Salt Lake and also the folks at the Anza Borrego State Park Paleontology lab in Borrego Springs California.

My wife Mickey and I go to California for the winters to get away from the cold weather in Utah and come home in late April to avoid the heat at our place in Desert Hot Springs, CA. Between Mickey’s four boys, and my three girls, we have 15 grandkiddies and three great gandchillens. We are able to get to the gym about 3 times a week and have started noticing that during cardio it is getting much harder to keep up with those youngsters in our classes. Dad used to say, “getting old is not for sissies”. How true! Hope all is well with you guys.” Concerned about Medicare? “BR Hough, CP sends greetings from his position working on the Medicare Tier 2 help desk fielding telephony and IT related support calls. He knows very little about the actual insurance but can tell you the best times to call to have zero wait time! Hint: 1-800-MEDICARE is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Try calling Saturday, Sunday or after 10 PM. But the best resource is www.Medicare.gov. Go online and enroll in mymedicare.gov. In exchange for a few minutes of your time inputting the prescriptions you take the “plan finder” tool will compare all plans available in your area and point you to the Part D coverage options you might not otherwise know about. There is also a convenient feature that allows you to keep a record of all meds you are taking. When you have a doctor’s appointment you simply login and select the option to print out a recent medical history to take with you to the appointment. No more filling out endless forms!” Thanks Chuck! You sure cleared it up for me!

50th Matriculation Reunion Party

Photos clockwise from top, right: -Jeff Gausepohl and Vicki shared a moment.

McKethan Park Lexington, Virginia, Aug. 27, 2011

-Easley and Alice Moore enjoyed dancing.

Class of 1965

Larry Rose reports that they “Visited VMI on our way to a holiday on Oak Island over July 4th; New Market was just beautiful! Our brother rat Sam Morris (married to my twin sister) continues in his fight with Alzheimers; such a dreadful disease it is. We had a busy summer: married my eldest son in our back yard (the formal wedding will be in December in Bombay) and we’re now closing on a home in France where my daughter resides. Connie and I are contemplating the Big R in June; only question is the year: 2012 or 2013?” A nice note from Frank Sullivan’s wife, Pam is also about their future plans: “Frank and I depart next week on a 22 day tour and cruise of Italy, Portugal, Spain and Canary Islands. Frank’s Dad passed away in Virginia Beach on August 1st and we’ve been dealing with his house and belongings. His service is at Arlington on Dec 5th with full military honors. We have a motor coach taking his friends from Virginia Beach to the ceremony. His house was on the market about a month and sold. We purchased a condo in Puerto Vallarta Mexico after nine years of looking! We will semi-retire from our tour business next year and live full time in Mexico sometime around October of 2012. Frank is very involved in ham operating and has built an antenna for a palapa on the beach! (call sign: WB5-ZMZ). That’s our life right now! 3 Bed/3 Bath so come visit us in Puerto Vallarta!” Wish I had a ham license – will email do? Nat Ward has finished one project and is on to the next. “After 3 1/2 years I have finally

-Greg Robertson and Dorothy smiled for the camera. -Kathryn Wise celebrated her birthday as the honored guest of the class.

2012-Issue 1

CLASS NOTES finished liquidating the stamp collection and dealer stock of Al Magazzu who discovered the US rarest stamp--Scott US #164. It was a used stamp from 1874, and it took Al 30 years to get it expertized as there was no other stamp to compare it with. Was sold in 2000. Al passed in 2007. Now I can get back to my collection from Southeast Asia and writing the first 1/3 of my book on Vietnam starting 1958 when our family was first assigned to Vietnam. The Mekong Education Foundation, Inc., which works in northern Laos on the recovery of US servicemen’s human remains continues to flounder. The Pathet Lao (Communist) worked out a deal with Thailand to offer land, schools etc. to any Humong Freedom Fighters in northern Laos who would lay down their arms. Approximately 1/2 of these mountain fighters agreed and went south. Naturally the other countries were only looking for bodies to guard the drug and hardwood trade. Then the Pathet Lao went into the northern part and drove the remaining Freedom Fighters into the mountains. Thus our Foundation has lost the only and valuable eyewitnesses as to US crash sites in that part of Laos. With no intel, there can be no recovery. The CIA abandoned the Humong in 1973 and the tribes refused to cooperate with US Government until Col. Caristo commenced retraining etc. When his health deteriorated in the early ‘90s, he passed the banner to our Foundation.” Jimmy Earnest writes that he “Had a fun VMI experience this summer. My brother, Randy Earnest ’66, and I and our wives went on an Alaskan cruise and land tour in June and unexpectedly ran into Tom Crush ’64 and his wife. I sent the Alumni Review a photo of the three of us; don’t know if it’ll get published. Otherwise, just playing a lot of golf and enjoying beautiful Colorado with family. Best to all.” Thanks to all who have contributed to the notes! Jane and I send you our best wishes for a very happy and prosperous new year! Let’s start it together with an old yell for ’65! ’65! ’65!

’66

Al Carr Albert Conner 3D a

In my poor attempt to capture what had to be one of the greatest reunions of all time, I’ve tried to get every name and fact straight. I sent out an email with a “first draft” soliciting additions and corrections for these next class notes. Thanks to all who replied. Even with that, I may have omitted something here and so will apologize up-front. I must also quickly add that I deeply appreciate the many kind expressions that were spoken

to me and to Jane at the reunion about our efforts in “class-agenting.” I hope we were able in every instance to defer your praise for the reunion from us to the appropriate BRs/SRs in the first paragraph below. Be assured that Team Lexington deserves all the credit for planning and executing the unforgettable event. That said, I was deeply moved by your approval of my “in-between reunion” work at the dinner. If I could have responded unemotionally to your kind outburst (which I couldn’t have), I would have thanked you all from the bottom of my heart. Woody and Lori Sadler and Paul Maini, with substantial help from Cliff Martin, assembled an event which none of us will ever forget. Although we were literally surrounded, regionally and nationally, by atrocious weather, Supreme Headquarters made sure that only sunshine fell on ’66 and dear old VMI. I tried to assist Heaven by bringing my raincoat with winter liner, two umbrellas, other suitable raingear, and leaving my sun glasses at home – thus insuring 100-percent good weather! From Woody came this important post-reunion message to all: “photos from the reunion will be on line at the alumni website. They will say 1st reunion weekend. Anyone who wants one can order it on line. There will also be candid shots for people to buy. The ladies shirts are being replaced and I will get them out as soon as I receive them. If you have any questions, please let me know. Woody (540) 463-6379.” Now for a summary of our 45th Reunion. In spite of hurricanes; a bad tropical storm; an earthquake; rising waters (which cost Ty Bland a dock); falling trees; drought, fire and pestilence; oppressive heat; and heavy rains all across the United States, the great Class of 1966 managed to get together for its 45th Reunion – or as one BR put it “the 45th anniversary of our escape from VMI.” The main scheduled events -- cookouts Thursday (Holiday Inn Express) and Friday (McKethan Park), parades on Friday and Saturday, dinner at the Marshall Center for Leadership and Ethics, and Memorial Service, all went off flawlessly thanks to Team Lexington. One “unscheduled” event which took place was the impromptu talk given to us by John Jumper (now also on the VMI Board of Visitors) in conjunction with taking our class picture. John provided us with our own, special 9-11 commemoration recalling his equally special talk to us exactly 10 years earlier. In the aftermath of the worst attack on America, the newest Air Force chief of staff reassured us that America was in good hands and that our armed forces were on the case and would relentlessly pursue the enemy combatants. This talk put it all into perspective. Thanks, John. Wayne Gray also added another unexpected (although

I guess we should be expecting it) by one more pass-in-review in cadet uniform bearing the mini-banner on his cadet sword “Class of 1966…Great then, better now.” The Spirit of VMI runs amazingly deep in our ’66 women and we should throw a special prayer for all of the wonderful ladies in our lives. I call your attention to the participation of Ann Cullen, who bravely stood-in for Ray at the reunion. I was especially struck as I talked with so many of our incredible Sister Rats throughout the weekend. I might also mention that they seemed to like you guys quite a bit. Special thanks also go to Lori Sadler and my dear wife, Jane, for manning the barricades for hours and welcoming and helping all with their great smiles and warm hearts. Few knew that Jane had been lying in a hospital bed only 24 hours earlier with an IV in her arm. In this vein, I’d also like to also express our deep appreciation to Carole Green of The VMI Alumni Association for her unfailingly outstanding support, cooperation and directions. Through no fault of her own, Carole did not marry a member of 1966, but she did do the next best thing she could by marrying Assistant Superintendent BG Bob Green ’67. Additional thanks go to those early-arriving BRs who jumped in and assisted with the bag-filling and snack-hauling drills to get ready on Thursday. Woody Sadler, Frank and Carey Louthan, Tommy Harrel, Leon Vannais, Cliff Martin, Bob Odom, Dave Adkins, Mike Burton, Cliff Crittsinger and Al Conner. The latter’s brain turned to glue in trying to welcome arrivals and stuff bags; therefore, I easily may have missed some others who pitched-in. I’d like to next mention a few things about our outstanding class officers. First, we were greatly disappointed that our great vice-president, Clark Reifsnider, had to cancel attending. Clark had not yet recovered from surgery and just couldn’t make the trip from South Carolina. Please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery. As for our wonderful president, Marshall Taylor, and historian, Randy Urmston, I’m at a complete loss to understand what redeeming thing our class did to deserve (all three of) them. They remain as decent and thoughtful men as have ever been my privilege to know. If you noticed the original “ballots” from the “Ramsburg Papers” in the hospitality room, the lame process by which we elected these three marvelous class leaders was glaringly exposed. To think of a bunch of 18 year-olds sifting through a mass of BR blurs and producing three men of their caliber is flat out mind-boggling. Frankly, I can only attribute our good fortune to divine intervention. An amazing number came from great distances to the reunion: Jay and Cathie Wegrzyn,

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

Class of 1966: Those who attended their 45th Reunion are listed in alphabetical order as follows: Ian H. Ackroyd-Kelly, Douglas D. Adams, Hugh W. Adams, John B. Adams Jr., David P. Adkins Jr., Ronald D. Ayres, Glenn W. Baumgartner, Clarence W. Beall III, Joe Birindelli Jr., R. Tyler Bland III, Lawrence E. Boese, John S. Bolger Jr., J.G. Browder Jr., Frederick F. Burks, Michael Burton, Patrick Chang-Lo, Warren W. Channel, Peter R. Charrington, Ronald Y. Clough, Albert Z. Conner Jr., Charles R. Cooper, Jack M. Cooper, Oliver D. Creekmore, C. Terry Crump, R.D. Daugherity III, David R. Davis, Lothar P. de Temple, Lawrence J. DeMeo Jr., Joe C. Dictor, Toney W. Dillard, Steven M. Doles, George D. Dyer, William W. Edmunds Jr., Sam E. English II, Peter V. Farley, Evan R. Farmer, Thomas S. Foster, George W. Gehr, Joseph M. Gesker, Tarleton L. Gillespie, Richard L. Goodall, William A. Gore, T. Wayne Gray, William A. Gregory, Edward F. Guida, B.F. Halloran, James C. Hannah, Thomas H. Harrel Jr., Thomas R. Harvey, William D. Hawfield Jr., Marvin O. Herbaugh, Richard K. Hines V, Donald L. Holmes, C. Jerry Homiller Sr., N.R. Hoskot Jr., Charles S. Johnson Jr., John P. Jumper, David R. Kiernan, Howard M. Lloyd Jr., Frank G. Louthan III, Paul B. Maini, W. Tim Manahan, Clifford H. Martin III, John K. McEwen, Atwill R. Melton Jr., R. John Meybin III, Glenn P. Michael Jr., Edward A. Miller, Elwood M. Miller, M.E. Monteverde Sr., Thomas R. Morris, Donald A. Nemetz, Louis S. Nichols, Ira P. Parkman Jr., William X. Parsons, Kenneth G. Petrie, Daniel H. Phlegar, Charles L. Ramsburg, Carl E. Rhodes Jr., P. Douglas Richard, Robin P. Ritchie, Paul A. Robblee Jr., Charles J. Rothwell, Woodson A. Sadler Jr., R.C. Saunders III, Dale W. Saville, Charles F. Schmaus, P.A. Sensabaugh Jr., Robert M. Sleeker, James R. Smith Jr., Merritt G. Smith, Lawrence W. Swann, James G. Szymanski, Michael W. Talley, Marshall C. Taylor, James B. Upton, Randolph W. Urmston, Leon C. Vannais, Paul A. Wagner, Robert W. Watson Jr., Jay C. Wegrzyn, James L. Whitehurst Jr., David O. Whitt Jr., Spencer W. Wilkinson, L. Randolph Williams Jr., Edward B. Willis, Charles D. Woodward and Sylvan A. Zahn Jr.

CLASS NOTES

45th Reunion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sept. 9-10, 2011

Class of 1966

2012-Issue 1

CLASS NOTES Pat Chang-lo, Lothar and Ilse de Temple, and Bill Hawfield all came from California. Dave Adkins and Randy Urmston came from Washington State. Charlie and Sharon Woodward traveled from Arizona. From New Mexico came Ray Saunders, who also produced a memorable music video power point slide show and personally provided every attending BR with a CD containing the show, downloadable photos, and scans of our original matriculation books (see below). Nick Hoskot and Rob and Katherine Ritchie came from the great State of Texas. Coming from Alabama (minus banjos on their knees) were Larry and Elaine Boese, Joe Birindelli, and Paul and Lynn Wagner (kids and darling granddaughter Piper were also along). Cliff Crittsinger came from Colorado and spent time with the officers of the Class

of 2014 pushing ahead with the Cadet New Market Legacy Award which will be awarded for the first time at ‘64’s 50th Reunion. Don and Irma Nemetz came from far southwestern Florida. Spence and Dorcas Wilkinson, Frank and Carey Louthan, Paul and Joanne Robblee, Terry and Penny Crump, and Rich and Dorothy Hines, and came from Georgia. Rich spent time with the VMI Foundation Board. Rich has picked up the fallen flag from Ed and is pushing forward as Ed would have wanted. Mingled with the happiness was the bitter realization that, just since our last reunion, we have lost: Martin Delaney, Ralph Eckert, Roger Davis, Pat Kearney, Scottie McNeillie, Edwin Hines, Bob Woods, Lloyd Leech, and Ray Cullen. How wonderful it would have been to have seen them one last time.

Charlie Ramsburg (along with Peter Charrington) also has recently joined the VMIAA board. Will we ever forget “The Ramsburg Challenge”? Charlie pushed us all to remember roommates, teammates, classmates. His goal, well met, was to focus on those we were closest to and to lay the foundation for reconnecting. It was also Charlie who acquired the pdf file with scans of the original September 1962 matriculation book entries from the VMI Archives. I should add that Charlie also did a fantastic outreach to the original ’66 Rat Football team, which produced marvelous reminiscences. Great job, Charlie, and thanks also to Gail for sparing you for many hours of preparation and for visiting with BRs in the hospitality room to assemble and judge the “Ramsburg Challenge” submissions.

Class of 1966 45th Reunion Photos clockwise from top, left: -Wayne Gray once again donned his cadet uniform and “passed in review” with the Corps at the 45th Reunion. His banner – “Class of 1966 ... Great then ... Better now” – was encouraging, but none of his BRs managed to replicate this feat. No doubt this was due to the incredible shrinkage of wool through the years. - John Jumper spoke to his Brother Rats at their 35th reunion immediately after 9-11, as he was assuming his

duties as U.S. Air Force chief of staff. At the 45th Reunion, Jumper summarized the momentous events of the intervening decade. He stated that the one constant has been the high quality of America’s fighting men and women. -Wayne Gray climbed the sentinel box with class officers Marshall Taylor and Randy Urmston (Clark Reifsnider was recuperating from surgery and unable to attend) to lead an Old Yell. -Brother Rats cheering during the Old Yell.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES The full list of participants a number of you requested (subject to corrections) is: Ian and Elaine Ackroyd-Kelly; Doug Adams and son, Cadet First Classman David Adams; Hugh and Deane Adams; Jay Adams; Dave Adkins; Ronnie and Sue Ayres; Glenn Baumgartner; Buddy, Jean Marie and Bobby Beall; Joe Birindelli; Ty and Anne Bland; Larry and Elaine Boese; John Bolger; Jamie and Doma Browder; Fred and Barb Burks; Mike and Jessie Burton; Pat Chang-lo; Warren and Gayle Channel; Peter and Anna May Charrington; Ron Clough; Al and Jane Conner; Bobby and Bonnie Cooper; Jack and Bonnie Cooper; Ollie and Nancy Creekmore; Cliff Crittsinger; Terry and Penny Crump; Ann Cullen; Dick and Kathy Daugherity; Dave and Connie Davis; Lothar and Ilse de Temple; Larry DeMeo; Joe and Kathy Dictor; Doc and Dottie Dillard; Steve Doles; George Dyer; Bill and Gin Edmunds; Sam English; Pete Farley and Janice Allen; Evan Farmer; Snookie Foster; Bill and Blythe Gehr; Joe Gesker; Dizzy and Judith Gillespie; Dick and L.T. Goodall; Bill Gore; Wayne and Susan Gray; Bill Gregory; Ed Guida and June Taft; Bernie and June Halloran; Jim and Sandy Hugh Jones made it over from Lynchburg to join us at the picture taking. Hannah; Tom Harvey; Bill Hawfield; Butch and Kandi Herbaugh; Rich and Dottie Hines; Donnie and Pat Holmes; Jerry and Barbara Homiller; Nick Hoskot; Charlie and Anne Johnson; John and Ellen Jumper; Rick and Susan Kiernan; Howie Lloyd; Bill and Martha Lonergan; Frank and Carey Louthan; Paul and Linda Maini; Tim and Sandy Manahan; Cliff and Susan Martin; Knox McEwen and Delores Lee; Ray and Mary Melton; John and Susan Meybin; G.P. and Susan Michael; Eddie and Kathy Miller; Woody Miller; Montie and Susie Monteverde; Tom Morris; Don and Irma Nemetz; Lou Nichols; Parky and Mary Fran Parkman; X. Parsons and Jean McNair; Dan and Kathy Phlegar; Charlie and Gail Ramsburg; Carl and Kendall Rhodes; Doug and Arona Richard; Rob and Katherine Ritchie; Paul and Joanne Robblee; Dave Roberts; Charlie and Sandi Rothwell; Woody and Lori Sadler; Ray Saunders; Dale and Kay Saville; Charlie Schmaus; Pete and Lisa Sensabaugh; Bob and Shirley Sleeker; Jim and Carol Smith; Guthrie and Sandy Smith; Larry and Shelly Swann; Jim and Kathleen Szymanski; Mike and Gloria Talley; Marshall and Kathleen Taylor; Jim and Judith Upton; Randy Urmston; Leon Vannais; Paul and Lynn Wagner; Bob and Nancy Watson; Jay and Cathie Wegrzyn; Jim and Susan Whitehurst; Spence and Dorcas Wilkinson; Randolph Williams and Priscilla Knight; Eddie and JoAnne Willis; Charlie and Sharon Woodward; and Syl Zahn and Kathy

2012-Issue 1

Davis. Several other BRs showed-up during the reunion: Bob Odom made an appearance on Thursday but seems to have disappeared shortly afterward. Class Agent emeritus John Walters (with daughter Jessie) drove all the way from Leonardtown, MD, just for the class photo and parade. John had a big tree fall on the back of their house and was engaged with insurance people. Ken Petrie, experiencing similar weather-related effects, had to cancel at the last moment. And, as previously mentioned, Clark Reifsnider also had to cancel. I know I have some requests for contact information, and I’ll get to them soonest. Several BRs were attending their first post’66 reunion: Ray Saunders; Joe Gesker; and Bill Lonergan. I suspect, but don’t know of others who were attending for the first time. I suspect that you could contact any of these BRs and find it was a terrific experience from their perspective. A special word of praise should go to the ’66 physics majors’ mini-reunion. They reached out to each other and arranged their own “smallgroup” get-together at the beginning of the reunion. I hear from a reliable source that they even re-staged one of their memorable cadet days’ images and I fully expect to see one of those. That get-together, in addition to Charlie Ramsburg’s effort to reach out to the entire rat football team, should be a good model for a lot of us for the 50th. If we could have small-group gatherings by specific majors, or teams or clubs or companies, I’m sure that would have a special appeal to many BRs. The enormously successful class dinner was greatly enhanced by playing Ray Saunders’s touching photo slide show (which included a very moving “In Memoriam” section honoring our Brother Rats who had fallen in battle and died in subsequent years). I hope all of the recipients will find some quiet time to play and reflect on the images again. At the dinner, Bill Gehr recited a moving poem in “a toast to the flag.” We enjoyed hearing the Men in Gray cadet singing group perform and appreciate their participation. Sadly, they were short of Bill Talmans, however. I’d also like to remark about the Sunday Memorial Service we had in Memorial Gardens. Frank Louthan conducted a beautiful service and gave a beautiful homily on remembrance. Marshall Taylor assisted in the scriptural lesson and Randy Urmston read the roll of memory of our deceased Brother Rats. Cliff Martin read a thoughtful prayer provided by Nick Mager, whose church duties in Ohio precluded his attendance. Friday’s parade had included the dedication of plaques on the new “Third Barracks.” The names of the newly-honored Vietnam dead on one of the plaques certainly struck home.

The eleven-fold repetition of “1966” revealed the disproportionate sacrifice and loss by our Brother Rats and by our class in general. In concert with that commemoration, Saturday’s dinner in Marshall Hall focused attention on the Hall of Valor in open view on the floor above the dining area. Many BRs were surprised to see their medals included in the displays. Unknown to many, our immediate past class agent, Al Carr, and some other BRs (I only discovered Joe Birindelli as one of them) had led the effort to procure and display the appropriate (i.e., those with at least one valor award or Purple Heart) medals of our class. Not a bit surprisingly, 1966 had an impressive array of decorations. Considering the vast expanse of the cathedral-sized hall, it is a source of enormous pride that so many of our classmates and fellow-alumni are so well represented. VMI’s citizen-soldiers – if you noticed, General Marshall’s ’901 words at the entrance alluded to American citizen-armies as all were and are just that – have certainly justified the faith of the Institute’s founders in stepping forth “in every time of deepest peril.” Our class has served, sacrificed and given a great deal: by my count, ’66 earned at least 3 Defense Distinguished Service Medals or service Distinguished Service Medals (2 recipients); 16 Silver Star Medals (14 recipients); 28 Distinguished Flying Crosses (16 recipients); 30 Legions of Merit (21 recipients); 102 Bronze Star Medals (73 recipients); 33 Purple Heart Medals (25 recipients); 114 Meritorious Service Medals (50 recipients); 172 Air Medals (35 recipients); and 155 Joint or service Commendation Medals (84 recipients). There were a number of Brother Rats who have expressed their sorrow at not being able to attend the 45th. I mentioned VP Clark Reifsnider earlier. Chief among the others was Tom Slater, who doubles as president of the VMI Board of Visitors. Tom had to be at the conclusion of a long case and knew early he would be unable to break free. He was greatly missed. Also Butch Lazaroff wrote from San Antonio that he was undergoing another serious round of surgery and medical treatments. Dave Whitt similarly underwent surgery which precluded his attending. Please include Butch and Dave along with Clark in your prayers for rapid recoveries. I was surprised to learn just how many of us have struggled with chronic diseases or illnesses at various times. Jay Wegrzyn has fought back beautifully from a stroke and Tom Harrel, Leon Vannais, and Bill Gregory recounted their battles as well. The irrepressible Jay, by the way, is wrapping up 18 years of leadership in his VMIAA chapter! I’m sure there were others – I know Randy Urmston, Bobby Cooper, Jim Guy, X. Parsons, and G.P. Michael all have had tough fights. It

CLASS NOTES was good to hear, directly or indirectly, about other success stories from so many. All seem to understand that, while we cannot fathom why we still stand while others have fallen, we deeply value the blessing and the perspective on life these experiences have given us. In the afterglow of the happiest of reunions, we must recognize that life’s shadows are lengthening and that those who once freely moved among us have now faded from view and direct contact. It is my earnest hope and sincere prayer that each of us will now reach out to those who were not with us and draw them close. I especially beg all those who could not or did not attend this reunion to plan now to return in spring of 2016. We are now on the downward slope toward our last formal reunion. I’m sure you too have felt the speed at which years now blaze past us. This is the time to contemplate just what our class and our school mean to us as individuals. At that, please don’t wait for the next reunion; reconnect now and stay in touch with each other, and especially with your proud class agent.

’67

Jan Abernathy

Last issue, I accidentally dropped a paragraph about our return from the alumni trip, so here it is. Because Joan was able to secure both of our roundtrip tickets to Rome for $162.00 (included all fees!), we flew Lufthansa out of Charlotte instead of Atlanta. Will Plentl is the airport manager in Charlotte and upon our return he had a US Customs agent looking for us by name. You can imagine our surprise (and concern) until we saw Will standing close behind him. The three of us had an hour long mini reunion in the terminal. Then Will drove us to our car in the long term lot and had graciously pre-paid our parking expense. Charlotte is the seventh largest airport and Will brags that is it the most economically operated with per traveler expense of around .75 cents each. Congratulations and thanks Will. In a long conversation with Debbie Touchstone, she assured me she would be at the reunion next year with the grandkids. At our last reunion, Gene cleaned out the PX, buying each one of them stuffed kangaroos … even though not all had been born yet. Debbie said the family still visits the SC coast each fall for beach time. This year they had to cut their time short due to the hurricane. This was not before one of the grandsons accidentally “bummed” her knee with a boogie board in the surf. Debbie says she is healing nicely. In speaking with Vance

Powell he said his Dad was 105 and living with him still. Vance’s son, Vance III, is a nurse practitioner in the Botsford, MI, hospital where Vance is the administrator. Their names cause a bit of confusion in the hospital on a daily basis. Vance says he is restoring his 1967 Firebird and expects to trailer it to the reunion. Does anyone recall the big yellow Lincoln Vance had in Lexington while were Cadets? As I write this paragraph in early October the BRs on the LOST committee have found a number of guys, including Bob Biggs, Win Phillips, Mike Guthas, Lew Shotton, Jerry Stocks, Kyle Midkiff, Bill Hart and Glenn Winstead. One, not named, prefers to remain LOST. And I spoke with one BR who moved to Canada---still there---while we were Cadets. He politely did not want to hear from us either. Thanks to all who have responded to Terry Moore’s e-mail or the letter that went out. One found BR was Jamie Hannah who was essentially just on TDY. He spends a couple of months fishing each year (divided between Spring and Fall) on the coasts of Massachusetts (he grew up in Boston area) and New England. His trips are designed to coincide with movements of the Gulf Stream which pushes the fish up against the coast as it undulates in an annual migration up and then back down the coast. He and Wayne Marshall spent a couple of days together in September and had good luck with the rockfish and bluefish. Jamie is retired from flying for Southwest Air. Jamie’s wife Mary says their move, after Jamie was required to retire from flying, was prompted by their daughter attending Berry College in Rome, GA. Tom and Shirley Mustard have moved to Hocston, GA, to be near grandchildren. Tom gave up his church in Bedford, VA, “… but not my religion …” He expects to fill in on request for any Episcopal church that needs him. Bob and Kathy Morin moved across town in Oak Ridge, TN. Downsizing I think or maybe getting ready for another extended trip to Ireland. Nancy Wojcik contacted us to find RATMAN shirt replacements for Jim. She says he has worn his nearly to pieces (mostly playing golf she says) and needed some new ones. It could not wait until next reunion so Joan (our QM for RATMAN stuff) came to the rescue. Rosemary Whitehouse says Sam is retired from the printing business. They are expecting a third grandchild and spend time playing golf. Kathy Vogel was preparing for a trip to Hawaii when I spoke with her. The children, Jeff and Katie, are both close by in the Oak Ridge, TN, area. Gretchen Fox remarried some time ago. She is Mrs. Jay Stein. I made a point of telling Jay to join her at the reunion. She sent the following e-mail as she was not in when I called. “Thank you for the invitation, which I will put on my

calendar, although it’s difficult to know now if that it will be possible for us to attend. We have been contemplating a trip to Asia around that time, but maybe we can make it for a day. I would love to see people, and Jay is generally comfortable anywhere. He has also met a couple of Brother Rats – Bruce Weiner years ago when my daughter was at SMU in Dallas and Hunter and Cathy Taylor both in Richmond and visiting Boston where we live. Thanks again for thinking of me. Gretchen” Jim and Linda Rountree’s daughter Karen married last summer. She is now Mrs. Benningfield. Linda recently took in the dog of a friend who was going into a nursing home. Linda’s pet died not too long ago and the new companion seems right at home and a good companion. I called Tom Richardson after I saw his photo while thumbing through our Bomb. He was sitting in the front of the old Ford chassis that was in the field at White’s Farm we used to see on our FTX outings. You recall the one, no steering wheel and no chassis just an empty shell with no top. When I asked him about his car interest he casually mentioned he had thirteen cars in his basement…1932 and 1949 Fords. I think I said something like “…is that all…” and his reply was “Well, the other sixty are in a storage building about a mile down the road.” Seventy three antique cars, all Fords. I know Ron Niedermayer has a couple of Corvettes and John Childs has a Corvette and a Mustang. Vance Powell has his Firebird. Does anyone else have more than two “extra” vehicles? Tom retired from his dental practice ten years ago. His partner’s son wanted to work with his Dad---Tom’s partner---and arranged to purchase Tom’s share of the office. I had a nice update visit by phone with Capers Dixon in Brevard, NC. He and Kristen left the SC coastal area sometime after Hurricane Hugo a number of years ago. Turns out he roomed with Richard Stanard, Mel Wright and Glenn Winstead who was a transfer student but in our Ratline. Glenn graduated with ’66. Does anyone have any additional information on Glenn? Capers has been retired for 10 years. His brother, Marshall Dixon, and his wife Nancy, still live in Sumter, SC. Barry Cosdon still lives in Cumming, Georgia and gave me a new e-mail contact for himself. J.J. Folan is still in Norwood, MA. His is retired and has been taking care of his Mom for several years. A recent fall has Mom in a nursing facility but J.J. is hopeful she will make a recovery and return home. I found seven phone numbers for Doug and Donna Fisher in Florida on the internet white pages. None are operational. Doug, please check in! I had a short conversation with Mary Foret. I encouraged her to join us next September at our 45th.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Doug Goodall says he has hardly had time to take time off for nearly twenty-five years…until recently. He bought himself a fishing retreat place in Wachapreague , Virginia, on the Eastern Shore, and this fall spent four days catching Rockfish. He also said his wife Mary is encouraging him to come to the reunion next year. John Gupton and Mary Rose are the proud grandparents of a grandson, Liam Salmon. Congratulations! John also said he had a small eye problem this summer and was referred to the best eye specialist in Virginia…George Sanborn. His eye is healed. Thanks George. Anita Guthrie has moved from Alexandria to her farm in the Culpeper area (17 acres). Her sister lives close by as does her good friend Jim Hughes (Jim was at out last reunion with Anita). She and her sister regularly visit their Mom in Florida. Pete and Karen Wells also have a new grandson named John Wesley Wells. Congratulations to them as well. For a number of years I have had the pleasure of hosting the VMI table at local college nights in my county. There are five high schools here and all have JROTC programs. If your school has Army but you want to participate in the Air Force or Navy/Marine program you can do so but you have to go through some red tape and have transportation to the other school. Anyway, last week provided the best experience I have ever had at such an event. The VMI Admissions folks sent me materials and I was able to hand out nearly everything as the table was continuously busy. The “Don’t Do Ordinary” brochure is a fantastic piece. The ROTC booklet got a lot of attention as did the mailer requesting an overnight visit in barracks. I was able to send 19 completed cards to the Admissions Office for young people seeking to plan their college careers. The best information on VMI for young students is found at VMI. edu. Once into the site, click “Admissions” and then click the large photo on the page of Cadets at New Market that is also called “Don’t Do Ordinary.” The ten minute video is the best informational piece every produced. No sugar coating. There are also a number of other short videos available at the bottom of the page on many aspect of the place. If you would like to volunteer to do a college program in your area, Admissions would be delighted to hear from you. Ask me how to volunteer. Allen de Steiguer was in Atlanta for business in August and invited Joan and I to dinner. His company recently acquired a local business and Allen was here to evaluate and see how to best incorporate it into the overall company. We enjoyed good conversation and a fine Persian meal. Phil Gioia was in town for a reunion with troops he commanded in Vietnam. He

2012-Issue 1

and Mike Bagnulo visited the Ranger School facility in NE Georgia together and were given a royal reception. Phil commented that the current crop of students at the school looked very young. September, Beth and Terry Moore were in Atlanta to babysit their grandchildren while their son and daughter-in-law went to an event in Miami. They hosted a mini-reunion and put on a meal that was just wonderful. J.I. and Brenda Orrison, Tom Coughenour and his lady Betty, Mike Bagnulo (Marci was in Florida helping one of their children move into a new place), Bob and Peggy Flynn and Joan and I were wined and dined and all had a great evening. Bob brought some of his home crafted wine while most of us just brought our appetites. Tom brought Betty on his new psychedelic yellow Honda Goldwing tricycle. Beth prepared the most delightful table of goodies and Terry grilled roast pork loins and made his Mom’s famous cheese straws. Both of them are terrific cooks or, more accurately, they are terrific gourmet chefs.

Class of 1967: From left, Bob Flynn, Terry Moore, Mike Bagnulo, Jan Abernathy, Tom Coughenour and J.I. Orrison demonstrated their VMI Spirit at a September 2011 gathering in Atlanta, Georgia. Marie Waehler writes that she and Jim will not be able to make Ron Lowry’s week long trip down the Salmon River in Idaho next summer. Wharton Ramsey did join Ron a year or so ago and can vouch for the experience. (Ron goes every year) The Salmon River is long and varied in its trip through much of Idaho. I have taken a hot springs bath in the river at mile 276 (I think it was 276) on highway 93 near the town of Challis, ID. I have driven sections of 93 at various times from the Canadian border at Glacier National Park to Boulder City, Nevada and always I am amazed at the many geographical contrasts on this road. Ted and Kathy Jenks should be in this issue with a photo of their home on wheels during a trip to Nova Scotia. The “bus” is huge! They try to take a multiweek long trip to great destinations each year. My e-mail about “Rats at the end of summer”

got some attention. It is repeated here for those who do not have a registered e-mail address: “About a year ago I asked for stories from you about your memories of that first day or so for us in 1963. Several sent in stories and I put them in the class notes. If you did not respond then, please consider doing so now. Your memories are important and I am asking you to share them. If I have a story it is mild in comparison to some. I recall being put into one of the rooms on the Fifth Stoop over Jackson Arch with a blend of other mixed and unmatched Rats from all companies. A bad omen for our group was that Cadre Corporals from every company regularly visited our rooms to find their charges. We caught it from all of them until they realized that if they called out the names of the Rats they wanted, those Rats would come down and the Corporals would not have to climb up the extra stairs. Wharton Ramsey and I complained to each other about all of the interruptions and about the extra set of stairs we had to climb. I do not recall any other BRs in that nest of eventual survivors. In a couple of weeks enough of ‘67 matriculants had departed barracks that we Fifth Stoop Rats were parted out to our actual companies. I was put in with Bob Hess and Bob Ward (Band Co. Rats) in Room 384 in New barracks ( never thought to ask them where they had been for those early weeks). To this day I have never spent a night on the Fourth Stoop. I thought I had done a good thing by managing to keep quiet about my three years at military prep school (I answered “Norfolk Academy” when asked about my high school---which was true before prep school). Bob Hess, on the other hand, was so proud of Staunton Military that he told everyone so our room always caught extra crap. Cadre Corporals were not fond of military high school Rats who thought they knew everything. Belated thanks Bob.” See, I told you it was nothing in comparison to your story. So, I await your responses to be shared at our 45th. Mel Wright, Max Toch, Richard Stanard, Pat O’Brien, F.O. Moore, Ron Lowry and Jack Sheeran responded to the recent request right away with stories I had not heard before. And ladies, if you have a story about your VMI dating experiences, I would expect you to share. I have one already from one of your sisters but if I can publish it I will have to edit it somewhat and change the names to protect some identities I think. No one has sent me any information on the recent natural disasters on the east coast except John Chiles from the North Carolina Coast. His antique cars are fine. The hurricane dropped some much needed rain on our area near Atlanta. We did not feel the Virginia earthquake but some in Georgia did. The tornado in Geor-

CLASS NOTES gia dropped hundreds of trees a hundred yards up the hill from us---broke most of them off 20 or so feet up the trunks. No injuries and little building damage but one neighbor had dozens of trees broken and dropped in a horseshoe pattern around his house. It took tree crews nearly two weeks to “uncover” their house. Jim Wilson says he is looking forward to the evening at VMI in November when the Institute Society Dinner is held. Neil Schlussel has completed another of his trips to an exotic place. “This has been a busy year for me. I went to Panama in March and spent three days in the canal on board a 24 passenger boat. It was great. Also did a bunch of touring in the rain forests including spending a day with the Embera Indians at one of their villages. To get to the village, we had to ride in a very un-OSHA approved motorized dug-out canoe. Another of our side trips was a visit to the San Carlos School where we provided much need supplies for the school, danced with the students after they gave us a traditional Panama show, and then ate lunch at one of the student’s homes. Our worst schools look good compared to the way they have to exist. We also visited the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center, which is sponsored by the Houston Zoo, where we learned about the Golden Frog and other endangered amphibian species. We rode the Panama Canal Railroad to return to Panama City from Colon. Damian, my son, returned from UAE and is now stationed at the Pentagon. He bought a house 3 km from me which is great for visiting Cameron (one of my grandsons). Damian and his wife, Megan, did not waste any time and are expecting twins in early March. Needless to say, everyone is thrilled and helping out in preparation for the BIG event. Somehow, my oldest grandson became a Bar Mitzvah (I am not old enough to have a grandson that old) in September and the next grandson is already scheduled for December 2012. Time is flying, but I am enjoying every minute of it. Still doing lots of volunteer work and working on my next adventure trip. Neil” I received a note from Bob Ward: “Jan – As you may remember, I had chemistry lab on Fri. afternoon. Thanks to you and Bob Hess, I was always ready for FEI. I was thankful you two had gone to military prep schools and knew what the heck to do to get me ready even when I was not present. I have told this story numerous times over the years about my two “military” roommates. I have been enjoying renewing old acquaintances and getting to know other classmates at the “Klink Pinehurst Golf Outing.” We have been living near Hilton Head Island for almost six years now. I plan on attending my first reunion next year. Bob” Brother Rat Gary Maxwell died on 30 Octo-

ber last fall. He had been in chemo treatment after discovering he had cancer last December. Only a few close friends knew of his illness and, at his request, his privacy was respected. Ted Mervosh, Will Plentl, Jim and Ann Phlegar, Johnny Watt Vaughan, Joan and I and Kip Jones (his brother-in-law) were at the service. Jill sent me a lovely note thanking the Class of ’67 for the red, white and yellow floral arrangement … it was beautiful. Take a minute and go to the Class of 1937 notes. There are five remaining BRs from ’37 and a couple dozen widows. One BR is Frank Forsyth, our BR John Forsyth’s dad. The Class Agent for ’37 passed sometime ago and Frank wanted to find out how his friends were getting along. John has stepped up to be their de-facto CA. The trip down memory lane for this father and son is inspiring. Congratulations to both men for taking this journey. I end with the following announcement from Tom Coughenour: “Betty and I will be married on Feb. 18, 2012, in N. Augusta, SC.” This seems to be an invitation. Joan and I will be there.

Tom Hickey

’68

Ron Gallagher

The notes deadline was a month earlier for this edition, so this is going to be a little shorter than usual. Are your ready? Let’s go! In the late summer we got the sad news about the passing of Denny Long. I got more than a few notes but I’ll include just two. The first is representative of what I received and the second, well, it made me laugh. Bill Bragg (Mercerville, NJ): After receiving your email about Denny Long, I used the occasion to write to Les Ridout (Westerville, OH) - the three of us roomed together in 109 on the “Gold Coast” when we were firsts. Denny was a Capt, and Les and I were Lt’s. Les & I kept in touch for a few years, but then drifted. Your email made me realize how tenuous life is. I also got a remembrance from Richard Randolph ’71 via Buddy Bryan ’71, Mike Strickler ’71 and Steve Strickler (Virginia Beach, VA) about which Buddy Bryan wrote, “I don’t know if you remember this, but the incident has become lore in our class.” Here’s what Richard wrote: Sometime during that first week we were at VMI I had my first meeting and impression of the Class of ‘68 Bravo Company Com-

mander, Dennis Long. I was in the safety and womb of my dykes room, the only place a rat could somewhat feel at ease if you had a normal dyke. Dennis Long came in the room to discuss some company business. My dyke, Jim Stirling (Fairfield, CT), told me to say, “Hi, Basketball Head.” I did not want to do this and he told me again to say, “Hi, Basketball Head.” I did so in a lower than normal voice. My dyke continued to encourage me to say, “ Hi, Basketball Head,” each time a little bit louder. The third or fourth time, “Hi, Basketball Head” was pretty loud. Dennis Long never said a word, although he did give me a good stare. I felt okay, as my dyke had made me do it so I figured I was all right. Either that night or the next in the Mess Hall a finger was in my shoulder blades and there was hissing and snarling and loud whispering, “Get your #$%^&*! chin in, you maggot; you are mine now!” More hissing and cursing and threats continued along with heavier straining. “You know who this is, Rat!” “No sir!” I said. “This is Basketball Head!” I said to myself, “Jesus!” I think I was at his staff table the next few days and the target of many straining sessions. Don’t remember any other particular episodes with Denny, however that shaved “Q” ball head and the cover visor about 1/16” off his nose I will never forget. So, I concur with you, Buddy Bryan, RIP Basketball Head! Bill Bragg (in the same email about Denny): “Anyway, here’s an update on me. I’ve been on medical leave from Macy’s since last December - lot’s of old injuries have come back to haunt me (long story, lot’s of surgeries). Anyway, I will be officially separated from Macy’s at the end of this (August 11) month. Other than difficulty walking, I’m doing well and have been kayaking whenever I get a chance (not the white-water dare-devil stuff, but Delaware River, Chesapeake Bay and lots of lakes, streams, etc. in-between); even some camping recently. Most vacations, however, are in Marriott timeshares, primarily in West Palm Beach (I have some for rent if anyone’s interested). My wife Elaine is doing well and continues to do design work for various clients (kitchens & bath installs & remodels, interior design projects, etc). Other than that, life’s good. I’m really enjoying not having to commute in & out of Manhattan every day or fly around the country visiting Macy’s executives running our 800-store organization. It’s like the relief you get when someone stops bashing you in the face! But, I am getting a lot of reading done – mostly detective/ spy/adventure novels along with some Classics and political stuff – and some books I should have read in high school & VMI. Also spending a lot of time lately visiting doctors and dealing with insurance issues, Medicare, etc. That’s a drag … all the paperwork and phone calls take

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES a lot of time. Elaine & I attended a Northern NJ Alumni Association dinner recently where we ended up dining with John Lane (Wyckoff, NJ) and his wife Louise. He’s still practicing law and looks exactly like he has for the past 20-30 years …hasn’t gained a pound, probably could still fit in his coatee. Me … I couldn’t get one arm in my coatee! Wayne Burton (Saint Marys, GA): Carole and I flew to England in May to visit our son. Spent a week in Porto, Portugal at a winery resort and five days in Ireland. Dublin is a fantastic party town. Will be attending the Citadel game on Oct 29 in Charleston. My next-door neighbor and another close friend are Citadel grads. Les Martin (Hanover, PA): Our granddaughter arrived Friday evening after putting Mom and Dad through their paces (Mom probably more so than Dad), labor lasted almost 24 hours. Adam was “coaching” the whole time while Courtney just laid there in bed. Women always have it easier than guys. (Agent’s note: Send those cards and letters to Les, not me!) Adam and his brother have already taught Payton a hand signal and Grandma isn’t thrilled. Everyone is doing well after some rest, so the hard part is over and raising her will be the easy part. I’m sure Pat will have much more information every minute something happens – she is excited. Eddie Swink (Richmond, VA): I just wanted to mention that I was in Lexington on July 31st for my father`s (Halfie) 90th birthday. He is the last remaining owner of the Post Exchange, barber shop and book store of 36 years still living. My mother Margaret, Uncle Red Turner, and his wife Wynn, have passed on. Most people don`t remember that they started the “Big Brother” program. It was designed to help homesick football players feel comfortable by coming to my parent`s home on weekends to get a good meal and relax. It all started with Coach John McKenna telling my mother that Butch Nunnally ’64 was homesick and was worried he was going to leave school. Mother told Coach McKenna to send Butch to the P.X. to see her. Butch came up to the house that Sunday and that did it. As you probably know, Butch had a heck of a career topped by leading the Keydets in the Oyster Bowl against a Roger Stauback led Navy team. By the way, some of our little brothers were Stinson Jones ’62, Andy Dearman ’75 and Dutch Goddard ’78. Not a bad group for All – Conference. George Squires (Henrico, VA) (in response to a birthday post card): Thanks – it was John VanLandingham’s (Eugene, OR) birthday as well. We were separated by a couple hundred miles--Petersburg (JVL) & Charlotte NC & a few hours. I believe JVL is about 5 hours

2012-Issue 1

older, which is appropriately reflected in his more mature persona & character. (Or at least what people think of as his mature persona & character. Someday the shocking truth may be revealed, but America is not ready for that yet.) I’ve had enjoyable visits here with BRs in the past several months--the aforementioned John VL, then roomie Creigh Kelley (Centennial, CO), roomie Steve Hubbard (Maplecrest, NY), Leigh Edmunds (Alexandria, VA) (all those individually), Paul Hebert (Steamboat Springs, CO) & Wright Ellis (Richmond, VA) (a joint visit--no pun intended), & roomies Tom Burnett (Midlothian, VA) & Creigh Kelley at Tom’s home. After the JVL visit, had visit from Skip Roberts (Lexington, VA), then the others. More information on some of these doings comes from Tom and John in the following paragraphs. Tom Burnett: Had a great evening with Creigh Kelley (our last drink was completed at 3:20 this morning)! Then Kitti Sue brought George Squires over at 10 for breakfast, along with a refreshing Bloody Mary, then told stories, laughed to no end and I took George back to his house around 4:30 this afternoon. What great memories we shared and we just picked up where we left off many, many years ago. GREAT DAY for us! John VanLandingham: Was in Colorado

in early July, following my wife to a meeting, and got to have lunch with Paul Hebert and his wife Mayling Simpson in their home in Steamboat Springs and learn more about their amazing lives. Later in July Martha and I and our two kids, ages 27 and 25, walked across Northern England, from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, on the Coast to Coast Path – 198 miles in 13 days of walking from town and B&B/pub to town and B&B/pub. Amazing experience. Son Johnny has recently started astronomy graduate school at the University of Maryland and daughter Cassie has returned to Mali in West Africa to work with the Peace Corps and US AID for 11 months. I’m still working as a legal aid lawyer. Besides the fun fact that George Squires and I share a birthday in September, my dad’s birthday, his 89th, was four days earlier. My dad graduated from VMI in the Class of 1943; his 4-year roommate Vince Thomas ’43, had carved his initials in the window sill of their rat room and those initials were still there when I roomed there our rat year. Also, during the past year I got to see Pete and Patty Farmer (Edmunds, WA) in Eugene, where their oldest son was graduating from the University of Oregon. I will miss their visits. And in November I spent some time in DC and got to tour Rick Siegel’s (Bethesda, MD) soccer empire (which he runs with his daughter

Class of 1968: Attending the Rat Parade at John Crim’s home in New Market, Virgina, on Sept. 4, 2011, were, from left, front row: Hal Switzer and Tom Arensdorf; Second row: Bill Cloyd, Richard Wallach, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, Joe Levine and Jim Polley. Third row: Barry Archer and Dave Clark. Fourth row: John Crim, the host of the party; Gil Piddington; Billy Seargeant; and Dick Wood. Fifth row: Clay Thompson, Dean Kershaw, Ned Harris, Kit Tyler and Larry Ryan. Sixth row: Steve Hubbard, Rev Jones, Chandler Williams, Jay Slaughter, George Sebren, Mac Parrish, Richard Torovsky (Citadel ’68) and John Griffin. Also present for the weekend were: Randolph Williams ’66, Will Robertson, John Warburton and Tom Hickey.

CLASS NOTES Jenna) and then Martha and I got to have dinner with the elusive and enigmatic Dr. William P. Boyer (Dunkirk, MD) and wife Leila and see their restored home in Maryland, 50 miles east of DC; the home has been in Leila’s family for centuries. We also met their pack of dogs -- 4? 5? Who could tell? Finally, both in November and then again in May I got to spend time with and be entertained by George Squires. Mike Malone (Bonsall, CA): All is well here in Southern California. Bob Schmalzriedt (Marietta, GA): I just returned to Knoxville (where I’m on a sales work assignment for about a year) from a trip to N.J. to visit my son Michael, a jeweler, and his wife Patty, and their two boys in PA, then to visit two 1st cousins in Jersey. But the trip was also to rejoin about 35 high school classmates for our “65th Birthday Party”. All of us started school together in kindergarten, and graduated H.S. together. We all share the earliest of memories together in our small town of Cedar Grove. The 60’s music was great; and the banquet at the “Brownstone” in Patterson was terrific. (Most women today relate to the ‘”Brownstone” as owned by the husband of one of the “Housewives of New Jersey”). Anyway, I had the opportunity to stay a night in Alumni Hall at VMI last Thursday on the drive up. At 11:05 p.m. I stood in Jackson Arch and listened to the noise generated from inside, much of which was Upper Classmen getting all over the Rats! I had forgotten how noisy that place could get! Seemed like half the Barracks was yelling. I chuckled seeing a few Rats whizzing by in the Ratline, a few with puffed out chests (female types) and chins in. At 11:30 I backed off and stood in the dark on the parade ground ... listened to Taps ... and watched all the lights go off. Then, silence. One extreme to another. It was very cool! It took me right back into that space, and it took me a few minutes to recover my thoughts and return to my room. I looked back to see if lights were on the Fifth Stoop where Dick Rankin (Honolulu, HI) and I shared so much time. I thought about getting up at 6:30 to see the morning formation, then said “screw that!” and set the alarm for 7:45. I can’t let this set of notes go by without a shout-out to John and Cindy Crim (New Market, VA). On Labor Day Weekend, the two of them threw a terrific party (for what must be the 15th year in a row). In attendance from VMI ’68 were more than two-dozen BRs, Randolph Williams ’66, and an adopted Dog, Richard Torovsky (Citadel’68). There should be a group picture somewhere else in this edition of the gathering. A final note, if you haven’t done so already, join Guy Wilson’s (Charlotte, NC) VMI68 Facebook page.

’69

Walter Judd

Greetings, BRs and favorite people who read my notes! It is fall in eastern VA and a beautiful time of year. Both fall and football are in the air, but we duffers are still out there batting it around. Bob Waldo passed me this update when we played golf together in August in Williamsburg: “I retired from my second job with TEC in May 2011. Son Brett and daughter-in-law Julianne made me a granddaddy for the first time on 24 July 2011. Savannah Raine Waldo is the new child’s name. They live in Fairfax, VA. I purchased a retirement home in a 55-and-over community between Front Royal and Winchester, VA, near Fairfax (in same development as Larry Seekford). Don’t know when we will move but we have a contract on our house with a closing date of on or before 27 Oct 2011; when we move, Ruth will retire. We want to do some traveling within the US; would like to say hello to BRs in different parts of the country, as we might be passing through but don’t know who is living where. Earlier, Larry and I just happened to catch up with David Reid in Myrtle Beach because he saw the VMI sticker and the “19 VMI 69” license plate on my car.” Rounding out the foursome that day were Bob and son Teddy Heely. While we did not win the golf tournament, we did have a fun afternoon. Saturday, 3 Sep report from Jim Long on the Delaware State home football game: “the day was hot and humid, but unfortunately the team was not hot. We are still struggling on the pass defense as well as dropping some of our own passes. An untimely fumble deep in Delaware State’s territory hurt as well. We left right after halftime due to a lightening delay (resumed 70 minutes later). We still have work to do and three very tough games coming up. 1969 was well represented by Tommy Thompson, Bunny Paulette, Ron and Betsy Wall, Dave and Susan Prugh, John and Sallie Sebrell, Tom and Gail Morris, Jim and Ruth Chapman, Art and Becky Bushey, and Beth and me.” Again from Mav after 10 Sep game against W&M: “played the closest game in 15 years. We controlled the ball most of the 1st half. As in about 9 out of 10 games (we are down 7-0), the opposing team comes up with the big play right before halftime to take some wind out of our sails. We looked much better than the first game. In attendance: Jim and Beth Long, Weasel and Ruth Chapman, Ron and Betsy Wall, Dave and Susan Prugh, John and Sallie Sebrell, Dave Bush, Tommy and Nancy Catlett,

Peyton and Gail Brown and Bob and Ruth Waldo. Also, it was our dykes’ (1966) reunion so saw and talked to some familiar folks.” Dave Bush sent me words after the game. He had experience some health issues but was able to travel to the game: ”Had a nice visit with the guys in the ‘69 section with Mav, Weas, Bellies, Catlett, Hagerman Brown, Sebrell, Brother Joe ‘65 and others......been doing good for the last year......my last episode was last August.......I just haven’t had much chance to get with BRs lately because of family stuff.....been traveling to FL, and several times to the Baltimore area. Daughter in Charlotte is due in 3/4 weeks with our third Granddaughter so our trips that way will be more frequent than usual.“ On 16 Sep Tommy Thompson welcomed a crowd to the annual Two Bellies Invitational Golf Tournament. Participating this year were 22 golfers from the classes of 1969, 1972, and 1968. Our guys included Bob Heely, Bruce Gregory, Larry Seekford, Bob Waldo, Tom Morris, Jim Chapman, T. B. Thompson, Glenn White, Tom Catlett, Peyton Brown, Lee Barnes, Doug Marks, Pat Branch, Knox Hubard, Ned Caldwell, Ken Houston, and me. Wayne Harrell ’72, William Irby ’72, and Lindley Vaughan ’72 of Richmond and Jim VanLandingham ’72 from Petersburg played, as did Howard Donald ’68. Bob Flowers could not attend this year to defend his title but sent the trophy back via company mail service, as one of the ’72 reps was from the same company. Efficient, this old GO… Gary Mackey came late and enjoyed the post-golf refreshments and repartee. Bellies stacked his team this year and won the trophy with Chapman, Brown and Catlett as partners (and chief contributors). There was a lot of good talk and kidding about BRs present and missing and good remembrances of BR Fred Smith, a former participant in past outings. Gary brought the scrapbook -- compiled by Fred’s mother and wife --of all the games at VMI during Fred’s four years and shared lots of stories about times gone by. As is our usual practice, Weas sent a gift from our class to the VMI Foundation in memory of Fred. Linda and two sons recognized our gift and thanked us as a group for honoring Fred in that way. When the word went out about Fred Smith passing away, BRs responded with best memories and great stories. Thanks to all for your contributions. Fred’s wife Linda saw many of those comments and rejoiced with us as the tales were spun. The following BRs sent kind remembrances of Fred and his character: Bruce Gregory, Charlie Bryan, David Bush, Doug Marks, Jim Baker, Glenn Hamond, Bob Flowers, Frank Easterly, Gary Mackey (who delivered the eulogy at the memorial service),

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Marty Parks, Hugh Hopkins, Spunky Butler, Jay Hoenig, Jim Chapman, John Zunka, John Edenfield, Joe Flanz, Jamie Totten, Bob Ladd, Ken Fleming, Marvin Fayman, Rick Morris, Al Kaliski, Paul Curs, Tom Buckner (who attended the memorial service), Tom Morris, Ward Carr, Wayne Keesee, Bill Ellerman, Glenn White, Bob Waldo, Thornton Newlon, and Win Winfree. All I can say is for a bunch of old guys, you really do remember a lot of funny incidents. High School football games, Barracks shenanigans, Army tales, and newlywed stories all came out of the woodwork. Really good stuff. Thanks to you all for sharing. Bob Heely, as a duly elected class of ’69 officer present at the golf outing, was called on to right a perceived long-standing wrong. Although Bob claimed otherwise, he heard the rats in the class of 1972 suggested they had never been let out of the rat line by the class of 1969. Supe and Administration, yes; class, no. So Bob did what he thought had been done years before, he officially proclaimed the rat

mass “out of the rat line and officially a class”. Nice to know this act has officially laid to rest a long-lasting problem. Welcome to the alumni ranks, members of the class of ’72! Courtenay and Ellen Welton are in school again. They took a 66-day trip on the Semester at Sea sailing vessel in the Med this summer. They visited among others Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Bulgaria, Istanbul, and Casablanca before heading back home. “We are taking classes with 675 college students and taking field trips at most ports. Having an enjoyable and enriching time.” Tom and Elizabeth Jones spent some late summer time in Italy, “we are in Italy ready to head home tomorrow [5 Oct]. We have been here two weeks in Tuscany enjoying the wine, food and scenery. I attended the Jonathan Daniels pilgrimage in Hayneville, AL, in August. I submitted a report for alumni news.” (Editor’s Note: See the Institute section of this issue for more about Jones’ visit to Alabama.) Ron Wall wrote, “I retired from NC State government on 1 September. Now I can make

sawdust and, as did Candide, cultivate my garden. I stay very busy all day every day, have lost 13 pounds, and think I may have to go back to work to get some rest. All is well here. Looking forward to attending the Football game against the Beach Chickens this coming Saturday [8 Oct].” I joined him up with LR and Barbara Williams who spend several months each year at their home in Myrtle Beach. Clint Spencer checked in with a short book review, “Will wonders never cease! How about a book review from a CE that took three tries to pass Rat English. I noticed in a recent issue of the Alumni Review a book by Donald H. Wills ’40 called The Sea Was My Last Chance. I was interested because, besides, being an alumnus, he was a native of Lynchburg and served in the Pacific (as my dad did) during WWII. If you and/or our other BRs have not read the book, I would recommend it. The Institute is barely mentioned, but his account of the activities involving his capture, escape, uniting with the Philippine

Tommy Thompson’s Two Bellies Invitational Golf Tournament Petersburg, Virginia, September 2011 Photos clockwise, from top left: - At lunch before golf were, at the near table, from left, Larry Seekford, Pat Branch, Tom Morris and Walt Judd. At the far table were Tommy Catlett, Peyton Brown and Lee Barnes. - Jim Chapman practicing putting. Note the red, white and yellow shoes inscribed with “VMI 69” on the heels. - In front, winning team members Peyton Brown and Tommy Catlett held the trophy. Jim Chapman and Tommy Thompson completed the winning team. In the picture are players from classes of ’68, ’69 and ’72.

Class of 1969

2012-Issue 1

CLASS NOTES resistance and co-coordinating the return of MacArthur’s forces, is detailed and far from boring. It is another reminder of the heroes that our fathers, uncles, cousins, and neighbors from that generation were.” Thanks, Clint. Don Mercer attended a Nikon photo workshop and sent pictures of the Grand Tetons taken in early October. He really is good with that camera of his. He captured beautifully scenes of the great American West complete with bison and moose. He even saw a dusting of snow to add more realism to the already magnificent scenery. Good work, Mr World Traveler. The photo he sent of himself at work (taken by a cohort) showed more of his camera than his face! Unfortunately Bena Day was cancelled this year. Usually set for the last Sunday before Labor Day at the thriving bay-side home of WIP and Barbara Priest, Bena Day is WIP’s day for gathering family and friends (many with VMI connections) over for steamed crabs and good conversation. If you look for Bena on a map, you will need to start at Gloucester Point, VA, on the north bank of the York River and move northeasterly towards the Mobjack Bay. WIP’s plans were dashed when Hurricane Irene decided to come slightly early to his party and no one was sure they could get there and back. While the tree damage was highly visible this time, few lost their lives to the strong winds and rain in our area. BR Lloyd McGrady has retired, retired. First AF and now SAIC. “As many or most of you know, I am retired from SAIC as of 16 September. For those who need to get in touch with me, my new email address is lloydwmcgrady@ comcast.net.” Mike Harper is still trying to keep fit. “Thanks for the [birthday] card. I managed 25 miles on my bike that day…” Not bad for a man eligible to be a Social Security recipient. Don Nelson must be a historian in a former life. He discovered in old files his summons to the RDC. “17 Feb 1966. Violation of Rat restriction, i.e. being late off the stoop for BRC. Signed R.M. Blanks”. BR Nelson met the RDC at 2330 on 23 March [same year]. Wonder what President of the Alumni Association Blanks ’67 would say today? I think I have told everyone connected to VMI that our class has two members in leadership positions right now. Bunny Paulette and Bob Heely now lead the Keydet Club and the Alumni Association for the next year or two. One of Bunny’s first acts was to start a Gridiron Club to highlight football team activities. Coach Sparky Woods and Robert Crumpler ’07 of the KC send frequent updates via email and give inside stories related to the practices and the games. I must thank you all for joining up and

giving our class some good attention. Ron Wall even fussed with me to do more to get members to sign up back in late August. Supporting BR Bunny was a good activity for our class and helped kick off the football season. I have not yet heard what Bobby is up to yet with the AA, but I am sure we will soon. Via LinkedIn, I discovered that John Edenfield in Stockton, CA, has an interesting endeavor. He stated he is Coordinator, Leadership Development at Quail Lakes Baptist Church. He must find the job fulfilling as he has done it for the last 10 years. When Bob Alexander’s father died this summer, several BRs came to his side to pay respects and honor the work Bob and Susan had done in recent months. Moving his 90-year plus parents to a senior adult community and selling their former home had been a big operation for the two. And then Bob’s dad died suddenly. I know many of us have gone through that very process but it was a tough time for the couple just the same. Keep me posted, BRs, on significant events in your lives. Send email or communicate via social media sites. I do check in with them occasionally but I am not a daily reader. If you are not hearing from me, you need to send me your latest address info. Send to me or to VMI AA. Keep on supporting VMI in any way that makes sense to you. Bunny and Bobby certainly want your help in their endeavors so be generous with your time or your money. In the Spirit, Walt.

’70

Warren Grasty

Due to the early submission deadline for this issue of Class Notes, the content is a little thinner than usual. After the recent earthquake, tornados and flooding in the area, and with physicists now saying that, contrary to Dr. Einstein’s theory of relativity, sub-atomic particles can indeed exceed the speed of light, I am increasingly concerned that this early submission is a hedge against the world coming to an end. As a precaution, I am typing as fast as I can. Before the Delaware State football game on September 2nd, I had the pleasure of joining Nancy Cabaniss, Don Crawford and Penny and Chuck Wills for lunch at the recently reopened Southern Inn. Let’s just say that the back room isn’t quite the same as it was back in the day, most likely at the behest of the Lexington Sanitation Department. The start of the second half of the game was delayed by about an hour due to lightning in the area. This provided

ample time to totally deplete the impressive tailgate spread so graciously provided by Lew and Judy Reynolds all the way from Cary, NC. Joining the food fest were John Bailey, Herb and Susan Braun, Tom and Jill Cooke, Ralph and Marsha Costen, Don Crawford, Bill Gearhart and brother Jim ’71, Bill O’Connor and Kent and Judy Schlussel. And speaking of football, Dick Knight writes in to say that he hears from fellow Tennessean Russ Quay occasionally. Reportedly, Russ is considering returning to The Institute and suiting up if the Keydets don’t continue to improve. He still has two years of eligibility left, you know. What the heck, it couldn’t hurt. The team, that is. While on a tour of colleges in the Northeast with daughters Lila and Emily, Bill and Barbara Scherer visited Turner and Kathy Scott in Newport, RI and spent some time on Turner’s yacht. Fortunately, they left just before Hurricane Irene arrived and sent a tree through the Scott residence. Bill also forwarded an excellent picture from 1967 of some Bravo Company BRs reveling after a successful mission to dump the hay rolls of select Bravo Company Thirds into the sinks. And who says VMI isn’t a party school? (NOTE: This picture is being withheld as fodder for a “Name That Rat” competition to be held at our 45th Reunion. Please feel free to forward any Rat Year pictures you might have stashed away that can be used for this noble effort.) Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene also wreaked havoc on Ned Haley’s newly renovated home in Richmond less than a month after he and Fricka moved in. A huge oak tree plowed into their roof and took out their entire second-floor porch, crushed a dormer, damaged a chimney and cracked some interior plaster. Fortunately, no one was hurt, the bar was unscathed and insurance should cover the repairs. Needless to say, they are hoping for a much less eventful year in 2012. Ned attended a lunch at his old high school in Lynchburg and ran into J.C. Hanks and Jack Thompson ’67, whom they both dyked. Also doing the college tour thing in the fall were Gordon Williams and daughter Jessica, who is a senior in high school in Illinois. Since Gordon couldn’t convince/bribe/threaten Jessica to consider VMI, they opted to check out William & Mary and did the whole Colonial Williamsburg deal while they were at it. Staying with the history theme, Howie and Barbara DeWolf gave their daughter and her five children a tour of New Market on one of those near perfect days that we occasionally get in the fall. They had also planned to show their son and his six children around VMI, but one of the young ones became ill and they had

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES to postpone the trip. Howie, can you give me a ing sad story from New London, NC, which, as the case so I can right the record. Inquiring heads-up before your next family reunion so I everyone knows, is between Misenheimer and minds need to know. can buy hamburger meat before it is sold out? Palestine, NC. It seems that Barbara had rotator September closed out with the annual golf In mid September, Tom Cooke, Herb Braun cuff surgery in the spring that required five outing on the Outer Banks hosted by Charlie and several friends went to Costa Rica for a months of rehab. To Ted’s chagrin, housework Walker at his beach home in Corolla, NC. week to fish and generally create mayhem. is not considered rehab, so he had to spring In attendance were John Bailey (winner of From the pictures Herb forwarded, it appears into action, proving once again that the threat this issue’s Multiple Mention Award), Gray they were successful on both counts. of starvation is an excellent motivator. After Chandler, Jim Mawyer and yours truly. Another fisherman of note, Mike Snead, months of sweat and toil running the household, Charlie’s renowned Brunswick stew, with just chimed in from Smith Mountain Lake, VA he happily reports that he has returned to his a pinch of Tabasco, provided ample sustenance where he and Suzanne own the Virginia Outrightful position on the couch in front of the throughout the weekend. The same cast of doorsman fishing & hunting retail and guide TV. Barbara’s recovery must be pretty complete characters reappeared in Richmond the followbusiness. In early October, they closed up shop since they just returned from vacation in Napa ing weekend, along with their wives, to attend for the winter to spend more time with their Valley. They think they had a good time, but the wedding of Jim and Judy’s son, Todd and family and to let Mike actually go fishing and due to dawn to dusk wine tastings, perusing bride Meredith. hunting for relaxation. Mike’s parents, BG their AMEX statement is the only way they Earlier in the summer, John Boy (there he (retired) George and Kitty Snead ’43 live in can figure out what else they did there. In late is again!) and I caught up with Dave Schmidt Lynchburg. Oldest son Brian, wife Lori and October they will be taking an Eastern Mediterfor a rain-shortened round of golf before Dave their two children live in New Jersey, while ranean cruise with several neighbors. The cruise headed back to Akron to help look after his twin sons Christian, with wife Amy and their originally included stops in Egypt, Greece, mom. Dave continues to milk Symbolics’ two children, and Aaron, with wife Heather, Turkey and Israel, but Egypt was removed from remaining federal contracts for all they are live in Bedford and Williamsburg, respectively. the itinerary due to the unrest there. I wouldn’t worth, which helps defray his penny stock Mike says it is hard to believe they have been hold my breath for Greece either, Ted. transaction costs. on the Lake for eight years, which is the longest My mention a while back about Tom HalliQuite a few Saturday mornings this fall were they have ever lived in one place. He sees the day and me dyking Larry Wertz ’67 prompted whiled away on the golf course with Reed Hedoccasional BR around the Lake, including Peter Knowles to email from sunny Florida to dleston and friends as Reed careens towards Bill Richardson, who reportedly is quite into brainstorm about who else dyked in that aweretirement. Not to disparage his golf swing, but paddle boarding, which is not to be confused some room, which included Hill Ellett ’67, it has more moving parts than a Slinky. with water boarding. Also dropping by were Tommy Hancock ’67 and Bob Randolph ’67. On a much more serious note, Phil Jornlin is John Bailey and brother Carl, who have nearly Peter not only dyked Bob, he married Bob’s still in Iraq managing security at US Embasperfected their technique for dynamite fishing. first cousin, Brantley, who is the daughter of sies there and awaiting the pull out of US As it happens, Carl is a musician of some Stuart Bolling ’44. Peter and Brantley recently forces. The main concern is whether the Sunrepute who lives in Staunton and occasioncelebrated their 41st wedding anniversary, nis and Shiites will subsequently be shooting ally runs into Buck Talley at music venues in and it turns out that their son Bolling is good at each other or at him. Keep your head down, the area. Sadly, Buck will soon be putting his friends with Tommy’s son Chip. Our feeble Phil and let us know how things go. music career in the Valley on the back burner. memories clearly recall Chuck Marks and News Flash! The Casa de Copty on It seems that he and Emily are preparing to George Ritko also dyking in that room, but we Daufuskie Island, SC should be just about re-launch their sailboat in April and then live on both have a nagging feeling that we are misscompleted by now, so that’s where Bob it for a year or two. Current plans are to cruise ing someone. So please let me know if that is and Susan Copty can be found when given the Chesapeake Bay for a couple the lamest excuse to get out of of months, then sail up to Maine Roanoke. Bob survived the breathfor the summer (i.e., July 1st – taking experience of selecting 8th) and from there head to the furniture, fixtures and accessories Bahamas for the winter. Sounds to by repeatedly invoking the Married me like a lot of time and effort just Man’s Chant, “Yes, Dear”. As you to save a buck or two on airfare, may know, there is no bridge conso to speak. In any case, Buck is necting the mainland and Daufuskie just the latest on the growing list Island, so they should be relatively of BRs who have been bit by the safe from freeloading riffraff. But sailing bug, which includes Gene if I were Bob, I would be very wary Freedman, Jack Kern and Turner of BRs with sailboats. Scott. Jack Kern sent in a photo from Another Staunton matriculant the Association of the US Army’s and fellow Tweet intramural footdinner meeting on October 12th in baller, Jerry VanLear, checked in Washington, D.C. Photographers to say that retired life is good, and are Bob Candido, Jim Owens ’79, that he and Beverly are enjoyKevin Henderson ’99 and Jack. ing having more time to spend Now see if you can follow this Class of 1970: Lila, Emily, Barbara and Bill Scherer with their grand children in the trail of bird seed: Bob was Jim’s with Turner and Kathy Scott at the Newport Yacht Club, Richmond area. TAC officer and both later served September 2011. Ted Durvin relates the followtogether in VII Corps, Kevin was

2012-Issue 1

CLASS NOTES Jim’s aide-de-camp, and Jim was Jack’s G3 in Iraq. And the hip bone’s connected to the thigh bone. Not to be outdone, Russ Marshall also attended this event and reported that the Cadets manning the VMI booth swore that they were not just there to work off penalty tours. Having flashbacks are we, Russ? Moving right along, I am proud to announce that Bob Hawthorne is now conductor of the Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Band. Being the ever multi-talented one, he sometimes even plays while conducting. This announcement follows an angst-riddled period when Bob feared he would have to share conducting duties with another band member and, as a result, be considered merely a semiconductor. Upon learning about Bob’s ongoing musical endeavors in a previous Class Notes, Glenn Kuntz chimed in to ponder if any other BRs from Band Company still play an instrument, noting that some couldn’t actually play back then. Nice talking with you, Glenn. Getting back to Hayroll, he continues to toil away at Martinair, which recently added flights servicing Roanoke. According to Bob, Martinair provides charter jets for ferrying, among other things, union bosses and body parts for transplant patients. Wait a minute! I think I finally figured out what happened to Jimmy Hoffa! Meanwhile, daughter Heather is due to present Bob with another grandchild in November. Since her husband is from the London area, the baby will be named London Brougham. Fortunately for the kid, Dad isn’t from Misenheimer. Quite a few BRs responded to my email containing the “Handbook for Entering Cadets” from 1965-67 that Steve Craddock so professionally digitized. (Note to BRs not on the Class email list: See what you’re missing?) Respondents included Matt Curtis from Prescott, AZ and Craig Lewis from San Jose, CA. Craig’s son is graduating with a degree in aeronautical engineering and hoping to “land” a job somewhere in the aeronautics industry. Dick Knight noticed that John B.C. Hill’s father, Chandler Hill ’27, was listed as president of the Ypsilanti, MI Alumni Chapter. Dick recalled that during the three years they roomed together, John received a letter from his Dad every week. Pretty amazing stuff! And from Elizabethtown, KY, former summer school roomie Chip Humphrey certified that he and Debi will be making their way to some VMI sporting events now that he is officially retired. In an attempt to be in tip-top shape for retirement, Chip had his hip replaced last February, so he can now break dance with the best of them. Earlier this year, he stopped by The Institute during a business trip to the area and was very impressed with all of the facili-

ties improvements, most notably Gray-Minor Stadium, home of the Keydet baseball team, which, along with Paulette Hall, are topnotch facilities. I also received an email from Dave Lawrence, who is still with Lockheed-Martin in California. He and Pam had an eventful year with their eldest son’s wedding and graduation from Arizona State University. Dave says that Pam will finally allow him to retire next year after their younger son graduates from San Francisco State. He recently spoke with Dave Trenholm, who is still in Newport News, and with Dave Price, who has recently moved back to the Tampa area from the Georgia mountains, a sure sign that he must be a converted flatlander. Dave also spoke with Bob Grossman who gave all appearances of being retired- vacationing at their family place in Montana while Tari toiled away as a judge in Ventura, CA. Their next major milestone appears to be getting their son through high school. Dave has heard that Jeff Guild is somewhere in Eastern Europe, but is not sure. So Jeff, please give us a sit rep when you can. And last but certainly not least, congratulations to Ralph Costen, who justifiably received the Keydet Club’s Spirit Award at halftime of the Charleston Southern football game on October 15th. According to Steve Craddock, Ralph coined a new word during his acceptance speech, describing his VMI experience as “mastical.” Steve intuited that this was a combination of magical, mystical and Jack Daniels. Which I intuit left the crowd stuporfied. That’s probably about all you can handle for now, so I’ll shut up. I hope 2012 is off to a great start for everyone, and please let us know when you are up/down/over our way. In the Spirit!

Class of 1970: Gordon Williams with his daughter, Jessica, while visiting the College of William & Mary in September 2011.

’71

James Kelly

These notes cover the period between Aug. 15 and Oct. 17. This set of notes is being composed a little ahead of our “normal” schedule due to a change in the publication date for the next edition of the Alumni Review … so if you were planning on sending me some last minute updates on the latest events in your life, then please do so anyway … they will just be a little longer in being published. As your Class Agent, I can only commend the staff at the Review for the great job they are doing. Our Alumni Review is without a doubt one of the finest publications of its kind, and we are fortunate to have the quality people who work on our behalf to make it happen every quarter of the year. We have had an interesting summer with the extremes in our weather. I mentioned in the last notes about the terrible situation in Texas with the lack of rain and I don’t think things have changed much in their favor since then. Fall is settling in here in Virginia with some absolutely beautiful days and crisp nights. The foliage should be some of the best that we have seen in recent years. If I could pick a perfect time to be in this part of the world, it would probably be now … we are very fortunate to live in this part of Virginia. As I recall, some of the “Good-ToMe” group pointed out the beauty of the trees on campus during the fall of our Rat year and then reminded us that when the leaves came out again in the spring that we would still be in the Ratline … and I believe that we probably were. Forty-four years ago, my friends, and it still seems like yesterday. Last August, Kathryn and I had the good fortune to spend some time at Emerald Isle, NC, with Chuck and Veronica Fox and our grandchildren, Lauren (’26) and Ryan (’27). As luck would have it, Hurricane Irene came up the East Coast during the same week and we had to make an early departure. But, in the “small world” scheme of things, one David Ellington ’02 spotted my vehicle (VMI tag and Keydet Club sticker….pretty obvious) in the parking lot of our condo and left his business card with Chuck. Since the island was being evacuated and he could not check in, David tried to go over to Topsail Beach, NC … as if Irene would just ignore that area, but that did not work out either. This young Mr. Ellington is the son of our BR Zeke Ellington and was also dyke to Paul Bryan ’05, son of Buddy and Carol Bryan. I honestly don’t think Kathryn and I have ever been anywhere that somehow VMI people have not popped up.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES The Southwest Virginia Chapter of ’71 (Young) Alumni held an outing at historic Calfee Park in Pulaski, VA on the 14th of August. This ballpark is the second oldest baseball venue in the US and provided a great setting for the evening. Buz Booker was able to arrange for the group to be seated in the VIP Box of the Town of Pulaski as the honored guests for the evening. We enjoyed traditional baseball fare of hotdogs and crackerjacks, as well as a great evening of fellowship. On hand for the event were Buz and Jan Booker, Rick and Bev Littleton, John and Elle Saunders, Jim and Kathryn Kelly and Jim Gearhart. Buz and John also gathered in foul balls to make the evening even more “baseball” like for them. Lanny and TS Gault vacationed at Singer Island, FL in August prior to getting back to work and the upcoming football season. Lanny is a familiar sight at many VMI games and is often seen with Ned Mikula. Ned had knee surgery at the end of August and was on the GIM for the early part of the season. Lanny reported that Dave Kennedy was retiring on Sept. 1, 2011. Dave will then be free to “move about the country” in an unrestricted fashion and will be a force to be reckoned with. I received a rare communication from Jeff Carver (who was Jeff Peters during our cadetship). Jeff wanted to let it be known that on the VMI website that we can now access old editions of The Cadet newspaper in PDF. If you want a piece of the “old corps”, then I encourage you to check it out for some interesting tidbits of how life as we knew it then seemed to be. Jeff also reminded us of his less than famous nickname of “Dirtball” for which he gives the credit (or blame) to Ken Piernick. Labor Day weekend was the opening day of the 2011 football season for the Keydets. We played Delaware State in Lexington on a very hot afternoon. The game … which VMI perhaps should have won … was interrupted in the second half by thunder and lightning (not from our offense) and was delayed for about an hour and a half. The stands were evacuated and people were forced to move to Cameron Hall or to their original tailgate sites until the game resumed … you may be able to guess where the ’71 group was gathered. I rode up to the game with Jim and Bill Gearhart and we were joined by a good turn out of ’71. Rick Littleton, John Paton, and Dave Honeywell participated in the annual “Ride to The I”. Also on board for the day were Sam and Spring Kirby, Buddy and Carol Bryan, Dave Kennedy, Lanny Gault, John Metzger and Mike Strickler. The Keydets played host to the Tribe of William and Mary on the weekend of 10SEP11 and our team showed some improvement over the first game against Delaware State, but lost 28-7.

2012-Issue 1

It was, however, described as a “great day to be in Lexington”. Among our support group were Lanny and TS Gault, Oscar Padgett, Zeke and Jane Ellington, Paul (The Mayor) and Beth Fraim, Bryan and Strickler. On the 14th of September the SWVA Alumni Chapter again convened for dinner and “serious” conversation at Sal’s Restaurant in Radford, VA. Our distinguished members included John and Elle Saunders, Bruce Rush, Buz and Jan Booker, Jim and Mary Gearhart, Rick and Bev Littleton, Jim and Kathryn Kelly and Herb Whitley. The group members tentatively scheduled a football outing at VMI in November with the intention of having sort of a “mini-reunion” with other class members outside of our normal attendance area. The Big Red was in Richmond on the third weekend of September to face the Spiders of the UR. Once our team got oriented, they played a very good game against the Spiders, but early (and often) mistakes took us out of the game. Kathryn and I got to see the game with Chuck and Veronica and the grandchildren … who live in Richmond … and we also caught up with Buddy and Carol Bryan as well as Lanny and TS Gault. I did not get confirmation of any other BRs at the game, although the VMI side was pretty well filled up and others may have been there. Richmond has a very nice new stadium nestled in the middle of the campus and the seating for the visitors was actually not bad at all when compared to some places we have been. As of this writing, it is once again election time in Virginia and elsewhere. Therefore, it is also time for the annual gathering of political experts from our class at the estate of John and Laura Metzger in Vesuvius. John has invited one and all to a gathering on the weekend of Oct. 21. I hope to have a report from John by the time the next set of notes is published. I imagine that the absence of Sarah in the upcoming race is a blow to the group … but they will press on I am sure. Great dining (grilled emu... really?) and shooting sports are on the agenda to go along with the politics. Jerry Acuff was recently in Cincinnati OH and had dinner with Worth and Dana Roberts. The “Cuffer” says they had a good time eating ribs and discussing their football “greatness”. Jerry was scheduled to be in Lexington for a Keydet Club Board meeting and a Saturday afternoon game on Parent’s Weekend (Oct. 21, 2011). Bill Ginder checked in from Texas with some stories about the Cowboys and Redskins and the various members of ‘71 who support (and wager on) one or the other of those fine teams. In one way or another, Matthews, Adams (Jim), Randolph, Fogelman, and some of the

NOVA boys have all been exchanging their views via email on the merits of some NFL football teams. Bill had also lunched with Larry Wiese and Jim Neikirk and had plans to attend the Citadel game in Charleston with Jim Adams and Art and Janice Shelfer at the end of October. The “I Married My Ring Figure Date” chronicle continues with the addition of J.D (“Chin”) and Martha Morefield. One of these days I will get all of you happy couples! Let me know if somehow you have still been left out of the listing. Are we ever too old to start a new adventure? If you ask Speed Patterson, he would probably say “no.” Speed is starting a new global fiduciary consulting firm and on his advisory board he has included Charlie Bryan ’69 and our BR Jim Adams. In addition to his new venture, Speed continues to be involved with veteran’s services in Richmond. Son Robbie is in his third year at UVA and his daughter is working in DC for ’72 grad Walt Gallanty. Wife Edie continues her work as Executive Director of the Virginia Alliance of Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs. Meredith and Maureen Barkley have moved to a “really” rural area of NC, not far from Greensboro, and have planted an orchard and garden to keep them busy…..that is when they are not off to some mission field. Meredith has spent quite a bit of time in Haiti since the late 1990’s and has helped with the construction of a medical clinic and some homes near Port au Prince. He says that he has learned enough of the native language to keep himself out of trouble “most of the time.” For the last couple of years, John Willis has been doing double duty as editor and publisher of the Calhoun (GA) Times and as editorial page director of the Rome GA News Tribune. Recently, John has scaled down his duties a bit and is now working exclusively for the Rome News Tribune and writing a Saturday column. Brooklyn, NY, on October 1, 2011, was the site of the wedding of Armistead P. Booker III and Elisa Fuller. We know the groom’s dad as BR Buz Booker. According to Buz and Jan, their new daughter-in-law is a “catbird” (whatever that is) and will make a great addition to their family. Elisa works in Manhattan and Armistead with the American Museum of Natural History and a commercial online design business. Jim Caul has officially announced his retirement(s) from the government effective 31 May 11. Jim has relocated to Phenix City, AL (near Columbus and Fort Benning, GA) and is now enjoying his time with his two children and grandchildren. Jim hopes to make a trip to Virginia in the spring of 2012. Also joining the ranks of the retired is EJ

CLASS NOTES Patrick who has left American Airlines after 40 plus years of flying. EJ says his biggest “job” now is getting Brenda off to work. Their daughter Rebecca is a freshman at Oklahoma where EJ has “found” a football team. The weekend of 16 September 2011 marked the wedding date of Tom and Connie Martenstein’s daughter Sarah and, according to Sam Kirby, was one of the highlights of the fall social season in Richmond. Expected guests included the Pickrals, Stricklers, Kerleys, Heislers and Berkness. The New Year of 2012 will be upon us by the time you receive this set of notes and I hope that each of you is off to a good start by being at least healthy and happy…with “wealthy” still your goal. My thanks to all of you who supported VMI Annual Giving during the past year. Each and every gift from you is very important to the continued success of VMI, and I hope that you will make plans in 2012 to continue (or begin) supporting our fund raising efforts. Brother Rats, there are so many good things going on at VMI, and the quality of our Corps improves every year. We don’t win every game and probably never will … but it is not for the lack of hard work and dedication by those young men and women for what they feel (and we know) to be a very special place. Let’s all try to do our part to make sure that things continue in that vein. Kathryn and I wish you all the best. Thanks for staying in touch … ’71 is a special class, and I thank you for the opportunity to be your Class Agent. Let VMI be heard from today wherever you are. VMI Alumni Don’t Do Ordinary. Jim

’72

Larry Houseworth

My Brother Rats - greetings and salutations to you all – These notes cover mid-August through midOctober. Washington’s past few days have been a publicist’s dream: peaking golds, reds and rusts, crisp nights and sparkling days. We’re rake-ready and stashing away the tees and cut-offs … By the time you receive this issue, we will be in full Reunion Countdown! Tom and Sally Moncure and the stalwart crew will be piloting us on final approach to another memorable shindig. Speaking just for myself, several of you (e.g., Rick Bryan, Walt Galanty, others) have offered up some excellent ideas to make this one particularly enjoyable and informative. Trust me, gentlemen – much is new at the Insti-

tute, and I’m certain you will be very pleasantly surprised at what you see. I’m looking forward to seeing each and every one of you lunatics – and, for you questionably deserving ones, your patient and redeeming other halves. I’ll dispense with business as there is “Profound news to share courtesy of Jim VanLandingham and Walt Judd ’69; “Attention in Barracks – Rats to the Courtyard – Fatigues, Boots, Raincapes!” ... after 42 years, The Class of 1969 has officially released us from the Ratline - ! Seems Jim, Wayne Harrell, Bill Irby and Lindley Vaughan were a guest-foursome in Tommy Thompson’s ’69 annual “Two Bellies Golf Tournament.” Nineteenth hole repartee revealed to our dyke’s (second) Class President, Bobby Heely ’69, that a long-standing injustice cried out for resolution…and here I quote from Walt’s notes… “Although Bob claimed otherwise, he heard the Rats in the Class of 1972 suggested they had never been let out of the Ratline by the Class of 1969. Supe and Administration, yes; class, no. So, Bob did what he thought had been done years before; he officially proclaimed the Rat mass out of the Ratline and officially a class. Nice to know this act has officially laid to rest a long-lasting problem. Welcome to the alumni ranks, Class of ’72!” On behalf of the entire Class of 1972 – we thank you, ’69! A 43year Ratline – kinda’ makes up for that lackluster Breakout, don’t you think, gentlemen? (note to Mssrs. Heely, Judd et al – ’72 acknowledges that wasn’t your “fault”…) Jim said this of the “Two Bellies Tournament” – “Tommy made us play from the championship tees because we were rookies while they played from the senior tees. Difference in yardage was about a 1,000 yards. Needless to say we had no chance of winning the title! We did have a lot of fun and they even had an ‘old yell’ toast for us. They also made sure that all were hydrated thoroughly with alcoholic beverages” … feelin’ the love … I spoke with TC Hathaway shortly after he came home from by-pass surgery (this, shortly after his sacrificing the ol’prostate to whip the “Big C” – his acceptance is classic – “I used to have prostate cancer … now I have neither”). Just as he was getting back in the swing of things (I apologize for the unfortunate reference, and, I certify, unrelated) he began experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath but chalked them up to creeping senior-ism. Fortunately, he recognized that this was way out of the ordinary (what with his continued activities like softball, exercise, band gigs, etc. etc.). Doc recommended a heart scan and discovered three blockages with potential for major muscle damage. He went in on a Thursday night, was sprung on Monday and is on convalescent leave at home while Myrna keeps a watchful eye. I

could tell he was well on the road to recovery as he kvetched about boredom, no work, no softball, and backing out of band gigs…..but, he was deeply deeply moved by the spontaneous outreach from you – one of whom he hadn’t spoken with in over 40 years. Bob and Grace Bailey sent along the picture and a great note. He says they “…attended a mini-reunion of former 10th Special Forces Group members stationed at Ft. Devens, MA in the mid ‘70s. Honored guests at the dinner were a small number of officers attending the Maneuver Captains Career Course at Ft. Benning. While in conversation with Will Doyle ’07 the class rings revealed the mutual heritage! Grace obligingly took the picture and listened as the ‘Older and Younger Corps’ shared stories!” I love stories like this, BRs – the cross-generational VMI ties, the endearing and enduring patience of our “Sister Rats” – and the outreach among us– absolutely manifests the VMI Spirit. A note from Rich Flowers continues Bob’s heritage theme. Rich says “Thank you for the birthday card. It seems we continue to gain in wisdom and stature with time. I enjoyed all the comments of our trials in August 1968 as we learned to be Keydets. My update concerns handling the M-1 Garand we learned to clean and carry. Currently I am on the local honor guard providing a military presence at veteran funerals. I serve in the firing squad and carry an M-1 again. (I don’t have to go to the armory to get the firing pin. Remember firing our M-1’s on the 1000-inch range?). The manual of arms comes automatically and some ways the snap of arms brings back another time when we were on parade. I am also the reserve bagpiper and play ‘Amazing Grace’ as the team folds the American flag for the assembled family. We still have a veteran in his 80s who is the lead piper and a former Army band trumpeter to play ‘Taps.’ It is a little thing to pay back those who gave so much a long time ago.” He closes with a wish to see us all in April “ … when we might be on parade again.” We will, indeed, BR. Jack Miller shared this chilling piece from Fox News and ABC News. “A Venice (FL) couple is in jail on child cruelty charges, and two children are in state custody after deputies found the children, naked, in a house filled with raw sewage, according to a Sarasota County sheriff’s report.” I’ll forego the hideous details but a deputy discovered the situation when he served a warrant on the female. Upon entering the home, he discovered children’s toys and drug paraphernalia. While one deputy escorted the male to jail, the first stayed at the home with the female and discovered the two children in a filthy back bedroom. The couple was

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES subsequently jailed on charges of child neglect and possession of paraphernalia and denied bail. The serving deputy - Jack’s son, Deputy David Miller. We salute you, sir! Kurt Renz was elated to discover “his town”, Otto, NC. Seems he and Cathy stumbled upon the little burg while they were long-weekending at their north Georgia getaway. Jim Pagones confirmed he knew Kurt would be famous some day, but Norm Worrell cautioned that it sounded like the place where “ … the kid plays the banjo before the good times roll.” The Boss, Ms. Hennessey, has us on a short deadline this quarter, so I’ll wrap it for now. As always, compadres, be safe, remain the quiet heroes you are, and be there for yours and each other. In the Spirit; out here, Larry

’73

Mike Kelly

Fall is upon us as I write these notes. And winter will be in full force as you are warming by the fire and reading them. I hope everyone is having a great New Year! Unfortunately for the Class of ’73, we did not have a very good year as we lost three of our Brother Rats during 2011. I mentioned Michael W. Burks in the last issue of the Review as he passed away May 19. He lived in Mechanicsville, VA, and is survived by Sandra, his wife of 32 years. In August, we lost two BRs within a few days of each other. John England died on August 15, 2011. John lived in Chesterfield, VA, with his wife, Clissa. He is survived by his wife and their three daughters- Lucy, Emmalyne and Leatha. John was a history teacher at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School in Petersburg, VA. Jack Beadle also passed away on August 11. I did not hear about Jack’s passing until the end of September, so I was unable to relay the information. In fact, I mailed him a birthday card just a couple of days prior to hearing of his death. It would have been his 60th birthday. I called his wife Patricia when I heard the news. She and Jack owned an engineering firm together in Pottsville, PA, for several years. They found out about his cancer a couple of years ago, which actually gave them time to sell the business and enjoy their time together before he died. Also in September, P.X. English sent me a note saying that G.G. Gray’s father, Senator Elmon Gray ’46, had died. Senator Gray was an Institute stalwart and long time supporter of VMI. P.X.’s father was at VMI the same time as Senator Gray. Please join me in expressing our condolences

2012-Issue 1

to the families of these great VMI men, and keep them in your thoughts and prayers. The loss of a loved one is always a sad time, but it is also a time to reflect on the lives of those we have lost, and to think about where we are headed for the rest of our lives. Pat and I actually just came from a funeral for one of our neighbors, and the minister not only challenged us to remember our friend and neighbor, but to also think ahead, make the best of what we do and to touch as many people in a positive way as we possibly can. Jack was the 18th Brother Rat we have lost. I received lots of notes and messages from folks with comments regarding the loss of our VMI brethren. Many of them were from folks I have not heard from in a long time. Let’s make it a point to ensure we stay in touch and alert each other of those events, good and bad, which affect our “Brotherhood.” Tom Clark has been promoting the Class of ’73 Facebook page, and I really have been surprised by the number of folks, especially BRs, that are using Facebook. I was one of those who had not signed up, in spite of the urging of my kids and many others. However, after realizing how important Facebook can be, I opened an account and have already been “friended” by many of you. The deciding point for me was when Tom was notified by John England’s daughter about his death. She was able to connect to our class using her Facebook page, and Tom immediately let us know, and subsequently a large number of you were able to attend the services. So, if you haven’t gotten onto the class Facebook page, then get with it! Let Tom know if you need any assistance. I mentioned in the last notes that Pat and I both lost our positions with state government due to legislative cutbacks. We haven’t worked since mid-June, but we stay so busy now that it makes me wonder how we even had time to work before. It is amazing. We traveled in the United Kingdom for more than half of September. A good friend of ours lives in London, so we bunked at her place for a few days, went to Scotland for a week and then back to London. From her apartment, we could walk a quarter mile and catch the “tube” (underground) to anywhere in the city, or to various train stations, and from there take day trips around the countryside, as we did for several days. In Scotland, we went to the Outer Hebrides (Isle of Lewis) and to the island of Iona, credited for being the “birthplace” of Christianity. I also managed to replenish my single malt supplies, having the foresight to take a roll of bubble wrap with me to make sure I had a well packaged suitcase on the way home! We love going to Great Britain and Ireland. Our friend has invited us back in 2012 for the summer Olympics. We plan to go to Atlanta to keep the grandkids for a few days the first of November, return home for Founders Day at VMI, and then back

to Atlanta for Thanksgiving. I have also started doing some environmental consulting work specializing in site investigations and “phase one” environmental assessments. Interesting work, and actually pretty enjoyable, but I’m not convinced I want to work full time again. But it looks like my career with the state is over so I have started the process for my retirement paperwork. Pat has already turned hers in so I’m sure I won’t run out of things to do. Michael Smith let me know he had attended the visitation for John England. Klaus Worrell put together a VMI banner that was posted at the funeral home just above John’s urn. Michael said that Terry Tillman and Mike Burke (John’s roommates) sent a really nice flower arrangement and included a poignant note recognizing how great their roommate was. George Tisdale, Bill Stephens, Stuart Seaton and G.G. Gray were also present. Tom Jennings was able to attend John’s funeral, along with Terry Tillman, Klaus Worrell and Tom Napier. Tom said John’s middle daughter shared some funny facts and remembrances about her dad. Scott Lingamfelter reminisced some of his memories of John, and emphasized how we are all better for having known him. The same is true for Michael Burks and Jack Beadle. Their deaths remind us all of our own mortality and how important relationships are, especially as we grow closer to the “last turnout.” As Scott often tells his fellow colleagues in the general assembly— it doesn’t matter “the bills you passed, the hearings you held, the riveting debates you participated in.” You will be remembered for “how you treated folks.” Scott’s message is to encourage all of us to reach out every blessed day. Chad Brown passed along his thoughts and memories of our fallen comrades. Chad has just marked his 10th year back in Staunton, VA, and has loved every minute of it. He is going back to Grace Christian School this year as a teacher of American literature and personal finance. In his spare time, Chad helps in the development office to raise money from community leaders for financial aid. Jim and Sharon Chalkley are close neighbors to Yerry and Tate Kenneally. Jim sent me a note in September to say he had gotten my birthday card, and that his birthday was actually July 9 (7/9 instead of 9/7), which is also Rich Lykin’s birthday. I will try to make that change, Jim! He also shared some of my messages with Yerry, and subsequently Yerry sent me a nice note correcting his email address and bringing me up to date on him and Tate. Yerry said that he and Jim get together often to play some golf or meet for dinner. Tate teaches math at Battlefield High School near Gainesville, VA, and was selected “Teacher of the Year” for Prince William County in 2010. Congratulations, Tate, I know that took a lot of hard work and is

CLASS NOTES a tremendous honor! Their daughter, Kelly, is doing well. Kelly and her husband also live in Northern Virginia where she works as a deputy program manager for Circle Solutions supporting NIH contracts. Yerry said he was also doing well, although working long hours for CSC in support of DOD Force Protection initiatives, but he really enjoys his work. Roland Tiso also continues to serve our nation in a civilian role. As of right now he is still in Bagram, Afghanistan, but is due to return home in November; however, he’ll ship out the next day for Ft. Riley to support staff there as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan. He should be home by Thanksgiving and looks forward to visiting with his daughters and family during the holidays. I also heard from my other roommate, Terry Howlett. Terry has become a “volunteerholic” in his retirement, and spends a lot of time flying C172s with the Civil Air Patrol in support of cadet program and emergency services. He also has been appointed to the mayor’s Veterans Roundtable to help with vet issues, and serves as a “mentor” for vets that get in trouble with the law. Great hearing from you guys! Charlie Havasy sent me a message saying that he was doing well. He told me that Tom Moncure, whom we have not heard from in awhile, has left Stafford County, VA, and is now staff counsel at George Mason University. Tom, how about dropping me a note? Charlie and Tom have remained best friends for all of these years and stay in close touch. Ray Burton said that he had started a new job in September as a SAS consultant with Capital One on their card customer management statistics team. (Wonder what’s in Ray’s wallet?) He also said he met another Keydet there, Charles Shorter ’67. Of course, they’ve had lunch to reminisce about the Old Corps days and the fun they had on FTX. I frequently hear from M.B. Adelson, who regularly keeps in contact with a number of BRs. M.B. is trying to keep his law practice running while finishing his graduate work at FSU. He and his wife, Mary, hope to make a surprise visit to see his roommate Buck Harrison around his 60th birthday in November and enjoy some of the food and beverages in the DC area. Buck is catching up with those of us already in the sixties club! I also saw a posting on the Facebook page from Bill Spencer saying that he and his son met up with M.B. for some wings and refreshments in October. Apparently M.B. was in Jacksonville to deliver some continuing legal education lectures and met Bill’s son who is a law student at Coastal University. Ed Hall also stays in touch regularly. He, Scott McCarthy and PX English continue to be leaders for VMI at college fairs in Maryland, and they currently have a large contingency of cadets at

100

VMI. Ed said that the class of ’73 is leading the way on new cadet recruiting. Keep up the good work, guys! PX posted some information on Facebook about their efforts. He says it is very enjoyable work, and they get to meet some very high caliber students, of course they are the ones who would approach the VMI table. A.J. Kendrick said that he and his wife are enjoying retirement and their time off. They have a place at Smith Mountain Lake near Roanoke, VA, and enjoy spending time there. Recently they went on a charity home tour of some of the homes around the lake and got to meet Tom and Ginger Tanner ’78 and see their lake home. A.J. was really impressed with all of Tom’s VMI office displays! A.J. said they have plans to travel to Orlando, and then to a family reunion before hunting season arrives. A.J. says, “Life is good!” Don Reisch is still working with DuPont in Nashville, TN, and says that he may retire someday but that he really enjoys what he does. He said that it is hard to believe that he has been working there for 38 years! Wes Carr was ecstatic in his note because it had finally rained in Houston! I think the folks there had not seen rain in so long that they just wandered around in it looking at the sky in disbelief. Wes said they definitely had forgotten how to drive in the stuff. Texas has been extremely hot and dry all summer. Wes also sent me a link to the Franklin, VA, newspaper for an article on Tom Jones. Seems Tom has been the scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 17 for 30 years, and was a prior member of the troop. Tom is turning over the reins of the troop at the end of 2011. He says “It’s been fulfilling to have a chance to have an influence on the lives of young people. It’s nice to be in a position to teach and watch them grow.” Congratulations on the super work you have done over the years! Dave Schwab said he continued to do well and is recovering nicely from his heart attack earlier this year. He’s working to stay healthy and has been diving in the British Virgin Islands and Cyprus, and invites any of our BRs to join him on an underwater adventure before we get too old! Dave said he’s also joining the world of mobile education, having recently purchased a new iPhone and iPad2. He said he now needs a grad course on the subject to learn how to use them in the classroom. Dave teaches at a DODS school in Germany. I think Charlie Havasy was looking for that same grad course for his new Iphone 3. Tom Clark reported that it is cooling down in Colorado and the leaves are changing. He said it is really pretty out there this time of year, although he readily admits that the fall colors on the Blue Ridge might just be prettier…. Tom is now president of the VMI Rocky Mountain Chapter and held a picnic in September, which was attended by about 50 people. It was the first

event they had held in several years. He is currently working on rallying alumni in the area for a VMI-Citadel basketball game to be held at the USAFA on Founders Day. Hope that event goes well, Tom. And thanks for your hard work on the ’73 Facebook page. Tom said he and Bonnie were planning a trip to France in 2012 to visit Bonnie’s French “sister,” who was an exchange student with her and with whom she’s remained in touch over the years. Milt Salter continues to plow around the Gulf Coast doing financial planning and is glad that football season has arrived. He plans to visit Lexington during the fall and attend some games at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. He told me last spring he had met Andy Dearman ’75 who has a son playing for USAM. They looked forward to attending the games together. George Goodwin posted a couple of messages on Facebook about the damage sustained to his community in Mineral, VA, during the earthquake in August. You may recall that Mineral was the “epi-center” of the quake. George has been leading some of the efforts to ensure Mineral receives its share of much needed aid as many of his neighbors lost their homes and of course had no earthquake insurance. Fortunately, George said his 260-year old home place only received minor damage, and that all of the kids and grandkids were fine, but Mineral, VA, needed some support. I also had messages from a few of you just to say hello, or to comment on the death of our BRs. Harold Laughlin, Dale Kitchen, Michael Smith, George Tisdale and Tuck Bowie all sent me notes recently. As always, it is great to hear from you, even if it’s a short note to say Hi and that you are doing well. I use your notes to verify your email address and be sure you are on my e-mail list. This quarter I heard from two BRs whom I’ll award this issue’s “Lost BR” award to. While I actually heard from several of you that I have not had recent contact with, Randy Gordon and Jim Heine win this issue’s award since I can’t remember when I last heard from either of them. Randy lives in Orlando, FL, where he settled after leaving the Army and trying a few jobs here and there. He works as a defense contractor for Raytheon and gets to travel quite a bit, which also gives him a chance to run into classmates occasionally. Randy said on a recent visit to the Virginia tidewater area, he had dinner with Dan Williamson and his son Ike. Jim Heine just said that he had been maintaining a “low profile,” but that he enjoyed keeping up with the class. He was also looking for some information on class rings as he needed to have some work done on his. Perhaps I can pry a little more out of him for the next issue of the Review! Jim lives in Dunedin, FL. Thanks for sending me a note, guys! That wraps it up for now. Again, thanks to all of you for staying in touch on a regular basis. If

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES you haven’t done so in awhile, please log on to the VMI Ranks and ensure all of your personal information is updated, and especially let me know if you change your email address. Also, if you are corresponding with any of our BRs that may not be on my list, please let me know. I also encourage you to join the class Facebook page. Tom Clark works on the site, and it is now a “members only” site so it can stay private and within the class. Take care and enjoy the New Year. Mike

’74

Snookie Parker

Greetings, Brother Rats, Trust all is well with you and yours. In case you have not noticed, these notes cover two months rather than the normal three – I understand … some administrative adjustments to get some bureaucracy back on track. Oh well - hot off the presses - Just returned from John Pate’s 60th Surprise Birthday Party in Virginia Beach. Suzanne Pate did a superb job coordinating a big party and keeping it a secret. On Friday night, a small crew of out of town guests gathered at John’s house to start the party weekend. Friday night revelers were Judge and Rhoda Nottingham, Jeff Huckabee and Cathy, John and Suzanne Pate and Ed and Terry (John’s friends in from California) and yours truly. The Class was well represented on Saturday. A Birthday Lunch at Virginia Beaches’ No Frills Grill saw Pete and Susan Shelley, Jeff Huckabee and Cathy, Chip Beaman, Judge Nottingham, Chuck Cayton, Sam Turner, John Pate, Big Ed (John’s friend from California) and myself attending to start the festivities. Sam Turner treated all with stories from his homicide detective days at Virginia Beach. Saturday night was the big event - attended by 70+ revelers. A lot of roasting going on! Class attendees: Pete and Susan Shelley, Jeff Huckabee and Cathy, Judge and Rhoda Nottingham, Chuck Cayton, John and Suzanne Pate and yours truly. Was a blast from the past … Red (John’s mother) and Jimmie (John’s sister) along with husband Wayne were on hand to recall the 1970s summer soirees to Nags Head by members of the Great Ghetto Gut Club. John treated the uninformed to film of life in Barracks and summer fun with the gang. The film featured shots from the Walker Street Commune, Estelle’s Bar and Grill, and Nags Head summer fishing trips. Film stars: Steve Wolf, Bob Benninger, John Savage, John Cooper, Tommy Anderson, Thomas Walton, Rick Kastelberg, RC Thompson, Terrell Williams, Tom Patykula, Mike Morrissett, TJ Wilson, Jeff Huckabee, Donnie Ross, yours truly and of

2012-Issue 1

trip to China. I have yet to hear the details but I course John Pate along with many other cameo am quite sure there will be lots to tell. I do know appearances. What a stroll down memory lane – that no international incidents involving American we were so young … and svelte with hair. Sunday tourists in China were reported in the news morning we rallied for brunch at the John’s recently … that’s a start! However arrests could Country Club – nice! Note the picture of the have been made and deals could have been cut. I survivors on the steps of the club. Upon hearing want to know the detail! about the surprise birthday party for John, Rich Speaking of class coins - Andy Young and Jim Forbes wished he and Ann could have made it. Huddle are having a running coin battle and I Ann and Rich keep their grandkids on weekends so that their daughter can work. She is finishing up think Jim is winning. Andy sends the following: “So, BRs of ’74, I have a question about the rules Nursing School during the week and works three of our class coin challenge. Jim Huddle and I 12 hour shifts Fri-Sun to keep her full time status have a continuing “gotcha” game going with for insurance and such - makes for a very busy our class coin. Today, as we swam in 4 foot surf schedule. Rich says he would have really liked to have been there to remind John that he is still in his Class of 1974: 50s ... ya ba da ba do! Pate’s 60th Birthday Party Suprise How about BR Mark Shively and his works of art: INSPRIATION, A showing of Sculpture and Photography by Mark J. Shively, was on display at the Centre Gallery East at Artworks Studios and Galleries in Richmond, VA 28 October – 20 November. Mark also had his work on display in THINK SMALL 6 Exhibition at the Artspace Gallery next door for 28 October – 18 December. Well done Mark! Received a short note from Bob Moore. Bob reports having run into Pat Above: Attending John Pate’s October 2011 birthday Flynn at a DoD conference lunch at the No Frills Grill in Virginia Beach were, in the Tidewater area and front, seated, Pate. Standing: Sam Turner, Judge Nottingham, Jeff Huckabee, Snookie Parker, Pete reminiscing about days gone by. Quick update: Bob Shelley, Chip Beaman and Chuck Cayton. Below: and Magic Moore have just The morning after Pate’s birthday, the group enjoyed Sunday brunch. Attending were, from left, front row, returned from a two week Rhoda Nottingham, Cathy and Jeff Huckabee, John trip to Ireland – his first Pate and Judge Nottingham. Back row: Pete and Susan vacation in 15 years. Bob Shelley, Suzanne Pate, two friends from California and characterizes it as a trip of Snookie Parker. a life time. Bob and Magic continue to like apart due to work opportunities. Magic teaches in Virginia and loves it. Bob works in San Antonio, TX having stayed with his work organization as it moved from Virginia due to BRAC. By the way, Bob is now a proud owner of a class coin so BRs beware of this fact in case of a challenge. Speaking of trips – Pat and Sue Flynn have just returned from a two week

101

CLASS NOTES here at Topsail Beach, Jim said to me, “look what I found,” and then flashed our coin at me. I don’t have pockets in my swim trunks, so my view is that his play is too extreme to warrant a drink. You guys make the call.” Hard to say on this one Andy. Consider this: Every time a BR challenges you and you have your coin, the challenger owes - so if you are going to challenge, be prepared to buy. By the way, the coin challenge is supposed to be fun. When it stops being fun and becomes an annoyance … it is time to have a “heart to heart” with your beloved BR. I say, you kids work it out! Received a short note from Alan Vicory. He was in Richmond recently to bury my father – an avid lover of VMI I am told. Alan reports “changes a coming!” He says it’s time to cash in … going to retire soon and then take position with large consultant firm – do some double dipping – so he can work out of the FL house in the winter. I’m with you, Alan. Let me know when you get to FL, and I’ll come visit! John Savage writes from Savannah GA: Son, Mason, graduated from UGA Veterinary School this spring ’11 and is now interning at N.C. State and hopes to specialize in neurology and eventually teach at the university level. Daughter, Tyler, continues to work on her master’s in Speech Therapy from U.S.C., teaches 3rd grade and is now expecting their 2nd grandchild. Wife Ann and John continue to work toward retirement in spring ’12 – that will be 35 years with Norfolk Southern – wow! Sounds like it was before trains were invented. Believe it nor not, John and Ann are planning to take a “Born to Ride” crossing country trip by motorcycle in May ’12 which, I understand, is to include the Route 66 leg from Chicago to the West Coast and camping half the way – Ann – you go girl! They have already purchased the bikes, two BMW RT’s, and will be getting the rest of the equipment this fall/ winter. You might want to consult with Bob “The Ambassador” Trost on the advantages of “butt powder” to prevent chaffing on long motorcycle trips! In fact, John and Ann welcome any comments, suggestions and equipment reviews from anyone who has made this trip, or any other cross country trip by bike. Please e-mail John at qbgolf@yahoo.com, especially if you live along the route and have time for a beer. By the way, I did finish Grace Greene’s book Beach Rental and give it a rave review. Kudos, Grace. I sent my copy of Beach Rental to Grace to be signed. She sent two signed copies back - one for me and one for Marla. Marla really enjoyed the book, since the setting was a beach Marla (and her family) has been visiting since her childhood. Next set of class notes will be due 15 Feb … four months worth of news over the Thanksgiving, Christmas,and New Year’s … should be chock full of news! Write!

102

Class Agent Plea! Don’t be caught without your class coin. If you need one, send $10 (cost of coin and postage). Please forward any news regarding births, deaths, illnesses, marriages and other significant events concerning your family and/or careers. Brother Rats are interested and do care. I know email addresses have a half-life of about six months. Keep us current. Send your updated email address to me snookieparker1974@earthlink.net, Charley Banning cbanning@cox.net or Kevin Nettrour (our Web Master) nettrour@accessus. net. Check out the website. Send me a note. Yada, Yada, Yada and Yaba Daba Doo! Warm Regards ... Snookie

’75

Art Nunn III

These Class Notes are coming close on the heels of those prepared in August, so I do not have as much material to work with. What I do have however, is an entertaining story of a great weekend in Lexington that a number of us participated in. As part of the Keydet Club fundraising auction, Oliver and Bonnie Way, Allen and Sandy Morgan, Ben and Anne Vanderberry, Kimo Wong and his girlfriend Shelly Holt, Steve and Sherry Chapin, and yours truly along with my wonderful wife Judy, combined forces to bid on a football weekend extravaganza around the William & Mary game in Lexington. We were the successful bidders, and the weekend turned out to be well worth every penny, and then some. It started on Friday with the six of us, plus Tom Baur and Tom Mason playing a round of golf at the Lexington Golf and Country Club, while our better halves enjoyed lunch at the new Southern Inn followed by a carriage ride through the town. Now, I can’t speak for the other foursome, but the group of Chapin, Morgan, Vanderberry, and Nunn brought the course to its knees (laughing mostly). If Steve Chapin could have played basketball as well as he played golf that day, we would have won the national championship. The other three of us …. not so much. Lies were told by and about the other foursome, but it appears that they had an equally great time. After golf, we all gathered around the pool at Maple Hall, where we stayed for the weekend. The ladies had already broken into the wine, so everything that happened after that is really their fault. The highlight of our short time at the pool was watching Kimo forget Shelly’s name and call her by another name that could only be viewed as completely inappropriate. As always, he re-

covered well, and we all immediately renamed Shelly to Shanaena, because it was believed that Kimo was less likely to screw that one up. Shelly/Shanaena really is a lovely lady, and she is still hanging around with Kimo, so she must be pretty well use to him by now. Next on the agenda was dinner back at the Lexington Country Club. Dinner was completely wonderful, but it took no time at all for all other patrons of the joint to realize that we were the twelve biggest derelicts in Rockbridge County that night. Dinner was great, and in a very comfortable setting, except for poor Kimo Wong, because his chair must have been very painful to sit in. I say that because it is the only rational explanation for the fact that he kept standing up. He always tried to cover up his discomfort by acting like he was proposing a toast. The problem is that he never got one completely out. Of course, it didn’t help that Oliver viciously attacked him with various sundry table linens. At one point the local police threatened to arrest Oliver and charge him with assault with a deadly napkin, but Kimo graciously refused to press charges. The evening peacefully ended, and we adjourned back to Maple Hall. At that time, it has been reported that a fully equipped HazMat team entered the country club to remove copious quantities of dead brain cells scattered around our table and the bar. Of course, this is just a rumor. One of the interesting things about the weekend was to witness the presence of a second Vanderberry at our beloved Institute. Suffice it to say the Ben, Jr. is quite different than his father, which is probably why he was allowed in. There was a moment of stark clarity however, when the family lineage became quite apparent. When driving down Route 11, and passing Hulls Drive In Theater, Ben, Jr. turned to Ben Sr. and said, and I quote, “Hey Dad. Why is that billboard so big, and why is it facing the wrong direction?” Yes Virginia, there is another Vanderberry walking the hallowed halls of VMI these days! Aside from that, Ben, Jr. is an extremely impressive young man, and the Institute is lucky to have him. Funny, nobody ever said that about me! Saturday was pretty much centered around the football game. We had a great tailgate, where we were joined by Mark Hall, Dave Schuyler, Mike Fleenor, and several other Brother Rats and members of other VMI classes. The problem is that I have little memory of the weekend, so I apologize to all whose names I did not mention. I do remember though, that we were joined by two guests of honor. One was Sandy Morgan’s dad from the Class of ’53, and the other was Coach Sparky Woods. It was a great time.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES After the game, we all gathered for a short VMI museum. Doug runs around with Pete knee replacement on 8 November. I know that while at Moody Hall, then returned to Maple Brunnel ’63. is in my future too, so it will be interesting to Hall where we severely tested the capacity Heather Janes has completed divinity see how Chip gets along. We all wish you the of the upper deck of our building. We were school. She was able to preside over her first best (though you will be up and running long joined by Mike Soares and Tom and Judy holy communion this fall. before these particular notes are published). Baur, as well as young Mr. Vanderberry. Rick Law ran into Bo Temple in an elevaTo close out this version of class notes, I feel We sat well into the night swapping stories tor recently. Bo told him that he is planning compelled to mention the subject of annual (some of which were actually true). We all on retiring next year, and he is already lookgiving. I know all too well that everybody is also celebrate Col. Baur’s birthday. The next ing forward to our 40th Reunion. Rick is one struggling in our current economy, and being morning was breakfast and goodbyes, to of the latest among us to become a grandfahounded for donations is wearing thin on all end a fabulous weekend. Hats off to Oliver ther. Congratulations Dawg. of us. I do want to urge everybody, however, Way, with an assist from Allen Morgan, for Ken Gerard’s son Eric is an Athletic to consider doing whatever can be done to orchestrating the winning bidding provide some financial assistance strategy, and for coordinating to VMI this fiscal year. Much as everything with the Keydet Club. we are all struggling, so too is Now, on to other news. VMI. State funds are diminishI have had the pleasure of ing as costs are increasing. If seeing a number of Brother Rats it continues in this direction, at football games this season. tuition, room and board costs are Most recently, at the Charleston going to price a VMI education Southern game I ran into Greg out of reach for the vast majority and Anne Stultz, Salvo and Karen of young men and women who Lape, Charlie Freeman, Bob aspire to be cadets. This is where O’Connor, Len Riedel, Greg alumni support becomes so vital. Diamontopulos, Ben and Anne For whatever reason, our class Vanderberry, Tom Baur, Allen has always ranked at the bottom Morgan, Mike Hunter, Tom of the list of classes from our Mason, and Mark Hall. In adera, in terms of alumni participadition, we had a little roommate tion. I would like to respectfully micro-reunion with Randy Frank, urge all of us to end that trend Class of 1975: Representing three generations of the Mike Fleenor, Dave Schuyler and to do whatever we can do to Conte family – Dan Conte ’36, Guy Conte ’75 and Chris and myself. Missing only was Edsupport VMI. It doesn’t matter Conte ’11 – the above VMI rings were placed on Dan Condie Spain who remains missing whether a donation is designated te’s brick in front of Barracks. Photo courtesy Guy Conte. in action somewhere in Europe. for the Foundation, the Keydet Randy brought his Army buddy Club, a specific team or academic John Black, who served with many VMI Trainer student at Wright State university, program, or anything else. Donations can also grads during his Army days, and who wanted but he is doing an internship at VMI this be undesignated. It all helps. I am just asking to see the Institute up close and personal. I fall. Eric was present to watch the Cadre for everyone to try to donate at least $75.00. think we have now found a new VMI fan in “welcome” the incoming Rat Class into the No amount is too small. Also, if personal cash the person of this Perdue graduate. The only VMI system this past August, and it reportflow is an issue, donations can be split up over disturbing part of the weekend was to learn edly left quite an impression on him. Ken was multiple payments. If you want to limit your that Bob O’Connor has gained a grand total very appreciative of the help provided by Phil donation to $75.00 per year, then try to come of only five pounds over the 36 years since Thorpe and his family in moving Eric into up with $6.25 each month. If you can come up we graduated. Good heavens Man, I gained his apartment in Lexington for the duration of with $10.00, $20.00, or more per month, it will that much in the first 36 hours! his internship. greatly benefit an honored Institute that is in There has been a slight change of plans Susan and Jim Hobbs announced the imneed of help. Again, I am extremely sensitive with LTG Dan Darnell. He had originally pending marriage of their son Cabell to Leslie to the fact that I am soliciting donations during planned to retire from the Air Force this past Schultz in November 2011 at the University really tough economic times. That is part of summer, but he has decided to say on as long of Virginia Chapel. In other family news, the job that I agreed to perform however, as as the Air Force wants him. He is still serving their daughter, Morgan, was accepted to an your Class Agent. Please do whatever you can as the Deputy Commander of US Pacific international internship in London, England to help VMI, and to bring the Class of 75 from Command and is stationed in Hawaii. over the summer with Ernst & Young. Susan the bottom of the participation list, to the top. Speaking of Generals, Bo Temple conand Jim spent 8 days in London visiting Lastly, I wish to repeat my plea for email tinues, as of this writing, to serve as Acting Morgan and touring in and around London. addresses from all of you to who are not Commanding General and Chief Engineer of In August, Morgan started her Master’s included on the class email list. If you are not the Corps of Engineers. Bo and his wife are Degree in Business Administration majoring getting routine emails from me, you’re not on both happy and doing well. in Accounting at the Cox School of Business the list. Just send me a note with your email Doug Van Slyke wrote for the first time at SMU in Dallas, Texas. Looks like just address, and I will immediately correct this in over forty years, to let us know that he another couple of Hobbs under achievers. egregious error. found an old VMI belt buckle at a gun show Chip Louthan wanted to report that “getWell, that’s about it. As always, please stay in Tulsa, OK and that he donated it to the ting old ain’t for sissies.” Chip is having a safe and healthy, and stay in touch.

2012-Issue 1

103

Class of 1976: Those who attended their 35th Reunion are listed in alphabetical order as follows: Charles K. Archer, Charles L. Aycock, David C. Bass, John V. Berberich IV, William K. Bhatta, William I. Brown, Ray S. Brooks, Thomas L. Brooks IV, John P. Christy, Gerardo L. Codutti, Daniel F. Commerford, Michael G. Conley, Marshall F. Coyle, H.A. Curle Jr., Peter V. Davies II, Clint D. Davis, James A. Delisio, W. Michael Dietrick, Thomas H. Diggs, James F. Dittrich, John L. Dorsey, G. Wayne Eastham, William R. Favier, Leslie D. Fielder, Jay K. Foertsch, Henry J. Foresman Jr., Peter M. Friesen, H. Maury Gatewood Jr., Dabney T.P. Gilliam Jr., Richard W. Glass, William E. Grant, Evan L. Haberman, David A. Heatwole, Gregory S. Hedley, Barry D. Helms, Douglas W. Hines, Pascal G. Houcke, James. G. Joustra Jr., William G. Karnes, Charles M. Keen III, Alan B. Kinker, John B. Kirk, Andre Koneczny, Thomas L. Lloyd, James L. Mallon, Richard T. Mathews, Mark T. McIntyre, William G. Meier III, Mark D. Moncure, Withers W. Moncure, John R. Mott Jr., W. Grigg Mullen Jr., Carlton G. Opel, G. Hunter Ozmer, Kevin J. Pardus, Raymond Ramos, R. Curtis Reppart, Mark D. Rinnan, William C. Ryals, Edwin Rand Sompayrac, Paul A. Spencer, Gregory C. Speaker, John W. Swain Jr., Michael G. Tate, Kavanaugh Y. Thrift Jr., Richard F. Tufaro, Carmen D. Villani Jr., William D.R. Waff, Rory J. Walsh and Herbert F. White III.

CLASS NOTES

35th Reunion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sept. 9-10, 2011

Class of 1976

104

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

’76

William Bhatta

Brother Rats: These notes were written on 17 October 2011. They had to be submitted earlier than usual, so forgive the brevity. Reunion #7 is in the history books. Mark your calendars now for #8 - I suspect it will be scheduled on one of the last two weekends in April 2016. We have already added a new event to the 40th Reunion itinerary - an early Sunday morning run around/through VMI - so start getting ready now. I had a heck of a time at the reunion last month. I hope everyone else did too! It was great seeing everyone. 70 BRs attended, 135 total - BRs, wives and guests. Several of you were instrumental in making it a success: Andre Koneczny organized the golf tournament; Grigg Mullen organized the sporting clay event: JR Mott, Cindy Mullen and many other BRs/wives donated food for lunch at the tailgate; Hunt Ozmer organized the memorial service, Razz Waff conducted it; and Mack Curle handled finances. Friday morning’s golf tournament at the Lexington Golf and Country Club started at 10:00am under sunny skies. All three reunion classes played the course at the same time. The 1976 team was Ray Brooks, Dyke Davies, Jim Delisio, Mike Dietrick, Bill Favier, Dexter Gilliam, Rocky Glass, Andre Koneczny, J.R. Mott, Hunt Ozmer, Mike Tate, Kavie Thrift, Ray Ramos, Rand Sompayrac, John Swain, and Withers Moncure. I believe John Swain and Ray Ramos split the ’76 tournament cash prize. (I played nine holes with Ray - he had to have a huge handicap!) Friday afternoon, Grigg Mullen took Charlie Archer, Jerry Codutti, Pascal Houcke, Jim Mallon, Mark McIntyre and Mark Rinnan to Quail Ridge Sporting Clays. Shooting experience ranged

from beginner to advanced, but everyone had fun and there were no “Dick Cheney” incidents. The next time you visit VMI make sure you stop at the archway into the new Third Barracks. At the parade Friday afternoon, VMI observed the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 by dedicating two plaques containing the names of all alumni who died in Vietnam, the first Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism (to date). 43 alumni were killed in Vietnam and 14 alumni have lost their lives during the Global War on Terrorism. Tom Zeugner’s name (one of two) is listed under the Persian Gulf War. Friday night, the reunion class social event was held in the main ballroom at the Lexington Golf and Country Club. Everyone had an opportunity to eat, drink, tell stories and catch-up with other BRs. VMI’s Chief of staff, Col Jeffrey H. Curtis ‘79 was our guest speaker (Wayne Eastham’s dyke). He gave a great presentation on how VMI has changed between 1976 and now. I am trying to get a copy so you can view it on the class website. A reunion memorial service was held Saturday morning following the class photo. Jim Dittrich, Greg Speaker and Hunt Ozmer spoke to us about their memories of Paul Carine, Chip Deyerle, Pelham Felder, Wayne Pope, Rick Radtke and Tom Zeugner. Jim’s wife actually recorded his comments. I will upload the audio clip onto the class website so everyone can listen to it. Alan Mills was unable to attend the reunion because he really wanted to say a few words at the service for Van Ardan. Alan has known Van since junior high school. When he told Van’s wife he was attending the reunion (she went to high school with them) she said to give all of Vans buddies a hug for her and to say that VMI still holds a special place in her heart. Note: In support of our lost BRs, I’d like to thank Frank Estis, Henry Foresman, Pascal Houcke, Jim Joustra, Rand Sompayrac and Carmen Villani - each donated bricks to help remember all of our lost BRs in the 1976 brick area outside the main arch.

The parade followed and, of course, it was a big hit - it always is when you get to watch! After the parade Mike Tate lead us into the Old Barracks courtyard for the traditional Old Yell.” Dexter Gilliam and Billy Karnes set the standard by taking the shortest distance to the top of the sentinel box - they climbed it. Curt Reppart and I took the secondary route up the stairs - it was a back-up plan just in case Dexter and Billy did not make it! The last reunion event was held Saturday evening at McKethan Park, where everyone met and continued to rekindle old memories and create new ones. Throughout the weekend, I sold raffle tickets for a framed picture collection of VMI windows and decorative trims that spelled “VMI 76.” The raffle winners were Mike and Laura Dietrick. The raffle proceeds $500.00 - went to support Hunt Ozmer’s 15th Annual Hunter’s Hope Memorial Golf tournament and Auction. In other BR news: Jim Delisio and Greg Speaker were able to contact Steve Allen. Steve owns a small consulting firm in Boston, MA. He stays busy and is always on the road working for his clients. Mark Sculley is busy travelling all over Europe in his new job - the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Luxemburg, Greece and Italy. Dude, pace yourself! Bill Neal is in a training program to become a Boeing 767 Captain. Ray Ramos remains busy in Atlanta GA. Raymond Engineering employs 19 people in two offices with work in too many states. Ray has one left in college - Emily is attending Full Sail University in Orlando studying for a BS degree in Cinematography. Michael lives in Arlington, VA and works for Booz-Allen. Katie, moved from Arlington back to Atlanta where she works for Uncle Julio’s (serves Mexican food; has grown to 14 restaurants located in Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia and Florida; checkout a drink called The Swirl). That’s it for now. Hope to see you sooner than later!

See next page for photo captions.

2012-Issue 1

105

CLASS NOTES Class of 1976 35th Reunion, Sept. 9-10, 2011 5

6 8

Photos 1-7 Were Taken at McKethan Park Lexington, Virginia Photo 1: (On previous page) Alpha Company, from left, front row, Marshall Coyle; Jake Berberich and his guest, Diane; Jerry Codutti; and Alan and Judy Kinker. Back row: Carl Opel, Paul Spencer, Mark Rinnan, Mark McIntyre, Bill Grant and his guest, Sheila. Photo 2: (On previous page) Bravo Company, from left, Jim and Susan Mallon, Charlie Archer, Evan and Margaret Haberman, Grigg and Cindy Mullen, and Herb and Jennifer White. Photo 3: (On previous page) Charlie Company, from left, Kevin Pardus, Rich and Brenda Mathews, Jim and Leigh Delisio, and Ray and Margaret Ramos. Photo 4: (On previous page) Delta Company, from left, Barry and Francine Helms, Bill and Kathy Ryals, Greg Speaker, and Jack and Charlotte Christy. Photo 5: Echo Company, from left, Mack and Paula Curle; Tom and Lou Brooks; Dave Fielder and his guest, Jessica; Maury and Libby Gatewood; and Wayne and Caren Eastham. Photo 6: Band Company, from left, Mike and Laura Conley with their daughter, Bridget ’12; J.B. and Wanda Kirk, Mark and Laura Moncure, and Razz Waff. Photo 7: Foxtrot Company, from left, kneeling, Hunt and Annette Ozmer, Bill and Patricia Brown, Bill Favier, and Bill and Michelle Bhatta. Standing: Mike and Laura Dietrick; Andre and Lois Koneczny; Rocky, Betsy and Hannah Glass; Doug Hines; Kavie and Debbie Thrift; Jim and Sharon Joustra; Pete and Mary Ann Friesen; Greg and Lyn Hedley; Jim and Tish Dittrich; Ray Brooks; Dexter and Sevanne Gilliam; Rand Sompayrac; and Withers Moncure.

106

9 Photos 8-10 Were Taken at VMI During Reunion Parade

Photo 8: The class of 1976 attempted to stay in step while marching down the Parade Ground and into Barracks. In the front row were, from left, J.R. Mott with his daughter, Yvonne; Jim Dittrich; Jim Delisio; Tom Diggs carrying the ’76 flag; Curt Reppart carrying the guidon; Grigg Mullen; Dave Fielder; Mike Conley; Mike Dietrick; and Ray Ramos. Photo 9: During the class of ’76 Old Yell in the Old Barracks were, from left, Betsy Glass; Mark Rinnan, behind Betsy; Pascal Houcke; Jerry Codutti; Bill R yals; Cadet Bridget Conley ’12 – Mike Conley’s daughter; J.R. Mott; Ray Brooks; Jake Berberich; Jim Mallon; Rocky Glass; Carole Reppart; Greg Speaker; Tom Diggs, holding the ’76 flag; Mike Tate; and Ray Ramos. Photo 10: About this photo and the class’s Old Yell in Barracks, Class Agent Bill Bhatta wrote, “Dexter Gilliam made it to the top, and Billy Karnes was on the way – with help from Doug Hines and Ray Brooks. I hope we do not have to use the stairs at the 40th!”

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

’77

Bland Massie

Rah, Super ’77 Rah, Rah, Rah… Reading these notes, which come from last fall, during the dark ages is one way to make you smile. They may be slim this time, unlike most of us. The normal due date is 15 Nov. but was moved up to 17 Oct., ’11. Moe plans to give you what he has, so here it goes. June was the Keydet Club Leadership outing which Moe failed to mention in the previous issue. BR Will Bynum, BR John Krovic and Moe represented ’77 on the links. Will earned some $ in spite of the fact he is a much better basketball player than golfer. He’s still good at picking the right team. BR Chris Perry was also at the dinner that evening. It was good seeing all the BRs and would love to see more of the ’77ers there. Seems to be hard getting some of you to travel west outside of the Richmond area. Speaking of west, the Las Vegas II trip was a few weeks after this deadline, so no news yet, but the guilty will be found out eventually. Moe didn’t make the Naked II golf outing before the Richmond game. Hopefully, one of you BRs has sobered up enough by now to type and send some information to Moe about this and the Richmond game event. Deb and BR Bob Hartzell are the most faithful tailgaters for the football games, and boy, do they do it right. For the first game, the main entrée was filet mignon. Once it gets cold, out comes the cider. Their son, James, graduates soon, and Moe & James’ BRs will all miss the Harts! Somebody will have to step up and fill the gap. BR Glenn Davidson called to tell Moe about mission work he was involved with overseas. Moe will try to figure out how to share the web link with you all later. Glenn also mentioned his son got married the end of Oct 11. Since the notes were due before the wedding, the details will come later. Glenn hopes to make it down for the Liberty game in November. If he does, I’m sure he will get Bill Cross out of his shell for the game. BR John (Shankopotamus) Marshall laid down the gauntlet for the gridiron club to help support the football team. BR Rich Greene read the e-mail and was compelled (shamed) into signing up. Moe realizes many of you don’t understand why our football program struggles so much. Well, we have gotten better players, but we don’t play on a level playing field with most of the other schools. Despite our win/loss, record we still are the winners. How so, you ask? Well, we are graduating young people who

2012-Issue 1

reunion is where so many are trying so hard to seem sooooo successful. The 15th year reunion is where the talk is all about the children and how busy everyone’s lives are. By the 20th, many have started over in life with new jobs and some with new wives. At last, the 25th is here, and everyone is just starting to let their hair down and be themselves (which is good for most of us). The 30th brings everyone together to just enjoy each other, catch up and rekindle friendships. We have finally gotten to the point where we are less interested in what people have and more excited about who they have become as people. Class of 1977: Bland Massie, left, with Phil The jury is still out on the 35th, but Moe Vassar at the Phil Vassar and Friends Golf believes this could be our best yet. This Classic in Lynchburg, Virginia, September reunion is in the middle of our reunion 2011. The classic is intended to benefit the years. Not so young and smart to be Miller Home of Lynchburg, a girls residenannoying and not too old to have most of tial group home. our conversation be about our ailments and health problems. Hopefully, we can will make a difference in the world for good, come together to strengthen our class and VMI. and most all of them will not end up with their This reunion should help keep the SUPER in picture hanging in the post office. ’77. Plan to come and party with your friends. The “Ride to the I” was the weekend of the Start saving now for the trip, the weekend and Delaware State football game. BR Billy Holthe events. Most importantly save the date, and zgrefe joined Moe for the ride onto Post. Dan be there or “bone yourself.” Besides, for those Sweeney ’80 rode over from Lynchburg with of you who haven’t seen all the improvements Moe. Dan’s son, Bradley ’12, is a first classman at VMI, you are in for an extra treat. Informaat VMI. Moe also saw some BRs and wives at tion will be sent out early asking for some of the game. BR Bert Deacon, Peggy & BR Mike you to help and for your input and suggestions. Meise, India & BR Bob Atkinson, and Debbie As we all know, everyone has an opinion, & BR Bob Hartzell. The day brought great especially VMI alumni. Please help Moe stay weather but not such a great game. The William & Mary game had the Hartzells’ in touch with you all, especially for the reunion details, with updated phone numbers, addresses faithful tailgate, and Moe also talked to BR Mort Mumma. Its’ always great seeing BRs but and e-mail addresses. Rah, Rah, VMI Whole Da*# Class, again another not-so-great game. In the Spirit of VMI, Never Say Die! The next home game was Charleston Moe Southern with a much better outcome. It was a beautiful day, a great win and the Keydet Board Tom Brown of Governors weekend and scholarship banquet. BR Chris Perry serves on the KC Board, and Patti & Chris were at the banquet, along with Lurline & BR Allan Wagner. Jane & Moe Massie did sit at the table with Beth & Robbie Salutations to the great class of ’78. As the Jones ’80 at the banquet. Moe enjoys seeing deadline for these notes was shorter than usual, BRs involved. It is hard for Moe to see all the they may be a little brief. Autumn is in full BRs, especially at the football games, because swing, the weather is finally changing to cool of his chain gang action. If we miss each other, and comfortable, and by the time you read these send an e-mail to let Moe know you were there. notes we will be in the throes of winter. I went Well, this is the year of our 35th Reunion (14-15 to the first football game over Labor Day weekSept. 2012). Our reunions are so important for us end met up with neighbor Jay Hutt. He had a to stay connected as a class. Many BRs are either nice spot right on the parade field for tailgatso far away from Lexington or they don’t live in ing. He and Paula were kind enough to share an area where other Super ’77ers live. Moe looks their wares and stories with this old mooch. back over our reunions and sees quite a change Thanks, Jay. The game was a bit disappointing and transformation from our early ones. The though. The next event that brought out ’78 5th year reunion is where so many are trying was the Virginia Ten Miler. This is a nice little so hard to seem sooooo cool. Our 10th year

’78

107

CLASS NOTES road race through our fair city of Guard Bureau in Arlington. Dave Lynchburg. Participating in the race says he stays in touch with some were: Drew Faulconer in the ten of the DC-based 78ers, but he is mile run, Mark Lowe in the four unable to attend their periodic getmiler, and Jay Hutt and I in the togethers - Tim McGreer, Bruce cheering section. Drew and Mark Kay, Al Moore, Tony Pileggi, were in fine form as the passed Jay et al. Due to his absence Dave and I. We hoisted a cool one on believes he will be placed on report their behalf and thought about the for missing a check formation. He times we made that easy run around says his response will be “Correct, the parade ground, not the hills that But Wish To Whine...” Drew and Mark had to make. Tim Pishdad reports with help Jim Simons sent along a note from Eric Hunter ’08 VMI Placeabout support of the VMI Cadet ment Officer and the Sam Chappell Fishing Club. Jim says that on the Network, after seven months he bright side, apparently people other found a job in Afghanistan. Tim than our BRs read our notes, as the says it is a great job with Patricio club’s profile with the administraEnterprises as Project SuperviClass of 1977: At the Academy of Fine Arts Western Gala in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Sept. 17, 2011, were, from left, tion and the interest generated sor for a Theater Consolidation above, Jack McCarthy ’87, David Manning ’91, Danny among the Corps of Cadets have Shipping Point for the Defense Thornton’78, Tray Petty ’93, Bob Sydnor ’71, Buck Bradley both increased dramatically in Logistics Agency. He is still waiting ’62, Bland Massie, Jay Hutt ’78, Bob Chapman’84 and recent months. Apparently there clearance but has been working Pete Ramsey ’72. Below: Katherine and David Manning, is value in propaganda. Saturday, from home and getting paid since. Jennifer and Jack McCarthy, Danny and Melissa ThornOctober 1st, 2011, the Cadet FishTim will be North in Deh Dadi II ton, Sara and Tray Petty, Bob Sydnor, Louise and Buck ing Club embarked on a day-long FOB, if anyone is in the area for a Bradley, Bland and Jane Massie, Jay and Paula Hutt, canoe trip on the James River. They year stop by my tent for a cold one Bob and Jeanna Chapman, and Pete Ramsey. paddled the three-mile stretch from (water that is). Great news Tim, stay Arcadia to the landing at Alpine. safe. Bill Hardy says his only news The group was commanded by Col. is that he has a freshman daughter Lee Dewald. Jim, along with one of at W&L which is hard for him to his fishing buddies, Rich Illes, went believe, but gives Bill a chance to along to support the operation. The be in Lexington and visit VMI. Bill weather was wonderful, although was looking forward to playing the wind kicked-up toward the end, golf at the Army Navy Golf Club making the last leg of the trip a bit with BRs McKnight, Wolffe and challenging. The river was running Thornton. low as well, so there was a need Bob Fricke says things have for some “amphibious operations” been somewhat tough for him. along the way. Although the fishBob retired early from the FBI in ing was slow, all but one or two 2008 because he wanted to start a cadets managed to land at least one new career to keep him going until smallmouth bass. To Jim’s amazethe normal 65 retirement age. He ment, he landed three, one of which got three years out of his initial was a nice fifteen-incher. For one contract before the slashing of the cadet, this was a new experience DoD budget. Bob has been trying sax in the band sponsored by his firm, Booz altogether. Not only was this his first fishing to find work to stay in Colorado Springs, but Allen Hamilton. Band’s name is PTO (Personal trip, it was his first time in a canoe, as well. Time Off) they do this on their time, not compa- it’s been tough. He has been bouncing between At mid-day they encamped on the river bank, contracts that are limited and possess no future. ny or client time. Dave and band played on the built a fire and cooked a “shore lunch”. Jim Bob say he may end up coming back to DC and National Mall near the Washington Monument was pleased to see that all but one canoe made leaving the family out there. Through all this he in October to support the Walk To Defeat ALS. it through the trip without capsizing, the lone says family’s been doing well. I hope all works Their next performance was at the Smithsonian exception flipping over 200 yards short of the out well for you Bob. Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in take-out point. On the way back to Barracks Mike McCarthy has been busy. The other early December at a private company function. the club happened upon an automobile that had two co-leads at work have abandoned the They work for free, supporting charities in the overturned on Route 11 south of Lexington. ship and have left Mike holding the bag for Washington DC Area. Their most significant The cadets rendered what assistance possible the Army Smart phone project. He also has performance in that venue was to play for the and stayed on scene until the fire department his day job as the Director of the Live-VirtualWounded Warriors program at Walter Reed arrived. Although the vehicle was a total wreck, Constructive simulation facilities at Fort Bliss Army Medical Center. Way to support the the woman driving was miraculously uninjured. for the Brigade Modernization Command. troops Dave. I like your fee structure. I’ll keep Sounds like a great event Jim. Mike says one of the downside of being the last you in mind for the next class reunion. Dave Dave Wrenn is still managing and playing lead left standing has been having to do all the still works as a Strategic Analyst at the National

108

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES strategic engagements for the project. Translated to English. Mike has become the guy who has to do all the interviews and speeches and associated travel. He remarked that if he spends much more time in the DC area he is going to have to start paying Virginia income tax. On another note, Mike tells me it has taken 55 years to figure out he has an inverted stomach valve and will be going in for repairs in November. On a plus side, the procedure has about a 95% chance of putting his diabetes in remission. His doc is predicting he will lose a bunch of weight, about 65-75 pounds, which will make him about 45 lbs. less than what he weighed when we graduated from the I. Sounds like an interesting weight loss program, Mike. Joe Cafarella checks in and is still working for Ball Aerospace; just went over 10 years. Joe says it seems like forever since he retired from the Air Force. In early July, Joe left the comfort of Dayton Ohio to “deploy” to a DHS Ops Center in upper Michigan working with Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Coast Guard, National Guard, FBI, DEA, ICE, and a lot of other three letter agencies along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Border Security Agency trying to secure the northern U.S. border – in the air, on land, and on the big water of the Great Lakes. He states it is exciting work for sure. Who knows when you might see Joe in a future episode of Border War. In the few short months he has been there, Joe has become an adopted fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions. Joe says he would like to get home soon, but his boss told him he can’t go home until he finds a backfill, so if anyone wants a job in Michigan and has Intelligence background, have them email him at: jcafarel@ball.com. Does the job come with a parka and long-johns Joe? Bob Magnan says he survived the alleged “hurricane” in August, although his brother had some damage, and became Bob’s house guest for a few days. In helping his brother clean up Bob thought he’d merely pulled his back. Wrong! It turns out to be a pinched nerve in his lumbar spine and is now dealing with “sciatica”. He got a series of anti-inflammatory shots to the lumbar spine, and was doing much better, after about eight weeks of hell. Bob says with any luck, he will be “ambulatory” in time to hear Terry McKnight’s presentation when he joins the NJ chapter of the VMI Alumni Association in November. Hope the back feels better soon Bob. Chip Shelhorn sent a quick note that all is well in Jupiter, Florida. He hopes to get in a few ski trips out west this year. Chip is playing golf and has been doing spin classes at the gym. Also from the Sunshine State, Joe Mounts checked in with all is fine. By the time these notes are out I’ll be wishing I was down there still.

2012-Issue 1

Jimmy Leech reports he just moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, to be closer to his oldest son, who is an attorney there, and also to his parents, Lloyd L. Leech Jr. ’42 and Ginny Leech, who still live in San Antonio. Leland Horn is another BR on the move in Texas. He finally settled in Dallas and is down to about a dozen boxes to unpack. Leland had forgotten how painful moving can be! His biggest issue was deciding which favorite team to cheer on. He was hoping to see the Cards come to town. Leland guesses, since he likes them both, he’ll just root for whoever is trailing. When we read this, we will know who he was rooting for. That concludes the news from the class. I thought it would be lacking in input but as usual, you guys came through. Thanks for all your support, and keep the news coming. BTW, as you read this, “send more news!”

’79

Michael Ogden

Hope this finds everyone well and in good health. I appreciate the quick turnaround for Class Notes on such short notice. Eddie Semler writes “I now have two grandchildren. Braden James, a grandson born Oct 19th, 2009 to my daughter Megan, and Josephine, a granddaughter born July 17th, 2011

to my oldest son, Cogan, and my daughter-inlaw, Meghan. Still have the house on the market with plans to head down to Panama early next summer to start a surf and fish resort/camp.” Thanks, Eddie. Your BRs are anxiously awaiting invites to surf in Panama! John Kailey is back in the U.S. following out processing at Ft. Benning in September. He had a touch of bad luck when his employer laid him off by form letter in August … while he was deployed! Ain’t there a law against that?! Welcome home, BR, and hope things improve on the job front. From the different perspective department: For those who do not know it, Tom and Nancy Trumps’ son, Sam, is a Rat this year. So, BR Tom is a graduate, the commandant AND now a Rat parent. Nancy says that both her and Tom’s perspectives have changed and for the good. Tom feels he is a better commandant for the experience, although still getting used to the “situation.” Sam is doing well taking things in stride. Ya gotta think he had a clue about what he was getting in to! Both Mom and Dad are pretty dern proud. Best of luck to Sam from ’79! Russ Zech was not able to make it up to Parents Weekend and asked that I check in with son Roland ’13. I did as requested. It turns out Roland was SOG that day but this most impressive Regimental Color Sergeant made time to stop by and say hello. Fine lad, that Roland! Mighty fine lad.

Class of 1979: Members of the class of 1979 gathered at VMI for Parents Weekend, September 2011. From left: Dave Taylor, Col. Tom Trumps, Chip Humphrey, Tom Baltazar, Bill Albro, Dave Jeter, Jeff McLean, Nester Pace, Mike Ogden, Gleb Taran, and Tim Cordle. Attending but not pictured were Jeff Curtis (his residence is in the background) and Al Soltis.

109

CLASS NOTES infantry officer and an English major this was Pete Alvarez became retirement eligible from of our BRs and so several of us have used the a great engineering challenge for me. I really “the company” early last month. Pete says he VMI group on LinkedIn to work on and subcould have used a world class architect… will let us know when he sets the retirement sequently lose out on contracts together. While maybe someone who designed the only multidate and let us know. Pete intends to invite all we are still being kept down by ‘the man,’ it is story building still standing on the Gulf Coast us BRs to help him celebrate nearly 34 years of sort of like being back in VMI where we can all after Katrina (Chuck)… but alas, I was left service. Pete also writes “My daughter, Gabrigrouse about it together. unfed and alone... with my pizza oven. ela, is a high school junior and just got her pro“In between looking for a job, I’m trying to “On at least 300 occasions over the past visional appointment to VMI: Class of 1979+ keep busy with the Global Campaign Against couple of months, I almost connected with Pe38!” Congrats Pete! Old, who’s feeling old? IEDs -- my non- profit (www.partners-interdro Alvarez in D.C. Despite the fact that seeing Doug Doerr relays that Pete Underwood national.org) -- and setting up some clinics in us together at the last “Code Orange” he held, came up from Norfolk for three days and a few rural Nigeria (Jon Daniels ’61 would be proud) Spotts now believes I’m Pedro’s body double, BRs got together for dinner at their favorite to include quite unsuccessfully trying to snivel we never could connect. I’m sure it is just me. restaurant, Giorgio’s Family Restaurant. In money from much richer foundations. I thought I keep showing up at the phone booths the reattendance was Phil Southers, Tom Manley, of asking the VMI football team to donate corded messages from the people he works for Pete, and Corinne and Doug. Unfortunately, the value of 1 year’s worth of mouth guards, send me, follow the cryptic clues and meet with none of the assembled had a camera or cell reasoning this could easily solve world hunger, the men wearing trench coats, galoshes, and phone. Sure. Uh, huh. Suuuure. but that didn’t work when we were cadets so I nothing else, but I never seem to connect with Jeff Curtis’ wife Betsy retired from her civil gave it a miss…. Pedro. I can never seem to have the service job as an ANG technician right answer to the cryptic question and has joined Jeff full time in of ‘how was the linguini?’ After all Lexington. No more geo bachelor these years, I’m actually beginning stuff. She will still continue to be to think that Pedro really might not a part-time ANG pilot with the work as a Wal-Mart greeter. Nebraska Air National Guard. “I did actually connect with Hank They are presently looking Chase. He’s still the same and still around the Lexington area for a the great BR he always was. Hank “post-VMI job” house. What? had me up to his office in MaryWho says you are ever leaving land when I first re-retired and he’s VMI Jeff? Ever think to check doing great. There was a strange with your Class? Geeeez. moment when he introduced me to This issue’s award for Class his Security Officer who he kept Notes in puts goes to none other saying I knew from VMI but I could than “Uncle Stosh” Bob Morris! not place. What with us not having Have a seat, strap in and put your women in our class and all. Turns out thinking caps on. You have been it was a girl I dated our second and warned. Now, where did I put first class year then chose the Army, that A-OK Best in Class Gold the Korean DMZ and such over. Star Award pin? Class of 1979: John Arthur IV ’08 was promoted to One short – near death experience “I have given great thought to captain while assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry later … fortunately, Hank was able the class notes you requested and in Hohenfels, Germany. Pictured, from left, are Arthur’s to convince her those were all good felt a bit bad that I have nothing wife, Kathryn; Arthur; and his mother and father, Jessie times at VMI and I escaped with my to really report on BR encounters. and John Arthur. life. Lessoned learned for our class So, I just thought I would report on ‘almost’ BR encounters and … when you introduce women from other things of even lesser relevance. Use what “My experience since the last time you our time at the ‘I’ to BRs they knew, always be you want. Report the rest to the FBI, attributed asked for input was ‘almost’ connecting with sure to use their MAIDEN name. In thanks for to someone else. our BRs. “I’ve almost connected with Chuck saving my life, I promised Hank he could come “If you use any of this and the time stream Biviano on numerous occasions. He never to the Italian dinner Chuck was going to make is wrong in me telling you things that actually seems to show up, and that reminds me of … after all these months he probably hates me occurred more than several months ago, that when my parents moved all those times I was for stiffing him on the cannoli. is for two reasons: 1) I have lost control of the at VMI with no forwarding address. Like “There was almost a great time with Meade time-space continuum; 2) I want to give the them I always keep finding Chuck… but we Spotts at his annual picnic, but he didn’t tell me triple-type A personalities in our class somenever seem to connect. He finally absolutely about it until many weeks after it was over. Asa thing to find as an error. They will read the class promised me he would come make me an ItalPage, Pedro, Brian Tollie, Mike Ogden and a notes you spend so much time putting together ian dinner. That was a year ago. I’ve lost over whole bunch of our BRS were almost there. I and they will feel fulfilled in finding a egregious 175 lbs and now and fed by IVs… no Chuck. heard Chuck was going to cook. Sorry we all error – win, win. Most recently he told me he would make me a missed the memo. “To begin, I’m enjoying retirement from 31 Sicilian pizza if I built a pizza oven. I submit “In the past month, I almost connected with years in the military and have taken up a new as evidence the photo at exhibit ‘A,’ the pizza Mike ‘Odie’ Ogden and Tom Trumps as a hobby - that of losing contract bids for work. I oven I built in my back yard for Chuck. Still no member of their ‘foursome’ (yes ... there can be found that I share this hobby with a great many Chuck or dinner. I don’t understand why. As an a 4-guy foursome now) in the ‘put Lumpkin in

110

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES the game’ memorial tournament. Unfortunately, soon after I signed up to be in the tournament on the team, they cancelled it until next spring… I have to say… I’m starting to see a pattern and develop a complex here, although I can’t really blame them. I think Chuck promised to serve spaghetti and meatballs on the 198th hole. “Most recently, I actually almost met up with Tom Trumps, again while at VMI. I did go by his office 300 separate times the day I was there, but he was never in. Sandi is still there, and she finally told me he really didn’t have much use for someone who could not pull off a simple dinner. I’m a bit crushed. “Actually, the CSM said he might have been out at the skeet range… which made me wonder… We had a skeet range? Obviously, I either missed something during our cadetship or the administration wisely hid it from me, knowing my love of large caliber weapons, explosions and such. “At this point, I must digress. While I did not actually get to visit Trumps, I did get to spend some time with his chair. I believe I may be in love. Trumps has the most comfortable, ergonomically, tree-hugging, peace, love and rock and roll mesh chair I believe I’ve ever sat in. Which put me to mind of how ‘soft’ the Institute has become. I mean, after all ... did Col. Buck Buchanan ’50 have an ergonomic chair? Hell no! The Buck had a straight back, dead cow leather, beaten until soft and then beaten again straight back swivel chair of justice! Sitting in Trumps’, I felt all warm and gooey inside. I may even have sung some choruses of Kumbaya to the 6 assistant commandants. But in his defense, I’ll bet not one of them can cook a good Italian meal like Chuck Biviano. “I did manage to secure JM Hall for an event in April 2012 [http://smotj.caihq.org] where a couple of our BRs are considering joining. I hope more will, as there are chapters around the world, and once we take over the organization, could seizing W&L be far behind? Besides that, who would not want to be knighted at VMI? “So, that’s really about it. Seems all the BRs I’ve tried to connect with have somehow gone into the witness protection program – or suddenly forgotten how to cook.” “Oh, just prior to the close of class notes in October, Spotts invited me to do a cigar rolling for a Virginia Delegate’s event in Powhatan. I was overjoyed to discover I did not need either a visa or a passport to visit this faraway place. Typical Spotts event with much food (all be it, none Italian), much booze and many high profile people whom I did not know but probably should have. It brought me to the conclusion these events are actually tears in the time-space continuum, as the evening ended with a bunch of guys drinking bourbon, smoking cigars and

2012-Issue 1

talking about how they were going to run Virginia and keep it safe from Yankee infiltration. At some point, I believe JEB Stuart and R.E. Lee stopped by, but since I was hiding my Connecticut lineage, I did not get a close look....” Thanks Stosh. Like said, ya’ll were warned! Larry Adams’ son, “Firstie” (Senior) at the Air Force Academy, has earned a Pilot Slot after graduation! Larry says he no longer has to remind him so much anymore - “He’s living the Dream”! This comes a few months after he earned his Jump Wings, too – Air Force Academy style (5 Free-Fall jumps). Larry’s daughter, High School Senior, is in a really good cover band, in the Atlanta Area: Foxes and Fossils. Playing everything from Crosby, Stills & Nash and Tom Petty, to Katy Perry & The Zach Brown Band, they have opened for Wet Willie and The Band Perry within the last year! You can check out some Audio/Videos on line or come on out to their next performance, if you are near Atlanta – www.foxesandfossils.com. Larry says it’s been a great experience for her, but the really good news is, so far, she has managed to keep her grades up! Larry continues “My wife is now ‘officially’ more educated than me with a ‘Post-Master’s Degree,’ called a Specialist Degree. She’s a Media Specialist (what we used to know as a Librarian). And everyone in my family is in a band of some kind - but me! And I’ve been singing longer than any of them! Why fight it? I’m a ‘groupie’ & amateur videographer, yard-man, watch TV and injure myself playing racquetball on a regular basis (minor surgery coming up in December to correct latest injury).” Good luck on the surgery, BR! Bob Sievert checks in: “Angela and I are doing great. I’m neck-deep in a monster upgrade to the eVA state government purchasing system... trying to ‘get it right’ so we make positive change for the 25,000+ users and 45,000+ vendors we have. As you can imagine, it wouldn’t take much in the way of a mistake to make a lot of folks unhappy!” Bob continues: “Our big news was the hurricane Irene. We had to take our son back to college the weekend that it hit Virginia, so we drove off on Thursday to get ahead of it. We’ll we succeeded in getting Andrew settled in New Hampshire on Friday and then Saturday we took off North to try and get out of its path. So while it was wreaking havoc here, we were racing up to Montreal, Canada to try and get on the weak side. Well, it came in-land so all of a sudden we weren’t in such a good place. So on Sunday we took off just ahead of the storm and drove North-East along the St. Lawrence River to try and get onto the other side of the storm track. Well after struggling through TONS of French road signs and trying not to get lost, we

succeeded in getting to a beautiful water-side town where we feasted on Lobster (3lb. lobster each!) and then slept through the storm. From there it was a wonderful road trip back through New Brunswick and finally into Maine. As you can imagine, we had to force ourselves to eat seafood the whole way... including having a roadside picnic of lobster, crab legs and shrimp. Anyway, we had a great road trip back through Maine and, after a brief stop-over in Delaware at their casino, made our way home. Great trip despite the hurricane! I will say that the whole trip we kept pointing out trailers and saying that each place we saw would be a great camping place for you and Renee. In fact, we are already dreaming of the idea that when we get our trailer then maybe we could talk you two into doing a road trip back through that country with us! “Angela is doing squirrel rescue/fostering and has picked up doing kitten fostering as well. I’m spending most weekends in Buena Vista either working on some rental houses (yes I am a ‘Slum Lord’) or working on my In-Law’s Estate since they passed away. My big positive with these trips is to get at least one meal each trip at Macado’s in Lexington. It may not be Spanky’s but I must admit it’s a CLOSE second. “Our final ‘Hurrah’ planned for this year is later this month. We are going to New Orleans for Halloween! We did this a couple years ago and had a BLAST. It’s as wild as Mardi Gras but not as expensive. I can’t even begin to tell you the kind of stuff you see during that time. Wish you two could go with us... definitely a memory building experience.” Thanks again for all the news Bob. Now, if everyone just dropped me a line like that once, just ONCE a year, my life would be sooo much easier. I know you care. I know you do. George Marentic checks in: “I just wanted to let you know that my wife Kelly and I were able to join Randall and Robin Atkins at the VMI – Akron game a few weeks ago. Randall is still doing the statistics for the radio broadcast, over 35 years and counting. We are living in Columbus Ohio and it was great to have VMI come and visit us. It was a great time even though the results of the game were not the best. There was a really great VMI turnout; it was as large as the Akron attendance. Randall did a great job of catching me up on all the happenings at VMI and especially the sports programs. I’m looking forward to VMI coming to Columbus in November to play Ohio State in basketball. Kelly and I were at the VMI – Kentucky game the other year when VMI blew away Kentucky – it was great fun, I’m looking for the same results against OSU. My son Joe, who just graduated from Law School at Kentucky, was in shock. Randall and Robin are also

111

CLASS NOTES planning to join us for the game.” Great hearing from you George! Renee and I had a blast Parents Weekend at the “I.” Met up with a gaggle of BRs; rally point was the front yard of the commandant’s house, of course, duh, where Dave and Cindy Jeter and brother-in-law Sam (son is class of ’07) were cooking ribs! Great weather, great food and tons of fun catching up with evenyone. In attendance were (forgive me if I miss someone) Nector and Marion Pace with son Powell ’12, Tom and Karen Baltazar, Dave and Carrie Taylor, Bill Albro, Chip and Maria Humphreys, Doug Houser, Gleb Taran, Jeff McLean, Tim Cordle, and Al Soltis, Karen Page and sons Brandon ’10 and Addison ’14. (Asa was off scuba diving in the Caymans with Jim Leavitt.) Oh, also Tom and Nancy Trumps and Jeff and Betsy Curtis were there. Duh. Out of room (thanks Stosh!), so will sign off. Keep them cards and letters coming, and please stay safe and well!

’80

John Gibney Jr.

Hello, Brother Rats, By direction of the Alumni Review staff, these notes cover the period Aug. 16, 2011, through Oct. 15, 2011. Typically the reporting period would extend to Nov. 15th. The next set of notes will cover the period October 16, 2011, through February 15, 2012. As such, these notes were submitted before my scheduled visits in October to Richmond and Lexington and in November to VMI. The period began with an e-mail message from Doug Walker. Included was a family photo that did not meet publication standards. Doug is still in Nebraska working for the Veteran’s Administration. Jeanne is in her 20th year working for their local congressman. Alex, their oldest, works by day in a local awards and recognition shop and at night as the front man for “Higher Empathy Movement” (can be found on YouTube). Andrew, their youngest, is in 8th grade. Their daughter, Melissa, is a lance corporal in a Marine Corps Osprey squadron. She recently married and then deployed to Camp Leatherneck. While deployed, she was visited by Jay McConnell. Dennis Jacobs drove from his California home to South Dakota to meet with his dyke and two other alumni. Dennis sent an e-mail with a photo of the group taken in front of Mount Rushmore that appeared in the last issue of the Alumni Review on page 95.

112

Rob Quarles and Mike Luning sent e-mail messages organizing the annual visit of a group of our BRs to VMI for a football game – October 22, 2011. As of this writing, Don Bradshaw, Larry Hupertz, Jay McConnell, Dan Sweeney and Dixon Tucker were planning to attend. The trip includes tailgating on the lawn in front of Gary Levenson’s quarters on Post. Walt and Mary Lynne Wood hosted a cookout in the Richmond area. The event drew quite a crowd as evidenced by the accompanying photo. As reported by Walt, the attendees were Andy and Nicki Ludlum, Rick and Ginny Fowler, Mike Luning, Josh Priest, Dusty Boyd, Dan and Cindy Sweeney, Don and Karyn Bradshaw, V Dunn, Tolar Nolley, Ed Baker, Dennis Loba, Louis and Michelle McBride, Patrick and Ronnie McCarthy, John and Courtney Blankenship, Dan Conn and Marge, Kevin and Anita Cordray and Dixon Tucker. A repeat performance is being planned for next year. Bert Schneider sent an e-mail with an attached war game hobby newsletter. The newsletter contained a picture of Bert playing a war game with Cory Wells of “Three Dog Night.” (See the Alumni News section for more.) Ivan Pupulidy sent an e-mail noting that he retired from the Air Force after 22 years as a pilot. He and Crista live in Boise, Idaho. Ivan wrote that he works with the U.S. Forest Service and is a guest lecturer at several universities including Lund University in Sweden. I spoke twice with Pat Griffin. Pat is the president of the New England chapter of the Alumni Association. In June, his chapter hosted the Superintendent for dinner, and in August

they held a Rat send-off. Bruno Loefstedt, Dennis Maguire and Doug Reddington turned out in support of those events. Pat was visited at his summer house in Rhode Island by Gary Fellows and by Phil Munisteri. Phil’s visit coincided with visiting colleges throughout the northeast with his son, Connor. Pat plans to visit VMI in December with his son, Michael, and to see Frank Bell in Richmond at that time. I also spoke with Phil Munisteri about his college visits. Phil’s daughter, Meghan, is a junior pre-med major at SUNY Genesco. Dave Gleason sent an e-mail to a number of our BRs that contained a link to electronic versions of The VMI Cadet. Noted in the message was the August 18, 1976, issue. Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc along the East Coast at the end of August. Thanks to Tom Gelles, Tuck Masker and Elliott Wolffe for checking in. Coverage of the hurricane prompted an e-mail from Jody Morgan. Jody has relocated from Lexington to Roseland, VA, in Nelson County. Among other business interests, Jody is working as a realtor at Wintergreen Real Estate. Her son, Jake, lives and works in Fredericksburg, VA. He is getting married in May and plans to attend architectural school. Hanna is enrolled at J. Sergeant Reynolds College with plans to transfer to VCU. Cameron is a junior at Appalachian State majoring in interior design. Jody sent family photos that did not meet publication requirements. Wade and Lannie Stinnette did not let the hurricane deter their plans to spend a weekend in NYC. Patti and I had dinner with them before they saw a play. When they were unable to leave as scheduled due to their flight being

Class of 1980: Members of the class of 1980 gathered at a cookout hosted by Walt and Mary Lynne Wood in Ashland, Virginia, August 2011.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES cancelled, Patti and I were able to tour with called from LaGuardia Airport where he was Association lunch in the Norfolk area. them lower Manhattan with a quick trip to waiting for four hours for a connecting flight. Tolar Nolley sent a text message with a Brooklyn. They took the opportunity to attend Unfortunately, I was on the golf course and photo of a group of VMI cadets in Richmond. the U. S. Open on Monday. didn’t get the call until after he departed. One of the cadets was John Alerding’s son, I spoke with Hugh Fain as he was driving October began with an e-mail from Dixon Johnny. his middle daughter, Audrey, to Boston where Tucker who was arranging an Alumni I spoke at length with Gary Levenson, she is a freshman at BU majoring VMI’s deputy commandant. Gary in communications. Hugh said that saw Gene Scott at matriculation, Hurricane Irene downed trees and as Gene’s son is a Rat. Gary also knocked out power in Richmond but spoke with Phil Altizer and Tom otherwise everyone he knew was ok. Bersson. Tom plans to visit VMI His youngest daughter, Sally, is in in October. Gary also housed El3rd grade. His oldest daughter, Joyce, liott Wolffe for an evening. Elliott is a senior at Wake Forest. was transporting his dog from August closed with an e-mail New Jersey to New Orleans. from Paul Burkholder. Paul and As the period closed, Walt Dwight Pearson traveled in July Kreitler sent an e-mail. Walt to Utah to attend Joe Paustenwrote that his position at Northrup baugh’s wedding. A photo of Paul, Grumman requires overseas travel. Joe and Michelle and Dwight He has therefore missed opportuaccompany these notes. nities to visit with Ken Baybutt, September began with an e-mail Dennis Hackemeyer and Steve Class of 1980: Pup-Snatchers Reunite. From left, Jack message from Don Bradshaw. Don Ikenberry. Walt also wrote that he Keane, Rick Fowler and Bruno Loefstedt reminisced over is attending the Army War College. and Carrie are grandparents! Walt a lobster feast about “borrowing” the bulldog mascot of In November Don will be attending plans to visit VMI for a basketball The Citadel in fall 1979. a seminar in NYC and Karyn will game. join him. We will try to get together Also, I spoke with Steve Anduring his visit. Also, Don asked to drews. His daughter, Virginia, is a connect with Andy Brown. Andy is sophomore at VCU. His daughter, a rear admiral in the Navy stationed Caroline, is a high school junior in Germany. and an excellent volleyball player. Patti and I visited Matthew and Patti and I plan to travel to Tanya Keys to watch the Super Bowl VMI twice in a three-week period XLII champion New York Giants covering late October and early play the team from DC with the poNovember. The October trip will litically incorrect nickname. We also take us through Richmond. Thanks plan to attend an annual Halloween in advance to Hugh Fain for orgaparty with them. nizing our local BRs for a cocktail September closed with an e-mail party during our visit. from Rick Fowler. Rick wrote that Finally, I received several photos Tom Gelles prepared a DVD consistthat did not meet publication ing of interviews Tom conducted standards. The process I follow with five of our BRs who, in the fall upon receipt of a photo is to send of 1979, drove to The Citadel to kidit to the Alumni Review staff with nap their bulldog mascot. The “Pupa request for a determination of Snatch-Five” of Dan Conn, Rick whether the photo can be pubFowler, Jack Keane, Tom Kelly lished. When you read that a photo and Bruno Loefstedt got together did not meet the standards, that last year to reminisce. This year, decision was made by the Alumni Rick, Jack and Bruno got together. Review in advance of the submisRick sent a photo that accompanies sion of our class notes. I will these notes. usually alert the sender and try to I spoke with Tom Gelles on the obtain a higher resolution photo. 53rd anniversary of his birth. His son, Typically, the photos that do not Nick, is a VMI first class private meet publication standards are majoring in mechanical engineering. taken with cell phones. NonetheHe will enter the Navy upon gradualess, keep sending photos. tion in May. His daughter, Lindsey, Thank you all for your support. Class of 1980: From left, Paul Burkholder; Joe Paustenis a sophomore at Utica College The next set of notes will be baugh and his bride, Michelle; and Dwight Pearson at majoring in physical therapy. delivered to VMI in 2012. Please Paustenbaugh’s wedding in Utah, July 2011. As September ended, Ed Baker keep in touch.

2012-Issue 1

113

CLASS NOTES His wife, Patti, is working for PNC Bank in Newport, Pennsylvania, and insists on returning “home” to Gwynn’s Island as often as their schedules allow. Two of their five children were married this past summer, and all of the “kids” are doing well! Ray Moschler wrote that his oldest son, Daniel, is a Rat in Bravo Company and is roomDear Brother Rats and Families, ing with the Commandant’s son (4 of the 5 in I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and his room are son’s of alums). Ray says that he happy New Year 2012. I send you my personal has spent more time at the Institute in the last 2 best for 2012. years than in the previous 29 years since graduMark Olson was selected as the director of ation. He reports the whole place is spectacular operations for Marine Corps Installations Comfrom facilities to programs. They have, he mand and started with them this past October. believes, 3 or 4 Deputy Commandants (and we He reported he recently had dinner with Adrian had Capt Wilcocksen who seemed to make it Bogart, who is working in the Washington, DC work), so the place is looking good. area until January. Jim Byron chimed in on this and reported John Judge retired after 29 years of active that his son is a 2nd this year (in F-Troop). Jim and reserve service as a Navy captain. Lt. j.g. reminisced that he spent a lot of time with Capt John H. Judge ’08 was the master of ceremoWilcocksen working off PTs. He recalled that nies, and he wore his father’s Gold Dolphins. Capt Wilcocksen was quite a gentleman; even Lt. j.g. Judge is currently serving as Main inviting Jim to his home for dinner on weekPropulsion Assistant on U.S.S. Santa Fe (SSN ends a couple of times when he was on a long 763), homeported in Pearl Harbor, and he stretch of confinement. earned his Dolphins (completed submarine Mike Hatfield wrote that he was sorry to warfare qualifications) on his WESTPAC miss the reunion. Mike and Tonya’s second deployment. John’s retirement ceremony was granddaughter, Hannah Lynn, was born exactly held onboard Display Ship Barry at the Washone year to the day, Aug. 24, 2011, after his first ington Navy Yard, DC, on Sept. 10, 2011. Rear granddaughter. Her parents, Katharine and GilAdm. Jay Deloach, director, Naval History and berto, live near them, so they are getting great Heritage Command, was the guest speaker, and opportunities to spoil both granddaughters. Rear Adm. Bob Kamensky, vice commander, Jorg Ronke let me know that he and Meg, his Submarine Forces, also attended. bride of 30 years, have built their dreamhouse Grover Outland writes that he attended a and are living in Brevard, NC. “Parents Weekend” for his oldest daughter Corky Mitchell wrote to let me know he (at a college other than VMI). He had a great has moved into a new home in a nice lakeside conversation with Bart Price whom he reached community just southeast of Charlottesville two days before he retired from 30 years as called Lake Monticello. He says he a teacher in the Page County is about 10 minutes south of US64 School System. As part of his (Zion’s Crossroad) if anyone is in the “retirement,” Grover understands neighborhood. that Bart is going to expand his Dave Taylor provided this link to farming operation. Grover also our first and subsequent newspaper: had a recent phone conversation http://www2.vmi.edu/thecadet/pdfsin the late September/early Octohi/1977/The-Cadet_1977-08-17.pdf. ber timeframe with Corky MitchThe archive goes all the way back to ell and Andy Kolesar. Earlier in 1907! http://www2.vmi.edu/thecadet/ September, he had a great time is the link to the entire listing. chatting with Clarkson Meredith As I was looking at some pictures and Ken Herbert at VMI during sent to me by Jim Frishkorn of this the William & Mary football year’s matriculating class, I noticed game weekend. Ken continues that the “rat and cadre corporal” to serve as a voting director on cartoon adorning the top of each the Alumni Association’s Board matriculating cadets badge was the of Directors. Finally, Grover pilfered artwork of our own John was saddened to report that my Holloway. Bringing this to the atpredecessor as class agent and Class of 1981: From left, Rear Adm. Bob Kamensky, vice tention of Jim and others launched a few other northern Virginia commander Submarine Forces; Lt. j.g. John H. Judge ’08; a lengthy e-mail discussion of our BRs (Loving, Adler, Herbert) Capt. John W. Judge; and Rear Adm. Jay Deloach, direcmatriculation day. Avoiding discustook great delight in throwing a tor Naval History and Heritage Command. sions involving hanging underwear last-minute invite to join them for

’81

114

Trip Lloyd

pancakes at a Northern Virginia IHOP on Labor Day Monday. Grover received the invitation Sunday afternoon of Labor Day weekend and could not break free from his previous commitments. Grover said these invitations seem to always be last-minute because they seem to believe there may be some issue with the IHOP pancake supply if he shows. Lou Darden shared that he graduated as top gun in the FBI Citizens’ Academy Class 10-01 at the Richmond, VA field office. He had the opportunity to fire the 1922 x 26 Thompson Machine Gun. The academy emphasizes their investigative responsibilities to the public such as Counterintelligence, Gangs/Violent Crime, Cyber Crime, White Collar Crime, Public Corruption, International Terrorism and Domestic Terrorism. A tour of the FBI training facility at Quantico VA included the FBI Lab, Hogan’s Alley and other areas. Lou reports it was an incredible learning experience. In his data management duties at WellPoint, his regular job, Lou was an invited speaker at the Enterprise Data World conference on the West Coast and provided a similar more technical talk in Washington, DC at the Informatica World Conference. Lou wanted everyone to know the 30th was a great reunion and it was great seeing everyone. John Dixon is still teaching chemistry and Physics at Carson Long Military Academy in New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania. As a Faculty Officer, he also serves as a “building officer”, which lends itself to a very busy schedule, but one filled with many rewards. He is currently helping two outstanding cadets with applications to the Institute and is extremely pleased with their desire to take that “path less chosen”!

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES and hooks; I offer Jim’s memories of Matriculation Day for the Class of 1981: Jim Frishkorn wrote that although the venue has changed for Cadet Matriculation, he suspects that the first week remains every bit as intense as when we matriculated and for generations who came before us. After 34 years, Jim vividly remembers our Matriculation day. There were so many polite and smiling faces from the Administration and upper classmen before the time came to anxiously say goodbye to our parents and enter the unknown...to be issued our Rat Bibles, uniforms, and Rat haircuts. Jim recalls the bald barber known as “Curley” taking the time to small talk with him as he took his seat in the chair. When asked if he’d like to keep some of his hair, Jim was quick to recognize that someone was actually reaching out in a friendly tone and replied “Yes!” to which Curley responded, “Here, send some to your Mother!” as he handed Jim a small brown paper bag. This military environment was something totally new and unfamiliar to the now retired Air Force Colonel, and Jim quickly found himself on the fast-track to getting indoctrinated. To this day, Jim doesn’t like the smell of Brasso and obviously spent way too much time shining shoes and boots. While still living on the 3rd stoop as a rat, he confesses he didn’t muster the nerve to go to the bathroom for three days, but once he did, it took 5+ minutes to get through the gauntlet of upper classmen anxiously waiting for a wary Rat to pass by. Jim vividly remember meeting Tony Hamilton ’79, who along with 4-5 of his closest friends, bombarded him with Rat Bible questions while providing constructive feedback on his textbook strain. Jim subsequently received his first “drop and give me 25!” invitation that evening. Jim was glad to get away from that crowd/mob of honorable youths! It’s funny to look back on these “building character” experiences...morning runs followed by trips to the Sinks in total darkness to be shuffled en-masse through alternating hot/cold showers, convenient early morning wake-up visits from

Class of 1981: Lou Darden fired a 1922 x 26 Thompson Machine Gun during field day, having graduated as top gun in the FBI Citizens’ Academy Class in October 2011.

2012-Issue 1

Bob Longwell ’78 who took a special interest in the length of Nels Kloster’s hair and his laid back personality (unfortunately, he had to pass by Jim’s bed to get to Nels and was great at flipping racks), the excitement of Breakout in Barracks and the distinctive smell that lingered for days until the frozen byproducts eventually thawed or were chiseled away by the Stoopies, the bruises that Paul Brier sustained from the beltline on his birthday, etc. These events are vividly and eloquently captured in many of John Holloway’s cartoons, some containing numerous hidden innuendos that are only evident to John’s roommates and close friends. Jim fondly expresses that he wouldn’t trade those memories or experiences for anything!

’82

Charles Kause

In autumn moonlight, when the white air wan Is fragrant in the wake of summer hence, ‘Tis sweet to sit entranced, and muse thereon In melancholy and godlike indolence: When the proud spirit, lull’d by mortal prime To fond pretence of immortality, Vieweth all moments from the birth of time, All things whate’er have been or yet shall be. And like the garden, where the year is spent, The ruin of old life is full of yearning, Mingling poetic rapture of lament With flowers and sunshine of spring’s sure returning; Only in visions of the white air wan By godlike fancy seized and dwelt upon. Robert Seymour Bridges Much to my regret, a shortened class notes period and a quotidian life spent grunting away in the policy fens of the Department of Defense, whilst ruminating in the vestiges of my garden have produced a very truncated epistle to you. I am at the end of my physical therapy regime and can almost walk like a real boy. The uncertainty of continued employment as a defense contractor hangs over my head like the Sword of Damocles. I suspect many of our BRs working in the defense industry are also hunkering down, beavering away at their work, but wondering whether their program or agency will get chopped. In a few weeks I will travel with the family down to Parris Island to watch the Clown Prince graduate from Marine boot camp. I am curious to discover how much it changed him and to query him if he is beginning to understand me. Dan Clymore dropped me a short note to accept my offer to join me on LinkedIn. He had

been working most of the summer successfully bidding on construction projects for Shirley Contracting here in northern Virginia. Dan wondered whether I had purchased a boat, like Mrs. Kause desired. Knee surgery and therapy kind of took the steam out of that dream. But, I do have a high speed Rockfish rod and tackle and can pay for beer and gas on Danny’s boat. Kimbel Burt, wife of Mike Burt and sister of Van Noah, dropped me a line after I accepted her offer to join her network on LinkedIn. Mike and Kimbel still live down in the Big Easy. Mike is looking for a new gig to occupy his time. For those BRs who wish to correspond with him, his email address is rockhollywood@ hotmail.com, because Rock was one of his names from VMI and Hollywood reminds the Burts of California. Mike and Kimbel have a daughter, who is now a first grade teacher in New Orleans, and a son, who is completing his last semester studying mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech. On the subject of grown up children, I am beginning to wonder whether we have any BRs who are now grandfathers. If you know of one, dime him out by contacting me. I will be asking that question several times to all BRs (and their significant others!) at our 30th Reunion. Plans for the reunion, to be held from April 27-28, 2012, are proceeding apace. What I really mean is Sister Rat Lynn Heltzel, wife of Emmett Heltzel and sister of Scott Crumpler, has the situation well in hand. She is even kind enough to consult with our class officers from time to time to keep them apprised of her progress. Since Class of ’62 will be the honored class that weekend, we will be junior class behind ’72, and left to our own devices. I look forward to bringing up the rear as we march into the Barracks with all those old guys.

’83

Jim Outland

Greetings. It has been an eventful fall which kicked off with a 5.9 magnitude earthquake here in Central VA. The experience left many of us shaken, but not stirred and I’m grateful for all of the funny real-time emails I received from BRs who checked in to report their “status.” Besides giving many of us a chance to see how well contingency plans for family, business, and government either work or don’t work, the quake also provided a venue to exercise our good sense of humor. In response to an early work release at the US Customs and Border Protection Office in Northern Va., Marc Guevremont predicted that the real disaster

115

CLASS NOTES would be the traffic jam. Tray Adams, vacationing 300 miles away at Pawley’s Island, reported that the deck chairs at his vacation house rattled, thus forcing him to make another batch of Margaritas. Teddy Gottwald noted a casualty at VPI, “The one book in the library fell off the shelf.” Bob Edwards provided a Southern California perspective, “BR Dudes Fear not; it is a mild quake, just hang loose and ride it out.” And, of course, somebody reminded me that since it was Cadre week at VMI the earthquake just had to be the Rats’ fault. In other earth-shaking news, I learned of BR Joe Leonard’s promotion to commander, USCG. As some may recall, Joe received an Army commission at graduation but subsequently branch-transferred to the Coast Guard where he has served with distinction at his duty station in Galveston, TX. Joe has responded to events such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Deep Water Horizon debacle and Tropical Storm Allison (which devastated SE TX) so his promotion is well-deserved. In other job news, Duane Ray reports he has started a new position with Advanced Packaging System in Richmond. APS is a rapidly growing specialty box company and Duane is especially appreciative of the VMI network which assisted him in landing the job. Also this fall, I’ve been hot on the trail of confirming the “real deal” details surrounding our Jostens contract for class rings. Steve Amato and Jamie MacDonald dug deep into their personal archives to send me a copy of the warranty we received with our rings and I have this posted now in the files section of the VMI83 yahoo website. The warranty provides lifetime protection against defects as well as free resizing. I have not, however, been able to find a copy of the actual contract we signed with Jostens, only this warranty. Based on a discussion with the VMI alumni office and a phone conversation with Mary at Jostens, our free ring replacement deal was limited to two years. If your ring was subsequently lost or stolen and you would like a replacement, contact Lisla Danas in the alumni office and they will provide an authorization letter to Jostens stating that you are an alumnus. The letter is needed in order for you to purchase your replacement ring. For anyone interested in a trip down memory lane, Jamie also sent me a link to the digitization project which now has copies of The Cadet newspaper online at http:// www2.vmi.edu/thecadet/. As of this writing, issues of the paper from 1907 – 1997 are now available. This site will definitely help jog your memory or even set the record straight and is well worth a visit by every (prior) cadet. It is quite interesting to read the old articles about our Breakout, Ring Figure, and Graduation as well as that mysterious conflagration around

116

Marshall Statue during our 3rd class year. The Dart Board section is also still quite entertaining as well as the commentary on activities at Mary Baldwin, Hollins, Randy Mac, Sweet Briar, and Zollmans. Of course, a fall installment of class notes would be incomplete without mention of VMI Football so here goes. Several of you have kept me well-informed on events and activities associated with each game. Particular thanks to John Dodge, Richard Hewitt and Cal Murray for doing a fine job in rallying our class in support of the VMI Keydet Club’s Gridiron initiative. I also appreciate the “Warning Order” issued by Cal in preparation for every home game. Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to attend any home games this Fall, but I know our class is well-represented with Skip Goodwillie, Charlie Luck, Mark Sykes, Dave Warriner, Dave Clarke, and Jay Williams to name a few. September did present an opportunity for the Outlands to see the Keydets in action when the team travelled to Richmond to play U of R. The day started with a Sports Information director house-call by BR Wade Branner who made the trip out to our home to deliver a scouting report despite his busy game-day prep. The game turned out to be a less-than-pleasant affair, however, especially the first half. The good news is our team rallied in the second and gave a decent showing. A better showing was made at the pre-game tail-gate in the driveways of neighbors Frank Kollmansperger ’84 and Hank Selman ’84. As expected, their class was well-represented and I enjoyed catching up with Steve Reardon, Bill Janis, Mike Locher, Alec Thompson, Lee Wimbish, Bum Phillips, Jeff Levenson and Jeff Perkins (who is often mistaken by his own BRs as being a member of The Class of ’83). Reardon has a 3rd in the Corps, Janis still does an awesome Col Siegfried Weing imitation, Locher appreciated the vintage ’83 VMI lacrosse jacket my son was wearing, Thompson made the journey up from Va. Beach, Levenson and I still have the same raincoats we purchased for the 2002 victory over the Citadel and Perkins (’83?) had his daughter drive us to the game (which was nice). Thankfully, I was not the senior member presiding as Meade Spotts ’79 and Mike Denton ’81 were both also “present and accounted for.” Even though no other ’83s attended the pre-game (besides Perkins?), it was great catching-up with VMI people and many thanks go out to the host families. In other news, Franklin Hudgins called me one afternoon with an urgent flash message concerning USAF Col. Tracey Jones’ stop-over in Norfolk on his way to deployment in Afghanistan. Tracey was travelling from his new home in Las Vegas to Bagram Airfield where his surgical skills will greatly benefit our

service members in-country. Thankfully, Merchant was available to act as an escort during our BR’s brief over-night stay and after dinner they stopped by the home of Grover and Teancy Outland ’49B to say hello. I had a great phone conversation with Tracey and Franklin after their visit and know a good time was had by all. Regrettably, your class agent was unable to be there, especially for the visit with my parents. I’m sure any stories told by Hudgins and Jones of my alleged cadet hijinks were greatly embellished. One of the factual stories recounted, however, concerns BR Mark Heselp and the unsolved mystery of whatever happened to his blue blazer. It seems Tater somehow misplaced the coat our first class year at a William and Mary Sorority House during a Norfolk Oyster Bowl weekend. How his jacket ended up in a sorority house in Williamsburg during a Norfolk Corps Trip is indeed a head-scratcher and no one (including Tater) seems to know just how that happened. The following are known facts about Mark’s “blue blazer affair”: 1) Tater and Jones drove to Norfolk for the Corps Trip weekend, arrived in town late Friday afternoon, and made merry. 2) At some point during the merry-making, Tater followed Jones’ brilliant suggestion that they “mini road-trip” back up to W&M for a visit. 3) Tater and Jones returned to Norfolk in a hurry the next morning to meet Mark’s parents at a pre-game event. 4) Tater’s Mom, happy to finally see her late-arriving son, questioned him as to the whereabouts of his clothing. 5) Mark was unable (or unwilling) to provide any significant details about his “lost time” at W&M. Those are the facts as they are known at this time and that is where the story must end (for now). Hopefully, the rest of the details of this cold case will be revealed someday. Just like “The X Files” TV show, the truth is out there, even though Tater still ain’t talking. Maybe our BR will eventually contact me to spill his guts with what Paul Harvie would call “the rest of the story.” If that happens, I’ll provide whatever details are fit to print in the next edition. Until then, God Bless our Team and VMI!

’84

Barry Coceano

Hope everyone is doing well. I received an e-mail the other day from the Alumni Association telling me that this cycle of class notes was pushed to the left by one month, so instead of the normal three months between writings it’s only two months this time. So, why should you

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES care, you may be asking. You shouldn’t…I’m just short of things to write about, so I decided to fill you in on the trivial stuff I worry about as the class agent. In all seriousness, I want to thank everyone who sent me updates back in August. I received so many that I couldn’t fit all of them into my allotted space, so I am using those that I received at the last minute for this edition. Please keep those notes coming. For those who are being shy and trying to remain incognito, it’s time to man-up, push yourself away from the TV, sit-down at the computer, and knock out an update. My e-mail address is located at the top of the class notes…you can’t miss it! I received an e-mail from Bill Janis recently. Bill is on the campaign trail once again. This time he is running to be the next Commonwealth’s Attorney for Henrico County, VA. The Commonwealth Attorney is the state prosecutor and is an elected position with a term of four years. As we all know, running for office is an expensive undertaking and fundraising is a major part of the equation. In an effort to help raise funds for the campaign, Bill hosted his 10th Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser on the 7th of October. I heard from reliable sources whose names will remain anonymous since they were not authorized to speak with class agents, that the fundraiser was a resounding success. I have no doubt that our BR -- Bill Janis -- will emerge victorious on Election Day (November 8th). If you live in Henrico County, please get out and support your BR; remember, every vote counts! I received the following from Joe Rickard. “You may not remember me, I left after third class year and enlisted in the US Marine Corps. I have only been back to the Institute once over the last 30 years and although I completed my education elsewhere, I have always regretted not finishing my undergraduate degree at VMI. After I left school, I graduated from Parris Island, SC then Infantry Training School in Camp Pendleton, CA. I spent the next two and a half years in Marine Barracks, Hawaii. I re-enlisted for the Fleet Marine Force in 1985 and became a Recon Marine. In my travels over the next four years, I ran into Hank Selman on Okinawa when he was with Tracs. I also had several beers with Steve Sullivan in Camp Schwab in 1987. When I rotated back to the states, I served with P.B. Dunahoe ’83 at LFTCLant in Virginia Beach, VA. I left the Marines in December of 1989 to finish my Bachelor’s Degree at Saint Leo College. I completed a Master’s Degree in Telecommunication from George Mason University in 2008. I have been in the IT industry since I left the Marine Corps and moved back home to the Northern Virginia area in 1993. I read a couple of months ago that Pete Marseni-

2012-Issue 1

son came out of the woodwork also after almost 30 years. That’s why I am finally writing. Please pass on my thanks to Pete.” Joe, thanks for the wonderful update. I said this before and will say it again…once a Brother Rat always a Brother Rat. You made it through the Class of 84 Ratline; you will always be a member of the class. Please make it a point to make it back to the 30th reunion. I know you’ll have a great time catching up with your old roommates and fellow BRs. Phil Dao checked in with the following update. “Well, I hope this e-mail will make it in time for the class notes. I have been very busy with my audit program (Environmental Performance Assessment System). This year we traveled around to conduct assessments in 18 states, in addition to travel for conferences and for 4 training workshops I host throughout the country. Next year we are scheduled to visit 23 states. It will be a crazy year, but I have a staff of three additional people (two contractors and one Army Major) so we will split up the travel. I just completed an assessment in Alaska, then took a few days off to go fishing. Went on a four-day guided fishing trip with one of my associates; we fished for salmon on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers and for halibut at Seward. During the first few days of our trip, more than 600,000 red salmon migrated through the Kenai River, the largest salmon run in years. We were ‘catching’ fish and got our limit in less than an hour, then we just caught and released. I caught the biggest fish of my life in Seward, Alaska, a 194-lb. halibut (this fish is 60 lbs heavier than me), and caught a 30-lb. king salmon on the Kasilof river. This weekend, I will take my son to VA Tech for matriculation. That is all for now.” Phil, sounds like you had an incredible trip. I wish I had that type of luck when it comes to fishing. Seems every time I go fishing, the only thing I catch is a cold. Again, thanks for the update and keep in touch. Jeff Roach checked in with the following update. “I don’t have much to report other than I am hanging up my spurs with the Air Force

Class of 1984: Phil Dao landed a Halibut while fishing in Alaska.

Reserve in October. I am retiring from flying but will remain in Wichita Falls as the Chief of Training for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program as a civil service employee. Mary Ann and the kids are all well. Jon graduated from Baylor in May and will be going back to Baylor for his Masters in EE - on his own nickel, since I have four others to follow. Our triplets, Nathan, Shannon and Madison are seniors in high school and in final stages of decision making for colleges. I won’t see my LtCol retirement check at least for the next four years, as it will all go to institutions of higher learning! My caboose, Matthew, turns 7 today and will keep me young as I will be 61 when he graduates from high school.” Jeff, congratulations on your retirement and thank you for the years of service. At least the retirement pay will be going to a good cause! Tom Adams filed the following report from his home in sunny Florida. “Hello from Vero Beach, Florida where I am getting ready to start my 10th year teaching High School Social Studies - finally putting that 2.0 and go Economics degree to use. After 8 years in the Air Force and many attempts at finding a career that I liked, I am doing something fun and challenging that also allows me some nice time off. Living here in Florida outdoor living is the way to go, diving, kayaking, bicycling and sitting on the beach are just some of the ways I spend my off hours now with my beautiful wife Nancy. Life is good. Nancy and I plan on attending the VMI game at that certain military school in Charleston in October so I may see you and some of our Brother Rats there - hopefully, the cheer of up the middle, up the middle, up the middle, punt is not the VMI game plan anymore. In the last notes I saw that TJ and Cathy Palmer are getting ready to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary - wow, it’s been that long? I remember them as a young married couple when we were stationed at Cannon AFB in 1987. Great to hear about them.” Tom, sounds like life is good. I’m sure you have many professionally rewarding days knowing that you’re able to positively influence the lives of so many kids…keep up the great work. I was able to make my way down to Lexington for the home opener of the football season last month with Carlos Zamora and our families in tow. Carlos and Meredith are doing well. Carlos continues to travel all over South America, on a weekly basis, in his job with British Telcom. After spending so much time traveling in an airplane, he enjoys the opportunity to take a long, relaxing ride on his Harley (which he has affectionately named “Stella”). While tailgating, we ran into Mo KhandanBarani. Mo’s son, Alex Khandan-Barani ’12 will be graduating this Spring, just in time for

117

CLASS NOTES Mo’s second son, Ben, to matriculate next fall. As usual, Greg Cavallaro got us seated in his make-shift Class of 84 seating section. Thanks Cav for all you continue to do for VMI. The long hours you put in each and every week are a reflection of your incredible commitment to the institute, the cadets and alumni. Mike Locher gave me some great material for printing with the following update. “Regarding class notes, sorry to not be a regular contributor. I think I take it for granted living in Richmond that everyone knows what’s going on since there are so many of us around the area. I start with Richmond where back in May I hit the mid century mark and my wife Jan hosted a very nice party where we got to catch up with Wilson & Allison Enochs, Hal & Cindy Hamner, Mark and Mary Beth Morgan and Mary Kay Kollmansperger (Frank was off to a company convention somewhere out of town). We also got to catch up with some other VMI alumni including my brother John Locher ’81, Frank deVenoge ’88, Todd Williamson ’87, Chuck McCarthy ’85 and Spencer Williamson ’85 and their wonderful spouses. It was a great evening and a wonderful opportunity to sit back and catch up on the “Mecca” and its impact on everyone’s childen. A week or so later we got together for dinner with Wilson and Hal (and their families) and had Matt Garten join us for the evening. Breck & Cabel Gorman ’83 and Tayloe Dameron ’85 joined us so May ended up being a busy VMI get together month for us. Jan and I along with our two oldest children Arden and Christopher just got back from our vacation in Maine and Massachuetts where we were able to spend 2 days with Clay Goss and his wife Andrea and their girls Liza and Parker on Plum Island, MA. I think Clay and I solved many of the world’s problems while Jan and Andrea along with the kids spent more time catching up and enjoying the beach. On the way back thru Boston we had lunch with Chris Caplice (who had just the day before had lunch with Pete Nealley. Chris set us up with tickets to Fenway to see a great Red Sox baseball game and we ended up staying in a hotel within just a few minutes of Chris and Kristen’s loft. All in all it was a great trip made even better by the opportunity to catch up with a couple of BR’s. As for Jan and I, we continue to live in Richmond. Our two oldest children Arden and Christopher at 15 just got their learners permits so we are into a whole new world of parenting responsibilities. Our youngest Hunter at 9 keeps us young at heart. Our two boys have VMI on the radar screen but as for Arden....it does not appear to be in the cards. We have two swimmers and I have gotten involved in swim officiating so lots of chlorine time around our house. Jan is teaching 1st grade and what a blessing it

118

is to have an educator in the household....the results reflect someone other than me is in charge of academics. I am still in the commercial construction industry and am working with a number of VMI alumni at W. M. Jordan Company. My current assignment has me on the campus of UVA where I just finished up a research lab for their college of Arts and Sciences and have just started a new project where we have torn down four dorms over the summer and will build three new dorms over the next 22 months. This is where I get to see Tom Graham and his wife Mary Beth along with their two girls who both attend UVA. Tom, Hal, Wilson and many others were able to join us for the VMI - UVA football game last year which turned out to be a great day since my jobsite and some very good parking spots were available for their use. Hope to see many of you at VMI this fall. If not... maybe we will catch you at the VMI-Richmond game which is being played in Richmond this year...just a quick 10 minute walk from our house. Oh....if Chip Aker is out there.....we are thinking about you....Jan and I hope you and your family make it to the next reunion.” Mike, you are amazing. Thanks for the super update. You can be my eyes and ears (and front-runner to be the next class agent). Well, I’ll close for now. Since I know these notes will not hit streets until February, hopefully you will have had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year’s. More importantly, we will only be two years and a few months away from our 30th Reunion (spring 2014)! Hopefully, we will have the biggest turnout to date for our 30th… I promise it will be a great time! Until next time, goodnight Mark Koltura, wherever you are.

’85

Matt Daniel

For your situational awareness, I am writing this while watching Sunday Night Football on 10/16/2011. The Bears are beating the Vikings. Soundly. Well, gents and interested others, this is a little bit lighter than normal due to a shorter session for notes-collection. Apologies, but we’ll get some names in here with real or fictional information. It’ll be up to you to determine … nobody certified me. Here is a different story: We all know and love Chuck Baker, right? Salt of the Earth, that guy is, and a right salty squid at that. Well, Chuck has a brother that Scott Medeiros, Bart Williams, John Powers, Bill Wieners, Bill Bowman and Spencer Williamson used to strain regularly when we were fecal-consuming

3rds. Well, about a month ago (September 2011), some folks that I work for sent me an email informing me that there was this hot-shot new-hire intellectual phenom that I would be doing some work with in the UAS (unmanned aerial systems) arena. And that this wicked smart (a Paul Marsenison term) dude was a VMI graduate. With my interest piqued, I queried, who IS this dude? Well it turns out that Matt “Rev” Baker ’86 was this masked man. I have yet to see him in the halls of the Pentagon, but I am looking. We shared some emails. About Chuck, Rev sends: “Chuck’s doing great. He and Molly (the Molly who worked in the book store at VMI) are in Suffolk. He retired from the Navy last year and is working at the Norfolk shipyard (for BAE).” I was wandering the top deck of the 5-sided wind tunnel last week when I saw a massive frame dominating the corridor. All I could make out was a figure, but it was huge, I will tell you. People were running scared. Picture the steamfilled images of the Hulk as he enters the light from the shadows. Wailing. Gnashing teeth. It was PW Sarver. Brother Rat Sarver OWNS the “A” ring between the 4th and 5th corridors. Watch out; he regularly steals Air Force guys’ lunch money! Lots of crying in that part of the Puzzle Palace. Keep it up, PW! Dave Wood sends good news. Dave is an at-least-twice published author and sends the GREAT news of his second publishing on the topic of how to use new techniques to publish and use US Government data on the Internet. The book is titled, Linking Government Data and is published by Springer Publications. Nicely done, Dave! I should know this, and by the time this edition of the Alumni Review is published, I certainly WILL know, but I was just thinking about a few of our super achievers and wondering their general and flag officer promotion status: Cedric “I Can Still Dunk A Basketball” Wins, Matt “I Still Have The Sense Of Humor Of A Junior Officer” Carter and Jim “I Am Just As Successful In My Civilian Job” Begley. Anyone know if these studs have pinned on their stars yet? Maybe I will ask PW to beat the information out of some poor Admin type. Joe Irby has been redacting things, as of late. Joe, if you are RE-dacting, who is doing the initial dacting that obviously needs some of your RE-dacting work? What is DACTING, anyway? Matt Daniel (your faithful scribe) and his sons have been brewing beer at their home quantum-brewery. They call it URANUS and SUNS. After brewing the first batch, some 15 years ago, Matt’s lovely bride Cathy named the beer URANUS, “for obvious reasons honey,” she insisted. Motivating. I asked her if she

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES kissed her mother with that mouth. Look up our little home-brewing effort on the World Wide Web at http://uranusandsuns.com. Know who’s talented? Massively talented? Dave Tingley. He is a wood-working maven, a master of the router. Seriously, he does some very good work. Connect with him on Facebook to see some of the pieces he has created. The attention to detail is jaw-dropping. Rob McIntire has a new job at Ft. Eustis. I don’t have much more than that. Did I get that right, Rob? Mike Adkins has patented a set of products. He has developed a collection of very clever pet hammocks called “Kat Nappers.” Check out http://www.katnapper.com. Cool, creative idea. Check out the site, Steve Barcik likes it! I met a U.S. Navy chaplain on a bus the other day. I was feeling lucky and asked him if he knew our man Pete Sniffin (still in Afghanistan as of this writing, about half way through his tour). He did and told me that Pete has a very good reputation in the community and is one of the most motivating and inspiring men that he knows. Amen to that, brother. Not many people know this, but Pete, Steve Hagan and I were all in Baumholder, Germany, at the same time and went to the same elementary school. Interesting trivia. Speaking of stealing lunch money, I ran into

Class of 1985: Henry Arthur Brooks was born to Jerry and Kristen on Aug. 19, 2011. Brooks wrote, “My second son … was 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 19.5 inches long. Mother and son are doing well. I am still deployed to Iraq, so I was unable to get home for the birth. Here is a picture of Kristin and Henry ... who joins his older brother Harry Samuel, born Feb. 10, 2010.”

2012-Issue 1

Byron Ross a few weeks ago in Fairfax Va. He was driving around the neighborhood with his son and their friends collecting money for the Robinson HS Marching Band. It was a great coincidence, and we gave each other a great big man-hug! He tells me he is a neighbor with our own Kevin Holland. To close this out, gentlemen, I recently saw Pete Mangerian in the courtyard of the Pentagon (the largest non-saluting military zone in the USA: more trivia). He asked me to “say hello to all of our Brother Rats for me.” Well, OK, Pete. Here goes: “Hello, fellas!” PS- Where’s Benny Hill? PPS- If you talk to Jim Chartier, please ask him to drop me a line! PPPS- Kelly Dillenberger, Ty Arnold, Adam Babcock, Greg Williams, Tim Harris and Tony Neal. Just wanted to say those names. BTW, the Bears won. Matt Daniel

’86

Clint Hubbard

Well, the 25th reunion has come and gone just about as quickly as the 25 years since graduation have come and gone. The tally on attendance was a moving target since some guys came late or left early, etc. On average we had approximately 160 BRs and guests. There is an early submission date for this version of the class notes so the after action report will be a bit abbreviated. The 25th reunion weekend commenced with a fabulous dinner on Friday evening in Marshall Hall with Gen. J.H.B. Peay ’62 as featured speaker. A special note was that the invocation was offered by our very own Revered Lou Florio who gave it a special touch. Thanks Lou! Gen. Peay offered a nice recap of events of our cadetship. Of particular note was the low buzz that went through the crowd when he mentioned the tenure as commandant of his BR John Cummings ’62. I suspect more than a few of us pondered the notion that Colonel Everywhere could possibly be waiting outside Marshall Hall hiding in the ivy to try and catch someone doing something. After the General’s speech, he showed the new VMI recruiting video; it is supposed to be available on the VMI website and I recommend it – it was done well. After dinner, we retired to the hospitality suite at the Inn at Hunt Ridge for some binge drinking. Thanks to Gordon White, we had a nice beer pong set up – as if anyone needed encouragement to commence the liver abuse. Saturday morning dawned clear and bright

and we began to rally for the day’s festivities. I wish you could have seen the sunrise over the Obstacle Course; (I’m sure it was pretty; I would have liked to have seen it myself but didn’t have that view from my room at the hotel.) We had our class picture taken on the steps of Preston Library followed in short order by the review parade. As the 25th reunion class, we were accorded the honor of having reserved seating for the parade. Also, we were accorded the honor of presenting our 25th reunion gift to the Institute – it was accepted by Gen. Peay and then Steve Thacker, Tim Keilty and yours truly had the very distinct honor to represent the class and take the review with the General. After the corps marched by, ’86 fell into ranks and led the alumni group into Old Barracks. The class system still in effect, the classes of 1966 and 1976 did their old yells and then it was our turn. There was some discussion among the class officers about using the stairs or climbing the outside of the sentinel box. They opted for the latter (instead of the ladder) which led David Moore to observe later “when you climb the outside of the sentinel box at the 10 year reunion, they say you’re still athletic; when you do it at the 25th reunion, they call you ‘spry’.” Let the record show that BRs Tim Keilty, David Moore, and Scott Wagner are spry. After those festivities, we ventured out to tailgate, have lunch, explore Post, etc., before reforming in the stands at Alumni Field to watch the Keydets battle William & Mary on the gridiron. As a reminder, the last time we beat W&M, we were first classmen! The Keydets played the Tribe closer than usual but still came out on the short end of a 24-7 score. After the game, we returned to the hotel to freshen up for dinner at the Lexington Country Club. Rather than a sit down dinner, we had stations with heavy appetizers and of course, an open bar. Among the very special guests was the family of our dear departed BR, Gary Yap. Gary’s bride Karen and their two children were joined by a family friend and Gary’s mom and dad. It was a pleasure to have the Yap family join us and many guys had an opportunity to greet them and share memories of Gary. I’m sure BR Yap was smiling down at us. After a couple of hours of Kum Bah Yah, we launched into the entertainment – the featured attraction was Troy Lanier’s great video which just keeps getting better and longer. After the video, there was a power point presentation of some superlative awards which seemed to be a hit. On Saturday morning, at just about ‘shake-a-leg’ time for our class picture, two formerly athletic figures could be seen approaching the steps of Preston Library at as fast a pace as they could manage. It was Tom McHugh and Louis Rucker. In 1986, they would have been described as two

119

Class of 1986: Those who attended their 25th Reunion are listed in alphabetical order as follows: Darryl F. Agee, James S. Agostini, Frederick R. Albrecht, Bryan E. Amsel, John M. Anderson, William W. Anderson Jr., Christopher S. Ashworth, Jonathan E. Aycock, James C. Ball, William M. Barber, Stewart L. Barnes, Mark E. Black, Theodore E. Buczacki, Paul W. Burch, Eric A. Butner, Keith A. Byron, Robert S. Cabell, Michael G. Calkins, Michael R. Castaldi, J. Richard Chambers, Michael D. Chapman, Bernard J. Colacicco, Michael A. Corwin, James L. Coulter Jr., James M. Daly, Joseph S. DeKeyrel, Charles A. DePasquale, Samuel H. Duerson III, Louis A. Florio Jr., James A. Frazier, G. Wayne Fuller Jr., Emmet S. Gathright, Patrick M. Gill, Carl L. Gitchell, Robert S. Gitchell, David K. Grimm, Stephen F. Hall, Scott R. Harbula, W. Brett Hayes, Stuart N. Heishman, Troy V. Heskett, Richard F. Hewitt, Anthony D. Hirtz, Samuel A. Holmes, Daniel L. Hooker, Philip R. Howard, R. Clint Hubbard Jr., Phillip S. Ingram, James P. Inman, Paul F. Jarvis, Ronald O. Jaworowski, Christopher Kanter, Timothy M. Keilty, Daniel E. Kirby, Cyrus S. Kump II, Michael R. Laban, Franklin D. Ladson, Troy V. Lanier, Gerald G. Leffers Jr., Timothy I. Macaulay, Robert B. Mason Sr., Ronald O. Mays Jr., Todd W. McCullough, Thomas D. McGinnis, Tomas E. McHugh Jr., R. Brent McManis, Robert C. Meader, David A. Miller III, Jonathan T. Moody, David C. Moore, Martin J. Morgan, Vince A. Morton, Michael E. Necessary, Peter D. Needham, Glenn D. Newcomb, Robert T. Nussey Jr., Timothy J. Perez, Gordon W. Poindexter III, Robert G. Rainer, Robert T. Ramos, R. David Reynolds, Michael D. Rivenbark, William G. Rogers, Louis G. Rucker, Thomas W. Russell, Arthur E. Ryan Jr., Charles C. Schoen IV, Frederick G. Scott II, Jimmie W. Seeley II, James D. Shanley, David W. Shin, Charles G. Simpson, Steven R. Sinclair, Jeffrey A. Smiley, M. Botts Smith, Kenneth B. Spain, Timothy A.W. Spivey, Charles J. Steenburgh Jr., John A. Stevens, Jimmy L. Taggart, Stephen L. Thacker, Joseph J. Thompson III, Mark A. Thompson, Redmond J. Thompson Jr., John R. Urquhart, D. Scott Wagner, James S. Walker, Gordon R. White III, Eric S. Whiteman, Arthur D. Whittaker Jr. and Roy F. Woolwine.

CLASS NOTES

25th Reunion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sept. 9-10, 2011

Class of 1986

120

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES chiseled athletes sprinting for the hoop or the goal the Ashworth kids all now know their general can count on seeing him. He looked dapper and line as the case may have been; in 2011 it could and special orders as well as the 13th word of successful as usual. With BR Scott, the Gitchbest be characterized as two middle-aged oldsters the inscription on the Parapet and how much ell brothers, Dave Grimm, and Brett Hayes, lumbering down Letcher Avenue at the speed of Natural Bridge is worth. Smith, MB, ventured there was a pseudo-Hampton Virginia reunion smell. There was some discussion that they didn’t from China – the place of the big wall and the in the hospitality suite Friday night. know which building was Preston Library because little people. I think a video crew following It seemed to me that there were quite a few they’d never been in it, but I think that was someBotts around China with the little people would guys who made it to their first reunion – either one just busting their chops. be a fascinating reality show. I’m quite sure their first one or their first one in a long time. BR McHugh enjoyed the reunion and to my they don’t know how to take Smith, MB. It was sure great to see guys such as Mike knowledge didn’t moon anyone all weekThe Class of 1986’s version of “Old Faithful” Chapman, Bernie Colacicco, Sam “the Wad” end; not even when he ran into our old cadre Holmes, Scottie Ingram, Dan “P.O. Box 420” – I’m talking about Fred Scott – did it again. sergeant, Carlos Zamora ’84. In the fall of Kirby, Tom “from Alaska” McGinnis, Tim Fred keeps it all on the down-low during the off 1982, Carlos offered (every day) to open the Perez, Mike Rivenbark (who confirmed that years but every five years at reunion time, you trunk rooms so McHugh could get Roman Malavet, Kenny Walpole his things leave (his) school. This and Jim Urie are all still on this offer to open the trunk rooms came side of the grass and have not of course, after BR McHugh, Jerome yet assumed room temperature), Butler and Steve Thacker decided Jim Seeley, Dave Shin, Steve to moon the third class from the 4th Sinclair, Kenny Spain, and Eric Whiteman. stoop. I personally never wanted that A really neat story that became much heat in the Ratline. known over the weekend was Brother Rat Rucker made the that Scott Harbula was escorting trip from St. Louis thereby laying his Ring Figure date, Heidi (and rest to the excuse of “it’s too far” to I will apologize here for not come back for a reunion. Louis has 3 recalling her last name; my copy sons and he says they are hoopof our Ring Figure magazine sters because his bride didn’t want is presently in storage and not them playing football. Regardless readily accessible). At any rate, it of whether or not he knows where Class of 1986: Above: Class Agent Clint Hubbard, seems that sometime after Ring Preston Library is, BR Rucker is who submitted this photo, wrote, “With his back to the Figure (I don’t think it was the astute enough to know how to keep camera, Louis Rucker explained to Roy Woolwine, Clint morning after!), BR Harbula and the peace and avoid a ruckus in Casa Hubbard and Steve Pancham where he has been for the Heidi went their separate ways. de Rucker – keep Mama happy. past 25 years. Having his back to the camera reminds As they used to say on Seinfeld, Louis says that all three of his young one and all of Jim Jenkins who has apparently turned “Yada, Yada, Yada, 25 years later men have some game so keep your his back on all of his BRs.” they bumped into one another eyes out for the Rucker boys in colBelow: The MacArthur Crew gathered at the reunion by chance and re-kindled their lege basketball in a few years. And were, from left, Louis Rucker, Dan Kirby, Frank Ladson, Matt Anderson, Steve Pancham and Mark Black. About romance”. They seemed like all kidding aside, Louis looked great the photo, Hubbard wrote, “Doing their best impression giddy school kids and I’m proud and probably wasn’t too far off his of Douglas MacArthur, BRs Rucker, Kirby, Anderson to say after 25 years, Heidi was playing weight. and Black returned to the Institute after many years to not only willing to give BR HarSpeaking of making the trip, attend the 25th Reunion. Missing from the picture was bula another shot but was also several BRs made a cross-global Valedictorian Jim Jenkins, who was not there.” willing to roll the dice on another journey. Michael Laban came from weekend with the VMI Class of Zimbabwe, Chris Ashworth came 1986. I know several wives atfrom Denmark, and Botts Smith tended Ring Figure as well as the came from China. BR Laban reunions but they are trapped by re-connected with the history and marriage; bless Heidi’s heart, she political science department at VMI; might just like hanging out with he is interested in coming back us! Harbie, hold onto her, she’s sometime to share his experiences in street politics- Africa-style with a keeper. cadets. If that comes to pass, we may Tim Macaulay made good on need to pass the BR shako to get him his promise to attend the 25th and some cash for an airline ticket. BR trekked down from MassachuAshworth brought his whole clan setts; he actually got a “two-fer” from Denmark. His bride Inger has on his trip as he has a daughter had a taste of the VMI experience ‘far beyond the hills of Blacksbefore but his children had never laid burg in a field of rye’ – she’s a eyes on the place. Ashe spent the day student at Hokie High – VPI. So on Friday having a bit of a rat bible Tim really embraced the reunion revival with their kids. I am told that and took off Saturday to make

2012-Issue 1

121

CLASS NOTES a road trip to Virginia Tech – just like the old days. As of press time, I was not able to confirm if BR Macaulay stopped off at East Lex to ‘fuel up’ for the trip down I-81. With his proximity to Blacksburg from his crib in Roanoke, Stewart Barnes offered his services to BR Macaulay in the event that Tim’s daughter needs any local assistance for anything. BR Macaulay was appreciative to know that his BRs are still covering his back; but actually it was not such a noble offer. The truth of the matter is that after General Hunter burned the Institute in 1864, we just want to keep a watchful eye on Yankees who come to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Speaking of BR Barnes, I’m sure he is winding down the golf season but gearing up for skiing in either Vermont or Colorado. Ah, the life of the jet-set. Another BR who made a return to the Institute after several years was Mark Black. Mark said, “It was great to see everyone. I was excited to attend, but I had no idea how ecstatic I was to be with all of you again; it has been a long time.” BR Black has been in the Navy since graduation. After flight school and being designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO), he went to the F-14 Tomcat at NAS Miramar, CA. Over the years, Mark served with other squadrons at NAS Oceana, VA and NAS Fallon, NV; he also earned a Masters Degree at Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL and did a command tour (F14 squadron that transitioned to F/A-18) back at NAS Oceana. Mark became the Deputy Commodore of his current billet at Strike Fighter Wing Pacific about a year ago. BR Black says it is a “fleet up” position meaning he reports as the Deputy (second in command) and holds that position for 18 months and is then slated become the Commodore for 18 months afterwards. Strike Fighter Wing Pacific consists of twenty strike fighter squadrons (VFAs) consisting of different variants of the F/A-18. Sixteen of the squadrons are at NAS Lemoore, CA (where BR Black lives) and the other four are based at NAF Atsugi, Japan. He says they are responsible for ensuring the squadrons are manned, trained and resourced properly prior to departure for deployments overseas. It was great to see you again after all these years, Mark. Godspeed on what sounds like a pretty big job to me! Among the realizations discovered over the weekend included that there are a number of ’86 progeny who are cadets in the current corps of cadets. By that, I’m speaking of the sons of 1986 (I don’t think we have any daughters of ’86 as cadets yet). The fathers who have sons in the corps include: Bill Anderson, Mike Corwin, Chris Peet, Eric Whiteman. A great idea was put forth by Kathy Schoen (Mrs. C.C.,

122

IV); that is that the rest of us with school aged children bringing our youngsters up to VMI for a visit and letting the next generation ’86 cadets show them a behind the scenes tour. We agreed that might be one of the best recruitment tools going to encourage the Institute as one of the choices when it comes time to choose a college. More to come on this plan. A couple of other random facts: Rob Ramos is alive and well and also attended his first reunion. Rob is an MD with two sets of twins and lives in South Carolina, I believe. We went the entire weekend and I still don’t know Chris Kanter’s middle initial. Gordon White enjoyed being back and did a yeoman’s job with his liver-checking beer pong game that went nearly non-stop. Dave Grimm still plays a mean harmonica and can do so at the drop of a hat, no less. To use that oft-quoted phrase, I’m just sayin’ … Just under the wire, I got an e-mail from Carlos Molina who was with us for about 1 year. Carlos would love to hear from his rat roommates as well as any other BRs. BR Molina’s rat roommates were Tim Young, Mike Colletti, and Dion Scaglione – hey does that make Colletti, Young and Molina the original Belmonts? It was good to hear from you, BR Molina; glad to have you back! Well, we gotta get this submitted. Take care, BRs. If you haven’t seen your name in the notes in a while, then shoot me an update sometime, so I can include your info in a future edition. Your BRs want to know what’s going on in your world. Also, don’t forget there is still time to make a pledge or contribution to the 25th Reunion Fund.

’87

Ernie Edgar

Brother Rats, save the date: 25th Reunion is 14-16 September 2012! We had our best turnout ever five years ago at our 20th. I hope we can bring even more back next fall. Please let me know if you’re interested in planning any of the celebration. This is a landmark reunion for us and we can use everyone’s input! Col. Gerry Tertychny returned from Iraq in December 2010 and is now at the Joint Staff (formerly Joint Forces Command) in Suffolk, VA. He moved down there in February and lived with Col. Mark Bartholf for a few months. Mark was down from Richmond (where his family is) doing a USAR stint at TRADOC “so we were both geo-bachelors together – kind of like being back in the Barracks except that we were usually out by 10:30

and spent most of the time discussing injuries, ailments, and various medications.” Gerry’s family joined him in June and they now live in Yorktown. His son, Jake is now a freshman at Christopher Newport University and daughter Victoria started high school this fall. He said “Jake’s reception at CNU was quite a bit different than the one we got 28 years ago, as I keep reminding him.” Gerry is still in touch with his roommates. Cmdr. Gray Wooten teaches at the Joint Forces Staff College, John Ficarro is a DA Civilian at Fort Belvoir, Bill Berneski lives and works in the DC area and Andy Korol is up in Rochester, NY. Col. Vernie Reichling and Col. Steve Cade both sent me updates of Steve’s visit to Memphis over the summer. The Cades were on leave back in the US and visited the Reichlings in Memphis before making the Pilgrimage to Graceland (Steve’s mom is a big Elvis fan, so it was a must-see!). While Vernie got a family shot of the Cades, Steve reported there were no photos of Vernie and him with Elvis. After a year in Iraq, Steve and family are back in Heidelberg, Germany, where Steve is working in the US Army Europe DCSENG. On his way home, Steve ran into Andy Kestner at the airport in Baghdad. They had lunch together and Andy “filled me in on his exciting life working construction in Iraq and Afghanistan. I think he plans on being in Afghanistan for the next two years.” The Cades plan to be in Germany for one more year before they head back stateside to the War College next summer. “We have a spare bed for any BRs travelling this way, just give us a heads up since we plan to see the sights for our last year in Europe.” Back in Memphis, as the Corps of Engineers’ Memphis District Commander, Vernie is still dealing with the aftermath of the spring’s Mississippi River floods. “It was definitely an historic flood, the first time in 74 years that the Corps had to execute all three floodways. The Memphis District was responsible for operating the Birds-Point New Madrid Floodway which took intense coordination with federal, state and local partners to pull it off. Overall the district was in flood fighting operations for 50 days with over 350 people in the fight. We are now rebuilding what was damaged in true engineering spirit.” Col. Paul Duray wrote in from the DC area, as well. He is still assigned to the National Capital Region and is now the Director of J-3 Current Ops of Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical (JTF CapMed) so the Durays plan to remain in DC until Spring 2013. “A little longer than expected, but stability is good... especially when you have a 5-yr old daughter and 3-yr old son.” The military medical community in DC has been very busy recently: they finished the

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES BRAC Transition mission on time/on target by the Atlanta area with his wife and daughter. He ing The Army War College in Carlisle, PA and closing the old Walter Reed Army Medical Center is teaching and coaching multiple sports at an John was visiting his family in Northern VA. and DeWitt Army Hospital at Fort Belvoir, and Atlanta-based private school. We had a great While grilling, we had the chance to call Mark moving all the staff, in-patients, and Wounded dinner together and it seemed to me that Bill Arboneaux. Mark is still in Indianapolis and is Warriors to the new Walter Reed keeping busy coaching his son’s National Military Medical Center and football team. Mark will likely Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. On visit John when Mark’s Reserve to the next phase, they are now fully unit does their AT in Hawaii next integrating both hospitals so that “they summer. Great to connect with work like a real health system (same IT these BRs and to see how little systems, pharmacy formulary, etc.).” they’ve changed from when we They are the DoD’s first joint hospitals; were cadets, and they are now the goal of this change is to eliminate O-6s in the Army and Navy. individual Service hospitals competing Honestly, guys, isn’t it time to with each other for resources so that grow up?! they can provide improved healthcare Check out the VMI 88 Facefor their patients. In their spare time, book page for updates from other the Durays are “loving life out in Brother Rats and to connect with Frederick County trying to keep our some old friends. Congratulations circa 1880 farm house upright. We’re to Guy Gormley for his recent Class of 1987: Steve and Rebecca Cade with daughters Lilly, learning lots of new skills like carpenpromotion to colonel! Have a Anna and Ainslee at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. try, roofing, masonry, plumbing but I great winter! ... Drew won’t touch electrical. Scary. We did gather at Union Jack’s a couple weeks back to had found his passion in teaching and coaching. Nathaniel L. Cross send off the Maryland Rats off to VMI. Kind of It was great getting together with you Bill… funny - every one of them said they wanted to be stay in touch and I’ll see you at our 25th! a Marine. I kept thinking a few of them might be Curran, James and Andy met me for drinks headed over to the Air Force ROTC Dept after at a very upscale Atlanta establishment. The their first rifle run!” beer was cold, the conversation familiar and the Finally, I received a nice note from Carl Gents, I am sorry for the brief notes this edisights lovely. Andy picked the spot so, enough Feddeler, who is in Orlando and comes over to tion. I missed an e-mail from VMI on due dates said! Curran is still lawyering, Andy is still Tampa periodically. By the time you read this, building and James still doing everything. Each … some things never change. Quickly Mike we’ll have met up for at least one lunch. Jay of us seem busy with family and work but I apMurray is back in the states and Winton Smith Nagle is in Orlando, as well, so I hope we can preciated the time together. It was great seeing has taken over at San Diego. Winton sent some link up with him, too. you guys and I hope you take this opportunity great pictures that we will get in next quarter Thanks for all the information you all have to stay in touch with other BRs in the Atlanta (sorry Winton) and Mike is asking for any wressent recently and over the last five or so years. area. Looking forward to seeing you and your tling equipment that he can send to Afghanistan. Please keep it coming! In the meantime, let me families at our 25th! He says the country is wrestling-crazy and it is close the way I started. Reunion is coming up! a good way to keep the youngsters occupied. While on vacation in Sandbridge, VA, I had Make plans to attend! We’re going to have a Lastly, I am starting to put the 25th reunion the chance to catch-up with Anne Wilson blast! I can’t wait to see you all there! team together. If you are interested, please let Schafer. Anne is doing great and shows no sign Ernie me know. Class of ’86 had theirs this fall, and of aging or slowing down. She was busy with I got a good report from Mitch Fridley on it. many varied activities that come from having More on that in the next issue, as well. Again, close friends in the Navy Special Warfare ComDrew McKone apologies for the abbreviated notes. munity. With Mark Schafer deployed, Anne has Nat Cross been pulling duty as “Driving School Instructor” for Mark Jr. who turned 16 during that week. Happy Birthday and Good Luck, Mark! Robert Clark I was also able to get together with John MacGreetings, Brother Rats! I apologize for missMichael who was transitioning from Norfolk ing last quarter’s edition of notes. Frankly, there to Hawaii. It’s always good to get together wasn’t a lot of news to report, and I’ve been prewith John and get caught-up on his travels occupied with farm life. This past quarter, I’ve had and his family. John is looking forward to his the opportunity to visit with some BRs in Atlanta, Command billet and living in Hawaii. As I am Got a number of great updates from folks GA, Sandbridge, VA and Dickerson, MD. writing this piece, John is on his second day in all around the world for this addition of class While in Atlanta on business, I was able to Hawaii. My wife, Stacy and I plan to visit John notes. Make sure you are keeping us posted connect with Bill McGarrah, Curran Bowen, sometime over the next two years! on any retirements – especially the party dates John Wright and Andy Andres. I hadn’t seen Last week, John, Sam Russell and I got – and I particularly like hearing from our (too or talked to Bill since graduation but we picked- together at my home in Dickerson, MD. We had many) BRs deployed around the world. up right where left off over 23-years ago. My great steaks on the grill, conversation and cigars Chris Watson checked in and he has had a e-mail has purged some details but Bill lives in and Maker’s Mark on the porch. Sam is attendbusy year. Chris recently retired from the Army

’89

’88

2012-Issue 1

’90

123

CLASS NOTES and resides in DC working with the FAA in the Emergency Operations Division. Chris works with Kurt Owermohle ’81 at the FAA, who as a TAC officer during our years at the “I”may have boned one or two of us … Before retiring from the Army, Chris went on a White House tour with Barry Maxon and his daughter Annette and Bill Madison and his wife Colleen where they ran into Ken Kovac guarding the Oval Office. Mike Manning recently left command in Helmand Province Afghanistan, followed by a brief tour at the 2nd Marine Regiment and 2nd Marine Division. He is now a student at the NATO Defense College where he will graduate in February and then head to Quantico to work in Marine Corps Systems Command. Mike reports that Jeff Kaster is doing well and while in Afghanistan and Camp Lejuene, Mike ran into Chris Dixon, Todd Eckloff, Tom West and Dave Furness ’87. Mike is looking forward to catching some football games and returning to the “I” when he makes it to Quantico. We continue to have a number of our BRs deployed oversees and we continue to pray for them and their safety. Raynor Garey is deployed with the 332 Expeditionary Communications Squadron on a 120-day tour at an undisclosed location. He serves as the communications lead for the base. Gordy Byrne remains in Iraq and will hopefully be home at this publication. Gordy is the S2/3 for a Medical Task Force working to close out operations as part of the drawdown. Ricky Kimmel is currently deployed to Afghanistan as a Senior Logistics Combat Advisor. He is working extensively to mentor the Afghan National Army Corps G4 on how to address logistics issues. Ricky passed along some of the sobering statistics for killed and wounded in his unit, and we pray for him and his unit’s safety. Brett Turner recently moved to Korea, where he is the lead exercise planner to one of the two major Korean joint exercises each year. Prior to Korea, Brett and his family were stationed at Ft. Hood. He deployed to Iraq with the III Corps in 2010. If you happen to be Seoul, check in with Brett. Mark Hennigan wrote from Charleston, WV, where he is the Deputy G1 (Personnel) for the West Virginia Army National Guard. Mark oversees about 4,200 soldiers who routinely mobilize in support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Mark heard recently from Brian Albro who retired from the Navy a few months ago. Our Class’ Richmond contingent continues to send great updates and Sam Stocks reports that Chuck Smith hosted a great pool party this past summer that included many of our BRs. Chuck

124

and his wife Wendy live in Fredericksburg now that he has retired from the Navy. Jeff and Julia Crist, Tim McLaughlin, and various members of their families were able to be there. Tim recently retired from the Marine Corps and is living with his family in Fredericksburg. Sam also reported through various contacts and sightings that Monty Loving, Dave Stanley, and Kevin Hanford are all living in Virginia and doing well. As for Sam and his family, they are doing well in Richmond and recently made it back to the Institute for a long weekend as he begins the recruiting process for his three kids – Mason (8), Bo (6) and Kate (4). Jeff Crist reported in from Colorado where he and Brian Burchette were about to embark on an Elk Hunt in Pagosa Springs. No word on the outcome of the hunt at this writing, but expect some pictures in the next issue. Daren Payne is in Indiana in Battalion Command and enjoying life NOT being deployed. Though not currently deployed, Daren is focused on training as he helps prepare soldiers for tours in Egypt and in countering IEDs. He recently made it back to the VMI-Akron football game where he tailgated with Steve Chiles ’89, Lowell Wilson ’89, and John Osborne ’89. He also had the opportunity to run into Charles Plageman. Daren also reports that Rich Mehl recently retired from the Air Force and is settling in Wilmington, NC. Randy Jackson checked in with a great update from the upper Northwest. Randy is a deputy prosecuting attorney for the state of Washington near Vancouver, WA. He also serves as the special assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. In short, he’s keeping the bad guys off the streets. Randy reports that he focuses mainly on gang and drug felony prosecutions and is in the process of prosecuting a series of arrests from a major federal and state agency operation that netted an estimated $30 million in drug monies. A number of his colleagues are former Marines like Randy, and it sounds like the bad guys have no chance up there. Brian Haslam is in Asheville, NC, where he and his bride Susan live on a 30-acre farm (complete with a few horses). Brian is proud to live next to his dad and his nephew Wynn Haslam. Brian is hoping Wynn will consider VMI, which will would make him the 4th generation Haslam (’25, ’61, ’90) to walk thru the Arch. Brian is also proud to report that by the time of this publication, he will graduate with a master’s of science in nursing as a nurse anesthetist. Pete Tunnard reports that he ran into Bill Arnold in Ft. Worth, TX recently. Bill has been teaching high school since he left the Marines. Pete was also pleased to pass along that his son,

Adam, recently participated in and completed Doug Bartlett’s VMI Lacrosse Camp as he prepares (maybe?) to join the Class of 2020 … let’s hope so! Pete also passed along that in the last year he has been able to connect with all of his VMI roommates – Mike Inteso, Rich Duke and Chris Pratt – who are all doing well. Tom Tolley checked in from Buchanan, VA, where he runs a small business – Abacus Exterior Services. If you’re looking for a guy that knows roofs, chimneys, patios, decks – you now know where to go. Tom’s nephew Tyler Tolley ’14 is playing football for the Keydets this year. Tom and I had a good laugh reflecting on that wonderful morning at formation when the entire corps saluted the Texas flag to the tune of The Yellow Rose of Texas. Taylor Farmer dropped me a line from Oklahoma where he and Dave Yockel were planning on attending the VMI Alumni Chapter dinner later this fall. Things seem to be going well in Oklahoma for Taylor. Jim Cox relayed that he and his wife are doing well in Franklin, VA, with their four kids. Jim’s company Cox and Moncure operates a chain of bedding stores in VA and NC and he recently joined a partnership in a commercial insurance business in Franklin. Myra and Rob Oviatt passed along that they added to their family with the birth of their new boy Cecil Jay on September 28th. He joins his big sister Geneva (3). Rob is working for a non-profit in Atlanta called MedShare, where he serves as the director of operations and is working on his Six Sigma Training/Certification. It was great to hear from Cal Lloyd who checked in from Chattanooga, TN, where he and his wife, Laura, are enjoying raising their 10-year-old daughter, Anna, and 6-year-old son, Connor. Cal is at Graybar Electric, where he has been for the past three years. Keep the cards, emails, and letters coming folks! It’s great to hear from each and every one of you. Until next time, Rob

’91

George Petty III

I hope all of you are well and warm now that fall has turned into winter, and we’ve now entered the Dark Ages. If you were able to attend a football game this fall, why not share a picture or a vignette about the trip? Speaking of trips, Ray Dotterweich ran into James McClellan at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in July. James is now stationed outside Savannah, Ga. I believe that James is now a radiologist for the 3rd Infantry Division at Winn Hospital on Ft

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Stewart. Not certain about that gouge, correction James? Chris West provided some insight on the latest doings of BRs Frank Mulcahy and Jon ‘Sponge’ Greenspon. Frank retired from the Navy this summer and accepted the position of Director of Public Works for San Juan County, Washington. The Mulcahys visited Chris and Tamara en route to WA. Sponge is now (sit down and keep a tight grip on your drink) an instructor at Fork Union Military Academy. Jon is a testament to perseverance. Melissa and Jon are living on campus. His duties include coaching wrestling and lacrosse and teaching English and history. Way to go Frank and Jon! Whoever said Moldova was a sleepy place? Who ever knew where it was? Matt Childs is on duty there at the US Embassy and he says it is a beautiful country. He was kind enough to send a couple of pictures which should be included in this edition. Matt saw our Brother Rat Pete Dillon at the embassy in June. Pete is the Regional Commander for the MSG (Marine Security Guard)

program that covers the embassy in Moldova. Pete and Chris hope to reunite in November for the Marine Corps Ball. Matt has been trying to talk with Matt McQuinley who is in Australia, but they have so far been interrupted by work. I will close with this excerpt from an email AJ Nazario sent to me in September. “I’m not sure how the rest of our BRs feel but even 10 years after this atrocity, I found myself emotional when I saw Dave’s [Williams] name at the Memorial. My emotions then turned to anger when the Memorial physically reminded me through all the other names of the enormity of all of the others murdered that day. And yet, I was able to find some inner peace amongst the trees and the waterfalls within the Memorial honoring the innocents of that day as ongoing construction (to include the new WTC) stubbornly continued to show those cowardly animals that our spirit cannot be crushed as easily as they thought. I thank God and pray for all of those who chose to go into harm’s way, both here and abroad, to ensure that this atrocity never happens again.”

Adam Gregory

’92

Andy Tate

Gentlemen, because the class notes are due early for this edition, I was concerned ours might be thin. No worries. My solicitation for updates on the class Facebook page yielded a note. Jeffrey Galon writes: “Met up with Rich Howe, thanks to the VMIAA iPhone app. For over 10 yrs we’ve been living & working about 5 min from each other here in the Silicon Valley … and didn’t realize it until now. Wonders of technology!” Thanks, Jeff. Please keep the updates pouring in. Regards ... Adam

Class of 1991 Photos clockwise from top, left: - Capt. Szvetitz ’03 and Matt Childs at the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova, July 2011. - From left, Navy Cmdr. Chris Cruz, Cmdr. Steve Dudar and Cmdr. Stan Chien in Pensacola, Florida, October 2011. They are members of a board that selects enlisted sailors for commissioning. - Matt Childs and Pete Dillon at the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova, June 2011. - J. Nazario at the World Trade Center Memorial in New York City, September 2011. A.J.’s right hand is next to the inscription honoring Dave Williams. - Chris and Tamara West were wed at The Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan, Virginia, on August 21, 2010.

2012-Issue 1

125

CLASS NOTES

’93

Bill Cox

My, how the time flies and things move on … As I look out my window the leaves have changed and the fall season is upon us. It has been an interesting three months, and so I will fill you in on me first and then move onto the class (yea, I’m selfish like that). I am still with Target but getting ready to move from Facility Operations into Warehousing. It’s a good move, I think, and will keep me busy learning the operational side of distribution as compared to building support. I will miss my team, though. What a great group of mechanics I had who worked for me. Still battling through the final stages of divorce, two years later, but I have heard horror stories of some taking 5+ years to resolve. So I feel somewhat lucky in that respect. Addison is now 9 and will be 10 by the time you receive this. She continues to blossom into a beautiful young woman. I had occasion to visit my first cousins in Missouri last month, sadly, to bury my mother’s twin sister. However, my first cousin was blessed / cursed with a stunningly beautiful daughter as well who has begun “dating” as far as seventh graders go. I guess that means I only have 3 short years before I prepare her cell in my basement! Anyhow, life is good and I continue to look forward to the challenges and rewards that each day brings. The summer was a blur with lots of camping / kayaking trips, a trip to DC to the Smithsonian and zoo and a last minute trip to Busch Gardens. Also was fortunate to go dove hunting with my oldest brother, Jim ’90, in Franklin, Virginia. We slaughtered them! So, on to the news … Rod Turbak wrote in. He ran into Brad Briller recently (well sorta back in March). Rod was over in Atsugi Japan in support of humanitarian effort in Operation Tomodachi after the tsunami / nuclear reactor meltdown. When Rod walked into the BOQ, there was Brad. (Personally I would have left at that point … kidding Brad). Brad was checking in as XO of his squadron but they didn’t have time to catch up much. Briller was evacuating and was gone in a few days. Rod went on to write that he changed posts again. He recently left his position as CO of VR-62 NOMADS and is serving as Chief Staff Officer of the Navy’s logistic wing. He and the family relocated to Fort Worth Texas with this move. Matt Gill sent a nice note in to. He and Brit added their fifth (YES FIFTH) son to the brood. Ridgeley Herman Gill was born on July 26th and named after his grandfather. Matt had to add a three story addition to

126

their house and his children keep him hopping. Grant, their oldest, is in his second year of Cub Scouts and Matt is involved with leadership rolls of his troop. Landon is taking tae kwondo with older brother Grant, and the twins, Gray and Baylor, are finding new ways to simulate tornadic destruction in every clean room they enter. Matt was involved in the creation of the new VMI Club of Richmond website. Check it out at www.vmirichmond.com. Matt and family have a few trips coming up to Vermont and the Poconos, so he is very busy. Andrew Jurewicz sent a one liner. He and Jim Camp will see Craig Currie and Paul Meadows at the annual striper tournament this year at Seaford. Let’s hope they return from this adventure as Andrew is already doubting his navigational skills. Mike Howard wrote in. His wife, Jennifer had their third child on Oct. 7, 2011; a girl named Harper Catherine Howard. In a separate email from his wife, Jennifer passed on that Rick and Bridget Barnes had a son, Keegan, born just before their daughter who was the same weight and length as theirs. Same weight same length almost same birthday! Casey Cox wrote in from Richmond where he, his wife, Crista, and daughters Monica and Lorin reside. Casey is a major with the Virginia Army National Guard. Dallas Grubbs chimed in from Gillette WY. He started a new business in January 2011 a flooring store. Dallas’s email now is dallas.grubbs@qualityfloorcoveringwyo. com and the business is doing well. Elk season is on in Wyoming, and his daughter had her first tag this year. Bryan Van Deun sent in word that Kevin Smith is back CONUS after a year in Afghanistan. He’ll be at the Pentagon next. I did get more info directly from Kevin. Kevin was in Kabul as a combat advisor with the NATO training mission. He was able to catch up with Jim Romasz who was also in Kabul. Kevin and family just bought a house in Bristow VA with Kevin moving to his new job with Headquarters Air Force, War Plans (HAF/A5XW) at the Pentagon. Before the sand box, Kevin was stationed at Ramstein, so he is happy to be back CONUS. Steve Grim wrote in; after all these years, I still have a hard time calling him Steve. It just doesn’t fit as well as REAPER. Alison and Steve had their third child in April. Steve says he really hooked her up after that and accepted an overseas deployment (as Steve wrote “Nice Husband.”) He had received an email from Gordon Mansfield who is living in Maryland, married with kids and doing well. Matt Eads sent in an awesome update and instead of trying to summarize I will include it all: “My wife, Rebecca, and I are trying to stay sane with three children all in elementary school. Our children are Nathan (age 10),

Caroline and Anna (age 5). We are literally consumed by their school work and extracurricular activities. If I am not careful, this update about “me” could easily turn into an update about my children; I almost cannot think of anything new in my life if it does not revolve around the children. Nathan loves Legos, planes, nerf guns and bikes. He sometimes goes target shooting with me, as well (good boy!). He really wants to be a fighter pilot when he grows up, so I am eager for him to meet many of our pilot BRs. He took an “introductory” pilot lesson a few months ago in a Cessna. Nathan is a great son, a dedicated hard worker, and is very nice. Caroline is our “academic,” for lack of a better word. She is in TAG, and she is already operating at an intellectual level that is challenging me and Rebecca. She is going to cure a disease or something along those lines. Anna lights up any room she enters, and has a radiant personality. She is very smart also, but Rebecca and I fear for her “dating years.” She is going to be attracting the boys like crazy. And I am going to be putting the fear of God into those boys. I believe we have entered that odd phase of our lives where we sacrifice all the things we enjoy doing as adults in order to provide for our children; that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but we are trying to be careful that we don’t wake up one day at the age of 55 and realize we let all of our personal dreams slip away! “Anyway, here is a list of highlights: Our firm, Eads & Heald Investment Counsel, is still going strong. The firm will be 25 years old in June 2012. We are renewing a strong growth effort. If the stock market will play along, we have a bright future for another quarter century. The firm has a new website, www.EadsHeald. com, which I created. I welcome calls or emails from VMI alumni who want to ask questions or discuss the investment markets. My wife is teaching part-time and loves it. I took my son on two white water trips this past summer. We did a guided rafting trip on the Chattooga. The next day, we did a self-guided kayak run down the Nantahala. We try to squeeze in family trips whenever possible. We spent a week in the Sarasota, FL area last summer, and a few days in Naples, FL. We spent last spring break in the western NC mountains for hiking and horseback riding. Next summer, we plan a family trip to Boston and points north, mostly revolving around water and sailboats.- On that note, I am interested in hearing from any BRs who are also into sailing. I’d love to share a sail sometime. If anyone else is into that sort of thing, get in touch. We have booked a ski trip to Beaver Creek, CO in February. Hoping for good snow! I have always had the travel bug, and recently I have been hankering for a big adult adventure. I am not sure where I’ll end up, but I’ll send

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES news or pictures once I decide. We had hoped to make it to Lexington this fall, but alas too many activities have prevented that from happening. I am hoping to simplify my life, but I don’t know if that’s possible with three children running around. I am, however, getting a second lifedose of elementary school math, science, and social studies; just in case I didn’t get it the first time around 35 years ago. We wish more BRs would drop by to visit in Atlanta. The door is always open, we have plenty of room, and we always have a lot of fun things going on! I’d love to have an annual Class of ’93 bird hunt or skeet shoot. But, Atlanta is too far south to get a good contingent together. Maybe it would need to be closer to, or in, VA. Just food for thought for the future --- Matt.” Like I said -- quite an update; thanks, Matt. Jon and Kate Kucera are in Durham NC with two children. His wife just received her PhD in genetics from Duke. Charles Leggett wrote in with a nice update. He has two children Lucy Christine Wahinenoilama born on Feb 8th 2011 and his son Caleb Kekoanui received his provisional appointment for the class of 2032. Charles is waiting on his teaching license from the state of Oklahoma so he can begin teaching. He mentions that if anyone knows of a church looking for a pastor in Lawton/Fort Sill/OKC/ Wichita Falls areas, please let him know. Dom Ford is in San Diego filling in as Deputy G6 for the 1st Marine Division. On the 1st staff with him are LtCol. Mint Ralston ’90 who is deputy G3 and Maj. Steve Chojnacki ’95 who is the division staff secretary. Dom has two kids, Jacqueline a nine year old girl and his son Ryon just turned one. He doesn’t have any deployments scheduled in the near future and is happy about that. Two quick stories and it’s a wrap. I was getting gas in Lynchburg the other day and a van pulled up with a VMI sticker in the window. We got to talking and it was Andy Joyner’s oldest brother who has a daughter at the I who I have met several times. I made it to the Rat sendoff here in Lynchburg too, and while I cannot remember the final number of Rats going from the Burg, I think it was around 16 or so. Lastly, I was in DC the other month and was walking around Tysons Corner mall. I passed a man wearing a DHS jacket, and I was wearing my VMI hat. We said good morning and passed each other. A few minutes later, he came back up to me. We ended up in about a 20-minute conversation, much to my girlfriend at the time’s chagrin, about VMI, Johnny Knapp ’54 and FUMA. Of course, I couldn’t let the moment slip by without mention of my family ties to both VMI and FUMA. His son is planning on applying this summer to the Mother I. Anyhow, I continue to love the interactions I get to expe-

2012-Issue 1

rience just from putting on a VMI hat. To those serving, I offer my now old compliments; I can’t say it 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.

’94

Christopher L. Doyle

Greetings, Brother Rats. Please note my new e-mail address is CLDoyle94@gmail.com. I trust everyone is well and keeping busy with work and life. Brad Rees was sent home early from an Afghanistan deployment after many symptoms of his multiple sclerosis returned. He was sent immediately to the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at Bethesda. He has since been discharged from the hospital but will remain assigned to the WTU while the medical board determines if he is able to stay in the Army. Brad now has occupational and physical therapy twice a week to help with walking. He will also have to take interferon injections every other day for the rest of his life, as well as some other ancillary meds for pain. Hang in there, Brad. Brian Myslivy is living and working in Richmond. He and his wife, Susanne, have two little girls, Catlyn, 7, and Teagan, 3. For the past seven years, Brian has been working as a construction project manager for Performance Food Group. Brian is responsible for over 40 facilities throughout the country. His job requires frequent travel to visit facilities and overseeing construction. I ran into Mike Peacock on a recent trip to Hawaii. Mike is an Army Medical Service Officer assigned to US Pacific Command. His wife is also in the Army and they are enjoying the Island. Phillip Starling’s wife Tanya gave birth to a son. Luca Starling was born Sept. 6, 2011. Congratulations, Phil and Tanya. Berk Clare is making great progress in his recovery from his recent bicycle accident. He is back working full-time and has been practicing driving. James hopes to have his license and handicapped vehicle by Christmas. Keep up the great work, Berk. You are a credit to the class! Steve Owens wrote from Ashville, NC. He owns a few businesses there. Vince and Stacey Porter are living in Northern California where Vince is participating in a one-year Army fellowship with the Google Cor-

poration. They have been able to take advantage of what northern California has to offer. They have been to Santa Cruz, Yosemite National Park, and Cavallo Point, an old Army base now serving as a resort. The Porter kids have been keeping busy with activities. Rylei joined a swim club and competed in her first ever swim meet. Blake is taking swimming and gymnastics as well. Vince says he has noticed several parallels between public affairs operations in the Army and what he has observed at Google. He is helping out on numerous projects (at Google and YouTube). Vince was able to share the military decision making process with his colleagues at YouTube and help them develop a crisis communication plan. Vince reports that he has found the people out there to be appreciative of the hardships service members face. He noted that aside from his time in battery command, Google is the only other assignment in which everyone gets along and works together as a team. Vince says if anyone plans on being in the Bay area, feel free to look him up. Keep doing good things and let me know if I can be of help to you in any way.

’95

Thomas A. Brashears

Dan Williams

I hope and trust this latest edition of our class notes finds everybody well. At the time of this writing, my family and I have just come back from an enjoyable weekend down in the valley. It was great to be a part of the Keydet’s first win of the season and even had the opportunity to watch the first ‘official’ basketball practice of the year. You get tired just watching these guys … they literally run up and down the floor and rarely stop; great physical conditioning. It should be an exciting basketball season as the team returns a lot of talent from last year’s squad that won 18 games. I will again have the incredible opportunity to serve as the Public Address Announcer for VMI Basketball … if you’re in town for a game, please say hello. During a recent business trip up to Fort Drum, I had the great pleasure to run into Buddy Meador in the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters. Buddy is currently serving as the Command Team Transition officer as he stands by to take command of a helicopter battalion in the spring of 2012. Wonderful time checking in with Buddy; he and his family seem to be doing well.

127

CLASS NOTES 265. Still flying Marine CH-46Es for a little Got a nice update from Terrin Tucker the Peter Segersten longer at least. Next year our squadron will other day. He let me know that he, along transition to the new V-22 Osprey but until with roommates Tim Williams and Jeffrey then we’re all still Phrog. I just finished my Hubbard linked up in Richmond recently. first year of a two-year tour. Nikki and the They got together with John Mayo and Lester girls stayed in the States and are still living Johnson at their restaurant, “Mama J’s” in Patuxent River, MD. I get back about and had a great dinner. Later that night they every 3 months or so to visit. If it wasn’t for linked up with Thomas Haskins ’97 to supEditor’s Note: We did not receive notes from Skype and FB, I don’t know what we’d do. port an event he was hosting. The next day the class of 1996 for this issue. The Squadron returned from mainland Japan Eric Mattocks drove up from Lynchburg to about a month ago. Our mission join in the fun and they ended up was to conduct humanitarian aid running into Jonathan Penn ’93. and disaster relief operations Terrin shared that they did play after the earthquake and resulting some golf and although the overtsunami. The pictures and video all score doesn’t reflect it, he was on CNN do the Sendai area no very proud to say that he made justice. It was completely leveled. the longest putt of the day. A lot of areas up north were also Received a great note as well isolated because of the terrain from Fred Werth. He relayed and having many roads and that he’s in the Saint Louis area bridges washed away. If not for working for Buckeye Internathe Marines and Navy with their tional, where he’s been for the helicopter support, many people last twelve years, as a regional would not have had anything to representative with responsibilicombat the still cold temperatures ties in the upper Midwest region and snowy weather up in northern … heading to such great spots Japan. We’re getting ready to as Fargo, North Dakota, Duluth, deploy with the 31st MEU soon. Minnesota and Enid, Oklahoma. We’re heading down for an Fred noted that he and his wife exercise in Australia, then hitting of sixteen years, Dianne, are Class of 1995: Mark Lacy with son Milo and Fred Werth the Philippines later in the year. the proud parents of three kids celebrating Milo’s baptism. We’ll also be doing an exercise in (Freddy, 12; Virginia, 9; and Thailand. I wish I could tell you Sally, 7). This past May, Fred I’ve run into some VMI guys out here, but I took the family out to Kansas City for Mark David Zirkle haven’t. Ironically, of the 4 top field grade Lacy’s son’s (Milo) baptism. He noted that in the squadron the CO is a Citadel grad, the Mark and his family do live out in the Los XO VMI, the OPsO Naval Academy, and the Angeles area, but have family in Kansas City. Maintenance Officer Norwich.” While there, Mark shared the great news that Doug Baker “got back from Afghanistan and his son had recently won a part in a national The leaves are starting to change here in made major last July. I’m at Ft. Leavenworth Pepsi commercial. I guess the apple doesn’t Virginia, and I am still the class agent and doing ILE and working on my master’s. Not fall too far from the tree! That’s awesome, the time has come for this quarter’s edition of sure if you know but my wife and I have a many congrats! notes. As I was spamming y’all this weekend 4-yr-old son and are expecting our second I did hear through the grapevine that Stu two things occurred to me. For some reason child this spring.” Stock Dinsmore also Mallory and his wife Meredith are now the none of our Brother Rats whose last names wrote from Afghanistan. He “still lives in proud parents of a baby girl, born early this start with “I” don’t seem to have registered Virginia Beach, married, with 2 girls (ages fall. I hear from Benji Bird regularly, who an email address with the alumni association. 10 and 6)” and “missed our 10 year because said he sees Chris Wills quite often. I also If you haven’t done it yet, or you have no I was deployed then too, but I have been in saw Dan Williams over the last couple of idea what account is there now, put the notes the 203rd RED HORSE (heavy construction weeks as he made the trip here to the D.C. down and check so that I get something other unit) in Virginia Beach (Virginia Air National area for business. Dan reports that he and than an undeliverable mail notification when Guard) since we graduated.” Stock is slated to wife Jodie may be looking to relocate to the I write to tell you you’ve won tickets to a “pin on LtCol in July ‘12.” He ran into “Reese NOVA area soon. football game. Speaking of football games, Edgington while surfing back last” year. As I wrap these notes up, I’d like to again our reunion is the weekend of October 6, Paul Bickford reports that “life is good make a plug for updates. The more the 2012. The Alumni Association has promised for me. I’m still working at Ferguson in the merrier. Feel free to call, e-mail, write a me there will be football and we will all have corporate training department and doing well letter, send a message via carrier pigeon … a great time. - I have the privilege to conduct sales and whatever communication medium is easiest. Brad Davis emailed me back in May, and leadership training to various groups across With that said, I hope everybody has (or had sometime in August, I found his email in my the U.S. and it’s really a great fit for me. I depending on the timing of when these notes spam folder (sorry, Brother Rat). He reports get to travel all over the country for my job appear in the Review) a wonderful, safe and that he is, or maybe was “in Okinawa Japan and I’m able to hook up with a few BR’s here enjoyable holiday season. All the best! serving as the executive officer for HMM-

’96

’97

128

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

Class of 1996: Those who attended their 15th Reunion are listed in alphabetical order as follows: John D. Adams, Christopher D. Antonelli, Michael D. Arendt, Douglas A. Bartlett, Matthew P. Bogusky, Jason R. Botterill, Curtis M. Bourn, Colin K. Boynton, Darren M. Braylo, Shawn A. Callahan, Cedric D. Canada, T. Matthew Creech, Thomas Danielsen, Jonathan M. Dano, John D. DiDio, Frank W. Dingle, Christopher Y. Eddy, Mark Q. Emick Jr., James M. Flaherty, Brian R. Forrest, Christopher R. Gorman, Giles A Gray, David R. Hall, R. Christian Hoff, Brian D. Hornaman, Travis J. Hughes, Harri K. Humaloja, Stephen O. Johnson, Christopher B. Kavanaugh, Christopher J. Keesal Jr., Darren M. Kirby, William E. Kirby III, Nickolas J. Latsios, David L. Lawson Jr., William L. Leonard, Joshua, T. Lewis, Christopher M. Lowe, Craig A. Lutterbie, Ricardo Mattoso, Kenneth L. McCoy, John D. McElroy, Michael S. McFadden, Russell E. McGuire, Phillip Scott Morris, Antonio T. Napolitano, Karl J. Painter, Edgar J.T. Perrow Jr., Jethro H. Piland III, Brandon C. Porter, Robert T. Prince, Dallas R. Richards, John M. Ripley, Jason D. Ross, Joseph M. Santarsieri, Peter H. Segersten, Jonathan D. Sherrod, Steven S. Shropshire, Robert T.B. Smith, Bryan L. Smith, William R. Stearman, Sterling T. Sweeney, Jamal A. Thomas, James S. Tinguely, Mark D. Townsend, Marc W. Trider, Elias G. Wahesh, Michael G. Waltz, Clifford B. Weddington, Geoffrey R. Weidner, Vernon C. Wilkens Jr., Paul A. Zackrison and James L. Zepko.

CLASS NOTES

15th Reunion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Oct. 21-22, 2011

Class of 1996

2012-Issue 1

129

CLASS NOTES and there. I’ve hung out with Brian Martin own practice.” Blair Gregory says,“Nothing spending the weekend in Lexington.” in Charleston, Brad Harris in Washington too new or exciting with the Gregory clan Dave Hudock is “currently in San Diego, D.C., Derick Atkins in NOVA, John Newton down here in the metro-Birmingam area. The where I’ve been since June of last year. in Houston, and Ron Ferguson in Miami over usual … kids, school..wrapping up with the Since arriving here, I’ve been assigned to the last few years. My wife Elizabeth and fall baseball season for my 8-year-old.” He VMFAT-101, the Marine Corps’ F18 training I have three children, a boy age 5, and two is “still with the same agency, United States squadron. I’m the squadron’s Maintenance girls who are 2 years and 15 months respecProbation Office. It’s been 10 years now, Officer which is made interesting by the fact I tively. We also still live in the Tidewater area still enjoying the work and trying to make a am not a pilot and this is the largest fixed-wing of Virginia.” difference in people’s lives.” He has “not run maintenance department in the Marine Corps. Joel Harding is “still with the State Departinto anyone recently but some good telephone Needless to say, it has been a time-eating ment as a Diplomatic Security agent, posted conversations with some of the guys from and demanding challenge but I’ve enjoyed in Washington.” He’s getting ready to “head ’97.” Blair does want “everyone know that it very much and have learned a tremendous to our Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan next they have a place to stay, with us, if they are amount since being here. Looks like I’ll be on March.” Joel reports, “Brian Bagwan finished passing through this area.” Jamie Jeter is board with the squadron until next summer at his training with DS about six months ago. “living in Hampton Roads. Just got back from which point I hope to move across the street He’s at our field office in New (I’m stationed at Miramar) to a York, where he’ll probably be for logistics squadron and finish my the next year or so. I spoke with third year in San Diego there. It him a few times when he was will be a welcomed relief! Next nearly completed with training week I’m taking the PE exam for and he was doing quite well.” Max civil engineering, so the little free Hopkins is “the XO for 5/11” and time I’ve had outside of work has he got himself elected “president been spent attempting to study. of the VMI San Diego Chapter in I’m able to sit for the exam due July.” Max promises pictures from to my job prior to this one as the their Founders Day lunch. environmental director for Marine Eric Jones reports that he’s “a Corps Base.” special agent with the department Dave “had dinner with Shah of homeland security in Norfolk, Rahman a few months ago. He’s VA. Been here for almost 10 years working as a civil engineer in now. Me and my wife Lisa are the LA area where he lives with expecting our first child in March, his wife and two kids. He hasn’t so we’re busy getting things ready changed much other than sporting Class of 1997: The Guarins vacationed in New Hampfor his arrival (it’s a boy). I do see a full-on beard!” and even though shire in summer 2011. Pictured, from left, Ben, Mike, Brett Thompson. He is a lawyer in he hasn’t “spoken to Steve Strain Karen and Tim. Virginia Beach and just opened his in a while but I do know he is

Class of 1997: Attending Valerie and Donnie Hasseltine’s wedding were, from left, front row, David Zirkle, Kevin Thomas ‘98, Dan Hall, Brian Smith and Joe Klapatch. Back row: Keith Peterson, Col. John Brodie, David Witherspoon, the bride and groom, John Duckworth, Daniel Owens and Andrew Staich.

130

back at the Pentagon, sill on active duty in the Air Force. The last time he was at the Pentagon he was working fiscal issues for the AF, though I have no idea what he’s doing there now.” He also reports that a while back he “saw Nick Elliott was at his house in McKinney, Texas, when I happened to have a long layover at DFW during a trip between DC and Hawaii. I’ll be traveling back to DFW again in November and hope to see him.” Mike Guarin “bought a new house last year in a suburb outside of Boston (my house number starts with 97 - go figure). Still married to my wife Karen and our two sons: Ben (my 6-year-old) and Tim who will be 5 in a few days. I spend my days juggling career and family ... I’m currently a criminal investigator with the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts. I’ve been with them for a little over a year now.” Joe Howard says, “I haven’t run into anyone recently. I jumped with Staich last year when he was here in Phoenix. Cris and I did go on the VMI cruise in the Med along with some pre-cruise sightseeing in

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Germany and Italy. Work is keeping me busy covering flight testing on the Gulfstream G280 as we make the engines. I spent last week in Colorado Springs doing flight test out of Leadville and I am leaving tomorrow morning for Savannah to fly on the G280 again for another week. I spend my free time skydiving.” For my part things are going well here in Virginia. Being a grad student again has made me a little more sympathetic about how much reading I give my students. The biggest news I have to report is that I got engaged in September, a summer wedding is planned. If you have a little time, think about what you’d like to see in these notes. Maybe a list of Brother Rats we’d like to hear from again? Or suggested events for the next season, such as our reunion, Oct. 6, 2012? Thanks to everyone for reading and responding to my email barrage. If your name is in the third quarter of the alphabet you can beat the rush by emailing me now. Safe travels and happy New Year to everyone!

Hamel Reinmiller

’98

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

’99

William Steinbach

Brother Rats, Due to a change in scheduling with the Alumni Review, the class notes deadline was bumped up a month for this edition. Unfortunately, with the change, I missed the deadline to solicit input, so this will be rather short. Barry Williams contacted me to tell me he finished up his master’s degree and is starting the Intermediate Leader Education (ILE) with the Army. Upon completion of that, he will be heading to Aberdeen Proving Grounds. I apologize for missing the deadline and for the notes being so short. I normally see or talk to several Brother Rats, but for some reason this quarter I have not really been keeping up. I will be attending the Class Agents Conference at school on Founders Day weekend, and I will be sure to pass along any updates on the “I” as I receive them. In the Bonds, Bill

2012-Issue 1

’00

Matthew McComas

Gentlemen, I hope everyone is doing well! We are working on a short turn around for the notes this time around and since we had rather lengthy notes last time, this one will be shorter. Before I begin, though, I have to send out an apology and make a correction to the previous notes. I accidently misspelled the middle name of Mac Semler’s daughter. The correct spelling is Madeleine Ann. Sorry for the mistake, Mac, Katrina, and Madeleine! Mac also sent along a photo of the family that I was not able to get in the previous notes. So let’s get to the notes … As usual, I will start with my update. In the time since the last update, Meredith and I were fortunate enough to be able to take two weeks in September to go on a grand tour around Italy for our honeymoon. We decided to wait two months after the wedding to hopefully hit smaller crowds and milder temperatures. If that was the case, I would hate to see it in July! We started off in Venice and traveled via train for about a week, seeing Florence, Cinque Terre, and Pisa. For the second week, we rented a car and drove through Tuscany, Umbria and the Amalfi Coast, before settling in Rome for a couple days. It was a whirlwind vacation, but we got to see everything we wanted to see and spent some quality time together. I have to thank a couple BRs who helped make our trip a success. First, thanks go out to Jared Snawder for a thorough reconnaissance on the high and low points of Italian travelling. Jared and his wife, Amy visited Italy a few months before us and his debriefing was very helpful as we planned our trip! Next a HUGE “thank you” to Jon Palmer for watching our dog, Cass, while we were gone. If you have ever met my crazy dog, you understand just how much of a favor that is! And to make matters worse, Jon had to give him medication and keep him in an e-collar for the whole two weeks! In late September, Jon and Mickey Wing rode together on the Bank of America Cycle Team to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The ride was a two day, 200 mile trip from Charlotte, NC, to the beach and they both completed the ride without incident. Together they helped raise $935 for the cause. Awesome job, guys! As with the previous notes, I have a number of new births to report. First, news from the west coast where Ed Pearson reports that he and his wife, Shana welcomed their first child to the world. Son, Edward A. Pearson, III was born on the lucky day of 09-10-11! New Dad, Ed reports

that “son is sleeping like he has hay down every morning!” Another new father, Willy Barquero checked in to announce the birth of his daughter Sophia Elizabeth in August. Willy is living in Salt Lake City, Utah and working as a senior software engineer. Congrats to Willy and wife Angie! From new fathers, to soon-to-be father Don O’Sullivan notified me that he and wife, Krysta are expecting a little boy at the end of February. Don has already prognosticated that his son will be a future Keydet! Class of ’34? In unhappier news, Don and Krysta have been battling a flooding issue at their house and have posted some interesting pictures and video on their own website chronicling the fight with the town over the issue. Don was very grateful to Chris Abbott and John Jackson for contacting him to offer help or suggestions. Good luck getting everything settled quickly so you can welcome your new son to a dry home! Speaking of Chris Abbott, Don passed along a link to an article about Chris in the Gulf Coast Business Review. Chris and a couple of business partners recently founded the Abbeton Accelerator Fund. The fund invests in startup ideas by providing entrepreneurial experience along with money. Chris is truly an “advocate for American democracy and the free enterprise system!” It is great to see him succeeding while helping others make their dreams a reality. Way to go, Chris! I also hear reports that Chris was married in August in Key West to Dawn Grooms. Brother Rats in attendance were Adam Priest, Chris Gamble, and Craig Giorgis. According to Adam the weeding was a lovely beach ceremony followed by a breakfast reception. Congratulations, Chris and Dawn! Craig Giorgis checked in to let me know that the Marine Corps recently deployed him to

Class of 2000: Katrina and Mac Semler with their daughter, Madeleine Ann, born in November 2010.

131

Class of 2001: Those who attended their 10th Reunion are listed in alphabetical order as follows: Melissa K. Adamski, Jeffrey M. Akers, Oscar A. Alfaro, Keith L. Allen, William C. Alley, Michael J. Andriliunas, Britton L. Armstrong, Tennille C. Barnabi, Douglas T. Bates IV, Charles J. Beard, Charles F. Benbow, Ryon P. Beyer, Ryan M. Blake, Jennifer N. Boensch, William M. Boulware, Brandon L. Bowman, Richard T. Bruce IV, Charles C. Bunting, Michael L. Butterfield, Christopher D. Catanzaro, Ryan C. Cates, Nathan W. Charles, William R. Charlet, Sean J. Collins, Ryan A. Colvin, Michael J. Conlan, Thomas E. Cornell IV, Michael P. Cortese, Brady A. Daniels, Andrew S. Dannenberger, Charles C. de Courcel, David B. Dewey, Jaroslaw M. Dyhouse, William B. Farris, William T. Felvey, Brian D. Ferguson, Ronald A. Fiocca, Samuel T. Fishburne, Gregory S. Ford, Brian D. Frank, Kevin J. Fromm, Teray M. Frost, Joseph R. Furtek, Eric J. Gannon, Michael T. Gantert, Glenn B. Garrett, Thomas J. Graham IV, Hassan Grari, Benjamin F. Griffith, Richard Z. Groen, Joseph W. Gunter, Carl W. Haas, Timothy O. Hackler Jr., Fred H. Hair, Eric L. Ham, Justin R. Harber, Steven A. Harris, Bradford T. Herrell, Douglas G. Hoffman, Harri K. Jahkola, James C. Jayko, David N. Jones, Richard T. Kennedy Jr., David N. Khalek, Stephen J. Kolenich, John Koubaroulis, Kyle W. Kram, Brian T. Lakin, Eric P. Lauer, Daniel N. Lieber, Chad E. Lloyd, Delton G. Lowery, Richmond P. Lykins III, Gregory L. Martin, Taylor C. Mawyer, Natasha N. Miller, Aaron L. Mitchell, Robert C. Moss, Angela N. Myers, William J. Myers, David R. Nagel, Heidi F. Nagel â&#x20AC;&#x2122;02, John-Henry J. Niederhaus, Benjamin S. Norris, David T. Oliver, Songho Pak, William P. Prible, Justin M. Prior, Stephen P. Reeves, Nicholas C. Richardson, Andrew B. Rogers, Kevin A. Ryan, Mia K. Serena, Joshua C. Shiley, James E. Shircliffe Jr., Christopher W. Simpson, Stephen L. Skakandy, Jarrett M. Somers, Daniel R. Stock, Kelly K. Sullivan, James B. Thompson, Christopher S. Tyree, Maria M. Vasile, Shane C. Vinales, Justin R. Walskey, Elijah M. Ward, Ethan T. Weber, Jason M. Whitaker, Melissa S. Williams, Brian C. Wilson, Adam Woytowich, Joseph C. Wunder, Aaron M. Yarbough and Victor E. Zottig.

CLASS NOTES

10th Reunion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Oct. 21-22, 2011

Class of 2001

132

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES up on Preston Library steps for the class picture. Boston of all places. He and wife Karen and son Everyone seemed to have a great time catching Owen moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts in up with each other and reliving old memories of June and Craig is currently serving as the Marine life in Barracks. I believe we have replaced The Officer Instructor (MOI) at Boston University, Palms with the newest “LexVegas” establishment, MIT, and Harvard. Craig is excited about the Macado’s. Before the tailgating tents were erected change of pace and looking forward to doing something completely different than anything else he has done thus far in the Marine Corps. I am sure he will do an excellent job at it. It was great to hear from Justin Wood recently. Justin and wife, Jackie are still living in Nashville, TN, with their two girls, Jordan and Jacsyn. The girls are now four and 15 months, respectively. Jackie was recently promoted to executive director of development at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Justin is working for the federal government. Justin recounted an incident on a flight to California recently when a flight attendant was admiring Justin’s class ring and it turned out that the Class of 2000: Meredith and Matt McComas on gentleman directly behind him was a honeymoon in Pompeii, Italy, September 2011. Marines Corp officer from the class of 2007. It is amazing how small the and the Ratline stories started coming out, on the world is when you see Keydets all over the place! Speaking of Keydets all over the place, Matt Wednesday morning before the reunion weekend, Martin checked in from Manama, Bahrain. I several of our Brother Rats embarked on a reported earlier that Matt was headed to Bahrain, memorial march from New Market to VMI. Led but he filled me in with more information this time by Golf Company’s Steve Skakandy were Jarek around. Matt has been in Bahrain since September and is serving as the Officer in Charge of the World Famous Desert Hawks of HSC-26 Detachment One. He will be in the position until March 2012 and he here is a bit of Matt’s last message describing the deployment: “I’m loving every minute out here. I have four helicopters, MH-60S Knight Hawks, and about 60 personnel. We operate out of the International Airport and service the entire 5th Fleet AOR and portions of Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar.” Keep up the good work, Matt! That does it for this quarter’s notes. I wish everyone good health and happiness in 2012!

’01

Brandon Farris

The following notes were written by Jason Whitaker. Brandon Farris is the new class agent: What a great time we all had in October for our 10th reunion. For those who could not make it, our class had the largest turnout in VMI 10th reunion history. I do not have a precise count, but I believe we had around 150 Brother Rats in attendance. There were so many Brother Rats we literally had no room left when we formed

2012-Issue 1

Dyhouse, Charlie Bunting, Steve Harris and Joe Gunter. Natasha Miller and Eric Fromm joined them for the last portion of the march on Friday that finished up with a warm welcome from our Brother Rats who awaited them outside Moody Hall before the Friday afternoon parade. I would like to thank everyone for attending the memorial service which was wonderfully organized by Will Alley for our five Brother Rats who are no longer with us – Dale Seymour, Josh Hurley, John Kitt, Charles Ransom and Howie Cook. At the memorial service our class dedicated a plaque on the memorial wall to Charles and we were blessed to have his family with us to pay respects to a man who touched us all. It was an honor to have Lt. Gen Josiah Bunting ’63 and our Brother Rat Brig. Gen. Alan Farrell at the reunion. Lt. Gen. Bunting shared his thoughts on our class and expressed his gratitude and thanks for all that we have accomplished since the early days their of matriculation in August 1997. He believes we are a special class and we are honored with his heartfelt sentiment. Kudos to Charlie Bunting, Aaron Mitchell, Will Alley, Justin Prior, John Koubaroulis, Stewart Curcio, Chris Butera, and Chris Simpson who sacrificed much personal time this year to serve on our reunion campaign committee. As part of our 10-year Reunion, our class donated

Class of 2001: Attending Nate and Brooke Charles’ wedding in Roanoke, Virginia, Aug. 27, 2011, were, from left, Chris Simpson, Jason Whitaker, Chris Copenhaver ’99, Jamie Dillon, the groom and bride, Drew Carbone, Geoff Goldsmith ’04, Brady Daniels, Parker Reeves, Jon Mazur, Jim Bourie and Justin Harber.

133

CLASS NOTES Catanzaro and Brian Lakin came all the way a total of $262,320.01 towards VMI with portions Salmaan Khawaja from Hawaii and Harri Jahkola flew from of that going toward the VMI Class of 2001 Europe to attend the reunion. Memorial Scholarship. The reunion campaign has On August 27, I was honored to attend the ended but please consider giving to the memorial wedding for Nate Charles and his lovely bride, scholarship in the future. As a class we need to Brooke. Also in attendance at the wedding was take ownership in the memorial scholarship as Jim Bourie, Parker Reeves, Justin Harber, Chris Dear Brother Rats, this is our opportunity to continue to give back Simpson, Jamie Dillon, Jon Mazur, Drew CarAs I write these notes, the leaves are just starting to future VMI cadets to carry on the tradition of bone, Brady Daniels, Chris Copenhaver ’99 and to turn and the heat of summer has faded to the producing citizen soldiers. cool calmness of fall. Autumn is our favorite time Many of you who could not attend the reunion Geoff Goldsmith ’04. Congratulations to Mark of year, and I’ve heard from many of you taking contacted me in the weeks and days before the Nemeth and his wife Mary on their wedding on the time to support the Keydets and catch up with reunion to pass on your greetings to those in October 1. Before the reunion I was able to catch one another at VMI football games. Some excitattendance. Several of our Brother Rats who up with Josh Berk who was on leave from his asing news on my part, I’ve started a new job as could not attend were deployed at the time and signment at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Also at senior neuropsychologist for Bon Secours Health they were Willie Moses, Shawn Hobbs, Anthony the dinner with Josh and I was Justin Harber and System, and it’s been a really positive change for Bravo and Scott Miles. Thank you gentlemen Landon Winkelvoss ’04. Jim Bourie could not Laura and I. Laura continues to enjoy her work for the selfless sacrifice you give to our country make the reunion as he is studying at a business as a prosecutor for Chesterfield County, which to protect our God-given rights and promote the school in Nice, France. Jim told me he planned to is just south of the James River near Richmond. values of individual liberty and freedom around have his own VMI reunion with Adam StanleyFrom time to time, Laura’s office trains law school the world. While our Brother Rats marched from Smith in late October. Matt Frye is studying at interns, and Eric Baines, who is in his last year New Market to VMI they had plenty of time to MIT and Brett Carter is still studying at Harvard of law school at the University of Richmond TC think and estimated our class has served over 300 when he is not traveling to Africa. Randy Hager Williams School Of Law, worked there this sumdeployments in service of the Global War on Terand his wife Karla welcomed their son, Randy mer. At the times these notes were written, Eric rorism and various humanitarian and peacekeepAlan Hager III on October 18 and Tamina Hart was working at the Jeanette Lipman Family Law ing operations. That number is very humbling (Mars) and her husband John welcomed a baby Clinic, and was just accepted into a Clerkship with and is something we should take pride in. It is a girl Zoe on August 10. two judges in the City of Richmond. He plans to testament to the citizen-soldier values instilled in Finally, I want to thank you for allowing me to stay in the Richmond area afterwards, and has us during our cadetship at VMI. serve as your class agent over the last four years. been enjoying a wonderful relationship with MeriI wish I had carried a pen and paper to write It has truly been my pleasure to be your class dith Bryk, who was at W& L during our cadetship down everything you all told me about youragent and I thoroughly enjoyed receiving your and was kind enough to let some BRs store their selves during the reunion. The weekend went notes and photos, answering your questions and gear and extra supplies at her place. Eric also by so fast, and I spoke to so many of you, it being your advocate with the Alumni Association. spends time with his two wonderful boys, and is felt like speed dating, but here are some of the Please show the same respect and gratitude that enjoying life in general. details I remember. Joe Wunder put together a you gave to me to Brandon Farris who is taking Leven Harrison has completed 6 ½ years at great BBQ at his house on Friday night for BRs over the reins. Brandon is very excited to take the Navy’s Nuclear Power Training Unit and in town. Rich Hodge is coaching lacrosse for over the duties and has embraced this opportunity. has taken the summer off to relax and to travel. a high school in northern Virginia and has had Brandon can be reached at wbrandon.farris@ wonderful success in getting some of his kids gmail.com. I look forward to staying in touch with He spent a few weeks in Europe, ran the Belfast marathon, explored Croatia, and visited his brothrecruited by major college lacrosse programs in everyone and God bless you all! ers in London and France. Leven also runs his the country. Will Boulware has opened his own Your BR ... Jason own business, which specialized in Chick-Fil-A franchise in Arkansas. amazing calligraphy. Greg Martin plans to return from Adam Soller has been grabbing France next year where is he workdrinks with Ryan Peay pretty ing in the engineering field. Adam regularly since Ryan has returned Woytowich is living in Louisville to Arlington after finishing his and is still serving in the U.S. Army. work at Darden. Adam also met up Oscar Alfaro is teaching karate in with Tim Wolford who is also in New Jersey. John Parson passed the the northern Virginia area, and also Virginia state bar and is looking for met Scott Chalkley who will be work in the Tidewater area. Fred Hair moving up that way this fall. Matt is loving life in graduate school at Blanchette moved to the Hampton the University of Georgia where the Roads, VA area, after having lived U.S. Army is paying for him to get his and worked up in NOVA for a master’s degree so he can be a public number of years. Also, Adam, Brad affairs officer. Tony Gelormine is Brickhouse, and Chris Lane spent still in the U.S. Army and is currently a summer weekend sailing in the stationed near Colorado Springs, CO. Northern Neck and had a blast of Aaron Yarbough has been playing Class of 2001: From left, Melissa Williams, Kelly Sula time. All are doing well, Adam Arena league football in Baltimore, livan and Dave Bristow ’67 on a road in Italy during the says. MD and Nick Richardson is doing 2011 Alumni Association Western Mediterranean Cruise. well and living in Boston, MA. Chris Dr. Marc Yelle finished his MD

’02

134

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Diorio in Skytop, PA. VMI from Wake Forest in May, and in March guys in attendance were Brian matched in anesthesia for residency at Niven and his wife as well as Mass General Hospital in Boston. After Matt Vogel and his wife. Will nine years of graduate school, he is finally and Danielle bought a house finished with being a professional student. in Morris Plains, NJ and he is I know the feeling. Marc and his kind wife working for a pharmaceutical also welcomed their first son, William company as a manufacturing “Liam” David Yelle, to the world on June supervisor. “All in all, life 3, 2011. At the time these notes were writis good” Will says. Jimmy ten, Marc was 1/3 of the way complete Palmer is deployed to FOB with an internship in internal medicine at Lagman, Afghanistan working Wake. It’s been a great, big year for Marc intel. Once back home in Januand his family, and we wish them all well. ary, it’s back to work at Booz That’s about it this time around folks. I Allen Hamilton. Sanja and the really appreciate hearing from you and I kids are doing well, holding know a lot of us keep in touch on Facebook. There’s a 10-year reunion page on down the fort in NoVa. Class of 2003: Doug and Jana Bahrns were married at VMI in summer 2011. Pictured were, from left, groomsFacebook as well. Feel free to join if you Doug and Mariah (Green) man and class historian, Chip Hancock; the groom and wish. I’m excited to hear from more of you Goodall are happy to announce president of the Honor Court, Bahrns; and the bride, Jana. and thanks to those who wrote in this time. the birth of their second child, Pictures are always welcome! Looks like Ava Elizabeth, on April 18th. the 10-year reunion is right around the corShe was 9 lbs, 11 oz. and 21.5 ner, one year away! Now I’m off to the gym so I can inches long. Mariah received her Ph.D. back in Brian Trueblood sent in a quick little note to (not) try to fit into my coatee again … ahem, ahem. say that he’s up in Pittsburgh where he started December and immediately started a postdocBest wishes to all. toral fellowship at the University of Marya marketing and advertising service – Black In the Spirit ... land working on skeletal muscle injury and Powder Design, LLC (www.blackpowderdeSalmaan Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. They recently sign.com) where he specializes in print and moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where publication design, brand identity, and logo design. Nate Joslyn and his wife, Erin, gave William Talley V birth to their son, Thomas, on September 23rd. Congrats, y’all! Up in Newport, RI – Jonathan Saburn recently wrapped up his master’s in systems engineering with the Naval PostgraduPhil Kerns ate School and he has started Department Head School. David Yaman was medically retired from the Marines as of June 2011 and resides in Falls Church, VA. Currently employed with CACI as a Defense Contractor for the time Editor’s Note: We did not receive class notes being as he is actively seeking government from the class of 2003 for this issue. employment. David is also getting married this November with the venue being the Carnegie Institute in Washington, D.C. Ryan Consaul, Class of 2004: Josh and Martha’s who is still with the GAO, was promoted and Ryan Shealy children, Patrick and Katherine. on his first foreign assignment in over five years – this time, he’s traveling to northern England and Scotland. Ryan Koniak is living in northern Virginia and working at the Pentagon in the Army’s Office of C. Justin Roberts Aquisitions, Logistics and Technology. Thanks to Jerrett Brown for a clarification to a previous update by Dave Coleman – yes, they went to Army JAG together, but what Dave forgot to menHowdy, Brother Rats! tion was that he finished first in his class So, fall is officially here; crisp, cool air, football of at least 80 attorneys! Great job, Dave! season and the holiday season right around the Josh Wright and his wife, Sarah, are getcorner. Normally, we wait until mid-November to ting ready to move to Groton, CT for his do the Fall Class Notes, but due to a (one time) department head school. They welcomed shift in production/operations schedule with the their second daughter, Addison Olivia Class of 2004: Ryan Shealy getting ready Alumni Review publisher, we had to push the Martin Wright, on 7 June. Will Simmons to rush the offensive line. deadline up to mid-October. got married on 09/03/11 to Danielle

’03

’04

2012-Issue 1

135

CLASS NOTES ’04! ’04! ’04! Shealy month ago – as a civilian - and am excited to get Doug is working for Dixon Valve & Coupling Timothy Johnson up for work every day – well, unless football SunCo. and Mariah is a Biology professor at Washdays run a little late, haha! Since being up in D.C., ington College (in addition to her postdoctoral I’ve been able to be a lot more active with LBGT research). advocacy and even posed for a calendar (who Things are going well for the Powers clan at William Ray would have thought, hah!) that my football league Fort Benning. Josh’s wife Martha gave birth did to raise money for scholarships for out high to their daughter, Katherine, on the 16th of school athletes in the area. Check out www.dcgffl. September. Their son Patrick (who is now four) org for more info. All in all, this move has been is still very excited about being a big brother, an absolutely amazing opportunity for me, both especially since Katherine is not yet old enough Brother Rats, personally and professionally. Definitely looking to chew on his toys. They recently got the Taking a page from the playbook of our forward to seeing what else this city has to offer! opportunity to head to VMI and attend Chip senior Brother Rat, Charles Kause ’82, I’ll Hope everyone has a great holiday season and Satterlee’s wedding. Chip married an awesome open the first set of notes for the New Year I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you in the girl named Carrie that he met in Colorado. In with some lyrical prose courtesy of one of my new year! attendance at the wedding were all of Josh and favorite bands, My Morning Jacket, Chip’s roommates (Jon Dumas from their song titled “Honest Man” and Dave Harris) as well as that I feel captures much of my Craig Hamilton, Adam Zimsentiment toward the year 2011: merman, Dave Coleman and Try to walk this earth an honest Justin Roberts. The wedding man, was officiated by none other but evil waves at me its ugly than Chaplain Park, who is still hand. at VMI and seems to be doing The radar watches me from above, very well. Josh is still teachshouting down: ing at the Maneuver Captain’s “I hope you make it on this Career Course at Fort Benning, earth.” still enjoying life and hopes all Sometimes this world will leave VMI alumni will look him up you, lord, if they’re coming through Fort kickin and a screamin, Benning so they can grab a beer wonderin if you’ll see the next and reminisce about the “I.” day through. As for my update: I am absoBut as for me, I do believe lutely loving my life up in DC. Class of 2004: Deep sea fishing during the summer of that good luck comes from tryin, Been here roughly two months, 2011, were, from left, Drew Hardin, Bill Ginder and John so until I get mine and started with the Navy about a Ginder. I’ll work me the whole day through. When I think back on 2011, it struck me as quite a strange year. It seemed as if one moment you were on the mountain top, only to be struck down by some inconceivable tragedy the very next. Brother Rats would tell of the arrival of a newborn, only to send word of a deployment. The next moment you would pack for a wedding and receive word you also needed to drive on afterwards to a funeral. Work and career goals seemed to be taking off, only to be cooled quickly by pay cuts or the even more terrifying “cut backs.” Sometimes, all you could do was to keep your nose to the grindstone and gut it out another day. I certainly hope 2012 holds more promise and that I am in the minority in gladly wishing 2011 adieu. Fortunately, not all is bad news and tales of woe. The following Brother Rats send words of a pleasing and uplifting nature so without further delay, your latest set of class notes. Jeff and Heather Durham welcomed a son, Ethan, into the world on Aug. 31, 2011, in Class of 2004: Craig Hamilton, Dave Harris, Josh Powers and Jonathan Sumter, SC, where they are stationed with the Dumas attended Chip Satterlee’s wedding with their dates. The wedding was Air Force at Shaw AFB. At the time of subheld at VMI. mission, Ethan was 6 weeks old. “My wife,

’05

136

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Heather, had a C-section, and the two doctors After a brief absence from the notes due who delivered him were Citadel graduates.” to unforeseen circumstances and quick jaunt (Class Agent’s note – it would’ve only taken to St. Thomas for some R&R, Sean Matson one VMI doctor.) Jeff adds, “We are very sends the following update: Casey has been happy and everyone is doing great.” very busy getting Shelby prepared for her Jim Driggs is doing well, happily married first day of preschool. The crazy thing is that to his girlfriend since before VMI, Crystal. my old preschool teacher is the director of Jim is in law school at the University of the preschool where Shelby will attend. After Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law and returning from deployment I switched teams, expects to graduate in May of 2013. He plans to practice civil, criminal, and/or intellectual property law in the Richmond area. His wife, Crystal, is a school counselor at a local elementary school, and they own their own home in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Jim is still a real estate broker for Hometown Realty and is actively selling residential real estate in the Richmond area. Jim and Crystal are actively training with the SEALTeamPT program in Richmond, Charlottesville and Washington, D.C. area. Jim graduated as an instructor of Class of 2005: A son, Ethan, was the SEALTeamPT program in August 2009 born to Heather and Jeff Durham in and has been leading workouts and motivatSumter, South Carolina, on August ing his teammates while completing law 31, 2011. school. He adds “it was great to catch up with a few Brother Rats at the VMI versus Richmond football game on Sept. 17th. As mentioned in an earlier set of notes, Ted Henderson graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine with honors (Sigma Sigma Phi) on June 5, 2011. After graduation, he and his wife moved to Richmond where he is starting a threeyear Pediatric Residency at VCU. They found a great little house in the West End and have been hanging out with Jim and Crystal Driggs and motor boating/jet skiing on the Rappahannock River. The Hendersons are loving Richmond and are interested in getting connected with Richmond VMI alumni for those of you in the area. Ian Foley transferred departments within Duke and he is now working in Contracts Management for the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). The majority of his work deals with clinical research agreements through the Duke system, but involves some actual negotiations as well. Ian has found the new job to be an interesting change of pace. As for the family, Autumn Class of 2005: Sean, Kasey and Shelby Matson and the kids (Lisa-Jean 2 yrs. & 2011 family picture, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Liam 8 months.) are doing well.

2012-Issue 1

but it was only next door (still living in VA Beach). It is a good move for us and I am looking forward to the challenges that come with integrating with new people. Shelby had a great summer! I worked very hard with her this summer to teach her how to swim, and after only a month into summer she was swimming under water without floats. It scared multiple people in our neighborhood when I would just let her swim without anything for as little as she is. She plays very hard and in just 2.5 years already had two concussions and two hairline fractures in her foot. The crazy part about the fracture was that after five days we took her back to a Pediatric Orthopedics and they couldn’t find anything. Either she healed in only five days or the ER misread the X-ray (we like to think she is special). Brian Duncan sends word that he is still up in Culpeper working as a school counselor and continuing his job search, but a lot of changes have occurred for him or are heading his way. In the spring / summer of 2011, he finally got his house built and he was baptized into the church in the fall of 2011. He plans to marry Miss Emily Haynes of Fredericksburg this April. Greg Van Pelt sends word that Seth Parker passed the U.S. Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection this past September and will have started the Q Course at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina in November of 2011. He permanently resides in Richmond with his wife, Lou, and is a Sergeant with the 19th Special Forces Group based out of Camp Dawson, West Virginia. In October, I had the chance to head down to Seaside, Florida to witness the wedding of Ryan Murphy to Miss Rachel Davis. Brother Rats in attendance who served as groomsmen were Jason Downs, Shore Stokes, Danny Fields and Zach Lewis. Jason recently separated from the Marine Corps and is currently looking for employment with a defense contractor in the northern Virginia area. Shore is still living and working in the New York City area. Danny is with the U.S. Army Special Forces in Florida. Zach is currently stationed in Korea where he flies helicopin their ters for the Army. It was great getting to see Ryan and Rachel

137

Class of 2006: Those who attended their 5th Reunion are listed in alphabetical order as follows: Colin K. Adams, Steven R. Bechtel, Christian H. Brown, Heather J. Brown, David A. Bruster Jr., Joel A. Burger, Isaac B. Cecil, Andrew P. Dernovsek, Frank A. Dolberry, Nicholas D. Dowdie, Richard W. Durkee III, Timothy A. Fairchild, Jason M. Fraser, Joshua E. Freeman, Jeffrey J. Gilmore, Jochen A. Granja, Timothy D. Greer, Glenn B. Hammond II, John R. Herzog III, Michael R. Hiltner, Curtis I. Ivins, Phillip A. Johnson, Casey W. Jones, Shaun M. Jones, Kyle F. Madden, Jason T. Major, Jonathan E. Mayhew, Barry L. McCord, Brian M. McGill, Stuart A. Miner, Nathaniel M. Moreira, Michael B. Morris, John M. Mundt, Jonathan C. Nagle, Steel J. Nardozzi, Geoffrey T. Parker, Steven N. Parsons, Michael R. Pasquale, Matthew T. Pumphrey, Gregory G. Quillen, Christopher J. Rogers, Ryan H. Rogers, Jeffrey M. Sale, Kyle W. Schriefer, Timothy J. Stover, Gregory S. Stronko, Ryan J. Tibbs, Jackson L. Todd, Anthony W. Tolomeo, Joseph R. Tyler, Brenton L. Underwood, Thomas G. Upton, Michael D. Werner, James G. Wicker, Brian W. Yannetti and Thomas M. Zager.

CLASS NOTES

5th Reunion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Oct. 21-22, 2011

Class of 2006

138

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES get married as well as catching up with all the Brother Rats in attendance. We made the most of the short time we had together and I’m sure the bar tenders at the reception and the good people that own 114 Buttercup Street agree wholeheartedly. Pictures should be in the next edition of the Alumni Review. Following the wedding, Ryan and Rachel will reside in Clarksville, Tennessee as Ryan flies Apache helicopters for the U.S. Army out of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Well, dear readers, that brings us to the end of another edition of the Class of 2005 notes. I certainly hope you all are doing well and will send in your updates soon. Don’t hesitate to let Will and me know if we can help you out in anyway. Remember, we’re all in this together. In the bonds, Tim Johnson

Will Davis

’06

Editor’s Note: We did not receive class notes from the class of 2006 for this issue.

’07

Sally Coffman Arciero

Editor’s Note: We did not receive class notes from the class of 2007 for this issue.

’08

Greetings, everyone! I trust that you all had a wonderful holiday season and you received a holiday card from me. If not, that probably means you haven’t updated your address at VMI. It would be extremely beneficial if you would do that, and if you would prefer not receive letters or cards from me, you can tell the Alumni Association, as well. Moving forward, I regret to inform you about the death of our Brother Rat, Megan (Brewster) McIntosh. Megan was tragically murdered in Cheyenne, WY, on Aug. 23, 2011. At the time, she was going back to school to become a nurse and was boxing. Please keep Joe McIntosh and their families in your prayers. I, along with Christian Lomicka, am developing a fundraising effort to honor our fallen Brother Rats at VMI. When information becomes available, I’ll send out an email and post in the next edition of notes. In the previous notes I mentioned that Dave Kerr had discovered a lump in his abdomen. Since then, Dave has been diagnosed with cancer and has been aggressively battling it with chemotherapy. Dave, along with his lovely wife Christine and their daughter have been travelling to New York City for treatment. Please continue to keep Dave and family in your prayers. I am happy to report a few of our Brother Rats have

Class of 2005: Sean Matson gave his daughter, Shelby, a crash course in PE 101, Survival Swimming, at Virginia Beach, Virginia, during summer 2011.

2012-Issue 1

Robert Hill

returned or are in the process of returning to the States (October ’11). Tyler Anthony and David Jacobs were in the midst of travelling home as I write these notes. I hope to have a full report from them as well as others who have recently returned for the next edition. Pat Clark checked in from NAS Pensacola. Pat has started his primary flight training. Just prior to his arrival, Brett Skoog earned his wings before moving onto his next duty station. Congrats to Brett and good luck Pat! Matt Turner is in Whidbey Island, WA finishing up eight months of pilot training on the “Growler.” Matt sent me a picture of his plane about to be refueled in mid-air and the picture (shown on the next page) is also available online at the Alumni Association’s website. In addition to Matt, Matt Dowdy, ’05, is also in his squadron and transitioning from the “Prowler” to the “Growler.” Dustin McCabe is enjoying his time in the Keys. He splits his time between working, catching fish and scuba diving. Dustin was kind enough to provide me with the update about Ty. Kyle Adams has finished his move to Central PA. Kyle has been transferred to the Locomotive Shop in Enola for Norfolk Southern. Chris Beyer was married to the former Misty Dawn Bright on Sept. 10, 2011, in Washington. In attendance were Jim Driggs ’05, Jay Pontius, Chris Boyls-White and of course, Dancin’ Dave Feltes, who provided an impromptu performance. As I mentioned before, I will be unable to attend the next Class Agents Conference in March, as it’s over my wedding weekend. John Sollock has expressed interest and there’s room for one more. If you’re

Class of 2005: Ted Henderson on the job at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Henderson is working on a pediatric residency which started in summer 2011.

139

CLASS NOTES moments to say that I hope everyone and their families had a fun and safe holiday season. I’d like to mention that the notes for this Review will be rather succinct due to a tighter timeframe for class notes submission between this issue and the prior notes publication. I’d like to kick off our notes by recognizing those who are currently deployed at the time of this writing. I apologize for those that I may miss, but your contribution is no less important. Recently deployed in October were Lance Hindle, 2nd Lt. U.S. Marine Corps (Afghanistan), Carter Kunz, 2nd Lt. U.S. Air Force (Afghanistan), and AlexTaylor, 2nd Lt. U.S. Army (Afghanistan). All three will be joining the fight on terror with

Back in Texas, I was able to host a mini 2010 Hotel Company reunion in Fort Worth with Jason Barnes, Ian Black, Chris Czupryna and Dan Strausbaugh all attending. It was such an awesome time hanging out with some of the best guys I know and some of the best that our Armed Services have to offer. Jason and Dan are both currently stationed at Vance Air Force Base with the U.S. Navy in flight training. Jason has been slotted a fighter jet slot and will have been stationed in Kingsville, Texas, for further training at the time of this writing. Dan has a few more hours of flight training remaining and will know his slot before Ian Williams this publication. Chris is currently stationed in Fort Hood with the U.S. Army as a platoon leader and has submitted his paperwork for Special Forces. Ian is currently stationed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas, and is expected to arrive at Offut AFB in Omaha, Nebraska, in And just like that, it’s winter! I truly hope early 2012 to continue his operations. everyone had a wonderful 2011. Now it is time For the class of 2010, I would like to thank to start making 2012 your best year yet. I know the service of all of those within the class of a lot has changed for everyone in the two-plus 2010, the VMI Ranks and all of those who serve years since we earned our diplomas. Whether this great country. May all of you be safe, and it is starting a family or starting a new career; I wish each and every member of the class of most of us seem to be laying the foundation for 2010 prosperity and continued excellence in all the future. Class of 2008: Matthew Turner in formathat you do during 2012. Please don’t hesitate Jackie Morton is beginning to do just that. tion with his squadron amidst a refueling to contact me if you have any updates that you She is engaged to Terence Sathcell. Conoperation. would like to be published. Mizpah. gratulations to both. One of my closest friends Matthew L. Allen throughout my four years at the Institute, Doug Trask, is also beginning a new phase in other BRs deployed prior to October, such as Zach his life. After getting back to dry land following Williams, 2nd Lt. U.S. Army (Iraq), Jack Curtis, Allen McCown his deployment, Doug proposed to his girlfriend, 2nd Lt. U.S. Army (Afghanistan), and Charlie Loisann Buchanan. No date has been set as of yet. Nicotera, 2nd Lt. U.S. Army (Afghanistan). We Congratulations, broski. wish all of our BRs who are currently deployed A recently received an e-mail from Kurt Seidl. and who are in the process of doing so at the time Kurt is currently stationed in Afghanistan with the of this writing a safe return back to the states. It’s been a short two months since I last wrote, USAF. He has said there are a few Brother Rats in In September, I was able to return to Richmond but a lot of things have changed. The Ratline his neck of the woods. Zach Youngsma, Ira Galto catch the VMI and U of R football game and is back in full force in Barracks, the leaves are lagher, Mark Gliebe, Nate Goldsmith, and Dan saw several BRs in the process. I had the great turning and many of us have now relocated for the O’Connell are just some of the BRs down range. privilege of seeing Justin Ferrell and his family military or jobs in the civilian world. The Keydets Keep up the e-mails everyone! The e-mails, at the game. Justin was once again a lifesaver were off to a rough start in the football season, phone calls and texts are all appreciated. I still like our days back in Room 488 during Rat year, but our recent victory over Charleston Southern would love to hear about what everyone is up to, as he hooked me up with a ticket for the sold out will hopefully be the turnaround of the season. I even if you are not deployed. Also, if you know of game. He and his family seem to be doing great, talked to Whit Anthes, who was in attendance at any other alumni who are in Afghanistan or even and it was a great pleasure to spend time with the game. Whit said that he, Chris Milligan, Dane Iraq, I’d love to hear about them. This way, we them at the game. Justin has been training for and Addison, Matt Talbott and Nick Bates had a can pass some names around to those BRs who competing in several triathlons since graduation. good time and enjoyed a few beverages in Moody, are deployed, just to give them another contact. He picked up a win at the Big Lick triathlon in as well as the first Keydet victory of the season. Stay safe, Virginia and is continuing to study hard for mediEarlier in the season, I went to the VMI vs. RichIan cal school. I also had the privilege of hanging out mond game and saw a number of our BRs. Before with and chatting with Ray Kirchner at the game. the game, I ran into Laura Resetar, Danielle Dove Ray is currently learning the ins and outs of the Matthew Allen and Eric Church. I also saw Eric Scott; he just security industry and taking numerous leadership moved to Tennessee to start a new job. While I roles within his company. Ray informed me that was in Richmond, I stayed with Quinn Wicks and Sam Dobbins has begun a new career focused Chris John. Both are doing well and med school on orthopedic sales and endurance training which is keeping them busy. Jeremy Lucier came over is no surprise for Sam with his strong passion to Quinn’s, and we had a good night in Shockoe At the time of this publication, 2012 will have for physical fitness. Other BRs at the game were Bottom. While we were there, we ran into one already been upon us, and the holiday season will Garland Gray, Damiso Alexander, Kris Ware, my dykes, Devin Millson ’08. Devin also lives in have come and gone. I’d like to take out a few Owen Thulin and John Pope. interested, please let me know and I’ll get everything set up for you. Hopefully I’ll hear from more of you for the next round of notes. Please keep in mind that you can email me at anytime for submissions to these notes and I’m always looking for pictures as we never seem to have enough. Enjoy the spring, and start to think about September or October 2013, as our first reunion at VMI is approaching in the near future. God Bless!

’09

’11

’10

140

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES the Bottom and is stationed at Ft. Lee. A few of our BRs are at Ft. Lee right now: Dylan Knehr and TJ Green, at least that I know of. Both are doing well. I’m actually going to see TJ for the Tough Mudder at Wintergreen. I’m running with Tom Louderback and any other Keydets that are around. A few of our BRs have been married and engaged since I last wrote. Ronnie Ellsworth and the former Zipporah McCann were wed August 27th. They moved their wedding up due to the arrival of the hurricane on their previously scheduled wedding day. Luckily, the new date worked out, and they had a beautiful wedding. Phillip Parker is now engaged to Jessica Helms; congratulations to them both! Noah Gibson and Hannah Granger are also recently engaged. I wish the best of luck to all of you starting your

BIRTHS OVIATT – A son, Cecil Jay, to Myra and P. Robin Oviatt ’90 on Sept. 28, 2011. HOWARD – A daughter, Harper Catherine, to Jennifer and Michael A. Howard ’93 on Oct. 7, 2011. BARQUERO – A daughter, Sophia Elizabeth, to Angie and Guillermo A. “Willy” Barquero ’00 on Aug. 24, 2011. PEARSON – A son, Edward Alphonso III, to Shana and Edward A. Pearson II ’00 on Sept. 10, 2011.

lives together! When I was in northern Virginia earlier this month, I ran into Ermin Mujezinovic. Moo Moo is still at VMI finishing his last year and running for the Keydets. He said he was doing well and hopes that BRs look him up if they’re in Lexington. I talked to Kyle Drumheller a little while ago, and he told me that he had just bought a boat and had taken it out on Lake Anna and the Potomac for some fishing and tubing. Kyle is working as an engineer in NoVA. Kelson Hurley told me that he will be entering the Army next spring, he was selected via the Army SF recruitment program and will attend basic training and then go to selection; good luck, Kelson! Nic Williams, Lane Pratt and Jeremy Chuidian just started Ranger school. If anyone has their

addresses, send them to me, and I hope we can send them some letters. I talked to Roy Hunter last week. Roy is doing well and just began work for VAMAC in Richmond and will be moving to Fredericksburg later this year. Roy mentioned that Ethan Price is doing well and has been interviewing for jobs around Virginia. I hope that these notes find everyone doing well and having a great winter. If you head down to Lexington for a basketball game, let me know, and hopefully we can meet up. These notes will only be as long as the e-mails I receive, so let me know what you’ve been up to. If I missed anything for this Review, it’s never too late to let me know. Stay in touch, Rah VA Mil! Allen McCown

YELLE – A son, William Liam David, to Gray and Marc D. Yelle ’02 on June 3, 2011.

Douglas B. Goodall ’06 on April 18, 2011.

HOFFMAN – A daughter, Ava Elizabeth, to Mariah Hoffman ’04 Goodall and Douglas B. Goodall ’06 on April 18, 2011. POWERS – A daughter, Katherine, to Martha and Joshua D. Powers ’04 on Sept. 16, 2011. WRIGHT – A daughter, Addison Olivia Martin, to Sarah and Joshua L. Wright ’04 on June 7, 2011. DURHAM – A son, Ethan, to Heather and Jeffrey W. Durham ’05 on Aug. 31, 2011.

HAGER – A son, Randy Alan III, to Karla and Randy A. Hager Jr. ’01 on Oct. 18, 2011.

HENING – A son, George Alexander Ross, to Katy and William R. Hening ’08 on July 15, 2011.

MARS – A daughter, Zoe, to John and Tamina Mars ’01 Hart on Aug. 10, 2011.

GOODALL – A daughter, Ava Elizabeth, to Mariah Hoffman ’04 Goodall and

MARRIAGES ABBOTT – Dawn Grooms to Christopher L. Abbott ’00 on Aug. 14, 2011. ALLEN – Christy Rhodes to Keith L. Allen ’01 on Sept. 10, 2011. CHARLES – Elizabeth Brooke Williams to Nathan W. Charles ’01 on Aug. 27, 2011. NEMETH – Mary Schneider to Mark A. Nemeth ’01 on Oct. 1, 2011. SIMMONS – Danielle Diorio to William A. Simmons ’04 on Sept. 3, 2011. MURPHY – Rachel Davis to Ryan A. Murphy ’05 on Oct. 9, 2011.

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

2012-Issue 1

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

141

PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2016 William Young Gregory Brian David Starsman

APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2030 J. Gray Chandler ’70 Raymond E. Starsman ’10

Cousin Brother

William C. Ryals ’76

Grandfather

Edmund R. Strickler ’62

Great-uncle

Martin O. Silman ’00 Walter I. Priest III ’69 Joshua P. Priest ’80 Adam T. Priest ’00 Brant M. Priest ’07 Withers W. Moncure Jr. ’76 Withers W. Moncure III ’02 Maj. Ethan T. Weber ’01

Father Great-uncle Great-uncle Cousin Cousin Grandfather Cousin Father

Tristan Benedict Amato

Steven L. Amato ’83

Grandfather

Elizah Amsel

Bryan E. Amsel ’86

Grandfather

Wesley Van Auken Carson

Douglas Van Auken Carson Jr. ’99 Father

Mia Marie Cicchi

William C. Ryals ’76

Grandfather

James Bennett Crump

C. Terry Crump ’66

Grandfather

Stephen D. Crump ’74

Great-uncle

Chalmers C. Crump ’939

Great-grandfather

Noah Gallagher

Brady A. Gallagher ’98

Father

James William Guidt

Travis C. Guidt ’02

Father

Celeste Trezevant Holmes

John G. Sebrell ’69

Grandfather

William Hubert Keesee

Abbott W. Keesee ’00

Father

Charles L. Keesee ’04

Uncle

Barry L. O’Connell ’71

Great-uncle

Elmon T. Gray ’46

Great-grandfather

Garland Gray II ’73

Great-uncle

Garland Gray III ’10

Cousin

Anthony R. Peters ’04

Father

Cole William Simpson

Christopher W. Simpson ’01

Father

Seth E. Enterline ’06

Uncle

Carson James Cicchi

2031 2017 Gabriela Raquel Alvarez

John Robert Ericson Pedro Alvarez ’79 Adrian A. Garcia ’87

Father Uncle

2032 Samuel O’Neal Silman

2019 Jack Cornett Trevor Samuel Smith

Preston A. Craft ’11 Charles S. Smith ’90

Cousin Father

Matthew E. Gallagher ’89 Robert J. Scaglione ’86

Father Father

Joseph R. Dunkley ’62

Grandfather

2020 William S. Gallagher Walker James Scaglione

John Middleton Stuart Tyler Michael Weber

2033 2022 Kathleen Amsel Ryan Lymber

Bryan E. Amsel ’86 Matthew E. Gallagher ’89

Father Stepfather

2024 Payton Thomas Clancy Hunter T. Kallgren Zackary Andrew Korting

Woodson A. Sadler ’66 Roderick W. Kallgren ’48B Jay B. Slaughter ’68 Gordon K. Slaughter ’939

Great-uncle Grandfather Grandfather Great-greatgrandfather

2025 Fred Cornett

Preston A. Craft ’11

Cousin

2026 Haley G. Kallgren

Roderick W. Kallgren ’48B

Grandfather

2027 Harvin C. Moore V

Benjamin H. Powell Jr. ’936 Gardner C. Duncan ’929

Great-grandfather Cousin

Amelie Ann Peters

William C. Ryals ’76 Roderick W. Kallgren ’48B

Grandfather Grandfather

Jacob Eli Summers

Benjamin K. Summers ’97

Father

Zachary Bryan White

James F. White ’06

Father

William Taylor Wise

William C. Wise ’98

Father

2028 Nicholas Michael Cicchi Nathan P. Kallgren

Jameson Gray Minkler

2029 Grace Diane Harbach Jackson Tinguely

142

David V. Harbach ’61 James S. Tinguely ’96

Grandfather Father

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

TAPS TAPS Ilbert D. Brayshaw ’39 Lt. Col. Ilbert DeLacy Brayshaw ’39, USAFR (Ret), of Magnolia Beach, Texas, died on Aug. 29, 2011. He was 92. Brayshaw matriculated from Smithfield, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by two sons, William D. Brayshaw and wife Karla and John E. Brayshaw ’71 and wife Jeanne, and their two sons, Robert and wife Stephanie and Michael and wife Tiffany, as well as three great-grandchildren. Brayshaw was predeceased by his wife, Mary.

Henry Bernstein ’39 Henry “Hank” Bernstein ’39 of Phoenicia, New York, died on July 21, 2011. He was 94. Bernstein matriculated from Kingston, New York, and earned a bachelor of arts degree from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Vivien; two sons, Henry Jr. and Vincent and wife Susan; a daughter, Ginger Bernstein McKim; five grandchildren, Travis and wife Hope, Ethan, Henry III, Dr. Heather Bernstein Blatchley and husband Robert, and Katlyn T. McKim; as well as three great-grandchildren, Peyton and Henry Bernstein IV and Collin Blatchley.

Barboursville, Virginia, died on Aug. 21, 2011. He was 90. Chewning matriculated from Bon Air, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Davenport Chewning; a daughter, Emily; sons, Charles, Lee and David; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Howard S. Strausser Jr. ’42 Howard Samuel Strausser Jr. ’42 of Lynnwood, Washington, died on Aug. 10, 2011. He was 90. Strausser matriculated from Reading, Pennsylvania, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his daughter, Carol Jacobson, of New Orleans, LA; son, George Strausser Sr. (Terry) of Lynnwood, Washington; grandchildren, George Strausser Jr. of Bothell, Washington, and Christine Kellogg (Charles) of Shoreline, Washington; and great-granddaughters, Emma and Leah Kellogg. Strausser was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth, and his second wife, Jane Fonvielle.

Dudley C. Smith Jr. ’44

Dudley Crofford Smith Jr. ’44 of Norfolk, Virginia, died on Aug. 9, 2011. He John M. Camp Jr. ’40 John Madison Camp Jr. ’40 of Wilming- was 89. Smith matriculated from Charlotton, North Carolina, died on Aug. 11, 2011, at the age of 92. His obituary appears in tesville, Virginia, and attended VMI for three years. the front section of this Alumni Review. He is survived by a daughter, Sallie Smith Abraham and husband David of John D. Cook ’40 John Douglas Cook ’40 of Ithaca, New Norfolk; a son, Dudley C. Smith III and wife Donna of Charlotte, North CaroYork, died on Aug. 22, 2011. He was 92. Cook matriculated from Lexington, lina; two grandsons, Dudley C. Smith Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science IV and William Randolph Smith, also of Charlotte; a sister, Marjorie Smith degree in civil engineering Smithey of Roanoke, Virginia; from VMI. and nephews, John Hamilton He is survived by his wife, Smithey Jr. of Roanoke and Barbara; two daughters, Patricia and Jennifer; and a greatLouis Powell Smithey of West nephew, Jeffrey M. Jones ’95 Plains, Missouri. of Roanoke, Virginia. Smith was predeceased by He was predeceased by his his wife, Nancy Kornegay brother, James A. Cook Jr. ’41, Smith. Cook ’40 on Sept. 26, 1990.

Charles C. Chewning ’42 Charles Carpenter Chewning ’42 of 2012-Issue 1

Frank R.B. Collins ’45 Frank Rives Berryman Collins ’45 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, formerly of Rich-

mond, died on Aug. 16, 2011. He was 87. Collins matriculated from Richmond, Virginia. He attended VMI for two years and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University. He is survived by his wife, Marcia, three sons and six grandchildren.

Sergeant W. Wise ’45 Sergeant Woodhull Wise ’45 of Rochester, New York, died on Aug. 26, 2011. He was 87. Wise matriculated from Cape Vincent, New York, and earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Catharine; his sister, Edith Wise Burpee; four children, Dean (Sally), Charles (Cheryl Newman), Lesley Countryman (Michael) and William (Dee); eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Brown, Virginia Hoban, James Wise, Lisa Newman-Wise, Alexander NewmanWise, William Newman-Wise, Katharine Countryman and Jack Wise; and a great granddaughter, Isabella Brown.

Harry J. McDargh III ’47 Harry John McDargh III ’47 of Tampa, Florida, died on Aug. 25, 2011. McDargh matriculated from Atlanta, Georgia, and attended VMI for one year, two months and 18 days. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Denver. He is survived by his wife, Betsy; his children, John, Eileen, Susan, Carrie and Tiffany; their spouses, Tim, Bill, Tom, Rusty and Larry; and grandchildren, Jordan, Zachary, Sasha, Hannah, Madison and Patrick.

William C. Rudulph ’47 William Caffey Rudulph ’47 of Richmond, Virginia, died on Aug. 27, 2011. He was 84. Rudulph matriculated from Montgomery, Alabama, and attended VMI for two years. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. His was preceded in death by his wife, Winona Faye Chittum Rudulph, and a cousin, John Barratt Rudulph ’41, who died on March 5, 2009. 143

TAPS Rudulph is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Phillip D. Payne III ’49B Col. Phillip Dandridge Payne III ’49B, USA (Ret), of Lovingston, Virginia, died on Sept. 17, 2011. He was 82. A Distinguished Graduate, Payne matriculated from Lovingston and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the Institute. He is survived by his wife, June Ballard Payne; a sister, Dorothy Seay; four children, Phillip Payne IV, Chloe Raynor, Stuart B. Payne ’84 and Maureen Hahner; and 12 grandchildren, Dandridge Payne V, Spotswood Payne, Alexander Payne, Austin Raynor, Sean Raynor, Natalie Raynor, George Raynor, Ballard Payne, Turner Payne, Liv Hahner, Jessica Wert and Jonathan Wert.

William T. Hawkins ’49C William Thomas Hawkins ’49C of Lynchburg, Virginia, died on July 6, 2011. He was 85. Hawkins matriculated from Lynchburg and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He was predeceased by his wife, Arlene Wright Hawkins.

Hughes T. Angell Jr. ’50B Hughes Thurston Angell Jr. ’50B of Springfield, Virginia, died on June 3, 2011. He was 82. Angell matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by a son, Hughes T. Angel III, and daughter, Janie Welsh.

William B. Kuykendall Jr. ’50B William Bowcock Kuykendall Jr. ’50B of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, died on Aug. 21, 2011. He was 81. A Distinguished VMI graduate, Kuykendall matriculated from Alexandria, Virginia, earning a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the Institute. He is survived by his wife, Natalie Bowman Kuykendall; two sons, Bill Kuykendall and wife Laura of Columbus, Ohio, and Scott Kuykendall and wife Cindy of Charlottesville, Virginia; a daughter, 144

Linda Martinsen of Winchester, Virginia; a brother, Harry Kuykendall and wife Holly of Florida; two half-brothers, Tom Hemans and wife Peggy of Greer, South Carolina, and John Kuykendall of Blacksburg, Virginia; a half-sister, Susan Hyps of Fairfax, Virginia; and seven grandchildren.

O’Leary and wife Vivian, David Parker O’Leary and wife Sarah, Patrick Martin O’Leary and wife Molly, and Mark Cavanaugh O’Leary and wife Rachel; as well as 13 grandchildren.

George B. Harris III ’54

William F. Howard ’52

George Benjamin Harris III ’54, Ph.D., of Marietta, Ohio, died on Sept. 21, 2011. He was 80. Harris matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and attended VMI for two years. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Virginia, a bachelor of divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Garvin Harris; sons, Hobart W. Harris, wife Mary, and children Marisa and Zachary, and George B. Harris IV, wife Paula, and children Benjamin, Samuel and George V; daughter, Lydia B. Donnelly, husband Bob, and children Elena and Carmen; and sister, Mary Anne Clause of Richmond, Virginia.

William Felder Howard ’52 of Nashville, Tennessee, died on July 6, 2011. He was 80. Howard matriculated from Nashville and attended VMI for one year. He earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1956. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carrie Jane Smith Howard. Howard is survived by his children, Elizabeth Ellen Howard Bentz (Thomas) of Johns Island, South Carolina, William Herbert Howard (Sara) of Columbia, South Carolina, and Carrie Jane Howard of Bradenton, Florida, and two grandchildren, Ryan L. Howard Magdaleno and Timothy William Howard.

George William Ralph ’54 of Cumming, Georgia, died on Aug. 8, 2011. He was 80. Ralph matriculated from Indianapolis, Indiana, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie Ralph; daughters, Joan and Michael Marbert of Aiken, South Carolina, Beth and Patoy Gliatta of Cumming, Georgia, and Merry Joy and Jonathan DeCarmo of Lynchburg, Virginia; sisters, Clara Nell Dillion of Indianapolis, Indiana, Dixie and Tom Clark of Indianapolis, and Susan and Tom Brett of Smithfield, Virginia; and nine grandchildren.

Frank C. Gorham ’52 Frank Cornelius Gorham ’52 of Springfield, Virginia, died on Sept. 4, 2011. He was 80. Gorham matriculated from Alexandria, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Poole Gorham; three children, Laura Abedi of Fairfax Station, Frank D. Gorham of Springfield and Virginia Courtney Gorham of Annandale; son-in-law, Majid Abedi; daughter-in-law, Melissa Gorham; and five grandchildren, Jennifer Gorham, Payam Abedi, Katie Gorham, Emily Gorham and Alex Abedi.

George W. Ralph ’54

George M. O’Leary ’53

Thomas L. Atkeson ’57

George Michael O’Leary ’53 of Houston, Texas, died on July 25, 2011. He was 80. O’Leary matriculated from Houston and attended VMI for one year. He earned a bachelor of science degree in geology from the University of Houston. He is survived by his wife, Joan Davis O’Leary; six children, Kathleen Moore and husband Henry, George Michael O’Leary Jr. and wife Lisa, Tom Davis

Maj. Thomas Lamkin Atkeson ’57, USA (Ret), of Monterey, Virginia, died on Aug. 22, 2011. He was 77. Atkeson matriculated from Arlington, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Joan Marie Dorf Atkeson; son, John A. Atkeson and wife Kimberly of Lexington, Kentucky; brother, John C. Atkeson Jr. and wife VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

TAPS Nanci of Clayton, North Carolina; and sister, Betty A. Salley and husband George C. of Hartfield. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Katherine Louise Atkeson.

Ronald J. Kaye ’57 Col. Ronald Julian Kaye ’57, USMC (Ret), of San Marcos, California, died on Aug. 18, 2011. He was 76. Kaye matriculated from Brooklyn, New York, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in biology from VMI. He was also a graduate of Washington and Lee University from which he earned a doctor of laws degree. He is survived by his son, Ronald J. Kaye II (Landon), and children, Courtney and Ronald Kaye III, of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; son, David Taylor Kaye, and grandson Taylor of San Marcos; and his significant other, Cmdr. Ruth H. Smith, USN (Ret), of San Marcos.

Walter R. Bossart ’61

Ohio; daughter, Lori McCormick Tramel of McKinney, Texas; and grandchildren, Kaiti Tramel, Peyton McCormick, Karie Joy Tramel, Mary McCormick, Mac McCormick, Kensie Tramel, Lara Tramel and Kade Tramel.

Ross D. Parham ’62 Ross Donnell Parham ’62 of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, died on March 12, 2011. He was 70. Parham matriculated from Baltimore, Maryland, and attended VMI for one year. He is survived by his wife, Catherine B. Parham; son, Christopher; daughter, Constance; and sister, Nancy Winder.

Edward G.S. Maxwell Jr. ’67 Edward Garrott Staley Maxwell Jr. ’67 of Charlotte, North Carolina, died on Sept. 30, 2011. He was 66. Maxwell matriculated from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, and earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Joyce J. Maxwell; sister, Emily Maxwell White; brother-in-law, Kip Jones (Judy); sister-in-law, Carole Cornell; nieces, Jennifer Zaun (Byron), Becky Gibson (Chip) and Christine White Bowden; and nephews, Chet White (Melissa) and David Cornell.

Walter Reeves Bossart ’61 of Ormond Beach, Florida, died on Aug. 9, 2011. He was 72. Bossart matriculated from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his twin sons, Gary E. and Todd R. Bossart. Bossart ’61 He was predeceased by his Dennis H. Long ’68 wife, Constance Hutchins Col. Dennis Harry Long ’68, Bossart. USA (Ret), of Bloomington, Indiana, died on Aug. 4, 2011. He was 64. Allen L. McCormick III ’61 Long matriculated from York, PennsylCol. Allen Leslie “Pete” McCormick vania, and was a Distinguished Graduate, III ’61, USAR (Ret), of McKinney, Texas, earning a bachelor of science degree in died on Aug. 3, 2011. He was 71. math from VMI. He received a master of McCormick matriculated from Raven- science degree from the U.S. Naval Post na, Ohio, and Graduate School. He earned his doctor of earned a bachelor laws degree from Indiana State University. of arts degree in He is survived by his mother, Jean, of history from VMI. York; son, David; and fiancée, Crystal He is survived Distler. by his wife, Ann He was predeceased by a daughter, Sarah. Bise McCormick; son, Allen L. Frederick M. Smith ’69 McCormick IV Frederick Maurice Smith ’69 of Corand wife Kathy dova, Tennessee, died on Aug. 16, 2011. McCormick III ’61 of West Chester, He was 64. 2012-Issue 1

Smith matriculated from Elkton, Virginia, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Linda Schnatterly Smith; sons, Jeremy Smith of Knoxville, Tennessee, and G. Shayne Smith and wife Vera of Germantown, Tennessee; and two granddaughters, Vivian and Elizabeth.

John F. Beadle III ’73 John Franklin Beadle III ’73 of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, died on Aug. 11, 2011. He was 59. Beadle matriculated from Pottsville and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Stock Beadle; two sons, Jonathan E. Beadle and Elliot T. Beadle of Pottsville; a daughter, Mara Jane Sausser and husband Nathan, also of Pottsville; and two sisters, Beverly Norton and husband William of Westford, Massachusetts, and Donna Davis and husband Gary of Horsham, Pennsylvania.

Megan L. Brewster McIntosh ’08 Megan Lynn Brewster McIntosh ’08 of Cheyenne, Wyoming, died on Aug. 23, 2011. She was 25. McIntosh matriculated from Forest, Virginia, and attended VMI from 2004-08, majoring in biology. McIntosh is survived by her husband, 1st Lt. Joseph A. McIntosh ’08 of Cheyenne; her father, Myron Brewster Brewster (ConMcIntosh ’08 nie) of Lytle, Texas; mother, Mary Olson (Glenn) of Memphis, Tennessee; brother, Jacob Brewster (Jill) of Stuttgart, Germany; stepsisters, Amy Van Cleave of San Antonio, Texas, Christine Weaver of Santa Clarita, California, Auburn Olson of Big Rapids, Michigan, and Kendra Olson of Escanaba, Michigan; uncle and godfather, Tim Brewster of Escanaba; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

145

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

The VMI President

William A. Paulette ’69

Historian

Thomas W. Davis ’64 davistw@vmi.edu

Immediate Past President

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

Directors at Large

Chief Executive Officer Brian S. Crockett

Keydet Club, Inc. 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 George Troy Mosby ’97 Richard C. Wolffe Jr. ’78

magsvmi@email.com anchors80@comcast.net gmosby@liquidnet.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 Heidi F. Nagel ’02 Atlanta heidimason@aol.com Coastal GA - South Carolina Midsouth Middle TN - Nashville East TN - Knoxville

146

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

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

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

New River Valley Lynchburg Roanoke

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

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 T. Keith Jarvis ’82 T. Troy Barbour ’89 Jason K. Gruse ’97

wdtllt@comcast.net jim@realcentralva.com weastham@carrhyde.com jarvistk@vmi.edu 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 William H. Cather Jr. ’65 John Nagle ’87 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

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

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

2012-Issue 1

Vaipot Srinual ’72 Ching-Pu Chen ’85

147

ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS The late Royce E. Jones ’55 was remembered in an online article posted on the website of the Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia. Jones served as head football coach and athletic director of Norfolk Academy (NA), before returning to VMI in 1979 to accept the post of vice president of the Keydet Club. Jones, who died in 1995, also served as director of Cadet Affairs. The article was written by Weldon Bradshaw, himself a coach and teacher, who remembered Jones as a friend and mentor. Francis R. “Frank” Kollmansperger ’84 posted a comment to the article: “I am honored to have known Coach Jones at NA and VMI, where he made a huge mark in so many ways. I smile when I think about him.” Jones matriculated from Hampton, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Kollmansperger matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and graduated with distinction from VMI, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Virginia. Joel Strunk, son of the late Justin R. “Judd” Strunk ’59, appears to be following in his father’s entertainment footsteps. Judd Strunk was a high-profile musician in Los Angeles during the 1960s and ’70s. His son, Joel’s, screenplay, “Anatomy of the Tide,” recently placed in the top 30 out of 6,500 scripts submitted for a Nicholl Fellowship. On a whim, Joel Strunk called Charles Kipps, a film producer and former Motown record producer who had worked with Judd Strunk. The two struck up a friendship, and Kipps agreed to serve as the film’s lead producer. “Anatomy of a Tide,” which is in production as of this writing, is a tale of adolescence set on the Maine coast. Judd Stunk, who died in October 1981, matriculated from Buffalo, New York, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in history. David S. Wilkinson ’67 received the Distinguished Service Award from the College of American Pathologists at its annual meeting held in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 10, 2011. Wilkinson, a Richmond, Virginia, pathologist and professor of pathology and health administration at 148

Nine attorneys with the Harrisonburg, Virginia, law firm Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC have been named to the 2012 edition of Best Lawyers in America, including George H. “Skip” Roberts Jr. ’68. The current edition is based on more than 3.9 million evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. Roberts, a distinguished military graduate, matriculated from Petersburg, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in history. He earned his juris doctor degree from the University of Virginia. Michael J. Mulligan ’75 has been promoted to the senior executive level with the Department of Defense (DOD). He has assumed the duties of chief, Support Operations, for a DOD-sponsored joint task A. Theodore Goodloe II ’65 finished the Little Rock Half Marathon – 13.1 force, reporting to the Under Secretary of miles – in spring 2011. This maraDefense for Policy. His responsibilities thon benefits Little Rock (Arkansas) include facility and engineering manParks and Recreation. Finishers agement of multiple complexes located received a medal, certificate and adthroughout the United States, as well as mission to the post-race celebration. oversight of all financial and acquisition Virginia Commonwealth University School management for the joint task force. Mulligan began his civil service career of Medicine, was recognized for his contrifollowing completion of his active duty butions to the practice of molecular commitment with the U.S. diagnostics and medical laboraArmy in 1980. Throughout tory management, as well as his his career, he held numerous service as a mentor to colleagues leadership assignments, and and students. Wilkinson currently was responsible for sustainserves as the school’s director of ing excellence in engineering the Molecular Genetic Pathology and contingency planning for Fellowship. Continuity of Operations at A distinguished military graduthe national level. ate, Wilkinson matriculated from Mulligan matriculated from Richmond and graduated from Mulligan ’75 York, Pennsylvania, and gradVMI with a bachelor’s degree in uated from VMI with a bachchemistry. He earned his doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin elor’s degree in civil engineering. He is a and a medical degree from the University member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a registered professional of Miami. engineer in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Hubert G. “Bert” Schneider ’80, vice president of the Avalon Hill International Kriegspiel Society (AHIKS) – an international society dedicated to historical simulation games – recently introduced some star power to the organization when he “war gamed” with Cory Wells, a VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS founding member of the rock band Three Dog Night. Wells sang lead vocals on the band’s 1970 hit, “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” a song originally written by Randy Newman for Eric Burdon’s first solo album in 1966. In an article for The Kommandeur, the newsletter of AHIKS, Wells writes of meeting Schneider at a game convention held this summer in Tempe, Arizona, where Schneider introduced him to the game “Boots on the Ground,” which simulates a military operation against alQaeda. “Bert and his friend, Marty, are great teachers,” Wells wrote. Schneider matriculated from Frederick, Maryland, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

Todd M. Wynn ’04 has joined the American Legislative Exchange Council, a nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators, located in John C. Nagle ’87 has joined Washington, D.C., to serve as Parsons as vice president and their Energy, Environment and southeast district manager, Road Agriculture Task Force direc& Highway Division. In this role, tor. Wynn is responsible for Nagle manages the division’s developing model legislation southeast region. and directing the task force, Prior to joining Parsons, Nagle which includes legislators and served as chief operations officer members of the private sector. and executive vice president of a Wynn matriculated from Florida-based engineering firm. Woodbridge, Virginia, and Nagle ’87 He matriculated from Wilmgraduated from VMI with a ington, North Carolina, and graduated bachelor’s degree in economics. from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in civil Salvatore Sferrazza Jr. ’07, a captain in engineering. the 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force David E. Stinnette ’85 has been named director of engineering for JES, an engiFrank Mulcahy ’91 has been named Base, Georgia, has been recognized in the neering solutions company that specializes head of the San Juan County (Washington) online publication, Portraits of Courage. Sferrazza, a former VMI regimental comin foundation repair, waterproofing and Public Works Department. moisture control. Before joining JES in Prior to this, Mulcahy had concluded a mander and Honor Court vice president, summer 2011, Stinnette served as vice career of more than 20 years with the U.S. is a U.S. Air Force combat rescue officer who was recognized for saving 60 people president and head of geotechNavy. His most recent assignand treating more than 450 others during a nical engineering for Balzer ment was as Public Works direcdeployment. According to Portraits in Courand Associates in Richmond. tor of the Navy’s submarine base age, Sferrazza performed a sophisticated In his new role, Stinnette will in New London, Connecticut. airborne blood transfusion that saved the be responsible for business Mulcahy, who matriculated life of a patient, and while rescuing a fallen development and engineering from New Monmouth, New Jer- soldier, he shielded a patient from injury project support. He will also sey, holds a bachelor’s degree in during a hostile fire situation. develop professional continuing civil engineering from VMI and Sferrazza, who matriculated from Ceneducation seminars on foundaa master’s in construction man- ter Moriches, New York, graduated from tion structural support systems agement from the University of VMI with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages. for engineers and architects. Stinnette ’85 Washington. Stinnette matriculated from Lynchburg, Virginia, and graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

Lt. Col. Marc A. Mueller ’93, USA, left, commander of the 25th Transportation Battalion, with Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson ’77, USA, 8th Army commanding general, center, and Gordon Calkins, right, former head of the VMI Physical Education Department, at a change of command reception at Camp Walker, Daegu, South Korea, in June 2011.

2012-Issue 1

In Fort Lewis, Washington, Christopher W. Conte ’11 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His father, Guy Conte ’75¸ was present at the July 2011 ceremony to pin on the lieutenant’s bars. Three generations of the Conte family have attended VMI, including the two pictured above and Daniel R. Conte ’36.

149

INSTITUTE INSTITUTE

Louthan ’41

to Receive New Market Medal

rank G. Louthan Jr. ’41 has been selected to receive VMI’s prestigious New Market Medal. He will receive the award during the New Market Parade and Ceremony on May 15, 2012. The New Market Medal, established in 1962 as a tribute to the VMI cadets who fought in the 1864 Battle of New Market, honors an individual whose life and career have demonstrated the virtues shown by the New Market cadets: leadership, duty, honor and devotion. “Frank Louthan clearly exemplifies the qualities set forth by the VMI Board of Visitors (BOV) in 1962, those of leadership, determination and loyalty which were displayed Louthan ’41 by the Corps of Cadets at the Battle of New Market,” said Paul D. Fraim ’71, president of the BOV. “He is a true VMI icon, and it is most appropriate that he will receive the Port Commission of the city of Richmond, award on the 50th anniversary of its establishment.” Virginia; Board of Governors Richmond Louthan is honored in part for his leadership from 1977-90 in The VMI Campaign, Community Foundation; elder in the First which raised more than $150 million. Presbyterian Church; and, more recently, “This remarkable result has had profoundly positive effects,” said Vincent J. Thomas member of the Virginia Veterans Services ’43 in nominating Louthan for the medal. “It established the financial footing on which Foundation Board of Trustees. VMI has built, expanded and improved in every way, to the end that, today, the Institute Louthan is the 13th recipient of the New stands out in fields of academic achievement, athletic competitiveness, and military Market Medal, which was last presented and civilian leadership development.” in 2006. During the years of the campaign, Louthan served on the BOV and as its president; as a member and president of the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees; as president of the VMI New Market Medal Recipients Development Board that set the initial course for The VMI 1962 - Lieutenant General Charles E. Kilbourne, class of 1894 Campaign; and as chairman of the campaign’s Leadership 1964 - General of the Army George C. Marshall, class of 1901 Gifts Committee. He received the Distinguished Service 1965 - United States Senator Harry Flood Byrd Award, the VMI Foundation’s highest honor, in 1992. 1971 - General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., class of 1917 As a cadet, Louthan earned a degree in civil engineering 1974 - Virginia Governor Colgate Darden Jr. and received a First Jackson-Hope Medal. He was a cadet 1978 - Virginia Governor Mills E. Godwin Jr. lieutenant and was also a member of the Monogram Club 1980 - State Senator Elmon T. Gray, class of 1946 and the track team. After graduation, he served as a major 1984 - The Honorable John D. deButts, class of 1936 in the U.S. Army artillery and was in the European Theater 1994 - Robert H. Patterson, Esq., class of 1949C in 1944-45. Following the war, he remained in the Army 2000 - Sol W. Rawls Jr., class of 1940 Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1958. 2005 - United States Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr., class of 1935 After leaving active service, Louthan began a career in busi2006 - Former Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh Jr. ness and industry, characterized by energy, determination and a drive to succeed. A number of companies – including Lone Star Cement, Crenshaw Equipment Co., Concrete Pipe and Products, Everett Waddey Co., Richmond Engineering, and RECO Industries – were the beneficiaries of his strong, down-to-earth management prior to his retirement in 1987. He served on the boards of several other corporations. Editor’s Note: The articles on this Louthan’s life exemplifies the citizen-soldier concept upon which VMI was founded and the next page were provided by the VMI Communications and Marand forged by the New Market cadets. In addition to his business acumen, Louthan has keting Department. been extremely active in the civic life of his community, holding numerous positions, including governor of the Capital District of Kiwanis International; chairman of the 150

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

INSTITUTE Sept. 11 Observance Commemorates War Sacrifice Two Plaques Honor Those Who Died in Service On Aug. 31, 2011, VMI observed the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, by dedicating two plaques honoring alumni who have died in service to the United States. The plaques were unveiled in a brief ceremony during a parade by the Corps of Cadets on Friday, Sept. 9th. One of the plaques honors alumni killed in the Vietnam War, and the other honors alumni killed in the Persian Gulf War and during the decade since the beginning of the war on terrorism. The Vietnam plaque lists the name, VMI class, rank, branch of service and date of death of 43 alumni killed between 1961 and 1975. All were killed while serving in the U.S. armed forces except one who had completed a tour in Vietnam with the U.S. Army and returned as a United Press International correspondent. “It’s been in the works for quite a while,” said Col. Mike Strickler ’71, assistant to the super-

2012-Issue 1

intendent. “Frankly, we have had numerous alumni over the years ask us about a plaque honoring those who lost their lives in Vietnam, so it is fitting to do at this time.” The plaque honoring the more recent war dead includes the location of death since, as VMI museum operations executive director Col. Keith Gibson ’77 points out, the war on terrorism “distinguishes itself, in that the theater of war is not defined.” The two alumni listed under the Persian Gulf War died within a day of one another in 1991, one in Kuwait, the other in Iraq. The 14 alumni listed under Global War on Terrorism died in locations as disparate as the Pentagon and World Trade Center and Iraq and Afghanistan. Their deaths span the decade from Sept. 11, 2001, to June 2011 and include one civilian and one employee of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

Partial funding for the plaque was donated by a group of alumni and friends, Brother Rats Run to Remember. Seventeen alumni ran in eight marathons and half-marathons over four years to raise more than $2,500 for the memorial, said Wallace Inge ’96, an organizer of the group. The plaques are placed in the Third Barracks Arch. “The location continues the established precedent of having these alumni commemorated in the [Barracks] archways,” said Gibson. “It’s fitting, because it’s a location of paths crossing. They [current cadets] know what the bronze plaque means. It’s a daily reminder of the kind of service VMI alumni are called to perform.” Following the parade, spectators were invited to visit the Third Barracks Arch to view the plaques.

151

INSTITUTE Whitley ’34 and Ramsey Receive Warm Welcome at VMI

Recently, William Douglas “Doug” Thomas ’65 met retired Army Maj. Gen. Lloyd Ramsey, a 1940 graduate of the University of Kentucky, and retired Army Col. E. Lane Whitley ’34 in their retirement home in Roanoke, Virginia. “Whitley had just celebrated his 100th birthday, and Ramsey was the Americal Division commanding general in Vietnam in 1968,” wrote Thomas. “Among the interesting items in Gen. Ramsey’s book [titled, Maj. Gen. Lloyd B. Ramsey, U.S. Army Retired: A Memoir (2006)] is the story of two promising young officers in his division, Norman Standing, from left: Doug Thomas ’65; Earnest Whitley, Col. Whitley’s son; Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, USA (Ret), superintendent; Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, whom he promoted and Rusty Richardson, Doug’s friend. Seated: Col. E. Lane Whitley to battalion commander. ’34, USA (Ret), left, and Maj. Gen. Lloyd Ramsey, USA (Ret). “After various conversations,” continued Thomas, “it was clear that both men wanted greatly to see VMI.” So, Thomas accompanied the men on a visit 2012 Signature Conference to VMI, where they attended a parade and football game. “The of the Virginia Commission Alumni Association made excellent arrangements, starting On the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with reserving space in Gen. Peay’s ’62 [superintendent] parade viewing area. Gen. Peay, Josiah Bunting ’63 [former superin“Leadership and Generalship in the Civil War” Virginia Military Institute tendent], Donny White ’65 [VMI Athletics director] and many Center for Leadership and Ethics, Marshall Hall others greeted the men warmly. Next, we went to Barracks for Thursday, March 22, 2012 Old Yells. A spokesman climbed atop the sentry box and, before Lt. Gen. John W. Knapp ’54, Conference Chair the normal class yells, led the entire Barracks – now full – in a Related events, coordinated by the VMI Museum and the Stonewall thunderous Old Yell for ’34, ’34, ’34!” Jackson House, will take place the next day, March 23, at VMI and At the football game, Thomas had made arrangements, with Washington and Lee University. Donny White’s help, to recognize the two men by way of an announcement over the stadium’s public address system. “We Conference cost is $15 ($25 including lunch). More information at http://www.virginiacivilwar.org/2012conference.php. were sitting on the top level of the stadium,” Thomas wrote, “so they could see the entire field, and everyone could see them. Scheduled Speakers When the announcer introduced them, the whole stadium rose, Supreme Command – Lincoln and Davis turned toward the men and gave them a standing ovation.” Mark Neely and William Cooper “In summary, it was a great day, the weather was perfect, and Col. Whitley and Gen. Ramsey were very appreciative. These Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia men are excellent examples of dignity, achievement and spirit Robert Krick and Carol Reardon which should inspire us all and make us very proud.” Grant and the Army of the Potomac “Anyone wishing to contact them can write them at the adJosiah Bunting ’63 and Joan Waugh dress below. I am sure that they would appreciate it.” Col. E. Lane Whitley or Maj. Gen. Lloyd Ramsey Brandon Oaks 3804 Brandon Ave. SW Roanoke, VA 24018 152

Valley Campaigns, ’62 and ’64 Peter Cozzens and Jeffry Wert Importance of Studying Military History Gary Gallagher

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

INSTITUTE 1

Engineers Without Borders Group Travels to Bolivia by Civil Engineering Professor Tim O. Moore ’97

On July 26, 2011, Nohelia Martin ’08, six cadets (Carrie Wortham ’12, Matthew Brock ’12, Andrew Stahling ’12, Alex Khandan-Barani ’12, Matthew Waalkes ’13 and Peerawat Charuwat ’13) and I traveled to the small mining town of Pampoyo, Bolivia, where we spent 18 days. Our objective was to build a drinking water and irrigation system for the town, thereby providing the local residents with access to water that is free of mine waste contamination, which has plagued the people, animals and crops for many years. The local river that runs through Pampoyo is saturated with tin, silver, lead and other heavy metals that leech into the soil during the mining process, which continues to this day. Due to the lack of clean water, several of the once-productive agricultural fields are now abandoned. This forces the villagers either to drink and irrigate from the contaminated stream or travel, with their livestock, four miles into the mountains to a point approximately 1,500 yards upstream of the contamination (at an elevation of 13,700 feet) for clean water and fertile land. Crop yields suffer yearly due to the contaminated water, and poor nutrition, sanitation and medical practices have driven up the infant mortality rate to over 40%. Our project is to be completed in two phases, with an overall goal of self-sustainability for Pampoyo. The first phase involved a full terrain survey of the pipeline route, construction of a catchment basin for collection of clean water and the installation of 2,000 feet of pipe. Phase two will require another 3,000 feet of pipe and four 6,000-liter storage tanks for the collection and distribution of the water. This will increase the town’s consumption of clean drinking water and provide an additional 400 acres of arable land. For the second phase, the team will be traveling back to Pampoyo in June 2012. At this time, the project is being funded entirely through donations and support from family, friends and alumni. The VMI chapter of Engineers Without Borders and the town of Pampoyo need your support. If you have any questions or would like to help the people of Pampoyo by funding the next phase of construction, please contact: Maj. Tim Moore ’97 at MooreTO@vmi.edu and 540/464-7412 or Nohelia Martin ’08 at MartinNS@vmi.edu and 540/464-7107.

Photo 1: Professor Tim Moore ’97, hand core drilling rock for the catchment basin construction. Photo 2: Nohelia Martin ’08 working with the women’s league of Pampoyo and their children. Photo 3: Cadet Matt Brock ’12 surveying the pipeline route. Photo 4: Learning agricultural practices from the Pampoyan Villagers. Photo 5: The Phase 1 travel team with the Pampoyan Construction Team.

2012-Issue 1

153

INSTITUTE

PY ’66

Mini Reunion: Members of the Class of ’66 Reunite and Encourage Cadets by Frank G. Louthan III ’66

By the late 1990s, the number of cadets graduating annually with a degree in physics had declined to only two or three. In 2005, some physics alumni joined with Department Head Col. John Thompson in a long-range program to increase to 40 the number of cadets across the Corps majoring in physics and astronomy (P&A). One of the objectives of the program is to encourage alumni to visit the recently renovated Mallory Hall and, while doing so, to visit with P&A majors, informing them of the varied career opportunities that VMI physics graduates have pursued. This is a report of one such visit: Twelve members of the class of 1966 graduated with degrees in physics. One – Vince Scott – gave his life while serving his country in Vietnam. Eight of the other eleven (plus four wives) returned to the Institute on the afternoon of Sept. 8, 2011, one day before the beginning of their 45th Reunion. We call ourselves “PY ’66,” signifying our physics (PY) major and class year. We came from California, New Mexico, New York, Louisiana, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina and Maryland. Two had never before attended a reunion but were determined to come this time, because they wanted to see those with whom they had built friendships through four years of challenging classes and laboratory work. Retired physics Professors D. Rae Carpenter and Dick Minnix, along with Marian Minnix and Nanalou Sauder (wife of deceased Professor William Sauder ’55), were our guests at supper the first evening. Stories were swapped back and forth. Professor Carpenter delighted everyone by performing one of the physics demonstrations that he and Professor Minnix have created. About the evening, Dale Saville ’66 later said, “Thursday dinner … with our professors, in a small, intimate setting … allowed us to rebuild relationships from 45 years ago.” The next morning, after taking photographs and visiting the new and remodeled cadet Barracks, Col. Thompson led PY ’66 on a tour of the renovated Mallory Hall. Reactions ranged from delight (envy?) about the modern classrooms 154

Photo, top: The PY ’66 group on the Parade Ground were, from left, Ray Saunders, Leon Vannais, Carey and Frank Louthan, Tommy Harrel, Sandi Rothwell, Kay Saville, Charlie Rothwell, Dale Saville, Bill and Martha Lonergan, and Bill Hawfield. Photo, above: Leon Vannais ’66 shared perspectives about his post-VMI career with physics and astronomy cadets.

and equipment to fond recollections of the (no-longer-existing) physics cadet study rooms. The only part of Mallory Hall that the group readily recognized was the machine shop, where we shared stories of sometimes futile attempts to build lab apparatus used in conducting physics experiments. To conclude the mini-reunion, PY ’66 (which now included a ninth member who joined by SKYPE from California) invited all current P&A majors to have lunch with us in Mallory Hall, at which time we spoke to the cadets regarding our careers following VMI. Between the 11 of us, PY ’66 has earned at least 14 graduate degrees and has applied them to careers as varied as computer science, banking, nuclear engineering, teaching college, entrepreneurship, aircraft design and healthcare. Afterward, Charlie Rothwell ’66 remarked, “The quality of the facility and the cadets was equally impressive … I think we would be hard pressed [if we had to compete] with these young men and women! Everything I saw and heard indicates there are great things ahead for physics at VMI.” VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

INSTITUTE U.S., China:

Competitors or Allies in Africa? Center for Leadership and Ethics Conference Offers a Balanced Look As the world watches China surge onto the international stage, debate rises about U.S.-China relations in Africa. A two-day conference, sponsored by VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics in partnership with the VMI Department of International Studies and Political Science, sought to provide a balanced look at U.S. and Chinese interests in Africa. “The Eagle and the Dragon in Africa: Stability and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Nov. 3 and 4, 2011, offered seven panels covering topics including “China and U.S. Strategic Relationships with Africa” and “What the U.S. and China Mean for Africa’s Development.” Dr. James J. Hentz, conference program coordinator and head of VMI’s International Studies Department, said the theme for this conference evolved out of his passion for African and U.S. foreign policy. “It’s important to look at what the United States has in common with China,” Hentz said. “By putting Africa in the middle of the equation, we can ask, ‘What does Africa need from the U.S. and China?’” Top-tier panelists from the United States, China and Africa shared their expertise, and three keynote speakers offered perspectives from academe, government and national security: Johnnie Carson, U.S. assistant secretary of state; Dr. Jendayi E. Frazer, the first woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Africa; and Maj. Gen. Christopher Leins, deputy director of Politico-Military Affairs (Africa), United States Army Reserve. Following the first day’s panels, speakers and attendees were invited to attend a reception celebrating the music and food of Sub-Saharan Africa. The conference concluded the next day with a parade conducted by the Corps of Cadets. “In the span of 25 years, China has become a major player in the world economy, which means it can serve as a potentially destabilizing force,” said Dr. Howard Sanborn, conference panelist and assistant professor of international studies. “As a result, China is

making an effort toward building a firmer relationship between itself and the U.S., as well as with its allies on the African continent.” International studies is the most highly subscribed major at VMI. “We work very hard to ensure that the VMI cadet experience includes not only all of the academic coursework necessary to prepare our students to be citizen-soldiers, but also to ensure they are given the broad, deep and enriching experiences that conferences like ‘The Eagle and the Dragon in Africa’ provide,” said retired U.S. Navy Capt. Susan J. Rabern, director of VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics. “Few regions of the world are of greater long-term vital interest, and it is important that our students have the opportunity to hear from world experts.” The Center for Leadership and Ethics provides a full spectrum of leadership and character development experiences to the Corps of Cadets. Upcoming conferences include: VMI Leadership Conference March 5-6, 2012 Cheating, Lying and Honor in America’s High Schools, Colleges and Universities The Biennial Leadership Conference is a top tier conference held every other year, attracting the faculty and cadets of the nation’s top schools, representatives of the public and private sector, military, and non-profit audiences. The conference is designed to explore themes relating to ethical leadership. This year’s conference theme, “Cheating, Lying and Honor in America’s High Schools, Colleges and Universities,” highlights what many have referred to as a national epidemic. Virginia Civil War Sesquicentennial: 2012 Signature Conference March 22, 2012 See announcement on page 152 of this Review. The 23rd Annual Environment Virginia Symposium April 10-12, 2012 For more information on these and other conferences, go to vmi. edu or contact the Center for Leadership and Ethics at 540/4647361. (The majority of the preceding article was provided by VMI Communications and Marketing.)

THE EAGLE AND THE DRAGON IN AFRICA:

Stability and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa 2012-Issue 1

155

ATHLETICS ATHLETICS Barham ’08 Makes Triple-A Debut Trey Barham ’08, the Keydets all-time leader in wins and strikeouts, made his Triple-A debut on Sept. 8, 2011, with the Sacramento River Cats. Barham was called up for the River Cats playoff matchup with the Reno Aces, the AAA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He pitched a onehitter in the Sept. 8th game, the second game of the five-game set, and struck out left fielder Evan Frey. Sacramento went on to lose but captured the final three games of the series to advance to the Pacific Coast League Championship. Barham was also on the roster for that series. Barham, who was 6-2 with a 2.95 earned run average at Double-A Midland in the 2011 season, is the first VMI alum to advance to the AAA ranks since Kelly Sweppenhiser ’06 did so in 2006 with Toronto. He is one step from becoming VMI’s second major leaguer, joining former Texas Ranger and Oakland Athletic Ryan Glynn ’96.

Trey Barham ’08 had a recordsetting VMI career, as the school’s all-time leader with 22 victories and 291 strikeouts. This photo appeared in the 2008-Issue 4 Alumni Review.

Cowart ’08

Has Notable Successes on Track Alumnus Donnie Cowart ’08, a former member of the Keydet track and field program, has enjoyed several notable successes as he pursues a post-collegiate career. Cowart was invited to participate in the Great North City Games, held in Newcastle-Gateshead, England, on Sept. 17, 2011. The event is a dual competition, featuring a team from the United States and a team representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and has seen such notable competitors as Tyson Gay compete in past years. This season, Cowart finished sixth in the men’s mile, running in a field that included American record holder and multi-time Olympic medalist Bernard Lagat. The U.S. team went on to win the event, 7-3. It was also announced in late September 2011 that Cowart had been selected to be a part of Team USA at the PanAmerican Games, scheduled for Oct. 24-29 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Cowart was chosen to run his trademark event, the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Results were not available at press time.

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.

156

Williams ’08 and Kenon ’11 Sign Contracts to Play Overseas Reggie Williams ’08, VMI’s alltime leading scorer and Golden State Warriors forward, has signed a contract to play professionally in Spain this upcoming season. Williams’ one-year, $1.5 million contract with Caja Laboral Vitoria of the Spanish ACB League comes in the midst of the NBA’s lockout but includes a $1 million buyout should the former Keydet wish to return to the NBA this season. The Warriors forward is currently a restricted free agent but has received a qualifying offer from Golden State. In addition to Williams, former Keydet guard Austin Kenon ’11, the school’s all-time leading three-point shooter, recently signed a contract to play professionally in Portugal. Kenon inked the deal with CAB Madeira of the LPB league, and in his team’s first exhibition game, the sharpshooter had 19 points. Photo left: Austin Kenon ’11, team captain, received the Frank Summers Team Leadership Award as the outstanding first classman team leader. The photo appeared with Cadet Athletic Awards in the 2011-Issue 3 Alumni Review.

Photo above: In September 2010, Reggie Williams ’08, center, was presented with his retired #55 jersey during the VMI-Lock Haven football game halftime by VMI Basketball Coach Duggar Baucom, second from left, and Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, USA (Ret), superintendent, second from right. Also pictured are Williams’ family members and Bart Bellairs. This photo originally appeared in the 2011-Issue 1 Alumni Review.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ATHLETICS Slater ’90 Leads Staten Island to New York-Penn League Title

VMI Captures Sixth Straight Sportsmanship Award

Former VMI baseball coach, Tom Slater ’90, led the Staten Island Yankees – New York’s High-A affiliate – to the New York-Penn League Championship on Sept. 13, 2011, in Staten Island, New York. Slater’s charges won a 2-1 contest at their home park, completing a sweep of the Auburn Doubledays and giving Staten Island its second NY-Penn League title in three years. Slater, who was the head coach at VMI for three years (200103) and was the Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 2003, also served as a Keydet assistant coach for two years. During that time, he helped mentor a squad that included not only Ryan Glynn ’96, the only Keydet to ever play in the major leagues, but also current Keydet Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry ’95. Ikenberry also served on Slater’s staff at the Institute and replaced him as head coach when Slater joined the Florida Gators staff for the 2004 season.

VMI has won its sixth consecutive Big South Sportsmanship Award, according to information released by the league office on Aug, 31, 2011. The Keydets have won the award in each year of its existence. The overall winner is determined through a system recognizing the highest percentage of the maximum possible points an institution is capable of achieving for each team award. The team awards were voted on by Big South student-athletes following each conference championship. In addition to the overall honor, Keydet athletic programs took sportsmanship honors in three sports and shared the top spot in another. VMI was voted the Big South Sportsmanship winner in women’s cross country for the second straight year and football for the fifth consecutive season and also took the top spot in men’s indoor track and field. VMI baseball shared the conference’s award with Presbyterian College.

From the Wrestling Mat to the Hill: Leadership in the Corps Some are content with being an NCAA wrestler and managing the day-to-day requirements of the Corps of Cadets. For three VMI grapplers, however, there is a higher calling. Wrestlers Matt Brock ’12, Joe Munno ’12 and John Dommert ’13 hold some of the highest positions in the Corps. Regimental 1st Capt. Brock has developed a penchant for defeating quality opposition, compiling an 18-15 overall record and an 8-5 mark in dual matches at 174 pounds, including three major falls as a second class cadet. He is only the second NCAA athlete in the last 10 years to serve as first captain. “Since I was a Rat, I always wanted to be a leader in the Corps,” said Brock. “I didn’t always have my eyes set on the regimental commander position, but as I progressed through the VMI leadership system and developed as a wrestler, I learned about hard work and tenacity, which led to me pursuing the position.” After a long day of academic work and Corps responsibilities, Brock hits the VMI wrestling room in the basement of Cocke Hall. “The hard work on the mat and tenacious attitude [were] acquired through wrestling, [which have] aided my leadership skills on the hill. Every day you step onto the mat, you know it is going to be a challenge – mentally and physically,” said Brock. “However, as a leader of the Corps, I could not and, simply, would not quit on myself, my teammates or my fellow cadets.” Munno is the president of the class of 2012. His father, John Munno ’84, ranks seventh on the VMI career wins list with 99 and serves as Joe Munno’s biggest motivator, on and off the mat. “With him, the rest of my family, Coach [John] Trudgeon and Coach [Chris] Skretkowicz, I feel like I have a chance to overcome any challenges life has to offer,” said Munno. After competition during his fourth and third class years, Munno’s career was ended due to repetitive head injuries. However, the spirit of wrestling lives on in his day-to-day life as a leader in the Corps. “The spirit of a wrestler will never leave me,” said Munno, a Richmond, Virginia, native. “I always wanted to be the guy who everyone counted on to accomplish tasks. Having the first class president responsibilities is far from easy but is extremely rewarding. Wrestling and VMI as an

2012-Issue 1

institution set me up for accomplishing my personal goal of achieving a leadership position in the Corp of Cadets and in the future. My experiences on the mat and on the hill continue to [help me grow] on a daily basis as a cadet, person and leader.” Second Class President Dommert also came to VMI through a family connection. When he arrived as a Rat from Chester, Virginia, his brother, Christopher Dommert ’10, was a first class cadet. Dommert compiled an 8-19 mark as a second class cadet and was 5-9 in dual matches between 184 and 197 pounds. “I learned a lot through the Ratline and all the values it instills,” said Dommert. “After breaking out, I really appreciated the purpose of the Ratline and the great picture of what VMI offers. I knew then that I wanted to be a leader in my class, not necessarily by title, but someone that my peers could rally around and be encouraged by.” The mental and physical toughness from wrestling carried over to success in the Corps for Dommert, giving him discipline and persistence on and off the mat. “Wrestling allows you to look past the negative side of things and [converts] the negative into a positive,” he said. “Although the time commitment in doing both is demanding, the sport teaches you that you can’t be afraid of a challenge. Many of the opponents that you can face in a match may be better than you, but as the saying goes, ‘Whether you think you’ll win or lose, you’re right.’” “These three young men are attending VMI with high aspirations in academics, on the wrestling mat and as leaders in the Corps,” said Head Coach Trudgeon. “They each have earned the respect of their professors, their peers and their opponents through hard work and commitment to excellence in their own, unique way … all will Matt Brock ’12 is only the second leave the Institute as betNCAA athlete in the last 10 years ter, more well-rounded to serve as first captain of the VMI individuals.” Corps of Cadets.

157

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. VMI FOUNDATION, INC. A New Class of Leaders by Brian S. Crockett, CEO, VMI Foundation Someone told me a joke not long after I arrived on Post. Like most good jokes, it is funny because it is built around a kernel of truth, in this case, the natural tendency to look back with great kindness on “the good old days” and to compare them favorably to the present. Here’s the joke: Q: How many Virginians does it take to change a light bulb? A: Five. One to change it and four to talk about how good the old one was. In our challenging times, it is understandable that many look longingly back at the past, grouse about the present and lament an apparently unpromising future. At times, I hear some alumni express doubts that, in terms of supporting VMI, their younger counterparts will measure up to the giants of the past. I am happy to report that, in terms of leadership in support of VMI, younger alumni are making their marks. If you look at the rosters of The Institute Society’s orders and the Keydet Club’s leadership levels in the latest edition of the VMI Alumni Agencies Annual Report, you will see the names of a great many younger alumni. You can find more evidence of the willingness of younger (and not quite so young) alumni to support VMI in the most recent 10th and 25th Reunion classes – 2001 and 1986 – both of which enjoyed immense success and widespread support from their Brother Rats. Just as important, however, our youngest members of the

Memorial Ring Program Established Along with matriculation and commencement, Ring Figure is one of the major events in the life of every cadet. Classes put in an immense amount of effort into designing their rings and planning and executing the events of their Ring Figure weekends. More so than in times past, cadets’ families come to share the proud moment with their sons and daughters. The class ring is one of any alumnus’s most prized possessions, and those who lose their rings often are heartbroken. Alumni proudly wear their class rings for the rest of their lives and rarely remove them, as the wear seen on so many VMI rings attests. Of course, with any item so personal, a ring’s disposition after its owner’s death often poses problems. For the spouses and families of many alumni, a class ring will be a cherished keepsake. Yet, as time progresses, and the ring passes to succeeding generations, it may lose significance to an alumnus’s descendants. Perhaps an alumnus realizes that no one in his or her family will be interested in keeping the class ring. Whatever

158

VMI family – our cadets – are putting the leadership lessons that they are learning in Barracks to work in support of the Institute. Launched a few years ago, The Barracks Program engages cadets throughout their years at the Institute with the goal of educating them about the critical role of private financial support at VMI and the great tradition VMI alumni share – that of giving back to the Institute in order to benefit those who follow them into Barracks. In the end, we ask them to follow in the footsteps of alumni before them – and to make a gift or a commitment to VMI before they graduate. This effort has born impressive fruit in the past few years. The class of 2011 mounted a superb graduation campaign and provided more than $35,000 to establish the Class of 2011 Memorial Scholarship. This year, the leadership of the class of 2012 has inculcated the Barracks Program, and they are working enthusiastically to take that message to their Brother Rats. Now, with Commencement a little more than three months away, they have redoubled their efforts. I have no doubts whatsoever that this class will make a graduation gift that will be truly remarkable. As VMI moves further into this still young century, it will need leaders among its alumni who, drawing inspiration from past leaders, will take upon themselves the responsibility of raising the money necessary to ensure that VMI continues its progress and maintains its extraordinary method of education. I am happy to inform the VMI family that we are cultivating those leaders today.

the case, people often find themselves in a quandary about what to do with a VMI ring. In order to provide alumni and their families with an opportunity to solve any such problems in a way that will benefit cadets, alumni and their families, the VMI Foundation established the Memorial Ring Program. Modeled on a similar program at West Point and beginning on Feb. 1, 2012, it is meant to assist cadets with the purchase of their class rings through the gift of class rings from alumni or their families. Under the terms of the program, approved by VMI, alumni and family members would donate unwanted class rings to the Foundation. The Foundation, in turn, would send the rings to a firm that specializes in the recovery of precious metals. After establishing the value of the gold and any precious and semi-precious stones in the ring, the firm would pay the Foundation, and these funds would be deposited in a Foundation-managed, unrestricted account that the Institute would be encouraged to use to help cadets defray the costs of their rings. “Through this program,” explained Brian S. Crockett, CEO of the VMI Foundation, “alumni can utilize something very precious to them to benefit cadets. Cadets will receive a tangible

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. benefit in the form of material support to defray the cost of their rings. Moreover, in its own way, this program will have the intangible benefit of further strengthening the bonds between cadets and alumni, reinforcing the notion that alumni consider it important to give back to VMI in some way.” According to Chris Martin’10, the VMI Foundation’s assistant director of Annual and Reunion Giving, who is administering this program, the Memorial Ring Program will compliment the Foundation’s current program of giv-

ing each cadet $100 toward the purchase of his or her class ring. “Our current program has been popular with cadets for many years, and it has been a great way to demonstrate the depth and breadth of the support that the Corps receives from alumni and friends of VMI. So, we’ll maintain that effort, along with this new program.” For more information on the Memorial Ring Program, please contact Chris Martin ’10 at 800/444-1839 or cmartin@ vmiaa.org.

Correction and Apologies In the last issue of the Alumni Review, 2011-Issue 4, we printed an article in this section about two recently appointed VMI Foundation Board of Trustees members, Richard L. Goodall ’66 and Richard K. Hines V ’66. Unfortunately, we inadvertently reversed the names under the photos of these two gentlemen. At right, we have reprinted the photos with the correct name under each. Our sincere apologies to Mr. Goodall, Mr. Hines and the VMI Foundation.

Goodall ’66

Hines Hines V ’66 ’66

Read about the Foundation’s Institute Society Dinner in the front section of this issue.

Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherwise, all articles in the Foundation section of the Alumni Review are provided by the VMI Foundation.

2012-Issue 1

159

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 Aug 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, 2011.

Col. Thomas St. John Arnold ’35, USA Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

Mr. Thomas L. Atkeson ’57 Mr. Harry H. Warner ’57

Mr. Matthew R. Beebe ’38 Mr. William G. Davis ’68 and Mrs. Davis

Col. Thomas W.C. Birge ’52, USAF Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

Mr. George T. Black Jr. ’52 Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

George Boggs Mr. Trent L. Boggs ’83

Mr. Thomas J. Bonnett ’53 Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Tait ’55, USA (Ret), and Mrs. Tait

Col. William F. Brand Jr. ’39, USA Mrs. Betty B. Woody

Col. George M. Brooke Jr. ’36 Mr. William G. Davis ’68 and Mrs. Davis

Mr. Brisbane H. Brown Jr. ’52 Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

Mr. Lindsay U. Bruce Jr. Mr. Boyd A. Correll Jr. ’05 Mr. Joel A. Kusterer ’97

Col. William J. Buchanan ’50B Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52 Mr. Augustus B. Jones III ’50B

Mr. Wadsworth Bugg Jr. ’43 Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

Mr. John W. Butler ’86 Lt. Cmdr. William W. Anderson Jr. ’86, USN (Ret)

Mr. John M. Camp Jr. ’40 Mrs. Frances W. Arehart Mr. Warren J. Bryan ’71 and Mrs. Bryan Mr. Andrew C. Burns Ms. Cornelia T. Camp Camp-Younts Foundation Mrs. Elisabeth R. Carter Mr. Evander R.M. Coker ’52 Mr. John H. Coker Mr. and Mrs. Huntley G. Davenport

160

Ms. Anne Faircloth Brenda Faulkner Judge and Mrs. James C. Fox Mrs. Thomas B. Grainger William B. Grine ’53, M.D. Mr. William A. Hallett Jr. ’47 Mr. Bryan W. Holloman III ’67 Ms. Margaret G. Johnson Mr. D. Watt Jones Ms. Jean G. Keller Mrs. Martha B. Lawson Mrs. Kauno A. Lehto Mr. Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41 and Mrs. Louthan Mr. Charles S. Luck III ’55 and Mrs. Luck Mr. and Mrs. Frank F Mountcastle Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Ron Nash Mr. Jack W. Nurney Jr. ’50B and Mrs. Nurney Mr. Robert H. Patterson Jr. ’49C and Mrs. Patterson Mr. George P. Ramsey Jr. ’48B Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Robertson III Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Short Mr. and Mrs. P.R. Smith Jr. Southfield Capital Advisors LLC Mr. Joseph M. Spivey III ’57 Mr. W.W. Stanfield Jr. Col. and Mrs. Douglas E. Taylor Mr. Vincent J. Thomas ’43 and Mrs. Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Matthew G. Thompson Mr. Edward Vinson Mr. Harry H. Warner ’57 Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Winston

F. Allen Cavedo ’47, D.D.S. Col. Maximilian Lamont ’49C, USAF (Ret) Mr. A. Lee McCown ’58 Mr. Walter J. McGraw

Mr. I. Lee Chapman III ’65 Mr. Norman E. Land Jr. ’65 Ryan Lombard

Mr. Charles C. Chewning ’42 Mr. Edward H. Jones ’42 Col. John M. Patton ’42, USAF (Ret)

Mr. Benjamin S. Clark Jr. ’31

Cmdr. Emmet S. Gathright ’86, USN

CW2 Howard J. Cook III ’01, TARNG Mr. Richard A. Duke ’90 Dr. and Mrs. Stephen W. Eakin Peyton Jones Mr. and Mrs. David W. Sturtz Mr. and Mrs. Dan A. Woods

Mr. George T. Cowherd Jr. ’51 Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52 Mrs. George T. Cowherd Jr.

Mr. Henry J. Cronin ’39

Mr. Henry J. Cronin Jr. ’64

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

Mr. Raymond C. Cullen ’66 Mr. George D. Dyer ’66 Col. James F. Pauls ’66, USAF (Ret)

Mr. Harry G. Dashiell Jr. ’50B Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

Deceased Brother Rats – Class of 1968 Mr. Thomas J. Hickey Jr. ’68

Cpl. Alan L. Diedricksen ’66, USMC Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Col. Herbert N. Dillard Jr. ’34 Col. James F. Pauls ’66, USAF (Ret)

Mrs. Ann B. Dischinger Mr. Hugh C. Dischinger ’45

Sgt. Ryan E. Doltz ’00, ARNG Capt. David D. Troxell ’02, USAF

Lt. Jefferson S. Dotson ’66, USAF Mr. George D. Dyer ’66 Col. James F. Pauls ’66, USAF (Ret)

Mr. Samuel L. Duff ’47 Mr. William A. Hallett Jr. ’47

Mr. and Mrs. Leo R. Eakin Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Eakin

Mr. Charles E. Early ’47 Mr. Thomas R. Culler Jr.

Mrs. Jane H. Farleigh Ms. Dawn Hoffman

Mr. William T. Feely ’43 Col. E.J. Williams Jr. ’49C, USA (Ret)

Robert H. Filer ’55 Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Tait ’55, USA (Ret), and Mrs. Tait

Mr. Daniel H. Forsyth ’49C Class of 1949C Mr. P. Stockton Fleming ’49C Mr. Haywood G. France ’49C Col. Maximilian Lamont ’49C, USAF (Ret) Mr. and Mrs. R. Coleman Rice Jr. ’49C and Mrs. Rice Mrs. A. Sage Robertson Mr. C. Stewart Snoddy Jr. ’49C Mr. W. Bruce Taylor ’49C Col. E.J. Williams Jr. ’49C, USA (Ret)

Mrs. Sara Forsyth Col. E. J. Williams, Jr. (Ret.) ’49C

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Mrs. Kendall M. France Col. E.J. Williams Jr. ’49C, USA (Ret)

James Samuel Gillespie III ’94 Col. and Mrs. George Piegari

Mr. Steven Wayne Good ’71 Mrs. Steven W. Good

Mr. George R. Gough ’60 Col. Gordon M. Shoemaker Jr. ’60, USMCR (Ret)

The Honorable Elmon T. Gray ’46 Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Ayers Jr. and Mary B. Clary Mr. Roy E. Burgess Mr. Felix E. Deacon III ’77 Mr. G. Gray Garland Jr. ’46 Mr. and Mrs. Lester D. Haisley Mr. and Mrs. Brenton S. Halsey Mr. and Mrs. C. Carrington Herbert Jr. Mr. W. Bogart Holland ’68 Mr. Brian C. Mitchell ’96 Mr. Jack W. Nurney Jr. ’50B and Mrs. Nurney Mr. Richard E. Phillippi ’59 Mr. John W. Roberts Mr. J. Kenneth Timmons Townes Site Engineering

1st Lt. Douglas B. Green III ’66, USA Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Maj. Brooks S. Gruber ’87, USMC Lt. Col. Mark R. Ellington ’86, USA

Mr. Lomax Gwathmey Jr. ’58 Mr. G. Brooke Doggett ’58

Lt. Harry B. Hambleton III ’66, USA Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Mr. Marshall B. Hardy Jr. ’40 Mr. Bruce Haldeman II ’58

Mrs. Arlene W. Hawkins Col. E.J. Williams Jr. ’49C, USA (Ret)

Mr. W. Thomas Hawkins ’49C Col. Maximilian Lamont ’49C, USAF (Ret) Col. E.J. Williams Jr. ’49C, USA (Ret)

B. Richard Hill ’68, D.D.S. Richard H. Wood ’68, D.D.S.

Mr. Edwin Y. Hines ’66 Mr. and Mrs. John C. Beane Mr. George D. Dyer ’66 Ms. Stacie Frischkorn Col. James F. Pauls ’66, USAF (Ret)

Mr. Russell B. Hogshire ’55 Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

2012-Issue 1

Mr. Harrison Hubard ’38 Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

Lt. William D. Huyler Jr. ’66, USA Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Mr. Thomas B. Inge Jr. ’59 Mr. Owen I. Conway Mr. Mark W. Williams ’85

Paul E. Johnson ’58, M.D. Mr. Joseph M. Boze Jr. ’58 Lt. Col. Theron A. Henry Jr. ’58, USAF (Ret) Mr. A. Lee McCown ’58 Mr. Maurice F. Menefee Jr. ’58 Joseph C. Parker Jr. ’58, M.D.

Mr. Catesby B. Jones ’47 Col. George M. Brooke III ’67 Col. Maximilian Lamont ’49C, USAF (Ret) Mr. Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41 and Mrs. Louthan Dr. and Mrs. Watson O. Powell Jr. Ms. Sallie G. Shepherd Mr. J.V. Taylor Jr. ’64 Mr. and Mrs. James W. Whitten Mrs. Anne C. Woodfin

The Reverend J.H. Jordan Jr. ’51 Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

Col. Ronald J. Kaye ’57, USMC Ms. Ruth H. Smith Mr. Harry H. Warner ’57

Mr. Robert R. Knight ’11 Mr. Lane G. Pratt ’11

Mr. W.B. Kuykendall Jr. ’50B Mr. H. Braxton Green ’50B Mr. Jack W. Nurney Jr. ’50B and Mrs. Nurney Mrs. William C. Overman Jr.

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

1st Lt. John H. Lattin Jr. ’66, USA Mr. George D. Dyer ’66 Col. James F. Pauls ’66, USAF (Ret)

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

Mr. Lloyd L. Leech III ’66

Col. George M. Brooke III ’67 Mr. George D. Dyer ’66 Col. James F. Pauls ’66, USAF (Ret)

Mr. Ronald E. Lemmons ’55

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Tait ’55, USA (Ret), and Mrs. Tait

Mr. Lawrence R. Lenz ’69 Mr. Paul D.C. Marks Jr. ’69

Mr. L.M. Lewis Jr. ’49B

Col. B.F. Harmon III ’49B, USA (Ret) Mr. Grover C. Outland Jr. ’49B and Mrs. Outland

Col. Dennis H. Long ’68, USA

Class of 1968 Col. Dean A. Kershaw ’68, USA (Ret) Col. James D. Polley IV ’68, USA (Ret) Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Tait ’55, USA (Ret), and Mrs. Tait

Mr. Robert G. Long ’52

Mr. Walter C. Ames III ’52

Mr. Charles E. Maddox Jr. ’68

Lt. Col. George H. Sebren ’68, USAF (Ret)

Mrs. Lawrence G. Mathews Mr. Marshall Henry III ’65

Lawrence G. Mathews ’39, D.D.S.

Mr. Marshall Henry III ’65 and Mrs. Henry

Capt. Donald J. Mattaro Jr. ’66, USA Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Mr. C. Edward May Jr. ’51

Maj. Gen. Sampson H. Bass Jr. ’51, USA (Ret) Mr. John A. Blakemore Jr. ’51 Mrs. Joseph C. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Wallace L. Chandler Mr. Langdon T. Christian IV Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Decker Mr. John S. Gray ’51 Ms. Susan P. Hall Mr. William A. Hallett Jr. ’47 Col. Willard M. Hays ’51 Mr. and Mrs. Ewen J. Hill ’51 Honorable G. Duane Holloway ’51 Mr. Joe T. Howard ’51 and Mrs. Howard Ms. Charlotte G. Ivey Mr. and Mrs. George Kokiko Mr. Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41 and Mrs. Louthan Richard F. McFarlin ’51, Ph.D. Mr. Walter J. McGraw Col. J. Robert Nolley Jr. ’51, USAF (Ret), and Mrs. Nolley Mr. and Mrs. John W. Person Jr. Mr. John J. Ross III ’51 and Mrs. Ross Ms. Susan W. Skinner Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Theret Mr. Jacob H. Wamsley II ’51 and Mrs. Wamsley Mr. A.L. Wellford III ’52 Mr. L.B. Wilson Jr. ’62

Mr. Jeffrey J. Morgan ’80 Mr. Kevin C. Davis ’80

Lt. Daniel L. Mullins ’66, USA Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

W.L. O’Hern Jr. ’63, Ph.D. Mrs. Mell J. Lacy Jr.

161

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Mr. George A. Pace ’31 Mr. and Mrs. George F. Pace

Lt. Col. Cecil Wray Page Jr. ’42, USA Mr. Harry J. Siebert ’42

Mr. Phillip D. Payne III ’49B Col. B.F. Harmon III ’49B, USA (Ret) Ms. Michelle Minnaugh Mr. Grover C. Outland Jr. ’49B and Mrs. Outland

Mr. Charles G. Peckham ’63 Col. James F. Pauls ’66, USAF (Ret)

Mr. Robert N. Petrola ’71 Mr. William L. Ginder ’71

Mr. Stanley E. Poston ’74 Mr. Robert F. Taylor ’74

Mrs. Norman M. Purdy Jr. Col. Maximilian Lamont ’49C, USAF (Ret) Col. E.J. Williams Jr. ’49C, USA (Ret)

The Reverend G. William Ralph ’54 Lt. Col. David F. Woolwine ’55, USAF (Ret)

Mr. James W. Rountree Jr. ’67 Mr. William D. Walker ’67

Mr. Melvin P. Rucker ’83

Mr. Frederick M. Smith ’69 Robert M. Alexander ’69, D.D.S. Col. Robert M. Biddle Jr. ’69, USMC (Ret) Class of 1969 Mr. Paul A. Curs ’69 Mr. R. Bruce Gregory ’69

W. Mayo Smith Jr. ’38, Ph.D. Mrs. W. Mayo Smith

Maj. Gen. John W. Squire ’917, USANG Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Capt. Rodney H. Stone ’66, USAF Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Mr. William P. Talbott ’50B Mr. Douglas P. Bartlett

Mr. Donald R. Taylor ’68 Lt. Col. George H. Sebren ’68, USAF (Ret)

Mrs. Ann M. Terry Mr. Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41 and Mrs. Louthan

Master Sgt. James A. Thorp Cmdr. Arthur D. Whittaker Jr. ’86, USN (Ret)

Col. William E. Todd ’38, USAF Col. William B. Todd ’68, USAF (Ret)

Mr. Vernon R. Perdue ’83

Lt. Col. J. Thomas Undercoffer ’56, USA

Harvey S. Sadow ’44, Ph.D.

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Tait ’55, USA (Ret), and Mrs. Tait

Mr. Grover C. Outland Jr. ’49B and Mrs. Outland

Mr. Conrad F. Sauer III ’46 Mr. Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41 and Mrs. Louthan

Mrs. Ann C. Schoen Mr. and Mrs.Thomas H. Callahan

Mr. Charles C. Schoen III ’56 Mr. and Mrs.Thomas H. Callahan

Mr. Vincent C. Scott Jr. ’66 Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Jay R. Sculley ’62, Ph.D. Col. and Mrs. George Piegari

Mr. William D. Sink ’58 Mr. Timothy A. Cordle ’79

Col. Albert C. Smith Jr. ’47, USMC Col. Maximilian Lamont ’49C, USAF (Ret)

Mr. Alfred L. Smith Jr. ’68 Lt. Col. George H. Sebren ’68, USAF (Ret)

162

Mr. Allan S. Wagner Jr. ’50B

Mr. Ernest R. Williams ’933 Mr. M. Anderson Williams ’65

Mrs. Geraldine A. Williams Col. E.J. Williams Jr. ’49C, USA (Ret)

Mr. Henry B. Williams 100th Infantry Division Association Mr. Frank H. Alley Mr. Walter T. Barron Jr. Mr. James Bradley Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Collie Mr. Rufus M. Dalton Mr. Raymond O. Denman Jr. Mr. Richard L. Dommel Mr. Richard P. Drury Mr. and Mrs. J. Richard Good Mr. S.J. Hilton Ms. Elaine F. Nicholson Mr. J. Peter Smith Col. and Mrs. Douglas E. Taylor Tees Me Screen Printing Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Williams

Louise Williams Mr. Raymond O. Denman Jr.

Mrs. Margaret Williams Mr. Raymond O. Denman Jr.

Mr. Thomas E. Williams ’44 Mr. and Mrs. Bill French

Lt. Mark R. Wilson ’88, USN Mr. Francis de Venoge

Mr. Augustus B. Jones III ’50B

Mr. J. Albert Watkins ’47 Mrs. J. Albert Watkins

Mr. Robert L. Watson ’64 Buzz Birzenieks ’64 and Jane Birzenieks

Mr. Frederick B. Webster ’913 Mr. and Mrs. George F. Pace

Mr. Larry W. Wertz ’67 Mr. Warren H. Grasty ’70

William H. Whitmore ’48A, M.D. Dr. Robert T. Banes

2nd Lt. Mark C. Whittier ’66, USMC Mr. George D. Dyer ’66

Lt. David L. Williams ’91, USN Mr. Hans C. Peeders ’91

Mr. E. James Williams Sr. ’920 Col. E.J. Williams Jr. ’49C, USA (Ret)

Sergeant W. Wise ’45, Esquire Mr. and Mrs. John A. Considine Jr. Mr. Thomas Hund HOTU Ms. Mary C. Peeples

Mr. John H. Woodfin Sr. ’61 Col. Donald K. Jamison ’57 Mr. R. Coleman Rice III ’90

Mr. DeWitt S. Worrell ’62 Mr. Thomas E. Coulbourn ’62 Mr. Walter C. Gwaltney Jr. ’62 Col. and Mrs. George Piegari Mr. L.B. Wilson Jr. ’62

Mr. Gregory R. Wright Jr. ’95 Mr. Thomas Citrano Virginia Beach Rotary Club Foundation

Capt. Luke C. Wullenwaber ’02, USA Mr. Jackson S. Castleberry ’02

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Dominion Foundation

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 Aug 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, 2011.

Mr. David E. Ayers ’64 Mr. Kevin M. Cordray ’80 Mr. William S. Gitchell ’78 Mr. Richard A. McDonald ’78 Mr. Herbert S. Wheary

Mr. William K. Bhatta ’76 Mr. Heartwell L. Bradshaw ’76 Mr. John R. Munno ’84

Mr. Benjamin W.L. Semmes III ’88

ExxonMobil Foundation

Mr. C. Michael Thacker ’68

Fannie Mae Foundation

Mr. Charles S. Cathcart Jr. ’91

Bank of America Foundation Inc. Mr. Alfred B. Cramer IV ’79 Mr. Conrad K. Wharton ’84

Mr. William W. Turpin ’75

Procter & Gamble Fund Mr. Peter DiPasquale Mr. John P. Noon ’71 Mr. Reginald O. Smith ’84

Freddie Mac Foundation Mr. Charles A. DePasquale ’86

Amsted Industries

Plains Exploration & Production Company

Mr. Robert A. Sommers ’59

Mr. LaMont F. Toliver ’85

American Electric Power

Pitney Bowes Company

El Paso Corporate Foundation Mr. E.D. Woomer Jr. ’73

Altria Group Inc.

Mr. Harvey H. Bradley ’49B Mr. Christian A. Hoeser ’48B Mr. Phillip R. Ogden ’63 Mr. William M. Westerman ’56

Raytheon Company Col. Paul G. Munch ’70, USA (Ret)

The General Electric Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John J. Conley Mr. Daniel J. DeForrest III ’64 Col. John W. Lowden Jr. ’51, USA (Ret) Mr. Edward G.S. Maxwell Jr. ’67

Shell Oil Company Foundation Mr. William L. Nuenke ’57

State Farm Companies Foundation Mr. Tomas E. McHugh Jr. ’86

Capital One Mr. Jason W. Ancarrow ’97

ChevronTexaco Corporation Mr. Gary E. Pittman Sr. ’52

Coca-Cola Company Mr. Daniel F. Wells ’67

GrayCo Inc. Mr. Garland Gray II ’73

Mellon Financial Corporation Fund

SunTrust Foundation Mr. Charles F. McCallum III ’94 Mr. Vincent A. Wood III ’81

Mr. Timothy H.H. Janeway ’91

Norfolk Southern Foundation Mr. Jake E. Bilthuis ’00

Wells Fargo Foundation Mr. Michael T. Morrissett ’74 Mr. Robert B. Powell ’63

VMI photo by Kevin Remington.

2012-Issue 1

163

KEYDET CLUB KEYDET CLUB 2011 Scholarship Recognition Banquet The Largest Ever On Oct. 15, 2011, nearly 650 VMI cadetathletes, parents, endowed scholarship donors, annual full scholarship donors, fund representatives, coaches and VMI administrators gathered in a rearranged Crozet Hall for the Keydet Club’s Scholarship Recognition Banquet. The annual event has grown in size and scope over the years and brings together many of VMI’s most generous benefactors to athletics. VMI football linebacker Emilio Calvin ’11, a fifth-year player who will commission in the U.S. Army upon graduation, gave a cadet welcome and said the blessing. During his welcoming remarks, he shared – on behalf of all cadet-athletes – appreciation for everything that the

Keydet Club and its donors do to make the cadets’ VMI education and experiences possible. Following a well enjoyed meal of braised short ribs, prepared by Aramark, the staff of the Keydet Club – Donnie Ross ’74, Doug Bartlett and Robert Crumpler ’07 – recognized all of the scholarship-athletes, annual scholarship donors, endowment donors and fund representatives present. “The evening brings together VMI’s young men and women who are fortunate to attend the Institute on an athletic scholarship and gives them a chance to meet the people who make their VMI education possible,” said Greg Cavallaro ’84, Keydet Club chief executive officer who served as the evening’s master of ceremo-

From left, Keydet Club CEO Greg Cavallaro ’84, VMI Superintendent Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, Three-Legged Stool Award winners Matt Brock ’12 and Joe Munno ’12, and Keydet Club President Bill Paulette ’69.

164

nies. “It is a great opportunity for both cadets and donors to develop meaningful relationships that can last a lifetime. For our donors, these relationships are, without question, the single biggest factor that influences their generosity and continued support of the Keydet Club.” Cavallaro also asked the cadet-athletes to reflect on the evening and to remember – when the going gets tough at VMI – why they accepted the VMI challenge to compete at the Division I level and why they accepted the academic rigors, the daily military regime and lifestyle, the VMI Honor System, and the teachings of the Ratline. He also encouraged them to remember Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken,” in which Frost wrote, “… Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Being VMI cadets, working hard and succeeding, Cavallaro said, will make all the difference in their lives. The evening’s highlight was the presentation of the Keydet Club’s Three-Legged Stool Award. For the first time in the award’s history, it was presented to two cadet-athletes, wrestling teammates Matt Brock ’12 and Joe Munno ’12 – who serve as this year’s regimental commander and first class president, respectively.

Matt Brock ’12, the Corps regimental commander, spoke to the Scholarship Recognition Banquet audience. In the background is Donnie Ross ’74, Keydet Club vice president.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

KEYDET CLUB Prior to the presentations, Cavallaro each received a formal resolution and a Munno, who is also the recipient of the remarked, “This is the 11th year the handsome, Three-Legged Stool Award, Ralph L. Costen Jr. ’70 Annual ScholarKeydet Club has presented its highest handcrafted by local Lexington artisan ship, fought back his tears of pride and cadet-athlete honor, the Three-Legged John Owen. appreciation while saying, “This is an Stool Award, which highlights a cadet’s In his remarks, Brock – recipient of incredible honor and one that I will outstanding achievements in all three the Richard Y. AtLee ’66 Annual Schol- always cherish. I hope all of you cadetmajor aspects of a VMI education: aca- arship – said, “This is an honor for me, athletes will never take for granted the demics, leadership and athletics. opportunity you have been given, One of VMI’s legendary alums, the and [I hope you will] work hard late Giles Miller ’24, was the first and enjoy your sport ... but be sure to use the term ‘three-legged stool’ you succeed in all other areas of to describe VMI’s well-rounded VMI. Because one day, the whistles educational mission. He said that will stop, and you will no longer be all three legs of the proverbial able to participate. We need to take VMI stool must be equal to stay advantage of our education … VMI balanced, maintaining the special gives us all a chance to do something and unique educational system that meaningful with our lives.” has served this state and country so The evening’s guest speaker, VMI well since its founding in 1839.” Superintendent Gen. J.H. Binford Cadet Brock is the first regimenPeay III ’62, USA (Ret), was introtal commander and Cadet Munno duced by a former member of the is the first class president to receive VMI Board of Visitors and current Football cadet-athlete Emilio Calvin ’11 offered the award. (Editor’s Note: See the welcoming remarks and prayer. Keydet Club President William A. article about Brock and Munno, Paulette ’69. (Editor’s Note: See Gen. “From the Wrestling Mat to the Peay’s remarks, which start below.) Hill,” in the Athletics section of this but I share it with my teammates and all For information on next year’s banquet Review.) The record crowd gave their cadets. VMI has given me an incredible or on joining the effort to support VMI’s enthusiastic support in an overwhelm- opportunity to wrestle at the Institute cadet-athletes, please contact a member of ing standing ovation, as the surprised and to take on a meaningful leadership the Keydet Club staff, or visit the Keydet young men took the stage on which position within the Corps of Cadets.” Club’s website at www.keydetclub.com.

Superintendent’s Remarks Scholarship Recognition Banquet General J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, USA (Ret) Scholarship athletes, parents, It is also an opportunity to members and donors of the remind ourselves of the true Keydet Club, coaches, faculty, place of athletics in a college staff members and guests … environment. Good evening. I’m a big believer that “the fuTonight’s Keydet Club Scholture grows out of the past,” and arship Recognition Banquet when we put Vision 2039 in is one of the highlights of the place in 2003, this “fundamenyear, because it gives us an tal” was key to our approach. opportunity to properly recVMI’s past is “fertile ground” ognize the talented young athin which to cultivate tomorPeay III ’62 letes who form the backbone row’s leaders. The demands of of our multi-faceted athletic cadet life instill the qualities program and it gives us an opportunity to of self-reliance, initiative, perseverance, thank generous individuals whose spon- integrity and self-discipline in every cadet sorship is so critical to our cadets and … qualities that have allowed VMI alumni to the programs in which they compete. to succeed at the highest levels in all pro2012-Issue 1

fessions and have allowed the Institute to make contributions to American society of importance and influence far out of proportion to its modest size. VMI can point to its proud traditions and concentration on fundamentals as essential elements to the success of its alumni. The team at the Institute that produced these leaders comprised dedicated faculty members, coaches, administrators and staff members, who enforced VMI’s high standards, and supportive alumni who provided the resources that advanced all aspects of a VMI education. Pamela and I host dinners at our home for all first classmen. Tuesday evening, I was asked, and am often asked, what I 165

KEYDET CLUB mean by “The VMI Way” as it relates to I have often expressed the idea that “ev- munity. It clearly affects the chemistry athletics … and where is VMI going in ery cadet is an athlete, and every athlete of life in the Barracks and on the Hill, it the future in that regard. This gathering is a cadet.” This is not a “catch-phrase” unites alumni with the Corps, it brings deserves a straight answer, and so, with … it is an ethic at the Institute that has fame to the Institute, and it makes us apology (in advance) for such directness, real implications. This is another way of proud. Athletics at the Division I level let me lay it out from my perspective. The saying that there is one Corps of Cadets. are integral to who we are. question reveals just how far many college Today, there are 409 NCAA athletes in the “The VMI Way” encourages the developathletic programs have strayed from their Corps – 350 males or 25.5% of the males ment of disciplined athletes who follow original intention. Regretfully, many in the Corps participating in 11 sports the rules of the game, who demonstrate college reputations have been stained and 59 females or 47% of the females in a strong concept of personal honor, and with recruiting infractions, inappropri- the Corps participating in seven sports. who exhibit leadership traits that serve ate transfers, separate living them on and off the field, the arrangements, easy degrees and track, the pool, the diamond, programs marked with serious the ice or the court. “The VMI acts of indiscipline. This enviWay” has no room for short ronment creates competitively cuts. It requires hard work, unfair and uneven playing fields, determination, teamwork, particularly unfair to the true and an attitude that doesn’t student-athlete – the student accept defeat and never gives who will lead our nation into up. It reinforces the insisthe next half century. The fault tence that there will be no largely lies with college presieasy degrees. We only have dents who don’t have the per14 at VMI, while competitors sonal courage to fix the problem. have hundreds, and ours are We, at VMI, had some of these intellectually challenging problems years ago, and we that test knowledge and changed, insisted on standards require time management. and discipline, and stopped the All cadets are expected to be Brothers Rich AtLee ’66 and Mike AtLee, representing the hemorrhaging and loss of our Marie C. AtLee Athletic Scholarship, with cadet-athlete serious students, not only athletes. This required clear Andrew Marcotte ’14. because this is the primary understanding of the rules and mission of a college, but bestandards, to include education cause the experience and the and improved communications with all There are “also” 560 club athletes in knowledge gained prepares a graduate to players and coaches. Despite the current the Corps participating in active, com- enter careers that will be successful and “allure” of huge revenues, we can fix this petitive club sports encompassing 19 satisfying to them, useful to society at environment with strong leadership by sports. And these activities are further large and will advance the wider mission college presidents and, if necessary, the complimented with Rat Challenge (for of the Institute. Congress of the United States of America. non-NCAA athletes) every Tuesday and In terms of the “VMI Way”… let me “The VMI Way” is a reflection of the clas- Thursday in the fall and weekly ROTC address our cadet-student athletes and sical educational idea of a “complete and commandant physical training families (for a second) before moving education,” an idea that we can find periods for the entire Corps. Now, obvi- on. Please recognize, I love you and care among the Greeks and among Renais- ously, not all cadets can be members of deeply about you … in the United States sance philosophers and educators. The NCAA intercollegiate teams, but all are Army, we call it “tough love”… and classical concept of education, expanded encouraged to participate in some form sometimes soldiers whom I have had the in the 19th century, describes a healthy of athletic competition. While physical honor to lead … (and I’m not naïve nor mix of intellectual, moral and physical development stands alongside intel- oblivious) … have been heard to say, “I development, with the goal of producing lectual and moral development as the wish General Peay would not love us so men and women who will be assets to fundamental goals of a VMI education, much.” I know you (and they) are reacting their communities. Far from emphasizing the success of our teams also affects our to the tough, high standards that VMI and physical strength and competitiveness “entire Corps” and alumni to a degree I require. You are getting a great educaalone, the role of athletics in the classical rarely found in other colleges and uni- tion and a diploma from one of the best concept of education is part of the total versities. In a close-knit military college institutions in America. Less than half of 1 development of the individual. Sometimes like VMI, athletics play a special role. In percent of you will advance to the profesthis concept is referred to at VMI as “The fact, I say a crucial role. The success of sional level. So, it is not just about being Three-Legged Stool.” It is that … and it our athletes and our teams has a direct at VMI to play athletics; it is about growis “The VMI Way.” bearing on the morale of the entire coming to be “all you can be” … to prepare 166

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

KEYDET CLUB yourself for life … and also “winning” not be possible were it not for those who donors for athletics is critical to keeping as an individual and equally important, generously support our cadet-athletes the momentum going, as VMI enters the winning as a member of a TEAM, whether through the auspices of the Keydet Club. early years of a comprehensive new fundin business, medicine or a University. We The good work of this organization stretch- raising campaign. I feel certain that, as you should not quit, and Parents, don’t let es back many years and includes the meet the talented and impressive young your sons and daughters quit, despite the pioneering efforts of the VMI Sportsmen’s men and women athletes here tonight rigors in this VMI Spartan environment. Club a half century ago. Tonight gives us and elsewhere at VMI, you will be assured VMI will not (… on my watch …) diminish a special opportunity to thank all donors that your support is well directed, for you its standards, and we, as an Institution, most warmly and sincerely for this long are not only helping athletes, you are also are thrilled that you took “the road less record of support, but you can be certain preparing future useful citizens. We need traveled.” I know you’ve perhaps heard that my thanks goes out to you every day your help more than ever this year, as our this, but it bears repeating: he lost eight and not just on this one occasion. teams are so close to winning … and some elections; was a business failure twice; deAid and assistance have always been have turned the corner. We do not need clared bankruptcy; lost his mother to retreat! at an early age … and his fiancée; Let’s review … “What is the VMI yet today is considered by many as Way”? It starts with a “One Corps – one of our greatest Presidents … One Team” philosophy with a solid Abraham Lincoln. I look forward underpinning of academics, honor to handing you your diploma on 16 and discipline. It means: no easy May of each year in the future, and degrees; the very best of sportsmanfor some of you a commission the ship and respect confirmed by our previous morning on 15 May. Let’s competitors; limited sports and the all of us work hard to thoroughly right sports; being NCAA and Big gain the respect of the entire Corps South compliant; and reasonable of Cadets … made easier by also expectations, satisfied by a balanced winning. That’s the hand dealt to us performance. over years of not winning. We can We have a wonderful Athletic Dechange that. It is within our reach! Keydet Club CEO Greg Cavallaro ’84 addressed partment with administrators that The economy is not the only chal- the crowd in Crozet Hall. truly “care” for our coaches and lenging influence on our athletic our cadet-student athletes. We have programs. We are also challenged the right coaches, ably supported by changes taking place in conferby unsung spouses, that will “coach ences across the nation. Conferences up” our athletes to be successful as are changing at the I-A level, with individuals and as a TEAM. a “trickle-down” effect on the I-AA In the years ahead, we will continue level. VMI will remain alert to this to work with increasing energy to as it affects us directly. This is not ensure that all cadets are exposed to say that VMI is going to move to to the rigor and environment of a Division III athletics, nor to change structured athletic program … NCAA conferences. In fact, we will not go to and physical Club Sports … and Division III on my watch. The reason that there is great “commonality of is because athletics, at the Division I purpose” among us all. The positive level, are “inherent” to who we are. attributes and qualities associated If we can stay competitive at the with being an athlete serve so well current level and win in “The VMI throughout life. That is the mission Way,” … then that’s what is right of VMI … and in athletics, that is “The for VMI, our cadets, our coaches and VMI Way.” And … that is Vision 2039! our alumni. VMI’s winning of the Big Basketball cadet-athlete Keith Gabriel ’12 and ... a vision culminating on its 200th South Sportsmanship Award for six Mrs. Lois Ford. birthday … a short 28 years from straight years is an accomplishment this evening. I hope I answered the of which we should all be proud, and it critical to our programs but never as much cadet-athletes’ questions and yours this shows that we have not strayed from “The as now. Difficult economic conditions evening. Never Say Die!! VMI Way.” Yet, we (now) must double our in our nation have resulted in especially Editor’s Note: The Keydet Club provided efforts to win on the scoreboard and in challenging times for college athletic proall content in this section except for the the standings. grams, and VMI is not immune. Annual preceding remarks from Gen. Peay. All that I have been talking about would and endowment support from Keydet Club 2012-Issue 1

167

KEYDET CLUB Spirit of VMI Award Presented to Bouis ’67 and Costen ’70 Paul Bouis ’67 and Ralph Costen ’70 received the Keydet Club’s highest honor – The Spirit of VMI Award – during halftime of the Oct. 15, 2011, VMI football victory over Charleston Southern. In presenting the awards, Bill Paulette ’69, president of the Keydet Club board, said about Bouis, “Very few alumni and fans are as engaged as you are with the VMI football team and the VMI and track & field and cross country programs. Traveling the long distance from your home in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, you have reinforced the Spirit of VMI through your love and support of our teams and the countless cadet-athletes whose lives you have touched. Your financial generosity through the athletic scholarship endowment you created in memory of your late wife, Nancy Peterson Bouis, as well as your generous annual support of the Keydet Club Scholarship Fund and Athletic Operations Fund, have been critical to the Keydet Club’s efforts to help fund VMI’s Division I athletic program.”

About Costen, he remarked, “Your more than 25 years of continuous service on the Keydet Club Board of Governors is, without a doubt, a record! Having served as a board member, a long-time member of the executive committee, the president of the board and now as the board’s historian, you have been a major catalyst in helping the Keydet Club to grow from a $600,000 annual, athletic fundraising organization to one that has recently raised over $3.5 million. Very few colleges and universities in the country can boast of such unbelievable growth and support, especially considering the small size of the VMI family. Your family’s generosity in providing VMI’s Cameron Hall with a quality basketball floor, known today as Costen Court, and your very generous annual support continue to inspire those who witness your dedication to VMI and its athletic program. Your leadership, passion, generosity and guidance have certainly benefited the entire Institute.”

At halftime of the VMI/Charleston game during Parents Weekend, Oct. 15, 2011, the Keydet Club presented the Spirit of VMI Award to Paul Bouis ’67 and Ralph Costen ’70. Taking part in the presentation were, from left, Greg Cavallaro, CEO, VMI Keydet Club; Marsha Costen; Ralph Costen ’70; Bill Paulette ’69, president, Keydet Club Board of Governors; VMI Superintendent Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, USA (Ret); Paul Bouis ’67; Carol Bouis; and VMI Athletic Director Donny White ’65.

168

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

Alumni Review 2012 Issue 1

Articles inside

Alumni Review 2012 Issue 1