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I’m proud of the fact that I was a Georgia Tech and Navy ROTC graduate from a Georgia Tech military family, and in the same company with those activeduty service members and veterans you highlighted.” Patrick W. Drennon, CE 62
down upon us. We all had to work hard at not laughing out loud. It was also good to read of Tech students reaching high places of responsibility in the military. My hunch is that within their professional military minds they know the limits to military power and that force is always the last option. My checkered career has included being a staff director for a U.S. r epresentative of Congress. In meetings with Sam Nunn, another Techster, I can remember him always asking in response to a suggestion of military force, “Why are we doing this? What is the strategic reason?” Our nation needs that voice today.
A Big Salute for “The Military Issue”
I just received the recent Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine (Vol. 90, No. 2), aka. “The Military Issue,” and thoroughly enjoyed all the articles, especially the “Brave Faces” photo essay—Jim McGarrah was a shipmate and friend. I also enjoyed the amazing story and accomplishments of Gen. Philip Breedlove and Adm. Sandy Winnefield. I congratulate the staff on an outstanding issue. I’m proud of the fact that I was a Georgia Tech and Navy ROTC graduate from a Georgia Tech military family, and in the same company with those active-duty service members and veterans you highlighted. Patrick W. Drennon, CE 62 Rear Admiral, Civil Engineer Corps, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Alexandria, Va.
I have a lot of respect for Tech ROTC, and was glad to read of how it stands today in the story “G.T. R.O.T.C. N.O.W.” (Vol. 90, No. 2). As the Army’s Outstanding Distinguished Military Student my senior year, a career as an infantry officer beckoned me. However, after a few years of active duty, I chose a different path. What I remember best about ROTC was the healthy skepticism that many of my fellow students had toward authority and the use of military force. This skepticism was acted out each Thursday when the Army ROTC troops paraded around Peters Park. The Brigade staff, including the Brigade Commander, Cadet Colonel Bill Curry (yes, that Bill Curry) and myself, the Brigade Adjutant, a cadet Lt. Colonel, stood at attention as the troops passed. A fraternity brother of mine had invented a simple water balloon launcher that had quite a range. My friend discovered that if he stood at just the right spot on the roof of the frat house, balloons could be sent in a trajectory that gave no clue as to origin. Once we were bracketed, my friend would fire for effect. Water balloons would rain 0 0 8
GTALUMNIMAG.COM VOLUME 90 NO.3 2014
Rev. Dr. Jim (Joe) Watkins, IM 65 Pawleys Island, S.C.
Civil War Beneath My Feet I thoroughly enjoyed reading the historical article on the Confederate defenses in Atlanta in the latest issue (“Landscapes of War,” Vol 90. No. 2). In my junior year at Tech, in the early 1970s, I often made my way between the chemical engineering building and the student center between classes. Hemphill Avenue was being removed and construction was everywhere. While crossing the now blockaded street, I looked down to find a Union Minie ball in the dirt. It now
sits in my den surrounded by other Civil War relics from Bull Run, Brandy Station and Winchester. Hal Carson, ChE 73 Spartanburg, S.C.
Want to get in touch? Send letters to: Editor, Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine, 190 North Ave. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30313, or editor@alumni.gatech.edu. Comment at gtalumnimag.com or at facebook.com/georgiatechalumni. View our letters to the editor policy at gtalumnimag.com/letters-policy.