Reveille Alumni Newsletter, February 2019

Volume 2, Issue 1 • February 2019

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Welcome to the third issue of Reveille, the Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association eNewsletter for alumni from alumni. Our vision for Reveille is firmly grounded in promoting brotherhood and establishing an avenue for information between the Board of Directors and the MMA family.

Three years ago, the Alumni Association created a new officer position on the Board of Directors, the director of class agents, whose primary purpose is to help class agents keep their classes in contact with one another and the Academy. The BOD wanted to be more proactive with class agents by creating tools to help them improve communication — this is where the idea of Reveille came from. We are pleased with our newsletter, but are you?

This is your newsletter, and we welcome your input on content to make it a publication you want to read.

The newsletter wouldn’t be possible without the support of Jennifer O’Donley and Connor Pearson at the MMA Marketing Department, who have ensured Reveille is professionally polished and aligns with the MMA brand. However, we would be remiss if not recognizing everyone who contributes to the content: faculty and staff members from multiple departments, alumni and cadets.

Lastly, mark your calendars for Homecoming 2019, which will take place Sept. 13-15. We will recognize honor classes ending in four and nine, with diamond year 1994 and golden year 1969. We hope to see you there, brothers!

Sincerely, Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 & Chris Schafer ’89

Volume 2, Issue 1 • February 2019

IN THIS ISSUE Letters to the Alumni Hear from the Alumni Association officers Dress Right Dress What’s happening in the military department Forward March Read about how the academic department continues to thrive Double Time Get the scoop on Colonels sports Fall In Get the latest from the Alumni Association Parade Rest Spotlighting MMA’s noteworthy alumni Present Arms Take a moment to remember alumni who have left us this year Dates and Upcoming Events Plan your next visit to your alma mater

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LETTERS TO THE ALUMNI HEAR FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

A Message from President Cooper ’82 It is with great pleasure to serve with and announce the 2018-19 officers of the Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association Board of Directors: Hunter Jenkins ’85 – President-Elect Pedro Portilla ’82 – Vice President Gregg Center ’91 – Treasurer Chris Schafer ’89 – Secretary Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 – Director of Class Agents Jorge Xavier Infante ’87 – Ex-Officio Additionally, I am pleased to announce the Board of Directors’ voting and non-voting members: Voting members: Kurt Bilsel ’81, Rob Farnam ’84, Garrett Stockum ’87, Chris Gentry ’88, Tod Thompson ’88, Jose Bours ’94 Non-voting members: Greg Holten ’88, Larry Wylie ’88, Mike Misemer ’89, Matt Bowersox ’90, Ricardo Uriegas ’91, Steve McDavid ’97, Clay Grant ’88 These alumni have graciously volunteered their time and talent to our fellow brothers, current cadets and the Academy. If you are interested in volunteering your time and talent, please click here.

The objectives of the Association are: • to promote brotherhood and camaraderie for graduates and former cadets of Missouri Military Academy • to align the Alumni Association with MMA goals and initiatives and to further its primary mission of providing a quality education in a military school environment • to continue, support and promote MMA’s great traditions and values • to be a proud representative of MMA and the values it instills in young men Richard Cooper ’82 Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association President ’18-’19

LETTERS TO THE ALUMNI REVEILLE!

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MMA for the Future

By Dean Davison ’78 Most MMA alumni listen for the familiar sounds when they return to campus. The commands of “Attention,” bugles blaring and drums thumping remind us of our younger days and growing up.

MMA is a great institution that helps boys like us transform into a young men who can achieve their full potential. That’s worthwhile in a world that often seems chaotic and challenging to navigate. The Academy understands how to help mold and shape young men. The program is designed to help boys develop a greater sense of purpose, selfdiscipline and teamwork.

As the late Col. Charles Stribling III often said, MMA helps boys develop respect for God, respect for country, respect for one other and respect for themselves. By learning to take care of your uniform, wear it with pride, march in step, handle the “manual of arms” at drill, salute cadet officers, lead others, set a good example and handle difficult situations and people, you become a well-rounded person.

MMA creates leaders. I had an extraordinary experience during my time in the 1970s. My older brother, George ’68, had a terrific experience as well. Our parents cared about us and made an investment in our future.

The faculty and staff at MMA cared for us almost as much as our parents, helping us learn respect, honor and persistence.

Dean Davison ’78 serves on the MMA Board of Trustees

That experience is worth sharing with other families. For 130 years, MMA has helped our country and our world be a better place to live. For MMA alumni, it is vital that you remain a part of MMA by providing support — with your presence at events, by talking about MMA to families in your community and with contributions — to keep MMA strong for another 130 years.

Honor for Those Who Served

By Matt Bowersox ’90 I am very patriotic as I know most of us are. I have made it my mission to try to find all alumni and faculty that have served in the United States military. It is very important to me and many others that this task gets accomplished.

I am not able to do this alone. If you or someone you know is an alum or faculty member who has served in the United States military, please help us by reviewing the list of people listed on the Wall of Honor on MMA’s website here. If

you know someone not on the list who should be, please fill out the online form on the page and provide the necessary information to get him, her or you on the list.

One of the biggest challenges I’m facing is that some alumni or faculty are no longer with us. They should be honored as well. However, if we don’t know they served, we can’t honor them. If you know anyone, such as a grandparent, parent or other relative that fits the criteria, please don’t keep that information to yourself. Help us honor

them.

If you have any information and need help getting it to the proper place, you may email me at mattnchrysti@gmail. com with the subject “Wall of Honor.”

Thank you. Much love and respect to all my brothers.

LETTERS TO THE ALUMNI REVEILLE!

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The Cadet Life Cycle Our cadet life initiative remains as it has for the I’ve been on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for past three years seven years — strangely enough, the same number of years of donating that I was a cadet at MMA. In those seven years, I have $100,000 of seen the Board work on many goals for the alumni, cadets the $300,000 and the Academy. Some were lofty, some impactful, some needed for the long-lived and others short. As I reflect upon our goals and Memorial Chapel initiatives, they all seemed to revolve around three topics: and Albright Assembly Hall • How can we impact enrollment? renovations. We • How can we impact cadet life? are currently at • How can we impact the $65,000. Once the Alumni Association has completed brotherhood? this initiative, we will look for another major cadet life initiative to discuss with the alumni. Please check out the Past President Jorge Infante (2017-18) laid a foundation link to the ’84 Challenge to see how you can help. for the Board to organize our efforts for the Academy, the cadets and the alumni by focusing on three initiatives For cultivating camaraderie and brotherhood, we have during his tenure as president: (1) The Alumni several initiatives that involve building or rebuilding that Ambassador Program, (2) The Memorial Chapel Fund common bond surrounding the Academy. We created a and (3) supporting the Class Agents. During Infante’s new position on the Board of Directors, the director of presidency, we made large strides in all three of these class agents, and a class agents’ social media page. initiatives, and we continue to focus on these initiatives We also now have five regional alumni groups. The St. under the brand of Continuous Impact. We refer to these Louis-Gateway group met for the first time on Dec. 22. If efforts as the Cadet Life Cycle — enrollment, cadet life you are interested in becoming a class agent or wondering and brotherhood. who your class agent is, please click here.

By Richard Cooper ’82

The Alumni Ambassador Program is a revitalization of the Honorary Admissions Officer program, started under Col. Stribling and led by Admissions Director Maj. Kelly. The idea of an alumni ambassador is like a force exponentiator for the admissions department; they work to bring in cadet leads from their geographical regions, possibly making the first inperson contact with parents on behalf of the admissions department. If you are interested in becoming an alumni ambassador, please click here to learn more.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors is excited about the Continuous Impact direction and the support of Missouri Military Academy for these initiatives.

Richard Cooper ’82 Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association President ’18-’19

LETTERS TO THE ALUMNI REVEILLE!

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La junta directiva de ex alumnos

By Ricky Uriegas ’91 La Junta Directiva de Ex-Alumnos me pidió que los apoyara escribiendo un artículo para la revista virtual Reveille, que es editada y publicada por la misma junta. Algunos de ustedes ya me conocen, y para personas que no me conocen, me presento. Soy Ricardo Uriegas Sansores — Charlie Company XO, Promoción del ’91 — mejor conocido como Commander Fuffy.

pensando mucho en que decir y que poner, y se me vino a la mente que mi visita a MMA en el 125 aniversario fue clave en mi vida.

Todos pasamos por momentos difíciles en la vida; en algunos casos, son enfermedades, y en otras, situaciones de trabajo o bien familiares. En mi caso, era una mezcla entre lo familiar y el trabajo. Cada vez que yo regresaba a mi pueblo, Montemorelos, Nuevo León México — para los que no sepan, es el ombligo del mundo, Capital de Capitales — me daba cuenta de que ya no encajaba en el En mis cuatro años que estuve en La círculo social que deje antes de irme. Quería Academia, nunca me pasó por la cabeza que las vacaciones se terminaran porque ya que un buen día iba estar involucrado con la Asociación quería regresar a MMA y estar con mis brothers. Cuando de Ex-Alumnos y mucho menos regresar a MMA. Fui un regresé en esa ocasión a MMA, me di cuenta de lo que me cadete feliz dentro de lo que cabe, vaya no tengo quejas. había perdido. Se que la Academia ha cambiado en muchos Siempre la gente que me conoce y que sabe que estuve en de los aspectos y en algunas de sus estructuras, actividades, un colegio como MMA me hacen la misma pregunta: ¿Por formas, etc. Pero la esencia está presente, porque esa nunca qué te mandaron tus papás? Creo que la respuesta es clara, muere. Esa se lleva en la sangre de cada uno de nosotros. y se llama Clara Sansores, mi madre, que Dios la tenga en Renace el amor por el alma mater, y surge la oportunidad el cielo. Mi padre falleció cuando yo apenas era un crío de de reconectar con todos aquellos que formaron parte de 13 años, y definitivamente, creo y constato el día de hoy nuestras vidas, además de conectar con todos aquellos que lo mejor que pudo hacer mi madre es haberme enviado a quienes no conocimos que forman parte de esta gran a MMA. familia, de esta banda de Brothers que solo aquel que ha Me gradué en el top de mi clase, y entré a la Universidad estado en MMA, sabe a lo que me refiero. de Monterrey a estudiar la Lic. Seguí Estudios Después de no haber regresado nunca a MMA, te enteras Internacionales de la cual gradué y de allí pasé a trabajar que ya pasaron a mejor vida algunos de los Facultativos, en el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos, donde como por ejemplo el Mayor Samples, todo un personaje, estuve cinco años y medio. Durante todo mi tiempo en la que forjo a varias generaciones de cadetes en personas de Universidad y en mi primer trabajo, nunca me pasó por bien. Al estar escribiendo esto, me entero de que Pascual la mente regresar a MMA. Vaya, no me lo tomen a mal; Alcocer ’81 y Dean Ahlstrand ’82 acaban de fallecer hace simplemente tenía otras preocupaciones en la vida y otras unos días, que descansen en paz. Se que ya muchos han cosas que al parecer tenían más sentido y más importancia plasmado sus mensajes a las respectivas familias con sus en su momento. Me mantuve en contacto con algunos de condolencias. Hermanos, los exhorto a que convivamos mis ex-compañeros; sí, debo decir, que el día de mi boda más, seamos más unidos y nos procuremos más, ahora que tuve el gusto de tener a mi MMA brother Alan Cover ’91, estamos y estamos vivos. así como mi primo y también MMA brother Eugenio Paras ’83. Me mantuve en contacto también con Ian Wolfe ’91, Creo sin temor a equivocarme que las reuniones que Forest Yule ’94 y Ruiz Esparza ’92 y al buen Armando hemos tenido en Jalisco, Sonora, Veracruz y recientemente Treviño ’82. en Nuevo León han sido de las más concurridas que Pero realmente no regresé a MMA hasta cuando fue el 125 aniversario de la Academia. Cuando me pidieron que escribiera un artículo en español para Reveille, estuve

cualquier otra reunión de ex-alumnos de MMA, y que la próxima reunión en Yucatán, haremos récord de asistencia.

This story continues on the next page.

LETTERS TO THE ALUMNI REVEILLE! En lo personal estoy muy entusiasmado en ir. En la última reunión en Monterrey, tuve una muerte en la familia, y eso me impidió estar con todos ustedes todo el tiempo, pero tenemos confianza en que este próximo 2019 estará increíble. La invitación está abierta a todas las generaciones, y pueden contactar a los brothers Miledi y Urioste para que les indiquen fechas, tiempos y demás. En cuanto a mí me corresponde, es felicitar a los organizadores y desearles éxito y que estas reuniones continúen por siempre.

Pero antes de finalizar este articulado improvisado ya que no soy escritor y menos periodista, les puedo decir que ahora que están de moda los retos, los famosos challenges, quiero retar a todos los que vayan a Mérida a que vayan a Homecoming este 2019 ya que la Academia cumple 130 años. Como les comentaba después de nunca regresar a MMA, regrese en el 125 Aniversario y además regrese el año pasado. MMA me dio la estructura que yo necesitaba

“¡Hola” Sr. Petit!

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y por la cual puedo orgullosamente decir que el día de hoy sigo al pie de la letra todo lo aprendido en la Academia.

Brothers, sin temor a equivocarme les puedo asegurar que una vez que regresé a MMA, entendí la importancia de regresar. A todos nosotros nos tocaron situaciones diferentes, pero a la vez muy similares. Regresar a MMA es como regresar a casa de tus padres. Es una experiencia única. Les recomiendo que lo hagan; estoy seguro de que van a confirmar su sentido de pertenencia. MMA nos ha dado un sentido de pertenencia, y esta hermandad que tanto proclamamos nos la ha otorgado MMA. Estamos en deuda, señores. Tenemos que regresar a la Academia, a dar un poco de lo que la Academia nos ha dado. Seamos unos verdaderos hermanos por siempre y demos un poco de nuestro tiempo y de nuestro dinero para que MMA continúe siendo lo que es y siga forjando brothers en el futuro próximo. ¡Enhorabuena a todos y felices fiestas!

Dios los bendiga, y espero verlos pronto tanto en Mérida como en Homecoming. Abrazos!

By Paul Petit ’85

Bienvenidos a la oficina de MMA en México.

Cuando hablamos de formación para nuestros hijos buscamos una formación que les permita tener las herramientas para lograr sus metas.

La disciplina y el honor, la lealtad y la honestidad son valores que aunados a una extraordinaria formación académica, brindarán la oportunidad de un mejor futuro.

Rally in Cuernavaca

El éxito de la reunión en Cuernavaca se debió como siempre a un insuperable ambiente de hermandad y compañerismo. Compartimos Federico Huesca, Roberto Abrimos las puertas de nuestra oficina en México en donde Piza, Diego Michelsen, Hugo Garcia, Horacio Ruíz, Xavier Tinoco y un servidor un sin fin de recuerdos y anegdotas. con gusto atenderemos cualquier duda relacionada a los programas académicos, deportivos y militares y guiarles en El excelente clima de Cuernavaca, acompañado de un par el proceso de inscripción. de rondas de golf en uno del los campos más bonitos de En MMA estamos interesados en dar a los mexicanos la oportunidad de estudiar en Estados Unidos.

Nuestro compromiso es estar cerca de ustedes y que su experiencia en el proceso de inscripción sea fácil y placentero.

México le dieron un toque especial a la reunión.

Estoy a sus órdenes,

Quiero expresar mi más sincero agradecimiento a todos los que estuvieron presente, así como a Federico Huesca de forma particular por su invaluable apoyo a la oficina de MMA en México.

paul.petit@missourimilitaryacademy.com Cel (55) 2741 - 4115 Of (55) 8025 - 3011

A los que no pudieron acompañarnos, esperamos verlos con gusto este próximo 28 de Marzo 2019 en Mérida Yucatán!

LETTERS TO THE ALUMNI REVEILLE!

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Traditions, Old and New

By Chris Gentry ’88 and Eric Gentry ’21 As an alumnus of MMA, I am very concerned about the traditions of the Academy, more so the traditions changed or lost. I know I am not alone with this concern. I have visited with many fellow brothers yet have never been able to understand it all. Now, my son Eric is attending the Academy and can serve the alumni on this recon assignment. This article will delve into the traditions I can remember and the traditions of new and try to make sense of them. Many traditions continue as they always have, some have changed, some have gone away, and some are brand new. Eric and I will try to extract these traditions and explain their alterations.

Traditions, part one--------------Chris: We never did that while I was there.

Eric: Yeah, Dad, I’ve heard that a thousand times. I don’t care what you did. This is how it is here now.

That was your MMA; this is now my MMA. Chris: Well, it was a lot better back then.

Eric: Was it?

Chris: Yeah, we had to shine our shoes every day. I had four pairs and combat boots.

Eric: We have to only shine one.

Chris: One pair? Why only one pair?

Father and son Chris Gentry ’88 and Eric Gentry ’21

Eric: The commandant didn’t like cadets stashing shined shoes that they only use for inspections. He wanted one pair that we have to take care of and have shined every day, all day.

from class straight to the mess hall, where you stand at your seat.

Chris: We also had to clean our rooms from top to bottom, spic and span, every single day, especially Saturdays.

Eric: Yes, only seniors can step on it, and they walk on it during general leave and other free times.

Eric: We clean our rooms from top to bottom every day; not so much on Saturdays, however.

Chris: Speaking of which, what happened to Junior Walk?

Chris: Do you all still respect Senior Walk, as in seniors only?

Chris: What about drill, Eric? Do you guys drill? We used to drill all the time. Two hours every Saturday and then sometimes during military period for special events. We also marched three times a day for mess.

Eric: We do drill Wednesdays and Sundays. We march to morning and evening mess, just not noon.

Chris: Why not noon mess?

Eric: The Academy changed the scheduling a long time ago to increase class time. When Barnard Hall was built, lockers were put in it, which saves time having us go back to the barracks switch books. So, we just go

Eric: Junior Walk was removed when Alpha was torn down to put in the new academic building. The benches were moved to the Veterans Memorial Wall. It took some time for me to find this out; no one has ever heard of this Junior Walk.

This story continues on the next page.

LETTERS TO THE ALUMNI REVEILLE!

Chris: We couldn’t cut campus either.

That still exist?

Eric: Yes, we still can’t do that.

Chris: Tours, I know you still have those. How are they worked off? Do you still have Bull Ring? Guided study hall?

Eric: They work them off by doing chores around the school and PT. We still do have Bull Ring, but it’s just called marching around campus. They no longer have study hall to serve tours.

Chris: I like how you say “they,” implying you don’t get stuck.

Eric: Exactly.

Chris: So tours are worked off by marching and chores?

Eric: Yes, Dad. Chris: On weekdays we would wake and shower, then barracks formation. Shortly after, we would form up outside Stribling Hall and march to mess. Then we would come back, clean our rooms and go to classes. We went to two classes, and then we would come back to the barracks to exchange books for the next two classes. Then we returned

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to the barracks to get ready to form up again to march to noon mess.

Then we had mail line; a couple more classes; military period; athletics; evening mess formation; a little free time; study hall; a little more free time which was usually spent shining shoes; barracks formation; then taps.

at Sunday Review. If we scored nine honor points in regular classes, not extracurricular classes such as band and drama, for 3 months, we would get into Delta Phi. Our average was our standard, and we were graded on how many points we scored above or below that for company competition.

Eric: We wake and get ready for inspection or PT, depending on the day. Then we form up on front campus for morning mess. We have two classes then lunch, but we don’t form up for that. We go to the next two classes, and after those, we go to the barracks to change for sports. We no longer do mail line; they put letters in our QM boxes, and the packages go to the mentors’ office. Then we come back, shower, and line up for evening mess, and after, we come back and do study hall in barracks. When we have free time, we spend it getting ready for the next day, then we have taps at 2200.

Eric: We report grades every nine weeks and use GPA for company comp. We don’t have brain cords, but we have Delta Phi, which requires a 3.7 GPA or higher.

Chris: Grades were reported monthly and used for the monthly company competition. We were awarded honor points based on the grade we received in each class. We needed 10 honor points for brain cord, awarded

Chris: You don’t have brain cords?

Eric: We have an academic fourragere, just not brain cords.

Chris: That is the same thing, dopey.

Eric: Oh. LOL. Chris: Do you still have Soldiers Bar? Is it given during Sunday Review every month?

Eric: We have Soldiers Bar. It’s given every nine weeks.

Traditions, Old and New will continue in the next issue of Reveille.

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DRESS RIGHT DRESS

NEWS FROM THE DESKS OF THE COMMANDANT AND BC

Senior Rings and Parent Weekends

By Hunter Jenkins ’85 and Chris Gentry ’88 The Senior Ring Banquet was held Oct. 20, 2018, in the Centennial Gymtorium. The dinner comprised a buffet of beef tenderloin with lobster sauce, grilled salmon with lemon butter, roasted potatoes, carrots and asparagus with dinner rolls, salad and cheesecake for dessert. Drinks included iced tea, coffee and water.

The first person to speak was Senior Class President Cadet Khaliguun Enkhbayar. He thanked the faculty and staff for their guidance and support for the class in ways he could not completely articulate. He said that without them, he and the rest of the class would not be headed in the direction that they are today.

Khaliguun went on to thank the parents and the families that attended the banquet. He stated that it was an honor for them to take their time to witness such a pivotal moment in the cadets’ lives. He mentioned that wearing the senior ring was another step in becoming extraordinary young men.

Finally, he gave thanks to all the efforts of his senior class brothers and said that this night was for them.

He thanked the rest of the cadets in the corps for having the courage to face head-on the struggles that arise

Bravo Company showes off their new senior rings

and for the courage and resilience they display in upholding the high standards at MMA. Cadet Battalion XO Ming Han Choy gave the evening prayer, first giving thanks for the food, then asking that the families and cadets be blessed and for safe travels for those returning home the next day.

I provided remarks on behalf of MMA alumni, including a brief history of the ring and how privileged the cadets are in being able to wear it — only around 6,000 people have ever been eligible for the honor. I shared that, when I was given my ring, there was no dance nor banquet, but a special order from Col. Stribling was read at the first noon mess formation with the complete corps in attendance. Col. Stribling informed us of the proper

way to wear the ring: it is to be worn on the left ring finger with the “MMA” facing the cadet. Upon graduation, the ring is to be turned so that the “MMA” is facing away from the cadet.

Dinner was served following the remarks, and conversation could be heard among its attendants. After dinner, the plates were cleared, and the band started to warm up. Cadets and families lined up for the Grand March, during which couples passed under an arch of sabers formed by the cadet officers and had their pictures taken inside the replica ring. After the Grand March, the dance floor was open to the families and cadets.

Watch a video about Fall Family Weekend here!

DRESS RIGHT DRESS REVEILLE!

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Echo Barracks: Back in Black

By Greg Holten ’88 Echo Company was constructed from 1969-70 to accommodate the expanding cadet corps. Echo was the most modern building on campus at that time — it had air conditioning, which none of the other dorms on campus had!

Over the years, many cadets and faculty members lived in Echo, including me. I was part of the “Third Herd” as we liked to call ourselves.

More than 30 years had passed, and in 2005, Echo had some cosmetic changes. New windows and such, with improvements to the bathrooms as well. During this time, other buildings were updated and changed with the new expansion of the Academic Building, Stribling Hall, Bravo and Charlie. These improvements were made to better the cadet experience and help with recruitment by showing potential cadets and their parents a modern and cutting-edge school with long-standing traditions.

Following this logic, Echo was closed in 2017 for full updates and improvements. The hope was to have all of the Echo improvements completed by homecoming weekend this past September, but due to unforeseen construction delays, that did not happen.

What you will see are exterior renovations: new maintenancefree pillars, new gutters, decorative cornices, sidewalks, shutters, doors and landscaping.

Interior improvements include replacing the wood paneling in all rooms with drywall. Each room

installed. New security cameras have been installed with a new access control for the security. Ceiling tiles have been replaced, every wall has a new coat of paint, and there is new flooring in all areas.

has new furniture, such as beds, mattresses, chairs and presses. Along with these changes, each bathroom has been expanded to provide more showers with private stalls and changing areas as well.

All lighting has been changed to energy efficient LED lighting. Ground source HVAC equipment, which includes new heating and cooling units, were placed in each room.

A new intercom system has been

These updates are part of the desire to present a modern, cutting-edge and well-maintained academy to attract new recruits. Parents see these modern and updated facilities and know MMA takes pride in itself and has created an atmosphere for improving and enhancing the cadet experience.

Thank you to MMA Director of Facilities Greg Morton for providing information for this article.

Echo Barracks nears compleation, sporting new black shutters

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FORWARD MARCH

UPDATES FROM THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT

What is 3600 Education?

By Tony McGeorge, MMA President Emeritus

One of the differentiators between Missouri Military Academy and other boarding or military schools is our 360° Education. Developing mind, body and spirit for our young men, this all-encompassing, ever-inventive program informs every aspect of education and life at MMA. Through 360° Education, MMA supports a young man’s need for independence and structure, individual achievement and team-oriented success.

360° Education is …

• a school day that incorporates physics, art, private music lessons and business courses • learning alongside other boys from around the world • an education that expands beyond campus and classroom boundaries • development of well-rounded young men that allows them to be leaders among their peers in college and beyond.

MMA creates delivers 360° Education through focus on five essential elements: academic excellence, character development, personal motivation, physical development and leadership.

Academic Excellence As educators of boys for 130 years, we know how to motivate young men to pursue their academic potential. Our academic setting and experienced, caring faculty inspire them to learn and prepare them for college.

Character Development Our educational program reinforces time-proven standards of conduct, ethical behavior, integrity, spiritual values and service to others. In addition, students and teacher uphold the Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets Honor Code: “I am truthful, virtuous, and respectful; I will inspire others to pursue this code.”

Personal Motivation Positive competition, teamwork, and goal setting inspires cadets to strive for excellence as individuals and members of a group. Structured rewards reinforce positive behavior, while cadets learn to pursue standards and meet expectations.

Physical Development Through an integration of health and physical education, physical training, and athletic competition, cadets develop physical self-confidence, self-esteem and a general sense of well-being. Our athletic program’s educational component teaches cadets to have a winning attitude and to “Pursue Victory with Honor” (Colonels Athletics motto).

Leadership Our distinct military structure prepares cadets for personal responsibility and provides increasing opportunities for leadership and developing improved responsible decision-making capacities.

REVEILLE! 12

DOUBLE TIME

GET THE 4-1-1 ON COLONELS SPORTS

Click here to watch the Fall Sports Banquet video!

Click here to watch Colonels Sports live streams!

REVEILLE! 13

FALL IN

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION UPDATES

Homecoming ’18

By Gregg Center ’91 and Cassandra Brooks It was a Thursday unlike any other.

Several alumni, members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and a few current and former MMA faculty and staff members met at Pratt’s on Monroe in Mexico, Missouri, for dinner, drinks and discussion. The year’s preparations would be put to the test starting the very next morning and continuing throughout the weekend.

How do you prepare to welcome your brothers home, some who you might not have seen for at least a year or maybe even 25 to 50 years? It’s easy!

With a warm embrace and a heartfelt “Brother, it’s so good to see you!”

Those involved with Homecoming preparations, which includes faculty, staff, alumni, generous sponsors and cadets alike, have important roles to ensure that our alumni brothers are welcomed home.

This year and those efforts, as in years past, were greatly rewarded!

Other than a chilly Friday evening, the weather was perfect all weekend.

The Friday alumni golf tournament at Arthur Hills Golf Course officially started the Homecoming 2018 festivities. Play was brisk with scramble and captain’s choice rules.

Throughout the day alumni showed up, grabbed a golf cart and acted as official-unofficial course marshals.

There might have been more alumni marshals than actual players, or at least it seemed that way. A good time was had by all. Rick Dehlinger ’94 and his team took first place while Steve McDavid ’97 and his team team took last, which earned McDavid a My Little Pony fishing pole as a hint that he might want to take up a new hobby.

McDavid’s team was the best dressed with maroon and white matching attire, prompting a new golf award for next year. McDavid says his daughter loved the fishing pole!

The MaxFred band, led by alum Maxwell Frederick ’04, kicked off the Friday night barbecue and social in front of Stribling Hall and provided the perfect atmosphere for friends and alumni to

reminisce and catch up. Gregg Center ’91, Alumni Association treasurer and committee chair, unveiled the Col. Stribling statue and recognized and thanked generous benefactor Phil Baum ’63. Center also thanked and gave artistic credit to Javier Campuzano ’82, who created the life-size bronze sculpture. Silver Taps, a ceremony to honor alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Academy who’ve recently passed, closed out the evening by reminding us that our MMA bonds are limitless.

This story continues on the next page.

FALL IN REVEILLE!

The corps shone on Saturday for pass in review, though whispered murmurs that the alumni company looked better were only reinforced as an alumnus won the sweepstakes drill down. President McGeorge shared his vision for a Missouri Military Institute during Convocation. He explained that MMI would be an avenue for cadets to receive associate degrees and a path to commissioning as second lieutenants in the Missouri National Guard. McGeorge also explained potential partnerships with William Woods College and the Missouri National Guard, differentiating MMA in the competitive landscape that includes other military institutions and private schools. During his talk President McGeorge awarded state Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Mokane, with the Order of St. George, one of MMA’s highest and most prestigious personal decorations. He also recognized the Class of 1968 for their golden anniversary and the Class of 1993 for its silver anniversary.

The Alumni Association annual meeting had a new format after constructive feedback that our annual meetings are about as fun as marching tours. The meeting was held in the

Centennial Gymtorium during a buffet lunch, directly following Convocation. The Alumni Association brought back awards from the past such as farthest traveled, longest married, oldest alumnus present and most generations of alumni present.

The Alumni Association recognized Connor Pearson and Jennifer O’Donley from the MMA Marketing Department for their support to the alumni newsletter, Reveille. The Association also recognized Cassandra Brooks from the MMA Alumni and Development Department for her tireless support. Have we ever told you you’re our heroes?

For the first time, the Paul Gillette ’70 Outstanding Alumni Award was given to two recipients: Dean Davison ’78 and Phil Baum ’63.

The annual meeting was concluded with the Alumni Association donating its second large pew for the Memorial Chapel and Albright Assembly Hall Renovations. Everyone then proceeded to Colonels Field to watch MMA and Harrisburg High School battle on the gridiron. MMA had an amazing comeback only to lose in overtime. It was a game for the ages.

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Next year the Alumni Association will angle for chocolate snow as the desert during the annual meeting. Even more of a reason to come to Homecoming!

Saturday night included a formal dinner and dance in the Centennial Gymtorium with the MMA Jazz Band providing warm sounds during dinner and an eclectic mixture of music provided by the Third Switch Band of Columbia, Missouri. The evening ended with a grand fireworks display over Colonels Field to honor the 130th Corps of Cadets. We’re told that the fireworks will be even bigger and better when we celebrate the 130th anniversary during Homecoming 2019, so we hope that you can be there to celebrate with us!

If you have not been able to join us for a Homecoming weekend in the past few years, you have certainly been missing out on the weekend’s grand finale. The Sunday Farewell Breakfast, held in the dining hall, will be the best breakfast you’ve ever had at MMA. Not only does this buffet offer a huge spread; it features the good ol’ MMA staple: S.O.S.! Contact information and warm embraces were exchanged this year, and we all returned to our normal everyday lives filled with reminders of days gone by, with a few new memories from Homecoming to treasure. How do you say goodbye?

You don’t. You say, “Until next time, brother!”

FALL IN REVEILLE!

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The Gillette Award at Homecoming ’18

By Chris Schafer ’89 The Paul Gillette ’70 Outstanding Alumni Award is given to former cadets who have shown success in life along with spirit of community and supported the Academy.

Paul was a six-year cadet, fusilier, drum major, and Delta Company commander his senior year. He was on the rifle team, and he participated in varsity basketball and track.

Upon graduating, he received a four-year Army senior ROTC college scholarship.

In college, Paul majored in biology and was a battalion staff officer. A distinguished military graduate, he completed his studies in August 1974. Paul was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Army Medical Service Corps. He earned master’s degrees in aviation safety and industrial safety during his service.

Retiring from the Army in September 1994 as a lieutenant colonel, Paul served on the Alumni Board of Directors for five years before joining MMA staff as alumni director. He also served as junior school commandant and coached the Junior School Drill Team, The Brigadiers.

Paul Gillette ’70 during his tenure as an MMA staff member

Paul Gillette ’70 with 2018 Gillette Award winner Dean Davison ’78

Paul met his wife, Lawanah, a Mexico, Missouri, resident his junior year at MMA. They were married after their sophomore year of college and have been married 46 years.

They have two children, Shawnna and Paul II, and two grandchildren.

The award was inaugurated at Homecoming 2018 and given to co-recipients Dean Davison ’78 and Phil Baum ’63.

Dean Davison ’78 Pursuing his second year as a Board of Trustee member, Dean had served several years on the MMA Alumni Association Board and was president of the Alumni Association from 1997 to 1998. He graduated from MMA in 1978 after seven years as a cadet. Dean was a cadet major, battalion commander and fusilier commander. He received the Legion of Honor with his classmate Garrett Swanson. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and also earned a bachelor’s degree from MU in economics.

This story continues on the next page.

FALL IN REVEILLE! Phil Baum ’63 Phil and his brother Paul ’62 are part of a three-generation alumni dynasty, joining their father ’28 and Phil’s son Brian ’90. Phil was a five-year cadet, graduating as Delta Company commander. His professional career was in part mentored by Col. Stribling. While a cadet, Phil was editor of the TAPS yearbook, which paved the way for his collegiate studies.

Phil served as an Alumni Association Board of Directors member for five years and was a president in ’90. He is the sole benefactor of the Col. Stribling statue, which was unveiled at Homecoming 2018.

Phil and his wife, Judy, were surrogate parents for many cadets whose parents couldn’t attend family weekends. They pinned carnations on generations of cadets for Mother’s Day. Many cadets have had the pleasure of calling Phil and Judy

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Gillette Award. Although they didn’t receive the award, Terry Logue ’72 and Todd Helm ’80 were recognized as nominees at Homecoming 2018.

Terry entered MMA in fall 1968 and was in the first group of cadets to occupy E Company.

His senior year he was battalion adjutant. A longtime supporter of the Academy, he served a term on the Board of Visitors, and after retiring from his athletic and higher education career, he returned to MMA and served as alumni relations and annual fund manager from 2012 to 2015.

Todd has been a lifetime supporter of MMA and was president of the Alumni Association for the 20162017 term. While serving, he had Phil Baum ’63 poses with bronze statue of himself as a cadet. the opportunity to speak at Vespers, “Dad” and “Mom” at some point in Senior Banquet, the Senior Ring their MMA careers.

Ceremony and the annual Maroon and Gold Gala.

The Alumni Association had a total of four nominees for the Paul

The 2018 Paul Gillette Award winners and nominees.

REVEILLE!

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Col. Stribling Statue Unveiling

By Gregg Center ’91 A year before Col. Charles R. Stribling III passed away, the Alumni Association Board of Directors began discussing ways in which we could pay tribute to the man who played such an integral part in our lives — teacher, president, mentor and friend — when the time came for him to leave this world. We discussed a variety of tributes, but the one we kept coming back to was a statue of him. We formed a committee, which we as board members do for just about everything now, and we began researching how we could accomplish this goal.

The great thing about being an alum of Missouri Military Academy is that our alumni branch out to all different walks of life — including an alumnus who is one of Mexico’s finest sculptors, Javier Campuzano ’82. We reached out to him to ask if he would be willing to sculpt a statue of Col. Stribling and all that entailed. Being a giving man, he offered to donate his talents to such a sculpture.

All we needed to do was provide funds for the metals needed to produce this tribute.

Within a couple months, our friend Col. Stribling passed away. Although we all knew it could be near, the loss still rang out through the corps of alumni around the world.

Through our mourning, the committee jumped into action and began discussing tribute plans with other alumni. It didn’t take long for Phil Baum ’63 to approach me at the alumni weekend barbecue, where he told me he owed his entire journalism career to Col. Stribling. Baum insisted on paying for all the materials needed to create the sculpture.

Fast forward to the chilly Friday night alumni barbecue at Homecoming exactly one year later, just before Silver Taps: The Col. Stribling Memorial Committee unveiled the statue of Col. Stribling on front campus. Baum’s generosity was so great that there was more material than needed, and with Campuzano’s artistic license, we decided to add an image of a cadet standing at parade rest with Col. Stribling’s hand on his shoulder. The image the committee provided for Campuzano was that of a young Baum as a thank you for his generosity.

When you come back to campus and see the statue, you might notice that there isn’t a lot of detail on Col. Stribling’s uniform. Campuzano wanted to tell a story of a man who was caring and kind, driven to help cadets to become gentlemen and scholars, just as he remembered him as a cadet in the early ’80s. I hope that each one of you can look at this piece and see the things that made him what he was to you.

We are currently raising funds for the bricks and base that will provide the statue foundation, as well as for reflection benches on which people may sit and remember what life was like when the Striblings were present. It is our goal to exceed our fundraising goal so that a perpetual scholarship in the name of Col. Stribling is rewarded each year to a deserving cadet. This fund has been combined with the Memorial Chapel Fund as the Memorial Chapel was such an important piece of campus to Col. Stribling.

FALL IN REVEILLE!

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The 10 Percent Challenge

By Jason Fablo-Gwinn ’88 Hello, my MMA brothers, I am very excited for our third issue of Reveille and to have The Eagle back as well.

Historically, we as alumni have looked at our Alumni Association dues as part of coming back to Homecoming each year. I would challenge you to change that view to one of participating, even if you are unable to make it to Homecoming, as the funds that are raised are put back into MMA to support the initiatives, goals and cadets — our future alumni brothers. We currently have 75 alumni that paid dues in 2018, which represents approximately 1 percent of our alumni base.

I would like to challenge you to help us reach our current goal of 10 percent alumni participation, which will bring us approximately $26,275. To put this in perspective, we raised $9,505 from dues in 2018.

Please consider helping us attain our participation goal

by Leading by Example, as this truly does impact our beloved alma mater and our future alumni brothers.

Below are our yearly and lifetime membership Alumni Association dues.

For more information about our Alumni Association membership/dues, click here.

Yearly Dues: • Oct. 1 to March 31 = $50 • April 1 to Sept. 30 = $60 • On-site at Homecoming = $70 Lifetime Membership: • Lifetime Membership: $350 • Maroon Lifetime Membership: $500 • Gold Lifetime Membership: $750 • 1889 Lifetime Membership: $1,889

Don’t delay — click here to pay dues today!

Dues increase April 1st!

Lifetime Membership and Cadet Referal

By Chris Schafer ’89 The Alumni Association would like to welcome our new Lifetime Members who have joined since Homecoming 2017 and through Homecoming 2018: 1889 Lifetime Members Hunter Jenkins ’85 Chris Gentry ’88 Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 Gold Lifetime Members Eric Johnson ’70 Maroon Lifetime Members Tony Guliani ’88 Chris Petersen ’91

Lifetime Members Eric Aschinger ’65 Mark Zacheis ’77 Jose Garcia-Batarce ’78 Oscar Parodi ’82 Paul Tilton ’88 Tod Thompson ’88 Luke Gosnell ’01 Doug Priestley ’86 Ricky Uriegas ’91 Steve McDavid ’97 Lawrence Fine ’98 Hugh Carnahan ’08

Tiered Lifetime Membership Program

Any alumnus who puts a prospective cadet or family in contact with the admissions office will automatically become a Lifetime Member at no cost (as long as the contact enrolls as a cadet).

Alumni who refer multiple families move up the Tiered Lifetime Member levels: • Two cadets: Maroon Lifetime Member • Three cadets: Gold Lifetime Member • Four+ cadets: 1889 Lifetime Member

The Alumni Association encourages all alumni and former cadets to help achieve the Academy’s goals for increasing cadet enrollment or partnering for initiatives directed for the betterment of cadet life. Your yearly Alumni Association dues or participation in the Tiered Lifetime Membership Program will help achieve our common goals.

If you have any cadet referrals, please contact Kevin Quinn at kevin.quinn@missourimilitaryacademy.com, or admissions at info@missourimilitaryacademy.com.

FALL IN REVEILLE!

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1889 Scholarship Fund

By Tom Troll ’68 Friends and alumni, Ever feel that everything (except, of course, your paycheck) is going up? Ever not attend Homecoming because the bank account was tight? Ever not make a donation to MMA because you felt that what you could afford was too small to matter? If so, you are among the silent majority.

The reality is that costs, including the costs of operating MMA, have increased. Even with both parents working, most families are challenged to make ends meet, and those who want to enroll their son in MMA cannot because the tuition is now beyond their financial means.

That’s why we seek your help without busting your family budget. Below, view a conservative option to give that allows you to contribute to MMA funds and make a difference in cadets’ lives.

MMA 1889 Scholarship Fund • All proceeds are used for financial aid to cadet families.

• Sign up to participate on the MMA website, here.

• Your credit card is charged $18.89 each month.

Like your family, MMA leadership has understood the need to try to save a little each year since Col. Stribling II bought the school in the 1930s. These savings and the interest earned have, to date, provided the needed capital to remodel and build facilities so that our campus and infrastructure remain attractive and competitive. These savings have also provided financial aid to the families of many cadets in recent decades.

Like a family budget, though, MMA has reached the financial limits on savings and giving. For the past several years, MMA has used 100 percent of the earnings from savings to provide needed financial aid to cadet families.

To further increase financial aid at this point would require MMA to start depleting those savings that have taken decades to accumulate. This is NOT a prudent or desirable course of action.

Pining for the good-old days? Want to show off your Academy spirit?

Check out the MMA online store! We offer great deals on everything from vintage athletic tees to alumni memorabilia.

The MMA online store can be found by clicking HERE

FALL IN REVEILLE!

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From Wondering to Knowing

By Capt. Dale Dye ’62, USMC (Ret) You wonder.

Missouri, in the rearview mirror for the last time.

You sit in a cold campus classroom, and you stare at a blackboard I know that for a full of algebra equations fact… and here’s how I without a female in stopped wondering. sight to feed your It is a kindness to call fantasies, and you my academic record at wonder. Or you run MMA spotty, so mark around the barracks me down as one of the to mop, dust and fold wondering boys who everything you own failed to capitalize on a for an inspection, and classic education. I ate you wonder. Your the military stuff like roommate is a guy from Dale Dye ’62 during his time at MMA. Christmas candy and another country who managed selection as is comfortable and the cadet battalion adjutant because conversant with a language you’ve I was a solid young soldier on the never even heard spoken, and you drill field. I was a certified ace in wonder. You pound around a drill sports, extracurricular activities and square or do yet another march off passes to town. On another vastly on parade, and you wonder… Is more important hand, I ranged from any of this remotely valuable? Will middling to abysmal in my studies. any of these things, so much a part What that meant in the days before of education at a premiere military handout, pre-qualified scholarships academy, ever pay dividends? and easy tuition assistance was that I The short answer is yes. But probably wasn’t going to qualify or buy my way not in the practical ways you’ve been into any college worth the title. My told. Sure, the focused, broad-ranging, folks had denied themselves distraction-free, classic education most of the stuff they should available at MMA for those willing have been able to afford to take advantage of it will help because I begged to go to a shoehorn you into a good college, military school with visions where you’ll stand head and shoulders of moving on to West Point above the average American public or Annapolis. MMA — with a high school graduate. And if that’s few breaks and dispensations the goal as you age through the teen from academy authorities — years, then you’ve got it covered. But was what they could afford, matriculation at a military school and by graduation in 1962, it such as MMA provides a lot more in appeared I had squandered terms of stuff that will really matter their investment. long after you’ve looked at Mexico, So that graduation summer,

“But matriculation at a military school such as MMA provides a lot more in terms of stuff that will really matter...” feeling like a true scoundrel rather than a triumphant MMA alum, I decided to punish myself by enlisting for four years in the military. I couldn’t afford the airfare to reach France and the Foreign Legion, so I chose the U.S. Marine Corps. And that’s where I stopped wondering about the value of my experiences at Missouri Military Academy. It didn’t take long for the drill instructors to realize they had a ringer on their hands, a guy who knew close-order drill and could handle a rifle, a recruit who understood orders— and how to obey them. In me as a raw recruit, they had a rare individual who understood vital military concepts such as responsibility, duty, honor and leadership. My learning curve was short and sharp, and before long, I was helping others who didn’t have the advantage of my MMA experience.

This story continues on the next page.

FALL IN REVEILLE! As I moved on in the military — taking to it like iron filings to a strong magnet — I became more of a leader and a teacher for men and women of all ethnicities, backgrounds and social standings. That’s a tough gig for a lot of people who grow up in a small social group or in rarified atmospheres, but it’s a familiar piece of cake for an MMA cadet. I knew how to talk to people, how to socialize with different personalities from often dissimilar backgrounds. I knew how to forgive or overlook shortcomings and personal foibles from my MMA barracks experience. I understood fairness, equal opportunity, hard work ethic and merit-based reward systems because that’s what is taught at MMA outside the classroom.

When my time came to face the ultimate crucible of infantry combat, I

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was ready and armed with much more than the Marine Corps alone could give me. I went to war understanding my responsibility to the men in my unit and fully focused on the mission.

And the more I thought about it, the more I became convinced that both my survival and success were based on things I learned at MMA. During my time in uniform and for years after that in movie and TV pursuits, I never had to solve for X in an equation or quote from Beowulf, but I always found myself reflecting on the gifts MMA gave me. I learned to live, thrive and survive on that campus. These days the only wondering I do is to question why I didn’t realize the gifts as they were given.

Dale A. Dye ’62

Wentworth Shootout

By Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 We have been invited to compete in the Tri-Military School Alumni Shoot Out with Wentworth and Kemper.

MMA fielded four shooters for the first time, and we are excited for the 2019 Shoot Out. We are looking for participants for Team MMA. If you are interested, please contact Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 at jfalbo@hyalogic.com or 913-904-2567.

Read about MMA’s support of Wentworth Military Academy Museum Dedication here.

FALL IN REVEILLE!

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Is your year the BEST year? Prove it!

By Rob Farnam ’84 and Gregg Center ’91 In 2015 when the Memorial Chapel and Albright Assembly Hall renovation campaign started, then-Alumni Association President Jeff Kays ’84 pledged that the Alumni Association would raise $100,000 of the $300,000 needed. The Board of Directors promptly purchased the first large pew for $5,000. Funds for the first pew were donated by alumni as listed by the Alumni Association.

Three years later, we have raised $68,000! This year for Homecoming, the Alumni Association donated its second pew. The money was raised through the Homecoming alumni golf tournament; the souvenir cup sales at the Homecoming barbecue, generously donated by Kurt Bilsel ’82; and a 50/50 raffle. The Alumni Association donated this pew under the name Hermanos por Siempre in honor of our international brothers.

To get us across the finish line for the last $32,000, the Alumni Association has started the ’84 Challenge, spearheaded by Rob Farnam ’84 and chair of the Alumni Association Development Committee. For the ’84 Challenge, classes rally to raise money to donate a pew in the name of their class. We have also added in the bricks and reflection benches that surround the Col. Stribling statue for those classes that want to give at various levels, outlined below.

Pledge of $6,000: Large pew, bench and two bricks at statue Pledge of $3,000: Small pew and bench at statue Pledge of $1,000: Bench and two bricks Tell your classmates to visit this link. Fill out the form with necessary information. In the box that says Direct Gift To:, select “Memorial Chapel/Assembly Hall Campaign”.

Below that, where it says Comments or Special Requests:, type in “1984 Challenge- please set up recurring payments”.

The next issue of Reveille will have a list of classes that have accepted the ’84 Challenge. The Class of ’84 claims to be the best class but is a bit cocky. Put its members in their place, and get your classmates to accept this challenge.

Read more about the challenge here.

REVEILLE! 23

PARADE REST

SPOTLIGHTING MMA’S NOTEWORTHY ALUMNI

From M&G to Topsail Beach

By Chris Schafer ’89 Maroon & Gold was started in 2008 to honor the recipient of the Gen. Cates ’10 I Will Hold Award. My wife, Jeni, and I have been attending for the past three years, and we put it on our calendars as soon as dates are announced. This year is April 6 at Hilton St. Louis Frontenac.

At Maroon and Gold in 2017, my wife and I purchased a live auction item, generously donated by Mike ’69 and Becky Wrenn for a three-dayfour-night stay at a condo on Topsail Beach. Due to timing, all of the 2017 summer weekends that would work for my wife and me were already taken, so we coordinated the trip for May 2018.

Fast forward to 2018: I’m hosting my brothers Matt Bowersox and Ari Zeigler, both ’90, and their wives, Chrysti and Kari, at my house when we started talking about the Topsail Beach condo and trip. They were in!

My wife and I are avid motorcyclists, so we decided to turn this trip into a motorcycling adventure. We met up with Ari along the way to ride, and Matt joined us at the condo. I opted to ride the ’02 Honda VTX while Jeni rode her 03 Road King. We started in Katy, Texas, and our first stop was Abbeville, Louisiana, to see family and friends. From there, we rode to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and camped at Gulf Shores State Park; of course, we stopped at the famous Flora-Bama along the way. We then rode the entire north-south length of Alabama, and we camped along a lakeside park for the night.

Update Your Contact Info Please update your contact information with MMA by visiting their website. Updating your info will keep you connected with MMA activities and news.

The next day’s destination was US129, which sits on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. This was the epic day of the trip, and our roundabout route was primarily dictated by this stop. Getting there was fun, riding in the Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway and Smoky Mountain Parkway. But the destination was US-129, a famous motorcycle road called The Tail of the Dragon, which has 318 curves in 11 miles — a phenomenal technical road.

It’s almost like the loggers of late knew what they were doing.

This story continues on the next page.

PARADE REST REVEILLE! The roads were banked perfectly, and I could really get down and dirty, leaving most of my foot pegs back on the road. Back at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, where we were camping, Jeni got an outstanding compliment from a gentleman riding a sports bike who followed us through the Dragon. He was in awe seeing her throw her Road King through the curves, and his skills were tested in trying to keep up. Ari and Kari met us there and enjoyed the Dragon at a more responsible pace. This day spent at the Dragon was my birthday, and it was an awesome present!

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Mississippi border. I don’t mind riding in the rain, but if you don’t have to, why would you? Jeni and I stayed dry except for a 10-minute Noah’s Arc downpour just west of Beaumont, Texas.

Returning home to Houston is such sweet sorrow; horrible traffic, distracted drivers, flat, no curves, hot, humid and basically boring to a motorcyclist. I do get to ride all year long, though, so there’s that.

This year at Maroon and Gold, I’ll be looking for another auction item that I can share with my brothers. Save the date: April 6 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. Stay on the lookout for more information to follow. Jeni and I hope to see you there!

After a much needed night in a hotel in Charlotte, we were off to meet Matt and Chrysti at Topsail Beach. Ari trailered his bike, earning him the name Trailer Queen.

The condo at Topsail Beach was relaxing. There’s nothing like enjoying your morning coffee while watching and listening to the waves break on the beach, then going for a nice morning scoot to get your day started. We all took turns cooking meals, and Matt and Chrysti’s friends, Rusty and Jennifer, drove in from Raleigh and joined us for the last night.

It took six days to get to Topsail Beach — through obviously not the most direct route, but for a motorcyclist, the best route. It only took us two days to cover the 1,300 miles to get back to Katy, redirecting to I-20 due to tropical storm Alberto coming ashore at the Alabama-

Regional Alumni Chapters

By Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 We have been working hard over the past several years to create local regional MMA alumni chapters to promote local esprit de corps and the brotherhood.

The first one started three years ago in the greater Kansas City region. We have now grown to six chapters.

If you are interested in taking the lead for your local region, please contact Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 at jfalbo@hyalogic.com or 913-904-2567. Be on the lookout for a California-based alumni gathering, currently in the planning stages.

PARADE REST REVEILLE!

Back in Your Neck of the Woods What have the Alumni Chapters been up to?

Gateway Alumni Chapter First Annual Christmas MMA Alumni Get-Together Dec. 21, 2018 In the past it had always been a few of us who got together during the holidays, as we were inspired by our brothers in Mexico and their huge rally. One day we wanted to see what we could do by moving locations to Bar Louie in St. Charles and inviting all St. Louis-area alum.

We invited as many as we could find on Facebook. John Heimos ’81 brought party favors for everyone by recording CDs entitled “Barracks Toonz” rock from the time he was at MMA. The Soriano brothers, ’82 and ’85, made it to the event. Eight classes were in attendance. We will do this again next year, and we will make sure to include brothers we missed this year.

Dallas-FT Worth Alumni Gathering

Clay Grant ’88 has started the Dallas-Fort Worth alumni group, which held its first social Dec.15 at Grant’s home.

In attendance were Peter Kispert ’88 and Brad Henderson ’80. Clay is looking to hold DFW socials on a quarterly basis.

Contact clay by email at SClayGrant@gmail.com.

Pictured below, from Left: Matt Bowersox ’90, Richard Cooper ’82, Chris Scharfer ’89, Trey Rice ’95, August Tetzlaff ’77

Pictured above: John Heimos ’81, Kurt Bilsel ’81, Jesus Soriano ’82, Rob Farnam ’84, Jeff Kays ’84, Bob Steinmetz ’84, Craig Miller ’85, Jorge Soriano ’85, Doug Priestly ’86, Matt Rollings ’86, Mark Thomas 86?, Larry Wylie ’88 and Rick Dehlinger ’92.

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PARADE REST REVEILLE!

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Links to the Alumni Association and regional alumni groups: MMA Alumni Association – Facebook Link

Yucatan Alumni Gathering - Tomas Miledi ’91 The Yucatan gathering is our sixth official reunion, and it’s looking good!

We are expecting a lot of brothers from all over Mexico, and this year, I think more U.S. brothers might join.

Many of us will be arriving Thursday, March 28, and staying through Sunday, March 31. Some people will arrive Friday, and others will come Saturday.

Our host, Urioste ’91, has many surprises for us. The main activities include the official opening of the event on Friday night, Saturday’s lunch and closing dinner. Besides the main events, Urioste has prepared other activities such as visiting Mayan ruins.

Gateway Alumni - Doug Priestley ’87 Email: dpriestley123@gmail.com Facebook Link Lone Star Colonels – Chris Schafer ’89 Email: chris.schafer71@gmail.com Facebook Link Dallas/Ft. Worth – Clay Grant ’88 Email: Clay.Grant@UTSouthwestern.edu Facebook Link Kansas City – Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88, Email: JFalbo@hyalogic.com Facebook Link Razorback Alumni – Hunter Jenkins ’84, Email: jenkinsh151@gmail.com Facebook Link 3rd Coast Alumni – Steve McDavid ’97 Email: mmaalumni97@gmail.com Facebook Link If you are interested in forming alumni groups for Minnesota, Nebraska or Iowa, contact Tom Eilers ’70 or Eric Johnson ’70 Email Tom: eilers.tom@gmail.com Email Eric: ericrj50@yahoo.com

Kansas City Alumni The Kansas City alumni chapter has been up and running for several years now with some really great soirees. Here is a photo of our last soiree at P.F. Chang’s on the Plaza. We had 15 alumni, spouses and children attend. If you would like to help set up a local alumni chapter, please reach out to Jason Falbo-Gwinn at jfalbo@hyalogic.com.

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Alumni Ambassadors Program

By Jason Falbo ’88, Chris Schafer ’89, Greg Seibert, Gary Stewart ’70 In conjunction with the Admissions Office, the MMA Alumni Association has identified the first seven alumni ambassadors and has begun training to represent MMA in their respective geographic areas: • Pedro Portilla ’81 • Jose Bours ’94 • Phil Andrews ’81 • Karen Jones (Spangler), former faculty • Gregg Center ’91 • Chris Schafer ’89 • Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 The Alumni Ambassador Program is aligned with Alumni Association Board of Directors’ past President Jorge Infante ’87 and current President Richard Coopers ’82 and their vision of continuous impact, which outlines the purpose of bringing value to the cadets, alumni and the Academy through the Cadet Life Cycle.

• Before – Enrollment • During – Infrastructure and Scholarship • After – Brotherhood and Camaraderie Specifically, the program is designed to impact enrollment through enrolling a prospective cadet or summer camp participant. Alumni ambassadors will also act as regional coordinators for alumni gatherings and coordinate with class agents within their areas in the fielding of prospective cadet contacts back to MMA Admissions.

MMA’s cadet population diversity has global reach, and the Alumni Association identified the opportunity to assist the Admissions Department to effectively communicate the MMA Value Statement to a broader audience. This value of the Alumni Ambassador Program is to act as a force exponentiator for the MMA Admissions Department to assist in: • Communicating the MMA Value Statement to a broader audience • Field regional market intelligence to MMA Admissions • Following up on initial inquiries and contacts from prospective cadet parents • Assist in coordinating and attending open houses, local advertising and information sessions The program is a revitalization of the Honorary Admissions Councilor program, which began when Col. Kelly was admissions director.

The seven alumni ambassadors received initial training on the MMA Value Statement during Homecoming 2018 and academics through videoconferencing. These were both led by Brig. Gen. Geraci, vice president for academics, operations and planning. The ambassadors’ next training will be on cadet life and led by Col. Grabowski, commandant of cadets, with additional training for athletics, extracurricular activities and college placement.

The Alumni Ambassador Program is sponsored by the MMA Admissions Department; Greg Seibert, director of admissions; and Gary Stewart ’70, associate director of admissions.

If you are interested in becoming an alumni ambassador, please contact Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 by email at JFalbo@ hyalogic.com.

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How well do you know your MMA History?

The first person to submit a correct and complete Crossword to chris. schafer71@gmail.com will win a Missouri Military Academy coffee mug!

Across 2. Where the cadets went after MMA burned in 1896 3. Won 3 national championships in the 1980’s 7. MO Senator from Mexico MO and supporter of MMA 8. Gym is named after this class 9. The first president of MMA 13. Nickname of old Delta Barracks 14. What you call your fellow Alumni 15. What you don’t do in front of Stribling Hall 17. What PDA will get you 18. Assembly Hall Name 20. First Student to Enroll

Down 1. Current President of MMA 4. MMA’s First Presidential Inaugural Parade 5. The road that MMA sits on 6. What No Son will Forget 8. Official Mascot 10. MMA Senior Ring faces which way while a cadet 11. Academic Building Name 12. Benefactor to the Col. Stribling Statue 16. 1910 Distinguished Alumni 19. President who reopened MMA in 1890

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EVENTS AT MMA SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT MMA

Maroon and Gold 2019

MMA will honor former Missouri U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill with the 2019 Gen. Clifton B. Cates “I Will Hold” Award at the Maroon & Gold Gala on April 6, 2019 at the Hilton Frontenac in St. Louis

Valentine Ball An MMA tradition, the annual Valentine Ball includes special activities that are customary to the formal dances at Missouri Military Academy. Guests and cadets are asked to participate in a receiving line at the beginning of the ball where they are introduced to the Academy president and his wife and other school officials and guests. Later in the evening, a Grand March is held to formally open the ball, and a crowning ceremony will take place to select this year’s Valentine Ball Queen.

The formal Valentine Ball is free to all attendees and is sponsored and planned by the junior class. An optional dinner precedes the ball; advance tickets for the dinner must be purchased in order to attend.

“We are honored to recognize Sen. McCaskill for her leadership in public service — most notably through her support of America’s armed forces, humanity in immigration programs, health care and international security,” said MMA President Tony McGeorge. “She has shown determination, steadfastness, and perseverance through times of challenge, creating a legacy of commitment to the citizens of Missouri and our nation that is an example for others to follow.”

In 2007, Claire McCaskill became the first elected woman from Missouri to serve in the U.S. Senate. During her years in public service, McCaskill served as a ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. She was also a member of the Committee on Armed Services and the United States Senate Committee on Finance.

McCaskill currently works as a contributing analyst for NBC and MSNBC. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri and her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law. The Gen. Clifton B. Cates “I Will Hold” Award is annually presented at MMA’s Maroon and Gold Gala in St. Louis. This year’s event will be held April 6 at the Hilton Frontenac. MMA supporters, alumni, cadets, parents, and friends are invited to attend. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour, and dinner will be held at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at MissouriMilitaryAcademy.org.

Upcoming Events

Spring Family Weekend, Homecoming 2019, September 13-15 March 29-31 Commencement, May 23-25

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Alumni Association Dues Many don’t realize that your annual Alumni Association dues are not part of your Homecoming registration. If you go to Homecoming, we historically have collected Alumni Association yearly dues at that time. Dues not only help the association assist with homecoming activities, but also to align with a major Academy initiative that goes towards enriching the lives of the cadets. For the past two years, it has been the Memorial Chapel and Assembly Hall Campaign.

The Alumni Association also sponsors the Senior Banquet and provides a gift to each senior, as well as a silent auction item for the Maroon and Gold banquet.

The Alumni Association extends two free years of Alumni Association yearly dues to the graduating seniors.

The Alumni Association can make these donations on behalf of our alumni only through the collection of yearly dues and those that join as Lifetime Members.

Even if you don’t plan on attending Homecoming, your yearly Alumni Association dues go a long way to enrich the value that MMA brings to the cadets, who are our future alumni Brothers.

Alumni Association Dues To that end, the Alumni Association is implementing a new yearly dues structure, with Homecoming acting as the year’s end. If an alumnus pays his dues between Oct. 1 and March 31, dues will be $50. If paid between April 1 and Sep. 30, dues will be $60.

Finally, if an alumnus pays his yearly dues as part of on-site homecoming registration, those dues will be $75. As a special thank-you, alumni who make a tax-deductible donation of $250 or greater to any MMA initiative will have their Association dues waived for that year. Lifetime Members are exempt from yearly Alumni Association dues.

Membership Benefits

Each alumnus who pays his dues will receive the following: • A copy of the Alumni Association e-newsetter Reveille • A thank-you note from the Alumni Association president • A Christmas card and a yearly gift of appreciation MMA Alumni Association’s Tiered Lifetime Membership Program The Tiered Lifetime Membership Program has been growing since its inception, and tiered membership is now 160 members strong.

All alumni and former cadets can participate, and MMA’s development office will gladly work with you on a payment program. The cost per level of the Tiered Lifetime Membership Program is as follows: Lifetime Member - $350 Maroon Lifetime Member - $500 Gold Lifetime Member - $750 1889 Lifetime Member - $1889

level you wish to achieve.

New Cadet Referral Rewards The Alumni Association is committed to MMA’s prosperous future. Any alumnus who puts a prospective cadet/ family in contact with the admissions office will automatically become a Lifetime Member at no cost (as long as the contact enrolls as a cadet.)

Alumni who refer multiple families move up the Tiered Lifetime Member levels: Two cadets: Maroon Lifetime Member Three cadets: Gold Lifetime Member Four+ cadets: 1889 Lifetime Member

The Tiered Lifetime Membership Program includes the following benefits: • Identification of tiered status on Homecoming name tag • New members recognized at Convocation and in the Homecoming edition of the Eagle • Tiered Lifetime Members’ names will hang in a prominent place on campus

The Alumni Association encourages all alumni and former cadets to help achieve the Academy’s goals for increasing cadet enrollment or partnering for initiatives directed for the betterment of cadet life. Your yearly Alumni Association dues, or participation in the Tiered Lifetime Membership Program, will help achieve our common goals.

Existing Lifetime Members

If you have questions about this program, contact any of the Alumni Association board members listed on page 23 in this newsletter.

If you are an existing Lifetime Member and wish to enter the Tiered Lifetime Membership program, you will be credited the amount you paid for your original lifetime membership and only need to make up the difference to the

You may pay your Alumni Association dues by following the link below. http://bit.ly/AlumniDuesForm

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Alumni Association Contacts Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association Board Richard Cooper ‘82 – President 281.635.3264 spankyc358@gmail.com

Rob Farnam ‘84 314.337.2994 robfarnam592@yahoo.com

Larry Wylie ‘88 6186705660 Larrywylie@gmail.com

Hunter Jenkins ’85 – President - Elect 337.378.9119 jenkinsh151@gmail.com

Garrett Stockum ‘87 309.275.1997 garrett@stockum.com

Pedro Portilla ’82 – Vice President +011.521.8182.545.700 portilla_pedro@hotmail.com

Chris Gentry ‘88 308.458.8165 gentrycj@gmail.com

Paul Petit ’85 – Past BOD President ’12-‘13 US (956) 994-0000 MX (011-52-1-55) 2741-4115 paulpetit@vallypark.com paulpetit180@hotmail.com

Gregg Center ‘91 - Treasurer 312.636.5153 Gcenter13@gmail.com

Tod Thompson ‘88 417.438.5522 todroe@sbcglobal.net

Chris Schafer ‘89 – Secretary 346.804.7735 Chris.Schafer71@gmail.com

Jose Bours ‘94 +52.644.159.4425 jfbours@gmail.com

Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 – Director of Class Agents 913.904.2567 JFalbo@hyalogic.com

BOD Committee Members – Non-Voting

Jorge Xavier Infante ‘87 – Ex-Officio 630.329.6383 jxinfante@yahoo.com Kurt Bilsel ‘81 314.238.4050 kabilsel@gmail.com

Mike Misemer ‘89 941-328-2511 michaelmisemer@yahoo.com Matt Bowersox ‘90 713.576.9109 mattnchrysti@gmail.com

Todd N. S. Helm ‘80 – Past President ‘16-‘17 217.725.8633 tnh2824@yahoo.com Greg Holten ’88 618.541.8026 gregholten@yahoo.com

Ricardo Uriegas ’91 US phone: +1 956 278 6022 Mex : + 52 1 81 2575 9429 rickuriegas@gmail.com Steve McDavid ‘97 910.797.9277 mmaalumni97@gmail.com Clay Grant ‘88 214.616.7233 sclaygrant@gmail.com

Reveille is a biannually published alumni newsletter, created in collaboration between the Missouri Military Academy Alumni Association and the MMA Marketing Department.

Reveille is designed using the Adobe Creative Suite, with artwork provided by the Alumni Association, MMA, and individual submission.

Reveille’s editors are Chris Schafer ’89, and Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88. Reveille is laid out by MMA Marketing Coordinator Connor Pearson. Additional edits for this issue were provided by MMA’s President-Emeritus Tony McGeorge, President BG Rick Geraci, Interim Director of Marketing Jennifer O’Donley, and Director of Development Kevin Quinn.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns about Reveille, please contact Chris Schafer ’89 at Chris.Schafer71@gmail.com or Jason Falbo-Gwinn ’88 at JFalbo@hyalogic.com.