CLASS NOTES force – our hats are off to you guys each day you’re out on the streets! (Just be kind to your BRs as we transit through! Please!) Per usual, Christopher Adams is high on life and loving Texas as always. After a five-year stint, Chris will be leaving his teaching position at Texas Military Institute and picking up a full-time job with the National Guard. From 15 August-30 September, Chris will be working at U.S. Army South and then starting in October, will pick up a one-year contract as the small arms master gunner of his battalion. Chris tried at best to describe his new position to me – the only thing I could picture was Chris in the back of a Ford pickup, cowboy hat/boots and with a mounted 50-calibre, singing “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon” at the top of his lungs! The only response I got was – “Well, let’s just say Andrew Alissandratos would be jealous!” Knowing Andy and his personal armory, I wouldn’t doubt it. Spencer Robbins’ job hunt after separating from the Army has landed him in Florida. Working with an investment research firm in Boca Raton, Spence has found his new home in sunny south Florida. He did admit to taking a few trips and bearing witness to the South Beach spectacle but has wisely convinced himself to avoid any future returns and says that Boca Raton is just alright for him! Congrats, Spence! Congratulations to David and Denise Woody on the birth of their son! We are all looking forward to seeing your boy in October! Dave and Denise gave birth to Jackson Bryce Woody on 5 June 2008, 8lbs/1oz, 20.5in! We are all looking forward to congratulating you and Denise in person – all the best, my brother. In addition, Dave informed me that he has relocated from Ft. Campbell and is stationed at Ft. Knox attending the Career Course. Good luck, Dave! Golf Company: (Doug Warner) First off, thanks to everyone for their VERY POSITIVE feedback on the most recent edition of Class Notes for ’03!! I’m glad to know the hard work of everyone really paid off and was well received by the class! CPT Jared Hull contacted me to let me know he is doing well in Iraq, serving with the Army, and plans to be at the 5-year reunion in October. I also heard that CPT Chris Bluhm is enjoying his stay at the Army’s Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and apparently ran into LTJG Will Blanton, who is out there serving with the Navy. Chris’ mom sent us a picture of the two of them in front of some Navy ships, which you can see in this edition of the Alumni Review. CPT Josh Gonzales is still working for Homeland Security in Washington, DC, but recently went down to his home state of Louisiana for some Army Reserve duty training. I got a great
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e-mail from Andy Reel, where he informed me that he was married on August 7, 2004, to Elizabeth Apgar from Roanoke, whom he met the summer before his 1st class year. They now live in Lynchburg, VA, where Andy is the Director of Manufacturing for Boxley Block LLC. On April 28, 2008, Andy and his wife gave birth to their first baby, a boy named Walker Morris Reel, who weighed in at a whopping 8lb 10oz, and was 21.5 inches long … sounds like a future VMI Football player to me! In fact, Andy told me that Walker already has a provisional appointment with the Class of 2030! Andy couldn’t be prouder and said that being a dad is an amazing experience. Please see the picture of Andy holding Walker included with this edition of the Review. Recently, on August 9, 2008, Kyle Padgett was married to Ms. Katie Mackintosh of Norfolk, VA. I had the pleasure of attending the wedding, where I got to catch up with Tommy Baldwin and Josh Bandy. It was truly a great time, and many “Old War Stories” from VMI were told late into the night! Kyle and Katie were heading off to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for their honeymoon and then will be living in Norfolk. We wish them the best of luck in their new marriage! Finally, James Kuhn and his wife, Holly, have recently moved to Oklahoma, which is where Holly (now Dr. Holly Kuhn) will complete her medical residency and where James intends to go to Seminary school. As for myself, I’m still living in northern Virginia. So, if you’re passing through, send me an e-mail and feel free to stop by for a visit. Please send all of your updates on Golf Co. Brother Rats (as well as any other BRs
Class of 2003: On April 28, 2008, Andy and Elizabeth Reel welcomed Walker Morris into the world, weighing in at 8 lbs., 10 oz. and 21.5 inches long. – I can always pass them to the right Company Rep.) to my e-mail, which is doug03notes@ gmail.com. I’ll see you all at the reunion in October! Your Golf Company representative, Doug Warner. Hotel Company: (Rob McLean) It’s been a busy summer for the Hotel crew, most notably in the marriage department. Allen Maxey, Matt Keck, Kyle Pfeiffer, Jason Lambert and Garth Best all tied the knot since the last update. Matt’s wedding included two ceremonies, one Christian and one Sikh (Indian) for the family of his wife, Komal. Matt rode into the Sikh ceremony on horseback wearing a pink turban and full Indian garb. Garth’s wedding took place in Chattanooga, TN. Much to our delight,
Class of 2003: Kyle Padgett was married in Norfolk, Virginia, on Aug. 9, 2008. In attendance were, from left, Josh Bandy, the groom, Tommy Baldwin and Doug Warner.
VMI ALUMNI REVIEW