CLASS NOTES year – seeing daughters and BRs. Russ, thanks for the update! It has been a whirlwind year for Wilson and Anne Johnson. After 29 years in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Wilson and Anne have moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia. A downturn in construction inspired Wilson to leave Soil Consultant, Inc in Charleston for a job with Northrop Grumman in Arlington, Virginia, supporting the Air Force in the field of energy. Son Matthew is in Lynchburg, Virginia, working on his master’s in homeland security with an emphasis on terrorism. Daughter Catherine graduated from U of SC in December with a 4.0 GPA in retailing with an emphasis on fashion merchandising. Anne is still unpacking boxes but has found a new church and is looking forward to getting involved … and may start substitute teaching at a big Christian school after Christmas. Alert the Grand PooBah (Charley Banning) – another prospective member to the Potomac Area Breakfast Club. See you there, Wilson! Thanks for the note, Anne! Speaking of the Grand PooBah – Charley “Buff Daddy” Banning has published the 12th edition of the Banning Christmas Gazette – an entertaining diatribe. Buff Daddy is now Bass Daddy in a two-man jazz band playing regular gigs on the Blue Hair circuit. Debbie “She Who Must Be Obeyed” (SWMBO) Banning was tossed by her horse and broke three ribs. Even though Buff Daddy was 100 miles away, it was his fault. Will “Boy Wonder” Banning plays in the state honor band, has joined the National Honor society and was elected senior patrol leader of his troop. Interesting note – SWMBO was in Beantown on business in March. It’s 10:00 p.m. and the police are knocking on her door. SWMBO fears that the jig is up on the room service tray she pushed across hall. It turns out that the now infamous Craig’s List Killer had killed a “massage therapist” across the hall from SWMBO. SWMBO somehow slept through multiple large caliber gunshots. Speculation is: Alcohol must be involved. Superb edition of the Gazette Charley! All is well with George and Anna Van Laethem. George is still with CSC but is now supporting USJFCOM in Suffolk. George was appointed to the city of Chesapeake Planning Commission by the City Council and is in his tenth year coaching girls’ soccer at Western Branch High School. Anna is in her fifth year in the guidance department at Western Branch High School. Daughter Ashley is a soccer “red shirt” junior and a chemistry major at Francis Marion University (FMU). Ashley was also first runner up at the Ms. FMU pageant this year. As expected, fall weekends for George and Anna were taken up traveling to watch FMU soccer. Thanks for the note, George!
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Received a nice note from Pete and Susan Shelley. Pete is still with Kruger but religiously buys a lottery ticket each week. Susan continues her Jazzercise and computer consulting for selected clients. Son Ryder graduated from San Francisco Conservatory of Music with a master’s in percussion performance and is trying to make a living as a musician in San Fran. Daughter Taryn, a senior swimmer at NC State University, is a chemistry major who has applied to six pharmacy schools, including UNC. I guess she could wear red under her light blue lab coat! Thanks for the Christmas note. A proud parent moment for Don and Patti Kilcullen. In a note, Patti described their son’s return from the Middle East. Michael is a Marine Special Forces corporal. Don and Patti drove to Camp Lejeune for Family Day and an opportunity to see Mike. Mom could tell right away the experience had changed her son. To say the least, dad was quite proud. Mike is scheduled to go to Afghanistan in June 2010. Keep the Kilcullen’s in your prayers. Thanks for the note and the pictures, Patti. Bob Moore’s job change has put him in San Antonio, Texas, but he takes frequent trips back to DC (visits with Wilson Johnson who is the Air Force/A7C). Wife Magic has yet to join Bob – she is waiting for the dust to settle before making the leap, so their Virginia address is still good. Bob and Magic did get a chance to reconnect with their two sons. Rob has just completed a 5-year tour in Okinawa with deployments all over the world. He is being assigned to HMX-1 supporting the White House. Son Patrick is the management fireman/Mr. FixIt for a large Physical Fitness Company. Bob and Magic could not be prouder of their sons. Thanks for the note, Bob … and the insight on your roomie, BR Flynn! Received a nice note from J.R. and Jayme Davis. J.R. is the director of Construction Management at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and has been named “Outstanding Administer” this year by his colleagues. Their son, Mac, completed his freshman year at PLU. Daughter Mallory, a high school senior, has applied to nine colleges. I’m sure J.R. hopes she attends Willamette University in Salem, Oregon – acceptance came with a substantial scholarship to attend. Highlight for the Davises in 2009 was a family trip to Europe in December – Rome, Tuscany, Venice and Munich. Nice. Thanks for the note, J.R. Mike Mahoney writes that all is well in northern Virginia despite fighting fires in this blustery, record-setting winter. An interesting short story: Mike was teaching one of his high school EMT volunteers in late ’08. During the class, the volunteer saw Mike’s VMI license plate cover and stated that he wanted to attend. After class, the volunteer asked Mike to explain
the Ratline. Mike’s words: “I put my hand right in front of his nose and asked, ‘When was the last time that somebody was this close to your face hollering at you to the point where you could feel their spittle on your face, and you couldn’t do a damn thing about it?’ His eyes dilated, and he said, “Never.” I told him, ‘That’s the Ratline.’” Mike wrote a letter of recommendation for him. This volunteer was accepted early and will be a member of the class of 2014.” Well done, Mike! Pat Flynn writes: “Friday, 29 Jan. ’10, was a memorable day. A number of us got together at the famous A1A Ale Works in St. Augustine, Florida. Donnie Ross, Rob and Joan Bacon, Judge and Rhoda Nottingham, and Pat and Sue Flynn spent almost four hours drinking and telling stories. I think there was some food consumed, as well. The occasion was Donnie Ross’s trip to Florida on Institute business. As I listened to Donnie and Judge discuss the nature of the trip, I wasn’t exactly sure why Donnie had come to our fair state. The closer I listened; it became evident that he was on a mission directly from the superintendent to personally survey all the golf courses throughout the state. I don’t think Donnie was able to get to all the links, but from what I heard, he made a valiant effort. As the alcohol and calamari were consumed, the stories unfolded. Most were of times long past. Ahhh … all those recollections of our higher education … streaking the commandant’s house, shenanigans at the R.E. Lee Hotel, Johnny’s, Zollman’s, the Red Front, beer and bombs in the Barracks, Tom Patykula’s girlfriends, etc., etc. Yep, we learned a lot in those, our formative, years. I think it’s safe to say that those lessons have served us all very well.” Sounds like a pretty good time – glad the ladies were on hand, and no one got arrested! Glenn and Grace Greene were singing the praises for all who contributed to brighten this Christmas for Roy Heiderman’s family. Barbara Heiderman and family were blessed … and extremely touched by the thoughtful gifts during this emotionally tough Christmas season. Snap Carlock writes that he and Cathy have an opportunity to make a move to Lexington, Virginia. Cathy is now with The Main Street Group in Lexington, and Snap has taken a job as a reverse mortgage consultant with Wells Fargo in Lexington. Cathy’s family is in Lexington, and their daughter, Catherine, will graduate from W&L in the spring of 2010. If it all works out, the Carlocks will be in Lexington sometime this year. From Roland Lazenby: “I regret to inform the class that we recently lost BR Charlie Nichols who died of a heart-related ailment recently. Some of you may recall Charlie charging that
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