CLASS NOTES
’76
William Bhatta
Brother Rats: These notes were written on 17 October 2011. They had to be submitted earlier than usual, so forgive the brevity. Reunion #7 is in the history books. Mark your calendars now for #8 - I suspect it will be scheduled on one of the last two weekends in April 2016. We have already added a new event to the 40th Reunion itinerary - an early Sunday morning run around/through VMI - so start getting ready now. I had a heck of a time at the reunion last month. I hope everyone else did too! It was great seeing everyone. 70 BRs attended, 135 total - BRs, wives and guests. Several of you were instrumental in making it a success: Andre Koneczny organized the golf tournament; Grigg Mullen organized the sporting clay event: JR Mott, Cindy Mullen and many other BRs/wives donated food for lunch at the tailgate; Hunt Ozmer organized the memorial service, Razz Waff conducted it; and Mack Curle handled finances. Friday morning’s golf tournament at the Lexington Golf and Country Club started at 10:00am under sunny skies. All three reunion classes played the course at the same time. The 1976 team was Ray Brooks, Dyke Davies, Jim Delisio, Mike Dietrick, Bill Favier, Dexter Gilliam, Rocky Glass, Andre Koneczny, J.R. Mott, Hunt Ozmer, Mike Tate, Kavie Thrift, Ray Ramos, Rand Sompayrac, John Swain, and Withers Moncure. I believe John Swain and Ray Ramos split the ’76 tournament cash prize. (I played nine holes with Ray - he had to have a huge handicap!) Friday afternoon, Grigg Mullen took Charlie Archer, Jerry Codutti, Pascal Houcke, Jim Mallon, Mark McIntyre and Mark Rinnan to Quail Ridge Sporting Clays. Shooting experience ranged
from beginner to advanced, but everyone had fun and there were no “Dick Cheney” incidents. The next time you visit VMI make sure you stop at the archway into the new Third Barracks. At the parade Friday afternoon, VMI observed the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 by dedicating two plaques containing the names of all alumni who died in Vietnam, the first Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism (to date). 43 alumni were killed in Vietnam and 14 alumni have lost their lives during the Global War on Terrorism. Tom Zeugner’s name (one of two) is listed under the Persian Gulf War. Friday night, the reunion class social event was held in the main ballroom at the Lexington Golf and Country Club. Everyone had an opportunity to eat, drink, tell stories and catch-up with other BRs. VMI’s Chief of staff, Col Jeffrey H. Curtis ‘79 was our guest speaker (Wayne Eastham’s dyke). He gave a great presentation on how VMI has changed between 1976 and now. I am trying to get a copy so you can view it on the class website. A reunion memorial service was held Saturday morning following the class photo. Jim Dittrich, Greg Speaker and Hunt Ozmer spoke to us about their memories of Paul Carine, Chip Deyerle, Pelham Felder, Wayne Pope, Rick Radtke and Tom Zeugner. Jim’s wife actually recorded his comments. I will upload the audio clip onto the class website so everyone can listen to it. Alan Mills was unable to attend the reunion because he really wanted to say a few words at the service for Van Ardan. Alan has known Van since junior high school. When he told Van’s wife he was attending the reunion (she went to high school with them) she said to give all of Vans buddies a hug for her and to say that VMI still holds a special place in her heart. Note: In support of our lost BRs, I’d like to thank Frank Estis, Henry Foresman, Pascal Houcke, Jim Joustra, Rand Sompayrac and Carmen Villani - each donated bricks to help remember all of our lost BRs in the 1976 brick area outside the main arch.
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The parade followed and, of course, it was a big hit - it always is when you get to watch! After the parade Mike Tate lead us into the Old Barracks courtyard for the traditional Old Yell.” Dexter Gilliam and Billy Karnes set the standard by taking the shortest distance to the top of the sentinel box - they climbed it. Curt Reppart and I took the secondary route up the stairs - it was a back-up plan just in case Dexter and Billy did not make it! The last reunion event was held Saturday evening at McKethan Park, where everyone met and continued to rekindle old memories and create new ones. Throughout the weekend, I sold raffle tickets for a framed picture collection of VMI windows and decorative trims that spelled “VMI 76.” The raffle winners were Mike and Laura Dietrick. The raffle proceeds $500.00 - went to support Hunt Ozmer’s 15th Annual Hunter’s Hope Memorial Golf tournament and Auction. In other BR news: Jim Delisio and Greg Speaker were able to contact Steve Allen. Steve owns a small consulting firm in Boston, MA. He stays busy and is always on the road working for his clients. Mark Sculley is busy travelling all over Europe in his new job - the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Luxemburg, Greece and Italy. Dude, pace yourself! Bill Neal is in a training program to become a Boeing 767 Captain. Ray Ramos remains busy in Atlanta GA. Raymond Engineering employs 19 people in two offices with work in too many states. Ray has one left in college - Emily is attending Full Sail University in Orlando studying for a BS degree in Cinematography. Michael lives in Arlington, VA and works for Booz-Allen. Katie, moved from Arlington back to Atlanta where she works for Uncle Julio’s (serves Mexican food; has grown to 14 restaurants located in Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia and Florida; checkout a drink called The Swirl). That’s it for now. Hope to see you sooner than later!
See next page for photo captions.
2012-Issue 1
105
