CLASS NOTES Ryan Young, is working for the U.S. Agency for International Development. That’s all I’ve got this time around. Good luck and stay safe to everyone overseas. I look forward to seeing the class at our upcoming reunion!
’08
Robert Hill
Greetings to you all! I trust by now you’ve enjoyed a good summer. First off, congratulations to the former Ms. Amanda Lee Hill and Ryan Corcoran on their marriage last Oct. 22nd. Ryan and Amanda had numerous VMI guests at the wedding, including his best man, Seth Berkowitz, and groomsmen, Nate Brown, Glyn Phillips, Jed Messina and Christian Green. Other alumni included Dr. Charles Bryan ’69, John Andrews ’68, Jim Mawyer ’70, Paul Boulden ’04, Stanley Cheng, Chris DarConte, Pete Levrant, Paul Childrey, Thomas Gottwald ’09, Robbie Saunders ’11 and Matthew Talbott ’11. Both Ryan and his new wife are working in the Rich-
mond area. Shortly after the wedding, Amanda and Ryan visited NC to watch Stan graduate from F-15E WSO school, along with Stan’s mom and Paul Childrey and wife Alyson. This past March, Amanda and Ryan travelled with Seth and Lauren Connor to the wedding of the former Ms. Rachel Tuohy and A.J. Fortier. Also in attendance at the Tuohy-Fortier wedding was Chris DarConte, Teddy Davis and Adam Barr. Congrats to the Fortiers. A special thank you to Ryan for all the pictures! Philip Jones recently graduated from law school and public affairs school at the University of Ohio State. In addition, Phil passed his bar exam in Ohio. Congrats on your accomplishments! Stephen Donaldson checked in from Afghanistan as he’s winding down the deployment. He’s leading a Police Community Advising Team (PCAT) in the Logar Province in RC-E. This is his third year as a platoon leader. Stephen’s platoon has combined with two embedded police mentors and one law enforcement professional to make up the PCAT. Together, they are partnered with 50 members of the Afghan National Police. Stephen noted their courage and toughness on a daily basis. While in Logar, Stephen heard from Alec Gray who is finishing
up a deployment to Iraq in Kuwait. Alec and his wife, Grace, are planning a trip to Europe on his mid-tour leave. Andrew Gay also just arrived at Kabul. Dan Boyd reached out to Stephen, as he’ll be stationed at Fort Bliss for his career course, and the two are hoping to be neighbors in El Paso upon Stephen’s return to the states. When he returns, he’ll be headed to Fort Leonard Wood for his career course in November. Finally, Stephen and his platoon repaired several blast holes around their combat outpost, and he dedicated a hole repair to the Institute. This picture is included in the front portion of this Alumni Review (OEF/OIF section). Thanks for checking in, Stephen! Garrett Smith and his wife, Ashlyn, had their first child, Adalyn Grace, on Oct. 1, 2011. Garrett started leave from the Army out of Fort Eustis, where Jacob Vishneski, Ryan Clark ’09 and Dan Hosey ’09 are stationed. Garrett accepted a job with TAMKO Building Products as a Six Sigma Black Belt in Joplin, MO, and the family moved to Webb City, MO. Ashlyn graduated from nursing school last year and is to begin as an R.N. shortly. Congrats to the Smiths on the new addition to the family and recent accomplishments! Andrew Vezza and wife Lauren welcomed
Class of 2006: At the wedding of Amanda Lee Hill and Ryan Corcoran in October 2011 were best man Seth Berkowitz; groomsmen Nate Brown, Glyn Phillips, Jed Messina and Christian Green; Charles Bryan ’69; John Andrews ’68; Jim Mawyer ’70; Paul Boulden ’04; Stanley Cheng; Chris DarConte; Pete Levrant; Paul Childrey; Thomas Gottwald ’09; Robbie Saunders ’11; and Matthew Talbott ’11. (Not shown in order of appearance.)
156
VMI ALUMNI REVIEW