CLASS NOTES
Class of 1983: From left, Gregg Brinegar; T im Craul; Col. Bob James, former VMI tactical officer and associate professor of military science, as well as a friend of the class of ’83; Col. Anthony J. “Jamie” MacDonald, USA; Mike Devens; Matt Waring; and Lee Wimbish ’84 at MacDonald’s retirement ceremony on June 19, 2013.
Class of 1983: From left, Ivan Marcotte, Col. Hugh Daughtry, Brent McManis ’86 and Bill Cornett on June 1, 2013, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The occasion was Daughtry’s retirement from the North Carolina Air National Guard.
years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve. Retiring as colonel was quite an achievement, and Skip says we all owe him, as we would have all bet against that happening! Skip is making the adjustment quite well, purchasing a new home in Goochland, VA. He reports that Staci did such a good job designing the house the construction company hired her. That’s the way to make up that lost income BR! Daughter Ashton graduated from JMU with her masters in teaching and is a sixth grade math teacher in Henrico County, outside of Richmond. Not only is she teaching one of the three Rs, she also serves as boys soccer coach and sixth grade administrator. Son James ’12 graduated last year and launched his iPhone app, Bluebaggs, as the Swiss Army knife for shopping online. Skip says James would not consider changing what could be a risqué name. James pointed out that you would not forget that name. Smart young man and quite the entrepreneur. Finally, I retired June 1 after 30 years commissioned service, including 23 years in the North Carolina Air National Guard. Attending the ceremony at the Charlotte Air National Guard Base were Bill Cornett, Ivan and Donna Marcotte, and fellow Col. Brent McManis ’86. Brent’s Dyke was Brother Rat Bob McGehee. Brent currently commands the 145th Combat Operations Group of the North Carolina Air Guard. As mentioned earlier, Bill Cornett’s son, William, matriculated at VMI this fall. Robin and I recently ran into Bill’s bride, Stephanie, at a local restaurant and she confided to us her concern that young William had not taken his PT preparation seriously this summer. I assured her that he would soon have all the personal trainers he could ever want and would no doubt be in perfect shape in no time after August 17. Jim Johnston checked in with a great lost class
Class of 1983: From left, Col. Jamie Inman ’86, USA (Ret); Steven Ross; Scott Belliveau; Col. Lionel Urquhart, USMCR (Ret); Col. Steve Amato, USAF (Ret); and John Urquhart ’86 celebrating Urquhart’s retirement at Moody Hall on Aug. 11, 2013.
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ring story. Jim lost his ring in Florida last year, but it seems it was found by someone doing construction at the hotel they had stayed in. The gentleman and his wife were able to track Jim down using Facebook and posted the following on Jim’s page, “I found a ring from the Virginia Military Institute while doing a tear down at the Hilton in Fort Lauderdale. Through a little detective work, we were able to reunite the ring with its owner, a former captain in the Marine Corps living in Virginia Beach. We put it in the mail today. Jim Johnston, you should have it tomorrow afternoon just in time for your 30th Reunion. To that I say OOH RAH!” If only Jim had come to the reunion! Joe Leonard sent in some exciting career news and a great picture. He is chief of the Planning Department/deputy incident commander for the Coast Guard’s brand new Incident Management Assistance Team, and BR Carl Gibeault is the Situation Unit leader. This is the Coast Guard’s primary deployable command and control team, and they assist in managing and controlling all threats, hazardous incidents and events. The team is commanded by Capt. Anthony Lloyd, USCGA ’88 (son, Steven, is a VMI second classman) and also includes Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Thorkilson, MBC/VWIL ’01. Check out the photo, as Joe is sporting the classic “choker whites.” As Marc Guevremont pointed out, it is amazing what they are doing with polyester these days. Teddy Gottwald has exciting news on the Lexington lodging front. He and Ann Parker bought the McCampbell Inn and Alexander-Withrow House on Main Street in Lexington. They are renovating the buildings and will reopen sometime in the first half of 2014 with 18 guest rooms and at least one good watering hole. The inns will be renamed to tie in both VMI and W&L communities. Teddy wants to serve a drink called the Block Runner. It will be the closest beer within the bartender’s reach and guaranteed to arrive in your hand in 30 seconds, no questions asked. Teddy hopes BRs passing through town will stay at the new inn, as it will be close to all the action with minimal distance to walk. Take note, Wilmer Jones! Mark Benvenuto has published his first fiction novel, Mars Greening. It is hot off the presses and available through Amazon. Mark continues as a professor of chemistry at the University of Detroit Mercy and lives in Royal Oak, MI, with his wife, Marye, and sons, David and Christian. (Editor’s Note: See the book announcement at the end of the Alumni News section in this Review.) Keith Sawyer is back in Afghanistan working for Fluor after making the scene at the reunion. He was celebrating his birthday July 12 at FOB Kunduz and met Capt. Wilson Mustian ’01. No doubt great stories were told and Keith sent in a great picture. (Editor’s Note: See the “In Theater” page near the front of this Review for the photo.)
VMI ALUMNI REVIEW