CLASS NOTES Editor’s Note: An article about John Hilliard ’60 appeared in the 2013-Issue 2 Alumni Review. A caption in one of the photos incorrectly identified Gen. Bolden Jr., who is not a VMI alumnus, as a NASA administrator. In fact, Gen. Bolden is commander of the 45th Space Wing. Our apologies to Gen. Bolden and Mr. Hilliard for this error.
In attendance were Ed and Lee Adams ’59, Tom’s host, Bill and Danya Redd, and Barbara Phlegar. As mentioned in previous class notes, the Annual Charlotte Folk Society Music Jam was held again this year at the Phlegar farm. The 25th anniversary edition of the Phlegar farm gathering wrapped up early Sunday after three days of music, dancing, barbecue and rain. Tom and Barbara Phlegar said it was the last gathering, and Sue and I along with George and Edna Sal Vitale Jr. Henning, Barry and Elizabeth Orndorff and Tom’s brother, Dan Phlegar ’66, were there to listen to some great bluegrass and old-time musicians. The weekend attracted several hundred people, and the event was featured on the cover for The Roanoke Times. It is hard to believe that the summer is Phlegar took his turn on the dance floor as almost over and soon after you read these the band played an old-time fiddle medley of notes Thanksgiving will be upon you. Where “Ragtime Annie” and “Liberty,” tunes that does the time go? have been played in the Virginia hills since Since the last Review, Sue and I have had the days before Thomas Edison invented an opportunity to be with many of you. the recording machine. Will there be a 26th Again, we invited ourselves to the Richmond Annual Music Jam? Tom says no but who Brother Rat party at the Youngbloods’ knows. Sue and I stayed the weekend with house. It rained that day, so the activities the Hennings and our visit concluded with were brought inside and we had a wondersupper at the Hennings with the Orndorffs. ful time. Attending the party were: Wyatt The Hennings had just returned from Naiand Monica Durrette, Dennis and Gerry robi, Kenya, and we enjoyed the animal Curtis, Dick and Judy Youngblood, Sue and pictures and stories about the safari living Sal Vitale, Dick and Betty Jarvis, Bill and and, of course, the grandchildren. Their son, Norma Phillips, Bill and Joyce Gibbings, Edward Henning ’94, is a consulRhett and Jan Clarkson, Booty tant to the American Embassy in Farleigh, Oscar and Caroline Kenya and his living conditions Mabry, Ann Woodfin, and John were? Ask Edna! Woodfin Jr. ’91. Dennis Curtis I attended the “VMI Tidewater created a 1961 VMI class flag and Old Timers” luncheon and we had on it were signatures of the Richa good showing of BRs. Attendmond breakfast club members. I ing were Kenny Legum, Charlie was asked to carry the flag to all Fuller, Charlie Stevens, Robert Brother Rat functions and secure Williamson, Bill Gibbings, Sal all the 1961 BR signatures I could, Vitale and Larry Wetsel. Everyand I agreed to do so. Now I just one behaved! My Rat roomy, Joe have to remember to take the flag Lisiecki, has been active with the with me! Ann Woodfin looked great, Booty Farleigh is coping Class of 1961: Attending the annual Brother Rat get- VMI Chicago Alumni Chapter together in Richmond on May 18, 2013, at the home and says they used to be a great with his loss and Oscar and Rhett of Dick and Judy Youngblood were, seated from left, are still the same! The Young- Caroline Mabry, Sue Vitale, Ann Woodfin, Judy Young- bunch of guys. Well, a graduate bloods underwent an aggressive blood, Betty Jarvis, Norma Phillips, Monica Durrette, from 2013 has joined, and she is home improvement project, and and Jerry Curtis. Standing, from left, were Joyce Gib- the first female in their chapter and now he says what a great bunch of Judy reports that “it is done and bings and Jan Clarkson. people (Smile). Dick Stone said it will be nice to get back into our that the first Wilmington Chapter bathroom with all new fixtures – it was gutted to the studs in the walls and a first class performer and at the Greenville, event was a huge success. They also have a granite was installed in the dressing room NC, Rotary Club’s annual formal banquet very impressive group of alumni and current built-in cabinets, and I couldn’t be more he did his “Hem & Haw” act to a rousing cadets. The Rat Send-off party at the Cape pleased with the way it turned out.” Any of audience who liked his comedy and music. Fear Club in downtown Wilmington was
’61
62
us who have done renovations while living in the space have lots of empathy for them. Next on the agenda was Arlington Cemetery for the interment of George Van Orden. The Marines gave George full Military Honors with a band, troops and Marines at attention at each turn in the road leading to the site and the gravesite ceremony. The rain held off until the end of the ceremony. Attending were Dick and Judy Youngblood, Russ Stone, Dick Jarvis, Sal and Sue Vitale, Charlie Fuller, Ed Fox, Bill Fout, Dave and Charlotte Harbach, Ray Hanlein, Spike Callander, John Tharrington, Holmes Smith, Booty Farleigh, Raine Gilbert, Carl and Becky Hirsch and many retired Marines and family. At the end of the ceremony, we had an “Old Yell” loud enough for Pete Kleinberg and other Brother Rats interred there to hear. Sue and I were off to Gettysburg for the Annual Shuba Pig Roast. The weather was outstanding, the pig cooked to perfection and the people, as always, were enjoyable. Attending were Bill and Sandra Fout, Ken Ayala, Larry and Jerry Wetsel, Stu and Sylvia Woodcock, Harry Shepherd ’58, Ken and Wanda Scott ’60, Jim McFalls ’59, Kenny Legum, Sue and Sal Vitale, hosts Lou and Pris Shuba, and many relatives and friends including my grandson, Mark Muckelbauer Jr., a VMI hopeful. Tom Phlegar is
VMI ALUMNI REVIEW