CLASS NOTES
Class of 1974: Bill Robson ’75, left, and Al Vicory at The Villages VMI Golf Cart Rally.
Class of 1974: Gary Trinkle and his reunion favors.
Roy’s passing. After closing down Moody Hall, the class reassembled in the hospitality suite for another round of late night libations. Saturday morning, Chip Beaman and Charlie Gardner lead the class memorial service honoring our deceased brother rats: Chris Lowery, Tom Clise, Doc Fedderman, Joe Verdi, Billie Clore, Ken Dennett, Dave Strock, Roy Heiderman, Stan Poston, Steve LaHowchic, Wayne Worman, Bob Trost and Bob Moore. Sister Rats Susan Dennett and Anita “Magic” Moore were able to attend. The following BRs answered, in order, “Present in Spirit” when Chip called the roll: Ron Stelmascik, Jim Sarver, Donnie Ross, Russ Harlow, Steve Weaver, Ron Stelmascik, John Valenstein, Glenn Greene, Jim Garten, Al Aksomitas, Jim Huddle, John White and Hall Brodie. The following BRs provided memorials for the BRs that had passed since our last memorial service in 2004: Lane Toomey for Ken Dennett; Cliff Biram for Dave Strock; Clint Anderson for Roy Heiderman; Pat Flynn for Stan Poston; Charley Banning for Steve LaHowchic; Chuck Ward for Wayne Worman; Charlie Toler for Bob Trost; and Gus Elliott for Bob Moore. Charlie Gardner recognized Glenn Greene for his leadership in support of Roy Heiderman’s family. John Crawley provided a closing prayer. Donnie Ross led the class in a modified version of the “Doxology.” The service ended with a cadet bugler playing “Taps.” After a short break, Chip introduced Col. Tom Trumps ’79, commandant. Trumps leaves after seven years on the job during a period of what some might say was radical change. His talk was passionate and to the point, and his observations were candid, constructive, insightful and informative. We adjourned for the class photo, parade
Class of 1974: Tom Mascot, Joe McCroskrie, Mick Ernzen and Mike Mahoney won the reunion golf tournament for the second time in a row. Class Agent Snookie Parker titled this photo “The Golf Geezers Repeat.”
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Class of 1974: Tommie Toler’s toes. and march into barracks for an Old Yell. As we assembled for our photo, I have to admit that our number, our hats and our ladies’ scarves were the envy of the other classes and their spouses. It is noted that Charlie Gardner was the only one out of the five reunion classes that climbed the sentinel box for the Old Yell! Frank Richardson, with the help of Sammy Ratcliffe, put together an impromptu career session for interested cadets. Frank was joined by Chip Beaman and Steve Hearne for the session. Saturday afternoon, Lynn Seldon ’83, author of “Virginia’s Ring,” a novel about VMI, was in the hospitality suite signing books. Speaking of authors, we have several in our class: Roland Lazenby (60-plus with his latest on Michael Jordan and Coach McKenna), Harold Coyle (25 books, best-seller “Team Yankee”), Lane Toomey, Bob Johnson, Rich Forbes (3) and Grace Greene (5 books) – wife of BR Glenn Greene (and sister of BR Gene Rice). There might be others in our class who have published books of which I am not aware! I digress … Saturday evening was spent at McKethan Park with some of the best BBQ east of the Mississippi provided by Mike Puffenbarger of Southernmost Maple, a family owned and run operation. After the feast, it was back to the hospitality suite again for late night libations. Joe McCoskrie and John Savage were finalists for the last man standing honors in the hospitality suite Saturday night (just past midnight). We adjourned for the weekend after Sunday brunch. Several folks contributed to the success of the reunion. I have mentioned several already. Other contributors not yet mentioned: Ladies – Sue Jones, Kerri Wilson, Sue Flynn, Barbara Ross and Cathy Carlock; BRs – Bruce Jones, Mick Ernzen, Weldon Neal, Tommy Anderson and Donnie Ross. Ronnie Vigneault provided videos of the reunion! Suzanne Pate, Sue Jones, Joe McCoskrie, Carol Weaver and others contributed photos … posted on the 40th Reunion photo album on our VMI Class of 1974 Facebook page and on a Snapfish site. Bottom line: A grand time was had by all … can’t wait until the next reunion! Some other news – a proud parent moment for Gary and Lee Ann Lape (Dallas, Texas). Son Zac is a rising senior/company commander/electrical engineering major committed to the Army
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