CLASS NOTES spoke with Curran Bowen several times on the phone as we coordinated participation for Terry McMillian’s funeral. Chris Starling and I have been able to have coffee in the Pentagon a few times in the past several months, and Hugh McGloin is always a joy to drag out of his cubby hole on the fifth floor of the Pentagon for some sunlight. In the ongoing “where in the world is Tav” saga, Cloyd Tavenner wrote to say he is back from China and in Phoenix, Arizona. Greg Connor is serving in Hawaii at Pacific From left, Jim Florio, John Keppler and Lew Command. Brian Hatheway emailed Sigmon. recently to share some memories of Brian Keith and sent in a photo. Several other BRs checked in to offer support for the McMillian and Keith families, including Tom Knox, Dave Williams and Tom Reimann. In the last several months, I have had brief email exchanges with Trace West, Calvin Williams, Mike Wood, Bobby Harris, Eric Diehl, Shawn Dooley, John Wanat and Jason Dudjak. Jason returned to Germany from Afghanistan in March. We are glad that he returned safely. Andrei Urtiew is doing Class Agent Sam Tate said of this photo, well in in Chicago, Illinois, living with “Mike McGraw in a rare, serious moment.” his wife, his dog and a recently born son. “Life can’t get any better than that!” Brian Lewis recently retired from the Pennsylvania State Police in February after 25 years of service. He is living in Mount Union, Pennsylvania, and really enjoys keeping up with his BRs on Facebook. Mike Vitulano stepped down after 13 seasons of being the assistant wrestling coach at Secaucus High School in New Jersey. Mike wrote: “I left on a good note, as From left, Adam Volant and Joe Swider entwo of my wrestlers placed in the state joyed the moment with the guest of honor, championships at the Atlantic City Bill Cronenburg. Boardwalk Convention Hall in March. I decided that coaching varsity sports in three consecutive seasons year in and year out with members of the CNFJ staff. I had the pleasure during the past few months to is tough, and I wish to spend more time with my touch base with the following BRs on the phone, family. One day, I hope my 3-year-old son, Mikey, via email or in person: Al Cuellar retired from the will take up wrestling. Maybe then I can coach him Navy in June. Al was able get several BRs together in the future.” I checked up with Chris Goerner as in Coronado, California, for what we hope is a he was sitting down to help his son with seventh periodic event. He sent a special thanks to Mike grade math. By the time you read this, he will be in Owen and Garith Palme for making time to have the eighth grade. Let’s hope Chris’ math skills are lunch in March. “Holly and I enjoyed catching up improving, as well. Two events in the Virginia area continue to keep with Mike and Garith ... and as always, VMI stories were at the forefront of the conversation. Garith going strong. For those BRs in Richmond, Virginwas down from Sacramento, California, and Mike ia, Bob Clark, Frank de Venoge, Sean Cantrell, drove across from Tucson, Arizona, and spent time Tom Munno, Mack Carr and Rob Campbell with Wayne Sinclair and Chris Goff.” Hopefully, meet monthly on the second Wednesday of the the San Diego contingent can grow this event. I month at 6:30 a.m. at Aunt Sarah’s on 4205 West Class of 1988: May 2014 lunch in northern Virginia.
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Broad Street. In the northern Virginia area, John Keppler has kept the drumbeat by coordinating a group get-together once a month that is usually at the Globe and Laurel Restaurant outside of Quantico. The last group in early May included the following usual suspects: Mike McGraw, Sam Tate, Jim Florio, Tom Kennedy, Lew Sigmon, Joe Swider and Kirk Dewyea. The guest of honor was Bill Cronenburg who was home from Estonia for a few weeks and was able to join in a great visit with his BRs. Finally, join me in offering our condolences to the families of Terrence McMillian and Brian Keith, who passed away in February and April, respectively. Thanks also to our BRs who stepped up on behalf of VMI ’88. Lance Pickering coordinated the contingent for Terry’s funeral in Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of James Wright, Andy Andres and Tom Knox. Mike Anderson was able to make an additional memorial service in Fayetteville, North Carolina. I spoke to several members of Terry’s family after the funeral, and they all extended their sincere appreciation to the whole class for our support. Brother Rats, I hope you enjoy reading these notes as much as I did compiling them. It was a joy to reach out and hear back from each one of you. As always, you can reach me at the following: VMI 88 Facebook page (join 222 BRs) 571-659-0904 (home) 703-772-0854 (cell) samtate88va@gmail.com
’89
Nathaniel L. Cross
2028 Babbling Brooke Lane Mechanicsville,VA 23111 804/779-2929 natcross89vmi@aol.com
“Any station this net, any station this net? Radio check over.” It’s been quiet out there. What are you up to? I can tell you that your reunion planners are hard at work. I would like to take this time to thank David Royer, Gary Bissell, Quinn Donovan, Wuzzer Rader, Tom “Buzzard” Spivey and Mitch Fridley. They have been working for the past several months to ensure that we have a great time. Make sure you have turned in your registration information. Call someone, and make sure they have done the same. Practice your stories on the kids, and I’ll see you in a month! Nat out.
’90
Robert Clark
3220 Xanthus Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55447 612/802-7484 robclark18@gmail.com
Greetings, BRs, Family and Friends of 1990! As I write this edition of the notes, my Facebook and email accounts are full of pictures of
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