CLASS NOTES with the stories. Sometimes, we know actions and melanomas, and when I talked to him, he was results rather than the people behind them. Thou- “doing OK for an old man.” Mike and Jan are Tony Curtis sands of Marines have made incredible contribu- still roaming from child’s house to house and are tions still felt today, but their names are remem- hoping their new home is ready soon. (Wonder bered only by those who served with them. Every what the kids say?) Bill Keech sounds positive and strong on the weapon and tactic we use, the training we receive, every duty station to which we receive orders has phone and, according to Marci, is doing OK. Bill Jerry Burnett a Marine behind it. One of those unrecognized said that Gates Richards damaged his elbow names represents not just a Marine, but a fam- and it is healing very slowly. Lou Shuba’s hip replacement is working well ily with four generations, totaling more than 100 years of service. All of them made lasting contri- enough to go hiking, and Pris’s shoulder surgery butions. All of them exceptional Marines; all of is coming along slowly. This is the second shoulI’m very sorry to open this with the news of the them named George Van Orden.” The article is der that Pris has had repaired. worth reading. Floyd Roberts’ (my roommate) cancer is still loss of two brother rats’ wives. Jim Wood’s wife, I enjoyed reading the article focusing on Ed taking its toll, and he is in hospice care. Every day Anne, died of pancreatic cancer June 27, 2014, in Hollowell (in the 2014-Issue 3 Review), “Con- is getting more difficult for Mary Jane to nurse him. Cumming, Georgia. Lewis Graybill’s wife, Dottie, sistently Making it Good for Those Who FolJohn Gangemi’s wife, Irene, is struggling with died Aug. 5, 2014. Dottie had been bravely fighting low.” I could have not expressed my views on severe rheumatoid arthritis, and John is a full-time a brain tumor for over a year. We wish both brother rats the very best of BR love and support. The folsupporting VMI any clearer or concisely than caregiver and cannot leave Irene alone. Bob Reitz is back on his feet after his knee re- lowing BRs were at Dottie’s service at St. John’s Ed did. At the end of Fiscal Year 2014 (June 30, 2014), we ranked third in the ’60’s with 56.16 placement. United Methodist Church in Buena Vista, Virginia: percent class participation and second Jim Vest visited earlier, Columbus in total dollars given. Keep up the Cartwright, Paul Rhodes, Jerry Waggood work, and thank you! ner, George Barnes, Elridge Blanton, I was very pleased to learn that Dick and Marti Thomas, Norm and Nina Grazulis is adjusting to the loss Sharon Halberstadt, and Doug and of Brother Rat Lou (my roommate) Signe Marechal. Two other VMI men and took the time to visit with Floyd were there, too – Mike Hunter ’75 and Roberts (also my roommate). Nina Charlie Cole ’64. Lewis is grateful to planted the family garden as she beall of you who called/carded him! Bill Mizell would have made it, but he had lieved Lou would have, but she said roofers/painters doing major repairs on it just wasn’t the same. I know that his house. However, he reports that July many of our widows are apprehensive 19, the Hampton Roads Chapter of the when it comes to getting together with the brother rats. It is my view that be- Class of 1961: The Ayers family took an eight-day raft- Alumni Association hosted a party at the ing with us can help ease the pain. I ing trip down the Colorado River. Pictured here in Grand Norfolk Tides baseball game at the Harespecially enjoy getting notes from Canyon, Colorado, July 1, 2014, were, from left, grandson bor Park Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia. several widows and only wish that Nick, daughter Margaret (Washington and Lee University They had beer, barbecue, chicken, hotmore widows would communicate ’88), Carolyn Ayers, granddaughter Rachel and Fred Ayers. dogs and all the goodies that went with with us and take advantage of the cathe food. He attended along with Bill maraderie. We have not forgotten those that have Ken Patrick was at Cleveland Clinic for an ad- Cox ’65 and his wife, Jeannie, and Beau Walker gone before us, and we often tell stories of the ditional cancer related operation and returned to ’63. There were about 150 people there. Some of good times we had together. So please, widows, work 10 days later. Ken has been through a lot and the attending alumni that our brother rats may remember were John O’Keefe ’65, John Turner ’66, consider joining us whenever the opportunity his attitude remains very positive. exists. We would love to hear from you and be Charlie Stevens is back in the hospital for a Bill Crone ’64, Jimmy Key ’63 and Bob Heely with you. heart catheterization. When I called him, he was ’69. Bill also mentioned that John O’Keefe ’65 had Col. John Brodie (Hon.) is recovering from his feeling good and wanted to go home and will called and asked about BR Jimmy Johnson (J.D.) major jaw/cancer operation and is home. The op- when his Coumadin level is OK. He had dyked in Jimmy’s room. Tony Curtis called Clayton Smith lost two family members within Jimmy (Don), and he reported he was in shape and eration was a success and now we have to see if John can still blow a horn. As far as I know, Col. weeks of one another – his wife, Rachel, and son, no longer on oxygen. He and his wife, Jean, are Brodie will still be working with the VMI band, Jeff. A memorial service was held in Florida for busy raising their 11-year-old granddaughter, Allie and I sincerely hope he will have another 20 years Rachel, and Jeff Barg was there. Rachel was in- Adkins, which keeps them very busy! Len Collins mentioned in the last notes that he at VMI and continue to have a first-class band. terred in Missoula, Montana, and Jeff in GreenGraham King is doing well with his new knee. ville, South Carolina. There isn’t much we can say was taking his family to Africa. Here is his after action report: “After a long flight, we landed in Graham missed playing golf with us at South- except the brother rats are here for you, Clayton. Until we meet again, stay well and God bless the Cape Town, our home base. We spent three days port, but he plans to be there next year. Walter Stokes underwent heart surgery, and class, VMI, the USA and especially our troops – there visiting Robbin Island and Table Mountain. when I spoke with him, he was doing great. Walt some of whom are our children and grandchildren. The next day, we drove about four hours west to Dick Weede’s son, Richard Weede ’86, returned our game reserve, Godwana Lodge. We had two is walking 4 miles a day and hopes he will be to Afghanistan. We pray he will be safe. Call a game drives each day and saw elephants, hippos, golfing real soon. zebras and assorted lower ends of the food chain, Mike Bissell was back for more surgery on his brother rat. You will enjoy the experience.
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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW