Class Notes to it. There were 92 attendees College). She was very much in who danced and listened to the love with him and has kept in “Frank Sinatra Band.” touch with his family over the Gordon bemoans (as well he years, although she later married might) the after-effects of the and has a son and daughter. Sevstroke he had a few years ago. eral years ago, she and her chilHe walks – the best exercise we dren went to the village in France nonagenarians ought to do, so where Everett died, and the peosay many medical providers. ple put on a ceremony for them. The more the better, but Gordon Although the King family has says he can walk for “only 300 had his remains returned to Coto 400” yards which – between lumbus, Georgia, the French still rests – seems pretty good for a maintain their grave marker. This 95-year-old man. He also is unlady, who is a widow, still makes der medical watch for macular contributions to VMI in honor of Everett King’s honor.” Class of 1942: Bob Byrd ’63, Tom Williamson ’55, Harry Siebert and degeneration – the dry kind – After so many years in Colora- William Haake ’55 sang the “VMI Spirit” at an open mic event at the and can’t drive at night. Howdo, Jack Patton says Cumming, Wolf Laurel Country Club in Mars Hill, North Carolina, June 17, 2015. ever, lest you readers get wrong impressions, such as that GorGeorgia, is just too hot. He is don is falling apart, he is in great shape for working on moving to Bridgewater RetireJeffrey G. Smith a 95 year oldster. He has a thrice per week, ment Community in Bridgeport, Virginia, two-hour workout, which I doubt any of in the fall. That is about two hours from our brother rats can equal. Each workout Richmond, so maybe we can get together. includes an astounding 150 sit-ups. And I visited Jed Wilson at the Hermitage, his voice is that of a young man. just a mile away, and showed him my new“Just fine!” was the reply when I asked to-me walker. As usual, he was with shirt Greetings to my brother rats and to all and tie; I in my tennis shorts. I have given those non-classmates who choose to read Vince Thomas how he was recently. But up tennis but go to the fitness center every my class notes for various and assorted that, as I have learned over the years, is Vince’s standard response. That transmorning in the tennis attire. He had been to reasons. lates to: “no change of consequence.” his twice-a-week swim. The very good news: To the best of my As I am preparing these notes Aug. 14, knowledge, I have no deaths to report He remains as cheerful as ever in the 2015, I recall that day 70 years ago – VJ since my previous notes were submitted. Heath Care Center where Betty and Day. I, as the pilot of an 11-man-crew B29 We continue to hold at 23 survivors. That Vince have a waterfront apartment in Norfolk. His grandson completed his bomber, “City of Virginia Beach,” of the rates an Old Yell! 39th Bomb Group, Guam, was headed to Sally Hodgkin sent me several of Jim 4th Class year with flying colors and has Japan, along with the rest of the 20th Air Hodgkin’s watercolor sketches. Many started his 3rd Class year with undiminForce from Saipan and Tinian, to bomb readers (especially our brother rats) recall ished enthusiasm for all things at VMI. their islands again – several hundred planes that Jim provided several of them to in- I envy both him and Vince. I am doing all together. clude in class reunion booklets and also my best to interest some grandsons in atThe U.S. had dropped an atomic bomb sent them as Christmas cards. You’ll see tending the big “I.” I believe it was Vince who remarked over Hiroshima and Japan did not give that my notes in this issue of the Alumni to me that he’d heard Dick Catlett was up. The 20th Air Force bombed Japan Review are enhanced by the two Sally still playing golf. Great to hear, and more again, conventional bombs, and Japan did sent me. not give up. A second atomic bomb was I wrote in my last notes that big things power to Dick. His balance must be undropped and they did not surrender. That were in store for Gordon Smith’s 95th usually good. I wish that I had the balis why we were going to bomb them again birthday. The VMI Register of Former ance to golf, but I don’t anymore. Rather, on the 14th. Before we reached their main- Cadets for some very obscure reason has I’m a staunch member of the “carry a land, they announced their surrender. We absolutely no dates of birth! Well, Gor- cane club” simply to insure against the dropped our bombs in the Pacific and don’s was June 10, 1920. Gordon was consequences of an all too conceivable headed back to our bases. The war was determined to make his 95th a genuine tumble. Speaking with Bill Winter is always a over and the worry about the anticipated bash. Accordingly, it required mucho, loss of millions of lives – on both sides – mucho time to prepare – and the bash treat. And I did so Aug. 11, 2015. He enwith an invasion, was gone. wasn’t exactly on his birthday, but close dures the (Austin) Texas heat and takes
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