Class Notes usual, we talked about Steve Powers, Robby Patterson, Meade Spotts, Jeb Burton, Willy Hamlin, Bill Albro and many others. Believe me, guys, we weren’t very kind with our comments! All in all, a really good time!” Doug Doerr writes in with a most interesting story! “On Veteran’s Day, one of my former scouts set me up to fly in a P-51D Mustang. It was a flight out of Manassas Airport and was the most exciting and thrilling fun I have had in memory. We did loops, aileron rolls, wingovers, etc. and a midfield break when we returned. I can say that I have flown in a B-17G and a P-51D. Next will have to be an F-4U or a P-47!” Doug adds, “We were fortunate to attend the wedding of Alex and Megan Smith, son of Parke and Debbie Smith. Alex and Megan were married in Omaha, Nebraska, Dec. 30, 2016. It was a wonderful event to share in the joy of Smith family and catch up with Parke and Debbie, as they were out of the country for a few years. Their children, Alex and Morgan, have been a part of our lives at many times through their lives, and we think of them as our nephew and niece. We are a close room, room 139!” Recently one morning, I was passing through one of the gates at Naval Station Norfolk when the Navy petty officer manning my lane asked what year I went to VMI (those VMI MSO 79 license plates at work). I told him I was Class of ’79, and he said I might know his father, Moe “Milkshake” Belanger? In fact, I did; Moe was one of my rat roommates (and a fellow soccer team member) who had to leave following our rat year after getting his girlfriend in “the family way.” So I pulled over and we had a magnificent talk. Turns out Moe married said girlfriend, Sandy, and our petty officer gate guard (Ben) was in fact said child that led to Moe’s departure! Talk about small world! Made my day. Called Moe and had a great chat. Anyone got any similar stories, please share! Mark your calendars. Our 40th Reunion is a mere two years away. It will be a spring reunion; probably in April. Renee and I started working on it during the ride home from the 35th Reunion. Kid you not. Over the next year, we will be floating ideas to the class to try and nail down exactly what we would like to do a year from now. What we can commit to is driven by the VMIAA and when they finalize the spring reunion schedule for that year. More, much more, to follow. Stay well. –M
102
1980
John Gibney Jr.
Hello, Brother Rats, These notes cover the period Nov. 1, 2016, through Feb. 15, 2017. The period began with an email from John Stallings. John and Elisabeth relocated from the New York area to Greensboro, North Carolina, where John is on the faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership. Their son and two daughters still reside in New York City, so they return to visit. They attended the football game against The Citadel in Lexington in November. Elliott Wolffe also attended the game. The football game versus The Citadel coincided with the Institute Society Dinner. Our BRs in attendance included Ken Baybutt, Hugh Fain, Pat Griffin, Frank Hilton, Jack Keane, Gene Scott and Wade Stinnette. Hugh is president of the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees. Pat Griffin called and said that his son, John, was accepted and will enter VMI in the summer. Pat also said that he saw Robby Jones while he was in Lexington for the Institute Society Dinner. Dan Conn is retired from the Marine Corps. He often sends messages in an effort to fill open positions or to assist people looking for employment.
His message Nov. 10 included recognition of the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. I spoke with Jay Melvin on his birthday. Jay and Trudy are doing very well with their businesses in Lexington. Their son, Jason, and his wife, Kelly, returned to Lexington from Denver. They are expecting their first child. Jason has joined the family business. Walt Wood sent an email containing “Story No. 1.” Walt has written a series of stories and is redoing them for posterity. Anyone wishing a copy can send me an email message. I will be happy to forward those stories that have been redone. I spoke with Steve Andrews on his birthday. Steve and I were roommates for all four years of our cadetship. Steve, Cathy and their daughters, Virginia and Caroline, were spending Thanksgiving in Richmond. Virginia lives in Arkansas, where she works for Teach for America. Caroline attends Clemson University. Dave Hageman sent a message noting that his wife, Diana, received her Ph.D. Dave’s youngest son, Caleb, graduated from high school. His oldest son, William, had his second child. I spoke with Andy Ludlum on his birthday. Andy still flies for Southwest, and he and Nicki spend as much time as possible with their five grandchildren. They recently saw Pat and Roni McCarthy. They also attended the football game versus Furman University. Andy said that he has not heard from Tuck Masker, but he believes Tuck has or is planning to relocate to Austin, Texas. Gary and Karen Levenson brought their
Class of 1980: Jack Keane, Ken Baybutt, Pat Griffin, Wade Stinnette, Gene Scott and Frank Hilton at the Institute Society Dinner in November 2016. VMI Alumni Review