2020-4 VMI Alumni Review

VMI

2020 - Issue 4

Alumni Review

2020: What a Year Unprecedented and challenging.

At VMI, cadets strive to become educated and honorable leaders, ready to serve the Commonwealth and the nation; a worthy mission in the 21st century.

If VMI taught you to deal with unprecedented and challenging times, if you want others to benefit from the same opportunity, if you believe our nation needs leaders of character, then join us by making a difference – share your wisdom, share your time, and share your resources.

Thank you. vmialumni.org/MakeADifference

Gerald J. Acuff Jr. ’71 President, VMI Keydet Club Chairman of the Board, VMI Alumni Agencies

Stephen E. Hupp ’84 President, VMI Foundation

Samuel N. Stocks ’90 President, VMI Alumni Association

Contents

Virginia Military Institute Alumni Review 2020-Issue 4

In This Issue . . .

This issue includes class notes and news items covering the time period of May 15, 2020, to Aug. 15, 2020.

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Our Alumni Serving Furness ’87 Changes Command Pegg ’92 Assumes Command

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In Memory 9

Col. D. Rae Carpenter Jr.

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Features 10 Earnest ’938: Battle of Midway 12 Caplice ’84: VMI, MIT and Logistics 14 Jordan ’93: Visionary-in-Chief 15 Breeding ’02: “There’s a Lot of Work to Do” .............................................................................

News and Updates

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PUBLISHER VMI Alumni Agencies Chief Executive Officer: Steve Maconi Chief Communications Officer: Amy Goetz Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Whitman Associate Editor: Molly Rolon

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Volume 97, No. 2

2 17 22 31 34 38 143 145 150 152

Message from the Alumni Agencies Chief Executive Officer On Post Athletics Events Progress Class Notes Provisional Appointments Taps After Taps Alumni News

ALUMNI REVIEW ONLINE www.vmialumni.org/alumnireview

PUBLISHING OFFICE The VMI Alumni Agencies Alumni Review Office VMI Moody Hall, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450; 540/464-7224 review@vmiaa.org

PRINTER Progress Printing Co., Inc. Lynchburg, Virginia

The VMI Alumni Review (USPS 954-740) is published four times yearly in fall, winter, spring and summer by The VMI Alumni Agencies, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450. It is sent to alumni and friends of the Institute without subscription.

ATTENTION POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to: VMI Alumni Review, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 Periodicals postage paid at Lynchburg, VA. VMI ALUMNI AGENCIES TELEPHONE NUMBERS The VMI Alumni Association: The VMI Foundation:

The VMI Keydet Club:

540/464-7221 540/464-7287 540/464-7328

WEBSITE ADDRESSES Alumni Agencies: www.vmialumni.org VMI: www.vmi.edu Outside Cover: Matriculation Week culminated with Rat Crucible, which includes training on the North Post obstacles, running on the Woods Creek Trail and swimming to Jordan’s Point. The event concluded with a march up Letcher Avenue and the rats’ first Old Yell. Photo by Molly Rolon, VMI Alumni Agencies.

Inside Front Cover: Rats meet their cadre in Cocke Hall Aug. 24, 2020. Photo by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.

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Message from the VMI Alumni Agencies CEO

By Stephen Maconi

This year has certainly brought uncertainty to almost every aspect of daily life. Yet amidst that uncertainty, with your support, VMI remains certain. In times of peace and prosperity and in times of conflict and challenge, our alumni have stepped forward and offered steady, honorable and purposeful leadership. They make a difference where they work, where they live, and in the lives of others. And, by producing such leaders, VMI makes a difference for our country.

The tradition continues in the face of uncommon circumstances. In August, VMI did something extraordinary in American higher education: It welcomed 522 new cadets – and it welcomed them back to post. The fact this was the largest incoming class in VMI history is impressive in the best of times, much less in these challenging times. Then, two weeks later, VMI did another extraordinary thing: It brought back the rest of the Corps. That, I’m sure you’ll agree, constitutes an especially powerful expression of support, confidence and critical need for the VMI experience.

This is even more impressive when you realize that many other schools have experienced substantial declines in enrollment or chose to rely exclusively on electronic learning for the entire fall semester. In contrast, the postponement of many of the usual fall activities and events and the obvious precautionary measures notwithstanding, daily life on post has looked and felt downright normal since August. Cadets have been learning on post with most classes involving some form of face-to-face instruction. They also have been living in barracks, using the library, eating in Crozet Hall, drilling, exercising and marching in parades all within the parameters of social distancing practices. And, make no mistake, the Rat Line has been the Rat Line.

Maconi

As you probably know, in mid-October, the superintendent decided to send cadets home the weekend before Thanksgiving. They will finish the semester online, to include taking their final exams. Commissioning and graduation ceremonies will take place on post in December (the latter open to the Class of 2020), and the Corps will return in mid-January. This decision was made thoughtfully and carefully, with the safety of the cadets, faculty and staff, and the communities to which our cadets will return as the paramount concern.

This decision in no way diminishes the extraordinary efforts of VMI’s leaders, faculty and staff who devotedly applied their knowledge, experience, and creativity to the task of reopening the Institute with safety at the forefront of every decision and operating it as normally as possible.

Nor does it change the fact that, throughout this challenging time, the VMI spirit has been strong. Thanks in no small part to the VMI Alumni Association chapter leaders and our class agents who have devotedly maintained close “family ties” and provided necessary information, the VMI family has offered unwavering support during a perilous time for charitable giving across the nation.

They provided critically needed material support to VMI, strengthening every aspect of its distinctive and effective education and preparing it for the current academic year. If you asked these members of the VMI family why they did so, I’m sure they would tell you that it was – and is – because VMI matters to our country.

A U.S. Naval Academy alumnus I know recently told me that he loves VMI because every alumnus he knows has been a bit bigger-than-life with a “Follow me!” approach to leadership and life that inspired others. In fact, he said, he has never met a VMI alumnus he hasn’t liked and admired. I am sure that people who encounter our alumni at their jobs or in their communities would say much the same. Our nation is hungry for leaders of character.

As we approach Founders Day, it is important that the VMI family focuses on ensuring the stability and security of this great national asset over the long term – and to show our cadets that we are behind them as they take on VMI’s challenges in an already challenging world. Now is the time for alumni, parents and friends to show up in record numbers as volunteers, advocates and, yes, philanthropists. More than ever, VMI needs your support.

Let’s show our outstanding cadets that we believe in the lives that will be changed on post, we believe in the incredible opportunities that will be provided to them, and that we believe in their futures. Our communities and our nation depend on them.

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Our Alumni Serving Recognizing Those Who Serve Others in Their Communities, Country and the World Are you or someone you know serving the community, country or the world? Send in a photo and a description of what you’re doing, where and for whom. See instructions below.

The VMI Alumni Agencies would like to pay tribute to our citizen-soliders, who are, as Col. J.T.L. Preston said and as printed on the parapet, “an honor to our country and our state, objects of honest pride to their instructors ... and ready in every time of deepest peril ... .”

Those alumni whose photos and articles appear in this section of the Review could be members of the armed forces serving anywhere in the world, or they could be members of police and fire departments, legislators, doctors offering their services to those less fortunate or alumni volunteering at food pantries.

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If you or someone you know is serving others, please submit a high resolution photo (3 or 4 megapixels, minimum) taken at the location you are serving or with the people whom you serve.

Along with the photo, please submit a caption that explains what your service is, where you perform it and for whom. Send these to the VMI Alumni Review staff at review@vmiaa.org or by mail to VMI Alumni Review, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450, Attention: Associate Editor. We will review your submission and consider it for publication.

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Furness ’87 Changes Command of 2nd Marine Division By 2nd Marine Division Communications Strategy and Operations

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David J. Furness ’87 relinquished command of the 2nd Marine Division to Maj. Gen. Francis L. Donovan at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 6, 2020. U.S. Marine Corps photos by Patrick King.

The 2nd Marine Division conducted a change of command ceremony outside of the 2nd MARDIV headquarters at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 6, 2020. Maj. Gen. David J. Furness ’87, following two years as commander of the 16,000-strong 2nd MARDIV, relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Francis L. Donovan.

“I am truly privileged to have had the opportunity to have commanded this great division; it has been the pinnacle of my career,” said Furness. “I was fortunate enough to have stepped into an exceptionally well-run organization back then, so any refinements were really on the margins. Nonetheless, we worked exceptionally hard on issues like leadership development, war-fighting readiness and modernization. As I relinquish command to General Donovan, my hope is that he will find an organization that is all the more fit and focused for it.

General Donovan has my full confidence as he prepares to lead the Marines and sailors of this exemplary organization. The Follow-Me division is in great hands.”

Donovan previously served as commanding general of Naval Amphibious

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Force, Task Force-51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and, most recently, Donovan served as an assistant commanding general for Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

“I am honored to take command of this storied division,” Donovan said. “There is no greater privilege than serving Marines and sailors of any organization, and I could not be more humbled than to be able to do that here at 2nd Marine Division. I am looking forward to this awesome responsibility, to the challenges that lie ahead and to what the future has in store for this outstanding division.”

The 2nd MARDIV is a multi-role expeditionary ground combat force. The division is employed as the ground combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force. It may also provide task-organized forces for assault operations, and such other operations as may be directed. The 2nd MARDIV’s past operations include: The Global War on Terrorism; Operation Desert Storm; peacekeeping operations in Beirut, Lebanon; Operation Just Cause in Panama; and World War II’s Pacific front.

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Furness salutes during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony. A distinguished graduate of VMI, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the Institute, served as the cadet first captain and was awarded the Cincinnati Medal.

Pegg ’92 Assumes Command of 329th Regional Support Group

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing

Each August, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Todd Pegg ’92 goes from busy to busier. As VMI’s deputy commandant for operations, he is responsible for creating the elaborate matrixes of schedules that govern rat and cadre activities during Matriculation Week – a task made much harder this year by COVID-19 and the need for social distancing.

And this year, Pegg added a new level of responsibility to his already full plate when he assumed duties as commander of the Virginia Army National Guard’s 329th Regional Support Group, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In that role, he’ll be responsible for more than 1,900 ARNG soldiers across the state.

“It’s the unit that really deploys the most in the Virginia Guard, and is very, very active,” said Pegg, who entered the ARNG as a cadet through the Simultaneous Membership Program, which allows cadets to both participate in Army ROTC and drill with the ARNG on weekends.

In 1992 he won the Jackson-Hope Medal, which is awarded each year to cadets who graduate at the top of their class. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, Pegg commissioned into the Virginia ARNG. “That way I could pursue my civilian engineering career and still be in the military,” explained Pegg.

Over the course of his 28-year career with the ARNG, Pegg has deployed four times, three of them to combat zones. He’s served in

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Brig. Gen. Weedon Gallagher ’90, Lt. Col. Todd Pegg ’92 and Brig. Gen. Jim Ring ’88 at Pegg’s assumption of command ceremony Aug. 19, 2020. All three serve in the Virginia Army National Guard.

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Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait – and the fourth time, Pegg’s unit was headed to Iraq when they got word to report to Fort Lee, near Richmond, instead.

Pegg doesn’t know how long he’ll be commander, but he said assignments typically last about two years.

“It’ll be my last assignment,” he noted, adding that his mandatory retirement from the ARNG will come in November 2022.

In a change of command ceremony held Aug. 19, Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher ’90, land component commander of the Virginia ARNG, praised Pegg’s leadership, saying, “You all know the kind of leader you’re getting, the kind of strategic thinker you’re getting ... [Pegg] doesn’t shy away from challenging and complex duty assignments. He tends to go after them.”

For his part, Pegg said he’s looking forward to “really being at a level where I can work on building and influencing a team with impacts that go farther beyond just the time I’m there. There’s good training and working with leaders and soldiers who figure

things out and develop skills and learn lessons – and that lasts longer than a command tour does.”

There’s good synergy, he added, between his job in the commandant’s office at VMI and his service in the ARNG. “The things I do in uniform for the Guard partner really well with the things I do in uniform on the commandant’s staff, so I not only have really good employer support of my service, but VMI also benefits from those experiences, skills, training and other things like that,” said Pegg.

Being commander, of course, means a daily level of responsibility – typically, there’s a few hours of computer time each evening in addition to trips to Virginia Beach, which take place at least once a month. Pegg, though, is more than willing to put in the hours, knowing that a commander’s time of service is typically short.

“When things go well and you’re surrounded by the right people, you have an influence that long outlasts that,” he said.

Pegg, left, took command of the Virginia Army National Guard’s 329th Regional Support Group, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Aug. 19, 2020. Photos courtesy of Virginia Army National Guard.

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Tran ’93 Serves, Protects at Kabul Embassy

Vic Tran ’93 is part of the U.S. Department of State Kabul Embassy Security Force at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He reported to the assignment in March 2019.

Tran’s father, Army of the Republic of Vietnam Capt. Quan Tran, also served at the U.S. Embassy – but in Saigon. The elder Tran worked there until the embassy’s fall in 1975 and was awarded a Silver Star from Gen. William Westmoreland.

Price ’94, Czaplicki ’08 and Partin ’14 Provide Coronavirus Support

Capt. John Partin ’14, Col. Jason Price ’94 and Maj. Andrew Czaplicki ’08 supported the Virginia National Guard’s COVID-19 testing strike teams. The National Guard teams boosted critical COVID-19 testing around the state, particularly at vulnerable long-term care facilities. Photo courtesy Czaplicki.

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Flathers ’08 Serves in Southern Afghanistan

Chief Warrant Officer 2 George “Will” Flathers ’08 deployed with the Washington Army National Guard in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Southern Afghanistan. He is a CH-47F Chinook pilot.

Knehr ’11 Supports Army ROTC Operation Agile Leader

U.S. Army Capt. Dylan Knehr ’11 evaluated ROTC cadets’ leadership performance at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, in summer 2020. During his work, which supported Operation Agile Leader, he was recognized with a coin from U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command leadership. Knehr is assigned to VMI’s Army ROTC as an assistant professor of military science.

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In Memory: D. Rae Carpenter Jr.

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

Col. D. Rae Carpenter Jr., Ph.D., who taught in the VMI Department and Auburn University in 1985 and 1986, respectively. He also taught of Physics for 40 years, died May 26, 2020. He was 92. at the Virginia Governor’s School for the Gifted for five summers.

Carpenter practically grew up on the campus of Roanoke College At VMI, Carpenter would become a full professor and serve as the where his father, D. Rae Carpenter Sr., was an alumnus, a faculty memhead of the VMI physics department from 1969-74 and again for a ber and, later, the college’s registrar. He began at Roanoke College in year in the 1980s. For 22 years, he was the director of research for VMI 1945, graduating four years later with a Bachelor of Science degree in Research Labs, which encourages faculty members to pursue research physics and mathematics. by matching them up with grants, contracts and sponsorships from After graduating from Roanoke, he pursued a master’s degree in scigovernment agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations. Such ence in experimental physics and applied mathematics from Cornell was his service to VMIRL that it established the Carpenter Award, University. He would go on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree in which is given to the faculty member who submits the best research experimental physics from the University of Virginia in 1957. He joined proposal to the organization’s governing committee. He would also serve the Institute’s faculty while earning his degree from Cornell, and duras the faculty representative on the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees ing the next 40 years, he was one of VMI’s most popular and beloved for many years. He also was a member of the faculty committee that professors. oversaw the Foundation’s subsidization In VMI lore, he is best of faculty retirement income which was remembered as one-half of necessary before improvements were the duo that he formed with made in the state’s retirement plan. In his colleague and fellow 1982, the Institute recognized his service Roanoke College alumnus by presenting him with its Distinguished Richard B. “Dick” Minnix.

Service Award.

Their joint lectures were reCarpenter was passionate about service nowned for both their effecto his community. He was an enthusiastic tiveness in communicating member of Rotary and served in leaderthe subject matter and the ship positions at the local and state level humor that infused them. and often traveled internationally for For example, their lecture the organization. He served Lexington on acoustics was entitled, Presbyterian Church as a deacon, elder “Sound is Noisy.” and treasurer, and he was on the board Carpenter and Minnix of the Science Museum of Virginia, the did not restrict their teachMontreat Conference Center Developing to post or to the colle- Col. D. Rae Carpenter Jr., Ph.D. Photo courtesy of Roanoke College ment Foundation and W.E. Skelton 4-H giate level. They achieved Office of Communications and Marketing.

Conference Center at Smith Mountain a national reputation for their development of a series of short courses on physics produced as lecture demonstrations that they presented in schools under the title, “Phun with Physics.” They would later make them available by publishing “The Dick and Rae Physics Demo Notebook,” which contains 650 physics demonstrations. It remains in print and has been purchased around the world – or, as they were fond of saying, “every continent but Antarctica.” For 25 years, Carpenter and Minnix also coordinated summer courses, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, for high school physics teachers.

In 1987, in honor of their work, they received the George B. Pegram Award of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society for Outstanding Teaching, and in 1988, the American Association of Physics Teachers presented them with its Distinguished Service Award.

Carpenter was a visiting professor in at the U.S. Military Academy

Lake. He served his alma mater as part of its Roanoke Rising Campaign, and he established a scholarship at the college for students studying mathematics or physics.

Warren J. Bryan ’71, former VMI Foundation chief executive officer, who knew Carpenter from his service on the Foundation board and remembered him from his cadetship, said, “Colonel Carpenter richly deserves his high status in VMI lore; he’s truly one of our faculty icons.

He was enthusiastic about his specialty, devoted to the Corps of Cadets, and an engaging teacher and leader. He was always looking for ways to improve the effectiveness of VMI’s education and elevate its academic reputation.”

Carpenter is survived by three children, Delma Rae Carpenter III, Gordon Grant Carpenter and Barbara Elizabeth Carpenter Lutz, and their spouses; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His wife, Jane Grant Carpenter, and daughter, Cita Anne Carpenter, predeceased him.

Correction: Donald M. Wilkinson Jr. ’61 The obituary of Donald M. Wilkinson Jr. ’61 that ran in the 2020-Issue 3 VMI Alumni Review incorrectly noted that Mr. Wilkinson is survived by two sons and two daughters. He is, in fact, survived by three sons and one daughter. We apologize for the error.

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Earnest ’938 and the 1942 Battle of Midway

By Jim Dittrich ’76, Alumni Association Historian

be the “whole ... Japanese Navy.” He was Albert Kyle Earnest ’938 is one of the in line with the other five Avengers and Institute’s most decorated graduates, they dove, targeting the Japanese carrier winning two Navy Crosses in a single Hiryu. Japanese Zero fighters appeared day – and later, a third. The first two everywhere, firing – too many to count. decorations were awarded for Earnest’s He tried his .30 caliber machine gun, but actions as a Navy pilot during the Battle it didn’t work. The other two guns were of Midway June 4, 1942. both in action, but Ferrier soon reported Earnest’s story began in Virginia. He Manning was wounded severely or poswas born in Richmond in 1917. He sibly dead. Shortly after, Ferrier was also followed his brother, Jim ’929, to VMI quiet, and Earnest was alone. and was a fun-loving cadet: A 1st Class Earnest dove to 200 feet. He could hear private. bullets hitting the back of his seat. He After VMI, Earnest took a civilian opened the bomb bay doors. He saw the job. He had received a reserve Army other five Avengers crash. Shrapnel came commission but soon resigned it and in through his windshield, and he felt a was commissioned in the U.S. Navy Air wound in his neck. The stick did not work Corps Reserve. His fleet assignment was and the cables to the elevator controls with Torpedo Bomber Squadron 8. He were out. He knew his plane could not reported just days after Pearl Harbor. stay in the air much longer and he could He flew the brand-new TBF-1 Avenger, Albert K. “Bert” Earnest ’938 is one of VMI’s most decorated not keep on target to the carrier. Instead, which first saw combat at Midway. graduates. He was awarded three Navy Crosses during World he was heading toward a cruiser and he atThere were six TBF-1s stationed at War II. Photos courtesy VMI Archives. tempted to drop his 2,000-pound torpedo.

Midway Island, and the remainder of Did it release? the squadron’s Avengers were aboard the He did not know until after the battle, but it USS Hornet. The U.S. Navy had broken some 3rd Class Harry Ferrier. The Avenger carried did. Earnest’s altitude kept dropping to 100 of the Japanese code and knew the Japanese one 2,000-pound torpedo in the bomb bay. fleet was headed to Midway.

On the day of the battle, the Avengers took feet, 75 feet, 50 feet, 25 feet and then 20 feet.

He tried to adjust his trimtabs and remarkEntering the battle, Earnest was 25 years off from Midway at 4:40 a.m. The enemy was ably this allowed the aircraft to gain altitude. old, with no combat hours. With him were suspected to be 180 miles away.

Seaman 1st Class Jay Manning and Radioman At 6:55 a.m. Earnest saw what appeared to His rudder worked so he could turn. There

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After the Air Battle of Midway, Earnest’s was the only plane of 15 to return. Another pilot, Ens. George Gay, was plucked from the ocean. He is depicted in the 2019 movie “Midway.” Gay enjoyed the attention and wrote a book, “Sole Survivor,” about his Midway experiences. Earnest often joked that he and his radioman Harry Ferrier were the “other sole survivors.” Earnest continued in the Navy, retiring with 31 years of service in 1972. He had an eventful career, testing enemy aircraft, becoming a “Hurricane Hunter” and qualifying to fly jets.

were still many enemy aircraft around him. They protected him from the Japanese cruiser, which did not fire at him for fear of hitting their own. Earnest was wounded and had no instruments, no compass and no radio.

He made it to temporary safety in the clouds. He flew east, toward the sun and Midway. If he missed Midway, then Pearl Harbor was the next safe location – 1,200 miles away. He had to find Midway. He finally saw black smoke in the distance. It was Midway.

Earnest still had no radio, Midway had just been bombed and the folks on the ground would be trigger-happy. He recalled a flight path for this situation and followed a prearranged procedure, making necessary turns to alert ground forces to his friendly status. Earnest tried to lower his wheels, but his hydraulics were out. He tried to lower the wheels manually but only one wheel came down. The right wheel was stuck.

He had two options: Land in the lagoon and risk more injury to his crew, or land on one wheel – which is what he did. After he was waved off twice, he came in the third time. He landed with the right wing scraping the ground, sparks flying everywhere. He spun in circles but finally came to a stop. The men on the ground quickly removed the wounded Ferrier, but Manning had died. Earnest was also removed and debriefed.

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He reported key information for U.S. forces to locate the Japanese fleet.

Of the squadron’s 15 planes, Earnest’s was the only one to return to Midway. One pilot, Ensign George Gay, was plucked from the ocean. He is depicted in the 2019 movie “Midway.” Gay enjoyed the attention and wrote a book, “Sole Survivor,” about his Midway experiences. Earnest often joked that he and Ferrier were the “other sole survivors.”

Torpedo Squadron 8 lost 29 of 32 men who departed from Midway.

Earnest received a Navy Cross for dropping his bomb on the Japanese fleet and a second Navy Cross for bringing his aircraft and crew back to Midway. Inspections later found 73 large caliber bullet holes in his aircraft.

The Battle of Midway was the turning point for the war in the Pacific.

The Japanese lost 4 carriers and their Pacific expansion was halted.

While serving off Guadalcanal during the battle of the Eastern Solomons, Earnest earned a third Navy Cross and was rotated back to the U.S. for the duration of the war.

He continued in the Navy, retiring with 31 years of service in 1972. He had an eventful career, testing enemy aircraft, becoming a “Hurricane Hunter” and qualifying to fly jets.

He died in 2009, and is buried with his wife, Millie, at Arlington Cemetery.

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Caplice ’84: VMI, MIT and Logistics

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

Christopher Caplice ’84, Ph.D., is a VMI-trained civil engineer who turned toward logistics after an Army tour in Germany. Now at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he’s at the forefront of logistics systems. He’s also instrumental in bringing MIT education to the world – via the school’s MicroMasters online program – the first-ever online degree offered by MIT. Photo courtesy Caplice.

Albert Einstein said, “Nothing happens until something moves.” While he likely meant to apply that observation to physics, it is now closely associated with the fields of logistics and transportation. This is so because it is true.

Unless people and materials of all kinds move somewhere, no human endeavor is possible.

Since the early 1990s, Christopher Caplice ’84, Ph.D., has devoted his professional life to ensuring that a lot of things – well, almost everything – move and that they move more efficiently. In fact, thanks to his contributions to the fields of transportation and logistics systems, whenever you see a truck on a highway or a delivery van in your neighborhood, you can be sure that Caplice somehow influenced how it is being used.

His interest in transportation and logistics was piqued by his service as an Army Corps of Engineers officer. “I was applying my degree in civil and environmental engineering by building roads, airfields and other things in Germany. But over time, I became more interested in how things operate on roads than in the construction of them.”

Yet he did not immediately plunge into the field in which he would later immerse himself.

First, after leaving active duty, he pursued a master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Texas at Austin (where his adviser happened to be C. Michael Walton ’63).

He then returned to VMI to be a sub-professor and TAC officer for two years with the

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intention of seeing if an academic career was for him. “The best thing about coming back to VMI as a sub-professor was being able to work with some of my former professors – Colonel Don Jamison ’57 in particular.” One drawback to being at the Institute: “I had a recurring nightmare that, as a TAC officer, I would be running the stick at night, go into a room and come out as a 3rd [Class cadet].”

His second VMI experience convinced him to pursue an academic career, but he eschewed engineering in favor of the field that he had thought about in Germany. “I was drawn to open-ended problems that involved both quantitative engineering challenges and a human behavior component,” Caplice said.

“I decided to concentrate my Ph.D. on developing a more systems-oriented approach to transportation and logistics.”

Not long after arriving at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992, he hit upon his research topic. “MIT’s motto is ‘mens et manus’ – that is, mind and hand – meaning that MIT encourages research that is both theoretical and applied.” In this spirit, Caplice’s adviser suggested he explore how shippers and carriers could form more efficient relationships. “The practice at that time was very confrontational,” Caplice explained, “Every shipper must move goods along what are known as ‘lanes’ – essentially routes between two places, like Chicago to Atlanta.

Shippers would select which carriers to use on

a lane-by-lane basis on a pure low-cost basis.

So, shipper A would ask carriers A, B and C to submit a separate bid for hauling along each lane in their network.”

Caplice’s research demonstrated how treating each lane independently was flawed, as it did not allow carriers to leverage their natural economies of scope. “Economies of scope is an economic concept that the more differentbut-similar goods you produce, the lower the total cost to produce each one. If you’re a trucking firm, moving a shipper’s goods along lanes that complement each other reduces the ... empty miles driven, increases your operational efficiency and ultimately reduces the cost to the shippers.”

To capture these economies, Caplice developed a procurement methodology that allowed for bidding for sets of lanes and a means to evaluate the bids. Along with increased efficiencies, his approach allowed for the consideration of other nonfinancial factors, such as level of service and minority status, in the process.

When he finished his dissertation in 1996, it struck an immediate and responsive chord.

“As luck would have it,” Caplice remembered, “when I graduated, the freight industry was ripe for a change in how shippers and carriers worked with each other.” The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals presented him with its Doctoral Dissertation Award, and he received an honorable mention

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from the Transportation Science Section of Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences. That was the “mens.”

Next came the “manus” as Caplice went out and applied his findings, leading a team that established “optimization-based procurement concepts” in more than 50 firms that spent more than $7 billion for transportation. In short order, his concepts became the industry standard throughout the United States.

In 2003, Caplice returned to MIT to run the master’s program in supply chain management as part of the Center for Transportation and Logistics. In this new position, he could continue his research, examining more closely some foundational aspects of freight transportation. “Academic research,” he explained, “often comes up with solutions and approaches that practitioners, with their day-to-day concerns and obligations, cannot.”

Seeing the need for more in-depth research, he formed MIT FreightLab as part of the CTL in 2008. “FreightLab’s objective is to keep pushing the boundaries of how freight transportation networks can be designed, procured and managed.” In it, about a dozen master’s and doctoral students and research scientists explore issues like truck driver shortages and

Success begat success, and in 2015, Rafael Reif, MIT president, designated these courses as the school’s first MicroMasters credential program. While a MicroMasters is a standalone accreditation, it can lead to a master’s degree at MIT – the first time MIT has ever given academic credit to an online course. If a MicroMasters credential holder is accepted into the Supply Chain Management program, he or she will be granted a semester of academic credit and, thus, can complete the degree in five months instead of 10. The MicroMasters is also recognized by other colleges for credit in their graduate programs.

Even for someone who is accustomed to thinking globally, the program’s reach has impressed Caplice. “In my 17 years of teaching at MIT, I’ve taught maybe 1,500 students. As of July 2020, through the online MicroMasters program, I have reached more than 400,000 learners from 196 different countries. They include people as young as 15 and as old as 80, military members and stay-at-home parents. It has been very exciting to be part of the wider democratization of education.”

While running these programs and continuing his research take up a lot of Caplice’s time, his mind is never far from the industry which he

to shippers, there is a huge appetite for testing and adopting new ideas. Adding this all together creates an exceptionally fertile area to develop new concepts, apply them and observe the impact.”

The industry’s technological sophistication is something that Caplice wants people to appreciate more. “People see trucks on the road and think, ‘That’s sophisticated?’ Well, the technology required to ensure that the right products are in the right vehicles and delivered to the right locations at the right time at an acceptable cost is amazing. Even just 20 years ago, the level of analytical horsepower in the industry was quite low. Now, it is rare to find a trucking or logistics company that is not using machine learning, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and other technologies.”

According to Caplice, the value of technological advancements of the past several decades have been borne out during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic did have effects on the supply chain, he says two things should stand out. The first: The supply chain never stopped, and there were never any true shortages. Photos of stores’ empty shelves, he points out, tended to be taken at the end of the day. They were almost always restocked over-

“Over time, I became more interested in how things operated on roads than in the construction of them.” forecasting freight demand. FreightLab also organizes workshops and roundtables and completed almost two dozen research projects with partner companies and organizations, like the U.S. Department of Transportation and Walmart. “While our projects’ theoretical contributions are interesting, the practical impacts are more satisfying,” said Caplice.

“The methodology we developed for the federal government has been adopted by several states as part of their transportation planning process, and Walmart has saved millions of dollars each year by applying our research.”

It’s an old saying that, if you want something done, find a busy man. It’s hardly surprising then that, in 2014, MIT asked Caplice to create a single Massive Open Online Course in supply chain management based on the course he regularly teaches on logistics systems. The course ended up with more than 30,000 registrants in its vey first run. This demand led Caplice to create four additional courses under the Supply Chain Management program.

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has significantly helped reshape for more than two decades. “Freight transportation has changed dramatically over the past few decades, especially in the United States – from deregulation in the 1980s, to the adoption of optimization-based decision support tools in the 1990s, to the introduction of the internet in the early 2000s and finally to the widespread adoption of automation, artificial intelligence and mobile computing today.”

Asked what makes the industry so compelling, he gave several reasons. “First, it is massive, representing roughly 9% of national gross domestic product and employing about 5 million people. Second, it is exceptionally dynamic with new firms entering and exiting – especially in the realm of full truckload transportation. Third, it is an exceptionally competitive industry. Fourth, every transaction involves at least two, and usually more, independent players with differing objectives and goals. Finally, because there are so many different players and the costs are so important

night because truck drivers kept moving and distribution centers kept working. The second is how quickly companies adapted. “Supply chains have proven to be exceptionally agile and flexible. Firms realigned production lines, reassessed product assortments and redesigned their supply chain networks on the fly,” he said.

Looking forward, he sees “silver linings” in the pandemic experience. “Companies’ digital transformation now is three to five years ahead of where it normally would have been due to the necessity of working remote and minimizing physical hand-offs. These efficiencies will continue after the pandemic and will pay substantial dividends.”

Caplice wants cadets and alumni to consider transportation, logistics and supply chain management as a career. “While it is an old profession, it is constantly being reinvented,” he said. “Having a military background is a huge help as the demands for operational performance are similar. Finally, it’s an industry that is only continuing to grow.”

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Jordan ’93: Visionary-In-Chief

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

Donna and Brian Jordan ’93 during the February 2019 Legislative Client Showcase and Reception. Brian was one of 11 innovators nationally recognized on Capitol Hill at the annual event, which is organized by America’s Small Business Development Centers and showcases entrepreneurship to federal legislators. Photos courtesy Brian Jordan.

Brian Jordan ’93 is an inventor. His head is overflowing with new concepts, and he’s never afraid of running out of ideas. A retired Naval aviator, Jordan started his own business after finishing his military career.

“I thought [my passion] was flying,” Jordan said. “Flying was something I liked to do, but I wouldn’t say I loved it. I found out what I loved was ... creating products and coming up with new ideas, figuring out new ways of doing things. That’s what I love to do.”

His inventions don’t conform to an idea, a type or any mold. They’re the representation of inspiration – straight from Jordan’s brain vault of ideas.

“We’re kind of all over the place,” Jordan said, explaining the wide variety of products his company has designed. “We wanted a company where we’re led by inspiration. We’re driven by inspiration and not necessarily by a specific field.”

Necessity brought one of Jordan’s ideas to reality early on. While cleaning out his garage one day, he picked up a 1950s-era tool – not realizing that the tool had an electrical short and that the power was flowing. The tool cut his fingers, resulting in the loss of part of an index finger and thumb.

When he inquired about prosthetics, he was surprised to learn that fingers are not considered “essential.” Insurance generally covers only cosmetic – not functional – prosthetics. There were a few companies making functional prosthetics for fingers and toes; however, specialized engineering and costly materials raise the cost – up to $10,000 per digit.

“So, being an engineer and a scientist, I decided to create my own prosthetic,” Jordan said.

A few months later, he was – and still is – using his invention for his everyday activities. His invention, called Digitouch, garnered attention in a couple of sectors.

In February 2019, Jordan was one of 11 innovators nationally recognized on Capitol Hill at the Legislative Client Showcase and Reception. The

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annual event is organized by America’s Small Business Development Centers and showcases entrepreneurship to federal legislators.

On a much smaller – but more impactful – scale, people who need prosthetic digits have heard about Digitouch. After learning how much a working prosthetic digit cost and how little of that cost was commonly covered by insurance, the Jordans set up a nonprofit to help others. The nonprofit raises funds to cover individual cases. It’s different from other types of medical fundraising, Jordan explained. The general public doesn’t understand how essential digits really are. Despite the challenges in fundraising, he’s been able to assist people throughout the country who have lost digits.

Asking for help – fundraising or otherwise – doesn’t come naturally to Jordan. “My wife calls me ‘an island of one,’” he chuckled.

His small company, Jordan Research and Design, is small team of three.

Jordan has the inspiration; he’s the visionary-in-chief. His wife, Donna, does the accounting and the numbers. The third full-time employee, Ben Harding, is the chief designer.

Inventing, innovating and a head full of ideas all brief well. But moving those ideas from gray matter to actual production takes painstaking technical attention to detail. Plus, there’s the nuts-and-bolts of any business – payroll, budget and, for inventors, patents.

To get everything done, the team needs to work together. That was something Jordan learned at VMI. Cadet life and an Institute education taught Jordan many things. Asking for help was a big one. He played football and enjoyed it tremendously. He has memories from his years in barracks that he values. It was the academics, though, that really brought him to VMI. “That was the main reason I went there – for the education,” Jordan said.

“That was going to get me to the goal I needed to reach.”

And to reach that goal, he couldn’t do it alone. “At VMI, what I learned

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was: You can’t do it by yourself. You simply needed help from others,” Jordan said, remembering tutoring sessions and asking professors for assistance.

Leaving his island of one to join a team has paid big dividends for Jordan. First, graduating from VMI, then during Navy flight school and now in his business.

He is contentedly inventing things, ranging from a bookshelf that also serves as emergency boat transportation during floods, a childand pet-safe cleaner and unique toys. Once he and Harding have the products working well, they “kick them over the fence” and find other companies to market, produce and sell the inventions.

Jordan has realized his passion and is doing what he loves. Even the best jobs, though, have a to-do list. Sometimes “you have to do some things that you’re not good at – the things you don’t want to do,” he pointed out.

When any difficulties or annoyances arise, he remembers something else he learned at VMI: Perseverance. “VMI gave me that focus to grind through,” he said.

Above: Jordan models the DigiTouch prosthetics. He invented the prosthetic fingers after losing part of an index finger and thumb in an accident. Below: The Jordans with Ben Harding, chief designer. Jordan Research and Development is a weather ambassador for the National Weather Service’s Weather Ready Nation. Here, they showcase one of their inventions – the boatcase. An ordinary bookcase, it can also function as a lifesaving boat during extreme weather events.

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Breeding ’02: “There’s a lot of work to do.”

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer Teaching has long been important to Jason Breeding ’02. His interest in science was nurtured by his teachers in Russell County, Virginia, and he credits his decision to study chemistry as an undergraduate in part to “a great chemistry teacher in high school.”

It was the promise of strong teaching that drew him to VMI. As he recalled what he experienced during his open house visits, “It was very obvious that the faculty were committed to helping the cadets and that appealed to me.” So appealing was this that he applied to VMI for early decision.

An Institute Scholar all four years as a cadet, Breeding’s initial impression of the quality of VMI’s faculty was borne out during his cadetship.

“The faculty in the chemistry department was very welcoming, and my relationships with them developed throughout my time at VMI, to include the summers when I was on post doing research. In fact, I still keep in contact with my professors.”

After graduation, Breeding headed to the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill to pursue a doctorate in chemistry. But again, teaching – this time, his experience with it – had an influence on his plans for the future.

“I found more enjoyment in teaching and tutoring than I did in research.”

Breeding took some educational classes at UNC-Chapel Hill and toyed with the idea of entering the school’s Ed.D. program, but at that time, it seemed to be more designed for those with experience in teaching and administration. So in 2004, he took his master’s degree, returned to his native Southwest Virginia, and became a high school teacher.

For the next nine years, he taught mathematics and chemistry in Washington County. He taught both regular- and honors-level courses and in inclusion-based classrooms, which contained students who needed individualized instruction in mathematics due to a learning disability.

He also served as a teaching adjunct at Virginia Highlands Community College and Emory & Henry College.

Asked why he chose to teach at a public school, he harkened back to his personal experience. “I enjoyed school, but I knew the issues many students had when they came to college. So, I really felt that I could be of service teaching high school.”

His experience also prepared him to face the teaching profession’s challenges. “There is constant change,” he said. “You also need to find solutions to problems which have variables you cannot influence.”

“It’s also a very intimate job,” he continued, “in that you need to get to know students and their families and build relationships with them – as well as your colleagues. That takes time and a lot of energy, something which most people outside the profession don’t understand. In K-12 education, there is a lot of emphasis on the teacher being responsible for student success and that creates a sense of pressure. Some of that is healthy, but too much pressure can create anxiety. Happily, finding that balance and pushing my limits has appealed to me and that helped me grow as a teacher.”

He also credits some of his success to the people he encountered on post. “People such as Steve Reithmiller ’63, Tappey Jones ’70, Francis Bush, Alan Baragona, Henry Schreiber, Kurt Iversen ’85, Judith Cain, George Piegari, Troy Siemers, Vern Beitzel ’72, Tom Mortenson and Adam Volant ’88 helped inculcate in me some of

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Jason Breeding ’02 is a career educator. Fall 2020 brings him back to his second home – home of VMI, and home of his new job: Math teacher at Rockbridge County High School. Photo by Molly Rolon, VMI Alumni Agencies. the ideals and attributes that I have applied as an educator and an active member of society.”

A couple of years into his time at Abingdon High School, Breeding began to consider moving into educational administration. He was prompted to do so by his colleagues. “I had participated on several state-level curriculum committees, and I had advocated for school employees as a leader in the local education association. That led many to encourage me to look into administration.”

A grant program allowed him to be certified in administration and supervision by the University of Virginia at a greatly reduced cost, although it demanded a lot of time – two years, which included many weekends

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and two summers. While he completed the program in 2009, he taught for another four years before exploring opportunities as an administrator. In 2013, he became an assistant principal with Roanoke City School system; first at Patrick Henry High School from 201318 and then at Lucy Addison Middle School from 2018-19.

In spring 2019, Breeding was appointed principal of Roanoke County’s Northside High School. He had already anticipated challenges in the new job. “Transitioning to a head principal position from another district presents a steep learning curve in and of itself,” he said.

“The pandemic made that curve even steeper.”

Initially, Breeding was hopeful that the twoweek hiatus for schools would be sufficient

to address the public health concerns and the school year would resume without much disruption. Things worked out differently, of course, and that meant some rapid changes to accommodate the extended closure.

“My administrative team’s job shifted to providing direction and support to teachers, checking in with families much more frequently, providing meal delivery and determining how to best recognize our seniors who had so much stripped away from them,” Breeding said. Asked to describe the experience, he replied, “Humbling is the best word.”

While humbling, the experience provided Breeding with what he described as opportunities for clarity and reflection. “I spent a lot of time and energy and made many sacrifices to get to the position I had. I achieved my goal, but in chasing that goal, it had become my identity. When I came to that realization, I knew I needed to make a change.”

Breeding still wanted to remain in K-12 education. So, he had to choose between a different administrative position or returning to the classroom. Complicating the choice were the uncertainties prompted by the pandemic.

In the end, he chose the latter. And that choice brought him back to Lexington, specifically as a mathematics teacher at Rockbridge County High School.

As to where this decision will take him, Breeding first addressed the professional aspect. “It’s important for leaders to ‘see through the crew’s eyes.’ This opportunity will give me better insight into what’s is needed now to be successful in the classroom. As I hope to return to administration in the future, that will help me immensely. I also plan to use this time to finish my dissertation and so achieve the goal of receiving my doctorate.”

“On a personal level, it’s great being back in my second home and being an active member of the community. I [got] married in October 2020, too. So, all in all, I’m extremely happy with where my life is heading.”

When asked what would improve what he calls “the profession of education,” Breeding unhesitatingly answered, “Get more VMI alumni involved in it – and across the board, as K-12 teachers, college professors, school board members, and members of city councils or boards of supervisors. Education is supposed to be the great equalizer in America; however, the pandemic has taught us that many inequities remain in education, whether that be in K-12 or post-secondary.

There’s a lot of work to do, and the citizensoldiers that VMI graduates are the type of people who can get it done.”

VMI Alumni Review

On Post Crozet Burial Site Shifts to Namesake Building

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing to bring Crozet’s body back to The remains of Col. ClaudiLexington, but World War II us Crozet, first president of intervened. It wasn’t until 1942 the VMI Board of Visitors, that his remains came to VMI, were moved Friday, June 12, and at that time, they were bur2020, to their fourth, and ied in front of Preston Library. hopefully final, resting place.

By 2010, though, construcCrozet, a French engineer tion of Third Barracks and who helped to map Virginia the new Lejeune Hall had in the age of railroads and necessitated another move canals, is buried near Scott for Crozet, as the Preston Shipp Hall. That building is Library Crozet burial site was currently undergoing a major deemed the most appropriate renovation and expansion, spot on post for placement of and earlier this year, conanother monument. At that struction workers digging in time, Crozet’s remains were the area accidentally exposed moved to a space near Scott the vault containing Crozet’s Shipp Hall. Now that Crozet remains. The burial site has is reburied next to Scott Shipp thus been shifted approxiHall, he and the monument mately 7 feet north to allow marking his grave are slightly for construction to continue Construction workers place Col. Claudius Crozet in his final resting place, 7 closer to the building that at Scott Shipp. feet from his previous resting place, June 12. VMI photo by Kelly Nye. was named for him in 1935: Crozet, a graduate of École Crozet Hall.

Polytechnique and a veteran “The visual connection will be stronger,” said Col. Keith Gibson ’77, of Napoleon Bonaparte’s army, emigrated to the United States in 1816.

He died in Richmond in 1864 and was first buried alongside his family director of the VMI Museum System, speaking a few days before the remains were moved. “It’s going to be a win-win situation. It’s an opin that city’s Shockoe Hill Cemetery.

In 1939, while VMI was celebrating its centennial, plans were made portunity to make it a stronger design.”

Governor Announces Appointments, Reappointments to VMI Board of Visitors Gov. Ralph Northam ’81 appointed Grover C. Outland III ’81 of Arnold, Maryland, and Lester Johnson Jr. ’95 of Richmond, Virginia, to four-year terms on the VMI Board of Visitors.

Johnson is the owner and managing partner of the popular Richmond restaurant Mama J’s, one of the most notable soul food restaurants in the country. He and a fellow VMI alumnus launched the restaurant in historic Jackson Ward in 2009. Before opening the restaurant, Johnson was with Verizon Communications and Reynolds Metals Company.

In addition to a degree in mechanical engineering from VMI, Johnson holds a master’s degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He played basketball at VMI and was a team captain from 1994-96. He was also a member of the Promaji Club.

Outland was editor-in-chief of The Cadet newspaper during his time at VMI and a class officer for two years. He is a distinguished graduate of the Institute with a degree in modern languages. He went on to earn a Juris

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Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1984.

After law school and active duty for training as a combat engineer with the U.S. Army, Outland practiced law in Norfolk and then joined a commercial real estate firm in Virginia Beach while serving in the Army Reserve. He moved to the Annapolis, Maryland, area in the late 1980s and has worked as an in-house attorney for several startup and midsize businesses since then, currently serving as senior vice president, general counsel, and a member of the boards of the privately held Tech USA companies. With his appointment to the Board of Visitors, Outland brings to a close 15 years of service on the VMI Alumni Association board of directors.

Reappointed to the board for an additional four-year term were retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Charles Dominy and Scot Marsh ’81. Leaving the board after four years of service is retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Carl Strock ’70, and George Collins ’62 is leaving after eight years of service.

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On Post

Matriculation 2020 Brings Largest-Ever Class to VMI

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing

In a Matriculation Weekend unique in many ways due to the coronavirus pandemic, the largest class in VMI’s 181-year history arrived on post Aug. 15-16, 2020. Photos by Micalyn Miller and Molly Rolon, VMI Alumni Agencies.

In a Matriculation Weekend unique in many ways due to the coronavirus pandemic, the largest class in VMI’s 181-year history arrived on post Aug. 15-16, 2020, wearing masks and staying socially distanced throughout.

Once the two days were done, 522 rats had matriculated, up from 515 in 2019 and 519 in 2018. This year’s rat mass, which will become the Class of 2024 after Breakout, hails from 33 states and four foreign countries. There are 64 women and 103 recruited NCAA athletes. Approximately 60% of the class is majoring in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and 40% in the liberal arts.

Normally done on one day – usually the third Saturday in August – this year, matriculation was spread out over two days, with half of the rat mass arriving Saturday and the other Sunday, to allow for proper social distancing. All incoming rats and those accompanying them were required to go through a health screening, including a temperature check, before receiving wristbands necessary for admittance to facilities on post. Matriculating rats were limited to only two guests to keep the numbers down each day.

But the mask requirement and wristbands weren’t the only changes for these new cadets. Immediately after marching out of Cameron Hall and up Letcher Avenue to barracks, rats met with their administrative handlers, who began to start the tasks necessary to complete matriculation. This year, Matriculation Week ran for 16 days rather than the traditional nine. Because of the protocols required during the pandemic, Matriculation Week was

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divided into two parts: An administrative period and a training period.

“Everything takes longer due to COVID,” said Col. William “Bill” Wanovich ’87, commandant, in explaining the schedule changes. “Physical training takes longer. Hygiene takes longer. We needed more time to do it.”

For the rats, their late afternoon and evening hours on Matriculation Weekend were spent listening to a presentation about COVID-19 safety precautions, learning about the Honor Court, and Sunday evening, they were given the option of attending a chapel service. Over the course of Matriculation Week, rats got their hair cut, received their uniforms and participated in company athletics, among many other activities. Meet your cadre took place one week after matriculation, Sunday, Aug. 23, and was followed by more intense military training.

But while this year’s matriculation was unusual, it wasn’t unheard of in all of Institute history, noted Col. Keith Gibson ’77, director of the VMI Museum System. Quick drop-offs weren’t uncommon when he was a cadet, and in the Institute’s early days, transportation difficulties often delayed cadets.

“In the early days of the Institute, it was very common for cadets to arrive late,” said Gibson. He added that one of VMI’s most famous alumni, Gen. George C. Marshall, VMI Class of 1901, matriculated a week late – and the Old Corps was already on the Parade Ground training when Marshall walked through the Limits Gates.

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On Post

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On Post

Preston Library Reopens; Renovations Nearing Completion

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing

The Preston Library service desk now features a self-checkout system. VMI photos by Mary Price.

Near the end of August, an event central to VMI’s educational mission quietly took place: The reopening of Preston Library to the VMI community after a $19.3 million renovation and a pandemic-related closure.

The renovation – the library’s first in nearly 25 years – had been planned for a while. At the time the work was mapped out, a decision was made to keep the library open as the work took place, moving materials from floor to floor, and sometimes off post, as necessary.

That plan held until mid-March, when the coronavirus pandemic resulted not only in cadets being sent home for the rest of the academic year but the entire post being closed to the general public. At that point, the library closed, and library staff shifted to providing support and services online and remotely.

“The old building was kind of long in the tooth. There’s been a lot of improvements and

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a lot of changes,” said Lt. Col. Tom Panko, head of technical services and library coordinator, who took over as the main point of contact for the library earlier this year after library director Col. Diane Jacob retired. A search is now underway for a new library director.

Before the renovation, the library entrance, the fifth floor, was somewhat dark and involved two sets of doors. Now, visitors walk through one door into a brighter, wider vestibule and can see the service desk just to the right of the elevator straight ahead.

The position of the elevator is no accident, explained Lt. Col. Liz Kocevar-Weidinger, head of research and instruction for the library. It’s there so alumni who come to use the archives can walk straight back to the elevator, take it one floor down, and immediately find the archives on their left.

Likewise, the seventh floor of the library, once inaccessible by elevator, is now accessible. That floor, formerly home to the Mathematics Education and Resource Center, is now the site of a conference room boasting what could be the best view on post of the Parade Ground – and House Mountain as a bonus in the background.

The sixth floor provides space for academic support services – the MERC, the VMI Center for Undergraduate Research and the Office of Sponsored Programs, which supports faculty research. It’s also home to a large study space for cadets and rows upon rows of books.

“This is meant to be the noisiest space,” said Kocevar-Weidinger of the sixth floor. “The trend in education is toward more and more collaborative work.”

One floor below is the main floor of the library, where library patrons and visitors enter

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On Post off Letcher Avenue. It’s where to find the Turman Room, redone with conference room-style seating. With the need for social distancing, and classroom space in short supply, the Turman Room will be used as a classroom this fall.

In addition, the newly renovated learning commons features a bank of computers for cadet use, and offices for reference librarians close by.

“We’re meant to be directly accessible to the cadets,” KocevarWeidinger noted.

Nearby, the Class of 1969 Memorial Room is set up for the learners of 2020 and beyond, with comfortable chairs and electrical outlets in the floor below for charging laptops, tablets and phones.

The library’s top three floors – the seventh, sixth and fifth – are all complete. On the floors below, work is ongoing, with the goal of completion by Thanksgiving.

As it was before, the fourth floor will be the location of the VMI Archives, home to many irreplaceable documents pertaining not only to Institute and Lexington history, but also alumni involvement in many of the nation’s wars.

With seemingly endless rows of stacks, the third floor will be the place to find many of the more than 209,000 physical books in the library’s collection, along with bound periodicals. Many of those books – approximately 60% at any given time – were moved to Richmond for safekeeping and storage during the renovation process, and some are still there. Thankfully, the renovations didn’t do anything to disturb the over 585,000 ebooks the library has access to – those stayed accessible the entire time.

The second floor will be used for gift processing, back office functions and the server room. Currently, the second floor is also being used to house materials from the VMI Archives, as they were deemed too valuable to risk a trip to Richmond.

Throughout the library, users can now enjoy wireless internet access at fast speeds – a critical feature now that so much research takes place online. Before the renovation, wireless access was available, but “dead

spots” were a common problem.

“Information Technology has saturated the building with hot spots,” explained Panko.

There’s another new feature for library users as well – print release technology. In years past, cadets seeking to use the library’s printers often hit “print” on their computers even if the printer in question was out of paper or otherwise out of service. There’s also been instances in which a cadet has picked up another cadet’s paper off the printer by accident.

Print release technology makes those problems less likely. Cadets seeking to print first hit “print” on their device. Then, they walk up to a printer of their choice and scan their VMI ID card. The printer displays that cadet’s personal print queue, and the cadet selects which job to print on the printer.

Panko noted that not only is this procedure safer in the age of COVID-19 because it minimizes contact, but it will also help cadets get in and out of the library faster if all they need to do is print a paper quickly.

“Whatever printer doesn’t have a line, you go to it, swipe your card, print and walk out,” he explained.

Completing the print release technology is a self-checkout system near the service desk, where cadets, faculty and staff can scan books themselves and get a receipt sent to their VMI email address.

Sadly, the realities of COVID-19 are postponing the use of one of the newly renovated library’s key features: Group study rooms.

The small rooms, each accommodating six to eight cadets, simply aren’t large enough for social distancing, so they will be repurposed this academic year. One of those rooms will be used specifically for a COVID-19-related purpose: Quarantining library materials after they’re returned.

But in spite of COVID-19’s challenges, members of the library staff are happy to see the building reopen and cadets return.

“Overall, we’re happy,” said Panko of the renovation. “It was a lot of work by a lot of people.”

The Turman Room now has conference-style seating and is being used as a classroom during the fall 2020 semester.

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Athletics A Message from Dr. David Diles, VMI Athletics Director When the Southern Conference announced Aug. 13 it was postponing fall sports to spring 2021, we stated in our news release that day, “There’s not a better school in the country that can prepare our cadet-athletes for adversity and to overcome obstacles and VMI will adapt and put forth a plan that will move us forward.” In addition, as I’ve shared many times – both publicly and privately – there isn’t another group of people that I would rather work with to address the present day challenges.

It is now mid-September at the time of this writing, and I’m pleased to report it is full speed ahead for our athletics program as it tackles the disruptive pandemic that tests the operational fortitude of every NCAA athletics program in the country. Classes on post have resumed in an in-person environment, our coaches have adjusted to revised practice schedules and are working hard to prepare for their respective competitive seasons in an ever-changing landscape that Diles has affected recruiting, budgeting and scheduling. Simply put, in so many ways it is business as usual; however, we know that it is entirely atypical. Our focus remains the same since the onset of this pandemic – to advance the mission of the Institute, provide a quality cadet-athlete experience while keeping the health and safety as a top priority, and continue to operate our department in a fiscally responsible way. It is important to note, and perhaps reflective of the character of our cadet athletes, that we closed the spring 2020 academic term with one of the highest department grade point averages since we began tracking that data.

We will see you in Lexington soon.

A new year brings optimism and opportunity, and three head coaches enter their first year of directing programs. Max Watson was elevated to head men’s soccer coach, James Purpura returns to post to lead men’s lacrosse after a highly successful initial head coaching opportunity at Arcadia University, and Danielle Montenegro guides a women’s water polo program that has achieved substantial competitive success in recent years. All three coaches bring unique talents that will both sustain and build on the momentum their respective programs have attained in the previous years.

As we enter a new academic year, I invite you to note in this Alumni Review issue the accomplishments of our past and present cadet-athletes who have distinguished themselves in the past months and truly made the 2019-20 academic year distinct in purpose and achievement despite the interruption of COVID-19. These stories are made possible in part because of the generous financial assistance VMI alumni have provided our cadet-athletes and staff in support of the Institute’s proven and exceptional mission. We are tremendously fortunate to have a loyal, dedicated and generous community of alumni and friends that continues to provide resources that allow our programs to operate. The financial landscape of NCAA athletics has been shaken – at a minimum – but VMI is best positioned due to the philanthropy of our donors and disciplined financial management.

We look forward to seeing parents, alumni and fans filling the stands on post again and cheering our athletics teams in person. That day will come again and when it does, the excitement, energy, resilience and resolve of our Keydets through these challenging times will be on full display for all to see.

The spirit of VMI will endure. We will see you in Lexington soon.

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VMI Alumni Review

Athletics

Barbery ’18: Former Southpaw Training as Army Doctor

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer When I spoke to Brandon Barbery ’18 in early June 2020, he was on confinement. After finishing the first half of medical school at Virginia Tech in May, he traveled to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, in order to begin his training to be an officer in the Army’s Medical Corps.

When he arrived, he discovered that the rules put in place to battle COVID-19 kept him on post and restricted his movements to such places as the mess hall and the classroom. “It seems awfully familiar,” he said.

That Barbery was in that particular situation can be put down to the pandemic. But it also has a basis in decisions he made when he was younger – in fact, before he came to VMI. Arriving at VMI, he had settled on a few things: He wanted to play baseball, pursue a career in medicine and serve in the military. That said, the Institute was not his top choice when he first started considering colleges because, as Barbery remembered, “I was looking to play baseball on a scholarship.

I really wasn’t thinking about much outside of that.”

He began to focus on VMI when it was the first school to invite him for an official visit. This interest coincided with some thinking he had done about his potential college experience. “I realized that there are three main aspects to college life – athletics, academics and social life – and, furthermore, that I could only do two of them successfully.

I knew that if I chose VMI, there would go the social life – for better or worse – leaving me with the task of succeeding in baseball and in the classroom. In the end, though, it just felt right.”

As to his plans for a medical career, Barbery had a long-standing interest in medicine, but admits that he can’t pinpoint a particular moment he made that decision. According to him, it probably goes back to sports. “From seeing injuries early on and watching people heal and get through the mental side of them captured my interest.

Brandon Barbery ’18 during Army field training. Barbery, a former southpaw on the Keydet mound, is finishing up medical school and will soon begin service in the U.S. Army. Photos courtesy Barbery.

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Athletics Initially, I saw it as a way to improve my mechanics to prevent injury calls the “rigorous education” he received. “A lot of credit has to go to some of the more challenging courses and professors who taught them, and better develop as a player, but also it helped me to see how healing such as Colonel Dick Rowe’s comparative morphology class, Colonel works and how crucial the mental side of healing is.”

As to the athletic and academic success he was aiming for, he Tappy Jones’ classes in organic chemistry and the physiology courses taught by the late Colonel Tom Baur [’75] – who wouldn’t hesitate to achieved it. As a baseball player – a left-handed pitcher, to be precise – crush me in racquetball.”

Barbery started all four years and, in 2015, was named to the Southern “While I may not apply everything I learned in these and other classes Conference’s All-Freshman team. During his final season, he was one of the team’s captains and was credited with the win over then-No. to med school,” he continued, “these professors did an amazing job of 15 Virginia, for which he earned General Shale Southern Conference showing me how to learn new and challenging concepts in a way that Student-Athlete of the Week honors. As a student, he excelled as well. He ensures that no matter what topic comes up, I am not intimidated by it.”

In fact, Barbery says, the biggest was an Institute Scholar and had adjustment was reallocating the a 3.95 GPA when he graduated as time he used to put into baseball. He a biology major. His honors thesis pointed out that, in an average week on neurobiology research related to in season, he would spend four hours Parkinson’s disease was published a day practicing or in the gym and in a scientific journal, and he led 10-20 hours a week traveling. Added VMI’s chapter of Beta Beta Beta, to that were four to five games a week the biology honor society. The each of which would take up seven to Southern Conference awarded him eight hours. “To balance that with my one of 10 postgraduate scholaracademics made me develop a strong ships in 2018. ‘time discipline.’ So, swapping out Asked what he did to realize this some of the baseball time for more dual success, he replied, “As I said, study time, while still maintaining I set the goals before I matriculated time for exercise, was relatively easy.” to give 100% effort on the field and As to his decision to serve in the 100% effort in the classroom. I built Army, he says, “I always thought, a schedule that incorporated studywhat better way to feel fulfilled than ing every day in order to prepare to serve, and by becoming a doctor for things way in advance, and I and also joining the military, it’s a adhered to it. In a very real sense, win-win. After my first semester at consistency was the key.”

VMI when I handled the demands Barbery also gives a large meaof the Rat Line and excelled in the sure of credit for his achievements classroom, I had the confidence that I to his professors, coaches and could do it, and that the Army would fellow cadets. “A big part of my be a good fit for me.” success – and this goes for anyone Asked why service is important to – is to surround yourself with good him, he credited his mother. “Growpeople who push you, motivate ing up, I watched her always doing you to be better and who show for others and putting everyone in the you how to do that. As it relates to family and even outside of the family baseball, I was fortunate to have before herself. She never said a word [coaches] Travis Beazley, Jonathan Hadra [’04] and Sam Roberts [’11]. Barbery on a mission trip in Central America. The “rigorous education” he to me along the lines of ‘This is someI also had a great friend and team- received at VMI prepared him well for medical school, Barbery said. His thing you should do.’ I just watched mate in T.J. Lighton ’15. I looked biggest adjustment was reallocating the time he used to put into baseball. her volunteer to do everything from being president of the summer swim up to him for his consistent effort and his determination to overcome disappointments. I’ll always remember team and organizing all 200 swimmers, the events and the concessions to designing and making all the uniforms for the local little league. I also saw his advice about the need to ‘go about your business the right way.’”

As to his professors, Barbery has a special appreciation for his academic the joy it brought her and the relationships she was able to build. Her actions adviser, Col. James E. Turner Sr. ’65, who served for decades as a profes- said it all, and what they said is truly inspiring.”

Now, back in Blacksburg, Barbery is looking forward to completing the sor. “Besides helping me develop my interest in research, Colonel Turner showed me that the importance of developing an enduring intellectual second half of medical school and taking the next step toward becoming curiosity. As he said, it’s about ‘life-long learning, not cramming.’ He an Army doctor. As usual, he will give it his all.

“I believe that everyone has a purpose, and that it is our duty to find also was wholly invested in establishing a personal connection with all his advisees, and that inspired me to have that type of impact one day.” it and give it 100%, so that we can be the best version of ourselves and With the first half of medical school behind him, he credits what he therefore contribute to the best of our ability to society.”

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VMI Alumni Review

Athletics

Okoye ’13 Named to Big South Men’s Basketball All-Decade Team Former VMI basketball standout He also participated in the 2016 Stan Okoye ’13 was named to the Summer Olympics in Rio as a Big South Conference 2010-19 member of the Nigerian basketball Men’s Basketball All-Decade team. He is believed to be only the Team presented by Hercules Tires second VMI alumnus to particiin June 2020. pate in the Olympics.

Okoye, a 6’6” forward from VMI was a member of the Big Raleigh, North Carolina, finished South Conference from 2003 his VMI career (2009-13) as the through 2014 before returning to program’s fourth-leading scorer the Southern Conference for the with 2,146 points and second lead2014-15 athletic year. ing rebounder (962).

The Big South’s All-Decade He was named the 2012-13 Big Teams were first unveiled as part South Player of the Year. of the Big South’s 30th AnniverSince graduating from the Instisary celebration in 2013-14 to tute with a degree in economics recognize the student-athletes and and business, Okoye has played Former Keydet Hoopster Stan Okoye ’13 received honors from the Big South coaches who excelled in their reprofessionally overseas, most re- Conference in June 2020. He was named to the Big South Conference 2010spective sport in each decade since cently with Tecnyconta Zaragoza 19 Men’s Basketball All-Decade Team presented by Hercules Tires. Photo the Conference’s founding in 1983. in Spain. He was also a member courtesy VMI Keydets.

A 15-person committee of Big of the Denver Nuggets and Boston South Conference administrators Celtics Summer League teams the past two years. served as the official voting panel to determine the All-Decade Team, Okoye’s parents are native Nigerians who moved to the United States. with fan voting comprising 20% of the overall total.

Southern Conference Votes to Postpone Fall Sports Competition The Southern Conference voted Aug. 13, 2020, to postpone its 2020 fall sports seasons with the intention to resume in spring 2021.

VMI sports affected by the decision are football, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross-country.

“This decision was made with extensive evaluation and conversation,” Southern Conference Commissioner Jim Schaus said. “Ultimately, we feel it necessary to ensure the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches and staff. That decision was also supported by the medical advisory committee. I am greatly saddened to not be able to conduct our fall conference competition. We know what this means to our student-athletes, coaches, staff and loyal fans, but safety must come first. We are still hopeful that we can have these sports successfully compete in the spring.

We will continue to daily monitor the COVID-19 situation in order to make prudent and necessary decisions regarding athletic practice and competition in the future.”

“We support and respect the SoCon decision regarding fall sports,” said Dr. Dave Diles, VMI athletics director. “The health and safety of our cadetathletes and staff is our top priority as we deal with this pandemic. We will focus our efforts to an efficient and orderly transition to spring 2021 competition. There’s not a better school in the country that can prepare our cadet-athletes for adversity and to overcome obstacles and VMI will adapt and put forth a plan that will move us forward.”

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Noll ’14 Named to Big South All-Decade Team The Big South Conference announced the 201019 Women’s Indoor Track & Field All-Decade Team presented by Hercules Tires June 9, 2020.

Kate Collins Noll ’14, former VMI women’s track and field athlete, was named to the squad.

The league’s All-Decade Teams were first unveiled as part of the Big South’s 30th Anniversary celebration in 2013-14 to recognize the student-athletes and coaches who excelled in their respective sport in each decade since the Conference’s founding in 1983.

Noll, a two-time Big South champion in the pole vault and three-time All-Big South recipient, is one of the top field athletes VMI has produced in program history. A six-time ECAC qualifier (three indoor, three outdoor), the Lovingston,

Virginia, native came in third in the vault at the 2012 BSC indoor meet and became just the second VMI woman to ever clear 12 feet (12’4”).

She also came in fourth in the vault at the 2011 BSC indoor meet.

A 15-person committee of Big South Conference administrators served as the official voting panel to determine the All-Decade Team, with fan voting comprising 20% of the overall total.

Women’s Indoor Track and Field All-Decade Team candidates were determined based on being at least one of the following: 1) Was a multiyear All-Conference honoree in one or more event; 2) Was named an All-American; 3) Is a member of the Big South Conference Hall of Fame; 4) Student-athletes must be a college

graduate or in good academic standing with their respective institution; 5) Won a Conference Championship as a coach and/or was voted Conference Coach of the Year.

Candidates who participated in two different decades were placed in a specific decade based on consultation from member institutions.

Member institutions also had final determination regarding inclusion of student-athletes and coaches. Previous Women’s Indoor Track and Field All-Decade Teams were recognized for the years 1997-99 and 2000-09.

VMI was a member of the Big South Conference from 2003 through 2014 before returning to the Southern Conference for the 2014-15 athletic year.

Kate Collins Noll ’14, a two-time Big South champion in the pole vault and three-time All-Big South recipient, was honored by the conference in June 2020 as part the All-Decade team. Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.

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VMI Alumni Review

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Richards ’19: Grappler Awarded SoCon Male Athlete of the Year

Neal Richards ’19 added another award to his long list of accolades in June, when he was named the 2019-20 Bob Waters Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year. Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.

Neal Richards ’19, VMI redshirt senior wrestler, was named the 2019-20 Bob Waters Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year in mid-June.

Richards became the just the second VMI student-athlete to be named the SoCon Male Athlete of the Year and the first since Johnny Mapp ’54 in 1953-54.

Richards was named a second-team All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association this season, becoming just the third Keydet and first since 1999 to earn All-American honors.

The 174-pounder shared SoCon Championship Most Outstanding Wrestler honors in 2020, taking the award for the second straight

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season after winning the league title in the weight class and qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the third time in his career.

Richards finished the 2019-20 season with a 38-7 record that included six major decisions, seven technical falls and five pins.

He won 18 of his final 19 matches to close the season and earned a spot on the Virginia Sports Information Directors all-state first team. Richards finished his VMI career with a 112-32 record, tied for third on the program all-time wins leader list, and his 38 victories as a senior rank second in Keydet history.

Richards, who graduated with a degree in civil engineering, is commissioning in the U.S. Army.

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French ’20 Earns Honorable Mention All-American VMI goalie Isabel “Issi” French ’20 earned honorable mention All-American honors from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches. She is just the second Keydet to achieve All-American status in water polo program history. Shelby Barkley ’18 was the first, in 2018.

French earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors twice during the 2020 season. She finished the spring season as the leader in many categories in program history, including games played, minutes played, goals-against average and saves in a game, season, and career.

French had an outstanding spring, boasting an 8-0 record, 86 saves, a .541 save percentage and an 8.68 goals-against average. She ranked third in the conference in goals-against average in the 2020 season and was second in save percentage. French earned nine MAAC Player of the Week awards in her career.

Women’s water polo goalie Isabel “Issi” French ’20 capped her stellar career with AllAmerican honors. Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.

Five Former Water Polo Keydets Tabbed for MAAC Honors Five former VMI cadet-athletes were honored on the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference 40th anniversary water polo team. Shelby Barkley ’18, Sarah Dolitsky ’19, Issi French ’20, Bailey Huddleston ’17 and Natalie Rivas ’18 were among the 33 players included on the squad.

Barkley was the first VMI women’s water polo player to earn All-American honors, and was a two-time first-team All-MAAC honoree. She holds program records for

most goals scored in program history, posting 194 tallies and 241 points. A second-team All-MAAC honoree as a senior, she scored 75 goals with 23 assists for 98 points. Dolitsky set the school record with eight goals against Macalester in February 2019. She was named to the MAAC All-Academic team three straight times.

French ’20 became just the second Keydet in program history to earn All-American honors as an honorable mention. She earned

an 8-0 record, 86 saves, a .541 save percentage and an 8.68 goals-against average.

Huddleston scored 164 career goals to rank seventh most in program history and her 113 career matches played ranks fifth. As a senior, she ranked first on the team in assists (54), third in blocks (9) and fourth in goals (41) and finished second in the MAAC in assists and eighth in points (95). Huddleston earned MAAC All-Academic honors in three consecutive seasons.

Barkley ’18, Dolitsky ’19, French ’20, Huddleston ’17 and Rivas ’18 Earn MAAC Honors goals in a season (107) and career (314), and scored a goal in 64 consecutive games.

Barkley also is the program steals and drawn exclusions leader for a season and a career.

She earned VMI’s prestigious Intercollegiate Award in her junior and senior campaigns for all-around excellence in NCAA competition.

Dolitsky finished her career with the second-

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MAAC Defensive Player of the Week twice as a senior and captured nine MAAC Player of the Week awards in her career. French finished the 2020 season as the leader in many categories in program history, including games played, minutes played, goals-against average and saves in a game, season and career. She had an outstanding final campaign, boasting

Rivas was named to the All-MAAC AllConference First Team as a senior after making the second team as a junior. She is ranked second in the VMI record book in career matches played (115) and first in career blocks (115). Rivas ranks third all-time with 185 career goals and is second in the record book with 176 career steals and career drawn exclusions (108).

VMI Alumni Review

Athletics

Montenegro: New Water Polo Head Coach Danielle Montenegro, formerly the head mentor at Urbana University (Ohio), was named the head coach of the VMI women’s water polo team this summer.

The VMI women’s water polo team had a record-breaking 2020 campaign before it was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Keydets finished the year 12-1 with a program-record nine-game winning streak.

VMI swept all four of their matches at both the Washington & Jefferson University and Grove City College Invitationals and took Montenegro three of four at the Mercyhurst Invite.

Issi French ’20, goalie, earned an honorable mention to the All-American team at season’s end.

Montenegro, a native of Rowland Heights, California, came to Urbana last fall after serving as head coach of the water polo program at Crafton Hills College. She also spent three years as assistant coach at Mt. San Antonio College.

Since 2008, Montenegro has coached and instructed at various high schools and clubs in Southern California, including Kennedy High School, Diamond Bar High School, Rowland and Nogales High School, Rose Bowl Aquatics and Rancho Tsunami Water Polo Club.

A standout water polo athlete, Montenegro earned NCAA Division III All-American status all four years at Occidental College (California).

She was named team MVP as a sophomore and was twice voted a team captain.

Before college, Montenegro led the Rowland High School team to a pair of league championships while earning league MVP and Player of the Year awards. She was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Montenegro earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Occidental and obtained her master’s degree from Concordia University in applied exercise science, with an emphasis in strength and conditioning.

She’s also a certified strength and conditioning specialist and certified physical therapist assistant.

Knight ’21 Earns All-State Baseball Honors In spring 2020, redshirt sophomore outfielder Will Knight ’21 earned first-team all-state baseball honors, marking the sixthstraight year a Keydet has garnered all-state baseball accolades.

Knight ripped three hits five times during VMI’s abbreviated 2020 season. He had eight multi-hit games in his 15 starts. For a nine-game stretch he was among the hottest hitters in the nation, going 20-32 for a .625 batting average, with six doubles and a triple for a .657 on base percentage and .875 slugging average.

For the season, Knight ranked third in the Southern Conference with a .431 batting average.

He was seventh in slugging (.586) and eighth in on-base percentage (.484). He tied for the SoCon lead with 25 hits and tied for third with seven doubles. Knight was named the SoCon Player of the Week Feb. 24, 2020.

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Will Knight ’21, outfielder, earned first-team all-state baseball honors in 2020. A native of Amherst, Virginia, he ended the abbreviated 2020 season with a .431 batting average. Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.

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Athletics

Purpura Returns, Takes Helm of Keydet Lacrosse “When lacrosse cadet-athletes come to VMI, wins in program history (11), made a SAC A familiar face to VMI lacrosse, James Purpura Conference Championship appearance and were returns to the Institute as the seventh head coach they have a unique opportunity to achieve a ranked as high as No. 12 in the country in Divinationally renowned education, be prepared to lead the program.

After serving as the offensive coordinator with the tools for life and have a transformative sion II. In one season, Purpura helped coach and and recruiting coordinator during the 2017 and experience, all while playing at the highest level develop six All-SAC selections, including both 2018 seasons at VMI, Purpura left in fall 2018 to of competition. I am excited to reunite with the the SAC Player of the Year and SAC ScholarAthlete of the year, as well as one Major League become the head lacrosse coach at Arcadia Uni- players, alumni and fans who have demonstrated versity in Glenside, Pennsylvania, and coached such loyalty to the Institute and to VMI lacrosse.” Lacrosse player.

Before Queens, Purpura was a graduate asUnder Purpura’s offense in 2018, VMI senior the Knights for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. sistant coach at Frostburg State during the 2015 Named the 2019 Middle Atlantic Conference midfielder Wesley Sanders ’18 became only Coach of the Year, Purpura led the Knights to the 17th Keydet in program history to join the season. Purpura helped lead a fifth-year program to their first national ranking in program history, a 14-11 record over two seasons, including a 5-2 100-Point Club, as he finished his career with 102 points. Sanders also joined the 70-Goal Club at as high as No. 17 in the nation. The Bobcats mark in 2020 before the season was cut short due finished with the most to the coronavirus. Turning wins in program history around a program that went and made their first CAC 31-59 over its first six seasons, Conference Championhe guided the team to its first ship appearance. Purpura playoff appearance following assisted with a defense the 2019 campaign. that gave up the fewest “It is great to welcome back goals allowed per game James Purpura to VMI and in program history, which to our lacrosse program,” said finished sixth in the nation Dr. Dave Diles, VMI direcin Division III. Purpura tor of athletics. “He did an helped coach and develop exceptional job while he was eight All-CAC selections here previously and added and the program’s first head coaching experience three USILA All-Amerthe past couple of seasons.

James Purpura is the new lacrosse head coach. During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, icans.

He understands VMI, the he served as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. He departed the Institute in 2018 and served as head coach at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania for Purpura spent the 2014 Southern Conference and, two seasons. Photo courtesy VMI Keydets. season at SUNY Brockmost importantly, projected a port as the offensive coordetailed, specific and inspiring VMI, only the 13th Keydet in program history dinator. While with the Golden Eagles, Purpura plan to move us forward.” to achieve the rank. Freshman attacker Ryan was named an assistant coach at the 2014 USILA Purpura mentored four All-MAC selections Division III North/South Senior All-Star Game. including the program’s first IMCLA All-Region Perouty ’21 thrived in the system, leading the honoree and USILA Scholar All-American. team with 29 goals for the season as he ranked Purpura helped coach and develop three Allsecond in the league in goals per game at 2.23 SUNYAC selections and the program's first Academically, Arcadia broke program records USILA Scholar All-American. for three straight semesters as two thirds of the and ninth in points at 2.54 per game.

The Pittsford, New York, native began his Purpura was promoted to the head assistant team finished on the MAC Honor Roll.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to return position after completing his first year on staff in collegiate career at Mount Saint Mary’s beto VMI,” Purpura said. “I have continued to 2017, where under his tutelage as the offensive fore transferring to SUNY Geneseo. While at follow the program from afar and now for the coordinator, the Keydet offense improved in Geneseo, Purpura helped the Knights reach opportunity to be at the helm of such a prideful nearly every statistical category. Under Pur- as high as No. 12 in the nation. Geneseo also program is a tremendous honor. I want to thank pura’s leadership in 2017, Sanders was named made consecutive SUNYAC playoff appearGeneral Peay ’62, Doctor Diles and the search first team All-Southern Conference, and then- ances, including a SUNYAC championship committee for bestowing their confidence in me freshman attacker John Daniel ’20 was named appearance.

Purpura is a 2013 graduate of SUNY Gento the Southern Conference All-Freshman team to coach, teach and mentor the Keydet lacrosse eseo where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree program. It’s important to me to be a part of an after guiding the Keydets’ offense with 34 points.

Purpura first came to VMI after serving as the in sociology. Purpura also earned his Master institution that strives for excellence in everything they do, and I look forward to building a culture offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator of Education degree in interdisciplinary studies from Frostburg State in 2015. that’s committed to preparing our cadet-athletes at Queens University of Charlotte in 2016.

He married his wife, Leah, in 2018.

The Royals also finished with the second most for a lifestyle of winning.

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VMI Alumni Review

Events Arizona Chapter Gathers Virtually, Celebrates New Market Day

Attending an Arizona Chapter toast via Zoom to commemorate New Market Day 2020 were, from left, top row, Ned Harris ’68 and Richard Coupland III ’91, chapter president. Bottom row: Carl Benner ’60 and Buzz Lucas ’94.

Knoxville Chapter Helps Commission Hunse ’20

Retired U.S. Army Col. Brett Turner ’90 commissioned Will Hunse ’20 as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve at the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial May 16, 2020. Upon learning that Hunse needed a commissioning officer, Chris Jones ’96, chapter president, reached out to chapter members and was able coordinate the commissioning ceremony.

Pictured were Turner, Hunse and Hunse’s family.

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Events

Pacific Northwest Chapter Gathers

Pete Farmer ’68, Pacific Northwest Chapter president, found a way to get the chapter together despite pandemic restrictions.

Chapter members attending a Zoom meeting in lieu of the chapter’s annual family picnic were from left, top row, Andy Gillespie ’88, Farmer ’68 and Max Liebl ’18. Bottom row: Roy Palmer ’58, Travis Russell ’55 and Ken Pierro ’81.

Commissioning Information for Classes of 1990-2009 To more accurately reflect commissioning percentages at VMI, the Institute is seeking to uncover those alumni who have commissioned in any branch of service following their graduation through an officer candidate program or other commissioning avenue.

VMI believes that there may be a sizeable number of alumni in this category. If you commissioned after graduation, by some means other than direct commission through VMI ROTC, please contact Col. Gary Bissell ’89, deputy chief of staff and operations, by email at bissellga@vmi.edu or by phone at 540/464-7104.

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Graduate School Partnerships The Virginia Military Institute has forged relationships with graduate and professional schools in Virginia and across the U.S. These agreements offer opportunities, including admissions concessions, internships, guaranteed interviews and, in some cases, guaranteed admissions.

Partnerships include Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State University, Norwich University, Arizona State and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Programs include law, medicine, business, engineering and communications.

Contact Bri Holland at hollandbm@vmi.edu for more information.

VMI Alumni Review

Events

Alumni Network Helps With Job Searches said Ayers. These enhancements simply provide job assisLast spring, Calle Biles ’20 started a spreadsheet to keep track tance more efficiently than ever. Alumni across the country of job applications. Looking over the document, she realized are jumping on board to help each other in job searches and she had applied for 50 different positions. She wasn’t making career transitions. headway with her job search.

Brashears also worked with VMI’s Office of Career Services.

After getting in contact with the VMI Alumni Association, Together, they offered webinars, featuring successful alumni Biles was quickly called for an interview. The interview resulted and tips to use while job hunting. In the spring, career services in a job offer. At the Alumni Association, she worked with sent a survey to all non-commissioning members of the Class Thom Brashears ’95, the Association’s chief operating officer, of 2020. They shared these responses with Brashears – which and Meg Ayers ’19, the Association’s program outreach direcis how Biles’ resume landed on his desk. tor. They reviewed Biles’ resume and put her in touch with In a separate line of effort, Brashears coordinated a other alumni in her career field. nationwide effort to introduce 2020 graduates to alumni “I didn’t really realize how strong the alumni network was,” chapters. Each region hosted a welcome gathering via the Biles said. “It was like a godsend.”

Zoom digital platform. Chapter leadership made introducEarly last spring, COVID-19’s effects on job prospects beBiles ’20 tions, let alumni know why chapters exist and how local came evident. The Alumni Association kicked into high gear, alumni help one another. knowing alumni would need connections and support. Brashears and his All told, 75% of alumni who contacted the Alumni Association for help team worked hard to improve and enhance the Association’s outreach

“I didn’t really realize how strong the alumni network was.

It was like a godsend.” subcommittee. This subcommittee has alumni contacts organized by job field and location. They connect job seekers with contacts and mentors.

“The Alumni Association always helps alumni in their job searches,”

with job searches since spring 2020 have received offers.

“The network works,” Brashears said. “If you are looking for a job, give us a call. Send us an email. We are here to help.”

Chapters Leverage Technology, Creativity During Pandemic Alumni Welcome Incoming Rats Alumni volunteer leaders adapted to this year’s COVID-19 restrictions, reaching out to 330 new rats. Traditionally, VMI alumni chapters throughout the country hold rat send-offs for incoming cadets. Often well-attended events, incoming cadets and their families can meet and get to know alumni. The alumni offer timely advice to the young people and their families. The bonds formed between alumni and those about to become alumni are irreplaceable.

Chapter leaders – as VMI folks always do – worked with the situation and achieved great results. Some chapters held virtual rat send-offs, while others gathered outside. In all cases, chapters complied with government restrictions.

Nearly 100 more incoming cadets attended rat send-offs

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in 2020, as compared to 2019.

Though the number of chapters able to hold rat send-offs was limited by the pandemic, over half of the rat class had an opportunity to be welcomed at over 25 rat send-off events.

“A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers for their service.

Every year, their hard work is what makes these events possible,” Thom Brashears ’95, chief operations officer of the Alumni Association, said. “But this year, chapter leadership had to think outside the box. Some had to learn to use new technology, like Zoom.

Undaunted, they pulled together and provided opportunities to welcome over half the incoming class at rat send-offs. The effort, care and planning from our volunteers is what makes these events so special. Pandemic or not, VMI alumni always make it happen.”

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Progress Gault ’71: Honoring a Family Legacy

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

The Old Library stood to the left of barracks before the addition of New Barracks and Third Barracks. Photos courtesy Lanny Gault ’71.

A stack of black-and-white photos offers a peek into a family’s history. The photos span several decades. There’s barracks, with the old library standing to the side. There’s a pretty girl, circa1940s. There are photos of men, young and old, in military-style uniforms. And there is a little boy. He’s first pictured at a few months old in a baby carriage. A few years later, the camera captures him play-acting outside. He’s shown under a Christmas tree and with grandparents.

In all the photos, the Institute is the common thread. The little boy is always wearing something that outright says “VMI” or – in the case of the play-acting photo – something that evokes the Institute (he’s pictured wearing a shako).

The little boy was Lanny Gault ’71. Eventually, he grew older and matriculated to VMI – like his father and grandfather before him.

The Institute has always been part of his Weaver ’921 life. When he matriculated, he doubtless received a sort of “post tour” along with his fellow rats. They all learned they’d live in the barracks, eat in Crozet and study in the library. For Gault, though, there was one more place on post that was particularly important. He didn’t need a tour guide (or cadre straining him, as was more likely the case) to tell him about this building: His grandfather’s house, which happened to overlook the parade ground.

Gault’s maternal grandfather was Col. Richard C. “Buck” Weaver ’921. He taught physics at

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VMI for 47 years, including during the first three years of Gault’s cadetship. Gault’s mother, Gertrude Weaver Gault, grew up in quarters above the old library. Cadets called her “Bucket,” the diminutive of her father’s nickname. She met Gault’s father, Ronald L. “Ronnie” Gault ’49B, at Lexington High School and they later married.

Though Gault grew up in Richmond, he was a frequent visitor to his grandparents’ house – and therefore, to VMI. From an early age, he was cheering for VMI’s football team. As a

Gertrude Weaver child, the football players were his heroes. He’s still an ardent fan, but back then he could recite every player’s name, hometown and weight. He remembers John McKenna’s undefeated 1957 football team.

One of his favorite football memories is a little later, from his rat year: “We beat [Virginia Tech] 12-10 in Roanoke on Thanksgiving Day. VT missed a gamewinning field goal at the end of the game,” he recalled. “What made it so special was VT had beaten us 70-12 the year before. Our win

put our record at 6-4 and it prevented VT from going to a bowl game.”

He ranks the 2019 win over The Citadel in Charleston among the “top five” of VMI games he’s seen. Gault’s father and grandfather were also big football fans – and so was his mom. She was “a fanatical VMI fan,” Gault said.

When Gault’s father passed away in August 2019, he resolved to do something that would honor his father and something that would support VMI. The Institute is woven into the fabric of Gault’s, and his family’s, life and he wanted to give back. He wanted to include his mother, father and grandfather, too.

Gault had a little experience putting together a scholarship to support future cadets.

He had already banded together with four of his roommates to begin the Class of 1971 Room 139 Scholarship. He settled on creating a scholarship with the family name.

Gault ’49B Both Gault and his father spent time in service to VMI. Ronnie served with the Sportsman’s Club. This was the precursor to the Keydet Club, where his son is now part of the Board of Governors. Through his service with the Keydet Club, Gault has been able to meet and spent time with cadet-athletes. He understands that most alumni don’t have that chance. They come to post for games and return home soon after. Cadets are busy, and often lack time to meet with anyone outside their daily routines.

“I just wish more alumni could have the opportunity” to interact with cadet-athletes,

VMI Alumni Review

Progress Gault said. “I tell you, [they are] impressive.”

To continue supporting the cadet-athletes who he has spent his life cheering for, Gault worked through the Keydet Club to begin an athletic scholarship. He incorporated his mother’s maiden name, as well as his own last name. The Gault-Weaver Family Scholarship will “memorialize and honor the lives, lineage and service” of Gault’s family at VMI and will financially support future NCAA cadetathletes at VMI. Gault and his wife, Terry Sue, live in Midlothian, Virginia. Terry Sue is an athlete herself: She’s an eight-time All-American Masters swimmer and thus particularly supportive of cadetathletes. Both look forward to continuing their interaction with future Keydets, particularly the ones their family scholarship will assist.

In the meantime, Gault is busy planning for a milestone. He’s co-chairing the Class of 1971 50th Reunion Committee, planning for the class’ biggest event yet – and encouraging his BRs to support his favorite cause: The Virginia Military Institute.

Count Me In Campaign a Huge Success

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

On behalf of VMI, the Corps of Cadets and future cadets: Thank you to all VMI alumni, family and friends who took the time to make a gift to the Institute during the monthlong Count Me In campaign. Your generosity is truly appreciated. You pulled together during a difficult time and, together, gave roughly $500,000 to VMI.

A

VMI has always been part of life for Lanny Gault ’71, pictured above “in uniform” early on. He recently started a scholarship honoring his family’s legacy at the Institute.

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lways loyal, the VMI family showed overwhelming support to the Institute between May 17-June 16, 2020. Count Me In’s goal was threefold, said Meade King ’85, chief operating officer of the Foundation and Keydet Club.

First, to honor the Class of 2020 with 331 donors – to match the number of May 2020 graduates. Second, to increase alumni giving participation numbers. And third, to bring always-needed financial support to VMI. This support was even more vital in 2020, due to economic effects triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

While news outlets were blaring headlines about COVID-19 and ensuing problems, VMI alumni quietly stepped forward and offered tangible support to the Institute. The 331-donor goal was exceeded early on and eventually climbed to over 900 donors. Together, gifts added up to roughly $500,000.

“I am especially grateful to all those who joined the efforts, not simply for the donation of necessary monies, but for their understanding that this important work on behalf of VMI must continue,” said King.

Each class had individualized donor goals. Some classes used the opportunity for reunion giving – both to raise funds and to raise awareness of how valuable private support is in supporting VMI. The uber-competitive Class of 1990 once again beat out all comers. They nabbed first place in donor totals, with 120 class members participating. They’re also the undisputed number-of-donor champions during VMI’s two Days of Giving.

This time, however, the Class of 1988 gave 1990 a run for their money, with 90 donors.

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Progress For 1988, it went beyond competition. It was about remembering a friend and brother rat lost to COVID-19.

Newark, New Jersey, Police Lt. Michael Clegg ’88 died April 10, 2020. One of his brother rats wanted to start a scholarship in Clegg’s honor and contributed several thousand dollars to begin the scholarship. More than 80 members of the class quickly jumped on board. Working together, they funded the Michael W. Clegg ’88 Memorial Scholarship in under 24 hours.

“The heartfelt and successful memorial to Michael Clegg ’88 is arguably the finest result about which we can boast,” said King.

In third place, the Class of 1996 narrowly edged out the Class of 1997 by six, with 69 donors. With that effort, the Class of 1996 raised their participation rate by 13%. Financially, the Class of 1965 was first, while 1988 and 1990 were second and third, respectively.

Many alumni offered both matching and challenge gifts during the one-month campaign. “Challenge gifts” are exactly that: A challenge. For instance, an anonymous donor challenged the VMI family to participate – by offering to give $100,000 if 331 people made donations. This challenge was successfully met by the VMI family June 8. As the campaign continued and the initial donor goal was met, this anonymous investor upped the ante with more challenges and matches, eventually giving $250,000.

“Thanks to this anonymous donor, we far outpaced our donor goal and met our financial commitment to provide VMI muchneeded unrestricted money,” said King.

Matching gifts are a little different. These happen when one person offers to give the same amount as others, usually up to a certain dollar amount. Many successful matches – small and large – happened during Count Me In. Several instances of, “I’ll put in $10 if my roommate does,” and, “Anytime I can get soand-so to give up some money, I’ll do it,” occurred throughout the campaign, noted King. Alumni, especially brother rats, motivated each other to support VMI in any amount.

“As crowdfunding efforts go, many individuals added their enthusiasm in the form of personal challenges,” said King.

“From small to large, each incentive brought a measure of momentum and helped ensure our successful outcome.”

Count Me In was primarily an online fundraising effort and the VMI family was able to track progress via the internet.

Social media and email updates also kept alumni and friends informed during the entirety of the campaign.

The funds raised will support the Corps of Cadets and VMI in many areas. About 25% of VMI’s annual budget is provided through private support, including scholarships, faculty salaries, cadet and faculty conference attendance, equipment, Corps life and undergraduate research.

“In spite of the pandemic the alumni community – in an impressive display – rallied with brother rats to celebrate the graduating class and provide much-needed support to the Institute,” said Patti Cook, director of Annual and Reunion Giving. “This makes for a positive ending to what would have been a very uncertain year.”

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“Never Falter, Never Quit” The Drew Ross Leadership Scholarship

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer In November 2019, a memorandum of understanding was executed which established the Drew Ross Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship honors the life and service of U.S. Army Capt. Andrew P. “Drew” Ross, who was killed in action in November 2018 while serving with 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Afghanistan’s Ghazni Province.

Although Drew Ross was a 2011 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, his ties to VMI and Lexington were strong. He is the son of Stephen T. Ross ’83, a longtime soccer coach at the Institute, and two of his great-uncles are alumni as well: Bobby Ross ’59 and Donald S. Ross ’74. Furthermore, like many coaches’ sons, Drew grew up to a large extent on a sideline – in this case, the VMI soccer team’s. Ed Davis ’92 remembered a young Drew: “He would often come to practice with his dad, and all the players would give him high fives and pass him the ball when they could.

We all just enjoyed seeing his energy, his smile and his relationship with his father.”

Drew went to West Point with every intention of continuing to play soccer, and he did during his plebe year. At the end of his plebe year, he decided leave the team and concentrate his physical efforts in the weight room. As his father put it, “That decision meant leaving a game he loved and to which he had devoted so much of his life, but it was a sacrifice he felt he needed to make to become the leader he wanted to be.”

While he might have left the West Point soccer team, Drew never stop believing in the concept of a team. It wasn’t just the camaraderie – although Drew did value that. He understood that a team was greater than the sum of its parts and that, by applying their talents in a common purpose, a team could accomplish important, sometimes great, things. This, coupled with his drive to excel, to count himself among the best, is why he decided to join a truly elite team: The U.S. Army’s Special Forces.

When soccer alumni learned of Drew’s death, they were uniformly shocked and saddened by it. They also were galvanized into action.

As Douglas Bartlett, longtime head coach of VMI lacrosse and current vice president of the VMI Keydet Club, recalled, “Having known Steve and his family for decades, Drew’s death had a major impact on me as it did on alumni who knew the Ross family. As well as our profound sense of loss, we shared a desire to do something in

VMI Alumni Review

Progress

wanted to make sure Drew would be honored in a manner that honor of Drew and his family, something that shows the immense would matter to him. When those who wanted to commemorate respect we have for them and their sacrifices.”

Drew came up with the concept of supporting a cadet who had Beginning at Drew’s funeral service, Bartlett and a small group the goal of becoming a Ranger, I was totally in and very excited.” of alumni – the aforementioned Davis along with Alexander As to the Institute being the place at which his son was honored, Alston III ’92, John Arthur ’79, Mark Hannan ’94, Courtney Ross observed, “While Drew didn’t attend VMI, many of the Lambert ’92 and Matt Ott ’92 – began to float ideas about the things he learned as a leader came best way to do so. from his time growing up around After much discussion, the group cadets and other VMI people. They concluded a scholarship at VMI helped to make him the leader he would be a proper tribute to Drew was.” and his family. The next decision to Now fully endowed, the Drew make was the purpose of the scholRoss Leadership Scholarship will be arship and who it would support. awarded to a 2nd or 1st Class cadet It was Hannan who first proposed who exhibits the same traits that that the scholarship focus on leadDrew displayed as a leader – selflessership and being an Army Ranger. ness, dedication to duty, devotion to He had attended Drew’s Ranger others, a desire for excellence – and School graduation in the company who will commission in the Army of Stephen Ross and, as Ross said, and who is determined to become “Mark understood what that took a Ranger. In honor of Drew’s local to get through that program.” roots, the first preference in award will As Davis put it, a leadership scholbe to cadets from Rockbridge County. arship made sense because Drew The Army ROTC department – with epitomizes what a leader should assistance from VMI’s financial aid be. “He was competitive; had very office – will determine the scholarhigh standards; was the ultimate ship’s recipients. teammate; selfless in his actions, As to what is expected of the scholhis sense of honor, and his commitarship, Hannan perhaps expressed ment; and deeply believed in family it best. and country.”

“I was able to process Drew’s death “We saw the scholarship as proby understanding how he had lived moting the values Drew Ross exemthe life he had chosen. He underplified – purpose, trust, teammates,” stood the risks of being a battlefield said Ott, “values that would inspire leader, yet he saw his profession as a cadets to be like Drew and commit The Drew Ross Leadership Scholarship, honoring the life noble one, and he knew his place in themselves to the cause of our naand service of U.S. Army Capt. Andrew P. “Drew” Ross, it as a leader. He lived by a simple tion and its defense.” was started in November 2019. Ross, son of Stephen credo, ‘Never Falter, Never Quit.’

Alston added, “Drew’s leadership Ross ’83 and a West Point graduate, was killed in action in November 2018. Photo courtesy U.S. Army.

He is the type of person who should philosophy clearly reflected that of be, who needs to be, remembered. his father. It was team-oriented. It His is a name that deserves to endure forever. The hope of evdemanded that you act as a motivational force, and it was undereryone involved in this project is that the scholarship’s recipients pinned by a commitment to something higher. So, this idea offered look at for whom it is named and strive to emulate his traits as a both a means to honor Drew, support our coach and acknowledge leader when they themselves become officers.” the commitment to doing something important that is common to To contribute to the scholarship, please go to vmialumni.org/give the entire Ross family.” and enter “Drew Ross Leadership Scholarship” in “DesignaStephen recalled his reaction to the development of the scholartions” when making your secure gift, or mail a contribution to ship’s purpose. “Initially, I was highly honored. It means a lot to VMI Foundation; P.O. Box 932; Lexington, Virginia 24450 and me that so many of the young men I coached and others cared indicate the gift is for the Drew Ross Leadership Scholarship. so much for Drew and understood what he was all about. But I

2020-Issue 4

37

CLASS NOTES

1941

Stuart Seaton Jr. ’73

Greetings from the VMI Class of ’41. As I sit down to write these class notes, I know the two surviving class members and rat roommates, Jack Williams and Chuck Abbitt, send their regards to the entire VMI family. This year alone, these two senior alumni have survived over half a year of the COVID-19 virus as well as one or two hurricanes.

I am happy to report that Jack Williams has overcome his bout with pneumonia that was reported in the August 2020 Alumni Review, and he is doing extremely well in his recovery.

Both of his adult children reside close to his Hot Springs, Virginia, home, and he is temporarily living with one of them as he recuperates from this recent illness. In my telephone conversation with him, I could tell he has regained his strength, and he seems to be doing very well. He was particularly happy with the decisions made by the administration regarding VMI’s statues and building names and the fact that the Corps was returning for the fall academic semester.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to speak with Col. Abbitt in order to post a report on him. Having not heard anything to the contrary, I can only assume all is well with him where he resides in Richardson, Texas.

Respectfully submitted.

Stuart M. Seaton Jr. ’73

1942

Brittany Szczepanik ’20

The Class of 1942 has four living brother rats. Mr. Barnabas W. Baker, Mr. Robert W. Goodman and Col. John M. Patton all remain in good health and are doing their best to stay active. I have not been able to reach Mr. George W. Heath Jr. Mr. Baker just celebrated his 100th birthday

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July 1 and was incredibly surprised to find out he was not the sole surviving member of the class. In September, both Mr. Goodman and Col. Patton will be celebrating their birthdays.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Chip Parkins, son of Charles Parkins ’43.

Mr. Chip Parkins and his wife are regularly in contact with Col. Jack Patton. Col. Patton had four daughters of his own, but Mr. Parkins considers himself an “adopted son” of the colonel.

Col. Patton is currently residing in Kansas City, where his daughters are able to keep a watchful eye on him. Unfortunately, Col. Patton had a fall about four months ago. While he sustained no broken bones, doctors discovered he had pneumonia. This diagnosis was concerning given the prevalence of the COVID-19 virus. Despite the challenge, Col. Patton was treated and made a speedy recovery.

While quarantine has left the colonel “bored to death,” he does have a routine he enjoys. A friend who lives in the same community meets him every day after lunch in the courtyard for a cigar, and they return at 5 p.m. each evening for a cocktail. He is in good spirits, as sharp as ever and never fails to share a joke or two.

Mr. Parkins also shared a bit about Col. Patton’s long and distinguished military career.

He served for more than 30 years as an Air Force pilot before retiring out of Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He began flying in a small, two-seater training plane that had a max speed of 90 mph. The simple planes Col. Patton flew as a lieutenant required pilots to talk through a hose, which hung between the front and back seats, to communicate with passengers. Col. Patton finished his career flying aircraft that exceeded Mach 1.5, a true testament to his skills.

Over the past two months, it has been a pleasure to get to know the Class of 1942, as well as their friends and family. I look forward to receiving regular updates and sharing their many memories in the years to come!

1943 William B. Garber ’64

Class of 1943:

The notice from the Alumni Agencies about class notes seems to be coming around more quickly these days. That said, I hope everybody is doing well in this pandemic environment.

With a little luck, by the next issue, a vaccine and/or treatment will become available and we can resume normal activities. Most important for many in the class, we can again entertain visitors!

I received one response to my two emails requesting news, from Judy Winter. “Bill Winter reports that he celebrated his 98th birthday with his son, Bruce, who visited by social distancing using the glass storm door between them. Bill and Judy are enjoying a new vacation condo in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, about an hour and a half north from New Braunfels. The drive is through hilly ranch land with roadsides blanketed with wildflowers. Good news for us old folks is that a new Baylor Scott White hospital is 10 minutes away, and their clinic is across the street from the condo. We hope everyone is staying well and keeping the virus at bay.”

In reviewing my notes from the last issue of the Alumni Review, I think I jumped the gun on the ages of the most senior class members, declaring them to be 100. If Bill Winter turned 98 this year, then the rest – except for Bill Gottwald, by several weeks the youngest among you – will have to wait until 2021 to reach that age. Just around the corner!

Stay safe and healthy! And let me know if I can be of service.

1944 Jonathan Safrit ’10

The Class of 1944 is hanging tough and continuing the monotony that has become most of our lives. Hopefully by the time these notes come out in November, we will have regained some semblance of normalcy.

Bob Smothers wrote to tell me his moving plans went on as planned and he sold his La Jolla home is now at his new home in the Wesley Palms retirement community. Although he has had to cancel trips and outings, I guess it will take more than a global pandemic to keep

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Bob completely down.

I spoke briefly with John Irby. He didn’t have anything new to report on his end but passed along his usual compliments to me and the VMI community as a whole. In searching for other information in the VMI Archives, I came across a great interview John gave about 15 years ago. It was a fascinating window into his life and also that period of VMI. I encourage anyone reading this to go onto the Archives website and look it up.

I finally got to speak with Dick Niess during this class notes period. He gave me some great insight to the class I had not been aware of before. He also mentioned a certain bomb in the courtyard of barracks that I’m sure the other class members, as well as surrounding classes, will recall ... but I better not say too much, as I’m unsure about the statute of limitations.

Haha. Dick seems to be in good health and spirits. He sends his best wishes to everyone.

Gus Whitehurst’s daughter, Win, wrote me a very kind letter welcoming me into the folds of the 1944 family. She said that although her father passed away in 2005, she still keeps up with the class through the Review. Besides being personally impressed with her dedication to the class, I can only imagine how happy her father would be to know that she still retains the connection. I look forward to communicating with her further and maybe sharing some stories in future issues.

Unfortunately, I must also report the death of Col. Richard C. Doom June 6, 2020. His Taps entry will be in the Alumni Review due out in February 2021.

I’d like to close by honoring those members of the Class of 1944 who died in service to their country during World War II during this class notes period: U.S. Army Air Forces Lt. George W. Renneman. KIA June 5, 1944.

U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Harvey M. Walthall. KIA Aug. 4, 1944, over Germany.

1945 Jonathan Safrit ’10

For the individual class members, there is not

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much new to report. COVID-19 planned out, or rather canceled, most of our summers, and the news for the most part remains unchanged from the last class notes. As we continue to ward off cabin fever here in the later part of summer, I hope everyone is by now having a safe and healthy fall season.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel the 75th Reunion planned for this fall, along with my own class’ reunion, which I was looking forward to celebrating with ’45. We did have individuals planning to attend the 75th, so here’s to hoping that when it is rescheduled, they may still do so. I will keep the class up to date on any news concerning the reunion.

I heard from the son-in-law of Edward Holt Jr. who let me know that Mr. Holt passed away Oct. 30, 2019, and will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery in October 2020. His Taps entry should be in this issue of the Review.

I must also report the unexpected passing of Hugh Dischinger July 11, 2020. While I did not have the opportunity to meet or speak with Mr. Dischinger, he obviously led a very full and interesting life and will be missed by those that were lucky enough to know him. His Taps entry appears in this issue of the Review.

I haven’t been in touch with all the class members or their listed relatives yet but would love to be. Please don’t hesitate to reach out or have your loved ones contact me.

I’d like to close by honoring those members of the Class of 1945 who died in service to their country during World War II during this class notes period: U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. James G. Allen Jr. KIA Aug. 15, 1944, Italy.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. John H. Christian Jr. Aug. 21, 1944.

U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Virginius R. Stell Jr. KIA May 26, 1944, North Atlantic.

U.S. Army Capt. John A. Tate. KIA May 23, 1951, Korea.

1946

William A. Eliason

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1946.

1947 Paul Munson ’87

Editor’s Note: Paul Munson ’87 is now serving the Class of 1947 as class agent.

1948A

Dale E. Wykoff

Editor’s Note: The Class of 1948A is no longer submitting notes. Dale Wykoff remains the point of contact for the class.

1948B

Lionel T. Wolford

Brother Rats, I hope the ongoing pandemic did not prevent you from having a pleasant summer. As I write this, VMI has started its well-planned reopening process. Cadet cadre is already on post, rats will soon arrive and by the end of August the entire Corps will start fall classes. We hope for complete success. I just learned the Southern Conference postponed the fall sports season.

Go Keydets.

Probably all of you received a copy of the seven-page letter by Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62. He pointed out that VMI has no place for racism or mistreatment of others. Personally, I think that the general wrote an excellent letter, and I am in complete agreement.

Molly Rolon reported that Henry Nalven of Flushing, New York, passed away May 10, 2020. He was 93 and the second oldest ’48B survivor. No obituary was provided. He came to VMI from Brooklyn, New York, and, like many other brother rats, had to leave for military service (Navy, Marines) after one year. I could not locate him in our class picture. I have

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Class Notes very little information about Henry’s life. Henry worked for Kraft, Inc. as a sales representative.

At some point, he and Sonia were married. Henry and Sonia attended the ’48B 65th Reunion in 2013, and they sat with Ann Wolford and me at the all-class dinner. A little over a year ago, I phoned Henry. He was injured in a fall and was not mobile. He sounded great but stated that he could not remember names or faces. Farewell to another great ’48B. On paper (Norma’s roster), we have 19 survivors. However, Julian Adkins, Thomas Gore, Adm. John Josephson and George Stein have not been heard from and most likely have passed away.

I talked with Cmdr. Dick Blackwell’s caregiver about a year ago but have heard nothing since.

Judge John Boyd of Waco, Texas, is back in the hospital according to Doug Hamner. Doug talked to Bonnie Boyd May 22, 2020. She reported that John was much better and that he would soon return home. But July 19, 2020, Doug again talked with Bonnie. She reported that John’s infection had returned and that he was back in the hospital. Hang in there, John.

Charles Brown of Shreveport, Louisiana, has some health issues. He developed back pain.

Medical examination revealed a herniated disc and, perhaps more serious, an aortic aneurysm.

The doctors did not recommend surgery at this point. Charles has cut back on his activity but still goes to work every day at the Bayou State Oil Co. He does not like the low oil prices.

Charles reported that his granddaughter, who is on the Tulane University Law School faculty, is now assistant dean. She is presently involved with the reopening of the law school. During my years at VMI, I had 12 roommates. Charles was the best roommate I ever had.

I called Lou Castellano of Bayshore, New York, because I believed he might have further news of Henry Nalven. He did not. Lou is now our second oldest brother rat. He said he was in good health and sounded great. Lou said he practiced law for over 70 years but does not have much to keep him busy now.

I called Ed Cortright of Madison, Mississippi, recently. Ed is our third oldest brother rat. He also sounded great but did have some health issues. He has some eyesight problems and he fell and broke his shoulder. He had just returned from the doctor and was wearing a

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brace. We talked about some old-time politicians from both Louisiana and Mississippi who were active about the time we were at VMI. Not very pertinent to today’s situation, but we enjoyed our talk. I told him about the superintendent’s letter. Ed was in agreement with Gen. Peay’s letter.

I called Dr. Angus Crook of Nashville, Tennessee. He sounded great and was in good health. He reported that his second wife, Nancy, was much younger than he was and that she took great care of him.

I talked several times with Doug Hamner of Lynchburg, Virginia. Doug does have health problems, and I reported on them in the last set of class notes. A more recent medical exam revealed bleeding ulcers. Doug received successful treatment and was back home feeling better.

He still feels somewhat weak. Because of his eyesight problems, he was unable to read Gen. Peay’s letter. I went over the highlights of the letter with him, and he was in complete agreement.

I contacted Nick Harris of Boynton Beach, Florida. Nick became sick and had to go to the hospital. He was twice tested for COVID-19 but both tests were negative. He did have double pneumonia. After five days in the hospital, he returned home, but was very weak. I called back a week or so after my first contact with Nick.

Nick said that he was better, but still weak. Nick, I hope you are back on the golf course soon.

I tried to contact Ed Hartman but got no response.

I called Rod Kallgren of Dearborn, Michigan, and we had a long talk. Rod was in good health and sounded great. Activities at his assisted living facility have been somewhat curtailed. He has to wear a mask when he leaves his room. He still has his car and drives when required. We talked about our Korean War experiences. I was there from March 1951 through February 1952. Rod was in Korea from late 1952 until the end of the war in 1953. So, we were not in Korea at the same time, but we were in the same area north of Seoul. Rod was a battery commander in the 1st Observation Battalion. His unit supported I Corps Artillery.

For my last few months in Korea I was the Ammunition Train Commander of the 159th Field Artillery Battalion. My unit was situated just south of Uijongbu (pronounced we jon boo) between the firing batteries to the north and the

ammunition dump to the south. Rod’s battery was well to the north near the DMZ. I have a Uijongbu story that took place in June 1951.

At that time, Uijongbu, just 25 miles north of Seoul, had changed hands six times since the start of the war. Its 30 or so buildings had been reduced to rubble. One day I was given time off from my job and was told that Jack Benny was putting on a USO show in Uijongbu. Several of us Jeeped over and found the show site.

We made our way close to the open-air stage.

Nearby I saw a group of infantrymen, one of which looked familiar. The young lieutenant walked over and introduced himself. It was Stock Fleming ’47. We had a short talk before the show begun. Jack Benny and his band put on a good show. There were no girls – too close to the front lines. The famous Hollywood actor Erol Flynn made a brief appearance. Jack Benny closed the show with the following remark, “Now I have visited the greatest cities in the world Rome, Paris and Uijongbu.” Later, I learned that Stock Fleming earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with “V” device and the Purple Heart during his Korean War service.

As Rod and I further discussed our Korean War experience, Rod mentioned that when he returned home, he was assigned to command a missile battery at Fort Bliss, Texas. When I returned from Korea, I reported to the personnel officer at Fort Polk, Lousiana. The officer noticed that I was a VMI graduate and asked if I would like the position of battalion S-2 in a Virginia National Guard unit. That sounded great to me and even more so when he added, “That’s a VMI battalion.” I reported to the commanding officer, Lt. Col. William Adams ’40. He welcomed me with enthusiasm and was very pleased to have another VMI man in his unit. I was there only a few months before returning to civilian life. Col. Adams and I got along well, and as I remember, we spent quite a few off duty evenings together at the bar in the officers’ club. Our paths never crossed again.

I tried to contact Al Loth of Richmond, Virginia, July 30, 2020. In the past, Al has always responded quickly, but I got no response this time.

I tried to contact Charles Nixon of Lafayette, California, but the telephone was disconnected.

I talked to George Ramsey of Lynchburg, Virginia, several times. He sounded great and reported no health issues. We discussed Gen. Peay’s letter. George was in complete agreement. He

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes said that he would supply Doug Hamner with a copy. I asked George if he still had Board of Visitor connections or was he completely retired. George replied, “Retired.” He added that his son, Peter Ramsey ’72, who is also a past president of the VMI Board of Visitors, speaks with the superintendent occasionally. George also reported that Harriet had completely recovered from her fall and that he no longer has to fix his own meals.

I contacted Warren Leister, nephew of Jim Warrington. Warren replied that Jim was still in rehab and has not been allowed visitors since March. Jim is our oldest ’48B survivor.

Lord willing, Jim will be 94 Sept. 19, 2020.

Hang in there Jim. Personally, I had two health issues this report period but managed to stay out of the hospital. Home health nurses check on me every week or so. I take care of myself, do housework, yardwork and drive my car. I get a lot of help from my daughter, Marie, who lives with me; my son, Tom, who lives nearby; and my daughter, Ann, who lives in Colorado. Over the past year, Ann has had to overcome serious health problems.

Shortly after the last set of ’48B class notes were submitted, I received a message from Lionel Lieberman’s son, Dave. He included a letter from Gay Fried, Lionel’s daughter.

From Gay Fried, written March 14, 2020: “Sadly my father, Lionel ‘Lee’ Lieberman, passed last Wednesday, in Tel Aviv, Israel, at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his children and wife, Judy. Lionel was a true southern gentleman and man of integrity. He was liked by all and revered and admitted by his family. He was the anchor of our family, and there wasn’t any problem my dad couldn’t help us solve. He was an accomplished physician and one of the earliest practitioners in the field of nuclear medicine. After serving in the Navy, he earned his M.D. from the University of Virginia Medical School, a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard and a Ph.D. in nuclear medicine from the University of Michigan.

He practiced at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (1975-83) and was the chief of nuclear medicine at Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot, Israel, (1971-74) and at Tel Hashomer Hospital (Sheba Medical Center) in Tel Aviv, Israel, (1984-90). He also spent part of his career at the Food and Drug Administration. Lionel was

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originally married to my mother, Mara, who predeceased him in 1994 after 41 years of marriage.”

In the previous notes, I incorrectly reported that Dr. Judy Featherman was the mother of Lionel’s children. Actually, as Gay points out, Lionel married Mara, the mother of his children, in 1953. Mara passed away in 1994, and Lionel later married Judy, who survives him.

Thanks to all of you who contributed to VMI’s recent fundraising event, which Thom Brashears ’95 reported to be a huge success.

Brother rats, have a great fall season and let me hear from you.

1949A Paul Munson ’87

Editor’s Note: Paul Munson ’87 is now serv-ing the Class of 1949A as class agent.

1949B

Ding Patton

These notes cover the period from June 15Aug. 15, 2020.

On July 11, I called a few of the brother rats who have been kind enough to stay in touch to ask if they remembered what happened 75 years ago, a day that will go down in history as the future Class of 1949B matriculated at the Institute. Everyone had a different story that has remained with them since that eventful day, and everyone’s story was interesting. My own nightmare is that after signing the book and proceeding to the QMD to pick up bedding, laundry, shoes, etc., we entered Washington Arch and I thought the world had come to an end. Stan Millimet ’49A, among others, was in the arch screaming at us as we entered when Col. Fray came out of the commandant’s office, which at that time was located in the arch. Stan, with his left hand in his pocket, saluted Col. Fray who proceeded to chew him out for that infraction, and I thought maybe there was some justice at VMI after all. Actually, we

hadn’t seen anything yet!

Boyd Guttery calls regularly, and he is exploring going into an assisted living community. His grandson, a wonderful young man in his third year at medical school in Georgia, is assisting Boyd with investigating opportunities for an appropriate move, as he no longer drives. I know it won’t be easy leaving his beautiful home in St. Augustine Beach.

Tom Altizer arrived back in Staunton from his Florida home in April, but because of COVID-19, we haven’t had our annual lunch with Braxton Green ’50B. Tom plays a little golf but, like the rest of us, has stayed close to home. I hope that this plague won’t prevent us getting together before Tom returns to Florida for the winter.

Greg Nelson regularly calls with information about how he and Kitty are getting along at the Westminster-Canterbury home in Richmond. The woodworking shop has reopened, but use is restricted to two people at a time.

Dining areas are not open yet, but the management has done a remarkable job in keeping the home free from the COVID-19 virus. He and Kitty can leave the facility for a few hours but must quarantine if they stay overnight. I thank Greg for all he does to stay in touch and send me news.

It was great speaking with Max Feinman, who sounded as young as he did when we were rats. He says that he lives in the house he has had for many years and can’t stand the thought moving with all the accumulated “stuff” he would have to go through and sort. He said that he can walk but is more comfortable using a walker for stability. Max has regularly sent red, white and yellow tulips to the alumni office to show the colors there. Nice work, Max. Unlike some, Mack Van Hook remembered what happened July 11, 1945, when I called him. He and Inga are well but Mack has macular degeneration and has vision problems. They would like to get together with the rest of us who live in central Virginia. Maybe if the area opens up more later this year, we can make that happen.

Joe and Shirley Spitler are staying well but, like many others living in retirement communities, they can’t have direct communication with anyone. Their daughter lives nearby and does their shopping but can’t enter their apartment.

When she visits them, she sits on a bench in the

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Class Notes yard, and they talk to her from their patio. Joe says that the management of the facility does a good job, but as the dining rooms are closed, food is delivered to their apartment and is sometimes not hot and, in general, the food is not as good as a result. Joe has difficult hearing but is otherwise in good health, as is Shirley.

Mary (John) Haggerty reports that she is staying healthy and enjoys having Zoom meetings with her family during the virus pandemic. A son lives in San Diego and is close enough to be able to help her if needed. Many of our ’49B brother rats know another son, Joe, and his wife, Odie, who live in Switzerland but have attended several of our reunions. Odie is a flight attendant based in the U.S. As a result of her being stateside when COVID-19 broke out, she was not permitted to enter Switzerland until recently and then was quarantined when she got home. Joe has contacted me several times and wants to continue bringing Mary to our reunions. We look forward to that. The young people who attended with their parents at our last reunion added a lot to it.

Jim Enochs regularly calls, and he is remarkable. He still goes to work daily, gets up before 5 a.m. and is in the office before I wake up.

He had taken some boys fishing all day July 11 but didn’t catch anything. However, he let the boys go swimming as a consolation prize. He remembered a Matriculation Day event involving Billy Noftsinger ’49A and hanging from a clothes rod, but both of us agreed that Billy was one of the good guys. Neither Nux nor I have heard from any BR about wanting a mini reunion, and he suggested that those of us in central Virginia might get together for a meeting if there is no interest from others in a mini before our scheduled 75th. When the plague is over, we may look into this unless we hear from the some of the rest of you soon, so this is “shake a leg” if you have any interest in trying to arrange a mini reunion next year. Contact me at the above address or let Nux know. His office telephone number is (804) 541-0680, cell is (804) 586-3867 and his email is jwenochs@aol.com.

As Nobbie says, I struggle to have something for these notes quarterly, and I would appreciate if some of you would call or email me with news about what is going on in your lives. We are interested, especially for news from those who left VMI before graduation or have not been heard from in many years.

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1949C

Haywood France

Editor’s Note: The Class of 1949C is no longer submitting notes. Haywood France remains the point of contact for the class.

1950A

Garrett Smith ’20

Friends, family and Brother Rats of 1950A, Unfortunately, COVID-19 has drastically altered the way that we as alumni interact with both ourselves and the Institute. Your upcoming 70th Reunion that would have normally taken place this fall has been canceled, and many events such as matriculation, Matriculation Week and Parents Weekend have been altered. However, this should not change our ability to stay up to date with each other.

Over the past several months, I have spoken to Mr. Jennings Bunch, Mr. Bill Moore and Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, all of whom have been an immeasurable help in painting a picture of your class. The Class of 1950A has three living brother rats out of the 43 who initially matriculated March 4, 1946.

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, wife of the late Mr. Dick Martin, resides in Spokane, Washington.

At 84 years old, she is still extremely healthy and attends daily exercise classes. Additionally, their grandson recently completed his oncology residency and is married.

Mr. Bill Moore, the previous class agent for 1950A, currently alternates living in Lynchburg and Smith Mountain Lake with his son.

Fortunately, he is now in perfect health after a recent rough patch. Incredibly, he now has better eyesight than during his time as a cadet and uses that to his advantage while still driving as well as ever, despite being 90 years old. Mr. Moore describes himself as “happy as a clam” and had plans to attend the VMI versus UVa football game before SOCON postponing fall

sports. One positive note that has come out of this situation is the ability to spend time with his family, including his son, David ’86, and his three granddaughters, one of whom is VMI material. Mr. Moore has been enjoying life on the water and repairing their many boats.

Mr. Jennings Bunch and his wife continue to be in good health.

Mrs. Charlotte Logsdon downsized and moved to a smaller house in March 2019. She is enjoying herself, is in good health and is still living in Frisco and has been staying in recently.

Mrs. Nancy McWane is still healthy and living on her farm.

1950A trivia: 1950A is an historic class that helped paved the way for many VMI traditions that continue today. They are responsible for giving the “I” its famous kangaroo, the “VMI Tribute” and starting the House Mountain climb in 1948, a climb that every rat makes to this day.

1950B

Joseph B. Kohen Jr.

It was after sending birthday cards to classmates and widows that I received a telephone call from Susan Wheeler this month. Susan is the daughter of Brother Rat Ashton Harrison.

After graduation, Ash remained at the Institute for two years teaching electrical engineering and directing the VMI band. Ash and his wife from Salem, Virginia, were married in Lexington and not long ago were buried in the Jackson Cemetery there.

Ash wanted to become a doctor and was accepted at the Medical College of Virginia, now VCU School of Medicine. He became a radiologist in the U.S. Navy and attained the rank of captain. He could have become an admiral if he had accepted a billet at Great Lakes, but he wanted to go to Quantico.

I wrote a note on the card I sent to Mrs. Harrison addressed to her on Jamestown Crescent in Norfolk, Virginia. On the card I said that, at age 11, I lived on Cambridge Crescent and delivered the evening paper to residents on Jamestown Crescent.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Susan Wheeler explained she had recently bought the house from a Mr. Driscoll, the son of our Brother Rat William Driscoll, M.D. A small wonderful world.

1951

Jacob H. Wamsley II

Shortly after the last issue of the Alumni Review went to press, we learned of the death of William P. Caldwell in Daleville, Virginia, a suburb of Roanoke. Bill entered VMI from Radford. He spent most of his life there and will be interred there in his family cemetery.

He had been living in a retirement community for several years.

Since I had lost touch with John Lyden several years before his death, I was saddened to hear that he had been bedridden before passing away and had also lost his sight.

While “under confinement” to my quarters during the pandemic, I got a note from Jim Enochs with which he enclosed a picture of Gen. Marshall ’901 walking along with a host of cadets in the front of barracks back in our cadethood, one of whom was Jim himself. The attire of the ladies in the picture, along with a car in the background, not to mention the youthful Jim, date the picture pretty well.

In early June, we learned of the death of another loyal sister rat – Marie Ross, wife of Jack Ross, in Alexandria, Virginia.

A few days after that, I was notified by the alumni office that Dr. Charles Eugene “Gene” Held passed away in San Antonio, Texas.

On June 26, 2020, I got a telephone call from Sam Scott in Charleston, South Carolina. He called from the isolation area of a local hospital to notify us that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19; he sounded fine on the telephone but did not provide a prognosis. Within a short few days after his call, his daughter called to tell us that Sam had passed away, not from the pandemic but from an apparent heart attack.

Please send me some good news – so far, this version of the class notes includes nothing but sad news.

Bob Nolley suggested in a telephone conversation that we attempt to have a brick for many,

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many more of our deceased brother rats. If you have cumulatively contributed $2,500, you are eligible to place a brick. For each $2,500 thereafter, you can place another brick, up to a maximum of five. Currently there are 67 bricks which could be placed by those of us who have contributed but have not placed a brick. If you think you are one of those, give me a call or an email and I can find out if you are eligible. The person for whom the brick is named must be deceased if it is for someone other than yourself.

Jim Close is back at home in Alexandria after a scary trip from Florida. He traveled with serious chest pains. He had previously had heart problems but now, under the care of his cardiologist, is free of pain and ready for the 70th.

Just when I think the bad news for this issue has ended, I hear of another departure from our ranks – this time, Ellen Nelson, Bill Nelson’s wife, back in early 2019. Then, just before the publication date, we hear of the death of Col. A.D. “Dave” Kneessy in Indianapolis. His death leaves us with 42 survivors. Here’s hoping that all 42 of us can make it to the 70th – it’s getting close!

Late and sad news – another death in our ranks. After submitting these class notes, Randy Thompson’s son called me to tell of his father’s death back in 2018. We’re down to 41 survivors.

1952

James M. Mecredy

Here we are in the middle of May and still under something akin to “house arrest.” Actually, the governor of Georgia has started opening restrictions, and people are insisting on speeding up the process. Now, we can be out and about if we wear face masks. It seems that a third to half of the folks ignore that. August 4 comes and goes, and the warnings and restrictions are still with us.

I heard from John Taylor this morning. He has also had enough of the isolation and is out walking about 3 miles a day. He is well and enjoying increased activities.

Rem Simpson writes: “Tonight at 8:20 and 20 seconds it will be 20:20:20 2020 military time, an interesting reminder for all of us ex-military people.”

Estelle Gordon (wife of Bill Gordon, who died

in 2018) continues to find notes of interest about VMI. The current note is from a Richmond-Times Dispatch article printed in 1932.

I received a call from Jim Delisio ’76 July 20 that Lou Delisio died July 18. Jim said that after Lou reached age 90, he just started to fall apart after living with severe disabilities for a number of years. Lou called June 22 to tell me that he has made it to 90. He was not sure about 91, because he was slowly going down. Lou said that he received over 60 birthday cards because Ella had sent out emails reminding people. Lou was really surprised, because most of the people he remembers have died.

Ella wrote to me about how Lou was a determined man and fought to the end. Ella and the family had a mass July 31, and interment will be at the Arlington National Cemetery with full honors, to which Lou is entitled. (There is currently a seven- to 11-month delay at Arlington). Lou and Ella were appointed to get the VMI flowers for Nutz. There will be arrangements for VMI flowers at the grave.

Lou spent 25 years in the Air Force, obtaining the rank of colonel and earning a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. During his military career, he was awarded three Legion of Merit medals, an Air Force Commendation medal, an Air Force Outstanding Unit award, a Combat Readiness medal, an Army of Occupation medal (Germany), a National Defense Service medal, an Air Force Longevity award and a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship medal.

Highlights of his military career included being commander of the 50th Communications Squadron as a young captain; flight commander of the 490th Strategic Missile Squadron, LIMA flight; and chairman of the assembly and test working group of the HEXAGON program. HEXAGON, now declassified, was a top-secret intelligence mission, including some of the first photographic reconnaissance satellites. He oversaw the first unit HEXAGON and supported and encouraged the development of a program to detect nuclear explosions worldwide.

After retiring from the Air Force, he joined IBM for 15 years before becoming a consultant on aerospace matters. Lou was an avid golfer who proudly made two holes-in-one and was a skilled woodworker.

Lou is survived by his wife of 20 years, Ella Kuhn Delisio; two children, James A. Delisio ’76 and Toni Lamen; step-sons, John Kuhn

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Class Notes and Steven Kuhn; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Ella Delisio sent a copy of the mass of Christian burial for Louis Charles Delisio. This was a beautiful service. Beginning with: “We are together today to mourn the death of a loving, just and gracious man, full of life, humor, gentleness and above all a deep faith in God and ending with a closing song, ‘My Last Parade.’”

Andy Dickinson wrote about Lou: “What a fun, delightful guy! Bought Nutz down several times to play golf with us, Zeke, Wiley, etc. and a laugh a minute!”

Dick Valack has tried for several months to reach Cecil Welsh. Cecil called him July 2 to tell him that Barbara had fallen back in the spring with injuries that required hospitalization. She spent a few days in the hospital and went home, but her condition required returning to the hospital followed by transfer to a nursing home. Cecil was by himself until his emotional and physical condition required going to the nursing home. At the time, there were no apartments available, so Cecil was placed in a room next to Barbara. Altogether, this has been a very unhappy arrangement. Cecil asked Dick to call me about what has happened. Dick also told me that Mary had also fallen and fractured her wrist. They had just returned home after removing the cast when Cecil called.

My wife, Lucette, had a similar accident the day after Christmas. She spent eight days in the hospital with a fractured wrist and a fractured pelvis. She has slowly recovered full mobility and will be completely healed before you read these class notes.

It seems like growing old is not for sissies.

On July 27, I had pain across my shoulders, so I called my son, Dr. Tim Mecredy ’80. He took me to the hospital where they diagnosed a heart attack and preformed a cardiac catheterization on the 28th and sent me home weak on the 29th. A small blood vessel had partly blocked which caused the pain, and that was relieved.

Now I am recovering well and taking four or five new medicines.

John Taylor called me to let me know that Charlie McRae died Tuesday, July 28. Charlie went to bed sleeping peacefully and did not wake up. He had been having trouble with balance, falling and bruising himself several times.

Charlie McRae was born Dec. 5, 1930, in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation from VMI in

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1952, he entered the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years. He was attached to the 182nd Airborne Squadron and served in Korea during the Korean War. After military service, he returned to Houston to enter the home building business. He owned a general contracting company and built custom homes for over 40 years in the River Oaks, Memorial and Tanglewood sections of Houston. He enjoyed a reputation for integrity and attention to detail in his work. Charles’ ancestors were early settlers of Texas dating back to Stephen F. Austin, and he had a keen interest in Texas history which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Glovenia; three children; and six grandchildren.

Our ranks are getting even thinner. We are down to 46 with Charlie McRae’s death. As far as I know, none of our brother rats have come down with COVID-19. We can praise God for that. Hopefully by the time you read this, COVID-19 and the election will be behind us.

With our blessings, Jim and Lucette

March to the end of May, our daughter, Jennifer, did all our grocery shopping for us in Lexington. However, we came to our lake house for Judy’s 80th (June 1) and dined out with friends – first dinner out since March 13. Then Jennifer and three kids came for eight weeks – normally it is for a couple of weeks each summer, but this year they said they could not do anything in Lexington except go on hikes, thus

1953

William C. Noell Jr.

Brother Rats and Our Widows: I believe that the main thing that happened at the Institute this quarter was the letter sent out by Gen. Peay ’62. The letter was on email and Facebook, thus I assume all were able to read Gen. Peay’s plans for VMI’s future. Gen. Peay’s excellent letter covered VMI’s future plans and certain changes that would be made.

For all of you on the class email list, you received the comments I sent out in response to the general’s letter, specifically in regard to four subjects. I received an email from the general in appreciation of my support and advising the Class of ’53 likewise. At end of his email, he stated, “I do appreciate your input, candid feedback and support.”

The other big event this past quarter, and still going on, is that of us having to hibernate due to the coronavirus. It has certainly put a great damper for most of us going out for dinner and visiting with friends or much socializing. From

Class of 1953: Harold “Goose” McClung in Savannah, Georgia, in 2019. He is holding the golf club his father used to play a round with Babe Ruth in 1929.

Class of 1953: John Lund and Paul Fortin at Whirlygig Park in Wilson, North Carolina, in September 2018.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 1953: Paul and Jane Fortin’s only granddaughter, Taryn Elizabeth Fortin, in Juneau, Alaska, in 2019.

Class of 1953: Bob Cheatham on vacation in Kiawah, South Carolina. The bench is in memory of his wife, Bebe. the lake was a much better option. Naturally, we really loved having them here, even though it got kind of crowded, especially on Father’s Day weekend when we had 11. I have heard from right many BRs as to the restrictions where they are now – especially those in retirement communities. At least none have reported the coronavirus in their families.

And now for a little news from out there in the hibernation world: I received a photo of “Goose” McClung in his golf attire, holding an antique golf club. I had a telephone conversation with Goose several months ago to see how he is getting along, as he has given up email. During the conversation, he related the

2020-Issue 4

story of the club, which was again given to me on email by “Kid” Bayliss’ son, William, along with the photo. William states that Goose looks like he is ready to play at the British Open at St. Andrews. The club that Goose is holding belonged to his father and was used while playing with Babe Ruth in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1929. The Babe meet Goose several times during his trips to Florida and even autographed three baseballs for Goose. Not knowing their future value, the balls were, in time, lost during the times Goose and Kid Bayliss played ball with them in the neighborhood.

Kid’s son, William, and his wife, Kemmie, live in Leland, North Carolina, right across the bridge from Wilmington. His mother still lives in the old homeplace in St. Albans, West Virginia. I still have my father’s old wooden shaft golf clubs, with which I learned how to play – but no such interesting stories came with them.

The photograph of Paul and Jane Fortin’s only granddaughter is in Juneau, Alaska, where she is working toward a nursing degree at the University of Alaska. Meanwhile, she is working at Bartlet Regional Hospital as a certified nursing assistant. Taryn had an appointment to VMI but decided to stay in Alaska with family.

In my telephone conversations in June with Bob Cheatham and Goose McClung, I learned that both are getting along fine. Bob and family of 20 spent a weekend at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. They rented three houses and had a great time. There were three great-grandgirls, and two great-grandboys. Goose has lost some sight in one eye, so does not drive much now except locally; he does play golf periodically, but only nine holes. He is still in Savannah where he and Barbara celebrated their 65th in June. Another email from Lou Hibbitts at his retirement facility in North Carolina noted that he has now lost two roommates, Hal Hofheimer and Bob Andrews. Lou said they roomed in 105, which was said to be the site of Jackson’s mathematics and artillery classroom. An email from Walt Sanders’ daughter, Nina, said that she had moved Walt from his retirement community to Athens, Georgia, to live with her and escape the coronavirus that might prevail in time at the facility. Nina provided his new address and phone number, but at the time, Walt was not back on email. Jack Trigg has gone through recent back surgery to reduce his pain there and then leg surgery to

relieve venous congestion. After he recovers from this, he has to have the same surgery on the other leg. Parker has talked to him recently and says, “His spirits are good; [he is] tolerating the challenges well.”

One of our three adopted rats of last year from Knoxville stopped by for a short visit when we were last in Lexington on his way back to the Institute. Cadet Ridge Clark ’23 was reporting for the cadre as a 3rd Class corporal. He also runs track for VMI. I doubt if we will get to see much of our adopted cadets this fall, much less take them out to dinner, due to all the added restrictions required for the coronavirus. At least they are able to return to the Institute for the fall semester. Hopefully, the environment will improve as the semester moves on.

As I finish these class notes, it is “Pouring the Rain” as I look out over our peaceful lake, and so finally cooling it off from the high 80s and 90s. I hope that you all will have a very good fall experience, although it appears you will still have to be limited by “social distancing.”

May no one in your family fall to effects of this worldwide virus.

1954

J.M. Perry Archer

Greetings: Here is information from the Class of 1920 sent by Tom Wallace. Tom’s father, Charles Wallace ’920, was a font of VMI information for Tom, of course. Charles roomed with a cadet named “Rosebud” Milton ’920 (yes, our superintendent), and a cadet named “Monk” Jackson ’920, who wrote a 25-page history of the Class of 1920 for one of their reunions. Some interesting facts. Back then, there was a saying at Christmastime: “Throughout the Christian world it was Christmas, but at VMI it was Thursday.” That was one of the joys of Keydets back then. (We had it easy.) As in our day, cadets were marched on their respective religious days to houses of worship. There was gun drill, which involved rats dragging Jackson’s cannons, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, around the Parade Ground. Rats were in the traces in place of horses in 1916. Assembly was known

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Class Notes as “Monkey in the Grass.” After Christmas, rats were separated into new rooms. Duckett Jones, a 3rd Class rat and one of Tom’s father’s original roommates, became a roommate of Bert Bacharach ’919, father of the great songsmith whom we know, Burt Bacharach. Those were the days when cadets still threw bombs into the courtyard. (Did anyone do that when we were cadets? I seem to remember one.)

Anyone caught throwing one was sent home.

The Class of 1919 threw 19 bombs, and no one was caught. Hay-dumping was also a sport. (I seem to recall that that happened sometimes in our years, where some 3rd would dump rat, hay and all.) These are just some of the things described in Tom’s father’s history of the Class of 1920. It is filled with fascinating tales and descriptions of cadet life 1916-20.

BR Richard H. Sadler died. He attended the Institute briefly in 1950 before transferring to William and Mary. He died in Mathews, Virginia, where he had lived most of his life.

He served as a staff sergeant in the Air Force.

He retired as president of Mathews Insurance Agency, held civic offices in Mathews and enjoyed the sport of horse racing, e.g., the Preakness. Richard was apparently a much-loved man who will be missed greatly by his many friends and associates.

BR Bill Ralph was a real presence, right?

Extra, extra-large T-shirts and himself larger than life. Very wise person and terrific pastor.

Bill told about his once playing basketball in Wilmington, Delaware, in the YMCA’s over50 League. He said his group/team specialized in the “slow break.” On his 3XL T-shirt he had printed, “Have you exercised your souls today?” (Front and back). Bill was the first VMI man to score 1,000 points and still holds the record for rebounds in a single game – 39, I

think. Bill was picked last in that league because he looked like an over-the-hill former football player. They had not looked at Bill as what he could be but more as what they thought he was. He changed that perception pretty quickly with his playing ability. And his point to us was that we should view all people, as well, for what they can be.

Another of Bill’s repeated lessons as a pastor had to do with the past and forgiveness of self for parts of it. The past, he said, can be heavy baggage to tote around if we cannot forgive ourselves sometimes for what we might feel remorse about.

One more of Bill’s tales: One day a small boy tried to lift a heavy stone but could not budge it. His father was watching him try and try, without success. Finally, he asked his son: “Are you sure you’re using all your strength?”

“Yes, I am!” the boy cried.

“No, you’re not,” said his dad. “You haven’t asked me to help you!”

As for basketball, when I got to VMI I decided to go out for rat basketball. I had played high school junior varsity ball in Baltimore and thought maybe I could make the rat team. It was, I thought, worth a try anyway. I was in a practice scrimmage between rats hoping to make it. Someone took a shot, and everyone close went for the rebound. At 6’4,” I felt I had a chance. One problem – there was a guy in front of me who was exactly my height, but he was big as a house. I couldn’t get to the ball. I couldn’t budge the guy. I was helpless to get that rebound. It was Bill Ralph. It wasn’t long before I found myself cut. (Not only because of good players such as Bill – I just wasn’t good enough.)

I spoke at length with Jack Tiller. Jack ran marathons, but once in 1989, he was roped into

Class of 1954: Tom Webb’s wife, Grace, painted this picture.

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doing his only biathlon. For those unfamiliar, the event is normally what that one was – an 8K run, followed by a 28K bike race, then another 8K run. For this one, Jack had to use a 10-speed bike that belonged to one of his sons.

Jack did not know how to work the gears or much else about the thing except that it was a 10-speed. As the race progressed and the first 8K was finished, he went to get on his bike.

He was given to understand that, as he got ready to mount up, he was in fourth place in his age group. He spied the guy who had been just ahead of him and who was also in his age group, and that guy was having some trouble changing his running shoes for bike shoes in the transition area. Jack said to himself, “I can ride my bike in my running shoes. Who needs bike shoes?” So, he hopped on the bike and took off before the athlete who was ahead of him in the standings. At the end of the entire race, Jack had stayed ahead of his nearest competition and won third place in his age group, and thus won a trophy. Had he stayed fourth, no award.

Good thinking by Killer Tiller. Parenthetically, it was the same day that his son, Rusty, announced his engagement to be married. A great day.

One more Tiller story: One year at VMI. Jack got news that he was to be promoted to sergeant in Company E. Trouble was that Jack knew it would not come to pass. Reason: Jack had run the block and missed a stick check, but he was not “all right” at the time. Certified, he turned himself in, was boned and did penalty tours. As a result of his missing the stick check, no promotion. I hope that any cadet in a similar position would today do the same thing. Everything else at the Institute might change, but not honor.

Lastly, Jack called and said he and son found, of all things, a 78-rpm record containing “The Flapjack Blues” from post-step-off December 1951, written by Georgia’s “Packy” Jervey ’55. Col. Pancake sang that song on a Lexington radio show after midnight one night (he thought that no cadet would be listening at that time – ha!) following the Corps’ collection of money for a charity – we think the Red Cross – on a bet. The good colonel, our honorary brother rat, had a lively sense of humor. Jack is trying to get the record’s songs transferred to CD. I Googled “Flapjack Blues” and found

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Bob also has checked up on Tom Tait with Margaret who reports that Tom is at Kendal and getting better from his fall.

So, the input from the class has been rather limited, possibly due to the canceled reunions and coronavirus, etc. Nevertheless, here’s what I’ve received to date. Hope to hear more for the next issue.

Bill Davidson: “Like everyone else, I was disappointed at the cancellation of 65th Reunion. Everything considered, I’m doing OK except I have a couple of discs out of whack in my back. It is limiting my golf. Not much going on in Lynchburg. Hope our football season is not canceled. If not, hope to see some BRs at the games.”

Fielding Tyler: “We are fine these days ... just trying to stay away from COVID-19! I have been undergoing treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (immunotherapy drug Keytruda) since February. According to last CT scan, the therapy is working well. Other than a little less energy, I feel fine. Stay well and stay safe.”

Fred Dorey: “Thank you so much for undertaking this thankless task as class agent. (See my note at the end of the column – EBL.) I retired from the practice of urology in 2002, having lived and worked in southern New Jersey near Philadelphia. Joanne and I are enjoying good health and live in the Vero Beach, Florida, area from October-May each year and spend

the rest of the year in Ocean City, New Jersey, where we see a good deal of our children and grandchildren (this year notwithstanding). We enjoy many activities including golf, bridge, reading and raising funds for various charitable organizations. We were seeing Bob Timms occasionally while he wintered in Vero Beach, but I could not track him down this year. I hope to attend our next reunion.”

Pete Haake: “I am really sorry we can’t get together for old time’s sake to remember our time at the Institute and make some new memories. It’s hard to believe it has been 65 years! Cathy and I and our families have so far Barney Lawless been fortunate not to have been touched by the virus in any bad way. Cathy’s brother tested Read Hanmer positive but wasn’t sick, so we are thankful that it does not always cause illness. We are having a very warm summer so far. Temps in the 90s frequently. That’s unusual for upstate New York, but we are so happy that summer is here. It makes days on the St. Lawrence River especially inviting. Hope you all are well. Till we meet again, stay healthy and happy.”

Read Hanmer has relocated to Buena Vista Bill Nolley: “Barney: You are a good troopfrom Charlotte, North Carolina, and his new er to step in, and we appreciate your keeping address is 2543 Walnut Ave., Buena Vista, VA us ‘in ranks.’ Your summary of what we ex24416. His email and phone number have not perienced is a good reminder of our years at changed. I had a long conversation with Lois, the Institute. I had printed out copies of our and she confirmed the move. With the confumarching cadence for our ‘departure’ from the sion of the move, the U.S. Postal Service and Parade Ground, if we ever get our 65th Rethe coronavirus, the alumni office has not been union scheduled again, and am adding able to keep up with the movement of it herein. ‘We’re the Class of ’55, And our class agent, so I’m still writing the we’re still much alive. Sound off 1-2, entry for the Alumni Review. Tuggy once more 3-4, Cadence count, 1-2-3-4, Southgate wrote to ask Read’s status, 1-2-3-4. We remember Tom and Snake, so I hope this answers his and our quesThey pressed our civvies for our dates. tions. Hope to see Read back in action Sound off 1-2, once more 3-4, Cadence after he gets settled down. count, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4. We remember In the meantime, I will be continuing Bogus too, All the green eggs and gravy the write ups for the Alumni Review as stew. Sound off 1-2 and you know the a sort of supernumerary. The alumni ofrest.’ I have gotten to know by telefice will be using my name and address phone Pamela, assistant manager, at as class agent. I’ll still be learning to Wingate by Wyndham, through numercatch up with the job, not having camous calls making and unmaking reserpaigned for the position. Actually, I’m vations. She was really looking forward still listening to the turnouts for maketo seeing members from our class. She overs to see if I made corporal – class is a Lexington native and has friends on agent is above my pay grade. the VMI staff. Staige and I are well and Bob Bowden has been faithfully conpatiently wearing our masks when we tacting various class members with respect go out. Our Brother Rat Jim Edmondto the on-again-off-again reunion. We Class of 1955: Read and Lois Hanmer with their daughter, Suson’s great-niece is a nurse from Dallas chatted briefly about an off-year reunion in san, at Susan’s house in Buena Vista, Virginia. who graduated from the University of spring 2021, so watch for developments. that “Dodo” Dillard had actually included it in the 1956 VMI Christmas concert.

The painting shown with these notes was done by Grace Webb, BR Tom Webb’s wife.

Anyone interested in acquiring it can email me at keydet54@gmail.com. I will put you in touch with Grace’s daughter, Margaret Arnoult. Thanks.

Nothing more to report.

Perry

1955

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Class Notes says he is about to turn 88 and invites us to visit In addition to all the rain we have experienced, Virginia’s nursing school. Recently, she visited us and told us about her experience in a Dallas hos- him in the 100-degree Louisiana sunshine if any- I have had to visit the hospital emergency room one is in the area. He says he sees Charles Klein- three times within a period of a month. I had pital with the COVID-19 virus. Her grandmother, Cissie Sparkman, roomed with Staige at Hollins peter from time to time and would look forward never had to spend a night in the hospital in 86 years until now. The culprit was a disruption to another reunion sometime.

College, now Hollins University. I talked to CharYou may remember that our Brother Rats Packy of my pancreas. I have been put on a low-fat lie Luck briefly by telephone at Westminster Candiet and no alcohol at all. My blood sugar has terbury, and he is hanging in there. Bill Cridlin Jervey and Bert Oastler cut a record with “The stays in touch with some interesting emails. Yours Flapjack Blues” and “The Spirit” and with a third been up as well as my heart rate. I lost over selection I no longer remember. But, the closing 20 pounds during the week I spent in CMH in the bonds of ‘Old’ VMI.” Casey Jones: “Sarah and I happily living in phrase of the last number said, “God please pro- of VCU hospital. I’ve been on Home Health Care of Lake Gaston for the past month but just tect the Keydet Corps in this awful time.” a ‘lightly-assisted’ living condition in the old got released from physical therapy. I was able With regret, I have to note that taps has sounded Chamberlin Hotel, Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virto attend a memorial service in Petersburg at for Basil Rudusky, M.D., and retired U.S. Air ginia. Totally committed to wearing a mask.”

Leon Cock: “Barney, sorry for the cancellation Force Col. Q.T. Barrett. Their obituaries appear Blandford cemetery in honor of Bill Lamb’s life. We had seven to represent the Class of of our 65th, but the 70th comes in 2025. Count elsewhere in this issue. ’56 in attendance: The Hesleps, the Belshas, me in for the 75th in 2030. If alive, I will only be Dick Justice, Bill Nelson and myself. I gave 96 years young. I have picked up a talking frog his sons a copy of a picture taken at one of our lately for companionship. Every few days, we go Richard M. Smith mini reunions of Bill beside his close friend, to his favorite restaurant which is IHOP. With me Irene Myers. They were pleased to get this ‘time flies when I am having fun,’ for him ‘time is fairly recent photo of their dad. fun when he is having flies.’ With the coronavirus I got a call from BR Bill Snyder in Clearall around us, it is a horrible time to be over 85 water, Florida. He grew up in Salem, Virginia. with underlying conditions. We all need to shelter A call was made to my good friend, Fred This has been one of the worst summer starts in place to avoid the real taps! Thank you for fillFarthing, to learn how he came out of the I can remember, for more than just one reason. ing in lately.” operation to remove the stint installed Barney Lawless: Several of you have in his chest to administer the chemo said I’ve taken on a thankless task – not treatment being administered for his so. Living where I do in northern Virginia, prostate cancer. All went well, and they I don’t have too much contact with the plan to replace it at a later date when BRs, so I much appreciate your letters new form of chemo is used. He hopes and input. Earlier this year, I had a schedto get back on the golf course during his uled cataract operation, supposed to be on break. I told him I was able to play nine two-week intervals. Well, the coronavirus holes after being away from the game shutdown fell in the two-week interval, for over a month. I was pleased to find and it was four months between proceout that my game wasn’t any worse and dures, which left me with a very uncoorthat I felt better after losing 30 pounds dinated vision for the period. from my bout with pancreas problems.

Had a phone call from Ken Carstens Class of 1956: Russ and Peggy Quinlan at the 50th Reunion.

An outing for lunch occurred in South who is still in Alexandria, Louisiana. He

1956

Class of 1956: Larry and Betty Miller and Dick Smith at the 50th Reunion.

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Class of 1956: Chuck and Jean Jundt, Don Nyman Jack Prizzi, and Fred Farthing at the 50th Reunion.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Boston when I contacted Dr. Jerry Burnett ’62, VMI class agent for ’62 and friend of long standing. He filled me in on much information from the Institute.

I also had a nice luncheon in Colonial Heights with my friend, Honey Rector, recently. It had been a long time since we were able to get together and refresh old memories.

I had occasion to talk with Alan “Tiger” Jackson after he called to request Jim Dillard’s phone number. He is still riding his mountain bike for several hours daily and gave me a tip to help us keep our strength. He advised to get a rod to put in the transom of a door to pull up on several times each day. I told him it wouldn’t work for me since both shoulders were shot and I didn’t have any back strength! He lives by himself now in a retirement home in Bozeman, Montana.

Scott Boland called to let me know he has a young man in his area interested in attending VMI. He would like to get me to write a letter of introduction to the alumni office. I told him either the young man or he would have to send me information before I could do anything to help. I said I hoped to attend a meeting next month in Lexington for class agents and would find out what I could.

I had a call from Jim Dillard after he had talked with Tiger Jackson and he was surprised, as was I, that he was living by himself in a retirement home. He did think Tiger was as alert and jocular as always. Jim is fairly well satisfied with the facility he moved into this year in San Diego since they have gone back to feeding them on the patio outside the main dining room after several weeks delivering to the rooms. He would like to meet more people, but it is difficult with everyone wearing masks. He was interested to learn what changes will occur at the Institute in the future.

I received a notice from the alumni office of the passing of another classmate, Sharkey Pate. This makes the fifth death in the class in 2020.

I received a note from Pete Jennette showing how much damage was done to his waterfront property by Hurricane Isaias. He was lucky, and having a generator available allowed them to get power back on immediately.

I received a call from Susan Child informing me her husband, Lt. Col. William O. Child, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas. That makes

2020-Issue 4

it six BRs who have died this year.

I guess this is all I have to report for now, so I will continue to wish all a safe summer and a better fall.

Rah, rah, go VMI. Yours in the spirit, Dick

1957

George Sydnor Jr. Howard Lawrence

The Virginia Military Institute. An uncommon purpose!

This has been the Year of the Rat! And let’s all celebrate each and every one of our brother rats!

Shortly after the notes for Issue 3 had been submitted, we learned that Lynn Avis had passed from our ranks Wednesday, May 20, to “cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.” His passing came after several years of declining health during which Lynn rallied from a number of issues and kept his cheerful sense of humor throughout. “The Duke” was a great guy, led quite a life and will be sorely missed by all who knew him; his taps entry appears in this issue of Alumni Review.

And so here we are again – continuing on from Issue 3 in which we had so much to report that we bumped up against our set limit of five pages, so now we pick up where we left off: Team No. 7, captained by Kirk Hubbard: Kirk reported in on Phil Miller, Joe Moody, Bill Moore, Paul “P.D.” Muldowney, G.E. Murray, Jay Musser, Bob Newbill, Dick Newman and George Niedemayer. Kirk’s story about Phil went thusly: “Talked with Phil at length, and he sounded like life was treating him well, although he is confined to a wheelchair, and due to a history of a stroke and a heart attack, he is cared for by his daughter and her husband. They live in a rural area near Aiken, South Carolina. An interesting conversation; his daughter had just returned from El Paso, Texas, after picking up

Class of 1957: Curly Mason, Ron McManus and Clint Glover at the Institute Society Dinner on Founders Day 2019.

Class of 1957: Bill “Eagle” Vaughan during our 2nd Class year, surveying his territory in Lexington.

Class of 1957: Paul “P.D.” Phillips with his wife, Ann, and children, Dan, Brenda and Joel.

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Class Notes a bossy pot belly pig. It seems as though she had given/sold this pig to a guy in the service, but it didn’t work out, so she had flown out to El Paso and had just returned home in a rental car with the pig in tow. She went on that they had 15 pigs at home in a separate pig barn.” The plot now thickens: Kirk has her word that pigs make better pets than dogs; she and her husband even sleep at night with one of these pigs. Now Kirk wanted to know if George’s wife, Shirley, might want to trade their new Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy in exchange for a pot belly pig? “Now is her chance,” said Kirk.

Joe and wife Sue have had a number of health issues; he is battling advanced prostate cancer and indicated that his treatments were going well and that he still has a ways to go, but he can see light at the end of the tunnel. Joe indicated that his VMI training had been a big help and was the underlying strength in his battle. He received many muchappreciated calls from BRs. Bill and wife Florine in Smithfield are holding their own, healthy and active, enjoying their three children and their families.

Paul, and wife Harriet “Dovie” are doing well up in Hagerstown, Maryland. Paul, having tired of tales of his escapades on the third stoop, has now mastered the Evelyn Woods Speed Reading Course, indicating he reads no less than a book a day. (Class agent’s question: How large is the print, P.D., and how many pages are in the books?)

G.E. and Ro continue to do well in Bedford and at the old Murray farm at Smith Mountain Lake.

G.E. has been threatening every year to have as many BRs who want to come for a couple of days’ mini reunion there (Class agent’s note: Well G.E., no more threats; George and Howard are going to take you up on the annual offer. We plan to have an event there later in the fall so that we can have a full report on the gathering in the next issue of the Alumni Review).

Jay was as quick-witted as ever in a call with Howard and recalled his growing up on an 8-acre property between Salem and Roanoke. His father had returned from World War II, serving as a chaplain in the European Theater, and began organizing and building Methodist churches in Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke County. Jay said they ate well with all the gifted chickens and vegetables, but for a while there was not much cash.

He did many odd jobs like working at Clover Creamery and as a caddie at Roanoke Country Club. Kirk later informed us, however, “Jay will

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not tell you this, but he is for the most part responsible for our overpopulation in this country; one of his descendants just gave birth to his eighth greatgrandchild. Wow!” Ben had a nice chat with Bo – nothing new to report and doing well for the most part. He was most appreciative for the work of George and Howard as class agents. In a call with Dick, they recalled that they had dyked in the same room as rats in the ’53-’54 year and had passed the ’57-’58 year together in the chemistry laboratory. Dick had later taught chemistry for a number of years at several different colleges. Ben, unable to contact George, left him a voicemail with greetings from his brother rats.

Team No. 8, captained by Garland Sullivan: Sully’s list included John “the Pag” Paganelli, Randy Pendleton, Paul “P.D.” Phillips, Jim Piggott, John “the Poff” Poffenbarger, Ed Powell, Dudley Price, John Quillen and Bob Rader.

“Pag” followed up with an email following Garland’s call/voicemail. Pag: “A great call with Randy brought up some interesting information: Randy, an English major, has been in the newspaper business all the years since his collegiate life.

We have had on file for a couple of years his notes of interest on ‘VMI will be heard from Today, and Tomorrow and the Next Day.’ These are interesting and have been in our inventory waiting for the appropriate time to include them in our class notes. Randy mentioned that his life as a journalist had provided him the opportunity to see Lew Diuguid and Drummond Ayres off and on over the years. Otherwise he had no news, of which he said, ‘At this age, that’s a good thing.’”

Paul “P.D.” and wife Ann are doing well now; Ann has recovered from a serious heart/stroke conditions and appreciates more than ever her doctorate in nursing training and nursing career on the surgery team at Winston-Salem that performed some of the “early” heart surgeries.

Garland was regaled by Jim’s account of the plans being made for our 65th Reunion coming up in two short years. Jim and wife Toni had been out driving in the country looking for wildflowers, and his opening comment was, “That’s one of the advantages of living in a sparsely populated area ... you don’t have to stay in ‘room confinement.’”

Jim continues to produce some of the best cabernet sauvignon grapes in the state and was well along with the spring annual grape pruning but says the bears, as always, will get their share of the harvest.

Don Coombs had a nice chat with the “Poff,”

who maintains his usual dry sense of humor about life’s frailties, which he is holding at bay with the help of a cane and workouts two to three times a week. All in all, things are good. Sully then had a talk with Ed’s man (assistant), to whom Garland gave a rundown on our BR reach-out program, who then relayed the well-received information on to Ed. Ben was unable to reach Dudley but left a voicemail with greetings from all the BRs. “Big John” and wife Judy are still holding down Crossville, Tennessee, and are relatively well despite various ailments. Don had a nice call from Bob’s daughter, Debbie Giddens, (678-296-2134) back in April. Bob is in a life-care community, and his address is Maple Ridge Health Care, 22 Maple Ridge Dr., Cartersville, GA 30121. Bob remembered playing rat baseball with Don and reminisced about their days on the field together.

Team No. 9, captained by Jay Musser: “The Rainmaker” contacted Skip Richardson, Pete Riddle, Tom Robinson, Jim Rust, Fritz Scholtz, Van Sessoms, Charlie Smith, Jim Snead, Joe Spivey, John “the Saint” St. George and Garland Sullivan. Skip is doing well along with his dog, Greta, on his 110-acre farm (Skip refers to it as a swamp) in Virginia Beach just north of the state line with North Carolina and spends weekends with his girlfriend, Bettie Daidas, in Kill Devil Hills. Skip posed a question: “I wonder if I have the youngest grandchild in the class, age 8 (Class agents’ note: We don’t know, Skip, but will send an inquiry to the VMI Guinness book of records to try to ascertain such). Pete could not be reached, but Jay left a voicemail to remind him that his BRs remembered him. Tom is still enjoying life in Venice, Florida, but advised his wife Ellen was dealing with dementia. Tom advised he still had dreams of someday visiting Cuba. (Class agent’s note to Tom: “Why?”) Jay had a “pretty good” discussion with Jim after speaking with wife Bobbie; he is doing relatively well and continues to contend with dementia and other physical issues but otherwise is doing OK. Fritz sounded good and was still tutoring for local schools in Leesburg until COVID-19 caused their shutdown until the fall semester. He and Joe Wickes exchange calls on occasion. Van claimed he’s has multiple health challenges but did not give any details. On the bright side, Van said he has nice lady friend, Ann Munson, a retired Episcopalian priest, who is taking good care of him.

Unfortunately, Charles and Jim could not be reached, but they are remembered by their BRs.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes rancher, but will keep trying. Bob and wife Dot spirit of that great institution.’ His father, George Joe “SpivO” has spent a number of weeks rePatton Jr. ’877, and grandfather, George Patton habbing from hip and leg injuries but still retains have been next door neighbors of Dixie and wife ’852, were VMI graduates. His grandfather was his classic subtle dry sense of humor. He indicated Dawn for a number of years now at the Knox Village; Bob went on with a prayerful motion killed at the Civil War Battle of Winchester June he has sequestered long enough and is ready to escape from his “cell.” John reported all was well, and adoption by acclamation the nomination of 19, 1864. One of his great-grandfathers, Brig. Gen. but he misses his golf and asked me to ask Sully Howard and George “class agents for life” (Class Hugh Mercer, a revolutionary friend of George Washington from Fredericksburg (Washington’s (Garland) about his current handicap. So then agent’s note: Now, let’s not get carried away, Garland was called. He admonished John with Bob). Bill closed his reports with, “Semper Fi- mother lived in Fredericksburg), was killed in battle shortly after crossing the Delaware on the the indication that he (Sully) now plays for “fun delis, brother rats; stay in step in the parade we are Christmas night raid at Trenton, New Jersey, that and fresh air” – forget handicaps. Garland said he all so fortunate to be a part of.”

And then there was a story received from Nick saved the revolution. George Patton III ’907 and wife Sally were busy hiding from tornadoes went home from VMI again in February in their basement this time of year. In mid1904 to take the entrance exams for West April, their area (three counties) had three Point. He was accepted at West Point, F4 storms move through but spared them having scored first place in the sponsoring this time; they remembered they were not senator’s competitive exam. Incidentally, so lucky back in 2013. “young” George gained 17 pounds as a rat Team No. 10, captained by Bill Hufffrom fall 1903 to February 1904. (Class cutt: “The Huffer” reported in on his calls agent’s note: Seems as though they must with Dixie Thomas, Jack Trant, Armand have had training tables in the mess hall, Wagner, Harry Warner, John Whittle, Joe Wickes, Vic Wolf, Bob Wood and Class of 1957: The Gilmore ranch house in Wise River, way back then.) More information can be found in the book “Patton: A Genius for John Woodward. Dixie and wife Dawn Montana.

War” by Carlo D’Este. and Bob and wife Dot are next door April 1865: Confederate Charles M. neighbors at the John Knox Village of Stull walks home, as related by Howard central Florida, a full life care community Lawrence. My dad’s senior partner, O.M. with independent living, assisted living Stull, at Liberty Limestone Corp. in Buand nursing care, all in one place; they are chanan was a fine Presbyterian who was all well, strong and positive. Dixie menraised on a hardscrabble farm at Rich tioned he had some old Civil War guns he Patch, Virginia. O.M.’s father, C.M. Stull, would like to give VMI if only someone had served in the Army of Northern Virwould tell him how to do so (Class agent’s ginia for a number of years, steadfast to note: George will call Col. Keith Gibson the end of the war, and was with Gen. ’77, VMI Museum System director, on R.E. Lee at the surrender of the Army at this magnanimous offer by Dixie.)

Appomattox Courthouse April 10, 1865.

Armand and wife Rita are doing well, With only his rifle and the clothes on his both in good health and playing a lot of duback, C.M. walked home from Appomatplicate bridge. They are, as he says, “aging tox to Rich Patch barefoot via Liberty in place” at their home on the North River (Bedford) up to the Peaks of Otter, then in Gloucester County, Virginia. Their son along Mountain Trail to Buchanan, then David [’82] was Class of ’82 and grandson David Jr. [’12] the Class of ’12. Joe Class of 1957: George Sydnor, Joe Spivey and Howard Law- along the James River to the mouth of Craig’s Creek at Mountain (Eagle Rock), and wife Joan are doing fine and in good rence at Maw & Paw’s Diner. then up Craig’s Creek to Roaring Run to health and were appreciative of Bill’s call.

Jack was his usual low key and thoughtful self and Kallelis: “Did you know that when George Pat- his mountain homestead at Rich Patch to begin sounded like he always did; he and wife Jo are ton III ’907 was a rat at VMI they had an epidem- his new life as a paroled confederate soldier under “marking time” at their home in Virginia Beach ic of typhoid fever in October 1903? The Corps stern rules of U.S. government’s Military District was furloughed away from the Institute, and Pat- No. 1. Old C.M. had it rough, but he had his life, and looking forward to our next reunion. Jay and wife Polly are doing fine, in good health and en- ton rode the train back to his home in California family and hardscrabble farm. Comparatively joying life “sheltering in place on Cape Cod.” and was not back to VMI for a month, as the train speaking, he had a lot; he had survived the war and was physically able and made it home to Rich in those days took six days each way. When he did They, too, are looking forward to the forthcoming finally return to the ‘I,’ he played left tackle on the Patch to begin a new life. Fast forward to June reunion, as are Harry and wife Sis, who now reside rat football team and recalled later, ‘I did begin to 18, 2020, an expedition formed by Howard and in a cottage home at the Kendal in Lexington.

Bill was unable to reach Vic, the Costa Rica inherit there, or one might say inhale, the fighting accompanied by Joe Spivey and George Sydnor

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Class Notes retraced the steps of Charles Stull and the major part of his epic, 100-mile journey, beginning in Bedford and ending in Rich Patch, a remote but quite beautiful valley area just southeast of Covington. Rest assured, however, the bold explorers did not walk barefooted, choosing instead to ride in the relative comfort of Howard’s Mercedes SUV – such is the wisdom attained by senior citizens. The “reenactment” took our fearless group through Buffalo Forge to Massie Quarry, thence to Glasgow past Balcony Falls to Liberty (Bedford). At this point, we were approximately 33 miles west of Appomattox and began the ascent to the Peaks of Otter and Round Top Mountain (elevation 4,000 feet) and down to Buchanan on the west side and the James River and Kanawha Canal gauging station, thence past Purgatory Mountain (elevation 2,990 feet) along the James River to Eagle Rock, whereupon the group, famished from their morning travels, had a sumptuous lunch at Ma & Paw’s Diner, consisting of hamburgers, Philly steaks and fried onion rings. (Class agent’s note: Excellent dietary suggestion for a long life?)

Undaunted, and with no time allotted for an afterlunch nap, the reenactors followed Craig’s Creek to Storm, thence north along Roaring Run Creek to Rich Patch (Rich Patch Mountain, elevation 3,728 feet) past Rich Patch Union Church to the homeplace of Charles Meade Stull, 1838-1910.

The return journey took the group to Low Moor, past the Rich Patch Metal Works (abandoned), by Longdale Furnace and over North Mountain via the old gravel Lexington-to-Covington Turnpike, built in the mid-1800s. (Class agent’s note: The road was such to give a mountain goat pause.)

Claudius Crozet resigned his position as Virginia state engineer, at the time, as he had vigorously opposed the selected route over his recommended one (that the later U.S. Highway 60 subsequently took) past House Mountain to Collierstown on the outskirts of Lexington.

The widows’ corner: We had a nice note from Martha MacKay including a touching comment: “Ray and I have tried to help VMI as much as we could. I will continue that each year-end when I make all gifts.” (Class agent’s note: Our heartfelt thanks, Martha, for all that you and Ray have done for VMI over the years and it is heartwarming to know that you will continue this legacy.) Martha advised that she has relocated to Kentucky, where her new address is: 175 Wesley Drive, Wilmore, KY 40390. Eleanor Dick wrote: “It’s so nice of you to continue to make contact with the class

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members. It would please Bill to know I have been included.” Eleanor’s email address is eleanordick@yahoo.com.

Ann Gilmore wrote Howard and sent a picture of her ranch house at Wise River, Montana, built by husband and BR Frank Gilmore with his own hands during the 10 years he was fighting lymphatic cancer. “Frank is probably the all-around wisest man I have known. With his MIT Ph.D. and an arms-length perspective of myriad academic achievements, he could do any menial or skilled craft job with skill.” (Class agent’s note: Well said and so noted.)

With this issue, we will begin a tradition on remembering our brother rats who have crossed over the river and are now resting under the shade of the trees.

These will be shown chronologically by date of death and the plan is to list five with each issue.

We begin with: Gone but not forgotten – Class of 1957: Capt. Cliff Heathcote, Sept. 20, 1966 Maj. Joe Mixson, Dec. 12, 1966 Park Mackall, Aug. 8, 1967 Cliff McKibben, May 22, 1969 Maj. Chuck McLennan, July 13, 1969 Rest in peace, brother rats, until at last we are all reunited.

God bless each and every one of you!

Proud to be your class agents, George and Howard

1958

Lee McCown

Having just read our class notes in the latest Alumni Review, we are struck by how much our lives have changed since May 15, when we submitted those notes. At that time, we were upbeat about surviving “the time of COVID.” Now, it’s at our door. A granddaughter has made a full recovery from it, but a daughter is not yet well. Luckily, neither of us has been sick.

One upbeat place to go in our neighborhood is still the beautiful Monroe Park. Susie and John Peters have a bird’s eye view of it from their condo. This city park’s care is handled by Virginia Commonwealth University, which is keeping it immaculate.

Other upbeat neighborhood places include good restaurants that keep on serving via pickup or outdoor seating. Cuban food is one of our favorites, as is the pizza place with unique salad offerings. Laura’s favorite has tarragon, baby arugula, grapefruit, green apple and Parmesan with mustard-citrus dressing. We also like the place that promises pink in the middle of their burgers.

We hope all of you are finding ways to stay sane.

Dave Pitkethly sends this news: “We try to stay safe from COVID-19, and so far we are successful. It seems as if we are Grand Central Station for email joke distribution. [Thanks for all those, Dave.] I participate in Zoom conferencing at the University of Washington three or four times per week just to keep my hand in the neurosurgery business. We have a cabin on a small lake 22 miles from our house, and that is our getaway experience when the weather is accommodating. All in all, we are quite boring!”

Man-of-few-words Paul Royer sums up the season this way: “Nothing to report ... We’re sitting around watching TV, which offers little this summer.” Ernie Edgar says he and Elizabeth “are staying closer to home, wearing masks when out, social distancing, etc., but it sure is getting boring. Elizabeth and I do enjoy seeing the cows, geese and other critters in the pasture from our screen porch.” Stirling Williamson says, “Jane and I are pretty well hunkered down as is everyone else. I can only say that I thought the August letter from General Peay [’62] to the VMI family was a work of art. It addressed our history, our values and our goals in a straightforward but eloquent manner. It is a trying time, and General Peay and his administration appear to be carrying on the VMI tradition of addressing challenges head on with forethought, respect and purpose. I am proud to be a part of that tradition.”

Bob Beale signed in from Colorado: “Once again, I am proud of and feel privileged to be a brother rat of the Class of 1958. Fortunately, our Colorado governor is very competent. Although we have the virus like all other states, our governor manages it very well. Colorado didn’t become a state until 1876, so we don’t have Civil War related statues. Having spent quite a bit of time in the South at VMI, in the Army and in business, I have great compassion on both sides of the equation for the protests and

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes then he shook my hand. statue removal issues. My father grew “Initially speechless, I thanked him up in Virginia near Appomattox and for seeing me and mentioned my grangraduated from VPI, as it was called in dad had taught me much about him. those days. We had quite a rivalry when They were very comfortable together, I was at VMI!” i.e., first name basis. My mom and dad Many of you have seen the next two were quite relaxed by Marshall’s courmessages via email, but we felt they tesy. My dad related to him his World deserved a more permanent record and War I experience (ambulance driver for the chance for alumni in other classes to the French) and World War II, (colonel, read them.

Ordnance Corps, commanded a 4,000This message from Charlie Hayes man all Black regiment). My visit lasted came after he watched a Marshall 20-30 minutes. I then saluted General Foundation video: “I have a picture of Class of 1958: Three McCownand Cameron-related grandMilton and left, I suspect to his relief.”

General Marshall [’901] in my wallet beside one of Doc Carroll. When I had children at their delayed high school graduation party were, [Bill’s father was 40 when Bill was from left (both on the cake and seated), Jefferson Miles, Satborn, so yes, he served in WWI.] a tough decision to make, I would ask tie Sanderson and Jack McCown.

How great to have a personal Marmyself what they would do in a simishall story, Bill! And congratulations to lar circumstance. They have been my Bill and Carolyn on their Aug. 20 wedguides through life. If the problem was ding anniversary – their 60th, which dental, a third person joined them, Dr. Bill alerted me to via email in this way: Oliver Clough.

“We met in April ’58, 62 years ago. That “I have read and thought a lot about means I have known her for 73.8% of George Catlett Marshall over the years, my life, and she, at 81, has known me for and I have come to an inescapable con76.5% of hers. Why don’t I simply say clusion. If you use the concept of the that we have known each other for threemost good for the most people as your fourths of our lives? It would be intermeasuring device, General Marshall esting to know how many are our equal was, far and away, the greatest man and how many are longer. Did anybody of the 20th century. His actions in war marry in ’58?” and peace positively affected people of Bill, I do recall that Mary Jo and Bill every race and creed, and those actions Thomas married that year. He asked her were global in nature. If I am not misto marry him on their first date in our taken, he is the only general who has rat year, so at the time of their deaths been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. I in 2013, they were at the three-quarters wish I could have met him. I saw him in mark, too. Laura and I were so fortunate person only once, when he was at VMI to have a nice visit with them shortly for the Class of 1956 graduation.” before their deaths. Mary Jo was in hosThe following is from BR Bill Harpice at home, and Bill was planning to shaw, who did meet the great general: move to Texas and live with son Steve “I had the privilege of meeting General Thomas ’81. As things sometimes work Marshall at the end of our rat year. My in life, Bill died first. grandfather, John Henry Fleming, was Bill and I were high school friends in in the Class of 1901 and the brother rat Roanoke, and our mothers played bridge of Marshall. If you remember, Marshall Class of 1958: This painting is a chateau outside of Paris. Roy spoke to the graduating Class of 1956. Palmer and four Air Force roommates lived here in the 1960s. together starting at age 14 and, in my mother’s case, ending at around 90. Both After the review parade, I was back in It is featured as a hotel in the 1964 movie, “The Train.” of them lived to great old age. We have barracks undressing when the OD burst fond memories of meeting Bill for breakfast in into my room saying ‘put your gloves back on, were there to take me home) and General MarRoanoke one time shortly after his mother had you’re going to meet General Marshall.’ shall. I had hardly gotten through the door when “I then went to the superintendent’s office with Marshall came directly to me, noting immedi- resumed playing golf at age 80-plus, following the door opened by General Milton [’920]. In ately my academic stars and asking me many a pretty serious fall. Bill made this pronouncement: “Lee, I’m changing my will ... [dramatic the distance, I saw my grandad, my mother and questions about my future plans. I remember his father (who brought my grandfather there and direct eye contact. I believe I saluted him and pause] ... I’m leaving everything to mother.” I

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Class Notes know we’ve told you this one before, but it’s one of our favorites.

We’re currently saying several goodbyes to young families in the service of our country who mean so much to us. Our son, Kevin McCown, and his wife, Dawn, and their children, Finley, Eliza and Charlie are headed to Bangkok on a State Department assignment.

They’re excited about it, but planning has been very much complicated by the virus. Testing, testing and more testing.

Also facing a big move during the pandemic are Maj. Gary Cutler ’04 and his wife, Erin, and daughters, Caroline and Catherine (whose middle name is Lee, for me, I’m honored to say). They’re headed to Sydney with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to BR Ernie Edgar, Gary’s series of important assignments indicate the Army thinks highly of him. I’ll take the credit for convincing Gary to go to VMI. From BR Roy Palmer, we have this movie recommendation: “‘The Train,’ a Burt Lancaster movie released in 1964 and quite popular then. Why am I suggesting such an ‘old’ movie? Because I have a very close personal connection with it.

“I received my ‘wings’ from Air Force pilot school in early 1960. My initial assignment was to Evreux-Fauville Air Base, about 60 miles west of Paris. For living accommodations, myself and five other pilots rented a petite chateau a few miles from the base in the small town of Acquigny, which had a population of about 800. Our chateau was quite the place, and the rent was only $100 a month, totaling less than $20 each. This accompanying picture is of ‘Le Chateau,’ which has not changed over the years.

“Joyce was teaching in a dependent school at a nearby base, and I met her at the officers’ club. I think she gave up on me asking for her hand in marriage and took a boat back to the states in 1962. As soon as she got home in Florida, I telephoned and asked her to marry me.

That was my only overseas telephone call from Europe during my three-year tour.

“In October 1962, I took a military hop to the U.S. for our marriage date, Nov. 2. As we were approaching New York, I was in the cockpit listening to the radio. That was when President Kennedy made the announcement of the Cuban missile crisis and subsequent blockade. I

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had planned for us to get a hop back to France after our marriage, but with the looming possibility of war with Russia, that was not an option. At that time, commercial airplane flights to Europe were outrageously expensive.

“We took a train to New York and returned to France by boat on the France. Of course, upon our return, we had our own little apartment. I completed my tour, and we returned to the states in 1963. Later that year is when ‘The Train’ was filmed in France and released in 1964. What I am leading up to is that our petite chateau was used as a hotel in the movie. The movie was about the Germans evacuating Paris in 1944 because of the advancing forces and their attempt to take the valuable art paintings to Germany by train. There is a train wreck near our chateau, and it is clearly, although briefly, seen in some scenes. It looks exactly as the picture I have included. “‘The Train’ is currently available on Amazon Prime for your viewing pleasure. I would probably have to ‘stop frame’ the video for you to recognize ‘Le Chateau,’ but maybe not. It appears in the scenes after the train wreck.”

Sad news from the son of the late Gary Harris’s wife, E.J. “My mom doesn’t see these emails anymore, so feel free to remove her address from your distribution. She had a stroke in October, so her ability to read is now severely limited. Thank you, William Person.” I expressed the regrets of

Class of 1958: Maj. Gary Cutler ’04 and his family visited Lee McCown and Laura Cameron before heading to his next Corps of Engineers assignment in Sydney, Australia.

the class in my response to Mr. Person.

Update from Jim Stillwell: “Kay and I have been independent residents in the Sunnyside Retirement Community in Harrisonburg for over 12 years. We still like it and are very glad to be back in the Valley. We have been blessed with very good health so far. I even have all my original parts, but I would hate to have to wrestle my weight class now! No major complaints, just a few small ones. I don’t see many ’58 BRs. Have attended the Valley alumni chapter that meets occasionally. Haywood France ’49C is a neighbor here at Sunnyside. He is a wonderful 95-year-old gentleman and WWII vet. We see part-time residents James Whitehurst ’66 and wife Susan when they are in town and have a five-person alumni meeting.

“Our youngest daughter was diagnosed with a rare breast cancer last fall and is receiving treatment at MD Anderson. Our only travel since then has been several trips to Houston to be with her. If we are ever out of ‘lockdown,’ we would welcome any BRs visiting the valley to drop in and see us.” We’re so sorry to learn of your daughter’s illness, Jim. We hope for her recovery and to see you when we’re all released from lockdown.

Larry Wood ’59, who was an excellent wrestler at VMI, got in touch with me while he was doing a little VMI wrestling research. Larry and I both remember Coach Oscar Gupton fondly. (I think our BR Jan Woodman helped with the ’59 team when he was doing his fifth year, thanks to the perils of thermodynamics.)

Larry says Gup was “so very special to me” and cites this poem Gup frequently quoted: “Upon the plains of hesitation, bleach the bones of countless millions, who on the verge of victory stood, and there waiting, died.”

While Larry says he’s never found a poem with those exact words, he did find a very similar one by George Cecil. Larry and his wife were living in Las Vegas when the coach and his wife retired there, and they became great friends. Sadly, Coach Gupton died after being hit by a car.

Two of our grandsons are headed to VMI today and tomorrow. Jefferson Cameron Miles and John William “Jack” McCown seem ready for the challenge. They’ve learned a lot about how the “I” is going to handle the COVID and seem to feel safe, in that way at least. Last night was the family party for their high school

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes graduation and that of their cousin Sattie Lee Sanderson (another one named for me), who is headed to James Madison University. In the accompanying photo, you will see the live trio lined up behind the table and their baby photo, in the same positions, on the cake. Laura has various ways to describe that cake photo: “The Rose Between Two Pitbulls” and “The Rose Between Winston Churchill and a Bulldog,” among others.

I was very sad to learn of the Aug. 1 death of Bob Spurrier. Little did I know when I used to wrestle with Bob on LA Beach – he broke my glasses several times, but I was the dope who didn’t take them off – that he would turn into a real-life warrior.

Bob rose to colonel in his nearly 30-year career in the U.S. Army Special Forces. His many medals are on display in Marshall Hall along with those of others in our class. I asked Ernie Edgar to review Bob’s list of awards in the Register of Former Cadets. The list would have been provided by Bob. Ernie suggested these as the most prestigious – a Legion of Merit, a Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals and four Air Medals – and found it interesting that Bob did not list his coveted Combat Infantry Badge. Many of these were for his service in Vietnam. He also served in four South American countries as an attaché.

Bob must have been as good a diplomat as he was a warrior because I understand he mediated a situation in the Amazon jungle that could have turned into a war. Bob had been living in Melbourne, Florida, for years and is survived by his daughter, Terry Stephenson. RIP, good friend and brother rat.

Here’s hoping for better times, BRs, Lee

1959

Shep Shepard

It is with a heavy heart that I report our Brother Rat Billy Walker passed away in May. Billy had lung disease and was on oxygen for some time. I will always remember Billy as a great wrestler. I was on the wrestling team – not very good, but a

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worthy training aid for some of the other wrestlers. I probably counted more overhead lights in the gym than anyone who attended VMI. I had a great deal of respect for Billy, especially during one particular match where it appeared he was losing. Halfway through the match, he suddenly took control and pinned his opponent. After the match, he said he felt like he had cardboard in his mouth, but as soon as he coughed it up, he made his comeback. The celebration of life will be held once this COVID-19 is under control.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Heike and her family. I received a very nice note from Heike thanking the class for the beautiful flowers. She and the family appreciated the thoughtfulness and will always hold in grateful remembrance our expression of sympathy.

John Reed wrote to say that during our 2nd Class year, he and Billy were roommates, along with Bill Davis. Years ago, while attending a law conference in Virginia Beach, John and Anne went out on Billy’s boat and had a great time reminiscing about the “bad, young days at VMI.” John is so proud of Anne, his wonderful wife of 20 years. She just became the first woman to be appointed by the Virginia Legislature as the judge for the Staunton Circuit Court. Anne is a graduate of James Madison University and Duke Law School, and Jack and John are very proud and happy for her.

Just before submitting the class notes, I received word from Truman Baxter that Bobby Dale passed away at the end of July. I reached out to the family but was unable to make contact.

I sent a sympathy card to his wife, Linda, on behalf of the class expressing our condolences. The published obituary said there would be no public services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please keep Heike, Linda and their respective friends and families in your thoughts and prayers.

Virginia Nowlin wrote to tell me how much she and her family appreciated the beautiful red, white and yellow flowers that the class sent to her for Buzz Nowlin’s funeral via Rusty Loth. She has so many wonderful memories of the reunions and other activities they attended at VMI over the years. Buzz was true blue VMI, and his blood ran red, white and yellow. We will miss him.

Got a nice note from JoAnne Dreelin Anstett, and she reports that all is well with her and the kids. She has spent the majority of her time in quarantine with her niece making masks to ward off COVID-19. All her kids are doing great, and

she is so proud of them all; they have their challenges, but it is good for them and makes them stronger and builds character. Sounds like my old command sergeant major. This coronavirus is not putting too much of a damper on Jo Anne’s activities. She recently took a wonderful camping trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in a selfcontained camper. She went with her niece and

Class of 1959: Billy Traylor enjoying a drive-by parade at his assisted living facility.

Class of 1959: Ann and Shep Shepard’s granddaughter, Lilly, graduated from Florida State University and is now at Montana State for graduate school.

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Class Notes several members of her family who accompanied them in a separate camper. Jo Anne loved the New Mexico mountains and sparse terrain. On the way, they stopped at some interesting places, including Nashville. Unfortunately, many places were not open, but they did tour the city on a beautiful tractor-pulled trolley that had live music and a bar.

John and Chris Patane are doing well. They continue to enjoy their wonderful home on the lake. They keep in contact with their close friend, Virginia Nowlin, and report that she is doing fine.

When Betty Sellers read the last class notes and saw that Ann Shepard’s sister, Eileen, was buried in Bumpass, Virginia, she could not believe it; her granddaughter was born in Bumpass and has been teaching school there for years. Bumpass, with a population of 9,000, is not a big town.

Sue Coupland, Donnie’s widow, dropped a line and says she is doing well and particularly enjoys reading the class notes every quarter and keeping up with what everyone is doing. She wanted to reach out to Jim Sam Gillespie, so I sent her the contact info. Hope they got together.

Not long ago, I engaged in an email conversation with Max Guggenheimer who was looking for some information on his old roommate, John Kemp. Back in 1957, Max and Jack Barnett drove to Mexico and on the way stopped by El Paso to visit with John. They had a great time and were treated great by his family. Years later, Max heard from John who said he was busy with real estate in El Paso, but he has not heard from him since. If anyone has been in contact with John, let me know. During our conversations, I found that Max was assigned to Berlin, Germany, in 1961, just a week after the Soviet Union began to build the Berlin Wall. He said the city was in shambles with large parts of it bombed out. Max was assigned as officer of the guard at Spandau Prison a number of times where the infamous Albert Speer, Rudolf Hess and Baldur von Shirach were still in prison. He would volunteer for the duty, especially on holidays, to allow the married officers to spend the holidays with their families.

He later became aide-de-camp to Gens. Watson and Polk. Max and I are sorry neither of us knew this, because I spent two of the best years of my life in Berlin from June 1950 to June 1953. My dad was the Berlin ordnance officer, and it was a great place to be a teenager; the U.S. military went out of their way to make the teenage experience in Germany as close to that in the USA as possible. We had teenage clubs, snack

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bars, theaters, European sports tournaments, European choral group festivals – anything to enrich our stay in Germany. Maxwell D. Taylor was the commander of Berlin. His son, Tom, was our classmate, and John J. McCloy was the high commissioner. Other significant events while I was there were Jesse Owens getting his Olympic medals back and Bob Hope visiting, as did Orson Welles and Eartha Kitt; and a good portion of the 1952 summer Olympic team spent a week or two in Berlin on their way back to the States from Helsinki. So many good memories.

Lee and Nancy Southard are in their brand-new home. Lee doesn’t have much time for fishing due to the continuous job of returning Nancy’s furniture purchases. She is a visual person, so he is the chief returns officer, reporting, of course, to the chieftess executive officer. They traveled to Outer Banks for a long overdue family vacation in Nags Head. Todd Southard ’85 and Lee spent several days in Virginia visiting historic sights and, of course, Marilyn’s resting place. Lee’s second book is finished, “The Battle We Must Not Lose: The Fight for the Church and America.” It’s a timely demonstration of how the loss of Christian youth to the Christian church in America is leading to the decline of Christianity in America to the point that it will be a minority religion in America by midcentury with serious adverse consequences for the nation and the church. Recent events are but the tip of the iceberg. He’s looking for a publisher by way of first hiring a literary agent. He doesn’t want to make the same mistakes he made on his last book.

Carl and Phyllis Kasko are still holding their own in Pennsylvania. The Kasko family photo was taken at Carl’s granddaughter’s wedding. Six weeks later, her brother was married. Needless to say, it is a busy time for Carl’s daughter and her husband, but they survived it. Carl is feeling much better and has a lot more energy. He is so tired of being cooped up and has started to look for things to do outside. Carl was fortunate to have all his chemo completed before the virus hit. He was still getting infusions to help his bones stay strong; however, at the end of March, they stopped the infusions because of the virus. Recently, they started again. Phyllis continues to hold her own. They have home care that helps her, especially in the morning. Earlier this year, Carl had a visit from his old friend, Nick Kallelis ’57. They spent about eight years working together in New Jersey, then Nick moved to Reading, Pennsylvania. About a

year later, Carl moved to Pennsylvania with his family and settled into a development very close to one another, so their kids grew up together.

Larry and Nancy Wood are doing fine in Las Vegas despite the heat and COVID-19. They are so proud of their newest stadium, the Allegiant, the new home for the Raiders. It was officially completed the day before the attached picture was taken. There were supposed to be more people in the picture, but a 112-degree forecast probably changed some minds. On the Fourth of July, five of Larry’s friends and veterans met at dawn at their church flagpole and raised the garrison flag with prayers for our nation. They met once again that evening to lower it, again with prayer.

Four days later, the halyard separated, and the flag dropped. Larry’s neighbor owns a fire truck and volunteered to assist them in putting the halyard back in the pulley. Larry was like a little kid and had lots of fun riding in the fire truck. His neighbor has registered the fire truck as a recreational vehicle, and after spending the day playing on it, Larry can certainly understand why.

George and Marie O’Neill are doing well but, like all of us, are looking forward to the end of the pandemic so they can get out and about. So far, they have avoided any visitation from COVID-19 and they keep their fingers crossed. Unfortunately, their eldest son, Mark, who lives in Florida, tested positive but didn’t develop any symptoms. George gathered information for his Alumni Review class notes input by contacting his roomies Ed Talley and Lonnie Martin. Ed says COVID-19 wise he’s doing well but over the moon, especially with the extended parenting phase of life. He’s achieved great-granddad-hood.

He noted that the ’59 chemistry majors listed in the new VMI Register of Former Cadets are cited to have earned degrees in BHM versus CHM and wonders what clever things our BRs might think the acronym stands for. Lonnie’s recent phone call was greatly enjoyed by George, his Yankee roommate. Lonnie is doing A-OK virus-wise, and like Ed, he, too, was really tickled with becoming a great-granddad. A bit of a sad note, Lon laments the scorching heat of San Antonio keeps him from his appointed rounds of golf. George and Marie are proud to join his roomies in the grandfather ranks but they’re certainly greater than George.

Kenny Bradford recently retired after almost 55 years as a darn good English educator, teaching students from middle school to graduate school including five fascinating years at VMI.

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Class Notes Max Blanchard recently, and he sounded the best he has in years. Tex also spoke with Mary Alice Marley, and she is doing great, all things considered.

Judy MacWillie from Killeen, Texas, and Bonnie Pomponio from Monroe, North Carolina, both checked in, and although tired of the quarantine, they are doing all right confronting COVID-19.

Yvonne Traylor sent in a picture of Billy enjoying a drive-by parade at the assisted living facility where he is residing. She said it was the same ole Billy, cheering and giving a thumbs-up to the particiClass of 1959: Ann and Shep Shepard celebrated their 60th pants. Yvonne thanks all BRs/SRs for all wedding anniversary under the shroud of COVID-19. the love sent to them by mail, phone and email. This was the first time Yvonne had seen Billy in the flesh since March 12; previously, they connected by phone and Facetime only. A banner day for both Bill and Yvonne.

Royall and Geri Geis report that they are fine. Royall’s memory, short term, is almost gone, but like Geri says, he’s a good guy and is handling it well. They just heard that the Senate finally passed a bill allowing veterans with Agent Orange to hopefully get compensation for having Parkinson’s-like symptoms. These are the symptoms that Royall has. Actually, they really don’t know what he has, and the neurologists are completely stymied – other than it was caused by Agent Orange.

Class of 1959: Larry Wood and Liz, a member of his Bible study But that’s a step that Geri has been fighting group, admire Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders’ new home. for since 2017. It may take a while to get anything, but Geri says Royall needs to be compensated with something. Their daughter, Stacey, and her family in California are handling her father’s condition well. Parker, 19, their grandson, is at the University of Virginia and will return to school the end of August. Hope, their 17-year-old gorgeous granddaughter, is at the Menlo School in Atherton and will also return in August – that is, if the schools are going to open at all. Their daughter, Stacey, is with the environmental firm Earthjustice in charge of California and loving the work. She and her husband, Peter, are currently working from home. Since Geri can’t do anything theatrically right now, she has been consumed by lots of oil paintings, and Stacey’s house is almost Class of 1959: Celebrating the wedding of Carl and Phyllis Kasko’s granddaughter, Caitlin, were, from left, Lucas, Pete, Bivina and Jackson Kasko; Brad, Cindy and Caitlin Bohr; Ryan totally full of her latest paintings.

Mullens; Carl and Phyllis; Madeline and Alex Bohr; and Carol, Marie Rose, Paul and Nickolas Bob and Lois Hobson have returned to Utah Kasko. and are happy to be home despite the fact that

Recently, Rusty Loth had a medical procedure whereby he received a new aortic “cow valve.” He had the choice of a pig valve or a cow valve, and he chose the latter. He is now mooing instead of oinking. He is not sure if he is feeling that much better, but he says he is enjoying more time out in the pasture. All BRs are welcome to visit Rusty in Memphis but must be careful where they step. He has been in touch with Noland Pipes but only by telephone due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he sounds good. Both are looking forward to ’que and brew again soon, hopefully.

Spence and Beverly Tucker continue to be safe and are hunkered down in Lexington where there have been COVID-19 cases but no deaths thus far. Beverly practices the cello, paints and continues doing great things as president of the Historic Lexington Foundation. Spence is finishing up the last three of his writing projects and trying to keep his vegetable garden going in all the heat. Spence will have a second shoulder replacement surgery in August.

March was a busy month for Tex and Emily Carr. They signed up for a European riverboat cruise to take place in August (subsequentially canceled), they put their townhouse on the market and the virus shutdowns began. June wasn’t any better, because Americans were denied access to Europe. Tex spoke with

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Class Notes they had to put themselves in self-quarantine for two weeks. While visiting their family in Georgia, they made a very special trip to Buena Vista, Virginia, where they both were honored with a beautiful plaque from Southern Virginia University thanking them for their support of the university.

Despite the quarantine, Jack and Joy Angolia still seem to keep exceptionally busy. Jack is still working on his next book and should be finished by the end of the year. Unfortunately, Jack lost his longtime friend and publisher so all that remains to get his new book out is to find a new publisher. I’ve written many times in the class notes about Jack’s fantastic military history collection. I wished that you could have seen it as Ann and I have. Jack started his collection in 1944, but it has now reached the point where it was time to pass it on to other like collectors. It went to auction Aug. 1 with great results. Jack sold it not for the money, but rather to ensure that Joy will not be left to dispose of it. Jack sends his regards to all BRs and asked that I remind you, “We should be proud of the history of the Institute and what it stands for; it made us all better persons.”

Bob Haines is staying COVID-19 safe and following all the guidelines. Knock on wood, but his zipcode has had no deaths thus far.

Bob’s granddaughter, Capt. Tiffany Haines ’15, passed the very tough and comprehensive check-flight evaluation for aircraft commander in the U.S. Air Force C130-J and was named Officer of the Quarter. Her sister, Brittany Loftis, gave birth to a girl, who they named Harmony.

Her brother, Justin, just got married, having just graduated with honors from Abilene Christian University, and is beginning graduate school at ACU with his new wife, Taryn, who also just graduated from ACU with honors. Her other brother, Cody, a first class petty officer in the Navy, married a lovely young lady whose family has a working cattle ranch in California and are also frequent rodeo champions. Cody’s wife, Alyssa, is a champion barrel horse racer. Granddaughter from son Dave, Heather Haines, graduated from Texas A&M, Corpus Christi, magna cum laude and has moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. Dick Bingham makes an annual trip to Williamsburg, Virginia, to do family research.

During a recent trip he visited the building at the university where Thomas Jefferson attended classes. On the threshold of a professor’s office

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was a sign that would have been appropriate for the professors we had when we were cadets: “My job is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Jimmy and Linda Johnson are as fed up with this COVID-19 quarantine as everyone else. Jimmy and Linda were planning a riverboat cruise on the Danube and Rhine Rivers this summer but, of course, it was canceled.

The cruise would have taken them through Bavaria where Jimmy served during the Bosnia War. Nevertheless, congratulations are in order for the newlyweds who recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.

Ann and I are doing as well as can be expected. We continue to hunker down and try to avoid those places where people do not believe in wearing masks and social distancing. The COVID-19 epidemic has played havoc on our travel plans this year. We were scheduled, along with eight other brother and sister rats, to go on a cruise up the Columbia and Snake Rivers beginning in Portland and ending in Lewiston.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel, but we have a voucher and plan to try again next year. Which really will not be too bad since our granddaughter, Lilly, has received a scholarship to pursue a graduate degree at Montana State University. After the cruise, we plan to drive down to Bozeman and spend a few days with her. All of our other grandchildren are doing well, and we continue to be impressed at how intelligent and industrious they all are. I claim they get it from me but know in my heart it comes from Ann. The most disappointing news we had was that we had to cancel our 60th wedding anniversary celebration. We had rented a 10-bedroom house in Hilton Head, South Carolina, right on the water for a week and had the whole family scheduled to be there for at least a couple of days. Right now, we do not know what we will do and how we will celebrate, but we are still thinking about it. Unfortunately, we also had to cancel the Florida group mini reunion that we had scheduled for September in Tarpon Springs, Florida. With the COVID-19 cases exceeding 10,000 new cases each day in Florida and the reluctance of many people to wear masks and observe social distancing, I could not in good conscious subject our brother and sister rats to this kind of environment. Keep those cards and letters and emails coming in.

Yours in the Spirit, Shep

1960

James A. Smith III

Greetings from St. James Plantation, North Carolina. Last issue of class notes had to be cut to five pages. What follows is a holdover from May 15.

On April 21, I spoke with Jack Horgan to send him birthday wishes. He related that he started the day with his small dog jumping on the bed and biting him. Happy birthday? Jack says he feels well and rides his bike 10 miles/day. We wish him many more birthdays.

On April 26, I spoke with both Otis Pool and George Salaita to wish them happy birthday. Otis is feeling well in Vero Beach for the winter. He’s playing golf and just waiting for the pandemic to clear before he and Arlene return up north to Great Falls, Virginia. Arlene has had two knees replaced and is playing golf again. George is “hanging in there.” He still teaches but sparingly during this pandemic as best he can. He is well. It was great to speak with them both.

On April 29, I spoke with Vaughn Foxwell to give him birthday wishes. Vaughn has a place in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. He was looking forward to getting back home in Millersville, Maryland, to start planting soybeans. He is well.

I could only leave a voicemail birthday wish for Jim Greathead in Colorado. We wish him well also.

On May 2, we lost Jim O’Dell, who died at his home in Bluffton, South Carolina. Jim had called Howard Moss, Herb Vaughan and me just before he died. We all will miss him. We had some good times on the golf course. Jim was also an avid supporter of our Bayliss Scholarship. His obituary is as follows: “James Richard O’Dell, 81, died May 2, 2020, in Bluffton, South Carolina. Jim was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1956. After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1960, Jim spent six months in active duty in the Army. Following the Army, Jim began work with IngersollRand. His 38 years with I-R included managing various divisions and overseas travel, retiring as vice president of technology in 1998. Survivors

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes include his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Suzanne Southee O’Dell; sister, Marilyn Minchey (Jim) of Black Mountain, North Carolina; daughters, Cynthia O’Dell, Teresa LeBlanc, Lisa Yamin (John) and Melissa Olson (Scott); grandchildren, Michael Yamin, Samantha Yamin, Ashley LeBlanc, Devin LeBlanc and Cooper Olson; niece, Kim Minchey Wiete; and many great nieces/nephews.

Jim O’Dell will be buried at a later date in Epiphany Roman Catholic Cemetery in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Memorials for James Richard O’Dell may be made in his name to the Virginia Military Institute Bayliss Scholarship or to a charity of choice.”

On May 4, I received the following email from Jerry Herman: “Jimbo, in response to Hap’s plea for information to fatten your class notes, I offer the following. Since my final retirement from Verizon in 2007, I remain in good health here in Florida, although my short-term memory is inferior to my long-term memory, which seems to remain keen. Subsequent to my Army career, I worked for United Technologies in Connecticut, Grumman (later Northrop Grumman) on Long Island, then New York New England Telephone in Manhattan. NYNEX morphed into Bell Atlantic which following a merger with GTE emerged as Verizon which relocated me to Florida. I have been widowed twice. My first wife, Marlene, passed away with liver disease. My second wife of 32 years, Mary, died in 2009 from stage IV lung cancer (she never smoked). A year later, I was blessed to meet my significant other, Mary Ann Pipping, who is also twice widowed. I guess I have an unintended proclivity for women whose first name starts with ‘M.’ Mary Ann and I have been together ever since. She has her own home in Lakeland, Florida, 38 miles from my home in Land O’ Lakes directly north of Tampa. Mary Ann and I have traveled the world together, see each other several days a week, talk at least twice daily on the phone and it works for us. I have five grandchildren: One a nurse (Samantha) in New Orleans and two graduating this year, one (Zachary) from Trinity College and the other (Olivia) from high school then going on to Clemson this fall. I have attached a picture of Mary Ann and me. God willing, we plan to attend our 60th Reunion in October, and we are really looking forward to seeing all. Hope this gives you some ammunition for your class agent duties. Best regards, Jerry.”

Also on the same day, I received the following email from Ed Tolley: “Jimbo, I spoke to Ashby Chamberlin this week. He and Katie are doing

2020-Issue 4

on par with the rest of us 83(+/-) oldsters. They are, like the rest of the gang, disappointed that the reunion has been put on hold but ready to regear up again. Also talked to Cliff ‘Buddy’ Frith last week. He and Jeanne and their crew are also ‘keeping their heads above water.’ Darryl Markland and Louise are about to relocate back to Ohio this month. Their winter residence is still Georgetown, Texas, and summer they live in Columbus (I think). Mark is still full of Norton, Virginia, wit

Class of 1960: A young Jim O’Dell with Suzie and their daughters.

Class of 1960: Alex Dunlap touring on his bike.

and bright attitude. So sad at the passing of Jim O’Dell. In my opinion, Jim was the ideal VMI cadet: Bright, clean cut, energetic, dependable ... great guy. Me? Was diagnosed as having chronic leukemia last summer. The doc says they don’t treat it and can expect to keep going for years ... unless the malady creates problems with other organs, at which time we’ll see what can be done. I feel good thanks to Miller High Life. Sorry I don’t have more good news. Rah Virginia Mil.” On May 7, I received the following email from Vaughn Foxwell: “Jimbo, Thanks for the birthday wishes. I hope we have many more. Hap requested we give you some info for the VMI Review. This is a little story I would like to share with my brothers with particular tribute to Ed Tolley. On the night before graduation, there was a lot for a country boy to contemplate. First in my family to graduate from college. First to commission in the military. Brand-new ’60 Chevrolet Impala. Saying goodbye to my Longwood girlfriend. I finished off a bottle of Early Times and threw it at a light pole, while my girlfriend was driving through Lexington. I don’t remember most of what happened that night, but my brothers and Ed Tolley made it possible for me to walk across the stage the next day. Let’s hear it for the brotherhood! In a separate email, my wife, Helen, is sending a picture from a trip to Glacier National Park. In the bonds, Vaughn Foxwell or Foxy.”

On May 8, I called John Hilliard but spoke with his wife, Linda. John was running an errand.

He got birthday wishes. John is unable to conduct Space Station tours during this time of virus quarantine.

On May 8, I received the following email form Jim Schaaf: “I received Hap’s notes for emails to you. Becky and I are doing well in Birmingham – almost a year here now, and I’m used to Birmingham traffic and getting around downtown.

The apartment is the right size, and we have a great sunroom overlooking a wooded courtyard – we overdid downsizing and got rid of too many pictures – have more wall space than we thought. The retirement community (Galleria Woods) is taking good care of the residents’ health during these times. We wear masks in the public areas, and instead of using the dining room, meals of our choice are delivered to the rooms. Group activities are minimal, staying 6 feet apart during exercise class and outdoor concerts in the courtyard. I do take off my mask in the gym if no one else is there – cleaning staff

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Class Notes length. Seagull has been in an extended wipes down the equipment several times life facility for some time and, unfortua day, and we take excursions now and nately, due to the coronavirus quarantine, then to visit local family. I joined a school has not been able to receive visitors. We mentoring/tutoring program, but the virus wished him well. shut that down. I joined a club that puts On May 21, Ed Tolley called me to say on an annual Christmas model train show Ashby Chamberlin died May 20. Ashat the McWane Science Center, but that’s by’s obituary is as follows: “Ashby L. now closed for the virus and we’re beChamberlin, 1937-2020, died Wedneshind already getting things ready for this day, May 20, 2020, surrounded by his Christmas – moving the tables and equipfamily. He was the beloved husband, of ment upstairs for the show and then back 55 years, of Kathryn ‘Katie’ Wood Chamdown to our basement room requires a berlin; much loved father of Susan, Mary lot of maintenance afterward. I built a Ellen, Amy, Todd, Catherine and Cliff; fold-up workbench for my model work and loved and adored grandfather of Conto fit in a closet when we moved that renor, Brent, Kaitlin, Brooke, Riggs, Ashplaces my four basement workbenches in Class of 1960: Herb Vaughan, Jimbo Smith, Bob Clay and Jim ley, Corbin, Anna, Paige, Riley, Rebecca, Huntsville, and that keeps me from getO’Dell.

Hudson and Vance. He was a Bethesda ting cabin fever. Becky complains that it native and a graduate of McDonogh High never seems to be folded up. Thanks for School and Virginia Military Institute. He all you do with the Review and stay safe. joined his father in his family’s business, Jim.” Kenwood Golf and Country Club, in I received an unexpected delight1963 where he spent his entire career unful phone call from Bob Gianella, who til his passing. Ashby’s unique, one-of-alives in Waco, Texas. “G,” as I used to kind personality brought joy and laughter call him, and I were chemistry majors to everyone he met. To know him was to together and spent many a late night in feel loved and have a good laugh. Ashby Scott Shipp Hall trying to study but mostwas an avid cyclist, marksman, Rotarly bull*#$%ing. Bob retired from the ian and mostly a man of deep faith. He coffee, tea and hot chocolate dispensing walked closely with God and was susbusiness. As I’ve told you all before, Bob tained and inspired by faith throughout gave me my very first pepperoni, a gift his life. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your from one of his mother’s care packages Class of 1960: Jim Schaaf with his grandchildren. heart and lean not on your own underfrom Peekskill, New York. It was a true standing; in all your ways acknowledge Him and treat to catch up with him after such a long time.

He will make your paths straight.’ Proverbs 3:5On May 11, I spoke with Bob Graves, the Rev. 6. And as he would say, ‘... that’s it in a nutshell; Robert, and gave him birthday wishes. He and bye, now.’ A memorial service will be held at a Jane are well. Bob subs in Episcopal churches future date when gathering is possible. In lieu as a supply priest. Hope he can make it to our of flowers, memorials in Ashby’s honor can be rescheduled reunion in October. made to: Fourth Presbyterian Church, 5602 River On May 12, I spoke with Bolling Williamson Road; Bethesda, MD 20816.” and gave him birthday wishes. Bolling and TheOn June 12, Tom Beavers celebrated his birthresa now live in the Northern Neck of Virginia day. I missed calling him but he got an email. full time. He is well.

On June 18, Gary Kramer celebrated his birthOn May 13, I called Joe Stewart but could only day, but I could only leave a voicemail. leave voicemail birthday wishes. Joe sent me the On June 22, both Bill King and Phil Shiner following text: “Jimbo. On my way from Nashhad birthdays. I missed calling them but got a ville to Jasper, Alberta, Canada, this summer with call from Bill the next day. I left a voicemail with a good friend of mine from Colorado. A tad over Phil.

6,000 miles by the time I got home. Still riding evOn June 28, I caught up with John Olsen in ery day I can. So far, healthy and enjoying every Richmond. He is well, as is his wife, Fran. John day I get. Take care. Cheers! Joe.” Class of 1960: Jimbo Smith, class agent, is an accomplished skeet shooter, but the coronaOn May 24, John “Seagull” Coughlin had his at work. virus has shut him down like the rest of us. birthday. I spoke with his wife, Joyce, at great

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes On July 3, I left a voicemail birthday message for Gerry Herman in Land o’ Lakes, Florida. He got happy birthday wishes and wishes for many more birthdays.

On July 6, I was able to speak with Carlton “Doc” Mallory. Doc is doing well and is active.

He got birthday wishes with wishes for many more birthdays.

On July 8, I got a call from Dick and Maryanne Murphy’s daughter. Dick passed away in 2014. Maryanne passed away July 4. They both had come to every one of our reunions. She came alone to our 55th Reunion. She and Dick had been the “custodian” of the many class photo albums. Our class has lost many folks that have been such a part of our class.

I will start a new paragraph to discuss, briefly, the controversy regarding monuments at VMI. I will only say that, in my opinion, I leave these weighty decisions to our very competent Board of Visitors and the superintendent. The board has, and is, receiving an abundance of opinions. On July 29, we all received a letter from Gen. Peay ’62 explaining what VMI’s position will be regarding the social changes that are taking place all over our country. I personally am so very proud, pleased and grateful for the response of all in a leadership capacity at the Institute. Please get a copy of the letter from the alumni office and read it if you have not done so.

On July 31, I had a wonderful conversation with Toot Barr on his birthday, wishing him well and wishing him many more birthdays.

He is well.

On Aug. 1, I spoke with Dallas “Ed” Smith wishing him a happy birthday. Ed was in his woodworking shop turning out beautiful articles.

On Aug. 5, I called Bill Ennis only to be able to speak with his wife, Sally. Bill was napping according to Sally. He got birthday wishes.

On Aug. 6, Frank Fox joined the ranks of 83-year-olds, but I have no contact information.

On Aug. 7, I called Mike Pitt but could only leave a voicemail birthday wish.

On Aug. 11, I spoke with Henry Shirley. He and Ginnie are incarcerated like the rest of us. He got birthday wishes.

Walt Witchard had his birthday Aug. 12, but somehow I was confused and spoke with him earlier. He is holding down the Northwest.

This brings me to the end of this edition of class

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notes. We’ve all been incarcerated since March but seem to be surviving. We missed our 60th Reunion, sadly, but somehow we will try to get together when the pandemic has passed. We are very grateful to G.G. Phillips, Bill “Peanuts” Elliott, Henry Brown and Jim Pittman for their tireless efforts as a Reunion Committee. I am always grateful for the timely help of Hap Miller with our communication.

Please remember to support the Institute when you can. Also continue to support our Bayliss Scholarship as you have done. Stay safe, healthy and in touch.

In the Spirit, Jimbo

the person who escorted Dennis. In the past few months, I have been communicating with Bill Powell’s daughter, Megan Bennett, who is trying to learn all she can about her dad’s life in the Army.

I put her in touch with Dennis Nicholas’ daughter,

1961

Sal Vitale Jr.

During the American Revolutionary War, Thomas Paine published a collection of articles called “The American Crisis.” Included in the collection of his December 1776 essay was his famous statement, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”

Amen! Sue and I are doing fine. We don’t like being restricted, but we understand the importance of not getting ourselves or those around us sick.

I miss the personal interactions with our brother rats at beer and cookies; B&C is on hold for now.

Daughter Barbara’s college graduation ceremony in San Diego was canceled. We wanted to be there in October to see her cross the stage and accept her summa cum laude Bachelor of Arts in education studies diploma. We are very proud of her.

When in San Diego, we planned to visit with Mike Wash, but that is not going to happen. Sue had her feet operated on again, and after three weeks of being her nurse, cook and bottle washer, she is doing fine. I still have some issues with my neck and back after the car accident, but I keep working in my shop and the garden. I missed my virtual presence at the U.S. Army Signal School change of responsibility ceremony in June when Brig. Gen. Christopher Eubank ’91, Gerry Eubank’s son, took over as the 39th Chief of Signal School Commandant. Chris is now at Fort Gordon. Geraldine Nicholas Moore wanted to know who escorted Dennis’s casket back from Vietnam, and she just found a letter identifying Capt. William Powell as

Class of 1961: Holmes Smith celebrated New Market Day at his home in Manassas, Virginia, May 15, 2020.

Class of 1961: Lt. Col. Bill Powell at a 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment social in May 1981. Powell, along with six others, was killed in a plane crash in September 1981. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of full colonel.

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Class Notes Karen. The two daughters have been communicating and both sent me pictures of their dads. From what I hear, both daughters will be at our 60th Reunion. Megan is working on getting Bill inducted to the Ranger Hall of Fame, and if accepted, he will be inducted in July of next year.

Ashby and Sandra Taylor are well. The Eastern Shore of Virginia had a severe outbreak of COVID-19, and Ashby said they are following the rules.

It never ceases to amaze me how many brother rats who either left VMI or didn’t graduate with us in ’61 send me notes. For the first time in 60 years, I received a note from Charlie Morris. Charlie lives in Mississippi and said the family is fine except for normal ailments. Charlie will not be at the reunion but sent a check to the Foundation.

Ben Cleveland’s recent note is worth reading.

Ben said, “I’ve been sitting here thinking about our class as we are approaching our 60th anniversary from our graduation date. I know that I didn’t graduate with the class but I was so close to those who matriculated with us 63 years ago. The names come back as I sit and ponder. Many miles have passed under our wheels since that day, and as we age, our memories fade but the memories of those days in 1957 as brother rats are now as strong as they were then. It saddens me when I hear of a death in our (BR) family. I know that I will probably never see you guys again, but I will never forget you.” Ben’s legs can’t walk very far, and a bad back and needing a wheelchair is what is keeping Ben from returning.

I was very excited when I got a letter from Steve Giberson’s wife, Shirley. Steve had a tough time at VMI and left. Dave Harbach remembers him, and we often talk about him. Shirley plans to be at the 60th. Also planning to be at reunion is Dick McMurry. Dick is doing OK. One of my fun things I do on the Fourth of July is to call Troy Jones and wish him a happy birthday.

Troy and June are doing well and enjoying their grandchildren. Troy reminded me that he doesn’t write because he can’t think of something interesting to write about.

I contacted the widows of Donnie Wilkinson, Dickey Stone and Dennis Curtis, as well as Helen, John Wiggins’s daughter, and John’s friend, Jean Logan. There is no confirmed date for interment.

Elaine Wilkinson said she is hoping to lay Donnie to rest in August at the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond and will call me when she knows.

Diane Stone is doing well, and their three kids finally went home. Diane said it was nice to have

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some space, but they are coming back soon. The kids have been Diane’s lifeline, and she is blessed with great kids who all get along. Jean Logan plans to be at our 60th.

Martin Leigh Caples’ funeral mass was held July 13 and the next day spreading his ashes at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho. Lou Shuba, Bill Haeberlein, Mitch Kot and Larry Wetsel attended the services. Inday, Marty’s wife, and Marty’s daughters, Tuyet and Annie, took very good care of the brother rats. Lou said the food was outstanding. Mitch Kot said he and Jennifer left Vietnam just in time or they would have been stuck there for several months. Upon returning, Mitch had a heart ablation (several of our brother rats have had the same procedure) and is doing fine. Jennifer has Mitch working in his organic garden and yard work. Bill Haeberlein is doing well and, like the rest of us, is stuck home.

Larry and Jerri Wetsel are going stir crazy. They have not been home for this length of time since they were married. Pris Shuba finally was able to put 100% weight on her feet, so Lou Shuba is excused from his duties as nurse and housewife.

Then it happened! Lou Shuba was running a high temperature, and Pris brought him to urgent care.

Urgent care sent him to the COVID-19 testing site.

The testing site did not want to test him because he was too sick, so they called 911 and he was taken to the hospital. After extensive testing, the doctor said it was an acute septicemia caused by e-coli in his blood. After a few days in the hospital, Lou came home and he said he’s feeling great. The doctors want to do a few more tests to make sure his heart was not damaged. Had Lou not been in such great physical condition, he probably would have died.

Paul Johnston is doing well but his wife, Debbie, is struggling to recover from a T8 compression fracture in her back,and her knee replacement is on hold again.

I talked to Lee Badgett several times. He is still confined to his room but in great spirits. Give him a call.

Bob Reitz’s household is well. Bob’s “new” daughter-in-law was lead nurse at Emory St. Joseph’s for the COVID-19 patients. A little scary!

Bob’s daughter, Nancy, received her Ph.D. and is back to practicing physical therapy. Bob’s older son, Michael, is still working from his home as a chemical engineer for a chemical company. So all is 61 “peachy” in Georgia! Doug and Mollie Popp are staying mostly inside and going out only after

they are masked and separated from major crowds of people. Doug said people are not totally cautious about covering their faces, and until the laws dictate covering for everyone, this virus will have an avenue to spread.

Bill Hala finds himself in a predicament since his lady friend is in Canada and he is in the USA. The border is closed and probably will be for some time. Quebec was also closed to the rest of Canada.

Raine and Clara Gilbert are surviving the COVID-19 by staying home in their Cape Cod home (Clara’s childhood home in West Falmouth) since last year but are planning to return to Vienna, Virginia, midsummer. Clara suffered several strokes, lost the right hemisphere of vision in both eyes and suffered aphasia, short-term memory loss, inability to read and numbness on her right side. She has made steady progress recovering some of everything but the vision loss and is only able to read at the fourth grade level. Raine is well but feeling his age, as I guess we all are. Renate (Jim) Mowery emailed me because Jim “Doc” doesn’t like to write emails or talk on the phone. However, he loves to get messages and hear from folks. In addition to a broken neck and his hip, he had a mini stroke and ended up in the hospital for a few days.

Jim’s short-term memory was affected, and even with a walker, he still falls. The Mowerys are very fortunate that their oldest daughter, Roberta, and her physician husband live next door.

Tom and Faye Bradshaw are fine. They go to town most every day to have a picnic lunch, stop by the office and deal with whatever is on the front burner. Otherwise, they stay at home. Tom and Jim “Doc” Mowery were roommates, and Tom has renewed their friendship. Hill Browning also roomed with T.C. and Doc their fifth year. I remember for many years Tom would have Hill and Heather Browning, Larry Williams and R.E.L. Huddle for a weekend at Tom’s cabin. I had the pleasure of being with them several times, and it was a hoot. Hill and Heather Browning are doing well, and now that St. Martin is open to the USA, they plan to be there soon. Larry Williams is OK and misses attending Gibbings’ beer and cookies. Bill and Joyce Gibbings are coping, and Bill is on a walker.

Archie Ramirez is currently living in San Anselmo, California, and is currently recovering from his 360-degree lumbar spine surgeries with anterior and posterior instrumentation for decompression of bilateral foraminal stenosis from L1 to L3. He walks 1-2 miles per

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes day with a trekking pole, performing his daily trunk stabilization and strengthening exercises.

In May, Archie had surgery to his trigger fingers on his left third and fourth digits and after this procedure, he was scheduled for total knee replacement surgery sometime in July 2020, but I have no updates. Archie decided to have these procedures so he could play golf again. Bill Maurer finally heard from John Moorcones. John decided some time ago to enjoy the solitude of becoming anonymous and said it has been enjoyable. Bill and Shawn Maurer are OK and hope to be at reunion and also attend VMI Legacy Day next spring with his grandkids. I do appreciate it when our brother rats’ grown children email me about their folks. I received a nice email from Lori McCormick, Ann and Pete’s daughter. Lori said, “The class notes and correspondence are so thoughtful and very touching. It means very much to both of us. It is like a piece of dad reaching out to hug us.” It is comments like this that keep me going. Ann is doing OK, but she has jumped, like many of us, on the medical merry-go-round and is waiting to see what specialist will finally give results! The COVID-19 shut down slowed their plans on selling their Texas home and moving to a place not so hot. Dick Lindquist has had issues at home for the past several years. Kim Lindquist had a cancer operation in 2016 (which led to Dick canceling the 55th Reunion). This was followed by chemo and radiation treatment. Since that time, Kim has passed several PET scans and is apparently cancer-free. In April Dick experienced a crippling pain in his left back and left leg.

MRI and x-rays showed that Dick damaged two lower back vertebrae and a disc and spinal fusion surgery was planned for June. I have not received an update. Ben Lynch has been very busy working on closing out business matters and hopes to complete it by the end of the year. Since the coronavirus scare Diane has not been able to go out for therapy and has been housebound. Ben prepares Diane for the day, goes to the office, and returns midday to prepare lunch for Diane and back to the office. To make his situation even more interesting, Ben had his left hip replaced in July. Jack “J.D.” Miller has been taking care of his wife for almost four years. Jutta is in a nursing home with Parkinson’s and dementia. During the pandemic, Jack was the only allowed visitor at the nursing home so he could feed Jutta. The situation is grave, so please remember Jutta in your prayers. Jack will be at the 60th. J.D. helped me

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many years ago when my son was in the Army and stationed in Germany and was not communicating with us. Jack took care of it, and my wife and I will never forget the favor.

John and Irene Gangemi have had challenges, and if some miracle occurs, John may be able to attend. John’s Parkinson’s disease is under control as long as he remembers to take his meds.

Irene has experienced a very tough year and fell in February. It has taken almost three months for her to regain her mobility. John said if he can arrange for one of the children to come and stay with Irene, he will be at the reunion.

Tom Rutledge said, “Fortunately, for some reason the Lord has spared him from having any

Class of 1961: Bill Fout, Shirley Hartford and Lynn Hartford at the Fout residence in Marana, Arizona, Aug. 3, 2020.

aches and pains or other health issues.” Tom and his friend, Cynthia Deaton, will attend the 60th Reunion.

Spike and Mary Callander are holding up well.

Spike said, “Living in a condo really helps in the current situation. We close ourselves in and do not have any yard responsibilities. We venture out for groceries during senior hours and have weekly Zooms with the family and for doctors.”

Spike has ventured out to the driving range a couple of times and the golf league started. When not golfing Spike has been organizing and scanning a lifetime of photos. Jim and Connie Oliver are healthy and active. Connie’s memory continues to deteriorate but they keep moving forward.

Skip and Harriotte McDannald’s house is on the market. When it is sold they will have to decide on their next location: Atlanta, near their son, or St. Mary’s, Georgia, near their daughter. Skip’s farm is doing well and he has seen many quail (pairs) and young turkeys and deer are abound.

With no hospital to save, Skip keeps busy by working in his garden. Skip spoke with Jim Harrison and Jim will travel with the McDannalds to the reunion. Lynn and Shirley Hartford are working with a Realtor to sell their California home. Where they will go is undecided at this time. The Hartfords visited the Fouts in Arizona and had a wonderful time. Bill and Sandra Fout were stuck in Arizona due to problems with Sandra’s recovery from breaking her hip and a COVID-19 flying restriction. Their Arizona house is

Class of 1961: Brother rats attending Marty Caples’ celebration of life at his home in Boise, Idaho, July 20, 2020, were, from left, Larry Wetsel; Lou Shuba; Tuyet, Marty’s daughter; Inday, Marty’s wife; Annie, Marty’s daughter; Bill Haeberlein; and Mitch Kot. 63

Class Notes one level, and the Maryland house has significant stairs and that may be why they were in no rush to come back. They are now home in Maryland.

Harold and Cilia Kurstedt closed on a house in Christiansburg, Virginia. They decided to be closer to family and now will be snowbirds again spending winters in their home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Harold is authoring another book and when it is complete he will let me know. Bill and Marci Keech are in great shape and glad they are at Westminster Canterbury in Winchester, Virginia. There was only one COVID-19 case and it was a member of the staff. The campus is closed and the staff will deliver their choice of meals three times a day if requested. George Henning is still recovering from his brain bleed and doing well. George is walking a mile a day and when he remembers, calls me with updates on the folks in The Villages. George said Bob and Jeanne Burks, Stu and Lee Crow, Dude and Kathy Copenhaver, and Ken Ayala are all doing fine. John “J.C.” Miller tells me all is good in St. Louis.

Ed and Sue Fox are hunkered down, and farmers bring the Foxes food and check on them weekly to see if they need anything. The inn has been closed and had no guests since last year.

That is tough!

Randy and Marlene Aylor are in a nursing home in Lebanon, Missouri, and will not be at the reunion. According to Madonna Pender, Dorsey has been working doing handyman jobs and works (really) almost every day and Madonna loves him for it. I hear Don Kern spends a lot of time with Dorsey, but I don’t know if he also is doing handyman jobs. (Smile). Gerry and Glorie Coen said, “Our brother rats have been very special in my life. I marvel at the many great accomplishments done by our classmates. I feel that our class has made a great contribution to VMI, to our country and to the world. I am very proud to be a member of the VMI Class of 1961.” Gerry attended 10 of our 11 reunions, missing only the 1966 reunion, and is looking forward to our 60th.

Pete Roberts learned that his time share in St. Martin has reopened to the USA tourists. I learned that the number of cases of the virus is almost nonexistent. In any case, Pete will bank his time for 2021. Pete was sorry to see his roommate, Dave Yerger, “lost” some place in Texas.

Both Pete and I have tried to contact Yerger over the years, and as of this spring, all letters I sent were returned. Does anyone know where he is?

Bob and Susan Winslow are doing well and

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may be at the reunion. I wish Pete Roberts and Bob Winslow would reconsider attending our 60th, if we have it. I could not pass up the picture of Holmes Smith relaxing after a long workday!

Holmes is still very active in the business and does not plan to retire. Cheers!

Ray Hanlein told me that Sally’s relative’s statue, Matthew Fontaine Maury, aka the Pathfinder of the Seas, was removed in Richmond. Sally’s mother was Sarah Fontaine Cooke which is the same as their daughter, Amy Fontaine Falcon, and Ray’s granddaughter, Isabella Fontaine Falcon. Interesting!

Maj. John Dewey Wiggins Jr. passed away May 31, 2020. John had esophageal cancer. Helen, his daughter, and Jean, his longtime friend, were with John for several weeks and said John passed peacefully. Ed Doleman and John were very close and when Ed spoke to John a couple of minutes before John died, John said, “Thanks for calling, and I’ll see you on the other side.” When John was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, my son, Sal III, was in John’s headquarters company.

John loved to sail and spent many winters in Florida on his boat. The last few years, he stayed in Annapolis, Maryland, due to his medical issues.

I talked to John several times in the weeks before his death and his last comment to me was, “I am going to beat this.” I guess God had other plans for him. Bill Braithwaite and John and were roommates. Bill’s account of their meeting was as follows: “Today, I remember Sept. 11, 1957, and our rat cadre leader, Mr. Gapinski [’59], marching us along the fourth stoop until we got to room 412. There he said to you (John), me and Dick Parker, ‘You three go in there,’ and so we became roommates.” Bill added: “I continue to admire and marvel at the way a great infantry officer like you, (John), who knew how to lead men in battle on solid, dry land, could learn later in life to become a sailor equally at home on that most unstable of elements, the sea. I trust that the courage you’ve shown in meeting dangers on both land and sea will keep you confident as you (John), now sail off into the heavens. Goodbye.”

I have no details of John’s interment.

I am very pleased that the superintendent took the time to present his plan to the VMI community. The five-pillar plan specifically states that the statues, building names, etc., will not be removed or changed. I understand that the final decision in these matters lies with the VMI Board of Visitors. Thanks to those of you who

Class of 1961: Dennis and Geraldine Nicholas on their wedding day in the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, June 6, 1961. took the time let the BOV and the general know how you feel. A special thanks to John “J.C.” Tharrington, who responded to my request for his thoughts about the state of affairs affecting our nation today. I want to thank Larry Respess for his untiring assistance in preparing the two letters sent to the BOV and Gen. Peay. Also, a special thanks to the many ’61 brother rats and the many from other classes who sent letters to the BOV and the general.

To date, 80 brother rats and our wonderful widows responded to my inquiry about attending our reunion. We could have as many as 150 people in attendance and therefore will headquarter at Natural Bridge, simply because there is no other place big enough to handle us.

Natural Bridge is now part of Wyndham Hotels, and they have a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention certification of compliance for all cleaning and food preparation services. I am especially pleased that our widows are interested in joining us for the reunion. As one widow said, “Reunions were always a place where we had a good time, and I need to do it again even if alone.” Same for our widowers! Registration

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes will start Sunday, April 18, 2021, for early arrivals, and again April 19 for all others. Our last function will be breakfast Wednesday, April 21.

Please mark your calendars now! It is too early to determine whether we will have a golf outing Monday. Reunion registration letters will be mailed to you soon after you read these notes. So please, wear a mask, wash your hands, stay safe and pray we have a reunion. God bless you, the country, our troops and VMI.

1962

Monty Williams Jerry Burnett

I hope that all are staying safe and taking the necessary precautions to ensure that the dreaded COVID-19 does not get to you. Please take a minute to thank those on the front lines: Nurses, doctors, other health care workers, first responders, those working to keep food in stores and all those who are putting their own health at risk for the betterment of all of us.

I am sad to report that we lost six brother rats in June, July and August 2020. Carl Jordan passed away June 20, Fred Mangino passed June 25, Per Madsen passed July 11, Lawrence Payne passed July 27, Ed Beirne passed Aug. 9 and Jim Vest passed Aug. 14. According to my records, we now have lost 102 of our brother rats. Carl was born Feb. 20, 1941, in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Carl Moore Jordan, the builder of the Jordan Bridge in 1928, and Mary Louise Baker Jordan.

He was the third of four children. During his formative years, he was active in scouting, achieving the rank of Life Scout and sang in the choir of Ascension Episcopal Church in Norfolk. He participated in the glee club and chorus at Maury High School where graduated in 1958. Carl entered VMI in September 1958, where he studied history and military science. He attained the cadet ranks of corporal, sergeant and color sergeant.

He was in the glee club and the fencing team, fencing epee, and eventually served as team cocaptain. In 1961, he was a member of the VMI

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team which participated in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Fencing Championships at Princeton University. In June 1962 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, was inducted into the Beta Commission of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, designated a distinguished military graduate, and commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Army of the United States. In 1970, he continued his higher education at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, and was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree in 1971. In the Army, he was first assigned to the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment of the fabled 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1965, he began his role as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. His assignments included South Korea, Vietnam, two tours at the Pentagon, Germany and finally, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, before retiring in 1984 after 22 years of service. He received many awards and decorations for his outstanding service and valor throughout his military career, principal of which are the Parachute Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Upon retirement from the U.S. Army, he returned with his family to the greater Fayetteville area, initially settling on a horse farm in Rockfish, North Carolina. Carl began work as a financial consultant with Merrill Lynch before assuming the role of treasurer for Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ellen Haigh Evans Jordan; a son, Everard Baker Jordan; a daughter, Katherine Evans Jordan Christiano; a son-in-law Dr. Jose Guilherme Christiano; two grandchildren, Catharine Briley Jordan and Lucas Guilherme Christiano; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Louise Jordan Purvis Viessmann and Frances Ivy Jordan Anthony; and brother, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Lucious Jordan.

On June 18, 2020, Don DeLuca informed me that Fred Mangino had several strokes recently and was not doing well. He came home with hospice care June 19, 2020. I had a Facetime phone call with Fred Sunday, June 21, 2020. He looked good with his infectious smile; however, I did most of the talking. Fred retired as a chief operating specialist for the U.S. federal government, in the Occupational Health and Safety Department, Fort Monmouth.

He served proudly in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his sons, Michael Mangino and Marcello Mangino, and his daughters, Sandy Mangino and Christie Mangino. Also surviving is his sister, Terry Glynn; his cherished five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

John Anthony offered the following about Fred.

“Among our brother and sister rats, Freddie was as kind as anyone. His greetings were as nice as could be. Whenever he asked, ‘How are you?’ he did so in a way that was seemingly much more sincere than most. For reasons that to me are difficult to explain, he spoke in a way that was genuine; it was meaningful and unaffected. Even now, I can remember that aspect of Freddie as though it were yesterday. Would that all of us could be like that. A perennial facet of Freddie’s character was that he always seemed to be as keenly interested in others as himself. In conversations, he looked you straight in the eye. He would listen attentively to whatever you had to say. If you and Freddie were together and talking, seldom if ever would he look over your shoulder to see if someone more important was in the room. He never gave the impression that all of a sudden, if only he could find a way, a polite and effective way, he would rather speak with that person than continue talking with you. In that and other ways, Freddie was unique.

He was a rare bird. His was a gentle spirit. Among our brother and sister rats, no one had a sweeter, more loving, and genuine soul.” Tony Curtis says that Fred was a fellow chemistry major that he had helped in chem lab a time or two, but his greatest help to him was teaching him to swim well enough to pass the swimming requirement. Fred swam like a rock, but after many hours in the pool, he could finally make it from one end to the other. In more than one occasion in our alumni years, Fred would thank him again but would add, he still swam like a rock.

On July 14, 2020, Bruce Seiling notified me that BR Per Madsen died July 11, 2020. He is survived by his sons, Christian and Nils ’08. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marita. Per was with us for two years then transferred to the U.S. Military Academy and graduated in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army.

Lawrence William Payne passed July 27, 2020, in his Falls Church, Virginia, home. He was surrounded by his loving family, including his wife of 58 years, Suzanne. Larry attended Patrick Henry Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Episcopal High School

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Class Notes before spending his last three years at Wakefield High School, where he graduated in 1958.

At Wakefield, Larry played football and was a championship wrestler. After two years at VMI, Larry returned to Arlington and shortly after, met his future wife and fellow south Arlington native, Suzanne Crump. They were married June 30, 1962. Larry served in the Naval Air Reserve.

Dr. Edward Beirne Jr. died unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. He was 80 years old. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Gearhart Beirne; sister, Doris Beirne Sarvay; children, Marcena Beirne Myhrberg, Roxanna Beirne Pappas and Lucas Edward Beirne; and five grandchildren.

After graduating from Highland Springs High School in 1958, he attended the Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He then attended the Medical College of Virginia, graduating in 1966 with his medical degree. Following his internship at Charlotte Memorial Hospital, Ed served as a captain in the U.S. Army medical corps. From 1967-68, he was company commander of the 563rd Medical Company in Vietnam. From 1968-69, he was director of the troop dispensary at Fort Lee Kenner Army Hospital. Ed practiced emergency medicine from 1970-83 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, serving as medical director of the emergency department for seven years. He then transitioned into family practice, working in Oil City, Pennsylvania; Bowling Green, Virginia; and Phoenix, Arizona, before returning to Richmond in 1989. Ed finished his career working at Patient First from 1989-2005, where he served as medical director of the Woodman Road Center for nine years. Ed was a dedicated and caring physician, who was recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Since retiring in 2005, Ed continued his education through distance learning programs and dabbled in the arts. He enjoyed reading, watching baseball and spending time with his beloved wife. Mott Robertson reported that Jim and Renee Vest were at Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, in late June and early July when Jim began to notice increasing fatigue and diminished appetite with associated weight loss along with some right flank pain. They returned home and he was quickly seen by his urologist and then an oncologist in the second week of July. He had stage 4 clear cell carcinoma (cancer) of the right kidney which spread to his lung. He was being treated with immunotherapy, as surgery was not an option.

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Jim served two years on active duty in the Army (infantry). Upon his return from active duty, Jim was commander of Company A, 116th Infantry (Bedford Boys). Being company commander of Company A was one of his finest honors. Jim spent his 43-year working career at the Piedmont Label Company, which was bought by Smyth Companies of St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1968. He served as president of the Label Printing Industries of America and was president and chief operating officer

Class of 1962: Kate and Rosser Bobbitt’s granddaughter, Helena Bobbitt.

Class of 1962: Gary Gilmore celebrating New Market Day 2020 in the desert.

of Smyth Companies when he retired in 2002. He was very active in the civic affairs of Bedford, Virginia, serving on the city and town council for 22 years. He was also chairman of the board of directors of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation.

A lifelong Episcopalian, he was very active at St. John’s Episcopal churches in Bedford and Lynchburg, Virginia.

Ran Hamner reports that the pandemic doesn’t make for much traveling around and getting some good “skinny” on brother rats. He offered one really good example of the value of the BR network.

He developed a fat ankle pounding the country black top roads now that the gyms are all closed.

He emailed Mark Easley, orthopedic surgeon son of Dennis Easley, with his dilemma. Mark is a renowned doctor in the North Carolina Triangle area. He identified himself as a classmate of his dad’s and he got a virtual appointment right away.

Mark fixed him right up with a treatment schedule.

He hopes to have Mark out for a golf date if he ever gets out the OR. John and Kristine Candler went to the North Carolina beach for a few days for a change of scenery. John, being the old gim rider that he was at the Institute, came down with a serious case of pancreatitis. This involved a trip to the hospital.

After a couple of days, they headed for home and John lost 20 pounds getting over this bout. John can now get one leg in his white ducks.

Gary Gilmore says that he and his Vietnam Red Cross (donut dolly) wife, Linda, of 52 years have been enjoying the dry heat in Arizona for the last eight years. They live in Saddle Brooke, an active adult community 15 miles north of Tucson. Their three sons and six grandchildren are scattered from Oahu to Florida. When things get back to reason they will get back to seeing them. He was pleased to witness the celebration of life for Jerry Wagner at his interment in Arlington and seeing the gathering of BRs. He and Linda had dinner with roomie Walter Hylton and to finally meet his wife, Susan. As the joke going around the internet says, “I didn’t know I was a recluse until the stay at home advice. I don’t feel or act much different.”

He sent a picture of him celebrating New Market Day 2020 in the desert.

George Barnes is still working part time doing engineering work with a local water utility and really enjoy getting out and being around younger people. He is playing a lot of golf in north Georgia as they can pretty much play year-round. His wife, Della, is doing pretty well, but having a

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes health issue that they are optimistic about being resolved once their health care system gets back to some level of normalcy.

Edmund Strickler reports, as with the rest of us, he and Margie aren’t doing much right now. They had planned to go to Australia and New Zealand at the end of February but canceled after getting back from England in September. Boy, was that luck. With COVID-19 popping up several weeks later, they would probably still be in New Zealand.

They had also planned to drive to South Dakota to visit their granddaughter and great-granddaughter in June and a Panama Canal cruise in October.

COVID-19 changed all of that. They changed the South Dakota trip to September and canceled the cruise. He hopes that everyone stays safe and that this mess will soon be over.

Frog and Cathy Raney are pleased to report that they are alive and well on the right side of the ground. He says it’s hard to believe that another reunion is coming and another grandson is due November. This will be another boy for Scott and Liz. Molly and Greg have a 3-year-old girl.

Doug Marechal says that he saw Dave Wagner at his sister’s, Deanna’s, memorial service in Richmond. He and Signe stay busy maintaining two locations. They are blessed to have a nice log home with 50 acres in beautiful Highland County, Virginia. They spend lots of time there where there are more sheep than people. He plays tennis (doubles) one to two times per week and walks a lot on the Waynesboro Country Club golf course in the evenings.

Rosser Bobbitt reports that Kate, their children, greater family and he remain healthy and virus free. Thanks to Zoom, they have a weekly family meeting and get to see and talk with their children against a background of squeaks and other noises from their 1-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, Helena. A sad thing is that since Helena (see picture – the book is in Polish) is in Belgium with her parents, Kate and Rosser won’t be able to reach out and touch her until next year. Kate continues to do pastoral care, mostly by phone, at Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Myra Hope, their oldest, is director of Information Technology services at Harvard and is very busy (remotely) organizing distance learning, online, in class and a mix by class year, department and professor for the coming academic year. Myra Hope and her wife, Molly, enjoy music, woodworking and copious gardening while working from home in Arlington, Massachusetts. Daughter

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Foye, in Norfolk, is busy as a paralegal – people are still having accidents and initiating lawsuits against each other. Son Max, in Brussels, is a stayat-home dad and contract teacher for the International School – Brussels, anxiously awaiting plans for re-opening in the fall. His wife, Kasia, is head of policy and advocacy at Concord Europe. Rosser keeps busy woodworking (making wood chips and sawdust) and working as a support member of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Since George Floyd was killed, John Anthony has taken part in the demonstrations and protests outside the White House every night but three.

“One night, a guy sweeping the streets told me he too was from VMI. His name was Blake something and he was from Galveston, Texas. Class of 2016. Great guy. ‘This, at least, is what I can do,’ he said, ‘and it’s needed.’”

Fred Shirley writes that 2019 ended on a high note with the birth of Alexander Shirley in The Woodlands, Texas, Dec. 16, 2020. This was his and Judy’s youngest son, Kent’s, fourth daughter.

He says that there will be no VMI football players in his son’s household. Alexander was their 12th grandchild. Sadly, two of the 12 became little angels in heaven more than 20 years ago. Because of the virus, they have not been able to travel to Texas to see her. Like most of their friends, life is not too exciting. They watch their Sunday church services by way of YouTube. He was playing golf once a week as a guest of some friends; however, now the course has been closed to guests. They were taking walks every day with their little Scottie dog. However, the 116-degree temperatures in Phoenix have ended the walking. On the bright side, this summer they have again enjoyed their place in Flagstaff, Arizona, which is at 7,000 feet and is at least 25 degrees cooler than Phoenix. They have great neighbors and have for 19 years been going to Flagstaff every summer with a few winter visits in between to enjoy the snow. Their 19-year-old granddaughter, Maya, was scheduled to attend Rhode Island College this fall on a soccer scholarship. She is a goalie. However, she has learned that the fall soccer season has been canceled because of the virus.

So, she will be staying at home the first semester doing virtual learning. Hopefully, a spring season can be played. For a guy with congestive heart disease, Fred says he is in good health.

Thanks for all who sent information for this edition of your class notes. Keep the information coming. Please everyone, stay safe and healthy so you can make it to the 60th Reunion in 2022.

1963

Michael J. Curley

Taps: Joseph Charles Liberti was born Sept.

12, 1941, in Washington, D.C. He died June 26, 2020, at his home in Haymarket, Virginia. Joe was a highly decorated career Army officer and, in addition to other posts, served two tours of duty in Vietnam, initially in 1965-66 and again in 1968-69. Joe battled diabetes most of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Wardlee Kennedy Liberti; his sister, Ellen; his daughter, Helen Lee; and his son, Joseph Jr. Joe will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Rest in peace, Joe. Charles Edward Straub III, 79 of Christiansburg, Virginia, was born May 1, 1941, and died peacefully at his home July 19, 2020. Charlie fought a good fight, battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past year. After graduation from VMI in 1963, he studied at the University of Richmond, earned his Master of Business Administration degree and later CPA. Charlie is survived by his wife, Lynn Ross Straub; his brother, Joe Straub ’65; three sons, Chuck, Stuart and Christian; and two daughters, Maggie Straub ’16 and Cadet Mollie Straub ’22, who is on a leave of absence from her VMI studies to attend her family. A celebration of Charlie’s life was held Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, at 6 p.m., in his home. Maggie and Mollie delivered moving eulogies that stressed that close bond that exists between fathers and daughters. Rest in peace, Charlie. In keeping with these unusual times, our class was represented both by several of our brother rats in situ and were joined by a fair number of the class attending the service through a Zoom meeting. Most notable attendee and class czar pro tempore was one George Delk who traveled from downtown Lovingston, Virginia, to ensure that Charlie was honored by the now-traditional Old Yell and ring-knocking ... what a treat to be able to witness this on Zoom from afar. Made me mighty proud to be a member of this loyal group of brothers.

Tony Hancock of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, also lost his wife, Gayle, July 2, 2020, after 56 years of marriage. Gayle, who graduated from William and Mary, was a teacher and member of

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Class Notes a tree. Car’s totaled, but Bob’s OK and it Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Funeral was a hidden blessing. Bob tells me that services will be held later.

MCV discovered several arterial blocks in You may have noticed the absence of his heart that if undiscovered could have Pres Holtry’s name at the beginning killed him. The result is Bob now has a of these notes. We wanted everyone to stent and two arteries newly opened by know that the time for each of us had balloon therapy along with a brand-new come to return to our respective interests. pacemaker. One artery remains 100% Since Pres’ publisher was “pressing” blocked. So, after eight days at MCV, he him to deliver another manuscript in his is back, looking very much indeed that he Morgan Westphal mystery trilogy tradiwas in a car accident but, nevertheless, tion, my cancer is in remission and my alive and well. Thank God my old friend 45-plus year career in real estate is at an and curmudgeon survived his trauma for end, we decided the time was right for a another day. We celebrated Sunday afterreturn to the past. Pres was there when I sorely needed him, and he was a joy Class of 1963: Pete Brunel, Bob Earle and Mike Curley enjoy- noon with a wee bit of wine, Jameson’s and cigars on his Hanover County deck ... to work with. I really love the guy for ing the old days back in 2010. some things never change!” making the sacrifice for over two years.

Bill Cowardin also had something to We all owe you a big thank you, Pres! celebrate. “Had an incident similar but So, I suppose you think we have heard milder than Bob Earle’s. I woke up with the last from him ... not quite so fast. As weight in my chest. I went to the doc who he had already completed his portion of referred me to a cardiologist. He and I the notes from the information he had on were having a casual conversation when hand, we are going to use it. So ... he said he thought he could work me in The Scribe speaks again: The plague down the hall for a sonogram. I did the is still with us and continues to mess sonogram shirtless for about 40 minutes. with our daily lives. Quarantine and soHe came in and started looking and pointcial distancing do not make for exciting ing at the pictures with the nurse. Then he and interesting times unless cleaning turned to me and said he was not letting baseboards and working out in your game go home – there would be a heart cathrage gym is your bag. Life still goes on Class of 1963: Fred McBride playing a round of golf in Huntseterization in an hour. They wheeled me “behind the scenes” with things worth ville, Alabama, with young Dave Price ’70. in. The next day, he told me I had an inreporting – and celebrating. First, some terrupted flow which was resolved with injected time ago we had the famous line “The Eagle has medication. No stent, but I now have a new pill. landed.” Possibly not quite so famous are Bob Feel a lot better, but I was obviously headed in Troxler’s words: “Finally – and for good – home the wrong direction. Think I was lucky.” Bill, I to our place in Manhattan after 23 years workwould say so. It is never too late to change direcing from Geneva – realizing now that since 1963, tion. have spent nearly 50 years abroad!” Welcome Pat Kelly reported a downer: “Several weeks home, Trox; I trust Nancy came back with you! ago, I managed to overdo things a bit and undid Si Bunting and Diana have moved to Rhode the 18-year-old left knee repairs. Popped my Island. “We started there in 1972. A teaching stint quads loose! I am now in a leg brace awaiting at the Naval War College and have come back surgery. But my kidney doctors are asking for for summers. Now permanent.” El Capitan is still more lab tests to determine if my kidney will acengaged in worthwhile things including, “World cept the shock of surgery. Kidney function down War II Memorial duties in D.C. once a month – to 16% now. I’m close to getting the implant for this is the 75th anniversary of the end. A VMI dialysis but now will have to wait on knee recovman oversaw the Army, of course. The noblest ery – I guess ...” He followed up later with more.

Roman of them all declared Sir Winston – and “I’m venturing out a few times a week to the loVMI’s only Nobel laureate: For peace.”

Class of 1963: Art and Ann Phaup celecal airport, where I act as ‘volunteer manager’ Mike Curley passed on some news about Bobbrated 57 years of marriage at their favorto check on its condition and restock the pilot’s

by Earle’s “bad week” that happily ended betite hotel and bistro in Richmond’s trendy pantry and refrigerator. It also gives me a chance ter than expected. Bobby “had a heart event that West End in August 2020. to take Mike (the dog) out where he can run as far caused him to lose control of his car and crash into

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes and as fast as he likes. Then I get to go to Waco a few times a month for medical appointments and do a bit of very selective shopping. I also want to report that Jim Ellis underwent surgery July 7 and is now recovering at home. Checked in with Christi Weddington; she is hunkered down at her ranch, doing a lot of tree trimming with her new pole saw! That qualifies as ‘exciting news’ down here in the country.”

Jim Ellis called me just before his operation to tell me he had read one of my books, and he was so “hooked,” he ordered more. Certified, he said hooked! Jim, it is a shame you could not find other things to read, but Judy thanks you, my dog thanks you and my publisher’s surprised.

Ed Patnesky has been having a rough go. “I hate to report on personal health issues, but briefly here’s an update on my throat problem.

After several months of hoarseness, I had a biopsy done in December, which revealed a stage 1 squamous lesion on my vocal cords. Laser surgery came later in December to remove it – margins were clear. Surgery again Jan. 23 to handle a lesion on the other side. A follow-up visit in early June showed another lesion, so we had to decide between 28 radiation treatments or additional surgery. After visiting the oncologist and learning of the downside of the treatments, I chose surgery again, which I had in July. The surgeon said he has gotten everything, so that is where we stand. I don’t have much of a voice, but the cancer hasn’t spread and I feel great.” And we are all feeling better that you are. I believe I hear the Bee Gees in the background singing “Staying Alive.”

Paul Thomson reported in with, “Not much going on in the ’Noke. I am recovering from cataract surgery. My grandkids are on the move. We went to hike and fly fish. I am a bit jealous of the size of the fish they are catching. The challenge now is getting them back from Colorado.”

Johnny Mills emailed curleyrat with: “Mike, I talked to Bobby Earle yesterday ... sounded like the same old Bobby, and he is convinced that smoking cigars will not affect one like cigarettes do. I liked his spirit on the phone and was glad I called ... haven’t talked to Bill Jones in over three weeks, but he keeps busy riding his bike and enjoying their dog. Talked to Randy Williams last night; they’re adjusting to Florida life quite well but says he misses his swamp rats and old friends in the Williamsburg/Richmond area. Like everyone else, they are bored due to having to stay at home ... seems all want to travel somewhere but

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Class of 1963: Catherine and Jim Hoge traveled along the Icefields Parkway near Alberta, Canada.

are cautious in their planning and destinations.

We’re at the beach for the summer, and hopefully we’ll see each other at the next swamp rat luncheon.”

Travel: Catherine and Jim Hoge have been truly fortunate over the last dozen or so years to be able to travel extensively both domestically and to many parts of the world. “Our excursions have been by cruise ship, by rail, by tour bus and by car. Our travels have taken us to multiple countries in Asia and Europe, through the Panama Canal twice, to 36 of the 50 states, and to Canada.

Some of my fondest memories are of places of both incredible historical significance and beauty, like sailing into the harbor at Kotor, Montenegro; walking the walls of the walled city Dubrovnik, Croatia; absorbing the magnificence and history of St. Petersburg, Russia; exploring the fortified

ancient city of Carcassonne in France; and, of course, being in Tokyo while cherry trees were blooming everywhere. At home, Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks are both scenic wonders almost beyond description. Then there is Canada.

Wonderful, huge, friendly Canada. Quite a while ago we stayed in Quebec City for a week. With its French language, its architecture, its customs, its food and its people, being in Quebec was almost like being in a village in France. The historic Hotel Frontenac, a remnant of when rail travel was king, overlooks the St. Lawrence River and still operates today. Nearby are the Plains of Abraham where, after a short battle in 1759, the British prevailed which led to their driving France out of Canada for good. But the French influence very much remains. Then, western Canada. Last fall we took a road trip through the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Simply put, western Canada is a tourist’s treasure chest, full of gems waiting to be discovered and explored. British Columbia’s beautiful cities of Vancouver and Victoria are well worth spending a few days in each. Walking through central Victoria felt like walking through a village somewhere in England. And a side trip to Butchart Gardens, near Victoria, left lasting memories. But the ultimate gem of Canada in so many respects is along the border separating British Columbia and Alberta Provinces. There endless, unsurpassed scenic wonders exist throughout Glacier, Yoho, Banff and Jasper National Parks. The ever-changing scenery is like a never-ending series of massive landscape paintings. And here is found, in my opinion, the most beautiful drive in the world – the Icefields Parkway, which runs for 140 miles from Lake Louise, near Banff, north to Jasper along the spine of the Rocky Mountains. Soaring mountains, wandering streams, majestic waterfalls, numerous glaciers, emerald lakes and wildlife are everywhere. For a detailed description of the beauty of and things to do there, see: www. icefieldsparkway.com. And it is not that crowded with tourists either. Please see the photos from our visits to Quebec City, Victoria, Butchart Gardens and the Canadian Rockies. Once the virus situation is resolved we are planning to make another, extended road trip to Canada.” Emphasis on “extended.” In the que for future installments: Tom and Lynda Snyder, Linda and The Crow(ley), Dennis and Mair Marchant with Mary and Kent Wilson, and Harry and Beth Redd.

Congratulations: Lexington, Virginia, July 22,

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Class Notes 2020. Quoting the VMI Institute Report, “VMI alumnus and military historian Col. David M. Glantz ’63 is the 14th recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Military Museum & Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. One of the most generous literary prizes in the world, the Pritzker Literature Award which includes a gold medallion, citation and $100,000 honorarium recognizes and honors the contributions of a living author for a body of work dedicated to enriching the understanding of military history and affairs. Author or co-author of more than 60 publications, Glantz is recognized as a leading expert on the Eastern Front during World War II and the role of the Soviet Union during the conflict.”

Briefs: Pete Brunel: Happy birthday young man! Gotta tell Curley. Knew you were an RV guy. This one, 30 amp, but not likely to drive to Texas, when I can stay in real beds. Great week on Sanibel Island at Ed Shield’s daughter’s, Robin’s, beautiful home on the beach. Bob and Crellin Byrd, John and Judy Mills, Hobbs Goodwin and Dee, Ed Shield and Marie, and Pete and Diana Brunel.

Bob Walton: Recently moved from Williamsburg to The Chamberlin on the Hampton Roads waterfront.

Beau Walker: Noted that Modarelli’s interment has been rescheduled for April 2021 at Arlington, and here’s news, he has been playing golf with John Mills!

James Whitaker: I am a newly identified cancer patient and am acutely aware how that is becoming a seemingly stage of the aging process ... praying with you, Jim! Fred McBride: Located Dave Price ’70 in Huntsville, Alabama, using the new VMI mobile app!

Thomson: Fish pics of grandkids – Anna Rose and Drew Lucas.

Pat Kelly: “One of the black and white photos of me below from February 1977, on location, planning the final schedule for the movie ‘The Long Road Home’ starring George Peppard.

We were in Springhill, Louisiana, for most of the shoot. Each little strip of paper on the boards represents a scene number. It also has every actor, prop, location, day/night, equipment needed, permits required, vehicles, etc., listed on it. The production manager (me) has to move the strips around to create the most efficient and economical sequence. He then breaks it down into days’

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worth of filming based on estimates of how long it will take to shoot the scene(s). The director and crew then base their schedules on this sequence.

As filming takes place, the production manager deals with delays, weather problems, lack of availability, etc. and reshuffles the strips almost every night. This work is usually done from midnight (after dailies are reviewed) to 2 a.m. The other shot is of me, Billy Girdler, Sheldon Leonard and Leslie Nielson, on location in the Philippines during the filming of ‘Project Kill’ in, I believe, 1975. I am sorting through about 3,500 photos right now, taken over the years and trying to digitize a few examples of each era. So many things I had forgotten all together. But seeing the photos brings back the memories and that is fun.

Got to do something during the COVID-19 lockdown! I will send a few more if I have genuinely interesting shots. May even find some of you in the bunch! Enjoy them or delete as you wish.”

Mike Curley: Doing the same as Kelly, sorting through family photographs and working on Ancestry.com. Learning some interesting things about my family ...

New VMI Mobile app is here! Go to www. vmialumni.org/mobileapp to download the app for Android or Apple devices.

The new VMI Register is out. (Editor’s Note: Because of a large number of issues, a new Register of Former Cadets is being printed and will be distributed soon.)

You all, stay safe and stay well! curleyrat

1964

John R. Cavedo

Perhaps it’s the fault of COVID-19, but emails and photos are becoming fewer and fewer. I’ve had to dig into my archives to find three of the photos, plus this article itself is two-thirds of the normal length.

By the time I writing this, I’m certain every BR in every class knows of the controversial issue regarding the history of VMI. Gen. Peay ’62 has issued an official statement which seems to me to be a good balance. Hopefully, we can move on. I did hear from 33 brother rats on this issue.

On Friday, April 24, 2020, Reverdy “Rev” E. Winfree Jr. passed away at the age of 79.

Immediately below is his obituary: “He is survived by his wife, Judy Winfree; son, Reverdy E. Winfree III and wife (Elvia); daughters, Laura Winfree and Peyton Winfree; and four grandchildren, Lauren Morales, Ian Morales, Zachary Winfree and Victoria Winfree. He was a 1958 graduate of Grandby High, Norfolk, Virginia, and served two years in the Coast Guard. Rev attended Virginia Military Institute, 1964, and served in Vietnam as a UH-1 pilot.

He worked for VEPCO 27 years and NCEMC for eight years. Rev was as longtime resident of Raleigh, North Carolina, and a member of Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church. He was loved and will be missed. A memorial service for Rev will be announced at a later date due to COVID-19. Memorials may be made to Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church, Raleigh, North Carolina, and the Virginia Military Institute Alumni Foundation, Lexington, Virginia.”

Again we must mourn the loss of another of us. Beverely Rogers, wife of Ron Rogers, passed away June 23 from a long and difficult battle with cancer. Ron himself is having medical issues but is doing all right.

Charlie Shumate: “Enough of my bending your ear, but thanks again for your loyalty and hard work for our class. Perhaps I should send along some info for the quarterly in case you need some filler. I have four children and nine grandchildren. My second oldest granddaughter, Anna Grace Rader, will enter VMI in August with the Class of 2024. Do you know of any other legacies from our class that will be joining her? I practiced law in northern Virginia for 50-plus years and retired March 1, 2018, as the Stafford County attorney emeritus after 43 years of private practice and seven and a half years in that role.”

John Thornton sent several emails bringing me up to date on Walt Sykes. In order, starting in May, “I have not spoken to him in months.

Tried calling but couldn’t get through. His mailbox is full, etc. I have written but no reply.

His son said when he could visit before COVID-19, notes sent by BRs were posted on wall in his assisted living room. His son indicated Walt was having mental problems, hallucinations etc. as a result of Parkinson’s.”

John Thornton and Mary Jo Jordan have been especially good about helping Walt.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes General Jim Begley and Tab Warlitner. Both are very good hunters and competent in the woods, so I feel safe. At our age, I don’t want to go out alone, and Mary worries when I do.

If this aorta aneurysm bursts, doc says I’ve got 30 minutes and I’m history. I was invited to the Class of ’85 seventh annual quail hunt in Surry, Virginia, and it was quite an affair.

They had trap, skeet, live quail and pheasant, and a rifle and pistol range. Jim ran the rifle range, and I did the pistol range. Tiring but fun, and the food was great. I was the second oldest there. A guy from Class of ’55 was the oldest. I didn’t get his name. I didn’t feel old Class of 1964: Frank and Marcy Parker, John and Sherrel Cavedo, W.J. and Lauranne Kitchen, and Bill Bandy and Mary Jo until I was helping a young guy at the range – I had my Class of ’64 hat on – and he told me Jordan in Scotland in June 2018. his dad was Class of ’66.

“We have been staying in as instructed by the governor. Being in the high risk group, I go out only to Fort Myer to get meds and to go hunting. Unfortunately, turkey season is over next weekend, May 23.

“I guess by now Cliff has told you about this year’s CNMLA. The cadets did well to get it done. And with a 95% return, the voting turnout was great. Since we had to give two awards out, it might be a good time to remind the class that the fund to purchase these needs to be replenished. Just put CNMLA on the memo line of the check.”

Joe Chompaisal reported that Thailand Class of 1964: Tom Myers with Sandy and Dan DeForrest in is blessed with hot weather during the panSt. Petersburg, Florida, in April 2020. demic, therefore the virus cannot spread easily. Most cases that happened were imported and spread locally because the authorities were not prepared and maybe not even aware of the disease.

However, after they had time to think about it and collectively came up with the campaign to combat the virus, Joe feels they carried it off very admirably. Everyone in Thailand now is confident that they can get through all this with minimum losses.

Joe went on to say he just carried out his routine every day with added mask and social distancing.

His new home in Ayutthaya is now almost completed. He will come out very soon with a specific proposal for another mini reunion in Thailand.

We’re still hoping to have a large mini reunion at VMI next fall, hopefully in conjunction with a football weekend. So, try not to tie up the month of October 2021.

Class of 1964: Bill and Lola Tornabene surrounded by all their children, sons- and daughDon Carson wrote, “Thanks for keeping after ters-in-law, and grandchildren at Myrtle Beach in summer 2019. us about sharing news. I really enjoy hearing what

It turned out his issues were not related to Parkinson’s but to the virus.

Once he was released, he returned to normal. The latest I heard from Walt’s son and daughter is that he’s back in his assisted living facility. His address is Atria Manresa, 85 Manresa Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409. His son also said they had sold the Richmond County property on Totuskey Creek and have already closed on it.

Char Segesman: “I’m doing fine.

Just staying put and trying not to get the virus. My son has been taking great care of me and doing all my shopping so I don’t have to go anywhere. I’m just walking around the neighborhood and enjoying the beautiful mountains up here. I’m also taking care of my little (4-and-a-half pound) dog, as she ruptured a disc and had spinal surgery in January. She can now walk again and is doing great! The surgeon said it will take about a year for her to completely heal, but she’s feeling so much better and is a happy little camper. Hope you are doing well and staying healthy.”

King von Schilling: “John, procrastination is the thief of time. I keep meaning to send in notes and then the Review arrives and I missed again.

During deer season, I hunted with two class of ’85 guys. Retired Major

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Class Notes with her for her upcoming treatment. She our BRs are doing. Margaret and I are had no idea of a problem until about three weathering the self-isolation quite well. weeks ago when she felt a soreness under There always is work to do in my vegher left armpit (nodes). etable garden and maintenance work on “As for next spring, we hope to go to our old cars. We exercise, take long walks.

Staunton for my AMA 61st high school Each day we drive one of our old cars to reunion as our 60th was canceled due to see local sights. The beach and my gym COVID-19. That will be in April 16-19, opened today, so we will have a few more or near then. As to a possible mini reunion places to visit from now on. I really have next year, that’s a distinct possibility.” not minded being isolated. It actually has Dick and Susan Atkinson recently been relaxing to have fewer things to do. purchased another home in Vero Beach, “Margaret continues to treat me to a Florida. Initially, they plan to use it durgreat meal from a different country each Class of 1964: Barb and Tony Munera talking with Al Fiorini at ing the winter months to escape the cold in night. On May 5, she prepared a Cinco Richmond. At this time, they’re thinking it de Mayo feast like we used to celebrate the 55th Reunion at VMI in April 2019. could become a full time home. If that’s when we lived in New Mexico. It was the case, we’ll have three brother rats spaced along excellent.” the eastern shore of Florida all within 35 miles of Tom Sebrell is on the move again. This time they one another: Atkinson, Bob Warren and the Caractually moved to Franklin, Tennessee. They listed sons. and sold their house in Williamsburg in four days I know Dick plans on being able to play golf at over full price and will be moved around May year-round, hoping to lower his handicap. I had to 21. They were not looking forward to the process explain to him the goal of most older golfers is to but relocating will be interesting. He took a truck shoot their age. Dick had planned on being able to down with all the stuff they didn’t want movers to shoot to his handicap, which is currently 110. handle. No other news to report at this time. Their I have had several phone conversations over new number is (615) 435-3336 (landline). the last three months: Andy Tucker, Ed Seager, Mike Murphy: “John, this is Marisa’s horse, George Rapport, Hank Cronin, Cliff Crittsing‘Surefire’ who has been retired to Danton since er, Mike Murphy, Bob Warren, Tom Myers and December 2017. He spent over six years on ‘The Class of 1964: Marisa Murphy and her Butch Nunnally. All of us are basically just tryOld Guard’ Caisson Platoon Gray Team as a lead horse, Surefire, in Danton, Virginia, in ing to stay safe, wear masks when appropriate and Caisson horse for many military ‘honors’ funerals June 2020. “distance” ourselves when needed. during his time. He has an ARCOM [Army ComThanks to everyone for their support and good mendation Medal], too, for his service. Marisa dad’s burial site and drop us off at the hotel after.” wishes. Emails and photos make me the happiest.

“Lunch – there will be a lunch for anyone who cares for him like the treasure he is too.”

Laura Brittingham Nelson: “Hope everyone had wants to attend at the Hilton Garden Inn, immedia safe Memorial Day! I finally have information ately following.

“Photographer – I have hired the same photografor you. All are welcome to join us in Arlington. If you’ve never seen a funeral there with full military pher who was at my mom’s ceremony. She’s won- Mickey Finn honors, I’d highly recommend trying to attend. It’s derful and so very sweet. Please feel free to ask amazing how they honor the men and women of her to take your picture. Some people got amazing pics last time.” the military.”

“At this time, Arlington is closed but set to re“Hotel – Hilton Garden Inn, Arlington/CourtOn Aug. 3-4, we were visited by Hurricane Isahouse Plaza. Rate – $109/ night, $123.44 with all open soon. They are requiring 100% masks for ias, and the last of three trees in our backyard, you now, but probably won’t by October. If they do, I fees. Parking – hotel parking is $25/ night. Group rate $15/night. Link for the group rate: hiltongar- will try to have some VMI masks made. All plans know, the ugly one – the other two left in 2018 – deninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/D/ are subject to change with the virus, but hotel and is still there. Jane is taking it personally now, and DCAARGI-BB2020-20201001/index.jhtml?WT. Arlington understand and will work with us if I must admit I do not like it much either, but the birds and squirrels are happy. We never get too something changes.” mc_id=POG Bill McVey: “We’ve recently just learned that wound up over the weather, after all we do live in “Dates – interment is Oct. 2, at 11a.m. I will arrive Oct. 1 (driving from Ohio), and check out our daughter has melanoma and has just had her the “Cape Fear” North Carolina area.

Bob Whaley wrote, “Can’t think of anything Oct. 3. Travel to cemetery – I am hiring a charter scans today to find out how extensive it might be. bus to drive us to the cemetery. It will pick us up at We have already canceled our five-week rental at for the class notes. But as a fellow hurricane the hotel, drive us to the meeting place, then on to the ‘rivah’ for July and August, expecting to be watcher, I thought I’d check to see how you

1965

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes did with Isaias?” Answered above, plus 12 hours without electric power.

Dee and Nat Ward wrote: “Mickey: Glad to hear all is well. We have moved to a retirement community after 46 years in the house we lived since I entered law school. Fortunately, we are only a few miles from the old abode. This community is new and about $400 million to build.

What’s nice is it is full care through death. Our new address there is: The Glen, 11105 Hidden Glen Circle #224, San Diego, CA. 92131-1727.”

Nat, let me add thanks for calling me and enjoying the special bond we have as brother rats as well as our earlier relationship with Bill Ryan.

Marty Hash responded with an email he also shared with 52 others you know and love: “My hope is you are safe and healthy during these days of social and medical distress. I ran across two unique versions of ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’ and ‘Amazing Grace’ and want to share them with you. Please take seven minutes and 35 seconds and view these familiar but very special works. And have a great hope filled day!

The addresses are: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=akT32E83zjI and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA7pdABvpnc.”

Frank Crawley wrote that the graveside service for Edger Carroll Knowling was a “deeply moving service, Mickey. Thanks so much for sending out this link for his brother rats to be present, virtually if not in person.”

Larry Umberger added, “Thanks, Mickey, for the link to the Arlington service! Did get to see it and it was very honoring to Ed. We are losing too many good men at a time when the world needs more instead of less.”

Carr Hyatt wrote “Thanks for the link, Mickey.

When I saw Ed’s flag covered coffin on the wagon, it was an emotional moment for me.”

Note: There were at minimum a half dozen “thank yous” in addition to the above.

Johnny Mac Marshall says, “Hello from sunny Dallas! To say that this has been a warm midsummer is an understatement. The combination of sun and humidity makes us long for a beach without face masks. We have spent most of the time avoiding situations where we need to wear masks, and so we have been very lucky not to have any of the symptoms of the virus. That said, I have been able to have two formal hearings and two informal conferences on cases involving children during the past two months, and that has kept me busy to be sure. Even with the virus, it is

2020-Issue 4

clear that many lawyers are paid by the syllable, but that’s OK if it gets the job done.

“For our part, Jamie has put me on a diet during this ‘lockdown/house arrest’ world we are living in. The sad part is the ongoing absence of Oreos ...

“We are so happy, though not surprised, at the decision by the superintendent regarding building nomenclature and statues on post. If we learned nothing else as cadets, it was to respect others even when we disagree with them and stick to the basics of what integrity and honor are all about. Not an easy path, but one we chose and still live by.

“By the time that this gets printed, we will have had our memorial service for our BRs who have gone before, and, thanks to Zoom, it will reach most, if not all, of our class and widows. In the meantime, we look forward to the next time that we can be together. ’65! ’65! ’65!”

Larry Umberger wants to share this important time in his life with us all: “Hey, Mickey. Let me share a COVID-19 story. A member of our church who is about 80 and just retired was hit with a bad case of the virus. After week or more in the ICU, the doctors said that he was not responding and they were ready to send him to another area to just keep him comfortable. The doctor further said that short of a miracle he will not make it.

His wife requested and was granted one more day in the ICU treatment. Many people in our church and other places had been praying for him and at that point prayed that he would begin responding during that extra day. The next day, he did begin to show signs of recovery and has continued. As of two days ago, he was able to go home and receive physical therapy there. We are very thankful and praising God for the healing work He has done in Duane. We are aware of the brother of a member who died back in April and some others who had not so serious cases of COVID-19. It is a virus to take seriously. So far, Fi and I have self-quarantined three times because of possible exposure, but we have not gotten the virus yet. As of about a month ago, some other men and I finished reworking an end of a house belonging to a lady in our church so that her parents – both in bad health – could move in with her. With these kinds of activities, my retirement days have been busy enough. Our grandkids are now entering the teen years with Branner (14) and Bella (12), and these are years of special concern to us. Our son, David, is taking Branner on a camping trip next week to have some special time with him. We do look forward to seeing you all whenever our 55th

can be put back on the schedule. Thanks for all you do, Mickey!”

As I close out these notes for submission tomorrow, I’m greeted by the 2020-Issue 3 Review, which I closed with, “I cannot give you a date for our 55th Reunion for sure, but trust that you have one by the time you read this.” No surprise – it did not happen. But right now, enjoy the holidays as the year ends with many repeats of ’65! ’65! ’65!

1966

Nick Hoskot

By the time you read these few notes, it will be approaching the start of winter! But, for now, the hot, humid (at least here in south Texas) and severely restricted summer of 2020 drags on ...

The COVID-19 virus is as deadly as any sniper in a war zone or a thief waiting to mug you ... and even more difficult to locate where it is coming from. Hopefully, all of us are following the guidelines designed to reduce the “opportunities” for this virus to harm us, our family, friends and associates.

Do you recall when you “matriculated” at VMI Sept. 6, 1962? I certainly didn’t ... until I received a copy of our matriculation roster from that faraway day. So, I selected the name of the first matriculant and then the names of each person to sign in 50 names later, all the way to No. 357 on the 13th of September. The first BR was Larry Sonstein at 0850, No. 50 was John Charles Caranci Jr. at 1030, No. 100 was Herbert Lee Keesee between 1130 and noon, No. 150 was James Elder Toler just after 1330, No. 200 was Richard Dean Hartman at approximately 1430, No. 250 was Lloyd Lorenzo Leech between 1500 and 1530, Donald James Mattaro Jr. was next at No. 300 between 1530 and 1600, at No. 350 was James Paul Milton between 1600 and 1630, and Floyd Eugene Coates was No. 355 at 1635. Coming on board on Sept. 10 was No. 356, Lawrence Allen Wilkes, followed, Sept. 13, by No. 357, Jack Nelson Hattaway. By the way, yours truly (No. 93), got his first (from Highway 11) look at the Institute shortly before 1420 that day, as his parents drove him onto post. If you are interested in knowing when you “clocked in” that day ... just ask me and I’ll look you up!

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Class Notes Our 55th Reunion Committee put out a “save the date” email to the class at the end of May. Our 55th Reunion is scheduled for April 18-21, 2021. Other classes being honored on those dates include those celebrating their 60th, 65th and 70th Reunions! We are getting up there! The reunion committee expects to have a definite plan put together and released to the class in the October/November timeframe. The committee wants your ideas: “The reunion belongs to the class.”

The following BRs, in alphabetical order, comprise our volunteer Reunion Committee: Frank Louthan, Paul Maini, Cliff Martin, Bob Odom, Doug Richard, Paul Robblee, Woody Sadler, Pete Sensabaugh and “The” Eddie Willis. If you have an idea, contact one of them. Thanks, guys!

Continuing with reunion information: Craig Caldwell and Ray Saunders have taken on the task of gathering the individual histories of BRs who served in primarily in the Republic of Vietnam, but also elsewhere in the world, during the period of 1966-75. The concept, enthusiastically supported by members of the staff at the Institute, is to record individual histories in video and/or in writing from the class describing our “close-up” view of our service during that timeframe. Several BRs have already volunteered to do this. If you would like to contribute to this project, please contact Craig (903-683-5887) or Ray (505-2719276) and let them know of your interest. As they note, we were the New Market cadets of our time, so volunteer to share your experiences for posterity. By the way, and I was unaware of this, VMI now offers a course entitled “The Vietnam War.” VMI believes that the Vietnam War has historical merit, and the service by our class can only add to that existing body of work. So, please contact Craig or Ray and agree to share your experience.

Ed Guida reports that a Zoom meeting of electrical engineers was held in early June on the spur of the moment, and the attendance was great.

John Jumper was unable to attend because of a prior commitment, and Buri Montrivade is in the wrong time zone for a call at 1300 EDT. Ed also remarked that Harvey Furman is still working for the State Department! Way to go, Harv!

Rick Kiernan provided information about the Desert Storm Victory Parade held in June 1991 –30 years ago – where “each military service provided 500 Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen.”

While Rick was in the marshalling area on Pennsylvania Avenue, he walked to each of the other service contingents to greet his counterparts and

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was pleasantly surprised when he got to the Marine contingent to greet BR (Col.) Woody Sadler, whom Rick had not seen since our graduation in 1966! Small world! Rick also commented that the new Army Museum will have a wall for “Old Army colonels!” We certainly qualify in that category Rick ... regardless of service branch.

Rick also is assisting the Desert Storm Memorial Committee with their design and fundraising for a memorial to be dedicated in February 2021, on the 30th anniversary of that war. Rick continues to speak on behalf of the Vietnam 50th Commemorative Committee. Thanks Rick.

Hugh Adams and Cliff Martin were able to attend services for Guthrie Smith, and both informed me that some other BRs were also able to attend: Julius Volgyi, Herb Chittum and Knox McEwen. Thank you, brother rats, for making the effort in spite of the extreme heat and everpresent threat presented by the COVID-19 virus!

Pete Charrington provided a snapshot of their experience(s) traveling to St. Thomas recently: They flew on American and Pete reported that all airports (Philadelphia, Charlotte and Miami) had fewer travelers and most everyone in the waiting areas wore a mask. On the plane, everyone wore a mask, including the flight attendants, who also wore gloves. There was no service during the flight, although a small bag containing water and a snack was provided during boarding. The flights were fairly full, 70-80%, but the loading and unloading was the major difference: The loading was completed with social distancing in mind and the unloading was done one row at a time, with everyone else staying seated. They took their own disinfectant wipes to wipe down their seats and tray tables, even though that’s all supposed to be completed by the airlines between flights. As Pete remarked: “All in all, we’re very comfortable with flying,” and they were headed back to St. Thomas again in August for about a month.

From Gen. Peay ’62 on down: All of the staff at the Institute have been busy making certain that VMI was prepared to continue to provide a superb educational learning environment when the Corps returned in August 2020. In addition to Gen. Peay’s updates, a 180-plus page document was published for “all hands,” which provided detailed information regarding every facet of how VMI was to conduct business during this stressful period of the its history.

Finally, there have been many additions and

changes to the physical plant of the school, some still ongoing, which demonstrates the evolution of a vibrant, challenging and modern educational facility. If you have an opportunity, visit before our reunion or wait until next April.

Take care and be safe out there!

Nick

1967

Lonnie Jan Abernathy

It seems most of us got through the summer with relief and much needed relaxation. Planned relaxation is a lot different from forced quarantine, however.

The first person I spoke with just after the last deadline in May was Bob Flynn. He was just finishing a busy day on the farm he and Peggy operate in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. His days that time of the year included feeding the calves twice a day (along with all the livestock), planting his garden and spraying his fruit trees, which are mostly peaches. When we visited by phone, he had been out all day cutting the balance of the 50 acres of hay for winter feed for the cows. It was now drying but soon needed to be baled and put into the barn. I am envious of the young guys in ’67 with so much energy. In his spare time, Bob also does custom woodworking and makes his own pretty good red wine, along with having an arrangement with a local butcher to process and sell his beef.

These last few months have been difficult for many of us. The life and daily routines here in Georgia for Joan and myself actually changed very little, as we have had side by side home office desks for more than 30 years. Working together in separate businesses has always seemed normal for us. Our few excursions out of the house have been for groceries and medical appointments. It appears that physicians always figure out how to get you in for a copay visit. The restrictions have mostly affected our volunteer work with the Atlanta Symphony and the Woodruff Arts Center. I do not miss the regular 30-mile each way round trips in Atlanta traffic, however. Our two cats are following the new norms with weight gain. Who else has weathered the quarantine fairly well so far?

Dave Wilkinson: “I have actually been working

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes was in the air defense artillery from home for the last month. and served in several spots. First Between my family and my colin Wilmington, Ohio, as a Tac leagues, they all agreed I was ‘too director in the 88th Group Army old’ to be on campus. I take calls Air-Defense Command Post, and consult with the residents by then at Site CD-63 in Dillsboro, phone. I also have been attending Indiana, as an integrated fire cona lot of COVID-19 meetings and trol platoon leader. Several years giving lectures by Zoom. Stay later, after Vietnam and the career safe, Tubby.” course, I was assigned as batPhil Gioia went to an event tery commander of Site LA-88 where dozens of people, kids and in the Los Angeles Defense. Inadults, dressed up as T-Rex dinoterestingly, the 88th Air Defense saurs and had a parade. Lunacy Artillery Group was part of the continues in his part of the coun31st Air Defense Artillery Britry, it seems. Of course that was gade, commanded by the newlybefore Bert Burckard did his imminted Brig. Gen. Lloyd Leech itation of Mr. Gwaltney celebrat’42. The Los Angeles Defense ing the 118th birthday of a long deceased Smithfield Ham. Phil Class of 1967: Tom Richardson, Johnny Watt Vaughan, L.F. Payne, Carter was the 19th Air Defense Artillery Group, commanded by Col. says, “Am working on a memoir, Melton, John Gupton and Chuck Keblusek anticipating the 55th Reunion.

Archie Cannon, VPI ’50, and a went through some of my Army native of Ashland, Virginia. I left the regular Army orders, and in the sheet awarding the Ranger tab, I after the NIKE business folded and ended up years was reminded that ‘Rusty’ Barr was in my Ranger later commanding a mechanized battalion in the class. Bland Guthrie was, also, but he developed 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized).” severe blisters on his feet in the first three-week During these times of virus restrictions and conphase and had to re-start the course when they cern over changes with our nation’s history and healed. Not that it held Bland back. Smile.” heritage, I have often overloaded your email boxes J.I. Orrison: “We are staying safe at the lake.” with messages that may (or as I have learned, may J.I. and Brenda have a lovely place on Lake Lanier not) be of general interest to the class. While I have near Gainesville, Georgia. my own feelings, I do make an effort to not share John Lee sent me an excited message one day most of them as the flak that comes back to me saying that Sandy cut his hair. when I forward an offering from a BR or a journalMarie Waehler: “I had my 6-month checkup Class of 1967: Ron Neidermayer and his ist or whomever can be too personal. If you don’t PET scan Monday. The results are wonderful! No Corvette. like what I send, dump it. Just keep in mind what change from the December scan, so I am still in I could be sending and be thankful that I do not complete remission from the lymphoma. Hallelu- as to the requirements, the amounts, “Can I use my banked credits for a deceased BR roomie?” and load you with virulent “anti-your side” articles – jah! We are still playing it safe by hunkering down and canceled summer trips and family gatherings. similar questions are still coming in. Some among no matter which “side” yours may be. I do send Jim had a great birthday celebration Saturday, us do not read emails on a daily basis, so I antici- an occasional piece of clean humor or something pate more questions, but that is great. about your family or grandchild or such to avoid Zooming with all his family. Fun time.”

Larry Adams: “My second Vietnam tour was being a one-track messenger.

Bob Poland sent a video of World War II planes Any time I think I may run out of stories or dropping hundreds of rolls of toilet paper on a much better than my first – see photo. I am shown town somewhere in Europe with the message that with the mayor of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). words for the AR, I just have to ask you folks for “help is on the way.” One of the few he sends that Celebrating the recovery of tunnel boring ma- more. Joan saw this on Facebook, and I asked chine that had been stuck under the Saigon River.” Mike Ingelido to share it as a tribute to his dad, are often hilarious but too risqué to share.

I am often intrigued by what sets off a firestorm Larry’s new book, “Cadillac Platoon,” is a fictional who was a member of the greatest generation. At read about a Vietnam tour and is available now. the end is his additional comment on his Denny within the class, even when the subject is not politYou have noticed a pattern of emails featuring Graves post in his Officer of the Guard dyke and ical and should be almost benign. When I sent out the bricks list for all of ’67, a floodgate was opened Bert Burckard’s efforts to protect and expound very shiny shoes.

Mike Ingelido: “Here’s the post I wrote on Faceas so many requests and questions poured in. In on history in his area. J.B. Farley sent this about years past when I sent out similar bricks informa- the NIKE Museum. “Bert, you are a hoot! I get book for D-Day: Today, I thought I should step tion, responses were tepid – but not this past Au- a kick out of your missives. By the way, I also back from commenting regarding the ongoing nagust. As I type the end of these notes the questions enjoy hearing about the Nike site at Carrolton. I tional turmoil and remind myself that it is the 76th

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Class Notes future. During her illness, a Peace Lily was sent anniversary of the D-Day invasion. My father was to Barbara and Jim at home and a floral arrangeone of the hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers, ment was later provided for the small family-only sailors and airman who were there on that ‘Day of service in Lexington. Both of these ladies were Days.’ The son of Italian immigrants, he worked great supporters of the class and of VMI. They in his father’s barbershop until he graduated from will be missed. college in 1937 and subsequently became a high Many of you commented on Pete Wells’ tumor school math teacher in his native Connecticut. on his bladder and offered suggestions. I sent Always enamored by flying, he joined the Army an email weeks ago that Pete was on the mend.

Air Corps in 1941 and became a commissioned That also goes for Terry Fowler after his recent officer and fighter pilot. During the war, he flew spinal surgery. Whenever I report on a BR or a 190 combat missions in the European Theater and ’67 spouse, it seems I miss someone. Usually it is commanded the 412th Fighter Squadron, 373rd because I do not know of their challenge. Please Fighter Group, 9th Air Force during 1944. The try to keep me informed. And know I do not share day after D-Day, he shot down a German ME-410 what you tell me unless you give permission. while patrolling over the invasion beaches. Later The brochure I sent by email regarding this that summer, he was awarded the Distinguished year’s rat matriculation brought several comService Cross for action during an attack on Germents along the subjects of change and adjustman positions near Brest on the Brittany PeninClass of 1967: Marie and Jim Waehler. ments and youth. “Were we ever that young? sula. He ended the war as a full colonel at age How much fun can it be if you do not get spit in 29. He decided to stay in the Air Force after the your face from a cadreman or cadrewoman? Will war and went on to fly every fighter aircraft in rats have to wear masks during sweat parties? the inventory. He became one of the early leaders With no radiators do sweat parties really mean of Air Force space operations before retiring in sweat?” I don’t have the answers beyond things 1972 as a major general and commander of the will play out on a day by day basis. I expect to 14th Aerospace Force, which eventually evolved attend the Institute Society Dinner on Founders to become part of the newly created U.S. Space Day in November and will send an update. (EdiForce. After retiring he enjoyed playing golf and tor’s Note: There will be no in-person Institute drinking scotch. He passed away in 2015 at the Society Dinner this year.) Did you notice in the age of 98. He and my mother are both buried at brochure that it states upperclassmen will be the U.S. Air Force Academy cemetery. They both available to help rats with taking luggage to their loved and faithfully served their family, their God rooms? This was an attempt to clear the bricks and their country. P.S. I was at Denny Graves’ quickly to support social distancing. But certainly funeral, also. Took the redeye out of Denver to Class of 1967: Terry Fowler and Brenda checking into the Holiday Inn at the last you did notice that the process is over two days.

Reagan. Tommy Tomlinson picked me up and reunion.

Half of the rats report Saturday and the second we went to the funeral later that day. Great turn wave report Sunday. out by the BRs to honor Denny! Cheers, Here are a few of the 1963 matriculaWOP!” tion and Rat Line stories I have saved Please send me any story that honors over the years. If you have seen them a family member or a mentor or friend before, just laugh again. I cannot find from your history to share with all of ’67. a quote from Jake DeSteiguer, but he It is always sad to have to share the once told me he arrived from Texas with news of our members passing, but this a typewriter case, a trumpet case, a suitissue makes it even more unpleasant. case, a footlocker and I think a golf bag.

In the May issue of the AR, Bob Kerr It took a while to get it all to his room. and Burt Palmer were listed in the Taps Phil Gioia: “Mike Mears and I met section. Rick Davis and Perry Ritenour at a VMI reception in summer ’63 arwere in the August issue. Brenda Ferrell ranged by VMI alumni for incoming and Barbara Joyner both have passed rats from the Tidewater area. At the since May. A potted blooming plant time, my father was stationed at Fort was sent to Jimmy in Brenda’s memory Eustis; I had graduated high school as gatherings for services had been restricted. Jim will have a celebration of Class of 1967: Larry Adams with the mayor of Saigon/Ho Chi from Walsingham Academy in WilMinh City. liamsburg. Mike and I arranged to meet life event at an appropriate time in the

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes on the bus that would take us out to Lexington.

The bus would leave Tidewater in the evening and meander across Virginia, depositing us in Lexington in the early morning of Matriculation Day. So, bleary-eyed from our ‘redeye’ ride, Mike and I had breakfast at the Southern Inn, then walked up Letcher Avenue. Like Mike Bagnulo, I had never seen VMI before that moment. To me, it looked like a prison, with the giant eyesore (and still an eyesore) of the chimney stack jutting up behind it. Standing at Limits Gates was an upperclassman in crisp white ducks, with white gloves and a clipboard. I remember this distinctly. He smiled a ghoulish smile and beckoned to Mike and me with a white-gloved hand. We stood there looking at him then looked at each other, and Mike said, ‘We don’t have to report in right now, let’s go back down and have a last ice cream soda.’ So we turned around, hiked downtown and did just that. Every time I see Mike when I’m in D.C. these days, we both remember how completely disoriented we both felt that morning and how that ice cream soda made a big difference.”

Rob Gates: “I was in one of the tower rooms that first night. The only guy I remember in the room was Rusty Barr ... and there’s a reason for that.

Rusty was sleeping closest to the door, and when a cadre member came in the room, he went right to Rusty. On one occasion, the cadre member went to Rusty and asked him his name. Rusty’s reply was ‘Barr, R.R. Sir.’ The cadre guy thought Rusty was giving him crap by barking at him (say ‘Barr, R.R.’ out loud). He caught a full ration and, by extension, so did the rest of us.”

George Sanborn: “I also was on the fifth stoop room the first night. I cannot recall who else was in that room. I’m not sure that I ever went up there again as a cadet.”

Mike Bagnulo: “I remember being on the fifth stoop but couldn’t remember who with until I read the note from Jack Sheeran. I remember looking out the window and seeing cars on the highway disappearing and wondering what I had gotten myself into. To this day, I still get a sinking feeling in my stomach. As I have mentioned before, I had never even visited or seen the Institute until the day we matriculated. My parents put me on a bus in Melbourne, Florida, for the 24-hour ride to Lexington. I spent the night before matriculation in a hotel in Lexington and just walked over to the school after I had breakfast. Of course, my experience with the screaming and yelling was the same as everybody else. It’s 51 years later, and

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my stomach is still churning as I write this.”

Wiley McIlrath: “My memory is the sudden change from the sign in and the entry to the arch.

I had these guys that didn’t come up to my navel screaming at me and calling me every name in the book.”

Barrett Graham: Answered the question. “Lexington Fats” was the name his BRs gave to the regimental commander, Phil E. Tucker ’64, a local town boy.

Max Toch: “After reading these anecdotes, I thought back to my arrival at the Institute. Before leaving New York, my parents bought me a real nice wooden box for storing my shoe and brass shining gear. It was about a 1-foot cube that was hinged to open at the top and had on top of it an elevated wooden footrest that also served also as a carrying handle. Inside was a brand-new can of Kiwi shoe polish, a tin of Brasso and the requisite rags and bushes. I had never seen VMI before, much less been much south of New Jersey, so to say I was clueless wasn’t nearly doing it justice.

As I walked through Jackson Arch with AWOL bag in one hand and shoeshine kit in the other, I will let your imaginations fill in all the taunts and unpleasant attention that I received. Regarding the first week – I remember two of my roommates who left during our rat year: Bill Major and Luke Gordy. I think Luke was there only for a week or so, but he still stands out in my memory as a really nice guy from Arkansas. The shock and awe of the transition from a New York City high school to VMI was mitigated for me by the awesome view of the Nile Valley and the hills beyond from those big windows on the fourth stoop of old barracks in the Company A area. I had never seen such beautiful scenery before and recall just staring out at it.

It still ranks high on my all-time favorite images.”

Richard Stanard: “I remember having serious advice from peripheral cadre types that displaying a good-size photo of an attractive female on the top shelf of lockers is a good way to placate and distract gung-ho room inspectors, especially for SMI ... sounded good to me, so I did that, only to be accosted by Phil Tucker one Sunday morning just a few weeks into the year along with my equally demonstrative roommates, Mel Wright and Ray Dixon (Glenn Winstead knew better and didn’t follow suit), as being ‘moon struck cows’ and boned accordingly for all manner of deficiencies.

Some preliminary inspector had warned us just before Tucker stormed into the room along with an entourage of four or five equally storming

2nds and 3rds that ‘god’ is next door and that we were next. We believed him because we could hear all the yelling and commotion going on next door.

I seem to recall Pete Wells was in that room. We were duly impressed with Phil’s no-nonsense and put-upon demeanor (as in ‘this is a waste of my time and I’m mad about it’) with the stripes running endlessly up and down both sleeves of his immaculate coatee all decked out with perfectly starched white ducks, saber and feathered shako while we were wearing gray fatigues buttoned at the neck ... humorous now but then seemed like we were meeting our maker, and it was not pretty.”

J.I. Orrison: “There was a fellow football rat (name escapes me) who signed the book with me and was in front of me as we entered the arch. He lasted about as far as the side door to the guard room when he said, ‘I can still walk on at Penn State,’ and walked out. I have often wondered if that was a record for the shortest cadetship?”

John Hilsabeck: “I remember taking my first airplane flight from California to Dulles and then embarking on a puddle jumper to Staunton, landing on the edge of a cliff. I boarded a Greyhound bus, also a first for me. It was standing room only, and I did not see a single sight except for the person in front of me until Lexington. I spent the first night in a room with Chuck Malley and several others whom I am not able to recall. I know for sure I was with Chuck, because by a twist of fate, he was also from California ... Later, when were divided by into companies by height, I stayed in Echo and Chuck went to Bravo.”

Bo Traywick: “Our rat year I roomed in 437 with Denny Hill, Mike Andrews, Bob Hinkle and Dave Neel. Dave came straight from the booming metropolis of Difuniak Springs, Florida, having never seen the Institute. He said when he topped the rise at Lexington and saw it from afar, with the chimney of the laundry rising above this monstrous pile, he at first thought it was a factory.

Like the rest of us he found out soon enough what he was in for. Having endured running the gauntlet to the fourth stoop amid the shouts, the screams, the sounding offs, the dropping for 10, the doubletiming in place and up the steps, the racking back and sucking up the gut, etc., he blew into suite 437 on a gale of pandemonium, dropped his kit on the deck and said with relief, ‘Boy! I’m glad that’s over with!’”

Stay safe, BRs, and send me some news and recent photos.

Jan

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Class Notes

1968

Tom Hickey

As happened in the last set of notes, my class notes “cup runneth over.” What follows are summaries of the many wonderful updates I received.

In May, Clay Thompson (Salisbury, Maryland) was happy to report that his son, Jason, had received his LPN degree, passed the state boards and was hired by the state of Maryland. However, he was delayed in starting work because the state had shut down its clearance processes because of the pandemic. Clay and Donna also described how COVID-19 had changed their life early in the pandemic and how they were coping and adjusting their travel plans and lifestyle as time went on. Clay closed with, “To date (July), son is finally working, the gym is open, we have been able to have some small social events with close friends and are again planning some fall vacations. GTM!” Paul Hebert (Steamboat Springs, Colorado) wrote of his teaching at VMI in the civil and environmental engineering and biology departments in 2018 and 2019 when he was able to spend time with Dean Kershaw (Fairfield, Virginia).

Paul also prepared a proposal with faculty from civil engineering, biology, international studies, history, and economics and business departments for a new minor in natural resource and environmental studies. He hopes this will come to fruition in spring or fall 2021. Mayling also taught in spring 2019 in the biology department. After completing their assignments in May 2019, Paul and Mayling took two weeks and visited South Carolina where they had a great meet up with BR Howard Chapman. Paul concluded by reporting that Mayling has completed her book: “Love, Life, and Honor: The VMI Class of 1968 Reflects.” The book is based on the survey Mayling and Paul did in 2018 and other of Mayling’s research. They are now working on a publisher.

Paul thinks all BRs will enjoy it.

George Woodbury (Lillington, North Carolina) responded to a birthday email by saying that he graduated from West Point in 1969 having spent only our rat year with us. He retired as a U.S. Army colonel. One of his sons was

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just promoted to lieutenant colonel in 2019 and another son is his business partner. He and his wife have six grandchildren and just celebrated 50 years of marriage. He concluded with, “Life is good. Trying to figure out how to retire but haven’t been too successful.”

Bill Millan (Phillipsburg, New Jersey) is still active in the conservation business. After meeting with U.N. representatives in Panama, he flew back to Dulles March 13 just as the pandemic shut the world down. He wrote, “Since then, I am working from home in New Jersey and enjoying my garden.”

Steve Powers (Malvern, Pennsylvania) and Susie returned from Egypt in February. Then, in early March, he started feeling a little weak.

He ended up in the hospital for two weeks with pneumonia, not the coronavirus. Steve wrote that Susie, who has recovered from a double knee replacement last year, was a big help in his recovery. He summarized his recovery with, “I lost 20 pounds very quickly and was headed back down to my VMI playing weight. No worries, I am on my way back up now thanks to my main food groups of pizza, beer and ice cream.” Steve also wrote that “Augie” Augustine is the leader of one of his VMI email lists. He says, “Some days we discuss politics, but most days it is all about old war stories or absolute nonsense. No matter the subject, we keep each other well-informed and entertained while being ‘sheltered-in-place.’”

Speaking of John Augustine (Saint Petersburg, Florida), he wrote that he rarely goes too far out of the house. He and his wife are still running a private “assisted living” operation for his mother and sister. He thinks it fortunate they are able to do this since nursing homes were hit so hard by the coronavirus. John was planning on attending Kevin Henry’s Groovy Davis golf outing, but the pandemic forced that to be canceled.

Hal Switzer (Blanco, Texas) reports from his 2-acre ranch, “A rancher’s work is never done.”

Recently, Jay Slaughter (Frisco, Texas) came down for a visit. They sat in a hog blind (no luck), visited local bourbon distilleries and a vineyard.

They also called John Griffin (Suffolk, Virginia) and Jim Fleming (New Braunfels, Texas) to catch up. Hal and Sandy had to cancel a walking tour in Wales and Cotswolds in the U.K. after the airline canceled their flight. However, he wrote, “But we’d been walking regularly and we’re in good shape for a long walk! No doubt we’ll think of something else to do; we might have to catch

up on some of our ‘rancher’s work’ first, though!”

Dick Rankin (Honolulu, Hawaii) remains optimistic, writing, “We will get through this! I am actually catching more fish and not sure why! Cyn has been laid off from the Hilton Hawaiian Village, a 3700-room complex that has been closed now for three months. Cyn was considering retirement but, having spent the last three months home with me, she has decided to work on!”

I heard from Lee Chapla, John’s widow, who wrote, “I am doing well and will shortly travel to California for a visit with my daughter and family – taking all the precautions, of course. My latest venture has been to sign up as a docent at the new National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, which was scheduled to open June 4. There are over 200 of us who finished training and were set to be certified when the coronavirus changed everyone’s plans. The opening has been postponed, and the date has not yet been reset.”

Joe Petitta (Safety Harbor, Florida) wrote, “These are strange times, and I feel like I am costarring with Bill Murray in ‘Groundhog Day!’ As such, there really is not much to report. Just playing by the rules to stay safe and spending as much time as possible with family and friends.”

Rick Brothers (Sedona, Arizona) says that he and Jane are going on 52 years together and have three children and seven grandkids. Rick and Jane spend a lot of time with their kids and grandchildren in Colorado, play tennis, golf and explore the Southwest. They also have taken trips to see friends and families in Virginia, the Outer Banks and Maine. Retired from private practice since 2013, Rick has been part of FaithWorks as a medical missionary in Agua Prieta, Mexico. He says the practice has been an eye opener to Third World medical diseases, as he has been doing mainly general medicine and minimal urology.

However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in drug cartel activity on the border has prevented all 2020 trips so far, and he is considering if he will continue. For “motorized fun,” Rick bought a 1956 Austin Healey restored with a 302 V8 1968 Mustang engine, tranny and diff.

He writes, “If ‘Little Blue’ had wings, she would fly. The Sedona Car Club membership has been a hoot – friends and also billiard players!” He closed with, “My mantra has always been: ‘Red line the RPM of life every day!’ I have passed this on to my roommates, John Byrd (North Chesterfield, Virginia), Berry Wright (Ashland, Virginia), Bill Cobb (Pompano Beach, Florida) and

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Rick Butterworth (Hingham, Massachusetts).

All BRs reading this should adopt this phrase going forward.”

Wayne Spruell (Ashburn, Virginia) wrote that he and Lan and celebrated his 75th birthday July 4 with family – kids and grandkids – and modest fireworks. They canceled a planned trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, months ago, even before the virus was widespread and still have a timeshare at Virginia Beach in September but are uncertain if they’ll use it. Like many, they miss going to the gym four or five days a week, as much for the social interaction as the exercise, but have substituted long walks. Wayne also feels bad for the kids and young adults, because at a time in their lives when they are full of energy and enthusiasm, everyday activities and special events have been drastically curtailed.

In early July, when Houston, Texas, was in the midst of a surge in COVID-19 cases, I got this from Rich Andrassy (Houston, Texas): “We have tested a lot of people. Many asymptomatic.

We have seen an increase after the protests and gatherings. The good news is that the death rate has decreased tremendously. We have one of the lowest death rates in the country. We have 655 patients in hospital but only 113 have COVID-19 and only 28 are on ventilators. We are holding back on elective surgery. As luck would have it, I became dean of the medical school June 1, so I’ve been pretty busy. Trying to keep medical students, residents and faculty and nurses healthy is certainly a worry.”

Jim Lambert (Columbia, Missouri), like many of us, has become very familiar with streaming services like Netflix. As a result, Phyllis is ready for him to find a job, paying or not. They have extended their “bubble” to include their family, including acting as the family Uber for their four grandkids living in Columbia, a set of quadruplets – two boys and two girls – aged 13. They had planned a Lewis and Clark tour last spring but now drive up to Iowa to visit their other two grandkids.

Jack Falzone (Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Mesa, Arizona) marveled that it’s been 52 years since we graduated. After 34 years with Baxter International, for the last 10 years, he and Elaine have stayed in Mesa, Arizona, from January to May and then back to Illinois for the summer and fall.

Their oldest grandson, Jared, is a sophomore at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Their twin grandsons in Arizona are 17 years old and

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are juniors in high school. Their youngest grandson is 7 years old and is in second grade. Jack keeps busy with stock investing, traveling and with helping his sons-in-law with home projects.

Bob Fletcher (Kent Island, Maryland) actually sent me two updates, with the second adding to the first. Bob and Kim sold their Annapolis area home, and then they and their golden retriever, Ranger, moved aboard the good ship Consultantsea in March and sailed across the Chesapeake Bay to a marina in Kent Island where they live now. He finds that boaters are generally respectful of one another’s privacy in a marina. He and Kim have vehicles for the occasional errand or doctor’s appointment and can have groceries delivered to their slip from nearby stores and meals from Hemingway’s restaurant in the marina or just about anyplace else nearby. They have online purchases delivered to the marina and also have a post office box nearby. They have a pool, workout room, shower and restroom facilities nearby, as well.

He and Kim share the same table when in the “office” mode, participating in online meetings with clients and constituencies. In July, Bob facilitated a remote COVID-19 related workshop with about 65 people from 15 different federal agencies. They were able to chat and text throughout the three-hour session. When it was over, he sat back in his seat and reflected on how he used to do workshops and how he will be doing them in the future. He concluded, “Nobody had to travel or book rooms at a hotel. No logistics hassles. No worries about clothing choices or suits and ties.

We saw everyone’s face and their names below their active video. No need for long introductions of participants. Pretty cool.”

Jim Polley (Stafford, Virginia) says they are staying close to home making only “strategic strikes” for groceries and small errands. Early in the pandemic, Jessica spent some of her time, and lots of quilting fabric, making protective masks. She started this cottage industry at the behest of Lizzy, their daughter-in-law, who asked for masks for her prenatal appointments.

This grew into masks for Jim’s sister and niece, a bunch of local friends (some with health issues) and the donation of a slew of them to the local medical and first responder community. Jim has stayed busy with yard work, taxes, cleanup of family files, springtime chores, etc.

He has also acted as the institutional memory for his old office – the one trying the cases at

Guantanamo – on management and legal issues.

Jim and Jessica have started a social distancing social life. Their large screened deck has an overhead fan that permits them to have others over for drinks or dinner and still keep the proper distance. Jessica has even gone so far as to have her quilting group over for their “traditional” (going on 20-plus years) Friday morning get togethers.

Unfortunately, they’ve found that the very hot summer weather put an end to the social distancing socials, but their friends have dropped a number of very unsubtle hints about the need to resume in the fall.

One piece of really good news that Jim and Jessica had was that his son, Charles, and their daughter-in-law are expecting their second grandson in late September 2020. Also, Charles is back from a tour in Poland and with his family at the Air Force Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama. Plans to visit after the birth are up in the air, and a Zoom call may have to suffice.

Kevin Henry (Winston Salem, North Carolina) forwarded me an article from the Staunton, Virginia, newspaper, The News Leader. The story tells about Charlie Bishop’s (Staunton, Virginia) relationship with his sister, Mary, whom he called “Sister.” Sister became ill when she was 16 in 1964. Through diligent attention to diet and medication, she was able to delay the need for a kidney transplant until 1984. Charlie was an excellent match and acted as a donor that year. A year later she said of Charlie, “Even if everything goes wrong tomorrow, I was able to have a wonderful year. Charlie not only saved my life, he gave me a whole new life.” The article continued, “For 36 years, without fanfare, she promoted the power of transplants simply by living a full life.”

Unfortunately, in May of this year, Sister lost her battle with cancer. When Charlie reviewed this paragraph, he added, “I hoped the article (in the paper) might encourage potential donors.” Kevin concluded his email, “As the article details, they were very close. Needless to say, Charlie was devastated! Charlie and his sister were an inspiration.”

George Sebren (Niceville, Florida) wrote that he and Kay were enjoying their annual stay in Key West in January and February. In fact, they had extended through March. However, when all the bars and restaurants had to close, they left early and headed back to the “safety” of Niceville.

They had planned to go on a cruise in June from Lewiston, Idaho, to Portland, Oregon, along the

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Class Notes Lewis and Clark route. (TJH note: It would have been quite a coincidence if both the Lamberts and the Sebrens had been on the same tour.)

George says that he continues to work on his golf handicap by playing a couple of times a week, but his putter just won’t cooperate. Visits to their local gym are easy for George, in a social distancing sense, because the gym is sparsely attended.

Bill Carter (Raleigh, North Carolina) wrote that he and Susan went to the beach with his 1.5-month-old granddaughter and three grandsons. It was their first opportunity to spend time with their granddaughter, Emery Rose Baker, born April 30, 2020. Emery’s parents, Kate and John Baker, and her brother, Carter, live in Norfolk. Their son, Scott Openshaw, and his wife, Jill, live in Arlington, Virginia, and their son, George Openshaw, and his wife, Juli, live in Raleigh with their two boys, John and Wells.

Ron Stultz (Williamsburg, Virginia) was happy to report the addition of another grandson, Owen Stultz, in Ojai, California. Because of the quarantine, Ron misses seeing his family in person, although they regularly meet via Zoom. He continues to repair, replace, upgrade everything and anything. He concluded his note with, “Memory needs a good defrag, but other than that ... Watching news about VMI opening. Hope it works, really do, as experience there cannot be replaced with virtual.”

Don MacCuish (Palm Coast, Florida) sent an email titled, “Whatever happened to Don MacCuish?” The short form of the story is that five years ago, after 17 years of service, he retired from being a professor at the Air Command and Staff College. He said, “Montgomery was too hot and humid for an old geezer like me to live in his elder years.” He and Joan then moved to Ellijay, Georgia. Much of the year the weather was rather nice and they loved the place. Don says they enjoyed white water rafting, tubing, the laidback lifestyle and a host of other things. However, they found the winters quite dreary. Don wrote, “I even picked up several hobbies such as wood turning, stained glass and painting. I’ve never had a hobby before except for bluefin tuna. I’m surprised that I’m working to get in touch with my artistic side. Never knew I had one.” To get away, they went to Palm Coast, Florida, for the month of November and ended up buying a house in the first part of December 2019. He concluded by reporting on his family, “Our oldest son retired from the Army recently as a full colonel, and

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last week passed his dissertation defense. Now there are two doctors MacCuish in the family.

Heather is now a nurse practitioner running the COVID-19 test center in Montgomery, Alabama.

Dave, who lives near us, works for AT&T and is also our handyman.”

On Aug. 1, Wayne Burton (St. Marys, Georgia) was making plans for the fall, “I, Lew Yeouze (Peachtree City, Georgia), George Buzzard (Waynesboro, Virginia), and our wives will be in Lexington Oct. 31 with or without The Citadel game. Sylvia and I will continue to Erie, Pennsylvania, to visit family. Then back to VMI for the Founders Day dinner.”

Steve Hubbard (Maplecrest, New York) had been planning to play in the Groovy Davis golf outing until it was canceled. Looking for a silver lining, Steve wrote, “I look at the bright side.

This gives me another whole year to prepare my game!” In August, his daughter, Josie, was able to make a previously postponed visit, so they were able to enjoy some time together. He’s also able to play a little golf now that the courses have opened.

Howard Chapman (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina) has remained very busy. In November 2019, he took office on the Mount Pleasant Town Council on a platform of civility and respect, something that he thinks is now the norm as the entire council is all working together in the right direction. But that wasn’t enough for Howard. He is in the South Carolina State Guard and was put on active duty in March as part of a four person National Guard team to help 16 counties in South Carolina with all that goes with the COVID-19 pandemic and several tornadoes. His active duty lasted until June 30, and he is now playing catch up on council, trying to get a 10-year comprehensive plan passed and working on some thorny transportation projects. He concluded, “I did read BR Dana Duthie’s (Broomfield, Colorado) book, ‘Dark Rain,’ recently and enjoyed the summer reading.”

Terry Bowers (Martinez, Georgia) send a short report that read, “We (Terry and Joyce) and all our family are fine, although Matt is only getting about one day a month flying with Delta. Tim is still planning a December Army retirement and is headed for the Chattanooga area.”

There may be better golfers in our class than Walt Jeffress, but there’s no one more dedicated to the game. He and Suellen started 2020 with their normal trip to Hawaii for the month of

January. Next, they traveled to Florida for most of February. Walt was able to play golf with the PGA Champions in Naples, Florida, at the Chubb Classic. His Pro-Am team consisted of pro golfer Jay Haas, Walt, the president of Octagon, Inc., and the Chief Management Officer of Chubb, Inc. They finished tied for first in the event. It was his 11th time participating in this event and his 69th PGA Champions Tour Pro-Am event.

Like all of us, though, everything came to a halt by mid-March because of COVID-19. Walt and Suellen had to cancel planned trips to Sea Island, Georgia, for their wedding anniversary as well as the Greenbrier in West Virginia. He also canceled two PGA Champions Pro-Ams in which he was scheduled to play. He and Suellen have been staying very close to home, with just a couple of rounds of golf a week with some West Point ’69 friends; they tee off first in the morning and leave right after their rounds. They are now considering if they should cancel their reservations for trips to Hawaii and Florida until a vaccine is available.

Walt closed with a sentiment that I’m sure all of us have: “We hope all of our classmates and their families are safe and doing well during this challenging time.”

1969

Walter Judd

Greetings, Brother Rats and Friends of the VMI Class of 1969, 2020 is a tough time for our class. We are a social group of guys, and we are not enjoying the social distance idea very much. I have only one real event to talk about, and it was definitely the highlight of this last few months.

On June 23, at the Norfolk home of Gary and Peggy Mackey, a crowd of honorable youth (in their dreams and memories) met for fun and refreshment. Beside Gary, there were attending Lee Barnes from nearby Virginia Beach; Webb Hatch from Sandbridge; Bob Heely from Norfolk, who announced he had sold his townhome and moved into a senior apartment complex; Chalk Hardy and T.O. Palmer from the Outer Banks of North Carolina; T.B. Thompson from Courtland; Bobby Watts from Virginia’s Eastern Shore; and John Ishon from

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes downtown Hampton. From the Richmond area came Bruce Gregory, Bunny Paulette, Richie Daub and Tommy Catlett (Hanover). Bob Flowers and Drew Brantley drove over from Williamsburg area while W.I.P. Priest and Walt Judd came from the banks of the York River in Gloucester and York counties. B.A. “Ted” Rennolds journeyed far from his farm in Hustle (Essex County). Younger brother Jack “Tip” Palmer ’72 and friend Dr. Dick Hamlet ’70 joined us for the fun. T.O.’s son sent barbecue and fixings from the Pigman Barbecue in the Outer Banks and others brought beer, sodas and water. As it was a hot summer day, all were appreciated. Gary set us up in his backyard near the canal under a big tree and a tall pavilion tent, and the breezes kept us cool.

V.J. Petrella finally retired. “I retired April 24 and went straight to pandemic room confinement, so I can’t comment on how I am enjoying retirement yet. When I retired, the Society of Toxicology designated me as an emeritus member. I was surprised and pleased. Also wanted to announce the arrival of a second grandson, Alexander J. Petrella. Although they call him A.J., his generation won’t remember the first A.J., race driver Foyt. My Coast Guard officer daughter, Sarah, is stationed in Baltimore now, and she and her husband bought a house in Annapolis. After all those years in Guam, Alaska, South Carolina, Alabama and more, where it was difficult see her, we are now closer, but we maintain social distance when we visit. We’ll

just keep on ‘building character.’”

Brant Collins posted on social media the news about his pancreatic cancer and the regimen of treatments he has followed for the last year. He has undergone surgery and intense chemotherapy and, as of July this year, shows no evidence of the disease. Way to go, BR. May the force continue to be with you!

Randy Crocker lost his wife, Pam, at the end of July. After several years of ill health, Pam died in South Hill, Virginia. Randy and Pam had been married for over 51 years, and according to Charlie Bryan, they were the first couple from our class to have a son attend VMI. Jim Campbell posted on the class site the fact he just celebrated his 50th anniversary of life with Cathy. Gary and Peggy Mackey also started married life that same summer in June. The Mackeys celebrated in Lexington where Gary got his fancy VMI logoed face mask!

Tom Morris and I met for golf at his club in early July and enjoyed some catch-up time. He has spent time at home in Williamsburg and at his summer home in Duck, North Carolina (on the Outer Banks). To ensure I knew where he was, he sent several beautiful sunset pictures from his house in Duck. The sun descending to the sound was worth a text and an update. Tom had to delay the celebration surrounding his and Gail’s 50th wedding anniversary from late July to a time later this year because of the pandemic.

Mike Santoro and Bob Heely joined me for golf in Williamsburg once and Mike again later

Class of 1969: Class members gathered in Norfolk, Virginia, June 23, 2020, were Gary Mackey, Lee Barnes, Webb Hatch, Bob Heely, Chalk Hardy, T.O. Palmer, T.B. Thompson, Bobby Watts, John Ishon, Bruce Gregory, Bunny Paulette, Richie Daub, Tommy Catlett, Bob Flowers, Drew Brantley, W.I.P. Priest, Walt Judd, B.A. “Ted” Rennolds, Jack “Tip” Palmer ’72 and Dr. Dick Hamlet ’70.

2020-Issue 4

on. We enjoyed the time together even though we were using separate carts and only got to talk over tee shots and putts. As golf is considered an outdoor sport with no special distancing necessary, we played our own games and either exulted or felt pain after good or bad shots. Now if we could only get the weather to work with us a little and turn cooler on golf days ...

I caught up with Glenn White at his cottage on the Outer Banks and chatted awhile. He started out that June morning to go to Gary’s house but did not get there as his car had issues needing immediate attention. Glenn was designated chef for the burgers and brats, so Gary had to do substitute chef duty at our class gathering.

Win Winfree called a couple of times looking for phone numbers of BRs. He sounded good atop his cooler mountaintop. Most of us at sea level were sweltering in the moist heat during July and August and some of June. Win asked me about Dr. Bob Slay’s Army career and suggested Bob had been on the failed Desert One effort to free hostages held in an Iranian prison in 1980. With little fanfare a week later, I received an email from “Slippery” Slay himself talking about his career as an emergency physician and his role in the raid. As many of you know, Bob has written and acted in 16 of the “Untold Stories of the ER” TV shows over a long period beginning in 2005. He sent an article about the show and his participation in it.

The article also included much of Bob’s career and how much he helped the Army establish the career path known as emergency physician. Bob is still working in California and helps prepare a new generation of EPs. https://www.acepnow. com/article/qa-with-a-real-life-doc-from-thetv-series-untold-stories-of-the-er/ Bunny Paulette called with exciting news in late July. Rob Watts, son of BR Bobby and Elizabeth Watts, assumed command of the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), a guided missile destroyer. Bunny had to hustle off the call to tune in the ceremony taking place in Hawaii. I checked with Bob Heely and learned that Rob was five years behind Bob’s son, Bobby, a Navy captain assigned to the Pentagon. It is gratifying to see our offspring taking on such responsible positions.

Our Facebook page has been a bit of a problem recently but understandably so. When Mike Santoro established the group, he (and I) intended it to be less of a place for discussion

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Class Notes and more of a place for announcing news of us and our families. Those goals or guidelines have been tested a bit, and so I make another plea. Write directly to whoever you want about whatever is on your mind, but keep in mind we are individuals with many different viewpoints on almost any topic. There is rarely a subject up for discussion that cannot be seen from several different perspectives. Keep the class group page free from divisive material. I do not think that is a “head in the sand” approach, as I am trying to keep our family together during trying times. Work with me and use the page to celebrate events in your life but restrain starting battles you know you probably cannot win. Right now, as I write at the end of July 2020, on our page there is a picture of a bunch of our BRs at a party. One man in the image is unidentified and the place and date are unknown.

Take a look and fill in the blanks.

Charlie Bryan (or his wife, Cammy) is a frequent contributor to social media sites. I get to see what he is doing to combat his Parkinson’s and writing in his op-ed articles for the Richmond newspapers. Our BR is blessed with the talent to defuse politically charged situations.

Salute and support him. Always aware he might run into counter-thoughts to any article he wrote, Charlie was pleased and surprised to read a rebuttal to an article he wrote about President Hoover from BR Brantley of Williamsburg.

Lt. Col. Brantley is a professional soldier with many keen insights, and on that day, he disagreed with Charlie. I applaud both of them for writing well enough to be included in the public newspapers.

If I needed any reminders that we live in very different times from “back when” in the 1960s, I just have to look at our class mementos: Our class sweater insignia/logo/crest and our class rings. Both contain signs of a different culture that has evolved into different meanings from what they first were intended. I was proud of our BRs’ effort back then, but I can only say the times have changed and those signs have dimmed in importance. Flags and statues had one meaning for us back then and a different one today. So be it. As with the disagreements on social media, we have to evolve with the times and show respect to members of our society who have strong feelings about the symbols we used. I invite anyone who follows our class and VMI to view the letter to the public from the superintendent in late July 2020. Gen. Peay

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’62 points out the policies to be followed on post in clear, unemotional terms. I posted the letter on our Facebook page, so it is available for all to read and digest.

Enough of my rambling. Stay safe and healthy. Keep an open mind and keep your BR brothers in mind as we all navigate the new waters. Send your donations to a strong institution that still trains leaders for the world to come. I do regularly.

In the Spirit, Walt

1970

Warren Grasty

I sadly have to begin this issue of class notes reporting the passing of two brother rats, Doug Cisler and Jim Dischinger. Doug passed away May 2 in Boerne, Texas. As he and I were both electrical engineers and attended some of the same classes, I got to know Doug a little better than some other brother rats. He always seemed to be soft-spoken, composed and ready with a dry quip whenever needed, which was very often. Doug had a long career in the Air Force. I regret not taking the time to track him down on our several trips to nearby San Antonio over the years.

Jim passed away May 17 in Picayune, Mississippi, two days short of his and Theresa’s 50th anniversary. This spring, Jim had a short but intense battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia. After Jim left VMI, he served in the Army and returned to attend Old Dominion University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975. His career included the U.S. Geological Survey and several large petroleum companies, finally retiring as a geologist from BP. Jim was extremely well regarded in his community, having worked his way up from firefighter in the Carriere Volunteer Fire Department in 1996 to president of the board of commissioners in 2008, a position he held until this spring when he had to step down due to his illness. Jim had also served on the Southeast Volunteer Fire Department’s board of commissioners and as president of the board of directors for the Central Water Association.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheryl and

Theresa. Rest in peace, brother rats.

Somehow, in compiling my previous class notes, I overlooked a nice update that Fred Werth’s son, Fred Werth III ’95, had sent me. The good news about them having the same name is that I only have to say, “Sorry, Fred,” once. Anyway, Fred is currently pastor of two Catholic churches in western North Carolina: St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Mars Hill and Sacred Heart Church in Burnsville. Sacred Heart Church is smaller and does bilingual masses, so the church sent him to Spain a few years ago to learn Spanish, in which he is now fluent. “Dad lives at a newly-erected parsonage at the Mars Hill Church, of which he is very proud. Before this was built, he was staying in the church office, so he is most happy with the addition. It’s a very pretty area, and he has a very nice view off his porch. I bought him a hummingbird feeder for Christmas with that porch in mind ... we shall see if it gets put up!

“We don’t get to visit much as I live in Missouri, and when we do come back east for holidays, his religious commitments make it hard. But from what I can tell, he is in good health and doing well. His parishioners speak highly of him, so it seems he is doing good work out in those mountains. I’m sure he would welcome any visitors if anybody happens to be out in that area (Asheville, North Carolina, being the largest town nearest).”

Thanks so much to Fred III for this nice update, and congratulations to your dad for all the good work that he is doing.

In July, John and June Bailey proudly announced the birth of their second grandson, William Scott, to John Jr. and Kristen July 14 in northern Virginia. Which means that 7-month-old Jackson Bailey up in New Jersey has a little cousin to torment whenever they get together. Meanwhile, eldest son Wes and bride Stephanie were finally able to take their long-delayed honeymoon to St. Lucia.

The first week of August brought the annual week at Charlie and Margaret Walker’s home at Corolla, North Carolina, on the Outer Banks.

This year’s crew was two couples light as the Chandlers and Grastys had other things going on. This left the Baileys, Mawyers and Walkers on their own to amuse themselves. Although Hurricane Isaias threatened early on, it turned out to be a really good week. However, it seems that either they have sworn each other to silence or there were indeed no fiascos as usually occur during these weeks.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Vietnam. “Al is a great guy, and we enjoyed the The reason for Gray and Nancy Chandlers’ evening talking about VMI.” Luckily, Al left beabsence at the above get-together was the famfore the sheriff found out. And speaking of Big, he ily trek they made to Buffalo Junction, Virginia, joined up with Herb Braun, Peel Dillard, Dick which as you may not know (or care) is located Marshall and Lew Reynolds at Ralph and Marsquarely in scenic Mecklenberg County. Daughter sha Costens’ home on Ocean Isle, North Carolina.

Tara and sons Chris and Brandon had not been I’m still trying to work up an over-under on the back there since their grandmother passed away number of golf balls that were lost during this in 1999. At the end of this stroll down memory get-together. I always had a hard time with large lane, Stix and Nancy spent a few days with Gary numbers. and Lynn Weishaar at their home on Buggs IsAlso getting out of the house over the summer land Lake. Gary sent in some indisputable video were Tommy and Jill Cooke, who opened up their evidence that he actually got some work out of halfway house on Lake Kiowee, South Carolina, Stix rebuilding their deck and repairing their dock. to accommodate several waves of wandering (aka Knowing Gary’s appreciation of fine wood and mooching) brother rats and hangers-on, which inthat they were probably drinking heavily, it may cluded Herb and Susan Braun, Ralph and Marsha have turned into a hickory daiquiri dock. Anyway, Class of 1970: Gary Weishaar got Costen, Lanny and Terry Sue Gault ’71, and Bill Gary also announced that son Nick ’10 and wife some work out of Stix Chandler at the and Paula O’Connor. They have also spent a lot Leslie are expecting Gary and Lynn’s first grandWeishaars’ Buggs Island Lake home. of time RV-ing with their children and grandchilson in January. dren, which they wish they had started sooner.

Returning to the Chandlers, just before the Going even further afield, J.C. Hanks reported above trip, Brandon and five grandsons were inthat he and Taze Taylor continued their recently ducted into the Sons of the American Revolution. established tradition of a fly fishing/golf trip out Elder son Chris is already a member. “This was a west, this time out of Teasdale, Utah. “The trip great moment in family history that we all could produced Colorado cutthroat, grayling, brook trout share and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy.” One and lots of bogeys.” I guess that worked out all of the chapter members suggested that the Chanright, as the fish would have probably been scared dlers could start their own chapter. I think that away by eagles. may have been a compliment(?). In any case, the Also killing some pandemic time fly fishing this ceremony was a big affair that drew 57 attendees, summer was Jon Vordermark, who has been many of whom were also inductees. Congratulasneaking away to fly fish locally. He did go to tions, Brandon!

Idaho at the end of June to fish the Henry’s Fork But wait! There’s more! Stix also recently got a on the Snake River, which is evidently a bucketcall from Dave Lawrence during a visit with an Class of 1970: Al Moccia visited with Bill list destination for fly fishermen, being filled with old neighbor who he grew up with during his time O’Connor at Bill’s home in Georgia. big, very smart trout. Which, spoiler alert, is sort of in the Portsmouth area who just happened to be a how they get big. friend of Stix’s in his SAR ChapNeil Steverson checked to say ter. So, all the stars lined up and that he and Di, like many of us, they were able to get together to have stayed close to home this catch up on all things VMI. “It summer. To somewhat ease the was really great to talk to a BR pain, he joins a group of anyafter so long, and we will sorely where between five and 15 VMI miss the reunion this year.” At alums every Friday afternoon at a least that was Stix’s take on the local watering hole to discuss all get-together. things VMI. Although Neil has In July, Al Moccia stopped by retired, he says he frequently sits to check in on Bill O’Connor on in as a substitute judge at many his annual return from his winter courthouses. Personally, I think retreat in Florida to his home in he just likes dressing up in a robe. the Philadelphia area. It was a But I may be being a bit too judgmini rat year roommate reunion. mental here.

Al left in summer 1967, joined Class of 1970: Peel Dillard, Lew Reynolds, Bill O’Connor, Dick Marshall, Herb Also checking in from Richthe Army, became a helicopter Braun and Ralph Costen at the Costens’ home on Ocean Isle, North Carolina. mond was Dick Cheatham. He pilot and served several tours in

2020-Issue 4

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Class Notes and Patti have taken advantage of the pandemic lull to begin cleaning out years of accumulated stuff, coming across a few relics of our time in barracks which he will proudly display at our 50th/51st/5nth reunion. Work continues on his book on classic lessons in “human nature” as illustrated throughout history.

Kent and Judy Schlussel were able to make it to the Outer Banks for their annual trip but had to return early for Kent to quarantine before contact surgery, first on the left eye and then two weeks later on the right eye. He reports his eyes are now 20/25 and he see things much to the consternation of Judy, such as dust. Easy, big fella! You might not be seeing anything if that keeps up. Anyway, Kent says that he has worn either glasses or contacts since the second grade, and when he goes to bed he still reaches for his glasses. During their trip to the Outer Banks, son Jeremy ’94 rented a house nearby in south Nags Head, so they had a chance to talk to grandson Ethan ’22 to get his impressions of the Institute, virtual classes, etc.

Meanwhile, from sunny Fredericksburg, Russ Marshall, still in the depths of cruise withdrawal, writes that he and Elaine, ever the optimists, have booked a Mississippi River cruise for July 2021.

Over the summer, they spent a few days at their family house on Lake Anna, and they play in their community golf group once a week. Other than that, nada.

Don McQueen also writes that he and Tucker have been staying local this summer. He reports that he and Steve Friski play softball for the Retreads Tuesday and Thursday mornings. “One of the guys who plays with us is a UVa physician on their COVID-19 task force. He also teaches in the ER department. We feel a lot safer with him there.”

In early August, he had lunch with Don Crawford (i.e., Don No. 2), who had made the trek from Harrisonburg to Charlottesville for a mental acuity test at UVa Hospital. Results are pending. Regarding lunch, Don No. 2 proudly says, “Despite being fully masked, we recognized each other. That was made easier by the lack of patrons in the restaurant.” He also reports that he and Lois walk about 3 miles every morning when weather allows and that he has gone to work part-time as a business adviser for the local Small Business Development Center. “Remembering the inscription on the Parapet, I thought I could be helpful to COVID-19 affected businesses in this time of their peril. So far, I’ve done OK. Even have a couple of clients starting new businesses!” Well done, Don No. 2!

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From the mountains of far western north Georgia, Phil Anderson continues to represent the Institute. He participated in the Atlanta rat send-off event by Zoom, which was appreciated by all under the circumstances but not the same as personally meeting and getting to know the new cadets headed to Lexington. He is also mentoring Eagle Scout candidate Jack Resetar, who is seriously considering VMI, Class of 2028, and a commission in the Marine Corps like his dad. Phil moans that neighbor John Pinner ’73 continues to outfish him even though John had a stroke in January and recent kidney surgery. Sounds like payback to me.

And from way out in Utah, Jessie and Bobbye Glidewell seem to have things well under control.

“We’re eating, drinking and biking through this mutha!” Case in point: “Sipping on a High West Distillery Campfire made in Park City. Sounds terrible, but it’s a mix of bourbon, rye and a real secret lowland (strong peat) Scotch. It is excellent if you like Scotch, bourbon and rye. Historical note: Brigham Young owned the first distillery in Utah.” Case No. 2: “Worked a couple of hours this morning and then went for a 20-mile bike ride. Not difficult with a 17-pound Lauf gravel bike and only a 700-foot climb. I was back in an hour 20 and then had eggs and pancakes. OK, a lot of pancakes and good maple syrup. My ride was through red sandstone cliffs in the Mojave where they made a bunch of old westerns.” So, take that, East Coast wimps!

A month or so ago, Chad Lash reported that he had a very good phone conversation with Roland Vaughan, at whose wedding 50 years ago Chad was best man. Roland related that the anniversary party for he and Jeannie in Tuskegee, Alabama, included a flyover by the Red Tails of the Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing, which honors the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. He also told how he never deletes phone numbers and occasionally works his way through them. When he gets to those of Jeff Guild or Ben Dick, he still feels a connection somehow. Fortunately, his construction business is surviving the pandemic. And due to his relationships with Maxwell Air Force Base, he has expressed a willingness to do a little mentoring of Chad’s nephew when he’s down there for Air Force ROTC training.

Like many of us, A.C. Arnn laments the cancellation of his and Beth’s trip this summer, theirs being to Europe, which included a Viking River cruise. A.C. reports that son Patrick received deployment orders and will be heading back to the

“desert” again, but at least his family will be 30 miles away instead of on the West Coast, at least until their permanent move in 2021/22 to Spokane Valley, Washington. There, they will be building a home and working on life after the Air Force. In Burlington, North Carolina, daughter Sarah continues to teach, now at the third-grade level.

Unfortunately, Howie DeWolf wrote in that he had a bad MS-related fall in June on concrete steps which resulted in a four-day stay in Fort Belvoir Hospital. He has had a leg brace on his right leg for two months to stabilize his chipped kneecap and had surgery at Walter Reed Hospital on his very fractured right wrist. Having spent about six weeks in a couple of rehab facilities early on, he has been undergoing physical and occupational therapy at Walter Reed since mid-July. Although that is very bad news, thankfully it wasn’t worse. And he fully expects to be in tip-top shape by our 50th, whenever that may be.

Also on the medical front, I am pleased to relate that Dixie Walker has come a long way since his stroke last August. He has been taking golf lessons with a pro who is a stroke survivor and who gives back by coaching players recovering from strokes.

He also receives in-home aphasia therapy regularly at no charge from a local organization, Triangle Aphasia Project Unlimited. Since he is past the therapy limits on his medical insurance, TAP is now the main source of this therapy. Their daughter, Jennifer DeBaun, in honor of the anniversary of Dixie’s stroke, has started a fundraiser for TAP who rely on donations to support the free therapy they provide. For more information, please see her recent post on the Caring Bridge website or contact me. At home in Raleigh, Dixie and Jane get to spend quite a bit of time with Jeff, Meg and granddaughter Bridget, who is almost 2 years old. And in August they were able to make it to the beach to spend time with Jennifer, Stephen and their other two granddaughters: Grace, almost 10, and Suzie, who is six. I am sure Dixie would like to hear from us as he still has a way to go with his recovery.

Plus, if you’re nice, you might be able to pick up a golf tip or two.

And finally, as some of you know, back in June, I was diagnosed with a fairly aggressive form of bladder cancer. Fortunately, it was caught before it went totally crazy, and I have a great medical team only 20 minutes away. As I write this, I am halfway through my 12-week chemo regimen and have had minimal side effects. When you read this, all that will be over, and I’ll probably be due for

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes surgery to clean up the odd bits in early- to midNovember. Never fear. My oncologist is very upbeat on my long-term prognosis, and this ain’t his first rodeo.

For your information, here’s the most memorable event by far in this saga. After the tumor appeared in the initial CT scan, the next step was to get a biopsy sample and to try to cut away as much of the bad tissue inside the bladder as possible. Which meant they had to put a probey-like thing up a place where no such thing should be put. Upon asking (and hoping) whether I would be heavily sedated during said procedure, the response was, “Oh, yeah!” After waking up from surgery, it didn’t take me long to notice a new appendage, i.e., a catheter. As the more astute of you are probably aware, catheters eventually have to come out. Sure enough, a week later, Liz and I made the trek to my urologist’s office/clinic and met nurse Brunhilde, who had obviously learned a good part of her technique as a Briggs & Stratton pull-start tester. I could swear I detected a faint smile behind her mask. I still cringe.

Seriously, I want to thank all of my brother rats and wives who, along with my family, friends, neighbors and even strangers, have provided me with so much love and support during this period. I even had little neighborhood kids, many of whom I would wave at on our walks but didn’t really know, stop by with handmade get-well cards, chocolate chip cookies and even the first tomato from granddad’s garden. Of course, that’s all due to me being within the aura that surrounds Liz wherever she goes, something I have shamelessly benefited from over the past 40 years. It has all truly been amazing, and you all have really helped me keep things positive. So, I look forward to a most thankful of Thanksgivings and wish each and every one of you the same.

In the spirit!

1971

Jim Kelly

These notes will cover the period from May 15, 2020, through Aug. 15, 2020.

Unfortunately, not very much has changed for so many of us as the pandemic continues to alter virtually everything we are accustomed to in our

2020-Issue 4

everyday lives. Nevertheless, our 50th Reunion date in April 2021 has not changed, and your Reunion Committee is continuing to finalize plans for our time together. We should know more by the time these notes reach you in November and anticipate that registration will begin in early January 2021. There will be mail outs outlining each phase of the planning and notification of timelines.

Keep your fingers crossed and think positively. If you are interested in traveling to the reunion in an RV or camper, Rich Staley is willing to assist with reservations and ideas about possibly getting a group rate at one of the parks near Lexington. If you don’t have contact information for Rich, then you can email me, and I will get it to you.

If you have not already made a pledge to the 50th Reunion campaign, I urge you to continue giving serious thought to participating by giving back to VMI. Of course, our goal is to have 100% of the Class of ’71 on board with their attendance and donations. I can report that the 23 members of the reunion committee have all made a commitment to the reunion campaign, so we have an early start on the 100%.

I had some inquiries recently about the class bricks that are placed in front of the barracks. The brick program began in July 1998, and each alumnus can qualify for a brick with donations (after July 1, 1998) to any fund at VMI totaling $2,500.

Each person can qualify for up to five bricks by continuing to make contributions to VMI. You may have a brick placed in the Friends and Family section on the sidewalk in honor of a parent, for example, by using one or more of your five bricks.

Our class had BRs that donated one of their “extra bricks” to deceased brother rats. After our 30th Reunion it was decided to discontinue that practice with the reasoning that brother rats who wished to qualify for a brick had sufficient time to have qualified for a brick in their own right. As of this writing, we have a significant number of brother rats who have the opportunity to qualify for a brick as a portion of a commitment made to the 50th Reunion Campaign. Be advised, however, that in order to have a brick ordered and installed by next April, you need to qualify by January 2021. If you need additional information, you can find it on the VMI alumni website, or you can reach out to one of the reunion committee members.

An outline of our reunion events has been pretty well worked out, assuming all goes well.

Early arrivals Wednesday will be able to attend a cocktail hour with light snacks at the Lexington

Golf and Country Club. Thursday will feature golf and sporting clays during the day and an evening meal will be held at one of our hotel venues. Friday will be pretty open during the day with some optional events and Friday night will be a formal dinner given to the class by VMI in honor of our 50th.

Saturday will be a full day on post with a memorial service, class picture and the reunion parade.

Brother Rat Rev. Denny Burnette has agreed to provide the message for the memorial service, which he promised me would be less than 10 minutes in length. Saturday evening, we will gather at Big Spring Farm for dinner, cocktails, music and catching up with our BRs. Lanny Gault has been in touch with me and Buddy Bryan on a very regular basis and continues to do a great job heading up the ’71 Reunion Committee. He did not take a break from emails and phone calls even when he and T.S. were on a 10-day trip to a couple of spots in Florida and up to Ocean Isle, North Carolina, on their way back to Richmond. In Florida, they spent time with Ox Schrader and Anne Ohle and also met up with Jimmy Neale and Becky. Jimmy still gets in about four rounds of golf each week and stays in regular touch by phone with Jack Walklet. He sees Jim Sefick and George Dancigers when they are in the Sarasota, Florida, area. Ox indicated that he may be considering retiring in the not too distant future. He was recently named by his peers as a Super Lawyer (made up of the top 5% of lawyers) in the state of Florida. The Gaults also spent time in North Carolina with Marsha and Ralph Costen ’70. Ralph has served as co-chairman for 1970’s 50th Reunion, which they hoped would be held in Lexington Oct. 31 this year. Ralph and John Wall have both recently joined the same golf club in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

On June 30, 2020, Buddy Bryan “officially” retired after 43 years of service to VMI. Even though he now has more time for golf and grandchildren, Buddy still spends a good deal of time doing “VMI things.” He is a tremendous asset to our class by serving as a direct contact for matters relating to our 50th Reunion and advising brother rats on different ways to make their commitment to the reunion campaign, In July, Kathryn and I were able to have dinner in Roanoke with Buddy and Carol – with proper distancing – and spent a long time just chatting. On Christmas Day 2013, Kathryn and I were returning to Pulaski after having spent part of the holidays with Chuck, Veronica, Lauren and Ryan. At that time, we often traveled Route

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Class Notes 360 into and out of Richmond because where the children lived was closer by that route.

On a fairly deserted stretch of 360 west of Richmond, there are the remains of a building that may have been a small motel or a flea market. In front of this place there was a sign that was in perfect condition as if it had been kept up when all else was in ruins. That sign on a white background had in big red letters the words, “Buddy’s Diner.” We stopped and took a couple of pictures of the sign so that if Buddy ever retired and wanted something to do then this spot was available. Now nearly seven years later, we printed out the photo and presented it to Buddy at our dinner in Roanoke. I am sure that it is now on display in his kitchen at home.

As these notes are being written, much is beginning to take place on post. Gen. Peay ’62 provided to the Corps, faculty, staff and alumni a comprehensive letter outlining VMI’s position on current national social trends. If you missed this communication, it is available online at vmi.edu. The Corps will be returning after the longest separation of cadets from VMI in our entire history of 181years.The rats matriculated Aug. 15-16, and the Old Corps returned Aug. 25-26. The Corps will not have a Thanksgiving furlough due to COVID-19 concerns. Graduation for the Class of 2020 is scheduled for Dec. 19, 2020. Essentially, all activities on post are scheduled as tentative.

Decisions on schedule changes will be made on a rolling basis, and every effort will be made to provide a 30-day notice before the event.

According to the Roanoke Times Aug. 14, the Southern Conference made the decision to not play fall sports. Schools may still play nonconference games if both teams agree. The Keydets already had games with Princeton and Robert Morris canceled, which left UVa as the only nonconference game on our schedule. Although the Virginia game was a “revenue” game for us, it was decided that player safety outweighed financial gains at this time. Fall athletic teams are still permitted to practice. There remains the possibility of winter sports, but things change, so keep an eye on the sports page. It may even be that there will be a football game on the weekend of the 50th ... just speculating here, nothing official.

Kathryn and I wish a safe and happy holiday season for everyone. I know that we all have high hopes that the COVID-19 will be more under control by that time. The incoming reports from you guys has been very sparse in recent months. Please consider sending me some news that I can include

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in the November set of class notes. Those will be delivered to you in February, and you will be able to have the latest news on our BRs going into the reunion. Stay safe.

Let VMI be heard from today.

Jim

1972

Larry Houseworth

’72 Family, Greetings and salutations to all. These notes cover New Market Day through mid-August 2020.

Our collective confinement continues and the country’s civility has taken a beating, but those of us honed by the VMI experience – and “of a certain age” – have much patience and insight to offer the hair-afire naysayers (think “there is no darkness but ignorance” from Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”). By the time you read these notes, Providence hopefully will have gifted us with a wellearned, and postelection, respite.

Publishing lead times being what they are, there’s no way to identify where we’ll be in containing COVID-19 by the time you read this. As of mid-August, we have two BRs hit hard, and I’ve learned that at least two others have family members affected. The simple fact that each of us is on the cusp of 70 and that any one of us can be an unwitting host significantly increases our risk and the risk to our families. Like it or not, we can’t drop our guard until this curse is gone.

Also allowing for lead times, there’s no way to sense your response to Gen. Peay’s [’62] July 2020 paper defining the five pillars of VMI in contemporary America. I hope each of you has taken the opportunity to thoughtfully consider his positions and proposals.

A new Alumni Association mobile app is available at vmialumni.org/mobileapp. You can track alumni by geographic location, class and other criteria. The site itself links to VMI Ranks (to keep your contact info up to date – hint), ring repair and replacement information, alumni chapter activities, and giving. Check it out.

Traditionally, news is thin in the summer months.

Rob Murray wrote, “Your recent postings regarding the affliction of two of our BRs with COVID -19 and accompanying maladies ... weigh heavy

on my heart and soul. Our middle daughter and her husband came down with this scourge over two weeks ago. Her husband works in Augusta, Georgia, not too far from Albany, where BR Durst is currently being hospitalized. His work site had apparently suffered an outbreak, and due to an initial apparently incorrect or incomplete diagnosis, he returned home for the weekend with the virus accompanying him. Due to their relative proximity – their home is just several houses down the road from our healthful and pleasant abode – my bride and I self-quarantined. As you have stated, this virus is nothing to take lightly. A bottle of Doc Old’s/Ma Arhardt’s homemade napalm-based gim elixir will not do the trick! Exercise care and caution. Both of our loved ones seem to be improving.

Your prayers for them as well, BR, would be appreciated. But our age and relatively problematic health status weighs against us. Take care and God bless.”

Geoff Bull sent a quick note saying he’s thinking of our COVID-19 afflicted BRs and family members with every test he administers in his emergency medicine practice.

Eric Hammersen checked in from the Texas Hill Country. He said, “We’re continuing in ‘house arrest’ (minus the ankle bracelets) out here in the Texas Hill Country. Notwithstanding what the media is reporting, things are relatively normal here – with the standard precautionary practices of social distancing, washing your hands and wearing face masks. Summer travel plans, however, had to be scrubbed. I will be teaching another history course at the local campus of Texas Tech University this fall semester. Stay safe and healthy.” Roger that, BR. And, as part of an extensive e-exchange of opinions regarding the teaching of American history, Eric sent along a fascinating excerpt of a class he teaches at Texas Tech. He indicates the first shots of the Civil War were, in fact, fired in Texas. He also recounts an interesting episode involving Robert E. Lee’s assignment in the Lone Star state just before the outbreak of the war.

John Sayers wrote to say, “Things are going well here in Staunton and McDowell. We had a good maple syrup season on the farm that ended about the time the pandemic got going. Joan and I have really put in lots of miles in walking all over Staunton and Highland County. I did 26.2 last Friday (and she did 12 with me). I was fulfilling a crazy goal to do a marathon in every decade since our 20s. (I got this one in the 60s just under

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes the wire.) I’ve talked to Bob Depew, and he’s doing well in the Philly area. We are looking forward to getting on the road in the future. We’ve talked to Bob and Sharan Gore quite a bit. Got to visit them in January. They are doing amazing all things considered. Henry Knick did a great job finding out about John Durst. Hope all is well with you guys. Stay safe!” Thanks, BR. Phil Clayton said, “I thought it might be of interest for the class notes that as the hospitality business, including Maple Hall, took a tremendous downturn with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Ava and I decided to close the inn and put it up for sale. We have so enjoyed the last six years as we poured so much effort in renovating this beautiful piece of Rockbridge County history! That history included the famous march of the VMI Corps of Cadets to New Market. They passed right through the property on the road that later became Highway 11! Remnants of that old road still are visible! We were thrilled to host the Thursday early arrival party of our classmates at our 45th Reunion and many other VMI team dinners and events we held there over the years. We will miss the interaction with the VMI families that stayed with us, and we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of those folks who honored us with staying at the inn. We are only the third family to own Maple Hall and the third VMI family to own it; a proud legacy!” It will, indeed, be missed, BR, and you and your bride have done a magnificent job!

Phil Wilkerson: Far too modest to say something himself, our BR’s better half, Carol, sent a shot from The Mount Vernon Gazette with Phil’s opinion on the renaming of the Redskins.

His comment said: “With the severities now, it’s tough to be politically correct, so it should be changed. Something along the patriotic line would be appropriate – should be done in a raffle with fans.” The newspaper noted that Phil’s family has had season tickets to the Redskins since 1943.

Memorial Day brought this from Rick Bishop: “Just thought that I would share with each of you where my thoughts wander most every Memorial Day. Just two weeks before we graduated, my cousin, U.S. Marine Corps Captain John Consolvo Jr., was shot down in his F4 Phantom near the Demilitarized Zone in Vietnam. He has been MIA ever since. While he was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, there is a VMI connection.

His father, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel

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John Consolvo Sr. ’42, and his uncle, retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert Merchant ’40, had both written letters of recommendation for me to attend VMI. John Consolvo Sr. met his wife, Martha Merchant, Robert’s sister, while at VMI. Robert and Martha are my father’s first cousins.

I have provided a couple of links to tell John Jr.’s story and his mother’s heroic efforts on behalf of MIAs.” (VMH: John W. Consolvo Jr., Capt., U.S. Marine Corps). Inspiring, BR – thanks for sharing the story!

OK, as the news is light and Little Toot sounds, that’s a wrap for now. Mask up and take care of you and yours, BRs. Rah Virginia Mil! Larry

1973

Mike Kelly

Hello to all my brother rats! I hope that you had the best summer possible under the circumstances, that everyone is safe and that the fall will find us all in a better situation and as back to “normal” as possible!

Pat and I have spent more time in Pulaski County, Virginia, at the ranch since March 1 than we have in Raleigh. Nice and quiet, out in the country, nearest neighbor a mile away. Gotten a lot of projects done while there and still had our annual July 4 extravaganza, albeit a little smaller this year.

I was fortunate enough to attend a week of Scout camp with my son and his two boys at the high adventure camp at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. We had a great week, but it was very demanding on this old guy! Reminded me of my earlier infantry humping days, but I feel it a lot more now. We did BMX biking, rappelling, white water rafting in the New River Gorge, rock climbing, a lot of hiking, zip lines and lots of other great stuff. My son, Scott, has been Scoutmaster of the troop for the past couple of years. Nicholas, who just turned 16, is about to complete his Eagle, and Connor is Life and working hard on his Eagle. They really grow up quickly.

Pat and I hope to go to Florida this month (August) to visit my other son, Derek, and his wife,

Katy, who live in Palm Harbor, Florida. Derek has a new boat, so we plan to do some fishing.

We’ll also visit with my sister, her husband and my mother, who live in Tampa. I have been in touch with Roland Tiso, and we plan to get together with he and Judie while we are there. On our way back, we will go through Atlanta and spend a few days with my son, Scott, before heading on home.

We also plan to be in Williamsburg the week of Thanksgiving this fall, so hopefully we can get together with some of our BRs in the area while we are there.

This seems to be the issue of grandkids, as several of you have new grandchildren. Larry and Laurel Cerruti spent a couple of months in San Antonio helping their daughter and her husband, as their daughter gave birth to triplets May 12.

Although born a little early, all three and mom are doing fine. They also have a 5-and-a-halfyear-old granddaughter, Evelyn, so I think they have stayed pretty busy. That will be one set of brother rats at VMI! Don’t know if the Institute has ever had triplets there? Larry said they were ready to get back to Arlington, Virginia, and rest for a while. Congratulations to all of you! What a great family.

Also becoming new grandparents are Roland and Judie Tiso. Their daughter, Catherine, gave birth to Lena Jean Inzirillo July 28. Looks like Ro has another young lady to keep him straight!

Joining the ranks of new grandkids are John and Patti DiGiovanni. Their son, John, is an Army doctor currently stationed in Alaska and is the proud dad of a new son, Leo, who was born on Valentine’s Day. Congratulations to all the new parents and grandparents.

Roland said that being a new granddad was a great feeling, although he did not want me to call him grand-paw, as it made him feel old. He is still waiting on a new contract and hopes to do at least one more tour before fully retiring, but the virus has really put a hold on most opportunities. He said he is able to work out some at the Y and is thinking about doing another body building contest. We look forward to getting together soon.

John DiGiovanni said he was still teaching middle school math, but his classes are over by 11:30 a.m., so he has plenty of time for his other interests.

As of Aug. 10, John said that he and Patti had not been able to go visit their new grandson because of the virus. Patti has been dealing with Meniere’s disease and has to maintain a low profile. Their

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Class Notes other son, Michael, and his wife, Michelle, are getting ready to open a café and bakery called Lulu Belles in Running Springs, California. It was great hearing from you, John. Now if I can figure out how to beat you once in Words with Friends.

Art Pendleton beats me almost as bad as John does. It has been nice keeping up with John and Art via WWF. I corresponded with David Schwab recently.

Dave said he has decided to finally retire next June and leave Germany for Melbourne, Florida.

He has some friends there and has found a community in the Indian River area he likes. And, of course, he says he will continue his scuba diving but for now plans to avoid beach parties. Keep in touch, Dave, and let us know when you get settled. We have several BRs in Florida, and Blake Thomas, who lives in The Villages, is the director for the Alumni Association in Florida. I’m sure he can put you to good use with a chapter in the area.

The Alumni Association has held meetings virtually, so Pat and I have not been able to see Blake and Sandy for a while or Larry and Debbie Mays. Blake sent me a note recently and said nothing much has changed for them over the summer. I am sure they have missed flying to the air shows around the country.

Tom Clark said he and Bonnie canceled several RV trips they had planned as a result of the pandemic and only went out to a couple of campgrounds this past spring. They have been staying home for the most part and socializing with a small group of their friends. Both of their daughters are working from home, and their youngest, Becky, has just moved back to Colorado Springs.

Tom said they had hoped to travel back to the East Coast this year; however, Bonnie’s 50th high school class reunion was canceled, so they most likely will just stay home this fall.

I had a nice note from John and Ann Pinner.

Ann said John continues to recover from the frontal lobe brain bleeding and seizures he had last winter. However, Ann said a tumor was found on his left kidney, and he had a left nephrectomy June 26. Fortunately, no further cancer was found, and he did not have to have any treatments. Great news, John! Please take care. Ann and John just celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary and really enjoy living in the Georgia mountains. Although they miss their friends from Suffolk, they love the peace and serenity of their new home.

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Class of 1973: John and Patti DiGiovanni’s son, John, reads to new grandson, Leo, who was born on Valentine’s Day.

Class of 1973: Mike Kelly enjoyed a week of Scout camp at the high adventure camp at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia in July 2020. From left were Kelly; his grandsons Connor and Nicholas; and his son, Scott.

Class of 1973: Roland Tiso’s daughter, Catherine Inzirillo, holding Tiso’s granddaughter, Lena Jean Inzirillo. Lena was born in July 2020.

I had a call from Terry Howlett this week. Terry is a delegate to the RNC which was to be held in Charlotte; however, he will not be attending now due to restrictions on gatherings. He still plans to travel up this way and would be coming through Raleigh to visit his brother and then to Radford, Virginia, to visit his mother and at some point going to Hilton Head for a week. We are hoping that we can get together sometime during his travels.

He and Nina still live in Tyler, Texas. She is getting ready to go back to school teaching. Terry has been really busy with the Civil Air Patrol and serves on the National CAP committee. He said he also was doing a lot of CAP flying, to include shuttling COVID-19 tests to Austin.

Chad Brown sent me a note and said that he continues teaching at the Grace Christian School and is about to complete his 20th year there. He said he had to learn a lot about Google classroom this past spring when the school went virtual, but he really enjoys it and thinks the students help keep him young. Chad said that at this school, he is able to integrate his faith in the classroom at the same time as teaching English and personal finance. It feels like it is a special opportunity for him as a mentor since the kids of today are growing up in a world so different from the one we experienced growing up. Great hearing from you, Chad, and keep up the good work.

Bob Luther said his summer had been hot and dry in Pittsburgh, and he has followed closely the changes taking place at VMI and the rest of the world. Bob feels like what the world could use right now is a good dose of VMI discipline! I totally agree. Overall, Bob said he and Melanie, his wife, were doing well.

I have had several notes from Mac Kirkpatrick.

He is still traveling the continent on his BMW motorcycle. He recently toured the California coastline and went deep into mainland Mexico then on to Baja, Mexico. He was lamenting that his bike had a failed engine coil while in Mexico, and he found an Uber driver to take him 400 miles back to Phoenix, Arizona, where he stores his motorcycle. That was probably a first for Uber. Mac is president of the Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners Club and participates in numerous BMW functions. He was recently presented the Friend of the Marque award by Hermy’s BMW of Port Clinton, Pennsylvania. The International Council honors outstanding achievement and exceptional dedication of BMW motorcycle owners for their active participation. Mac has been involved for more

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes than 35 years. He told me that his family was doing well. He and his wife, Melanie, are having a small and light camper built for a Tacoma so they can do some more remote off-road explorations and said he hopes to run into Tom Clark sometime in the near future. Their son, Clark Kirkpatrick ’15, married a Chinese woman while he was teaching English in China, and they recently moved back to the states. Their daughter, Julia, is pursuing her second master’s degree, this time in nutrition, to complement her degree in kinesiology, sports science and coach education.

Bob Poynor said his motorcycle riding had been hampered a lot this year because of the unusually damp weather. It is also hard to find a place to stop to eat, so he has started packing his

Class of 1973: Mac Kirkpatrick, who was recently presented the Friend of the Marque award by the BMW Group, and Herm Baver Jr. of Hermy’s BMW in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania.

Class of 1973: Larry and Laurel Cerruti are the proud grandparents of triplets Lillian, Benjamin and Madelyn, who were born in San Antonio, Texas, in May 2020.

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lunch to enjoy the outdoors. He said the local Air Force base has shut down most of the services for retirees, and like many of us, it is difficult to really get out and enjoy life. Bob is hoping for the best and wants everyone to stay safe and avoid the crowds.

Klaus Worrell has been spending a lot of his time during “lockdown” building pieces of furniture and steppingstones. He has posted numerous pieces on Facebook. They are headed to Nags Head, North Carolina, this month with a couple other BRs and promises to send some pictures of their adventures.

Jeff Minch reported that he came down with COVID-19, although he felt lucky and called it COVID-18 because he fortunately did not have any really bad symptoms. He was very uncomfortable for a couple of weeks, especially while quarantined. The Big Red Car kept him company. Jeff and his wife ventured out on a long drive from Austin to Savannah to visit their daughter and granddaughters. He said they were very careful and avoided restaurants and hotels, except to use the restroom. He thinks he may have been exposed when they went to the beach one day. Jeff reports that he is fully recovered now, and his Big Red Car musings are heating up as we get closer to the election. Glad to hear you are better, Jeff.

Scott Lingamfelter is very good at his writings and politicking. He also was going to be a delegate to the RNC but has had to change plans, as well. Scott’s latest book, “Desert Redleg,” is now out, and he has been doing some book signings and talk shows about it. He has promised to autograph all copies at our 50th Reunion. Thanks for your insight, Scott. Keep up the good work.

The lost brother rat award this quarter goes to Doug Harris. I can’t remember if I have ever had a note from Doug, but it was great to have another BR back in the fold! Doug said he and his wife, Nancy, just celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary this spring. Their daughter, Kelley, turned 30 this year and is a first grade teacher.

Doug retired from the Virginia Farm Bureau and is currently working with a security firm for the University of Virginia and James Madison University and dealing with the many issues created by the virus. Great hearing from you, Doug.

Please keep in touch.

Well, that is about all the news I have at this time. Tomorrow is Aug. 15, and the new rat class will be matriculating. What a tough time. Being a rat is always hard, but their circumstances will

make things more difficult. Best of luck to all of them. And thanks to the VMI family, faculty and staff for their hard work in these difficult times as they try diligently to keep the VMI spirit alive and well. God bless our team and VMI! Keep in touch.

In the bonds, Mike

1974

Snookie Parker

Greetings, Brother Rats, Family and Friends of the Class of 1974!

The following notes cover the period from May 15 to Aug. 15. This has been an interesting three months since I last crafted class notes. Not much BR activity on which to report due primarily to COVID-19. In fact, Lane Toomey and Gary Trinkle had planned for an initial kick-off meeting of our 50th Reunion Campaign Committee in August in Lexington to coincide with an informal mini reunion celebration of our 50th anniversary of our Matriculation into the Rat Line, but Virginia state policy limiting gatherings and restrictions on access to VMI post property led all to conclude postponement to sometime in spring 2021. Hopefully, if all goes well, we’ll have an eventful and productive gathering early next year.

Stay tuned!

I read a piece by BR Edgardo J. Vazquez-Bruno and thought this poignant note was worth repeating verbatim: “Today is the sixth of June, the anniversary of D Day. For being able to read this post, we have a teacher to thank; however, for being able to read this in English, we have to thank our veterans. I am writing this as a special thanks and homage to one of my English professors at the Virginia Military Institute, one of those eccentric and charming academic nerds who, with his bow tie and French beret, taught and fostered my love for poetry and cinema. So here it is, a repost of what I wrote to my VMI classmates: Salute in memoriam – 76 years ago today, Mr. T.Y. Greet, our English teacher, hit Omaha beach, Bloody Omaha, as a member of the 116th Infantry Virginia National Guard, the old Stonewall Brigade, during the D Day landings. Most of us

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Class Notes probably remember him for his bow tie, French gentlemen farmer, Mike Fisher. Reading the Smith and Ken Terry to assess the situation – likely after harvest or chance being put to work beret and his discussions and love of cinema note, I could just hear Rockhead singing the in the fields. Thanks for the note, Mike. Hope to and poetry, a charming proper English literature “Green Acres” theme song. Mike and Sarah are academic nerd. Whilst taking his cinema course, farming. Sarah has planted 60 tomato plants, and see you soon!

Some more COVID-19 related observations. we were discussing Eisenstein’s movies as I was they have also planted a lot of sweet corn at a neighbor’s farm nearby. Mike has also built a Our daughter, Olivia, took her dental clinical preparing an essay. He invited me to continue exam at VCU in July. The exam was the discussion over dinner at his faculty originally scheduled in March, postapartment. After dinner, we were discussponed to April, postponed again to May ing Fire over Asia when he moved some and finally conducted in July. Marla papers. I then saw, in an old frame, a and I accompanied Oliva to Richmond CIB and medals (Bronze Star, if memory for the exam and stayed close to VCU serves me right). I asked him about them, for convenience to the all-day Saturday and then in one of the most awesome exam. I had recently been to Houston for transformation I have been witness to in several days and on the Florida beaches my entire life, the English literature nerd for a couple of weeks, and I was pleastransformed into a true American warrior. antly surprised at the amount of activity I have always carried with me his transI witnessed there – economic (shopping formation as he relived his days and told and restaurants) and physical (running, me a few of the details of his epic fight walking, biking, surfing, tennis, golf). along with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, I was shocked at the amount of inactivwhere his company took over 80% casuity downtown Richmond on a Friday alties. Just as quick, that window closed, afternoon/night and Saturday morning. and I was back discussing Potemkin and Class of 1974: Celebrating Olivia Parker’s engagement Eisenstein’s techniques. But in those to George Smith at the Carolina Country Club in Raleigh, Almost surreal. It was hard to find a dinein restaurant. We did make it into Perly’s fleeting moments, I learned not to judge a North Carolina, were, from left, Beth Smith, George T. Smith III, George T. Smith Jr., Olivia, Snookie Parker and Saturday morning after an hour wait. The book by its cover. I never saw him again Marla Parker. good news: Olivia passed her exam. It’s in the same light as before. From that day a tough exam. In fact, there was a pracforward ’til the ending of my days, I shall ticing dentist from Georgia who was consider myself fortunate of having been moving to Virginia with her husband able to meet one of the few, the happy who took the exam with Olivia (Georgia few, the Band of Brothers who, 76 years does not have reciprocity with Virginia); ago today, took small steps for them, but she did not pass and will have to take the a giant leap toward keeping us free.” exam again. Some more good news from Great story, great memory, great lesson. the Parkers – exciting news – Olivia is Thanks, Edgardo! now engaged to George T. Smith III of In early June, got a call from Billy Raleigh, North Carolina. The wedding Haught. It seems that he took a fall and date is Sept. 25, 2021. We’ve been in broke his pelvis – cracked in two places. the throes of wedding planning. Olivia is After a stay at the hospital, he could go thinking 250-plus attendees, and I’m not home but was in need of assistance to get even on her list. I’m thinking I’m going to there – and get around, for that matter. It need a co-signer. Deposits on the venue, turns out Bill was also in dire need of some band, planner, photographer and florist cataract surgery to see. BR roommate to the rescue. Robert “Moose” Haskell trav- Class of 1974: Mick and Debbie Ernzen were surrounded by have been made ... and the wedding is not their family at the Fourth of July Lizard Creek Patriotic Exuntil next year. We were lucky to get the eled from Vermont to pick Billy up from travaganza. band – Olivia’s sixth choice. The other the hospital and agreed to assist his roommate to and through his cataract surgery. I am writ- goat barn for his granddaughter who is raising five had already been booked for next year. Apgoats. Turns out Mike likes raising goats. Next up parently, many September 2020 weddings have ing this note some two months later. To my knowlfor Mike – pigs. But not like the numbers he had been postponed to September 2021 and are keepedge, Moose is still there with Bill. Pat Flynn learned of the commitment Moose had made and before – more like five a year. No doubt, it’s the ing the same band et al. All kidding aside, we are proclaimed that there would be a special place in farm life for Mike. He did mention that his “man excited and happy for Olivia and George. We like cave” project is complete and claims it is nice. I’ll George a lot – a great guy. Even though he is a heaven for Moose. Amen, brother!

Received a nice note from magistrate turned have to visit to confirm or send inspectors Craig lawyer, he is one of the good ones!

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes We celebrated the Fourth of July at Lake Gaston with family and friends and witnessed a Mick Ernzen-created Lizard Creek patriotic extravaganza. There is nothing like a Fourth of July weekend at Lake Gaston highlighted by two world class fireworks displays: One at Eaton Ferry put on the Longbridge Volunteer Fire Department usually supported by a professional group like Melrose Pyrotechnics, or the other world class patriotic display on Pea Hill Creek at Ron Vasser’s Delbridge Estates. However, the big shows at Eaton’s Ferry and Delbridge Estates were not scheduled this year – perhaps canceled due to COVID-19. There is a third local fireworks display that occurs on Lizard Creek that has been gaining in reputation in the past couple of years. This year, Lizard Creek was the only show in town. This show, which was a major display, up there with the Eaton Ferry and Delbridge shows, is privately owned/ funded and family run. It comes with blaring patriotic music, big screen videos and world class fireworks. This year’s “well attended by boats galore” patriotic display was put on by none other than BR Mick Ernzen and family from their lake cottage shoreline. This display has been going on for a couple of years and seems to be getting better and more expansive every year. Unknown to the appreciative crowd were untimely clichés and small fires extinguished by responsive family members. A spectacular computer-controlled show orchestrated by Mick at a picnic table in his backyard – and I mean spectacular – up there with many of the professionally run shows I’ve seen before. A tip of the hat to Mick, Debbie and family for a mighty fine patriotic Fourth. Thanks, Mick. You “da man!”

Later in July, Marla and I were tidying up our condo at Jacksonville Beach, Florida, in preparation for my high school 50th class reunion which was first scheduled for April, postponed to August and is now postponed to spring 2021.

While in Florida, Marla and I ventured down to St. Augustine Beach to visit Pat and Sue Flynn and tend to an emerging business opportunity.

Pat Flynn, Mike Cole and I have embarked on a new COVID-related business adventure to address disinfection needs across different entities and industries. While there, Pat and I had our initial meeting with our new partner – Mike Cole dialed in from Pennsylvania. To date, the adventure is showing potential but is not there yet. As a side note, while Marla and I were in

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Florida, David and Susan Sheppard graciously volunteered to feed our one-eyed rescue cat – Little Big Man. (I wanted to call him Dead Eye; Marla would not have it!) Speaking of Dave Sheppard, he and I have become avid tennis partners/opponents. For a while, we were playing a couple of times a week, but lately aches, pains and injury seem to restrict our time on the courts. Dave is currently nursing an ankle injury, and I’m tending to very tender stone bruise on my left heel. We are looking forward to getting back on the court at 100%. I’m not sure that is ever going to happen.

Just before submitting these notes, I received an update from BR Tom Parker. It seems that in early July, Ann came down with the virus. Tom was headed to the doc’s office to get an antibodies test to see if Tom had gotten virus, as well.

While there, Tom mentioned an odd pulsation in his leg. Turns out Tom had an aneurysm behind his right knee. The doc told Tom it happens to about 1% of the male population. The operation was successful, and it was two-and-a-half weeks into healing when Tom had acute appendicitis.

Bum leg, bad appendix ... Tom says he felt like he has been hit by a truck, but was doing very well, under the circumstances. Tom’s lament: He rides his bicycle, lifts weights, teaches tai chi, doesn’t smoke and still got ambushed by this mess. Well, he didn’t say mess. My real question – how is Ann doing? Well, I hope. I mentioned to Tom – he’s lucky. An aneurysm adrift, a burst appendix and COVID-19 lurking – it is much better to be seen than viewed! Get well soon, Tom! See you this spring!

Bill Faistenhammer sent some late breaking sad news for this set of class notes: Brother Rat Gary Lape passed Aug. 13, 2020, in Spring, Texas, (near Houston) of pancreatic cancer. A civil engineering major, Gary swam (breaststroke I think) and played water polo. I can remember playing rat football with Gary. His brother David, “Salvo” Lape ’75, is also living in Spring, Texas. Our prayers and deepest sympathy to his wife, Lee Ann, and family. Gone but not forgotten – may he rest in peace. snookieparker1974@earthlink.net, Charley Banning cbanning@cox.net or Kevin Nettrour (our webmaster) nettrour@accessus.net. Check out the website. Send me a note. Yada, yada, yada and yaba daba dooooo!

Warm Regards, Snookie

1975

Thomas Mason Robert Keller

My Brothers, This will be the “swan song” edition of the class notes for my term as your class agent. As I look back on the past five years, I am amazed at the journey that we have taken during that time as we have passed the 45th anniversary of our graduation from the Institute. Living in Florida since 1980, my trips to Lexington have been centered on our past reunions that occur every five years. In taking this task of class agent, I made the commitment to at least attend the annual volunteer leadership meetings and whatever other events I could reasonably make during my term. In some years, the conference coincided with the Institute Society Dinner in November, which was a unique and fun experience and one where I was able to share a meal with several of you. (Not sure if traveling 700-plus miles for a free dinner is the best use of resources, but I am retired so what else is there to do?) During those volunteer leadership meetings, we would receive briefings from the superintendent and other staff members on the state of the Institute, state of the Corps, state of the athletic programs, state of the Alumni Association and the progress of the capital improvements to the physical plant. My take is that the place has changed a great deal but essential basics (thankfully) have stayed the same. The expectations and demands for the current cadets are phenomenal, both in gaining access to being accepted to attend and then rigors of everyday life as a cadet. In talking with several of you who have had children attend over the years, I have commonly heard the statement that it is questionable if we would meet the requirements for admission today. As I write this, the Institute faces the Herculean task of bringing the Corps back and matriculating the incoming rats for the 2020-21 school year. And in addition to that, charting a course through the current issues facing this country. VMI has faced adversity before, and

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Class Notes I feel certain that they will prevail again this time.

To date, there are 11 BRs who have served as class agents over the years. Vic Arthur (twice), Bill Turpin, Frank Hillson, Mike Thompson, Jelly Bear Taylor, Ben Vanderberry, Doug Dunlap, Robert Mills, Art Nunn, me and now, as you are no doubt aware, Tom Mason. Tom was my roommate our 1st Class lass year along with Yulee Richardson and Tom Jones. Old barracks room 122, right in the middle of things. I know that you will give Tom the same support you gave me. Being in the area (Roanoke), he will be much better at keeping you aware of what is going on at the Institute and will be able to keep you advised as to the Keydets’ various sports activities. Tom is excited to get started and reports, somewhat cryptically, that he expects the upcoming years to be quite an adventure. He further adds that he has a surprise for Stewart Fleming when they next get together.

Tom will do a great job.

John Plunkett said he has given up his California beach lifestyle in Santa Barbara and relocated to the Las Vegas area. The major reason is that John’s wife, Michelle, has grandchildren in the Las Vegas area. John notes that it is funny how our desires become marginalized when grandchildren are in the picture. John is kept busy taking care of his 2-year-old mini Aussie, Layla (an Eric Clapton classic), saying she makes sure that he gets up and take her for a 3 or 4 mile run every morning without fail. Though John notes that the heat is hard to deal with.

Several months ago, John Young mentioned the book written by Henry Wise, “Drawing Out The Man – The VMI Story,” and this inspired Bobby Hughes to get a copy. Bob found that our class was well represented in print, citing Ronnie Norman, Tony Farry (Bob’s roommate rat year), Dan Dell’Osso and Bo Temple. He also believes that the person getting a haircut on page 397 is John Siemens. All a good read during the COVID confinement.

Dean Armstrong has made some changes around his home by putting in a flagpole by his main arch (front door). Denise made some changes to his VMI flag, and now he is able to fly the colors and the VMI flag. However, Dino is driving his neighbors crazy as he is forming up for evening retreat, but instead of playing retreat, he is playing taps. Maybe he is trying to put them to sleep.

Charlie Collins might be available for some bugle lessons. The pandemic has prevented Dino and Denise from making several trips this year. One

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to Normandy with his brother-in-law and a second was a cruise down the Rhine River. These have been added to next year’s itinerary. Denise took three months off from the Delta, and they were able to get a lot of projects accomplished during that time. Dino reports that he is glad to be retired, but he does miss the people that he worked with and the view. Thanks, Dino, for all of the postcards you sent me over the years from your trips. Much appreciated.

Our class has been keeping up with the times, and thanks to technological advances, we have been able to do a better job with getting together virtually. When the Class of ’75 prayer group started back in March 2016, we were using a telephone conference call line to get together. We have now progressed to using Zoom to get together, initially an undertaking championed by Tad MacGowan for the prayer group and later by Guy Conte in a class meeting to hear about the Institute’s ops plan for reopening in August. The Zoom meetings have attracted as many as 44-plus members and were very successful. Hopefully you will be reading about a Zoom virtual class get together in September since our 45th Reunion was canceled.

Our BR Glenn Garland has come up with a unique way of getting through the pandemic confinement. As you may know, Glenn is seriously into dancing – foxtrot, cha-cha, tango, etc.

With social distancing in place, it is hard to get a dance partner, so the ever-resourceful Glenn made a dance partner. Yes, Glenn went to the hardware store and acquired most of the needed parts and built a “dance dummy” from scratch. He was invited to several virtual online Zoom dance events where a DJ supplied music and dancers performed in their living rooms. Well, Glenn and his dance dummy were a big hit at the parties. Glenn says that most of his dance community friends found it entertaining and want Glenn to bring his partner to the next actual dance post-COVID event and put it on display at the entrance. Glenn didn’t say if he has named her yet but says that she is a real doll and doesn’t try to lead. Let the good times roll, Glenn!

Got a nice note from Rick McFarland, the everproud grandpa of Virginia Marguerite. So proud that he has obtained a provisional appointment for her into the Class of 2042. (Let’s see ... that puts us at about 89.) Maco adds that all is going well for Virginia and her parents, Kate and Kevin. His other two children, Josh and Kelly, are navigating the new normal with both potentially relocating

Class of 1975: Glenn Garland danced the Tango with Dolly, his COVID-19-free dance partner, in his living room during an online Zoom dance hall event.

Class of 1975: Dean Armstrong observes the flag retreat ceremony with his bugle each evening at his home in Brooklyn, Michigan.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes home as they sort out what is next. The upside is a blank slate to work from and an opportunity to redefine themselves. Kelly left her PR-marketing position in LA, and Josh got caught up in the sale of BP Oil in Alaska. (Any BR have a lead for a geologist?) Maco also told me that he had a lengthy phone call with his roommate The Bear, Michael Woodward, and got fairly caught up with one another. He is thankful they had the opportunity to get caught up. Mike is facing some real significant health issues but stated that he “feels blessed and doesn’t want for anything.” Maco feels hopeful for the opportunity to visit face-to-face when the situation permits. While room confinement is not totally lifted in Alexandria, Maco has started to venture out and run-the-block a bit though he maintains a safe distance and wears a mask. He states that we need someone to step up and fabricate a VMI logo mask with our class year on it. Maco, I think we would all buy it. Thanks for the update, BR. Elmo Shiflett writes to say that he and Susie have settled into a routine: Go to a few gatherings, go to or view a church service and finally try to be the church when possible. Their daughter’s 5-year-old boy spends a lot of time with them, which means pool time at their community athletic center that has four outdoor water slides and one indoor. Besides a lot of yard work, a trip to Galveston with friends and their kids visiting from California, not much is happening. Though they did have a pleasant surprise when the power went out in their neighborhood. While the power company was replacing the transformer, the neighbors all came out onto the street and had a block party while socially distancing. Even the repairmen got into the act. One let Elmo’s grandson on the cherry picker, which was a big deal for him. The party ended when the power was restored. When Elmo went to retrieve his lawn chairs, he found that one of the neighbors had left a bottle of wine for them.

It seems Susie and Elmo have been making and sharing bread, cookies and ribs with the neighbors for the past several months and somebody was repaying their kindness. Susie continues making cookies, and when she leaves them now she writes on the bag, “Enjoy the power cookies.” Sounds like you live in a nice neighborhood.

Bob Holby checked in to let us know all is well in Melbourne, Florida. Bob’s wife, Shirley, retired May 31, 2020, and Bob will be retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a civilian May 25, 2020. He said that he is looking forward to retirement and making lots of improvements around the house.

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He and Shirley believe that, as a country, we all can beat this virus down to a low level, but it takes work from us all.

Bill Robson is positive that his days at VMI prepared him for these months of confinement. Bill reports that he and Edith spent March, April and the first two weeks of May confined in Richmond caring for his mother as she recovered from a broken left ankle. They then returned to Suffolk to regroup and decide on their escape plan. The plan included moving their confinement to Cincinnati to visit their granddaughters. Their route took them

by Lexington. That reminded them of our reunion, but as we all know, that has changed. After that, they ended up at their place in The Villages in Florida until late August when confinement was to resume in Suffolk. While in The Villages, they were able to meet up with and have lunch with Larry and Fran Groome.

I received a nice note from Scott Risser. He reports that life has been moving at a much slower pace in Lexington with the arrival of the pandemic. He and Barb are doing well, but their time away from home has been limited to about three hours, as that seems to be the limit of their 15-year-old dog’s (Chip) bladder. Several of their volunteer activities have restarted, giving them tasks outside the house and restoring a modicum of normalcy.

Barb volunteers at the library one afternoon per week, and they both help out at the Stonewall Jackson House gift shop once a week each. Scott serves on the board of Comfort Care for Woman, a Christian health care service that provides guidance to young women seeking alternatives to abortion. He and Barb are looking forward to leading a couples’ group for Community Bible Study that the pandemic forced to be held online instead of face-to-face. Scott communicates regularly with Stu Fleming, Glenn Furr and Lowrie Tucker from the Lexington area and with Ellett and Fran Smith in northern Virginia. He says that the Smiths had a scare lately when a storm knocked a large tree down on their house almost on daughter Lauren’s room. Luckily no one was injured, but Ellett has been using his civil engineering skills to keep repairs on track.

Randy Frank checked in to say that all is well in Hawaii, and he continues to work – this time for his old employer, St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, Washington, via telemedicine. He also keeps in touch with his old roommates, Artie Nunn, Uncle Dave Schuyler and Mike Fleenor, as well as Bill Kobus, Doug Conte and Art

Sigsbury on a regular basis. Randy continues to work at his golf game, but he fears that it is somewhat hopeless and the main reason he continues running is to get his aerobic points. He is looking forward to seeing everyone at the 50th in person and hopefully sooner via Zoom. Thanks for the update, Randy.

Rick Henning has been in the COVID-19 lockdowns in North Carolina since March, and they are still in phase 2. Suzanne had to get creative with the help of Sam and make streaming videos to send to her day care teachers to share with their students. For Rick, who is with Rail Crew Xpress, it was business as usual. All of their son’s activities in Raleigh, North Carolina, got shut down, so he has temporarily moved back to Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Rick says so much for that empty nest life (just kidding). Suzanne and Rick have enjoyed Sam being home. North Carolina Wesleyan College had tough decisions in what do with the international students, and that kept Suzanne busy through the end of this past school year, over the summer and now as school starts again. Rick was so looking forward to ushering for the Carolina Mudcats for a second summer; however, that was not going to happen. He followed a new wooden bat team, the Tarboro River Bandits, although he could not attend the games because he was not a parent of a player or a host family. He was excited when the River Bandits won their league championship. Rick, Suzanne and Sam have enjoyed watching movies on either Netflix or Disney+.

Many nights it is just Suzanne and Sam, because Rick is on a Rail Crew Xpress trip. Rick loves supporting the Rocky Mount Farmer’s Market, and many Saturdays he goes and gets goodies. He got strawberries in season, blueberries in season and has been getting tomatoes and sweet corn of late. COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the Cochran family reunion (Suzanne’s relatives) in Georgia this year. After all the invites and followups, it turned out the host family; a cousin from Texas; and Rick, Suzanne and Sam were going to be the only attendees. Hopefully 2021 will allow for a family reunion. Before going on a one-week vacation that started July 4, the Hennings hosted their two oldest grandsons, Coltin (12) and Ashton (8). Rick and Sam would be with the boys until noon. Suzanne and Sam would be with the boys in the afternoon and evening while grandpa was usually taxiing CSX train crews. Suzanne and Sam took the boys to a petting zoo that had a couple of exotic animals and the Sylvan Bird

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Class Notes right hip. Wow, where has the time gone?

Park. The family reunion cancellation Both Suzanne and Rick were sad when the did not deter Rick, Suzanne and Sam news came that the class reunion had been from taking a one-week vacation to Vilscrubbed. Thankfully, they sustained no las, North Carolina, just outside of Boone, damage from Hurricane Isaias unlike so North Carolina. The week included firemany further east in North Carolina. Rick, works on the Fourth, several day trips, a thanks for the update. No pandemic keepfriendly yet competitive miniature golf ing the Hennings down. match and plenty of good food. One maRick Davison wrote to let us know jor highlight of the trip was taking a Great that all in Katy, Texas, is going well. He Smoky Mountain Railroad trip. Another adventure was a several hour floating Class of 1975: Elmo and Susie Shiflett celebrated their 45th and Stella had to cancel their summer wedding anniversary at a nice seafood restaurant near volunteer work at Philmont Scout Ranch tube trip that Suzanne and Sam went on. Galveston, Texas, in summer 2020. and a backpacking class there that was Rick sat that adventure out and stayed scheduled for September. They have basically not back, getting caught up on reading some books he left the house since they returned from a Hawaiian had brought on the trip. Staying in Villas, North cruise in March. He reports that their kids are doCarolina, was such fun the Hennings are thinking well in Utah, Iowa and D.C. All are working ing about a fall or a very early winter return visit. from home but seem to have job security. He and July also saw the reopening of 321 Coffee at the Stella are using their time to downsize and make State Farmers Market in Raleigh, North Carolina, plans for the future. They are hoping to be a bit where Sam works when scheduled. He has been closer to family in Georgia this time next year. As scheduled to work many of the Fridays since the part of the purge, Rick parted with a couple of colreopening. Rick takes Sam, who works from 9:30 lars and cuffs for his VMI blouse and brags that he a.m. until 2 p.m. Rick hangs out at the farmers still fits into his last pair of white ducks before they, market during that time. He has found a bench too, hit the discard pile. He is, however, keeping inside the mercantile building away from 321 his wool straight pants, as you never know when Coffee so he doesn’t interfere with Sam while he you might have snow in Texas. works. Additionally, Rick has a set routine while Mike Garten checked in with a quick update. at the market. He gets settled on the bench and He reported that he was at the doctor in early Auusually starts reading from a book or the North gust for an angioplasty and states that the plumbCarolina state magazine, Our State. Later, he ing all looks good and this is 19 years after his 4x strolls down to 321 Coffee and gets an iced latte bypass. The docs aren’t sure what’s up with his or a cold brew – coffee, that is. He returns to the Class of 1975: John Plunkett relaxes extra heartbeat issue – maybe an electrical issue. bench and resumes reading and enjoying his bevwith his dog, Layla, after a busy day in his new home in Las Vegas.

Mike reminisces that it just seems like yesterday erage. Rick usually gets hungry, so he goes in when the Alumni Review included notes from the search of a bag of peanuts or a cup of boiled peaClasses of 1911, 1912, 1913, etc. His final comnuts and has added flavored pork skins to the eats ment: “God is good and still in charge.” Mike, I list. Around noon, he checks back in at 321 Coffee just did the math, and when we were 1st Class just to see how their day is going. After Sam comcadets, it was the Class of 1930 that was there to pletes his shift, Rick and Sam make it a lunchtime celebrate their 45th Reunion. Wow. adventure as they visit places that have reopened Well, BRs, the old shoebox is empty. Actuand allow inside seating. Then it’s back to Rocky ally, the old shoebox is looking pretty tattered Mount, North Carolina. One really added plus in and frayed around the edges. I was going to pass having Sam home has been him taking a live this on to Tom at the reunion, but he will have to Zoom cooking class each Wednesday afternoon. find his own receptacle for your letters. I wish all He gets the recipe Sunday, Suzanne and Sam of you continued good health as we make our make a grocery list of the needed ingredients, way through this pandemic, and we will make it Rick goes and shops early Monday or Tuesday to when we can all get together again. I bid you before he gets to work and then Wednesday, adieu. It has been an honor to serve you these past Sam and Suzanne work together during the Class of 1975: Using proper COVID-19 accessories, Bob and Paulette Keller five years. class to fix the meal for that session. Sam can geared up for a bike ride on the PinelIn the Spirit, take those recipes back to Raleigh with him so las Trail earlier this year in Clearwater, Bob he can fix those meals again. Rick will celebrate Florida.

Mic drop. his fifth anniversary in August of getting a new

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

1976

William Bhatta

Brother Rats, These notes were written Aug. 15. The incoming Class of 2024 is matriculating at a different VMI. From the VMI website: “Institute planners were given the task of prioritizing in-person classes while maintaining the military mission of VMI. Social distancing, face coverings and frequent sanitizing protocols, as well as plexiglass shields for instructors, will be in place in the classrooms.

For the first time in its history, VMI will offer a number of classes in an online learning format; however, in-person instruction was given priority in the academic schedule. Some classes will be offered in a hybrid format, meeting in person once per week while meeting virtually for the remainder of the class periods. The academic calendar will begin nearly a week later than expected, and cadets will spend Thanksgiving week on post to minimize the risk of bringing COVID-19 back to VMI were they to return home for Thanksgiving.

Cadets will be subject to strict protocols regarding face coverings, social distancing and personal hygiene. Their movements will be restricted, and they will be required to conduct a daily self-assessment for COVID-19 symptoms. Those cadets who present with symptoms will be evaluated by the VMI Infirmary. Isolation and quarantine protocols and locations have also been identified.” It’s quite a challenge. I hope these preparations sustain the Corps of Cadets through the academic pandemic year. We’ll know by the time you read these notes in December!

Bill Brown checked in from Bedford, Virginia.

Bill retired six years ago. He spent a much of his time helping his daughter and daughter-in-law while their husbands were deployed various times to the Middle East. Carter Brown ’10 and his wife, Olivia, have a 3-year-old daughter, Abigail Grace.

Bill said she is “strong as a bull like her mother (California state champion in wrestling and ranked fourth in the U.S. – just missed the Olympics).”

Carter recently was promoted to major in the U.S. Air Force, and Oliva is also a major in the Air Force. They moved to Barksdale Air Force Base in July. Sadly, Bill’s daughter, Meghan, lost

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her husband to a brain aneurysm earlier this year when she was three months pregnant with her first child; he was 38. Family, friends and employers really pulled together to help support her. Bill said, “We’ll be moving Meghan from Boston to Bedford in mid-July, and she’ll be living with us probably long-term. I’ll be playing the role of both grandfather and father to Sydney Ryan Ellis.” Bill is an active member with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. Bill said, “They’re headquartered in New Market, Virginia, and have saved tens of thousands of acres of historic property in the valley – much loved by all VMI men and women. I encourage BRs to become members of the SVBF, dedicated to saving property only in the valley from Lexington to Harper’s Ferry.”

As for myself, company severance pay ended in May, so I am now officially retired from Altria.

Retirement has been great so far. The only thing I have problems with is remembering what day of the week it is. COVID-19 destroyed my first big RV trip through Colorado and Utah in the JuneJuly timeframe. It closed all of the state and national parks, forcing me to pull the plug in late May. Michelle and I had to travel to Colorado anyway to deal with family affairs. So, we took advantage of the time to visit Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, both near Moab, Utah. If you have not been to either one, put it on your bucket list. I can almost guarantee you will love the trip! Familywise everyone is fine: David Bhatta ’06 and family are living in Hawaii. David works at Headquarters, Special Operations Command Pacific. Laura and her family live a couple of miles down the road, which is great. She is still a nurse working for VCU Health System.

Allison lives in Lafayette, Colorado, working

Class of 1976: Mark Sculley celebrated July 4 this year by displaying the ’76 United States flag outside his home in Draper, Utah.

for an advertising company. She helped develop all of the Jimmy John’s commercials you may have seen on TV over the past several months.

And now the BR minute: Jim Lofton retired from the Federal Aviation Administration where he was the assistant chief counsel for airports and environmental law. Jim is now living in Ruckersville, Virginia. Jim and Susan Mallon visited Mark and Libby Swank in June. Jim said, “The Swanks were excellent hosts to us for several days at their house beautiful home in Austin. They took us sightseeing, to a couple of wineries near Fredericksburg and simply took time out to visit with us. Mark is keeping the Texas toll roads in great shape, and Libby is doing the same for Mark.”

Jack Christy, the comet-whisperer, reported his view of Comet Neowise was outstanding from where he lives in Anacortes, Washington. Jack said, “I’ve seen two great comets in my lifetime: Hale Bopp in 1996 and this one. They’re not this good very often.” Mack Curle, Bill Danziesen, Rocky Glass, Lee Godsey, Alan Kinker and I met for the first ever Richmond Pandemic BRC Aug. 7. We obeyed all Virginia COVID-19 rules and ate BRC outside on the restaurant’s deck. Everyone is doing fine. Bill said he plans to work one more year at VDOT before he and his wife move to the Seminole County in Florida to be closer to their daughter.

Some BR administrative notes: Many of you have asked when our next reunion is. Our 45th Reunion will be scheduled next fall in the September-November 2021 timeframe. The bad news is COVID-19 is adversely affecting VMI’s reunion schedule: The 2020 fall reunions were canceled, but the 25th and 50th will be rescheduled. The spring 2021 reunions are still scheduled. I have no idea whether they will be executed as planned. I wonder if they will be virtual; would not surprise me. What will happen to our 45th? Stay tuned!

Many have also asked about the status of statues at VMI. Hopefully, you have already read the superintendent’s July 29 letter explaining his plan to address this and other associated issues. If not, regarding symbology, the superintendent stated: “We do not currently intend to remove any VMI statues or rename any VMI buildings. Rather, in the future we will emphasize recognition of leaders from the Institute’s second century. We will place unvarnished context on the value and lessons to be learned from the Institute’s rich heritage, while being mindful of the nation’s challenges and sensitivities to being fair and inclusive

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Class Notes to all. Nevertheless, this and other issues related to the plan will be discussed in the September Board of Visitors meeting.”

That’s it for now. Hope to hear from you before the end of the year. Otherwise, enjoy Thanksgiving and your December holidays! Be safe and wear your Class of 1976 face masks proudly!

1977

Mark Bryant

Brother Rats of ’77, When I wrote notes to you back in May – which you should be seeing about now in the latest issue of the AR – I was hoping that by now (August) we would be returning to better times after the COVID wave had been managed.

Sad to say, we are still facing many consequences of that public health challenge, as well as many other societal waves. I sincerely hope that all of you are well and have been able to manage the many concerns that face our families, our institutions and us.

You will see these notes in November. Let us hope things have improved greatly for everyone by then.

Things have been eerily quiet around Lexington and VMI all summer. An occasional visit in town on a Friday or Saturday looked nothing like the usual summer tourist season around here. The VMI post was also very quiet, as there were no inresidence summer school sessions this summer, and nearly all the faculty and staff worked from home on a daily basis. The many construction projects on post continued, but at a much-reduced pace. I am sure nearly all the projected completion dates have been moved out. The new bridge across Woods Creek should be open any day, and that will be a big deal since it connects North Post facilities with the main post and has become the main access route on to VMI for big events like matriculation, home games, reunions and so forth.

Other projects continue, especially the new Post Police building at the new limits gates (where the old BOQ was torn down), Preston Library (newly renovated areas have been opening as finished) and the biggest and probably longest term expansion of Scott Shipp Hall, probably taking another year or more.

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VMI has been scrambling to reopen with all of the COVID-19 mitigation plans and procedures in place. The requirement for social distancing has been especially difficult, as it severely limits class section size. Most normal classrooms are only allowed to seat about half of their normal capacity, making it necessary to hold classes in many unusual spaces (I’m teaching one section in Marshall Museum), and to hold some classes “hybrid,” where only half of the class attends in person while the other half attends online, and they swap each class meeting. Everything has to be set to go completely online at any time, also.

Many of the early-return cadets started to arrive last week (fall athletes and this year’s cadet cadre to conduct their training). Matriculation will be held over two days, and many of the normal cadre week and academic schedules have been adjusted.

It will be interesting to say the least.

I hope you all find these notes about what is happening around here of interest. I would appreciate your feedback.

With all of us locked down over the summer, I have not heard a great deal from our class. I did receive a nice note from Paul Seufer sharing some great news about his son’s (Peter Seufer) success as an All-American athlete in cross-country and track at Virginia Tech as he graduated in May. I am sure it was Paul’s coaching and support along the way.

I got some brief signs of life from Bert Lassiter and Chris Perry as they acknowledged class emails. In addition, Rich Humenuck sent me a nice note of support back in July. Tom Orrell sent a great note letting us know he is enjoying retirement, grandchildren and life in general in Winchester, Virginia. He let us know that before everything locked down, he had been able to visit with Glenn Trimmer in Fredericksburg and participated in some Civil War roundtable meetings and history tours of the Stafford battlefield park with Glenn as tour guide. Glenn always did have awesome history skills for an Air Force guy.

I got a chance to catch Eric Hutchings in his office on post recently. The assistant athletic director is gearing up for whatever the fall season of athletics is going to look like here. Lots of uncertainty there as both the Big Ten, PAC 10 and SEC all just canceled their seasons. Eric is recovering well from dual knee-replacement surgery several months ago. Welcome to the club, BR! I would love to see a bunch of us try to go through a metal detector at a sports arena somewhere.

I got a note from Mike Brown. Good to hear from you! Mike and his wife, Dee, will “finally” retire Oct. 1. Recall that Mike already retired from the Army and will retire from Microsoft now to mess up his wife’s day. They will split their time between their home in Ashburn, Virginia, and their place near Cape Canaveral, Florida. Mike says there will always be a spare bed in Florida.

Hank Bungay checked in and made the following suggestion for our next reunion. He proposed that we commission and have made a custom, high quality guidon for the Class of ’77. I have seen some other classes do this and see them at tailgates and reunions. There are several trophy/ memorabilia companies that make such things – mostly as presentation type gifts for military folks as they retire or leave a unit. Hank suggest a Super 77 logo, or perhaps a class crest or ring logo.

I think it’s a great idea and would like to get some feedback from you all on how you feel about it.

We did go ahead and purchase a tailgating tent for the class with our Class of ’77 logo printed on all sides. We only have had a chance to use it once at the mini reunion last fall, but it will be around for many future uses. Remember our 45th Reunion is only two years away! I welcome all inputs, as we are going to have to start doing some long-term planning soon – hope that things are much better by then. The Alumni Association is already having to make plans for all the missed reunions by other classes last spring, and now they’ve all been canceled for this fall, as well.

I would love to hear more news from you all.

Glad to not have any sad news to include in these notes, and I do hope no news means you all are well. Would love to have some photos to share, as well.

Check in on each other and let me know you’re OK. I will be teaching on post this fall and hopefully not at home from my computer.

RVM, Mark B.

1978

Tom Brown

Greetings, Brother Rats!

It sure has been quite a year. As I compose these notes in August, confinement has not been

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes completely lifted, football is now a spring sport and the Corps marches on. Now for the news. Reminder: There is a three-month lag between when this is written and when the Review is published.

It is my sad duty to report the passing of two brother rats, Greg Arnett and Dutch Goddard.

Dutch passed Feb. 1, and Greg left us April 24.

They were two fine men who will be greatly missed. Fortunately, we have our memories of times together with them.

From Sonia Goddard: “I am writing to you in memory of my beloved husband, Warren Maynard ‘Dutch’ Goddard III. It is my greatest honor this side of heaven to be Mrs. Warren Maynard ‘Dutch’ Goddard III, and to be wishing each of you VMI men Godspeed. With best regards, Sonia Collier Goddard.”

Our ranks will continue to lessen as the years move on. Please stay in touch with each other and keep the spirit alive. Please contact that roommate you have been meaning to, go visit or get together with BRs in your area or just send along that you are, “All right!”

Contactless status reports follow: “Bill Lowe here, Bravo Co. Just updating my status. Kind of fallen off the radar screen for a couple of decades. Living here in Rockwell, North Carolina, teaching JROTC at South Rowan High School, couple more years before retirement. Bought a small farm. Looking to spend the better part of the rest of my life (and money) trying to keep it up. All BRs are welcome. Two miles off I-85, about 40 miles north of Charlotte.”

Jim Simons: “All is well here in Rockbridge, at least given the prevailing circumstances. I’m still adhering to the tightest of COVID-19 protocols, due in large part to my girlfriend’s recent cancer surgery, so day to day life is getting rather boring. Thankfully, business conditions seem to be improving, so I’m getting busier, but heaven knows when I’ll be traveling for work again. I haven’t spent this much time at home in 20 years.

On the bright side, I’ve only had to mow a couple of times this season!”

Tom Tanner: “You probably saw this on Facebook, but we had our annual – 15th year, I think – get-together. I sold my home we just built, yet already sold it, to another VMI grad. I have bought another lot just across from my old house with plans to start a new house in the next few months and maybe be in by next summer. Moving really sucks, so it will probably be the last house.

Still working full time and have been really busy.

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Maybe one day I can retire.”

Rick Wolffe: “Glenn Dallinger and I were in Lexington in July and did some rat training climbing House Mountain on a 90-degree day – piece of cake!”

Dan Tuck: “All’s well here in sunny Tampa.

Blessed with a new granddaughter this past Easter Friday. Tele-working from home for U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base.

They have us on a 25% man-watch, so I work from home most of the time, except when I need to go in for access to the INTEL networks or every three weeks. Other than that, catching up on my delinquent house maintenance and getting a cigar in once in a while at my local smoke shop. Got a few friends from high school days I meet up there for a motorcycle ride and smoke.”

Freddy Fredrickson: “Rah Virginia Mil ’78!

Moving to a new residence! I am very overjoyed after a difficult search! All right for the most part in Charlottesville, barring earthquakes or tidal waves!”

Greg Larsen: “I’m guessing it’s been 20 years since I last sent in any status; maybe it’s time again. Returned back to Virginia from the Peoples Republic of Maryland after a 30-year absence in March of this year. We bought a waterfront house in beautiful Lancaster, Virginia, at the mouth of the Rappahannock river and Chesapeake Bay. The house next door is jointly owned. One of the owners is Richard Wood ’68, and another owner is his sister, Betty, who is married to one of his brother rats, Roddy Delk ’68. I am still gainfully employed by the federal government, they allow me to work remotely from here, but after 34 years it may be time for me to start thinking about retiring. Then I can go fishing all the time. ’Til next time, thanks.”

Chris Stone: “Status is ‘all right.’ Majority of the firm has been working from home since March.

Days are filled with Teams, Zoom, Google and WebEx video-conference calls. One glimmer of hope is that the breweries in Richmond have started reopening, seating outdoors only. Like most places, restaurants are only doing takeout. Going to grab my mask and fly down to Louisiana next month to spend a week with my daughter’s family and three grandsons. She is in the Air Force and is being deployed to Jordan in October.”

Steve Powers: “All right in New Hampshire!”

John Tucker: “All right in Columbus, Ohio.

Keeping safe and thus far keeping well.”

Nelson Curtis: “I am well. Retired Jan. 1 after 38 years with Genuine Parts Company. Somewhat

restricted in travel due to COVID-19 but hope to improve on seeing friends and family more soon.”

Bob Fricke: “Doing well in Colorado. We were in Lexington from July 29-Aug. 2 to attend my niece’s wedding. Most everything was closed, but everything looked the same. It was a great time.

Wedding was at new place called the Seclusion about 12 miles out of town. What a great place!

Would be nice for a reunion.”

Vagel Keller: “All right! Debbie and I treated Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf’s stay-at-home order with the respect it deserved. Always back before the stick hit our door. I posted videos of our unauthorized visits outside Allegheny County on my YouTube channel, ‘History’s a Blast.’”

Paul Campbell: “Doing well, working from home since March 16. We’ve generally stayed at home during this ‘adventure.’ We had our two grandchildren with us for the first 12 weeks of the pandemic. Fortunately, Martha retired as a schoolteacher in August 2019, and she was available to keep and work with the kids. We also added a third grandchild during that time period, which was an adventure in itself. School is scheduled to start in a couple of weeks. We’ll see how that pans out and whether or not we end up with the kids again. My daughter, Diana, her husband and the new grandbaby are now living with us. She is starting a new job at Florida State, however, with the increase of COVID-19 and her department working remotely, they decided to relocate closer to a support structure at least for the foreseeable future. Although I haven’t submitted the paperwork, I’m looking at retiring at the end of the calendar year.”

Mike Oelrich: “‘All right’ from the ‘red state.’

We are all surviving and waiting for a return to anything that looks like normal.”

Sam Saunders: “Mary and I are weathering the pandemic in good health. We made one trip to the Midwest for a visit with my son’s family who were back from the U.K., where they live. It was great to see our granddaughters. I am not teaching at VMI this semester but still working as a guide at Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello.”

Dave Colonna: “Patty and I are doing OK. I’m still working a lot harder than I would like. COVID-19 is a royal PIA. Basic protective steps have a very powerful effect: Masking, social distancing and hand-washing. We have a low infection rate among the staff members at our hospital, and I suspect that of the staff members that do get ill with COVID-19, most bring it into the hospital, though I cannot prove it scientifically. I have come to the

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Class Notes conclusion that my greatest risk of contracting COVID-19 at work is not from patients but probably from other staff members when we have our guards down in a break room, eating lunch and drinking coffee. So be careful, BRs! We can get through this thing. Pray for an effective vaccine.

I look forward to a cool fall day in Lexington, watching the Corps on the Parade Ground.”

Mark Lowe: “All right here! I am continuing with my daily language study – have just completed my 1,000 consecutive days of German. My Danish is slowly coming about, as is my Portuguese. None of those three are anywhere near as fluent as my Spanish. And with all this practice and study, we can’t go anywhere! At least I’ll be able to order us a beer once we can move about again. Also, I am making progress on my Z-gauge train layout. I should have it ready by next year’s Rail Day. Family is all well, both here and abroad.

Wishing everyone the best.”

Rex Wiggins: “All right in Cary, North Carolina!”

Tom Sliwoski: “All well in Williamsburg. Cathy and I love living here and are glad to be back in Tidewater. While I was supposed to be retired at the end of June, with all the COVID-19 nonsense, the city asked me to stay on, which I agreed to through the end of August. So, by the time this goes to press, I will be finally retired. Hope all is well with you and yours. In the bonds.”

Jimmy Leech: “Not much new to report from Corpus Christi. Everyone’s pretty much gone to ground, of course, so there have been no recent alumni events. I do follow what’s going on at the Institute pretty closely, and I must say I think General Peay [’62] is doing an excellent job. We’re staying healthy and reasonably busy and hope to make it back east sometime next year, public health conditions permitting.”

Mark Lambert: “All right here in St. Charles, Illinois. From what I read, no football at VMI this season. What will the rats do?”

Mike McCarthy: “All is interesting here at APG. I have been teleworking since March 16. I have a great commute of about 45 seconds. I stop off at a pretty great restaurant on my way to the office. I can order dinner from my desk and have it ready when I am. I did finally get to travel home to Texas for a couple of weeks in the end of July. I am now serving time in the penalty box for leaving the state. Fortunately, I will be paroled in a couple of days. First stop is the commissary.”

Alec Earle: “All is well with Sheila and me. We

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have been hunkered down since April in California on our almond farm. With 20 acres, it’s been easy to social distance, and there is no shortage of projects. We’re now in the middle of almond harvest which will continue into September. With all of the COVID-19 issues, we have had only Zoom meetings for the VMI Foundation. Incidentally, 2020 has seen an increase in both giving and an increase in the number of alumni giving to the VMI Foundation and Keydet Club. Thanks to everyone who donated this year! I’d also like to welcome BR Glen Jones to the VMI board of trustees. It will be good to have another ’78er on the board.

Welcome, Glen.”

The Lynchburg crew had their quarterly beer call at Jay Hutt’s lovely abode. Although it was a little damp, we managed to “social distance” and share stories. Glen Dallinger, class agent emeritus, joined the crew of Danny Thorton, Stu Gitchell, Bert Loflin, Mark Lowe, Andy Faulconer and me. Most of what was discussed is not fit for print, but it was fun. I will greatly miss these gatherings, as Pat and I are returning to Florida to be near kids and grandkids. We will be in Leesburg, which is in the middle of the state. Perhaps we can gather the Florida BRs together for a social some time.

This concludes the latest news from around the class. Please reach out to a BR and check their status, then report back to the class. We have many a BR whom we have not heard from since graduation. Remember to connect with the class on the Facebook page, VMI78.

In the Spirit, Tom/EZ Bear

1979

Michael Ogden

Brother Rats, Renee and I hope this finds everyone safe and well. Maybe now that I am retired and it seems like that list of BRs who have already or are joining that “retirement club” is growing, I find myself more engrossed and enjoying putting class notes together than I normally do. I think Ed Johnson’s startup of monthly BR class Zoom happy hour may be part of that, as well. Not to get all mushy, but it has been different this go ’round.

Speaking of class Zoom happy hour, thanks, BR

Ed. What an awesome idea! Believe we have done two at this point, and they are a blast. You really should think about joining in every once in a while. It really is Marine-proof (I am case in point – duh). Easy do and a lot of fun just listening. Instructions are posted via email and on the class Facebook page. If you are not getting the Zoom instructions, I do not have your correct email address (hint) or you are not a member of the class page. (All you have to do is ask!)

Fred Bailey checks in with, “I received my first U.S. patent 10588278. Working all these years as an employee made it impossible to patent my ideas. Profit and the protection of corporate intellectual property were the driving factors. Now that I’m retired, I am free to express myself.”

All right! Congrats on the retirement! A popular theme in these notes!

J.J. Carty departed the Pentagon after 11-plus years there and is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, at the Army War College as a student for the next year.

Back to grad school at 62! J.J. commuted every day into the building during the initial pandemic lockdown and is now glad to be out of that loop finally. He writes, “We’re initially doing everything virtually for class here at AWC. Andy Tate ’92, a longtime class agent, is in my class but not in the same seminar group. We are part of the civilian cohorts, so we get together off and on for that. He sends his regards and a Semper Fi! When COVID-19 hit, all the VMIers in my office went on telework except me, so we lost the op for a group selfie. There were three of us in our shop: Me, Brent Selnau ’89 and Bobby Kennedy ’00.

Jeff Geisendaffer [’99], whose class I don’t remember, worked in another directorate next door.

All’s well so far with my family in Leesburg. I saw Matt (that’s my youngest – CA) at Silver Eagle right before I came up here.”

And now for the rest of the story; I got an email from Maria Carty! “I just received the most current issue of the VMI Alumni Review and enjoyed the recap of your vacation in Grenada and all the other news from your classmates. John left Army G-9 and was selected as a Department of the Army civilian to attend the Army War College in residency at Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. I am holding down the fort part of the week in Leesburg, Virginia, with my elderly mother and our youngest son, Patrick, and spend Friday-Monday in Carlisle. We think that John might be the eldest in his Army War College class, but we are not sure yet as they are not presently having classroom in-

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes struction but are meeting via Zoom. He mentioned that there is at least one other (perhaps more) VMI guy attending, but he would have to let you know the particulars. He has been hitting the books but seems to enjoy AWC and the folks in his seminar.

We have enjoyed exploring Carlisle, and we love where he is living there. We were fortunate to find an apartment for him in a 19th century building that was formerly a silk factory. His apartment has 16foot ceilings with exposed beams and the original floors and is really cute, but it’s on the third floor and his 62-year-old former infantryman knees are talking to him quite a bit! Thank goodness we had our two sons help us move him in and do a lot of the heavy lifting. We have a guest room, so any classmates in the area please give him a yell!” I cannot tell you how much Renee and I enjoy getting emails from all of you “significant others” out there! Thank you, Maria!

John Kaily pens, “Mike, suffice it to say that none of us expected 2020 to bring what it has. Our family seems to be doing OK – hope that others are, as well. Looks like Jim Pigg will retire effective Sept. 1 from Delta. (Confirmed by an email I got from Jim; welcome to the club!) Some of us are still working stiffs, at least for a few years. I speak with Al Soltis often; he is doing great things at VMI with FCA. I envy him being able to help young folks, and I hope that we all support his efforts.” Thanks, John! Always a reliable notes contributor!

Reza Zeinali checks in: “I live in Tabriz, Iran, with my family and follow all the bad news about coronavirus all around the world. Hope you and other BRs are all safe.” Thanks, Reza, and hope the same for you and yours.

Bill Albro writes in: “Reporting from southern Maryland. We had a lot of rain last week as a result of the tropical storm/hurricane. I talked with Jim Leadbetter several times since my last posting. This past week’s storm did not flood the cottage at White Stone, but apparently the associated tornadoes took down some trees and blocked the driveways. I talked with Bill Smithson about two months ago. All is well in Georgia, and Smitty is getting some medical procedures taken care of.

Dean Smith sent me a picture of a great mustache he is sporting. He is the current leader in the Snidely Whiplash handlebar contest, as I have shaved mine down to a more reasonable appearance a few weeks back. Deano took advantage of COVID-19 confinement by fixing the decks on his Virginia Beach house. Seems he is not alone, as I note Jim

2020-Issue 4

LaRose was posting on Facebook the same kind of deck replacement work. Deano’s work was on the stairs and sun decks. Jim’s was on the dock.

Both looked very productive and professional.

Good work, engineers! Dan Sheahan reports that things are slowly getting back to normal in the Spokane, Washington, area. Dan is attempting to figure out how the ROTC program at Gonzaga will run when school gets back in session. I got a note from Tom Manley. He and Tony Pais hike together on weekday mornings in Prince William Forest Park (among other locations). I promised to join them sometime. Tony is working on sorting out the house and getting ready for a move to Richmond at some point. He hasn’t obtained an RV yet, but that is still an option for future pursuit.

“The BR Zoom meetings that Ed Johnson started (at the brilliant suggestion of his bride) are a great way to see each other and catch up on what folks are doing. Ed is going to attempt to have another on the anniversary of our matriculation and probably a few more in the fall. Comm discipline needs to be maintained though, as sometimes the background noises make the discussion spotty if you have an ‘open mic’ while not talking. So ...

In addition to BR breakfasts, we now have Zoom meetings to look forward to.

“On a sad note, Brother Rat George Lewis passed away last month. Brother Rat Jim Crossman did a wonderful eulogy. George, Jim and I matriculated VMI from the same high school in Manassas, Virginia. Our families took turns taking us back and forth to Lexington during breaks.

George, Jim and I stood together at the fourth

Class of 1979: Mike Ogden, class agent, said of this photo, “Dr. Ray Duffett sported the latest trend in VMI spirit outerwear.”

stoop railing to witness the first drum out. From his obit: ‘George was the manager at Chippokes State Park. He was known as the fossil man, more specifically the shark tooth man. He was the collector of artifacts, including sharks’ teeth, whale teeth and many other fossils. He was an avid photographer, having several of his pictures in the Chippokes Visitor Center and on the Chippokes website. George was an avid boater and was known for walking the beach on any given day.’ George was a great guy and a lot of fun to be around. I regret that I didn’t get to spend more time with him and treasure the time that I did.

“Be safe and wash your hands copiously, folks.

That is all – return to what you were doing.” As always, thanks, Bro! Another addee to the retired list, Jeff Vordermark, emailed, “I’m hanging it up after 41 years of service to the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer and professor at the Command and General Staff College here in Leavenworth, Kansas. Susan and I will be staying put – seems Portland, Seattle, Chicago and most other major metropolitan areas are out of contention for our tax dollars. So, the Vordermark waystation for weary travelers is always open for members of the Class of ’79.

It’s been great to host Brother Rats Doug Doerr, Parke Smith and Brian Tollie in the past year or so. I remain the poor guy (10 years and counting) who didn’t move fast enough to dodge the presidency of the local Alumni Association chapter and look forward to remaining connected for those in, around and traveling through the area. We just sent two rats off ready to matriculate after some local alumni regaled them with adventures of ‘Mother I.’ I’m looking forward to a more relaxed lifestyle after August, with some traveling thrown in. I think I owe Susan a grand tour of the Midwest, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone to name a few places – when I’m not busy with my next endeavor. I’ll be launching 7th Pillar Woodcrafts and hope to make some sweet, sweet ducats selling live edge items with wood I harvest locally and cut on my own sawmill. What a wild ride the last four decades have been – looking forward to what comes next!”

Mike Staso writes, “Not much new for me, other than I’m stuck in the states and unable at present to return back overseas due to COVID-19 restrictions. I was actually delayed for several weeks coming back to the U.S. from Asia on my annual return for the summer, as I had booked flights through China. Ended up turning a 24-hour trip into a 45-hour one. Was glad to step back on U.S.

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Class Notes soil eventually, though.”

William Lamb writes in (and I kid you not, but it worked, via text message): “It appears I’ve done something noteworthy at last! Last fall, I retired, and I have been adjusting to the slower life. Yesterday, I got a job! Well, I got the job in January, but Rona put training off until now. I’m a NRFU! Non-response follow-up enumerator for the census. Sort of looking forward to getting out and doing this. We are also still breeding puppies. We had two litters of Beagles this year and have a Harrier about to whelp soon. Deborah is planning on breeding the Poodles this fall. I like the hounds, but the Poodles do a fine job of making puppies.

We would have been showing this year, but Rona shut down the dog shows, so it was a good time to bolster our line and make a few puppies, too. Hope all are well on your end and looking forward to better times ahead!”

Jeff Goldhardt sends, “Purchased RV Friday morning, left next morning with eight cats and everything that did not fit on moving truck. Arrived in Bluff Dale, Texas, Monday at 2 p.m. Wife drove 2016 30’ Cruise America Thor Majestic 28A flawlessly. Stayed at Crossville, Tennessee, and North Little Rock KOA. First night here unloading RV and Explorer. God is good. Woke up retired. Every room like presents under Christmas tree as we find stuff we didn’t know was here. After a lifetime of helping build for others, this place is a blessing.

Waiting for the sun to reveal more neat stuff. A lot to learn, a lot of time to do it. Like how to cut 5 acres of yard. Kids are visiting end of month so can’t just sit around in underwear.”

Bob Sievert and Angela have settled into their new home in Colorado City next to the Greenhorn Mountains in southern Colorado. They are meeting great new folks and have lots of wildlife showing up in their yard daily, including mule deer, whitetail deer, racoons, squirrels, hummingbirds and most recently a small black bear who thinks the bird feeders are just for him! Workwise, things have been much the same as with most of us. Bob’s frequent travel has transitioned to online meetings, though recently his travel has begun to pick up with flying about one week a month.

Thanks to COVID-19, our plans to visit (we were told there is lots of room) have been put on hold until things settle out.

Steve Lyons chimes in with, “What a strange year it has turned out to be. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all doing the best we can to get through it. So far, I have not had any ‘bugs’ on me.

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I personally don’t know anybody that has been affected by the virus, either, and I hope it stays that way! Beth and I did have a spectacular beach vacation in June at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with the grand girls! Jane and Hadley both love the sand and the beach, and it was so much fun being with them. My VMI hat looked pretty good on granddaughter Jane! We ate a lot of fresh seafood, and the weather turned out to be perfect. Mike, my son-in-law, fashioned a delightful adult beverage that we nick named The Pink Sands. I lost count of the bottles of rum we consumed making that wonderful pink colored elixir!”

Marc Withers pens, “Like everyone else, my wife and I are dealing with the coronavirus and spending nearly all our time at home. At times like this, it is nice to live on a small farm, as we have lots of space to walk around and not feel so cramped. I am still working for MITRE and physically go into the office one day a week with the rest spent at home (on the computer or phone). It is birthing season on the farm, and our sheep and goats are having their babies. The farm business, run by my wife, specializes in natural fibers (go to www.witherswool.com) and has shifted to mostly online sales, although she now allows some limited visits to the store on our farm. I read the letter/ plan from General Peay [’62]; it generally seemed good and appropriate for these new and changing times. Best to you and all the BRs.” I received a letter from John Blake. He says his two sons are doing well with Jonathan expecting to get his second associate degree in business administration from Somerset Community College and Zachary is doing well as his caretaker. John says his heart doctor reports “his ticker” is doing well. He recently purchased Time-Life’s pop music from the ’70s and is enjoying all the memories.

He sends his best to all his brother rats.

John Arthur checks in: “I’ve recently been ‘pulled’ out of semi-retirement to assist a nonprofit organization in getting them squared away. I’ve taken a part-time job as the executive director for Operation Restore Oral Health.

OROH is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides honorably discharged veterans and coast guardsmen who are in need of restorative oral health (i.e., implants, etc.) access to a network of dentists and dental surgeons for no-cost dental care.

Helping to give back. When I’m not doing that, I’m spending time at my son’s 52-acre farm (circa 1890) just outside of Charlottesville. Working the fields, helping with chickens and basic

renovation activities, plus looking for deer stand locations! I’ve also gotten back into the cockpit, flying small fixed wing aircraft (C-172/182) out of Newport News (Tidewater Flying Club), looking to get my flight instructor certifications completed! And we are expecting our fifth grandchild, on/about Sept. 1; our daughter’s second little one!”

From the picturesque Eastern Shore of Virginia, Renee and I have been dealing with the COVID-19 “thang” just like everyone else. The various stages of lockdown, etc. have not slowed Renee’s work at the Yacht Center, so she is keeping very busy. It has put a crimp in our travel and visiting plans we had made for my initial year of retirement. We are being creative with a kayaking and tubing trip later this month and maybe a camping trip (that was originally scheduled for last May) later in the fall.

We finally got the kitchen remodeled after “committing” to the idea a few years ago, so I got some “project management” practice in. The remodel turned out great, and we are very happy. Getting the kitchen done was a key trigger in scheduling my retirement party, but you know, COVID-19.

That’s it for now. Stay well, brother rats.

–M *These notes were reviewed and approved by Renee.

1980

John Gibney Jr.

Hello, Brother Rats, These notes cover the period May 16, 2020, through Aug. 15, 2020. As the period began, our 40th Reunion, originally scheduled for April 2020, had been postponed and subsequently rescheduled for Dec. 4-6. As you know, the reunion has since been canceled.

I received a call from Gary Levenson, VMI’s deputy commandant, who called to see how Patti and I, Manhattan residents, were faring during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are fine, as we decamped from our small New York City apartment to our small house in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. We are both able to work remotely.

Gary was in his home in Chester, Virginia, where Karen and their grandson, Tyler, are all well.

Karen is retired, and Tyler is distance learning.

We discussed the challenges VMI could face in

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes a COVID-19 environment – see below for my conversation with Gary in August.

Tracy Wilson sent an email following a Zoom event (call? meeting? gathering?) held May 15 in lieu of an in-person get-together (usually a dinner) of several of our D.C. area BRs. Included were Joe Belkoski, Marty Bernet, Dan Conn, Rob D’Alessandro, Pat Griffin, John Lillard and Jack Keane.

I received an email from Walt Wood with a reminder of and a link to a Zoom event hosted by Dwight Pearson May 17, the 40th anniversary of our commencement. The email contained 80-3 invitees. Following the event, Tolar Nolley sent a nostalgic email (since we are now 40 years out of school) recalling using punch cards in the computer center. Ed Kopsick wrote that he began his civil service career on an IBM129 using punch cards. Bert Schneider sent an email with two photos of computers he used in the early ’80s. Paul Burkholder and Pat McCarthy thanked Dwight for hosting, and Frank Hilton responded that he was looking forward to seeing everyone in December. Rick Fowler was unable to attend but sent an email encouraging everyone to register for the rescheduled reunion and to reserve a hotel room.

Although now canceled, in May information about our rescheduled reunion was sent from the Alumni Association in an email addressed from me. Respondents confirming planned attendance were Vince Copenhaver, Mike Flinn, Ray Joinson and Alex Woelper. Jack Keane called to say

Class of 1980: John Caplice recovered from knee replacement surgery at home.

2020-Issue 4

that several of our BRs had not received the email.

This was remedied and a second message was sent. Please see the closing remarks about maintaining your information on the VMI database.

Jack is retired and lives in Maryland and is again planning to rent a house in Connecticut in September. Due to COVID-19, he may limit the number of guests he typically hosts.

This was followed by a call from Tolar Nolley who owns the Oyster Company of Virginia. We discussed the impact the pandemic is having on his business and the restaurant industry.

I exchanged email messages with Chal Glenn on his birthday. Chal and Robin live in Sumter, South Carolina, where Chal provides investment services. He reported business going very well, and no one he knows personally is COVID-19 sick. He also wrote that it is hard to believe that the Class of 1980 is now eligible for Social Security benefits. Chal was unable to commit to attending the reunion – now moot.

May closed with snail mail. Due to COVID-19 and living in the Poconos since the end of March while working remotely, our mail was forwarded by the staff of our apartment building about once every two weeks. One bundle contained a note from Louis McBride who read about Jim Stauffer passing. Louis wrote that he and Scott Berlin roomed with Jim our 1st Class year. Louis asked for an address to send a note to Jim’s family. A second bundle of mail contained a birthday card from Dwight Pearson. Thank you!

On June 1, New York City entered a phase that allowed offices to open, and I began and have continued to work in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and remotely Monday and Friday.

Tom Gelles sent an email on Flag Day (June 14 and the 26th anniversary of the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup) with a photo of Tom wearing a VMI T-shirt standing beside an American flag.

Robby Jones sent snail mail following receipt of his birthday card. He does this each year. We then spoke. Robby and Beth live in Lexington where Robby runs a family jewelry store. He said that the town is different but OK. Joe Paustenbaugh sent snail mail from his home in Liberty, Utah. Joe wrote that he is looking forward to retirement – soon.

Dwight Pearson sent an email invite to a Zoom event scheduled for June 28. I could not participate and did not receive a follow-up report.

June closed with an email from John Caplice announcing his retirement after 35 years in the

packaging industry. Good luck, John.

July brought the announcement from VMI of the cancellation of our reunion – the next time we are scheduled to formally gather in Lexington will be our 45th in 2025.

Like many of you, I also received several unsolicited email messages containing letters circulated by VMI alums (not our class) regarding the placement/removal of statues on post, followed by a formal letter from the superintendent. I also received text messages containing a statue-related petition. These messages resulted in a flurry of email and group texts on which I was copied containing commentary on the subject. Our BRs also openly copied on these messages (in alpha order – no politics in the class notes) included: John Alerding, Joe Belkoski, Marty Bernet, Tom Bersson, Paul Burkholder, Larry Ciacci, Dan Conn, Bob D’Alessandro, Rick Fowler, Tom Gelles, Dave Gleason, Pat Griffin, Mike Harper, Dennis Jacobs, Tom Johnston, Jack Keane, Tom Kelly, Mike Knapp, Walt Kreitler, Bob Liguori, Frank Leech, John Lillard, Bruno Loefstedt, Jim Lunsford, Dennis Maguire, Forrest Marion, Pat McCarthy, Phil Munisteri, Pete Peterman, Yves Pollart, Wade Stinnette, Mass Tahamtani, Tracy Wilson and Walt Wood.

I spoke at length with John Alerding. John is working remotely, as is his wife, Anne, a biology professor at VMI. John’s son, Johnny, is a captain in the Air Force. He had to postpone his formal wedding ceremony due to COVID-19.

In advance of the announcement of the cancellation of our reunion, Pat Griffin called to give me a heads-up. Pat and Beth were planning to relocate from their summer beach house in Rhode Island to a house they bought in Lynchburg, Virginia, where they will be neighbors of Dan Sweeney.

Their Lynchburg house is being renovated by Rob Quarles who owns a contracting business in Roanoke.

Elliott Wolffe’s birthday card was returned as undeliverable, so I called him. Elliott and Amy moved within New Jersey, but the address change occurred after the printing of the birthday card mailing labels. Elliott said that he’s been working remotely since March. Elliott’s daughter, Mary Parker, graduated from St. Louis University – virtually. His twin sons, Wesley and Turner, are now sophomores in college, at Loyola in New Orleans and Arkansas, respectively. Elliott said that he speaks with Chris Dombalis, Tolar Nolley and Richard “Cowboy” Smith.

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Class Notes August began with a call with Gary Levenson as noted above. Gary has returned to VMI and is preparing for cadre and the return of the new cadets and then the Old Corps. Gary has moved from his house on the Parade Ground to a house on faculty hill behind the tennis courts where Coach King lived. The school year will run, without a break, through December. As such, Gary, Karen and Tyler will not be making their annual visit to NYC over Thanksgiving, breaking a 13-year streak.

I spoke at length with Wade Stinnette. Wade and Lannie live in Columbia, South Carolina, and were preparing for another hurricane. They just returned from a week at the beach. Wade is an investment manager and works full time in his office.

Scott Sayre and I spoke for over an hour – it was wonderful to catch up. Scott and Mary live in Lexington and have run their business out of Buena Vista. Over the last two years, they were approached about selling the business, and in 2019 they sold. They have devoted the last year to winding down and tying up loose ends. No plans for the future – yet. Their son, Trevor, lives in Boston and their daughter, Mary-Scott, lives in Baltimore.

As the period closed, Tom Shedd sent an email in response to receiving his birthday card. Tom wishes everyone well. Wayland Paterson copied me on an email he sent to local (Florida panhandle) alumni of military colleges. Wayland noted the 30th anniversary of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and that the pandemic has resulted in the ongoing postponement of his quarterly gatherings.

Throughout the period, I receive text messages from our BRs – thank you. Some are individual and some are group texts on which I am copied. In May, I exchanged texts messages with Tolar Nolley which focused on golf and the idea of a group outing, possibly in Lexington. This was followed by an exchange with John Casamassa on his birthday. John’s daughter was considering attending VMI. She is also a boxer who was supposed to compete in the Golden Gloves National Tournament which was canceled due to COVID-19. Also, I sent a text to Dwight Pearson after he sent me a birthday card. Dwight responded with a debrief of the May Zoom event and consideration of holding an event on a monthly basis.

I exchanged texts with Robby Jones following receipt of his snail mail.

John Alerding sent a text July 4 that prompted the above-mentioned phone call. Elliott Wolffe sent a text containing his new home address.

In addition to the email messages related to the

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discussion of statues on post, I was copied on a group text containing commentary and opinion.

The group (alpha order – no politics in the class notes) included: Paul Burkholder, John Caplice, Chris Dombalis, Hugh Fain, Tom Johnston, Ray Joinson, Jack Keane, Bruno Loefstedt, Josh Priest and Elliott Wolffe.

Scott Sayre sent a text about the closing of the Nat Sherman cigar store in New York, prompting our phone call.

Andy Ludlum is a pilot for Southwest Airlines.

He sent a text saying that Southwest offered a great package and that he will be retiring in November.

Good luck, Andy.

Ed Baker and I exchanged several text messages. Ed asked about how NYC was faring under the pandemic and the sometimes-violent protests.

Ed and Dianna live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They took a trip to Montana for a medical meeting (Ed is an Ob/Gyn surgeon) which was canceled, but they fished for five days and escaped the heat and humidity of North Carolina. We also had exchanges regarding hurricanes – meteorological and ice hockey. They came through Hurricane Isaias without incident. Ed is also a Carolina Hurricanes season ticket holder, and his ’Canes swept out my Rangers as the NHL returned from its COVID-19 pause.

Ray Joinson sent several texts and we shared health-related odysseys. Ray and Carla are retired and live in Tennessee. They were planning to attend our reunion – both times.

Tolar Nolley was watching the PGA Championship on TV and sent a text to a group that included John Caplice, Hugh Fain and Elliott Wolffe suggesting that we attend the event in 2021 at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, in connection with a group golf outing.

Jack Keane sent a message forwarded from Mickey Cole that Mickey received from Tony Zoetis’ wife. Tony had a heart attack and was awaiting surgery. Dave Gleason provided the surgery schedule. The surgery went well.

Jeff Washington sent a text after reading the prior set of class notes in the Alumni Review. Jeff and Renee live in Richmond. Jeff is retired and reported that they are doing well.

In closing, please take a few minutes to verify your information on the VMI database via VMI Ranks at vmialumni.org – especially your email address and phone numbers – with an emphasis on your cell number. So much communication occurs electronically, and several of our BRs

have indicated that they do not receive timely information. If you need assistance, just give me a call or send me a text.

Thank you for your continuing support and for keeping me in the loop via text and email.

Please stay safe.

1981

Jerry Manley

Brother Rats and Sisters of ’81, I am writing these notes in mid-August 2020 while we are all still dealing with the “stress, strain, frustrations and challenges” of COVID-19 and the various impacts thereof. I hope and pray that in November, when this Review is circulated, everyone remains healthy and well!

I wanted to start this update with two items of particular note. First, we can all be very proud of the Class of 1981 appointments to the VMI Board of Visitors. Our class is extremely well represented

by BRs Scot Marsh, who was first appointed to the BOV in July 2016, and Grover Outland, who was newly appointed in July 2020. Both Scot and Grover will continue to represent the class and the Institute well. (We are very proud of you both!)

Second, I want to give Jim Hart a quick shoutout for another tremendous Smith Mountain Lake ski bash over the Fourth of July holiday. It is not possible to capture the amount of work that Jim and his brother, Derek Hart ’94, put into this event, along with logistic support from BR Rob “Cos” Costello. It is truly a labor of love – and it shows.

It was an outstanding success this year! We had a huge and very safe turnout. Most notably was the first-time attendance of BR Keith and Deb Baron who drove their palatial “fifth-wheel” camper all the way from Texas. Attendees from our class included: Keith Baron, Rob “Cos” Costello, Tim Dean, Mike Denton, John Detillo, Jeff Gill, Bruce Gitchell, Jim Hart, Mark Kanter, Jerry Manley, Rick “Moose” McCue, Gary Morgan, Ken “Catman” Morris, Clinker Moss, Tim Nitz, Bill Stamm, Gator Underwood, and many other family and friends (and I pray I did not miss anyone)! Additional notable attendees were Barry and Dawn Coceano ’84, Jeff and Shelly White ’84, and their sons, Mitchell and Cadet Perry White ’21. We were also fortunate once again this year

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes loves it because practically everybody to have the VMI ’86 alumni band “The she works with is a JMU grad, as well.

Strain Featuring Sammy Shako” provide Finally, Hank’s youngest, Harry, decided entertainment. Members of the band that college was not for him so he enlisted in were present included Dave Grimm ’86, the U.S .Navy in 2018 and is a Fire ConTony Hirtz ’86, Marty Mason ’86, Rob trolman AEGIS (FCA) responsible for the Mason ’86 (and Rob’s neighbor, Steve network on the AEGIS platform. Harry is Grudi), and Dave Miller ’86. To top it all billeted in San Diego on the USS Shoup off, in addition to the talents of the band, (DDG 86) and waiting on test results for we also enjoyed a tremendous set from promotion to E-4. Interestingly, the Shoup our very own BR Tim Nitz! An incredwas berthed across the pier from the USS ible time was had by all! (We once again Bon Homme Richard when it caught fire thank you, Jim and Derek and the entire Class of 1981: Mike Denton, Louis Rolan, Ken “Catman” in mid-July. Harry was on duty when the Hart clan!)

Morris and Greg Wolven gathered for a mini reunion in Richfire started so his fire party was activated On to the updates: mond, Virginia, in June 2020. to assist in quenching the blaze. Twice that Hank Lee, our “newly married” BR, team was boarding Bon Homme Richard shared that he truly loves married life with when explosions occurred. (Hank, we Molly! are blessed your son is safe and well; and Hank and Molly are “plugging away that he is serving this great country as so at life in these ‘interesting’ times we are many of us have.) Lastly, and Hank shared all living through now” and shared some that Molly loves VMI, mostly because of wonderful family notes. Ellie, Hank’s first how the Institute gave Ben structure and born, and her husband, Jack, relocated direction he desperately needed, but also from Charleston, South Carolina, this because it seems to have “squared away” past spring to Brevard, North Carolina, Hank (Molly, we need to talk!). VMI set which appears to have been a good change Ben up for success in life for which Molly for them, professionally and personally. is eternally grateful and, as only a mother Hank’s second, Helen, is getting marcan know, Molly shared that it could not ried this coming spring. She and her colhave happened any place else. lege sweetheart, Cody, have been in Fort I received a great note from BR Chris Worth, Texas, for almost three years and it Class of 1981: Robert and Lyn Wilkison ’84, Clinker Moss and friend Maureen, and Robin and George Depaoli gathered at Monnette. He is living near Boulder, Collooks like they will be there permanently. the Otium Winery during the summer of 2020. orado, with wife Marilyn. Chris is workHank shared that Cody is a “super guy, ing as vice president, client management for the bright future with Holder Construction in field health care vertical for Sykes Enterprises, a global project management. Dad was a career Marine ofcustomer experience/business process outsourcficer so we think she is in good hands.” Molly’s ing company based out of Tampa. The position oldest, Ben Lynde ’16, is “living in Chesapeake takes Chris around the world to locations such with his wife, Brittany; son, Luke; two dogs; one as the Philippines, El Salvador, Mexico, and the cat; three ducks; and eight rabbits working for U.K.; however, this year Chris has spent much of some secret squirrel Department of Defense conhis days sitting in his home office thanks to the tractor outfit putting his physics degree to good pandemic. Chris has been playing around with use.” Ben had a Virginia National Guard scholarphotography the last several years, as many of ship while at VMI and now drills with the 116th us have seen on Facebook. Chris shared that we in Lynchburg as an S-2 officer. Ben was recently can check out some of his work online at chrispromoted to first lieutenant. Hank also wanted to monnette.com. While Chris stated that he has no add to a note from the last Review that Ben and aspirations to make a business of it, that it is just Brittany attended his nuptials in April. Molly’s a hobby that keeps him busy, I can honestly say second son, Wilson, lives in Richmond and is a he has produced some of the most incredible landVCU grad. Wilson is doing very well working for scape photos I have ever seen. On a personal note, an internet financial services company. Virginia, Chris shared that he was diagnosed with macular Hank’s third child and a JMU grad, also lives in Class of 1981: Proud father Greg Wolven degeneration and that his eyesight is slowly slipRVA and right around the corner from Wilson in with his daughter, Katie (Wolven) Meyping away; which may get in the way of his further the Fan District. She works for CARMAX in their er, on her wedding day in August 2020. pursuits as a photographer. However, in true VMI information technology support department and

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Class Notes form, he is working on a memoir around his experience with vision loss and how that has changed his life. Chris finished the first draft earlier this year and is planning to get the second draft completed by year-end. After that, he will see if he has something that could be published. From Chris, “No matter what, it has been perhaps the single best thing I have done it my life. I have learned so much about myself in the experience. I would recommend the experience to anyone. Pretty amazing for a guy who flunked English 101 my rat year.”

(We are both proud and in awe of your talent and courage, BR!) Always great when I hear from Mike McLeod.

“Psycho” is enjoying life in Satellite Beach, Florida. He shared that he has had an “unexpected free vacation” due to COVID-19. He had been flying the MD-88/90 with Delta and now those are all parked and not coming back. He will be switching over to the 737-800/900; however, with the training backups it does not appear that he will be flying until November! (Nice paid vacation, BR!) Psycho’s beautiful bride, Kathy, is keeping him busy with house projects, though. From Psycho, “The good part is that I can work around the house all week, do some 737 studying, and have each Saturday free for gravity sports ... that is, jumping! Woohoo! Here is a link to some dives we made in Deland, Florida, a couple of weeks ago ...

I’m in the black suit with royal blue grippers and black helmet with the VMI spider on it: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxpqU4eE60Q&fe ature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR03DrI8o4U29X_ jJm7RjNdDLVI3cpXR3yyXfirEAvRruqORLobU5AowgAY.” It was great hearing from BR Jorg Ronke! Jorg retired in January 2020 after more than 30 years with Pella Carolina. His daughter had married in September 2019 and the mountain home he and lovely wife, Meg, built near Brevard, North Carolina, became mortgage-free, so they thought it a perfect time to plan a yearlong trip to the European continent and the British Isles beginning in April 2020. Jorg shared that all the arrangements had been made, and they were getting very anxious to begin their ... and then, “Well, coronavirus happened, and all our plans went on hold.” Jorg is hoping that a vaccine will be approved and initiated by this winter so that travel overseas can be reinstituted. If so, he and Meg plan on leaving for Europe as soon as they feel safe in doing so and after restrictions have been lifted. Like many in our class, Jorg shared that early retirement still

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means a lot of busy-work on home projects even though the coronavirus issues restrict many things we would be doing in the community.

Richard and Nancy Bartholomew are doing well. Rich reports that business is actually booming for his office; that they have picked up a lot of work since March. They met their sales target for the year in June so he told his boss he was headed home and that he would see her in January. Per Rich, she didn’t seem to think that very funny. Rich stated, “I would like to take credit but it is for sure all due to God’s goodness and blessings.” (Well said, brother!) Rich has hired four people since March to try and stay ahead of the workload and stated that if anyone knows an 8-12 year mechanical engineer with a P.E. who wants to move to San Antonio, he would love to see their resume (Rich, we will circulate that before this edition goes to print, sir). Nancy is busy trying to set up her fall Bible study for online. She is also going to be helping out with home schooling their granddaughter three days a week until they go back to school in-residence. Despite COVID-19, Rich and Nancy have been able to make several visits with family out of state. He shared that the best visit was with Nancy’s mom and dad in Memphis area. They are 90 and 88 so they “maxed out” with social distancing by staying in a local hotel but that it was so nice to see them in person.

Mike Placzek shared that he is still working at ARK Engineering as a senior engineer. He is looking to retire at the end of 2022. Mike has already retired from the U.S. Air Force (27-plus years) and Texas Eastern (25 years) so this will make his

third! Mike’s beautiful bride, Lynn, has been staying busy with three grandchildren – all girls, ages 6, 6 and 2 – providing home school and sitting since COVID-19 shut down the schools and day care centers. I do not know how she does it. Mike’s daughter, Rachel, is working in the medical field as an office coordinator while his son, Dan, is driving a tri-axle dump for a construction company.

Ed and Linda Boylan have settled back in North Texas and are enjoying their granddaughter being so close. Ed shared that he is still five or six years from retiring so “the work must continue.” Ed and Linda learned they are to be grandparents for a second time! Their new grandson is due to arrive on Thanksgiving Day (so by the time you are reading these notes, be prepared to give heartfelt congratulations to BR Boylan!). Ed further shared that he and Linda saw Tom and Sandy Savage in July.

Tom and Sandy’s daughter, Alexis, lives in north Dallas and is expecting soon. The Boylans were able to attend a “drive by” shower at their home.

Ed and Linda were able to stop and spend some additional quality time with Tom and Sandy. They expect to see much more of one another when Tom and Sandy come to visit the new grandbaby.

Gary Morgan is also working retirement plans and targeting Nov. 30, 2020. It will be a culmination of 39 years of service for Gary – 21 years in uniform and 18 years as a DoD civilian. For the past 11 years, Gary has been the inspector general of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Overall, Gary has spent the last 24 years in IG positions starting in 1996 as the deputy IG for the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North

Class of 1981: Class members gathered at Smith Mountain Lake for the Fourth of July 2020, were, from left, BRs Nitz, Gill, Denton, Costello, Hart, Baron, Detillo, Manley, Morgan, Morris, Underwood, Moss and Stamm.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Carolina, to the Army IG at the Pentagon. Upon retiring from the Army in 2002, he worked for the DoD IG, the Naval IG, the Marine Corps IG, and in his current position at DCSA. So far, it looks like Gary’s retirement plans include “playing golf on days that end in ‘y’ and finding ways to keep my lovely bride of 39 years happy!”

Ray Lawson reported that he formally retired from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions July 30 July and promptly started his next career as a teacher Aug. 3. He will be teaching middle school science and two STEM classes, internal combustion engines and robotics, at an incredible charter school, Horse Creek Academy. The school was able to provide substantial financial support allowing Ray to get engines, robotics equipment and tools, including a 3D printer. The school is only five minutes from Ray’s house, which is another blessing. As a side gig, Ray continues to teach a graduate course in homeland security for Tulane University. Most importantly, Ray reports that his family is fine and COVID-19 free as if this writing.

Trip Lloyd shared that he and his family spent the summer hunkered down for the pandemic.

Trip continues to work 11-hour days sending development funds all over the world in COVID-19 support. Gone are his eight-hour workdays, theater and choir performances, vestry meetings, cruises, and other family vacations (the Lloyds do stay busy!). He and his bride, Anne, spent a week in

Class of 1981: Ray Lawson in his teaching attire.

2020-Issue 4

the West Virginia mountains in mid-May hiking and horseback riding. They had to cut that vacation short due to an urgent issue with their son.

All is well now. As the 2020-21 academic year begins, Trip’s son, Liam, enters his senior year of high school and his daughter, Amanda, is working toward her RN and BSN and both will be taking classes virtually.

From Greg and Ann Wolven, Greg walked their daughter, Katie, down the aisle Aug. 8, 2020. Katie married Mr. Billy Meyer in North Riverside, Illinois. It was a small family wedding out of consideration for Katie’s new father-in-law, who is fighting leukemia and cannot attend the formal wedding scheduled for Sept. 5, 2020. Katie and Billy will again tie the knot on that day in front of a larger group of family and friends. Katie and Billy reside in Fishers, Indiana. In other “Wolven News,” Greg will retire from WIN Energy REMC effective Dec. 31, 2020, after 39-plus years in the rural power utility industry. While it will be a change for Greg, he has created a consulting firm, Wolven Power Engineering Solutions LLC, so that he can continue working on a few projects as professional engineer. Ann will continue teaching at Lincoln Trail College and possibly retire in 2022. Greg and Ann had the pleasure of traveling to Virginia and also seeing Ann’s family the end of June, where they were able to connect with BRs Mike Denton, Ken “Catman” Morris and Louis Rolan.

Steve Tennant shares that “the wonderous, mysterious, and magical goddess Marianne Tennant” had surgery to fuse four vertebrae in her neck in June. It was tough on Marianne, and recovery was compounded by a hives outbreak 10 days after the surgery. However, she bounced back quickly and her postoperative meetings with the neurosurgeon went very well. Steve and Marianne expressed their appreciation for all the kind thoughts and prayers they received via Facebook. Marianne expects to be “fit as a fiddle” just in time for their daughter Madeline’s wedding Oct. 17, 2020.

Quick hitters: Ken Pierro reported that he is well but “not much going on in Washington.” Ken and Diana are avoiding travel into Seattle (don’t blame you, BR!) and conducting “long range” wedding planning with their daughter in Louisiana. Ken is hoping “to one day have pictures of grandkids to share because no one wants to see a picture of me!” Ken is keeping busy working from home with Federal Emergency Management Agency reviewing grant

applications for COVID-19 relief for the states and trying to help be prepared for the next “big one” earthquake up here.

Bob Munno shared that after working 12-14 hour days for over a month building a 1000-bed COVID-19 field hospital on Long Island, he planned a much-needed escape. “Monkey” was able to schedule a SCUBA get-away to St. Croix.

Joining him on the trip was his lovely wife, Agnieszka, and his brother Tom Munno ’88 and Lisa.

To ensure no social-distancing issues, Bob booked an entire dive boat for their sole use.

Gene Loving is in the midst of selling his home and moving back into a true neighborhood in Warrenton, Virginia. At time of writing, Gene and Susan were tracking an official move of Aug. 21 but there are a few “ups and downs” they are working through. The distance from his old to new home is only about 10 minutes. (Gene, we truly pray everything went smoothly, BR!) Dan Gallagher is working another project!

He shared that his old agent, Mr. Bill Pettit, has asked to be executive producer for his TV drama, “$ecret$.” Dan plans to introduce BR John Holloway to Bill Pettit in hopes that John’s novel “Apricots” might become a movie or TV miniseries. Couple of websites Dan wanted to share are www.Apricots.online and AuthorDan.com.

George and Robin Depaoli have been enjoying the local wineries. They met up with BR Robert “Clinker” Moss and friend Maureen, as well as Robert Wilkison ’84 (George’s rat) and his wife, Lynn, at Otium Cellars winery in Purcellville Bill Grigg chimed in with a few kind words and a commitment that he and Lisa will attend our 40th Reunion in April!

Mike Shupp shot a quick note just to tell me that I was “a mess!” (The class already knows that, Mike!). All is well with Mike and Sherrye and they are still “living the dream.”

Louis Darden was about as “verbose” as BR Shupp. He simply stated, “No news from our ‘Punter.’ Hoping to attend [the reunion].” (We love you, Lou!) Well, my brothers and sisters, that is about all I have for this edition. Oh, I would be remiss if I did not add that during this reporting period, I was blessed with becoming a grandfather. My lovely daughter, Jenna, and her adoring husband, Robert, greeted young Bodhi Ham into the world ... several weeks early but he arrived on the Fourth of July. A true blessing to join so many of you in the “grandfather ranks.” It is a

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Class Notes true joy like no other.

With that, love and respect to you all! I pray each and every one of you have a very healthy and joyful Thanksgiving! Cheers and God bless, Jerry

1982

Will Council

Hello, Brother Rats, These are indeed most interesting times. We are now into our second set of notes getting through this COVID-19 season. I have been back at VW in the logistics department, and we have been making cars since May. Well, let’s just say, we are trying to make them. Our suppliers are struggling with manpower issues brought on by the pandemic and bonus money offered to stay home workers. Well that is our theory, anyway.

While I have not had the benefit of working from home anymore, some of you have stayed busy. At least from the occasional updates on Facebook. I want to give a huge shoutout to Bob Louthan for conducting a live interview with our very own Darren McDew on VeteranCrowd Spotlight. It is a great piece and can be found on our VMI ’82 page. Maybe Bob can do these monthly or quarterly with more of our BRs, since I cannot seem to get anyone to write in an update.

Except for Mike and Tierney Ewing. They are still enjoying life in Arlington, Virginia, and both still working. Since mid-March, they have both been working from home; she’s upstairs and Mike downstairs, so they don’t get in each other’s way. Luckily, they upgraded their internet/router in February, and they are happy they did. They are spending more time together now.

Mike says he had cataract surgery last fall on both eyes (not the same day), and these new lenses are amazing. On the other hand, that surgery is a sign of growing old as, like many of us, he turned 60 March 16. The party was scaled back some, but it was good. Joey and Carol Keyes were going to attend but had to miss it. The positive note of turning 60 is that as a retired reservist, Mike can now draw that retirement pay. Thanks, Mike, and welcome to old alumni club.

My old roommate, Steve Fudge, promised me

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he would get me a class note for the last quarter, but that did not happen. He was just a little late, but it’s still better than nothing. Teresa and Steve are still living outside of Raleigh in the evergrowing town of Fuquay-Varina. The tobacco fields around here are almost gone because of so much building. Farmers are selling off their land left and right.

Their daughter, Catherine, graduated from North Carolina State in May with a degree in poultry science and is continuing on for her master’s degree at NC State. She is actually focusing on studying diseases in turkeys. The past two summers, she had an internship with Tyson and their One Egg program that allowed her to work the first summer in Oklahoma and then the next summer in Rwanda, Africa, where she helped with the development of chicken processing facilities.

Son Travis ’16 has been deployed to Guantanamo Bay with the Army National Guard and he should be back this fall. He’s a first lieutenant with the military police. At least he’s been in the Eastern time zone, so it’s easier to talk to him.

Steve is still working as a programmer for an environmental consulting company. Most of their work is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With the COVID-19 lockdown, everyone at the company is working from home, so he does not have the long commute to Chapel Hill now.

Teresa spent the last year and a half giving care to her parents. Her dad passed away last year and her mom this year, so it’s been a hard year for her. She really took care of them and was a true inspiration!

She’s still working in real estate, and that business is picking up steam. Thank you, Steve.

I want to point out a really cool thing that Joe Poteralski got for his birthday this year. I did not know that he was a Cincinnati Reds fan, but apparently he is making an appearance at every

Class of 1982: Birthday boy Mike Ewing had the spirit of VMI surrounding him as he celebrated another milestone.

home game. Section 133, Row 3, seat 10. That’s a pretty good drive from upstate New York. Well, not really; Joe’s family purchased a photo cutout of him! Joe shared the image on our Facebook page, go look it up. I think it is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Well, that’s all folks. The USPS has not delivered anything else to my door. So, stay safe and sane. If you want, please send me a note for next time. It is going to be an interesting next few months with the elections coming around. Don’t mind me if I just turn it all off and self-quarantine from the media. It is already making me feel sick!

Sincerely, Will Council

1983

Steve Amato

Hello BRs, The following class notes are for the period May 15, 2020, to Aug. 15, 2020. Included in these notes are updates from six BRs who submitted a class note update for the first time, which is great. Our country continues to march forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. I pray you and your immediate families are healthy and safe.

Mary and I were able to travel after canceling three trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We spent four days at Corolla, North Carolina, celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. The weather was perfect, it was a relaxing time and we met many families who traveled to North Carolina just to get out of their “stay at home” routine because of the pandemic.

In July, Brett Allen reported he is now 100% recovered from his liver transplant. Great news, Brett, and you are now officially removed from the gim ranks. We hope you continue to feel well.

Whitney Wyatt sent me a message. “We will be making the long trip back to VMI this month as my boy, Jack, matriculates on the 16th. Getting him ready to go has been a real stroll down memory lane. I think it is going be a great experience for a California boy, and a real eye-opener! I’m eager to see the old place, I think it’s been something like 15 since I’ve been there.”

Congratulations, Whitney and Gina, as your son,

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Jack, joins the Class of ’83 legacy with sons and daughters attending VMI. From Thailand Andy Jones provided a report.

“The Jones family is doing well and sharing our time between homes in Bangkok and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I am still working for one of the large Thai public companies as senior vice president and looking forward to retiring next year to work full time in my own company called Siam Chesapeake Group. We had a nice family trip to Angkor Wat last year when my brother and sisterin-law visited us. Pictured you can see me, wife Dalin and son Daniel Mathew Jones, who is 6 years old, and named after Dan Martin and Matt Waring. Daughter Daisy is missing from the picture but will soon be 10 years old.” Andy is struggling to stay young to keep up with them and is worried because wife Dalin still wants one more baby.

“In regard to the Thai cave rescue that you mentioned, I wasn’t involved but attached an interesting picture from my Thai seal team friend who was. Formerly, I arranged the training for them with U.S. Navy when I worked for the American embassy many years ago. It shows how it really looked as they were pulling the kids out using the rebreathers as if they were dead bodies.” Andy has held the record for several of our reunions as the farthest traveled BR to attend a reunion. Best wishes to Andy and Dalin as they plan for another little Jones.

It’s fascinating how many BRs have written books or published articles, whether for science, the medical field, informational, entertainment and, of course, for historical purposes. Well, Dave Powell is another author who has expressed his passion for history in 11 books. Dave sent me an email outlining his update. He says he is “doing fine, still working in Chicago, where I am vice president of a specialized delivery firm that deals with international trade. Married to my wife since 1985. I have been writing Civil War history for about 11 years now, with my first book, ‘The Maps of Chickamauga,’ appearing in 2009. I will have two new books published late this summer or by early fall, ‘The Impulse of Victory: Ulysses S. Grant at Chattanooga,’ and ‘Tullahoma: The Forgotten Campaign that Changed the Course of the Civil War, June 23 - July 4, 1863.’ These two projects each took about nine months to finish. I wrote the Grant book in fall 2018 and into summer 2019 and then co-authored the Tullahoma book last year, finishing about the beginning of 2020. It

2020-Issue 4

Class of 1983: John Dodge and fiancée Laura were engaged at Stone Harbor Beach, New Jersey.

Class of 1983: Dalin, Andy and Mathew Jones in Thailand. usually takes a while to work through the editorial process, especially with a University Press, which is why both books are coming out sometime.” BRs if you are interested in wanted to know the names of other books Dave has written, please email or call him. Thanks for sharing your passion with us, Dave.

A former Company F BR, Eric McAnallen, dropped me a nice note updating us on his careers since our VMI days. Eric states he “did U.S. Army as enlisted, long story but no regrets. Yes, I have

many businesses. I’m a builder/developer also and many other ventures. I have a cigar company I started 22 years ago. Black Patch Cigar Co. I have a factory in the Dominican Republic. I raise cigar tobacco here in western Kentucky; we use in our blends. I also raise tobacco in the DR. So, yes, I stay busy. I think of the ‘I’ many a day. Strange the influence it had on me. All good, of course. I truly enjoy the updates of the Institute and appreciate your time and effort to bring this to us. Time has flown by and many have passed. Oh, if we could go back and rewrite our journey. Sad to hear of Jack Manley’s passing. He was truly a man of character and had a great soul.” Eric is a broker associate with Lifstyl Real Estate. Thanks for reconnecting with us, Eric, and maybe we will see you at our 40th Reunion?

A short message from Frank Kalesnik was received, stating, “Thanks for the birthday card.

Oddly enough, I am on a hiring panel with a guy [who] was a cadet when I was teaching at VMI. Small world. Plugging along here.” Frank relocated to Virginia in 2020.

Jeff Farry provided a quick message to me.

“Kerin and I are all doing well. I am starting a new job next week in addition to farming and helping my oldest son renovate his house so been very busy. My youngest graduated from Old Dominion University in December, and my middle son will be going to graduate school for his Ph.D. in bio medical engineering at Vanderbilt.” Jeff, thanks, and it was great to hear from you after so many years.

Will Creekmur checked in multiple times this past quarter. Will is a regular blood donor. “Wishing you and those whom you hold dear all the best. Crazy times continue to beset us from seemingly every side and angle, and I’m very thankful to each and every one of you for the bonds of brotherhood and friendship that we share. Cheers, Will.” In Will’s second class note update, apparently he had to go on the gim. Here is his description of the accident. “Of late, no BRs visiting or other VMI stories in California. COVID-19’s put an understandable damper on this. In other news, well, let’s just say I took a little spill on the Vespa three Sundays ago. Was on an early Sunday morning doughnut run, along a road I’ve traveled hundreds of times, and I ended up with four broken ribs, a fair amount of road rash, edema practically everywhere and one big seroma along my left hip.

Many different outcomes were possible, and I’m most thankful the outcome wasn’t otherwise. Of

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Class Notes note, I did ride the Vespa home and went to the a quarantined, mask free family photo soon. working for INTERPOL in Lyon as an INTERdoctor’s office the following morning. Told them I Laura promptly rented a house in Nashville for a POL employee until Dec. 31, then I will see how couple of months and announced it was grandson it goes. Stay safe and wear your mask indoors in thought I may’ve broken a rib or two. The healing has been rapid, and I even rode the Vespa to the re- first and grub private alumnus second! I spent the close quarters. My wife complains, but I threaten pair shop last week. A little bouncy and tender. An first full week up there and have now started the to buy an NBC suit and pro mask to go into MOPP occasional Aleve does the trick for any discomfort. quarantine/long weekend plan. The Warren family 4 for half a day to realize wearing a cotton mask is nothing. It’s Bastille Day here, so I got to take Did cryotherapy. Here’s a pic of me chillin’. The has been very blessed! All are happy and in good health. I hope we able to get some football games the French holiday and will watch the fireworks temp’s about -220°F, and I’m in for three minutes.

Nipply? Yes. Invigorating? Yes. An incredible im- in and can get the ’83 tailgate rolling. Steve, we tonight.” Doug, for those of us who practiced or mune and healing system booster? Absolutely! wish you and Mary all the best and hope you guys carried MOPP gear before, it sure strikes a memoAny lessons from it all? I suppose it’s time to lay can enjoy the rest of the summer. Hopefully, we’ll ry nerve. “Gas, gas, gas!”

In a quick note from Steve Hodak: “I had to off the doughnuts.” Thanks for your commitment catch up this fall.” Gene and Laura, welcome to cancel one trip to Massanutten in May but went to the grandparent club. You’ll love it! to be a regular donor, Will. BRs, when donating From Europe, Doug Urbanek says in a July Williamsburg in June for a week. Planning on goblood, does it remind you of the VMI blood driing to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in early August, then ves during our cadetship? Maybe start consuming message, “We lost some BRs this year, and I send my condolences. I dodged a bullet and am Massanutten in October and maybe December. pies, Will and forget the doughnuts.

Maybe ‘they’ will have a vaccine by then.” Steve, From Virginia Beach, Phil Hubbard provided a we can only pray our medical and research experts check-in to me. “I am still working for HRSD in develop a COVID-19 vaccine soon.

Virginia Beach. I have been working from home Mark Benvenuto submitted a photo and descripsince March and will be here until at least 2021. tion of a mini VMI get-together in early summer My family is well. My wife retired from teaching 2020 back in Michigan. Mark said, “We were at a high school for 31 years just before COVID-19 Red Olive. Dave Hagemann ’80 made some calls hit. She was very happy, as were all of us. My when he heard Brett was making the trip up from daughter, Elizabeth, graduated from dental school the Lone Star State back to the Mitten. In the photo in May 2019, and she started a pediatric residency were Rob Allen ’19, me, John Cooper, Brett AlJuly 1, 2019. She just completed her first year and len and Dave Hagemann. Rob keeps us up to has another year left. She was named chief residate on today’s ‘I,’ as opposed to the one the rest dent for her class. We are very proud of her, to say of us see through rose-colored glasses. Brett lives the least. Her husband is a firefighter in Virginia in Texas now but comes back to Michigan each Beach and travels to Richmond whenever he is not year. We all got together at a local restaurant just to at the fire station. Our other daughter, Catherine, catch up, chew the fat, that sort of thing. Brett and just got accepted to chiropractic school at Palmer Rob seem to be doing well. Coop is contemplatin Orange Beach, Florida. She starts in January. I ing retirement (yeah, right). Dave H. is still with am so glad my girls are smarter than me! I canCummins Alison. I’m doing the online thing as a not believe we will have two doctors in our family.

Class of 1983: Steve and Mary Amato in professor, at least for a while. But chemistry is so Proud, to say the least!”

Corolla, North Carolina, celebrating their much more fun when you blow stuff up in person.”

Lynn Seldon reports, “Cele and I actually 35th wedding anniversary.

Thanks for the picture and update, Mark. stopped in Lexington for 24 hours after my dad’s In June, Tim Craul and I had a nice burial in Winchester. We enjoyed dintelephone conversation catching up on ner with the voice of the Keydets, Wade things. He has been teleworking fulltime Branner, and Elizabeth and then lunch throughout the pandemic. He and his with Jay and Paige Williams, plus tooling wife, Mary, canceled a planned cruise to around post, which is alive with activity Alaska because of the pandemic. They and construction.” drove to Omaha, Nebraska, to visit with In several email exchanges with Gene their oldest daughter. The discussion Warren, the following was provided. about retirement planning occurred, and “Laura and I have had our share of canit seems many in our class are aiming to celed trips, as well; however, our first retire within the next one to three years grandchild (grandson), Thomas Fort from their current career.

Montgomery, was born July 2, 2020.

Class of 1983: Rob Allen ’19, Mark Benvenuto, John CooIn a brief message from eye Dr. Al Dortch Warriner, please run the calcuper, Brett Allen and Dave Hagemann ’80 at the Red Olive in Toler, he stated, “Hope all is well and lus program and let me know his proMichigan. safe. I had my nose ‘rotor rooter’ for visional appointment year! I’ll forward

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Class Notes coronavirus yesterday, and it was negative.” Al, we are happy to know your test was a negative, and be careful.

Wedding bells are ringing for John Dodge.

His recent update to me stated, “I got engaged last weekend in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, to my partner in crime, Laura. Daisy, our golden retriever, played a crucial role, as I had attached the ring to her collar. Fortunately for us, there was a group of girls 30 yards away who realized what I was doing and took pictures. That’s good karma!”

They are considering a September 2021 wedding date. Congratulations to you, John and Laura, and we wish you both a happy lifetime together.

News flash: Tony “Snake” Arnold reported, “Bubba just called me, and the streak is intact.”

Snake and Bubba, glad to hear you guys are constantly calling each other.

Hugh Daughtry sent a message just in the nick of time. “Hope you and Mary are doing well. As usual, I am late for your deadline, but I know you’re just super organized refining the submissions from our BRs for your Aug. 15 deadline! Here in Rocky Top, it’s hot and we’re ready for fall and hopefully football. The highlight of our summer has been the saga of our daughter, Cameron, getting married.

Originally scheduled for May 9 in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Everything went up in the air as we waited to see how the pandemic would shake out and what the government would allow.

Cammie decided to push forward and have a small ceremony July 18 in Wilmington, and as you can

Class of 1983: Will Creekmur in a cryotherapy chamber.

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imagine, it was quite warm – it had to be outside, but no rain. We had a wonderful event considering the circumstances and are very happy for her and my son-in-law, Matt. This weekend, Robin and I are joining Jim and Cheryl Henry and Scott and Pam Horan at the Henrys’ mountain cabin in North Carolina. It should be a wonderful mini reunion that I just hope I survive. If I do, I’m sure I’ll have some good stories for your next submission.”

Hugh, we hope you and Robin plus the Henrys and Horans had a great excursion at the “Henry mountain retreat.”

When traveling across our great nation or overseas, be sure to reference the VMI Alumni mobile app and click on the “Alumni Nearby” drop down, because you never know when you may be next to a BR without even knowing it. This app offers a quick reference to reconnect with a BR or another alum. By the time you receive this Alumni Review, it’ll be 29 months ’til our 40th Reunion!

Take care, be healthy and stay safe, BRs!

1984

Bill Janis

A brief reflection on the etymology of VMI nicknames (not for grade/help-received): I was recently talking with one of our BRs about another BR and realized that, while I remembered where he hailed from, his major and many other details of his cadetship, I had long since forgotten his “given” name and only knew him by his VMI nickname. I immediately consulted my trusty copy of the 1984 Bomb (which is always readyto-hand) and learned that, long before Matriculation, his parents had named him “Robert.” In reviewing our 1st Class photos, it occurred to me that, since in the Rat Line we each set aside our former childish ways and were reborn as “VMI men,” it is meet and right that we would also get new names befitting our heroic new selves.

I also observed that, based on certain nickname protocols, we each belong to one of the following groups. See if you recognize them.

Physical appearance: These include such classics as “Smiley,” “Llama,” “Lizard,” “Ghandi,” “Hairy Beast,” “B.D.” and the apparently very popular “Bullet Head.”

A variation on given/family names: This

category was very popular as well, and features “Tool,” “Gus,” “Ronski,” “Gee,” “Boni,” “Jaws,” “Ef,” “Chowder,” “Moe” and “Sturge.”

Commentary on hygiene (or lack thereof?): How can one forget “The Funk,” “Dirtbag” (or to his close friends simply “Bag”) and the renowned “Earth Pig” (or to his close friends simply “Pig”)?

Car club: These include “Bubba,” “Bum,” “The Chopper,” “The Cruiser,” “Cubby,” et.al.

Apocryphal: Who knows the ancient lineage of these revered “noms de guerre?” Are they commentary on character traits, verbal irony or do they perhaps commemorate a singular heroic event/ achievement? Just how precisely did “Weenie Head,” “Giles French,” “Muckus,” “Squid,” “Cuddles,” “Buff,” “Riddler,” “Tex” and “The Viking” earn these cryptic pseudonyms?

“N3.” The bravest among us, who, never having garnered, organically nor spontaneously, a nickname during their time in barracks, did not succumb to peer pressure by making one up for their submission to the Bomb. (Note to Bruce Hauck: “N3” stands for “no” “nick” “name”).

Do you still use your VMI nickname anywhere outside of Rockbridge County? Can a nickname earned in your early 20s remain relevant in your late 50s? I would welcome some information regarding these or other great mysteries for future submissions of these notes.

I can identify with great accuracy the precise time Sammy “Have You Got a Dip?” Lowman received the last issue of the Alumni Review, in which I inquired after his status and whereabouts.

Within moments, I received the following email: “More updates. My youngest son, Miles, is a senior this year at Hampden-Sydney. Hopefully he will be able to play his last season of collegiate football this spring. Amy and I will miss the tailgates this fall! My oldest son, Austin, graduated from Randolph Macon College in 2017. He is currently the national sales director for Benefit Plan Administrators, a third-party administrator for commercial employee benefits and insurance. I am curious if you have heard from Greg Michigan.”

Thanks for checking in, and stay tuned!

I had a nice phone call with Bill “Party” Seaver.

Bill is an accountant at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, a U.S. government agency that manages the pension plans of defunct U.S. corporations for the benefit of their retirees, which seems more complicated than “Chinese calculus” to me.

He has been in touch with Tom “N3” Anthony and Barry “The Chaw” McFadden. Bill reported

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Class Notes that Barry had moved back home to a farm in Lebanon, Virginia, where he lives with his wife, Delilah, and their 5-year-old daughter, Lacey. So I called Barry.

Barry is retired and lives on about 30 acres. His wife, Delilah, is an epidemiologist with the Russell County Health Department in charge of emergency planning and has been understandably pretty busy lately. Barry has been having some health issues and requires dialysis, but he was as upbeat and optimistic as ever. He had followed online posts from Kurt “N3” Weitz while he was hiking the Appalachian Trail and met him as he was passing near the farm. They drove into Abingdon together for a lunch and laundromat break and caught up.

Frank “N3” Kollmansperger called to report that he and Mark “Doghead” Morgan got together recently at Top Golf in Richmond. He had also gone out fishing on Jamie “Bullet Head” Shoemaker’s boat, The Good Ship Windfall, with Alex Thompson (nickname: “Thompson, E.A.”).

Bruce “The Viking” Hauck sent out a group text message announcing that the Southern Conference had canceled the fall football season. Breaking news: VMI football posts first undefeated season since 1957!

Rose Ann and I returned to Richmond in July for the wedding of our daughter, Rachel, to a fine young man who is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, Ben Stallings. Joining us for the wedding and reception were Brother Rats Steve “N3” Reardon and Alex “N3” Weinstein, as well Mike Denton ’81, John Lightner ’87, Rennie Renshaw ’87 and Gregory Reardon ’13.

While in town for the wedding, I was able to see all the changes that have occurred in the last few months and witness the end of an era. Since the 1900s, our brother rats who live in and around Richmond have gathered regularly on a Thursday morning for breakfast at the Bob Evans Restaurant on Glenside Drive in Henrico. I asked Steve Reardon, the current “convening authority,” and Alex Weinstein how this got started and no one seems to know for sure. Early regulars included Steve “Ghandi” Barsamian and Chris “Just keep it ‘Chris’ if you don’t mind” Caplice. As BRs came and went from Richmond, the attendees changed from time-to-time, but the one constant was that we always had breakfast “down on the farm.” Steve was nice enough to call us together while I was in town. As you will note, we had a very good turnout, and for the first time, thanks to

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Class of 1984: Hal Hamner helps Brother Rat Mike Locher join the group for breakfast at Bob Evans.

Harold Douglas “Hal” Hamner III, we had “virtual breakfast” with Mike “Ears” Locher, who has been on a construction project at Fort Devens for the past several months. Dave “N3” Pruitt and Lee “Wimpy” or “The Man with the Golden Foot” Wimbish also called in. Joining us “non-virtually” (actually? really?) were Reardon, Hamner, Barsamian, Kollmansperger, Eric “Ed” Jolly and Steve “The Huppster” Hupp. Sadly, I have just received an email from “Ghandi” informing us that the Bob Evans Restaurant is permanently closed. Is nothing sacred? But fear not, our intrepid Richmond BRs shall persevere in the face of adversity and find a new and improved venue for Hank “The Cruiser” Selman to hold forth when he is not busy working on the vaccine.

Finally, it is my sad duty to inform you all of the untimely passing of Phil Dao. As I noted in our February class notes, Phil had been fighting the good fight for more than a year against acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Through the adversity of chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, blood transfusions, severe weight loss, weakness and numerous infections which nearly killed him, Phil persevered with stoic resilience. Phil’s note to his family and friends at Christmas bears

laconic testimony to that courage: “Life with cancer has been very tough and challenging for both my wife and I, and we are both exhausted.

We have received good support from family and friends. I am glad that I came out alive after this long and difficult ordeal. Life goes on.”

Upon learning of Phil’s passing, Scott Andes wrote: “My one prominent memory of him was from the Taekwondo intramural. He could stand facing the wall, about 1 foot away, and do a sweeping, circular, straight-legged kick (clockwise) around his body ... and never touch the wall. I had the joy of experiencing that same kick while sparring with him during a session once. Never even saw it coming! Put me on the mat with stars and birds circling overhead.”

Please join me in praying that our loving God grant Phil eternal rest and count him among the flock of those He has chosen. Please also pray for his wife, Vicki Chau; his daughter, Quynh Phi Dao; his son, Nhat Phuong Dao; and all his family that God grant them consolation and peace.

As I conclude these notes, I want to encourage each of you to reach out today to one of our brother rats by phone, text or mail. And please give me an update when you do!

Until next time, I’ll close by saying, “Goodnight, Greg Michigan, wherever you are!”

1985

Matt Daniel

Greetings Brother Rats, Loved Ones and Otherwise Curious Readers, Future Friends, Welcome to the Möbius strip edition of the VMI ’85 class notes. This is such a strange time with up being down, bottom being top and front being back ... and vice versa. Looking for terra firma.

With all the dimensional strangeness and upheaval, the Class of ’85 (henceforth “the class”), we have at least one consistent theme and drumbeat that transcends socio-politics, holds zero regard for feelings or sensitivities and is as grittily based in friendship, shared hardship and mutual support while boasting a healthy disregard for convention (and sometimes rules). This theme, of course, is the annual Charlie Company golf safari: That famously stubborn, annual, intentionally unofficial, VMI Class of ’85 multiday, multidomain

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes rendezvous. A Friday, Saturday, Sunday of freakin’ fun and fat frolic.

Every year, the safari includes something for everyone. Depending on the year, it includes activities such as fishing, floating, firing, as well as eating, drinking and generally being merry. Stories (lies) are stoked, friendly insults are cast, backs are patted, memories are recovered and then, even more are made. This is an event for every one of us in the class.

It costs nothing more than the lodging and subsistence consumed during the event. Oh, and bonus! There are awards and recognitions. Fun stuff.

Plus, you get to see people like Mark Bornhorst and George Halages behaving like goofs on the reg.

For the class, this show will continue to go on, come hell or high water; in sickness or in health.

All are welcome and urged to attend. Please consider it next year. Jake Spivey is the organizer of the safari, and he does a great job. Below is a very lightly and lovingly edited version of Jake’s great wrap-up of the 2020 ACCGS, aka the safari. It will occupy most of our class notes this time. Check out the pictures too, see? It’s good family fun!

Without the families.

“As has become customary for many 21st century annual Charlie Company golf safarians, a weekend full of friendship, frivolity and foolishness is not enough. Some hard-core FOMO (fear of missing out) revelers arrived as early as Wednesday to make sure they didn’t miss any fun. After unloading all his accoutrement whilst securing a pirate’s flotilla of kayaks, the event’s maestro, Jake ‘Commodore’ Spivey, was met by bosun Steve ‘Hook’ Hagan, and 1st Lt. Rich ‘Flea’ Williams. Dave ‘Tingster’ Tingley, Neb ‘Neb’ Neblett and Hugh ‘Happy’ Hill soon clambered aboard and were joined by pollywog Kevin Holland at the Holiday Inn Express party barge.

Many enjoyable tales were told while exchanging huzzahs over bosun Hagan’s new safari libation, “pickle juice.” Neb ‘Neb’ Neblett issued his first mumble at 7:38 p.m. and was fast asleep by 7:40 p.m. As the time to relieve the watch approached, Pollywog Holland, remaining clearheaded, hopped on his chopper and rode back to his homeport along the Maury. Shortly before eight bells (midnight), the remaining buccaneers downed some late-night pizza and turned in.

Such was Wednesday night.

“Thursday morning began afresh and clear, following a quick thunderstorm passing over

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the Valley. The crew swung out the long boat (Hagan’s rental car) in search of grub. Unfortunately, the pandemic privateer (known as COVID-19) had swept through town and nearly closed down all bistros. After searching multiple establishments, the mates settled on an old, favorite haunt, ‘the diner,’ aka, the Lexington Restaurant.

“Returning to the HIE to pump the bilges, the swashbucklers gathered up their golf bags and headed out to the Vista Links (Buena Vista) to check the course in advance of the following day’s named and signature event. The group split itself into two teams of three and played a spirited, ninehole contest of match-play golf ending in a tie at one under par (Class agent: ‘Par’ is a relative term). The heat and humidity – mostly the humidity – encouraged the duffers to forego the back nine and after a quick change of attire retired to the ‘soon-to-be-renamed’ river to cool off. After enjoying some grog, the main party washed up and added Dave ‘Doc’ Campbell to their roster. Doc, having traveled up from Florida, and after being stuck on I-81 as a result of a shipwreck for several hours, was promoted to petty officer first class and designated the duty driver. He expertly navigated the commodore’s gig (Toyota Sequoia) around the town of Lex-Vegas, piloting the vehicle into the Sheridan Livery’s harbor and docking it for dinner.

“Inside the establishment were ‘Pollywog’ Holland, Ken ‘Dinger’ Hirlinger, George ‘Greek’ Halages and the Hon. Judge Graham ‘Here Comes the Judge’ Shirley. The gang enjoyed a fine meal before again settling in on the HIE patio for pickle juice cocktails and tales of yore. Neb’s ‘How I Almost Married P.W. Sarver’ and his ‘An Untold Story of Love: Chickens, Goats, Bears and Little Ponies’ were features Thursday night. Owen ‘Wuss Dink’ McIntyre (Agent: Renamed for editing’s sake; I have been censored before) appeared as an aristo-cat (Flat Wuss Dink) and entertained the crowd over his infatuation with Kerry Kirk.

The ‘Kentucky Bourbon Monkey’ put aside his normal screeching self and beckoned for Flat Mike Johnson. Flat Mark ‘Knobby’ Carroll expressed his frustration with Halages, and Flat Matt ‘Ham Slice’ Hamilton told those who would listen he did know how to use a rope swing. Flat Mike Adkins was having none of it.

“Friday morning started off cloudy and cool – excellent weather for plundering. However, these conditions quickly changed. Happy Hill found himself the victim of a nonviolent, anti-UPS protest movement. His truck was plastered with four

large FedEx signs and completely wrapped in industrial strength plastic wrap. The stealthy perpetrators, aka minks(!), were undoubtedly upset over the late arrival of some package from the Far East.

“Customarily, ACCGS duffers stop in, order, sit down and eat their morning repass at the Hardees on Route 60. Once again, the wicked privateer COVID-19 made its presence known, forcing all hands to remain inside their four-wheel sloops and conduct their business at the drive-thru window.

Although this safari’s number of golfers was fewer than in recent years, everyone had a great time.

Joining the early arrivals were John Henry Jordan, Ken Hirtz, Tim ‘Timmy-Tims’ Martin, Rob McIntire, Pat ‘Mags’ McGuire, Chris Welch, Russ ‘Koepka’ Orrison and W.G. Rowlett. This year, golfers played from their own VMI Class of 1985 tee markers, designed by ‘Commodore’ Spivey and expertly crafted by Greek Halages’ company.

“They say, they being historians, history repeats itself. This is an actual fact: As Timmy-Tims Martin on the No. 4 hole pulled off an amazing 5-iron approach shot landing his shot in the barn. This incredible feat duplicated the same accomplishment by W.G. Rowlett during safari 2013. As the golfers continued to enjoy themselves out on the course, the George C. Marshall Museum’s own director of development and communications, Colonel John ‘J.J.’ Wranek, made his way to the course to spend some time with his out-of-town BRs. Looking out across the course, J.J. waved at a group he believed to be his brother rat golfers playing in toward the clubhouse. To confirm that those players were his BRs, he called Hap Hill on his cellphone. ‘Where are you guys?’ inquired J.J. ‘I’m waving at guys on the ninth hole.’ ‘Great,’ said Hugh, ‘we’re on the ninth.’ Hugh’s foursome looked closely at the course’s clubhouse but didn’t see anyone frantically waving. ‘J.J., what golf course did you go to?’ asked Hugh. ‘Lexington Country Club,’ replied Wranek. ‘J.J., Jake wrote 1,000 times in his emails, we’re playing at the Buena Vista golf course!’ ‘Yep,’ said good Colonel W., ‘I’m on my way.’ Despite this minor mishap, J.J. found the objective – one town over. J.J. is a good sport.

“As the golfers began to finish their rounds, the sweet smell of grilled beef and seafood soaked the air. Chief wiener slinger, Mark Bornhorst, aided by Neb Neblett, the head bun warmer, and Kevin Holland cooked up an outstanding lunchtime meal of bacon-wrapped scallops, porterhouse

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Class Notes steaks, potatoes and onions. This was washed their kayaks, and headed upstream to the Bean’s Neither the first, second nor third cellphone calls Bottom put in. All craft were deployed on the river were answered. Finally, on the fourth call, ‘Chief down with cups of Matt ‘Uranus’ Daniel’s most excellent, the-best-I’ve-ever-had homebrewed by eight bells (noon). Before setting off, the com- Engineer’ Bornhorst answered ‘Ensign’ Tilling’s phone. Queried about his vessel’s arrival beer: Uranus and Suns Lexington India Pale Pil- modore made a call to the shipyard to see if the ‘SS Ark Drunk Royal’ would be sailing with the fleet. time at the launch site, Borny stated they would sner (LIPP) and Hoppy Red Ale. Joining the golfbe delayed and that the fleet should sail ers were Joe ‘Secret Squirrel’ Pauley, without the good ship Titanic. (ForeKerry ‘Fester’ Kirk, Marvin Smith, Pete shadowing?) The commodore gave the ‘Fish On!’ Mangerian and the aforemencommand, ‘Cast off all lines, ’cept those tioned Colonel Wranek. After lunch, the tied to the beer coolers,’ and the fleet commodore made a few remarks and preproceeded downstream. After the fleet sented Timmy-Tims Martin with a signasailed, ‘Seabees’ Dave Tingley and Matt ture VMI Class of 1985 driver and Rob Daniel (no ‘s’) did a fantastic job of ferMcIntire with the award for closest to the rying the swashbucklers’ vehicles from pin (on No. 5).

Bean’s Bottom down to the safe harbor “Bornhorst and Halages each received of Jordan’s Point Park. a red, white and yellow wall-mounted bot“On the water, a fantastic afternoon entle opener for their respective man caves. Class of 1985: The class began the safari at Bean’s Bottom. sued. The weather was warm, the camaraAfter cleaning up the dining pavilion and Photo by Matt Daniel. derie cheerful and the current was strong. extinguishing the barbecue fire, the safaAt approximately 1430 hours (2:30 p.m.), rians assembled along the golf course’s Greek Halages sent out a semaphore clubhouse for the obligatory group phomessage stating that Hippo Cruise Lines tograph (Agent: Should be accompanying was ready and would be sending their these notes). Many then headed back to dinghy down the ways at Jordan’s Point the river to fish and drink grog.

Park rather than Bean’s Bottom. Once “Early Saturday morning, Greek Halunderway, it would head upstream to join ages scampered away (Halages ‘scamthe fleet. Roughly an hour later, a distress pering?’) to the (Bill) Wieners shipyard call was received indicating the ship was to assist brother rafter Bornhorst build taking on water as described below. their clipper ship. Aiding the two crafts“The crew was cheerful and congratumen were ‘Ensign’ Billy Tilling, ‘Sublatory at having actually placed the vesLieutenant’ Scott Vaughan and Neil ‘JAG sel onto the water without fracturing it Officer’ Lowenstein. The remaining on Jordan’s Point rocks and shoals or HIE safarians sought out unaffected COVID-19 breakfast joints. After chow, the Class of 1985: Boat-builders Bornhorst and Halages replay- sending any of its crew to the hospital ing their 1985 concrete canoe performance with a newer for emergency hernia surgery. All hands flotilla’s pirates assembled at the HIE, in- craft. Photo by Matt Daniel. climbed aboard the ‘SS Overloaded’ and flated their inflatables, racked and stacked motored gingerly upstream on the river. ‘SubLieutenant’ Vaughan noticed his pontoon was riding markedly lower in the water than ‘Ensign’ Tilling’s and notified the ship’s master. Recognizing immediately the ‘SS Cleveland Catfish’ was suffering from broken seams along its stern planks, officer of the deck Bornhorst turned the vessel around and in a scene reminiscent of the USS Nevada during the attack on Pearl Harbor, beached it on the riverbank to prevent its total loss. Acting promptly, he commenced repairs by drilling large holes into the main deck so dewatering could begin. (Commodore’s note: Yes, drilling holes in a boat is ill-advised!) After cleaning out the ballast tanks, additional repairs and Class of 1985: Class members at Jordan’s Point in Lexington, Virginia, during the annual preventative measures were promptly affected.

Charlie Company golf safari in August 2020. Photo by Matt Daniel.

(FlexSeal was sprayed everywhere!)

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Class Notes “By late afternoon, the fleet had reached Jordan’s Point and ‘SS Neversail’ was again seaworthy enough to proceed magnificently, under its own power, with captain and crew aboard upriver for approximately .127 nautical miles. The fleet passed by and finished the float at Jordan’s Point Park.

“After (almost) everyone had helped each other deflate what needed deflating or carry kayaks up to their trucks, ‘Commodore’ Spivey gathered the group and presented Bornhorst with a commemorative paddle noting his signature accomplishment creating the Duck during Safari 2017.

Applause and wild cheering broke out among the crew. Saturday evening closed out on the HIE patio with a recounting of the ‘SS Team Bilge Pump’ exploits including the full ladder failure by seaman Halages.

“The bulk of safarians left Lex-Vegas Sunday morning, but Bornhorst, Tingley and Vaughan puttered (pun) around the Vista Links chasing the little white ball before heading for home. And a great time was had by all. Consider joining us next year, brother rats.”

Chip Downey shared some details of what he has been up to since 1985. He has branched in many directions! Chip sold floor covering and home improvement products for about 10 years.

He left that business and went into law enforcement in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for about 17 years. He worked in many disciplines within that community: Patrolman, SWAT, forensics, crime scene reconstruction. Interesting work.

Since 2012, he has worked as a geotechnical engineer with Universal Engineering as a project engineer in Florida (I think I got that right).

Chip is married (Lisa) with two step-sons. He is

a woodworking fiend; really, he does some excellent work. Downside: He almost lost a couple of fingers in the trade, but he is a master craftsman.

Chip stays in touch with Chuck Chappell and Chris Wesolowski. Finally, in his note, Chip specifically asked to say hello to his rat roommate, Davis Estes. Thanks, Chip; I have been meaning to do the same for some time: Hello, Davis!

Neil Lowenstein was recognized as Associate Member of the Year (2020) for Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals. Big Neil making big waves.

Marty Sargeant was named the interim chief executive officer at Keck Medical Center of USC. Way to go, brother rat!

John “J.A.” Adams was promoted to Senior Executive Service level and the director of Programs and Business, Transatlantic Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There is also a rumor that by the time you read this, J.A. will have moved back to the USA and to Virginia, specifically.

I had the opportunity to talk with Tom Dahoney (U.S. Marine of years ago). In June, Tom

Class of 1985: Rich Williams getting ready to launch. Photo by Matt Daniel.

Class of 1985: Safarians after golfing and dining at the Vista Links Golf Course in Buena Vista, Virginia.

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was recognized by Grand Canyon University for his outstanding scholarship, leadership and service. Tom now lives in Phoenix.

That’s it, brothers. Stay safe. Stay sane and stay together. We really do have an outstanding class of characters. We will all be richer and better if we can continue to grow and gel.

Please stay in touch.

RVM, Matt Daniel

1986

Clint Hubbard

This edition is being written Aug. 15, 2020.

Just think, about 38 years ago, we were running around with shaved heads, wearing idiot dyke and wondering how we could have made such an egregious mistake. Fast forward 38 years, and most of us wouldn’t trade our VMI experience for love nor money. Or as Stew Barnes would say, “Well, that depends; how much money?”

It is my hope that you and yours are all safe and sound from COVID-19, which still holds the country in a tight grip. It has had an impact at VMI in that the Southern Conference postponed all fall sports until spring 2021. So, we’ll look forward to seeing you and the Keydets on the gridiron in the spring. That will be interesting.

I understand the rats were matriculating the weekend of Aug. 15-16 and further am given to understand the cadets will remain on post until Christmas furlough – meaning they will get to enjoy Thanksgiving Day at the “Mother I.” God bless Gen. Peay ’62 and his dedicated chief of staff for their leadership in formulating an extensive reentry plan under challenging circumstances.

To lead off this quarter, I’m going to take editorial license and express condolences to the Class of 1989 and the family of Neal Heimer ’89. Neal was my dyke and a good man. He passed away quietly in June after suffering from a persistent and aggressive cancer. I hadn’t seen Neal in a number of years, but my memory of him is always of the timid little rat-tie I met in fall 1985.

I chose Neal for my dyke because he was from Mississippi and I was from Covington, Virginia – close enough to VMI that my parents could be a

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Class Notes in Houston and bought property somewhat ‘local’ support to him on St. John in the U.S. Virgin after I graduated.

Islands. They had a couple of Neal blossomed quickly at bungalows on Airbnb, and beVMI. He was a chemistry mafore COVID-19, Art went down jor and made good to excellent every month or two to check grades, even as a rat. He wore on things and worked from his academic stars for much of his tropical office for a few days. last three years, he became a Not a bad gig if you can get it! cadet captain and was elected to Great to reconnect, BR Travis, the Honor Court by his brother and perhaps when COVID-19 rats. He took full advantage of subsides, we can explore makevery opportunity that came ing one of those Airbnb’s into his way, and he excelled. Upon an “AirBRnb.” Wayne Fuller graduation, he was commisis always up for a road trip and sioned as a second lieutenant can even fly us down in a plane. into the Marine Corps. EventuAnd I bet Gordon “let’s go boatally, the Marines sent him to Class of 1986: Tripp and Gray Duerson were married in November 2019. Wed- ing/sailing anywhere, anytime” medical school, and he became ding guests included, from left, Jack McCarthy ’87, Bob Chapman ’84, Matt White will be on this like a duck a Navy doctor. His passing is Morgan ’87, Mikey Calkins, Gray, Andy “Grape Ape” Mason, Tripp, Jay Ball, on a junebug. sad to me, to his family and to Gordon Poindexter, Pete Ramsey ’72 and Charlie Schindler ’91.

Speaking of BRs taking to his brother rats, but I find some the wild blue yonder and flying their own plane, comfort in that he passed peacefully on Flag Day we now have another BR with wings. Tim Ma– very fitting for an All-American boy from Oxcaulay has his private pilot’s license and says it ford, Mississippi. RIP, dyke. will be his new mission in life to buzz a parade Now, on to the dart-throwing and name-calling. at VMI sometime in the next five years. ActuSince he has gone on a bit of the down-low ally, Tim never said that, but your dedicated class again, let’s shine the light again on Jim Jenkins, agent thinks it would be a cool thing to do if I can OK? Hey, almost all of us think it’s fun. ride shotgun and drop a few paint balloons on the It seems there is an entity headquartered around Parade Ground just to let ’em know it is us. Chief New York City called Transcat. Here’s the skinny of staff or not, that should get us banned from on them from their press office: “Transcat, Inc. post for at least five years. If questioned, I will is a leading provider of accredited calibration, revert to what I always tell the authorities, “Do repair, inspection and laboratory instrument seryou know who I am? My name is Scott Wagner vices. The company is focused on providing bestand you better not mess with me!” in-class services and products to highly regulated Speaking of cats we haven’t heard from in a industries, particularly the life science industry, we expect that we can accelerate our efforts to which includes pharmaceutical, biotechnology, further our market penetration in the regulated while, no report from Glen Ralston this quarter. medical device and other FDA-regulated busi- calibration industry.” That is a pretty high-speed Oh well, just grateful we heard from him last nesses; as well as aerospace and defense, and position for a former denizen of Scott Shipp Hall. quarter, right? Hopefully we’ll hear from him again in the next 34 years. energy and utilities.”

They further expounded that BR Jenkins is a Now as for Jim Radle and Tim Young – hey, Transcat’s press office also announced that partner with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP where Scooby Doo, where are you?

“James M. Jenkins, J.D., will join Transcat as he heads their securities practice area and is partThe men of ’86 just keep on getting it done. In general counsel and vice president of corporate ner in charge of the firm’s New York City office. our latest example of hitting the long ball comes development effective Sept. 14, 2020. In addi- Well done, Jim, and congrats to you and Transcat. tion to the responsibilities of corporate counsel, Using Transcat to segue into talking about a cat from Tripp Duerson in Lynchburg, Virginia. In November 2019, Tripp tied the knot and marMr. Jenkins will lead the acquisition strategy for we haven’t heard from in a while, does the name Transcat to grow both core and ancillary busiArt Travis ring a bell? How about Travis, H.A., ried up with a lovely and charming young lady now known as Gray Duerson. It was an event atnesses.”

Benton, Kentucky, sir!? Art was with us for two tended by a few BRs – Jay Ball, Mikey Calkins, The presser went on to add: “Jim’s deep exper- years and then sought out greener pastures away tise and growth mindset, paired with his exten- from the bucolic bliss of Lexington, Virginia. I Andy Mason, Gordon Poindexter, as well as sive experience working as Transcat’s outside had a brief interchange with him via LinkedIn. Bob Chapman ’84, Jack McCarthy ’87 and counsel, make him the ideal choice to lead our Art is living and working in Houston, Texas. Matt “Mikey Calkins Jr.” Morgan ’87. Also, by just looking at the attendees, I’d hate to get stuck acquisitive growth initiatives. With Jim on board, Not long ago, he and his wife sold their home

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes with the bar tab for that outing. How much do you want to bet the bartender never actually set the bourbon bottle down? Tripp and Gray are enjoying married life in Lynchburg, Virginia, and invite any and all BRs to stop by anytime for a frosty cold one. Actually, BR Duerson never extended that invite, but I’m sure he meant to so I’m passing it along for him. I’m sure Gray will love getting to know all the lovable lugs in the Class of 1986.

OK, that’s near a wrap. Keep in touch with one another; pick up the phone and check in with BR you haven’t talked to in a while. Don’t forget to plan for a football game in spring 2021. If you’re on post, look up the chief of staff and buy him a drink; he’s earned it. Take care of yourselves and one another, brother rats. And best wishes to you and your families for the holidays and new year.

Class of 1988: John “Rock” Keppeler brought back quarterly class lunches. Attending the June lunch in Fredericksburg were Jim Florio, Cadet Bo Keppeler ’22, Mike Beyer, Dan Salyan, Derek McFarland, Ed Wetherell, Hugh McMenamin, Kirk Dewyea, Drew McKone, Hugh Brien, Wayne Sinclair and John “Rock” Keppeler.

and Cloyd just took a new job in Buffalo, New York. Before moving to Buffalo from Michigan in July, Cloyd and Mike Owen were able to connect.

In late June, I linked up with Brian Egloff and some other recent grads and current cadets for Curt Schoonmaker some shooting in western Loudoun County. Pictured are Thomas Wetherell ’22, me, Paul Conteh ’18, Anna Neitte Garcia ’20, Brian Egloff ’88 and Alex Feldner ’21. Brian is doing well, still practicing medicine working as civilian doctor at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland, and lives in LoudEditor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the oun County, Virginia.

Class of 1987.

Thanks to John “Rock” Keppeler’s dedicated efforts, we resumed quarterly class lunches with a gathering July 31 in Fredericksburg at 6 Bears and Ed Wetherell A Goat Brewing. In attendance were Jim Florio, Bo Keppeler ’22, Mike Beyer, Dan Salyan, Derek McFarland, me, Hugh McMenamin, Kirk Dewyea, Drew McKone, Hugh Brian, Wayne Sinclair and Rock Keppeler.

Tim West checked in on the VMI ’88 Brother Rats, Facebook page to let us know he moved These are indeed challenging times. As back to Virginia from New York. Tim I talk to people every day, I am reminded took a new job in Portsmouth working of the many ways the coronavirus and sofor Wheelabrator Technologies. I expect cial unrest continue to impact us all. Forto see some pictures and hear some good tunately, I am also reminded of many of stories soon from BR get-togethers in Virthe things we have to be thankful for. One ginia Beach/Tidewater. of the things that I am most grateful for is In other news, Maj. Gen. Steve Neary brother rats and the bond we share. took command of U.S. Marine Forces, EuLike many of you, I have struggled durrope and Africa July 8 at Panzer Kaserne ing these past several months. I lost my Headquarters in Boeblingen, Germany. older brother Mark (we were very close) Steve arrived in Germany after previto cancer in March, and like so many other families during this time, we were unable Class of 1988: Cadet Thomas Wetherell ’22, Ed Wetherell, Paul ously serving as II Marine Expeditionary to have a funeral service. My 83-year-old Conteh ’18, Anna Neitte-Garcia ’20, Brian Egloff and Cadet Alex Force deputy commander and commandmother tested positive for COVID-19 Feldner ’21 linked up for shooting in western Loudon County er of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. in June 2020.

Semper Fi, Steve! in late June and had all the symptoms.

1987

1988

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Thankfully, she recovered, but sadly several of her fellow retirement community residents did not. There have been myriad smaller challenges, as well. I share this not to complain but to let you know that we all struggle at times. It is a part of life, and it is OK for us to acknowledge the challenges and struggles when they come. When you are facing them, whatever form they may take, I encourage you to reach out and talk to other BRs. Regardless of how much time has passed since we last talked or saw each other, the common ground and the bond between us is always there.

While social distancing remains a thing, there have been a few gatherings. In June, I traveled to Myrtle Beach to link up with Gregg Thomas, Cloyd Tavenner and Jamie Tavenner ’91. We only had a couple of days together, but it was great to catch up even if I had to suffer through 18 holes of getting my butt kicked on the golf course. Gregg is doing well and working at Eglin Air Force Base,

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Class Notes

Class of 1988: Cloyd Tavenner and Mike Owen connected over the summer.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to the Mike Clegg ’88 Scholarship and encourage other BRs to do so, as well. More than 90 members of the class have donated, and contributions and commitments to date exceed $35,000. This is a strong testament to Mike and the impact he had on us.

The scholarship is a fitting tribute to Mike and will keep his legacy of helping others alive by positively impacting future cadets for years to come.

As always, I need some more reports from all of you! Please send emails and pictures whenever you have an update or get together with BRs and other alumni.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our lunch gatherings and in Lexington in the near future. Until then, stay safe, all the best to you and your families and RVM! Ed

1989

Steve Chiles David A. Martin

This edition of the notes starts on a tragic note.

Neal Heimer passed away this spring after a short but heroic battle against cancer. He had recently retired from the Navy after a 30-year military

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career that started in the Marine Corps and ended as a Navy doctor. Post-retirement, he started working at a Veteran’s Administration clinic in Washington state but retired due to the illness. Funeral services are Dec. 12 in Port Townsend, Washington. Anyone interested in attending or needing more details can reach out to Nat Cross. Nat can be reached at natcross2504@gmail.com. Neal was a class act – everyone liked him.

From out of the darkness and this lousy news, a bright ray of hope shines brilliantly, which I will explain in the ensuing paragraph. But you need to know up front that in the wake of another BR’s loss and the pandemic, there just isn’t much good, funny news out there. So, what follows is an attempt to be upbeat and brighten your day.

The ghosts of class agents past came to visit, led by Nat Cross himself, who (it should be and forever will be noted a veritable plethora of times) sold me a bill of goods in assuming the mantle of class agent. “You’ll love it, Doc Martin!” Um ... yeah, Nat; sure thing, BR_ (insert letter that falls between E and G here, BR). Only the fact that I managed to con fellow Ohioan Steve Chiles into assisting and occasionally providing comic relief keeps me sane. At any rate, I digress.

Nat, displaying unsurpassed motivation not seen since Steve Breheney’s weekly celebrations over Thursday-night steak night at Crozet, banded together former class agents Ned Cox, Andrew Tunnard and Bill Miller (a spoiler pick to be certain, Bill in the role of the future class food and beverage coordinator) for a Zoom meeting to discuss a way ahead to honor Neal. Seriously, kudos to Nat for leading the charge in this newly formed “Executive Committee.” The “EC” has met a few times online to discuss how to best honor Neal, while also honoring the memory of any BR who has passed or will pass. I hope to be able to put more info out to you in the annual Christmas pitch letter. Regardless, this initiative would not have come without Neal’s passing and Nat’s motivation. Call it Neal’s legacy – a method or SOP to honor all who pass.

On an administrative front, more news which may come as a shock: Funding concerns have forced the elimination of the birthday card! This impacts every class, not just 1989. We will need to keep John Corley away from sharp objects at this news. John sent a nice note as he basked in the warm afterglow of his last birthday card and reports he is keeping us safe from his undisclosed Fort Bragg location. Chris Ogden, our

ever-vigilant prepper, offered to immediately deploy from Michigan to Bragg and relieve John of sharp objects and any spare ammunition that might be lying around the Corleybunker.

Steve Stafford, always good for a yarn and emitting more positive vibes than the + post of Ogden’s Ford truck battery, notes he recently relocated “to the white powdery beaches of the Florida panhandle. We moved to Panama City Beach in July, and I have started a city engineer position with the city of Panama City. Among other things, my role will be one of Federal Emergency Management Agency project management, building code enforcement, plan review and inspections and in-house design services. Pretty excited to be a part of the team charged with rebuilding the area post-Hurricane Michael. As you can imagine, there’s quite a bit of work to do.” Perhaps even more interesting (and uplifting/positive in these uncertain times) is that Steve’s wife, Amy, is leading an international organization as president of Body & Soul Fitness Ministry and launching an app and an online fitness channel. Says Steve/Amy: “More and more folks are being exposed to the love of Christ and getting healthier!” Class agent public service announcement: Check out bodyandsoul.org soon!

Maybe some of you could use Amy’s services?

(Gaining a few pounds from teaching online since March, today I checked out the website and was motivated enough to call in and take a mental health day and go on a 10-mile hike around the local lake, forcing me to self-medicate right now in another spiritual sense.).

Also, the Staffords are very pleased with daughter Jordan’s December 2019 early graduation from Liberty University. Steve/Amy were able to take the money saved on the early graduation and blow it on 89 pounds of caviar for Jordan’s December wedding! Well done, Staffords; thanks for a great note!

Says Tom Hamner: “Steve needs to stop by on his motorcycle trip to Maine and give me a briefing on how to accelerate college and save for your kids!” Tom probably feels he is keeping VMI afloat as he pays tuition for his 1st and 2nd Class cadets.

If you are still with me, we covered ammo and religion, and we’ll continue in a spiritual sense, checking in with someone adept at making a product to help us through these difficult times.

Turning water into wine, Quinn Donovan, our class sommelier, regrettably reports that this year’s vintage in posing some challenges for

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes commercial wine growers and wineries. In every setback looms opportunity, however, and there is a chance for home wine makers to secure “free” grapes, to wit, Quinn and his sommelier-ette wife, Tracy, purchased excess wine from Bacigalupi Vineyards. “They provided 40% of the chardonnay grapes for Cheatura Mount Helena winery that won the 1976 Paris tasting. A group of us purchased two barrels of chardonnay and two barrels of pinot noir. We adjusted the acidity in the wines and then bottled.” Quinn reports that he and Tracy are also building a house. “We purchased a lot from a home that was destroyed three years ago during the Tubbs Fire. We should be in moved in before Founders Day. I am not sure if I will do a major wine project this fall. The virus and the homebuilding are time consuming. I may do a rose wine from Tempranillo grapes – 40 to 50 gallons.”

Great update, Q; thanks – 1989 is a great vintage.

Ammo, religion, turning water into wine! Where should we go next for this special pandemic edition of the notes? How about the latest B.M.?

Bill Miller recently visited Granger Gilbert.

Billy helped Granger recover from an Iron Man in Tennessee. That’s a 2.3-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26-mile run! Well done, Granger!

B.M. requested a shameless plug for 1839 Capital, the private equity firm he co-founded with Randy Janey ’87 and Matt Tederick. In addition to its Alexandria, Virginia, office, 1839 Capital recently opened offices in Tennessee and Wyoming. Large scale commercial real estate development in and around Budapest, Hungary, continues to be a significant part of their business. More information available at 1839capital.com. Billy is another one of those BRs helping VMI stay afloat, with his oldest a 1st Class cadet (Liam Miller ’21) and his youngest a rat. We have to give kudos to Liam, VMI Class of 89+32 (great-great-great-greatgreat-great-great-grand-dyke class): Liam has academic stars every semester and is an Institute Scholar. A candidate for early graduation, he also maxed the Navy Physical Fitness Test. For those keeping score, Liam’s dad, Billy, was on academic probation every semester, had two No. ones and graduated with a 2.1 GPA (rounded up). Hmm. Care to explain that, Billy? Just the truth; no song and dance, please.

Speaking of song and dance, Matt St. Clair plays the occasional gig with his windbag (bagpipes) and is reportedly putting a bunch of lively jigs and reels together for our next reunion. Indeed, as to reels, we are still “reeling” from the

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debacle at table four in Moody during our last reunion. All you table four guys are still probably hopelessly lost in the Quinn Donovan vineyards paragraph, but we know who you are, including you, Sam Callejo! No dancing on the tables when Matt plays “The Spirit” on the pipes, please! Steve Nezas, a big supporter of the musical arts and in witness protection due to providing testimony regarding the table four debacle, said about Matt’s ability to play his pipe next reunion: “Oh, what a feeling; we’ll be dancing on the ceiling.”

Anyhow, back to the Toast: he is director of public projects and facilities/military liaison for the city of Beaufort, South Carolina. Matt writes that he is a “board member and senior mentor for the Vantage Point Foundation, working with service members transitioning to a civilian as well as veterans. I also serve as an adjunct faculty for the U.S. Marine Corps Distance Education Program, teaching Command and Staff College for senior captains and majors.” Matt notes that in addition to playing Irish/Scottish drinking songs, he will also lead all interested parties in a yoga session to occur 0600 daily on the Parade Ground. A certified yoga instructor, is there no end to Matt’s talents?

Toaster also reports that Randy Wood stopped by for a visit and is doing great, but left Matt’s house

Class of 1989: Granger Gilbert and Billy Miller.

promptly at 0559 to avoid the pre-dawn praying mantis Vrikshasana session.

Speaking of Toast, in a year and a half, Tom Fanshaw looks forward to making toast every morning for his wife, Missy, after he retires from the Baltimore Police Department. Says Mitch Fridley: “No, Tom, your ability to make great toasts doesn’t translate into making great toast.”

Poor Missy. Keep up the good work keeping things safe, Tom. Ned Cox and family are also doing great, in addition to his fine work with the “EC” I mentioned earlier. Over the summer, his law firm merged to become Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders. “My oldest of four sons graduated last year and will attend the University of Virginia.” We all hold out hope one of his kids will have the same misguided opinions as their father and uncles, grandfather, etc. had, thereby qualifying them for the “I.” “The other three boys just learned that they will attend school ‘virtually’ next fall, so interesting times ahead to say the least. Sharon somehow keeps us all in check and does it with a smile, which makes everything here much easier.” Ned runs into some BRs every now and again and reports Ren O’Ferrall’s oldest son is an infantry officer in the 82nd Airborne and recently deployed downrange. Interestingly enough, his rifle platoon was the exact same rifle platoon Ned had back in 1991.

Hooah!

Derek McCown sent a cryptic note about how he always wanted to live in the sinks due to the lovely aromas emanating within. I just can’t seem to find a place for this scatological drivel from McCown anywhere in this wandering diatribe, so here it sits, festering and steaming in the hot sun, out of place, no one wanting to touch it, much less poke at it with a big stick – in limbo, needing a home.

Fred “Winton” Smith was in also limbo for a while, his thirst quenched at the fount of knowledge earlier this year when he drew the short straw and was one of my students. Winton just arrived in Tokyo, Japan, where he will be serving as the U.S. Defense attaché to Japan and working in the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. He’ll be joined shortly by Kara and their two boys, Pierce (16) and Dash (13).

Eventually, this COVID-19 confinement will end (some of you are confinement experts and should be excelling in this environment: See Miller, Billy, above or Harris, D.W. in the next edition). When the confinement ends, for any BR and their family members passing through Tokyo during the next

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Class Notes three years, please give Winton a “heads up.” He’ll meet up with you for drinks, sake-bombs, dinner or have you over to the apartment, which I’ve heard has fantastic views of the Tokyo skyline and Mount Fuji. Kudos to Winton-san for checking in on his first day in country!

Slightly northeast of U.S. Navy Capt. Smith, Brian Duffy checks in from Alaska: “I’m a client service manager with a firm called Stanley Consultants, Inc. (headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa) – focus is on federal work (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facilities Engineering Command and U.S. Air Force orgs) in the Asia/Pacific region, including Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Guam and Alaska. Been with them since Feb. 4, 2019, and having a great time.”

Brian’s travel-log from the move to Alaska remains as legendary as the Beastie Boys playing “You Gotta Fight for your Right to Party” on the jukebox at Estelle’s as the ABC-man came in to bust us back in 1986. Allan Stoneman was there and remembers. “A quick nine-day, 4,300-mile journey from Annandale, Virginia, to Anchorage, Alaska. Stops along the way included somewhere near Toledo, Ohio; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Minot, North Dakota; Vermillion, Alberta; Fort St. John, British Columbia; Muncho Lake, British Columbia; Whitehorse, Yukon Territory; Tok, Alaska; and then down to Anchorage.” Check out Brian’s posting, “What I’ve called ‘Friday photos’ with scenes from up this way on my Facebook page.”

Brian is fired up about winning a slot on the Denali Park Road lottery again this year. “We’ll get to ride the full 92.5 Park Road in our POV in midSeptember. Always cool to do, and it seems like things are forever changing and staying the same up that way.”

Brian doesn’t know it yet, but he is helping me plan a class agent road trip to Alaska via the Alaska-Canada highway built in 1942. During this trip, I plan on writing the class notes, making my travel expenses (3,512 miles one way) fully tax deductible.

Allan Stoneman’s rat roommate, Eric Buchanan, managed to slip a quick trip to Costa Rica in before confinement. Eric said he is taking advantage of the situation and playing some golf with his wife, Meg, and is trying to get a golf trip to Oregon organized. Thanks for the note, Eric!

That’s about it from beautiful Bellbrook, Ohio, the crown jewel of the Dayton area. Steve Chiles will have the con for next quarter’s notes. Stay safe out there, and I’ll be back with you soon in

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my spare time with the annual Christmas card and class letter.

Cheers, Doc Martin

1990

Daren Payne

Greetings from the entertainment capital of Rockbridge County, Lex Vegas! Unfortunately, this reporting period started off with the cancellation of our 30th Reunion. After two false starts, our reunion, along with all others scheduled for this fall, was canceled due to concerns over COVID-19. This was shaping up to be a recordsetting reunion with attendance numbers pushing up over 200. As of this writing, everything from football season to rat events such as New Market and D-Day memorial are still up in the air, but as always, I’ll do my best to keep you all posted. I really need to thank all our Reunion Committee for their hard work and constant adjustments as we went through the “on-off-on again-off again” cycle: Rob Gudz, Mark Hennigan and Kenny Robinson for setting up our golf and shooting sports; Jim Hubbard working the finances; Lee Havird and Bill Ator volunteering to help registration; Hunter Trumbo for all his experience; Chris Larlee for doing the early arrival event; and Dusty Crone for designing and handling the shirts, hats and swag items, plus John Burleson and Keith Kornegay with event planning. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few people, but I just wanted to make sure I publicly thank all those who were helping out, and I hope you volunteer again for the 35th.

Next, I want to thank all of you for the great response to the VMI Alumni Agencies Count Me In campaign. We had more than 120 BRs participating and raised over $10,000 toward scholarships and operations for this year’s cadets. Not only did we have the most donors, but we had the highest percentage of participation of any class in the modern era. I’m really so proud of how generous, supportive and connected our class has become over the years, and it’s truly a testament to the bonds we forged here.

Karl Powers and his party of seven came to VMI during Fourth of July from Alaska. Karl

was actually in the lower 48 for his mother’s 90th birthday party in Virginia Beach and came by the “I.” He has a really awesome family, and it looks like Alaska has kept him in great physical shape.

Kevin Hanford shared with me that he will have a daughter in the Corps next year, so expect to see him around Lexington much more over the next four years. BR Hanford joins Don Bowers, Carlos Fernandes, Pete Mantz, Dave West, Dave Rich, Buddy Garbett, Mark Hennigan and Glen Dickenson among those who have kids in the Corps. Around the same time, I also heard from John King, who is doing well and living up near Boston if memory serves me correctly. John was recounting the stories of he and Pete Wick doing the ring design work back in 1987.

Also, over Fourth of July weekend, I went by for a visit and to do some shopping from Rob Gudz at his place out in Nokesville, Virginia.

If you are in need of any and all firearms, I’d highly recommend him. At the same time, John Aydelette was in Lexington and had time to visit with his rat roommate, Joey Jones.

Tony Baker started a new job as senior director, cigar manufacturing at John Middleton Co. I’m not sure what the senior director of cigar manufacturing does, but it sounds like he might get all the free cigars he could want. I also saw where Chris Whittaker was named sergeant-at-arms of the local Rotary Club in Angelton, Texas.

Class of 1990: BRs Dave McGraw and Rob Greenway at the White House in February 2020. McGraw was visiting, while Greenway works at the White House as a government civilian employee.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Got a great note and picture from Dave McGraw who visited his old roommate, Rob Greenway, at the White House. Dave came down from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Rob is a government worker employed at the White House, as is Kenny Kovac who is setting a longevity record as possibly the longest serving agent on the president’s security detail. Always great to know people in such high places.

Around the end of July, I got a text message from a Louisiana area code of someone dressed up like Elvis. Knowing that area, it had to be either Steve Linder or Jamie Setze. My conclusion was Setze after hearing McGraw, Mullori and the opinions of numerous others in the group text.

At the same time, I got a note from Paul Quinn.

“I wanted to make contact and give an update. I’m living in Ashland, Virginia, and am the program director for the SLBM Program at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren, Virginia. I just celebrated my 30th anniversary with my wife, Debby. I just received an award for my work.” Paul retired after a 20-plus year career as a Navy submariner and received the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service award for his leadership of the Navy’s Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Program.

Dave Ratliff called from Roanoke recently to let me know he sold the house in town and moved up on the mountainside with limited email and a wonderful view. Like many, Dave’s also been off work due to COVID-19 for quite some time. Also, Dave’s Cave Spring buddy, Johnny Hahn, called to let me know he still isn’t getting my emails, so I’m hoping this message reaches him. John also let us know that his son just joined the Virginia National Guard and he’s been in contact with Brig.

Gen. Weedon Gallagher who is one of the top officials in the Virginia Guard and a fine specimen of citizen-soldier. I also spoke with Hunter Trumbo who is busy keeping up with his family home places in Winchester and West Virginia in addition to the house inside the beltway. He mentioned the happy hours spearheaded by Lanzilotta have been on hold due to the COVID-19. I also came across Chris Watson on Facebook recently but he hasn’t accepted my friend request yet so I’m not sure what he’s up to. Also on Facebook Jay Whittington seems to be doing a great deal of biking in Georgia judging by his posts while Doug Spitz, Ramil Ibanez, Finnie D. Coleman, Randy St. Clair, Matt Henning, Tom Tolley, Carlos Fernandes and various others keep up a lively political discourse going on. Those guys could seriously

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get their own talk show going. Facebook also reports Dave Kaulfers is off quarantine and back in the states after his Afghan deployment.

Around the local area, Ramon Williams, Neil Whitmore and Charles Plageman have been working from home the past four months while yours truly has continued to slave away reporting dutifully to work at the “I” every day. I also visited with John Burleson several times, as he’s been kind enough to brood a flock of 13 chickens for me, all of which are now safely at Payne Hill Farms.

Chris Larlee is still at his flying lessons and planning his second (or third) career as a pilot while studying aviation at Liberty University. Haven’t seen Matt Schwartzman or Keith Kornegay lately, but Keith’s wife, Dr. Laura Kornegay, is in the news quite a bit with the public health department working on the COVID-19 crisis.

Missing in action for quite some time are Doug Robinson, Dave Robbins, Larry Johnson (playing tennis somewhere, maybe?), John Weich, Chris McConnell, Demetrius McClarity (best rifle manual in the Corps) and Jake Schmoyer, among others. You guys, please come up on the net and let us know where and what you are up to. Also missing is Mark Dick, who I assume to be in Germany after being recalled to active duty while retired from the Army. At last word, he was trying to get to Belgium to see Pete Tunnard, but no word from him since.

Gentlemen, that is all the news I have that is fit to print in a family-oriented publication at this time.

As I close this out, it is a drizzly day the day before matriculation, and at least the weather reminds me of our own Matriculation Day nearly 34 years ago. I see the same young faces coming into town this afternoon, ready to begin their VMI adventure under much different circumstances than we experienced in the ’80s and at a unique time in our history. Despite all the hoopla the past few months as we’ve dealt with pandemic, social unrest, no sports, political turmoil and the like, one constant I can see and be sure of is the excellent product that VMI continues to turn out to lead this nation.

We truly are part of a great legacy which will long outlive us, and it’s satisfying to see the next generation coming to take their place in the Institute’s storied history.

As always, please email me if you are not getting my regular updates via email so I can add you to the distribution list. Take care, stay healthy and Go Keydets!

Daren Payne

1991

Chuck Story Buck Sessoms

Brother Rats, It is almost the end of the summer as I write these notes, and what a weird summer it was. Just rode out the hurricane with the unpronounceable name down here in North Carolina, and well, that was just a hoot. Hopefully these notes find everyone safe and sane.

Firstly, Chuck and I wish to extend our love and condolences to the Shults family and all brother rats on the passing of Robert Allen “Bob” Shults June 17. Our thoughts and prayers are with Claire and Logan. Brother rat, may you rest in peace.

Now, the remainder of the notes and photos will seem oddly self-indulgent, as your most humble servant and agent did a bit of running around this summer, bumping into brother rats of all shapes, sizes and deportment. Chuck is swamped with a new home and a new job and getting our bourbon purchase finalized. Furthermore, as Chuck and I have disseminated our contact information far and wide – yet you miscreants seem loathe to use them unless directly queried, I shall make these notes the “Buck Show.” Cheers.

In the home of “Mother I,” Lexington, I was able to catch up with some of the near town crew as we set up for the impending valley hunting season. Bob Cole, Charlie Cathcart, Mike

Class of 1991: Ed Dunnington and Buck Sessoms.

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Class Notes out to Madison and her new husband, Eric. Ken and Damien are surely proud!

Another soiree of epic venue and purpose happened when Larry Murray threw a surprise birthday party for his lovely wife, Carrie. Now, as Larry is the director of the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, the venue choice was obvious: The fantail of the USS Yorktown (CV-10). Larry pulled out all the stops and succeeded not only in the surprise but a wonderful party enjoyed by all present. Carrie is, of course, Charlie Schindler’s baby sister, so Class of 1991: At the wedding of Ken Draper’s daughter, Madison, to husband Eric were, from left, Buck Sessoms, Nick Alten, Mark Flessner ’85, Pat Madigan, Draper, the newlyhis attendance was obligatory. Brian Brooks and I weds, Mike Jeffries, Charlie Schindler, Marshall Bridges, Bob Cole and Snead Luck ’70. made it, as well, and because I haven’t seen Brian since graduation, the company and conversation was refreshing and delightful as the ice-cold beer served there. We enjoyed much of both.

Speaking of “haven’t seen since graduation” ...

I had the pleasure of catching up with Bill Smith, his boys and the eldest boy’s beautiful girlfriend while they were vacationing down here in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, a delightful one-hour Harley Davidson ride from my house. Bill cooked us an amazing breakfast, and we talked for hours. It is great to have a collegiate brotherhood that, despite three decades of separation, any reunion seems like you saw each other just yesterday.

Finally, although not three decades but close, I was blessed to be able to hang out with one of my roommates whom I haven’t seen since my wedding 23 years ago, Rev. Edward Dunnington, Class of 1991: Charlie Cathcart, Bob Cole Class of 1991: Bill Smith and Buck SesPh.D., CFP. Ed was also vacationing down these and Buck Sessoms in Rockbridge Baths, soms at Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, parts on beautiful south Topsail Island with his Virginia, in June 2020. in July 2020. family this summer. Ed is now the president of a wealth management firm outside of AtJeffries, Marshall Bridges and Michael lanta, Georgia. A Renaissance man if there Robichaud all made appearances and ever was one. He hasn’t aged, is in incredparticipated in some light revelry and ible shape, lived all over the country and hunting prep. This fall is looking great, even enjoys surfing. I do hope it is not so and I would love to see some BRs around many years until our next meeting. town or out in Rockbridge Baths if you So, men – short but sweet notes this have time to come visit. No better way quarter.

Chuck passes that the bourbon to social distance than by climbing a tree barrel purchase and plan is moving ahead alone and sitting there for hours, waiting superbly. We are way ahead, but if any on Virginia’s big game to wander by and want to get more details or reserve your get transformed into dinner fare. bottle, contact Chuck or Nick. I would A highlight of the summer was surely love to say keep the info coming, but the wedding of Ken Draper’s daughter there are more than 200 of you, and we at his beautiful homestead in Hanover get updates only from a diligent four(ish).

County. Brother rats in attendance were Stay as healthy as you can, support each Nick Alten, Pat Madigan, Mike Jeffries, other and your neighbors, and hopeBob Cole, Marshall Bridges, Charlie Class of 1991: Buck Sessoms, Larry Murray, Carrie Murray, Charlie Schindler and Brian Brooks on board the USS Yorkfully ... hopefully, we will all reunite this Schindler and yours truly. A wonderful town in Charleston, South Carolina. spring or soon thereafter. affair indeed, and our congratulations go

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes 2020, at the Pentagon. We published two pictures of that in the most recent Alumni Review in the Our Alumni Serving section, but I wanted to inWilliam Woodward clude this picture of just the ’92s who were present, including U.S. Army Col. Todd Viar; U.S. Navy Capt. Dave Soldow; and retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andy Tate. Andy gave me a call from Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania to let me know he and Brian McCarthy are up there attendBRs, ing the Army War College together getting their I hope this update finds all of us well and as unmaster’s degrees. Good luck, guys, and try not to touched as possible by the COVID-19 pandemic. study too hard! Run the block if you can!

Inputs were a little light this cycle, so send me While still speaking of our BRs in the military, more when you have them. I know our BRs like to Class of 1992: John and Sarah Brodie.

I am proud to report that our BR Cheng Hsiang hear the latest updates from our classmates.

(Tsai-Tzu) Ho was promoted June 1 to major genShortly after the last update went to press, Kevin eral and assigned to be the vice superintendent of Williams sent in an update in which he said he the Air Force Academy of the Republic of China had linked up at his home in Allen, Texas, with (Taiwan). He sent a picture of the chief of the ReBill Buckner for New Market Day. Kevin said public of China Air Force congratulating him on he and Bill were doing fine, as were their families his promotion. who, like many, have been sheltering in place for Derrick Lapp sent me an email in which he said, months now. I also got an email from Bill at work “It is a bit surreal that we are all entering our fifth who successfully tracked me down on a global decade; everyone our age now seemed so wise listing of people working for the Department of back when we were in school! No real updates. I Defense. text your rat roommate, Carl Engstrom, now and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Dan Gaskell sent in then (he has a great story involving an ax, West a picture of him and U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Virginia and his foot that I hope he shares with Dan Shipley from when they ran into each other at you). Like a lot of us, I am looking forward to the the Marine Corps Exchange in Quantico, Virginia, 30th Reunion (No. 25 was truly awesome).” Unin May 2020. Additional comings and goings in fortunately, Carl has yet to send me that update, alour military ranks include Matt Ott’s promotion to though I saw a few pictures of the aftermath posted rear admiral lower half in the Navy Supply Corps Class of 1992: Kevin Williams and Bill on Facebook. Carl, please share the details!

Aug. 1, 2020, and Capt. Chris Bergen retiring afBuckner celebrating New Market Day in Bill Leimkuhler responded to his birthday card ter over 28 years of service to our nation and our Allen, Texas, May 15, 2020. saying, “I always enjoy getting birthday cards Navy. Chris retired at Cheyenne Mountain, Peterfrom the class, even if it does mean that son Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, I’m turning 50! I am still in Fort Wayne, Colorado.

Indiana, working for Dana Corporation as U.S. Army Col. Doug Vincent sent in an an engineering manager. We make axles update in July in which he said he had just and drive shafts. Business is still strong, departed Fort Benning, Georgia, where since gas is cheap and people are still buyhe had been chief of staff for the last two ing pickup trucks and Jeeps. Everybody years and had moved to Saint Augustine, (my wife and two girls) is healthy, which Florida, for his last tour in the Army servis a blessing.” ing as the inspector general for the Florida Barrett Johnson sent in a quick update Air and Army National Guard. Per Doug, from North Carolina saying all is great “It is one of the two active Army positions with him, and he hopes to catch up with with each of the State National Guard orus soon. ganizations. Great location, and we are Hopefully everyone saw the email (VMI looking forward to it.”

Turnouts) VMI sent out Aug. 11 with a Just after we went to press with the last three-minute video on Tim Rodriguez Alumni Review inputs, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. John Driscoll sent me a picture Class of 1992: U.S. Army Col. Todd Viar, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. highlighting his service in the Peace Corps John Driscoll, U.S. Navy Capt. Dave Soldow and retired U.S. from Dave Soldow’s son, (William ’20) Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andy Tate at the Pentagon May 15, 2020. following our graduation. It was a great video describing how VMI helped Tim commissioning into the Navy May 15,

1992

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Class Notes in his career and how he feels obligated to give back to VMI to assist those cadets following behind us. I hope everyone has seen it, but if not, please look it up on the Alumni Agencies website, vmialumni.org, or on our class Facebook

Class of 1992: Cheng Hsiang (Tsai-Tzu) Ho at his promotion to major general with the chief of staff of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force, June 1, 2020.

page, thanks Theo Androus. Great job, Tim! A couple of updates from the Corps: Our class Scholarship Committee voted to give this academic year’s scholarship to Wes Poff’s son, Logan ’23.

Additionally, I received a post card from Stephen Morris’ family saying that his son, Daniel Patrick ’24, will be entering VMI this academic year and will play lacrosse. I mentioned to the family that we were glad to hear it and that Stephen would have been proud to see his son attend the Institute.

I also mentioned that Stephen’s BRs will look Daniel up when we are at VMI, and he is always welcome at any of our class tailgates. Col. John Brodie (Hon.) sent in an update in which he said, “starting my 33rd year at VMI, and I am sure it is going to be interesting. I moved into a new house in Staunton, and I really love it. My wife, Sarah, and the kids are well. Everybody is here during the quarantine, including my three daughters and step-son. I was able to take some cadets to Lisbon, Portugal, in January 2020 right before everything shut down. Life is good.” John sent a photo of him and Sarah enjoying dinner together.

Col. Todd Pegg reported that he had just been promoted to full colonel in the Virginia Army National Guard and was assuming brigade command of the 329th Regional Support Group in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Aug. 19. Todd still performs his duties on the commandant’s staff at VMI. He said cadre was reporting back Aug. 8, the rats were matriculating Aug. 15-16 and the Corps back in full

by Aug. 26. Todd said they are working their way through all the challenges associated with a military lifestyle in COVID-19 times but will find a way to make it work.

Please let me know of any major life events such as marriages (including for our children), births, deaths and advanced degrees so I can inform the Alumni Review. If you have a change of address, let the Alumni Association and I know so that we can make sure you get all VMI correspondence.

In the bonds, Woody

1993

Lincoln Swineford

Class of 1992: Dan Gaskell and Dan Shipley at the Marine Corps Exchange in Quantico, Virginia, May 21, 2020.

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Brother Rats, Well, 2020. Right? It’s been an interesting year,

but hopefully you and your families are managing the rapids successfully.

I owe John Moore an apology. He checked in from a beach in Australia for the May update, and I misfiled the email so I forgot to include his update. John was hunkered down as a result of COVID-19 with his family on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. He also sent in another update: “I trust this finds you and yours healthy. Greetings from Down Under! Since March, I’ve been unable to return to Papua New Guinea where I’m supporting a large gas project managing the land and community affairs team, thus have been working remotely as best able from my home on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.

Australia has fared better than some with respect to COVID-19, but the economy has and will continue to be hard hit. The Sunshine Coast has had a limited case burden, but things further south in the states of Victoria and New South Wales are getting tougher. Admittedly, working remotely from a beach town in Queensland is not all that bad, especially as I’ve had a chance to spend time with my wife and boys. Between a bit of surfing, mountain biking and the occasional Scrabble game, we are hanging in despite the uncertainty.

Attached is a photo of my son, Zac, and me after a surf, plus my wife, Kirsten, and me at the local beach. Hopefully once international flights restart, I’ll get back to Virginia for a bit. As of now, the only reliable route is from Brisbane to Doha, Qatar, then to the States. Best to everyone.

Be well, and be healthy!”

Dave Lemkuhl also checked in right after I submitted the May notes: “I have been in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the past seven years with my two teenagers and wife of 20 years. I talked to Chris Kemper a few months back. He is in South Carolina with his family and doing well. I am still with Orion Talent, helping companies hire veterans into their ranks. I am actually working with a VMI grad on a position in Florida. Funny how you instantly bond, even though I am now the old guy and part of the Old Corps.” As an aside, my company does some business with Orion Talent, and they consistently provide great candidates at all levels. If you’re transitioning out, they might be worth a phone call.

Chris Martin and I had a chance to catch up recently. Chris is doing well in Richmond. His work travel has been shut down due to COVID-19, but one of his sons just recently returned from the record setting 206-day deployment of the USS

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes as the director of the Newberry Opera Eisenhower, which is pretty cool.

House. They finally are getting a chance Rich Borden retired from the Navy. to open Aug. 14. I am in my second year Dave Charlton, Clarence Tweedy and I with my startup digital marketing firm. We were in on the Zoom call, among many are focused on helping small businesses in other family and friends. Congratulations rural South Carolina get on the web with on a great career, Rich! websites, social media content and analytSills O’Keefe recently celebrated his ics. I also decided to run for city council.

50th, and his wife, Adele, set up a Zoom Election is Sept. 8. The girls are well. Ellis call for him. Me, Dan Hill, Sean Farley, starts high school, and Mafra starts middle Max Swoboda, Guy Berry, Paul Ackschool. If you are in the Newberry area, erman, Kevin Smith, Steve Thrasher, stop on by!”

Joe Aldridge, Dave Hurst, Bob Matson Matt Eads sent in the following: “Our and Tom Kent managed to make the call.

Class of 1993: Jim Roman, Jamie Shiflett, Matt Gill and Paul oldest child, Nathan, is a sophomore at the It was great to see everyone, have some Meadows.

University of Alabama studying mechanidrinks and be able to wish Sills well. cal engineering. This spring, he and a friend startWould’ve been nice if we could’ve figured out a ed a nonprofit making and donating medical face way to have given him a virtual belt line. shields for the Atlanta first-responder community.

Vic Tran checked in: “I am still in Afghanistan They used their own 3D printers for manufacturand may return home around October. So far this ing and delivered thousands of free face shields to year, 2020, I’ve been home for seven days. COthose on the front lines of COVID-19. We’re very VID-19 has hit the country hard, and aid has come proud of him. (Class agent note: As y’all should in from around the world. The embassy is holding be, that’s an awesome thing he’s doing). I met up strong even though we had some positive cases with BR Alex Devarona on Isle of Palms, South of COVID-19, which has diminished now. There Carolina, (Charleston area) in July. He came over have also been skirmishes/attacks in the city, and to our beach house for dinner. We had a great time some have come close to the embassy. I always Class of 1993: John Moore with his son, catching up. I keep in touch with BR John Ferkeep my head on a swivel. Debi has been a trooper Zac, and wife, Kristen. nandez periodically. He and his family are back in in my absence. Debi is doing a great job holding northern Virginia after several years in California. down the fort in South Carolina. She has been We visited them for a few days last winter. John busy and doing a great job keeping the grandkids has a wonderful family.” in line. I threatened to show the grandkids our maMatt Williams and his wife, Indra, relocated to triculation video but can’t find a VHS player. The Colorado Springs. Matt is still with the same orsummer has been hot there but manageable. Thank ganization but is now assigned to Northern Comgoodness for our swimming pool. My thoughts mand at Peterson Air Force Base. Congratulaand prayers go to all the BRs deployed around the tions on the move, BR! Matt mentioned that John world and on the front lines at home. Keep up the Meyer was at Fort Carson but recently transferred good fight; your actions do not go unnoticed. And to Germany. Brig. Gen. Meyer is now the new to all the BRs who reach out to another in a time of deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Army Europe in need or just to say ‘hello,’ thank you. I remember I’m heading down to check on my folks this weekHeidelberg. eons ago when my sister implored me to quit my end. I’ll head back to Japan in late August and start Heath Bono sent in another update from Iraq: “I dangerous front line job. My response to her was, another school year there.”

‘If not me, then who will keep us safe?’”

Harry Oldfield also checked in. He and his wife, am currently at Camp Taji, Iraq. I was sent with Vic also included a pretty cool set of pictures: Chelsea, added a baby to the twins they had two a team to close the base out. The unit that is here helping me has a special forces commander from One is his dad, who was a captain in the Airborne years ago! Barrett Rowan Oldfield was born Aug. Tennessee. Talk about a small world; he knew Rangers of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, 12. Mom and baby are doing fine, and the other Paul Syverson, and he knows Alex Devarona. and the other is Vic on assignment. four kids are excited to meet their new baby brothOur world traveler Neil Osbon sent an update er. Harry also recently retired after 26 years with The base commander was also in my War Colin: “I came back to the States in spite of a Japanese the Prince George’s County Police Department lege class. Anyway, I’ll be here for a little while travel ban on Americans. They gave me an exemp- in Maryland. He’s in his second year of an active longer. Not sure what the next assignment will be.

I am the guy who gets sent to pick up the quick tion because my mom has been treated for cancer duty tour at U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade. since Thanksgiving. Thank God, she is cancer free Chris Kemper checked in from South Carolina: game. Whatever it is, I’ll give it maximum effort. now. After two weeks of self-quarantining and “Molly and I are doing well and still in Newberry, While I am gone my wife, Wendy, got a new dog, helping my brother with his office-based business, South Carolina. Molly just started her fifth year a Saint Bernard. I was there for a few weeks when

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Class Notes we got it, but by the time I get home, it will be huge. Hopefully, it remembers me. At the end of the year, I will be hanging up my badge and gun after 26 years of police work. My pension clock was still ticking while I have been on active duty the last three years, but it’s time to put it behind me. Yes, we are getting old. Ugh.” Scott Eanes also dropped a line: “My only update is that I will be retiring from the Navy after 27-and-a-half years effective December 1 and starting my terminal leave Sept. 12. It has been a good run with the Navy, but now it’s time to move on. I have been hired as the emergency preparedness and response coordinator for the southwest

Class of 1993: Cameron Briody and Chris Campbell.

Iowa region of the Iowa Department of Public Health. I’ll be making sure that the hospitals, public health and EMS agencies in our 12-county region have the resources they need to prepare and respond to public health emergencies. So, I’m about to be neck deep in COVID-19 response.

And I’m looking forward to it.” Good luck in the new position, Mr. Eanes!

Dave Hoy let me know that he, Jim Sharp, Mark Schroeder and Rob Ritchie ’92 all got together for a few beers and food in Belmont at Primal Brewery’s new second location. They spent about four hours catching up and reconnecting with Rob. Congratulations on the second location, Dave! If it’s as good as the first, I’m sure your success will continue!

As for me, I’ve been in touch through work with Brandon Freel. My company is doing some work for his company, but Brandon was BR enough to make me look good by reaching out to me for help.

Appreciate that, BR! Cameron Briody blew through Richmond recently, and we managed to have dinner. He flew back to Key West and met up the next day with Chris Campbell, who was in town celebrating his 50th! He said he managed to stay out of jail, so the party was a success.

Other than that, life keeps rolling along. Thanks to everyone that sent in an update. If you’ve never sent one in or haven’t sent one in recently, please consider doing so. You can send it either by email, text or Facebook. I’d love to hear what y’all are up to. I hope all of you continue to be well. ’93, ’93, ’93.

1994

Clay Campbell

Class of 1993: Sills O’Keefe’s birthday Zoom call.

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Brother Rats, As I finalize these notes for the next Alumni Review in August, I sit back and reflect that yesterday was the 30th anniversary of our matriculation. I also think about the young men and women who are signing the matriculation book today and beginning a journey that will forever alter their young lives. Eric Tarbox’s son, Luke, is one of those young men stepping off onto that “road less traveled,” and may we wish him and the new mass the best.

I recently spoke to Roger Jones, and his book, “Stumpy, Pruning Done Right,” was a hit. He is currently working on a mystery novel, “Stumpy Locked the Door, Where Are the Keys?” I can’t wait to get a signed copy.

Ty Johnson sent a note that he retired from the Secret Service June 5, 2020. Sean Dickman and family joined Ty and Julie at the farm for a barbecue. Before the cookout, Ty ran into Will Gorman in town and had them come out and celebrate. Joe Dickman ’23 was also able to attend.

Chris Gros and Chris Doss have collaborated on a new product targeting the “distinguished gentleman who is follicly challenged.” I was told that “head chalk” will look like oversized pool cue chalk, but a couple of twists on the noggin and razor bumps fade away. Good luck, guys, and glad you put your heads together.

Bill Raynor reached out. He is living in Clayton, North Carolina, and working in the health care field. He says if anyone is in the Raleigh area and would like to get together, he is down for shooting, throwing hatchets or just grabbing a bite to eat.

While in Nags Head this summer, I was able to catch up with Nelson Pendleton. He lives in Manteo and is an engineer who oversees the historical sites on the coast.

Fat Jimmy wrote to let me know he took on an apprentice. Daniel-san is living above the garage and helping prune Fat Jimmy’s bonsai trees. He will soon be transitioning to painting fences and waxing cars. Good work passing on the ancient knowledge to the next generation, Jimmy. Danny Felty and David Bruce have recently agreed to be ringers in the annual Boys and Girls golf tournament here in Fauquier, Virginia. We tried to pick up Jason Nichols, but he wrote back to say he is quite busy ... We will hold your spot, Jason.

Congrats to Logan Franklin, as he became a grandfather to a little boy, Gabriel. In a roundabout way, I also became a grandfather when Sean Goldsmith and Tammy welcomed their first grandson, Holden “Little Pig” Stump. I couldn’t be prouder.

Mike Johnson recently retired from the Air Force. On the way back across country from Washington to Hampton Roads, he ran into Brian Hingst in Canyonlands National Park. What are the chances of that?

Andy Mulcunry and Kelly were recently in the Richmond Times. Kelly is leading the way to offer virtual learning at four of their five day care centers. Awesome work, guys.

Chris Coolidge: I was going to say he wrote, but

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes y’all know that’s not possible. He can barely speak complete sentences. I’ve always said Cool speaks WWF, with a few “woohoos” and “h#$% yeahs” thrown in. So anyway, Mandy let us know that Brodie began his military career. Anyone who has ever met that boy knows he will do great; woohoo, h#$% yeah. I just jumped up and ripped the sleeves off my shirt. On a more serious note, Cool traveled up to be with Jim Motley when his father passed.

Col. James Motley (The Citadel ’59) passed earlier this summer, and our hearts and prayers are with Jim and his family.

Thanks for all the updates, and keep them coming. Hopefully we can all be together soon for a mini reunion.

Always, Pig

1995

Joseph W. Doyle

Brother Rats, As I write these notes, we have just welcomed in the largest class to enter VMI in its storied history. These young men and women have chosen the path less traveled in a time when we all are trying to just figure it out. They represent more than 30 different states and several different countries.

A few of our BRs have children in this class.

Eric Fegley’s son is here and will be competing on the NCAA wrestling team. Dan Griles’ son is here, and his son hopes to walk on to the football team.

John Stann had his third boy join his older two siblings. John has a 1st Class cadet, a 2nd Class cadet and now a rat in the Corps. I don’t think I missed anybody. They join a few other of our BRs who have children in the upper classes.

It was a tough call to have to reschedule the reunion, but it was done so out of an abundance of caution. We will still have a great opportunity to get together in September 2021. We will be in touch as the details get flushed out.

I talk regularly with Jamie Joyner and Marlin Ikbenberry. Jamie’s mother unfortunately passed away earlier this summer and his father is not in the best of health, so thoughts and prayers for Jamie and his sister.

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Class of 1995: Lloyd Taliaferro had one of his company’s tugboats named after him.

several BRs one-on-one. Chris Gorman and I caught up for almost an hour. He’s still in the Richmond area practicing dermatology but left private practice for the Veterans Affairs Hospital last year and could not be happier with that decision, especially with COVID-19 and many nonessential doctors’ offices being shut down. He reports all is well with both him and his family.

I also caught up with my roommates, Eli Wahesh and U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Johnson. Eli is still in the Savannah area but recently made the move to a beautiful new home Bluffton, South Carolina. His company was recently acquired

by CIGNA, but all is well with him, Carrie and his adorable kids. Steve just completed a PCS to London, England, for what should be his last tour in the Navy. He’s hoping to stretch it into four years so his oldest son can finish high school there. He’s working for NATO and reports to a

Marlin and Shannon are doing well and enjoying life up in Harrisonburg and at James Madison University.

Sorry for the short set of notes this go around.

Please do not be afraid to reach out to me here in Moody Hall if there is ever anything that I can do for you. ’95, ’95, ’95.

Thom Brashears

1996

Tom Danielsen

Brother Rats, Hope everyone is still safe and healthy! While it’s hard to find anything positive about COVID-19, I will say the reconnection with so many BRs over the last few months has been incredible.

We’ve now had four class Zoom happy hours, and more than 70 different BRs have been able to attend. Every call has been a trip down our 28-year history since matriculation in 1992. It’s been fun piecing together our collective memories of our four to five years at VMI. If for some reason you’re not getting my invitations to the Zoom calls, please send me an email or text.

I’ve also had the opportunity to catch up with

Class of 1996: Mike Arendt is back doing what he loves as a marine biology researcher in the Charleston, South Carolina, area.

Class of 1996: U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ben Venning was promoted to colonel by Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, Marine Corps Combat Development Command commanding general, Aug. 3, 2020.

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Class of 1996: The third class Zoom call was in June and the fourth was in August. numerous stops along the way.

German admiral; it was suggested during Lastly, it would not be class notes withour last Zoom call that he watch “Greyout a “Jeeping with Matt Bogusky” uphound” with his new boss. date. The Dirty Rat was officially retired.

I caught up with U.S. Marine Corps Col. After 160,000 miles, it was time to trade Ben Venning a few weeks ago. He’s last it in and move to a more “family” friendly member of our class still on active duty Jeep. He got a Jeep Cherokee Upland and in the Marine Corps. He was promoted to has already started with some upgrades. I colonel Aug. 3 and, in his mind, is on his have no doubt we’ll see some pictures in final tour. He’s still in the Quantico area and is leading testing and development of Class of 1996: Joel Benecke drove 8,000 miles on a cross notes soon.

I also caught up with fellow Jeeper, U.S. the next generation of the amphibious as- country road trip with his college-bound son. Stops included the Grand Tetons, and the two used Jim Tinguely’s customAir Force Lt. Col. Andre Johnson, who sault vehicle. I also spoke to another Ma- built tear drop trailer. reports all is well with his family. COVrine turned Army captain, Trent McMilID-19 has made his life easier since he no longer lian. Trent didn’t have a lot to update but wanted Some other random updates. U.S. Air Force must commute to Fort Picatinny, New Jersey, and me to pass along that he misses all of you and is Col. Joey Dubose surprised us by joining a recent looking forward to our 25th Reunion next year.

Zoom happy hour. He reports all is well, but he’s can instead do his job remotely from his home in Speaking of our reunion, we still don’t have still incredibly busy as one of the military’s leading Maryland. With the money he’s saved on gas, he an official date. It’s being worked on, and I will trauma surgeons. He’s still in the Baltimore area has made several upgrades to his Jeep that will make Matt jealous. He plans to retire in the next 12 communicate it as soon as it’s official. Typically, and plans to retire at the end of this tour. the 25th is the last weekend of September or first Doug Bartlett joined a Zoom call and let us months after a great career in the Air Force.

That’s all for this edition. All the best to you and weekend of October, but timing will very much know he and Jen are officially empty nesters. Their depend on when reunions resume on post. If you youngest son, Harrison, is off to the University of your families.

Stay safe, had not heard, all the 2020 spring and fall reunions Montana and will participate in Army ROTC. Tom were canceled, so there is very much a backlog Chris Jones is still doing well with his family in right now. We officially formed our Class of 1996 Knoxville, Tennessee. He now flies MD-11s for 25th Reunion committee in July. We have 25 BRs Fed Ex and loves it. who will be actively involved in fundraising and Mike Arendt is back to doing marine biology David M. Hudock planning. Jon Dano, Dave Hall, Nick Latsios and research in the Charleston, South Carolina, area.

I will be your committee leaders. We are honored He sent a great picture of him doing what he loves. to serve the class and look forward to, as Nick Joel Benecke did an 8,000-mile cross counsays, “an epic party” next fall. try road trip with his collegebound son while I spoke to Sterling Sweeney last month; he’s also using Jim Tinguely’s custom built tear drop Gentlemen of the Old Corps! doing well and still in the Richmond area. He let trailer. After starting from Pennsylvania, they As we barrel through what quite possibly could me know that he and John Adams are currently hit six national parks as well as the Pacific be the worst year since 1993, when we matricuon the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees and still coast. In addition to Jim’s “VMI 96” license lated (say that out loud a couple of times and let actively involved with the VMI community. plate on the trailer, they flew the VMI flag at

1997

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes it sink in) and “Cheers” went off the air, I am sure you, like me, are thinking that 2021 can’t get here soon enough. By the time you read this, we might have a new president-elect, we may or may not have football and probably won’t have a vaccine, but we will definitely be closer, thankfully, to a new year. These have been trying times for many, so it is nice to see updates from brother rats which include stories of somewhat “normal” life. I suppose “normal” these days is a relative term ... but you get the idea.

To see what “normal” is these days ... let’s start in the Lone Star state, where the Strain family has arrived for a second time (possibly their third, but they’re trying to forget) after executing what is probably their 19th permanent change of station in about seven years. You might think that the best part of this move was the family’s departure from Shreveport, Louisiana, but really, the best thing about being in San Antonio is Steve taking command of the 502nd Installation Support Group at Joint Base San Antonio. Since taking command in July, Steve said he has been running “nonstop,” but he’s loving every minute of it. In his off-time, he hangs out in his inflatable pool on his back porch in the balmy San Antonio 102-degree heat with Holly and their 1-year-old, Aubrey. Oddly, this highly visible command position might offer some stability in their lives by giving them something they haven’t had since Steve was a captain: More than one year at a single location. Congratulations on your command, Squirrel, and all our best to you for a terrific command tour.

Next we travel to Australia, a country that actually took COVID-19 seriously, where we find Jim Rodgers and his wife, Betsy, soaking up the Down Under life. Jim is still in the Army and is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Sydney while Betsy works at a local church. COVID-19 speaking, Jim tells me things are fine there with the minor exception of a flare-up around Melbourne but Sydney, where Jim and Betsy are, seems to be doing OK. Regardless, they’re keeping their fingers crossed and hoping to visit the U.S. sometime soon, but a lot will depend on Australian border controls. By the time our 25th rolls around, Jim, things might be back to some kind of normal here, so hopefully we’ll see you both at the reunion!

Thanks for the note, guys.

What is an issue of notes without input from Flounder Ogletree? Nothing! So you can imagine how happy I was to open my email and see, verbatim, “I’ve just gotten back from a week in Nags

2020-Issue 4

Head, I’ve gotten three good glasses of bourbon in me and the d@%& kids are leaving me alone ... for some reason, I decided now is the time to email Hudock about my life!” I’ll summarize as best I can while retaining his message of brotherhood, fatherhood and thanks.

His kids, whom he loves dearly, are presenting his work-at-home-life with all the familiar challenges that many of you have been facing for five months now (almost nine by the time you read this). He is not questioning his life choices yet but readily admits that being trapped in a house with four kids – Evan (13), Lucas (10), Emma (6) and “Girl No. 2” (3) – has made him appreciate bourbon just a little more. All are doing very well; the oldest three finished last school year virtually and will start the next school year the same way. Meanwhile, his youngest has probably prospered the most; her language skills are through the roof for her age, and her mastery of sarcasm at this early age is unnatural. He’d like to take credit for that but acknowledges that all the credit for how well all their kids turned out should go to his wife. He is merely honored to serve in a support role as a taxi driver and enforcer, when necessary.

Not to be intimidated by any lock-down order, Flounder and his family have taken a few trips during “quarantine,” to include a trip to Lake Anna for a few days, an adult get-away in Richmond’s Museum District and a family trip to the Outer Banks. They’re planning another trip to Lake Anna in September. Flounder says he’s learned a couple things through this period: First, any walls you’re staring at other than your own are good things, and second, he’d rather have his kids on a

Class of 1997: Jim and Betsy Rodgers braved the outdoors near their home in Sydney, Australia.

crazy busy schedule than idle at home, even if that means the occasional interruption by one of them during a work conference call to tell his dad how bad their farts smell. So, the third thing he learned is to keep his office door locked during the really crucial business calls.

Flounder closed by saying how much he really enjoys our class Facebook page. He appreciates the openness, honesty, humor and love he has witnessed there and says the page has truly helped him during these times of craziness. He loves all you crazy bastards and wouldn’t trade any of us for anything. And we wouldn’t trade you, either, Flounder! Thanks for the update and the laughs, brother, stay safe and healthy!

Trey Porter checked in from the Eastern Shore with the exciting news that he and his family just purchased a 38-foot sailboat, which has been a lifelong dream of his. It’s small enough to singlehand but large enough for the family to enjoy, so he could not possibly be more thrilled about getting them out on the water. All he needs now is time away from the office. Some details about his new vessel: She’s a sweet Bristol 38, a little old and entering below deck is like walking into a wardrobe (think Narnia) as the teak joinery will make any woodworker grin. So, Trey will be traversing the Chesapeake Bay and occasionally looking for crew to join in various piratical endeavors (mainly just drinking rum) and as such, there is an open invite to our ’97 brethren to join him aboard sailing vessel Meridian where he is looking forward to raising the VMI colors soon! Thanks for the note, Trey, and we wish you fair winds!

Smoothie Peters dropped a quick line from his coordinates in Bel Air, Maryland. He’s still working at Aberdeen Proving Ground as a civilian in Program Executive Office Command Control Communications-Tactical. I didn’t ask exactly what he does at PEO C3T but I can only imagine he is engaged in defense acquisitions of the highest order and executing something worthy of inclusion in a Defense Acquisitions University course case study! Glad you’re doing well, Smoothie, and thanks for the note.

Another of our brother rats dropped his kid off to matriculate at VMI on the 27th anniversary of our doing the same. Addison Hagan saw his son off to start with the mass of ’21+3 where he will soon meet Company H Master Sgt. Coley ’22, our own Matt Coley’s son who just started his 2nd Class year. Matt said it’s going to be a different year since Parents Weekend has been canceled, there

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Class Notes won’t be any football games, there is no visitation and, perhaps most fatally, there is no GP. Sounds like they’re finally tightening the place up, ha! It’s exciting to see the next generation doing so well and it will be fun to watch them progress. Addison’s boy is the third child of our class after Billy LaMountain’s and Matt’s, unless I’m missing someone. Good luck to all of them; we wish them the best and will be keeping a close eye on them!

That’s about all from this reporter’s desk this month. My best to you all during these challenging and uniquely strange times of ours. Thanks to you all for your input and your updates; it truly makes my job way, way easier and makes these entries far more interesting. All hyperbole and tonguein-cheek aside, I am glad to hear many of you are doing well these days, but I am certain there may be some who are not faring as well as we might think. Our class has already pulled together to help brother rats in need; if you are in need or know of someone in need, please contact me, your co-dyke, your roommate or any brother rat. Help is never far away. Be well, stay healthy and keep in touch!

1998

Joseph Bates Jr.

Happy Matriculation Day, or at least it was when these notes were due and you received your last installment of the Alumni Review. I am sad to report that during these trying times, I received no updates for this edition, but I did not want to let an issue come through that says no notes received by class agent.

All is well here in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and I was able to connect via messenger with Sean Hicklin. He is doing well and still living in Virginia. He has not changed careers, which I will leave out of our update since his personal safety may depend upon it. He and I are hoping to connect during deer season this year, and if so, I will share in the next edition of class notes, which are due Nov. 15, 2020.

As for me, we have listed our home here in South Carolina and are under contract on a house in Lexington, Virginia, contingent upon selling here. After years of consideration and fantasizing about returning home, we have decided it is time. The COVID-19 impact on business has been

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larger than I think any of us speculated back in March when I sent the notes that you received in August. For the grocery business, it has actually been very good, and it has also shifted paradigms around work from home, etc., which is part of the reason we are making the move. I am hopeful that the next edition will be written with a view of the “I” not very far away and with me commuting to Charlotte for a few nights each week and returning home, which is my plan for now.

I was also able to connect with Jeremy King ’97 down in Newberry, South Carolina, and meet his wonderful family as well as spend some time at his house July 4. I do a lot of hunting in Newberry, and we were considering moving there before Lexington pulled at our heart strings. Jeremy was a wonderful host to my family. I encourage you to look him up if you going to be near Columbia and go check out his barbecue abilities (it is his passion).

He is an awesome chef. I for one am hoping to stay connected and, now that he is into shooting guns, maybe ease him into hunting in the area.

I encourage you all to join Facebook and our class page if nothing else to stay in touch. A few of our BRs have recently gotten engaged, married and are having children, and it is nice to see the updates on there.

In other news, we are all living in a troubling period with the virus, the nation divided in various ways and an upcoming election. I received several emails asking me to send you information and petitions to save the statues, remove the statues, change traditions, preserve traditions, etc., and I decided to avoid all of it.

With that, I humbly leave you in the bonds. I hope you are well, and I hope when you read these in November, you will take three minutes to shoot me an email, Facebook message or text message so that I have more to share. ’98, ’98, ’98.

“I’m humbled to serve on the board of directors for Fellowship of Christian Athletes for VMI to support Al Soltis ’79 (my old boss at Lanford Brothers). It’s hard to believe 20 years ago, I invited Al to a Roanoke FCA yearly fundraiser banquet, and he caught fire for supporting the organization and was the local chairperson for years. Al left Lanford several years ago to work full time for the Roanoke High School area and as the volunteer football chaplain at VMI. Now he has left the Roanoke FCA High School to be fulltime with FCA at VMI. God is really using him through FCA to make a positive impact in people’s lives. On the business side, Chris and I sold Protos in February 2019 to a private equity company, and we, along with Cameron Tabor, are still working there. Heather (my wife) and I worked with Ramon Williams ’90 with the VMI Foundation to figure out a way to give back to the institution that has done so much for all of us.

God has been faithful, and we are very blessed and thankful for His provision. I have stayed in touch with Jeremy Obenchain. Jeremy came to visit me during Christmas. He has always been someone I love and appreciate as a friend.”

Thanks for the inspiring update, Patrick.

Brother Rat Patrick Geoghegan wrote in noting he and his wife, Virginia, just closed on their new house up in Troutville, Virginia. They are excited for new beginnings with a bigger house and more

1999

Jay Witt

Brother Rats, Despite the current events around the world, it’s always uplifting to hear how our class is serving and changing lives.

Patrick Henderson sent the following update:

Class of 1999: John Wilcox and his family – wife Nellie, daughter Hannah, and sons Aiden and Lukas – together after his recent return from Afghanistan.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes land. Patrick says life in Roanoke has been going well, all things considered, and that their dogs keep them active and social!

John Wilcox sent an exciting update this quarter: “I just got back from another tour in Afghanistan in June and spent a great month-and-a-half off with my wife, Nellie, and the kids. Nellie continues to do outstanding things with Novartis and was recently selected to start their management program.

I was blessed to find out that I’d been picked up for the Army War College which started in August and just found out I’ve been selected for colonel, as well. So, plenty of good news to go around here at team Wilcox! There were a few other Army BRs on that promotion list, but I’ll let them make their own announcements. Thanks to COVID-19 restrictions and schooling, Nellie and I made the hard call to leave the family down in North Carolina while I spend the year up here in Pennsylvania being a student again. But I have some good folks up here to hang out with, including BR Hardy Robinson! Dave Kaczmarek was supposed to join us, but he managed to find his way to Tufts where he’s going to prove yet again how much smarter he is than the rest of us, I’m certain! I’ve seen several other VMI flags all over the place here at Carlisle and even ran into a brand-new second lieutenant from the Class of 2020 who reports to Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course in the fall.

I’ll be swinging through Virginia a few times as I commute back and forth to our other home in North Carolina, so I hope to get a chance to see folks again soon!” Congratulations on your promotion, John!

Speaking of promotions, Brother Rat Jeff Snyder just pinned on the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy. Jeff was joined by BR John Boland at the promotion ceremony. Congratulations on your promotion, Jeff!

Chris McGuire (aka Sticks) just moved back to Virginia following command of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in Hawaii. Chris noted that he turned the battalion over to another VMI guy, Lt. Col. Brandon Turner ’03. Chris will be heading to Quantico to attend the Marine Corps War College and looks forward to seeing some BRs and getting to visit VMI now that he’s back in Virginia.

Marine Corps War College should be pretty easy for Sticks, given he was a civil engineering major and Brother Rat Brad Wineman (Wino) will be around to tutor him. After reaching out to Wino, he sent in the following: “Life has been blissfully quiet. I’m still teaching at U.S. Marine Corps

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Command and Staff at Quantico. Chris McGuire is coming to U.S. Marine Corps War College across the street, so I’m looking forward to catching up with him. I spent Fourth of July with Jason Berg and Jochen Dunville and their families.

Berg is in D.C. grinding at the Pentagon. Jochen and his family are doing well out in Broad Run. I learned from Jochen that Chris Varner apparently got married a few weeks ago. I chatted with Conor Powell a few weeks ago, helping him with his research on VMI’s Confederate remembrances.

Chris Forbes lives just up the road from me in Fredericksburg. I visited him pre-COVID-19, but I’m delinquent on checking in with him. He and his wife are working at the FBI and have two little kids which keep them busy. That’s about all I got.

Otherwise, it’s peaceful here in Fred Vegas. I hope you’re well. Looking forward to seeing you and everyone post-corona.”

Andy Fox, Matt Hart and Ryan Thompson all checked in to note they and their families are well.

Andy stated that he and BR John Deem will be heading to West Virginia for their annual whitewater rafting trip.

BRs, please keep the Alumni Association informed of your updated contact information.

Changes/updates can be sent to Norma Robinson, nrobinson@vmiaa.org, or to me. I look forward to speaking with each of you soon, but until then, all the best to you and your families and Rah Virginia Mil! Jay

Class of 2000: Todd Charrington completed a 26.2-mile solo marathon to honor BR Ryan Doltz. Charrington ran with a custom-made shirt and rested with his family after completing the marathon.

2000

Jim Boatright

Brother Rats, These are certainly some unprecedented times for our country and the world, and I hope everyone and their families have remained healthy and have found ways to adapt to the new normal. Our 20th Reunion, which was rescheduled for October 2020, has been postponed yet again. No date has been provided as of these notes, but VMI has been sending email updates if you have an address on file with the Alumni Association. We only received a few updates for this edition, so please check in at classnotes2000vmi@gmail.com with an update if you have not provided an update

recently ... or ever.

Our first update is a special and moving one, and it includes two pictures that go along with the story. Todd Charrington sent a note saying he caught up with Adam Priest recently, and Adam suggested he send in an update for class notes. This is Todd’s full update in his words: “I have been working out a lot the last few years, cross training, but not running more than 6 miles. I signed up for a 10-mile run called The Broad Street Run in Philadelphia that was supposed to be May 3. The day it was officially postponed, I went out and ran 10 miles on my own. And then kept adding 1.5 miles or so each week to the long runs until I got to 22.6 a couple of weeks ago. Then I knew I could do full 26.2. During the 22.6 run, I was fine the whole time and could have

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Class of 2000: Happy hour attendees in Lynchburg, Virginia, included Whit Johnston, Chris Boswell, Eric Walker, Charles Craddock, Danny Boyers, Matt Vordermark and Chad Brady. gone longer. Then I told people the following week I was going to do the marathon, and I got three people to follow me in a car for safety.

At 20 miles, I was done for, really struggled to get to 23, and then was close to stopping – didn’t feel good. My sister was in the follow car at that point; she parked it and ran over to me (in flip flops) and said, ‘Nope, we are finishing this.’ And we proceeded to stay 6 feet apart and walked together slowly for 2 miles, and then jogged the last mile ... so, Ryan Doltz on my back, sister alongside carried me to the end.” Todd, thank you for honoring Ryan and sharing your story with the class. Class mayor Chris Boswell stays in touch regularly and sent a great picture from a happy hour he hosted at this office in Lynchburg, Virginia. Attendees included Whit Johnston, Chris Boswell, Eric Walker, Charles Craddock, Danny Boyers, Matt Vordermark and Chad Brady. Thank you for sharing, Chris, and what a great picture. One more great picture came from Sean Segreti, who hosted a dinner at his house in Arlington, Virginia. Attendees included Jay Kearney, Scott Johnson, Jon Palmer, Matt Keller, Eric Schnabel, Tony Esteve and Justin Wood. Thank you, Sean, for the update, the photo and for continuing to organize and plan our elusive 20th Reunion.

That is all for updates that were submitted this edition. Even though there were only a few, there are pictures to enjoy. I hope we are able to all converge on Lexington soon so the Class of 2000 can be heard from.

In closing, to all our brother rats who have served or are currently serving our great country, be safe and thank you!

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Class of 2000: Gathered for dinner at Sean Segreti’s house were Jay Kearney, Scott Johnson, Jon Palmer, Matt Keller, Eric Schnabel, Tony Esteve and Justin Wood. Segreti was the photographer.

2001

Rich Groen

Brother Rats of 2001, I hope you are all doing well!

I haven’t received any notes for this quarter, so hope you and your families are doing well.

VR, Rich Groen

2002

Salmaan Khawaja

Brother Rats, I hope that this edition of the Review finds you and yours well. As I write these notes midsummer, I’m reflecting on what an interesting year it has been. By the time you read this, 2020 will be winding down to a close. Thank goodness for that, I say!

A documentary about the step-off was released

by Spirit, and if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend you check it out.

On to the notes! Jerry Whitlock married Charlotte McDannald Feb. 29, 2020. VMI men in attendance were Jerry’s dyke, John Wright ’99; Jarrett Williams (matriculation class ’02); Colby Fitzhugh ’72; Eugene “Skip” McDannald ’61;

Class of 2002: Jerry Whitlock married Charlotte McDannald in February 2020. From left were Jarret Williams, John Wright ’99, Jerry Whitlock, Colby Fitzhugh ’72 and Eugene “Skip” McDannald ’61. Wesley “Wes” Bosiger ’93 is not pictured. and Wesley “Wes” Bosiger ’93. Congrats, Jerry and Charlotte! We wish you both well in your journey together.

I hope everyone is faring well. Please do submit notes if you haven’t done so in a while – or haven’t ever!

In the Spirit, Salmaan

2003

William Talley V

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2003.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes connected in Corolla, North Carolina, over the Fourth of July weekend for a beer and some old VMI stories. Jim reports that “both guys are doing Scott E. Campbell well with healthy families and established careers.

Rah Virginia Mil!” Conor Heely checks in from NOVA: “I hope everyone is doing well in the COVID-19 Rat Line! When is Breakout? We are in Alexandria until November when we move to Oklahoma From Paul Boulden Jr.: “Like many of our Tom Hardinge for me to become the executive officer and then BRs and the global community, we have not commanding officer of Fleet Air Reconnaissance been without the struggles that travel restricTimothy Johnson Squadron Three (VQ-3), a nuclear command and tions resulting from the response to COVID-19 control squadron of E-6B aircraft. Can’t wait to have had on engineering work. We have been go to Jim’s reunion!” blessed that the shift in priorities has allowed Ted Henderson, along with his wife, Rachel, our family to focus more on the farms we’ve and two kids, Pennie and Solomon, served as been building in Hanover County, Virginia, for missionaries in Papua New Guinea this spring. the last decade. Working alongside my parents Their trip was extended due to the COVID-19 (Paul Boulden ’81 and Tammy), wife (Kim) pandemic, but Ted reports he loved working in Hello Again, Brother Rats, and two daughters (Lucy, 5-and-a-half, and the hospital every day and believes there could As we gear up for the holiday season, it’s hard Mena, 1-and-a-half), we have finally made the have been no better way to spend the March-May leap from selling just livestock to now selling to believe that another four months have gone lock down timeframe. To read all about their misUSDA inspected meat. Selling under the farm by since our last update. This fall has certainly looked different from in years past; most nota- sions adventures, you can visit their blog: henderbrand Studley Farms, the Boulden family is offering grass-fed angus beef, forested heri- bly, our 15th Reunion scheduled for October sonsinmissions.blogspot.com.

Ryan Clemens writes from Rochester, New was postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing tage breed pork and pasture-raised non-GMO York: “In July, Alana and I welcomed the newchickens (and eggs). Wishing each of you my pandemic. I can only hope that the situation has est addition to our family, Claire Etta. Big brother improved immensely by the time this issue hits BRs a brighter tomorrow.”

Lewis is excited to have a baby sister.” CongratuNate Joslyn and his wife, Claire, are mid- your mailbox.

Despite not having an official reunion this fall, lations to you and your family, Ryan!

PCS to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, after spendAndy Karnes reports from the annual ’05 red Brother Rat Jim Driggs organized an impromptu ing a couple of years in northern Virginia.

While there, they had many opportunities to gathering in September. BRs and their families versus white golf tournament held in Pinehurst, from across the country gathered in Virginia for a North Carolina: “2020 marked the fifth iteraenjoy the company of Chris Johnson and his tion of what has become the favorite weekend wife, Erin, and Chris Russo and his fiancée, river float, cookout and camping excursion. Stay of the year for all that attend and escape from Laura (Godspeed). They also enjoyed seeing tuned for February’s update for a few pictures family and work responsibilities. Special shout and anecdotes.

Sean O’Donnell and Steve Nakazawa ’03 outs to Ryan King and John Baber who made Speaking of BR Driggs, he and Sam Johnson while living in the area. Nate takes command the trip to and from Houston of 2nd Battalion, 5th Special by car, a 17-hour drive accordForces Group (Airborne) at Fort ing to Google that didn’t quite Campbell Aug. 19, 2020. take that long thanks to some As of June 21, I’m officially ‘Cannonball Run’ style drivretired from the Guard. It was a ing from the pair. Despite the glorious 16-and-a-half days until pandemic, the group was able I got the first email from an Army to participate in such VMI traReserve recruiter trying to conditions as: Drinking too much, vince me to come back in. The cursing loudly and generally second email was a little over a behaving in a manner unfit week later. I started working for for someone in their mid-30s.

Booz Allen Hamilton in October The action on the golf course 2018 supporting the 80th Trainwas fast and furious, and there ing Command, and I took over were plenty of fireworks on as the operations lead for the Class of 2005: Ted Henderson, along with his family, is serving as a missionthe course Saturday afternoon contract in April. That remains as ary in Papua New Guinea. during the deciding round. close to the Army as I care to be

2004

for the foreseeable future.

Chris and Laura, congratulations on your engagement.

Take care! Be safe and keep in touch!

Scott Campbell

2005

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Class Notes

Class of 2005: Red Team member and 2020 MVP Henry Lynch enjoying the spoils of victory.

Class of 2005: Ryan Clemens’ son, Lewis, holding baby sister Claire.

Lawton Way and Duke Acors would not let the white team go down without a fight, but in the end, the Will Paulette held his ground and the red team secured a second straight victory with a late afternoon charge. Keydets in attendance were Ryan King, Lawton Way, Will Paulette, Jimmer Kingsley, Duke Acors, Jeff Smith, John Baber, Henry Lynch, Rich Litwin, Ben King, Andy Karnes and Matt Mikula (05B).”

Lastly, I wanted to personally thank everyone for contributing to BR Ty Denby’s GoFundMe this past April. His wife, Erin, reached out to me and I wanted to share her note of thanks to the class: “I wanted to thank the Class of ’05 and the VMI alumni community who contributed to Jim’s GoFundMe, but more importantly to Ty’s life.

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“As you probably know, Ty was an exceptional man, and VMI can take some of the credit for that. Ty and I were high school sweethearts, and we dated all through his time at VMI and while I was at Virginia Tech. As many couples from VMI/Tech can attest, we put a few miles in on Interstate 81 over the four years. While I didn’t attend VMI, I was there a lot and formed close relationships with other BRs and their wives and families. I am grateful for this community.

“I can still vividly recall the first phone call I received from him after Hell Week. It was pitiful. But as you all know, the pitiful didn’t last.

Over the course of the next four years, VMI shaped you all into men of integrity, men who understand true citizenship, men with conviction and self-confidence and men who value family. Ty was all of those things and more. In Ty’s final days, I had many conversations with his oncologist (who is a W&L graduate), and he shared with me that he had never seen anyone fight as hard as Ty was fighting. Ty had always been someone who never backed down from a challenge, but I know that VMI honed that skill (especially in those rat-year one gloved boxing matches in the basement of the barracks).

“Ty lived the values that VMI instilled in him and created a beautiful life. He was extremely successful in business, but more importantly he was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He valued his family and friends above all else. He was and always will be my personal role model. It was an honor to be his wife for almost 15 years. His daughters will be amazing people because of the values he shared with them.

“Four months after his death, I still have a difficult time comprehending the loss our daughters and I face. It is deeply felt by the three of us and our many family members, friends, employees and customers. Despite these intense feelings of grief, I have also felt overwhelmed by the love, encouragement and support shown by Ty’s BRs and the VMI community as a whole. I must give special and humongous thanks to Jim Driggs, Garrett Brickner and Dan Harrison. These three men have held a special place in our hearts for almost 20 years, but never more than in the last six months. They called, visited (as much as Ty’s illness would allow) and prayed for Ty during his fight. After his passing, they have continued to support me. They have made phone calls to cry, visits to remember Ty, encouragement and gifts for the girls and shared advice for

how I should navigate these uncharted and difficult times. Thank you, Jim, Garrett and Dan. “In closing, I just want to say I’m grateful.

Grateful for all of you and grateful that I had the privilege of loving and being loved by Ty. Erin Denby.”

That’s all for me. Keep sending in those updates and have a wonderful holiday season.

Stay safe and be well, Tom Hardinge

2006 Andrew Upshaw

Brother Rats, I hope all is well and that you’ve all had a great summer! I was able to hang out with Mark Searles a lot this summer before he headed back to the Screaming Eagles at Fort Campbell. I’ll be in Europe until summer 2021 if anyone is around and wants to link up! Thanks for the updates and for your continued support of VMI! Andrew

Class of 2006: To mark their anniversary, Nate Parsons and his wife summitted Quandary Peak near Breckinridge, Colorado.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 2006: Chris Pridgen recently transferred from the Marine Corps to the Air Force.

Class of 2006: U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Wilson Nance, U.S. Army Col. Mike Obadal ’96, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Nate Kirk ’19 and U.S. Army 1st Lt. Vic Kolle ’18 in Jordan.

Wilson Nance: “I was deployed in Jordan from November 2019 to the end of June 2020. ‘rona’ messed up my May redeployment but didn’t stop a few alumni from enjoying our time there. From left to right is me, Colonel Mike Obadal ’96, 2nd Lieutenant Nate Kirk ’19 and 1st Lieutenant Vic Kolle ’18. Gotta say it was nice being away from everything for a few months!”

Nate Parsons: “I’m about to take a year of paid leave from Southwest. They can recall me if things pick up sooner. The company offered early retirement and extended time off. There should be enough takers to prevent us from having to furlough. I’ll supplement our income with some time in the reserve and then another deployment

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February-April 2021. I’ll get to be home more with our new baby boy (due Aug. 24) and home for all the holidays, so it’s a win-win. We plan to take the pop-up and just explore Colorado and the surrounding states with the exception of Kansas – sorry, Kansas. Photo is from our anniversary summit near Breckenridge, Colorado – Quandary Peak.”

Chris Pridgen: “I executed an interservice transfer from the Marine Corps to the Air Force early last year. I was flying AV-8B Harriers when I was in the Marine Corps. I am now in training to fly the U-2 Dragon Lady. It’s a high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform (think 70,000-feet and above, thus the requirement for the space suit). It is also known as being one of the most difficult planes in the world to fly (specifically, to land). Definitely worth a Google and/or YouTube when you get a second.

Last Friday (July 10), I completed my initial solo flight, thus becoming the 1,061st person to have solo’d the aircraft, dating all the way back to the 1950s. The picture with the VMI flag is back when I did my initial high-altitude chamber testing/evaluation of the suit, as well as one of me and my family in front of the aircraft I solo’d in.

“I still keep in contact with Adam ‘Red’ Good and Patrick Heiny quite regularly, so if you want some info from them, I’ll try and get them to email you, as well.”

2007

Maury Denton

Brother Rats, As I write these notes, I’m trying to make the most of summertime and hopeful that COVID-19 will subside soon enough. At least the golf courses are still open. I actually just got back from an epic trip for Rich Meredith’s bachelor party a couple of weeks ago in Asheville, North Carolina. Other BRs in attendance included Josh Copes, Ryan Smith, Graham Forbes and Henry Meredith ’15. Shenanigans included hiking, kayaking, biking, a brewery tour, intense beer pong matches and good eating.

Grayson Ernst had a class officer rendezvous via zoom recently with Jamaal Walton and

Class of 2007: Victor Rosen, Brad Beckner and David Metzler attended a birthday party for Jake Willis’s son. Metzler is wearing the dinosaur costume.

Class of 2007: Grayson Ernst connected with Evan Hanks, Tyler Freeman, John Terminato and Nick Engle via Zoom. Engle’s daughters also joined the conversation.

Rich Meredith. He also sent another Zoom meeting screen shot connecting with Evan Hanks, Tyler Freeman, John Terminato and Nick Engle with his two daughters.

Jeff Hamilton is currently on Marine Corps Inspector and Instructor duty up in Syracuse, New York. Jeff also just got married to Danielle Mandigo July 25. Ray Mattia and his brother Craig Hamilton ’04 were both able to attend the COVID-19 diminished ceremony.

Congrats on the wedding, Jeff!

Jonathan Fredericks is finishing up his MBA (two classes left to take) at the University of Lynchburg. Surprisingly, he had Dr. (Col.) Francis Bush (’96 HBR), honorary brother rat for Class of 1998, as his professor for two of his courses. They spent a lot of time reminiscing

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Class Notes

Class of 2007: Maury Denton, Josh Copes, Ryan Smith, Graham Forbes and Henry Meredith ’15 attended Rich Meredith’s bachelor party in Asheville, North Carolina. about VMI and specifically how tough and stressful Col. Bush’s accounting class can be.

As some may know, he retired from VMI a few years ago and is now teaching for a few more years at the University of Lynchburg. He did mention that Joseph Taylor ’09 was also in the MBA program.

Jake Willis sent a picture of his son’s recent birthday party, including Victor Rosen, Brad Beckner and David Metzler (as the dinosaur).

Matthew Kania is mobilized with the U.S. Navy to Norfolk, Virginia, where he is working for U.S. Fleet Forces Command until April 2.

Upon completion of his mobilization, he will return to Patuxent River, Maryland.

That is all of the major class updates over the past quarter. As always, please continue to keep me informed so we can stay up to date on everyone’s key milestones.

In the Bonds, Maury Denton

Class of 2007: Jeff Hamilton married Danielle Mandigo in July. Ray Mattia and Jeff’s brother, Craig Hamilton ’04, attend the ceremony.

Class of 2008: Taryn Leigh Barham, daughter of Rachel and Trey Barham, was born in April 2020.

2008

Robert Hill

Trey Barham and wife Rachel welcomed Taryn Leigh. Tayrn was born April 27, 2020.

Amelia Grace joined Tim Beckley and wife Rachel Aug. 3, 2020, at 10:47 p.m. Amelia tipped the scales at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Congrats to the Adams, Barham and Beckley families.

Will Flathers is currently on deployment away from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Southern Afghanistan with the Washington Army National Guard. Jon Tishman wanted me to let you know he missed the ability to reply all to the class in his usual fashion.

Lauren and I are currently at the OBX with family. On the way down, we had a chance to stop at the gravesite of Robert Knight ’11. Robert was Matt Mitchell’s rat and always enjoyed playing a game or two of Madden before hitting the steps in the Rat Line. Unfortunately, Robert was taken from us shortly after we graduated.

These notes are short and sweet. I’ve been working a lot, and I haven’t been checking my emails until it was rather close to the deadline.

My apologies! However, you can drop me a Facebook message or email at any time.

2009

Bradley Simpson We’ve had no shortage of new additions to the Class of 2008 family.

Kyle Adams and his wife, Ashley, welcomed their son, Reid Edison, to their family July 17, 2020. Everyone is doing well, and Kyle is enjoying his new role as a father!

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Class of 2008: Ashley and Kyle Adams’ son, Reid, was born in July 2020.

Brother Rats: I hope this edition this of the Review finds

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 2009: Ben Scudder after his Company Commander School graduation.

Class of 2009: Daniel Johnson after proposing to his new fiancée, Jenna. you and your families well. I hope that everyone within the class has been safe, and hopefully by the time you are reading this we all have made to the other side of this virus outbreak. I have had the opportunity this quarter to catch up with a lot of the class and hearing some great things that our class is doing.

I heard from Kurt Seidl at the beginning of

2020-Issue 4

August. He told me at the end of June he left Kirtland Air Force Base. He has been assigned to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. He will be a Squadron Officer School instructor for the next year.

Speaking of changing duty stations, I got to spend some time with Trent Blackman, and as of the end of July, Trent’s news assignment is over in Italy. He will spend a year in Italy and then a few in Germany.

Daniel Johnson reached out to let me know 2020 hasn’t been the greatest for him. He told me he lost his job with the airlines back in March, then got in an accident in May, which he is still healing and recovering from. With all that, he said God brought the most beautiful nurse to stand by his side to help him through the ups and downs of life. Jenna and Daniel got engaged July 22, 2020, and are planning on getting married Nov. 7, 2020. He said they plan to move to Louisville, Kentucky, where he will be attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Daniel, from the whole class, congrats and good luck to you and Jenna.

Ben Scudder reached out to me and told me that he just passed his 10-year mark in the Coast Guard. He also graduated from the Company Commander School July 31. He told me that this is noted as one of the most difficult schools in the Coast Guard. He and his family – wife of nine years, Jennifer Gattis, and two boys, Jackson (6) and Wyatt (2) – will be in Cape May, New Jersey, training recruits for the next three years. Ben sent in photos from graduation.

Steve Lloyd got married July 23, 2020, to Tascha Arnett. He has four kids between the two of them. Steve’s son, Tucker Lloyd (2028+3), and three step-children, Kenned Dear (16), Mayson Dear (15) and Wyatt Gayheart (11). With Tucker and Mayson playing travel baseball and Steve coaching Tucker’s team, Steve and his wife spend most weekends on the road at baseball tournaments all over North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Steve also has started his own independent insurance agency, Rely Risk Management & Insurance, in October 2019. He added that business is doing pretty well, all things considered.

Well, that about does it for this edition. Please shout me a holler and let me know what you all are up to. I’d love to hear from you.

Take care and be safe.

2010

Brandon Page Garland Gray III

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2010.

2011

Allen McCown Samuel P. Pace Jr.

As I write this during Matriculation “Weekend,” many of us are still in some sort of quarantine. A lot of us have been working from home, guardsmen deploying in communities near and far, essential workers adjusting and pivoting in an ever changing economic and health landscape. The medical professionals in our class have seen unprecedented turmoil in their day to day, along with the risks undertaken. Other recent events have put a spotlight on injustices and put a never before seen strain on many across our country. I hope that wherever you are, whatever trials and tribulations members of our class are seeing, that you are safe and there for one another.

Chris Forbes has big news for everyone.

While many of y’all are welcoming new children to your family, Chris’ pond fish recently had grand-fishes. He is super proud of them and ready to take on all this responsibility. He’s hired Ryan Buell to defend his pond from Kobee Burnshire pouring pesticides in the pond.

Recently, he was even able to fish in his pond in the backyard. The current Forbes record is just north of 3 inches.

Kobee Burnshire sent an update, and he’s

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Class Notes are excited to stay at Lejeune for at been quite busy as of late. After graduleast a few more years. They got theirs ation, he served in Korea with 2nd this past June. Cash Register and his Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, defamily live nearby and saw them often ployed to Afghanistan with 1-1 Attack before, as Samantha said too accurateReconnaissance Battalion and served ly, “COVID-19 rolled in to ruin everyin Kuwait with the 3rd Engineer Battalbody’s everything.” ion. Somewhere along the way, he got I wanted to wish Whit Anthes conmarried (Mimi Burnshire) and had tripgratulations on his marriage. A wedlets (Steven, Michael and Karla). After ding with Whit in attendance would not seven years in the Army, he joined his be complete, especially his own, withfamily pest control business and settled out a split on the dance floor. His pants down in Wichita, Kansas. He also now could not be reached for comment. commands the Headquarters and HeadI want to thank Tom Pace for his tirequarters Company, 635th Regional less work on the notes with me, along Support Group in the Kansas Army Class of 2011: Whit Anthes doing the splits at his wedding. with the reunion planning. If you are National Guard. For fun, he mows his reading this, it still isn’t too late to lawn, drives Porsches on racetracks and frequently yells at kids from his porch. Kobee an lifestyle (just kidding), Nic Williams hunted reach out to help. Additionally, these notes will also wanted to make sure to remind everyone to his first caribou in Alaska. During the same only be as long as the notes received. Send an wear a mask and not let your fish (Chris, looking season, Vinh Do hunted one, as well. Vinne is update, however short. Lastly, if you’re reading at you) swim less than 6 feet apart. still enjoying flying helicopters and carrying his this, send a text or a call to a BR you haven’t talked to in a while; you won’t regret it.

John Sturgill is still in the Navy at Naval Air fierce stuffed “murder bear” around Alaska.

Rah Virginia Mil, Station Patuxent River Search and Rescue as an To add insult to the 100-degree summers in Allen SAR pilot flying the 60S. John got married last Richmond, I also have enjoyed watching Zach May to his wife, Rachael. He also has verbal Kier driving his Jeep into the Arctic Circle. orders down to the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in Zach is traveling with his wife and daughter. On Norfolk, Virginia, in September. their many hikes and adventures, he’s put some Bruce Howard After leaving the Army, Nic Williams stayed miles on his baby carrier. While none of the picin The Last Frontier as a Realtor. Nic seems to tures he’s posted will meet the minimum for the be loving real estate, along with his now home, Review, I certainly hope to send some in future Alaska. As his first act after abandoning his veg- issues.

I was lucky to see Jeremy Lucier and Alex Brother Rats, Crow a few weeks back for Jeremy’ wife’s I hope this edition of the Review finds you birthday celebration. Jeremy is teaching flying in Florida and wrapping up his hours be- and your families well. 2020 is nearing the fore starting with an airline in the D.C. area end, so hopefully we can finish better than we later this year. Alex is living in Virginia Beach started.

Congratulations are in order for Kelly Jones studying for his Master of Business Adminisand her husband, Matt Jones ’11, who weltration degree at Old Dominion University.

Recently, I was also able to attend the VMI comed their daughter, Emilia Rose Jones, to Club of Richmond’s virtual VMI trivia. Julian the world April 30. I wish your family the best!

Jacob Wood recently moved to Georgetown, Bowers did a great job presenting live and made it a fun (albeit socially distanced) event. Texas, along with his girlfriend. Jacob will be From the comfort of our homes and proximity taking command of Alpha Company, 3-227th to our fridges, we were still able to get togeth- Assault Helicopter Battalion. He wanted me to pass along the invitation to meet up with anyer. Thank you again, Julian, for a great event.

As I was wrapping these notes up, I heard one else who may be stationed at Fort Hood. from Samantha Bookwalter. She was delight- Wishing you the best out in Texas, and coned to report that Josh was home with Samantha gratulations on the new opportunity!

Juan Thrasher also welcomed a new addition and their two girls. Josh had been deployed to to his family. Mateo Moon Thrasher was born Okinawa with Dan Greenlee ’12.

They also Class of 2011: Nic Williams hunting lived a few doors down from the Bookwalters. July 8, and based on the picture, I’d say Juan caribou.

After getting new orders, Samantha and Josh will have his hands full with these three great

2012

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 2012: Emilia Rose Jones, daughter of Kelly Jones.

kids. Congrats to the entire Thrasher family!

We were limited on the updates for this review.

I’ll assume most of you were just quarantined and give you a pass on this one.

A few things I did notice: Adrian Dominguez took a trip to Lake Tahoe, which looked amazing, and I’m guessing my invitation just got lost in the mail.

Kippur Taylor and his wife, Mary Katherine, took a cross country road trip, and after talking with them, it sounds like Yosemite was by far the highlight stop!

Finally, Greg Walker had an all-time picture with his Tahoe on the beach in Outer Banks – hopefully Chevy will use that in their next commercial.

Thank you to everyone who sent in updates. I appreciate everyone who sends information to share with the class. I look forward to hearing from you all before the next edition. Take care and until next time!

In the Bonds, Bruce

2013

John Wilson

Charles Jones

Class of 2012: Juan Thrasher’s children, including Mateo Moon Thrasher, center.

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2013.

2015

Henry Meredith Johnny McDonald

Brother Rats, First, I need to start with apology, I was sent in some class notes in time for the last publication

by Charles Ellison ’12 who was giving me an update on Carl Ellison, but I failed to include them.

I am sorry I dropped the ball on that. Carl’s wife snagged a real stud, and they were married in May at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. They also recently had their first child, Emily Grace Ellison, March 6 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Next, I need to thank Henry Meredith and Will Luxhoj for all of their work on the 5th Reunion that’s not going to happen. I was pushed into hand to hand combat with COVID-19 support for the state of Florida during the key planning phase, and these guys put the hard work in. I did nothing.

Even Will’s sister, Allison, was all in on helping us out. I am bummed out that it’s not going to happen, but I know had it happened, these guys had an awesome plan laid out. Maybe we just need to occupy by force soon ... more to follow.

Finally, now for the regular notes. I would like to add that I got a ton of feedback this go around, and it’s awesome. I love hearing from our classmates

2014

Samuel Guidry Taylor Floyd

Class of 2012: Anna and Joel Chapman’s third son, Augustine, was born in May 2020.

2020-Issue 4

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2014.

Class of 2015: Mr. and Mrs. Quinn Ellis with a large group of Keydets at their wedding.

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Class Notes big shot financial planner, and his success can be attributed solely to the fact that his dog is awesome and hangs out at his office.

Nick Mahin started grad school at the end of the August and is going for his master’s in applied physics at Johns Hopkins University.

Michael Kaim just got back from a deployment where San Jacinto and the Ike spent 206 days consecutively at sea without port visits.

Theodore Anderson has been working as a software engineer for a medium size tech company in Santa Barbara for two-and-a-half years and will start his master’s in computer science online

Class of 2015: Carl Ellison recently got married at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He and his wife had their first child, Emily Grace, in March.

Class of 2015: Sam and Kaylyn West were married in November 2019. VMI family attending included Capt. Blair Turner, Nate Murray, Harrison Williams, Ben Clarke, Gaston Ledford, Owen Dugger, Sam Patterson ’16, Andrew Green ’18, Pat Goulden ’13, Ty Trobridge, Jennifer Woodcock, Mike DeBlasio, Ian McFarland, Jon Kelley, Peter Fisher and Chris Malta ’08.

– nothing is too big or too small to mention and add to the notes.

Except for maybe Owen Duggar’s “I like turtles” comment.

Owen, if you aren’t careful, I am going to have Elise Reed knock some sense into you. That shouldn’t be hard for Elise, who just won the Cage Fury Fighting Championship Strawweight Title Belt.

In other gripping news, Harrison Williams got a dog. It’s cute little French Bulldog that looks just like him. Harrison is some

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at Georgia Tech mid-August while continuing to work full time. Keep grinding!

Taylor Kennedy’s local Kroger has started to keep Devil’s Backbone Gold Leaf in stock solely for him. He also hangs out there just for fun and gorges himself on the free coffee and cookies from the bakery. Management was going to trespass him until him they realized his beer purchases alone were paying their annual light bill.

Jarred Marlowe was recently promoted to loan group supervisor at Carter Bank & Trust and got engaged in July. He will be getting married before year’s end.

After Wesley Jacobs got out of the Army last year, he studied Spanish in Cartagena, Colombia. After he finished his coursework at the end of March, he started a medical tourism business to connect patients from the United States with providers in Mexico.

Nick Maul has visited www.apollomedicaltravel.com, where he linked up with a doctor willing to laser remove all the hair from his back. All jokes aside, check out Wesley’s website and see what great things our BRs are doing out there in the real world.

Alex Hastings moved to Grafenwohr, Germany, in early August and will be taking over the position of the chief of G3 Air, which is overall in charge of aviation/airborne training throughout Europe for European stationed units, rotational units and NATO/foreign partners. Cody Pillow finished his master’s degree mid-August and now has a master’s in educational leadership from George Mason University.

Kristen Walter moved to Munich, Germany, mid-August with her husband. He is German military and has finished his time in the U.S. The doctor, Brad Anuszkiewicz, is getting married May 1, 2021! No word if his spouse is going to move him somewhere cool like Germany.

Tyler Mullinax took a teaching job in Metro Atlanta. He teaches middle school Spanish and history.

Tyler Hanson is going back to school at VCU to get a BSN. He is also going be fishing with Taylor Hicks and Matthew Meadows in September in place of the class reunion.

Derrick Ziglar has been busy!

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes In addition to having guest appearances on two real estate podcasts – BiggerPockets Rookie Podcast No. 17 and Real Women Real Estate No. 26 – he has started a technology company. Ziglar Technologies is a tech startup company focused on innovating the way we interact with technology as a service within the real estate industry. This is accomplished by developing mobile phone applications designed toward improving and simplifying education, networking and investing.

Quinn Ellis married his wife, Kimberly, in early August and had a bunch of Keydets in attendance: Sean Knick, Frank Hargrove, Jake Freeman, Sam Hunter, Kyle Martin, Sheldon Shifflett, Jon Kaiser ’18, Jake Ackerman ’18 and Mike Ellis ’86. Logan Gower was the best man but was unable to attend and had to FaceTime in. Could you imagine that these Keydets made the venue run out of beer twice?

Matt Brau found out that after two-and-a-half years in purgatory as a U.S. Air Force T6 instructor pilot, he is going to fly F16s next.

Tessa Smith finished her Master of Science degree in homeland security and crisis management law from University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law in December 2019.

Colin Wilson and wife Julia are moving to their first house in Round Hill, Virginia.

George Allan planned to get married Aug. 29 with a small ceremony in his fiancée’s backyard.

Congrats, George!

Logan Carpenter sent in a great update, and I don’t even want to try to paraphrase: “Josh Ford moved down to Fort Worth, Texas, where he’ll start law school at Texas A&M later this fall. It’s only a matter of time now until he ends up shirtless on Judge Judy while citing the Declaration of Independence in a Russian accent.

Andrew Rotermund successfully passed his PE exam and moved to Durham, North Carolina, with his cat, Theo. Theo seems to be making the adjustment well – oh, and Andrew, too. Kyle Rios just returned from his deployment with the Navy. He shared as much enthusiasm as one can have from someone trapped inside a ship for nine months at sea. Kyle is still on track to become admiral of the Navy by the year 2042.”

Sam Druen graduated from NPS with a master’s in electrical engineering and also graduated engineering duty officer basic school. Sam and his wife just moved down to Mobile, Alabama, and he is going to be stationed as SUPSHIP Gulf Coast in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The Druens just

2020-Issue 4

bought their first house down there and are getting to experience that whirlwind. Sam hopes this COVID-19 stuff will end soon, and until then, according to Sam, ‘I will not take council of my fears!’”

Lastly, I had an awesome correspondence with Sam West’s mom. Sam got married Nov. 2, 2019, and he had a good Keydet turnout.

In attendance at Sam’s wedding were Capt. Blair Turner and Nate Murray, as well as those who appeared in a photo from the wedding: Sam West with bride Kaylyn (Benn), Harrison Williams, Ben Clarke, Gaston Ledford, Owen Dugger, Sam Patterson, Andrew Green ’18, Pat Goulden ’13, Ty Trobridge, Jennifer Woodcock, Mike DeBlasio, Ian McFarland, Jon Kelley, Peter Fisher and Chris Malta. Last time this many permits were together, they were marching PTs! Like most parents I have had contact with, they admire all of us Keydets and the relationships we formed through the challenges we endured at the Institute. It is always really nice to hear from BRs’ family members. We never forget how much VMI means to us, but I feel we sometimes forget how much it means to the teams that supported us while we were there. Family members: Keep the updates coming!

Oh! BR Hayden Whetstone called the other day, and after waiting a week to return his call, he made me strain and fix my shirt stays before he would continue our conversation. It was really nice catching up with him. That’s all for this time!

This rat is a rat, Johnny

Class of 2016: John McKelvey graduated from University of Maryland School of Dentistry in May 2020.

2016

Jacob Norris Patrick Hine Class of 2016: Hunter Morgan graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in May 2020.

Townsend Williams and his wife, Rachael, had their first child, Eleanor Gray Williams, Jan. 26, 2020. She was a whopping 6 pounds, 11 ounces.

Eleanor is as captivating as her mother and as resolute as her father. Congrats, Rachael and Townsend!

John McKelvey graduated from the University

of Maryland School of Dentistry May 15. He’ll be going to Fort Bragg this July and serving as a general dentist for a year. In July 2021, he’ll begin a 4-year oral and maxillofacial surgery residency which will also take place at Fort Bragg. If any BRs are stationed there in the next five years, hit him up. I received a photo of him giving an exam to BR Ryan Poffenbarger!

Hunter Morgan recently graduated from the

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Class Notes

Class of 2016: Townsend Williams and his wife, Rachael, had their first child, Eleanor Gray Williams, in January 2020.

Class of 2018: Will Woodward, Brandon Harrington ’08, and William “Woody” Woodward Sr. ’92 met up in Houlton, Maine.

University of South Carolina School of Law this past May and completed the bar exam in South Carolina last week. He’ll be working as an associate attorney with Rogers Townsend in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. He also recently became engaged to his now-fiancée, Leah Alvin.

They are getting married May 1, 2021, in Richmond, Virginia.

2017

Class of 2018: U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Ben Washechek and his wife, Michéle, had a daughter, Juliet Solange.

Benjamin Stewart

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2017.

2018

Carlee Anderson Matt Esnardo

Class of 2018, Hope everyone is surviving the apocalypse.

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Class of 2018: U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Christopher Ferrell and his wife, Selena, with their daughter, Annagrace Mae.

I’ve been telling my Marines to “stay positive and test negative!” So I’ll relay the same thing to you all.

1st Lt. Cameron Boone started medical school at the Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University.

We wish him luck in his studies and continued service to our nation.

Also up north is Will Woodward, who got together with Brandon Harrington ’08 and William “Woody” Woodward Sr. ’92. The three met up in Houlton, Maine.

1st Lt. David Meise graduated from flight school in Fort Rucker, Alabama, and was selected to fly the CH-47F Chinook helicopter.

After being delayed for about three months due to COVID-19, David reported to Camp Humphreys, South Korea, for his new assignment as a platoon leader in Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division as a flight platoon leader (Bravo Co., 3-2 GSAB, 2ID).

Lieutenants Connor O’Brien and Christian Cartagena also graduated flight training under the U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training. Christian will be flying the U-28 and Connor will be flying the C-17.

No weddings to report this time (yes, I will do your sword/saber arch), but our class did have a couple of babies.

Our class historian, 1st Lt. Ben Washechek, and his wife, Michéle Fabienne Washechek, welcomed their daughter, Juliet Solange Washachek.

1st Lt. Christopher Ferrell and his wife, Selena Ferrell, celebrated their one-year anniversary May 25, 2020. On June 17, Chris and Selena welcomed their daughter, Annagrace Mae Ferrell.

In other news, our rat-ties, with the help of the rest of the Corps of Cadets, are about to matriculate our future grandrats. I’ve talked a little with some of the 1st Class cadets, and it seems like they are doing a terrific job despite the challenges of COVID-19.

We are wishing the best of luck to the Corps of Cadets this year, and especially to the RCO and RXO running the cadre.

Good luck to the members of ’21 at VMI! (Except Lassiter, Reiman and Holcomb and Stolzfus; you may strain).

Sincerely, Matt and Carlee

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

2019

Nathan D.A. Mumford Annika K. Tice

Rather than fill the pages with words, we thought it would be nice for pictures to do the talking for us. Our class is doing it all: Serving in the military, working on high-tech computer codes, working at VMI, doing what engineers do, moving across the world, starting businesses, going back to school, getting married, working nonstop, raising children and adopting puppies (to name a few). To say we’re proud would be an understatement. Between the pandemic and any other worldly unrest, keep your head held high and stay in touch. ’1-9, Nate and Annika

Class of 2019: Preston Duff’s daughter, Harper.

Class of 2019: Nick Schweers’ wedding.

2020-Issue 4

2020 Alexander Dragan Holly K. Njabo

Class of 2020, With our graduation being not too long ago and everyone starting their new careers, either civilian or military, there is much to cover regarding our fellow BRs and where they will be journeying to. We will do our best to get as much info out there to you guys as we can.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Holly or me via any social media or email and let us know any updates to your status, such as weddings or new jobs, so we can share them with the class!

Our hope is to keep the VMI spirit of brotherhood alive and well in our class.

Naval ensigns in Lexington: As many of us have left the Institute and are off in the world enjoying our new lives, not everyone has had the privilege of departing VMI. A few of our fellow Navy ensigns remain in Lexington working with the Naval Department as they await to enter the fleet. Chris Clark, Madeline Hassler, Andrew Raciti, Mac Baxter, T.J. Baham, Doug Burkhart, Aaron Barraclogh, Annie Wilson, Skylar Birdie and Will Soldow are all living it up together, partying in Lex Vegas and eagerly awaiting to report to their duty stations. In a way, I envy them.

They get to spend a little more time with each other before departing for their new lives away from home.

2020 Bomb highlights: The 2020 Bombs are also out now, so make sure to take a look through them! Will Cedarquist and the rest of the yearbook staff did an exceptional job with the limited time and difficult circumstances they had to deal with while putting it together!

Here are some of the highlights I have picked out for your viewing pleasure: On page 287 in the bottom left corner, you will see the esteemed Skylar Birdie making an exceptional face over to the far left of the image. Quality

content. I would also like to highlight the extremely terrifying yet devilishly handsome face of Colby Burke on Matriculation Day, page 281, bottom left. Anna McFarlane also tries to hide her disgust for the rat-ties while giving her House Mountain speech, but a little shows through, page 283, upper right. Karl Skerry, while giving the rats their new shoulder boards and privilege to wear them and look at him (yes, it is a privilege to look at the man), he has not yet given them the privilege to fully turn their bodies toward him as he speaks to them.

In time, they may earn this, page 285, bottom left. Directly to the right of this shot, we see the familiar smiling face of Anna Bozentka, cherishing a moment with one of her rats. I can only imagine the tragedy of such an image lost due to wearing masks for this year’s New Market Day. On page 287, we see newlyweds Colin Kearney and Angela Mullins Kearney ’19, and if you look close enough, you will find a nice big red lipstick smooch on his cheek. Such cuties. Next, we have Base Co., sporting what is probably the coolest team picture of all time on page 296. Jordan Ebersole needs to put those triceps away before he cuts someone. And lastly, we will never let Taylor Batte live down his infamous commissioning mustache, page 330, bottom left. “Police that moosetache” – Sgt. Maj. John Sixta, “Generation Kill.”

Road trips: For those of you who may not be super hip to the Snap stories of Max Gallahan, he is currently undertaking a voyage of epic proportions. Starting in Springfield, Virginia, he has been venturing south through Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and then west through Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and then California. He will then take the route through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and then finally home again in Virginia. Hope the trip is going well, Max! Marines awaiting The Basic School: In other military news, a sizable portion of the Marine second lieutenants will be venturing to TBS Oct. 5.

Those going together in October are Sean Carroll, Abby Dimirack, Alex Dragan, Max Gallahan, Jacob Keith, Colt Richardson, Sean Kim, Kenny Krstulovic, Chris Milliken, Stew Spurry and Karl Skerry. A lonely Zack Anderson will be going Sept. 8.

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Class Notes

Baby Keydets ADAMS – a son, Reid Edison, to Ashley and Kyle Adams ’08, July 17, 2020.

BARHAM – a daughter, Taryn Leigh, to Rachel and Trey Barham ’08, April 27, 2020.

BECKLEY – a daughter, Amelia Grace, to Rachel and Tim Beckley ’08, Aug. 3, 2020.

CHAPMAN – A son, Augustine Clarence Woods, to Anna and Joel Chapman ’12, May 20, 2020.

VMI’s 10 Most Senior Alumni According to the records of the VMI Alumni Agencies, the people listed below constitute the 10 senior alumni of the Institute.

Please contact the Alumni Review staff if any errors are noted.

B.W. Baker ’42 Jack N. Williams ’41 Gunyon M. Harrison Jr. ’43

Sept. 8, 1920 March 6, 1921

Charles H. Beckham ’43

June 1, 1921

Bruce H. Suter ’43

July 7, 1921

Robert W. Goodman Jr. ’42

Sept. 3, 1921

John M. Patton ’42

Sept. 14, 1921

Robert L. Reeves ’43

Sept. 22, 1921

Jeffrey G. Smith ’43

Oct. 14, 1921

Fred H. Lockwood ’44

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July 1, 1920

May 3, 1922

VMI Alumni Review

Provisional Appointments APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2037 (cont).

2025 Samuel J. Jones

Christopher J. Schmitz ’17

Brother

Anthony Jones

Christopher J. Schmitz ’17

Brother

Ivan A. Moore Jr. ’78

Grandfather

Allen D. Moore ’97

Uncle

Charles M. Hunter ’936

Great-grandfather

Sawyer P. McDavid

Paul B. Dunahoe ’83

Grandfather

Nolan T. Smith

Thane J. Smith ’07

Father

Coraline R. Visconti

Joshua D. Visconti ’12

Father

Katherine L. (Gill) Visconti ’13

Mother

Isabella K. Branch

G. Marshall Mundy ’56

Grandfather

Savannah E. James

Gregory J. Diamontopulos ’75

Grandfather

Peter A. Diamontopulos ’13

Uncle

Andrew G. Maxwell

Andrew G. Maxwell ’07

Father

Lincoln McAtee

Anthony C. McAtee ’15

Father

Shelby L. McAtee ’16

Mother

Eloise A. O’Neal

Earl C. Nelson ’88

Grandfather

Dayton C. Vernon

Justin W. Vernon ’14

Father

Emerson F. Washburn

2038

2026 Jackson Holby

Robert L. Holby Jr. ’75

Grandfather

Hunter Williams

Kevin P. Williams ’92

Father

Hudson C. Blankenship 2039

2027 Brody Holby

Robert L. Holby Jr. ’75

Grandfather

2028 Mary E. Holby

Robert L. Holby Jr. ’75

Grandfather 2040

2029 Joseph Bosetti

Timothy G. Bosetti ’90

Father

2030 Cassandra R. Buterbaugh-James Stephen Jones

Gregory J. Diamontopulos ’75

Grandfather

Peter A. Diamontopulos ’13

Uncle

Christopher J. Schmitz Jr. ’17

Brother

2031 Lily Holby

Robert L. Holby Jr. ’75

Grandfather

2041

Zane Lake

Michael A. Lake ’89

Father

Jack D. Bowen

Daniel Kornacki ’79

Grandfather

William H. Grimes

Frank H. Grimes Jr. ’930

Great-grandfather

Jackson McAtee

Anthony C. McAtee ’15

Father

Shelby L. McAtee ’16

Mother

J. Robert Nolley Jr. ’51

Great-grandfather

William T. Nolley ’55

Great-uncle

W. Tolar Nolley ’81

Great-uncle

2032 Elizabeth Bosetti

Timothy G. Bosetti ’90

Father Virginia R. Nolley

2033 Jazmyn Pearson

Richard J. Davis ’67

Grandfather

James H.B. Peay V

J.H.B. Peay III ’62

Grandfather

Mateo Santos

Lindsey L. (Parkman) Santos ’12

Mother

James H.B. Peay IV ’98

Father

Theodore A. Seiling

Bruce G. Seiling ’62

Grandfather

Ryan N. Peay ’02

Uncle

Luke J. Smith

Thane J. Smith ’07

Father

J.H.B. Peay Jr. ’929

Great-grandfather Grafton D. Addison III ’82

Grandfather

Grafton D. Addison IV ’11

Father

Grafton D. Addison ’921

Great-great-

2042 Hayden J. Addison

2034 Madeline Grimes

Frank H. Grimes Jr. ’930

Great-grandfather

grandfather

2036 Charlotte J. Puhala

Heather J. Brown ’06

Mother

Grafton D. Addison Jr. ’54

Great-grandfather

Colton W. Warf

James W. Warf III ’96

Father

Edward C. Addison ’59

Great-great-uncle

Christian B. Addison ’14

Uncle

Michael C. Denton ’81

Great-uncle

Maury A. Denton ’07

Cousin

2037 Margaret P. Adamson Harper E. Rea

2020-Issue 4

Vincent C. Adamson III ’96

Father

Stephen P. Adamson ’67

Uncle

Samuel J. Bergren

Molly Bergren ’08

Mother

Lewis F. Rea ’71

Grandfather

Thomas Z. Bishop

Michael J. Smith ’77

Grandfather

James M. Rea Jr. ’57

Cousin

Annabelle S. Board

Lakin A.N. Board ’04

Father

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Provisional Appointments APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2042 (cont).

2042 (cont).

Peter R. Boyd

APPOINTEE’S NAME

C. Rodes Boyd Jr. ’80

Grandfather

Robert E. Rodes ’843

Great-great-

Ellis B. Luxhoj

great-uncle Ava L. Luxhoj

Kenneth B. Luxhoj ’09

Father

Andrew C. Luxhoj ’11

Uncle

William J. Luxhoj ’15

Uncle

Andrew C. Luxhoj ’11

Father

Philip M. Heflin ’54

Great-grandfather

Scott E. Campbell ’04

Uncle

Kenneth B. Luxhoj ’09

Uncle

Paul E. Campbell ’78

Grandfather

William J. Luxhoj ’15

Uncle

Virginia M. Brzozowski

Richard D. McFarland ’75

Grandfather

Paul B. Dunahoe ’83

Grandfather

Quinn E. Bushore

Salome (Coffman) Bushore ’07

Mother

Heather L. Haag ’14

Aunt

Sawyer L. Brandon

Patterson R. McDavid

John M. Blankenship ’80

Grandfather

Eamon D. Clark

Brent S. Clark ’15

Father

John M. Blankenship ’22

Great-uncle

Carson J. Dunahoe

Paul B. Dunahoe ’83

Grandfather

Frank B. Blankenship ’893

Great-great-uncle

Heather L. Haag ’14

Aunt

Harley R. Myler ’75

Grandfather

Ira T. Orrell ’77

Grandfather

Craig A. Myler ’79

Great-uncle

Terry L. Leake ’71

Great-uncle

Evelyn A. O’Neal

Earl C. Nelson ’88

Grandfather

Michael R. Louthan ’10

Father

Thomas E. Pool

Jonathan P. Pool ’07

Father

Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41

Great-grandfather

Henry C. Reed

Christopher H. Zendt ’84

Grandfather

Charles M. Louthan ’75

Grandfather

James E. Zendt ’925

Cousin

Frank G. Louthan III ’66

Great-uncle

Kirkland W. Rozyskie

Andrew W. Rozyskie ’16

Father

Bernard R. Hill ’68

Great-uncle

James B. Stratz

Brandon M. Stratz ’10

Father

John L. Haithcock ’81

Great-uncle

Connal Toolan

Seamus M. Toolan ’99

Father

Robert P. Louthan ’82

Great-uncle

Brendan P. Toolan ’98

Uncle

Frank G. Louthan IV ’91

Cousin

Rowan A. Underwood

Brenton L. Underwood ’06

Father

Christopher B. Louthan ’14

Cousin

Case S. Vernon

Justin W. Vernon ’14

Father

Mason A. Louthan ’18

Cousin

Sara B.N. Wright

Mathew T. Wright ’10

Father

John C. Barnard ’12

Uncle

Samuel T. Wright ’71

Grandfather

Father

Augustine C.W. Chapman Joel B. Chapman ’12

Conrad J. Gronlie Michael R. Louthan Jr.

John B. Mejia

Henrik R. Myler

WHOLE DAMN TEAM

203.8 vmialumni.org /203-8

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VMI Alumni Review

Taps Hugh C. Dischinger Sr. ’45 Hugh Charles Dischinger Sr. ’45 of Gloucester, Virginia, died July 11, 2020. He was 96.

He matriculated from Gloucester and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his children, Hugh Charles Dischinger Jr. (Portia), Martha Dischinger Wellons (Clarence William), Joseph Brown Dischinger (Sally) and Amy Dischinger Colaizzi (Vittorio); grandchildren, Hugh Joshua Dischinger (Monica), Matthew Charles Dischinger (Marybeth), William Todd Wellons, Kathryn Craft Wellons and Hannah Rose Dischinger; nephew, William A. Brown ’80; and great-nephews, Joseph W. Brown III ’06 and Jonathan C. Brown ’09.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Ann Brown.

Edward Y. Holt Jr. ’46 Col. Edward Young Holt Jr. ’46 of Norfolk, Virginia, died Oct. 20, 2019. He was 93.

He matriculated from Dallas, Texas, and spent more than 10 months at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of Science degree from George Washington University.

He is survived by his wife, Earline Perry Holt; children, Perri Bayer (John), Ted Holt (Kim) and Andy Holt (Donna); grandchildren, Bailee, Ryan, Noah, Connor, Ashley, Heather and Wesley; and sister, Margaret Dill.

Gregory G. Garland Jr. ’46 Gregory Gray Garland Jr. ’46 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died May 29, 2020. He was 96.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia, a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Duquesne University.

He is survived by his daughters, Margaret Gerry Cooper (James W.) and Gayle Simpson (William H.), and grandchildren, Will Simpson (Jean) and Keally Simpson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Garland, and brother, Landon Wellford Garland.

Edward D. Gelzer Jr. ’46 Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Edward DuPont Gelzer Jr. ’46 of Winchester, Virginia,

2020-Issue 4

died March 6, 2020. He was 95.

He matriculated from New Orleans, Louisiana, and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University.

He is survived by his children, Heidi J. Gelzer (Edward Mortimore), Louise S. Addison (William), Edward D. Gelzer III (Donna) and Harvey W. Snyder III (Zora); grandchildren, Holly, Emily, Hailey, Angala and Erica; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Katalyn, AvaGrace and Cason.

He was preceded in death by his wife, A. Florence Gelzer, and first wife, Patricia Ann Gelzer.

James E. White ’46 James Edward White ’46 of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, died May 25, 2020. He was 95.

He matriculated from Scottsville, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his children, Marianne White (Jeffrey Rogers) and Michael White (Susan White); grandchildren, Cameron Rogers, Ethan Rogers and Malcolm White; and sister, Alice Rosenberg.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irmtraud Mayer White, and brothers, Walter P. White and Peter J. White.

He is survived by his children, Henry (Lynn), David (Jill Golden) and Gail (Pat Rudden), and grandchildren, Emily, Julia, Alison, Sarah (Dan) and Claire (Zach).

Bunn S. Rhea ’48B Bunn Sumpter Rhea ’48B of Avon Lake, Ohio, died June 18, 2019. He was 92.

He matriculated from Nashville, Tennessee, and spent over three months at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University.

He is survived by his wife, M.E. Rhea; children, Jami, Marjorie and Alan (Tricia); grandchildren, Marti, Travis, Jack, Brooke, Katie and Kelly; and great-granddaughter, Kaylin.

James Work ’50B

John R. Maggard ’47

James “Jim” Work ’50B of Katy, Texas, died July 14, 2020. He was 93.

He matriculated from Staunton, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his children, James, Magnus (Sierra) and Garnett Payne (Charlie); grandchildren, Meredyth (Ryan), Adam (Valarie), Nathan, Spencer and Morgan; greatgrandchildren, Makenzie, Madison, Kyra, Neela, Adelyn, Emrick, Lisa and Crystal; and daughter-in-law, Sandra.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene, and son, Robert.

John Rutherford Maggard ’47 of New Rochelle, New York, died May 25, 2020. He was 94.

He matriculated from Larchmont, New York, and spent two years at VMI. He is survived by his children, Mary Maggard Hayes (“Whis”), Nancy Maggard Richey Prichard (Thomas), John Oliver Maggard (Christina Battalia), William Drake Maggard (Margaret), Jane Rutherford Maggard, Robert Harold Maggard (Amedee), Jeffery Drake Maggard (Victoria) and Susanna Maggard Farnham (Alan), 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Miller Maggard Dickinson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, and brothers, Andrew McGiffert Maggard and Oliver Maggard.

William Perfater Caldwell ’51 of Daleville, Virginia, died May 14, 2020. He was 90.

He matriculated from Radford, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Joanna Cox Caldwell; children, Greg (Priscilla), Jodi Austin (Coley) and Kay Spangler (Chad); grandchildren, Cole Austin (Caroline), Will Austin, Ryan Spangler, Ally Spangler, Cary Caldwell and Calvin Caldwell; and sister-inlaw, Polly Caldwell.

He was preceded in death by his son, Bill Jr., and brothers, Frank and Bob Caldwell.

William P. Caldwell ’51

Henry Nalven ’48B

Charles E. Held ’51

Henry Nalven ’48B of Great Neck, New York, died May 10, 2020. He was 93.

He matriculated from Brooklyn, New York, and spent one year at VMI.

Charles Eugene Held ’51, D.D.S., of Boerne, Texas, died June 14, 2020. He was 93.

He matriculated from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree

145

Taps in biology from VMI. He earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee.

He is survived by his son, David Held (Kris); daughters, Cindy McCarley (Kirk), Elizabeth Rogers (Don) and Melissa McKinney (Robert); grandchildren, Holly (Kendal Volz), Heidi (John McDonald), Hayley (Reid Ruggles), Hannah Held, Kyle McCarley, Megan (Lane Hanberry), Daniel (Ellie Rogers), James Rogers, David Rogers (Kayla), Catherine Rogers, Lauren (Mark Norris), Matthew (Baylee McKinney) and Abby McKinney; great-grandchildren, Blair and Whit Volz, Lyla McDonald, Easton McCarley, Addie Hanberry, Sawyer Rogers, Ben Rogers, Ellie Settle and Corrie McKinney; and sister, Evelyn Martin.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, and eight siblings.

Alfred D. Kneessy ’51 Retired U.S. Army Col. Alfred Davy Kneessy ’51 of Indianapolis, Indiana, died July 3, 2020.

He was 91.

He matriculated from Louisville, Kentucky, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University.

He is survived by his children, Caroline Boaz Russell, Kathryn Davy Gooding and George Davy Kneessy, and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Terry.

Alden A. Scott ’51 Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Alden Anderson “Sam” Scott ’51 of Charleston, South Carolina, died July 3, 2020. He was 94.

He matriculated from Salem, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

He is survived by his wife, Jessie D. Atkinson; daughters, Cynthia Scott Ries (Kenneth) and Katherine Scott Archer (Dean); grandchildren, James Scott Dalton, Nathaniel Scott Ries, Michael Russ Dalton (Bilge) and Benjamin Alden Ries; great-grandchildren, Carter Dalton, Kayden Dalton and Emre Dalton; step-daughter, Drew Atkinson Putt (Caperton); step-grandchildren, Caperton Jr., Harry and Wallace Putt and Jessica A. Wooten (Justin) and Victoria Arkinson (Garrett); and step-great-grandchildren, Lucy

146

Pearl and Clark Wooten and Lydia and Keanu Bobst.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Edith Scott Nelson and Loretta Scott Bickford, and step-son, Harry E. Atkinson Jr.

Louis C. Delisio ’52 Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Louis Charles “Lou” Delisio ’52 of Ashburn, Virginia, died July 18, 2020. He was 90.

He matriculated from Haverstraw, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

He is survived by his wife, Ella Kuhn Delisio; children, James A. Delisio (Leigh Anne) and Toni Lamen; grandchildren, Katherine Good (Jon), Carrie Thompson (Logan), A.J. Delisio, and Andrew and Robert Lamen; five great-grandchildren; step-children, John Kuhn (Nancy) and Steven Kuhn (Corey); and stepgrandchildren, Matthew and Kaycee Kuhn.

He matriculated from Oyster Bay, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Hofstra University.

He is survived by his wife, Babetta CastleWalsh; children, Margaret Heller, William Walsh, Janet Walsh, Anne Bleistein and Katherine Schlicht; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and step-children, Guy Sliker and Peter Sliker.

Frederic C. Willard ’55 Frederic Charles “Fred” Willard ’55 of Los Angeles, California, died May 15, 2020. He was 86.

He matriculated from Cleveland, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He is survived by his daughter, Hope, and a grandson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lovell Willard.

Charles C. McRae ’52

John J. Kirchmier Jr. ’56

Charles Chester McRae ’52 of Houston, Texas, died July 28, 2020. He was 89.

He matriculated from Houston and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Glovenia “Glo” McRae; children, Charles C. McRae Jr. (Lisa), Allison F. Skoutelakis (Mike) and Philip A. McRae (Patricia); and grandchildren, Charles C. McRae III, Paul M. Skoutelakis, Alexander F. Skoutelakis, Catherine C. McRae, Caroline E. McRae and Philip Andrew McRae Jr.

John Joseph “J.J.” Kirchmier Jr. ’56 of Garner, South Carolina, died May 8, 2020. He was 86.

He matriculated from Chesapeake, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his children, John III, Charles and Anne.

Quentin T. Barrett ’55 Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Quentin Thomas Barrett ’55 of Alexandria, Virginia, died June 16, 2020. He was 86.

He matriculated from Alexandria and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Southern California.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Rossie Barrett; daughters, Wendy Barrett Miller (Blaise) and Pamela Barrett “Pam” Crismond (David); son, Clifton Thomas “Cliff ” Barrett (Karen); grandchildren, Graham Cairnes (Jen), Casey Cairnes (Chelsea), Brett Miller (Garrett) and Colt Miller (Liz); and seven great-grandchildren.

Richard H. Castle-Walsh ’55 Richard Henry Castle-Walsh ’55 of Falmouth, Massachusetts, died July 17, 2020. He was 88.

Allen S. Pate ’56 Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Allen Sharkey Pate ’56 of Mobile, Alabama, died July 24, 2020.

He was 85.

He matriculated from Coosada, Alabama, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Naylor Pate; children, Beth McKern, Laura Willis and Allen Sharkey “Sam” Pate Jr. (Dana); grandchildren, Martha Emily Ebling (J.R.), Thomas Colton III (Katie), Savannah Pate, Mason Pate, Cori Bennington, Adam Willis (Ashley), Hannah Willis, Madison Willis, Ryan McKern and Colin James McKern; and great-grandchildren, Bayne Ebling, Abigail Willis and Bowen Colton.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Martha Godfrey (Tom).

Lynn D. Avis ’57 Lynn Duke Avis ’57 of Roanoke, Virginia, died May 20, 2020. He was 85.

He matriculated from Roanoke and earned

VMI Alumni Review

Taps a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Norman Avis; sons, John T. “Jack” Avis ’87 (Ginger) and Lynn Scott Avis (LaDawn); daughter, Anne Terrell Avis Sommers (Craig); and grandchildren, Grace, Mason, Madeline, Michael Duke and Anne Tillison.

John W. Hughes ’57 John Ward Hughes ’57 of Athens, Alabama, died Feb. 22, 2020. He was 84.

He matriculated from Madison, Alabama, and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Jacksonville State University.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Hughes; children, John Hughes Jr. (Teresa), Jeff Troy Hughes, Melody Davis (Mike) and Janet Hughes; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

William E. Russell Jr. ’58 William Earl Russell Jr. ’58 of Suffolk, Virginia, died May 6, 2020. He was 85.

He spent less than two months at VMI. He is survived by his sons, William Sr. (Pixie), Daryl (Anne) and David Sr. (Debbie); grandchildren, William (Sarah), John, Zachary, Hannah, David and Maxwell; and great-granddaughter, Nancy Underwood.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Freeman Russell, and brother, James Forehand Russell Sr.

Kenneth D. Link ’58 Kenneth Dean Link ’58 of Newport, North Carolina, died July 22, 2020. He was 83.

He matriculated from Fort Eustis, Virginia, and spent more than four months at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Garner Link; children, John Link and Linda Floyd (Tim); and grandchildren, Christopher Floyd and Lauren Floyd.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred.

Robert V. Dale ’59 Robert Vernie Dale ’59 of Nashville, Tennessee, died July 29, 2020. He was 82.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Linda.

William C. Walker ’59 William Clyde “Bill” Walker ’59 of Virginia

2020-Issue 4

Beach, Virginia, died May 13, 2020. He was 82.

He matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Richmond.

He is survived by his wife, Heike; daughter, Carol Olsen (Clark); son, Mike Walker (Meg); and grandchildren, Walker (Juliana), Patrick, Holt and Bailey.

Ashby L. Chamberlin ’60 Ashby Lyle Chamberlin ’60 of Rockville, Maryland, died May 20, 2020. He was 82.

He matriculated from Chevy Chase, Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn “Katie” Wood Chamberlin; children, Susan, Mary Ellen, Amy, Todd, Catherine and Cliff; and grandchildren, Connor, Brent, Caitlin, Brooke, Riggs, Ashley, Corbin, Anna, Page, Riley, Rebecca, Hudson and Vance.

James R. O’Dell ’60 James Richard O’Dell ’60 of Bluffton, South Carolina, died May 2, 2020. He was 81.

He matriculated from Kingsport, Tennessee, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Mary Suzanne Southee O’Dell; daughters, Cynthia O’Dell, Teresa LeBlanc, Lisa Yamin (John) and Melissa Olson (Scott); grandchildren, Michael Yamin, Ashley LeBlanc, Devin LeBlanc and Cooper Olson; and sister, Marilyn Minchey (Jim).

William J. Toker ’60 William James Toker ’60 of Ashburn, Virginia, died March 16, 2020. He was 82.

He matriculated from Euclid, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from VMI.

Dennis W. Curtis ’61 Dennis Wade Curtis ’61 of Chester, Virginia, died May 7, 2020. He was 81.

He matriculated from Hopewell, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Jerry; son, Dennis Curtis Jr. ’88 (Michelle); daughter, Michelle Grundler (Patrick); five grandsons; and sister, Phyllis C. Krumel.

John D. Wiggins Jr. ’61 Maj. John Dewey Wiggins Jr. ’61 of Bowie,

Maryland, died May 31, 2020. He was 81.

He matriculated from Falls Church, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from VMI. He earned a Master of Arts degree in management from Central Michigan University.

He is survived by his daughter, Helen.

Carl M. Jordan Jr. ’62 Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Carl Moore Jordan Jr. ’62 of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died June 20, 2020. He was 79.

He matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the College of William and Mary.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen Haigh Evans Jordan; son, Everard Baker Jordan; daughter, Katherine Evans Jordan Christiano (Dr. Jose Guilherme Christiano); and grandchildren, Catherine Briley Jordan and Lucas Guilherme Christiano.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Louise Jordan Purvis Viessmann and Frances Ivy Jordan Anthony, and brother, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Robert L. Jordan.

Per I. Madsen ’62 Per Ingvald Madsen ’62 of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, died July 11, 2020. He was 79.

He matriculated from Glenshaw and spent two years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy.

He is survived by his sons, Christian and Niels ’08; sister, Dorthea; and brothers, Roy and Rolf.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marita, and sister, Nancy Navarro.

Alfred R. Mangino ’62 Alfred Richard “Fred” Mangino ’62 of Toms River, New Jersey, died June 26, 2020.

He was 80.

He matriculated from Schenectady, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his children, Mike (Tricia), Sandi (Jeff), Chrissie (Tony) and Marcello (Tricia); grandchildren, Kinzie, Joshua, Caleb, Kai and Sophia; great-grandchildren, Koan and Landon; and sister, Teri (Robert).

Joseph C. Liberti ’63 Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joseph Charles

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Taps Liberti ’63 of Haymarket, Virginia, died June 26, 2020. He was 78.

He matriculated from Alexandria, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Missouri and attended the U.S. Army War College.

He is survived by his wife, Wardlee; children, Helen (Doug) and Joe Jr. (Alisha); grandchildren, Mackenzie, Caroline, Alex, Ari and Max; and sister, Ellen (Louis).

Charles E. Straub III ’63 Charles Edward Straub III ’63 of Christiansburg, Virginia, died July 19, 2020. He was 79.

He matriculated from Christiansburg and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Richmond.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn Ross Straub; children, Chuck Straub (Mary Ann), Stuart Straub (Gina), Christian Straub, Maggie Ross Straub ’16 and Cadet Mollie Ross Straub ’22; grandchildren, Shannon Straub and Ryan Straub; and brother, Joseph S. Straub ’65.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles E. Straub Jr. ’934, who died March 16, 1995.

Ralph E. Turpin Jr. ’63 Ralph Essex Turpin Jr. ’63, J.D., of Lovingston, Virginia, died May 9, 2020. He was 78.

He matriculated from Lovingston and spent two years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University.

He is survived by his wife, Patrica Ann Turpin; children, Margaret Ann Bachman (Scott) and Ralph E. “R.E.” Turpin III (Abigail); and grandchildren, Audrey, Samuel, Danner, Josh and Jason.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, John Horsley, Dr. Thomas Horsley, Ruby Anne Wygat and Katherine Booker Davidson.

Laura Winfree and Peyton Winfree; grandchildren, Lauren Morales, Ian Morales, Zachary Winfree and Victoria Winfree; and cousin, Dr. Walter R. Winfree ’69.

He was preceded in death by his father, Reverdy E. Winfree ’931, who died Oct. 10, 1991, and great-grandfather, Christopher V. Winfree ’848, who died June 18, 1902.

Colin B. Blakemore ’65 Colin Byron Blakemore ’65 of Hockessin, Delaware, died May 6, 2020. He was 76.

He matriculated from Newport News, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Becky; sons, Owen (Anne) and Darren (Shannon); grandchildren, Addison and Wesley; and brother, Porter (Linda).

George D. Dyer Sr. ’66 George Dickerson Dyer Sr. ’66 of Raleigh, North Carolina, died May 19, 2020. He was 76.

He matriculated from Danville, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Long Island University.

He is survived by his daughter, Whitney Dyer; son, George Dyer Jr. (Michelle); and brother, Benjamin Dyer (Janice).

Frank R. McKain Jr. ’66

Smith; son, Jonathan Blake Smith Sr. (Crystal); daughter, Julie Smith Taylor; grandchildren, Ryan Peade, Joshua Pennington, Vanessa Cummings (Dakota), Landon Taylor and Blake Smith Jr.; great-granddaughter, Josie Pennington; brother, Williams Guy Smith III (Phillipa); brother-in-law, Robert L. Kilbourne Jr.; and sister-in-law, Leslie Patton (Dale).

J. Kent Underwood ’68 Joseph Kent Underwood ’68 of St. Louis, Missouri, died May 9, 2020. He was 74.

He matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree from Purdue University.

He is survived by his sons, Scott Underwood and Jeff Underwood (Valerie); two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; sister, Carol Underwood Digesare; and cousins, Walt Jeffress ’68 and James Puryear ’69.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene.

Douglas G. Cisler ’70 Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Douglas Gene Cisler ’70 of Boerne, Texas, died May 2, 2020. He was 72.

He matriculated from Hitchcock, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Erin Cisler Shelton (Jim); sons, Richard A. “Bob” Cisler, William A. Cisler (Sophie) and Stephen M. Cisler; grandchildren, Cameron D. Moore, Katherine M. Shelton and Zoe G.S. Cisler; sister, Joyce Laird; and brother, Richard M. Cisler.

Reverdy E. Winfree Jr. ’64

Frank Robert “Bob” McKain Jr. ’66 of Tallahassee, Florida, died Aug. 28, 2018.

He was 74.

He matriculated from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his children, Buffy Cefola (Rich) and Bill McKain (Holly); grandchildren, Alex English (Allen), Carlee and Ryan Cefola, and Griffin and Harper McKain; great-grandchildren, Hadlee and Holly English; and brother, Jeff McKain (JoAnne).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara McKain.

Reverdy Estill “Rev” Winfree Jr. ’64 of Raleigh, North Carolina, died April 24, 2020.

He was 79.

He matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Judy; son, Reverdy E. Winfree III (Elvia); daughters,

Merritt G. Smith ’66

James Bender Dischinger Jr. ’70 of Picayune, Louisiana, died May 17, 2020. He was 72.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and spent three years at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Theresa; daughter, Jennifer Kropog (Ben); grandson, Sam; brothers, Robert (Susan) and Andy (Jo); and sister, Janet Oliver (Keith).

Merritt Guthrie Smith ’66 of Petersburg, Virginia, died July 14, 2020. He was 76.

He matriculated from Petersburg and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Kilbourne

Martin Francis Healy ’71 of Summerville, South Carolina, died April 30, 2020. He was 70.

He matriculated from Paden City, West

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James B. Dischinger Jr. ’70

Martin F. Healy ’71

VMI Alumni Review

Taps Virginia, and spent more than two years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Liberty State College.

He is survived by his wife, Lois; sons, Matthew Francis Healy, Jeffery Martin Healy and Gregory Michael Healy; daughter, Jaclyn Mercedes Prabhu (Pramod); grandson, Peyton Martin Healy; and sisters, Marliss Barzcak, Patty Anderson and Linda Alexander.

James A. Sinnott ’83 James Alexander Sinnott ’83, M.D., of Thomasville, Georgia, died May 9, 2004. He was 59.

He matriculated from Summit, New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the American University of the Caribbean.

He is survived by his children, Jeanette (Steve), Theodore, John, Nicole and Alexander; grandchildren, Charlie, Hudson, Mallory and Jensen; mother, Rose Marie Sinnott; sister, Jessica Sinnott (William Joseph Cotreau); and former wife, Anita Sinnott.

Craig S. MacDonald ’87 Craig Stephen MacDonald ’87 of Sarasota, Florida, died Dec. 28, 2019. He was 54.

He matriculated from Alexandria, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Janice MacDonald.

Michael W. Clegg ’88 Michael William Clegg ’88 of Newark, New

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Jersey, died April 10, 2020. He was 54.

He matriculated from Newark and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from VMI. He is survived by his mother, Rosalia Dickey Clegg, and sister, Tammy Norman (Trent).

VMI Family

Robert A. Shults ’91 Robert Allen Shults ’91 of Atlanta, Georgia, died June 17, 2020. He was 50.

He matriculated from Marion, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Claire (Furches) Shults; son, Logan Robert Shults; father, Robert McFarland Shults; and sisters, Sally Elizabeth Shults, Margaret McFarland Shults Scimone (Stephen), Kristen Elizabeth Leaman (Brian) and Kelly Anne Surber.

He was preceded in death by his step-mother, Anne Washburn Shults.

D. Rae Carpenter Jr.

James C. Cofer ’96

Col. Delma Rae Carpenter Jr. of Lexington, Virginia, died May 26, 2020. He was 92.

He taught physics at VMI for 40 years.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and mathematics from Roanoke College, a Master of Science degree in physics and math from Cornell University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in experimental physics from the University of Virginia.

(Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Col. Carpenter appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

James Christopher Cofer ’96 of Dayton, Virginia, died May 8, 2020. He was 46.

He matriculated from Smithfield, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Whitney (West) Cofer; daughters, Madison Christine Cofer and Macy Louise Cofer; brother, Bradley Madison Cofer (Susan); parents, James M. and Sherry (Smith) Cofer; in-laws, Larry and Ruth West; and brother-in-law, Justin West (Shelby).

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kim Allen Mote of Grapevine, Texas, died May 18, 2020. He was 70.

He was assigned to VMI’s Army ROTC unit during his Army career.

He is survived by his wife, Marie; daughters, Leslie Grant and Leah Harris; grandchildren, Caroline, Reagan and Graham; sister, Sharon Franke; sons-in-law; brothers-in-law; and sisters-in-law.

Kim A. Mote

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After Taps Frank McCarthy ’933

By William S. Scherer ’70 It was a cold morning in fall 1969 when the loudspeakers crackled with the announcement that the VMI Corps was invited to watch the screening of a new movie created by one of its alumni.

The appointed afternoon came, and the Corps was divided into two groups for two separate screenings.

Once seated, a smiling man of average height with blue eyes walked up to the podium. He announced his name was Frank McCarthy and he was from the of Class of 1933. He told us his movie was set to premiere in New York City, but he wanted the VMI Corps to see it first. He confessed he worked more than 20 years to get his project on the screen, and it was finally completed. He was so proud. You could see it in his eyes and in the tone of his voice. The lights went down, and the curtain opened. We immediately witnessed an enormous American flag on the screen, and well ... the rest is history.

In 1971, “Patton” went on to win six Academy Awards. George C. Scott also won a seventh Oscar for Best Actor. And yes, our own Frank McCarthy ’933 won the Oscar for Best Motion Picture, which is now prominently displayed in the George C. Marshall Museum.

The screening of the movie brought unbelievable excitement to the Corps, and morale greatly improved. At the time, many cities and college campuses were setting fire to their buildings and rioting in the streets while we remained in our little bubble in Lexington. Every month or two, we would receive notice of another VMI graduate killed on the battlefield of Vietnam. Most of us were confused on what to believe about the war, but after that memorable screening, things changed for most cadets. The Corps felt a new high – a renewed purpose – and were willing to take the next plane out to Vietnam and win the war for George C. Scott and America. It made us feel proud once again when we journeyed outside Lexington in our uniforms.

It’s common knowledge among VMI alumni that any alum can call up any other alum anywhere in the world and ask for help or questions,

and they will always be happy to accommodate you. In 1973, having just departed the Army, I decided to put the VMI family spirit to the test. I called up Frank McCarthy at his office in Fox Studios and introduced myself. I told him I had gone to VMI and had done some acting in high school and in the Army. Not only was he excited to hear from another VMI graduate but immediately invited me to his house high up in the hills of Bel Air. A close friendship had begun.

Frank had no ego, and if you called him up and told him you were from VMI, he would invite you to his home, serve you cocktails and ask you a hundred questions about yourself and the latest news about the Institute.

Then he would always ask, “How can I help you?”

He was loved and admired by his peers in Hollywood. Before the war, he was a press agent for George Abbott, the producer who put “Brother Rat” up in Broadway lights. During the war he had many positions, one of which was being aide for Gen. George C. Marshall ’901. Many don’t realize he was at Normandy Beach on D-Day on board one of the ships unloading troops. Frank had a way with people, and everyone loved him. He was smart, educated, refined, humble and a great listener. He never spoke about himself, which was unheard of in Hollywood then and to this day.

If you ever met Frank, you’d know how unassuming he was. The Institute was always in his heart and he loved helping out VMI alumni. After I moved to Los Angeles, Frank was always introducing me to people who could help my career.

Through the years, Frank and I frequently got together for screenings, drinks and dinner. Frank even attended my wedding to Barbara, still my beloved bride. I would never have gotten into the film business if it weren’t for Frank, and I thank him. He also taught me that just because you went to VMI did not mean that you couldn’t be an artist. He told me that being a general in the Army is the same line of work as being a Hollywood movie producer. It all came down to planning and logistics. He owed all his success to his learnings at the Institute.

George D. Dyer Sr. ’66

By G. Reynolds Young ’66 It was May 1970 when I reported to begin training at the FBI Academy at the Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. – a building now known as the Trump International Hotel. I joined 24 other guys in a classroom on the seventh floor to be sworn into the bureau as part of New Agents Class No. 16.

Nervous and knowing no one, I looked across the room, and there was my brother rat, George Dyer. Neither of us knew the other was joining the bureau until that moment. It was “old home week” that morning, as we had not seen each other since graduation in June 1966. We had both just completed four years of military service – George with the Army as a highly decorated helicopter pilot and I with the Marines. As I recall, the swearing in was delayed a bit just to quiet us down. We joined forces with two other new agents and rented an apartment in southeast Washington, D.C., for the coming months of training.

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At the end of training, George was assigned to the Milwaukee Field Office and then New York. I took the southern route to the Tampa Field Office, the Orlando Resident Agency and then to the Washington (D.C.) Field Office. While I had nothing to celebrate during my time as an agent, George very much did. George was the agent who successfully brought down John Joseph Gotti Jr., “The Teflon Don” of the Gambino crime family, after years of work on organized crime figures. George is legendary as an agent for this and many other successes ... and as a wonderful human being.

George was a magical character in one’s life: Pleasant, gentle, humorous and doggedly serious about his work. He thoroughly enjoyed his friends, and we very much enjoyed him. He was a constant at VMI class reunions, bringing great stories and warmth every five years. Our class and his FBI colleagues miss him dearly.

VMI Alumni Review

After Taps

J. Kent Underwood ’68

By Walton Jeffress ’68 and Dean Kershaw ’68 Our Brother Rat Kent Underwood departed this life May 9, 2020.

After a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s/dementia, he passed away peacefully with the remarkable faith, courage and spirit he displayed all during his exceptional life. His loving and talented wife, Irene Spangler Underwood, predeceased him in August 2007. He had two sons, Scott Underwood of St. Louis, Missouri, and Jeff Underwood of Greeley, Colorado; two grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.

Kent’s sister is Carol Underwood Digesare of Jacksonville, Florida.

Kent was an outstanding person and brother rat, who excelled at VMI and in his most impressive civil engineering career. Some in his VMI class described him as “the hardest worker they had ever known.” A part of his story is recounted below.

He was born in Washington, D.C., April 20, 1946, to Earl M. Underwood Jr. and Louise Creedle Underwood. Kent lived in Roanoke, Virginia, during 1956-68. He was an active member of Oakland Baptist Church and active in the Boy Scouts of America, attaining its highest honor of Eagle Scout. He attended William Fleming High School in Roanoke from 1959-64 where he was an honor student; active in the Student Government Association, serving as vice president in 196364; a member of the Colonel staff, Fleming’s yearbook from 1961-64, and served as sports editor 1963-64; and active in sports at Fleming, lettering in wrestling and track and field. While in high school, Kent met the love of his life, his future wife, Irene (Spangler). They were married in Roanoke, Virginia, at Oakland Baptist Church June 11, 1968, a week after he graduated from VMI. After graduating from high school in June 1964, he was employed for the summer by the Virginia Highway Department. That fall, Kent matriculated to Virginia Military Institute as a member of the Class of 1968. Kent was close to two first cousins and spent a lot of time in the summers with them. As it turned out, all three cousins attended VMI: Walton Jeffress ’68 and James Puryear ’69. Kent was a member of VMI’s NCAA wrestling team. He was a fine and competitive wrestler at VMI. He also participated in intramural football, basketball and volleyball. At VMI, Kent demonstrated a staunch ambition and clear focus to become the most outstanding civil engineer he could be through hard work. He enjoyed his classes and seemed to envision his bright future. In 1968, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, with honors. At graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

Kent served for eight years as an engineer in the U.S. Air Force. He was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, from 1968-70 and South Korea from 1970-71. He completed his military service as captain at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During his time in the Air Force, Kent obtained his master’s degree in civil engineering/management from Purdue University in 1972 and was licensed as a professional engineer. His successful service in the Air Force enhanced his engineering and management skills.

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After serving his country, Kent joined the Monsanto Company in 1976. This began a long and successful career where he rose to the position of manager of construction management for Monsanto. Kent was responsible for countless engineering and construction projects for Monsanto in numerous locations in the United States. On Sept.

1, 1997, Solutia, Inc. was formed as a divestiture of the Monsanto Company, and Kent transferred to a similar position as manager of project management. Kent retired from Solutia, Inc. in 2002 with more than 33 years of service in the engineering, construction and facilities management industries.

During his career, Kent was active and influential in both the Business Roundtable Construction Committee and the Construction Industry Institute, serving on its board of advisors and executive committee.

He twice was nominated as the Engineering News-Record Man of the Year, recognizing him as a construction industry leader. In 2004, the Construction Industry Institute also honored him as the very first recipient of its Richard L. Tucker Leadership and Service Award. This prestigious award continues to be awarded each year to the individual who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the mission and success of the Construction Industry Institute. Also, Engineering News-Record recognized him as a construction industry leader who “made a mark in 1991” for his leadership in developing the Roundtable publication “The Workers’ Compensation Crisis ... Safety Excellence Will Make a Difference.” In September 1995, Constructor, the Construction Management Magazine, honored Kent with his picture on the cover of its magazine. In this issue of Constructor, the cover highlights Kent’s article, “A More Cost Effective Construction Process.”

Kent was very active and sought after for his advice and experience in his local community. Kent was a member of the executive committee of the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers. He also served as commissioner, vice chairman, then chairman of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority. And notably, he had overall responsibility for oversight of design and construction with the St. Louis Stadium Authority in the building of the $300 million TWA Edward Jones Dome for the St. Louis Rams.

In 2001, Kent founded Underwood Consulting, LLC and was active in consulting until 2015. He assisted innumerable clients with their construction, management and engineering issues.

In addition to all his business accomplishments, Kent was licensed as a private pilot, owned a plane and enjoyed flying his plane to many locations in the United States for over 20 years.

As reflected above, Kent achieved remarkable success in all that he did. Clearly his VMI training and civil engineering education were a critical and essential component in his achievements. We are very proud of Kent as his brother rats of the Class of 1968 and will miss him. We will always remember him as a perfect gentleman in every respect and as one of the “hardest workers we have ever known.”

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Alumni News chief distribution officer by the boards He serves on the boards of the Military Bowl, Retired U.S. Army Col. David of the 5Star Life Insurance Company Professional Services Council and the Northern M. Glantz ’63 is the 14th recipient Virginia Technology Council. He has previously and the Armed Forces Benefit Asof a prestigious writing award, the served on the National Security Alliance board of sociation in June 2020. Wong’s posiPritzker Military Museum & Lidirectors and the Volgenau Engineering School tion consolidates both entities’ sales brary Literature Award for Lifetime Advisory Board at George Mason University. organizations.

Achievement in Military Writing. The He matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and Dwight D. Eisenhower began the Pritzker Literature Award is one of earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil AFBA in 1947, providing life insurthe world’s most generous, including ance that would give death benefits to engineering from VMI. a $100,000 honorarium, a citation and families of servicemembers who were a gold medal. The award honors and The Center for Sportfishing Policy recognizes a living author’s contribu- Glantz ’63 killed in combat. AFBA has elected Christopher N. Edmonston since expanded and offers tions to literary works dedicated to ’91 to a three-year term on its board understanding military affairs and history in coverage to federal employees and of directors in June 2020. The CSP greater depth. Glantz has written or co-written first responders and currently has over focuses on impacting national federal more than 60 publications. He is a leading expert 650,000 members. 5Star Life Insurance marine fisheries management policies. on the role of the Soviet Union during World Company serves as the underwriter The CSP has supported the passing War II, as well as the Eastern Front during the for AFBA. of the Modern Fish Act in 2019 and Wong matriculated from Kailua, same war. The award was first presented in 2007. advocated for further transparency and Glantz matriculated from Port Chester, New Hawaii, and earned a Bachelor of Arts fairness in striped bass fishing regulaYork. He was a distinguished graduate of VMI, degree in English from VMI. Wong commissioned into the U.S. Edmonston ’91 tions concerning recreational anglers, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history among other actions. from the Institute. He earned a Master of Arts Air Force following his graduation Edmonston matriculated from Edgewater, degree from the University of North Carolina from VMI. In 1997, he joined AFBA and has at Chapel Hill. After graduating from VMI, he been in the insurance industry for 44 years. He Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree was commissioned into the U.S. Army’s field holds Chartered Financial Consultant and Certi- in history from VMI. artillery branch. He spent more than 30 years fied Life Underwriter designations.

U.S. Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter recognized in the Army. Aside from his literary prowess, The Virginia Business magazine named John Curtis I. Ivins ’06 in the Congressional Record Glantz has returned to VMI as a speaker. He founded the Journal of Soviet (Slavic in 1989) M. “Mac” Curtis ’79 one of the 50 Most Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Ivins was recognized Influential Virginians in the March 2020 issue. for his actions after witnessing a car accident in Military Studies in 1988 and served as the editor until 2018. He received the Russian Federation He is the president and chief executive officer February 2020.

Ivins, upon seeing a single vehicle accident Ministry of Defense medal in 2015, the Samuel of Perspecta Inc., which is based in Chantilly, Eliot Morrison Prize in 2000 from the Society Virginia. Perspecta is a public company, with down in Chatham County, Georgia, immefor Military History and numerous U.S. military 14,000 employees and more than $4.5 billion diately parked his own vehicle and moved to assist the accident victims. He could see an adult awards. (Editor’s Note: Photo courtesy of Pritz- in revenue. The company supports diverse markets, including defense, state, local, health care, female struggling in the front seat and quickly ker Military Museum & Library.) civilian and intelligence. Perspecta was created joined other good Samaritans in helping free The McGovern Medical School at the Univer- in 2018, when three companies (Vencore, the woman and two children. The vehicle was sity of Texas Health president appointed Richard DXC Technology and KeyPoint Government in danger of continuing to roll over, with the Solutions) merged. Before Perspecta, he was accident victims inside. Using equipment he had J. Andrassy ’68, M.D., as executive dean ad interim in May 2020. The school is conducting the president and CEO of Vencore, Inc.; and in his personal vehicle, including gloves, a rescue hammer and a knife, Ivins worked with fellow a nationwide search, and Andrassy will serve in president and CEO of Vangent. volunteers. He breached the vehicle’s sunroof Curtis has more than 30 years of experithis position until the school finds a new dean. with the rescue hammer, peeled the remaining He is the Denton A. Cooley Chairman of the ence in federal government contracting and Department of Surgery and the Associate Dean leadership. He has received numerous awards, glass away and was able to free two children including the Boy Scouts of America from the vehicle. He organized a search of the for Clinical Affairs. Andrassy has been National Capital Area Council Tech- area outside the vehicle, to ensure there were a professor of surgery for more than 35 no further accident victims who may have been nology Good Scout Award in 2019; the years at the school. ejected from the vehicle. When first responders Greater Washington GovCon Award in He matriculated from New Provi2020; the Federal 100 award in 2011; a arrived, Ivins succinctly and clearly described dence, New Jersey, and earned a Wash100 recipient since 2015; and the the situation to the leading officer before leaving Bachelor of Science degree in biology Executive Leader of the Year Award the accident scene. from VMI. He earned a Doctor of Ivins matriculated from Amherst, Virginia, from the NoVa Chamber of Commerce Medicine degree from the Medical in 2016 for his fundraising work when and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in hisCollege of Virginia. chairing the American Heart Associa- tory from VMI. He serves as an officer in the M. Kimo Wong ’75 was named Wong ’75 tion’s Greater Washington Heart Walk. U.S. Army.

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