2021-3 VMI Alumni Review

VMI 2021 - Issue 3

Alumni Review

Contents

Virginia Military Institute Alumni Review 2021-Issue 3

In This Issue . . .

This issue includes class notes and news items covering the time period of Feb. 15, 2021, to May 15, 2021.

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In Memory

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Features 12 14 16 18 20 22

Wins ’85 Named 15th VMI Superintendent Class of 2021 Graduation Class of 2021 Commissioning Change of Command and Memorial Parades Portavoce ’01: Protecting Intellectual Property The Value of VMI

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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

8 Lt. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith ’43 9 Col. Mike E. Monsour (Hon.) 11 Capt. Blair P. Turner

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Volume 98, No. 1

2 3 24 30 38 43 47 49 164 165 172 174 175

Message from the Superintendent Our Alumni Serving On Post Athletics Events Progress Staff News Class Notes Provisional Appointments Taps After Taps Alumni News Book Announcements

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: The Class of 2021 celebrates after crossing the stage on Alumni Memorial Field to receive their diplomas during the outdoor graduation ceremony May 16.—VMI photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Inside Front Cover: Members of the Class of 2021 celebrating after the graduation ceremony.—VMI photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin and Kelly Nye.

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Message from the Superintendent

By Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85

As the VMI family knows, August is a time of transition on post. Fall sports athletes are the first to return, followed by the cadre, eager to prepare for a professional and robust Rat Line. Next, we welcome a new class to barracks. At the end of the month, the Old Corps returns, classes resume, and the Institute falls into the first semester’s customary rhythms.

This year, the transition is boosted by the anticipation of VMI returning to a regular schedule. Plans include welcoming many alumni, family, and friends back for class reunions. We look forward to a full schedule of NCAA sports and watching our teams build on last year’s successes.

Wins '85

I invite you to return to post to experience for yourselves the enhanced academic buildings, learning laboratories, and physical training environments that support the development of honorable leaders for our nation. For example, the newly renovated Preston Library is now open, and the expansion of Scott Shipp Hall will soon be complete. Work on the Aquatic Center is progressing swiftly, and it will open late next year. Finally, the VMI flagpoles will be centered on Marshall Arch and the statue of Gen. George C. Marshall, Class of 1901—a very appropriate location, considering his many contributions to our Institute, our country, and our world. The design has keen symbolic meaning regarding our nation’s freedom, fought for gallantly by many of our alumni.

While the rhythms of Institute life are familiar—and comforting—we cannot lull ourselves into a business-as-usual mindset. We must remain prepared to graduate future leaders of the highest caliber through our rigorous and unique method of education unlike any other in the nation. Because of the Institute’s objective to educate leaders of character, VMI has frequently evaluated every aspect of its program and made the adjustments necessary to ensure that our stellar alumni are ready to lead in the world they enter after graduation.

Upon my arrival, I ordered a thorough examination of our processes and programs to fully understand today’s VMI and determine our next steps forward. On the basis of that examination, our leadership team developed new strategic initiatives aligned to meet five outcomes I laid out in One Corps—One VMI: A Unifying Action Plan, which can be viewed at vmialumni.org/unifyingactionplan. This plan focuses on the VMI brand; a VMI which is diverse and inclusive; a commitment to honor; a VMI that competes to win; and the bedrock belief that because we have shared common hardships and common experiences, we are one VMI. It is critically important to note that, as we work toward achieving these outcomes, we will do so while preserving the fundamental aspects of the VMI experience we all hold dear: The Honor Code, the regimental and class systems (to include the rigors of the Rat Line), and the vigorous physical environment.

The Honor Code is the heart of the VMI experience, instilling in our cadets the conviction that integrity is an essential element of character. It is what makes VMI stand out as a college and our alumni stand out as members of society. The military-like regimental system where cadets learn the habits common to successful leaders in every profession—such as self-discipline, the ability to set goals and order priorities, and a sense of teamwork and camaraderie—is also crucial to the VMI experience. Likewise, through the class system, cadets are provided many chances to grow and develop as leaders. Whether it be lessons learned in the Rat Line or as mentors within the dyke system, cadets develop close bonds with their brother rats, upper-class cadets, alumni, and the broader Institute family, and they have opportunities to exercise leadership outside the regimental system. Athletic opportunities—at all levels—are an important element of cadet life because they strengthen cadets in many ways. Physical fitness habits learned young become life-long commitments to ensure health and wellness and promote mental fitness. Through athletics, cadets learn how to push themselves to their limits, lead within a team, and gain a sense of accomplishment through victory. They experience the satisfaction of attaining goals and objectives through hard work and determination.

There is another core element to the VMI experience, one that always has been at its center: Academics. No matter what profession they choose—business, medicine, the military, public service, the law, or technology, to name a few—cadets receive a first-rate academic preparation at VMI. To sustain the Institute’s academic excellence, we must devote increased resources to ensuring that we can successfully compete for the very best faculty and provide the structure for cadets to excel as students.

As we look toward the future, it is within the parameters of the Honor Code, the regimental system, the class system, the physical culture, and the academic program that cadets will strive to achieve their personal goals, grow as leaders, and ultimately demonstrate the very best of the VMI experience and shape how the Institute is seen by all.

I am both humbled and excited to lead the Institute forward at this important time in its history. I am also eager to welcome a new class as they begin their journey as leaders of character for our country.

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VMI Alumni Review

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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Hostetler ’68 Assists with COVID-19 Vaccines

Hal Hostetler ’68 (middle) with ship crewmen after the sailors received their COVID-19 vaccines. He serves as a chaplain for the Portsmouth Seafarers Ministry. The ministry serves seafarers from around the world by providing Bibles in various languages; religious services; ship visits; transportation to shopping centers; and access to computers, printers, and the internet. In spring and summer 2021, one of the ministry’s main missions was helping seafarers receive vaccines, which they could only receive if they were able to go ashore. Hostetler and the ministry worked to coordinate bringing medical personnel aboard ships to facilitate vaccinations.

McCarthy ’92, Tate ’92 Attend U.S. Army War College U.S. Army Col. Brian McCarthy ’92 (left) and retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andy Tate ’92 while earning their master’s degrees during a yearlong in-residence session at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, McCarthy will take command of the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas.

Tate will return to the staff for the director of the Army National Guard in Arlington, Virginia.

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VMI Alumni Review

Thackston ’92 Promoted to Colonel

Col. Mark Thackston ’92 (middle) with Maj. Gen. Timothy Williams, adjutant general of the Virginia National Guard and member of the VMI Board of Visitors, and Brig. Gen. Jim Ring ’88, director of the Joint Staff of the Virginia National Guard, at his promotion ceremony in South Boston, Virginia, Feb. 20, 2021.

Thackston (center) with his family at the ceremony (from left): His wife, Erin; son, Carrington; mother, Frances; and daughter, Courtland.

Ryan ’99 Commands Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Kevin Ryan ’99 (right), Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific commanding officer, is briefed by Pete Malone (left), F-18 integrated product team lead, while touring the F-18 planned maintenance interval line at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

Ryan took command of the unit in February 2021. FRC WESTPAC maintains, repairs, and overhauls U.S. military aviation assets to sustain and optimize performance.

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Rostorfer ’04, Adams ’03, and Melton ’05 Serve in Texas Army National Guard

Maj. Stacy Rostorfer ’04, Maj. Chris Adams ’03, and Lt. Col. George Melton ’05 at the Texas National Guard All Hazards Rehearsal of Concept. All three serve in the Texas Army National Guard.

Weschler ’10 Promoted to Major

Leonard Weschler ’10 (left) is promoted to major at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, May 1, 2021. Maj. Alex Wade ’10 officiates the promotion. Both are attending U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

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VMI Alumni Review

Parker ’10 First in Category for 2020 Military Visual Awards

U.S. Army Maj. Daniel Parker ’10 (right) won first place in the combat documentation category of the 2020 Military Visual Awards. The competition, which has nine categories, celebrates the best of worldwide military photography and has entrants from around the world.

Parker’s photo (above) captures soldiers assigned to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, as they stack up against a simulated door for a silhouette charge as part of Alpha Company, 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion’s breach academy at Fort Carson, Colorado, Dec. 7, 2020. The 299th BEB hosted the breach academy for noncombat engineer soldiers from across the brigade. Parker’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service portfolio can be viewed at this link: dvidshub.net/ portfolio/1446406/daniel-parker.

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In Memory: Lt. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith ’43

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith ’43, former commandant of cadets and father of a former dean of the faculty, died March 21, 2021. He was 99.

The son of an Army colonel and the descendant of soldiers who served in the American Revolution, the Civil War, and World War I, Smith was born at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in October 1921. As a cadet, he excelled academically, wearing academic stars throughout his cadetship. At graduation, he received VMI’s top academic honor, the Jackson-Hope Medal, First Honor, in civil engineering. He did well within both the Institute’s regimental system—becoming a corporal, first sergeant, and captain commanding Company C—and in the ROTC program, receiving the Sons of the American Revolution Medal as an outstanding cadet. A keen equestrian—Company C was the Corps’ cavalry company—Smith was a member of the Institute’s horse show team and received the Col. Harry N. Cootes Trophy as the outstanding cavalry cadet. He also was the president of the Hop Committee in his 1st Class year.

After graduation from VMI, he attended the Army’s Officer Candidate School and received his commission as a second lieutenant in January 1944. After receiving his commission, Smith joined the 124th Cavalry Regiment, which then was the only cavalry regiment to retain horses. The regiment soon moved to Fort Riley, Kansas; transformed into a mechanized unit, and deployed to the Far East, arriving in India in August 1944. As the unit fought against the Japanese in northern Burma, near the famous Burma Road, Smith served as a troop commander and a squadron operations officer. At the end of the war, the regiment was deactivated, and Smith joined an American team (headed by then-Maj. Richard M. Irby, Class of 1939, who would later serve as superintendent), which observed the surrender of a Japanese army to Chinese forces in northern China. He then helped expedite the embarkation of Chinese forces from Hanoi and Haiphong in what was then French Indochina.

Returning to the United States in summer 1946, Smith received a regular commission and then spent the next two years earning a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

He would later receive another Master of

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Smith ’43 Science degree from George Washington University. Over the next eight years, he held numerous staff positions and attended the Infantry School Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff College.

He took command of an armored infantry battalion at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in the middle of 1957, serving in that role until 1959 when he became a student at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Assignments in Korea came after his graduation from that institution, followed by his assignment to VMI as the commandant of cadets and professor of military science in summer 1960.

According to Smith’s son, Jeffrey G. Smith, Jr. ’79, Ph.D., Smith immediately developed a close relationship with the newly arrived superintendent, retired U.S. Marine Corps Brig.

Gen. George R.E. Shell, Class of 1931, based on their mutual determination to strictly enforce cadet regulations and to improve the Corps’ discipline and appearance. “In short order, [they] would enforce the rule that barred cadets from getting married; assigned barracks rooms for rats and 3rds by company; and restored the use of cuffs and cuff links in the wearing of the formal blouse.”

These and other actions by Shell and Smith chafed many cadets. Things came to head in

March 1961, according to Smith ’79, when Shell changed the time cadets would return from spring furlough. “The 1st Class decided enough was enough and ‘stepped off.’” In response, Smith “ordered the first captain, Lee Badgett ’61, to form up the 1st Class and double-time it twice around the Parade Ground.” Smith ’79, then six years old, witnessed the event from the front porch of the Commandant’s Quarters. In response the following day, the Class of 1961 declared an end to the Class of 1964’s Rat Line. Shell took the opportunity to make a shortened Rat Line a permanent part of VMI culture.

After Smith’s tour at VMI ended in 1963, he attended the National War College and then served on the staff of the Seventh Army in Germany. Remaining in Germany, he went on to command the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division for two years. In 1968, he became the deputy commander of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam and took command in December 1968.

In January 1969, Smith was wounded when he was hit by ground fire as his command-andcontrol helicopter flew at low altitude to cover the rescue of a downed helicopter pilot. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart for this action.

After further service in Vietnam, he returned to Korea in November 1969 for duty with the Eighth Army. In October 1971, Smith—by then a brigadier general—took command of the Korea-based 2nd Infantry Division. A year after becoming a major general in July 1972, he returned to the United States for staff duty at the U.S. Army Forces Command. Promoted to lieutenant general in August 1975, Smith took on his final assignment—commander of the First United States Army at Fort George G. Meade—and retired in late September 1979.

One of his final actions on active duty was to act as the Army commissioning officer for the Class of 1979 and then swear in his son as an officer.

After his retirement from the Army, Smith joined the Ethyl (now NewMarket) Corporation. For 17 years, he served as the firm’s director of government affairs and later as a corporate vice president, working for his brother rat, Floyd “Bill” Gottwald Jr. ’43.

A steadfastly loyal alumnus, Smith served as an informal adviser to numerous superintendents. He also, according to his son, “noted

VMI Alumni Review

with pride, pleasure, and some amusement his opportunity to have served in some close developmental capacity for two future superintendents (J.H. Binford Peay III ’62 and Josiah Bunting III ’63) and three deans (James M. Morgan Jr. ’45; Lee Badgett ’61; and of course, me).” His son also related that Smith was able to recall the names of cadets during his cadetship and his tour as commandant. “Whenever a former cadet came up in conversation, my father would provide a key detail from their long-ago interaction, always in the context of their relative youth and with affection.”

Smith also helped with the development of a book about the days of horses on post, Keydet Grey and Garry Owen: The Horse at VMI. A photograph of him as the commander of Company C graced the book’s cover.

Smith served his brother rats as their class agent from 2007-18. In that capacity, he launched what his son described as “the last major project of his life: The Class of 1943’s 70th Reunion.” The project’s highlight was when, after leading his nine brother rats into Old Barracks, Smith climbed the sentinel box and led an Old Yell for his class.

His American awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, four awards of the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with “V” device and two oak leaf clusters, 13 awards of the Air Medal, and two awards of the Purple Heart. He also received service and gallantry awards from the Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Vietnam.

Smith’s wife, Jane Holland Smith, and a grandson predeceased him. He is survived by six children, including retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith Jr. ’79, former deputy superintendent for academics and dean of the faculty; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith ’43, former commandant of cadets (right), with his son, retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith Jr. ’79, former dean of the faculty.

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In Memory: Col. Mike E. Monsour (Hon.)

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

A long-time professor who was renowned for his devotion to VMI and the Corps of Cadets, Col. Mike Ellis “Doc” Monsour, Ph.D., died March 8, 2021, aged 77.

Born in Natchez, Mississippi, in November 1943 to Lebanese immigrants, Monsour grew up in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and he never lost the distinctive accent of the Delta.

Two other things acquired in his youth he never lost were a deep Christian faith and a keen sense of service. Raised in the Antiochian Orthodox Church, he studied theology as well as Biblical Hebrew and Greek under the guidance of his parish Monsour (Hon.) priest and, at age 18, took minor vows. His service included volunteering at his parish and in hospitals, orphanages, a public home for the elderly, and a prison.

He also developed a love of music and an ability for languages. The latter was necessary, as Arabic was his family’s primary language and was further developed by his religious studies. His appreciation of music led to him playing the title role in the opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” at 10; it also led to the offer of a scholarship to study voice at Bellhaven College in Mississippi.

It was at Bellhaven where he decided that, although many expected him to become a priest, his vocation lay elsewhere. As he said in a 1999 article in the Institute Report, “I wanted to teach.” To that end, he continued his studies at the University of Mississippi, completing a master’s degree in romance languages in 1968. He later earned a Ph.D. at the University of Georgia.

It was during his last year at Mississippi that a VMI alumnus and fellow graduate student urged Monsour to consider teaching at VMI. Although he had never heard of VMI, he sent a letter of application and was invited to post. There, in the space of a day, he met with Col. Albert Lancaster, head of the modern languages department; then-Col. James J. Morgan ’45, dean of the faculty; and Maj. Gen. Robert Shell, Class of 1931 and then-superintendent—and received a job offer. He accepted and began teaching at VMI that fall.

For the next 33 years, he diligently followed his vocation, serving colleagues and cadets alike as a professor of modern languages teaching French and Spanish. To his colleagues and cadets, he displayed a warm and welcoming manner, as well as an often sly sense of humor.

Col. Don Sunnen, Ph.D., the current head of the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, remembered his first meeting with Monsour when he arrived in July 1990 to meet the dean of the faculty.

“He and Mike Harris, then-head of modern languages, picked me up at the Roanoke airport for the trip to Lexington. Mike Monsour dutifully instructed me on how to pronounce the local place names, starting with Buchanan, Botetourt, Staunton, and that bane of every Spanish teacher’s existence, Buena Vista. The message seemed to be that though we are foreign language professors, the local population

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will always determine how to say the name.”

Daryl Deke ’82, who took Spanish from Monsour, described him as “a solid educator. He always was available for assistance and was full of good humor with those of us who did not have the ear, as he did, for romantic languages. One specific memory I have about his teaching style is that he would not tolerate sleeping in his class. He would eye a cadet sleeping and continue his monologue but ever so quietly sneak up on the cadet with a metal trash can. Then he would unload on that can in the cadet’s ear. I was one of many who had to be peeled off the ceiling after being woken so abruptly. But it was hilarious to see it happen to someone else.”

During his time at VMI, Monsour also developed another vocation: Counselor. As he stated in the 1999 article, he sensed he had a special bond with people. “When I was at Bellhaven ... the other students often called me ‘Old Man.’ I guess I did have a different perspective than many of them, but I’ve always felt a calling to listen to others.”

It was in this role that many alumni—regardless of major—have warm memories of Monsour. Every year, dozens—perhaps hundreds—of cadets would come to his office seeking advice, guidance, or just a sympathetic ear. Yet, Monsour was never satisfied to offer advice and support only when asked. He often went to cadets he thought needed assistance.

Deke described the source of this behavior as an “intuition for the benefit of others.”

Deke continued, “I was from Miami, Florida, and I didn’t always have the money to travel back during short furloughs. He would always make sure I had somewhere to stay. Like many cadets, particularly in that era, we suffered with getting proper nutrition. He would take me and others many, many times to a diner south of town on Route 11, which had an all-you-could-eat buffet that included fresh vegetables. He would pay every time for all of us as we gorged ourselves on that food.

I am surprised that diner’s owners didn’t pay him to stop bringing us, because we probably ingested all their profits!

“He was always aware of us. No one got lost with him. Whenever any of us were struggling with personal issues (girlfriends, depression, loneliness), he was there, in comfort. In my 1st Class year, our football team was 5-0-1 through its first six games, and it had beat Army at West Point. The Wednesday before the Virginia game, we drummed out our team captain. Many of the 1st Class members of the football team were aware of the case, and the Honor Court president was a starting defensive end. We were all close friends, and we were all devastated.

In response to the news, Doc sought me out—and others, as well—just to be there for us.”

Thomas Brashears ’95, VMI Alumni Association chief operating officer, said of Monsour, “His ability to connect with cadets was unmatched,” and recounted the moment when he first experienced that connection. “I remember vividly sitting in my French class as a rat, two days before Thanksgiving furlough. I had just heard from my father that my childhood dog had passed, so I wasn’t paying attention to much of what was going on. Doc recognized my situation and spent about 30 minutes after class to help me process what I was dealing with. I never forgot that and leaned on him quite a bit over the years.

“His ability to help you process your thoughts and feelings and to think of how better to handle certain situations was invaluable. Later in life, as I began work in the mental and behavioral health field, I often thought of how Doc Monsour helped me get through some very tough times. I imagine he had the same impact on a lot of VMI alumni.”

In 1981, Monsour was named the head of his academic department and received a title that codified a long-standing reality—special assistant to the superintendent for counseling. In 1999, he was asked how he approached this role. Besides strict confidentiality, he said, “Active listening

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is the key. I try to be like a mirror, reflecting back on what I’m hearing, allowing the speaker to discover his or her options and what might be the consequences associated with each option. I absolutely will not sit in judgment of another.”

He might have added a deep and abiding caring for the cadets. Sunnen remembered that Monsour’s feelings were never far beneath the surface, especially when he had to inform cadets of a family illness or death. “We could tell how deeply he was affected by cadet concerns from the way he would utter an exclamation in Arabic.”

Monsour served as advisor and was an honorary brother rat of the Class of 1979. He received the VMI Distinguished Service Award twice (1982 and 1993), the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1990, and the VMI Achievement Medal in 1998. In 2001, the year of his retirement, the VMI Alumni Association paid him the highest accolade for non-alumni who devotedly serve the Institute and its cadets by naming him as an honorary alumnus.

He is survived by his sister, a brother, and two nieces. As Deke explained, Monsour will be fondly remembered by innumerable alumni as a man “whose gift was his humanity and who was a caring, gentle soul ... always available to listen, counsel, and help.”

Col. Mike Monsour (Hon.) at his retirement ceremony April 13, 2001. Mounsour dedicated 33 years of service to the Institute.

VMI Alumni Review

In Memory: Capt. Blair P. Turner

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

It wasn’t just the development and teaching of this Capt. Blair P. Turner, Ph.D., one of VMI’s longestcourse that Turner contributed to the new department, serving professors and a beloved figure to more than a according to Foster. “Blair’s contributions were vital to generation of cadets and alumni, died April 26, 2021. the growth and development of the nascent IS departHe was 73. ment, which had a full-time faculty of only three when Born into a Navy family, Turner received his bachelor’s he agreed to teach half-time in IS. From input into the degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Training curriculum to job hires and the mentorship of junior at the Navy’s Officer Candidate School, Turner received faculty, Blair helped to lay the cornerstone of what his commission in 1969 and served in Vietnam. is today one of VMI’s most successful and relevant Entering graduate school after his naval service, he courses of study.” pursued graduate studies at the University of Florida. He Nor did Turner restrict himself to the classroom. He specialized in Latin America and the military, and during also served as the faculty advisor and a coach for the that time, he studied in Argentina as a Fulbright Scholar.

VMI rugby club. Joseph M. Irby II ’85, who also served In 1982, Turner came to VMI, joining what was then the team as a coach, remembered Turner as “a huge the Department of History and Politics and beginning supporter of rugby here at VMI. He was instrumental a career that spanned 38 years. His courses were an imin arranging [for] the team to play in France twice and mediate success, and cadets enthusiastically responded once in Argentina, which were amazing additions to to his teaching. the players’ experience on the team and at VMI. It was not just teaching that Turner excelled in at VMI. “He was steadfast and committed to the club’s sucIn the 1980s, along with his colleague, Bruce Vandervort, cess and its future. He was an influential mentor to and others, Turner convinced the Society of Military Turner players and coaches alike. He was always there with a History to make the Institute and the George C. Marshall Library the co-publishers of its prestigious publication, The Journal of good word. Sometimes, the player or coach initially didn’t like hearing Military History. Considered to be the English-language journal of record his needed advice, but, in time, they understood its value. And, anyone on the topic, it remains at VMI. Turner was a frequent contributor to the who knew Blair will always remember his amazing sense of humor.”

The Institute recognized his excellence in teaching twice, presenting him publication, and his final column appeared in its April 2021 issue.

He also served as the head of the Department of History from 1990-2004. with its Distinguished Teaching Award in 1989 and 2013. In April 2020, During that time, he recruited many top-flight faculty members who trans- the Board of Visitors also presented him with the Institute’s Meritorious formed the department into one with an irrefutable reputation for excellence Service Medal.

“Blair Turner played a foundational role in fostering the development of in teaching, scholarship, publications, and cadet engagement.

“Blair Turner was the life of the history department,” said Col. Hous- VMI’s academic program,” said Brig. Gen. Robert W. Moreschi, Ph.D., ton Johnson V, Ph.D., professor and current head of the Department of deputy superintendent for academics and dean of the faculty. “From his History. “His commitment to the VMI community during more than 38 contributions to the creation of the Department of International Studies to his 15 years as head of the Department of History and membership on the years of service continues to inspire generations of cadets and faculty.”

Turner also made several contributions outside of his department, in- team that brought the prestigious Journal of Military History to VMI, the cluding one which many alumni will remember as “Turner’s Revenge.” Institute owes him a debt of gratitude. Blair was fiercely loyal to his faculty Col. Dennis Foster, Ph.D., the head of the Department of International and cadets, never shy about sharing his opinion, and passionately devoted Studies and Political Science, described it as “the methods requirement for to VMI—he will be missed.”

Turrner is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vicki Gay Cover Turner; International Studies majors.” He continued, “Blending technical knowledge and real-world applications with a full embrace of the VMI system son, Glen Currie Blair Turner; brother, John Henderson Turner Jr.; and and ethos, Blair’s course was simultaneously beloved and feared by two VMI daughter, Erica Ardolino Comparin ’04, and her family. Two infant daughters predeceased him. generations of IS cadets.”

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Wins ’85 Named 15th Superintendent

By Col. Bill Wyatt and Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing

Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. said. “Our candidate pool was very strong Wins ’85 will serve as VMI’s 15th superfrom the outset of the search. Major General intendent, according to a unanimous vote Wins distinguished himself as a frontrunner April 15 by the Institute’s Board of Visithrough his experience as a military leader tors. Wins, a 34-year veteran of the U.S. and innovator. His ability to communicate Army who retired in 2019, had served as a vision for the development of leaders of interim superintendent since November character and the future of the Institute set 2020 following the resignation of Gen. him apart from others.”

J.H. Binford Peay III ’62.

Wins spent much of the first three months “Major General Wins has distinguished of his tenure as VMI’s interim superintendent himself as a leader whose dedication to the conducting an assessment of the culture, poliInstitute’s mission and to the Corps of Cacies, and procedures currently in place. As a dets has endeared him to many during his result of this process, he has identified five brief time as interim superintendent,” said outcomes for the Institute moving forward: John William Boland ’73, VMI Board of 1. Honor. The VMI Honor Code must Visitors president. “VMI’s mission, Honor continue to be a way of life for each and Code, and regimental and class systems are every cadet and alumnus. vitally important to the future success of 2. Diversity and inclusion. VMI must our institution. There’s no question that ensure that every cadet, regardless of race, Major General Wins is the right person to gender, religion, or nationality, feels a part preserve and advance VMI’s unique system of the VMI legacy. of education moving forward.”

3. The VMI brand. The outward face of During his time as interim superintenVMI should be built around young leaders dent, Wins focused on the cadet experience. of character who exemplify honor, civility, Ever since his arrival, he’s been a visible and service above self. presence on post, eating dinner in Crozet 4. Competing and winning. VMI cadets Hall with cadets, attending home sporting must compete to win in the classroom, on Wins ’85 events, and visiting with cadets and ROTC the drill field, and on the field of competition. staff during spring field training exercises and other activities.

5. One VMI. VMI’s strength is in its diversity of experiences, thought, In addition, Wins guided the Institute through the pandemic with abilities, and backgrounds. No single cadet’s challenge is greater than a commitment to provide cadets with a VMI experience that is as another’s. It is through the reliance on their fellow cadets that the Corps normal as possible. In academic year 2020-21, nearly 86% of classes succeeds. were offered through in-person or hybrid instruction, and the Institute “Over the past six months, Major General Wins has brought a fresh

“The fact of the matter is I believe in the honor, integrity, civility, and sacrifice that we instill in our cadets.” successfully conducted many key VMI experiences such as Ring Figure, Breakout, spring FTX, and athletic competitions. Additionally, deposits for fall 2021 matriculants are running nearly 4% ahead of last year, which was a record year.

Gene Scott ’80, chair of VMI’s Superintendent Search Committee and Board of Visitors member, said that the committee left no stone unturned in its search for VMI’s next superintendent.

“VMI is synonymous with leadership. So, when an opportunity to lead an organization like VMI opens up, there is no shortage of interest,” Scott

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perspective and a new enthusiasm to the challenges that the Institute faces today. There’s no question that the future of VMI is very bright with Major General Wins at the helm,” said Lara Tyler Chambers ’03, Board of Visitors and Superintendent Search Committee member.

In his final Army command, Wins was the first commanding general of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command.

During his years of service, he also held many other leadership and staff assignments, including in Headquarters, Department of the Army and the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

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His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with one oak leaf cluster), and the Bronze Star Medal. He holds two master’s degrees, one in management from the Florida Institute of Technology and one in national security and strategic studies from the National War College.

During his time as a cadet, Wins was a standout basketball player who finished his career as one of the top five scorers in school history. Over his four years at VMI, Wins helped lead the team from last place in the Southern Conference to the Southern Conference finals during his 1st

Class year. In 1985, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commissioned into the Army as a field artillery officer.

“If someone had told me a year ago that today I’d be the superintendent of my alma mater, I would have told them they were crazy,” Wins said. “However, the interactions that I’ve had over the past six months with VMI’s outstanding cadets and dedicated faculty have been some of the most rewarding interactions of my career. The fact of the matter is I believe in the honor, integrity, civility, and sacrifice that we instill in our cadets. I’m excited to once again be a part of that and am looking forward to leading this next chapter of the Institute’s history.”

Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins ’85 reviews a parade in spring 2021. He was selected as the Institute’s 15th superintendent April 15, 2021.—VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

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Nearly 350 Cadets Graduate in Outdoor Ceremony

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing Gen. Gustave “Gus” Perna, a U.S. Army four-star general who served as chief operating officer for Operation Warp Speed, a public-private partnership to facilitate and accelerate the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, offered life lessons for cadets graduating from Virginia Military Institute in commencement exercises held Sunday, May 16, in Foster Stadium on the VMI post.

Just under 350 cadets received degrees in VMI’s first in-person graduation ceremony since December 2019. While graduation on the Parade Ground was common in the 19th century, it was VMI’s first outdoor graduation in many years. A sprinkling rain fell throughout the ceremony, and umbrellas and raincoats were common sights among families and friends in the stands.

Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, noted that 326 of the graduates were members of the Class of 2021, and just under 170 of them commissioned into the armed services Saturday. This year’s graduating cadets came from 30 states and two foreign countries, and the three most popular majors were civil engineering (43 cadets), economics and business (38), and international studies (37).

Wins used his time at the podium to reflect on the unusual events faced by the Class of 2021, which matriculated just before the solar eclipse in August 2017 and graduated as the threat of the coronavirus pandemic was receding. This academic year, cadets were

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challenged by having to attend some classes remotely, stay socially distanced in nearly all situations, and sometimes be confined entirely to post and/or go into isolation or quarantine as health conditions dictated.

Despite this, Wins said, the Class of 2021 prevailed as members of that class not only succeeded in completing their own cadetships but also running a professional Rat Line for the Class of 2024.

“VMI’s history will record the events of your class as a tremendous success,” said Wins. “You did not give up or compromise your honor or integrity. A crisis brought on

by COVID-19 stared you down, but you succeeded as citizen-soldiers, putting the safety of your neighbors, family, and friends ahead of your desire to socialize and travel.”

Perna, who was Wins’ supervisor when Wins was on his last active duty assignment with the Army, congratulated the graduates on their achievements and Wins on assuming the superintendent’s role, which Wins did in April after roughly four months as interim superintendent.

Perna then shared three quotes with cadets and discussed the life lessons of each. The first was from the well-known 19th century American writer Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why.”

Finding a purpose, said Perna, is critical as graduates move forward in life—the impact

they will make and their contributions to humanity. Occupations, whether military or civilian, are not a purpose, he elaborated; rather, they are the “how” of a purpose.

“Your purpose should be your driving force behind what you do and how you do it,” he stated.

The second quote came from retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore, author of the book, We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young, which details Moore’s experience as a battalion commander during the Vietnam War. Asked how he’d succeeded in a very difficult battle, Moore replied, “I just kept asking myself, ‘What am I doing that I shouldn’t be doing, and what am I not doing that I should?’”

The answer to the first question is often that leaders are doing what they should instead be teaching their subordinates to do, Perna noted, and thus they deprive others of the opportunity to learn mission-critical skills.

The answer to the second question has to do with priorities. Being busy is a far cry from being productive, so having goals and a purpose is paramount. “You will have more things in life to do than time to do them,” Perna told the cadets. “You will have to prioritize things to make sure you do the most essential things first.”

The third quote, from the 19th century Scottish missionary Dr. David Livingstone, well-known for his exploration of Africa, spoke to the need to establish direction. One

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to his fellow graduates about their final year.

“We experienced highs and lows, the likes of which we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.

But at the end of it all, I’m proud to say, it was us that took the challenge … and, against all odds, achieved success.”

Three awards are traditionally given at VMI’s May commencement exercises. The First Jackson-Hope Medal for highest attainment in scholarship, accompanied by the Commander Harry Millard Mason Academic Proficiency Award, went to U.S. Air Force Reserve 2nd Lt. Eric Munro ’21, an electrical and computer engineering major who earned a minor in mathematics and was a distinguished Air Force graduate.

There was a grade-point average tie for the Jackson-Hope Medal this year, and just one credit hour separated the recipient of the Second Jackson-Hope Medal for second-highest attainment in scholarship. Receiving the Second Jackson-Hope Medal, accompanied by the Col. Sterling Murray Heflin 1916 Academic Proficiency Award, was Army 2nd Lt. Troy Smith ’21, a computer science major and distinguished military graduate who served as regimental commander during the 2020-21 academic year.

Smith also received the Society of the Cincinnati Medal, which recognizes efficiency of service and excellence of character. The Society of the Cincinnati Medal is accompanied by the Richard J. Marshall and Sumter L. Lowry Awards.

Photos by Kelly Nye and H. Lockwood McLaughlin, VMI Communications & Marketing.

day in Africa, Livingstone’s team encountered a river that they could not navigate by boat.

After considering the situation, Livingstone’s subordinates presented a recommendation to the doctor, who replied, “I will go in any direction, as long as it is forward.”

Perna drew on this lesson himself as he led Operation Warp Speed. “Many thought that it could not be done,” he stated, referring to the effort to develop a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 in a matter of months rather than years, as is typical with vaccine development.

Perna’s phone calls and emails, he noted, often conveyed both congratulations at being given such a high responsibility and sympathy at being tasked with something widely believed to be impossible.

The general’s response was always the same: “I will do my best. I will always move forward, and I will not quit until we are done.”

That attitude will reap rewards, Perna believes. “My challenge to you is never fall back,” he said. “Challenge yourself personally and professionally to be uncomfortable.”

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jordan Chaulklin ’21, who was peer-elected as the valedictorian of the Class of 2021, discussed the brother rat spirit that sustained members of the class throughout their cadetships, particularly as the coronavirus pandemic dragged on this academic year.

“As we go our ways in the next few hours, we must remember that genuine brother rat spirit,” he said. “As we go on into the military, the workforce, graduate schools, and wherever life may take us, we will carry that loving connection.”

Chaulklin, who commissioned into the U.S. Army Reserve and plans a career as a professional firefighter, also urged his fellow graduates to stay true to themselves rather than be overly concerned with the opinions of others.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning to all true wisdom,” he said. “Moving forward into this much greater chapter of life, we must confront this.”

Wisdom and growth, Chaulklin observed, come when we compare ourselves to who we were yesterday, rather than who are others are today.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Dylan Stoltzfus ’21, class president, introduced Perna but first had a message for the audience and his brother rats.

He expressed gratitude to those who brought him to where he is today. He also took time to highlight some of his special memories of each of his four years at VMI. “You were the ones I led with,” Stoltzfus said

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More Than 180 Commission in Joint Ceremony

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing Under blue skies in Foster Stadium, more than 180 young men and women, most of them VMI cadets, commissioned into the armed services May 15 in the annual ROTC joint commissioning ceremony. VMI’s ROTC departments also serve students from Washington and Lee University, Southern Virginia University, and Mary Baldwin University.

The ceremony was livestreamed for family and friends who could not attend the event in person.

After remarks by Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, and an invocation by Col. Robert “Bob” Phillips ’87, Institute chaplain, approximately 110 individuals commissioned into the Army after taking their commissioning oath from Lt. Gen. Leslie C. Smith.

Smith, who currently serves as inspector general in the Office of the Secretary of the Army, received his commission from Georgia Southern University in 1983 as a field artillery officer and later branched as a chemical officer. He saw combat in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn.

In his remarks to those about to commission, Smith emphasized the role of the junior officer. “Our current chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of staff] when he was chief of staff of the Army, Gen. [Mark] Milley, asked us what we fight for, and how that applies to the constitution of the United States. … What matters, cadets … is what you do to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

In closing, Smith urged commissionees to lead with “courage, commitment, and character.”

Administering the oath to the 13 individuals commissioning into the Marine Corps was Maj. Gen. David J. Furness ’87, assistant deputy commandant for plans, policy, and operations, U.S. Marine Corps.

Furness, who served as regimental commander during his time at VMI, served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and has since held several supporting positions— among them, director of the Expeditionary Warfare School and legislative assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps.

In his remarks, Furness told his listeners the story of Lt. Col. Horatio “Monk” Woodhouse Jr. ’36, who led a group of Marines in an assault on Sugar Loaf Hill during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. Woodhouse’s Silver Star citation stated that he “boldly led

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Task Force—Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.

In his remarks, Caine discussed the portion of the officer’s oath in which an individual promises to “well and faithfully discharge the duties” of the office to which he or she has been assigned.

The virtues undergirding duty—courage, justice, wisdom, and temperance—were put forth by the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius. “All of these components make up what it is an officer and a leader in the armed forces in the United States of America,” said Caine.

“For us in the fabric of service, this is about a calling, a way of life,” he stated. “Frankly, it is a special trust and confidence placed in each of you by the people of the United States of America. … Duty is about earning every single day the confidence of those they are blessed to lead.”

After the joint commissioning ceremony was completed, each branch of the service held pin-on ceremonies in separate locations while those newly commissioned celebrated with families and friends.

Photos by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies, and Kelly Nye and H. Lockwood McLaughlin, VMI Commucations & Marketing.

his men through savage fire … and succeeded in gaining that bitterly contested terrain.”

Two weeks later, May 30, 1945, Woodhouse was killed in action by a sniper’s bullet. He was described later by someone who knew him well as an officer who was “always placing himself at the point of friction” and “the greatest commander and Marine I ever knew.”

It was likely his experience at VMI, Furness noted, “the intangible benefits of a VMI education,” which formed Woodhouse’s character and taught him to lead from the front.

“This is now your history,” stated Furness.

“This legacy of leadership and valor has been passed down to you.”

Commissioning just under 30 new Navy ensigns was Rear Adm. Michael Steffen, commander of the 2nd Fleet, U.S. Navy.

Steffen, a Naval aviator who flew more than 125 combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, commissioned from Virginia Tech’s ROTC unit, so he began his remarks with a few lighthearted comments about the onetime rivalry between VMI and Virginia Tech.

The admiral then discussed the challenges and hardships of a military school and the doubts that must be vanquished to succeed there before commissioning into an all-volunteer force. Overcoming the challenges of VMI, especially during the rat year, he commented, “says a lot about your character and will prove invaluable during your military career and especially in combat and in your life.”

Serving as a Navy officer, Steffen noted, means being in a position of authority over more than 1.5 million enlisted personnel, both active duty and reserve. “Those enlisted are, too, volunteers and deserve quality leadership,” he said. “It will be your responsibility to provide it.”

In a world overflowing with challenges and individuals often acting from selfish interests, “you have chosen to adopt the ethos of the military, which is to serve,” Steffen commented.

“When you say the oath this morning, you are giving testament that you are willing to commit yourself and your God-given talents to serving others through the service of our nation.”

This year’s Air Force commissionees numbered approximately 30 for the Air Force and two for the U.S. Space Force, which was established in December 2019. Administering the oath to both groups was Maj. Gen. John D. Caine ’90, who serves at the Pentagon as director of special programs and the Department of Defense Special Access Program Central Office, U.S. Air Force. Before that assignment, Caine was deputy commanding general assigned to the Special Operations

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2021 Change of Command and Memorial Parades

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing VMI held two parades May 14, the graduation parade and the Memorial Parade. In the morning, Troy Smith ’21 ceremoniously handed over leadership of the Corps of Cadets to Cadet Kasey Meredith ’22 during the morning graduation parade. Meredith is the first female regimental commander in VMI history. In the afternoon, the Corps of Cadets paid tribute VMI alumni who answered the call to service and gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Memorial Parade.

As a multitude of families, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Institute looked on, the Corps of Cadets paid tribute to the almost 600 VMI alumni who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the nation’s wars in the Memorial Parade Friday, May 14.

The ceremony, which was redesigned this year to focus on all alumni who have fallen in war or because of war, began at 1 p.m. as a team of four cadets took turns reading the names of those fallen, beginning with the four who died in the Mexican-American War and ending with the 14 whose deaths were due to the global war on terror. Those reading the names were Julius Chung ’24, Alexander Ezzelle ’24, Jarrod Larosa ’24, and Alexis Motko ’22.

Reading the names took approximately one hour, after which time the Memorial Parade stepped off. Once the Corps was formed on the Parade Ground, the commander of each company stepped forward for a roll call of deaths from each war, with a report given from one company at a time.

Band Company took the lead, with Kevin Rae ’21, company commander, calling out, “Mexican-American War, report,” and a 1st Class cadet from that company replying, “Four died on the field of honor, sir.” This pattern was repeated all the way through the war on terror, with the highest number of deaths, 255, coming in the Civil War. At the end, Harrison Smith ’21, Company I commander, called for a count of noncombat deaths in service to the nation, and the reply came back, “Countless others, sir.”

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After the roll call, wreaths were laid, one in front of “Virginia Mourning Her Dead” and one at each of the barracks arches containing plaques with the names of alumni who have fallen in battle. Col. Robert “Bob” Phillips ’87, Institute chaplain, then offered a prayer, which was followed by a three-volley salute and renditions of taps and “Amazing Grace.”

The Corps then marched south toward Moody Hall and then turned north on Letcher Avenue before passing in review before Col. William “Bill” Wanovich ’87, who retired as commandant June 30, and Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent.

Special guest at the Memorial Parade was Enoch Woodhouse II, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of predominantly African American fighter pilots who fought in World War II and paved the way for the integration of the armed forces in 1948.

Now 94, Woodhouse was 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at his mother’s urging after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. He went on to serve in the 332nd Fighter Group as a paymaster, also known as a finance officer.

After retiring from the U.S. Army Air Force, Woodhouse attended and graduated from Yale University. He then studied law at Yale Law School and at Boston University, receiving his juris doctor degree from the latter. He worked as a trial lawyer in his native city of Boston for more than 40 years, and in the State Department and for the City of Boston as well.

Among his many awards, in 2007 he and the other Tuskegee Airmen received the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest honor, from President George W. Bush for facing two wars: One abroad and the other at home in terms of racial intolerance.

Before the parade, Woodhouse had lunch with a small group of cadets from Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC and offered brief remarks.

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Photos by Kelly Nye and H. Lockwood McLaughlin, VMI Communications & Marketing.

Portavoce ’01: Protecting Intellectual Property

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor In an uber-competitive global economy, because they’re trying to either refuse the intellectual property is one of the most patent application or else have it restricted valuable resources businesses possess. as much as possible,” Portavoce said, How to best protect this property is essendescribing the patent application process. tial to many corporate strategies. Megan “Whereas for the client, you’re trying to get (Smith) Portavoce ’01 is at the center of as much protection as possible, so you’re this world; she’s a European Patent attrying to keep it as broad as possible. ... It’s torney and a French Patent counsel, as kind of this push and pull with the office, well as a U.S. Patent agent. She works for and it can last five years or more.”

STMicroelectronics near Marseille, France.

Often, Portavoce works with ideas that In the EU, the expert professionals who are not yet tangible products or are invisaid inventors and companies in obtaining ible to the naked eye. “When it’s an actual Megan (Smith) Portavoce ’01 is a licensed EU and patents are called patent attorneys. product, it’s fun to see.”

French Patent attorney as well as a U.S. Patent Portavoce coordinates between invenShe remembers one client, who specialagent. She uses her technical background, beginning tors and patent firms and looks at many ized in noise reduction and sold things like with an electrical engineering degree from VMI, to protect intellectual property. (Left) Portavoce as a factors—including if an invention should noise-reducing headphones. This time, the rat and (right) Portavoce today.—Photos courtesy even be patented. She’s also involved in client wanted to make a quieter hairdryer.

Portavoce. assessments with technical and business Normally, hairdryers take in air at the back experts about how to protect the comand send out the hot air in the front. The pany’s inventions. Sometimes, patenting a product or process is not the client had several ideas about different air intakes that could reduce best route. Since patent applications are made public, anyone can see the noise, including at the bottom of the handle and through a spiral and eventually use the idea. For instance, she explained, if someone configuration. In the exchanges with the patent office, the examiner has figured out a great method that is indiscernible from an outside “kept coming up with these previous patents from 20, 30, 40 years perspective (maybe it costs half as much or is twice as efficient to pro- ago that had similar ideas.” A large, well-known company also filed duce a product), patenting is not the best route—because it would give objections to the grant of the patent. The patent attorneys asked the away the idea “for free” without being easily enforced by the patentee. client to focus on the design that best matched the product they planned A patent only protects an invention in the country or region that to produce. The client followed the advice. A quieter hairdryer, with granted it. Just because a product has an EU or a U.S. Patent, it isn’t a design that takes in air from an inlet surrounding the outlet in the protected in other countries. Companies elsewhere, say Brazil or Ja- front, is now patented and on the market. pan or China, could make, import, sell, or use the same invention in Working in patent firms is intensive, demanding, and requires long their country with no repercussions. Getting a patent takes significant hours. In Europe, one must work as an apprentice under a licensed investments of time, effort, and money, so many angles are considered patent attorney for a minimum of three years before being able to even when developing strategies. sit the exams, Portavoce explained.

Before working for STMicroelectronics, on the inside track of “If the Rat Line was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, the apprenticeproduct development, Portavoce spent over a decade working for ship was the second hardest,” she said. In 2019, after over a decade different patent firms. In a patent firm, patent attorneys can work for of working for various patent firms, she moved to her current posiany client who turns up on their doorsteps, unless there is a conflict tion at STMicroelectronics. Here, she has returned to her first love, of interest with an existing client. They deal with a wide variety of microelectronics, and is able to explore the client side of the process. inventions—not all of them “at the tip top of technology,” Portavoce It was on the VMI post that she first learned about microelectronics. said, noting that many patents are filed for everyday items. She has Her work involves “everything that’s very, very small,” she said, exworked on everything from household appliances and eyeglasses to plaining that the field encompasses things like computer chips (microdrones and nanostructures. controllers), memories, wireless exchange protocols for smartphones If an inventor shows up with an invention and says, “Hey, I want and the Internet of Things, and the process of fabricating chips in clean to patent this,” the patent firm employees get to work. They provide rooms. A distinguished graduate, she majored in electrical engineering advice, but their role goes far beyond that. They draft descriptions, with a minor in mathematics and a concentration in microelectronics. claims, and drawings—and details matter. “Every single word is Her education was funded through a VMI Foundation scholarship. important,” Portavoce said. “You have to think not only about the Throughout her cadetship, she had support from some usual sourcproduct and market now but about how it may evolve over time and es—like her dyke and a host family—and a somewhat unexpected what could be used against your client by an alleged infringer 10 years source. down the road.”

Her dyke, Steve Pruitt ’98, and his roommates “were a huge help.”

The patenting system is somewhat adversarial. Getting a patent Her host family, Col. William and Nancy Lowe, “adopted” Portavoce. granted involves a lot of back-and-forth between the patent attorney Lowe teaches math at VMI. Like so many families in the Lexington/ and the patent issuing office.

Rockbridge community, the Lowes opened their home and gave a “It’s kind of like a fight—an exchange—with the patent office, young cadet respite from VMI. “They would take me to their house

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and feed me a regular home-cooked lunch [and] let me take a nap and a bath.”

The unexpected source was Col. L. VanLoan “Van” Naisawald ’42. He wrote several books and sometimes gave speeches to cadets, including at the Class of 2001’s New Market ceremony at the end of Matriculation Week. He spotted Portavoce in the crowd and asked to speak with her. He asked her the usual questions, like what she was studying and where she was from. Slightly dazed from Matriculation Week, she answered. He gave her a short speech, along the lines of “Go get ’em, gal—give ’em hell!” All through Portavoce’s cadetship, “Uncle” Van would come to football games, visit Portavoce, and bring her treats.

Following VMI, she wasn’t exactly sure what path she wanted to take.

She considered pursuing a doctoral degree and teaching—maybe at VMI. She went to the University of Virginia and earned a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering, focusing again on microelectronics.

At UVA, she met her husband, Alain—a native of France—who was completing physics postdoctoral studies. After finishing, he returned home to France. Portavoce was able to follow him six months later.

She arrived in her new country on a student visa and took rigorous courses in her new language. After the couple married, she was able to change her status, get a residency permit, look for work, and eventually gained French nationality. She then found a job as a project manager—and found she didn’t like it very much. “I was basically hired because I spoke English and spent my days haggling with suppliers.”

She kept looking for different options and learned about innovation

and patents. She sent her résumé to every single patent firm in her area—10 firms in all. Nine said no, but one agreed to take her on as an apprentice.

The Centre d’Études Internationales de la Propriété Intellectuelle (in English, the Center for Intellectual Property Studies) in Strasbourg, France, grants intellectual property law degrees. All patent attorneys must have a science or engineering background upon which a legal foundation is overlaid. At the time, Portavoce did not have this degree—which is why most of her job applications were turned down.

The firm that did hire her had a big microelectronics client, STMicroelectronics. They liked her specialized experience and education—and speaking English didn’t hurt.

She completed an accelerated version of the patent law degree while working fulltime and later passed exams, earning licenses in both the EU and in France, as well as passing the U.S. Patent agent exam on the side. Aside from certifying her as an expert, Portavoce was able to defend clients before the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office, which deals with the validity of the European patent.

Years later and thousands of miles from barracks on France’s southern coast, Portavoce spends her days immersed in a paradox. Patents (temporarily) restrict the result of one of the most unfettered human attributes—ingenuity. They are the result of an adversarial system—an exacting method that begets excellence. Portavoce’s day-to-day affairs echo a small college on a hill in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley where Portavoce began her post-secondary education and where another type of adversarial system results in excellence.

Portavoce and her husband, Alain, in Vieux Port, Marseille, France. Portavoce met her husband, who is French, while both were studying at the University of Virginia.

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Our Mission Endures: The Value of Virginia Military Institute

Looking from the outside in on the VMI experience, visitors quickly realize this is not a normal college.

It is not meant to be.

For cadets who choose a college experience steeped in personal discipline and a daily expectation of honor and personal integrity, it is an extraordinary journey of self-discovery.

VMI is a place of higher learning where: • Cadets can test their mettle, challenge themselves, and practice leadership through a variety of experiences regardless of their background, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

• The entire student body is dedicated to accelerating their personal growth and building internal strength while accessing an excellent academic program.

• Cadets choose a college experience where they can push their self-perceived limits while building lifelong bonds of friendship.

• Not only are academic horizons pushed in small class experiences, but lessons of honor and character are practiced daily.

VMI graduates test themselves on every level and emerge stronger and better prepared for their future.

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It means something to push yourself further than you thought you could go academically and physically.

It means something to have the confidence to face challenges wherever you are.

On May 16, more than 300 cadets graduated and assumed positions in society.

More than 50% now serve in the U.S. military.

More than 98% graduated into self-supporting, career-oriented professions, graduate studies, or other upwardly mobile opportunities.

100% of need-based aid was met for Virginia graduates and all Virginia cadets.

100% now carry with them a diploma from a nationally ranked college, trained by a system that tested their physical and intellectual limits—all founded on a self-selected, self-enforced Honor Code.

The VMI process is consistently recognized nationally and in Virginia.

• Ranked in the top four public liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for 17 years, only behind three of the nation’s federal service academies.

• Recently, Money magazine ranked VMI as: • No. 3 college in Virginia, • No. 16 among public universities in the nation, and • No. 26 among colleges and universities nationwide.

• Washington Monthly recently listed VMI as the top-ranking public liberal arts college in Virginia.

Opportunities for a Better and Stronger VMI VMI has taken steps to build more bridges between all cadet groups to ultimately pursue an equally tough and challenging experience at VMI. It is through a daily expectation of honor, civility, and discipline that VMI empowers cadets to become leaders of character for the 21st century—ready to serve in many capacities.

VMI will continue to enhance the full context of its history, highlighting more contemporary events and notable alumni. VMI is in a constant process of self-evaluation, with a commitment to excellence in all things.

Editor's Note: Full-page versions of this ad were placed in several Virginia publications in summer 2021, in addition to a digital ad campaign.

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On Post Aquatic Center Construction Underway

On Feb. 5, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Aquatic Center, officially known as Phase III of the Corps Physical Training Facility. The $44.2 million project is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2022. About 25% of the cost, or $10 million, is provided through private support. The Aquatic Center will include an indoor 50-meter swimming pool, two 1-meter springboards, two 3-meter springboards, and a 5-meter dive platform, plus seating for 570 spectators. The Knights of Pythias building, a structure with historic ties to Lexington’s African American community, will be linked to the Aquatic Center via a glass walkway and used for office space. In addition to members of the Institute’s senior leadership team, those attending the groundbreaking included representatives of Whiting-Turner, general contractor, and HKS Inc., architect.—VMI Photos by Kelly Nye and H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

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VMI Alumni Review

On Post

New Post Police Building Complete

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing In early February 2021, the VMI Post Police headquarters returned to Letcher Avenue.

The new building, which was under construction for more than a year-and-a-half, is designed to provide a secure, modern home for the Post Police, who are charged with ensuring safety for all members of the VMI community and guests. With a stucco finish and Gothic revival style, the new building blends seamlessly with the rest of post.

The $5.6 million building, with nearly 11,000 square feet of space, was constructed following demolition of the Post Police’s former home, the Bachelor Officer Quarters, in early summer 2019. While the new building was under construction, Post Police operated out of trailers at Hinty Hall, home of VMI’s Physical Plant, approximately 1 mile north of post.

The new structure is built to withstand the 180 mph winds of a Category 4 hurricane. Inside, there’s bulletproof glass between staff and visitors, along with dedicated rooms for processing evidence and fingerprints. Upstairs, an emergency operations center with a smart whiteboard and televisions for news broadcasts can accommodate

eight people working at once. The EOC also displays footage from webcams around post.

In addition, there’s a room nearby for the policy group, made up of the Institute’s senior leadership team, so they can be steps away during an emergency situation.

The synergy that arises from having people with a common purpose working in one location can’t be over emphasized, said Col. James R. “Jay” Williams ’83, director of emergency management, whose office is now in the Post Police building.

He explained that before the new building, his office was in Shell Hall, while members of the Institute’s senior leadership team worked in Smith Hall. The Post Police, of course, were off post at Hinty Hall.

“We had a lot of travel time,” he stated.

Now, everyone is much closer together. “Having close proximity enhances the ability to properly coordinate and stay in touch on a day-to-day basis,” Williams said. “Having all of the resources and staff in one place is going to be really beneficial.”

The VMI Post Police moved into the new headquarters building in February 2021. VMI’s police were formerly housed in the Bachelor Officer Quarters, which was demolished in early summer 2019. During the construction, the Post Police operated out of Hinty Hall, home of VMI’s Physical Plant.

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On Post

VMI Supports Community Vaccination Effort

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing In spring 2021, VMI began assisting with setup and staffing of a mass vaccination effort against COVID-19, supporting vaccine administration that started in mid-March at the former Peebles/Gordmans building located in the College Square Shopping Center in Lexington.

The initiative came as vaccine supply increased nationwide, with a consequent push to deliver vaccines as quickly and efficiently as possible.

With this goal in mind, Rockbridge County leased the former department store building from its owner, Harding & Associates, through the end of June, with an extension possible if needed. The county will apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement for all costs associated with the vaccination center.

With vaccine administration that began March 12, VMI assisted the day before by loaning 20 tables and 150 chairs, along with people to set them up. Assisting with this effort were Col. Kevin Faust ’96, deputy commandant for support; Maj. Eric Schwartz ’95, deputy director, Physical Plant; and Larry Camper, chief of maintenance and operations, Physical Plant, along with about 10 cadets from the Building BRIDGES service club.

The new location supplements Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital and the Rockbridge Area Health Center as administration sites for the vaccine, among other local agencies.

Col. Jay Williams Jr. ’83, VMI director of emergency management, praised the quick, cooperative local effort to set up a vaccine clinic, which came together inside of a week.

“It was a total team effort,” said Williams in March, who has been in constant contact with several regional partners over the past year as the COVID-19 situation has evolved. “Everyone, and I mean everyone, stepped up and told Spencer Suter [Rockbridge County administrator] that they stood ready to help in any way.

This is what I love about our community.”

During the following weeks, some clinics administered up to 1,000 vaccines in a day. Some clinics were designated specifically for college students and other groups. VMI volunteers have helped community members schedule their second doses, pushed wheelchairs, and completed other tasks that allowed these clinics to be so successful.

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(Above) Cadets Holly Arnold ’22, Miles Ortiz ’24, and Abigail Soyars ’24 prepare for a community vaccination clinic at the former Gordman’s building March 11.

(Below) Building BRIDGES Club members Daminica Moore ’21, Gabriel Goldsmith ’24, and Ortiz clean up retail displays to prepare for a community vaccination clinic at the former Gordman’s building March 11.—VMI Photos

by Kelly Nye.

VMI Alumni Review

On Post

Virtual Leadership Conference Focuses on Teamwork

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing

(Clockwise, from top left) Lester Johnson ’95, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Samantha Shepherd ’18, Elise Woodworth ’07, and U.S. Marine Corps Capt.

Joey Bishop ’14 participate in the 2021 Leadership and Ethics Conference, “Strong Leaders, Strong Teams.”—VMI Composite by Kelly Nye. Held virtually Feb. 15-16, 2021, the 11th annual Leadership and Ethics Conference was sponsored by the Center for Leadership and Ethics. It attracted a crowd of more than 275 attendees—among them, members of the VMI community and students from a wide range of secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

This year’s conference theme was “Strong Leaders, Strong Teams,” a motif aligned with the Center’s 2020-21 programming theme, “Teamwork: Out of Many, One.” Kicking off the conference as keynote speaker was retired Marine Corps Gen. Richard “Butch” Neal, the center’s leader in residence for this academic year. Neal, a four-star general who served in both the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, was assistant commandant of the Marine Corps from 1996-98.

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In his remarks, Neal discussed how he learned teamwork and responsibility as a child by helping with the never-ending labor on his uncle’s dairy farm. Later, in Vietnam, Neal was put in command of a company that had suffered sudden and heavy losses in combat. In that role, he developed what he calls “eyeball-level leadership.”

The cornerstones of that philosophy, he related, are moral courage, dedication, integrity, and judgment. “This creates a climate of trust and loyalty, a culture of engagement, and a commitment in your teammates,” he stated.

Neal explained that his style is one of “we, not me,” and “us not I.” With that mindset, he noted, subordinates are freed to reach their full potential. “The goal is to make people feel needed and highly valued,” he said. “The leader does the molding.”

Also speaking, this time on the topic of leadership and communication in the workplace, was Shari Harley, a specialist in business communications and the author of How to Say Anything to Anyone: Setting Expectations for Powerful Working Relationships. Harley was this year’s Caroline Dawn Wortham ’12 leadership speaker. The speaker series was established in memory of Wortham, a track and field athlete at VMI who died after being struck by a car while bicycling in 2015.

In her remarks, Harley stressed that while she never met Wortham, who was preparing to enter the Marine Corps at the time of her death, she had talked to several people who knew her to get a sense of her communication style. “[Wortham] was direct with compassion,” Harley stated. “You always knew where you stood with Carrie.”

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On Post That style, she noted, establishes trust, which is the bedrock of effective communication.

“Carrie reduced defensiveness because she had a relationship of trust,” Harley commented.

The next day’s speakers included Ben Freakley, mental performance coach for the Toronto Blue Jays and a former men’s soccer coach at VMI. In his presentation, Freakley discussed dangerous assumptions about leading teams and then shared his seven lessons of leadership.

Among his mantras are, “Hog the blame, share the glory,” and, “We don’t learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.”

During his talk, Freakley had participants go into breakout rooms to discuss what assumptions they had about leadership and, later, how to build trust.

Concluding the conference and giving the H.B. Johnson ’26 Distinguished Speaker Series lecture for this academic year was retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, former commander of U.S. and International Security Assistance Forces, Afghanistan, and author of Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World.

Drawing from his decades of military leadership experience, McChrystal discussed what he learned while leading the Joint Special Operations Command against al-Qaida, a position he held from September 2003 to August 2008. Al-Qaida, the general noted, was unlike previous enemies the U.S. military had faced in that it was not a top-down organization.

Rather, its strength lay in quick communication between cells.

Compounding the problem, he stated, were the “walls between silos” that kept U.S. organizations from sharing information and working well together. Once JSOC changed its culture, he noted, success in defeating al-Qaida ensued.

Next, McChrystal discussed his time as director of joint staff in Afghanistan from 2009-10. In that position, he quickly discovered that sometimes what was happening on the ground didn’t match up with the orders he’d given from headquarters, so it was vital to trust those closest to the situation. Because of this, McChrystal developed a policy of, “Execute the order we should have given you.”

In addition to the featured speakers, conference attendees heard prerecorded comments

on leadership from members of the Institute faculty and staff, and they also had access to prerecorded talks by U.S. Army 1st Lt. Samantha Shepherd ’18, Elise Woodworth ’07, Lester Johnson ’95, and U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Joey Bishop ’14.

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal delivers his talk virtually in Gillis Theater.

The two-day conference drew more than 275 attendees.

Col. Dave Gray, Center for Leadership and Ethics director, instructs cadet facilitators the week leading up the conference in the Hall of Valor. —VMI Photos by Kelly Nye.

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VMI Alumni Review

On Post

VMI Ethics Team Takes Top Spot at Naval Academy

By Maj. Catherine Roy, Center for Leadership and Ethics On April 24, 2021, VMI’s ethics team turned in its first-ever win, defeating three of the five federal service academies: The U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy—at the 2021 Military Ethics Case Competition, hosted by the Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at USNA. This year’s Keydet team was led by Benjamin Ashmore ’21, cadet in charge. The team was unable to travel to the Naval Academy due to COVID-19 precautions and participated via Google Meet with a pre-recorded presentation followed by a round of live judging. Retired armed forces personnel comprised the judges’ panel. After each pre-recorded presentation, the judges would confer off camera for about 10 minutes and had 10 minutes to question each team.

Each team watched the others present.

The groups from VMI and the U.S. Military

Academy presented ethical arguments on the same case study: The sentencing of Beaudry Robert “Bowe” Bergdahl, a U.S. Army soldier who deserted his post in June 2009 and was subsequently captured, held, and tortured by the Taliban until 2014, when the U.S. arranged for a prisoner exchange.

The task was to determine whether or not leniency was appropriate in the chosen case.

The original prosecution suggested jail time for Bergdahl, but due to his time spent as a POW in Afghanistan, the judge ruled against it. Bergdahl was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 2017. For its ethical argument, the VMI team argued against the judges’ decision, concluding that leniency was not appropriate and that Bergdahl should have served prison time for his violations of Articles 85 and 99 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

They recommended Bergdahl complete all 14

Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, poses with the ethics team after congratulating them on their win. Also pictured are faculty mentors for the team, Col. Patrick Looney, VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics deputy director, and Duncan Richter, Ph.D., Charles S. Luck III ’55 Institute Professor, philosophy.—VMI Photo by Mary Price.

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years, less the five years of his captivity and the two years spent while at trial. They also upheld his original punishment of a $10,000 fine, reduction in rank to E-1, and dishonorable discharge, plus the completion of the remaining seven years of his prison sentence.

“The key for our strategy was looking at his decision to desert his post objectively and drilling down into the pure ethics of the case itself,” said Ashmore. While the team understood the reasoning for the judge’s original ruling in the case, they argued Bergdahl’s decision to desert his post was made with a sound state of mind, and he deliberately went against his obligations and duty as a U.S. soldier. The judges felt the VMI team provided the best ethical, legal, and leadership arguments on the case in the initial pre-recorded presentation.

The VMI team received perfect scores from two of the judges in each of the rounds of the competition. Recordings of both sessions will be posted by the Stockdale Center at a later date at www.usna.edu/ethics.

Ashmore explained that pre-recording the presentation forced team members to be much more concise in presenting their arguments.

“It took us about two and a half hours to record a 30-minute presentation,” he said.

Ashmore has also tried to help next year’s team by keeping copious notes as a kind of written record to pass along. “When I came into the role, I didn’t have any documentation,” he stated. “That’s what has been so difficult for a lot of leadership roles for the 1st Class cadets. Due to COVID-19, we didn’t have the benefit of meeting with the outgoing leadership for any kind of debriefing, so I wanted to make sure there was something to hand on to the next group of leaders.”

In addition to Ashmore, the team consisted of Cadets Yavor Aleksiev ’22, Harris Burton ’23, Travis Ropella ’23, and Brandon Marks ’23. Faculty mentors for the team are Col. Patrick Looney, VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics deputy director, and Duncan Richter, Ph.D., Charles S. Luck III ’55 Institute Professor, philosophy.

The team received trophies provided by the CLE. For photos and information about CLE events, follow the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics on social media.

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Athletics First Year Coach, First Championship Appearance: Danielle Montenegro, Water Polo

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

In her first season as head water polo coach, Danielle Montenegro guided the team to their first-ever conference championship game appearance. Montenegro, a California native, bonded with many of her players over the West Coast. Meanwhile, she put in effort learning all things VMI, even changing her clocks to military time.—Photo by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.

The women’s water polo team competed in their first-ever conference championship game May 2, 2021. Danielle Montenegro, new water polo head coach, guided the Keydets to a second-place conference finish. Her selection as program head coach was announced by the VMI athletic department in July 2020.

“It’s a strange time to be anywhere,” Montenegro said in spring 2021, talking about moving and starting a new job in the middle of COVID-19. A California native, she’s spent most of her life in the greater Los Angeles area as a coach and business owner. She made a big move in 2019—geographically speaking— when she took the head coach job at Urbana University in Ohio. Before she coached her first Urbana game, coronavirus became a part of life—resulting in the university’s closure.

Montenegro was left with a choice: Go back to California, or look for something closer?

She heard about the job at VMI—about six hours away—and applied. She liked everything she heard about the Institute in the interview and had also heard good things from her assistant at Urbana, Sierra (Payne) Mullet ’17,

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former Keydet water polo player. Urbana’s closing mere months after she moved across the country was “stressful,” she said. “I hadn’t even been there for a full year. ... I didn’t know how things were going to open ... if colleges were going to be hiring. I felt extremely grateful once I was offered this position.”

Montenegro figured there were a few things she’d have to adapt to at VMI, but she didn’t know simple conversation with her players would involve learning “an entirely new vocabulary.” The players would “tell stories, and I [couldn’t] follow a thing they were saying,” she remembered. “They just had to continue to keep teaching me, like ‘Oh, SRC is this,’ and ‘Oh, BR is our brother rats.’”

She went all-in learning VMI-isms, even changing her clocks to military time. In the months before his recent retirement, Col. Eric Hutchings ’77, former special assistant to the athletic director for military affairs, was a big help; Montenegro met him early on, and he happily provided many translations and explanations. Andrew Bretscher, then-head swim coach, was also helpful. By late spring

2021, she knew she had gotten into the swing of things when her players told her, “Coach, you’re using our lingo!”

COVID-19 made practicing particularly challenging for both water polo and the swim and dive teams. The teams normally share a very limited resource—Clark King Pool—and are in the water at the same time. Pandemic restrictions meant the teams could not mix, resulting in about half as much time practice time in the pool.

The Aquatic Center, which broke ground in late 2020, will be a “game-changer,” Montenegro said. Even without COVID-19 restrictions, the size of Clark King Pool limits practice times.

“To have more space is going to be big for us; we’ll be able to have our full practices,” she said. Once completed, the deep water, stadium-like pool facility housed in the Aquatic Center will be one of the best in the region. About 25% of the Aquatic Center cost, or around $10 million, is funded through private support.

Alumni have also shown great support for

VMI Alumni Review

Athletics the water polo program. Some of the biggest supporters are Cathie and Jay Wegrzyn ’66, who live in the San Diego area. Soon after Montenegro started, she spoke with them on the phone. One of the players is also from San Diego, and most of the players are from California—where the sport “is huge,” Montenegro said. For Montenegro, this eased her transition a bit. Just one player on the 2020-21 roster was not from California, and several were from the greater LA area. Before she got up to speed with VMI’s “lingo,” she had SoCal in common with her players.

“Most of us are from very similar areas. I would say there’s at least five or six of them who ... we can name places and we know what we’re talking about. One of them played at a high school I used to coach at,” Montenegro said. “Some of the other girls played at Rose Bowl, which is a club I used to coach at. We definitely have some connections.”

As a kid, Montenegro played soccer and swam before getting into water polo, “which

is kind of a combination of soccer and swimming.” She competed for her alma mater, Occidental College, and began coaching for a local club while in college.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Occidental, she wanted to stay in sports and fitness. She became a physical therapy assistant—and continued coaching.

“It’s always been another job I’ve done on top of everything else,” she explained about coaching.

After she became a physical therapy assistant, she spent several years working fulltime in that field, including co-owning a gym.

She realized she “missed coaching” and, over time, learned “there is a path to do it fulltime.” She returned to school, earned a master’s degree in applied exercise science from Concordia University Chicago, and began coaching fulltime.

Montenegro has coached college, community college, high school, and club teams. The most challenging, she said, was a team of 12

and under boys. “I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to keep 8, 9, 10-year-olds engaged. That’s extremely difficult!” she remembered.

Montenegro does use her physical therapy and kinesiology education and experience in coaching. She has found focusing on essentials works out best in the end.

“Overall, you teach the same things. It’s always basics; it’s always fundamentals,” she said. “And as long as you have those things in hand, your kids do well.”

Aside from the first-ever appearance in the conference championship game, Montenegro’s fundamental focus bore other solid results, both athletically and academically.

Two players, McKenna Imset ’21 and Sydney Shettleroe ’23, were named to the All-MAAC team. Imset and Genevieve Petrassi ’22 were named All-Tournament players. The 2020-21 year also showed high achievement academically, with the highest term GPAs in the past five years, with five players earning spots on the MAAC All-Academic Water Polo Team.

Women’s Water Polo Advances to Conference Championship Game In their first season under Danielle Montenegro, head coach, the VMI women’s water polo team advanced to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship game for the first time in program history. The Keydets trailed Marist College by just one goal with three minutes left in the final.

McKenna Imset ’21, red-shirt junior, earned first-team All-MAAC honors, while Sydney Shettleroe ’23 was named to the second team.

Imset led the team with 50 goals in just 12 games and was a two-time MAAC Offensive Player of the Week. Shettleroe paced the team with 67 points (43 goals, 24 assists).

She earned the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week award after breaking the school record for goals in a single match with nine against Mount St. Mary’s University (Maryland) March 13. Rachel Ahumada ’24 earned MAAC Freshman of the Week honors three times in spring 2021.

Academically, the team also performed well with five Keydets named to the 2021 MAAC All-Academic Team: Maddie Berry ’22, Bridget Hughes ’22, Makenna Moore ’22, Genevieve Petrassi ’22, and Katelynn Riley ’23.

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McKenna Imset ’21, redshirt junior, earned all-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors.—Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.

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Athletics

The Big Red: SoCon Champs

The Keydets hoist Scott Wachenheim, head coach, onto their shoulders following the April 17 victory over The Citadel. With that victory, the Big Red kept the Silver Shako at home, won the Southern Conference, and advanced to FCS Championship play.—Photos courtesy VMI Keydets.

A season for the ages, the 2020-21 VMI football campaign will forever be one of the best on record.

Guiding his team during a COVID-19 shortened season, Scott Wachenheim, VMI head coach, was named the 34th annual Stats Perform FCS Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year in May. Wachenheim led the Keydets to a 6-2 overall record for the year, the program’s first Southern Conference title in 43 years (1977), and the program’s first-ever FCS playoff appearance.

Named the AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year, Wachenheim also received the Touchdown Club of Richmond’s Bobby Ross Coach of the Year award, given to the top Division I college football coach in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Keydets earned the program’s first winning season since 1981 and were nationally ranked as

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high as No. 10 in both the coaches’ and media polls after defeating Wofford College March 27 to move to 5-0 on the year. This was the Keydets’ best start since 1960. Before this season, VMI had never been nationally ranked since joining the FCS ranks in 1982.

VMI triumphed in all three road tests to finish the regular season with an undefeated road record for the first time since 1922. They topped Samford 38-37 in overtime, with Reece Udinski ’21, senior quarterback, returning to play after an injury. The injury put Udinski out for the remainder of the season. Seth Morgan ’23, redshirt freshman quarterback, filled the spot for the rest of the season. All three away wins (Western Carolina, Samford, and Wofford) occurred where VMI had never won before.

The Keydets’ win over No. 10 Furman to open

the season marked VMI’s first over a nationally ranked team since the 2002 campaign.

The Keydets won the first Southern Conference title since the 1977 season by taking down rival The Citadel by a 31-17 score April 17 at Foster Stadium. As the SoCon champions, the Keydets earned an automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs for the first time in program history. The Military Classic of the South victory also ensured that the Silver Shako will stay in Lexington, as VMI has won two straight contests over the Bulldogs.

The Keydets, ranked No. 11, were matched against the No. 1 James Madison University Dukes, one week after beating The Citadel. The Big Red ended their stellar season with a 31-24 loss to the Dukes in Harrisonburg April 24.

Jakob Herres ’22, wide receiver, was named

VMI Alumni Review

Athletics the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and Stone Snyder ’23, linebacker, was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year in both the coaches’ and media polls following the season. Morgan was named the SoCon Freshman of the Year in the coaches’ poll.

Just days removed from being named Stats Perform All-Americans, Herres and Snyder added to

their collection of prestigious honors as multiple organizations named the duo to their respective All-America teams.

Herres was named to the NACDA/FCS Athletic Directors Association All-America Team in addition to being named a First Team All-American by both the Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association for offense. Snyder was recognized with Herres by the

Associated Press and was listed as an AP First Team All-American on the defensive side of the ball. Herres finished fourth among finalists for the FCS Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in FCS football, while Snyder finished third among voters for the FCS Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in FCS football. For the most up-to-date awards information, visit vmikeydets.com.

Stone Snyder ’23, linebacker, was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, along with other honors.

Jakob Herres ’22, wide receiver, pictured here at the Samford game, was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, along with several other honors.

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Athletics

Track and Field: New Records, All-Conference Athletes, and an NCAA Appearance The 2021 outdoor track and field season saw incredible feats by multiple cadet-athletes as the team continued to improve over the course of the season.

Gavin Jenkins ’22, steeplechase runner, qualified for the NCAA East Regional by way of his No. 16 ranking for the event with a school record time of 8:44.56 earned at the Lee University Last Chance Meet May 15. During the outdoor season, he achieved All-Southern Conference honors in both the steeplechase and 5,000-meter run by placing second at both at the SoCon Championships. He finished 30th at the NCAA East Regional.

Jordin Poindexter ’22, sprinter, was named the SoCon’s Male Most Outstanding Performer at the SoCon Championships after winning the 200m title, placing second in the 100-meter dash, and helping the 4x400 relay team to a league title.

The 4x400 relay team of Poindexter, Jonathan Gray ’22, Trent Whittaker ’23, and Johnnie Walker ’22 won the outdoor title. This is the same group that won the indoor SoCon title for the event just two months earlier.

The women’s 4x400 group of Eliza Brooks ’22, Autumn Parson ’22, Ahliyah Williams ’22, and Ariana Ruffin ’21 placed second at

the SoCon Championships with a new school record time of 3:47.90.

The VMI throwers performed well at the SoCon Outdoor Championships, as Solomon Ghosh ’22 placed second in the discus and Sarah Leckman ’21 placed second in the shot put. Both athletes earned All-SoCon honors.

In total, 14 different athletes earned a total of 11 All-Conference honors for VMI during the outdoor season.

VMI’s 2021 SoCon All-Conference Recipients: Poindexter: 200m, 1st place Men’s 4x400: 1st place (Poindexter, Gray, Whittaker, Walker) Poindexter: 100m, 2nd place Women’s 4x400: 2nd place, (Brooks, Parson, Williams, Ruffin) Jenkins: 2nd place, 5000m Jenkins: 2nd place, steeplechase Ghosh: 2nd place, discus Leckman: 2nd place, shot put Walker: 3rd place, 400m Naomi Hahn ’24: 3rd place, steeplechase Men’s 4x100: 3rd place (B. Trahan, Gray, K. Midgett, Poindexter)

The track and field team ended a phenomenal season, with 11 All-Conference athletes, new school records, and Gavin Jenkins ’22 (left) taking a trip to the NCAA East Regional. Ariana Ruffin ’21 (right) was one-fourth of the conference second place women’s 4x400 team, which also broke the VMI school record in the spring 2021 season.—Photos courtesy VMI Keydets.

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VMI Alumni Review

Athletics

Baseball Ends on a High Note, Sweeping Doubleheader

Justin Starke ’23, redshirt freshman, was named Southern Conference Freshman of the Year. He finished the season with a .422 batting average and a .525 on base percentage, the highest ever single season average in program history.—Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.

Justin Starke ’23, redshirt freshman, paced the VMI baseball team in spring 2021 with a .422 batting average and finished the season by reaching base safely in the last 24 straight games, including a 13-game hitting streak. The SoCon Baseball Freshman of the Year’s .525 on base percentage is the highest-ever for a single season in program history and his batting average ranks third.

Trey Morgan ’23, redshirt freshman, was a versatile performer, serving as the starting centerfielder and part-time closer. He hit .326 on the year with a .411 on-base percentage, 28 runs, 26 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases while playing spectacular defense in the outfield and also led the squad with three saves.

Jacob Menders ’21 led the pitchers with a 6-3 record and posted victories in four of his last six starts, all SoCon games.

The Keydets won their last two SoCon series of the season and five of their last seven games. The final two games were a doubleheader versus the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The Keydets ended the season sixth of eight in the SoCon, and just a half-game out of fifth place. Preseason polls had the Keydets finishing dead last, in eighth.

Perouty ’21 Joins 70-Goal Club, Fant ’21 Leads in Points The VMI lacrosse team saw many moments of brilliance and signs of improvement in the 2021 season, James Purpura’s first at the helm.

Ryan Perouty ’21 joined the prestigious VMI 100-Point Club and 70-Goal Club to etch his name in the VMI record book. He earned his 100th career point off an assist at Jacksonville to become the 18th Keydet in program history to attain the feat. A few weeks later, he joined the 70-Goal Club in the game versus Mount St. Mary’s as he logged his 70th career goal in a Keydet uniform. He would go on to finish his VMI career with 110 points and 74 goals. He is one of only 15 Keydets to join the 70-Goal Club in program history.

The 2021 squad was captained by Eric Lane ’21, long stick midfielder; Jon Fant ’21, attackman; and Bill Osteen ’21, goalkeeper.

The first three games of the season were canceled or postponed due to COVID-19 protocols for VMI’s opponents, but the Keydets got the campaign started on the right foot with an exciting 13-12 win over Lafayette on the road, as Hartley Jordan ’23 and Scout Ripley ’23 both earned hat tricks on the day.

Fant led the team with 34 points on the season, including 13 goals and 21 assists. Jordan finished second on the team with 24 points on 13 goals and 11 assists, while Ripley came in third with 22 points on 21 goals and one assist. Perouty finished the season with 21 points on 13 goals and eight assists, while Michael Santos ’22 totaled 17 points, including 15 goals and two assists.

Luke McDonald ’24 was named the team’s Rookie of the Year, Jordan was given the Most Improved Player honor, Lane received Defensive Player

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In his senior season, Ryan Perouty ’21 etched his name in the VMI record book, joining the VMI 100-Point Club and 70-Goal Club.—Photo courtesy VMI Keydets. of the Year recognition, and Fant the Offensive Player of the Year award.

Osteen was given the team’s Fred Award for his display of the program’s core values; he was a role model for excelling academically, on the hill, and on the lacrosse field.

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Athletics

Edwards-Roberson ’22, Cropper ’21 Lead Scoring

Kiley Cropper ’21 in the contest against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She had five points on two goals and one assist for her senior season.—Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.

The women’s soccer team fought hard throughout the season and showed many signs of improvement in Chris Haught-Thompson’s second year leading the program as head coach.

The Keydets got off to an exciting start to the season by

defeating nearby Southern Virginia University by a 5-0 shutout victory. During the season, VMI was led by Whitney Edwards-Roberson ’22, who tallied nine points off four goals and one assist, while Kiley Cropper ’21, forward, totaled five points on two goals and one assist.

Schull ’22 Leads Division I in Saves VMI men’s soccer won a pair of contests by 2-1 margins at Southern Virginia University and at home against Marymount University. Broden Schull ’22, keeper, led all of NCAA Division I with 82 saves and 7.45 saves per game. He made a career-record 17 saves against East Tennessee State University and moved into second all-time for VMI career saves.

Nathan Lam ’23, midfielder, served as a captain with Schull (and Richard Quispe ’21) and led the team with three goals.

Lam netted the game-winner against Marymount, while Tate Pospichal ’24 scored to lift VMI to a 2-1 win over Southern Virginia University.

Nathan Lam ’23 (left), midfielder, served as a captain with Broden Schull ’22 and Richard Quispe ’21.—Photo courtesy VMI Keydets.

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VMI Alumni Review

We are their future.

203.8 WHOLE DAMN TEAM

Compete. Learn. Lead. vmialumni.org/203-8

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Events Alumni Association Programs Connect Alumni and Cadets

By Franklin Van Valkenburg ’13, Program Outreach Officer

For more than 180 years, VMI has been put to the test. From being shelled and burned, enduring two world wars, and most recently navigating through a global pandemic, the Institute has proven tenacious and steadfast. Beyond post, VMI alumni have been at the forefront of these testing chapters of history. Whether it is stories of courage on far-flung battlefields or sacrifices closer to home, VMI has been well-represented.

The VMI Alumni Association serves these alumni and strives to maintain the critical bond between alumni and the Institute. Indeed, this organization has long served the VMI community effectively to meet and exceed the needs of the Institute and its alumni; however, there is always more to be done. The VMI Alumni Association has inaugurated and reinvigorated efforts to not only pursue its mission but carry it forward.

The VMI Alumni Association Board of Directors most recently met April 16. During this meeting, the board discussed initiatives and

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priorities and discerned needed lines of effort moving forward. While this is not novel, the events of 2020 were; therefore, the VMI Alumni Association recognized the need for expanded initiatives. The focus areas at the April 2021 board meeting included increasing chapter activity, establishing engagement and outreach both in and out of barracks, and tailoring these efforts to the current environment.

Whether confiding in one another and seeking guidance or reveling in the camaraderie of the brother rat spirit, chapter events serve to reinvigorate members to continue pursuing the excellence which VMI inspires. That is the priority of the Chapter Operations Committee chaired by Matthew R. Hemenez ’90. In the board meeting, he reported three areas of focus: The reintroduction of chapter events post-pandemic, how to reinvigorate these events under current guidelines, and establishing a Distinguished Chapter Award to be launched in 2022. He stressed that chapters

need to be proactive where they can, based on the environment around them. Whether it is a virtual event, an outdoor event, or an indoor event, Hemenez emphasized that now is the time for us to seek one another in camaraderie.

The VMI Alumni Association is ready to assist chapters as best as possible.

Using all the lessons VMI teaches, cadets look ahead, anticipating the challenges they must face.

Proven alumni leaders can guide cadets who follow in their footsteps—those who will forge tomorrow’s standards. The Engagement Committee, chaired by Kelly R. Holbert ’93, has been hard at work with solutions to further promote these bonds between cadets and alumni. To that end, the committee established a new mentorship program: The Red and Yellow Program. Identifying cadets based on NCAA sport and ROTC affiliation, the program aims to connect current cadets with alumni and facilitate opportunities for handing lessons learned yesterday to the next

VMI Alumni Review

Events generation of leaders. Development is underway next 180—by improving the process through the one wearing the VMI ring possesses an to identify alumni who would like to participate which that product is made with an emphasis unparalleled quality of character. This character and pair them with current cadets. Not unlike on diversity and inclusion.” stems from those challenging moments in the Rat the cherished tradition of pairing rats with a The VMI Alumni Association also strives to Line—a universal test of mettle that immediately dyke, the Red and Yellow Program’s purpose is explain the unique challenges of VMI to high draws alumni together. The VMI Alumni Asto fill the void left by a dyke’s graduation. The school students. Through prospective cadet sociation recognizes this and has made efforts program will offer additional assistance when information sessions, Patrick J. Griffin ’80 and to help get alumni where they need to be to cadets face questions such as ROTC affiliation, the Outreach Committee are working around the maximize their positive impact on those around contracting, switching majors, or planning for clock to help identify the best and brightest Virthem—together. With this in mind, the VMI graduate programs. ginia and the nation have to offer and introduce Alumni Association is proud to unveil the Pass Honorable leadership is the product of VMI. them to VMI. As of June 2021, the Rat Mass of in Review Program. Classes entering their 50th Beyond a top-notch education, VMI’s unrivaled 2022+3 has 1,576 applications with 952 appointReunion cycle will come alongside a matriculatHonor Code produces leaders of character. These ments offered. The waitlist is currently over 100. ing Rat Mass to mentor them and celebrate their leaders will stand when a challenge arises or, betAdditionally, the VMI Alumni Association milestones. As that class approaches their graduter yet, stand and prepare for coming ation four years later, a keystone challenges before they materialize. event will converge with their Grant T. Harris ’06, who chairs the Enmentors’ 50th Reunion. gagement Committee’s Diversity and “As we get back to in-person Inclusion subcommittee, is one such events and opportunities for leader. This subcommittee was an engagement, let’s all remember • *Distinguished Chapter Award: Slated to begin in 2022 essential need at VMI, and he, along we are one VMI,” said Thom with 11 other inaugural subcommittee Brashears ’95, VMI Alumni Asmembers, rose to face this challenge. sociation chief operating officer.

• *Red and Yellow Program: Links cadets with alumni mentors, “These efforts were initiated nearly One of his biggest challenges to based on interest, ROTC, and/or NCAA affiliation two years ago before The Washington VMI alumni is to increase parPost and all the negative publicity,” ticipation—a vision that sees at • Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee: Welcoming, respecting, Harris said. “We were already putting least 50% of each chapter attend and celebrating all alumni things in motion then by talking about at least one event a year. “Where what we could do, how we could do it, I need the most help from our • Prospective Cadet Information Sessions: Informing high school and how it would affect the Institute alumni is ensuring they keep students about the value of a VMI education for the better in the years to come.” their brother rats, their fellow In the years since spearheading this chapter members ... everybody • Career Networking: Identifying and connecting alumni with new initiative, the Diversity and Incluin the VMI family informed and career opportunities sion subcommittee’s charter, mission, engaged with each other and and vision were drafted and approved. with the Institute,” Brashears • *Pass in Review: Linking upcoming 50th Reunion classes with “A lot has happened since then. Obvisaid. He also expressed his pride an incoming rat mass ously, leadership has changed at the in the multitude of alumni chapInstitute,” Harris noted. “Our charter ters around the country. “All 96 *Denotes new initiatives was ratified by the previous superinof our active chapters do great tendent all the way down the chain of work. I’m proud of them all for command before his departure. It has what they do to keep our alumni since been blessed by the current administration, Career Networking Program, also under the Out- informed, engaged, and inspired.” and I appreciate the current leadership being both reach Committee, is being bolstered with more Since 1839, VMI has produced leaders of the publicly and privately supportive of our existence time and energy devoted to identifying profes- highest caliber for the state and the nation. Unand the work we are doing.” sional opportunities and connecting alumni with matched bonds are formed during the crucible When asked about current initiatives and the them. From more robust job fairs to increasing of those four arduous years in historic limestone subcommittee’s vision, Harris explained, “I the channels used to announce job openings, barracks. These deeply-rooted connections are think there’s a misunderstanding of the mean- the Career Networking Program—which boasts precious; they carry the memories of lessons ing of diversity and inclusion. Diversity and eight alumni who assist fellow alumni in securing learned during that baptism by fire. These lessons inclusion are not what a reporter writes or what jobs—is committed to furthering VMI’s ability serve VMI alumni well in a starkly contrasting a politician says. Diversity and inclusion at the to positively change the world. Since March world where questions of leadership, honor, and VMI Alumni Association are about making all 2020, 111 cadets and alumni have contacted the fortitude present themselves on a near-daily alumni feel welcomed, respected, and celebrated committee for assistance—54 have secured jobs, basis. The VMI Alumni Association serves no matter your race, gender, or age. Our goal is to 35 are actively looking for positions, and 22 are alumni beyond barracks, keeping the bonds maintain the product that VMI has been putting awaiting a response with updates or results. strong by connecting alumni with each other out for over 180 years—and hopefully for the Whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom, and with the Institute.

Highlighted Programs

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Events

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter Holds Old Corps Breakfasts

Old Corps members of the Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter meet for breakfast in March 2021. Those in attendance are (front row, from left) Dixie Walker ’70, Harry Seipp ’78, Ed Andrews ’70, Drew Turner ’72, Mike Kelly’73, (back row) Paul Johnston ’61, Bill Gibson ’65, Roger Rosenfield ’47, Parky Parkman ’66, John Kuchnia ’57, and Larry Wilson ’62. Wilson is the chapter president.

Old Corps members of the Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter meet for breakfast in April 2021. Those attending are (seated, from left) Larry Wilson ’62, Drew Turner ’72, Dixie Walker ’70, Paul Johnston ’61, (back row) Don Brown ’71, Parky Parkman ’66, Mike Kelly ’73, Rick Hening ’75, Bill Gibson ’65, Harry Seipp ’78, Roger Rosenfield ’47, and Bill Murchison ’70. Wilson is the chapter president.

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VMI Alumni Review

Events

Northern Virginia, The Citadel Chapters Hold Watch Party

The VMI Potomac River and George C. Marshall Chapters and The Citadel Club of Greater Washington, D.C., co-host a VMI versus The Citadel football game watch party in Arlington, Virginia, April 17, 2020. The event had a great turnout of VMI and The Citadel alumni, family, and friends to watch the game, celebrate both teams, and get to know one another.

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

2021-Issue 3

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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Events

Valley Chapter Holds Watch Parties

The VMI Alumni Association Valley Chapter gathers for a VMI versus The Citadel watch party at Heritage on West Main in Waynesboro, Virginia, April 17, 2021. The Keydets beat the Bulldogs 31-17. Attending are Don and Stacey Bowers ’90, Don and Lois Crawford ’70, Lou and Jean Farmer ’58, Cameron and Mary Seay ’70, and Mark Black ’86.

The Valley Chapter gathers for a VMI versus James Madison University watch party at Heritage on West Main in Waynesboro, Virginia, April 24, 2021. This event marks the first Valley Chapter watch party since 2019 in which VMI did not win. Attending the event are (first row, from left) Bill Faistenhammer ’74, Steve and Carrie Jones ’97, Irene Berselli, Signe Marechal, (second row) Ed and Phyllis Hollowell ’61, Cameron and Mary Seay ’70, Braxton Green ’50B, Amy Darby, John Reed ’59, (third row) Mark Black ’86, Doug Marechal ’62, Jim Snead ’72, Lewis Graybill ’62, Jake and Deborah Kleinschuster ’64, and John Darby ’92. Not pictured: Carter Green, Linda Faistenhammer, and Steve Wilson ’87.

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, the

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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

Progress Luck Family Gift Endows Leader-in-Residence Program, Honors Peay ’62

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

This story began several years ago—almost arrived on post, they also had years of business 20, in fact—during the fundraising campaign, experience under their belts. So, they could exReveille: A Call to Excel. In the campaign’s early plain how their military experience translated days, Charles S. Luck III ’55, who was one of the into the civilian world, and that made them campaign’s leaders, made a bequest of $1 million even more valuable to the on-post community.” in support of the Institute.

Asked what the Luck family’s gift meant When Luck died earlier this year, it fell to his to the Leader-in-Residence Program, Gray two daughters and his son, Charles S. Luck replied, “The program is the closest thing we IV ’83, to determine the next step. “When my have to a visiting professor in leadership, and father made the bequest, he meant the money to this gift will, I hope, mean that we can bring be unrestricted. But we felt this gift represented the leaders back to VMI more often or for another part of Dad’s legacy at VMI; therefore, longer periods. That would be helpful because we wanted it to be special.” the leaders would get into the rhythms of VMI With that in mind, the family got in touch with life, and everyone on post would have more Meade B. King ’85, VMI Foundation and VMI opportunities to interact with them.”

Keydet Club chief operating officer, asking him As to the effect that the Luck family’s gift will to provide a record of the late Luck’s giving. have on cadets’ development as leaders, Luck “We were trying to discern what he was passion’83 said, “The Leader-in-Residence Program ate about at VMI.” As it turned out, his giving puts recognized leaders in front of cadets. covered just about everything at VMI—athletics, These leaders can draw upon their experiences scholarships, and academics. So, the family asked to describe how to champion a vision—[and] to King what the Institute’s current fundraising pribring people along in support of that vision—as orities—as Luck ’83 put it, “its forward-looking well as what are the tools, skills, and behaviors Luck ’55 needs”—were. of effective leaders. These encounters will help After closely examining the list of needs that King provided, the cadets determine how they can be more effective, purposeful, and family settled on supporting the Center for Leadership and Ethics— transformative as leaders.” specifically, to endow the Leader-in-Residence Program. “We chose Another aspect of the Luck family’s gift is that the program will be the CLE because we believed Dad would be drawn to it the most, and named after Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI’s 14th superintendent. the Leader-in-Residence Program spoke to us the most.”

According to Luck ’83, there were many reasons for this decision.

According to Col. Dave Gray, CLE director, the Leader-in-Residence “First, my father and General Peay had a close relationship, and my Program is an important element of the center’s efforts to educate, father had immense respect for General Peay as a leader and a man—a engage, and inspire cadets, faculty, and staff to develop as leaders. respect that my entire family shares.”

“The Leader-in-Residence Program brings to post people of stature It was the effect of Peay’s leadership during his time as superintenwithin their fields—such as the military, business, and government— dent, however, that convinced the Luck family to endow the program for two weeks, which may be divided between fall and spring. While in his name. “Take a look at how far the Institute has come in so many they interact primarily with the cadets through meetings, lunches, ways over the past 17 years,” Luck said. “I cannot think of a single classes, and discussion groups and give the keynote address at the aspect of Institute life that has not significantly improved.”

Superintendent’s Leadership Dinner, they also meet with the faculty “While a lot of people deserve credit for this amazing progress,” Luck and staff in various ways. In fact, one of the leaders insisted on visiting continued, “the fact remains that it was General Peay who charted the every activity at VMI.” course for VMI through his Vision 2039 and who provided the steadfast The leaders often arrive with experience in more than one field, said leadership that accomplished so much of it. Just think of how much Gray. He cited as examples U.S. Army Gen. Dennis Via and U.S. Army influence these improvements have had—and will have—on the lives Brig. Gen. Rebecca Halstead, who were at VMI in 2019 and 2015, of thousands of young people. It’s just astounding.” respectively. “Both had served in the Army for decades, but when they Finally, according to Luck, naming the program after Peay was a

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Progress tribute to the sacrifices he made on VMI’s behalf. “Time is our most precious resource, so the most valuable gift anyone can give is that of his or her time. At a time in life when most people are thinking about—or starting— their retirement, General Peay dedicated more than a decade and a half to this school. That deserves recognition.”

Gray agrees that naming the program after Peay is fitting. “General Peay was focused on ensuring that VMI graduates have the tools necessary to be great leaders. He saw the CLE as something that enhances and reinforces what the cadets learn about leadership in barracks, on an athletic team—anywhere, really. He was deeply interested in the CLE’s work and was one of its most enthusiastic supporters.”

Like all private support at VMI, the effects

of the Luck family’s gift go beyond just its immediate effects on one program. “There is the financial effect in that, now that the program is endowed, we can devote the revenues we used to support it to strengthen other programs.

“There also is the inspiration that this gift will give to other potential donors to come forward to support other programs at the CLE.” There are many opportunities for those who want to make their philanthropy truly transformative, Gray said. “For example, cadet leadership enrichment opportunities, which provide cadets with the opportunity to travel to attend leadership conferences in the U.S. and abroad. A donor or donors could commit to funding it for several years or endow it permanently with a gift of $750,000.”

Other funding opportunities include its annual

Leadership and Ethics Conference, the Cadet Ethics Program, the Courageous Leadership Speaker Program, and the Great Battles and Leaders Program. “At our peer institutions, an alumni class is often the sponsor of the annual Leadership and Ethics Conference, which also provides that class with the opportunity to have its members attend that conference each year as a sort of mini reunion. By funding these or any other programs at the CLE, a donor can have a profound and lasting effect on the lives of cadets by giving them the foundation of sound, honorable leadership,” explained Gray.

In closing, Luck ’83 said, “My family has long held that VMI’s mission is to build leaders. Our gift is meant to ensure the CLE’s long-term ability to play its important role in that mission.”

Twenty years ago, during Reveille: A Call to Excel, Charles S. Luck III ’55, who was one of the campaign’s leaders, made a bequest of $1 million in support of the Institute. After his passing in 2020, his children closely examined the list of the Institute’s needs. The family settled on supporting the Center for Leadership and Ethics, specifically, to endow the Leader-in-Residence Program at the CLE.

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VMI Alumni Review

Progress

Doing Their Part: Class of 2020 Begins Scholarship

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

“Let’s do something good. Let’s make 2020 something special,” said Fielding Quarles ’20, explaining why his class decided to use the bulk of their class funds to begin a scholarship that will eventually aid future cadets.

Josh Austin ’20, class vice president, actually proposed the idea of a class scholarship in early fall 2019—well before COVID-19 was in the picture. He received an Institute Scholarship during his cadetship and remains grateful for the support he received from it, especially as an out-of-state student.

“The gratitude I felt for the scholarships I received and the impact they made on my life definitely made me want to try to ... give back and to give that kind of help to someone else who might need it,” Austin said, explaining why he wanted to start a class scholarship.

With planning for a busy semester ahead, the idea of creating a class scholarship was put on hold—until spring 2020 (and COVID-19) rolled around.

The screeching halt of pretty much every activity due to the pandemic encompassed the Class of 2020’s graduation and any associated events. This included no class party and other Corps functions—usually financed by the class funds—leaving 2020 with several thousand dollars in their account. The class leadership gathered and talked about what to do with the funds.

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The funds belonged to the entire class—together, they worked and raised funds throughout their cadetship. To gather everyone’s input, all 2020 BRs were sent a survey with several options about how to use the funds; they were asked to vote for two. Options included items such as Yeti cups or Hawaiian shirts for the class and even dividing up the funds and reimbursing each BR. A one-year reunion party was discussed but dismissed, since BRs were quickly dispersing around the globe with career and military commitments.

Another option was beginning a Class of 2020 scholarship.

When the survey results were tallied, the class scholarship was overwhelmingly the No. 1 choice. Quarles, the class’ sensible money manager, recommended holding some of the funds for class reunions and using the rest— over 80% of the account—for a scholarship.

Working with the Alumni Agencies, the Class of 2020 began a class scholarship in June 2020. Though no one in the class would have chosen the way it happened, these young alumni were able to give back as soon as their cadetships ended instead of years later, enabling them to bring “something good out of 2020.”

The scholarship account is not yet fully funded, but with small contributions from

each BR, the scholarship can be fully funded in a few years. Alex Dragan ’20, one of the 2020 class agents, explained in the 2021-1 Alumni Review class notes that fully funding the scholarship wouldn’t require huge sacrifices from the class. In fact, if each BR contributes about $30 total, the scholarship will reach fully funded status. People outside the class can also donate.

“I am very excited we’ve established this scholarship, but I’m even more excited to see where it goes in the future,” Austin said. “I think we have the opportunity through continued and sustained giving to memorialize our class ... We have a unique opportunity to create a lasting legacy for the Class of 2020 at VMI. I’m very excited to see where that goes.”

Financial help is incredibly important to cadets. Some cadets are not able to continue their VMI journeys because of financial problems. “We had plenty of BRs throughout our cadetship [who] could not come back because of financial reasons,” Quarles said.

More financial aid can make leaving or staying “more of a personal decision and not a forced decision. Really, the whole purpose is to help individuals with financial constraints,” Quarles said. “This is just us doing our part.”

To donate to the Class of 2020 Memorial Scholarship, go to vmialumni.org/classof2020.

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Progress

VMIssion Endures Attracts Donors, Resources to Support the Institute

You may recall a flurry of emails and communications during the VMI Alumni Agencies week of giving, VMIssion Endures, which took place May 10-14. During the five-day online fundraising event, nearly 1,000 of you joined in to give $473,984 to VMI. The campaign was part of the end-of-year request for support to the generous VMI family, who always demonstrate loyal support to the Institute.

VMIssion Endures kicked off May 10 with an email and video message from Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins ’85, superintendent, and continued to build momentum during the week through emails and on social media. The campaign ended May 14, just before graduation.

Many alumni challenged their brother rats and fellow alumni to give

as was the case with a thoughtful and ambitious challenge issued by an alumnus from the Class of 2009. He challenged fellow young alumni, parents, and members of the Corps to participate in the campaign to unlock a $100,000 gift supporting cadet scholarships. The tremendous example of generosity spurred 173 young alumni and parents to make gifts, which amounted to thousands in unrestricted support and the continued growth of a new scholarship now available to cadets. The positive impact of motivating more donors and the dollars to support the Institute is hard to overstate.

The campaign also included a virtual running event from May 10-31, challenging participants to show their support by logging miles. This virtual

Each year, the financial support of VMI alumni and friends combines to provide 25% of VMI’s budget. during the weeklong campaign. An anonymous donor from the Class of 1996 offered to give $20,000 to the Capt. Jamie Edge VMI Spirit Scholarship if 68 of his BRs donated any amount. Eighty-seven made gifts, and the Class of 1996 unlocked the challenge, adding $20,000 to the scholarship. Lane Toomey ’74 and Bill Wieners ’85 successfully challenged their BRs, as well.

A challenge also came from a generous Class of 1973 anonymous donor who pledged $100,000 if 250 Keydet Club members gave by Wednesday.

This challenge was met when 276 members answered the call. Jim Key ’63 and Conrad Hall ’65, understanding the critical importance of alumni support, offered substantial challenge gifts, which inspired a tremendous response from alumni, family, and friends.

This lead by example enthusiasm is what effectively rallies the troops—

event also drew good participation, with 1,440 miles pledged.

These efforts are critical to the success of each aspiring graduate. Each year, the financial support of VMI alumni and friends combines to provide 25% of VMI’s budget. Every day, these funds touch all cadet in barracks and make their VMI experience better. Private support provides direct scholarship help to over half the Corps—private support from you.

You help retain outstanding professors by boosting their salaries and recognizing them. You fund cadet and faculty attendance at professional conferences and events. You improve VMI’s Physical Plant. You provide lab equipment and cover research costs. Every day, you and generous supporters like you touch VMI and make it better.

Thank you for taking the time to give to VMI and the Corps of Cadets.

Thank you for supporting VMI and the Corps of Cadets.

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VMI Alumni Review

Staff News

Mercer ’22 Interns with Alumni Agencies Communications Team Cadet Jackson Mercer ’22 was selected as the spring 2021 VMI Alumni Agencies communications intern. During this time, COVID-19 precluded an intern working regular office hours, but Mercer was still able to meet with his Alumni Agencies advisors weekly. Some meetings were held behind masks and socially distanced in Moody Hall’s library or patio area, some—like photography lessons—were outside, and some were via Microsoft Teams video meetings.

Mercer learned about different aspects of writing, social media, photography, page layout, design, video, and email communication. He learned how to write for social media, including condensing full-length articles into shorter summaries. Alumni Agencies social media posts about Alfred K. Earnest, VMI Class of 1938; Robert Marston ’44; and

Aside from his weekly meetings with Alumni Agencies mentors, Mercer met with or spoke to his faculty advisor, Maj. Michelle Iten, Ph.D., each week. On the academic side, he examined different types of written communications using a rhetorical framework. These included basic news articles from local newspapers, social media posts, Alumni Review articles, and articles from national media sources. His final project was a reflective essay describing his internship experience.

“Jackson has an excellent eye for figuring out how writing situations differ in such things as audience, purpose, and style. I think this really helped him switch out of academic writing mode to communications writing,” Iten said. “I’m familiar with Jackson’s writing from classes he’s had with me, and it was rewarding to see him push himself to master a new style of writing.”

Mercer is an Institute Scholar and an Army ROTC scholarship recipient. He is planning to commission into the Army in spring 2022 and

Cadet Jackson Mercer ’22 was the Alumni Agencies communications intern during the spring 2021 semester. He learned different aspects of communications, including writing, photography, social media, design, and video. The internship is open to English majors and fulfills the required ERH 411 Fieldwork class.—Photo by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.

the Cadet Idol competition were Mercer’s work.

“We were grateful to have Jackson’s assistance this semester,” said Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies creative content manager and one of Mercer’s mentors. “His research into some of our notable alumni was extremely helpful, and I enjoyed being able to show him a few of the tools we use regularly in the communications office.”

He also learned to write news and feature-style articles. All of these were new experiences for Mercer, who was previously acquainted with academictype writing and using MLA style. He wrote about how COVID-19 affected VMI and covered the Cadet Idol competition. He also wrote about how VMI Army ROTC cadre arranged for young officers to meet with current cadets to answer questions and provide guidance.

“It has been a really rewarding opportunity to be able to work with my various mentors in this internship and see the process of writing and editing communications for the Alumni Agencies,” Mercer said.

Photography was also a new area for Mercer, who learned the basics of using a professional digital camera. After a brief lesson including lighting, composition, and avoiding distracting objects—like trash cans—his mentors turned Mercer loose with the camera. For his assignments, he took accompanying photos and learned to use Adobe Photoshop and InDesign to put photos and article text together on a page.

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hopes to be branched infantry. He is part of the Army ROTC Ranger Challenge team as well as a leader in the VMI Military Skills Club.

This summer, he will attend Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. When he returns to post, he plans to do his capstone project on the influence of the fall of the Soviet Union on the message and content of several war films of the turn of the millennium.

The Alumni Agencies communications internship aims to expose cadets to practical communications they might encounter after graduation as well as teach a bit about unwritten professional protocol—how to ask pertinent questions, how to use tools (like Microsoft Office) effectively, and the value of prompt, precise communication. The internship also teaches cadets about the Alumni Agencies and alumni financial support of VMI. “I enjoy working with our cadet interns each semester and giving them an idea of how alumni support the Corps of Cadets,” said Molly Rolon, another of Mercer’s mentors and Alumni Review associate editor. “Jackson asked a lot of great questions during the semester. He was receptive to learning different ways of doing things and quickly picked up new skills.”

The internship is offered each semester to an English major and fulfills the required ERH 411 Fieldwork class. Interns apply by submitting a writing sample and are selected through an interview process. Cadets interested in future internships or agencies interested in offering internships can contact Maj. Stephanie Hodde, Ph.D., at hoddesl@vmi.edu.

Hodde coordinates internships for the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies.

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To download the app for Apple and Android devices, scan the QR code with your smartphone camera or visit vmialumni.org/mobileapp.

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VMI Alumni Review

CLASS NOTES

1941

Stuart Seaton Jr. ’73

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1941.

1942

Brittany Szczepanik ’20

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1942.

1943 William B. Garber ’64

Class of 1943, It is springtime as these notes are being written, one of the prettiest times of the year—particularly in the South.

There have been three particularly noteworthy events since the last edition of the Alumni Review: The selection of Maj. Gen. Wins ’85 as superintendent, the winning of the Southern Conference by the Keydet football team, and the selection of Scott Wachenheim as FCS national football coach of the year. The Class of 1943 congratulates each person, the Big Red team, and the Corps of Cadets on these outstanding achievements!

On June 1, Chuck Beckham celebrated his 100th birthday, the first brother rat in the class’ active alumni group to reach the century mark.

Congratulations, Chuck! According to his sonin-law, he had two strokes in January and lost vision in one eye. Balance problems caused him to fall a few times. Chuck currently resides in an assisted living facility in Fulshear, Texas.

In July, Bill Winter and Floyd Gottwald both celebrate birthday No. 99. Let’s keep it going!

The class was saddened by the loss of Lt.

2021-Issue 3

Gen. Jeffrey G. Smith, who died April 21.

Floyd Gottwald provided the following: “The Institute has suffered a great loss in the death of Lieutenant General Jeff Smith. His military career was remarkable. His work for the Class of ’43 was greatly appreciated. And his business career after retirement was effective and extremely useful.”

This edition of the Alumni Review undoubtedly contains a separate article covering Lt. Gen. Smith’s cadetship, career, and service to VMI. As his successor as class agent and in addition to Mr. Gottwald’s comments, I thought I would offer some personal observations from three different periods when our careers intersected.

Lt. Gen. Smith (then lieutenant colonel) and I arrived at VMI in summer 1960—he as commandant and me as a rat. Also arriving in the same timeframe was a new superintendent. The new leadership made a few somewhat unpopular changes, and the commandant and the tactical staff, as enforcers of the new policies, bore the brunt of the Corps’ unhappiness.

I learned later that Lt. Gen. Smith had proposed modifications to some aspects of the new policies. But as a good soldier, he unflinchingly carried out the decisions of the superintendent.

In retrospect, the Corps had become a bit lax, and the changes were needed. The appearance of the Corps improved noticeably. Fortunately, I steered clear of the commandant for those first three years of my cadetship!

In 1968, Lt. Gen. Smith (then colonel) became deputy commander of my infantry brigade in Vietnam, and a short time later, I assumed command of an armored cavalry troop reporting directly to him. In that relationship, he was fair, direct, and supportive of the missions I was assigned. When I needed help, he was there— whether while engaging the enemy, backing tough decisions, or arranging additional fire support while we operated in remote areas. He was a brilliant tactician, tough but fair leader, and a very brave man. He set high standards and expected compliance. And if you met expectations, he was the best ally one could have. As a young commander in combat, I could not have worked for a better boss.

In 1975, Lt. Gen. Smith pinned on his third star and asked me to be his aide-de-camp in his new assignment as commanding general of the First U.S. Army at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. For nearly two years, wherever he

went, I went. Every trip, every meeting, every unit visit, and many social events. I observed his interaction with the most senior officers in the Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve, as well as with soldiers in the field.

With the other generals, he was often the smartest man in the room, asking pointed questions and providing guidance quickly and effectively.

Lt. Gen. Smith was a straight shooter. He did not mince words. But he listened, and he recognized and acknowledged good performance.

At his Army headquarters, he often invited young staff officers to work closely with him to develop plans and programs. He welcomed their thinking and their energy.

Needless to say, Lt. Gen. Smith was a great mentor and role model. I will always appreciate that he treated me with a patience and warmth that few other officers ever experienced. I will miss him.

I assume everybody in the class is vaccinated, and hopefully, the country is moving toward normal times. It is still advisable to be careful, but if you are mobile take advantage of the good weather to get outside and visit with family and friends. We have been sequestered for a long time!

By the time these notes are published, we should be on the brink of another football season. With many starters returning and riding the success of the past season, VMI should again be competitive in the conference. Best of luck to the team. Go Big Red!

1944 Jonathan Safrit ’10

The two confirmed surviving members of 1944 send their best wishes to all those in the VMI community. Life is slowly returning to normal, and while we reflect on the past year and a half, we look forward to the future.

I’ve had several conversations with John Crim ’68 about his family’s connection to VMI going back to the Battle of New Market and specifically his uncle, Jake Crim, who was a member of 1944. Jake served across France and Germany in the Third Army under George Patton ’907. He saw the horrors of battle and concentration camps

49

Class Notes

Class of 1944: The first page of a letter from Jake Crim to his parents, written the day after the attack at Pearl Harbor. and came out of the other side to become one of the “kindest and nicest” people his nephew, John, ever knew.

I have been in contact with Margie Marek, daughter of Harold Lockwood, and she reports that while her father is not able to leave his house, he is very comfortable and doing well despite hearing issues that keep him from having extended phones calls. He still speaks highly about his time at VMI and his brother rats. On May 3, he celebrated his 99th birthday, which places him as one of the most senior alumni.

I heard from Bob Smothers several times during this notes period, and he seems to be doing very well. He was able to speak with Harold Lockwood over the phone in April, and while it was a short call, I know it was good for both of them to talk to a BR. As Bob told me, he was just “glad to find out he (Fred) was still here.” I’m continually amazed at Bob’s career the more I find out. I recently learned of a rescue he performed during the Korean War with his SA-16 Albatross in which he saved the life of a downed British pilot by abandoning his plane and swimming out to the pilot and towing him back.

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Class of 1944: Harold Lockwood in service during World War II with an unidentified friend, possibly a brother rat.

Class of 1944: Harold Lockwood with his first great-grandchild.

Class of 1944: Brother rats visiting Dick Meade in New York City in 1947 are (from left) John Mitchell, Meade, Ted Metcalf, and Jake Crim.

Class of 1944: Dick Meade (second from left) and Jake Crim (second from right) with fellow cadets at VMI.

For this, Bob received the Silver Star.

I’m very sorry to report that during this class notes period, we lost John Irby March 19. I mentioned in the previous notes about the volume of correspondence I had concerning John, and that continues to hold true. He was a pillar in the VMI community and specifically in North Carolina where he was one of the most senior alums, if not the most senior. On a personal note, John was the first to welcome me into the ranks of 1944 and remained very open and welcoming throughout our communication.

I regret I was never able to meet him in person, but I’m lucky to have had a friendship, however small, with him for the last year of his life. His Brother Rat Bob Smothers summed it up perfectly by saying John was “absolutely one of the best.”

We’re still trying to confirm whether or not George Crane is still with us. If anyone reading this can put us in touch with him or his family, it would be greatly appreciated.

I have had quite a bit of communication from other friends of 1944, and I truly appreciate every update, check-in, picture, and old story. I hope in the very

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes near future I can start to meet some of you all in person.

1945 Jonathan Safrit ’10

We’re still hoping to reschedule the class reunion, and when that happens, I will let you all know and hope to see as many members, family, and friends as possible.

My best to you all. Thank you again for the privilege of serving you.

1946 This was a sad notes period for the remaining members of 1945, as we said goodbye to two members.

On March 12, John T. Adams passed away peacefully at the age of 96. After VMI, he served in the Navy, founded the Adams Institute of Marketing which conducted sales and marketing seminars for Fortune 500 companies, and served the First United Methodist Church for over 40 years. I found one line in his obituary particularly poignant in which his family said, “We ask those of you who knew and loved him to simply carry on his teachings and his memory through your lives.”

Robert L. Pettigrew Jr. passed away March 25 at the age of 97. Bob was the first one to welcome me as class agent for 1945 and referred to me in his letters as a brother rat. We had a connection from the beginning, as he was from Brunswick, Georgia, as was one of my VMI roommates. After serving in both World War II and Korea, he had a varied and successful career which ultimately landed him in Casper, Wyoming. I told him I wished we had known one another earlier, as I passed through Casper on several occasions while hunting out West. He was a true gentleman and a kind soul who will be missed greatly.

Another two-war veteran, Russell Newton, reached out to say he was doing well despite balance issues forcing him to use aides while walking. He told me he is reading quite a bit and just finished a biography on George Marshall ’901. Recently, he turned 97 and said he remains thankful for his successful life and family.

Dan Walser is doing well. He suffered a couple of falls but they didn’t keep him down, and he is hanging in there. He is now allowed in-person visits, and his daughter informed me they visit as often as possible and get him outside as long as the weather permits. Hopefully, these spring and summer months will allow more and more outings.

2021-Issue 3

David M. Hudock ’97

1948A

Dale E. Wykoff

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

1948B Greetings!

Spring has finally sprung, and it seems, uncharacteristically for the East Coast, to have lingered much longer than the normal one or two days we are afforded between the blistering cold of winter and the searing heat and humidity of summer. Hopefully, you have each had a chance to enjoy a bit of socially distanced outdoors before we all lock ourselves in air-conditioned homes for the summer.

The best news to report this quarter is the decision made by the Alumni Association to resume in-person reunion events this fall! This means, if you so choose, you may join your BRs on Oct. 4-5, 2021, at the Institute to celebrate your 75th Reunion. I am very excited to join you there for a chance to meet you and your families for this special occasion. Details about the event are forthcoming in separate correspondence, but please save the date.

This has been a quiet quarter, and other than the news of your upcoming reunion, I don’t have anything new to report. Please feel free to reach me by phone, email, snail mail, or any other form of communication that you find convenient. I look forward to hearing from you, and I look forward to seeing you in the fall. Be well, stay healthy, and please keep in touch.

1947 Paul Munson ’87

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1947.

Lionel T. Wolford

Brother Rats, Now, VMI alumni killed in all wars are to be honored on New Market Day, May 15. Almost all ’48Bs served in World War II or Korea. We have four Silver Star recipients (Applin, Dunbar, Laine, and McGiffert), and four Purple Heart recipients (Dunbar, Goad, Sheppard, and Wolford), but only two KIAs. Both ’48Bs were killed in action during the Korean War. Both left VMI after one year to enter West Point. Both graduated with the West Point class of 1950. For many years before 1950, West Point sent its recent graduates to several Army schools before assigning them to units. The West Point class of 1950 was assigned directly to units immediately after graduation. The Korean War erupted a few weeks later, and many of the young second lieutenants found themselves in deadly combat. 2nd Lt. Floyd A. Stephenson of Washington, D.C., was killed in action when his plane crashed in Korea Dec. 13, 1950. I do not recall meeting him during our rat year. 1st Lt. A.J. Dille of Roanoke, Virginia, was killed in action when his plane crashed in Japan April 13, 1952. He was returning from a bombing and strafing mission in Korea. He is not listed in the VMI Register of Former Cadets as killed in action but is listed as KIA by the West Point class of 1950. I do remember A.J. quite well from our rat year. He was a vigorous, active redhead who liked to play football. Even though he was small, I believe he played in some games during the 1944 season. He is in our class picture, second row, a few bodies left of center. He is standing just to George Ramsey’s right.

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Class Notes On April 2, 2021, I received an email from Ed Hartman of Annapolis, Maryland. I was surprised. My last contact with Ed was at the ’48B 50th Reunion in 1998. Ed, along with myself and George Ramsey, are the remaining survivors of the 24 ’48Bs who graduated in June 1947.

Ed was also a ’48B class officer (replaced Jack Keith). After graduating from VMI, Ed earned a law degree from Harvard.

On May 11, 2021, I contacted Charles Brown of Shreveport, Louisiana. He is truly the best roommate I ever had. Charles is still going to work every day but admits to slowing down some. He also admits to frequent visits to the doctor and to some skin problems (join the club). He goes to church every Sunday. Instead of playing golf, both he and I watch the PGA Tournaments on TV. We both think the commercials are terrible, but we are hanging in there.

On May 10, 2021, I contacted Rod Kallgren of Dearborn, Michigan. Rod had some serious health issues. He felt quite bad and contacted the health people at his assisted living facility. They wanted him to go to the hospital. Rod did not want to go, so they left. After a few hours, the pain got so bad that Rod called the health people again. They sent him to the hospital. Gall bladder blockage was discovered, and Rod received appropriate treatment.

He went home after four days in the hospital. Rod says he has not fully recovered. However, he did plan to play golf the following week.

I also contacted George Ramsey of Lynchburg, Virginia, May 10, 2021. George and Harriet had just returned from a routine visit to the doctor. Harriet was found to be in excellent health.

George said that he also was blessed with good health. George reported that all six of Harriet’s children were with her on Mother’s Day. George also reported that he had called to wish Gen. Binford Peay ’62 a happy 81st birthday.

I tried to contact Lou Castellano, Angus Crook, and Nick Harris without success.

Brother rats, have a great summer.

1949A Paul Munson ’87

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1949A.

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1949B

Ding Patton

These notes cover the period from Feb. 15, 2021-May 15, 2021.

Jim Morgan called in February to let me know he had lost my telephone number earlier, so we missed our annual phone conversation around Christmas. Like many of us, Jim has macular degeneration which has worsened, and he has had to give up driving. Hester’s health is also deteriorating.

Inga and Mack Van Hook also called. I reported last time that Mack had fallen, but with therapy, he is slowly recovering and using a walker. Other than the fall, Mack seems to be in good health and sounded great on the phone.

They are having their meals delivered to their apartment rather than using the dining room because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If conditions improve, they still want those brother rats living in central Virginia to get together for a luncheon sometime later this year. I hope this can happen, as everyone’s social life has suffered for more than a year. It has also made having any news that might be of interest in these class notes hard to come by.

Perry Williamson reported that he and his wife had been vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus. Other than that, he had nothing to report.

I really appreciate Perry’s keeping in touch with the class.

Ted Telle ’74 emailed me that had seen in the Knoxville, Tennessee, newspaper that John Eggleston Holladay ’49C had passed away. I notified the Alumni Association office, which reported his death to Haywood France ’49C, class agent. I appreciate hearing from Ted whom, you may remember, I met in Panama last year and who emails me more than some of my brother rats.

What a joy it was to hear from Thomas Haggerty, one of John and Mary Haggerty’s sons, who emailed me recently. Many of us will remember that Tom, along with his brothers and some spouses, attended our 70th Reunion with their parents. Tom said that the family is so glad that they decided to come to our reunion and

Class of 1949B: Max Feinman sends red, white, and yellow tulips to the VMI Alumni Association annually. They bloom each spring outside of Moody Hall.

meet all of us and that John loved having them there to share his friendships and history with them. He also commented that the longtime bond we have is so amazing and that very few people have anything like it. He said, “Those the two nights at the hotel with you guys telling stories and listening to demerits logs was incredible and funny.”

At Dan Smaw’s funeral, Nobbie asked Linda Pruett, Dan’s daughter-in-law who is handling his estate, to save the ’49B scrapbooks, pictures, and other items of class interest for us. Linda called recently and said that she had collected those items, and because of their size and weight, she is going to bring them to Staunton in May so we will have them for our 75th Reunion.

Max Feinman called, and we had a long conversation. His voice sounded exactly as it did

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes when we were in the Rat Line, and he never seems to age in his appearance. He works out with a personal trainer who is keeping him moving, although he uses a walker or cane when moving about. He reminded me that there were 11 brother rats from Lynchburg when we matriculated. Max was able to remember the names of most of them, and he is the only one who is alive and living there now. Max also said that he had been honored to read the Old Testament lesson at our Brother Rat George Dooley’s funeral, his first time in an Episcopal church. He joked that Sir Moses Ezekiel ’866 was the first Jewish cadet, and he was the second. Max emailed pictures of this year’s crop of red, white, and yellow tulips, which he sends to the Alumni Association every year.

I saw Braxton Green ’50B, who had been very ill for several months, out on his walker for exercise. He is doing much better and is looking forward to Tommy Altizer’s return from Florida so we can have lunch together.

Braxton is a tough man. The local Staunton newspaper recently had an article on the VMI football team which included Braxton’s picture and his comments.

Please phone, email, write, send a smoke signal, or contact me some way with information for the next time.

God Bless the USA, VMI, and ’49B.

1949C

Haywood France

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

1950A

Garrett Smith ’20

Friends, Family, and Brother Rats of 1950A, Bob Dylan said it best when he said that bit

2021-Issue 3

about the times a-changing. It seems that as we begin to understand COVID-19 a little bit more, life may return to a semblance of normalcy. The hope that comes with that is a return to normal operations at the “I.” With football games occurring again and our team coming off the best season it has had in decades, I know that Mr. Bill Moore will be able to attend some fantastic games and see some truly monumental moments. With that being said, some truly monumental moments are occurring on post. This Institute is currently commissioning the Class of 2021. Shortly thereafter, they will have graduated and joined the prestigious ranks of alumni that came before them. So, I would like to take a moment and congratulate them on all their hard work and dedication. You now face a challenge that every VMI alum faces: Keeping alive the spirit and honor of what you were taught.

For the Class of 1950A: I am currently stationed in South Korea. In the future, if you see a call from there, I would ask that you answer, because it is more than likely me calling.

The Class of 1950A has three living brother rats out of the 43 who initially matriculated March 4, 1946.

Mr. Bill Moore, the previous class agent for 1950A, currently alternates living in Lynchburg and Smith Mountain Lake with his son. I have not been able to get in contact with Mr. Moore recently; I am not sure if my emails or calls have gone through.

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

Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, wife of the late Mr. Dick Martin, resides in Spokane, Washington. At 84 years old, she is still very healthy and very active.

Mrs. Charlotte Logsdon downsized and moved to a smaller house in March 2019. She is still happy with that decision and has been in good health and spirits.

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

Brother rats and family of 1950A, if you are in contact with someone who is not listed above, please have them reach out to me or have them expect a call from me. Thank you.

1950A trivia: 1950A was a 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

Robert F. Lynd

As I write this, spring is here and the pandemic seems to be easing. Folks are getting out and about and life is good. Glad to say I’ve heard from some of our brother rats.

Thought I’d start off with a photo Jake Berberich ’76, Brother Rat John Berberich’s son, sent from his dad’s collection. I reckon this was our 2nd Class year. We are probably in our room, which was so small that when the five of us put our hays were down, we could hardly open the door! I’ve put an asterisk (*) by my roommates.

From left to right in the front row are T. Foster Witt, Jim Work, and Lee Chegin*; Middle row: Buck Buchanan, Gwynne Jones, Forrest Getzen*, John Berberich*, Jack Lyons*, and Peyton Robertson; Back row: Ed Burwell, Ralston Brooke, and Bob Lynd*. Gee—weren’t we a good-looking bunch! Sad to say only four of us remain.

Tommy Kirk says he is alive and well. He and Ann have avoided COVID-19, and both have had their two vaccine shots. Still golfing three days a week and going to the gym five days a week.

Wow—that’s an inspiration! But he’s not doing much long-distance traveling at 92, so that lets out any reunions in Lexington. He says if anyone is passing through Phoenix to give him a call at 970-376-4602. He and Ann pass along to all brother rats their wishes for good health and happiness for the year.

Steve Abramedis called to tell me he’s managed to hurt himself some more by banging his head when he fell off a ladder. He admits that it was a stupid thing for a 92-year-old to do. He still has a lot of pain in his back. The neurosurgeon he has been working with for some time just up and moved to Florida—bang! And, to top things off, his primary that he’s had for years suddenly decided that wanted to be a concierge doctor. Steve says he’s not in the mood to be paying extra for doctor services. He has someone who helps look after him, so he is not totally alone.

Randy Trappey sent an email about what’s happened to him since graduation. He graduated

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Class Notes as a civil engineer; got his license to practice in traveling, they are thinking of going to Asheville, Virginia; returned to his home in Lafayette, Lousi- North Carolina, in late June where a nephew is getting married. Other travel locations Jack would ana; and joined his father in the canning business and took over after his father passed. In 1983, he like to visit are Las Vegas, Nevada, and Key West, started his own home construction company. He’s Florida. But he has to convince Terry first! By now fully retired and living in one of the homes he the way, since Jack had spent several Mardi Gras holidays in Cajun country—Eunice, Lousiana—I built. He has three sons, one daughter, and several grandchildren who are scattered around the globe: gave Jack and Randy each other’s contact info so they might exchange stories. Jack really enjoyed England, Taiwan, Australia, and Greece!

Randy followed up with, “You really opened up some of the old haunts that Teeny and I along with our Mardi Gras crew used to visit whenever we wanted to show guests how the Cajuns lived and entertained themselves with the old Zydeco music and the French cuisine, which is most popular in our area. Willard Van Ommeren and his wife, Margie, made it a point to come down and visit me and Teeny, especially during the crayfish season to feast on boiled crayfish, crayfish etouffee, and crayfish bisque. We always made it a practice to swap visits and drive up to Pennsylvania to enjoy their Dutch-style cooking. Sam Class of 1950B: Gathering of BRs, circa 1948. and Betty Saunders visited us on a number of occasions as well as Pete and Susan Meredith. One time, we even drove to New Orleans to visit with Al and Betty Wagner, who were disembarking from a river cruise to St. Louis. We were able to be their guide for a day in New Orleans. Wish more brother rats would have drifted through Louisiana, as we have a great state and lots to show off and be proud. Bob, I know that we are at a declining age, but my offer still stands for a short visit of any and all brother rats who pass my way to give me a call and at least we can reminisce some of the past. One request is that you send me Joe Kohen’s address. Incidentally he, Margo, and their two children spent over one year in Lafayette during his residency at our local Charity Hospital.”

If anyone wants to contact Randy, give me a holler and I’ll give you his contact information. Also, if anyone wants to contact another brother rat and you need information, I can help.

Jack Lyons has pretty much recovered from that bad fall he had which has left him with some balance problems, and he’s slowing down a bit. He tries to get out for a walk as often as he can, but he Class of 1950B: The VMI coat of arms. uses two walking sticks to aid himself. As far as

54

those Mardi Gras times and got so interested that he learned to play the little Cajun accordion.

Received a nice note from Sallie Shepherd, daughter of BR Deedee Shepherd. She reminded me that Peyton Robertson was her uncle and thought he was also in the horse troop that rode at VMI in 1946-47. One of you “troopers” out there probably can confirm that, so please do. Several reunions ago, Lee Lewane and Jones Felvey arrived at our final parade on horseback and led the march. What was shocking was the fact they could both still fit into their VMI cadet riding breeches and tunics!

Much envy was evident ...

We lost two more brother rats since the last issue of the Alumni Review. Lt. Col. Jack Barnes died Feb. 19, and Maj. Gen. Dick Leithiser died March 29. Both should be mentioned in the Taps section of the copy of the Alumni Review you are now reading.

The folks in the alumni office keep track of things. When Jack Barnes’ obituary came in, it triggered a memory about a story concerning his class ring. Jack had apparently lost his ring some many years ago. In 2020, a brother and sister living in the Netherlands found his ring in their late father’s possessions. Apparently, their father worked for a police department and someone he helped in the past gave him the ring. The two contacted the VMI Alumni Agencies, who got in touch with one of Jack’s daughters. The folks in the Netherlands were able to mail the ring to the family and Jack received it at some point in 2020. A fascinating story with a happy ending.

Joe Kohen emailed his answers to the questions I had asked. “I recently spent several years seeing my ring figure date after both our spouses died. I even brought her to a VMI class reunion.

We now both live in separate retirement facilities a continent apart. Me in Walnut Creek, California, and she in Williamsburg, Virginia. We still communicate. I don’t recall running the block. I did walk penalty tours. I have had both vaccinations.

The best experience of the rat year was finishing the year. I have one great-grandson. After things return back to normal, I am planning a Crystal Cruise down the Rhine River from Basel to Amsterdam.” Well, Joe, you did better with your Ring

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Figure date than I did—in fact, I’m embarrassed to admit I can’t remember my date’s name.

Fred Kniesler sent a letter which included a very long and detailed accounting of his (our) rat year.

He has a vivid memory of it. Here is his description of the night before VMI’s annual football game against VPI. But first, a preamble. After dinner that evening, the Corps held a torchlight rally in front of Memorial Hall. Everyone was armed with a pole about five feet long with burlap wrapped at one end, soaked with something, and set afire.

There was lots of cheering, our team players were eulogized, and spirits were high.

Now, Fred’s quote: “The most memorable night was the one before the Thanksgiving game with rival Virginia Tech to be held on their field. Word spread that some of their cadets were coming to raid our campus. We put out perimeter guards, and some ‘attackers’ were intercepted and turned away. Sadly, on the way back to barracks, someone picked up a still flaming torch and thrust it down the barrel of one of the cannons in front of Jackson Arch. Unknown was that a charge of black powder had been left in the barrel with plans to set it off, but it was impossible because the touch (sic) hole had been sealed shut. The resulting explosion blew the wooden staff back out and Robert X. Pagliaro ’48B was killed. Four of his class escorted the body home. The next day the ‘March On,’ like Army and Navy do, preceded the game which we lost. Our team had a couple of notable players on it, ‘Chi’ Mills [’48B] and Bobby Thomason [’49B]. I believe both wound up with the Philadelphia Eagles. The four cannons mentioned above are the Rockbridge Battery from the Civil War. They are named Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John.”

By the way, after the rally and during all the commotion, my roommate, Jack Lyons, and I hid under the tarp over the evening gun.

Received a long letter from Forrest Getzen who is now living in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife of 65 years, Evangeline. He was a chemistry major, and after graduation, he stayed on at the Institute to teach for a year. During that time, he worked in a trip to Mexico to study Spanish. After a stint in the Air Force, he earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at MIT and gained a wife! Eventually, he accepted a position at North Carolina State University. He, his wife, and three children moved to Raleigh in 1962 and remained there for 34 years until his retirement in 1996 as professor emeritus.

His travels began when he joined a group of universities working with the U.S. engineering team

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to teach and develop a sanitary engineering program in Afghanistan! He and his family moved there from 1964-67, and while there, he was able to visit much of the Middle East, Pakistan, India, Kashmir, and southern Russia. Returning home, they traveled the Orient Express arriving in Vladivostok and took a Russian ship to Japan. They returned to NCSU for 15 years. Later, he accepted an invitation to join the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and traveled throughout the world studying the solubility of various materials. He was able to continue at NCSU during this time. Nearing retirement, he took a sabbatical at the Université Claude Bernard in Lyon, France, which enabled him not only to travel France but also attend meetings in Europe, Asia, and South America. He was in Warsaw, Poland, when the country was freed from Russia. After retirement, they took a two-month cruise around South America. If awards were given out for world travelers, Getz would certainly take the prize!

You may not be aware that VMI adopted a coat of arms in 1961-62. It was approved by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Heraldry. The insignia is shown in the accompanying picture and the inscription “Consilio et Animis” translates to “By Wisdom and Courage.” It’s worn on the shoulder boards of a cadet’s summer white shirt and on other uniforms, too. I asked Col. Keith Gibson ’77, VMI Museum System director, what light he could shed on the uses of the coat of arms. In addition to the cadets, it’s worn by every uniformed faculty and staff member and appears on the facades of the Third Barracks, Kilbourne Hall, and the new addition to Scott Shipp Hall. My thanks to Keith for his input.

Hadn’t heard from B. Rhees for some time, so I gave him a ring. Although he was at the Institute for less than two years, he’s kept in touch and attended reunions when he could. He spent a career in the Army (artillery, then public affairs) which he said was “a wonderful life.” At almost 94, he’s in relatively good shape but ails from lack of mobility and has a good four-wheel walker with a folddown seat. He was being visited by his youngest son and only daughter when I called. He is set up where he can look out over the Chesapeake Bay. He missed our Zoom reunion back in November but says he’s holding out for the 71st. No email for him—says he’s “old school” and really doesn’t like to make phone calls, either.

Jim Flippen says he and Nancy are living in a retirement complex in Norfolk. They have an

apartment which is one of 163 in the complex. It has an in-house gym that he goes to about three times a week. Unfortunately, Nancy has had to go into the assisted living facility. Jim went into a law practice after graduation and eventually became a judge. He was doing that until he turned 70. Turns out, Virginia law mandates that judges retire at age 70. Jim feels this is ridiculous—he was in his stride. So, after retiring, he’s been substituting as a judge because Virginia has no age limit for substitutes, and he could go on until he was 110 or more!

As we talked, we realized we had a lot in common.

We are the same age within a couple of months.

We both have wives named Nancy. We both have our first great-grandchild born within about two months of each other. Uncanny.

Alan, son of Brother Rat Norm Berlin, called with an update about his parents. As we knew, Norm died in 2017. His wife, Marilyn, just died in late February after a brief illness. His parents had recently received a medallion from the Washington Arch Society which he affixed to their tombstone. If you don’t know about the Washington Arch Society, it’s the legacy society for the VMI Foundation. Its members are those folks who have left a legacy for VMI, and it was founded in 2005.

Alan provided a brief resumé of Norm’s life postVMI graduation. Like many of us, Norm went into the Army as the Korean conflict had started. He was in the Army Reserve and eventually retired as a lieutenant colonel in December 1996. As a chemist, Norm worked for McCreath & Sons in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for 34 years. He then worked for another small chemical company and fully retired in 2000. Norm had two sons, Alan and Scott ’80.

Brother Rat Tom Harrison, who spent two years at VMI, wanted to know how to get in contact with Davey Jones, who was one of his roommates. He believes he took the wrong major at the Institute, and that resulted in his departure.

He went to work locally, and as time passed, he got married and started a family. He became interested in banking and took advantage of the several educational courses which were offered by the bank. He later went to work with the U.S. Treasury Department and became a national bank examiner. After some time doing that, the job of treasurer of the city of Winchester, Virginia, became open. He applied and was accepted with the understanding he would have to run for a four-year term in two years. The election became a three-way race which he lost by 89 votes. He

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Class Notes then joined another bank until he retired at 62.

He says he indulges himself in his woodworking while also running a small business. At 93, he enjoys some of the same “old age” problems we all do. He mentioned that he attended our 50th Reunion with his good friend of many years, Jack Ackerman.

Had a phone call from Jere Mitchell. He went on to medical school in Dallas after VMI graduation, and he’s been in Dallas practically ever since.

He did spend about four years elsewhere, which included time at the heart institute and then a year at Oxford, England, doing research. Jere said this was a delightful time, and he was able to take his wife with him. He was a cardiologist and spent his career teaching and doing research while at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas as a member of the medical school faculty. Jere married in 1960, and they spent 60 years together. She has passed, but he has three daughters, five grandsons, and three granddaughters. To top it all off, he has a great-grandchild who was just two weeks old when we talked.

Please keep me up to date on what’s happening in your world. I prefer email, but a letter or phone call will work. Your fellow brother rats want to know what you’re doing, even though at this stage in life it might be somewhat little.

Reflections: Our Class of 1950B is unique in the annals of the Institute. We were the “mid-20th century” class and the first “normal” post-World War II class (we kept our “B” designation because there were those ’50As). We were the largest class ever to matriculate up to that time. We had a mix of young and older students entering that September 1946, ranging from 15 years old to men in their 20s. Some of us were fresh out of high school and some were veterans, a few who had seen combat in the war. We had veterans who had been commissioned as officers in different services—some were even married. They wore civilian clothes and were the cadre of Company G. In our graduation, we had classmates from older classes as far back as the Class of 1946. And these are just some of the things that made us special.

Oh, I know other classes think they are unique.

But there are none—not now, not ever—who can make the same claims we can. Our breasts should swell with pride when we realize—stop to ponder—who we are and why we are unique. For we are the one and only—VMI Class of 1950B! Rah Virginia Mil! ¡Hasta próximo vez!

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1951

Jacob H. Wamsley II

Our number continues to decline. George Cohen, Sam Bass, and Hank Quisenberry are no longer with us. This leaves only 35 old men to claim the distinction of being members of the Class of ’51. The current situation at the Institute needs no mention in these notes—I am sure all who read this are familiar with all of the details.

There is little class news to report. Bounce Carstens reports that he and Jim Enochs have already made motel reservations for the reunion.

The schedule of events is gradually coming together. Official registration at the Institute begins Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, and continues until Tuesday, Oct. 5. As you know, a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn (Col Alto) is being held for us, as well as a hospitality room for our use. Unless my health goes further south between now and then, I plan to be there on Sunday through Tuesday.

We heard from Paul Robinson in Neenah, Wisconsin, who is compiling a list of reminiscences from his time as a rat. It is entitled aptly as “Memories of a Yankee Rat.” He has sent it along to me, and it has been thoroughly enjoyed.

Class of 1951: Hobart Richey trying on his old shako.

It reminds me of a postcard I received from my son, Class of ’82, during his first week as a rat. He said, “Dad, there are a couple of things you did not tell me about this place.”

The current situation at the Institute reminded Frans Kasteel of the quote supposedly from Doc Carroll—“The Institute ain’t what it used to be— and never was!”

The picture with these notes is Hobart Richey trying on his old shako. If I could find mine, I would include a second picture.

Sorry for the brevity of these notes but after all, the survivors have to make themselves known in order for me to report their news.

1952

James M. Mecredy

Today is March 1, and I am starting writing class notes which will be turned in to VMI May 15. You will see them in August. By that time, these notes will almost be ancient history, and who knows what our nation will be like in August 2021. The past year has been difficult for the entire world.

We have our 70th Reunion April 25-26, 2022.

Let’s hope we have recovered by then. If you are thinking of joining us, please call me or email me if I have not heard from you recently. I have sent emails to most of you, but some do not have email and I am trying to call everyone by phone who I have not heard from.

I recently received a nice card and note from Langhorne McCarthy. Her news was about a Thanksgiving and birthday weekend last November at a house her son, Jack McCarthy ’87, and his wife, Jennifer, recently purchased in Lexington. The house is located just inside the Lexington city limits with a distant view of VMI and House Mountain. There were nine of them gathered together, and they were able to spend a lot of time outdoors for the weather was glorious. There were three VMI grads including son Jack and his son, Hunt McCarthy ’17, as well as son-in-law Wade Stinnette ’80. They gathered at VMI that Saturday. The post was deserted due to the pandemic, and it really felt weird. The weekend was over entirely too fast, but they all had a fabulous time with lots of happy memories.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes George St. John’s eldest daughter, Catherine, called to thank me for the cards and for being a dutiful agent for the Class of ’52. George turned 92 March 5. He is doing well, although he did finally move into a senior community last year.

Mentally, he’s sharp as a tack and still the smartest man in the room! His greatest pleasure is reading and keeping up with the latest news.

Rem Simpson asked me to send Jim Miller a copy of one of the emails about VMI. Jim does not use email and did not know about the reunion planning. Jim is a widower living in a retirement community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Rem, likewise, lives in a retirement community in Easton, Maryland. Also, Rem has traded emails with Bill Austermann over the last few years but has not heard from him in a long time. I assured Rem that Bill is still with us.

Sharon Piper’s birthday card was returned, so I called Sharon to learn that she has purchased a home in Florida and is now moving all her belongings to Florida from South Dakota, which just got two feet of snow. Sharon is thankful not to be there.

Ann Ames called to let me know that her father and our BR Walter Ames died March 20. He died peacefully in his sleep, and the family was grateful for that. There was no service because of COVID-19 restrictions. Ann asked that we keep her on the mailing lists. She has known so many of his classmates that she desires to keep in touch with them and their families. Zeke Finney and Charley Hogge wrote to Ann about their memories of Walt.

Gary Pittman passed away April 7, 2021. He was born June 17, 1930, in New Bern, North Carolina. After graduating from VMI, Gary served a tour in Korea. He joined Texaco in 1959 and spent 30 years in operations management.

His career brought him to Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Oklahoma. After retiring, he returned to Virginia Beach and worked for Applied Management Engineering. He enjoyed vacationing at his cottage in the Outer Banks and Boy Scouting with his four Eagle Scout sons. Gary is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandra; four sons, G. Ellis (Katherina), Craig, Larry (Stacey), and Blair (Lori); six grandchildren, Julia (Charles Diaz), Thomas, Samantha, Jessica, Tyler, and Jackson; great-granddaughter, Josephine Diaz; and five nieces. Two of Gary’s four sons are VMI graduates and had careers in the military, Ellis Pittman

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’83 and Craig Pittman ’85. Sandra, Gary’s wife, hopes to join our reunion.

Andy Dickinson and Mary, Dick Valack and Mary Catherine, and Bill Ruffin attended the graveside funeral for Gary, and it was an inspirational affair. A Marine contingent conducted the folding and presentation of the flag draped over the coffin while an accomplished bugler played Taps. It was quite a tribute to Gary for his service in Korea. Andy writes that they always enjoyed being with Sandra and Gary playing at their local bridge center. There they observed the gentle care Sandra always rendered Gary as he struggled with hearing loss but always retained a big smile.

Estelle Gordon shared a postcard of the VMI Parade Ground and barracks before the building of the Third Barracks. She writes: “My late husband was so proud of his time at VMI—although just one year because he married (he said foolishly). We always enjoyed trips to Lexington. He proudly pointed out his room from the Parade Ground. The George C. Marshall Museum, Stonewall Jackson House, and the VMI Museum were all memorable. Also, a long drive from Charlottesville when we lived there, but so welcome.”

Pat Barry is in good health and living alone with almost total blindness. He is active around the house and yard. In his annual physical, the doctor told him to keep doing all activities and enjoying two beers a day. Pat asked about four beers, and the doctor said two. Pat manages with long canes to help him find his way around the house. His wife died a few years ago, and his recovery took a while. His twin daughters visit him often and phone him more often.

John Greenwood has been retired for a year or so and is dealing with a stroke that has affected his ability to write. He is keeping up with activities at VMI and managing to cope with life.

Bob Yore tells me he is creaking along, and his wife is the one keeping up with activities.

I have had many discussions with our brother rats about the effects of the COVID-19 and the investigation at VMI. I have heard from Jim Wiley, Austin Bridgforth, Charles Hogge, Gary Colonna, Dick Valack, Pat Barry, Joe Webber, Bob Yore, John Greenwood, Henry Nanninga, and Wilson Gaillard.

Keep praying for all.

Your brother rat, Jim

1953

William C. Noell Jr.

Brother Rats and Our Widows: At the time of these class notes, I believe that the biggest event of this quarter, for Judy and me at least, was my hitting the big 90 mark April 26.

I know that some of you have already made this benchmark recently, such as Terry Davis and Bob Cheatham, and others are not far behind me— Warren Koontz, Lou Hibbitts, and John Evans in June. My birthday was celebrated Saturday night in Warsaw, Virginia, at my granddaughter’s husband’s Old Rap Taphouse Restaurant, with 27 family attending, including us. The cake actually had 90 candles on it—and it was just a medium round cake. It had to be served on a tray for burn protection—no fire extinguisher followed. We spent Friday and Saturday night at the Chesapeake Inn in Urbanna, Virginia, which was a great inn and a choice location, where we had an excellent party after dinner in the elegant reception room. This was certainly a very wonderful and loving affair planned by our daughter, Jennifer, and granddaughter, Sandy. Judy and I went to Virginia Beach Sunday evening through Tuesday, just the two of us, staying in the presidential suite on the 23rd floor of the Hilton on the oceanfront for my actual day, the 26th. It was a gift for my

Class of 1953: “In remembrance of a good friend and brother rat,” said Bill Noell, class agent, about this photo of James Wesley Gray Jr., who was born in 1932 and passed away in 2021.

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Class Notes birthday. Judy, our daughter, and granddaughter really loaded Facebook with photos of this special event for the family. On the way home, after lunch at my favorite seafood restaurant (since early the 60s) in Virginia Beach, Rudee’s on the Inlet, we spent a very nice two-hour visit with Ed and Ingrid Brown in their home at Williamsburg Landing. A photo was not taken this time since one was in the 2020-Issue 3 edition of the Alumni Review—but next time will do so, as Ed will be 90 Sept. 11. One thing about being 90, and a little before, is that the mind can come up with all these projects and things to do, but the body is not quite willing—at least not immediately—and that causes some problems/delays with owning two houses and taking care of most of the work (yard work, planting, etc.). Hope there are many of you who are way ahead of this game in these situations, as most of our class is now hitting the 90 bracket these days.

Regretfully, I now have to change the subject to less than happy events—the passing of one of our brother rats. We lost Wes Gray in March in Sarasota, Florida. His services were held in the Episcopal Church with a reception at Stoneybrook Country Club. Wes and Elizabeth had been married for 62 years. Years ago, when I was at a meeting in the area, I visited Wes and Elizabeth at their home, on their golf course, where Wes played on a regular basis—and 12 days before his death. They came to our 65th, even though Wes had to make arrangements for dialysis while here for the reunion. I have enjoyed knowing Wes and having fairly regular communication with him over the years. I wrote a note to Elizabeth on behalf of the class. He roomed with Flanagan and Schermerhorn. I received an email from Bob Miller’s son, Eddie, that Bob had a stroke in April. Eddie says that his father is doing amazingly well but has not decided to get back to the computer yet, so he is monitoring the important “stuff” for his dad.

I received a nice note card from Paul and Jane Fortin noting that they are fine these days. Enclosed was a newspaper article as well as in their note about Paul being inducted into the 55th Strategic Wing Hall of Fame at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, in April, in the Strategic Air Command Headquarters. Afterward, a reception was held at Offutt. I have passed the information on to the alumni office for Molly to write an article about Paul in the Alumni News section.

In an email from Bob Cheatham, he noted that

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quiet this quarter. However, we did attend several high school games to see our quarterback grandson play and three VMI football games for a great VMI season, which I am sure all have read about by now. The first two VMI games we attended, we had to wear masks and there was limited attendance. The Citadel game, however, was only about 25% masks and crowded. Recently after church, we took our cadets out to lunch for the final time this semester: 3rd Class Cadet Ridge Clark ’23 from Knoxville, and graduating 1st Class Cadet Dylan Stolzfus ’21 of Kernersville, North Carolina, who was on the way to Fort Benning after graduation. Attending graduation is limited this year, but we will be attending some

Class of 1953: Bill Noell’s 90th birthday cake, with 90 lit candles.

Class of 1953: Bill and Judy Noell attending a football game at VMI during COVID-19 restrictions.

Class of 1953: Bill Noell with his wife, partner, and best friend. he recently attended the VMI versus The Citadel baseball game, as well as the VMI pre-game function in Charleston.

Toward the end of March, Reed Johnson fell and broke his hip. He is now on the mend and is getting around very well, but he still cannot go upstairs, where his primary computer lives.

Therefore, no email responses for a while; however, he is now back online with Vivien’s old one, and thus catching up. This all happened soon after Reed’s article, “My Life as a Shielder,” was published. This has caused delays in getting info to the alumni office for publishing this on Reed.

As for us, except for my 90th, things have been

Class of 1953: Bill and Judy Noell on the day of his 90th birthday at the Orion’s Roof Restaurant in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in April 2021.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes of the activities with the Stolzfus family. Dylan will also be inducted into Kappa Alpha, which as a KA member, I will attend—no longer at R.E. Lee Episcopal Church but at KA Headquarters.

By the time you read these class notes, we will have had another class Zoom session in May. An email invitation has been sent to all BRs and our widows on the class email list; I hope many of you will have joined the session. Invited guests are Thom Brashears ’95, VMI Alumni Association chief operating officer, and Anthony Moore ’78, chairman of the committee looking at the relevance of statues, plaques, quotations, and other labels displayed at VMI. Anthony and the late Dutch Goddard ’78 were BRs. Dutch is the son of our BR Warren Goddard.

And finally, photos and news would greatly be appreciated for our class notes. After all, the COVID-19 virus has mostly passed, so some of you should be taking on some exciting trips and/ or happenings for which you could send photos and news. For these notes, I had to fill the five allowed with four of mine, since I had only one for our BRs. Class trivia: Class agent history, in years—Tee Morgan: 0.5, George Chumbley: 1.5, Pete Cox: 2, Luke Witt: 2, Harry Johnson: 2, Wyatt Shorter: 1, Dave Stuart: 1.5, Ed Artz: 1.5, Jim Morris: 1.5, Tommy Harrison: 3.5, Ed Brown: 11, and your current agent: 34-plus. The only BRs here that are still with us are Johnson, Morris, Brown, and your current one—still having to do the task!

All the above did not have email to handle class notes, like I now do, but had to write by hand or typewriter—can you remember those days?

1954

J.M. Perry Archer

Greetings and Salutations: Had a good long talk with John Botjer. Caught up after all those 66 years. John and I were roommates. The last time I saw him was in June 1954, that wonderful time of beginning. He and his then-girlfriend, later wife, Dorothy, were dancing at one of the dances we had. She had on a pink (maybe light orange) dress; it sticks in my mind somehow. She looked lovely that night. He and Dorothy live in North Carolina in the Raleigh

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area and have had the experiences with the effects of COVID-19 that so many have had. In his case, it was crazy. He was diagnosed positive. Then he was diagnosed negative. Then he was diagnosed positive. And then? He was diagnosed negative.

(I may have the order skewed.) Finally—by Duke Medical, no less—he was told that he might be positive and he might be negative but make sure he took all precautions (which he had been doing). Do we find all this surprising? Well, maybe, maybe not—but what a nutty time we live in.

Ray Helmer and his wife, June, have moved from Houston to Fayetteville, Texas. They are retaining their Houston house while all the relocation details and moves are ironed out and still living in their old place. Fayetteville is located on the way to Austin. The town has a population of about 258 folks.

Got a letter from Macon Walton. He lives in Smithfield, Virginia. Macon is 89 years old now and is an Episcopal priest. His altar flowers are red, white, and yellow! How about that? One of his congregants is of a family that sent 12 to VMI. Macon himself is from a family that sent seven.

Some died during the Civil War. One died April 9, 1865, charging Custer’s cavalry at the Battle of Appomattox Court House, the final battle of the war. That was Miles Macon ’856.

Other members of his family also fought for the South—great-uncle Peyton Johnson, Macon’s grandmother’s brother, was one. He was killed in the Battle of Cold Harbor. Another great-uncle, George K. Macon, fought as a sergeant in the Battle of New Market. He was wounded and later obtained a law degree from Washington and Lee University. Then he served on the VMI faculty.

Macon himself went to Thomas Jefferson High School with Jack Tiller. Macon is proudest of his Christian faith and of having been a member of the “true Rat Line,” in which the Class of 1954 suffered for nine months. I would certainly agree with that title. We hold the record for length of time in the Rat Line as far as we know.

Our javelin-throwing VMI track star, Tom Kane, has passed on. Tom was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1932. He graduated in civil engineering and joined the U.S. Air Force. He trained in and flew the B-47 Stratojet Bomber.

After the military, he worked as a load engineer for the Boeing Aircraft Company, then for various other aircraft companies, including Raytheon, Textron, Gen Corp-Aero, and the Robert Bosch Corporation. There he transitioned from

military defense to automobile airbag safety development. He raced motorcycles and sports cars, loved chess, and played a lot of golf. He was a great fan of the Four Freshmen. Tom was married to Mercedes Tilinski for almost 62 years. He and Mercedes have several children and a large extended family. He is interred in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts.

Spoke again with BR Ray Helmer at length.

Ray was born in Wisconsin. As a callow youth, he babysat a child named Tommy Schultz. He earned for this job the princely sum of 40 cents an hour. Years later, Ray learned from “Mud” White that the same Tommy Schultz and Mud ended up as colleagues practicing medicine. My own great-uncle, John W. McCue ’867, was a VMI cadet when the war came. He ran away in 1864 and joined the Southern army. Despite his being only 17 years old, he was accepted by Col. John Singleton Mosby and rode with Mosby’s Rangers. He survived the war. Later, Col. Mosby would say: “McCue is a devil in a fight.”

McCue was captured in Maryland after he and another Ranger went to forage and got into a firefight in which he killed a Union solider. He was sentenced to death but was later pardoned

by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, as approved by President Andrew Johnson after many petitions by not only his mother, friends, and relatives but by the president of the commission that tried him. John Howard McCue, my great-grandfather and father of John, served the south as a colonel and was awarded the Southern Cross of Honor.

If anyone is interested in seeing my great-uncle’s papers, diary, and other original documents, including his pardon, you can find them all by visiting the Alderman Library on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where I deposited them some time ago. These include details of the fight in which he was captured. It is fascinating war history.

Sad news. Paul “Polo” Meyer, M.D., passed away April 9. He had a sterling career as an orthopedic surgeon, serving as professor of orthopedics at Northwestern University Medical School. He was a pioneer in emergency medicine and the formation of trauma centers in the United States. He was brought to the White House once for a personal one-on-one consultation with President Ronald Reagan. Polo told me he was also earlier called upon, as a very young doctor, to meet with President Dwight Eisenhower when no other physician where Polo worked was available.

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Class Notes Polo was in the process of writing for me details of some of these experiences which I could put in the Alumni Review. They were so many and varied that I could not write about them all in our telephone conversation, and I cannot find my notes. He was a principal founder of the first Acute Spine Trauma Center in Chicago.

While he was in the Army, he completed the U.S. Army Airborne School as a flight surgeon and the Air Assault School, served in Vietnam with his physician father in 1967, and served on the President’s Council on Spinal Cord Injury under Carter and the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee under Reagan. He published and lectured extensively and managed, even with all else that he was doing, to graduate from Northwestern’s MBA program at Kellogg in 1992. In 1988, he authored the surgical textbook, Surgery of Spine Trauma.

He is survived by his former wife, Charlotte; many children and extended family; and his loving soulmate, Ramona, with whom he was living and exchanged rings.

Communicated with Bob MacGregor. His father, Donald Lane MacGregor ’923, was a winner of the Jackson Hope Medal. (The winners for our Class in 1954 were George Hardy, first medal, and John Diuguid, second medal.)

Just received more sad news. “Connie” Via died April 18. Not much information yet, but I am in the process of getting some more. His obituary says that Connie was “no saint” but intimated that he had come to Christ, saying that he was like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water as Christ did, needing to trust Jesus to guide his steps.

1955

Barney Lawless Read Hanmer

There hasn’t been too much response to my request for input to this article. A great number of you have cited recovery time from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other problems

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we can attribute to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that flesh is heir to—especially at our age.

The response for a fall ’21 “off-year” reunion was minimal at best. The Institute is not able to support such an event for us until after Thanksgiving, which is a bit out of the question for any distance travel at that time of year. The outlook for such an “off-year” reunion in spring 2022 is not a lot better. There are impediments such as hotel space, class dinners, support transportation, parades, unknown factors of COVID-19 recovery, etc. Bob Bowden and I will continue to pursue the matter, but it doesn’t look too encouraging right now.

I have received a lot of “cannot deliver” receipts to my emails, most of them noting blocked access for scams or unwanted mail. Several such responses ask for some verification to allow access, but I don’t know who most of them are. If you have such a rejection feature on your email, would you please find a way to accept my messages, or you could call me at the above number?

Also, I’ll try to get the address list straightened out for upcoming emails.

Look in your previous issue of the Alumni Review for the excellent articles on our Brother Rat Charlie Luck and Gen. Morgan ’45. A “well done” to the Alumni Review staff for these fine articles.

Tuggy Southgate reports, “Peggy and I are well and have had our COVID-19 shots. Nothing like needles!”

Alice Ridgely responded that Reg Ridgely is interested in all things VMI but will not be able to get to a reunion of the Class of ’55—too taxing— even though his son, Reg IV ’81, has offered to take him. Reg hopes the “off-year” reunion will take place and he can read about it in the Alumni Review.

Leon Cock and Zella couldn’t make it to a reunion. Leon claims he uses the computer too much. He said they have dodged the virus but were stung by the Texas polar vortex back in February which damaged some of their landscaping.

He lamented that we stayed in the Rat Line until finals where the modern Corps gets out about Christmas!

Casey Jones responded that using the computer too much is a valid excuse for anything, so let’s remember L and Z as they were before they tried the Kool-Aid. He’d come to a reunion if the old bod holds up.

In further remarks about the computer, Betsey Tyler says Fielding Tyler doesn’t have too much interest in the computer these days. She says they are fine, now that they are fully vaccinated.

They have joined the Y and are going three times a week. Great for the body and soul. Fielding says yes to a reunion and wants to see his BRs and wants us all to stay well. (Class agent’s note: We need the Moose guidon for the review at any reunion.)

Dick Martin noted for the record that New Market Day was remembered at Querencia (a CRCC) with an article he wrote about Sir Moses Ezekiel ’866 for their resident newsletter. He said the article was well received by the residents and drew many favorable comments. He says it is mine to do with as I see fit, so I’ll be glad to forward it to anyone interested.

Bob Rennicks voted for the class reunion and sent regards to all.

Tom Williamson said his general reply looks messed up. No news but would like a reunion. He says he’d like to meet the new superintendent and take a tour to see the many changes on the post.

My own suggestion is that we invite Maj. Gen. Wins ’85 to one of our class functions at a reunion. There are a couple of things I’ve seen in the engineering labs that I sure would like to have had during my engineering career.

Jimmy Howell wanted to let us know that life is good at 87 and that he is enjoying life as never before. He enjoys writing and sharing them with his friends. He keeps in touch with Darrell Schultz as they reminisce about all the things we have enjoyed through this life so far. He notes that God has been good to us and now we can look forward to His reward. It is Jimmy’s hope and prayer that the rest of us feel the same. He also notes he has written three books that are available on Amazon.com.

Bill Nolley and I have shared some emails of how we have combatted COVID-19 by watching some of the Great Courses—possibly to acquire a new classical education we didn’t learn from Col. “Uncle Buzz” Marr ’918. Now some of you LAs will have to listen to us expound on ancient civilizations (before 1955) or great literature.

Had a handwritten letter from Bill Davidson noting that he has returned to almost normal after his back surgery last fall and replacement of his right hip this spring. Otherwise, he and Pattie are doing OK considering they are both getting old. They still don’t get out in public very much and certainly adhere to the wearing of face masks

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes and social distancing. He saw Ronnie Bryan at the VMI versus The Citadel game April 21 and has talked with Harry Fahrner by telephone, who says he and his wife, Joy, are doing well. Bill sends a message of God bless you (all) and the Class of 1955. He’s looking forward to a reunion.

Helen and I have survived the COVID-19, gotten our shots, listened to the grass grow, and watched the paint dry. Later in this issue, you will note our new great-granddaughter, Amelia, provisionally appointed to the Class of 2042. My son, Ed Lawless ’81, is the proud grandfather, and that little girl has her granddad wrapped around her little finger. Also in that class is the greatgranddaughter of Bill Wainwright, my rat year roommate. I have informed Bootsie that her greatgranddaughter and mine may well keep the line going.

The Alumni Association is having a gathering of class agents in late July, and I plan to attend. As a new class agent, I have no idea of the agenda or what is expected of me while there. If any of you have anything you think I should bring up at this event, please let me know ASAP. You will probably get this issue of the Alumni Review about the time of that meeting, so let me know right away.

Taps: Once again, Taps has sounded for two of our members. Don Parsons died Feb. 19, 2021, and Ray Collins died May 3, 2021. Don’s obituary appears in the Taps section of this Alumni Review, and Ray’s will appear in the 2021-Issue 4 Alumni Review, due out in November.

1956

Richard M. Smith

It isn’t good to have to start off new notes to the class by announcing deaths of two of our finest BR friends. I have always been close to both Fred Farthing and Jon Roach, fellow civil engineers.

Their obituaries appear in this edition of the Alumni Review. We lost seven BRs during 2020.

My most recent phone call was from Jim Dillard in San Diego advising me how difficult it was at our age to find female companionship with comparable interest and vocabulary as ours. Nevertheless, he wasn’t quitting. He has survived the fires and mudslides occurring in California. He tries to keep up with what is occurring at VMI.

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He wasn’t too surprised when I told him we wouldn’t be having a reunion this year. He hopes to return to Virginia in the spring and wants to get together with old friends in Richmond when he comes.

I had another call from Bob Brickner asking about the classmates and inquiring about who had died recently. His health is in question since he is going in for another operation soon. He has continued support of various scholarships at VMI and says they will continue when he passes on.

I was pleased to join our group of eight BRs, wives, and widows for lunch at Willow Oaks Country Club in Richmond March 24. Motsy Foster arranged it and was joined by Jo and Don Heslep, Betty Mann, Les and Pat Belsha, Bill Nelson, and me. We gave our individual opinions on how we felt about things happening at the Institute. We told about what we knew of other BRs and their families. All of us are having to deal with some of the same age-related problems.

My life and health are holding pretty well by getting help from friends and organizations. Mainly, I stay away from alcohol (one year) and eat healthy meals prepared by Meals on Wheels. I’m enjoying the benefits of a smaller Jeep Cherokee after the replacement of my Grand Cherokee that got totaled back in December. My second shot for COVID-19 was March 31, which will allow me to spend more time with my friend, Honey Rector. She is fearful of catching the virus and therefore spending most of the time out on her farm with her daughter. We still have a thing going after almost 30 years. We are both comfortable in our lives.

Unfortunately, notices of BRs passing away continue to come in. I was informed that Bob Webster passed away March 26 at his home in Georgia. I received a call from Jim Dillard saying he hoped to be on the East Coast in late May. He will be visiting relatives in Columbia, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; and also me.

After spending the night here and taking me out to dinner, he will continue up for visits of BRs and widows in Richmond. We look forward as always to antics and funny statements.

I am now going to write up about the passing of one of our most outstanding BRs, Maj. Robert Brickner. He matriculated to VMI from Oklahoma and was a pretty ordinary Keydet but cared little for rank. He was tall but cared little for athletics. He majored in civil engineering and did OK in his studies. After graduation, he

took a commission in the U.S. Army and a job with Bethlehem Steel Co. After serving his time in the military, he entered Stanford University to get a master’s degree in civil engineering. During this time, he was contacted by the Defense Intelligence Agency to work for them. In addition, he was hired by a Japanese engineering consulting firm. This led to a number of years involved in major construction and engineering projects throughout the Middle East as a project manager.

He was also involved with the DIA in clandestine operations throughout the area. He married a Vietnamese lady, and they had six daughters.

He used his tax-free income to invest in a number of firms in the USA which eventually became very lucrative. After about 20 years overseas, he returned to the states and continued to obtain substantial investments in many areas of business. At this time, he began establishing special educational scholarships as well as various trusts.

VMI became a beneficiary of a number of these.

Bob had an unusually sharp memory and always remembered the dates of his brother rats and their wives and children. They either got cards or calls on these dates. After about 10 years living in Chicago, he returned to his home state of Oklahoma and resided in Tulsa until his death. I kept all the correspondence we shared over many years, including a number of pictures he sent while in the Middle East. I have sent them all to his nephew in Dallas, Texas, who is handling Bob’s estate. I have discussed the possibility of a book being written about the life of Bob Brickner. I hope this might occur, and if it should, I’ll pass it on to you.

Pete McCrary sent a note regarding his entry of Seabiscuit, his latest small boat creation in the Triton 3 race in the Small Boat Festival at Edgewater, Maryland. I hope to have pictures available of the craft.

I am looking forward to Jim Dillard’s arrival May 23 for a night visit with me. When he leaves the next day for a visit with VMI widows and friends in Richmond, I will depart for Raleigh, North Carolina, to pick up my daughter arriving from Argentina. She is finally getting a flight out of there to visit in the states for several weeks. The pandemic has postponed several planned visits.

I again wish to apologize for the brief report, but we all are slowing down on our responses due to various causes. Hope this finds most of you enjoying the best of life.

Yours in the Spirit, Dick

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Class Notes

1957

George Sydnor Jr. Howard Lawrence

The Virginia Military Institute. An Uncommon Purpose!

We will depart from our usual custom of reporting in on the call-a-thon calls to all “able” BRs and devote this issue to the memorable, etched in our minds, stories from our days in barracks and time of cadetship, as well as some recent reports from BRs. The potpourri contained herein appear in no sequential order.

“King of the Road” hitchhiker Ben Elmore told this tale from summer 1956, “On the road again.”

Ben related that he got his start early in his cadetship by “thumbing” his way (Class agent’s note: Or should that be “hoodwinking”) everywhere he went. “Money was tight back then.” To wit, “upon completion of our 2nd Class year, I hitchhiked from Lexington, Virginia, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to attend the University of Alabama to pick up the nine semester credit hours that I needed to graduate, as I had switched majors at VMI. I went to the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity house to rent a room for my six-week stay there, but since I was a VMI student, they let me stay free, meals included.

Six weeks later, I hitchhiked from Tuscaloosa to Bryan Air Force Base, Texas, for the six-week U.S. Air Force ROTC summer camp. Afterward, I hitchhiked 100 miles south to Houston, Texas, to get on U.S. 90, thence to Jacksonville, Florida, to get on U.S. 1, and then north to South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod to spend about four days with Damaris and her family. From Cape Cod, I hitchhiked back to Mobile, Alabama, and two weeks later, I hitchhiked back to VMI to begin our 1st Class year. Then, the distance between Mobile and Lexington was 1,100 miles. If you recall, back in 1956, there were no interstate highways— all highways were either city, county, state, or federal (U.S.). I have been picked up by Greyhound buses deadheading back to their respective cities,

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18-wheelers, police (both city, county, and state), families ... you name it! Many times, the people who picked me up asked me to drive so they could sleep. I would never accept a ride less than 200 miles, sometimes 350 miles. Today, the distance traveled that summer of ’56 would be about 5,000 miles by interstate highways; back then, without interstates, it was nearly 6,500 miles. But ‘you got to do what you got to do.’ I never had any trouble on those trips that summer. I always traveled with a large tan Samsonite suitcase and always had a roll of white adhesive tape. When I left VMI for Mobile, I used the tape to write ‘B-HAM’ on one side of the suitcase; once in Birmingham, I would turn the suitcase around and write ‘MOB’ on the other side, then did the same for Lexington to Tuscaloosa to Bryan to Houston to Jacksonville to Cape Cod to Mobile. I started my hitchhiking ‘career’ our rat year returning to VMI from Mobile after Christmas furlough; my last hitchhiking trip was after spring break our 1st Class year. Then my career on the road hitchhiking my way around the country came to an end following graduation; I decided to buy a car as a graduation gift to myself.”

(Class agent’s note: Do you think any of today’s cadets could fathom such a story?)

When pressed for a memorable tale from his cadetship, Bill Gay wrote: “George, a story that is, today, hilarious, but then, was, at best, embarrassing. During our 1st Class year, the regimental staff and the color guard went to New York City along with Major General Milton ’920, superintendent, and Mrs. Milton for some event (I don’t recall).

We were to take the train back to Lexington. I was ready and on time, but the others on the regimental staff were running late and missed the train (that was Bill Huffcut, Eagle Vaughan, and Van Sessoms). I had to sit with the General and Mrs. Milton on the train and try to explain (without telling a lie) how the others missed the train. As I recall, the three of them received the maximum number of demerits without getting confinement or penalty tours. A word of advice, check with Bill Huffcut before writing about this!” So forewarned, your class agent asked Bill for his “half of the story,” upon which he replied: “Somehow, we (Eagle, Van, and I) ended up with the Miltons’ luggage when we left the hotel, and I don’t recall how we managed to get separated from Bill Gay. Bottom line, we ended up cutting it too close and, standing on the platform with the Miltons’ luggage, missed the train. It was a long ride back to Lexington! I ended up standing at attention in front of General

Milton’s desk and receiving a lecture on the importance of planning ahead. I sensed a twinkle in his eye during my dressing down, especially when he told me that we were all lucky that Mrs. Milton was with him on the trip and that Bill Gay was there to run interference for us! As an aside, I will add that over the course of our 1st Class year, General Milton always treated me fairly as first captain. And I do not recall that any of us getting any demerits.”

Ah, the fame of the Class of ’57 has risen to new heights, being read by several period classes. Don Messner ’59 wrote as follows: “I noticed Kirk mentioned in your last Class of ’57 notes. It has been too many years for my dimmed memory, but I think it was the summer of 1957 that Steve Delich ’58, a local Palmerton native, recruited Kirk, Hunter Clarke ’58, and me to wait tables at the Twin Pine Dude Ranch in the Pocono Mountains near Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. I suspect Kirk was in limbo waiting to go on active duty at that time. In going through some of the photos I have on my computer, I came across these two.

They are not very crisp because they were originally ‘slides’ which I converted to digital a few years ago. Regardless, I thought Kirk might have some interest in seeing them. They show us with concierge Nan, who also managed the wait staff and acted as the mother for ‘her boys’ who did the waiting. One of the tasks was that we were expected to visit the pub after hours and mingle with the guests who frequently were young ladies there either with their parents or frequently single girls from New York City or Philadelphia on a vacation (Class agent’s note: Once more tough duty, all the while your class agent was on active duty, serving in El Paso, Texas, at Fort Bliss, aka, ‘no bliss to be found.’) Thusly said, the other photo features a group we became friendly with.”

Once exposed, Kirk responded: “I really appreciate Don’s reaching out to you with this story from the Twin Pine Dude Ranch. We really had a good time and met a few cute (only a few) chicks along the way, and now and then somebody bought us a beer in the pub. While all the rest of our class was headed in a meaningful direction with their VMI degree under their belts, I was still ‘just screwing around.’ I had just finished a nine-month tour of duty as a second lieutenant in the Virginia militia (unorganized) and had no work lined up between then and dental school. So, this was an opportunity to maybe have some fun; we had a great time!

Hunter Clarke ’58 and I drove up to Twin Pine,

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes and the rest is history. Steve Delich ’58 was ‘real close’ to the owners of the resort, and somebody told me the owners were going to give Steve a horse. I never had a chance to follow up on this.

I am glad they did not make me this offer; I was young enough then where I might have accepted.

Thanks again for Don’s email.”

Don went on to say: “My most vivid memory of you as D Company supply sergeant is when you approached my BR Hugh Miller ’59, who stood next to me in ranks. To the best of my remembrance, you said something to the effect of: ‘So, Mr. Miller, I understand your father and my father were roommates.’ To which I could almost sense Hugh suddenly relaxing and maybe even grinning only to be told in no uncertain terms that: ‘I’m not your buddy, rat; get that chin in and pull those shoulders back.’ Ah, those golden memories.

I hope this finds you in good health and thank you for sending this on and helping to build Hugh’s and my character those many years ago. Don Messner ’59.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, George could only respond: “Must have been one of my better days, Don; playful, but stern.”

Now here is a story previously untold: Mo Levine recalls an incident when in Vietnam with K.K. Dickinson. It seems as though when seeking a little R&R that Mo decided to relax at a nearby officers’ club, whereas K.K. decided that he needed something a little more relaxing and decided to patronize a certain local entertainment facility. During the course of events that evening, the Viet Cong blew up the officers’ club, whereas the entertainment facility went unscathed (Class agent’s note: Now, there must be a moral here somewhere.)

Howard called and said that John St. George called wanting some info about VMI athletics.

He gave him Coach Doug Bartlett’s cell number for an update. John is still playing golf and reports that he and wife Betty are doing well. His granddaughter, Peyton St. George, is a star softball team pitcher for Duke. “The saint” was so “pumped up” with football results that he even sent VMI some money! (Class agent’s note: “Nuff said.”)

Now, here is a classic from Armand Wagner, who says he had no favorite story from his days in barracks: “I kept a low profile and managed to stay out of trouble.” Otherwise, he and wife Rita are aging in place in Gloucester County in Virginia’s “Land of Pleasant Living.” They plan on attending our Class of ’57 65th Reunion in April 2022. And

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interestingly enough, the year 2022 is also reunion time for his brother ’62, son ’82, and grandson ’12—truly a VMI family.

Then, talk about true confessions, Jim Piggott related this memorable event from our rat year: “Kenny Dickinson and I were both under confinement. In order to relieve their mutually shared mental anguish, K.K. obtained a bottle of whiskey, and we drank it all. It was my first experience with drinking whiskey, and I had one heckuva hangover the next morning; although, at the time, I thought I had a case of the flu, went on the gim, and off to the post hospital I went. Head nurse ‘Mom’ was not fooled in the least, however, and literally gave

Class of 1957: Paul Muldowney, George Sydnor, Howard Lawrence, and Dick Collier at the VMI versus The Citadel football game April 17, 2021.

Class of 1957: In February 1957 are (foreground) Bill Huffcut, regimental commander; (background, from left) Bill Gay, S-1; “Eagle” Vaughn, S-3; and Van Sessoms, S-4.

me h#$%.” (Class agent’s note: We can only assume that K.K., with his vast reservoir of experience, was “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” that morning and probably helped “first experience Brother Rat Jim” down to the post hospital. We further presume that K.K. must have utilized the services of that famous barracks logistics provider, i.e., Pete’s Taxi, which capably supplied whatever products and services might be needed by cadets from time to time.) Now we know why Jim has created a vineyard in his retirement years, although he claims that the bears get more grapes than he does. (Class agent’s note, again: Jim, try expanding the vineyard and grow enough grapes for both you and the bears.)

Joe Moody wrote and advised he was coming off the gim list, although he has been dealing with the multiple side effects of five months of radiation treatment for the “curse of mankind,” a recalcitrant prostate, and is now treating the side effects with plenty of exercising and walking. Joe went on to say how he received the moniker “Magoo.”

It seemed as though, early during our rat year, a 1st by the name of Al Miller ’53, bull rat with ’54, “visited” their room one evening and, with a serious tone, pipe in his mouth, intoned on the plight of the rat and as to how, with empathy, he was a friend of all rats (Class agent’s note: A selfappointed rat daddy). This sounded so “ridiculous to Joe that he almost gagged from suppressing a laugh with his mouth shut, whereupon Big John Quillen gave him the name of ‘Magoo’ as a ‘reward’ for the suppressed laughter, to the frustration of Al, whose only response was to quickly leave the room, never to return.”

Though not really wanting to seem as though he was a curmudgeon, Randy Pendleton replied to his card question No. 2 as to roommates with, “too many to recall;” question No. 3 as to his favorite VMI story with, “I’ll never tell;” and question No. 4 as to sharing news with, “I stopped reporting the news 20 years ago.” He then suggested that George and Howard keep up the good work (Class agent’s note: Gee, thanks, Randy).

Then came along a note from the “Rainmaker,” Jay Musser himself, as exuberant as ever, who noted he had seven roommates over the course of four years while “vacationing at the ‘I:’” Sam Barker, Don Jamison, Clint Parker, Dudley Price, Armand Wagner, Ben Wiggins, and Walter O’Donohue. (Class agent’s note: How much rain can a roommate handle?) Jay claimed fame of telling Glee Club jokes which earned him a

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Class Notes “special” report over Christmas furlough but was apparently Capt. Phaup was too embarrassed to the “old owl” was never caught and managed to later withdrawn, much to his relief (Class agent bone us. One more story of the M-1 thumb/finger “fly away” unmolested. Tony went on to say that acquisition files. he was doing well and had weathered the virus note, again: The sun shone after the rainstorm). Jay Van Sessoms checked in from Richmond and storm, health not bad, and family doing well. “I has gotten around in his life, having 12 children (four biological and eight step), 26 grandchildren, said all was well, relatively, and that son (OVPS am blessed beyond words ... VMI will always be and 11 great-grandchildren (Another class agent’s IV) “Buck” Sessoms ’91 had retired from the dear to me.” Tony said that even after writing an Marine Corps, concluding a memorable and com- earlier note detailing his experiences with Scott note: What did you do in your spare time, Jay? But Huger ’53 upon the return of the “Old Corps” remember, Paul Muldowney has 38 in his and mendable career.

Harriet’s immediate family, plus twin great-grandThe usually low-key Tony DiCesare chimed in the middle of September 1953 following the first daughters; you two guys are currently tied for first with a Ronnie Kaye story that went as follows: A week of hell for our Class of ’57 rat year. “Scotty place in maintaining the world population). practical joke involving a classic pillow fight in singled me out, as I was fat, and after finding out Bob Wood also sent in his plaudits for your class barracks that nearly backfired on Ronnie when that I was an Italian Catholic yankee, he began by agents to revel in, saying that he, too, would be glad one of the pillows split wide open and spewed a calling me ‘DeJesus.’ He was brutal. Paul Muldto help out as long as any assigned tasks required torrent of goose down all over the courtyard of owney never fails to remind me at every reunion “no running, heavy lifting, or travel.” In his note, Old Barracks. It looked like a snowstorm has just that he was glad Huger selected me as his target Bob said he vividly recalls a step-off during our hit, and it just so happened to be the day of the so that he would not pick on him.” Tony ended 3rd Class year. As he was meekly hanging over the inspector general’s annual inspection of the “I;” the note: “God rest his soul.” (Class agent’s note: Scott Shipp Huger Jr. ’53 was a railing, here came “Punch” HefKorean war veteran who fought lin, who somehow got the door with the 1st Marine Division and to the sinks off and then threw was a survivor of the brutal 17said door into the courtyard three day battle of Chosin Reservoir in stoops below—very dramatic, to November/December 1950 and say the least. had returned to VMI in fall ’53 And then, a card from Howard as an academic 2nd Class Cadet Lawrence said that one of his fawith 1st Class privileges. He was vorite memories was while at the “tough as nails.”) spring FTX in April 1956 when, Milt Hargrave wrote, “I still in order to keep warm, the foothave the World War II Navy blanball team burned all the “fancy ket, slightly abraded, from dragsigns” to create a giant bonfire ging the cannonball to the fourth in an effort to keep warm. (Class stoop to drop it onto the courtyard agent’s note: Howard was first of Old Barracks. There had also sergeant of Company C at the been a plan to drop it in front of time, and then, like current times, Class of 1957: Waiters, including Kirk Hubbard (back, second from left) with Marshall Arch on a Pontiac confootball players were the bane of Nan, the hostess, at the Twin Pine Dude Ranch in August 1958. vertible—a much longer story. the existence of all company first sergeants, who could only “suck it up and carry on.”)

Harry Warner related an amusing story about roommates Avis, Hubbard, Warner, and Whittle in our 1st Class year, room 121. As we all know, you close the chamber on an M-1 rifle by placing the palm and heel of one’s right hand on the right side of the stock with the bolt handle, pushing down the chamber with the thumb and pulling the hand away allowing the bolt to close. At one SMI, Air Force Capt. Phaup grabbed one of our rifles to inspect and tried to close the chamber with his forefinger, which was promptly stuck when the bolt closed. The accompanying member of the guard team had to rush to his side and pull back Class of 1957: The summer waiter crew, including Kirk Hubbard (second from right), the bolt so he could extract his finger. The four of mingling with guests at the Twin Pine Dude Ranch in August 1958. us could not help but to convulse in laughter, and

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Milt continued with the true-ism of our time in life: “My body is just like old the car I had—the older I get, the more frequently I need to put it in the shop for repairs and maintenance.” He has gotten a new hip, new aortic valve, and new stents here and there; nothing like a good sense of humor. To keep him company, wife Nancy is angling toward spinal surgery in the near future, having had to combat near unbearable back and leg pain.

The widow’s corner: Ann Gilmore checked in with Howard prior to leaving her winter home in Oxford, Mississippi, and heading out to spend the warmer months of the year at her ranch house outside of Wise River, Montana, that husband Frank Gilmore had built there before he passed away following a long battle with cancer in 2018. An interesting note: As a Mississippi native, Frank was determined to side and trim the exterior of the ranch house in cedar. Ann, a native of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain area, slyly indicated that the large Montana woodpeckers have enjoyed drilling large holes in the house. False owls and predator bird sounds have not halted the ongoing damage or intimidated the woodpeckers, so Hardie board and plank “to the rescue” this summer. Ruth Wills Smith sent a nice note thanking us for her birthday remembrance saying all was well with her, but husband Jimbo Smith ’60 has two new knees and then had to battle an infection that developed later, unrelated to the new knees, spending a number of days in the hospital. All is well now, she reported. Randy Pendleton sent a newspaper clipping from the Charlottesville Daily Progress detailing Diantha McKeel’s service on the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and her plan to seek a third term. Widow of Wally McKeel, Diantha was first elected in 2013 and previously served on the county school board for four terms. The widow of Buddy Rogers wrote and said she was doing great for an 84-year-old but sorely missed Buddy’s crazy tricks. She went on to say there are five grandchildren and a greatgrandson. Buddy has been gone for 13 years and never a day goes by that she does not miss him.

“He never taught me how to do repairs around the house, so I’m lost whenever things break down or wear out, but I still get a laugh as I remember some of his crazy tricks.” Frank Holmes, wrote Anne, his widow, would be proud to know he is the grandfather of four grandsons—one a newly practicing dentist and another who has just received his law degree, and six granddaughters. Then, in turn, there are five great-granddaughters.

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We continue to honor our newly established tradition of remembering our brother rats who have crossed over the river and are now resting under the shade of the trees. Our fourth list for those gone but not forgotten, Class of 1957: Charles “Chuck” Strong June 12, 1990; Jimmy Dean May 7, 1992; Waller Wills June 29, 1992; Charles “Chuck” Walters Feb. 9, 1993; and George Salyer Oct. 28, 1994. Rest in peace, brother rats, until at last we are all reunited.

Close ranks, brother rats; proud to be your class agents.

George and Howard

1958

Lee McCown

Greetings, All, Here’s hoping the arrival of spring has lifted spirits and caused all of us to hold our vaccination cards close to our hearts. We’re hoping those loose and easy-to-lose cards will eventually be replaced by a stamped section in our passports or on our driver’s licenses.

This has been a truly great year for VMI football. But for one loss, we would have been undefeated in the regular season. Even so, we won the Southern Conference Championship and retained the Silver Shako by beating The Citadel, earning us the right to represent the conference in the playoffs—a first for VMI. We lost to James Madison University in that game but scared the daylights out of them in a hard-fought game. None of the five regular season teams JMU played scored a second-half touchdown against their vaunted defense. VMI scored three on drives of 70, 75, and 75 yards. Can’t wait for next season.

I checked with Sully Griffin and Jack Boze in February, after the history making “great winter storm” in Texas. When I spoke with Sully, who lives near Houston, he described a bad scene at his house and his son’s. “We have been out of our house for eight days. Our son lost both water and electricity and left after 40 hours in their very cold house. Broken pipes have to be repaired as well as sheetrock and tile replaced before they can return. Materials are in short supply, as are readily available contractors to do the repair work.” Here’s hoping things have improved for

you and your family, Sully.

Jack Boze lives in Wimberley, Texas, and I doubt anyone was ever better prepared for a storm than Jack and Lynn. “We survived five days with a partial power outage and no water. But my hurricane checklist was useful, so we were prepared.

We accommodated three couples for four nights with two dogs. We melted snow via a gas cooktop for flushing four toilets and kept warm by gas fireplaces and bottles of red wine and spirits!

“It was a 125-year Texas event, so the power distribution system could not keep up with the electrical demand. I live near Austin where the temps got down to five degrees and snow up to six inches, followed by another two inches. Today, we have full electrical power, and water pressure has been restored. Just another event to put in the photo album. When we lived on the Gulf Coast, I had a backup generator that would provide enough electrical wattage to power the house, but who would think of having this capability in the Austin area?” Here’s hoping it was a once in a lifetime event, Jack, although maybe not, because it sounds like you two turned it into a nonstop party. Good for you!

Since that unpleasantness ended, the Bozes have joined Peggy and Jim Poteet and Roy Palmer for their annual throwdown. They sent an accompanying picture, proof that a good time was had by all, or at least the BRs. Here’s Roy’s official account: “Just returned from a ‘mini, mini’ reunion with the Poteets and Bozes. Jim and Peggy hosted this event in their beautiful home in Point Clear, Alabama. Prior to our arrival, the local police were notified of the event to avoid any possible raids due to a disturbance in Jim’s neighborhood. Everyone looked great, and we had a fantastic time. We lamented that we have not been able to have a mass gathering of our class. We did solve most of the problems that are plaguing the Institute, but none of our solutions are publishable.” I would guess some delicious Alabama seafood was eaten, guys. Thanks for the great photo.

In other Alabama news, Ernie Edgar reports from Auburn that all is well there. “We got our second Moderna shots this morning—thus far no reactions. It’s freeing. We’re still trying to catch up with children/grandchildren we have not seen, in some cases, for over 18 months. No easy task, as nobody is close to us. We have made it to Clemson, Greensboro, and Lexington. Later this month, it is on to Tampa for a recital and

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Class Notes We fed his herd all that winter. He died then to Naples for another graduation. later, and the herd is now sold. I used his In June, all our gang will get together in big John Deere tractor to move big round South Carolina for a long-overdue fambales. I had about one hour of on-the-job ily reunion and to celebrate my long past training to operate the monster. It has COVID-19 birthday. so many switches and levers in the cab “BRs I have been in contact with these that I was afraid to touch them all in case last few weeks (Alex Clarke, Jim Cowthere was an ejection seat button.” Glad an, Don Cuthrell, Brooke Doggett, Bill you thought about ejection, Jim. You may Gee, Bill Harshaw, Moon Menefee, not have been found until after the snow Roy Palmer, Jerry Paull, John Peters, melted in the spring! and Stirling Williamson) or heard about Another of Jim’s photos is of horses (Jack Boze, Jack Cunningham, and Jim coming in from one of his pastures at Poteet) are doing OK and are in the proClass of 1958: Three starting backs in the victorious ’57 footcess of or have had their shots. ball season, plus a sister rat who’s a great golfer: (from left) mealtime. “Four thoroughbreds; one white “Our weather here remains in the dark Sam Woolwine, Joan Carnevale, Bobby Jordan, and Duke Arab; and the herd boss, a big Appaloosa that I helped break about 25 years ago.” ages, foggy like Germany and monsoon Johnston at the 50th Reunion.

One shows part of the cattle herd out on rains today like Vietnam ... ugh!” Ernie, the high prairie as winter is starting, a we can tell where you were stationed with bunch of sturdy black bodies looking like the U.S. Army! And that list of people they’re huddling together for warmth. you’ve communicated with makes you Jim’s photos and accounts of life in South an official deputy class agent. Thanks.

Dakota almost make me understand why Dave Camper sent me a picture of himhe chose to live there after his Air Force self with Barbara and their grandson, 1st service.

Lt. Justin Graubics ’18, sporting VMI Jim also provided a terrific photo he took SoCon champion T-shirts while celebratof Joan Carnevale, Duke Johnston, Bobing the 2021 football team’s great season

by Jordan, and Sam Woolwine on the and watching the JMU playoff game. golf course at our 50th Reunion, saying, “Justin was visiting his parents during “Don’t know if anybody else has our three his post-deployment leave after service starting backs all together at the same time. in Kuwait with the U.S. Army. We’re in Class of 1958: Jim Cowan took care of a herd of cattle for a good shape for the shape we’re in!” Dave I would title this as ‘three wannabe golfers sick friend one winter and had to master this behemoth of said. Fine T-shirts, Dave! getting lessons from a pro,’ namely Joan a tractor.

Speaking of military grandchildren of Carnevale.” I’ve heard that Bobby was an the Class of ’58, I heard from Frank Boeggeexcellent golfer, too, and enjoyed taking money man’s daughter, Jeanne Boeggeman, who reoff his Hokie friends in Radford. Rest in peace to ported that Frank’s dementia has required that he those three great athletes—wish they could have be moved to a nursing facility. “But he is happy been here for our winning spring football season— and healthy,” she said. Jeanne lives near him and and keep on truckin’, Joan and Art. her mother, Elaine. Her daughter, Michelle TurThanks always to Sandy Yon for her much-apcios, was accepted to VMI in 2014 but decided preciated Christmas letters. Her summary of 2020, on ROTC at Georgetown University, where she shortened below, reminds us of how complicated majored in Arabic. She’s been in the Army since the past year could be. “What a year this has been. graduation, most recently stationed in Saudi AraIt started out when the Virginia Aquarium [in Virbia. Jeanne recalled how thrilled her dad was ginia Beach] trip to the Baja in February, to again when he, Jeanne, and Michelle all visited VMI see the gray whales, was canceled due to lack of and ran into a member of the Class of ’58, whose participation. At the end of February, I made a name she doesn’t remember. Here’s wishing the quick decision to go to Croatia for a cruise along best to the Boeggeman family. the Adriatic coast, and I left on the 8th of March Jim Cowan is reliably keeping me up to date for a pre-trip to Slovenia. Well, two days after our on life in the west, sending pictures telling these arrival, their president closed the border to all airClass of 1958: Boze, Poteet, and Palmer stories. “One is of me getting ready to go feed line traffic, so we all had to make a hasty retreat to at Poteet’s house in Alabama in spring and water a neighbor’s cattle herd. He had a brain Croatia before it closed its border to catch a flight 2020. tumor and went to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. to Brussels, then on to New York. Of course, as

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes soon as I arrived home, I had to self-quarantine for two weeks. It was nice to visit Ljubljana in Slovenia again after almost 40 years and to have the opportunity to finally see Lake Bled. And in June, I canceled a September trip to Ireland. I was really looking forward to visiting Dublin again and to finally visit Belfast.

“I don’t think my book will ever be completed because I am only up to my travels in 2015, but it has really been fun working on it, and I have had plenty of time to make some headway. I am up to over 900 pages, and I imagine it will end up with at least 1,200 pages.

“Son Dan is still at the hospital, and his wife, Pat, is working from home due to the COVID-19.

Grandson Chris graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Law School in June and is working in North Carolina. Pat’s mother died of COVID-19 at the end of summer, and that is a big reason why I have avoided the aquarium. I hope that everyone has had at least a healthy year and will remain in good health through this coming year.” The best to you, too, Sandy, and let’s hope we can all safely travel again soon.

Update on Barney Odend’hal: He attended Ring Figure, as planned when he was invited by the Class of 2022, and is now retired from the Institute. I’m glad our VMI ’24 grandsons got to meet him, and all our family wishes him well. I expect he’ll find something else to do, as his is the nature of an active man. Best to you, Barney.

Here’s hoping to see you in the fall at a real live football game.

Laura and I are lucky to have a lot of a COVID19-inspired, safe distancing neighborhood porch concerts—three in the next four days! At a recent one with our favorite jumpy young Virginia Commonwealth University jazz musicians, we saw Annie Mae and Dave Martin, whose daughter, Julia, lives on one of the concert blocks around the corner from us. They looked and seemed great.

They’re eager for the ’58 Richmond lunch group to get back together, which I’m also looking forward to.

I was happy to get a phone call from Joann Savage, widow of BR Howard Savage. She lives in an over-55 community in Williamsburg now and says she “feels reasonably well for 85.” She’s gotten her shot. Joann called to thank me for putting the picture of Howard, Gene Grayson, and Dave Pitkethly in this year’s Issue 1 of the Alumni Review. “It brought a smile to my face,” she said.

The picture was on display at Gene’s funeral in

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November, and it is indeed a great one.

“I still go to the office every day,” Stir Williamson says, “but the young folks are running the show, and no one pays much attention to me, which suits me just fine. A positive result of COVID-19 is that one of the women who works in our office and has not been able to work from home due to poor internet service where she lives is a chef. During the pandemic, we added kitchen appliances so she could fix gourmet lunches for those who have been vaccinated and are back working in the office.” Nice company benefit, Stir. And we salute S.L. Williamson Company for their outstanding ad in the Garden Club of Virginia’s annual Garden Week magazine, showing a strip of perfect asphalt running between beautiful landscaping.

From Montie Rea: “After a week in Florida, we fly to New Orleans to take a river cruise to Memphis for two days and then home to Pittsburgh,” he said. Montie, that sounds suspiciously like normal retirement life. Here’s hoping you and Mary Ann heard some great Memphis blues while you were there.

A Christmas message from Pat (and Robbie) Robertson: “We’re grateful to be healthy so far and have managed to stay busy at home. Richard was appointed by the El Paso County Board of County Commissions to two citizens advisory organizations: The El Paso Highway Advisory Commission (he is first vice chair) and the Pikes Peak Regional Transportation Authority. When allowed, I have been doing Bible studies and leading a life group at church.

“Son Rob retired from 23 years at Verizon at the

Class of 1958: Frank Boeggeman was present when his granddaughter, Michelle Turcios, was commissioned into the U.S. Army several years ago.

end of June. Daughter Bette flew out to Virginia to help him move to Colorado. He has severe osteoarthritis and needs knee and hip replacements, but the doctors insist he lose weight first. He is frustrated not to be able to get a job and purchase a home right away as planned. He is living with us until he can have surgery. We are enjoying his company!

“Daughter Bette is well and grateful to be going to work each day. She still has her step-son and family living with her. Our golden retriever had to be put down this spring. In September, we got Banjo, a six-year-old golden, who was retired from being bred. It was quite an adjustment because she was not used to being in a house. Things are finally settling down, and she is an exceptionally sweet dog.” Congratulations on a new pet you’ve already trained, Pat and Robbie!

We’ve heard from Judy, wife of Hull Negley, who is Canadian and eager to get to the island there that her family developed several generations ago. Hull loved it, and they spent many happy summers there. Judy hasn’t seen her Canadian family in a year-and-a-half, but sadly, the border remains closed. Judy, we’re so hoping that will soon change.

This very sad news comes from Jerry Paull. “I received a phone call from the American Embassy in Bangkok at the end of January that my son, J.T., was found dead in his hotel room in Thailand. J.T. had retired from the U.S. Navy in 2008. Most of his Navy career was aboard ballistic missile submarines. He was living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and had gone to Thailand to renew his Malaysian visa. The reported cause of his death was a heart attack. He was 52 years old.” As a father of four around that age, Jerry, I cannot imagine a greater tragedy. You have our deepest sympathy.

Laura and I just watched the Memorial Parade livestreamed from VMI. The reading of the names of the 591 former cadets who lost their lives in all previous military conflicts—including our BR Herb Butt, who died in Vietnam—has been added to the ceremony before the Corps stepping off for the parade. The parade includes an “eyes right” at the Moses Ezekiel ’866 sculpture of Virginia Mourning Her Dead. A welcome addition to this impressive event.

Let’s close with this paraphrase of “The Hill We Climb” by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, whose words are so appropriate at our ages. Even as we tire, we try.

In the Spirit, Lee

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Class Notes

1959

Shep Shepard

This quarter started off right when I received a very nice note from June Smith. June says all is well with her and her family, but like everyone else, they are getting very tired of the abnormal way we are forced to live due to COVID-19. This too shall pass, thank God; but in the meantime, June wants everyone to take care of themselves and make it a point to look after one another.

I also received a heartwarming note from Yvonne Traylor, who said words failed her when she attempted to adequately thank Bill Traylor’s BRs for all their thoughtfulness, generosity, kindness, and prayers for him. He dearly loved the bonds he had with his BRs, as well as those everembellished old tales of the bad young days told so many times sustained him through the end.

The quarter got better when I received an email from our long-lost BR, Ricardo Santos. Rick thanked me for the Christmas card I sent to him, albeit it took two months to reach him in Ecuador where he and his wife, Rosita, live. Rick reports that all is well with him and his family. They have a place in Sunrise, Florida, which is about four hours down the road from where Ann and I live, and they plan to spend the summer there. Rick wrote to say that they planned to attend the Florida group mini reunion planned for September in Clewiston, Florida, not far from where they live.

We hope to have lunch together before the mini, but that will depend on COVID-19 progress.

The quarter was marred by the fact that we once again lost another beloved BR, Bill Lee. Bill passed away April 3 while sleeping peacefully. Jennifer and the family had a small church ceremony due to COVID-19, but she thanked all Bill’s BRs for being his friend. She and the family especially enjoyed the beautiful flowers sent by Rusty Loth from the VMI Class of 1959; they fit in perfectly with the red, white, and yellow flowers decorating the church. We will always remember Bill proudly leading the parade across the Pettus Bridge each year at the annual Daniels pilgrimage in Selma, Alabama. Bill finally gets to walk the walk beside Johnathan Daniels ’61.

Just before submitting the class notes, I received

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a call from Harry Ray, who said he was about to undergo open-heart surgery to replace his mitral valve, the valve that controls the blood flow from the heart. Thank goodness the surgery was successful. He spent a few days in ICU and recovery before going home to the watchful eye and care of nurse Ann. Harry is so appreciative of the many calls, cards, and emails he received from his BRs; they do indeed make a difference.

Dorothy Heishman dropped a note to thank the Class of 1959 for remembering her during the holidays. She enclosed an article from her local newspaper, the Northern Virginia Daily, about life at VMI during the pandemic with isolated and quarantined cadets living at the local Econo Lodge, one of the four hotels VMI contracted. The superintendent, Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins ’85, kept in touch with the cadets with onsite visits, and their meals were provided through a catering service.

Two of Jim and Dorothy’s sons, both VMI graduates, Mitchell Heishman ’82 and Stuart Heishman ’86, got a big kick out of how the cadets were coping with the pandemic.

Not long ago, Ann and I received a very pleasant surprise. Bob Haines, who lives in Sarasota, called to tell us that he and Monique Harnetty would be in our area, and they would like to get together. He and Monique were visiting Patrick Space Force Base, a Space Force base in our backyard, to meet with Tiffany Haines ’15, Bob’s granddaughter, who was flying a mission out of her home base in Texas. Tiffany, who you know from my previous class notes, is a firstclass pilot flying the C130J. She is stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, and was on a mission to fly search and rescue troops from Patrick so they could accomplish jumps from different altitudes, including high altitude low opening jumps. We got to watch Tiffany show off her flying skills, as well as being able to take her out to one of our local seafood places.

Got a special note from Yvonne Traylor just after Bill passed away. She said, “The doorbell rang, and I was handed the equivalent of an Old Yell in a vase! Bright red, white, and yellow flowers cheered me up with your warm wishes and comfort. The outpouring of love and support for Bill and me has been so heartwarming and uplifting.

The crazy, well-worn stories and remembered mutual insults have brought laughter and tears. Our hearts are full. Thank you, Class of ’59!”

Virginia Nowlin recently attended a ceremony at the Bath County High School where the Bath

County school board placed a plaque commemorating our BR, Buzz Nowlin, naming the BCHS auditorium in his memory. Buzz served as the Bath County Public Schools superintendent for 18 years from 1975-93, one of the longest tenures in the history of Virginia. Buzz was committed to providing a quality education for all students in Bath County and believed that the greatest need in education was to challenge and to motivate each and every student while providing every opportunity possible for all students to rise to those challenges.

Congratulations to a community leader who really made a difference in his community, our BR Buzz Nowlin.

John and Betty Ann Tompson are concerned about the current situation at VMI. They are still chugging along. Betty Ann’s health is not good and is not likely to get better. Although they would both like to go back to France to visit their son and his family, they are no longer on the traveling team. No complaints; they could be much worse, and they still are looking at the green side of the grass.

Agnes Inge Carter sent the enclosed three-generation picture of her grandson, J. Thomas Inge, at his VMI signing as a preferred walk-on. His dad, Tom Inge ’89, and uncle, George Inge ’91, were also in the photo. Thomas is holding a book about his grandfather, Tommy Inge, written by another uncle, Wallace ’96. A wonderful time to play football at VMI—must feel like it did in ’57.

Spence and Beverly Tucker are tickled to death to have gotten their second COVID-19 vaccination and are now ready and able to fully enjoy a beautiful spring in Lexington. Beverly’s second tenure as president of the Historic Lexington Foundation has come to a close with a number of important accomplishments registered. While active in the HLF, she still found time to continue her painting and even had a one-person show at the Lexington art gallery, Artists in Cahoots. She also enjoys playing the cello and reading. Spence, on the other hand, was pleased that his five-volume encyclopedia of the Cold War was awarded the 2021 American Library Association’s Dartmouth Medal for most outstanding reference work published in 2020. His book, treating 100 great military sieges in history, came out last February, and his 70th and last book, a one-volume short treatment of the American Revolutionary War, will be published later this year. Like that fluffy American icon, the Energizer Bunny, Spence just keeps right on going.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Art and Jenny Brandriff made that big decision and have relocated to Tampa, Florida, to be close to their son and his family. They recently purchased a home in Tampa and, to their delight, found they are located less than three miles from where Mel and Jean Anderson live. Art and Jenny are looking forward to the great Florida weather and the many attractions and activities but are especially looking forward to being regular attendees at the Florida group mini reunions, which this year is planned for September. Their close friends, Dick and Linda Phillippi, have already committed to attend the mini reunion, but Art will also try to get Jim Sam Gillespie to come.

Rusty Loth says it seems like no time between “notes be due.” Whoever made the observation that time flies when you are having a lifetime knew what he was talking about. Rusty has some new neighbors. J.R. Dunkley ’62 and his wife, Carol, just moved into the retirement facility where he lives, and it’s nice to have such nice neighbors. Rusty attempted to set up a luncheon for J.R., Noland, and Rusty at a local BBQ joint, but it didn’t happen because J.R. had a family thing come up and Noland and Rusty were both on the gim; they will try again soon. Eddie Barnes has been Rusty’s financial manager for many years, but since Eddie retired, his son, Stewart Barnes ’86, has taken the reins.

He’s great and may have even taught Eddie everything he knew. Harlee Pate’s son, Dudley, lives in Chattanooga, so Laura and Rusty plan to hop aboard the Chattanooga choo choo and have a mini reunion with Harlee and his son sometime soon.

He will keep us advised and let us know if he pulls it off.

Larry and Nancy Wood do more as residents of Las Vegas than cruise the strip and gamble away all their money. Larry is currently hard at work putting together a book about VMI’s beloved wrestling coach, Coach Gupton. He has sent out letters to all the wrestlers from that era to gather together the many tales about Coach Gupton. I look forward to seeing and reading the completed book. Larry received a nice letter from Tom Davis who went through

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Class of 1959: Bill and Mary Kessler with their youngest son, Bill, as Mary continues to recover from recent surgery.

Class of 1959: Agnes Carter’s grandson, J. Thomas Inge, with his uncle (left), George Inge ’91, and father (right), Thomas Inge ’89, at his signing with VMI as a preferred football walk-on.

Class of 1959: Monique Harnetty and Bob Haines, Tiffany Haines ’15, and Shep and Ann Shepard together for dinner at the Riverside Grill, overlooking the Indian River in Melbourne, Florida.

the Rat Line with us but dropped out his 3rd Class year and became a Longhorn from the University of Texas where he attended through law school. Tom received his law degree in 1962 and practiced trial law until he retired when he reached the age of 70. He and his wife, Jan, a graduate of Mary Baldwin, married in 1961 and have two children, a boy and a girl, who now are in their mid-50s. Before the pandemic, Tom and Jan enjoyed traveling all over the world and did quite a bit of it.

Now that we are getting to the point where most people are vaccinated and it appears that the pandemic might be under control, they are looking forward to getting back on the road again.

Lee and Nancy Southard are doing the best they can in Fort Myers. Lee has completed his new book, The Battle We Must Not Lose, and it is ready for publication.

I was privileged to get the opportunity to review the book before publication, and I can tell you that it is right on but scary. Lee made it to Foster Stadium in Lexington to see VMI stomp The Citadel 31-17 and walk away with the Southern Conference Championship and the Silver Shako. Lee says they are a fun team to watch, and it took him back to the 1957-65 timeframe, which he remembers well. He took his grandson, Christian, along hoping he might be a prospect for the Class of 2031.

He is Lee’s last hope not to break the twogeneration legacy. Christian was very impressed, but then again, he is only 12 years old. Lee did get him provisionally appointed to the Class of 2031. Lee did not run into any ’59ers but did meet Maj. Gen. Wins ’85, and his impression is that he will keep the core VMI, including the Honor Court, but we will see some more changes.

Tex and Emily Carr had yet another cruise canceled because of the pandemic, but they are very excited about the Florida group mini reunion planned for Clewiston, Florida, Sept. 21-23. Tex has talked with Mary Alice Marley, and she sounded great despite an injured leg and being on crutches. Ann and I also had a wonderful telephone conversation with Mary Alice, and we both agree on Tex’s assessment

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Class Notes albeit she can certainly hold a grudge for a long time; she is still upset with me for things I said and did to her 15 years ago. It was fun talking about all the fun times and things we did together years ago from a visit to Fort Benning in 1967 to a chance run-in with Ron at Leavenworth in 1980. Her kids and grandkids are doing great and keep in touch with her.

Betsy Decker writes that Kent is vertical, and they are both looking at the green side of the grass.

Jack and Joy Angolia had their COVID-19 vaccine shots, their passports are up to date, and they are more than ready to travel. They are looking forward to returning to Africa in November where they will remain for a month. They love getting up close and personal with the animals. Ann and I can relate, having visited South Africa in 2007 with Mel and Jean Anderson and Bob Haines and Monique Harnetty. It was a trip I will always remember. With all that is going on with VMI, Jack would like to remind us that what we took away from VMI is what was instilled within us: Our word is our bond, regard others as we would want to be, and know that we were prepared to achieve whatever we resolved to be. Well said, my friend.

Jack is working on his current book and does not think it will be his last, as he is considering writing a novel. Jack is down to five pounds off his VMI weight, intentionally, and working out to build up muscle density.

Jimmy and Linda Johnson are doing OK in Georgetown, Texas, just lots of yard work caused by the mid-February freeze and power failure.

Eddie and Carolyn Barnes have had little interaction with other BRs because of COVID-19, but now that they both have been fully vaccinated, they are beginning to travel. They recently returned from a short vacation in Savannah and Hilton Head. Their next foray is to Holden Beach, North Carolina, where their family will gather for a small reunion, and then later in the summer, they will make it to Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. If all goes well and travel permits, they will go to Sweden to visit their son and his family in October. Looks like Eddie and Carolyn are back in the groove.

Max and Lee Ann Blanchard get out and about once in a while as evidenced by a very nice picture of them with their son at Easter services, but Max says he still has to stay in bed most of every day.

They have both had the COVID-19 vaccinations, so they are both feeling optimistic.

John and Patsy Van Kesteren are the proud great-grandparents to their second great-grandson,

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Michael Nordstrom, who was born in March in Charlottesville, weighing in at nearly 10 pounds.

John and Pat have weathered the pandemic but are anxious to get back to some type of normalcy.

Bob and Lois Hobson are still in Georgia, living

Class of 1959: Pat Hughes on a climb up to the Mesa Verde, Colorado, Cliff Dwellings during a recent trip through the southwestern U.S.

Class of 1959: Shep Shepard with Bill and Connie Nebraska in Saint Augustine, Florida, after over a year of isolation.

with their daughter while they both undergo knee replacements. Bob had his replaced at the end of October, and Lois had hers in early February. They specifically came to Georgia to have it done because their daughter could care for them while recovering. They returned to Utah in May. They are both grateful to be vaccinated and in good health.

Now that they are back in Utah, they will move into an assisted living facility.

Skip and Linda White feel like the cicadas coming out of a 17-year hibernation. They have just recently started going out to dinner with friends just like before the pandemic. Last June, 27 family members and girlfriends were quarantined and tested before their annual week at the beach, and all went well. Skip thinks maybe a higher authority was looking out for them. They will have the same gathering this year; however, over half of them will already be vaccinated.

Bill and Mary Kessler feel blessed. Mary’s heart valve replacement surgery was successful.

After recovering, she observed transient patterns in her vision. Her doctor ordered an MRI of her head, which revealed a large tumor that her doctor said was “the size of an orange.” Surgical removal ASAP was recommended. A biopsy characterized the tumor as a meningioma with cancer growth at level two. She had successful surgery, and the doctor believed she removed it all, confirmed by an MRI. Mary is recovering at home, and all is going well; she gets stronger every day. They are thankful for the outstanding medical care Mary received, but they are equally thankful for all the calls, emails, and cards offering support our BRs have sent.

Max Guggenheimer attended the VMI versus The Citadel football game with his son, John Guggenheimer ’93. He looked for ’59ers but didn’t see any. Unfortunately, they did not have the normal gathering at the Keydet Club area, so it was easy to miss some who are usually there. However, sitting next to Max was a gentleman named David Plageman ’62 who dyked Jim Sam Gillespie. My wife, Ann, dated David’s brother, Charlie, who eventually became a priest. I am not sure how much dating Ann influenced that decision. Max said that after getting used to VMI losing for so many years, it was a real treat to be with a team that looked a lot like the ones we had when we were there. The freshman quarterback was from Pittsburgh, not far from Bill Nebraska’s home.

There were very few graduating seniors on the team, so maybe we can do well this fall.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes I had a nice telephone conversation with Jim McFalls not long ago, and for the most part, he is doing pretty good. Jim suffers from peripheral neuropathy in the legs which is painful and impedes lots of walking. I sympathized with Jim because I suffer from the same thing, but mine is in the feet. Jim is fortunate to be living with his son, Scott, in Falls Church who keeps a close eye on his wellbeing. They are in the process of building an addition to Scott’s house just for Jim. Pat Hughes just completed a 4,842-mile trip through the southwestern U.S. that included visits to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Colorado. He climbed up to the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, some of the most notable and bestpreserved cliff dwellings on the North American continent. In Tombstone, Arizona, he participated in a gunfight at the O.K. Corral, along with lawmen Virgil Earp and the outlaws led by Ike Clanton. Down on the border, he got a chance to see the infamous wall.

Early in the quarter, we received a call from Bill and Connie Nebraska informing us that they would be in St. Augustine, Florida, for a few days at the end of the month and wanted to know if we would join them for a day or so. St. Augustine is only a two-hour drive from our home in Melbourne, and not having seen Bill and Connie for over a year, we jumped at the chance. We made our reservations at the same resort where they were staying and looked forward to a great time on St. Augustine Beach. Unfortunately, the night before we were to leave, Ann had a little problem that prevented her from traveling, but she insisted that I go. Our daughter, Christine, came over and stayed with Ann while I drove up to St. Augustine. We spent the morning just sitting on the balcony enjoying the beautiful Atlantic Ocean view and talking about everyone in the class. Good thing it was not recorded; especially since we took it to lunch and picked it up again after lunch and into supper. It was great being with such nice people, it has been too long, but we will see them again in September at the Florida mini reunion in Clewiston.

After over a year of isolation and the cancelation of the 2020 Florida group mini reunion, we are finally back on track. I am happy to tell you that it is scheduled for Sept. 21-23, 2021, in Clewiston, Florida. Clewiston is located on the southwest corner of Lake Okeechobee and is one of the finest freshwater fishing spots in Florida. Ann and I took a trip to Clewiston to check it out and visited the

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Clewiston Inn, an old historic hotel rebuilt by the U.S. Sugar Corporation to host company executives and visiting dignitaries in 1938. It is clean and the rooms are very affordable and comfortable and is located at 108 Royal Palm Avenue, Clewiston, FL 33440. We had lunch at a nice restaurant on the banks of Lake Okeechobee, the Tiki Bar at Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s marina where, incidentally, you can enjoy a Lake Okeechobee guided fishing trip. The Tiki Bar would be a great place to go for our Tuesday night meal. There are a few other places for our Wednesday night meal, specifically the Staghorn Grill. We will work all that out when the time comes. There is much to do in Clewiston: The fishing trip mentioned above; a four-hour Sugarland tour that looks interesting; swamp buggies, wildlife shows and airboat rides at Billie Swamp Safari; visit the Seminole Tribe of Florida at the Ah-Tah-Ki Museum; Gatorama; and more. There is still room for more, so if you are interested give me a call.

Ann and I are doing great. We are so looking forward to our two paddleboat cruises one in June from Memphis, Tennessee, to Louisville, Kentucky, and the other in August from Portland, Oregon, to Clarkston, Washington, as well as our annual trek to Hilton Head, South Carolina, in October. Feels like things are beginning to get back to normal. Stay safe.

Yours in the Spirit, Shep

1960

James A. Smith III

Greetings from St. James, North Carolina. As I begin this edition of class notes, I’m happy to report, that due to the persistent efforts of G.G. Phillips, Peanuts Elliott, Henry Brown, and Bolling Williamson we will have, yet again, a 60th Reunion in fall 2021. VMI has guaranteed this but the dates of September, October, or November are to be decided. I also want to say that the efforts of Maj. Gen. Wins ’85, the Board of Visitors, and the Alumni Association are slowly “slaying the dragon.” The Institute and her honor will survive.

On Feb. 16, I received the following notice of the passing of Brother Rat Tony Di Caprio Dec.

Class of 1960: Bill Knowles and his friend, Col. James Williams, celebrating the VMI Southern Conference championship.

23, 2020. “Retired U.S. Army Colonel Anthony ‘Tony’ Di Caprio, Class of 1960, passed away peacefully Dec. 23, 2020. He was 82. He matriculated from Richmond Hill, New York, and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from VMI. He later earned a master’s degree in history from WPI and a master’s degree in education from Shippensburg University. Tony proudly served 30 years as an armor officer with two tours in Vietnam where he earned the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2nd Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Air Medal. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janice; son, Anthony Jr.; daughter, Lisa; three granddaughters; Crista, Jenna, and Helena; and his grandson, Nikolas. His final resting place is at Arlington National Cemetery.” Tony was a good and kind man. On Feb. 18, I spoke with Carl Benner in Arizona. He had started his birthday with a workout and is feeling well. He also recently purchased a new set of PXG irons, and he says he hits them well. Every time I get new golf clubs, the warranty usually wears out after three days.

On Feb. 21, Guy Smith celebrated his latest birthday. I didn’t call him until three days later and spoke with Phillipa. Guy was “out shopping.” He is well.

On Feb. 28, I had the pleasure of catching up with Jim Tumlinson, who is still teaching at Penn State. He and Sue spend winters in Florida. Jim is hopeful, as we all are, for a chance for a fall reunion.

I’ll pause with the usual notes to report on my personal travails. On Jan. 22, I had a total right knee replacement. It’s my second. I was in the

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Class Notes hospital overnight. Outpatient physical therapy successfully administered. After six weeks of progress, I developed a devastating urinary tract infection requiring eight days in the hospital. Other than being severely weakened, I’m now on the mend.

Had excellent care. Because of my “days out of touch” I missed some birthday calls.

On March 4, I spoke with Sam Horner, who was celebrating his birthday with a dinner with children. We wish Sam many more birthdays.

On March 7, Jimmie Seeley and Brad Lampshire had birthdays but only got birthday emails from the hospital.

On March 14, Hunter Dovel celebrated his latest birthday and got delayed email wishes for more birthdays.

As I write, today is St. Patrick’s Day. I wish a happy day to you all. I recently received two obituaries of Brother Rats John “Stump” Fulton and John “Seagull” Coughlin. They are posted: “John H. Fulton Sept. 13, 1934-Feb. 27, 2021. John Harvey Fulton was born Sept. 13, 1934, in Twin Falls, Idaho, and passed away Feb. 27, 2021, at Willamette Springs in Corvallis where he resided for the past three years. Mr. Fulton was preceded in death by his parents, Robert F. Fulton and Marian B. Fulton. He is survived by Christie, his wife of 60 years; daughters, Stephanie Boyle (Blake) of Hillsboro, Elizabeth Rogers (Mike) of Tigard, and Leslie Isbell (Dan) of Gresham; and four grandchildren. Mr. Fulton was a descendent of J.C. Avery, founder of Corvallis. Mr. Fulton graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, in June 1951. He entered the Virginia Military Institute in September 1951 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1954.

He served with the 11th, 82nd, and 101st Airborne Divisions as an infantryman until February 1956. He re-entered the Virginia Military Institute and graduated in June 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Fulton married Christie Lou Hulvey of Fort Defiance, Virginia, Aug. 6, 1960. Shortly thereafter, he began a civilian career with

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Class of 1960: Joe Stewart and a friend on a bike trip out West.

Class of 1960: Jimbo and Ruth Smith and Linda and Henry Brown at dinner in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Class of 1960: Alex Dunlap, Bill Driver, Phil Spivey, Joe Stewart, Daryl Markland, Toot Barr, Henry Brown, John Olsen, Pete McGue, and Chris Fleet in an engineering class.

the Oregon Department of Transportation in September 1960. He interrupted his civilian career and re-entered the U.S. Army as an officer with the Corps of Engineers in May 1961, where he served with combat and construction engineer units and as an instructor at the U.S. Army Engineer School. Mr. Fulton resumed his civilian career with the U.S. Forest Service in May 1963. He continued his military career with the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring in 1988 with the rank of colonel. He also completed his civilian career with the Forest Service and retired in 1995. Mr. Fulton was a life member of the Reserve Officers Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, Society of Military Engineers, and Association of United States Army.

John was a lifelong Oregon State University Beaver fan and could be seen at many football and basketball games. He traveled frequently to out-of-state games and OSU bowl games. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Corvallis. At his request, no services will be held.”

Seagull’s obituary: “John Joseph Coughlin, 82, of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away March 11, 2021. Born in Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Joseph and Marie Coughlin. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1960. He retired as a colonel from the U.S. Air Force after 30 years of honorable service, becoming a member of the Legion of Merit from 1988-90. John received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He was the commander of the Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory from 1984-88. John loved to surprise his Joyce with loving poems for special occasions. Flowers were sent to surprise Joyce for no reason—just love. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joyce Stoehr Coughlin; three daughters, Karen Gagnon (Scott) and children Zachary Gagnon and Lori Gagnon, Debbie Sterle (Tom) and children Lisa Sterle (Matt) and Brian Sterle, and Mary Wilson (Michael) and daughter Lily Wilson; son, Joseph ‘Joe’ Coughlin (Beth) and their children, John Coughlin (Alysia) and great-grandson

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Aiden, Meghan Coughlin, Jacob Coughlin, and Margaret Coughlin; sister, Mildred May; and stepchildren, Suzanne Lewis, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Kyle Lewis, Caroline Shubert, Steven Patterson, Tyler Patterson, and Bradley. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel Tuesday, March 16, 2021, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Wednesday, March 17, at 11 a.m. Due to the pandemic, facial coverings are required at the funeral home and the church. Condolences may be offered to the family at: www.hollomon-brown.com.”

On March 21, Ridge Parks celebrated his latest birthday. Ridge now lives with his daughter. I was finally able to get correct contact info from the Alumni Association and Ridge’s wife, Ann. He is convalescing from a prolonged illness. He sounded well. He got wishes for more birthdays as well as continued good health.

On March 25, Neal “Bo” Callaham celebrated his latest birthday. He’s looking forward to our new 60th Reunion. He got birthday wishes.

On April 5, I caught up with Dave Maddox to give him birthday wishes. He was well and looking forward to our reunion.

On April 12, I spoke with Wayne LaBlang in California. He was doing well on his birthday and received his birthday wishes. He is well and also looking forward to our reunion.

On April 18, I spoke with Bill “Peanuts” Elliott, on his birthday. He and Jan were visiting friends in The Villages. He had just gotten out of a swimming pool after doing water aerobics. He’s well and working on the reunion.

On April 17, VMI football beat The Citadel in Lexington, 31-17. The VMI football team is 6-1 and won the Southern Conference, the first since 1977. Unfortunately, they lost to James Madison 24-31 in the first round of the FCS playoff. With all that is going on at the Institute, the football team is indeed a breath of fresh air.

Also, earlier in the week, the VMI Board of Visitors appointed Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins ’85 as the next superintendent. My personal opinion is that it’s a great move. He’s done an unbelievable job since he’s been interim with COVID-19 and the other issues involving the Corps. A great choice!

There will be many cosmetic changes to VMI, but the core values and systems we know are still in place. Considering the changes, take a look at yourselves in the mirror and compare yourself with your picture in the Bomb. Some cosmetic

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changes have taken place, but our VMI memories will not change.

On April 26, Otis Pool and George Salaita had birthdays. I spoke with Otis. He and Arlene are well and will be returning to northern Virginia in May. He got birthday wishes. I was unable to speak with George but left voicemail messages as well as sent a birthday email.

On April 29, Ruth and I had dinner with Linda and Henry Brown. Always a good evening. That same day, Vaughn Foxwell and Jim Greathead had their birthdays. Each got a birthday call, but I could only leave voicemail wishes.

On May 8, John Hilliard celebrated his latest birthday. I caught up with John the next day. He had spent the hours of midnight to 4 a.m. volunteering at a space launch, which he does for his retirement. He is well.

On May 11, the Rev. Bob Graves had his latest birthday. I was unable to speak with him, but we wish him well and many more birthdays.

On May 12, I spoke with Bolling Williamson on his birthday. He is well in the Northern Neck of Virginia and looking forward to more birthdays.

We wish him well, also.

Jon Parnell called me to inquire about donating to the Bayliss Scholarship. He also asked that I get Bolling Williamson to send him a copy of Bolling’s book. Jon and Bolling roomed together for three years. It’s always a pleasure to talk to Jon. He is doing well.

On May 13, Joe Stewart had another birthday.

I was only able to leave a voicemail with birthday wishes. Joe responded with the following email:

“Jimbo, sorry I missed talking with you. Have been at our place down on Great Falls Lake in Tennessee trying to fight back Mother Nature. I know I’m slowing down, but it seems things are growing faster than I can manage to keep them beat back.

Anyway, just glad that I can at least have a go at it. Yvonne and I are doing well. Got both of our vaccine shots and have been just trying not to do stupid stuff with all the COVID-19 scare but not trying to let it control our lives either. I’m still an owner/partner in our pre-cast concrete construction business but trying to back out of as much of the day-to-day stuff as possible. I have a good business partner who is the president of the company, and he handles all the day-to-day operational responsibilities. I’ve had too many years of doing that. I attached a few pictures of last year’s motorcycle trip with my good friend and riding buddy from Colorado. We were running around through the southwest with no schedule or no itinerary eating good food and having our share of adult beverages. Going to keep doing that for as long as I can. Looking forward to our reunion. Stay safe and well. Cheers! Joe T.” This brings me to the end of yet another edition of our class notes. It looks like we are about to emerge from our COVID-19 incarceration. Events at VMI continue to evolve. The alumni office will keep us posted. In the meantime, please continue to support the Institute with your donations. Also please remember the Bayliss Scholarship. The last issue of the Alumni Review, 2021-2, has an excellent article about the scholarship.

I look forward to seeing you all at our reunion.

We all owe a great deal of thanks to G.G., Peanuts Bolling, and Henry for their efforts toward our reunion. See you then. It is a privilege to be your class agent.

In the Spirit, Jimbo

1961

Sal Vitale Jr.

Class of 1960: Toot and Cecile Barr at a yoga session.

By the time you read this issue of the Review, our 60th Reunion will be less than two months away. If you have not received your reunion registration forms, please call or email me and I will send them. I was pleased to learn that most

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Class Notes working, and he is currently of you have received your COVpursuing a piece of property ID-19 shots. This should relieve on which daughter Nancy can your concern about joining us at build houses.

Natural Bridge for our reunion.

Anne Rishell called to say Natural Bridge is COVID-19 Don Rishell was in the hospicompliant. tal and had an infection on his Lou Shuba completed his tailbone and the doctors had cardiac rehab and was ranked to scrape it. Don spent over 30 No. 1 in his class. Pris now days in the hospital on his back has him working in the garden. in a special bed and was not alElizabeth Shuba was named lowed to get out of the bed for Europe East Teacher of the Year any reason. Don is now in rehab out of 97 nominations. Wow! and hopes to be at the reunion.

Kent and Bert Modine made I called Lee Badgett, and he their first road trip since the pan- Class of 1961: Anne Woodfin (in the wheelchair) at her granddaughter’s May demic to see their granddaugh- 16, 2019, VMI graduation. (First row, from left) Wright Villani, Virginia Villani actually answered the phone. ter play two lacrosse games at ’19, Suzanne Villani, Tony Villani, Claudia Cunningham, (second row) Johnny According to Lee’s stepVillani ’15, Charlotte Woodfin, and Jack Woodfin ’91.—Rob Zwiren photo courdaughter, Nancy, I was lucky.

Slippery Rock University. On tesy Woodfin family.

Physically, Lee is doing OK. their way home, they took a Mentally, he has issues. He detour and met the Shubas for used to love to read and that lunch in Gettysburg. has stopped. Nancy visits him Bob Polk’s son, Kurt Polk four times a week. I asked if she ’95, battled the COVID-19 vithought Lee could come to the rus and still has issues. Kurt’s reunion. She will think on it. eight-year-old daughter, CharPaul Johnston moved into lotte, also contracted the virus their downsized home next door and recovered a lot easier than to their daughter, Robyn. Debdaddy. I hear Charlotte can’t bie is recovering from a knee wait until she is old enough to replacement but is still troubled be a Keydet. by a persistent cough which, so I am sure most of you read far, cannot be diagnosed. about the difficult time the peoJ.D. “Jack” Miller visits his ple in Texas had with the cold Class of 1961: Meeting for their first breakfast following COVID-19 restrictions at the Brick House Restaurant in Midlothian, Virginia, April 8, 2021, are (seated, wife daily in an assisted livweather. I called Dave Thomfrom left) Bill Nelms, Dick Jarvis, Russell Stone, Bill Daniels, Dick Youngblood, ing facility. It’s been over four as, and he still had electricity (standing) Rhett Clarkson, Wyatt Durrette, and Sal Vitale. years of daily visits, so the faciland water. However, he could ity staff gave Jack his COVID-19 shots as he has not go out, as his driveway goes uphill from Affairs has kept him on hold for hours when trythe garage and there were about seven inches of ing to set up an appointment. When Ed travels become part of the nursing home staff and helps snow on it. Harvey Curlee said for two days he to or from Fort Detrick, he stops to visit Bill and with management/leadership advice/classes, had power outages, and the water pressure was Sandra Fout. They are OK, but Fox believes he etc. Jack plans to be at the reunion. very low. Harvey’s name came up in a conversa- will have to transport the Fouts to the reunion, Bill Keech has been in and out of the hospital tion that took place in Solomons, Maryland. At as neither can drive. several times for a severe kidney infection. The a party I attended, VMI was mentioned, and one Bill and Sylvia Haeberlein experienced the docs are not sure where the infection is coming of the women listening said, “My brother went coldest weather since they moved to Louisiana. from. I talked to Bill, and he is in good spirits. to VMI.” The lady was Harvey Curlee’s sister. For three days, the heater never stopped runGarland Payne is being treated for cancer of We had a wonderful conversation about our ning, and their inside temperature was a cool 54 the lymph nodes on his neck. Due to the proximBrother Rat Curlee. The only source of power degrees. Bill said they were lucky that no pipes ity of the tumors to the carotid artery, they canfor the state of Texas during the freeze was from froze. not be removed. the South Texas Project Nuclear Power Plant.

Dave Bella had a heart attack due to two coroThe Youngbloods were thankful that they Our BR Ed Fox worked on that project. Ed and did not lose power during the cold Richmond nary artery blockages, and the docs put stents in.

Sue Fox are hunkered down at their bed and days. Dick Youngblood still goes to MCV for He’s done so well that his primary care doctor breakfast, and neither of them has received their his monthly check and every now and then goes gave Dave an A+ for his progress. Dave goes to shots. Sue is on a list, and Ed said the Veterans for a drive in his BMW sporty car. He can’t stop cardiac rehab three times a week and, on the odd

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes days, mows their meadow with his little tractor.

Doug Popp was recently diagnosed with leukemia and started chemotherapy at the University of Wisconsin. Mollie and the kids are being very supportive, and without them, Doug doesn’t know what or how he could get anything done.

Jack and Nancy Bell spent this past year at home to protect themselves and others. They got their shots and hope to see their children and grandchildren this summer. (Maybe reunion?)

Holmes Smith is fine, but Jeanette had a medical procedure for her heart. I have no details.

Hershel Murray is doing pretty well. Cinny said they feel blessed to be in sunny Florida during COVID-19. Attending the reunion is a long shot.

Jim and Connie Oliver were in Montana for three weeks so Connie could visit with her siblings. Jim said her dreaded disease continues to take its toll, but they continue to live life as normal as possible.

My rat roommate, Tom Whalen, received bad news when his orthopedic surgeon told him that reverse shoulder surgery was required, and this will end his skiing career. Tom decided to continue skiing and tolerate the discomfort.

I talked to Judith Elliott. Dave Elliott is in a total care facility care unit. Except for his memory, he is in fair condition.

Bill and Connie Nelms received their COVID-19 shots, and Connie’s surgery went well.

Joyce Gibbings recovered from her fall. Bill Gibbings, on the other hand, has had difficulty in returning to his old self. During the past months, he has been very weak, and bringing his hemoglobin level up is a challenge. Bill was back in the hospital to get a gallbladder removed. The gallstones infected several vital organs, and as I was preparing these notes, I learned that he will require additional surgery.

Ray Hanlein was in the hospital for several days due to an infection caused by something.

Ray was sent home and is recovering without identifying the infection.

Lynn and Shirley Hartford have been looking for a house, and finally, their offer for a house in Foresthill, California, was accepted. They are now about 20 minutes from where they used to live. The Hartfords will be at the reunion.

Andy and Peggy Myruski are finally home in Virginia. They stayed longer in Naples so Peggy could get her second shot. Andy said he would have better luck winning the lottery than getting a COVID-19 shot appointment.

Bill and Dani Redd are feeling good and ready for the reunion.

COVID-19 inquiries brought out a few brother rats we have not heard from in a while: John

Class of 1961: At the memorial service for Dennis Curtis are (front, from left) Sal Vitale, Robert Williamson, Dick Youngblood, Judy Youngblood, Hugh Gouldthorpe, Jerry Curtis, Sue Vitale, Jerri Wetsel, (rear) Sue Daniels, Bill Daniels, and Larry Wetsel. The service was at Martin’s Brandon Episcopal Church in Burrowsville, Virginia, April 18, 2021.

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McDougal, Pete Roberts, Hill Browning, Don Fang, and Dunbar Hoskins and are OK. Paul Goldman was not receiving my emails, but his wife, Rae, did. I called him and on the phone, and we still could not figure it out. (Should have called my grandson.)

John and Irene Gangemi have difficulty in traveling. I will miss my paesano, John, at the reunion.

Elaine Wilkinson was able to get her shots and said it is comforting to know that she is at least 95% protected. Elaine always remains within a 10-block radius of her New York City apartment. She has no date for Don’s interment.

Dave Harbach is still adjusting. He has again taken up golf and hired a pro to help him. I hear that Dave will have to give Spike Callander strokes. Dave spent Easter Sunday with my family in Severna Park, and we had a wonderful time with “Uncle Dave.” Mary and Spike Callander are doing OK. Spike volunteered to chair our class reunion golf outing.

Skip and Harriotte McDannald are homeless and have started construction on an addition to their son’s house in Atlanta. The McDannalds will be at the reunion, and Jim Harrison will be traveling with them.

It is confirmed that Ken Ayala has moved to Asheville to be with his son, Steven.

Bill Hala’s younger son, Wendell, was married in the little “campers’ church” in Canada by Bill’s brother, a Presbyterian minister. Bill says the ashes of all immediate family members are in the lawn of his Canada cottage. Bill finally received permission from the Canadian government, and he is with Irene. Unless the border fully opens, he will not attend the reunion.

Gerry Eubank’s son, Chris Eubank ’91, took command of the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command located at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Megan Powell Bennett was very pleased that our Brother Rat Bill Powell was finally inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame and the Distinguished Member of Regiment. Yeah!

I am sure Mike Bissell is looking down from heaven and smiling as his daughter-in-law, Marti Bissell, pinned on her second star. Marti is married to Gary Bissell ’89.

Larry and Joann Respess have stayed close to home. Getting shots in Williamsburg was so difficult that Larry and Joann drove several hours to a facility in North Carolina for their

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Class Notes Nelms. Bill Daniels is back using a cane. the 100 friends and family in attendance for the first and second shots.

I was very pleased that a few of our widows and service, several of our brother rats were there, inThe Crows and Burkes are doing OK in The brother rat siblings have committed to coming to cluding Sal and Sue Vitale; Robert Williamson; Villages and plan to be at the reunion.

I received comments from brother rats con- the reunion and at this time are Gaylia Hudgins, Larry and Jeri Wetsel; Bill and Sue Daniels; Dick cerning events at VMI. I appreciate your points Geraldine Nicholas Moore, Sue Patrick, Peggy Al- and Judy Youngblood; and Hugh Gouldthorpe, of view and have done my best to communicate ligood, Megan Powell, George VanOrden, Megan Dennis’ roommate, who drove nine hours to be there. The reception after the service was outstandthem to the appropriate authorities. A new super- Ederle, Paula Hill, and Ann McCormick. ing. This past quarter was heartbreaking. We lost intendent is in place, and I communicated to Maj. COVID-19 has kept families from having funerfour brother rats and a sister rat.

Gen. Wins ’85 we wish him good luck and sin- als for our brother rats in a timely manner. Dennis Leonard G. Christie Jr., M.D., passed away cerely hope he is the correct person for this time Curtis was finally laid to rest. A celebration of his March 6, 2021, from complications of Parkinson’s in VMI history. During one of the Zoom sessions life was held April 18, 2021, at the Martin’s Branwith the Board of Visitors, I was surprised to see don Episcopal Church in Burrowsville, Virginia. disease. Judith Christie sent Harrison Fridley a Charlie Finnigan on the agenda. Charlie did a The church was built in 1855, and Dennis’s great- note and said Len coped with the disease for five great presentation. grandfather was the master carpenter. The church years, and at the time of his departure, his family I also enjoyed learning about Jim Bickford’s is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was with him. Len was an assistant professor of family association with VMI. Bickford’s wife, several of its beautiful stained-glass windows were cardiology at Dartmouth and the University of Blair, is a direct descendent of a New Market ca- designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. In addition to Florida before practicing for many years in Eugene, Oregon, where he established the det. Jim’s VMI family lineage includes Oregon Heart Center at Sacred Heart HosJVB 1896, JVB Jr. 1924, JVB III ’61, and pital.

JVB IV ’86. Jim said the stories his grandPublic health became an interest when father told, like going down in the mornLen volunteered in Haiti during his resiing to the Nile and breaking the ice to get dency and again after he retired. He rewater, seem harsh by today’s standard. As turned to Johns Hopkins to earn his Master that old saying goes, “The older we get, of Public Health degree after volunteering the tougher it was.” in South Africa. Len had interests beyond Bill Maurer continues to do research medicine, and he is remembered by many and write articles. His latest publication for raising llamas and sheep and for drivis in the Square Magazine (London, Enging his tractor and beloved 1965 Porsche. land), published monthly, in digital form Class of 1961: Kent and Burt Modine had lunch with Lou only, and is free to read. Bills Maurer’s and Pris Shuba at Olivia’s in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, April In 2015, Judy and Len returned to New England and settled on Cape Cod. A celarticle was titled, “Brother Sir Moses 22, 2021. ebration of his life is planned for later this Jacob Ezekiel [’866]: Two Statues and summer.

Enjoyable Research.” It was a very timely and Edward Randolph Aylor passed March 11, interesting article.

2021. Randy graduated from Culpepper Senior George Henning, Wyatt Durrette, and Sal ViHigh School in 1957 along with several of our tale were interviewed by Barnes & Thornburg other brother rats. He attended VMI (Company consultants concerning racism at VMI. I wonder A) and left at the completion of his rat year. Ranwhat they thought of our answers. dy then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in In April, the Richmond ’61 brother rats Europe between 1961-63. After returning from group had their first breakfast together, and I duty, Randy and Marlene resided in Minneapolis, invited myself. The evening before, I stayed Minnesota, where Randy worked for the City of with Rocky Stone, and we went to dinner with Bloomington as a civil engineer. In retirement, Rocky’s daughter, Jane, and BR Bill Nelms. We he built their dream home in the Ozark Mounhad a great time. The breakfast scheduled for tains. In his later years, he resided in Lebanon, Joe’s In and Out Restaurant was canceled due Missouri. to an employee with COVID-19. The breakThomas William Alvey Jr. died Wednesday, fast was moved to the Brick House in MidloMarch 24, 2021, at the senior care facility the thian. In attendance were Rhett Clarkson, Bill Arbors at Parkway Gardens in Fairview Heights, Daniels, Bill Nelms, Dick Youngblood, Dick Class of 1961: Lee Badgett with his stepIllinois. Tom called me about a year ago and said Jarvis, Wyatt Durrette, and Russell Stone. daughter, Nancy Pierce, who checked in he had Alzheimer’s and he would have difficulty Missing were Bill Phillips and our departed with him at his senior living apartment in communicating as time went on. He asked me not Dennis Curtis and his VMI flag. Clarkson is in Boulder, Colorado, May 1, 2021. to mention it to anyone. I spoke with Mary Hite, good health, as are Jarvis, Durrette, Stone, and

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes and she said thankfully Tom died peacefully.

Tom began practicing law at Pope and Driemeyer law firm in East St. Louis, Illinois, and continued practicing for more than 50 years in the St. Louis metro east, ending his lifelong career with Thompson Coburn in Belleville, Illinois. Tom specialized in the defense of personal injury lawsuits.

“J.D.” Jack Miller said he and Tom were in the Army Reserve before VMI. They were assigned to a control group on the same set of orders at the start of our rat year. Jack still has the orders. A celebration of Tom’s life is scheduled sometime in the future. Interment will be at West View Cemetery in Radford, Virginia. Tom will be buried next to his brother-in-law, Gene Grayson ’58. I asked Mary Hite to let me know the date for the interment.

Charles Henry “Bud” Alligood went to heaven March 26, 2021, to be with his first wife, Jeannette. His current spouse, Peggy called to tell me he passed peacefully at 4:18 a.m. after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A kinder gentleman can’t be easily found. Peggy said Bud was dressed in his red, white, and yellow sweater and wearing his VMI pajamas. Jerry Austin was his roommate, and Beverly Austin Hanlin stayed in touch with Buddy over the years. Bud served in both Band Company and Company A. Barry and Elizabeth Orndorff attended the funeral, as well as several other VMI people.

Bud had a longtime career with Burlington Industries as an industrial engineer and was never known to miss a day for sickness. He continued his career after Burlington’s glass fabrics division was sold and became the current BGF. Bud worked tirelessly to earn BGF the coveted ISO quality management certification. Though Bud still was enjoying work and was instrumental to his company’s success, he retired as BGF’s vice president early to be by the side of his beloved wife, Jeannette, after she experienced health issues. I remember Bud could not attend reunions because he could not leave Jeannette alone. Bud loved life and quickly made friends with his cheerful demeanor and quick wit. Bud loved people, history, reading, golf, and sports generally, and stood loyally by his VMI Keydets through many a challenging football season.

Bud created an athletic scholarship to honor his first wife. Bud, above all, was a loving and devoted brother rat and will be missed especially by me. He was Uncle Bud to my family.

Charles Lynnhaven Manly passed May 8,

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2021, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—Lou Gehrig’s disease. I talked to his wife, Pauline, and she said his condition had deteriorated rapidly. The lung specialist told Charlie that only machine assistance could keep him alive, and Charlie decided that he was ready to leave this abode for a better one, and he did. His children were with him. Charlie had a memorial service at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Marshall, Texas, and Dave Thomas read the lessons and Psalms. Charlie was interred with full military honors at the Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

Anne Cunningham Woodfin, 82, wife of our brother rat, John Howlett Woodfin, peacefully passed away at home Feb. 11, 2021, after battling a decades-long inoperable brain tumor and accompanying illnesses. John and Anne founded Woodfin Oil, which at the time was a small home heating oil company. As chairwoman of the board, Anne and John grew the company into Woodfin Heating, Inc. which became one of the largest privately held plumbing, electrical, HVAC, energy, and assorted businesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

In 1994, Anne was appointed by Gov. George Allen as a member of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors. In 1996, Anne was left to cast the deciding vote to admit women to VMI. The Woodfin VMI legacy includes John; her son, Jack Woodfin ’91; grandson, Johnny Villani ’15; and granddaughter, Virginia Villani ’19, who graduated 23 years after the vote to admit women to VMI. Anne attended our 50th Reunion and was hoping she would be at our 60th. The Woodfins have a soft spot in my heart. I will always remember the first brother rat Valentine’s gettogether at the Woodfin home. It was during that visit we were introduced to the Virginia Historical Society and met their director, Charlie Bryan ’69. For many years, we celebrated Valentine’s by gathering with the Woodfins and brother rats. A graveside service was to be held at Hollywood Cemetery Monday, Feb. 15, 2021.

I hear that many of you are not receiving emails from either VMI Alumni Agencies or me. I learned that if you ever sent one of my or VMI’s emails to spam, an electronic message is sent to the sender and this automatically eliminated future messages from us to you. So be careful what you do! Until we see you again, be safe and God bless America, VMI, and you.

1962

Monty Williams Jerry Burnett

It is hard to believe that May 2021 is here and our 60th Reunion will be in just nine months.

Time does fly. My wife, Carol, has a saying that life is like a roll of toilet paper—the faster it goes as you reach the end. I hope that it is not true for us. Please, everyone, stay safe and get vaccinated so you can make it to the 60th.

We have lost two brother rats since the last notes.

Joe Bateman passed away April 2, 2021.

Joe was a good student, star athlete, and allaround nice guy at Lawrence High School. In 1957, he graduated from Lawrence High School where he was senior class president and played football. He was the guy who stayed out of trouble but looked out for friends who jumped feet first into mischief—never judging, always protecting.

After graduating from Lawrence High, Joe spent one year at VMI; it was one of the most formative years of his life. A football injury and family responsibilities brought him home after that year, but he felt a close kinship with his brother rats, keeping in touch with many of them for over 55 years.

After VMI, he attended classes at Northern Essex Community College. He graduated from Salem State in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned a Master of Education Science degree at Boston University in 1970. For years, when he took us to Red Sox games, he’d park in the BU parking garage and recount parking there as a grad student while we walked the blocks to Fenway.

Douglas Fielder passed away April 28, 2021, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Doug grew up in the D.C. area and went to VMI. He then attended the University of Virginia for his master’s and doctoral degrees in physics, completing them in 1967. He served two years active duty in the Army, ending at the rank of captain. In 1968, he married Dorothy Scott Davis of Staunton, Virginia. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in July 2018. In 1969, they moved to Oneonta, New

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Class Notes carrying their bags recently when all carts were York, where Doug began teaching at the State Uniconfined to the paths. He did reduce the weight by versity College at Oneonta. He taught there until only carrying seven clubs. He didn’t quite shoot his retirement in 2000. He served as department his age but close enough to brag to his buddies. chair for several years. Doug and Scott lived in They made their fifth trip to Africa over Christmas Chaseville (Town of Maryland) from 1972 until to visit their daughter, Kelley, and her two boys 2009 when they moved to a home at the Plains who have lived in Zimbabwe now for about nine at Parish Homestead in Oneonta. Over the years, years. They’re doing well with limited restrictions Doug was active in several organizations, includduring the pandemic, although they recently ening Schenevus Rotary, Adirondack Mountain dured another lockdown when cases increased in Club, Executive Service Corps, Center for ConHarare. He thinks the residents there have built tinuing Adult Learning, First United Methodist up some antibodies due to the sometimes less Church, and photo ops. He served on the Schenthan hygienic conditions on the continent. At least evus School Board for several years. His favorthat’s his unscientific opinion. They tested negaite hobby was photography, and in earlier years, tive before departing and again when returning as he enjoyed running and hiking. He ran in many required by the airline. He and Pat Morrison, Tom marathons. The Fielders, along with Currie and Class of 1962: Gordon White receiving a Coulbourne, Robert Evans were doing lunch a Virginia Marr, led a Parkinson’s disease support captain’s shirt and cap. couple of times a month or so and look forward to group for several years. Doug and Scott enjoyed restarting when the weather and virus conditions traveling especially after they both retired. Some improve. of their favorite trips were to national parks of the Edmund and Margie Strickler are doing well southwest, Ireland, Costa Rica, the Galapagos, and other than the fact that he tore his right rotator Iceland. They enjoyed presenting programs on cuff last August and had to have surgery, but all their travels. is well. He has regained full range of motion but Davis Merrey reports that he and Barbara are still needs more strength in some areas. The healdoing great. Everyone is healthy and happy. Their ing would probably go faster if he were 40 years family business is busy—revenue up 20% over younger. They have both received their second last year. Recently for his birthday, his family arCOVID-19 vaccine shots, so he guesses that now ranged a surprise “drive by” of friends, neighbors, means they are immortal! They haven’t been RV customers, church folks, etc.—honking their horns traveling in over two-and-a-half years, so that is and dropping off cards and presents, all while obnow over. It was a wonderful experience. They serving COVID-19 protocols. Very cool! He and visited all 50 states, parts of Mexico, and Canada Barbara, along with their son and daughter and and enjoyed every minute of it. He remembers befive grandkids, went to an old-fashioned hymn ing class agent from 2002-07 and visiting brother sing at a country church on his birthday. rats in about 18 states. Since they haven’t been RVTom Henriksen reports since he stepped down ing in some time, they have relocated to Staunton, from his administrative post at the Hoover InstituVirginia, where they will be closer to family. This tion 17 years ago, he has written four books and will put them close to his brother, Michael ’71, lots of other publications. He is struggling to finish Class of 1962: Rosser Bobbitt in rescue in Lexington, and Margie’s brother and sister in another book before he becomes any more infirm. squad attire.

Fredericksburg. It will also put them close to their The subject is about America’s wars and conflicts “property” in Oak Grove Cemetery, formerly from the end of the Cold War to the present. the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery.

Bowles Pender says that he and Patsy are As a side note, he was born in Stonewall’s staying pretty close to home and abiding by home in 1940. (It was the Lexington hospital all the guidelines for COVID-19. Their boys at the time.) He guesses he will eventually and families (one in D.C. and one in Portreturn to the beginning. land, Oregon) are doing well. Their oldest Tom Meler advises that Saturday, Feb. 20, grandson, John, is a freshman at Tufts University. He wanted to try the East Coast. He they had a snowstorm. He cleared the drivehas adjusted to the Boston weather. way with a snowblower, and Karen took the John and Bonnie Shelhorse are well. pups for a walk. He finished up the driveway, They’re surviving the pandemic thanks and Karen came home with the pups. They Class of 1962: Marcus Muth’s front porch railing—with to their golf courses being open whenevwere in the living room talking when he a visitor. er weather allows. They walked 18 holes suddenly got a pain in his left side and had

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Karen call 911. By the time the first responders arrived, the pain was gone. They took him to Beverly Hospital. Tests were done, and they decided to move him to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts. More tests were completed, and it was decided that he needed an operation. He had three blockages. A double bypass was the best option with the third blockage to be cleaned. The operation was completed Friday, Feb. 26. Things went very well, and he was discharged Tuesday, March 2. He says Karen has been fantastic in taking care of him, and he is getting better every day.

Nick Nicholson recently inherited (via Judy’s family) the 1895 Bomb from her paternal grandfather, Frank M. Nunnally ’898 of Petersburg, Virginia. A couple of interesting items were found: A handwritten note probably penned by Frank is quoted relative to the Class of 1898: “Feb. 1, 1897.

Nineteen left out of 102 that entered in September 1894.”

A piece in the Bomb citing a letter from, “T.J. Jackson, Professor of Natural and Ex. Philosophy, V.M.I, Antreville, Oct. 22, 1861, ... at the close of hostilities, I desire to assume the duties of my chair and accordingly respectfully request that, if consistent with the interest of the Institute, the action of the Board of Visitors may be such to admit of my return upon the restoration of peace.”

He also has an 1896 Bomb, although several pages have been torn from it. He’s made arrangements to send both to the VMI Museum.

Ware Smith reports that Gordon White was recognized as captain of the men’s 3.5 U.S. Tennis Association tennis team at Ole Porte tennis club.

The team is headed to the North Carolina state championships May 13-15.

Weldon and Nancy Eddins are doing really well and celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary in December. They currently spend about seven months in Hawaii, which has been their residence for over 50 years, and the rest of the year on the mainland. While on the mainland, they spend most of their time in Solomons Island, Maryland, but also travel around seeing family and friends.

They have been blessed with two great “kids” and seven wonderful grandchildren. Their son, Todd, lives two doors from them in Kailua. In December he was unanimously confirmed as a justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court which was an exciting and proud time for us all. Five justices serve on the Hawaii Supreme Court, and he was the first one confirmed in several years. He was a circuit court

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judge before his nomination to the Supreme Court.

Todd has four children, a son currently serving in the Coast Guard in Bahrain; a daughter, who is a sophomore at UCLA; a son, who is a junior in high school; and a “bonus baby” daughter who’s in the

Class of 1962: Pete Pettit wearing his VMI football SoCon champions T-shirt.

Class of 1962: Rosser and Kate’s granddaughter, Helena, with a VMI ’62 decal.

third grade. Their daughter, Beth Anne, currently lives in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. She and her husband own several hotels in Massachusetts and Connecticut. They have three children, a son, who graduated from Clemson and works for Goldman Sachs in New York City; a daughter, who graduated from Christopher Newport University last year and works for ADP in Norfolk; and a daughter, who is a junior at SMU in Dallas. They are normally in Kailua from December to June and would welcome any brother rats to visit if they happen to be on Oahu during this time frame. Dick and Jackie Ward have been several times, and many years ago De and Carolyn Worrell and family visited.

The Bobbitts are all doing well. All are vaccinated except the son and daughter-in-law in Belgium.

The Belgium crew are coming to visit them at Virginia Beach in July and will get their shots then.

Their granddaughter, Helena, is the apple of their eyes. Carl Jordan, rest in peace, was a high school classmate in Norfolk and his roommate all four years at VMI. They miss him but are in routine contact with his wife, Ellen, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She is doing OK with children nearby.

Kate is busy priesting at Galilee Episcopal Church, and Rosser is still heavily involved in supporting the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Don DeLuca got some good news recently. His treatment has overcome the cancer he had, and he is now cancer-free.

L.O. Pettit, known to most of us as Pete, had quite a day recently. Just days before his birthday in May, he had a knock-down, drag-out match against his perennial comrade/combatant Cowboy Bill Bull John. With winds gusting to 25 and having dropped a first nine contest by hairs, he led by a stroke coming into the final hole. Fighting a press challenge, the wind, the fatigue appropriate to the end of the round, he stepped up to the tee, steely-eyed with half-smoked stogy gripped firmly in his teeth, and let rip a superb drive well past his opponent’s. Second was another good shot. Then, on the third shot, he summoned magic. The shot looked good, then really good, then great as it fell in the hole for an eagle! Join me in congratulating Pete and wishing him many more eagles and great rounds. As his age rises but his golf skills continue, he should find it increasingly frequent to shoot his age. The above description was provided by his partner, Dr. John Partridge. See photo of Pete wearing his VMI football team SoCon champions T-shirt.

Ed Vinieratos reports that he has been reading

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Class Notes all the recent class messages.

Marcus Muth writes that, being an old man, he tries to take advantage of handrails—especially those leading down wet, slippery steps. Recently, he started to take advantage of the one at his front door. But he changed his mind and decided to go out the back. He sent a photo of the railing to explain why. It was a very wise decision.

That’s all I have now. Keep the info coming and stay safe.

1963

Michael J. Curley

Here we go ... another quarter, another set of notes. (Just seven more to go before our 60th Reunion in April 2023—like we don’t already feel old enough already, right?)

Let’s begin on a high note. Our Brother Rat Bob Nussey made a hole-in-one on the 15th hole at Brandermill Country Club this past March in Midlothian, Virginia. Says Bob, “Mike, if you put this in the Alumni Review, the page might go blank. It was on hole 15 at Brandermill Country Club. It was my first legitimate one; I had two before this, but they were on temporary Par 3s. Some of the guys might remember me.” I checked Bob’s vita on the VMI Ranks, and he indeed does qualify for the certified octogenarian “hole-in-one” award.

Congratulations, Bob! I’m sure you all know there are a lot of things going on in and around VMI these days. First off, a hearty congratulations from all of us in the Class of 1963 to our new 15th VMI superintendent, Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85. So far, he has proven himself to be most worthy and capable of the leadership position during these turbulent and difficult times, and we wish him continued success. As things are changing on a minute-to-minute basis, we’re not going to discuss those matters in this venue; however, you may stay up to date on critical VMI events at vmialumni.org.

Taps: From Bob Troxler, “Dear friends and family, many of you may have already received news that Nancy, my wife of 53 years, passed away a week ago after a lengthy battle with cancer. As I am sure you can appreciate, her loss is very distressing to our sons, their wives, our six grandchildren, and me. She was truly a force of

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nature who singlehandedly raised an entire family of wayward boys, including me, to become better people. Her loss is extraordinary for all of us, and not a day will pass where we will not miss her love and leadership of the family. I feel extraordinarily fortunate and blessed to have shared our lives together, spread across so many locations (Boston, New York—five times, Frankfurt, Brussels, Antwerp, London—and finally Geneva before returning to New York this past June)—disregarding my own extensive involvement in the Middle East.”

We grieve with you, Bob; may the angels take her home.

Tammy Horn sent this message to me in February. “VMI Alumni Association’s Norma Robinson graciously forwarded me your email regarding the passing of Tim Herty. I am not sure if you have heard about the passing of James Poindexter. I sent a text with information on a pregame event in Charleston, and his sister-in-law texted back saying he passed away Jan. 1, 2021. I don’t have an obituary for Mr. Poindexter at this time.” Thanks, Tammy! And to this date, we have no published obituary for Jim, either.

Last issue, we were treated to Tom Snyder’s interesting account of his travels. We discovered this man and his lovely and fit wife, Lynda, certainly walk a lot for recreation! We don’t know so much about W.O. (Graybeard) and Carolyn Jones, but they certainly have logged the airline and sailing miles! In this issue, Bill checks in with an exciting account of their world travels in his “WoJo travelogue.”

“Curleyrat has been after me for years to send in a piece about our various and sundry jaunts afar, and this time he said he would pay me what it’s worth ... if he was the sole judge ... so trusting in him, I’m giving it a try. Most were together, but I went to a few way-out spots with six or seven others who lacked adventurous partners, also. When I retired in ’98, Carolyn and I gave up sailing and started serious travel—on our own, sometimes with a guide, and some trips on 12 cabin purposebuilt boats. On our own, we drove Ireland, Scotland, England, Tuscany, and Provence. Fernando, our guide in Patagonia and Argentina, a fly fisherman and horseman, treated us like family. Fished with me while Carolyn rode with the gauchos and showed us the real side of Patagonia. A three-week safari in Kenya and Tanzania was managed quite well by Titus, our Kenyan lead guide who made sure we and our friends, Steve and Meg, were never far from a Bia Barridi (cold beer). A hot

air balloon ride at dawn was a fantastic seat from which to hover over the mass migration herds of wildebeests and zebras, harassed by hyenas and big cats, followed by breakfast next to a river teeming with hippos and a family of elephants watching us watch them. Carolyn and I and another couple chartered a 60’ trawler with a crew of captain, mate, and chef (‘don’t call me a cook!’) to explore Alaska’s Inside Passage in a most laidback style. Small boat trips included Costa Rica/ Panama, Scotland/Orkney, and the upper Amazon, each specializing in the culture and foods of the region. Other trips with small groups (20 or so) were based on art and architecture and included much of Europe; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Morocco. Barcelona was an architectural highlight, for sure. We selected Morocco to experience a totally different architecture, culture, and cuisine and were not disappointed. The souks, centuries-old marketplaces including businesses and housing within the larger cities, are still alive and bustling today and truly beyond description. We were fortunate to catch the Sea Cloud II, a 384’ hand-sailed replica of the Post yacht, and sail from Cadiz to Antigua tracing the route of Columbus, under full sail much of the voyage of 18 days, including a stop in Madeira.

I believe she is the largest fully hand-sailed boat in the world. We enjoyed spending time at Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado—three trips, I believe— for me to fish and Carolyn to trail ride and participate in the biannual roundups moving the cattle from the high country down to the winter pastures.

She was fearless in the saddle though she had no training other than her own determination; she was in fact a better rider than I was at landing trout.

Carolyn had no interest in going on my fishing or adventure trips, including fly fishing from Iceland to Labrador to Mexico to Argentina and points in between—salt and fresh water. A wide variety of fish and weather, salmon to bonefish to tarpon to all manner of trout. I spent eight days sailing on a 60’ catamaran and kayaking the Galapagos in one weather extreme and, a year later, two weeks kayaking/camping the east coast of Greenland fjords in the Arctic among icebergs and glaciers calving more as the sound of Greenland thunder permeated the unbelievably clear atmosphere. Greenland consists of rock, water, ice, and air. A camping/ kayak trip to Manitoba allowed for wilderness time along the South Knife River, dropped off by floatplane with our gear, followed by a five-day paddle to Churchill on Hudson Bay, the summer home of Beluga whales and polar bears, where we

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes times. By the time I wake up in the morning, the paddled with the whales while the bears watched cycler will have completed its work, and I can us from shore as we sure watched them. Churchill unplug and go about my normal activities all day. is the summer home for a lot of polar bears who Sounds good! I’ll let you know how it works out come south to have their cubs and are stranded for me after I’ve used it for a while. Of course, until the bay refreezes and they can return north. the only permanent solution to the problem of my Combining my love of dogs with my cold weather failed kidneys is to receive a kidney transplant kick, five of us and two guides mushed our own from either a live or deceased donor. I encoursled with six dogs each on a two-hundred-mile age anyone who has ever considered becoming round trip from a remote northwest Alaska lodge an organ donor to investigate the process of beto the northern base of Mount Denali. The deafencoming a living kidney donor, since it’s one of ingly beautiful silence of the day was broken only the few situations where you can donate without by the sled’s runners kissing the snow as a lead risking your own health. We are born with two into the night symphony after moonrise when the kidneys, even though one is all that is needed for wolves began their mournful howl only to be ana normal life. So, we could give life to another swered by our 50 dogs ... wow! Carolyn and I feel person who otherwise will eventually lose the most fortunate to have done so many things and Class of 1963: Pat and Gwen Kelly celability to survive on dialysis alone. Give it some have settled down for physical reasons in the last ebrating their 30th wedding anniversary thought. Prayers are also welcomed!” You certhree years. We do enjoy the memories, however!” pandemic style. tainly have those, Pat. Sadly, Pat Kelly is wrestling with renal failure.

“Having lunch with the smilHe writes, “Today, I received ing Irishman (aka J.P. and Gwen word that I will be going into hosKelly) and his bride Thursday at pital on Wednesday next to have the Islander Tiki Bar and Grill the kidney dialysis tube installed in Palm Beach Shores. His son into my lower stomach area. This lives 15 minutes away. Should is the first step in getting me set be fun and we will take pictures up on peritoneal dialysis. After to be sure. Frank Allison.” that laparoscopic operation, I will More from Pat: “Mike, here have a plastic tube in me that can is a photo of us in Florida with then be connected to the dialythe (Bob) Byrds and (Tom) Mysis equipment. After the incision ers last Thursday (?). Just had a has healed, the doctor will denice chat with Bob Earle who cide when dialysis is to begin. reported he fell and cut his arm Meanwhile, I’ll be taking trainrecently. Otherwise doing well. ing at the local dialysis clinic.

Class of 1963: Bill Jones (third from left) enjoying a two-week kayaking/hiking Tomorrow I get my dialysis tube There, I’ll learn how to hook up trip along the coast and fjords of East Greenland in 2007. implanted. Pray all goes well. and disconnect from the equipRegards, Pat Kelly.” ment, as well as cleaning and “Mike, what a sweet idea to maintaining the in-home equippublish the Christmas cards and ment. Once the base shipment of pictures! I spent over an hour supplies arrives and is stored at in wonder at what the Institute, home, I can begin nightly dialyamong other things, has given sis treatments. At bedtime, I will us in enriching the lives of the load the bag of solution into the members of ’63 and the variety ‘cycler’ machine, hook myself of their contributions to society. up to it (it has a long coil of tubAfter 43 years of enjoying our ing attached), and turn on the aulovely home on the 16th hole tomatic controls. Then I can go in my hometown of Newport to sleep. The extra tubing allows News, I sold it. It stood empty me to get up during the night, if six months of the year, and I was needed, without interrupting the process. Overnight, the machine Class of 1963: The swamp rats plus one, (from left) Mike Curley, John Mills, its only occupant. Family gone.

Bill Bell, Beau Walker, Bob Walton, Fred Lanier, and Bob Powell celebrate a Since Connie died in ’17, I have will pump fluids out and put return to the Hampton Yacht Club April 14, 2021. spent a lot of time at our house in fresh solutions into me several

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Class Notes Patnesky.” You’re in the right place, doFlorida. Moving out was rending. Thank ing the right thing, Ed ... we missed you! goodness for golf, an outdoor activity that On the loss of Lt. Gen. Jeffrey G. has carried me through the pandemic.

Smith ’43, we received many responses I tested positive in December, quaranto the announcement; however, one of tined, recovered, and now am faced with the most complimentary emails was whether to get vaccinated. Anyway, it was from Tony Holtry. “Mike, as with many great to see the cards and notes, especially of our BRs, I didn’t have a lot of ‘love’ from my roomies Pete Brunel, looking for our commandant, but I did have a lot younger all the time, and Doug Sterrett. of respect. In our 1st Class year (class My heart breaks for him and Rachel. Altrip), he arranged for Pres and me to zheimer’s takes our loved ones while they accompany him to Arlington Cemetery still live. I will return to Newport News in to visit our father’s grave (our father May and try to stay away from my partdied in our 3rd Class year). Lieutenant ner’s law office. I am drawn there like Class of 1963: Bob Powell and John Thornton ’64 hunting a magnet despite being retired. Always pheasants in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, in March 2021. Powell’s General Smith also had a father interred there. It was a gesture that Pres and I thanks for your magnificent service as our shotgun was a gift from his friend, Gene Grimsley. never forgot. As a cadet, I agreed with class agent extraordinaire. You can’t know most of his objectives but almost never with how much it means to stay connected to our class his methods. At his death, I mourn a man who and VMI. Bill Cowardin.” served his country better than most. May he rest “Mike, I wanted you to know that I spoke today in peace. Tony.” by telephone with Pete Ippolito’s son, John, in Breaking news from Hobbs Goodwin after California. The situation and logistics remain diffiwatching the Wofford game, March 27, 2021: cult because of the coronavirus situation. But John “Mike, hope you watched the game. I did. I am is obviously strong. He specifically expressed apexhausted. I watched it on my phone. I played preciation for your telephone call and the call from the whole game! The coach kept me on the field Gil Minor. You may not recall, but about January the whole time. Hobbs.”

1963, Pete and I and several others drove together And finally, a bit from Linda Crowley: “At up to New Jersey where I was scheduled for a Blackberry Mountain, Tennessee, celebrating graduate school interview. Before our return, we Frank Drake’s 80th; the sign he’s holding says, were hosted by Pete’s mother and extensive family ‘Go away.’” And who’s the guy beside him? Oh for a wonderful lunch. A beautiful family occasion, yeah, that’s “The Crow,” isn’t it? enhanced by obvious great pride and affection by There’s no way we can sign off without offering all members of the family for Pete. Will Crisp.” our heartfelt thanks to Coach Scott Wachenheim Jim Key writes, “Can the cigars and enjoy the and the whole damn team for not only bringing Irish; you’ll live longer and not smell as bad. My home the Silver Shako but also winning the Southcondolences to you and the Class of 1963.”

Class of 1963: Bob Nussey with his holeern Conference championship. You all showed the “Hi, Mike. I think that you are smart to stay out in-one ball at the Brandermill Country Club in Midlothian, Virginia. spirit! of all this back and forth. I’m with you and GreyYou all, stay safe and stay well! beard (W.O. Jones) totally. ... Far better to concurleyrat centrate on the big 60th. If there is anything that I place them at two tables. So, my question to you can do to help with, please let me know. Thanks, is this: Are any of you interested in gathering for Jimmy Hoge!” lunch next month, Wednesday, April 14?” You bet Bob Walton sent out this email in early April. “I we were! hope this note finds you well as we look forward to “It has been a long arduous year with COV- John R. Cavedo slowly returning to some degree of normalcy over ID-19 and getting back together for all who have the next few months. I spoke with the club man- been vaccinated and are good to go is a great time ager at the Hampton Yacht Club yesterday about to rebound. I may or may not attend, as my wife their current operating protocols. He said that Gerry has been fighting stage 4 lung cancer since First, please note my mailing address change while the governor was relaxing rules about the August and has finished her chemo and radiation number of guests allowed for indoor and outdoor and now will start immunotherapy. I have been shown above. On May 20, we moved from Ordining, effective April 1, the HYC planned to limit her 24-hour caregiver, and I would like to have mond Beach, Florida, to Cape Coral, Florida. It’s the number of people at any one table to nine. If the option to attend if I can find someone to sit on the southwest coast beside Fort Myers and north of Naples. We’re renting while our new the group of people exceeds that number, he would for me and she is doing well enough that day. Ed

1964

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes home is being built. We don’t expect the new house to be completed until mid-2022. Details to follow in later class notes and emails. The primary reason for our move is to remain in the vicinity of one of our sons. Age has its rewards, but it also comes with new concerns. While our health is excellent at present, things can change in a hurry.

There is no change to either mine nor Sherrel’s phone numbers or email addresses.

We lost another brother rat since the last notes.

This time, it was Pete Mazik. As his health became worse, Pete sold his country place outside Lexington a couple of years ago and moved to Colorado to be near his son. He died in March.

According to Pete’s wishes, the family had no obituary and no official memorial service. The Class of ’64 did send flowers to the family.

Several brother rats sent short memories of Pete.

Bill Welsh: “Pete was a great guy, and I was fortunate to serve with him in Vietnam in 1964-66 in the 1st Infantry Division. Along with Charlie Cole, Colonel Lewane ’50B, and me, Pete was always fun to see and visit with. Over the years, I always enjoyed getting emails from Carbine 6 which kept me up to date in the technical world.”

Mike Murphy: “I never played football, and rather than being assigned to Alpha or Foxtrot Company, I was a squat butt in Charlie Company.

Nevertheless, Pete and I became friends early in our cadetship—close enough even that he came home one Thanksgiving to spend time with me my family in Arlington, Virginia. I still have a Polaroid of Pete and me standing in my family’s living room, each of us wearing our white class sweater.”

Mary Thrasher: “Pete was a groomsman at our wedding. He has a special place in my heart.”

This issue of the class notes was a pleasure to write. Quite a few of you submitted notes or photos or called to bring me up to date. Thanks to you special correspondents.

Al Fiorini sent in a short note after he and a teammate won their local golfing championship.

“At this writing, Pat and I are in good health and playing a lot of golf. We both get our second COVID-19 shot next week. I am still working as chief executive officer at KCC but no longer involved in day-to-day. Our manufacturing continues to grow as business remains brisk. At our current pace, we hope to have approximately 2,000 employees and million square feet within five years. Who would have guessed? It has been painful to hear about so many deaths of our classmates. Hope Andy

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Tucker has continued to improve from his health issues.

“The attached photo came from our golf pro where my partner and I won the season-long match play overall championship, and I won the Senior Club Championship over the last several weeks. I believe the VMI hat made the difference in all three championships I have won this year.”

Most of you know that Al spends the winters in

Class of 1964: Matthew Keane ’21, recipient of the 2021 New Market Legacy Award, was both a catcher and pitcher for the Keydet baseball team. He was not able to receive the award at the ceremony because there was a game scheduled at the same time.

Class of 1964: Tom and Penny Sebrell at home in Tennessee in January 2021.

Naples, Florida. Shortly, he’ll be our neighbor, as Naples is only 40 miles from Cape Coral.

Tom Davis also sent, “Here’s a note from Helen and me, saying what a wonderful time we had with Hank and Elizabeth Cronin in their lovely Lexington home this past weekend.

“A highlight for Hank and me was attending the football game on Saturday afternoon and witnessing the 31-17 win over The Citadel. Weather was great, and most of the Corps was present. Major General Wins ’85 was there, too, and recognized when he received the Silver Shako. Our passing game that day was outstanding. The VMI football team—this year’s Southern Conference champions. Now on to the game on Saturday in Harrisonburg against James Madison University. We are now in the FCS national playoffs!”

By now, you know we lost that game. But only after the best winning percentage since the 1970s.

Apparently, several BRs interpreted an email I sent regarding activities at VMI as an indication I was thinking of quitting as class agent. No such thing. I’m here for the duration. Or until senility hits me. Both my sons already believe it has. Like Rodney Dangerfield, “I get no respect.”

In that light, I got a nice email from Richard Beatty: “Mickey and I spent the winter in Montana.

Mickey was a nurse in Kalispell for 53 years, and she gets better care here than in Tacoma, Washington. Mickey is getting better, and her heart medicine is working. We hope to return to Tacoma in August, as two years ago, Mickey had 7 feet of snow on her roof, and our Tacoma [home] had a few half inches of snowflakes on the roof.”

Cliff Crittsinger, a reliable and regular correspondent, provided the following recap of funding for the classes two designated funds: “Below are the latest figures available concerning the two funds the Class of 1964 continues to sponsor: Class of 1964 New Market Hall of Valor Renovation Fund (#7748)—$87,882.88 and the Class of 1964 Cadet New Market Legacy Award Fund (#7879)—$36,536.57. In a conversation with Austin England of the VMI Foundation, accrued interest from the Renovation Fund is and will continue to be returned to that fund as long as it remains over $50,000.00.

“Additionally, in a later conversation with Col. Keith Gibson ’77, he plans on spending approximately $19,000-$20,000 from this fund to add to an existing $90,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia for a total project cost of $110,000 to renovate and restore 50-year-old

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Class Notes For the very first time, I heard from exhibits in the Virginia Room of the Tom Crenshaw. “Every quarter, I look New Market Hall of Valor. He stated forward to reading your class notes and that the pool of money generously prokeeping up with some of my friends vided by the Class of 1964 once again from the Institute. For the first time, made all the difference in completing here is a quick summary of life since much-needed work at this site. He of1962 when I left the Institute for the fered his sincere thanks and pledged Washington and Lee campus. I have a every effort in maintaining the fund kinship to Stonewall, Lee, and Washover the $50,000 level to infuse that ington—what a trifecta of military annual accrued interest. leadership.

“As for the CNMLA Fund, it will “I finally decided after almost 60 begin to retain accrued its own interest once it reaches the $50,000 level. I Class of 1964: Ed Seager, Tom Myers, Don Stickles, and Pete Mazik years to write and to say hello to all my brother rats. I left the Institute my hope that level will be reached in 2022 at the 50th Reunion in Lexington in 2014. sophomore year to attend Washington but can assure you it will surpass the and Lee and then Princeton Seminary. $50,000 amount in 2023.

I have spent over 50 years in seven dif“Finally, I have arranged to receive ferent churches, pastoring, teaching, an annual report from the VMI Founcoaching, and serving as an athletic dation concerning expenditures and director at Calvary Christian Academy donations over these two funds.” operated by Calvary Chapel, Fort LauI know every one of us appreciates derdale. Prior to that, I served on staff the time and money Cliff devotes to at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian while this cause. The New Market Award is teaching and coaching football and announced every year the day before basketball at their Christian school, these notes are due. Hopefully, with Westminster Academy, also in Fort Cliff’s help and the official VMI phoLauderdale. I am still pastoring a tographer, a photo of the award recipichurch in Middletown, New Jersey, ent will be included. coaching, writing, and doing some John Thornton: “As seen in a photo church consulting. I am married to my in the Class of 1963 notes (turn back Class of 1964: Bill and Marion Garber and Sandy and Dan DeForrest seminary sweetheart, Jean, the daugha couple of pages), I went pheasant at a baseball game in Bradenton, Florida, in February 2021. ter of my high school basketball coach hunting in Pennsylvania for three days and athletic director, and we have been married 51 with Bob Powell ’63 in March. We used my dog, years. Besides pastoring, I spend time coaching Bandit, who did great. He did a 200-plus-yard basketball; umpiring high school baseball; rooting blind retrieve and found, pointed, and retrieved for my favorite baseball team, the Indians; listenover 40 birds. I had the opportunity to go on two ing to classic country music; perennial gardenother hunts up there this winter, but that is about ing; fishing for smallmouths during the summer all I did. We also got the COVID-19 shots and are at our cottage in upstate New York; and spendready to roll. Maybe we can have a mini reunion ing time with my four children, all of whom are somewhere in the near future. teachers, and my 10 grandchildren, three of whom “I’ve been talking to Buzz Birzenieks after we live with in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, on the football games to share our elation with the wins Jersey Shore. Over the years, Brother Rat Bill and get info on the next game, injuries, etc. We Tornabene and Chuck Beale have stopped by to have been waiting, supporting, and hoping for say hello. Jean and I would welcome anyone who many, many years, but all of a sudden, some great is traveling in our area to stop by and say hello.” things are happening. Just wish I could have been Class Agent note: If you need Tom’s contact inforthere to witness it firsthand. I have talked to Walt mation, check your roster or give me a call.

Sykes several times and passed on Keydet Club George and Paula Warren spent quite a bit of emails and write-ups from various sources contime researching lost brother rats. Between me cerning the above. He sounds good, and he says and Tom Davis, we hope to find what happened he is getting along. I encourage anyone to contact Class of 1964: Al Fiorini with his club’s golf him, as he has been in seclusion for a long time. to those we’ve lost. trophy in Naples, Florida, in January 2021.

His number is (410) 707-6824.”

As those of you with email already know, Joe

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Class Notes Chompaisal is hoping to have another mini reunion in Thailand. Here is the email he sent asking for those interested. If you don’t have Joe’s email address, contact me and I’ll pass it on. Joe’s request: “Since it is a long way for all of you, do you agree that the duration should be at least two weeks? Therefore, I will start off with two weeks mandatory. I remember from the last time that we all agreed that $3,000 is not too much to spend for touring and accommodations during the two weeks. Even though a long time has passed, I will start with that number and see if we can come up with a good plan.

“Personally, since most of us are retired, I think three or four weeks are better, so I’d have to ask how many people would prefer three or four weeks and how much they would be willing to spend. I’d like to take you all back almost a thousand years and show you all the three recorded eras of Siam or Thailand. To do that, I will need at least three weeks. Please give me your feedback as soon as possible because the amount of expenses will be depending on the number of people.”

Tom Sebrell: “In March, the Sebrells, Garbers, and Crones rented a house in Bradenton, Florida, and had a great visit. We got to watch the Keydets win over Furman on big screen. This June, Penny and I are going to a ranch west to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for a week of riding, fly fishing, and eating too much. Later in July, we plan to fly to Bozeman, Montana, to visit my son and his three kids for a week. By the way, have you tried to rent a car lately? Good luck; there are none available this summer. In mid-September, the Bob Warrens, Thorntons, and Sebrells are going on a riverboat trip up the Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis and then driving back to our house.

All of us have had this trip on our bucket list for years. Obviously, it is great to have received our vaccinations and be able to freely move about the country.” Bill Garber sent a selfie of the group.

Over the past three months, I’ve received quite a few short emails from several brother rats. Most didn’t contain new information but were appreciated nevertheless: Bob O’Hara, W.J. Kitchen, Ed Seager, Mike Murphy, Dick Atkinson, Bob Warren, Bill Garber, Bill Crone, Dan DeForrest, and Marty Stango. I also exchanged several emails with Mary Jo Jordan and Ed Seager, mostly having to do with the potential trip to Thailand.

I was surprised in late April to get a Facetime call from Walt Sykes. He looks good and seemed to be comfortable in his facility in Maryland. He still

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was under a type of quarantine, which most everyone knows can get really tiresome. He had received both his COVID-19 shots and was hoping the quarantine restrictions would be lifted soon.

Hank Cronin and I talk on the phone regularly, as I do with Dick Atkinson, W.J. Kitchen, and Cliff Crittsinger.

By the time you get this Alumni Review, I’ll have an updated class roster mailed out via email.

Obviously, for those in the class who don’t have/ use email, you won’t receive one. Also, each month one or two emails will be returned “undeliverable.” Don’t forget to notify me and VMI if you change email address, phone number, or if you move.

1965

Mickey Finn

We are halfway through May, and Jane and I have enjoyed visits with both of our sons and their families without having to travel out of North Carolina. We remain ready to travel to Lexington, Virginia, if the opportunity presents itself for a gathering of the brother rats of ’65!

Perhaps the opportunity will be available in fall ’21. We shall see. Read on.

Carr Hyatt writes that he “was able to bring Larry Egan out to my home and watch the ETSU and James Madison games. We have a very good and talented football team with a lot of players returning next fall. I went to The Citadel game and saw Jack McEwan, Peter Trible, and Jeff Gausepohl at a distance in the stands. My best to you. Carr.”

Michael Degman lives in Alaska and reports, “Apparently, my last comment about changing a tire at negative 47 degrees Fahrenheit and the bears sleeping in wasn’t newsworthy enough.

Let’s try something else.

“It is now May, and we are in the middle of break up in Alaska. That is when ice breaks up on the surface of rivers, lakes, bays, etc., and local flooding often occurs at very frigid water temperatures, plus wind chill on top of that. The ice on the rivers is forming ‘ice jams,’ water flowing over the top of the jam and running up onto the land, into streets, etc., here in Fairbanks. Ice jams are a temporary news item on the daily weather

report here in Fairbanks.”

Johnny Mac Marshall excitedly reports, “This time, we have some very exciting news from Dallas. Jamie, some 20 years after graduating from law school in California, decided that it was time to take the bar exam! Of course, this was a great secret, and my job was to keep it quiet until the results came in. She took the examination in February, which was the first time that Texas allowed the Uniform Bar Examination (which has been adopted by 40 states plus D.C. and the Virgin Islands). No surprise, she passed with a score that is high enough to let her apply in all of those jurisdictions, which means that she can move anywhere she wants as a widow and make a good living. I had the honor of swearing her in May 1, and it was a great time for all of us (the first time I have ever been kissed after the swearingin). Of course, now that we have two lawyers in the same house, any disputes will have to be appealed to a higher court.

“In March, I conducted my lectures in Poland through Microsoft Teams, and I found it much superior to Zoom. The students all had a chance to interact just as if we were in a regular classroom, though they didn’t know that I was wearing shorts and had no shoes on during the lectures. That was fun. The remainder of the course,

Class of 1965: Johnny Mac Marshall, Jamie Marshall, and Victoria Marshall Smith at Jamie’s swearing in as an attorney in Texas. The brooch Jamie is wearing is a replica of the Maury Brooch in the VMI Museum.

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Class Notes the demonstration jury trial is set for October, and report, “I attended a small private ceremony for are able to get out more often. In March, the funeral for my brother, Spencer Wilkinson ’66, which Jamie and I will be going to Poland then ... if we my friend John O’Keefe in Norfolk last Saturhad been postponed a year because of COVID-19, can do so without being quarantined in Frankfurt. day. He passed away April. He and I had known “We are also hoping that it will work out for us each other at Norfolk Academy and VMI, and was conducted at Arlington National Cemetery. to have a reunion in Lexington in person sometime we played golf together off and on over years. In Spence was buried 10 feet away over the right in the autumn. Needless to say, other than shame- more recent years, John suffered from dementia. shoulder of BR Tom Lennon—two fighter pilots lessly discarding our masks after getting all of the Back in February, he had a fall that resulted in a ‘wingmen for eternity.’”

Bill Cather reports, “As things return to normal, COVID-19 shots, we don’t have any other big broken rib that punctured and eventually collapsed news at the moment. We hope all is well with all of one of his lungs. Family members were with him we are relieved that none of our extended family has had COVID-19. During this time, my sons the BRs. ’65! ’65! ’65!” when he died. His survivors include his wife, Jane, Charles Hough provided a photo and reports and son, Sills ’93, who is currently an attorney in and I have been acting as contractors building a that “19 BRs and two wives gathered just to be to- Augusta County, Virginia. John had been an avid 5,000-square foot lake house that we should be in gether. This monthly tradition was last celebrated fisherman, a long-time member of the Surf Casters by Memorial Day. There is room for a lot of BRs. in November 2019. We traveled from far and near. And Bull Shooters, and the service was attended Mia continues to have health problems: Kidney Bob Southworth lives just around the corner. by a number of his close fishing friends.” Thank stone, Watchman and a new pig valve, and inhome dialysis, but she still pushes on. I did my 20Warren Self left at 8 a.m. to travel from Chris- you very much, Beau! tiansburg, while Will and Sandy Scott drove up Bob Wilkinson reports, “We have weathered mile hike with the Scouts in January, so I’m good for another year. My two sons and my son-in-law from Leland, North Carolina, the evening before. (survived) the 400-plus days of COVID-19, and Seating was outdoors, so all enjoyed no masks Mary Lee and I have both been vaccinated so we are all assistant Scoutmasters in different Birmingham troops, and I couldn’t be and many smiles. We took an prouder. I did see the Samford informal poll, and all would like versus VMI football game, and I to have some form of reunion in think that was the first time I have Lexington in the fall of this year. seen a VMI victory in 50 years.

As the sun shone down, Ron Of course, I don’t see a game but Obenchain led us in prayer. We every few years.” felt most blessed to be able to be It is not often that I can report together, and short of a few small on a brother rat who has passed exaggerations, everyone was on and yet has left such a mark on their best behavior. Our server, his family. On the last day, thus Beth, said we were a nice group, the ending to these notes is “Wilbut it sure was difficult to keep son Mustian ’01 reporting in everyone straight with so many (Tom Mustian’s son). red shirts!”

“Thank you for so many wonBeau Walker ’63, a close Class of 1965: Mike and Bonnie Flinn ’80 and Johnny Mac and Jamie Marshall derful updates in the Alumni Refriend of our Brother Rat John in San Antonio, Texas, across the alley from The Alamo May 4, 2021. view. I always read the Class of O’Keefe, was kind enough to ’65 before even my own class. I am very proud to report Tom Mustian’s grandson, Alexander Ezzelle, matriculated Aug. 16, 2020, to become a member of the Rat Class 2021+3 (2024). Alexander’s parents are Anne Carroll Ezzelle (Tom’s daughter/my sister) and Brian Ezzelle, and Alexander graduated from Douglas S. Freeman High School in Richmond. This is a unique legacy.

Alexander was a week old when his grandfather passed away in 2002, but in that week, his grandfather secured Alexander’s provisional appointment for the Class of 2024. That provisional appointment was likely my father’s last official act Class of 1965: At an outdoor lunch in Warrenton, Virginia, May 5, 2021, are (front row, with the ‘I.’ Alexander came by his decision to from left) Chuck Hough, Richard Moring, Lou Siegel, Charlie Russell, Will Scott, and Ron Obenchain; (second row) Cliff Fleet, Harry Bartosik, Granny Amos, Fred Bishopp, matriculate independently, without pressure, and Irwin McCumber, Jeff Gausepohl, Warren Self, Jeff Wilkins, Bob Deaderick, Tom Howof course, without any undue influence, as in ‘you ard, Bob Southworth, Bob Wilkinson, and Wayne Chiles. can go to any school you want as long as it’s VMI’

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes (which is what my father jokingly told me). Alexander has been raised on the great stories of the Classes of ’65 and ’01, and the barracks walls will soon hear those tales witnessed so many years ago.

“Alexander’s mother (my sister) passed away in October after a long fight recovering from a sudden illness in December 2019. Alexander is one tough young man. He returned to the Rat Line within days of his mother’s funeral.

“Alexander pushed forward during both his own toughest year and one of VMI’s toughest years. He will be a corporal during his 3rd Class year.

“Please consider including this news in the next edition of the Alumni Review. In the Spirit, Wilson Mustian ’01.”

Our thanks to all of you, and we look forward to your input to issue 4. All together: ’65! ’65! ’65!

1966

Nick Hoskot

Brother Rats, Fifty-nine years ago, in late summer 1962, 357 young men (who would become the great VMI Class of 1966) matriculated. There are times when it doesn’t really seem like that long ago until we recall all the events which have transpired—some important and some trivial—since that day. So please, make one note or several to try and attend our 55th Reunion Oct. 4-5, 2021.

Come early, stay late, or just show up for a few hours! Your brother rats would be delighted to renew your acquaintance. If you need information or have questions, please contact Paul Robblee or any of the other committee members, Louthan, Maini, Martin, Odom, Richard, Sadler, Sensabaugh, or Willis, and they will be glad to provide the answers. And now to the ‘news’ items that comprise this edition of our class notes.

Hugh Jones wrote Paul Maini that, while not supportive of a “virtual” reunion, he would participate in whatever format the committee decided upon, and so he will be with us this October!

He also stated that all was well with him, Betsy, their two daughters, and four grandchildren. A significant part of his practice is real estate-related, and that business has been good. They are grateful and fortunate to have not been affected

by COVID-19, and he asks for our prayers for

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Class of 1966: Attending services for Spence Wilkinson at Arlington National Cemetery are (from left) Wayne Gray, Doug Richard, Ed Guida, Duane Williams, John Jumper, Randolph Williams, Dorcas Wilkinson, Joe Gesker, Parky Parkman, Clark Reifsnider, Montie Monteverde, Reyn Young, and Paul Robblee.

Maj. Gen. Wins ’85 and the VMI family. Joe Gesker attended the virtual VMI 11th Annual Ethics and Leadership Conference and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Brother Rat John Rowe gave a special presentation reflecting VMI alumni insight on principles of character and integrity. John’s presentation was run several times throughout the two-day exercise. Since a focus of the conference was on leadership, Joe applauded VMI for having cadets serve as “breakout” room facilitators. They were joined by cadets from The Citadel, a young lady from the University of Maine, a student from a college Joe could not recall, and a VMI professor. Joe wrote “thank you” notes to each but did not have the correct spelling of names or the specific addresses for each one.

His call to VMI was taken by a 2nd Class cadet manning a “help” desk who got Joe the information he needed. Joe was, again, impressed by VMI having cadets handle that responsibility and did not recall such a service being available when we were there. Joe feels that this conference is a very positive initiative and really enjoyed being with the youngsters of varying backgrounds and listening to their perspectives on life. Thanks for taking the time to attend, Joe. Randolph Williams assisted Dorcas Wilkinson with arrangements for Spence Wilkinson’s services at Arlington National Cemetery, and he provided a list of the 12 BRs who were able to attend in person: Doug Richard, Paul Robblee, Parky Parkman, Duane Williams, Wayne Gray, Reyn

Young, John Jumper, Ed Guida, Miguel Monteverde, Clark Reifsnider, and most of their wives. Randolph provided an aside about Spencer which I was unaware of: He approached his connection/life with VMI very seriously, both as a major contributor but also provided hundreds of hours in support of various class functions, including our 50th Reunion. During the service for Spence, these words came to John Jumper: “We are all inspired to hold dear VMI’s core values.

We owe current and future cadets a VMI where, 55 years from their graduation, brother rats will assemble in numbers to celebrate the loss of one.” Molly Rolon, the associate editor of the Alumni Review, provided the following link

Class of 1966: Thomas “Snookie” Foster’s VMI license plate; one of many.

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Class Notes with an article about ’66 BRs: www.localdvm. com/news/veterans-voices/brother-rats-forevergiving-band-of-brothers-a-deeper-meaning/ Cliff Martin, sports reporter extraordinaire for the class, wrote in about an article Rocky McCutcheon forwarded about Maj. Gen. Wins and the very successful ’84-’85 basketball team and the Southern Conference tournament. Cliff also mentioned that he received his Moderna COVID-19 shot and celebrated that with lunch at a German restaurant in Greenville with Paul Robblee, “The” Eddie Willis, and Bob Odom.

Rick Kiernan’s memoir, The Best Is Yet To Come, rose to No. 1 on Amazon a couple of weeks ago. Congratulations, Rick!

Jim and Sandra Smith visited Steubenville, Ohio, to meet a granddaughter touring Franciscan University. The college is just to the east of Pittsburgh, so they were able to tour that area: “Very pretty scenery.”

Thomas Foster, aka “Snookie,” submitted pictures of three different Virginia license plates, each featuring the class and VMI. He preferred the “VMI 1966” because “it’s like a simple black cocktail dress with a single strand of pearls, nothing more classic.” Well said, Snookie! Thanks.

Craig Caldwell and Ray Saunders have been working tirelessly to provide the class with a project entitled the “Class of 1966 Vietnam Oral History,” an audio and visual presentation of interviews with brother rats which will be provided to the Archives, hopefully before our October reunion. As Craig noted, “The Class of 1966 has always been a trendsetter and leader in alumni activities. No other VMI class has attempted a project of personal video interviews of combat experiences of this nature. Once the project is fully available for viewing, I hope our other brother rats who lived the experience of Vietnam will be encouraged to watch the unique and courageous ways Class of 1966 waded into the Vietnam War.” This is a list of the brother rats we interviewed: Rob Ritchie, Mike Burton, Reyn Young, Paul Robblee, Clark Reifsnider, Tommy Harrel, Dale Saville, Jim Smith, Paul Wagner, Bill Edmunds, Wayne Gray, Ollie Creekmore, Joe Gesker, Woody Sadler, Rick Kiernan, Ian Ackroyd-Kelly, John Rowe, John Walters, Howie Lloyd, John Turner, Montie Monteverde, Pete Charrington, Dave Pinkus, Jim Williams, Cliff Crittsinger, Bob Odom, Jim Szymanski, Nick Hoskot, Duane Williams, Ty Bland, and Craig Caldwell.

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Thank you, Craig and Ray, for thinking of, undertaking, and leading the way on producing this vitally important piece of history as experienced by our class!

And finally, Pete Charrington is really looking forward to our 55th. He and Anna May are doing well and delighted to finally be able to hug their grandchildren as opposed to the “virtual.” They are still able to travel to their “happy place” in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, where the governor seems to have managed COVID-19 very well. He has enjoyed Cliff’s emails about football: “Quite a turnaround.” In July, he has planned a weeklong fishing trip to the Adirondacks with Pete Farley and Paul Maini. He is sure that they will have some big stories to share at the reunion of “the one that got away!” He and Anna May will also be attending Barbara Lyn’s (Tom Morris’ former wife) memorial service in Richmond in July. All is well in Philadelphia, and anyone in the area is welcome as they have an “open” guest room.

Y’all take care as you venture out and have fun!

Regards, Nick

1967

Lonnie Jan Abernathy

These notes cover a most unusual time frame with a full year since COVID-19 arrived. You won’t read them until August, but they are being written for the May deadline. Most of us have had no true vacations, virtually no travel even for business, relatively little entertainment with friends, and few family visits. As a class, we have lost brother rats and family loved ones to various ills and had little opportunity to even gather for remembrances and to say goodbye. I know we all are trusting that the shadows that have clouded virtually all of the recent past have been lifted.

I hope to hear by my next deadline for notes in August you will have great stories to tell and colorful photos to share of your summer events. But first, I remind us all that we need to close ranks again. From November until now in May, Rusty Barr, Marty Bandy, Steve Sboray, and Don Brown have passed. Keep them in your thoughts.

I want to take the time to thank the ’67 folks who participate in prayer groups and are always ready

to offer their collective voices for healing. Our brother rats are Father Michael Adams, who is a Catholic brother; John Horner is an Episcopal minister; Tex Young; Tom and Lucy Gritzmacher; Colin Campbell, a lay minister for many years; and Marie Waehler. All have had their own personal challenges that led them to this calling for others. I want to acknowledge the great good they provide for ’67.

Ray Gosney’s daughter, Alexa Singer, is on the ballot for selectman in Marblehead, Massachusetts, this fall. She is following Ray’s years of public service to her community. Alexa is a tenured professor, department chair, and chief pilot for North Shore Community College’s aviation management and professional pilot degree programs. When asked about her qualifications, she says, “I have experience in complex problem solving, federal and state regulations, hiring and recruitment, union negotiations and contracts, pensions, education, small business, finance, and government grants. I worked my way up through several barriers to fly as a professional airline pilot before becoming the first female chief pilot of a collegiate pilot program in Massachusetts.

When I was growing up, my mom always said, ‘Never argue for your limitations, find your path and make a difference.’” She gets my vote! Ray is beaming with pride!

I will share some examples of our experiences from 50 years ago in these notes.

Ray Gosney: “In my 2nd Class year, I experienced three attributes of VMI’s honor system: In the fall acting as a witness in the investigation of an adjacent student in a math class copying off my work during quizzes, losing suddenly in the middle of a spring night a close roommate, and lastly, one day from the end of the year learning in the middle of the night that the clean sleeve 1st Class physics major who stood next to me in ranks had been drummed out the week of his pending graduation. All three weighed heavily on me then and still do today. That said, I fully stand behind our Honor Code and how it is fairly administered.”

Here is a good place to thank Hunter Taylor for sending along the many Richmond TimesDispatch articles I have shared with you and Tom Engleman for The Washington Post articles.

Others—too many to look back and find to recognize—also get thanks for keeping our class informed. And we are well informed.

In late April, Joan and I went to supper with a

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes the main water line off to the house and distant relative who found Joan Abercleaned up the water, we now sleep and nathy by maiden name on Facebook. shower at the hotel—we’re lucky to have They both got excited when they found a room—but hang out at the house during out they had VMI husbands, so thus the the day. Using ‘certain areas’ in the backdinner to connect. As we conversed, I yard for No. 1 and drive back to the hotel discovered that he had not heard that for No. 2. BP.” I replied: “I understand that Stonewall had been moved. I have my the Koreans have a great outdoor outhouse faults, as some of you are fond of resystem for utilizing human byproducts. minding me, but I do send a lot of inforAre you going into the greenhouse farmmation for all to digest and sort through. ing business? It would be a great time to As things got testy last winter with go into the plumbing business, as I suspect news articles, it was rare for me to have every water pipe in half of Texas has or a breather such as: “No news! ... Chuck Class of 1967: Phil Cannon, Marty Bandy, Jim Robertson, will burst. Glad you are ‘above water’ in Keblusek says he is on some pretty and Lynn Robertson, celebrating at the 50th Reunion. this crisis.” good meds for the BP issue when the Dennis Telzrow also on Texas winter: news comes on. You know those doc“Greetings from frozen Texas. As most tors can find the good stuff. I just turn off can see from the news, Texas got whacked the TV.” I add that if you are not getting with the coldest temps in 79 years. We the dozens of messages I forward about were somewhat fortunate, had rolling VMI’s issues and football and news and blackouts Monday and Tuesday a.m. No such, just tell me, as your email address hot water, but it returned yesterday evechange may have not gotten to me. ning. We live just north of Dallas—other For some months recently, I have had areas suffered no power for long stretches. an enhanced connection with BR Larry Areas around Fort Worth also had to boil Adams, developing a stronger bond. water. You never know how good we have Since reading his book, Cadillac Plait until something like this happens. We toon, we regularly exchange emails, will remain homebound probably until and I have asked if he will write another Saturday. Got eight inches of snow, which book while I have sent him some of my again, is high for our area. Roads remain short stories. He is ambiguous about more books, and since you will not read Class of 1967: Don Brown with Barry and Marge Green at dicey.” the 50th Reunion.

Rev. Tom Mustard: “Jan, the news from this until August, I will say he is facing Park Springs is the exchange of various (but has had now) a TAVR surgery for a articles and news clippings that Jake Wamsley heart valve replacement. He asked for no sharing ’51 and I share with each other. Mostly to comin advance, but as I am writing this in early May, miserate and reminisce about the good old days. his desire is to be healthy enough in his recovery Peace to all.” to join the BRs for the ’67 annual golf outing in Jim Wilson: “I’d send a pic, but the 50th ReNorth Carolina. His surgeon may be willing to union photo you sent was scary enough! Liep and let him go but wife Jane (a professional RN) will I have survived so far. We are ‘shot up’ and still have the final say as to whether he should be out semi-hunkering. Also starting to realize the psyin the 90-degree sun chasing golf balls and cachological and social interaction effects of ‘too rousing with a bunch of old guys without their long in protective isolation.’ Maybe we too easily wives. For encouragement, I sent him a dozen adapted to unhealthy long-term bunkering! Cable golf balls to lose on the first round, as I hear many TV and internet are too easy to attach to. My DIY of the guys have a problem finding them in the home maintenance list is not getting shorter ... my rough. bad. So, look forward to some return to near full I asked Bob Poland how he and Miss Vickie normalcy as the year progresses by early 2022. fared during the winter freeze and electric blackWe hope to restart some serious traveling activity out last winter in Houston, Texas. “Thanks for again by then. Keep working to preserve my ‘bag checking. We went two days without power and Class of 1967: Neil Schlussel with his dragging’ skills. Much depends on folks doing returned to our house yesterday morning after nephew, Zachary Jacobs, at his James their duty and getting the vaccines. Maybe some staying in a hotel. After a couple of hours, Vicki Madison University graduation. folks have gotten too numb with the cumulative yelled, ‘Water in the laundry room.’ After I shut

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Class Notes body count figures and have also forgotten the residual side effects for some, even if one survives.

The biggest thing up here in Alexandria, I guess, is encountering the rapid return of traffic gridlock to near pre-pandemic levels. Depressing! But, at least as a semi-drooling retired O.F. I can get out on Monday through Thursday. Try not to scare Liep! Gather from local news that the area casinos on the Maryland side have raked in serious profits of late. Tells you something, I guess. Last, my earlier expressed disgruntlement with the local public health department was very pleasantly corrected once they started the vaccination surges. They had their act together using large numbers of both med professionals and volunteers to run the appointment system and their mass clinics. Smooth and coordinated operations worthy of a practiced military unit. Impressive. That’s the highlight summary of our existence these days.

Things much better, but still a way to go. Jim.” Terry Moore: “Not much happening here in lower Alabama. Our oldest granddaughter just completed her freshman year at Georgia Tech. Our communities have opened up, and we’re back to fully using our church, restaurants, and other local establishments. Yes, we have had our shots. ... Now we’re looking for 2022’s Mardi Gras and Mystic Society activities to get active again.

We were planning a trip to Spain and Portugal this year, but Europe looks like it might be difficult to travel into. We’ll probably do it next year when the crowds may be lighter. We’ll travel in the U.S. for this year—New Orleans, Charleston, New England, and such. As a medical check-up, I was treated to an MRI for my bladder and prostate this week. I believe all will be well when I visit the doctor next week. My detached retina is taking its time fully healing. It’s just taking a while for the gas under the retina to dissipate fully. The only other item we’ve been doing is yard work. And lots of it. New sod, refurbished plantings, flowers, and herbs. Got to have the fresh herbs for Beth’s gourmet cooking. That’s all the positives. Terry.”

When I made a comment about condiments on mess tables in our day, I said there were few and if a table wanted them, such as peanut butter, everyone pitched in for the price. Beegie Harman, cadet waiter, sent this reply that was a good reminder. “Please recall jamming your middle finger into a [brand new] jar of peanut butter (which was on every table). Condiments were on the tables.

Best regards, Beegie.” And Mike Ingelido had this to say: “Have I lost my mind here? I know there

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were some perks offered to cadet waiters for some things, but the only peanut butter I recall buying went into my miscellaneous box, along with crackers for in-room snacks. I vividly remember (or misremember) the tables being well stocked with most condiments people wanted, including peanut butter.”

Mike Miley sends great news: “Hi, Jan. I am still holding steady with no evidence of cancer. Thanks for asking.”

John Orrison: “Having completed all vaccinations and both survived a boutique of COVID-19, Brenda and I broke out and spent a week at Mexico Beach, Florida. The trip included a trip to our favorite zoo in Panama City Beach, as well as one last symbolic beach walk spreading the ashes of our beloved JoJo. Next up is a long weekend with Terryann and Max Toch at Paris Landing on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee. “ Neil Schlussel: “Not much happening in Annandale. My oldest grandson, Zachary Jacobs (the basketball player for James Madison University), just graduated and has a job in the northern Virginia area starting in August. My son (colonel in the Air Force) will be moving from Wyoming to Dayton, Ohio, this summer, and I will finally get to see him and his kids after almost 18 months. My travels have been curtailed, and I hope to be able to again travel in 2022. I am still planning to go to Nags Head (as I have for the past 40 or so years) with my daughter and her family in July. Had a good rivalry with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson (all JMU people) during the JMU versus VMI football game and just could not get them to root for VMI. My great-nephew, Ethan Schlussel (Grandson of Kent ’70 and third-generation VMI) will be Band Company commander and a member of the Honor Court this year. Very proud of him.

Hope all have gotten their shots and are as well as mid-70s people can be. I want to thank Jan for keeping us informed of all the doings at VMI.” J.B. Farley: “I’ll try to give you some fill material, so here goes. Not much new going on here in the land of high taxes. We have both been vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, and we feel a bit more comfortable. The county recently went to orange tier, the least restrictive. Seems like the COVID-19 situation is improving quickly, at least here. Thankfully, we get to see the children and grandchildren often, so that keeps us satisfied. We all went out to dinner a few days ago, and that was great. Carol and I went north up the coast to Cambria a week ago—our first trip in over a year. We

hope everyone is safe and well. Had a cocktail the other day from one of my VMI set of double oldfashioned glasses; my glass had an etching of the Stonewall Jackson statue. I will always treasure it.

Best regards and hi to Joan. J.B.” Lynn Beaulieu: “Just in from shoveling snow, and your reply was already here. Too much time on your hands! Hope we’re out of this lockdown by Memorial Day. I have years of Alumni

Class of 1967: J.I. Orrison and his new friend at the zoo.

Class of 1967: Audrey Hope Lankford is the great-granddaughter of Peggy and Bob Flynn.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Reviews I wish to recycle. As I told Molly, I’m in the planning stages. it will be a couple of months before I’m ready to go through them and toss into recycling—of course. Let me know what you might want. I’ll probably make a list of them, send the list to you and make it available to any BRs who need a copy. I’ll keep a few of the old ones, like the one from West Point when Sha-Na-Na played there and they came over for a reception; Carol and I knew the sax player. The sun is out right now; another storm (weak) is due in tomorrow then no rain in sight for about a week. I’ll send you a copy of the intermittent update I send out since this one will have a couple of snow pics.

Take care and enjoy the warmth. Lynn.”

John Forsyth: “We’re at Sandals Royal Caribbean, Montego Bay. All such cleanliness concerns are a thing of the past since COVID-19. In fact, Leslie’s and my hands are getting chapped from all of the disinfectant we have been washing with.

After the maître d’ asks you for your room number and name so they charge the appropriate room for the meal, they pull out the disinfectant bottle and expect you to hold out your hands to apply more rubbing alcohol. One of the most interesting things is the fact that Sandals guests do not have to wear masks, but the staff (all staff) must. The cleanliness here is now over the top. Everything is sanitized constantly. The room that we have, which is sumptuously appointed, is right next to the pool. I think they have six or seven pools here. The cleaning service takes about 40 minutes to clean each room. The food has been wonderful. Something I definitely don’t need, but really appreciate, is the delightful taste of everything. Thursday, we left to start the trip with two feet of snow on the ground.

From looking at the weather report, another winter storm is on its way. The forecasters believe Castle Rock is going to get maybe another foot. I guess it’s that time of year for Colorado, but we could get used to Jamaica.”

Barrett Graham: “Sharyne and I are doing well.

[I]n May 2020, I hit the road again, crisscrossing North Carolina training firefighters and fire inspectors and other code enforcement officials, and thus far am none the worse for the experience. I’m now ‘sterilized’ (vaccinated) against the plague, and Sharyne is still making up her mind about whether or not to get ‘shot.’ Whenever possible, I try to visit firearms dealers during my travel and ammunition remains scarce in North Carolina, although firearms sales are quite brisk.”

Mel Wright: “We are doing fairly well. I do not

2021-Issue 3

need to list aches and pains. We have had both Pfizer shots and are able to get together with our children and grandchildren, which is good, along with neighbors in the street. No trips as yet. Almost a lost year, especially when I go back to work out at the Y. Our best to all BRs who have had more problems than we have had.”

Fred Smith: “Morning, Jan. What have we been doing lately? Funny you should ask. I have been getting down and dirty in the garden, pruning the blackberry and blueberry bushes, planting tomatoes, string beans, butter beans, and harvesting strawberries. In the evening, I sit down and enjoy a large bowl of organically grown strawberries, cream, and whipped cream. Oh, so sweet and, yeah, there is more whipped cream than strawberries in my bowl. We are heading out on the RV this Thursday heading for Abingdon, Virginia, to ride the Virginia Creeper bike trail from Abingdon to Damascus—about 17 miles over rolling hills.

Downhill will be easy, and uphill, with the battery assist on our e-bikes, will make the ride very enjoyable. We’ll catch a ride from the bike shop back to Abingdon and attend a drive-in performance the next night, with the speakers hanging on the door window, at the Abingdon drive-in theater, just like in the good old days. We will be visiting several old friends on our travels, starting in Nashville touring along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and ending in Charlotte, North Carolina. Should be home by mid-June to enjoy more of our homegrown garden vegetables for the rest of the summer. Of course, we will be doing our annual trip to the Outer Banks the first week of August with our whole family along with my younger brother Phil, from Wisconsin, and his children and grandchildren— about 26 altogether. See you in the surf. Fred.”

I hope that your summer brought great relief from forced seclusion. I will expect travels news with photos soon.

1968

Tom Hickey

As I start assembling these notes, it is mid-February 2021 and Texas is in the grip of severe winter weather. Updates from several VMI ’68ers follow.

Donny Taylor’s widow, Sheila (Kingwood, Texas): “Pretty rough here in Texas. I had no power for

Class of 1968: Rick Eades at the finish line of a 100-mile bicycle race in Ridgeland, Mississippi, May 1, 2021.

18 hours and then frozen pipes.”

Bob Waldron (El Paso, Texas): “We are doing OK in El Paso—not really impacted.”

Rich Andrassy (Houston, Texas): “We are finally getting back to some stability. It has been very stressful at the hospital with over 60 patients with carbon monoxide poisoning and two deaths— a mother and baby. Water pressure was so low they couldn’t adequately flush toilets. People are stranded either in the hospital or at home with no electricity, heat, or water. Quite the mess. Personally, I was fine with a large generator to supply the entire house. Got water back last night so I can shower again. Just kidding, I went to the hospital to shower until our water came back on. Lots of busted pipes and water leakage all over town. I have spent the day trying to see which of our 125 offices in the greater Houston area can reopen Friday or Monday.”

Andy Bradley (Azle, Texas): “Staying warm but did have to camp out at nearby friend’s for a day when the power blackout hit. Even the mailman couldn’t complete his rounds. Going to follow Dr. Rich Andrassy and generating up. Heard from Hal Switzer (Blanco, Texas) about a friend in his neck of the woods who needed advice and help.”

Chuck Avery (Midland, Texas): “We went three nights in a row without power in the house and temps in the single digits. We were lucky because

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Class Notes we have a classic 40’ Foretravel U280 motorhome parked in our driveway. It is always full of diesel fuel (140 gallons), propane (80 gallons), and fresh water (100 gallons). It also has a 10-kilowatt diesel generator and a fully stocked residential fridge/ freezer. When power is off in the house, we just move into the coach. As a result, we stayed warm and cozy during the whole outage period. Power came back on yesterday morning, so it looks like we are slowly getting back to normal around here.

Other parts of the state are not so lucky. There’s gonna be some tough questions asked about this fiasco and accountability demanded.”

Rev Jones (Prosper, Texas): “Dottie and I are doing fine. Have heat and cold water, no hot. No power outage. Hope all is well with all others in state.”

Di Johnson (Humble, Texas): “We’re in the thick of it in the Kingwood area, northeast of Houston. Lost electricity for 26 hours and then had burst water pipes resulting in no water. Plumbers are colossally overwhelmed. We are on a long waiting list. Home Depot in our area had over 125 guys in queue today in the plumbing aisle, which is mostly sold out. We have wonderful support from fellow church guys and handy neighbors. Gotta love a guy who lets me dunk buckets from his pool to flush.”

Slick Wilkinson (Longview, Texas): “Thanks from snow capital of Texas ... 11 inches of snow, sleet, and ice on the ground! We actually are doing pretty well being cooped up at home with only one problem so far ... one ice maker is frozen shut, but like most Texans, we have two at the house. We have a lake house half an hour away, but hopefully after draining its water line, it should be doing fine (fingers crossed). We have lived here in East Texas for 34 years and have never seen weather like this ... minus 5 degrees, an all-time record low.”

John Ivy (Austin, Texas): “Living conditions have been very bad for many, but my wife and I have been pretty lucky so far. We had a few electrical outages over the last four days, which were about five hours in length each time, but we have had running water and gas. So, we were able to keep heat in our home. We lost internet service for three days but got it back last night. The water situation has gotten worse over the last day, however.

The pressure is way down, but we are still able to flush the toilets. Many in my neighborhood lost electricity for two to three days. I am not sure why we had it when others did not. God must have been smiling on us. If we can hold out one more day,

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I think we will be in the clear, but the cleanup is going to be difficult for many people. There are a lot of homes with broken pipes, gas line problems, etc. Also, the stores are out of everything, and it is going to take a while for them to restock.”

Phil Lanier (Lakeway, Texas): “We are hibernating in Lakeway, 20 miles west of Austin. Fortunately, we are not in the city of Austin—thousands without electricity or water or both. Many years ago, I learned about frozen pipes the hard way, so inside and outside faucets are dripping.

Although this is probably a multi-generational weather event, one has to wonder if this could be a microcosm of a national disaster if the push toward renewable energy is not approached reasonably and with common sense. It seems Texas generates about 25% of its electrical needs using windmills (have driven by hundreds if not thousands of them on the way to Colorado). Those windmills don’t turn when they are frozen. Maybe this will be a teachable moment. Renewable does not necessarily mean reliable.”

Gary Klemas (San Antonio, Texas): “Mollie and I are doing OK and waiting for the thaw in far west San Antonio. Our electric power and water are on.

Although we’re under a boil water notice.”

Now, back to regular updates, starting with John Lane (Sparta, New Jersey): “Louise and I celebrated our 50th anniversary Saturday, Feb. 13, amid COVID-19. Our daughters, Jennifer here in our town and Kelly in North Carolina, arranged a romantic, catered dinner. They also contacted many friends who sent beautiful cards and letters.

Jennifer made sure the first one I opened was from Bill and Elaine Bragg (Mercerville, New Jersey). I got through half the letter, choked up a bit, and asked Louise to finish for me. She got through another paragraph and turned it over to Jennifer, who finished reading for us. We also had greetings on the class Facebook page from Willie Robertson (Virginia Beach, Virginia); Don Lynch (Virginia Beach, Virginia), my rat roommate; and Buck Miller (Wilton, Connecticut), a Jersey rat-turned Connecticut Yankee. Great men all. This Saturday, we had a wonderful and very long phone call with Bill and Elaine. It’s a blessing to have brother rats. And to think, you can’t get them anywhere on earth but at VMI. I am still practicing transportation law and am involved in several national transportation-related legal associations. I stick with it because I love it, it keeps me relatively young, and it’s a good pension plan.

Maybe I’ll semi-retire in a few years!”

Smokey Beirne (Roanoke, Virginia): “Just staying home and attending Zoom meetings. Have not gotten shots yet but pursuing them. As I was once told, ‘This too shall pass.’”

Bill Warren (Cumming, Georgia) sent a sad update: “I am sure that several brother rats will remember meeting my father, Colonel Robert F. Warren, U.S. Marine Corps. He would visit me occasionally in uniform, and he seemed always to cause a stir on the stoops. Sadly, he passed away peacefully in his sleep Feb. 9, 2021, in Bradenton, Florida. He was a pilot in and a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He flew F6F-5N Hellcat night fighters in WWII, HRS helicopters in Korea, and A-4 Skyhawk attack jets in Vietnam.

He finished his Marine Corps [career] as an air group commanding officer. During his combat assignments, he received four Distinguished Flying Crosses, nine Air Medals, and the Legion of Merit—among various other awards—and was an inductee into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. He died at age 97 and was accorded full military honors at his funeral. His autobiography is very near to publication via Amazon.”

Johnny Lester (Richmond, Virginia): “Hope you and family are doing well through these interesting times. Sally and I have made it through with relatively few problems so far. We stay close to home and don’t go out or travel that often. COVID-19 has not really affected us that much; we are healthy, although I have had a few setbacks that are not COVID-19 related.

We have three grandchildren, ages 7, 5, and 2, and now that we have received both vaccines, we will be able to spend more time with them.

Last week with Nancy and Lee and the older two away for spring break, we had the 2-yearold and their 14-year-old yellow lab. I believe the lab and I are now at about the same pace. After having a sailboat for 40-plus years, we sold our last one last year. I also believe that last year was my last downhill skiing year. Sally is still skiing, so now I will just go out there and read in front of the fire; I don’t like cold weather very much. The condominium we have in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a real family place. The 7- and 3-year-olds both started skiing at age 3. We are planning to be all together in August. The kids have not been there when it was not all white. I have not been there for a couple of years to fly fish. We are hopeful that our Key West trip in April is going to happen after being rescheduled five times.”

Barry Archer (New Braunfels, Texas): “Not

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes later, my second husband, Charlie Carson, died Bryan Barton (Oakton, Virginia): “One upmuch exciting news on this end. Iris and I are in relatively good health thanks to modern-day side of this past year has been the opportunity to after a few years of deteriorating health. I married him a couple of years after Bob died in medicine and our proximity to great doctors. be in touch with more brother rats than perhaps Those 2021 VMI football wins definitely picked at any time since we graduated. Group emails 2007. I have four grands: A son in Atlanta with my spirits up. Iris and I get our second Pfizer have brought us together on a daily basis and a boy and a girl and a son here with a boy and a girl and one on the way. My youngest son is shot in a few days, so I guess that is notewor- have been a great outlet for exchanging VMI and also in Charlotte but unmarried, no children. I thy. Haven’t been able to go honky tonkin’ for family news ... and occasionally political views. got up to Lexington every 4-6 weeks for a long the past year, but that should change in a few Credit goes to John Augustine (Saint Peterstime to visit my mother and again after her death months—miss listening and dancing to Texas burg, Florida) for leading these emails with his to clean out the house. It is a new chapter in my country music. We spend about a third of our usual good humor. I’ve also found that more of life. I was doing some traveling before the pantime down at our other home in Rockport, Tex- us are calling each other. Bill Bouck (Deerfield demic and am more than ready to go on all those as, each month enjoying the gulf breezes and Beach, Florida), Doug Schnabel (Brentwood, change in scenery. We will be putting that house Tennessee), Chandler Williams (Midlothian, canceled trips.” up on the market next week to sell, as we are Virginia), Dave Gibbons (Washington, D.C.), John Hart (Staunton, Virginia): “One of the currently in the framing stage of building a new Tommy Boyd (Ware Nick, Virginia), Walt Jef- things that makes this an interesting time is that fress (Fairfax, Virginia), and I have spoken mul- the VMI football team is 4-0 and ranked in the top home down there on the water. In May, we’ll be heading on over to Mississippi to greet with tiple times. It’s gratifying that we can pick up 25 FCS teams. Some would say that is a miracle, right where we left off even though we don’t see but I say that it was coming and is the result of the kisses grandchild No. 6, Luke Archer (VMI each other as often these days. As I write this, VMI spirit, hard work by the players and coaches, 2043?!), who is ready to pop out into this world at the beginning of April. In October, we head everyone is well. This afternoon, I completed and the VMI athletic staff. It sure is a bright spot the Barnes & Thornburg VMI survey. Lost in for VMI in these times. I say, ‘Hail varsity, hail to out to Vegas for the Special Operations Assothe noise of this investigation is the remarkable the red, white, and yellow.’” ciation and Special Forces Association conventions where we old farts sit around telling war story of what VMI taught us—honor, discipline, Lew Yeouze (Peachtree City, Georgia): “Joyce stories about Vietnam. All things considered, overcoming adversity, critical thinking, the im- and I have had our COVID-19 vaccine shots. We portance of lifelong bonds—that underpinned are looking forward to more normal times. We’ve life is good.” our various careers and enriched our lives.”

Dana Duthie (Broomfield, Colorado): “Not recently visited kids and grandkids in Virginia, Marion Carson (Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. What a blessing! much going on here. We have kept a low prowidow of Bob Philpott): “I’m doing well de- And with the upcoming return of VMI football, file during the COVID-19 crisis. Although our spite the shutdown. The last two years have George Buzzard (Waynesboro, Virginia), Wayne kids and three of the four grandkids are all close by, we didn’t see much of them until Candy and been difficult. I lost my brother, Chip Brooke Burton (Saint Marys, Georgia), and I have made ’67, in 2019 and then my mother, Frances, later plans for all of us and wives to attend the VMI verI both got our two shots. Now we’re trying to in the year. She lived to be 101-and-a-half and sus The Citadel football game weekend in Charlescatch up on the hugs we missed. Grandson No. 1 is still in the Navy, on the deck of a nuclear was still in her house in Lexington. My father ton come Oct. 2. No international travel for us this carrier out in the Pacific, making us proud. I was a history professor at VMI. Nine months year, but that is no big deal. We are resonantly did finish my fourth and last book. It is healthy (for our ages), and time with fambased on my early Air Force years as a ily and friends is the highest priority.”

Forward Air Controller in SEA. There Phil Lanier (Lakeway, Texas) sent a are four books following the career of post-storm update: “On a house adjacent the hero, published in reverse order. Not to 11th tee at the golf course here, there is sure why that happened. Anyway, hopea plaque that reads, ‘At this site on April fully, Molly Rolon (Associate Editor, 22, 1977, absolutely nothing happened.’

Alumni Review) at VMI will [publish] The owner has an unusual sense of humor this one, too. I have been playing a lot but pretty much says it all. Nothing much of golf—believe it or not about twice is happening around here. I am pleased to a week here on the Colorado Front report that, for the most part, I have placed Range. That might be over for a couple a mask in every conceivable spot—cars, of weeks, though; we got 30 inches of golf cart, etc. So why do I still find myself snow over the weekend. I’m looking halfway between the car and the superforward to May when we will go up to market (or anywhere) with no mask? At our place in Steamboat Springs where Class of 1968: Larry Ryan, Dean Kershaw, and Billy “Mike” least I’m getting lots of exercise back we’ll golf, bike ride, hike, tube down the Seargeant hold a small mini reunion at the Virginia Gun Col- and forth.” lectors Association gun show in Manassas, Virginia, March 27, river, and hopefully host BRs who might 2021.—Photo by Dan Duffy.

Mike Gompf (North Chesterfield, stop in for a couple of days.”

Virginia): “On March 27, I turned 75,

2021-Issue 3

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Class Notes and while my mind thinks I’m 35, somehow the old body says, ‘Not so fast, big boy.’ Not much is happening in good old Richmond except all the nonsense pertaining to VMI. Katherine and I (well, let’s say Katherine) have decided to do a major renovation to the house, residing, new decking, bathroom renovations, and interior painting. This has put a kaput to traveling for a while until the work is done. We were planning to travel south to see Mike Michelson, but his untimely and unfortunate death quelled those plans. I am staying in touch with Chandler Williams (Midlothian, Virginia) as much as possible.

From all indications, he seems to be adjusting to his medical difficulties. Tom Burnett (Midlothian, Virginia) and I see each other frequently at the Independence Golf Course where we serve as a marshal and starter, respectively. We play golf as much as possible, and somehow I always end up paying him some of my hard-earned retirement income.”

John Byrd (North Chesterfield, Virginia): “We are getting close to the point where all of our family and friends will soon be fully vaccinated. We are looking forward to getting together with them in the coming weeks or months. We don’t yet have any specific plans but are grateful to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Jack Long (Augusta, Georgia): “Despite all the negative press about VMI, the Institute is a better four-year college than when we were cadets. ... As a class, we are fortunate to have Tommy Norment (Williamsburg, Virginia) in the Senate.”

In April, Billy Seargeant (Fredericksburg, Virginia) sent along a photo of Larry Ryan (Toano, Virginia), Dean Kershaw (Fairfield, Virgnia), and himself. They had a small reunion at the Virginia Gun Collectors Association Gun Show at the Prince William Fairgrounds in Manassas, Virginia. Billy concluded, “We three are civil engineers and still working for a living, paying taxes, and thankful for every day.”

Brad Butt (Glastonbury, Connecticut): “I am glad to have had a brief association with VMI and to still be considered a member of the Class of 1968. With respect to the issues that confront VMI in these interesting times, I believe that respect is due to every person, particularly fellow VMI students. If there is a problem with racism or sexism, it should be honestly confronted and rooted out. ... Thanks for including me in this discussion and my best to all of you.”

Vic Huang (Cupertino, California): “With the pandemic and lockdown, it has really curtailed

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our activities, and what can I say? We are virtually hermits in our own home! Our days are filled with keeping up with the world on the internet and emails and, for me, attending virtual conferences and meetings that seem to have increased due to the lockdown ... unfortunately forcing early morning meetings for me due to time zones.

I do the groceries or essentials to the drugstore, double-masked and safe distanced, occasionally take the cars for a spin otherwise the batteries run down. One good thing has been exercise; we have increased our exercise regimes, and I walk upwards of 4 miles a day! We have regular virtual visits with family. So, with that, I’d imagine pretty much ‘same old, same old’ with everyone!

Stay safe, mask up, and safe distance!”

Wright Ellis (Richmond, Virginia): “Nothing happening here in River City at my address.

My grandchildren are growing, and three have fledged on schedule. The two graduates, Catherine Churchman and brother Hunter, are both on their own and gainfully employed. Another, Aubrey Thomas, has followed her parents’ profession of foodservice and is working while picking up classes in junior college. I mention this because, in our interesting times, their accomplishments are no longer a given. Two other granddaughters are working their ways through Randolph-Macon. Penny and I continue to putz about in our travel trailer.”

1969

Walter Judd

Greetings, Brother Rats and Friends of the VMI Class of 1969, It is spring in Tidewater Virginia and the pollens have almost finished their annual duties.

COVID-19 struck one of our own, but with time, he overcame it. VMI played spring football and did it very well. Class members celebrated New Market Day in a private way. Read on to see our latest news.

Dick Camp spent most of the end of the year and January in the hospital with a COVID-19 infection. On Feb. 9, he called me and others to tell us he was at home with a recovery period in front of him. Dick had oxygen near as he endured more breathing therapy.

I spoke with Bob Clingenpeel and Jay Honig in Arizona in early February and officially postponed our class winter adventure in the warm climate until 2022. Those two had invited us to come to Scottsdale and enjoy some winter heat.

We talked about having a class party at a resort and mixing some golf, horseback riding, and stargazing with good food and drink. We will try again for 2022.

In mid-March, a small team of dedicated BRs and friends got together to help the widow of a BR who died of Agent Orange complications.

Ron Happel died last fall, and his widow, Sandy, was running into brick walls in her dealings with the federal Veterans Administration. Mike Santoro and I enlisted the help of friends in the Virginia Department of Veteran Services to get Sandy an advocate to help her deal with the VA. To cut to the successful end for Sandy, the advocate did help her work with the VA, and she received the benefits she deserved. She even discovered she was able to avoid local real estate taxes, as Ron was 100% disabled for his last few years.

Our class has others who might need help with dealing with the VA. Please speak up if you do or know someone who does.

In March, we turned a lot of attention to VMI football—up to 14 in national polls after a 4-0 start. That record improved to 5-0 before a bump in the road, a close loss to East Tennessee State in Lexington. We were 5-1 then went to 6-1 with a win over The Citadel. That game was for a conference championship, the Silver Shako, and a chance to play in the FCS playoff series. The Keydets played well and won the game with some slick offensive play and great defense. Southern Conference champions! The next week’s trip to Harrisonburg to play James Madison University did not end well for the Keydets with one big play making the difference—31 to 24 and an off-side kick not recovered in the waning seconds was the final story. But what did not get into the sports pages was the heart and play of the team. The air raid offense produced lots of big plays, and the superb line and linebacker play stopped most of the big-name running backs from several other teams.

Accolades were quick to come to the team with conference winners of MVP offense and defense and rookie of the year. Coach Scott Wachenheim won coach of the year in the conference and then for all of our FCS level of football throughout the nation. That rounded up a heap of optimism for the fall season coming in a few months. I should add

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes that Dan Earl, the basketball team’s coach, is also the reigning conference coach of the year. That is truly impressive.

Bob Alexander has a grandson in California, and that young’un just got a cocker spaniel pup, Okie. Talk about cute. Nothing like a boy and his dog! Young Jackson has already been on skis and is ready to take on snowboarding like his dad does so well. In April, Bob and I decided to take a road trip. Or two. To Lexington we went to see some football. On consecutive Saturdays, we met early in Yorktown and drove several hours to a VMI football game in Lexington. We saw a victory and a close loss and enjoyed the time together. We talked a bunch, and I learned a lot about boats, marine life, and why Bob settled with his backyard on a creek to the York River. Bob is a fount of wisdom about dentistry and boats and loves both.

The two games I saw were exciting and close.

Bob and I sat near Bunny Paulette; John Sebrell; Bruce Gregory and his son, Harrison ’04; Knox Hubard; and Tommy and Nancy Catlett both games. We knew that Bob Waldo, Larry Seekford, and Ron Wall were also at the second game against The Citadel. As there were only limited numbers of general admission tickets, everyone sat where they could find a seat. I was fortunate to sit near legendary coach Bobby Ross ’59 and his family the second week. He loved the win for the conference championship. A real treat was seeing Bunny’s son, Will ’05, with his wife and three very young, blonde daughters. We had a whole troupe of granddads ready to take daughters from mom for a few minutes of relief during halftime.

When VMI scored the sealing touchdown in The Citadel game with less than a minute left, Andrew Deal ’12, Keydet Club vice-president, was there on the spot to share the joy with Bunny and the gang.

A New Market Day celebration a few days early came to several of us from the class. We met at Gary and Peggy Mackey’s house in Norfolk May 12 for a picnic lunch and lots of conversation.

From the Outer Banks came Chalk Hardy and T.O. Palmer and most of our lunch. T.O.’s son runs the Pigman BBQ restaurant at the beach, and he sent pulled pork, short ribs, slaw, and beans. I came over from Yorktown with Glen White, who ran the grill and cooked burgers and hotdogs.

From Richmond came Bruce Gregory and Bunny Paulette. They also stopped in Hampton and picked up John Ishon. Richie Daub got himself

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to Drew Brantley’s home near Williamsburg, and they rode together to Norfolk. Lee Barnes and Nick Psimas came from different sections of Virginia Beach, while Webb Hatch came from another (Sandbridge). Bob Heely slipped over from his downtown Norfolk address, while his buds Bob Waldo and WIP Priest came from further out (Gloucester and Lake Frederick).

Skinny Baker skipped the golf course for the day from Suffolk, as he is adjusting to a new retired lifestyle. Bobby Watts came through a different tunnel from Virginia’s Eastern Shore (from Onancock) and brought his comfortable fishing chair along. Bob Flowers ventured over from Williamsburg, while T.B. Thompson came north from Courtland, Virginia. John Griffin ’68 (who graduated with us in 1969) along with Dick Hamlet and Taz Taylor ’70, joined the fun. Steve and Barbara Jones from Spring, Texas, came the farthest. They spent time with the Mackeys after visiting a daughter and her family in Columbia, Maryland. And last was not a grad but a VMI fan just the same: “Beggar” Tilley, the Mackeys’ dog, enjoyed all those burger and BBQ drippings on the grass! We talked up a storm and enjoyed reveling in VMI football success. With several former Keydet football players in the group, how could we not? It appeared Steve enjoyed seeing so many faces from the past, as his jobs in the oil business have kept him away from things VMI for many years. The weather was cool and damp, but nothing restrained the good feelings of getting together.

Charlie Bryan likes to keep us thinking. With all the uproar going on now at the “I,” he sent several of us a link to a video of events in September 2001.

The first class in barracks that fall had a bit of a difference with the supe and administration. Imagine that? The film was dramatic and interesting, but the best part was seeing how those young college men turned out years later in their professions. I suggest they, like we, learned a little about politics at the “I” that time, as we did in our 1st Class year.

Charlie has continued to write essays for the Richmond papers and is now ready for a new edition of his book, Imperfect. Volume two will have three essays devoted to VMI, including one he wrote about our 50th Reunion. Check it out, or even buy a copy! I will bet you can own a signed copy if you act soon. Like Charlie, we have other BRs dealing with Parkinson’s disease at this time of

Class of 1969: “When a BR is your last patient at the end of an over 45-year practice, you don’t know what to expect,” said Walt Judd, class agent, about this photo. “Win Winfree came to see Jim Baker as an unwanted character.”

Class of 1969: The ’69 crowd celebrating New Market Day.

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Class Notes their lives: George Lester, Joe Oliver, and David Hagan. If you feel so inclined to offer help for research into the problem, join several of us in supporting the grant we started in honor of Charlie. The MCV Foundation provides the process to fund VCU’s Movement Center.

Jim Baker, D.D.S., is calling it quits in his practice of dentistry after nearly 45 years of service. But not without a little help from a friend. In April, Win Winfree worked with Jim’s schedulers to be his last patient. Win arrived and walked to the exam room dressed as the “Grim Reaper.”

To say the least, he got Skinny’s attention! After a nervous laugh and a smile, the good doc treated his patient for the latest in a long string of visits.

Mike Santoro is still working hard to keep our class group page on Facebook alive and well.

He and I like to think we are not traffic cops to gripe and fuss but securers and spreaders of positive news about us and VMI. We will continue to post news from Lexington and anywhere else concerning the Corps and its noteworthy classes from the late 60s. One such example was Jim Campbell’s photo of nearly a foot of sunshine in Florida on a February day when most were digging out of a foot of some frosty precipitation in places further north. Jim Chapman reported from desert California he, too, had at least a foot of bright sun at his location. Scott Rhodes said he had a foot of fog and cloudiness in western North Carolina that day.

Doug Marks keeps finding ways to simplify his life. Saying no to all social media was a first step. Getting his ring stone cleaned up was another. Doug told me in March, “We’re spending a good bit of time at our condo in North Myrtle Beach. Heading there Wednesday. All is well with us and our kids/grands. I’ve dropped nearly 30 pounds in the last six months and feel great.

Janet and I are over a month past our second COVID-19 vaccination, so I’m liberated.” Doug’s former self is shown on page 34 of Issue 20212 Alumni Review. Doug also shared info about peanut farming as done when he was a kid growing up in a rural southside Virginia community.

Take a moment to view at your leisure: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PLZOQPflsA. Lew Henderson has moved his search and rescue operation to Arizona. Brant Collins started the conversation with an inquiry about Lew’s address. I misspoke and said it was in California.

Lew corrected me and said his address and hobby had moved to sunny Arizona a year ago. Brant

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asked about wine country around Paso Robles and got a bunch of good ideas for day trips from Monterey. Lew then told me of his move to the desert and sent photos of himself and his rescue dog, Hanna. Lew now works the desert SAR with a local Civil Air Patrol team and helps find lost hikers in the hot, dry area.

I noted that Marvin Fayman had a new address in the same general area as before. I asked him about it and heard he had not downsized but moved instead from an apartment in a high-rise building to a house much closer to the ground.

I suspect having room for visits from kids and grandkids played a role in the decision. He said the move to the house came at the right time to avoid frequently riding in a shared elevator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wayne Keesee does not live in Virginia these days, but he had plenty to say about our state government in a February letter. “When I matriculated in 1965, I, along with several hundred other young men from different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds, arrived with both excitement and fear. The first thing I noticed after going into the barracks was that everyone was treated exactly the same, with no regard to financial or social standing outside of VMI. The Rat Line was an experience that none of us will forget. Although challenging, it forced us to rely on each other and

Class of 1969: Lewis Henderson, along with his dog, is part of a local search and rescue team.

it developed us as a class.” I stop there, but the letter does not. I am sure many of us are monitoring the transition of VMI into a slightly newer model and praying the best traditions continue to yield many more capable and trustworthy graduates.

A few days after these notes are turned in, I will participate in the memorial service for U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Power at Arlington National Cemetery. The family has waited a long time for John’s service, and they are pleased he will be laid to rest in such a place. He will join several other BRs already in their places there, like Jack Kennedy, Geddes Maclauren, and Tom Blair.

You will find more about those individuals in VMI’s Hall of Valor.

As your rep to several class scholarships for athletes and scholars, I get the annual reports from the Foundation and Keydet Club on how our funds are doing and who are the beneficiaries.

Our endowed fund called the Class of 1969 Athletic Scholarship at the end of 2020 had a balance of over $171,000 and was supporting a cadet playing football. Our Class of 1969 Memorial Scholarship had a balance of over $182,000 and was supporting a cadet from Tennessee in international studies. Obviously, the greater the balances, the more will be available for aid to deserving cadets. We should continue to support those efforts in our annual giving donations. In early April, I attended the annual Keydet Club Scholarship Awards Banquet— virtually. We skipped the “food and drink” and “meeting the cadets” parts and went straight to the after-dinner speaker, Maj. Gen. Wins ’85, superintendent, who is a former Keydet basketball scholarship holder. He recognized the efforts of athletes at VMI and presented the Three-Legged Stool Award to a football cocaptain. Soon after that event, the same bunch of athletes won a bunch of other awards as teams and individuals in the spring sports scene.

In recent months, I have spoken with many who have received funds from the federal government and really did not know what to do with them.

I recommend you follow the lead of many of them and send checks to efforts to help others in your community. Or send the extra to your favorite fund at VMI. There are still many deserving cadets trying to get through college without borrowing heavily. Share your extra with them.

Yours in the Spirit, Walt

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

1970

John McLemore

How many preachers are in our class? I have an answer, but I’m not certain it is correct. Assuming pastors really never retire, Dave Pittman is an Episcopal priest. Tom Love is a Navy chaplain.

Father Fred Werth is a Catholic priest. And, for 44 years, Mark Gold has been a Baptist minister.

One of the delights of being the class scribe is the occasional email originating in the left field of cyberspace. Mark made contact from Marion, North Carolina, where he is the pastor of the West Marion Baptist Church.

If the Mark you remember was an electrical engineer, you are thinking about the right brother rat. Following graduation, he went into the Air Force and became a navigator on a B-52. This is where the story gets interesting. While flying over Thailand, his plane had a “decompression accident.” He got the bends and, as a result, lost some memory of his years at VMI. He mustered out of the service in 1975, headed for the seminary, and hasn’t looked back. Mark has always had a pastorate but has taken a variety of other jobs to make ends meet. There have been medical problems along the way, including prostate cancer. He assured me that despite the decompression accident, he still remembers many of us.

Although he will not be able to attend our Labor Day weekend 51st Reunion, he wishes us the best. Are there any other men of the cloth in our class? Well, Al Johnson has a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, a Presbyterian school. I do not think this led him down the vocational path to a pastorate. What about that, Al? If we have other preachers among us, let me know, and I will include a short profile in the next issue.

An email arrived from Mayor Tim Fowler of Minnesott Beach, North Carolina; population, let’s say less than Atlanta. What a blast from the past. He and I were roommates our 3rd Class year. You may not know this, but Tim is the son of southern Baptist medical missionaries to Paraguay. He left the Institute and moved his colors to Carson-Newman College (now university) from which he graduated in 1970. He had to get

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a job, so he became a career officer in the Coast Guard retiring after 21 years as a commander (O-5). Next, he worked in the information technology business around Washington, D.C., and finally retired in 2006. That is until the cry went out from Minnesott for leadership. Our brother rat filled the void. He now lives in a home on the Neuse River. According to Google, there is a Minnesott Golf & Country Club. There you have it! Stix Chandler, organize a tournament! You can compete for the Mayor’s Cup. I will buy the trophy. Donnie Wheatley will bring a troop of stout young men from the Boys’ Home to caddie.

Anyone who grows up having to tell people his hometown is Tappahannock, Virginia, and then has to spell it is going to do well. Brother Rat Peel Dillard and his daughters, Anne and Leigh, endowed the June B. Dillard Football Scholarship in 2017. June, who died in 2012, was Peel’s wife and the girls’ mom. I would not have known this had the Institute not sent me a lengthy press release on our amazing classmate. He was supposed to go to Hampden-Sydney in keeping with family tradition, which he bucked. Following graduation, Peel spent six years on active duty as a Marine Corps flight officer flying the A-6 Intruder, followed by many more years in the reserve. In civilian life, he established a surveying company and farmed. He raises beef cattle and grows corn and soybeans. As a bankruptcy trustee for more than 40 years, I can certify farming is hard. Peel, we salute you for your determination and generosity.

By the time you read this, our 51st Labor Day weekend Reunion will be upon us. There will be a list of those who are coming, and I will be preparing my camera equipment for a three-day photo op. Here are some brother rats I have not seen since graduation whose names I hope will be on the reservation list: David Axelson, Carson Tucker, Al Leu, Tony Petruczok, Sam Truette, George Warden, K.R. Wilson, Ed Andrews, “Chis” Chiswell, Clint Cowardin, Larry Dempsey, Cy Dolph, Bill Howard, and Cyril Edward “Sugarbear” Neiley Jr. I’m certain many of you have similar lists of those with whom 15 minutes of conversation would bring back precious memories and manufacture a few more.

When, in the last issue, I suggested that we organize the Dr. Jon Vordermark Fly Fishing, Balloon Fiesta Watching, Art Crawl for Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos, I got a rise (pardon the pun) from Dr. Jon. He says getting

a VMI contingent together for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in early October is certainly doable. This is something that has been on my bucket list for years. He is also interested in helping with the organization of a fly-fishing excursion. I recall, several years ago J.C. Hanks assembled a motley crew of Norman Maclean wannabes (see: A River Runs Through It) and drove from Virginia to Montana to roll cast the Big Blackfoot and other legendary trout streams.

Are you interested? J.C., if you catch a big one, Jon will paint your portrait. If you are not interested in that, he will paint your tractor, your barn, or a bridge along a country road near Georgia O’Keefe’s ranch. It is fun to look at his work. Go to: www.paintingnewmexico.com.

For those of you who keep an eye on the VMI Board of Visitors, our Brother Rat Dave Miller has been elevated to a vice presidency. I noticed in a press release he and I are neighbors. We both live in northern Williamson County, Tennessee.

Alas, I’ve never seen him at the Home Depot.

I think we were all shocked by the death of John Bailey April 23. I have a note taken on the first day I received information of his illness. It is dated March 11. He left us so quickly. John and I were rat roommates. Following his death, I wrote June, his wife, to express my condolences and tell her a couple of stories of our life together in room 482, New Barracks, from September 1966 to May 1967. This is one of the stories I told.

Those who remember John remember he was always smiling and often laughing even when things were bleak. Back in the Old Corps, one member of each room was room orderly each week. The job rotated. Being the room orderly was a catch-all for bones. If the floor was not properly swept, it was the room orderly who was placed on report. If the sink was not properly cleaned, it was the room orderly who got the demerits. John liked fireworks and showed up one day with a box of M-80s. They were very big firecrackers, probably a half-inch in diameter and two inches long with a robust green fuse sticking out the side not the end. John was going to have some great fun, but first he had to find a place to hide them.

We had steam heat, and every room had a radiator. Each radiator stood on two wooden radiator blocks. They were different heights in different rooms, but all were about two and a half inches wide and probably a foot long. One of the blocks in Room 482 was loose. John removed it. The radiator did not fall down. The steam pipes held

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Class Notes it in place. John told us he was going to hollow out the radiator block and store his mini bombs there. He borrowed my knife. The carving began. He worked on the project for days. Where he kept the M-80s in the meantime, I haven’t a clue. Finally, the project was completed and the big firecrackers stored away. The next room inspection was conducted by Maj. John Thomas Undercoffer ’56, an overly aggressive Airborne Ranger. I was not present nor was John, but our roommate, Larry Fisher, was. Within the hour, I would hear that Undercoffer saw something unusual about one of our radiator blocks. He kicked it. It slid across the floor spilling M-80s all the way.

The room status card said I was the room orderly. I was promptly placed on report for “destruction of Institute property” and “possession of fireworks.”

If Undercoffer had been in a bad mood, he would have probably changed “fireworks” to “explosives.” That bone was worth at least 10 demerits, six weeks confinement (no going downtown), and 30 penalty tours.

Upon learning what happened, John walked down to the guard room and transferred the report from me to him. I never had to ask. That night, when we all returned to the room and heard Larry’s description of Undercoffer’s soccer-style kick of the radiator block, I laughed for sheer relief of not being tagged with the gigantic bone. John laughed because he was John and probably because he realized the place he hid the M-80s while he was carving was a much better hiding place than the radiator block. We will miss him so much.

Steve Craddock reports he was able to attend John’s viewing and that our class was well represented with Gary Weishaar, Mike Snead, Charlie Walker, Jim Mawyer, Herb Braun, Beau Claire, and probably others attending.

I learned something this past week from Tom Zarges that I did not know. The VMI Cadet is no longer published weekly during the school year. It has apparently gone the way of so many major daily papers that have folded. No one asked my permission to stop publication, and I’m confident Ted Durvin would say the same. This came as almost as great a shock as Don Crawford telling me three or four months ago that main sinks no longer exist. Since my final shower there on graduation day 1970, I have never felt comfortable in any public restroom facility that does not have chin-up bars.

A.C. Arnn’s retirement from M.B. Kahn Construction and the retirement of his son, Patrick, from the Air Force get closer every day. Patrick

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has returned from the desert to Shaw Air Force Base safely. A.C. and Beth are waiting for COVID-19 travel restrictions for Europe to be raised.

He is itching to get across the pond for some kind of great adventure. He is so anxious it has piqued my curiosity. I think I know what he, Beth, and Patrick are up to. They are going on a quest for the legendary Zorb Orb, an early Christian artifact looted from a private collection in Vienna at the beginning of World War II and never recovered by the Monuments Men. It not only has extraordinary value as art, it also has mystical powers. If the Arnns are successful, Sol Rawls will put them to work finding the Confederate treasury.

I never knew Robert Armstrong had any other name than “Ace.” In response to my plea for information to be included in these notes, I received a short biography of Judge Robert Morgan “Ace” Armstrong, former park ranger, former police officer, former lawyer, former prosecutor, retired judge, and current ski patroller and author. For 40 years, Ace has been a ski patroller at the Wintergreen Ski Resort in Nellysford, Virginia, and was inducted into the National Ski Patrol Hall of Fame in 2019. Following his retirement from the bench in 2018, he went right to work writing novels based on his experiences in law enforcement and as a lawyer. He has four under his belt now and is just one manuscript away from his breakout story.

We could have the next John Grisham in our class.

Google A Serving of Revenge and buy a copy. Go for it, Ace! There is news once again from Big Canoe, Georgia. Brother Rat Phillip Ratliff Anderson and his lovely wife, Carolyn, are racing around the community on their bicycles wearing their VMI Southern Conference Football Champions Tshirts and stopping to talk with all their neighbors.

Each conversation begins with the sentence: “Our school is the Southern Conference Champion this year. How is the University of Georgia doing in the Southeastern Conference? Alabama and LSU still causing them a problem? Oh, well ...” Then they ride off into the sunset. And Ratliff wonders why he is always assigned to the Cleanup Committee for the Big Canoe Fourth of July covered dish dinner and fireworks shoot.

Chad Lash, the Alan-a-Dale of our class (see: Robin Hood myth) wrote to express just how much he misses our late class agent, Warren Grasty. Both guitarists, they were planning surprise entertainment for us at our Labor Day weekend 51st Reunion. Chad did not explain exactly what they

had in mind, but I feel certain they were going to walk table to table at the class banquet playing a medley of songs including Puff the Magic Dragon, the best of The New Christy Minstrels, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, and James Brown. My first memory of Chad is of him walking from door to door on the fourth stoop with his guitar just playing tunes for those who would listen. It must have been a Saturday afternoon when we were out of the Rat Line because of a football win.

This came from Dick Knight. As I read it, I could feel the joy of their rather unusual holiday season: “Our family finally assembled for Christmas [in Nashville] April 3. Our Rome-based family members were on lockdown in Europe but were eventually cleared for travel. We were ready. Linda and I put up a Christmas tree in December, and we left it up. We may leave it up all year. The day after [our] Christmas [celebration], we celebrated Easter. We had not seen our daughter in two years and had never seen our grandson, who was 15 months old at the time, so there were many reasons to feel grateful. At this writing, Linda and I are planning to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary by tracing our honeymoon trip through the Rocky Mountain West and then spending a month in Italy.

Linda was just a sophomore at Sweet Briar when I met her, and she has been nothing if not loyal to VMI and the Keydet she married all these years.”

I may buy Bill O’Connor a camera. He obviously takes roll at football games. Here’s his dispatch: “Not much to report from Georgia other than seeing the Samford and Wofford football games. Attending the Samford game were Julian Smith, Rodney Shu, Dave Miller, and Ralph Costen. Attending the Wofford game were Tom Cooke, Peele Dillard, Ralph Costen, and Lanny Gault ’71. Great games. I did want the class to know that our scholarship athlete (Class of 1970 football scholarship) over the past four years was Ty Cloyd ’21. Ty started for three years and had a heck of a career, not only on the football field but also in the classroom. He will graduate in May and has a job offer in commercial construction. Ty exemplifies what college football is supposed to be—student-athletes.

“This has been a tough quarter losing two BRs and the wife of a BR. It sure makes our upcoming reunion very meaningful.”

I received a note from Lanny Gault ’71, who did take a camera to the Wofford game after which the Cookes went with the Gaults to Hilton Head for a week’s getaway. While there, they dined with

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Susan and Bob Copty, who came over from their home at Haig Point. Bob said he was expecting a visit from Bill Gearhart during the next couple of weeks for golf. And, if you understand this paragraph, you can probably recite Who’s on First.

Warren Wagner is on the gim. In late March or early April, he had a left shoulder replacement. I asked if it had improved his tennis game, and he assured me he cannot get his left arm far enough behind his back to assume the position of parade rest, much less swing a racquet. And he added his physical therapist is the same age as his Ring Figure date’s granddaughter. Warren, if you did not marry your Ring Figure date, how do you know the age of her granddaughter?

Finally, GB&T and I can’t wait for the Labor Day weekend 51st Reunion. We will meet you at the cannonball!

Smack

1971

Jim Kelly

These notes will cover the period between Feb. 15, 2021, and May 15, 2021.

When you receive these notes sometime in August, our class will have passed the 50th anniversary of our graduation from VMI which occurred May 16, 2021. Not only has that milestone passed, but the original date scheduled for the 50th Reunion (April 2021) has also gone by. Our class is but one of many whose reunions have been rescheduled, or in some cases, canceled.

Thanks to a break in the pandemic and the hard work done by the Alumni Association, details regarding our rescheduled reunion are beginning to take shape. I will include as many of those details that I have at the end of these notes. It is likely that members of the ’71 Reunion Committee have already reached out to each of you with some updated information. It is important now to be sure that your current address, phone number, and email are on file with VMI. I will be glad to submit any changes that might occur if you will email me the information.

Determined not to let our reunion and graduation dates go without some celebration, a couple of our brother rats arranged for some activities that occurred on or about the same dates as the

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missed events would have been observed in normal times.

John and Laura Metzger hosted a mini reunion at the lodge in Vesuvius on the weekend of April 23-24, 2021. John Paton took on the job of rounding people up and assisting with lodging, etc. Rain slowed some things down a bit, but overall the event was well-organized and many BRs were able to attend. Those participating in some or all of the activities included Acuff, Bryan, Brumback, Clary, Ellington, Ginder, Guffey, Hanke, Haywood, King, Lindsey, Martenstein, Meng, Metzger, Noon, Paton, Pickral, Potts, Sydnor, Tashima, Westbrook, Weise, Whitley, and Yorgey. Many were also accompanied by wives or significant others.

Thanks go out to the Metzgers, who sponsored the weekend mostly on their own and have for many years been gracious hosts for major events.

D. Walton also organized a graduation celebration to be held at The Greenbrier on the weekend of May 15-16, 2021. A reception and dinner May 16 will highlight the weekend events. As of this writing, those who have registered to attend are Adams, Banister, Barkley, Berkness, Brown, Bryan, Cox, Clary, Ellington, Garrett, Gearhart, Ginder, Golden, Groome, Honeywell, Jolissaint, Kerley, Martenstein, Miller, Mikula, Murray, Oakley, Otwell, Pickral, Potts, Price, Roberts, Sedwick, Tashima, Truesdell, Walton, Whitley, and Yorgey. Several wives and guests are also expected to attend. I should have more to report in the next set of our class notes.

Since our previously scheduled events were postponed, members of the Reunion Committee felt that it would be a nice gesture and one concrete way to commemorate our graduation by sending each brother rat a challenge coin and a card with some facts about the Class of ’71. As I write, many of you will have already received your coins or will have them in the near future.

Thanks to John Biggs for taking on the task of designing and getting the coins shipped. Many organizations and the military use these challenge coins when a member of a particular group encounters another member. The “rules” that apply are known to most of you but, by request, I will include them here. No. 1: Challenges can be made anywhere, or at any time. No. 2: When challenging, the challenger must state whether it is for a single drink or a round of drinks. No. 3: If a person who is challenged cannot produce the coin or a ’71 class ring, then they are obligated

to buy the agreed-upon number of drinks. No. 4: If all who are challenged produce their coins or their class rings, the challenger loses and buys a round of drinks for all respondents.

The receipt of the above-mentioned coin prompted Alan Lindsey-O’Neal to send an email. Alan said the coin caused him to think about our time at VMI and what a positive influence it had on his professional and personal life.

He also noted that he and his wife of 46 years were looking forward to a 50th anniversary of their own not too far down the road. As of this writing, Alan plans to attend the 50th Reunion next spring.

I am saddened to report the loss of our Brother Rat Jim Pendleton Friday, March 5, 2021. Jim matriculated at VMI from Roanoke, Virginia. He was a chemistry major and remained at VMI until the end of our 2nd Class year. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and worked as a medical lab specialist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Following his time in the Army, Jim worked as a pharmacy technician at the Salem VA Medical Center for 23 years before his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Deborah; three sons and their wives; several grandchildren; and other family members. The Class of 1971 extends our sincere condolences to the Pendleton family.

Many of us fondly remember Dr. Mike Monsour (Hon.), a foreign language professor who later served as department chairman for modern languages at VMI. Mike was known not only as a great professor but also as a person who was able to connect with and guide many cadets during his tenure at VMI. Recognizing this talent, VMI employed Mike as a “counselor to the Corps,” and upon his retirement, he was named an honorary alumnus. Mike died in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in March 2021. On a personal note, all three Kelly brothers who attended VMI were blessed with the friendship and guidance of Mike Monsour.

He was a guest in our home in Pulaski for my mother’s famous Thanksgiving Day dinner in 1976. At the time of his retirement, an endowment was established in Dr. Monsour’s name for those who may wish to make a memorial gift.

A great friend of many members of ’71, Jim Rothrock, from Martinsville, Virginia, also died during the month of March. Jim was involved in a sledding accident while in high school and was paralyzed. He was unable to walk for the remainder of his life. Dick Randolph was a high school classmate and one of many who saw to it that Jim

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Class Notes Player of the year, and Reece Udinski ’21, quarremained an important part of the activities in about the Big Red football team and the aweMartinsville. Jim later became the commissioner some spring season they had. VMI won the South- terback, is a finalist for the Dudley Award given to of the Virginia Department of Aging and Reha- ern Conference championship with an impressive the best player in Virginia. Jakob Herres ’22, wide receiver, and Stone Snyder, linebacker, have been bilitative Services and was instrumental in the 6-1 record. Ranked No. 11 in the FCS, VMI travdevelopment of the Americans with Disabilities eled to No. 1 ranked James Madison University named to the Associated Press FCS All-American Act. Jim worked for five different governors in for the first round of the FCS championship. After first team. Herres had 80 catches for 978 yards and Virginia. Dave Kennedy came to be friends with a hard-fought game, JMU prevailed with a score eight touchdowns, while Snyder had 88 tackles and eight sacks. There are high hopes for this team Jim through connections associated with their of 31-24, closing VMI’s season at 6-2. Our head work. At some point, Jim became an avid Keydet coach, Scott Wachenheim, was recently named as as they approach the fall season with three games fan and often attended sporting events at VMI. the winner of the Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of against non-conference foes followed by eight According to Dave, Jim became friends with the Year, as well as the FCS coach of the year by straight SoCon games. Five of our games will be many of our brother rats, including Golden, Wil- the American Football Coaches Association. Stone at home in Foster Stadium. For ticket information, Snyder ’23 was named the SoCon Defensive seating, parking, etc., visit vmikeydets.com. lis, Metzger, Randolph, Burnette, Coleman, Our class has been well represented at Barksdale, Fogleman, Rogers, Dunlap, our football games this year in spite of and most likely, according to Dave, many limited available seating. The Citadel others. He was often referred to as an game drew a crew consisting of Gault, honorary member of the Class of ’71. Jim is survived by his wife, Jane; son, Sam; Lockridge, Hepler, Acuff, Littleton, and five grandchildren.

Whitley, Pickral, Ellington, Weise, BeEarlier this year, in February, an unusuattie, Bryan, Kirby, and McMath. At al weather pattern brought brutal cold to the playoff game in Harrisonburg were most of the state of Texas. News coverAcuff, Mikula, Gault, Noon, Kelly, age of the event was almost continuous. I Bryan, and Strickler. Buddy’s uncle, decided to reach out to our brother rats I Ron Bryan ’55, came down from Richhad email addresses for to hear how they mond and joined us for the day. were getting along. Buck Hamilton is As promised earlier, here are some out in El Paso and related that his part of things that, as of this date, appear to be Texas is in a different power grid than the set regarding our 50th Reunion. Our reClass of 1971: Visiting the great American West are (from rest of the state. Out there the power sta- left) Lanny and T.S. Gault and Tommy and Jill Cooke ’70 by union dates will be March 25-26, 2022, tions, gas lines, etc., had been winterized the Arkansas River in Salida, Colorado. and several brother rats will likely be after a hard freeze in 2011. They had no in Lexington beginning Wednesday or shortage of power. Buck works with the DepartThursday of that same week. Hotel and registrament of Homeland Security and was on duty durtion information are still in the planning stages. ing a Super Bowl game in Dallas when it was so Your reunion committee members will keep you cold that gas pressure became very low. Quoting informed in a timely fashion to assist everyone Buck, “It was a mess.” Bill Ginder reported loswith travel plans. Our “official” registration will ing power a few times but had no problems with be done online through VMI Ranks (similar to water or frozen pipes. Thanks to prior planning, the registration for our 45th Reunion) and will the Ginders had spirits, meat, and wood. He also likely begin in early January 2022. Each person noted that he preferred 105 degrees any day comwill need to make their own hotel registration pared to the cold. Jim Neikirk was able to spend once the locations are released to us. Much more time at his son’s home where there was a generainformation will be heading your way during the tor. When Jim returned home, he discovered that next few months. As a reminder, you can order a pipe had burst in the kitchen ceiling, causing official reunion clothing through the Class of ’71 some water damage. In spite of it all, Jim says he business account with Lands’ End, which was eswas playing golf by Feb. 21. Sid Friend reported tablished for us by Steve Price. Several people that all was “good” in Lubbock. Charlie Forrest already have some shirts. You will need to set up wins the trophy for the shortest report when he a personal account with Lands’ End to begin orwrote back, “Thanks.” dering your shirts, etc. Once you are on the site Class of 1971: Keydet fans (front) Buddy Things seem to be back to normal out there, and select the items that you wish to buy, you will Bryan and Ron Bryan ’55 and (back) John with the exception of some very large power bills then need to select the logo (VMI spider 1971) Noon and Jim Kelly at the James Madibeing reported across the state. and placement. son University playoff game.

I would imagine by now everyone has heard The link is business.landsend.com/store/1971.

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Class Notes I advise you to begin ordering as soon as possible. Processing takes a couple of weeks, and if you wait too long, you will not get your clothing on time for the reunion. If you encounter problems with that process, contact Steve Price. Hats will be handled separately through VMI under the watchful eye of Dave Kennedy. These probably will be on the registration form and included in the reunion pack to be picked up on arrival.

Since vaccinations are available and the pandemic seems to be slowing down somewhat, many of you, I hope, will be able to enjoy some sort of vacation this summer. Tommy Cooke ’70 and his wife, Jill, bought a camper that they dubbed the “COVID RV” and went on a five-week tour of the western United States. Lanny and T.S. Gault flew out to Colorado to join the Cookes for a few days in early May. Kathryn and I, hopefully, will make a beach trip around September of this year.

Many of us follow, as best we can, all of the happenings at VMI. So much “stuff” circulates almost daily that it is hard to sort out. The reality is that a lot of what we see and hear is often based upon how an individual views the situation. Weekly bulletins are sent out from VMI, and on the vmi. edu website, you can read in detail about the discussions taking place with our leadership and our Board of Visitors. I encourage everyone to keep up with those information sources.

Enjoy the summer and be safe out there. Let me hear from you about your adventures.

In the Bonds, Jim

1972

Larry Houseworth

Greetings BRs, Sister Rats, Families, and Friends, These notes cover mid-February to mid-May. Richmond’s pollen-fog is lifting, and if there’s a God in heaven, we’re headed to an old-time postCOVID-19 sunny summertime.

Throughout the past seven months of the state’s investigation of VMI, it’s been tough to separate fact from fiction and hysteria from reality. However, there is much to cheer. First is the football program’s conference championship, national ranking, and the selection of Coach Scott

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Wachenheim as the FCS Coach of the Year. Ten offensive and seven defensive starters return next year, including Seth Morgan ’23 (quarterback, No. 2 in the nation in pass completion percentage), Jacob Herres ’22 (wide receiver, No. 1 in the nation for receiving yards), and Stone Snyder ’23 (linebacker, No. 10 nationally ranked for sacks.)

In the SoCon basketball tournament, VMI came from 10 points down with three minutes to play to force overtime and went on to beat No. 3 seeded Furman in overtime to advance to the semifinals. McKenna Imset ’21 and Sydney Shettleroe ’23 each earned spots on the 2021 All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s water polo team, and the team advanced to the MAAC finals. Jordin Poindexter ’22, VMI men’s track and field sprinter, was named the SoCon’s Most Outstanding Male Track Performer at the SoCon Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

And Ariana Ruffin ’21, sprinter and the Cadet Equity Association’s vice president for investigations, ran a personal best in the 400 (56.68), good for second in the preliminaries at the SoCon Indoor Championships. She won the title the next day.

The ethics team won the 2021 Military Ethics Case Competition hosted by the Naval Academy’s Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, defeating the Naval Academy, West Point, and the Air Force Academy.

In May’s virtual Town Hall, Maj. Gen. Wins ’85 touched on the following positive news (I encourage each of you to “attend” these if you can).

Four cadets who exemplify outstanding character and achievement: Brady Biller ’21, whose Facebook post addressing honor and VMI is absolutely inspiring.

Kasey Meredith ’22, VMI’s first female first captain and regimental commander and an international studies major minoring in Spanish and planning to commission in the U.S. Marine Corps at graduation.

Troy Smith ’21, 2020-21 first captain and regimental commander, class treasurer with a 4.0 GPA, computer and information sciences major who is interning with the National Security Agency and participated in a summer abroad program at Cambridge University.

Jordan Ward ’21, 2020-21 Honor Court vice president, regimental S6 staff, First Team AllSoCon Football, winner of Three-Legged Stool,

and a mechanical engineering major.

Graduation, summer school, and the Summer Transition Program will be held in person this summer. (Approximately 25% of the Corps is fully COVID-19 vaccinated.)

Applications for admissions are ahead of last year. This summer’s incoming class will number 515–520, with a higher number of women, approximately 112 athletes, 55-58% STEM majors, and an average GPA of 3.66 and top onethird of their class.

The Institute continues to adhere to full transparency in the Barnes & Thornburg audit and believes that cadets are the best spokespersons.

The Cadet Equity Association has referred one case to him in the past six months; it was successfully adjudicated.

The selection process for the new commandant is well underway. Maj. Gen. Wins said that this position is the toughest and most impactful of all positions at the Institute. (Selection should be made by the time you read these notes.)

Maj. Gen. Wins then turned the meeting over to Coach Scott Wachenheim; if you’ve never heard him speak, you’re really missing something. His philosophy is grounded in “grit, brotherhood, and purpose.” He believes in “do everything in love” and believes that “culture defeats strategy.” Coaches, staff, and team members have bought in, as one, and he fully expects to repeat this year’s success.

Wachenheim said he is striving to recruit 67% from out-of-state. (Reece Udinski ’21 and Seth Morgan ’23, quarterbacks; Jacob Herres ’22, wide receiver; and Ethan Caselberry ’22, linebacker, are examples of successful out-of-state recruiting). Scholarship athletes’ attrition rates are approximately 16%—par with the rest of the Corps. There is increased emphasis on military background and focus on football introductory programs.

Lara Chambers ’03 addressed athletes’ academic performances at January’s Board of Visitors meeting. She reported, “The cadet-athlete term GPA was a 2.85, and the cumulative was a 2.81 compared to the Corps term GPA of a 2.9 and cumulative GPA of 2.87. There were five cadet-athletes with a perfect 4.0 term GPA, 68 with a 3.5 or higher, and 170 with greater than a 3.0 GPA. No team posted lower than a 2.60 cumulative GPA.” We’re recruiting well.

By the time you read these notes, our 50th Reunion Legacy Committee, under the direction

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Class Notes of Pete Ramsey (with co-chairs Walt Chalkley, Rick Hack, and John Fick) and our 50th Reunion Planning Committee, under the guidance of Tom Moncure, will be at full speed ahead.

Tom says, “Planning for the 50th Reunion, April 21-24, 2022, is well underway as the committee works closely with the Alumni Association on a memorable event celebrating a half-century since our graduation. By now, you will have received the refrigerator magnet, highlighted

by Philip Clayton’s fine artwork, as well as an enclosed note with hotel information and a listing of the main events. We anticipate a robust turnout from the Class of ’72 and a thunderous Old Yell in the courtyard!” Amen; I can personally attest to the time and effort already spent by all of you. Bravo!

Barry Garland, who transferred to West Point at the end of our rat year, sent this very interesting note. “Having been both a rat and a plebe, I have commented on both Class sites (’72 and ’73) about the chasm of difference that exists in both the Honor Code and esprit de corps between the two schools. If I had to do it all again, I’d have preferred to reverse that order and leave the USMA after plebe year in order to start the truly valuable officer preparation that I received as a rat at VMI.” Excellent food for thought, BR; thank you.

I hope you all saw the photo Paul Gorski shared of Maj. Gen. Wins and Sgt. Maj. Sowers visiting quarantined cadets. Inspiring.

Also, big thanks to Eric Hammersen for sharing the information of his one-on-one with Steve Maconi, VMI Alumni Agencies chief executive officer. It provided excellent context and background for many of the issues challenging VMI. If you haven’t seen it, let me know.

Dave Condon shared a funny story about his acceptance letters from Old Dominion and VMI. Walt Chalkley shared news of his and Debbie’s visit with the Peays. He said, “I passed on good wishes from our class and our committee members. He truly appreciates what we are doing and stressed how important it is that the fundraising continues to support VMI.” Thanks, BR. Had a great conversation with Walt Galanty, Arizona snowbird. In addition to a couple of interesting takes on challenges to VMI, he said, “Meg and I traveled back from Arizona this past week, and we will be in Alexandria until this September. I am still working but now assisting

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Class of 1972: Jack Miller manning Post No. 1 for a downed Avenger at Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Class of 1972: Dick Vogel and friend after a win in the rain.

Class of 1972: The VMI Post Band circa the 1880s.

meetings and events dealing with COVID-19 testing. We are supplying everyone with a nocost at-home PCR testing option.” This guy continues to be a human dynamo!

G.T. Lahmers sent an excellent catch-up. “As promised, I said I would send you a short note.

Basically, all is going well, and yes, as I said, I am still working full-time for SA-TECH. No retirement plans in sight. Just I have been severely curtained in my travels. I have had only one business trip in the last 16 months and that was last month to the garden spot of Clovis, New Mexico, (eastern New Mexico) on a site visit to Melrose Range. The prior trip was the first week of January 2020 to Germany for a site visit to what used to be called Polygone range.

Wife is still working in the Colorado Springs school system. Oldest son is now working at Los Alamos National Labs but lives in Santa Fe. Youngest is a freshman at the University of Colorado at Boulder, sort of following his brother.

He is in chemical engineering while his brother was engineering-physics. The school year with COVID-19 restrictions has been a mess. Really haven’t seen or heard from anyone, but last August and September, Craig Taylor and I exchanged a few emails and talked about the upcoming reunion. I also saw Fred Bauer, but that has now been also 18-20 months ago. Craig sent me some old great pictures, but unfortunately several of BRs in the pictures have passed away.

One had Lee Dillon and me, and one had Henry Bruno, Steve Blair, Craig Taylor, and me in it. I sent him some from the 45th Reunion. One picture had Rick Patterson and me in front of room 331 where we roomed together, and another picture had Rick, Alan McElroy, and Tom Moncure in front of their old room 409 on the 4th stoop.”

Would love to see those—thanks, BR! Fellow Band Company BR George Kosovic sent the historic band picture from an exchange between him, Sterling Spencer, and Rich Wilson. George said, “Remember Bill the Bugler from our cadet days? Bill was the last active (or living) musician from what was called the Post Band, which is what we see depicted in Richard’s photo here. They were an assortment of local musicians and former military band members and unit buglers. (Some of them also worked ‘jobs’ around post, typically, as I heard it, in the barber and uniform shops within barracks.) You may recall that the dark blue wool blouse Bill wore in our day bore a striking resemblance to the band

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes uniforms in Rich’s photo.” Thanks, BR; I usually only caught a glimpse of his blouse as I sprinted by.

Remember that World War II-era Avenger that belly-flopped off Cocoa Beach? U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary star Jack Miller sent this: “Last night, Donna, myself, and two others were asked by the U.S. Space Force police to help keep the Avenger safe for the night. It is the World War II plane that crashed in the water in Cocoa Beach, Florida, during the air show.

She is in very bad shape! There was also a bad thunderstorm with lots of lightning. Between the plane and lightning, it looked like we were in an episode of Twilight Zone! Donna and I had the 7-10 p.m. shift and then the 12 p.m.-4 a.m. shift.

It was a great experience to help protect this plane and help the new Space Force! No one was hurt; the pilot climbed out and swam ashore!” This USCG father-in-law heartily salutes you, BR! Roger Lodi sent interesting family news.

“April and May will be milestones for Randy and me. I retire from the FBI April 30, while she retires from the U.S. Coast Guard May 31. My last eight years with the FBI were productive and fulfilling. I supported federal law enforcement operations in violent and whitecollar crime and counterintelligence. Randy’s oversight of the command and control network maintenance on the Coast Guard’s national security cutters was equally gratifying for her.

Now we will settle down with primacy to enjoying the days and our family. I’ve always been out of phase with our BRs because I married Randy at 40, raising a family 20 years later than most of them; now I’m finally in step!

Though some might debate that! Our door is always open to ’72 guests.” Wow, impressive on all counts, BR! And Lou Welker slid in at “the last note of assembly! Ellen and I are doing fine. With our COVID-19 vaccines now behind us, the opportunities to ‘venture out’ have significantly increased. We still get back to Lexington about once a month. More interaction with the grandkids is a shining light.”

And, lastly, our erudite and exceedingly modest Chris Arey reports, “Nothing for the confessional this time ... atonement still underway.”

That’s a wrap for this one, BRs; thanks for all your news and views and stay safe. Rah Virginia Mil! Larry

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1973

Mike Kelly

Hello, Brother Rats!

I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the summer. It is still spring as I write these notes, and today is actually May 15, New Market Day, and a memorial day for VMI alumni who have paid the ultimate price during periods of war and conflict from 1864 till today. Hopefully, you took a few minutes this week to fly the VMI colors and remember those who have passed on.

Pat and I are getting ready to host a gathering tonight of alumni from the Raleigh Chapter. We did not get together last year, and the chapter recently resumed our monthly breakfast meetings, so we are looking forward to a nice gathering this evening.

We have had a pretty busy spring going to Pulaski County to work on the homeplace, Pat’s still working a couple of days a week, and my environmental consulting business has gone crazy this year; I have already done more jobs this year than all of last. We plan to take a break Memorial Day and relax some at the ranch in Virginia and then head to Florida in June. My son, Derek, and his wife, Katy, are expecting their first child (a girl) June 4, so we are all excited about the new arrival.

(Although as grandparents, this makes 11 grandchildren for us!) I need to win the lottery to send all these kids to VMI. I only heard from a few of you this month. It seems like everyone is busy and trying to get back to a normal routine. I had a note from Stuart Seaton not long after the February notes were sent in along with a picture of Tom Napier. Stuart, Darrell Rickmond, Danny Williamson, Sandy McNamara, Mark Skupien, and Tom all went quail hunting. Stuart said it was a special day for them, as it was Tom’s first hunt, and he did not go home empty-handed. Mark Weiss normally goes with them but could not make the trip; however, Darrell’s son, Daniel Rickmond ’07, went in his place. They said they had a great day together. Stuart recently sent me a note with a bumper sticker he had made up. It is red and yellow and says, “VMI HONOR CODE, IT’S Non-Negotiable.”

Let Stuart know if you would like to have one.

Mike Burke told me he was going to retire from teaching English after this semester at the St. Louis Community College-Meramec. He said that after 27 years in the Army and 20 more teaching, he was ready for a break. Mike said he was looking forward to our 50th Reunion.

Tom and Bonnie Clark lost their dog this winter.

Cricket, their Boston terrier, was like another child to them, and I expect many of us know that loss.

Tom said they have three RV camping trips scheduled this summer in Colorado and are planning an East Coast trip to Maryland this fall.

Charlie Havasy turned 70 a few months ago and was required to retire from the sheriff’s department in Stafford County, Virginia; however, a month later, he returned to work on the court service unit where he had been working.

That was a short retirement! Charlie says his health is good, and he enjoys working the reduced schedule and having free time, as well.

I received a letter from Terry Howlett. (I actually received two—the first one was an empty envelope!) Terry said it was right after his 70th birthday, and that was the first thing he had forgotten! I have mentioned before that Terry flies for the Civil Air Patrol and was recently awarded the 2020 Southwest Region CAP Norm Edwards Counterdrug Officer of the Year award. Congratulations to Terry for his dedication and hard work for the state of Texas.

I communicate regularly with my other roommate, Roland Tiso. Roland continues to look for opportunities and is not interested in retiring. He would love to get a position at VMI for a few years.

One of his fondest memories of being in the Army is of the years he was at VMI as a TAC officer. We also have regular communication with M.B. Adelson and R.B. Newman, both of whom are doing well. M.B. is semi-retired, and R.B. is still hard at it as a strategic consultant for the military.

Pete and Karen Walters are doing well. Both have received their vaccines without any side effects, and he is pleased that Pennsylvania is slowly lifting some of their restrictions. I mentioned recently that Pete purchased an aircraft kit (SkyReach Bushcat) he plans to build. He said he was notified it was ready to ship from South Africa and expects to start working on it in June. They are going to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association annual flyin, where he will also work on getting his Federal Aviation Administration repairman license. I am looking forward to seeing this project unfold. I

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Class Notes hope your trip and plane construction go well.

I have reported on Mac Kirkpatrick’s BMW motorcycle excursions over the years, as he and often his wife and son travel around the country and in Mexico and Canada. Mac told me he leaves a bike at his sister’s house in Flagstaff and flies out to explore the West Coast. In February, he was out west taking a bike trip to Death Valley when he had a serious accident which left him with multiple broken ribs and other related injuries. While in the hospital, he had a bad reaction to the medication he was receiving. His wife, Melanie, flew out to help get him home, and Mac said he was recovering quite well at home.

Apparently, the “blackout” he experienced was caused by two holes in his heart that he did not know about, which caused him to have a mild stroke and wreck. He was unaware of the heart condition and said that actually a large percentage of people have the condition and do not know it. We are really glad you are mending and getting back on that “horse” once again. Mac said he and Melanie plan to go back to Flagstaff to pick up a tiny camper outfitted in an off-road Toyota Tacoma that will allow them to get to see some really remote locations. They also plan to stop and see Tom and Bonnie Clark during the trip. Hope you have a great time, Mac, and a safe trip.

Bob and Carolyn Bowman survived COVID-19 and have been able to get out of the house more. Rob said they had a really bad ice storm this winter, and he has been spending a lot of time cleaning up limbs and sawing up trees. Fortunately, they had a generator and were able to get by with no electricity. They recently took a trip to visit their son and family in Alabama and came back through eastern Tennessee and Caldwell County, North Carolina. They visited museums, attended grandkids’ ballgames, and had a wonderful trip.

Class of 1973: John and Ann Pinner visiting with John Sykes in Bluffton, South Carolina.

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They are looking forward to many more adventures.

I have gotten a couple of letters and emails from Dean Smith. He spends a lot of time volunteering at the Orlando Florida Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feeding the hungry. Dean said they have eight children and 25 grandchildren. (He has me beat!) They are all doing well. Dean said that 73 was still his favorite number and that he appreciated the experience at VMI and all the folks who helped him get through! Dean also occasionally sends me some of the “best jokes he knows” and wanted me to share one of them with you.

“Mother: ‘Our cat died, but he’s in heaven with God.’ Son: ‘What’s God want with a dead cat?’” And, “Diner: ‘Why is your thumb on my steak?’ Waiter: ‘I didn’t want it to fall on the floor again.’” Thanks, Dean, I got a few chuckles out of that last list.

Scott Lingamfelter reported that he recently signed a contract for his new book, so congratulations to him on that! Scott regularly posts his commentaries on Facebook, titled “Copy Book Warrior.” He has some very interesting reading.

Steve Lane posts pictures of Lexington on a regular basis—mostly of the countryside, cows grazing in the field, or the sun rising or setting. If you are not on our class Facebook page, you should join. Let Tom Clark know if you are interested.

Larry Mays is a frequent Facebook person, and for the past couple of months, he has been keeping us appraised on the great football team and posting articles and pictures. Congratulations to the VMI team for winning the Southern Conference this year, beating The Citadel, and getting to the national playoffs in football. A number of VMI players were recognized as players of the year, and Coach Scott Wachenheim was the Region 2 coach of the year! Tim Hughey and Larry often share news articles about the Institute on the class page.

That is about all I have for now. As restrictions are lifted, I look forward to the fall and opportunities to get together at games and mini reunions.

I will remind you again that if you aren’t on the VMI Ranks, you should join. You can put in your email and other information, and you look for alumni contact information for anyone registered.

You can also receive regular updates from VMI. Take care and be safe out there.

In the bonds, Mike

1974

Snookie Parker

Greetings, Brother Rats, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1974!

I trust these notes will find you in good spirits.

The following covers the period from Feb. 15 to May 15.

On March 4, I received a call from Hall Brodie.

He was headed north on I-95, passing by Wilson, North Carolina, on his way to see grandkids. Big news: Hall is engaged to be married to Martha, a gal he knew in high school. In fact, she visited Hall at VMI his senior year. They had not seen each other for 46 years; Hall’s sister got them back together. They are going to reside in Columbia, South Carolina, close to her kids and grandkids.

Hall mentioned an interesting encounter. He was near Willow Lawn on the west side of Richmond visiting his son, Kyle, and his wife, Megan, for a birthday party for Hall’s granddaughter. Hall volunteers to run to Starbucks to pick up some coffee for the adults. While there, an older fellow comes into Starbucks. Hall noticed a VMI cap and struck up a conversation. The fellow was Class of ’63.

They talked for a while and then started out. Hall happened to ask his name: Gil Minor ’63. Latebreaking news: Mel Clark texted me in early May and said Hall and Martha were tying the knot May 15, 2021. Congrats all around!

Speaking of wedding bells, John McLaren is engaged—as far as I know—wedding date to be determined!

Charley Banning received an email out of the blue from J.B. Smith. J.B. is still traveling to Iraq rebuilding stuff. For the last three years, J.B. has been coordinating the reconstruction work for Aid to the Church in Need in Iraq, rebuilding houses churches, schools, etc. J.B. worked on restoring the Great Al-Tahira Church in Qarakosh which the pope visited March 7, 2021. He said it was a really neat project on which to work—a nice and rewarding retirement volunteer activity. John spent time in Beirut, traveled home for a short while then headed back to Germany and points south. What a calling. God’s speed to you, John!

In early March, I received an email from Bert

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Graham. He and Cherryl had spent six restful weeks in Clearwater, Florida, and were about to head back to Berwyn, Pennsylvania, via I-95. They were contemplating a breakfast stop in Wilson, North Carolina, if schedules would allow. As it turned out, Marla and I happened to be in Florida, as well—Jacksonville Beach, to be precise—TPC Sawgrass “The Players” weekend. I mentioned that I-95 runs right through Jacksonville, so if schedules would allow, we could meet for brunch or dinner while on the way back to Pennsylvania. We met for brunch at the Metro Diner on the west side of Jacksonville and enjoyed eggs, flapjacks, and joe ... and catching up! Cherryl is still swinging a golf club when not working, and Bert is an avid pickleball player. Appreciated the call and the opportunity to break bread together.

On Friday, April 30, Rob “Kid” Fulks retired after 40 years in the oil and gas business—the last 30 with Weatherford.

Vivian and Rob are looking forward to new things and taking it easy.

A quick update on Steve Wolf—a really great story. Steve contracted leukemia and, as a result, was not allowed to practice medicine anymore. Steve’s sister turned out to be a bone marrow donor match. It took 12 years, but Steve is now fully recovered and has been permitted (the first ever) to return to practice. Steve is currently living and practicing in Dayton, Ohio, but it is his and his wife’s desire to return to Flagstaff, Arizona. I am a firm believer that good things happen to good people!

Godspeed to you, Steve!

The week of April 10, Marla and I were in Jacksonville, Florida, for my belated 50-year high school reunion for those who wished to risk a mask-less gathering of vaccinated classmates. I must say that it was well attended, everyone had a ton of fun, and no one got sick! While in town, we had lunch at Salt Life in Jacksonville Beach with Judge Nottingham and his son, Chris Nottingham ’08. Judge stays busy full time managing the COVID19-related challenges for his Carolina Lumber business—high demand for material; supplier, transport, and cost of

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Class of 1974: At the Zinkand home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, are Jane and Bert Zinkand and Marla and Snookie Parker.

Class of 1974: On the shores of their retirement home in Hernando Beach, Florida, are Tommie and Charlie Toler with Marla and Snookie Parker.

Class of 1974: Craig and Carol Smith and Betsy and Ken Terry in Aruba.

material; and a scarce labor market keep Judge up at night. Chris is back in Jacksonville after time in New Orleans and has put a pause on his Level III Sommelier certification pursuits. I did make it over to Judge’s home at Atlantic Beach and got to see his lovely wife, Rhoda. Such a sweetheart!

While in Jacksonville, Marla and I had an opportunity to brunch with Rob and Joan Bacon. All is well in the Bacon clan.

Rob is enjoying his retirement. Son Sean is gainfully employed in Jax, and daughter Elizabeth and husband John are raising Sarah, Chris, and Ryan in Pensacola, Florida. News flash: Joan has finally had enough and is retiring from teaching in June—allowing free time for grandparenting duties in Pensacola! Enjoy!

On April 15, Lane Toomey and Gary Trinkle hosted the initial VMI Class of 1974 50th Reunion Committee planning meeting via Zoom. Seems like we had 20plus BRs online in attendance. Kudos to those BRs who have stepped up to provide their time and energy to make our 50th Reunion one to remember. As you are aware, we are living in some interesting times, so the challenges facing the committee are enormous. I am confident that it will be the GOAT! On April 19, Lane Toomey wrote to report on not a mini but a micro reunion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Present were Mike Andriani Sr. and wife Lera, Ron Stelmasczyk, John White, and Lane. It was a proud papa moment! The occasion was Mike’s son’s assumption of command. Mike Andriani Jr. ’13 gave an impressive, short speech, just as one would expect of a VMI alumnus in such a ceremony. The consensus among attendees was that Mike Jr. would do well during his tenure of command. Lane reports that all had a good time catching up on each other’s news. Mike Sr. was recognized for his 45 years of federal service, having retired this spring.

Arnie Leonard wrote needing an additional class coin for his 5-year-old grandson who, while on a visit with his grandparents, was enamored by Arnie’s coin, so Arnie got him one. The traveling

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Class Notes shoes are back on for Arnie and Maria. They had just returned from 10 days of grandparenting duties in Nashville, Tennessee, while their daughter, Sarah, and husband were out of town for a couple of days. On their way back to North Carolina, they took a detour stop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to meet Arnie’s sister who happened to be in the area. Arnie took the group on a tour of the Great Smokey Mountains, one of Arnie’s favorite places.

Arnie and Maria are headed to Disney World to meet Sarah, her husband, and the grandchildren in June then off to Iceland in July to drive the perimeter and photograph some phenomenally unusual scenes in nature, only found in Iceland.

On Friday, April 30, with the able assistance of David and Susan Sheppard, we resumed our Wilson cotillion social calendar with a Jimmy Buffetthemed “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” beach party dinner/dance featuring margaritas from Margaritaville, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and the Castaways Dance Band. It was a much-needed social gathering after over a year of COVID-19 lockdown. Marla and I did leave the event before closing (and clean up), as we had plane tickets for Tampa early Saturday morning. One of Marla’s favorites is Kenny Chesney. A couple of months ago, Kenny anticipated relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and announced plans to open with a concert in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Since it was my birthday (May 6), Mother’s Day (May 9), and easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, I bought concert tickets, secured direct flights, and reserved hotel rooms only to learn Kenny had to postpone the concert since COVID-19 restrictions, although relaxed, still would not allow Raymond James Stadium to sell out. So, we traveled to Tampa anyway and turned it into an MLB and beach trip ... which included BR visits. I have been on a lifelong quest to attend all the MLB stadiums and have two left: Cleveland and Toronto. I plan to have them done this summer; however, they continue to build new stadiums, so the quest continues. Examples: Atlanta is on their third stadium since I started years ago, and the Yankees and Mets are on their second. The Texas Rangers now have a new stadium, so I’ll have to go there. It turns out the quarantine restrictions for all entering Canada have the Toronto Blue Jays playing their home games in their spring training stadium in Dunedin, Florida, just north of Tampa until the restrictions are lifted. Marla and I went to see Toronto play the Atlanta Braves that Saturday and saw Tampa Bay Rays play the

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Houston Astros that Sunday. Not too far up the Gulf Coast is Hernando Beach and the retirement home for Charlie and Tommie Toler. We called to coordinate a visit. What a treat. Charlie and Tommie have an interesting story on how they landed in Hernando Beach. A couple of years ago, Charlie and Tommie were living the life on the beach in the panhandle of Florida when someone knocked on their door and made them an offer they could not refuse on their home that was not for sale.

They sold and became cash-rich and house poor— homeless and somewhat forced to downsize.

They purchased an upscale RV and began to tour the U.S. They were looking for a place to settle, checked a number of places along the way, and discovered the perfect spot on the water in Hernando Beach, Florida. They purchased a lot, built a house on stilts with a dock and a large outdoor patio area, an RV, a truck, and a boat. It is a little off the beaten path—an ideal getaway. We had a grand visit. We had great lunch at a spot only locals would know, a food truck parked behind a marina/ boat launch. The stories were hilarious. Charlie may be a world-class Marine fighter pilot, but as a new boat owner, every day is a learning experience. Ships ahoy, mate! Enjoyed the visit!

From Hernando Beach, we pushed south to Lido Beach and St. Armand Square in Sarasota. After a day on the beach and a tour of the Ringling brothers’ estate, we contacted Craig Smith, who lives about 35 minutes south in Venice, and coordinated for dinner at The Drift Restaurant at the Lido

Beach Resort. We joined Craig and Carol for some fine dining and were treated to a majestic sunset view of the beach. Craig and Carol are doing well and also downsizing to make life a little bit more convenient. They recently returned from a trip to Aruba where they were joined by Ken and Betsy Terry. I’m not sure why they had rendezvoused in Aruba; they may have been looking for their roommate, Bruce Boswell, who has been missing in action for quite some time. He’s out there somewhere, likely doing something clandestine, but clearly not in Aruba. Carol is still working and

Class of 1974: Having brunch at the Metro Diner in Jacksonville, Florida, are (from left) Snookie and Marla Parker and Cherryl and Bert Graham.

Class of 1974: At Dave Hickey’s celebration of life are (from left) Dave Sheppard, Sam Powell, Rick Hess, Kent Wheeless, Bill Shumate, Debbie Banning, Tracey Crawley, Charlie Banning, John Crawley, Marla Parker, and Snookie Parker.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes keeps her catering business warm as a side hustle.

Craig is still carrying a single-digit handicap ... how tough can life be! Great visit, and thanks for the birthday treat!

Before heading back to North Carolina, we checked in on Bert and Jane Zinkand who reside in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, about 20 minutes due east of Sarasota International Airport. Bert and Jane have been in the Sarasota area for about 20 years and have a truly unique and interesting story on how they came to land in Sarasota. After a stint in Air Force intel, Bert secured a job with Ford in Memphis, Tennessee, where he met and married Jane, a Texas girl (Dallas, I think) who was then an engineer working for FedEx if I remember correctly. They had a son, Al, who was 5 or 6 years old when Bert and Jane sold their house and most of their stuff, bought a sailboat, and sailed the Caribbean for five years, homeschooling Al along the way. They told some fascinating stories about time on the high seas, such an interesting lifestyle filled with some harrowing experiences. Along the way, they agreed to help a colleague with his business which led them to Sarasota and the path to starting their own business—Employee Select.

They sold their sailboat and bought a land-loving house. However, they did not give up sailing. They secured a Nacra 20 Racing Catamaran to keep up their sailing skills. Worked well when they were younger. A couple of years ago with Jane on the trapeze and Bert on the till, too much wind and not enough control resulted in a capsized catamaran, severely injuring Jane’s ankle. The good news is they survived to tell the story. The bad news is Jane’s ankle is getting better after several surgeries, but it has taken a long time. Not much sailing these days, but both are dedicated members of the local gun club. Bert and Jane are warm and gracious hosts. One of the many highlights of the visit for me was a tasting of some of Bert’s select bourbons—one of which was Pappy Van Winkle.

We drank. We ate. We told tales. We wore funny hats. We laughed. We took pictures. Too much fun.

What a great visit!

I just got off the phone with Pat Flynn. He has been at his new place, Hops Hill, in Rockridge County since March, working off his punch list.

He claims he is about finished with everything indoors—still working on a few things outdoors.

Sue just rejoined Pat on Hops Hill. Pat did mention gathering with Snap and Cathy Carlock over at Russ and Mary Stuart Harlow’s place. Rave reviews on that gathering. I think Pat is readying the

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place for a housewarming on a football weekend in September. I am told there is a brewery within a mile or two of Hops Hill. How convenient. I wonder if Pat could work out a Hops Hill special with the brewery?

Sad news to report. On Feb. 12, BR Dave “Big Hick” Hickey passed away suddenly in his home in Staunton, Virginia. Even though there were COVID-19 and weather (snow predicted) concerns, several BRs attended Dave’s Feb. 22 funeral: David Sheppard, Sam Powell, Rick Hess, Kent Wheeless, Bill Shumate, John and Stacie Crawley, Charley and Debra Banning, and yours truly along with Marla. The night before the funeral, Charley, Debra, Marla, and I were warmly received as we had the opportunity to spend time with Dave’s wife, Linda, and family. Tom Cunningham, Dave’s roommate at VMI for three-anda-half years, was not able to attend but did call that night to pay his respects, as well. Tom and Robin have moved out of the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C., for peace and serenity of Callao, Virginia, on the Northern Neck. A lasting impression: A tight-knit family and a tight-knit community in Swoope, Virginia ... warm, generous, and engaging. I ask all to keep Linda and her family in your prayers.

Other sad news—on the morning of March 13, BR Preston Mackey Williams (Matriculation No. 107) passed away in his home after succumbing to a combination of health issues with his wife, a brother, son, and daughter at his side.

Preston only attended for two-and-a-half years and roomed with Fred Parks and Jim Pavlou.

He married Blair Martin, daughter of Julia Lewis Smith Martin, VMI assistant public information officer at the time, and resided in Lexington since marrying Blair. Fred spoke with Preston March 8 just before he returned home from the ICU to hospice care. Fred Parks on Preston: “Aug. 20, 1970, was a special day for me. VMI, room 427, and the start of a 50-year friendship unlike any I’ve known: Preston Mackey Williams. His mom and dad became a second set of parents to me and Pres a true ‘brother.’ His wit, creativity, spirit, and love of life leave an incredible void for those who knew him well. No soul has ever been more genuine. We did have the chance to say goodbye, something for which I am forever grateful. Pres was truly one of a kind, and I shall miss him deeply.”

Jim Pavlou on Preston: “I have many wonderful memories of Preston. He was fun-loving,

fun-living, fun to be around, nonjudgmental. In the 70s when he and Blair were dating, I told him that Fred, he, and I had influenced each other for the better.” Keep Blair and her family in your prayers.

May you rest in peace, brother rat!

A final note on pictures for class notes. The limit is five photos per set of class notes. It is best to send a photo as a .jpg file. The closer the size is to 1MB, the higher the probability the photo will meet the Alumni Review requirement for publication. Sometimes for some class notes, I do not have current photos for the class note period. Other times, I have too many and have to choose. For the previous set of notes, I did not have current photos, so I submitted older photos from class notes where I had too many and had to choose. This set of notes was a case of too many photos, so I had to choose. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it! In the bonds, 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

In reporting from my hermitage this May morning, I’m struck with the timing in that you will read this missive in mid-August. In just three weeks from your receiving these tidings, we will collectively be gathering in Lexington for our 45+1 Reunion. All the plans are in place, you have received the invitations, the sign-ups are complete, and lodging reservations are made. The prospect of seeing as many of you as possible—and with full, beaming faces, not the masked, half visages we’ve had to endure for these many months— pleases me to no end. In many ways, I expect this gathering to look much like a giant litter of puppies tumbling all over one another, tugging on the same chew toy, yapping at the same time, nipping at a brother pup’s ears, wetting ourselves due to the excitement!

I’m also struck with the memories that, as you digest the bilge I often serve you, 50 years ago— Aug. 19, 1971—we 375 collectively walked

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Class Notes through Jackson Arch for the first time, marking the start of a journey of lifelong friendships, shared misery, and shared good times. I urge you all to please consider returning for our 45+1 reunion next month. Don’t allow a 50-year-old wall of bad memory keep you away. This is about now and not then; we need each other, mates.

With this stated, on with scene III of this five-act play. These notes are your news from mid-February through mid-May 2021.

Not much news came in early on. Lots of interest in the football team as each week progressed and the drama of last-second wins built. Only one classmate got in to see the 14-13 Furman win Feb. 28, 2021, as only 250 patrons were admitted. Several of us made it to the games March 12 when we beat Mercer 41-14 and March 27 when we lost to ETSU 24-21. Then April 17, the big game versus The Citadel. The 5-1 Keydets vanquished El Cid 31-17 to retain the Silver Shako in front of an adoring and enthusiastic crowd announced at 3,000 (but the gates were thrown open at halftime and I’d bet there were 4,500 or more). Witnesses to the happy spectacle from our class were O. Way, D. Darnell, A. Morgan, R. Taylor, S. Risser, A. Nunn, D. Schuyler, C. Louthan, M. Hunter, Wm. Hunter, D. Brooks, S. Chapin, S. Fleming, K. Wong, B. Vanderberry, and me. Dan Brooks drove the longest distance coming in from Wilmington, Delaware. Dan gives many thanks to Kimo for securing a game ticket for him.

On March 10, I enjoyed a long phone conversation with Bill Kobus. He was down at his winter home in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg area. We mused over VMI, our time in the U.S. Army (he was armor in Germany), his New Jersey home, New York City, sharing our collective knowledge of the Brooklyn Bridge; lots of general catching up.

April 10, 2021, brought the memorial service for John Crenshaw in Newport News, Virginia.

John led an interesting life of adventure and patriotic duty. His family nickname was “Bub,” and he enjoyed high-risk sports like skydiving, rock climbing, and rappelling. His mom told the guests a fun little anecdote about how John’s first flight in an airplane was his first of five training jumps at Airborne School. She mentioned that since that first plane trip, John had been up in a plane 82 times in his life and only landed in the plane in which he took off once! John’s best friend growing up told stories about adventures and capers when they were younger. There was much discussion about

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the pygmy boa constrictor John kept in his room as a first. Oscar Richardson led the service and gave a nice sermon on grace. Guy Conte spoke of working with John in barracks on class matters, and Ronnie Norman had nice words to say about leadership and working alongside John as a member of his regimental staff. Other classmates who attended the service were John Maples, Dan Schultz, Rob Taylor, Frank Cole, Greg Diamontopulos, Bill Puttmann, Dennis Lewin, and me.

Scott Risser reported on contact with Bob Deslongchamps recently. Bob lives in Elkton, Virginia, just northeast of Harrisonburg. Scott states he will keep working on Bob to try to convince him to return and join the class in September. The Rissers will host the E. Smiths, R. Davisons, and B. Terpeluk for the reunion weekend. Scott also pointed out that we have a 7-foot Australian JUCO transfer arriving in August.

Rick Davison wrote in about the wonderful send-off from the Houston BRs hosted by Bill Turpin and wife Ann. By the time you read this, the Davisons will have closed on their home in Texas and closed on their retirement condo in Athens, Georgia. They are enthusiastic to be within a reasonable drive to the reunion.

Greg Stultz and recent new spouse Kathleen have spent the last few months dealing with Canadian and U.S. immigration trying to get Kathleen a green card so she can be in the USA more than six months at a time. They spent the winter months in Perth, Ontario. Hearty folks, those!

Reporting in from Alexandria, Virginia, Rich “Maco” McFarland updated me on his leadership activities with his Episcopal Church and his struggle to employ tact with the many volunteers at his church. Most of all, Maco spoke of the rewarding enjoyment he gets in his nearly daily babysitting duties for his granddaughter, Virginia. Mac has become quite nimble as an efficient diaper changer without soiling his skin or clothing with E. coli!

I received a nice note from Andy Andisheh reporting on the pandemic and, like many, now being vaccinated. He and his wife, Athena, celebrated her son’s 19th birthday in mid-April.

Philip Dove sent greetings in from Platte City, Missouri (just north of Kansas City). Philip and Jean relocated there from San Antonio four years ago to be close to kids and grandkids. Phil retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2000, Jean retired from school administration a year later, and they have traveled quite a bit. They even got to watch a daughter and granddaughter receive

their diplomas on the same day at Oregon State University—go Beavers!

Bob Winfree wrote in a lengthy email declaring he believed this was his first contribution to the class notes ever. He believes he has ground to make up for bygone time. I’m simply grateful for his submission. Bob was a five-year man and graduated with the Class of 1976 as a civil engineer. He has enjoyed a versatile career in both private and civil service in the areas of civil engineering, managing electronic warfare programs, infrared countermeasure programs, and information technology.

He left civil service in the late 1990s and worked in private service as an IT director in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. In 2011, Bob reentered civil service, working at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

For the past 10 years, he has worked on the F-16 program managing foreign military sales with the Kingdom of Morocco and has traveled to Morocco several times a year. He now gets around Marrakech quite well. Retirement for him and Mary looks like it will be two to three years off.

Tim Parker continues to sound well. He is preparing for the wedding of his niece, Ph.D. graduations for his son and daughter-in-law, and working with a book publisher on two book proposals. Tim still teaches business classes at the local community college and has a small consulting business that focuses on advising on leadership.

A high-spirited Elmo Shiflett reported on this past winter’s big freeze in Texas where the temperature dipped to -4 degrees for several days.

Well, Mackie and his wife lost power but have a fireplace and gas stove, so they invited their neighbors to spend several nights until the power was restored to everyone. Three days later, their guests started feeling poorly and got tested for COVID-19. Both the neighbors tested positive, his wife tested positive, and our BR tested negative but passed a kidney stone during the blackout.

Everyone got through the sickness, leaving us with the moral of the story that no good deed goes unpunished!

In mid-April, Maco called me for John Prior’s phone number. They connected and got caught up after many years. John and Lori are retired in Montgomery, Alabama. John is now a Southern gentleman and plays golf regularly. He also thinks about getting an RV and traveling the lower 48 states. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1996, he enjoyed a busy career in construction management with an impressive resume of largescale construction projects. I very

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes and promised a beating. Our classmate wisely much hope to see John in September! centered himself among a phalanx of his BRs for John Young sent me several nice photos with exthe remainder of the game. Also, during the halfplanations of each. One included the hosting of a time break, Steve Chapin and his charming wife, joint St. Patrick’s Day/happy birthday dinner with Sherry, met Maj. Gen. Wins ’85 and Mrs. Wins Frank Cole and his wife, Melody, in Kill Devil in the superintendent’s box. They struck up a perHills, North Carolina. The gustatory delights infectly delightful friendship. The Chapins may be cluded corned beef brisket, steamed cabbage, powelcome guests at the superintendent’s quarters in tatoes, carrots, green beans, cake, and ice cream. the near future.

John and Frank are planning a Rat Line rememBy the time this column is published, David brance celebration Aug. 19, commemorating our “Salvo” Lape will have relocated to Colorado 50 years since entering VMI. They are going to get Springs, Colorado. In August, Salvo and Karen Kevin Wright involved in this gala and will subhope to be in their new home in an over-55 commit pictures. Vaccinations, grandbabies, and COmunity which puts them close to a daughter and VID-19 protocols have kept these families busy her family in Grand Junction. The Lapes have this past spring.

Class of 1975: John and Debbie Sheffield traveled back east to Richmond, Waynesboro, and One BR I always enjoy hearing from is Jay Newmeet Joan and Jan Abernathy ’67 for the Outer Banks to visit family and friends. Our comer. He wrote and updated me on observations dinner.

BR sounds like he’s the public relations guy exfrom his medical practice on the COVID-19 mattolling the bounty of hiking, biking, ter and his desire to see the U.S. at camping, rafting, and trout fishing to 75-80% vaccinations. Jay also wrote be found in Colorado! of being stalked by a mature male Frank Hillson sent a kind and incougar in the Copper Canyon in New formative memo stating he had a Mexico. And speaking of herd imvisit from Don Bernardini in which munity, he was part of a cattle drive they played golf. Don is quite good through the Kit Carson National Forest in which he rode point to keep at golf and still works as an adjunct the doggies from separating from teacher of voice at Radford Univerthe herd and chasing down breaksity. Frank is going to take a leave of away miscreants and moving them absence from the University of Delaback into line ... and then the brandware for a year, and he and his wife ing work at the end of the line. He will go out to Oregon to be with his reminds me of Gus McRae in Lone- Class of 1975: At the VMI versus Mercer game March 13, 2021, are (from daughter and grandkids doing homesome Dove. He finished his memo left) Mason, Taylor, Risser, Darnell, Louthan, Way, Nunn, and Morgan. schooling. The Hillsons plan to work with thoughts on the football team Schuyler is not pictured. on reading and writing and the Gerand the importance of keeping the man language with a 5- and 8-yearathletes: The longer a class stays toold. The result of this departure will gether, the greater their team experimean that Frank will not be able to ence becomes, bad bounces become attend the reunion next month. good bounces, good bounces lead to You’ll see a photo of Bill Lanwins, and wins feed the morale of the drum, Bernie Cobb, Jerry DeWateam and the Corps and the alumni ters, and Guy Conte who teamed base! up to play golf in Opelika, Alabama, Returning to the Southern Conferat the Robert Trent Jones Lake and ence championship game versus The Links tracts with a large group of Citadel April 17, I wish to highlight West Point alumni. The West Pointthat the Pond House Group utilized ers were gracious hosts, and our this weekend for a first-ever spring guys shared stories and traditions get-together. My friend, Oliver Way, with their group of 144. The Black made some unwelcome remarks Class of 1975: Bill Turpin hosts a farewell party for wives and BRs Dan Knights seemed to delight in the fact over a poorly received play call Heiken, Bill Creighton (who was with the class rat year before trans- that we paid tuition to attend VMI. which drew umbrage from a nearby ferring to West Point), Rick Davison, Fred Edwards, and Charlie Col- Bernie reported this from Atlanta, lins. The mid-March 2021 party was a farewell to Davison and his wife, fan. The fan, not an alum, but with where he is retired and staying busy Stella. volcanic anger, singled out our BR with his eldest daughter and three

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Class Notes grandchildren. Bernie will see us in September!

John Whitworth surfaced again, and after spending a couple of winter/spring months in Florida, he and Mary have returned to Connecticut to prepare their home and gardens for the wedding of his daughter, Cassie, in June.

Reporting in from Manhasset, New York, Felix Wolkowitz had great things to say about his

Class of 1975: Bill Landrum, Bernie Cobb, Jerry DeWaters, and Guy Conte at a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail event in Opelika, Alabama, in April 2021.

identical twin granddaughters, age 6, and a happy 9-month-old, plus another 4-year-old who can read books to Felix. He also related when he visited Bo Temple in summer 2018. Bo, Felix, and a West Pointer were all lieutenants assigned to duty at Fort Bragg where they rented a house off post. Our BR picked up the moniker “Grid Square” after getting in a snit with his roomies over their careless grocery shopping purchases to which he had contributed and had advised them not to expect him to eat the unsuitable food they selected nor to bring the slop within a grid square of the house!

Producing charming and arresting prose is a fickle mistress.

I’m aware of my chronic braying about getting input, news, and stories from you folks. Here’s the threat—I know where you live; I’ll visit your homes and sort through your trash cans for information. The eggshells, damp coffee grounds, wilted lettuce leaves, gnawed baby back ribs, grapefruit and orange peels, crumpled Kleenex, toothpaste tubes, kitty litter, stale doggie kibble, grandkids’ uneaten Brussels sprouts, onion skins, banana peels, discarded Jack Daniels handles. I know where the spare key to your back door is, in the bird feeder or under the ceramic turtle or fake rock in the herb garden, or the woodpile in the back of the house; none of this will faze me. I’ll find something to write about you!

Humbly, and in closing, never above you, never below you, always beside you.

Your BR and Scribe, Tom Mason

1976

William Bhatta

Class of 1975: Glenn Garland and Rick Law. 110

Brother Rats, Please join me in congratulating Tom Watjen, the new VMI Board of Visitors president! Tom’s appointment began July 1, 2021. Tom will face some obvious challenges, but I cannot think of a better person to address and resolve them. Now the Class of 1976 really does rule VMI! Back in February, I checked on our frozen-chosen BRs living in Texas. Oscar Cammuse said it was cold “enough to kill some bugs, so we don’t have to worry about them so much this summer.”

Mike Conley said, “All good here. Last spring,

we installed a 22kw automatic generator. Never thought we would need it in the winter for three days. Monday morning at 0300, the power went out and the generator came to life. We became a refugee center for kids, grandkids, and neighbors.”

Curt Reppart said, “First there was no electricity for about a day ... we are just about out of water. On boil advisory and very low water pressure.

Thawed out my tankless water heater the other day with a hairdryer.” Despite the severe cold weather, it appears our BRs survived without major issues.

Charlie Archer said, “I’m hanging onto my job because the weddings are coming fast ’n furious, so I have some bills to pay. Virginia married in December—my youngest, my blondest, my most Southern; she wanted black tie, so you know, that youngest child, they usually get what they want.

Kurt and Cindy Luckenbill were here, of course; his three girls are like older cousins to my three, and we visited and vacationed together frequently when they were growing up. The wedding was smaller than originally planned, but the youngsters don’t want to put their lives on hold.” By the time you read these notes, Charlie’s middle daughter, Margaret, will be married (in April)!

Clyde and Mary Furr checked in. Clyde said, “Our 2020 wasn’t so bad; we pretty much did what we always do—nothing! We did venture to Oklahoma in April to visit our son, Matt. While there did some farm work on the farm where he is employed as the farm manager. Also found three ... Studebaker trucks of the early 50s and bought them. The one truck has already been brought back to life and driven on the roads (by Matt, not me).”

Katie, the Furrs’ daughter; her husband; and their two boys live at Fort Knox, Kentucky, about four hours away from them. Katie’s husband is the deputy surgeon for V Corps Headquarters, activated last October at Fort Knox.

Ted Mouras reported things are returning to a “new” normal in Arizona. Ted said, “Vaccination rates in our county are not high, so we are seeing COVID-19 numbers climb again.” Ted continues to volunteer with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Nature Conservancy; his wife continues with her French instruction. Ted said, “We have three trips lined up for the next 12 months. I doubt the first one (to Africa) comes off in 2021, but a trip to Washington state and one to Norway look more promising.”

Paul and Roxanne Parker are doing well. Their five children and nine grandchildren keep them

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Charleston, South Carolina. Got stuck there an ad- back, shoulders are all things that remind us we are busy. Paul said, “We did buy a Class C motorhome and traveled a lot (south mostly) last year and al- ditional two months due to the virus—didn’t want mortal—liked it better when we were young and ready four times this year. Both of us are fully re- to risk the 3,000-mile drive back to Spokane.” The ‘bulletproof.’”

Bill and Lois Favier survived COVID-19 and tired; I still work 20 hours a week for Southeast Keneallys duplicated their trip to Charleston for Rural Community Assistance Project Inc. here in 2020-21. Bob said while they were in Charleston, are ready to resume normal (or near-normal) soNorth Carolina for a firm that helps small rural “Dexter Gilliam and his wife were staying in the cial operations! Bill is still working as a consultant towns with obtaining funding for water and sewer same area ... as we were the last two months. Dex- and stays busy. Bill said, “I’ve done a number of ter and I got together over some fine beverages and woodworking projects during ‘quarantine’ and projects.”

Ares and Lisa Koumis reported, “All right, got caught up after 45 years! Thoroughly enjoyed really enjoyed them. Biggest news would be that Lois and I just got back from a trip to buy a vacasir!” Ares still works for U.S. Space Force. Ares the evening! I was also able to connect via cell tion home down in Kure Beach, North Carolina. said, “My job is likely moving out of state with with Carmen Villani and Scott Custer. Plus conthe service reorganization, but the way civil ser- tinue my connection with Ares Koumis. Enjoying Won’t be ready until November, but we’re looking forward to getting away from the Northeast winvice works, I’ll likely find something else here retired life to the utmost!”

The Villages life in Florida is treating Bill and ters once in a while.” in Colorado Springs” which is civil service and Since Marshall Coyle’s son and daughter live in space-related. Ares teaches RCIA at his local par- Deborah Neal well! Bill said, “We are fortunate to ish. He said, “Also, my past work with the Shroud live in essentially a wide-open state with minimal Colorado, he spends a lot of time there. Marshall of Turin is involving me with a science project restrictions. We have our COVID-19 shots and bought property outside of Steamboat Springs, that might see a trip to Jerusalem next Easter.” are starting to travel again. Two golf carts, lots of Colorado, and hopes to build a family getaway The Koumis boys are doing well: “Andrew is golf, eating, drinking, travel (in-state mostly)—we there. Marshall said, “I really don’t think about halfway through a degree in counseling and has a needed this when we were young and could do retiring since I enjoy teaching so much. However, September wedding date. Greg is halfway through more of it without work interfering! Knees, ankles, this COVID-19 thing is making me reevaluate an MBA with a cybersecurity emphasis.” Koumis retirement. Teaching remotely using Zoom is not had dinner with Mark and Libby Swank when much fun. That’s actually not correct, it sucks. they were in the Colorado Springs area for Mark’s However, it does have some positives. It gave me birthday. Koumis said, “We enjoyed a war-storythe ability to spend time with my kids in Colorado charged evening over a fine dinner at a remnant of from Thanksgiving through [the] new year.” By old Colorado Springs, the Briarhurst Manor. Was the time you read these notes, Marshall will be much needed and served to showcase the brotherback in Colorado. Marshall said, “My daughter ratterly and sublimely generous natures of Libby has planned a 4th of July family camping excurand Mark Swank.” sion at a site near Telluride, Colorado. We did it Lang Meem visited Lexington, Virginia, April last summer and it was wonderful. I will be doing 17-18. On that Saturday, he attended the VMI versome camping and hiking near Steamboat Springs. sus The Citadel game and was able to watch some I don’t have to be back to Pennsylvania until Aug. of it with Grigg Mullen. On Sunday, he attended 23 for my first class.” a celebration of life for swim coach Arnie Joyce.

Mark and Bernadette Sculley are loving Utah!

(From the VMI website: “Doctor Arnold ‘Arnie’ Mark said, “I enjoyed a good ski season here in Class of 1976: Bob Keneally with his Joyce passed away in Lexington Dec. 23, 2020, Utah, making a dozen morning trips to my favorite brother, Kevin Keneally (The Citadel at the age of 82. Doctor Joyce joined the VMI slopes at nearby Brighton.” Mark and Bernadette Class of 1987), at the VMI versus The Citadel basketball game Feb. 20, 2021.

Physical Education faculty in 1966. In addition to and his son, Daniel, have been traveling all over teaching academic courses in the PE department the place: Canyonlands, Dead Horse and Arches and developing some of the core courses parks, then a trip to Alaska—road trips, a that remain part of the curriculum today, fjord cruise, rail journey, and a flightseehe also coached the VMI swimming team ing trip of Denali National Park where for 17 years and was the diving coach. He they ski-landed on a glacier. This summer, served as director of intramurals, Scuba the Sculleys plan to be in Virginia before Club advisor, rat academic advisor, and heading to Hawaii for a family reunion Institute aquatics director. He was also part on the North Shore of Oahu with Julian of the team that developed a successful ’09, his other two sons, a grandson, and plan to assimilate women into the Corps in-laws. Mark said, “It is great to get out of Cadets.”) and travel again!” Note: Congratulations Bob Keneally retired from Spokane Class of 1976: Ray Pavlosky showing off his North Carolina to Bernadette, who will graduate from the County, Washington, in June 2019.

University of Maryland this year!

VMI license plate.

Bob said he “spent 2019-20 winter in Ken and Sue Harbin are doing well and

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Class Notes enjoying retirement outside Atlanta, Georgia. Ken said, “[We] are keeping ourselves busy with yard work in preparation for the long, hot Georgia summer and preparing for a nice Jamaica vacation to celebrate our 40th anniversary.” (Class agent’s note: The Harbins share the same wedding anniversary date as Michelle and I. To avoid husband abuse, I am going to redact the Jamaica vacation sentence in my Alumni Review so my wife does not see it.) “Spending lots of time with the grandkids, also. Emery is 5 now and heading to kindergarten, and Lorenzo ‘Enzo’ has just turned 1.”

David and Barbara Bass still live in Indianapolis, Class of 1976: Matt Radi ’11, Rocky Glass’ son-in-law; Evan Haberman; Charlie Keen; Ray Indiana, and are enjoying retirement. Dave sent me Brooks; Grigg Mullen; John Coleman; and John Swain at Coleman’s Lexington home after an interesting story about his uncle in World War the VMI versus The Citadel football April 17, 2021.

II: “I have recently been involved in our family’s Gold Star status with my uncle spending the duration as a POW. who was MIA/KIA in World War The nine other crewmen were II. Most have probably seen the MIA/KIA. The Romanians and many stories of our lost service Germans recovered and interred members being identified and realmost 200 remains in a Ploiesti patriated home because of recent cemetery, and after the war, they advances in DNA identification. were relocated to a U.S. cemOur family has been participatetery in Belgium as ‘unknowns.’ ing in this search for our MIA/ Decades later, the Defense POW/ KIAs and has had the fantastic MIA Accounting Agency (www. fortune of a personal recovery of DPAA.mil) began a special projour loved one after 78 years! My ect to ID these Ploiesti Raiders, uncle, Technical Sergeant Alfred and our family provided DNA Francis ‘Freddy’ Turgeon, was samples. Just a couple of months a Ploiesti Raider, radio operator, ago, we learned that he had been and waist gunner on the B-24 identified and would be repatriLiberator, ‘The Vulgar Virgin,’ Class of 1976: Attending Arnold Joyce’s celebration of life in Lexington, Vir- ated to our family.” (By the time ginia, April 18, 2021, are (bottom row) Craig Carlock ’74 and Bart Pasco ’77 lost on Operation Tidal Wave and (standing) Buzzy Northen ’77, Tommy Underhill ’77, Lang Meem, John you read these notes, Dave will Aug. 1, 1943. He served with Plunkett ’75, Bob Cunningham ’74, and Buck Harrison ’73. Joyce, a longtime have accepted the transfer of the 344th Bombardment Squad- swim coach at VMI, passed away in December 2020. his remains.) “There will be a ron, 98th Bombardment Group planeside ceremony with a full (Heavy), ‘The Pyramiders’ of the honor guard. The Alaska lieu9th Air Force. Operation Tidal tenant governor will attend. He Wave was the largest and costliwill be interred in the memorial est bombing mission of World garden in the family’s niche at St. War II—174 B-24 bombers Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in left bases in Libya for the cross Shoreline, Washington, (Seattle) Mediterranean raid on the Nazi Aug. 28.” oil refineries in Romania, and 53 And now, the BR minute: Mark aircraft and 660 service members “Gator” Gedro is retired and enwere lost. ‘The Vulgar Virgin’ joying life in Poquoson, Virginia, was the lead aircraft of one of the where he plays and sings music squadrons attacking the refinery at local venues. Greg Hedley has and suffered a direct hit in the been retired for five years after nose from antiaircraft flak. The 40 years with the Naval Facilities Class of 1976: Ray Brooks, Evan Haberman, Jim Mallon, and John Coleman at pilot ordered the crew to ‘bail the VMI versus Eastern Tennessee football game April 3, 2021.

Engineering Command. Greg out,’ but he was the only survivor, and Lynn will celebrate 40 years

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Class Notes of marriage next April. The Hedleys have four children and 10 grandchildren—eight of whom live in Richmond, Virginia. Pascal Houcke is retired from airline flying and is doing great living in northeast Pennsylvania. Stephen Joyce said, “Life getting back to normal.” He got a new German Shepherd puppy named Odin and went to see a movie at a theater—the first one in 15 months. Three years ago, Charlie Keen bought a home on 15 acres near Lexington, Virginia (northwest of House Mountain). He is currently adding 2,000 square feet to the existing home. Renovations should be completed by the end of this year. Mike Martino saw Wayne Eastham in April to support Wayne’s retirement. Mike said, “I heard from Jim Simpson who is doing well; is a lawyer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.; and the number of his grandchildren continues to grow.” Kevin Pardus still volunteers—virtually these days—with several STEM programs (First Robotics, Vex Robotics, and Virginia TSA). His daughters are doing well; the oldest lives on Long Island, New York, with her husband and two girls, and the youngest lives in Singapore. Dan Rivera still lives in Bermuda and enjoys the T-shirt/flip-flops culture. Caroll Warner reported, “All things being considered,” he is doing OK! There is sad news to report. Robby Hammond passed away July 6, 2020. He was 65 years old.

And Jim Bowers passed away Feb. 17, 2021.

He was 67 years old.

I learned of Robby’s demise March 13, 2021.

Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information about him. Based on available VMI Alumni Agencies information, Robby was an electrical engineering major but did not graduate with us.

I thought he left VMI after his 3rd Class year, but his cadet picture appears in the 1975 Bomb.

Here are BRs’ comments/memories about Jim. Bob Keneally: “Last winter, we rented a condo from Jim’s sister in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. At some point while staying at his sister’s, she saw me with a VMI shirt on. She then told me she had a brother who attended VMI and that he graduated in the 70s. She told me his name was James Bowers! I then connected with Jim via cell, and we kept in contact up until several months ago, often Facetiming with him.

He never told me he was ill. This is a shock.”

Ares Koumis: “I remember how much crap he took during cadre and the Rat Line for his

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ever-present smile. I assume he’s smiling even more now.”

Mark Moncure: “Ares nailed it with his smile, and since Ares, Jim, and I were tweets, I remember how all too often Jim being circled by Band Co. cadre at a meal formation regarding his everpresent smile. Jim never shied from his Christian faith. When asked in a very unfriendly manner why he always smiled, he replied without a moment’s hesitation, ‘It’s Jesus Christ, sir, who lives in my heart.’ Not much for the cadre sergeant to say after that.”

Ron Hottle: “Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We roomed together our senior year. Mark, everything you said about Jim was so true. He was a great friend and roommate. Rest in peace, Jim.” Razz Waff: “When he walked in the room, the place just lit up.”

Jim Joustra: “Jimmy was an awesome guy. So sorry to hear of his passing. Always smiling and always had a good thing to say. A good BR [who] will be sorely missed.”

Stephen Joyce: “Jim was a friend. We met early on in our cadetship. A laugh, a joke, he was always there for that. I am greatly saddened by this news.”

Ken Harbin: “So sad to hear of Jim’s passing.

Good cadet, good man.”

Ron LaGrone: “He was an optimist when reaching for the positive was a stretch. We need more like him. We pray eternal joy and rest for Jim.” Mark Havelin: “A great loss for our class. Jim was a great BR and a great Band Co. mate. He will be missed.”

John Swain: “For some reason, I had a lot of classes with Jim. I think it is very fitting all of us remember that smile he always carried. Lost touch with him over the years but instantly remembered that big grin. My condolences to his family.”

Rodney Hayes: “I remember Jim from Baptist Student Union—definitely a great man; he will be missed.”

Dick Williams: “I also remembered his leadership role in the BSU. He really did always seem to have a positive, encouraging outlook. I didn’t have any contact with him after the Institute, but I trust he could look back on his life with satisfaction.”

Frank Delaine: “My condolences to the Bowers family. Just remembering Jim’s kindness and smile accentuates the loss to those who were close and to all [who] loved him. Jim and I had a conversation in the study hall in the concourse annex about choices. He chose Band Company. I wanted Band Company, too, but it was made very clear

that football and Band would never work. So Band Co. for Jim and E Co. for me. That was an inside connection for Jim and me. It’s nice to reminisce.

Here’s to Jim. A good listener, confidant, and a great BR.” J.R. Mott: “BRs, this is such a shock and a great personal loss. Jim was one of the first BRs I knew well our rat year. He was always praising God, which set such an example for me. For some reason, I can only see him as he was— happy, joyous, strong in his faith. I haven’t seen him since graduation, so I still see him as the young BR I knew in barracks. He epitomizes everything good in our class. I am saddened by the thought that I won’t see him again in my lifetime. I know he is in God’s care; there was never a better Christian.”

Henry Foresman: “Jim was always that ray of sunshine on a cloudy VMI day! God rest his soul.”

Bill Neal: “Too soon. Great BR. We will see him again.”

Rick Wrenn: “Wow, as stated in so many replies, as soon as I saw his name his round smiling face popped into view. Rest in peace, BR.” I’d like to end with a note from Wyatt Durrette ’61 to his BRs. Given recent VMI controversies, its message is important to all of us: “I offer one thought for our consideration. What happens as a result of the current focus on VMI is of immense importance for its future. But it does not affect its past. What binds us together and to the Institute is primarily our years together in barracks. That is the VMI we cherish and that built the bonds we share today. We have had varying experiences with VMI since June 1961, but in those four preceding years, we were nourished by the Institute and each other.

I love you all like brothers, and whatever VMI becomes in the future, that will never change.”

These notes are finished; thanks for everyone’s input! I hope to see everyone at the 45th Reunion this Oct. 29 and 30!

1977

Mark Bryant

Brother Rats, I hope these notes find you all in late summer doing well. I am writing during final exams week here in May. COVID-19 is finally in retreat, the

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Class Notes Col. Monsour (Hon.) (“Doc” Monsour to most of VMI football team just won the Southern Conus). Sadly, we got the news that Doc passed away ference in a resurrected season in the spring, and in March. Doc gave 33 years of service to the commencement is seven days away.

Corps. Teaching in modern languages during that You should see these notes in the early August time, his real contribution was to the counseling edition of the Review. We have a mini reunion and and care he gave to countless cadets who needed tailgate event planned for the first home game of such support at what surely were difficult times fall ’21 (Sept. 4). I hope many of you can make in their lives. The VMI Foundation continues to it, and I really hope you’ve made travel arrangesteward the Monsour Fund for those of you who ments if needed. I expect it to be a crowded and might wish to send a donation. busy weekend here at the “I.” Another passing of one of our former faculty, There have been a great many activities as of Capt. Blair Turner passed away in April. A masterMay at the Institute in terms of changing names of ful professor of history for 38 years, he was debuildings, arches, and events. You can track many scribed as the “life of the history department.” He of these by alumni sites on Facebook and by updelighted in helping sponsor and coach both men’s dates and releases from both the Institute’s Office and women’s rugby and in commissioning new ofof Communications and Marketing and the Alumficers into the Naval service. ni Association’s website and periodic announceIn case you hadn’t heard, there is a move by an ments. These are emotional and difficult changes alumni group to help resurrect the Cadet newspafor many of us alumni. I doubt there has been this Class of 1977: “Sensei Tim Thompson per here at VMI. It fell into neglect some years much change, this fast, for over a century. The showing us how it’s done!” said Mark Bryant, class agent, about this photo. ago but with the support of the alumni group is work goes on, including, currently, the investigaexpected to start publishing again tion into the alleged institutional this fall. racism here at VMI. That report Another update on Eric Hutchshould be out for a few months ings.

Steve Neas and I gave Eric by the time you read these notes a quiet send-off from Lexington in August. I encourage you to last week. The Catman sold his keep up to date and let me know house here in Rockbridge Counif you any questions or concerns ty much sooner than he expected you may want me to pass on. and was able to buy a home in As of this writing, the Institute Colorado equally quickly. Eric is planning to go back to a full finally gets to join his wife Jeanand regular schedule by August nine in Colorado full-time and be with no restraints or provisions a full-time grandfather. Eric has for mitigating COVID-19. “Back been here as commandant and to normal,” if there is such a thing Class of 1977: Will and Trish Bynum, Lee Foresman, and Mike and Carol Con- assistant director of athletics for as normal around here. away at a room 142 mini reunion in Edenton, North Carolina, in April 2021. The over 20 years—hard to believe I Lots of staff changes are in the vacant places are set in memory of Johnnie Hobbs and Steve Woodis. won’t be privileged to drop in on wind here, which should be anhim as casually as I used to. nounced soon. Maj. Gen. Wins Tim Thompson reports from ’85, of course, has been conVirginia Beach that despite negafirmed as the new superintentive news he strives to maintain a dent. By the time you read these positive outlook. The sensei connotes, we should have a newly tinues to teach his karate students confirmed chief diversity officer, and reports that he is “rocking his a new chief of staff, a new IG, weight drills.” He says he and his a new commandant, and a new wife, Hye Cha, are doing fine. deputy commandant. No doubt Bruce Cann let me know that there may be others, as well. As he has moved into a condo in membership on the VMI Board Henrico and that this will be his of Visitors rotated recently, the governor appointed four new Class of 1977: Brother rats Buzzy Northen, Bruce Cann, Tommy Underhill, Bil- last move. ly Hupp, Buster Pace, and J.J. Marshall at The Homestead before attending Mike Meise checked in from statutory members.

The Citadel game in April with their wives. retired life in Roanoke with an Many of you will remember

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Class Notes

Class of 1977: Ed Anderson, Don Browder, Rick Greene, and Larry Martin. update on his son—a CH-47 pilot since graduating from VMI a few years ago. He moved from flying in Korea to good old Hunter Army Airfield. Hope they’ve upgraded that place.

Paul Seufer provided evidence of life by updating his email address!

Kip Hamilton shows how to make a comeback from heart surgery. He related his latest bike riding event in Key West, Florida, where he and his wife participated in a fundraiser for ministries abroad.

Looks like Kip rode 157 miles in four days! Way to go, BR. I again want to solicit any ideas or suggestions any of you may have for our upcoming 45th Reunion next year. Activities, venues, concerns about costs, hotels, etc. I am sure I will be asking for some sort of committees and help as we get closer to the weekend, which should be in late October/ early November 2022.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer as you read these notes. If you are ever near Lexington or Rockbridge County, please do let me know.

RVM, Mark B.

1978

Tom Brown

Brother Rats and Friends of the Class, These notes cover mid-February through midMay. Wishing all greetings and salutations and

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hoping you have been able to enjoy a much more relaxed summer this year than last. Wow, what a fantastic season the Big Red had this spring! I had a great time with The Villages Chapter of alumni watching the VMI versus James Madison University game. Brought back memories of our time in barracks. Hopefully, the fall season will be a repeat. The class has been blessed with the starting of a prayer group that gathers on Zoom the third Tuesday of each month. Jay Hutt proposed the idea and has been so kind to orchestrate the gatherings. The time spent together with BRs is wonderful. Please consider joining each month. If you are not getting the email with the link, please let Jay or me know.

Now for the latest news from around the class.

Frank Fountain: “All right! Better than all right!”

Harry McClellan: “All right and all vaccinated here in Springfield. We are staying busy, hoping to get in a family vacation to Ashville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this summer.

Work will then take me to New Mexico for several weeks in September-October, and sometime in the months after that, we hope to visit our daughter in Germany. She received a Fulbright grant to teach English and, after a one-year delay due to the virus, is on track to begin in September. Afraid I have no news on other BRs. Take care!”

Bruce Kay: “All is well here in Maryland. As restrictions are lifted, we are looking forward to getting out and being able to see people’s faces again now that we have had our vaccines! Our oldest daughter, Jenny, is engaged to be married in December, so we are very excited and in planning mode!”

Joe Bright: “All right. The pandemic put Delta Air Lines in a position to offer early retirement effective Sept. 1, 2020, which I accepted. I have been effectively retired since that date. FAA mandatory age 65 retirement from Delta Air Lines officially took effect May 1, 2021. What I thought was going to be leisure time to read and fly my airplane has been absorbed by myriad unplanned projects and caregiver obligations. All things work out; had I not taken the early out, I would have had to take leave from work to satisfy some of those obligations. Another milestone reached is the Medicare benchmark, one that I thought was ‘hundreds of years’ away. Wow, how time flies. I have met a group of former military pilots so have thoroughly enjoyed low-level flying around the mountains in the Salt Lake City area. Ursula and I are blessed

with excellent health and beginning a leisure search for a retirement place; she likes Sarasota, Florida. Spring has arrived in Salt Lake City, and it’s gorgeous. Greetings to all!”

Tim Fredrickson: “I was gonna run the block, but all right here in dull dreary dark Charlottesville!”

Blaine Vorgang: “All is well here.”

Ron Dolan: “All right, all up. With Minnesota COVID-19 restrictions being reduced, we got to finally see our granddaughters, Zoey and Aria.

Aria is well on her way to full recovery from Neuroblastoma cancer. With the ice gone, fishing season is now underway. I will be spending time wetting a line when I can. Travel is on the schedule shortly to Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and the D.C. area. I am blessed to catch up with BRs during the VMI Class of ’78 monthly prayer group started by BR Jay Hutt. Hope to see BRs during our travel or stop by if you are in Minnesota or near Alexandria. Take care, stay safe.”

Butch Brown: “‘All right,’ but I did have to run into the sinks at the physics building just to be safe.”

Paul Campbell: “I retired effective Dec. 31, 2020, after nine-plus years as a DAC, with over 20-plus years credit with active duty added. My daughter, son-in-law, and 1-year-old granddaughter will be moving to Florida in June. Diana got a job at Florida State (as well as became a mother) just after COVID-19 shut everything down. They sold their house in Charleston, South Carolina, and moved in with Martha and me in July 2020. I’m sure Martha and I will be busy over the next six weeks preparing for and assisting with babysitting and their move.”

Rick Wetherill: “All right!”

Steve Powers: “All right in New Hampshire. ...

In the bonds!”

Don McGinnis: “Vertical, breathing, and paying taxes. Just had surgery to have gallstones/gallbladder removed. Still in the recovery phase. Nothing else to report.”

John Forsyth: “Good in Greenwood, Virginia, but itching to get back to something normal.

Tired of lawns and gardens. Other than that, doing great!”

Don Robey: “We are well. Traveling Route 66 to California and then north and back across the northern route back east. Will stop and see Mark and Denise Lambert along the way.”

Danny Thornton: “Had a great spring watching VMI football. Many BRs were in attendance

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Class Notes Jimmy Leech: “My only news at games, including Rick Wolffe, is that I reconnected with Brion Bert Loflin, Stu Gitchell, Bob Smith in the last month. After Eagle, Anthony Moore, Don last being in touch about 10 years Robey, Stan Walchock, and othago, it was great to catch up and ers.” to learn that he and his family are Vagel Keller: “All right! Hay well and that he is retired-retired down and all duty! As I write, and loving life in the CharlottesDebbie and I are in week two of ville area. I hope you and your a four-week camp-a-ganza down family are well. I’m feeling a through Ohio, Kentucky, and little better about VMI these Tennessee into north Alabama. days—doing so well in football Passed through Lynchburg, Tendidn’t hurt—but still have some nessee; Jack sends his regards to mixed feelings about the recon’78, sales have almost recovered ciliation measures being taken. since our graduation. Had a fine time in the Huntsville area before Class of 1978: The Villages crew enjoying the VMI versus James Madison Uni- Guess I’ll just have to get over it. Reconciliation and healing are heading back via Chattanooga— versity playoff game. important.” big regrets for not being able to John Tucker: “‘All right’ in Columbus take up BR Al Moore’s invitation to share Ohio. Retirement life is great!” a cold one, but Montgomery is a little too Jim Simons: “All right here in Rockdeep south to leave our traveling kitty bridge. Spring has sprung, and with the alone for that long a round trip. Next time widespread distribution of the COVID-19 we’ll plan better and ‘invade’ deeper into vaccine in March and April, things are the state. Best to all!” slowly beginning to resemble what once Leland Horn: “All’s well here in West was. Last year, Tim Berkhimer and I Melbourne; no one in the family has or has had planned to hook up for a weekend of had COVID-19. Thankful for our health pier fishing in the Virginia Beach area unand continued strength.” til COVID-19 hit. Our plans shelved, we Kevin Callanan: “OK here.”

Tim Berkhimer: “‘All right, sir.’ Bewent on about life in the midst of a global ginning to wind down my time working pandemic. Now that the vaccine is readily full time and have a long ‘honey do’ list available, I’d planned to contact Tim to rearound the house to keep me busy—look- Class of 1978: Jim Mackin and Tim Berkhimer enjoying the schedule our weekend outing. Then I got ing forward to it. Added a couple of pics VMI versus James Madison University playoff game. to thinking, perhaps there are other BRs of Mackin and his Citadel buddy, J.J., and in the region who might want to join us. myself at the VMI versus JMU football game. The play an awesome game. RVM!” If so, maybe a mini reunion would be feasible.

Jay Branscome: “Mostly great, but I cannot beKeydets showed the fans what ‘Never Say Die!’ This would include a day of bottom fishing out lieve I am old enough for a Medicare card!” looks like on the gridiron.” on a local fishing pier and dinner at a nearby VirKen Blythe: “All is well in Tidewater. I was ginia Beach restaurant that evening. The cost of Don Jones: “‘All right in Orange.’ We are all through Lynchburg in April and had lunch with the pier would be around $20 per man, and those well here, looking forward to better days ahead.”

Jim Mackin: “We are ‘all right’ here, although Jay and Paula Hutt at their home. I spoke to without saltwater tackle could pick up a budget we’re looking at the upcoming OBX tourist sea- Dwight Weirich now living in Ocala, Florida, as Penn combo online or at a nearby Walmart for son with trepidation as we always do. Regina and he turned 65 last week. Dinner plans with Jim Si- $80. Little skill or experience would be reI visited Tony and Monica Pileggi at their home mons tonight in Buchanan.” quired, and I’m sure that there are enough saltMark Lowe: “All right here! Not much to report water anglers among our classmates to help the in Leland, North Carolina, and enjoyed a great dinner together in nearby Wilmington. And my on other than upcoming knee replacement. Hope helpless.” eldest daughter and her husband, Brian Blincoe all is well.”

That about wraps it up for news from around Mark Lambert: “All right here in St. Charles. ’11, have moved to Sanford, North Carolina, near the class. I hope all of you have had a wonderful Fort Bragg, where he is newly assigned. Another Denise and I are both vaccinated and healthy. summer and have been out and about enjoying opportunity to offload some extra furniture! I was We are looking forward to Don and Biddy the company of BRs. Please pass along your very proud of our football team this year and was Robey visiting us in a couple of weeks, and news and stay in touch with each other; keep the lucky enough to get two tickets to their last game my youngest getting married in Brooklyn, New spirit alive! Remember to join us monthly on the at JMU. Tim Berkhimer and I saw the Keydets York, Memorial Day weekend!” third Tuesday of the month for the class prayer

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Class Notes group. The link will be emailed and available on the class Facebook page.

In the Spirit, Tom/EZ Bear

1979

Michael Ogden

Brother Rats, Hope this finds everyone safe and well.

Let’s start off with the always reliable, informative, and entertaining Bill “Bro” Albro. “Well, spring sprung, but you couldn’t tell by the temps here in SOMD—clear days but not as warm. Summer will be here soon.

“It’s tax time, and I got to discuss taxes with Dawn McGruder for a few minutes and then we got to catch up on everything else. She and Rich are looking forward to their annual event at the Outer Banks beaches with kids and grandkids.

We also discussed meeting at a winery later in the summer.

“I have been in contact with BR Randy Pekarik in Key West about a visit at the end of June. My daughter, Alyssa, suggested we do a little diving vacation, and Randy is being a great/helpful BR with the logistics for the endeavor. This will also be an advance party (reconnoiter) for a trip that Dan Sheehan (and maybe Deano Smith) will be taking later in the fall to do some diving as well.

“In addition, Barbara and I are planning a trip to Death Valley National Park in early June. (If you haven’t tried to get into the National Parks lately, you need to work it about a year in advance as they are very popular right now—go figure.). We also have a beach trip on the 4th of July and several other summer/fall trips in ‘planning.’

“I was in Florida visiting my mom, so I missed the last BR Zoom call that Ed Johnson stewards but will endeavor the next one. (Mom and brothers are all fine.)

“I called roommate Brad Jones a few weeks back; he is enjoying retirement and sounds great!

We both groused (polite word) about how the picture of all the BRs at the dove hunt at his farm with Rob Maxie last fall did not make it into the Alumni Review last time. We were stupefied, and that is not a long journey for us.

“Called Sput Leadbetter; his project to secure

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package delivery is near completion, and he has backyard squared away with trees removed. He and pup will be relocating to White Stone for the summer at the end of this month.

“Deano Smith and I visited Rob Maxie for an afternoon early in March; it was great seeing Rob and Debbie and the rest of the crew.

“I called and texted Dan Sheehan over the past few weeks; Dan is in the middle of getting scuba certified and working with his son on building a house. (This while he renovates Bridget’s office— Dan the Man is really Bob the Builder in disguise).

“Had lunch with Curt McCabe early in April at the Vienna Inn. (I had a hankering for chili.) It was a great lunch to catch up on stuff, and we promised to go golfing sometime in the next few months.

“Called and texted Dave Crawford in the past few weeks; we are planning a battlefield walk and a German lunch in Fredericksburg at the end of May. “Called and texted Jim Crossman in past few weeks, as well. Jim and Lisa are both fine with all family healthy. Jim is busy in retirement as well (traveling/chores/church missions/substitute teaching), and we can’t get together until the second or third week in June.

“Finally, I note with sadness this morning in the Alumni Review of the passing of Coach Arnold Joyce this past December. Coach Joyce was a very tolerant mentor of us swim team knuckleheads. As kind and understanding a man I have few met. Arnie has my forever gratitude for all he did to help me along the lane.

“That is all; return to what you were doing.”

Hopefully, the above-mentioned picture makes this issue. (Class agent sadly shaking his head in shame.)

Asa Page checked in to say hello and passed along that he and Karen are excited to see their oldest son, Brandon ’10, get married to a wonderful young lady in Corolla, North Carolina. Brandon’s BRs will be present in full force, some from as far away as Alaska. Asa and Karen are looking forward to getting back into traveling again and have plans in the near term to spend time out in Utah hiking and exploring the state.

John Kailey’s latest medical adventure appears to be a bad right knee to go along with the bad left knee. The good news is that it is healed enough not to need surgery. For your ever-active class agent, it appears hips are going to be my issue!

For those unaware, Jim Pigg is a member of an aero demonstration outfit that does formation

flying at airshows. I. Kid. You. Not. This from the Full Throttle Formation Team website, fullthrottleairshows.com/the-team/: “We may not be Da Vincis, but each of us started life by looking up. We took differing paths, but we’ve reached that dream. Our team flies the Vans RV aircraft in close formation, enticing you to turn your eyes skyward to enjoy the spectacle of precision, noise, and smoke!” As a Harrier pilot who has done a fair many airshows, I cannot tell you, at “our advancing age,” how absolutely “kewl” this is. Check out the team’s schedule for a possible chance to see them perform.

Meade Spotts dropped a few lines. “Richmond is apparently becoming a haven for the Class of ’79, as many, including ‘Bro,’ are threatening to relocate here to enjoy retirement. Local authorities have been notified. Hopefully, they won’t all be as obnoxious as Jones (Wallace), who recently returned and delights in driving around in his vintage red Corvette while reminding his BRs that he’s retired. Had meals with multiple BRs over the past 10 days: Jim Thompson in Dublin (Virginia), Eric BRF Nost in Richmond where he (or his bank) actually paid for lunch, and Mark Powell in Deltaville—Fishing Bay/Jackson Creek to be exact—where Mark has cornered the real estate and yacht basin market. His fleet of modern and classic ‘boats’ rivals the Spanish Armada and is well worth a tour by every Keydet. All BRs mentioned are doing well, as are their longsuffering brides.”

Ben Bauman reports in with, “Our family has done well during the pandemic; only a few of us caught the virus, and everyone is fine. We just completed a 7-day vacation in Hawaii where we visited Alana (she is stationed at Hickam Air Force Base) and did some sightseeing. We enjoyed our trip to Pearl Harbor, hiking on the mountain trails, snorkeling, and time on the beaches. Seven days is definitely not enough time to visit everything we wanted to see. We had to cancel our trip to Europe again due to the pandemic and hopefully will get there next year. All six of our children are doing well, and the three grandchildren are involved in sports. I visited with John Hash and Bob Morris during the past few months, and they are doing as best as can be expected during the pandemic. Everyone in our family is ready to burn our masks!

The Corps should have a mask-burning event someday in the sentinel box! I think we will have ours in the fire pit in the backyard soon.”

Jeff and Betsy Curtis (Finally! Class agent comment) bought a home in Ford’s Colony in

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Class Notes Williamsburg. They close June 1 and will be there fixing it up. Tim Cordle lives there, too. They are both fully vaccinated but still being careful. They are looking forward to heading back to Virginia, as it is getting warm in Florida. Local BRs are anxiously awaiting housewarming invitations!

Tom “Zar” Baltazar writes, “For the past two years, I’ve been working in the Pentagon as a consultant to the Office of Irregular Warfare and Competition. Turns out the government lead for one of my projects is a BR, Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Johnson ’96. Together, we paid a visit to the director of the USSOUTHCOM Washington Office director, Colonel Bogart ’81, who is cosponsoring an event with our office. During the visit, Bogey told us that he was interviewing to be the next commandant. Interestingly, he was one of my rats in F Company, and we’ve bumped into each other throughout our careers—the last time in Afghanistan. I think he’d be a great addition to the new leadership team and wish him luck. I see Jeb Burton and Noel Harris fairly frequently when I’m down in Mathews, Virginia. Jeb has a house on the next creek south of our house, and Noel is a short 15-minute boat ride up the North River. Jeb is planning a fishing tournament in August, where we hope to have Noel Harris, Dave Jeter, and Jeff McLean out on the water—should be fun.”

Jeff Goldhardt reports Brian Tollie checked in.

Brian’s wife and he went to Stafford (where I am from and where Jeff used to work/live) and hiked Government Island and Crow’s Nest. Jeff gladly mentions he paid his final Virginia state tax. No state tax or masks in Texas!

Seems Keith Ranker may have finally shaken the lightheadedness that plagued him for the past year. He sends, “Two air purifiers may finally have almost eliminated the constant allergies I had since November. (We have lots of pine trees here.) Hope our precious dog didn’t contribute to that. I’m still retired. Praise God that despite two strokes, my memory is very clear. Got both COVID-19 shots—no ill effects other than a sore arm for about four days. My wife and daughter are doing well.” Glad things are well, BR. Chip Humphrey writes, “I do not have much to report from Richmond other than a couple of BR sightings. Dave Jeter and I spent an afternoon together at a VMI Club of Richmond event at Home Team Grill in the Fan watching the Keydets win the Southern Conference championship against The Citadel. Go Keydets!

The event was well attended, and the Class of

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’79 was at least represented. My cheeks were still hurting a day later from laughing almost constantly as we shared stories from yesteryear. You know the drill. I also ran into Howard Adams a few days ago at American Family Fitness where Howard is still getting in his mileage on the treadmill. The guy is a machine, I tell you!” Thanks, Chip. Inquiring minds want to know what you were doing in the gym. Besides watching Howard, that is! Hmm? Many thanks again to Ed Johnson for coming up with and hosting the monthly brother rat Zoom happy hours. They really are a hoot. (Did I just say “hoot?”) Ed dropped a line saying, “I attended all the VMI home football games this spring and the playoff game at JMU; the team showed real ‘never say die’ heart. With the last year being so

Class of 1979: Al Soltis and Howard Adams.

different and having the ability to work remotely, Judy and I decided to get a place in Lexington to make it easier to spend more time supporting VMI. We close on Lexington’s only tiny house, walking distance from post, next week. we are really looking forward to seeing our BRs in person at football games in the fall (like they are supposed to be).” ...

And we are awaiting the housewarming invitation!

For those who missed it, Uncle Stosh Morris—admittedly with some help (though this was entirely his idea and without whom this could not have been done)—brought back The Cadet, which had been discontinued several years ago. From Stosh: “This paper was only possible through the very hard work of a core team consisting of about five-10 cadets who literally risked being boned for participating. It was funded 100% by donations from alumni (including our BRs in ’79) and advertisers, to include great support from the Lexington News-Gazette in Lexington. The VMI Museum and VMI Archives were also significant supporters with information, photos, etc. It is a monumental achievement, considering the cadets and alumni brought it together in less than two weeks from a dead, cold, start, and the cadets did not even have a ‘newspaper room’ to work out of at VMI. Special thanks to BR Tom Wilson for the late nights helping figure out the layout. In the near future, this will go live on a professional publication site (as long as the funds hold out—hint, hint). This will put some daily papers to shame. Please note that

Class of 1979: At a class dove hunt are Jim Elliott, W.P. Hamlin, Jeb Burton, Brad Jones, Jim Harrington (and his dog, Molly Brown), Steve Powers, Mark McLean ’80 (Jeff’s brother), Jay Higginbotham, Rob Maxey, Bill Albro, Jeff McLean, Noel Harris, Stafford Taylor, Mike Oden, and Meade Spotts. Jones hosted at his farm, Sept. 11-12, 2020. Nick Collins is not pictured.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes The Cadet, true to its origins, was published independently of VMI by cadets and alumni. It neither represents the views of VMI nor is an official publication of VMI (the state school) or the VMI Alumni Agencies. Just prior to graduation, some 900 copies were received on post. Every member of the Classes of 2021 and 2022 received free copies, and every room in barracks received free copies. The remaining copies were made available free graduation day to families and guests.” I cannot tell you how pleased, impressed, and dumbstruck by the work done by Stosh, Tom, and the many others who helped. Truly incredible and, Renee and I think, important. Especially during these troubled times for VMI. Bravo, brother rats!

Renee and I are well. The Virginia mask mandate ends tomorrow, so we shall see what the new “normal” is. To keep me off the couch and busy, I am building a shed. Alone. (OK, needed help with raising the walls and with two of the trusses, but you get the idea.) It is 10x12 with 10/12 roof (40 degrees). Already had a few incidents (Odie fall down and go boom!) necessitating some safety rules review by senior management. Nothing serious, just spent a week on the IR. The back part of the house looks like a lumberyard, but having never built anything before (OK, OK ... a stupid plywood doghouse for the outdoor cat that looked like an ADD 9-year-old on too much cough syrup built), I am enjoying myself. After things return to an acceptable level of normal, Renee will host (it has actually been a year now) my “retirement bash.”

Annual physicals. Had mine. Get ’er done!

These notes have been reviewed and approved

by Renee.

Say safe, brother rats, –M

1980

John Gibney Jr.

Hello, Brother Rats!

These notes cover the period Feb. 16, 2021, through May 15, 2021, and include the sad news of the passing of Tom Horan and Tom Johnston.

As the period began, COVID-19 vaccines were just becoming available, old man (describes many of us) winter was howling, and snow was piling up

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in many parts of the country, including Texas. So, I called Steve Letts, who lives in the Dallas area, and he reported record cold temperatures and power outages. Steve is fully retired, and he and Bonnie are enjoying their grandchildren, although their sons live in Austin and Houston, so the pandemic has forced their “visits” to be zoom events. Steve also said that he saw Rick Gilbert at a VMI event.

I exchanged email messages with Tom Kelly and Mark McLean on their respective birthdays.

I exchanged winter weather emails with Jim O’Connor. Jim lives in Louisiana and is head of the Communications and Media Studies Department at Southern Louisiana University. Jim reported rain and ice and a temperature of 17 degrees but no snow.

Wayland Patterson lives in the Florida panhandle and organizes a quarterly lunch for local alumni of VMI, The Citadel, Norwich, and Texas A&M. His March event focused on the 30th anniversary of the first Gulf War. Kevin Cordray sent a card via snail mail. Kevin and his wife, Anita, have moved from Orange, Virginia, to Gordonsville, Virginia, into their planned retirement home. Kevin is employed at Dominion Energy and active in the Scouts. He closed by writing that all is well with the Cordrays.

I spoke with Steve Andrews. Steve and Cathy are retired and live in the Williamsburg area. Their daughter, Caroline, lives and works in Austin and was without power and water for several days.

February closed with an email from Walt Wood in response to the receipt of his birthday card. The message included before and after haircut and beard trim photos of Walt, who explained that in March 2020, he was preparing to depart Lima, Peru, for his Appalachian Trail hike when Peru was shut down and the borders were sealed. Walt and Mary Lynne were unable to return to their Ayacucho home and spent eight months in Lima.

Upon returning home, Walt was shorn, but then he and Mary Lynne both tested positive for COVID-19.

March opened with an email from Bert Schneider with two attached photos, taken a year apart, showing Bert without a haircut since COVID-19.

He added that he will wait until two weeks after his second vaccine shot to see a stylist.

Tracy Wilson copied me on an email scheduling a Zoom gathering on St. Patrick’s Day with a group of our D.C. BRs. John Lillard wrote that March 17 is his and Barbara’s anniversary, and they were trying to go out to dinner to

Class of 1980: Tim Hodges and his wife, Vicki, following his retirement parade in April 2021.

Class of 1980: Tom Johnston raising a toast in 2020. celebrate—something they could not do in 2020.

Attendees were Dan Conn, Pat Griffin, and Jack Keane.

I spoke with Ed Bower on his birthday. Ed is doing well, retired, and building a cabin in Bedford, Virginia. He keeps in touch with Robby Jones.

I spoke with John Caplice on his birthday. John is fully retired and feels great after having both knees replaced. Margie is also doing well. They run a small vineyard in California and plan to travel; their 2020 travel plans were canceled due to COVID-19.

March ended and April began with numerous

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Class Notes email messages related to the events scheduled for the weekend of April 15 and 16, which included the football game against The Citadel and the honoring of retirees at the Friday parade.

Two of our BRs were being honored: Gary Levenson after 21 years of service as the deputy commandant and Tim Hodges after 41 years of service, most recently as head of the physics department. I spoke with each in advance of sending a blast email to alert our BRs. Gary will retire to Chester, Virginia, with no plans as of now.

Tim and Vicki will remain in Lexington. Tim is working on his golf game.

Their daughter is getting married. I also spoke to Steve Andrews to see if he and Cathy could be in Lexington, but they were scheduled to be out of town.

More to follow.

I spoke with Ray Joinson on his birthday. Ray and Carla are retired and live in Tennessee. Their son, Eric, is with the Secret Service and was on duty at Camp David. I also spoke with John Alerding on his birthday. John is both retired—from the Air Force and from teaching—and employed. He primarily works remotely from his home in Lexington but has an apartment in Oklahoma City where he works several times a year for several weeks at a time. John’s wife, Anne, is a professor in the VMI biology department. John’s son, Johnny, is a pilot in the Air Force and was recently married.

I spoke with Andy Brown on his birthday. Andy is a retired three-star admiral living in northern Virginia and running a not-for-profit organization. Andy said Sharon and their children are all well and that he keeps in touch with Ken Baybutt and Hugh Fain.

Phil Munisteri sent an email with a photo of Bruno Loefstedt holding a VMI flag in front of his new car. Phil and Bruno met for lunch.

Planning for an annual gathering in Lexington of a group of our BRs was begun in December 2020, primarily by Mike Luning, Rob Quarles, and Dixon Tucker, and was scheduled for April 15-16, coincident with the football game versus

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The Citadel, which was postponed from the fall due to COVID-19. The weekend typically includes dinner on Thursday evening for early arrivals, golf on Friday followed by dinner, a tailgate at Gary Levenson’s quarters on post before the game, and dinner at his quarters after the game. This year, the schedule was enhanced by the fact that the VMI football team was vying for a playoff berth, and Tim and Gary were being honored at the Friday parade. On Friday, Patti and I and Larry and Vera Hupertz played a scramble against Mike Luning, Rob Quarles, and Dixon Tucker at Vista Links. This was Class of 1980: Attending Tom Johnston’s funeral May 10, 2021, are followed by a pre-parade gathering of (front) Rob Dalessandro, Jack Keane, Bob White, Tom Bersson, our BRs at Moody Hall and a walk to Dixon Tucker, John Blankenship, (back) Rob Robinson, Tom Wilson, Jim Johnston, Allen Ramer, Tolar Nolley, and Josh Priest. the viewing area for the ceremony. Rob Robinson opened his house in Natural Bridge for one group of our BRs while Karen and Josh Priest hosted a second group of our BRs at Karen’s family home in Lexington. Tailgates preceded the game on Saturday, which was well attended by our BRs despite limited general admission seating, culminating in VMI winning and retaining the Silver Shako. Dinners were then held at Gary’s house and at Josh and Karen’s house. Attendees at these events included: Tom and Amy Bersson, John Blankenship, John and Margie Caplice, Kirk Deadrick, Boyd and Donna Gaines, Pat Griffin, Dave and Dianna Hageman, Larry and Vera Hupertz, Dennis Jacobs, Jack Keane, Steve Klinar, Mike and Melissa Lunning, Ali Mahan, Jay and Marge McConnell, Jay Melvin, Tolar Nolley, Kent Oelrich, Rob and Elizabeth Quarles, Allen Ramer, Rob Robinson, Dan and Cindy Sweeney, Dixon and Nancy Tucker, Bob and Traci White, Tom Wilson, Elliott Wolffe, Bud Zirkle, and Tony and Tracey Zoetis.

I understand that smaller groups of our BRs were also in town, primarily for the game, and I apologize for omitting anyone.

While in Lexington, Patti and I visited Class of 1980: BRs tailgating before the VMI versus The Cit- with Robby Jones in his jewelry store and adel game in April 2021 are Elliott Wolffe, Tom Wilson, Bud Zirkle, Allen Ramer, Jay Melvin, Tolar Nolley, Kirk Deadrick, saw Beth on the sidewalk. Robby said he attended the wedding of Chal Glenn’s John Blankenship, John Caplice, and Josh Priest. daughter. We also had lunch with Scott

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes and Mary Sayre. They sold their business, and as part of their retirement plan, they purchased a townhouse on the west coast of Florida.

On the way to VMI, I called Andy Ludlum to see if he was planning to attend. He and Nicki were planning to be in Lexington the following weekend, so they would not be making the trip from their home in Maryland. Andy is enjoying retirement from Southwest Airlines. I also exchanged emails with Paul Burkholder to see if he was planning to attend. He could not.

On April 20, I received an email from Ed Kopsick asking if I was aware that Tom Horan had passed away Dec. 1, 2020. I was not aware, and I alerted the Alumni Agencies, as they were not aware, either. Ed learned of Tom’s passing in a reply to a Facebook message from Tom’s wife. I reached out via email and text message to confirm Tom’s passing using the information resident on the VMI database but did not receive a response or an undeliverable message. An exhaustive search for an obituary produced no results. Ed also wrote that he is doing well, having relocated from Germany to Dover, Pennsylvania. He still works for the Department of Defense, now in Cumberland, Pennsylvania.

Rob Quarles sent an email saying that consideration was being given to traveling to Ohio in September for a VMI football game where Larry and Vera Hupertz would host.

May began with the sad news of the passing of Tom Johnston following a lengthy battle with cancer. Thanks to Jack Keane who was regularly in contact with Tammy and kept so many of our BRs informed of Tom’s condition. Tom’s passing brought a call from Hugh Fain and email and text messages from Phil Altizer, Jeff Basilotta, Tom Bersson, Don Bradshaw, Tom Gelles, Pat Griffin, Frank Hilton, Tom Kelly, Frank Leech, Pat McCarthy, Tusk Masker, and Rob Robinson.

Hugh also said that his youngest daughter, Sally, will be attending William & Mary this year.

Ed Baker sent a text and we then spoke. Ed and Diana live in the Outer Banks, and Dr. Baker is still working but not full-time. Their daughter, Katie, and granddaughter are still living in California. Their son, Charlie, is still living and working in Greensboro, North Carolina. Ed is a Carolina Hurricanes season ticket holder, and we discussed their playoff chances. Ed is in contact with Dennis Loba and passed along his condolences and memories of Tom Horan and Tom Johnston.

I spoke with Jim O’Connor on his birthday. Jim

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is not currently planning to retire but has “run the numbers.”

Tracy Wilson copied me on an email scheduling a dinner for our D.C. BRs. As noted above, these occur regularly but have been Zoom events during COVID-19. Their May 25 dinner is going to be in-person, as all are fully vaccinated and indoor dining is opening up.

I received a text message from Scott Sayre requesting contact information for Jed Ten Hoeve.

Then, I received an email from Phil Altizer requesting contact information for Jed Ten Hoeve.

Fearing the worst, I reached out to Jed, who said that he is fine and fully vaccinated. So, I made the connections.

On May 10, Tom Johnston was laid to rest.

Our BRs who attended were John Blankenship, Tom Bersson, Rob Dalessandro, Jack Keane, Josh Priest, Allen Ramer, Rob Robinson, Dixon Tucker, Tom Wilson, and Bob White. Walt Kreitler had to cancel due to a back injury. In a followup email, Jack Keane passed along a message from Tammy expressing her thanks for the support from our class.

I reached out to Rick Tabb. I have a nephew who is working at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, so I sent Rick an email to ask if he’d be available should a need arise, as he lives about 20 miles away. Rick responded in the affirmative and wrote that he is still working and that he and Alicia enjoy doing home projects.

Jeff Washington and I share a birthday on which we exchanged text messages. Thanks to John Alerding, Hugh Fain, Ray Joinson, Matthew Keys, and Wade Stinnette for reaching out on my birthday.

Dennis Jacobs sent an email after receiving his birthday card and wrote that he is planning to visit New York City to see Broadway shows when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Finally, on the last day of the period, I exchanged emails with Brian Hub, who sent a message after he read the most recent set of class notes. Brian lives in Colorado Springs and is a GS-12 in the civil engineer squadron at Peterson Air Force Base. His family is all well and all avoided COVID-19.

Events at VMI continue to elicit long strings of text messages and email messages. Thank you all for copying me, as it provides fodder for the notes (names only, no politics in the class notes). These groups include Jeff Basilotta, Ken Baybutt, Joe Belkoski, John Briggs, Paul Burkholder, Dusty

Boyd, Kirk Cole, George Condyles, Dan Conn, Kirk Deadrick, Chris Dombalis, Hugh Fain, Rick Fowler, Tom Gelles, Frank Hilton, Dennis Jacobs, Ray Joinson, Jack Keane, Tom Kelly, Mike Knapp, John Lillard, Forrest Marion, Tuck Masker, Tolar Nolley, Jim O’Connor, Allen Ramer, Hal Snyder, Tracy Wilson, and Elliott Wolffe.

As published in prior sets of notes, this has resulted in some alumni electing to “unsubscribe” from emails sent by the VMI Alumni Agencies.

Please note that doing this globally will result in class agent messages also being stopped—those sent in a “blast” to the class. Email messages can be managed/filtered through the VMI website.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Finally, please take a few minutes to confirm/ update your personal information contained in the VMI database through VMI Ranks: Visit vmialumni.org, click on the For Alumni dropdown tab, and select VMI Ranks.

Thank you for your continuing support and for keeping me in the loop via phone calls, text messages, and email. Please stay safe.

1981

Jerry Manley

BRs and Sisters, These notes cover the period of Feb. 15 to May 15, 2021. I will start this narrative by sharing brief but touching stories of contacts made with the family members of two beloved brother rats who have gone before us.

First, just before Valentine’s Day, I spoke with John H. Judge ’08, son of our BR John W. Judge.

I called John ’08 to obtain an address for his mother, Molly, so we could send her class flowers in honor and memory of our BR. Many may remember BR John from our rat year, especially those of us who were Company D rats. (Mad Dog Delta!) I had the opportunity to share with young John how much I enjoyed and looked up to his father when we were rats. I also shared how many years later his dad and I would run into one another periodically in the Navy Yard and shared coffee a few times to catch up. I mentioned to John how happy the BRs were to see his father at one of our reunions; young John was quick to remind me that

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Class Notes it was our 25th. John recalled that he was a 2nd span of time. Ms. Pere further shared how im- continued support and communications to Gudrun. (Very proud of you Jeff, Billy, and Corky!) the year of our reunion, and his father proudly in- portant VMI was to Dan. Gudrun was quick to On the tail end of the Valentine’s Day weekend, add how incredible BRs Jeff Adler, Bill Bird, troduced him around to our BRs. John had very clear memories of meeting both Grover Outland and Corky Mitchell had been not just through I also had the pleasure of visiting with Mike and and me that weekend. Our BR John never lost his Dan’s illness but also in helping her with ad- Katherine Denton before I headed home to northlove for VMI and had great pride in John matricu- ministrative and financial matters after Dan ern Virginia. Mike gave me “a tour” of his perlating. It was a truly heartwarming conversation. I passed—tremendous BRs who demonstrated sonal “Top Golf” facility he arranged in his garage can only hope and pray that John felt a little extra their love for BR Dan in their selfless deeds and just before we ventured indoors to share drinks with the lovely Katherine. As alpride in his father for the BR and ways, a great visit to the Denton rising star he was during our Rat household ... there is always good Line in 1977-78. cheer and a great pour at the DenThe second story comes from ton home!

BR Jeff Adler. On Saturday, On March 1, many of us joined Feb. 20, Jeff and Christie Adler in a class Zoom event orcheswere out running errands in Cape trated by BR Bob Cody. The Coral, Florida. They were returnZoom meeting was nothing short ing to their car after shopping at of phenomenal! The discussions the Cape Coral Farmers Market. ranged from being informative As they were getting into their and intriguing (when the topic car, a woman who happened to was related to current events) to be parked behind them shouted humorous and jovial (as we “reout to Jeff to gain his attention. verted to our youth”). Those who The woman had noticed Jeff’s “zoomed in” included John AulVMI license plate frame and said bach, Keith Baron, Rich Barshe had a brother who went to Class of 1981: BRs Ray Lawson, Grover Outland, Jeff Gill, Bruce Kitchen, Jim VMI. Jeff approached her car and Waring, Vince Wood, Dave Loduca, and Bob “Gator” Underwood enjoying tholomew, Adrian Bogart, Paul asked, “What class?” The initial Brier, Bob Cody, Rob “Cos” the VMI football victory over The Citadel. response was, “Sometime in the Costello, Mike Denton, George ’80s ...” and before Jeff could ask further, she said, Depaoli, Mark “Sloppy” Gonsalves, John Keene, “His name was Alan McLachlen.” Through imBruce Kitchen, Ray Lawson, Matt Merriman, mediate tears, Jeff found himself introduced to Clinker Moss, Grover Outland, Ken Pierro, Alan’s sister, Colleen McLachlen. Jeff shared with Mike Placzek, Dave Saunders, Nick Savage, Colleen that our class continues to toast Alan’s Tom Savage, Dave Taylor, Steve Tennant, Gator memory (as we do with all our BRs who have Underwood, Greg Wolven, and Vince “V” Wood passed) and that we recall him with great love. (and I hope I did not miss anyone). As I shared in Colleen told Jeff she attended the class plaque a follow-on class email, events like these both unceremony for Alan in Memorial Garden and how derscore and amplify the pride I have in our class meaningful that was to her and the rest of her famiand in fellowship. We have tremendous leaders ly. Colleen further shared that Alan’s widow, Shanand citizen-soldiers in our class I truly admire, and non, remarried and that she and her two daughters, we have tremendous men with caring hearts. SpeAlexandra and Shelby (now ages 32 and 28), are cial thanks to everyone who participated, with speall doing well. An amazing chance encounter cial thanks and callouts to Bob Cody for being the that meant as much to Jeff as it did to Colleen. catalyst and to Dave Taylor for closing the event Jumping back to Valentine’s Day, additional with prayer. (As I am sending these notes in May heartwarming feedback for the class flowers 15, we have another Zoom call scheduled for May came in the form of Facebook posts, texts, and 16. I am looking forward to reporting on that call phone calls from the loving brides of our dein our next Review.) ceased BRs expressing love and thanks to the Ray Lawson shared that, in late winter, he and class. Additionally, Ms. Gudrun Pere, mother Gale and went to see VMI play The Citadel in basClass of 1981: BRs Keith Baron, Marc Barof our beloved Dan Pere, also contacted me to ketball in Charleston. Ray witnessed our Keydets thello, and Greg Wolven plus the Huslet me know how meaningful the flowers were put up a good fight. Ray and Gale got together kies gather at the Barthello home above to her—particularly given that she lost both her with the Charleston alumni group for pre-game Foster Stadium in March. only child and her husband over a very short activities and were joined by their friend, Chelsea

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Nugent ’11, for the game and some post-game refreshment. Gale and Ray also traveled to Lexington for The Citadel football game and reported, “For the first time in nearly 37 years of marriage, Gale witnessed VMI win a game in any sport!”

Ray had a great time getting together with Marc Barthello, Dave Loduca, Grover Outland, Jeff Gill, Bruce Kitchen, Bob “Gator” Underwood, Jim Waring, and many others. Ray is wrapping up his first year of full-time teaching at Horse Creek Academy in Aiken, South Carolina. He is making the move to all high school STEM electives next year, as well as moving into a brand-new high school building that is currently under construction. Once Ray gets the STEM program up and running (he projects another two to three years), he plans to enter retirement, which he is going to “practice” this summer with a lot of fly fishing in upstate South Carolina.

Dave Hinchee shared some exciting news for this Review. On Dec. 31, 2020, after 26 years and 9 months (or as Dave put it “9,768 days”), Dave sold Abatement Technical Services to one of his local competitors and began a 5-month transition to retirement. His master plan is to be in full retirement mode by his 62nd birthday, May 29. Dave shared that he and Jo Ann have lots of things on their bucket list, including traveling the country in an RV, spending more time with the kids and grandkids (James, 4, and Lizzie, one-and-a-half), traveling to England and Europe (his youngest daughter, Courtney, is in London now studying for her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing), sailing the Caribbean with great friends, playing with his Triumph TR-6 and restoring his Triumph TR-4, converting a mini school bus (skoolie) to a camper and using it for the ski bash, and just relaxing in Virginia Beach while sitting around the Tiki Hut sipping cold adult beverages. (A bucket list to rival many others, Dave!) Dave shared that there is plenty of room at the Hinchee homestead if anyone is in the neighborhood, so do not be shy about stopping in and staying a while. Per Dave, “We’ll leave the light on for you!”

Ann Wolven shared that BRs Greg Wolven, Keith Baron, and Marc Barthello met up at Marc and Laura’s Lexington, Virginia, home March 6, 2021. Greg and Ann were in the area looking for retirement home options. They also ran into John and Lisa Aulbach while eating lunch at Frank’s on Sunday! While they did not see him that trip, they talked with Bob “Gator” Underwood about

2021-Issue 3

Class of 1981: Following the great ’81 bootleg bourbon trail, BR Mike “Psycho” Mcleod (left) delivers class bourbon to Chet Thompson (center) and Jim Frishkorn in an undisclosed location near Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Class of 1981: The great ’81 bootleg bourbon trail also finds bottles in Sorrento, Florida, with Cris Timmons (left) and Bruce Kitchen. a potential home down in Gator’s “neck of the woods.” Ann and Greg’s retirement home search was a bust in March. As an update, Ann later shared that Greg was honored April 16 with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Indiana Statewide Electric Cooperatives. (Congrats, Greg!) Ann retired May 14 as a professor of English after 20 years teaching at Lincoln Trail College (33 years

teaching in total). Greg and Ann did ultimately purchase a home built in 1850 on 8-plus acres in Burkeville, Virginia, just a bit down the road from Richmond, Crewe, and Farmville and are looking forward to seeing more of our BRs. I received a brief note from Brian Quisenberry.

He shared that he was “stepping away from [the University of Alabama at Birmingham] and checking out this thing called ‘retirement.’” He has taken time recently to venture to southwest Georgia on a weekend quail hunting trip with high school classmates that included a mutual friend he and I share, Paul Walden. Paul is another retired Navy captain I have known for many years through the Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps. (Quiz, it is on you to let Paul know his name is now carried in a VMI periodical! Ha!) Bruce Kitchen was active on Facebook and in email happily announcing his second rat haircut!

Bruce was once again supporting a very worthy event, Saint Baldrick’s efforts to end children’s cancer. As many will recall, Bruce received his “very first rat haircut” last year as part of the fundraising activity for Saint Baldrick’s. Well, Bruce did it again! The head-shaving was going to be a one-time thing for Bruce; however, he learned that St. Baldrick’s was 35% behind in their fundraising. Selflessly, Bruce stepped up and threw his hat (and his hairline) into the ring once again. (God bless you, Bruce, and all you do for that worthy cause, sir.)

I had a great visit with Mike “Psycho” Mcleod in April. Psycho drove up from Satellite Beach, Florida, for some personal visits in the area. The trip also afforded him the opportunity to pick up bottles of our class bourbon, as he volunteered to be an integral member of our “bourbon deployment team.” He made his way south, dropping bottles along the way from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Fort Walton Beach areas. Psycho spent the night at my place, and we threw back a few “nonclass” bourbons as he regaled me with stories of his recent exploits. (Great visit, Psycho! Looking forward to seeing you soon in the Richmond area, as your layovers allow.)

I was fortunate to travel to Omaha, Nebraska, with Shannon to join Jim Hart at the NCAA women’s volleyball semifinals where his daughter, Danielle, started for the University of Wisconsin. It was a tough loss for Wisconsin, but the three of us and Danielle’s grandmother, Linda Sandifer, could not have been prouder to be in the stands cheering her on. Other BRs were watching

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Class Notes on ESPN and connected in real-time via text.

These BRs included Rob “Cos” Costello, John Ferry, Mackay Spears, and Billy Stamm.

Other “bourbon transfers” brought Grover Outland and Piggy Herbert to my Centreville home in mid-April with Gene Loving arriving May 15. Much to my chagrin, Shannon happened to be present for both visits, and the BRs did what BRs do best ... harassed me and told “highly questionable” stories about my “formative” years at VMI. In reality, we had great conversations with all three and caught up on family escapades and future plans. (Great seeing you, Grover, Piggy, and Gene! The door is always open, BRs.) In terms of catching up with BRs, I was also blessed with great conversations these past few weeks with Bill Grigg and Tim Hesson. Topics were different in the calls with Bill and Tim, but the true constant was our brotherhood. It was both a pleasure and honor talking with these two BRs—great men, both!

And speaking of great men and great BRs, Gator Underwood shared a brief note. Gator’s daughter just graduated from Radford University and will be going to graduate school this fall.

In closing, I want to again share deep and

Class of 1981: Rat picture of BR Michael Callahan taken in 1977. “Rest in peace, dear brother,” said Jerry Manley, class agent, about this photo.

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sincere condolences for two losses in our class and family. First, we continue to share our most heartfelt love and condolences with BR John Reed over the passing of his beloved friend and partner, Vali Lowrie-Reed. Vali was John’s wife for 23 years and the mother of his three children.

Though they had divorced, they were still caring partners and wonderful parents for their children. John and Vali remained close, and when Vali was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, John took over as her primary caregiver. As John shared, Vali was an inspiration to so many over the past four years—not simply through her battle with brain cancer, but through her love, strength, generosity, and grace. (God bless you and your loving children, John.)

Second, I am sad to again share the passing of another BR, Michael Callahan. Michael left VMI after completing the first semester of our 3rd Class year. Several BRs, including Mike Sawyer and Mark Vasco, remembered Michael with very kind words. Mark shared, “I remember Mike Callahan. He was a really nice guy with a good sense of humor. One of my many memories as a rat, when I wasn’t on confinement, was when me, Mike, and several others went uptown on a Saturday afternoon to see that new movie that just came out, ‘Star Wars.’ Kind of dating us a little I guess, right? He was also a pretty good football player, as well—a running back—and I often wondered what became of him.” BR Callahan graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1977 and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Anne (nee Kilmer), in 1980. Michael originally attended VMI on a football scholarship before transferring to West Virginia University. He graduated in 1981 with a degree in electrical engineering. Michael and Ruth Anne had three boys, Carter, Hunter, and Bee. Sadly, Ruth Anne passed away in 1998.

Michael met his current wife, Lisa, in 2012 and they were married almost exactly one year later.

By all reports, Michael was a very kind and loving family man with a great sense of humor. (I regret losing contact with this BR, as he seemed by all accounts to be typical of our class—a good, thoughtful, and gentle family man.)

Well, brother rats, that is about “all the news that is fit to print” for this edition. Please keep the communications flowing! Love and God’s blessings to all.

In the Bonds of VMI ’81, Jerry

1982

Will Council

Hello, Brother Rats, Happy spring! Hope everyone is doing well as we are nearing the end of the COVID-19 season.

At this time, they have relaxed the face mask mandates here in Tennessee, and I am looking forward to all those smiling facing being uncovered. Saw a poor street vendor trying to sell a huge stock of homemade masks—soon to be going out of business. Hopefully, that entrepreneurial spirit will find another market. Don’t know about you all, but we dodged the wacky weather this time. No Easter tornados! Still looks like a war zone in some neighborhoods around here.

So anyway, have you been keeping up with what has been going on at VMI? Well, a lot of changes, and I am not talking about the fantastic job that Keith Jarvis has been doing with all the new building construction projects. Take a few minutes and look up what’s been going on. It may shock some of you, disappoint some of you, and others will say it’s about time! We have a reunion coming up, and I hope a lot of you will make the effort to attend so we can recapture our class spirit.

Gunny Holmes was shocked by all the news and sent me a follow-up email with news that the same is happening at a military high school in San Antonio, Texas. I am about ready to go join Gunny on his barrier island escape and hide out until all this is over. And before anyone gets on my case about downgrading his retirement rank, he will always be our Gunny! He signed off on the note that way.

From the mailroom, I heard from Charlie Sanger the day after I submitted my notes in February. I was angry at the late arrival because he had some great updates, but also because he had the nerve to show and tell that he and Maureen had just returned from a fishing trip in the Keys. Charlie has been living just up the road in Nashville, and we really need to make a date to visit. He missed our last Zoom conference call hosted by Bob Louthan but caught it on YouTube later. Charlie passes along news from Murray Hudson; he is doing well and sounds like a true Texan living on his ranch.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes it will be fun and exciting, so go ahead and start making plans to attend. Who knows when we will see each other again?

Sincerely, Will Council

1983

Steve Amato

Class of 1982: Charlie Sanger enjoying the Keys as a getaway from COVID-19 and Tennessee winter weather.

I received a hilarious Christmas card from Tim Boylan who was sporting an Army issue gas mask to ward off COVID-19.

I finally heard from Chuck Fanshaw recently; he is finishing up a NATO tour in Belgium, and per his text, he will retire March 15, 2021. Thanks, Charlie; I will come up for a weekend in Music City!

Joe Bouchelle and wife Sharlet are still living nearby in Buena Vista. They have survived the pandemic. Joe is full-time teaching now at Southern Virginia University and says it’s a great transition for retirement. Their family has been growing, too. Up to six grandchildren with one more expected in June 2021. It’s a special new status when you have more grandkids than kids! They have four children and will have seven grandchildren in June. Life is good! This summer, they’ll be heading out west to Arizona and Utah to see all the family. Very excited. He promises to send a picture with one of the grandbabies!

OK, I picked this up off of Facebook from Guy and Deidre Dougherty. They have been experiencing some changes in their lives lately. Let’s see, early retirement from Farmers Insurance; sell home in California move to Meridian, Idaho; come out of retirement with new company, Mutual of Enumclaw; freeze butt off in Idaho. That sums it up. I now have someone to visit in Idaho!

That’s about it for the class news. Be looking for information in about our class reunion. You know

2021-Issue 3

Howdy BRs, These class notes cover the period from Feb. 15, 2021, to May 15, 2021. Mary and I hope your spring was great. We have been blessed; our sixth grandchild is due in September, and we are excited. Congratulations to our spring 2021 football team as they captured the Southern Conference Championship title and defeated The Citadel, thus retaining the Silver Shako in Lexington, Virginia.

You can find the latest developments from VMI’s Board of Visitors and the VMI Alumni Agencies posted on the VMI Alumni Association’s website.

I received sad news in early March as Duane Padrick’s wife, Sandy, passed away Feb. 27, 2021.

Sandy was unable to recover from an infection that became septic. Fortunately, despite the medical facility’s pandemic restrictions, Duane was able to be with her. Please keep Duane in your prayers not only for Sandy but also for the medical challenges he is currently battling.

Tony “Snake” Arnold says, “Bubba called me twice—still hasn’t sent me any Venmo cash. I send his kids Venmo taco cash all the time.” Snake, you are a generous BR. Billy Akers sent me a text saying, “How about those Keydets. Our football team is setting the mark this year. Always great hearing and reading the news of VMI. Quick update: We are setting out for the Cortez/Durango, Colorado, area in about a month. Building our retirement place out there and going to have an Airbnb venture along with our sheep farm. Lisa will be riding her horses, and I will be watching for monster elk and mule deer.

A fantastic area with more than you can see in a month and within a two-hour drive to Purgatory, Wolf Creek, and Telluride ski resorts. All are welcome if you are ever in the area. At the end of the road on the right is our 40 acres. You will see the view we will have from the 16x16 foot glass wall at the end of the house. We are excited. You guys

stay well and stay blessed.” Congrats to you and Lisa on the construction of your dream home, Billy. The video clip Billy sent me showed fantastic scenery of mountains and valleys.

I received a message from Milton Scarpa stating, “My first meeting with my first grandchild, Melanie Brooke Phillips. Born April 2, 2021 (picture provided). Daughter of Kevin and Jessica Phillips. My son-in-law is Air Force, stationed at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, so I see many road trips in my future. I will be in Virginia Beach in July for a beach week with my dad.

Class of 1983: Milt Scarpa and granddaughter Melanie Brooke Phillips.

Class of 1983: Tray Adams’ VMI flag.

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Class Notes Hope all is well with everyone!” Milt, welcome to the grandparent club; enjoy this chapter of life, as it’s great.

Tray Adams sent a picture of a VMI flag hung on his house to the class Google email group address (vmi-class-of-1983@googlegroups.com) which depicts three different Adams family graduation classes. Tray sent the picture as inspiration a day before the Keydets played James Madison University in the first round of football playoff games in the 2021 spring football season.

Professor Mark Benvenuto provided a class note update: “I just got the eBook version of the following out: ‘Green Chemical Processing, Volume 6: Green Chemistry and Technology.’ The hard copy should be out in a couple of months. When it does come out, I’ll send one to VMI for the library. Like too much these days, this book comes with a bitter pill. My co-editor is a pal I have known through the American Chemical Society for decades, I believe, Mr. George Ruger from the New York Section. Mutual friends were telling me George was crowing about the book at their last section meeting and was really proud of it. Abruptly, I got an email and a text from George’s elderly mother that he just got sick and passed away one weekend. I don’t know if it’s COVID-19-related or not, but it makes me pause and think we should all count our blessings right now. He was a good guy, younger than us, and I’m going to miss him.” Tough news to hear about your co-editor, Mark.

Phil Shepard sent me a status update on his family. “We have a couple of updates: Our son, Connor ’16, is with the Coast Guard and left today for Humboldt Bay, Samoa, California. Our youngest son, Collin, graduated from UVA in December with a civil engineering degree. He’s working for a civil firm, Rinker Design Associates in Virginia, Beach. Isabelle is in her 37th year with the City of Virginia Beach Public Schools. Five years ahead of Snake Arnold.” Phil, we know you are proud of your grown-up children and the goals they’ve achieved.

A message from Warren Groseclose said, “Hello, Steve, just updating you on my recent move to Roanoke. I’m still in the transportation world and now the chief operating officer of the Lawrence Companies. Looking forward to being able to catch a few more tailgate parties this fall.” Nice job, Warren, on achieving the COO position.

One of our Alaska BRs, Trent Boggs, has officially achieved retirement status. Trent provided me this message: “Hey, BR, I hope you, Mary, and

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the family are all well. We are fine, fully inoculated, and about to start landscaping and furnishing the retirement house here in Soldotna, Alaska. The only change from my Christmas letter is that I retired two weeks ago. I look forward to fishing, hiking, trail running, and volunteering in this sleepy little town once we get done with these last phases of the house. Take care and come visit us sometime.” This is fantastic for Trent and Sherri, as they are fully transitioned to retirement; however, they are very much active outdoors people. The best to you both on completing the finishing touches on your new home.

Steve Hodak’s SITREP stated, “Well, brother rat, it goes like this. Got my first Pfizer COVID-19 shot back near the end of March on a Wednesday.

Friday, I started experiencing tension headaches and heart flutters along with minor chest pressure.

I went to the doc a few weeks later and he says I have AFib. Ticker governor out of whack. Blood thinner. Still have the headaches. Crystal indicates a coworker’s friend had a similar post-Pfizer issue.

I just want it to stop. Going to Williamsburg the week prior to Memorial Day, and Edisto Island (near Charleston, South Carolina) for Christmas.

I will see if I can meet up with our famous author BR down there. That is all. Room 193 out.” Dang, Steve, we hope your doctor has stabilized your condition; we all want the issues caused by the pandemic to end soon.

Mark Sykes and I took a road trip to watch the Keydets play The Citadel April 17, 2021. We

won the football game, retained the Silver Shako in Lexington, captured the Southern Conference football championship, but most of all we met several BRs at the game. Mark and I had lunch at Macado’s with Gray Carter and Stephen Ross.

At the football game, we saw Hugh and Robin Daughtry; Bill Cornett; and the Sawyer brothers, Keith and Ken. Shortly after the Keydet victory over The Citadel, Jay Williams submitted this class note update: “Steve, good morning, hope you and your family are well. Here is my submission for class notes: I caught up with Scott and Pam Horan at the ETSU football game. Had a great visit, catching up on old times and enjoying being outside and with friends.

On Saturday, April 17, Paige and I hosted BRs and spouses at our home before we beat The Citadel and clinched the Southern Conference Championship. A good time was had by all. Look forward to getting back to parade ground tailgating in the fall.” Thanks for the message, Jay. As a reminder, our class has a new email group.

If any BR desires to be added to the new email group, please contact Hugh Daughtry at email keydet1983@gmail.com. Our new Google Groups email is vmi-class-of-1983@GoogleGroups.com. Thanks again to Jim Outland and Hugh for launching our new class email group.

BRs, when you receive this edition of the Alumni Review, we’ll be 20 months from our 40th Reunion! For those BRs who have not returned to the “I” for a class reunion, we hope you plan to attend our April 2023 class reunion.

Well, BRs be healthy, take care, stay safe, and God bless you all!

1984

Bill Janis

Class of 1983: Ken and Keith Sawyer, Robin and Hugh Daughtry, Mark Sykes, Steve Amato, Gray Carter, and Stephen Ross at the VMI versus The Citadel football game.

A brief reflection on the joys of unexpected and impromptu visits by brother rats. It was a Thursday morning, and I had taken a few days off from work because my daughter and son-in-law were visiting from St. Petersburg. As I walked up to the entrance of the local grocery store to buy a half-dozen eggs, I received a text message from Curt Hinton: “Buddy ... Are you awake? We are getting service at Centennial Imports Mercedes, which Una said is only a couple miles from you!”

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes So, I bought a dozen eggs, some chorizo, freshlysqueezed Florida orange juice (and three bottles of Champagne), and called Curt to inform him that BRC will form on the bricks in 10 minutes!

Curt and Una had sold their home in Virginia in December and, after placing most of their belongings and furniture in storage, taken up nomadic residence in a Mercedes Sprinter RV and headed south. They had spent the past several months soaking up the sun, sights, and spirits from Chokoloskee to Micanopy to Fort Walton Beach and were passing through on their way to the Grand Canyon by way of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Now that’s what I call spontaneity!

This surprise visit called my memory back long decades ago, when we were briefly passing through barracks and were relatively unburdened by obligations or responsibilities beyond our duties to be prepared for class, punctual, properly groomed, polite, and presentable. It was in this climate that we cultivated an insatiable appetite for the “unscripted.” Only those who have lived the “barracks lifestyle” can truly appreciate the thrill of an impulsive decision to “run the block;” the urgent, reckless abandon of changing into (or out of) proper uniform in a service station restroom; or the triumph of successfully smuggling contraband from the Red Front through Washington Arch for some extemporized late-night conviviality.

For most of us, as our lives have filled with deadlines and commitments, our capacity for improvisation has waned and atrophied almost as rapidly as our threshold of comfort with the unarranged and unexpected. The further away—in time and space—we drift from Lexington, the further apart we drift one from another.

But for me, especially now that Rose Ann and I live so far off the beaten path, there are still very few things that are so beautiful as an unexpected encounter with a brother rat. Whatever you previously had “planned” gets put on hold. So-called “important” meetings, chores, and errands are summarily postponed. You break out your best and “slaughter fatted calves.” You laugh. You cry.

You share your recent exploits and tell stories of ancient exploits from your time in barracks together—some of which are true.

And so it was with Brother Rat Hinton. And after we polished off our special omelets and raised our premium hand-rolled Punch cigars for the Keydet football team, our far-too-brief time together drew to an abrupt end. And like true nomads, as suddenly as they had appeared, Curt and

2021-Issue 3

Una were gone again down that long, lonesome beach highway headed for the Flora-Bama line. If you’re lucky, they may be calling from a campsite near you soon!

Speaking of surprises, I received a surprising photo of Steve Reardon holding his first grandchild. Adelaide Barbara Reardon is the daughter of Gregory Reardon ’14 and his wife, Sinclair (formerly Sinclair Scott, daughter of Greg Scott ’87 and sister of Brice Scott ’15). From henceforth, Steve shall be known as “Papa” Reardon!

Speaking of really amazing surprises, in case you’ve been “freeze-dried,” doing “hard time,” or getting your news only from The Washington Post, you may not be aware that the Keydet football team went 6-2 this spring, posting the first winning season since 1981 (or, as historians refer to it, “The Bruce Hauck Era”), captured its first Southern Conference Championship since 1977, (aka “The Pre-Hauck-Storic Era”) thereby advancing to the FCS playoffs for the first time. Most importantly, VMI clinched the conference title by beating The Citadel 31-17 at Foster Stadium. A large contingent of our brother rats was there to witness that historic victory.

Mike Hicks dropped me a note from Indiana, where he is “living the professor’s dream” serving as the George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Economics and director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University. Mike has one son at VMI, a swimmer and cadre corporal in Company H, and a high

school junior interested in attending the Institute, as well. His daughter was smart enough to go to the U.S. Air Force Academy and will have graduated in May. Mike said he is looking forward to watching VMI football this fall: “I managed to make one game this spring, and it was better than I remembered.” That’s an understatement, Dr. Hicks!

On that understated note, until next time. I’ll close by saying, “Goodnight, Matt Garten, wherever you are!”

Class of 1984: Jeff White in Lexington to see his twins graduate with the Class of 2021. Ensign Mitchell H. White ’21 will report to Pensacola in June to commence training as a naval aviator, and Ensign Perry R. White ’21 will report later this summer to the USS John S. McCain (DD56), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

Class of 1984: At the VMI win over The Citadel are Steve “Gandhi” Barsamian, Frank Kollmansperger, Lee Wimbish, Steve “Papa” Reardon, Jeff Perkins, Barry Coceano, Tom Carboni, Tom Anthony, Sam Woolwine, Greg Cavallaro, and Andy Protogyrou. Not pictured are Bob Doyle, Steve Hupp, and Bob Chapman.

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Class Notes

1985

Matt Daniel

Class of 1984: Steve “Papa” Reardon introduces the world to Adelaide Barbara Reardon.

Class of 1984: The “my brother rat just showed up” special, a Mexican omelet with chorizo, queso, and peppers.

Class of 1984: Curt Hinton and Bill Janis at BRC in Pensacola, Florida.

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Today is New Market Day, May 15. It’s time to reflect on our time at VMI, the good that she is, and the good that she has done. VMI is good, brother rats.

Alas, since today indeed is the ides of May, that should tell you that these notes are due on this same day. Just like a cadet, I grabbed that last five minutes of rack time, waiting for Bill the Bugler (RIP) to toot that first note until I get up, throw on my ducks and blouse, don my lid and slip on my shoes, and stumble out onto the bricks while Bill is finishing his long last note, as if to say, “You better get your ask moving, cadet. I only have so much breath left in these lungs!” (Except he didn’t say “ask”). Some things never change. It is my hope, brothers, that VMI is wise and remains resolved to be patient, steadfast, and determined to keep the bigger picture of goodness and value in the frame and choose her actions wisely as these days wear on.

On to business. Much and most of the content below is aided and abetted by my very good friend, Jake Spivey. Jake is generous with his time, his ideas, his opinions, his intellect, his skills, his memory, and his whiskey. Thanks, Jake.

Ipso facto: Help received.

Congratulations to Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins and his wonderful family for his selection and appointment as VMI’s 15th superintendent. It would be an understatement to say that the Class of 1985 is tremendously proud of you and your accomplishment. Good luck, Cedric.

Ken Cade is well. He runs a Christmas tree farm in western North Carolina.

Jack Emerson, a slow-speaking, smarter than you’d ever suspect, U.S. Marine Corps grunt turned financial wizard says: “Don’t buy Bitcoin.”

More on that when we get around to interviewing the old Marine.

Ken Hirtz retired from practicing law (insurance litigation) and is retiring to Florida; he hopes to connect with Mike Milligan, who is retired and doing well in Pompano Beach. Party time.

In April, Jake and Suzanne (the true nautical leader of clan Spivey) Spivey joined Dave and

Jennifer Tingley, Mark Bornhorst, and George and Rose Ann Halages at the Halages’ home in North Carolina. The event? The annual crawfish boil: Halages Garages, they call it. Not sure why, but maybe it is because the crawfish was originally prepared in their garage? Or, maybe it’s not even called Halages Garages and the writer is just making stuff up.

Back to Halages Garages: The true cooks for the day of the event were George’s friends from Louisiana, fully dressed in LSU purple, who cooked 200 pounds of crawfish, 50 pounds of shrimp and approximately 10 pounds each of eggs, onions, corn, sweet potatoes, redskin (sic) potatoes and a whole lot of Zatarain’s Crawfish Boil mix. Bornhorst chipped in by bringing some of his kitchen chili, much renowned in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio.

And, designed to compete directly with the Irongripped Spivey-organized annual Charlie Company golf safari (Aug. 5-8 this year, with a new attraction Thursday evening, the 5th), Bornhorst and his gang of Knots (Dan Murphy, Bill Wieners, Scotty Vaughn, Bill Tilling, Chuck McCarthy, Dave Campbell, and more) are planning to hold a second float floats floaty thingamabob.

Jake, acting on a request from Borny, sent out the following in mid-April, provided in case you missed it. Some editing by the agent was required: “Brother Rats, distributing on behalf of BR Bornhorst. Contact him (bornym@aol.com), if you are interested in this event. Please do not use ‘Reply All.’ Thanks.

“First pass at feeling out interest in a broader event for our VMI ’85 family. Planning an early fall weekend (tentatively Oct. 8-9) at Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing, West Virginia. The New River Gorge is one the most beautiful locations in the country, and AOG has a tremendous resort campus with numerous lodging choices from open-air camping (appropriate for Appalachian Trail veteran Rich Williams) to 4,000 sq. ft. cabins (U.S. Air Force guys). There are three restaurants on-site (with live music Friday and Saturday), and many of the lodging choices have kitchens (and hot tubs). I am still researching if there are time machines associated. Activities include some of the best whitewater rafting in the country (no rubber duckies allowed), amazing zip line canopy tours, rappelling/rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, hiking. Bring the better halves, kids, dogs ... come and play or just hang out in a beautiful setting with everyone. It’ll be a la carte,

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes busier now than ever as he volunteers to many eat what you kill. (right, Mark Jackson and Rob organizations in Rockbridge County. Dave is a McIntire?) Come for a long weekend or a day; do tremendously talented and creative woodworkas much or as little as you want. Let’s just get toing artisan. I keep urging him to open a cottage gether!!!” (Class agent note: Yes, Borny used three business for beer or whiskey money. exclamation points.)

Mags McGuire and Lisa are just celebrating “Respond to my email and let me know your intheir newest addition to the family with a beautiterest level. We’ll go from there with more details. ful granddaughter. Mags is working for Raytheon Check out their website, adventuresonthegorge. and living in Lexington. I think Mags may have com, for more information. (We’ll get about 25% hit the lottery in many ways. off activity prices and 10-15% off lodging rates for U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andy Valenzuela the group.)

(JTAC) retired from the Guard in April. What “See you in Lexington for The Citadel game a stud. I believe this leaves Chaplain Col. Pete (Class agent note: Which we won!) or at ‘the’ saClass of 1985: Mark “Action” Jackson Sniffin as our last active duty classmate. Well fari. Later, Borny.” bags a nice gobbler in Lexington in April. done to both of you gents.

Thanks, Borny; this sounds like a blast.

Chris “Bullet” Welch is going in on a brewery New topic. By the way, if I did not mention it near Charles City, Virginia. Chris, I need to learn earlier, the safari is coming: Aug. 5-8. It’s a time to more. Bullet, help me with that, please. get together and celebrate our enduring pal-ships Great news regarding Jeff Norris (via Hugh we have enjoyed, gained, or regained since and Hill: UPS airman extraordinaire). Jeff is in Omabecause of our bonds here in Lexington. And it’s ha and flying for UAL. During the crazy extendfun to watch Steve Hagan and Neil Lowenstein, ed flu-like season, Jeff was able to take some time “Gentle General” Jim Begley and Owen Mcoff and do some home and shed construction. Jeff Intyre try to wit-up against Kerry “the Marine” has been a senior first officer on the Boeing 787 Kirk. for UAL for years. He has just upgraded to the John Pollock has recently gone semi-permanent “left seat” (captain) on the Boeing 737 commutback in his hometown of Glasgow. John and his ing from Omaha to Denver. Jeff is a motorcyclist “Three Sisters” are doing well. who may be found wearing a T-shirt emblazoned Marine Tracey Burke came by our place in Lexwith “Eat My Dust” on his back. ington in April and helped me and my son, Steve Class of 1985: Big Dave “Jarhead” Hunter Hugh Hill’s youngest daughter, Mattie, just Daniel, place two of my hops poles—17-foot on the dock watching a giant cellphone floating in the water. cedar monstrosities that I could not have placed graduated from Eastern Kentucky University. without their help. Thanks, gents.

And life in east Tennessee remains terrific for Scott Pearson and bride Eileen have him as he flies the delivery routes in the moved to northwest Florida (St. Augusskies. tine). Scott has a business where he sells George Halages’ nephew, Anthony Mikits to U.S. government agencies as a mangliarese ’21, graduated from VMI May ufacturer’s representative. I talk with Scott 16. He has a job lined up in Richmond often, and he is doing very well. as a sales engineer for an air conditioning Quintin Elliott is retired, sort of, as he equipment company. Welcome aboard, starts a new consulting career. Q.E. lives young Migliarese. George’s daughter, outside of Richmond, Virginia (near Alyssa Halages, is graduating from the Atlee), and is consulting to the state govUniversity of Alabama and will be emernment, if I understand the business corployed as an inside sales engineer for rectly.

Nixon Power Systems (Nashville). Good Kyle Goldsmith’s farm store is doing times for that curious George and the Halwell in central Virginia. ages Garages! Well done!

Tom Greenspon is staying on the move Neal Felty sent me a very quick note with his work with the Marshall House and photo. He is standing atop the spot in Leesburg. His is a great cause for dowhere the Stonewall Jackson statue nations and support. Consider looking up Class of 1985: A group of ’85 gentlemen celebrating VMI’s vic- stood. Neal is doing well and sends his tory over The Citadel and the Southern Conference football what they are doing. championship in April while drinking Uranus and Suns Hot best to the class.

Dave Tingley and Jennifer are enjoying Blonde ale.

It’s been a very busy quarter, gents. I retirement in Lexington, though Dave is hope I added appropriate notes regarding

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Class Notes all who sent them or shared information with me.

If not, I apologize. Let’s stay together and make our younger selves proud. Thanks again to Jake for helping me with the notes and doing much of the wrangling of the class. Please try to make it to the safari, where we can catch up and enjoy our VMI-inspired memories, and consider Borny’s New River Gorge idea, as well. Maybe we can all connect arms and come together.

I am asking for special prayers for all of our men and their loved ones who are ill or seriously injured in one way or another, and the same to those who are recovering.

And please remember and help those that are fighting the good fight.

Bill’s last note is now ending, and I am slipping into ranks like the well-practiced virgin private I had become. Thank you for the support of the effort, gentlemen ... and Mark Carroll.

Please send notes and photos to vmiclassagent85@aol.com.

VMI is good.

My very best to you and yours, Matt Daniel

and now it’s Steve and Rebecca Cade. Adrian Garcia wrote, “I forgot to add that Steve Cade is in the process of relocating to Jacksonville, Florida. He moved his family down here in August of last year while continuing to work in D.C./NOVA. Once he gets fully settled, Owen, Steve, and I will gather to formally establish the Northeast Florida detachment of the Class of ’87. If we could get Al Pantano and Bill Trammel to join us, our detachment will be complete with everyone living in the

Class of 1987: Owen Curley, John Boughton, and Adrian Garcia.

1986

Clint Hubbard Class of 1987: Curt Schoonmaker and Bill Wanovich at VMI in May 2021.

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1986.

1987

Curt Schoonmaker

I stopped by the Institute in early May. I knocked on Bill Wanovich’s door, and before I could run away, Tina let me and my fiancée in for a quick visit. Big party planned for June 5, 2021, when Bill and Tina leave for South Carolina. Bill has done a fantastic job over the last 11 years, and it is the Institute’s loss that he is retiring. The Class of ’87 salutes you, Bill and Tina, for your years of service to “Mother I.” We are proud of you.

Florida is filling up with brother rats. I think the last issue reported Mike Maxwell had settled in,

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Class of 1987: Vernie Reichling and Steve Cade.

local area. Adrian’s wife, Kathy, was their realtor.

If you buy a house through Kathy, Adrian will mow your lawn for one year. That’s a VMI exclusive for the Jacksonville area.”

Always good to see and hear of the adventures of John Anthony Boughton! Adrian Garcia and Owen Curley had a rendezvous with our dear brother rat. Adrian writes, “In mid-March, Owen and I had an opportunity to go to St. Mary’s, Georgia, to have a lunch visit with Father John Boughton. Father John was visiting a Catholic parish on a mission assignment. We enjoyed a nice lunch at a restaurant on the St. Mary’s River, focused on catching up, and told more embellished stories of our time at the Institute.”

Only days earlier, Bob and Deedra Eckhoff drove down to Jacksonville from Savannah where they were grandson visiting. Adrian also revealed, “In early March, Bob and Deedra took a break from their grandson daycare duties outside of Savannah, Georgia, and came to town for a visit. Kathy and I enjoyed the stories, laughs, food, drink, and fellowship. We took a day trip to St. Augustine, enjoying being outside in a social environment. Owen Curley joined us for an evening of more stories, laughter, beers, and cigars. We lost track of time until Owen’s wife conducted a status check at 0115. We reconvened the next morning for breakfast at a local diner.”

Send it if you want the non-Facebook guys to know what you’re doing, please.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes It was wonderful to see the VMI football team have a great season this year, winning the conference, making the playoffs, earning coach of the Ed Wetherell year honors, and placing three players on the AllAmerican Team. We were actually able to tailgate and attend the VMI game in their win over The Citadel to clinch the conference title and retain the Silver Shako April 17. I hosted a small gathering at our house there before and after the Brother Rats, game. We didn’t get a shot of the whole I hope this finds you all well and having crew, but those who gathered for a picture been able to enjoy some time with friends were Alexander Alston ’92, Tra Toye ’89, and family over the summer months. I Keith Sykes ’89, me, Ramon Williams know you are all aware to varying degrees ’90, Scott Spellmeyer ’90, Pablo Marof the challenges and changes going on at tinez ’90, Mark Cager ’90, Pete Lampthe Institute. There are a lot of sources and man ’89, Kenney Kovac ’90, and Brian outlets for news and information on those Pannell ’89. topics, and I will not contribute to that I look forward to tailgating with several narrative here. Instead, I wanted to share of you in the fall. I am also looking fora little of my personal perspective regardward to seeing BRs Tom Reimann and ing the things I see and what matters to Dan Riley graduation weekend as their me. We all have our own opinions, situ- Class of 1988: Class members meet for lunch quarterly in sons, Matt ’21 and Ryan ’21, graduate ations, and life journeys, but we all share northern Virginia, organized by John Keppeler. with the Class of 2021 this year, as well a common bond and experience that is as seeing Cloyd Tavenner and Gregg exceptionally rare (and, I believe, unique) Thomas in Myrtle Beach in June. I hope in higher education. We struggled together to have some pictures from those two through the same challenges that, to me, events in the next edition. define VMI. The thing I loved when we As always, I would love to hear from all were cadets and that I still love as a proud of you! Please send emails and pictures parent of a current cadet is that the VMI whenever you have an update or get tosystem did not and does not care where gether with BRs and other alumni. you came from. Race, religion, and soI hope to see many of you at our lunch cioeconomic status were irrelevant; we gatherings and in Lexington in the near all sweated, struggled, and persevered tofuture. Until then, stay safe, and all the gether. It was not and is not perfect—few best to you and your families. things involving human beings are—but it RVM! represents the purest form of meritocracy Ed and melting pot that I have ever experienced or Sinclair, Hugh McMenamin, Scott Stachelek, witnessed. I believe we can always find faults and Mike Owen, Sam Tate, me, and Rock Keppeler.

John “A.J.” Williams, Sam Tate, Drew Mcshortcomings in people and institutions, but I also know the good we all have in common far exceeds Cone, and Andy Tate ’92 are season ticket holders Steve Chiles to the D.C. Glory rugby games. The Glory plays the bad in society. I love you guys and encourage you all to focus on that common good while we their home matches in Leesburg, and I was able all continue to support each other and continue to to tailgate with them prior to one of their recent David A. Martin strive to be better together. VMI was and never matches. I received a picture of the four of them at will be perfect, but in my estimation, it was and a match earlier this season.

I linked up with BR Mike Wood in Rockville for remains the best model in our society for young people to test themselves, develop character, and dinner in April. Mike is doing well and continuing produce the honorable and capable leaders that the to make me look bad as he is looking good, living healthy, and at or below his football playing world so desperately needs.

I would like to offer my continued thanks to weight.

We had a check-in from some BRs in Texas Brother Rat John Keppeler for organizing our Happy Mother’s Day, Brother Rats! quarterly lunches in northern Virginia. We have where Rusty Sloane, Frank Mussara, and Rob By the time you read this, I imagine you will had two since the last edition—the first March Gowan got together for a crawfish boil April 8. be getting ready for the second football season of

1988

19 at the Paradise Diner in Fredericksburg, and the second April 23 at the Capital Ale House in Fredericksburg. Attending the first gathering were BRs Hugh Brien, Mike Owen, “Rock” Keppeler, Kirk Dewyea, Jim Florio, Derrick McFarland, Don Calder, me, Dan Salyan, Chris Long, Hugh McMenamin, and Wayne Sinclair.

At the second lunch were Mike Beyer, Wayne

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Class Notes 2021. By the way, do you know who the reigning Southern Conference football champs are? I think it has almost as nice a ring as when we defeated William and Mary, last play of the game, in 1985!

RVM! Anyway, first question, why is BR Cross writing the notes this issue, and where are Steve and Doc? Well, good question. I was in conversation with them recently. Steve is a big-time executive with his current information technology company.

Truly a 24/7 position, and with family duties as well, extra time for the Chiles family is limited.

Then our very own Dr. David Martin got the COVID-19 bad. Great news, after about a month of down and out, he has made a complete recovery.

But before that happened, I offered to write the summer notes. Last weekend, I spoke with him as he and Chris Ogden were returning from a weekend shooting and drinking in almost heaven West Virginia. I believe, for the most part, they kept it in that order. We are glad they made it home safely.

Without further delay, let’s jump into regular class notes.

Lori and I got to spend part of spring break with Eric and Meg Buchanan in Chattanooga. Eric is the principal at Eric Buchanan and Associates, specializing in disability insurance claims. He is trying to spend less time in the office and more on the golf course, where he is the second-best golfer in the family. As we were told, the ladies at their home course have to step to the side as Meg walks the halls! Now is a good time to say that this is not a certified document. In fact, we are trying to work on those creative writing skills some of us got from Scott Shipp Hall. However, Meg is a bad@#$ golfer! Eric and Meg are working on a new home outside of Chattanooga that should be ready for BR visits in late 2022. I’ll take this opportunity to invite any BR to casa de Buchanan in the near future. Eric has been in touch with Steve Breheny and shared that Steve is getting ready for a world tour! With the work from home pandemic situation, Steve realized he truly could work from wherever. Not sure of all his stops, but I believe there is a South American leg to begin. Steve, inquiring minds want to know what’s up; please share photos and stories.

How about some BRs that you would like to hear from? For me, it would be J.C. Gregory, Paul Canada, and George “I’m from Connecticut” Neowatne. How about it, fellows? Now would be a great time to let your class agents know what’s up.

Of course, we have our class Facebook page that

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works just as well. Yes, we do want to hear from everyone.

Speaking of staying in touch, a big shout out to our President Ned Cox. The Richmond crew has been meeting monthly for breakfast for several years now. We missed a few months due to COVID-19 but are back at it. The reason it works is that Ned sends an email the week before the scheduled breakfast to remind everyone. After a few months, we grew so that, at a minimum, we would have two to four, and we have had mornings of more than 15. In fact, one of our last times we were blessed to have the Georges join us, Bowles from Virginia Beach, and Armbruster from Williamsburg. We have been fortunate that Tom and Sharon Hamner have opened their home for several mornings.

Tom is a master with the iron skillet, and coffee is always aplenty. One morning, their sons, Daniel ’22 and Matthew ’21, were home and helped us put a dent in Tom’s meal. Matthew graduated from VMI this May with a civil engineering degree and is going to Army field artillery school before joining a reserve unit in Virginia. As I write this, he was still looking for a full-time gig—any of you Virginia civil engineers need a new engineer on staff? Daniel just got his ring; I feel sorry for these cadets with all the restrictions. Can you imagine our Ring Figure with masks? Anyway, he has an internship at VCU medical this summer and has already been accepted to VCU medical school.

Lucky for both boys they got their smarts from their mom!

Staying with sons graduating and clearly getting their mojo from mom’s side, I just got an update that George Armbruster’s son is graduating and taking a commission in the Navy. I can’t bust on George much, though. He is heavy in the dust

Class of 1989: Dave Martin, with Chris Ogden on the farm in West Virginia, is smiling because he isn’t responsible for the notes this quarter.

business—think industrial safety. George saw a missing need and, on his own, has pursued the answer. I can’t begin to do it justice with my level of understanding, but suffice it to say that in the near future, Armbruster and Einstein will be synonymous.

John Piedmont writes in from Leesburg, “deep inside the occupied territories.” For starters, he’s getting married! Yep, Sept. 15, he is tying the knot with Iris Pollock, whom he has known for years.

He’s still at HQMC in the Pentagon where he sees Brother Rat Col. Scott Leonard, Maj. Gen. Dave Furness ’87, and Maj. Gen. Steve Neary ’88, among others, striding purposefully through the passageways. Brother Rat Wayne Jones comes through Leesburg often, “a cheval,” one might say, on his prodigious rides. Otherwise, he’s getting his house ready for married life, carefully stacking face-cords of firewood, hitting the range every Monday evening in pursuit of the perfect balance of speed and precision—a work in progress if ever there was one.

Let’s discuss dreams for a moment—got a couple of questions for you. Do you dream? If so, what about? I spent four years at VMI and three-and-ahalf in the Army. For a 53-year-old guy that’s not much time, so why does it seem all my dreams occur around these two times? Allow me to share a portion of my last VMI dream: Standing in Memorial Hall, which we all know is next to the marina ... when Matt Tederick steps up and tells me I have academic stars the night before graduation.

That would have been impossible! (A tip of the cap to all of you who, at any time, wore ac stars; job well done.) At some point, I’m in front of room 106 and have to back out because the smell is so bad. Then a female on the stoop points to the trash shute that doesn’t exist in that corner of barracks, and I’m to understand the source of the smell. By the way, what was the name of that corner in Old Barracks? The good news is that in most of my dreams, at some point I tell myself, “I’m too old for this $@*#,” and it gets a little better. Anyone else have dreams to share?

Marty Malloy retired from the Coast Guard after almost 31 years of active duty. Lori and I were fortunate to attend the ceremony and they did a really great job—rivaled some of you Marine and Army guys. Anyway, Marty is leaving the world of marina safety and moving to wind energy. After hearing some of his English lectures back in the day, the fit couldn’t be better. The folks from Scott Shipp will be so happy. Certified, his new job is

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes (Sean was a retired Navy aviator). Once again, our a good fit, as he will be helping his company set class overwhelmed Sean and his family with cards, up wind farms off the East Coast from Virginia messages, prayers, and well wishes throughout his Beach to Cape Cod. Using his marine safety and Daren Payne struggle and after his passing. Again, big thanks regulation/government information, he will act to all, and we know Sean will be sorely missed as a liaison with local and national entities. Marty among our ranks. and Amy, thank you both for your service to our On a less somber note, the mini reunion held durcountry. ing the weekend of The Citadel football game was I also heard that Dave Martin is retiring after Unfortunately, I have to start off this edition a terrific success. We had, by my count, at least 46 30 years of active and reserve Army service. Doc, thank you and your family for all your sacrifices. with the sad news of the passing of our Brother BRs in town that weekend, and I believe 30-plus He continues to serve and put that Ph.D. to work Rat Sean Carty. Sean passed away at his home in attendance at our Southern Conference Championship/Silver Shako post-game victory celebration in Pipersville, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Krisby teaching as a civilian at Defense Security Coopta, and family at his side after a long battle with at Salerno’s downtown. We also had approximateeration University. cancer. Many thanks go out to the BRs who ly 40 others in attendance counting kids; spouses; Hey, has anyone else seen that Mike Murray and some guests from ’89, ’91, ’96, and ’87 who is now a lead singer in a rock band that plays the made his last weekend among us special, includpiggybacked on our celebration. Among those on beach area? I have, and I must admit I’m a little ing Hunter Trumbo, Jeff Crist, Reed Hudgins, Dave McGraw, J.P. Lanzillotta, Mike Mullori, hand to celebrate the championship were Pablo disappointed in Dave Clement and the other reMartinez, new Keydet Club board member; GarChip Chenery, and John Hahn. As of this writtired Navy guys for not sharing a report on BR ing, services were planned for June 1, 2021, in rett Thompson, who was just back from an Army Murray and his band. How about it, guys? Is it Doylestown, Pennsylvania, with military honors Reserve mobilization; Beau Quatrone, former worth me making the trip through the tunnel to listen to BR Murray, or do I wait for them to come offensive lineman; Jim Hubbard, and Bill Ator, to Chester? I also noticed Mike has started a charalong with Ator’s roommates, Jeff Paul and Tim ity that seems to be veteran-focused. Way to go, Feagans all the way from Dallas. Other former BR; please share the details with us. players in attendance included Detective Joe PitI got a text from Tom Inge. His son, Benjamin, tman from Fairfax; Mark Cager, Company D’s will be attending “Mother I” next year. What he defensive back; Ken Kovac, who got leave from didn’t share is if Ben would be playing football the presidential Secret Service detail to attend; like his old man. Looking at the pictures, I assume Mike Kemp, lineman from Cave Springs; and he will, but never one to spread rumors.

Charles Plageman, our class president and long So, I had to call Charles Anderson the other snapper. Locals in attendance besides me includday. It was a rough day at work, and I wasn’t in ed Neil Whitmore, Ramon Williams, and Matt the best mood when making the call. It went like Schwarzmann. There were several current and Class of 1990: Daren Payne and Rich this: “Charles Anderson.” “Charles, it’s BR Nat future Keydet parents on hand for the weekend, Mehl with No. 90 Jimmy Murphy ’24 of Cross. How you doing?” “D@#$ it, I saw the 804 including Carlos Fernandes; Mike Doczi, whose Golden Valley, Minnesota, following the area code, I knew I shouldn’t have picked up.” son will play football next fall; Pete Mantz; Brian championship victory over The Citadel.

Charles then busted out in his infectious laughter, Tate, whose son will be a rat next fall; and Buddy and I had to join him. Charles, you brightGarbett, who has two sons in the Corps. ened my day! Thank you very much. So, Others making the weekend events from is there a BR you haven’t spoken to in a in-state were Fred Minnegerode; Dave while? Facebook is OK, but I challenge Darden; Mike Morelock; Doug Dillon; you to pick up the phone and call a BR. Hunter Trumbo; Sam Stocks, SuperinYou won’t be disappointed. tendent Search Committee member; and Gents, on the serious side, lots of changGlen Thompson. Out-of-state visitors es are going on at the Institute. Some we included Mike Pilley from Charleston, can agree on, and some maybe we don’t.

South Carolina; Rich Mehl who came in I applaud Dave and Steve and their use from Wilmington, North Carolina; Scott of ONE-989. No matter what happens in Spellmeyer from parts unknown; and BR Lexington and Richmond, we have each Crane from West Virginia. other and the bonds that formed in the fall Also at various ball games, I was able of 1985. If the chips are down, there is no to see such suspects as Andy Kvasnicka, finer group of men I would want to face Class of 1990: Glenn Thompson, Mike Pilley, Dave Darden, Kevin Hanford, Tom Tolley, Chris LarFred Minnigerode, and Mike Morelock hanging out at the adversity with than my brother rats. lee, and Mark Cunningham. Andy Engpregame before VMI versus The Citadel in April 2021. ’89, ’89, ’89. land also made a trip through town from

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Class Notes Kansas, as he has a kid who is now living in Winchester, Virginia.

Not long after the game, I heard from Keith Ahn, who said he is set to retire this summer after nearly 30 years of crime fighting in northern Virginia. Keith was most recently a crime scene investigator; thanks for your many years of service in blue, BR! About the same time, I spoke with Matt Hemenez from California, who told me he’d been in touch with Keith’s roommate, Tim Whitt, who is apparently still in the construction business in Arizona but is reading Rob Greenway’s posts and podcasts on world events.

Speaking of Greenway, according to LinkedIn, he’s been making the news a lot lately. After his work at the National Security Council, he’s been making the rounds of lots of talk shows, podcasts, and magazine articles talking national security issues—particularly the Abraham Accords and the Iran Nuclear Deal. He’s currently a fellow at the Hutchings Institute in northern Virginia. Also in the news, I ran across C.J. Bodnar being recognized for a project his office is doing in his role with the city in Virginia Beach. Others I see almost daily on LinkedIn are Bill Madison, Jim Dufford, Fritz Schrichte, John King, and Christ Whittaker, in addition to the aforementioned Greenway.

These guys are just a few examples in our class of BRs who are doing amazing things across various fields and organizations. I also saw an interview

Class of 1990: Kevin Handford and Andy Kvasnicka at the Mercer football game in March.

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on banking and how banks need to improve client interactions with John Cabell. If you get a chance, check out some of their stuff.

Right before the deadline, I got an update from now-retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mike Manning: “I am working as the Hawkins County, Tennessee, veterans services officer—did not plan on going to work immediately, but that is the way it worked out. In addition, I am doing some consulting on the side and established an LLC for consulting business as an aside if I am fired or decide I no longer want to go to an office—all joking aside, I could not pass up the VSO job; it pays nothing but grabbed me and allows me to continue to contribute to all veterans, and I get to swap stories with veterans of all ages daily and help them!” Thanks for your continued service to us veterans, Mike, and congrats on the new career.

I also heard from U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Dan Caine, who made the trip to Lexington to serve as the commissioning officer and guest speaker for those cadets commissioning into the Air Force on graduation weekend. BR Caine is the first officer from our class so honored as commissioning officer during graduation, and I know everyone appreciated the investment of his less than limited time to come to VMI for that occasion.

Additionally, I got notes from always-reliable Lt. Col. Dave Kaulfers, who is now the engineering and construction division chief for the Army Corps of Engineers South Pacific Division in San Francisco, along with notes from Paul Hartigan, Pete Tunnard, Jim Hynes, and Chip McWilliams around the time of the VMIssion Endures campaign.

Also this reporting period, I had calls or emails from Dr. Gordie Byrne, who is still in the chiropractic business, and construction tycoons Terrence Kerner and Barry Johnson. Dave Ratliff texted during The Citadel game to tell me he was following on live stats—which were a few minutes behind—and he wanted live updates as he couldn’t take the suspense. Chris Callahan lives out on Long Island near the Hamptons and enjoys being just a half-mile from the ocean.

Steve Vasquez, Lenny Carson, and Jeff Kaster among others contacted me with questions about the decisions on naming and statues here at VMI. Checking in as well were Jay Whittington, who is busy running his BBQ business in Georgia; Sean Hoover, who is still catching bad guys with the feds; Arturo “A.J.” Johnson, who is soon to be sending a third son to VMI (gotta be a record

for our class?) and said he’s spoken recently with Jim Manning; Raynor Garey, who apparently relaxes by flying drones in his spare time; and Glenn Dickenson, who has settled into retirement life and is now down to one kid in the Corps. I also heard from Sam Anderson, who is working in Augusta, Georgia, now that he’s retired, and Bill Gaspar, who has been consumed with getting a handle on his new job with ECS in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I even heard from Sal Bora, who remains in California and hasn’t been back to visit in way too long. Finally, it seems Paul Tallet-Kelpsa just started up a new job as a program manager with Cisco, which may be why he, Dave Bender, John Aydellete, Matt Henning, and BR Herbaugh failed to make their annual basketball game trip this winter. Really missed those guys visiting this time!

Those not heard from in quite some time include but are not limited to Ian Duthie, Joe Burns, Todd Blekicki, Ken Markwalter, Doug Robinson, John Stehn, Tim McLaughlin, Brad Lawrence, Paul Holland, and Greg Sandway. We would love to hear from you guys, so hit me up and we can add you to the list like we did with Scott Ludmer, Andy Sewell, and Keith Ahn this period and bring you back into the fold!

In closing, I’d just like to give a big thanks again to all the support all of you guys give to VMI as fans, alumni, and donors and for everything you do for each other as a class. We have a tremendous group of people here who genuinely care for each other and VMI, as evidenced by our once again topping the charts with, I believe, the most attendees at The Citadel game weekend of any class and the outpouring of support for all those dealing with tragic circumstances, such as the Carty, Ator, Joey Jones, and Inteso families this past year. It is times and events like that which show what your class is really made of, and you all are made of something very exceptional. Now that we are in the closing days (hopefully) of the COVID-19 issue, I’m hopeful to see many more of you back here in the months ahead and especially this fall.

The Payne family remains in Buena Vista, and the last kid graduated from West Virginia University in May, so I now have an empty nest! Would love to see many of you this fall, and as usual, if you are not getting my regular email updates, please let me know and we’ll get you added. We are up to over 220 names we are in contact with. Until next time take care, be safe, and go Big Red! Daren

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes to pandemic restrictions, a few brother rats were able to attend. Dan Robinson, Dan Kelly, Chad Kunkel, Steve Dudar, and we two celebrated Chuck Story Craig’s 30 years of honorable and faithful service to our country and alma mater. The ceremony, held Buck Sessoms in Memorial Hall, was very special to Craig, as he not only was commissioned and retired there, he also wed his wife, Chris Ann, there, and they renewed their vows upon that very stage. U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Dan Shipley ’92 was the retiring official, and it was great to see him again.

Craig turned over command to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Travis Homiak ’95. Chuck and Buck wisely refrained from making and disparaging 3rd Class Brother Rats! or rat references to the general and colonel, both A fine spring this is turning out to be! From your still imposing and dangerous active-duty Marines. most humble and dedicated (haha ... no, really) Class of 1991: Jim Wiecking ’88 and Buck Speaking of imposing Marines, Buck was class agents, we bid you greetings!

Sessoms at Charlie Schindler’s 1790s able to catch up with his dyke, retired U.S. MaFirstly, our news: Chuck Story and his wife, farmhouse. rine Corps Lt. Col. Jim Weicking ’88 at Charlie Vicky, were proud to announce that their son, Schindler’s home in Pamplin, Virginia. Jim is doIan, was not only accepted to VMI as a rat next ing great; his son, Peyton, a rising 2nd Class cadet year, but he also earned a Naval ROTC scholarat the Institute, wears academic stars and plans on ship. Each is a tremendous accomplishment, and commissioning in the Air Force specializing in cythe pride is well justified. Now to get that young ber warfare. Jim brought nothing but fun converman to direct his efforts and attention to the Marine sation and fellowship to our brother rats gathered Corps side of Naval ROTC! there, despite their last memories of the man based Buck Sessoms shot his first big gobbler up around RDC nightmares of his making. in Rockbridge Baths and is struggling through Dyke sightings—in this case, an uncle dyke— mounting the fan himself. He was able to spend a also occurred in Wilmington, North Carolina, day with Michael Robichaud playing golf in Lexwhere Buck ran into Charlie Schindler’s uncle ington before hitting the woods. Let us clarify— dyke, Dr. Randall Willard ’89. The two often Mike played, Buck flailed about with spastic fits see each other in the emergency room of New of ineptitude but is improving. The twosome even Hanover Regional Medical Center, where Randy ran into Chuck, who was hosting some clients at specializes in emergency medicine. Although conThe Palms before the former roommates hit the Class of 1991: Buck Sessoms and Randy versations are brief due to the nature of the work links.

Willard ’89 at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center. environment there, very loose and tentative plans Now, there is some more progeny at VMI relatto hunt and golf are always threatened. ed-news that also shines on the bright end of the awesomeness spectrum. Charlie CathAnd how bout VMI football this year cart’s second son at the Institute, the untilguys?! What a special season for the Big recently rat Cole Cathcart ’24, was elected Red team. A couple of BRs got together to by his classmates as the president of the watch a game in central Florida and had a Virginia Military Institute Class of 2024. good time catching up. Guillermo CaneThe class chose, wisely. Cheryl and Chardo, Torry Brennan, and Tom Heffern met lie must be over the moon. Big brother upup to cheer on the team from the sunny perclassman, Trey ’22, will undoubtedly, south. Looks like a great time, and we are and rightly, cut him 0.0 slack. Thirds eat all indeed jealous of the weather you prob(deleted expletive). ably experienced during the viewing.

In our opinion, the highlight of this That is all for this quarter, gentlemen. spring at school was the change of comPlease continue to send us notes and picmand and retirement ceremony of Col. tures. Any correspondence is greatly apCraig Streeter, professor of Naval scipreciated and enjoyed.

Class of 1991: Guilermo Canedo, Torry Brennan, and Tom Hefence, Virginia Military Institute. Al- fern watching VMI football in Florida.

Take care, though attendance was quite limited due Chuck and Buck

1991

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Class Notes

Class of 1991: At Col. Craig Streeter’s retirement are Dan Robinson, Chuck Story, Buck Sessoms, Brig. Gen. Dan Shipley ’92, Streeter, Steve Dudar, Chad Kunkel, and Dan Kelley.

1992

William Woodward

BRs, Here are the latest updates from our classmates: By the time you receive this edition of the Alumni Review, hopefully, you should have already gotten a save the date email (or seen it in one of my birthday cards) for our 30th Reunion, which will be April 22-23, 2022. Also, you should have gotten or will soon be getting information on booking your hotel, for which we have blocked off rooms at the Holiday Inn Express.

Hopefully, everyone saw my email sent March 23 on the unfortunate news of Mark Crocker’s passing. I will repost here for those who did not see it. It is with great sadness that I pass along the news that our BR Mark Crocker passed away Jan. 18, 2021, due to an unfortunate illness. Jim Stone let me know, as he only found out March 13, 2021, from Lou Riker, who had come across the notification and let Jim know. Fortunately, a celebration of life service was held Saturday, March 20, 2021, at the South Hill United Methodist Church in South Hill, Virginia. Jim and Ron Williams (Mark’s roommates), as well as Mark Shropshire ’94, were able to attend and support Mark’s father, Randy ’69; Mark’s younger brother, Jason; and their wonderful family. Jim wrote that “it was a beautiful service, and the recollections relayed by those who spoke on Mark’s behalf were very

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moving. Afterward, the celebration of life migrated to Kahill’s Restaurant and Pub, where many beers were consumed and great memories shared.

Mark was and still is an awesome friend, roommate, citizen-soldier, and VMI man and someone whose passing will take a very long time to overcome.”

Mike Kirkmire sent in an update saying he is still racing occasionally. He sent a picture of him in Bend, Oregon, with Mount Bachelor in the background May 1 at a gravel bike race. He is still working in the San Francisco Bay area (San Jose). By the time we all receive this edition of the Alumni Review in August, he and Rich Horn will have already raced in the Roanoke half Ironman June 6 (the official title is Carilion Clinic Ironman 70.3 Virginia’s Blue Ridge Triathalon). Hopefully, some of our local BRs were able to get there and cheer Mike and Rich on. I know Mary and Rusty Hale had plans to be there. Speaking of the Hales, Mary sent in a picture of her and Rusty meeting up with Frank Wilder recently in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Tim Dzierzek recently responded to my birthday card with a note saying, “My wife and I are now vaccinated, and San Diego is starting to open up more. Started a new job a couple of weeks ago as chief information security officer for a company called Smarsh (handles archiving and compliance for financial services) that is actually based in Portland, Oregon. I get to remain working remotely, though, if the office ends up opening fully.”

Coach Doug Bartlett sent in two pictures, first of him and Matt Ott in Norfolk, Virginia, where the rear admiral will next be stationed with the Navy, and second of him and Jeff Zeigler and

John Williamson tailgating at the VMI versus The Citadel football game in April.

John Brodie (Hon.) sent in an update from VMI in which he said, “It has been a real crazy semester and year here during COVID-19 with the band, glee club, and the jazz band, but we have been hanging in there. The band played a couple of times in barracks for Corps morale. I had a real good group of cadets this year. My family is doing great, and my daughter, Rachel, was granted a Fulbright scholarship to Taiwan this August.

My step-son, Fin, is 15 and is 6 feet, 2 inches, so I have him doing jobs around the house all day! It is good having BR Virginia Army National Guard Colonel Todd Pegg, who is the deputy commandant for operations, plans, and training, here on a daily basis and also BR retired U.S. Army Colonel Tom Timmes, who is a professor in the civil engineering department and who also works with the string ensemble. I was also able to see U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Dan Shipley at the Marine Corps NROTC change of command ceremony for Colonel Craig Streeter ’91 last week, and I am very proud of Dan. We are resetting our thumbs this semester, but next year we are planning a trip to Hawaii with the band for the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.”

Bryan Saunders sent in an update and enclosed picture saying, “I was able to catch up with Dan Agostini on two different recent occasions. Dan is a volunteer search and rescue responder for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s SAR program, which I manage with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. He is doing well, and we are planning a vehicle-based overland trip in late summer. We are riding on the Shenandoah Alleghany Trail leaving around Lake Moomaw, Virginia, and ending up in Maryland.”

Wes Poff sent me an email letting me know how his son, Logan ’23, was doing. For those who did not know, Logan is the most recent recipient of our Class of 1992 Memorial Scholarship. Logan is an international studies major and minoring in psychology with a 3.1 GPA. He was a corporal in the Corps this year and will be a platoon sergeant next year and a member of cadre. He is a Marine Corps option who contracted this academic year. He plays rugby and jujitsu. The day Wes sent me the email, Logan was in the hospital getting 11 stitches from his rugby match. Wes says, “Logan is doing great, loving VMI, and making our class proud.”

I got a lengthy update from Mark Thackston on the occasion of him getting promoted to colonel in

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes ’18, is in medical school and also serving the Virginia Army National Guard. Mark in the Virginia National Guard. I had the said he missed seeing us on the Parade privilege of catching up recently with K.C. Ground this past spring football season Bratton. K.C. is a commercial appraiser when tailgating was not allowed due to and investor in the Roanoke area, and I COVID-19 but looked forward to seeing was beyond thrilled to have a very long us all at the 30th Reunion in April 2022. phone call with him. He keeps in contact Please see the Our Alumni Serving section with his roommates, Percy Covington, of this Alumni Review for pictures Mark Sam Butler, and Derrick Johnson, and sent of his promotion ceremony Feb. 20, it sounds like all of those BRs are doing 2021. The event occurred in South Boston very well.” at the Thackston Readiness Center (previRich O’Quinn also sent me a lengthy ously the South Boston Armory), which update in which he said, “I retired from the was renamed in July 2013 five months after Mark’s dad, Maj. Gen. Carroll Class of 1992: Frank Wilder and Mary and Rusty Hale in St. Pe- Army back in 2013 after 21 years of active duty and two years in the Army National Thackston ’55, passed away in February tersburg, Florida.

Guard while at VMI. During my career, 2013 in honor of his service to the ComI served as a scout platoon leader in the DMZ at monwealth of Virginia and the Virginia National the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom, Korea; a Guard. For those who did not recall, Mark’s dad Ranger platoon leader in 1st Battalion, 75th Rangwas the adjutant general of the Virginia National er Regiment, in Savannah, Georgia; and a Special Guard from 1993-98. Mark said it was “beyond Forces officer (Green Beret) in 1st Battalion, 1st humbling to have the honor to be pinned in that Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Okinawa, Jabuilding.” Mark reported that he “was recruited to pan. I retired after commanding a special forces be the First Bank & Trust Company City Market battalion in the Washington, D.C., area, where executive for the Lynchburg, Virginia, market in I had served for the last 11 years of my career— June 2020, so our family moved from South Bosmost of it spent during combat deployments after ton to Forest. Wife Erin and I have a 16-year-old 9/11. During my time in Korea, I met Alison, my daughter named Courtland and a 14-year-old son, wife of nearly 27 years now. At that time, Alison Carrington. The move to Forest during COVID-19 was studying the Korean language at Seoul Uniwas tough for a variety of reasons, but we have versity after having finished a Bachelor of Comsettled in very nicely and really like the entire Class of 1992: Coach Doug Bartlett visitmerce degree at the University of Queensland in area. There is a large VMI presence here, and I ing Matt Ott in Norfolk, Virginia. her hometown of Brisbane, Australia. We married am able to now share more frequent meals with in Brisbane in 1994 on our way to 1st Ranger BatDavid ‘Bucket Head’ Massie, as we live 15 mintalion. We had always planned to move to Brisbane utes apart. I have now served 24 years in the Virone day and did so with our three kids (Angus, ginia Army National Guard, and I was promoted to William, and Clare) upon my retirement in 2013. colonel Feb. 20, 2021, by Major General Timothy P. Williams, the adjutant general of the Virginia Since retirement, I’ve started my own consulting National Guard. The ceremony was limited to companies in the U.S. and Australia, completed close family, but also in attendance was Brigadier a Master of Business Administration degree, and General Jim Ring ’88 (director of the Joint Staff of done some lecturing. I also recently completed a the Virginia National Guard). Even though I am a Ph.D. in management at UQ and started workJAG officer, on Dec. 1, 2019, I had the privilege ing full-time there as a lecturer and researcher of being appointed to a three-year term as the J8, in management and leadership. Incidentally, our resource management officer, on the Joint Staff of eldest son, Angus, has just started at UQ studythe Virginia National Guard. I wanted to let you ing for a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and know how well VMI is represented in the Virginia Economics degree. We hope to be able to travel National Guard. The Virginia National Guard back to the States soon, and I am aiming to get has three VMI alumni who are currently serving back for our 30th Reunion. Until then, please as general officers: Major General Lapthe Flora pass my best along to all our BRs. I wish you ’87, Brigadier General Jim Ring ’88, and Brigaall health, safety, and happiness.” Of note, Rich Class of 1992: Mike Kirkmire racing in dier General Weedon Gallagher ’90. I also work sent in a picture of him and his family just after Bend, Oregon, with Mount Bachelor in very closely with BR Colonels Todd Pegg and his Ph.D. graduation ceremony, which was unforthe background May 1, 2021.

Todd Hubbard ’91. Andy Krug’s oldest son, Ty tunately too small of file size to publish.

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Class Notes Chris Bergen responded to my birthday card and said he is enjoying retired life from the Navy out in Colorado Springs, where he is now working for a defense company doing a lot of work for U.S. Space Command. He said with the pandemic, he has not had a chance to get to see any BRs but occasionally hops on Zoom to catch up with a few.

I also was recently in contact with two of my roommates who have had big life events in May with Charlie Martin’s daughter, Nancy, graduating from the University of Mary Washington, and Chuck Weatherman’s son, Charles ’21, graduating from VMI. Nancy Martin still has one more year of schooling to go getting her master’s degree in education before starting teaching full time.

Class of 1992: Bryan Saunders and Dan Agostini.

On the personal front, my daughter, Catherine, who graduated from Virginia Tech back in December 2019, was married in April at a ceremony in Richmond. Unfortunately, with COVID-19, our numbers were extremely limited, but Catherine and her husband, Richard, were married in the same church as Leslie and I were back in 1994.

We had an outdoor reception at the Country Club of Virginia and luckily my son, Will ’18, was able to make it down from Maine, where he is stationed as a customs officer for Customs and Border Protection. Rob Ritchie, who is Catherine’s godfather, made it up from Charlotte and offered the prayer at the reception. My dyke, Tom Hamner ’89, and my brother-in-law, Steve Goddard ’83, were also in attendance. Please take a look at the Class of 2018 class notes to see a picture from the wedding reception.

Finally, I got a couple of emails from the following BRs (Rob Ford and Peter Holm) who were just checking in or discussing all the recent activity at VMI that has been getting a lot of attention in the press. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you may have related to what is going on at VMI. If I do not know the answer, I will contact someone at VMI who does and get back to you.

Please let me know of any major life events such as marriages (including for our children), births, deaths, and advanced degrees so that 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: Jeff Zeigler, Coach Doug Bartlett, and John Williamson visiting at the VMI versus The Citadel football game in April 2021.

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Brother Rats!

As we head into summer and the COVID-19 restrictions are finally easing, I hope all of you and your families are well. Although the Institute is facing some challenging times, one of the best things to happen in recent memory is the outstanding performance from our football team, with the squad winning the SoCon title and pushing James Madison University to the edge in our first playoff

game in about 40 years. It was a great run which also culminated with Coach Scott Wachenheim being named Coach of the Year. And as Coach has said, the best is yet to come.

On to the updates.

First, I owe Ben Lilly an apology. He texted me an update for the last Review, and I forgot about it.

Ben spent a day shooting sporting clays with Sean Fisher and Tony Tomlin. He said it was a great day and that he doesn’t think any of them have changed that much—just a little grayer.

Jamie Delk and I caught up a little bit over LinkedIn. Jamie’s in Waco, Texas, but unfortunately, he had three strokes last year. The third stroke sent him to the hospital, where an MRI found the evidence of the other two. It’s hit his left side pretty hard, especially his left arm. He has an Old Dominion University physical therapist helping him learn to walk again. When I asked if he wanted me to share it, he said to just put it in the next update (we were messaging in February right after I had submitted my last class notes, and I’m submitting this in May); he didn’t want to bring anyone down.

Has a stroke, learning to walk again, doesn’t want to bring anyone down. Jamie, I know I speak for everyone when I say that we’ll keep you in our prayers, and if we can help, reach out.

Had a chance to sit in on a Zoom cocktail hour that ran about three hours set up by Mark Schroeder. Mark is in the Michigan area and is thinking about following in the footsteps of our illustrious BRs John Barefoot and David Hoy by starting his own brewery. John has Kindred Brewery here in Richmond, and Dave has Primal Brewery, which has two locations in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mark’s plans are still preliminary because he’s got to get his kids out of school, but in four or five years, he’ll be brewing away, hopefully.

Brian Cox, Joe Aldrich, Bill Cox, Hans Pauley, Steve Thrasher, Scott Eanes, Allen Johnson, Andrew Poteete, Sean Farley, and Kevin Morris also put in some time on the call. It was a really good time catching up with everyone.

Brian Cox has a son at VMI now, and his son co-dyked with Matt Gill’s step-son in Dan Crawford’s son’s room, which I think is pretty cool.

Hans Pauley made us all feel a little bad about ourselves because he can still get into and button up his coatee. Scott Eanes is enjoying his recent retirement from the Navy and is now working with the Mills County Public Health.

Steve Thrasher made it up to VMI for the Memorial Parade (formerly New Market Parade) with

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes who wondered at reunions and other events why it on a bit thick ... now I get it. We live in Stafford, Brian Cox and ran into Erik Nilsson, Steve AlliI wasn’t around, I apologize, but in certain cases, Virginia, and any BRs in the swath of Virginia that son, and Bryan Shorter, who were all there.

Bryan Van Duen with some career news: “I’ll I literally just wasn’t around. I’m now doing my lies between Fredericksburg and D.C. should hit be retiring from the FBI effective June 18, 2021. internship as a DEA polygraph examiner. I spent me up for a whiskey and salty conversation any time of the day or night.”

It’s been an amazing run since January 2001 when January to April in training down in South CaroEric and Adam, great to hear from you guys— I reported to Quantico. Assignments in Chicago; lina and will be on a mentoring program through the summer. Polygraph is very different from my appreciate the updates and glad you’re both doing Lagos, Nigeria; multiple stops at FBI HQ; Billings, Montana; and finally home in Omaha have previous assignments, and I’m looking forward to well!

John Weeda checked in with his update: “Well, this being my last ‘thing’ before retirement. I’m taken me and my family places we might never have seen otherwise. I was fortunate enough to working mainly out of our office in Lorton, Virgin- I think I finally have an update worth writing ia. I married a wonderful woman back in 2011 (my about. After nearly 27 years of working on Wall make the Senior Executive Service and to be assecond go at it, her first). I used to hear guys talk Street, I’ve decided to take Ferris Bueller’s advice signed to a partner U.S. Intelligence Community from 1986 [about stopping to enjoy life because about how happy they were or how they missed agency. I’m grateful for the opportunity I was afforded to serve my country and definitely relied their wives and usually thought they were laying it goes by fast]. Admittedly, I’ve always been a slow learner, but I made the decision to retire from on the training and experience we gained at VMI J.P. Morgan this July, and I’m going to take a ‘gap as part of a foundation for success. I will start a year’ to focus on some personal ambitions and consulting job with a multinational company in family projects that have been on the to-do list for July and will remain in Omaha so our kids can far too long, as well as use the time to be more definish high school here. RVM ’93!” Congrats on liberate and intentional about my next career. The a great career and good luck in the next stage, first order of priority is to complete a nationwide Bryan! college tour with my middle son, so I’ll be sure to Adam Lallande also checked in with his first reach out to any BRs during the late summer/early update: “I have completed my 28th year in the fall while on the road. I hope everyone is ready for public education sector in Virginia. I currently life to get back to some normalcy just in time for teach sixth-grade math at Virginia Middle School summer.” Congratulations on making the move to in Bristol, Virginia. This was also my first year retire, John. Sounds awesome! as the assistant coach of the track and field team A couple of updates ago, I posted about Lauren at Emory & Henry College. My four children are Vinci’s (Greg’s wife) battle with AML. Lauren undoing well. Anderson (26) is married and is a CT derwent a bone marrow transplant, and as of May Tech at a local hospital, and Chandler (23) is sta6, I’m thrilled to report that she’s cancer-free! She tioned in Korea (Army E-5) and will be returning Class of 1993: “Virginia Mourning Her has 100% donor DNA in her bone marrow and no to Charlottesville, Virginia, in the fall joining the Dead” sketch by Jeff Williams. other diseases. Lauren was able to find a donor DIA. My girls, Rylee (16) and Landri (14), are in because of bethematch.org, a national ashigh school in Tazewell, Virginia, driving sociation that matches donors with those me to an early grave just being girls. My in need. Lauren and Greg also heaped wife, Zachlynn, is currently teaching in praise on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Tazewell, Virginia. Retirement is in sight.”

Society (lls.org), as well as all of those And Eric Avila checked in for the first who supported them in this over yeartime in about 15 years: “This is the first update I have submitted in about 15 years, long battle. Really happy to be able to but I won’t subject you to a synopsis of report some good news in someone’s the last decade and a half. What the hell, cancer story. Good for y’all, Greg and sure I will. Career-wise, I’ve had some reLauren. ally great experiences. I’ve been fortunate I also caught up briefly with Carl Mauenough to be a full-time firearms instrucpin, John Fernandez, and Rob French tor; passed selection for the DEA FAST on LinkedIn. program, which took me to Afghanistan, Carl, who is an assistant director of Paraguay, Belize, and a few other places; professional development and engageand I most recently spent three years at ment at the International Association of our signals tracking unit in Lorton trackChiefs of Police, is doing well—as is his ing down fugitives. The downside of all family—and he’s busy at work but lookClass of 1993: Erik Nilsson, Steve Allison, Steve Thrasher, and that has been that, for about 12 years, I’ve Brian Cox. ing forward to traveling again once the lived a quasi-nomadic life. For any BRs COVID-19 restrictions ease.

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Class Notes Rob French is a contract specialist for the DCA, works at Fort Lee, and lives in southern Virginia now.

John Fernandez also just dropped a note to say hi. He’s spent the last 25 years working with federal law enforcement.

I mentioned the football team and how well they did this season. In addition to winning the SoCon, VMI also took down El Cid, again, to clinch the SoCon and keep the Silver Shako at home, where it belongs. I was lucky to be able to get up to the game and saw a ton of BRs. Matt Williams, who lives in Denver now, was in town, and we had dinner and caught up Friday night. Matt seems to be doing great with his wife and two dogs. After that, there were drinks with Vic Kane, Ayen Torchik, Brian Southard, and Grant Hayes and their better halves, who were doing a room reunion at the game.

Vic and his wife, Susan, are in Richmond and doing well, and Torch has moved back to the Virginia Beach area with his family. Brian and his wife were doing an East Coast college tour with their youngest son, and apparently, VMI is high up on the list. Grant and his wife, Kristi, made the trip in from Waco, Texas. If you don’t know, Kristi has a podcast called “Be Love,” and also has a book that she and Grant did called The Lunchbox Note: A Story About Loving Others, based on a note that Grant put into the lunchbox of one of their kids. There’s more to the story, but you should definitely check it

Class of 1993: Jackie, Little Paul, and Amy Syverson.

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out because it’s a great story.

At the game itself the next day, John Harper, Raleigh Trumbo, Kevin Barnes, Brian Cox, Ben Lilly, Kelly Holbert, and Kevin Roop were all in attendance, so ’93 had quite the showing. It was good to be able to catch up. I’m sorry I couldn’t catch up more with guys.

Finally, Jeff Williams gave me a call one night.

For those of you who may not know, some alumni started working with current cadets to restart the newspaper. Jeff volunteered to sketch “Virginia Mourning Her Dead” for the masthead, and as he was working on it, he thought it would be nice to send prints to the families of our BRs who have been lost in service to this country. I loved the idea, and I’m happy to report that on behalf of the Class of 1993, we will be providing prints to the families of Tom Miller, Mac Crumrine, and Paul Syverson this summer.

I reached out to Paul Syverson’s widow, Jackie, to get her address and check in with her, and she provided the following update: “You are not being intrusive at all, I love talking about my family. We are all doing well. Little Paul graduated from High Point University in 2019 with a degree in criminal justice and then attended a police academy. He is now working as a sheriff’s deputy in Walton County, Florida, and lives about 30 minutes away from us here in Destin.

Amy is currently a junior in high school. She has been a varsity cheerleader for the past three years, but her main focus is theatre. She is an officer in the theater department and recently was the co-director of the spring musical at her high school. After graduation next summer, she hopes to attend Belmont University in Nashville. I am a full-time mom, and I volunteer with charities here specifically that raise money for first responders and special operations personnel. Thank you for reaching out; I love to talk about my kids because they are Paul’s legacy.

I will send some pictures when I get home. Hope you are doing well.”

I am thrilled to hear that they’re doing well, and I just can’t thank Jeff enough for coming up with this idea. It is really a great idea and a very nice thing to do, BR. Thanks to everyone who 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. Be well. ’93, ’93, ’93.

1994

Clay Campbell

Congratulations to the next group of men and women to cross over from cadet to alumni status.

I would also like to give congratulations to the VMI football team; you fought your hearts out, never said die, and came away with an impressive season. I look forward to what next year holds for you all.

The football program this year also fired Dustin DeVore up. He attended the game against James Madison University with Frank Boehling, Carter Baldwin, Jeremy Schlussel, and Hernan Barrero.

Dustin later sent out a quote from the announcer: “The whole nation now understands how VMI won the Southern Conference. This team kept coming, they would not stop.”

Brad Yeatts wrote that he and Kevin Miller had a chance to catch up at the beach before they move away.

George Kavavetsos was named partner of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC’s Miami office.

Jeremy Schlussel wrote that his son, Ethan Schlussel ’22, was selected captain of Band Company and vice president of the Honor Court. His

Class of 1994: C.J. DeBernard’s daughter, Katie, just graduated cum laude from Radford with a degree in management.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

1995

Joseph W. Doyle

Class of 1994: Brad Yeatts catching up with Kevin Miller at the beach before his move to Atlanta.

Class of 1994: Ethan Schlussel ’22, son of BR Jeremy Schlussel, was selected as the Band Company captain and Honor Court vice president. daughter also just graduated high school and will begin her college career at Longwood University, majoring in graphic and animation design.

Congrats are also in order for Roger and Cathy Jones, as their son, Ethan, recently got married, and their daughter, Erin, just graduated from Virginia Tech.

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Brother Rats, I hope this set of notes finds you all doing well.

The mask mandate here in Virginia was just lifted, and things seem to be getting a little closer to normal. First off, I want to thank everyone for reaching out to me and my family when my mother-inlaw passed away from COVID-19. It is so good to know that the VMI family is alive and well in our class. My wife, Stephanie, sends her thanks and love to you all as we entered into this new stage in life, as we have had my father-in-law move in with us also. I can honestly say the Class of 1995 is the best class inside and outside of barracks.

The football team just came off an incredible season. It was fun hearing Thom Brashears’ voice coming over the loudspeaker while watching the games on ESPN3. Hopefully, we will get to see some more winning games in person this fall.

Thanks for doing such a great job announcing football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling.

I heard from Geoff Taylor not long ago. It was great hearing how much he has accomplished in the past few years. Here it is in his words: “We are doing well and living in northern Virginia, where I have been working for about 10 years. This is actually my second round in northern Virginia, and it is a good place to find work, although commutes can be rough. I worked here from 19992004 and 2010 to the present. Thankfully, I have been able to work from home for a year because of COVID-19, and we have been even more productive, so I am hoping we never go back to the D.C. office to avoid the long commutes. Switching from using paper for documents to doing everything electronically saves time and money and has made life easier at work. However, it’s hard to know what the final decision on that will be. I’ve been working at the U.S. Treasury Department for about 11 years in a variety of positions. I started at the Treasury working on the TARP project to keep the major banks from failing in 2008 and 2009. I was the software architect and lead software developer to keep track of all the money (more than $700 billion) provided to keep the banks from failing and to make sure the money got paid back

by the banks to the Treasury. The project was not popular with a lot of citizens for bailing out the banks, but from my point of view, it was not a loss to the taxpayer because more principal and interest was paid back by the banks than was provided to the banks, and the situation could have been much worse if nothing was done, as many major banks would have failed. Some banks were not able to pay back all the money, but other banks paid back more than they got with interest, so overall, it was not a loss. Regardless of what you may have seen on the news (conservative or liberal), I personally set up the database and developed the software to keep track of the money, so I know the truth myself. TARP was later expanded to include housing and auto companies, and there was a loss to the taxpayers there, but the overall TARP project was not a big loss to taxpayers. The TARP project pretty much closed by 2018, so I started working at the Federal Financing Bank, which is also part of the Treasury. My role is different here because while I still do some IT work, my main role has been as a loan officer at FFB. FFB basically lends money to many federal agencies or borrowers who work with federal agencies and saves money for the taxpayers by servicing the loans at the Treasury as opposed to the loans being serviced by private banks like Wells Fargo. Our main borrowers are all of the co-ops around the country that provide electricity and telephone services in rural areas, which are managed by the Rural Utilities Service group.

We also lend money to borrowers who work with HUD for major housing projects; the U.S. Post Office; HBCU; the Department of Energy; the U.S. Maritime Administration, which is part of the Department of Transportation; and some others. It has actually been very interesting to me since I started working here because I got some in-depth knowledge about how the bond market works.

“My wife and kids are doing well. I have an 18-year-old son who plans to go to George Mason University and twin 11-year-olds who have been doing school at home because of COVID-19.”

Geoff is also on the Reunion Committee, working hard with the others to give us an awesome 25th Reunion (a year late). All of those guys deserve a big hand for all of the work they have done.

Damian Desmond shot me a quick email saying he is still in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He is now writing a column for a magazine there called the Forsyth Family Magazine. Look it up if you get a chance. He is doing a great job.

When you read this, we will be near celebrating

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Class Notes Humphreys, South Korea. Bull is currently the brigade commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas. His brigade was in South Korea for a nine-month rotation.

U.S. Air Force Col. Joey Dubose checked with a quick note and regret for not making the May 15 Zoom happy hour. He reports the following: “Doing my final week of teaching at Fort Bragg with the Joint Medical Augmentation Unit before turning in my gear and starting terminal leave next week. I retire June 30 and found a job as a trauma/vascular surgeon at the University of

Class of 1995: Eric Fegley, Thom Brashears, Jamie Joyner, and Shannon Lucas hanging out and celebrating after VMI football beat The Citadel and won the Southern Conference Championship. our 25th Reunion. I hope to see all of you there.

Even if you cannot make it to the reunion, please shoot me an email to let me know where you are, what you are up to, and if you have been able to see anyone.

Well, I think that’s it for now. Keep healthy and safe, and we hope to see you all in Lex Vegas in a few months!

Rah Virginia Mil! ’95, ’95, ’95.

1996

Tom Danielsen

Brother Rats, I’m writing these notes on the eve of our graduation from VMI 25 years ago. It’s truly insane how much time has passed, yet how vivid the memories are from our four years together both on and off post.

I’m filled with pride as I reflect on how much we’ve accomplished as a class: Hon. Ryan McCarthy, secretary of the Army; Congressman Mike Waltz; more than 20 O-6 officers still in the military, two general officers; many successful doctors; lawyers; senior executives; and independent business owners. The list of accolades and accomplishments by our class is impressive, to say the least.

Tomorrow is May 15, and I hope to see many of you on the Class of 1996 celebration happy hour

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and even more of you Oct. 29-31 at the 25th Reunion.

The plans for the reunion are shaping up nicely—big thanks to the Reunion Committee for your efforts. By the time you read these notes, you should have received your formal invitation with reunion details. We have events planned starting Wednesday, Oct. 27, so feel free to come early to reconnect and celebrate with your classmates. If there are any BRs who are experiencing financial hardships, please reach out to me or anyone on the Reunion Committee. We want you at the reunion and will find a way to get you there within your means.

Before I jump into this edition of notes, I want to personally thank everyone who stepped up to give to our class reunion fund. Many of you made fiveyear pledges that will make a significant impact.

I’m optimistic that we will achieve our goals of a $1.5 million class check presentation and more than $250,000 in the Capt. Jamie Edge VMI Spirit Scholarship.

I’ll start this edition of notes with one of our most consistent contributors, U.S. Army Col. Chris Noe. Chris sends the following: “After three years, the Noes are leaving Korea. I relinquish command in August, and we’re headed to the Pentagon where I’ll serve as the USTRANSCOM LNO to the Joint Staff. Should be an exciting new position, although I will certainly miss my command and the people I’ve been blessed to lead. We’re also excited to move to northern Virginia (bought a house in Woodbridge) and reconnect with so many of our BRs who are in the area.” Chris also shared a picture with Col. Thomas “Bull” Smith from Camp

Class of 1996: Col. J.J. Rivera and Capt.

Shannon Meehan ’05 at Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Rivera is the commandant of cadets, and Meehan recently joined the commandant’s staff.

Class of 1996: Col. Thomas “Bull” Smith and Col. Chris Noe catching up at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 1996: Harri Humaloja playing lunch hour pond hockey in front of the Vienna, Austria, United Nations complex.

Class of 1996: Ricky Mattoso and Jamie Yoxtheimer catching up before the VMI versus The Citadel game in April. Rick flew his pride and joy, Bonanza, from Austin, Texas, to attend the game.

Texas in Austin that Leah and I are very happy with! We have our first child coming July 12 (girl).

I may win the award for oldest dad in the class— what can I say, I was always a bit slower than most of you.” Congratulations, Joey, on all fronts. Let’s be honest, we can give you “oldest” but definitely not slowest, as I recall you were a pretty speedy track star.

Doug Bartlett recently took a new role as the vice president and general manager of the BD Pyxis business. When we connected, he was still

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getting used to working normal hours versus his wake up at 10 p.m. routine he was forced to establish during the pandemic. Big congratulations on your new role.

Jamie Yoxtheimer checked in for the first time in a while. He shared a picture from a meet-up with Ricky Mattoso before The Citadel game.

Jamie reports all is great with him in Charlotte— still steady in the commercial building and civil construction market as president of J.D. Goodrum Company.

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Col. J.J. Rivera is still loving life as the commandant of cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy and College. He said he recently added U.S. Army Capt. Shannon Meehan ’05 to the tactical section of his staff.

Harri Humaloja checked in for the first time in a while, writing: “My wife got posted to Vienna, Austria, and we have been living here now for over two years. I no longer work for the UN but still hang around with ex-colleagues often.

I found a local community near the UN that felt like home for some reason, and we live here now.

The neighboring block is called Marshallhof, and there is even a stone relief carving of Marshall [’901] here. My rat, Jim Milliron ’98, visited here already; I hope to see more friends after the travel restrictions are eased. As of today, I plan to be at the reunion and look forward to it.”

Jon Dano sent a quick note: “U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Andre Johnson and his lovely family stopped by our place in south Jersey a few weeks back. I had not seen Andre in many years.

He is doing great and getting ready to retire from the Army. He still looks like a total bad@#$. Another bad@#$, Phil Alicea, is still representing the Jacksonville Police Department as a lieutenant with honor and courage during a progressively tough time in law enforcement. He’s definitely a great example of the many good cops out there.”

In this edition of “Jeeping with Bogusky,” I want to give Matt Bogusky a big shout-out on the new and improved “Dirty Rat.” That is one impressive Jeep Gladiator. Can’t wait to see it live at the reunion.

Congratulations to Bob Swan, as he learned that he passed the Virginia State Bar. What makes this a truly incredible accomplishment is Bob graduated law school over 15 years ago. He decided not to go into law and has been working for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in various capacities ever since. Last May, Bob decided to take the bar to open new work opportunities. He took

advantage of the lockdown and started studying his @#$ off. He got up every morning at 4 a.m. before work to study and studied a few more hours every evening after his daughter went to bed. Last month, he learned that all his hard work paid off.

He’s not sure what he’s going to do yet, but many new options are on the table. Huge congrats, Bob! Finally, huge thanks to everyone that stepped up to unlock the $20,000 donation toward the Capt. Jamie Edge VMI Spirit Scholarship. At last count, 86 of you stepped up and donated. This also means that John Pearce, and Matt Bahen, and I will be doing 346 burpees next week because of the $34,600 we raised as a class.

Until next time, all the best to you and your families.

Tom

1997

David M. Hudock

Gentlemen of the Old Corps!

This entry will be shorter than normal, and in advance, I apologize. I try to make these quarterly updates mildly entertaining and somewhat light, neither of which seem appropriate this time around.

For those who may not have heard, our BR— who was also a husband, a son, a brother, a Marine, and a friend to many—Pete Gagliardi passed away in late March.

It seems strange in a time of relative peace at a relatively young point in our lives to be writing about the death of a classmate. When I think of the number of those in our class who are first responders, in law enforcement, or who served in harm’s way at some point in the past 20 years of conflict and then think about how that same conflict has directly affected almost every class around ours, I consider us fortunate to have not suffered a loss sooner. These thoughts do not offer much comfort, however.

What is comforting is knowing that Pete’s last few days were spent surrounded by those he loved and those who loved him. Even our class, represented by Rich Dixon, was on hand to offer comfort and support to the family until the very end.

And Paul Bickford solicited our support for Pete’s wife, Denise, after Pete’s passing. It is encouraging

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Class Notes to see our class bonds still strong after leaving the Institute nearly 25 years ago.

Thank you, Pete, for touching our lives. We, your brothers in the Class of 1997, wish you fair winds and following seas on your next journey.

1998

Joseph Bates Jr.

Happy New Market Day, brother rats—well, at least that is when these are being submitted. I wish that I had more to share, but my rally call for submissions in the latest edition only yielded one update! I am hopeful that my plea was met with deaf ears and typing fingers because many of you had not opened it yet and you will give it a few minutes this quarter.

I am happy to report that Tom Warburton checked the box and wrote in with a quick update: “Responding to your calling me out in the last issue, I am including a picture of the Warb family this spring and another from the middle of the pandemic.” Tom is still practicing law all over the place (civil litigation and trial work), and he lives in Birmingham, Alabama. He looks forward to seeing as many of the classmates as possible in connection with our 25th Reunion and closed with, “The Institute will never die.” Thanks for writing in and sharing the pictures, Tom; looking forward to seeing you.

I have been able to link up with Sean Hicklin and get our families together at his farm. It has been great to reconnect and see his folks again, along with meeting his bride, Sabrina; son, Cole; and daughter, Ella. My son, Cole, and I went turkey hunting on his farm on youth day, and my daughter, Morgan, has a new bestie who loves animals as much as she does. Sean is doing well and looking forward to retiring in five years from his state job, which I will not provide many details about given the nature of what he does daily.

Thierry LeMercier was coming home from the Palms one evening last week (walking, not crawling, as he had been with his family) and saw us sitting on the porch. We spent an hour or so drinking wine on the porch and discussing how much we like being back in Lexington. He has the Abigail Inn rocking and rolling. They recently got their ABC permit and are eager to host you guys.

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I think Christian Craft stayed with him recently, but considering nobody has checked in more than Christian in my 16 submissions and he was only one block from my house, I cannot confirm other than the Facebook post that I saw. I will forgive him this time.

I have been able to link up with Don Ferguson ’00 and Lee Davis ’00 on occasion in Lexington and most recently went to the VMI versus The Citadel game with them and several of their brother rats.

We are still loving life in Lexington and getting settled into our house. We are turning the back portion of our house into a two-room bed and breakfast for football games and reunions, so hit me up after Thierry’s place is full if you need a place within walking distance to town.

We also intend on having tickets to all the home football games moving forward and will be working on tailgating plans at my house or in the back parking lot behind the stadium as part of the Keydet Club, so feel free to reach out to me in advance if you want to link up.

I am currently traveling and I did not get ahead of

Class of 1998: Joey, Tori, Cole, and Morgan Bates at VMI’s victory over The Citadel April 17, 2021. the submission, so I am going to refrain from calling out 25 new brother rats this time, but you can all expect a call out for more notes Aug. 15 when you receive this edition.

With that, I humbly leave you in the bonds. I hope you are well, and when you read these in August 2021, please take a few minutes to shoot me an email, Facebook message, or text message so that I have more to share. ’98, ’98, ’98.

1999

Jay Witt Class of 1998: Tom Warburton and family.

Greetings, Brother Rats and Friends of the Class of 1999, Class notes start with an update from BR Jake Hughes, who says, “I don’t have a ton going on with me. I’m remodeling houses, chairman of a nonprofit helping refugees, and serving at church in a number of capacities, but my claim to fame I think is I’m the first in the class to have two children in the military! My oldest son enlisted in the Coast Guard about a year ago and has been stationed in Cleveland. He’ll be coming ‘home’ to Yorktown, Virginia, for 13 weeks of training as a boatswain’s mate in a month or so. My second son is finishing up his freshman year at the U.S. Air Force Academy and was selected to be

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes for the DoubleTree Hotel in Harrisonburg and a Domino’s delivery receipt wasn’t on the list of acceptable proof of address. Then she sprayed some Lysol on the counter as part of their COVID-19 protocol and looked disgusted that I’d even tried her. It took me two weeks to sort out a driver’s license. I didn’t know what else to do, so I just drove around anyway. I went to the used car lot where I bought my last truck before I left Virginia 22 years ago and the old man was dead, but his son had taken over. He can’t keep any inventory because everyone has stimulus money and buys everything as fast as he gets it from the auto auction. I bought two of the three cars he had on the lot, two Fords, one for me and one for my wife. My wife is from Indonesia, and we didn’t have a car in Singapore, so she is learning to drive on the opposite side of Class of 1999: Patrick Henderson and a host of BRs in Charleston, South Carolina, watchthe road. Her name is Fanny Dwi Indrawati, and ing VMI’s victory in the Military Classic of the South. when I got the car insurance, the lady paused and a member of the flying team. My youngwanted me to spell that middle name Dest is a junior in high school playing W-I. D-W-I has a special meaning when football, wrestling, soccer, and even tenyou’re buying car insurance in Virginia, nis when he can but is also working on and we had a good laugh about that. While his pilot’s license. I enjoy the class notes all that stuff with the driver’s license and when they come out, but better than any cars was going on, we found a house that class notes is following Aaron Hamilton looked great. It went on the market Saturon Facebook; he needs to write a book!” day morning right after I got back from You’ve done a fine job raising three sons, Singapore. We were wide awake from the Jake; congratulations on their well-guided jet lag at 7:00 a.m., so I rode by the house accomplishments. For those BRs who first thing, but it seemed too early to knock don’t get a chance to follow Brother Rat on the door. When I came back to it that Aaron Hamilton’s international musings afternoon, the realtor already had seven and escapades online, Aaron was kind offers and wouldn’t take another one, not Class of 1999: Charles Fleet and family “running the block” enough to submit and update this quarter. even cash. I got discouraged at buying a for a month in Hawaii.

Aaron shared the following, “I know you house pretty quickly, but luckily, we found are already aware that I moved back to a rental house in the same neighborhood.

Virginia. I’m working near Harrisonburg It’s a blue-collar neighborhood with a lot but living closer to Waynesboro where of factory workers like me. A bunch of I grew up. I must have picked the worst them work at the Hershey factory and get time to move internationally since World free candy. They say it’s the best place to War II. I made an appointment to go to the trick-or-treat on Halloween, so I hope my DMV on arrival about two months ago two boys will like living there. I start work because that’s what you have to do now. the day after tomorrow (as I write this) so I haven’t had a valid driver’s license for a if that goes well and I like it, I think we’ll few years. Indonesian police didn’t want a be in Virginia for a while—maybe even driver’s license, they just wanted $5 or $10 for good. I really liked Singapore, but it’s a on the spot whenever we talked. I didn’t tiny island about one-third the size of Auneed to drive in Singapore anyway, so I’d gusta County, Virginia, with a population foolishly let my license expire. So I went roughly equivalent to the state of Virginia Class of 1999: Celebrating VMI’s Southern Conference to the DMV two days after we got here living on it. We spent three months in total Championship with a flyover of Lexington are Rick Mattoso to get a driver’s license, the DMV lady lockdown in a tiny apartment with tod’96, pilot; Dallas Clark; Gabby Clark (10); Clementine Clark told me I couldn’t get it until I had a perdlers, and although the situation had im(4); and Amber Clark. manent address. She said the room key proved considerably, we hadn’t been able

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Class Notes to leave the island for more than a year. It felt like I was in exile. BR, I’ll tell you, it feels good to get that Ford out on I-81 and go wherever I want to go again, and it feels great to be back home after being gone for so long.” Aaron, the class thanks you for a fantastic update and welcomes you back to the land of the free and the home of the brave with open arms.

Patrick Henderson gave the following turnout: “Several BRs got together the weekend that VMI played The Citadel for what hopes to become a yearly April get-together. We rented a house in Charleston from Mike Kemp ’90. In attendance were Patrick Henderson, Chris Copenhaver, Chris Colbow, Henry James, Dan Wilbun, Shane Stille, Billy Raines, Anthony Kasprzyk, Eric Martin, Jeff Holder, Ali Morales, and Jeff Golden. Also in attendance were two local guys who grew up with (I think) Billy Raines in Richmond. They’re Patrick and Jarrett Blevins ’01. We had a great time catching and exchanging stories.”

Barry Williams sent the following quip: “Jay, great to hear from you again, and man how time flies as it relates to these updates. Nothing too exciting in my neck of woods. My kids keep the wife and me busy because both are participating in travel sports. My son plays on a travel basketball team, and my daughter got selected for a travel/ AAU volleyball team. As for me, I will finish my battalion command this May. I will then report to the Pentagon where I will serve as a military advisor to the secretary of the Army. Not bad for an ole country boy from Botetourt County, ha! I hope this email finds you well, and keep up the great work on behalf of our class.”

Brother Rat and Air Force Reserve office Charles Faulkner airmailed this update. “Hi, Jay! I hope you are doing well! I’m looking forward to getting together with some of the brother rats as things get warmer! A couple of things to report. I started a new role at ICF International as a consultant in the public sector group where I am focusing on cybersecurity and national security. I left the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in January, and I’m excited to be with the new team at ICF. I recently just returned from some duties at Air Forces Central Command. I’m back down at Langley Air Force Base one weekend a month, two weeks a year, where I’m with a command and control unit. I plan to get together with some of the Tidewater BRs in the summer. I’m finishing up Air Command and Staff College, too.”

Former Company B rat-tie Greg McDearmon

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offered this update: “Pretty routine here in Louisville. Our oldest graduates high school in May and is headed to a 30-month Mercedes training program to be a mechanic. His love of all things cars has been fun to watch even if I don’t fully understand where it came from! Our two daughters are hoping for some normalcy in the second half of their high school experiences. Steph and I mostly look for opportunities to hike between our priorities of family and work. I am coming up on 17 years at NTS and still enjoy it very much. We started a $120 million construction project in Dallas this year, and it’s been fun to work in a new market. We have a lot to be thankful for as a family.” Thanks for the update, Greg. Indeed, we do have much for which we can and should be thankful!

Charles Fleet and his family have been making the most of their corona confinement. Chuck emailed this: “Jay, a year into lockdown, and we broke out in March. We ended up relocating to Hawaii for a month. I figured if the four of us were going to stare at Zoom calls most of the days, we might as well do it with a Kona beer and our toes in the sand. It required an early start to our days, but it worked out great. I missed the Rocky Mountain Chapter Memorial Day gathering due to scouting commitments but hope to catch the next one.”

Brother Rat Ian Bobbitt gave a great update.

“My family and I moved north of Greenville, South Carolina, right before the pandemic hit. It was a tough transition on my wife and boys (ages 13 and 2), but we’ve remained healthy and safe, so we’re fortunate. I’ve now been with Michelin for 14 years since getting out of the Army and have a role in their industrial supply chain. After 13 years in a factory (working with Carl Hammond ’00), I moved to a corporate environment and then work from home. I got to see Brian Wolfe back in December when his daughter had a soccer tournament in the upstate and met him at The Citadel game in Lexington in April. We also got to briefly talk with John Wilcox before his promotion to colonel. It was great catching up, seeing VMI, and having a cold beer at what seems to be the new Hunans, a place called Don Tequila. I think we saw more of the Corps there than at the football game. I’m close enough to Wofford and Furman to hopefully get to more VMI games when fans are allowed back in and will of course be in Charleston for The Citadel game this fall. If anyone is in the Greenville or Spartanburg area, look me up and we’ll get a drink.

Cheers to all! Hope you’re doing well and thanks

for pulling all of this stuff together. Take care!” Ian, thanks for the update, and we’ll certainly take you up on your offer next time we’re in your area!

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Brother Rat and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Kevin Ryan, so it was great to receive his update from Japan: “Hope this finds everyone well. My family and I are currently in Tokyo, stationed aboard NAF Atsugi. I took command of Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific in February after serving as the executive officer here for the previous 20 months.

It’s been a great tour so far. We’ve certainly had many challenges with the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 restrictions that exist, and it has definitely put a damper on our plans to explore more of Japan, but we are all doing well and looking forward to when travel becomes a bit more doable.” Congratulations on your promotion, Ryan.

We know you will do great things!

BRs, please keep the Alumni Association informed of your updated contact information.

Changes/updates can be sent to Norma Robinson at 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

2000 Chris Abbott

It has been an interesting few months, as the “I” has made some changes. Personally, I have seen lots of commentary but little from our class in general, hence coming to a very important conclusion. Our class is still busy working, building families, leading soldiers, and generally making the world a better place.

Ron White recently caught up with James Wallace in Seattle. He is enjoying retirement and is currently in dental school. With a smile like his, I might have found my new dentist.

Devon Jones is still in Richmond and started working with a new tech startup in the Digital ID space. The family is doing great; Suzie is 6 and Tabby will be 4!

Beau Mason recently took battalion command of the 229th Brigade Engineering Battalion and has been selected to attend the U.S. Army War

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Flashback to 1997. Parents: “Why don’t you consider going to a smaller college in Virginia, I hear the first year is tough, though.” Me: “I guess I can handle it if it’s only tough for the first year...” Reality: Capt Turner’s GPA-busting probability and statics class. Note: The Class of 2001 wishes the Turner family all our best, and to Capt.

Turner, sir, we wish you fair winds and following seas.

Flashback to 2000. Col. John Rowe ’66: “Commissioning in the Army is a great way to gain leadership and work experience, Class of 2000: Donald Ferguson, Dave Epperly, Shawn and most of your time is conducting field Fisher, and Lee Davis catching up at the VMI versus The exercises.” Me: “I like camping, and MREs Citadel game, when VMI kept the Silver Shako. aren’t so bad ...” Reality: Sept. 11, 2001.

Flashback to 2007. Doctor: “Congratulations!

It’s a boy.” Me: “I want to name him Anthony, just like me.” Reality: He’s. Just. Like. Me. So, when Rich Groen asked for volunteers for the next class agent, I did what came naturally and volunteered to support our class, and moreover, support his focus on command and his incredible Army career. Thank you, Rich, for your dedication and support to our class, as well as your incredible friendship.

Fun fact: Our class is allocated five pages (or 3,100 words) for our class notes! I will not try to reach that maximum requirement. However, I feel obligated to inform you, my readers, of this fact since my daughter equates my personal writing style to that of a high school student attempting to reach the minimum word requirement for an essay assignment when they only read half the book.

Guilty. In future notes, I will strive to be more succinct, but I make no apologies for my familiar writing style. I equate this opportunity as a chance Class of 2000: Ron White has been into Class of 2000: Lt. Col. Beau Mason taking to write a letter to a friend, and by the bond that bodybuilding for many years. command. unites us as a class, that is exactly what this is.

I would be remiss if I did not begin this quarterly If you didn’t catch it, the XVIII Airborne Corps installment of notes without mentioning the inposted an awesome picture of Schnabel getting credible football season (albeit a truncated spring ready to jump out of a perfectly good airplane on Tony Gelormine season) Coach Wachenheim and the 2020 football Facebook. team achieved. They successfully defended the I recently caught up with Will Beverlin in FlorSilver Shako and were named the Southern Conida at a raceway. If he tries to get you to go, make ference champions for the first time since 1977. sure you know you will have dirt in your fries.

The 2020 squad met James Madison University in Otherwise, he is doing great and working to get his Greetings, Class of 2001, from Winchester, Vira post-season playoff game and a few of our BRs own car onto the track. were able to attend. Teray Frost and Will Alley Will Moore (and his dog) continues to keep ginia!

Seldom in my short 42 years of life have I were able to meet up with teammates Richard everyone in the world entertained via his Facebook posts. I would encourage you to set aside jumped into things fully appreciating the [read: Holland, Gregory Fedor ’00, and Quesuan the .25 life tokens to read and enjoy his work, as positive] effects of volunteering or tackling a Wigfall ’00 for a wide-receiver reunion. Dechallenge that lay before me. it is priceless. spite the outcome of the game, it was a great

College next year. Keeping the kids busy with two in Boy Scouts, one in travel baseball, and one in soccer. Per Beau, Will Ward is still prosecuting bad guys in Texas, drinking bourbon, and eating tacos, and Jimmy Sheldon just got back from APG. On a side, John Jackson is working on putting together a Maryland waterfowl hunt. If you’re interested, check out our group Facebook page, VMI 2K. Pat Haddock, Jim Boatright, Derek Engelhardt, and Micah North staged a mini reunion in Atlanta. John Archer shared his displeasure in the comments section of Facebook. All seem to be doing well.

2001

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Class Notes Lastly, Price Lykins sends exciting news of his marriage to Simone Scarmozzino. He says they decided to elope in Vegas April 14, 2021 (three years to the day after their first date). They currently live in the Bay Area but got tired of waiting for the governor to allow crowds for weddings, so they snuck off to Vegas! He says, “Other than ‘The King,’ it was just us two and our photographer (who served as our witness).” He sent a picture of the beautiful couple and their “officiant.” Price sported some iconic footwear!

Thank you all for the personal messages and checking in and for trusting me with this opportunity to represent our class. I look forward to connecting with you all in the future. If you’d like to just share a special story (past or current), please feel free to pass that along, as well. Until next time, and as Col. Brodie (Hon.) says, “See you in the countermarch!”

In the Bonds, Tony Gelormine

I hope all of you and yours are doing well, and please do send me some updates when/if you are able. Otherwise, my best to all of you and looking forward to seeing you at our 20th Reunion! ’02! ’02! ’02!

In the Spirit, Salmaan

2003

William Talley V

Brother Rats, A new class (2021) has just entered the alumni ranks, and summer is fast upon us as I write these notes. I hope this finds you all well and enjoying opportunity to connect and cheer on the Keydets. getting back to a more traditional way of life!

Will also reports that they were able to meet up I didn’t receive any submissions for this set of with Col. Hutchings ’77 after the game notes other than from Chaz Wagner. and spent a few moments catching up.

Chaz, Adam Britt, and Wille Hale celeWilson Mustian reports that his nephbrated Joe Vorhees’ 40th birthday down in ew, Alexander Ezzelle ’24, will be a risVirginia Beach in April. Joe looks remarking 3rd Class cadet. Understandably, the ably youthful for having three daughters!

Corps had a tough year with COVID-19 I know we all bonded and cheered on and the investigation, but Alexander had the football team as they won their first an especially tough year. Alexander’s Southern Conference Championship since mother passed away in October 2020 af1977 and advanced to the playoffs for the ter suffering a sudden illness in Decemfirst time ever! We played the No. 1 ranked ber 2019. Alexander pushed forward and James Madison University Dukes and excelled during his rat year, resulting in ended up losing, but we were in the game accepting his corporal stripes and putand fighting until the very end. I had the ting an end to his uncle and grandfather’s privilege of being able to catch the regular(Tom Mustian ’65) tradition of virgin Class of 2001: Teray Frost, Richard Holland, Gregory Fedor season games against Mercer—a 41-14 sleeves! A special thank you to his dyke, ’00, Will Alley, and Quesuan Wigfall ’00 at a wide receiver victory—and the playoff game against mini reunion at the FCS playoff game versus James Madison Jesse Chernault ’21, for his support University.

JMU. I’ve been going to VMI games my through this difficult year. entire life, and this season was definitely With our (delayed) 20th Reunion right around the corner in spring 2022, Taylor Mawyer has agreed to assume reunion coordinator responsibilities. If you are interested in assisting with any of Salmaan Khawaja the planning and coordination, please reach out to him or me, and we will ensure you are gainfully employed!

Mike Judge checked in from the northeast to share that he’s currently working with the Alumni Brother Rats, Association and current cadets to start up a menI hope this edition of the Review finds you and torship program for cadets (and recent graduates) yours well. As I sit to write that nobody wrote Class of 2003: Celebrating with Joe interested in cybersecurity careers. Please pass to write in notes, it is May, and spring is here. It Vorhees on his 40th birthday are Chaz along any interested names to Mike or Thom looks like the U.S. is at a positive turning point Wagner, Willie Hale, and Adam Britt.

Brashears ’95 at the VMI Alumni Agencies. with the pandemic.

Class of 2001: Price Lykins sends the exciting news of his marriage to Simone Scarmozzino.

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Class Notes one for the history books, but the best news is the future looks even brighter with the majority of the team returning. I think we all lavished in the joy that the football team’s success brought to us in these trying times we’re experiencing.

Stay well and send in updates!

2004

Scott E. Campbell

2021 has been one hell of a year, and it’s only New Market Day as I write.

John Casper has been at “ground zero” for all of the changes at VMI. He writes, “Obviously a lot of changes are happening here at VMI. It is my personal belief that we are headed in the right direction as an Institute.

I have fielded several phones from concerned alumni and am always happy to talk and give an ‘on the ground’ assessment to anyone who wants to know.

“I have absolutely loved giving Tim Felts’ son, Conner Felts ’24, a hard time every chance I get.

He crushed the Rat Line and is doing very well as a newly minted 4th Class cadet. I know he’ll continue to do very well here. I’ve also really enjoyed the fact Conner is now an English major, something Tim joked me for all the time.

“Lauren and I and the kids are doing well here in

Lexington. If anyone is passing through or visiting VMI, be sure to reach out; I’d love to catch up!”

Sorry we missed you guys at The Citadel game!

Misia and I were in town with the kids.

Congratulations to the VMI football team on their win over The Citadel and the conference championship!

Winston Harrell and his wife, Whitney, are expecting twin girls in September.

Josh Montero has been climbing ladders and mountains, figuratively and literally. Josh was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps in December 2020. He and his family love Okinawa, Japan. They have extended his tour an

extra year to be the 12th Marines Regiment (artillery) operations officer.

Jim Bean was heading to NATO LANDCOM in Turkey, but he’s been reassigned. He and Sami are heading to Joint Enabling Capabilities Command in Norfolk in August. They’re looking forward to catching up with everyone in Virginia.

Jim writes, “I ran into Frank Dolberry ’06 during Warfighter 21-4 at Fort Bliss. He is doing great in Brigade KD. Trey Guy ’03 also had supper with Sami and me the night before he finished up the Pre-Command Course here at Fort Leavenworth.”

Misia and I started a renovation this past week and that is taking up our “spare time.” Hopefully, we’ll be done by Christmas!

Take care! Be safe and keep in touch!

Scott Campbell

2005

Tom Hardinge Timothy Johnson

Class of 2004: Wagner ’03 with Felts ’24.

Felts is the son of Tim Felts.

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2005.

2006 Andrew Upshaw

Class of 2004: On May 15, 2021, Marine alumni stationed in Okinawa hike up a portion of the 1,483-foot Mount Katsuudake, remembering the New Market Battle 157 years ago.

Participating are Lt. Col. Josh Montero, Capt. Dave Grey ’09, Capt. Connor Morgan ’16, Maj. Drew Horgan ’10, Lt. Clayton Whitaker ’18, Lt. Robby Rogers ’18, Lt. Caroline Nguyen ’19, Capt. Mike Jacobs ’16, and Lt. Col. Sven Jensen ’02.

2021-Issue 3

Brother Rats, Below is the information for the 15th Reunion, Sept. 23-25! Hope everyone can make it!

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021: Pay as you go early arrivals at Devil’s Backbone.

Friday, Sept. 24, 2021: Golf and clay shooting, virtual tour of post, Corps Physical Training Facility tour, and class dinner in the Center for Leadership and Ethics (Marshall Hall).

Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021: Class photo, parade and Old Yells, tailgate with the Class of 1995 in Moody Hall, football game versus Wofford, and party/concert with Class of 1995 at Jordan’s Point.

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Class Notes Dustin also sent me the following notes on other BRs. Rob Russman is back in the United States after leaving in 2017 for duty with Maury Denton the Department of State as a civil engineer in Australia. While there, he changed departments and now works for the Department of Defense, though still as a civil engineer. He also found a pretty awesome lady and is now engaged to Misty Rambo, who just retired from the Navy as Brother Rats, a chief warrant officer 3. The Schultz family and I hope everyone is already vaccinated or signed Manuel Caballero and family had a chance to up as we finally get back to normal. Schools are meet her at Disney World in February, and she is almost out, and summer is around the corner. Afgoing to be an incredible addition to the group! ter seven years at IBM, I decided to take on my Rob is now working out of Virginia, and he and next challenge and joined a VC-backed health tech Misty have moved into a house right on the water company, Innovaccer. My main passion continues in the Chesapeake, Virginia, area. to be driving disruptive and impactful change in Manuel Caballero, Erica, and their kids seem health care delivery. Innovaccer’s powerful data to be loving the move to Texas! Erica just finactivation platform is such a crucial puzzle piece ished her first year of paramedic school, and she to the tipping point of health care digital transforClass of 2007: John Lento and his dyke is crushing it! Manuel is loving the Texas freemation happening right now. doing an inaugural burn with a VMI firepit dom, job, and lifestyle! We miss seeing them as Rich Meredith and his wife, Hunter, welcomed heat deflector. much as we used to, but we hope to make a trip the arrival of their son, Teddy, April 12. Their out there soon to experience what all the golden retriever, Bruce, is still adjusting hype is about! to the new addition.

Corey Bafford has moved his family to Jake Willis and his son, Jackson; Vic Chicago, and he is in dental school at the Rosen and his son, Trapper; and David University of Illinois. They recently had Metzler attended the VMI versus James their first child, Liam, March 24. ConMadison University playoff game in style. grats on all fronts, Corey!

I am glad the Keydets made it a close Matthew Kania just finished a onegame against the No. 1 team and closed year mobilization with the U.S. Navy out the season strong!

Reserve at U.S. Fleet Forces Commands.

Dustin Schultz, Sarah, and the kids are He is now back living in the Naval Air doing well in southern Maryland. He used Station Patuxent River area. the pandemic as an excuse to get his real Kathleen Joseph got married to Gabe estate license, so if any BRs or friends Leo Joseph (U.S. Navy) Sept. 5, 2020. need to buy, sell, or rent in Maryland, They had to move the wedding cerplease let him know (hit him up on Faceemony twice due to deployment extenbook). Dustin is still working as a navigasions and COVID-19, even though they tion analyst for Johns Hopkins University Class of 2007: Jake Willis and his son, Jackson; Vic Rosen and Applied Physics Lab, and the job is pretty his son, Trapper; and David Metzler attend the VMI versus have actually been married since June 27, 2019. And they welcomed their first awesome. He is also still in the Navy Re- James Madison University playoff game in style. child, Blake Thomas Joseph, April 25, serve, working with the Selective Service 2021. Congrats on all the family news, System (the draft). They have also added Kathleen! to their herd of animals during the panNathan McCall’s wife, Tabatha, joined demic, with lots of pets, as well as chickthe Army and they are now stationed at ens and Nigerian dwarf goats. If you are in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. southern Maryland and want to visit just to Patrick Magno just moved to Naples, pet the goats, he won’t be offended! Sarah and he will be back in Italy in January. started work as an instructional assistant John Lento moved back to Pennsylvawith the Headstart program at Barstow Elementary (preschool age kids) in Calvert nia. His dyke lives 5 minutes away, and County, and the kids finally started back at they are doing an inaugural burn with the school full time in February.

VMI firepit heat deflector.

2007

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Class Notes

Class of 2007: Rich Meredith and his wife, Hunter, welcome the arrival of their son, Teddy, in April. Their golden retriever, Bruce, is still adjusting to the new addition.

That is all the notes for this edition. Have a fantastic summer, everyone!

In the Bonds, Maury Denton

2008

Robert Hill Class of 2008: Brooke and Devin Millson with their wedding party and honor guard in front of the Virginia Washington Monument after tying the knot Oct. 31, 2020. The Millsons were joined by alumni from the Classes of 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2011 on their special day. as the wedding technically occurred on This year, a new tradition was started at Halloween (last Saturday of the month). our beloved alma mater. The first MemoPeter Brookes was also supposed to enrial Parade was held, and the 591 names of tertain the crowd in an inflatable T-Rex alumni killed on battlefield were honored, costume but unfortunately suffered a “uniincluding our own Cpl. William L. Mcform malfunction” and was subsequently Millan III. I remember in the weeks leadboned by L-Train. Keydets and BRs in ing up to graduation, I had several converattendance included Brian McGettigan sations with the Alumni Association about (best man), Peter Brookes (groomswhat the role of a class agent would entail, man), Bert (groomsman), Todd Wilson but I never thought that in just a few weeks ’06 (groomsman), Jeremiah Shenefield, after leaving VMI, I would have to pass on John Nikiforakis, Chad Truslow, Aaron that news. Next time you enjoy a cold bevChilders ’05 (dyke), Aaron Wallace ’05, erage, raise a glass for Billy.

Justus O’Connor, Ryan Kennedy, Brett Maj. Devin Millson and his wife, Lucas, and Brian Peeler. Jon Glasscock Brooke, were married Oct. 31, 2020. ’06 and his wife provided the driveaway Brooke regularly questions Keydet beClass of 2008: Tech. Sgt. Stuart Smith ’09, Lt. Keifer Valencia vehicle for the wedding—a refurbished havior and commonly refers to VMI ’16, and Maj. Jeremiah Sexton serving together at Al Udeid Korean War-era Willys Jeep. Congrats to group gatherings as “the cult.” Their Air Base in Doha, Qatar. the new Mr. and Mrs. Millson! wedding was held at St. Peter’s CathoJeremiah Sexton was recently deployed to at public venues. All rules were followed to the lic Church with a follow-on reception in downtown Richmond. The wedding party was full of letter of the law, no attendees were arrested, Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar. While deployed, Jeremiah had a chance to catch up with the Institute’s finest, and naturally, photos were and only Bert Williams was caught running Lt. Keifer “Chucks” Valencia ’16 and Tech taken outside the Virginia Capitol in view of the block. Devin’s rat, Mario Giordani ’11, the governor’s mansion. Two weeks later, the “voluntarily” dressed up in an inflatable dragon Sgt. Stuart “Stab” Smith ’09. Check out the costume to entertain the children in attendance, lads posing with the VMI flag! commonwealth banned groups larger than 25

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Class Notes Randy Cunningham also added to his family. He wrote and wanted to add the birth of his second daughter to the Review. Elliana Paige Cunningham was born Feb. 18, 2021 (10:26 p.m., 8.1 pounds, 20 inches). She put Randy’s

Class of 2008: Brooke and Devin Millson riding in a refurbished Korean War era Willys Jeep provided by Jon Glasscock ’06 and his wife.

On May 6, 2021, Maj. Michael Karlson took command of Echo Company, 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Congrats, Mike!

If you haven’t been following the Keydets, I would encourage you to get involved. Not only did VMI football win the Southern Conference and reach the FCS playoffs, but several other sports teams were also extremely competitive and went to the playoffs in their respective sports. I know there has been a lot of negativity around VMI of late, but it hasn’t hampered the winning spirit of the Keydets! Rah Virginia Mil!

2010

Brandon Page

Class of 2009: Randy Cunningham’s oldest daughter, Natalie, helping her parents out with the newest addition to the family, Ellianna.

2009

Bradley Simpson

Brother Rats: I hope this edition of the Review finds you and your families well. It looks like we are starting to turn the corner on this whole pandemic; hopefully by the time you are reading this, we are all back to normal again.

I had the chance to talk to a couple of our BRs this recently. Kelsey Sale and her husband, Jeff, had their fourth child this past December at their home, Miss Abigail Elizabeth Sale. Abigail was baptized in January, and they couldn’t be happier to welcome another blessing into their family.

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wife, Allison, through 27 hours of labor, but everyone is home and recovering.

Jackie Morton will be graduating from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. She added that she will be sitting for the Alabama Bar in July, and she is planning on practicing immigration law in Gadsden, Alabama. Jackie also added to her email that Christina Stalnaker just finished up her yoga master’s training. She is teaching yoga and meditation online, and she will be hosting retreats in Alaska and Idaho this year.

Well, that wraps up the notes for this edition.

I hope everyone is staying safe and wish the best for all of you in the upcoming months ahead.

Class of 2009: Kelsey Sale’s newest addition to their family, Abigail Elizabeth Sale.

Garland Gray III

Well, Hello Again, Brother Rats, Here’s the latest “stoop poop” on everyone I’ve been caught up on.

Rachel Davy wrote in that she is “getting out of the Navy today, and I’m going to work as an engineer at Huntington Ingalls technical solutions division.”

Capt. Adam Aikens chimed in that he officially retired from the U.S. Marine Corps and will have the wonderful promotion to major retroactively coming up this FY 2022! It’s been a wild and long road, and we know Adam will be enjoying a much-deserved change of pace and enjoying his time with Laura and the kids!

Jonathan Buckland reported in with a few BR updates! Jon shares that Will Shannon and A.J. Korbley are both stationed in Norfolk via the Navy. Will is working as a “sawbones,” and A.J. is working hard in the fleet. Dudes, I fully expect to see you at the next young alumni beer meetup in the 757! Jon also shared that Clint Raine is working and thriving up in Richmond with family, and Rory Alfree is in northern Virginia, working for the Navy Reserve up

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Draw, one afternoon to celebrate there, as well. the great news.

Michael Purpura shared, “I Brandon Stratz gave his morngot my dream job as a solutions ing report via J.T. Piribeck: architect for Amazon Web Ser“Did you remember that I’m still vices, then in December, I got alive?” Help Received, J.T. Piriengaged. (Heck yeah, brother!) beck.

Coincidentally, we are planning David Miles shared with me on getting married at the Mission he’s finally back from CaliforInn, which is where I first learned nia, then went down to Pensacola about VMI at a recruitment event via the Navy for schooling on in 2005. I met Matt Graham at the art of keeping MH60S aloft that meeting, who happened to and henceforth has been busy become my co-dyke rat year and buzzing my rooftop on the daily. an eventual roommate.”

When not doing that, David has Andrew Miller caught up with been keeping busy “chasing his me. “If you need updates, here ya three little rascals.” go: I graduated from the Naval And lastly, our dear, dear AnPostgraduate School in Decem- Class of 2010: VMI alumni at school in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. drew “Whirly Bird” Baity comber 2020 with a Master of Sciing in hot with his newest move back to the Old ence degree in systems engineering. I’m now Dominion. Andrew will be leaving active duty working at the Naval Information Warfare in June from the U.S. Marine Corps, as well, Center Atlantic in Charleston, South Caroand relocating with his wife, two little adorable lina.” I’m actually coming down there for my girls, and a yellow lab from San Diego, Calihoneymoon to do a little fly fishing, Andrew! fornia, to Richmond.

What a wonderful place to be “stuck at!”

Dan Frederick has been busy soliciting David Milligram has been keeping busy friends with cheap beer and questionable pizza since our last report of Richmond’s most eliselections in hopes of helping him clear out gible P.A. bachelor, living the life up in the land for his rugby pitch.

Fan. David got a great gig working up in the Lastly, Jonathan Buckland was oh so polite medical/respiratory ICU up in VCU! Well, ol’ enough to share some pictures of everyone roommate, guess I need to come up and have having an impromptu fun time at U.S. Army a brew at our Ol’ 9th Cpl’s Brewery, Canon & Command and General Staff College down at Fort Leavenworth. In the picture is Maj. Lynn Larson ’08, Capt. Ross Hussmann, Capt. Leonard Weschler, Maj. Jon Fanelli, Maj. Tom Duncan ’09, Maj. Alex Wade, Maj. Jonathan Buckland, Maj. Charles Crowder, and Maj. Josh Hughes. Maj. Evan Aguirre Class of 2010: David Milligram with his was also down attending during this time, as new puppy in Richmond, Virginia. well. When not working in a professional capacity, the gents were catching up telling Old Corps VMI tales over pints of good brews.

Well, that’s all for now. As for myself, before the ink is even dry from writing up this class update, I will be finalizing my last packing for my first vacation in 13 years, just in time for a wedding/honeymoon/fly fishing trip to the OBX, Charleston, and Savannah. I will be restarting the monthly 2010 Zoom “happy hour chats” starting in June. The info will be postClass of 2010: Brother rats gathered ed on our Class Facebook group page. Bring for some VMI fellowship. y’all’s party hats and cigars.

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Class Notes going to be stuck behind a desk, he’d at least like to make it an interesting desk. He is currently stationed at the National Ground IntelThomas H. Pace ligence Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. His wife, Haley, and sons, Weston (6) and Daniel (2), are enjoying being back in Virginia. He’ll be headed up to National Intelligence University in the D.C. area next year.

Matthew Radi is living in Annapolis, Mary2011, land, running the local TD Bank branch and enWhole damn team! I couldn’t be prouder of joying life being on the water. He’s excited to Keydet football and how well they performed see everyone at the 10 year! this season. It was great to see how many of our I had the chance to talk with Tom Louderback classmates were able to be there for The Citadel briefly, and he has been up to quite a bit lately. game and watch the boys win the Silver Shako.

He is in the final stages of his farmhouse restoRah Virginia Mil, we’re a football powerhouse! ration and has also made a big career change.

Thanks to everyone who sent in class notes. It’s He is now the business development manager been really great getting in touch with some of for Kubota Tractor Corporation construction our brother rats I haven’t seen since graduation. equipment out of Grapevine, Texas. He says Justin Simmons deployed as an advisor to the that his divisional team is responsible for oneISF at FOB Union III Iraq. He was working in third of all Kubota construction equipment sales what was the Secret Police Headquarters. The in the North American market. He said his team basement prison cells are ironic, as the U.S. has makes all the difference and working for the converted them into a prison-style gym over the Japanese is very different from the Swedes. Tom years. A highlight of the deployment was gethas also had a chance to meet with Julian Bowting to walk into what was Sadaam’s office in ers in Richmond, Virginia, and Nic Chang in the old Baath Party headquarters (not as scary Atlanta, Georgia, during his travels. He reports as L-train’s office). they are doing well.

A.J. and Brett Waldrop are stationed at Fort John Manning got promoted at his job at the Gordon now. She just graduated from electronic Department of Defense in March. He’s been at warfare school for the Army, and Brett just got the new job for just over two years. Also, his promoted to branch manager of Augusta for cousin, James, will be VMI Class of 2022+3. He ADT Home Security. got word in November 2020 of the good news.

Ryan Buell, the “Buelldozer,” is gunsmithing.

He’ll be on post this August to kick off the Rat He enrolled in EMT school as part of his firefighting training. He says that gunsmithing isn’t Line!

Fun fact: That’s the sixth person in the Class of 2011: Burt Bachelor in northern as exciting as a structure fire.

Manning family to attend.

Virginia.

Andrew Hilber had his first murder trial this After coming to the U.S. as a war refugee over May. The client was convicted, but it two decades ago from Bosnia and Herzewas an experience. He also tried rungovina, last year Ermin Mujezinovic dening a Spartan Hurricane Heat 12-hour ployed as civil-military support element last fall but stopped halfway when his team leader back to BIH. During his rohydration bladder burst and soaked tations, Ermin had a unique opportunity through his ruck. He still says it was an to take ambassador to BIH, Eric Nelson, awesome experience. and NATO HQ Sarajevo CG, Brig. Gen. David Gerardo and his wife, Nikki, Eric Folkestad, to the village where he shifted their defensive scheme from grew up and survived a war. “I had evman coverage to zone and celebrated erything that a kid could ask for. After the birth of their third child, Aaron the war broke out, that all changed. We Samuel Gerardo, April 16, 2021. Both lost everything: Our house, friends, and mom and baby are doing well, and the childhood freedom to run and roam safefamily is enjoying the remainder of Class of 2011: Radi and Pumphrey at the VMI versus The ly through our neighborhoods. Our freetheir time in Charlottesville with Dadom, our childhood, went from playing Citadel game. vid’s graduation from Darden May 23. and running around outside to dodging

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They will be moving to Arlington, Virginia, in June before David starts his new job with Accenture.

Burt Bachelor is still in northern Virginia working as a cost estimator for Boeing Autonomous Systems. He started doing Hello Fresh food prep to shake up dinner and now is finding new and exciting ways to set things on fire. Otherwise, he’s been laying low and just had shoulder surgery to fix an old rugby injury, which will be ongoing for a few more months.

Jimmy Stevenson decided to follow Charlie Gerkin’s lead and make the switch to strategic intelligence after getting picked up for major.

He figured the fun part of being an Army aviation officer is basically over at this point. If he’s

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes sniper fire and shelling. I still vividly remember seeing the neighboring village of Ahmici burn to the ground April 16, 1993, and then watching survivors travel through our village, fleeing towards Zenica. My childhood continued in hiding amidst the shelling and sniper fire. My family was fortunate enough to be granted refugee status to the United States. I have learned that every culture has a shared trauma, and the only way to heal the wounds of that trauma and prevent it from happening again is through a careful understanding of

this past January. Hank said he is trying to grow the VMI chapter down in Houston, so anyone around in that area, make sure to reach out and connect.

Brandon Butler and his wife, Elissa, had their second child, a daughter named Olivia Mayson, March 15, 2021. Congratulations to Brandon and all the Butler family for a happy and healthy daughter.

Riley Ewen decided to finally give me an update—not only for this last Class of 2011: Company D BRs Talbott, Pace, Martin, Crozier, quarter but one that covers his experiand Richardson. ences since graduation. I appreciate the history, by educating future generations, and update, Riley, but I can confidently say I know cultivating reconciliation through empathy: Jessica had something to do with you finally Regardless of faith, ethnicity, or other differputting this all together! Riley served four ences.” This fall, Ermin will be attending Coyears in the Army from 2012-16 and was marlumbia University. After his graduate studies, ried in 2014. He spent some time as a missionhe will be teaching Russian and Slavic Studies ary in Burma and Iraq in 2016-17, later having at West Point. two kids, Francis (who is now 3-and-a-half) Paul Baik has been working from home as a and Martha (who is 2-and-a-half), with ansoftware developer in Maryland. His wife also other one on the way (due in July). Beginning has been working from home. medical school in 2017, he recently graduated At Matt Talbott’s wedding party in Myrtle May 8, 2021, making him a full-on doctor. RiBeach, I got the chance to catch up with Roland ley begins his residency in family medicine at Richardson, who promised on his honor that he Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital in would be at the reunion. Andrew Duty, David Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in June 2021. One Martin, Richard Crozier, Chris Cashen, Chris of Riley’s mentors in medical school was AlDuane ’08, Dane Addison, Chris Gill ’14, and len Maxey ’03, who became a good friend Will Dodson ’14 were also there to celebrate. and helped in school and had a similar backThanks for all the submissions. I’ll see you at ground in medicine. In summer 2020, Riley the reunion!

Class of 2011: Matt Talbott and his wife dancing at their wedding.

2012

Bruce Howard

Class of 2011: The Gerardo kids celebrating the third sibling, Aaron.

2021-Issue 3

Brother Rats, I hope this edition of the Review finds you and your families well. We had a couple of people reach out with updates, so I hope you enjoy.

Congratulations to Aaron Bradley and his wife, Madison, who welcomed a baby boy into the world, Clayton, Feb. 19, 2021. Glad to hear everyone is doing well, and I wish the entire Bradley family the best!

Hank Rhodenizer is still living in Houston but had the chance to spend some time in Pakistan

Class of 2012: Olivia Mayson Butler, daughter of Brandon Butler.

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Class Notes more of you before the next edition. Take care and until next time!

In the Bonds, Bruce

2013

2015

Henry Meredith Johnny McDonald

John Wilson

Charles Jones

Brother Rats, I struggle with how to share this, especially with it coming only a few years after we graduated. I’m sad to share that we’ve lost two BRs since the last update. Please see Brandon DiaEditor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the mond and Jordan Monthie’s obituaries in the Class of 2013.

Taps section toward the back of this edition of the Review. I hope you take the time to reflect on your memories with Brandon and Jordan and appreciate them for the great BRs they were.

Samuel Guidry Now for the updates.

Brad Anuszkiewicz got married Saturday, Thomas Bradshaw May 1, 2021.

Class of 2012: Riley Ewen and his wife, Jessica, along with their son, Francis, James Singleton started a new job at Zeand daughter, Martha. ndesk as a senior software engineer.

Rob Franzino is still flying on the West did an ICU rotation in Salem, Virginia, where Coast, VFA-41 Black Aces F/A-18s. He’s aimhe worked directly with Dr. Stewart Hargrove. ing to get a more permanent call sign when he Stewart is going into his final year of residency goes back to Fallon, Nevada. and is doing well. Riley also mentioned he had Jarid Watson claims to have taken all ChrisEditor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the a chance to catch up with Jake Hooker, who tian Burton’s and Jeff Whiteman’s money Class of 2014. has two children and is working as the after a night of poker. According to Jaassistant pastor at Good Shepherd Presrid, they did not heed the advice of a byterian Church in Florence, South popular Kenny Rogers song regarding Carolina. Recently, Riley had dinner card playing. with Terrell Lynch and his wife, as they Elisha Clark is thankful to be coming just recently moved back near the Outer up on her last deployment of her first sea Banks from California. Franklin Banetour. She’s super pumped to be moving gas is currently teaching at West Point to San Diego after that in July, where and has two kids, as well, and by all acshe’ll be an instructor in the MH-60. counts is having an extremely successAlex Monson had a baby, and his wife, ful career as an Army officer. If anyone Katelyn, “was in the room there, too.” is up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, area, Shane Smith and his wife are expectfeel free to reach out to the Ewen faming their second daughter June 18 and just ily via email at ewenr12@gmail.com for bought a bigger house to accommodate. some hospitality. Thanks for the update, Taylor Kennedy had a mustache comRiles! petition at Pinehurst with Harrison WilI appreciate those who sent informa- Class of 2012: Scott Southall ’95, Hank Rhodenizer, Duncan liams, Mason John, Maxwell Makuch, tion to share with the class, so thank Naylor ’18, and Ed Griffith ’08.

Kyle Martin, Doug Passero, and Andy you. I look forward to hearing from Richards.

2014

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Nick Mahin started a new job with Customs and Border Protection as a physical scientist (CBRN).

Tyler Brickles PCS’d to San Antonio. He’s now the operations officer for the Military Working Dog Hospital on Lackland Air Force Base. By the time this comes out, his second daughter, Spencer, will be born.

Joe Broughton will be attending Vanderbilt for his Executive Master of Business Administration degree next fall.

Justin Wilson and his wife just found out that their second child will be a girl, due late September.

Wil Luxhoj and some boys were able to

Class of 2015: Tyler Brickles is excited about his new job with the Military Working Dog Hospital.

Class of 2015: Taylor Kennedy, Harrison Williams, Mason John, Maxwell Makuch, Kyle Martin, Doug Passero, and Andy Richards at Pinehurst.

make it out to Lexington for the VMI versus The Citadel football weekend. It was a great weekend to celebrate the “W” with the BRs, luckily “land nav skills came in handy” trying to find their way back home after the game.

Tessa White got her orders and is separating from the Air Force after five years. She’s looking forward to taking a bit of a break and diving into whatever comes next. So far, they are planning to stick around San Antonio for a while.

That’s if for this set of notes. I’d like to close by sharing Wesley Jacob’s Facebook post from a few months back: “We are a year into a pandemic. Many of us are doing great. The military keeps writing a check, many can work from home, and we’ve had time to adapt. Some of us aren’t doing all right, though. This year has been hard on marriages, businesses, and families.

Let’s each try to take some time this weekend to reach out. One of us is sure to need it.”

2016

Jacob Norris Patrick Hine

Class of 2015: Will Luxhoj, Austin Capps, James Fruehan, Thomas Stallings, Ryan Jacoby, Jordan Weethee, Michael Donovan, Christian Burton, Luke Snead ’14, Connor Capps ’17, and some ’16 Keydets in Lexington for the VMI versus The Citadel weekend.

2021-Issue 3

BRs, As always, I hope these notes find you well

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Class Notes

Class of 2016: Ryker Convento married his wife, Cherokee, Sept. 19, 2020. and everyone is enjoying their summer.

Diving right into updates from the class, Bennett Dotson just finished out a four-year rotation on the USS Cole and is leaving to become an instructor in seamanship and ship handling at Mariner Skills Training Command Atlantic. His wife, Raegen, is now a senior financial analyst at Armada Hoffler REIT and getting a Master of Business Administration degree at William and Mary. Best of luck instructing, Bennett.

Ryker Convento married his wife, Cherokee, Sept. 19, 2020, and they are expecting their first child later this year. Congratulations on your union, and we look forward to seeing some baby pictures in future notes. Ryker is currently serving as a patrol deputy sheriff for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as well as in the National Guard.

Short and sweet this time around. I hope everyone is doing well. Please reach out to a fellow BR and check in, and I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall for our reunion!

Rah Virginia Mil!

wake up and realize graduation wasn’t a dream.

I sometimes have nightmares where I wake up in my rack and see Andrew Bradshaw fuming after I put Vaseline all over his desk. Please see the picture included for my all-time favorite prank I pulled on Bradshaw.

Check out the updates for this quarter below: Hunt McCarthy is living in Richmond, Virginia, with his old roommate from VMI, Michael Flora. Hunt isn’t sure if he reads this but would really like him to stop using his toothbrush. It’s gross.

Michael Flury is living in Crozet, Virginia (which is way nicer than its culinary cousin on the hill of science), with his wife, Kayla, and dog, Koda. He is currently a state trooper with the Virginia State Police, is with 1st Battalion, 221st Cavalry in the Army National Guard, and is currently on track to work at the federal level of law enforcement. Meow, don’t speed on your way to the first reunion; you may get a ticket.

Marvin Burns is currently living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, stationed at Fort Carson (the Mountain Post) with his girlfriend, Autumn. He is still in the Army as a mobility officer at an MCT. His hobbies include hiking trails, playing Warzone, dodging hail, rootin’-tootin’, and shootin’. This summer, he will be in the Australian outback DJ-ing for kangaroos on the Army’s dime. Other than that, “Life is Good”— Future.

Lincoln Brush is currently finishing his time at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with orders to Fort Bragg in September, where he will be stationed

2017

Benjamin Stewart

Team, Day 1,460 since graduation or something like that; they’ve all kind of blended together at this point. Kidding, I knock on wood every day I

158

Class of 2017: Ben Stewart and his rats airing out Andrew Bradshaw’s hay on the North Post Obstacle Course during 1st Class year.

for several unfortunately hot summers. Their daughter, Kinsley, enjoys watching her mom beat up dad at Jiu-Jitsu regularly, going on family hiking/camping trips, and ensuring the house is never clean. Lincoln is still pretty lame; please send him beer and good vibes.

Holmes Laughon has just moved back to his hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia, and moved in with his mother, who drives him to the public library every day so he can use their computer to access the internet and work on his online dating profiles. He has high hopes for the upcoming year and believes he will get his first kiss this year.

Mike Griffin moved back to the mainland from Pearl Harbor last fall. He is currently living in Prattville, Alabama, and working at Maxwell Air Force Base on the Air Force ROTC headquarters staff. Back during Thanksgiving 2020, he visited with “cell block 121” roommates Matt Johnson, Cody Bottoms, and Mack and Deelin Sheehee at Matt and Alyssa Johnson’s home in Savannah, Georgia. Unfortunately, Zack “Boogie” Bugalla was unable to attend due to Army training and visiting his girlfriend for the holidays; however, they did manage to catch up over a weekend in Montgomery just before Thanksgiving. The last time they visited, Boogie stopped over on Oahu while he was traveling back from China, where he had been teaching English. Since being back stateside, Mike has hosted his family for Christmas (Patrick Griffin ’80 and 3rd Class Cadet John Griffin ’22).

He has also traveled north to see their new home in Lynchburg, Virginia. Aside from visiting relatives and old roommates, Mike keeps himself busy working on his master’s degree in human resource management, which he is set to complete in May 2021 and is also playing guitar with a band in Montgomery, Alabama. His door is always open if any VMI alums are passing through “scenic” Montgomery.

Garrett Manarin is living in Augusta, Georgia, with his fiancée, Mary, whom he has been dating since 1st Class year. They got engaged in March and are having a small wedding in July and a large ceremony in spring 2023 after he gets back from deployment. He’s still in the Navy and is stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

I wanted to close these notes out by sharing a personal experience of mine and extending my thanks. A couple of months ago, I was involved in a pretty severe accident that has left me paralyzed from the chest down. Over the proceeding months, I was on the receiving end of the most extensive

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes support group known on earth. I was in shock of the texts, calls, messages, and emails not only that I received but also my family—90% of those came from the VMI community, some of whom I hadn’t talked to in years. Not once did I think anyone’s offers to help, in any way possible, were anything but genuine. Being from VMI, we all love to boast the strongest alumni network in the nation. But other than job searching, we rarely get to see it in full effect. I can tell you from experience, it’s one of the most extensive I’ve heard of and been able to witness. Thank you to everyone who reached out; that lifelong bond we all share is what makes VMI such a unique school. The ring and diploma are just a symbol of that.

Thank you to everyone who input their submissions to the google doc (located on the class Facebook page) or sent them directly to me. As a reminder, if you don’t have Facebook, please send them to my email. For photos, please also send them to my email, full size (do not compress them).

Death Before Dishonor, Ben Stewart

where it all started because Richard has to live the poetic lifestyle. After he completes his service, he will be attending law school at Boston College. Coincidentally, his grand-dyke, Capt.

Justin Bradshaw ’12, is attending law school there, as well, after which he will return to active duty as a Marine JAG officer. In addition to hanging out with Richard, I ended up bumping into Blake “FRB” Barber, Matt Heinrich, Jonathan Navarro, Tom Schmitt, Connor Murphy, our very own VP Henry Wiswall, Alex Roach, Stew Spurry ’20, Jordon Bennett ’19, and many more who would take too much time to write out. It was great seeing BRs, talking with many of our rats, and giving advice to their rats. Connor, Tom, and I gave a very riveting explanation of “painting the picture” in section I comments, PARS system, and RS relative value to now 2nd Lt. Jesse Cornell at the former Tong’s Restaurant.

In April, Will Woodward and his father, Capt.

William Woodward ’92, attended the wedding of Will’s sister, Catherine. In addition, Kennedy Flynn got engaged to Zach Chase ’17 after Zach completed the Infantry Officer’s Course.

2018

Carlee Anderson Matt Esnardo

Class of 2018, Happy spring, everyone! As I am writing this, members of the Class of 2021 are being commissioned and getting ready to walk across the stage to graduate. With their time as cadets complete, I hope we can all be proud of the hard work our rats put into their time at the Institute and developing the Classes of ’22, ’23, and ’24. Congratulations to ’21; continue to be the incredible leaders we all know you are capable of.

Capt. Richard Dow and I ended up going down to VMI so I could be the commissioning officer for my rat, Josh Lassiter ’21. Richard is completing his time on active duty as a Marine Corps officer this upcoming week and wanted to spend his last weekend in uniform

2021-Issue 3

Class of 2018: Zach Chase ’17 after proposing to Kennedy Flynn in Key West, Florida.

Class of 2018: Kennedy Flynn and Zach Chase’s puppy, Wilson.

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Class Notes

Class of 2018: Lt. Tyler DeJoe with Lt. Col. Harrison ’02 after Tyler’s checkride.

They bought a house near Zach’s duty station in North Carolina and also bought a new puppy named Wilson. Colton DePew bowled his first perfect game all while consuming Skinny Fit Detox Tea. A while back, Tyler DeJoe graduated from the B-52 schoolhouse as the Electronic Warfare Officer distinguished graduate.

He was also able to receive his checkride with Lt. Col. “Stukka” Harrison ’02. His wife and he are now at Minot Air Force Base with the 23rd Bomb Squadron and coping well with the negative 20-degree weather. Lastly, Paul Caliendo was promoted to corporal and has now joined the ranks of our Marine Corps noncommissioned officers.

That’s all for now. Hope everyone is doing well!

Matt and Carlee

2019

Nathan D.A. Mumford Annika K. Tice

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2019.

160

Class of 2018: Will Woodward; Richard and Catherine Benavidez (Will’s sister); and Capt. and Mrs. William “Woody” Woodward ’92 at Catherine’s wedding in Richmond, Virginia, April 17, 2021.

2020 Alexander Dragan Holly K. Njabo

Brother Rats, It is with great pleasure that I am writing to you all in this issue of the Alumni Review. I hope you are all in good health and continuing to find success in all that you do. For the majority of our class, this marks roughly the one-year anniversary of our time being alumni of this great Institute. To those members of the Class of 2020 who were running some victory laps and are graduating this year, congratulations! To those who may still have a little time left to serve for “Mother I,” you are almost there, and we are all rooting for you.

With now a little over a year under our belts since completing our duties, there are many things in the now and not-so-distant future for

us to look forward to. These include our 5-year class reunion, a class scholarship in our name that is on its way to being fully funded, and a multitude of VMI events that we are able to attend/participate in, such as VMI sporting events, parades, and alumni-sponsored events around the country that will help to recruit and give insight to future cadets looking to attend VMI. I want to congratulate all the hard work and sacrifice that has been put into this year by all of the staff and cadets continuously making VMI a better place so it may continue to produce great leaders for centuries to come. It has been a long year, to say the least, and I am sure that the Classes of ’21, ’22, ’23, and newest addition to the family, ’24, experienced that time at an incredibly slower rate than all of us in the outside world.

To the Class of ’21, congratulations on your graduation. I know you will all continue to pursue greatness, whether that be in your military or civilian careers.

To the Class of ’22, you got your rings, now just stick it out another year. Be good dykes.

Remember that you truly do have the power of shaping the Institute through the next generation of rats. Your dykes and the rest of us are looking to you to uphold the values of character VMI

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes has instilled in all of us since its founding.

To the Class of ’23, congratulations on completing 3rd Class year. It is hard to believe that you will all be getting your rings soon and your dykes could not be prouder of you all. The end is in sight, but you are about to have the best next two years of your cadetship, so live them up!

To the Class of ’24, I have only gotten to meet a few of you and only briefly, but I know you have the makings of greatness within you all. Continue to chase excellence in all that you do, get involved as much as you can, and always seek opportunities to challenge yourself.

Lastly, I would like to add that if you are interested in donating to the Class of 2020 Memorial Scholarship, a great article is posted in this same issue in the Progress section. We did not receive many donations over the past year, but now that most of us are up on our feet after being broke college students, I hope we all may find it in ourselves to give a little to the future generation. Again, if everyone were to donate $30 over the next four years, the scholarship will be fully funded and can therefore be activated for use.

I hope to see you all again soon, brother rats.

Our 5th Reunion cannot come soon enough.

Mizpah, Alexander B. Dragan

2021 Jonathan Krauss Levi Kennedy

Brother Rats, Well, we finally made it! It seems like it was only yesterday that we were forming up in Cameron Hall next to people we had never seen before. Little did we know that four years later, those strangers would be our best friends.

From taking the cadet oath at New Market, to low crawling through the snow-covered drill fields of North Post, to wearing a mask every day, we have done it all. After breaking out of

2021-Issue 3

the Rat Line on that cold Feb. 3, 2018, day, we further suffered the boringness of 3rd Class year; received our rings our 2nd Class year; and now, after enduring a year like no other, have shown that we, the members of the Class of 2021, are prepared to go out into the world as the leaders of tomorrow. May 16 will be the last time we will all be together. After that day, we will go our separate ways. However, each one of us, no matter what we choose to do in life or where we choose to settle down, share the same sacred bond that each VMI cadet has.

It is a bond like no other. As the years go by, we’ll look back and remember our days at the Institute with cheer.

The Class of 2021 will be busy after graduation—112 of our brother rats will commission in the Army, 32 will commission in the Navy, 34 will commission in the Air Force, 13 will commission in the Marine Corps, and five will commission with foreign militaries.

Eric Monroe will be commissioned with the Air Force Reserve as a cyberspace operations officer stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.

He will also be working as a junior computer security engineer at Kyrus Technology in Sterling, Virginia.

Ryan Perouty will commission in the Army as a medical services officer. He plans to act as an environmental science and engineering officer within the Army Medical Services. He will head to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, for Basic Officer Leaders Course and tentatively move to Fort Hood, Texas, after.

Jack Jones will commission Army infantry and report to Fort Benning, Georgia, in September for Infantry BOLC. He hopes to travel and take some time off while living in the D.C. metro area before his Army career begins. Rest up, brother rat!

Seth Whitehurst should probably do the same! He’ll commission in the Army as an air defense artillery officer and will go to BOLC at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, June 6. After his graduation, he will head to Camp Carroll, South Korea, for his first duty station.

Jacob LaMountain will commission as a field artillery officer and join Seth at Fort Sill for BOLC. After that, he’ll move to Fort Riley, Kansas, in April and will serve with the 1st Infantry Division “Big Red One” in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team “Dagger Brigade.”

Dawson Allen will commission Army as a

field artillery officer and will be stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, with the 4th Infantry Division.

Mason Day will commission Army as a field artillery officer and will head to Fort Sill for BOLC. He’ll then head up to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He hopes to pursue a master’s in military history after he gets settled. Bundle up, brother rat!

Matthew Hamner will be commissioning in the Virginia National Guard as a field artillery officer and will be stationed in Hampton, Virginia, with 1st Battalion, 111th Regiment.

He has also secured a job with Richmond firm RK&K, where he will work as a site development manager.

Jay Kennedy will be commissioning into the Army Corps of Engineers and will go to Fort Carson, Colorado. He plans to pursue his professional engineering license while in the Army.

Alan Wyche will commission in the Army as a field artillery officer, joining his BRs at Fort Sill.

Colin Perry will be having a lot of fun in Quantico, Virginia, as he starts Officer Candidate School in September. After completion, he will go to The Basic School and hopefully Combat Engineer School after that. Until September, he will be working as an engineer in northern Virginia.

Andrew Farmer is commissioning Army and

Class of 2021: John West and his fiancée, Sarah Creasy.

161

Class Notes Sam Slagle. Congratulations!

We have brother rats starting their internships and jobs in the civilian sector, too. Our very own Walt Kitson, cross-country captain, will be moving up to Bedford, Massachusetts, to work for MITRE Corp., a nonprofit organization that operates federally funded research and development centers. As a communications engineer, he will help support the satellites that watch over our sea-going brother rats in the Navy.

Class of 2021: Kiley Cropper and her fiancé, Thomas Hupp ’20.

Class of 2021: Jonathan Hutson, a Company D midyear graduate; Tyler Cook, Company H commander; and Jordan Chauklin, Company F and class valedictorian, graduated from high school together and also graduated from VMI in the same class.

will be working as a Cadet Summer Training instructor at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before going to BOLC at Fort Lee, Virginia. Following graduJohn Matzeder will be moving to Charlottesation, he will attend Airborne training at Fort Class of 2021: John Duncan and his fianville, Virginia, to work for SRC, Inc working Benning before going to Vicenza, Italy, for his ceé, Emily Shumaker. as an electronic warfare engineer. first duty station!

Michael Tomaso has accepted a My co-dyke, Paul Boucher, will job at VINCI Construction and will commission as a military intelbe working on the Hampton Roads ligence officer. He will be tempoBridge Tunnel Expansion. rarily stationed at Fort Huachuca, Jordan Ward plans to attend Ball Arizona, until he receives his perState University in Muncie, Indimanent duty station. He hopes to ana, to pursue a Master of Business receive orders to go overseas. Until Administration degree while playthen, he will return home to Idaho ing his fifth year of college football! after a celebration trip to Tennessee Tyler Chou will be working as an with his rats. auditor at KPMG before he attends Anna Armfield will be getting Air Force field training next sumher feet wet (no pun intended), with mer. the Navy as she starts her Explosive I want to congratulate you all on a Ordnance Disposal training after job well done. I am sure our dykes graduation. She’ll head to Panama and rats couldn’t be prouder of us.

City, Florida, for dive school and the This year has been like no other, but EOD school at Eglin Air Force Base. we pushed through and now join In May 2022, she will be getting the ranks as VMI alumni. Until we married to her fiancé, Sean Wilson meet again, good luck everyone, I (USMA ’22). can’t wait to hear from you all again On that note, we have a few other soon! brother rats getting married, those Mizpah, being John Duncan, John West, Class of 2021: Anna Armfield and her fiancé, Sean Wilson (USMA ’22).

Jonathan Krauss Casey Allen, Kiley Cropper, and

162

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Baby Keydets KUEHNE – a daughter, Elisabeth “Betsy” Harper, to Stephanie and Jeff Kuehne ’01, April 9, 2021.

GORSKI – a daughter, Adelyn Grace, to Janelle and Thomas Gorski ’03, Nov. 6, 2020.

Marriages MILLSON – Brooke Newton to Devin Millson ’08, Oct. 31, 2020.

DEGREES Ed.D.

Anthony F. Cerella ’00 Doctor of Education University of Southern California December 2020

(Editor’s Note: In the 2021-Issue 2 Alumni Review, we incorrectly published that Dr. Cerella obtained his degree from Texas A&M University. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California, as listed above. We apologize for the error.)

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.

Jack N. Williams ’41

Sept. 8, 1920

Charles H. Beckham ’43

June 1, 1921

John M. Patton ’42

Sept. 14, 1921

Robert L. Reeves ’43

Sept. 22, 1921

Fred H. Lockwood ’44

2021-Issue 3

May 3, 1922

Allan E. Ferrey ’46

June 23, 1922

William C. Winter Jr. ’43

July 10, 1922

Floyd D. Gottwald Jr. ’43

July 29, 1922

George A. Crane Jr. ’44

Nov. 23, 1922

Robert W. Smothers ’44

Dec. 2, 1922

163

Provisional Appointments APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2041

2025 Jacob J. Harrison

APPOINTEE’S NAME

Romando E. Harrison ’97

Uncle

Freya Johnston Talley J. Nederostek

2026

Christopher R. Johnston ’09

Father

Paul W. Brier ’81

Great-uncle

Harold D. Hamner III ’84

Great-uncle

Bryce Morrissey

Alan J. Perdigao ’83

Uncle

Harold D. Hamner Jr. ’48B

Great-grandfather

Max Z. Moxey

Charles W. Fanshaw ’82

Uncle

James A. Sydnor ’47

Cousin

Jackson Shiflett

Jamie C. Shiflett ’93

Father

Joseph H. Sydnor ’46

Cousin

John W. Burton ’70

Cousin

Joseph J. Taylor ’09

Father

Peter A. Lawless ’12

Father

James L. Conrad ’78

Great-uncle

Edwin C. Lawless ’81

Grandfather

Edwin B. Lawless III ’55

Great-grandfather

Joseph J. Taylor Jr.

2027 Samuel Neto

Franco Neto ’92

Father 2042 Amelia S. Lawless

2030 Amanda G. Thompson

Robert T. Thompson ’86

Father

2031 Daniel C. Sellers Jr. Christian L.C. Southard

Michael E. Savage ’84

Grandfather

Benjamin J. Robertson

James A. Robertson ’67

Grandfather

Monica P. Bennett ’12

Cousin

Beckett L.T. Williams

R.L. Terrell Williams ’74

Great-uncle

Brian K. Southard ’93

Father

Ernest H. Williams ’935

Great-grandfather

G. Lee Southard ’59

Grandfather

W. Todd Southard ’85

Uncle

Grayson C. Chapman

Thomas C. Chapman ’10

Father

Elliana P. Cunningham

Joseph R. Cunningham ’09

Father

Robert H. Deaderick IV

Robert H. Deaderick Jr. ’65

Grandfather

2033 Ord W. Williams

Virginia G. Williams

2043

Wilson E.D. Shepherd ’50B

Great-uncle

Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. ’917

Great-grandfather

Robert H. Deaderick ’40

Great-grandfather

John C. Williams III ’81

Uncle

Joseph W. Hutt III ’78

Cousin

Wilson E.D. Shepherd ’50B

Great-uncle

Donald F. Hargy ’63

Great-grandfather

Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. ’917

Great-grandfather

Benjamin N. Hargy ’94

Great-uncle

John C. Williams III ’81

Uncle

Callahan P. Holland

Michael K. Scaplehorn ’13

Uncle

Jack T. Keilty

Edward J. Desch ’10

Uncle

John P. Keilty ’10

Cousin

Kevin J. Keilty ’83

Great-uncle

Timothy M. Keilty ’86

Great-uncle

Elisabeth H. Kuehne

Jeffrey E. Kuehne ’01

Father

Benjamin B. McPherson

Joshua B. McPherson ’10

Father

Phillip D. Stracener ’02

Cousin

Maeve M. Meradith-Eyers

Michael J. Smith ’77

Grandfather

Luke P. Noelte

Adam D. Noelte ’05

Father

Weston F. Rea

Lewis F. Rea ’71

Grandfather

James M. Rea Jr. ’57

Cousin

Benjamin J. Taylor

Joseph J. Taylor ’09

Father

Orion J. Taylor

Joseph J. Taylor ’09

Father

Owen C. Fligor

2035 Ace Thompson

Robert T. Thompson ’86

Father

2036 Isla M. Kennedy Finn B. Shelbert

Burt C. MacKenzie ’70

Grandfather

Michael R. MacKenzie ’73

Uncle

Tyler M. Shelbert ’98

Father

2038 Fletcher J. Shelbert

Tyler M. Shelbert ’98

Father

2040 Henley L. Justice

164

Duane A. Padrick ’83

Grandfather

VMI Alumni Review

Taps Robert W. Goodman Jr. ’42 Robert Wilbur Goodman Jr. ’42 of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, died March 17, 2021. He was 99.

He matriculated from Galveston, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas.

He is survived by his sons, Robert Gregory “Greg” Goodman (Kim) and David McGee Goodman; daughter, Gail Kathryn Goodman (Lynne Milburn); grandchildren, Jace, Rob, Chad, Seth, Joy, Jennifer, John, and Caroline Goodman Patel (Mitul); and great-granddaughter, Nora Natalie Patel.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Natalie McGee Goodman; grandson, Luke; and sister, Mary Louise Carroll.

Jeffrey G. Smith ’43 Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Greenwood Smith ’43 of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, died March 21, 2021. He was 99.

He matriculated from Washington, D.C., and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Arts degree from George Washington University, a Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University, and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from Norwich University.

(Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Smith appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

John P. Irby III ’44 John Poindexter Irby III ’44 of Raleigh, North Carolina, died March 19, 2021. He was 98.

He matriculated from Blackstone, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his children, Grace Irby Robbins (Chuck), Margaret Irby Clement (Whitt), and John Poindexter Irby IV (Amie); grandchildren, Walker Coleman (John), Austin (Mary Keith), Irby (Ashton), Claiborne, Whitt, Harrison, John, Henley, and John; and greatgrandson, Claiborne Coleman.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Wall Irby; brother, Edward Claiborne Irby; and sisters, Emily Harrison Irby Short and Grace Irby Garrett.

James T. Adams ’45 James Taylor Adams ’45 of Shreveport, Louisiana, died March 12, 2021. He was 96.

He matriculated from Shreveport and earned

2021-Issue 3

a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University.

He is survived by his children, Robert Roy Adams II (Wilma), James Wallace Adams (Nancy), Janelle Adams, and Carol Adams Butts (James); grandchildren, Scott Adams (Cheyenne), Martha Adams, Kathleen Adams, and James Lamb; and great-grandchildren, Avery, Liam, and Duncan.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Memory Jo Wallace Adams.

Robert L. Pettigrew Jr. ’45 Robert Leslie Pettigrew Jr. ’45 of Casper, Wyoming, died March 25, 2021. He was 97.

He matriculated from Tappahannock, Virginia, and spent two years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University.

He is survived by his wife, Juanita; son, Rob; grandchildren, Donnie, Maddison, and Raylyn; and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen, and grandson, Jason.

and Suzanne Holladay Davis.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Beville Holladay; son, Thomas Beville Holladay; and brothers, Dr. William Edward Holladay and Lt. Col. Lewis Gregory Holladay.

Jack L. Barnes ’50B Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Lyle Barnes ’50B of Haymarket, Virginia, died Feb. 19, 2021. He was 95.

He matriculated from Upper Montclair, New Jersey, and spent two years at VMI. He earned Bachelor of Science degrees from Springfield College and the University of North Dakota. He earned a Master of Science degree from George Washington University.

He is survived by his children, Kevin, Mark, Eileen, Karen, Adair, Claudia, and David; daughters-in-law, Marie Barnes and Natalie Barnes; sons-in-law, Andy Cole, Andy Clark, Todd Solomon, and Bob Gangi; and grandchildren, Collin, Kamry, Parker, Jack, Molly, Matt, Jimmy, and Cecilia.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Commiskey Barnes.

Charles E. Rammel ’49B

Ashton W. Clarke Jr. ’50B

Charles Edward Rammel ’49B of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, died Jan. 23, 2021. He was 92.

He matriculated from Alexandria, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Joan Gidley Rammel; son, Warren Webster IV (Debbie); daughters, Deborah R. McKeel, Susan R. Buckley (Walter), and Carolyn L. Rammel; grandchildren, Josh Webster (Angie), Courtney McKeel Eifler (Ray), Andrew McKeel (Amy), and Alexa R. Buckley; and great-grandchildren, Ella Webster, Rainer Webster, Haylen Eifler, Ellyson Eifler, Miller McKeel, and Walter W. “Dutch” Buckley IV.

Ashton Whitley Clarke Jr. ’50B of Newport News, Virginia, died Jan. 1, 2021. He was 92.

He matriculated from Newport News, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly, Laurie, and Jodie (James), and grandchildren, Clarke, Lindsey, Lauren, James, Christine, and Philip.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Julie, and siblings, Nancy and James.

John E. Holladay ’49C John Eggleston Holladay ’49C of Knoxville, Tennessee, died April 1, 2021. He was 96.

He matriculated from Gordonsville, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his children, Deborah H. Andrews (Craig), John E. Holladay Jr. (Kathy), Phyllis A. Holladay, and Robert Edward Holladay (Anett); grandchildren, Amy, Brian, and Jethro; great-granddaughter, Hazel; and sisters, Nancy Holladay Blanco

Richard E. Leithiser ’50B Retired U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Richard Eldon Leithiser ’50B of Queensbury, New York, died March 29, 2021. He was 91.

He matriculated from Havre de Grace, Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his children, Richard Leithiser, William Leithiser, Charles Leithiser (Kristin), and Nancy McCormack (Robert); grandchildren, Bryan McCormack (Jean Kratzer), Colleen Humphrey (Garrick), Gretchen Leithiser, Jake Leithiser, and Alex Leithiser; great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Jameson Humphrey; and stepson, Jonathan Kelafant (Barbara), and Jonathan’s children, Elizabeth and Gerritt.

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Taps He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rose Mary Way, and second wife, Catherine S. Park.

Robert C. Levi ’50B Robert Carter Levi ’50B of Winchester, Virginia, died Jan. 24, 2021. He was 91.

He matriculated from Berryville, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He is survived by his son, Gregory H. Levi (Mitzi); grandchildren, Jason T. Levi, Kyle G. Levi, Ryan G. Levi, and Allison L. Hagen (Mike); great-grandsons, Mason and Gavin Hagen; and sister, Edith Scannell.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Kiracofe.

Sampson H. Bass ’51

von Schilling) and Doug Daniels; grandchildren, Richard Cohen (Nicole), Michael Cohen (Leah), and Wyatt Daniels; greatgrandchildren, Leighton Cohen, Delaney Cohen, and Gray Cohen; and son-in-law, Joe Leung (Drew Stamps).

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jacqueline Edwards Cohen; son, Gardner Edwards Cohen; and brother, Philip Cohen.

Walter C. Ames III ’52

George R. Parker ’53

Walter Clarence Ames III ’52 of Tampa, Florida, died March 20, 2021. He was 90.

He matriculated from Orange, New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI.

George Reginald Parker ’53 of Orange, Texas, died April 11, 2021. He was 90.

He matriculated from Suffolk, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Saunders Parker; sons, George Reginald Parker Jr. (Deborah), Calvin Parker (Suzette), and Cameron Parker (Amy); daughters, Anne Parker Chen (Frank) and Lucy Parker Terry (D.D.); grandchildren, Amber Dittfurth (Joseph), Christian Parker (Marina), Amy Babcock (Justin), Michael Chen, Grace Chen, Callie Perry (Elliott), Corrie Terry, Jordan Harmon (Jordan), Reagan Parker, Cameron Parker, Carson Parker, and Cooper Parker; and greatgrandchildren, Emma Dittfurth, Rebecca Dittfurth, James Dittfurth, Colette Parker, Bear Jia-Fwu Babcock, Gracelynn Perry, Tinley Perry, and Evelyn Harmon.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Ophelia, Susie Lee, Florence, Marie, Anne, Preston, and Clinton.

Gary E. Pittman Sr. ’52

Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary Ellis Pittman Sr. ’52 of VirSampson Howard Bass ’51 of Locust ginia Beach, Virginia, died April 7, Hill, Virginia, died March 6, 2021.

2021. He was 90.

He was 91.

He matriculated from Waverly, He matriculated from WashingVirginia, and earned a Bachelor of ton, D.C., and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering Science degree in chemistry from from VMI. VMI. He earned a Master of BusiHe is survived by his wife, Sandra; ness Administration degree from sons, G. Ellis ’83 (Katherina), Craig Bass ’51 Harvard University. He attended the ’85, Larry (Stacey), and Blair (Lori); U.S. Army War College and the U.S. Army grandchildren, Julia Diaz (Charles), Thomas, Command and General Staff College.

Samantha, Jessica, Tyler, and Jackson; and He is survived by his children, Susan Tor- great-granddaughter, Josephine Diaz. res (Carlos), Linda Pfeiffer (Larry), Martha He was preceded in death by his brother, Bass, Nancy Mitchell (Jim), and David Bass Paul Jr., and sisters, Edith Gertz and Daphne (Kathryn); grandchildren, Tanner Bass, Kyle Burkette.

Pfeiffer (Jennifer), Grant Pfeiffer (Angela), Allison Manning (Bryant), Madison Howe Foy M. Braswell Jr. ’53 (Cory), Sarah Burger (Andrew), Sam Bass Retired U.S. Army Maj. Foy McKinley (Ashleigh), and Charlotte Bass; eight great- Braswell Jr. ’53 of Wichita Falls, Texas, died grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; Jan. 28, 2021. He was 89. sister-in-law, Edna Jo Donovan; and brotherHe matriculated from Kingsport, Tennessee, in-law, James C. Wells Jr. and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary chemistry from VMI. Jewell “Dew” Bass; brother, Charles A. Bass He is survived by his wife, Trudy Napier; Sr.; and sister, Elizabeth A. Reich. sister, Geraldine Walters; three children; and eight grandchildren.

George L. Cohen ’51

George Leon Cohen ’51 of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, died Feb. 9, 2021.

He was 90.

He matriculated from Covington, Georgia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Daniels Cohen; son, George L. “Hap” Cohen Jr. (Shuli Fu); step-children, Tim Daniels (Claire

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He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children, Susan Elizabeth Lockhoff (Robert), James Wesley Gray III (Miki), and Joyce Eleanor Cmiel (Craig); grandchildren, Ridley Gray, Kathryn Evans (Sean), James Wesley Gray IV (Jarvyk), Jonathan Lockhoff, Abigail Cmiel, Dennis Cmiel, Lauren Cmiel, and Kazunori Orthner; and great-grandchildren, Jaylene Gray and James Wesley Gray V.

J. Wesley Gray Jr. ’53 James Wesley Gray Jr. ’53 of Sarasota, Florida, died March 13, 2021.

He was 89.

He matriculated from Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Engineering Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Thomas A. Kane ’54 Thomas Arthur Kane ’54 of Hingham, Massachusetts, died March 16, 2021. He was 88.

He matriculated from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Mercedes; children, Tracy (Arthur), Sandra (Mark), Eric (Beth), and Brian (David); grandchildren, Natalie Cavallo, Alyssa Cavallo, Jake Tommy (Kathryn), Samuel Tommy (Fuko), Liliana Staiger (John), and Josina Kane; brother, Robert Kane; and brotherin-law, Frederick (Rebecca).

Paul R. Meyer Jr. ’54

Meyer ’54

Paul Reims Meyer Jr. ’54, M.D., of Weeki Wachee, Florida, died April 9, 2021. He was 89.

He matriculated from Port Arthur, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He

VMI Alumni Review

Taps earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Tulane University.

He is survived by his children, Kristin Meyer, Holly Truitt (Bruce), Paul Meyer (Kerry), and Stewart Meyer (Jennifer); grandchildren, Marshall, Pierce, and Madison Meyer; and former wife, Charlotte.

D. Conrad Via ’54 David Conrad “Connie” Via ’54 of Glen Allen, Virginia, died April 8, 2021. He was 89.

He matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and spent four years and four months at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science degree from Virginia State University.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; son, David Via (Tina); daughters, Robin Diaz (Jorge) and Catherine Moran (Ian Robert); grandchildren, Ashton Burzio (Sarah), J.B. Burzio, August Burzio (Rose), Anne Marshall, Irene Moran, Nathan Via (Shania), Dareck Diaz, Gabriel Diaz, and Noah Diaz; and five greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles and Ralph Via, and granddaughter, Pauline Wells Burzio.

Lloyd G. Lazarus ’55 Lloyd Gross “Chip” Lazarus ’55 of Roanoke, Virginia, died Jan. 26, 2021. He was 87.

He matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his children, Anna Lazarus McDonald (Tom), Lloyd G. “Chipper” Lazarus Jr., and Susan Lazarus Bailey (Jim); and granddaughters, Katherine Tyler Bailey, Carrington Lee Bailey, and Elizabeth Casey Bailey.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lee.

Donald F. Parsons ’55 Donald Frey Parsons ’55 of Norfolk, Virginia, died Feb. 19, 2021. He was 88.

He matriculated from San Francisco, California, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Engineering degree from Auburn University.

He is survived by his wife, Gertrude Ann “Trude” Parsons; sons, Christopher George Parsons (Julie) and Stuart Douglas Parsons (Carrie-Beth); and grandchildren, Gregory Alan Parsons, Madison-Marie Parsons, and Joshua Douglas Parsons.

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Robert L. Brickner ’56 Robert Love Brickner ’56 of Dallas, Texas, died March 18, 2021. He was 86.

He matriculated from Clinton, Oklahoma, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology degree from Stanford University.

He is survived by his daughters, Carol, Mary, Susan, Caroline, and Diane.

Fred G. Farthing Jr. ’56 Fred Grey Farthing Jr. ’56 of Yorktown, Virginia, died Feb. 10, 2021. He was 86.

He matriculated from Wytheville, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Christopher Newport University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Stonier School of Banking.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Farthing; sons, Fred G. Farthing III, Lance Farthing, and Steven Wilson (Lourdes); daughter, Lisa Ann Kimm (Larry); brother, Gail Farthing (Terri); grandchildren, Fred G. Farthing IV, Ashley Farthing, Chelsea Farthing, Kerrie Wilson, Ryan Wilson, Meredyth Davis, and Wilson Kimm; and great-grandchildren, Alex Farthing, Philip Farthing, Lashawn Donnell, and Emerson Jo Davis.

He was preceded in death by his brother, William Farthing.

Robert H. Guinn ’56 Robert Harold Guinn ’56 of Shreveport, Louisiana, died Feb. 17, 2020. He was 85.

He matriculated from Alexandria, Louisiana, and spent almost five months at VMI. He is survived by his sons, Robert H. “Robbie” Guinn II (Debbie) and William B. “Billy” Guinn; daughter, Leigh Ann Cheek (Robert); grandchildren, Robert Edward Guinn, Carter Michael Guinn, Cassidy Laurene Guinn, Cady Mae Guinn, Dr. Heather Cheek Bracey (Dr. Paul Bracey), and Mathew Wright (Lucy); great-grandchildren, Ethan Bracey, Emily Bracey, Noah Bracey, Nate Bracey, and Nora Wright; and brother, Jack L. Guinn (Anita Jo).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gerri, and brother, William Guinn.

Jon A. Roach ’56 Jon Austin Roach ’56 of Midlothian, Virginia, died Feb. 19, 2021. He was 86.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Jane Crawford Roach; children, Jon A. “Jay” Roach Jr. ’82 (Christy), Jeffrey L. Roach ’84 (Mary Ann), and Julie R. Washenko (Greg); sister, Constance R. Waggy; grandchildren, Jon, Nathan, Shannon, Madison, Matthew, Caleb, Drew, Hilary, and Sarah Roach, and Garrett and Emma Washenko; and great-grandchildren, Samuel, Audrey, and Gracelyn Roach.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Ellen R. Price, and brother, Leo A. Roach Jr. ’64, who died Oct. 18, 2015.

Robert L. Webster Jr. ’56 Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Lyle Webster Jr. ’56 of Box Springs, Georgia, died March 26, 2021. He was 86.

He matriculated from Falls Church, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Southern California.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Lunita Turner; sister, Patsy Benedict; daughters, Elizabeth Shawn Webster, Molly McManus (Chuck), and Roberta Lorraine Turner; and grandchildren, Rick, Robert, Jose, Jennifer, Molly, and Phillip.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Thomas Webster; daughter, Kimberly Alice Wilson; and former wife, Betty Webster.

John R. Fiske ’57 Retired U.S. Army Col. John Robert Fiske ’57 of Ormond Beach, Florida, died Dec. 10, 2020. He was 84.

He matriculated from Miami, Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Edie.

John D. Christie ’59 John Donald Christie ’59 of Henderson, Nevada, died Feb. 1, 2021. He was 83.

He matriculated from Naugatuck, Connecticut, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Gail; children, Lori (Ruben), Marci (Greg), John (Julie), Traci (Josh), Nicole (J.D.), and Matt (Emily); and grandchildren, Drew, Trace, Palmer, Kaesie, Jacob, Hunter, Madison, Jackson, Kaden,

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Taps Saeda, Cameron, Emma, and Aria.

William G. Lee III ’59 William Garnett Lee III ’59 of Destin, Florida, died April 3, 2021. He was 83.

He matriculated from Alexandria, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Lee; sons, William Garnett Lee (Kate), Andrew Lee (Stephanie), John Nelson (Victoria), and Adam Nelson (Etienne); grandchildren, Grace, Nathaniel, Oliver, Marlowe, Noah, Amelie, and Eva; and sister, Martha Lee Field.

William L. Traylor Jr. ’59 William Leroy Traylor Jr. ’59 of Winter Park, Florida, died Feb. 11, 2021. He was 83.

He matriculated from Apopka, Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; daughter, Elizabeth; son, Lee; grandson, Andrew; granddaughter, Buckley; sisters, Helen and Peggy; and sister-in-law, Jo. He was preceded in death by his brother, Webb.

Anthony Di Caprio ’60 Retired U.S. Army Col. Anthony Di Caprio ’60 of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, died Dec. 23, 2020. He was 82.

He matriculated from Richmond Hill, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned Master of Arts degrees from both Shippensburg University and Worcester State University.

He is survived by his wife, Janice; son, Anthony Jr.; daughter, Lisa; granddaughters, Crista, Jenna, and Helena; and grandson, Nikolas.

John J. Coughlin ’60 Retired U.S. Air Force Col. John Joseph Coughlin ’60 of Norfolk, Virginia, died March 11, 2021. He was 82.

He matriculated from Norfolk and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Auburn University.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Stoehr Coughlin; daughters, Karen Gagnon (Scott), Debbie Sterle (Tom), Lisa Sterle (Matt), and Mary Wilson (Michael); son, Joseph “Joe”

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Coughlin ’87 (Beth); grandchildren, Zachary Gagnon, Lori Gagnon, Lisa Sterle (Matt), Brian Sterle, Lily Wilson, John Coughlin (Alysia), Meghan Coughlin, Jacob Coughlin, and Margaret Coughlin; great-grandson, Aiden; sister, Mildred May; and step-children, Suzanne Lewis, Lt. Kyle Lewis, Caroline Shubert, Steven Patterson, Tyler Patterson, and Bradley.

John H. Fulton ’60 John Harvey Fulton ’60 of Corvallis, Oregon, died Feb. 27, 2021. He was 87.

He matriculated from Silver Spring, Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Christie; daughters, Stephanie Boyle (Blake), Elizabeth Rogers (Mike), and Leslie Isbell (Dan); and four grandchildren.

James R. Kivlighan ’60 James Richard Kivlighan ’60 of Staunton, Virginia, died March 19, 2021. He was 82.

He matriculated from Staunton, Virginia, and spent two years at VMI. He is survived by his son, Jim (Mia); daughters, Laura and Helen (Paul); grandchildren, Isa, Hanna, Jimmy III, Paulie, Joanie, and Isaiah; and brothers, William and Michael (Charlotte).

Charles H. Alligood ’61 Charles Henry Alligood ’61 of Greensboro, North Carolina, died March 26, 2021. He was 81.

He matriculated from Hampton, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peggy”; sons, Charles Patton “Chuck” Alligood and Brian Henry Alligood; daughter-in-law, Vita Alligood; grandson, Nicholas Patton Alligood; Peggy’s sons, Kelly and Brett (Kelly); Peggy’s grandchildren, Borden, Maggie, Ned, and Will Hayes; brothers, Ray Alligood and Thom Alligood; and sisters-in-law, Jan and Dawn.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ginger.

E. Randolph Aylor ’61 Edward Randolph Aylor ’61 of Strafford, Missouri, died March 10, 2021. He was 81.

He matriculated from Mitchells, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Rude Aylor; sons, Scott Christopher Aylor (Charlene) and Stephen Michael Aylor (Erin Leigh); grandchildren, Alexander Stephen Gavin Aylor, Olivia

Grace Aylor, and Owen Robert James Aylor; and brothers, James Warren Aylor and Robert Llullian Aylor.

Thomas W. Alvey Jr. ’61 Thomas William Alvey Jr. ’61 of Belleville, Illinois, died March 24, 2021. He was 81.

He matriculated from Lincoln, Illinois, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Washington University.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Hite Alvey; son, Thomas William Alvey III; daughter, Mary Helen Alvey; son-in-law, David Erwin; grandchildren, Helen Hite Erwin, Jordan Mae Erwin, Piper Maeve Alvey, and Annabelle Rose Alvey; foster grandson, Hayden; sister, Jennette Simkins; and sister-in-law, Sally Chinn (Mark).

He was preceded in death by his brother, Bevan Bridges Alvey; daughter; Dr. Elizabeth Hite Erwin; brother-in-law, retired U.S. Army Col. Eugene Howard Grayson Jr. ’58, who died Nov. 8, 2020; and grandchildren, Naomi, Ezra, and Sophie Alvey.

Leonard G. Christie Jr. ’61 Leonard George Christie Jr. ’61, M.D., of Orleans, Massachusetts, died March 6, 2021.

He was 82.

He matriculated from Hot Springs, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Temple University.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Ann; sons, Ross, Zachary, and Tyler; and six grandchildren.

Joseph F. Bateman Jr. ’62 Joseph Francis Bateman Jr. ’62 of Topsfield, Massachusetts, died April 2, 2021. He was 81.

He matriculated from Lawrence, Massachusetts, and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts at Salem and a Master of Arts degree from Boston University.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; daughter, Rebecca Gibbs (Kevin); son, Joe; grandchildren, Kate and Patrick; and brothers, Jack (Pam) and Bob (Camille).

He was preceded in death by his sister, Harriet Fremont-Smith, and brother, Dick.

Douglas S. Fielder ’62 Douglas Stratton Fielder ’62, Ph.D., of Oneonta, New York, died April 28, 2021. He was 80.

VMI Alumni Review

Taps He matriculated from Silver Spring, Maryland.

A distinguished graduate of VMI, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son, William Todd (Nina); granddaughter, Rose Davis Fielder; and brother-in-law, Shannon Davis (Denise).

Timothy H. Herty ’63 Timothy Holmes Herty ’63 of Baltimore, Maryland, died Feb. 11, 2021. He was 80.

He matriculated from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Lois; daughter, Carolyn Herty Harris; son, John Malloy Herty; sisters, Roo Herty Brown and Carol Thompson (Dave); and grandchildren, Katelynn Elizabeth Herty, Collin Malloy Herty, Jackson Kenneth Herty, Elizabeth Mary Katherine “Ellie” Harris, and Gabrielle Grace “Gabby” Harris.

He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Charles Holmes Herty III and Jaqueline, and sister and brother-in-law, Dorothea Herty Ashworth and Dennis.

James D. Poindexter ’63 Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. James D. Poindexter ’63 of Johns Island, South Carolina, died Jan. 1, 2021.

He matriculated from Lexington, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI.

Peter D. Mazik ’64 Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Peter Douglas Mazik ’64 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died March 22, 2021. He was 78.

He matriculated from Wilmington, Delaware, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

Danny A. Hogan ’65 Retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Maj. Gen. Danny Andrew Hogan ’65 of Salem, Virginia, died Feb. 26, 2021. He was 77.

He matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Southern CaliforniaMarshall. He attended the Army War College, the Industrial College of Armed Forces, and the National Defense University.

2021-Issue 3

He is survived by his daughters, Susan Elisabeth “Lisa” Hogan (Paul Luthringer) and Alison Hogan Pope (Kevin); grandchildren, Hall, Wils, and Rand Luthringer, and Sarah, Hogan, Sandis, Josh, Caleb, and Matthew Pope; and sister, Carolyn (Earl Henritze).

John J. O’Keefe III ’65 John Joseph O’Keefe III ’65 of Norfolk, Virginia, died April 7, 2021. He was 77.

He matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; sons, Sills O’Keefe ’93 (Adele) and Matthew O’Keefe; grandson, Jack O’Keefe; sister, Bridget Ritter (Al); and brother, Edward O’Keefe (Louise).

He was preceded in death by his sister, Laura Redlin (Bob).

H. Martin Bandy III ’67 Henry Martin Bandy III ’67 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died Feb. 27, 2021. He was 76.

He matriculated from Norton, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

He is survived by his wife, Cita; daughter, Kristen Bandy (Coy Block), son, Steven Bandy (Tiffany); step-daughter, Erin Highton (Will); grandchildren, Geoff, Keir, Bryce, Reid, Olivia, and Jack; brothers, Lee Bandy (Judy) and Stephen Bandy; sisters-in-law, Barbara McClain (David) and Susie Dugal (Charlie); brothers-in-law, Vincente Laurente (Edna), Felix Laurente (Tammy), and David Laurente (Shannon); and first wife, Sunny Eckhart.

Donald A. Brown ’67 Donald Alexander Brown ’67 of Coppell, Texas, died April 9, 2021. He was 76.

He matriculated from Lynchburg, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Mason Brown; daughter, Kate Brown Warrington; grandson, Trevor Allen Warrington; and siblings, Peyton Garland Jonas and Beverly Deane O’Donnell (Michael).

He was preceded in death by his brother, Roderick Spencer Brown.

Stephen C. Sboray III ’67 Stephen Charles Sboray III ’67 of Vinton, Virginia, died March 15, 2021. He was 75.

He matriculated from Vinton, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from Radford University.

He is survived by his wife, Sally; son, Stephen C. Sboray IV; daughter, Karen S. Langley; son-in-law, Jimmy Langley; grandsons, Jacob and Ethan Langley; father, Stephen C. Sboray Jr.; brother, Robert Sboray (Linda); and sister, Carol Sue Wertz.

James R. Fleming ’68 James Robert “Jim” Fleming ’68 of New Braunfels, Texas, died March 22, 2021. He was 74.

He matriculated from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He attended the University of Virginia and the University of Cincinnati.

He is survived by his wife, Patty Ormond, and children.

John T. Bailey ’70 John Thomas Bailey ’70 of Manassas, Virginia, died April 23, 2021. He was 72.

He matriculated from Woodbridge, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, June; sons, Wes, John, and Patrick; daughters-in-law, Stephanie, Kristin, and Meghan; and grandsons, Jackson and William.

Warren H. Grasty ’70 Warren Harris Grasty ’70 of Herndon, Virginia, died Feb. 22, 2021. He was 72.

He matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Engineering Administration degree from the University of Virginia. At the time of his death, he was serving as the class agent for the Class of 1970. According to alumni records, he served in this position from 2010-21.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Miller Grasty; son, Jeffrey Grasty (Ruth); grandsons, Oliver and Jack; sister, Celia Lata (Terrance); and brother, Stephen Grasty (Sharon).

James W. Pendleton ’71 James Wesley Pendleton ’71 of Roanoke, Virginia, died March 5, 2021. He was 72.

He matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and spent three years at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Fisher “Debbie” Pendleton; sons, Andrew Pendleton

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Taps (Jennifer), Thomas Pendleton (Laura), and Jonathan Pendleton (Katie); grandchildren, Thomas, Joseph, Kathryn, Tyler, Tayden, Louis, Natalie, and Nora; sister, Marion Meador (Wayne); and brother, Arthur Pendleton.

F. Michael Mullen III ’72 Francis Michael Mullen III ’72 of Manassas, Virginia, died Dec. 17, 2020. He was 70.

He matriculated from Springfield, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Michelle; children, Joshua, Sean, Matthew, and Samantha; and grandchildren, Ethan, Logan, Penelope, and Beatrix.

David R. Hickey ’74 David Randall Hickey ’74 of Staunton, Virginia, died Feb. 12, 2021. He was 68.

He matriculated from Glen Burnie, Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from James Madison University.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Riley Hickey; son, Matthew (Stacie); grandsons, Scott and Garrett; sister, Beverly Gail Dudek (Bruce); and brother, Neil.

He was preceded in death by his son, William Scott ’99.

Preston M. Williams ’74 Preston Mackey Williams ’74 of Timber Ridge, Virginia, died March 13, 2021. He was 68.

He matriculated from Lexington, Virginia, and spent two years at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Blair Martin Williams; children, Macon Blair Williams Worsley (Mark) and Maury Lyle Williams (Georgia Doyle); grandchildren, Susannah Blair Worsley, Lennox Kay Doyle, and Levi Mackey Williams; siblings, Twy Williams, Jack Williams, Suzanne Crawford, Dan Williams, and Annabel Johnson.

John S. Clarke ’75 John Samuel Clarke ’75 of Locust Grove, Virginia, died April 21, 2021. He was 69.

He matriculated from Alexandria, Virginia, and spent almost two months at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Helen D. Howard; daughter, Margo C. Bragg; and grandson, Braxton W. Bragg.

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John H. Crenshaw Jr. ’75

Thomas E. Johnston ’80

John Henry Crenshaw Jr. ’75 of Cincinnati, Ohio, died April 11, 2021. He was 66.

He matriculated from Newport News, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from VMI. He is survived by his sons, John H. Crenshaw III (Summer) and Thomas Jackson Crenshaw (Jess); daughter, Grace Mary Crenshaw; grandsons, Colt and Lyle Crenshaw; granddaughters, Bryleigh and Loretta; mother, Dena Crenshaw Woodward; and sister, Deborah Mixon (Bill).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Milbern Crenshaw.

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Thomas Edward Johnston ’80 of Suffolk, Virginia, died May 1, 2021. He was 63.

He matriculated from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Defense Language Institute and a Master of Science degree from the National Defense University.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy; son, Tom; and siblings, Susan, Bill, Jim, and Beth.

R. Clayton DePuey Jr. 75 Richard Clayton DePuey Jr. ’75 of Darlington, Maryland, died March 2, 2021. He was 67.

He matriculated from Arlington, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Aleece DePuey; children and step-children, Savannah, Ramzi, James Gunnar Ali, and Chelsey DePuey and Lacy Edwards; granddaughter, Chloe Mountain; and brother, Thane DePuey (Leanne).

James S. Bowers ’76 James Stuart Bowers ’76 of Newport News, Virginia, died Feb. 15, 2021. He was 67.

He matriculated from Newport News and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Neta Tribble Bowers; sisters, Susan Bowers Simpson and Toni Bowers Kolar; and sister-in-law, Susan Tribble Earley (Lin).

He was preceded in death by his sister, Laura Bowers Faris.

Robby L. Hammond ’76 Robby Lee Hammond ’76 of Suffolk, Virginia, died July 6, 2020. He was 65.

He matriculated from Portsmouth, Virginia, and spent almost two years at VMI.

T. Denton Horan ’80 Thomas Denton Horan ’80 of Pacifica, California, died Dec. 1, 2020. He was 60.

He matriculated from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University.

Michael D. Callahan ’81 Michael Dwaine Callahan ’81 of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, died Feb. 19, 2021. He was 61.

He matriculated from Martinsburg, West Virginia, and spent more than one year at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Lisa; sons, Carter (Alyssa), Hunter, and Earl “Bee;” and sister, Betty “Jean” Fulk (David).

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Anne.

Peter W. Gagliardi ’97 Peter William Gagliardi ’97 of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, died in March 2021. He was 46.

He matriculated from Vienna, Virginia, and spent more than three years at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Denise; brother, Anthony ’00; and other family members.

John Whittier C. Ikner ’05 John Whittier C. Ikner ’05 of Glendale, Arizona, died Oct. 28, 2020. He was 40.

He matriculated from Lewisburg, West Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his daughter, Emily.

Brandon M. Diamond ’15 Brandon Michael Diamond ’15 of Chester, Virginia, died March 17, 2021. He was 27.

He matriculated from Chester, Virginia, and spent more than three years at VMI. He is survived by his daughter, Bailey; parents, Deborah and Charles Honn and Richard and Ginger Diamond; siblings, Ashley Berganza, Amber Diamond, Abigail Honn, Allison Honn, and Brody Honn; and step-siblings, Nathan, Guy, Kristin, and Seth Eubanks.

Jordan T. Monthie ’15 Jordan Tyler Monthie ’15 of Lexington, Kentucky, died April 22, 2021. He was 27.

VMI Alumni Review

Taps He matriculated from Lexington and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies from VMI. He is survived by his siblings, Erika Bledsoe (Matt) and Justin Monthie (Amber), and grandfather, Al Leonard.

VMI Family Lydia P. Blackburn Lydia P. Blackburn of Lexington, Virginia, died March 26, 2021. She was 99.

She retired after 30 years as a bookkeeper for VMI. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Dickens; son, Timothy Blackburn (Debbi); grandchildren, Angela, Tim, Dave, Andrew, Jonathan, and Kerri; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Blackburn, and son-in-law, Robert Dickens.

Thomas F. Farrell II Thomas Francis Farrell II of Richmond, Virginia, died April 2, 2021. He was 66.

He was a friend of the Institute in many ways, including producing the film, The Field of Lost Shoes; speaking at VMI’s 2015 graduation ceremony; and supporting the Peay Endowment.

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He is survived by his wife, Anne Garland Tullidge Farrell; sons, Peter Farrell and Stuart Farrell; and grandchildren.

He is survived by his sons, Raymond Rudio and Pierre Rudio, and daughter, Marie Rudio.

Mike Ellis Monsour (Hon.)

Capt. Blair P. Turner, Ph.D., of Lexington, Virginia, died April 26, 2021.

He taught in VMI’s history department for 38 years. He both coached and advised the rugby club. He was awarded two Fulbright grants, one as a student and one as a professor, and won teaching awards in 1989 and 2013. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Florida.

(Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Turner appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

Col. Mike Ellis Monsour (Hon.), Ph.D., of Salem, South Carolina, died March 8, 2021.

He was 77.

He earned a degree from Bellhaven College, a master’s degree in romance languages from the University of Mississippi, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Georgia.

He taught at VMI for more than three decades.

(Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Monsour appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

Julius C. Pearson Jr. Julius C. Pearson Jr. of Orangeburg, South Carolina, died Feb. 13, 2021. He was 89.

He previously taught at VMI. He is survived by his children, Clint Dale Stevens, Elizabeth Lynn Robeson, Julianne Lowery Leary, and Lee Douglas Pearson; grandchildren, Patrick Leary, Anna Leary, Rebecca Carson (Trae), Moss Robeson, and Remy Teal Robeson; and great-grandchild, Blaise Leary.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ann Lowery, and sister, Myrl Bordes Carroll.

Richard J. Rudio Richard J. Rudio of Jefferson, Georgia, died Feb. 16, 2021. He was 86.

He previously taught at VMI.

Blair P. Turner

Anne C. Woodfin Anne C. Woodfin of Richmond, Virginia, died Feb. 11, 2021. She was 82.

She served on the VMI Board of Visitors from 1994-2004.

She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Woodfin Villani (Anthony); son, John Howlett “Jack” Woodfin Jr. ’91 (Charlotte); grandchildren, Anthony John Villani ’15, Wright Woodfin Villani, Virginia Curran Villani ’19, Anna Charlotte Woodfin, Eliza Wilcox Woodfin, John Howlett Woodfin III, and Margaret Louise Harris Woodfin; and sister, Claudia Jane Cunningham.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Howlett Woodfin Sr. ’61, who died Dec. 15, 2010.

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After Taps James M. Morgan Jr. ’45

By William R. “Bill” Davidson ’55 I, like everyone who knew him, was saddened to hear of his death.

Gen. Morgan was my faculty advisor during my first stint at VMI. As you know, I left VMI after three-and-a-half years. I returned to VMI, and Gen. Morgan was most helpful during my transition. He was working on his Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Part of the study required a certain amount of laboratory work, and he allowed me to perform a lot of the tasks. Every six weeks, he

was required to go to Johns Hopkins and give a report on the status of his work. He asked if I would be willing to go with him to help with the driving of his car up and back to Baltimore. I told him I would gladly do so. He would hold to the rule that we only drive one hour and would exchange such on the number. Gen. Morgan was most helpful in helping me through the one-and-a-half years after I returned.

James R. “Jim” Fleming ’68

By Wayne Bush Though not an alumnus, I am the brother of the late Mike Mahoney ’68 and just want to relay how I came to know that Jim embodied the VMI spirit of brotherhood. When Mike died in December 2005 in rural Indiana, I met Jim, who happened to live over an hour away in Cincinnati. Their friendship had waxed and waned over the years, but when Jim learned of Mike’s passing, he came to my aid in a big way.

Living across the country and only able to visit my brother every few years, I knew nothing about how to take care of his house, his horses, his sailboat, etc. Jim knew what Indiana weather could do and helped me keep the house from broken pipes and knew how to take care of the horses in bitter cold. When I told him Mike’s boat was in its slip, Jim let me know it had to come out, and right away. I had no idea it had a water ballast that would freeze and destroy the boat unless it was taken out and drained. Jim did more than advise me; he helped me get the boat home—or rather, I helped him. Already suffering then from severe back pain, Jim exacerbated his condition getting that mast down, securing the boat, getting it on the trailer, and driving it home.

As if that all wasn’t enough, Jim helped me go through Mike’s things, remembering what he could of myriad possessions, helping me find homes for the horses and cats, finding a moving company, etc. He even cared for the house when I had to go back to California, stopping by every week or two until it was sold six months later.

Even more valuable was his emotional support for me while I was attempting to organize Mike’s affairs while deeply grieving, fending off a baseless estate claim, contacting friends and family, and dealing with Mike’s employer and creditors. He advised me, made sure to keep me stable, and spent more time listening to me and the Mahoney stories than I’m sure he ever expected.

He was quite simply always there for me, which meant he was there for his fellow BR in absentia.

Over the years, our friendship continued, and we kept in touch. I always tried to let Jim know how much I valued his efforts and how Mike would have, as well. I will forever be in his debt and miss his wisdom and humor.

David Randall Hickey ’74

By Charles K. Banning ’74 David Randall Hickey ’74 passed away suddenly, Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at his home in Staunton, Virginia. He was 68 years old. Dave matriculated from Glen Burnie, Maryland, where he grew up. Dave was a dean’s list student in economics, the business manager for the VMI Commanders, marched with the regimental band, and worked on the cadet battery.

When Dave was accepted into the Corps of Cadets, he had a personal challenge: Every August, hundreds of “wannabes” get a little taste of the harsh life of a rat, then depart for more pleasant college experiences

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elsewhere. Dave, though strong as an ox, was big-boned—not the ideal physique for doing hundreds of pushups, situps, pullups, and group runs, but he was no quitter. He survived and even flourished.

One early challenge that every rat must overcome is Hospital Hill.

After lugging a 9.6-pound M-1 Garand around the Maury River lowlands for a while, we start up the hill. The road spirals as it ascends, hiding its top from view just when we’re sucking air and praying that our legs will keep moving—a great time to quit, but thanks to the helping hands of brother rats, we always finished together. Hospital

VMI Alumni Review

After Taps Hill took on an added poignancy in 1999 at our 25th Reunion: As the Class of 1974 passed in review, one of our brother rats, who had been crippled in a fall, passed the reviewing stand, carried in the arms of Brother Rat Dave Hickey! That’s the spirit of VMI. Initially, Dave studied history and was pursuing an Army commission. A “mid-course correction” changed his academic goal to economics, a better fit for his future in business and for settling down after VMI and starting his family.

Early in his rat year, Dave met his future wife, Linda Riley, at a James Madison University mixer. They dated exclusively throughout his cadetship and married right after graduation in June 1974. His roommates enjoyed visiting the Riley manse—always a lot of love and delicious farm-fresh victuals to seal the deal!

In his 3rd Class year, Dave joined the VMI Commanders on sax and clarinet. It wasn’t long before he’d risen to take on the additional roles of booking agent, publicist, road manager, and treasurer.

Under Dave’s guidance, the VMI Commanders became a much sought-after band, crisscrossing the commonwealth to deliver that big band sound—both mellow and hot.

Highlights from those days include concerts in Memorial Hall and at Mary Washington (where they got standing ovations and a 5-star review by Levin Houston in the Free Lance-Star). The VMI Commanders also played the Class of ’74 Ring Figure and numerous other bus trips, including to Franklin, Virginia, for Sol Rawls ’40; Radford University; Hollins University; Virginia Intermont College; Sullins College; Randolph-Macon College; Fishburne Military School; Fork Union Military Academy; and many, many faculty and staff parties at Moody Hall and the Lexington Country

2021-Issue 3

Club. Dave kept that band busy! In fact, the VMI Commanders on Dave’s watch were successful enough to donate a brand-new Fender-Rhodes electric piano to the Institute.

When Dave graduated from VMI, he went to work in the rightof-way department of the Virginia State Highway Commission (now the Virginia Department of Transportation). In 1978, Dave and two partners created Blue Ridge Appraisal Co. LLC. As the company grew, various family members came on board. Eventually, Dave split off and developed Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal Co. LLC. For more than 20 years, BRMA did appraisals for governmental entities across the Old Dominion. Dave eventually purchased PTA DelVal, a company conducting appraisal work in Delaware. Next, he formed Stonewall Technologies, LLC, which created the software used by over 40 localities across Virginia as their onsite software to manage tax reassessments. The software for the Virginia Mass Appraisal Network, better known as VAMANET, was developed through Dave’s Stonewall Technologies. With all that in-house data, VAMANET gives the public, including banks and Realtors, who love a “one-stop” info location, a great resource.

Outside of his business interests, Dave was a licensed pilot, an avid reader, and a history buff. Dave was active in his community; he supported his sons’ sports and 4-H participation. Dave was preceded in death by his oldest son, William Scott Hickey ’99.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Riley Hickey; son, Mathew Hickey; daughter-in-law, Stacie; and two grandsons, Scott and Garrett Hickey. Dave was a proud son of VMI and a brother to the Class of 1974. Dave’s family asks those who wish to honor his memory to donate to the VMI Foundation.

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Alumni News The Hampton Roads Community In October 2020, the Bath County free agent and professional draft selections and Foundation awarded the 2020 Barron four Major League Baseball players. Eleven of School Board in Bath County, F. Black Community Builder Award to Gines’ former assistant coaches and players Virginia, officially named the Bath Cyrus A. Dolph IV ’70. The award is have gone on to be head coaches of NCAA County Public High School augiven annually to recognize longtime Division I baseball programs. ditorium after the late Percy C. service and dedication to philanthropy “Buzz” Nowlin ’59. Nowlin, who After leaving the VMI head baseball coach in Hampton Roads. Dolph is a partner position in 2000, Gines spent the next 21 years passed away April 24, 2020, served in Clarke, Dolph, Hull, & Brunick, in collegiate athletic leadership. Through posias Bath County Public Schools PLC. For over 40 years, he has helped tions at four separate institutions, he has been superintendent from 1975-93, the clients start nonprofits and create charilongest-tenured superintendent in recognized for his work in financial planning table legacies. He has lent his expertise and strategic gender equity. He launched Virginia history. In February 2021, Dolph ’70 by serving on the Professional Advisors successful campaigns and advanced giving the county installed a plaque outside Committee for the Hampton Roads Commu- initiatives while completing multimillionthe auditorium bearing Nowlin’s name. In addition to ensuring the local community benefited nity Foundation. dollar facility construction and upgrades. He Along with the award recognition, Dolph was from the school’s vocational trade courses, retired debt service, developed and elevated Nowlin was instrumental in promoting Bath allowed to direct a $5,000 grant to a charity of revenue sources, and developed sustainable his choice. With the COVID-19 pandemic in multimillion-dollar budgets.

County through his work with the chamber of commerce during his tenure. He also served two mind, he chose ForKids, a nonprofit organizaHe was a civic leader in college towns and tion that serves families and children facing led NCAA institutions in community engageterms on the Bath County Board of Supervisors. homelessness.

Nowlin matriculated from Petersburg, Virment. The institutions where Gines worked Dolph matriculated from North Post Office, had national Top 10 average football game ginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Edu- Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree attendance and hosted NCAA postseason in English from VMI. He earned a Juris Doctor competitions. During his NCAA career, cation degree from the University of Virginia. degree from T.C. Williams School of Law at the competitive successes included 31 postseason The Federal Aviation Administration named University of Richmond and a Master of Laws appearances, 10 national Top 10 end-of-year retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Paul A. Wagner degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law finishes, 25 individual national champions, two team sport national runners-up, and two ’66 an FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot. This at the College of William and Mary. national champions. During five years in the is the highest honor and most prestigious award After more than 30 years in colNAIA, his programs had many sucissued by the FAA to U.S. pilots certified under cesses, including 38 All-Americans, Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations part lege athletics, D. Scott Gines ’83 64 Academic All-Americans, as well 61. Named after the Wright brothers, the United announced his retirement in spring 2021. He began his career as an assisas three Elite 8 and two Final Four States’ first pilots, the award recognizes individutant baseball coach at the University appearances. als who have shown skill, aviation expertise, of Virginia and then moved to head For improving retention at Delaware and professionalism for at least 50 years while coach positions at Radford University State and his leadership concerning piloting aircraft as Master Pilots. department-wide academic perforWagner flew 35 different aircraft during his and VMI. In 2000, he transitioned to athletic mance, Gines was named one of distinctive career, flying both military and department leadership. He was the civilian aircraft. He flew accident-free for over Gines ’83 Delaware’s most influential people in early 2021 by Wilmington’s The News 50 years. Wagner’s experience includes varied director of athletics and sports manaircraft, from the antique 1946 Ercoupe to the agement at Dakota Wesleyan University in Journal. He is one of few NCAA administrative leaders to launch or lead five different NCAA supersonic Northrop T-38 Talon in the U.S. Air Mitchell, South Dakota, from 2000-05; the emerging women’s sports programs at multiple Force. In Southeast Asia, he logged more than director of athletics at Fairmont State University 1,000 combat hours. He flew combat resupplies in Fairmont, West Virginia, from 2005-07; the institutions.

He and his wife, Ginger, have adult children in C-123 aircraft, landing on 2,000-foot-long director of athletics, the vice president-institutional advancement, the interim director of ath- and two granddaughters. Gines matriculated jungle airfields in Vietnam. Over Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, he flew the letics, and the vice president for intercollegiate from Spring Harbor, Michigan. He was a disathletics and campus recreation at Texas A&M tinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor Boeing 707 KC-135 to perform in-flight refuelUniversity-Kingsville in Kingsville, Texas, of Arts degree in English. He earned a Master ing of bomber and fighter aircraft. from 2007-18; and the director of athletics at of Education degree from the University of Wagner and his wife of 54 years, Lynn, currently reside at Hazel Green Airport in Toney, Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware, Virginia and a Doctor of Education (leadership) from 2018-21. degree from the University of St. Thomas.

Alabama. He matriculated from Russellville, At Radford, he was one of the country’s Arkansas, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master youngest NCAA Division I head baseball On Feb. 11, 2021, Norfolk Southern ancoaches. After his time at both Radford and nounced Hunsdon “Hunt” Cary IV ’93, a of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri and a Master of Arts degree from VMI, he was each institution’s all-time baseball 28-year railroad veteran, was elected as vice wins leader. His coaching career included 31 president of operations efficiency by the board Ball State University.

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VMI Alumni Review

Alumni News Bryan matriculated from Lexington, Virpromoted to senior principal at GHT of directors. He came to Norfolk Consulting Engineers. The company ginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree Southern from Union Pacific Corporain civil engineering from VMI. is in Arlington, Virginia, and provides tion and has extensive leadership expemechanical, electrical, and plumbing rience and knowledge in supply-chain U.S. Army Capt. Sungkuyn “Eddie” Chang engineering solutions for the built enlogistics, the use of technology to drive vironment by integrating cutting-edge ’13 was selected as an Olmsted Scholar for the efficiencies, network operations, and technologies with proven techniques Class of 2022 in March 2021. Sponsored by precision scheduled railroading. Most and sustainable design practices. the Olmsted Foundation, which supports crossrecently, he served as vice president cultural learning opportunities for commissionSegreti, an electrical engineer, has of intermodal operations for Union over 20 years of experience. He pro- ing cadets and junior officers in all branches of Pacific.

The move brings Cary back to where Segreti ’00 vides project management support the military, the Olmsted Scholar program is a two-and-a-half to three-year educational experiand engineering design for many he began working on the railroad; he ence that includes full-time graduate study at a projects in the Building Systems Studio. He started his career with Norfolk Southern in 1993 foreign university in the non-English language has extensive experience with diverse types of as a trainee. He’s worked as a rail terminal superintendent for Norfolk Southern in Knoxville, complex projects and is an expert in genera- of that country. Candidates are selected for their Tennessee; superintendent of the Michigan tor systems, electrical distribution, electrical propensity and aptitude for leadership.

A native of South Korea who obtained his U.S. and fire alarm codes, and fire alarm systems.

Zone and assistant vice president of supply Segreti is a professional engineer licensed in citizenship while at VMI, Chang was ranked No. chain solutions for Canadian National Railway; 3 on the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s national Virginia; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and and for Union Pacific. order of merit list at the end of his cadetship. He Cary matriculated from Lynchburg, Virginia, North Carolina. He is also a LEED accredited now serves as an infantry officer and will study and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history professional. in Louvain, Belgium, as an Olmsted Scholar.

Segreti matriculated from Walkersville, from VMI. Chang is the fifth VMI alumnus, and the Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Science second in the last five years, to be selected as degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He In January 2021, Kaufman & Canoles anearned a Master of Business Administration an Olmsted Scholar since the program began in nounced that Dustin H. DeVore ’94 was named as a Virginia Go To Lawyer in business law by degree from George Mason University.

1960. Past Olmsted Scholars are William Short Virginia Lawyers Weekly. He was one of 18 ’77, Nathan Pierpont ’98, William Blanton ’03, Froehling & Robertson announced individuals named in Virginia, and the firm was and Patrick Schrafft ’08. the only one with two lawyers listed. Virginia the promotion of Paul T. Bryan ’05 Well-known Olmsted Scholar to vice president of marketing and Lawyers Weekly describes a go to lawyer as alumni include the late Adm. Caran expert in his or her field and well-versed in business development. In his new role, lisle Trost, who served as chief of Bryan will coordinate internal team efvarious nuances, experienced with a record of Naval Operations, Joint Chiefs of success, a creative thinker, and other attributes. forts in developing the best solutions for Staff, during the 1990s; Marine F&R clients. He began his career with DeVore is a member of Kaufman & Canoles’ Corps Col. Robert “Bob” McFarWilliamsburg office. There, he has a real estate F&R in 2003, as a summer intern. In lane, national security adviser to 2005, Bryan began working full-time and commercial practice and represents indiPresident Ronald Reagan; Air Force viduals, businesses, and real estate developers. for F&R as a staff engineer in the Gen. George Lee Butler, the last He is chair of the firm’s lender representation Roanoke, Virginia, branch. In 2008, he Bryan ’05 commander of the U.S. Strategic was promoted to business development practice group and the credit union team.

Air Command; and Army Gen. manager. This was initially for the Roanoke John Abizaid, former commander, U.S. Central DeVore matriculated from Erdenheim, Pennoffice, but later, the Crozet market was also sylvania. He was a distinguished graduate of Command, and former U.S. ambassador to VMI and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in added to Bryan’s responsibilities. Later, he was Saudi Arabia. promoted to corporate director of business history. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Chang matriculated from Port Washington, development. the College of William and Mary.

New York. He was a distinguished graduate of F&R was established in 1881 and is an inde- VMI and earned a Bachelor of Science degree In February 2021, Shawn T. Segreti ’00 was pendent engineering and testing firm. in computer science.

... Book Announcements ...

375th Personnel Recovery Detachment, Balkans: A Novel of Wartime by William Crisp ’63. Dorrance Publishing Company, 2020.

ISBN: 978-1-6491-3478-3 and 978-1-6491-38262. Available through the publisher, Amazon, or Google Books.

2021-Issue 3

Book Announcements

... Book Announcements ... Book

An American aircrew bailed out of stricken aircraft over Yugoslavia and was rescued by guerilla remnants of the Royal Yugoslav Army, the so-called “Chetniks,” located inside Serbia.

John Gorham Westfall, an American second lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division, is

recuperating from wounds received in the fighting at Salerno, Italy. He is dispatched to Bari, Italy, in preparation for a mission inside Serbia.

Given the cover unit identity “375th Personnel Recovery Detachment, Balkans,” his orders are to parachute by night onto a landing zone

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Alumni News controlled by the Chetniks and bring in C-47 Dakota aircraft to extract the stranded aircrew.

High winds and German anti-aircraft fire force Westfall’s Dakota off course, and he parachutes onto the wrong group of Yugoslavs: The communistled “Partisans.” Hungry, confused, and his radio operator killed in the jump, Westfall stumbles along with Partisans under constant German assault. Under orders to avoid taking sides, he finds himself thrown into the midst of a Yugoslav civil war: Partisans versus Chetniks—and both versus the Croatian fascist “Ustashe.”

Increasingly entangled in the issue of ethics, violence, and treachery, Westfall must decide whether to fly out with the rescued American airmen, his mission accomplished, or remain behind and attempt to bring out wounded Yugoslav Partisans.

About the author: Crisp served as a lieutenant, rifle platoon leader, in the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division (Airmobile) during the Vietnam War. Subsequently, as a U.S. foreign service officer, he was posted to Zagreb, Croatia, in what was then Yugoslavia. He then worked for the next 25 years as an Eastern European business specialist for the Economist Intelligence Unit based in Vienna. He has published five “thriller” novels, along with three nonfiction books, including two cookbooks and Air Assault:Sharing Military Experience. Crisp matriculated from Staunton, Virginia. He was a distinguished graduate of VMI and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University. Along with his wife and his daughter, he apportions his time between homes in Staunton and McDowell, Virginia.

The Best is Yet to Come: The Memoir of a Peaceful Warrior by Rick Kiernan ’66. KAI Press, 2021. ISBN: 9781733066693. Available via Amazon.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Rick Kiernan has 41 years of experience in the U.S. Army and the private sector. He witnessed U.S. history firsthand, from the Cold War to Vietnam and from the Gulf War to the War on Terror.

His experience involves sharing sacrifices with a band of brothers. In the

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book, his memoir, he writes about his adventures while in military service.

During his service, he lived in 10 states and six countries. He includes lessons learned over the years, including passing the torch to others who can serve the U.S. About the Author: Kiernan is retired from the U.S. Army. In the Army, he was an infantry officer, paratrooper, and public affairs officer. He served in Vietnam and the First Gulf War. He was also assigned to Germany, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pentagon. At the Pentagon, he was chief spokesman during Operation Desert Storm. In 1991, he led the last U.S. delegation to the former Soviet Union to assist the Kremlin media relations. In the area of public affairs, he hosted a public television show, was managing editor of three weekly newspapers, and was editor of the Infantry magazine. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he spent 15 years as senior vice president of MPRI and assisted emerging democracies with initiatives toward democracy. Kiernan matriculated from Valley Stream, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina.

Kim Jong-un’s Strategy for Survival: A Method to Madness by David W. Shin ’86, Ph.D. Lexington Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781793608208, 9781793608215. Available via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Rowman & Littlefield.

The book offers an alternative framework to explain Kim Jong-un’s behavior. It examines Kim’s background and development as the successor to Kim Jong-il, explores the evolution of the totalitarian system he inherited from his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and appraises his understanding of the security environment after his father’s death in 2011. The book uses four cases from Kim’s first nuclear gambit in 2013 to the charm offensive beginning in 2018 to show Kim exercising a range of effective executive strategies. The book applies former President Richard Nixon’s “madman theory” to set the theoretical basis for Kim Jong-un’s engagement with former President

Donald Trump, including the nuclear confrontation in 2017. The findings reveal that Kim called Trump’s bluff and later coopted Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Moon Jae-in to legitimize his rule and severely weaken the United States’ maximum pressure campaign.

From this position of strength, Kim could wait until the U.S. accepted an “action for action” deal for denuclearization. This means complete denuclearization of North Korea is unrealistic, and the U.S. must accept a more pragmatic approach. Kim’s consolidation of power at home and the leveraging of Beijing, Moscow, Seoul, and Washington, and others abroad show that Kim Jong-un is not a madman and, like the two earlier Kims, has consistently been underestimated. All statements of fact, analysis, or opinion are the author’s and do not reflect the official policy or position of the National Intelligence University, the Department of Defense or any of its components, or the U.S. government.

About the author: Shin matriculated from Springfield, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He served in the U.S. Army as a military intelligence and northeast Asia foreign area officer for over 25 years in various staff and leadership positions with the Intelligence and Security Command, 3rd Special Forces Group (A), Defense Intelligence Agency, United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission, Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, U.S. Army Pacific, and the Joint Staff. His experience dealing with officers in the Korean People’s Army at Panmunjom and North Korean diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the SixParty Talks in Beijing sparked his interest in writing this book. He also earned a Master of Science degree in strategic intelligence from the Defense Intelligence College, a Master of Arts degree in international studies the University of Washington, a Master of Science degree in national resource strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Defence and Security Studies from Cranfield University, the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Shin retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel and serves as an associate professor and deputy department chair, regional intelligence issues department, at the National Intelligence University in Bethesda, Maryland.

VMI Alumni Review

2021 Football Schedule

*Denotes Home Game

Sept. 4

Davidson*

Sept. 11 Kent State

Sept. 18

Oct. 2

Nov. 6

The Citadel

ETSU

Oct. 9

Nov. 13

Chattanooga*

Oct. 16

Cornell

Mercer

Sept. 25

Furman

Nov. 20 Western Carolina*

Oct. 30

Wofford*

Samford*

Alumni & On Post Events*

*Dates Subject to Change

Aug. 21

Matriculation

Nov. 11

Founders Day

Aug. 31

Nov. 19

Classes Begin

Sept. 2-4

Fall Reunion Weekend

Ring Figure

Nov. 20-28

Thanksgiving Furlough

Sept. 24-25

Dec. 14

Fall Reunion Weekend

Classes End

Oct. 4-5

Dec. 16-21

Fall Reunion Weekend

Oct. 8-10

Parents Weekend

Oct. 22-24 Fall FTX

Oct. 29-30

Fall Reunion Weekend

Exams

Dec. 20

December Commissioning

Dec. 21

December Commencement

Dec. 21

Christmas Furlough Begins

To see alumni events as they are announced, visit www.vmialumni.org/events To check dates for VMI events, visit vmi.edu