2025-3 VMI Alumni Review

2025 - Issue 3

For questions about additional funds, feel free to call our development team at 800.444.1839 The class with the most donors will have their class year on Moe’s jersey during home football and basketball games in the 2026–27 seasons! MAKE YOUR GIFT EARLY at vmialumni.org/givingdaygift/ If sending a check, please note “Day of Giving” Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

There are many ways to support the leadership-focused education a VMI cadetship provides. You can direct your support to one of the many areas across post that means the most to you! Not sure what to give to? Here are a few commonly supported areas:

Foundation Fund, Keydet Club Scholarship Fund, Call to Duty Scholarships, Academic Department Funds, NCAA Athletics, Club Sports, Cadet Life, Chaplain’s Discretionary Fund, and many more!

In This Issue . . .

This issue includes class notes and news items covering the time period of Feb. 15, 2025, to May 17, 2025.

In Memory

PUBLISHER

VMI Alumni Agencies

Chief Executive Officer: David Prasnicki

Chief Communications Officer: Amy Goetz

Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Czekner

Assistant Editor: Mattie Montgomery

Communications Officer: Scott Belliveau ’83

Designer: Joe Czekner

Development Writer: Mary Price

Staff Photographers: Joe Czekner and Mary Price

Freelance Photographers: H. Lockwood McLaughlin

ALUMNI REVIEW ONLINE vmialumni.org/alumnireview

PUBLISHING OFFICE

VMI Alumni Agencies

Alumni Review Office

VMI Moody Hall, P.O. Box 932 Lexington, VA 24450 review@vmiaa.org | 540/464-7221

PRINTER

Walsworth | St. Joseph, Michigan

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. Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, VA, and additional mailing offices.

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The

WEBSITE ADDRESSES

Out of consideration for the privacy of VMI alumni and friends, please refrain from using contact information found in Alumni Agencies publications or on the website for solicitation purposes.

Editor’s Note: Unless otherwise stated, photos courtesy VMI

Outside

A Message From David L. Prasnicki

VMI Alumni Agencies Chief Executive Officer

As I enter my 41st year supporting the VMI Alumni Agencies and the Institute, I am struck by the steadfastness of the VMI system. Throughout the past four decades, I have seen many major and minor changes, updates, and enhancements to the foundational system. I have worked with the leadership of eight, soon to be nine, superintendents and acting superintendents and more than 60 Foundation, Alumni Association, and Keydet Club presidents—all committed to leave VMI in a stronger position than they found it. In their own ways, each of them put thoughtful care into their strategies to maintain the high standards of the Corps of Cadets and, eventually, all VMI alumni.

Of course, change is not always an easy road; there have been turmoil, passionate objections, and a number of disagreements, but as I look back, the VMI family has always come together and rallied to the Institute’s cause. As I take account of VMI’s consistently superb service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, our communities, and our nation, it is apparent that this passionate support has served VMI well.

The VMI Alumni Agencies, Alumni Association, Foundation, and Keydet Club each have their separate missions to support VMI, but combined, they hold to clear and common objectives: To support VMI alumni and the Corps of Cadets and advance the mission of VMI. All of us take pride in our work and how we develop and execute multifaceted, innovative strategies to engage with all alumni, family, and friends, as well as key stakeholders in the VMI mission, such as the Virginia General Assembly.

Many of you also chose to continue or begin supporting the Institute and the Corps of Cadets by giving to critical programs and funding initiatives established to meet key priorities for VMI, such as the Call to Duty scholarships and athletics. Thanks to your philanthropy, VMI is well-positioned for another great year.

Every year brings with it opportunities for new successes. I have found that success is the sweetest when it is the result of working together respectfully and civilly toward our shared goals. As I sit at my desk—once used by Harry Warner ’57—I think of some of the VMI greats who mentored me: Frank Louthan ’41; Elmon Gray ’46; Bruce C. Gottwald Sr. ’54; Grover Outland Jr. ’49B; Bill Hallet ’47; and Smith Ferebee, Class of 1927. They counseled me many times to “take care of our alumni and donors,” and “think about an individual’s time, talent, and treasure. Every alumnus has something to give back to VMI.”

“As I take account of VMI’s consistently superb service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, our communities, and our nation, it is apparent that this passionate support has served VMI well.”

We recently bid farewell and expressed our thanks to Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Cedric T. Wins ’85, and we welcomed Brig. Gen. Dallas Clark ’99 as our acting superintendent.

In the coming months, we will welcome a new superintendent, under whose leadership the Agencies will, as we always have, enthusiastically accept our charge and move forward with determination.

At the end of June, we concluded another highly successful year of connecting with VMI alumni through robust activities, including chapter meetings, class reunions, affinity reunions, rat send-offs, and scholarship banquets. I am happy to report that many of them enjoyed record attendance.

Finally, what I love about this job is that, well, I still love it. I love coming to work and knowing that at the end of each day, something will have been accomplished in support of VMI. I love that working to advance the Institute inspires me to give it my all every day. I appreciate the sense of camaraderie and purpose shared by the officers, staff, and volunteer leaders of the VMI Alumni Agencies. And for all that—and the unwavering support of my colleagues and the rest of the VMI family I have enjoyed for 40 years—I am and always will be deeply grateful.

Swatts ’69 Honored as Veteran of the Day

Retired U.S. Army Capt. Roy D. “Dana” Swatts ’69 is honored with an American flag as Veteran of the Day at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in January 2025.

Connecting at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, for a planning conference in February 2025 are (from left) Texas Army National Guard Lt. Col. Stacy Rostorfer ’04, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chris Adams ’03, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Aaron Childers ’05.

Pridgen ’06 Serves as Squadron Commander

U.S.

Harpen ’16, Carroll ’22 Deploy Together

U.S.

Air Force Lt. Col. Chris Pridgen ’06 (front, center) serves as the 9th Osprey Squadron commander at Beale Air Force Base, California, in May 2025.

Army Capt. Dave Harpen ’16 (left) and 1st Lt. Dan Carroll ’22 pause for a photo while deployed to U.S. Central Command in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in December 2024.

In Memory: Col. Henry D. Schreiber

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

Col. Henry D. Schreiber, Ph.D., a longtime chemistry professor who spent his entire professional career at VMI and taught and mentored hundreds of cadets, died Feb. 15, 2025. He was 76.

After graduating from Lebanon Valley College, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison and received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry in 1976. He joined the Institute’s chemistry department in summer 1976 as an assistant professor, commencing a career that lasted 38 years.

Schreiber taught various courses at all levels, including rat chemistry to liberal arts majors. Whatever courses he taught, he saw them, as one obituary stated, as opportunities “to share his love of chemistry and research with many cadets.”

His departmental colleagues valued his insights and advice, especially when he served as department head for 5 years. Faculty members outside the chemistry department liked and respected him, as well.

Col. Wade Bell, Ph.D., former head of the biology department, said, “Henry was special because he generated so much goodwill. We shared more than a few stressful professional situations. Henry always remained calm, and people looked to him for answers. He was fair and truly a people person. ... I don’t think I ever met a person [who] didn’t think highly of him.”

research at VMI during the summers. Most days, I would put in my 8 hours in the lab during the day and then, with other cadets, head to his farm. We would arrive at his house and get our marching orders from Charlotte for jobs large and small, including painting his pole barns, building his riding ring, tarring the riding ring, cultivating his hydrangeas, and throwing hay bales. On top of our pay, Henry and Charlotte would prepare two to three huge main course dishes and a large dessert. We always took a long time to leave because it was hard to move after eating all that food! To top it off, on the way out, he would pop out ice cream for another round. Also, the company was good, and it was difficult to stop snuggling with a Scottie dog.”

Bell recalls, “Henry worked with a variety of students, and they always enjoyed his guidance.” Harrison pointed out his “clever and elegant way of communicating complex ideas and solving problems. For example, in the time before the ubiquity of Google, he showed us how to build a riding ring with perfect semicircular ends using a string and a stick. In the same way, he was talented at making extremely complex chemistry ideas attainable. These types of ‘Henry Things’ inspired me to always look for clever ways to solve complex problems, especially in graduate school.”

Stanton Smith, Ph.D., current chemistry department head, said of Schreiber, “Henry was such a great person and so humble; you would never know he was a world-class researcher, scientist, and scholar. I am grateful that he was the department head of chemistry when I came on board in 1999. He was an outstanding person to look up to and a wonderful role model.”

Bell’s description of Schreiber as “an excellent scientist with a broad range of interests” is borne out by the fact he published more than 130 research papers during his career within the fields of glass, ceramics, and horticultural chemistry. Such was his reputation as a teacher and researcher that he received the Virginia State Council on Higher Education’s Outstanding Faculty Award in 2002.

More than a generation of cadets remembers him as a research advisor and mentor, as well as a kind and generous man who opened his home to hundreds of cadets. Col. Dan Harrison ’05, Ph.D., who returned to VMI to teach in 2013 and is now a full professor of chemistry, recalls, “Henry Schreiber was more than the department head and an instructor in general chemistry and physical chemistry; he was a safe place at VMI.”

As an example, Harrison cites his frequent visits to Schreiber’s farm. “I did undergraduate

Harrison also credits Schreiber with setting him on the path to marriage. “On a particularly humid day, we had loaded his pole barn with several hundred bales of hay. I felt macho after having done that and consequently felt bold enough to go to a Washington and Lee summer party. It was at that party I met my wife. So, working for Henry was clearly life altering.”

Justin Wood ’00 also was a chemistry major Schreiber guided in research. His recollections are much like Harrison’s, combining his admiration for Schreiber as a teacher and his gratitude for him as someone who cared for cadets. “For many of us,” Wood recalled, “he was much more than a professor. Colonel Schreiber was a mentor and a friend. ... In addition to teaching me about chemistry, he taught me about life and what it meant to be a dedicated husband and loyal friend.”

Of course, Schreiber was primarily a teacher.

With such talents as a teacher, scientist, and mentor—and his unwavering commitment to cadets—it is hardly surprising that he received numerous awards during his nearly four decades at VMI. Besides the award from SCHEV, Schreiber received the Matthew Fontaine Maury Research Award and the Wilbur S. Hinman Research Award four times each. The Institute presented him with its Distinguished Teaching Award in 1994, and he held the Beverly M. Read ’41 Institute Professorship from 2003 until his retirement in 2014. Upon his retirement, the Institute recognized his many contributions by presenting him its Meritorious Service Medal.

While Schreiber is rightly remembered for his many achievements and his devotion to the welfare of cadets, colleagues and cadets alike remember most fondly his personal warmth. “Everything, and I mean everything,” remembered Harrison, “that Henry said was accompanied by an infectious smile and that bubbly laugh.”

Schreiber is survived by his second wife, Helen Irvine; three daughters; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, as well as a brother and a sister. A brother and Schreiber’s first wife, Charlotte W. Schreiber, predeceased him.

Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI’s 14th superintendent (left), with Col. Henry Schreiber, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, during a ceremony for retiring faculty held in Memorial Hall April 27, 2014.—VMI Photo by John Robertson IV.

In Memory: Robert C. Troxler ’63

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

A dedicated trustee of the VMI Foundation and a leader of a record-breaking class reunion campaign, Robert C. “Trox” Troxler ’63 died March 11, 2025. Although his history in the Bomb states that his hometown was Jacksonville, Florida, Troxler’s boyhood had a definite international flair. After World War II, his father, a career Army Corps of Engineers officer, served in Japan and Greece. He also oversaw the construction of U.S. bases in North Africa and the Middle East and was involved in a major reclamation project in Pakistan. This experience, his family stated, “gave [Bob] a global perspective that influenced his professional and personal life.”

Troxler was a cadet corporal and, in his 1st Class year, a cadet captain commanding Company A. His Bomb history stated, “Though a zebra of the highest order, Bob has never let his stripes stand between him and his brother rats.” He was involved with numerous publications, such as the Bomb and The Cadet, and many cadet organizations, including the Political Science Club, the Hop Committee, and the Canterbury Club. A double major in English and economics, Troxler was a Distinguished Military Graduate. His Bomb history presciently concluded, “Trox ... has led and probably will continue to lead a charmed life. He will always be remembered and respected by his brother rats as a sincere and capable individual who is certain to go far in whatever he attempts in life.”

decade with Citibank, Troxler was the managing director, portfolio counseling, for the Citgroup Private Bank based in Geneva, Switzerland. In this capacity, he headed a team that provided strategic and asset-allocation investment advice to international private banking clients.

After retiring from Citibank in June 2006, he remained in Geneva and founded GlobalView Investments S.A. Under his leadership, this firm provided advice on business management, business development, and wealth management for private and institutional clients in Europe and the Middle East.

Despite living and working far from Lexington, Troxler’s devotion to VMI never waned. Records of the VMI Alumni Agencies show he offered to

the late G. Gilmer Minor III ’63, Troxler coordinated the work of the committee members who took the messages of the campaign—that the class should help VMI in its critical mission and should beat the effort of the Class of 1962—to the class. In response to this appeal, 171 brother rats provided gifts and commitments totalling more than $20.1 million. This was a new record for 50th Reunion campaigns, and it stands to this day. While Troxler characteristically was reluctant to claim any credit, Walker and Minor praised him for his work. Walker said, “Bob Troxler led this effort from Geneva and anywhere he traveled on business, such as the Middle East. It was—and is—amazing that he was able to do this considering the demands of his job and just as amazing that he was able to come back for two committee meetings.”

Minor’s praise was no less effusive: “Bob’s leadership, passion, and example were inspirational to all of us in the class. He truly was the reason we all came together to honor our beloved Institute.”

From 2016–23, Troxler further aided VMI on the board of VMI Investment Holdings, LLC, which is responsible for overseeing a portfolio of investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Again, he made many invaluable contributions to the advancement of the Institute.

Troxler served in the Army for 5 years as an armor and intelligence officer. In 1968, he left the service in the grade of captain and enrolled in Harvard Business School. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the school in 1970.

He then joined Citibank, for which he would work for 36 years. Except for 3 years in the 1970s, Troxler worked and lived overseas, in such places as the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. From 1975–78, he led the bank’s group investor relations department and, in that position, was responsible for Citibank’s relationships with international institutional investors. From 1980–96, he led the team responsible for Citigroup Asset Management’s relationships with governments and other institutions outside of the United States. In his final

help with alumni activities in the early 1980s, for example. He joined the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees in 2007 and served as a trustee until 2015. He was a member of the board’s Finance Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee, as well as the Development Committee and Major Gifts Subcommittee. Applying his extensive experience in international finance to the work of the Foundation, he made many important contributions to their work and the board’s. Yet, what made him stand out was that he traveled from Switzerland to meet his commitments. Few, if any, were the board meetings at which he was not present and fully involved in the work at hand.

Troxler brought his knowledge and experience to bear on behalf of his brother rats—and the Institute—as one of the three co-chairmen of the Class of 1963’s 50th Reunion Campaign Committee. Working with Beau Walker ’63 and

“It was my good fortune to serve with Bob on the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees,” said T. Bryan Barton ’68, who was a trustee from 2008–20 and the Foundation’s president from 2017–19. “His business acumen and devotion to VMI were apparent in his work on important committees. While serving on the board of VMI Investment Holdings, LLC, he helped these investments’ value reach new records. As a co-chairman of his class’ 50th Reunion campaign, he tirelessly applied himself to ensuring a record-breaking gift. Moreover, he was a great friend and colleague who worked across generations of alumni and friends to ensure a bright future for VMI.”

Troxler was the son of Paul Dexter Troxler, Class of 1926, and the brother of Paul Drewry Troxler ’58. He is survived by three sons and their wives; six grandchildren; and his sister, Anne Hoover. His wife, Nancy (née Clark), whom he married in 1969, predeceased him.

Bob Troxler ’63 (center) helping present the Class of 1963 50th Reunion gift to the Institute in 2013.

Evans ’66 and El Capitan:

By Mattie Montgomery, Assistant Editor

YOSEMITE ICONS

Tom Evans ’66, well-acquainted with the rock’s many climbing routes, knew exactly when and where climbers would emerge, allowing him to capture this shot just as the moon aligned perfectly behind them.—Photos courtesy Evans.

In 2023, at 79 years old, Tom Evans ’66 wrote his last entry for the ElCap Report—a renowned seasonal climbing blog documenting the daily activity around El Capitan, the 3,000-foot granite monolith in the heart of the Yosemite Valley.

For nearly three decades, his lens captured life and death, heroic and failed ascents, and the beauty and severity of El Cap with an attention to detail, integrity, and a sense of humor that captivated the climbing world and nurtured the community around the formidable rock. With his habitual cigar, ready wit, trusted expertise, and willingness to teach, Evans became a Yosemite icon, embodying the spirit of big wall climbing culture in Yosemite.

Like an ascent up the wall, Evans’ career has been unique and winding.

From soldier to engineer to 30-year high school teacher, to more random detours like cattle rancher and European tour guide, to his most recent career picked up in “retirement” as photographer and documentarian of El Cap, two constants remain a through line anchoring his every move: A passion for climbing and lessons from the Institute. Evans began his 68-year love for climbing at age 13 and his 56-year obsession with El Cap shortly after graduation from the Institute, and he says it is his VMI education that equipped his career and climbs all these years.

“At VMI, you learn things like tenacity, pulling through when things are hard, and a lot of critical thinking.”

his own academic struggles at VMI prepared him to be a gifted educator. Feeling a step behind his peers, Evans learned by saying the material out loud as if he were teaching a classroom. “By the time I actually had the opportunity to be a real teacher, I had a method so I could make people understand,” said Evans. “And that’s what I became known for in teaching—this guy who could explain things in such a way that the kids could understand it.” He loved it. Even after retiring, Evans continued to teach, educating climbers, tourists, and climbing enthusiasts about El Cap. “I’ve been a teacher all my life, it turns out,” said Evans.

A resident of Southern California since 1987, Evans grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and became fascinated with climbing from a National Geographic article about Mount Everest at his grandparents’ home. When it came time for college, he chose VMI and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. After serving in the U.S. Army for 2 years, he began a career in engineering before deciding to become a high school physics and mathematics teacher.

Teaching was a natural fit for Evans, whose perseverance through

During his career, Evans was climbing, and his dream early on became climbing El Cap after his first time seeing it in 1967. He was captivated. “I saw it in person, and I thought to myself, ‘This is what I’m going to do. I’m going to climb this,’” recalled Evans. Considered the peak of big wall climbing, with only the top climbers skilled enough to ascend it, El Cap requires intense preparation. In 1971, Evans made the 33rd-ever ascent of the El Capitan Nose. Today, 30-50 ascents happen each week, but in the 1970s, with evolving techniques, it was still a frontier in the sport. The climb usually takes days, with some climbers going in pairs—tied together by a rope and taking turns leading and hauling gear—while others go alone, a more dangerous and grueling feat. Climbers either scale the rock with hands and feet or use equipment to move upward.

In high-level climbing, endurance and quick thinking are key to staying alive, and Evans’ cadetship gave him an edge. “At VMI, you learn things like tenacity, pulling through when things are hard, and a lot of critical thinking. ... Death is always lurking about, relentlessly waiting for you to tie the knot wrong or any number

Evans explains to these young park visitors the climbing action he is capturing on the wall. A lifelong teacher, he enjoys the chance to educate people of all ages about El Capitan.

of 100 things you could do wrong,” said Evans. Physics expertise from engineering also came in handy, removing the guesswork from the equation. “I knew what forces were involved and how to make it work. Many climbers who are much better than I ever was are dead because they made a mistake or got into a situation that they weren’t aware of,” he explained.

As Evans aged, his passion for climbing evolved into joining climbers on the wall from behind the lens of a camera. In 1995, he took up climbing photography and chose to concentrate on one place. El Cap was the obvious choice. It was a convenient distance from his home with great lighting, and after all, he had a “great love for that old rock.” His first efforts yielded mostly failures, but he kept striving. Like a climb, he didn’t mind hard work and credits this diligence to VMI giving him the extra drive to get through any challenge. “VMI really made my life,” said Evans. “I would say it’s the most important thing that I ever did in my life, and it made other things easier because I was willing to be tenacious. I was willing to suffer.”

After retiring in 2003, Evans devoted himself to the craft, and by 2006, he began achieving the gorgeous, clear photos of climbers he aspired to emulate. He also moved to the El Cap bridge, which provided a great view. It was also trafficked by climbers and tourists alike. With his quality telescope and decades of knowledge, Evans was peppered with questions from climbers who gathered around him to inquire about the rock conditions and how their buddies were faring on the wall. He found he was talking all day long with no time for photos. To cut down on the chatting, he created a daily blog to share his photography, the rock conditions, and the climbs of the day. And with that, the ElCap Report was born.

Left: In earlier years, Evans was the camera subject on El Capitan instead of the photographer. His own ascents on El Cap have been featured in climbing magazines, such as this one from 1985.

The ElCap Report was a hit, averaging 8,000 reads per post. Some dispatches reached over 400,000 reads for historic events, such as Alex Honnold’s 2017 free solo climb of El Cap without gear or ropes. These reports revitalized the climbing world’s interest in El Cap, which had fallen off since its 1960s heyday. They were also self-funded and hard work. Evans camped out in Yosemite every year for the 6-week spring and fall climbing seasons and began each day at 6 a.m., processing hundreds of photos before trekking to photograph into the late afternoon and writing the report in the evening. Somewhere along the way, documenting El Cap became an obsession. “I had to do that report every day, and if I didn’t get that report out, I stayed up until midnight to finish,” said Evans. “That requires more than an interest or a passion; you have to have sort of a sickness. You have to want to do that so bad that you will sacrifice everything else there to do it. So, for me, it was an obsession.”

Over the years, Evans’ work became ubiquitous with El Capitan. He became the eyes on the rock—an authority and a trusted source to climbers, media, and park services. Before cell phone towers in Yosemite, park emergency services relied on Evans’ vigilant eye to spot a climber in distress and notify them. In the ElCap Report, Evans carried the values of the Honor Code, upholding truth and always being the first to point out his own mistakes, and readers trusted him. “Part of who I am is [what] I learned at VMI about honor and integrity, and all of that carries forward in anything you do, any job you work,” said Evans.

Amid the work, a favorite part of the ElCap Report was enjoying his friends on the bridge—the eclectic rabble of climbers and climbing enthusiasts—celebrating the heroes of the day who

Above: Evans nears the final 100 feet of a climb on El Capitan in 1983.

1) Evans captures Alex Honnold during his famous free solo climb of El Capitan in June 2017. 2) A team of three climbers is captured resting on their portaledge, a hanging tent suspended from the rock, with all their gear. It took 2 weeks for these climbers to climb this particularly difficult El Cap route.

3) Evans also documented the heroic and dangerous rescues off El Capitan. Suspended on a long line hanging 200 feet below a helicopter, a climbing ranger helps transport an accident victim off the rock to the El Cap Meadow.

successfully summited the rock and ribbing those who had failed. He was also always ready to answer tourists’ questions—formally when he served as part of Yosemite’s Ask a Climber program, but usually just out of kindness. Eventually, Evans moved off the bridge to the meadow, and the climbing community followed, lounging in camp chairs around Evans and his camera.

In his photography, Evans’ favorite muse is a climber like himself, a person he calls the common climber, an anonymous person scaling the rock, usually on a well-traveled route. He understands what capturing these once-in-a-lifetime moments means to these climbers. “Some guy that nobody ever heard of is there—I take his picture. I like to say that the common climber—he’s my subject. He’s my guy. That’s the guy I want a picture of because they appreciate it so much.”

On Oct. 17, 2023, after nearly 1,000 posts and 7,000 photos, Evans wrote his final El Cap Report without fanfare, concluding it with: “So, that’s the way it is, on Tuesday the 17th day of October 2023,” ending with his signature sign off, “Capt. Tom.” Evans doesn’t mind the website gathering dust, but he enjoys knowing it still stands there for the “unknown, common climber, who will like to go back and see themselves in perhaps their finest moments, captured in some long-past ElCap Report. They can live that time again.” Though he could finally let the obsession go, Evans cannot keep away from El Capitan. Today, one can catch Evans, now 81, enjoying time in the meadow, reclining back with his friends, and staying late into the evening just “to enjoy the warm lighting on the cliff.”

Evans capturing photos like the ones seen above.

Two Scholarships Established to Honor Wins ’85

On June 30, 2025, Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85 concluded his service as the Institute’s 15th superintendent. During his 4 and a half years as superintendent, Wins demonstrated a commitment to continuing the progress of VMI’s extraordinary education and ensuring the welfare of all members of the VMI community.

In recognition of Wins’ service to the Institute and the VMI Alumni Agencies, the presidents of the VMI Alumni Association, the VMI Foundation, and the VMI Keydet Club passed a joint resolution June 5, 2025, thanking him for demonstrating unwavering commitment to fundraising efforts in support of the VMI Alumni Agencies, engaging in countless off-site donor conversations, chapter meetings, donor office calls, initiatives, and events to advance the Institute’s mission, and maintaining strong and meaningful connections with alumni and the broader VMI family. In addition, the resolution highlights Wins’ participation in over 220 alumni engagements—including one in the Republic of China—averaging nearly 50 events annually. The resolution also notes that Wins, a former cadet-athlete himself, did much to strengthen VMI’s athletic program and enhance the cadet-athlete experience.

As a means of further expressing appreciation for all that Wins and his wife, Cassandra Wins, did for VMI and the Corps of Cadets, interested donors are stepping up to establish two scholarships bearing the Wins name: The Cedric T. Wins ’85 Basketball Scholarship and the Major General and Mrs. Cedric T. Wins ’85 Call to Duty Scholarship, which funds the cost of room and board for cadets who have already qualified for federally funded ROTC scholarships.

“Each of these scholarships is created as a gesture of thanks to Major General and Mrs. Wins for their devotion to VMI, and each provides essential resources in support of the VMI mission over which Major General Wins proudly stood sentinel,” said Meade B. King ’85, VMI Foundation chief operating officer.

“On behalf of the Alumni Agencies, it has been a pleasure working with Major General Wins,” said David Prasnicki, Alumni Agencies chief executive officer. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to him and Cassandra for their unwavering support, flexibility, and willingness to go wherever needed and meet with various groups. We wish them all the best as they depart our beloved VMI.”

If you are interested in funding the scholarships honoring Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Wins, please visit:

vmialumni.org/winsscholarships

First Spring Reunion

April 14–15, 2025

The following pages contain photo collages for each class in attendance at the first spring reunion. More photos of the classes and reunion are available online.

Scan the QR Code with your smartphone or tablet camera to view all of the VMI Alumni Agencies images from this event.

Or if you prefer, you can visit the link directly at: vmialumniphotos.org/ 2025-First-Spring-Reunion

15

Second Spring Reunion

April 25–26, 2025

The following pages contain photo collages for each class in attendance at the second spring reunion. More photos of the classes and reunion are available online.

Scan the QR Code with your smartphone or tablet camera to view all of the VMI Alumni Agencies images from this event.

Or if you prefer, you can visit the link directly at: vmialumniphotos.org/ 2025-Second-Spring-Reunion

The Honored Class

21

Leadership in Action:

CLE Programs to Inspire a New Generation of Americans

The Center for Leadership and Ethics educates, engages, and inspires the VMI community—and beyond—through curricular and co-curricular programs that reinforce VMI’s values. From clubs and speaker series to conferences, symposia, and podcasts, the CLE offers cadets and the community a wide range of opportunities to grow as leaders.

Sharing Leadership Insights Online

In 2020, the CLE added a virtual leadership engagement program to share themed content online. What started as a time-intensive curation process has now evolved into a much more efficient, AI-assisted effort. CLE staff guides the process, using AI to quickly identify insights from an archive of speeches and podcast interviews.

These insightful moments are brought to life with speaker quotes with photos, short videos or audio clips, carousels featuring leadership takeaways, or downloadable tip sheets that audiences can keep or share. Repurposing this content not only makes the CLE’s investment of time and resources go further but also helps the CLE reach a broader audience and reinforces VMI as a place where conventional ideas of 21st-century leadership are challenged.

This content, including surveys and discussion prompts, can be found on the CLE’s LinkedIn page, along with post-event photos and highlights on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Full podcast episodes of the VMI Leader Journey are available on Podbean and the CLE’s YouTube channel, where cadet stories and interviews with visiting speakers, faculty, alumni, and the Peay Leader-in-Residence are featured.

And In Person!

That said, not all speeches are available to share online. CLE staff often post curated photos, clips, or quotes from those events. The full experience of hearing a speaker or networking with staff and cadets during an event is something special—and something many alumni have said they want more of. Alumni are encouraged to attend the CLE’s public events. Dates and details can be found on the Upcoming Events page at vmi.edu/cle.

This Year’s Theme: American Values for a New Generation In keeping with the Commonwealth’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the CLE’s theme for 2025–26 will focus on commemorating the American values set forth by our Founding Fathers. Through both in-person and online content, programming will explore shared democratic values like honor, integrity, and service to country—and why they’re essential for the next generation of leaders.

Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall

Sept. 30, 2025 Steamboat Institute College Debate

The CLE will partner with the Steamboat Institute again this year to host a debate between two prominent speakers. This year’s topic focuses on tensions within civil-military relations.

Speakers: TBD

16th Annual Leadership and Ethics Conference: Leading with Integrity

Oct. 27–28, 2025

Marshall Hall

This flagship event brings together practitioner speakers, experts, and citizen-soldier role models to reinforce VMI’s commitment to ethical leadership. Participation is highly interactive and emphasizes real-world applications shared over the 2-day program’s learning arc. Visit conferences.vmi.edu for event details, including speaker bios and the schedule.

Courageous Leader Speaker Series

Marshall Hall

Free and open to the public, this spring event features a high-profile leader who exemplifies the values expected of VMI cadets. Details to follow.

Spring 2026

March 31–April 2, 2026

The Braver Angels College Debates and Discourse program is also returning. Some of these events will be open to alumni—watch the CLE’s website or social media for updates. In partnership with the Building BRIDGES Club, cadets and faculty work together to select topics for debate and host internal or intercollegiate debates and “food for thought” discussions.

36th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium

This enduring event began thanks to a grant project awarded to the late VMI professor, Capt. Ron Erchul, Ph.D., by the Virginia Environmental Endowment. His legacy lives on through the Erchul Environmental Leadership Award, which was named in his honor. Over 3 days each spring, this event brings together environmental professionals from across the state and region to VMI. Practitioners, government agency heads and employees, contractors, and more participate in a mutual exchange of ideas. Speakers include government agency heads, sometimes the governor, and subject matter experts. The call for presentations opens Aug. 1, 2025. Visit conferences.vmi.edu to see the event details, including speaker bios and the schedule.

For updates on upcoming events, speaker profiles, podcast releases, and more, visit vmi.edu/cle. While there, subscribe to one of the CLE’s conference email lists, listen to the latest VMI Leader Journey podcast episode, or download the VMI Leader Journey booklet—great for prospective cadets and their families—and the CLE’s 2024–25 annual year-in-review newsletter.

VMI Holds Commencement for Class of 2025

By Marianne Hause, VMI Communications & Marketing

A stormy week surrendered to a warm morning under a blue sky as VMI held its commencement ceremony and conferred degrees on the Class of 2025 in Cameron Hall May 17, 2025.

In his final commencement speech, Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, VMI’s 15th superintendent, welcomed the assembly and noted that the great personal achievement of graduating from VMI is not reached alone but with the help of family, friends, faculty, staff, and coaches who encouraged, guided, and sustained the cadets.

Wins shared that when the Class of 2025 matriculated, the world was emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike so many other colleges, VMI returned completely to in-person classes that fall semester, although many safety protocols were maintained.

“Your first year was also my first full year as superintendent. In many ways, we have grown together,” Wins reflected. “I challenged you when we first met to own the narrative about VMI and the Corps of Cadets and maintain a commitment to honor and integrity in everything you do. You rose to the challenge magnificently.”

He encouraged them as they begin their next journey to remember that every decision or

challenge they undertake can be successfully navigated by applying basic principles of leadership: Character, courage, and commitment.

In closing, Wins challenged them to serve the people around them. “At its very foundation, leadership is about serving. Class of 2025, the open road now awaits you. I wish you my sincerest congratulations and the brightest future possible,” he concluded. Wins then introduced Jonah Jurack ’25, peer-elected valedictorian.

Jurack stated that VMI is no ordinary college, and its unique characteristics are what attracted the Class of 2025 to come to Lexington for their college education.

Jurack recalled their memories as rats on Matriculation Day and said those early memories are just a fraction of what sets VMI and its graduates apart. In addition, he spoke about the shared values, the bonds of brotherhood, and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. The Honor Code was instilled in them, and they soon understood the gravity of succumbing to temptation.

Jurack also said that VMI taught them the importance of shared suffering. “We strained as rats together, we contracted COVID together, and most importantly, we broke out of the Rat Line together. If one of us failed to uphold the

standards of cadets, we would all suffer the consequences. But without shared suffering, there can be no brotherhood that will last a lifetime.”

In closing, Jurack asked his brother rats to reflect on the lessons and growth of their 4 years at VMI and challenged them to be exceptional.

“I ask you to uphold VMI’s legacy and ideals, strive for excellence, and live an exceptional life defined by honor. Don’t be ordinary!”

Jurack finished as a distinguished graduate with Institute honors and majored in international studies with minors in Arabic, Spanish, and national security. He held rank, serving as Company E commander, was an Honor Court prosecutor, and the Blue Ridge Battalion commander for Army ROTC. He was the Navigators Bible Study cadet-in-charge, a Miller Academic Center tutor, a VMI Museum tour guide, and a member of multiple honor societies. He commissioned into the U.S. Army infantry branch.

In his remarks, Turner Gallo ’25, Class of 2025 president, spoke on the tools the VMI system provides, which reminded him of the biblical passage in the Book of Matthew, chapter seven.

“Four years of struggle, hardship, and choosing the hard right over the easy wrong have allowed for the very foundations of our character

See more photos online.

to be built on solid rock,” said Gallo. He reflected that the VMI system breaks rats down and builds them back up to become cadets with humility, grit, tenacity, and integrity.

Gallo compared the characteristics of a successful VMI cadet to those of the characters in Howard Pyle’s classic tale, “The Story of King Arthur and His Knights,” comparing King Arthur’s journey from a boy to a noble king with their own journey as cadets. “Each of us at VMI has been assayed every day for 4 years, and the quality of our mettle has been determined. You’re all men and women of grit, integrity, and courage, and it has been my distinct honor to spend these past 4 years with you,” he concluded. He then introduced the commencement speaker, retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Darren McDew ’82, former commander of the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

McDew quickly won the audience with his charm and humor, and when he offered serious words he wanted the cadets to remember, he paused and made eye contact with members of the Corps. He reminded them that though they are entering turbulent times, VMI prepared them to be an example and do good. Their challenge, he said, will be living up to their potential and promise. “For 4 years, you have been given the most wonderful and glorious leadership laboratory known to mankind. That’s a wonderful gift, especially if you take full advantage of it,” said McDew.

He closed by offering the cadets three words: “Beware. Decide. Be. Life tests are coming. They look like moral dilemmas. Beware, someone is going to challenge you. Decide right now the type of person you’re going to be in crunch time. Be that person every day—you can’t wait until you feel like it. You have to decide every single day that you’re going to be better tomorrow than you are today.”

McDew retired with more than 3,300 flight hours and decades of operational leadership. He continues to champion ethical leadership, integrity, and opportunity through his service on the boards of Abbott, USAA, GE Aerospace, Parsons Corporation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Manns Horne Youth Foundation.

The First Jackson-Hope Medal for highest attainment in scholarship and the Commander Harry Millard Mason Academic Proficiency Award went to Gabriel Patrick Williams ’25, an international studies major from Ashland, Virginia.

Receiving the Second Jackson-Hope Medal for second highest attainment in scholarship and the Colonel Sterling Murray Heflin 1916 Academic Proficiency Award was James Andrew Boynewicz ’25, a biology major from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Courtney Nicole Novotny ’25, a biology major from Reading, Pennsylvania, received the Society of the Cincinnati Medal for efficiency of service and excellence of character and the Richard J. Marshall and Sumter L. Lowry Awards. Commencement concluded with a benediction offered by Col. John P. Casper ’04, VMI chaplain, followed by Cadet Devin Auzenne ’26, the new regimental commander, relieving the Class of 2025 of their duties as they cheered and tossed their gloves in the air.

By Marianne Hause, VMI Communications & Marketing

Nearly 170 VMI cadets commissioned into the armed services at the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps joint commissioning ceremony in Cameron Hall May 15, 2025.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Karl Gingrich, U.S. Army deputy chief of staff, offered the commissioning officer remarks and administered the oath of office to the cadets beginning their journey of military service as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Space Force, and as ensigns in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.

Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, VMI’s 15th superintendent, welcomed all in attendance and thanked the ROTC departments, faculty, staff, family members, and guests who supported and encouraged the cadets throughout their time at VMI. He noted that the ceremony marks the culmination of 4 diligent years and the beginning of a life of service, which is one of the central purposes of VMI—to prepare citizen-soldiers.

After Wins recognized veterans and current military members in the audience, he noted that since the founding of VMI 186 years ago, cadets have always stepped up to serve the nation. “We must have a strong military that is led

by forward thinkers who are highly educated and grounded in character. As I look out here today, I see future leaders who are ready for the challenge. I feel confidence and hope for the future of our nation, because, during your time at VMI, I have seen what you are capable of doing.”

Wins reflected on his career, calling it deeply rewarding. “Above all, I became part of a great team of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and service families. You, too, will come to cherish these same experiences,” said Wins.

Wins congratulated each of them on pursuing and attaining their commission and told them the country is fortunate to have them.

Beginning his remarks, Gingrich recognized several distinguished guests, including 99-yearold World War II veteran retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jack Moran, who traveled from Los Angeles to witness the commissioning of Thomas Langston ’25. Moran had served with Langston’s great-great-uncle, Tommy Langston, a squad commander in the 347th Infantry Regiment who was killed in action Dec. 16, 1944, in Obergailbach, France.When Gingrich introduced Moran, the crowd in Cameron Hall offered Moran an emotional standing ovation.

As Gingrich continued his message, he noted VMI’s remarkable legacy as one of the nation’s top senior military colleges. He told the cadets that he appreciates their dedication, commitment, and determination, and that those characteristics will be essential to their future success. “Less than 1% of our nation’s population currently serves—vanguards of our freedoms and way of life, envied by our nation’s friends and allies and feared by enemies, tyrants, and oppressors worldwide. Of that proportionally small force, only 18% represent the commissioned officer corps, which you are about to enter.”

He noted that there are threats to American liberty all over the world and reminded the cadets that they will sacrifice greatly, yet they will embrace the challenge and lead with courage and humility—a challenge he says VMI prepared them for.

In closing, Gingrich referenced a personal favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 6:8. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am. Send me!’”

He then asked the commissioning cadets to stand, and he administered the oath of office.

Memorial Parade 2025

By Marianne Hause, VMI Communications & Marketing

The Memorial Parade was held May 15, 2025, commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of all alumni who died on the field of honor. The garrison flags were flown at half-staff by order of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in memory and respect of Peace Officers Memorial Day, a fitting backdrop as the names of all 591 alumni who have died in the nation’s wars were read by Angelina Garcia ’25, William Lauerman ’25, Cadet Garrett Maye ’28, and Cadet Jamie Rodriguez ’28. A wreath was laid at the foot

of the monument “Virginia Mourning Her Dead,” as well as at the three barracks arches, followed by the firing of a three-volley salute. A stirring echo rendition of taps was played, followed by the Pipe Band leading the Regimental Band in “Amazing Grace.” Col. Lawrence “Ley” Havird ’90, commandant, was joined by Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, VMI’s 15th superintendent, in taking review of the parade as the Corps marched from the Parade Ground down Letcher Avenue toward barracks.

Q SquireA &

Col. James C. Squire, Ph.D., P.E., is the Jamison-Payne Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

A 1989 U.S. Military Academy graduate, he was a military intelligence officer and received the Bronze Star during Operation Desert Storm. He received his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and came to VMI in 1999.

The first-named inventor of eight patents, Squire has published more than 50 papers and authored two textbooks. He also co-founded three high-technology startups.

He has received numerous awards for teaching, research, and mentorship and is the only professor in Virginia to have received two awards from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia: A Rising Star in 2004 and Outstanding Faculty in 2025.

Q: What attracted you to teaching? Why VMI?

A: I cycled through many different professions before VMI. I served as a military intelligence officer after I graduated from West Point, then I taught at an inner city Christian high school in New Jersey. While I earned my doctorate in biomedical engineering at MIT, I worked for a medical device implant company, and then in patent litigation as an expert witness. When my wife and I determined we wanted to raise a family, I knew that I had to pick one job. But I really liked doing different things. I realized that working principally as a small-town professor would let me continue to develop different interests without need to subspecialize. My background at West Point and in the Army made VMI a natural fit.

Q: What are some satisfying things about teaching at VMI?

A: MIT offered me a tenure-track position when I graduated, but I turned it down. I enjoy teaching undergraduate students

far more than graduate students. Graduate students are already fairly developed as people. Give them lab space and a funding line, and they’ll produce good work. Undergrads still need supportive guidance and direction. They also develop rapidly and multi-dimensionally in 4 years. It is very special to play a role in that—and to do so in the context of a military school.

Q: You’ve helped cadets with several “hands-on” research projects, in which they have designed, developed, and built such things as the tick rover, a seismic communications device, and rockets. What benefits do cadets—and you—derive from these experiences?

A: I wouldn’t characterize any of them as “hands-on research projects.” They are simply “doing engineering.” Engineering’s raison d’être is to improve society through technology. Some of it can be taught in a traditional classroom setting, but most of it can only be taught in laboratories or machine shops. Prior to the 19th century, engineering was taught exclusively within a master-apprentice relationship. It moved to a traditional university degree only after enough calculus became so interwoven with design that classes were required. But it is still a technical degree, and so requires students to design, build, and test equipment. That’s what we do at VMI.

The ability to go from an idea to a real-world implementation is rewarding to cadets, whether that results in a patent, as it did for the tick rover (20 copies of which are currently collecting data for the CDC throughout the Northeast) or as happened for the seismic mine communicator, or in VMI’s fourth-place finish at a national-level rocket/robot competition. Many of these projects are interdisciplinary with the other engineering departments; Col. Jay Sullivan, Ph.D., the head of mechanical engineering, worked with me, my cadets, and his [cadets] on the first two

projects named. Plus, building a 12-foot rocket powered by an engine that develops 500 pounds of thrust is simply cool, full stop.

Q: In the time you have been here you’ve witnessed many changes. What is something that stands out?

A: The radically improved infrastructure. When I started teaching, cadets and I would get splinters in our trousers from brushing past the plywood lab tables made by Physical Plant. Often, I’d move classes to the library because Nichols Engineering Building had no air conditioning until 2005, and classroom temperatures could easily break 90°F. Gen. Peay’s [’62, VMI’s 14th superintendent] ability to get state funding for renovations to Nichols made a massive difference, and Maj. Gen. Wins [’85, VMI’s 15th superintendent] did the same by securing money for a forthcoming renovation.

Q: What about VMI might surprise people?

A: People rightly expect cadets to have excellent time management skills, the ability to handle pressure, and leadership experience. What surprises many people is how well cadets’ technical skills match up head-to-head with better-known research universities’ undergraduates. They do so because VMI’s core mission is to teach. Professors at larger universities earn tenure based on how many grants they bring in or how many top-level journal articles they write, not how well they teach their undergraduates. So, they concentrate on building relationships with graduate students in the lab but not by working one-on-one with undergraduates—that is left to graduate student teaching assistants. Laboratory work is inherently one-on-one, unlike the one-on-many experience of a large lecture hall. So, teaching institutions like VMI offer more of the critical lab learning experience, and the benefits are obvious. One example: Until relatively recently, VMI competed against Virginia Tech in the annual Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers robot-building hardware challenge. In the final decade of competition, VMI won 9 out of 10 contests, until finally Virginia Tech refused to compete further. This is not because VMI students or faculty are inherently more talented than their peers at Virgina Tech; it is because the core mission of the two schools [is] different.

Q: If someone asked you why they should teach at VMI, how would you answer?

A: Simple: The Honor Code, which creates an environment that is strongly conducive to learning. When I give major tests, I leave two trays in the room: One for completed tests and one containing copies of the solutions. The cadets can immediately compare their answers with the solutions, which is important pedagogically—they would otherwise forget all the minor issues in the week it takes to grade and return the exams. This helped sell me on VMI. During my interview in 1999, I saw a $5 bill taped to a wall in Nichols and asked a cadet about it. He looked at me as if the answer was obvious: Someone found the bill on the floor and reasoned that whoever lost it would retrace his steps and find it there. What a difference from my experience at MIT, where even my lab’s water cooler was stolen multiple times—and sometimes in the middle of the day.

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Location: Nichols Engineering Building, 5th Floor

Department Head: Col. Shawn Addington, Ph.D.

Majors: 50-60 cadets major in electrical and computer engineering each year, and 12-14 cadets receive a degree.

Faculty: Six full-time faculty, boasting an 11-1 cadet-to-faculty ratio

Degrees: Cadets receive a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering, and they can pursue a minor in computer engineering.

Professorships: The Jamison-Payne Professorship, which is currently held by Col. James C. Squire, Ph.D. The department is also supported by an endowed fund.

Scholarships: Seven scholarships are available exclusively for cadets majoring in ECE. In academic year 2025–26, they will generate almost $47,000 in financial aid.

Hands-on: Almost all courses include significant laboratory experiences. The department also maintains a separate capstone facility to support senior design projects.

Equipment: Includes 3-D printing and laser cutting equipment, as well as facilities related to semiconductor device fabrication and characterization and advanced electronics packaging.

Col. James Squire, Ph.D., with a group of his cadets and their rocket.—Photo courtesy Squire.

Wins, Records, and Recognition: VMI Baseball’s 2025 Season

VMI earned multiple recognitions in the Southern Conference, including four All-SoCon honorees, two preseason All-SoCon players, and two conference weekly award winners.—Photos courtesy VMI Athletics.

There are plenty of positive takeaways from the 2025 VMI baseball campaign, including historical moments, record-breaking at-bats, and many exciting endings.

VMI baseball started the season going 7-0 and improving to 11-1 for the best start since 2010. For the third straight season, Sam Roberts ’11, head coach, piloted his squad to 25 or more wins, marking the first time the Keydets have achieved 25-plus wins in 3 straight years since 2006–08. With a 27-26 record, the Keydets earned a winning season for the first time since 2014, with 27 victories being the fifth-most in franchise history. Roberts earned his 80th win against Wofford and sits fifth all-time in wins.

The Keydets’ offense was on a tear throughout the season, scoring double digits in 24 games with nine run-rule victories. VMI closed out the year ranked sixth nationally in scoring by averaging nine runs per game while being in the top 25 in total runs among all D-I schools with a program-record 491 runs. The Keydets came up clutch, as well, tallying four walk-offs.

The Runnin’ Roos earned a three-peat title in stolen bases with 209, shattering the program’s previous record, and would go on to lead the Southern Conference in six statistical categories—walks, on-base percentage, sacrifice flies, steals, steals per game, and scoring—and break six program single-season records for on-base percentage, steals, walks, runs, RBIs, and strikeouts per nine innings.

VMI earned multiple recognitions, including four All-SoCon honorees, two preseason All-SoCon players, and two conference weekly award winners. Grayson Fitzwater ’26 was tabbed All-SoCon First Team during the preseason and postseason, while Owen Prince ’26 was named second

team on both lists. Boston Torres ’28 tallied postseason second-team honors, while Justin Spiegel ’27 landed on the all-freshman team. During the season, Torres was named player of the week in March, with Caden Plummer ’25 earning pitcher of the week in February. Ryan Peterson ’25, Caden Plummer ’25, and Marcus Van Alstine ’25 each received honors from College Sports Communicators, landing on the Academic All-District Team.

Prince highlighted the Keydets’ success on the base paths, setting a new VMI single-season record of 46 steals, and led the country for the entire season until the final weekend of the regular season. He finished the year ranked No. 2 in stolen bases in NCAA DI. The stolen base king also produced at the dish, leading the team with 82 hits, just the fifth Keydet to eclipse 80 hits.

Earning the batting title was Bradley Garner ’28, who led the team and conference with a .389 batting clip, ranking 30th in the country. Garner also tallied a team-high .672 slugging percentage and 20 doubles.

Torres lived up to the hype as the star-studded 3rd Class cadet broke two VMI single-season records, earning 68 runs and 67 RBIs, both second-most in the league. Torres also matched the VMI on-base streak, reaching base safely in his first 42 games as a Keydet.

Meanwhile, it only took Fitzwater three seasons to break the all-time RBI record. Fitzwater smashed a pair of home runs against William & Mary to hit RBI number 157. The powerhouse lefty finished the year with 17 home runs and 65 RBIs. Fitzwater also set a new on-base streak record, reaching base safely in 43 straight games.

With a 27-26 record, the Keydets earned a winning record for the first time since 2014.

Keydet baseball had a season to remember, finishing sixth in the nation in scoring and setting a new program record with 491 runs.

VMI Lacrosse 2025 Season

One of the

Best in Program History

Spring 2025 marked the best season in program history for VMI lacrosse, which has steadily improved each season over the past 5 years for a 10-4 overall record.—Photos courtesy VMI Athletics.

Mark it down as arguably the best season in VMI lacrosse program history, dating back 43 seasons to 1983.

Over the past 5 years under James Purpura, head coach, the Keydets have shown continued improvement in an upward trajectory to success. Following one victory in 2021, VMI improved to four wins in 2022, six wins in 2023, seven in 2024, and most recently, 10 wins in 2025—its most victories since the 1988 campaign 37 years ago.

The team finished its 2025 season receiving Top 20 votes by the United State Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, which—based on USILA and VMI Ar chives—marks the first time VMI has received USILA Top 20 votes in 33 years since the 1992 season. In March, VMI received Top 20 votes by media entity Inside Lacrosse for the first time ever.

VMI finished the season with a 10-4 overall record, its most wins since earning 11 victories during the 1988 season. VMI has a 4-3 record in Northeast Confer ence play, marking the first time the Keydets have ever earned a winning record playing in a conference.

Finishing the regular season as the No. 2-ranked scoring offense in the NCAA, the Keydets registered 205 goals on the season to set a new program benchmark for goals in a single season, besting the previous mark of 198 goals.

The graduating 1st Class cadets hit 27 wins for their VMI career over the past four seasons—all Division I wins. The closest to the mark was the Class of 1995, which totaled 19 Division I wins. The Class of 1995 finished with 27 wins over four seasons, which the Class of 2025 just matched.

The Class of 2025 produced some of the best players in program history—most notably Luke Rusterucci ’25, who culminated his VMI career being named a USA Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American for his accomplishments. As only the third All-American in program history, the Peachtree City, Georgia, native scored a career-high 42 goals on the season, which marks the fifth-highest single-season total in VMI program history. He tallied 32 assists on the year—the second highest

A key contributor to VMI lacrosse’s standout season, Luke Rusterucci ’25 capped off his career by earning USA Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American honors for his many accomplishments.

in program history for a single season—to combine for 74 points, which breaks the single-season points record of 72 held by David Hope ’88 from the 1988 season.

Rusterucci is the only Keydet in program history to reach the century mark in both career goals (125) and assists (109). He finished third in the NCAA this season in points per game at 5.29 and led VMI to the No. 2-ranked scoring offense in the nation at 14.64 goals per game, a new school single-season record.

He finished his VMI tenure with 125 career goals—the second highest in program history—to pair with 109 career assists, which is the highest career assists total by a large margin, with the second-highest total now being 85 by Rob Worrell ’97 from 1994–97. Rusterucci’s 234 combined career points rank second all-time in VMI history, only five points behind Hope’s mark of 239 career points from 1986–89.

Damian Levin ’25, goalie, earned the starting role in his final year at VMI and made the most of it by achieving a .599 save percentage—third best in the NCAA—and 14.07 saves per game, which is the fifth-best mark in the country.

Dayton Bagwell ’27 finished the season ranked No. 16 in the NCAA in goals per game by logging 2.93 on average to become one of the most dangerous scoring threats not only on the team but also throughout the country.

The Keydets return a solid number of key players from the 2025 season to continue the upward trajectory of the program.

its

The team finished

2025 season receiving Top 20 votes by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Recap

The 2025 VMI track and field outdoor season marked another banner year for Zack Scott ’89, VMI track and field director. Under his tutelage, the VMI men placed fifth at this spring’s Southern Conference Outdoor Championships, and the VMI women took ninth overall. It was a year of new personal bests, school records, and All-Conference finishes for both the men and women.

Midgett ’24 – NCAA Triple Jump Qualifier

» One of the top track and field athletes in program history, Keyandre Midgett ’24 finished his VMI career by qualifying for the NCAA Championships Outdoor Track and Field First Round in the triple jump event May 30 in Jacksonville, Florida.

» He finished 44th overall with a distance of 14.48 meters—the second-best mark among SoCon qualifiers at the national event.

Men’s T&F Outdoor Season Highlights

» The VMI men placed fifth overall at the SoCon Championships with 73.5 points.

» Cameron Thomas ’27 broke his VMI pole vault record with a 5.10-meter (16’8.75”) clearance to win the event at the Davidson Relays and later earned All-SoCon honors by placing second in the vault at the SoCon Championships.

» Midgett earned All-SoCon honors in the long jump and triple jump, including an individual title in the long jump and second place in the triple.

» Zachary Denton ’27 also earned All-SoCon honors with a second-place finish in the long jump.

» Nick Brown ’25 claimed the 400-meter dash individual title, earning All-SoCon recognition.

» Tazewell Rae ’28 earned third place in the shot put for All-SoCon honors.

2025 Water Polo Season in Review

2025 Highlights

» Nine wins were the most since 2020 and the most in Montenegro’s tenure.

» Goals scored (323) were fourth-most in program history; 12.7 goals per game ranks fourth all-time.

» Courtney Novotny ’25 earned the Keydet Club Three-Legged Stool Award, the Southern Conference Postgraduate Scholarship Award, and the Cincinnati Medal. She ended her career second alltime in goals scored with 210, and her 130 steals rank third in program history.

The 2025 VMI water polo season was a successful one, with the program earning the most wins in 5 years under the guidance of Danielle Montenegro, fifth-year head coach.

» Maddie Day ’27, Sarah Fitzsimmons ’27, Novotny, Meagan Riding ’27, Sadie Smith ’26, and Julia Ward ’26 were all named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team, which requires GPAs of 3.20 or higher.

» Sydney Smith ’26 led the team in goals (64) and drawn exclusions (51), and Sadie Smith ’26 led the team with 41 assists.

» Day paced the Keydets in blocks (132), while Novotny led the squad in steals (38) and field blocks (21).

2025 VMI FOOTBALL SChedule

By Mattie Montgomery, Assistant Editor

On a bright and brisk Saturday morning, Legacy Day 2025 welcomed another record-breaking number of guests—330—which included 185 children and teenagers who spent the day on post as young cadets April 12. Designed for youth ages 5-18, the annual event invites alumni and their families back to post to celebrate the traditions of the Institute and share the VMI spirit with the next generation.

Legacies began the day with breakfast in Marshall Hall – Center for Leadership and Ethics, followed by forming up in the Marshall Hall courtyard as each age group split off into separate activities. The day included rock climbing and obstacles in the Corps Physical Training Facility, games on the Parade Ground, a rifle range simulation in Cocke Hall, and engineering demonstrations in Nichols Engineering Building. For legacies aged 15-18, the schedule also included an admissions briefing in Nichols Auditorium, where prospective cadets received an overview of VMI’s application process, academic programs, and cadetship. The day concluded with a march down from Third Barracks to Crozet for lunch.

More than 40 cadets volunteered their time to

provide integral support to the event and create a lasting impact on attendees. “Cadets once again were the stars of the show,” said Justin Tammelin ’09, VMI Alumni Association director of networking. “I am exceptionally proud of them for helping to create memorable and remarkable experiences for legacies and their parents and grandparents. Their ability to lead and create an environment of fun is what will most impact these kids.”

As Legacy Day drew to a close, Tammelin said the most rewarding part was the positive impression VMI and the Corps left on participants from youngest to oldest. “Legacy Day 2025 was a resounding success. This event has had 2 years of back-to-back record-breaking attendance and continues to be one of the highest-rated Alumni Association events.”

He concluded, “I know that [Legacy Day and cadet volunteers] have been successful when I overhear a 7-year-old telling their parent, ‘When I grow up, I want to go to VMI.’ It makes me profoundly proud and humbled to be a part of this VMI community and getting to witness the quality of cadets on a firsthand basis reaffirms that VMI is no ordinary place.”

See more photos online.

Children and teenagers ranging from ages 5-18 take part in varying group activities depending on age range. This year saw a record-breaking 185 youth participants.

Scholarship Banquet Highlights Generosity and Gratitude

By Mary Price, Development Writer

More than 140 scholarship donors and their guests joined just under 100 cadets and members of the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees Saturday, March 22, 2025, in the Hall of Valor in Marshall Hall for an event centered around generosity and gratitude: The VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet. This annual event is held each spring in conjunction with the Foundation Board of Trustees meeting in recognition of the many donors who endow scholarships and the cadets who benefit from their substantial support in the form of both need- and merit-based aid.

Welcoming guests to the banquet was Dorcas Wilkinson, Foundation Board of Trustees member and widow of the late retired U.S. Air Force Col. Spencer Wilkinson ’66. She began her remarks by explaining how the support of donors long ago had made a VMI education possible both for her husband and his brother, Robert “Bob” Wilkinson ’65.

“Neither Spencer [nor] Bob would have been able to attend the Institute had it not been for the scholarships they received when they were cadets,” she stated. “When the time was right, Spence and I and then Bob and his wife, Mary Lee, made the decision that we wanted to thank those scholarship donors from many years before, and we invested in our own endowed scholarships here at VMI.

“We recognize that those donors who made those gifts so many years ago had really transformed our husbands’ lives and our families’ lives, and we were very grateful for that,” Wilkinson continued. “As endowments are established in perpetuity, we are gratified knowing that our scholarships are going to benefit cadets like these young men and women assembled here today for many, many generations.”

Relationships, too, are often kindled by donors’ generosity, as many donors form deep and abiding bonds with their cadets—bonds that may continue long after those cadets have departed barracks. Wilkinson noted her longstanding friendship with fellow banquet attendee U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Quincy Murphy ’15, a recipient of the Wilkinson scholarship as a cadet who recently earned a master’s degree in environmental engineering at Old Dominion University. She also highlighted the most recent Spencer W. Wilkinson Endowment Scholarship recipient, Cadet Eufenuel-John “E.J.” Buna ’27, an electrical and computer engineering major from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

“These young people and all of the cadets gathered here today and across post are the reasons that my family and I give to VMI,” Wilkinson

stated. “It is inspiring, as we have heard before. I once asked a generous philanthropist why he had given for so many years to his alma mater, and he responded, ‘because it feels so good,’ and I think it feels especially good today for those of us who have made gifts to VMI. We’re surrounded by these cadets, hearing their stories, learning about their successes, their challenges, their hopes, their dreams, their aspirations.”

One of those former cadets, Col. Dan Harrison ’05, Ph.D., is now a professor of chemistry. In his remarks, Harrison emphasized how receiving scholarship support first impacted his life and then set him up to help the next generation of deserving young people. “The work I do now as a VMI faculty member, and the time I can spend with cadets, is a direct consequence of your generosity,” said Harrison, a physical chemist who specializes in researching renewable energy sources.

Harrison related that when he came to VMI as a first-generation 4-year college student, his father’s advice was, “Keep your head down and your chin up.” Following that advice proved fruitful, and soon, Harrison was rewarded with some awards and chemistry scholarships.

“I was honored and grateful then, but I’m especially grateful now for those awards,” Harrison related. “They lit a fire under my seat, something I never experienced beforehand, and they inspired me to work harder and think deeply about my career, which led me to doing undergraduate research at VMI, which was very well funded by donors. That’s where I found my calling, and that experience inspired me to go to graduate school for a doctorate in chemistry.”

Since 2013, Harrison has been back at VMI teaching and mentoring cadets, and in that time, he’s mentored 25 cadets conducting undergraduate research, 12 of whom are co-authors on peer-reviewed publications, and developed three new chemistry courses. In addition, he’s twice been honored with the Wilbur S. Hinman Jr. 1926 Research Award in the natural sciences for research with cadets and twice received the Jackson-Hope Award for Excellence in published scholarly work.

Most recently, Harrison has been working as a fellow with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, more commonly known as DEVCOM ARL. “I was able to very rapidly apply my knowledge base that I’ve developed over the last 10 years to collaborate with ARL and develop new molecular architectures to solve Army objectives,” said Harrison. “I anticipate that we’ll publish

four papers out of this work alone with cadets in the next year or so.”

None of this, Harrison stressed, would be possible without the generosity of donors. “Today serves as an encouragement for me to do my best for cadets, teaching them skills and modern methodologies and technologies on the cutting edge of science,” he stated. “Among the gifts that I have received from you is the gift of the classroom full of purposeful and talented cadets. At this stage, I have taught more than 800 students. Your philanthropy brings brilliant students to VMI.”

Following Harrison to the podium was Knight Bowles ’25, who worked extensively in Harrison’s lab and who, as of mid-March, was putting the finishing touches on his Institute Honors thesis in chemistry. “Overall, I’d like to think of your financial generosity as an act of opening doors for cadets, because an open door is actually how I got to meet Colonel Daniel Harrison,” said Bowles. “Back in 2023, I took general chemistry lab with Colonel Harrison, and as a biology major, I constantly found myself in his office asking for help on course assignments. Fortunately, Colonel Harrison always had his office door open, ready to help his students.

“Little did I know that my initial time with Colonel Harrison in his office, struggling with the basics of chemistry, would lead to me working in his own laboratory throughout the entirety of this academic year.”

Bowles stressed that the donors’ generosity enables cadets to do more than they thought possible—and in many instances, scholarships enable potential cadets to choose a VMI education. “I’d like to thank you for the support that you all provide us with day in and day out throughout our cadetships,” he stated. “While this support may be quantified with the dollar sign for us cadets, we truly cannot place a value on our gain from your financial generosity. It extends far beyond dollar signs.

“Because of your selflessness, I’ve been able to share smiles, laughs, and tears with [fellow cadets] and make memories that I will hold on to forever,” he said. “Your support is also evident in the academic stars we wear on our sleeves and the chevrons we wear on our shoulders. By providing us with a VMI education, you have exposed us to countless opportunities to develop as leaders and scholars.”

“As endowments are set up in perpituity, we are gratified knowing that our scholarships are going to benefit cadets like these young men and women assembled here today for many, many generations. ”

Cadets speak with benefactors during the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet March 22, 2025.

Dorcas Wilkinson, Foundation Board of Trustees member, welcomes guests to the banquet.

Central North Carolina –Raleigh Chapter Hosts

February Senior Breakfast

Enjoying the Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter senior breakfast Feb. 18, 2025, are (seated, from left) Paul Johnston ’61, Bill Gibson ’65, Pete Shelley ’74, John Ehrenberger ’84, Roger Rosenfield ’47, Alan Tashima ’71, Parky Parkman ’66, (standing) Chip Davis ’77, Bill Murchison ’70, Jim Brown ’76, Sam Hening, and Rick Hening ’75.

Bluegrass Chapter Attends Keydet Game

Bluegrass Chapter members cheer on the Keydets during their basketball game against Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 9, 2024.

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter Hosts March Senior Breakfast

Attending the Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter senior breakfast March 18, 2025, are (seated, from left) Paul Johnston ’61, Bill Gibson ’65, Pete Shelley ’74, Bill Murchison ’70, Chip Davis ’77, John Kuchnia ’57, Larry Wilson ’62, Roger Rosenfield ’47, Alan Tashima ’71, (standing) Parky Parkman ’66, Sam Hening, Rick Hening ’75, Jim Brown ’76, John Ehrenberger ’84, and Barton Pasco ’77.

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter Hosts April Senior Breakfast

Gathering for the Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter senior breakfast April 15, 2025, are (seated, from left) Don Brown ’71, Paul Johnston ’61, Larry Wilson ’62, Pete Shelley ’74, Alan Tashima ’71, John Kuchnia ’57, (standing) Will Bynum ’77, Rick Hening ’75, Chip Davis ’77, Barton Pasco ’77, Jim Brown ’76, and Cory McCallum ’94.

Rocky Mountain Chapter Ski Weekend

Left: Hitting the slopes are (from left) Parke Smith ’79, Debbie Smith, Dean Kratzenberg ’87, John Poast ’87, and Margaret Poast. Present but not pictured is John Weeda ’93.

Right: Snowshoeing are Tom Reimann ’88 (left) and Tracey Reimann.

Rocky Mountain Chapter Ski Weekend

The Rocky Mountain Chapter enjoys a ski weekend in Breckenridge, Colorado, Jan. 31–Feb. 2, 2025, which included a Friday night reception at the home of Dean and Dawn Kratzenberg ’87, a full day of skiing and snowshoeing, and a tour and tasting at the Breckenridge Distillery. At the reception are (from left) Margaret Poast, Dawn, Tracey Reimann, Debbie Smith, (back) Cohen Wierzbicki, Janek Wierzbicki ’03, Todd Baldwin ’06, Tom Reimann ’88, Dean Kratzenberg ’87, John Poast ’87, and Parke Smith ’79. Present but not pictured is John Weeda ’93.

Upstate South Carolina – Pisgah, North Carolina Chapter Pregame Gathering

Upstate South Carolina – Pisgah, North Carolina Chapter members gather for a pregame event in Asheville, North Carolina, March 17, 2025.

Southeast Texas – Houston Chapter Hosts Family Day

Southeast Texas – Houston Chapter alumni join with their spouses and children for a family day gathering April 5, 2025. Alumni attendees pictured are Greg Bosley ’00, Manuel Caballero ’07, Jim Neikirk ’71, John Ginder ’04, Rody Grant ’94, Lakin Board ’04, Rob Senn ’13, J.P. Bruchalski ’15, Thomas McKellar ’18, and Emma (Perez) McKellar ’20.

Southwest Florida – Fort Myers Chapter Enjoys Spring Gathering

Southwest Florida – Fort Myers Chapter members gather for a spring meetup in Fort Myers, Florida, March 15, 2025.

Wilmington Chapter Enjoys Breakfast

Wilmington, North Carolina Chapter members at Wilmington’s Boat House for breakfast April 1, 2025, are Henry Brown ’60, Harley Myler ’75, Bob Schmalzriedt ’68, Fred Ayers ’61, Andy Young ’74, John Gangemi ’61, Arnie Leonard ’74, Bill Todd ’68, Tom Tolbert ’66, and Dee Hartman ’66.

Valley Chapter Holds Watch Party

Valley Chapter members hold a watch party for the VMI versus Furman University basketball game at O’Neill’s Grill in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Feb. 22, 2025. Pictured cheering on the Keydets are (from left) Dickie Sedwick ’71, Mary and Cameron Seay ’70, Jack and Jean Daniels ’91, Chad Brown ’73, and Don and Lois Crawford ’70.

Jonathan M. Daniels 1961 Seminary Scholarship

Dr. G. Lee Southard ’59 and his family established the Jonathan M. Daniels 1961 Seminary Scholarship in 1985. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist VMI graduates pursuing an advanced degree leading to Protestant Christian ministry. The scholarship is named in honor of Jonathan M. Daniels ’61, who, after graduating from VMI, followed a call to ministry and entered seminary.

For more information, applications, and instructions, please contact Mary Cannon, administrative assistant in the VMI Chaplains’ Office, at cannonml@vmi.edu.

The degree pursued must lead to service as a pastor or military chaplain in Protestant ministry. The deadline for submitting the application is June 15 each year. Scholarships are awarded in July.

let’s go keydets

$369,512 Raised

Compete to Win Brings VMI Family Together

In athletics, as in much of life, there’s nothing like teamwork—and the VMI family displayed impressive teamwork during the Keydet Club’s fourth annual crowdfunding campaign, Compete to Win, raising $369,512 for VMI athletics. Held March 25–27, the campaign drew the support of 756 donors from 40 states and set records both in terms of donors and dollars. In addition, 174 of those donors were new to the Keydet Club.

As in years past, supporters were invited to direct their gifts to any of VMI’s NCAA sports teams or to the Athletic Director’s Discretionary Fund, branded as Value Makes Impact. As a special incentive for that particular fund, Jamaal Walton ’07, VMI director of intercollegiate

By Mary Price, Development Writer

athletics, promised to spend 24 hours in barracks as a cadet if that fund hit its goal of $25,000. Thanks to the total raised—$32,346 from 120 donors—Walton made good on that promise. “Keydet nation stepped up through the Compete to Win campaign with record numbers,” said Walton, who recently concluded his first year at the helm of VMI athletics. “VMI athletics is grateful for the support and generosity of the Whole Damn Team. Value Makes Impact!”

Top choices for this year’s campaign included men’s soccer, which raised $92,429 from 93 donors; football, which raised $47,268 from 132 donors; and wrestling, which raised $37,595 from 89 donors.

Additional funds exceeding their goals this year included those supporting rifle ($20,000 goal, $23,144 raised), women’s soccer ($15,000 goal, $20,260 raised), water polo ($8,000 goal, $11,884 raised), and wrestling ($25,000 goal, $37,595 raised).

“Compete to Win continues to reinforce the enthusiasm and support around our cadet-athletes and coaches,” said Andrew C. Deal ’12, Keydet Club chief operating officer and Alumni Agencies chief development officer. “The 3-day effort saw a record number of donors and dollars for this effort. The Keydet Club is thankful for the overwhelming show of support from VMI athletics and our staff for making this a successful event.”

Class of 1975 Presents 50th Reunion Gift

The Class of 1975 presented its 50th Reunion gift of $6,026,328.75 to the Institute during the reunion parade April 26, 2025. Pictured are (from left) David Prasnicki, VMI Alumni Agen cies chief executive officer; Chip Louthan ’75, Reunion Gift Committee member; John Plun kett ’75, Reunion Gift Committee member; Vic Arthur ’75, Reunion Gift Committee member; Jim Hobbs ’75, Reunion Gift Committee mem ber; John Young ’75, Reunion Gift Committee chair; and Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, the Institute’s 15th superintendent.

“In addition to their strong event participation and handsome 50th Reunion gift, the Class of 1975 also embraced the nascent Pass in Review program by offering a special gift to each mem ber of the Class of 2025,” said Meade King ’85, VMI Foundation chief operating officer and Alumni Agencies director of advancement. “In doing so, they not only demonstrated their affection for one another and for VMI, but spe cifically for the Corps of Cadets.”

Q A Hines ’66 &

Now recently retired after a 52-year career as an attorney that culminated with a position as senior litigation partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Atlanta, Georgia, Richard Hines ’66 matriculated from Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, with his twin brother, Edwin Hines ’66, as part of a four-generation VMI legacy family. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI and served in the U.S. Army (armor) before going on to earn a Juris Doctor degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Law. Hines served on the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees from 2011–14 and the VMI Board of Visitors from 2014–22.

Richard Hines ’66, a fourth-generation VMI alumnus, chaired the VMI Board of Visitors Commemorations and Memorials Naming and Review Committee.

Q: How did your extended family shape your path to VMI?

A: “My great-great-uncle, James Watson, [Class of 1868] arrived 2 weeks after the Battle of New Market. He was at VMI when [Union Gen. George] Hunter shelled and burned the Institute and spent the rest of the war years in Richmond with the Corps. My great-grandfather, Edward Watson [Class of 1871] was his younger brother. This was on my grandmother’s side. My grandfather Hines was a member of the Class of 1894, and my father was Class of 1926. And, interestingly enough, all those family members were lawyers. It was through those that I had a family tradition of simply, ‘Yes, Richard, you and your twin brother, Edwin, will attend Virginia Military Institute upon graduation from high school—period, no further discussion!’”

Q: How did your cadetship influence the path you took after VMI graduation?

A: “I always thought that I would study liberal arts and then would go to law school. In my rat year, we had some sort of aptitude test that was given to all the rats. Shortly afterwards, Colonel [Herbert Nash] Dillard [Class of 1934] saw me after English class and, in his usual larger-than-life manner, said, ‘Mister Hines, the only education offered at Virginia Military Institute is that of the English major!’ He later drove me to Lynchburg one night to watch Dame Judith Anderson perform in Euripides’ play, ‘Medea,’ to prove his point.

“When you think about ’64, ’65, ’66, you think about the beginning of the Vietnam War, and there was a sense at VMI that you needed to serve your country. You needed to prevent the dominoes from falling in the Far East. And I decided that rather than doing what I thought I was going to do, which was to apply to law school, it was time for me to serve and to go into the military.”

Q: What lessons learned at VMI have remained with you over the course of your lifetime?

A: “First, and viscerally, time management. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think what do I need to do, and how do I get that done in the time that is allotted to get it done? I was a trial lawyer. We always had deadlines, and we always had to plan in advance to meet those deadlines. And VMI absolutely taught me time management. Next, and more critically, there’s character and integrity. Your word is your bond in the legal profession—or any profession, whether military or civilian. Your reputation is forever lost if you are not true to your word, and the VMI honor system drilled that lesson into me. Then there’s leadership. VMI teaches everyone when you are confronted by a problem, your first response is not to run away, but rather to fix it and lead through this.”

Q: You have given back to VMI in terms of time, talent, and treasure, even as you were immersed in a very demanding profession. Why did you choose to do so?

A: “My twin, Edwin, had been very successful in the bond business. He was invited to participate in the Foundation’s Investment Committee, and he was serving on that committee when he died of cancer in 2010. That opened the door for me to

be invited to get involved as a trustee on the Foundation Board, which was instrumental in teaching me how the Foundation operates, where the money to run VMI comes from, and how important it is to give to VMI.

“[On the Board of Visitors], I was appointed to chair the Commemorations and Memorials Naming and Review Committee. Our challenge was to review the Confederate iconography on post and ensure that the [post] was inviting and inspiring without erasing its past—something that was happening throughout the country at the time. We had to satisfy the direction being given in Richmond, and we had to respond to the state-ordered investigation. Without compromising our complex history, I think the committee—which was comprised of board members, alumni, Civil War historians, faculty members, and the Regimental S5—ultimately came to the perfect solution to make VMI an inviting and inspiring post for all, including the young high school senior who knows nothing about VMI. I would just like to congratulate the work the board did during those unsettling times between the transition from General Peay’s leadership [VMI’s 14th superintendent] on the one hand to the leadership of General Wins [VMI’s 15th superintendent] on the other. Those were remarkable times, and I think VMI came out wonderfully in the end.”

Q: You are a supporter of the Peay Endowment. Why is that fund important to you?

A: “Education is what VMI is all about. Scholarship is what VMI is all about. And the Peay Endowment speaks to that in spades. The Peay Foundation addresses [faculty salaries] specifically by being able to name individual professors with a chair that then frees up funds to be spread among the faculty in general. And it’s also critically important to be able to induce more VMI graduates to think about going into the teaching profession and then coming back to VMI as a professor.

“I think the VMI professor who has been through everything that 4 years of cadet life entails better appreciates the day of a cadet that somehow compresses a 50-hour day into 24 hours and, as a result, is better for it.”

Q: If any alumni or friends of VMI asked you why he or she should serve VMI or give to it, how would you answer them?

A: “Isn’t service the very thing that VMI teaches you? Isn’t that the essence of [VMI founder J.T.L.] Preston’s inscription on the parapet? We who give of our time and treasure do so to preserve that which makes VMI the unique life-preparing institution that it is. We graduate leaders of character for the 21st century, and we need to ensure that that goal isn’t just aspirational but rather reflects reality.”

Q: If I haven’t touched on something you’d like to address, you have the last word.

A: “As a fourth-generation graduate, I have talked about the value of VMI. But I would suggest that today’s graduates, male or female, who may be the first in their family to graduate from college, can say it much better than I have here woefully attempted.”

Class of 2018 Scholarship Nears Halfway Mark of Goal

By Mary Price, Development Writer

Will Woodward ’18 knows that for young alums, money can be tight—so tight that supporting worthy causes might feel beyond their capacity. He also knows, though, that the brother rat spirit is stronger than the challenges life throws at everyone—and working together, individuals can accomplish far more than they can alone.

That’s why Woodward, a fourth-generation alumnus, has urged his brother rats to support the Class of 2018 Scholarship with recurring donations as modest as $10 per month.

Woodward, who serves as a co-class agent for his class along with Reagan Goulla ’18, has been shepherding the scholarship effort along ever since he and his brother rats graduated 7 years ago. As a cadet, he was the recipient of the Class of 1992 Memorial Scholarship—his father is William “Woody” Woodward ’92—and he was therefore well aware of how one class’s generosity can impact the next generation.

At first, fundraising was slow going, but not surprisingly, it’s gotten easier as members of the class have gotten older. “The donations have really taken off in the last few years when everyone’s [gotten] themselves established,” said Woodward.

Thanks to his persistent efforts and the support of his brother rats, the scholarship fund has received gifts and future commitments of approximately $34,000. When the fund reaches $75,000, members of the class will be able to finalize a memorandum of understanding and formally establish the scholarship.

“The biggest thing I’ve been doing in fundraising is just illustrating that every little bit counts,” Woodward noted. “My first pitch generally to people is telling them that you can automate a $10 a month

donation and just let it ride and not need to worry about it after that.”

Woodward has also stressed that the brother rat spirit, which unites alumni of all majors and backgrounds, is often mentioned as the biggest takeaway from VMI—and scholarship support can keep a cadet in barracks with their brother rats rather than being forced to leave because of finances. “I give them my example,” he explained. “I talk to some of my roommates, in particular my 1st Class roommates, just about every single day, even now. At this point, nearly 7 years after graduation, I would not have that relationship with those people if we hadn’t gone to the same school together. And so I ask [my brother rats]: What value do you put on the people, the experiences, from VMI?”

The scholarship, he noted, won’t be earmarked for cadets from a particular major or tied to whether or not a cadet is commissioning. Rather, it will be available to any 3rd Class cadet or higher, with an eventual preference for children of members of the Class of 2018.

And each day, as Woodward reaches out to brother rats about the scholarship, he thinks of the deserving young people it will someday benefit by allowing them to complete their cadetships. “The one thing that I think I really want people to know is how easy it is to donate a little and how much that can mean to people, if that makes the difference between them being able to stay VMI or them having to leave,” he said. “That’s the biggest point for me.”

Scan to Support the Fund

1944

Jonathan Safrit ’10

The Institute’s most senior alum sends his best wishes to the newly matriculated Rat Mass of 2026+3.

It has been a fairly quiet notes period for Bob Smothers, but however brief or frequent, it’s always good to hear from him. When these notes come out, it will be close to the 80th anniversary of VJ-Day and the Allies’ victory in World War II.I’m reminded of a story from Bob’s B-17 pilot, Norbert Ostrye. On their return trip to the states from England in June/July 1945, they were stranded in Iceland for a day or two. Many on the plane took this opportunity to explore nearby towns/cities, but Norbert chose to fish for cod. They were “plentiful,” and he had fun just catching and releasing. I can only imagine what this act of normalcy felt like after years of preparing for and participating in war. I really cherish these “war stories” that are often lost in between the more harrowing tales but remind us of the lives these men put on hold in order to fight.

That’s all for now, but as always, I remain available to friends and family of ’44. I’d love to hear from you all.

Wishing the best for a pleasant and safe end of summer and the start of fall.

1946

David M. Hudock ’97

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

1947

Jonathan Safrit ’10

I had the opportunity to speak with Roger Rosenfield a few times during this notes period, and it is always a pleasure to hear from him. He’s a great window into how things were in the 1940s during World War II at VMI, and he doesn’t mind sharing with a new guy like me. It was a much more dire time and, yet, a simpler one, it seems. By the time these notes come out, Roger will have celebrated his 99th birthday. He continues to stay busy, whether it be dog walks or dinner dates. He remains upbeat and retains his sense of humor. On our last phone call before these notes were submitted, he opened the conversation by saying he was “still the same, just a few days older.”

As always, I remain available to friends and family of 1947 and always enjoy hearing from you all. On behalf of the Class of 1947, I wish you all the best.

1948B

Lisa Tracy

The Class of 1947 welcomes the Rat Mass of 2026+3 onto Institute hill. Best of luck to those who will prove they deserve to be here.

Greetings, Brother Rats of ’48B, Families, and Friends,

As I write this, it’s a rainy spring in Lexington, and the 2025 VMI graduation is just days away. We’re grateful for the rain, for sure, after last summer’s drought but also hoping for a beautiful cluster of days for the Class of 2025’s finale.

And it was a beautiful spring day last Saturday when Mary Price, Alumni Review development writer, and I drove over to Lynchburg to have lunch with George Ramsey. George is the member of ’48B closest to Lexington, and we’d been trying to catch up for several months, including during the siege of snowstorms we all saw in the mountains here.

We sat out on George’s spacious screened porch and relished soup and sandwiches and a view of the wooded yard around the house he and his late wife, Harriet, built in 1962. It was a joy to meet several generations of the Ramsey family through pictures and learn of their whereabouts and lives. It was also our pleasure to meet Tracy, a canine who has recently joined the family, and who greeted us on arrival and oversaw lunch.

George told us he’d be traveling over to neighboring Bedford County the next day for a Sunday dinner with son Edward and his wife, who live on a family farm there. Older son George P. “Pete” Ramsey III ’72 also lives nearby, just outside of Lynchburg.

“I see a lot of family,” he says. “The kids come to visit. That’s one reason to keep the house.” It makes sense, he adds, given his six children— four sons and two daughters—and the 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grands who have enjoyed countless sleepovers in the upstairs bedrooms and plenty of play time in the basement rec area. His oldest great-granddaughter is now 19 and attending Christopher Newport University.

George himself is a native of Lynchburg and graduated from E.C. Glass High School there at age 16 like most VMI men of the era, since most school systems didn’t have middle school or junior high, but sent students directly from seventh grade to 4 years of high school. It was during those high school years, he recalls, that he and Harriet met at the local soda fountain. By then, he was already driving his first car: “Back in those days, you could start driving at age 14.” That vehicle was a somewhat reconditioned World War I jeep: “My parents weren’t gonna let me have much for starters,” he says with a laugh.

Coming to VMI when the members of ’48B did, he notes, “We saw a lot of brother rats go into the service. I think most of my class did.” He was one who stayed, graduating in 1947 under VMI’s compressed wartime schedule. He and about a dozen other VMI grads were recruited by an alum who was president of the Dan River fabric mills; George soon decided that was not a career, signed up for Army service, and headed to the artillery at Fort Sill. He soon found himself transferring to Fort Bliss in El Paso for training in the operation of guided missiles. There, he and Harriet married after she’d completed her first year at Converse. Then back to Fort Sill, where son Pete was born. But the Korean conflict had begun, and it would take most of the next 2 years of George’s life in the Army.

The best thing he’ll say about that is that on the return trip home, via troopship, “we more or less ate our way across the Pacific.” They landed in San Francisco, and he flew to Roanoke, where Harriet almost didn’t recognize the husband who’d gained 40 pounds on the journey, and where George was also greeted by a toddler 2 years older than the baby he’d left behind.

George joined his brother-in-law, John Taylor, in a growing lumber business that became TaylorRamsey, with mills as far away as California, in the postwar building boom years. Throughout his career as president of the corporation, he also found time to serve on local boards of directors, but the one he speaks of is, of course, the VMI Board of Visitors, on which he served during the superintendency of Gen. Sam S. Walker ’45, taking the post of BOV president during his

second term. He is proud to mention that son Pete has followed in those steps, serving as a member and president of the BOV in recent years.

Meanwhile, up in Michigan, Rod Kallgren has recently turned 98 and entered the list of VMI’s 10 Most Senior Alumni. I caught up with him as he was preparing to celebrate his oldest grandson’s marriage, which was to take place in 2 days in Cambridge, Massachusetts—and noting with pleasure that “the family’s getting larger.” At last count, he said, it included his six sons, 20 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren (these youngest young’uns all under the age of 2). “My oldest granddaughter is now a grandmother!” he said— and meanwhile, that oldest grandson, at the age of 38, is traveling around the world as a triathlete. With a double master’s degree from Harvard in medical biology and computer technology, he is also working for Moderna, which, as Rod pointed out, was the first company to develop a successful COVID-19 vaccine.

For his own part, Rod has had foot surgery and said he’s “learning to walk again, and it’s a slow process.” This, however, has not deterred him from participating in a weekly sports broadcasting project that has been running for the past 7 years. He is one of “The Sports Guys,” whose half-hour video show goes out every week to their retirement community. “We have our own studio,” he explained, “and every Monday, the four of us get together to tape the show. It then runs twice a day for the rest of the week.” They primarily cover local sports, he said, “but I try to throw a little in about VMI, and I do wear my VMI T-shirt once in a while.” He noted that in the Detroit area, they don’t get much VMI news, unless one of the Keydet teams is on a roll. (Note to Keydets: Rod’s team is waiting to hear from you!)

He also mentioned that, in thinking back to his own time at VMI, Al Loth lived just a couple of doors down on the stoop. Al was in fact my next call, and from Richmond, he reported, “I’m doing fine. Still driving, just renewed my license, and it’s good for another 5 years.” He mentioned that he started leasing his vehicles 6 or 7 years ago instead of purchasing, and it has made him “a very careful driver—no bumps or scratches.” His take on driving in the city and suburbs: “My main concern is not to hurt anyone else. Stay away from peak traffic.” (Amen to that, for all of us!)

After graduating from VMI, Al went to work for AT&T, then one of the biggest and most powerful corporations in the country, which he notes was familiarly known as the “widows and orphans” stock, for its stability as a guarantee of

family security. He followed his father’s footsteps in joining the company: “He told me, you’re not gonna get rich, but you’ll never be poor.” He enjoyed the variety of work and opportunities the corporation offered, and today he watches with interest as the companies it devolved into—Verizon just one of the many—seem to be making moves to reconnect.

Al still enjoys living in the home he’s occupied for the past 62 years. Living in his native Richmond is also especially rewarding because three of his four daughters are nearby, with the fourth in Virginia Beach.

Angus and Nancy Crook are enjoying their still relatively new location in the Belle Meade section of the Nashville area, near the country club that Angus noted features a beautiful gym where there’s typically never a wait for equipment. He said he’s finding a walker useful for getting there, adding, “I’m in great health, except orthopedically, doing great cognitively, and I’m still comfortable driving in this new neighborhood.”

I mentioned that graduation week was just ahead, and that led us to the collective ’48B memory of arriving not in September, but on a summer day in 1944. Angus reminded me that he’d left in February ’45—at which point the Class of ’48B had just completed its first year of the jammed-up wartime schedule. He headed to Sewanee to get the pre-med courses VMI didn’t then offer, which he needed for his goal of attending medical school at the University of Virginia, where it turned out that Charles Hurt ’49B was a classmate.

Angus also recalls that of all the brother rats ahead of ’48B—virtually no 1st Class cadets, only a handful of 2nds and 3rds—it was not the 3rd Class cadets but the ’48As you had to look out for. “They were the meanest of them all,” he said. “Just vicious.”

And ’48B lived to tell the tale—and many more. I look forward to talking with you all in the months ahead, and I would love to know what professors from the war years and after stand out in your memory for their contributions to your successes, their way of teaching, and/or their personalities.

Our fifth member of ’48B is Charles Nixon, for whom we don’t have phone or email contact information. I will be sending a note out to his California address, but if anyone has more information, please let me know! Meanwhile, please send pictures, news, and/or reflections on your VMI years. I would love to hear from you.

Fondest Regards, Lisa T.

1949A Jonathan Safrit ’10

The Class of 1949A wishes the Rat Mass of 2026+3 all the best as they begin their journey down the road less traveled.

Eighty years ago, ’49A began their journey, and I’m delighted to say the potential final member of that class has been confirmed as still being with us today.

G. Harrison Whitten Jr., who celebrated his 98th birthday last February, and I literally touched base with one another in the days leading up to these notes being submitted. His family is undoubtedly known to a great number of readers familiar with the Richmond area chain of Whitten Brothers automotive dealerships. The company was started by Harrison’s father in 1920 and is currently run by the fourth generation of their family. Harrison completed his rat year at VMI and then completed military service before deciding to go to college in Richmond and then get into the family business. Harrison now lives on the Chesapeake Bay, which he has spent decades fishing. I could tell just in our short conversation what a wealth of knowledge he is on the subject. I jokingly told him I wish I knew him 10 years ago so I could’ve earned an invite to fish by now! We discussed the early years of his father’s company, and I could not have been more fascinated. Harrison also talked about his own car collection, the jewel of which it sounded like was his Austin Healey. Even though he did not graduate from VMI, the respect and admiration he had for his brother rats and VMI itself was evident. Harrison was an absolute pleasure to speak with, and I look forward to getting to know him and sharing some of his stories with you.

As always, I remain available to the friends and family of 1949A and always enjoy hearing from you all. On behalf of the Class of 1949A, I wish you all the best as we close our summer and head into fall.

1949B

Ding Patton

ThesenotescovertheperiodfromFeb.16–May 15, 2025.

Greg Nelson emailed regarding an article he had seen about our Brother Rat Dick Prillaman and his younger brother, John Prillaman ’53 When he retired, Dick was a lieutenant general, and John completed his career as a major general. I don’t know where the article originally appeared, but I believe that it was published in some VMI alumni information. It was entitled “Big Stoop and Little Stoop: The Story of Two VMI Brothers” and highlighted the careers of the two general officers. Dick told me the Institute often needed a general officer for some affair or another and after he retired, he lived close by, just across the mountain from Lexington, so he frequently was asked to serve. On one occasion, he addressed the Corps and told them that in their careers, they would receive the honor and respect earned for them by previous VMI alumni and that they must act similarly in their careers to pass it on to the next generation of Institute graduates. This was mentioned in the article. Dick really believed it and acted appropriately to ensure the outcome for those who followed us at the Institute.

Greg said that he was doing pretty well but now knows how appropriate the saying “a woman’s work is never done” is since he is now doing it all himself. Kitty’s 19-year-old cat died, and that has made life a little easier for him, as its care was becoming more difficult. Otherwise, he said things are good, and he is doing well.

Joe Spitler wrote a lengthy and most welcome letter in February. Joe has lost a lot of hearing, so we no longer try to communicate by phone. He said Shirley is in assisted living at Copper Canyon, which is across the street from The Fountains, where he still resides in independent living. Joe sees her several times a week, and both of them are in relatively good health for “old people.” Shirley has dementia, but she still reads. Joe also reads a lot—the daily paper and books— but says they both prefer large print editions, although he will read regular print when necessary. Joe also plays the native-type American flute, works easy Sudoku puzzles to stay occupied, and keep his spirits up. He says walking is tough, and he uses a cane or walker, tires easy, and asks God to not let him fall. He says that he also thinks about a lot of things gone by, and I believe that all of us ’49Bs remaining do, as well. I know I do. Joe formerly hiked up and down the Grand Canyon for recreation, so maybe he wore out his hip and knee joints.

Max Feinman called recently to say hello and for me to tell all the brother rats he is thinking of them and God bless them. He is still

hanging in, and I would tell you the disease he is suffering with if I knew how to spell it. He joked and sounded as he always has.

Tom Altizer called from Florida several times over the winter and just called to tell me he is back in Virginia and glad to be home. He is interested in trying to get together for lunch with the brother rats living in Central Virginia. Maybe this can be arranged for Charlottesville. I finally made contact with BR Joe Haggerty (HBR); I had tried to email him with an incorrect address. At the present time, he is back in Switzerland, where Trump’s tariffs are keeping him very busy, and Odie is flying somewhere. He said work has been a little crazy, but they are finally all settled in California and love their house, as they are in a vineyard with lots of wildlife. He attached a couple of photos showing how beautiful it is.

The Alumni Agencies sent out the results of Annual Giving for the previous quarter. Although there appear to be 13 members of the class still living, they list only eight as solicitable alumni, of which five have contributed as of the end of the third quarter. There were 11 gifts for a total of $3,650, the average gift being $730. The participation rate was 62.5% among the graduates and 55.56% among all members of the class. I thought you might be interested in these statistics.

There is a chapter of the VMI Alumni Association in the mid-Shenandoah Valley where we celebrate, among other dates, the Battle of New Market. That event is especially meaningful for those who attend, as it is held on or near May 15, the anniversary day of the battle, and in the museum at the battlefield where cadets fought and saved the day for the South, with so many giving their lives in the cause of Virginia and the Confederacy. Our chapter president is Cameron Seay ’70, who arranges the affair Nobbie and I are looking forward to attending.

I have been reading “One Hundred Years at VMI” by Col. William Couper ’904 Everyone who attends the Institute learns the sacrifices the Corps made at the Battle of New Market. While this is the best-known of cadet participation in the Civil War, I have found there was much more. If you can find them, I encourage you to read this four-volume set to learn the rest of the story.

I want to thank my BRs who responded to my call for help in the last class notes. Until next time, God bless America, VMI, and the Class of ’49B.

In the Bonds, Ding

Robert F. Lynd

The big news for this article is our 75th Reunion, and I will get to that in a moment. But first, I have the sad duty to report we had two brother rats who passed this quarter. Col. Paul Palmer died Jan. 15, 2025, and Thomas Harrison died March 3, 2025. We issued a notice for each at the time, but you may have forgotten that by now. By my count, we now have 17 brother rats remaining.

Now to our reunion, which occurred Monday and Tuesday, April 14–15, 2025. First off, who was there? Initially, we were expecting six brother rats, but only four-and-a-half showed up (more on that later). Mitch Lawrence had registered, but because of a death in the family and a health issue, he had to withdraw. Currently, Mitch, at 97, is our oldest BR. Dick Coupland’s widow, Carole Sue, had also registered, but at the last minute, she became ill and could not attend.

So, who did come? Cary “Razor” Blaydes arrived with his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Katherine. Braxton Green and his wife, Judith, accompanied by (No. 4) son, Carter. Tom Kirk and his wife, Ann. Finally, my wife, Nancy, and I were accompanied by daughter, Nancy B., and son, Bob Jr. The latter two had never seen VMI. In addition to this group, Jake Berberich ’76 and his wife, Dianne, were present. Jake is the son of one of my roommates, John Berberich. Jake is an ardent devotee of the Class of ’50B, and we have communicated with each other for the past 5 years or more. Also, making appearances were two other brother rat sons. Bill Overman and his son joined us for a time. Bill is the son of our BR Bill Overman. Bob Michie, son of BR Norwood Michie, was also an attendee.

A note of passing interest: My roommate, John Berberich, was the city manager of Lexington for a while. During that time, he and his family became fast friends of Jack Lanford ’52 and his family who were living in Lexington. The children grew up together; Jake Berberich and Mary Lanford become friends. Years pass. Both marry and have a family. I become class agent. Jake and I strike up acquaintances. I’m writing articles for the Alumni Review and sending them to Mary Price at the Alumni Agencies. Who is Mary Price? Mary Lanford. Jake points this out to me, and suddenly a triad is formed with

VMI Class of 1950B 75th Reunion

overlapping commonalities. I hasten to add, just because of these relationships, Mary does not cut me any slack concerning deadlines, etc. But it was great to finally meet her face to face at our reunion.

So, what about the one-half?

Jones Felvey indicated that he hoped to come to the reunion, but he has a bad hip which might deter him. We didn’t see him Monday—opening day. But at breakfast in the hotel Tuesday morning, there he was. He’d driven down from Northern Virginia the night before. Asked if he was ready to march in the parade, his response was, “I only came to say hello. I’ve seen parades before. In fact, I’ve marched in parades. I don’t want to do that anymore. I’m going back to Richmond to see my wife.” As much as we tried to persuade him to stay, he insisted on leaving, and he did. We later found out he arrived safely back in Richmond. So, I count him as a half.

The post looked so different from when we were cadets, and it’s been 10 years since we were back. It took a bit of time to adjust. No Stonewall Jackson statue, no “Jackson” over the arch into Old Barracks (I don’t know what the arch is called today), and no “Jackson Memorial Hall,” just Memorial Hall. The flags and main focus today is on the George Marshall ’901 statue and Marshall Arch. Although all Jackson icons are missed, focusing on Marshall is good and the setup looks great!

Another surprise was the construction of barriers to the Institute grounds. Wall barriers are being emplaced around the edge of the Parade Ground along VMI Parade near Moody Hall, and removable barriers (bollards) were being installed at the main gate.

Big plans are underway to demolish buildings and build new ones. Old Moody Hall is to be razed, along with two others, to make room for a larger building. Moody Hall is just too small for all the alumni these days. And the Alumni Agencies folks are going to have to find new workplaces. The combined class dinner is now, as it has been for some time, in Marshall Hall.

At the outset, all agreed that the folks organizing and running the reunions did a superb job. In addition to our class, the Classes of ’55, ’60, ’65, and ’70 were having their reunions. The guiding hand, the one who kept me up-to-date and essentially did all the work from my perspective, was Brooke Shehan of the Alumni Agencies. I went into this blind, and she led my way. I’m totally in her debt. She was overseeing all the reunions but made me feel like ours was special.

Frankly, I was a bit suspicious about using the shuttle transport. But it ran like clockwork. Looked

like all of Lexington’s buses were on deck. Even had buses from Staunton! And golf carts ran continuously around the post, ferrying people from Marshall Hall to Crozet Hall and elsewhere. The carts were driven by Alumni Agencies personnel, who were having a blast.

The first event Monday specifically for our class was the burial of the ashes of Alex Mitchell Ajax’s widow, Nancy, has been carrying his ashes back and forth to Lexington for about 7 years. She’s been looking for an appropriate time to bury them in Lexington’s Oak Grove Cemetery. She decided this was the occasion. Consequently, she had a very lovely graveside ceremony honoring A.J.’s life. A large segment of her family (10) attended. The VMI chaplain spoke, as did others.

A cadet bugled taps, and a second cadet played “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes. A photo shows A.J.’s headstone.

I don’t know what other folks did Monday afternoon, but my two children and I listened to a presentation by Col. Keith Gibson ’77, VMI Museum System executive director. His topic was the evolution of the VMI diploma. That may sound dull, but he is a very good speaker and made the subject interesting. Interesting to the point that everyone who had not done so for a time wanted to rush home and look at that document. The idea of a diploma occurred when Francis Smith, VMI’s first superintendent and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, realized that the first class was graduating and would need some documentation attesting to that. What else but a diploma! He solicited a well-known artist to design a crest for the document. At that time, the Natural Bridge was one of the two wonders of the country—the other being Niagara Falls. Smith insisted that Natural Bridge be included. A later thought was that George Washington should also be in the design. If you look at your diploma, you will see both. Of course, the size of the document had to be specified. Smith decided to make it just slightly larger than his USMA diploma. And so it is today. Gibson said it is the largest of any college diploma. The wording changed a bit over the years to accommodate the current environment. All in all, a fascinating history.

Another note of passing interest. Keith was the director of the New Mexico Military Institute’s Museum here in Roswell. We met while he was here, where he did a bang-up job for this museum, just as he has done at VMI.

The big event of Monday evening was the combined class dinner in Marshall Hall. As mentioned, there were five classes attending, including us. Of course, the younger class had more attendees, so it was a large affair. Lovely table

layouts and nice dinner. Our table, as the senior class, was right next to Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins ’85, superintendent, and his wife and the admin hierarchy. At the appointed hour, he arose, welcomed the classes attending, and spoke about the status of the Institute. When he named the classes, he referred to us as 1950 and was corrected. We are 1950B—not to be confused with ’50A (who were not in attendance). He took it gracefully.

Must say, again, the shuttle service was perfect to and from all events.

Monday was a beautiful day. Calm, upper 70s to 80. But Tuesday, the day of the parade, the wind began to blow—and did it blow! Prior to the parade, we lined up in front of the library— all four of us standing tall. The photographer was positioned on a ladder (as you remember), so we had to look up to see him. We had our reunion hats, and the photographer photographed us with hats on, hats off, and then with wives and “support crew” and other strap hangers. Now it was time for the parade.

We, with our entourage, took our seats at the far right of the “reunioners”—sitting at the head of the table, so to speak. The senior class. At the appointed time, the band struck up, and the Corps, which had formed on the bricks, began to march onto the field. The Corps is so large today that there are three battalions, and it seemed as if the field was too small to accommodate all. It was very impressive to see almost the entire Parade Ground filled with the cadet Corps.

And the wind. Actually, it was more of a gale. I estimate it must have been blowing at least 2530 mph with gusts to 45-50 or more. It might have been less, but it was one helluva wind blowing from Moody Hall toward the barracks—the whole length of the field. The band tried valiantly to march and play against the wind. Officers were having especially hard times. Because of their feather-plumed pompoms, their shakos were blowing off. That included company commanders, battalion staff, and regimental staff. When the regimental commander and staff came up to present the Corps to the superintendent, a couple of shakos blew off. Fortunately, there was a group of cadets, in reserve, who would rush onto the field to retrieve the shakos. The headless recipients would remain motionless at attention or parade rest while the retrievers would attempt to plant the shakos back on.

And then there was the color guard. Having been the color sergeant carrying the national colors during my 2nd Class year, I could really empathize with them. First off, the flags themselves are heavy, and if there is the slightest breeze, they are difficult to control. In this instance, it was obvious

Class of 1950B

1.

of the class visit a cadet room during the 75th Reunion.

Members

2. Nancy Lynd with Ann and Tom Kirk at the combined class dinner during the 75th Reunion.

3. Tom Kirk with his Hanoi brick at the joint dinner during the 75th Reunion.

4. Judith and Braxton Green with Cary and Nancy Blaydes at the 75th Reunion.

5. Tom Kirk and Bob Lynd lead an Old Yell for the class at the 75th Reunion.

6. Jones Felvey, Bob Lynd, and Cary Blaydes at the 75th Reunion.

it took all they had to control the colors. The two flanking guards, with their rifles either at right shoulder arms or order arms, were leaning into the color bearers, and the two sergeants (whose titles I forget) who were positioned behind the color bearers were bracing against them. That was the configuration whether standing at attention or moving.

By the way, my idea of having hats as the souvenir was a disaster in this wind. Great difficulty in keeping them on.

The small female cadet who stood behind Maj. Gen. Wins holding his twostar standard was having a real struggle trying to hold on to the staff and remain upright. From time to time, two cadets would come to her assistance and keep her stable.

As I mentioned, the band had its problems, too. Not only were the usual issues of trying to play an instrument and march, but this terrific wind also compounded everything. In addition, the wind blew the sound away, and the only thing that could be heard, faintly, was the beat of the bass drum. This resulted in some losing step, and with the wind, lines were affected.

Despite all of the above, the parade was a grand success as far as we were concerned. When it was time for the alumni to march, we, as the senior class, led off. Cary and Braxton rode in golf carts. Tom and I marched. I’ll tell you— when we passed by the band, which had begun playing the “VMI Spirit”—our chests swelled, we straightened up as best we could with our heads held high, and by golly, we “marched!” Even the two of us in golf carts were marching in their minds! It was almost like old times, only missing a rifle and shako. “Oh, clear the way, VMI is out today!” Almost brought tears.

When we entered Main Arch, the wind turned the arch into a wind tunnel, and we “blew” into the quadrangle. We were first up for the class Old Yell. Tom Kirk had been prepped to lead the yell. He had no reservations about climbing up the ladder (he’s in great shape), but he did stop short of actually getting up on the sentinel box. He—like most of us—knew his balance would not permit him to be up there. I followed behind him. And standing below me was Ed Johnson ’79, Alumni Association COO. Why? I don’t know. Did he think he could catch us if we fell? He’d been birddogging us from the beginning of the march. Almost like a mother hen. I’m sure his intentions

were good. He just didn’t know how fit we are. (Are we?)

Now was the moment: The Old Yell. The cadet on top of the guard box led off with: “Are you ready? One two, one two!” At the word, “Rah,” Tom shouted out the Old Yell with the best of them. And the cadets lining the stoops roared back. I do believe they were surprised—and maybe a bit awed—seeing a couple of old mid-90s “running” up that ladder. And we came back down just as nimbly.

We requested to visit a cadet room. As soon as we finished the Old Yell, the commandant took us to a 1st Class cadet room. We were in Old Barracks, the abode we learned to love. What a surprise! Yes, the room was the same size, but that was about it. Each cadet has his own storage section. They are lined up together and open—similar to ours. Rifle racks about the same. The windows are very nice and appeared to fit well. No need to stuff Kleenex around the edges to keep the cold wind out, as we used to do.

The table in the middle was the eye opener. It was covered with all kinds of gear, mostly electronic. Computers, of course, and sound equipment. The table was so covered with “stuff” that we wondered how they were able to do any homework in their room. Maybe they go to the library carrels. A real surprise was the coffee maker—the kind that uses a pod. Wow! Coffee available anytime! The hays were down, and the room was not prepared for SMI, obviously. But, of course, this is how they really live—not always ready for inspection. And, after all, this was a 1st Class room and just after having gotten ready to parade.

By the way, the commandant, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lawrence Havird ’90, is a delightful man, even though Air Force—go Army!

The frosting on our reunion “cake” was the joint dinner with the Class of 1970. With just four of us, our class dinner would have been a rather lonesome affair. The 1970s, via their super great class agent, Steve Talley ’70, had invited us to join them—including our small entourage. There was a catch, however. Steve knows Braxton well (they both live in Staunton), and he knew Brax always sang songs at our reunions. That was the price—we had to sing for our supper. So, Brax picked out a few old standards.

Class of 1950B: John Berberich’s son, Jake Berberich ’76, and Jake’s wife, Dianne, at the 75th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 1950B: Tom Kirk and Bob Lynd march into barracks while Jake Berberich ’76 carries the class guidon during the 75th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 1950B: Alex Mitchell’s headstone at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia.

We old folks sat at one table, and the “children” had their own some distance away. After dinner, Steve turned the program over to us. We identified ourselves, noting that three of the four of us were pre-meds. Only Razor went on to med school. Tom and I went into the military service. We also pointed out that three of the four of us were in the Glee Club together. That was Tom, Braxton, and me. So with that introduction, and on Braxton’s queue, we three burst into singing “Once I went in swimmin’, where there were no women.” We had decided we’d only do one more if asked—and we were. We did “Be kind to your web-footed friends,” which has the surprise ending, “Now you may think this is the end—well it is ...” I won’t go as far as to say we brought the house down, but we came close. We showed them we were not some doddering old fogies. And in 20 years, we told them they could look like us (not sure how well that was received). At any rate, we surprised them.

The evening then turned serious. It was time for a special presentation from the ’70s. One of their class who was in the foreign service happened to be in Hanoi when the Hanoi Hilton was being torn down. The so-called Hanoi Hilton—that infamous prison where Tom Kirk was held prisoner for years. The foreign service man picked up several bricks and brought them back. Another member of the class, knowing that Tom was going to be at their dinner, had the idea of presenting him with a brick. And so, a plan was formulated. The brick was cleaned, a beautiful mahogany stand was made, and a brass plaque inscribed with Tom’s name and dates of his incarceration was affixed to the stand.

Thus, after we had wowed them with song, it was time for the presentation of the brick. One of the ’70s stood and told the tale of how the brick came to be. Also, a couple told of similar experiences in the air. Then Tom was presented the brick with great ceremony and much applause. See the photo of Tom with the brick. One can see the word “Hanoi” stamped on it.

After the joint dinner, we returned to our motel and retired for the night. We are in our mid-90s, after all. We did see each other at breakfast the next morning and exchanged our goodbyes. We all thought the reunion was a grand success. Someone thought maybe we should start making plans for our 80th. We’ll see about that!

After everyone was back home, I asked for some comments about how it all went—pluses and minuses, what was missed, etc. So, to end this tome, I’m quoting some of their remarks. Cary wrote, “I am very happy that I was able

Class Notes

to attend my 75th Reunion, which was only possible with the wonderful support of my wife, Nancy, and daughter, Katherine. ... The reunion team was kind and concerned in helping. The shuttle, while pushed at times, always came through. The post facilities were great, particularly Crozet Hall. The academic program appeared much improved with more majors and low pupil-to-teacher ratio of 11:1. The Corps looked more military and physically fit and happy with the changes that stressed [academia] and military while maintaining the class system and Honor Code.”

Braxton wrote, “The highlight for me was singing with you and Tom at the dinner with Steve Talley’s class! It took me back to the fun we had with members of the Glee Club. It’s always heartwarming to go back to the Institute and see everything is going well. I think our little group represented our class well!”

Tom wrote, “This was my first time back to VMI since the 60th Reunion. Surely did miss all the brother rats, but life goes on. We were genuinely impressed with the expansion of the Institute; they have done a superb job of keeping up to date to meet the tough life of the Keydets. ...

“Having lunch in the Mess Hall gave us a wonderful opportunity to meet, mix, and converse with a fairly large number of Keydets; they look good, are smart, and moreover, recognize the quality education plus rather tough lifestyle will surely benefit their lives and careers after graduation. As always, the Honor Code is still a foundational part of time at VMI. ...

“I was very proud that you and I could climb the ladder in the center of the barracks courtyard to lead the Old Yell. Seventy-five years since we graduated. ...

“I shall always treasure the years and the brother rats of Class 1950B who, as young men, braved the Rat Line and stayed the course through trials and fellowship that I shall always believe does not exist in any other college. I am a better man for being a Keydet and will always be proud of my days at VMI.”

¡Hasta la próxima vez!

Ursula Baxley

The Class of ’51 is the best. I got notes from three of you. Thank you so much.

Frans and Daphne Kasteel write, “Personal news is that I’ve finally retired from the Coast Guard auxiliary after 30 years. Now, I intend to devote more time to my memoirs and the cleaning up of debris of close to a century. Daphne, at 86, is keeping up with me. I am keeping up with the dog. In late June, we are driving up to our island camp in the Adirondacks for a couple of months. We added a third powerboat to the fleet to back up the aging runabouts. There are also multiple paddle boat crafts, as well. We are thinking of getting a golf cart up there to help get around the hilly terrain. We will be back in Virginia in September.”

Bounce Carstens writes, “I am going over to Dallas for Memorial Day weekend and plan to meet Jim and Jean Enochs and get together with Pete Philp. We have done this for the past few years and are looking forward to giving an Old Yell for the Class of ’51. You are a great agent and make do with so little.”

John Phillips writes, “I have been a resident here at Cedarfield with my Eddy. We still have a home in Longboat, Florida, that escaped damage from hurricanes this past year. Former Brother Rats Joe Brown and Bill May are now gone. Joe’s widow, Glennie, is a resident here and is in good health.

“John Taylor ’50B, a good friend and nextdoor neighbor, passed last year. Claiborne Terry ’54 died April 22. A memorial service will be held at All Saints Church May 3 at 11. He was, to me, the best friend a man could ever wish for. I will miss him greatly.”

Thank you, class, for these notes. I hate to always sing the blues, but I will need more notes the first part of August.

God bless all of you, and God bless VMI.

Class of 1950B: A concrete barrier under construction at the south end of the Parade Ground in April 2025.

1952

Mary Lanford Price

Dear Class of 1952 Family,

I am saddened to report the death of George St. John, whom I had just spoken with on the phone 2 short weeks before his passing. As I reported in the last issue of the Review, I’d established contact with Mr. St. John and his family in January, and in March, I was delighted to receive a phone call from him shortly after he’d celebrated his 96th birthday. We talked about his days on the Keydet football team, and I was amazed at his recall of players, positions, etc.

A native of Salem, Virginia, Mr. St. John had played football at Andrew Lewis High School, and he continued with that sport at VMI while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After VMI, he served in the U.S. Air Force and then earned a law degree from the University of Virginia before going on to a long career in the legal field that included service as a substitute judge in Albemarle County and serving as Albemarle County attorney from 1973–94. In addition, he taught at both the University of Virginia School of Law and the Washington and Lee University School of Law.

His obituary notes, “George married Janet Seager at the UVA Chapel in 1963. They raised four children in Esmont, Virginia, at ‘Hathaway,’ the home they cherished. He enjoyed canoeing on the James River, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, eating cornbread, hunting with a good bird dog, and raising legendary tomatoes. He was a voracious reader throughout his life and surrounded himself with books, mostly on the history of the War Between the States and the American West, but he also kept up with current events. He was a fine bluegrass guitar player with a beautiful baritone voice; when his hands could no longer hold a guitar, he played the harmonica.”

Writing in the Bomb, his brother rats foresaw a life well-lived when they noted, “George has exhibited during his 4 years at VMI two of the finest attributes a man can have. First, he overcame a shoulder injury which would stop most men and

became one of the best defensive guards VMI has seen in many years. Second, George is a man whom it is a privilege to know well. His is the type of friendship that does not wear thin. Solid, with two feet firmly planted on the ground, George will always bear the respect of all who know him.”

Near the end of my phone call with Mr. St. John, I told him I’d do my very best to come visit him this summer, and I’m very sorry that won’t be possible now. He was the kind of alumnus that VMI is known for, with deep integrity and an outstanding dedication to public service.

I was also notified this quarter of the passings of three widows. Margaret Burton, widow of Ed

Burton, died March 20 at the age of 93, and Sally Birge, widow of retired U.S. Air Force Col. Tom Birge, died Feb. 12 at the age of 91. Mrs. Lucy Marshall, widow of Peyton Marshall, died April 16.She was 94. All three were highly connected to VMI and loyal friends of the Institute.

I had the great pleasure of meeting the Burton family on post in fall 2012, when I was newly hired as a part-time writer in VMI’s Office of Communications & Marketing. On a beautiful fall afternoon, they shared a delicious tailgate lunch and told of their longstanding ties to the Institute. Below is a short excerpt from my story, which appeared in the December 2012 issue of the Institute Report: “‘The blood in our family pretty much runs red, white, and yellow.’ That’s how James E. ‘Jeb’ Burton IV ’79 explains his family’s long tradition of VMI attendance—a tradition that now spans three generations. Burton, a resident of Lynchburg, is the son of the late James E. Burton III, who became the first in a long line of Burtons to attend VMI.

“This year, Jeb Burton and his two brothers each have a son who is a 4th Class cadet at VMI. Jeb Burton’s youngest son is Louis J. Burton ’16, while Douglas B. Burton ’80’s youngest son is John E. Burton ’16. The two cousins are joined at VMI this fall by another cousin, Jacob D. Burton ’16, son of Jeb and Doug’s youngest brother, Daniel H. ‘Danks’ Burton ’85. Rounding out the picture is 2nd Class cadet Douglas B. Burton Jr. ’14, son of Doug Burton and older brother of John E. Burton

“To add to those ties, the three Burton brothers’ lone female sibling, Stephanie, married Jeb Burton’s brother rat, Robert H. Patterson III ’79.”

I only met the late Mrs. Burton once, and I remember her as a grand lady who was very proud of her VMI family. I never had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Birge, but several people have reached out to let me know how deeply involved she and her husband were with the class and the Institute.

I was informed of Mrs. Marshall’s passing by her daughter, Lucy Marshall Davis, who very kindly shared her mother’s obituary and a glimpse of her well-lived life, along with the lovely photo of the Marshalls that accompanies these notes. Mrs. Marshall was a gifted pianist who’d majored in music at Hollins College (now Hollins University), and she was a sought-after music teacher in

Class of 1952: Peyton and Lucy Marshall.

Class of 1952: George St. John as a cadet.

her adopted hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. Peyton Marshall (1951–52 regimental commander) battled Parkinson’s disease for many years, and Lucy related a very special story about her mother: “She played the ‘VMI Spirit’ for Dad up until the day he died.” If you’d like to share your sympathy with Lucy or her brother, Peyton J. Marshall III, cards may be sent to Lucy Marshall Davis, 53 Bristol Road, Wellesley, MA 02481.

On to happier news! On March 22, I was helping with photography at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet when I happened to read a name tag and realized that my telephone and email buddy Langhorne McCarthy was right there in Marshall Hall! It was so lovely to meet her in person, as we stay in close touch.

Also during this quarter, I received an informative email from Jim Delisio ’76 offering more information about the career of his father, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Louis Delisio. I’m not giving anything away at this stage of the game—just keep reading for an incredible surprise at the honor this exceptional alumnus received. Jim wrote, “Almost 5 years after losing my dad, I’ve been able to piece a lot of his career together with his papers and what he finally told me late in his life.

“In 1966, we left the Strategic Air Command in Great Falls, Montana, for life at the Los Angeles Air Force Station on the south side of LAX. It was a pleasant culture shock for me, but Dad was reunited with his former commander from his first assignment to work on a reconnaissance satellite being launched out of Vandenberg AFB. After a year, he was promoted to project manager of the last film canister satellite we launched. There were three school bus-sized containers containing almost 70 miles of film.

“My dad received the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters. Each time, I had to put on a suit and tie (I was not allowed to have a Nehru jacket) and go to a medal ceremony. Every time I would ask my dad why he got a new medal, and his reply was always, ‘I can’t tell you.’ He couldn’t even tell my mother. After the project was declassified, it still took him some time to tell me about two of the awards. One was for the overall project itself; another was for an adjustment made at the weather tracking station somewhere in East Asia. Just prior to launch, it was decided to upgrade the weather station so that there would be limited pictures of cloud cover. Later that year, that weather station reported that the first astronauts returning from the moon were going to splash down in the middle of a typhoon. I’m not exactly sure what

Class Notes

dad did, but the three individuals on the order receiving the medal were Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and my dad.

“Dad extended his tour in LA until I graduated from high school in 1972 (totally unprepared for VMI) and went to the Pentagon on the Air Staff. It was the first time we lived east of the Mississippi River in the U.S. while in the Air Force. Later, he was promoted and retired in 1977 as chief of the USAF Space Division.

“I can only imagine the accomplishments of more members of this great class that we never heard about. Take your dad [Jack Lanford]. When I asked him what he did for a living, he said, “I work building roads,” not saying his company took on some of the most difficult projects anywhere. Would you say this is typical of the generation? I would.”

Now, how about that little surprise? I would say it’s highly likely that Col. Delisio was the only VMI alumnus ever to be honored alongside two Apollo 11 astronauts!

One Friday in March, I was delighted to receive a phone call from retired U.S. Air Force Col. Pat Barry, whom I hadn’t heard from in about a year. “I’m still on the top side of the sod!” he announced cheerfully before reporting that he was “healthy as can be” at 95 years old after cancer surgery last summer.

Col. Barry was calling from Austin, Texas, the city he’s called home for the past 50 years, and when I told him that I’d be traveling to Austin for work during the upcoming week, he expressed a very real disappointment that we wouldn’t be able to meet because he was leaving for his second home in Panama City, Florida, just after

I arrived. I was equally disappointed to miss a chance to meet this wonderful alumnus, who told me on an earlier call that he’d flown in the Air Force with none other than Chuck Yeager, the first pilot to break the sound barrier. As a huge fan of Tom Wolfe’s 1979 novel “The Right Stuff,” which features Yeager prominently, I was suitably impressed.

I’d also like to recognize Dr. Jim Wiley, who recently celebrated his 94th birthday with family in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jim is one of my best correspondents, via email and text, and I always enjoy hearing from him.

And that brings me almost to the end of these notes. I just have one more observation to share (OK, two). The first is this: Since members of the class are now just 2 years away from returning to post to celebrate their 75th Reunion, I was overjoyed to see four (yes, four!) members of the Class of 1950B attend their 75th Reunion in April. Incredibly, two of them—Bob Lynd ’50B and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Tom Kirk ’50B—climbed the stairs of the sentinel box in Old Barracks to lead their class in an Old Yell. I hope to see as many, if not more, of you make your way to Lexington in April 2027. Climbing the sentinel box stairs is optional—extremely so!

And here is the second: When I became class agent in January 2023, I was given a list of names, and all of them but that of Jim Mecredy, who was the class agent immediately preceding me, were unfamiliar. What a joy it’s been to get to know each of you, and to see those names transform into flesh-and-blood people who’ve lived such fulfilling lives of purpose. Sometimes via phone calls and emails, but more often when a brother rat or widow has passed away, I learn of spouses cherished, families created and loved, and professional callings fulfilled with dedication and honor. Those departed have made the world a better place, and those still with us are continuing to do so—of that I am certain. Please stay in touch. It’s a very high honor to be your class agent, and I wish you each the best for the fall. ’52, ’52, ’52!

1953

WilliamC.NoellJr.

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1953.

Class of 1952: Dr. Jim Wiley celebrates his 94th birthday.

VMI Class of 1955 70th Reunion

1954

J.M. Perry Archer

Greetings:

No news is good news, as it is said, but news now is bad news, because we have had three more deaths: Alan Crockett, Paul Davidson, and Claiborne Terry

Paul died in Fayetteville, Arkansas, way back Oct. 16, 2010. He only stayed at the Institute for 2 years. He had five children and six grandchildren. We have no other details as of this writing.

Alan died Jan. 19, 2025, in Neptune Beach, Florida, at age 93. He was captain of the baseball team in our 1st Class year. He served in the U.S. Air Force following graduation. A lengthy writeup was made, as you recall, in the 2024-Issue 3 Alumni Review, to which we refer you rather than repeating it here at length.

Claiborne Terry died April 22, 2025. He was 94 years old. Claiborne was predeceased by his wife, Ann. They had two daughters, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, as well as many nieces and nephews. Claiborne was born and grew up in Richmond. He graduated from St. Christopher’s and VMI. After VMI, he joined the U.S. Air Force. Following that, he went into business, joining a business known as Watkins Cottrell. He then became owner of Central Equipment Company, after which he started another company named Virginia Public Works. Claiborne was involved with several charities, and he worked with families of incarcerated people, becoming active with Assisting Families of Inmates.

As always, we need news from you all about what may be going on in your lives.

1955

Barney Lawless

Well, I believe the reunion was a success, and the seven of us represented the class through the alumni dinner, the class picture, lunch in the mess hall (boy, has it improved, but we still gave a salute to Bogus’ picture), parade, Old Yell in barracks,

and the class banquet at the Southern Inn. You can find the pictures in other pages of this issue just to prove we were there. Comments follow.

Frank Brooke says he agrees with me. “The weather was perfect, the accommodations were great, the food was delicious, and the company was terrific! VMI goes out of its way to accommodate us really old alumni, as they provided golf carts for all who wanted to ride to different events. There were four from the Class of ’50B there. It was so good to see everyone. I certainly missed Judy, as she passed away in February. We have been to every 5-year reunion and a number of offyear ones!”

Joe Cestaro said, “It was great seeing us and your son, Ed Lawless ’81, at the reunion, and we all had a great time. It was just great seeing all those BRs who showed up for our 70th Reunion. We were small in number, but we made up for this with high spirits and enthusiasm. Also, the other family members who joined in on all of our activities added so much to our energy and liveliness. Now, let me give my strong opinion on future reunions for the Class of 1955. My fiancée, Janet, and I had the pleasure of having lunch in the mess hall with a member of the Class of ’50B and his wife. He flew the F-86 in Korea that competed against the MIG-15. I have never met a couple with higher spirits and optimism for the future. Accordingly, I, for one, will be looking forward to our next reunion in 2030, and I will bet ‘even money’ that we will have higher attendance than this year. Yes, I am an optimist and have always been one. ... So, my opinion is that all the members of the Class of 1955 must continue to look forward, and with God’s help, we will again gather together for our 75th Reunion in Lexington, Virginia.”

Bill Cridlin wrote that he was glad that all went well for our reunion. He said it is the first reunion he has missed but was glad to hear seven BRs made the roll call. He and Charlotte are doing well with the assistance of a nearby family, but they stay pretty close to home. It is funny how the mind races, but the body slows down. Take care.

Taps: James “Jim” Skinner.

1956

Dickie Justice ’82

1957

George Sydnor Jr.

Nick Kallelis

Editor’s Note: Dickie Justice ’82 is now the class agent fortheClass of1956

The Virginia Military Institute: An Uncommon Purpose!

Good morning, brother rats of the Class of ’57. It’s been a beautiful spring in Fincastle— relatively cool and timely rain to spur on the budding trees and flowering plants. You wouldn’t think your writer of these notes was a reticent civil engineer whose first job following graduation was as a mechanical engineer working on the air-round torpedo systems on the Navy’s second atomic submarine (SSN 591 Shark) then under construction at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. The first atomic-powered “sub” had been built by the Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, Connecticut, under the guidance of Adm. Hyman Rickover, who brought the nuclear age to the U.S. Navy. NNS&DD had received the plans from EB with only one admonition: “Just do it better.” So, with that as our order of the day and team rallying cry, along with reminder banners posted on appropriate walls for all to see: “Do it Better.”

And, continuing our relatively new tradition of offering salutations to those BRs who have completed 90 years on this terrestrial ball, aka Earth, during this second 6 months of 2025, they are: Bill Benson, July 3; Ron McManus, July 5; Frank Kline, July 14; Phil Miller, July 21; Ed Powell, Aug. 1; Jack Trant, Aug. 9; Joe Spivey, Aug. 10; Lew Diuguid, Aug. 11; Curly Mason, Aug. 14; Jay Musser, Sept. 9; Ben Elmore, Oct. 4; Paul “P.D.” Phillips, Oct. 1; Joe Wickes, Oct. 12; Warren “Skip” Richardson, Oct. 13; John “Poff” Poffenbarger, Oct. 15; John “Saint” St. George, Oct. 22; Alan Baumgartner, Nov. 6; George Sydnor, Nov. 6; Vic Wolf, Nov. 26; Harry Warner, Nov. 30; Charles “Tiger” Locke, Dec. 2; Mark Doty, Dec. 6; Carl Hellstrom, Dec. 18; Nick Kallelis, Dec. 18; and Tony DiCesare, Dec. 23.Congratulations, guys; the next stop will be age 95 in 2030, 5 years from now ... don’t forget to take your daily vitamins and keep on doing

whatever it is as you become part of the top 3% segment of the nation’s population. And even more gratifying to know that, as the database on aging states, once attaining the age of 90, you have a 40% chance of making it to 95. (Class agent’s note: Now isn’t that reassuring?)

Ben Elmore has rekindled the fire of passion in keeping up with those of us still standing in ranks, reinvigorating our call-a-thon program wherein each brother rat gets a call twice a year, and which is designed to check in with “those still standing” in our ranks. Ben calls it our “how goes it” program—checking in to see how each BR is doing, verification of addresses, mobile numbers, email addresses, and info for inclusion in the class notes in the Alumni Review, noting such things of general interest as family life, trips, interesting stories, reflections on our time at the “I” ... let’s stay in touch with each other. Class agent’s note: Reflecting on the journey through life, it’s remarkable to see the paths we have taken and the milestones we have crossed. The Virginia Military Institute has always stood as a beacon of resilience, determination, and camaraderie. As we celebrate our fellow brother rats who have reached the significant age of 90, it is a testament to the enduring spirit of our class. Each name on the list carries with it a story of perseverance, friendship, and shared experiences that have shaped us all. The dedication to staying connected and the initiative of rekindling the call-a-thon program highlights the importance of maintaining our bonds. Whether through heartfelt conversations or updates on family life, these moments of connection remind us of the strength of our shared history. The stories shared, like those of Ben Elmore and his team of callers, bring forth memories of the past and create new ones for the future. In these conversations, we see the evolving chapters of our lives, the rich tapestry of experiences woven into our history. It is heartening to read about the vibrant lives led by our brother rats, despite the challenges that come with age. The tradition of remembering those who have “crossed the river” is a poignant reminder of the legacy we carry forward. Each name, each memory, each story, reinforces the values instilled in us at VMI. As we continue to honor those who have passed, we also celebrate the lives of those still

marching forward on life’s path. So, as we move ahead, let us embrace the wisdom that comes with age. Slower, older, but smarter, we find comfort and peace in the journey, cherishing every moment with the 58 brother rats still standing beside us. Team caller No. 1: Don Coombs: “I had an interesting brief chat with Martin Andersen, who said he was still doing well at the age of 90 despite the continuing effects from Agent Orange exposure while in Vietnam. In fact, he still goes to the pistol range on a regular basis; he can even hit the target. He reminisced about the past and his concern for Jim Snead and wife Janice in their declining years and taking care of Kaye, the widow of Charlie Schwendinger, following his passing in October 1996. Martin still has a wry grin on his face when he relates the story of how he outlasted the federal bureaucracy and managed to have Kaye, following her passing, interred next to Charlie in Arlington National Cemetery. I had a great conversation with Bill Batten about a number of things. We had roomed together our rat year in Room 460, now one of the women’s ‘sinks,’ with Jay Long and Joe Yon. Bill went on to say his health is pretty much the same as most of us, daily aches and pain aside. His personality hasn’t changed one bit; he was and remains one of the most positive guys I ever knew. In signing off, Bill said he regretted he could not make our 65th Reunion but would sure like to make the 70th. My conversation with Al Baumgartner was a good one. He and wife Carolyn live in Marietta, Georgia, at the Sterling Senior Community, which is like Brandon Oaks here in Roanoke. She is in memory care while Al is in independent living. He went on to say that he reads a lot and still teaches at Sunday school. I had a nice talk with Bob Blocker, who is still successfully running his cattle ranch in Markham, Texas. We had a long conversation talking about the many areas of Texas we both frequented in years gone by, and I brought him up to date on the events at the Institute. The 50th was his only reunion return, but he is giving thought to making our 70th coming up in 2 years. My conversation with Bob ‘Mad Dog’ Bolling was a brief one as I caught him ‘going out of the door’ on the way to ‘an appointment.’ He has had some health problems like all of us but has managed to make the rounds to all of the

Class of 1957: Curly Mason and John Paganelli at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida, during Red Sox spring training.

Class of 1957: Darrel and Curly Mason with John and Diane Paganelli at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida, during Red Sox spring training.

Class of 1957: Having lunch at the Roanoke Country Club in Roanoke, Virginia, are (from left) Howard Lawrence, Kirk Hubbard, John Whittle, and George Sydnor.

casinos in Virginia—five at last count. His favorite is the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Bristol, Virginia, which he visits frequently. Bob, recalling his more robust athletic days, even remembers the time several decades ago when he and Pat, wife of Howard Lawrence, won the mixed doubles tennis championship at the Roanoke Country Club. I talked with Nancy, wife of Wiley Clapp, who informed me Wiley had fallen from their front porch and took a blow to his head a couple of months ago. He is recovering nicely, and other than that, they are just experiencing normal aging problems. Nancy went on to say that Wiley often talks about VMI and what a great place it is and was proud to have been a graduate. Unfortunately, I was unable to make contact with B.D. Ayres and Bill Benson but sent them both emails and left voice messages wishing them well and sending them greetings from their brother rats.”

Team caller No. 2: This report is still outstanding as of the writing but hopefully will be received by the next edition of notes 3 months from now. This would include updates on Dick Collier, Don Coombs, Claiborne Coupland, Dave Davenport, Tony Di Cesare, Lew Diuguid, and Mark Doty Team caller No. 3: Curly Mason: “I called all six brother rats on my call list but only reached Milton Hargrave, Kirk Hubbard, and Tommy Hunter. Carter Fox and Bill Gay did not respond to my message asking for a return call, and Carl Hellstrom has a ‘do not disturb’ message on his phone. I would have liked to have spoken with Carl because he now lives in my old hometown, Portsmouth, Virginia—maybe next time. These next three were really great calls/conversations, and it was good catching up. Milton Hargrave continues to live in the family home in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and is still farming but laments no longer bird hunting with old friends. In his words, ‘not a hermit yet.’ His main activities other than ‘the arm’ and following Nationals baseball are keeping up with his son, who lives next door, and his two daughters, one in South Carolina and one at Virginia Commonwealth University. We reminisced about playing baseball for Chuck Noe our rat year. Kirk Hubbard has moved to Cary, North Carolina, to be near his two daughters and is now living in the Jefferson Retirement Community with his two dogs. He stays busy with his coffee club there and stays in touch with John ‘Poff’ Poffenbarger and gave a shout out to John ‘Mad Dog’ Bolling. It was a good conversation. Tommy Hunter was in great spirits in East Texas (Milam) and was very complimentary of George Sydnor for his job as co-class agent. Tom had roomed with Dick Brown and Milt Hargrave during his 2 years at the ‘I.’ He’s not traveling as

much in his custom motor coach, which he uses to visit family scattered from coast to coast across the U.S. He said if anyone was interested in acquiring the coach, he would make them a deal! He retired as a highly decorated major from the Army Air National Guard after deployments to Vietnam, where he served with Herb Vaughan ’60, brother of our Brother Rat Tom Vaughan. Then came several years as a captain piloting for Eastern/ Delta Air Lines, from which he finally retired to travel the country in his motor home.”

Team caller No. 4: In his handwritten scrawl, Paul Muldowney lamented: “Not much to report, last time for me ... can’t type, have no secretary, no ability to email my report. But don’t think I’ve given up on life because I’m playing with ‘house money,’ and I’m doubling down every day. All aside, I had a good conversation with Nick Kallelis and wife Carmen. They love their new home on Lake Norman near Gastonia, North Carolina. The weather is wonderful, and he is active in the surrounding friendly, welcoming community. Three calls each to John Kilday, Frank Kline, John Kuchnia (class agent’s note: John recently reached out to Nick saying he was fine, exercising and walking daily, and seemed to be in great spirits. He was apologetic about not responding to previous calls), and Carl LeBourdais yielded no responses, so for the present, I must consider them all MIA. Charles Locke, the ‘Tiger,’ and I had a great chat. He has retired from a varied and interesting career teaching at the college undergraduate level. Bristol is home to him, having no plans to return to Big Stone Gap. Happily, I had a great conversation with Mo Levine. (Class agent’s note: Sadly, Mo passed away the morning of May 9.) He and his wife of 57 years, Cindy, love living in Colorado. Mo had an interesting story of how he made his way from Brooklyn, New York, to VMI, and his service career in the Army as an orthopedic surgeon. He was greatly influenced by his father, who also had been a career Army man. Mo said he quit VMI in the middle of the rat year, but his father had made him come back, so then he had to make up one semester to graduate on time. Mo frequently said that the VMI experience, in retrospect, was the best preparation one could have for life’s journey.”

Team caller No. 5: Tony DiCesare: “Our group appears to be getting smaller and more infirm, most of us suffering from one ailment or another. But let’s keep in mind that all days are good, just that some are better than others. Curly Mason was in good spirits, having just returned from the Boston Red Sox spring training at Fenway South near Fort Myers, Florida. Class agent’s note: A bit of trivia about the Fort Myers baseball park is that it is

a replica of Fenway Park in Boston. In fact, its left field wall is the original wall removed from Fenway when it was upgraded to accommodate more seating. This is an annual event for him and wife, dame Darrel. On this trip, they were able to meet up and break bread with John ‘Pags’ Paganelli and wife Diane and Martin Andersen and wife Lynne. Curly also recounted his baseball experiences at VMI with stories about Cliff Heathcote and Tim Maier while on the team—joyful and satisfying. Curly says he loved his time at VMI and has sponsored several new cadets. His career path, first with a shipyard and then with HUD, went well; allin-all, he has led a satisfying life, both in mind and family. Art McCrary passed away in November, but I had a lovely talk with his widow, Rose Marie. She was not clear as to the cause of his death, but simply said there were several mitigating factors. They had been married for 66 years, living most of them in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas. I did not speak directly with Phil Miller, but had a nice talk with his daughter, Betsy, who has been his caregiver for the past 40 years. Phil was afflicted with a neurodegenerative condition at the age of 52. He is now 92 and doing well, considering the circumstances. They live on a large farm in Aiken, South Carolina. At one time, they raised horses but have now switched to pigs—some 16 of them and have names for all. Bill Moore is now in an extended care memory unit per his wife, Florine. Depending on the day, he still recognizes her, but it is a difficult situation. My memories of Bill at VMI were one of humor and kindness, a classic Southern gentleman. Later in life, he became a judge, while Florine was the mayor of Suffolk. And then there is Paul Muldowney, my kind of guy. He and wife Harriett “Lovie” are in good health with some minor aches and pains but thankful for a life well lived. They have seven children, 20 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren—a great family, a keen faith in God, that we should all do, as well.

Guy “G.E.” Murray, per wife Rosalie, has recently suffered from an extreme bout with COVID-19 and is now in an extended care nursing facility; with some improvement, he will hopefully be able to return home. Ron McManus and Jay Musser, both colonels, must be either taking or teaching a course in escape and evasion tactics, as I was unable to reach them after several calls. The last time I talked with them, they were both fine and in good health; I hope that still holds true. So, George, our long, gray line continues to grow shorter; together let’s pray for life, love, and happiness.”

Team caller No. 6: Martin Andersen: “I talked briefly with George Niedermayer, who appreciated my call. Nothing new of note to mention; he and wife Helen were doing just fine. The same was

the case with John ‘Pags’ Paganelli, who was in Miami for a meeting when I talked with him. He said he and wife Diane are also doing just fine and are playing golf three times a week. Randy Pendleton said he was doing well, along with wife Betsy, and reported that he had recently spent the day with Lew Diuguid at a Baltimore Orioles baseball game. Paul “P.D.” Phillips was in good spirits, reporting he was still standing tall, and he and wife Ann were staying active keeping up with their large, extended family. Jim Piggott said all was well with he and wife Toni, ‘Just living the high life.’ I was unable to reach John Poffenbarger, Ed Powell, or Dudley ‘Pruney’ Price but left messages with each of them with best wishes from their brother rats.”

Team caller No. 7: Nick Kallelis: “Fritz Scholtz was appreciative of the call. He is doing well and still walks 5 miles a day. We had a nice conversation. He questioned how many brother rats were still with us. I mentioned that the exact number was not known, as we have limited contact with

some. My best estimate would be approximately 70-75 (class agent’s note: The number is 58.). He was also interested in the status of the superintendent replacement search. I am not aware of the status but mentioned it should be announced soon, probably by mid-year. Joe Spivey and I had a very good discussion; he is always a pleasure to talk with, as we can discuss a variety of issues. Joe is doing well, turning 90 Aug. 5, and expecting his first great-grandchild. He even sent in a ‘widow’s mite’ to the Keydet Club in support of the baseball team. I was unable to contact Warren ‘Skip’ Richardson and Charles Smith and was unable to leave messages, as their mailboxes were full. John St. George lost the love of his life, wife Betty, who passed away recently following a long illness.”

Team caller No. 8: MIA. We need updates on Jack Trant, Armand Wagner, John Whittle, Joe Wickes, Vic Wolf, and Jay Woodward. It is hoped this report will be received shortly and will be included in the next set of notes, which will be edition No. 34 for your scribe.

Since the last edition of these class notes, we have lost Garland Sullivan (Feb. 9, 2025) and Monroe “Mo” Levine (May 9, 2025); we also learned of the earlier passings of Frank Duncan (May 6, 2021) and Dick Ymiolek (May 28, 2022), all of whom who have crossed the river to rest under the shade of the trees. There are 58 of us still standing in ranks.

Before signing off on this edition of our ’57 class notes, we continue our honored tradition of remembering those brother rats who have “crossed over the river to rest under the shade of the trees.” Our 20th list of those gone but not forgotten Class of ’57: Francis Shield, Aug. 31, 2016; Robert “Bob” Alexander, Jan. 15, 2017; Jose Chioco, April 5, 2017; John Kling, July 24, 2017; and Lynn Meyer, Sept. 17, 2017. Rest in peace, brother rats who have passed, until at last we are all reunited; close ranks, brother rats still standing, as we continue our march forward on life’s path into the vast unknown and whatever the future may bring. When you are young, speed and adrenaline seem to be great. But as you get older and wiser, you learn that comfort and peace are more important. This is called S.O.S: Slower, older, but smarter. Dedicated to all our brother rats who are, like me, now realizing that it is time to slow down and enjoy the rest of the trip.

As it says in part in our “Doxology,” “The spirit blends with those we cheer, our brother rats we hold so dear. So now Keydets with one voice cry, God bless our class and VMI.”

Your Class Agents, George and Nick

1958

Lee McCown

It’s a beautiful spring day that we’re really enjoying because we know the 100-plus degree ones aren’t far behind. And Laura and I are taking turns driving each other nuts while planning upcoming trips: In early June, we’re looking forward to going to El Paso, where Lt. Col. Gary Cutler ’04 will assume command of the 16th Engineer battalion at Fort Bliss. It’s been such a pleasure to see Gary climb up the ranks since he joined the Army several years after graduation. By then, he was a well-compensated engineer, but he was determined to serve. BR Ernie Edgar has walked me through several of Gary’s Corps chapters, letting me know when he was getting opportunities only given to the best.

In late July, we’re going to visit my cousin, Sarah Mason Cathell, in New Hampshire, with one of the highlights being a visit with her to that state’s only national park, the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, created on the site of a late 19th-century artists’ colony. It’s named for one of America’s greatest sculptors, Augustus SaintGaudens, renowned among his many works for his 12-foot statue of Abraham Lincoln in Chicago’s Lincoln Park—our American Civil War Museum here in Richmond carries miniatures of the statue in its gift shop—and a number of now-priceless U.S. coins.

Aug. 30, we’ll be in Annapolis for the VMI versus Navy football game, where the pain we’re expecting will be ameliorated by our first time being housed on The Yard in their Officers Club. That’s thanks to longtime friends Jack Parry, USNA class of 1967, and his wife, Nita. Plenty to see in that nice town. On our list is the academy’s synagogue, named for Uriah Levy, the Navy man who saved Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Like another Jewish man we’re all familiar with, sculptor Moses Ezekiel ’866 who fought a New Market, Levy admired Jefferson for his Statute of Religious Freedom.

This comment from Dave Pitkethly: “Mara and I attended the annual banquet of the Western Neurosurgical Society in San Diego in October 2024. I was president of this esteemed society of neurosurgeons in 2022!” This was a timely message from Dave, as Laura had just read an article in the Virginian-Pilot about a trio of college athletes who became doctors. Like Dave, the three doctors

Class of 1957: Curly Mason and Martin Andersen at First Watch in Brandon, Florida.

Class of 1957: Martin and Lynne Andersen in Brandon, Florida.

profiled had all been track standouts in college.

Dave thought the article was terrific and said, “I fully agree that sports are very important for the young and old. For the young in particular, it teaches team play, rigid training, responsibility, fitness, and all of the constituents of a life fulfilled!”

Let’s hope all these young doctors follow Dave’s example of staying active and fit throughout their lives. Dave still exercises 2 hours a day and plays golf regularly. If you’d like to read the article, just let me know.

Class Notes

Big changes are ahead for another of our Pacific Northwest BRs: Roy Palmer says, “I need to get back to Virginia and my roots.” Roy hopes to put his house on Mercer Island, Washington, on the market no later than August. He says, “Lots of stuff to get rid of plus prepare the house for sale. I will be checking out Westminster Canterbury and Cedarfield. Definitely decided that an independent living facility is the right move for me.” We are thrilled that those two facilities are right here in Richmond! And that there are BRs who can tell him about those places: Linda and Brooke Doggett and Sally Witt, wife of late BR Sam Witt, are at Westminster Canterbury, and Eleana and Stuart Whitehurst are at Cedarfield.

Roy had planned to give up his pilot’s license this year—making him the last BR I know of who has gotten around to retiring not far from age 90. But he has an update: “My last flight for a KAL777 test in Korea was scheduled for June. It has been delayed numerous times, and now they are talking about September. My current FAA test pilot license expires the end of August. I now plan to complete the required training to extend my license for another year.”

Roy has also been getting his brother settled in a new place. “Last Sunday, I flew with my brother on an overnight flight to Orlando, arriving early Monday morning. We took a 1-hour drive to Mount Dora, Florida, to place him in a new memory care facility. Previously ordered furnishings arrived at 10:30 a.m., and I spent the rest of the day assembling the bed and all the furnishings. Visited him Tuesday morning and flew back to Seattle in the afternoon, arriving 46 hours after my departure. I definitely don’t

recommend whirlwind trips such as this at our age.

“His facility is in the same complex where Joan and Art Carnevale are in independent living. I visited with them, and they are doing fine. Prior to my trip, I had loaded them down with shipments from Amazon of things for my brother’s new digs.

“Have you done your 75 pushups for today?” Answer to you, Roy: I’ve given up pushups for the yoga exercise called “cat and cow.”

We always enjoy Roy’s witty emails. He will be the surprise guest for the next ’58 Richmond lunch! He asks if he will get the “traveled the farthest” award, and I feel sure he will.

Laura and I enjoyed a delicious lunch with Becky and Onza Hyatt at the newly reopened Hotel Petersburg recently—it’s part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection—and we highly recommend it to those close enough to visit. It was built in 1915—prior to renovation, it had been closed since 1971—and designed by architect Charles M. Robinson, whom Laura knows a lot about and greatly admires.

Robinson designed countless public schools and churches in Pennsylvania and Virginia towns and cities and is responsible for the original campuses of Virginia’s first teachers’ colleges: James Madison, Radford, Mary Washington, and Virginia State, all now universities. He also designed dozens of buildings for the College of William & Mary’s early 20th-century expansion. These Richmond schools familiar to some of our BRs were designed by Robinson: William Fox Elementary School (1911), Albert Hill Middle School (1926), and Thomas Jefferson High School (1930). BR graduates of TJHS include Sam Brown, Don Cuthrell, Brooke Doggett, Bob Greathead, Jim Poteet, Joe Parker, John Peters, Jack Sullivan, Bill Tarrant, Stuart Whitehurst, and Sam Witt. There have been name changes on some of Robinson’s Richmond works, but these still have their original names.

At the Hotel Petersburg, we got a tour led by a sharp young Mexican woman who has been with the Hilton chain at assignments all over the world. She said this was her favorite hotel and her favorite place to live. She showed us the hotel from top—a large rooftop bar with every view attractive and historic—to bottom, which was a strange

Class of 1958: Dave and Mara Pitkethly at a meeting of the Western Neurosurgical Society in San Diego, California.

Class of 1958: Laura Cameron and Lee McCown with Onza and Becky Hyatt at the Hotel Petersburg in Petersburg, Virginia.

Class of 1958: Bill Giles ’60, Lee McCown, and Chris Stone ’78 at a program for Washington Arch Society members in Richmond, Virginia.

but funny basement where chandeliers hung from utilitarian pipes of some kind.

Onza and Becky are doing well, and we all plan to go back to this grand old hotel.

A recent VMI highlight for us was a Richmond gathering of Washington Arch Society members, those who have VMI in their wills. Col. Keith Gibson ’77, VMI Museum System executive director and our favorite speaker on VMI history, outdid himself with this talk. It was fascinating from start to finish, but we particularly enjoyed his description of who it was that saved VMI after it was nearly destroyed in the Civil War: It was Sarah Henderson Smith, wife of Francis H.Smith, superintendent, who turned a $5,000 inheritance over to her worried husband. It was an unrestricted gift that allowed VMI to remain open. Otherwise, it would have been compelled to close. In another postwar detail from Col. Gibson, VMI managed to pay off its wartime debt by 1900, while Virginia didn’t pay its off until 1939 on the eve of World War II.

Laura and I had to separately attend what would have normally been shared experiences Saturday, March 22, when the commissioning of our grandson, Jack McCown ’24, as a Marine officer at Quantico coincided with the memorial service in Virginia Beach honoring Carolyn Harshaw, BR Bill Harshaw’s wife of 64 years.

I was among the platoon of family at Quantico for plenty of Sic Semper Tyrannis at Jack’s commissioning. Laura was honored to be in the lovely First Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, which was packed for Carolyn. Charlie Hayes was among others honoring her.

Laura reports that Bill, son Chip, and daughter Melissa remained composed as they spoke about Carolyn, each describing her talents and her role as their loving wife and mother. Carolyn and Bill met when she was at Southern Seminary in Buena Vista, and he was at VMI. After dating for 2 years, they married, and she began her life with Bill when he was in medical school, then the Army, then his medical practice. Sadly, they had just moved to a new community, which they were enjoying together. In addition to Bill and the two children, Carolyn is survived by three grandchildren. A donation to VMI from the Class of ’58 has been made in her memory. Rest in peace, dear Carolyn. Jack Cunningham lost his wife, Jane, in March, also. The Class of ’58 honored her with attendance at her memorial service by Howell Bowen, Linda and Brooke Doggett, Carol and Laura Menefee— wife and daughter of BR Moon Menefee—Paul Royer, Eleana and Stuart Whitehurst, and Laura and me.

Unfortunately, Jack wasn’t physically able to be

there, but we’re told that until her last days, Jane was still working to make sure he was taken care of. Thanks to her, he has moved to The Hermitage, Room 206, 1600 Westwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227. I’ve visited him there, and he says he is well taken care of. Laura’s mother, who lived there for a time, certainly was.

The service at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Goochland was truly beautiful. A granddaughter and her husband, who are professional musicians, sang “Morning Has Broken” at the beginning. Another granddaughter read delightful song lyrics she’d written for Jane. Daughters Nancy and Robin paid tribute to her loving attention and her many great talents. At the reception, elaborate christening gowns she’d made for the grandchildren were on display, along with wonderful photographs of her. Like Carolyn Harshaw, it seems there was never a bad photograph taken of her.

The minister told a story about the Cunninghams that she described as an enduring church legend: Having just moved from Roanoke to the Richmond area, they were looking for a church. During their first service at St. Mary’s, Jane spotted a copperhead snake crawling around near them. She fearlessly threw a prayer book at it, stunning it into submission. After that experience, Jack and Jane said they knew they’d found their church.

Jane is survived by Jack; children, Thomas, Nancy, Elizabeth, and Robin; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A donation to VMI from the Class of ’58 has been made in her memory. Rest in peace, dear Jane.

BR Tom Smythe died March 6 in Honolulu.

Tom spent more than 20 years in the Marine Corps—with experiences that included Vietnam and two graduate degrees—rising to lieutenant colonel. He followed that with more than 20 years with the state of Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Tom was passionate about running, doing 5Ks and marathons for decades. He is survived by three children—Judy, Steve, and Susan—six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

If I ever get back to Hawaii, I will visit Tom at “The Punchbowl,” officially known as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. A donation to VMI from the Class of ’58 has been made in his memory. Rest in peace, Tom.

Our class fund, which is only used for memorial donations to VMI in memory of BRs and their wives, is running low and needs replenishment. Please send a donation to class treasurer Mike Smeltzer at 225 23rd Street SW, Unit 105, Roanoke, VA 24014. Make checks to the VMI Class of ’58 Class Fund.

In closing, I’m thanking Paul Royer, or Pablo as I call him, for presenting me with a photo of himself, the late Johnny Phillips (who died in 2002), and Lou Farmer on some odd occasion in 1954. Paul already had the beginnings of a receding hairline, about which he always said, “I’m clearing ground for a new face.”

Love those vertical stripes on Johnny’s underwear! But Laura says it looks like a pleated skirt to her. If any of you have artifacts like this photo, please send me a copy, as ’58 photos for class notes are in short supply.

Although around 20 years younger than our class, Adam Gopnik, New Yorker journalist, recently wrote something that rang a bell with Laura and me. When Gopnik gave up on curing his lifetime of insomnia, he said this: “I’ll sleep long enough soon enough.” May we all be comforted by this truth on our 90th birthdays.

Lee

This quarter, we have lost four class stalwarts, each who has in their own way made their place in the history of the VMI Class of 1959. Betty Sellers, widow of Phil Sellers, passed away March 20, 2025. Betty was a fighter and fought the good fight with cancer for 6 years. She finally reached

Class of 1958: Paul Royer, Johnny Phillips, and Lou Farmer during rat year.

1959

Shep Shepard

that point in her treatment where she could not take any more chemo. Many people will remember Betty for her glowing personality, but I always remember Betty for her role as Miss Betty in the Washington, D.C., TV show “The Romper Room.” There will not be a memorial service, but she will be buried next to Phil in Arlington Cemetery at a later date.

Another stalwart, Dick Phillippi, passed away March 24, 2025. I do not think our class truly understood the years and amount of support Dick gave to VMI. Years ago, when he owned a motel in Wytheville, he frequently offered his motel to the VMI football team to get them away from Lexington the night before a game. Dick was a great brother rat and alumnus I considered a close personal friend. Dick once told me that he purchased the 350 acres where he built his home for the original purpose of building a housing development. He fell in love with the property and decided to keep it all and build his home in the middle of it. When Ann and I stayed with him and Linda, they said the acoustics of their home were very poor, but it did not bother them because after all had gone to bed, they could hear the kids plotting their next day’s activities. They always knew what they were up to. We will miss Dick, as will many of his brother and sister rats. Ned Addison talked to him a couple of days before he passed away and felt that he was in a good place spiritually and felt so thankful to have his beautiful daughter always by his side.

Still another stalwart who passed away this quarter was Jack Angolia. I spoke with Joy, and she said he passed away March 1, 2025. Jack was suffering from a combination of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s for the past 3 years. Joy said he weighed 120 pounds when he passed. Jack and Joy were good friends. Ann and I would make it a point to stop in Kansas on our annual ski trips to Utah and spend a

day or so with them. I had the privilege of spending hours looking at his collection of World War II Nazi paraphernalia and his World War II U.S. collection when he switched over. Both were amazing collections and so professionally displayed. I have missed Jack for the past 3 years and will continue to miss him. One evening when we arrived at their home, Jack took me down to his museum to view his latest acquisitions. Sitting on the floor was a gentleman looking through some pictures. I asked Jack who he was, and he said he was the spouse of the heir to Playtex. That just showed the quality of Jack’s collections and the type of people he dealt with. He said that in all his and Joy’s travels throughout the world, he never visited a country where he was not greeted by someone he knew through his collections.

We also lost our sister rat, Julie Vargosko, widow of Michael A. Vargosko, who passed away March 28, 2025, in Trumbull, Connecticut, where she was living. Their son, Michael, and his brother were able to spend a lot of time together with her in the last days and nearly the whole day before she passed. She was suffering from Alzheimer’s, and the disease had progressed to the advanced stage. After a fall about 2 weeks before she died, her health deteriorated very quickly. She will join their dad at Arlington National Cemetery.

I am so sorry to tell you that one of the most important guys in our class, Rusty Loth, has been hit once again with cancer and is in hospice in Memphis. Rusty has handled sending flowers to those who passed away for I don’t know how long; he was our unsung hero. Rusty’s lovely daughter, Laura, is at his side and has been through the whole ordeal. She said that the chemo was taking its toll on his heart, so they discontinued it, and he will return to the hospice facility at his retirement home. I talk to Laura as much as possible since I

Class of 1959: Harry Ray celebrates his birthday with his family.

Class of 1959: Susan Mease, widow of Bud Mease, and daughters Stacey and Suzann with Shep Shepard in Florida.

Class of 1959: Shep Shepard and his daughters, Colleen and Christine, at a Bonnie Raitt concert.

am right in the middle of moving to a retirement home, and she says she has received so many cards, letters, and emails. She has them all posted on the walls in his room and knows he senses they are there. She feels the love Rusty’s brother and sister rats had for him, and she feels it transferring to her. She asked that I let everyone know how much she appreciates their thoughtfulness. No one in our class has done more to ease the pain of a loved one passing than Rusty; please show him how much it has meant to all of us by keeping him in your prayers.

Karla Carter, Bob Hobson’s daughter, wrote that Bob fell and broke his hip. He had surgery right away and is now in a rehab center. The surgery went well, but it is a tough one to recover from. He is expected to be in the rehab center for 3 weeks. His family, as well as his brother and sister rats, are praying for a miracle and that he can get strong enough to get walking again!

When I told John Trout I had made the decision to move into a retirement home, he wrote that he would never make it to a retirement home. He said that he has two houses, four cars, three dogs, and a cat and has spent years selling off his military collection. I can only say never say never; a few weeks ago, I felt the same way, but circumstances change and plans are altered. Just ask Shay Booth, who said she will be thinking of me as I make the move. She recalls how stressful, physically and mentally, it is.

When Jo Anne Dreelin Anstett heard that Rusty was sick, she immediately responded with praise for him and what a great friend he had been to her after Donnie died. She said Rusty looked out for her and always had a great smile. Jo Anne has been keeping tabs on the Dreelin family. Ann’s brother, Michael, is the only one left; all the other Dreelins have passed away—primarily due to heart failure. Jo Anne visited with Willie and Kevin, the sons of Ann’s sister, Kitty. They did a lot of reminiscing about being with Ann’s folks, Nannie and Daddy Jim.

Bobby and Alice Ross sympathize with the dilemma of moving into a retirement home; they have experienced the same thing, and it is amazing how much you can accumulate over the years.

Bobby and Alice were in Lexington recently for a couple of days. It was very enjoyable— lots of great memories. Their daughter’s home backs up to the golf course, and a lot of work is being done on it. Also, they are building some sort of wall on the end of the Parade Ground near Moody Hall.

Spencer Tucker writes that Beverly was asked to paint a portrait of Maj. Gen. Wins ’85 to be

Class Notes

presented to him at a community reception in May. She was honored to do so and has just about completed the work. In Spence’s viewpoint, Wins has accomplished much at VMI and set plans in motion for future improvement. His tenure here has definitely taken the Institute in a positive direction. I pray it will continue under his successor.

Unfortunately, Tex Carr’s wife, Emily, fell and fractured three ribs. They discovered that Jacksonville UF Health has a first-rate trauma one unit. A week later, she returned home but is still hurting. In late March, they tiptoed into cruising again, this time to the Caribbean just to get out of town for a while. A week after returning home from the cruise, they both tested positive for COVID-19. Not bad but definitely kept them homebound.

Lee and Nancy Southard congratulated me on making the decision to go into a retirement home. I’m not sure how much of the decision was mine. One minute, I happened to mention I was thinking about moving into a retirement home, and the next thing I knew, my kids and son-inlaw had me sitting in the retirement home signing papers. I believe it will work out all right.

Lee reports he is responding to physical therapy. He is getting his strength back, balance is good, handling stairs, and feels the best he has in 3 years. Adrenal insufficiency is a tough one, and he is happy he knows what he has. He is being treated by an endocrinologist with whom he is quite impressed. Now if he can get his neuropathy under control. Physically, Lee and I seem to have the same problem: Neither of us can walk, nor do we have any endurance. However, we both have the desire to drive to Charleston and attend the VMI versus The Citadel game Nov. 1. We are both committed to improving our walking and endurance so we can attend the game. Hope to see many more ’59ers there. Lee’s 16-year-old grandson, Christian, at 6’5” and 280 pounds, is the varsity starter at left tackle for the Carmel High School football team. Carmel High School is usually playing for the state championship each year in the top Indiana Division. The coach tells him that by senior year, he will be a top-five DI pick. I might add that he loves VMI. What a recruiting opportunity. Lee is quite impressed with the VMI basketball program. It seems to be getting better every year. Lee is looking forward to VMI football on ESPN+. Nancy is doing well and keeping Lee in line as he rehabilitates.

Billie and Sue Kornegay went to a VMI thirsty Thursday event recently where they ran into my greatest asset at VMI, Norma Robinson, the VMI Alumni Agencies top office manager. Norma took

care of all the needs of the class agents, and she took care (and still does) of me for the past 30 years. I could not have done my job without her help.

Harlee Pate had a family wedding to attend at the House Mountain Inn March 22, 2025, and although he had a busy schedule, Harlee, Sue, and I were able to have an extended lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s. Harlee looked well but was tired from the drive from Tennessee. We had a great lunch. Harlee was concerned about Dick Phillippi’s health since he visited Dick on his way to Lexington. As you all know, his concerns were well-founded. Since Harlee has taken over the flower fund, I get a call from him every so often. I recently got a plaque from him thanking me for outstanding service as the class agent. Like I told Harlee, I do appreciate recognition, but my days of accolades are over. I have received enough in my lifetime to make anyone happy. Harlee had lunch with Doug Marks ’69 at a famous Chattanooga restaurant called South on the River. They had a great afternoon talking about VMI.

Bob and Anne Baillio were in Austin for a granddaughter’s graduation in ME and had the opportunity to see John and Malena Eggleston and share happy memories of Morton and Audrey Eggleston. The VMI Class of 1959 Florida group has not had a mini reunion since the pandemic, and for good reason. Recovering from the loss of Ann took all I had to keep on living. I think I have better control of the situation now, and the move to the retirement home will be helpful. Anyway, I was convinced to plan a mini. It was not hard to figure out where to have the reunion since we had been talking about the Hacienda, a newly renovated historic hotel in New Port Richey, Florida, located just outside of Tampa. I knew it was the right place to go since Lee and Nancy stayed there and loved it, so I knew I would not get any flak from Miss Goody Two-Shoes, my biggest critic. It was all we expected and more. Unfortunately, our ranks are shrinking here in Florida. There was a time when we could get as many as 35 people attending, but that was the old days when we had 15% of the class living here. Lee and Nancey Southard came up from Fort Myers, and Mel and Jean Anderson traveled just down the road from Tampa, as did Art and Ginny Brandriff. Incidentally, Art has taken over the position of assistant flower king, working with Harlee Pate. I was happy to see Bob Haines come up from Sarasota; he has been having some health problems. I came over from Melbourne and brought my entourage consisting of my two wonderful daughters, Christine Ellegood and Colleen Merrigan,

and my ever-faithful son-in-law, Mike Merrigan. It always helps to have a lawyer close by. Don and Carole Messner were packed and ready to go, but Don picked something up that would not let him go. We missed them. We also missed Tex and Emily Carr but broken bones, COVID-19, and just plain bad luck kept them home. We still had a great time. As I said, the hotel was outstanding. There was also a festival taking place in the city of New Port Richey with our hotel right in the middle. We were able to enjoy the bands by just sitting on the veranda. I did not recognize the band, but my knowledgeable sidekicks said they were the front band that played for the Eagles. I was impressed. All had a good time and returned home safely.

My intention was to attend Dave Goode’s funeral, which was held at Arlington Cemetery March 28, 2025, but my sister, Susan, Bud Mease’s widow, and her family were coming to visit me. Unfortunately, Bob Haines was the only one from our class who attended. I did talk to Gen. Peay ’62 and had intended to join him, but there was just too much going on. Gen. Peay said he missed seeing the Class of ’59 but understood. He also said the ceremony was very professional, even with all the latest changes to protect the horses. I got a call from Joel Strunk, Jud Strunk’s son, who lives in Maine and was with the honor guard for several years while he was in the service. Looking at the ceremony from a different point of view, i.e., a participating member when they had all the bells and whistles, Joel was a little disappointed.

Yvonne Traylor is doing just fine. The whole family just got together at their house in Winter Park. They celebrated Easter, Yvonne’s 86th birthday, and Mother’s Day all at once. It was wonderful to be with all her people at once, since the five of them have been so scattered geographically. Daughter Elizabeth is still leading her own garden design company, doing business primarily in the Middleburg, Alexandria, and Georgetown areas, among others. She stays busy and enjoys seeing her old Vanderbilt family whenever she gets the opportunity and staying in her home in the Adirondacks, where family and friends enjoy gathering on the porch and surveying nature and wildlife in that beautiful place. She brought along her new Schnauzer pup, Rocket, a great new addition to the family. Grandson Andrew Norman has graduated from UVA and UVA Law and has been living and practicing in D.C. His hours are insane, as expected, but he is soon to leave for a clerkship in Virginia Beach known as “The Rocket Docket” to attorney friends. Naturally, he looks forward

1960

James A. Smith III

to discovering a “real life” outside the district. Granddaughter Buckley Norman graduated from Sewanee and set off for Boston, where she worked for 2 years in recruiting and has relocated for her same company to Nashville to be closer to her Sewanee sweetheart, who is living and working about an hour or so outside the city. They’ve been enjoying concerts, steeplechases, and seeing college friends. All in all, they are well but missing Bill terribly. Love to you and all brother and sister rats!

Greetings from Lexington, Virginia. Since my last notes, Ruth and I have spent 1 month in warm Marathon, Florida, in the Keys. We had snow on the ground when we left Lexington, had snow while we were away, but all melted when we returned. Our timing to go to the Keys was just lucky.

On Feb. 18, Carl Benner celebrated his latest birthday. Sadly, shortly after, his wife of 60 years, Barbara, passed away.

On Feb. 21, Guy Smith celebrated his next birthday. I did not speak to Carl or Guy but sent email birthday wishes.

On March 1, I attended a 2-day conference at VMI for class agents and chapter presidents. Nothing new to report other than the Institute always would like our donations.

Remarkably, I received the following email from a son of our Brother Rat Kitti Xaivaividhya: “I hope this email finds you well. My name is Cherdchai Chaivaivid. I currently serve as Thailand’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in New York. My late father, Lieutenant Colonel Kitti Xaivaividhya, graduated from VMI and belonged to the Class of 1960. I write to seek your kind advice if there’s any place or online archives where I could I find old photos or any documents of him as VMI cadet? My father was involved in a car accident back in 1978 that left him paralyzed until his passing in 2003. He always talked very proudly of his time at VMI. I appreciate your time and will look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Cherdchai Chaivaivid, permanent ambassador to the United Nations from Thailand.” I responded and sent pictures of Kitti from our Bomb and invited the ambassador to our reunion. It is hoped all had a chance to meet him.

The rats are out of the Rat Line, and our basketball team had its struggles, although a much better record than last year. The other big news is that the Board of Visitors did not renew the 4-year contract for Maj. Gen. Wins ’85. I don’t know any of the details as to what has gone on, but by the time this edition comes out, I feel sure the information regarding his release will be available. By my accounting, Gen. Wins has been a good superintendent. The cadets we have been mentoring have felt the same way.

Class of 1959: The Florida group celebrates a mini reunion at the Hacienda Hotel in New Port Richey, Florida.

Class of 1959: Bill and Connie Nebraska’s first great-grandchild, Elizabeth.

VMI Class of 1960 65th Reunion

Sadly, Howard Moss passed away March 4. His obituary is as follows:

“Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Howard Thomas Moss was born Feb. 3, 1937, in Richmond, Virginia, to Katherine (Fensom) Moss and Earnest Francis Moss. Howard passed away at Baymarsh March 4, 2025. Howard leaves behind his beloved wife of 50 years, Susan Moss; his devoted dog, Paces; brothers, Randall (Renee) and Kevin (Kelli); as well as many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews, godchildren, and three daughters of the heart. Howard is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Scott Moss. Howard was an extraordinary man who valued the bonds of family and friendship, dating back to his early childhood in Richmond, Virginia.

“Known as ‘the boy from Cary Street,’ Howard grew up surrounded by his parents and extended family. Howard attended Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1960, where he played football and ran track. It was at VMI that Howard found lifelong connections with the Institute, his teachers, and fellow cadets, which defined much of his career and close friendships. After graduation, he was employed at John Marshall High School as commandant of cadets, head track coach, assistant football coach, and history teacher.

“He entered the United States Air Force a year later and was assigned to Air Force Systems Command, Vibration and Impact Branch, where he was the first human to test an instantaneous 20G-force under controlled conditions in support of the Gemini space program. After flight school, he was sent to Southeast Asia for his first combat tour. On his second tour, he was selected as chief of Tiger Fast Forward Air Controller Program (Tiger FAC) at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. He ended his combat tour with 341 combat missions and 841 combat hours over North and South Vietnam and Laos. After Command and Staff College

and a tour at Headquarters, Tactical Air Command, he was assigned to the Royal Air Force, Bentwaters, U.K., as commander of the 510th Tactical Fighter (A-10) Squadron. In 1981, after the Arab/Israeli War, he was selected to lead a team to Israel for an exchange of information with the Israeli Air Force. After a tour at the Pentagon, he retired as a colonel after 23 years of active military service. He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses, 24 Air Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and various other citations. He was hired by General Electric to build and supervise the Center for Advanced Airmanship, a F-5 fighter-training facility in Phoenix, Arizona. This was the first time that the U.S. Air Force contracted a civilian company to perform fighter training services. Howard ended his career as a consultant with NavCom Defense Electronics, Inc.

“Howard shared his love of life all over the world. Although he made the most of everywhere he landed, he loved Thailand and his assignment in England where he and Susan lived for 4 years. They retired to their beautiful home, Baymarsh, on the banks of the James River in Surry, Virginia. There, Howard enjoyed woodworking, shark tooth hunting, entertaining friends and family, and writing. Howard published ‘Kiss the Talisman,’ a captivating, fictional account of a daring fighter pilot. His family and friends will all remember Howard’s infectious laugh that brought joy to everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

“The family will hold a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Captain Paul M. Bayliss Memorial Scholarship Fund, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, 24450.”

Bolling Williamson sent a poignant note in remembrance. It follows: “On his second tour to Southeast Asia, Howard was selected to command a Fast Forward Air Control unit designated Tiger Fast FAC (which soon became known

Class of 1960: Earl Marquette, Pete McGue, and Henry Shirley during the 65th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 1960: Herb Vaughan, Alice Shoemaker, Mike Shoemaker, Hap Miller, Mary Miller, Susan Moss, and Terry Vaughan attend a memorial service for Howard Moss.

Class of 1960: Mary Miller, Bud Frith, and Hap Miller during the 65th Reunion in April 2025.

as ‘Tigah’ FAC because of his distinctive Virginia accent). The unit was tasked with attacking enemy supply convoys on a section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail located in Laos. This particular section was situated in a valley and represented a natural choke point because there was no room for vehicles to pull off and avoid being attacked. Conventional tactics would have made the pilots too vulnerable to the anti-aircraft guns located at the top of the valley. Instead, the pilots adopted the tactic of conducting very fast low-level runs to minimize their exposure.

“A policy of the unit was to reassign a pilot whenever he sustained more than three hits because he was then considered as inclined to take too many risks. Howard instructed his ground crew to meet him right after he landed and to immediately begin patching up any holes in his plane before they attracted attention. Most of the hits he took were on the top surfaces of his plane, indicating that the enemy guns were shooting down at him. Upon landing after one mission, the wing commander met him on the flight line: ‘Moss, how many missions do you have?’ ‘I’m not sure. I’ll let you know after I go back and check my log.’ ‘Well, I know and that was your last one. Turn in your gear—you’re done.’ As noted in the obituary, Howard wound up his tour with a total of 341 missions and 841 combat hours.”

On March 7, Jimmie Seeley celebrated his next birthday. I spoke to him after he had returned from a birthday supper.

On March 25, Neal “Bo” Callaham celebrated his latest birthday. I spoke with Bo the next day. He sounded so young and is doing well in Texas.

On April 4, Dave Maddox celebrated his next birthday. Dave reported he is well.

On April 12, I spoke with Wayne LeBlang to wish him a happy birthday. He was OK but unable to come to our 65th Reunion.

Our 65th Reunion started the evening of April 13 and continued until Wednesday, April 16.Festivities occupied Monday, April 14, and Tuesday, April 15, with our class dinner Tuesday evening, April 15. Our class Bayliss award recipient, Brandon Williams ’25, spoke briefly at our dinner. We ate well during the reunion, as BeamMeUp barbecue was served Sunday night, there was a multiclass dinner at

Marshall Hall Monday night, with the Southern Inn catering our class dinner Tuesday evening. The bad news for me was that I was ill for the entire reunion, staying in bed but getting reports from my wife, Ruth. I hope I will have some photographs to display in a later edition of notes.

Ed Davis was in charge of the memorial service Tuesday, Jim Pittman published an extensive booklet of deceased brother rats, and Toot Barr and George Coulbourn led the Class of ’60 Old Yell from atop the sentinel box in the courtyard. I’m sure there are other highlights I’m leaving out, but I think the 25 brother rats who made it had a good time. So many of our class did not return due to infirmities or having passed away. We just have to “hang on.”

Bill “Peanuts” Elliott celebrated his next birthday April 18 while recovering from an illness

and a severe ice storm.

On April 26, George Salaita and Otis Pool celebrated their latest birthdays. They got voicemail and email birthday wishes.

I spoke with Vaughn Foxwell April 29 wishing him happy birthday. Vaughn and Helen sold their farm in Maryland, which they had for years, and now live in Florida. He currently is feeling well after a temporary setback with a ruptured lumbar disc.

On Sunday, April 27, Susan Moss held a celebration at her home in Surry, Virginia, in memory of Howard Moss, who passed away earlier. I spoke with Herb Vaughan, who described a very large gathering. Herb and Terry Vaughan, Hap and Mary Miller, Lucy Clay, and Mike and Claudia Shoemaker were the only VMI folks there. We sent flowers.

On April 29, I spoke with Vaughn Foxwell on his next birthday. The Foxwells have moved to Florida. Vaughn has recovered from back surgery and is otherwise well.

On May 8, I spoke with John Hilliard on his next birthday. John is involved in the treatment of tongue cancer.

On May 11, I caught up with Rev. Bob Graves in Pensacola, Florida. Bobby is doing well and saving souls. Bolling Williamson had his next birthday. Due to infirmities, his and Theresa’s activities have been reduced. They live in the Westminster Canterbury facility in the Northern Neck. His spirits remain good.

On May 13, I had a long conversation with Joe Stewart on his next birthday. Joe is very supportive of his wife as she goes through treatment.

I did not speak with Mike Moss May 14 on his next birthday, but he got email birthday wishes.

These class notes close on New Market Day. VMI now celebrates the day with a Memorial Parade honoring all alumni lost in all the conflicts in which alumni have participated.

I had a spontaneous phone conversation with Jack Willard. He sounded like the Jack I’ve always known, but infirmities prevent him from driving. We’re all experiencing the handicaps of our age.

Please remember our class funds, the Bayliss scholarship, as well as the Tumlinson award. Keep ’em coming.

It’s a pleasure to be your class agent. Send pictures and stay in touch.

In the Spirit, Jimbo

Class of 1960: Frances Phillips, Brandon Williams ’25, G.G. Phillips, and Ruth Smith.

Class of 1960: Jimbo Smith with Brandon Williams ’25, 2024–25 Bayliss scholarship recipient.

Sal Vitale Jr.

I am sure all of you have experienced those days when everything seems to be going well and then, all of a sudden, it doesn’t. Today, May 12, has been that day for me, with notes due on the 14th. I had my class notes 90% complete when I deleted the file. So, I am going to do my best with as much energy as I have left to recreate what I thought was a set of notes you would’ve enjoyed reading. Both Sue and I are in pretty good health. Sue was released from her hip doctor and allowed to again bend at the waist. What that meant for me was I would not be putting on her shoes and socks and other things that required her to bend. Quite frankly, I did enjoy taking care of my wife since she took care of me many times before. We did manage to fly to St. Maarten with wheelchair assistance between flights. The airlines were most accommodating. For 3 weeks, we basked in the sun, being careful not to get sunburned. For 2 of the weeks, our daughter, Cathy, and her spouse joined us, and we had an enjoyable time. I celebrated my 86th birthday in St. Maarten with a surprise cake from the owners of the Oyster Bay Beach Resort. They put out a case of champagne to go along with a very delicious cake, and many of the guests enjoyed it with me. Good Friday came quickly, and our daughter, Lynn, and granddaughter, Tana, prepared the traditional Friday evening meal, which is ricotta cheese pies. The family gathered at our dining room table, and all enjoyed this traditional treat. Easter Sunday, we gathered at daughter Cathy’s house for her homemade manicotti. They get better and better. A few months ago, I rejoined the Engineering Society of Baltimore. They maintain a historic building on Monument Street in Baltimore, and over 30 years ago, my three daughters had their wedding receptions there. On Mother’s Day, we had almost the entire family there for brunch, and it was outstanding. During the year, the club has wonderful wine and food programs, and we have enjoyed attending several to date. Our next big adventure will be to Amelia Island for the annual

meeting of those who don’t play golf anymore. In April, John Tharrington put together a luncheon in the Tysons Corner area of Virginia. The group got together back in November, and all agreed to do it again as many times as we could. This time we met at the Silver Diner, and those able to attend were Ray Hanlein, Jack “J.D.” Miller, Raine Gilbert, Larry Respess, John Tharrington, Bill Hill, Bill Braithwaite, Larry Wetsel, Holmes Smith, Carl Hirsch, and Sal Vitale. A quick rundown: Ray Hanlein and his wife, Sally, are both in good health. Ray still plays tennis every Wednesday. J.D. Miller is in top

shape and could put his cadet uniform on at any time. Recently, he found a lady he really enjoys being with. Raine is OK, and wife Clara’s anemia is doing better. Larry Respess and his wife, Joanne, are in good health. Larry has been very instrumental in trying to clean up and revise the Alumni Association bylaws so that we can have a real voice in the Association. We did convince them to allow electronic voting, and hopefully, we will have a real open selection of a slate of directors to vote on for the alumni board. John Tharrington is in good health and still cuts his own grass. John’s yard is sloping and to just walk up it is almost impossible. But John does it. In his spare time, he researches the history of our class members who have passed to make sure all their military honors are represented in the Hall of Valor. Bill Hill is coping with Parkinson’s, and getting out is not always so easy. This is the first time we have seen him in years. His wife said that when Bill returned home, he was smiling. Professor Dr. Bill Braithwaite is still teaching at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. Bill teaches all the classics and calculus. It’s hard to believe that a VMI “LA” is teaching calculus. (Smile.) Bill’s wife, Wendy, has finally retired from teaching and is in good health. Larry Wetsel is an unbelievable person. He is one of the kindest people I know. If he has a fault, it is he cannot keep still. He and his wife, Jerri, travel the world. The two Larrys drove from Williamsburg to be with us, and it was a treat, especially for me. Carl Hirsch, my roommate, is in good health, and so is his wife, Becky. They have decided that driving back and forth from Texas to see their daughter is getting to be a little much, so now they’re going to fly. Kenner Rice was to attend, but he got very busy. His research at NIH has saved many lives. Ken is still training young chemists and publishing. Spike and Mary Callander are going through hell. Spike has dialysis three times a week and doctor visits in between. In the past few months, Spike has been in and out of hospitals. He would have tried to attend lunch, but we picked a dialysis day. Also missing was Ed Doleman. His reason: He forgot. We had a good time and plan to do it again.

I am sure some of you think that you have heard in my class notes the same names over and over, and in some cases, you’re probably correct. Some things don’t change very often. There is a group that

Class of 1961: Battle Haslam at the Institute Society Dinner in November 2017.

Class of 1961: Having dinner at the home of John Rudibaugh in Westchester, Pennsylvania, Sept. 20, 2013, are (from left) Sue Vitale, Joyce Gibbings, Doris Rudibaugh, Bill Gibbings, Sal Vitale, and John.

has taken the time to stay in touch with me, or there would be no notes. Enough!

You never know when the good Lord is going to call you, and February was a tough month. On Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, I received an email from John Rudibaugh “just checking to see if any chance you’re here or coming to Florida.” John passed away in his sleep March 3, 2025. John is very proud of his grandson, who is a 2nd Class cadet at VMI. John hoped someday he would take over the business. Another unexpected event was Feb. 22, 2025, when I learned about the passing of Battle Haslam. Battle had a massive lung infection, and he faded quickly. Do not be angry at me when you look in the obit section of the magazine and there is only a short dull write up for Battle. This is the new way! You may have noticed that in the last issue, Larry Williams, the first VMI man to break the 4-minute mile in Virginia, was due a good write-up, and nothing. There is an After Taps section, and I will make sure Battle and Larry get their due. Then Ron McNemar passed away Feb. 24. He was living at an assisted living facility in Lexington. According to his daughter, Ron had committed to stay at the facility with his sick wife, Fran, who died in October 2024. Then Ron suffered several strokes and finally passed. Ron was a quiet BR, a civil engineer, a master woodworker, and loved his massive Lionel Train layout. Harrison and Terry Fridley represented the class at Ron’s funeral. The Fridleys plan to also attend the Haslam services in Asheville and Chapel Hill. March was also not very forgiving. Ronald Scott died March 7, 2025, and Ben Birindelli died March 28, 2025. Ron was dismissed from VMI after he was involved in a tragic car accident and a girl was killed. (As I remember it.) Ben Birindelli stayed 1 year with us, and then it was off to the Naval Academy. During our rat year, when the post was open for Christmas carol singing, Ben was invited by the 3rds living below him for a little snort. It was more than a snort, and Ben was still inebriated in section ranks the next morning. Ben’s wife, Nancy, said, “He always held his brother rats in the highest regard and sometimes even higher

than that of his Naval Academy alumni.” Ben will be buried in Arlington. I was very pleased that family members of the brother rats who signed the Matriculation Book and then left in less than a year have taken the time to notify VMI of their passing. David Sundling died in 2016.

For years, the class has provided red, white, and yellow flowers to the family of the deceased. Flower costs have skyrocketed, and the quality has been questionable. Therefore, I have been making a donation to the deceased’s favorite charity. So if you don’t see flowers at the service, you now know why.

Will Hoskins is not in good shape and was in the hospital due to respiratory problems. Larry Respess spoke to him, and he was in good spirits, but his breathing sounded labored. Shirley Hartford was cleaning out a vacant lot across from her house that was full of rubbish and construction

debris when she fell in a hole and broke her leg. She is in a cast and not very mobile. Neither the HOA nor the county would help clean up the site. Rod and Doris Hudgins plan to make Amelia Island. Rod had a hip replacement, and he hopes it will be strong enough. Pete Roberts and his wife, Carol, are doing well. Pete ran into a fellow from Bonita Springs who knew Brother Rat Bill Woodford. Bill died in a military plane crash. Bill Hala and Irene did not go to The Villages this year. Bill has the same old, same old stage 3 kidney disease, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, and a bunch of other stuff. Irene broke her leg and will be in the hospital until sometime in June. Bill and Connie Nelms are doing great. They’re thoroughly enjoying their move into an assisted living facility. The people are friendly, and the food is good. Bill Maurer was leaving his town library and walked down a little bit of a hill and heard and felt a sharp pain in his right foot. Turns out it was a little toe, they thought. The next thing Bill knows he’s in a lot of pain and is now in a cast. If this isn’t enough, his wife, Shon, developed a brain bleed and was in the hospital, and Bill was not sure when she was going to get out. Bill is hoping to feel good enough so when she comes home, he can take care of her. George Henning represented the class at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet. Cadet Blake Ramsey ’28, who is from Front Royal, Virginia, and majoring in economics and business, is using our Class of 1961 Memorial Scholarship. George said he enjoyed talking to the old timers present and the cadets. Hugh and Nelle Gouldthorpe are very busy because May is turtle season. Hugh is busy tutoring kids 4 days a week and loving it. The kids are all from single parents, and they are tutoring them in math and reading. I enjoyed hearing from Dick Lindquist. You may recall, I made a mistake on my Easter greeting and didn’t include Passover. Dick emailed me to remind me that it is also the feast of Ostara (Germanic goddess of the spring). You laid decorated eggs on her altar to ask for fertility in flocks and fields during the coming year. The good Christian missionaries were shameless in coopting festive traditions in order to push the product. Thanks, Dick.

Class of 1961: Paul and Rae Goldman having high tea at the Savoy Hotel in London, England, May 5, 2025.

Class of 1961: George Henning at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet March 21, 2025.

The time has finally arrived, and May 21, Lou Shuba will have a pacemaker installed. Lou has been very weak and is hoping this pacemaker will get him back in the garden and doing activities around the house. His wife, Pris, is still dealing with feet problems. Bill and Sandra Fout are back in Frederick County from Arizona. Bill has a hearing issue and doesn’t agree hearing aids would be a solution. His wife, Sandra, is very careful when she walks due to a hip issue. (Vitales know a lot about hips). Hips are a popular topic with many of our BRs. Mitch Kot had his hip replaced, and he says he’s fully recovered. He is back working in his large organic garden, and the family is eating fresh lettuce, kale, and broccoli. Mitch is also busy helping two Vietnamese cadets at Riverside Military in Gainesville. The Kots are trying to get permission to return to Da Nang, Vietnam. The couple who replaced them had to move back to America. Paul and Rae Goldman had a wonderful trip to London. They went to the Savoy for tea and little sandwiches and had a wonderful time. While in London, they went to the theater and saw “Mamma Mia,” which Rae said was incredible. The Goldmans went to an Italian restaurant called Pierino, and when Paul first walked in the door, the owner stopped him and said, “Are you Italian? Where are you from?” Paul was so shocked he said Naples. The owner grunted and said, “I will serve you because you have a blonde with you.” Tom Phlegar enjoyed a Central America cruise with his grandson, daughter, and niece. Tom, always looking for a thrill, went zip lining in Honduras where it was connected to 13 zips from the top of the mountain to a beach. Tom would love to get a brother rat group together for a short cruise. Let him know if you’re interested. Bob Reitz says he’s healthy as a pig but tends to do stupid things. Bob was cocking his crossbow for a trip into the woods, and he literally pulled himself into a fall. He regained his composure and saw he had hit his head facedown, ripped the skin off of his left arm, blackened both eyes, and damaged his left hip. Bob went to the ER, and the next day they said the diagnosis was stroke, broken nose, and patched arms. Bob left the hospital, went home, and bought a new crossbow. Bob and Suellen did find time to do the Columbia and Snake River by paddleboat. It was a nice trip. Bill Gibbings’ health hasn’t changed much since the last report. He is plagued with skin cancers, and removing these has been very difficult. Joyce is Joyce: Strong and quiet. She is taking good care of Bill. Bill’s dementia has not gotten worse. I received an early

morning phone call from Don Kern. Don says he doesn’t see Dorsey Pender very often. I know they used to go out together, but Don doesn’t feel well enough to drive, and I think that’s his real problem, which is being stuck in the house. About once a month, I called Dave Harbach to see how his life is moving along. He has become a very good golfer thanks to his golf partner, Sandra. Dave’s oldest granddaughter, Grace, will graduate this year and begin at the University of Richmond. Rosie’s has a way to go, as well as his grandson, Sammy. Dave has taken several cruises with Sandra in the United States and Europe and enjoyed them. Dude Copenhaver and Lee Crow are now domiciled under the same roof. Dude was complaining that his heater for the pool wasn’t getting enough power from the solar panels on the roof, so they haven’t been swimming yet. (Get natural gas.) Dude said he has talked to Bobby Burks. Bobby and his wife, Jeannie, are both having medical problems. Bob is dealing with hips and legs and Jeannie with dementia. The Burkses are looking for assisted living in The Villages. Allison Drescher doesn’t get up to Virginia Beach very often, so I don’t really know from Joyce Gibbings how he or Kim Wise are doing. I did call Allison, and he said all OK! I talk to Ashby Taylor about every month or so, and he said he and Sandra are doing well except he can’t remember. He is a member of the CRS community. From what he told me, he is still enjoying the salted ham he purchased last November. When Ashby is on the Western Shore for doctor’s appointments, he tries to see the Gibbingses. He has not been able to catch up with Ben Lynch, who is living in an assisted living

facility in Norfolk. I think Ben is in the early stages of dementia. Dick Youngblood is feeling very well. He sold his condo in Wilmington, North Carolina, and now is in the process of trying to find a buyer for his boat. Judy is still having trouble with her knees and hips. Dick stays busy helping his daughter in the development of high-end homes ($2 million-plus). Charlie Finnegan is having back and leg issues, and so now Margie does all the driving. Golf is on hold. I did have a long conversation with Gen. Peay ’62 His wife is not in the best of health. The general was getting ready for his move to the Midwest at his wife’s family farm. I asked if he has learned to drive his tractor. His answer was, “Trying.” I was just notified that BR Bill Haeberlein’s life is fading. He is in hospice care and may pass before you read this Review. Bill Braithwaite reminded me that in Bill’s recollections, in the Red Book edited by Jim Bickford and Braithwaite, is the following: “Six weeks into the fall of ’61, Bill Haeberlein wrote and asked his mother to let him come home, to which she replied, ‘Stick it out.’”

John Wayne Rudibaugh was a quiet cadet who worked hard to graduate as a civil engineer. Who knew that John would become an entrepreneur and philanthropist? After graduation, John served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army at Fort Polk, where he trained troops for the Vietnam War. In 1984, John founded Pennsy Corporation, a railroad engineering company in West Chester, Pennsylvania. John’s innovative, patented products improved the safety and efficiency of freight cars and are still used worldwide today. John’s focus and passion was driven by his understanding of the railroad industry’s need for freight cars

Class of 1961: Having lunch at the Silver Diner in Tysons Corner, Virginia, April 24 are (from left) Ray Hanlein, J.D. Miller, Raine Gilbert, Larry Respess, John Tharrington, Bill Hill, Bill Braithwaite, Larry Wetsel, Holmes Smith, Carl Hirsch, and Sal Vitale.

that performed better and lasted longer. Pennsy became a leading developer of engineering solutions using new polymer technologies for the railroads. John loved golf, gardening, travel, and sports cars. A strong believer in education and community, he served on the board of West Chester Friends School and supported numerous charities and food banks across Pennsylvania and Ohio. He and his wife, Doris, of 62 years, took on renovating a historic Victorian Gothic mansion high up on the hill. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Edgewood is on the site where, in 1777, patriots faced British troops in the American Revolution. Sue and I and the Gibbingses had the pleasure of visiting the Rudibaughs at their home, and all I can say is outstanding.

John Battle Haslam II, M.D., was a VMI man of many talents. Cancer frightens all of us, and when we did not know where to turn and didn’t know how to help a loved one, we called Battle. He was always there for us, and he took the time to explain what was going on and calmed us down. God bless you, Battle! Battle followed in his father’s steps, John Haslam ’925, and enrolled at VMI with the Class of 1961. He was on the short side and, as a rat, took his share of indoctrination on the third stoop. Battle was one of “Doc Carroll’s boys” majoring in biology/pre-med. He wore stars all 4 years. Always a “running rat,” at makeovers he earned corporal stripes. Every year that passed, he rose in rank and graduated with academic distinction and as a captain S-1 on the regimental staff. Battle started playing piano and accordion around age 8. He did not read music— just played what he heard. VMI has an organ in Memorial Hall, and one night at about 1 a.m., Battle went in and started playing. The cadet on guard heard this music coming from Memorial Hall and enjoyed it, so he never reported it. (So I have been told.) Battle sang in the VMI Glee Club and presented the solo of “Oh Shenandoah” for President Eisenhower. Battle volunteered to serve as an Army captain and flight surgeon. He was assigned to an air base in Korat, Thailand, during the Vietnam War and returned in 1968. Battle was recruited to Asheville, North Carolina, as the first board-certified radiation oncologist between Knoxville and WinstonSalem. In Asheville, Battle built a new radiation oncology department at Memorial Mission Hospital from the ground up. Recognized for his compassion, Battle’s first priority was always to help his patients. Battle served as a trustee on the VMI Foundation board for many years and briefly as class agent. He loved flying his plane and fast Porsches. Battle saw his sons, VMI ’90 and ’91, and grandson, VMI ’17, graduate. I could

continue, but space is limited. A full story will appear in the Review’s After Taps section in the near future.

The new superintendent should be in place by the time you read this Review, and the superintendent will be challenged, to say the least. Example: The graduating 1st Class president conveyed to the BOV that the “system” was adapting to those cadets who aren’t embracing it, rather than insisting they adapt or leave. There is a lot of focus on retention. While we all want VMI cadets to come and experience the thrill of being alumni, it is recognized that VMI is not for everyone, and it takes a good administration to realize that. In May 2025, Col. Inman ’86 was elected as the VMI BOV president. I believe he will keep the VMI BOV focused on bringing some common sense back to the Institute. The BOV and administration have been addressing rising tuition for some time. However, they still seem to be allowing increased staff or perceived inefficiency. (Same with the Alumni Association) With the right ROI, these costs could be used to offset cadet expenses. The budget for athletics continues to operate in the red. With the changing dynamics of NCAA sports, should VMI consider alternatives such as a lower division? Hopefully the new BOV and Institute will take another look at how they treat alumni who are passionate about the VMI. Hopefully the new BOV and administration will want to hear opinions that aren’t in line with a particular way of thinking. God bless! Call a brother rat.

1962

Edmund R. Strickler

John Mott Robertson

Since the last issue of the Review, I’m sorry to report that we have lost four brother rats. Louis “Tuck” Landry passed away Feb. 14. Tuck came to us from New Iberia, Louisiana, and brought with him his Cajun humor. He will be missed.

In March, the Institute informed me of the passing of Anthony Watson. Anthony passed away Oct. 8, 2019. He was with us only 4 months and went on to get his degree at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

Mike Lilge’s daughter, Elaine McAden, informed me of Mike’s passing Friday, April 25, 2025. Mike was born in Washington, D.C., and graduated from McLean High School in Virginia, where he lettered in track. He matriculated with the rest of us in 1958 and earned a degree in physics in 1962. After graduation, he was an interim physics instructor at VMI when a car accident left him in a coma and paralyzed. He recovered, and though his Air Force dreams ended, he moved into the Air Force Retired Reserve. Later, Mike taught high school physics and algebra in Virginia, followed by a government career with Harry Diamond Laboratories in Washington, D.C., eventually performing classified testing in White Sands, New Mexico. Later, he worked in various nuclear power plants in radiation control and retired in 2009 from Argonne National Laboratories in Illinois as a radiation protection technician. Mike was a devout Christian, making trips to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to share his faith and embarking on mission trips to Honduras in his younger years. Daily prayer was a longterm habit, and his children and grandchildren were at the top of his list.

James “Jimmy D.” Cox passed away May 7. Jimmy D. came to us from Farmville, Virginia, and was living in Friday Harbor, Washington, when he died. I remember last seeing Jimmy D. in November 2022 when he came to the Founders Day ceremonies and the presentation of the New Market Medal to our Brother Rat Peay Cal Seybold sent information about a recent family trip (all six of his family) to Key West, Florida, for a week, to celebrate the 50th birthday of their youngest daughter. Some things that stood out to him about Key West: There are chickens roaming everywhere; many people about; it is definitely a tourist town; road traffic was bad, especially with the bicycles and pedestrians just crossing the streets whenever and wherever they felt like it; and a lack of mosquitoes and flies. They visited President Truman’s Florida White House and the homes of Hemingway and Williams. Of special interest were the six-toed cats at Hemingway’s home. The drive along a 7-mile bridge between Key West and Miami allows you to observe the remains of a railroad bridge developed early in the 20th century to Key West from Miami. They particularly enjoyed the $25 hamburgers! Cal and his son, Clint ’92, also recently visited Marc Muth in Kentucky and his storied model collection. Marc has a collection worthy of a major museum. Cal said Clint is a retired Army colonel. If he had made general, Cal might have had to leave town since he retired as a lieutenant colonel.

John Anthony writes that, in March, he was invited by the Council on Foreign Relations to discuss recent developments concerning Saudi reengagement in Yemen and options for U.S. policy. He is juggling that with recent stays in the hospital. He underwent major abdominal surgery—35 stitches—for seven ulcers and bleeding. The recovery process has been arduous, to say the least. He lost 22 pounds and hopes to keep it off. In March, he and Cynthia went by train from Lorton to Orlando (not to Disney World) to receive treatment at the Pritikin Institute in Doral, Florida. Most of the previous decade-and-a-half’s visits there around January (usually) have been to strengthen his spine. He has 13 fused vertebrae. This time, it will be that plus the neck. John mentions that as cadets, “pain management” was hardly a concept, let alone a phrase; however, the fact that it exists for him now—and presumably for other brother rats— has been and is a godsend. I certainly hope this visit will provide him some relief.

Class Notes

Bill White writes that it’s been many years since he graduated from Cherry Creek High School in Colorado and was accepted into Colorado College and Colorado State University. Right after, his dad said they were going to go visit his grandmother in Scottsville, Virginia. When they got there, his dad took him to Lexington to see VMI, where he graduated in 1933. Bill was impressed, and his father said, “Billy, I’m proud of you and you can go to any school you want, but I don’t think you could make it at VMI.” He’s glad he went and knows his dad was proud. Since then, Bill spent 24 years in the military, combat infantry veteran, and was a professor at a couple of universities and has been just about everywhere. He married into a military family and has three beautiful daughters and six grandsons.

On Legacy Day (April 12), John Spence brought his daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, son-in-law, and grandson to Lexington for a tour of the Institute. John’s grandson, Colton, already has his provisional appointment. Since John, Columbus Cartwright, and I have known each other since the fourth grade, we got together for an hour or so after his family’s arrival in Lexington. When you have known each other for that long, there are a lot more stories to retell than having just been brother rats. We had a great visit.

Ed Northrop has been busy. On Monday, April 14, he traveled to Fort Benning to meet with the

chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Randy George. Gen. George commanded the 4th Brigade Combat team in Afghanistan in 2008. That brigade had both the 1/12 Infantry and 2/12 Infantry Battalions (about 600 soldiers in each). Gen. George wears the 12th IN crest as his combat unit of choice on his dress uniform. Ed was able to personally contact Gen. George in an email. He mentioned the 12th IN Monument at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning. He indicated he wanted to see it and visit with Ed at the monument. So, after 8 months, he was able to arrange his schedule to visit Fort Benning. They met at the monument (which Ed was very instrumental in getting erected), and they spent 30 minutes together with his staff and lovely wife. Ed reviewed the details of the monument. Gen. George was very generous with his time, interest in the monument, and questions. He was very friendly and kind in his

comments about the Vietnam veterans and to Ed and my son, Todd ’90. It is necessary to point out that Ed wore his VMI ring, which Gen. George noticed. He is a USMA graduate. They had fun with that, and of course, Ed mentioned the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Caine ’90. Gen. George smiled and said he would be OK with a VMI grad in the big chair! During this visit, Ed was also able to present a gift of a 19-inch lethal tomahawk, adorned with Navajo dreamcatcher and prayer feather, to Gen. George. It is engraved with his name, position, and our motto, “Having been led by love of country,” dates, and from: All Vietnam warrior veterans, all of whom served in the 12th Infantry Regiment in Vietnam. As an aside, Gen. George was a platoon lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm when it was commanded by our Brother Rat Binnie Peay Carolyn Worrell answered my birthday email with the following information: The VMI lacrosse team had a fantastic season, and one of De’s scholarship awardees (Luke Rusterucci ’25) has put VMI and the sport of lacrosse on the national map. De’s scholarship is presented to a member of the VMI football or lacrosse team who demonstrates excellent leadership qualities, a positive attitude, and sound moral character. Luke is truly representative of the VMI spirit. He has surpassed their son, Robert Worrell ’97, as a leading scorer in total points (goals and assists). Robert held that record for 29 years. Robert still holds the single-season record for assists. As some of you may know, she is the “grandmother” of the lacrosse team, and there are some pictures on the Keydet website under the lacrosse team link that have Carolyn in several of them. I believe this was senior day for the team. Carolyn says it is a true privilege and honor for her to be the “grandmother” of VMI lacrosse.

Mott Robertson heard from Henry Robinson with the following: He is living on a farm near Stockton Lake, Missouri, with his wife, Sally, and a small herd of horses and mules. He has also taken up sailing, as the lake is a great sailing lake. They have two children and two grandchildren. The oldest just turned 14 and flew to Missouri from California on his spring break to spend a week fishing with the family. He is very grateful they are all together and able to engage in most of their favorite activities. Henry told Mott he has fond memories of him and his brother, Greg

Class of 1962: Pictured in Lexington, Virginia, in December 2024 are (from left) Anne Day, John Traynham, Mott Robertson, Diane Robertson, Louise Bradley, and Buck Bradley.

Class of 1962: John Spence (left) and Columbus Cartwright in April 2025.

Robertson ’65, at the Institute. He grieves for the passing of so many of our brother rats, as do we all.

Ed Vinieratos reports that, although he is fairly isolated even though in Athens, he has been blessed by congratulations by his son and friends on his 85th. He feels very blessed with good health. The previous day, he received a good report from his oncologist and cardiologist with 3 more pacemaker years. Moreover, he also received word to relocate to Warsaw, Poland, the following week. He will share a house with two Ukrainian family unit refugees that he sponsors. At his age, he is looking forward to their care and Ukrainian borscht.

Mott Robertson and Diane “have been on the road again.” They celebrated Thanksgiving with their Fortsch family in Alexandria, where granddaughters Lily, Amelia, and Eleanor still call home base, although Lily has a job and an apartment on “the hill.” Saturday of that weekend, they went to Leesburg and saw Mott’s brother, Greg, and wife, Dotty, who were up from Vero Beach visiting Dotty’s daughter. They had not seen them in over a year, and now with Breeze Airways flying direct from Vero to Dulles twice a week, travel for them is more convenient.

They had a short visit to Williamsburg in early December, where they saw Patsy and Bowles Pender, who seem to be doing well at Commonwealth Senior Living Community. They made a quick visit to Lexington Dec. 13, where they had lunch with Anne Day and John Traynham and Louise and Buck Bradley. This was fortuitous, as John was subsequently very ill and hospitalized in Charleston, West Virginia, just before Christmas. Thankfully, he did recover but has now moved to Hampton to be closer to children and better healthcare options. They made a quick trip to Charlotte in early January to see their Rhodes family and granddaughter Madden and grandson Payson. Then Jan. 25, they celebrated Burns Night in Williamsburg with their son, Tom, and his wife, Cynthia, and their granddaughter, Erin. They were in Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 1 for the wedding of granddaughter Mead Robertson to Duncan Morris. Mead is a UVA graduate, and Duncan from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is a Marine pilot, and they are currently in Beaufort, South Carolina. It was a wonderful wedding and gathering of many family members and friends. March was filled with several events related to The Opera on the James 20th anniversary celebration. In April they met Mott’s brother, Greg, and wife Dotty and Greg’s BR Bill Ryan ’65 and wife Carol at Haywood’s for lunch that Sunday. Greg and Bill were up for their 60th Reunion. They shared a few tales of their rat year under our 1st Class “guidance!” April was quiet until the 29th, when they

Class Notes

went to Irvington and stayed two nights in the Hope and Glory Inn so they could attend Garden Day in White Stone on the 30th. Their daughter, Laura Fortsch, came down from Stratford Hall, the Lee home on the Potomac, to join them. Laura has been vice president for development for several years and has done a remarkable job in this position during her time there. The houses on the tour were all on Crab Point Road in White Stone, and two were constructed by Connemara Construction, the firm started by our deceased Brother Rat Bill Hope. It was a great tour. They then went to Williamsburg for the weekend, where they reconnected with several friends. As of the second week in May, they are back in Lynchburg for the moment.

After receiving this email from Mott, I gave John Traynham a call, and happily, he seemed to be doing well. As stated above, he is now living in Hampton, Virginia, and receiving good medical care.

Rosser Bobbitt writes that Kate is now fully retired from active church-based ministry except for weddings and funerals. They now sit together in the pew at their home church, Christ & Saint Luke’s Episcopal, in Norfolk. Their children are all well. Their son, Max, is teaching middle school science at the American International School in Kuwait. His daughter, Helena (VMI 2041), is in kindergarten there, where Arabic is mandatory. Rosser and Kate visited in March/April when temperatures were bearable. They spent a week in Abu Dhabi seeing the Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan palace—both very impressive. Getting to Kuwait was a trial: A fire at Heathrow turned the plane around over Labrador; 250 passengers rerouted in the middle of the night, off to JFK, where no one knew where the Kuwait airlines desk was; and two suitcases went astray for 2 days despite locations from Apple tags. Otherwise, they had a ball.

That will do it for another quarter. Stay healthy and keep those emails flowing.

In the Spirit, Edmund

1963

William C. Cowardin

When I agreed to succeed the great Curleyrat as class agent, I knew by reason of the passage of time that a large part of the job would be reporting on the passing of our dear friends for life, our brother rats. That realization has come home for this issue. During this quarter, I am saddened to report the passing of several men and women who, over the years, have been a significant part of our brotherhood.

With the days of military assignments in foreign lands, travel to the remote ends of the earth, group sailings, and other gatherings of the men of ’63 and their ladies are giving way to quiet lunches and moves from longtime family homes to places of quiet retirement.

Bunny Reynolds, a consistent contributor, writes: “I just received a letter from a young lady in the Class of ’27 expressing her appreciation for financial assistance through the Tucker Oliver Class of ’63 Scholarship. She is a ‘first generation college student and the child of a disabled parent ... who once felt that the financial burden of a college education was impossible to overcome.’ She is now ‘thriving as a double major in history

Class of 1962: Ed Northrop presented this 19-inch tomahawk to Gen. Randy George, Army chief of staff.

Class of 1962: Ed Northrop (left) with Gen. Randy George, Army chief of staff, at the 12th Infantry Monument at Fort Benning, Georgia, April 14, 2025.

and English.’ She competes in track and field and is ‘profoundly grateful for the transformative difference’ our support is making in her life.”

Bunny goes on to report he is still taking chemo, finally lost his hair, but feels pretty good. Hoping for a car trip to Lexington in the late summer or fall.

On May 13, I drove through a downpour to join the Richmond BRs at Kitchen 33. There was a lively conversation among the attendees, ranging from a memory of Bill Vick, the first member of ’63 to pass, to trading pics of favorite wine and whiskey labels between Lee Spessard and Doug Rowe to Rudy Amos reporting that cattle prices were up. Barracks stories— too many to mention—were traded during the 2 hours we were together.

After lunch, I carried out a longtime promise: I grabbed my brother, Jack, and went to Cedarfield to visit Dick Sessoms, former VMI sports information director and business manager. Dick was also erstwhile golf coach. Among the stories told was that of the golf team’s leading the Southern Conference tournament at Myrtle Beach in spring ’62 until being sidelined by a 13 on a hole by a team member in the second round.

Dick left VMI in 1963 to head PR for Colonial Williamsburg for 13 years before returning to Lexington to serve as alumni secretary at Washington and Lee. He is a repository of VMI athletics stories, including those about John “the Eagle” McKenna (Hon), legendary VMI football coach whose players thought he hung the moon and were sure he controlled the weather.

Frank Allison reports that Charlie Talbott will be interred at Arlington “sometime in June.” I’ll try to get the word out when received through the Alumni Agencies.

As you probably already know, we will have a new superintendent soon. We already have a new pope.

“Teddy” Gottwald ’83 is the president of the Board of Visitors vice John Adams ’96. An alumnus has again risen to the post of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and four-star rank. Gen. Dan “Raisin’” Caine ’90 was confirmed as the 22nd chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff April 11, 2025. Our first alumnus since Gen. George C. Marshall ’901, I believe.

VMI bested William & Mary in baseball at Peninsula War Memorial Stadium in Hampton April 30. The score was 12-9. The Alumni Association hosted a reception and tickets for the locals.

The Tidewater BRs of ’63 had lunch at the Hampton Yacht Club courtesy of Bob Walton April 30.

Artie Phaup reported that the Class of ’63 webpage is not going to be renewed. Hearing no objection from multiple interested parties, it happened. Use VMI Ranks for referral purposes. Artie also published a roll of matriculants of ’63, their time at the Institute, and date of death, if applicable. I’ll try to get a copy forwarded to any BRs interested if you didn’t receive one.

Doug Sterrett sent a notice and comment on the passing of Willy Pendleton

Bo Savage sent his new email address: bosavage1941@gmail.com.

Tom Whitford’s latest big smile, crutches, and attending nurse are depicted in a photo he sent. Hope he’s getting better, but her attention may be slowing the process.

On the occasion of his visit to Richmond, Pete Brunel submitted a pic of himself, Doug Rowe, John Mills, and W.O. Jones, along with Pete’s wife, Diana, and Judy Mills at dinner in Richmond on the occasion of Pete’s brother’s daughter’s graduation.

If you want to see VMI as it was in 1964 (when some of us still hated the place), look up “VMI tour 1964” on YouTube search. There it is, old cars and all.

And now for the sad stuff: Upon investigation of returned mail to the

Class of 1963: Having lunch in Hampton, Virginia, April 9, 2025, are (from left) Bill Cowardin, Jan Gray, Bill Bell, Jim Key, Bob Walton, John Mills, and Fred Lanier.

Class of 1963: Diana and Pete Brunel, Dr. Doug Rowe, Johnny and Judy Mills, and Bill “Graybeard” Jones at the Bonefish Grill in Richmond, Virginia.

Class of 1963: Having lunch in Richmond, Virginia, May 13, 2025, are (from left) Lee Spessard, John Mills, Rudy Amos, Doug Rowe, Buddy Cato, Art Phaup, and (standing) Bill Cowardin.

address of Joey Ballentine, widow of Bill Ballentine, it was found that she died in February. RIP.

Joann Brown Poindexter, widow of James D. Poindexter, died in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Feb. 11, 2025. RIP.

Dianne Prystaloski, daughter of Donald Prystaloski, reported that her mother, Candy Prystaloski, was buried beside Don in Arlington National Cemetery in April.

Charles Frederick “Fred” McBride died unexpectedly March 8, 2025, in Decatur, Alabama. Fred had served as chief information officer for U.S. courts before retiring to Alabama. He leaves his widow, Amy Neil McBride. RIP.

Robert Chambliss Troxler died March 11, 2025, in New York. Bob had a remarkable career in international finance, first with Citigroup and then with his own organization. He continued deep ties with the Institute throughout his life. He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy, in 2021. RIP.

Warren Thornsten Anderson died April 9, 2025, in Morgantown, West Virginia. Andy served in the Army Medical Corps. After service, he became a leading cardiac specialist in Morgantown. His wife, Jan, survives. RIP.

William Nelson Pendleton died April 13, 2025, in Wytheville, Virginia. His son, Nelson Pendleton ’94, wrote of his dad’s influence on him to matriculate. Willie was also justly proud of his

grandson in the Class of 2023, who greeted us at our 60th Reunion. Whoever coined the nickname “Alfalfa” for Willie, who I remember as always smiling, should receive an all-time nickname award. RIP.

I’m a bit melancholy writing this time. As always, those mentioned are indelibly etched in my memory, and I’m sure in the collective recollection of their brother rats.

Please, more news next time of your activities and adventures far and wide. I will do my best to include them herein to the edification of all our readers.

God Bless!

Bill

We continue to mourn the passing of brother rats. In each case, we experience loss. As I’ve said before, please reach out to those closest to you.

My personal copy of the Alumni Review arrived May 13. I’ve already received a couple of emails and one phone call, each wondering why something they sent me didn’t appear. It can take up to nearly 6 months for some items to appear. The reason is my deadline to submit is the 15th of February, May, August, and November. Anything sent to me after those dates can’t be submitted for another 3 months. Then, it’s another 3 months before it actually appears in the Review. Please be patient.

Further, many photos sent in have too few pixels. That’s almost always due to the email server used and whether your photos are compressed or not. If you have any doubt, send me the photo and ask if it’s big enough. I may be able to talk you through how to bypass any compression.

Karen Walborne, widow of Bill Rodier, let me know that Bill will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery sometime in spring 2026. As many of you know, not everyone is eligible, and there is an extremely long wait. As soon as we get a date, I’ll pass it on.

Kerry Hines: “Marianne and I are having lunch tomorrow with Tony and Barb Munera and Donna Hylton—first gathering since Bernie’s death and since Tony and Barb moved into their senior living facility, so a lot of catching up to do.”

Mary Thrasher: “Walt’s death hits me hard personally. Walt and Gary were roommates at

VMI and a great friend. He attended our wedding in the Philadelphia area in 1967. Our two families had great times together over the years, even though one family is in Virginia and the other in Illinois. Rest in peace, Walt.”

Nelson Trinkle: “I spent some great fishing with Walt and John Thornton at John’s place off the Rappahannock ‘rivah.’ I shall always remember those times. May he rest in peace and do some great waterfowl hunting above.”

Dan DeForrest: “I received the following pic via text from Ron Rogers, who is recovering from bypass surgery. Taz looks a bit tired in the photo. I believe that his surgery was about 10 days ago. Here’s hoping he has a good recovery! I sent a return text to him asking if he was at a rehab center. I’ll let you know if or when he responds.”

I have received several family Christmas letters from various brother rats enclosed in Christmas cards.

Chuck Beale’s wife, Michelle, let me know

Class of 1963: Tom Whitford.

John R. Cavedo

Class of 1964: Ron “Taz” Rogers in February 2025.

Class of 1964: Joan and Butch Nunnally on their first day in their new home in December 2024.

Chuck has dementia and is now in a memory care facility. Further, she has moved. I have her new address if you wish to correspond. In the meantime, her email is mbbeale@gmail.com.

Mary Jo Jordan sent a nice, long letter. She and Bill still travel, but not as often as in past years. They did ride the Rocky Mountaineer train in Canada.

Bill McVey mentioned they also had their 60th wedding anniversary. Actually, I recall there may be as many as 20 of us who have reached that point. Unusual in this time and age. But, congratulations to all who have managed to last this long.

Sherrel and I reached that point in April. We were surprised by our Michigan son and his two daughters, who flew down and just showed up at our door. Our Florida son, who lives nearby, and his wife and two more of our grandchildren were also on the doorstep. A great surprise and a wonderful day.

Earlier this year, Don Carson let me know he would be selling his house. From another BR, I understand he was successful and has purchased another place in the same general vicinity.

Tom Sebrell called a few days ago inquiring about my health. While I’ve spent far too much time with a urologist (several procedures, surgeries, cancers, etc.), I’m actually in pretty good shape— walking every day, going out to eat frequently, and taking our boat out regularly.

These may be my shortest class notes ever. I would really like to hear from all of you on a regular basis.

Lou Siegel: “All, I wish we could have had more BRs and friends attend, but we were truly and sincerely thinking of all of us in this endeavor. Chuck Hough and Mike Friski are the ones to

thank for their organization work. The Alumni Agencies provided a great deal of help in the form of Brooke Shehan, who does not have the word ‘no’ in her vocabulary. Last-minute changes? ‘No problem.’ One of the biggest changes to our usual format was the early arrival, Sunday evening catered dinner in the hospitality room of the Holiday Inn Express. Typically, in the past, groups might have arranged for dinner in the variety of restaurants around Lexington. It’s not too strong a statement that this early arrival dinner was a huge success. The room was literally full. And, after the dinners on Monday and Tuesday night, groups continued to gather. Chuck and Mike arranged for a bright red hat as a gift—the result being we were easy to pick out in a crowd. For those who might want one, let me know with an email. We have some extras and can order more. Thanks to

Brooke. Your job now—our job now—is to do our best to stay healthy. At 82 years old, things are catching up. We should want to know how we are all doing—good thoughts and prayers help—let me know how things are and whether I can let others know. And don’t fall! Watch those left turns. Be safe.”

Dave Kiger: “Hi, Lou, I just want to say that my roommate, Dick Waters, and I stayed together at the 60th Reunion, and we really had a nice time. For the first time, I went to all the lectures or presentations during the day, and I really enjoyed them. I think everybody did a wonderful job organizing the reunion and hope I can make the next one, too. I had a little minor eye surgery done before I can have my cataracts removed. Everything is going on OK, though. I guess.” That’s a bit tentative, Dave. You are in my thoughts. I was recently told I had one cataract that was ready for removal.

Johnny Mac and Jamie Marshall: “Dear Lou, the time since the last letter all the way up to now, has been a real ... fire drill at our home. Of course, as I reported earlier, Jamie was called to come back to her job (at a great pay raise, I am happy to say), so she has been working diligently to keep me in the style to which I have become accustomed. March was almost completely filled with my usual visit to Poland, but this time, there were some new events besides the ‘usual’ teaching at the law faculty of UMCS. Almost as soon as I got off the plane, I was asked to make a presentation at a conference of newly appointed judges about the American judicial system. This was sponsored by the Polish Judges Association (Iustitia) and was in a lovely small town near Lublin, Kazimierz Dolny. Fortunately, I didn’t have to give my speech in Polish, as they speak very good English. Shocking as it may be, my speech was very short, about 20 minutes, but the Q&A lasted over a half-hour and was very interesting as to what it revealed about their curiosity of American law. Once the classes began at the university, the new dean of the law faculty (one of my former students, which made me feel very ‘senior’) informed me that he had arranged for the demonstration jury trial that we put on as

Class of 1964: Pictured at the memorial service for Walt Sykes in March 2025 are (seated, from left) Barb Munera, Penny Cummings, Ronnie Thornton (widow of John Thornton), (standing) Tony Munera, Bill and Betsy Taylor, Mary Jo Jordan, Bill Bandy (husband of Mary Jo Jordan), and Marianne and Kerry Hines.

Class of 1964: Sherrel and John Cavedo celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren in April 2025.

C. Lou Siegel

VMI Class of 1965 60th Reunion

Class of 1965

1. Bill Cather and his grandson, Daniel Cather, in April 2025.

2. Norm Radford and Barry Walker at the 60th Reunion in April 2025.

3. Bob Whaley at the class dinner during the 60th Reunion in April 2025.

4. Easley Moore, Clyde Bragg, Irwin McCumber, Jeff Gausepohl, Greg Robertson, and Doug Thomas with a cadet during the 60th Reunion.

5. Clyde Bragg with his daughters, Julie Bragg, Jenny Jones, and Josie Midgett, at the Tuesday night dinner during the 60th Reunion.

6. Barry Walker (left) and Irwin McCumber during the 60th Reunion in April 2025.

7. Dottie Robertson, Mary Chapman, and Lou Siegel in the hospitality room at the 60th Reunion.

part of the course to be livestreamed throughout the region’s secondary schools, as well as the university. That was a bit of a surprise, but it turned out to be very popular with an audience of over 500 outside of the university. Back home, I had just enough time to change clothes and get ready to come to Lexington to be with everyone who knows me as ‘Johnny Mac,’ the BRs. It was easily one of the best reunions in our history, and what made it even more special is how much better we looked than almost any of the other classes there, especially as we marched into the barracks. Our Old Yell was the best, no question. Needless to say, Jamie and I look forward to seeing everyone in 5 years, if not before.” Class agent’s note: I sat with Jamie and Mac at one of the evening dinners. Mac was reviewing the number of ways he might die in the next 5 years. When finished, Jamie said, “You forgot one. That’s if I push you down the stairs.” It took a few seconds, but it made sense, and we all laughed.

“Interspersed with all of this coming and going, I have been sitting in courts all over East Texas in an effort to bring some semblance of justice to that part of the world and to postpone the onset of Alzheimer’s. So far, there has been some success in both objectives. Jamie joins me in sending you and all of the BRs our very best wishes for a happy, healthy summer.”

Bill Cather: After my five bypasses in December (2024), I was praying I would be able to make the reunion, and then I had an AFib problem 3 days before. My prayers were answered, and it was so great to see everyone. Realistically, I know half of us won’t make it to the next one, and that is a very sad thought. VMI and you guys have been a very important part of my life. On a brighter note, my grandson, Daniel Cather, applied and was admitted to VMI, but because they don’t have a chemical engineering major, he is going to Auburn on a full ride in their honors program. The icing on the cake is that he won the 7A tennis singles and doubles state championship. My sons, Heath and Robbie, after working there for 25-plus years, are now owners of Stewart Perry Construction, which does business all over the country (see their website).”

Elaine Neil-Smith is Charlie Smith’s widow from Newfoundland. She came to the reunion. Follows is a letter she wrote to Brooke Shehan, one of the terrific Alumni Agencies staff members who organized this reunion: “This is Elaine NeilSmith contacting you today from Newfoundland, Canada. I recently attended the 60th Reunion of the 1965 graduating class of VMI, which took place April 13–16 in Lexington. I attended the event in honor of my late husband, Charles Edward

Smith. I want to extend a sincere thank you to you and all the members of the various committees which helped facilitate the event. From the food to the venues to every single person whom I met, everything was prepared and handled with the utmost of professionalism and kind interaction. Initially, I was a little apprehensive, being there for the first time without Charlie and navigating everything on my own, but I need not have worried. Everyone was very kind and treated each other with warmth and respect, eager to hear each other’s stories. It truly was a time filled with love and laughter and the making of fond memories. And of course, the high point being for me the memorial service. Here, I was given the honor of saying aloud my husband’s name in front of all of his brother rats. Saying Charlie’s name at the Memorial [Hall] chapel inside Virginia Military Institute, the institution that shaped and molded my husband’s life, will be a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. Charlie would be proud. Thank you, Brooklyn, to you and to everyone involved. You’re all doing wonderful work in honoring the legacy of VMI.”

Karl Zeller: “I woke him up in Greece May 14 to get the name of one of our BRs in the picture with Gen. Jackson. It’s Bill Swindell, who dropped out at the end of our 3rd Class year.” Karl sends his best. And says the anchovies in Greece are not like anything in the U.S. He escaped the U.S. through the Newark, New Jersey, kerfuffle. Becky Blakemore, widow of Colin Blakemore, who preceded her in death, died April 10, 2025, of pancreatic cancer.

Clyde Bragg’s three daughters brought him to the reunion. Julie Bragg, who is an anchor for WTVR TV Channel 6 in Richmond, put together a short with him at the reunion. The link is here: wtvr.com/news/local-news/virginia-militaryinstitute-reunion-april-18-2025. You might try it; no guarantees it is still available. Here’s a note Julie sent to Chuck Hough: “Wow! What a day we had at VMI yesterday! I will never be able to thank you enough for being so supportive and understanding in helping us to get my father there safely and happily. We had the most incredible time! Each and every person along the way could not have been more helpful and kind, especially Justin Tammelin [’09], who welcomed us with open arms and a ride on his golf cart and then personally made sure dad’s wheelchair got where it needed to be inside the barracks. The memories my sisters and I made with dad yesterday were priceless and will live in my heart forever. Dad had been looking forward to this reunion for so very long. Being back on post and seeing his brother rats was so good for his soul. VMI is his

home. I have grown up admiring and respecting the tradition and all things VMI, but this was another new experience for me that made that admiration grow even deeper. It is such a special place. I literally cried tears of joy when I got home last night after getting to experience such a wonderful day with dad and all of the alumni, staff, and current cadets. I’m assuming the pictures taken by the professional photographer will be shared in some way. Is there any way I could get my email added to that list? Dad won’t know how to forward the email to me. If you can’t add me, I can always forward it to myself from his phone when I see him. I’m attaching a few pictures I thought you’d like to see. (It looks like they’ll be in a Google Drive link, so please let me know if you have any trouble seeing them.) Feel free to pass along or share with anyone if you’d like. I think you’ll especially like the one with the sweet cadet who pushed his wheelchair from barracks all the way to dinner.”

Wayne Chiles: “Chuck, Lou—I cannot thank you guys and Mike for all your effort on behalf of our class. The program was well planned and, with the support of the Institute staff, went very smooth. I cannot guess how many BRs attended, and I did not get a chance to speak to all, but I saw many faces I could put a name on and, sorry to say, a bunch that my mind could not find in its ‘archives.’”

Bill Ryan spent only a short time at the reunion. It was good to see him. He sent a nice note: “Thanks for the reunion. I could only stay for a while. I really enjoyed that small time I had. Thanks again.”

Dick Waters: “Thank you and your faithful deputies for putting together an excellent reunion. While it looked so simple, I know the planning and coordination was monumental on all levels. I certainly appreciated your hard work and wish you a healthy recovery.”

Larry Rose: “I just finished reading this book by our Brother Rat Mike McBride. Wow, what a treasure! We’ve all heard from Mike’s messages and invitations to visit him at his lodge in Alaska. This book tells the tale of his 60-year odyssey— just incredible! The book, ‘The Last Wilderness, Alaska’s Rugged Coast, Life at Kachemak Bay,’ is available at Amazon.”

Irwin McCumber: “Lou, at our reunion, I learned from Barry Walker that he was also born at Stonewall Jackson’s home in Lexington, preceding me by 6 months. Also, he reported that our deceased BR Greg Paynter was born there. It isn’t a big place, so I think we can assume we were all born in the same room (supposedly where the kitchen is now on the museum tour). In

early March, we went to Savannah for the funeral of Jack Cook, who passed away after fighting dementia the last few years. Jack lived in Rincon, outside Savannah, where he was retired from the Corps of Engineers. He used to come up to Hilton Head when we were vacationing and join us for golf and hitting the restaurants. He was always a jovial soul, whistling and singing as we played golf, even when the inevitable bad shots came. With Linda and I at the visitation the night before Jack’s funeral were Brian and Joyce McNeil; Bob and Lori Law; and Doug Thomas and his friend, Leonora Burger. Brian and Jack went to high school together, along with Clyde Bragg, at Benedictine in Richmond. The next day, Brian and I were able to go back for the funeral and interment at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens east of Savannah. On a more pleasant note, everyone needs to be watching for Brian and Joyce McNeil’s grandson, Connelly Early, to show up hopefully soon on the mound for the Boston Red Sox. He has been making good progress since being drafted out of UVA, and good left-handed pitchers are hard to come by.”

That’s all, folks!

1966

Nick Hoskot

Class Notes

your class agent for the foreseeable future, please advise your NOK of your wishes on where I can send a memorial gift in your name after you pass away. Typically, I send $66 to an organization of your choice. If you have questions, contact me, please. Now, on to the notes ...

Rick Kiernan’s life and exploits were recently highlighted in an article published in the Warwick Journal. If you would like to read it, let me know. Rick’s comment on the article: “They were very kind to me ...” He has currently has four “irons in the fire” that he is working on: A Desert Storm memorial, to be located adjacent to the Vietnam Wall; developing a speakers program for local priests and deacons; writing a book on militarymedia relations, “From Fox Hole to News Hole;” and distributing his memoir to VMI and the Defense Information School.

Woody Sadler sent along a summary of capital and non-capital projects that are ongoing or planned for the school properties. Selected projects included: Post-wide safety and security, cadet safety and security, barracks windows, Nichols Engineering Building expansion and renovation, Moody Hall, New Market renovations, and lacrosse/soccer stadium at Patchin Field. Questions or comments? Give Woody a call.

Woody and Lori have been to Ecuador and Bolivia delivering wheelchairs, and they will return to Ecuador this summer with a container of special wheelchairs for children suffering neurological diseases and birth defects. Over the past 10 years, Woody and Lori have delivered almost 4,000 wheelchairs to Latin America and the Caribbean. Wow! And finally, Woody has relinquished his teaching duties at the Institute.

Dave and Ruth Whitt have moved into a retirement community in Aurora, Colorado. Please let me know if you would like their new address.

Mike Burton stated he is planning on attending our 60th Reunion next spring and is looking forward to that. He is “enjoying life, although the memory is not as sharp as it should be.” Jessie’s comment: “That is not new news.” Mike, I would guess a majority of us could agree with your remark!

Jim and Sandra Smith joined up with Jim and Susan Whitehurst at the Thunderbird restaurant in the Massanutten area—great company, good time, good food!

Mark your calendars: Input for the next edition of our class notes should be sent to me by Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Continue to enjoy your family, your brother rats, and all of your friends!

1967

Lonnie Jan Abernathy

I’ll begin this edition of Alumni Review notes with perhaps a somber but necessary reminder: As

Best, Nick

Bob Flynn: “I’ve got a short story on Patton’s grandson, Jamie Totten ’69. Jamie was in my rat cadre squad in 1968. I found out who he was and went to his room after taps! He was sleeping and was startled when I woke him. I said, ‘Are you who I think you are?’ He said, ‘Yes, sir, please don’t tell anyone.’ I did not see him again till I was in Nashville a few years ago at a rat send-off. He was doing fine.”

John Shea: “The info on the passing of Lieutenant General Moore was fitting. My dad was one of the three MSTS troop transports that transported the 1st Cav. from South Carolina to RVN. It was the third war in which my dad had transported troops to war. It moved him to the point that he resolved to retire. Some place I have a picture of the 1st Cav. patch that the soldiers painted on one of the ship’s smokestacks. Little did my dad know that in 1967, both of his sons would be serving in RVN. We were all young and serving then. Hope all of us left are doing well.”

L.F. Payne: “We have lost Andy Yowell. I will be attending the service with Jim ‘Bear’ Cain in Bedford, Virginia. There was a reception at his sister Martha’s house afterward. Brother rats who were able to attend were Tom Gritzmacher, Bob Nablo, Gene Potter, Tom Richardson, L.F. Payne, Jim ‘Bear’ Cain, Jim Tate, John Lee, and Henry Dickerson. The graveside service was led by the VMI chaplain. All four of Andy’s sons (including son Lee Yowell ’93) made moving remarks about their love for their dad, and Andy’s granddaughter, Millie, sang beautifully. Andy Yowell was one of three brother rats from Bedford County, Virginia. The other two were Bert Nance and John Lee. Andy majored in civil engineering and roomed with Gene Potter, Bill Kiniry, Karl Kanitz, and me during his 2nd and 1st Class years. Andy left VMI after the first semester of his 1st Class year due to family issues as a cadet in good standing. He married shortly after leaving VMI and served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Although married, he appealed to VMI to allow him to finish his last year and graduate from VMI. His appeal was granted, and he received his diploma in 1974. Andy worked in the construction industry and was in charge of all building construction at Wintergreen for a number of years (Larry Rutherford and I were at Wintergreen, as well).

Class of 1965: Karl Zeller, Bill Murphy, and Bill Swindell at the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park in April 2025.

Andy was the project manager for many important structures in Virginia, including VMI’s Third Barracks and Lejeune Hall, which he built while working for Nielsen Construction Company. In addition to being a very talented construction leader, he was a very thoughtful and kind person and a friend to many, including me. He will be greatly missed. Janet ‘Jan’ Yowell, who passed away several years ago, was his wife of more than 40 years, his second wife, and the love of his life. His sister, Martha Yowell Freaney, hosted his celebration of life reception after the service in Bedford, Virginia.”

Phil Gioia: “We now have an 11-year-old wirehair Dachshund named Bandit, who we got as a puppy when Fremont (the cat) was in his last year. Those two bonded; we have pictures of Fremont stoically enduring a washing as Bandit licked his ears. All OK here; can’t believe the years have gone so quickly. Am about to send the publishers the draft of the next book, ‘Frumious,’ a novel set during 1959 at the height of the Cold War, with dragons. In the book, dragons, which everyone has thought were only mythological, have existed in reality all along. They went into underground hiding during the Middle Ages. As America and the Soviet Union come to a situation in which nuclear war is possible, the dragons emerge to save mankind and in so doing save themselves.

‘Danger Close!’ received great reviews and went to a second printing. Never would’ve expected that kind of reception. Am still CEO of one company, which in spite of my best managerial input continues to grow, so I think I am semi-retired. The family is in good order; our eldest daughter, Victoria, graduated from UCLA a couple of years ago and is now working in Manhattan. Her sister, Virginia, is in her second year of college here. Lianee somehow continues to put up with me; she is the very best. Fifty years ago today (April 30, 2025), I was driving across the U.S. in an Audi 100LS. (The only real turkey of an auto I have ever owned; Audi has come a very long way since.) I was in the Army on the way to my next assignment at

Sixth Army Headquarters at the Presidio of San Francisco. I felt like I had won the lottery with that assignment. I had no idea at all my life and career would change so radically in California. In 1975, there were a lot fewer FM stations on the 3-day drive across the country. I listened in real time to the fall of Saigon as each AM station came into range then faded into scratchy oblivion. I was following Interstate 80, and remember, for the better part of those 3 days, the immensity of our country. What appeared to be the same harvester was out there every day, working far off across limitless fields of crops. Hard to believe half a century has passed. A lifetime of memories, of actions in

combat when I was 22, just out of VMI, and up to my ears in the war in Vietnam. Of grad school and my business career. Shoals of friends, some short term, some, like you, ‘in for the duration,’ as we used to say. Count myself a very fortunate man in so many ways. Phil and Ratman.

The Atlanta Chapter held a dinner for Major General and Mrs. Wins ’85, which was attended by Mike Bagnulo; Jan and Joan Abernathy; and Karl Kanitz, who has recently moved to the Atlanta area. It was a great evening to meet other local alumni and catch up on recent events.”

Dave Neel update: “Hi, this is Dave’s wife, Kathy. He asked me to pass along an update to you. He had a successful double bypass on Friday and is doing well. He will be in the ICU a little longer, then hopefully in the stepdown unit for the remainder of next week. He appreciated hearing from so many of you. Thanks for all of the get well wishes!”

The question has come up about Rat Bibles and whether or not the current cadets still have them. The following information—quite eye-opening—was shared by our BRs regarding this topic. I (Jan Abernathy) showed up in 1963 with a toothbrush and a week’s worth of briefs and T-shirts and black socks in a laundry bag from my 3 years at Hargrave Military Academy. I think I have previously related that a BR from Texas showed up with a trumpet case, typewriter case, a trunk, and a suitcase, plus extra blankets, because his mom may have thought VMI was in a blizzard weather zone. No name this time, as this BR is a respected professional! I recall he set a record for trips up and down to his room and then down to the trunk room to store unused booty.

Jake deSteiguer: “(For all my BRs) Ha! I was that ill-briefed rat! My mom didn’t want me to go far away, as you can tell from the overconcern. But if I was going to, by God, I was going to be prepared. She carefully read every page of the guide sent by the Institute for incoming rats, packing a warm sweater and God knows what

Class of 1967: Celebrating the 80th birthdays of Bob and Peggy Flynn at McCoy Farms in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, are (from left) Hunter Lankford (grandson), Peggy, Mike Flynn (son), Bob, Erin Flynn Lankford (daughter), Trisha Flores, and Audrey Lankford (granddaughter).

Class of 1967: Tom Richardson and Jane Brooke, widow of Chip Brooke, with Griffin Gibson ’25 and Cadet Luke Waldon ’28, recipients of the Class of 1967 Scholarship Fund, at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet in March 2025. Also pictured is Mary Couper Newman, granddaughter of Col. William Couper ’904.

else. The extra blanket did come in handy in the cold northeast corner of Room 496 when sleeping next to the open window. Snow on the bed more than once! I do remember well the multiple trips to the fourth stoop and then back again to the trunk room in the basement of Old Barracks with that trunk. I never saw the stuff again til June. Interestingly, there were no warm civvies in it, so at Christmas furlough, I had only my uniform! What a year.”

Jane Brooke’s son, Mercer ’94, teaches at VMI and confirmed to his mom that rats do get a Rat Bible. The booklet info I sent yesterday via class email is mailed to all accepted rats before matriculation.

Max Toch: “Another clueless rat story: Not getting into USMA, my dad suggested VMI based only on his Army experience with an officer (VMI grad) in whom he placed high regard. I applied never having seen the place, and the rest is history. As a going-away gift for my first trip to Lexington in fall 1963, Dad bought me a really nice, square shoeshine box. It was finished wood about 15 inches all around, hinged to open so that Brasso, Kiwi, rags, etc., could be stored inside and had a wooden footrest on top that doubled as a handle. Imagine the ration of crap that came my way carrying said box through [Main] Arch by its wooden footrest handle as I reported in. It went to the trunk room and home with me after rat year, never again to head south.”

J.I. Orrison: “Max and Terryann Toch spent a few days with J.I. and Brenda Orrison. The Tochs were visiting their son, Captain Charlie Toch (USMA 2018), at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah and swung through Atlanta on their way home. As usual, there was a lot of reminiscing between the 4-year roommates from VMI, not to mention discussing origins and solutions to world problems. Charlie is one of Max and Terryann Toch’s triplets. One of the cadets that I have followed through her cadetship and career, Caitlin is also stationed there as an air operations planner, so I have asked her to look him up.”

Stan Waskiewicz: “I celebrated my 80th birthday on Good Friday, April 18. As a surprise birthday present, my youngest son, Shawn, made a replica of a VMI rifle rack and bookcase. He got measurements, drawings, and paint info from the VMI Museum director, Col. Gibson ’77. The M1 Garand was given to me by Shawn as a Christmas gift in 2014. The 30-30 was my brother’s.”

Joan and I had breakfast not long ago at our local Cracker Barrel, and before we were seated, Bob O’Connor ’70 jumped up from his table and grabbed my hand when he saw my VMI hat. He and wife Paula (Sem ’68) were recently back

from his reunion, and the excitement of meeting another alum was evident. In nonstop talk for several minutes, he asked and answered several questions involving his rat dyke’s roommates: Pete Wells, Steve Young, Doug Taylor, and Bob Tannen. Bob was quick to say he reads ’67 notes before any others, and he likes to keep up with us. They live locally to us in Canton, Georgia, and we look forward to visiting with them again soon.

As most of us know, BR Chip Brooke passed in 2018. His widow, Jane Brooke, recently attended the scholarship banquet to represent our Class of 1967, with someone else who is historically famous, which I will note below. There is a part of this story most of us don’t know that we want to share with all. Jane’s father passed Friday, March

23, 2018, and 4 days later, Chip passed, which was her mother’s birthday. Jane said they had gone on a cruise for 3 weeks to South America, and Chip did not feel well (February). He visited the doctor upon his return, and they turned up the cancer that had started in his kidney but had now metastasized throughout his body. Jane’s father, Lloyd Leech ’42, was the commandant at VMI when the Class of 1967 were 1sts, and he was also commandant at the time of his own 25th Reunion. Chip’s father was George M. Brooke Jr. ’936. He passed in 2006, and a memorial fund was set up by his wife as a scholarship a year later. His father was Class of 1896. (Previously, in 2011, Jane’s older brother, Class of ’66, passed at age 66 of complications from Agent Orange treatments.) And the best news is she has a grandson who will be a rat this fall. Jane and Chip’s son, Col. Mercer Brooke ’94, is currently a physics professor at VMI. Normally, he is invited to attend the scholarship banquet on behalf of the family memorial that was set up. This time, when Jane attended to represent the Class of 1967, she invited her good friend, Mary Couper Newman, to go with her. When we found out who Mary was related to, we felt that it would be a luncheon the cadets would always remember. Mary is the daughter of Dr. John Lee Couper ’937, whose father, Col. William Couper ’904, authored “100 Years at VMI” (a four-volume set written in 1939). He lived in one of the quarters on the Parade Ground, as he was a professor at VMI. What a history! Griffin Gibson ’25 and Luke Waldron ’28 had a luncheon experience to remember the rest of their lives. And now you know the rest of the story!

Earlier this year, Jan and Joan were contacted by the two grown children of Bob and Peggy Flynn to ask if they could attend a special dual 80th birthday celebration in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. It was kept as a surprise party until the last minute, with family members attending from all over the USA.

Many thanks go to daughter Erin and son Mike for creating an incredible catered dinner and party at the McCoy Farm and Gardens. It is a celebration that will never be forgotten by their parents and many others.

This is a message that came in from Tappey Jones ’70 that is worthy of sharing with all: “I was saddened to read in the last Alumni Review about Tubby Wilkinson’s and Mike Schlosser’s deaths. Mike was Terry Fowler’s roommate, and so as Terry’s rat, I knew him well. He was a very kind person. I only met Tubby once when I was a rat but remember it well. I had slept through SRC on Terry’s rack, so Terry took me to Tubby’s room to find out how to deal with it. Tubby said until you get the absent slip, don’t do a thing. Well, my

Class of 1967: Phil Gioia celebrates his 79th birthday with his wife, Lianee, at the Miramar in Half Moon Bay, California.

Class of 1967: Jim and Patty Fromm at the 55th Reunion in 2022.

corporal couldn’t count or something, and I never was turned in for that. I did see Terry once at y’all’s reunion, and he said he’d look me up when he came back the next time to VMI, but he was gone before he came back to Lexington. I would have loved to have spent some time with him. I have retired from 30 years of teaching at VMI, and in the last 10 years or so, Tubby and John Gupton would visit me once or twice a year, talk about science, my research, and ‘the state of the I.’ So, I always had more sympathy and empathy from my dyke’s class than I ever had from my own class. I would be grateful for addresses to write the families (spouses) of both Tubby and Mike so I can send a little note to them. They were both good men. Sincerely, Tappey Jones.”

Terry Moore reported that he had spoken with John Horner and said he seems active and sounded well. He’s immersed in the history of the South and suggested two books: “Richmond’s Unheralded History” by Benjamin Campbell (a friend of his); and “Charles Kuralt’s America” by Charles Kuralt. I (Jan) saw a recent article on the TV news about a pair of schoolgirls in Pennsylvania who read a history assignment about the Civil War that included a story about a local soldier who was lost to history. The girls took on the story as a project and found the grave and were recognized for their efforts. It reminded me of John Lee’s exhausting efforts to find and identify the lost graves of several New Market cadets. John has been successful in finding and providing headstones in family plots for the lost cadets. Actions such as his bring history alive.

This year, the annual barracks plague seems to have hit harder than usual. Our AR notes editor, Mary Price, is also teaching a section of rat English

and got caught up in the inevitable illness. I got the civilian version also here in Georgia. Unlike the 2 or 3 days I recall being wiped out on the stoops, it was more like 2 weeks to recover my energy. Being 80 can change a lot of things.

Charlie Moir thanked us for his birthday card and said as much. I am adding my vivid memory of the plague from 1963 when Vance Powell and I fell out at BRC and helped each other to stagger to the hospital.

One morning in November after barely being able to make it into BRC ranks, I fell out with another BR for sick call. He and I staggered down to the hospital and, along with around a dozen upperclassmen, sat in a long row of chairs at the entrance. Being rats, we were at the end of the row. A large burly nurse, Ma Kelley, came down the line of cadets with a clipboard taking names. When she stopped in front of me, I jumped up and said, “Abernathy, L.J., and I think I have the flu.” Her reply was to say, “We only need your name, Mr. Abernathy; I will determine what is wrong with you.” The last in line was our BR, Vance. He jumped up and said, “Powell, V.D.” Her response was very quick and curt. Without looking up she said, “Did you not hear what I told your brother rat, Mr. Powell? I just need your initials, and we will decide what is wrong with you in due time.” Vance blurted out, “My initials are V.D., ma’am.” Ma never batted an eye but turned back to the front of the line of misery. The late Vance Daly Powell graduated and became a renowned osteopathic physician after a solid tour in Vietnam as a surgeon.

We need to remember several BRs we have lost this year. The most recent was Jack Mundy, who was the 105th (May 4). Earlier this year, we lost Andy Yowell (Jan. 22), Tubby Wilkinson (Jan. 12), and Cliff Hedgepeth (Feb. 20). A special thank you goes to Terry Moore for keeping our class records up to date with roommate charts and those who have passed. We keep these up to date and on file, so if you want a new copy by email, just let me know. Gone but never forgotten and always a BR. It is with great sadness that we need to report that Wayne Marshall’s wife, Dot, was killed in a car accident as this set of notes was going to press (May 16). Wayne said a tractor-trailer crossed the center line and hit her head on. Wayne asked us to share this with all of his BRs in the notes. He is going to need all of us now more than ever. Our prayers are with you every day, Wayne.

Until the next AR, Your BR, Jan

1968

Tom Hickey

From May 7–10, 2025, 13 brother rats and 12 guests gathered in Abingdon, Virginia, for a mini reunion organized by Joe LeVine. A picture of the group accompanies these notes. Activities included a dinner at Joe and Donna’s Abingdon home; tours of Abingdon’s Main Street; a dinner before attending a performance at the Barter Theatre; a wine tasting; a tour of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia; and a cocktail party followed by dinner. Many thanks and kudos to Joe and Donna for their efforts.

Walt Jeffress (Fairfax, Virginia) is a golfer who is dedicated to the PGA TOUR’s fundraising. In January 2025, he played in his 100th PGA TOUR Champions pro-am at the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida. He also played in the Kemper Open proam, so as of the end of January, he can claim a total of 101 pro-ams. At the Chubb tournament, he was honored with an article on the tournament’s website and in its program, his accomplishment was featured on the event’s electronic signage, and he received a cake and a new golf bag. Over the years, he has been on 15 winning teams, which seems like a pretty good win percentage to me.

Lee Chapla (Alexandria, Virginia, widow of John Chapla): “I removed the brass badge from John’s hat, which was damaged at the front, and my daughter had the idea to frame the badge, which is in excellent condition. The shadow box frame was inexpensive, and we did the framing ourselves.

“All is well with me, and my daughter and family are cleaning up after evacuating during the Pasadena fires. Fortunately, their house survived— just smoke and ash damage. My daughter in Hawaii is worried she might lose her job due to federal cuts.”

Harvey Flinn (Alexandria, Kentucky): “Family is doing well. I am full-time (working from home) through a contractor to the Veterans (Benefits) Association as a Tuxedo Systems administrator, and you can’t find them around anymore. I am on LinkedIn for more details. We moved to Alexandria 6 years ago because of job opportunities. Our four children live in Texas (two), California (one), and Virginia (one). Anyone is welcome to come visit anytime as just my wife and I are here. We are about 12 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio.”

Lew Yeouze (Peachtree City, Georgia): “Yes, I

Class of 1967: Karl Kanitz, Jan Abernathy, and Mike Bagnulo at an Atlanta Chapter dinner.

look forward to turning 78! Joyce and I are well. We both have certain of the common chronic health issues which are now too common in our age group. But ... we stay happily busy keeping up with our three ‘kids’ and six grandkids living in Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. We are planning to attend both of the upcoming 2025 ’68 mini reunions.’”

Tom Province (Madison, Virginia): “Hard to believe we have gotten to be so darned old. It now takes me all night to try to remember what I used to be able to do all night!”

Marion Carson (Charlotte, North Carolina, widow of Bob Philpott): “I got to Lexington for the Institute Society Dinner and returned in February from a 3-week trip to Bolivia and Colombia. It’s always a wonderful experience to meet the native people and their families, as well as the people on my trips, and something I always look forward to. I’m planning a trip to Prague, Berlin, and other parts of Eastern Europe this summer.

“I went to a reception and dinner at the Charlotte Country Club that Carl Showalter ’82 put together for the Charlotte area alumni. Major General Wins ’85 was here with his wife, as well as some others from Lexington. They were making a sweep, going on to South Carolina and, I think, Georgia. He gave an update on the Institute with some stats.

“A son, wife, and three grandchildren are here: 10, 8 and 3, a girl and two boys. Another son is here but is single with no children. The oldest son is in Atlanta with a 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter. The eldest grandchild is a runner; his sister a competitive soccer player. The oldest one here likes to sing; her brother draws all the time and plays soccer. The little one just plays and follows his siblings around. I wish my 15-year-old would consider VMI, but he’s not leaning in that direction right now.

“Not much other news. Staying busy playing bridge and maj jongg, reading a book, garden club, and keeping up with everyone’s hip, knee, and shoulder replacements and moves to retirement homes.”

John Hart (Staunton, Virginia): “I had the pleasure of lecturing Dean Kershaw’s class of construction management on special inspections today, March 27. I enjoyed the opportunity.”

Mike Gompf (North Chesterfield, Virginia): “At the end of last year, Katherine and I went to Maine to visit my sister. We had a great time except for lost luggage. Since we had not traveled in 10 years, the airport experiences were, to say the least, daunting. When we got back home, I divided my time between golf and a new exercise

Class Notes

program involving raking, bagging, and disposing of leaves and gum balls. I’m better at the latter. I stay in touch with Tom Burnett, who just lost his brother, and quite a few of fellow VMI brethren who either belong to or work at Independence Golf Club, where I work as a marshal. I also play golf with Mike Santoro ’69. We recently teamed up to play in the club’s Red Tee Revenge tournament. We did really well, placing last in our flight.”

Phil Lanier (Lakeway, Texas): “Checking in from the almost Hill Country just west of Austin, Texas. The city just keeps moving closer and closer, much to our chagrin. Price of progress. Our son and his family still live here. Our daughter and her husband are in Santa Barbara, California. For Becky and me, the objective every year is to travel somewhere north of latitude 40 in July and August. We do get back to the Shenandoah in September/October.”

Paul Hebert (Steamboat Springs, Colorado): “We just received an email from Keith Gibson ’77, the VMI Museum director, informing us that ‘Lives Guided by Honor’ is now available at the VMI Museum bookstore. He had a problem getting the book through their distributor. Note the book is still available through Amazon and other booksellers. Keith stated in his email, ‘It is a great book.’ Also, I am very pleased to report that I have been nominated to join the VMI Alumni Association Board of Directors, representing Region XII (western region) beginning July 1, 2025.”

John Byrd (North Chesterfield, Virginia): “Margaret and I are very fortunate to have all of our children and grandchildren living close to us. We are able to see them often. We normally

spend a week at the Outer Banks twice a year with the family. I stay busy getting together with friends, working out at the gym, and teaching a ventriloquism class to senior citizens at the Lifelong Learning Institute. I did manage to attend the football game against Furman, which resulted in a victory. Somehow, the hills seemed steeper than I remember. I have the usual agerelated physical issues: Knees, back, hips, heartrelated stents, and Afib (currently under control). When people ask me how I am doing, I tell them I am just fantastic. After seeing me hobble along, one woman asked me if I was being sarcastic. I told her my response reflected my positive attitude, not my physical issues.”

Gus Edwards (Alexandria, Virginia): “It’s a little daunting to reflect that when I turn 80 on Sunday, I will have outlived both my parents and both sets of grandparents!”

John Royster (Bermuda Run, North Carolina): “So far, we’re enjoying a quiet spring at home, but in May, we are going to spend a couple of pleasant days at the Homestead visiting with Roddy and Betty Delk and then driving straight to Richmond to visit Howard and Sally Donald. In many past years, we have also visited with Herb and Betty Laine on our trips to Richmond and the Tidewater area. Now, we are going to miss Herb, in many ways, and especially when we are visiting brother rats in Virginia and at the reunions. Betty still lives in the Chicago area near one of her daughters (and family), but I hope we can see her the next time she is in Virginia. We also hope to catch up with Mike and Carol Smythers sometime in late July or August. We’ll be in the D.C. area in late summer or early fall at my cousin’s funeral at Arlington Cemetery—not

Class of 1968: Gathering for a mini reunion in Abingdon, Virginia, May 7–10, 2025, are (from left) Dave and Jean Clark, Doug Schnabel, Pat and George Woodbury, Dave O’Connor and Linda Merrick, Laurie and John Griffin, Joe and Donna LeVine, Hal and Sandy Switzer, Bill and Dawn Cloyd, Ann and J.B. Timmons, and Clay and Donna Thompson. Not pictured are Roy and Pam Dornsife, Buzz and Nancy Sprinkle, and Lew and Joyce Yeouze.

sure when yet since scheduling an Arlington Cemetery service takes time (a lot of it)—but the military services there are well-conducted and impressive. We try to catch up with our four grandchildren (ages 18 to 23) when we can, but it’s usually not predictable with the schedules they keep.”

Tayo Leduc (Hiawassee, Georgia): “Betty and I are chugging along without much news. We are busy trying to downsize a little bit. Would love to get phone calls from brother rats. We don’t get much company where we live because we are 2 hours from Atlanta, Georgia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Asheville, North Carolina.”

Mike Smythers (Falls Church, Virginia): “We closed on our condo in Falls Church, Virginia, May 1. Moving up there May 8. Downsizing at this age is tough after 33 years in one place. Be near all our immediate family then.”

Rick Eades (Ridgeland, Mississippi):

“Seventy-nine is a heck of a number. Nothing much has changed around here since I last wrote to you.

“Suzanne’s ankle that she broke in four places right before our 55th Reunion has not improved and never will. She can only walk for short distances and not be up on it for extended periods. I am still doing my thing of running and biking. Finished a 100-miler at the annual Ridgeland, Mississippi, Natchez Trace 100-mile ride May 3.Will be attending the 100-miler put on by the Birmingham Bicycle Club the first Sunday of September. That ride is in the Columbiana, Alabama, area, southeast of Birmingham.

“My oldest daughter, Melissa Jane, is continuing to work at a Kroger nearby. She does the training for new hires and handles self-serve checkout lines and head cashier duties. What is unique about her situation is that she has been working for the same company for over 12 years, which is longer than I or anyone else in our family has done for two generations. We all had been let go by companies that were either bought out, shut down, downsized, merged, or closed. None of those companies were ever operating in the red. Their bean counters wanted to achieve high profit levels and a good show for the stockholders through all sorts of accounting tactics, which included the shutdowns, buyouts, mergers, and downsizing. For me, after nine companies and hitting the streets, I started my own company. Then, if I got fired, it was my own darn fault.

“My granddaughter, Maggie Barron, has been accepted to attend the University of South Alabama. She will be taking the mechanical engineering curriculum and will follow her passion for sailing on their sailing team. Their team is a club team and

not part of the Interscholastic Sailing Association.

“Some of you may remember a photo 3 years back of a young lady and I at her send-off party to attend VMI from Brandon, Mississippi. Well, Anna Grace Adams [’26] has really done well. In her rat year, she, with three other rats, set two VMI women rat records in medley swimming. In her 3rd Class year, she competed on the VMI ROTC Army Ranger team (seven men, two women) at the Sandhurst competition held at West Point. The VMI team came in 16th out of 48 teams. Later in June, she attended and graduated from the Army’s Air Assault School. Academically, she is wearing stars. She is majoring in history with minor studies in national security and Arabic language. Anna Grace has really charged ‘up the hill of science in noble emulation.’ During the upcoming Change of Command parade, she will be the new regimental S-7. She may be the most driven woman at VMI. Hopefully, after commissioning into the Army, she will be allowed to achieve the goals that she sets for herself.”

Vic Huang (Cupertino, California): “I am on vacation tour in Morocco, in Marrakesh as I write this email. It is great to be still able to travel around the world at this stage of our life, and I am still quite involved in the IEEE activities.”

Ed Anderson (Lynchburg, Virginia): “Belated thanks for your birthday wishes. It was a nice but quiet day. Pat and I did get to have a birthday dinner April 12 with our daughter, Lori, and granddaughter, Loren. Lori’s birthday is the 14th, and we traditionally get together on the weekend between our two birthdays to celebrate.

“Seventy-nine! Doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since it was 70! A lot has definitely happened in the world and in America since 2016.

“Pat and I did have an enjoyable trip to the Pontiac car show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in May of last year. Unfortunately, following Hurricane Helene, we had to make several trips to Damascus, Virginia, to remove mud and debris from the basement, garage, and yard of my parents’ house and to get damage to the furnace repaired. Luckily, there was no damage to the main floor of the house. However, Pat’s parents’ house in Taylors Valley, Virginia, was destroyed by the flood.”

I’ll close with a little news of my own. Rosemary and I took a Viking River Cruise tour of Egypt. We started with a layover in England to visit London, Stonehenge, and the Cotswolds, then the tombs and temples of Egypt, and finally a layover in Paris with dining on the Left Bank.

Walter Judd

Greetings, Brother Rats and Friends of the 55thplus Reunion VMI Class of 1969,

It is spring in Eastern Virginia, and flowers and trees are putting on a show. Pinks, purples, and yellows highlight the yards in my community. We celebrate this time by gathering for sports events and good conversations around the dinner table.

At the home basketball game against Samford Thursday, Feb. 27, Jim Long, John Sebrell, Webb Hatch, and Mary Alice Wright enjoyed the action but not the final score. At the last regular season basketball game against the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga Saturday, March 1, were Jim and Beth Long, Webb Hatch, John Sebrell, and Walter Judd. Then, after a four-game losing streak, the team entered the Southern Conference tournament the next week in Asheville with a game against The Citadel. On Friday afternoon, the team beat El Cid for the third time this season and earned the right to face the No. 2 seed, UNC–Greensboro. On Saturday evening, the team never trailed and won the game with some terrific play. The game Sunday evening against Wofford was not as competitive, and we ended the year with a 20-point loss. The next activity I followed was for the UTC team in the National Invitational Tournament. Dan Earl, former VMI coach, with two former Keydets, Honor Huff and Trey Bonham, kept winning close games and got to the finals of the tournament. And then they won the last game and won the overall tournament. The former Keydets did very well and got VMI some well-deserved praise.

Joe Lynch and I attended the Volunteer Leaders Conference in Lexington in late February. On the way to the meeting, I saw the first message about the VMI Board of Visitors not renewing the contract of Maj. Gen. Wins ’85, superintendent. Several BRs soon posted questions on our Facebook page, and the discussion began. Since members of the VMI Board of Visitors cannot comment—by very clear rules—about meeting details or decisions, not much other information was forthcoming. The gathering of class agents and alumni chapter representatives continued as planned throughout the weekend. Cadets are still being trained to be leaders and are still following the code of honor we did a long time ago. The Alumni Association is seeking ways to keep the 1969

alumni mass educated and aware of all that goes on at the Institute.

I worked with Susan Alexander as she spoke with VMI reps about remembering pledges Bob had made at our 25th Reunion. I am pleased to see widows and family members interested in carrying out their former cadet’s wishes and pledges. Earlier, I had researched a pledge made by a different BR and learned the facts of the situation. In that way, I was able to help the couple make the correct decision about an early pledge and a second gift to his department of study. If you are uncertain about pledges or promises made years ago, please let Terrie Conrad in Lexington help you determine the truth.

In March, I heard from Bob Flowers that he wanted to invite members of the class to his home in Williamsburg, Virginia, for a picnic and ceremony on New Market Day in May. He and I coordinated on a message and sent out the information. Almost two dozen BRs accepted the invitation and planned to be there. On May 15, the following group of BRs headed to Williamsburg to the Flowers’ home at the end of a pretty long driveway. Glenn White, Dick and Cheryl Camp, Spunky Butler, Lou and Tanya Sidney, Tom and Gayle Morris, Mike and Martha Santoro, Bobby and Elizabeth Watts, Bob and Lush Heely, Gary and Peggy Mackey, Drew and Carol Brantley, Bunny and Carolyn Paulette, Bruce Gregory, Jim and Ruth Chapman, John Ishon, Fred and Claudia Downey, Tommy Hudson, Webb Hatch, Joe Flanz, Charlie Bryan, and I, plus John and Laurie Griffin ’68 (Bob Flowers’ 1st Class roommate), enjoyed the luncheon and Bob’s feature event. V.J. Petrella, “Biker” Bob Ladd, and Brent Collins had to bow out near time for the event. When we all had gathered on the back patio at his home, Bob explained the ceremony about to occur. We were all to stand around the fire pit in his backyard in a big circle and pay our respects to VMI cadets who had fallen in the Battle of New Market. Mike Santoro was the designated reader

Class Notes

of the history of the day and how the cadets ended up in the vicinity of the battle. Bob called out the names so familiar to us and a different BR replied as usual, “died on the field of honor, sir.” Bob then called out the names of our BRs who fell in Vietnam, and we all replied the same, “died on the field of honor, sir.” We stood as brothers to honor our forebears and friends in the best way we knew. Then it was time for lunch. Glenn manned the grill and provided hot dogs and burgers, while others ate BBQ already prepared. As usual, many small groups chatted and traded tall tales until it was time to hit the road.

Tom Jones wrote May 12: “I wish I could join you and other BRs from the great Class of ’69. I shall be there in spirit. Trivia to share or not. Not bragging but interesting. My father (VMI ’934), grandfather (Lehigh 1890) and me, at age 7, went to the New Market battlefield from Roanoke. We wandered around and went to Bushong farmhouse. Dad got some old lumber in the shed and made me a monument later with date, etc. I still have it. My grandfather’s brother, Thomas Archer Jones [’898], from Portsmouth, graduated from VMI in 1898 and received the Jackson-Hope medal. I have it. He married William McFarland Patton’s daughter. Jamie Patton Totten’s great-great-uncle (and mine) fought at New Market and later was chairman of engineering at VPI. Grand-uncle Tom Jones later became chairman of engineering at VMI but died at 41 and is buried next to Stonewall. I was told that an earlier rector at my church went to VMI. He was Otis Glazebrook ’866, and he fought at New Market. He married General Francis Smith’s daughter. He had a long history as a friend of President W. Wilson, who made him consulate to Jerusalem before and after World War I. He is buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. As I get older, I realize everyone has a story.” Thanks, Tom, for sharing. Most of us do not know our family connections nearly so well.

On March 6, Rick Snow called with questions

about VMI politics. We discussed as much as we knew about the superintendent story. He only gets snippets of Virginia politics in New Mexico and wanted some clarity. Later in April, Rick called again, and this time we talked about other topics than VMI politics. He told me his vines just missed being damaged by a late cold spell and were all fine for growing grapes for one of the winemaking vintners in his area. Apparently, some of the oldest wine vintners in North America (before California!) were in New Mexico and still produce today. Rick said he and Mary Ann were preparing for a cruise in southern France in early May. He was working hard to renew his French language skills. At one point in his Army career, he spent time at the Defense Language Institute learning Italian for an assignment in northern Italy. He appears to pick up languages quickly. He also told me he had found an old album of recorded music by the VMI Glee Club and was sending me a CD made from the record produced in March 1968 in JM Hall (now Memorial Hall). I now have a CD of Glee Club music recorded with good-to-mes in 1968 to share with any interested fans. Featured songs are “Shenandoah,” “The VMI Spirit,” and “The VMI Blues.” The cover includes the words to “The VMI Blues” written by Rev. Nick Mager ’66

From Mike Santoro in late March: “On March 22, I joined brother rats Joe Lynch and Fred Downey and Fred’s wife, Claudia, at the annual academic scholarship luncheon at VMI. This was my first year attending this one, although I have been with you at the sports scholarship equivalent event several times. I sponsor a small scholarship in honor of my father, who was a Marine at Guadalcanal during World War II. I sat at a table with several cadets and with Jim Henry ’68, Tom Hickey ’68, and Ben Gore ’80. Ben is on the board of the VMI Foundation. I had a good conversation with Cadet Michael O’Byrne ’26, a 2nd Class CE major intending to commission as a submarine officer after VMI. His roommate is

Class of 1969: Brother rats celebrate New Market Day at the home of Bob Flowers in Williamsburg, Virginia, May 15, 2025.

Marshall Taylor ’26, grandson of the president of the 1st Class when we were rats. He enjoyed my story of my first encounter with Marshall Taylor on Matriculation Day! Fred and Joe sat at another table and got to spend time with Brigadier General Bob Moreschi and his wife, Linda. Joe was joined by his scholarship recipient, a woman from the Class of 2023 now attending the UVA law school. Since we were not all sitting together at lunch, we arranged to get together in the PX when the event was over and had a great chat, solving all the problems of the Institute and the world in general, over a cup of coffee. We agreed to continue our discussion sometime soon.” Fred added: “It was a nice event. Probably was timing. Barracks was empty. Several sports teams were playing, and many cadets were taking a weekend. I think scheduling at VMI is a lot more complicated than it was in our time.”

On March 25, several of us BRs in the Tidewater area of Eastern Virginia joined other senior graduates for lunch and conversation sponsored by the VMI Alumni Association. Bob Flowers, Drew Brantley, Tom Morris, Jim Chapman, Glenn White, and I enjoyed eating and laughing together at a restaurant in Williamsburg. We shared the table with good-to-mes Jim Henry, Val Sledd ’68, and Judge Roddy Delk ’68.”

In mid-April Elizabeth Meise, the daughter of U.S. Air Force Capt. John Wade Hayes, an AF ROTC instructor and coach of the VMI soccer team formed during our 1st Class year, wrote a note to me. She was seeking information about her father when he was assigned to VMI. Only present for a short time at VMI, Capt. Hayes, a West Point graduate, was remembered by several of our soccer players from that time long ago. Elizabeth said she was born that year in Lexington but had moved away too soon to have any memories. Jamie Totten and Mike Santoro wrote to Elizabeth and her brother, John, the present track and field coach at Wake Forest University. Both remembered a man who knew little about soccer but was willing to get the group into good shape. All the BRs who played for him remembered the “12-minute run,” his way of finishing off a good practice. No wonder they were all so fit! John and Elizabeth thanked us for the information former players shared and the pictures from the ’69 Bomb that I sent.

Jamie Totten also passed the following words: “I had to renew my wife’s dependent ID card recently. While we were at the ID card office at our neighboring Alabama Air National Guard installation, the clerk alerted me that all military ID cards will be required to be switched to a new format in December of this year (2025). Even

Class Notes

though our retiree cards say ‘indefinite,’ we will still be required to get one with the new format. That probably includes any unexpired dependent IDs, also. Can you alert all the old, retired guys in ’69 to avoid the rush and make the switch now and avoid the crowd?” BRs, consider yourself forewarned if you are in that situation.

While the Virginia War Memorial’s exhibit on MIA/KIA personnel from Virginia does not highlight the story or name of Jack Kennedy, it does include the fact his VMI class is one of the sponsors for the exhibit. Conservators of information that build the stories have been busy documenting Jack’s story by collecting letters and history from friends and family. A number of BRs also helped sponsor the displays in the exhibition opening soon. I know most of us appreciate the efforts by Mike Santoro to include us in both the fabric of the exhibit and the support to make it possible. I look forward to seeing the true stories of brave persons lost for a while but never forgotten.

On April 30, the VMI versus William & Mary baseball game was played at Hampton’s historic War Memorial Stadium. Dinner preceded the game, and the game was terrific!

John Sebrell: “Walt, you were missed at this exciting game in which the Keydets came from being down 9 to 1 in the 7th inning to win with a 3-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 9th—12-9. Our class was well represented by BRs Bruce Gregory, Bruce Noel, Tom Catlett, John Ishon, Bobby Watts, Bunny Paulette, Gary Mackey, and me.”

John Ishon: “It was a wonderful night. Good showing by Class of ’69. I hope VMI will make it an annual affair. After the ‘big comeback win,’ they played the ‘Spirit’ and ‘Doxology’ over the PA system. My high school classmate Bill Thornton (UVA) was there. His grandson, Sam Bennett ’28, is a rat and left-handed pitcher from Richmond. Bob ‘Luther’ Alexander’s brother, David ’73, was there. Bob Walton ’63 and Rusty Evans ’65 were there with Judge Louie Lerner (UVA). Judge Lerner’s brother-in-law was Kenton Patrick ’61. Tom Morehouse ’70 and wife Sally (W&M) were there.” Last year, I sat with Bob and David Alexander and enjoyed using my new red jacket just picked up at our 55th Reunion. VMI won that game, as well, at the W&M home field in Williamsburg. One 2XL red jacket still remains if you want one.

I plead guilty to not showing up for the baseball game in Hampton, but at start time, I had just returned from the Richmond Garden Club event at my old street (Pope Avenue) in Ginter Park. My sister and wife joined me as we tripped back

memory lane to see my old house and several others down the street. Ginger Hudson, Bomber Tommy Hudson’s wife, was hosting at one house, and Marie Houseworth, wife of class agent Larry Houseworth ’72, greeted us at a different house. The weather was nearly perfect, and the crowds numbered several hundred for the event, so the garden club ladies had to be pleased.

Rick Wolffe ’78 has an interesting hobby: He builds profiles of alumni who “gave it all” and gives the names on a list or memorial a lot of information about their lives. He has completed profiles of our four BRs whose pictures hang in Preston Library. As he told some of us in an email recently, “A few years ago, I was moved at the Memorial Parade by the reading of the names of our alums who have died since the MexicanAmerican War, and with all the information on our wars and war heroes on too many websites to count, I started to draft these profiles of our VMI alums last year. I have done a couple dozen now.” Rick’s profile of Tom Blair was the first I read, and boy, did I learn things I did not know. It is absolutely wrong to think everybody knows what you know about our departed brothers. At our last reunion, in the time set aside to remember BRs who have already passed away, Harold Fleischer told of the final hours of Tom Blair in ways only some knew about. The profile Rick presented on Tom showed a young couple newly wed before he left for his assignment in the Republic of Vietnam. In checking around, I discovered Martha Santoro knew Tom’s wife, Linda, at Mary Washington College (now University). She found out more about Linda and got me researching her, as the class has never, to my knowledge, invited her to anything. The last address we had for Tom’s former wife was in Texas near Reb Anderson and Paul Curs. They answered my call to check the address but found she had already moved on. Not quite a dead end but certainly a problem. If anyone has current information, please share it with me.

In the same vein of thought, I discovered that when Frank Webb left VMI during his rat year in 1966 and subsequently died on the battlefield in 1968, his father, the late John M. Webb ’45, funded the first endowed basketball scholarship in his son’s name in 1976. Think about that bit of trivia. “First endowed basketball scholarship” goes back to a member of our class. I can honestly say that the first one was the beginning of a series of other wonderful scholarships given to honor honorable, productive members of the Class of 1969. Also, please note as mentioned before that Frank now wears a white uniform in his library painting vice his grey rat blouse. For many years,

the picture was a representation of Frank as a rat, as that was the only photograph available. Stories about his departure from VMI say he left as soon as the Rat Line ended and joined the Army to ensure he did not miss the action in RVN.

Please contact me or Rick at rwolffe@tspcapitalmgt.com if you want to see other profiles of our BRs or other VMI men.

In the Spirit, Walt

Steve Talley

Hello, Brother Rats, Family, and Friends of the VMI Class of 1970,

I am starting to write these notes Sunday, May 4, 2025, way later than I should have, 19 days after our 55th Reunion. Some local news: It rained in Staunton yesterday for the first time for about 3 weeks. The ground was dry as a bone until then. This time of the year, I get worried about stuff like this because, in this part of Virginia, we have been experiencing severe drought in the spring and summer for the past 5 or 6 years. Not good. It’s 7 days later, and the forecast calls for a flood watch. I guess my complaining worked.

I’m embarrassed to say that our recent 55th Reunion is only my second in the past 50 years, but from the comments I received, it was a pretty darned good one. I said this before, and it bears repeating, that I would have been lost without Brooke Shehan, our excellent reunion event coordinator from the Alumni Agencies. She is a marvel of organization and pleasant to work with. VMIAA staff have plenty of experience planning and implementing class reunions and realms of data to support sound decision-making, predicting attendance, planning venues, events, meals, etc. This year, they added continuous transport to and from the hotel and points on post and uptown. I know there was a hiccup in getting some folks from the hotel to the memorial service on time, but otherwise, the system was flawless. Many of you appreciated the text messaging system that helped keep us on schedule. And those golf carts—how excellent for a bunch of old geezers with bad knees. Speaking of the service in Memorial Hall (formerly Jackson Memorial Hall), Tom Love did a great job recognizing the brother rats we have lost since we entered VMI Sept. 8, 1966. Together, we pulled off a grand anniversary

Class Notes

celebration. The list below shows the BRs, spouses, friends, and family who attended, including three surviving spouses: Liz Grasty, Nancy Mastin Cabaness, and Jane Walker. We were lucky to have John “Smack” McLemore, his wife Carolyn, and his daughters, Liz and Meg, with us. He had said earlier that he did not think he could make it, but, by golly, he did, wielding his cameras expertly as usual. Attending our dinner Tuesday evening were four gentlemen of the Class of ’50B: Tom “Tommy” Kirk ’50B and his wife, Ann; Cary “Razor” Blaydes ’50B and his wife, Nancy, and their daughter, Katherine; Braxton “Brax” Green ’50B and his wife, Judith, and No. 4 son, Carter; and Bob Lynd ’50B, class agent, and his wife, Nancy, and their daughter, Nancy Bell (Nancy B), and son, Bob Jr. Also, as part of the ’50B entourage were John Valentine “Jake” Berberich IV ’76 and his wife, Dianne. Jake is the son of John Valentine Berberich III ’50B. Bill Overman and his son attended. Bill is the son of Bill Overman ’50B, and finally, Bob Michie attended, son of Hassell Norwood Michie ’50B

Those present in our class were Ed Andrews, Al Bast, Herb Braun, Susan Braun, Bob Candido, Katherine Candido, Dave Payne, Mary Kate Payne, Stix Chandler, Nancy (Johnson) Chandler, Dick Cheatham, Patricia Cheatham, Rich Clary, Kay Clary, Mike Carruth, Jud Collier, Jeanette Collier, Tommy Cooke, Jill Cooke, Bob Copty, Ralph Costen, Marsha Costen, Steve Craddock, Sherrie Craddock, Cliff Davenport, Michelle Davenport, Bill Davis, Daisy Davis, Paul Dickenson, Judy Dickenson, Peel Dillard, John Flemming, Carole Flemming, Dave Miller, Treva Floyd (guest of David Miller), Dewey George, Brenda George, Joe Girlando, Liz Grasty, Jodie Grimes, Karen Grimes, Mike Iwanik, Vickie Gullet (wife of Mike Iwanik), Phil Jornlin, Ned Haley, Fricka Raycroft (wife of Ned Haley), Bob Hawthorne, Mary Hawthorne, Bob Hockley, Bill Huffman, Marilyn Huffman, Frank Humphrey, John McLemore, Carolyn McLemore, Elizabeth “Liz” McLemore Kelsey, and Meg Eastman (daughters of John and Carolyn), Don Kirchner, Frances Kirchner, Al Kirk, Glen Kuntz, Chips Lanier, Lynn Lanier, Tom Love, John Ludt, Georganne Ludt, Burt MacKenzie, Susan MacKenzie, Tom Morehouse, Sara Marchello (wife of Tom Morehouse), Russ Marshall, Dick Marshall, Penelope Marshall, Nancy Mastin Cabaness, Don McQueen, Tucker McQueen, Lee Moon, Connie Moon, Paul Munch, Lynn Munch, Bill Murchison, Jim “Lee” Nelson, Pamela Nelson, Dave Nuchols, Peggy Nuchols, Bill O’Connor,

Paula O’Connor, Dennis “Mike” O’Connor, Louise O’Connor, Dennis “Denny” O’Donnell, Shirley O’Donnell, Ashton Ormes, Artie Pates, Ned Perrow, Florence Perrow, Riker Purcell, Sol Waite Rawls, Malou Rawls, Lew Reynolds, Judy Reynolds, Kent Schlussel, Judith Schlussel, Dave Schmidt, Cameron Seay, Mary Seay, John Shackelford, Catherine Shackelford, John Sheedy, Judi Sheedy, Steve “Buck” Talley, Emily Smith-Talley, Ned Snead, Sarah Snead, Mike Snead, Bob Spore, Carl Strock, Julie Strock, Frank Sutton, Rhonda Sutton, Taz Taylor, Katherine Taylor, Jerry VanLear, Beverly VanLear, Roland Vaughan, Jean Vaughan, Wilder Wadford, Jane (Cox) Walker, Charlie Walker, Margaret Walker, Gary Weishaar, Lynn Weishaar, Tom Zarges, and Jan Zarges.

Thanks to all who made it. For those of you who were planning to attend but had to cancel for various reasons, including health issues, I am sorry you could not be there. We missed you. I hope all is well. Please let me know how you’re doing. Reunions are indeed special events. Getting together to secure the unique bonds we forge at VMI and in life after is good. As we grow older and graciously season, adding a few wrinkles, double chins, and, in some cases, losing more hair, we still recognize one another. Thank goodness for name tags, right?

Regarding photos, BRs John “Smack” McLemore, sporting his signature travel vest, and Dave “Beast” Payne, with twinkling eyes and a captivating smile, took many pictures during the reunion and sent them to me. The VMIAA staff only allows me to include 10 pictures for reunion notes. It wasn’t easy to choose which would go in. I picked pictures that featured as many BRs as possible, but those were limited. How about the one with Rich Clary, Kay Clary, and Penelope Marshall wearing their brand new, brilliant red VMI scarfs, and Mike Iwanik and Dick Marshall and the Corps out in force on the stoops in Old Barracks, I presume all watching a class agent precariously climb to the top of the sentinel box to lead his class in an Old Yell? I’m not sure it was me they were looking at, but when it was my turn, I realized there wasn’t a rail to hold on to when I got to the top. Fearing losing my balance and tumbling down to the courtyard, spilling out what few brains I had left, I momentarily grabbed the cadet duty officer’s arm and held on for dear life. Fortunately, Roland Vaughan (who looks like he just walked off the set of a “world’s most interesting man” commercial) and Jud Collier (who is the world’s most interesting man) were with me to take over in case of my demise.

How about the picture with Dave “the Beast”

VMI Class of 1970 55th Reunion

Class of 1970

8.

1. Herb Braun, Ash Ormes, Al Kirk, Steve “Buck” Talley (wearing VMI scarf), and Rush Marshall at the 55th Reunion.

2. Dave “Beast” Payne (left) and Tommy Cooke at the 55th Reunion.

3. Tom Kirk ’50B at the combined class dinner during the 55th Reunion.

4. Taz Taylor, Bill Huffman, and Kelly Sutton at the 55th Reunion.

5. Jud Collier, Carl Strock, and Al Johnson at the 55th Reunion.

6. Cameron Seay, Bob Hockley, and Wilder Wadford at the 55th Reunion.

7. Dennis “Denny” O’Donnell (left) and Dennis “Mike” O’Connor at the 55th Reunion.

Pictured at the 55th Reunion are (from left) Elizabeth McLemore “Liz” Kelsey, Carolyn McLemore, and John “Smack” McLemore.

9. Rich and Kay Clary, Mike Iwanik, Dick and Penelope Marshall, and Bob Spore during the Old Yells at the 55th Reunion.

Payne and Tommy Cooke seemingly itching for a fight? Or the one with Dr. Dennis “Denny” O’Donnell and Dr. Dennis “Mike” O’Connor (Dennis the Menace squared), Denny smiling and Mike giving his best smile, or is that a scowl? If your wife had just had you admitted to the hospital for observation, given your recent questionable behavior, and these two learned doctors walked into your room, which would you choose to administer your calming meds?

Beast and Smack are working with Steve Craddock to put photos in a subdirectory on our existing VMI Class of 1970 50th Reunion website. By the time you read these notes, Steve will have gotten that done, most likely. That website is a treasure trove of class information, including photos, comments, and stories from BRs, family, and friends. Eventually, VMI Preston Library staff will archive all that stuff, and years from now, your grandchildren can visit Preston and bask in the glory of their ancestral lunacy. Many of you, I’m sure, also took pictures and videos. Please send them to me if for no other reason than I need a good laugh, and I will send them to Steve for inclusion on the website. The Alumni Agencies provided staff who also took photos of all classes at the reunion (’50B, ’55, ’60, ’65, and ’70), which you should have received as a slideshow and can download (vmialumniphotos.org). I suspect Steve can add ours to our website. Lots of smiles and congeniality going on.

Some of you live nearby and come to VMI relatively often to attend athletic events and other functions. Some BRs serve VMI in specific capacities, so they also come often. Many who participated in the reunion might not have returned in a while. I’m glad you came to see what a grand place our alma mater is and how it has grown. The facilities are top-notch, thanks to good leadership through the years. VMI has renovated many buildings, keeps manicured and pleasant grounds, and has installed security measures to protect cadets and staff. In our time, we would have never thought that VMI would have to install barricades and bollards to keep some nut from tearing across the Parade Ground, intent on mowing down cadets performing parades.

One could not help but notice that the cadets were well-behaved and cheerful. (Well, they put on a good front.) They tip their hats to visitors and are happy to talk about their plans for after VMI, which often include Armed Forces service, grad school, or working in well-paid positions. Some have not figured it all out yet. Sound familiar?

Today’s cadets are entering a world where military units, institutions, employers, and the general public highly regard VMI. The stats speak

for themselves. Money Magazine rates VMI five out of five stars as one of the Best Colleges in America (2024 list). Payscale.com points out that VMI is No. 68 in the nation for top colleges for a bachelor’s degree with the highest-paid graduates, No. 3 in Virginia for college/university with the best alum salary potential, with an early career salary of $78,200 and a mid-career pay of $145,300. U.S. News ranks VMI No. 4 in their Top Public Schools list. Niche 2024 (a platform that provides comprehensive data and rankings for colleges in the United States) gives VMI an “A” based on academics, athletics, and value. It ranks VMI in the top 16% for Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America, in the top 6% for Best Small Colleges in America, in the top 15% for Best Colleges for International Relations in America, in the top 5% for Best Value Colleges in America, and in the top 8% for Best Small Colleges and Best in Value in Virginia.

VMI did not get to this high status by lowering its standards, degrading the honor or brother rat system, or lowering expectations for cadet performance. It still demands adherence to an uncompromising, single-sanction personal honor code. It still uses a system of physical rigor, mental stress, absolute equality, and the absence of privacy to build character and unit cohesiveness and prepare graduates to be honorable leaders in today’s world. VMI still graduates men and women who share a profoundly important set of habits and beliefs; at their core, living honorably and serving others. They are humble and polite (mostly). They dress smartly (most of the time), open doors for people, and tip their hats to ladies. We take care of one another. Our alumni network is one of the best; it’s legendary and works. We believe in one another. Our friendships last a lifetime.

Kent Schlussel asked me about our plans for our 60th, 5 years from now. Time will do its inexorable damage, that is for sure. A few more of us will not be here. Many more will experience life-changing illness and loss. But we must soldier on and keep the BR spirit alive. When you get down, remember Tom “Tommy” Kirk, in his mid-90s, and Bob Lynd climbing that rickety ladder to the top of the sentinel box (forever forward to be known to us as the sentimental box) to lead their class in an Old Yell. Remember Tommy Kirk, Braxton “Brax” Green, and Bob Lynd standing tall and proud and singing to us Tuesday night in strong, confident, happy voices. So I say, the first action step in planning for our 60th is to adopt ’50B as our “poster boy” motivational message. And remember what Bob Lynd said in remarks to us at our Tuesday dinner, as he reminded us we would all look like he and his classmates someday. That

is not a bad look to aspire to. You can bet I am starting to plan for the 60th, but meanwhile, please keep gathering with other BRs and VMI alums in as many venues as possible to polish those vital relationships. Social scientists say seasoned citizens like us thrive and live longer when they connect with others. Gather often with other BRs and family and use that alumni network.

I said a few things about our class in an email recently and will repeat them here at the cost of being redundant. Most of our class took commissions in the Armed Forces. The number is somewhere around 80-90%. Many of you came from military families, and some families have served for generations. Some men served for a few years; others made a career out of it, traveling from command to command, amassing stories and promotions. Some BRs left the Institute before graduating and subsequently served in the military. Some pursued careers in other government service, like Phil Jornlin, who left VMI, joined the Navy, served in Vietnam, graduated from JMU, and then joined the State Department. On Tuesday night, we assembled a remarkable group of American patriots, military veterans and not, to honor and celebrate ourselves and ’50B, particularly and fittingly, Col. Kirk Listening to BRs Phil, Dave Payne, and Mike Carruth talk to us and our new friends in ’50B about their Vietnam service was inspiring, and I suspect a tear or two trickled down a cheek or two. Some BRs in our class were present who also served in Vietnam and other conflicts, some in dangerous combat settings.

Also in the audience were spouses, surviving spouses Liz Grasty, Nancy Mastin Cabaniss, and Jane Walker, and friends of our BRs. These lovely women are brilliant, witty, funny, and accomplished in their own right. Many had careers and still do and served others and still do. I know we jokingly say that we married up, but it’s true. We married kind, discerning, clearheaded women who keep us grounded.

Our class is more than veterans. Some did not serve in the Armed Forces for whatever reasons, but they live the same commitment to honor and service as anyone else. Look at the short bios in the Register of Former Cadets and see for yourself.

Over the past 5 years, I have loved hearing your stories. Here is one of them to get you juiced up. Chip Humphries told me about his mother and father, both serving in the Armed Forces, who married stateside, served in different places during World War II, were rarely together, and reunited in the States after 3 years. That is a way short version of that story.

I will ante up for another 5 years at this class agent gig. It’s hard to turn away that big salary. There are so many more stories out there I want to hear. Please keep telling them to me. And for Pete’s sake, send me material for the class notes.

Many of you sent me your impressions of how the reunion went. Al Bast pretty much summed it up. He said (I’m paraphrasing), “What a joy it was for me to attend our 55th Reunion! I had not been back to the Institute for the last 20 years and really enjoyed seeing our BRs. Several experiences stand out in my memory. The first was the facilities’ expansion/renovation and maintenance, which exuded excellence. I was also impressed with the focus on academic and operational aspects of the Institute and felt better informed of the progression of the military aspects of our alma mater. I was somewhat intimidated by the records stored in the archives of Preston Library that documented my attendance at VMI, including the multiple 5-1-5 penalties for missing classes and failing my duties as corporal of the guard! Perhaps most impressive was the reunion organization, which exhibited the Institute’s planning skills. I also appreciated the courtesies extended to me by the cadets and by the administration. I am glad that several BR surviving spouses attended. Participation by Dixie Walker’s wife was particularly poignant for me because, like you, I was at Dixie’s Arlington funeral and met his now-deceased son. The dinner on our last stay at the Livery at the Georges was the culmination of our reunion. Recognition by Phil Jornlin, Beast Payne, and Mike Carruth of Colonel Tom Kirk’s POW experience was truly inspirational.”

thanks to the brilliant detective work of Pam Nelson (Jim Lee Nelson’s wife), we know that the other Jim Nelson in our class (James Reliford Nelson) passed away April 25, 2007. Yes, we had two Jim Nelsons. Pam found J.R. Nelson’s obituary, which someone mysteriously posted on a Legacy website Sept. 1, 2024.

These notes are not just for the guys and gals attending the reunion but for our entire class. On Sept. 8, 1966, 355 guys signed the Matriculation Book; 239 of us graduated (by my count), and 116 went to other schools and callings. Dave Pittman apparently could not wait a minute longer to get in the Rat Line and was the first to sign. Chips Lanier, dreading what was to come, was last. Coincidentally, Chips is the youngest member of our class, an honor hotly contested by Beast Payne Chip’s status as our youngest is under review because our birthday list is incomplete. We have lost 53 BRs (grads and non-grads), so we are down to 301 guys. That is us.

Now, a somber note from Ash Ormes, who sent me an email right after the reunion to say that,

Cadre officers put both Jim Nelsons in E Company in our rat year and had them rooming together, a formula inviting catastrophe. Ash sometimes roomed with both Jims during his cadetship and was “pretty sure that I could tell one from the other, but not every upperclassman or TAC officer could and sometimes blamed the wrong Jim for various infractions.” Recently, Jim “J.L.” Nelson said that both Jim Nelsons in the same company, sharing the same name and room, created many opportunities for confusion. Messages from the guard room and the commandant’s office mixed up the Jims. One morning, J.L. said, “We both had a free class period, so we stretched out on the floor for some needed sleep. The OC happened by and was not happy, as you can imagine. He became even more unhappy when both Jims gave him the same name. It took a trip to the commandant to resolve the problem.

“Blind dates also presented a unique set of issues. Neither one of us was making great progress with the girls. When we received a message from a girl, it was a big event. The problem was how to know which Jim the message was intended for. Generally, a coin toss solved the issue, and the winner (or loser) would respond to the message.” I bet that impressed the girls. Maybe substituting Jims is a good way to manage girlfriends!

Ash said that, some years ago, the Alumni Agencies contacted J.L. Nelson to report that someone had returned a letter the Agencies had sent to J.R.

Nelson with the single word “deceased” written on it. The Agencies asked J.L. if he knew anything more. He did not. “Unfortunately, both J.L. Nelson and I lost contact with J.R. Nelson. We tried to discover what had happened to him but were unsuccessful. Internet searches did not reveal an obituary. We talked to Warren about adding J.R. to the list of our deceased BRs, but he correctly said that we should not, in the absence of proof of his demise. That’s where the matter stood until the 55th Reunion memorial service for deceased BRs, which both J.L. and I attended.”

After the service, Ash and J.L. restarted their conversation about J.R. and expressed regret for not being able to resolve what had happened to him. That’s when J.L. had the brilliant idea to enlist the help of his wife, Pam, a professional librarian and researcher, to investigate. In a phone call with J.L. May 9, he told me, and I quote, “She is a lot smarter than me.” Or did I suggest that, and he agreed? In short order, Pam found the obituary mentioned above, and I informed the Alumni Agencies. Sadly, I have added his name to our list of deceased BRs.

Finally, I had the privilege to peek at Bob Lynd’s submission notes, which will appear in this Review edition. Please give them a read. He writes eloquently about his class and our visit with them.

That is it for now, good brothers. In the words of our departed Warren Grasty, who, thanks to Liz, inhabits places far and wide on planet Earth, “In the spirit.” We are VMI.

“Behind every successful man (or one who thinks he is successful) is a woman rolling her eyes.” Sign on the outskirts of Lillooet, British Columbia, 2017.

1971

David Ellington

Get ready! In just 1 short year, we will return to Lexington for our 55th Reunion, and it is not too soon to get plans brewing. I will be asking several of you to serve on a Planning Committee, along with anyone who wants to step up and help. Our goal is to have as many BRs, wives,

Class of 1970: Bob “Speed” Candido, Tom Zarges, Al Bast, Glenn Kuntz, and Paul Munch at the 55th Reunion in April 2025.

and significant others in attendance at an event that all will enjoy. The official days of reunion are Monday, April 12–Tuesday, April 13, 2026. I would direct you to the schedule of events for this year’s 55th on the VMI Alumni Association site to get a feel for how the reunion is set up, with the understanding that many of the activities include all of the classes that are present. However, there are still some opportunities for us to get together as the Class of ’71. If after you have looked at this year’s schedule and have any comments or suggestions, please let me know.

At this stage in our lives, I hold my breath at the approach of each of the deadlines for the submission of these notes to the Review in hope that, as Faulkner said, “maybe this time” the first news delivered is not that of the announcement of the passing of a BR or wife. It appears that we have made it a few more months, Gott sei Dank!

Out of the blue and the past, I picked up the phone one night only to find “Mo” Maier on the other end. Mo matriculated from Rochester, New York, with an accent that couldn’t be cut with a meat cleaver and a big smile on his face; just look at the whimsical grin on his face in his Rat Bomb picture. I can attest to the fact that although very limited progress was made with his accent, all the yelling and screaming from the cadre in “Cold Steel Charlie” couldn’t ever wipe the smile off his face. I didn’t realize it at the time, but Mo’s father, John Maier ’947 and his uncle, Tim Maier ’957 both attended VMI and graduated with degrees in electrical engineering before returning to the Rochester area. Since his time at VMI, Mo has had a fascinating life. Facing a No. 1 for an infraction during finals our 3rd Class year (?), Mo elected not to return our 2nd Class year. Instead, he enlisted in the Air Force and spent the next several years working in radio intercept and crypto intelligence. He was assigned to Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, where he learned Russian, got married, and spent his spare time moose hunting and learned to ski. After Vietnam wound down, he was transferred to Otis AF Base on Cape Cod, where he ultimately became the manager for the Officer’s Beach Resort until his enlistment expired.

Mo then moved back to the Rochester area, where he went to work for an underground utility company digging ditches. He went to the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester for night school and rapidly rose in the organization, but rather than “getting stuck in a corporate bureaucratic office environment,” he resigned and started his own underground utility company, which quickly became his previous employer’s biggest

contractor. After 20 years, he sold his company and now spends his days playing golf, gardening, running two restaurants, and playing in blackjack tournaments at casinos across America! All of this while raising five children with eight grandsons. Mo is very thankful for the care his local physician, Dr. Jack Robb ’69, has provided him as he traversed some significant health issues over the past several years and now is doing well. In his parting comments, Mo revealed feelings about VMI that I believe most, if not all of us, feel if we look honestly inward. “My memories of VMI consume me. Like Charles Dickens said ... ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’ I attribute the successes in life to the value systems I picked up in my 2 and a half short years at VMI. Especially the honor system: Stressing not lying, not cheating, and not tolerating those who do helped me make a lot of my big decisions.” What a story, and I suspect that this just scratches the surface of his life adventures.

More good news is to this point: There have been no new destructive storms across the Southeast, and so our BRs in these areas continue to recover. This has become the time for all the old fogies to celebrate reunions. This spring, the Medical College of Virginia, VCU class of 1975, celebrated our 50th reunion. There were six of us in that class at MCV. Herb Whitley (pediatric cardiologist) went to grad school for a couple of years after VMI and before going to MCV and then on to a career in the Army until retirement and is now living in Roanoke. After VMI graduation, Phil Klim (OB-GYN) graduated from the Philadelphia School of Osteopathic Medicine and practiced in Harrisonburg. All six BRs in our MCV class are still alive, and all attended

the event. Rolfe White practiced OB-GYN in Virginia Beach and now lives with his wife, Sally, in Richmond, while Dickie Sedwick did the same specialty in Harrisonburg where he and Nancy live. Bob Sydnor practiced orthopedic surgery in Lynchburg, where Bob Lockridge was a nephrologist (kidney specialist). The Lockridges, Bob and Maureen, remain in Lynchburg while the Sydnors, Bob and Joan, have moved to Montgomery, Alabama, to be closer to family. Bob and Nancy Pickral and Jane and I can’t break the bonds of Lexington and remain here, hunkered down to the end. Bob and Nancy spend a lot of time on the road between Lexington, Florida, and Richmond seeing children and grandchildren. When not stroking the little white ball in Scotland, Ireland, or recently in Pebble Beach, “Dr. Golf” is frequently found out on the local course or planning his next golfing excursion while Nancy maintains beautiful gardens at their house. It was great seeing everyone, and as you might imagine, there were plenty references to the “Gup,” “Hot Rod,” and other biology department legends throughout the event

Also on the local front, Buddy and Carol Bryan “rode the rails” on a train trip from Roanoke to Montreal and Quebec and back on a week of adventure. In addition to the two Canadian cities, their trip included an overnight stop in NYC, which made for a busy and entertaining trip. Several trips to Charlottesville have resulted in lunches with Tim and Leah Golden, Mike and Doris Strickler, and Jim and Alis Sefick Tim and Leah are settled in on the dock near the bay in Irvington. With the dock, a boat, and several crab pots, what more can one want? They are both doing well and happy to be close

Class of 1971: Attending their 50th reunion at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia, are (from left) Dickie Sedwick, Bob Lockridge, Rolfe White, Bob Sydnor, Zeke Ellington, and Bob Pickral.

enough to Richmond to see their children and grandchildren on a frequent basis. Although never formally recognized, Strick has retired the trophy as volunteer of the century for all the extra work he does at his church and other local charitable organizations. He and Doris are also a great help with the grandkids as their daughter, Amanda, is following her father in her volunteering in multiple areas in the community. Jim and Alis stopped for a few nights in Charlottesville to babysit on their way back from Florida to their summer home on Lake Ontario. Jane and I had a beautiful picnic with them on top of Carter’s

Class Notes

Mountain overlooking Charlottesville. They are doing well and said that all our BRs in Florida are well also.

Jim Heely called for some contact information, and the conversation evolved into two lengthy phone conversations with lots of interesting connections. Again, the magic No. 6 appears, as there were six fellows from Portsmouth who matriculated with the Class of ’71, and all six graduated on time. Steve Otwell, Tom Loizzi, and Fred Banister graduated from Churchland High, and Jim, Skull Turner, and Herb Whitley graduated from Woodrow Wilson High. Only Tom is no longer with us. As we talked, it turned out that Jim’s dad, Dale Heely ’940, played football and baseball with my father, “Duke” ’943, when my father was a rat. Small world indeed. Jim states that he is feeling “pretty well,” which I read as “pretty good for us old goats,” and enjoys sailing his boat off into the sunrises and sunsets of the Chesapeake Bay.

No notes are complete without a report from our intrepid band of world wanderers and travelers. I think Lowell Thomas of the old pre-feature movie news reels would even be lost for words by their range of travels. First, Bill and Margaret Ginder recently took a trip “down under” with a trip to Australia and New Zealand. It was summer season, and Bill thought they could have turned up the thermostat a bit higher, but they had a wonderful time and took plenty of pictures of koala bears, kangaroos, and VMI-ish wallabies. By the pictures they sent, it appeared to be a successful trip. Next stop is the “upper reaches of the Amazon River and Machu Picchu” in 2026. No moss growing on these two rolling stones.

Pam and Jim Adams have an upcoming cruise to include Iceland, Ireland, and the British Isles, while Dickie and Mary Ruffin Randolph just returned from a trip to Spain and Portugal. Our all-time king and queen of travel, the Marco Polos of ’71, Lanny and Terry Sue Gault, have battled through a host of orthopedic and other issues, including the death of his sister, but these have not stopped either Lanny’s “hitting the gym every day” or their plans for a visit to Athens and Venice this summer. Lanny states he and Terry Sue have shared a meal over the last several months at various times with Jill and Tommy Cooke ’69, Bob and Susan Copty ’69, Ned and Anne Mikula, and Connie and Scott Miller, and report that all are well. Scott’s grandson, Miller Tatum ’28, is a rat this year and playing on the lacrosse team, which is having one of their most successful years in quite a while.

Skull and B.J. Turner are doing well—splitting their time between Williamsburg and Lake

Norman, North Carolina, where they have a house on the lake and a son and grandchildren nearby. Skull’s son is back working on a NASCAR pit crew based in the Mooresville area, which keeps things exciting.

If I left anyone out, please accept my apologies, as my bookkeeping of information sometimes is not as good as it should be. I truly appreciate the calls and cards, which allow me to pass on information to our BRs, so please keep it up. Again, I look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming 55th.

Sincerely, Zeke

Larry Houseworth

Hey, Gang,

These notes cover mid-February through New Market Day and graduation. While our news is light, we’ve had some interesting get-togethers, and there have been some items of note from the Institute.

First, Pam and Bill Collier’s son, Will Collier ’06, is a member of the VMI Board of Visitors’ Superintendent Search Committee, co-chaired by Jamie Inman ’86, who was promoted to chief of staff under Gen. Peay ’62 upon Walt Chalkley’s retirement. The committee’s selection of the new superintendent should be finalized by the time you read this, but rest assured, the process is extremely thorough, and it will serve us well.

Second, the BOV voted to keep 2025–26 tuition rates at this year’s level while increasing fees 3%. This is no small feat, given state-mandated pay raises (3%) and adjustments for higher health insurance premiums. Additionally, the state (and the nation) is facing an approaching enrollment challenge (“cliff”) in the face of declining birth rates. So, if VMI, the third most expensive state college/ university in Virginia (after William & Mary and UVA), is to thrive, we must rely on continuing our renowned generous financial support to top-notch candidates such as 2nd Class Cadet Raymond Cmil ’26.

You warmly responded to Cadet Cmil’s gracious letter to Pete Ramsey. It’s unlikely that Raymond would be at VMI, nor, for that matter, the 83% of the Corps receiving some form of financial aid, if it were not for the recognized generosity of our small alumni base.

Class of 1971: Having lunch in St. Petersburg, Florida, are (from left) Jim Sefick, Jim Neale, Ox Schrader, and Emery Baya.

Class of 1971: Margaret and Bill Ginder on Kangaroo Island during a visit to Australia.

A couple of quick notes from VMI athletics: The baseball team started the season 7-0 before losing 6-4 to No. 10-ranked UVA. And in an epic comeback April 30, VMI beat William & Mary with 11 unanswered runs and a walk-off three-run home run in the ninth inning. 2nd Class Cadet Owen Prince ’26 is ranked No. 1 in the nation for stolen bases, while 2nd Class Cadet Kosuya Jordan ’26 is ranked No. 5.

The lacrosse team’s Luke Rusterucci ’25 has been selected as an Honorable Mention All-American with 125 career goals and 109 career assists. He was ranked third in the nation in points per game (5.29) and led VMI to the No. 2 national ranking in scoring offense (14.64 points per game, second only to Cornell). 3rd Class Cadet Dayton Bagwell ’27 and 2nd Class Cadet Austin English ’26 are also in the national top 25.

Now to our news: Sue and Dave Hall invited me and Chris Jones and his daughter, Alex, to lunch at their beautiful home on the golf course at Lake of the Woods. Sue is loved by all who play for baking fresh cookies and setting them out along the 17th fairway. Even those who keep out of the rough will detour to partake. Lunch was delightful, and of course, the war stories abounded, with the ladies being admirably patient.

Just past the last Review input, Lou Welker said, “Just checking in ... everything is going fine. Ellen and I are back in Lexington every month or so for a few days checking on the family farm. Recently, we went to New York City to see our new grandson (Louis Bates Welker) born Oct. 30, 2024.” Congrats, grandpa and grandma!

Chris Arey and Bob Stransky co-herded the cats for a delightful Richmond-area lunch at Independence Golf Club’s Tavern 19 in Midlothian. The turnout was impressive: Becky and Lee Harrison, Linda and Bob Stransky, Jim and Winnie VanLandingham, Rick and Karen Minor, Baxter and Elaine West, Coby and Janet Fitzhugh, Sharan Gore, Bob MacMeccan,

Tom Moncure, Chris Arey, Cam Fine, Leo Szydlowski, Jim Snead, Ralph Redmond, Chip Woodall, Lindley Vaughan, and Marie and me. Everyone agreed we must do this more often. In response to Pete Ramsey’s note, Jim VanLandingham wrote, “What an impressive Keydet Raymond is. Great choice. When I think of VMI wrestling, I can’t help but remember us cheering for 1st Class Cadet BoBo Biddle ’69 (who died recently) in his matches and us screaming, ‘Kill, BoBo, kill!’ Obviously, we didn’t mean it, but we loved seeing him overpower his opponents.” Ah yes, I remember it well—BoBo and The Pit.

Ironman Buzzy Chacey checked in: “I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the Fort Eisenhower, Georgia Dare-To-Tri sprint triathlon and got first place in my age group! We swam for 300 yards, biked for 10 miles, and did a 5K run. I’m also trying to plan a sailing trip with my brother later in the summer and hope we can make it happen!” You’re an inspiration, BR, and will outlast us all!

Betsy (and Chris) Foster shared news of a quick gettogether. “Sharon and John Fick orchestrated our get-together yesterday, a reunion of three rat year roommates. They were able to entice Joe and June Morgan to join us!” Well done, folks!

Mike Woloshuk joined our orthopedic vets, saying, “I’m recovering from a knee surgery, which I had yesterday. It was not pre-planned, but everything went fine. Now it takes time to heal. I look forward to walking around with no pain.” Stick with your PT, BR.

And, along those same lines, Deb and Dick Vogel shared this from a recent cruise to Aruba: “Greetings from Aruba and the Celebrity Reflection ... celebrating cancer free. I lost my prostate, but the cancer was contained.” Outstanding news, BR—congratulations!

Tom Moncure reported in with this from the March 25 senior alumni lunch in Williamsburg.

Class of 1972: Lindley Vaughan, Chip Woodall, and Leo Szydlowski at the Independence Golf Club in Midlothian, Virginia.

Class of 1972: Butch Winstead, Mike Kennedy, Brit Harrison, Ed Channel, and Tom Moncure at a senior alumni lunch in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Class of 1972: Chris and Betsy Foster, Joe and June Morgan, and John and Sharon Fick.

Class Notes

on New Market Day with the colors flying high in both the front and back yards. God bless the Institute! I hope that all of you are doing well and are having a great summer.

“Excellent ’72 showing. Winstead, Kennedy, Harrison, Channel, and Moncure in the pic. Cam Fine attended also but had to depart early. It was Britt Harrison’s birthday, and he brought cupcakes for all! Good time!” Standing tall, BRs—well done!

Lee and Jerry Higgins wrote, “On Saturday, May 2, we went to the Nelson Gallery in downtown Lexington to see Phil’s (Clayton) sketches that were on display there. We’re attaching a picture of the announcement that was in the local newspaper. The showing was very well-attended, and I realized that Phil is a well-known figure in Lexington and Rockbridge County. We even bought one of his sketches of barracks.” Thanks, guys—and yes, BR Clayton is the quintessential Renaissance man.

And from the home front, Marie ran into Walt and Beverly Judd ’69 at the Richmond Pope Avenue Historic Gardens House Tour. Janet Brown, Tom Williamson’s wife, was one of the sponsors of the very well-attended event. Little toot sounds, so that’s it for now. Be safe and let’s look out for each other out there.

RVM!

Larry

Hello, BRs, Spring has arrived! I am finishing my notes

I expect that most of you are now aware that we lost our BR Mark Weiss in February after a brief illness. Mark had a number of health issues that were compounded by the flu, and he was transported from his home in the Covington, Virginia, area to a hospital in Henrico County, near Richmond. Thanks to Tom Napier who provided quarters for Mark’s family, and to numerous BRs, especially Billy Stephens and Rich Lykins, who spent a lot of time with Linda at the hospital, and numerous BRs who visited and sat with Mark during his final days. Linda said it was such a wonderful comfort to have so many close friends and BRs come by to see them. A viewing was held in Clifton Forge, Virginia, Feb. 28, and we had about 15 BRs present. A memorial service was held May 3 with 25 BRs in attendance. Naps delivered the eulogy and did a fantastic job, several friends gave tearful testimonials, and two ladies sang solo songs, including “Amazing Grace.” It was a beautiful service. A group gathered at a local restaurant after the service for fellowship and continued bonding. Billy Stephens told me Mark was born in Henrico County only a few miles from the hospital where he died. That was a full circle of life. Rest in peace, BR.

Please also keep Terry Howlett and Tom Clark in your thoughts and prayers, as both BRs lost their mothers in the past few months. Terry’s mother moved from Radford, Virginia, to Texas last year to live with Terry and Nina, and Tom and Bonnie frequently visited his mother in Albuquerque.

Spring was pretty busy for us, as we had work weekends at the ranch in Pulaski County, visited with kids, and attended ball games for the grandkids. I am supposed to be retired, but it seems like every time I get to relax a little bit, I have a consulting job come up. We have also been back to VMI several times since the first of the year and just got back from a trip to the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, area visiting with my son, Derek, and his family. Their two daughters, ages 4 and 2, can wear this old man out! We had a lot of fun and went to the Knoxville City Zoo.

In February, I went to VMI to hear Roland Tiso give the honor address at the Army ROTC spring banquet, their first “dining-in,” and Ro gave a magnificent and inspiring talk to the cadets. On March 22, I attended the annual scholarship luncheon as the representative for our class. After attending Mark’s viewing in February, Pat and I went on to Lexington to attend the Volunteer Leaders Conference. I returned to VMI again

in early May to attend a committee meeting during the BOV spring meeting and then went to Covington to attend Mark’s memorial service. Congratulations to Ken Kalisky and Michael Burke, who were recently elected to the board of directors of the VMI Alumni Association. Ken will serve as an at-large director who will be working on special projects for the Association, and Mike will be the regional director for the Midwest Region. Larry Mays, Blake Thomas, and I rotated off the board as regional directors a couple of years ago, and Jim Chalkley is currently the director for the Florida region. I was asked to serve on the BOV Cadet and Military Affairs Committee representing the VMI Alumni Association, so Pat and I will be able to continue being involved, and the Class of ’73 will continue a great history of BRs serving on boards and committees. (And the antique stores were happy to hear Pat would still be coming to Lexington frequently.)

In case you are not aware of it, our class has a scholarship fund. It currently has a principal balance of $143,500, with a market value of about $197,000. It is anticipated that for 2026, this fund will be able to offer approximately $4,500 in a scholarship. I haven’t mentioned this fund in a while, but after attending the banquet last spring and meeting Linh Ngo ’25, this year’s scholarship recipient, I wanted to be sure everyone was aware of it, and I would suggest that each of us make contributions to the fund annually. Also, we have several BRs who have set up their own scholarship funds. Cadet Ngo was very appreciative of his scholarship from the class and is majoring in computer engineering.

I had a nice note from John Sterrett, who lives in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area. I sent him a note to say that my son moved there, so perhaps we could get together. We have plans to meet up on my next trip to the area.

I also had a really nice note from Sandi Flannagan Geisler, Denny Flannagan’s widow. Sandi said Denny always talked about his VMI experience and that she had enjoyed all the years of friendship and brotherly love exhibited by BRs. She also said she had some beautiful memories of VMI. Sandi remarried after Denny’s passing, and she and her husband live in the national forest near Warren, Pennsylvania, in a cabin they fixed up and have used as their primary residence for 7 years. Great hearing from you, Sandi, and to hear you are doing well.

James Harvey sent a note to say he had finished his doctorate degree in Christian living and has decided to sit back and relax for a while. Jim said this was going to be his last educational journey,

Class of 1972: Phil Clayton and Ava Tucker at Phil’s exhibition at the Nelson Street Gallery in Lexington, Virginia.

Mike Kelly

and that it was far easier than his first semester at VMI! Congrats on your doctorate, Jim; I know you are proud of that accomplishment.

Bill Stoner said he had been traveling around the country with a visit to see cousins in Michigan, where he did some fly fishing and went to the Soo Locks. He and his wife then went to Monterey, California, where they had met and married and celebrated their 50th anniversary.

I had several notes from BRs asking to pass on their best wishes to Linda Weiss and family and regrets that they could not attend the service. Mike Smith lamented about the strong bonds of the class; Mac Kirkpatrick posted pictures on our Facebook page; and I heard from Bill Spencer, Steve Smith, and Howard Frank, as well. Tom Jennings sent me a picture on New Market Day of his VMI flag flying in front of his home.

I also wanted to highlight some events I previously mentioned that are coming up in the next couple of months. VMI is playing Navy in Annapolis Labor Day weekend; the VMI Alumni Association will be holding events during the weekend, and I know several BRs have held class events in the area in the past. Please look at your calendars and see if you are able to attend; hopefully, we can have a mini reunion that weekend. Sept. 12–13, VMI will be holding a Moody Hall event to celebrate the life of the alumni hall. It is scheduled for demolition and replacement in January. The structure was dedicated a couple years prior to our matriculation. In conjunction with that event, Roland Tiso will be making a presentation Thursday night, Sept. 11, for the Marshall Foundation in the Forest C. Pogue Library at 5:30 p.m. Ro has restructured his book presentation based on input from previous discussions and will conduct a book signing for “In Strange Company” following the presentation. If you have a book already or wish to purchase one and bring it with you, Ro will be happy to sign it. There will be a limited number available for purchase at the library.

In May, Roland made a presentation of $5,000 to the Fisher House, James Haley VA Hospital, in Tampa. Ro is donating all proceeds from this book to the hospital and similar charities. This was his first royalty check for his book. This VA hospital is designated for severely injured veterans and is free of charge to them.

The VMI Alumni Association is rolling out the VMI Alumni Credo in this issue of the Review.

During our 50th Reunion planning, our class developed our class resolution depicting our thoughts and praises for Virginia Military Institute and our education there and how that has helped us on our life’s journeys. Based on the success of

our resolution, the Association approached us to assist in the development of the credo. Michael Burke, Ken Kalisky, Larry Mays, Tom Linn, Jeff Minch, M.B. Adelson, George Tisdale, and myself worked and re-worked the credo, submitting our draft documents to the Association for nearly a year before we had what has become the VMI Alumni Credo that you see in this issue. Larry Mays was the primary author, with Ken and Michael the primary editors. It was both a privilege and honor for our class to have such an important role in the development of this document. Thanks to all who worked tirelessly on it.

This has been a tough year for many of us with the loss of parents, BRs, and other loved ones. I often find solace in blogs written by two of our BRs: Jeff Minch has the “Musings of the Big Red Car,” and Scott Lingamfelter has the “Copy Book Warrior.” (If you are not subscribed to these publications, I advise you to take a look at them.) Recently, Scott wrote about a road trip from Eastern Virginia to Kansas. He and Shelley travel there each year to attend the Officers of the First Division Annual Dinner, the Big Red One. Scott talked about how a long road trip, 1,232 miles via car, allows for the flexibility to stop and enjoy the sights along the way. They talk and enjoy each other’s company, delight in the majestic scenery, and break up the trip by stopping in some familiar places along the way. He talked about the mountains in West Virginia, the horse country in Kentucky, and the big sky and landscape of Kansas. Scott said he imagines the comfort and solitude offered by the hilltops in a vast and quiet living in the Flint Hills. One aspect of a long trip

Class of 1973: Pictured at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet in March 2025 are (from left) Linh Ngo ’25, Mike Kelly, Joshua Tuell ’25, Joe Wyatt, William Wells, and Scott McCarthy.

Class of 1973: Members of the class gather for Mark Weiss’ memorial service in May 2025.

Class of 1973: Tom Napier gives a eulogy during the memorial service for Mark Weiss in May 2025.

1974

Snookie Parker

Greetings Brother Rats, Family, and Friends of the Class of 1974!

I trust this missive will find you in good spirits. Past experience suggests news for class notes after the winter/Christmas submission tends to be rather thin. This set of spring notes are no exception to that trend.

is that it can bring much comfort and a break from the troubles we may be faced with personally or in our nation and world. It is a time to set aside all the turbulence of the world and be with each other and simply enjoy those times. Scott says it is important to enjoy the quiet, listen to God about the important things in life, and realize that long trips can be good for the soul. I hope you will take the time and have a “long trip” to enjoy the quiet; as you read these notes, Pat and I plan to be enjoying the company of BRs in Nags Head, North Carolina. No consulting worries, just friendship and comradery.

Take care, brother rats. Enjoy life and enjoy each other and the quiet communion with nature and God.

In the Bonds, Mike

Craig “Bob” and Debbie MacFarlane’s 50th anniversary surprise celebration in Vienna, Virginia, orchestrated by his children MacFarlane, came off in fine fashion. A milestone achievement, and I was there to help celebrate and represent the class. His grandson has been accepted to VMI, will matriculate in August, plans to major in math (like his grandfather), is considering a career in the service, and wants to play the bagpipes. Sounds like a great plan. He is destined for Band Company. Just a side note: We all had great plans at some point; life (and luck) tends to influence directions and paths we never considered.

Pat and Sue Flynn made their annual trip to Puerto Vallarta and joined John and Suzanne Pate for dinner. Ed and Mary Beth Plucinski ’86 were also visiting and came along for dinner, as well. Rumor has it they had a great time ... and no one got arrested. Several BRs can attest to the fact that John and Suzanne are wonderful hosts at their hacienda in Mexico. Marla and I have got to visit. I’m quite sure they are in need of adult supervision; however, Marla says that counts me out!

A proud grandpa moment: Tim Bosse’s middle granddaughter is a high school junior swimmer who competed in five events at the Georgia State High School Championships and was awarded one silver and two bronze medals. The 200 and 500 freestyle are her two best events. She expressed interest in attending VMI. I understand VMI needs a swimmer for the 500 freestyle event. That could be a win/win for all parties!

I received a short email from Tom Mascot Tom says wife Patti fell and broke her hip. He reports her surgery went well, and to date, her rehab is also going well. Tom plans to visit his youngest daughter in Istanbul for 5 days. His eldest daughter will come and stay with Patti while he is gone. Tom was bragging on the Arizona weather—beautiful this time of year, no

snow to shovel, no ice to scrape off windshields, and no tornadoes. Tom claims that is why he lives in Arizona. Mick and Debbie Ernzen have been wintering in Arizona close to Tom and Patti. Mick and Tom will take in a couple rounds of golf together before the Ernzens head back to North Carolina. The Ernzens live at Lake Gaston (Lizard Creek) about a mile or 2 from our lake place at Lake Gaston (Indian Rock community on Pea Hill Creek). I suspect I’ll have to get Mick on the golf course in Gasburg, Virginia, to see if the dry air in Arizona has improved his golf game. Appreciate the note, Tom.

I attended the Feb. 19 breakfast in Richmond, Virginia—drove just ahead of the snowstorm to make the breakfast. The attendees were Thomas Walton, Rick Kastelberg, David Lester, and Rob Taylor ’75. Donnie Ross was in Florida, Tommy Anderson was under the weather, and Mike Coleman and Terrell Williams may not have wanted to get caught in the snowstorm. Breaking news: Tommy and Mollie Anderson are moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be close to their grandchild. I understand there is a plan to gather to send them on their way.

Small world story. On March 28, Ted and Susan Telle were in Charleston, South Carolina, with friends visiting the Charleston Home and Garden Show. They toured some 10 homes. At one of the last homes visited, a docent/host named Nancy saw Ted’s VMI hat and told him her brother, Al, graduated in 1974. Ted said he about fell out and told her who he was, and that Al Rasper was his BR. Nancy was hosting/volunteering at the front of this particular house. She told Ted she lived down the street. What are the chances? Small world, indeed.

Thomas Walton assembled another rendition of Richmond BRs plus for breakfast at the Eggs Up Grill April 16, 2025. Attendees were Robert Taylor ’75, Billy Stevens ’73, Terrell Williams, David Lester, Donnie Ross, and Thomas Walton That is a good crowd solving the problems of the world over eggs and joe! I do think they are in dire need of adult supervision!

I received a report, a proud poppa moment for John Williams: John Mosley Williams has been admitted and is qualified to practice as an attorney in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Big moment; well done. Congrats!

Lane Toomey sent a photo of the Class of ’74 BRs at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet at the Marshall Hall Center for Leadership and Ethics March 29. Not a bad looking bunch of seasoned alumni attending: Frank Richardson, Gary Trinkle, Henry Moncure, Dan Barr, Gene

Class of 1973: Mike Kelly rides the safari train at Zoo Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee, with granddaughters Caroline and Lilly.

Class of 1973: Roland Tiso speaks during the VMI Army ROTC banquet in February 2025.

Williams, T.J. Wilson, and Lane Toomey. Red Undercoffer also attended but left before herding this crew together for a picture. Lane reports great fellowship and the opportunity to meet some outstanding young men and women who are the recipients of several of our class scholarships.

Lane also described a chance encounter on the streets of Lexington with Dr. Dave Ellington ’71 and his wife, Jane. Dave and Jane were walking by as Lane was parallel parking and Lane’s wife, Karin, was issuing instructions from the sidewalk. Dave noticed Karin issuing instructions and then the VMI 74 license plate. Waiting until Lane opened the car door, Dave said something to the effect to Karin, “He couldn’t follow orders very well when he

was a rat.” That led to a 20-plus minute mini reunion between ’71 and ’74 on the sidewalk that included their time in Germany in the late ’70s and their attendance at an alumni gathering at Hammelburg. A nice impromptu stroll down memory lane. Small world, indeed!

Wilson Johnson has been cast in the play “To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Riverside Theatre in Fredericksburg. The play runs from May 7–June 22. By the time you read these notes, Wilson will have moved on to another theatrical adventure. His role in this play is Bob Ewell, who is the mean, bigoted, redneck father of the girl. As they say in the world of theater, break a leg! I wonder, why not just say “good luck?”

A reminder for those that are interested: There

are 20-plus BRs participating on a VMI ’74 prayer list hosted by Glenn Greene. I encourage any BR who is so inclined to join. They meet monthly via Zoom. Email or call Rob “Kid” Fulks (email: robfulks063@gmail.com or cell: 281-733-6707) for a Zoom invite.

Like I am quick to say every chance I get, we, as BRs, are getting longer in the tooth ... so I encourage you to travel while you still can—and can enjoy the adventure. And by chance, if you have an opportunity to contact and/or visit a brother rat, by all means, take it! It may be your last chance—you never know! That is all for now!

Class contacts: snookieparker1974@earthlink. net and Charley Banning cbanning@cox.net. Send me a note. Yada, yada, yada, and yaba daba do!

In the Bonds, Snookie

1975

Thomas Mason

Brothers, Sisters, and Innocent Bystanders, So, after 5 years, the grand adventure continues! I rather suspect, now that I’ve had my ear to the rail for a while, that the midwives to my initial birth as scribe were Sandy and Allen Morgan. This may have come about after having crafted a colorful yarn (or scathing satire!) involving a BR’s golf woes, worries, camps, coaching, grip technique, tee height, and degree of club face angles, about 6 years ago. I don’t yet know who the coroner is to my internment of this post; one hopes it will be a fond farewell and not an execution!

Class of 1974: Pictured at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet in March 2025 are (from left) Frank Richardson, Gary Trinkle, Henry Moncure, Dan Barr, Gene Williams, T.J. Wilson, and Lane Toomey. Not pictured in Red Undercoffer.

Class of 1974: Having breakfast in Richmond, Virginia, are (from left) Snookie Parker, Robert Taylor ’75, Thomas Walton, David Lester, and Rick Kastelberg.

Class of 1974: Gathering for breakfast in Richmond, Virginia, April 16 are (from left) Robert Taylor ’75, Billy Stephens ’73, Terrell Williams, David Lester, Donnie Ross, and Thomas Walton.

VMI Class of 1975 50th Reunion

I’m fortunate to be the 10th generation offspring of a cavalcade of superb class agents, almost all who have been advisers, listeners, and sharers of their experience and institutional knowledge.

Vic Arthur (twice), Bill Turpin, Frank Hillson, Rob Taylor, Ben Vanderberry, Doug Dunlap, Robert Mills, Art Nunn, and Bob Keller—thank you one and all for your steady hand of guidance!

This group, with the addition of John Whitworth, formed our Outreach Committee and sowed the seeds to make reunion attendance so successful. Thank you for the crop you yielded!

Having been blessed with a successful 50th Reunion has allowed memories, musings, and observations to flower! My most keen observation had to do with appearance. I dislike the coarseness of “many of you have gone bald,” preferring instead to use the phrase, “many of you have gained face.” The following notes represent your contributions from mid-February through midMay 2025, but this content is principally spawned from a post-reunion outburst of emails.

First, in the spirit of explanation and gratitude, the success of the reunion was largely attributable to many hands contributing to make a job easier. The Planning/Organizing Committee of Scott and Barbara Risser, Lowrie and Kathy Tucker, Allen and Sandy Morgan, Glenn Furr, and Glenn Garland, along with Brooke Shehan, Alumni Agencies reunion coordinator, all enthusiastically contributed ideas, labor, and wise counsel toward making the event a success.

John Young’s Gift Committee worked handin-glove with the outreach team in their appeal to our entire matriculation (minus deceased) census toward our 50th Reunion financial gift to VMI. There is not enough gratitude to thank this group in its mission to build the gift and deftly hand off reunion attendance-related questions to the outreach team.

Enough folksy sermonizing ... onward!

Trey Brenckman attended his first-ever class reunion this time around. He remarked that the gathering was populated by old people, crafty civil engineering techniques had added at least a mile of distance between Moody Hall and Old Barracks, and all elevation changes had much steeper gradients than when he was a cadet from 1971–75.

John and Michelle Plunkett wrote in, grading the reunion weekend as an 11 (on a 1-10 scale).

Rick and ParioLee Law had just enough time to tour Spain and Portugal prior to the reunion weekend. The “Dawg” enjoyed the beaches of the Mediterranean and Valencia more than the churches and cathedrals ... you Dawg!

Bill Kobus arrived in Lexington in plenty of

time for the early arrival event but elected to pass because he had to “unpack” to adjust to his new surroundings. There was mention in this column of Bill’s struggles with simple tasks two issues ago. One hopes he’s readjusted to his return to Florida after 3 months ...

Stew and Mary Ann Fleming hosted a houseful over reunion weekend, to wit, Charlie Hoon and Sharon De Alba, John and Lori Prior, and Paul Bernard

Mrs. Thomas S. Baur (Judy) warmly welcomed Tony and Teresa Farry, Ben and Anne Vanderberry, Bruce Torbett, and your overwrought agent.

Scott and Barbara Risser graciously opened their home to entertain Ellett and Fran Smith, Bill Terpeluk and Denise Hollerbach, and Vic and Tricia Arthur.

Al and Sandy Morgan entertained a throng which included Oliver and Bonnie Way, Art and Judy Nunn, and Mike and Sloane Hunter Steve and Sherry Chapin charmed Dr. Billy and Lee Hunter for the weekend.

A post-reunion email from John Whitworth remarked over the reunion highlights and some of the memories he and Steve Chapin had with the variety of “interesting” roommates who came and went over the 4 years they lived together.

A “brief” summary of his month-long journey from the south to the northeast, Randy Frank mapped out his route and highlights of staying in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with Glenn Garland, on to Bristol, Tennessee, with a visit with Mike Fleenor and his lady friend, Nikki, northeast up I-81 to Roanoke and a stay with Dave and Tana Schuyler. For the reunion, this group rented a spacious farmhouse in Fairfield, Virginia, and were joined by John Bangs on the final night for mild revelry and tale-telling late into the night! Glenn Garland led the group on a recuperative hike up Little House Mountain Sunday. Randy then took Amtrak north to Wilmington, Delaware, to visit a brother and then to Kingston, New York, to visit his son, Sam, and a trip to tour the USMA at West Point. Randy’s full-page missive was edited to the above with the delicate touch of not a scalpel, but a chainsaw ...

I was heartsick over the number of folks who responded they were unable to attend due to an infirm relative under their direct care or were out of the country. Bill Witherow, Charlie Freeman, Doug Dunlap, Kevin Wright, and Gary Taylor were among those who dropped apologetic notes with hope for attendance at future gatherings. I thought a leisurely stroll through the first stoop of barracks highlighting 1st Class year room attendance at the reunion would be mildly

noteworthy. Room 103, none; Room 104, Larry and Kathy Hendry, Larry and Fran Groome, and Paul Bernard; Room 105, Bernie Cobb; Room 106, John and Diana Amatetti and P.T. and Sonia Marshall; Room 107, Larry LaMonte and friend Rob Woodmansee (USMA ’84); Room 108, Ellett and Fran Smith and Rick and Stella Davison; Room 109, Dan and Sandy Brooks; Room 110, John Logan and Rich MacFarland; Room 111, Dan and Vickie Darnell, Dennis and Kelly Lewin, and Glenn and Carol Furr; Room 112, Bob Holby; Room 113, Paul and Mary Blair, Reggie and Kathy Webb, and Rick “Dawg” and ParioLee Law; and Room 114, Greg and Kathleen Stultz, John and Michelle Plunkett, and Barry and Elizabeth “Tigger” Hughes.

After a finger stretch break: Room 115, none; Room 116, Dan and Laura Schultz, Jay Newcomer, and John and Cathy Maples; Room 117, Guy and Mary Conte and Jerry DeWaters; Room 118, Gibby and Karen Houser and Al and Teresa Hansen; Room 119, none; Room 120, Danny Penny, Fred and JoAnn Martin, and Dan and Anne Daniels; Room 121, Charlie Hoon and Sharon De Alba and Lane and Robin (Lilly; see Seinfeld S7, Ep. 24) Pritchard; Room 122, Tom and Peggy Jones, Bob Keller (gim, on room confinement, excused), and Mason; Room 123, Hamid “M.T.” Moghavemi-Tehrani and Faye Tehrani and Ian Kanner; Room 124, Glenn Garland, John Bangs, and Jim Seitz (gim; room confinement, excused); Room 126, Bruce Torbett; Room 128, Mrs. Thomas S. Baur (Judy), Tony and Teresa Farry, and Garland Isaacs; and Room 130, Frank and Christina Hillson

Continuing our tour of the first stoop: Room 132, Art Sigsbury, C.T. and Diane Bryant, and Oliver and Bonnie Way; Room 134, none; Room 136, Charles and Lynne Kaune and Lowrie and Kathy Tucker; Room 137, Mike Fleenor and Nikki McGrew, Randy Frank, Art and Judy Nunn, and Dave and Tana Schuyler; Room 138, Bill and Michelle Puttmann and Elmo “Mackie” Shiflett and Charolette Garza; Room 139, Ron and Margie Norman and Dan and Joann Heiken; Room 140, John and Lori Prior; Room 141, Jim and Nancy McCriskin and John and Joan Greene; Room 142, Chip and Kathy Louthan, Dean and Denise Armstrong, Vic and Tricia Arthur, and Bill and Delores Overton; and Room 144, Chris Smart, Bob and Jan O’Conner. Room 145, none; Room 146, Billy and Lee Hunter, Mike and Sloane Hunter, Rob and Sandy Taylor, and Ron and Kim Bongiovanni; Room 147, Mike and Debora Joslyn and Russel Jackson; Room 148, Andy Dearman, Allen and Sandy Morgan, and Robert Mills; Room 149,

1.

Class of 1975

Kathy and Lowrie Tucker.

2. Pictured during the 50th Reunion are (from left) Billy Hunter, Cary Bradley, and Bobby Hunter.

3. Bill Turpin, Steve Chapin, and John Whitworth outside their 1st Class room during the 50th Reunion.

4. Hamid “M.T.” Moghavemi-Tehrani, Frank Hillson, Dan Heiken, and Jeff Abravesh at the 50th Reunion.

5. Reggie and Kathy Webb, Paul and Mary Blair, and Rick and ParioLee Law at the 50th Reunion.

6. Dennis Lewin, Glenn Furr, and Dan Darnell, all former baseball players.

7. Pictured during the 50th Reunion are (from left) Art Languedoc, Glenn Garland, Jim McCriskin, and Frank Cole, rat year roommates.

8. Glenn Garland, John Bangs, Nikki McGrew, Dave and Tana Schuyler, Mike Fleenor, and Randy Frank.

none; Room 150, Stew and Mary Ann Fleming; Room 151, Jim and Susan Mesnard and Sam and Kay Crim; Room 152, John and Mary Whitworth, Steve and Sherry Chapin, and Bill and Ann Turpin; Room 153, none; Room 154, Ben and Anne Vanderberry, Harry McKnight, Oscar and Anna Richardson, and T.P. and Celia Ridley; Room 155, Bill Kern and Elizabeth Hart; Room 156, Charlie and Kat Collins, and Dan and Lisa Dell’Osso; Room 157, Mike Mulligan; and Room 158, none.

And passing through sallyport into New Barracks: Room 160, David “Salvo” and Karen Lape and Cary Bradley with grandchildren Chesnee and Keegan Tyler; Room 161, Felix and Sheryl Wolkowitz; Room 163, none; Room 164, Rich and Beth Mines and Fred Edwards; Room 165, none; Room 166, Scott and Barbara Risser; Room 167, Greg Seldon, Jim and Susan Hobbs, and Tad and Dawn (congratulations!) MacGowan; Room 168, Bob and Mary Winfree and Vern and Monica Conner; Room 169, Tom and Nancy Dashiell; Room 170, Art and Sue Languedoc and Doug Harvey; and Room 171, Trey Brenckman

Bob Trumbo (sister and brother of Tom Trumbo), John Richardson ’08 and Andrew Richardson (sons of John Yulee Richardson), Mike and Rebekah Trexler, Sam and Robin Moultrie, David and Carolyn Miller, Bob Slaughter, Everett “Easy” Ryder, Ernest “Bink” Rush, Doug and Julie MacGregor, and Tom and Kathy Schultze

Two special exception attendees are not assigned to any room above, as they were serious students who graduated a year early: Dick Sadler, who has maintained annual contact with interesting news and viewpoints on Southern California, and Bill Terpeluk, whose military history knowledge I love to probe.

The lofty goal of shaking each of your hands in warm welcome went astray when I missed Bill Kern, Ken Gerard, Sam Crim, and Jim Mesnard. (I hope that was all!)

Felix Wolkowitz opined succinctly that the reunion was “epic!”

The reunion build-up frayed your noble notetaker at the edges upon occasion, and there was some concern of arriving in Lexington April 24 with a facial tic, eye twitch, stutter, or permanent limp. One of my missteps was not vigorously underscoring the warnings of no ladder activity (under or on), no lifting of heavy objects, no crossing paths with black cats, don’t break a mirror, and no socializing around unknown groups well prior to the event. That admonition may have prevented the absence of Bob Keller, Greg Diamontopulos, and Jim Seitz, all sorely missed.

Completing New Barracks before a stop at the PX: Room 172, Phil and Jean Dove; Room 173 Frank and Melody Cole; Room 174, Harry and Carole Broaddus; Room 176, Kevin and Finola Kavanaugh; Room 178, Chuck and Debra Wohlrab; Room 180, none; Room 181, Paul and Melissa Gregory and Rick and Suzanne Hening; Room

182, John and Elaine Siemens and Taylor and Lisa Slate; Room 184, none; Room 185, Doug Kulick and Bill and Natalya Kobus; Room 186, Jay and Dawn Jones and Greg Diamontopulos (gim; room confinement, excused); Room 188, Rusty Rahm; Room 189, Bill and Justine Landrum; Room 190, John and Brenda Young and Ken and LuAnne Gerard; Room 192, Jeff and Feri Abravesh; Room 193, Mike and Daphne Hill; Room 196, Keith and Melanie Frey, Don and Denise Bernardini, and Mark and Eugenia Skuby; and Room 198, Phil and Linda Thorpe. Other well-loved former classmates who attended all or part of the weekend included Anne and

Months ago, I envisioned this column, at the 5-year mark, appearing as my opus magnus. My last venomous gasp. Circumstances changed, and my objective for our notes this quarter morphed. It is not about Dickensian volume but rather inclusion and the desire to mention in bold every classmate who traveled near and far to attend our 50th gala in late April and gratitude to you all! If I’ve erred and omitted anyone, I’ll eat the 10-6-30 ...

Again, thank you, Guy, Ron, Reggie, and my classmates for the confidence you’ve placed in me to serve; this post has given me purpose, and it has been an honor!

Humbly and devotedly, I remain, Never above you, never below you, always beside you ...

Your Friend, BR, and Dedicated Swiss Army Knife, Thomas A. Mason

Class of 1975: Sherry Chapin, Jan O’Connor, Teresa Farry, Judy Baur, Suzanne Hening, Judy Nunn, Bonnie Way, Lee Hunter, Sandy Morgan, and Brenda Honeycutt at the Pink Cadillac Diner in Natural Bridge, Virginia, during the 50th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 1975: Ron and Margie Norman, Al and Teresa Hansen, and Robin and Sam Moultrie at the honored class dinner during the 50th Reunion in April 2025.

William Bhatta

Before the class notes begin, I want to take a moment to recognize Tom Watjen for his service on the VMI Board of Visitors. Over 8 years, including his tenure as president from 2021–24, Tom demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the Institute and its mission. Leadership is never without its challenges, but Tom faced them head on, guiding VMI through pivotal moments with resolve and dedication. His leadership helped shape critical decisions, ensuring VMI remained true to its values while navigating complex issues.

The ’76 class notes: I wrote these notes May 13, 2025.

The 50th Reunion Committee needs your help to find several BRs. If you have any contact information for these individuals, let me know: Mike Camden, Bruce Crawford, Ces Ferrer, Michael Gross, Ray Harrell, Rex Kern, Zack Laliberte, Geraldo Latoni, Edward “Ken” Ray, and Mel Williams

Dave and Barb Bass are looking forward to the 50th Reunion! Dave said, “We continue enjoying life and travel often. We just returned from our first time in Italy. We toured Pisa, Naples, and Rome during Holy Week, leaving just before Easter.”

Jake and Dianne Berberich are enjoying their mountain home near Boone, North Carolina. Jake said, “I spend 90% of my time here year around.” Jake attended his late father’s 75th Reunion at VMI in April (John Berberich ’50B). He said, “Got to visit with his roommate, Col. Bob Lynd ’50B. Only four from the class attended. One was Col. Tommy Kirk ’50B, who Jim Dittrich has done a story on. He was a POW at the Hanoi Hilton for 5-and-a-half years. Think he’s 97 and sharp as a tack.”

Last December, Rodney Hayes was busy. He celebrated his 70th birthday, celebrated his 47th wedding anniversary, and retired after almost 25 years with the MITRE Corporation.

Rodney and Sandy have two sons and a daughter. He said, “There’s 17 years between our first and last child.” Last summer, they took a trip to Switzerland with their daughter. During the trip, they visited Stuttgart, Germany, where Rodney was stationed. He said, “Our daughter was born after I had retired from the Air Force, so she never experienced any of the places we were stationed. In Switzerland, we visited my wife’s aunt, who had turned 100 just before we visited. We were fortunate to have had the chance to visit because she died 1 month after we returned home.”

Bill and Deborah Neal are living their dreams at The Villages in Florida. Bill said, “Still doing the Friday night dinners with the VMI chapter here (no ’76 but a couple of ’74 and a ’73 graduates who are acceptable).” The last 6 years, they have been in the retirement travel stage and have visited Europe and the Caribbean. Their next trip this fall is to Athens. Bill said, “It is 4 weeks long. (We’ll see if the marriage survives it!)”

Last fall, Bill and Lois Favier took a Viking cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Coincidentally, it was 2 days behind the same cruise Rocky Glass and John Swain planned. Their trip went smoothly until Vienna, where they had to disembark the ship because rain raised the Danube River so high, the boat couldn’t get under the bridges!

Mack and Paula Curle are busy with church and family activities. Later in May, they are flying to Switzerland to board a Viking cruise ship for a Rhine River cruise. Mack sent a BR update: “We had supper with Clyde Furr and Ed and Margaret Crews March 27. Clyde’s officially retired now but has been spending some time in Oklahoma helping his middle son, Matthew, and his wife, Amy, build their house. Ed and Margaret are soldiering on, or in Ed’s case, Marine-ing on.”

European river cruises must be the rage! In December, Ted Trout and his sister went on a Christmas Market river cruise between Prague and Paris along the Main and Moselle Rivers.

After selling his engineering firm in May 2022 to IMEG (a national engineering and design consulting company), Carrington McVeigh became a managing principal there. Now, he will be officially retired this month! Carrington plans to work part-time at

Class of 1976: Evan Haberman (left) with Ares Koumis in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Class of 1976: Rocky and Betsy Glass on a Rhine River cruise in fall 2024 with John and Lillian Swain, Rudy Glass ’71 (Rocky’s brother), and Sandy Villari (Rudy’s guest).

Class of 1976: Bill and Lois Favier, Allan and Gini Pyke, and Ray Brooks and Trudy in North Carolina in spring 2025.

IMEG on an as-needed basis until his wife retires in 2 years. Carrington said, “I just don’t feel like I’m in my 70s; has it really been 50 years?”

I spoke to Jim Martin on the phone. Jim mentors small business owners. He has been with Service Corps of Retired Executives almost 16 years and has been the Virgina SCORE district manager the past 6 years.

Ted Mouras is authoring a book! Ted said, “My biggest project started this year is the writing of a book on the natural and cultural history of the Huachuca Mountains, the mountain range we live in. I first visited this place in 1976, and nothing about it looks the same in 2025. I’m a little over halfway done with the first draft.”

Mike Hilsgrove is also an author (of the “Tibetan Girl” series), getting the books into multiple bookstores and platforms.

Bill Brown announced Carter Brown ’10 was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force and is heading to San Antonio, Texas, for a command assignment. And Mack and Paula Curle attended the promotion of Benjamin Curle ’08 to lieutenant colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard. I am happy for Carter and Benjamim, but when our children are promoted to lieutenant colonel, you know we are getting old!

Steve Joyce’s spring pastime has been attending Renaissance fairs. He will be off on a cruise to Alaska in June.

In March, Ares Koumis helped his son, wife, and kids pack up and move back from South Carolina to the Colorado area. Koumis said, “Don’t bother waterboarding; if you want someone to ‘talk,’ just put them on a plane between two cranky 1 and 2 [year olds], sleep-deprived and sick, and their heavily pregnant mom. He’ll talk!” Koumis said his son’s family counseling practice should thrive in the area. He thinks he has 2–3 years of work left in him at the International Affairs office at U.S. Space Force. His retirement goal is Christmas 2027.

Patrick and Linda Barnum moved to the Cleveland, Ohio, area last August for Linda’s new job. Patrick has been able to work remotely for the past 18 years, the last 13 years with IBM. Federal spending cutbacks could impact his current job, so Patrick is looking into project management office opportunities. But, he said, “Retirement may be just around the corner.”

Bob and Louise Keneally are looking forward to the 50th Reunion next year. They just completed winter lodging in South Carolina and are back in Montana now. Bob said, “Over the past several months, [I] have connected with BRs Jim Joustra, Scott Custer, and Ares Koumis

Michelle and I visited J.R. Mott at his home in Fairfax Station, Virginia, in April. J.R. finally retired March 10, 2025, after 6 years with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and 12 years as a DA civilian. He said, “All indications are that the security of the free world has not been affected, nor has Wall Street reacted negatively.” Officially, he will be on leave until Sept. 30. In the meantime, he is trying to keep up with each daughter’s tennis and lacrosse games.

Ken and Sue Harbin will be taking a cruise in August, going to Iceland, Norway, Amsterdam, Belgium, and London. This will be their second excursion to Europe.

Mark and Libby Swank are currently spending the week near Pikes Peak in Colorado. They spent an evening at the Golden Bee Pub at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, where Mark’s old Army unit gathered in the late ’70s. Mark said, “We were Bravo Company, so back then we adopted the golden bee stick-on emblem as part of our unit crest.”

In February, Bill Ryals hit a patch of ice on his bicycle and flipped over, fracturing his pelvis in five places. Bill said, “While in the hospital, I got wonderful calls from Carmen Villani, Jim Mallon, and Dave Lowe. The PT program is helping me recover, but it will take a few months.” Bill provided an update on Dave Lowe: “Dave and Caroline Lowe are doing well. Their son, Marin, is now 13 and is heavily involved with ice hockey and mountain biking. Dave is working as a construction manager under contract to the FAA in Boston, Massachusetts ... rehabilitating the control tower at Logan Airport.”

Jim and Sharon Joustra visited South Korea and Japan for 3 weeks in April. Jim said it was a great trip “that included visits to Korean DMZ and castles, temples, shrines in both countries, Sumo wrestlers, geishas, Japanese drummers, bonsai trees, karaoke, pearl divers, 200 mph on the bullet train, and smart toilets!”

Bob Gleason is enjoying Florida too much! He said, “All good down here. Working in paradise, living in the Venetian Isles. I love being able to go barefoot in winter. Summer’s coming, so Canadians, spring breakers, and snowbirds are mostly gone for the season. Hurricane season marked on calendars—June through November. We place our bets, hope for the best, and hold your breath. Just never know when it’s your turn.” In June, Bob is Cub Scout camping with his grandson at Winnebago Scout Reservation in Rockaway, New Jersey. Bob said, “[Now] I’ll have to wear real shoes.”

Jim Dittrich started writing for the VMI History Facebook page. I recommend you join the group.

Jim said, “We don’t talk about what’s going on at VMI, only history—both in word and pictures. I do a weekly article about some VMI personality. Lately, I have focused on VMI faculty and what they did when they weren’t teaching and what happened to them.”

Hunt and Penny Ozmer recently cruised to Panama and toured the canal. They both enjoy playing pickleball, and Hunt is taking a class to obtain his advanced open water scuba certification. Their grandson is moving to the Lakeland, Florida, area to attend a trade school so they are excited to have him close by.

Mike and Suzanne Outten are doing well. Mike said, “Family is so important, and we’re so blessed to share time with the ones we love.”

The Outtens traveled to Maryland and hosted his mom’s 90th birthday and recently traveled to Tennessee to visit their youngest son and wife. But to give you an idea how old we are getting, Mike said, “Next, our oldest granddaughter, Savannah, will graduate from high school! Say what!? Time has really flown. It is almost too much to fathom.” I am feeling Mike’s pain—my oldest granddaughter turns 18 this year.

In late April, Phil and Terry Upton started touring national parks out West. They are making their way through Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and other southern Utah parks, before traveling north to visit the Tetons and Yellowstone Park. They will return home to Florida after Memorial Day.

Not sure I made this announcement to you previously, but Mike Tate and Stephanie Cappiello married last October! They are both active in golf, running races, and volunteering at PGA events. They both participated in track events for the North Carolina Senior Games. Mike said, “We both qualified for the state finals in the 5K and 1500 meters. Steph also qualified for the 400 and 800 meters. The finals will be run in Raleigh in September.” Mike and Steph have already been to VMI. While they were there, they ran into Dexter Gilliam at the bookstore.

Rocky and Betsy Glass travel frequently from Midlothian, Virginia, to Annapolis, Maryland, to visit their daughter, Hannah; her husband, Matt Radi ’11; and their grandson, Andrew. Their son, Hunter; his wife, Liz; and their granddaughter, Avery, live nearby in Cape St. Claire, Maryland. So, they see their kids and families often. I learned Rocky and Betsy are big fans of Virginia’s wineries. Last fall, Rocky said, “we probably visited more than 25 wineries.” That’s a lot of wine! Rocky said, “Hunter and I took a father/ son golf trip to Mesquite, Nevada, the week before Thanksgiving and had a great time playing

spectacular golf courses. We returned home just in time to unpack and repack for a trip to Cincinnati to visit Rudy Glass ’71 and his family for a week at Thanksgiving. 2025 started off with the diagnosis in January that I had a torn left rotator cuff, followed by successful surgery completed in late February. Six months of recovery and rehab, and I should be good to go in September for some golf!”

John and Tammy Street live in Churchville, Virginia. John still works for Magnera in Waynesboro, Virginia (the company engineers high-performance films and laminates that protect, wrap, and seal). John said, “All is well with my family,” and he is looking forward to seeing everyone at the 50th Reunion!

Mark and Bernadette Scully had a great skiing season at Solitude Mountain near Salt Lake City, Utah. They usually skied twice a week with their son, Daniel, when he wasn’t on lift operator duty!

Mark said, “For our 40th anniversary, we did a road trip to New Mexico, crisscrossing the state to see Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands NP, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and then a phenomenal visit to Monument Valley, Arizona. We continued our celebration in Montego Bay, Jamaica, for a week at a great resort.”

Michelle and I are doing well. We are getting ready to travel to Lafayette, Colorado, for my youngest daughter’s wedding June 1. We skied for 4 days with family in March at Breckenridge, Colorado. It was exciting to watch our 2-yearold grandson manage basic skiing. David Bhatta ’06’s tour at the Pentagon is ending; we visited him there earlier this month. From my perspective, Pentagon interior decorating has improved quite a bit. He showed us one of the Pentagon corridors dedicated to Gen. Marshall ’901, featuring significant VMI history on the walls. David will be assigned to the Army Futures Command at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia (formerly Fort Lee). For the first time in several years, he will be able to live at home with his family and commute to and from work. In memoriam: It is sad these BRs are no longer with us, but we are fortunate to have known them.

Will Adams passed away April 4, 2025. When Mack Curle spoke to Will at the beginning of the year, he was excited about attending the 50th Reunion next year. He was 70 years old when

he died. He is survived by his wife, Sheri; three daughters; and a son.

David Eck passed away Dec. 27, 2024. He was 70 years old when he died. David did not graduate with us; he spent three semesters at VMI before he left. He was a CE major and was on the swimming team. He is survived by his wife, Lynn; two children; and four grandchildren.

Earl Keifer passed away May 7, 2023. Bill Favier discovered his demise when he found his obituary. Earl attended Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia, with Bob Gleason

and Andy Hitt before they arrived at VMI. He majored in history but remained at VMI for only 2 years.

I discovered Alan Mills passed away July 25, 2022. Alan attended VMI for 1 year but re-entered VMI our 1st Class year as an academic 4th Class cadet. Mark Sculley said, “Sadly, after about a week or so, Alan figured that the uphill climb was too much, and he departed once more. For that short time, Alan was in Room 115 with Jake, Marshall, and me.”

I also discovered that Michael Hamlett passed away Sept. 11, 2020. He was 65 years old. Unfortunately, there is no information available about Mike’s demise.

No more sad news! Let’s talk about next year when we celebrate 50 years since we graduated from VMI. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown since our days at the Institute, but this milestone gives us a rare and precious opportunity to reflect on where life has taken us and to reconnect with those who have shared this incredible journey as brother rats.

Today, it’s easy for differences in beliefs or opinions to create division. But this reunion transcends politics, personal views, or even any changes at VMI itself. This is about something deeper: The enduring bond that connects us as brother rats—a bond forged during our years at VMI, one that remains unshaken by time or circumstance. As Ares Koumis has said: “Whatever happens to VMI doesn’t change what our BRs went through all those years ago.”

As we grow older, we come to realize just how significant opportunities like this are. Life’s journey has taken each of us down different paths shaped by individual experiences, beliefs, and values. But there’s something truly special about returning to the place where it all began, a place that tested and transformed us and where we formed friendships that have withstood the test of time. This reunion is a chance to come back to those roots; to share stories, laughter, and camaraderie; and to celebrate the shared legacy that makes the Class of 1976 one of a kind.

So, let’s celebrate 50 incredible years together! It’s a milestone worth cherishing, and it won’t be complete without you. Together, we’ll relive Old Corps stories (they do, after all, get better with every reunion), create new memories, and honor the history and tradition that connected all of us!

Class of 1976: Jim and Susan Mallon with Bill and Kathy Ryals in Winchester, Virginia, in April 2025.

Class of 1976: Wayne and Caren Eastham, Ruth Anne McCarthy, Sevanne Gilliam, Dexter Gilliam, Dyke Davies, Bobbi Davies, and Al McCarthy attend their annual get-together in Warsaw, Virginia.

Steve Kelly

Greetings, Super ’77!

I am writing these notes in late April. Hopefully, spring is finally here after a couple of false starts. It has been a busy spring for me, as I went on a mission trip with my church to Cuba and then came back for my second total knee replacement. The mission trip was awesome, as usual (well, maybe not so good on the electricity part in the country), but the folks there in the retirement center/churches we worked with are wonderful Christians. The knee replacement is taking me a little bit longer to bounce back from this time; I guess that is what happens when you get old.

Our next big class events are coming up Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6, at VMI. First up that Friday is the annual VMI memorial golf tournament to be played at the Lexington Golf & Country Club. Please email Tommy Cole at tcole77@aol.com for more information. Following the Friday golf tournament is our mini reunion Saturday. The format is the same as last year with the tailgate brunch on the Parade Ground, football game, and class dinner at Devils Backbone. They did a great job for us last year and are looking forward to our return. The only downside to Devils Backbone is that space is limited to 40 folks, so RSVP early! I will have more information with costs in the next month or two. Please plan to attend!

As we approach our 50th, I wanted to give you some choices for giving that can count toward our 50th Reunion check to VMI. All of the giving our class has made since the 45th will be included in this 50th check. Just to let you know, the class has three ’77 endowments—an unrestricted, a ’77 Memorial Scholarship (our own class scholarship that supports a cadet based on financial need), and a ’77 athletic. In addition, the Alumni Agencies maintains a list of agencies/scholarships you can give to in order to support VMI. Some of these include the Alumni Class Ring Fund, which helps those in the Class of ’27 (our Pass in Review

class) who cannot afford their VMI rings. There is also a Col. Buchanan ’50B memorial scholarship established in his honor. One other relatively new scholarship is the Call to Duty Scholarship. This scholarship helps 3- and 4-year ROTC scholarship recipients pay costs not covered in the ROTC scholarship. I would encourage you to take a look and see if there is an endowment, scholarship, or agency at VMI you feel comfortable supporting before the 50th. We want to make sure super ’77 sets a good example in giving for our 50th Re-

union. Please see the caption of Mark Bryant and Kimber Latsha at a scholarship recognition dinner with our class scholarship recipient, William Lauerman ’25. William is the nephew of and named for our BR Dewey. Lauerman graduated in May and will commission next summer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

On a sad note, two of our brother rats passed away since the last set of class notes. Most recently, Tim Snyder passed away in his sleep April 23.Tim was an amazing guy who will be sorely missed by his family, brother rats, and all who knew him. There will be more about Tim’s memorial service in his After Taps in the next edition of the Alumni Review. Our Brother Rat Jay Phillips passed away Feb. 17. Jay left after our rat year but was fondly remembered by his roommates and all those who knew him. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.

I received a note from Mike Parish He and his wife, Kate, spent some time recently at the alpaca farm of Phil and Lena Galing in Pennsylvania. Mike and Phil had not seen each other since their days as Army captains at Fort Benning more than 40 years ago. Mike said that aside from the typical age-associated occasional ailments, all of them were doing well.

The next set of class notes is due in August. I look forward to news and pictures from brother rats, including updates on “Moons” first annual brother rat summer camp in Goshen. In the meantime, start planning now for April 2027 and our 50th Reunion. Hopefully, in the next edition of the Alumni Review, I will have additional information

Class of 1977: Steve Kelly outside a guard shack at the San Juan Hill Battlefield Memorial in Santiago de Cuba in March 2025.

Class of 1977: Mark Bryant and Kimber Latsha with William Lauerman ’25, Class of 1977 scholarship recipient, at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet in March 2025.

Class of 1977: Mike and Kate Parish with Phil and Lena Galing at the Galings’ home in Pennsylvania in May 2025.

for you. In the meantime, stay safe out there this summer! Hope to see many of you at the mini in September.

Tick

Tom Brown

Greetings, Brother Rats and Friends of the Class of ’78,

To think that it was 50 years ago that we were getting ready to start 3rd Class year. We were on our own to deal with the challenges of academics and the joy of mil-duty without the resources of a dyke to provide their wisdom. We were also to learn the meaning of “3rds eat .... !” I guess not being in the Rat Line was enough—fond memories for sure. Now, it is time again to pass along the latest happenings from around the class.

Blaine Vorgang: “My wife, Wendy, and I continue to be in an ‘all right’ status for the email stick check. A quick story, if I may. During the first week of our rat indoctrination/training (prior to the Corps’ returning) in August 1974, the cadre used to kick open the doors to wake us up sometime after zero dark thirty and sunrise. Anyway, my roommates, Stu Gitchell, Bob Fretz, Mike Palmer, and Tim Frederickson, and I decided to pull a trick on the cadre—upon my insistence, of course—by removing the pins from the hinges off of the door of Room 435 so the door would not swing open but instead fall off into the room. Well, it worked like a charm, resulting in the door lying in the room and broken glass all around. The cadre were none too happy, and we paid the price! Nonetheless, it was worth it. Ah, the memories of barracks guerrilla warfare.”

Steve Murray: “All is well in Annapolis, Maryland.”

Jim Mackin: “All is well here in Kill Devil Hills. Looking forward to a Memorial Day weekend visit from our two grandkids and parents!”

Steven Hall: “All right in Roxboro, North Carolina.”

Joe Morelli: “All here and doing fine! My cardiologist says I have the heart of a 16-year-old. I said thanks and asked him if that meant I had another 70 or 80 years to go, and he said no guarantees! On another note, my 16-year-old grandson’s team took first place in the Virginia robotics state championship and is headed to Dallas for the world competition. His team is

ranked 103rd in the world.”

John Tucker: “All right in Columbus, Ohio.”

Mikey McCarthy: “News flash: This morning, I submitted my resignation from my current position as strategic planning officer. It is effective June 30 with the end of my current contract. I am planning to head back to El Paso.”

Rick Wetherill: “All right!”

Ed Little: “I joined Jay Hutt; Bill Robertson; Keith Barber and his wife, Luz; Pete Manoso; Ken Blythe; and Dave Mecredy. Flew in from Minnesota to the Institute to attend the Class of ’75 Sunday jubilee service April 27. The service highlighted God’s divine guidance and was officiated by Rev. Alan Hansen ’75, Guy Conte ’75, Rev. Paul Blair ’75, Pastor Oscar Richardson ’75, and Dr. Keith Frey ’75. It concluded with a very beautiful bagpipe solo of ‘Amazing Grace’ by Cadet Boyd ’25. I enjoyed reconnecting after 50 years with my dyke, Fred Martin ’75, and Pete reconnected with his dyke, Jay Jones ’75. A long lunch at Niko’s Grill followed. Cadets Morgan Frasier ’27, Alex Black ’28, and Isaac Osouna ’28 joined the group and provided insight into Breakout, barracks life, and balancing academics/ sports.”

David Thacker: “All right.”

Bob Fricke: “OK in Colorado Springs. Trying to slow down in retirement.”

Dave Mecredy: “I was so blessed to meet up with Bill Robertson, Pete Manoso, and other BRs at the Class of ’75 Sunday jubilee service. Inspiring messages and testimonies of God’s goodness from our dykes.”

Mike Wright: “Retired from the federal government U.S. Department of the Interior last December and am fully enjoying retirement. Traveling at least once a month and so happy to be totally free! Will be seeing the ‘I’ this August on one of my road trips.”

Alec Earle: “All’s well in Las Vegas.”

Jimmy Leech: “We’re ‘all right’ here. I enjoyed meeting with Charles Plageman ’90 with the Alumni Agencies when he visited Corpus Christi last month and have been in touch with Brion Smith, who is doing well, but that’s about the limit of my VMI news. I hope your new hip is settling in well. Still hoping to make it for the 50th.”

Jerry Placzek: “Greetings from Perrysburg, Ohio. All is well. Split my first arrow today with a bare bow!”

Charlie Alphin: “All right on the farm at Buchanan, Virginia! Martha and I just returned from celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary April 26 in Clearwater, Florida. The water was blue, and the weather was perfect!”

Paul Campbell: “All right.”

Stephen Craig: “Carolyn and I will be on an 11day Mediterranean cruise beginning next week. Looking forward to it, and I will send some photos if I can. Otherwise, nothing new to report.”

Russ Johnson: “All right in Minnesota. Diane and I are starting to split our time between Minnesota and Arizona now.”

Bob Jenvey: “My big news is that I retired last month. I have been working since 1978, so thank God it’s over. Traveling to Alaska with Mike Moore and our wives in July. Hope you and yours are doing well.”

Mike Oelrich: “‘All right’ from the Florida panhandle! Still working with Torch Technologies at Eglin AFB. Family is doing well and getting ready for another hot summer.”

Cliff Seibel: “Spring is finally breaking, and the snow is almost all gone. The lake in my front yard is almost gone. Trees are showing a hint of green. Getting more sun every day. And no mosquitos yet. Might just have a nice summer here in Alaska, which, rumor has it, occurs sometime between July 4–5! Wishing you and all BRs a safe and fun summer!”

Leland Horn: “Obviously, my retirement, lol. All good otherwise.”

Bruce Kay: “In my last update, Marcia and I were thrilled to report the birth of our first grandchild on New Year’s Day. This time, I am sad to report that Marcia, the love of my life and partner for 42 years, passed away March 30.”

Don Hogge: “All right!”

Mark Lowe: “All right here. Everyone is doing well. We are celebrating the recent birth of our

Class of 1978: Dave Mecredy, Bill Robertson, and Pete Manoso at the class jubilee service.

grandson in Germany. So, getting ready to head over to meet him. Timing is good, as I hope to take in a model train show in Koln while I am over there. Until next time, everyone take care!”

Tony Pileggi: “All right! Monica and I are on a cruise in the Adriatic with Tom and Cathy Sliwoski. Having a great time.”

As we get closer to our 50th Reunion, our gracious BR Tim Pishdad has volunteered to coordinate the event and is in need of assistance. Contact him at tpishdad@gmail.com.

From Tim: “Volunteers are needed for our contact effort to reach 100% of our BRs. Companies: A, B, D, E, and Band. Majors: Biology, chemistry, civil engineering, electrical engineering, math, liberal arts, and all others. Athletics: Football, basketball, baseball, track, and all other sports.

“We are looking for BRs in or near Lexington who can do some legwork since many of us live out of the area. We are also looking for a lead to possibly create a fund to help those who feel they would come but could use a lift financially!

“Volunteers needed to lead major committees: Fun: Sponsor for hospitality bar. Fund: Fundraising is big for the 50th. So far, we have Ken Blythe, Jay Hutt, Ron Dolan, Keith Barber, and Bob Eagle. Apologies if I missed someone who reached out to me; I blame my brain hemorrhage and stroke ... lol.

“Each quarter, I will keep filling in the names of those who reached out to help! In all my professional life, I have always used this quote: ‘Many hands make light work.’ It’s so true, but more importantly, for the 50th, it will ensure that we drive a commitment to attend and strengthen our bonds as we transition into the last quarter of our natural lives. Our goal: 100% attendance among those who are physically able to attend! Remember the VMI Alumni Mobile App and the VMI Ranks website.”

Class Notes

1979

Howard “Chappy” Lucas

Hello, BRs!

I trust these class notes find you and your family well. I am writing these notes with a heavy heart, as the services for our passed BR Doug Doerr were held just a few days ago. It was a great shock to all of us that we lost Doug in such a rapid fashion. The class was well represented at Doug’s service May 10 with BRs Pete Underwood, John Arthur, Tom Manley, Parke Smith, David Riedel, Mike Mendez, Phil Southers,

Greg Weaver, Rich McGruder, Rodney DeCorte, John Carty, Joe Tudor, Danny Sheahan, Tom Baltazar, Brian Tollie, Dean Smith, Dave Smith, Pete Alvarez, John Poffenbarger, Jeff Minnix, John Kailey, Al Soltis, Anthony Pais, Ed Johnson, Eric Schwarz, Randy Hawkins, Frank Jester, Tim Bridges, and Joe Bonsignore attending. Included among those attending the internment service May 12 were Gleb Taran and Tom Trumps

Prior to the services, Doug’s roommates, Mike Mendez, Parke Smith, Phil Southers, and Pete Underwood, led an effort to develop a memorial book highlighting stories of Doug for Doug’s family, especially his grandchildren.

Upon hearing the news of Doug’s passing, John Kailey wrote, “Very sad news indeed with the passing on of Doug Doerr. I can remember distinctly walking up Letcher Avenue as a rat with Doug after being at church. He will be sorely missed.”

Bill Albro sent, “I am very saddened by the loss of BR Doug Doerr. I only really got to know him better in these last few years. I will cherish the tour of the U.S. Marine Corps Museum, where he was a docent from the very beginning. Doug was also a magnificent influence on young minds with his involvement in scouting. Doug was an outstanding role model. Very few have had such a positive impact. Rest in peace and Godspeed, BR.”

That brings to a close the latest from around the class. Keep in touch with your BRs. Also, keep in mind that our ’75 dykes just celebrated their 50th, which means we are not that far from ours in spring 2028. As Tim Pishdad said, “Many hands make light work,” so join in the effort to make our 50th a great event. Please keep your contact information current so that you will be informed about upcoming activities. Use VMI Ranks, vmialumni.org/ranks, to check your information. You may also opt to send it to me, and I can update it for you. As always, as you read these notes, it is time to report your status for the next class notes.

In the Spirit, Tom/EZ Bear

Doug was one of the first BRs I met on Matriculation Day, as I roomed next to him in Cold Steel Charlie’s New Barracks room assignments. Doug had a very close view of the back of my head on the way down to Cocke Hall for our first sweat party that first night in barracks. I then had the same opportunity to have the same view of the back of his head on the way back to our rooms after that sweat party! That night began a long friendship that bridged a 40-year interruption. Even though not being from Virginia, Doug was a true Virginia gentleman who was a strong supporter of the class. He will be dearly missed as our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his wife, Corinne, and family.

I checked in with Thitinant “Nong” Thanyasiri and Surapong Suwana-Adth following the reports of a major earthquake in their area March 28, 2025. I am glad to report that they and their families were fine, having not experienced any damage from the earthquake.

John Kailey also wrote that he will begin his administrative leave May 15 in conjunction with

Class of 1979: J.R. Pigg, Jack Keilty ’10, and Dan Kornacki in Beaufort, South Carolina, in April 2025.

Class of 1979: John Blake, Chappy Lucas, and Anthony Pais in Roanoke, Virginia, April 26, 2025.

his retirement. John is working on some volunteer things “just to keep from driving my wife psychotic.”

Bill Albro also sent in, “Spring has sprung here in South Carolina. Our weather has been great, but we do need rain. Rob Maxey reminded me of this when I talked with him a few weeks back. The Maxey clan is doing well. I spent the month of February in the Seattle, Washington, area with my brothers, Brian Albro ’90 and Jeff Albro. While I was out there, I swung by Tacoma and had lunch with Don Zimmer. Don and family are doing great and have been living there for a few years now. It was great catching up after 40 years or so! I also talked with Doug Mauck on the phone a few weeks ago. He and his wife, Ginny, are doing great with plenty of growth in their garden. Sput Leadbetter sent word that after he gets his pup to the veterinarian, he will be relocating to White Stone in mid-May. His Richmond projects are complete, and he is looking forward to relaxing and doing some projects around ‘the enterprise.’ I also talked with Dave Crawford All is well with the Crawford clan, as well. I did check in with Sam Murphy, and all is okay with him. For the upcoming September 2025 BR dive trip, all systems are a go, with Greg Quinn joining the usual cast of Dean Smith, Dan Sheahan, and Randy Pekarik for the week.”

Class Notes

In late April 2025, Anthony Pais and I met and had lunch with John Blake in Roanoke, Virginia. John was in Roanoke attending his 50th high school class reunion. It was great to catch up with John and his son, Zach. It was especially interesting to learn the history behind John establishing the Henry Johnson Award. For 2024–25, the Henry Johnson Award winner was VMI baseball’s Addison Culpepper ’25

Bob Sievert checked in to report that “I finally have a firm target for full retirement of this coming July 31. Angela and I have already started ‘practicing’ with trips, including a May trip in our motorhome to Deadwood, South Dakota, where we’ll spend a couple of days to not only enjoy that wild town but also hit Mount Rushmore and the in-progress Crazy Horse Memorial. From there, we’ll be making our way to the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and then

home. We also have a trip arranged to Mexico in October. In between all of that, we’ll be dusting off the motorcycle and Jeep to get out into the Colorado mountains. Healthwise, we are both doing really well and doing our best to stay that way!”

Dan Kornacki wrote that “J.R. Pigg and I were performing with our Full Throttle Formation Team in April 2025 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. While there, we were able to chat with Navy Commander Jack Keilty ’10, who flies the Blue Angel No. 2 position. He was very gracious to give a bit of his time away from all the public responsibilities he had as a Blue Angel. It was very good to hear his career path as it was like both J.R.’s and mine.”

It was good to hear from Jeff Curtis. Jeff wrote, “Not much to report. Our home in St.

Petersburg, Florida, flooded during Hurricane Helene last September, and then Hurricane Milton did some roof damage shortly thereafter. Betsy and I spent much of the last 6 months camping out in there and working with contractors to repair it. It is pretty much fixed up, and we are heading back there for a couple of weeks to finish up. Will be back in Williamsburg in late May for the summer and fall.”

Dave Smith wrote that “the holy day (which I prefer to call Pascha or the Feast of the Resurrection) had its challenges. Four days before Palm Sunday, I woke up after midnight shaking like I was on a road of potholes, and my ankle hurt so much I wondered if I could have broken it. I kept shaking for 4 hours uncontrollably and finally passed out for a few hours. I went to the ER and spent a week in the hospital suffering from cellulitis in my left calf with sepsis. For a day or two, I was afraid Doug’s wouldn’t be the only funeral the BRs would attend. Released on Good Friday, I managed to make it to Mass on Pascha, and that was beautiful. They tell me that the swelling in my calf and foot will last another 2–6 weeks, so that area is very stiff and sensitive. I’m not dismissive of this infirmity, but I am healing. Despite my pain and inconvenience, I am grateful for Resurrection Sunday and the gift of healing. It will always be a better world if we can reach beyond ourselves to something greater. Actually, that’s like rat year, isn’t it?” We will keep Dave in our thoughts and prayers.

In mid-March 2025, John Poffenbarger hosted Phil Andrews, Frank Jester, Tom Manley, Rich McGruder, Phil Southers, Eric Schwarz, Glebe Taran, and me for a 2-day outing at John’s Green Knob hunting camp in the mountains of West Virginia. This outing’s events included several hiking options and pistol shooting opportunities in addition to general BR engagement. We all appreciated the spectacular meals that were planned and prepared under the direction of Tom Manley The wood stove was not only enjoyed but appreciated in the evenings by all, as members of Cold Steel Charlie shared their stories with our non-Cold Steel Charlie BRs! A very special thanks to John for this opportunity to get together,

Class of 1979: Attending the memorial service for Doug Doerr in Woodbridge, Virginia, May 10 are (from left) Rich McGruder, Peter Underwood, and John Arthur.

Class of 1979: Pictured at the memorial service for Doug Doerr in Woodbridge, Virginia, May 10, 2025, are (seated, from left) Anthony Pais, Frank Jester, (standing) Phil Southers, Rich McGruder, Park Smith, Pete Underwood, and John Poffenbarger.

including experiencing the disco ball located inside the camp’s solar-powered outhouse!

It was great to hear from Dave Stocker, who wrote, “Greetings from Central California. I was fortunate enough to retire in early 2019 and haven’t missed the workweek grind in the slightest. I occupy a few days each week trying to perfect my golf game while wife Sheila works tirelessly as the president of our HOA. We are looking forward to a 4-month around-the-world cruise starting in January 2026.”

Keith Ranker checked in to report, “Well, we are having some real excitement around here! A brush fire started in our city and, by Friday night, we had cinders falling in our yard, and there was smoke everywhere. We were ordered to evacuate because the fire was only a block away. We spent 2 nights in a Fairfield Inn. They heavily discounted our room rate because we were ordered to evacuate. We were able to return Sunday afternoon. The fire is still burning but is confined to an undeveloped area. About 1,400 acres burned, but nobody lost their home. Praise God! Over 250 firefighters were involved.”

Keith continued to report that his family is all well.

Greg Weaver checked in and reported that he addressed the VMI Board of Visitors during their May 3, 2025, meeting. Greg said, “I spoke to the board about the true meaning of being a real VMI man and class. I gave our class leaders Tony Hamilton, Paul Jussel, and Jose Gomez the proud recognition of being our Class of 1979 elected class officers.”

Ray Duffett checked in with an awesome update. Ray wrote that he performed his last total knee replacement surgery in Ohio with his youngest son, Ross. Ross graduates from

the University of South Carolina School of Medicine May 9, 2025, and then will start a residency in orthopedic surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland. Ray retired from private practice in Ohio at the end of April 2025 and will begin a part-time role at the Atrium Wake Forest Baptist orthopedic department in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in May 2025.

In early April 2025, Grady Andrews and John Colonna joined me for lunch with “the Greek,” George Eliades, in Richmond, Virginia. It was great to catch up with everyone as we hope to have “lunch with the Greek” become a regular event in the future!

It was also good to hear from other BRs who checked in, including Larry Adams, Pete Alvarez, Ben Bauman, Bill Bersson, Jos Biviano, Tim Bridges, John Carty, Hank Chase, Dave Choplinski, Nick Collins, Jim Elliott, Ali Erfani, Jeff Goldhardt, Jose Gomez, Jim Harrington, Tom Herbert, Chip Humphrey, Ed Johnson, Jim Leavitt, Steve Lyon, Chip Marohn, Mike Mendez, Jeff McLean, Harlan Niehaus, Mike Ogden, Asa Page, Robert Park, Rick Parkinson, Earl Pilker, Greg Quinn, David Riedel, Tim Ritzert, Steven Scaglione, David Sholler, Dave Taylor, Brian Tollie, and Tom Trumps I want to thank everyone for your continuing support. As we begin to look towards our 50th Reunion, we are developing various plans and activities for the “road to our 50th.” Our focus includes BR communication, BR engagement, and BR outreach activities leading up to our 50th Reunion in April 2029. These are in addition to the planning for our reunion and reunion-related activities. Be on the lookout for additional details

and opportunities for our journey on the “road to our 50th.”

As I close these class notes, Doug Doerr’s passing is a reminder to us all to seize the moment to connect with each other. If it has been a while since you last connected with a BR, please take the time to reach out and reconnect! RVM!

John Gibney Jr.

Hello, Brother Rats!

These notes cover the period from Feb. 15–May 15, 2025. These are the last set of class notes to be published before our reunion in October. As stated at the end, please confirm that your contact information in the VMI database is correct.

The period began with email messages to Dave Gleason and to Tom “Gunny” Kelly on their respective birthdays. Aaron and Nancy Bush sent a card with a family photo containing New Year’s wishes. I exchanged email messages with Doug Walker. Doug requested a list of our deceased BRs, which I sent. He also confirmed that he is planning to attend our 45th Reunion and has made a hotel reservation.

My email to Gary Kessler on his birthday was returned as undeliverable. So, I called, and we corrected his email address in the VMI database. Gary is retired, lives in North Carolina, and one of the ways he keeps busy is playing golf. He keeps in touch with Dave Hagemann, Bob White, and Alex Woelper and is planning to attend our 45th.

Tim Hodges sent a text noting that Col. Schreiber from the chemistry department passed away. I connected Tim with Steve Andrews, my 4-year roommate and a chemistry major. I communicated throughout the period with Tracy Wilson, primarily regarding the English Premier League. I send him articles from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Tracy confirmed his attendance at our 45th, along with his roommates, Dan Conn, Vince Copenhaver, and Dennis Jacobs

I exchanged email messages with Ed Elliott on his birthday. Ed was watching the snow fall in Roanoke and adjusting to not working full-time. He plans to attend our 45th and to encourage other BRs to attend.

I spoke with Mark McLean on his birthday. Mark is retired, lives in Florida, and is doing

Class of 1979: Brothers rats attending the service for Doug Doerr in Woodbridge, Virginia, May 10 are (front row from left) Pete Underwood, John Arthur, Tom Manley, Parke Smith, David Riedel, Mike Mendez, Phil Southers, Greg Weaver, Rich McGruder, Rodney DeCorte, John Carty, (second row from left) Joe Tudor, Danny Sheahan, Tom Baltazar, Brian Tollie, Dean Smith, Dave Smith, Pete Alvarez, John Poffenbarger, Jeff Minnix, John Kailey, Al Soltis, Anthony Pais, Ed Johnson, Eric Schwarz (third row from left) Randy Hawkins, Frank Jester, and Tim Bridges. Not pictured is Joe Bonsignore.

well. We discussed his participation in the VMI Class of 1980 Foundation. The following day, I included Mark and Chal Glenn on a text message to Jody Morgan on her birthday.

I attended the Volunteer Leaders Conference at VMI Feb. 28–March 2. My visit included a meeting to discuss our reunion that included Pat Griffin and Rob Robinson. As described in a separate correspondence, unlike past reunions, there is no formal “reunion committee.” VMI manages the entire process through the class agent. Friday evening included a dinner at Frankie Rowland’s in Roanoke. Jay and Trudy Melvin, Rob and Elizabeth Quarles, and Rob Robinson and Krystal attended. Saturday, I had dinner with John Alerding, Frank Hilton, and Tim Hodges in Lexington.

Although scheduled for February, March began with dinner with Lewis Toms. Lewis lives in New York City and works at JFK Airport. We try to get together every few months. He plans to attend our 45th. I invited Chris Dombalis to join, but he was unavailable. Chris lives in New Jersey, is working full-time and traveling extensively, and may not be able to attend our reunion.

I spoke with Gary Levenson on his birthday. Gary has fully retired and is transitioning back to Chester, Virginia. We discussed getting together in NYC for a steak dinner.

I spoke with Ed Bower on his birthday. Ed is retired and completing construction on a house in Bedford, Virginia. I agreed that Patti and I will stay there with Ed following our reunion, as we also want to visit the National D-Day Memorial since we traveled to Normandy in October 2024.

Joe Paustenbaugh sent an email with several attached photos of life in Utah. Joe is retired and living in Liberty, Utah, 60 miles northeast of Salt Lake City. Joe and Michelle enjoy camping, hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and biking. Joe works at a nonprofit resort and invites brother rats venturing west to come out and enjoy some of the activities. He closed by writing, “See you in October.”

Frank Hilton and Scott Sayre copied me on a series of text messages with a history lesson regarding the first cadet posted as a sentinel in 1839.

I spoke with Craig “Wiennie” Wilson in response to an email about Moody Hall, which is being razed and will be replaced with a new structure. We also discussed the winter weather in Virginia Beach. Wiennie is still running his construction business and playing as much golf as possible. Dennis Maguire sent a text message with a photo of Elliott Wolffe taken on St. Patrick’s Day.

disaster relief organization. He is looking forward to attending our reunion.

For no explainable reason, birthday cards to Hugh Fain, Rick Legere, and John Lillard were returned as undeliverable. I confirmed that the address on each card was correct. John Lillard wrote that he had a great lunch with Walt Kreitler and Peyton and Beth Campbell. The lunch was set up by Jack Keane, but Jack was unable to attend due to a back problem. John plans to attend the reunion.

I copied John Blankenship, Dusty Boyd, John Caplice, Gene Scott, and Jeff Washington on a text message to Hugh Fain on his birthday. I also called John Caplice on his birthday. John is retired but is working with a friend to help his business. John and Margie had just returned from South America with plans to travel throughout 2025.

Bruno Loefstedt sent an email message with attached photos. Bruno and Janet hosted Phil and Kathy Munisteri at their home in the Greenville, South Carolina, area. Janet is recovering from knee replacement surgery. Bruno continues to do volunteer work with Team Rubicon, a veterans’

April began with an exchange of email messages with Tom “Gunny” Kelly and Rob Robinson in an effort to further communicate the status of the reunion efforts through the newsletter that is published by the VMI Class of 1980 Foundation (VMI80.org). Wording was provided to Gunny, who is the president of the foundation, and in their April newsletter, the communication was included. Thanks, Gunny and Rob. In connection with the above, I spoke with Gunny, who is retired and lives in Boise, Idaho. Mike Kelly also lives in Boise, where he is an attorney. Gunny also said that Kent Oelrich has a son who is attending Boise State University.

I spoke with John Alerding on his birthday. As expanded on below, John will be retiring for the third time at the end of April. John is retired from the Air Force and from teaching high school in Buena Vista.

I sent an email to Rob Quarles with a review of a book about Earl Weaver, the longtime manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Rob grew up as a fan of the Orioles.

I exchanged text messages and then spoke with Andy Brown on his birthday. Andy is still running a nonprofit in Northern Virginia and is building a house in the Asheville, North Carolina, area. He plans to continue working remotely.

I spoke with Wade Stinnette after reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about the pros and cons of various forms of hernia surgery, which we are both scheduled to have sometime in 2025. Wade had his in May and is recovering nicely.

I spoke with Pat Griffin on his birthday, which coincided with the Easter weekend. Pat speaks regularly (every morning) with Dennis Maguire and learned that Dennis was on a train from Boston to New York City to spend the

Class of 1980: Dwight Pearson with Walt and Mary Lynne Wood at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, in April 2025.

Class of 1980: Joe Paustenbaugh hiking near his home in Utah in August 2024.

weekend with his daughter.

Tom Bersson sent a text message with an attached photo taken at the Virginia Beach VMI breakfast. Mike Luning, Ali Mahan, and Dixon Tucker also attended.

Lewis Toms sent a text after receiving his birthday card. As Lewis lives in NYC, we planned to celebrate over dinner—see below.

I communicated with John Alerding’s wife, Anne, a professor of biology at VMI, to assist in arranging a retirement party for John, as John retired in April, scheduled for the first weekend in June. Patti and I plan to attend. Other potential attendees include Tom and Amy Bersson, Ed Bower, Frank and Wanda Hilton, Tim and Vicki Hodges, Robby and Beth Jones, Gary Levenson, Jay and Trudy Melvin, Rob and Elizabeth Quarles, Rob Robinson and Krystal, and Dan and Cindy Sweeney

I exchanged email messages with Mitch Alexander on his birthday. Mitch wrote he did not have much new to report, but he would not be attending our reunion.

April closed with several text messages and a phone call with Ed Baker following the Carolina Hurricanes winning the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Ed sent a follow-up NHL-related message commenting on the NY Rangers’ hiring of a new head coach. Ed and Dianna will not be attending our reunion due to a previously scheduled vacation.

May began with a text message from Bert Schneider containing an article from the University of Arizona College of Engineering, where he is a panel member for interdisciplinary capstone design review as a mentor. In a second message, Bert sent a photo taken with the staff of the Tucson Medical Center Children’s Hospital following a visit where he dressed as Darth Vader.

Walt Wood sent an email with an attached photo. Walt was joined on the Appalachian Trail by Dwight Pearson in Pennsylvania. Walt was considering visiting New York City with the goal of walking over the Brooklyn Bridge but has changed his plans.

Jim O’Connor, Lewis Toms, and Tracy Wilson have a common birthday, and I called each of them. Lewis celebrated with friends and joined me and Patti for dinner at our favorite Indian restaurant. Tracy is still consulting while Jennifer is still traveling extensively, next to Sri Lanka after returning from China. I left a voice message for Jim.

Chal Glenn sent a text message with a photo taken with Doug Conyers, Robby Jones, and John Shuman at Robby’s house in Lexington in February. Chal also wrote that he and Doug

attended the last home basketball game at VMI March 1.

Pat Griffin called. He has been elected as an Alumni Association Board of Directors vice president. Congrats, Pat! In May, Pat and Beth will be returning from Lynchburg to spend the summer at their beach house in Rhode Island.

I exchanged text messages with Bill Roelofsen on his birthday. Bill lives in Charlottesville and is doing well, volunteering and taking classes at UVA. He is not planning to attend our reunion as it conflicts with a planned trip to San Francisco to visit his stepson and family.

Kirk Deadrick sent a text message after receiving the Alumni Review. Following an exchange of text messages, I called. Kirk is retired, and he and Dana have relocated from San Antonio to Greensboro, Georgia, to be near their grandchildren and Dana’s parents in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They also celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Kirk saw Mike Flinn before leaving San Antonio, had lunch with Tim Cox, and keeps in touch with Chal Glenn, Mark McLean, Al Ramer, and Jed TenHoeve. Kirk will probably not attend our reunion.

Josh Priest sent an email noting that he has not been receiving reunion-related email messages. I confirmed with Josh that his information on the VMI database is correct, then reached out to VMI to address the issue. Josh plans to attend the reunion.

Rob Robinson sent several text messages and email messages throughout the period with ideas for our reunion. We are scheduled for a Zoom call May 19 with Tom Bersson and Pat Griffin. We also have a meeting at VMI June 5 to advance the reunion process.

I exchanged email with Tony Zoetis on his birthday and with Forrest Marion on his birthday. Both replied that they were doing well. Tony plans to attend our 45th, but Forrest does not.

Ted Helmick sent a message with an attached photo after reading the Alumni Review. Ted and his wife, who is retired, live in Virginia. Ted is working part-time and is also still working occasionally in Florida building houses. And, as a result of his working in Florida, he will now serve jury duty there. Ted has also returned to playing the saxophone in various 40-piece bands in Virginia and in Florida. He plans to attend our reunion.

Thank you to Steve Andrews, Dwight Pearson, Allen Ramer, and Wade Stinnette for reaching out on my birthday. All are planning to attend our reunion. I spoke with Jeff Washington on his birthday. Jeff has been retired since 2019 but keeps busy with house projects. Renee is still working at a local Richmond-area community college. Jeff is unsure about attending the reunion. Lastly, Patti and I are retiring in 2025. I worked full-time through May 9, will work part-time through Aug. 31, and retire fully as of Sept. 1. Patti’s last day is Dec. 31, 2025. We are discussing our next chapter, but, for now, we will remain in NYC and maintain our house in the Poconos. And the Knicks are still in the NBA playoffs!

Please take a few minutes to confirm that your information on the VMI database (vmialumni. org/ranks) is up to date. Accurate information is essential to keeping you informed, especially with

Class of 1980: Jay and Trudy Melvin in Roanoke, Virginia, in March 2025.

Class of 1980: Chal Glenn, John Shuman, Doug Conyers, and Robby Jones in Lexington, Virginia, in February 2025.

regard to our 45th Reunion. Finally, some alumni opt out of receiving communication from VMI. This can be accomplished while still receiving communication (email, cards, etc.) from me. Please contact me if you have any questions or need assistance.

Thank you for your continuing support and for keeping me in the loop via phone calls, text messages, and email. Apologies for any delayed responses. Hope to see you in October in Lexington!

Jerry Manley

Brother Rats, Family, and Friends of ’81, I compiled these notes in mid-May for publication in August. Many thanks to all who provided input! I pray everyone had a wonderful summer and that you have been able to spend quality time in the blessed company of family, BRs, and other friends—the importance cannot be overstated. Now, to subject you to my tiresome writings! Here are our notes:

Steve Tennant shared some outstanding news. He and Marianne attended an award ceremony in Clarksville, Tennessee, where Marianne’s father was posthumously presented a Congressional Gold Medal for his service in World War II and the Korean War as a member of the 65th Infantry Regiment. The 65th is one of five military units to be recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal. In February, Steve and Marianne also traveled through Southeast Asia. They started in Cambodia, where they spent 3 days in Phnom Penh and 4 days in Siem Reap. They then traveled to Laos for Steve’s 50th reunion of the American School of Vientiane. The school closed in 1975 when the Patet Lao took over the country. All the Tennant siblings attended, and we celebrated “Susie Tennant Day” in the country (as you may recall, Steve’s sister, Susie, passed in early 2024). Steve and Marianne then visited Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Pakse, and Thailand before returning to Kansas. Tim Nitz held a small bourbon

gathering at his home in mid-February. Kim was out of town, so Tim took the liberties and allowed himself the “appropriate adult supervision” for the evening. In attendance were Jeff Gill, Bruce Kitchen, Hank Lee, Jerry Manley, and Vince “V” Wood. Arriving late but in time for midrats (“midnight rations” for you non-Navy types) was Mike Denton. While the rest of us old codgers were home and nestled in our respective racks, Mike and Tim kept the party going until late that evening. Invited but absent without authorization was BR Louis Rolan! Louis, however, promised to attend the next gathering—and we are holding him to that! Good bourbon, good humor, and great brotherhood were shared throughout the night! Tim has also been playing his guitar and singing locally in the Midlothian area, most recently at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls on Winterfeld Parkway. (Not at Independence, Bruce Kitchen!)

Speaking of our dear Louis Rolan, he shared on Facebook that he retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in early May. From his post, Lou wrote: “I could not have asked for a better organization to close out my career with. An amazing group of professionals dedicated to making a difference in the community we serve. Thankful for my family, my coworkers, and all my former colleagues that I had the pleasure of working with over the last 42 years at Western Electric (AT&T), Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, American Benefit Plan Administrators, and the Federal Reserve. Last but definitely not least, thank you God for continuing to bless me and my loved ones during the good times and during those challenging/life lesson moments.

Forever grateful! To God be the glory!” (Your blessings continue, Lou, as you move into your next chapter with your beloved Darby. Congrats, BR!)

BR George Depaoli orchestrated a Class of ’81 birthday brunch March 1 at the Honor Brewing Kitchen in Fairfax. There was a great turnout for our class’ March 1 birthday celebration. In attendance were (from left) Clarkson and Denise Meredith, Kelly McCue, Frank Palermo, Grover Outland, Gary Morgan, Nick Savage, Greg White, George Depaoli, John Williams, Rick McCue, and Jim and Wendy Langan (Present for the brunch but not pictured were Ken “Piggy” Herbert, Andrew Jackson, and Pieter Nauta.) There were two VMI ’96 alumni in the restaurant celebrating their own class birthday; reportedly, they fell into shock having never been exposed to the “Grover dining experience.”

Special recognition continues as we salute Dave and Lily Openshaw. They attended the 2025 VMI Foundation’s annual Scholarship Banquet March 22, 2025. This banquet, which takes place in conjunction with the spring meeting of the Foundation Board of Trustees, recognizes members of the VMI family who have established scholarships that provide cadets with millions of dollars in need- and merit-based financial aid. Dave and Lily represented their Openshaw Family Scholarship as well as our Class of 1981 Scholarship in Honor of Don and Priscilla Jamison (Jamison Scholarship). Cadets in the accompanying photo are all Openshaw Family CE Scholarship recipients, unless otherwise annotated (from left): Jack Ericsson ’26; Ben Fong ’27 (Jamison Scholarship); John Moore ’26; Noah Rinker ’26; Valerie Tonnu ’26; Charles Liebert ’26; Sam Rooker ’25, and Mike O’Byrne ’26. In attendance but not pictured was Jamison Scholarship awardee Philip Reese ’26. Additionally, Dave was nominated and approved as a new member of the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees. Dave’s term began in July. (Very proud of all that Dave and Lily do to support these young cadets.)

The Outland family hosted a mini reunion on their shared property at Cedar Island March 20–23, 2025. Roommates Johann Cooper, Robert Digby, Mark Gonsalves, Jerry Manley, and Grover Outland were joined by BRs Mike Denton, John Ferry,

Class of 1981: Pictured during a mini reunion in Cedar Island, North Carolina, are (from left) Johann Cooper, Mark Gonsalves, Mike Denton, Rob Digby, Pete Tranchik, Jerry Manley, Grover Outland, and John Ferry.

and Pete Tranchik. Additional hosts were Jim Outland ’83 and Jim’s son, Matt Outland ’17. Along with Outland family were their longtime friends and avid duck hunters, Tom Peabody and Tom McClintick, from Midlothian. Great meals, plenty of drink, poker, and target and trap skeet shooting throughout the weekend. (Booze, guns— what could possibly go wrong? Thankfully, some of us remembered the lessons learned on the VMI rifle range!)

Great segue to my beloved roommate, Mark “Sloppy” Gonsalves! Shortly after the Cedar Island trip with his BRs, Mark and Maria took a trip to Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Indonesia. Mark and Maria had initially planned this trip in 2020 but had to postpone due to the COVID-19 outbreak and Hong Kong protests. They had an incredible trip! Upon their return, Sloppy received the great news that he was selected as the new VMI Alumni Association Region III – Northeast regional director. In this role, Sloppy will have oversight and engagements with the Buffalo, New England, New York City – Long Island, and North Jersey Chapters. As many know, Mark held the position of New York City – Long Island Chapter president, where he did a phenomenal job. (Congratulations, BR and roomie! Very proud of you, sir!)

We had our first Zoom call for our class prayer group and Bible study April 15 and have kept a regular cadence since. In attendance for our first call were Rich Bartholomew, Mike Duval, Jim Langan, Ray Lawson, Jerry Manley, Mat Merriman, Mark Olson, and Greg White. I hope many others will consider joining in when you can. We are continuing this e-gathering on the first and third Tuesday of every month. If you would like to participate, even if just to sit back and listen, please contact me. It is well worth it! (Huge kudos to Rich and Mike for being our leads on this outstanding fellowship.)

I can always count on BR Jim Frishkorn to provide solid inputs for the Review. Jim and Mei-Ling’s oldest granddaughter, Dreama, completed her junior year at Ole Miss and has applied for medical school. During her college breaks,

and other medical professionals as they performed a variety of surgeries. Dreama’s sister, Grace, will start her junior year this fall at Christopher Newport University, while her brother, Chance, a rising high school senior, plans to attend VMI. Chance is currently focused on VMI for a civil engineering degree and a commission in the Air Force. Over the past year, Jim had the distinct pleasure of serving as the Panama City Post president for the Society of American Engineers. He received tremendous support from Wayland Patterson ’80, who serves as his second vice president and will assume the post president duties in 2026. Their post has continued active involvement in a variety of STEM activities involving K-12, college students, and Native American scholars—notable efforts that were showcased in the March–April 2025 edition of The Military Engineer magazine. Mei-Ling and Jim started their countdown toward Jim’s April 2026 retirement. Jim has proudly served as BB&E’s lead engineer, overseeing the $5.3 billion rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. His highly skilled and diverse technical team was also responsible for managing MILCON programs at Offutt Air Force Base (2019 flood recovery effort) and Joint Base Langley-Eustis (bed-down the F-22 Flight Training Unit schoolhouse

Dreama shadowed BR Mark Kanter

Class of 1981: Dave and Lily Openshaw with recipients of both the Openshaw Family and Don and Priscilla Jamison Scholarships at the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet in March 2025.

Class of 1981: Brother rats and their spouses gather at Honor Brewing Kitchen in Fairfax, Virginia, to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the class’ Breakout.

Class of 1981: Visiting Ed Oast in March 2025 are (front row, from left) Jeff Davies, Ed, Larry Butler, (back row) Wirt Shinault, Rob “Cos” Costello, Geoff Hinshelwood, and Jim Hart.

and construction of F-22 maintenance facilities). Jim can be satisfied that his efforts will have a lasting positive impact on our national defense. (Very impressive, Jim!)

John Reed sent a quick note to update the class on his status. John is currently living in Madeira Beach, Florida, just west of Tampa. He is semiretired, still doing artwork, and currently boat shopping for his next adventure. His youngest child finished her freshman year at the University of Tampa this spring, and his older kids are now both out of college and pursuing their careers. John’s plan is to buy the boat of his dreams and spend the next 10 years or so living aboard. He plans to bounce around from Virginia to Georgia in the summers and be in search of pirate treasure and the perfect margarita throughout the Caribbean during the winter season. John is inviting anyone who might happen to be as unencumbered as he is to join him “if they think they can put up with an ornery ol’ bastard such as myself.” John reports that all in all, God is good, and he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. (You are living the dream, John!)

Ray Lawson decided “kind of at the last minute” to retire from his adjunct faculty position at the University of South Carolina, Aiken. Ray shared that he “did some neat things at USCA, but I took them as far as I could without having a Ph.D. Call it a lack of ambition, but I just don’t feel like going for a Ph.D.” As a result of that decision, Ray and Gale have started planning fun trips with their grandkids. Gale has also started planning home projects that Ray seems to have neglected over the years. She is definitely going to keep our BR busy!

Jere Harris has been doing quite a bit of travelling. He flew from Cancun to Miami to pick up his lovely bride, Patricia, then flew to Charlotte and rented a car to drive to Lexington. He spent a couple of days in Lexington to attend his nephew’s wedding at the House Mountain Inn. Per Jere, “Wedding was very close to where we made our forced hikes up the mountain—brought back some good memories! Wow, I really had a chance to see the beauty in the area and was amazed at how small the downtown still is. Loved it!” While in Lexington, Jere tried to connect with BR Wirt Shinault, but it seems Wirt was out of town. Jere also shared that “I invited Wirt to come visit us in Mexico, but it seems he has no intention of ‘not ever going to Mexico.’ ... lol.” Jere shared that he is building a great rooftop bar for any BR that wants to make the trip and join him and Patricia.

Glenn Zaramba proudly shared that his youngest son, Bryan, graduated from the University of Wisconsin business school in May, earning an MBA. Glenn and Charlotte celebrated

Class Notes

their 25th anniversary in December 2024 and are enjoying grandparent life with their two dogs, Major and CoCo, and two cats, Teddy and Suki. They recently visited family in Charlotte, North Carolina, and watched their grandson Kyle’s high school lacrosse games. Requesting prayers, Glenn shared that his son, Scott, was treated for thyroid cancer last fall and, so far, has been healthy. Glenn is still driving for Autopart International (formerly Foreign Autopart) and recently completed his 10th year. Glenn loves driving and also enjoys motorcycling. He belongs to a Gold Wing riding group.

Rich Bartholomew wrote that he and Nancy are doing well in San Antonio. Rich has been retired now for 3 years but still does some parttime consulting for a friend out of California who needs help with Air Force facility and infrastructure design projects. Rich advised his friend that he is happy to help as long as it doesn’t interfere with retirement activities, and she has done a great job staying within the boundaries of that agreement. Rich and Nancy are amazed at how busy things always seem to be in retirement. They are spending a lot of time with their kids and grandkids who live close by. Rich is getting out to the golf course a couple of times a week and does some volunteer work on Fridays. Other than that, he tries to stay ahead of Nancy’s project list, success for which is determined on a daily basis.

Another great update from the Wolvens! Greg is keeping very busy as the Town of Burkeville, Virginia’s, volunteer assistant town manager, spending 40-plus hours a week trying to resolve problems that have been ignored over the years. Ann is keeping busy on the town council, where she is chairwoman of the personnel committee and a member of the planning committee and the emergency services committee. On the home front, Greg put up an electric fence around their seven apple and four peach trees as a herd of deer traverses their property regularly and takes advantage of the unguarded fruits. Ann has kept busy making strawberry jam and planting her vegetable garden. Greg and Ann became grandparents in December 2024 when their daughter, Katie, and her husband, Billy, had a little boy named Henry!

Ken Pierro retired from FEMA after 8 years, taking the “deferred resignation” recently offered by the new administration. Ken and Diana celebrated by taking a break from caring for her parents to be on iceberg watch on the first cruise of the year from Seattle to Alaska. It is the first time Ken has been to sea with a private head (latrine) in his stateroom! Ken shared, “Now that we are back home, my days will be filled with

drowning worms and trying to get ahead of the honey-do list. Retiring, cruising ... the only thing missing from being an official old fart is telling long boring stories about medical issues!”

Trip Lloyd wrote to say he continues to be on involuntary administrative leave from USAID through July 1, 2025, when he and many USAID employees will be RIFed. Trip had planned to retire in 2026, so this pushes his planned retirement up 1 year. In other news, Trip started another season with the Virginia Renaissance Faire May 10 and was also in rehearsals for Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “The Rocky Horror Show.” He and his bride, Anne, fulfilled a 3-week bucket list cruise through the Panama Canal in April.

Some quick notes from BRs and family:

Rob “Cos” Costello shared a quick note. He and Jen are enjoying their retirement, and to keep busy, he is building a house on his property at Roanoke Rapids Lake to replace his old motor home. They expect construction to be complete by Thanksgiving 2025! Cos shared that he is looking forward to having BRs visit in summer 2026!

Ed and Linda Boylan checked in. They are settling into life in southeastern North Carolina. As of this writing, their new construction home is projected to be complete in another 3–4 months— call that August/September—and they can’t wait to move in. Ed found out that Paul Shoemaker ’85 and his wife, Cindy, live just around the corner and truly enjoy their company.

C.P. Davis is staying busy (as is his norm!) with several consulting engagements and interim executive assignments. He had his family together for Mother’s Day. His youngest son, Thomas, completed his sophomore year at HampdenSydney, doing well in both the classroom and on the tennis court.

Bruce Kitchen orchestrated a gathering of a few BRs at the Benedictine’s 15th annual Boxing Smoker. BRs in attendance were Mike Denton, Mark Gonsalves, Bruce Kitchen, and John Locher. Tickets, sponsorships, and donations this year supported the newly established Coach Joe Arnold Scholarship.

Mike Sawyer sent a short note and shared that he has never before submitted a picture for the Alumni Review but had a very special occasion to share. Mike was with his youngest son, Noa, at this year’s Legacy Day in April. Noa really wanted to see VMI, and Mike is hoping he will matriculate with the Class of ’34! (Well, Noa, I am including the photo of you and your father in this edition just for you, sir!)

Ken “Catman” Morris attended a cookout April 19 with most of his poker group that includes our

BR Dickie Augustine, along with other notable alumni: Jed Tenhoeve ’80, Chip Buehler ’82, Kendall Avery ’82, and Hal Hamner ’84. Dickie was the grill master for the event while he and the other gents (and I use the term loosely!) enjoyed good beer and cigars.

Tom Albro was visiting with his brother, Brian, near Seattle in March. Tom connected with BR John and Lori Myers and was able to share lunch with them both. Per Tom, it was a great time and wonderful to catch up with John and Lori.

John Ferry took the time to drive several hours to see BR John and Patti Dixon. John only meant to spend a couple of hours, but I understand he was there almost half the day! However, it was well worth it! Both Johns are tremendous BRs, and “Johnny D” is blessed to have the wonderful Patricia as his loving bride!

Mike Placzek chimed in and reported that he underwent an atrial ablation Feb. 18—7 years to the day that he had his first afib attack! Mike feels great and wishes he had done the ablation sooner. With Mike’s permission, we are sharing to simply underscore the importance of maintaining good health, getting your annual checkup, and maintaining positive communications with your doctors on any known medical conditions.

Deb Baron is proud to announce that her granddaughter, Grayson, graduated in May with a Master of Science in business from Mays Business School, Texas A&M. Grayson has been hired as the communications coordinator for Kansas State Bank Group in Manhattan, Kansas. Deb finally sold her home in Houston and is

comfortably settled in her new Abilene home.

Brian Quisenberry went turkey hunting in early May with BR Jeff White on Jeff’s property in northeast Hale County, Alabama, just south of Tuscaloosa. They had a great time trying to bag a turkey, but the end score was: Turkeys 1; BR hunters 0.

John and Jody Locher were heading to Lexington May 15 for their son, Jack’s, final parade and associated events leading up to his graduation the following Saturday. John and Jody are justly proud. (Congratulations to you, Jack Locher ’25, from the VMI Class of ’81!)

Visits with Ed Oast at the Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital continue nearly weekly. Credit goes to our steadfast Tidewater BRs. While there have been many visits since our last Review submission, the picture accompanying this article was taken in late March. In attendance were Larry Butler, Rob “Cos” Costello, Jeff Davies, Jim Hart, Geoff Hinshelwood, and Wirt Shinault. As I have often stated, please continue to pray for Ed and visit when you can. Being blunt, and barring a healing miracle, Ed is not expected to leave the transitional care facility. Any and all visits by BRs truly lift Ed’s spirits and brighten his days.

That is “all the news that’s fit to print” for this edition, my brothers. Please stay healthy and stay in touch! If you have not been receiving my class emails, please contact me soon. We will be updating contact info as we begin planning for our 45th Reunion in fall 2026.

Love and God’s many blessings to you all. In the Bonds of VMI and the Class of 1981, Jerry

1982

Will Council

It’s another fine spring day in Tennessee. We are in between days of rain and the occasional flooding, which it seems to prefer to do on the weekends when I am out camping with scouts! Last week, my tent flooded through the rain fly, allowing almost 2 gallons of water inside, soaking my gear and sleeping bag. This was a first for me, although I am sure some of you who were Army or Marine were familiar with this routine.

Enough about underwater camping; let’s see what has been going on in our class ranks. If you

have not heard, our very own Jose Suarez has been appointed to the VMI Board of Visitors. Fran and Jose are doing well in St. Augustine, Florida. I believe they have finally settled down now. Jose confirmed that he was honored to be appointed by Governor Youngkin to the VMI Board of Visitors in April, and he attended his first meeting in May.

Class of 1981: Mike Sawyer with his youngest son, Noa, during Legacy Day in April 2025.

Class of 1982: Jose Suarez and Cadet Louis Marangoni ’27.

Class of 1982: Jose Suarez and Duke Addison.

While there, he caught up with Keith Jarvis on post. Also met Cadet Louis Marangoni ’27, while he played with the Commanders jazz band for the BOV. He is a very sharp cadet.

I could not let Jose off so easily and asked for pictures of him and Fran, sort of, to make it officially in the notes. He replied with several, including one with his 98-year-old mother-inlaw from December. She was recovering from a broken hip and had spent several months with them. Fran, mostly, was very busy taking care of her. She is doing great and back at her home in North Carolina. Oh, and at some point, Jose had lunch with BR Duke Addison

Neal Rogers checked in on Facebook Messenger; he is officially retired after 37 years with Virginia Housing. He is enjoying the smalltown feel in Tappahannock, Virginia, expecting their fourth grandchild in June, and looking forward to the next chapter in life. So I had to ask what the next chapter would include, and it looks like a cruise from Southampton to Dublin, Ireland, and to Normandy.

Bob Louthan has done a fantastic job of writing a much better tribute letter for Chuck Pace. I fumbled Chuck’s announcement badly in the last set of notes, thinking there would have been more in the Taps section. Please take a look in the After Taps section.

OK, so I can’t get Joel McBroom to send me anything directly, but he is active on our FB page. He let us know that our very own Darren McDew is scheduled to address the Class of 2025 at their graduation ceremony, which is probably going on right now as I type these notes. Joel was also mentioned in my phone conversation with John Holmes

Sometimes I do get results by poking and prodding in these notes. I called out Dick Justice for promising a Christmas note, and he finally did respond! He was visiting his dad (Class of ’56) and took the time to read the Alumni Review. He and Kathie are still hanging out at Smith Mountain Lake and have been to the Institute a couple of times over the last half year. Latest was in late March when they met up with Guy Marangoni’s son, Louis, currently a 3rd in Band Co., along with a couple of his roommates. Had a good meal with them in Lexington. Shortly after, he was fortunate enough to have lunch with Guy and Leslie in Stafford on his way to spend some business time with the beautiful people of Northern Virginia. Guy and Leslie continue to enjoy life and are getting accustomed to retirement. Their son, John, is a flourishing musician with the musical talents of his mother—fortunately, not his dad! Haven’t heard much from Kevin Smith, George

working on their French every day. If anyone is coming to Paris, please look them up! I am such a wine snob, I did not know those boxed wines were in French. Congratulations, Tom; reach out to George Seiferth—he’s in the next country over.

Susan Boyd let us know that John had back surgery in April and is recovering well, though still in some pain. Their oldest grandson turns 16 this summer, and they welcomed his newest brother this past December, which brings the total number to four in their family.

Eddie Keith announced his retirement with a photo montage of his very active and diverse 50 years in the workforce. Eddie first retired from many years in the Air Force as a combat engineer, which allowed him to command two squadrons, two groups, and a wing. Those commands included being the base commander at Andrews AFB (Presidential Support Base and home of Air Force One) during the attacks of 9/11 and commanding the largest installation in the Department of Defense, Eglin Air Force Base. He spent 9-plus years at the Los Alamos National Laboratory as the maintenance division leader and the director of infrastructure programs. Los Alamos, the home of the Manhattan Project, is truly an iconic institution. Finally, he spent almost 10 years with AECOM as a vice president of federal programs and as a senior director for global program management. It has been special to be part of a team that was just selected as the program managers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. I invite you all to see his photos, and someone please tell me why he is shoveling dirt into an upside-down traffic cone?!

Harry Bitzberger sent in the picture of his recent trip to Nashville to catch up with Charlie Sanger and Daryl Deke. They had gathered at the Deke’s house for an informal, unofficial chapter meeting of the Hair Club for Men. Just look how happy they are, arm in arm like that! Apparently, Charlie can still fit into his cadet blouse, and we will not go there for Harry and Daryl.

Seiferth, or Cory Attra lately, but rumor has it they are alive and well. Dick also had the pleasure of supporting a cadet career day back in the fall and was impressed with the cadet Corps.

Tom McCune sent an update. After 34 years of his academic medical practice, he is hanging up his stethoscope. He will retire as professor of medicine and chair of his division in nephrology. But it will not be a relaxing retirement. He and Mollie and their cats are moving to Paris for a year so he can study wine at La Cordon Bleu. They are

John Holmes called me with great news about his recent health scare of cancer. He wants everyone to know that he is grateful for the prayers and love, which led to his full recovery. He also mentioned his son just graduated magna cum laude from East Carolina University. John continues to make the trip back to VMI for the Marine Corps banquet and enjoys seeing the alumni as much as they love seeing him, too.

Bill Burnette’s wife, Tamera, passed away just recently, and I hope everyone who knows Bill will keep him and his family in their prayers. This was shared on our class Facebook page by Lynn Heltzel

Class of 1982: Jose and Fran Suarez celebrating her mother’s 98th birthday in December 2024.

Class of 1982: Daryl and Sherry Deke with their daughter, Rylee, and son-in-law, Mike LoBosso, at their wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley, California.

Daryl and Sherry Deke were in California in May to attend daughter Rylee’s wedding. Both Rylee and Mike LoBosse graduated from Notre Dame. If you check out the wedding photo, you can see there is no doubt about the mother/ daughter relationship. And Daryl and Sherry would have won the best-dressed competition if they had attended any Hollywood gala while they were out there. Also in attendance were Harry and Michelle Bitzberger and Richard and Jill Woolwine

So, I needed some advice from an engineering friend about how to insulate the interior walls of concrete block and rock. My obvious choice was to call my old roommate, Jeff Modisett Good choice, as Jeff has been in the business of remodeling businesses for a long time. Our conversation could not stay on subject too long without drifting over into distilled spirits ... bourbon, to be more precise. If you recall, Jeff got to experience a portion of the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky a few years ago, and he informed me that Bill Towler had done an even bigger tour recently. This then led me to call Bill up to confirm if he had been to Kentucky to support the local economy and not allow the tariffs to Canada to completely kill off this vital industry in Kentucky. Bill and Kate did return home with the axles dragging on the carload of beverages. Thank goodness they were not involved in an accident; there would have been a big blue flame on the highway. We have decided that further investigations need to be made to determine which would be the best bourbon for our next reunion. We will keep you posted. Anyone wanting to join us let us know!

Another old roommate, Chip Gibson, sent me a very nice email after getting the last set of notes.

Class Notes

He had heard about Jose being selected to the board but could not find anything official so had sat down to write to me for confirmation. (Like I would know something? The class agent is the last to find these things out!) Chip admitted he still had not opened the plastic wrapping on the latest Review ... is there any after-market value for “new in packaging” for the notes? Anyway, Chip asked his lovely wife, Becky, to read the notes out loud while he composed his email to me. My closing remarks still hold true. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends and former roommates. Reconnect! Most of us are getting into that retirement frame of mind, so more free time to say hello. Thanks, Chip, and thanks, Becky; it is nice to know that wives still like to hear about our classmates and their spouses even though we are getting a little greyer and a little rounder.

Special thanks to Daryl and Jose for the photos contributed to this set of notes. I would love to see more from everyone. Hope you all have a great summer.

Will Council

Brother Rats,

By the time you read these notes, spring will have passed, and you should be enjoying the closing weeks of what I hope was an enjoyable and fulfilling summer with family and friends.

Jennifer and I are well and looking forward to heading home to New Hampshire this summer for some quality time with our family. Mark Waters and I met for dinner in Old Town Alexandria and spent the evening catching up on our respective families and other goings-on in our lives. Mark is doing great, and I look forward to catching up with him again soon. In other news, effective July 1, my tour of duty with the VMI Alumni Association Board of Directors is complete. Serving on the board was a very rewarding experience to work with fellow volunteers who care so dearly for our alumni and alma mater. As I step down from my role as Region XIV – Northern Virginia and Metro D.C. co-director, I am very pleased to report that BR Steve Amato will be (is now) filling my vacancy. Steve, along with fellow co-director Andrew Bradshaw ’17, will make a superb team representing our NOVA/D.C. alumni and the Institute. In other board-related news, and as

most of you are aware, Teddy Gottwald, who serves magnificently on our Board of Visitors, was elected as the interim board president until the end of June of this year. Teddy humbly opted out of consideration for the next year’s election. When Teddy completes his term as acting president, he will transfer the position to Jamie Inman ’86, the board’s newly elected president. Jamie was Duane Ray’s dyke, and I am certain Duane would be most proud of Jamie for not only his distinguished military career but for his continued service to VMI.

So, to continue our update—several BRs checked in to share their news, and I received many photographs—all fit for publication in the Alumni Review. Steve Amato reports he and Mary had lunch with Jim Stader in Woodbridge, Virginia. Steve said it was great to share fellowship with Jim. In April and May, Steve and Mary drove for a 16-day road trip to and throughout Florida, and the total miles driven were 2,952. Their specific objective was to visit the three national parks in Florida. So far, they have visited over 20 of the 63 total national parks—they certainly enjoy hiking and exploring the national parks. During their road trip, they visited with family, friends, and brother rats. In Jacksonville, Florida, they had dinner with Joe “Campi” Campisano and his lovely wife, Silvana. They had a wonderful time catching up on life, noting the last time they saw Campi was at our 25th Reunion. Their evening ended with many laughs and reminiscent stories. Following Jacksonville, they stayed with one of Steve’s roommates, Steve “Bambi” Godwin, and his very caring and sweet wife, Lori. The Godwins’ hospitality was wonderful as Steve and Mary spent two nights with them playing card games, dining out, and recalling various travel stories. It had been 3 years since Steve and Mary last saw the Godwins. After their visit with Bambi and Lori, the Amatos begin their exploration of the three national parks. The first was the Everglades, which they explored for 2 days. During this leg of their journey, they observed over 40 alligators, many varieties of birds, manatees, and an American crocodile. Their next leg took them to Biscayne National Park, where they enjoyed the underwater beauty of the coral, sea life, plant life, and the contours of the ocean bottom. The third and final leg of their park tour was Dry Tortugas in Key West, where they boarded a catamaran to travel to the island and toured Fort Jefferson, went snorkeling, and relaxed for a while. On their return drive to Virginia, they met Danny Chu and his wife, Lois Ann, for lunch at the Ponte Vedra Inn Golf Club. Steve added that it was wonderful to see Danny and Lois Ann, who he had not seen since our 40th Reunion. Steve and

Class of 1982: Harry Bitzberger, Charlie Sanger, and Daryl Deke.

Mary hit the road again to visit friends in Bluffton, South Carolina, where Steve was introduced to Paul Russo ’87. VMI alumni are everywhere! In closing, Steve wanted everyone to know he is still selling class challenge coins to BRs, so if anyone is interested, just call or email him at amatostevemary@gmail.com.

I received an inspirational note from Bryan “Binky” Henderson and Mark Henderson highlighting what they’ve been up to. Mark has been an ultramarathon (anything more than a marathon) runner for about 30 years. Within the last few years, he was called to stop running “for Mark” and to start running for the Lord. Bryan wrote that when he looks at the hundreds of races Mark has run over the last several decades, it becomes very apparent that the Lord blessed him with an incredible ability. Knowing that most of these ultramarathon races take place over a weekend, runners have no opportunity to attend church; Mark, in 2024, started Runners’ Church and now travels from race to race and conducts a non-denominational Christian church service before every race he goes to, then continues the ministry down the trail, running alongside of and ministering to runners. In its first year, Mark’s services supported 27 events and covered more than 2,700 miles of trail ministry. If anyone wants to know more about Runners’ Church, you can get more info at runnerschurch. com. As for Bryan’s passion for endurance running, he wrote that a few years ago, when COVID-19 kept everyone home from work, he started extending his 3-5 mile runs, and within 3 months, he was running half-marathon distances. After he retired, he moved up to a marathon and then an ultramarathon. Over the last few years, Bryan has been running ultramarathons. Just in the last 5 weeks (as of this writing), he’s run three: A 106-miler with Mark, which took 33 hours to complete but yielded dual second place finishes; a 100-miler 2 weeks later, which he completed in 30 hours, placing 44th out of 130 runners; and finally, 3 weeks later, he ran a 30-hour race completing 112 miles and placing first among 27 runners. In the meantime, Mark was running multiple 30- and 24-hour races in other parts of the country. One weekend, running separate ultra

events in Georgia and South Carolina, Bryan and Mark each won their respective races—not too bad for two brothers over 60 winning ultras in the same weekend! Bryan called out Warren Groseclose for cheering on and encouraging Mark in a Virginia race several months back. Bryan added that he has learned so much about the human spirit from running and has been able to apply so much of what of what he learned at VMI. “You can always do more than you think you can; you can truly be whatever you resolve to be.” Though he’s won several races, winning races has never been his goal. Bryan said, “Persistence and overcoming the hurt when everything says, ‘Stop, please!’ and then to keep putting one foot in front of the other, just running the mile that I am in—not the whole race—has become the victory and the life-lesson.” Additionally, to be able to bring the gospel to fellow runners as he runs has been more rewarding than any medals or podium finishes. Bryan added that he has also been fortunate to have as his orthopedic surgeon Dr. Scott McGee. They get together occasionally. Bryan reports that Scott is alive and well and has a great orthopedic practice in Albany, Georgia. Scott, if you’re reading this update, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you.

I received a brief update from Lynn Seldon. He and Cele have a new travel book with Reedy Press coming out in the fall. It’s called “100 Things to Do in the South Carolina Lowcountry Before You Die” and, along with “100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die” and “100 Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die,” it will complete their “Lowcountry” trilogy. Congratulations on publishing your latest work, Lynn and Cele!

John Manning sent news about his nephew, James Manning Jr. ’25, who graduates in May. James completes a long family history with VMI that started with John’s father (1954), brothers (1979 and 1990), and son (2011). James was also recently featured in one of the cadet stories of impact released in April by the VMI Alumni Agencies. That’s a tremendous legacy, John. John’s update also celebrated his being a grandfather for the fifth time. Little Eli was born in April, and his provisional appointment has been requested for the Class of 2047. John ended his update by stating that he is still enjoying life in the

Class of 1983: Mary and Steve Amato with Lori and Steve “Bambi” Godwin in April 2025.

Class of 1983: Steve and Mary Amato with Lois Ann and Danny Chu in May 2025.

Class of 1983: Will and Mai Creekmur with their daughter, Khailani.

Richmond area, being retired, officiating high school basketball, and playing golf whenever and wherever he can.

I received a quick update from Will Creekmur In his note, he shared some very nice photos of his family, including his and Mai’s baby daughter, Khailani. Will was pleased to report all is well, and everyone is happy and healthy.

Tony “Snake” Arnold checked in with another Mark “Moose” Airaghi update. Here’s what he had to say, “Snake here, took Moose Airaghi to lunch two more times; Merchant Hudgins has now joined the free ride, and Snake continues to pick up the tab. Bubba still hasn’t called me back.” If anyone can help Snake connect with Bubba Hazelgrove, please do.

As you might recall from our last class update, Steve Hodak is retired, but not really, as he’s still working for the same folks but as a contractor. In his update, Steve shared an interesting story about his dad and three uncles who served in World War

II.Steve’s dad and his brother, Glenn, served in the Pacific, and the other two, Arnold and Vic, served in the European theatre as aerial gunners on bombers. Steve’s Uncle Glenn, a gunner aboard a B-29, was shot down over Japan and did not return home from the war. Though lost, Uncle Glenn’s remains were recovered and positively identified and returned to Youngsville, Pennsylvania, to await internment in May with full military honors. In closing, Steve added that while he never knew his Uncle Glenn, “having been born 15 years after he died, he always felt a kinship, a closeness that can’t be described unless experienced. What a marvelous way to have closure.”

In my listing of honorable mentions for just reaching out to check in or exchange texts are BRs Mark Benvenuto, Marty Curry, Hugh Daughtry, Mike Devens, Mark Jamison, John Geis, Ivan Marcotte, Whit Owens, Matt Waring, Gene Warren, Mark Waters, and Spence Westbrook. Also receiving honorable mention is Cal Murray for his VMI sports updates.

Here’s an admin note for your consideration regarding VMI-related mail and emails. Every year, I send holiday cards and birthday cards, and several are returned to me due to incorrect addresses. Please know that I cannot update your mail address or email address with the VMI Alumni Association; only you can do that. To update your contact information, please go to VMI Ranks at vmialumni.org, click the “For Alumni” pulldown menu, and open “VMI Ranks,” where you can create or update your profile. You may set up your notification preferences as well on your personal profile page. Please update or create your profile so we can make certain you receive your cards and receive the information you choose to receive.

In closing, football season is around the corner, and it is my sincere hope to meet some of you at a home game. If any of you do link up, please share a summary of your meeting with any photos for our next class update.

Best wishes to you all, and as ever, stay well and stay connected.

Jamie

Sam Browne

Dear Brother Rats, I pray this latest edition of our class notes finds

Class of 1983: Mark Waters and Jamie MacDonald in Alexandria, Virginia, in March 2025.

Class of 1983: Mark and Bryan Henderson cross the finish line together for a second-place finish at the Swamp Fox Ultra Marathon in March 2025.

Class of 1984: Bill Dyer at the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland.

Class of 1984: Wes and Kelly Demory with their son, Reece Demory, at Reece’s commissioning into the U.S. Navy.

Class of 1984: Hon. Stephen Reardon is sworn in as a VMI Board of Visitors member by Hon. Bradley Cavedo, presiding judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Richmond, Virginia. Cavedo is the son of the late Frank Allen “Buck” Cavedo ’47.

you and your family in great spirits as we move into the next season. As many of you know, we lost another brother rat, Mark Alan Hooker, Feb. 27, 2025. Mark passed away after a short illness with his mother and brother by his side.

I count our class lucky to have not one but two members on the VMI Board of Visitors: Stephen Reardon was appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to the BOV in February 2025 and joined Hon. William R. Janis, who was appointed in July 2024. Congratulations!

I spent some quality time in Lexington in March 2025 to attend the Volunteer Leaders Conference that VMI hosts. I had the opportunity to connect with Tom Graham, who was there representing the alumni chapter. I was fortunate to share a meal and drinks with Tom Graham and Tom Gillespie at The Palms—the beer is still as cold as you remember.

Greg Cavallaro checked in May in response to the request for materials for the notes. Thank you, Mr. Cavallaro; much appreciated. Greg began his retirement in January 2025 by dealing with a rotator cuff injury. He reminded me that Barry Coceano did say retirement is not for sissies. Greg went on to note that they spent 1-and-a-half months in Siesta Key and Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. Then flew out to Las Vegas in March with a group of lake friends to see The Eagles at The Sphere. Greg noted that he had an awesome time, and he believed that any band in there would be worth experiencing. Because of the torn RC, he was unable to join the fellas

Class Notes

again in the annual Perky palooza in Pinehurst in April, so instead, they went to spend 10 days with friends in North Myrtle Beach. Did Greg mention he had a torn RC? He added that being a gentleman of leisure ain’t too bad (I’m looking forward to it)! Greg and Marlene are looking forward to their next big adventure—a September safari in Cape Town!

Greg conveyed that Coceano is now officially a Parrot Head as he and Dawn built a house in Margaritaville, Panama City Beach, where they hang out with neighbors Dan and Kelly Grillone, eating cheeseburgers in paradise! If only someone would make a song about that …

Wes Demory checked in just before the class notes deadline and shared that he and his wife, Kelly, visited the Institute to attend the graduation and commissioning of their son, Reece Demory ’25. Congratulations, fair

winds, and trailing seas to you, Reece.

It is funny: Bill Seaver and I have worked less than a mile from each other for like over 20 years. We’ve run into several times in the last few months in just about the same place on the mall. Since we work just blocks from each other, Bill and I took the opportunity to share a meal with over 500 high school students visiting D.C. for the cherry blossom festivities.

Bill Seaver also convened the ’84 contingent for drinks, eats, and fun for the Caps versus the Blues. Thanks to Will Collier ’06 for organizing a wonderful event where we had the opportunity to connect with other alumni. Enjoyed catching up with Mike Kay; Bill Seaver; Matt Martin; Phil Schied; Tom Anthony; and Dallas Disbro ’12 and his friend, Tatianna. We began at the Capital One Arena and the Devils Backbone Lounge, then took the party to Clyde’s next door. Great time connecting and planning for the next event, which is a Nationals game July 6. Hope to see more BRs out and about. Quick note about Dallas: Back in summer 2011, he interned for me at the Department of Energy. It was good to see Dallas after so many years, and he shared a note after the Caps game indicating how much he enjoyed hanging out with ’84, and he planned on staying in touch.

On a serious note, Tom Anthony checked in with me in April to see how I was faring with regards to the Deferred Resignation Program that is a feature of the federal government these days. Tom, I really appreciated your note, and the fact you were thinking of me bolstered my spirits. Perhaps by the next writing of class notes, I may have crossed over to join Greg Cavallaro and Barry Coceano in terms of retirement. Stay tuned.

Ashley Johnson emailed in May to confirm he received the Christmas card late since he had moved to Federal Hills from Owings Mills. Ashley appreciated receiving the card and was writing after having just read the class notes that mentioned the passing of our beloved brother rat, Mike Ewell. Ashley relayed that he was still thinking about and grieving for Rob Clark, who passed last October. Until about 2 years prior, Ashley and Rob spoke regularly, about every 2 weeks or so. Ashley is still racing and shared the results of his two latest races: The Sole City (176 of 2,170; fourth of 48 for males 60-69) and the Ronald McDonald Red Shoe Shuffle (award winner for age group, 35th of 2,232; first of 80

Class of 1984: Bill Seaver, Tom Anthony, Sam Browne, Phil Schied, Matt Martin, and Mike Kay.

Class of 1984: A group including Jeff Levenson, Jeff Perkins, Dave Phillips, Ken Gill, Steve Woolwine, Bob Chapman, Lee Wimbish, Spruill Thompson, Pat Becker ’89, and Spencer Williamson ’85 playing golf.

males 60-69; gender place 33). He shared the results as a testament to God’s gift of providing him with good health, given his age. Keep up the great work, Ashley.

T.J. Palmer checked in from Nashville, Tennessee, and noted that he was doing fine. T.J. and his wife, Cathy, are planning their summer vacation, working on the house, scheduling our VMI home football game visits for fall, etc. They plan to get in some visits to Florida to care for aging parents—I think many of us are experiencing this. I am doing well, BR; thank you for asking. He came across a picture of him and R.G. McManus and the memories of 30 years ago in summer 1995. R.G. McManus and T.J. had the opportunity to participate in a military aircraft flyover together at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. R.G. was the aircraft commander of the B-1 Lancer bomber, and T.J. was an F-117 stealth aircraft demonstration pilot. Glad we got a photo. They got to fly close to one another, and it was a great day.

and our community and for your caring, thoughtful leadership of our beloved Institute. Over the past 6 years, I have been fortunate to see firsthand how the VMI Alumni Association leadership, alumni volunteers, the administration, staff, faculty, and Corps of Cadets have worked collaboratively together to forge a new 21st-century vision and strategic plan for the Institute. By avoiding the pitfalls of groupthink and VMI’s echo chamber, VMI is finally looking forward and not back. VMI is an amazing place, filled with amazing people, and well worth both our financial and moral support.

Bill Dyer checked in to say thanks for the birthday wishes and shared a quick update. After 39 years of military service, it took him about 10 minutes to acclimate back to being a fulltime civilian. Bill began the next chapter with an unsupported solo backpacking traverse of the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland. Bill is busily planning similar future adventures and extended the offer to any BRs who backpack and dig this kind of extreme “fun.” Let him know, and maybe we can venture forth together. Ashley Johnson, are you listening?

Goodnight, Mike Efremov and Rob Bready Goodnight.

The reunion was an enormous success, and I would like to recognize and thank the VMI Alumni Agencies staff, under the direction of Joe Irby and his merry band of volunteers, for their efforts not only for ’85 but for all the reunion classes and for their day-to-day commitment to the alumni. I think the way that the Alumni Agencies staff takes point for reunion efforts is a real improvement. It was a great time—fun to see everybody having a fun time with their friends and family and hanging with their roommates. The different activities and events were perfect venues for us to spend quality time together. The weekend couldn’t have been nicer, and I think Joe and his team did a great job making ’85’s reunion the best reunion we have ever had, especially with the added bonus of so many of us being there and some for the first time—welcome back!

’85:

Well, ’85, it is time again to drop some notes. As we are all aware, Gen. Wins and his lovely wife, Cassandra, are off to the next chapter of their lives together. On behalf of the Class of 1985, a grateful alumnus, and your friends, thank you both for giving so much back to our nation, VMI,

I would like to apologize to Hugh Hill for getting his retirement details wrong, and for the record, Hugh retired from UPS. Also, I got some “name” spelling wrong earlier, and for the record, Dr. Vic Bernet has not had his name changed! Sorry, Doc!

There has not been a lot of communication from you all for notes, so in short, I am thrilled to report that lots of our BRs’ kids are getting married, and many more of our friends are becoming grandfathers at an alarming rate! Jim Spellman shared he retired from his long and impactful law enforcement career, and Sam Maroon has also retired, so now he can have more free time to help Amanda raise their beautiful children, Emily and Louie! Ken Hirlinger also sent me a note that he was joined by fellow VMI alums at the YMCA Invitational swim meet, with Luter Y represented by two former VMI swimmers (Coaches Ken Hirlinger and Larry Watson ’86). Greenie informed me that he and his golf cult did their annual golf trip to Alabama this time, and it was a fun, well-attended weekend. Finally, Mark Carroll and George Halages took a boat trip

Bill Wieners

Class of 1985: Father Kevin Fimian holds the class guidon during the parade at the 40th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 1985: Coach Larry Watson ’86, Coach Katie Seward, and Coach Ken Hirlinger at a swim meet at the Luter YMCA in Smithfield, Virginia.

Class of 1985: Bill Wieners with Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, the Institute’s 15th superintendent, and Cassandra Wins during the U.S. Army pinning ceremony May 15, 2025.

VMI Class of 1985 40th Reunion

down the Rhine River, and Knobby says, “Go to Amsterdam!”

I could go on for pages about all the friends I saw and stories and laughs I had at the reunion, but I am not going to bore everyone; if you were there, then you know, and if you weren’t, then you missed it. We all had a blast. I will share only these two memorable encounters: The first was watching Fat Daddy getting mugged by the baldies at the supe’s reception, and the other is that Woo Woo is still traumatized from the spring ball when he was rightfully attacked during a full-contact scrimmage by an amazingly gifted and talented, though slightly unhinged, defensive lineman walk-on!

1986

I hope you are all well. Don’t forget to give generously and often to VMI.

RVM,

Bill Wieners

Clint Hubbard

Greetings, Brother Rats and Hangers-On!

It is mid-May and time for another volume of class notes for the mighty and noble Class of 1986. We will do our best to avoid any “quibbling, half-truths, and evasive answers,” but make no guarantees that everything you read herein is certified. As it is actually May 15, happy New Market Day!

If you didn’t need a reminder of the passing of years, the loss of loved ones can be a reminder that Father Time is clicking away. Our boys are all fine, but we have said farewell to some loved ones.

Condolences are extended to Todd Tabb in the loss of his mother and Frank Ladson in the loss of his father. Extra condolences to Todd, as once your mother is gone, you’ve lost your No. 1 fan. Your mother is the one who will always stand by you, no matter what the circumstances may ever be.

Frank’s dad, Mr. Ladson, was a career U.S. Navy veteran who retired as a command master chief after 31 years of service to our country—an impressive legacy. If you’re lucky, and it seems that BR Ladson most assuredly was, your father is normally the example that most young men seek to emulate. It would seem Frank learned well from his dad’s example. I do wonder how the son of a Navy command master chief ended up in the U.S. Air Force, though.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Our parents were some good people. Like most of you, I’ve been fortunate to know a good many of

the parents of the Class of 1986, and on the whole, they were excellent examples of good parents. I hope we have been as good for our kids as they were for us.

Lastly, condolences to Steve Pancham in the loss of his longtime better half, Monika Patton. Monika was a kind soul who will be missed by many. Wishing peace and comfort to all of you in the days to come.

Here’s a little VMI ’86 trivia for you. What VMI class has three BRs currently serving as presidents of various alumni chapters around the country? If you answered 1986, you’re correct. Vince Carag is the president of the Central Texas Chapter, John McConnell is the president of the Greater New Orleans Chapter, and Greg Simpson is the president of the Rocket City Chapter. In addition, Duke Ellington is the unofficial ex-o of one of the Tennessee chapters—“serving” with Hugh Hill ’85. And last but not least, Jay Thompson is the vice president of the Rockbridge Chapter. Well done, men—thanks for serving the Institute.

Speaking of John McConnell, he sent in a great update. He started off by acknowledging that it must have been more than 15 years since he last sent an update. (So, not too worry about challenging the record of our beloved BR 34, Glen Ralston.)

BR McConnell reports that in August 2024, he and his family packed up their house in Ashburn, Virginia, and moved to Louisiana, my wife’s home state. They stayed with John’s in-laws in Baton Rouge while they conducted a house hunt and remotely sold their Virginia residence. They found a nice place near Zachary, north of Baton Rouge, in November and have been settling in, including having his wife’s elderly parents. So, with their (now) four dogs and two grown kids, aged 19 and 21, the McConnells are living in their country home near the Civil War battlefield of Port Hudson on the Mississippi River.

Beyond the big news of the cross-country move, John was recently “drafted” by the Alumni Association to take on the role of chapter president for the Greater New Orleans Chapter. BR McConnell admits he’s not been very active in alumni affairs heretofore but embraced this opportunity for him to interact with other alumni in the state, and to maybe help out with cadet recruiting and support here. John says, “A brave new world for me! Wish me luck!”

I’m sure you’ll do fine, BR McConnell. Best wishes in the new domain and with your new VMI Alumni Association duties. Hopefully, the

Class of 1985: Mark Carroll and George Halages on a Rhine River cruise.

Class of 1985: Steve Medeiros and John Powers.

Class of 1985: Hugh Hill, Bill Bowman, Tom Greenspon, Mark Bornhorst, Spencer Williamson, Danks Burton, Steve Hagan, and Scott Vaughn on a golfing trip to Alabama.

new gig will afford you the opportunity to cross paths with more BRs more frequently.

Another thorough update came in from Paul Pruitt in the woods near Spartanburg, South Carolina. Paul is working for Milliken (where he has spent his whole career, I believe) and has global responsibility for EHS and engineering. Sadly, 2024 was a tough year for BR Pruitt as his wife, Elaine (his Ring Figure date), had suffered from a number of medical issues and passed away last April, just short of their 38th wedding anniversary. And within 6 weeks of Elaine’s passing, his brother-in-law of 30 years passed away. With all the sadness, Paul says although “it’s been tough, he is doing OK.” I’m sure we’d all like to extend a prayer of comfort for Paul and maybe even a virtual hug to a great BR.

Paul has immersed himself in work and spent 6 weeks in Singapore last fall on a new chemical plant Milliken was building—one of the many capital projects for which BR Pruitt has oversight responsibility. As confirmation that you can’t keep a good man down, Paul reminisced humorously about our cadet days and how he joined the skydiving club. He outlined a trip to Radford with six men in a small car, some “encouragement” (can’t print it!) from Maj. Roland Tiso ’73, and how he (Paul) jumped out of the first five or six flights he ever took in a plane. To come full circle, he noted that he has now flown well over 1 million miles between all the airlines, and he quit jumping when he got his first insurance policy (premiums!).

Thanks for a great update, Paul, and keep the faith, BR.

The notes are being finalized May 15—New Market Day to us Old Corps types. Dan Monahan sent a quick text with a picture of the “Put the Boys In” painting of the VMI cadets at New Market, along with the message that it was the best retirement gift he received. I thought, “Whoa! To get a retirement gift, I think you have to retire ...” It turns out it was a photo from his USMC retirement a few years ago. Ol’ DP, No. 20, is still running for the tape or the endzone as a civilian contractor at Quantico.

I had a LinkedIn conversation with one of BR Monahan’s old rat roommates, Planeta, C.C., Hamden, Connecticut, sir! Chris is still knocking it dead in Florida in the career placement business and following his progeny’s athletic endeavors—a son playing baseball and a daughter playing softball. He promised a more in-depth report for us.

Speaking of retirement, Jon Moody

has somewhat retired from investment research and has embarked on a new gig of being a sailboat captain, bringing his new rig from the Caribbean to its home port of Mathews, Virginia. As previously reported, various BRs have joined him for various legs of the voyage. As this report is being written, he and Gordon “Grady” White are sailing from Florida up the Atlantic Coast. I know, with “Grady” White as BR Moody’s first mate, what could possibly go wrong? Anyone but me hearing the tune in your head, “Just sit right back, and you’ll hear a tale—a tale of a fateful trip.”

Actually, BR Moody told me on the down-low that he picked BR White because, on the offchance they meet up with any real pirates, the real pirates will probably let them go as “professional courtesy” to BR White. You know how pirates and cutthroats don’t hold up other pirates and cutthroats.

We can’t wait to see the SS Moody moored in Mathews. Try and say that fast three times.

Also, speaking of retirement, you’re all on notice to obey the speed limit in the upper Shenandoah Valley, as Judge Hart was planning to hang up his robe. Unofficial, but the rumor is John Hart is stepping down from the bench and moving to the beach. That news is a month or so old, so it could have changed, but John allegedly saw how much fun Rob Mason was having at Virginia Beach and decided he wanted a piece of that action, too. More to come on the next steps—perhaps an Elvis impersonation act? The word on the street is he dusted off the Elvis act at his daughter’s recent nuptials. Or maybe it was a John Travolta/Tony Manero impersonation. Or maybe a combination? Whatever it was, I’m told it rocked!

Speaking of Rob Mason, his favorite harmonica player, Dave “Papa G” Grimm had a hip replacement surgery in May, and all is going well

in his recovery from what I hear. That’s two new hips and at least one knee—but to hear him tell it, all of the rest of the original equipment on ol’ Papa G is still working like it was when he was 21 years old, though. As Dave himself might say, “I’m just sayin’.”

At the service for Monika Patton, I was fortunate to have a brief interchange with Bill Rogers Bill is living in Roanoke and just retired from Appalachian Power, where he has spent his whole career. As I said, it was brief, so didn’t get much more detail than that, but BR Rogers looks fit as a fiddle and could probably still fit into his coatee. I know he runs across Stew Barnes and maybe Darryl Agee from time to time in Roanoke.

Of late, I’ve enjoyed some reconnection and great conversations with both Duke Ellington and Vince Morton. Duke is back in the USA after spending most of his life in Africa. He is settled in East Tennessee and working for a South African company as their U.S. agent. BR Morton is knee-deep in the pharmaceutical business in North Carolina, living near Fayetteville, I think. A funny small-world story is how Vince bumped into a high school classmate of Mikey Calkins, Jay Ball, Frank Trice, and Gordon F. McKinley BR Morton had on a VMI logo golf shirt, and the other guy made the connection as they waited for a flight, I think. Pretty cool.

Speaking of North Carolina, we might ought to try and get a bead on George Sheild. I get nervous when we don’t hear anything out of him for a while. And it’s been a while. I’m sure he’s up to no good. To repeat an old line: Hey, BR Sheild, what is the 13th word of the parapet? What’s Natural Bridge worth? Etc.

We mentioned above about some BRs serving as alumni chapter presidents.

The biggest presidency news of all is that by the time you’re reading this edition, the president of the VMI Board of Visitors will be a favorite son of ’86, James P. Inman. Jamie will become president of the BOV July 1, 2025. On behalf of the Class of 1986, I offer our heartiest congratulations to a man of principle and sterling character who has been and continues to be dedicated to the Institute. I can’t think of any BR who is better liked and more respected than BR Inman—by not only his brother rats, but his peers ahead and behind him, too. His experience, background, intelligence, and thoughtful demeanor make him well-qualified and a superb choice for this position. As cadets, we elected Jamie to sit on the Honor

Class of 1986: Greg Simpson, Vince Carag, Duke Ellington, and Jay Thompson at the Volunteer Leaders Conference in March 2025.

Court, knowing full well how important it was. That confidence was well-placed then and a harbinger of what was to come. Destiny has called him to where he may serve yet again, and BR Inman will do a super job as BOV president.

I hope you will join me in wishing him well and pledging our support. Jamie, we are proud to call you our brother rat; thank you for stepping up to serve VMI (yet again!) in this important leadership post. May God bless you, God bless the Institute, and God bless the United States of America.

A quick housekeeping note is the 40th Reunion is right around the corner, coming up in spring 2026. No details yet, but they will be coming.

Well, I think that’s about it for this round. You may stand down for another quarter, and as Bob Cabell might say, “Smoke ’em if you got ’em.” Reach out to a BR and keep those bonds tight. If you happen to see Tim Armstrong, Charlie Booth, Henry Ingram, John Pitcock, or Tony Zimmer, tell them their BRs say hello. Take care, brother rats.

1987

BillMcCarthy

Happy 60th birthday to a vast majority of the class. It has been a fun quarter talking to all the fellas who made the major milestone. Jay Pennington made the journey to Charlotte to hang out with Craig Walker for his birthday. Craig is retired after owning a restaurant and food truck. His son is in high school and looking forward to the next steps in life.

Matt Morgan also hit the major milestone this quarter. He and I were roommates all 4 years and live about a mile apart, so I get to see him more than most people. Steve Tooker is still living in Wales and looking forward to spending time touring Europe.

The highlight of the quarter for me was a ski trip to Deer Valley with some great guys. In March, Bill Callahan, Todd Arris, Mike Williamson, Monte Ferguson, Wilson Brown, Jay Nagle, and I met in Deer Valley, Utah, for a 4-day ski trip. The Echo Company roommates all bunked together for 4 years, and they had a fun time chirping at each other. Bill Callahan lives in

Annapolis and works in Tysons Corner. He and his wife have a house in Maine, as well, so he bounces back and forth. Todd Arris lives in the Palo Alto area of San Francisco and works in real estate development. Mike Williamson bought a steel fabricating business in San Diego and chases his kids around golf tournaments. Monte Ferguson lives in Fort Worth and is in the finance world.

In my room, Jay Nagle is a principal at a large construction firm in Florida. He lives in New Smyrna Beach and will hopefully have us back

once his house is renovated. Jay and I talked often when coordinating this trip. Trying to source a size 17 ski boot is no easy feat! One would argue he has built-in skis, but we managed to find a pair that worked. Wilson Brown is an avid skier, and he rounded out the group. Payne Lannom lives in Park City, and we were able to meet him for dinner at one of the best restaurants in Park City. Payne and I met the night before everyone got to town, which was great to catch up with him. My plan of bringing the lost sheep back to the flock is working well. To quote Payne, after the first 30 minutes, he said, “You are a lot. I forgot how much you talk!” I resemble that remark, and I agree.

Speaking of skiing, Dean Kratzenberg is highly engaged with the Colorado Chapter and hosted this year’s multi-class event out in the Breckenridge/Keystone area of Colorado. Dean hopes to get a better turnout next year, and there may be a different venue. Stay tuned for details. Dean really tested my eyesight this quarter. He sent me a handwritten note, in cursive no less! Took a forensic analyst to figure out what he was trying to tell me.

I was blessed to get around 40 ski days in this year. Wintergreen had an epic season, and I spent a lot of time out West visiting Big Sky, Montana, Aspen, and Deer Valley. My last trip to Aspen coincided with Jon McLean’s 60th birthday. We both had our families in tow, so once we dumped everyone at the airport, we were able to celebrate with a few sodas. Jon moved up to the big-boy planes and spends a lot of time abroad. Both his kids have moved to D.C., and, while he still lives in Princeton, I would bet he makes it back south in the future.

Mike Evans came out of the SCIF cave long enough for a 15-minute chat. Mike retired as a lieutenant commander in the Navy and then rejoined ... the Army. He took an assignment to Germany for a few years, which pushed him to the limit. He is extremely happy to have relocated to the D.C. area, and he hopes to run a few more years for a second pension. He stays in touch with Robert Burns. As you may remember, Robert started a class football that is making its way around the country looking for signatures from our brother rats. I am currently in possession of the ball and hope to have some new additions and a new owner soon.

Rob Sweaney and I crossed paths on a plane to somewhere. We were leaving Richmond to Charlotte, and I believe Rob was headed out West. He moved to Williamsburg a few years ago and looks

Class of 1987: Greg Scott and Jay Arnaiz.

Class of 1987: Celebrating Keith Washington’s 60th birthday in Washington, D.C., are (from left) Terry Fortune, Mike Maxwell, Bob Blackwell, Keith, Aaron Neal Robinson, and Clifton Coger.

great. His roommate, Cliff Bunn, had a birthday gala out in Ashland, and Rob was joined by Scott Jackson and Perry Jones. Great to see people getting together to celebrate these milestones.

Jonathan Eubank is still living in Louisa and is now working up near Lyndhurst outside of Waynesboro. Jon has been in the manufacturing world for most of his career. He recently attended Kurt Hauk’s son’s wedding in Pennsylvania. He keeps in touch with Jeff Temple, as well. Jon shoots competitive pistol and other classes through the state and runs into a bunch of BRs.

I had a great chat with our resident NFL referee. Keith Washington continues to rock the sidelines in a referee’s black and white striped uniform. He joined the 60 club and had a nice gathering of brother rats. Mike Maxwell, Bobby Blackwell, Clif Coger, Aaron Neal Robinson, and Terry Fortune all got together to celebrate the special day.

Drew Campi is truly embodying the retiree lifestyle in North Myrtle Beach. Ken Devero recently moved crosscountry to North Myrtle, as well. The cohort in crime, Mr. Bob Buxton, does not live too far away. Drew is one of the many prolific Facebook posters, so it is pretty easy to keep up with his program.

When people ask, “What do you want to do when you retire?” the easy answer is to be Terry Sutherland for a year. He and his wife, Joy, are on an insane mission to visit every bucket-list adventure while seeing every ’80s new wave artist on MTV (most recently, The BoDeans). The list has been long and strong, with the most recent voyage being an epic safari journey to the southern tip of Africa. I asked Terry for a brief synopsis, but the communication specialist could not whittle it down to less than three pages. You will have to follow him on Facebook to get the details.

Talked to Alan Greene. He is a captain for JetBlue and living in Oceanside, California. Alan said he grabbed lunch with Chip Hancock in Palm Springs recently. Chip is a pilot for Southwest Airlines out of Atlanta. He also talks with fellow pilot Michael Upton, who is a pilot of American Airlines. Bill Trammell is a pilot for United out of Jacksonville. He told me some funny Quantico stories from back in the day. Amazing how many Band Company guys are pilots (Campi flew helicopters, as well). He also said he will be

pulling more legs to Fort Lauderdale, so I hope to connect with him if we can cross paths.

Todd Burdette hit the 6-0 mark as well this period. He is still a project manager for a site development engineering company. Todd said he talks to Jeff Temple occasionally to keep in the loop. He said he just got the last Alumni Review and was happy to see Bob Buxton in the picture section. Two comments come to mind: 1) Pick up the phone; we are not getting any younger. If you need a number for a BR, download the VMI Alumni app or call me. 2) When you get the Alumni Review, just know that next quarter’s submission is due the same week, so call Dog with some intel or send me pictures!

Although the party has not officially occurred, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman is retiring as the deputy commandant for Plans, Policy, and Operations. In the fall, Chip will start as the new commandant of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University. There may be an accompanying article in this issue, but certainly the Class of 1987 congratulates Chip on a long and distinguished career. I will have more to report in the next issue, but I wanted to pass along the very exciting news. He will join James Bright in College Station, Texas. For some reason, I have suddenly become interested in attending a football game in the fall back in Texas. Who is in?!

I got a call from a fellow Alpha Company stud and the only guy from Kansas I ever met. The one and only Vernie Reichling hit 60, and we caught up a few days later. Vernie and Steve Cade have been sharing pictures of their various outdoor escapades in the hills and waters outside of Tampa. The latest trip was a turkey hunt north of town on some permitted land. Your class agent has not spent a lot of time in the woods, so I naturally assumed they went to Publix to acquire turkey. Little did I know the cost and coveted nature of the Central Florida gobbler. Vernie and his family relocated after he separated from the Army. He is now working for the Corps of Engineers. Steve Cade lives up in Jacksonville and seems to have a knack for providing me with pictures for the Alumni Review.

Like many of the great thinkers of our class, Vernie poised to me a question of great import ... “Ever hear from T.K. Farleigh?” As readers know,

Class of 1987: Having dinner in Park City, Utah, are (from left) Bill McCarthy, Bill Callahan, Wilson Brown, Payne Lannom, Mike Williamson, Jay Nagle, Glenn Kuntz ’70, and Monte Ferguson. Not pictured is Todd Arris.

Class of 1987: Matt Howard, Sean Miller, and Cait Miller visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Matt piloted this helicopter for President George W. Bush.

Class of 1987: Scott Jackson, Cliff Bunn, Perry Jones, and Rob Sweaney celebrate Cliff’s 60th birthday in Ashland, Virginia.

T.K. did make a showing to the Christmas outing this past year, and I have a good faith pledge that there is a will and passion to re-engage with the best class in barracks. I will do my best to provide an update in upcoming issues. He does live less than 5 miles away from me, but a T.K. sighting is as rare as a winning football season at the “I.” Never say die, folks ... there is hope.

John Klassen and I had some laughs reminiscing about days gone by at the Institute. John still lives in upstate New York, and, a few years back, he left his banking job to take over as CFO of a concrete/ precast company.

Pete Hansen is still running a small family law practice with his son in semi-rural Virginia. Pete is an avid horseman and is a general practice that does everything under the sun. Given his location, he has a subspecialty in immigration law.

Greg Scott sent me a picture of Jay Arnaiz when he was on the East Coast to watch Augie Arnaiz ’27 play rugby nationals in Boyds, Maryland. Greg and his family made the trek to Boyds, Maryland, to see the Arnaiz family. Augie is a 3rd and is working up the ladder, but has added a spark to the team and the rugby 7s. VMI rugby has had a really nice campaign this year. They won the consolation bracket of the tournament. Jay looks great and is back to work part-time. He is also coaching rugby on the side with his high school.

Stealing some news off of Facebook, Reid Garst announced he finally received his teaching license in the state of Virginia after 4 years of a temporary license. Glad to hear he is now official. I know he has put his heart and soul into teaching, and I am so very proud to see Reid achieve this milestone.

Steve Wilson and I hit the links earlier in the month of May up at Wintergreen. Steve retired from Northern Virginia to Waynesboro. He has some kids and grandkids in Richmond, but I normally see him when I am up at Wintergreen. He has converted those hands of steel to driving mallets, and his game is shaping up nicely. Bob Phillips recently connected with Steve in Waynesboro. One of Bob and Tracy’s daughters lives in Fishersville. Hopefully, I can get him up to Wintergreen for a visit.

As always, it is my honor and pleasure to serve as your class agent. Truth be told, I talked to a lot more people than I mentioned, but I am running out of time to submit and free space in my brain to remember it all.

Keep reaching out to your roommates and brother rats who live near you. If you travel for work, plan ahead and grab a coffee with someone you share a lot in common with but may not know very well. And send me pictures!

1988

John Keppeler

Greetings, Brother Rats,

I hope everyone is doing well and survived the winter and spring OK. I am writing theses notes in May, and by the time you read them, we will be in the throes of summer. I am usually not a big fan of summer, or winter for that matter, but at least the days of sweating my tail off in some third-world country or summer school barracks without air conditioning are over.

I hate to start the notes off on a somber note, but as we say in the Marine Corps, bad news does not get better with time. As I mentioned in an earlier email to the class, our BR Bobby Harris passed away Feb. 28 at the University of Virginia hospital. On April 3, myself and several other BRs traveled to High Point, North Carolina, to Bobby’s funeral. Those attending included Keith Washington ’87, Thorpe Whitehead, Kirk Dewyea, Chris Clark, Mike Anderson, Andrew Stewart, Jimmie Weatherford, Tim West, Ed Wetherell, and Scott Griffea. The funeral was very touching, and it was wonderful to hear stories recounted about Bobby from friends and family. It is clear that Bobby was loved and left a lasting impression on all those around him. Rest in peace, brother rat; we will miss you but never forget you!

Hugh McGloin sent me an email at the end of March. Apparently, he and Dan Shrimpton had an opportunity to see two of our BRs from Thailand,

Class of 1988: Attending Bobby Harris’ funeral at the Body of Christ Christian Church in High Point, North Carolina, April 3, 2025, are (from left) Keith Washington ’87, Thorpe Whitehead, Kirk Dewyea, Chris Clark, Mike Anderson, Andrew Stewart, Jimmie Weatherford, Mike Wood, John Keppeler, Tim West, Ed Wetherell, and Scott Griffea.

Class of 1988: Attending a Metallica concert in Blacksburg, Virginia, May 7, 2025, are (from left) James “Lew” Sigmon, Scott Stachelek, and Charlie Cayce.

Class of 1988: Pictured at the Delta Training Center in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2025 are (from left) Jim Mumma, Tom Reimann, Rob Sawyer, and John Bordelon.

Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee, chief of Defense Forces, and Gen. Kultawat Vaijai, senior adviser, Royal Thai Armed Forces. Apparently, the generals were at the Pentagon meeting with the U.S. Army’s chief of staff and took time to visit Hugh and Dan. As I have mentioned before in other Alumni Review notes, General Songwit Noonpackdee will be retiring this June, and a number of BRs are traveling to Thailand to attend the ceremony and celebrate with him. Safe travels to those BRs and their families, and congratulations to Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee

I received an email from Walt Coleman April 9. He was in Woodstock, Virginia, where he is visiting his father. While there, he ran into Mitch Heishman ’82 and Stu Heishman ’86. Walt sent along a picture of the three of them. I wish I could include that picture in this quarter’s class notes, but we are limited to five pictures per class, and we met our limit. I am trying to choose those pictures that include the greatest number of BRs to give the best exposure. That said, Walt sent the photo to the class agents for ’82 and ’86, so scan their page, and maybe you’ll get to see a picture of Walt. I hope Walt can forgive me.

We had our every-so-often Northern Virginia lunch April 25 at the Sedona Taphouse in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In attendance were Wayne Sinclair, Mike Beyer, Scott Stachelek, Derek McFarland, John Wanat, and myself. As usual, it was a good time catching up and shooting the bull with the guys. If you live in the Northern Virginia area and don’t get the lunch invite and want to, just send me an email, and I will put you on the distro list. Also, Charles Nelson hosts a monthly breakfast down in Richmond if that’s closer.

I had heard through the grapevine that our BR Tom Reimann was retiring from his career in the medical device industry and was in training to be a Delta flight attendant, which aligns with Tom and Tracey’s love for travel. Lo and behold, I got a text and picture from John Bordelon April 25, pinning Tom’s flight attendant wings on with Jim Mumma and Rob Sawyer. Apparently, John, Jim, and Rob, who are all Delta pilots, wanted to make sure that Tom was properly welcomed into the Delta fold. Thanks, guys; I am sure this made a memorable

occasion even better and speaks volumes about the VMI bond and the Class of 1988!

I received an email from Bobby Gardner. He provided the following treatment update for his lung cancer. “My oncologist found a mutation that allows me to do targeted therapy treatment (take pills) that attacks the protein that causes the cancer. Although not a cure, it does give me an extra line of defense. My tumors are shrinking. Seventy percent of people taking this medicine get at least 2 years of effectiveness (stops progress or disappears). And hopefully, in 2 years, they will come out with a second-generation drug to keep things going until they are able to turn the tide, and this becomes a chronic disease versus terminal cancer. Again, just wanted to thank you and BRs who sent

their prayers and well wishes. I feel they definitely helped! Will keep you posted in the future.” Hang in there, Bobby, and keep fighting; we wish you all the best and are praying for you!

On a lighter note, some of our BRs are turning back the clock and trying to relive their youth. On May 7, 2025, Metallica played at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, so Lew Sigmon, Scott Stachelek, and Charlie Cayce joined up to rock the house. As best I can tell, none of them got arrested, and they all made it back to their homes and jobs safely, so it wasn’t quite like the old days, but I understand a good time was had by all!

I also received an email from Al Cuellar April 8. Apparently, he was at the Gaylord National Resort in the National Harbor attending the SeaAir-Space Symposium and ran into Doug Jacobsen and Dan Salyan. Doug has retired and is living in Virginia Beach (north end) now and enjoys walking on the beach. Dan still lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and is the COO at PMAT Inc. Al sent two separate pictures of him with Doug and Dan, but again, we are at our limit of five pictures, and I am trying to highlight as many BRs as possible with each picture. That’s about it for this quarter. I hope you enjoy the summer and stay healthy and well! I really appreciate you guys sending me updates and pics; please keep them coming. I can be reached at 540429-9041 or john.keppeler@gmail.com.

RVM and Semper Fi!

Rock

1989

David A. Martin

Many thanks to BR Dave Martin for the opportunity to excel with class notes in his absence. I find myself composing this at #$%@ near the 11th hour before the due date. Who am

Class of 1988: Having lunch at the Sedona Taphouse in Fredericksburg, Virginia, April 25, 2025, are (from left) Wayne Sinclair, Mike Beyer, Scott Stachelek, Derek McFarland, John Keppeler, and John Wanat.

Class of 1988: Pictured at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, March 28, 2025, are (from left) Dan Shrimpton; Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee, chief of defense forces; Gen. Kultawat Vaijai, senior adviser, Royal Thai Armed Forces; and Hugh McGloin.

I, BR Marty Malloy handwriting a paper in the Daniels Den?

Speaking of Dave, here’s the reason why I am doing this submission of c-notes and he is not: He’s been on the Camino in Portugal and Spain! Well done, brother rat. That’s a prodigious journey over a holy path trod by millions.

I got some great notes from ’89ers hither and yon. BR Mitch Fridley took time out from his pressing schedule to report from Beatty Hollow off Route 60, west of LexVegas. He writes, “BR John Adametz came to the mountain playground to fish for a few days. We went out to The Palms with BR Gary Bissell for SRC and beers, and then John and I proceeded to catch some very nice trout for 2 days in Alleghany, Rockbridge, and Augusta Counties.” How BR Fridley finds the time for leisure pursuits, I’ll never know.

From BR Tom Fanshaw, I got a nifty Wacht am Rhein sort of note: “Back in April, my wife and extended family traveled to Europe for a Rhine River cruise. Ad hoc alumni meeting on the Rhine!”

BR Chris Ogden sent this in: “Good morning from Dearborn, Michigan! I hope all is well. I never thought that at our age, I would be working 12–14 hour days, 7 days a week, as we mitigate the effects of the Chinese embargo on rare earth metals (we are now in week four). Lots of excitement and work here at Ford. On a look towards the future, Amy and I have plans to get to each home football game this year as well as the opener at Navy. I hope to see lots of our BRs there. It’s a haul from Michigan, but always well worth the trip.”

do the 100-mile Gran Fondo ride in Frederick, Maryland, Sept. 14. Live to ride/ride to live, brother rat. Crush that thing.

Speaking of cycles and BR Wayne Jones, I get to see him now and then when he undertakes his long bike rides out toward Leesburg on the W&OD Trail. (It passes right outside my back gate.) And this is always a gratifying spectacle. He seems to be doing quite well, and that is great to see. Brother Rat Jones stands unchanged.

Ditto Brother Rat Maj. Gen. Paul Pardew is still down in Huntsville, Alabama, but trying to migrate up here to Mosby’s Confederacy. I have been keeping an eye out on their behalf for likely properties in and near Loudoun County; I sent them one recently that would have been perfect for their needs. And what did I receive for my troubles? A thank-you-very-much-but-$3.2-million-is-out-ofour-range. The nerve! I’m not giving up though,

since it’d be fun to have them in the AO. Think of the opportunities for misconduct! (And their son, CW2 Josh Pardew ’18, is back home safe and sound after flying Black Hawks through the skies over Baghdad.)

I saw BRs Randy Wood (!) and Chris Ray right after the holidays at lunch in Leesburg. Another gratifying spectacle! Invited to same but could not attend was BR Jim Masella, who lived at the time in Loudoun County. He sent an update for these c-notes that is so good I quote it in its entirety: “Ruth and I have officially moved to Lexington! (Yes, the same Ruth Masella that will be heading up some sort of ’89 wives fifth column.)

“We meet up with BR Pete Lampman and his wife, Dawn, at The Palms about every other week. This past Friday, Kent Doane joined us. He is fixing up the old family homestead in town on Main Street. I see club 70 roommates Tom Hernandez and Paul Mele frequently. Paul is a short (treacherous) drive down I-81 in Blacksburg, and Tom plans to also build a house and move to Rockbridge County. I proposed us turning Lexington into a 1989 citystate. Most BRs are down for that, as much as a bunch of 50-somethings can overthrow a small local govt. “At the very least, every other weekend is feeling like a mini reunion. We are loving it!”

From the leafy and congenial outer arrondissements of Richmonde-sur-le-Jacques a note from BR Nat Cross dropped in as if descending under canopy and executing a picture-perfect PLF in my back yard: “Had dinner with Tom Hamner and Mike Monfalcone. Tom is soon to be a grandfather, his first. My fourth is due in early September and two of them already have their appointments. Both of Mike’s daughters are elementary school teachers.”

BR Bill Bersing chimed in earlier in the year and said, “We live in Alexandria, Virginia, and I keep in touch with Mike Monfalcone, John Giltz, and Wayne Jones. I understand there are a few other BRs in the area, including Ed Herrington and Joe Grealish, though I haven’t had the chance to connect with them yet.” It was great to see Bill at the 35th with all the “Bersinglieri.” (You see what I did there? Heh.) Bill says he’s back in Italy this summer but will be returning in time to

Brother rat, I concur with the 1989-themed polity. There is a precedent for naming towns with numbers. Think of Ninety Six in South Carolina, of Revolutionary War fame. It’s in the realm of the possible. We could do it. And don’t forget you also have BRs Bissell and Fridley there in the 24450 for a reserve of unskilled labor.

And from BR Mike Karns, this and its accompanying photo: “Hello, quick update. I’m celebrating my 34th anniversary with my wife, Martha, and two of our sons by tooling along the Mediterranean coast, starting in France and ending in the Greek isles. A bucket list item. Still enjoying the glow from the 35th Reunion and all the new Facebook and YouTube connections.”

I’ve been thinking about those we haven’t heard from much in a long while. I mean you, BR Gerald D. Ernst! Where hast thou gone, BR Gregg Kendrick? BR Heath Bain. BR Tom Moore. (God help us, but BR Dwayne Miller, too!) The list goes on. Let’s see if we can shake them loose from wherever they have retreated to.

In closing, I’ll echo what BR Karns said about what a great time was had at the 35th Reunion. I was undergoing some difficulties at the time, and

Class of 1989: Mitch Fridley, Gary Bissell, and John Adametz.

Class of 1989: Pictured on a Rhine River cruise are (from left) Mark Carroll ’85, George Halages ’85, Chuck Fanshaw ’82, and Tom Fanshaw.

Class Notes

that weekend was a shot in the arm. One of the highlights was getting to talk to guys I had never really gotten to know—like BR Dave Brown! Catching up with guys I hadn’t seen in a very long time—Brother Rat Rear Adm. Adametz, BR Jon Jacobs, BR Mike Monfalcone, and many more. Let’s have more of the same on deck for the 40th. Back to you, Dave.

PS: Speaking of 40 years ... Aug. 21, 2025, will mark four decades since matriculation.

1990

Daren Payne

Greetings, Esteemed Classmates, First man checking in this reporting period was Todd Blekicki from his retirement home in Hague, Virginia, on the Northern Neck, and he’s also keeping a sailing vessel down on the river in his spare time.

Next up was Chris Callahan, checking our progress on the Southern Conference Mascot Challenge, and he also sent me a photo of him and Kelly Musick from when they got together at Yorktown, where both of their sons are serving in the Coast Guard.

Around our class birthday time, I got notes from Judge John Franklin of Fredericksburg; Terrence Kerner; Rob Hayes; Ramil Ibanez, Parents’ Council member; Bob Butler; Fred Minnegerode; and Rob Uhorchuk, who I believe, along with Rich Treanor, has a son wrestling at West Point. I also heard from Buddy Garbett, whose youngest is a 3rd Class cadet this year, and Joey Jones, who—despite a coaching change at Rockbridge High—will stay on with the new staff as head coach of the middle school football team. Also reaching out were Brad Johnson from out in Colorado; Greg Hatchett, who, for the first time in years, did not attend the conference indoor track meet this year; and Lee Griffith, who remains with Vulcan Materials in North Carolina. John King reached out as he recently became a board member of Aptarro, a private equity firm, and Pat Poon was trying to get in touch with career services to find talent for his company.

John Brethour shared an update with me in March: “Doing pretty good. I just got back from a vacation in the Philippines. Been playing catchup for the last week.” After not seeing him for a while, I got this note from Bill Madison: “All is

well with us! We have two kids (cow and plebe) at West Point, along with Gordi’s (Byrne) son (cow). Also, Mike Faunce and Chris Whittaker joined us for the Army-Navy game back in December.” Around the same time, I ran into Chilton Morris and his son, who were on post from Greenville, South Carolina, as they were stopping by on their way to the NASCAR race over in Martinsville.

Of course, with all these notes, I get questions. The following is a rundown of BRs who reached out with requests for information or answers since we last wrote.

Dave Walsh wanted to remind me to post rugby sports scores in my weekly updates. For the record, the spring team went to nationals and finished ninth in the country after winning their conference tournament.

From Asheville, North Carolina, Bryan Haslam let me know he made it through Hurricane Helene but had leftover gear from a recruiting event held in the early 2000s and wanted to know what to do with it.

Scott Spellmeyer came up on the net to ask about the duration and intensity of current sweat parties. They are not as bad and more supervised than ours but still suck.

Pat Poon was wanting to know how to find alumni to fill jobs with his company.

Matt Hemenez, Alumni Association president, and Jim Cox weighed in, wanting to know all the details of what the bar and lounge in the new Moody Hall will look like.

Paul Tallet-Kelpsa checked in to see where to send money for the reunion; I gave him my bank routing number.

Doug Spitz’ company has invented a hand sanitizer that will kill barracks plague and wanted to know how to get VMI interested in contracting for his product; it could become a big hit in barracks next year.

At the end of the reporting period, I got a question from Donnie Bowman as to how to locate alumni in the Birmingham, Alabama, area. (If any of you know of anyone, let me know!)

Chris Barker is one we haven’t heard much from recently, but he checked in with the following: “I did retire from the Air Force, followed my wife to Germany for 4 years, and then back to MacDill in Tampa, where she retired from the Air Force 2 years ago. I worked at USSOCOM for about 3 years, but when my wife retired, I decided I was tired of driving the hour each way to work and retired, too. We still live outside of Tampa, and now I am just chasing my kids around to soccer, track, softball, Scouts, and Girl Scouts, enjoying spending as much time as possible with them. I also help coach some of

Class of 1989: Martha and Mike Karns.

Class of 1989: David Martin at the Catedral Basílica de Santiago de Compostela in Santiago, Spain.

Class of 1989: John Piedmont, Randy Wood, and Chris Ray.

the teams and work as a substitute teacher in the local schools. You could say I am basically just chilling out, enjoying life, and spending time with the family.”

Another BR who’s been missing in action for a while was Phil Smith. Phil checked in with me from the Lynchburg area, where he is a lieutenant colonel and battalion commander with the Virginia Defense Force when not busy with his day job as a managing director for Pacific Life.

Mike Inteso also checked in for the first time in a while: “Doing well here in smoke-filled New Jersey. The large fire is only about 5 miles from me but not a threat. Really looking forward to the reunion!”

In April, I heard from Brett Turner: “Everything is going well here. Last year, we moved from Knoxville to South Bend to be closer to our daughters in Wisconsin and Michigan. The 8- and 12-hour drives were too much. Now we are 1-anda-half and 4-and-a-half hours, which is much more reasonable. I am now in my seventh year at Clear Ballot doing project management and customer relations. I work remotely and travel a fair amount to my customer base in Pennsylvania. It’s been a good gig and will continue for a couple more years and then hopefully retire o/a reaching age 60.”

Also, in early April, the class received a great letter from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine. I believe I was able to share his letter with a majority of the class, but if for some reason you missed it, please let me know; it was both moving and inspiring, and I know we are all proud of all BR Caine accomplished and will accomplish moving forward as the leader of our nation’s finest.

Dave Kaulfers said he’s “looking forward to the House Mountain climb—in June, I am going to climb Mount Rainier, then the next week, Mount Hood (this one will be with an ’85 guy). Also going to try to make it to the VMI versus W&M baseball game Wednesday; I work 3 miles away and would be remiss if I did not attend.” (Of note, Kaulfers left the ball game with us down 9-1 in the fifth inning and missed the 12-9 comeback victory by the never-say-die Keydets.)

Mike Mullori checked in from the banks of the Occaquan River, “No news here other than J.P. Lanzillotta and I and our old ladies had dinner with Tom and Cindy Pugh Friday. They seemed pretty much the same, but you’d

hardly expect any different from Tommy. He and Cindy were in town for a retirement ceremony or something.”

In other news from around the class, Raynor Garey is turning his drone flying hobby into a business as he is now a certified freelance drone operator and aerial data provider. Jay Whittington let me know that he relocated to his home area of Tappahannock, Virginia, after spending most of the last 20 years in Georgia, where he retired from the USAF. Dave Yockel started a new job with Bullion International Group as their director of human resources. Jim Hynes started a new job as vice president of operations at S&K Security Group, LLC! Carlos Fernandes remains on the ground in Portugal, where he is overseeing a

NATO contract for his cybersecurity firm when not busy managing all his rental properties in the States. While Carlos was back in the States on business, he was able to connect with our BR Maj. Gen. Chin Yuan Liu from Taiwan. BR Liu also reached out to me, and it seems he is in the D.C. area on a 3-year tour with a company from Taiwan—he really hopes to catch up with BRs who are in the area while he’s in the States. From out West, I heard from South Dakota rancher Luis Del Valle, Finnie Coleman from New Mexico, as well as Todd Jacobs in Little Rock, Arizona, and Bill Ator, who is still out in Colorado.

Locally, I obviously see a lot of Col. Havird in the commandant’s office, as well as our attorney Pat O’Leary and Damon Williams, Board of Visitors member. Matt Schwartzmann, Ramon Williams, and Charles Plageman are regularly around for sports events and alumni business, but I haven’t heard much out of BRs Burleson, Kornegay, Whitmore, Larlee, or Tolley in the past few months. As usual, I also hear frequently from my roommates Rich Mehl (Wilmington), Dave Ratliff (Roanoke), and Sean Hoover (New Hampshire), and all are doing well and looking forward to our reunion.

As for me, I continue my work at VMI overseeing (or at least trying not to screw up) the $300 million construction program the Institute is blessed with, thanks to my great team. I’m also working on getting a new business venture off the ground in preparation for my next career after VMI is done with me—check it out at ezpermitsva.com, and if I can help you with anything, I give a nice VMI BR discount! I also plan to be spending a lot of time out on the Potomac this summer on the boat and taking care of my 34 acres up here.

Finally, when you get this, our reunion will be less than 60 days away. I am hoping we can get at least 200 BRs in attendance, along with spouses, family, etc. It’s shaping up to be a great weekend of fellowship, memories, and parties. It’s never too late to register, and yes, you can even come on short notice, so don’t let that stop you from attending if you suddenly find you have time to be there. Really can’t wait to see you all.

As always, if you are not getting my weekly updates, please reach out to me so I can add you to the list. Thanks again for all your support for each other, myself, our class, and VMI. Looking forward to seeing you all in October and GBR!

Daren

Class of 1990: Mike Faunce and Chris Whittaker with Bill Madison and his family at the Army versus Navy football game in December 2024.

Class of 1990: Chris Callahan and Kelly Musick in Yorktown, Virginia.

1991

Chuck Story

Chris Edmonston

As we roll through 2025, please keep in the back of your thick skulls that our 35th Reunion is in fall 2026. So, apologies for the lack of notes over the past couple of Reviews; let’s get into it. If you have content you’d like to share with your BRs, feel free to drop it to me at cnedmonston@gmail. com. A couple of pointers—I like to think these notes are for us BRs to keep in touch and to reflect upon our shared experiences at VMI. I don’t think they are a good place to talk about politics, solicit for business, or talk about our opinions on current events at VMI.

Bill McClary is alive and well in the Pacific Northwest and is enjoying retirement. The attached photo shows him being inducted into the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. He’s also the vice commander for the Puget Sound chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It’s been fun watching him remodel his house and perfect his cooking skills over the past few years, and he still enjoys camping, hunting, and fishing. His youngest is finishing nursing school, and he will soon be a true “empty nester.”

Eric Hyde reports that his son, Jake Hyde ’17, is stationed in Ramstein Air Base, Germany, with his wife, Jessie, and daughter, Ava. Eric and Dana were able to visit in December and will visit again in June. Eric’s middle child, David, just purchased a home in Richmond, where Eric and Dana will attempt to help with updating. Eric’s daughter, Kelly, is now a labor and delivery nurse and working in Fairfax, while Dana is still selling houses. Eric works for DOD in health affairs and oversees the budget for the military health system. I imagine that’s an interesting job right about now. He still gets some time to go turkey hunting, too.

Dave Hart and John Childs got together for some R&R in Virginia recently. Bill Booth seems to be

enjoying commercial aviation—he flies all over the world! Interesting to see his posts on Facebook. A couple of years ago now, Stephen Smith built a boat and is happily puttering around Virginia waterways. Look for an interview with him in a future edition. Same with Mike Robichaud, who has been playing phone tag with me for the last few months.

1992

William Woodward

BRs,

Here are the latest updates from our classmates—shorter inputs than normal, so please keep forwarding me information on what is going on in your lives; your BRs want to know!

Just after the last Alumni Review went to publication, BRs Tom Timmes and Rusty Hale both sent me the enclosed picture from a job fair/career day at the Institute back in February. They ran into my son, Will Woodward ’18, recruiting for Customs and Border Protection, as well as Tom Gnecco. Tom Gnecco was there representing Davis Construction, and Rusty was there for AECOM. Rusty joked that “the ’92 guys were in need of a security presence,” so my son was enlisted. Take a look at the 2018 class notes to see another picture of my son (and me) while on a family trip to Japan and South Korea back in April. That

Class of 1991: Eric Hyde on a turkey hunt.

Class of 1991: David Hart and John Childs.

Class of 1991: Eric and Dana Hyde, with their son, Jake Hyde ’17, and Jake’s wife and daughter, Ava.

Class of 1991: Bill McClary being inducted into the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

picture is of the two of us with Mount Fuji in the background. I took another of him and me along the DMZ in South Korea but ran out of our allotted space in this edition of the Alumni Review!

In March, Tom Timmes and his wife, Vonda, along with me and my wife, Leslie, were fortunate to represent our class at the VMI Foundation’s annual scholarship luncheon. This year’s recipient was Marshall Taylor ’26, son of Carney Taylor It was wonderful to spend time with such a fine young man. See the enclosed picture of Tom, Marshall, and me at the scholarship luncheon. Next academic year, which will be starting around the time this edition of the Alumni Review makes it to your inbox, our class scholarship is partially funding two cadets. Marshall Taylor ’26 will again receive a portion of the award, as will Austin Stills ’26, Harold’s son.

Jeff Galon sent in the enclosed picture of he and his son, Zeke, down in Florida. Jeff said, “Zeke is just a freshman attackman but has made quite the impression with his lacrosse coaches. Got pulled up to play with varsity—and they just won their district title! On to regionals! Zeke has a provisional appointment with the Class of 2032 if he wants it. He would be third generation. For now, I am letting him grow into his own! I may need to reach out to the VMI lacrosse coaches soon! Any BRs who played lax with any advice for me or my son ... please reach out!”

I also received two great inputs from Neil Hennigan and Mike Starling. Mike reported, “Jenny and I went up to Pittsburgh with daughter, Sarah, over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend to visit Neil and Linda Hennigan and take Neil’s ‘mum’s’ pasta-making class. Years ago, Neil’s mom, Yvonne, spent time working in Rome and learned

the art of handmade pasta. She produces a worldclass product—both the class and ‘Yvonne’s handmade pasta.’ It’s certainly a facet of any future trip we will take to Pittsburgh!” Neil said that it was a great visit, and he and his wife, Linda, then enjoyed a nice Sunday breakfast of biscuits and gravy at a local diner with the Starlings (see enclosed picture). Neil also mentioned that he and Rich Falcone met up for lunch in Pittsburgh while Rich was up for a couple of baseball games in May. Mike also mentioned that in early May, he, Andy Tate, and Curtis Mason, along with Charles Gates ’96, supported a fundraising golf tourney for Caracal Academy, a scholarship-granting

Class of 1992: Attending a career fair on post in February 2025 are (from left) Will Woodward ’18, Col. Tom Timmes, Tom Gnecco, and Rusty Hale.

Class of 1992: The Starling and Mason families in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in May 2024.

Class of 1992: Mike and Jenny Starling and Linda and Neil Hennigan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in March 2025.

Class of 1992: Jeff Galon and his son, Zeke, at a lacrosse game in Florida in April 2025.

Class of 1992: Attending the VMI Foundation Scholarship Banquet in March 2025 are (from left) Woody Woodward, Cadet Marshall Taylor ’26, and Col. Tom Timmes.

mentorship program run by Donnie Roberts ’90 and Chuck Ellis ’90. Finally, the Starlings linked up with Bob Mason and his wife, Tami, along with their three daughters and a grandson, while the Masons were in Fredericksburg for a family wedding in mid-May.

Please let me know of any major life events such as marriages (including for our children), births, deaths, and advanced degrees so I can inform the Alumni Review. If you have a change of address, let the Alumni Agencies and I know so that we can make sure you get all VMI correspondence.

In the Bonds,

Woody

Brother Rats!

As we’re rolling toward summer, I hope the end of winter and spring has been treating you and yours well!

Wanted to start out on a little bit of a somber note as we remember the anniversaries of two of our brother rats who passed. I sent out little reminders for Mac Crumrine, who lost his battle Feb. 26, 2019, and Bill Butler, who passed away from a heart attack May 13, 2014.

When I shared these reminders, I had many brother rats reply to the emails, mostly just remembering that they remember and miss our BRs, but Kevin Roop replied to me regarding Mac, telling me that he went “to Mac’s funeral when I was living in Cali—auditorium was packed. I don’t say I’m passionate about much, but I am about men’s mental health. I serve on a board for suicide prevention for our county. I’m not a mental health professional, but I am a good conduit to help bro rats get help. My frequent head injuries made me have thoughts of suicide. I got help, on the right medication, and found positive coping mechanisms.” Credit to Kevin for sharing something deeply personal and offering to share those experiences and help however he can. Other BRs also chimed in on Facebook and by email, and it was sobering and beautiful— that’s not the right word, but I can’t find the right word—reminder to me of one of the greatest lessons I learned at VMI: You’re never alone. There is always someone to reach out to. Let’s not forget that.

Speaking of not being alone, we did have another

intimate gathering at Kindred Spirits this quarter ... Rusty Smith, Jim Langley, Don Spears, John Barefoot, and myself got together for a couple of beers. It was a nice low-key evening talking, laughing, catching up, and sharing old memories, which is what most of the happy hours turn into. And I’m pretty happy about that. Seems like every get-together, I learn something new about a BR, and it’s usually pretty amusing.

Bryan Van Deun did his share of meeting up with BRs, and he checked in with a professional update: I was promoted to chief growth officer of the Garrett Group—a veteran-owned small business and government contractor near Offutt AFB. The week of May 5, I attended the company’s first SOF week in Tampa. There, I reconnected with BR Mark Taylor and Omar Land ’91. The bonds are strong!” Bryan also connected with Clarence Tweedy and Ric Borden in Fredericksburg when he was passing through. Congratulations on the promotion, and glad you got a chance to meet up, Bryan!

Matt Gill and his wife, Rory, got a chance to meet up with Emil Moster and his wife, Kathryn, in St. George, Utah. “Emil joined us in Zion National Park in his bad$%@ truck, took us off-roading to East Mesa Trail and Observation Point—hiked 4 miles in some serious snowfall. Cool moments waiting for clouds to clear and the canyon views to open over our next day’s goal, Angels Landing. We stopped for a night at their home a couple of days later; they took us canyoneering and checked out some dinosaur tracks. Great meal on the grill. What a beautiful treat and amazing memories. Career update for the Mosters: Both Emil and Kathryn were DOGE’d the week before we arrived. Kathryn worked for years as a health outreach officer for Health and Human Services, whose grant funding was recalled, and security escorted her team out with 2 hours’ notice. Tearful day, she said. Emil has worked in the IT software development and program management for the U.S. Coast Guard Logistics unit for 27 years—up every day at 0445 working with his Washington, D.C., team remotely until 1400 and traveled often to San Diego and D.C. His program ends May 1. Both are working the network for opportunities!”

Thanks for the update, Matt. Glad you had a good time with them, but sorry for the drama Emil and Kathryn are having to deal with. If anyone can think of or sees an opportunity for the Mosters, you can get the information to me, and I’ll pass it on. I’d also add that, as Emil had mentioned before and Matt reminded me, Emil and Kathryn lost a child in a car accident 20 years ago and help other people who have had the same tragedy happen by working with support groups.

Tucker Worsham reached out to get the contact information for Troy Spencer, as he was going to be traveling to Los Angeles and wanted to meet up. Note: The CA rules don’t really let me give out contact information, so what I usually do is, if you ask me about someone, I’ll pass a message to whoever you’re looking to make contact with and pass your information to them so he can reach out. Anywho, that led to an update from Troy: “Hope all is well in your corner of the world. I just got back from spending 5–6 weeks in Virginia. My mom had to get some incredibly complicated spinal surgeries. (She was on the operating table at UVA for approx. 15–17 hours over a 2-day period!) She’s almost 81 years old and, for obvious reasons, the surgeries were not anyone’s first choice, but there really wasn’t a viable alternative because she was looking at being wheelchair-bound and in excruciating pain for the rest of her life if she didn’t address the issues surgically. Fortunately, I was able to take FMLA leave to help her through at least the first stages of the recovery process. Thankfully, after quite a number of ‘bumps in the road,’ she is recovering and trying to put back some of the 20-plus pounds of weight she lost. We are still in Manhattan Beach (an incorporated coastal town in Los Angeles County about 4-5 miles south of LAX). We bought our current home in 2022 after renting it in early 2020, just before the start of California’s (very!) lengthy COVID-19 lockdown. We were renting because we lost our prior home during the 2018 Woolsey fire that wiped out quite a bit of Malibu. Oddly enough, we were about 3 weeks from finishing a 1-plus year remodel on that house when it burned. Hopefully, lightning doesn’t strike twice! Our son just accepted admission to transfer to UC Berkeley after completing his second year of ‘junior college’ (basically, community college with 15-20,000 of your friends). Our daughter is a freshman in high school, and we are just hoping to stay the course for the next several years before turning to our next chapter in life (whatever that may be). Hope all is well, and I will connect with Tuck. Thanks!” Thanks for the update, Troy. Sorry to hear about what your mom is going through, but glad she’s on the road to recovery.

Bill Cox also checked in with minutes to spare: “Things are good in Bill’s world. The weather is changing. I have spent the last few weeks putting some finishing touches on our river cottage. We pulled the carpet in one of the rooms in early spring and, lo and behold, found hardwood floors. So, to use engineer speak, we experienced some project creep, and I ended up redoing the floor in the room, pulling the old linoleum out of the bathroom, laying new tile in there as well as new

Lincoln Swineford

fixtures, vanity, etc. Redid the wood floor, and let’s just say they have character. The cottage was built between 1900–10 and has hardwood throughout, so I will be redoing the other rooms this fall. This weekend will put the finishing touches on the boat to get it ready for summer and hopefully get it in the water this Saturday. Should be a good summer; the crabs are already out, and I had my first catch for dinner Monday night. I talked with Raleigh Trumbo briefly. His mother passed away, and we agreed to meet at the river and hoist a beer in her memory this summer. Raleigh has a place on the Piankatank River about 15 minutes by boat from me, and I have seen him several times out on the water. Work has picked up significantly, and my plant has gone from 2 days of backlog to over 2 weeks. If this can be taken as a sign of the economy, then things are booming. We are running steel for the new ballpark here in Richmond and the new casino in Petersburg, as well as multiple other projects. Beth is doing well and continues to be busy at work. Addison is just finishing her first year at Columbia Law. Her 1L position is in D.C., and she already has her 2L lined up at Paul Weiss in New York. Dacie is here in Richmond and working. We don’t see her as much as we would like, but she is well and doing well. As is William, who is flourishing with various instruments. He is in the jazz band at Freeman, as well as their marching band. So, everyone is well and doing their thing. Eric Eversole, Gerry Bingeman, Hunter Hutchens, and Higgy Higgins are all well. I keep up with them via a longstanding text thread. We hope to get together this summer in Lexington since we missed hunting last fall. Other than that, we are headed to Bermuda in about a month for a needed vacation and meeting my sister there, as well. We bought the drink package, so let’s just say challenge accepted.” I know you’re going to make us proud by making them regret offering you a drink package. Last cruise I was on, you had to have 10 drinks a day before you started hurting them, so there’s your goal! Raleigh, very sorry to hear about your mom.

John Weeda posted about the leadership roles our BRs have in the Alumni Agencies: Lou Petrillo and Ayen Torchik are involved in the Williamsburg Chapter as president and treasurer; the commodore, Erik Nilsson, is the head of the Norfolk Chapter; Kelly “Bam Bam” Holbert serves on the Keydet Club Board of Governors; and our own Jeff Williams let me know in late March that he took over the Oklahoma Chapter as president. That’s great news, and great that we have guys giving back and helping out. And I’d like to thank John for his activity and keeping us all informed about the goings-on at “Mother I.” It’s

Class Notes

nice to have someone “on the inside” that can give all of us some perspective.

Our rats (Class of ’96) recently had a memorial for Jamie Edge ’96 at Arlington. Rick Barnes made it to the memorial and said that ’96 did a great job memorializing him and that they still have the spirit banner that Jamie hung from the smokestack before a football game when they were rats, which is a pretty legendary story. Jamie was Rick’s rat, as they were both Eagle Scouts in the same troop in Virginia Beach.

Also, we got the news in April that the 1993 Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Cadet Hollie Sauceda ’28 from Clovis, California. When I was notified, I reached out to the everpresent VMI guard room to send a stat to her room. Apparently, they’ve got a new system. I don’t know what the system is, but the cadet I left the message with told me it might be a couple of days because it was the Corps FTX that weekend. About 15 minutes later, Cadet Sauceda called me. Turns out she was not on the FTX because she was at a water polo match in Philly. We talked for about 10 minutes, so I could get a little background. She grew up in California and visited exactly one college during her search: VMI. She said she’s known she wants to serve and work in the government but not necessarily commission in the armed services. She was considering the FBI, and she wanted a college that would give some structure and would also give a good education and that the FBI might look favorably upon. When she was at a high school water polo tournament, she met the VMI coach, who recruited her to come to VMI as a partial scholarship athlete. After talking to her, I was impressed. Clear, concise, good sense of humor, respectful, and sounds like she’s got a good head on her shoulders, especially as a rat 4th Class cadet; she was polite and just seemed like a pretty good cadet, based on our 10-minute conversation. I’m proud that our scholarship was awarded, and after talking with Cadet Sauceda, it seems like the Institute made a very good choice on our behalf.

So, that’s what I have in terms of updates and news. The Swinefords continue rolling along with a big May in store for us: The youngest daughter graduates high school May 21, and the middle daughter graduates nursing school May 22. April and I are pretty proud of them, but I am very much looking forward to replying ‘stop’ to the next Chesterfield County School text I get, as well as clicking that ‘unsubscribe’ button on the emails. I know we’re not alone in that we’ve had kids in our school system for 21 years now, and while I’m grateful to the outstanding teachers they’ve had and the administration that has helped them

get solid educations, I’m looking forward to not getting those texts and emails. Also, the oldest has locked in her wedding date of May 2, 2026, so I’m dealing with that. I did manage to contract Bell’s palsy back in March, which was weird as can be. According to my doc, a lot of people carry around the virus responsible for BP, like chicken pox and the shingles, but it’s inactive. In my case, a combination of stress and lack of sleep triggered it. I was very fortunate that I had just about the mildest case of Bell’s palsy ever; I had about 3

Class of 1993: Rory and Matt Gill with Emil and Kathryn Moster.

Class of 1993: Omar Land ’91, Bryan Van Deun, and Mark Taylor at Special Operations Forces Week in Tampa, Florida, in May 2025.

weeks where I felt like half my face was falling off, and then it started getting better, and within about 3 more weeks, I was back to my ruggedly handsome self. It can take some people up to a year to recover, so I got off lucky. April kept telling me I didn’t look bad and that you really couldn’t tell I was having an issue unless I smiled. My episode was mild enough that I couldn’t really move the left half of my face, but I fortunately didn’t have the drooping that is characteristic of BP. But minor medical hiccup aside, our life is good, and we’re only having to deal with the normal BS people our age deal with—our kids finding another gear as

they head to college or out into the world while we grow a little slower and older. As long as we don’t grow up.

One last note: Moody Hall is going away, as most of you know. I double-checked with the Alumni Association, and they said demolition should start sometime next year, so Moody should be there for the upcoming football season. I plan on getting up there with our alumni flag. This is one of the red, white, and yellow flags with 1993 on it that flew at our 25th Reunion. It’s hanging in my garage now, but I am going to take it up there and fly it from the Moody balcony one last time and get pictures of it and of our BRs who are around for the opportunity. I’ll let you know what game(s) I’m going up for to make this happen. Just something to have in the back of your head for the fall. The football schedule has been published, but I really haven’t dug into it yet, so I don’t know which game yet.

Thanks to everyone who sent in an update. If you haven’t sent one in recently—or ever—then send one along so we can catch up.

Hope you all have a great summer! ’93, ’93, ’93.

1994 Clay Campbell

Clay Mountcastle

Spring has sprung, and summer is upon us, brother rats! 2025 is flying by, and the news from ’94 is hotter than your gray blouse at the end of parade. Getting caught up on some notes from the beginning of the year, Doug Estes wrote in to report, “My family and I moved again last fall, taking a position as associate professor of religion at New College of Florida. My latest book (came out a few months ago) is an edited volume, ‘Theology and Tolkien.’” Sounds fantastic, Doug! One might say, precious ... (see what I did there?)

Meanwhile, Doug’s rat roommate, Aric Southworth, checked in from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Just across the bridge from Charleston, home to a certain wannabe military school, the name of which escapes me at the moment. Aric wrote, “This past October, my wife and I and a friend went to VMI for The Citadel

football game. We stayed downtown and had a great time. Watched the mix of cadets/online/ grad/night students from The Citadel play the Keydets from VMI in the ‘not-so-Military-Classic of the South.’” Aric bumped into lots of BRs at the game, including Steve and Melissa Colvin, along with Corey Cheers, Ed Henning, Cory McCallum, Charles Downs, and John Campbell Aric also offered the astute observation, “VMI is definitely still a unique place and a stark contrast from what you see here in Charleston, South

Class of 1993: Rory and Matt Gill with Emil Moster.

Class of 1993: Clarence Tweedy, Ric Borden, and Bryan Van Deun in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Class of 1994: Clay Mountcastle and his girlfriend, Brittney, at the Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

Class of 1994: Woody Bonner working the wall at ASCEND Climbing in Pennsylvania.

Carolina. Was just at the VMI basketball game at The Citadel. Considering over half The Citadel’s basketball team are portal transfers and not cadets, I thought they were going to win, but VMI’s team looked great!” If BRs are in the Charleston area, make sure to look Aric up.

Ed Henning made his return to Mississippi after a short stint in Virginia. It was great having Kid Crisis nearby for a change, but alas, he has headed back down to the dirty South. Jeff and Kathy Guild are already plotting ways to lure Ed and Emily back up to the Old Dominion, where they belong. Ed’s son, Marcus, earned an invitation to West Point, and the Hennings are waiting to see if they’ll be making the long trips to the Hudson River Valley for the next 4 years.

Dave Phelps checked in to update that his daughter and son are working for him in his custom home building company in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dave said, “It’s very cool to see them developing into young professionals working on the family business. We design and build oneof-a-kind insulated concrete form homes. This is our 21st year in business, ICF Homes of Virgina, LLC.” Nice work, Dave. I take it that the heating and cooling systems in your homes work a tad more effectively than the medieval radiators in barracks back in the day.

I had a great catch-up with Eric Ensley, from all the way down in Peru, where he is teaching humanities, and his wife, Valerie, is a public health research professor with Tulane University. Their three boys are into all kinds of sports, with fencing, horseback riding, and boxing. His oldest, Diego, is looking into colleges.

Charlie Evans is about to celebrate the graduation of his son, Josh Evans ’25, from VMI. Congratulations, Charlie! Behind every graduate is a supportive family. Charlie reminded me that ’94 will be well-represented at graduation, with the sons of Charles “Chas” Downs and Carter “C.G.” Baldwin graduating, as well.

Sean Small and his wife, Autumn, are fully busy living in the Richmond area with four kids playing soccer, running track, and riding horses. Sean and Autumn’s twin boys are now 12, and their daughters are 11 and 9.

James McKane checked in: “Since the last time I submitted an update, I’ve left Kaufman & Canoles (sorry, Dustin DeVore—you’ll have to represent VMI without me there to hold your hand) and now consult in the legal industry. At that same time, my three kids have graduated college, so Ann and I are empty nesters. And because I work from home, we decided to leave the city and purchased an 80acre farm in Lawrenceville, Virginia. When I’m not consulting, I’m working on the farm where we

primarily raise cattle. We love the rural life.”

Patrick O’Neil wrote to say that his oldest daughter finished her first year of JMU and that his company, O’Neil Engineering Services, hit 14 years this past March. Congratulations, Patrick! I was especially jazzed to get an update from Max Bulloch from way down South in sweet home Alabama! Max wrote, “I have been busy raising grandsons, cattle, and crops the last few years. We have a very fertile farm in Jasper, Alabama. Our youngest grandson, Beckett Maxwell, lives with us, so I’m changing diapers and picking up from daycare again. Got two granddaughters and three grandsons now, and they all call me ‘Grumps.’ I absolutely love it! I hated to miss the 30th Reunion. I was set to come but had to cancel our cabin due to our new company’s first big land sale being scheduled for the same weekend. I stopped managing railroads about 6 years ago and have been selling land all over the Southeast and in some New England states ever since, along with my wife. Our company, Southeast Land & Lakes, develops and sells raw residential land. I still see Chris Coolidge every now and then. We live about an hour apart. We get together when we can for Bama game day. RMFT!” Way to go, Grumps! Bring the whole family up for the next reunion! Bring Cool, too. (He’ll need somebody to post his bail.)

Speaking of posting bail, a group of BRs gathered in New York City recently to celebrate Stu Copenhaver getting a year older. Ro Browning hosted the Manhattan rendezvous, and Brian Jones, H. Wayne Lambert, Rusty Stein, and Charles Downs made the trip. It was a trip, indeed. Ro took the boys for steaks at Wolfgang’s and led a cocktail safari throughout Manhattan. The gang then took in a Yankees game until Stu and Rusty were escorted out of Yankee Stadium for starting the “Put ’em on the gim!” chant. Ro was able to convince Charles and Brian to take a quick swim in the Hudson with him and his Silver Strokers men’s adult swim team. Charles had to draw upon his treading skills learned in VMI ratdrowning class, while Jonesy borrowed a snorkel and fins. It was a weekend to remember, although Rusty can’t recall half of it.

Dale Hybl is back! At VMI, that is. Dale reports, “My wife, Katherine, and I have moved from Monument, Colorado, and relocated to Natural Bridge, Virginia. We retired from the nonprofit that we were both working at so that we could be closer to family and friends on the East Coast. To make the move happen for my tractor and classic car, I got some help from Jason Price and George Schreffler as we moved the vehicles from their temporary storage at Jason’s in Forest, Virginia, to their

new home in Natural Bridge. I’m now working part-time as a TAC at VMI. I started in March and am primarily doing several evening AOC shifts throughout the month and morning room inspections a couple of times a week. Katherine has also started working part-time at the VMI Museum gift shop. Otherwise, we’re busy working on the historic home and property we bought in Natural Bridge. My son, Ethan Hybl ’23, has been working in the VMI Admissions Office since January 2024. He also does room inspections, as well.” Awesome news, Dale! I wonder if any cadets talk about getting the “Double Hybl” treatment come inspection time. We’ll see if we can get them to give you a TAC nickname like “Hybl Knievel” or something.

Ryan Croley and Jon Lauder continue to do fantastic work with the Warrior for Life Fund, supporting active-duty military members, families, and veterans through sport and community. Their work has greatly expanded hockey access and programs in the Greater Hampton Roads region. Jon had big news recently: “I’m pleased to share that the NHL Foundation U.S. Board of Directors just approved my appointment to their committee. In this capacity, I will serve as an advisor and advocate on their advisory board to assist in identifying those intersections between the NHL, our veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. This is a lifelong dream that began for me as a young hockey player growing up in rural Minnesota. Never did I imagine that hockey would eventually be the vehicle for my healing, health, and humanity following three decades of warfighting in the Marine Corps.” A terrific cause and organization, Ryan and Jon! Let’s figure out a way for a VMI ’94 pick-up hockey game for the next reunion. Seriously.

VMI ’94’s ambassador to Allentown, Pennsylvania, checked in. Mike Moore wrote, “I got engaged Christmas 2023 to my long-term partner, Diane. We have been together since 2010. No planned date yet; we are taking our time. I have been working for Steinel Tools North America as their general manager since 2022. Steinel is a German company that makes industrial heat tools (heat guns). I am leading the North American division of the company. Not sexy, but it pays the bills. After a 6-year hiatus, I went back on the field as an NCAA football official. I used the downtime to get my MBA from Lehigh University and change jobs. I am only working at the DIV III level this time, and that’s OK with me. My days of working FCS and striving to reach the BCS level are over. I am happy where I am at.” All great stuff, Mike! Great to hear from you.

Jeff Crenshaw ponied up his first update ever!

Love those first-timers! Jeff said, “I’m living in Richmond; I work as a software engineer for a small startup here in town. My son, Colin, is finishing up his 3rd Class year at VMI—he’s a chemistry major/biology minor and runs cross country and track. He plans on going to med school after graduation. We have another son who is a junior in high school. He says VMI is on the list but at the bottom! My wife, Ginny, and I are on the VMI Parents Council and will serve as covice presidents next year, so we’ve been back on post a lot over the last couple of years. I was back for Colonel Brodie’s (Hon) retirement and our reunion last year; it was great to catch up with our BRs after all these years!” Thanks for the update, Jeff, and see you around Richmond.

The past spring was a busy one for me— still director of the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond and keeping up with three teenage kids. My daughter wrapped up her freshman year at Virginia Tech and loves it in Blacksburg. The boys are still in high school and bouncing between baseball, golf, boxing events, and the periodic fishing trip with their old man. (If any BRs have any favorite honey holes, let me know offline.) Brittney and I took an awesome trip to the Black Hills region of South Dakota in April. We were able to see Mount Rushmore, the Badlands National Park, and Custer State Park and encountered more bison, big horn sheep, and wild turkeys than one could imagine. We even made it out to Wyoming and Montana to see Devil’s Tower and the Little Big Horn. It was the kind of adventure that lets you breathe deep and fall in love with America all over again. Highly recommended! It’s also been an adventure conducting interviews for our VMI Class of ’94 oral history project. A big thank you to all the BRs who have taken the time so far to share their stories and memories with the project, and for everyone else—we are waiting on you! Reach out to me and let me know, and we will get your interview scheduled. Let’s keep our class history alive!

Best wishes for the end of summer and hopes for a good football season. Go, Big Red! Let’s get some tailgates and meet-ups going this fall!

As always, red, white, and yellow floats on high ...

Clay

1995

Michael Fellows

Brother Rats,

This was easily one of the more fun class notes to put together. Not only because I’ve gotten so many notes and texts from BRs around the globe, but because I just got home from our 30th Reunion for the ole Class of 1995. What a fantastic weekend. It was a true joy to gather in Lexington and reconnect with so many familiar faces—some unseen since graduation day. It was remarkable rolling into the dinner Saturday night and seeing so many of our class I had not seen in so long. The weekend was filled with laughter, storytelling, and a flood of memories that made it feel like no time had passed at all. I’ve included as many pictures as they will let me use for our notes, but I should honestly learn who is running the VMI 1995 Facebook page. Seems like the class agent should have a better handle on that, but for some reason, I think that’s a Dave Mitchell issue. For those of you who couldn’t make it to Lexington, you were missed by all of us, and I can promise you that your name came up in the hundreds of stories we told and retold, as we are apt to do when we get together. The golf outing Friday morning was the perfect start to the weekend, and having the opportunity to get paired up with Christian Brumm and Beef Bosiger and then watch Beef throw darts all over the course made it that much more fun. Chad Tester dipped back into his golf team days and must have quietly shot maybe a couple over, but we couldn’t get him to tell us. Just a slight mumble as he opened a beer. Sgt. Maj. Bill Goodson also came out to tee it up with us and share in the festivities. What a great thing having our honorary BR make it back with us. The real MVP, though, was the cart girl. She sized us up—middleaged guys with VMI stories and questionable aim—and decided we were her personal ATM. By the third hole, she was circling us like a shark, slinging drinks faster than a rat on a

Class of 1994: Brian Jones, H. Wayne Lambert, Stu Copenhaver, Rusty Stein, Ro Browning, and Charles Downs celebrate Stu’s birthday in New York City.

Class of 1994: Frank Boehling, Randy Elliott, Dustin DeVore, and Clay Mountcastle at the VMI versus The Citadel basketball game in February 2025.

Class of 1994: Max Bulloch with his youngest grandson, Beckett.

VMI Class of 1995 30th Reunion

run up to Baldwin at 0200. Score? Who cares. Hydration? Undefeated.

So, on Friday night, we went all out for this BBQ over at McKethan Park ... rented a tent, hired a band, and what did we do? Ignored the band like they were playing elevator music at a Metallica concert. Two hours of live tunes, and we’re huddled in the pavilion, dropping drink tickets around like it’s the last bar in town—which it almost was, given the changes in Lex. The rain wasn’t the issue; it was the gravitational pull of brown water and bad decisions. Every time the band struck up a new song, we’d raise our glasses to another story about that time we got stuck in [barracks] or survived a RDC meeting. The band? They played their hearts out to an audience of wet grass and empty chairs. We owe them a fruit basket or at least a polite email. Style points go out to Chris “Fuji” Fuller for breaking out the cigars and smoking jacket that night. Nothing says someone is settling in for a good time like a velvet smoking jacket. Well done, Fuji. For me, seeing a fellow member of blood and guts Golf, Ken Myers, walk up to the pavilion actually blew me away, given that he was one of those BRs I hadn’t seen since we all pulled out of barracks that last time. Also, Ken is a fellow member of the No. 1 Club, and it was nice to see him, Scott Southall, Lee Grimes, Rick Franco, and other members of the No. 1 Club back on post. Excellence knows no age.

The dinner Saturday was a nice way to cap things off for the weekend. A nice touch was our dykes from the Class of 1998 had set up a table for us with a bottle of Four Roses for us to share. Brandon Bissell ’98 provided us some toasts to go along with it, and that was a nice gesture to get from that mass of individuals. I say that in the hope that Brandon reads this. When the Class of ’98’s Four Roses bottle ran dry—because

apparently, we drink like we’re still on a Corps trip—Rick Franco swooped in like a bourbonbearing superhero. His Four Branches Bourbon isn’t just a drink; it’s a lifestyle. This man’s out here closing deals with The Palms, probably whispering, “Always be closing,” in his sleep. I picture Rick rolling up to dinner with a bottle in each hand, winking at us like he’s Don Draper with a better haircut. “Try this,” he says, and suddenly, we’re all connoisseurs, swirling our glasses and muttering about “oaky notes” while secretly just happy it’s not the cheap stuff from East Lex (RIP). If you haven’t gotten on the Four Branches train, call Rick. He’ll probably FedEx you a bottle with a handwritten note and a business card. The man’s a legend, and his bourbon’s the real MVP of the reunion. We had a few toasts, told a few jokes, had wives shake their heads at us, and set up an after party upstairs in Moody Hall ... all in all, a successful evening.

One of the highlights for me was joining together for the Old Yells. Having Rick Killmeyer climb up on the guard shack and lead us in the yells for our dyke Classes of 1992 and 1998 was more fun than I expected as I hadn’t yelled that loud in a while, which is wild considering I have a teenager at home. The energy was electric, but nothing compared to hearing “95! 95! 95!” echo through the barracks one more time—a moment that stirred the soul and brought back the many memories of our cadet days. Looking down and seeing so many of our BRs together again was special.

I might be wrong, but barracks life is sacred, a crucible of sweat, yelling, and questionable hygiene. We wandered back to our old rooms, snapping pics like tourists at the pyramids.

Speaking of barracks, for those of you who don’t know, Eric Schwartz is the deputy director of facilities management for VMI, and several of us had the opportunity to meet his daughter, who is graduating with the Class of 2025. I said it in our last class notes, but it’s impressive how many of the Class of ’95 are either back at VMI or contributing to its leadership.

Events like these remind us of the unbreakable bonds forged at VMI. Here’s to our class, our shared history, and the next opportunity to come together. I won’t try and recap everything that happened over the weekend, because I know I would miss something. What I will say is what I took away from the reunion: Stay in touch with one another. I was just as guilty of it as any of us, but I can tell you that reconnecting over the years with our brother rats has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in a long time. I said it at the dinner to everyone Saturday night,

Class of 1995: Brother rats at the class dinner during the 30th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 1995: Brian Kellner, Rick Franco, and Chad Tester in front of their old room in barracks during the 30th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 1995: Rob Davis, Lloyd Taliferro, and Jeff Ryan at a VMI versus University of Richmond basketball game.

and I’ll say it again here: If there is one group of people in our lives that we should always be able to lean on and talk to, it’s our brother rats. Never feel that because you’ve been away or silent for many years that any of us will hold that against you, because there is nothing further from the truth. As the saying goes, “It was an awful place to be at, but the best place to be from.”

Changing topics, I received some nice updates from several people over the last couple of months. First was Chris Hartwell, aka “Blinky.” He told me he recently climbed Denali this year with a team of Navy SEALs he had served with. They are attempting to climb all seven summits in memory of the brothers they’ve lost on the battlefield. Denali was their third of seven. The flags in the photos were carried on multiple and significant operations in multiple theatres of operation over the last 12 years, and each flag has the name of everyone that’s on the wall at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. The second photo of Chris is when quote, “This old man got his jiu jitsu purple belt in No-Gi under the famed wrestling/MMA coach Ricky Lundell of American Prime.” Impressive series of photos that made my 5K time the other day seem rather pathetic.

Rob Davis also reached out to me last month. Rob retired from the Army in August 2024, and since then, his wife, Stephanie (Sweet Briar ’95), and his family have been living in Burke, Virginia. Their youngest graduated from high school and will be matriculating up to Syracuse University in the fall. (Rob, I think you were at Fort Drum, as well, when I was there, so I am shocked you would let your child go back that way!) Rob has been keeping up with some of our brother rats. He and Chris Wills meet for coffee every month or so at Fort Belvoir, and he and Jeff Ryan get together every so often, as well. In fact, recently, they floated (actually dragged kayaks for 6 hours, in Rob’s words) down the Mattaponi River near Richmond, and they are planning to do some canoeing on the Rapidan River this spring. Continuing with his theme of outdoor adventures, Rob also does some duck hunting with Todd Glasser from time to time, so if you find yourselves empty-nesting soon, Rob seems like a good person to reach out to if you need some weekends to fill up! He also shared that he, Lloyd Taliaferro, Jeff Ryan, and their wives had a fun dinner at Jeff’s house before going to the VMI

versus UR basketball game over the winter.

I’ll wrap it up here, gentlemen. Please keep the email updates and photos coming, everyone. I’m hoping to keep improving the quality of our class notes and being able to keep us all better connected. Take care, brother rats. See y’all soon.

1996

Jon Dano

Nick Latsios

Brother Rats,

As I am writing this letter, it is graduation season. Congratulations to all of you who have children who are graduating college and high school. It seems crazy to me that those milestones of our children continue to happen; it just doesn’t feel like we are that old, but as Mark Townsend says, “Old is as old does,” so stay young at heart and action, brother rats.

On April 14 at Arlington Cemetery, so many from our class celebrated the life of our Brother Rat Capt. Jamie C. Edge with a memorial on the 20th anniversary of his death. We do this not for recognition but because we are brothers. We celebrated the spirit of VMI that Jamie was as a cadet, heard from Gen. Eric Smith, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, on how “Jamie only had one speed, and that is full throttle from the front,” and the amazing impact the Edge Scholarship is having on the cadet recipients, as spoken by Parker Hayes ’27.

I would like to thank Nick Latsios for organizing such an important and memorable event honoring Jamie. There was an incredible turnout— too many to identify in this post, but you can see in the pictures. I had contacted Jamie’s brother and daughter about this event, and although they were unable to make the trip to attend, they were both so appreciative of our class continuing to honor Jamie’s memory in such a thoughtful and impressive way. For those who missed it, there is some video you can hopefully find, as it

Class of 1995: Chris Hartwell and his coach, Ricky Lundell, after Chris earned his purple belt in jiu jitsu.

Class of 1995: John Brooks (left) and Tim Miller at the Friday night barbecue during the 30th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 1995: Chris Hartwell with fellow U.S. Navy SEALs on the summit of Denali in Alaska.

was impressive to listen to Mark Simonds speak at the ceremony. Mark was so elegant in how he spoke about Jamie and our class. John Buchanan got up to speak, as did Nick Latsios. Really well done, fellas.

Our Brother Rat Chris Noe is retiring from the Army! His graduation ceremony is July 11. Congratulations on an impressive career, Chris. He said, “I definitely never thought when we were much younger (and less gray) cadets that I’d ever rise to the rank of colonel in our Army.” I think I speak for everyone when I say we are not surprised—you are a true professional and leader.

On the political front, our very own Mike Obadal has been nominated as the new Army undersecretary, and Mike Waltz has been nominated to be the new United States ambassador to the United Nations.

Josh Lewis checked in to talk about his move up to Maine and told me about his new business

Class Notes

venture, “Evil’s Lobster Rolls.” Playing off of his VMI nickname, Josh has collaborated with some of his old Maine buddies in the lobster business to bring this new concept of lobster rolls to life. He has crafted specialized bread that looks and is shaped like our very own VMI hays, even with bed straps made out of toothpick-type material. Right now, he is in the process of teaching his employees how to properly roll the bread hay up tightly. Josh also said in honor of our Brother Rat John Sherrod that he will be cooking the lobsters in iron skillets with an “evil” amount of butter. I am looking forward to seeing this business take off and enjoying an evil lobster roll. Congratulations to Vern Wilkens, as his son, Jakob, graduated from The Citadel this spring. As a graduation gift, Vern gave his son a large amount of VernCoin to hopefully expand his Wollie Wilken’s Cold Spas in South Carolina. Congratulations, Jakob!

Jon and Nick

David M. Hudock

Gentlemen of the Old Corps!

Congratulations! We are over halfway through 2025, finally, and by the time you’re reading this, over half of us have turned—believe it or not— 50. We should be patting each other on our backs, not just for surviving the first 25 years of our lives growing up in the ’80s and ’90s but also for surviving the first 25 years of the 21st century ... and, if this year is any indication, we are in for a super second quarter of this century! But what really matters is what’s happening now or, at least, what has occurred over the past couple of

months with our brother rats. So, let’s start with the meeting that never happened ...

In the Navy Yard neighborhood of the District of Columbia, where Jim Rogers recently appeared on behalf of the Australian Ministry of Defense to discuss submarines or vegemite or Victoria Bitter—all equally vital to Australian national defense—for just a few short days. Unfortunately, our schedules failed to align, and as quickly as he appeared, Jim disappeared back Down Under for a few more months. Short story: I failed to meet up with him and catch up before he sojourned back to the Southern Hemisphere. The business of allied cooperation is never-ending, of course, and Jim indicated he will be back in town soonest. Hopefully, a few of us can get together with him when he does return and remind him that Foster’s Lager is not the international beer of choice and hoist a few domestic barley pops with him to remind him of what he’s missing. Safe travels, Jim, and hope to see you soon.

In other missed event news, brother rat and fellow Marine, Brad Davis, hung up his uniform for the last time in April when he made the transition to military-to-civilian life. Regrettably, I could not attend this august event either, which is a shame because there was a superb showing of the Class of 1997 to ensure the Institute—or at least the best class from it—was heard from. The crew attending, supported by alumni from 1997-adjacent classes, is pictured here in front of a Marine VH-92 aircraft. Joel Harding, coordinator and communicator-in-chief, shared with me that Brad finished his 28-year Marine Corps career as the chief operational test director for the VH-92 program at Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1). This means, in short, he was a key player in bringing the VH-92 program to fruition, from its introduction to the squadron to its certification to carry the POTUS. Though he may be leaving the Marine Corps, he is not hanging up his flight suit; Brad is moving on to an air ambulance service in Leesburg, Virginia, where he’ll be flying helicopters and performing a mix of critical medical air transport and trauma response. Congratulations to you, Brad, and semper fidelis for your 28 years of faithful service to this great country!

Lastly, and certainly not least, from the files of “Gen X raises better kids than we ever were,” Jon Riggs dropped me a line letting me know that his son, Josh, is a soon-to-be 1st class cadet at The Citadel and was recently selected to be a member of the Summerall Guards, The Citadel’s own precision silent drill platoon. This summer, he’s headed to Quantico for Bulldog Marine training and a delightful introduction to the Quigley, Quantico’s

Class of 1996: Brother rats attend a memorial service for Jamie Edge at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Class of 1996: Jamie Edge’s gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery, with flowers and a box containing the remnants of the 1996 banner that flew from the VMI barracks smokestack on Ring Figure weekend in November 1994.

1997

own amazingly refreshing and comfortably warm recreational water feature. And as if all that were not enough, Josh will be a company commander next year in the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. Riggs says his son is a “way better cadet than I ever was at VMI.” I have no idea why Jon would think such a thing ... but it is clear Jon is a proud dad, and it is great to see his son already thriving in his early military career. Graduation is June 28, 2026; don’t pass up a great opportunity for a road trip to Charleston to congratulate the Riggs family. Thanks for sending, Jon! Best of luck and semper fidelis to your son during his 1st class year.

That will wrap up this entry of notes; hopefully, your summers have been great so far, and you’re already planning an autumn visit to the Institute for a football weekend. Hope to see you there and hope all are doing well, staying strong, and continuing to be the best class in barracks.

run it back one more time; so, I truly hope they cherish these last hours with their BRs, some of whom they will not see again and/or hear from for a very long time.

The VMI Foundation sent us a formal thank you, as our endowment fund is now providing active scholarships to the current Corps of Cadets! Huge milestone for us, and this year’s recipient will be Cadet Nathaniel Phillips ’28 from Warm Springs, Virginia (civil engineering major)! Now that is cause to celebrate! Congrats, Cadet Phillips. I am going to look him up in my travels soon!

I received one picture and an update to accompany as Steve Schwanke, Stephen Barr, John Gonzales, Luke Miller, and John Moder descended upon Tampa, Florida, for Col. Brett McGinley’s retirement from the USMC in March. Brett and I share some occasional texts, and it would be nice to connect again in person soon. Congrats, Brett, and thank you, semper fi, and rah Virginia Mil—very happy for you and thankful!

Jeff Taylor is hosting a family pool party at his house in Fredericksburg, Virginia, July 12, 2025, and I hope that we see a bunch of you there! Thanks, Jeff (and the assist from Christian Craft), for making this happen!

are coming to town, please!

I am on a group thread with Dave Nash, Matt Guise, and Kevin Trujillo—which receives the occasional run of chatter and then nothing! Dave just had a knee replacement and is recovering well; Matt is still a golfer; and K.T. has been relatively silent but is down in North Carolina now at Bragg. Hope you are all well.

I am happy to share that my trek to the Yucatan Peninsula for the ocellated turkey ended in success, and I completed the World Slam and the Yucatan Slam (turkey, Curassow, and crested guan). Now, on to the U.S. Super Slam and one turkey in the 49 states with the population (none in

Well, as I sit here on New Market Day and register another edition of our notes (not much to share, I am afraid—please change that), yet another class is preparing to enter the working world and is celebrating what they believe to be their best day ever—they are finally out! Most days, I would love to go back to matriculation and

I am fairly certain we have some BRs with children matriculating this next year, so I hope this update (you will receive it in August) will have you take a minute and send me a note and some pictures. Be sure to look out for the 3rds that eat $#%! crew representing our other BRs in your travels—Emma Stanley ’28 (Jimmy’s daughter), Sadler Boykin ’28 (Todd’s son), and Camden Gonzales ’28 (John’s son)! Look me up when you

Class of 1997: Attending Brad Davis’ retirement ceremony at Quantico, Virginia, in April 2025 are (from left) Joel Harding, Noah Slemp, John Duckworth, Brad, Dan Hall, Chris Hobbs, Mike Ohleger ’96, and Rick Barnes ’93.

Class of 1997: Jon Riggs’ son, Josh, a firstclass cadet at The Citadel.

Joey Bates

Class of 1998: Joey Bates harvests an ocellated turkey in the Yucatan.

Alaska), so if you happen to have access to land in your area and do not mind me and two buddies coming to your world to hunt, I would love it. Our crew was also able to embark on a journey to Illinois and collect a few long beards earlier this month. Ben Safrit ’07 sent me a surprising text while I was in Mexico (he saw my updates on turkey hunting in the Review) and shared his love of turkey hunting (and several successful pictures from this season), and I am hopeful that he joins our crew some next year as we travel around in 2026.

Locally, Brandon Bissell and I missed a connect 2 weeks ago and are looking to reschedule, and Thierry Lemercier is doing well. Crazy busy with the inn, his catering business, and of course, raising three beautiful young ladies.

The quickest way to reach me is via text or at joeybates@hotmail.com, and my commitment to you is a response, along with working hard tirelessly to make sure that we all enjoy the trips to post in the years ahead.

Always busy here, but if you are in town— please hit me up for a beer.

I hope you are well and, when you read these notes in August 2025, that you take a few minutes to shoot me an email, Facebook message, or text message so that I have more to share. If you are coming to town this fall/winter/spring for any activities, then please give me a shout in advance. Rah Virginia Mil! ’98, ’98, ’98.

to you, Brother Rat Clark—we salute you! Amazing work in helping both the Class of 1999 and the Institute shine!

Joining Dallas on post is Matthew Hart, who recently assumed the role of senior director of alumni programs for the Alumni Association. It’s truly inspiring to see our BRs contributing so significantly to the continued success of VMI.

Next, I want to share some late updates from Randy Brown and Powell Harrison. These should have made it into last quarter’s notes, but— for the first time in my life—I got something done early and forgot that I’d given you all a deadline beyond that date.

In the “better late than never” category, Randy Brown checked in with a big thank you to the Reunion Committee for an awesome weekend. He said it was great catching up with everyone and appreciated Brad Wineman’s photo reminders of how small he used to be! Randy’s wife now has proof that he didn’t make up all those stories.

Professionally, Randy started a new role in November as fleet manager for AmeriGas, overseeing a national fleet of over 9,000 vehicles—the largest propane fleet and the 17th largest private fleet in the country. He’s also serving as chairperson for the veteran employee team, working with over 500 veterans at AmeriGas. He’s traveling often and hopes to run into some BRs on the road.

Powell Harrison and his wife, Audrey, welcomed their third child, Mia Ravenel Harrison, June 8, 2024. Powell shared a great family photo from the first day of school for Mia’s older siblings, Agnes (8) and Nathanael (5). He joked that they thought they were done having kids, but the Lord had other plans—and they’re grateful! Powell gave a shout-out to Matt Franks, Aaron Hamilton, and any other BRs still in the diaper game post-reunion. The Harrisons live in Capbreton, France, and Powell invites anyone passing through to visit. He and Audrey lead two ministries—Surf Church Hossegor and Christian Surfers France—and welcome anyone interested to reach out for their newsletters.

The Class of 1999 was well represented at VMI’s Legacy Day. In attendance were Dallas Clark, Matthew Hart, Wyatt McGraw, Jeff Morrison, and Lee Rees, along with their offspring. I, for one, think “get out” should be yelled at all of these kids if any of us ever see them at the “I.” However, I realize John Deem might instead yell, “Shoulders back, chin in!”

Speaking of the next generation looking at VMI, Jason Wells shared a heartfelt update. After some time away from the Institute, his daughter’s interest in attending VMI prompted

Greetings, Brother Rats and Friends of the Class of 1999,

It’s been another eventful stretch for our class, and I’m excited to share some great updates from around the globe.

First, some hot-off-the-press news as of May: Our very own BR Dallas Clark is officially running the show at VMI, having been selected to serve as the interim superintendent. Hats off

Class of 1998: Steve Schwanke, Stefan Barr, John Gonzales, Luke Miller, and John Moder celebrate Col. Brett McGinley’s retirement from the U.S. Marine Corps in Tampa, Florida, in March 2025. 1999

Jay Witt

Jeff Golden

Class of 1999: Brig. Gen. Dallas Clark, interim superintendent; Matthew Hart with his son, Zachary Hart, and friend, Levi D.; Wyatt McGraw and sons, Elliot and Andy; Jeff Morrison with his son and daughter; and Lee Rees and his daughter, Anneston, and son, Cadet Carter Rees ’27, attend Legacy Day in April 2025.

end—swing by and support them if you’re nearby! Barry Williams reports that all is well in Burke, Virginia. He’s been busy with his kids’ sports schedules and is proud to share that his son, Bryce, will be attending Davidson College this fall. Barry continues to serve at Fort Belvoir as deputy director in the Army Acquisition Support Center.

Femi Obasun was visited by Shane Stille earlier this year at his 50th birthday party. Femi is officially over the hill—although he doesn’t look it!

Patrick Meyer shared that his firm, River Hills Wealth Management, was recognized as one of the 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. Being in this industry myself, I can assure you this is quite the honor. Congratulations on the great work and well-deserved recognition, Patrick! I also had the pleasure of catching up with Ali Morales and his wife, Aimee, over dinner. Their daughter is headed to the University of Illinois this fall to study nuclear engineering, and their son is off to a strong start in high school. Big brains and bright futures in that household!

Andre Curtis was recently featured on the VMI athletics Instagram page for speaking to the VMI football team. His message on personal accountability and the value of a VMI education was described as a powerful reminder that success starts with daily choices. Well done, Andre!

Thanks to everyone who shared updates. As always, I’m encouraged by your stories and proud to be part of this class. If you have news to share or just want to reconnect, don’t hesitate to reach out.

In the Bonds, BR Jeff Golden

2000

Chris Abbott

some reflection and reconnection. A visit to Lexington during a football game rekindled old ties, including run-ins with Dallas Clark and Lee Rees. Jason has since reconnected with Matthew Hart and others and is enjoying being back in the fold. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two kids and sends his best to the class.

Chris Copenhaver, Mike Wilson, and Patrick Henderson are making waves in the Richmond area with their second 7 Brew location now open. From what I’ve seen, their 7 Brew locations are hitting it out of the park and are a frequent stop for BRs in the area. They’re aiming for five by year’s

I hope this note finds you well and full of anticipation for our upcoming 25th Reunion! The planning is in full swing, and over 80 classmates have already confirmed their attendance. It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend, and I encourage you to reach out to your company rep or me if you need any details or have questions. We’re all eager to reconnect and celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved over the past quarter century. &%$#, you’re old.

On the personal front, there’s a lot going on with many of our classmates. One of our own is preparing for a big event this Saturday—John Scott Wilson Sr.’s daughter is getting married! He’s also in

Class of 1999: Femi Obasun and Shane Stille at Femi’s 50th birthday party.

Class of 1999: Powell and Audrey Harrison with their children, Agnes, Nathanael, and Mia, in September 2024.

Class of 2000: Chris Lowrance, Charles Range ’10, and Paul Belmont.

Class of 2000: Beau Mason and Paul Lee.

Class of 2000: Ethan Graham and West Whetstone.

training for a 12-mile ocean swim this July, which is no small feat. To top it off, John recently completed reading all five of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Russian novels—a true intellectual accomplishment.

It’s been a busy time for others, as well. Paul N. Belmont III is celebrating his eldest daughter’s graduation from VCU nursing school. Congratulations to her and to Paul for being a proud parent!

Devon Jones reached out to share that he’s still on the lookout for customer success roles. If anyone knows of any opportunities, feel free to connect him with some leads.

Meanwhile, John-Michael Bentley Archer will be picking up his two cadets from VMI this weekend, with his son, Eli ’26, moving up to 1st Class next year. Eli will also be spending the summer at an advanced camp with the Army. John recently transitioned into a business development role, focusing on identifying and starting new locations. After years of managing people, he’s finding the change to be a breath of fresh air— less stress, more fulfillment!

Beau Mason is another one with exciting news. He’s been catching up with Paul Lee at soccer games, where their daughters compete against each other. He also spent some time in Austin, Texas, with Will Ward, and the two had some fun banter over bourbon. Beau’s also preparing for his son, Beau Jr., to enter the Rat Line this fall—a big milestone for the family.

On the teaching front, B.J. Arvin is wrapping up his 17th year of teaching and looking forward to a summer filled with travel to Jamaica, Chicago, and Boston. It’s clear that life is moving forward for so many in our class, but some are also reflecting on the past.

Keane Jones, who’s stationed in Norfolk, shared that he and his wife, Liz, will be at the reunion this fall. Keane made captain last year and is currently serving as the director of intelligence for the 2nd Fleet. He’s now in his 34th year of service and has seen all three of his sons join the Navy, with one in flight school after graduating from VMI and the other two training to become air crewmen. It’s great to hear from him, and we can’t wait to catch up in Lexington.

Ethan Graham is also looking forward to the reunion. He’s still working for Trane, leading service sales for North America and traveling across the country. Recently, he ran into West Whetstone in Phoenix, Arizona, and keeps in touch with Matt Vordermark,

Josh Petry, and Vern Dooley. But on a humorous note, Ethan shared that he’s making double college payments to Randolph-Macon and the University of Kentucky—and can’t quite figure out why none of his kids are interested in VMI. After 24-plus years of service in the military, Michael Gereau retired this past year. He served 10 years in the U.S. Navy and 14 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. Not sure what his next career move would be, Michael joined the Hiring Our Heroes program and settled in Mobile, Alabama, where he accepted a position as a safety specialist for environmental, health, and safety at Airbus. It’s great to hear that he’s transitioning smoothly into a new chapter of his life.

Michael Goldman is alive and well, living and working in Richmond, Virginia. He’s been in corporate law with Hunton for 18 years, specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions. Along the way, he’s crossed paths with a few VMI alumni and works out with a group of VMI guys from various classes, including those from 1983–2010, but especially those from ’98, ’99, and ’05, through F3 Richmond. On a personal note, Michael is enjoying watching his son’s plebe year at West Point from the other side of the table—an experience that’s “pretty crazy but cool.” He recently attended the Army-Navy game in D.C., which was awesome, except for the outcome. He hasn’t run into Belmont yet but has been encouraging his son to keep an eye out. At home, he’s outnumbered by women, with two teenage daughters and his wife, and he’s looking forward to catching up at the reunion.

As we reflect on all these wonderful updates, we also have to acknowledge the loss of Mike Mule’s mom, affectionately known as Momma Mule. She was a wonderful lady, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Additionally,

we mourn the passing of Beau Mason’s mother. She played a significant role in our VMI history, having written the letter on my behalf to the governor granting amnesty to the Corps of Cadets right before our Ring Figure. Her efforts helped me achieve the shortest No. 1 in VMI history— just a day and a half before being wiped clean. She was a true force, and her absence will be felt deeply.

I’m looking forward to seeing all of you in Lexington this fall. Let’s make this reunion one to remember!

Rich Groen

As we transition into the summer months, I’m excited to share a few life and career updates from our brother rats, as we continue the momentum toward our upcoming 25th Reunion. After a year in Australia, my family and I still feel the impacts of moving across hemispheres on the other side of the globe. We are settling into Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, although we are still awaiting the arrival of our household goods after 6 months and counting since we packed (if you see them arrive on a slow boat in the Norfolk area, please let me know)!

In the meantime, we’ve enjoyed some local milestones, including attending our daughter Brooke’s freshman art show at the Kansas City Art Institute—the other institute. Her work was displayed during the college’s spring showcase, and we couldn’t be prouder. Reunion planning is now underway, and we’re looking for volunteers to assist with class scholarship fundraising, event coordination, and outreach efforts. Taylor Mawyer has graciously stepped up to lead the planning for reunion weekend activities; thank you, Taylor. Luckily, Charlie Bunting and Wilson Mustian helped with the initial heavy lifting and coordination. If you’d like to help, please get in touch with me or Tony Gelormine!

Class of 2000: Michael Gereau and his son.

Tony Gelormine

Class Notes

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of Evelyn Allen Gannon, born June 9 to proud parents Eric and Lauren Gannon. Eric shares that Evelyn is doing well and growing immensely. Congratulations to the Gannon family on their newest addition!

We also recognize the distinguished service of Col. Kenneth “Shake” Carmichael, who retired from the U.S. Air Force May 1, 2025, following 24 years of dedicated service. Kenneth served twice as the Department of the Air Force CIO and the CIO of U.S. Cyber Command. A proud representative of VMI throughout his career, he now looks forward to new opportunities and continued service in a different capacity. Well done!

Seth Ford checks in from Cleveland, Tennessee, where he continues to lead as president and CEO of the Cleveland Eye Clinic. The clinic recently opened its third location, a milestone Seth attributes to hard work and God’s blessings. Life with four daughters (ages 16, 13, 10, and 7) is full of adventure, from RVing through Utah’s Mighty Five and skiing in Banff to wake surfing on the Tennessee River. Seth and his family recently visited Lexington and VMI, where he caught up with Brig. Gen. Dallas Clark ’99 over breakfast and enjoyed a springtime walk around post, capped off with a trip to the bookstore—a rare win with teenage daughters in tow!

We encourage you to continue sharing your updates, whether professional achievements, family milestones, or simply a quick note from your travels. Each message strengthens the ties that bind our class together and reminds us of our shared journey. Tony and I are eager to hear from more of you as we approach our 25th Reunion—let’s make this milestone truly memorable together!

2002 Salmaan Khawaja

Brother Rats,

I hope all of you are faring well these days! I did not receive any class notes this time around. Please send me some! Otherwise, I will bore you to tears with a repeat of the keynote address I gave at VMI a few months ago, and nobody wants to read that ...

Again, I hope all is well with you and yours, and Rah Virginia Mil!

In the Spirit, Salmaan

2003

William “Bill” Talley V

I hope this finds each one of you and your families doing well! As usual, I’m knocking this out at the last minute, much like cramming for a Col. Bush accounting exam, as it’s May 15, and this is due into the Institute today. Happy New Market Day! It’ll be early August when this hits your mailbox. Shorter set of notes this go round, sooff we go...

In the last few weeks, I’ve spoken with Kyle Haire, Phil Harris, Matt Brady, Derek Overstreet, and Phil Hampton. Kyle is keeping

Class of 2001: Seth Ford and his family on a recent visit to VMI.

Class of 2001: Eric and Lauren Gannon with their children, including Evelyn Allen Gannon, born June 9, 2024.

Class of 2001: Col. Kenneth “Shake” Carmichael and his wife at his U.S. Air Force retirement ceremony.

Class of 2001: Col. Kenneth “Shake” Carmichael delivers his retirement speech.

busy with work and most recently caught up with Rollin Steele and Chris Bluhm while down in Hawaii. I was originally told that a photo would be sent to memorialize this gathering; however, that was not the case. Instead, I got a great update from Kyle on both Chris and Rollin. Rollin and Alexis are doing great and moving to Wilmington, North Carolina, in mid-June. Per Rollin, Doug Bahrns is in Tampa, Florida, currently but is about to move back to Camp Lejeune to the 2nd Marine Division G3. Congrats, Doug! They’ve been in Hawaii since 2016 and are excited about the move. Chris and Ida are doing great, as well. Chris’s parents and sister moved to Hawaii a few years ago, and I believe they’re all located in the North Shore area. Kyle also shared a link that he found where Randall Harvey was appointed as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for special ops policy and programs, Secretariat for Special Operations. Congrats, Randall!

Matt Brady is doing well; his son, Luke, just finished his freshman year at Auburn and was home for 2 days before heading off for his summer job down in North Carolina. I relayed to Matt that I completely understood the wonderful feeling of having everyone back at home and then how it felt when they were gone again. Such is life with college students, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Speaking of finishing up a freshman year, Sam Newsome now has a 3rd Class cadet at the Institute. I know he and Tai are proud of Sam. Phil Harris and I have connected a few times via phone. All is well in the Harris household; things have slowed down a tad with ski season being finished. Phil and his daughter, Kennedy, both competed at the USASA Nationals, which were held at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Per Phil, Kennedy placed seventh in superpipe and ninth in ski cross, and the old man finished with a silver in ski cross and very little hair left. Also notable: Deb skied in Colorado for the first time and kept the duo properly fueled with a steady supply of baked goods. Congrats, Phil and Kennedy!

Derek Overstreet, Phil Hampton, and Joe Parks all caught up at VMI April 12 for Legacy Day with their kids. If you’ve never attended this event, I’d encourage you to do so, as it’s a fun time for your kids, and you never know who you’ll run into from our time in barracks.

Chaz Wagner continues his social rounds, having caught up with both Dave Woody and Kuo-Ruey Liang

since our last set of notes.

Jared Swanson reported in for Band Company with the following updates:

Steve Nakazawa and his fiancée, Laura, will be getting married this August (hopefully, we’ll have a photo to share in that set of notes).

Greg Sphunder has returned safely from deployments in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria and continues to manage his various business ventures, including gas stations, self-storage facilities, and franchise operations.

Brian Sinkule and his wife, Tara, are celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary in May. He’s finishing up 2 years at the Pentagon in June and moving to the Netherlands for

Class of 2003: Dave Woody and Chaz Wagner in April 2025.

Class of 2003: Chaz Wagner and Kuo-Rey Liang in April 2025.

Class of 2003: Phil Harris with his daughter, Kennedy, at the USASA Nationals in Copper Mountain, Colorado.

Class of 2003: Derek Overstreet, Phil Hampton, and Joe Parks at Legacy Day in April 2025.

Class of 2003: Taylor, Jen, and Matthew Goodall on vacation in Florida in April 2025.

their third squadron command. Their daughters are starting high school next year.

Jordan Fox’s construction business continues to do well as they improve the property purchased last year. He recently took an XO position with a MAJCOM unit, which keeps him traveling, including a recent coordination visit to Bahrain.

Brandon Naughton got married in March and gained a step-son. He and his wife purchased a sailboat 2 years ago that they’re fixing up with hopes to eventually retire on it.

David Burdette met up with Steve Nakazawa and Colin McElroy in Atlanta recently. He ran the inaugural Peachtree Polar Opposite 10K in January, finishing in 48:37 despite the cold weather.

Life is busy as usual in our household, as baseball season is coming to a close for both Billy and Chappell, and Savannah will be home for the summer. It’s hard to believe that she’ll be starting her senior year at JMU in August. Time sure does fly, as I feel we’re all experiencing more than we did in prior years.

As always, send me updates! Until the next set, Rah Virginia Mil, ’03, ’03, ’03, ’03!

2004

Scott E. Campbell

Class Notes

Drew Hardin wrote, despite being “slammed with kid stuff, I ran into Chris Adams ’03 at my son’s baseball game and discovered he had moved to Georgetown a few years ago. He and I were at an alum gathering last month, and somehow, we became some of the ‘old guys,’ lol. John Ginder and I are fishing in a tournament later this month. Well, he’s fishing, and I’m dragging him down. John Ginder, J.B. Rosson, and I talked about doing a BR vacation at the 20th Reunion, and this summer, we are going to Curacao with all of our wives, which should be fun. Hope all is well.”

2005 Tom Hardinge

Timothy Johnson

John Ginder wrote from Texas: “Drew Hardin and I caught up at the end of February for the Houston Rodeo and BBQ cookoff for a little BBQ, and we’re heading to Curacao this summer with J.B. Rossen. I also see Lakin Board every couple of months at the Houston alumni gatherings. He and his family are doing well, and he is still flying for JetBlue. Rumor is he may be piloting J.B. and Summer’s flight back from Curacao this summer.”

John has also picked up the fundraising torch ahead of our 25th Reunion. You’ll hear more from both of us about that milestone. John, thank you for that effort!

Sean McElroy has been home for about a year from his most recent and final deployment! He received retirement orders at the end of April with an effective date of Dec. 15, 2025. In the meantime, he’s in Huntsville, Alabama, working for Boeing, and the family is doing well!

Bree Guiterman finished her time supporting the VMI Board of Trustees June 30, 2025. Thank you for 8 years of service!

Greetings, Brother Rats!

As of this writing, it’s been just a few short weeks since we all gathered back on post for our 20th Reunion, and I can honestly say I’ve finally recovered enough to fully process all the events that transpired ... and what an incredible event it was!

We had a great turnout, with approximately 80 registered brother rats and 65 or so guests, including children. There were even a few more unregistered BRs I spotted throughout the weekend, so needless to say, it was a very well-attended event. But, in case you missed it (or forgot), here is a quick recap of events as they happened.

The festivities kicked off Thursday with early arrivals checking in at Moody Hall, while others took the opportunity to browse the bookstore and explore the VMI Museum and Jackson House Museum. At 6 p.m., the reunion weekend officially commenced with a relaxed and cheerful early arrivals social at Heliotrope Brewery.

While it’s hard to beat $3 pitchers of Yuengling at City Subs & Steaks (RIP), Heliotrope sure knows how to make a delicious brew. BRs and their families reconnected over drinks, sharing stories and reminiscing in a laid-back, casual setting. Afterward, the group split up to take on the evening, with most of us ending up at either The Palms or Taps cocktail lounge to continue the good vibes well into the night. (Sidenote: If you somehow saw me stumbling up the empty streets

of Lexington after last call trailing my ever-sopatient and loving wife, Missy, no, you didn’t.)

Friday, the first official day of the reunion, offered a choose-your-own-adventure slate of activities, including: A full round of golf at the Lexington Golf & Country Club for those looking to hit the links.

Presentations at Gillis Theater, including an engaging talk by Col. Keith Gibson ’77, “Your VMI Suit of Armor,” and a 1st Class privates panel—an open and insightful discussion on life as a current cadet.

Campus explorations, including tours of the VMI Museum and Jackson House Museum and guided walks through new facilities, including the Aquatic Center and Corps Physical Training Facility.

There was also clay shooting for a chance to test marksmanship at Quail Ridge Sporting Club.

And for those mainly interested in catching up with old friends and classmates, an optional lunch gathering was held at Devils Backbone Brewing Company.

The day’s events culminated in a warm and spirited class dinner held at the scenic Lexington Golf & Country Club. The setting, with its elegant yet relaxed ambiance, provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of camaraderie and celebration.

A catered dinner featured a thoughtfully prepared menu complemented by attentive service and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. As classmates and their guests gathered around the tables, the room filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and the unmistakable energy of old friends reconnecting.

Throughout the evening, a slideshow and, later, Breakout footage rolled, with moments captured half a lifetime ago, bringing up memories and stories of the shared experiences and enduring bonds forged through our time at VMI. Tales untold from years past flowed freely, bridging the gap between then and now and reminding all in attendance of how the bonds we share were formed all those years ago.

It was a fitting close to a memorable day, leaving us all with full hearts and a renewed sense of connection.

Saturday was marked by shared tradition and celebration. The day began with breakfast and final check-ins at Moody Hall. The Class of 2005 gathered on the steps of Preston Library for a commemorative class photo, followed by the always-anticipated reunion parade, class march into barracks, and hearing Old Yells for ’05 echo from atop the sentinel box.

In the absence of a football game and tailgate

VMI Class of 2005 20th Reunion

Class of 2005

1. Ryan Murphy, Shore Stokes, Tom Hardinge, Kirk Stokes, and Danny Fields during the 20th Reunion.

2. Ben King and Tom Hardinge lead Old Yells for the class during the 20th Reunion.—VMI Alumni Agencies photo.

3. Brother rats and their spouses at Devils Backbone near Lexington, Virginia, during the 20th Reunion.

4. Paul Bryan, Andrew Stone, Ben King, Jay Coleman, Jim White, and Jon Vaughn on a golf outing during the 20th Reunion.

5. Brother rats at The Palms in Lexington, Virginia, during the 20th Reunion.

6. Brother rats at the Saturday afternoon class picnic and social at Outpost 1839 during the 20th Reunion.

(because ... spring), Saturday’s main event was the lively and well-attended class social and picnic, held at Outpost 1839—a scenic and relaxed venue perfect for an afternoon of reconnection.

Hogback Mountain BBQ served up a delicious spread of classic Southern fare, satisfying appetites with smoky flavors and hearty portions. The laidback atmosphere was enhanced by a full setup of inflatable attractions and fun activities designed to keep the kids entertained and engaged.

While the little ones bounced and played, brother rats and their significant others took full advantage of the opportunity to catch up, reminisce, and share stories from their time at VMI and beyond. The picnic offered a perfect blend of family-friendly fun and meaningful conversation, making it a standout moment of the reunion weekend.

And then, seemingly as quickly as the weekend began, it was over. BRs dispersed into the evening, making their own plans and gatherings for one last night in town. As for Missy and myself, we ended up spending the evening with a small group of BRs at an epic Airbnb overlooking the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains, the perfect ending to an unforgettable weekend.

It was truly wonderful to reconnect with so many of you throughout our weekend on post. Seeing familiar faces, sharing stories, and creating new memories together reminded me of the bonds we’ve built over the years. Your support, enthusiasm, and participation made it all worthwhile. I’m incredibly thankful and deeply honored that you trusted me with the responsibility of planning this event.

I especially couldn’t have done it without the help of my wife, Missy; the VMI Alumni Agencies staff; and your feedback throughout this past year as we dialed exactly how we wanted this weekend to look for the class. I hope the experience was as meaningful for you as it was for me, and I look forward to many more opportunities to come together in the future. If you missed it, we hope to see you in 2030 at our 25th Reunion!

Finally, I was also asked to include a copy of the speech I gave Friday night at the class dinner. Since we have additional space in this special class reunion

Class Notes

edition of the notes, I will include it here, lightly edited for clarity.

“Brother Rats, Honored Guests, Friends of ’05, “Good evening. I’m going to level with you: I’ve been battling a bit of imposter syndrome lately.

“Ten years ago, with the encouragement of my lovely wife and fellow BRs, I approached Mr. Tim Johnson and asked if I could assist with the writing of quarterly class notes.

“I had a family blog at the time and also did some freelance writing on the side, so I felt that this was a way to help ‘give back’ to the class. With a grin of relief and a slap on the back, Tim said, “It’s all yours, man.”

“Now I, a humble 4-year private, 10 years later, still serving this role as an unelected class official, found myself tasked with delivering this 20th Reunion and making sure that the event was well run and worth your time.

“And while I can’t please everyone, as long as 70% of you feel that the event was ‘satisfactory’ (so they say), then I can rest easy, knowing that I did the best that I could. For the other 30% of you, well—that’s what the open bar is for.

“This weekend, we gather to commemorate our 20th Reunion. This weekend, we’re the youngest class returning to post—which also meant we had the last pick of activities and venues, but I digress.

“But while we may be younger than many of the alumni gathered here, I’d argue that 20 years post-graduation puts us at one of the most unique crossroads of our lives. Like anything that happened long ago, it feels like a lifetime. But for most of us here tonight (roughly 40-42 years old), it quite literally was half a lifetime ago. Up to now, our lives have been split almost evenly: Half before our time at VMI and half since.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years— two full decades—since we crossed the stage at Cameron Hall, tossed our gloves in the air, and marched out into the world as proud graduates of Virginia Military Institute. And yet, somehow, standing here tonight, it feels like yesterday.

“We came to VMI from all over— different towns, different families, different reasons. Some of us followed tradition. Some of us (including yours truly) needed direction. And some of us didn’t fully know what we were getting into until we found ourselves face down on the floor during Matriculation Week, wondering what we had signed up for (also me).

“We learned fast that VMI wasn’t like any other school. The Rat Line taught us that from day one. The shouted commands, the sweat-soaked PT sessions, the sleepless nights in barracks, the humility of being broken down ... all designed to teach us something deeper:

Class of 2005: Ben King, Derek Rankin, Jeff Durham, Mark Conley, and Jim White during the 20th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 2005: Brother rats during the 20th Reunion in April 2025.—VMI Alumni Agencies photo.

Class of 2005: Brother rats during the 20th Reunion in April 2025.—VMI Alumni Agencies photo.

Discipline, resilience, loyalty.

“However, I will argue that raising and parenting four teenage daughters ain’t got nothin’ on the Rat Line. What I would give to go back! (Kidding!) We built a life inside those hallowed walls. A hard one, yes, but a meaningful one. We stayed. We endured. We became brother rats—not just classmates—and created a bond stronger than friendship. A bond forged under pressure, in sweat, in silence, in challenge.

“We arrived on post as wide-eyed kids and left as hardened leaders. Some of us served in the military, overseas and at home. Others went into business, medicine, law, teaching, and public service. We’ve married, built families ... faced heartbreaks, taken risks, made mistakes, earned wins, and taken losses.

“In short: We’ve lived. And through it all, the lessons from VMI: The world-class education, the mental toughness, the self-discipline, the unshakable integrity ... have stayed with us. (Oh, and considering I wrote the bulk of this speech yesterday morning—time management skills. I am very, very thankful for the time management skills acquired during my time at VMI!)

“Throughout the past 20 years, the VMI we knew has evolved. Some buildings are new; others are gone. The barracks have changed, the skyline from Moody Hall looks different, and the rhythm of cadet life has adapted with the times.

“Technology has reshaped the way cadets learn, communicate, and navigate their daily routines. I don’t know the current cell phone policy, but I’m willing to bet it’s a lot different than what we endured!

“The world outside the gates has certainly changed, yet so has the world within them.

In recent years, VMI, like so many other institutions across the country, has found itself at the intersection of tradition and transformation.

“We live in a time marked by increasing

Class Notes

polarization: Politically, socially, and culturally. And like the broader society, our alma mater has experienced ... shall we say, ‘spirited’ ... debates and shifting perspectives about its history, its values, and its path forward. But through all of that, amid the noise and the change, the core of the Institute remains remarkably steady.

“The Honor Code still defines how cadets live and treat one another. The Rat Line still demands grit, humility, and endurance. And the Corps of Cadets still fosters unity, discipline, and lifelong bonds. These are not relics of the past. They are living traditions, still shaping young people into leaders of character and courage.

“It’s a reminder that while VMI may evolve— as it must—its essence endures. And maybe that’s the real test of any institution in our time: Not whether it changes, but whether it remains true to its mission while rising to meet the demand of the moment.

“What hasn’t changed, above all, is us. The bond we share as brother rats. It’s not something you can explain to someone who didn’t go through it. It’s something you feel. It’s that instant respect, that deep trust, that shared past. We could go years without seeing each other, and in one handshake, we’re right back in step.

“Every face I see here tonight brings back another story, another memory, another irreplaceable moment in time. And so ... this weekend is about more than just looking back. It’s about recognizing what we’ve carried forward for half a lifetime. It’s about remembering that, yes, we were forged by challenge—but we were never alone. It’s about honoring the legacy of VMI and the lives we’ve lived since we left. It’s also about gratitude—for this place, for the Institute, and for each other.

“To the Class of 2005—to my brother rats who stood shoulder to shoulder on the Parade Ground, who endured the Rat Line, who faced 4 years of

trials and tribulations: Here’s to you. We’ve made it 20 years. We’re still standing. Still true. Still VMI.

“Here’s to the next chapter—and to always living honorably. Thank you, and rah Virginia Mil!” We will get back to your regularly scheduled programming next Review, so keep those updates coming in! Until then, as always, stay safe and be well.

In the Bonds, Tom Hardinge

2006

Will Collier

Brother Rats of the Dominating Class of 2006, Chris Eaton assumed the role as president of the Tampa Bay Chapter, leading efforts to expand engagement and strengthen the local network. A certified death doula and public speaker, he and his wife, April, also acquired Trinity Yoga Wellness Center—now the No. 3-ranked studio in Tampa Bay—which they are growing into a holistic healing center focused on supporting combat veterans, trauma survivors, the suicidal, and the homeless.

Nick Mazzenga reported, “This past February, I caught up with Greg Quillen for a birthday weekend camping trip outside Charlottesville, Virginia. It was cold and rainy, but we made the most of it. Greg is still in the Coast Guard and stationed at the Pentagon. I keep up with Tommy Upton, and I can report that he’s relocating after

Class of 2005: Brother rats at the class dinner during the 20th Reunion in April 2025.

Class of 2006: John Diehl with his children, including Peter Jeffrey Diehl (newborn), born April 21, 2025.

a decade-plus from Arlington, Virginia, to Roanoke. I keep up regularly with Phil Wilson. He was working as a travel nurse in Bath, North Carolina. Phil just ended his last travel nursing gig and is now hiking the Continental Divide Trail. After he finishes, he’ll have completed the triple crown—he did the Appalachian Trail in 2016 and the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018. Everything is going well for me in Richmond, Virginia; my three kids and a house as old as the Institute keep me very busy. My company, Kimley-Horn, continues to hire a good number of VMI civil engineering grads here in Richmond and around the country. If there were more grads, we’d take them. I’m happy to report that all of the VMI grads have been super solid—some of the best well-rounded engineers my company has. This past January, I got to spend a few days with Frank Kollmansperger ’84 at a ranch in Arizona for a work event. I unfortunately had a conflict and couldn’t make it to the Institute scholarship dinner this year for Shawn Hogan’s scholarship. I plan to make it next year, so if anyone wants to be my plus one, let me know! I continue to keep in touch regularly with Jimmy Wicker. He’s doing well in Portland, Oregon.”

Class Notes

family to visit the ‘I’ around New Year’s. I’ve seen Jon Everiss up in the NOVA area, also; he’s doing well.”

Kelly Sweppenhiser and his wife got back to post the weekend of May 3–4, 2025, to take in a baseball game and bumped into Shane Geisslinger ’08 Kelly highly recommends all our BRs prioritize a Lexington visit before our 20th Reunion next year. Especially his former sinks-mates, Hollenbeck, J.A., and Mizzer, S.E. Let’s go, S-18!

Chris Pridgen sent in the following update, “Biggest updates for me so far ... been in command nearly a year now and still haven’t gotten fired yet, so that’s a win! I command the mighty OSSpreys of the 9th OSS. I’ve run a 50K and am currently training to try and complete a 100 miler this coming October #notdeadyet!”

Charlie Brennan let us know, “I’m still working aboard Camp Lejeune as a network engineer/ sys admin for 2nd Network Battalion and living with my wife, Michelle, and our kids down on the North Carolina coast. Managed to take my whole

Jo Wall shared that she is “working for the government doing maritime construction here in the Northeast. It’s been very rewarding, and I kind of love my life. I’m an FAAcertified drone pilot and fly for my department; I also have played a key role in the recovery of FEMA-eligible money from superstorm Sandy. I run construction projects and get lots done, and that’s awesome. I recently competed in my local strongman competition as a fundraiser for Autism Awareness Month. I won my first master’s division. (I’ll stay humble and point out there were only two of us). I dance and teach professionally and pick up heavy things for fun. I’m definitely older but have zero chill. And much to no one’s surprise, I am also still annoying.”

Until next time! Please keep the notes and pictures coming.

Your BR, Will

2007

Laura (Hash) Chancellor

Whitney Matthews

Brother Rats, I hope you all have enjoyed your summer and

Class of 2006: Jo Wall competes in a strongman competition for autism awareness.

Class of 2006: Charlie Brennan and his children, Anya, Abigail, Charles, Connor, Aurora, and Ariella in Memorial Hall in January 2025.

Class of 2006: Nick Mazzenga and Greg Quillen celebrate Nick’s birthday in Charlottesville, Virginia, in February 2025.

Class of 2006: Chris Eaton and his wife, April, at their business, Trinity Yoga Wellness Center, in New Port Richey, Florida.

are looking forward to the autumn and cooler temperatures! We have lots of exciting updates from the class.

Kenny McWilliams writes, “Just wanted to share some updates from my family—while we had thought about it, Paulina and I were unsure if parenthood was in the cards for us. This question was answered with a blessing, and months later, we welcomed our first child. Sophia Angeline McWilliams was born March 22, 2025; both mother and baby are healthy. We are both overjoyed, and I found my VMI training is helpful with the long nights!” Congratulations, Kenny and Paulina!

Deuntay Diggs had the pleasure of spending time with his fellow ’07 BRs. Justin Chetney, Josh Prible, Deuntay, and Dustin Dodge (#friends4life) got together at A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Justin, who recently won the lottery, drove up from Hampton Roads to collect his prize! Sounds like a good time was had by all. Deuntay also writes that his documentary, “Beneath The Scar: A Story of Resilience,” was released on Amazon Prime April 11, 2025. It’s a gritty, honest, first-person account of his journey from a small-town kid on the Eastern Shore to a VMI graduate and U.S. Army soldier—with the hardships in between defining this story of resilience.

Quincy Washa writes to say she got married in April 2025! She and her husband, Matthew Flanagan, eloped in Santorini, Greece. It was magical, and they loved every moment of it! Matt deployed with the Army 2 weeks after their return, so in true military fashion, they are spending their first year of marriage apart. Praying for his safe return in February 2026!

Quincy ran into Clay Piersall and Col. Joseph M.Garaux at the Modern Day Marine Expo in D.C. at the end of April, as well. (Col. Garaux was a Marine Corps instructor and TAC officer at VMI during our time.) She says it was great reconnecting with both of them and hearing where the Marine Corps has taken them in their careers. Col. Garaux presented a brief on the future of tactical resupply UAS (TRUAS) during the event and has become a leading advocate helping to shape these advancements in Marine logistics.

Jose Lopez Jr. would like to announce the birth of his son, Mateo E. Lopez, born March 5, 2025, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Jose says that momma (Maria Laura Lopez Gonzalez) and Mateo are doing well. He also writes that he is graduating from Creighton University in May 2025. He has completed the Doctor of Education degree in the interdisciplinary leadership program after he defended his dissertation May 7, 2025. He will

walk across the stage May 16 (what an important date!). Congratulations, Jose, on the birth of Mateo and earning your Ed.D.!

Rhys Williams writes that Anthony Menas his co-dyke and godfather to his son—came to visit in New Orleans to celebrate the first communion of Rhys’ son, Rhys Jr. They had an awesome time catching up and eating great food as they celebrated Rhys. They were later joined by one of their other co-dykes, Brandon Kelly, who has been stationed in New Orleans with the Marines for the last 2 years and is about to PCS back to Quantico. They ate some awesome boiled crawfish and crabs. Next time, they hope their other co-dyke, Steve Turner, can join them! All the kids had a literal blast shooting the adults and each other with Nerf guns!

I had the great pleasure of meeting up with Andrew Timpner; his husband, Matt; and their daughter, Daniella, while I was visiting my uncle, Hugh Hopkins ’69, in Jacksonville, Florida. We had a good time catching up. Andrew is enjoying his time as captain of the USS Farragut, but he is extremely busy. Daniella told me all about how she had just met the Easter Bunny—we had the best time together!

I was back at VMI in May 2025 to be inducted into the Alpha Kappa Order. Melissa (Williams) Krawiec ’01 and Tennille (Chisholm) Barnabi ’01 were also inducted. We had a great time swapping “Old Corps” stories and talking about how great our dyke line is! For me, my big news is that my husband, Nate, and I will be moving to Baltimore, Maryland, in July 2025. Nate is in the Coast Guard and will be stationed at the Coast Guard Yard for the next 3 years. We are excited about this move and his new duty station. Let me know if you’re in the area!

Thanks to all for submitting your notes and

Class of 2007: Andrew Timpner and his daughter, Daniella, with Whitney Matthews in Jacksonville, Florida.

Class of 2007: Rhys Williams’ son, Rhys Jr., at his first communion with godfather Anthony Menas in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Class of 2007: Quincy Washa and her husband, Matthew Flanagan, were married in Santorini, Greece.

Class of 2007: Kenny and Paulina McWilliams with their newborn daughter, Sophia Angeline.

pictures. Looking forward to getting even more in the autumn.

In the Bonds,

Whitney Matthews

2008

Rachel and Chad Tobin welcomed a boy, James Thomas Tobin, to the family April 5, 2025. James tipped the scales at 9 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured out to be 22 inches long. Congrats to the Tobin family!

Kellan Travis was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army in Kansas City at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Among many family and friends, Kellan was joined by David Sullivan. Congrats on your promotion, Travis!

2009

Bradley Simpson

Brother Rats:

I hope this edition of the Review finds you and your families well. This edition, I haven’t had much communication within the class. Our class was well represented at VMI’s Legacy Day. Numerous BRs brought their kids back to indoctrinate them in the ways of VMI. Usually, my daughter is one of the kids who participates in the festivities, but she was unable to make it this year. I got numerous photos from the day, and it looked like everyone had a good time. I would highly recommend if you have kids to bring them back and let them enjoy this wonderful event. Well, that about covers it this go around; stay safe, and keep doing awesome things.

2010

David Messina

Chris Dommert

I wanted to start this edition off by making anyone who wasn’t already aware, aware of some really sad news.

Our Brother Rat Dylan Cate passed away in

Class of 2007: Josh Prible, Justin Chetney, Deuntay Diggs, and Dustin Dodge at the A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Robert Hill

Class of 2008: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kellan Travis is promoted at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, in March 2025.

Class of 2008: James Thomas Tobin, son of Rachel and Chad Tobin, was born April 5, 2025.

Class of 2008: Chip Chase, Jason Webb, and Ryan Mingus gather in Florida to celebrate Ryan’s 40th birthday.

Class of 2009: Brother rats and their families gather on post for Legacy Day in April 2025.

the early hours of April 16 while on post. For those who weren’t aware, Dylan joined the commandant’s staff in summer 2024 and was working as the officer in charge of barracks on the evening he passed. After graduation, Dylan enlisted in the Army, where he served as a Ranger. J.T. Piribek provided some info about Dylan on Facebook; he reportedly deployed nine-plus times during his almost 14 years with the Army before being medically retired. He took a job back on post in order to try and give back to aspiring officers. Dylan will be missed, and thank you, J.T., for providing some of the background on what he had been up to since graduating.

I wasn’t able to get much other information out of J.T. about what he’s been up to, but I do know that he’s stationed in Italy currently.

With that, I have another ask: If you’re not on Facebook/part of the 2010 Facebook group, could you please reach out to Chris and myself (our contact info is above). Facebook is the easiest way to disseminate information, but I recognize everyone doesn’t have it and would like to be able to easily pass information along to those who are not. I was able to do this with the news about Dylan for the few who I knew weren’t on Facebook, but I know my list is lacking.

By the time this edition arrives, we won’t be far out from the 15th Reunion. Hopefully, everyone has their travel and hotels booked and is looking forward to a fun weekend catching up! I know I’m personally really excited to be able to catch up with some of our BRs I’ve lost contact with.

Since our last Alumni Review, I was able to travel to post and participate in the Legacy Day event on post with my children. They had a blast running around post and getting to do activities in some of the new facilities up there. After the Legacy Day event, I played in the alumni rugby game

alongside Conner Ross and Jonathan Winoker Connor is now married to a lovely gal named Flanna that he met while playing roller derby in New York City. They’ve been together for 10 years now and finally decided to tie the knot Nov. 9 of last year. Connor has also graciously decided to help Chris and me (along with Cody Hennelly) with reunion planning. If everything goes well, we can thank Cody and Connor; if it goes to hell, me and Chris will take the fall, lol. Eddie Preisser is still living the Army life. He just wrapped up 5 years at Fort Rucker as a fire support instructor last July and has moved his family to Fort Bliss as an observer, coach, and trainer, making sure units are ready to deploy. Eddie has three kiddos—Isaiah is 15, Isabel is 13, and Kaylee is 2.

I also heard from Patrick Wentzel recently. He recently got to spend a week out on Ascension Island (middle of the Atlantic Ocean) with Erik Blum. It’s apparently a 9-hour flight from London to get there. Erik is the SLD detachment to the commander of the Space Force base out there. Patrick is working at USSPACECOM/J4 as a mechanical engineer, where he’s been for a little less than a year. He had to travel out to Ascension Island to conduct an assessment of their “space stuff,” where he quickly learned that the U.S. part of the island is run by none other than Erik. Patrick reported that while on the island, they participated in a voluntary sweat party with the RAF and that they lost terribly at British bar trivia. He also reported that Erik is doing amazing work on the island but will be transitioning to Guam later this year. Hopefully, they’re both able to fit in a trip to the “Mother I” in early September in the midst of all their international travels.

I also received a short update from Thomas Chapman, who is living in the Richmond area and has been working for the Federal Reserve for almost 7 years now (I have trouble picturing Chappy sitting in a cube wearing slacks ...). He’s married and has two boys (a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old).

Chris Martin recently attended a Military Officers Association of America event in Washington, D.C., where he met up with Charles Sachs ’79 and Gary Bissell ’89 and stated that he recently started a new job at MOAA as a senior editor. Chris is living in Falls Church with his wife, Stephanie, and they have a son, Levi, who is 7. Chris said now that he has an office, he’s finally able to proudly display his diploma and his chunk of the old sentry box. His son is active with the scouts, and Chris helps with that, so they get plenty of time to go explore the wilderness.

Class of 2010: David Messina, Connor Ross, and Jonathan Winoker on North Post after the alumni rugby game in April 2025.

Class of 2010: Connor Ross and his wife, Flanna, on their wedding day.

Class of 2010: Patrick Wentzel and Erik Blum on Ascension Island in May 2025.

Class of 2010: Pictured at an MOAA event in Washington, D.C., in May 2025 are (from left) Chris Martin, Charlie Sachs ’79, and Col. Gary Bissell ’89.

2011

Thomas H. Pace

Brother Rats,

It’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years since we marched off the Parade Ground for the last time. Our 15th Reunion is fast approaching, and I’m excited to catch up with everyone.

I’ve got some updates to share: Tom Louderback has accepted a senior leadership position with Komatsu America Corp and will be based out of the Chicago office. He’ll have the opportunity to travel to Japan and will oversee company-owned stores. Tom is keeping his farm in West Virginia and invites all brother rats to visit. Congratulations are also in order, as Tom was recently awarded 40 Under 40 in the construction equipment industry, thanks to a nomination from John Jordan III ’90, alumnus and dealer principal of Hawkins-Graves in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Matt Talbott and I recently conducted our annual wellness check on the elusive Tommy Fields, and I’m happy to report he’s alive and still grumbling about his time as our roommate. Yut, yut!

In other news, Richard Crozier recently tied the knot with his long-time partner, Caitlyn, and fellow Mad Dog Delta BR Ross “The Boss” Harris was in attendance to celebrate.

Zach Kier and his family have been enjoying time in Alaska but will be back in the continental United States until mid-September.

Rah Virginia Mil!

Tom Pace

2012

Bruce Howard

Brother Rats,

I hope this edition of the Review finds you and your families well. Here are updates from some of the members of our class, so I hope you enjoy.

James Rivas and his family are enjoying their move out of Richmond and into Mechanicsville. They are working on an addition to the house, so as a break from everyday life, James enjoys his adventurous weekends with the Navy Reserve!

Veronica Davis and her husband are now a family of four! Their second daughter, Molly Faye Davis, was born March 31. Congratulations, and happy to hear everyone is healthy and doing well.

Speaking of all these additions, let’s keep the train rolling with Wayne Whiting, who is about to begin a renovation on his home located just outside of Richmond. Both of Wayne’s careers, real estate and Cap City Maid, are doing well, and we who follow you online thoroughly enjoy the content.

Drew Stahling and his family added another dog to the family, Nico. With the newest animal, that makes two kids, two dogs, and a cat ... can’t wait for this year’s Christmas card!

Kippur Taylor and his family have spent a little time on the East Coast recently, so it’s great to see a BR and good friend in person versus on the phone

while living in California. Although a short-lived stop, it was great spending time with him and his wife and beautiful daughter, Emerson.

Juan Thrasher had a great opportunity to spend some time with the coaching staff of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He earned a spot through the NFL’s National Coaching Academy. Congratulations, Juan, and well deserved!

Sean Alexander doesn’t seem to miss an opportunity to attend a Capitals NHL game, so if you’re in D.C. and planning to go, let him know.

David Yost continues to impress as the wrestling coach for Benedictine in the Richmond area. We fortunately run into one another every now and again at events, and it’s great to see how much success he’s having on the mat!

I greatly appreciate all those who sent information to share with the class. If I’m ever lacking on quality content, just know I can pull from social media posts. This is your warning. I look forward to hearing from more of you before the next edition. Take care and until next time!

In the Bonds, Bruce

2013

Rob&AnnieMarieIncontro

Michael Scaplehorn

Well, BRs, it’s time to check in again, and it’s hard to believe that it has been 12 years since we were last all together in barracks. It has been great to see so many of you all progressing through life with milestones like marriage, kids, and career moves. In particular, we have a couple of updates for a few of our BRs. Thank you to everyone who reached out with their news!

Brie (Hogan) Alman shared with us that she presented her thesis on “The Scope of Occupational Therapy in Postpartum Mental Well-being for Birthing People” and won first place for Excellence in Academic Presentation at the Salem State University graduate research conference for her occupational therapy program.

Christelle Ndongo is making big moves back home in Cameroon and is running for the presidency of the Cameroonians National Basketball Association. This elected role would be a way for

Class of 2011: Ross Harris and Richard Crozier at Richard’s wedding.

Class of 2012: James Rivas getting some flight time with the Navy.

her to start her career in politics in Cameroon. She encourages any BRs to reach out to her if they’d like to or can support her campaign. Good luck, Christelle!

Ashley Gernhardt had her baby boy, Hector, in February, right in time before a big snowstorm hit Virginia Beach, where she is stationed. Hector rounds out their family of four, along with his older sister, Isabella, who just started kindergarten.

Dustin Shelly and his wife, Brijet, welcomed their son, Trevert Thomas Shelly, to the world back in November!

Congratulations to our new parents—luckily, VMI prepared us well for sleep deprivation.

A.J. Augustine and Rian Ellis ’14 are graduating from the Army-Baylor Masters of Healthcare and Business Administration (MHA/MBA) program in July!

Finally, Taylor Armstrong is now Taylor (Armstrong) Santopietro after her marriage in December to Rob Santopietro in New Jersey. Congratulations, Taylor and Rob!

As always, keep up the great work, BRs, and never hesitate to reach out to us or each other.

Rah Virginia Mil!

2014

Johnny Partin

Samuel Guidry

BRs!

By the time you read these notes, it will have almost been 1 year since we had our 10th Reunion. Man, the time is flying on by. Seems just like yesterday we were finalizing last-minute details on the reunion and putting the finishing touches to our swag bags. Now, we are in the last month of summer and getting ready to bring in the fall. I don’t know about y’all, but this year has flown by for me.

Before you know it, many of y’all will be getting calls and messages from me about joining the 15th Reunion committees; 2029 will be here before you know it! But let’s get into the fun BR updates on the days of our lives.

In February, Jack Dixon announced that his homegrown local farming business, Riverbank Farms, is expanding. It was exciting to see on Facebook the progress and pictures of his new

Class of 2013: Brie (Hogan) Alman with her occupational therapy class of 2025 during their research proposal presentations at the Salem State University Graduate Research Conference.

Class of 2013: Brie (Hogan) Alman in front of her thesis poster for her occupational therapy research proposal presentation at the Salem State University Graduate Research Conference.

Class of 2013: Taylor (Armstrong) Santopietro and her husband, Rob, at their wedding in December 2024.

Class of 2013: Ashley Gernhardt’s son, Hector, was born in February 2025.

Class of 2014: Richard Scruggs and his wife, Dakota, on their wedding day.

shop going up. Keep up the wonderful work, Jack! #supportlocalfarmers

Earlier this year, Nick Longaker and his adorable son, Julian, went to Disney World with the family. They had a great time together, and the pictures of them with Mickey Mouse are just priceless. Glad you are doing well, Nick!

Meg (Doss) Pileggi and her husband, Cory, celebrated 13 years of Valentines this past Valentine’s Day. I loved the photo collage on Facebook of y’all two. Y’all have a beautiful marriage and have helped so many kids along the way. Never lose sight of the beautiful union y’all have together.

As a confirmed ole bachelor, I did what every self-respecting bachelor does on Valentine’s Day. I went to a buffet and did a massive carb load for a weekend of races. Lol! On Feb. 15, I did the Colonial Williamsburg Half Marathon (with a 3-mile pre-race jog and 1.4-mile post-race jog) for a total of 17.5 miles. Our track and cross country teams should be so proud of me. Then on Feb. 16, I did a relaxing 5K over in Charles City County. So, the total mileage for the weekend was 20.6 miles. (As I am typing this, I am eating several portions of sweet potatoes.) Haha!

Cabell Willis and I caught up for a bit back in mid-February. He and his wife, Victoria, are doing well. They are still down in Argentina and avid hikers.

Patrick Stansbury and I also caught up around the same time. He is still in the New Orleans area. He caught up with Christian Addison and John Kelly ’15 during the Super Bowl week. Which I need to take a tactical pause for a second to say, “Fly, baby, fly.” Great job, Eagles; you soared right over them Chiefs. I was telling Patrick that one day, I hope to be back in New Orleans so I can see more of the sights I couldn’t see 4 years ago. I saw on Facebook that Quentin O’Neal will be transitioning from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, over to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, during the summer. The whole O’Neal family is excited to be back up in one of the most beautiful states.

Near the end of February, I saw where Ben Kier posted on FB that he and his family are going back to Texas as part of the 1st Cavalry Division. Best of luck on this new assignment, Ben; I know you will do well.

Wilkes Barber is crushing it (pardon the pun) with his stone and masonry business. Heart of Stone Masonry is tackling some historic stone and brickwork across the state of North Carolina. He recently did some beautiful work over at the Historic Bethabara Park. Keep on rocking it (enjoy the pun), Wilkes!

Class Notes

On the last day in February, Jack Gotwalt got married! He and his new wife, Margaret, tied the knot down in Charleston, South Carolina. Congratulations, Jack! We are wishing you and Margaret many great years of marriage filled with tons of love and fun.

While Jack was getting married, I officially picked up my new favorite title. My sister and her husband welcomed their first child into this world. So, I’m officially an uncle! And yes, I have already started planning our ice cream uncle-nephew dates!

On March 2, I drove down to Newport News to do the One City Marathon. Even with being a touch under the weather, I still pulled a sub-4-hour30-minute run. Needless to say, I was eating like a horse afterward. Hahaha.

Near the beginning of March, Zach Stark was promoted to major! In typical fashion, Zach was the epitome of professionalism, but he was upstaged by his son during the ceremony, who truly stole the show. Congratulations, Zach, to you and your beautiful family. Well earned and deserved!

A shout out to Ray Montolin! He picked up his gold oak leaf with his major promotion. Congratulations, Ray! Keep up the great work!

On March 10, Cory Reinecke and his wife, Lexi, welcomed their third child into this world. Little Saylor Blair Reinecke weighed in at 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and was 20-and-a-half inches. She is so adorable, guys. I can’t wait to meet her one day. Also, in March, Hunter Harvey and his wife celebrated 3 years of beautiful marriage. Three down and a lifetime to go; congratulations, Hunter!

On March 24, T.J. Curl was promoted to major! I joked with him that his next profession should be

Class of 2014: Justin Vernon and Nick Rolls with their children at a VMI rugby game on post.

Class of 2014: Meg (Doss) Pileggi with her family at Collective Leadership Academy, a private school she founded.

Class of 2014: U.S. Army Sgt. Matt Lawson at his promotion ceremony.

Class of 2014: Johnny Partin, Jonathan Reardon, and Matt Reardon at the Smithfield Sprint Triathlon.

bodybuilding. “Major Curl is big on them bicep curls.” Gosh, I crack my own self up. Lol! On a serious note, big congratulations, T.J., on this great achievement. You definitely deserved and earned it.

In addition to several of our BRs getting promoted, we had another BR get some special military recognition. Jonathan Rumbaugh completed the Infantry Mortar Leader Course and excelled beautifully. He officially picked up this 3Z ASI (Army Skill Identifier, for you non-Army peeps), and now he is on to bigger and better things. Congratulations, Jonathan!

April 5 was a happening day for 2014! First off, Richard Scruggs got hitched! He is now a happily married man to the vivacious Dakota Galderise. Funny side note: Dakota and I used to be in the same Sunday School class as kids. Talk about a small world. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Scruggs! So excited for you all. Here’s to many, many happy years of marriage.

Second, Christian Beale took his family to the Metro Richmond Zoo. It was a grand time for the family, especially since it was spring break!

Third, Daniel Oberlander and his family did their first family-of-four race at the Cherry Blossom 5K in D.C. The family race pictures were wonderful. Daniel, your little girl is growing up fast. Before you know it, she will be in high school and hopefully matriculating to VMI.

Lastly, Jonathan Reardon, Matt Reardon, and I raced in the Smithfield Sprint Triathlon. We had a blast down there. Each of us set PRs in the events and saw great improvement in our overall time. Matt got third place for the age group, and I got third place for the military division. Virginia National Guard and 2014 repping!

Later in April, Justin Vernon and Nick Rolls caught up at the Institute and watched a rugby game. Both brought their families to watch and walk about post. I’m sure there was some parental encouragement for their kids to join the rugby club when they matriculate to VMI. Hahaha!

Also near the end of April, I got to catch up with Matt Lawson. He is doing great. He is in the Army and just got promoted to sergeant recently. Congratulations, Matt! He just got back from his first deployment, bought his first house, and got LASIK. It has been a very busy year for him. If anyone is out in Kansas, drop a line to Matt! Keep up the great work, Matt. We are super proud of all of your accomplishments.

After catching up with Richard Scruggs and getting his wedding photo for the notes, he told me that he actually runs his own small business. He does commercial landscaping and gardening maintenance. One of his contracts this year is in

New Town, located in Williamsburg, where one of the residents is none other than our future lawyer BR, Cameron Dunnavant. Talk about a small world. You never know when you will run into a BR!

To round out the BR updates section of the class notes, we have some very exciting news from Meg (Doss) Pileggi. After struggling to find adequate, inclusive education for her special needs daughter in rural North Carolina, she founded Collective Leadership Academy, a faith-based leadership-focused school that incorporates the young Marines and nurtures the whole child beyond academics.

Also, she and her husband adopted their fifth child from foster care. His name is Alessandro Michael Pileggi. She and her husband have been foster parents for 10 years come August.

Couple of quick admin notes! Please take note of my new email: jpartin2014@gmail.com. My old email will be retiring soon.

Please make sure that you update your contact/mailing information with the Alumni Agencies. This helps us with sending our birthday and Christmas cards, reunion planning, BR event outreach, etc. I am getting a few return cards from y’all, and I don’t want y’all to feel left out.

Please make sure you are taking time out of your schedule to spend time with friends, family, neighbors, and loved ones. Life is too short to ignore the people you love and care about.

With that, I will leave you all to continue to enjoy this wonderful summer. Until next time BRs, take care!

With Much BR Love, Johnny “Party” Partin

2015

HenryMeredith

Johnny McDonald

Keydets,

I’m writing this in May; by the time this is printed and mailed, we’ll be gearing up for our 10th Reunion Sept. 5–6—get excited! I hope you’ll consider making a pledge to give. The 10th Reunion (like the 25th and the 50th) is an “honored year.” That means it’s one of the reunions where we present a big check to VMI. The check includes

Class of 2015: Chantal Stark-Zupancic and her newborn son, Anton.

Class of 2015: Quincy Murphy receives a Master of Science degree in environmental engineering.

Class of 2015: Miles Page Mank, son of Sarah (Putney) Mank.

Class Notes

the last 5 years of giving and the next 5 years of pledges. I’m excited to make a pledge—my time at VMI was meaningful to me, and it’s important to me to support future cadets in having the same kind of meaningful experience.

Anyways, let’s get onto the notes—one of our biggest sets in a while!

Sam Druen and his wife, Kristin, welcomed their son, Grant, back in January. Sam is hoping he and the family will be able to make it to the 10th Reunion!

Rob Miller and I were catching up, and he shared that both he and Brian Watkins were selected to

promote to major in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2026. Congratulations to you both!

Sarah (Putney) Mank and her husband welcomed their second son, Miles Page Mank, April 22, 2025. Congrats!

Chantal Stark-Zupancic’s son, Anton, was born Jan. 1, 2025. Pictured is Chantal representing VMI at a college fair in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Anton sporting a coatee onesie courtesy of Casey (Crimmins) White!

Congratulations to Ben Field, who was recently selected as part of the Olmsted Scholar Class of 2026. He and Mike Jacobs ’16 are two of the only 18 officers selected for the next class. They are the sixth and seventh VMI grads to be selected for this, and this is the first time two VMI grads were selected in the same year. Huge achievement for our boys—rah Virginia Mil! Matt Brau shared that while flying the F-16 in Italy has been a blast, he’s stoked to finally move back to Virginia in July. This is what I tell my wife, Matt—Italy is great, but there’s this beautiful place in Virginia called Lexington. Plan is for Matt to go back to his roots in the 757 to finish up the Air Force, flying T-38s at Langley.

Upon writing this, Jarred Marlowe and his wife were expecting a baby girl very soon—exciting! Jarred says they’re doing well living in Collinsville, Virginia, and he’s enjoying his job in loan underwriting at Carter Bank.

After starting his journey in the National Guard Feb. 2, 2012, and finishing 10 years of active duty on Groundhog Day, Carl Ellison and family are taking life by the horns and exiting the Army. They will be moving to the greater Orlando area, welcoming their third child, and starting new careers before the 10th Reunion. Carl shares that his facial hair will be setting out on its maiden voyage as he “navigates the complexities of the real world: Healthcare, non-athletic work attire, and working with a company that cares about their bottom line.” Carl is looking forward to seeing everyone in September and jokes that he hopes he’s not living under a bridge!

Charlie Gough and family are moving back to North Carolina in July, where he’ll be studying for his master’s degree.

Back in August 2024, Joe Schmieley moved from Alaska to Fort Irwin to start his new job as an OC/T. Joe’s wife is due with their first child June 30, 2025.

Brendan Simons graduated UNC business school in May this year. He’s headed to Dallas later in the summer to work for PepsiCo corporate! Matt Nobile is moving to Fort Cavazos this fall and will be joining 69th ADA BDE as their S2. Beyond that, he’s waiting to pin and working

through ILE. Matt is looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!

Tess and Mitchell White are officially back in Virginia! They’re staying in the Warrenton area while Mitchell continues to look for work as a chaplain. They’re looking forward to getting back in touch more regularly with any alum or BRs in the area.

Alexis Wissinger transitioned out of the Navy as a surface warfare officer back in February. She’s now a full-time photographer in Virginia Beach/ Hampton Roads area (Birdi Photography). Bonus: She is responsible for the attached photo of Sam Druen’s family!

Congratulations to Quincy Murphy for earning his M.S. in environmental engineering from Old Dominion University Batten College of Engineering and Technology! His thesis is focused on modeling the removal of per and polyfluoroalkl substances (PFAS) from wastewater using granular activated carbon. Sounds cool! Quincy is moving to Albany, Georgia, to serve as the acting environmental branch head for the installation, Marine Corps Base Albany.

Thank you for reading! Can’t wait to see you in September.

2016

MurphyKerner

HunterMorgan

Hope everyone had a great summer. We didn’t receive a lot of notes this go around; if you have any updates, big or small, please send them our way!

Jared Gruber reports in from Seattle. If you’re in the area, give him a shout.

A few moves for the class: Connor Mildrum moved from Richmond, Virginia, to Lynchburg, Virginia, this spring. Matt Carter is headed to Burlington, Vermont, from Charlottesville, Virginia, this summer.

Murphy Kerner married Annie Thompson this May in Richmond. There were multiple Keydets in attendance: Thomas McFadden, Dallas Wood ’17, Jordan White, Nic Ortiz, Matt Carter, Michael Logan, and David Smith ’19

By the time you are getting this, it’ll be fall, and

Class of 2015: Sam Druen; his wife, Kristin; and their newborn son, Grant.

Class of 2015: Charlie Gough and his family.

we will be coming up on a year out from our 10th Reunion. If you are interested in helping to plan the event, please shoot either of us an email or a text, and we will start to begin planning this fall/ winter. The reunion will be in fall 2026, so we will need to start pulling together what we want it to look like. Please reach out by the end of September 2025 if you’re interested.

Other VMI events to put on your calendar: If you’re in the Richmond area this fall, there are a few VMI Club of Richmond events headed up this year by our own Meredith Baldasare. The oyster roast/VMI football versus The Citadel watch party run by Owen Duggar ’15 and Will Klick ’12 is Nov. 1, hosted by Dawson Boyer ’08, and the annual dinner is Dec. 11 at the Virginia War Memorial.

Please reach out if you have any updates or want to help join in on planning for the reunion! RVM ’16.

These notes cover the period from Feb. 16–May 15, 2025.

Hey all! Happy May, or maybe more like August, by the time you get this. On behalf of the Institute, I’d like to thank you again for keeping your lifelong subscription to the world’s most exclusive magazine paid up! (You don’t actually pay for it, don’t worry ... it was paid for in blood, sweat, and tears from 2013–17). In any case, last issue, we ended on a long monologue about taking

care of the next generation of cadets, but I won’t put you through that again. We’ve heard enough about them and their potential. This publication is for the “Old Corps,” after all. So, let’s get back to the main plot and see what’s new for ’17 today! I actually missed one message chain last quarter, so before I go too far, let me account for Grant LaRock. He reached out way back in January to let me know he got the holiday card. As we caught up briefly, he told me he got out of the Marines in 2021 and moved into the tech industry. He worked for Cisco for a while before moving to IBM out in Raleigh. But that’s not all that’s new in his world. He is also engaged! Congrats, BR! Always happy to hear such good news! I wish I could say I only missed one last quarter, but I actually missed two ... I’ll work through it in therapy, don’t worry. The other missed BR was Garrett Manarin. He, like Grant, was letting me know he got the holiday card. I’m always glad to get confirmation they were received, as a surprising number do get returned to me. Please help me out and keep your addresses current! Here I go, focused on the accuracy of postage again; I may be turning into my father (did you know there are apps to track regular mail as it goes through USPS? I didn’t either, but he did and does his part to hold those sneaky mailmen to the standard). Anyway, Garrett is down in Florida but may be PCSing by the time you read these notes! Safe travels to your new duty station, friend! OK, now let’s get into the new stuff!

Sometime in late March, I got a surprise group message (generated courtesy of my dykes, Phil Pryor ’14, Tom Campbell ’14, Brandon Dodd ’14, and Ben Kier ’14). Alcohol may have been involved in the creation of this chat (on the part of two of those names); can’t really confirm, but it was great to hear from them, as well as a few of my co-dykes, like Nate Whitmer, Matt

Coleman, Austin States, and Mark Roberts

Sounds like Nate has been busy with the kiddo but hope to hear more from you once I get back from Qatar! Brandon also appears to be planning a trip to Poland soon, which may coincide nicely with Ben’s upcoming overseas TDY. I hope you all get a visit in when able!

Matt Outland and I spoke briefly after that. Matt spent several years as the Cape Charles harbor master before deciding to move into the marina industry. He now works for a dock manufacturing company called Marina Technologies, specializing in concrete and aluminum floating docks. Matt is a project manager for the company, overseeing both sales and marina construction consulting. Now, I didn’t realize this, but Matt wasn’t an engineer at VMI, so it’s pretty impressive he’s been able to adapt to this mathematics-heavy industry. He did express that he wished he took more engineering classes to assist with the transition, though! Matt is still in Virginia and very much enjoying the coastal life with his wife, Laura.

Samuel Paulay was the next one I got in touch with. He’s still in the Navy but now up in Boston and, as such, frequently crosses paths with Joey Steinbach and Eric Wicks, who live up there, too. Around the same time, I also got a text from Ben Richie. He is in D.C. now, having left his past job as a federal attorney in search of new and more exciting career paths. I hope you found something more exciting in D.C., my friend! When I get back from Qatar, I’m hoping to take some leave in Virginia, so let’s sync up if possible!

After that, I got some updates for the class roster from Brody Stofflet. I may have already included in a past issue that he graduated from Coast Guard boot camp in spring 2024, but I may have neglected to include he made honor graduate at boot camp and is considering a package for OCS in the near future. Shortly after graduation, he got stationed at Southwest Harbor, up near Acadia/Bar Harbor. He and his wife, Casey, love exploring Acadia National Park with their three dogs, Cali, Rio, and Emmy. The latest news is that he and Casey are expecting their first child in just a few weeks! (At least, from when I’m writing this). Congratulations to you both! Looking forward to the obligatory baby picture in the VMI onesie! I hear they take you off the mailing list if you fail to produce one in the first year of life, so get on it! I reached out to Mike Swinney after that to check his address since I got some mail back that I was not expecting. Turns out he PCS’d to Australia. Hope you’re enjoying it over there! Watch out for … just about every animal on the island; Australia has some tough critters. Did you guys know there is a spider season? (Shudders). Jumping back to the

Class of 2016: Murphy Kerner married Annie Thompson in Richmond, Virginia, in May 2025.

Michael P. Griffin

USA, though, Thomas Moriarty and I had been texting back and forth since January. The same struggles always apply with syncing schedules, but we connected just one month later, so in adultstandard-time, that isn’t too bad. Anyway, Thomas moved back to Virginia and bought a “nice little house in Crozet.” He was in command for about 3 years at the 477th Medical Company (ground ambulance) in Duluth, Minnesota, but just left command for an S3 spot with the 8th Medical Brigade in Staten Island, New York. Keep in mind, all of this was in the Reserve, so in addition to that incredible workload, he was also juggling a career as a police officer in Charlottesville. I think he had actually worked as a firefighter for a bit, too, up near Harrisonburg. Now that you’ve moved, though, I hope the North is treating you well, BR! He is also newly engaged to his fiancée, Rachel. In his own words, “She’s awesome. She was a firefighter for a while and now works in emergency management at Liberty University.” The two are currently working on renovating his house to make it more “whimsical,” as she says. I hope to see the end result soon! In the meantime, some of you should be on the lookout for invites or save the dates, as I think Mr. Moriarty expects to see some familiar VMI faces at the upcoming ceremony (whenever they figure out their wedding plans).

Daniel King surprised me with another email around the same time. As he mentioned, it’s been a long time since we got to chat, and this is likely his first time reaching out unless you count all the updates from Nick Mullet and Sierra (Payne) Mullet. I’m pretty sure we can count those! However, thanks for reaching out independent of them; we get enough stuff from those two … I was getting ready to cut them off for an issue or two. I kid; Nick/Sierra, you two always add a lot of great stuff to these notes; please continue! Hope all is well in Ohio! But getting back to Danny, he visited Yao-Jen “Alex” Chang in Taiwan this last January, who showed him around the island for a couple days. The two also got to meet up with ShuHao “Caskey” Yang for a bit, too! They even sent photographic evidence of the visit … See a nearby picture with them at the giant Buddha statue for further proof, if you can find it! The easiest where’s Waldo in the West … or would it be East in this case? Anyway, the statue is in Southern Taiwan and is called Fo Guang Shan. Mr. Chang and Mr. King also went to visit the old Dutch fort of Anping, near Tainan in Southern Taiwan. They sure got around! Thanks for the email, Danny! … And sorry it took me so long to reply! I’ll rectify that immediately, sir! Shortly thereafter, I got a message back from Sierra (Sell) Hetrick;

she moved from California back to Virginia in 2020 as a result of a new job in Newport News. I didn’t realize, but evidently, she drove across the country on a kind of VMI tour. You see, the VMI alumni page is very active and very quick to offer assistance. A number of grads and parents of grads provided safe houses along the route to help break up the journey. As you can imagine, they were all happy to house a fellow grad for a night or two. Gotta love that BR spirit! Sorry, I’ll tone down the propaganda-ness a touch; I cringed, too. Regardless, Sierra now lives in Hampton with her husband, Joshua, and their five cats. They got married back in 2021, which I don’t think we ever covered in an issue of the Alumni Review. For shame! Not just because it’s a major life event, but because I am now discovering that David Pody was a bridesmaid, I mean bridesman, and I require photographic evidence to rectify what my imagination is telling me that looked like. Thanks for the updates and wishing you all the best in Virginia!

About a week later, I got a message from Tyson McClellan, who has just gotten his copy of the Alumni Review. He is out in Virginia Beach these days, filling a shore command position with the public works section (which he kindly translated for me into “the Seabee Community”). I think he misses the operational side, but I’m sure it’ll come back around soon! Tyson and I recalled playing that one end-of-year concert as 3rds with Sarah Lemon (vocals), Ed Olbrych ’18 (bass), Darin St. Sauveur ’18 (guitar), and (forgive me, I may be mixing this up) either Sebastian Chavez (drums) or Nate Stewart (drums). I think it was Chavez, though. I used to jam with a lot of people (when I should have been studying). Now that I think back, I used to go down to the Band Hall (Shell?) with any combination of Cody Bottoms (drums), Joe Baumann (bass/drums?), Nate Stewart (drums), Jamie Schmitz (keys), and I think we even got Bryan Wade (guitar/mandolin?) one time. We had a surprisingly musical class for a military school. I agree, Tyson; we should have done that concert every year during dead week. Not sure why we didn’t, but I’m glad to hear you’re still playing the guitar when you find time! As seen last issue, I try to do the same (Soundcloud: “Above The Grave”… shameless plug). Anyway, now that I’m done recalling the various musicians of our class, let me tell you what Tyson is up to these days. As previously stated, he works with the Seabees and gets to spend most days in the mud, rather than the water. The Seabees are kind of like Red Horse (for all the Air Force weirdos like myself). Outside of work, Tyson has seen quite a few VMI folks in the VB area. He visited Dan Bowen and his wife, Kennedy (Smith) Bowen ’18 for their son’s fifth birthday. Looks like Dan is going to be deploying to Germany here soon. Another local VMI guy, Chris Davies ’16, works pretty closely with Tyson, so they get some conversations in about the Old Corps. Tyson has also run into Matt Rowe ’16 a few times at the gym and Ethan Zebron ’16, who gave him a brief tour of the USS Gunston Hall after Tyson’s team removed some oily waste to help avoid an emergency situation. As expected, Tyson never has a dull moment. It was good hearing from you, bro rat!

As I go back through my text messages to see if there is anyone missed, I find I didn’t reply to Stephen Bernard! He texted me asking for my email address back in February; today is May 14.Stephen, if you’re reading this, thank you for your kind words in that last message; I’m going to reply right now before I forget. I’ll be right back … OK, more to follow on Mr. Bernard next issue! I have to keep suspense somehow so let’s call this intentional and continue on. Before we go back

Class of 2017: Mike Griffin’s current residence in Qatar.

Class of 2017: Allison (Partin) Littlefield and Josh Littlefield with their son, John Patrick Littlefield.

to ’17, let’s give a little love to ’20, though. My rat, Chris Milliken ’20, was kind enough to take a call from me this spring. He recently got out of the Marine Corps and went back to Virginia. He and his wife, Ashley, seem to be enjoying it down there, more so than Massachusetts! Pretty sure that makes him an official $#%^ Yankee now, per the definition provided by Cody Bottoms’ father, Lin, sometime in 2013. Chris and I recounted strange and outlandish occurrences that took place at VMI during that new renaissance of 2013–17. Of course, peaches were discussed, as well as prior TAC officers, administrators, professors, and Chris’s new post-military facial hair. Good hearing from you, rat-tie! OK, we threw ’20 a bone, back to the main plot! Mauro De Leon sent me a message in early March. Sounds like he is applying for a new job on the East Coast. Hope the application went well! At this point, I took a short break to focus on the deployment stuff I had been putting off. Turns out that was not really in the cards … I’ll explain. As you know, I’m in the Air Force. Within the Air Force, I am what’s called a force support officer (FSS). Translating that to Army-speak, I’m S1 with a twist … translating that to the civilian world, I’m HR, base services (like gyms, dining facilities, and hotels), postal, mortuary, education, childcare, marketing, community services, and installation readiness rolled into one. There have been talks that the Air Force wants to hand us finance, too, but we might lose the shred of morale we still have at that point, so they held off for a few years. With no backfill, (because why would there be?), my deployment requirements were lost behind the fastest work tempo in the West. Don’t believe me? Give me a call when you have 3 hours to kill. So, I had to pause something to meet the deadlines and try to get out the door. Unfortunately, that had to be you all. I really do apologize. Normally, my fake job (USAF) doesn’t interfere with my real job (VMI), but the VMI one doesn’t pay, and I’ve become accustomed to a certain standard of living. I’ll iron this out so we can devote the proper focus to you all in the future! If I did not get back to you after early March, don’t take it personally; reach out again, and let’s fix that for the next issue! I’ll do my best to go back and check any open text threads. By the time I started talking to people again, it was early April, and I was either traveling to or had just arrived in Qatar. Al Udeid Air Base is actually a pretty cool place, but a very fast-paced place for FSS troops. Even so, I did manage to get some replies way out here! First off was Connor Wooten, the latest recipient of the VMI birthday card. Save that, man! It could be a collectible one day. This brief chat was followed by an equally short but much-appreciated conversation with

Zach Bugalla. He was passing through Wichita, for a PCS if I am not mistaken, but I was in Ireland clearing customs so I could get a snack after like 12 hours of travel. Side story, Ireland … you’d think good old-fashioned potatoes, right? I mean, it’s an airport, but still … it’s Ireland! Not a one. The only things they had in that same vein were cheese and onion potato chips, which tasted like regret. We didn’t get beyond the airport, but I hope they have better options outside. It just added insult to the pre-existing injury of temporarily losing my belt in their metal detector and holding my pants up while dragging all my worldly possessions along the ground, hunched over like Quasimodo. Anyway, Boogie and I had intended to get together in Wichita, but my deployment date moved up 2 weeks, so I got to have this lovely experience

rather than share dinner with him. Wonderful. I hope your travel went well, BR! Let’s touch base again soon!

Now you know I can’t go through this issue without including Matt Johnson and Cody Bottoms. Matt (now back in Chesterfield, Virginia) decided to share some exciting news with us, prompting a long-overdue conversation. It’s always good to catch up with you guys! In truth, Matt and I did get to visit briefly before I left for Qatar. I had driven back from Kansas to Virginia so that I could drop my cat and my car with my family before flying out of Charleston AFB on the rotator. This resulted in a few days spent in Lynchburg, Virginia. So, Matt and I met up at VMI and did a quick walkabout, followed by lunch at Macado’s with Owen McCaffery ’25 and my parents, Pat Griffin ’80 and Beth Griffin. The text with Cody and Matt was in realtime, occurring chronologically with other notes contained herein, whereas the visit to VMI is a flashback; try to stay with me here. This is like pulp fiction; you’ll have to put it in order as best you can. So, after I left Ireland, I got a message from Bryan Wade, who I am just replying to now, a month later … Bryan sent me a picture of Lynleigh, his and Tashalynn’s daughter. It is likely above, below, or beside these notes! She’s 9 months old, rocking the VMI apparel, and in his words, old enough to “rep it properly now.” Love to see it, BR! Thanks for sending! Again, I apologize for the delay in replies! In order to give the full story … While this message came in, I was in Bulgaria. We had gotten there late, expecting to get fuel and continue on to Qatar. By this point, my body had merged with the seat, and I would have done just about anything to leave the plane. Man, was that an unfortunate wish. The plane couldn’t be refueled for some reason, and the rumor was the pilot was too sick to continue on at that point. So, we were given some kind of foil-sealed breakfast while we waited for a bus to transport us off the flight line at Sofia airport. I think the powdered eggs had ham in it ... I hope it was ham because the alternative was something rancid. Why we couldn’t just walk to the terminal door 200 meters away, I’ll never know, but we sat there for a good 3 hours of our 14-hour projected wait time. Then we cleared customs so we could hang out in the lobby for an hour waiting for a bus to take us to “a hotel.” Now, when you market to me that I’m going to get a chance to sleep in a bed for a couple of hours, that sounds awesome! But this is the military, and how often is that the case? When the bus finally showed up, we were driven an hour through Sofia, Bulgaria. If you’ve never seen it before, you don’t need to. Long

Class of 2017: Yao-Jen “Alex” Chang, Danny King, and Shu-Hao Yang in Taiwan.

Class of 2017: Lynleigh Wade, daughter of Bryan and Tasha Wade.

story short, we got to the Princess Casino, which had seen better days about 20 years ago and got a room in pairs. My guy was a talker, lucky me. The shower was also broken, so our only option was to resume the Quasimodo-esk stance and engage in a less effective form of waterboarding. Maybe 2 hours after my head hit the hard (possibly Sovietera) mattress, I was awoken and frantically told to get back on the bus to return to the airport. We did that ... and then waited another 4 hours beyond our projected departure while they refueled. If I have to return home through Bulgaria, I might have a breakdown. I hope you all found this series of events comical. It is oddly reminiscent of some of the chaos we experienced at the “I.” Guess I was properly prepped. But this was my last story interjection, back to VMI!

Once fully settled at Al Udeid, I got a surprise call from Cameron McNeil ’20, another one of my rats. He had gotten out of the Army a while back and was updating me on his most recent adventures. Cameron always has something going on, so the conversation is always exciting. Hope you get some well-deserved rest and relaxation soon, my friend! Matt Johnson actually called me the next day, along with Mack Shehee. We had a short group call to catch up, where I was also introduced to the Army-Compliant OCP Sorting Hat. Army sure is something! Matt has become Mr. Fix-it for his unit, doing anything from mentoring young soldiers to busting out his tools to repair broken gym equipment. Mack is down in Arizona for a bit, attending the counterintelligence course before PCSing to Fort Meade with his wife, Deelan. Good luck with the move! At this point, I got a message from Alyssa Johnson, Matt’s wife, who very kindly was looking to coordinate events/visits between the Griffins and the Johnsons in June or July. Unfortunately, Matt had not yet relayed that I would still be in the desert at that time, but thank you for thinking of me! We will have to work out another timeline for a mini reunion. Maybe this winter or spring? Kyle Welch was the next one to get back to me. Our conversation was brief, but I did learn that he left Fort Stewart in Savannah, Georgia, for Monterey, California, to complete his Naval Postgraduate School program. Hope it went well, BR! Walker Hays reached out around the same point. He had been flipping through his Alumni Review and decided to message me. His wife had recently given birth to their son (on Christmas morning!). Congratulations to you both! That’s awesome news! Walker said his son could be Class of 2047 ... Wow, I don’t think I can project that far out quite yet, but when I contemplate it, I guess it isn’t that far off! The latest news is that Mr. Hays is now the

Class Notes

VP of the Greater Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex Chapter of the VMI Alumni Association. Man! No free time in your world! Thanks for taking on that job, BR! You and Andrew Bradshaw are certainly leading the charge for ’17 among the Alumni Agencies! Last, but not least, I got a surprise email from Johnny Partin ’14. His younger sister, Allison (Partin) Littlefield was part of our class, not that there is anyone here who didn’t know that! She and Josh Littlefield got married a few years back and recently welcomed their little boy, John Patrick Littlefield, back in February. He was kind enough to send me a picture to include here. Thank you, sir! Wishing all of you the best!

Tune in next quarter for updates on Mike Marta, Cody Bottoms, and more! Rah ’17!

Will Woodward

ReaganGoulla

2018,

We are well on our way into 2025. I am eager to share some of the highlights across our class. Woody and his father visited Japan ... again ... what, the fifth time? (Woody: “Third, I swear. Though I think their customs officers recognize me now.”)

Anywho, on to some of the updates. Ryan Wells with his wife; daughter, Grey; and second little girl on the way were at Ryan’s Oxford University degree ceremony for his master’s in diplomatic practice! Ryan and his wife and daughter lived in England for a year while Ryan completed his program. Congratulations, Ryan!

Julia Daly had to say goodbye to the mighty Vadar earlier this year, but she welcomed a new member to her family; please welcome Lily!

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, John Keppeler ran and finished the Grayson Highlands 50-mile ultramarathon in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. He placed 90 out of 132. He didn’t set any records, but he was definitely the biggest dude out there. Keeping the dyke line active, Woody was able to go to a bachelor party on Lake Anna in May. In attendance were his rat, Matthew Hamner ’21; Mitch Masterson ’21; Bronson Winslow ’21; Jacob Whitehouse ’22; Andrew Hamner (future

rat for the Rat Mass of 2028+3); and the groom, Daniel Hamner ’22. The weekend was filled with golf, sunburns, kayaking, and water recovery operations for those who took unexpected swims. Something Woody and I are passionate about: As we look ahead to our 10th Reunion, our class has a chance to leave something lasting—a scholarship that reflects who we are, what we’ve been through, and what we want to make possible for future cadets.

To get there, we don’t need a few huge checks. We need steady momentum and a growing number of brother rats willing to step in: $10 a month on the donation portal is a great way to get started. Just set it and forget it. For those who feel they can afford more, there is an important tool that we have access to that has excellent benefits and minimal downsides.

A pledge of $5,000 over 5 years may sound daunting, but it breaks down to just $83/ month—or $1.37 a day. Even $3,000 over 5 years puts you at $50/month, and that qualifies you as a young alumni leadership donor (within

2018

Class of 2018: John Keppeler at the Grayson Highlands 50-mile ultramarathon in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.

Class of 2018: Ryan Wells with his wife and daughter at his graduation ceremony from Oxford University.

10 years of graduation).

The best part? When you make a 5-year commitment, the full value of your pledge counts immediately toward our class scholarship. That means even a commitment made a month before the reunion shows up on the “big check” we present—and helps us move closer to our next goal of $75,000 in cash and commitments, which grants us our official Memorandum of Understanding.

Pledges can be set up through recurring credit card or bank drafts—just like a Netflix subscription, but with lasting impact. And if your situation ever changes, don’t worry: These commitments are non-binding and unenforceable. No one’s coming to collect. This is about what we want to build, not what we’re forced to give.

If you haven’t started giving yet, this is the perfect moment. Join the effort—not just with your dollars, but with your name on the legacy we’re creating.

As always, if you or your family need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Rah ’18, Reagan and Woody

Brother Rats,

By the time you read this note, we will have already selected new class agents. I am eager to introduce them and am excited to see what the term guided by their service will hold. This note, however, is mine to write, and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

I want to again thank Nate Mumford and Annika Tice for their service over the past 6 years.

The door will always be open for them to assist in future class endeavors or events, but I am grateful for their willingness to share the wealth and allow others among us to serve in this capacity. I trust whoever is selected for the two roles will be exactly who we need for this new season as alumni. Indeed, I do think of it as a new season. Yes, new agents have been selected, but we are also a year removed from our first alumni reunion and over 6 years removed from crossing the graduation stage. Many have already risen to new positions, taken on new responsibilities, achieved new degrees, and grown their families. Even some have returned to the “I” itself, something that many might still think an unlikely—or even unwelcome—occurrence. Given that I am among them, however, I assure you that life “on the other side” is more than bearable. Two years under my belt back on post in the Chaplain’s Office, and I can confidently say the

basics are still present and it is a remarkable place to be—not just a remarkable place to be from.

On that note, I want to take a moment to mention yet another ’1-9er that has made the return trek and is making a significant impact already. Nolan Lipscomb returned just a few months ago to fill the role of assistant director of global education. This fits him well, given his multiple study abroad stints as a cadet and his magnetic personality. His experiences abroad will serve him especially well as he pitches global studies opportunities to cadets. (Somehow it isn’t super easy to talk cadets into leaving VMI for a semester—who knew!) More importantly, he is right downstairs from me in the Old Post Hospital, so now I have the special treat of a BR greeting every morning!

By accepting this position, Nolan adds himself to a growing list of alumni who have made the return. Henry Boulter was the first, taking on an officerin-charge position. He is crushing it, boning at will while still maintaining his charm. Emily (Kirk) Pody also returned for a time, taking on an adjunct professorship in biology. She is pursuing her Ph.D., but I am hopeful she will again take up a post, as she made instant connections with cadets and really loves what she does. Then there was Ryan Smoot, who returned last year to be an assistant baseball coach. His players love him, and while the team didn’t end things where they would have liked this year, VMI baseball continues to be a consistently solid program. That makes five in total, not to mention all who make regular trips for career fairs, like Logan Hall and John Keefe, or all those who can’t help but swing through post to check in on their old home—or their president, like Austin Vereen (also my old rat roommate), Corey Taylor, or Chuck Wilson

Simply, the data is in: VMI still holds that special place in many a BR’s heart. And I venture to guess that whichever BRs are reading this—you, too, still have a unique corner in your life carved out for your old home. If that’s the case—or even if it’s not—I encourage you all to stop by sometime soon. I even encourage you to open yourself up to how you might be able to reconnect in even deeper ways than just popping back in or attending a game. Perhaps this could even include finding a way to impact the school that set you up so well.

As cadets, we spoke about building a legacy. We thought we only had 4 years to do this. We were wrong. Our opportunity to build our legacy is still in front of us. We began as cadets, certainly, but there is more building to occur. Even though we are still “a young class,” it is never too early, nor can we too often ask ourselves what we want our legacy to be. So, since I have the unique oneoff opportunity to write these class notes, I want

Class of 2018: Will “Woody” Woodward ’92 and Will “Woody” Woodward in Japan.

Class of 2018: Will “Woody” Woodward, Daniel Hamner ’22, Matthew Hamner ’21, and Jacob Whitehouse ’22.

Class of 2018: Jacob Whitehouse ’22, Andrew Hamner, Matthew Hamner ’21, Mitch Masterson ’21, Daniel Hamner ’22, and Will “Woody” Woodward.

Eli FAcemire

to take advantage and ask that question and urge you to ponder: What legacy do we want to continue creating? If you have ideas, let’s discuss them. Let’s pursue legitimate ways of making an unmatched mark. We have claimed to be the best—let’s prove it.

On that note, I wish to remind you of an ongoing opportunity we have to continue that legacy building. The Jack T. Casey 2019 Memorial Award is still in need of some funds to become fully endowed. I encourage you to visit the VMI Foundation’s website to donate and encourage others to do the same.

Also, I want to urge you to begin using this class notes section like we see the older classes using them. They really are a helpful point of continued connection for each BR, regardless of where you are or how plugged into social media you are. (In other words, even for old farts like me!) I trust the new class agents will work to be consistent with updates, even pestering you all for information. Do not be bashful to share (I know I certainly have been); we all genuinely want to know what’s going on, who you’ve married (like me marrying Rachel in October!), how many babies you now have, or the new place you’ve moved to or job you’ve taken. Do share and make sure your contact information in the VMI Alumni Agencies database is up to date by visiting their website and going to the “Ranks” tab. We want the Alumni Review and emails to arrive at the proper physical and virtual addresses!

And last of all, I want to reiterate my love for you all and my sincere prayer for each of you to continue your pursuits of excellence in all you do, loving and serving others with the selflessness and devotion of the true VMI man or woman you were trained to be. Should you need anything at all, please do not

hesitate to reach out, either to a class officer or to a newly selected class agent—or to any BR, for that matter. We are here for each other still!

Blessings!

Eli

Honor God, never quit, finish well.

2020

Alexander Dragan

HollyK.Njabo

Brother Rats of ’20,

I hope you are all doing well and in good health! I know life can be extremely busy with family and work and the constant grind we all know and love, but I want to challenge those of you reading this: If you haven’t had the chance to speak with a roommate, member of your company, or any of your classmates in a while, reach out! Shoot them a text or call and see what they’ve been up to. It’s always a really uplifting experience when I get to catch up with a BR, and you never know what impact you could have on someone who might be going through a tough time. And if you don’t have someone to reach out to, definitely message Skylar Birdie. I think it would be hilarious if he got a couple hundred calls/texts randomly after this is published because I know he definitely doesn’t read them.

I did get an email from the long-lost Will

Soldow May 9. Fortunately, in the midst of taking names, he was able to send a brief message from his ship: “Myself and Emily Gothard ’21 are still on deployment (8 months later) in the Red Sea shooting down Houthi drones and missiles; hopefully, we can get out of here soon. After I get back from deployment, I have taken some orders to Sydney, Australia, on an exchange program as a tactics instructor.” Please pray for Will and Emily and their safe return; hopefully, they get back safe and sound soon! Also, hopefully, reading that motivated you as much as it did me. For everyone who went to work for corporate, it’s never too late to commission.

Additionally, I tend to try and not write about Brittany (Szczepanik) Dragan since she’s my wife, and that might seem biased or something, but she did graduate EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) School at Navy EOD School in Elgin Air Force Base April 11, 2025, which is pretty legit. We are then heading off to Okinawa, Japan, for our next assignment, so if anyone is out that way, let us know!

Mizpah, Alex Dragan

Jonathan Krauss

LeviKennedy

Hello, Brother Rats, I hope everyone is enjoying their last few days of summer; fall is right around the corner. I want to first start off by thanking everyone who sent in their submissions to me; I really appreciate it and

Class of 2019: Attending the wedding of Capt. Eli Facemire, associate chaplain, and his wife, Rachel, Oct. 12, 2024, are (from left) Col. John P. Casper ’04, Institute chaplain, with CAVU, VMI’s facility dog; Col. Kevin Faust ’96, commandant’s office chief of staff; Mary Cannon, chaplain’s office administrative assistant; Corey Taylor and his wife, Britney; Rachel; Eli; Manning Fisher; Ben Cordle and his wife, Maddy (Moger) Cordle ’20; and Sgt. Maj. William T. Sowers, Institute and Corps sergeant major.

Class of 2020: Brittany Dragan with Jess Harmon ’22 at the 57th EOD Memorial Ball in Destin, Florida.

enjoy seeing what y’all are up to. This set of class notes encompasses the period of Feb. 15–May 15. We have had a lot of engagements these past few months: Nate Krug in February; Andrew Farmer, Liam Kelly, Sam Bonner, and Danny Usher in March; Brad-Edward Davis and Zane Bouregy in April; and Teddy Thompson and Sean Cyr in May. One marriage during this period—congratulations to Cole and Caroline Robinson, who were married March 29!

The Class of 2021 has a few babies on the way and one newborn! Those expecting are Noah and Madison Cook in September, John and Emily Duncan in November, Stephen and Tela Moryl in November, and Leslie ’21 and Adrian Sison ’19 in September! Matthew Hamner reached out to me and let me know that he and his wife, Jordan, welcomed Gabriel Hamner March 28!

I would list out all our Army brother rats who promoted to captain, but that’s about a quarter of you, so I’m just going to consolidate. Congratulations to all our Army brother rats who promoted to captain! Can’t forget Joe Murray, who graduated Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in March!

Some of my fellow Charlie Company brother rats will remember Mike Hickie. He recently contacted me and said he was getting out of the Army in December and becoming a special agent in the State Department. Last but certainly not least, Thomas Muldowney will be serving as an assistant professor of naval science at the University of Notre Dame in the fall. Woah.

As always, if you need anything, I’m always a phone call, DM, or email away. I appreciate all those who send me emails; it really makes me happy. Enjoy the warm weather while you still can, and I will see you again in the next edition of the Alumni Review!

What’s that on the horizon? Do I see ... no, it can’t be ... a reunion? Stay tuned. Mizpah, Jonathan and Levi

2022

Seth McRoberts

Kelly Rollison

Brother Rats of 2022,

In the midst of the rest and relaxation of summer, I want to congratulate the Class of 2025 for graduating in May. You did it! Your dyke’s class is super proud of you, and we can’t wait to see how you will serve our nation in the military, civilian, and intellectual worlds you are about to enter. To our grand-rats, 2028, godspeed and good luck! We will see you at our 5th Reunion in 2027. Spanky and I really need to start working on that.

In other news, let’s get to people of the best class to ever go through barracks. BRs in the armed forces have been all over the globe these past couple of months—Europe, the Middle East, and some other places I was told I can’t say in the book you’re reading now. Maddie Berry got back from a long tour in Iraq and other places while seeing Will Fincher and Erik Tolley in Kuwait.

John Samitt, Connor Phillips, Andrew Broecker, and others who I can’t remember off the top of my head returned from Poland and the Baltics this past spring. Our naval professionals, such as McKenna Dunn, Christina Skaggs, and Noah Kirk, have been up and down the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, keeping the peace by sea. The one and only William Wallace has been abroad making sure pilots don’t crash into each other for the past month or so in or around Africa. Our buddy James Mansfield got accepted into the Funded Legal Education Program in the USMC. He was one of four Marines who were selected to attend law school to become a JAG officer. He will be attending Boston College in the fall and supported by his wife, Juliana.

The family of ’22 has been growing. More BRs have been getting engaged, married, or having future Keydets the past couple of months. Baseco legend Adam Jewell married his wife, Taylor Farmer, in May and are now happily residing in

King William, Virginia.

Justin and Kaylee (Wedding) Nase are expecting their second baby in October. He is going to help his dad, who is now a firefighter at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Logan Lamm just got engaged to his fiancée, Anna Chapin; Michael Hoffman got engaged to his fiancée, Maddie Morinec; and Dane Hamilton finally proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Grace McKenney. She still hasn’t told him to shave his moustache yet though ... oh, well.

’22 has been busy on the civilian side, as well, preparing to protect, defend, prosecute, and teach the future generation of political and business leaders. And sometimes, just having fun around the country! The F-troop icons Jake Luchansky and Elliott Madden can often be found at the Lenovo Center supporting the Carolina Hurricanes on the ice. Madden also supported his soon-to-be wife, Graceanna, who just graduated with a doctorate in occupational therapy. Elliott has also just completed his second year of law school and was elected as the president of the National Security in Military Law Association at Campbell University.

Our favorite Richmond Spider, Kiara Anguiano, just earned her Juris Doctor, as well. I know there are more to mention, but we don’t have the page space at this time.

As we march forward to the latter half of 2025, please keep reaching out to Spanky and myself with any updates y’all want to be known and shared with your BRs! Please have patience with us since we are both overworked and underpaid Army lieutenants who complain all the time even though we signed up for it. Daisy and Mowgli keep me company at work now that I have my

Class of 2021: Noah Breeding, Billy Pierce, Tahvon Davis, Sully Webster, Perry White, and his wife.

Class of 2022: Adam Jewell and Taylor Farmer Jewell at their wedding.

2023

Jacob C. Sekerak

DennisonC.Kelly

office, though. Keep up the good work, and know that you are all making the world a better place. So long for now! Rah Virginia Mil, Rah ’1-9, Rah ’22, Rah ’25, Seth “Spanky” McRoberts and B. Kelly “Possum Police” Rollison

Greetings, Brother Rats!

We hope you are all doing well as we approach the end of the summer season, which also means we are near yet another matriculation! This time, however, it’s a little closer to home because the incoming Rat Mass will be taught and mentored by our rats, the Class of 2026! That’s right, BRs, we’re getting old. Don’t forget that the rat-dyke bond is everlasting, so we encourage you to reach out to your rats with any advice you have on how to be a great dyke.

Speaking of dykes, our very own from the Class of 2020 are celebrating their 5th Reunion this fall! Their reunion is Sept. 5–6, 2025, so you may or may not want to stay out of Lexington that weekend. They have a lot to catch up on since this is their first gathering since an early departure from barracks in 2020. Be sure you reach out to your dykes and congratulate them on that milestone!

Our submissions begin with Charles Scherff and wife Reagan, who just bought a house in Norfolk. Congrats and happy homeownership to

you! Make sure you put a VMI flag outside so your neighbors know!

Next, Justin Addis graduated AG BOLC in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, April 22, 2025, along with Peter Sepulveda and Connor Amato ’20. Congrats to you all; keep putting in the hard work!

Lastly, Brad Wagner recently returned from an overseas deployment to Al Anbar Province, Iraq. As a finance officer, his company played a critical role in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and assisted partner forces in the region. He now lives a quiet life in Minnesota, where he is involved with his local Orthodox church. Welcome back stateside, Brad!

Class of 2022: Daisy and Mowgli Rollison at work with Kelly Rollison and his soldiers at Fort Cavazos, Texas.

Class of 2022: Maddie Berry, Will Fincher, and Erik Tolley in Kuwait.

Class of 2022: Elliott Madden with his fiancée, Graceanna Sessions, at Graceanna’s graduation from Presbyterian College with a doctorate in occupational therapy.

Class of 2022: Elliott Madden and Jake Luchansky at a Carolina Hurricanes game.

Class of 2023: Charles Scherff and his wife, Reagan, with the keys to their new house in Norfolk, Virginia.

Class of 2023: Pictured at Adjutant General BOLC graduation April 22 are (from left) Connor Amato ’20, Justin Addis, and Peter Sepulveda.

Until the next edition, brother rats! Please continue to keep us updated on your professional and personal accomplishments and be sure to follow us on our class Instagram @vmi_2023, as well. Rah ’23!

Mizpah, Denny and Jake

2024

Brother Rats,

We hope this Alumni Review finds you well. By the time you are reading this, summer is already over, Keydet football is underway, and our rats will be getting rings in a short few months. It has been remarkable to see the accomplishments over the past year. Without further ado, on to the class notes.

Let’s congratulate Abigail Soyars for getting engaged and about to get married just after these notes are being published. Abigail also graduated from Air Force intel school and started a new job as senior intelligence duty officer at Lackland Air Force Base!

Another brother rat, Garrett Pitts, got engaged Dec. 21, 2024; seems like a pretty good day to do that. Rah ’21 and ’24. Congratulations to you and your future wife!

Additionally, Katelynn Grochalski is getting ready to finish The Basic School; she will be

deploying overseas as a ground supply officer in the Marine Corps.

Keydet football took over at the University of Wyoming. Brother Rats Jack Culbreath and Evan Eller ’23 played an integral role on the football team for Wyoming. Jack said it was awesome having two Keydets out West. We sure will miss watching the both of you dominate in between the lines. Best of luck to you both in your future endeavors!

Dalen Armeni graduated from the Prince William County Police Academy April 25, 2025. Congratulations to you, and we hope we will not get pulled over by you.

Finally, if you haven’t reached out to a BR in a while, send them a text. Just because we are across the country or overseas doesn’t mean we can’t stay in touch. Thank you all for sending in updates, and we can’t wait to see you all again. If anyone has any life updates, please send them to us at the contact information listed above or follow us on Instagram @VMI_2024. God bless and Rah ’24! Proverbs 3:5-6.

Editor’s Note: Congratulations, Class of 2025! Please see the contact information above for your class agents. Send them your updates to publish quarterly in the Alumni Review.

Class of 2023: Brad Wagner in front of heavy artillery in Iraq.

Justin Peterson

AllenStewart

2025

Emma Cameron

DanO’Neal

Class of 2024: Abigail Soyars graduates from the U.S. Air Force Intelligence School.

Class of 2024: Jack Culbreath and Evan Eller ’23 at a Wyoming football game.

Class of 2024: Abigail Soyars getting engaged.

Class of 2024: Garrett Pitts proposes to his fiancée.

Baby Keydets

LOPEZ—A son, Mateo E. Lopez, to Maria Laura Lopez Gonzalez and Jose Lopez ’07, March 5, 2025.

MCWILLIAMS—A daughter, Sophia Angeline, to Paulina and Kenny McWilliams ’07, March 22, 2025.

LITTLEFIELD—A son, John Patrick, to Joshua Littlefield ’17 and Allison (Partin) Littlefield ’17, Feb. 28, 2025.

REINECKE —A daughter, Saylor Blair, to Lexi and Cory Reinecke ’14, March 10, 2025.

Marriages

WASHA—Matthew “Matt” Flanagan to Quincy Washa ’07, April 2025.

GOTWALT—Margaret O’Halloran to Jack Gotwalt ’14, Feb. 28, 2025.

SCRUGGS—Dakota Galderise to Richard Scruggs ’14, April 5, 2025.

Got a promotion? Wrote a book? Serving your community or country? Send your news to review@vmiaa.org

New users: vmialumni.org/newuser | Returning users: vmialumni.org/ranks

the records of the

10 Most Senior Alumni

Robert W. Smothers ’44

Selden S. McNeer Jr. ’46

Vernon A. Jackson ’46

M. Eugene Witcher ’50A

Roger P. Rosenfield ’47

Donald T. Doherty ’47

G. Harrison Whitten Jr. ’49A

Arthur D. Violette ’48B

Roderick W. Kallgren ’48B

Albert L. Loth Jr. ’48B

Dec. 2, 1922

Jan. 8, 1925

Sept. 21, 1925

Jan. 3, 1926

June 16, 1926

July 20, 1926

Feb. 4, 1927

April 19, 1927

April 19, 1927

June 2, 1927

Legacy Provisional Appointments

APPOINTEE’S

2028

Bria Morgan

2029

Kenneth C. Pender

2030

Cody O’Hare

Chance Starcher

2031

Ryan J. Baltz

Braxten French

Andrew J. Hamner

Alexander Montero

2032

Evelyn Byron

Guy F. Conte ’75

James B. Pender Jr. ’62

David R. Neel ’67

Gregory S. O’Hare ’98

James D. Frishkorn ’81

Mark L. Baltz ’97

Jon B. French ’86

James B. French ’60

Thomas N. Hamner ’89

Daniel T. Hamner ’22

Matthew C. Hamner ’21

Joshua E. Montero ’04

James A. Byron III ’81

James A Byron Jr. ’52

James C. Byron ’12

Grandfather

Grandfather

Uncle

Father

Grandfather

Father

Grandfather

Great-grandfather

Father

Brother

Brother

Father

Father

Grandfather

Brother

2043

William C. Parker

Brooks M. Saunders

Elodie J. Spencer

2044

Norah Johnston

2045

Kaia L. DeFrank

Montgomery L. Moncure

2046

Bodhi R. Barden

Brynley S. Burt

Blaise P. Clark

Sarah L. Hoskins

Garnet W. Rund

2047

Elliott Bernero

Margaret E. Grooms

Geoffrey T. Parker ’06

Matthew Saunders ’17

Jason A. Spencer ’13

Christopher R. Johnston ’09

Robert G. Rainer ’86

Henry W. Moncure ’74

Robert G. Rainer ’86

Wilson E. Shepherd ’50B

Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. ’917

Brent S. Clark ’15

Robert L. Williams ’74

Patrick A. Morgan ’75

Frank E. Spencer Jr. ’53

Tyler M. Bernero ’19

Austin J. Grooms ’16

Father

Father

Father

Father

Grandfather

Grandfather

Grandfather

Great-grandfather

Great-greatgrandfather

Father

Grandfather

Great-uncle

Great-grandfather

Father

Father

2033

Noah J. Gallagher

2037

Reagan G. Wahesh

2038

Elijah De Oliveira

Rowan H. Scott

2039

Isla V. Scott

2041

Everett B. Spencer

Brady A. Gallagher ’98

Elias G. Wahesh ’96

Joseph S. Straub ’65

Edwin A. Snead II ’70

Edwin A. Snead II ’70

Jason A. Spencer ’13

Father

Father

Grandfather

Grandfather

Grandfather

Father

Gabriel Hamner

Mateo E. Lopez

Georgia J. McCarty

Benjamin P. Mitchell

Elijah J. Sheriff

Matthew C. Hamner ’21

Daniel T. Hamner ’22

Thomas N. Hamner ’89

Jose F. Lopez Jr. ’07

C. Michael McCarty ’21

Dean A. Kershaw ’68

Stephen C. Price ’71

John C. Manning ’83

Wymer W. Manning Jr. ’54

Wymer W. Manning III ’79

James A. Manning ’90

John C. Manning Jr. ’11

James A. Manning Jr. ’25

Father

Uncle

Grandfather

Father

Father

Step-grandfather

Grandfather

Grandfather

Great-grandfather

Great-uncle

Great-uncle

Uncle Cousin

Thomas M. Harrison ’50B

Thomas Machir “Tom” Harrison ’50B of Greer, South Carolina, died March 3, 2025. He was 97.

He matriculated from Front Royal, Virginia, and spent 2 years at VMI. He earned a certificate in bank management from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his children, Thomas L. Harrison (Lorna), Susan Erickson (Keith), Nancy Carroll (Jim), and Barry Harrison (Kimberly); grandchildren, Devin, Erica, Ashley, Julie, Allison Lindsay, and Alexander; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Emeline; and sister, Harriett Pitts. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Williams Harrison, and sister, Sally Harrison Chappell.

E.H. Taylor Hay Jr. ’51

Edmund Haines Taylor Hay Jr. ’51 of Frankfort, Kentucky, died Feb. 2, 2025. He was 94. He matriculated from Frankfort and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his children, E.H. Taylor Hay III, Shelley Summers Hay (Tom Neff), Diane Hay Beckman (David), Ambie Hutcherson Hay, Robert Taylor Hay (Kathleen), Douglas Wickliffe Hay (Kristen), Elisabeth Hay Sackfield (Tom), and Williams Crittenden Hay (Jill); grandchildren, David Whitworth Beckman, Lindley Beckman Turner (Chad), Hillary Beckman Patil (Neil), Beau Taylor Beckman (Olivia), Mason Crittenden Kennelly, Juliet Kennelly Syben (Mark), Hannah Sackfield Wolff (James), Frederick Joseph Sackfield (Caroline), Madeleine Francis Hay, Isabelle James Hay (Axl Wheeler), Taylor Williams Hay, Sarah Adele Hay, Emma Elizabeth Hay, Meaghan Kelley Hay, Williams Crittenden Hay Jr., Zachary Hutcherson Hay, and Ruth Clara Hay; and great-grandchildren, Violette, Everett, Bodie, Zoey, Bruce, Fred, Nell, Beau, Elizabeth, and Emerine.

George R. St. John ’52

George Randolph St. John ’52 of Afton, Virginia, died March 27, 2025. He was 96.

He matriculated from Salem, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his children, Catherine Robb (Matt), Elizabeth Milligan (Randy), Virginia St. John (Alex Lunsford), and George St. John; grandchildren, Bonnie McIntosh, Zachary Robb (Savannah), Lindsay Milligan, Hunter Milligan,

and Rachel Needham; and great-grandchildren, Lacey Robb and Levi Robb.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet S. St. John, and sister, Julia St. John Bunting.

Thomas W. Nelson Jr. ’53

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Thomas William “Bill” Nelson Jr. ’53 of Hermosa Beach, California, died April 2, 2025. He was 93.

He matriculated from Houston, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Albuquerque.

He is survived by his children, James Nelson and Ingrid; four grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and brothers, David and Jim.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Randi; brother; and sister.

David A. Crockett ’54

David Alan Crockett ’54 of Neptune Beach, Florida, died Jan. 19, 2025. He was 93.

He matriculated from Fork Union, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Crockett, and father, Frank A. Crockett, Class of 1927, who died Nov. 23, 1981.

William F. Dunkelberger ’54

William Francis “Bill” Dunkelberger ’54 of Lagunitas, California, died Jan. 5, 2025. He was 92.

He matriculated from Sunbury, Pennsylvania, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Henderson.

Claiborne W. Terry ’54

Claiborne Watkins Terry ’54 of Richmond, Virginia, died April 22, 2025. He was 94.

He matriculated from Richmond and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

He is survived by his children, Virginia Terry McCauley (James) and Elizabeth Terry McDonald (Andrew); grandchildren, Elizabeth McCauley Ihara, James Claiborne McCauley, Sarah Anne McDonald, and Brian Claiborne McDonald; and great-grandchild, Adriana Rosa Ihara.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Messerschmidt Terry.

James L. Skinner ’55

James Lewis “Jim” Skinner ’55 of Huntsville,

Alabama, died April 6, 2025. He was 91.

He matriculated from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI.

He is survived by his children, Kathy Boone (Daniel), Peggy Ashby (Dean), and Jamie Skinner (Amanda); seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Skinner, and brother, Harold Skinner Jr.

James W. Esler Jr. ’56

James Wallace “Jim” Esler Jr. ’56, M.D., of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, died Feb. 20, 2025. He was 91.

He matriculated from Washington, D.C., and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Riegle Esler; children, Beth Myers (Joseph) and Bill; grandchildren, Nathalie, Christopher, and Viviane; and brother- and sister-in-law, Dan and Jill.

Francis A. Duncan III ’57

Francis Arnoux Duncan III ’57 of Orlando, Florida, died May 6, 2021. He was 85.

He matriculated from Jersey City, New Jersey, and spent just over 1 year at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” Duncan; children, Suzanne Duncan (Stephen Lundy), John Francis Duncan, and Francis Arnoux Duncan; grandchildren, Sydney Frendak, Madeleine Duncan, Elisabeth Duncan, Samantha Duncan, Nicholas Duncan, and Rheanna Duncan; and great-grandchildren, Connor, Jacqueline, and Alexander.

Garland W. Sullivan ’57

Garland Williams Sullivan ’57 of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, died March 11, 2025. He was 89.

He matriculated from Hattiesburg and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

He is survived by his children, Garland Williams Sullivan II (Cheryl) and Lynn Strickler Sullivan; grandchildren, Stacie Porter Owens (Robby), Garland Williams Sullivan III, and Charles Dudley Sullivan (Emily); and great-grandchildren, Madison, Sydney, Hudson, Riley, and Lola Jane.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally, and brother, Camillus Caruthers Sullivan Jr.

Richard A. Ymiolek ’57

Richard Alexander “Dick” Ymiolek ’57 of

Tampa, Florida, died May 28, 2022.

He matriculated from Little Falls, New York, and spent 3 years at VMI.

Matthew F. Gandolfo ’58

Matthew Felix “Matt” Gandolfo ’58 of Florence, Kentucky, died Dec. 22, 2023. He was 87.

He matriculated from Richmond, Kentucky, and spent just over 1 year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Kentucky University.

He is survived by his wife, Gerri Gandolfo; children, Guy Thomas (Peggy), Matthew Michael Gandolfo, and Maria K. Crabtree (Matthew); grandchildren, Katie, Keaton, Landrie, and Dana; great-grandchild, Scarlet; and sister, Rose Jane Mansfield.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Carmela Garmon and Katherine Rickabaugh.

William S. Griffin III ’58

William Sully Griffin III ’58 of Clute, Texas, died July 25, 2024. He was 88.

He matriculated from Franklin, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Griffin.

Thomas J. Smyth ’58

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Thomas Jenner “Tom” Smyth ’58 of Honolulu, Hawaii, died March 6, 2025. He was 88.

He matriculated from Bethesda, Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a degree in communication engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Engineering Administration degree from George Washington University.

He is survived by his children, Judy Stoots (David), Steven Smyth (Brenda), and Susan Smyth (Phillip Hereso); six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brother, Jon Smyth.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue May Lam.

John R. Angolia ’59

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Randolph “Jack” Angolia ’59 of Prairie Village, Kansas, died March 1, 2025. He was 89.

He matriculated from Washington, D.C., and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the Industrial War College and a

Master of Military Art and Science degree from the U.S. Command & General Staff College. He is survived by his wife, Joy Angolia.

Richard E. Phillippi ’59

Richard Edward “Dick” Phillippi ’59 of Wytheville, Virginia, died March 24, 2025. He was 87.

He matriculated from Wytheville and spent 4 years at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Carpenter Phillippi; children, Grey Farthing, Stacy (Rusty), Regan (Art Davis), and Allison (Wally Jones); and grandchildren, Leigh (Mike Moller), Deacon (Allison Beamer), and Wyatt Jones.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Patsy Phillippi Pope, John Phillippi, and Warren “Pete” Phillippi, and son-in-law, Ralph Phillips.

Howard T. Moss ’60

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Howard Thomas Moss ’60 of Surry, Virginia, died March 4, 2025. He was 88.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Moss, and brothers, Randall Moss (Renee) and Kevin Moss (Kelli).

He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Scott Moss.

William E. Spence Jr. ’60

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Edward “Bill” Spence Jr. ’60, Ph.D., of Tallahassee, Florida, died Jan. 7, 2025. He was 88.

He matriculated from Hampton, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of North Dakota, a Master of Education degree from Eastern Washington University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Mississippi.

He is survived by his wife, Ines Spence.

James B. Birindelli ’61

James Benson “Ben” Birindelli ’61 of Southern Shores, North Carolina, died March 28, 2025. He was 86.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and spent 1 year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration degree from Old Dominion University.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Birindelli; children, Tyler Birindelli Kulenguski, Michael Egelston (Lori), and David Birindelli; grandchildren, Joey Kulenguski, Sydney Kulenguski, Marin Kulenguski, Andrew Kulenguski, Jeremy Egelston, Jack Egelston, Isabella Birindelli, Nicholas Birindelli, Max Birindelli, and Anna Birindelli; and sister, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Beverly Knott.

John B. Haslam II ’61

John Battle Haslam II ’61, M.D., of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, died Feb. 22, 2025. He was 85.

He matriculated from Birmingham, Alabama, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Duke University.

He is survived by his partner, Elisabeth; son, Bryan Haslam ’90 (Susan); grandchildren, Wynn Haslam ’17 and Katie (Lucas); great-granddaughter, Karoline; sister, Henley; and brother-in-law, Charles F. Bryan ’69.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Haslam; son, Mark H. Haslam ’91, who died Dec. 22, 2006; brother, Charles Linn; and father, John B. Haslam, Class of 1925, who died Aug. 31, 1966.

Bruce W. Kelly Jr. ’61

Bruce William Kelly Jr. ’61 of Lake Tapps, Washington, died Dec. 23, 2023. He was 84.

He matriculated from Hyattsville, Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Lynda Kelly.

Harold R. McNemar ’61

Harold Randolph “Ron” McNemar ’61 of Fairfield, Virginia, died Feb. 24, 2025. He was 86.

He matriculated from Lexington, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his children, Nina Blair Reed (Steven) and Jodi McNemar Myers (Kenny); grandchildren, John Reed (Shannon), Andrew Reed (Jessica), Kara Carls (Alex), Selah Myers (Jeff Messer), and Kendal Myers; great-grandchildren, Maddy and Charlotte; and brother, John McNemar (Merrie Gayle).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances Tomlin “Fran” McNemar, and brothers, William Paul “Bill” McNemar Jr. ’52 and Tom McNemar.

John W. Rudibaugh ’61

John Wayne “Rudy” Rudibaugh ’61 of West Chester, Pennsylvania, died March 3, 2025. He was 85.

He matriculated from Rogers, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Franklin University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Rhodes; daughters, Jennifer (William LeFebvre), Jessica (Ricardo Perez), Alison (Jeff Adler), and Amy (John Deschner); and grandchildren, Alexander, Emma, Sophie, Isabelle, Olivia, Cadet John R. Perez ’26, Catherine, Autumn, William, Fred, Mercy, and Will.

Ronald F. Scott ’61

Ronald Francis “Ron” Scott ’61 of Cumming, Georgia, died March 7, 2025. He was 85. He matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and spent less than 1 year at VMI.

He is survived by his children, Terrie Scott George (Richard), Donald Ray Scott (Montyce), and Jeffrey Allen Scott (Mary); 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anita Fitzgerald Scott; son, Ronald Jay Scott; and brother, Robert Moses Scott.

Louis C. Landry Jr. ’62

Louis Cemar “Tuck” Landry Jr. ’62 of Crozet, Virginia, died Feb. 14, 2025. He was 84.

He matriculated from New Iberia, Louisiana, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Landry.

J. Michael Lilge ’62

Jon Michael “Mike” Lilge ’62 of Randleman, North Carolina, died April 25, 2025. He was 85.

He matriculated from McLean, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from VMI.

He is survived by his children, Brenda Delegatti (David) and Elaine McAden (Robert); grandchildren, Daniel Delegatti, Dustin Delegatti, Christian Segers (Savannah), Hope Cochran (Ethan), and Faith Barts (Ian); brother, Greg Lilge (Jill); and former wife, Ruth Graybill Hughes.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Douglas Lilge.

Warren T. Anderson ’63

Warren Thornsten “Andy” Anderson ’63, M.D., of Morgantown, West Virginia, died April 9, 2025. He was 83.

He matriculated from Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Temple University.

He is survived by his wife, Jan Anderson; children, Erik Anderson (Dr. Emily Burrill), Victoria Anderson, and Dr. Jess Anderson (Ryan Shade); grandchildren, Rhys Anderson, Madison Shade, and James Shade; and sister, Janet Hanna.

Charles F. McBride ’63

Charles Fredrick “Fred” McBride ’63 of Huntsville, Alabama, died March 8, 2025. He was 83. He matriculated from Falls Church, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Science in Accountancy degree from George Washington University.

He is survived by his wife, Amy McBride; son, David McBride (Cassie); six grandchildren; great-grandchild; and two brothers.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Catherine McBride Harrison, and brother, Robert McBride.

William N. Pendleton ’63

William Nelson Pendleton ’63 of Wytheville, Virginia, died April 13, 2025. He was 84.

He matriculated from Wytheville and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Leguin Pendleton; children, Ann Kincer (Mark), W. Nelson Pendleton Jr. ’94 (Tara), Berkeley Hooks (Joe), and Courtney Pendleton; grandchildren, Mark Kincer Jr., Gray Kincer, William Pendleton III ’23, Jillian Pendleton, Charleigh Pendleton, and Beau Hooks; and siblings, Elizabeth Geffert and Jane Cook.

He was preceded in death by his father, Nathaniel Pendleton, Class of 1922, who died Jan. 3, 1968, and siblings, Nathaniel Pendleton Jr. ’57, who died June 5, 2014; Margaret Bowers; Patty DuPuis; and Mann Pendleton.

Robert C. Troxler ’63

Robert Chambliss “Bob” Troxler ’63 of Jericho, New York, died March 11, 2025. He was 83.

He matriculated from Jacksonville, Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Master of Business

Administration degree from Harvard University. (Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Troxler appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

Walter L. Sykes Jr. ’64

Walter Linwood “Walt” Sykes Jr. ’64 of Edgewater, Maryland, died March 22, 2025. He was 82.

He matriculated from Staunton, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Engineering Administration degree from George Washington University.

He is survived by his children, Jeff Sykes (Meghan), Jackie Russell (Bill), Erin Herring (Isaac), and grandchildren, Jack, Caroline, and Henry Sykes; Hunter and Madeline Russell; and Morgan, Noah, Sam, Jude, Simon, and Luke Herring.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Lavonne Sykes.

Larry W. Britton ’65

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Larry Willard Britton ’65 of Woodbridge, Virginia, died Oct. 4, 2023. He was 80.

He matriculated from Huntington, West Virginia, and spent 2 years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Texas State University.

He is survived by his wife, Tamara S. Britton; children, Camilla Jacobs (Brian) and Blythe Russian (Ken); grandchildren, Avery, Ryan, Britton, Lia, Cate, Riley, and Charlotte; and sister-in-law, Faye Britton.

He was preceded in death by his brother, James Allen Britton.

Jack C. Cook Jr. ’65

Jack Carlton Cook Jr. ’65 of Rincon, Georgia, died Feb. 27, 2025. He was 82.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Valdosta State University.

He is survived by his children, Penny Christol (Steve) and Patrick Bradley Cook; grandchildren, Dylan Zimdahl (Sarah), Kevin Zimdahl, Steven Tyler Christol (Jasmine), and Morgan Leigh Cook; and great-grandchildren, Hunter Luke Christol, Willow Jade Christol, and Joseph Douglas Christol.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael D. Cook.

Steven M. Doles ’66

Steven Murray “Steve” Doles ’66 of Melbourne Beach, Florida, died April 21, 2025. He was 82.

He matriculated from Zuni, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

Clifford A. Hedgepeth Jr. ’67

Clifford Arlington “Cliff” Hedgepeth Jr. ’67 of Franklin, Virginia, died Feb. 20, 2025. He was 80. He matriculated from Suffolk, Virginia, and spent less than 1 year at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Jean Jeffries Hedgepeth; daughter, Anne Hedgepeth Morris; grandchildren, Taylor Martindale (Robby) and Colin O’Melia (Moriah); great-granddaughter, Luray Sunshine Martindale; and sister, Alice Olivia Hedgepeth.

He was preceded in death by his son, Clifford Arlington “Cliffy” Hedgepeth III, and son-inlaw, Robert Steven Morris.

R. Cary Cook Jr. ’68

Randolph Cary Cook Jr. ’68 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died March 25, 2025. He was 79.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Social Work degree from Catholic University.

He is survived by his husband, William W. “Bill” Oyler ’65, and sister, C. Nancy Cook (Rives Priddy).

William J. Flavin ’68

Retired U.S. Army Col. William James Flavin ’68 of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, died Nov. 16, 2024. He was 78.

He matriculated from Los Angeles, California, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Emory University.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia M. “Patty” Flavin; children, Kelly M. Flavin (Larry) and Devin Flavin ’03 (Dr. Nina Flavin); and grandchildren, Finnegan, Claire, and Lana.

(Editor’s Note: This is a corrected Taps entry.)

Benjamin H. Guess ’68

Benjamin Harley “Ben” Guess ’68 of Annapolis, Maryland, died April 19, 2025. He was 80. He matriculated from Charles City, Virginia, and spent 2 years at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Guess; daughter, Gwendolyn Harley Guess; two

grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Kimberly Turpin and Brian Lucey; four step-grandchildren; and brother, Clifton B. Guess.

Herbert W. Laine ’68

Herbert Watkins “Herb” Laine ’68 of River Forest, Illinois, died March 2, 2025. He was 78. He matriculated from Windsor, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business from VMI. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Waldo “Betty” Laine; children, Elizabeth Parker and Katherine Figatner (Daniel); and grandchildren, William Parker, Sara Parker, Desmond Figatner, and Elliott Figatner.

Lawrence J. Hahula ’70

Lawrence John Hahula ’70 of Springfield, Virginia, died Sept. 11, 2022. He was 73.

He matriculated from Springfield and spent 1 year at VMI.

Charles E. Davidson Meybin ’70

Charles E. Davidson Meybin ’70 of West Palm Beach, Florida, died Feb. 19, 2025. He was 76. He matriculated from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; children, Charles Meybin Jr. and Ashley; and brother, R. John Meybin III ’66.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert John Meybin Jr., Class of 1934, who died April 12, 1991.

Jerry S. Woo ’70

Jerry Shan Woo ’70 of North Chesterfield, Virginia, died March 20, 2025. He was 76. He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and spent 3 years at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne.

Mark A. Weiss ’73

Mark Allen Weiss ’73 of Warm Springs, Virginia, died Feb. 25, 2025. He was 74.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Tennant Weiss; step-daughter, April Amos (Ralph Richards); brother, Harold Weiss (Barrie); and brother-in-law, James “Jimbo” Tennant (Clara).

He was preceded in death by his brother, Den-

nis Weiss, and brother-in-law, Michael Tennant.

John A. Robinson ’74

John Arthur Robinson ’74 of Rockville, Maryland, died Dec. 10, 2024. He was 72. He matriculated from Fairfax, Virginia, and spent more than 2 years at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia “Trish” Robinson, and daughter, Heather.

Will C. Adams ’76

Will Crawford Adams ’76 of Middlesex, New Jersey, died April 4, 2025. He was 70.

He matriculated from Martinsville, New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

He is survived by his children, Erynn Brezin, Kristen Martinez-Key (Arrahin), and Kyle Adams (Teresa); grandchildren, Jose Martinez, Alyana Martinez, Myles Key, Lucien Martinez, Lukya Martinez, Cayden Key, Connor Patterson, Taylor Patterson, Willow Adams, and Juniper Adams; and brother, Alec Adams (Michelle). He was preceded in death by his sister, Gail Adams.

Earl E. Kiefer Jr. ’76

Earl Eugene “Butch” Kiefer Jr. ’76 of Gretna, Virginia, died May 7, 2023. He was 68.

He matriculated from Danville, Virginia, and spent 2 years at VMI.

He is survived by his sister, Sue Lambert.

Alan D. Mills ’76

Alan DeWitt Mills ’76 of Waldorf, Maryland, died July 25, 2022. He was 67.

He matriculated from Camp Springs, Maryland, and spent less than 1 year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Jerry J. Phillips Jr. ’77

Jerry Jackson “Jay” Phillips Jr. ’77 of Covington, Virginia, died Feb. 17, 2025. He was 70. He matriculated from Covington and spent over 1 year at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Wheeler Phillips, and sister, Jan Phillips Warren Armontrout (Charlie).

Timothy B. Snyder ’77

Timothy Blough “Tim” Snyder ’77 of Buchanan, Virginia, died April 23, 2025. He was 69.

He matriculated from Mount Jackson, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree

in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda M. Snyder; brother, Thomas Snyder Jr. (Christine) and sisterin-law, Teresa Snyder.

He was preceded in death by his brother, George Snyder ’80, who died Feb. 13, 2012.

Douglas R. Doerr ’79

Douglas Raymond “Doug” Doerr ’79 of Montclair, Virginia, died April 5, 2025. He was 67.

He matriculated from Las Vegas, Nevada, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Science in Sport Management degree from Capitol College.

He is survived by his wife, Corinne Doerr; children, Kim Keatts (Jesse) and Nathan Doerr (Melissa); grandchildren, David, Meadow, and Liam; and sister, Brenda Doerr.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Doerr.

Stephen M. Maurer ’81

Stephen Michael Maurer ’81 of Yuma, Arizona, died in February 2025. He was 65.

He matriculated from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.

Michael A. Ewell ’84

Michael Andrew Ewell ’84 of Randolph, Kansas, died Sept. 27, 2022. He was 60.

He matriculated from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland.

He is survived by his brother, Allen E. Ewell ’82.

Mark A. Hooker ’84

Mark Alan Hooker ’84 of Charleston, West Virginia, died Feb. 27, 2025. He was 62.

He matriculated from Charleston and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in modern languages from VMI.

He is survived by his mother, Shirley Hooker, and brother, Todd Hooker.

He was preceded in death by his father, William D. Hooker III.

Matthew S. Henderson ’85

Matthew Scott “Matt” Henderson ’85 of Harmony, Pennsylvania, died April 10, 2025. He was 62.

He matriculated from Oil City, Pennsylvania,

and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Henderson; children, Maxwell Henderson (Yesenia), Wade Henderson (Amelia), and Grace Snoeyink (Levi); grandchildren, Holden Henderson and Joanie Henderson; mother, Claire Henderson; brother, Dave Henderson; mother-in-law, Roberta Morris; sister-in-law, Valerie Morris; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Scott and Kayla Sniezek.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin Henderson; sister, Susan Kelly; and fathers-in-law, Dennis Morris and Fran Sniezek.

Robert D. Harris ’88

Robert Delano “Bobby” Harris ’88 of Roanoke, Virginia, died March 28, 2025. He was 59.

He matriculated from Greensboro, North Carolina, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Trina Willis Harris; children, Brandon Greer and Angelo Harris; granddaughters, Brianna Greer, Emberly Harris, Amari Harris, and Autumn Willis; step-children, Whitney Willis, Yasmen Willis, and Rowland Nicholson; and siblings, Tracy Haynesworth, Angelo Harris, Trina Wall (Jeffrey), and Quinton Hill.

G.R. Dylan Cate ’10

George Robert Dylan Cate ’10 of Lexington, Virginia, died April 16, 2025. He was 38.

He matriculated from Brunswick, Georgia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Lindsey; children, Addison and Kaiden; mother, Dee Dee Cate; grandmother, Marilyn Humphrey; parents-inlaw, Al and Nancy Talley; brother-in-law, Chris Talley (Kristi); and sister-in-law, Jennifer Tindall (Lane).

He was preceded in death by his father, R.V. Cate.

VMI Family

Joseph D. Duncan Jr.

Joseph Douglas “Doug” Duncan Jr. of Franklin, North Carolina, died in March 2025. He was 75.

He formerly coached soccer and taught English at VMI.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from The Citadel and a Master of Arts degree from the

University of Arkansas.

He is survived by his wife, Patti Duncan; children, Joe Duncan, Kristine Wortham (Louis), Eddie Patten (Julie), Melanie Patten, and Beth Oscarhaven (Matt); 13 grandchildren; and brothers, Scott Duncan and Bruce Duncan.

He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Rasmussen, and brother, Greg Duncan.

John S. Gatton

John Spalding Gatton, Ph.D., of Louisville, Kentucky, died March 11, 2025.

He formerly taught English at VMI.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Catholic University; a master’s degree from Trinity College, Dublin; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Kentucky.

Robert W. Gilbert

Robert W. “Bob” Gilbert of Natural Bridge, Virginia, died Feb. 18, 2025. He was 67.

He formerly served as comptroller at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Daniel (Hannah), Hattie (Brad), Mary, and Will; grandchildren, Cora, Everly, Kinsley, and Henry; and sister Ann (Bobby).

Henry D. Schreiber

Henry D. “Hank” Schreiber, Ph.D., of Lexington, Virginia, died Feb. 15, 2025. He was 76.

He formerly taught chemistry at VMI.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

(Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Schreiber appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

Lewis Sorley

Lewis “Bob” Sorley, Ph.D., of Potomac, Maryland, died Sept. 25, 2024.

He formerly served as the Floyd D. Gottwald ’43 Visiting Chair in Leadership and Ethics at VMI.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy, a Master of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Pennsylvania State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Johns Hopkins University.

He is survived by his step-children, Douglas Becker, Timothy Becker, and Susan Merritt, and sister, Judith Simpson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ginny, and daughter, Kathy.

Donald B. Heslep ’56, of Richmond, Virginia, died Nov. 2, 2024, at the age of 91. Don grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge near Fairfield, Virginia, in Rockbridge County. After Fairfield High School, he attended VMI, graduating with a degree in civil engineering. He was commissioned in the Army as an armor officer, served 2 years, and was then in the Army Reserve until 1965. While there, he switched from armor to the Army Corps of Engineers, already following his interest in construction.

He was with DuPont Construction from 1958–63 and then started his own building and development company in Richmond, where he built large custom homes. He was interested in building all types of house styles, in addition to

Donald B. Heslep ’56

By Mark Heslep ’83

light commercial. He also built and owned the first self-storage facility in Chesterfield County. Founded in 1974, Blue & Gray Self Storage is now one of the largest in the Richmond area. He also developed the Oasis Sports Park, a golfing and baseball practice facility located in Chesterfield County.

Don served a 3-year term as a non-lawyer member of the Third District Committee of the Virginia State Bar. He was a construction arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association for 23 years. He served two terms (12 years) with the VMI Keydet Club Board of Governors and was always a great supporter of VMI. He served on several boards in the Richmond area and was active in and

supportive of community affairs. He was also a longtime member of the Willow Oaks Country Club and always loved the game of golf, enjoying friends for foursomes and golf trips for many years. Both he and his son, Mark, enjoyed hiking and hiked several trips on the Appalachian Trail.

Don is predeceased by his parents, Hunter Lacy Heslep and Edna Mae Faris Heslep, and two brothers, Hunter Lacy Heslep Jr. and John Clifford Heslep. He is survived by Jo, his devoted wife of 65 years and business partner; son, Mark ’83, and wife Catherine; son, Donald Jr.; and five grandchildren, Donald Heslep III, Deanna, Will, Luke, and Mary Heslep. Rest in peace, dad.

Charles “Chuck” C. Pace ’82

Charles C. Pace ’82 passed away Dec. 18, 2024, at the University of Virginia Hospital surrounded by family. Chuck was born Sept. 28, 1960, in Hampton, Virginia, the fifth of six sons of Joseph Gregory Pace Sr. and Rosye Lou Cumbee Pace. Growing up in a large and lively family, Chuck’s early years took him from Virginia to Norway and Wisconsin before settling in Charlottesville, Virginia.Chuck’s father was a decorated fighter pilot and ace during World War II with seven confirmed victories—an inspiring legacy that sparked Chuck’s own ambitions. At VMI, Chuck was known for his sharp wit, infectious laugh, and mischievous spirit.

Chuck (aka “Little Wacky”) became our roommate starting 2nd Class year and quickly made his mark as an avid lacrosse player, a die-hard Genesis fan, and a proud 1st Class private. He also served as an editor of The Cadet newspaper—a role he relished, despite the occasional ire it drew from the commandant’s staff.

We enjoyed VMI pregame gatherings at Chuck’s family’s home near Scott Stadium on occasions when the Institute was taking on the Wahoos—a tradition that demonstrated Chuck’s love for camaraderie and competition.

We nearly lost Chuck at the start of our 1st

By Bob Louthan ’82

Class year during a trip to Goshen Pass. While swimming in one of the fast-moving chutes, Chuck’s ankle became wedged in a rock crevice, and the force of the water pinned him beneath the surface. Bill Towler ’82, William McCathern ’82, Dan Garcia ’82, and I fought against the powerful current, slipping and being swept downstream, scrambling back to try again. We finally wrenched him free—a moment that remains etched in all our memories. God had bigger plans for Chuck.

Chuck originally set his sights on becoming a naval aviator, beginning flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He eventually shifted his career path, moving into naval intelligence, where his sharp mind and keen sense of analysis served him well. He continued his service in the Navy Reserve, retiring as a commander in 2001.

Three years after graduation, Chuck and I shared an apartment in Charlottesville while I attended graduate school and he began his teaching career at Blue Ridge School. It was a privilege to witness, up close, how he poured himself into that work—combining discipline, empathy, and intelligence into what would become a 39-year legacy of teaching and coaching.

He taught biology and chemistry at Albemarle High School and Blue Ridge School, coached

football and lacrosse, and served as Albemarle County’s science instructional coordinator for over a decade. In his final year, he served proudly on the Albemarle County School Board, first as an appointee and then as the elected representative for the Rio District.

Chuck faced kidney disease for nearly three decades, receiving a transplant in 2002 from his brother-in-law—a gift that gave him more than 18 additional years. Even as his health declined and he awaited a second transplant, he remained optimistic, grounded in his faith, and always deeply interested in the people around him. He gave his time, his energy, and his full attention freely—an example of how to live in the face of adversity.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 34 years, Anne Marie Pace—an accomplished children’s book author best known for her “Vampirina Ballerina” series, which inspired a Disney television show—and their four children. He leaves behind a large extended family and a wide circle of former students, teammates, colleagues, and friends who carry forward the spirit he brought to every chapter of his life—humor, humility, conviction, and heart.

Fair winds and following seas.

Jeffress ’68

On Feb. 12, 2025, the Chubb Classic, a longstanding PGA Tour Champions tournament in Naples, Florida, recognized Walton M. “Walt” Jeffress Jr. ’68 for competing in his 100th PGA Tour Champions-sanctioned professional-amateur event.

Jeffress, a Virginia attorney, reached the 100th milestone at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hualalai, Hawaii, in January 2025. He received a special recognition ceremony in Hualalai attended by all the professionals, staff, and amateurs and was presented with a Titleist golf bag signed by the professionals at the tournament.

Jeffress played his first pro-am in the 1999 Kemper Open in Potomac, Maryland, which was a Regular PGA Tour tournament. He began playing again in 2005 at the SAS Championship in Cary, North Carolina, a PGA Tour Champions tournament featuring professional players age 50 and above. The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO marked his 101st proam overall competition but his 100th PGA Tour Champions event.

While there are no official records for proam participation, the Chubb Classic noted Jeffress likely holds a record for the most appearances.

Of note, Jeffress’ pro-am team has won 15 PGA Tour Champions events over the years.

With Jeffress’ wife, Suellen, by his side, the Chubb Classic honored Jeffress’ milestone with a cake, flowers, and a new PGA Tour Champions golf bag embroidered with “100 Career Pro-Ams” and his initials. Jeffress was also recognized by scoreboards displaying congratulations across the Tiburon golf course and with a recognition dinner.

The funds raised by pro-am events primarily go to charitable causes, which is a major reason Jeffress has participated for so many years in these tournaments.

Matriculating from Culpeper, Virginia, Jeffress graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI, where he was also a cadet-athlete on the men’s track and field team.

He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Washington and Lee University School of Law and two Master of Laws degrees in environmental law and taxation from George Washington University Law School.

Bierman ’87

In February 2025, Texas A&M University named retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman Jr. ’87 the 47th commandant of the corps of cadets.

Bierman joined Texas A&M Aug. 1, 2025, upon his retirement from active duty service in June at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. His retiring officer was U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith, Marine Corps commandant, who is a Texas A&M class of 1987 graduate. Bierman is the second VMI alumnus to serve as commandant at Texas A&M—the first being Maj. Robert P.W. Morris, Class of 1872, who served as the Texas A&M corps’ first commandant. Prior to his retirement, Bierman served as the U.S. Marine Corps deputy commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations, where he was responsible for the development and execution of service plans and policies. During his 38-year career, Bierman accumulated more than 20 total years of command experience, including infantry battalion combat commands in both Afghanistan and Iraq. His time as a general officer included command of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, the 3rd Marine Division, and III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Matriculating from Trumbull, Connecticut, Bierman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI and commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps. His late father was retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. James “Jay” Bierman Jr. ’62.

Coupland ’91

CP Group, a leader in designing and manufacturing material recovery facilities in the waste and recycling industry, announced Richard C. Coupland III ’91 as its new senior vice president of strategy and growth March 20, 2025.

Based in San Diego, California, CP Group provides a variety of sorting solutions worldwide, including material recovery facility engineering design, manufacturing, installation, and customer services. Custom turnkey systems by CP Group include residential recycling, commercial and industrial, municipal solid waste, engineered fuel, construction and

demolition, fiber sorting, plastic sorting, and electronic waste processing.

Bringing over 34 years of experience, Coupland joins CP Group following a decade-long role as municipal sales vice president at Republic Services, where he successfully managed a nationwide portfolio of partnerships with over 2,400 municipalities. Coupland’s career also includes 20 years at General Dynamics and Motorola, where he was instrumental in pioneering advanced technologies for global military and public safety applications.

In his role, Coupland will lead efforts in sales, product development, and strategic business planning and engage in focused activities related to sector and product development.

Matriculating from Annandale, Virginia, Coupland graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University in 2002. Coupland previously served as the Arizona Chapter president and currently serves as the VMI Alumni Association Board of Directors Region 1 – Southwest regional director.

Spencer ’13

The President’s Commission on White House Fellows announced the appointment of U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jason A. Spencer ’13 to the White House Fellowship class of 2024–25. Founded in 1964, the White House Fellowship is one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service, offering exceptional young leaders firsthand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government. Fellows spend a year working with senior White House staff, cabinet secretaries, and other top-ranking administration officials.

Spencer is currently assigned to the U.S. Department of the Interior as national security advisor to the secretary. He first served at the U.S. Department of Commerce as senior advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary for Industry and Security.

A career naval intelligence officer, Spencer’s operational tours include Strike Fighter Squadron 32 embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He was also assigned to USS Carl Vinson and USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of

OIR. He later served with Standing NATO Maritime Group as director for intelligence and embarked on the USS Forrest Sherman and USS James E. Williams, deploying to the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operation Sea Guardian and vigilance activities during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ashore, Spencer’s assignments include service as assistant chief of targets and aide to the commander of U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain

and as aide to the commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. At the Pentagon, he served as the intelligence watch officer and senior intelligence briefer for the Office of Naval Intelligence’s Chief of Naval Operations –Intelligence Plot. Later, on the Joint Staff, he served as a battle watch captain for the chairman’s Russia-Ukraine Crisis Management Team and as an executive officer to the director for intelligence.

Book Announcements

Son of Enoch: The Last Prophet by E.O. Shiflett Jr. ’75. Outskirts Press, 2023. ISBN: 9781977267344. Available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Outskirts Publishing, and signed copies from eoshiflettbooks.com.

To many people, Thomas Hunt would be the most unlikely of leaders. After all, he’s that guy they pass without noticing; he’s just another soul experiencing homelessness and living on the street, invisible to most others as they go about their own busy lives. But Thomas is not an ordinary man down on his luck—quite the opposite. Christ has anointed him to be his last prophet on earth before he comes again.

“Son of Enoch: The Last Prophet” is the story of one man fighting against the odds to disrupt the current power structure and replace humanity’s hopeless outlook with Jesus’ all-encompassing love.

Will Thomas succeed not just in his spiritual battle but in the war he finds himself in against a faceless foe with unlimited resources who wants and needs the status quo to remain the same?

“Son of Enoch” brings insights about the necessity of faith from the Old Testament biblical prophets into the modern, secular world.

About the Author:

E.O. Shiflett Jr. ’75 was a career executive in fiber optic technologies, holding several patents and initiating multiple successful business development ventures. He is active in the Christian renewal movement, has started several church plants, and served in various church leadership positions. He has also published position papers and contributed to books on fiber optic technology.

“Son of Enoch: The Last Prophet” won third place for religious fiction in the CIPA EVVY Awards, a national book award competition. Shiflett’s venture into commercial publishing includes an action-adventure novel, “Uncover: A Tale of Caution,” which won a Reader’s Choice Award for fiction.

Shiflett has served on the boards of the Water is Life and the Lost Children organizations. He is married, has three children and seven grandchildren, and resides in Little Elm, Texas. He matriculated from Buchanan, Virginia, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He was also a cadet-athlete on the lacrosse team.

Matriculating from Long Island, New York, Spencer was a distinguished graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies and a minor in national security from VMI. He earned a Master of Arts degree from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London and a Master of Public Administration degree as a political-military scholar from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

315 Over a Beer: Leadership Conversations with an Old Salt for Junior Officers by retired U.S. Navy Capt. Erik R. Nilsson ’93 Mascot Books, 2025. ISBN: 9798891382954. Available via Amazon.

“315 Over a Beer: Leadership Conversations with an Old Salt for Junior Officers” is a short weekend read and a reference tool for the rest of a young service member’s career. Focusing on the time retired U.S. Navy Capt. Erik Nilsson ’93 served as a division officer in the Navy, readers learn about life at VMI, vital leadership lessons, and how to avoid some of the mistakes young officers can make.

Most junior officers across all branches of the armed forces are busy trying to qualify in their warfare area or attending schools that demand most of their attention. Meanwhile, always gnawing in the backs of their minds is the anxiety about first command expectations, first experiences at first commands, and the ever-present fear of making mistakes. “315 Over a Beer” teaches young officers that it is OK to make mistakes. Mistakes are expected from junior officers, but they must learn from them in order to grow and be successful. In warfare, where good leadership and decision making are critical, lessons not heeded in peacetime or training are often deadly in combat.

Nilsson’s conversations are genuine, blunt, and important for those whose futures are set in the corps and as officers in the military. Readers will appreciate Nilsson’s life experiences and how his mistakes as a young officer can help any service member be the best leader and version of themselves.

About the Author:

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Erik Nilsson ’93 matriculated from Miami, Florida, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a minor in English. He was a recipient of the Bruce W. Undercoffer 1976 Award for creative writing. He spent 30 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, serving globally on amphibious ships, frigates, and destroyers; serving on the Italian amphibious squadron staff, a U.S. destroyer squadron staff, a joint staff, carrier strike group, and fleet staffs; and completing four successful command tours. Since retiring from the Navy, Nilsson has been easing into the civilian workplace as a defense contractor.

WE ARE VMI, AND THIS IS OUR CREDO

This special spread unveils the VMI Alumni Credo—a bold and timeless declaration of the values that define us: Honor, discipline, and purpose. Born from the hearts and hands of alumni, it is more than words; it is a call to live out the highest ideals of the Institute. Accompanying it is the story of its creation and the Code of the Cadet, which echoes through generations as a rallying cry for all who have worn the uniform. Together, they form a living standard—and a foundational pillar of who we are and what we stand for—for every VMI alum and cadet who carries the legacy forward.

We Are VMI

We are the heart of tradition and honor, where courage and integrity are our guiding stars.

We entered through hallowed arches, committed to becoming more than we were and became more than we thought possible.

We chose the uncommon path, transformed by academic, mental, and physical challenges, shaped by discipline, mentored by our upperclassmen, and inspired by the legacy and support of our alumni.

We forge bonds stronger than steel, brothers and sisters united by our shared commitment to excellence and accomplishment and bound by a compelling legacy.

We take pride in those who walked the path before us and respect all who have shared in this extraordinary journey. We honor their memory through our actions, upholding the highest standards of virtue, leadership, scholarship, and service.

We pledge our loyalty to the values of the citizen-soldier, defined by duty, honor, country, and service. We stand resolute in the face of adversity, embodying the spirit of those who came before us.

We push beyond our perceived limits with unwavering determination, knowing that our strength lies not only in our individual might, but also in our unified resolve.

We embrace our calling to serve, to protect, and to lead. With every step we take, we march forward with pride, knowing that we carry the weight of our beloved institution, its traditions, and its future on our shoulders.

We are the future, molded by tradition, ready to take on any obstacle with an unyielding fortitude.

This is our oath, our credo, our purpose, and our promise: To live and lead with courage and integrity, to uphold the legacy of Virginia Military Institute, and to remain steadfast in our pursuit of excellence.

In The Bonds, We Are VMI.

Background

We Are VMI: The Story and Significance of the VMI Alumni Credo

In early 2022, the VMI Alumni Association Engagement Committee embarked on the creation of the VMI Alumni Credo. The goal was to craft a unifying statement that encapsulates the shared bond of the VMI experience among all alumni. Over the next 3 years, the committee gathered a wide range of perspectives to shape the anticipated final product.

In early 2023, members of the VMI Class of 1973 presented their unified statement, titled “The Enduring Value of a VMI Education,” as part of their 50th Reunion celebration. This statement highlighted many of the attributes, values, and outcomes that would later be incorporated into the VMI Alumni Credo. Building on this foundation, the Engagement Committee expanded participation in the credo’s development, inviting input from a diverse cross-section of alumni. After many hours of collaboration and conference calls, a draft was prepared for broader review.

In 2024, the draft credo was shared with chapter presidents, class agents, and board members for feedback. The committee prioritized gathering advice and perspectives from alumni across all decades to ensure the credo resonated with the experiences and values of the entire VMI alumni community. This inclusive approach ensured the final product was a true representation of the enduring spirit and commitment of VMI alumni.

After additional discussions and refinements, the VMI Alumni Credo was unanimously accepted by the VMI Alumni Association Board of Directors in April 2024. It is now our honor to introduce the credo to the VMI alumni family at large.

The Heart of VMI: Transformation and Legacy

At its core, Virginia Military Institute represents a profound commitment to transformation—a journey that begins with the Honor Code and Code of the Cadet and extends far beyond graduation.

The VMI Alumni Credo is more than a set of principles; it is a rite of passage and a calling to live with honor, humility, integrity, and accountability. It serves as the foundation of VMI’s culture and the cornerstone of its character development.

For generations, the VMI experience has shaped young men and women into leaders defined by purpose, service, and unwavering character. The credo is both a tribute to this transformative journey and a guidepost for current and future generations of alumni.

The Credo’s Role for Alumni, Cadets, and the Public

For alumni, the credo is a proud reminder of who we are and where we come from. It honors the crucible that forged us—the barracks, the Honor Code, the Rat Line, the academic rigor, the good times and the bad—and the virtues that have shaped our lives ever since. It challenges us to carry those values into our families, careers, communities, and country. As alumni, we are called to uphold the Institute’s legacy with pride and purpose.

For cadets, the credo serves as a compass, answering the question, “Why VMI?” It sets expectations and aspirations, lighting the path from matriculation to graduation—and beyond. No matter where life leads them beyond Limits Gates, cadets are never alone. They are VMI.

For the public, the credo offers a glimpse into the value of a VMI education. It highlights how VMI shapes citizen-leaders defined not only by intellect but by integrity. In a world searching for principled leadership, the VMI Alumni Credo boldly affirms that VMI continues to deliver both.

We are VMI, and through the VMI Alumni Credo, we honor our beginning, define our present, and shape our future.

A VMI cadet lives by the Honor Code, which states a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. A cadet is also expected to live honorably in accordance with the Code of the Cadet. Both Codes demand the inviolability of actions and words and the incorruptibility of VMI principles.

Code of the Cadet

A cadet’s word is their bond.

A cadet embodies integrity at all times.

A cadet is a leader of character who offers equal respect, treatment, and understanding to all.

A cadet stands against intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, hate, and oppression.

A cadet productively communicates, lives, and works with people from many backgrounds.

A cadet finds sacred duty to country, state, the Corps, family, and friends.

A cadet embodies a philosophy of physical well-being.

Good manners, grace, proper humor, and humility are commonplace characteristics of a cadet.

A cadet is appropriate in speech, habits, and dress.

A cadet never takes counsel of their fears.

A VMI cadet is a well-mannered, respectful, and properly presented individual who holds themself and others accountable for their actions and words as a valued member of the Corps. VMI standards are high for meaningful purpose: To produce leaders of character. A cadet wears the VMI uniform with pride, always remembering and demonstrating what it means to be a VMI cadet.