Alumni Review 2015 Issue 2

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Contents

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE Alumni Review 2015-Issue 2

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

This issue includes class notes and news items covering the time period of Nov. 15, 2014, to Feb. 15, 2015.

FEATURES 6 8 9

In Memory: E. Cabell Brand ’44 James P. Hankins Jr. ’46: Representative of the Phantom Class Campaign Update

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10 Allen ’62: Continued Support of VMI 11 When the Institute Was Heard From: World War II 13 “Ghost Cadet” Still Inspires Readers

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Our Alumni Serving Association/Chapter News Class Notes Births, Marriages, Degrees Provisional Appointments Taps After Taps Alumni News

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President’s Letter Association Directory The Institute VMI Athletics The Foundation The Keydet Club

Managing Editor: Jordan Moore Editorial Assistant: Elaine Wood ALUMNI REVIEW ONLINE www.vmialumi.org/alumnireview PUBLISHING OFFICE The VMI Alumni Association, Inc., Alumni Review Office VMI Moody Hall, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450; 540/464-7224 review@vmiaa.org

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

ATTENTION POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to: VMI Alumni Review, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 Periodicals postage paid at Lynchburg, VA. PURPOSE OF THE VMI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION To organize the alumni, the better to keep alive the memories of Institute life and—by their united efforts—to aid in the promotion of the welfare of the Institute, and the successful prosecution of its educational purposes.

VMI ALUMNI AGENCIES TELEPHONE NUMBERS The VMI Alumni Association: The VMI Foundation:

The VMI Keydet Club:

DEPARTMENTS 2 153 162 164 169 174

PUBLISHER The President of The VMI Alumni Association, Inc.

PRINTER Progress Printing Co., Inc. Lynchburg, Virginia

NEWS AND UPDATES 3 14 23 143 144 146 152 155

Volume 92, No. 1

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

WEBSITE ADDRESSES Alumni Agencies: www.vmialumni.org VMI: www.vmi.edu ON OUR COVER

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Outside Front Cover: “A VMI Sunset,” featuring the view of the VMI post from in front of Jackson Arch. Photo by Don Mercer ’66.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Alumni, As you read this issue, the snow has melted at the Institute, the Class of 2015 is preparing to graduate and summer will soon be here. Here is a brief look at some of the articles featured in this second installment of the 2015 Alumni Review.

This Review profiles a longtime supporter of VMI who is no longer with us. Since the last issue, Edward Cabell Brand ’44, who served in World War II and later devoted many years of service to helping end poverty in the U.S. and abroad, died.

Brand was a well-known philanthropist and a respected member of his community and of the VMI family. His obituary appears in the front section of this issue of the Review.

Additional points of interest I suggest are:

Perrow ’96

• An in-depth look at World War II leaders hailing from VMI – including Gen. George C. Marshall ’901, Gen. Leonard T. Gerow ’911 and Gen. Thomas T. Handy ’914 – in an article titled, “When the Institute was Heard From: World War II,” written by Phil Gioia ’67.

•

An update on An Uncommon Purpose: A Glorious Past, A Brilliant Future: The Campaign for VMI and the funds raised just a few months after the campaign’s launch. Please remember the campaign when making your giving plans.

•

Other features include an overview of the 2014 STEM Conference and another, lesser-known milestone VMI reached in 2014: The 40th anniversary of post being designated as a national historic district.

These articles can be found in the Institute section of this issue.

•

Alumni Chapters have been busy around the country, and highlights of their activities can be viewed in the Association News section.

•

Articles of interest from the Sports Information Office include the introduction of VMI’s new head football coach, as well as new coaches for men’s and women’s soccer.

Also, please take a moment to view the Our Alumni Serving section of the Review, which pays tribute to citizensoldiers who are serving others in their communities, country or the world in both combat and non-combat related capacities.

I would like to extend an invitation to you to visit post or a brother rat during your travels this summer. Chapter leaders and class agents serve to assist you in connecting with alumni, and we greatly benefit from all of their hard work. We hope you will have an opportunity to relive your memories of the Institute as frequently as possible.

In the spirit,

E.J. Turner Perrow ’96 President, The VMI Alumni Association, Inc.

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Four decades of VMI alumni from all service branches gathered for a photo in Djibouti, Africa. From left: Retired U.S. Navy Capt. John R. “J.D.” Dixon ’85, U.S. Army Reserve Gen. James D. Owens Jr. ’79, U.S. Air Force Capt. Kenneth Carmichael ’01 and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Shawn McFadden ’96. At the time this photo was taken, Owens was serving as the deputy commander and Dixon as chief of staff in JTF HOA Djibouti.

Our Alumni Serving Recognizing Those Who Serve Others in Their Communities, Country and the World In addition to recognizing those who have served in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom (as shown on the previous pages), the Alumni Association would like to pay tribute to other citizen-soliders, who are, as Col. J.T.L. Preston said and as printed on the parapet, “an honor to our country and our state, objects of honest pride to their instructors ... and ready in every time of deepest peril ... .”

Those alumni whose photos and articles appear in this section of the Review could be members of the armed forces serving in non-combat capacities anywhere in the world, or they could be members of police and fire departments, doctors offering

their services to those less fortunate, alumni volunteering at food pantries or serving as Boy or Girl Scout leaders.

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

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

Are you or someone you know serving the community, country or the world? Send in a photo and a description of what you’re doing, where and for whom. See instructions above.

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From left, U.S. Marine Corps Capts. Mike Golike ’07 and Brett Skoog ’08 before an eight hour flight from Japan to Thailand.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael Castellano ’95 deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on an Iraqi Advise and Assist team based out of Al Asad Air Base. U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Scott Pistochini ’07 is also on the team.

From left, U.S. Air Force Capt. Stanley Cheng ’08 and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Chris Bergstol ’92 in front of an F-15E before a combat mission in Southwest Asia.

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Walt Wood ’80 and his wife, Mary Lynne, have been missionaries in Peru for 15 years. After God touched their hearts during a vacation in Peru in 1998 to leave their jobs, ministry and home in Anchorage, Alaska, they moved to South America to learn Spanish and have lived in Ayacucho, Peru, since May 2000. God has tasked them with equipping and strengthening the Quechua Church in the Peruvian Andes by providing Christian education in their heart language. A team of Quechua speakers finished translating the International School of Ministry Bible Institute into the dialect of Ayacucho Quechua in 2007. The translated ISOM program is now called the Quechua Bible Institute and is being taught throughout churches and communities within the Andes.

In February 2013, the Woods formed the nonprofit Andean Ministries Association of Peru. As of January 2015, 201 pastors/leaders have graduated from 19 Quechua Bible Institutes in six denominations. There are now 128 studying in 11 QBIs. A surprise bonus of the QBI is that the students are gaining increased proficiency in reading their Quechua language, some for the first time.

In May 2013, the Woods hosted the VMI cadet-alumni mission team during their 10-day mission trip to Peru.

They frequently visit the U.S. to share about the ministry the Lord has blessed them with and raise support for AMAPeru. You can contact Walt or Mary Lynne at wmlwood@usa.net, through their webpage www.TeamPeru.org or keep abreast of their Peruvian activities on Facebook – teamperu.org. Top left: Eberzon Espinoza, ministry field director; Eber Mendoza, communication and office manager; and Walt and Mary Lynne Wood. Top right: The first Quechua Bible Institute graduation at Chopcca Church.

Lt. John Marshall Dalessandro ’12, right, with his company commander, Cpt. Ryan C. Smith ’07, at Dand District Center near the entrance to Panjway District and the Arghandab River Valley. They are with the 101st Division in Afghanistan.

Five VMI alumni graduated from the U.S. Army War College June 6, 2014. From left: Col. Dan Shrimpton ’88, Col. Mike Naifeh ’91, Col. Mitch Fridley ’89, Lt. Col. Steve Colvin ’94 and Col. Todd Hubbard ’91.

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In Memory Edward Cabell Brand ’44

by Scott Belliveau ’83 Director of Communications, VMI Foundation

Edward Cabell Brand ’44, eminent businessman and philanthropist, died in Salem, Virginia, Jan. 13, 2015. He was 91.

Brand was born and raised in Salem. After graduating from Andrew Lewis High School in 1940, he matriculated at VMI in September 1940. Called to service in World War II, he served with the 70th Infantry Division – part of the U.S. Seventh Army – in the European Theater of Operations. Brand left military service in the grade of captain. He received numerous decorations during his service, including the Bronze Star.

Brand returned to the Institute after the war. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree Cabell Brand ’44 delivering his remarks in Moody Hall after receiving the Supertinendent’s Meritiorious Achievement in electrical engineering and Award in March 2011. wore academic stars his entire time as a cadet. During his 1st Class year, he was a cadet captain and accepted command of Company G, a collection of World War II veterans who, after serving in the Armed Forces during World War II, often chaffed under VMI’s regulations. So restive were these men that Brand’s history in the 1948 edition of The Bomb states, “Being the [commanding officer] of the veterans ... has caused him to meet with many trying circumstances.” However, he apparently enjoyed a large measure of success and made an impression upon those in barracks at the time, because it concludes, “In spite of the difficulties, he has succeeded in effecting many well-deserved privileges for the ‘vets.’ The ability he displays as a leader is equaled both in his academic and social life.”

After graduating from the Institute in 1948, Brand became an economic analyst in the Intelligence Office of the Military Government of Berlin and with the U.S. Foreign Service in Europe.

He then returned to the U.S. to study at Harvard Business School and the University of Virginia.

Afterward, he went to work at The Ortho Vent Shoe Company in Salem, a company founded by his grandfather. Eventually, he became president of Ortho Vent. He enhanced the product line, expanded the company’s operations and took the company public in 1970, renaming it the Stuart McGuire Company. Sixteen years later, the company merged with the Home Shopping Network, and Brand remained a consultant until 1995.

Brand served on numerous corporate boards, including First Virginia Bank, Armstrong Chemicals and Electrolux Corporation. He also was a fixture on the boards of many organizations, serving

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the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment; the Young Presidents Organization; and The National Academy of Sciences. He also was a member of the Virginia State Board of Health, and during his last four years on that board, he served as its chairman – the first businessman to ever hold that position.

Brand is perhaps best known for the immense amount of time and effort he devoted to combating poverty in Virginia, the U.S. and around the world.

In 1965, he founded Total Action against Poverty. Now known as Total Action for Progress, this community action agency provides more than 30 programs to Virginia’s Roanoke Valley area, including career development, affordable housing, clean water, Brand receiving the Superintendent’s Meritorious Achievement Award education, legal aid, economic from Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintendent. and community development, and early childhood education. He was also deeply involved with the Virginia Water Project, In 2013, the Roanoke chapter of the NAACP presented him which provides clean water throughout rural Virginia, with its Humanitarian Award. He received honorary degrees and he served on the board and was the chairman of from Washington and Lee University, Roanoke College, Ferrum the Child Health Investment Partnership.

College, Virginia Western Community College and Lynchburg In 1987, he founded the Cabell Brand Center for InCollege. He also received the Lyndon B. Johnson Humanitarian ternational Poverty and Research Studies at Roanoke Award, the Virginia Governor’s Gold Medal Award for volunCollege, which gives students opportunities to study teering excellence and the Noel Taylor Humanitarian Award. issues related to poverty, peace and the environment.

In 1980, he was the recipient of the National VISTA Award for The center also sponsors sustainable development being the businessman in the U.S. who has done the most for seminars, drawing hundreds of participants and speaklow-income families. ers from international organizations such as the World In 1992, VMI’s Projami Club presented him with its Jonathan Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development Daniels Award, which, according to a 2009 article, Brand conand the U.S. Department of State. sidered “the finest moment of his life ... because it was given Brand was also involved with the United Nations Deto him by the association of black cadets, whose acceptance [at velopment Program and the World Bank in economic VMI] he had long ago lobbied.” Brand was instrumental in the development projects in Bangladesh, India, Egypt and establishment of the Institute’s Jonathan Myrick Daniels ’61 Botswana.

Humanitarian Award in 1997. He was largely responsible for His 2008 book, “If Not Me, Then Who?,” offers a rePresident Jimmy Carter’s decision to accept the initial Daniel view of his experiences in public service and was widely Award four years later. On behalf of the VMI Promaji Club, he praised. It is now required reading in the Shepherd Povand his wife later funded a memorial to Jonathan Daniels in erty Program, which was first established under the Hayneville, Alabama – the town in which Daniels was killed. auspices of the Cabell Brand Center at Washington & Lee In 2011, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintenUniversity and is expanding to colleges and universities dent, presented him with the Superintendent’s Meritorious throughout the country.

Achievement Award, which has been presented to only nine Many organizations recognized Brand for his service to other people. the poor throughout the world, including the Salem RoBrand is survived by four daughters and 14 grandchiltary Club, which gave him its Outstanding Citizen Award, dren, as well as a sister and numerous nieces and nephews. and the Roanoke-Salem Chamber of Commerce, which His wife of 49 years, Shirley, predeceased him, as did one presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. daughter and four sons.

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James Poindexter Hankins Jr. ’46: Representative of the Phantom Class

by Rich Griset, Contributing Writer

The conditions were brutal.

Through rain, sleet and snow, American prisoners of war trudged on with blistered feet and little food. The year was 1945, and James Poindexter “Deck” Hankins ’46 and his fellow troops were being forced to march by their German captors.

For the past 13 months, Hankins had been incarcerated in Stalag 17B, and now the Germans were marching the prisoners to evade liberation by nearby Russian forces. The prisoners were being fed only every second or third day. Many were losing consciousness from sheer exhaustion.

Though he would live, the experience of being a POW would haunt Hankins for the rest of his life.

“Little did I know how these traumatic stresses would effect [sic] me in my later years,” he later wrote. “It’s difficult to convey the physical and emotional stress I was subjected to even though these unpleasant memories are as vivid as yesterday.”

Born and raised in Halifax County, Virginia, Hankins grew up in the house his grandparents built. His father was a tobacconist, working as a middleman between tobacco growers and buyers, and his mother worked part-time at a family-owned dry cleaner.

When it came time for college, Hankins chose VMI, but he volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Force after just six months at the Institute. He and many others never returned to VMI, becoming known forever as part of the Phantom Class of 1946.

Hankins’ first mission was to be his last.

During a bombing raid on a Czech aircraft plant, his B-24 Liberator was shot down, and he was captured soon after landing.

“There was this farmer with a rifle with a barrel that looked about as big as a cannon,” he later recalled to The Gazette-Virginian in 1993. “I didn’t understand what he said, but I knew what he meant. I sat down.”

Hankins was interrogated and placed in solitary confinement in the town nearby and given no food or water for an extended 8

period of time. Then, in the middle of the night, Hankins and seven of his surviving crew members (the Germans said two of the airmen’s parachutes failed to open) were placed on a truck for Freiburg, Germany, where Hankins would endure more interrogations and solitary confinement. The treatment was then repeated in Frankfurt before he and other airmen were loaded into boxcars.

Hankins ’46 “We were so crowded that there was hardly room to sit or stand,” he later wrote.

“We traveled for several days and nights under these conditions with little or no food or water.”

When the air raids came, the Germans left them trapped in the boxcars as they sought cover. A bucket was used in place of a restroom. After several days of living in terror and filth, Hankins finally arrived at Stalag 17B, a prison camp that would later be immortalized in the William Holden film, “Stalag 17.” For the next 13 months, the camp was Hankins’ home.

“The winters were brutally cold, and the barracks we lived in were flimsily constructed of wood planks covered in one layer of tar-paper,” Hankins wrote.

“One small stove gave off little or no heat, so it was impossible to stay warm. The Germans delighted in calling us out for roll-call two or three times a day and made us stand in deep snow until we were cold through and through.”

The food was so meager, Hankins lost 30 pounds. The camp was rampant with sickness, and he suffered terrible colds and bouts of diarrhea. German searches and roll calls were a source of stress, as were the bombing raids at nearby Krems, Austria.

On April 8, 1945, conditions became even worse. With the Russians in the area, the Germans forced Stalag 17B’s prisoners to march, exacerbating their already appalling situation. Nearly a month later, Hankins would be liberated by part of the 13th Armored Division of Gen. Patton’s Third Army. He was first flown to Camp Lucky Strike in Le Havre, France, then sent back to the United States.

When he returned to Halifax, he gathered his family at dinnertime and talked until dawn about his wartime experiences.

“When the sun came up, Daddy stood up and said, ‘The sun is up.

I’ll never speak of this again,’” said Laura Lee Chandler, Hankins’ daughter. “Just like Tom Brokaw wrote in the book, ‘The Greatest Generation,’ Daddy never talked about this.”

Instead of returning to VMI, Hankins decided to attend the University of Richmond, where he met his wife. Throughout his life, Hankins moved many times and held various jobs. Chandler believes this may have been a direct result of his experience during World War II. “Looking back on his life, you begin to see patterns and believe that maybe the way things played out were a direct result of what he experienced at such a young age,” VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

said Chandler. “He held a lot of different types of jobs, and we always wondered if the torture and conditions he went through as a POW contributed toward his thought process of not staying in one place for very long.”

In the early 1990s, some former Stalag 17B POWs began meeting to discuss their experiences, and Hankins spoke with the local paper in Halifax.

Still, he never discussed this experience with his daughter, and Chandler wishes he had. Most of the details in this story are pulled from the newspaper profile and Veterans Affairs forms Hankins completed to obtain military benefits. Chandler discovered the writings on his computer after he died in 2001.

“Because I was told Daddy didn’t like to talk about it, I didn’t ask a lot of questions,” Chandler says. “There are certain things you don’t want to say because you don’t want to upset somebody.”

For Chandler, this sense of a conversation unspoken has led her to learn as much as she can about World War II. She recently spent 14 days in Europe visiting historical sites and museums to learn about the war.

“Daddy was a very, very gentle man,” says Chandler. “He never met a stranger.

Remembered people, remembered people’s names and was just a good, easygoing guy. It kind of belies what he might have gone through for 13 months at the hands of people who were not kind and not caring.”

In November 1999, Hankins wrote a poem about his time at war, and as a member of the Phantom Class, he titled it, “Phantom ’46 Reflections.” The last three stanzas read:

Campaign Passes $205 Million Mark

by Scott Belliveau ’83 Director of Communications, VMI Foundation

Thanks in large part to what Brian Scott Crockett, chief executive officer of the VMI Foundation, called “a December to remember,” the Institute’s latest comprehensive fundraising effort, An Uncommon Purpose: A Glorious Past, A Brilliant Future: The Campaign for VMI, received more than $205.7 million in gifts and commitments

by Feb. 28, 2015.

“At The Institute Society Dinner Nov. 11, the campaign kicked off its public phase. Its chairman, Don Wilkinson ’61, announced that, in its quiet phase, it had raised an impressive $183 million,” said Crockett. “That positioned the campaign on an encouraging track toward its largest-ever publicly declared goal of $225 million.”

With December being a very popular month for charitable giving, the VMI Foundation and the VMI Keydet Club anticipated a busy month as donors sought to make gifts before the end of the 2014 tax year. As was expected, the pace of giving increased at the beginning of the month; however, in the final two weeks of December, it accelerated to a dizzying level and, at month’s end, alumni and friends had provided an astounding $17 million in$225 gifts and commitments. There were many reasons for this $220 success, according to Crockett. “Dozens Total Gifts and $215 of people who had made gifts earlier to the Commitments: $210 $205,700,000 campaign took full advantage of a federal law allowing the tax-free$205 use of individual Number of Donors: retirement accounts for$200 charitable giving in12,496 order to increase their $195 giving. Many alumni and friends supported the three $190 funds of VMI Annual Giving with new or $185 additional gifts. Some donors who were At places like Normandy, Anzio and $180 considering major gifts reached their final Iwo-Jima, decisions in December$0and made some With terrible carnage on every side. exceptionally generous gifts. Much like Some Brother Rats fought these battles, a number of streams come together to And yes, some of them died. create a mighty river, all of these sources of support came together to give us ‘a And so, we must remember them, December to remember.’”

Brother Rats, like you and me.

Although the number of gifts subsided They made the supreme sacrifice, To keep our Country free.

after the close of 2014, alumni and friends continued in their support of the campaign, giving a combined $4.3 million in January and February. With 12,496 donors providing $205.7 million in immediate gifts and short- and long-term commitments, An Uncommon Purpose has made substantial progress since November.

“Those who already have made their gifts and commitments to this campaign have provided it with a magnificent start,” said Crockett, “and the entire VMI family can feel pride in the momentum that the campaign has developed. It is important to remember, however, we remain more than $20 million away from our goal, and there are many important priorities that still need to be met. We are eager to give everyone associated with the VMI Family the opportunity to be part of An Uncommon Purpose. The destiny of this campaign now is in the hands of those alumni and friends who have not yet come forward.”

$225

million

million

$220 $215

Total Gifts and Commitments: $205,700,000

$210 $205

Number of Donors: 12,496

$200 $195 $190 $185 $180 $0

So now, we return from far and wide, To the hallowed halls of V.M.I. The Phantom Class of ’46 To march as one, until we die.

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Why John Allen ’62 Continues to Support VMI

by Scott Belliveau ’83 Director of Communications, VMI Foundation

John C. Allen ’62, the son of James F. Allen ’33 and brother of David G. Allen ’71, graduated from VMI with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He then joined his family’s highway construction firm, J.F. Allen Company, headquartered in West Virginia.

He became president of the company in 1974 and now is its chairman of the board.

In 1969, he married Joyce Butler Allen.

They are the parents of four children and the grandparents of 10. Together, they have devoted much time to charitable activities, including West Virginia University and Davis and Elkins College.

Allen has been a class agent and a trustee of the VMI Foundation. A generous supporter of the Institute, his philanthropy is focused on the James F. Allen ’33 Scholarship, which his family established in 1980 to support cadets from West Virginia, and the John C. Allen 1962 Distinguished Professorship in Chemistry, which he endowed in 1998. He received the VMI Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award in 2009.

Why is it important to you to support VMI? First, I believe in the principles that it stands for – especially honor, integrity and service to country. Then, there is the effect that VMI has on its cadets. My wife and I had a prospective cadet visit us asking us for a recommendation to VMI. His grandfather had been a superintendent for our company. He looked like any other high school student. He was accepted and matriculated at VMI. When we came to the Institute Society Dinner that November, we met him. The transformation was phenomenal.

VMI is amazing when it comes to what it does with a kid. There’s something to that.

Why is it important to you to continue to support the James F. Allen ’33 Scholarship?

Joe Neikirk ’32 [longtime executive vice president of the VMI Foundation] got Dad involved with giving to VMI, and he established the scholarship. I am proud

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realize how complicated it is to run VMI until I got on the board. The superintendent must deal with a wide array of issues every day, many of which the presidents of other colleges will never encounter. The rules and regulations that VMI must adhere to are mind-numbing in number and detail.

It’s also educational in the sense that I have learned so much from the other members of the board. They bring so many different perspectives and experiences to their work. I really have enjoyed that aspect.

John Allen ’62 and his wife, Joyce.

that the kids from West Virginia who are supported by the scholarship really have made it in life. They get good jobs. They go on to graduate and professional schools. I also keep giving because of the diminishing state aid to VMI. In fact, I just gave a lot more to it because the cost for out-of-state cadets is increasing. Making sure that these kids from West Virginia can attend VMI is important to us.

What inspired you to establish the Allen Professorship in Chemistry?

The presence of Steve Reithmiller ’63 in the chemistry department was instrumental in that gift. Steve would have made a wonderful doctor, but instead, he devoted himself to teaching at VMI. We have had a lot of great chemistry professors at VMI, and Steve was like a lot of them. As an alumnus, he empathized with cadets and the challenges they face. He also was a wonderful teacher. Also, Steve and his wife, Peggy, are just great people. So, truly, we did it in their honor, and I am glad we did it.

You have been a member of the Board of Visitors since 2011. What has that experience taught you about VMI? I knew that running any institution of higher learning isn’t easy. But, I didn’t

What would you say to encourage other alumni to give in support of the Institute?

I have talked to several alumni on just this issue. I ask them, “Was the experience you had at VMI a positive effect on your life?” If so, then you need to give back so someone else can have that same type of experience.

I would tell anyone – alumnus or otherwise – that VMI is worth supporting because it is a strong institution.

As a member of the Board of Visitors, I have visited many academic departments and seen firsthand how much VMI has improved. When I was a cadet, if you had a class with Doc Foster, you had experienced the entire psychology department. Today, it is well staffed, and the curriculum has a strong basis in science and mathematics. At a dinner associated with the Board of Visitors meeting in January 2015, I had a long conversation with Col. Troy Siemers, head of the applied mathematics department. If more people like him had taught math when I was a cadet, I might have learned more about it. And, those two examples illustrate a broader point: the faculty is very good, and the cadets are getting a good education.

Finally, VMI deserves support because it’s so important to the country. There is a crying need for leaders of integrity in this country and that is what VMI aims to graduate and what it does graduate.

In short, the country needs VMI.

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When the Institute Was Heard From: World War II

by Philip Gioia ’67

Photos in this article courtesy of VMI Archives.

Surveying Confederate Forces prepared to attack the Union Army at Chancellorsville in 1863, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, noting that three of four divisions in his 26,000-man corps and most of his brigades, regiments and battalions were commanded

by VMI alumni, remarked, “The Institute will be heard from today.”

Eight decades later, if he could see the enormous influence VMI would exert at the highest levels of the army its cadets and graduates once so fiercely opposed, he might have allowed himself an ironic smile.

For during World War II, a nucleus of VMI men at the very top of the War Department General Staff would formulate strategy, issue orders and recommend and approve key command appointments that would drive the 8.5 million-man U.S. Army to victory.

They were Gens. George C. Marshall ’901, Leonard ‘Gee’ Gerow ’911 and Thomas Handy ’914. Marshall was chief of staff of the Army; Gerow was assistant chief of staff and chief of the War Plans Division of the General Staff; and Handy was assistant chief of staff, chief of the Operations Division of the General Staff and later deputy chief of staff of the Army. Serving as secretaries of the General Staff were Cols. Frank

McCarthy ’33 and H. Merrill Pasco ’37.

As a result of its 1898 war with Spain, America gained the Philippines – Marshall’s first assignment as a lieutenant – in 1902.

Man hadn’t yet flown, wireless was an infant and cavalry was the Army’s decisive arm.

In the training, movement and command of infantrymen, Marshall wrote his name across the Army’s future, demonstrating his talent as a staff officer and planner in World War I France as operations officer of 1st Infantry Division, then of First Army and aide-de-camp to Gen. John J. Pershing for five years thereafter.

Between the wars, Marshall’s influence at the Infantry School at Fort Benning changed Army doctrine to enable performance in future “wars of motion.” Elevated over 34 names on the seniority list, he became chief of staff of the Army on the day German forces smashed into Poland in September 1939. At the time, the U.S. Army was the 15th largest in the world.

Marshall’s impact on U.S. preparedness for World War II was immense. In 1940, he convinced President Franklin D. Roosevelt to withdraw opposition to a budget appropriation critical to ensuring the multimillion-man Army necessary to fight

Officers, including Maj. Gen. Edward M. Almond ’915, Gen. George C. Marshall ’901, Lt. Col. Thomas St. J. Arnold and others, at 92nd Infantry Division Headquarters in Veriggio, Italy, February 1945.

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Gen. George C. Marshall ’901 as he looked in 1945 at the end of World War II.

the oncoming war. In 1941, his lobbying of Congress was almost solely responsible, by a single vote in the House, for extension of the Selective Service Act. Without both, history may have written a different scenario for America in World War II. The War Plans Division, and later the Operations Division, were the true brains and heart of the wartime Washington Command Post of the U.S. Army. WPD was responsible for strategic planning and execution oversight for Army operations worldwide. Under Gerow, it formulated the Rainbow contingency war plans, culminating in Rainbow Five. It completed U.S. agenda and positions for the secret U.S.-British ABC-1 meetings, held in Washington in January 1941. These set the Germany-first strategy if the U.S. entered the war and were the genesis of the wartime combined chiefs of staff.

Gerow came to Washington in the late 1930s from service in China, serving as assistant chief of staff and chief of the WPD from late 1940 to February 1942. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gerow had been classmates at the Command and General Staff College, graduating first and second in their class. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, the officer responsible for WPD’s Pacific Operations died in an air crash. Eisenhower’s service under Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines and performance in the Louisiana Maneuvers gained him the magic 11

ticket for that responsibility at WPD. while Pasco was found to sign for it. stated to biographer Forrest Pogue, “...

In February 1942, Eisenhower replaced In July 1945, the U.S. air chiefs request- at one time we [VMI graduates] held the Gerow as WPD chief and shortly became ed official authorization for use of the chief of staff, a deputy chief of staff, the first chief of OPD. Gerow departed to com- atomic weapon against urban Japanese secretary of the General Staff and I don’t mand the 29th Division, which landed on targets. Pasco sent an urgent/top secret/ know how many division commanders Omaha Beach on D-Day as part of V Corps. eyes only draft directive to Marshall from and corps commanders...”

He would be the first corps commander Handy, authorizing “...delivery of ‘first In fact, 65 generals and admirals who ashore in France. special bomb by 509th Bomb Group ... either graduated from or began their An artilleryman, Handy came military careers at VMI served to the War Department after in World War II. Among them finishing both the Army War were Patton, Buckner, Walker, College and Naval War College.

Upshur, Burress, Almond and He succeeded Eisenhower as Byrd. Five Chinese graduates head of OPD in June 1942, after served as generals in the NaEisenhower was deployed to tionalist Army, including Sun England to command the EuLi-Jen ’927, who was known as ropean Theater. Handy served the “Rommel of China” for his as assistant army chief of staff audacious tactics. and chief of OPD until October “Way early in the game,” related 1944, then as deputy chief of Marshall, “when we had the Armystaff of the Army.

Navy Board, we had one meeting McCarthy arrived in Washingat which three out of the four ton in 1941 as a reserve major. army fellows were all VMI men.

He had been publicist for the Gen. Thomas T. Handy ’914 standing in the cockpit of I didn’t know it at the time ... an airplane during World War II. 1936 Broadway play, “Brother As we were leaving the meeting, Rat,” and was a technical adviser the chief of the Air Corps [“Hap” to the film starring Ronald ReaArnold, U.S. Military Academy gan. Starting in the Intelligence class of 1907, chief of the Army Air Division, McCarthy became asForces and one of the very few ofsistant secretary of the General ficers with whom Marshall was on Staff, and liaison officer to the a first-name basis] commented on White House. In January 1944 the fact that it was rather unusual he was promoted to secretary that three out of the four should and accompanied Marshall to be from the VMI. That was the first London, Casablanca, Algiers, time I knew it.”

Cairo, Teheran, Yalta and PotsMarshall “was very anxious for dam. After the war, he became the [VMI] alumni to have notha Hollywood producer, responing to say about this in the way of sible for filming the movies ‘tooting it up,’ because I would be “Patton” and “MacArthur.” the sufferer for that, for everyone A star football player at VMI, would believe that I did it purely Pasco accompanied Marshall to because of my VMI affiliation. As stateside conferences, inspeca matter of fact, I didn’t know a tions and briefings, succeeding one of these men at the time they McCarthy as Secretary in Auwere ‘made,’ and I didn’t bring any gust 1945. Pasco was also the of them in the War Department or General Staff’s officer-custodian Gen. Leonard T. Gerow ’911, War Plans Division chief, at near the deputy chief of staff’s job his desk at the War Department in Washington, D.C., in for top-secret traffic from Magic November 1941. or the secretary’s job.” and the Manhattan Program It was a unique collection of for development of the atomic weapon. as soon as weather will permit visual officers at a critical time. From the Civil At the Quadrant conference at Quebec in bombing after about Aug. 3, 1945, against War, when a small military institute in the 1943, Marshall and Pasco were assigned one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Valley of Virginia had sent its own cadets adjoining quarters. A courier from the Niigata and Nagasaki.” After approval into combat and been nearly destroyed as Manhattan Project mistakenly knocked by Henry L. Stimson, secretary of war, a consequence, to devoted and unflagging on Marshall’s door, to be met by the chief Handy signed off, releasing the very first service to the nation in another time of war himself, in bathrobe and pajamas. The atomic weapons for military use. and great peril, a handful of VMI men came After the war, on the issue of the VMI together to serve. As history records, they courier refused to release the message pouch to Marshall, who patiently waited men who served around him, Marshall served the nation very well.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

“Ghost Cadet” Still Inspires Young Readers

by Rich Griset, Contributing Writer

first published book. Soon publishers were asking Alphin for If you attended fourth grade during the past two decades manuscripts, and her 2000 novel, “Counterfeit Son,” received in Virginia, chances are your first association with VMI was a an Edgar Award, an honor bestowed by the Mystery Writers slim volume titled, “Ghost Cadet.” of America for the year’s best stories. Alphin was also unique The children’s book, written by Elaine Marie Alphin, tells among children’s authors in that she wrote both fiction and the fictional story of a modern-day boy named Benjy who non-fiction for ages pre-K through young adult. befriends the ghost of a VMI cadet who fought in the Battle While “Ghost Cadet” was in its planning stages, Alphin of New Market. knew she needed an important After his father leaves his famheirloom for Cadet McDowell to ily, protagonist Benjy and his search for. Her husband, Arthur, sister visit their grandmother a Virginia native and West Point in Lexington, Virginia, during alumnus, suggested a family spring break. While visiting the watch as the MacGuffin. Keepbattlefield at New Market, Benjy ing this in mind, the Alphins meets the ghost of real-life solwent to the VMI archives to dier William “Hugh” McDowell learn more about the battle. ’867, one of the 10 VMI cadets to “She did her very typical die in the battle. In the fictional Elaine; in-depth and detailed account, McDowell loses his research and actually went family’s watch during the fight, through the entire roster of the and Benjy must help him locate Corps of Cadets,” said Arthur Alit in the present so McDowell phin. The Alphins discovered an can rest in peace. astonishing coincidence while Since it was first published looking through the archives: in 1991, “Ghost Cadet” has In late 1864, the McDowell famtransported thousands of young ily had sent a letter to VMI inreaders back in time to the Civil quiring about a family watch in War, introducing them to both the cadet’s possession that had the conflict and VMI. Engagingbeen lost. The watch was real. ly written and based in fact, the Though Publishers Weekly book was popular enough that criticized the book for teaching it won the 1995 Virginia State “a romanticized, white, SouthReading Association Award.

New Market Cadet William H. McDowell ’867. McDowern view of the War Between the Kim Lancaster, current VSRA ell was killed at the Battle of New Market. “The Ghost States,” other reviewers were president, says children still Cadet,” a children’s book, is a fictional account of his experiences at New Market. more favorable. love the book 20 years later.

“Out of solid research and a “It’s a perfect example of clear regard for Virginia’s history and heritage, Ms. Alphin has historical fiction, and we keep a running list as we read of written a fine novel that provides a sympathetic picture of a what [the children] think are historical events and what we troubled, lonely boy who blames himself for his parents’ divorce, think are fictional events,” said Lancaster, who is also a readbut who finds redemption by discovering the true meaning of ing specialist at Millwood Elementary in Bath, Virginia. “Kids friendship,” wrote David Haward Bain in The New York Times. hate to stop reading it in class. We’ve been reading these same Alphin went on to write more than 30 books for children and copies again and again,” said Lancaster. “They’re quite tattered, young adults. She died in 2014 in Glenrock, Wyoming. but we’ve pulled together enough copies that kids can share.”

When asked to sum up what his late wife was like, Arthur exBefore Standards of Learning testing conflicted with the plained part of her research for a “Ghost Cadet” companion book schedule, the school would take students to witness the New titled, “Ghost Soldier.” Elaine wanted to know what it was like to Market Day ceremony every year. Now, Lancaster and other be shot at during battle. She had decided that firing a gun wasn’t teachers use VMI’s website to instruct students in using online enough, so the Alphins found a shooting range with pit so she resources for research. could hide as Arthur shot above it.

“Some of the kids can relate to Benjy’s family situation, not “She got out and said, ‘Now I can write about it!’” he stated. being with both of their parents and having step-parents,” “She went to that effort for only part of two sentences in the book Lancaster said. “I feel that kids really relate to that and the ‘Ghost Soldier,’ but she wanted to get it absolutely right.That kind brother/sister relationship. And the ghost is just fun.” of encapsulates Elaine’s drive and desire. No stone left unturned.”

For Alphin, “Ghost Cadet” proved a milestone, becoming her 2015-Issue 2

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ASSOCIATION NEWS ASSOCIATION NEWS VMI Band Marches in Richmond Christmas Parade More than 100 cadets from the VMI Regimental Band and Pipe Band marched in front of thousands Dec. 6, 2014, at the 31st annual Richmond Christmas Parade in Richmond, Virginia. The unit traveled early to make the 10 a.m. starting time and was one of over 100 bands, floats and entries for the popular three mile parade. CBS Channel 6 carried the parade and was the highest rated program in the area that day. This was the 21st time the VMI Band has appeared in the parade since 1989.

Southern Florida Chapter Celebrates Founders Day The Southern Florida Chapter hosted a Founders Day event in Fort Lauderdale. Present were, from left, William Cobb ’68, Pirooz Borojerdi ’79, Scott Houser ’98, Richard Lindquist ’61 and Jose Robles ’95.

Tampa Chapter Hosts Watch Party Tampa, Florida, VMI and The Citadel alumni held a watch party Nov. 22, 2014, for the VMI versus The Citadel football game. The alumni gathered at Ducky’s Sports Bar in Tampa to share an afternoon of camaraderie as their respective teams fought on the gridiron.

Although defeated in the final score and in total alumni attending (Citadel: 19, VMI: 6), the chapter stood proud and displayed colors while surrounded by The Citadel alumni. VMI alumni pictured were, from left, Bob Bailey ’72, Phil Valenti ’66, H. Byrne ’87 and Mel Anderson ’59. Also in attendance were John Freiermuth ’72; Paul Thompson ’01 with his wife, Isabel, and son; Betty Valenti; and Grace Bailey.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ASSOCIATION NEWS Treasure Coast Chapter Holds First Meeting The new Treasure Coast Chapter of the VMI Alumni Association held its first meeting at the home of Don and Margaret Carson ’64 in Tequesta, Florida, Nov. 9, 2014. The chapter is comprised of alumni living in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. The meeting included dinner and a presentation to commemorate VMI Founders Day and the early history of the Institute.

Attendees ranged from the Class of 1946 through the Class of 1985.

Westminster Canterbury Gathers for Cocktails and Dinner In October 2014, VMI alumni residents of Westminster Canterbury in Richmond, Virginia, gathered for cocktails and dinner in the Canterbury private dining room. Pictured, from left, front row, were Mary Hutter; Mary EasterlyMiller (widow of Harry W. Easterly Jr. ’44 and wife of Charlie Miller ’42); Suzanne Pollard and Bunny Tucker ’37; Ann Scott (widow of Fred Addison ’44) and Russell Scott; and John Halsey ’41. Back row: George Hutter ’52; Jo Ann O’Hara (widow of Robert G. O’Hara ’35); Ben Harmon ’49; Jackie Whitmore (widow of John Edward ’42); Charlie Miller ’42; Buddy Metz ’45; R.B. Barnes ’54; Ann Artz (widow of Edwin H. Artz ’53); Maggie Belle Moore (daughter of Col. George D. Wilshire, VMI professor); Juliet Goode-Hupp (widow of Henry T. Hupp Jr. ’44); Ed and Sarah Smith ’50B; and Elizabeth and Harry Lee ’47. Present but not pictured was Lucy Phillips (widow of Edwin Keith ’43).

Wilmington Chapter Celebrates Founders Day The Wilmington Chapter celebrated Founders Day on the Intracoastal Waterway at the Blue Water Grill. Pictured were, from left, John Gangemi ’61, George Myers ’79, Lynn Seldon ’83, Bart Williams ’85, Bill Todd ’68, Dick Stone ’61, Spruill Thompson ’84, Jonathan Biscula ’10 and John Daly ’09.

2015-Issue 2

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ASSOCIATION NEWS VMI Commander’s Jazz Band Visits Alumni in Florida The VMI Jazz Band performed at the Waterfront Inn in The Villages, Florida, Jan. 7, 2015. Approximately 50 alumni and friends of VMI enjoyed the performance at the dinner and dance hosted by The Villages VMI Alumni Chapter.

Cadets were treated to a buffet breakfast the next morning at the Bonifray Country Club in The Villages before their departure.

On January 9, 2015, the Northeast Florida Alumni Chapter held their annual holiday party at the home of Duke Addison ’82. The VMI Commanders Jazz Ensemble played poolside at the party under the direction of Col. John Brodie. In attendance at the party were 25 alumni representing seven decades of VMI traditions, along with family and friends for a great evening of music, camaraderie and celebration. Following the party, each cadet was hosted by a local alumnus for the night.

From left: Mrs. Alan Victory ’74, alto saxophonist Cadet Kristen Voss ’15, trombonist Cadet Clarke Chen ’15, Mr. Alan Victory ’74 and trumpeter Cadet Jake Tyler ’16.

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bailey ’72 with trumpeter Cadet Emma Nobile ’17, right.

From left: Col. John Brodie (Hon.), Jim Joustra ’76, Walt Chalkley ’72, Don Holmes ’66 and pianist Cadet Roi Pineda ’18.

Alto saxophonist Cadet Marvin Burns ’17, left, with Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Groome ’71.

Northeast Florida alumni showing their support for the VMI Commanders at the chapter’s 2015 holiday party.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ASSOCIATION NEWS Office of the VMI Chaplain Celebrates 50 Years at Sacred Assembly In 2015, VMI celebrated the 175th anniversary of its founding Nov. 11 and the 150th anniversary of the Battle of New Market May 15. The year also marked another anniversary on post: The Office of the VMI Chaplain celebrated 50 years since its official establishment in fall 1964.

Motivated by a sincere desire to create a chair for the chaplain to the Corps of Cadets, John M. “Jack” Camp Jr. ’40, in a gesture Alumni gathered in Jackson Memorial Hall after the Sunday morning service honoring his father, John M. Camp ’905, Jan. 25, 2015. presented a financial gift that produced an endowment capable of sustaining the work from 1,150 to as many as 1,700 students. Emphasis Weekend that, for the past 15 of a chaplain to the Corps of Cadets. Before Worship services are provided year-round years, has taken the shape of the Sacred this, in 1958, local pastors volunteered to on Sundays, attracting not only cadets but Assembly. This assembly invites the Corps provide worship services in Jackson Memo- also members of the staff, faculty and com- of Cadets and community to join together rial Hall for cadets who chose to remain on munity residents. Through the generous for a time of celebration and worship, givpost rather than march downtown to local gift of Richard Goodall ’66, a position for ing thanks to God for His wonderful favor an associate chaplain was created and filled expressed toward VMI. During the 2015 churches.

On Jan. 23, 1962, Rev. Thomas E. Weir, by Maj. John Casper ’04, chaplain, in 2014. observance, various expressions of celebraThe Office of the Chaplain is supported tion were made available to cadets. A Jewish a Methodist minister who formerly volthrough the financial gifts and offerings Shabbat hosted by VMI Friday evening, Jan. unteered to conduct worship services, was of VMI cadets, alumni and friends of the 23, welcomed both cadets and members of appointed on orders as Institute chaplain Institute.

In its present operation, the the Washington and Lee University Jewish and was paid $200 per month. community. Col. Keith Gibson ’77, On Sept. 3, 1964, in accordance executive director of the VMI muwith Special Order No. 1, retired seum system and guest speaker U.S. Navy Capt. Robert K. Wilson, for the dinner event, spoke about chaplain, was appointed as the first the life of Cadet Moses Ezekiel full-time, salaried chaplain. This ’866, VMI’s most-renowned Jewwas during a time when attending ish cadet, who not only fought Sunday worship services at VMI in the Battle of New Market but was a mandatory requirement. achieved international acclaim as With a change in federal policy in a sculpture and artist. the early 1970s, church and chaA Catholic Mass of Thanksgivpel attendance at VMI was made ing, officiated by Father Joseph voluntary. Wilson taught academic D’Aurora, was conducted in Jackclasses for cadets and provided Pictured at the Sacred Assembly were, from left, Craig son Memorial Hall Saturday religious support and counseling. Jones ’80, Scott Sayre ’80, Walt Wood ’80, Mike Bellamy morning.

Worship music for the ’80, Chaplain Caudill and Patrick McCarthy ’80.

In 1979, Retired U.S. Air Force service was provided

by Maj. Josh Col. Charles Caudill, chaplain, asOffice of the Chaplain provides considerHarvey, Glee Club director, and Burr Datz. sumed the position of chaplain and served able counseling in response to individual A number of worship opportunities were the Corps and Institute as both a classroom need, facilitates the religious observances then offered throughout the weekend instructor and religious leader for the span of 15 years. Caudill left a strong and lasting of all faiths practiced by cadets and provides featuring preaching by Brian Pettrey ’92, impression on VMI and the Lexington com- leadership for worship services each Sunday pastor; Brandon Porter ’96, pastor; Col. Pete munity through his enthusiastic personality in Jackson Memorial Hall. The chaplains Sniffin ’85, chaplain; and Michael Bellamy provide encouragement and counsel to all ’80, U.S. Army and church planter. Recordand love for cadets.

On July 4, 1994, retired U.S. Army Reserve cadets, regardless of their faith or non-faith ing artists of considerable notoriety brought inspirational music that was enjoyed by Col. James Park, chaplain, the current chap- perspective.

For a number of years, the Office of both cadets and over 40 VMI alumni who lain, assumed the post. During the 20 years the Chaplain has sponsored a Religious attended the weekend. of his service, the Corps of Cadets has grown 2015-Issue 2

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ASSOCIATION NEWS 2015 Networking Dinners The Maryland Chapter kicked off the 2015 Networking Dinners, hosting the first dinner of the year May 7, 2015. Be on the lookout for upcoming dinners in your area!

Save the Date!

New England Chapter .................... Sept. 15, 2015 Northern California ....................... Oct. 22, 2015 Southern California ........................ Oct. 24, 2015

VMI Veterans Transition Program Are you retiring or planning to transition from active duty military service to another job or career? If so, The VMI Alumni Association, Inc. can help.

Please contact Placement and Career Networking Officer Eric Hunter ’08 at ehunter@vmiaa.org, and discover how you can find a rewarding career in the civilian workforce through networking with other alumni.

Announcing Graduate School Partnerships Virginia Military Institute has forged relationships with some of the best graduate and professional schools in Virginia and across the United States. These agreements offer a range of opportunities, including admissions concessions, internships, guaranteed interviews and, in some cases, guaranteed admissions.

Partnership institutions include Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, College of William & Mary, Florida State University, Norwich University, Arizona State and the Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Programs vary but include law, medicine, business, engineering, communications and other fields.

If interested in learning more about the available partnerships, please contact Barry Cobb at cobbbr@vmi.edu.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ASSOCIATION NEWS

The Danube

by River Ship

MAY 25 – JUNE 03, 2016

To reserve, call 866-639-0079 or reserve online at http://vmi.orbridge.com

Discover, as is only possible aboard a river ship, the treasures of a river distinguished with more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other in Europe.

Prague Nuremberg

Regensburg

CZ E CH REPUBLIC

Passau Linz

GERMANY

Danube River

Melk

Vienna

AUSTRI A

Budapest HUNGARY

Program Highlights

Your 10–Day Itinerary (subject to change) Days 1-2: En Route from U.S. / Arrive Prague, Czech Republic (R)

•

Travel with fellow VMI alumni on an exclusive VMI departure.

•

Discover Vienna, “Capital of Classical Music,” with a memorable concert, historic sightseeing, and a cultural tour of Schönbrunn Palace—included exclusively for our sailing.

Day 3:

Prague / Nuremberg (Embarkation) (B,D)

Day 4:

Nuremberg (B,L,D)

View Kaiserburg Imperial Castle and its quaint town center, or visit the Nuremberg Rally Grounds and grandstands.

Day 5:

Regensburg (B,L,D)

Day 6:

Passau / Linz (B,L,D)

•

Explore Regensburg’s many Roman, Romanesque, and Gothic structures, making it one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities.

Day 7:

Melk / Vienna (B,L,D)

•

See glorious Melk Abbey, one of the world’s most famous monastic sites— its library holding countless medieval manuscripts.

•

•

In Budapest, watch for the Heroes’ Square, the Fishermen’s Bastion, and the 13th-century Matthias Church, which you will visit with a local guide.

•

Enjoy the luxurious comforts and on-board amenities, including a fitness center, spa, whirlpool, salon, library, panorama bistro, and more.

What’s Included A 7-night cruise aboard the Avalon Vista. Full assistance of a dedicated Orbridge Travel Director as well as expert local guides. Sightseeing and activities, including special Orbridge-exclusive opportunities. All port charges, included excursion transportation, entrance fees to included sites, and gratuities to ship crew, cruise director, local guides, drivers, and porters.

Airport transfers for guests on suggested flights. 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners served with wine and beer.

2015-Issue 2

Day 8:

Vienna (B,L,D)

Day 9:

Budapest (B,L,D)

Day 10:

Budapest (Disembarkation) (B)

Cabin Category

Standard Rate

Discounted Rate*

Category F

$3,999

$3,495

Category E

$4,399

$3,995

Category D

$4,799

$4,395

Category B

$5,399

$5,095

Category A

$5,699

$5,395

Category P

$5,999

$5,695

Suite

$6,999

$6,695

Double Occupancy

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ASSOCIATION NEWS VMI Career Fair 2015

by Eric Hunter ’08, Placement Officer, VMI Alumni Association

With the momentum carrying over from last year, the VMI Career Fair was again held in Richmond, Virginia, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center Jan. 9, 2015.

This time, 36 companies were represented and close to 100 cadets and recent graduates were in attendance.

It was exciting to see the alumni support within the represented companies. Out of the represented companies, there were 38 alumni. We would like to extend a huge thank you to employers and alumni who supported the VMI Career Fair! If you want your company to be represented in the next career fair, please email Eric Hunter ’08 at ehunter@vmiaa.org.

Matt Irving ’99, representing Ricoh USA.

Herb Parsons ’94, representing Dieffenbauch & Hritz.

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Glenn Thompson ’90, representing W.M. Jordan.

Biff Beale ’91, representing Mohawk.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ASSOCIATION NEWS Companies in Attendance: RS&H Skanska State Farm Target Turner Construction VAMAC VDOT Virginia Asset Management Virginia Premier Health Plan W.M. Jordan Woodfin Heating WPI Services

Alstom Atlantic Bulk Carrier Atlantic Constructors Babcock & Wilcox Baskervill Branch & Associates Branscome Inc. Concrete Pipe & Precast Deloitte Dieffenbauch & Hritz ECS Edward Jones

Ernst & Young Infilco Degremont Jacobs KBS Kimley Horn & Association L.F. Jennings MassMutual MBP Mohawk Munters Norfolk Southern Ricoh USA

2015 Graduate Reception We welcomed them as rats in our own special way ... now let’s welcome them as alumni!

Please join the Young Alumni Committee in giving warm and hearty congratulations to our newest alumni ranks, the Class of 2015! We will celebrate with them May 13, 2015, at 6 p.m. in Moody Hall.

For more information, contact Nichole Kramer ’03 at nkramer@vmiaa.org or Eric Hunter ’08 at ehunter@vmiaa.org.

2015-Issue 2

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Contact Cheryl Cathcart to place an order.

1-800-444-1839 • ccathcart@vmiaa.org Shako Pendant

$34.99 plus $6 shipping ($15.00 if overnight) Includes an 18 inch gold-filled chain

VMI New Market Battlefield Tartan Scarf : $35.00 plus $5 shipping Necktie : $30.00 plus $5 shipping

“Put the Boys In …” $250.00 unframed art plus $20 shipping (VA & CT residents add $16.20 for tax)

VMI Mailbox

Original VMI mailboxes available to purchase as a single door or have it incorporated into a wooden coin box. Wood used will be red oak and you can choose walnut or oak stain. If you would like a specific number (Class year, Box #, etc.) add $10.00

VMI Stemless Wine Glasses

Single 9 oz. glass - $10.00 plus $5 shipping Set of 2 - $18.39 plus $8 shipping Set of 4 - $35.00 plus $10 shipping

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Wooden Coin Box - $42.00 plus $12 shipping Single Door - $18.39 plus $7 shipping

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASSNOTES NOTES CLASS 2015 Register of Former Cadets It is time to update your contact information for the 2015 Register of Former Cadets! If you have not yet updated your information, please do so by July 1, 2015, by calling PCI at 1-888-372-2424.

Richard H. Knight Jr. ’70

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Barbara Townsend Meem (Mrs. James Cowan Meem II) died last year in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mrs. Meem, a graduate of Wellesley College, married Mr. Meem in 1942, and they resided many years in Washington, D.C., where Mr. Meem was employed by the State Department. They moved to New Mexico in 1973. Mrs. Meem was involved in volunteer work, generously devoting her time and talent to charitable causes. The Meem family is one of VMI’s

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John Forsyth’67

Your class agent received a newsy note from The Class of 1935 graduated June 12, alDonna Callar (Don) just before Christmas, most 80 years ago. Of the 271 men who ensharing her 2014 activities. Donna continues tered the barracks four years earlier, 130 men her daily involvement at the Jefferson County received their diplomas that day from the suCommunity (social welfare) Ministries, where perintendent, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. she assists individuals/families reJohn Archer Lejeune.

I called Jim Sherman and asked quiring temporary community supJim to share some memories of his port through some of life’s ‘rough’ graduation. Jim recalled that the spots. Donna related that the minisgraduation weekend was festive tries have had to adjust their operaand well-attended. A “big band” tion’s plan in response to last year’s was booked for the hops. Jim’s parincreased demand for services. The ents arrived from Newport News program, which remains available in a “brand new Buick,” and Jim’s to all, has been refined to ensure that date was a pretty young lady from assistance reaches those exhibiting Mary Baldwin College. However, real hardship. Two specific changes in the grand tradition of everything are having a positive impact on the that is VMI, Jim was walking penministries’ ability to stretch its own alty tours that weekend because limited resources while continuing he – and about half of his brother to reach those who honestly need rats – had been caught running the the help. First, the ministries now block right after final exams.

Class of 1935: Eddie Arnold with his son, Bruce Ar- require clients to provide acceptable Jim talked some more of his nold, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, December 2014. documentation of each child claimed World War II experience, and menas a dependent (e.g., birth certificate, tioned that his brother rat, Carter Spotswood most distinguished families. school registration records, etc.). Secondly, the Vaden, died a hero’s death in 1944 in the PaMy heartiest congratulations and a tip of program wants clients to participate in selfcific Theater. the kepi to the great Class of 1935 on the help training sessions or personal development I asked Jim if he and his lovely wife, Peggy, occasion of its 80th Reunion! programs available through the ministries. were enjoying life in North Carolina, and he Donna says she volunteers with others in the Until next time, here is wishing everyone assured me they were. Thanks, Jim! intake section, qualifying clients for assistance. the very best, Dr. Tom Arnold, Eddie Arnold’s eldest The amount of food distributed is calculated at Dick son, wrote that Eddie enjoys the New Mexico 20 pounds per family member then multiplied highlands and is very active in church. EdPaul E. Munson ’87 by the number of people requesting assistance, die particularly enjoys the outdoors and is a so a verifiable head count is critical to ensure proponent of regular exercise. Tom sent along equitable distribution. Since the new criteria a photo of Eddie and Eddie’s youngest son, was implemented, the ministries have seen Bruce. Thanks, Tom! head counts of family units diminish considerably – sometimes by more than half. One famJane Ferrell (Mrs. William Barksdale Ferrell) wrote from Vero Beach, Florida, that Paul Munson ’87 will now be serving as ily, who previously professed the existence of circumstances prevented her from driving to the class agent for the Class of 1936. His six children, chose to claim zero children once Virginia last September, but she will make up contact information is listed above. Please pressed for legitimate documentation. Symfor lost time this spring. In case you are won- send him any updates, photos or news re- biotically, classes available to clients cover dering, Jane, 96, is still driving. Thanks, Jane! lated to the class. a wide range of life management practices.

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CLASS NOTES Donna teaches classes on time management and problem-solving, while others teach the value of food coupons, money management and family budgets. I think I’ll share some of the practices Donna mentions with the food bank administrators where I volunteer. It could help us stretch our limited resources, as well!

Donna continues as president of her pilots association, she remains active with the Harper’s Ferry and Bolivar, West Virginia, historical associations, and she continues on the Bolivar Town Council. She took time to travel with friends on a West Coast tour in June 2014, and she spent the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with family in Moundsville, West Virginia. Also, she related her exciting plans to cruise through the Panama Canal in January 2015 and enjoy some South American ports of call. Donna, we all wish you smooth sailing and warm weather in your travels. Can’t wait to learn more about the cruise!

I had a nice note from Dorothy Helfrich (Bob) in January in reply to the birthday card sent from the Class of ’37. Although some ‘awful’ arthritis and the occasional vertigo hamper her activities, at age 87, Dot is still out there swinging for the fence! Being an astrology aficionado, she clarified that, “It’s hard to get this ole ‘Scorpio’ down completely.” Good for you, Dot! She also extends to her good friend, Judge Tucker, best wishes on his 100th birthday.

Our Class of ’37 family and the VMI community is truly saddened to learn of William Barton Baldwin’s passing at age 99. My father, Frank Forsyth, had mentioned to me that he and Mr. Baldwin were roommates during their 4th Class year. Throughout his life, Mr. Baldwin was a tireless humanitarian and philanthropist in the greater Norfolk, Virginia, area. Notification of Mr. Baldwin’s passing appears later in this Alumni Review issue. The class extends its sincere condolences to Mr. Baldwin’s wife, Cordelia, and their six children and families for the loss of such a wonderful human being.

My records are not complete; however, I believe that Judge J. Randolph Tucker is the Class of 1937 sole representative. I encourage the greater VMI alumni family to drop Judge Tucker a card or note at the below address: John Randolph Tucker Jr. 1550 Westbrook Court Healthcare 9335 Richmond, VA 23227 Rah Virginia Mil! 24

’38

Glenn Foust

Dr. G.T. Jim Foust is alive now and in good shape. I am living in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Henry B. Johnson is alive now and in good shape. He is living in Danville, Virginia. We are both golfing.

(Editor’s Note: Before going to press, we learned the sad news that Dr. Foust died Feb. 15, 2015. His Taps entry will appear in the 2015-Issue 3 Alumni Review.)

’39

Frank Parker III ’64

Great news! Ira Saxe’s new hip is working well and the pain is gone. He’s getting around using his walker, which is a great improvement. I expect him to visit the golf course soon.

My son and I went to Nicaragua to look at the Rotary project, “Children of the Dump.”

Refugees from the 1998 Hurricane Mitch, which destroyed much of Nicaragua’s infrastructure, ended up in shelters on the Chinandega city dump and were basically forgotten.

Rotary, with the help of many others, created schools, housing, trade schools and medical support facilities during the intervening years.

It is always a joy to see folks helping others instead of all the negative stuff we are bombarded with all the time.

I’m running out of items that can be printed from the Old Joke Book my father created during his cadetship, plus a few I added during my tour at the Institute. Here’s a timeless poem, author unknown: “God and the Soldier all men adore, In times of danger but not before.

When the danger is passed and all things righted.

God is forgotten and the Soldier slighted.”

Keep in touch.

’40

Robert Smith

It came as a surprise and revelation when I was notified by the Alumni Office that

Brother Rat Carl Graves Wettersten died Oct. 18, 2014. I had had no contact with him and no idea that he had been still with us all these years. There were such positive memories of him while we were in school, and I would have loved to have talked to him from time to time. For reasons I can’t fathom, he was not on the class list when I got it from the Alumni Office in 2005 – there was no name between Bill Walton and Rolf Williams on that list – and he did not submit anything to Eppy Powell for our class history military biographies, so I thereby assumed that he was one of the World War II casualties along with all the other treasured missing names. An abbreviated obit with details about his family appeared in the February 2015 issue of the Alumni Review that came just as I started to write this. A more extensive obit tells us that he went ashore at Normandy and was awarded a Purple Heart. Also, he worked for Delta Airlines in Dallas, Texas, where he met the love of his life, Marie Shires, to whom he was married for 65 years. He was on the vestry and was a lay minister at St. Frances Episcopal Church in Houston.

Later in his career, he worked for a prominent independent insurance brokerage and advisory firm in Birmingham, Alabama.

Our Bomb applies the term “screwball” to him and reinforces that by listing him as the “barracks electrician” during our 1st Class year – surely he must have just made that up so his little resume there would be more impressive. He was a fun guy.

The news that Matt Freidlander died Dec. 3 also left me with a big feeling of diminishment. He was one of the four of us that were left to talk to, and then we were only three.

Although he went on to graduate from Duke University after only one year with us, he was as welcoming and as interested in our class as anybody else. I thought that was remarkable. And the other great thing was that he and I were so comfortable talking. It was the same with his wife, Jacqueline. They seemed like close friends as if we were seeing them frequently. That is the same phenomena I have experienced with all the other brother rats – our friendship stays as warm as if we still lived next door.

His obit tells that he earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Duke and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he rose to lieutenant senior grade and was involved in the VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES North Africa campaign. His real estate development business was based in Moultrie, Georgia, and operated throughout the Southeast. He and Jackie were very active in supporting the arts and music culture around Moultrie and in Atlanta where they also kept a home. They were also active in the replanting of trees and gave away some 300,000 seedlings-a legacy that will flourish for decades. Up until a few years ago, they also had a winter home in Jupiter, Florida, but they have kept their summer place in Highlands, North Carolina.

Jacqueline Freidlander telephoned in early February to give me the latest on her plans. Since the passing of Matt, she decided to move up Peachtree Road NE, but still in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, to a continuing care retirement place called Lenbrook. Of course, she misses Matt and was naturally anxious about how she will cultivate friends in her new community as a single person. But on the day we talked, she was to be publically introduced to everybody at Lenbrook as a newcomer. I told her that here where Betty-Jane and I live, which is a similar retirement community, people are very open to new friends. That’s a characteristic of retirement places, because the population is always changing.

She is so charming to talk to (we’ve never met) that I’m sure she will have no trouble.

She still gets about on her own and drives her car. She plans to keep to the practice they had of going to Highlands in the North Carolina mountains for the summer.

Ben Hardaway was still enthusiastically enjoying his sporting life. He spoke of coyote hunting and said they had killed eight or nine in the past year. Also, they have been getting some bobcats, but fox are scarce.

He is still shooting skeet. Only the week before we talked in February, his music protégé, Shannon Whitworth, and her husband, Woody, had visited him and arranged to play for a charity event. So Ben is still leading his active life up there on his clouds at the edge of the big sky. Good-o for you, Ben. Sol Rawls was in good health and spirits when we talked. But like many young old people, he is very conscious of changes in things he likes. In that category, he told me that some eye doctor wants to take away his eyeglasses, and he really likes his eyeglasses! The idea is that he is to take off from 2015-Issue 2

his busy and productive life for a few hours and then to do it again in a couple of weeks.

They want to give him new lenses inside his eyes (procedures which one of the ladies here where I live thought would result in her getting two new Cadillacs). I tried to tell him that they talked me into doing that about 15 years ago, and I was never sorry. I was happy for him in that he has been able to read for many long years without going thru all that bother.

Sol and I talked tentatively about our upcoming 75th Class Reunion, but we were not sure that there is any there. The 70th was a wonderful time. Now the diminished ranks do not portend much of a party for the 75th. Heck, he and I, as the only likely attendees, could just meet at some nice, more convenient place and call up the spirit from some of the same in a glass. That could be a functionally valid alternative to the charade of joining the parade in front of the barracks. We ask ourselves if we should persist in going to Lexington instead, wouldn’t we be there just out of cussedness and to show that some Homo sapiens specimens briefly avoid decrepitude for a while longer, while other specimens don’t. That might be of interest to the pre-med cadets if they still have any in the Corps. But who are we to offer ourselves as exhibits before the whole Corps of Cadets? Let them look on Facebook to see what life is really like instead!

But then Sol and I reflected that with no reunion, we would really miss seeing all of our sister rats again – that is the real negative of not reuniting. Except that there is no reason for us to think that they would or could come to reunite and party with these two old goats, either. And, what would our wives think? So there you have it – the pros and cons. But in the back of our minds, there is always a warm memory burning for the pleasure there could be if only we could see the brother rats again. Still, one can’t go back – you never can!

Betty-Jane and I are thankful for the lives we are able to live now. When I had the heart operation, members of the family rallied to our support in such an extraordinarily wonderful way. We really needed them, and surprisingly, the days spent in Charleston at the Medical University of South Carolina seem, in retrospect, like taking a vacation trip with them – meals served and nicely equipped rooms! Now in February,

doing my rehab, the good times are over, and the monster I have to do battle with almost every day is the elliptical machine at our spa’s gym. At one time, I had legs that would do what they should for reasonable lengths of time – like running a couple of miles most days of the week. But that was years ago. Now I have to talk them legs into remembering how to do even the smallest task. But that elliptical machine will soon fix that, I hope. On it, those recalcitrant leg muscles have to work every day until they burn. They should soon make them surrender and stop their complaining – or else! Now, just because I’m getting a little better, the folks at TidePointe have just told me that by May, I have to write and produce another musical show for the amusement of all the denizens of our residences and their guests. (Other people like Gershwin, Porter and Mercer will write the music, because I can’t be bothered.) So that is something to hang on for. Last year, it was a great challenge to do it because of my health, but this year I can put a lot more “heart” into it – and I have more heart to put into it.

It was a treat to have a visit from Greg Cavallaro ’84, chief executive officer of the Keydet Club, a few days ago. He called at our home and brought a welcome breath of VMI news. A very interesting part of our conversation was his enthusiasm for all the great, good things Gen. Peay ’62 has accomplished. I could just feel exuding from Greg the great respect that Gen. Peay engendered in the staff at VMI. Such inspiring leadership is so much treasured. Specifically, Greg is pleased with the funding Gen. Peay evoked from the legislature and all the resultant modern facilities at VMI that make us competitive in recruiting new student-athletes.

Brian Crockett, chief executive officer of the Foundation and the Campaign for VMI, sent us a thoughtful report on our Memorial Scholarship Fund. The market value the end of June was $568,750.36, and the amount for spending this next academic year is $24,550. An increase in market value over the previous year of $37,077 came in spite of the spending on our scholarships in the 2013-14 academic year. Crockett commends us by writing that we can “take pride in knowing that our generosity is helping secure the excellence that is synonymous with a VMI education,” and that our 25

CLASS NOTES fund “is part of an endowment that is one of the largest in terms of value per student of any American public institution.” Also, he said that “private sources are providing more than $23 million in support of Virginia Military Institute, its superb faculty and its outstanding cadets.”

With the scholarship fund, we have given the gift that will keep on giving long after we’re gone. How wonderful. We will always bless Johnnie Cowart for his persistence in getting us to do that. Everyone should leave a legacy like John did – the world would be a better place.

’41

Stuart Seaton

I have always said, “Be prepared for the unknown.” This was never truer than when Gladys Richards called to tell me that “Red” had some heart difficulty and was in a local hospital. Fortunately, I got to visit with him that afternoon. However, the next day I got a call from his son that he did not make it. He died Dec. 10, 2014. He and Gladys had been married 68 years. They resided at The Virginian, a local assisted living facility in Richmond. I attended his memorial service at The Virginian. This brings to mind the efforts that our class agents make for our class. Through the years many have served, and I would like to mention the last two (Walter “Red” Richards and Al Rooklin) who have been of great help to me as president for ’41.

The Alumni Association tells me these notes are due in February for the May publication.

As time is of the essence to meet the February deadline, my plan is to include the class agent duties into those of the class president. I had already worked out with Red that I would help with the mailing list, thus some information is already coming to me as notes or calls.

I received a nice note from Charlotte Adler (Abe’s widow) saying, “Thanks for keeping in touch.”

Mary Katherine Moore sent an update of her address: 297 Alexian Way E-4060 Signal Mountain, TN 373777 Phone: (424) 886-0418 I received a note of “thanks” from Janet Childs (daughter of Al and Jane Morrison).

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She was informing us of her mother’s death Nov. 22, 2014.

Bob Maling: Bob is always good at calling.

He is still in San Antonio, Texas. He says that things are about the same as to Mila’s condition.

As we both are in Richmond, Frank Louthan and I chat frequently. He and Marilyn made their annual February visit to Florida for several weeks.

In addition to the death of Red Richards, we lost our brother rat H.P. Clark Jan. 5, 2015.

H.P. was the youngest member of our class.

He resided at the Patriot’s Colony of Williamsburg where his memorial service was held Jan. 10.

In view of my president/agent plan, I encourage all to keep me informed of your activities and information of interest.

Forever ’41, Seaton

’42

Charles B. Miller

I stopped by to see Jed Wilson the other day.

He looked quite well in his shirt and tie, after getting his swim in earlier. Jed continues to call Gabe Horne every day. Jed also asked about Fred Love, so I called Fred. He said he now walks with a cane or a walker. His hearing is not the best, but he says he has no trouble reading or driving at night. Fred lives alone, but his daughter and grandchildren are frequent visitors. Fred, who was a doctor with the U.S. Public Health Services for many years, remains active on the board of his local hospital. Fred reminded me that Jed Wilson, Gabe Horne and he were roommates at VMI. I am lucky to have one of my roommates, Harry Siebert. Does anyone else have a living roommate?

If you still have your copy of the last Alumni Review (2015-Issue 1), I can add a little information about two of the photos accompanying our class notes on Page 46.

That skinny guy in the white, short-sleeved shirt is me, pilot of this B29 “Super Fortress,” with Crew 28, 39th Bomb Group, in Guam in 1944. Pilots got to name their planes, and a lot of people have wondered why I chose the name, “Piece of Meanness.” It turns out that this was what the bombardier, Ernie Rogers,

sometimes called his baby daughter.

“Piece of Meanness” was the original name, but then it was decided, for the sake of publicity, that planes in our group would all be named for American cities. Richmond, my hometown, was taken, so I chose Virginia Beach, where I had worked as a lifeguard the summer before Pearl Harbor. The official name was “City of Virginia Beach” (upper photo), but “Piece of Meanness” remained on the other side of the plane.

Notice in the lower picture, above the indication of 17 missions, there is a small Japanese flag. This represents the one enemy plane I got credit for shooting down. It was on a “lifeguard” mission. We were flying about 10 miles off the main island of Japan, on the homeward path of B29s that had been bombing Japanese targets. Our job was to assist if they were in trouble. There was a U.S. Navy submarine stationed below. They called and reported, “Two small fry, 110 degrees.”

The “small fry” were Japanese single-seat interceptor planes equipped with floats. They were flying in formation. One was turning in a tighter circle than we were, but I knew I could fly faster and catch him. We did not have any bombs aboard, but we did have plenty of ammunition and 14-inch, 50-caliber guns.

I told the bombardier, who had control of the front guns, to ignore the tracers and just use the automatic sights. When the tracers went to the left, the Japanese pilot turned right. Three times this happened. The fourth time, I said, “Ignore the sights and follow the tracers.” This strategy worked, and the Japanese “Rufe” plane crashed into the ocean.

My first job after the war was in Norfolk, not far from Virginia Beach. Pilots had been encouraged to get in touch with the cities our planes were named for, so I called the Virginia Beach City Hall and was invited to speak to the city council that evening. I did, and they gave me a membership to the Cavalier Beach Club.

A nice gesture, but one we could not enjoy, because at the time, I was earning $1.35 an hour.

’43

Jeffrey G. Smith

It’s my sad duty to report that the Class of 1943’s first captain, John (Johnny Van) VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Van Landingham, died Dec. 4, “spends a lot of time in the li2014, in his life-long hometown brary” at his studies. And he is, of Petersburg, Virginia. Johnny as we know Vince was, active was first stand in our class in in intramural sports. No menelectrical engineering, for which tion of the new cadet inheriting he was awarded the JacksonVince’s prowess in tennis and Hope Medal. His son, who basketball. called me about his dad, said that Vince related the tale of 15 Johnny had been in good health of our brother rats – all electriuntil about a month before he cal engineering majors – who died. Toward the end, he had to dubbed themselves “the Signal forsake his beloved golf, as his Class of 1943: Class Agent Jeff Smith said of this photo, Corps Fifteen.” They all opted breathing became increasingly “Dinner at Café Paris, the swankiest place in 1950 Lon- for that branch of the Army labored. His beloved wife, Shir- don.” At Café Paris March 4, 1950, were, from left, U.S. upon VMI graduation and ley, to whom he was devoted, Army Lt. Col. Benjamin C. Turnage, British Army officer, eventually made their way to U.S. Army Col. Charles W. Pence, Capt. M.W. Galloway survives him. They shared sup- (Cameronians), British general officer (host), U.S. Army such schools as Harvard Uniper every evening, despite Shir- Maj. Gen. Withers A. Burress, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles versity and the Massachusetts ley’s ever-deepening loss of T. Horner and U.S. Army Capt. Jeffrey G. Smith.

Institute of Technology to learn short-term memory. Johnny had the intricacies of the newly dea superlative record as an officer dur- halfway through his 4th Class year. My veloped, highly classified wonder: RAing World War II, but he hurried back son, who is enjoying his duties as VMI’s DAR. (And after World War II ended, to Petersburg to marry Shirley and join academic dean and deputy superinten- they all pursued interests far removed Petersburg’s Building Supply Company. dent, had an uplifting chat recently with except for George Snead, who became a He wasted no time in rising to become Vince’s grandson who loves every aspect brigadier general deeply involved in all its chief executive officer. Dick Catlett of VMI. New Cadet Thomas is extremely such things as he rose in rank and stature proud of where he is and the opportuni- in the Army’s Signal Corps.) represented our class at the funeral.

I recently did some crosschecking on ties provided. His grandfather, Vince, Retired Dr. Bill Winter was in good surviving classmates. In so doing, I found noted approvingly that the youngster spirits when I spoke with him at length that our Brother Rat Julian (“Buck”) Ruffin (a graduate) died Oct. 5, 2012. I have no details, but am certain that the Alumni Office has a few and would be glad to provide their information. I confess I don’t remember Buck although his name has a very familiar ring. I apologize to any of Buck’s kin who might be reading these notes. (Editor’s Note: A Taps entry for Mr. Ruffin appeared in the 2013-Issue 2 Review on Page 150.)

So based on admittedly shaky data, our class has 23 survivors.

As for good friend and Brother Rat Dick Cattlet, he is always a joy with whom to carry on a conversation. I had the pleasure of so-doing when we were discussing Johnny Van. (Note: Dick would be a superb choice to succeed me as class agent.) Dick misses his work; he “loved practicing law.” From all accounts, he was and is a crackerjack attorney.

Class of 1943: United States Army Maj. Gen. Withers A. Burress ’914, who The most cheerful despite adversities later became a lieutenant general, during a visit to a branch of the British prize goes again to Vince Thomas. A chat School of Infantry in Hythe, Kent, March 9, 1950. United States Army Capt.

Jeff Smith was Gen. Burress’ aide-de-camp. The British officer in kilts was Maj. with Vince is always a treat, especially Peter Hunt, who rose in time to be the equivalent of the U.S. chairman of the when it concerns any aspect of VMI, and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Smith added, “Note the etiquette involved in the wearing of he never once comments that his life is kilts while sitting, with knees firmly closed.” bound to a wheelchair. His grandson is 2015-Issue 2

27

CLASS NOTES

Class of 1943: Vince Thomas, former longtime mayor of Norfolk, Virginia, at a 2014 Christmas season celebration of Norfolk’s influential elite. Class Agent Jeff Smith said of this photo, “Hooray for Vince’s socks!”

Jan. 31, 2015. Happily, he is in good health with no chronic problems. He philosophized that there are not too many people over 90 (as most of us know so well). Bill, speaking as a non-practicing physician, said that one has to “make an effort to stay well.” Good advice. I’ll do my very best.

John Halsey: I repeatedly called him Dec. 4-10, 2014, and left messages asking that he call. No response. As I write, it is Feb. 10, 2015. Bill Gottwald told me that basically John is OK, all things (such as age and knees) considered. Bill said John had a knee operation that caused him to stop his tennis playing (and, one can only suppose, the courtesy of returning phone calls).

Aside from Bill Gottwald’s well-known financial generosity to VMI, Bill was the first in his family to attend VMI – the first of a total of eight. That, too, is a major gift to VMI for which we fellow graduates ought to be very grateful.

Turning back the clock to 1950, my readers might be interested in an account of when it was my good fortune to be part of a small group accompanying the commander of the U.S. Army’s Infantry School, Maj. Gen. Withers A. “Pinky” Burress ’914 (later lieutenant general) to England. Gen. Burress had been invited to visit the British army’s School of Infantry on the Salisbury Plain in England. I was, at the time, Gen. Burress’ aide-de-camp. We had a splendid visit starting with a black tie, stag dinner at one of London’s poshest restaurants.

28

One of the members of our Joint Chiefs of Staff recently remarked (in effect), “The British make wonderful soldiers.

They excel both in gallantry and all phases of the ‘pomp and circumstance’ of military ceremonials. It’s our loss that the British army is so few in numbers.”

King George VI, accompanied by the queen, just so happened to be opening Parliament in the early days of our visit.

Arrangements had been made for us to observe the royal couple as their carriage passed through the courtyard of the compound housing the Royal Horse Guards.

They were no more than 5 yards from us as they went through the courtyard.

A mounted but not moving detachment from the Horse Guards kept watch in the courtyard of their barracks through which the royal couple journeyed. The Horse Guards’ mounts were well controlled. The same couldn’t be said of the horses’ bowels and bladders. We guests who were huddled in the courtyard had to be nimble to avoid the constant splashing of urine and feces on the cobblestones.

However, our visit was far more concerned with what took place with the training of British soldiers in the various Army facilities in the widespread Salisbury Plain – many miles west of London.

We spent several nights at the Infantry School’s headquarters in Warminster. On one lively evening, we attended a formal mess night. The dinner, per se, adhered to a strict protocol that was (I suspect) closely followed throughout the British army.

Once the meal was over, the evening denigrated into a mix of sophomoric antics, games and some very rough horseplay. At age 28, I was fair game for the horseplay; at evening’s end, I felt a bit battered. One game involved teams of two young officers (each) facing off at the ends of a billiard table. I have forgotten the rules, but the general idea was that each team flung billiard balls at pockets at the opposite end of the table attempting to be the first to sink a rack of balls.

The roughhouse included body blocks – some worthy of the NFL – in attempts to prevent balls from being sunk.

Gen. Burress had disclosed I was originally commissioned and served in the (Horse) Cavalry. That led to my being asked by our host Brig. Firbank (commandant of the British Infantry School) to accompany him the following morning on his daily, crack-of-dawn (horseback) ride. It was a cold, windy morning, and we rode hard for close to an hour. I was chilled to the bone. Fortunately, I had been assigned a temporary “batman” (an orderly). He, God bless him, saw to it that a cheery fire warmed my room while I enjoyed a long, hot shower.

I left that trip with newly strengthened admiration for the British army, its officers, noncommissioned officers and enlisted men. They were tough and disciplined.

One last note on Vince Thomas: Dick Gresham (husband of Jane Gresham, our Brother Rat Bill Johann’s daughter) sent me two delightful photos of Hizzonor, Norfolk’s former beloved mayor. I’ve enclosed both.

Meanwhile, I send my warmest wishes to all my readers.

’44

Tom L. Peyton Jr.

As most already know, we lost two of our brother rats during the period covered by these notes: Bill “Ike” Eickelberg and Cabell Brand. William Thomson “Ike” Eickelberg, 92, died at his home in Towson (a suburb of Baltimore), Maryland Dec. 13, 2014. Ike was one of about 70 of us who VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES returned to VMI after World War II, having served in the active military for more than three years. During the war, he was commissioned in the Army field artillery, with service overseas in the Philippines and Japan. Ike graduated from VMI with the largest group of Class of 1944 veteran returnees in June 1947. He was a chemistry major, one of the most challenging academic programs at the Institute in those days.

He seemed to handle it with relative ease.

In the last issue of the Alumni Review, there was a picture of the Class of 1944 Second Class Chemistry Section. Ike was the last surviving member of that group.

Ike utilized his chemistry degree by serving as a chemist and sales representative for the explosives department of the E.I. DuPont Company. He retired in 1988. Personal memories of Ike include “running the block” after taps with him in his car, which he kept in Lexington, to see what mischief we could find. He was always seemingly lighthearted, with a smile or quick laugh. I remain indebted to Ike and Chrys for helping me with the first Class of 1944 reunion that I undertook. He was always a loyal and generous alumnus.

Edward Cabell Brand, 91, died in Salem, Virginia, Jan. 13, 2015. Cabell’s lifetime efforts as a socio-political operative in the Roanoke region attracted much attention in that conservative area of the state of Virginia. The editor of the Alumni Review has advised that a member of the Review staff will be writing an article on Cabell for the In Memory section of this issue of the Review. Accordingly, to avoid duplication, my comments will be largely confined to his days as a cadet.

Cabell was a member of about a quarter of the Class of 1944 that returned to the Institute in 1946, after serving in the military for three years or more during World War II. One year remained for the members of this group to obtain their academic degrees.

In dealing with a multitude of problems in returning VMI in 1946 to a normal peacetime mode, the Institute apparently struggled in developing a plan to reintegrate returning veterans in the Corps of Cadets.

Delays in formulating and announcing a plan resulted in many of our brother rats abandoning a return to VMI and enrolling elsewhere. The initial plan, implemented in early 1946 which included 13 of our early 2015-Issue 2

returning brother rats, resulted in troublesome problems and a decision to turn to a different method of merging the returning veterans into the Corps of Cadets when the fall semester started in 1946. When that time arrived, 47 additional brother rats from the Class of 1944 arrived. Cabell Brand was a member of this group.

At his initiative, Cabell met with the Institute authorities on the question of veteran integration, and out of these meetings, an all-veteran Company G was formed with Cabell as the company commander. There were 130 returning veterans from multiple classes in the company. As one of the leaders in the Class of 1944, Cabell negotiated a group of significant relaxations in the restrictions normally applied to cadet life.

This new approach worked well, resulting in a relatively smooth academic year. I had a good overview of these events while serving as first sergeant of Company G and as the elected veterans’ representative on the Honor Court and General Committee. Sixty members of the Class of 1944 served in Company G: 13 graduated in early 1947, 45 graduated in June 1947 and two graduated later. All owed a debt of gratitude to Cabell for his exceptional initiative and leadership in overcoming difficult obstacles that returning veterans were facing. Thanks to Mabbot Warren and Betty Bond Nichols for providing me with the Roanoke press coverage involving Cabell’s death.

Since my last class notes, I have had a number of nice notes and phone conversations with members of our Class of 1944.

No special news, but a positive outlook, which is always good news. Egypt and Faye Jones (Egypt says that his standard response to those who ask him how he is doing is: “vertical.”); Bob and Miriam Helmen; M.C. Wilhelm; Meade and Ginny Bell; John Ingles; Fran Meade (with a great poem describing her recent activities); Mabbot Warren; Betty Bond Nichols; and Mary Stagg.

In November, Judy Beam and I went to Lexington to observe and participate in the annual Founders Day ceremonies. Always a highlight, the parade of the Corps of Cadets raised the spirits of all observers.

The performance of the band and pipes was spectacular. Those members of the Class of 1944 will remember the band when we were cadets, made up of Institute employees. I

confess to wondering when the cadet band came on the scene just how successful it would be. It didn’t take long to answer that question, as each year the new band became better. We also attended the Institute Society Dinner that night. There were no other Class of 1944 members present, but at our table in Marshall Hall, we again enjoyed the company of Mrs. Guy Haskins ’43 and John Williams ’45 and Jess Reed ’45 and their ladies. The dinner included the announcement of a VMI capital campaign to raise more than $225 million in gifts and commitments. In November, $175 million of this amount had already been given or pledged in an advanced phase of the campaign by extraordinary donors. It now remains for the rest of the alumni and friends of the Institute to complete the task.

The details of the campaign were contained in the 2014-Issue 4 of the Alumni Review.

More information about the campaign can be found at www.vmi.edu/campaign.

The following morning, I attended a class agents’ meeting, where we had the opportunity to hear and participate in an informal talk with the superintendent, Gen. Peay ’62. The superintendent was very candid as always with the class agents in describing some of the issues that the Institute faces.

I come away from these meetings with an ever increasing admiration for him and how incredibly fortunate VMI is to have him as superintendent.

In early January, Judy Beam and I left the ice and snow of the East Coast behind and

Class of 1944: Tom Peyton at a beach resort on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, January 2015.

29

CLASS NOTES spent a very enjoyable extended serious when the occasion deweek in Costa Rica. Tourism is an manded. In the overall, he was important part of their economy very strong in academics, athletand much effort has been spent to ics (football and wrestling) and make it a welcome venue for U.S. military activities. vacationers.

At the end of his 3rd Class year, he received an appointment to Costa Rica is big on ecology, the VMI of the north, located in and it was interesting to view the West Point, New York. There, he measures that have been taken to turned his attention from football protect the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural resources of this and wrestling to lacrosse, where relatively small country. We parhe achieved All-American status for two years. He continued ticularly liked the Pacific Ocean to excel academically and rose beaches, local food, the wild to cadet captain and regimental animal life and, of course, the weather.

Class of 1945: Sam Walker and his wonderful and commander in 1946, his final A recent amusing article in the supportive wife, Charlotte. year. (Good old VMI training was Wall Street Journal caught my much in evidence, obviously!) He eye, telling of another college class agent. accomplishments. Since then, I have picked returned to the U.S. Military Academy at This one a graduate of Dartmouth College, up pieces from time to time that made me West Point years later to serve as commanClass of 1935, now 100, has himself and more and more proud of the fact that I was dant from 1969-72.

His first assignment, after receiving his two other remaining classmates to write a brother rat of such on outstanding indiabout. When he took on this assignment, vidual. I have since researched his past so commission, was with the 11th Airborne in about the same time that I did, he wrote, that all of us can be aware of what he ac- Japan. The most significant part of that tour of duty occurred during a party for the of“...the Lord will provide the obits, but the complished since his rat years.

The earliest story involving Sam was pro- ficers and their families. The dashing young news of your lives will have to come from you.” At 91, with about a dozen active vided by Charlotte, Sam’s wife. When he lieutenant, Sam, met the beautiful 17-year-old brother rats, I am more fortunate at this mo- was about 10 years old, his dad, a storied daughter of one of the senior officers, Charment, but I still need to hear from you to general in his own right, was stationed at lotte Behrenberg. They married a year later. keep this thing going. Thanks in advance a post in the state of Washington. He and Then the Korean War broke out. Sam was Sam’s mother had to take a short trip and reassigned to the 24th Infantry Division in for your help and stay well. left Sam with a close fellow officer, George Korea as a company commander. In SepC. Marshall ’901. While having Sam as a tember 1950, he received his first Silver Richard A. Matheis house guest for a few days, Marshall taught Star for exceptional bravery. His citation read, him how to play pool and poker! (I have no in part, that he was assigned the task of clearinformation on how well these talents later ing the enemy out of their well-entrenched served Sam).

Sam matriculated at VMI in September 1941 and was a roommate of Vic Bray, For some time now, I have wanted to de- Butch Robinson and Hugh Dischinger. vote one edition of the notes to the career of Even then, as the youngest member of our the most outstanding member of the Class class at the age of 16, Vic remembers Sam of ’45. We have a number of brother rats being mature well beyond his years. Also as who qualify as No. 1, and in many and var- a person who loved pranks.

As an example, on one occasion he demied fields. I’m referring to education, judicial, medicine, law, energy (both research onstrated his marksmanship with a BB and distribution), banking, social, business gun and knocked out panels of glass in management, local government and mili- the doors across the stoop. He then tested tary. In a nutshell, just a great bunch of men his skills at hitting the panes that were not broken with a supply of apples. His roomwith whom we can be justifiably proud.

“Military” kind of jumps out to me, and mates joined Sam in the “fun” – they were therein lays my selection. A true leader of all rewarded for their efforts with numerous men and great brother rat, Gen. Sam S. penalty tours that at least improved their physical health.

Walker.

Class of 1945: Sam at the height of Another roommate remembers Sam as alI must confess that, until the 50th Rehis military career. union, I did not really know Sam and all his ways enjoying a good time, but was very

’45

30

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES position to the west of Soju, Korea, which required a forced march of 20 miles. He then personally positioned each of his troops to maximize his fire power, continually exposing himself to heavy fire from the enemy. His actions inspired his men to secure their objective, plus inflict heavy casualties and capture of a large number of men and equipment.

Three months later, Sam’s father, who was a general under MacArthur and heading up the campaign in Korea, was killed. MacArthur ordered Sam to escort his body back to the states and then did not permit him to return. He did return to Korea in 1988 as a guest of the Korean government for the dedication of a statue of his father who was declared the “man who saved Korea.”

After the Korean War, Sam’s career went into high gear. He had numerous promotions and ever increasing responsibilities in a peacetime Army. By the time of the Vietnam War, he had risen to the rank of colonel.

In November 1966, while attached to the 1st Infantry Division, he received his second Silver Star. The essence of his actions was that there was big trouble brewing in one sector of his command. He had a helicopter fly him over the zone. It was apparent the efforts of his troops were lacking in organization. He had the chopper land near the command center, only to find the commanding officer severely wounded. When told that four reserve companies were en route to the area, he re-entered the helicopter to fly over and direct them to their battle positions. He then returned to the command post to assist in the reorganization of the battalion. Suddenly, the post was attacked by a superior force of Viet Cong. Sam completely ignored his personal safety as he went from position to position, rallying his men on their perimeter. At times, the enemy closed within 200 feet of the command post. Sam continued to encourage his men individually until the Viet Cong were finally repelled. Those are just the highlights Correction: On page 51 of the 2015-Issue 1 Alumni Review, the Bomb photos of the members of the Class of 1945 were from the 1942 Bomb, not the 1945 Bomb.

Also, the photo of Eiland Anthony is actually another member of the Class of 1945, Robert Anderson.

We apologize for these errors.

2015-Issue 2

of the citation. Afterward, he directed the wounded to be taken back to safety before he himself departed.

Following the Vietnam War, Sam had a number of significant posts before retiring in 1978. In 1968 he was promoted to brigadier general and assigned as assistant division commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. He later was promoted to major general and became the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany (1972-74), commander of the U.S. Forces in Berlin (1974-75), then promoted to lieutenant general and deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces stationed in Fort McPherson, Georgia (1975-77), and finally to full general as commander, Allied Land Forces Southeast Europe.

Sam’s medals awarded during his career would easily challenge those of a Russian counterpart. Among them are Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, 14 Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Turkey Distinguished Service Medal. (As I was typing this, I remembered being told that Sam had made 102 parachute jumps during his service career).

Following his retirement from very active duty, in 1981 he accepted the invitation to become VMI’s 11th superintendent and the only four-star general to ever hold that post.

He resigned from VMI in 1988 after a string of accomplishments that could fill a book, as could all the praise he received for a job “well done.” The accomplishments and progress far exceeded his objectives, and the Board of Governors back in ’81, the Institute and the Cadet Corps have reaped the benefits since 1988 and will continue to do so for many years to come.

We, the Class of ’45, salute you, Gen. Sam Sims Walker!

I would like to thank all of you who sent me Christmas greetings the past two years and apologize for not sending one in return.

Before 1983, I sent a large number of cards every holiday season but had to stop due to a non-cooperative right hand. Oh, the beauty of being 91!

This is the first time in my five years as your class agent that I have not a single passing of a brother rat to report.

On that happy note, I must say “adios” to

all. My five years of being your class agent have come to an end. To paraphrase the words of an old general, “Old class agents don’t die, they just fade away.”

Back in the early ’40s, I never could have guessed I would know so well, and so many, of my brother rats, and even more important, their wives! You gals have been great. I will really miss you, too.

It has been a real pleasure to serve you.

Your many compliments have been a great source of satisfaction and appreciation, for which I feel humbled and thankful.

My thanks, too, to the staff at the alumni office. They are a group of dedicated ladies who have been very supportive and dependable over the years.

Again, thank you all and always remember – God bless the great Class of ’45 and VMI! Dick

’46

William A. Eliason

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

’47

Gus Robbins

There is no rest for the weary bugler, as I received notice of the death of BR James B. Sizer Dec. 25, 2014. Jim was also known by many of his BRs as the Woo Bucket. Jim was a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and completed his 4th Class year at the “I” before accepting an appointment at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

He graduated from there with an engineering degree in 1947 and then served in the Navy on active duty for seven years. After his Navy tour of duty, his work in the civilian world included high profile, high-tech jobs, including work with legendary aerospace designer Howard Hughes, NASA, Chrysler Corp. and General Dynamics. He retired in 2010. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Costin Sizer, and a nephew, Seth Sizer. Jim and Mary Ann were regular attendees at our class reunions, 31

CLASS NOTES and they will be greatly missed.

In a note from Lucius Dabney, he mentioned arranging for 10 memorial masses in memory of our BR Frederick S. LeBlanc, who died in 2014. The masses will be held in St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was a parishioner. The class of ’47 appreciates your thoughtfulness, Lucius.

You might want to make note of a new mailing address for Harry Lee and Elizabeth: P.O. Box 17083 Richmond, VA 23226.

In a very nice note from Jim Wilson, he told of his and Carol’s fun-filled travels from coast to coast in 2014 which took them from California to Miami, Florida; West Point, New York; Denver, Colorado; Cape Cod and Nantucket, Massachusetts; and into New Hampshire, as well as cruising through the Panama Canal and on to Peru. They surely win the prize for the most traveled in the class last year. It is great to hear of such interesting experiences.

Eva Simmons, widow of BR Carl Simmons, sent some of her yearly highlights in her lovely 2014 Christmas card. She was highly feted on her 90th birthday with a luncheon of 75 relatives and friends and then an additional celebration with 20 friends at her residence, Oakcrest Retirement Center, in Baltimore, Maryland. Eva continues playing the organ part time at various churches in Baltimore, as well as being active in Sunday school as a teacher at her own Grade Methodist Church. Eva’s late husband, Carl, was one of our class’ three ministers – the other two being Howard Saunders and Jim Newsom.

BR Bruce Taylor (both ’47 and ’49C) was taking his daily morning walk at his home in Severna Park, Maryland, when he tripped and fell, breaking nine ribs. After quite a rehabilitation period at home and with the TLC of wife, Anna Mae, he feels fully recovered now and is back into his exercising routine. Unfortunately, the fall in November came at the time he and Anna Mae had a trip planned to our house to take in the fabulous exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, “Treasures of the Forbidden City.” Even though we were terribly disappointed to see the exhibit without them, we did get there another time during its run with Gus’ sister-in-law, Pat Robbins.

I also received a note from Jackie and BR 32

Wes Peebles in their Christmas card telling about their trip halfway around the world in 2014. There was a picture taken in front of the Taj Mahal in India looking fine, indeed.

It would be nice to hear more news of their activities since the Rat Line days.

It is heartening that so many of the class of ’47 still receive the VMI birthday cards that I enjoy addressing to you. (A bright note in my class agent duties!) Just think!

In two more years we will gather again to mark our 70th. 2017 will be here before you know it, and I guess most of us will be 90 by then. Think positive!

Many thanks to all of you for the many nice Christmas cards you sent to Betty Lane and me. We love sending them and especially receiving them with notes from you on yours. May 2015 bring you and yours joy, good health and peace in your corner of the world.

In the spirit, Gus III

’48A

Dale E. Wykoff

I am deeply sorry to report that Brother Rat J.Y. O’Neal left us Dec. 7, 2014, after a lingering illness. J.Y. and I shared the same day and year of birth, so we kept in close contact poking fun at each other’s advancing age!

With J.Y.’s death, only six of us remain: Mike Calhoun, Bev Laws, John Trumbo, Blake McFeely, Gilly Williamson and Dale Wykoff. (Editor’s Note: Before going to press, we learned the sad news of Bev Laws’ death March 28, 2015.)

Further to our loss, Gilly’s wife, Mary Ann Williamson, left us Dec. 2, 2014. Gilly remains in his retirement home in Woodstock, Virginia.

News from other brother rats is limited, with Blake McFeely reporting that while wobbling along on a cane, he would like to hear from any of the brother rats at his email address bhm26@att.net.

Irene Sadler was hospitalized for a month but has returned home to recover. We all wish you a speedy return to health.

While we are suffering with the terrible winter weather, John and Barbara Trumbo basked in the Florida weather, which they do each winter.

Everyone, please keep in touch.

’48B

Louis Castellano Jr.

I contacted Marguerite Adams, who is living in Pennsylvania. Our brother rat, Larry, was a neurosurgeon, then became an attorney at age 60 and practiced law for 10 years. Larry died about 10 years ago. However, his children all reached professional status. His six children range from jobs as a neurosurgeon to a minister.

John Ayres has been married 62 years, is retired and has 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

As most of you probably know, we lost Brother Rats Alberto, Duke and Eldridge in 2014.

I received a very informative Christmas message from Rod and Jean Kallgran.

They had their ups and downs this past year, like many of us do as we get older.

However, one interesting report is that their grandson, Scott Peter, earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in molecular biology from Columbia University. Thereafter, he began a job at Harvard University working on a team looking for a cancer cure.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, is close to my heart because I have a grandson, Brian Fischer, who is a senior at Harvard University and plays lacrosse.

I spoke to Savannah Walker, the wife of our late brother rat, Julius. She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Savannah and Julius had three children. One daughter worked on the foreign affairs desk of The New York Times and is now retired. A second daughter (I am at a loss for words) has something to do with taking care of all of the art paintings at Georgetown University.

Their son is an actor on Broadway. Savannah also has a grandson who is a student at the University of Texas. This past summer, he had an internship at the United States State Department.

The roster I received from VMI has multiple names, addresses and telephone numbers. However, at least one-third of the telephone numbers I tried to reach are out of service or have been disconnected. I am going to suggest to the alumni office that they recheck these rosters and make sure the numbers are in working order, both from a VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES financial benefit standpoint to the Institute as well as to the benefit of those who serve as class agents.

’49A

James Harrington

For those ardent admirers in other classes, I apologize for missing the last issue. Not all my fault – my brother rats didn’t help in time. Apparently they put it off until time for Christmas cards.

We had a nice Christmas card from Sunny Millimet, who insisted, “I am doing well, honest!” And one from Kathy Stamey, in which she reported that Tom continues on a very “contented” plateau and communicates through his smile and blue eyes.

Martha Shackelford sent greetings and thanks for our Christmas thoughts. She says she is doing well and stays six months in Savannah and six months in Virginia.

Herb Johnston wrote in late May 2014: “Sorry this is late, but I want you to know that we are still here and pretty much OK. We really feel bad that we had to miss the reunion. We hope that you and everyone who attended had a great time. We are looking forward to reading all about it in the upcoming issue of class notes. Things here are pretty much the same. Jeanne is still recovering from vasculitis and her broken leg and hip. She is doing a wonderful job of walking – her rehab was so important. Our biggest concern is possible infection and keeps us from crowds and around people. Her weight is still about 80 pounds.

We don’t have any plans for this summer.

We have to wait and see how Jeanne is doing. We hope you have a fun summer with all your family and that you get a few more notes.”

Charlie Tiller wrote in December: “The only news for us to pass on is that we seem to be reducing the complaint list, thus we are feeling better. At our age, when one feels better it is contagious or the other way around. With several invitations (family) to visit, we have decided to enjoy a fire in our fireplace here on the mountain this Christmas. We will enjoy having visitors, and we do have the room. As good news develops, I will be happy to pass it on.” He also sent a 2015-Issue 2

Christmas card, as did several others.

As for more current news, Allen Penniman brings us up-to-date: “Looking back at 2014, it was a very good year for the Penniman family. We added a new addition, Hailey Bourne, daughter of Mark and Claire Bourne, and Joanie’s third greatgranddaughter, Nov. 11, 2014. This is our third great-granddaughter who adds to the next generation of the Penniman family.

Counting Joanie and me, we now total 53.

Sometimes, I wonder what the final count will be.

“Joanie and I joined old business friends for a visit to the Broadmoor at Colorado Springs. It is a remarkable place with much to do and much to see. Old friends are perfect to seek a serene spot to sit and visit and talk about how good the old days were.

Great pleasure in a beautiful place.

“We ended the year spending Christmas with Gordon and Susan Atkins, Joanie’s son and daughter-in-law. The children have a home in Covington, Louisiana, so we gathered there. It was a joyous occasion with much to enjoy and much to be thankful for.

“As far as travel is concerned, I should add trips to Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Boston to visit various members of our family. They all live in nice places, which makes visiting them a two way treat. This sums up our activities for the year. It has been a great one for us as we both are doing well health wise, which becomes more important each year. Joanie and I close, sending our best wishes to all for our new year.”

The Penniman clan is so far ahead of the rest of us that I doubt we can ever catch up. Our Harrington group, however, is expanding, or at least, we are hoping for another great-grandchild this coming summer. I can’t say what or when for fear of jinxing it. So far we’re up to six children, five in-laws, 13 grandchildren and the two new great-grandsons. That’s our total of 28.

I hope that last year’s crop of young’uns will be well enough to visit this summer when we’re back on our island. Although our travels don’t compare with Allen Penniman’s, we did manage a motor trip to Nashville to visit with our granddaughter at her new school, Belmont University. We’re very thankful that our widespread family members are all healthy and “normal.” We, too, are well, and by the time you read this

we will be back in place at Bald Head Island and wish you would drop by any time.

Any time after my April 15 tax deadline! I wish I thought my taxes were going to help the economy. Hope springs eternal!

In a last minute note from Harrison Whitten, he advises that he has changed his email address to gwhitten0@gmail.com.

No news, but at least he reads my emails.

Herb Johnston made the deadline by a hair. “I think our big news is that we are still up and around and doing things that are essential. I’m doing well, but Jeanne is still having a rough time. We had a good Christmas with our kids here, and that raised our spirits. The Ohio State University football team was a huge focus for the whole community. I still go to the games and have a great time. We are so eager for Jeanne to be well again so we can have a more normal life. We miss getting out together, etc.

We are hoping to go to the Outer Banks this summer. We all really missed being together there last year. We hope that 2015 will be a good year for all of us in ’49A.” Me too, Herb, and the best to all of you.

’49B

Dan Smaw

These notes cover the period of late October 2014 through early February 2015.

In early November, I received a note from Carolyn Young saying that her husband, our Brother Rat John Young, died Sept. 21, 2014. He had been dealing with Alzheimer’s for seven or eight years and had been in a nursing home for 19 months. They had a combined family of six children and nine grandchildren. She said John enjoyed reading our class notes. Our deepest condolences go to Carolyn and their children and grandchildren.

In November, the Alumni Review office sent two obits – Sam Marty and Ed Mead – who both died in November.

Sam had been in poor health for some time. Our sincere condolences go to Julie and their children, grandchildren and other family members.

Pearl Mead wrote and said Ed fell, broke his femur, was operated on and came out of surgery fine but was in the ICU and died.

33

CLASS NOTES She mentioned that an older cousin went to the 150th reenactment of the Battle of New Market. Their great-grandfather fought in it at age 15. Our deep condolences go to Pearl, their two children, three grandchildren and other family members.

Grover Outland called in late October.

He had recently spent a week at Cedar Island. He mentioned that Jack Hayes had decided to become a member of the Hall of Valor, which I think is great. Grover said he does little walking now but lots of reading – I can relate to that.

Country Lauerman sent a couple of letters relating to Jack and the Hall of Valor.

Country had spoken to Jack about it and had written Keith Gibson ’77, director of the VMI Museum System, who then wrote Jack, so everything should be on track to have Jack in the Hall of Valor.

I had a good conversation with Charlie Hurt in October which sort of hit the high spots of his life since leaving VMI after 2-and-a-half years. He went to the University of Virginia then spent two years in the Air Force before going into business. He has five children, with one being an Army colonel and one being a Marine pilot. He has nine grandchildren. In his 4th Class year, he roomed with George Dooley. He enjoys hearing about his brother rats in the Alumni Review.

A conversation with Hotz Lardon in November revealed that he plays chess for two hours each day. As I understand it, that will keep you sharp without any worry of getting Alzheimer’s. His son, Robert, who was at our last reunion, is planning to drive him to the 70th – that is long range planning.

In November, Mack Van Hook and Charlie Upshaw exchanged correspondence concerning their grandsons, who are both stationed in the Munich, Germany, area.

Mack’s grandson, Neil Corcoran, is in L Troop, 2nd Cavalry. Hopefully they could get together before Neil returns to the U.S. this year. Neil’s brother, Tyler, is a 3rd Class cadet at VMI, and he was at our reunion last year.

Ding Patton wrote about the Institute Society Dinner that he, Nobbie, Nux Enochs, and Grover and Teancy Ooutland attended on Founders Day. Mack and Inge Van Hook also attended for the first time, but for unknown reasons, they were seated with the ’50As. Ding said the dinner was the best 34

he had ever had there, and the Glee Club had a new leader and did a better job than usual. The crowd is getting larger making it harder to find others you might be looking for. Ding said he could not finish his filet, which has never happened before – after many cruises with him, I never saw a steak or lobster tails left on his plate, even though he knew dessert was coming.

Lon and Doris Walter called in midDecember. Their daughter, Terry, and her husband, Don, had visited them the week before, and they were expecting their daughter, Beverly, and her family, which included grandchildren and a great-grandchild, the next day.

Tommy Bowers called and said he is now using a cane most of the time due to weakness in his legs – a bunch of us are cane users, so join the club. Other than that, he and Pam were doing well.

Louise and I had our son-in-law, both grandchildren, both great-grandchildren, our son and his wife for the Christmas holidays. It was good being together since it doesn’t happen too often.

John Allen called in early January to find the address where his contribution goes. He then got into his time flying close air support missions when he was a naval aviator.

Grover called in early January and said he had recently talked to Izzy Maxwell to see how Vaughn was doing. He was still in the Veterans Affairs hospital. Two of Grover’s Christmas cards had been returned to him since it was impossible to read the address – his handwriting is just a little worse than mine, so I understand his problem. He was to have a pacemaker implanted the next day. I talked with him about two weeks after his pacemaker was implanted, and he said it really helped him, as he had shortness of breath and it corrected that. Now all he needs is warm weather so he can get out and walk.

Tommy Bowers called to check on whose inaugural parade we marched in. I remember it was just before exams, so the Institute gave us the morning off when we returned from Washington, but exams started in the afternoon. This is to be his last year of going to the Caribbean, where he opens and closes the church every day and holds one Sunday service. He has always said it is very tough duty there. He has a couple of younger priests lined up to replace him.

I talked to Izzy Maxwell in late January and found out she had bronchitis and pneumonia but is doing better now. Because of so many viruses and flu, the VA hospital where Vaughn is will not allow her to visit him, so the phone is their communication link. She said his attitude is good and he is determined to get better. As of now, they don’t have any idea of a schedule for him to leave the VA. I talked to Ding and Nobbie Patton in late January to find out where they were going since he sent a request for no emails until Feb. 25. They were going on a cruise to the Caribbean then returning to Baltimore, Maryland, to leave on another cruise that goes to Cape Canaveral and the Florida Keys.

The following comes from Christmas cards and notes, which you were kind enough to send.

Beth Myers said her a-fib and blood pressure are now fine thanks to the three times weekly that she does water aerobics and cardio exercises. She was sorry to have missed the reunion last spring.

Risque and Felice Benedict said it was a quieter than usual year for them since they are not making the annual trek to Florida.

They did take a memorable cruise up the Danube River from Budapest to Passau, Germany. They had nice visits from their children from time to time.

Bill and Ann Stribling had the whole family – 15 – over for Christmas Day. It included seven grandchildren – one is in their second year at UVa and the next in line is heading for the University of Mary Washington. None seem interested in VMI – too bad, but it happens. Our son wasn’t interested, but a couple of years ago he asked me why we didn’t make him go to VMI. Making one go to VMI is not the answer.

The Van Hooks said 2014 was an especially good year for their grandsons. One completed his tour in Afghanistan and returned to his regiment’s base in Germany.

The other completed his 4th Class year, earning corporal stripes and a 3.95 GPA. Mack is doing OK in spite of his mini-stroke in April. Inge still plays tennis. In October, she spent a couple of weeks with her sisters in Germany.

Helen Casey wrote that her son, Allan, visited for a few days, which she enjoyed.

Her sister is now in assisted living and doing VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES well for her age. Helen is doing well.

The Hayeses are doing well, but John is fairly immobile due to numerous surgeries.

He is still enjoying life however.

Bob and Barbara Jeffries are doing fine.

Barbara still has her job with the retirement home and Bob still does some volunteer computer work. In March, they visited their son, Andrew, and his family in New Delhi.

They took three side trips. The first was to Dharamsala, where Tibetan refugees settled along with the dalai lama. Later, they went to Jaipur, where old Rajas had their castles.

Of course, they went to the Taj Mahal.

Tommy and Gladys Challoner had two great-grandchildren added to their family in 2014 with one more on the way. They also added a new son-in-law who is daughter Pat’s husband. Pat relocated from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Richmond. Gladys is still in the Meador Glenn Assisted Living facility.

The Haggertys are still very active in the Sunset Strummers ukulele band and had another busy schedule of Christmas performances. It takes a lot of their time but is very enjoyable, especially at the assisted living and handicapped facilities.

Benny Harmons’ news involves Page.

Some years ago, she was among a group that started a retreat center at a monastery the nuns were leaving, and she was a volunteer for some 23 years. Last month, Richmond Hill, after a year of fundraising, design and construction dedicated a nice fountain and contemplative area in her memory – in “her” garden.

Harv and Barbara Bradley had several milestones in 2014: They went a whole year without moving. Their youngest son married – now all children are married.

They had great-grandchild no. five and two more on the way for 2015. Harv is now playing golf on a regular basis.

Their daughter, Lori, works for the Atlanta Zoo, where last summer she handled the return of two pandas – that were born here – to China. Their dog, Buster, died from cancer, but several months later a Golden Retriever found her way into their life, for which they are thankful.

Nux Enochs is still working, rowing occasionally and fishing some – same old stuff, but life is good. He spent Thanksgiving week with his youngest son, Charlie ’92, and his family. He had a great time and 2015-Issue 2

fished one day in the Grand Canyon, which was absolutely beautiful.

I talked with Charlie Upshaw in early February about nothing in particular – brother rats who just seemed to have disappeared and about the Atlanta Falcons new head coach who coached at VMI for several years. Charlie is getting along OK. Thanks to all who have contributed to Annual Giving.

God Bless America, VMI and ’49B.

’50A

Bill Moore

Debra and I recently had the pleasure of visiting Dick Mandt and his son, Richard, at Dick’s Summit assisted living facility in Mooresville, North Carolina. We were so glad to see him in such good spirits and obviously in good health. Richard visits him every day, and they watch old favorites together such as “Gunsmoke,” “Maverick,” etc. They enjoy being together, and of course, it’s good for both of them.

Debra and I are enjoying our relationship.

We’re not underfoot all the time, and that’s probably a good thing at our ages and stages. We have our separate houses, although we’re almost within rock-throwing distance as the crow flies – she on the Amherst side (north) of the James River and I on the south side. I’m not a crow, so I have to drive 20 minutes to her house and vice versa. She’s still a working girl and has grandmotherly duties. We’re all excited about a trip we’re going to take the first 10 days of March. We’re going to the island of Beguia in the Grenadines. It’s a place I have been involved with over the years. Anne and I had an interest in 745 acres on this island.

We gave our interest to VMI some years ago, and as far as I know, they still hold it. I’m looking forward to showing Debra what I was up to during my involvement with the place. The remaining partners have done a great job of developing the property.

Go online and search “Sugar Reef Bequia” and you’ll see. Seeing the development will be new to me, too. I haven’t been back to the island for about 10 years. With Anne’s poor health during that time, it just wasn’t

prudent to take her to a relatively primitive place. It’s so primitive that they still like Americans! Plus, the lone hospital backs up to the cemetery. Not a comforting thought if you’re in ill health. As they all do, my grandchildren are growing up.

David and Jennifer’s oldest, Hailey, is a sophomore at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and is slaughtering the business curriculum. I’m so proud of her. She has been working in the family business for several years now and excels at it. I’m placing my bet that she’ll be the fourth generation running Moore’s Country Stores, Inc. We’ll see. David and Jennifer are well along with their plans to open two new stores in 2015. That’ll make six. The rest of the grandkids that are kids are very involved with school activities, including basketball. Laura’s children are grown.

Emma is a working girl and Will is in the community college.

I recently had a nice letter from Charlotte (Harold) Logsdon. I say “nice,” because I always enjoy hearing from her, but not nice so far as the content is concerned. Since Oct. 23, she has been in four hospitals and had three major surgeries and one minor one for her intestinal blockage. She is presently in a recovery facility trying to regain her strength. She says that she is making slow progress and deeply regrets that she won’t be making our reunion, although she hasn’t given up hope of attending. I know I’ll miss her, and I’m sure the rest of you will, too.

Jennings and Harriet Bunch are doing well surviving the Northeastern snows. They have been fortunate in that southeastern Pennsylvania has avoided the deep snows of the folks just to the north. When I called, Jennings was shoveling about 3 inches of the white stuff.

Jackie (Dick) Martin is doing well out in Spokane, Washington. She plans a trip to Boston in May to watch her grandson present a paper to a physicians’ conference. I know she is very proud of him. While there, she plans to visit relatives in the area.

Syd and Beverly Stealey are “enjoying” the subzero weather in Fairbanks, Alaska. I say enjoy, because Syd tells me that they have no wind to speak of. Not like Minot, North Dakota, when Anne and I were there many years ago. In North Dakota, it would get 30-below with 30 miles per hour wind.

Neither man nor beast could stay out in that 35

CLASS NOTES stuff. Syd says Fairbanks just now is beautiful, sunny and clear but cold, cold, cold.

Kenny Stagg says Richmond is cold, too, but not that cold. He and B.J. are rolling along. Everybody is well and looking forward to spring. B.J. is busy as ever.

My call to Mary (Joe) Ripley was answered by a male voice that didn’t sound too pleased that I was calling Mary. I identified myself, but not my purpose. Gossip – I’ll bet that Mary has a new boyfriend, and I’m so pleased. My short conversation with her told me she is well and hearty, and that’s about all.

Barbara (Hugh) Barnes is very satisfied in her retirement facility. It is convenient for her wants and needs now that she doesn’t feel comfortable driving. The facility provides transportation to her volunteering, appointments and recreational activities.

Gene Witcher told me he recently visited a cousin in Clearwater, Texas, and had a nice visit. Gene and his heart doctor are looking into all the new treatments for his aortic valve stenosis. I hope he is happy and becomes well with whatever they decide. Unfortunately, he is having doubts about being able to attend our 65th. By the time you read this, we’ll know his decision. I certainly hope he can come.

Judy (Ralph) Mooney told me Ralph is doing great since his hospitalization for a bad infection. He’s recovered and feels so good that he is walking without a cane.

I finally caught up with Nancy (Hank) McWane. No serious news, which is good. She’s well and busy, busy.

Latest news update. Wonderful news. My news from Charlotte (Harold) Logsdon in the third paragraph above was dated almost a month ago (January) and based on her letter to me. I decided at the last minute, the day this letter was due, to double-check with Charlotte. The first thing I noticed was the lilt and bounce in her voice – not at all what I expected. She’s been home for several weeks, feels good, is comfortable and is not going to have another surgery. She’s even seriously considering coming to our reunion. By the time you read this, we’ll know. Cheryl, her daughter, is based in Baltimore and works the Virginia-Maryland area. I hope to talk with Cheryl later this week.

Now for some housekeeping. I think it’s important for you to know just how I put this letter together and can give me some suggestions. First, I always try to get in touch with Dick Mandt, because when I call everybody, 36

Class of 1950B: Bomb photo of Yerbury G. Burnham.

Class of 1950B: Bomb photo of Gwynne Harrison Jones Jr.

you invariably ask about Dick. I can’t always get in touch with him on the first or second try.

He doesn’t have a private phone at his assisted living home. My contact has to be through his son, Richard, and Richard is extremely good at returning my calls, but sometimes it takes a while. It doesn’t help that once I misplaced Richard’s phone number! My request to all of you is that you give me the number of someone close to you who I can call in an emergency. Conversely, please give that person my cell number so that I can be informed of any urgent news from the other end. I’m sorry if this sounds morbid, but being the youngest of the BRs at 86 in March and only a month younger than Jennings, you can see where I’m coming from. At our reunion, I expect to ask the attendees to set up an alternate class agent with parallel streams of information from VMI going to that person. I’ll furnish this alternate with all the information I have. Comments, please. My address, email and phone numbers are always in the heading at the top of this letter. It’s more reliable to call me on my cellphone rather than my house phone.

I’m always at “war” with my landline phone and provider.

some, at any time. Even so, it is so sad to lose those like the five who died in 2014.

We have known and loved them for so long the fact that their dying was not surprising does not diminish the loss.

Edie Robertson wrote a letter about Peyton’s article in The Virginia-Pilot in July 1996. It was about the Institute’s admitting women as cadets. Peyton favored doing so, which I admit surprised me a bit, but what he said in the conclusion is what is important: “For those who worry about ‘the Old Corps going to hell’ – if you really do believe that VMI men have always had all those important traits of character that make great leaders, either as civilians or military, then you must believe that will never change. They will meet every challenge to keep VMI the great school that it is. My strong reaction to this long-awaited decision is: Let’s get on with it!”

Edie went on to describe Peyton’s funeral: “On Sept. 27, Peyton was buried in Norfolk, Virginia, in historic Elmwood Cemetery. He was given full military honors with a ‘flyover’ at its conclusion – two helicopters representing his tour of duty in Vietnam. After a funeral at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, there was a reception at Harbor’s Edge. Peyton’s brother rat, John Taylor, led us in ‘The Doxology.’ Others present were Jim and Nancy Flippen, Anne Overman, Lola Shepherd, Jean Oast, Vincent Thomas, Eliott Laine, Willcox Ruffin, and Parker Cross and his wife, Annah.”

’50B

Robert White

At the advanced ages of the members of our class, it is not surprising to lose one, or

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

Class of 1950B: Bomb photo of Edward Linscott Oast Jr.

Class of 1950B: Bomb photo of John William Peyton Robertson.

Class of 1950B: Bomb photo of Thomas C. Walker Jr.

One of the problems with the alumni bulletins is that because of the way that their printing is scheduled, it can be and often is a long time from their receipt by me and their publication. For example, this next letter from Ed Smith was written Oct. 31, 2014: “Hey, Robin, “Greetings from Westminster Canterbury, which is, as usual, a ‘hot bed’ of VMI activity. We have 12 VMI men from the classes of ’35 to ’59. The main group of Keydet fans, however, are the 17 wives, widows and assorted sister rats who organize the cocktail and dinner parties every three or so months.

“We have four brother rats in Richmond: Ralston Brooke, John Taylor, Tom Handy and myself. We don’t see each other nearly enough, but I’m resolving to get us together more often. There are lunch meetings at a local restaurant on the first Wednesday of each month open to any VMI men and they usually draw a dozen or so from ’42 up.

“By reunion time, Sarah and I will have celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. She is an avid sister rat. Our marriage brought together an extended family numbering 42 from our eldest child – age 62 – to our youngest great-grandchild – age six months. I’m glad to report that they are all in diapers, school or gainfully employed at the moment.

“A local movie production company released a new film titled, ‘Field of Lost Shoes.’ It has been shown in local theaters

here. It opens with today’s Corps marching onto the Parade Ground to render the New Market ceremony. From there, it flashes back to tell the story of five 1st classmen and one rat dyke at the Institute when the Corps moves into battle. After the charge, the film flashes back to the present day Corps, which completes the “died on the field of honor, Sir,” firing the volleys and taps. It is a very realistic and thrilling movie filmed at the Institute. I certainly hope that the movie is shown during the reunion.

“Sarah and I are feeling well, and we continue the active exercise program here.

Well, we do have to admit to occasional bouts of that universal geriatric disease known as ‘Eighty-itis.’”

Our brother rat, Dave Kovarik, and Karen continue to be our traveling pair, except that about a year ago, David totaled his Buick Enclave, and he suffered a fractured vertebra. He was otherwise OK, but he had to use a walker for quite a while and still is using one as of this writing. All of that still did not keep them home, and in March 2014, they went to Maui. They saw all the beautiful waterfalls and also took a trip to Molokai, which had been a home to lepers until the 1940s.

Back in the states, they took a trip to Finger Lakes, New York, which included a cruise on Lake Seneca. Finally, they moved to Massachusetts, where they have a new timeshare. David says that it is large enough to accommodate visitors, and he asks if there is any brother rat who would like to visit.

Jake Berberich ’76, John Berberich’s son, gave Bob Lynd an update on John’s situation, which Bob passed along to me: “Hope my note finds you both well. Gloria asked that I send an update on your brother rat and roommate, John.

“Pop is in good physical health, albeit his Alzheimer’s has taken its toll. The last five or six years, he’s been sliding. He’s given up reading, which he dearly loved, because he simply could no longer keep up with the story. His long-term memory is still good but short term is quickly declining.

“He is very happy, though. Obviously no longer drives but enjoys the simple life pleasures of going to the store, cooking on the grill, reading the funny papers and gets to church most Sundays.

“My sister Mary comes to Charlottesville two or three weekends a month to assist with the logistics of running the house. And brother David lives several blocks away and sees him daily.

I’d hoped to get him to your upcoming VMI reunion but suspect by then it might not work for him. Good chance we can get Gloria there, though.

Mom and Dad had a little get-away house over in the valley near Staunton. They often ran into Braxton Green at the summer outdoor theater. Up until this past year, he attended most of the VMI Foundation dinners and thoroughly enjoyed seeing old friends.

“Pop and I frequently reminisced about his cadetship and your names often came up. I know he was very fond of you. Dr.

2015-Issue 2

37

CLASS NOTES Lyons has a small gold penknife on his watch chain that he’s worn for years, and I believe it was a groomsman gift from your wedding?

“Please share John’s news with other brother rats, if you please. On behalf of John and Gloria, have a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2015!”

Hoge Sutherland wrote his second final chapter about being at Fort Breckinridge during the Korean War. “A number of folks (Red Bragg, Bob Lynn) have written you of late about their experiences at Camp Breckinridge. Let me add another final chapter to this unique gathering of VMI people at this post in the Kentucky hills. In fact, so many showed up I thought for a moment I was back at summer school. (And I would suggest there are few people on the planet earth who know more about summer school than I do – I still go back on occasion just to see how things are going there.) Let me start with a list of those that showed up for duty – Red Bragg, Bookie Bond, Jack Parrott, Bill Talbott, Ed Burnwell, Dick Woodman, Bob Lynn and Bob Neal from our class; Bob Jeffness, Tom Altizer and Bill Sweeney from ’49B; and Bob Smith from ’47. Bob was killed on Heartbreak Ridge – a finer man never lived.

“The 101st was acting as a training division at the start of the Korean War. Camp Breckinridge was a shamble when the first group got there (Bookie, Red, etc.), they had to cut corn stalks off the Parade Ground to get it ready, and Ed Burnwell and Bob Lynn helped paint the company headquarters, as I recall. As Bob indicated in his letter, there were also a bunch of VPI folks in the unit, and my co-instructor, Henry Taylor, for the 81 mm mortar was a [University of Virginia] law student when Uncle Sam called. (As were Foster Witt and Robin White – in time, we all ended up in law school at the same time.) Henry was a great guy and chance would have it I ended up in the same ward (room) he had been in after he was seriously wounded in Korea. It’s a small world after all.”

Because of our ages, I will offer a bit of unusual advice for a column of this kind. If you do not have a will and the other documents needed for a proper estate plan, you need to have one. If you die without, your state of residence will make one for you, although it might cause the distribution of 38

your property in a way you would not have cared for.

Some joint owners (married people) have everything in joint names sometimes and think that takes care of it. It might, for the first joint owner to die, but it might not be helpful at the time of the second owner to go.

Advice: Have a qualified trust and estate expert (in your state) take a look at what you have to make sure that it is what you want.

’51

John Ross

This note covers the period Oct. 29, 2014, to Feb. 10, 2015, and is basically in sequential order.

I start this note with the disturbing news that Homer Ambrose was transferred from a rehab facility to a local hospital, as reported in an email from Marie, his wife.

I failed in an attempt to contact Jack Nichols in Asheville, North Carolina, to check on his status.

I then received word from Marie Ambrose that Homer was back in a rehab facility.

I left birthday greetings for Harry Bailey on his answering machine.

I wished Des Wray in Staunton, Virginia, a belated happy birthday and informed him of Harry Bailey’s recent marriage, as they were roommates.

I traveled to Lexington, Virginia, in midNovember for the Founders Day activities, the Institute Dinner and a class agents’ meeting. I was the only BR in attendance at the dinner, at which it was announced that the public phase of a campaign to raise $225 million to support the Institute was commencing, and $183 million had already been raised.

On my return from Lexington, I had emails from Bounce Carstens and Lee Salm, the daughter of Brom Nichol, informing me of Brom’s death Nov. 9. I sent Lee a note of condolence and made a memorial contribution to VMI. I also had an email from Nov. 10 waiting for me from Rog Little, wishing me and Paul Shrader a happy 239th Marine Corps birthday. Rog never forgets this occasion, but did omit Tom Wornham as an addressee.

I wished Mrs. Whitlow in Vinton, Virginia, a belated happy birthday. She sounds great and reminded me that her husband, Burr, was our first class agent. Her son, who I believe is a VMI grad, recently gave her a tour of the Institute, and she was “amazed,” as am I, with the building and construction since graduation.

I received an email from Bounce Carstens reporting that he and Jim Enochs attended the funeral of their roommate, B.B. Nichol Nov. 14 at the National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Incidentally, while in Lexington, I visited the new display in the Kilbourne Hall.

It features and displays a picture and the citation, awarding a Distinguished Service Cross, a Navy Cross or an Air Force Cross, to a VMI alumnus. This includes Brom Nichol, and therefore proved to be prescient.

Class of 1951: Dick Cole and Louise boating on Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota.

I left birthday greetings for Janet Lemley in Stepside Beach, South Carolina, and Dare Kneesy in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Shortly thereafter, Dave called to thank me and reported he is doing well.

I received an email from Gracelyn Parks that our brother rat, Vic, died Dec. 3, 2014.

She reported that Vic broke a hip Oct. 5 and, in her words, “It was downhill from VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES then.” He died at home with Gracelyn holding his hand. I informed the class, wrote a condolence note to Gracelyn and made a memorial contribution to VMI. Paul Robinson called from Florida to report that Willard and Peggy Hays were in a bad accident.

I wished Sooki Hill a happy birthday and learned he and Nancy were celebrating at home.

Jack Evans checked in from Virginia Beach and reported that he often visits with a number of ’52s.

Sam Bass emailed that he attended Vic Parks’ service and only noted the Hills.

However, Nancy Hill noted in a Christmas card that “it was a lovely service” and she noted Pat Gray, Sam Bass and Onza Hyatt ’58 in attendance.

Jim Smith called to report on Skip Parks’ service and to inform me that he and Hildegarde have downsized to a retirement community in Glenn Allen, Virginia. They are both doing well and “hanging in there.”

I wished Walt Carraway in Plano, Texas, a happy birthday. He also expressed that “Marguerite and he were hanging in there,” despite her suffering a bad fall.

I urge everyone to be especially careful with regard to balance – last year, Dick McFarlin took a bad fall, and your class agent wound up in the emergency room this November after a tumble. We were both fortunate to recover without serious injury.

I was unable to reach Ken Crisp and Beetle Travers with birthday greetings and left a message for Paul Robinson wishing him a happy birthday.

I reached Jack Nichols, and it is obvious he is having health problems – his speech is quite difficult, probably due to his Parkinson’s.

I reached Bounce Carstens in Alexandria, Louisiana, to wish him a happy birthday. He and Sally are doing well.

I also reached Jigger Baxley with belated birthday wishes.

On Dec. 28, I wished Tom Wornham in La Jolla, California, a happy birthday – my last call for 2014. I also visited for a short time with Pinkey.

Backing up to early December – when I finished and mailed 73 Christmas cards (significantly less than last year) – Marie and I received, in return, numerous cards, notes and letters wishing us well, and at the same time, providing wealth of news.

2015-Issue 2

Our first card, which was received Dec. 2, was from Jigger and Ursula Baxley, followed closely by one from Homer and Marie Ambrose.

Fred and Marilyn Watson reported two trips – Hershey, Pennsylvania, and a walking tour of Arkansas. They are looking forward to a tour next year of the World War II French battlefields.

Anita Chaplin sent a long letter describing our BR Richard’s interment and the celebration of his life. She reported that since his death a year ago she is still making adjustments.

Cindy Marshall in a long letter reports Jim’s Lewy body disease, a type of dementia, had progressed to the point requiring nursing home care, where she visits him daily.

Jean and Paul Robinson, in a long and handwritten Christmas letter, reported they had returned to Florida, where Jean was hospitalized for a short time. They intended to return to Wisconsin for Christmas and then head south again in late January.

Joe Stump, in his Christmas card, provided a new address in Venice, Florida, for the period January-March 31, 2015.

Jack and Nancy Hill, in their card described, Skip Parks’ service: “It was lovely.”

Pete Philp disclosed in his card that he was halfway finished with treatment for prostate cancer.

Many cards expressed thanks for staying in touch or keeping them in the loop: Jo Jac and Rufus Lazzell; Jimmy and Joyce Gonzales; Earl Patton; Mary Ellen Connolly; and Lee Duval (with a very appropriate card for Virginians featuring a beautiful red cardinal).

Other cards wished us a happy holiday season and/or good health and a prosperous New Year: Sid Hannah; Bill Moore; Fred and Rose Marie Anson; Jeannie and Bob Nolley; Phil Barton and Joan.

Dick Cole and Louise included a picture with their Christmas letter.

Robbin Jordan noted in her card that she would be taking a tour of the Holy Land next April.

Paul Shrader instructed us to “be happy” and appropriately closed with, “Semper Fi.” Sam Scott closed with, “love you both,” after noting he had exhausted the cards he had inherited from Bob Raeburn.

Jane Owen called with best wishes for Christmas.

We also received thoughtful and attractive

Christmas cards from: Eday and Jake Wamsley; Jack and Joyce Evans; Jackie and Ted Taylor; Bill Dawson; Henry and Joan Bryan; Pat Holloway; Eddy and John Phillips; Marion Carozza; Ellen Nelson; Beverly Beazlie; Gibson and Marilyn Gay; Rav and Sheila Marshall; and Pat Parker Gray.

I trust I have recognized everyone who has wished us well. If I have overlooked anyone, I truly apologize. Returning to sequential order.

Larry Egan ’65 forwarded an email he had received from a friend, Stewart Baggett. Stewart and his wife drove 13 hours from their home in Kingsport, Tennessee, to Punta Gorda, Florida, in order to visit our BR Rufus Lazzell. Steward had Rufus as an ROTC instructor at the University of Tennessee and evidently was very impressed with our brother rat. Stewart reports Rufus is limited in mobility to a wheelchair and is quite challenged verbally – barely able to whisper. I am sure Jo Jac and Rufus were quite appreciative of this very significant act of kindness.

I was unable to contact Jack Lowden Jan. 3 with birthday wishes.

Marie wished Pat Holloway a happy birthday and they had a nice visit.

I called Pete Philp to check on his health status and was pleased to hear he is doing well and has nearly completed his course of chemotherapy.

I received word from VMI that we have lost another brother rat – Lorenz Neuhoff III died Dec. 27, 2014. He was from Roanoke, Virginia, and was with us a short time. He was on a football scholarship and left after injury. After attending Spring Hill College, he settled in Alabama.

Bill Caldwell inquired, after reading a short obituary, whether Lorenz was a brother rat. I replied in the affirmative, although I do not remember him.

I wished Bob Nolley a happy birthday Jan. 6. He informed me of the many suggestions he had made to VMI to improve the Old Box Luncheon.

I reached Johnny Blakemore in Richmond with birthday wishes. He reported that he is doing well, but had “no news.”

In contrast to Johnny’s “no news,” Dick McFarlin sent me a long, newsy note postmarked Jan. 7, and bearing a U.S. stamp recognizing VMI. Dick reported that health-wise, he is fine for an 85-year-old.

39

CLASS NOTES He hears regularly from Fred Anson and Sid Hannah, who both are feeling their age.

Nevertheless, they hope to make our 65th.

Incidentally, the Institute has informed me that our 65th Reunion is scheduled for April 18-19, 2016. So mark your calendars, make your plans to attend and then pray.

Dick admits life is difficult without Claire, who died three years ago. However, he continues to keep busy with his brother restoring antique cars. They have restored six and are presently working on a 1960 Cadillac El Dorado convertible.

Dick spent Christmas with 17 family members at Hilton Head; one of whom was his granddaughter who recently graduated from the Naval Academy. Dick reminded me that he was pictured with her in the Review. (See Alumni Review 2013-Issue 1, p. 52) I left Henry Bryan in Port Huron, Michigan, birthday wishes but could not do the same for Jim Smith, as his mailbox was full.

Following up on Paul Robinson’s report of the Hays’ auto accident, I finally made contact with Peggy. She reports that she swerved to avoid a deer, ran off the road and hit some object, causing the airbags to deploy. As a result, she was hospitalized with rib and chest injuries. Willard was not injured but was placed in a Kendall retirement community while Peggy recovered.

Then, on the day Willard was to return home, he suffered a severe heart attack.

Peggy reported Willard is gradually improving. I subsequently received a call from Pat Parker Gray inquiring if I knew of the Hays’ accident. According to Pat, Peggy still is sore and tires easily.

Jim Close sent an email notifying me that he was leaving Alexandria with Alice for their Naples, Florida, abode.

When I called Marie Ambrose to check on Homer, I was pleasantly surprised to be connected with Homer. He is now at home but still is quite sick. As Marie puts it, his health is precarious with several medical problems.

I reached Jimmy Gonzales in Kenner, Louisiana, with birthday wishes. He and Joy are hanging in there. Jimmy reports that he regularly has contact with Earl Patton in New Iberia, Louisiana. They both were football brother rats who came along with Coach Morton to VMI. Jimmy reminded me that another one of our brother rats that came with Coach Morton was Murphy J. 40

Foster of Franklin, Louisiana, who subsequently became governor of Louisiana. I have a recollection that Murphy, along with Coach Morton, attended a mini reunion in Biloxi, Mississippi, hosted by Kirby Bernich in the early ’90s.

I failed once again to make contact with Gerry Eggleston to check his health status.

Remember, if you have not received a Christmas or birthday card or a call from me in the period December 2013-January 2015, it means I do not have current contact information. I would appreciate hearing from you.

Keep the news coming. To paraphrase that beloved philosopher, Snoopy – there is nothing more disappointing than an empty mailbox. And, I would add, nor no phone call or email.

Before closing, I would like, as in prior years, to remember our brother rats who left us in 2014. Sadly, the inexorable toll continues – nine more in 2014: Scott Underwood (2/4/14); Joe Tom Howard (2/5/14); Cooper D. Kunkel (5/8/14); Clyde T. Green (5/20/14); George W. Costello (5/20/14); Robert H. Trumbo (10/22/14); Bromfield B. Nichol Jr. (11/9/14); Victor Parks (12/3/14); and Lorenz Neuhoff III (12/27/14).

May they rest in peace, and may loving memories of them sustain their survivors.

Marie and I wish to thank all of you who so kindly remember us during the holiday season and to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015.

Semper Fi, Jack

’52

James M. Mecredy

It seems that I start class notes with news of illness. I just heard from Zeke Finney that Joe McCarthy has been in the hospital. Langhorne McCarthy wrote to Zeke that Joe had been in the hospital twice in three weeks, and he was released after the second visit. He then was in rehab at Westminster Canterbury, a health care facility for independent residents, assisted living and those in need of full health care. Langhorne reports that many of his friends and

hers have been calling, visiting, writing cards and bringing him goodies, and all of this, mingled in with his physical therapy has kept him busy. His appetite is good, but he’s still weak and needs to put on weight and build back his strength and endurance.

The hospital is no place to be, for there’s no way you can get any rest and have the strength to get back on your feet. Now that he’s at WC, he’s getting more rest but still needs more. His friends are popping in all hours of the day, and they are well meaning, but he needs more down time. Joe has got several things going on at the same time – some related and some not related to his current problem. He’s got kyphosis, which looks like curvature of the spine; his back muscles won’t hold him up anymore, and he’s bent way forward. He’s also got a bent neck along with his bent back, so when he walks, he’s looking at the floor. That has caused him to have lung problems, because his bent insides are pressing against his lungs, and he can’t take in a lung full of oxygen. The most damaging part is he can’t exhale all his carbon dioxide, and that stuff can kill you. However, he’s getting exercise going back and forth to the bathroom. If he exerts himself too much, he needs a shot of oxygen, and there’s an oxygen canister in his room. He can use a nose piece that delivers two liters of oxygen.

Red Austermann emailed me to thank me for his birthday card. His only news is that California is still suffering with an extreme drought. Only recently have they gotten a little rain to dampen the wildfires.

Russ McCarthy wrote that he is still doing long distance swimming. Last year he swam 23 miles, and this year, his goal is 25 miles. He plans to keep the swimming up until our 65th Class Reunion. Swimming is a long time practice for Russ. Back in 1984, he had the occasion to help save three people floundering in the surf in California.

Russ brought the older man back to shore unconscious and bleeding. The man recovered, and the other two people were rescued by two life guards. Russ had been a captain of the lifeguard team in earlier years. Russ received an American Red Cross certificate of merit signed by Ronald Reagan for the rescue. We can understand why swimming is a natural part of Russ’ life.

Bud Becker asked about the existence of a Class of ’52 Endowment Fund. The VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES “Class of 1952 Endowment Fund” current- So he lived more fully than in the years thank him for his letter, and we reminisced ly has $103,000 funding. since the accident in 2008. Mary continues about our lives since VMI. Chris Holland, Jack Langford, Gary Pit- with board and committee work in the AtThank you for the many Christmas cards. tman and their wives attended the Institute lantic Classical Orchestra and Garden Club. A few of the notes were personal and a few Society Dinner Nov. 11. Chris said the dinBob Gerdetz called to ask about our well- contained news to share with you. Howard ner and the new program for the future de- being. He is able to get along with symp- Williamson wrote that Bernie’s health alscribed at the dinner was most encouraging. toms of Parkinson’s. He knew about Char- lows her to continue to live at home, and Keydets escorted them to dinner and served ley Shoaf’s accident some years ago that the Alzheimer’s is stable. She still enjoys during dinner. The dinner was outstanding led to Charley’s incapacitation and death. going out to eat and kindly says this is no Lucy Marshall called to be sure I have reflection on Howard’s cooking. The proband the entire evening was very enjoyable.

I received a call from Vaughn and Isabelle her current nursing home address. As I re- lem with a neighbor’s tree root invading Maxwell ’49B about Weir Goodwin’s ported in past notes, Lucy is in the same Howard’s bedroom has been eliminated, death. Weir was godfather for Vaughn’s home where Payton had been. She was ac- and they are starting to repair the house.

Russ McCarthy sent a Christmas card son, Vaughn Maxwel IlI ’84. They were cepted with priority because she had played not aware of Weir’s death and wanted to piano for patients while Payton was alive, picture of himself and Pat on two lawn call Weir’s son. I wasn’t aware that the and she continues to play every afternoon mowers with the caption: “The family that now that she is living there. I returned mows together, stays together.” He went Maxwells live in Augusta, Georgia.

Lili Harman emailed me Nov. 26 to say her call this afternoon with no answer. on to say that he finally had an opportunity that Ash was in hospice and not expected I guessed that she was at the piano, so I to drive a car at 131 mph on the Daytona to live. I received an email from Lili re- called back later and confirmed that was International Speedway and was continucently that Ash has been placed ing with his goal of swimming in hospice care. Dec. 1, Lili wrote 1,000 laps (equaling 25 miles) that his death was unfortunate by the end of 2014. Gary and and too sudden. He died at 4 a.m.

Sandra Pittman have taken two this morning (Dec. 1). Lili can cruises – one to San Juan and be reached by email at liyhm1@ one to Quebec. Otherwise, they gmail.com. She asked that we do are spending time with family and enjoying the football and not call, because she cannot understand English well. We can exbaseball games involving family change email messages which she members. can see.

Charlie Piper continues to Mary Anne Chamberlain called travel and is planning a trip to Dec. 8 to let me know that Dick Greece and Turkey in 2015. He has been in rehab for four weeks and Sharon hope to take a sailing with a general weakness that preship around the Greek islands. It vents him from doing anything for sounds like a great trip, but I do himself. The doctors do not know Class of 1952: Class Agent Jim Mecredy in the moun- not envy them the air travel from how to help him at this point. We tains of North Carolina. here to Greece unless they are are praying for him and will add flush enough to fly first class. more about his progress as we learn more. where she was. We had a good conversaEd Wilbarger writes that he and Lila On Dec. 11, Mary Shoaf wrote me that tion catching up on other brother rats she spent their anniversary in Cambria, California, one of their favorite places. Lila has Charley died Dec. 9. As most of you know, particularly remembers.

Jim Martin wrote to thank me for his gotten back to playing golf well enough he suffered for years after an accident. He fell and broke his hip in October. He re- birthday card and let me know that, aside that she is beating Ed. sponded well to the surgery and to therapy from some arthritic constraints, he is sound Army and Barbara Wellford sent us a but began to decline at the end of Novem- otherwise. He is enjoying keeping track of Christmas card containing family pictures, ber. A memorial service was held in Vero his heirs starting with his daughter and her as well as several of Army and Barbara in Beach Jan. 24, 2015, at St. Augustine of husband and his granddaughter, who live which they both look very well. They had a Canterbury Church. Charlie will be buried with him. Other heirs are flung out from full year traveling to Texas, Florida, North with other family members in Evergreen Lausanne, Switzerland, to the Department Carolina, South Carolina and D.C. Cemetery in Roanoke, Virginia, in the of Defense language school in California, Charlie Hansrote apologized for being spring. Charlie responded well to the care where granddaughter two, a Marine, is late sending out Christmas cards. No need program at Clare Bridge Memory Center studying language – Arabic and French. to apologize. We take even longer. I do start during the past year. He went on field trips He is now retired completely after spend- early (in September) addressing the Christand to the movies, sang, read aloud to the ing three years with his daughters-in-law mas cards for our class, but of our own famother residents, played games, and painted. as guides touring Germany. I called Jim to ily cards ... we take our time and get them 2015-Issue 2

41

CLASS NOTES out between December and January. Charlie says they are both doing well with only minor complaints which are common for people living over 80 years. Melva does the driving, because Charlie takes a medicine which discourages him from driving.

I called Sally Birge to update my list of birthdays. There are a number of the wives of deceased brother rats for which I am unable to send birthday cards because we lost the birthday lists. I am writing them on a birthday card telling them I have no knowledge of their birthdates. So far, I have now heard back from four with birthdates, so I can send them birthday cards in the future. These are Sally Birge, Alberta Bryon, Synthia Finney and Claire Hyatt.

It turned out that my card to Alberta Byron was just a week before her actual birthday, and she wrote that she still misses Jim after 11 years. She keeps busy volunteering with Hospice. Sally Birge keeps busy in spite of cold weather and snow, as she has VMI friends in the area: Lou and Ella Delisio, Carol Clingempeel, Martha Leighty, Dick and Carol Coupland ’50, and Nutz Navas.

I heard from Yancy Clark, who is living in the heart of Kentucky. Yancy says he is feeling healthy and lost 33 pounds in the last year. He has altered his clothes, walks better, is off blood pressure medicines and is back to his 170 pound VMI weight. We all need to do as well, if we can.

I called David McAvoy on his birthday to learn from his wife, Carol, that he died Sept.

16. I have no further details at this time.

Lou Delisio attended the interment for Clarence Brauner in Arlington Cemetery Jan. 21, 2015. The full honors and burial were performed by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Lou was invited to the lunch after the burial and had the opportunity to visit with Clarence’s family, including his wife, Dottie; son, Eric; daughter, Rondee; and step-daughter, Mary and her sister, Paula.

They all greatly cared for Clarence. Lou and Dottie enjoyed sharing stories about VMI and Clarence’s devotion to the Institute. At the gravesite, the family arranged for a VMI bagpiper (1st Class cadet) to play. It was a great addition to the service.

Clarence Redman is looking forward to a better 2015 than 2014. He has been troubled with a twisted knee, and his wife has had quite a spell after falling and hitting her head. She is slowly recovering. Hopefully 42

they are both well by the time you read this.

Roberta Gorman (Tom’s wife) wrote that she and Tom had three sons graduate from VMI – 1993,1996 and 1998. They have attended many football games.

Charlie Hogge reports that 2014 was a good year with trips and blessings from visits with family. He and Joan are very active in serving residents of a nursing home, attending a large church of 6,000 members, teaching language therapy, painting, Bible study group and a monthly lunch group.

Joan is teaching language therapy and painting, including the purchase of four of her paintings by the Texas Woman’s University student lounge building. Charlie is serving as ombudsman at a nursing home and is part of a monthly men’s group called “Spit and Whittle” and a four man support group that meets weekly. Charlie requested some BR addresses, and I called him to deliver them.

As a result, we had a good conversation, so we are up-to-date as of Jan. 27.

It is now Feb. 5, and I need to turn in my class notes for the spring issue of the Alumni Review. While I have received several photos, they are not sharp enough for reproduction in the Alumni Review, so I will include a picture taken of me last fall. We were at the cabin of my son, Tim Mecredy ’80, in the mountains of North Carolina. I am quoting Nutz by telling you to keep fit.

Jim

’53

William C. Noell Jr.

It is great to be able to note that we did not lose any BRs over the last quarter – especially in that most of us are either 83, 84 or 85. However, it is sad to note that two of our BRs lost their wives. I received an email from Fay Andrews in January saying that Bob Andrews’ wife, Jane, died Thanksgiving Day. I never obtained any details, but I did write to Bob. Art Moncrief called me in January to tell me that Bill Nelson’s wife, Randi, had suddenly died.

She was admitted to the hospital Jan. 5 and died quite suddenly early the next day. Although she had suffered with emphysema for years, this was a brain problem that took her life. I talked to Bill the next day,

and of course, he was in kind of a fog. His son from LA and daughter from Utah were there with him. If you recall, Randi was from Norway, and they made periodic trips there to visit her family. Many years ago, when I was working at the RAD facilities in Oak Ridge, I went to Los Alamos Lab to teach a RAD course for a week and while there had a great visit and dinner with Bill and Randi.

I hope that all brother rats and their families had a great Thanksgiving in 2014 and developed more very good memories to file away for our forthcoming “old age.” Judy and I did have a very good family one (12) with children and grandchildren, and a Friday after seafood feast with family (25) and even great-grandchildren. Even Dawn and Barry Coceano ’84 (my son John Lee’s BR), one daughter and Barry’s parents joined us. Barry and Dawn have just completed a house near the Country Club, and are transitioning from D.C. Barry was Judy’s “little brother” from the football team during his four years at the Institute.

I attended the VMI parade on Founders Day with my two youngest grandchildren from Lexington, and ran into John Gilbert at Moody Hall, from where we were watching the parade. John is still living at his home outside Lexington and is doing fairly well but has periodic problems with his legs, and his hearing is not too good these days; thus, he does not like to be in crowds.

He is still renting out part of his property for cattle grazing. The Sunday before, after church, we took Henry Atwill ’18 and Jack Wilkins ’16 to lunch at the Southern Inn and then out to our house for the afternoon and dinner. It is very nice being able to have current cadets visit with us.

An email response from Ed Brown at the end of January noted that he and Ingrid were in Florida until the end of February.

Nice place to be when it was 12 degrees this Sunday morning in Lexington at 9 a.m., with a high in the 20s predicted.

I just received an email from Parker Cross saying that he, Annah and their son visited Norway and Iceland the last of January. On the way to Dulles for the trip, they stopped by and had lunch with Will and Christine Allison in Warrenton.

I received information from Charles Williams concerning the articles he has written, “The Wellness Stick-to-it-ivity,” VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES dealing with his surgical experiences that was published in the Albuquerque Magazine and which he said it came “out of the blue.”

He has presented this talk to the Clairmont Place Retirement Community in Decatur, Georgia, which was well received and is scheduled for other talks in the future. He is also spending much time updating his book on TWA Flight 260.

As you know, we have scheduled our annual spring ’53 lunch of the “Richmond and Beyond” brother rats the last day of April 2015 at the Country Club of Virginia. An email went out to all on the class list in January in regard to this in case someone was traveling this way and could attend the gathering. As it stands now, Jack Trigg is coming up from Birmingham and Wes and Elizabeth Gray hope to make their return to Maryland from Florida such that they can be at the lunch.

Valentine’s Day weekend was the mid-winter hop at the Institute ... remember them? I do, as I was on guard duty on a very cold (low teens) Saturday night during one of the hops. This year, the weather is certainly very cold for a hop – especially for the dates of Henry Atwill ’18 and Will Woodward ’18, but of course, they are in nice warm wool uniforms. A downside of the hop is the city fire marshal required the removal of the decorations in Cocke Hall before the dance –remember the abundance of decorations we had at our ring figure dances?

A note in a Christmas card from Art and Susan Moncrief said that Ann Goddard was in Galveston a few weeks before Christmas, where Ann’s granddaughter, Ann Gordan, and son, John Goddard, were also visiting. Art and Susan drove down from their ranch in Flatonia for dinner with them on the seawall.

Jim and Marilyn Meek noted that they spent Christmas this year in San Francisco with their grandchildren.

2015-Issue 2

Class of 1953: Will Woodward ’18 and Henry Atwill ’18; two of the three 4th Class cadet grandsons of the Class of ’53.

Class of 1953: Bill and Judy Noell at the March 2014 Big South Basketball Tournament in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Class of 1953: Pictured, from left were Jack Wilkins ’16, Bill Noell, Henry Atwill ’18 and Weston Glover after Glover attended the “barracks weekend” Feb. 6 as a prospective cadet. Wilkins is the Noell’s current adopted 2nd Class cadet and grandson of a longtime friend of Judy Noell. Atwill is the Noell’s adopted 4th Class cadet and grandson of Dr. William Atwill, Noell’s four-year roommate. Glover is the great nephew of Arthur Moncrief’s wife, Susan.

A note from Fay Andrews spoke of her quilting, and she is now a member of a “Quilt of Valor” group. They are working toward each veteran in her parish receiving a quilt of valor for their service to our country.

We had to go to the Greensboro area the week before Christmas, as my sister’s husband died after being in the hospital for a week and it was decided to stop life support for his pressurized breathing. I read the 23rd Psalm at the service and commented as to how great a husband he had been to my sister.

You will note several photos with these class notes. One received from Sandy Morgan (who is Frank Spencer’s daughter with Page Spencer) of Frank’s granddaughter with the VMI mascot, Moe. Judy and I see Sandy and Allen Morgan ’75 at Moody Hall after basketball game gatherings fairly often.

Frank’s granddaughter, Paige, plays varsity volleyball at Nelson County High School. Sandy and Allen live in Richmond, but have their “VMI house” in Fairfield, which is full of their VMI treasures, and Frank has contributed many of his mementos, as well.

The picture of Judy and me at the VMI basketball tournament at Myrtle Beach last March is kind of late to the class notes. That’s because it was taken with Judy’s smartphone, and I did not figure out how to transfer pictures to the computer until December, when we used it on the face of our Christmas card.

As mentioned before, the Institute now has three grandsons of the Class of ’53, who are now 4th Class cadets and, can you believe, liking it much better than being a “rat.” Henry Atwill ’18 set up the photo meeting for me where I was able to take a photo of Henry and Will Woodward ’18, but Gabe Sutherland ’18 did not make it ... so you get pictures of only two of the three.

As previously mentioned, we 43

CLASS NOTES have an adopted “rat,” who is now a 2nd Class cadet, walk-on football player, mechanical engineering major and wears “stars,” who also spends a lot of time with our grandchildren. The two youngest are crazy about him. We have been working on getting his younger brother to come to VMI, but he has some leanings toward the Naval Academy, although he has submitted his application to VMI. Garrett is a star soccer player at his high school in West Virginia, and I have sent info and newspaper articles about him to the VMI coach.

Then there is Weston Glover, who we had the pleasure of having with us this past weekend. He was here for the “barracks weekend” tour – a Friday and Saturday morning program for prospective cadets, which he said was outstanding. Back in the middle of January, I received a telephone call from Art Moncrief asking if I was still willing to furnish Weston with transportation for the “barracks weekend.” For those that were at our 60th, you should remember Weston and his father came to our reunion with Art and Susan, her great-nephew. Weston became very interested in VMI, especially after I gave him my “behind the scenes” tour, as I call it, of the post and most buildings. So, Weston flew into Roanoke, stayed with us Thursday night, we went to the VMI versus The

Class of 1953: Paige Spencer, Frank Spencer’s granddaughter, after a VMI basketball game. Paige attends Nelson County High School.

44

Class of 1953: From left, Jack Wilkins ’16 with Bill and Judy Noell’s grandchildren, Mary Jude, Addie Jay, Jackson, Judson, and Garrett Wilkins at the Beacham home.

Citadel wrestling match and I dropped him off at barracks Friday morning at 8 a.m. at 13 degrees (certainly not Houston weather).

He attended the VMI basketball game with us Saturday afternoon, stayed with us Saturday night and attended R.E. church with us Sunday. The Lexington weekend experience also included a family lunch at the Southern Inn, along with Henry Atwill ’18 and Jack Wilkins ’16. He is now sold on going to the “No Ordinary College, No Ordinary Life” next year. Although he has an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he has not yet scheduled a visit. I have just written a letter of recommendation for him.

Judy and I attend all home basketball games. We enjoy the fast pace of the games, but regretfully, they are not doing as well this year as last, due to loss of several key players. The 10 days we kept all four of our grandchildren in January, we took them to that Saturday game, as well as to church Sunday. We do hope to go to the tournament in Asheville this year, as only the days of the Big South Conference did we get to warm up in Myrtle Beach last year. In December, the young man/neighbor who cut my grass during his high school years graduated in Jackson Memorial Hall from VMI, and Judy and I attended his reception.

Class trivia: How did your “Class Section” prevail over the four years and thereafter?

The chemistry section, which included me, started out at only 20 the beginning of our 4th Class year. T. Miller was the section marcher. Crumpler and Perkins changed at the second term of our 3rd Class year.

Williams and Stickley transferred to Washington and Lee University at the end of our 3rd Class year, leaving 16 in our section, but we only graduated 15, as we lost one during finals to the Honor Court. As non-Dr. Carroll guys, Atwill and Trigg from our section became doctors. As of today, we only have half of our original chemistry section – that of 10 brother rats still living. And do you remember in our days at the Institute, the grades – class and exam – were all posted on the class building bulletin board for all to see, and when they were posted, we all scrambled to see if we passed and such? All of us had our favorite or “different” instructor – I think ours was Col. Butch Richey, who made us go “to the boards” first thing every class to work out organic equations, grade our work in front of the class in his sarcastic manner and during lectures, if one happen to doze off, the chalk would leave his hand and land directly on the head of the dozing class member. Try this in today’s academic world, but we certainly learned organic chemistry and always did this homework first.

’54

J.M. Perry Archer

Brother Rats, In May, my wife, Shirley, and I traveled to Virginia with the firm expectation of seeing the Corps in a New Market Day parade in Lexington. The weather in the Old Dominion VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES was picture perfect for the first few days of the trip, and for every day of the visit after May 15, but on the big day itself – all day – there was what Texans call a gully-washer or a frog-strangler. We did have a long lunch at the Depot restaurant in Staunton, Virginia, with Al Mattox. We also visited a couple of times with Tom Dalton ’53 and wife Carol.

Al, Tom and I grew up together in Staunton.

On our way back to Washington, Shirley and I stopped in New Market and watched some of the reenactment of the battle.

Al owns a 1964 Cherokee 180 plane that he flies around the valley and mountains.

Worn but well maintained, he says, like the 81-year-old pilot. He is also a sports car aficionado. He has a 1951 MG TD, 1973 TR3 and 1976 TR 3(magenta-colored). Recently, Al and Sue rented a place in Paris (France, not Texas). He advises using the “Batoboat” on the Seine for ease in visiting prominent spots.

Over the years, I have spent much time with our BR Roy Alexander. Roy has practiced the specialty of immigration law in Houston, Texas, for the past 35-plus years.

We were stationed at many of the same places during our years in the U.S. Air Force – Texas, Florida, Alaska and back to Texas. Then we both ended up as Houston attorneys in the 1960s and on.

Well, the class has lost Bill Turner, Bill Fulgham, Ran Phillips, John Stevenson and Jack Fuller recently. I have now learned much more about each one, and some things are worth noting about each.

“Wild Bill” Turner, as he was known, was what one might call a Jeffersonian man – someone with many diverse interests and with notable success in those interests.

He died Oct. 1, 2014. We only had to read his class notes for the Alumni Review to get a flavor of Bill’s intelligence, character and philosophical bent. During his life he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Business Administration degree, a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree. He became a lecturer and professor and completed 22 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as lieutenant colonel.

He served in Korea and Vietnam. Throughout his life and in everything he did, Bill maintained a wonderful sense of humor, which stands out above all in the memories of all who knew him. Bill is survived by his wife, Sonja, and family. He had a full 2015-Issue 2

military funeral with rifle salute and taps.

Tommy Williamson and Bill Schubmehl were there.

Bill Fulgham practiced dentistry in Norfolk and Suffolk, Virginia, after graduating from the Medical College of Virginia. He achieved the rank of captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps. Bill also had a wonderful sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and family. Bill died April 10, 2014.

Ran Phillips, who died Sept. 24, 2014, earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Duke University in 1958. He served for 12 years as a regular Army medical officer, then as an Army Reserve medical officer for many years. Ran received many awards, but most notable were U.S. Army Senior Flight Surgeon Wings, U.S. Army Ranger Tab, U.S. Army Airborne Wings, Legion of Merit and two Bronze Stars. He was very active in church and civic activities. Ran is survived by his wife, Janice, and family.

John Stevenson died from traumatic injuries received in a motor vehicle accident Oct. 30, 2014. John was a civil engineer and mechanical engineer. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and founded Stevenson and Associates, a consulting engineering firm. His firm had offices in the U.S.; the Czech Republic; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Bucharest, Romania. John was the recipient of several awards and taught in the engineering departments of VMI and Case Western Reserve. John is survived by his wife, Ellen, and many family members.

Jack Fuller died Jan. 4, 2015, in Blytheville, Arkansas. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years, retiring in 1977 as lieutenant colonel. He served in Vietnam, received the Distinguished Flying Cross and 10 Air Medals, and he had tours in Europe. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Syracuse University under the Air Force Institute of Technology program. After the military, he worked in the savings and loan industry and the Mississippi County Library System for 26 years until his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Molly, and family.

Roy Alexander, Jack and I were in “Snappy Sam” Milner’s French class for four years.

Jack, who was forever cheerful and positive, was nicknamed “John Depression Fuller” by Col. Milner because his initials were J.D.P. Fuller. That was ironic, given Jack’s happy personality.

John Handy called. Ran Phillips was a roommate of his. John was also pre-med under “Doc” Carroll at VMI, earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at Duke, had residency and fellowship at University of Michigan and the University of Virginia.

After that, he spent two years in the U.S. Army, three years on the faculty at Medical College of Virginia in Richmond and three years at the Medical College of Georgia.

He then entered private practice in internal medicine and rheumatology in Augusta, Georgia, for 39 years – during which time he also taught physical diagnosis to medical students as a clinical professor of medicine. John pointed out a distinction as a medical doctor: he was the most fired doctor in Augusta. He retired 10 years ago.

John has been married for 60 years to his wife, Mary-Helen, whom he describes as a most extraordinary homemaker and remarkably patient woman. They have four children and seven grandchildren. John’s hobby for 40 years was a 100 acre farm. He bulldozed, fenced and planted pasture on the acreage and maintained a small herd of cows. He sold the farm and cows a couple of years ago. John writes poetry and short stories and has published articles in medical journals. (He did not elaborate on his having been the most fired doctor in Augusta, Georgia.) One more tale – the yearbook says: “There goes the penalty tour detail – there goes John.” He told me that one of the guys walking tours once threw a snowball into a TAC officer’s convertible when that officer, checking on the marchers, was foolish enough to drive beside the cadets – with the top down!

Jack Gary wrote from Tampa with a contribution to the Campaign for VMI. He is teaching at the University of South Florida.

We hope to get more information about Jack soon. As you know, Jack retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. I believe that he and Al Mattox may be the only BRs achieving the rank of general, which Al did in the Air Force.

Bill Schubmehl wrote that he and wife Becca attended the wedding of the daughter of Jock and Bonnie Wheeler in September.

Bill said that it was a grand affair. Also present were Lou and Edith Drake, Tom and Robin Wallace, and John and Betty Mapp.

Tom Kane wrote. He says he plays as 45

CLASS NOTES much golf as he can and plays chess when he cannot hit the links. Tom flew as a pilot in B-47s while he was in the Air Force and entered the aircraft industry after discharge.

He worked on the B-52, the C-5A and the F-15 for General Dynamics, Lockheed, Grumman and Raytheon as an engineer; for the auto industry in Detroit, Europe and Japan; and in France and Italy for Raytheon on rocket motor development. Recently, he got to fly a Stearman biplane. On top of all that, Tom raced motorcycles both on dirt and ice! In the meantime, he and wife Mercedes produced four children and have six grandchildren. My conclusion – Tom never slept.

I ask that everyone send news of your lives over the past 60 years you would like to have shown in the Alumni Review. In addition, I would like to have a brief paragraph from everyone about something humorous or important that you want to describe from your time at VMI. I will start off with one of my most memorable experiences – the December 1950 step-off. Wonder if there are step-offs anymore? I was on guard duty when what can fairly be described as a riot began. The guard team had been told to keep cadets out of the courtyard, and I was there at port arms on the courtyard’s edge. Someone on the third stoop dumped wet newspapers from a wastebasket that hit and flattened me, hat and rifle flying. I remember fires being set in Old Barracks, police, firemen and making the national news. But most of all, we all recall Commandant Col. Frank Pancake ’38 and his directive to go to J.M. Hall, and then, after giving us a stern lecture, making the whole Corps march many 38 miles on that cold, moonlit and starlit night on the road to Goshen. And Pancake was out there with us. I recall him running along beside us and still can hear the sound of his street shoes slapping that cold pavement. He was in rare form that night.

Until next time, please consider sending news so that we can know about your activities – past and present. Where did 60plus years go, and so fast? All have news, and all are interested in what others have been doing through the years. Please keep the gifts to the Campaign for VMI coming in whatever amount chosen. Unrestricted contributions go to the VMI Foundation.

Thanks.

46

’55

Read Hanmer

These class notes, submitted in February to be printed in the May 2015 Alumni Review, will be somewhat brief. Input from brother rats has been skimpy; perhaps in part because these notes won’t appear until May 2015. It may be that folks have been holding their news to share at our 60th Reunion, which will occur (or, I should say “occurred”) in April 2015. Because of the filing deadlines for class news, reporting of the reunion won’t make it into the Alumni Review until fall 2015.

I forwarded to some a clip from a BBC program on World War I, which elicited these comments from Walt Reed: “(The item) brings back my memories of my father’s stories of his service. He joined the Army just before graduating from Columbia School of Architecture in 1917. He was trained as a balloon observer and given command of the first American Balloon Company to arrive in France. His company served through the rest of the war and then as part of the Army of occupation in Germany until, bored to tears with the assignment, he was accepted at the French Airship School for training in airship operations.

He graduated with his Airship Wings and returned to Langley Field, Virginia, where he met my mother. His Army career continued throughout the ’20s and ’30s until World War II, when he built and commanded the Army’s first maintenance school at Seymour Johnson Air Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, earning him his general officer’s star and reassignment to the 7th Air Force in Hawaii as commanding general of the 7th Air Force Service Command. He served throughout the command’s operations from the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands and the Mariana Islands, after which he was evacuated back to Walter Reed Hospital with severe ulceritis. Then, with the end of the war in sight, he was retired by the Army retirement board and moved on to a most successful civilian career, but that’s another story.” A fascinating bit of history.

Thank you, Walt, for sharing.

I also received a long note from Frank Brooke: “Judy and I are coasting along

here in Jacksonville, Florida. We are enjoying decent health along with the usual aches and pains. Our entire family was together over Christmas and the holidays.

That makes life worthwhile! We are now settled in for our short winter. Judy plays Mah Jong, and I prepare taxes for a few of my own customers and also as a volunteer for AARP’s free tax program for the elderly. We went to our VMI alumni chapter’s annual New Year’s Eve party the first part of January. It was a great gathering with 50 in attendance. We had a social hour, during which The VMI Commanders played music for our enjoyment. This was followed by a sumptuous dinner and more music afterward. The Commanders had visited The Villages and Orlando and were on their way back to Lexington after their Christmas break. Col. Brodie (Hon.) was with them.

He played that horn like an old pro! (Agent’s note: I played guitar for the 1953-54 version of the VMI Commanders, along with Sam Marshall and others.) On Feb. 14, we are going to a cookout and baseball game between VMI and University of North Florida, sponsored by the Keydet Club. It should be an enjoyable event and a good cheering audience for the team. They will be here for a three game season opening series. We are keeping up the VMI spirit here! We will be returning to Lake Gaston for the summer at the end of May, after our youngest grandchild graduates from The Bolles high school here. We would welcome a visit from any brother rat, either here in Jacksonville or at Lake Gaston. My email is fdbrooke@earthlink.net. Finally, I celebrated my 82nd in January. When I was young I never thought I would see 2015! I’m looking forward to our 60th reunion!”

Marty Fisher wrote: “The January and early February months have been devastating for playing golf. So, I’m spending my mornings drinking 65 cent senior coffee with Jack Owen at McDonald’s. I see and talk to Bill and Boots Wainwright when our busy retired schedule permits. Feeling old was on the backburner until my granddaughter was promoted to lieutenant commander in the navy in December – I now feel old. If you’re in the vicinity of Yorktown, give one of us a call and we’ll have a mini reunion.”

Tom Williamson, responding to a question from Bill Davidson, said: “Yes, I will take my golf clubs to the reunion. I am VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES still playing two to three times a week. This week, I moved up to the front tees at Palmetto – I call them ‘ladies and 80s.’ I hope to go to the Greenbrier for two days of golf and pampering after Lexington. I have told my kids that the Greenbrier is on my ‘to do’ bucket list. I marked Pinehurst No. 2 (with caddy) off the list in November. I will probably go to Charlottesville after the reunion to see some of my colleagues from the University of Virginia.”

By the time you read this, the 60th Reunion will have come and gone, and Lois and I will have returned to normal. Please keep me abreast of news of family events, travels and other items of interest to your classmates.

This column is only as good as you make it by supplying the necessary input.

Now to the hardest part of creating these class notes – reporting on losses in the ’55 community. What follows has been extracted from the individuals’ obituaries: Sam Hill died Jan. 2, 2015. Sam was a graduate of Maury High School, class of 1951 and Virginia Military Institute, Class of 1955. After graduation, he worked for over 30 years at the Mutual Federal Savings and Loan and retired as president and chief executive officer. Sam joined Physicians for Peace in 1995 and served in myriad leadership roles, including executive director and development director. During his tenure at Physicians for Peace, Sam helped the organization grow from a regional, grassroots organization to an internationally recognized nonprofit that has delivered training and support to health care partners in more than 60 countries.

Woody Woodhouse, a lifetime resident of Norfolk, died Jan. 2, 2015, following an active lifetime spanning 83 years. Woody attended the Norfolk Academy when it reopened following World War II and was a member of its first graduating class in June 1950. He went on to attend the Virginia Military Institute and graduated with a degree in civil engineering and a commission of second lieutenant in the United States Army. He obtained a private pilot’s license with well over 700 hours of flying time. He also studied accounting and related business subjects at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.

Henry Ritchie ’84, son of Logan Ritchie, reported his dad’s death, which occurred Nov. 8, 2014. I don’t have further details.

2015-Issue 2

’56

Richard M. Smith

Notes covering the period Nov. 15, 2014Feb. 15, 2015: I hope this finds you looking forward to the Christmas season and some “homemade pumpkin pie.” Unfortunately for me, Honey will be in Florida playing golf with her cousin, Ainsly, so there won’t be any pumpkin pie for me! However, I am looking forward to hearing from a lot of you in your Christmas cards.

To begin this edition, I want to recount my visit last week to Richmond and getting to be with Betty and Jimmy Mann for a nice lunch at their home. They are doing fine in spite of Jim’s problems with gimpy legs after several falls and broken bones.

They had attended the memorial service a week ago for Bill Tolley in Natural Bridge, Virginia. He and Jim roomed together at VMI, and Jim was in Bill and Else’s wedding. Betty had written up an account of the happenings at the service for me to send to some of Bill’s close friends. I tried to get information of where and when the service was to be but couldn’t contact Ed Tolley ’60, a brother of Bill’s. Else had planned the service well, and it turned out to be a joyous celebration for the 80 family members and guests. In addition to the Manns, Motsy Foster, Larry Weinerth and the Minifees ’58 were present. Bill’s ashes were spread on a hill near the family home on Lloyd Tolley Lane in Natural Bridge Station where the 11 brothers and sisters grew up.

I received a call from my BR Bob Brickner, who, as you know, is now residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has quite a few relatives in the area, as well as a number of properties. One of his daughters recently moved there from California and is helping him in a number of ways. Bob commented on the article in one of our recent Alumni Reviews which Alan Jackson (Tiger) had relented his title as “best athlete” in the class to Bob. He is trying to uphold this title by having run in two marathons within three weeks of one another. Since his 50th birthday, he has planned to enter a special event every five years, which have included

climbing Mount Fugi and Mount Everest.

He works out regularly at the gym, and in spite of prostate cancer and blood disorder, says he feels good. In addition to supporting scholarships at VMI and Stanford, he also has a number of family and personal organizations he supports. His love and interest of his BRs continues strong.

I received a nice Christmas note from Ann Shibut, John’s widow, saying she still enjoys receiving the Alumni Review and learning about ’56 class happenings. She commented that their granddaughter, Helen, ran for office in Harrisonburg this year, and she knew John would have been most proud of her. She and her sister took a tour in October of Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Granada and Alhambra.

Class of 1956: Robert L. Brickner shortly after crossing the finish line for the Tulsa half marathon. The marathon had upward of 10,000 participants and an average age of approximately 30 years. Brickner has been running for over 10 years and earned a medal, as well as finished the race before several 30-50-year-olds.

A nice email from Larry Miller came after he received the video sent to BRs titled “Flash Concert” by the U.S. Air Force Band. He enjoyed also reading “Rebel Yell” about Stonewall Jackson and suggested it to all alumni. Following up on Larry and Betty’s activities this year after 47

CLASS NOTES and Ken McDonald, who didn’t get to go on as many trips this year as normal. Ken had several chemo treatments for his carcinoid cancer which caused him to be hospitalized one of the times. They did get to Flatwoods, West Virginia, for a rhododendron meeting and another in Wintergreen, Virginia. A number of family members had a chance to see the McDonald azalea collection area at Norfolk Botanical Garden. They are still attending shorter meetings with groups involving holly, horticulture and computers.

I received notice from Larry Miller of the passing of Larry Frase in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 27 after a long bout with Alzheimer’s. They were both electrical engineers and kept in touch as Class of 1956: At the funeral of Larry Frase long as possible. in Dallas, Texas, were, from left, Teddy BarkScott Boland sent me a copy er, John Marks ’60 and Larry Miller. Marks of the obituary for Gretchen was Frase’s dyke.

Hardee, widow of Wellford reading their Christmas letter notes, they “Doc” Hardee. They were great friends plan to be home this year on Camano Island over many years. He also told about sharin Washington. However, January will find ing a phone call from John Kirshmier with them in Palm Springs for their 55th wedding friends at a recent dinner party. John soundanniversary. They hope to get to see their ed good and enjoyed talking with many Seahawks play in this year’s Super Bowl friends made while living in Florida. I have XLIX in Arizona Feb. 1. Larry had a scare enjoyed the box of tangerines Scott sent me with possible bladder cancer last summer, and look forward to visiting he and Ardis but it turned out to be a false alarm. They when I go down in March. have decided to downsize and sold their bigMy old roommate, Bill Lamb, called to gest toy, the motor home. They enjoyed trips ask about the death of Larry Frase, since from 1983 until 2014. They now are looking they had roomed together our 4th Class for a home closer to the kids near Seattle. year. Bill visited him some years ago while Another card from Don and Jo Heslep in Texas. He also talked about seeing Jim covered their 44 day road trip across the Stephens not long before he had the stroke country. First stop was Columbus, Ohio, that has affected his speech somewhat. As and a visit with Don’s first cousin, whom usual, we chatted about our various probhe hadn’t seen for 40 years. From there, lems associated with being “old folks.” We they visited Ford Museum in Dearborn, hope to get together soon.

Michigan, then Wrigley Field and the Cubs Ann Frase sent a nice note thanking the in Chicago. They heard the Mormon Tab- class for the flowers in remembrance of ernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, visited Larry. In her note, she recalled Fred Judge Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone Park. In introducing her to Larry our 3rd Class year Tehachapi, California, they visited another at VMI. They had been in high school at of Don’s cousins, as well as another high Norfolk and she was attending Randolph school friend who came up from Newport Macon Women’s College. She and Larry Beach. Finally, they visited son Don Jr. in were married for 58 years.

Work, West Virginia.

I received a copy of the original speech I had a nice family newsletter from Sandra given by Gen. Patton to 3rd Army troops 48

before the invasion of France. It was sent to me by my son, Scott Smith ’90. It is much more ‘explicit’ than the one from the movie, “Patton,” given by George C. Scott.

I sent it out in an email to our BRs, but any others who didn’t receive it and want a copy can contact me.

This about does it for now, and I hope we have an early spring.

Yours in the Spirit, Dick

’57

Clayton M. Thomas III

We are still here at the old homestead but too chilly to write on the lanai. Over holidays, we had many greetings from brother rats and widows.

Joan Atkinson has moved her shop into another location. It was a learning experience. Her best news is a young man from Monterey has been accepted to VMI with support from Joan. Her father was VMI Class of 1977.

Sam and Betsy Barker in Merrills Inlet, South Carolina, sold their 28 foot recreational vehicle, as they hadn’t used it in the past 14 months. They had three enjoyable trips in it to Tucson, Arizona.

Martha and Bill Batten in Simpsonville, South Carolina, had a bunch for Thanksgiving, including 11 grandchildren. Martha sent a picture of a puppy, about four months old, that was dumped on the road. Of course, Martha stopped her car and brought her home. Now, they have four dogs.

Alan and Carolyn Baumgartner in Powder Springs, Georgia, report lots of news.

Alan is still tooting on the tuba, and October kept him busy with the “Happy Wanders” German band. One of their trips last year was a five day family reunion in Las Vegas. In August, they visited family in Pennsylvania and played with great-grandchildren.

Bob and Susan Christopher on Northern Neck invite us to come visit them when we come back to Virginia. “We’ll have fun with other VMI folks.”

Wiley and Nancy Clapp in Mindon, Nevada, had three total knee replacements, and they are doing well. They sent us a picture of them from the Met in New York VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES City. They hope to get back to VMI for our 60th reunion in April 2017.

Much had happened to Bill and Helen Colvin in 2014. Helen had a heart attack in August and went first to a hospital in Martinsville, and was then transported to the Roanoke hospital. The good news, she is now well and feels fine. The bad news, she has to take so many pills every day. (Welcome to the club!)

Don and Judy Coombs still enjoy life in Texas Hill Country, but they remember the sunny Florida days on the lanai – especially now that it is 36 degrees outside with freezing drizzle in Kerrville. In August, they traveled 6,000 miles to Houston, Atlanta, Lexington, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, St. Louis and home. They attended a VMI chapter in San Antonio, and since ’57 was the oldest class there, Don told them about life in the Old Corps!

Ken and Katie Dickinson left chilly Roscoe, South Dakota, for sunny, warm Florida. Their two cats, Puff III and Bear, traveled well, as they knew they were going home to Merritt Island.

Linda Dunn from Norfolk had the pleasure of visiting VMI in September to see a parade. Her niece’s husband was attending his 25th Class Reunion, and VMI even won the football game!

Billy and Chloe Elmore have moved into a one floor, 55-plus community in Williamsburg. They will keep the beach house on the Outer Banks for their children, and they will be at their home in Sarasota, Florida, from January until April.

Joanne and Drew Fox in Haverford, Pennsylvania, are preparing to move to a retirement community in 2015. Their Christmas card featured a picture of eight beautiful grandchildren.

Bob and Connie Fravel in Port Clinton, Ohio, left for Florida at Christmas and rented a home on 2015-Issue 2

Class of 1957: Frank Homes with his favorite shotgun at his favorite hunting spot in Arkansas.

Class of 1957: Wiley and Nancy Clapp at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Class of 1957: The photo from Jay and Sonja Musser’s Christmas card, showing the two on their wedding day, Oct. 22, 2014.

Lake Placid for three-and-a-half months. Bob plans on lots of bass fishing and rounds of golf.

(Sounds like tons of fun.)

Micky Galvin sends New Year wishes and blessings to all brother rats, wives and widows of the Class of 1957. She is still in Getzville, New York, in the Snowbelt.

Frank and Ann Gilmore will be in Alexandria, Virginia, until June 30, 2015. They invited us to stay with them after we attend the Class Agent Conference in April.

We may take them up on their kind offer if we return to Florida via the Auto Train.

Clint and Belkis Glover in Antioch, Illinois, missed seeing us at the Institute Society Dinner in November. We didn’t attend, as class agents are no longer invited.

They left for Mexico to spend Christmas with son Stephen and family.

Patti Hammond in Lexington, Virginia, had many blessings and wonderful memories in 2014. Her first great-grandchild celebrated his first birthday, and two grandchildren graduated from college – Christopher Newport University and Sweetbriar College – and have jobs. That is something to celebrate!

Frank and Ann Holmes are enjoying life in Memphis, Tennessee. He sent us a photo in his favorite duck hunting spot on his 80th birthday. The shotgun he received for his 14th birthday.

Bill and Betty Huffcut in Tallahassee enjoy being with their three daughters and 18 grandchildren. In 2014, they visited New Orleans, Nashville, Charleston, Montgomery and their place in Mary Easter outside of Fort Walton Beach.

Dick Hunt from Oceanside, California, reports that Christine and he are well, but he definitely notices the onset of age. They continue to enjoy the San Diego area but are hoping for more rain.

Dick sometimes forgets they are 49

CLASS NOTES living in the desert-by-the-Pacific.

Tommy Hunter in Milam, Texas, thanked us for Dawn’s especially kind note concerning Donna. He really appreciated it.

Nick and Carmen Kallelis in Gastonia, North Carolina, have been doing some traveling, but their trip to the Holy Land surpassed any other travel. “Following in the footsteps of Christ was a life-changing experience.” They have also been able to spend time with their roommates and wives: Carl and Joyce Schladitz, Don and Judy Coombs, and Ray and Martha MacKay. How fortunate to have all four of the roommates still with us.

John and Loretta Kuchnia were packing in December for one last trip to Bermuda, where they honeymooned in 1959. They also said our bedroom is still available in Raleigh for our next trip up to VMI. Marilyn Landis had a trying year in 2014.

In February, she toured Cuba and fell and hit her head. She returned home to Maryland for surgery. She was impressed with Cuba. Many of the historic buildings have been restored. In the summer, she drove to Cumberland, Maryland, for her 60th high school reunion.

Carl and Mary LeBourdais in The Villages, Florida, still maintain a good exercise routine and enjoy life. “Needless to say, doctor appointments and shopping keep us busy.”

Lucy McCormack in Virginia Beach reported there are black bears in her area.

They are sedated and moved west to a forest. Lucy still has Mork, her 7-year-old cat, and her only grandchild, Rachel, lives with her. Lucy encourages us to adopt a cat before our move.

Betty Mixson in College Station, Texas, thanked Dawn for her sweet note. Dawn wrote all of the widows their Christmas cards last year. Betty enjoyed being kept informed and connected with VMI and our class. “Even widows in the Hinterlands.”

Jay and Sonja Musser have much to celebrate as of Oct. 22, 2014. What a handsome pair!

Skip Richardson says his 3-year-old granddaughter keeps him on his toes. His oldest granddaughter is a sophomore at Ol’ Miss.

Skip enjoys living in Tidewater and claims he lives in the warmest part of the state.

Pat Saunders claims that “the older one gets, the faster time flies.” She sent us several interesting articles on VMI and the Battle 50

of New Market from the Richmond Times Dispatch. Pat says they had a beautiful fall, and the trees were “out of this world!”

Ruth H. Smith continues to make donations to VMI in Ron Kaye’s memory. Ruth and her sister are planning a cruise via Viking Line in April, visiting the Rhine Country. It is an eight day event, so she won’t be too long away from her aging cat. She does have a great cat sitter.

Jim and Janice Snead had no news but sent us a beautiful Thomas Kinkade Christmas card.

Nelda Snyder is still at Arrahatteck, and the home is as beautiful and peaceful as ever. But her place is on the market, as its needs could be better met by a younger family. Nelda says her grandchildren are doing well, with only three still in college.

The youngest, Conor, is a 4th Class cadet at VMI, and Buzzy would have been so proud of him.

Armand and Rita Wagner in Ware Neck, Virginia, visited VMI this fall to see their grandson, Jonathan Wagner, who is now a 3rd Class cadet, after a rough 4th Class year.

Bob and Dot Wood in John Knox Village hope we will soon join them in Orange City.

Jay and Polly Woodward send season greetings and trust we will soon relocate to our new home.

On Jan. 30, 2015, Bob Fiske, Dawn and I attended the beautiful memorial service at St. James Episcopal Church of John Wise Wescott ’54 at VMI. He died Jan. 19, 2015, and was a surgeon at the Atlantic Urological and chief of surgery at Ormond Hospital where he operated on me, and I believe saved my life.

In closing, Dawn and I want to thank our class for its generous gifts of appreciation.

The first thing one sees entering our library is the lovely plaque which we greatly cherish.

’58

Lee McCown

As we put these notes together, Laura and I are celebrating that we have not lost a BR since the last notes and that a number of BRs recently on the gim list are doing better.

Bob Spurrier is still recovering from a serious auto accident but felt well enough to

come to Lexington with an Army friend who is a Citadel grad the weekend of The Citadel football game. The results of that game may have been a bit of a setback for him, but at least his friend was happy. Big crowd for the game, and I missed seeing Bob. I’ll let Hull Negley describe his situation himself: “I’m still on top of the grass and feeling much better. I’m not quite ready to duck walk through the main sinks, but I’m working on it. Judy and I are calling it the summer, fall and winter from hell. I got cellulitis in my leg in August while we were still at the cottage. We got home Sept. 9, and on the 11th, I was admitted to the hospital with congestive heart failure. That was followed by four weeks in rehab.

“Then in November, I had an acute gall bladder attack. I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital. They scheduled me for surgery in December, and I was discharged. I had another attack the first week of December, so it was off to a hospital two-and-a-half hours from home. They took my gall bladder out Dec. 9, and then it was back to rehab. I spent Christmas there and was discharged on New Year’s Day. Thank God Judy is a nurse. She has had a lot to put up with.

At least now I am feeling much better, and we are just staying in and keeping warm. I would like to shoot that damned Pennsylvania groundhog. Have talked with Ron Swirk and Ernie Edgar. Special thanks to all the BRs who sent me emails. We are going to try to get to the ‘I’ for New Market Day. Our best to all of you.”

Wes and Annemarie Roberts are both happy to report that they are in much better shape these days. Annemarie said, “We have engaged a lovely woman to help Wes navigate his way through the day. She also sees that he exercises regularly. His mobility and stamina are much improved, and hopefully he will continue on that path. I am also doing better, thanks to regular visits to the chiropractor, as well as my own exercise program. Life is indeed much brighter.

“Wes hears regularly from Ron Swirk.

Ron recently took a trip to Lexington, accompanied by his son, Francis, to attend a football reunion. After that experience, Ron is ready to move back to Lexington! Jim Cowan is also a frequent caller. We tried to talk him into leaving snow-bound South Dakota for warmer climes, but so far, no VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES luck. Wes also heard from Ken Godfrey, who was checking in to see how Wes was faring. It is always uplifting to hear from the BRs. Now that we are in better shape, we will try harder to reciprocate.”

Speaking of Ron, he was in Lexington for the luncheon celebrating the new book about Coach McKenna, “Best Regrets: VMI’s John McKenna and the Lost Age of College Football,” by Roland Lazenby ’74 and Mike Ashley, with foreword by Bobby Ross ’59. It’s a great read, particularly – as you might imagine – the chapter about our 1957 season.

Others of our class who were there and attended the luncheon included Annie Mae and Dave Martin (who recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary with family in the Bahamas), Lou Farmer and Joe Gray. Didn’t see Sam Woolwine, but I understand he was there at the book signing table earlier in the day.

Also saw Bill Harshaw, who told me that he had gotten a matching grant from the Cabell Foundation for the Moses Ezekiel ’866 statue project at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. In addition to the challenge such a fundraising effort requires, Bill is working with a landscape architect who has been retained to redesign the statue site. Expect a full update in the next Alumni Review.

“The statues are very beautiful in the current site,” he said. “I would encourage visits by BRs and all alumni and would be willing to coordinate such visits.”

Jack Payne reported on a vacation in Estonia, the home country of his fiancée, Helle Kiiss, to attend that country’s traditional Song and Dance Festival. It is all so

interesting that I am publishing it in full.

“The Song and Dance Festival is one of the largest concerts of its kind in the world.

It has been held every five years since 1869. Estonia is a small country in northern Europe located on the Baltic Sea next to Russia. Its capital, Tallinn, has a beautiful medieval old town dating from the 12th century. Estonia has over 1,500 islands and thousands of lakes and rivers and the countryside is mostly flat with beautiful fields of colorful poppies and sunflowers in the summer.

“The total population of 1.5 million is well educated, with about one-third being of Russian origin. The language is related to its neighbor, Finland. Despite its size, Estonia has emerged as one of the most advanced esocieties in the world. The Skype software was invented there. Wireless service is free and blankets the country. There is e-government, with no pen or paper in sight, e-elections, e-banking, e-taxes and so on.

“The traditional dance festival was held on two days at a football-size stadium with an attendance of 100,000 each day. The festival was made up of individual dance groups from towns and villages in Estonia as well as groups and dancers from all over the world. The competitions start three years before the festival and the 10,000 that are finally accepted is only a fraction of the dancers that apply. The dance performance started out with about 1,000 dancers and grew to the full 10,000 dancers on the field at one time. Each group wore beautiful native costumes from their village or town.

The timing and precision of the movements were absolutely amazing.

Class of 1958: The song and dance festival in Estonia, held every five years, involves 10,000 dancers and more than 100,000 spectators. As a child, Jack Payne’s wife, Helle, participated.

2015-Issue 2

“The song festival was held on two days following the dance festival, at a large outdoor amphitheater which was built specifically for this festival many years ago.

There were over 30,000 singers, though the stage can hold only 22,000. Attendance on each day was estimated to be around 150,000. As with the dance festival, each choir group came from local villages or towns, as well as from all over the world.

The age of the singers ranged from six to the gray-haired seniors. The coordination and precision was amazing and the sounds were beautiful. The songs were patriotic in nature, written and conducted by Estonian composers and conductors.

“I was particularly interested to learn that song and folkdance are mandatory subjects in schools in Estonia. Almost everyone belongs to a local dance or choir group. Most children learn to play an instrument in elementary school. Helle, because of this early training, performed on the piano at the Tallinn Concert Hall at the age of seven. You can then understand the great enthusiasm for these festivals. To learn more about the festivals and how song and dance played such an important part helping to keep the morale of the Estonian people high during the 50 years of Russian occupation, see the documentary ‘The Singing Revolution.’

You can find it on Netflix, as well as similar websites. Most of the cruise ships that operate in the Baltic Sea stop at Tallinn. The old city is a must to see.

“Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Estonians have become very concerned about an invasion by Russia. Here’s a brief description of what life was like in 1944

Class of 1958: Jack Payne and his fiancée, Helle Kiiss, enjoyed a trip to Helle’s home country of Estonia.

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CLASS NOTES

Class of 1958: Class Agent Lee McCown said of this photo, “Exceptionally attractive double daters at Christmas: Dave and Mara Pitkethly and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.”

Estonia after Russians drove the Germans out and invaded Estonia, staying until 1951: Anyone with any form of education – teachers, government officials, lawyers, accountants, etc., along with their families – were either shot or sent to Siberia in cattle railroad cars. The country was reorganized to primarily provide food for Russia. Factories were set up to manufacture goods for export to Russia; little went to the citizens of Estonia. The official language was made Russian. Thousands of young people were taken from their homes and schools and sent to fight the Germans. The people had very little food. In general the Russians were brutal.

“On the other hand, the earlier German occupiers were good to the people of Estonia. For example, as the Russians approached a city that the Germans were defending, the Germans would evacuate citizens to safe areas away from the battle zones. Helle’s father was the director of all the resorts and sanatoriums in Estonia, and his entire family would certainly have been executed or sent to Siberia. With the Germans retreating and the Russians just outside of Tallinn, her family, along with thousands of others, were able to escape in 1944 aboard German warships and taken to refugee camps in Germany, where they were treated well. When the war ended and various nations began accepting refugees from Germany, Helle and her family were able to immigrate to the United States.

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“It was a wonderful experience visiting Estonia and getting to know so many of its people. The rural countryside with its vast farmlands is quite a contrast to its thriving modern capital, Tallinn. Estonia has regained its position among the advanced nations of Europe. Its economy is strong with no or little debt, a very high-tech community and flourishing tourism. The citizens are proud of their heritage and vigorously defend their independence after centuries of domination by other countries.” Thank you, Jack, for this very interesting description.

Jan Woodman enjoys going to the Metropolitan Opera’s live at the movies series in Lewes, Delaware, riding his motorized cart with a VMI banner flying from it. At the performance of “The Merry Widow” in January, a woman walked past him, spotted the banner and started singing “The Spirit.”

Turns out she is a relative of Richard Marshall ’915, who served as superintendent of VMI from 1946-52!

Jan has proven an able and involved adjunct class agent, expanding our news network by calling a number of BRs – particularly those having recent accidents, illnesses or body part replacements. He says it has pulled him out of himself, and he finds these conversations inspiring.

Among those he has spoken with are Joe Parker, who is at home recovering from five months in the hospital and rehab following surgery to repair a hole in his esophagus. It was not cancerous but has affected his hearing. I heard from Joe, too: “Trish and I appreciate all of your support during my illness, and I am now slowly obtaining more stamina. I am now fully retired. Regards, Joe.” Jan reported that Sybil Baker, widow of Bruce Baker, has had three cancers, two mastectomies and chemotherapy. She has retired from teaching music to kids. She reminded Jan that he and Bruce came to VMI together, although Bruce thought he was going to the school next door – the one

Class of 1958: The McCowns crashed the mini reunion tailgate of nephew Allen McCown ’11, second from left. Others pictured, from left, were Lee’s brother, David ’73; son, Derek ’89; grandson, Jack ’24; and Lee ’58. Furman University was soundly defeated 31-13 by VMI.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES with the white columns and the brick painted red. He thought the guys walking around in uniform nearby were “the help.”

Jan also talked with Hal Bowen, whose wife, Janice, died last year, and Paul Royer about playing his trumpet at funerals.

It was great to hear from Miriam Kass, the widow of Jack Trafton, at Christmas. “All is well with me,” she said, “And the same of Jack’s children and grandchildren – all still close and dear to me.”

These Richmond area BRs gathered for lunch recently to see Jules Berman, who was in town to visit Duke Bishop: Jack Cunningham, Brooke Doggett, Joe Gray, Bill Holt, Lee McCown, Moon Menefee, Frank Norvell, John Peters, Paul Royer, Roland Tharp, Bill Walker, Stuart Whitehurst and Stirling Williamson. Charlie Hayes had planned to come but was a bit under the weather that day. All who attended looked respectable and navigated under their own power.

At lunch, a number of tales were told of days at the Institute, some of which were actually based in fact. The most interesting was related by John Peters, who described how he and his roommate, Don Cuthrell, had just stepped out on the stoop, allegedly to go study, and were looking at the door to the room of Doc Hardee ’56 when the wellknown explosion occurred that blew out the windows, moved a wall and blackened the inside of the room.

Brother Rat Jack Dunavant was walking guard duty that night, and in notes written some years ago, described in detail the overnight repairs undertaken after the explosion.

“What to do? Well, this called for action and the 1st Class rallied, knowing that everything had to be shipshape by room check the next morning. They located a plasterer and a painter, and they all went to work. Some ran the block and borrowed a heavy hydraulic floor jack, peculiar to most service stations, while others cut an 8 inch oak sapling about 15 feet long from the woods behind barracks.

“The bowed wall was jacked back into position with the oak pole, and the floor jack braced against the wall in the next room. All night long they worked, and by light the next morning, the once blackened, burned out shell of a room was the showcase of barracks.”

Doc, the reputedly elected “bomb thrower” for his class, died in 2004. Wasn’t Bob Hickerson ours? Did he really set off 58 charges in barracks one Saturday night in our last year?

2015-Issue 2

Avid fisherman Gene Grayson sent a great photo that unfortunately we were unable to use (1MB minimum is required) of a 5-plus pound brook trout – 23 inches long – a Virginia citation, “caught in a secret creek near Floyd, Virginia. I will never give the location away! This is an unusually large brookie – by far the largest I have ever caught.” Gene has a fishing history (and rivalry, I think) that he faithfully shares with Wes Roberts, also involving rainbow trout and large and small mouth bass.

Dave Pitkethly reported, “After a three year layoff for various medical problems and injuries, I am back to some easy running, and it brings me great joy.” Dave does some golfing with Roy Palmer, who said, “I am still using all of my original body parts. We have had a very mild winter as compared to you folks back East. There has been a lack of sun, so Joyce and I are going on a Mexico cruise from Los Angeles next week.”

Jack Sullivan has had knee and hip operations and his wife, Liza, has health problems that are keeping them close to home, but they send this happy announcement: “Come this fall, there will be a fourth generation Keydet at VMI, as our grandson, Fallon, will enroll.”

Jerry Brohman, who spent his 4th Class year with us, lives on 10 acres outside of Wills Point, Texas. Now retired, he has had an interesting life that has included dropping out of the corporate world to run a general store in Michigan, then going back into engineering, specializing in waste water recycling systems. “The systems used everything I learned

in school – mechanics, hydraulics, chemistry, electronics, programming and electricity. It was always interesting and a pleasure to go to work. My health is very good considering the age we all are. Living in the country keeps me active (a little slower, but active).”

In closing, Drew Troxler says that he recently found a beautiful Christmas card from years ago signed simply “Buttercup,” from “our missing brother rat [Earl Bennett]. God bless him and VMI.” Buttercup’s widow, Sue, let me know about the 2014 Christmas she was expecting: “I will have a daughter and son here for the important days, so I will be happy and remembering our sweet Earl.”

Rest in peace, Earl, and all the BRs we have lost, Lee

’59

Shep Shepard

This past quarter has not been kind to the Stonewall Class. We lost Mary Lew Edmunds on Thanksgiving Day, Audrey Eggleston a few months later, and Phil Sellers and Mort Eggleston just as the quarter closed. Mary Lew lost her fight with lung cancer that eventually spread to her liver. Jim and Mary Lew celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in October with a wonderful week in Santa Barbara, and she really enjoyed the 55th VMI Class Reunion, where

Class of 1959: The Stonewall class was well represented at Phil Seller’s memorial service. Pictured were, from left, Connie and Bill Nebraska, Ann and Shep Shepard, Mike Vargosko, Dick Trandel, Carol and Don Messner, Mary Alice and Ron Marley, Betty and Bill Huffcut ’57, Bill Lee, Denyse and Bud Kramer, and Jennie Lee.

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CLASS NOTES she saw so many people she had known for years. Jim is being looked after by their son, David, from Phoenix and daughter, Laurie, who lives close by.

Audrey died in late January. Audrey also suffered with cancer and fought it with everything she had up until the very end.

You’ll recall, although in pain, she made it to our 55th VMI Class Reunion in March, where she enjoyed the company of her many friends in the Stonewall Class. Mort held on as long as he could just to see that Audrey was properly cared for, and then he succumbed to, I expect, a broken heart.

Audrey’s funeral was well attended, with Addison, Pate, Vermillion, Loth, Martin, Kornegay and Smith attending.

Mort Eggleston’s “Celebration of Life,” wrapped in red, white and yellow, was well attended by brother rats. The casket was introduced with the strains of the “VMI Spirit,” and there wasn’t a dry eye in the chapel.

The following brother rats were there to see Mort on his way. Ned and Bunny Addison; Bob Baillio; Jerry and Shay Booth; Kurt Berggren; Danny Coogan; Baldy and Jo Anne Fall; Dave Goode; Gene King; Billy Kornegay; Ralph and Janice Rae Lawson; Rusty Loth and Pat Parker; John and Teddi Martin; Marvin and Patty Myers; Harlee and Barbara Pate; Bobby Ross; Mark and June Smith; Bill and Yvonne Traylor with their daughter, Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Buckley; Jim and Bet Vermillion; and Lee and Linda Wilkinson. Also in attendance was Sam Witt ’58, who did yeoman service looking after Mort while he was at Westminster Canterbury, and Don Coupland’s brother, Claiborne Coupland ’57. It would have been a great mini reunion had it not been for the circumstances.

Phil and Betty Sellers received devastating news a few months ago. Phil had pancreatic cancer, and the outlook was not good. Earlier in the summer, Phil and Betty spent seven weeks in Europe, walking and touring every day and feeling great. Two weeks after their return, Phil began feeling bad, went to the doctor and found he had pancreatic cancer. Betty has nothing but praise and admiration for the way Phil handled it. He took great care to prepare her for life for the next 10 years without him around. The house was painted, dead trees taken down, new golf cart tires and on and on. Betty said, “If it wasn’t heartbreaking 54

to me, we would have a good laugh.” Phil’s memorial service was held in Tallahassee and was well attended by the Stonewall Class, who concluded the ceremony by singing the “Doxology” and giving an Old Yell for Phil. Attending were: Connie and Bill Nebraska, Denyse and Bud Kramer, Carol and Don Messner, Betty and Penn Whitescarver, Mary Alice and Ron Marley, Ann and Shep Shepard, Betty and Bill Huffcut ’57, Bill and Jennie Lee, Mike Vargosko and Dick Trandel. Bill and Betty Huffcut did yeoman service in setting up a Friday night dinner at the last minute on Valentine’s Eve. Dick presented a memorial service eulogy that was absolutely perfect – humorous and touching.

Class of 1959: Brad Willard with Uros lady at the floating reed islands in Lake Titicaca, Peru.

Sarah True was just diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and tumors in her lungs and liver. She has chosen not to be treated and is at home with hospice services. Sarah says this is not a bad thing; she has been so lonely and now will be with Jim once again. She knows that God will hold her hand. “Don’t weep for me. I am going to a place where I want to be.”

Bill and Susie Kirkland continue to suffer health problems. Susie had an a-fib attack, fell to the floor and broke her jaw severely. She had surgery, and they were able to get everything back into place using metal plates and screws. During the operation, they found she could not swallow, did not have a gag reflex and she could not talk, so they inserted a feeding tube. She is on the

mend. The next step is getting new teeth. It has been a long process, but Bill has been assisted by the family.

JoAnne Dreelin Anstett lost her husband, Joe, to colon cancer just before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, they didn’t catch it early, and Joe had a hard time. JoAnne is recovering and getting back into the swing of things.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all our BRs and their spouses who have suffered and continue to suffer from injuries, illness or the loss of a loved one.

George and Marie O’Neill trekked to Lexington to help launch the book “Best Regrets, VMI’s John McKenna...” by Roland Lazenby ’74. It was a rare opportunity to swap tales of yore with folks with another common but most unusual VMI link: being coached by “Big John” McKenna.

The Stonewall Class had a mini reunion with Gillespie, Ross, Johnson, Engels, Brandriff and Baxter. Besides the “Stonewallers,” there was Farmer ’58, Woolwine ’58, Swirk ’58 and Johnston ’58.

The book is replete with accomplishments told in the context of specific games. Of course, no gathering of old-timers is complete without anecdotes based on some of the “Eagle’s” wry utterances. Fortunately, nobody was “certified.” Bobby Ross recalled the letters of encouragement he got from McKenna as head coach when times were tough at Maryland and Georgia Tech.

He particularly lamented that, despite being a Catholic, his comprehension of Latin was not so hot. So he could not understand a Latin phrase that McKenna always included in his letters. It wasn’t until later when he asked Big John what it meant and heard, “Don’t let the b....rds get you down.” The ’59ers gleefully recounted the admonition to Bill Kirkland: “Kirky, stay away from the ‘colon cloggers’ in the PX.” The one that resonates with George to this day is, “O’Neill, if you could play football as well as you eat, you’d be an All-American.”

Bonnie Pomponio finally mustered up enough courage to get behind the wheel and drive East to visit family and friends.

She still can’t believe she drove the entire distance by herself. She spent her “39th” birthday celebration with son Matt and his family at the beach and finally got her sister to travel to North Carolina to visit for a while. She brought along two cousins and VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES wine, and memories and embellished sto- better every day. They are getting their color Denyse had for him. Their grandchildren ries flowed; the talking never ended. back. Just the other day, some gal at church are doing great. One grandson is in his last Jim and Bet Vermillion broke down and made a pass at Ron, he is looking so good. semester of law school, two grandsons won sold their beloved “Old Comfort.” It was a They are also getting out of the house more. the state cross-country champion title, one tough decision but upkeep was getting be- They recently met Tex Carr and his lady grandson has been accepted to Harvard yond Jim’s capability, and it was time to let friend, Emily Hanzok, for lunch and had a University and one granddaughter has been go. They moved to Kings Mill in selected to the all-county chorus.

Williamsburg, Virginia, and are Bobby and Alice Ross had a beginning to feel right at home. blessed Christmas, with many of They find moving gets tougher their children and grandchildren each time they do it, this being celebrating the true meaning of their 26th move in 55 years. the day of faith, hope and peace, Al and Peggy Smith Colville as did Harlee and Barbara Pate, just returned from Australia and who celebrated the special day in New Zealand. They are both hapNorfolk. py to be safely home but cherish John and Betty Ann Tompson the experience of seeing so many had a pretty good year, except for interesting things and meeting so that pesky gall bladder that had to many wonderful people. We can be removed. vouch for that, having spent three Bill and Yvonne Traylor wish months there with the Andersons Class of 1959: John Van Kesteren and his son, Loall the best to BRs as they move many years ago. Definitely a trip gan, on a level part of the downhill at Angel Fire, New back and forth from Florida Mexico. The armor is required by rule. for the “bucket list.” to Virginia visiting family and I received a nice note from Jeff friends. and Sarah Strunk, one of Jud and Marty great time embellishing old VMI war stoNed and Bunny Addison, along with their Strunk’s three boys, who lives an exciting ries. Ron also heard from Bill Lee, who lovely daughters, say they think of Donnie life in Maine. If they are not in a hot air bal- recently read the VMI book, “Always a Dreelin often and the fun he would have loon viewing the landscape, they are road River,” by Todd Allen Henderson and said had attending class reunions. tripping across the country with their two it was a good read.

Bill and Connie Nebraska checked in children, Mason and Cassidy. They send Niels and Maggie Andersen are enjoy- and reported all is well in their camp. their regards and best wishes to all Cec MacArthur reported they members of the Stonewall Class. are well. Kristen got married in Art and Ginny Brandiff had a March and Gordon is 11 years on great Christmas, consumed with the job and doing great. visits from friends and family.

Dick and Linda Phillippi are Both continue to be actively indoing well as they continue on volved in Make-a-Wish foundatheir path of finding ways in tion, an outstanding organization which to confuse Ann’s ham that grants a wish to a deservcooking ability. ing child every 38 minutes. Visit Joanne and Baldy Fall are doing all right, as are Eddie and wish.org.

Carolyn Barnes. Eddie says he is Chuck and Margo Cotton are ready for another round of golf in doing pretty good. Chuck seems the snow. to be improving a little bit since Max and Lee Ann Blanchard he quit taking some of his medications. The kids are a great help Class of 1959: Pete McWane visited Normandy are doing good and staying – especially Shelton who lives in Beach, France. healthy by being active in all the Louisville, Kentucky, and comes local activities. to visit as often as possible. Chuck’s long ing life in central Tennessee but get away I hear from Harry and Ann Ray once a trips are pretty much a thing of the past, as much as possible to their cabin on the year, and all seems to be well in the Ray but Margo will join the kids at Hilton Head Chesapeake. household.

Bud and Denyse Kramer are doing well. later this year for a family get-together. She Truman and Jackie Baxter checked in has a great support structure to take care of Bud spent a good portion of this past quar- from Virginia Beach. Retirement has treatter fighting a head cold, resulting in loss ed them both with kindness.

Chuck while gone.

Walt Ferony is doing OK. His daily rouRon and Mary Alice Marley are in good of his hearing. The positive thing is that spirits, and they are both looking and feeling he couldn’t hear all of the honey-dos that tine includes morning mass at the local 2015-Issue 2

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CLASS NOTES church followed by a long slow walk. Family is all located close by, so they keep him pretty busy.

Bill and Mary Kessler checked in from Long Beach, California. Things seem to be going well for them.

John and Anne Reed are kept young and healthy by chasing Jack all over the state and supporting their charitable efforts in Haiti.

Bob Haynes and Monique Harnetty spend much of their time traveling – either together or separately. Bob doesn’t know how many more years he can keep up with Monique, but he is in it for the duration.

Penn and Betty Whitescarver have a difficult time deciding whether to live in Maryland or Florida. Regardless, it was our good fortune to have seen Penn and Betty twice during the year: Fernandina Beach and the Seine Riverboat cruise. We were also fortunate enough to see Carl and Phyllis Kasko twice last year: once at the reunion and next at Fernandina Beach. Phyllis has been having problems with broken bones, but all in all, Carl and Phyllis are doing great.

Buzz and Virginia Nowlin opened their home to John and Chris Patane as they fulfilled a promise made during the Seine Riverboat Cruise.

Sonny and Skippy Bishop had a great Christmas season filled with family and friends. It seems like only yesterday that

Ann and I had lunch with them in Hilton Head last October.

Bruce and Norma Mackenzie are doing pretty good and look forward to changing their address in April to new digs in Aston Gardens Venice, Florida.

Bob and Lois Hobson continue to be happy, somewhat healthy and eagerly awaiting coming events. They are up to 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, with two more greats on their way. While a Keydet at VMI, Bob recalls looking across the Parade Ground during reunions, seeing the alumni celebrating their 50th Reunion, and thinking how old and decrepit they looked. Bob continues to work on their cabin in Spanish Fork, Utah. It is ideal for family gatherings and has produced many family memories already.

Billy and Sue Kornegay continue to be very much involved in their community.

Billy saved the Powhatan County 1950 War Memorial Building from demolition and has since spent most of his time getting the building refurbished. He also keeps the Powhatan Civil War Roundtable on track, as well as assists our troops whenever possible. Sue is active in the Catholic Woman’s Organization, the Powhatan Woman’s Club and any charitable work she can find. Their grandson, Tyler, suffered kidney failure after consuming deer meat and is scheduled for a kidney transplant. Pray for Tyler’s successful transplant.

Class of 1959: The Richmond LAME squad met for lunch at the Westminster Canterbury sidewalk café. Pictured were, from left, Harlee Pate, Jim Vermillion, Rusty Loth, Ned Addison, Mort Eddleston, Billy Kornegay, John Martin and Mark Smith.

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Lee and Nancy Southard completed their first full year of marriage, and from the looks of it, it’s a winner. They did a lot of traveling, including cruises to the Caribbean, Seine River and Alaska. Trips to Richmond to visit Lee’s childhood home and to visit the kids took up most of what was left of the year. The heartbreak of the year was failure to get financing for VasoGenix.

The board decided to dissolve the company; a disappointment for Lee, who has put so much time and effort into this project.

Health issues have been scary, but they have managed to survive, and the prospect for a healthy future looks good.

Bill and Jennifer Lee were blessed with a granddaughter, giving them even more reasons to be doting grandparents. They spend their time with their church and friends.

They are taking a theology class, as well as participating in a nonfiction book club which has been provocative and challenging. Both are healthy – just dealing with age related health issues.

Skip and Linda White are busting with pride over the performance of their daughter, Mackenzie Mauzy, in the hit movie, “Into the Woods.” Mackenzie plays the role of Rapunzel.

Ann and I spent a great weekend in New Orleans with Bill and Betty Huffcut ’57 and 32 other high school classmates from Munich American High School. Bill and Betty look good; must be their active lifestyle keeping up with their kids and grandchildren.

John and Teddi Martin have had their medical problems but both are well on the road to recovery. John had successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but in a misguided effort for a quick return to the links he overdid the Golds Gym routine and ended up with tennis elbow. He is waiting with baited breath for the golf season to begin again with a good meniscus and a better elbow. Teddi went through surgery to remove a lump from her breast, which was found to be malignant. The lymph system was not compromised, and she elected hormone therapy which seems to be working.

All of the medical woes can’t compare with the joy they get from spoiling their grandchildren, which they do a lot.

Rogers and Susan McCall are in great shape with Rogers practicing elder law, estates, disinherited heirs and, his passion, VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES representing indigent people charged with crimes. Susan continues to teach art at a private school and has just had a very successful show of her recent painting in Blowing Rock. Their daughter, Taylor, is studying for her Doctor of Philosophy degree in art history at Cambridge, U.K. Their daughter, Lauria, just finished the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in fashion design and is now working for Billy Reid fashions in New York City.

John and Pat Van Kesteren have had an eventful year. Besides the class reunion, they traveled to Australia to attend their granddaughter’s wedding. It was 10 days of festivities and sightseeing, including a helicopter ride to view the Twelve Apostles of Victoria. The wedding was spectacular with a reception featuring both the United States and Australian flags hanging side by side. The move to Albuquerque gives them time to spend more time with their grandchildren and allows John to take up the new sport of mountain biking. He has progressed to taking on the trails at Angel Fire. They get back to Charlottesville to visit the other half of the family and did for the Christmas holidays.

Spence and Beverly Tucker have had a great year. Beverly enjoyed several trips, including one to Italy with her daughter for a painting workshop. When she returned, she took up her new job as president of the Historic Lexington Foundation and continued her involvement in the Blueridge Garden Club, as well as The Ignorance Club, where the women write and present research papers. Beverly did herculean work as a member of the Miller’s House Museum Foundation, an effort to showcase transportation in 19th century Lexington. All this and she published her fourth book, a story of an autistic child titled, “I’m not Alice, I’m Alice.” Spence continues to write and edit. Added to his books and encyclopedias he published in 2014, he has four more slated for publication in 2015. And I complain about writing the class notes once every quarter. Go figure!

Terry and Harry MacGregor have a lot to be proud of – not the least is their children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Their son, Lee, was promoted to colonel and Harry pinned on the eagles that he wore while on active duty. They immediately traveled to West Virginia for 2015-Issue 2

their granddaughter’s graduation from high school (3.85 GPR), then went on to the U.S. Air Force Academy for graduation of their grandson – the number one graduate in his class who is on his way to Harvard University for his master’s. His brother graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a master’s, also courtesy of the USAF. Terry and Harry celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary, attended the 55th VMI Class Reunion and welcomed the birth of their first great-grandchild. A second great arrived a month later. Can’t beat that for a good year’s work.

Mel and Jean Anderson have been active keeping up with their kids and grandchildren. Daughter, Bonnie, and her kids trekked the Appalachian Trail for six months while Mel and Jean met them at strategic places along the way to resupply and give them moral support. After months of promises, Ann and I drove to Tampa to spend a few with Mel and Jean; specifically to visit the new Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg. The museum was nice but I kind of liked the old one better. We also visited old haunts like Tarpon Springs that Ann and I remember from the years my folks lived in that area. It was great being with them again reminiscing about the many trips we’ve shared together.

Larry and Nancy Wood bought all the red Santa cowboy hats in Las Vegas and had all their friends wear them to celebrate the true symbols of Christmas. Larry is active in his church activities and rides his bicycle to visit friends in the valley. Nancy returned to Newport News to attend her high school reunion and had so much fun they will make it an annual affair. Their kids and grandchildren are making their “daddy mighty proud.”

I enjoy receiving letters from Brad Willard, because they are always filled with great information. His latest was no different; enclosed were pictures of Brad at Lake Titicaca, a 13,000 foot elevated lake in Peru, with his new friends, the Uros Indians. They live on floating islands made of reeds. He visited Cuzco and that magical city of Machu Picchu.

It is hard to keep track of Ralph and Janice Rae Lawson. If they are not in Hilton Head, they are at the Homestead or over in Europe on a riverboat. Wherever they are, they are having a great time. The truth be

known, why do they even have a home in Cobbs Creek?

Jim and Linda Johnson have pretty much adjusted to Georgetown, Texas, albeit a much different lifestyle than Houston.

Jimmy was recently honored by the University of Texas School of Dentistry by being awarded with “emeritus” status by the Board of Regents. (See Alumni News in the next issue of the Alumni Review.)

Rusty Loth is on the mend. While working out at the gym, Rusty fell off the treadmill and hit his head, causing a gash that took 12 staples to close. With the help of Tylenol, he feels better, but he plans to watch out for those androids in the future.

Rusty traveled to Memphis to spend some quality time with his daughter. When he returned, he joined the LAME Squad at a luncheon at the Westminster Canterbury Sidewalk Café to cheer up BR Eggleston.

Others attending were Pate, Vermillion, Loth, Addison, Kornegay, Martin and Smith. Myers was AWOL, having gone to the wrong gathering location.

Jim Edmunds is trying to get used to being alone after 55 years, and it has its ups and downs. Thankfully, his son and daughter are making certain he’s not too lonely with daily phone calls and weekend movies and dinner. Jim enjoyed a nice lunch with Royall and Geri Geis, who were in the area visiting their daughter over the holidays.

Yours in the spirit, Shep

’60

L. Edward Tolley

Brother Rats: Regrettably, I report the death of Brother Rat Richard C. “Dick” Murphy Nov. 21, 2014. Dick suffered several maladies over the last few years that took him out of the very active support of our class in which he participated. I spoke with Mary Ann a couple of weeks earlier, and the report was dire. God bless our faithful brother rat and all the family.

Judy Brittingham sent a very nice card and note concerning the passing of Jerry’s and my brother, Bill ’56, passing on the same day.

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CLASS NOTES Congratulations are in order to George and Evie Uhlig in Price, Utah, on their 50th wedding anniversary! Welcome to the crowd, George and Evie! George still does consulting and teaching in the field of fire suppression chemistry.

Jim and Becky Schaaf are enjoying more time off his consulting work. Jim still tutors young children, and in addition to getting a daily dose of giggles, he sees the benefit of his efforts. His international family includes oldest son’s Israel residence and counterintelligence with the government, while the second son is in the missionary field walking through lands of the Bible.

John and Pat Moore sent a note of unofficial commitment to the 55th Reunion, April 20-21. They have a new address being 2103 Potomac Way, Naples, FL 34110.

Phil and Carol Hamric also plan to make the cross country trip from Boise, Idaho.

Ray and Terri Crickenberger’s message was the “read between the lines” type, but there were no lines! Got it, Ray. Reed and Valerie Myrick in Tempe, Arizona, enjoy their 15 grandchildren, especially when Reed is hunting or fishing with them.

Valerie’s recipe book continues to expand with new instructions for preparing prong horn sheep, Navajo trout, sage hens and whatever else Reed bags. Val’s bionic hip keeps her car trips short and hikes shorter.

Howard Moss was relieved of his other original hip this year, thus he will not be playing in the VMI alumni game. Sorry ’bout that guys, but even Howie can’t risk further injury. And Susan, having fractured her kicking foot, will be sidelined for a while. Really, both Mosses are doing exceptionally well, they’re tough and living the good life on the lower James.

Denny and Sandy Zay reminded that all is well on the Outer Banks area of North Carolina. Denny is still singing, if you stretch a point (yuk, yuk). I’m sure the Zays will be “present and accounted for” come April 20.

Tom and Annamarie Kurkoski also plan to make it.

Jay Jarrett is working on making the reunion and a Tennessee wedding flange up.

Bob and Lucy Clay spent time in Copper Mountain, Colorado, skiing. Haven’t heard but hope they escaped the avalanches.

Peanuts and Jan Elliott had a softer winter due to Peanuts’ back surgery and selfimposed therapy. All is well now and it is 58

back to tree care and enjoyment with the grandchildren.

John and Lin Hilliard continue to give tours at Patrick Air Force Base Space and Missile Museum (he) and poodle rescue (she). Their family is spread across the U.S. and visits seem to get farther apart.

Don and Lynn Hammonds sent me a copy of the presentation given by their son, U.S. Army Ranger Maj. Chris Hammonds, at the 75th Infantry Regiment D-Day Pointe Du Hoc, Normandy, Commemoration. Chris’ presentation is short, very meaningful and hard hitting – very much in the code of the “Rangers Lead the Way.” Understandably, the trip was awesome for Kaintuck.

George and Ginny Ax went to Florida to escape Virginia’s winter. They went to Italy back in October and plan to return to the Mediterranean, Sicily and lower Europe in 2015 for more good food and wine! Didn’t take George long to stop working!

Likewise, Jim and Carol Seeley have settled back into an “enjoy our work!” position.

Their sixth grandchild is on the way.

Bill and Sue Knowles spent the Thanksgiving holiday week riverboat paddling up the Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis. No, they didn’t eat too much of that delicious Cajun cuisine! I chatted with Bill at a VMI basketball game in early February, and he was back in his reduced sized belt.

Vaughn and Helen Foxwell kept busy traveling the states and to France. They reaped a bountiful crop of soybeans thanks to a great growing season, and they celebrated a welcomed election return as their man won the Maryland governorship. Their Christmas Eve service at the Rehobeth Presbyterian Church asked for needed peace in the world and protection for those who keep us safe.

Looks like Mike Pitt and Betty Hudgins may be moving. The sign on their singlewide had a foreclosure “For Sale” sign on it. Don’t know what they plan to do about the chickens.

In Houston, Texas, Neal and Pat Callahan attended the New Market Cadet grave May 15. The ceremony was beautifully and honorably done.

Got a nice note from Tony and Janice DiCaprio and from Eva Gillespie in traffic central, Virginia. Big Ed and Linda Duncan spent a quieter year in Reva, Virginia.

Chris and Linda Fleet, another 50th

anniversary celebrating couple, are enjoying having the families of sons Tim and Taylor closer. Chris and Linda visited friends in Bavaria, attended the awesome Omaha Beach D-Day ceremonies in Normandy and enjoyed the green of the Irish coast. Landscaping their new front lawn turned into a hernia experience. I use smaller rocks, Chris.

Jimbo and Ruth Smith are gearing up for the next golf tournament. Jack Seamon may be able to join me and sister, Doris, for golf at Ashby Chamberlin’s club in Bethesda, Maryland, in June.

Jerry Herrmann and Mary Ann Pipping had their beauty struck in front of the Mount Rushmore Monument. Wow! But your head is too big, Jerry. It won’t fit!

Doc and Dorcas Mallory are doing fine in Millwood, Virginia, and likewise, John and Fran Olsen in Richmond. But, per Judy, Wayne LeBlang is on the gim – back surgery the week of Thanksgiving. Christmas was quiet.

Jeep and Linda Goodwillie won’t be making the 55th due to a grandson’s wedding in Connecticut. What shall we do without your words of wisdom, Jeep? I see you’re still “volunteering” at the state penitentiary, Jeep. What are visiting hours? I’ll ask Herb Vaughan to drop by.

I had a surprise visit from George Salaita in mid-December. He was on his way back home from a visit to Lexington. He is still very alert and in pursuit of knowledge concerning his many hobbies. I gave him a tour of several projects I’ve completed in the local area. He gave me a preview of the book, “Best Regrets, VMI’s John McKenna and the Lost Age of College Football,” by Roland Lazenby ’74 and Mike Ashley – a copy of which I received last week but have not begun to read. He was very interested in the health of brother rats, and by the way, George is in great shape, showing several more wrinkles since our last get-together. It was discovered that the “black-out” he suffered last year was due to a new batch of sauce he acquired from a mountain neighbor. He indicated that he might not make our 55th in April due to commitments already made.

Mike Shoemaker’s card contained a special poem which prompted a call. He and Alice are doing well in Virginia Beach.

Thanksgiving week was big time as they VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES spent time in traffic in Bethesda area and with family. Mike and Bill Mizell ’62 visit routinely and recently discussed the football coach prospects for VMI. Prospects are good?

G.G. and Frances Phillips rounded up all their young’uns for a grand gathering photo – lots of teeth showing and excellent needlepoint displays of fowls and farm animals made by the children. What is the latest count of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren (?), Frances?

Sure was sad to hear that Jack Willard only got in seven holes of golf recently.

Of course, that’s why he got his Christmas cards finished on time – to both Anneliese’s and my astonishment. Jack, you be ready for Sisler, Horner, Pool, Morabit, Jimbo Smith, Henry Brown and the other toughies who are more dependable than the U.S. Postal Service when daylight comes and there is a golf course within driving distance.

“Miss Suntan,” aka Ella Sisler, has her “Bananas” man in tip top shape and itching for a sucker with extra cash in his pocket.

Now hear this: Carl and Barbara Benner won’t make the 55th – no reason given – but he says he’s holding strong to a 12.4 golf index and manages their community’s Friday morning golf outing (10th year of doing it) of 12 foursomes, even being 75!

He’s not bragging. Like hell! He promises to be at our 60th. We will remember, Carl.

Late news relative to Joe Morabit is that he had a fall while playing pickle ball which affected his breathing. After an air flight to the hospital where his daughter works, a tracheotomy improved air flow.

He also fractured several ribs. (He should have played touch football.) But he is on the mend, and being tough as nails, when the call comes to hit the course, he’ll be there. Keep an eye on him, Bananas.

Ed Martin is set for his trip to Lexington in April.

George and Judy Miller survive in San Clemente, California, since the big slide has not occurred!

Buddy and Jeanne Frith will return to Rockbridge in anticipation of a nostalgic reunion with the brother rats and friends.

Bill and Bev Driver each spent several days checking out the interior decorations of the local hospital this year. Assisting daughter Constance tend to seven horses and six dogs limits traveling and nixed plans to our reunion.

2015-Issue 2

Class of 1961: At the Swinging Bridge restaurant in Paint Bank, Virginia, Nov. 1, 2014, were, from left, front row, Edna Henning, Barbara Phlegar, Cilia Kurstedt, Jim Oliver and Betty Orndorff. Second row: George Henning, Harold Kurstedt, Mitch Kot and Barry Orndorff. Back row: Tom Phlegar, Jennifer Kot and Connie Oliver.

Jim and Irma Bagby are still doing one wake-up at a time. We’ll see them in April.

Ed and Kathleen Robertson are well and easing along in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Brad Lampshire informed me that a few medical problems make his attendance at the 55th doubtful.

Talk about teeth! Like many photo cards I received, Ashby and Katie Chamberlin’s was full of a bunch of smiling girls – and a few boys – saying cheese! Ashby, when are you going to take care of that missing incisor? Also like many other BR families, the Chamberlin offspring are busy building America. Katie has written a book, the title of which caught my eye and interest, “From Shame to Glory: Your Pathway to Freedom.” Yep, I ordered a couple copies.

Barbara Coates, Bettina Graham, Reba Bayliss, Val Cochran, Lorrie Sauder, Marjorie Gough, Marjorie Carver and Liz Duncan all sent best wishes for the families of the Class of ’60.

Bob Graves always comforts me with his message of love and forgiveness.

As for yours truly, I lost another brother, Carl, in January to leukemia. He was 74.

And I broke the fibula bone of my left foot last month. It is OK now. I’m getting lazier, if that is possible.

Ahh ... now for that Baccarat Churchill and my glass of merlot!

Later, BRs.

’61

Sal Vitale Jr.

Meeting my page allotment with news was very easy. Because I ran out of space, please look at the pictures to see who attended the following events: The October Huddle and Browning event at Natural Bridge was a big success, except Frank Oley was missing.

The same weekend, VMI football players attended an event featuring the book about Coach McKenna. The event was very well attended by 1961 BRs and spouses, except Marty Caples did not make it. Marty said, “I sure miss getting together with you good folks. Just have to get off my duff and get back east.” At the Institute Society Dinner, we again had the greatest number of attendees.

However, Lee and Betsy Badgett were missing. For New Year’s, Sue and I were at the Gibbings’ for dinner, but Respess was missing. Sue and I attended the VMI versus The Citadel football game, and so did Jerri and Larry Wetsel, Hugh and Nelle Gouldthorpe, Leland Caldwell ’63, Mike Curley ’63 and Mike Smither ’63.

I always enjoy hearing from our brother rats’ widows. Ann McCormick celebrates Pete’s life every day by placing a lighted candle in Pete’s office window. She said, “It 59

CLASS NOTES glows for Pete and all who have served and are serving us so faithfully.”

Virginia Dabney moved from Lexington to Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg, and when I spoke to Virginia, she said, “Life could not be better.” Living at Westminster allows her to see her grandchildren go to the nearby Episcopal school every day and visit with her son, who lives across the street.

Beverly Austin Hanlin retired from Fork Union, and now that she can enjoy life, her husband Larry died in November. When BR Gerry Austin died, Larry Hanlin raised Gerry’s two boys.

Nina Grazulis is doing OK, but she still does not have her own email. Her daughter, Regina, said her mom just doesn’t want to get with the program.

Maria Anjier started chemotherapy in November and said, “When I see all the other people much younger than I undergoing cancer treatment at the Shaw Cancer Center, I consider myself lucky to have lived this long.”

Ann Woodfin’s health has been improving very slowly. She does not hear well and therefore does not talk on the phone. Her daughter, Susan, said that getting her to use her iPad is near impossible. Should you want to find out how Ann is, you need to call her daughter, Susan.

Nancy Phillips says that all is well in her life.

Gaylia Hudgins spent another great summer in Jackson Hole, where she volunteered at the National Elk Refuge and also at the Grand Teton Park.

Geraldine Nicholas Moore moved to Yorktown, Virginia, with their daughter, Karen.

Geraldine is busy with the church, woman’s club and, of course, plays Bunco and has frequent lunches with girlfriends.

Barbara Jean LeFon took her annual trip to Germany and had a wonderful time being with friends that she and “Bootsie” spent time with when they both were there.

Brother Rat J. Clark Booth broke a 55-year silence and called me. He would love to hear from the BRs. Clark lives with his daughter in Clearwater, Florida, is retired, is in OK health, loves his deer and wolf hounds, and walks a lot.

David and Edwina Thomas are very busy.

Edwina is still traveling for her ministry.

David tutors math and volunteers at the local food pantry. Congratulations to David’s son, Greg, who was selected as a director of engineering for the Air Dominance Division at Elgin Air Force Base.

60

Class of 1961: At the Coach McKenna dinner held at the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics Oct. 31, 2014, were, from left, seated, Stu Woodcock, Ken Legum, Paul Johnston, Dick Weede and Lou Shuba. Standing: Don Kern, Ken Patrick, Larry Wetsel, Jim Bickford and Bill Haeberlein. Present but not pictured were Howard Dyer and many spouses.

Fred and Sheila Kressierer’s lives are filled with the nine grandchildren from 15 months to 21 years old. Fred volunteers as the treasurer at the Regina Crisis Center in Cleveland and is president of their Homeowner’s Association.

Sheila teaches Bible study and very much enjoys playing grandma. Fred and Sheila vacationed in New Orleans and especially enjoyed the bayous swamp tour, and then went to Pasadena, California, for New Year’s and the Rose Bowl and dined on the Queen Mary.

My 4th Class roommate, Joe Lisiecki, emails me funny Italian gangster jokes, but I think I am one up on him, as he lives in Chicago – the No.1 crime city in the U.S. Joe and MaryAnn are in good health and maybe they will make our 55th Reunion.

Andy and Peggy Myruski have just welcomed their first grandchild and they are enjoying her. Andy and Peggy are spending the winter in Naples, Florida, near several of our other brother rats.

Mike and Beverly Wash took a Princess cruise and had a photo taken on formal night.

They used the picture for their Christmas card, and when I saw it, I thought the man pictured was a movie star and not Mike, so I called. It was Mike. (Smile) Ron and Fran McNemar had a wonderful healthy year except for some root canal and cataract surgery. Ron says his granddaughter is looking at VMI. Tom and Jan Artman continue to support the central Illinois professional healers of the medical profession. (Sounds like many of us.)

Other than that, there’s no big news to report, and that’s a blessing.

Ed and Phyllis Hollowell have had a good year. Phyllis enjoys art and painting projects, quilting, church work and the local Republican

Party. Ed continues teaching boating classes and serving as staff officer with the CGA and is a stand-in priest for several Anglican churches in the valley.

Troy and June Jones are enjoying their grandchildren and often take them to afterschool activities like the Ninja Warrior gym class.

Jim and Ann Miner started 2014 with a cruise on the Danube with friends, trips to Lexington to watch the cadets and to Destin for R&R. Jim represented VMI at the gravesite of an 1864 cadet who fought the Battle of New Market. Hannah, Jim’s daughter, was elected as county magistrate and took office in January, and yes, our daughter, Cathy, also won her Maryland delegate election by a big margin.

Dave and Carole Magee celebrated their 50th anniversary and all the family members (15) showed up for the party.

Dick and Dianne Stone visited the Magees in January on Dick’s trip to Key West.

Lou and Pris Shuba are doing well; Lou with his second hip replacement and Pris with her second reverse shoulder replacement. Bob and Jeanne Burks started 2015 with a cruise and then traveled to Roanoke to visit family and friends and had dinner with George and Edna Henning and Barry and Betty Orndorff. Bobby, a model train buff, saw John Trout ’59 at a model train show. John was a vendor.

Dick and Rita Huneycutt had a difficult year, but since Thanksgiving, both of their health has improved.

Dick and Ann Weede’s son rotated out of Afghanistan after his second year as an adviser. (Thanks be to God.) Dick, an avid turkey hunter, got his first turkey on opening day only 200 yards from the house.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Jim and Connie Oliver took two trips to Montana, two trips to the beach, attended the brother rat cruise and a sightseeing adventure to Washington, D.C. Bill and Connie Nelms celebrated their 50th anniversary, and their families were able to join them. Bill continues to join the BRs for breakfast at Joe’s.

Bob and Suellen Reitz are busy, with Suellen volunteering at the church and teaching Sunday school and singing with Bob for the Cherokee Chorale. Bob said his knees, heart, etc. are under control. Bob is assisting a wounded warrior whose parents attend their church.

Spike and Mary Callander are in good health and attended the class cruise and all of the golfing outings.

Spike loves his golf and participates in two senior leagues. Every time I travel to Holiday Lake near Appomattox for VA Hunting Instructors events, I always think about visiting Roy and Nancy Whitehouse, but I only had their P.O. Box address. By the time you read this Review, I will have visited with them.

It seemed that no sooner did Betsy and Lee Badgett settle in the Colorado home, their family members began to disperse. I hear rumors that they may be looking at The Villages. Lee was preoccupied with VMI’s struggle to win the NCAA National Coolest Logo Contest for four months, and with his hard work, we did.

Nancy and James Gabbert enjoyed voting in the Coolest College Logo Contest, except that Jim’s fingers are about 2 inches shorter from pressing the keyboard so many times. Hopefully now that Jim is not a caregiver, he will have the time to join the BRs. Bill and Sandy Puette were in Lexington to see the George Washington University football game and visit with their newly born grandson.

Tim and Sandy Bryant are enjoying their grandchildren, especially since their sons kept them waiting for a long time. Tim frequently volunteers to baby-sit.

Gerry and Charlene Eubank expect 2015-Issue 2

Class of 1961: At the Institute Society Dinner Nov. 11, 2014, at the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics in Lexington, Virginia, were, from left, first row, Stu Woodcock, Sal Vitale, Rhett Clarkson and Battle Haslam. Second row: Harrison Fridley, Carl Hirsch, John J.C. Miller and Warren Copenhaver. Third row: Bill Keech, Don Wilkinson and Dave Harbach. Fourth row: Gates Richards, Herschel Murray, Paul Johnston and Ed Hollowell. Fifth row: Willard Hoskins, Dick Youngblood, Ben Lynch and Bill Gibbings. Sixth row: Jim Needham, Larry Wetsel, George Henning and Ken Ayala. Many of their spouses were present but not pictured.

Class of 1961: At the Gibbings’ home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Dec. 31, 2014, were, from left, Sue Vitale, Larry Wetsel, Jerri Wetsel, Joyce Gibbings, Charlotte Harbach, Bill Gibbings and David Harbach.

to be with the brothers at a few golf outings this coming year. Gerry still has a few issues with his lyme disease but is doing OK. Hugh and Nelle Gouldthorpe have been making the rounds, and several BRs have been visiting them at their home in Beaufort.

Sue and I visited with them and the Wetsel’s at The Citadel football game.

Bev and Elece Scott are still in Williamsburg. Bev is working on an Interstate project in northern Virginia which he thinks may be his last project. Bev, as you may remember, was a great basketball player and had to leave VMI because of a reoccurring problem due to a concussion.

Jim and Carol Berger are still running the lumberyard in Lexington and take life day by day.

Jim was in Tucson for the 50th pilot class reunion.

Dick McMurray’s activities are limited to grandchildren, frequent speeches to the Civil War groups, various tours along USA Rivers and trying to get a book written on Gen. Joseph E Johnston.

Bill and Norma Phillips are both in good health and are trying to keep up with the grandkids.

Dave and Cammie Bella never stop. Dave is working with two other retired professors to encourage the planning of and actualizing a “walkable community.” Cammie continues preaching, spiritual direction, and leading classes and retreats. They both enjoyed a trip to Québec, Canada, where Dave gave a plenary session at the American Fisheries Society conference.

Lou and Jane Kiger are in pretty good health with no more than a few aches and pains. The day before their flight from Richmond to California and Hawaii, Lou had dinner with Bill Phillips and Dick Jarvis and enjoyed seeing his old roommates again. Hawaii was great!

Bill Hala now spends more time 61

CLASS NOTES in his Ontario home than New York. Bill had Thanksgiving in New York and headed to The Villages after Christmas with his friend, Irene.

Irene is a golfer, and Bill says he will take golf up again after a 50-year hiatus.

During The Citadel football weekend, Sue and I saw James “Jimbo” Ring ’88 and his family. Jimbo flies around the world visiting the units he commands. Jim and Frankie Ring have several events to be proud of. First, their granddaughter, Kristine Merriman (the daughter of Mathew Merriman ’81), earned her doctorate degree from Oxford in biblical scientific archeology. Secondly, Jim and Frankie reconnected with one of the very first troubled youths they helped in Charleston. They sent him to Episcopal High in Alexandria, where he became a McDonalds All-American basketball player, graduated from The Citadel, joined the Air Force, then started his own business and was recently recognized as one of the top 10 young people in America by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Wow! In January, Harrison and Terry Fridley took a short cruise and returned home to some really cold weather. Harrison sent me a Roanoke Times Dispatch article written by Charles Bryan ’69. The article recalled the festivities that took place in the ’60s during Thanksgiving Day in Roanoke. It brought back wonderful memories for me and the Thanksgiving dinners I had with Bill Sink ’58 and his family.

Mike Carmichael received a call from Frank Oley. Before Christmas, Frank and Marion started east and simultaneous with their arrival in Dallas (the first leg of their trip), Frank’s neighbor called him to say an upstairs bathroom water pipe broke, and his house was completely flooded. Frank and Marion have been staying in a hotel as they supervise the renovation of their house, and maybe this spring they will come east.

John and Irene Gangemi have had a quiet year except for Irene’s severe arthritis. John continues his volunteer activities and clubs in the Wilmington area and agreed to serve as president of the newly formed Wilmington Chapter of the VMI Alumni Association.

John and Henry Brown ’60 are well-known volunteers at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and John and Henry were disappointed with the VMI loss to UNCW and are ready to handle the hecklings. Hopefully Irene will feel better and join the class again for golf, Scrapple and bridge.

Don Wilkinson is very busy leading the 62

new VMI Campaign, and he may be seeing a lot of us in order to convince us to increase our support. (Smile) Don did have a great weekend in Sarasota, Florida, with John Miller, Bob Polk and Rhett Clarkson.

Mitch and Jennifer Kot returned to Vietnam in February for three months to form a new class of business owners and teach them the marketing module until a couple from Huntsville will be taking the Kots’ place. Mitch is still not ready to retire, and looking at him, he has plenty of good years left.

Holmes Smith and Kenner Rice attended the Gardner Webb University football game, and from the looks of the photo they sent me, they both are in great shape. On Jan. 2, 2015, Holmes and Jeanette Smith celebrated the wedding of their son, Randy, to a beautiful daughter-in-law, Normie. The family picture emailed to me had six Smith sons and grandsons. Holmes attended the Virginia Surveyors Convention in Richmond, where he was the most senior active Virginia surveyor to attend and the only professional engineer. Holmes is trying to achieve at least 50 years of active professional service.

Bob Coltrane had his share of snow and is staying in shape by removing it. The snow was deep enough that Bob used a snow blower to clear his deck and emailed a picture taken

by Loretta while she was in the house where it was toasty and warm.

It was great to hear from Jerry Mollock.

Jerry is involved in several volunteer organizations, served as the chorus manager for his barbershop chorus and plans to assist with the

Special Olympics next spring. With all that, he finds time to travel to see all his 18 grandchildren. Annie and Jerry do a lot of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking and biking.

Harbert and Nora Alexander are in good health. Alex stays in touch by phone and email with Ernie Johnson, who continues to do well. Ernie is restricted due to a stroke several years ago and cannot drive, so Alex visits him at home. (I did hear from Ernie Johnson that Alex is writing a new book slated for publication probably late summer). Alex attended a Civil War show in Nashville with over 1,000 dealers selling and buying relics. Alex saw a picture of the charge at New Market on a portfolio and ended up buying an 1862 letter written by Cadet William H. Cabell ’865.

(Cadet Cabell was killed at New Market.) For all those who served in Germany, the Alpine Horn music must bring a smile.

Tom Jones remembers watching the TV show in Munich with his in-laws and Karin (his first wife). The program went on for two hours Saturday night prime time, and it had a huge following for over 30 years but is now gone! Now Tom and Annett just watch the snow fall and fall and fall.

Rod and Doris Hudgins spent the holidays moving their townhouse and office furniture sooner than anticipated, because they sold the residence very quickly. Rod plans to retire in 2016 in time for our 55th Reunion and spend more time with the brother rats.

Don and Ann Rishell have moved to Fort Myers, Florida. Don, an entrepreneur, finally received financing for his coal project

Class of 1961: At dinner in Natural Bridge, Virginia, Oct. 31, 2014, were, from left, seated, Faye Bradshaw, Heather Browning, Tom Bradshaw, Betty Orndorff and Bee Gee Duncan (REL’s friend). Standing: Larry Williams, Sue Vitale, Barry Orndorff, Sal Vitale, Hill Browning and Bob “REL” Huddle.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES in southern Virginia and now can continue with the plans. Their son, Len, is still on home dialysis 5 days a week while he waits for a transplant.

Dick and Judy Youngblood both continue to work at Youngblood Properties, LLC, for Nancy, their daughter, and it was a good year.

Dick took advantage of the mild winter and planted 500-600 bulbs in the yard; the only ones the deer don’t eat. As with many families that have to share kid with in-laws, the Youngbloods celebrated Christmas early.

Dick and Judy did attend Bootie Farleigh’s annual Christmas soirée and had a great time.

Battle Haslam and Elisabeth enjoyed Christmas in Chapel Hill where Battle played the piano for a church Christmas carol sing along, and a couple of weeks later he was the piano guy in the Wild Turkey Lounge at the legendary Angus Barn Steak House in Raleigh from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.. When he counted the money in the tip jar, he collected $34! Battle’s son, Bryan Haslam ’90, dubbed his dad “Lounge Lizard, with very old groupies!” Bryan is a certified registered nurse anesthetist and receives many “requests” from the operating room staff to provide their anesthesia. Grandson Wynn Haslam ’17 is doing well with his academics (biology major), physical fitness and military and has maintained his regimental S3 corporal rank.

Dick and Kim Lindquist have had 12 months of very annoying minor medical and dental ailments that have sapped much of their time and mental energy. Dick had some minor neurologic events which happily turned out not to be a stroke. Two Vietnam tours and Agent Orange, as many of you know, can make life interesting.

George, who retired in April, and Edna Henning bought a house in The Villages, and by the time you read this, they will be there. I never thought I’d see the day when George would leave Roanoke.

Bob Von Hellens and his former 4th Class year roommate, Jim Richards (W&L High School ’57), reunited at their 50th high school reunion. Jim had to leave VMI due to a medical condition. Bob’s flight back to Phoenix went through Orlando, and he had some time to kill. Two hours later, Bob owned a house close to Sumter Landing in The Villages.

The house is a rental property for the winter months and a get-away for Bob from the heat during the Arizona summer.

To make room for more books, Bill Maurer 2015-Issue 2

cleaned out his garage, where he found a picture of two good looking members of the Class of ’61 – himself with Bob Polk. The picture was taken when they visited their sons, Adam Maurer ’95 and Kurt Polk ’95, sometime in the ’90s.

Tom Rutledge is still working as a lawyer in Charleston, and every once in a while he makes it back to the family farm in Virginia.

Tom promised me that the next time he is in Virginia in 2015, we will break bread together.

Chris Walz is back to his normal aches and pains after a University of Virginia heart specialist fixed three arteries. In April, Chris married Susanna Cook, who you may remember was with Chris at our 50th. Congratulations to both of you. Chris’s daughter-in-law is a historical architect and managed a number of historical projects including the restoration of the old VMI commandant quarters. This past October, Chris and his son, Robert, attended the Page Bond Gallery in Richmond for the opening in the library of Robert Walz art: “Partia 2014.”

Jack and Nancy Bell have finally recovered from the holiday visits of their children, grandchildren and their friends. Jack plans to be at the brother rat Orlando golf trip in February (after these notes are submitted).and has a date for lunch and boating with Hill and Heather Browning and Dave and Judith Elliott.

Tom and Barbara Phlegar enjoyed swimming with the stingrays in the Grand Cayman’s and soon will have visited Greece. Tom keeps busy at the family farm in New River and being president of the Charlotte Folk Society. The Swinging Bridge Restaurant in Paint Bank, Virginia, hosted the dinner for BRs Jim and Connie Oliver, Barry and Betty Orndorff, George and Edna Henning, Mitch and Jennifer Kot, Harold and Cilia Kurstedt, Dan and Kathy Phlegar ’66, and Tom and Barbara Phlegar. Harold still teaches and gives seminars. The brothers plan to make this dinner at the bridge an annual event. Also, should you have any ideas about another class trip, let Tom Phlegar know.

Alison Drescher will be bike riding again this year to help our disabled veterans. Alison is very serious about biking for this event, and even when it is cold and windy outside, like it has been here in early February, he is very motivated and gets out and trains.

Since the last Review, I have sent you almost weekly updates on the health of our brother rats, and I am not going to take any more

space in this Review to tell you what you already know. For the few of you who do not have email, let me say that, as far as I know, all of our brother rats, spouses and widows are dealing with the various medical conditions they have, and all I ask you to do is please keep all of us in your prayers.

I am saddened that my dyke, Ancher Lee Madison Jr. ’64, has health problems and did not attend his 50th Reunion. Ancher and his wife, Gerry, are great folks and raised a fine family.

I want to thank all of the following brother rats and widows who took the time to remember Sue and me at Christmas, and they are as follows: Alligood, Maria Anjier, Artman, Randolph Aylor, Badgett, Paula Ballard, Bell, Bella, Berger, Bickford, Birindelli, Bissell, Carolyn Brown, Bryant, Burks, John Butler, Callander, Coen, Coltrane, Copenhaver, Curtis, Daniels, Deaner, Drescher, Durrette, Gerry Eubank, Fridley, Mary Fulghum Palmer, Gabbert, Gangemi, Gibbings, Gilbert, Goldman, Gouldthorpe, Nina Grazulis, Hanlein, Harbach, Harrison, Hartford, Haslam, Henning, Hirsch, Ed Hollowell, Willard Hoskins, Gaylia Hudgins, Huneycutt, Jarvis, Ernie Johnson, Paul Johnston, Tom Jones, Troy “L.T.” Jones, Keech, Kiger, Kressierer, Barbara Jean LeFon, McLester, Lisiecki, Magee, Maurer, , McMurray, McNemar, Len Martin, David Martin, Miner, Moore, H. Murray, Myruski, Nelms, Geraldine Nicholas Moore, Oliver, Orndorff, Nancy Phillips. Bill Phillips, Phlegar, Preston, Puette, Redd, Reitz, Respess, Rice, Ring, Rishell, Mary Jane Roberts, Beverley Scott, Shuba, Barry “MBE” Smith, Clayton Smith, Fred Stephenson, Stokes, Dick Stone, Tarrall, Thomas, Wash, Weede, Wells, Wetsel, Whalen, Whitehouse, Williamson, Elfriede Winiker, Kim Wise, Woodcock and Youngblood.

I am sorry to report that Brother Rat Kirk W. Dance Sr. died Dec.7, 2014. Kirk attended VMI for one year (our 4th Class year) and left to get married to Janet, his wife of 55 years.

Kirk later graduated from Lynchburg College with a degree in physics and worked at General Electric, Motorola and several other companies. He formed Cincinnati Network, Oscillator and Crystal Corporation, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and after eventually selling CINOX, Kirk and Janet retired to Appomattox County, where they built “Stone Ridge” and enjoyed 15 years of country life. Kirk and Janet later 63

CLASS NOTES moved back to Lynchburg and restored yet another older house. Janet said several VMI people were at the viewing, and the flowers were beautiful.

A special thanks to John “J.C.” Tharrington, who hosted Sue and me several times for the evening so we could get an early start to VMI. “J.C.” is in good health.

Also thanks to Ashby Taylor, who does not have email but welcomes calls from the BRs. His historic house renovation is coming along.

Pat Webb retired from the VMI Foundation not long after our 50th Reunion and is finally adjusting to his new life. I miss my chats with the Texas A&M University graduate who, in my view, adapted to VMI very quickly. Sometimes it was hard to believe Pat was not one of us. (Smile) Our 55th Reunion will take place Monday, April 18, and Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Please be there!

Please stay well, and God Bless the USA, VMI, the brother rats and families. It is time to put God back in our lives and to hell with political correctness.

Tony Curtis

’62

Jerry Burnett

Nov. 1, 2014, to Feb. 15, 2015: I would like to start this one off with a big thank you to BR Ed Howe, who came over in December and helped me and Judy address, sort, insert, stamp and seal 300 BR Christmas cards!

From Tito Gorbea: “Our daughter, Nellie M. Gorbea, was elected the secretary of state of Rhode Island. We are very proud of her accomplishment and are certain that she will do a great job as RI’s next secretary of state.

I would like to thank all of our BRs who provided encouragement and financial support to Nellie Gorbea in her electoral race. She was sworn in Jan. 6, 2015, and her proud parents were there for the occasion in 16-degree temperature on the steps of the Rhode Island State House. Nellie is the first Hispanic female to 64

Class of 1962: Ed Strickler’s models.

be elected as secretary of state in all of New England.”

Marcus Muth: “Passed this up today at a country feed store; bought some clover instead. The idea is to put this big plastic thing over you – note that is has a kind of chair under it – and wait for some bird to think he has to get a closer look because it’s the biggest Canada goose he’s ever seen ... then when he gets in range, you blast him.”

Mott Robertson sent: “Diane and I enjoyed celebrating my 75th birthday with Nell and Howard Cobb in Richmond Jan. 7 and later that evening with Patsy and Bowles Pender here in Williamsburg. Good that we did that then, because on the 14th, Diane fractured her left ankle and was in a splint/cast for a week and is now in a boot for several weeks awaiting clearance to begin weight bearing.

Here we are at the Saint Andrews Society celebration of Burns Night on the 24th. Note the wheelchair in the background. We are both looking forward to her full recovery soon.”

Ran Hamner wrote: “John and Kristine Candler are planning a trip to Snake Acres in early March to visit her daughter at Duke. I will introduce them to my new ‘significant other,’ Allison Bass, whom I met at church, which just goes to show that going to church is very important. In addition, I am looking forward to going to Lexington to help with De Worrell’s Annual Memorial Handball Tournament March 14. It is a marvelous event which is so graciously hosted by Carolyn and attended by scores of De’s dear handball friends. Finally, I got a great email about Binnie Peay’s schedule to address alumni groups in Charlotte and Fayetteville. It will be so good to hear Binnie’s State of the Institute remarks.”

From Jim Richards: “I visited Bob and Marianne Tyson in their home in Martinez, Georgia, Feb. 4. After the fall in which he broke six vertebrae in his back, Bob is wheelchair bound but in excellent spirits. He is as

feisty as ever, remembering events from as far back as our high school days together. Marianne continues to care for Bob’s every need in a wonderful but compassionate manner. We called Ed Northrop, and he is still directing his South Georgia hamburger empire which is run by his kids. Flo and I are fine, though somewhat travel limited because of her back and heart problems. This year, I will serve on the county Board of Equalization again to help citizens resolve discrepancies in their property assessments. I left the Board of Social Services recently – term limited after eight years.”

From Lou and Sue Ritchie: “With the crazy weather the northeast is having this winter, Sue and I are most appreciative to be living for most of the year in south Florida, where the weather is always great and the golf courses beckon. We spent a very pleasant few hours with Tony and Judy Curtis in December at our house and later over lunch. It was great to catch up with them and reminisce over the last 50-some years. We live at PGA National Resort and Spa, and our annual big event occurs toward the end of February and first of March with the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic. We live on the 14th fairway of the Champion Course and have had a ringside seat to this event for all the years it has been played here. In early March, Sue and I celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary cruising the eastern Caribbean, and in August, we will take our third Viking River Cruise, this time along the Danube from Passau, Germany to Budapest.”

Cal Seybold reported that his son, U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Clinton C. Seybold ’92, IN, was selected for Fiscal Year 2015 USAR Battalion Command in American Samoa starting this summer. This may force some trips to the South Pacific to make sure all is well down there over the next couple of years. Cal and wife (Roxanna) met the family in Long Beach, California, for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving dinner was enjoyed by all VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES aboard the permanently docked Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor. Cal and Roxanna have started to work on their “bucket list” of travels this year, with driving trips to the Florida Keys this winter and possibly the Balloon Festival in New Mexico in the fall. They are also planning a trip to Rome, Italy, this year to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Jim Galloway: “I started out with the Class of 1962, but since we were in the Rat Line the whole year, I didn’t get to know many of you very well. I left at Christmas my 3rd Class year and finished my Bachelor of Science degree at East Carolina University and had a hell of a lot more fun doing it. My time at the Institute helped me a lot, because when I went to Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Florida, I already knew how to shine my shoes and stand up straight.”

From Fred Shirley: “This past July (2014), my family of 15, including seven grandchildren, gathered in Castle Pines, ColoraClass of do, (south of Denver) to celebrate my 75th birthday. Rain forced us inside, but the view of the Rockies was spectacular, regardless of the weather. Judy and I and the rest of the family had a grand time, and being near the Rockies was special to me. 52 years ago, after graduating and before going into the Army in November ’62, I worked as a park ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park. The year 2015 will be mostly taken up by several trips to Colorado to see our eighth grandchild – due in July – and to the Woodlands in Texas in June to see our first grandchild Class of (Maddy) graduate from high school. My health is great, considering a triple-bypass, a stent and a pacemaker. And I now weigh 182 pounds. That’s 20 pounds less than when I graduated.”

From Jim Wood: “I am in the process of getting my current house ready for sale and moving to a much smaller dwelling.”

Doug Marechal wrote: “I have breakfast or lunch frequently with Jim Vest, Columbus Cartwright, Lewis Graybill and Jerry Wagner. I’ve been to several basketball games and always see Lewis, Jim, Columbus and Jerry. I 2015-Issue 2

also had an Alumni Association board meeting this past weekend and saw BR Larry Wilson and his wife, Betsy. General Peay, as always, gave a great report on the Institute – his energy level and love for VMI is truly awesome!”

Ada W. Patton wrote: “I’m sure most of you know Jay died a little over a year ago. He was in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease and was residing in a facility where his needs

Mikaela Arey, from Tampa has won two triathlons – one in Tampa and one in Jax, competing in age group 5-6. Both had about 35 competitors – boys and girls – and Mikaela beat ’em all. She appears to be an athlete. Her brother, Evan, age 4, competed in a threehole golf tournament at Disney, and I served as his caddy. Both now have a new baby sister, Daniela, born Jan. 2. Now we have five grandchildren. Donnie III, age 42, is not married and continues to serve as a professional basketball instructor for the NBA and the Orlando Magic in their camps. He has been to 27 countries and 46 states in the last five years. I hope that he will settle down and seek a D-1 assistant coach job somewhere.”

Bill and Donna Fisher took their annual trek to Key West, Ft. Myers Beach and Sun City Center, Florida.

From Bill Mizell: “The highlight of my winter so far is taking a golf trip with a group of guys to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for six days over Super Bowl weekend. We had a 1962: Diane and Mott Robertson. good time, missing the rainy, freezing weather in Virginia Beach during that time. My health is good; Bebe (little white dog!) is fine and sends her salutations.”

From Fred Mangino: “On Feb. 19, I will celebrate my 75th birthday with nearly 60 friends. We will gather at the Grenville Hotel and Restaurant in Bay Head, New Jersey. This is about half as many that helped me celebrate my 70th birthday. Shortly after my birthday celebration, I will vacation on my first trip to Aruba and look forward to the 80-plus degree temperatures for a week in March. My friend, 1962: Tom Coulbourn and Byrd Rawlings.

Linda, will accompany me. This past January, I became a great-grandfather. were met far better than I could possibly do My 20-year-old grandson, Caleb, and his girlat home. Over the 43 years I had him, Jay re- friend gave birth to a boy who they named galed me with stories of his life and times at Koan (Mangino). So now, I have a grandVMI. I think for the first 10 or so years we daughter, Kinzie, grandson Kai, and now a were married, Jay considered his VMI ‘stay’ great-grandson, Koan. Not sure where my as a sort of imprisonment. Somewhere along children/grandchildren come up with names the line, he realized that the adversity he ex- beginning with “K.” I received for Christmas perienced there made him the strong, kind and the book ‘Best Regrets: VMI’s John McKenhonorable man I loved. Thank you to all Jay’s na and the Lost Age of College Football.’ Just friends and brother rats for keeping up with completed reading it and enjoyed it immensely – particularly reading about the team durme and including me in your family.”

From Don Arey Jr.: “My granddaughter, ing our cadetship and seeing our BR’s name 65

CLASS NOTES in print. My close friend, Lieutenant Colonel Wondering what Geoff Mitchell is doing, and Matt Schramm, (more like a son), who is a Gary Burns and how about Noel Pinkard?

Citadel graduate, was surprised to learn The Still haven’t looked up Lou Ritchie on the Citadel Alumni Association will vote on offer- East Coast after 30 years.” ing a ‘combat ring’ to their cadets. He never John Anthony sent: “I will be escorting a heard, like me, of a combat ring and asked delegation of U.S. Central Command officers if VMI offers one. I told him we have a “rat to the sultanate of Oman Feb. 19-March 4. ring” (still have mine) but didn’t think VMI Oman has been a central behind-the-scenes offered one. He went on VMI’s website and player in hosting some of the more sensitive found, much to my surprise, we do.” meetings between Iran and the P5 plus 1 counFrom Tom Coulborn: “Byrd Rawlings tries over Iran’s nuclear program.”

Bowles Pender: “Patsy and I are in Portwas lost, but has now been found! Byrd and Sandra are spending the winter at Quail land, Oregon, visiting our son, Neel, and his Ridge in Boynton Beach, Florida. Tom and family. We have three grandkids out here. We Carpie are spending the winter at Mariner are both in good health. We’re living pretty Sands in Stuart, Florida. We are having quiet and unexciting lives, which I often think lunch and will be recreating our VMI days is a really good thing.”

From John Cooke: I had the pleasure to with much embellishment!”

From Joe Weakley: “Since last time, I have present the mayor of Murfreesboro, North been trying to play golf, weather suitable. Carolina, John Hinton ’65, a copy of the Also, go-foring for my wife in her musical book, ‘Best Regrets.’ I also ordered and endeavors with two groups, the Valley Vibe and the Shenandoah Valley Minstrels. Also helping (go-foring) with her school group, ‘Patsy’s Pans.’ This group performed at halftime Nov. 22 at the VMI basketball game. It is a steel pan group composed of fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth-grade students.

Since then, they have performed at halftime at a Luray High School basketball game. It has been very Class of 1962: Marcus Muth’s coyotes at night. enjoyable being around such a diversity of music styles. Hope things are going watched the movie ‘Field of Lost Shoes.’ It well for y’all.” was excellent. I have a chance, if I want it, From Randy Campbell: “Julia and I just re- to coach football at Chowan University. The turned from a fabulous vacation at the Wild head coach there, Tim Place, played football at Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms (Charles- Washington and Lee University. I also ordered ton, South Carolina). As we walked out to the the VMI package of shirts, plaque and direcbeach one morning, a young man pointed to tory. I’ve had some basal skin cancer removed my VMI cap and said, ‘I know someone who and waiting for the lab results. I’ve also had went to VMI!’ We immediately stopped to talk a problem with my right knee. I think it is an – his father was Byrd Rawlings, a member of old football injury when I got hurt in a game our class. We had a great conversation about against Davidson College which was played at W&L 50 years ago!”

Byrd and our time at VMI.” From Cal Lloyd: “Good to see you again at Bill Ritchie wrote: “Got a new ‘old’ sailboat to keep me busy. Still teach full time in the VMI Jazz Band concert last month at The two local colleges. Grandson with leukemia/ Villages. Since last report, we spent Christmas Downs Syndrome is recovering nicely from week in a mountain top cabin near Pigeon chemo. He’s an 11-year-old tiger. Son Bill is Forge, Tennessee, with both our children and still at James Madison University and com- families. In January, we danced at a Celtic Fesing to Florida in March with five children and tival in Ft. Myers and performed with the Scotwife. Second grandchild will be out of college tish Demonstration Team for a Burns Supper in May. We are looking forward to our trip to in Sarasota and also at the Sarasota Highland Texas. Still work with Mote Lab and love it. Games. Last weekend, Ann and I did a Celtic 66

Festival in Dade City. We have a private party show and two Scottish Country Dance Balls to fill out the month, and then comes St. Patrick’s Day. All of this keeps us busy.”

Ed Strickler updated us: “Just waiting for the end of March and then we will take off and play ‘trailer trash’ until the first part of September. In October, we are going to fly to Brussels, spend three days in Bruges, Belgium, go to Amsterdam and then spend 15 days on the Rhine, the Main and the Danube, ending up in Vienna. We will then spend three days in Prague before returning to the U.S. We should have some pictures then. I have reverted to my childhood and spend lots of time making 1/72 scale model planes. I have probably built 4550, and when I run out of room I give some to local kids!”

Marcus Muth sent pictures of some coyotes prowling on his property at night. He remarked that his neighbor, Todd, wants to come out and get rid of them; however, the fish and wildlife folk say you can’t hunt them at night!

Dan Prall from Texas: “I’m going on a blowout, for me, a $15,00017,000 four week trip to Indonesia, including an intersection with the path my first 2000 trip visited.

About 12 days on Bali, a couple of days either end of the dive trip in Maumere, Flores. Watch this: http:// www.thesevenseas.net/. Watch the “East of Flores” – best on video full-screen.”

From George Collins: “I am the one driving the boat, behind the wheel, with the hat.

The tactician is next to me to keep me out of trouble, as it is a crowded start and we hit the line perfectly. This is always hard to do when you have a downwind start. Most starts are upwind.” http://www.johnpaynephoto.com/ Regattas/2015-Fort-Lauderdale-to-KeyWe/The-Start/i-tbxDv8r.

From Rosser Bobbitt: “All good here. Kate is interim rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Virginia Beach. I’m still working, though part-time now. Went to a briefing in the Pentagon where one of the principals was Army Brigadier General Brian Cummings.

After he left, another VMI grad said, ‘Did you know his father is a VMI grad and was commandant when I was there?’ BR John Cummings, of course. We have BRs whose children are generals!? OK, now I know we’re old. I sponsored a young man who is now a VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES rat; his father is an FBI special agent. I’m also sponsoring a young woman who has been early accepted for the coming year.”

John Shelhorse wrote: “I’m sure I’m like many BRs who think a lot about those with whom we were so close and have now died.

For me, it’s Charlie Brown and De Worrell who were friends both during and after the Institute, and now Joe Gwaltney and Bill Sydnor, roommates our rat and 3rd Class years.

Life is fleeting, it seems, but the memories of great friendships endure. Bonnie and I are just a couple of doors away from Pat and Sharon Morrison in our fairly new, downsized neighborhood here in Manakin-Sabot. Pat had a little heart issue recently but is doing really well.

All it takes is a little scotch to get him back to feeling like his old self and talking VMI football in the Old Corps days. We’re doing well with travel to visit our far flung offspring, golf and just enough exercise to stay pretty healthy. I’m still enjoying watching my ‘other’ school’s basketball team tearing up the ACC.” From Skip Davis: “The Davis clan is enjoying our retirement but continue to be engaged in community and business activities. This winter has presented a mixed bag of weather; wet but little snow in the mountains, which provides irrigation, power and sustainable water for the fisheries. Pickleball, an activity I picked up about four years ago, is a fun winter sport, and I enjoy playing with great people of all ages. One of my favorite is Jess, who is quite skilled and active at 93 – an inspiration for all. I continue to stay active – flying, fly fishing and skiing when the snow permits.

Sharon and I will head for Maui with family for a winter respite and later to Palm Dessert for April; spring comes late in the Northwest.

We also have plans to travel this summer to Great Britain and cruise from Edinburgh to Dublin since we have family roots in the region. I’d like to get back to Virginia this fall for VMI football and to see some brother rats.”

From Doug and “Scott” Fielder: “We had a busy spring and summer highlighted by our son’s wedding in Barre, Massachusetts, at the Hartman Herb Farm; a very pleasant, informal rural setting. This was followed in early August by our niece’s wedding in Monte Rio, California – another informal setting in between the Napa valley and the Pacific coast.

In between these weddings, we spent about 11 days on a tour of Iceland. We found Iceland to be a most interesting place. They have a modern, successful, beautiful country with 2015-Issue 2

only about 325,000 people. It is a beautiful country with several active volcanoes, which is home for a thriving tourist industry. In less than 12 months, we visited the volcanic-based Galapagos Islands on the equator and Iceland a few miles south of the Arctic Circle. We are planning a trip to Florida in March, two trips to Virginia in May and then to a large family (my wife’s family) reunion in Georgia in July.

I am still doing well for a Parkinson’s patient.

Medical studies point to better outcomes for those who stay active, and I am following this advice.”

Monty Williams: “I was flipping through the new releases on Netflix yesterday and saw that the ‘The Field of Lost Shoes’ was there.

All is well with Carol and me.”

In closing, Tony and Judy Curtis and several other VMI families in The Villages, Florida, hosted the VMI Jazz Band and Col. John Brodie (Hon.) in their overnight stay Jan. 7.

The band put on a terrific show after a wonderful buffet dinner for local VMI personnel and their guests. We hosted Graham Martin ’16 and Theyer Meyer ’17. Both Keydets are physics major and play several instruments!

It was fun having them at our house, feeding them again after their ‘pizza’ supper and listening to their stories about the Corps, classes, new regulations within the barracks and also downtown. A lot of changes, but yet a lot has still stayed the same!

By the time you read this in the Review, it’ll be less than two years to our 55th Reunion – April 23-25, 2017! Please plan now to attend!

In the spirit of ’62, Tony and Jerry

’63

Michael J. Curley

In the VMI way-back – our VMI way-back to be specific – weren’t those mid-winter months (particularly January) a depressing time as a cadet ... the doldrums, the utter depths? No social activities, just work in preparation for exams and frustrated 3rd Class cadets bearing down on the rats. Cold, dark, depressing barracks life awaited up there on the hill as we returned from Christmas furlough, and we made every excuse possible to remain in our parent’s warm car for just a few more minutes rather than head directly for Jackson

Class of 1963: Class Agent Mike Curley said of this photo, “This is the Chuck Weddington’s best attempt to impersonate a cadet officer. He’s right, he did make a better 1st Class private!”

Arch – especially when we were rats. Even as upperclassmen, almost as bad, there was no social life and exams loomed ominously ahead. Remember that feeling of increasing dread as you drove across the Nile on Route 11 into Lexington, and there it was on the hill – the fortress known as VMI. As a rat, I was convinced that the dreaded 3rd Class cadets, Jay Scully ’62 and Tony Michaels ’62, were waiting at Jackson Arch to pounce on us!

What a way to end Christmas!

And so, today, I am writing these notes when the weather in Richmond is gloomy, cold and gray. Snowstorms are ravaging the Northeast – much as they did during our cadetship – and I admit to feeling a bit depressed. But, just as when we were in Lexington during that time, we found that activity and involvement were usually the cures for the blues, so I’ve decided to try the same thing by writing these notes early.

Like the VMI years, soon exams will be over, the snow will cease, the sun will come out and even sooner than that we’d be looking forward to mid-winter hops ... what a rush! I can do this!

I don’t believe our mid-winters hop weekend with the best music on earth could be beat by anything today, and the mid-winter doldrums weren’t really all that bad, were they? Remember the big-name bands we had?

FYI, we have plenty of news from the large 67

CLASS NOTES number of Christmas cards and letters received, along with a wealth of emails and phone calls. I’ll do my best to report as much as possible.

So that we all can share news from those who published Christmas letters, I hope to have Artie publish the letters on our website, www.vmi63. net, so that we all may read them.

For starters, while lounging in front of the TV with Peg early last night, I received a call from Pam Traugott-Adams who was checking on things ’63 and reported that she and Jim Adams ’71 were very happy together, and she had made the right decision to remarry. That was a nice way to begin our evening.

The conversation, of course, led to a discussion of Chuck Weddington and his continuing battle with cancer. As will be my practice in the future with all our gim riders, I plan to refer any and all inquiries to the Caring Bridge website ( www. caringbridge.org) for updates on Chuck and the others as the cases develop, as they sadly and certainly will. At the moment, Christi is doing an admirable job on getting the word out on that medium.

Should you have trouble navigating that site, just call me and I’ll talk you through it, OK? Before I get into the news, let’s talk about a phenomenal event that took place just after the Institute Society Dinner in Lexington Nov. 11, 2014. Chuck and Christi Weddington drove to Lexington to attend the dinner, since Bromby Earle had arranged a consultation for Chuck with the Massie Cancer Center in Richmond the following Thursday. Chuck and Christi were to be the guests of Bob and Bromby at their home in Hanover, Virginia. However that occurred, Bobby Byrd suggested that we have a “celebration of Chuck” Wednesday evening. After all, it has usually been Chuck who packed his bags and ran to be with many of his brother rats in need. When Bob and Bromby lost their son, Robbie, and Candy Prystaloski was on the 68

Class of 1963: From left, Jim Ellis and Pres Holtry having lunch in Ellis’ ranch kitchen Feb. 2, 2015.

Class Agent Mike Curley said, “Them ranch breakfasts gonna kill you guys!”

Class of 1963: In Sanibel Island, Florida, were, from left, Bobby Spence, Tommy Myers, Hobbs Goodwin, Hinton Lampley and Bobby Byrd.

Class of 1963: Group shot of the Swamp Rats Lunch Club in November 2014. Attending were, from left, top to bottom, Joe Dellapenta, Bill Pearson, Charlie Amory, Beau Walker, Bob Walton, Ed Patnesky, Jan Gray, Mike Smither, Tony Holtry, Bill Bell, Kent McCraney, John Mills, Mike Curley and Randy Williams.

verge of losing Don, Chuck was on the first plane to Richmond and Dayton. It was time for payback!

Many venues were suggested for the celebration, but the Earle Plantation ended up as the venue of choice, even though it remains not the easiest place to find in the Glen Allen boonies. There was talk of caterers, but in the end, Bromby did what she does best.

She planned and executed the whole thing with the able assistance of Crellin Byrd and Christi Weddington, with Bob Earle on the ribs. The food was wonderful as was the wine, the love and the bonded friendship. Many declared it the best VMI party they have ever attended. About 45 of us were able to attend, and Candy Prystaloski attempted to make an appearance, although she was unable to in the end due to weather ... we missed her!

Staying with the topic of Chuck for a bit, Norm Skinrood made a serious attempt to elevate Chuck to officer status from 1st Class private with this gift and accompanying email: “Oh, Chuck, Chuck, Chuck ... please don’t miss this opportunity to allow yourself to accept and enjoy the truly beneficial gift which has become yours.

Embrace the full meaning and how it will open your eyes to a wholly different side of life. You think there is no merit in ‘officer-ocracy?’ Just wear this belt to your next golf outing with your non-VMI buddies and revel in their admiration. Instead of showing up in your FCP hat and shoes, you will be the envy of the group. When you visit your family FCP, go to the Rotary Club, run your local HOA meeting or slog around with other horse ranchers in the Waco area, your entire aura – already one to behold – will take on new meaning. Even Christi, who never had the thrill and pleasure of walking stride for stride with a member of the VMI ‘officer-ocracy,’ can now do so with pride and honor. She VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES may even want to wear the belt on special occasions. There truly is no end to the pleasure to be learned and enjoyed once you adopt the full meaning of owning a VMI cadet officer’s belt. We do really need for you to bless us with a picture of you in your white shirt or coatee and ducks with the belt. You will feel taller, smarter and infinitely more goodlooking. If you want, I will let you borrow my saber just to add more reality and truthfulness to the picture. Don’t shun this opportunity; embrace it, make the most out of it ... in other words, milk it for all it is worth. I will see to it that other of our BRs badger – or encourage – you to allow us to see what could have been.

All those wasted nights sneaking out of barracks and doing whatever you did, when you could have been there studying and shining with so many of us ... such a shame, but now you can recapture a part of your misspent youth merely by putting on your new favorite belt, given to you in the spirit of VMI by one of your biggest admirers ... Root.” Was Chuck going to succumb to this scurrilous bait? Not a chance! He responded: “Norm, you presented me with a terrible dilemma when you gave me the officer’s belt. Wow – what to do with it? Just accept it as a joke and put it away?

Do what my first inclination was? That was to do what I normally would do and turn the ‘joke’ back on you. (My first thought was to

put it around Pete’s neck, our donkey, attach a lead rope and send you a picture with me holding the rope.) I just couldn’t put that belt around a donkey’s neck; it would be an insult to our school. I guess ‘1st Class private’ pride in what it represents means too much to go for a cheap joke at the expense of VMI. So, Norm, thanks for a great gift. It’ll be my honor to put your officer’s belt in my study and on view. Boy, will I catch # and ** from my FCP BRs.” In the end, Chuck acquiesced somewhat and staged a “selfie.”

A firsthand explanation of Chuck’s selfie and his version of, “Thank you!” for the newly-gifted officer’s belt: “Mikeee, how can I stand by when I can offer a chance of the best VMI brother rat class ever to have a reason (as if needed) to lift a glass. Your request for me to send you a picture of me wearing such an unseemly belt would give our BRs such an opportunity. The belt (a most appreciated gift) was given to me by E Company Capt. Norm Skinrood with some idea of improving the status of my much elevated rank of a ‘1st Class private.’ It took me a lot less time on the grass, etc. to earn the most coveted rank of ‘1st Class private, enabling my ‘un-college’ cadet lifestyle (check the vintage T-shirt purchase at our 1st Reunion). Without a long knife, my weapon of choice was the Springfield Model 1851 cadet musket, which

Class of 1963: The party group at the home of Bromby and Bob Earle Nov. 12, 2014, to honor Chuck and Christi Weddington. Class Agent Mike Curley said, “Picture by Gibby Earle, who freed up our hands for more food and drink.”

2015-Issue 2

was the musket the cadets carried into the Battle of New Market – mine is dated 1852.

Pete Brunel and Fausto Molinet also have Model 1851s, but Bill Jones has one dated 1851, which were the ones known to be carried in the battle, but he won’t trade. Love you, brother rats, and God bless, Chuck.”

A number of class agents and some of our brother rats are concerned about personal VMI items being sold on eBay and other websites – we consider it demeaning to VMI’s reputation. Think back to when, I believe it was Joe Dellapenta, first saw Gene Grimsley’s class ring for sale on eBay. Bob Powell, Gene’s roomie, leapt into action in a fruitless attempt to get it back. We all felt as if we had been kicked in the gut! Recently, Mike Smither spotted a Class of 2008 ring on eBay and wrote the young man, who volunteered neither an explanation nor a willingness to cooperate in regaining custody of the ring.

His class agent met the same opposition. My purpose in bringing up this subject is twofold: first, I personally believe the rings are getting way too large (approaching lethal weapon weight...) and way too expensive (prompting me to suggest some Institute intervention and a return to sanity in this area), and second, make us aware that there is a program that accepts unwanted rings, melts them down and donates the derived funds to deserving cadets to assist them in the purchase of a class ring.

A new legacy or tradition? We welcome your opinion.

A few weeks ago, Gil Minor wrote with information on the DVDs and other media outlets for the “Field of Lost Shoes” movie.

On Dec. 22, 2014, the movie was released on DVD in Wal-Mart stores and on Amazon. It sells for just under $14, has received excellent reviews posted to Amazon and has a 4.2 out of 5 star rating. “Field of Lost Shoes” is also available on VOD (cable) and can be downloaded for $4.99 (standard-definition) and $5.99 (high-definition). For digital downloads (iTunes, Vudu, etc.), it is available for purchase ($12.99 SD and $14.99 HD) or to rent ($4.99 SD and $5.99 HD). On Feb. 2, 2015, (60 days after DVD/VOD release), “Field of Lost Shoes” became available onNetflix.

For several months now, the Swamp Rats, aka Tidewater Rats, have established and continued a tradition of meeting for lunch every couple of months at the Hampton Yacht Club where Charlie Amory is a member. To 69

CLASS NOTES his credit, Randy Williams was the organizer, and the meetings attract a dozen or so regulars.

I’ve attended a couple of these gatherings and found them to be a lot of fun and a wonderful opportunity to catch up with one another. So, not to be undone, the Richmond Rats had their first lunch gathering Jan. 13 at the Rumble Seat Grill in Richmond’s Far West End. There were eight of us there, despite my pitiful efforts of notifying all of the correct meeting date and time! We had a terrific time and invite anyone in the Richmond area to join us – we meet on the second Tuesday of odd-numbered months. Come join us!

“I will be thinking of all of you at lunch Tuesday,” writes Doug Sterrett. “I am very low on energy and unable to travel. Have been undergoing treatment for an aggressive type of prostate cancer since May. Finish radiation tomorrow. Am doing well and will be working out to regain strength over the next few months. Could be a lot worse.” (mjc: You certainly have our prayers and wishes for a successful recovery, Doug. Thanks for sharing with us.)

It’s wonderful having Pete Ippolito back with us after such a long absence. He adds a lot to the conversation. We’ve had a number of intriguing email and phone conversations regarding our first impressions and experiences of VMI in September 1959; many of which are similar to others in the class, but like each, the story is unique. Here’s Pete’s story: “Mike Smither’s recall of his feeling on our matriculation day is spot on. I was lucky to wind up meeting Bill DeLeo and his wonderful mom and dad, as well as Paul Quinter’s family, at the hotel we were staying at. That night, we went somewhere for a beer and wound up meeting the kindhearted Henry Brown ’62 – kindhearted, that is, until we wound up in the Rat Line the next day. Henry vividly reminded us of our night out with him. He also reminded us that buying him a beer (which we did) was not going to make him go easy on us now that we were in the Rat Line. (He made that very obvious to us.) I remember the cadre yelling and shouting at Si Bunting just as we entered the Rat Line. He took a lot of punishment that day; mainly because he was already a veteran and had been in Lebanon, as I recall. I could see my father watching all of this from the arch and probably wondering whether I would survive the day. It is sad to think he never lived long enough to see me graduate.”

From time to time as your class agent, I am 70

totally entertained – “LOL” in today’s social media language – by accounts of some of your life events, like a recent reply to an email I sent Jan Lacy complimenting a picture she sent of two new dogs adopted to replace “Husker,” who now is in doggie heaven. Jan wrote, “That mop no longer resides with me. She’s been a problem (to say the least) dog since day one. Final straw was nearly three weeks ago when she peed on my bed linens just before I crawled into bed – I truly wanted to kill her! I surrendered her to The Cairn Terrier Rescue a few days later – to date, have not missed her!

My golden retrievers spoiled me for any other breed. Vet suggested a goldendoodle – some of the smaller females weigh only 40 pounds.

Just don’t know if I have the patience to work with a pup; plus, they cost in the $1,800 to $2,000 range. That is a decent down payment on a move to the old folks’ home.” (mjc: Jan, you are priceless and without doubt were the perfect mate to Mell!)

My primary source of entertainment, however, is the notorious Hobbs Goodwin, who for years has considered me the class concierge – available at a moment’s notice to provide him with contact information for our brother rats ... sort of his personal 411 service.

I do concede that he has gotten a lot better over the past couple of years. His latest was sort of a “deer in the headlights” response when I asked him his address, and it took him a day to give me an address in Punta Gorda, Florida ... yet I understand he actually lives in Sanibel, Florida. Earlier, I received no fewer than 10 pictures of his “new” boat, only to be told a week later that he sold it. So, disregard all those pretty shots I sent out last issue ... go figure! Gotta love him!

This is really interesting! According to Bunny Reynolds, “I may be the last BR to learn this, but Judy and I visited the National Cathedral in Washington last week and were surprised to find that there is a Lee-Jackson alcove with appropriate stained glass windows.

If you are as ignorant as I (I know, it’s doubtful), one shows Jackson teaching cadets under a VMI banner – pretty nice. Another portrays Lee and Jackson and refers to Chancellorsville and West Point.” (mjc: see photos.)

More from the distaff side: Cindy Peckham wrote, “The Peckhams celebrated Thanksgiving at No. 1 son John’s place in North Hampton, New Hampshire. All three sons were present and all spouses. Likewise, all grandchildren except two granddaughters,

who were with their mother in Cape Cod, where they have grown up with their mother.

I hope to see them soon at their father’s place in Cape Cod.” (mjc: Cindy, you sound happy ... Good!)

Charlie Straub, Gilmer Minor, Johnny Mitchell and Charlie Amory attended the John McKenna Reunion Friday, Dec. 5. Charlie also reported that at the Furman game’s tailgate gig Nov. 1, “We had Bill Wells, Johnny Mitchell, Kent Wilson, Harry Redd with wife Beth, Dennis Marchant with friend, Charlie Amory and wife Quinby, honorary BR Lewis Graybill ’62, my family and 15plus of Maggie’s ’16 friends. The Riethmillers and Mike Smither were at the game but missed the taco soup. Great win, and go Keydet football. Where were you?” (mjc: Writing the last class notes, silly!)

Finally, Pat Kelly’s travelogue update: “A photo I took Monday in Jim Ellis’ ranch kitchen while we were eating lunch. Jim Ellis and Preston Holtry are in the photos. Also present where Pat Kelly, Gwen Kelly and Tic Ellis. Tuesday, Gwen and Pres drove to Mount Calm, Texas, where Preston was able to see Chuck Weddington for a few hours.

Jim and Tic went on home to Temple, Texas.

I had a cold Tuesday and did not want to be near Chuck, who had just had a bad round of chemo that Monday afternoon. All are feeling better today. Pres returned to Tucson, arriving around 5:30 p.m.”

And so this installment of the notes are finished and headed off to VMIAA for publication, and I only wish I could look forward once more to semester exams and the midwinter hop ... wouldn’t that be great? God bless us all!

Please remember in your prayers those of our brother rats on the gim!

’64

John R. Cavedo

These notes must begin on a sad note.

One of our beloved brother rats died just one day before the due date of these notes.

Tom Allen, survived by his wife, Carol, son, Brent, and his family, died late in the afternoon Friday, Feb. 13. Tom and Carol had just returned from a trip to Africa. (See the wonderful photo and description of VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES their trip included later in the notes.) There incredible contributions Tom Davis has made 50th Reunion. It’s all digital now, and he’s was a problem with a blood vessel in his eye, to VMI over his lifetime, and which he con- looking for all of us to keep him updated. so they went to the emergency room. While tinues to do today. The second article on page Tony Putamonanda sent a short email: there, Tom had a massive stroke. For two 190 was about the recent endowment gift “The VMIAA Thailand Chapter recently weeks, he hovered in and out of difficulty, Buzz Berzenieks made to the Keydet Club got together to celebrate the Institute’s then they discovered a pulminory fibrosis and at the Institute. It’s the “Buzz and Jane Birze- 175th anniversary. About 20-plus members lung cancer. There was a decision to place nieks ’64 Athletic Scholarship.” The last is on turned up, some with spouses. Joe ChomTom in Hospice care. Carol and some of page 184, with a photo of George Rapport paisal and I happened to be the most senior Tom’s family were with him most of Friday and Bill Welsh, trustees of the VMI Founda- guys in the group. The president of the chaption, receiving a resolution regarding the gift ter is a good man from Class of 1979. He afternoon. Shortly after they left, Tom died. is the deputy chief of staff of the This past couple of weeks before Royal Thai Armed Force Headthese notes has also been rough on quarters. He was also a former a few of our brother rats and sister defense attache to Washington. rats.

“Jan and Paula Rudinoff are Joyce Brittingham was diagnosed visiting Thailand in January. Joe with pancreatic cancer which had will host them in Bangkok and spread to her liver. At present, she is Dusadee and I in Chiang Mai. It undergoing chemotherapy and doing well in spite of that diagnosis. In should be fun.” the meantime, Jim Brittingham had John Thornton was recently the a cancer at his jawline but is fareing subject of an article in shotgunlife.com. The article was written well. Their married daughter, Laura,

by Henry Baskerville. For those has moved back in with them to assist in their care. Most of you will who don’t already know, John is remember Laura as our unofficial Class of 1964: Tom and Carol Allen on an African an expert marksman. See the reference later in these notes to his photographer the last two reunions safari with their guide in January 2015. trip to Argentina. and a couple of football weekends.

Don Carson helped me start off the class Sandra Reid, who was doing nicely for so the Class of 1964 presented to the Institute.

Chuck MacDonald reported they had just notes with some interesting information, long, has had another scare. They are still diagnosing and treating her as of now. finished a major renovation of their home “Two weeks ago, we drove Margaret’s Barb Munera recently suffered the untime- – both the kitchen and the upstairs. Then 1956 Dodge to Lakeland, Florida, to attend ly accidental death of her younger sister. both he and June got sick immediately after the Lake Mirror Concourse Car Show. Her Susan Atkinson has had severe difficulty Christmas with one of those bugs which has car was invited to the concourse to represent Dodge’s 100th anniversary. It is one of in her knees. Lots of pain and surgery re- affected so many of us. quired.

Kerry and Marianne Hines continue to trav- the best shows in Florida, and we always Gary Thrasher had a scare in December. el quite a bit – mostly to Europe. enjoy it. This year, they held a vintage fashGeorge Warren is still working on our ion show in which contestants were asked As of February, he reported that he is mending at a decent rate but admits it was tough memory books, which he created for the to dress in the era of their car. Margaret going for a while.

Prayers, condolences and best wishes to all those who have experienced ill health and other unfortunate circumstances.

Several others among our class are experinecing medical difficulties. At present, I’m not at liberty to discuss anything further in detail. The point is we’re aging.

Health issues will continue to grow. Take the opportunity to reach out to those in need and even those you haven’t spoken to for a while. Not just your brother rats, but everyone. Don’t get caught in the trap of saying to yourself, “I wish I had called him (or her) when I had the time.”

I hope everyone saw the three nice artiClass of 1964: From left, Bill and Dyan Crone and Sherrel and John Cacles in the February Alumni Review. One vedo at Kauai’s Waimai Canyon in January 2015. a very nice piece on page 174 detailing the 2015-Issue 2

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CLASS NOTES won a prize for her ’50s outfit. temples in Sri Lanka – a trip with lots of variGeorge Rapport wrote, “My eldest son, Mi“On Halloween, Margaret and I celebrat- ety! And of course, we’re still recovering from chael, lives in Stirling, Scotland, and teaches ed our 50th anniversary. We went to dinner the very long flights back home.”

European history at the University of Glasgow. with our son at our favorite restaurant. It was Sherrel and I had the opportunity to get a He and I were exchanging emails about our renice to laugh and reminisce about our lives and two week timeshare on the Hawaiian island spective winters and in his reply the following the many adventures we have shared. Being of Kauai the first two weeks of January. The paragraph appeared: “By the way, we’ve just come back from a with our son, Don, always is a joy for us. first week, Bill and Dyan Crone joined us. We “I always remember Halloween also was the explored the entire island and ate well. While long walk with the dogs, and we popped into wedding date of my roommate Dick Butt and there, we met with Jan and Paula Rudinoff one of our local pubs for a quick drink: they Carole Faye. We were married on Halloween twice; once at their home and once at a local have new American ale there, an IPA called Devil’s Backbone. I noticed that because we had received our U.S. Air the brewery is Lexington, Virginia!

Force orders and had to be at flight And the bar staff said that this is goschool in early December. With short ing to be one of their regular ales, so notice, the only date either of us could good news.” find a church was Halloween – probably not a date with high demand for “Another reason, guys, to visit weddings. It must have been a lucky Lexington! For those of you that date, since I received a wonderful haven’t approached Lexington treat by marrying Margaret. from the north on Route 11, coming from the north the brewery is “On Sunday, we are hosting a VMI past the Lee Hi Truck stop on the Founders Day event at our home. right.”

Members of the new Treasure Coast Joe Chompaisal sent word that VMI Alumni Chapter I recently the VMI alumni Bangkok Chapter started will be here. We expect about 24. It always is fun to be with VMI Class of 1964: Having dinner in January 2015 in set up a graduate degree scholarpeople. Margaret will make sure they Kauai were, from left, John Cavedo, W.J. Kitchen and ship at the Asian Institute of TechJan Rudinoff. nology. It will assist Thai graduates are well fed.” of VMI to receive their advanced Two days later, Don sent in the following report of their dinner: “Todegrees. This is the first such night, we had about 20 VMI folks at scholarship set up in Thailand and our home for the first meeting of the reflects the very large and number Treasure Coast VMI Alumni Chapof VMI graduates among the Thaiter. Our class was well represented land military establishment.

by Bob and Cathy Warren, George I talked with Jim Stokes’ wife and Paula Warren, Roxane Spitzer when my email to them was returned. They had recently changed (Lee Fleshood’s widow), Margaret addresses. But the big news was and me. Margaret did her usual wonderful job of feeding everyone delithey were on their way out the cious treats until they were ready to door to catch a flight to the West explode. We had a short Founders Coast to celebrate their daughter Day program and enjoyed visiting giving birth to her first son and with our VMI neighbors. We wish Jim’s third grandchild. you could have been here, too. It was Jan and Paula Rudinoff, after Class of 1964: In November 2014, Margaret Carson fun.” visiting with us on Kauai, left for won an award for her vintage outfit at a show featurCarol Allen sent in the following ing her car in Florida.

Thailand, where they joined Joe email, coupled by a photo of her and and Pongsri Chompaisal and Tom: “Our recent trip was called ‘Africa to restaurant. At their home we met their son, Tony and Dusadee Putamonanda. Jan wrote Asia.’ We started out with three days of game daughter, daughter-in-law and two of their a very short note: “This is our third day in drives at a safari camp in Kenya, and then grandchildren.

Bangkok, and Joe and Jan are playing golf at The second week, after Bill and Dyan left, the Army course. They left home at 5 a.m. flew to Zanzibar, where we toured the city and boarded the Aegean Odyssey, a small 300-pas- W.J. and Lauranne Kitchen joined us. They “Yesterday, Joe had meetings, so Tony took senger ship. We sailed on the Indian Ocean to had just returned from their trip to Morocco. us to the Bridge over the River Kwai in KanSri Lanka, stopping along the way at Comoros, Again, we explored the entire island together chanaburi, and then he and Dusadee hosted the Seychelles and Maldives. We especially and ate well. And again, we met Jan and Paula us and the Chompaisals at their home for an enjoyed seeing animals in the wild, going snor- at an open market and then a restaurant. The amazing Thai dinner.” keling in the Seychelles and visiting Buddhist island is beautiful and worth another trip.

Jan did send along a very nice photo of the 72

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

Class of 1964: In Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2015 were, from left, front row, Paula Rudinoff and Pongsri Chompaisal. Second row: Jan Rudinoff, Tony and Dusadee Putamanonda, and Joe Chompaisal.

six of them. Jan provided a second report – see below.

There will be more details in the next round of class notes in 90 days, but 28 of us met in Jupiter, Florida, for another mini reunion hosted by Don and Margaret Carson, with hosting duties shared by Roxane Spitzer (Fleshood). Attending were Sherrel and me, Bill and Dyan Crone, Bill and Marion Garber, Tom and Penny Sebrell, Bob and Cathy Warren, George and Paula Warren, Kevin and Deborah MacCarthy, Butch and Joan Nunnelly, Tony and Barb Munera, Ken and Barb Dice, Tom and Yvonne Myers, and Dan and Sandy DeForrest. As a group, we met twice in restaurants selected by Don. Then we had three absolutely fabulous hosted meals. First at Roxane’s home, then twice at Don and Margaret’s – once for dinner and a concluding Sunday brunch.

During the days, there were multiple sightseeing opportunities and cultural events – each of us choosing to participate as couples or groups. Conversations were always spirited; sometimes the noise levels rose to such points that it’s a wonder anyone could hear. A fabulous time.

Don Carson, Tom Sebrell, Bill Crone and Kevin MacCarthy met for an all-afternoon jam session. Don is professional guitar player who works with a local band on a regular basis. Tom is an accomplished guitarist while Bill is keen to get better, having just recently taken up the guitar. Kevin hadn’t played the 2015-Issue 2

drums for a long time, but jumped right in.

One of the most inspiring things about these mini reunions is just listening to all our brother and sister rats talk about their families, children and grandchildren, their travels and general life experiences. While I avoid politics and religion in my class notes, those two subjects get covered fully in the get-togethers.

Lively discussions result, to say the least.

Everybody stayed in nearby hotels, except Sherrel and I had the pleasure of staying with Bob and Cathy Warren in their new villa in Port St. Lucie (about a 40 minute drive north of most of the activities). Virtually everyone commented on the best mini reunion yet.

Jan Rudinoff sent the following report just as I was preparing to send these notes in: “It is a three airplane ride from Lihue to Bangkok, and it is worth it. We left Jan. 16 and returned Feb. 4. We were met in Bangkok

by Joe Chompaisal. Joe, his wife, Pongsri, and daughter, Toey, hosted us in their home for our week stay in the city. We were treated to home cooked Thai food, a driver, a housekeeper who did our laundry and Joe’s ‘tour guiding service.’ Paula, of course, had done her homework researching sites that are must see in and around Bangkok. One day, Joe had previous engagements and Tony Putamanonda took over the duty.

“Each morning at 5 a.m., Jan accompanied Joe on a walk through the neighborhood to the Chao Phraya River the major Bangkok waterway. Street food was readily available at that

hour, and often we picked up Thai breakfast, soup, noodles, vegetables and fruit. One morning, Joe and Jan played golf. They began in the dark! Each had a caddy with flashlights who amazingly found their shots. Daybreak came on the third hole. Joe is the better golfer!

“Both the Chompaisals and Putamanondas are faithful Buddhists, and their knowledge of their religion and the temples (wats) deepened our experience. Bangkok is a city of 11 million people and perhaps twice as many cars/scooters. The traffic is always a topic of conversation. The country is presently under military law, and one can follow the situation on the net by reading The Bangkok Post. Food is inexpensive. The dollar will buy you 32 Bhat. A Thai lunch for four people will cost 300 Bhat.

Liquor is expensive and may be sold only between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Shopping is something beyond anything we have ever seen – overwhelming.

Living in Hawaii as we do in a one bedroom apartment, our material needs are few, but we did purchase a few articles of clothing, spices for Thai cooking, a souvenir elephant for June and trinkets and bags for Chloe and Sabryn.”

Sherrel and I are 95 percent settled in our new condo and would welcome all brother and sister rats to stop by for a visit – either a meal or overnight – as you head up and down I-95 north and south. Just think of us as you drive by exit 265 in the Daytona area; give us a call.

We would love to see you.

Another request that you try to send photos that have not been condensed by your email carrier. I’m receiving more and more really great photos which are too small for use in the Alumni Review. I do try to get those onto our private Class of 1964 Facebook page.

In closing are three thoughts: First please remember to keep me informed of any health issues and to update me with any home address changes, phone numbers and emails. I am continuing to lose email contacts with each of my posts. Plus, quite a few of the Christmas cards I sent out were returned as undeliverable.

Second, for those who have either elected to have no computer or email communications, please reconsider. It’s by far the best way to communicate effectively and in a timely manner. Information in these class notes is only seen when your Alumni Review arrives an average 100 days out of date.

Finally, and as always, thank you for the privilege of being your class agent. It’s one of the most gratifying jobs I’ve ever had.

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CLASS NOTES

’65

Mickey Finn

These notes will be in the issue to be released just after our 50th Reunion. Your reunion committees are due a big Old Yell for all their hard work. The results of that effort will create great memories, and therefore I want to express my sincere appreciation for all of you. I want to especially thank Lou and Harry for the outstanding jobs they both did. I am forever grateful for them stepping into their job with their whole heart and delivering far beyond my expectations. I love you guys! So here are the teams and their members: Lou Siegel’s committee: Granny Amos, Harry Bartosik, Mickey Finn, Clifford Fleet, Mike Friski, Vicki Gausepohl, Chuck Hough, Carr Hyatt, Johnny Mac Marshall, Easley Moore, Richard and Mimi Moring, Charlie Price, Norm Radford, Greg Robertson, Charlie Russell, Phil Shu, Peter Trible and Donny White.

Harry Bartosik’s committee: Richard Bernstein, Bill Cather, Bob Deaderick, Mickey Finn, Cliff Fleet, Jeff Gausepohl, Bill Gibson, Conrad Hall, Jim Hogler, Bill Loughridge, Johnny Mac Marshall, Irwin McCumber, Easley Moore, Richard Moring, William Murphy, Pete Norton, John O’Keefe, Bob Palmer, Charles Price, Russ Proctor, John Prosser, Greg Robertson, Bill Ryan, John Schafer, Steve Smith, Joe Straub, Speed Thomas, Doug Thomas, Jim Turner, Vic Tucker, Donny White and Bob Wilkinson.

From Tom Lilly is some great news: “Last week, at the United Professional Horsemen Association’s annual convention in Savannah, Georgia, my son, Smith, a Davidson graduate, and his wife, Alexandra, were named the horse trainers of the year. Over 500 persons were registered and Arabian, Hackney, Morgan and American Saddlebred breeds were represented.

“Last fall, my wife, Sandy, was inducted into the American Saddle Horse Association of Virginia’s hall of fame at the horse center in Lexington. She is the only nonVirginian to be so honored. Obviously, I am quite proud of them.

“I have been humbled by my inclusion for 74

the eighth year to be chosen by my peers to be included in America’s Best Lawyers and Top Lawyers of West Virginia, as published in Newsweek and the West Virginia Journal pertaining to real estate law. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in April.”

From Jim Turner is more great news: “I have a bit of exciting news for our class notes. I will be in Richmond Feb. 19 to receive from the governor and state legislature the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s 2015 Outstanding Faculty Award. This is the commonwealth’s highest honor for faculty. This award honors faculty for excellence in teaching, research, knowledge integration and public service.”

(Class agent note: Col. James E. Turner, Ph.D., is the Read ’41 Institute Professor in Arts and Sciences and the biology department head at VMI.) And some more good news, this from retired Col. Karl Zeller, Ph.D. “Our BR, retired Colonel Zeller, has come out of retirement (not really, he’s doing it gratis, says he’s out to transform leadership in the world) to teach a course in of all things leadership. Course name: ‘Leadership on the Court.’ I didn’t know weather forecasters knew much about leadership, Karl – you’re full of surprises – what happened to retirement!? Colorado State University’s ROTC commander, Colonel Marzolf, having heard about the transformational ‘ontological – phenomenological’ leadership course Karl’s daughter, Kari Granger, helped develop at the U.S. Air Force Academy while

she was a faculty member in 2008, persuaded and is hosting Karl to teach the course as an ‘experiment’ for CSU’s detachment cadets. The course, still smoldering at the USAFA, is currently taught out of the USAFA Center for Character and Leadership Development. “Meantime, the course has gone viral internationally (see beingaleader.net) and was just taught in Dubai, requiring U.S State Department approval because of the 30 nationalities attending – many were Iranians. Even though it is not a traditional leadership course, it is also taught academically at Dartmouth College, Rutgers University, Texas A&M University, the University of British Columbia and will be at the University of California, Los Angeles this coming fall.”

Phil Shu has a special request that needs your immediate attention: “The email address that many of our BRs are using for me, shuengineers@triad.rr.com, is no longer valid. Time Warner deleted it without my permission, which does not please me, and anyone who uses Time Warner should be aware that if you change from using their service and return their modem, they will kill your email address, and it cannot be recovered – at least that is what both their business and residential divisions told me.

Please ask everyone on your VMI email list to use shuengineers@aol.com in the future, and an email blast would be appreciated, as I don’t wish to miss any correspondence.”

Time for a little humor from Michael Degman: “The following constitutes another

Class of 1965: Bill Cather, right, with his son, Robbie, and grandson, Matthew, fresh from a 70 mph snowmobile ride in 14 degree temperatures Dec. 29, 2014.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES reason why I like living in Alaska: Many Fairbanks-area residents stood in long lines in near zero temperatures last Friday to take advantage of outdoor retailer The Prospector’s 40 percent off sale following a boiler room fire just before Christmas. However, at least one person didn’t think that discount was steep enough. Store personnel saw a man trying to leave the store bundled up with three jackets he hadn’t paid for, and three people confronted him and tackled him before he could get away. Fairbanks police arrested the man shortly thereafter.

He was arraigned in court yesterday, Sunday. Fairbanks has a correctional center with plenty of room.

“There are still many Alaskans who are willing to take an active part in ensuring that crime doesn’t pay in Alaska. The longer you stay in Alaska, the more you become aware that you have to take care of your neighbor and vice versa if either of you are to have any realistic hope of making it in Alaska.”

Sadly, we have lost two more BRs since my last notes, James Richard “Moon” Porterfield Jan. 1, 2015, and John William Cocke Jan. 9, 2015. Please see their obituaries in that section of this issue.

Conrad Hall offered this comment on Moon: “Moon was a special friend to me, and I admired his career in teaching. He was always calm in the worst of circumstances, and he had the remarkable ability to separate the trivial from what was important. He made a huge and positive example to his students who will never forget his influence on their lives. He practiced all that proves to be most important at the end of the day – helping others. We will miss him greatly, and I am deeply saddened at his death. Moon would wish that we remain a band of brothers even though we are diminished, over time, one by one.”

Easley Moore wrote about Moon and the service: “As it turns out, Irwin McCumber and I went to the funeral instead Monday afternoon. Present also were Doug Thomas, Johnny Jordan, Tommy Howard, Jim Hogler, Chuck Hough, Jan Brueckman, Charlie Russell and Tommy Dickinson.

Doug Thomas delivered the eulogy on behalf of our class. Moon got up on New Year’s Day, ate breakfast, then reclined for a nap and never woke up. We all should be so blessed to have such a peaceful ending.

2015-Issue 2

“An admiring donor gave a million dollars during Moon’s lifetime to Hanley High School in tribute to his English teaching career. How many high schools can say that they have ever received such a gift?”

From the email your editor sent, “I received a call from Chuck Hough yesterday that our own John William Cocke died at 12:42 a.m. Jan. 9, 2015, from pulmonary fibrosis. Chuck, John and Ted Goodloe were roommates for all four years and have remained very close, so this loss was difficult for Chuck and Ted and their families, as well as for John’s wife, Joan. The visitation will be Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, 5 p.m.

– 7 p.m. at the Fort Hill United Methodist Church at 106 Oakridge Blvd., Lynchburg, VA. The service will be the following day at 11:00 also at the same location. The interment will be at the Spring Hill Cemetery, 3000 Fort Ave., Lynchburg, VA.” Easley Moore also quite nicely summed up the funeral for John: “Present as pallbearers were his four-year VMI roommates, Chuck Hough and Ted Goodloe, plus Lou Siegel, Irwin McCumber and myself. Another quiet VMI giant in his community has fallen. The one-word constant at every brother rat’s funeral is integrity.”

Bill Cather is celebrating his life at 70plus. “Last August, the doctors at Boston University told Mia that her amyloidosis was in remission, so we celebrated by going up to Bar Harbor, Maine, for a few days. I got in some bike riding through Acadia National Park while Mia was content to sit on the porch of the B & B and knit.

“I led my 20th 20-mile hike with the scout troop in December, but for some reason it took me 10 hours and 20 minutes this year, versus 10 hours last year. Could it be I am getting old?

“For Christmas, my two sons gave me an envelope. Inside was an itinerary, and they said pack your bags, we are leaving the day after tomorrow for Green Bay to see the last regular season game against Detroit. They had made all the arrangements, including driving four hours north after the game to Eagle River to go snowmobiling for 10 hours the next day. Absolutely the most fun I have ever had! Seventy MPH across a frozen lake and the temperature was 14 degrees.”

An email to Greg Robertson from Michael McBride, which has been forwarded

to your editor with permission to reprint: “Hello, Greg and Dorothy. There is much to share with you on the home and family front, as the estuary below our cliff side home fills up with a quiet blanket of snow.

There is music from many orchestras of sea ducks and shorebirds all a’chattering and squawking, the black lab is asleep at my feet and the woodstove is crackling merrily as the north wind blows. Wishing that you two were sharing this magic with me.

“Because you are serving VMI in such a meritorious and exemplary way, I am sending to you via the U.S. post office dog team – the snow is deep in the passes so it might not arrive until spring – on the way is my ‘Rat Bible,’ the little pocket black book that we were required to have with us always when in the Rat Line. Perhaps you never lost your own. If this is the case, you can offer mine to the evening gun howitzer salute guard team to be placed in the muzzle before firing under the direction of one Captain Richard Timmons (greet him for me please -- and other bro’ rats, as – alas – I shall not make it for little toot, nor shall I witness the Rat Bible vaporized over the green grass. I am plagued by certain unnamed infirmities that will restrict me to barracks (in this case –Ye Bay of Poot). As the years have flown, we two have matured, of course; now more kind, loving, patient, better looking in our dotage and, of course, more humble than ever – ain’t it swell to still have all the parts attached and working. The guy lookin’ back at me in the mirror bears a striking resemblance to my dad – you, too?

“We be well, very well indeed, Morgan and Shannon, 42 and 44, are doing a fine job running the lodge with a world class ‘dream team’ of extraordinary people. We had a staff Christmas party at the Homer house a few nights ago, and there were 30 of us laughing, dancing and singing. I would never have believed this. We still only take six couples for five day stays, and I am pleased to say that we have been totally full – not a spare seat in the house for 2015 for some time now.

“Your friend the environmentalist is, as usual, up to his knees. Now my target is to make Kachemak Bay at United Nations World Heritage Site. The odds are great against this, but what the hell – Don Quixhote and Sancho Panza had great adventures tempting the fates of impossibility.

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CLASS NOTES “I spent three weeks on a classical music extravaganza in October. Our lead kayak guide is a concertmaster and lead symphony violinist. We bought Eurail passes and started at Amsterdam’s Concertgebau, one of Europe’s finest halls. Then we wound our way from one musical venue to the next on the Mosel R in Germany; in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland; two and sometimes three grand musical events per day; Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’ in Salzburg; and Smetna’s ‘Bartered Bride’ in Prague. At the end, I was ready to start all over again. I thought of you two as we ‘camped out’ in a 600-year-old home of friends where the Boden Zee meets the Rhein – Steim am Rhein to be exact. As always, the loquacious Irishman could go on and on sharing life and love and adventure. Here are a couple of articles from my National Geographic byline to fill you in on my wanderings: http://voices. nationalgeographic.com/author/mmcbride/, the link to my book: http://www.fulcrum-books. com/productdetails.cfm?SKU=637-1, and here is the keynote speech by Prince Charles at the 10th World Wilderness Congress in Salamanca where the book had its debut. He sent a very kind letter in appreciation of the book: http://vimeo. com/78173747, and finally, a short video made by my publisher celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Congress passage of The Wilderness Act. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =ZdLAuFWeY80&feature=youtu.be.

“All for now my dear friends. With much love, Michael and Diane.”

This is all for now on this unusually cold Sunday in February in Wilmington, North Carolina. I’m warming up for the 50th Reunion, ’65! ’65! ’65!

’66

Albert Conner

We heard from BR Neil Fisher, who related the loss of his wife: “My wife, Shiron, died in October 2013, and I have been unable to recover from her loss. I will, I am sure, just not yet.” Those of us who have experienced a similar loss, Neil, know how painful the grief can be. And we also know that the timeline for grief is different with each person. All of us will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

My last notes were submitted Nov. 1, 2014, and shortly after that, Jane and I had planned to go to Lexington for Founders Day. We were going to the Institute Society Dinner and fall class agent get-together. Unfortunately, I was feeling bad, and we had to cancel. The bright side was I heard from Tom Slater and Dick Goodall that our class had a good showing, and they actually threw out an “Old Yell” for the missing Conner couple. Had a nice phone call with Dick and left thinking that

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an amazing and great dimension of the ’66 BRs is how little they’ve changed over the years (in a good way) and how I always feel like I can pick up a conversation after any amount of lapsed time.

You are all truly a very special bunch.

I was able to get down to VMI in December for the initial 50th Reunion Finance Committee’s meeting with about 30 BRs showing up – some traveling from great distances. It was brief, but it was also the best kind of a mini reunion. Rich Hines did a great job in gathering the group and herding the cats. (Brother rats is probably a better term, but you get the idea.) We heard from Gen. Peay ’62 and the VMI Foundation and worked together to develop a plan in which we reach out to BRs to encourage maximum reunion attendance April 20-24, 2016 and stand there with good numbers at the “big check” presentation at alumni parade. We’re trying not to work at cross purposes with the all-important annual giving and the new VMI Campaign, and in fact, we’re trying to complement and aid those efforts. Most of all, we want to give each BR the widest possible range of giving options to fit their particular desires and passions to payback VMI in a way that is most meaningful to them. You’ll be hearing more about the options from Rich and BRs, and I’ll try to keep you wellinformed, as well.

As I mentioned in my “save the date” letter, Woody Sadler’s ’66 Team Lexington is making great strides in reckoning accommodations and events and schedules for the reunion proper. Frank Louthan and Charlie Ramsburg are also making progress in developing an outreach campaign to reach BRs and encourage participation through regions and small groups (e.g., majors, team sports, ROTC groups, extracurricular clubs, etc.). Ray Saunders and I are also moving ahead on a keepsake, information and history CD film for all BRs. All of these groups still need additional volunteer assistance and appropriate email addresses are in the “save the date” message.

Another bonus came indirectly out of the December event: Bill Talman and Bill McClure wrote emails suggesting we do a series of biographic sketches on post-VMI lives of ’66 BRs to “complete the record” (my term) for the reunion.

This coincides nicely with my earlier intention (actually a dream up to this point) to assemble a “50th Year Book” for the reunion with updated biographies and maybe more pictures and some artwork.

Just then, Reyn Young, another 25 percent of the regimental staff (Bill Cowles, where are you?) contacted me. Despite recovering from back surgery (which added him to our long prayer list), Reyn volunteered to help with any of the reunion activities. I suggested helping with the “50th Year Book” and Reyn (hopefully not due to painkillers) immediately stepped up. We’ll need some additional volunteer help there, as well. We’ll also need to send out a questionnaire to you and a sample of what the

final bio sketches will look like. The totality of the materials will end up in the ultimate “permanent record” – the individual and class alumni files in our great VMI Archives in Preston Library.

I also heard from John and Sami Sharkey, and he offered to search his old photos and home movies for material that might be digitized for addition to the reunion CD film. We hope all of you will do likewise – unless, of course, you’ll be satisfied with exclusively viewing the Saunders and Conner collections of ’66 photos. By the way, I’ve organized a ’66 digital archive, which will also go to the VMI Archives.

I received a nice update from one of ’66’s greatest heroes, Mike Burton: “There isn’t any big news from Buchanan right now, and we are just trying to get through the winter. Jessie and I are both busy with our local community activities such as church, Lions Club, town special events committee, Jessie’s art gallery and the Emporium. The Purgatory Emporium is an antique store where people like Jessie rent space to set up a booth, and sell treasures they buy elsewhere. Jessie’s brother and his wife own the store, and she loves this wheeling and dealing with things which are antiques for the most part.” He continued, “At times, our family room looks like a warehouse for things she has purchased and is trying to sort and price.

Jessie tells me that she is making the family fortune, but I know better and just hope to break even.

The great thing is that she loves doing this and it keeps her out of trouble. She goes in most days just to see who is there and to see what is selling ... This time of year, I am always planning trips and other activities we can do with family and friends in the warmer weather. This year, we will go to Edisto Island in South Carolina with family, take a trip to Lake Lure with friends and maybe a cruise up the New England coast in the fall. I really live for these trips, and they give me a break from caring for our two dogs. We are blessed to have two nice dogs, but I have spoiled them with frequent walks and other things to the point that it takes a good deal of time. Walking the dogs down the hill and back up several times per day is good exercise, but hard on my old knees.” With regard to the reunion, Mike added: “I am looking forward to the 50th anniversary and seeing all the BRs. Charlie Ramsburg has recruited me to help invite the civil engineers, and I hope that we can get most of them there. Jim Hannah has agreed to help me. We see Jim and Sandy when they come up to their mountain-side cabin overlooking the James. I am amazed at how physically active Jim and Sandy are. I wish that I had their energy.” You’re doing just fine, brother rat; I wish I had yours. Incidentally, I received a nice, encouraging email from Jim Hannah and a nice phone call in the same spirit from Charlie Ramsburg, as well.

Speaking of high energy and involvement, Nick Hoskot kindly copies me on the extensive

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES service news and opinion stuff he sends on to our U.S. Marine Corps contingent. Rick Kiernan forwarded me a series of film clips where he has continued to appear on Philadelphia WCAU-TV as a military analyst. All of his comments were impressive and insightful.

Mike Talley and Al Carr passed along some interesting comments regarding VMI’s hiring of a new football coach. They included some thought-provoking ideas regarding offensive scheme and age/stage of life for a desirable VMI head coach. My own take is best informed by seeing and hearing many of them during my now 12 years as class agent. They are universally great guys who have achieved some success elsewhere, hope they can translate that to VMI, soon love the school and coachable, disciplined, max effort and non-felonious cadets. At some point, they struggle and are gone, having passed through the graveyard of football coach careers.

Well, now we have a new athletic director and coach, and we certainly wish them success. As I’ve paid more attention to VMI sports, it is clear we enjoy more success in the overall sports program, and we should rejoice in that. Cliff Martin’s commentaries raise an additional football good point, if I understand him correctly. Our football schemes on offense and defense would prosper from greater game plan flexibility with regard to player strengths and weaknesses. “The system” alone works if you are overflowing with Division I top talent – otherwise, it’s best to vary game plans to personnel.

Clark Reifsnider related an account of his roommate mini reunion with Bill Gregory and Woody Miller in November. They first met at Bill’s home in Richmond, where they did some first-class reminiscing. Then they moved on to Lexington for the game with The Citadel (where they ran into Cliff Martin, Ray Melton, Paul Robblee, Parky Parkman and Hugh Jones).

Clark noted Bill saying, “The Institute never looked better.” He added his own take on the mini reunion: “We had more fun just catching up, and I was reminded again of how fortunate I was to room with such first-class gentlemen.”

Amen, Clark, and I can say the same about Charlie Woodward and John Eberhardt, my surviving multi-year roomies. The thought goes out to the brethren rodents, “go thou and do likewise.”

Clark sent me a great picture, but it was unfortunately too low resolution to use in this publication. When you send pictures, please make sure they’re as large and high quality (300 dpi or better) as possible.

Heard from Howie Lloyd and Bob Hollerbach on various subjects; both seem well. In the same vein, heard variously (but always encouragingly) from Clark Reifsnider, Wayne Gray, Dave Adkins, John Crotty, Bill Hawfield and Randolph Williams; all seemed “present for

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duty.” Which is more than I can always say for your class agent. Apologies to Dave, as he called several times to talk when I was going through my chemo lows. Jane did her best to update him.

Also heard from Cliff Crittsinger, Charlie and Julie Shepherd, and P.J. Eckert. P.J.’s most recent card related that it would have been Ralph’s 72nd birthday. She has been so kind to write encouragements to me during her own grieving period, and they are most appreciated. I hope the recounting of these names will prompt some reaching out on your parts.

Probably one of the more remarkable contacts since November was a series of emails from Tom Evans relating to his latest Yosemite National Park escapade. Tom goes so frequently to Yosemite that, as John Walters expresses it, “I think you will find veteran El Capital climber Tom Evans’ finger prints” all over the place.

John added, “Go to elcapreport.com” for more information. Tom actually sent a longer, more detailed URL for those desiring more: http:// www.elcapreport.com/content/elcap-report192015-special-dawn-wall-edition-day-14.

Typical of Tom’s reports was: “Yo, friends, as you know, I am here in Yosemite reporting on the big climb that seems to have captured the attention of the world. Pitch 15 is turning out to be the most dramatic and important pitch of the route, and here is the link to my report on that epic climb.” Another related, “I hear that I am going to be on “Good Morning America” in the morning, along with some other guys who are working the story.”

An unusual email came from Terry Crump.

He related that Bob Fowler had recently shot a documented career low golf score – 66 – no less and no more! Congrats, Bob, that’s far more “Pro” than “Am.” I do recall once shooting a 66 – oh, wait, that was only nine holes! Actually, that’s made up. My golfing career ended when I hit somebody who was an innocent bystander on the first hole.

An even more remarkable phone communication recently came from a member of our dyke-class, John C. DuBose ’69, responding to my After Taps Alumni Review article on our 11 Vietnam dead, and particularly to my expression of hope that they would not be forgotten. John relates he teaches at the College of Charleston, and every year on Veteran’s Day, he puts the names of Vince Scott (his dyke) and John Lattin (who had helped him along as a 4th Class cadet) on his writing board to discuss their sacrifices and memories with his students. Recall that the Class of ’69 also had four of their own BRs who died in Vietnam (including BR Dan Kennedy’s brother). I told John he had brightened a gloomy day here in Stafford, and that I would also pass it along to the entire class.

I reported BR reactions to the “Field of Lost

Shoes” movie in the last notes. This cycle brought some more. It never came to this area, but I received one from one of my sons for Christmas. Those comments, and particularly reading the ignorant public comments from viewers on the message boards on IMDb, have led me to start putting together a companion viewer’s guide (a PDF file I can email to those who would like to see the real life stories of the actual people represented in the film (e.g., John S. Wise ’866, Cav. Moses J. Ezekiel ’866, Thomas Garland Jefferson ’867, etc.) If you’d like one sent to you, let me know and I’ll email when finished.

That’s all the news for now. I hope this finds you all weathering the winter healthy and happy.

Please answer and respond to the phone calls, letters and emails when BRs reach out to you about the reunion and plans to form once again “on the bricks” for our 50th. It is my hope and prayer that as many of us as possible will take in the spectacular improvements of our beloved school and the fellowship of our last official reunion.

’67

Jan Abernathy

Our official 50th Reunion dates will be April 28 and 29, 2017. However, as we added a day on the front end of our 45th and it was such a crowd pleaser, I am suggesting we consider arriving in Lexington at least by Wednesday the 26th. Details as to host hotel and such will not be available for a couple of years, but the official dates are certain.

It takes longer to tell our stories as we get older, so the extra time becomes a necessity. We move slower and don’t hear so well and ... well, more later on the things that make some of us halt and lame. My guess is that everyone will finally be retired, so I anticipate a huge turnout.

Carol Green retired from her VMI position with the Alumni Association in December. All of us owe her a sincere “thank you” for her years of dedicated work with all classes – especially 1967.

Speaking of the 50th, I will mention that several BRs have already told me how much they are looking forward to it. It certainly will be a good time to catch up with friends and see what VMI is offering to cadets. The Institute Report publication never ceases to astound me with what cadets are exposed to and where they are able to go to expand their international educations. We did not have the current options. I hope you get to sign out a cadet for SRC sometime. Their future plans most often are already solidified and are on paper. Unlike many of us (me, especially), who had only a vague idea that a college education might come in handy in some distant future,

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CLASS NOTES most of these youngsters are already on their way.

The Toch triplets respectively had great first semesters at college. Max and TerryAnn may have been busy running up and down from Newport News through Princeton, New Jersey, up the Hudson, but their life is settling down. J.I. and Brenda Orrison announced that their daughter, Amanda Rose, graduated in December from Georgia Southern University. J.I.’s older daughter, Caitlyn, was married in the fall, and the Tochs were able to attend the wedding.

Janice Clarke writes: “Hi, Jan, as per your request I am sending you a vacation picture from Duck, North Carolina, on the Outer Banks in May 2014 when Jim and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with our kids, son-in-law and the two grandbabies. We are looking forward to grandbaby No. 3, due July 5. We had a quiet Christmas with our kids and Jim’s sister and her husband from Raleigh.

Knock on wood, we are all healthy.

Wish all the other BRs a happy and healthy year in 2015.”

In the Taps section of this issue, there are three BRs listed: Frank Sheme, Don Harrison and Frank Green.

Jim Rogers roomed with Frank all four years, and they remained great friends. Jim sent me the following.

“On a sad note, we put my roommate Frank Green to rest this past Wednesday. Frank died last week from a heart attack. We had a strong showing of classmates there, including Bill Brent, Tom Gritzmacher, Ron Niedermayer, Dave Neal, Jim Joyner, Austin Pritchard, Terry Fowler, Lane Kelly, Hunter Taylor, Harley Duane, G.T. Elmore, John Pasco, John Goode, Billy Hoofnagle, Tommy Hancock, Mike Holloman and others I may have missed. Lane and I spoke on behalf of the class and reminded all what a great guy Frank was: ‘A brother rat to all – not just a few.’ At the viewing the night before, Bob Nablo, Ed Ernouf and Dave Wilkinson were able to meet with Anna, also.”

Linda Sheme sent the class a thank you: “Jan and whole class of ’67 brother rats, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the lovely flowers for Frank’s funeral. They were beautiful and were adorned with the VMI colors. Frank’s whole life was shaped

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Class of 1967: Liep and Jim Wilson on a second wedding anniversary cruise through the Caribbean.

Class of 1967: J.I. Orrison and his daughter, Caitlin, at her wedding to Justin Bailey in Lydia Mountain, Virginia, Nov.1, 2014.

Class of 1967: Jim and Janice Clarke on vacation with the family at Duck, North Carolina.

by VMI, so it was always an integral part of him. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Linda Sheme and family.”

This paragraph is added Jan. 31: Today is the end of the Rat Line for the Class of 2018. I remember our Breakout, with the slippery stairs and the pushing and shoving and belts on the way to freedom at the top of sally port.

These kids today have been pushing and shoving and marching and drilling and running for a week as an organized mass, plus they have been doing individual “training” with their respective cadre and their dykes.

At least they do not do the mud crawl through the upper classes out on the rifle range anymore. It seems that style – while perhaps proving you were tough enough – produced too many broken limbs and illness from colds and pneumonia. I get tired just thinking about the difference between our breakout in 1964 and the ones of this generation.

Jim Wilson: “Sending you a couple of shots of Liep and me on our recent 14-day circular cruise of the Caribbean ... Miami to Miami in January ... as far south as Aruba and Curacao. Goal was to celebrate second anniversary and my ‘slightly premature 70th Horrible Day.’ Was a very nice break from reality ... and our cooking! Now we are home and beginning the annual pain of tax return data assembly time. We took a mini-America Cup sailing excursion at St. Maarten. They run these actual 12-meter boats (from around 1983 era) on a mini-three leg race course.

Have three or four professional crew and about 12 ‘tourists’ who have the choice of sitting or actually working the winches or doing the timing. It was a great sailing day as winds were 15-20 knots and there were nice four foot rolling swells. Is a blast when a nice wind is blowing and water is coming over the bow. Alas, my physical ability is not the same as in earlier times. Almost did myself in working on the foresail 4-man winch grinders. Was ‘relieved of duty’ partway through the race.

My ego is still suffering the pangs of chronological reality.” Jan adds, “Jim’s observations on turning 70 echoes a number of similar sentiments you guys have expressed to me.”

Jim Ferrell commented on how his daughter, Amanda, enjoyed her time in the 82nd Airborne. “Amanda got out of

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Speaking of, Cadet Stanard rethe 82nd back in April 2014, and is now at Appalachian State in North Carolina. minds me that Ron Lowry and Dick She finally figured out a college diploma Stanard (a relative of the New Marmight come in handy. She is also doing ket Cadet) spent time together in JanROTC and hopes to be a butter bar and uary fishing for Snook in the rivers of back in the 82nd someday.”

Florida, where the fish try to stay in When I sent season’s greetings to warm water. He caught a record size Bruce and Hollace Weiner, I asked fish and then, as is his custom, kissed him how to correctly spell Chanukah. the monster and released it. Richard “Chanukah is spelled one way in HeStanard: “This trophy catch-and-rebrew and lots of ways in English – all lease Snook was one of several Ron correct. We just spent Thanksgiving Lowry and I tied into, thanks to his week in Cancun with my kids and more experienced and knowledgegrandkids. Our son is back in Washable friend, Phil, with whom Ron was staying on his recent trip here ington, D.C., so no more trips to Is(Homosassa Springs) in late January rael on the horizon. We will be in D.C. and early February. This was nightvisiting the week of New Year’s. Our New York daughter is expecting in time river headwater fishing, as the March, so will most certainly travel Class of 1967: Bert “Cannonball” Burckard arranging a gulf is too cold for comfort for these there in a few months. I successfully battery at a Civil War memorial near Smithfield, Virginia. bruisers ... the rivers are spring fed transitioned ownership of my practice and run a constant 72 degrees yeara couple of months ago to two younger partners occasionally forget his date of birth greeting. round. The rivers flow into the gulf, allowing the This is a good time to thank those of you who Snook to access these much warmer waters durbut am still seeing patients two or three days a week.” I still do not know for certain which way wished me birthday greetings on Facebook. Joan ing winter. Believe it or not, the edges of these us gentiles are supposed to spell it, as it drives signed me up, and for the first time, you fellow gill plates are razor sharp so must be careful acusers knew my birthday. I’m still learning the ins cordingly when handling these fish. This one is my spell-check nuts.

Bill and Jo Fleshood have successfully relo- and outs of the system (LinkedIn is also mostly a 40 inches, and though we didn’t weigh this one, cated to Georgia to be near family and grandkids. mystery to me), but I have found it is the only way our estimate was about 25 pounds – for me, the catch of a lifetime. I should have some Caribbean They live just west of Marietta. I understand that to keep up with the grandkids and their interests.

John Lee is enjoying his retirement by searching sailing shots for you next go ’round.” the lack of snow has made a huge impression on for “lost” New Market Cadet graves. He sent me I reached Dabney Pasco by phone after reading them ... so far. photos of a briar covered family plot for J. Alex- Phil Gioia’s article on George Marshall ’901’s Paul Bouis has moved to Lexington.

Barry and Donna Hedquist may have complet- ander Stuart ’867. He found his wife’s name on a cadre of VMI men in World War II. One was ed their move to Florida by the time you read this. stone, Pauline, but not one for J.A. It is still counted Dabney’s dad, Merrill Pasco ’37. Dabney is Bland Guthrie’s daughter is now in Panama as a success. He is now looking for the grave of mostly retired from the practice of law and raises City, Florida, and she and her husband, Sterling, Beverly Stanard ’867. Hope he finds it before tick, cattle, goats and hogs near Clifton Forge, Virinvite BRs to visit. Anne offers room and board chigger and snake season. Since John retired, Sandy ginia. His wife, Laura, is a district judge. has gone back to work in self-defense. in exchange for stories about her dad.

Fred and Judy Smith were continuing their I had a nice phone visit with Frank Kuchuris.

He recently sold the family business and is looking for a new venture to buy. Grandchildren take up much of his time, and he was on the way to baby-sit for some of them, as their parents were off to the Caribbean for a week.

June and Robert Klink sold their home and should be in Hilton Head by now.

Sometimes, I call BRs on their birthday. I missed Karl Kanitz, and Sharon said he was permanently retired to the golf course. My suggestion that she give him a rough time for not being home when I called brought this reply. “I give him hell about something every day.”

When I reached Allen Gwaltney, he was either getting ready to go golfing or cycling. I left his brother, David, a voice mail birthday song, but he did not return my call. Go figure.

Lately I get concerned when an email bounces back. A phone call to Jay Mangan when his did got an explanation about his computer needing a Class of 1967: Stan and Carol Waskiewitz and family on a January trip to visit from the Geek Squad folks.

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Joe Stafford said he would not mind if I would

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CLASS NOTES travels with a cruise in warm waters after their extended trip in their 45-foot RV through the states and Alaska.

Chuck and Mya Krebs wrote to say they were beginning a See America Cruise trip in their new big RV. By the time you read this, Jamie Tate will be in Belgium as a reenactor at the 250th Battle of Waterloo.

Jack Thompson sent a note saying he visited Moses Ezekiel ’867’s grave at Arlington and saw that he had sculpted the Confederate Memorial stature there.

Bob Green: “Thanks for the Christmas card.

It is something I look forward to and appreciate; not just for the season but the memories it brings along, as well. Am planning another long walk, but at the moment am undecided whether to return to the Camino for the fourth time (like PTs for me, they never end!) or try a new trail I’ve been reading about on Japan’s Shikoku island.

The trail, which connects 88 Shingon temples, is about 750 miles, but from what I now believe, certain sections may require outdoor camping (read: Bob will be on a bus for this part). Anyone you know been there? Anyway, that’s really all that’s happening here. Cheers.”

Joe Stafford: “Thanks for the birthday wishes and song. Joyce and I just returned from our January Florida getaway. After Joyce’s 50th high school reunion in October, we joined another couple on a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, as well as Niagara Falls and the Finger Lakes. In March, we will make our annual journey to Clearwater to follow our Philadelphia Phillies for a week and then on to Hilton Head for another week. At the end of April, we are meeting two other couples in Sedona, Arizona, for a week, and then Joyce and I are spending an additional week touring Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks in Utah, followed by a weekend in Las Vegas. In the middle of May, I will be getting a knee replacement, so travel will be on hold for a while. I am attaching a photo taken at Christmas at my daughter’s house in Duxbury, Massachusetts. My other daughter, who lives in West Virginia, brought her 11 two-week-old Labrador puppies for Christmas. Needless to say, the grandkids had their best Christmas ever. We just got back from West Virginia, where my son claimed one puppy and my daughter from Boston claimed two. The rest were sold to other families from four different states. Warmest Regards.”

Tom Mustard: “Jan, thanks for keeping me in the loop for all the Class of ’67 updates. Hope you and Joan are well. We are doing great at Deaton Creek (Georgia). I continue to get good reports from doctors and various medical tests, thanks be to God. Shirley and I will be on a cruise the first week of March and a national parks tour this September. I’m still helping out

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at church and playing ‘old man’s’ softball in the spring and fall (the joys of retirement). Rah! Virginia Mil!” Dan Wells sent me a great photo of the rear end of a buffalo he and Arlene saw while riding snowmobiles in Yellowstone. It looked a lot like the same one Joan and I saw a couple of summers ago, only our view was from the front as he (I think) contemplated whether or not to head-butt the car. It was a rental, so I moved out quickly.

Wayne Marshall: “Managed a bad fall on ice this last Monday that resulted in a broken back ... concussion fracture of the third lumbar vertebra. Treatment appears to be encasement in what is euphemistically called a body brace, which looks like Dilbert’s tube suit and feels like a 500 pound concrete sewer pipe. I will be recovering at home with lots of help and will be pretty much housebound while wearing this thing for at least 8-12 weeks. I’m sure that this will drive Dot nuts. I’ll let you know as things progress.”

Seems I mentioned somewhere previously that Wayne does not likely need any new excuses to drive Dot to further distraction. I lived with him for our 1st Class year and I should know.

Several folks are already working on areas of interest for our 50th. Jim Rogers and I had dinner together recently to do some basic strategy planning on the campaign. Jim Joyner has volunteered to lead the event in Lexington. Things are beginning to shape up. I hope you have put April 26-29 on your calendar for 2017. Consider this first call.

’68

Tom Hickey

Since 50 years ago we were in the Rat Line, I’m going to start with excerpts from J.B. Meadows’ (Fredericksburg, Virginia) diary from March 1965, that he kindly sent me: “Our long promised resurrection began March 8, five days not seen since cadre, filled with miles of runs around the hill and Ranger course, straining parties, and countless invitations to the Rat Disciplinary Committee and General Committee. Then seemingly endless days filled with rumors, upper class meetings and chants of, ‘Poor ratties.’ But by now our energies had returned and we chanted right back. On March 26, the long awaited day of being taken in arrived, culminating at RQ with a flood of rats filing off the fourth stoop in sweats and fatigues. In the courtyard we gave an Old Yell for each class, the last and loudest for ’68, followed by a mad rush for the stairwells. Buckets of water, hoses, broomsticks and shaving cream filled the air. It was like scaling the walls of a medieval castle. But we had finally made it.”

Wayne Burton (Kingsland, Georgia): “Carole and I went to Hawaii for a couple of weeks in October 2014. Then for our 45th anniversary, we are going on a Viking River Cruise from Basil, Switzerland, to Amsterdam. I met my old boss, who asked me to come back to work part time to help her out. My roommates Lew and Joyce Yeouze (Peachtree City, Georgia) and George and Norma Buzzard (Waynesboro, Virginia) passed through Georgia in October and November respectively. Carole and I were guests at Jack and Benita Long’s (Augusta, Georgia) home. Had lunch with Terry Bowers (Martinez, Georgia) who took me to two New Market Cadet graves in Augusta. This is what gave him the inspiration to search for all the New Market Cadets. That was an amazing contribution to the Institute. Carole and I are celebrating our 45th anniversary with a Viking River Cruise through Germany in December 2014 to see the fabulous Christmas markets.”

Steve Wilson (Mathews, Virginia): “I had a nice birthday. Buzz Sprinkle (Greer, South Carolina) and his wife, Nancy, came for a visit.

Linda organized my first ever surprise birthday party – the only time I’ve been ambushed successfully! Well, there was that time in Ranger School, but that’s another story. Buzz is very active in the woodworking guild in Greer. He’s incredibly talented and has made some beautiful furniture for Nancy. I was re-elected to continue as the Rappahannock Chapter president for 2015. I also serve as the immediate past commodore of the Mathews Yacht Club and as Secretary of the Mathews Memorial Library board of trustees. I saw Jim Henry (Williamsburg, Virginia) and John Lane (Sparta, New Jersey), who were representing their chapters at the Fall VMI Alumni Association board of directors meeting.”

John Warburton (Middletown, Virginia): “We have had a fun year but the best was a photography cruise in Southeast Alaska with National Geographic. The ship was small with only 60 passengers and the staff included three topnotch Nat Geo photographers. We went ashore in zodiac boats nearly every day for hikes and photography. Southeast Alaska is a gorgeous temperate rain forest with plenty of wildlife.

We saw many bald eagles and had an up close view of a very large bear feeding on salmon in a remote stream. Now it is back to real life. I’m spending several hours a week with my nose in the calculus and physics books so that I can tutor some outstanding high school kids at Randolph Macon Academy.”

Gil Piddington (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania): “Tracey and I went to The Citadel football game and the University of North Carolina Wilmington basketball game in Lexington last weekend. Lost both of them but had a great time anyway. I didn’t realize it, but it was Ring Figure

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES weekend, so we crashed the dance. This was my second Ring Figure in 48 years, but it seemed like yesterday. The women looked beautiful in their long white gowns and long white gloves.

The female cadets wore long white skirts and their coatees. The guys looked exactly like we did. They still walk through the big ring, though not in the main room, and they also appear on a big screen in the main hall. Ran into Joe LeVine (Abingdon, Virginia) on the Parade Ground.

Chatted with Priscilla and Randolph Williams ’66 and several of his brother rats. Apparently Chandler was in Philadelphia with members of his family for a fundraising cancer run. Talked with your dyke’s roommate, Doug Thomas ’65.

All are well. Stopped in briefly to see Skip and Kay Roberts (Lexington, Virginia) and John and Cindy Crim (Dayton, Virginia), and we enjoyed being with them, as always. John dug up some photos from our cadet days and our Ring Figure invitation, Saturday, Nov. 25, 1966. On our return from a week on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, Tracey and I stopped in Williamsburg and had dinner and spent the night with Tom and Mary Norment (Williamsburg, Virginia).

I also spent the day with Leigh Edmunds (Salem, New Jersey) this summer, when he invited me to a Cadillac sponsored golf training event.

Leigh also attended Corvette and Porsche driving schools. Must have been a blast!”

Terry Emerson (Port Austin, Michigan): “I noted the article in the VMI Alumni Review about Captain Dickinson ’57 and his connections to our class. We had so many fond memories of sneaking out of barracks under the post office floor down to the heating plant, some while he was the officer-in-charge, out the window of Room 157, and then of course out Marshall Arch straight away – oh, what fun. I wanted to give you a little anecdote about Captain Dickinson ’57. I was a teacher with the Department of Defense schools in Ramstein, Germany, and VMI was holding a reunion muster in the mid ’70s. I decided to go over and see who was there.

I was not in the military, and my hair was long and I had a Fu Manchu mustache. I believe Captain Dickinson was by then Lieutenant Colonel Dickinson and freshly back from Vietnam. As many of us walked the room, I proceeded to go and introduce myself and struck up a conversation. As we began to part and move about to talk with other VMI alums, he said, ‘By the way rat – get a haircut!’ Needless to say I laughed and went about my way, and I let my hair grow some more, just because I could! Living in Florida is great. Once we finish the last 25 percent of moving in, we’ll be ready to join up for gatherings.

Looking forward to our 50th!”

Fred King (Mount Vernon, Arkansas): “I turn 68 this year. Did we really graduate 46 years ago? Amazing. Not much to report. Gretchen

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and I are still traveling as much as we can.

Ireland and Alaska last year. New Orleans and Orlando this year. I am a big Harry Potter fan and had to visit the new Diagon Alley area at the Universal Studio theme park. I think I hear Col. Dillard ’34 spinning in his grave. All that time reading the Bard, and I prefer J.K. Rowling.”

Bruce McGlothlin (South Park, Pennsylvania): “I retired in June, and I’m enjoying retirement. We are traveling a lot to Europe and other places such as Morocco. We’re visiting the grandchildren and working on our house remodeling. I am still President of the Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners and do as much running and bicycling as I can.”

John Kemper (Richmond, Virginia): “I am finally retiring at the end of this year. To keep busy, I am setting up my own business consulting firm. (The only employee will be me!) I plan to work with startup and not for profits assisting them with strategic business planning. Wife Deborah, son John Garrett (now 44 years old, ouch!) and grandson Hudson are all doing well.

Hope to spend a lot more time at our river house in Urbanna.”

Jim Burns (Henrico, Virginia): Jim sent along a copy of the material he provided to Col. “Doc” Carroll’s grandson. Unfortunately, it is too long to be completely included but here are some excerpts. “At Colonel Carroll’s insistence, I took Latin. Could not figure out why, as I knew no one spoke the language. Jumping ahead 60 years, it turned out to be a great asset in the medical field. Colonel Carroll motivated all of us biology rats by promising he would make the rat with

the lowest GPA at the end of the year clean the window sill and spittoon from a year’s accumulation of his spittle, as he generally had a wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth. Colonel Carroll was most famous for his one-liners: ‘VMI was built on a bluff and run on the same principal;’ ‘VMI tries to make chicken salad out of chicken shit.’ I know am proud to be one of ‘his boys;’ even traveling to his retirement home in order to introduce him to my fiancé three years after graduation. I was honored to represent the decade of the ’60s at the dedication of the Carroll Building and owe my desire to commit my life to teaching to Colonel Robert Carroll.”

Dick Wise (Richmond, Virginia): “Joyce and I are enjoying retirement. We have three grandchildren now – two from her daughter, Denise: Chloe, a real princess, age 4 going on 30, and Callen, age 1, a supremely happy, curious George. The third is from her son, Travis, young Declan, born last September, not into too much stuff yet. Last June, we took a trip to the West Coast, which we do every other year, as my daughter, Sarah, is an artist in Portland, Oregon. This year after leaving Sarah, we drove south along 101, through the redwoods and through wine country to the city by the bay, home of my beloved Giants ... ahem, three time world champs in the last five years! Got to see a game at AT&T for the first time. They played the Nats, of all teams, so I traveled 3,000 miles to watch them play! We spent a couple of weeks on Lake Ontario in late July, early August. Although I’m no great shakes as a fisherman, I got lucky, and with the coaching and encouragement

Class of 1968: In September 2014 during a Hince family vacation to Disney World at the Shades of Green Resort were, from left, back row, U.S. Air Force Reserve Capt. Matthew Hince; John Hince; Matt’s wife, April; Peter Hince’s wife, Jacque; and U.S. Air Force Capt. Peter Hince. Front row: Matt and April’s daughter, Colette; Matt and April’s son, Charlie; Gerry Hince, John’s wife of 42 years; Peter and Jacque’s son, Thomas; and Matt’s son, Ethan.

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CLASS NOTES of my brother Andy Wise ’60 and my nephew, Mark, I caught the biggest small mouth bass (19 inches) I’ve ever caught in 60-plus years of fishing up there. Shortly thereafter, I caught another one – 17 inches long! Trust me! It was a rush, and I made sure everybody in Henderson Harbor, New York, knew about it before the day was over! Played golf with Kevin Henry (Winston Salem, North Carolina), Howard Donald (Richmond, Virginia) and Bill Welsh (Ashburn, Virginia) in Lexington last September. Enjoyed the company but ‘ain’t got no game!’ Regardless, I’ll still make next April’s W.G. Davis Tournament. Hope a bunch of BRs will show up again, including some or all of the guys who haven’t been able to make it the past two years: Jim Henry, Bob Mills (Orange Park, Florida), John Hince (Bryan, Texas), Paul Hebert (Steamboat Springs, Colorado) and John Griffin (Suffolk, Virginia), to name a few.”

M.L. Buchanan (Salisbury, North Carolina): “Valerie and I are doing well, though we find ourselves in the midst of a flurry of holiday activity. Our family will be together for Christmas (everyone also made it for Valerie’s 70th last month) and then disperse to the four winds! The grandchildren are growing like weeds and will soon be youngsters, not tykes. I will be off to Canada in June for my annual fishing trip, and hopefully, we will be off to a reunion with my old colleagues in September.”

Bill Bouck (Deerfield Beach, Florida): “The Cobbs (Pompano Beach, Florida) and ourselves are doing well in south Florida. The local chapter has recently been given a new life, by some youngsters. The Good To Me is still catching lots of fish.”

Mike Michelson (Jacksonville, Alabama): “After 20-and-a-half years in the Army and almost 20 in industry, I am now fully retired. I married Suzy Spiceland Feb. 15, 2014. She is busily trying to run a marathon in every state (she currently has 31 states covered), so she and I travel around to participate in races. I now do half marathons (12 states so far), so I don’t have to just stand around and wait for her to finish. I enjoy trying to keep up with people on Facebook but don’t do a very good job. We stopped and spent a night with my former roommate, Mike Gompf (Richmond, Virginia) and his wife, Katheryn, Dec. 27, 2014.”

Skip Anders (Mesa, Arizona): “Wife Marta, daughter Liz, and I are still here in Mesa, Arizona. We continue to ‘settle in’ and make improvements in our new home. Liz has about a year to go at Arizona State University and continues to work part-time in the Student Affairs Office. Marta continues to feed her passion for genealogy and made two trips back east this year in search of elusive ancestors. I am about a yearand-a-half short of finishing my master’s – I’m doing most of the classwork online – and I’m not

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looking forward to that big paper at the end. We are slowly getting to know Arizona through local travel, and I manage to get to the range every couple of weeks, for a little practice.”

Roddy Delk (Smithfield, Virginia): “I am now fully and totally retired and spending my time with my wife, Betty, my golf game, horticultural and related work on our home, grandchildren and travel. So far, life has been good and I fully acknowledge my good fortune in that regard.”

Kerr Kump (Elkins, West Virginia): “I enjoyed my 50th Elkins High School Reunion last August. A few weeks later, I was in Morgantown for triple bypass surgery. It was a big surprise for Susie and me – totally unexpected. I am recovering well and going to cardiac rehab at the hospital here in Elkins. We had a new grandson in October. His name is Henry Kerr Conlan (No. 14 in 2014). Cyrus and Amy are expecting another baby the beginning of April (No. 15 in 2015).

We spent New Year’s Eve with Jim and Karen Burns and talked on the phone with Rich Andrassy. I am planning to attend the golf outing in April and hope to be able to swing a club.”

Dixon McElwee (Boca Raton, Florida): “2014 was an interesting year for the McElwee household. Mostly staying close to family and friends.

February, March and September visits to west coast family in Westwood, Corona del Mar and Berkeley. Celebrated some grandsons’ birthdays in January and September – both George and Henry Corrigan, sons of two University of Virginia grads, are now provisional cadets of the classes of 2033 and 2035. April was Groovy Davis Memorial month in Lexington led by roomie cadet rear admiral Kevin Henry, and I caught up with my 3rd Class roomie, Billy ‘Cotton’ Carter. (But he’s gone high class on us ... just call me Bill!) I continue my post-retirement investing in home health care in Florida. Just had a New Year’s Day call from old 6-6-250 himself, ‘Powers Here’ (Malvern, Pennsylvania) (Does he have a given name anymore?), another 1st Class roomie. Then we all got to see Curtis ‘from the’ Beach (Salem, West Virginia) at The W.G. Davis outing. Other BRs that I hear from (mostly on Facebook) are Dick Rankin (Honolulu, Hawaii), Bob ‘Schmally’ Schmalzriedt (Marietta, Georgia) (what a great athlete pound for pound ... just like Mike Thacker), Charlie ‘Bish’ Bishop (Staunton, Virginia), Gil (ain’t he pretty) Piddington, Mike Gompf, Marvelous Marvin Thews (Roanoke, Virginia) himself, John Royster (Advance, North Carolina), Guy Wilson (Charlotte, North Carolina), and Ken Pennington (Amelia Island, Florida), and I’m sure I forgot plenty others. I am looking forward to April for No. 3 grandchild from LA, and then Groovy Davis’ tournament.”

Dave Avery (Lyme, New Hampshire): “I’m hoping to retire May 1, 2016, just before one

child graduates college and the other prep. Each month when I get a tuition bill from the two schools the children attend, I tend to wonder how I’ll be able to pay them if I retire. My wife reassures me when I express concern that ‘oh, once you are retired and your income drops, additional financial aid will kick in for tuition for the younger child.’ Maybe, but I’d like to see that in writing.”

John Warwick (Virginia Beach, Virginia): “I am well and still working hard every day. I am still very proud of VMI and everything it stands for.”

Hal Hostetler (Portsmouth, Virginia): “We attended my 50th Moody reunion in February.

I was just elected president of our local Portsmouth Area Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. The Vietnam Combat Trackers were a secret special ops group. They operated in five-man teams with Labrador retrievers to track the enemy or try to follow lost or captured Americans. It was my privilege to command a platoon of these men in Vietnam. I am proud to be part of them and attended my third reunion with them in West Virginia last summer.”

Fred Rencsok (Christiansburg, Virginia): “With our youngest daughter, Gwen, working in Germany and our older daughter, Megan, in Roanoke, Virginia, we have a chance to visit Europe with knowledgeable locals and the joys and challenges of grandchildren, Sydney and Quinn, close by. This year’s European trip included an excursion to Helsinki. I’m back in the classroom teaching an electricity course at the local community college. A foundry closed, and the college had more students than faculty, so I got asked to step in and help. Dianne continues to volunteer with the AARP Taxaide program.

In addition, Dianne is the Treasurer for the local Funeral Consumers Alliance.”

Di Johnson (Humble, Texas): “I am recovering from recent left shoulder rotator cuff surgery.

I am in regular contact with roomie Jim Fleming (Corpus Christi, Texas), New Market icon John Crim and Jersey rats, Gil Piddington, Dean Kershaw (Fairfield, Virginia) and Frank Pinizzotto (Middle River, Maryland). I was in touch with my other roomie Chuck Avery (Midland, Texas) until he sent me some pics of his vintage restored RV, so he must be off on extended travails across the USA. Suzie and I continue to enjoy retirement becoming more comfortable sharing the summer on Keuka Lake, New York, and ‘wintering’ in Kingwood, Texas. In March, my mom, Terry, (beloved by all Jersey rats) went to be with the Lord and is no doubt teaching Jesus to dance the hula. Our kids are doing well. Grandparenting is cool. We get to share fun with grandkids Sadie (9) and Hunter (4). I play at things involving old classic boats and motors. We just wrapped up our club display at

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES the 60th Houston boat show Jan. 2-11, 2015. We had 12 classic boats including makes of ChrisCraft, Century, Thompson and Higgins. We also had on display collections of some 25 vintage and restored outboard motors. Last fall, I did something unusual. I chaired an online fine arts auction as a fundraiser for the Yates County Arts Center in Penn Yan, New York. That’s about as far off my tech comfort grid as I have ever been. Suzie and I will celebrate 29 years of marriage March 8.

In mid-May, we head back up to our Lake Keuka house in the Finger Lakes of New York.”

’69

Walter Judd

Greetings, brother rats and friends of the great Class of 1969. It is mid-February when these notes are written, and we have much to discuss in a short time. BRs John Baker and Jacob “Jerry” Pence left our ranks in January. Drew Brantley ended a long and illustrious career as an Army “ground pounder” and then field exercise master as a contractor for the joint staff. We have other news of VMI gatherings and sightings to report, as well.

John T. “Falstaff” Baker of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, died Jan. 9, 2015, at his home. He had transitioned ownership and daily ops of his construction firm to his son earlier. There was a detailed obit in the Scottsbluff papers a few days after his passing. My favorite line was a true statement about John (and several others I know in our class): “Upon arriving in Scottsbluff, John started an engineering company with no capital, no clients and no employees. Over the years, he grew the business from nothing into a successful professional engineering, surveying and architecture firm.” Several BRs spoke up on Facebook when Thornton Newlon posted the news, and then Amo Judd posted the shortcut to the obit.

Jacob “Jerry” Pence died Jan. 26 in his hometown of McGaheysville, Virginia. After his graduation from VMI, Jerry served in the U.S. Army for two years and then attended John Tyler Community College, where he graduated with a funeral service degree. Jerry retired in 2012 after owning and operating the Kyger-Pence Funeral Home for many years. He was a member of Mount Olive Brethren Church, Port Republic Ruritan Club, Virginia Funeral Directors Association and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association. Jerry also authored his own book, “Kids, Don’t Try This At Home,” and then told the story of his book in a YouTube video. The video was excellent viewing and gave us a quick glance into a much more mature BR doing what he obviously enjoyed doing – having fun telling stories!

I sent out many cards and end-of-year letters in December and got back some interesting cards and

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notes from BRs and their families. Here are a few quick excerpts from them.

Rick and Mary Anne Snow of Corrales, New Mexico: Rick went back to work as lab superintendent for 19 labs and 12 lab techs at community college a year ago. His biggest complaint so far is about working with “academics.” Three kids are married and providing grandkids. Two grandsons so far with another on the way. Mary Anne teaches nursing assistants full time and still loves it. She sent me a picture of Rick and Tom Jones ’73, two granddads with their grandson, Jack.

Pat and Tricia Branch of Richmond, Virginia: The letter had lots of picture of the blended family. Pat is still working, and I am glad he is. I called

Class of 1969: Tom Jones and his wife, Elizabeth, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Sept. 28, 2014. Jones was competing in the Ironman, a race that consisted of 2,300 racers completing a 2.4 mile swim in the Tennessee River, biking 116 miles and running a marathon.

He finished in second place for age group 65-69 at 13 hours and 57 minutes, missing first place by only eight minutes. This was Jones’ seventh Ironman. him Jan. 2, and he was there to help take care of my retirement nest egg.

Gordon and Pat Bailey of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, checked in.

Larry Reigner of Ponce Inlet, Florida: Had a good conversation in late summer but missed him at the reunion.

John and Carol Edenfield of Stockton, California, still lead busy lives.

Peyton and Gail Brown of Lynchburg, Virginia: I was pleased to be able to help Gail contact the right people at VMI to make a special gift to Peyton at Christmas: His own name on a basketball locker at

VMI. He certainly deserves such recognition.

Charlie and Cammy Bryan of Richmond: Enjoyed having kids and grandkids near this past year.

Charlie still writes a regular column for Richmond papers and runs a consulting business. Efforts to retire not fully successful just yet ... Did enjoy a cruise from Athens to Istanbul in June.

Mike and Leigh Harper at home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Mike still runs Harper Consulting and has lists of impressive clients. At their house for Christmas this year were four generations of Leigh’s family, with her dad, Jim, at the head of the table.

Harold and Jane Fleischer in San Antonio, Texas, sent another card created by his late son.

Don and Noreen Mercer of Virginia Beach, Virginia: Photographer Don began his quest to “seriously capture images” in all 59 national parks by knocking out the first eight in 2014. The two became grandparents for first time, with number two on the way. Don was pleased to welcome a son into his family.

Bob and Sandy Clingenpeel of Glendale, Arizona: The two completed a D-Day Invasion tour in May and then visited their son in Germany. Several grandkids keep them busy, with twins coming in March.

Tom and Karen Buckner of Memphis, Tennessee: Three granddaughters and younger daughter’s engagement was big news for them.

Glenn Hammond of Troutville, Virginia: Still hanging tough with an assortment of health issues.

Courtenay and Ellen Welton of Richmond. Geoff and Frances Taylor of Richmond. They enjoyed the reunion in September.

Tony and Fran Gentile of Alexander City, Alabama, on a big lake.

John and Nancy Scott from North Redington Beach, Florida.

Roy “Dana” and Kaye Swatts of Orlando, Florida, or their mountain retreat in Montana. Need a break to visit a ghost town or fish for rainbow trout?

Check with Roy. Pete and Lynell Gilbert of Westminster, South Carolina: For the record, Pete, class agents do not receive any remuneration. Too bad! But we do get plenty of cards, letters and postage to use in our duties.

Jim and Malda Puryear of North Chesterfield, Virginia.

Pat Browning of Natural Bridge, Virginia. We still remember well her railroad-loving husband Wynne.

Roxanne McCrory Wilson of Columbia, South Carolina, and her hubbie, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (Washington and Lee University), as well! We have to respect our W&L neighbors from our time in Lexington. Mike and Roxanne’s son, Alan, was elected again to the attorney general position in South Carolina by a huge majority of the votes. Staying busy is no problem for this

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CLASS NOTES Drew. He has probably been there! family, with varied job responsibilities In late January, I attended a luncheon and grandkids vying for time. in a Williamsburg restaurant for senior Sam Hoffman of Goochland, VirginVMI alumni in the Williamsburg area. ia. Mike and Mary Giles of Somerville, Jim Henry ’68 got the group started Massachusetts. several years ago and is now in charge Jim and Beth Long of Salem, Virginia, of getting similar programs started in are regulars for VMI football and basketother locales. I sat with men from classball games.

Bomber and Becky Hudson told of es in the ’50s and mid-70s and was not a September trip around Kentucky on surprised how easy the conversation the Bourbon Trail to try different whisClass of 1969: From left, Rick Snow, Tom Jones ’73 rolled along. This most recent event keys and mentioned they had traveled and their grandson, John Radspinner Snow, who was special, as Jim decided to invite wives and widows, as well, and was with Spunky and Linda Butler and met turned two Feb. 2, 2015. rewarded with several of the wives atChunky and Connie Neale for a meal.

Lloyd and Debbie McGrady of Navarre, Flori- late January was not very memorable. tending with the men.

On Feb. 24, Tom Morris and I arose early and da: Lloyd related that Mike Maguigan had underLou and Tanya Sidney of Alexandria, Virginia. gone back surgery after the reunion but was on the Paul and Marsha Kowalski of Lexington, Ken- drove to Lexington through the cold fog and wet mend. tucky. John and Rebecca DuBose of Summerville, conditions to attend the VMI versus El Cid basketBill and Jane Kirkpatrick of Simpsonville, South Carolina. ball game. We met Charlie and Cammy Bryan and South Carolina: Bill enjoyed the reunion and reWayne and Kim Keesee left Connecticut and John and Sallie Sebrell walking to the arena, and moved to Travelers Rest, South Carolina, at the end then sat with Tom and Nancy Catlett and Jim and newing friendships from long ago.

Beth Long at the game. Peyton and Gail Brown Eileen Nohava of Navarre, Florida: Tennis and of summer.

Amo and Margy Judd, Cleveland, Ohio, sent a and Ralph and Mary Alice Wright were also there, grandkids keep Corville’s wife active and involved.

Joe and Jenny Howard of Los Alamos, New New Year’s card with lots of images of a busy, con- as Peyton and Ralph were part of the halftime cerMexico: Joe sent the good news that he received nected couple. emony. At halftime of the hard fought game, former a clean bill of health after his episode at the CleveDrew Brantley wrote me in late January to say he players, managers and trainers who had worked land Clinic. I suspect a person could visit Cleveland had decided to retire from his joint staff contractor with Coach Gary McPherson during his time as and see a game or two without visiting the clinic ... position. “I will miss the guys and the travel. It has head basketball coach honored the coach with a been a long and pretty happy ride.” Drew started new basketball scholarship at VMI. John Kemper Some other time, Joe. Tom and Elizabeth Jones of Macon, Georgia: his military career before we matriculated and ’68 arranged the weekend and invited several old They celebrated their first 25 years of marriage this bounced from active duty to the contractor gig. He friends of the program to be recognized on the basyear by traveling all over. They went on a pilgrimage certainly paid his dues to the USA and now moves ketball floor and to present Coach McPherson and to London’s Canterbury and continued their support on to other pursuits. If you ever have a question his family for all to acknowledge. I joined Peyton of the Jonathan Daniels weekend in Alabama. Tom about a place to visit in the world, check with and Ralph from our class on the court. Sam Kirby is the de facto champion for remembering ’71, Reed Heddleston ’70 and Jim and honoring Daniels and assisting VMI Gillespie ’70 from the classes after in making the Daniels Award to an honorus and Charlie Schmaus ’66, John Gupton ’67, Jack Cooper ’66 and able leader in race relations.

Jeff Gauspohl ’65 ahead of us all were Joe and Michie Flanz of Alexandria, there to honor the coach. The game Virginia: They fill the time with neat trips was terrific, as well, as we took a small all over: Japan, Vancouver to Calgary to lead into halftime and then outfought see Canadian Rockies, Boston and New the South Carolina boys for a hardYork. And Lexington for our 45th! Next earned victory. year, they will travel to Gallipoli, Turkey I noted on the VMI Campaign weband Japan, plus possibly France. Joe is good to remember with gifts each year site a film starring many heroes of the the memories of Lee Galloway, Mike Institute (including Bunny in some McCrory and Corville Nohava. funny, candid shots), all talking about Webb Hatch, head basketball coach the on-going capital campaign. Make at Frostburg State University in Lavale, Class of 1969: Don Mercer visited post in December sure to watch and note around 8:44 Maryland, whose team’s visit to our lo2014 and took these images. (Editor’s Note: The cov- for a moment or two all the members of the class. In two pictures there are cal college in Newport News, Virginia, in er image of this issue was also taken by Don Mercer.)

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES shown at least a dozen or more ’69 BRs and wives.

I had to stop the action to note all the faces I recognized. Do it and have fun!

In mid-February, Dick Camp sent the following note: “My wife, Cheryl, and I have been dealing with the recent, unexpected passing of her mother.

Fortunately, we went to Phoenix last fall to check on her parents, so at least Cheryl was able to visit with her mother one more time. On the way home, we took a side trip to New Mexico including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos and Los Alamos. We had a great visit in Santa Fe with Chris Brothers, who seemed to be enjoying retirement there. He is living the high life there, literally, as Santa Fe is over 7,000 feet. Chris made sure we saw what we needed to see as he knows Santa Fe very well. He is in good company with Los Alamos to the North, as the area has the highest number of Ph.D.s per square mile in the country. Also, Cheryl and I have now visited the three oldest church buildings north of Mexico: The English church in Jamestown, the French church in Quebec City and the Spanish church in Santa Fe.” Keep on traveling, Dick, and add a few more churches to the list.

Cammy Bryan posted the following on Facebook in mid-February: “OK, Charlie would never toot his own horn, but I have no shame. He is the first to receive the UT (Tennessee this time, not Texas!) History Department Outstanding Alumnus Award. It certainly validates five years of living in the married student ghetto. You go, Charlie!” We agree that BR Charlie is a real gem!

Marty Parks has been pretty proud of his son, Graham, for attaining Eagle status this winter.

The picture on Facebook showed Dad in his scout uniform presenting the Eagle award to his son with the proud mother standing near. Not many kids these days stay with a program for 12 years and go all the way through the ranks. Congratulations to both son and parents.

Our Class of 1969 Memorial Scholarship is alive and well. We paid part of the bill for Cadet Zachary Chase ’17, a psychology major from Christiansburg, Virginia, during the current school year. Our scholarship is an endowment and can always use a boost.

When Jim Chapman asked me about the Air Force award we pay for each year, I asked Col. Dean “Spanky” Lee, the PAS at VMI, to tell me more. Here is his reply received in December: “The Detachment 880 John W. Kennedy ’69 Award recognizes the cadet who most exemplifies the same qualities Captain Kennedy possessed: scholastic, athletic and military achievement.

Jack Kennedy was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force upon graduation, where he proved to be an outstanding officer and pilot. Captain Kennedy was the last VMI graduate lost in the Vietnam War. He was our best: the most promising of citizen soldiers; the heart and mind and backbone of his great nation. His classmates described him

2015-Issue 2

in this way: ‘Respected by his brother rats, Jack is one of the cadets who has given more to, and will carry more away from VMI than any diploma is capable of symbolizing.’ We hope you continue to support the award to an AFROTC cadet. We believe it is one of the most prestigious awards we present each year. Last year, we gave it to a Cadet Nathan Meade ’13, a senior and graduating pilot candidate. Last month, he graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and was No. 1 of 40 pilots. He earned his first choice of assignments and will fly the F-15E. He also was awarded the top academic award and the Distinguished Graduate Award. He was certainly a worthy award winner of the Kennedy ’69 award.” Col. Lee, we totally agree! (Editor’s Note: See Page 160 of this issue for more on Meade.)

One last comment about money and making contributions to VMI in anticipation of our 50th Reunion. Recently, a BR called me and wanted to give some shares of a mutual fund to VMI and needed an account with access to his mutual fund.

He wanted to transfer the shares directly and not sell them first. Buddy Bryan ’71 and the Foundation staff told me that VMI does, in fact, have several such accounts with different big investment firms to accept donations of all kinds. So, BRs, if you want to share some of your accumulated wealth with VMI and don’t wish to sell anything, talk to Buddy and make the gift as a direct transfer from your account to VMI’s.

Several BRs have suggested it is time for us to establish some interesting “survivor” goals or products. Win Winfree suggested – in the spirit of the Jimmy Doolittle Raiders – we establish a Tontine for the class. And what, pray tell, is a tontine? Good question! The online dictionary suggest it is “a joint financial arrangement whereby the participants usually contribute equally to a prize that is awarded entirely to the participant who survives all the others,” or “an annuity shared by subscribers to a loan or common fund, the shares increasing as subscribers die until the last survivor enjoys the whole income.”

We are thinking a bottle of fine spirits as the prize and the entry fee a donation to the Class of 1969 50th Reunion Fund. Any other thoughts?

I have to close with some humor. But serious humor! Joe Flanz sent me a note Jan. 21 showing how closely he listens to the radio. “This morning on National Public Radio, Garrison Keillor (of a Prairie Home Companion) led off his commentary on The Writers’ Almanac (a 5-minute segment on weekdays) stating it was Stonewall Jackson’s birthday, and then to my dismay, in giving a mini biography, said that Stonewall had taught at a ‘military institute in Lexington, Kentucky.’ Don’t know how many of our BRs listen to NPR, not many (I think), as its point of view is definitely left of center. However, I couldn’t let such an egregious error go by. Below is my

email to The Writers’ Almanac: “Dear Sir: Although I was delighted that you would mention Stonewall Jackson’s birthday on The Writers’ Almanac, I was appalled that you erroneously reported his teaching experience as being at a military institute in Lexington, Kentucky. Without much effort at all, quick research would have shown that he taught for 10 years at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. By the way, he was not a particularly well-liked or effective professor. His students referred to him as “Tom Fool” Jackson. Yet bad relations were eternally healed when, just before the battle of Chancellorsville, in which he was mistakenly killed at its conclusion by his own troops, he looked around and seeing so many of his former students said, ‘The Institute will be heard from today.’”

Stay healthy, BRs, and send some love to Lexington, Virginia!

In the spirit, Walt

’70

Warren Grasty

Sorry to disrupt your sunny spring and drag you back to bleak wintertime, but since these notes cover last November through February, there is simply no avoiding it.

The first week of November, Bill O’Connor organized a get-together of Richmond-area brother rats. Joining Bill were Herb Braun, Mike Coleman, Jud Collier, Tom Cooke, Stuart Cottrell, Ralph Costen, Paul Dickinson,

Class of 1970: Scott Kinsey and Steve Talley in November when Steve and Emily stopped by the Kinsey’s on their sail to the Caribbean.

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CLASS NOTES

Class of 1970: At the Institute Society Dinner on Founders Day, Nov. 11, 2014, were, from left, Kent and Judy Schlussel, Julie and Carl Strock, Malou and Waite Rawls, Jan and Tom Zarges, Barbara and Howie DeWolf, Neil and De Steverson, and Warren and Liz Grasty.

Peel Dillard, Ned Haley, Bill Huffman, Snead Luck, Dick Marshall, Charlie Perry, Mike Sisler, Neil Steverson, Kelly Sutton and Gary Weishaar. Quite a turnout, particularly considering there wasn’t even an open bar. Thanks to Bill for pulling this together. Rumor has it that a similar event is being planned for March. Bill also made contact with John Pettyjohn recently. John still lives in Lynchburg, where he has recently retired from teaching.

On Founders Day, Liz and I had the pleasure of attending the Founders’ Day parade on post and the Institute Society Dinner that evening.

Joining us at the dinner were Howie and Barbara DeWolf, Waite and Malou Rawls, Kent and Judy Schlussel, Neil and De Steverson, Carl and Julie Strock and Tom and Jan Zarges.

This fine event, in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Institute, was, unfortunately, not without its tragicomic moment, to wit. As the VMI Glee Club wrapped up their part in the after-dinner festivities, they asked the alumni to stand when they heard their service’s song being sung. First up was, “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” whereupon all Army alums rose to their feet. Next up, “Anchors Aweigh” for the Navy alums. But then, as the Glee Club began some song I had never heard, former flyboy Tom Zarges, sitting to my left, stood up.

Whereupon I said to myself, “Self, it looks like the Air Force has come up with a new tune.”

One clue should have been that Howie DeWolf, sitting to my right, was still sitting. “Yo, Howie! You deaf?!” Howie doesn’t move. Then the unfamiliar music finished, and the Glee Club cranked up, “Off We Go into the Wild Blue Yonder,” at which point both Howie and Tom stood up. Afterward, still trying to unbend my mind, I discreetly queried Tom, “What the hell

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was that all about!?” Well, it seems that before deciding to attend VMI, Tom had signed up with the U.S. Coast Guard but had to withdraw within a few days due to a serious leg injury. The unrecognized song was the Coast Guard’s tune, “Semper Paratus.” Who knew? Anyway, after order had been restored to the universe, the next day, following the class agents’ meeting, Liz and I had a nice lunch at the Southern Inn with Nancy Cabaniss Mastin, who graciously loaned us her copy of the 1950s movie, “Mardi Gras,” about VMI, starring Pat Boone and Tommy Sands.

Somehow, this movie had hovered well below our limited movie radar range all these years.

Sort of like, “Brother Rat and a Baby,” as unearthed a few issues back by Bob Hawthorne.

The weekend of The Citadel game in Lexington in late November, Gary and Lynn Weishaar hosted Gray and Nancy Chandler, Steve and Sherrie Craddock, and Liz and me at their home in Richmond, where we received the full bed-and-breakfast treatment. Steve generously provided the wine in a preemptive move to keep us from drinking our normal rotgut stuff. Joining us at dinner that Friday night were John and June Bailey, Herb and Susan Braun, Tom and Jill Cooke, Jim and Judy Mawyer and Charlie and Margaret Walker. At the game, we ran into Paul Dickinson, Peel Dillard, Ned Haley, J.C. Hanks, Bill and Paula O’Connor, Lew and Judy Reynolds, Kent Schlussel, Ned Snead, and Carl and Julie Strock. Also attending was Phil Brandt (for the first time since 1968). Phil recently retired from the Nuclear Regulatory Agency to live the life of a gentleman farmer in eastern Tennessee. As has become a home game tradition, we were all feted by Lew and Judy with their fabulous mobile tailgate party.

While partaking of the tailgate goodies at halftime, Ned Haley, Kent Schlussel and I were, for some unknown reason, trying to remember our matriculation date. Ned and I remembered it being in mid to late August, but Kent was pretty sure it was in early September. As it turns out, that infamous date was Sept. 8, 1966. At some stage, Kent had the great idea of having a 50th matriculation anniversary party Sept. 8, 2016.

Better yet, we could have a matriculation party every year on that day, spreading even more mirth and glee around the land. Being ever vigilant in finding reasons to party, I’ll see what can be pulled together. Unfortunately, Ocho de Septembro doesn’t have quite the ring as does Cinco de Mayo, but, as we all surely know by now, we

Class of 1970: During halftime at the VMI versus The Citadel game in Lexington Nov. 22, 2014, were, from left, Ned Snead, Charlie Walker, Lew Reynolds, Steve Craddock, Gary Weishaar (front), Tom Cooke, J.C. Snead, Carl Strock, Herb Braun (front), Gray Chandler, Ned Haley and Phil Brandt.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES have to play the cards we are dealt.

Kent and Judy Schlussel spent most of December in Spain and Portugal, where they enjoyed good wine and food and saw, among other things, the tombs of Columbus, Franco and various kings and queens. Back in the U.S. of A, Kent ran into Mike Iwanik at a Charlottesville area VMI Alumni Association chapter meeting and reported Mike is pondering his retirement from the University of Virginia. And as Judy and Kent stood in line to see the movie, “American Sniper,” who was next in line but Mike Sisler.

Kent says that Judy’s fractured wrist appears to be healing nicely, albeit slowly, and she hopes to have full functionality by reunion.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I received a nice call from Scott Kinsey from Sheldon, South Carolina, saying that he and Laura had recently gotten together with Steve and Emily Talley as this daring duo sailed down the inland waterway on their trip to the Caribbean. Scott also mentioned that they will be heading to Florida in mid-February, where their niece will be sworn in as a circuit judge in Pensacola.

In early December, John Bailey and I hit the road to Peel Dillard’s farm outside of Tappahannock for his annual oyster roast. What a feast!

Absolutely the meatiest, tastiest oysters I have ever eaten. Raw, steamed, fried, baked ... it just doesn’t matter. And the pheasant chili was a first for me. Joining in this pig-out were Herb Braun, Jud Collier, Bill Huffman, Waite Rawls, Donnie Ross ’74 and the recently-retired Carl Strock.

This was definitely the social event of the year in Essex County. One of Peel’s best friends and a fellow pilot from their Marine Corps days, Tom Blickensderfer, was also there. I asked if he was related to our very own Justin Blickensderfer, who now resides with the lovely Carol in sunny Mableton, Georgia. “Probably,” he replied unenthusiastically. In any case, I got Tom’s email address and connected him with Lefty, not realizing that I may have unwittingly done the FBI a favor. Whatever.

Later in December, Liz and I joined John and June Bailey for a special Christmas weekend package at the Mimslyn Inn in Luray, Virginia, where John’s brother’s band performed. What a pleasant surprise, as I had never heard of the historic Mimslyn Inn before, even though I have lived in Virginia most of my life. I recommend it as a great place to stay while exploring the northern section of the Shenandoah Valley or if you are a recent enrollee in the witness protection program.

Matt Curtis wrote in from Bahia Kino, Sonora, Mexico, and said writing the fishing reports for the Kino Bay Newsletter is his sole retirement obligation (my pun, not his). He and Lynn spend about 10 months each year there and have just about finished building their new home,

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Class of 1970: From left, Sherrie Craddock, Gray Chandler, Steve Craddock, Nancy Chandler, Warren and Liz Grasty and Lynn and Gary Weishaar enjoyed the VMI versus The Citadel weekend at the Weishaar’s home in Richmond, Virginia. aka, casita. Upon further review, building a new home seems a bit redundant, doesn’t it, since how could you build an old home? Anyway, the rest of the year is split between Patagonia, Arizona, and road trips to Wyoming, which I assume involves more fishing. All this is reminiscent of the old saw, i.e., give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll go bonkers in retirement.

Jim Spacek posted on the VMI’70 Facebook page that he recently had a group of “formers” over to watch “The Field of Lost Shoes” – i.e., the former directors of the public utilities, public works and city engineers from the Hampton Roads area. “Initially, there were a lot of hoots from the Old Dominion University, Pennsylvania State University and University of Virginia folks, but even they admitted that the movie was great.” And Tom Love wrote to say that he ran his first (and last) marathon in November. Which begs the obvious question: “Tom. What the heck were you thinking?!”

Ned Haley checked in to say that just before Christmas he and Fricka took a trip with friends to Winterthur to see an exhibit of the costumes used in the Public Broadcasting Service series, “Downton Abbey,” along with other Winterthur highlights. They hosted their annual, multicourse, wine-pairing dinner for the church auction last fall. The theme was “Frank Sinatra’s 99th Birthday Dinner.” To their guests’ delight, the food was Sicilian rather than oatmeal and Ensure. The highlight of the year was the marriage of daughter Caitlin to Justin Bailey at Lydia Mountain near Charlottesville. This spring, they will be going on a Danube River cruise with friends, preceded by a visit to Patrick and

Jennifer in Doha and a few days afterward in Budapest.

Also chiming in from Richmond was Dave Nuckols, who is still gainfully employed in the Structure and Bridge Division at VDOT. Since Jerry VanLear’s retirement a few years ago, he appears to be the lone hanger-on of the 15 or so brother rats who joined VDOT after graduation.

Dave reports that he, Diane and about 150 others attended the one-and-a-half day bi-annual Stonewall Jackson Symposium over Memorial Day weekend. Apparently, this was the first time in the event’s 30-year history that it was held in its entirety at VMI. On the family front, their daughter recently moved from Abingdon to Richmond, so they now spend much more time with granddaughter Brynn (3-and-a-half) and grandson Hudson (six months) – a Class of 2036 provisional appointee. Over the summer he ran into John Jordan, who is transitioning son Andy to take over the reins of Jordan Consulting Engineers in North Chesterfield, Virginia.

Also still in the ranks of the employed, A.C. Arnn says that he and Beth are enjoying visits with their granddaughter, Charlotte, in Burlington, North Carolina, and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of grandchild number two in late summer to son Patrick and Jessica. However, visiting them will be a little more challenging, as Patrick is assigned to Ellison Air Force Base in Alaska for four years. However, they will definitely be there for the delivery, and then fly back for our 45th Reunion in mid-September. Between grandchildren and golf, it sounds to me like A.C. has finally got the proper motivation to actually retire, although the Vegas bookies have not yet established the odds.

Later this spring, Dick and Linda Knight will be heading up to West Point to attend the graduation of their cousin, Tessa Knight. In Dick’s words, “She is a ‘sixth generation’ cadet, the last five of them bearing the name of ‘Knight.’ It should be quite a weekend, as the famous Class of 1915 (Eisenhower, Bradley, Van Fleet and 56 other general officers) will be celebrated. My grandfather (USMA August ’917) played football with Gen. Bradley, and when ‘Brad’ visited VMI in 1969 during the Moody Hall dedication ceremony, I spoke with him, and he said he remembered my grandfather well. Granddad, by the way, stopped at VMI in 1967 on his way to West Point for his 50th Reunion, and I have a group picture of our BR (my cousin) Ed ‘Dashie’ Holmes, Granddad and me, in front of the barracks.” I can’t top that one.

Nor can I top this. A proud John Pappas wrote in saying that he accompanied his grandson, Chance Osowski-Pappas, to hear him play Spanish guitar in a recital for his charter school’s dance group, the Tierra Adentro De Nuevo Mexico Dance Ensemble, at Carnegie Hall –

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CLASS NOTES that being the Carnegie Hall in New York City.

His group from Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to the performance of, “Misatango: A Tango Mass from Argentina,” which included a chorus of over 300 singers from around the world.

Afterward, the dance group and one of the choral groups from France of over 100 singers had a reception at Rosie O’Grady’s Irish pub. Quite a day!

Being obviously taken with the whole dancing thing, John also said that he planned to attend the Feb. 7 Valentine’s dance in Boonsboro, Virginia, where the VMI Commanders will be playing. As the old saying goes, “Feet, don’t fail me now!”

Early in the fall, Reed and Carol Heddleston had dinner with Bob and Judy Costigan in San Antonio during their visit to see their grandchildren in Austin and reported that Judy was recovering from rotator cuff surgery. Reed also attended the reunion of the VMI basketball teams who played for Gary McPherson, which was held the Saturday of the VMI versus The Citadel basketball game in Lexington. Also attending the game were Paul and Lynn Munch, who had the pleasure of witnessing a 10-point Keydet victory.

At the other end of the sporting spectrum, I have the sad duty to report that Ralph Costen and Bill O’Connor could not replicate last year’s fine victory over Jim “Weasel” Chapman ’69 and Bill “Bunny” Paulette ’69 at this year’s rematch in Palm Springs, California. The copious amount of trash talking that preceded this event only increased their level of pain. Caveat badmouther.

On the last Thursday of January, the 2015 version of GOMBACS commenced in Myrtle Beach. This year’s attendees were A.C. Arnn, John Bailey, Herb Braun, Stix Chandler, Tommy Cooke, Bob Costigan, Steve Craddock, Tom Massey, David Schmidt, Mike Snead, Charlie Walker, Gary Weishaar and yours truly.

No sooner had we left, some of the wives (Judy

Mawyer, Margaret Walker, Lynn Weishaar and Liz) hustled to the Bailey’s in northern Virginia to spend the weekend with June. Reportedly, the highlight of the weekend was attending the annual chili cook-off in Arlington, Virginia, to sample the award-winning chili of John and June’s eldest son, Wes, which reportedly required 200 pounds of meat. As the event sponsor was the local alumni chapter of VPI and SUEIEIO, they had to go incognito.

Having had our fill of golf for a while, Steve, David and I rode with Stix from Myrtle Beach to Orange Park, Florida, for his and Nancy’s worldfamous oyster roast, with Sherrie Craddock and Liz flying in to try and keep things reasonably under control. Also attending were locals Dennis and Ann Witt ’69 and, from Goldsboro, North Carolina, George and Lisa Ritko, who obviously will travel pretty much anywhere for a party. A good time was had by all, although the details remain fuzzy. Liz and I stayed in Florida the following week and, along with Gray and Nancy, attended the Keydet Club’s VMI versus the University of North Florida baseball pregame event, which was graciously hosted by Connie and Lee Moon at their Jacksonville home. Also in attendance were Frank Cleaton, Ralph Costen, Bill O’Connor, Tom Gillette ’67 and Dick Valentine ’72. Lee is doing well as director of athletics at UNF and appears to have recovered well from a major (i.e., double tendon) ankle injury last fall and a mild stroke earlier in the year. Hopefully 2015 will be much less eventful.

As they say in northern Virginia, or pretty much anywhere else in the U.S. these days, “No mas.” Be sure to check out our Facebook page (VMI’70) for pictures that either exceeded my five-picture limit or were not of high enough resolution to include, as well as pictures and comments posted by other BRs. In the spirit!

Class of 1970: At Peel Dillard’s annual December oyster roast near Tappahannock, Virginia, were, from left, John Bailey, Herb Braun, Waite Rawls, Carl Strock, Peel Dillard, Donnie Ross ’74, Jud Collier, Bill Huffman and Warren Grasty.

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’71

James Kelly

These notes will cover the period between Nov. 1, 2014, and Feb. 15, 2015.

It will be on or about New Market Day at VMI as you receive these notes and about halfway through 2015. I hope that all of you “wintered” well and that this summer will be a great season, wherever you may be. When I work on sending out birthday cards, it is easy to see that time is marching on for us all, and many of you who have not already retired will be doing so in the near future. Please let me know of any address changes, and I will make sure the information gets to VMI. Meanwhile, in real time, it is quite cold in Pulaski and most areas around us. The weather, however, did not prevent the Class of 2018 Breakout from the Rat Line Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. As you have heard, Breakout is considerably different from how it was back in ’68 (Old Corps). The rats have a grueling day of activities, followed by dinner with their dykes and the first “official” Old Yell in the courtyard. I still have the picture of our class in the courtyard on the night we broke out. Almost no one in the photo is recognizable due to the many layers of protective gear we each had on ... quite a night!

Since the last edition of our class notes, VMI officially celebrated its 175th anniversary with appropriate parades and celebrations on post.

The Institute Society Dinner was held the evening of Nov. 11 in Marshall Hall with our brother rats Ellington, Wall, Kirby, Honeywell, Fraim and Bryan all in attendance.

Kathryn and I appreciate all the Christmas cards, photos and newsletters we received over the holiday season and put on display in our home.

Among those we heard from were Good (Jo Ann), O’Loughlin, O’Donnell, Bisallion, Gearhart, Berkness, Kennedy, Hannum, Truesdell, Wadsworth, Byran, Sanetti, Neville, Stallings, Roder, Price, Kern, Schelhorn, Bergland, Friend, Coble, Staley, Kardian, Rush and Schrader.

Near the beginning of the New Year, many of our brother rats in northern Virginia gathered for a traditional holiday meal. This year’s event was held at the Cantina d’Italia in Herndon, Virginia, featuring “great service and great food,” according to reports. On hand for that event were Fogleman, Price, Nilon, Metzger, Paton, Schelhorn, Piernick, Tashima and Honeywell.

Brother rats and/or their wives continue to fill up the Facebook pages with photos, recipes, jokes etc. This quarter you can check out postings from Volgyi, Gearhart, Snyder, Pearman, Brumback, Bisaillon, Coleman, Carver, Patterson,

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Groome, Dudley, Kirby, Ginder, Biggs, Bryan, Kelly, Staley, Clary, Haywood, Padgett, Martenstein, Caufield, Acuff, Kreamer, Guffey and Ashman.

Our basketball team has sputtered a little this season compared to the last year or so. The Keydets lost some key players to graduation and had some players leave the team at some point during the year, forcing us to employ a little different style of ball using platoons of mostly young players. The team did have a big win over The Citadel at VMI near the end of January. The unorganized alumni chapter of ’71 held a rather large gathering in Lexington, beginning with lunch at Salerno’s and then the game in Cameron Hall. Chapter “president” Rick Littleton took the lead in putting together a great afternoon. In addition to Rick and Bev, we had Gault, Lockridge, Wall, Metzger, Kelly, Coleman, Kennedy, Rose, Haywood, Kirby, Paton, Martenstein, Golden, Hanke, Acuff, Lawson, Ellington, Bryan, Gearhart, Mikula, Miller, Pickral, Strickler and Westbrook.

Several wives and friends were also on hand, making the total number somewhere around 45. The game was a marathon that lasted well over two

hours. Five Keydets scored in double figures and a Cameron Hall record of 60 personal fouls were called. Our group was recognized at halftime by the game announcer and also over the radio stations covering the game. During halftime, some players and managers from the Coach McPherson era were recognized – including BR Sam Kirby (who received, by far, the biggest applause) – and the creation of a basketball scholarship by John Kemper ’68 was announced.

Kathryn and I were in Richmond recently to look after our grandchildren Lauren ’26 and Ryan ’27. While we were up in the “Big R,” we had the opportunity to get together for a nice dinner with Lanny and T.S. Gault, Sam and Spring Kirby, and Tom and Connie Martenstein. Our class has a fairly large number of BRs in the Richmond area, and many gather from time to time for a luncheon meeting. We will be back in Richmond at the end of February, and plans are in the works for several of us to have lunch at a barbecue place called Extra Billy’s. John Heisler is the man in charge of rounding the troops up. I will report on how things went in the next set of notes.

The Hall of Valor located in Marshall Hall at

Class of 1971: Members of the class and their guests gathered at Salerno’s in Lexington before the VMI versus The Citadel basketball game Jan. 24, 2015. Over 40 brother rats and guests were in attendance. Top photo courtesy of Jane Ellington. Bottom photo courtesy of Bev Littleton.

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VMI is in the process of expanding to include another series of classes, with the Class of 1971 among them. To date, we have three of our brother rats whose military awards (within specific guidelines) have qualified them for inclusion in the HOV. Glenn Cox was awarded the Airman’s Medal, Raymond Carter III was decorated with a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars with “V” device, and Scott Pardee received a Purple Heart.

The displays have been completed and currently hang in the HOV. Congratulations to these brother rats and their families for the recognition they received as a result of service to our country.

Most of you are aware that VMI has hired Scott Wachenheim as its new football coach.

He has retained some of the assistants that were with Coach Woods and has made some new additions as well. Feb. 4 was National Signing Day for student athletes to make their commitments to play collegiate football. VMI had 13 commitments, with 11 coming from Virginia and the remaining two from out of state. Coach Wachenheim was quoted in the media as saying that these recruits “will improve team speed and overall athletic ability.” Many of the recruits are multi-positional players as well as multiple sport athletes and could be helpful to our team during their first year at VMI. The Keydets will open their season on the road at Ball State University on Sept. 5 and have the home opener Sept. 12 against Morehead State University. There will be a total of six home games and an in state game at Richmond.

The Class of ’71 continues to be among the leaders in participation in VMI Annual Giving.

As this fiscal year approaches its end, I encourage each of you to join your brother rats and fellow alumni in supporting VMI. Private donations continue to be a critical factor in providing operational funds, as well as maintaining an endowment that will sustain VMI in the years ahead.

We will be celebrating our 45th Reunion in fall 2016 ... most likely in early September, depending on the home football schedule. This event presents an incentive for those who do not already have a brick in the front of barracks to consider qualifying in the near future. Bricks are ordered twice yearly and are installed in time for the return of reunion classes. Currently there are more than 5,100 bricks honoring alumni and friends of VMI. The Brick Program began in 2002 as a way of honoring faithful supporters of VMI whose gifts in any given year might not qualify them for other forms of recognition.

Cash gifts of any kind, restricted or unrestricted, which total $2,500 since 1998 qualify an individual for a brick. A donor may “earn” up to five bricks and choose to honor a deceased brother rat or a friend of VMI with those additional bricks. For information about where you stand with regard to your brick(s), you may contact the

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CLASS NOTES Will ’22 won his grade level spelling bee. As Elise says, “...it’s far better that we all stay busy with family and friends, because that’s what keeps us staying healthy, wealthy and wise.” Amen.

John and Mimi Cobb: Mimi wrote of a year of adjustments and changes, kids’ moves and impending retirement (hers, after 30 years of teaching). She said, “John is enjoying his retirement ... keeps busy golfing several times a week and is thriving as the family ‘go-to guy.’” A 40th wedding anniversary, family travels and golf vacations ... “We look forward to reconnecting with more friends as soon as I retire and ‘we can do what we want to do, when we want to do it,’ and most important of all – enjoy our precious grandchildren with gusto!” Perfect priorities, Mimi.

George and Mary Jane Williams: George’s letter excitedly announced the arrival of their first grand, Ruby Jane, 10 days before Christmas.

What a present! He detailed their January escape to Australia and New Zealand. Then in June, they hit the road “...on a trip of a lifetime, a 3 month journey in our RV through the Canadian northwest and Alaska. Yes, 15,000 miles and three months in a 21-foot RV – and we are both still talking to each other and happily married

they continued their visits with family and friends (e.g., Yo-Yo Ma, James Garfield and the Indians) in Cleveland. There was Charleston (a favorite of your scribe), Cancun (again, with family) and an anniversary journey to Istanbul. She turned poetic with references to destinations within walking distance – the Haghia Sophia, Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace – and the local residents’ warmth and friendliness. Then, Betsy visited daughter Katie in England, where they Larry Houseworth traveled from Nottingham to Cornwall to Northumberland. And there was a humorous telling of why there was no Christmas tree allowed in Chez Foster until after Dec. 20. Seems our wellintentioned BR casually offered their home for the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center orthopedic department’s holiday party – a Brother and Sister Rats, Families, Friends, Foldo-able event 10 years ago. Quite the challenge, lowers and Passers-by, though, as the department now numbers over 170 I offer greetings and salutations from a stone-cold ... banishing the furniture (and said tree) afforded gray nation’s capital ... knowing you’ll be reading space and frivolity for all. this when spring showers the valley in blossoms and Fred and Cathy Bauer: I lost count (after 15) promise. (whoa ... prosaic-alert; I must get out of this of the smiling faces in “Bauerville.” Fred said cubicle.) they welcomed two beautiful granddaughters These notes cover the time between Founder’s and are expecting another (their eighth). This Day and mid-February – holiday news abounds in cracked me up: “Cathy and I just got back from a moment. visiting family in Austin, Texas, Your scribe has delighted in spending and in September, we visited Rusa great deal of time with an angel in the RVA ... the loving and ever-so-patient Ms. sia (Moscow and St. Petersburg). In Marie lives in a charming neighborhood my next life, I’m coming back as a of VMI-er’s, Wahoos, Hokies and Dukes. girl watcher in Red Square; wow!”

While on the annual Delbert McClinton Which would, no doubt, enhance Cruise (her first, my fifth), we found that your odds of repeating your prolificthis intra-commonwealth bond ensured ness, BR. we were never short on opportunities Dave and Sue Hall: Our Killeen for shared remembrances with new best team wrote of pseudo-retirement, friends. A wonderful gift, indeed. loss and a frenetic lifestyle. Sue Bob and Linda Stransky graciously lost her godmother and her father hosted us and others at their beautiful but spoke of the beauty of military Duck, North Carolina, beach house for honors rendered to him at Arlington New Years. We thoroughly overindulged National Cemetery. She said, “When in food, frolic and football. Bob and I ponit comes to a fast-paced year, no one can beat Dave. He decided to end his tificated on our patently obvious solutions time with Lend Lease in December to the world’s ills. (See the picture of two Class of 1972: Larry Houseworth and Bob Stransky and took several months off to devery self-satisfied gents.) Lord, how toler- in Duck, North Carolina, chez Stransky New Year’s Day 2015. ant are our ladies... cide what he wanted to do.” (Sue Now to that Holiday news: told him retiring was not an option.)

Phil Clayton and Ava Tucker: A beautiful shot of (though it was touch and go at times).” Ruby He finally negotiated a compromise with Sue their snowbound home on Hawkridge, news of their Jane’s mom and dad (Phil and kindergarten and went part time with an old friend at Sevan purchase of Maple Hall and ... the announcement teaching mom, Lauren) are in Richmond, where Multi-Site Solutions. While working with Sevan they’ve officially tied the knot! Well done, Ava, and Phil is the advertising account manager for Co- and a lot of great friends from his Bovis days, he big congratulations to you both! lonial Williamsburg and Chips Ahoy cookies received an offer he couldn’t refuse – to head up Paul and Elise Gorski: Elise wrote of the upcom- at the Martin Agency. Son Clayton (a contrac- the 911 Center for Bell County. He now works ing marriage of daughter Christine to a fellow Geor- tor with the Naval Research Lab) and girlfriend full time and loves the challenge of it. And, of gia Institute of Technology classmate. Dad will walk Brooke are homesteading in northeast Washing- course, Sue is thrilled that he is no longer home her down the aisle and serve as deacon for the Mass. ton, D.C., where they’re remodeling a 1900s row “every day – all day!”

Their travel included a reunion with old friends Let’s see how dry the eyes are for that! Thomas house. Good genes.

Chris and Betsy Foster: In keeping with the at the Naval War College in Newport, an August ’03 and wife are expecting Paul and Elise’s second grandchild (VMI ’32?) Paul will test the dry eyes Williams’ wanderlust theme, Betsy wrote of ex- journey to visit Canadian army friends in Newagain when he serves as deacon for the baptism. otic journeys and workings through their bucket foundland (with cod fishing and iceberg spotJoe ’00 and his wife are in Kennesaw, Georgia, and list. While she and Chris took no birding trips, ting), a girls-to-Vegas jaunt for Sue and numerous director of Alumni and Reunion Giving at (540) 464-7287.

Kathryn and I wish each of you a great summer season. Let me hear from you about your travels or other events in your lives. Take care of yourselves and be safe out there.

God bless our team and VMI. Jim

’72

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES horseback tours in South Texas. They’re enjoying remodeling their house and a host of social and charitable groups. Jeez, I’m still working, and their retired lifestyle is exhausting to me!

Zeno and Jo-Ann Henninger: The usually newsy “Fox” limited himself to, “...I have no real news; at least I am not incarcerated. Best wishes for 2015. We’ll meet again and discover the truth.” It’s there, BR ... and we will.

Mike and Julie Gaulding: Julie’s note said Mike is fully recovered (from heart surgery) and back to his old self – “...Well, maybe not quite.”

She says he is feeling better than he has in a long time, and she’s just happy to have him around.

They were off to California after Christmas for (bucket list, again) the Rose Parade and a visit with Mike’s sister and brother-in-law. I salute your priorities, Gauldings.

Bill and Pam Collier: A busy year and the arrival of grandson William O’Donnell Collier – now seven successive generations with a William Collier! Former Army Transportation Corps son Will ’06 and daughter-in-law Karen are in Cincinnati, where he’s the logistics operations manager for Omya Industries. Son John ’09 is stationed at Fort Bragg with the 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion. Pam is still teaching and selling real estate on the side. And our man “Bump” is “...still supporting Army G-8 and shoots his shotgun in his spare time.” There’s a vision fraught with alarm given the state of Army budgets these days.

I also heard from Alan and Betty McElroy, Herb and Penny McCulloch, and Moon and Michelle Mullen and received family photocards from Greg and Emily Griffith, Phil and Barbara Smith, and Norm and Joy Worrell, with a poetic note from Tim and Regina Pool. We married well, BRs ... thank God. In other news, Tom Moncure noted, “...I especially enjoyed your comment on my distaste for outdoorsy stuff; an accurate quote. The wind in my face on the Harley or sitting and enjoying House Mountain from my porch (screened, of course) is my limit when it comes to nature. “Indeed, if you ever see me ‘camping,’ it will be in a Winnebago the size of the Queen Mary!” Bob Schwartz said, “...Thanks for the birthday card.

Interestingly, I spent that week getting a new knee instead of celebrating my birthday. Guess we’re not as young as we once were or think we are. Anyway, maybe my golf game will improve next spring.”

A.J. and Karen Fojt sent a note from the road saying, “We are staying at the House Mountain Inn, which is fantastic! We strongly recommend it for next trip to Lexington.”

I continue to be deeply heartened by our support of VMI – whether financial, philanthropic or volunteer, we step up as a matter of course; no fanfare, no expectations of admiration, nothing – we just

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do it, each for our own reasons.

Professor of biology Col. Jim Turner ’65 said, “When you’re at a college that calls itself public, but 15 percent or less of its operating budget comes from the state, giving is critical ... the need to perpetuate the breadth and depth of the lives of our students beyond the classroom ... and the lives of faculty and staff who are engaged in this, requires this type of funding. It doesn’t happen without private support.” I ask each of you to consider this, and for those who provide, thank you so very much.

Jim and Betty Barnes: They, too, write of retirement’s fast pace – and grandchildren. Betty stays busy with curriculum development for their church’s child care center and our fearless leader with webmaster and administrative council duties for the church and men’s coffee groups. Both performed in an original Christmas cantata written by the church’s music director.

They’re expecting the arrival of grandson No. 4 in the spring – Betty has finally given up and is “...giving away some cute pink items that she’d been saving for years.” Caring for an elderly parent limits their travels, but they’re planning on a trip to the Davis Mountains and Big Bend Park with family. Sounds like a “dolce vita” to me.

Ms. Jordan’s deadline is here – in fact, assembly’s last note is fading on this snowy day, so that’s a wrap. Be strong, do good work and be there for yours and the Class of 1972.

Rah Virginia Mil, my BRs, Larry

’73

Mike Kelly

I hope everyone enjoyed the fine winter weather! Lots of snow and cold weather for many of you across the country. It is February as I write these notes. We have not had it too bad here in Raleigh, but as usual, I am looking forward to spring. The “official Raleigh” groundhog did not see his shadow this month, so that means spring is around the corner. And my former roommate, Roland Tiso, whose birthday is on Groundhog Day, saw his shadow and started working out for the summer body-building contests – he just has to move up in an age group! Go, Roland!

Pat and I have stayed fairly close to home over the holidays and the first part of the New Year.

Hopefully, we can get south to see some of the kids and grandkids soon, and we may travel to Europe in the early summer, but nothing is definite as of yet. My oldest daughter, Kathryn, is due to have a baby boy Feb. 23, so we are staying around home for now. Kathryn also wants us to “baby-sit” some during May so she can

finish teaching the school year and keep Lachlan Aaron at home, which translates into a busy spring for Nana and Papa. Oh, well, after all, this is grandchild number eight, so we should know a little something about kids.

During the fall and holidays, I tried to keep everyone informed about illnesses being experienced by several of our BRs and families, but I realize that I am not reaching all of you via the Web. Bob Poynor reported that his wife was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and was responding well to the treatments. In his Christmas note, Bob said her tumor had shrunk to “nothing discernible.” She is doing well after having surgery to remove scar tissue.

Paul Jalbert, who has been undergoing treatment for Parkinson’s disease, had a surgical procedure Dec. 5 called deep brain stimulation, which minimizes the severity and frequency of many of the symptoms he experiences. If you have followed the reports on Paul through Facebook, you know that he continues to improve. At about the same time, Tim Gundlach had his second hip replacement surgery. His surgeon was Dr. Chris Foster ’72, who confirmed that Tim’s surgery was very successful.

Art Pendleton’s wife, Phyllis, has suffered with muscular dystrophy for several years, and in mid-December, she began to lose her vision.

The doctor found a meningioma tumor in her brain, which was successfully removed during an eight-hour surgery. Art expressed gratitude to Sandy McNamara, Larry Mays, Matt Tignor and Mike Smith, who stayed in touch by phone and text with him throughout the surgery. He really appreciated the close bonding that took place during and following the surgery. Arty sent me a note this month to say Phyllis is doing well and to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, letters and support.

Just before Christmas, Jim Ackley developed a severe headache, and his blood pressure spiked to dangerous levels. His wife, Susan, called 911 and the ambulance took him to the hospital. From there, he was flown to MCV in Richmond. Jim was diagnosed last year with a bloodclotting disorder, and when his blood pressure spiked, it caused vessels in his brain to bleed.

He spent several weeks in the intensive care unit at MCV, where he was also treated for clots that formed in other places, such as his legs. Richard Bancke sent me a note this week to say Jim was moved back to Lynchburg Feb. 4 and is now in “acute rehab” at Virginia Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg. He has a lot of recovery work ahead of him. Susan and their daughter, Meg, have been posting his progress at Support Jim Ackley on Facebook. Please keep Jim and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they continue through his recovery, as well as our other brother rats as they face various illnesses themselves.

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CLASS NOTES A special thanks to Larry Mays and P.X. English for keeping me up-to-date on Jim. I really appreciate folks calling or emailing me when they hear about issues with any of our BRs or their families, and I will try to pass along any information as I receive it and share whatever the family is comfortable sharing.

Writing notes for Volume 2 of the Review is normally the easiest of the year since I hear from a lot of you during the holidays with email, cards and Christmas letters. This year was no exception. Although it is winter now, you’ll be reading these notes in May, right before New Market.

It is interesting to read how so many of you “cope” with winter – trips to Hawaii or Florida, cruises and even ski trips. And some folks, like Doug and Claudia Muirhead enjoy nice weather year-round! They still live in the San Diego, California, area where I think the weather is always great. Their son, Patrick, graduated from Fordham University last year, and he and Claudia spent a couple of weeks celebrating in Italy.

Claudia said she and Doug had a lot of fun at Patrick’s graduation in New York City and are planning another trip back there. She also said that they had their “career transitions” last year, and things are going well for them.

Willie Wells sent a Christmas card with a picture of him sitting under a palm tree in sunny Florida sipping cold refreshment. The caption of his note was “Yes, Virginia, there is a Florida in winter!” He seemed to be having a great time. Willie said his two boys are doing well. William does plumbing in the Shenandoah Valley, and George has headed out to Arizona to explore new horizons.

Pat and I saw Willie at the Institute Society Dinner Nov. 11 for the 175th anniversary of the Institute and were joined by Scott Lingamfelter, John Leon, and Bill and Judy Boland. We had

a really nice time. That event is always a great one. Check out our picture in this issue of the Review. Bill just sent me a note to say he had a nice dinner with John Landry, Tom Napier, Paul Jalbert and Mike MacKenzie this month, and all of them were doing well.

Dave Sutherland sent a note from Brownsburg, Indiana. Dave said he went to The Citadel game in November and was really impressed with the improvements on post. One thing Dave noticed was that the “old guys” sitting on the sidelines when we were in parades seem to resemble a lot of us now! And he felt like some of the cadets only looked 12 years old. Dave said he talks to Dave Northcraft often and was making plans to see Ron Martin in Chicago over Christmas.

Mike and Mary Burke said their daughter, Emilie, had a rough time initially adjusting to being away from home at Missouri State University in Springfield, but she has gotten into a new major and really started focusing on college and now seems to be enjoying it. Mike and Mary are still dealing with the “empty nest” situation.

While they continue to work full time, they both got wrapped up in summer school last year and only got to spend a few days on vacation at Kansas University visiting the art and history museums. Most recently, they have been taking water aerobics classes and plan to take lifeguard training this spring. Mike said they currently have four St. Louis-area cadets at VMI. Rick and Rebecca Gribling are relaxing some now that the big wedding is over in Scotland and the newlyweds are settled into a flat and their jobs. Rick and Rebecca traveled out to California to visit some of their relatives and attended a wedding there. Rick said he just signed up for another three years teaching at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk. Rebecca said that her

Class of 1973: Members of the class enjoyed a wonderful evening together at the Institute Society Dinner celebrating the 175th anniversary of VMI. Pictured, were, from left, Scott Lingamfelter, Mike Kelly, Pat Kelly, William Wells, John Leon, Judy Boland and Bill Boland.

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father, Richard Lee, died last year. He was 90 years old and a veteran of both World War II and Vietnam, where he served as a U.S. Air Force combat pilot. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rebecca is doing a lot of church volunteer work, and of course, they are now making annual trips to Scotland!

Anthony Acampora said his father died last fall and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Tony has moved from Switzerland to London, England, and is the chief executive officer of Altaira Capital Partners LLP. He said that he and his wife were doing well.

Jack and Sally Hayes are “empty nesters,” as well; their son, Thomas, lives in Charlottesville and just finished his third year as an airline first officer. Jack and Sally visit with him when they can, and fortunately, Leesburg isn’t that far away. They have done some traveling to North Carolina (Charlotte for the NASCAR race and the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.) And they have their sights set on retiring next year.

Milt Salter said he had been traveling a lot last year, as he went from San Francisco to Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, and then met up with family during Thanksgiving at Disney World.

Milt is still in Mobile, Alabama, and works as a financial adviser.

M.B. and Mary Adelson are spending a lot of time with their kids and grandchildren. M.B. was remembering the days of having children in college, and now suddenly realizes that he has a grandchild in college! (Don’t feel bad; we have one in college, as well!) M.B. continues his law practice and has been teaching some continuing legal education accredited live seminars and allday “webinars” on property law. He said Mary got a nice promotion at work and is really enjoying her new responsibilities.

I mentioned we have another grandchild due this month, and I hear from many of you frequently about grandkids. Ray Burton said his daughter, Amber, had a baby girl Dec. 12 at 2311 hours, right before the famous Dec. 13, 2014, date! Baby and mom are doing fine. Ray said that he was involved in a car accident on Christmas Eve (not his fault) that totaled his car. He sustained a concussion but fortunately no other serious injuries.

In the last Review, I said that Scott Lingamfelter was an expectant grandfather as his son, John ’08, and his wife, Erica, were expecting in February. Their daughter, Amy, was expecting in April.

Well, Scott is a granddad! Erica delivered an 8 pound, 13 ounce baby boy Feb. 11. Baby Isaac and mom are doing just fine! Looks like several of us have grandkids that may be brother rats! That would be something to center a reunion around!

Dale Kitchen kept me informed on the status of Tim Gundlach and Tom Napier during their surgeries. Dale said he and Tim, Mark Weiss, and Billy Stephens got together for The Citadel

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CLASS NOTES basketball game and had a great evening. Some of them also attended the VMI versus Wofford College game earlier in the fall.

I heard from several of you interested in following up with calls and cards for our BRs facing surgery and illness. Tim McConnell said he roomed with Jim Ackley for three years and wanted to get in touch with him and Jim’s wife, Susan, as it has been a long time since they have spoken. Chris McGreer, who lives in Lynchburg, sends his best wishes and prayers for everyone. He and his wife, Nancy, have placed their house on the market and plan to move out west; perhaps to Oklahoma. They have three new grandkids who were all born last year. Chris said they are “west of the continental” divide, and it is time to get a little closer to them.

During the holidays, I also heard from Ed and Lynsie Hall and Dave Schwab, who both sent “electronic” Christmas cards and said they were doing fine and looking forward to the holidays.

P.X. English said now that the holidays are over, they plan to relocate to Greenville, South Carolina, where they used to live. He said that he looks forward to better weather and an area with a better cost of living than Severna Park, Maryland, and the bonus is they will be closer to the family.

I also had notes from Jeff Minch, Chad Brown and E.D. “Rusty” Woomer, and they are all doing well. Tom Clark said he and Bonnie were continuing to volunteer at church and they were working with Lutheran Disaster and Family Services. Tom also sent me current contact information for John Ciriaco after he recently spoke to John’s wife, Sarah, who said that John was working as an information technology specialist in Omaha, Nebraska.

Roland Tiso is working as a consultant with OGSystems of Chantilly, Virginia, and staying busy. He indicated that he was “staying out of the way” and provides the checks as Judie and Catherine prepare for the April 18 wedding!

Bill and Linda Spencer said they were doing well and living in the Jacksonville, Florida, area.

Bill retired after 40 years combined experience in military and government aircraft programs. They were at VMI for Founders Day; however, I missed seeing them. He said they ran into Larry Mays and planned to return to VMI to attend the Mercer University ballgame.

Joe Cini and his wife, Mary Jo, attended the VMI versus Mercer football game with their daughters, Barbara and Whitney, along with their husbands.

Barbara and Whitney graduated from Mercer, so it became quite a family rivalry, and unfortunately, the Keydets lost!

John Sterrett said he has his hands full with two children (ages six and seven) but was having a wonderful time as a dad. He recently visited VMI and was very impressed with all that is going on there.

Malon Updike and his wife, Barbara, recently moved back to Charlottesville, Virginia, from Georgia. They have spent time with George and

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Rene Goodwin and attended The Citadel football game, where they ran into Doug Payne and his son. Doug recently sent me a nice note – the first I have had from him in a while – to mention they had been to Lexington and Wilmington, North Carolina. And I had a nice note from Dave McCown, another BR I have not heard from in quite some time. Dave’s son, Allen ’11, got married in November on House Mountain.

His daughter, Claire, has relocated from Boston to Richmond and is going to graduate school. Dave said he got to see a lot of our BRs in Lexington during a visit in October. Dave is also pleased that his wife, Happy, has recovered from a concussion she got last fall and has now returned to work as a high school librarian.

I had a nice picture Christmas card from R.B. and Becky Newman showing the kids and grandkids.

Becky sent me a note before Christmas to say she appreciated the military honor video I sent, and it came on their 38th wedding anniversary. R.B. called me to say hello and that he had just returned from Carlisle Barracks, where he had been a guest speaker. R.B. said their security company was doing well, and he was looking forward to meeting with some of the legislators and business folks in Richmond soon.

Thanks to everyone for sending cards and letters at Christmas. I also had notes from Bob and Sharon Bushnell, John and Ann Pinner, Klaus and Sue Worrell, Ralph and Becky Littreal, John Kearney, Scott McCarthy, John and Michaela Sykes, John and Kathy Riding, Blake and Sandy Thomas, Larry and Debbie Mays, Bill and Mary Stoner, Matt and Beth Tignor, Tom and Lois Jennings, Doug and Pat Huthwaite, George and Renee Goodwin, Neil and Jennie Carlson, and Stuart Seaton. (And probably some I missed!)

Billy Stephens sent me an interesting story to share with the class, and since it will be May as you read these notes, it is very appropriate. Billy just learned that in the 1880s, his great-grandparents and their children, whose last name was Bollinger, lived in Amelia County, Virginia, in a house called “Winterham.” The house was built by a gentleman named John Jefferson in 1840, and John was a cousin of President Thomas Jefferson. They had a son born in the house in 1847 who was named Thomas Garland Jefferson ’867. Garland, as he was called, matriculated at VMI in 1863, was mortally wounded in the Battle of New Market and died May 18, 1864. He is portrayed as one of the characters in the movie, “Field of Lost Shoes.”

Billy said it was amazing to find out after all these years that his relatives had lived in the house. The home, “Winterham,” can be viewed at www.winterham.com and has a room named after Garland.

That is about it for now! Have a great spring and summer. Take care and be safe out there.

In the bonds, Mike

’74

Snookie Parker

Greetings, Brother Rats, Family and Friends of the illustrious VMI Class of 1974!

Feb. 15, 2015 – I hope these notes find you in good spirits after an eventful holiday season. I do appreciate the abundance of cards at Christmas. Lots to report, so here goes!

Pat Flynn, Mike Cole and I have been working feverishly to connect Ebola Mobile Isolation Chamber resources with the West African nations fighting the scourge of a disease. We’ve tapped into our network of contacts to try to connect the dots to move the bureaucracy along (Department of State/U.S. Agency for International Development; Department of Defense/U.S. TF military surgeons in Liberia, Doctors Across Borders, Samaritan Purse and Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Mali ambassadors/embassies). Interestingly enough, as we were exploring how best to decontaminate these mobile units, we found that Hall Brodie was involved with a similar challenge while providing engineer consulting advice to the isolation units at one of the 4/5 level five isolation facilities in the United States – Emory Hospital in Atlanta. At this writing, all looks very promising.

Update on the VMI Class of 1974 Tidewater Breakfast Club. The annual October “Here Come the Judge” soiree did end up in a Tidewater beer garden. To recap, Bill Minor attends an annual Virginia justice/legal/something-or-another conference in Virginia Beach. So Tidewater BRs (and some with wives), gather to meet and greet the judge. I understand five BRs (three with wives) joined the judge for dinner at Bier House in downtown Portsmouth. BRs in attendance were Bill Pennypacker, Bill Minor, Chip Beaman, Paul Van Doren and Sam Turner.

On Nov. 22, eight Tidewater BRs gathered at Mom’s Kitchen in Virginia Beach. Attendees: Frank Richardson, Paul Van Doren, Dave Sheppard, John McLaren, Mic Ernzen, Bill Pennypacker, John Crawley and Sam Turner.

Notable on this occasion was the record breaking rate of Institute reminisces per minute. Paul wondered if the group had given up on solving all of the world’s problems. Not sure if that was the case, but I understand Sam Turner was encouraging all to stock up your survivor supplies. MIA at this soiree were John Pate and Henry Moncure, who had said they would be attending. Not sure what happened with Henry Moncure but it turns out that John Pate, on this particular Saturday morning, was eating alone at “Mary’s” instead of with BRs at “Mom’s.” John

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CLASS NOTES was wondering where his BRs were. He had assumed he had the wrong date, never suspecting he had the wrong place. According to John, “The scary part is, when I got home and reread the email I saw Mom’s but still read Mary’s. Getting old is hell.” Amen, brother!

On Dec. 13, Tom Puskas, Andy Young, Donnie Ross, “Red” Undercoffer and “Snap” Carlock gathered in Moody Hall to celebrate the VMI basketball team’s victory over Marist College. Nice picture, Donnie! Thanks!

I received a nice Christmas note from Ted and Susan Telle. If you are going to visit Ted and Susan in Germany, it best be soon! Susan retired in June and is enjoying the domestic scene. I understand Ted plans to work until June 2016, at which time they plan to retire to Tennessee. It won’t be long before they are on this side of the pond! Thanks for the note, Ted! Cliff and Twana Biram are doing well in Raleigh, North Carolina. Cliff continues to be challenged at the U.S. Postal Service ... so many problems and so little time! Twana has been busy sharing her prose (just finished a novel of 87,000 words) with an online writing group who are mostly in Ireland. Son Cliff III is a full-time quality assurance guide for an online education company and a part-time videographer primarily for legal depositions. Son Paul is in human resources helping folks get jobs around the country. Thanks for the note, Cliff ... oops, I mean Twana!

I received a nice card from Maurice “Buck” Buckanan. He and Loretta are living comfortably in Newman, Georgia. Retired Col. Buck finally left DoD as an Army civilian and is now serving as a regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor, veterans employment and training services. Buck claims it is a great job ... keeps him in touch with our great military service members.

Buck and the buckaroos (children and grandchildren) spent a great Thanksgiving week at Disney in Orlando. A day at Disney with the buckaroos will wear you out. A week with the buckaroos at Disney is like the Ironman! I’m sure there were some lasting memories that will be talked about for years to come. Thanks for the note, Buck!

Craig and Cathy Carlock are enjoying life in Lexington, Virginia. Snapper is the go-to guy for substitute teaching in the area. Cathy continues with her independent financial adviser duties with offices in Lexington and Richmond. Son Joe is working full time with Aramark in VMI’s Post Exchange. Daughter Catherine is a real estate editor for the Boston Business Journal. I look forward to seeing you on my next visit to Lexington!

Bill and Judy Chandler sent Christmas greetings from Port Byron, Illinois. Dr. Bill is still working part-time in a clinic in Port Byron and is scheduled to take a medial mission trip to Belize in January.

Bill knocked off a bucket list items this fall – hiked about 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail through

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the Smokies. Claims it was awesome! Not bad for an old guy, although he mentioned there were several older guys on the trail – mostly former military. It seems like I recall some Gary Trinkle trail tales not too long ago. Everyone packing essentials on the trail, Gary packing beer!

Received a short email from Gary Freeman. Not much news – he was inquiring about the Ebola support in which Pat, Mike and I we are engaged.

Good to know Gary is still out there and checking in periodically! Thanks for the interest, Gary!

Bert and Cherryl Graham’s daughter, Rachel, married Brian in October with twin sister Sara and brother Tristan there to witness the ceremony. All looked marvelous in the wedding photo sent! Congrats to a lovely bride!

Bob and Pam Johnson sent Christmas greetings from Washington, D.C., and reported that all is well with the Johnson clan. Bob now writes for the Housing and Urban Development inspector general, while Pam continues as a PM for online courses at the Foreign Service Institute for the State Department. Big news – arrival of granddaughter Laurel Addmas Gilkey Johnson (Parents: Martin and Melissa). Martin and Melissa left Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for Brookline, Massachusetts ... Melissa is working as a researcher for Harvard Medical School, and Martin is commuting to teach media studies at the Catholic University of America in D.C. I understand Martin was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship, which will allow him time off to write a book. Sons Jeremiah and Spencer are working together in New Orleans. Bob and Pam did celebrate 40 years of marriage on their first Caribbean cruise. Thanks for the note, Bob! I understand John and Diane McLaren did some traveling in 2014. They visited Atlanta seven times and Birmingham twice; Las Vegas in

March with follow-on to Disneyland in Anaheim, California; and Pensacola, Florida, in September with follow-on to Disney World in Orlando.

I think John started a small construction company to keep out of Diane’s hair ... or to pay for this extensive traveling lifestyle! Daughter Sara recently graduated with distinction in nuclear medicine technology from Old Dominion University and is planning on a wedding next year.

Son John announced the arrival of John (Jay) Hunter McLaren II Dec. 8. John, wife Meredith, sister Campbell and little Jay are doing well.

Grampa John now has a legitimate reason to visit Disney locations more than once a year! Thanks for the card, John!

Henry and Peggy Moncure send good tidings from Gloucester, Virginia. It appears Henry has slowed down his consulting business to repower his Grady White Gulfstream, join the board at Matthews Yacht Club (four of the 12 board members are VMI grads) and devote more time to fish! Reminds me of an old adage my dad often used: A bad day fishing is always better than a good day at work! What do you think Henry?

Now that Peggy is fully retired and just doing volunteer work, perhaps she’ll be your first mate! Thanks for the note, and keep your vessel in the channel – red on the right going home!

Bruce Pence sent his season greetings from Salem, Virginia. He proudly announced the arrival of grandson Maverick Carter Pence, potential class of 2036! Love that name – Maverick!

Congrats, gramps!

Saw Donnie Ross, Pete Shelley and Will Bynum ’77 at the VMI versus the University of North Carolina Greensboro basketball game in Greensboro in January. Although the game did not turn out favorably for the Keydets, it was nice to visit with a collection of VMI alum. An update on Pete and Susan Shelley – they are enjoying life

Class of 1974: From left, Frank Richardson, Paul Van Doren, Sam Turner, David Sheppard, John McLaren, Mic Ernzen, Bill Pennypacker and John Crawley at the November meeting of the VMI Class of 1974 Tidewater Breakfast Club at Mom’s Kitchen in Virginia Beach. Present but not pictured were John Pate and Henry Moncure.

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CLASS NOTES in Raleigh, North Carolina. Newlywed daughter Taryn (Zach) is in a pharmacy residency at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. Son Ryder (Sheryl) continues his pursuit of his music career while in Dallas. Susan, the queen of jazzercise in Raleigh, enjoys her information technology position at Newbridge Bank. And Pete is still recovering from Taryn’s wedding in October. At this writing, Marla and I, along with Pete and Susan Shelley and Will and Pat Bynum, are planning to join Bob “Turtle” and Susan Frank at their cottage on Topsail Beach for a weekend in March with a golf excursion to Bald Head Island for the men! Looking forward to a great weekend!

Bandit, Bob and Jeanne Slupik’s debonair dachshund, shared news from Canyon Lake, Texas.

Understand Bob, aka Chainsaw Man, fell while moving tree limbs and fractured his wrist ... lucky it was his left wrist! Bob completed his tenure as chairman of the Comal County Property Appraisal Review Board and is now serving on the county’s Ground Water Conservation Stakeholders Committee. Jeanne is the incoming president of the Canyon Lake Republican Women. Thanks goodness she loves yoga! Bandit says Canyon Lake is beautiful and is close to Austin and San Antonio ... so come visit! An extended visit to Texas is on Marla’s bucket list, so maybe soon!

The Terry family Christmas letter is always entertaining – the trials and tribulations of the Terry clan could make for a delightful sitcom on local TV. Ken and Betsy Terry report that all siblings are out of the house and have jobs! However, Ken continues to fly to keep the family in a lifestyle to which they have grown accustomed, which has included some interesting Caribbean Island adventures. One of which: Betsy and her boys traveled to Jamaica, where I understand Betsy actually did some legitimate water aerobics research (videotaping a Jamaican pool boy’s routine) with which I’m told her boss at the wellness center was impressed.

Legitimate? I report – you decide. Suffice it to say that Ken, Betsy, Trevor, Taylor, Adam, Jacque, Tristan, Landon, Hannah and Bella are all doing well. Thanks for the note!

Well, it’s official! Gary Trinkle has retired after 40 years (Is that all?) of service to this great nation (five years as a civil servant; 11 years as a DoD contractor and 24 years as an Army officer) and has taken on the role of house husband with benefits – kitchen passes for golf, fishing and hiking. Meanwhile, Alison will continue to bring home the bacon with her counseling practice; an endeavor she thoroughly enjoys! Gary has issued a standing invite to stop by if anyone finds themselves in Yorktown during the week or the North Carolina Outer Banks (Duck) on the weekends.

Graham Undercoffer returned to the Philippines after a pleasant Thanksgiving holiday with Shelley and family. Graham is in the Philippines as part of the administration “Pivot to the East”

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policy; however, Graham’s recent duties had him returning to an old stomping ground – Skopje, Macedonia. I understand Graham got to spend Christmas and New Years in Lexington with family, which has been unusual for him in recent years. Red is providing Pat Flynn, Mike Cole and I some insight on our West African Ebola support effort – he once lived there and was the desk officer at State for Ghana. We appreciate the help, BR! All is well with Graham and family. Stay safe, BR, as you wander around the pointy end to the spear!

George and Anna Van Laethem send Christmas greetings form Chesapeake, Virginia. Highlights for the year include daughter Ashley’s (husband: Alan) wedding at the beautiful DeBordieu Colony in Georgetown, South Carolina, in May (with side trips to Charleston), their annual trip to the Outer Banks in July and an August trip to Myrtle Beach to see Ashley and Alan. George, the lead wedding planner, is in his final term on the Chesapeake Planning Commission. Anna continues her work in the guidance department at Western Branch High School. Thanks for the note, George!

On Jan. 7, while “snow birding” at The Villages in Florida, Al and Kathy Vicory had the pleasure of hearing the VMI jazz ensemble. I understand a healthy gathering of VMI alumni were on hand for the concert. Shorts and t-shirts in January ... flashback: LA beach!

Kent and Brenda Wheeless have had a challenging year. Kent’s right leg had him laid up for weeks/ months early in the year. He did retire in July after 22 years as the information technology director at Barton College and now fills his time working out at the gym and refereeing high school sports (volleyball, baseball and softball). Brenda has been looking after her father (92) and handling his estate after he passed. That, along with the replacement of a 20-year-old accounting system at work, has made for some very long hours during most of the year. I understand her hours will scale back significantly this year. Nonetheless, 2015 will likely be a little less eventful for Kent and Brenda. Thanks for the note, Kent!

Wilson and Anne Johnson have really settled into their home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Wilson continues to enjoy his job with the Department of Agriculture and hopes to retire in a year or two. Although busy, he did take time to visit Japan in preparation for a mission trip and found time to be in a local production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Anne has been keeping busy teaching a children’s Bible class at church and vacation Bible school in the summer while finding time to regularly visit and help her parents in Richmond. Son Matt received his master’s in political science and is working for A-T Solutions in Fredericksburg. Daughter Catherine and her husband of seven months bought a home in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

All is well with the Johnson clan. Thanks for the Christmas note, Wilson!

On Jan. 3, 2014, after 38 years of federal service (Is that all?), Andy Young retired, took a month off and then returned to work part-time at the Army medical research laboratory in Natick as a contractor. In July 2014, Andy accepted a one year position as a visiting professor at the “I” and is really enjoying the experience as a geographic bachelor with time to renew bonds with BRs living in the area.

Andy does make it back to Massachusetts every other week to visit Pat, who is keeping the home fires burning. Pat continues her work as a product marketing manager for Waters Corp. Pat has recently recovered from hip surgery and is back on the golf course swinging her brand new irons! Andy and Pat announced the engagement of their daughter, Gracie (fiancé Sam Cramer), with a wedding date of June 28, 2015, in Minneapolis. Congrats!

Andy – look forward to catching up with you the next time I’m in Lexington!

A short note from John “Easy Rider” Savage. He and Ann are doing fine in Savannah, Georgia, and are planning a bike trip down the Natchez Trace this summer, and to bike week at Daytona next month.

They plan to stay in St. Augustine and then ride down A1A to Daytona – John says that is the neatest ride on the East Coast. Stand by Pat and Sue Flynn – you may house guests ... and your neighbors may complain about the Harleys in the neighborhood!

Enjoy the ride, John!

Rob Bacon has found a site where one can order brass balls. If you need a pair or know someone who needs a pair, they can be ordered.

Christmas cards this year without notes/news inside: Ed and Jaime Blake (Kilmarnock, Virginia); Von and Maria Bashay (San Antonio, Texas); Bob and Lisa Braren (Marco Island, Florida); Hall and Brenda Brodie (Atlanta, Georgia); Andy and Marcie Eason (Moore, Oklahoma); Mike and Sarah Fisher (Rochelle, Virginia); Randy and Martha Gleason (Salem, Virginia); Glenn and Grace Greene (Mechanicsville, Virginia); Bert and Cherryl Graham (Berwyn, Pennsylvania); Russ and Mary Stuart Harlow (Lexington, Virginia); Bailey and Doree Hurley (Ballwin, Missouri); Bruce and Sue Jones (Richmond, Virginia); Ricky and Page Kastelberg (Richmond, Virginia); Mike and Clay Morrissett (Roanoke, Virginia); Eicke and Susan Mushall (Columbus, Ohio); John and Suzanne Pate (Chesapeake, Virginia); Frank and Jeanee Richardson (Newport News, Virginia); Russ and Cheryl Takata (Waipahu, Hawaii); Ted and Susan Telle (Germany); Lane and Karin Toomey (Southern Pines, North Carolina); Graham and Shelley Undercoffer (Lexington, Virginia); Chuck and Louise Ward (Charlottesville, Virginia); TJ and Kerri Wilson (Harrisonburg, Virginia); Ted Zajac and Terry Wicks (Avon Lake, Ohio).

Finally, I ask that you keep a prayer in your heart for our veterans and our sons and daughters and their families that continue to serve our great nation at home and abroad.

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CLASS NOTES Class agent plea! Don’t be caught without your class coin. If you need one, send $10 (cost of coin and postage). Please forward any news regarding births, deaths, illnesses, marriages and other significant events concerning your family and/or careers.

Brother rats are interested and do care. I know email addresses have a half-life of about six months. Keep us current. Send your updated email address to me snookieparker1974@earthlink.net, Charley Banning cbanning@cox.net or Kevin Nettrour (our webmaster) nettrour@accessus.net. Check out the website. Send me a note. Yada, Yada, Yada and Yaba Daba Dooooo!

Warm regards, Snookie

’75

Art Nunn III

I hope everybody has had a good winter. I know those of you in the Boston area have had a particularly great season, regardless of how inflated certain items may or may not be. Now, however, we are in the middle of spring and have completed an undoubtedly great 40th Reunion.

Greg Stultz has also had a great weekend in Cleveland, though his spirits were lifted by the performance of his beloved Buckeyes winning the NCAA national championship.

Life certainly has been busy over the past couple of months, and I was not able to attend nearly as many basketball games as usual. During my few opportunities to attend, however, I had the chance to see a number of BRs, including such stalwart individuals as Dave Schuyler, Mark Hall, Tom Mason, Oliver Way, Allen Morgan, Chip Louthan, Scott Risser and undoubtedly others whom I cannot remember.

Charles Hoon sent a note saying that he is still vertical and not incapacitated. He flew a 210 recently, taking it for an annual. He didn’t bend anything and walked away as planned. Charles talked to Art Sigsbury and reported that Sigs is doing well.

Larry (Lurch) Hendry wrote that Jay Jones came down to The Villages to visit with Bill Robson and him for dinner. A lot of good stories were told. Some of them were possibly true.

Oliver Way sent a short note to let us know that he, too, had spoken with Art Sigsbury (popular guy), as well as C.T. Bryant. Other than that, the big news in Oliver’s life is that his grandchildren are now 1 year old.

Fred Edwards is in scenic Barrow, Alaska, prosecuting our northern brothers and sisters for the state of Alaska ... no vampires in sight (an allusion to a movie that nobody has actually ever

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seen, according to Fred’s children.) Fred would love for someone to come and see him, but he has nowhere for anyone to stay ... so forget it.

He does, however, send his best regards to all in the lower 48.

Dino Armstrong is off and flying, as usual.

Recent trips included a visit to Eben Emael, a fort taken by the Germans in early World War II. Dean and his wife were then off to London to see a couple of plays as a Valentine’s Day gift to her.

That is always fun. Beyond that, he flies a lot and then tries to catch up on things left behind when he gets home.

Rich McFarland reported on an extended weekend visit with his son in El Paso, Texas.

Josh is attending the University of Texas at El Paso for a master’s in petroleum geology. Rich had a great visit which, of course, included a visit to “Rosa’s Cantina” and paying homage to Marty Robbins. He got my fill of Mexican fare, including Manchaca and chiccarones, and his system held together well – or so he claimed.

Bo and Nancy Temple are enjoying life in Richmond. Bo had a successful operation Dec. 14 which, with some follow-on chemo, may suppress the “big C” for the long run. We’ll see.

Meanwhile, he had a nice lunch recently with Chip Louthan.

Dan Brooks and Frank Hillson (along with their supervisors Sandy and Tina) were scheduled, as of this writing, to hold a summit of the Class of ’75 in Delaware at the Sovano Bistro in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Saturday, Feb. 28. The purpose of the summit was to practice drinking to ensure they are prepared for the 40th Reunion. Frank is busy preparing to roll out a new honors colloquium he designed at the University of Delaware. After the appropriate toasts to the Institute, the Corps and ’75; Dan planned to offer his critique ... provided he certifies he knows how to spell “colloquium.” Meanwhile, Dan and Sandy’s company will relocate their offices to 16 E. Market Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in April. All BRs passing through the Philadelphia area are invited to stop by The Brooks Group Global Headquarters.

Bob O’Connor, reportedly being older than he used to be, is somewhat less inclined to take the kind of risks that could potentially result in falling from high places. Nonetheless, when his son-in-law (U.S. Naval Academy ’06) suggested climbing a mountain over the Christmas holiday, there was simply no way that a VMI man of any age could say, “Ooh, I’m too old and scared,” thereby forever being dismissed to the ranks of wussies, many of whom presumably possess better sense than the stereotypical manly man.

The chosen mountain, named Olo Mana, which probably means “Holy Toledo” in Hawaiian, is probably familiar to Kimo Wong, having scampered up its sides as young lad. However, as Bob

looked at it from the more wizened perspective of his 61 years, he mumbled something like, “Gee, Sam, I don’t have a protractor with me, but that looks like a 60 degree incline on those side slopes.”

Well, to say the least, this hike was not for the faint of heart, though Bob suspects it was just the kind of jaunt that Jay Newcomer would do on a horse.

In the end, the view of the windward side of Oahu from the summit was magnificent, enhanced all the more by what Bob was pretty sure was the sun gently glistening off the bleached bones of former climbers scattered about the rocks below. OK, that last part was really weird!

Felix Wolkowitz checked in from New York with an invitation for all BRs who happen to be in the area to stop by. His good news is that he is becoming a grandfather. His daughter-in-law is expecting identical twins due in April. Also, if twins aren’t enough, Felix is looking forward to the wedding for his older daughter in October!

Also from New York, Jerry Dewaters chimed in to respond to a note by Rick Law. Dawg suggested that there might need to be some oversight of the score recording during the reunion golf tournament. Jerry simply requested that he not be dragged down into the fray.

Dan Darnell sent a note from a business trip to Algeria (never imagined his history diploma taking him to Algiers). Dan and Vickie are doing well in northern Virginia, and Dan is encouraged by our new head football coach and by his first recruiting class.

Bill Turpin is planning an episode of significant debauchery in Houston in October, and he has invited all BRs to partake in the festivities. It seems one Charlie Kaune will be coming to Houston for the Rice University versus the U.S. Military Academy at West Point football game Oct. 24.

Bill is happy to volunteer Charlie Collins to serve as point! Perhaps if we pool our funds, we will be able to afford a good team of defense attorneys. I think they might be needed.

Meanwhile, speaking of chronic debauchery, Ben Vanderberry moved to Monarch Bank as an executive vice president in their wealth division. He will be building out a team for this local bank headquartered in Hampton Roads. After one week on the job, they apparently wanted him to come back the next week! Ben took that as a good sign. That was a great week, as Anne and Ben celebrated 34 years of marriage, and Anne wants to try another year! Easy living!

In addition to insulting the scorekeeping skills of some of our golfing brethren, Dawg Law said that he has been in touch with former roomies Paul Blair and Reggie Webb. Rick hopes to be retiring in Jacksonville, Florida, this fall – not too far from BR Ron Bongiovanni. Bernie Cobb also has a home near Jax beach as well, so maybe they can get together on a rather frequent occurrence.

Rick Hening says that life has returned to a

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES semblance of normal in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. With that said, 2014 saw Rick leave and return to McLane/Carolina. There were apparently several adventures from leaving in April to returning in December. In in meantime, Rick just finished officiating his 17th year of Upward Basketball.

Suzanne continues being Miss Henny-Penny as she goes into preschools and daycares reading to children. She also works part-time at the Cracker Barrel in Rocky Mount, so if you are traveling I-95 or US-64 east of I-95, stop and say hello. Oldest son Andrew works for a company that has him traveling back and forth from North Carolina to Vizag, India. Their youngest son graduates from the Universtiy of North Carolina at Greensboro May 8, 2015! When he has time, Rick enjoys all the VMI Facebook pages and has made several new friends through them. He has also reconnected with several BRs: Harry McKnight, “R.B.” Lane and Harry Broaddus.

Last, but certainly not least, Bob Keller retired on Labor Day 2014 and is really enjoying it. Spent a lot of the fall in north Georgia, and it was nice to experience “fall” again. In November, Bob decided to attend the Founders Day activities. He was fortunate to share dinner with Gary Taylor and his wife, Rebecca, at the Institute Society Dinner, which was a blast. Gene Williams ’74 was also at their table. After spending some time at the “I” (and a small fortune at the bookstore) Bob visited with (roommate) Yulee and Karen Richardson in Virginia Beach. Had a great visit with them and got a chance to spend time with their family. Bob also spoke with Bill Turpin and Bill Robson. Is there any doubt that Bob Keller is going to be a fantastic class agent?

Well, this is my final edition of class notes before Bob Keller takes over for the next five years. Bob has graciously volunteered to take the next “tour of duty,” and I have no doubt that it will be a very significant step up from what you have all endured for the last five years. Be that as it may, I want to thank all of you for your support and friendship, and I want you to know that serving as your class agent has been a great pleasure and a tremendous honor.

Stay safe and healthy, my friends.

Signing off but always in the spirit, Artie

’76

William Bhatta

These notes were written Feb. 15. I just found my snow shovel; I will need it – the polar vortex will engulf Virginia tomorrow with 6-12 inches of snow!

Hunt Ozmer took a sales job with Advance Auto Parts and moved to Fernandina Beach,

2015-Issue 2

Class of 1976: Mark Swank’s 1978 Corvette at the Austin hot rod drag week. Class Agent Bill Bhatta said of this photo, “Brother rat auto enthusiasts will probably understand the following: The Corvette runs ‘a 385ci (4.04 x 3.75) small block. It uses AFR 190 cc heads, 10.75:1 compression, a Comp Cams 284XE hydraulic flat-tappet cam (240/246 at 0.050, 0.507/0.510 lift, 110-degree LSA), a Victor Jr. intake, a 770-cfm Holley and Hedman headers huffing through 3-inch Flowmasters. Then there’s the NOS two-stage cheater nitrous system. The trans is a 700-R4, and it’s been dialed in to shift at exactly 7,000 rpm at WOT.’” Florida. He may end up moving to Jacksonville, Florida, but isn’t sure yet. Last June, Hunt went to Jamaica on a mission trip with his church.

Hunt said, “It was an amazing experience as we worked on a church, provided vacation Bible school and spent time at a local orphanage.

The work was physically challenging, and the weather was very hot, but it was a true blessing to serve the people of the small community. It was very humbling to have the members of this small church work side by side with us as we painted, laid block, mended fences and shared a meal; nothing but the finest USA cuisine ... peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – yum!”

Jim Brown retired his F-22 gear last year and accepted a promotion at Lockheed. He said, “I’m still flying small aircraft but have given up the ‘heavy iron.’ I am now serving as the chief of flight operations for the Skunk Works in Palmdale. It’s pretty exciting stuff...” He could not tell me anymore. If he did, someone would knock on my door one night and make me disappear.

Two of Jim’s daughters married last year, and one graduated from the University of Mississippi law school. His oldest daughter is a full-time Navy reservist, recently promoted to lieutenant commander. She will be flying the SH-60 helicopter supporting counterdrug and homeland security work at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. Jim celebrated his 60th birthday on the summit of Kilimanjaro (at 19,345 feet). Jim said, “It was a 9-day climb with our push to the summit on day 7. After summiting, we spent the night at 18,800 feet in the crater of the volcano. An unbelievable moonscape!” Jim’s wife and youngest daughter met him at the base of Kilimanjaro and they transitioned to a 6-day safari into the Serengeti. Jim said, “If you get the chance, I highly recommend Tanzania and a safari. The terrain is spectacular, the wildlife unbelievable and the people are especially friendly.”

Ted and Melanie Mouras had a quiet 2014.

They kept busy with volunteer work and travel.

Last May, they spent time in northern New Mexico touring Taos, Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Ted said, “We ate many things made with green chilies – including desserts!” Then in August, they traveled through France. Ted said, “We spent time in Paris, finally visiting Versailles in all its decadent splendor and then took a riverboat trip from Beaune to Avignon along the Saone and Rhone Rivers.” Ted visits his parents regularly in Green Valley, Arizona. He still does some bird-guiding and started working with the U.S. Forest Service to ensure multiuse forests in the area remain multiuse, despite efforts to turn them into shooting galleries. Ted said, “My work with the USFS will involve the National Rifle Association this winter (they have some concerns), so that should be exciting.” Melanie continued with her French lessons and remains a member of their local newspaper’s Reader Advisory Board.

Jim Joustra announced his retirement from Walgreens this year after completing a multiyear merger between Walgreens and Alliance Boots.

Now he can pursue his scuba diving passion full-time – last year he completed eight wreck dives with Randy Pekarik ’79 near Key West, Florida. They dove the USS Vandenberg, an old U.S. Navy transport and communications ship. (It was sunk in 2009 to create an artificial reef dive site for recreational divers). The keel is about 150 feet deep, and the bridge about 60 feet deep. Jim said, “Randy and I do nitrox, deep and wreck penetration dives on this ship.

Very interesting, and the sharks, eels and giant groupers congregating spots never fail to surprise us.” From Wikipedia – for the non-scuba diving BRs: “Nitrox refers to any gas mixture composed (excluding trace gases) of nitrogen and oxygen; this includes normal air which is approximately 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen and 1 percent other gases – primarily argon. The most common use of nitrox mixtures

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CLASS NOTES containing higher than normal levels of oxygen District 22 Charles F. Chapman Excellence in and are frequently hiking or skiing. Addison still is in scuba diving, where the reduced percentage Teaching Award! He will be the education officer works for the state of Colorado regulating outfitters.

He spends much of his time investigating outfitter of nitrogen is advantageous in reducing nitrogen on the SPSPS this year.

Jim Dittrich has been working at Leisure Arts scams. Johanna works in a urology clinic. Jim said, uptake in the body’s tissues, and so extending the possible underwater dive time and/or reducing for 15 years now. He enjoys collecting books and “She gets the best daughter-in-law award for getting the risk of decompression sickness.” Last August, remains involved with VMI, his local fire depart- me Cubs tickets whenever they play Colorado. She waiting to pick up Andrew (his son) at Dulles In- ment and hiking with his wife, Tish. Tish still rides also had them put my name and age up on the marternational Airport, Jim stopped by to quee (every inning for 12 innings) when visit Andre and Lois Koneczny for a I turned 60 this year.” Jim’s other daughcouple of hours at their home in Chanter, Chelsea, wants to travel, see the world and help others, so she signed up tilly, Virginia. Jim said, “We chatted for for the Peace Corps. Jim said, she was a couple of hours, and it really felt good “nominated for Ecuador, which was OK to be with them. VMI folks, especially for me. Last month, the Peace Corps ’76, are always ‘family’ to me.” Andrew called and offered her Kyrgyzstan. I works in Hollywood, California, in the am less crazy about any of the ‘stans.’ script writing and film production area.

I emailed a local guy I found there with He was recently hired by Paramount a blog. He said not to worry, ‘bride-napPictures. By the way: Jim will now be known as Jim “Viking” Joustra. Jim ping’ was down, and they seldom took said, “Our family did a DNA lineage rewestern girls. Oh, good ... hopefully, this won’t be where she ends up.” search ... and found that, on my mother’s And now, the BR minute: side, we trace back to Vikings. One of We had a small mini reunion last my cousins, independently, did the same November at The Citadel versus VMI thing and got the same results ... I guess football game and the University of that explains my pillaging tendencies.”

Class of 1976: Jim Brown celebrated his 60th birthday North Carolina at Wilmington versus Grigg and Cindy Mullen are plugon the summit of Kilimanjaro (19,345 feet) while workVMI basketball game. It was so cold ging along with work and a few short ing on his mountain climbing bucket list. It was a nine we hung out at Moody Hall between trips here and there. Grigg was awarded day climb with the push to the summit on the seventh games and enjoyed an Alumni Associaa sabbatical this semester. He plans on day. So far on his bucket list, Jim has completed a trek turning his boat project into a book tion catered supper. Rocky Glass, Doug to the Everest base camp in 2008 and the Salkantay about building the boat with his friend Hines, Ray Brooks, Kavie Thrift, Evan trek to Machu Picchu, Peru, in 2012.

Brian Richardson at Washington and Haberman (moved to Lexington last Lee University. Grigg’s son, Andrew, year), Lee Godsey, Jim Mallon and Jim and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, MelisDelisio were there. The football team had some great offense, but The Citadel sa, moved to Albuquerque last June for still thumped us. The basketball game Melissa’s one year internship in clinical was more exciting, but unfortunately the psychology at the Veterans Affairs hosKeydets lost again. Regardless, everypital. She will get her Ph.D. this July at the end of the internship. Andrew has one had a good time and enjoyed each a permanent substitute teacher job in a other’s company. I understand Billy second grade classroom in the AlbuKarnes and Jerry Eggleston also atquerque school system for the rest of this tended the football game. school year. Andrew and Melissa were Maj. Gen. Razz Waff sent a short note engaged right before Christmas and are saying he probably has less than a year planning an April 2016 wedding. Grigg left in uniform. He said he ran into Bill III and Accacia are still at VMI. They Ryals at a U.S. Army Reserve retireenjoy working at home in their shops, ment seminar at Fort Belvoir in January. too; Grigg with metal and machines, and Billy and Susan Karnes visited their Class 1976: Jim Mallon’s Richmond Class of ’76 BRC club met in January. Pictured, were, from left, Tom Accacia with sewing, knitting and other grandsons (Classes of ’32 and ’35) Moddy, Bill Danzeisen, Lee Bradshaw, Alan Kinker, handcrafts. Cindy said, “It is nice to see and their son, Andrew Karnes ’05, in Tom Hawthorne, Kavie Thrift, Bill Bhatta, Jim Mallon, both boys happy and settled with their February in Charleston, South CaroRocky Glass, Lee Godsey and Mack Curle. own lives.” lina. They attended the VMI versus The Bob Cox is currently the deputy chief Citadel game and were treated to a win: of plans at United States Central Command J2 in the horses, heads their local fire department board VMI, 83 and The Citadel, 69!

Tampa, Florida. In his spare time, he teaches class- and is a fire captain. Taylor, Jim’s son, manages Check out the March edition of Hot Rod Magaes/seminars and volunteers at the St. Petersburg Sail Tony’s Kitchen in downtown Denver. Tony’s is in a zine or HotRod.com. Mark Swank competed in the & Power Squadron. (SPSPS is part of District 22 high-end market, but it is growing. Taylor has sales 2015 Austin Hot Rod Drag Week (with his friend in the United States Power Squadrons, a nonprofit increasing and expenses decreasing, so he is happy. Bill Alexander) in his 1978 red Corvette. (I recomboating organization.) He was a member-at-large Jim’s son and daughter-in-law, Addison and Jo- mend you do not Google “Austin Drag Week.”) for them in 2014, and received the 2014 SPSPS hanna, moved into Taylor’s apartment building and Luis DeBayle checked-in. He is doing well. Luis Education Award. He was also nominated for the live one floor below him. Both are outdoor-friendly has businesses in Miami, Florida, and Nicaragua.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES He has residences in both but lives in Nicaragua most of the time.

I spoke to J. R. Mott in Stuttgart, Germany. J.R. and Mei have been overseas with their two daughters for two years now. J.R. works at United States European Command. When we spoke, J.R. was getting ready for a business trip to Djibouti.

John and Terri Coleman celebrated their 60th birthday last year with family reunions: John’s in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Teri’s at their home on the Maury River in Virginia.

Kurt and Cindy Lukenbill are up to 10 grandchildren now, all 8 years old and younger. The Lukenbills took a cruise of the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean last summer to celebrate Kurt’s 60th birthday.

That’s it for now. By the time you read these notes, I should have the dates of the 40th Reunion in 2016. Take care, and have a great summer!

’77

Steve Neas

Greetings Brother Rats. I write to you Feb. 15. It is 5 degrees outside, and the wind has been busting up to 20 knots – winds too high to jump today. I only write this because this will be published sometime in May, and it will be nice for me to read these words and reminisce as I mow the north 40.

The mini reunion occurred after I submitted my last update, so I will recount the event here.

I am grateful to Buster Pace, Bob Hartzell, Paul Ferrell, Bill Cross and Steve Billingsly for the “mother of all tailgates.” Our tailgating setup was in the ‘A’ position; right where we could watch the parade. We were right there where we could count the freckles on the cadets’ faces – that spot, if you remember, where each platoon goes from a column to flank formation and then endeavors to stay in line as they march down the parade ground. I am pleased to report that most of the platoons did not botch their flanking movement during the pass-inreview. The story of how we came about procuring the ‘A’ position is best told by Buster. Take it away, Buster: “It’s been 20 years since I’ve contributed to class notes to this level, but having had such a good time with the mini reunion, I told Steve I’d chip with some guest commentary and have some fun with the tailgate side of news.

“There are a couple of us in Super 77 who have had more than their share of experiences setting up tailgate parties and competing with the early arrivals for what we consider the “Boardwalk and Park Place locations” for parade viewing Saturday mornings – yours truly included. However, none come remotely close in knowing all the tricks and angles when compared to the Ph.D. of tailgating,

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Professor Emeritus Robert Hartzell. And he more than lived up to his reputation during The Citadel game weekend.

“It’s amazing how, during our cadetships, we loathed the very notion of a parade and cheered like hell when they were canceled, and how 41 years later, as alums, we’ll do almost anything for prime time viewing alongside the ropes of the Parade Ground. A good viewing spot makes the food taste better, the “unauthorized” booze in those red cups taste better and the stories and laughs all that much better. It gets crazier and crazier every year, as certain unnamed folks and certain unnamed classes will, and get this – break the rules – in order to steal prime real estate. Folks have no clue as to what goes on behind the scenes. However, once again, the experience and ingenuity of Hartz and his side-kick, Paul E. Boomer Farrell, aka “Mutley,” topped all on that weekend of Nov. 22.

“The ropes for access to the Parade Ground come down at 7:30 a.m. Hence, Hartz and I agreed to be first in line at 6:15 a.m. on that fateful Saturday a.m., and there in the dark, I was sipping coffee but seething at being first in line, only to see certain folks had illegally set up shelters along the ropes in the middle of the night. Little did I know that when Hartz and Boomer showed up right behind me, we were already well ahead of the game. They told me they had done a scouting mission the night before, saw what was happening and had already (and within gentleman’s rules of conduct) secured our sacred plot of land that served as ’77 tailgating headquarters. I can’t go into any more details so I can protect the innocent (and the next time we might need to play this wild card for our class), but you’d be mighty proud of E. Paul Boomer and his supply of tape and road construction cones!

“So next steps were sweet talking the building and grounds guys in letting us go ahead and set up the shelter covers in the dark ... lack of daylight and 17 degree temperatures didn’t slow down our team one bit. In fact, out of the darkness came one limping Steve Billingsley who, despite being on the gim, was there to lend a helping hand. Over the next few minutes, we saw Mike Lindsay showing up dressed like an Eskimo and Rich Howell, and by the time the ropes dropped, the rest of the cavalry showed ... the pickup carrying Bill Cross, complete with a big pot of firehouse chili and Paul Seufer with his badly needed supply of bloody marys to bring back some circulation to our toes and fingers. Boomer’s barbecue was a hit, too, for those who did some early taste testing!

“All in all, a great time bonding in the cold and dark, as well as catching up with the other 60 odd BRs during parade and lunch, and more war stories for the remaining number of Saturdays we have on this good earth! Lastly and in closing, special recognition needs to go out to Hartz’s better half, Debbie, as we know she is really the organizer and brains of the family and had a hand in the warm

cider and wonderful dessert treats. Hartz and I can’t wait till the next tailgate challenge!” – Buster Later that evening, we gathered at the banquet room of the Sheridan Livery for a meal. After the 35th Reunion, several of us decided we would invite any esteemed faculty who were still around in Lexington to any of our ’77 events. We were blessed with the presence of Dr. and Mrs. Steve Riethmiller ’63, Dr. and Mrs. Don Jamison ’57, Dr. and Mrs. Tom Davis ’64, and Dr. and Mrs. George Piegari (Hon.). It was so good to see them, and I hope they enjoyed the party.

Thinking ahead, I was talking to J.D. Johnson about future mini reunions and suggested maybe we try a summer event where we can tube through Goshen. J.D. speculated there are probably not enough EMTs in the valley to cover an event such as that. Regardless, if you are interested, let me know.

We will do a mini reunion again in the fall. I will pick an earlier date. Maybe it will not be as cold.

Buster and Hartz – be ready.

Now on to other news: Steve Heinrich checked in. Steve and his wife live in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Steve is a pediatric surgeon. Steve wrote that he and Grace have found a home away from home in Key West.

He noted the people are wonderful and very colorful – all with a story to tell. They spent Veteran’s Day there and thought the “climate” would be cool, especially given how liberal the populace is. They were surprised to find just the opposite. The natives and replants celebrated the day honoring all present (and absent) who had served. They spent the night of the 11th with Grace, several close friends, a singer songwriter and her soon-to-be husband who is Special Forces. He spent some time in Iran.

This made for some interesting conversation. “Red poppies” were everywhere on the island and given to all who would wear them. I wonder if Steve and Grace have found the Garden of Eden bar at Key West.

Kerry ‘Moon’ Mullin attended the mini reunion.

He wrote, “It was really awesome seeing ‘old’ BRs again – Chris Nash, Joe Santelli, Buzzy Northen, Al Wagner, Roy Siegel, Wes Naff, Paul Farrell, Tommy Cole, etc. We really need to do this every year. The stories get better and bigger every year.

I was speaking with a few of the guys, and they would like to do this every year, even if a smaller group.” It will be done, Kerry.

Mo Slagle sent an email. Morris is living in St. Louis. He wrote, “Things here in STL are good; very cold, but good. December was a good month for Bretta and me. Our oldest son married Dec. 6, our youngest son got engaged Dec. 20, and Dec. 25, Santa dropped off presents for the wife and two lumps of coal for me. I only got one lump last year – must be headed in the right direction.”

Ralph George and Maddog Bentley have planned a golf trip in February. As every year, they

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CLASS NOTES start in a golf school near Daytona Beach for three days. The school is called “Golf Made Simple” – what else would it be named to catch the interest of those stellar duffers? Then, they play golf throughout central Florida; only 18 holes a day and 110 strokes plus two to three practice swings. Ralph figures that’s almost 500 swings a day! They laugh at each other every other hole. M.D. will hit a drive 280 yards, put his second shot on the green and then four putt – not every once in a while, but all of the time!

Charlie Angemeer reported not much going on with him. He is still rehabbing an 1860 row house on the Pittsburgh northside while working at PNC Bank as a software guy. He is hoping to visit Lexington in spring or fall. Charlie, I hope you can make it to the next mini reunion. As I told Jimmy Shaffer, please come, I have found a couple hay straps, and the trunk of a car works well to get one where he needs to be ... and I have a few friends that will do it.

As reported earlier, Tim Thompson, when not breaking tall stacks of concrete blocks, runs a karate school in Norfolk.

Sensei Thompson and his Dragon Force National Karate Demo Team recently rocked an “America’s got Talent” TV show audition. They performed an awesome halftime karate show at a Norfolk State University basketball game. They perform karate shows at children’s and family festivals and won the Battle of 7 Cities and World Classic Martial Arts Demo Team first place champion trophies. Tim is also busy with teaching classes, camps and seminars at his Ryoshin-Kan Karate School that he established in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

His karate school is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary. Though, he may be a Company C stump, do not mess with this man ... he breaks things for a living.

Fred Wiggins sent me a nice note. Fred is living in Lumberton, North Carolina.

Fred is a poet of note. He has had several of his poems published. He is currently working on his own book of poetry. Fred has a son in Pennsylvania working as an investigation reporter. His daughter is in high school in Hopewell, Virginia.

Tom Pender is still buried deep in important litigation as a judge. He recently brought the hammer down on a company that was caught destroying evidence.

Please keep in mind if you are ever called in front of Tom, safeguard all your evidence – he does not tolerate spoliation!

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Class of 1977: Bob Hartzell and Paul Farrell discussing next year’s tailgating plan.

Class of 1977: Don Browder and Dr. Yanyong Phataralaoha during Browder’s visit to Thailand.

Class of 1977: Bill Cross serving up his famous chili during the Class of 1977 mini reunion.

Tom could not make it to the mini reunion due to some health issues with his son. It was quite a scare for Tom, but the son is on the mend.

It seems like the center of gravity of the class is shifting to central Virginia. I heard from Mike Parrish, and he will take up residence in Roanoke mid-February. On top of that, Mark Bryant moved to Rockbridge County in early February after retiring from Booz Allen with a posting in Hawaii ... did I mention it was 5 degrees today? It is nice to have some more friends in the area.

Super ’77 is becoming the “scholarship class.” If you read your Alumni Review as closely as you should, you will remember our former class agent and my mentor, Moe, aka Dr. Bland Massie, endowed an athletic scholarship last year. Just recently, Thai Pipe, the company of a BR from a forgiven land, Dr. Yanyong Phataralaoha, has endowed a scholarship for a VMI graduate at the Asian Technical Institute. This is the first time a scholarship has been offered to a foreign student at the ATI. Both Bland and Yanyong are ’77 rock stars in my book; to have the means to endow a scholarship that will be assisting future generations in their education is awesome ... but wait; that is not all. We all have the opportunity to join that club. Some of you may remember “class agent for life” J.J. Marshall, set up a Class of ’77 Memorial Scholarship with the Foundation. There is money in the fund, and it is kicking out cash. A young man in the Class of ’16 is the beneficiary this year. I think we all should designate a little of our donation to the Foundation to build this fund up. Imagine Super ’77 helping cadets 100 years from now!

In closing, there are about a third of you that do not have an email address with the Alumni Association. The notes only cover about 10 percent of what is going on with the class. We are sharing information with each other on a weekly basis through email and Facebook. We have organized a prayer circle where the group prays for BRs in need and a leads a group where we share projects and job opportunities – both conduct business via email. If you do not have an email address with the Alumni Association, you are missing out on these. You can

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES go to the Alumni Association website (www.vmialumni.org) to add your email address or just send it to me via email, and I will update you. It is worth signing up for Facebook and joining the VMI 77 page, if for no other reason to see what outrageous thing Jimmy Schaffer posts next.

Stay well and Rah Virginia Mil! Steve

’78

Tom Brown

Brother Rats, As I compose these notes, winter is in full fury.

The Northeast has been slammed repeatedly, and the mid-Atlantic finally got a solid taste of winter.

As you read these notes, I hope you are enjoying the full effects of spring and much more pleasant weather. Here is what I have to keep you abreast of the happenings in the class.

A good group of BRs made it to The Citadel game in November. It was wonderful to see so many show their support for Big Red. Jay and Paula Hutt were set up on the Parade Ground where many gathered before the game. Ned Reister was kind enough to point out the latest bumper stickers he added to his van before parade. A big crowd assembled at Morris Ridge to enjoy old times and swap stories. Those who were around for the group picture included, Stu Gitchell, Danny Thornton, Steve Oddi, Bert Loflin, Bill Hardy, Anthony Moore, Don Robey, Billy Way, Rick Wolffe and yours truly. The game was good but, time with BRs was better. The annual Lynchburg Valentine’s Hop was well attended by the class. Jim Cure, Jay Hutt, Danny Thornton, Bert Loflin, Stu Gitchell, Keith Barber and Tom Brown were all having a great time with their ladies. We had the largest class group there, as usual, and gave a great Old Yell!

Mike McCarthy is still in Alabama attending the Air War College. He will be graduating May 22.

Mike will also be receiving another Masters in National Security Theory and Policy at the same time.

He still does not have resolution on where he will be heading for my six month Developmental Assignment but it is looks like Mike will be heading to Washington, D.C., (Fort Belvoir) to work at the G-8 Center for Army Analysis with their Strategic Initiatives Group. He says he should show up there around the end of June. If anyone working for DoD wants to chat about the Defense Senior Leader Development Program, Mike would be happy to chat with them. There is no age restriction, and Mike says he is not the oldest guy in the program. Congratulations, Mike!

Dave Mecredy reported that after a warm January in Minnesota, winter was back in February – not much snow, but it was cold. He says it is a good

2015-Issue 2

thing that his wife and kids still like him. QLogic, Dave’s employer, has been downsizing as of late and will be moving him to a new office that can accommodate about two-thirds of the staff – the rest have been asked to work from home – including him. Dave feels like the rabbit begging the fox not to throw him in the briar patch. With no commute, he will have to purposely make time for some motorcycle riding – such a problem. Dave told his son if he completed his Eagle Scout they would sign up for the motorcycle safety course training. I hope the bike riding is in the spring, Dave!

Now for the news from our in the field reporter, Paul Mitchell. “Back in October, while driving a big rig from East Liverpool, Ohio, to Pascagoula, Mississippi, for DuPont, I stopped at the I-81 Welcome Center in Bristol for what should have been only a few minutes. When I climbed back into the tractor, it wouldn’t start. I called roadside assistance.

Three hours later, the repairs were completed. In the meantime, I called my rat year roommate and great friend, Clyde Long, a Bristol resident whom I rarely see. Clyde is a retired army dentist and lieutenant colonel. He brought me supper. We sat at a table in the comfortable, living room-like Welcome Center and swapped stories for hours; sometimes I was laughing so hard that it sent me into fits of coughing. The only times I laugh that hard are at VMI reunions. Later that month, I intentionally stopped at that Welcome Center again, and Clyde took me out to dinner, where we told even more stories, and I presented him with a statue of a rooster made of coal as a memento of one of our best rat year stories.

The main reason Clyde and his lovely wife, Susan, chose Bristol as the place to retire is because it was where her parents still resided. Wilson Osborne, Clyde’s father-in-law, who had been in a nursing

home for many years, died in November. Clyde gave the eulogy, and it was beautifully done. This was the second occasion within a year in which Clyde had been called upon for public speaking.

“For years now, in mid-January, a number of us from the greater Richmond area gather informally at a Richmond pub and elect a Class of ’78 Brother Rat of the Year. For 2014, the gathering was held at Kona Grill in Short Pump, and we selected Jerry “Crazy” Harris, owner of Old House Specialist, Inc., a construction company in Chesapeake, Virginia, because 2014 was such an awesome year for Jerry. Crazy and his brother, Jon “Big Fluffy” Harris, were selected by Scott and Deirdre Gurney, executive producers of Gurney Productions, to be two of the five crew members of a well-sponsored, competitive, sports fishing team called Fish Circus for a television show titled, ‘Fish Mavericks.’ Gurney Productions, with a staff of over 250, are the producers of such hits as ‘Duck Dynasty,’ ‘Shark Week’ and ‘Auction Hunters.’ The Fish Circus team competes in various fishing competitions, including in the Bahamas, where their boat is usually the smallest in the competitions. They have no hot food, no heating, no air conditioning and no real protection from the elements. Sometimes, just hanging on in rough seas is the biggest win of the day. The other three crew members are another pair of brothers, Robb and Chris Pami from New Jersey, and their brother-in-law, David Schunke. Although it is a sports fishing show, it is really one about relationships, dreams, adventures and comedy.

“Some terribly sad news is that Colin Moore, the incredibly popular 20-year-old son of Michael and Lynn Moore, died in his sleep Jan. 26, 2015. The Moores reside in Salisbury in Midlothian, Virginia, and many from our class were able to attend the

Class of 1978: BRs at the Lynchburg Valentine’s hop.

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CLASS NOTES Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, memorial service at Church of the ReCambodia and Thailand, I am on my deemer Episcopal, followed by a huge final leg of the trip before heading back reception at Salisbury Country Club. to civilization the first part of March.

Redeemer is my former church. Only To check out the details of my advenonce before have I seen it so packed with people where not another could ture, visit my blog at wanderingmiketfit inside, and there were still more ravels.wordpress.com.” Sounds like an standing outside. I heard there were exciting time, BR! 400-500 in attendance, and I believe Dean Smith wrote that he is heading it. During the service, Mike took the off to San Diego taking on the conpulpit and spoke about Colin in a very struction of the San Ysidro Land Port loving and positive way. Mike gave us Class of 1978: Mike Moore invited his brother rats of Entry. Mike said, “BRs staggering all examples of how remarkable and back to his home after the reception following his son’s back from Tijuana, let me know.” unique their son was and described funeral. Pictured, from left, were Billy Way, Steve Oddi, Jeff Curtis announced that he is finColin as living his life like a shooting Ronnie Milligan, Anthony Moore, Paul Mitchell, Bob ishing his tour at VMI this summer. star. That Mike was able to maintain Jenvey and Rob Carpenter.

He and Betsy are not settled on future his composure in giving those touchplans just yet. Sounds like ’79 will ing remarks was just incredible. I couldn’t have sister and her husband and formed a company, E&S have to “represent” at another retirement parade Farms, LLC. They purchased 20 acres in Merced, like last year’s Trumps gala! Suspect the parade done it.

From our class, I recall seeing Jay Hutt, Wads California, and will plant about 2,500 almond trees will happen before the next Alumni Review isBugg, Bill Hardy, Billy Way, Steve Oddi, Jerry this fall. They are new to the almond business and sue, but if not, be on the lookout for coordinating Harris, Bruce Wells, Ronnie Milligan, Bob Jo- have been learning at a furious pace. They even instructions.” hann, Bob Jenvey, Anthony Moore, Rob Car- attended the annual Almond Conference last DeSpeaking of Trumps ... The class has reached penter and some of our wives. I apologize if I cember in Sacramento. Alec says it will be a fun our goal on the Trumps Award! Nicely done, overlooked anyone. Mike found the support and endeavor, allow them to use their management BRs! The fund is now set to provide the annual camaraderie of his brother rats comforting in his skills from 30 plus years in the Air Force and keep stipend. That is not to say that contributions to the grief. After the reception, he invited us back to them active. Alec said, alas, they can no longer say fund cannot continue; please do if that is where their home. Some of us hung out at Capital Ale they are retired. They will spend about four months you would like your donations to go. Additional House until the Moores let us know they were a year in California helping with the operation but monies may, in time, allow the fund to increase its annual award. ready to receive family and friends. There, near still base out of Texas. Thanks, farmer Alec.

Jim LaRose sent: “All is well with me. I have a fire pit in the backyard, Bob Jenvey led us in Dave Gray sent along news in that he has comseveral Old Yells, starting with one for Colin. pleted 25 years at Pfizer and works as an adjunct started a new exercise routine, as I am getting too “In closing, I have some personal news. I mar- professor at Averett University. He says teaching old and creaky for running. I greatly admire Farried Janice Hagen Jan. 31, 2015. Although she keeps him sharp and the income will help them shad Majidian and the other BRs who still run, graduated from Longwood, I don’t think any of travel. much less those that do marathons and the like.

It was kind of any of you to send along Christmas But my knees and hips have taken too much of you remember her, as she was born in March of our rat year. Just sayin’. Also, in February, I cards. Thanks, Jim Mackin, Tom Tanner, Alec a beating. Have you guys tried my new thing, resigned from Sentinel Transportation, where I Earle, Dave Gray, Glen Jones, Bob Brown, Terry Cross Fit classes? (I think Ben Bauman has writhad been a driver-dispatcher for the past nearly Dorn and Tony Pileggi. I would also like to thank ten about them). At the place I go, they are called 10 years, to start with Estes Express Lines. Al- all of you who keep the class Facebook page inter- Boot Camp or Insanity classes. The best way to though many trucking companies are hiring, I esting. Please join us on Facebook, VMI 78. If you describe them to our group is an hourlong rat didn’t shop around. I wanted to work for Estes have not been getting email notices about notes, sweat party, only led by a 25-year-old screaming and Estes only. Estes has a great reputation. But please contact me. As always, time for more news! cutie instead of a screaming 3rd classman. Oddly enough, I have started to ‘look forward’ to this mainly, I sought employment there because its In the spirit. form of punishment.” I pulled a muscle just readexecutive vice president and chief operating officer is Billy Hupp ’77, a great guy I’ve known since ing … and I find no need to be treated like a rat, Michael Ogden high school.” Thanks for the news, Paul! regardless of “cute” status. I am not sure you and Danny Thornton has had the opportunity to Ben are “well,” but congrats nonetheless on the spend considerable time with BR Rick Wolffe effort. Beats siting on the couch eating Fritos!

(Snare) since he has acquired a home in LexingDoug Doerr checked in: “I wish I lead an exton. In fact, Danny had lunch with Snare, his mom citing life, but alas, I do not. (Actually, I think and his wife, Liz, and attended a basketball game February 2015: Renee and I hope this finds you do, BR!) Since the last time I wrote, there with them. Danny and Bert Loflin have made sev- everyone well and dealing with winter. We are a has been little activity in our household. As the eral road trips to Lexington for games this winter. tad scarce on inputs this time around, which is not scoutmaster of Troop 1390, we have stayed busy Danny had lunch with Jay Hutt and enjoyed catch- unusual post reunion, but I do expect a better ef- with Christmas tree sales, cold weather training and completed the ‘Klondike Derby’ in Harpers ing up. Danny wants all to know how deeply he fort next time! and Melissa appreciate the love and support of so Mike Staso has been on a whirlwind adventure. Ferry, West Virginia, Jan. 30-Feb. 1. We have many during this past year as they grieve the death He wrote: “I decided late last year to ditch work participated in this event for 10 years and have of their son, Peter. and take off on a seven month journey throughout never won any awards – until this year. One of Alec Earle sent along his latest news that they are Southeast Asia. Having called 50-plus hostels and our two patrols, the younger scouts, earned two now farmers. The Earles partnered with Sheila’s hotels home these past six months across Malaysia, awards. One of which was for earning the most

’79

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CLASS NOTES ‘gold’ of any other participating troop. I might accident in less than two years – both were not John Gibney Jr. add that the patrol leader is a 12-year-old, the son my fault! Unlike the accident that occurred May of a VMI alumnus. This scout has every determi- 28, 2013, when a deer ran out of the woods and nation to fill his father’s footsteps. I am incredibly knocked me off my Gold Wing, this time an elderproud of him! In two weeks, Feb. 13, 2015, we ly gentleman driving the opposite direction made will be participating in the Pilgrimage and En- a left turn across my lane in front of me. (He just campment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. This didn’t see me.) I suffered a fractured left clavicle Hello Brother Rats. event has gone on for 100 years and has never (which had to be surgically repaired) and seven fracThese notes cover the period Nov. 1, 2014, been canceled. It will be cold, but our scouts are tured ribs, all on my left side. (No pictures, because prepared! On the personal front, my daughter will they are not very pretty.) My orthopedic surgeon ex- through Feb. 15, 2015, and are being written as be getting married May 31. Since the announce- pects me to complete my physical therapy in July. both the snow and the temperatures are falling in ment, Corinne has been taking charge of every- John Kailey said he would officiate all my 2015 New York City.

The period began with Patti and I thing and has completed all associated traveling to northern Virginia to attend tasks. I had hopes to schedule a BR the wedding of Matthew and Tanya breakfast for our Northern Virginia/ Keys’ son, Bryan, to his now wife, Maryland BRs.” Thanks for all your Katie. Phil and Kathy Munisteri also hard work with the Scouts, Doug, and attended. We stayed in Washington, looking forward to the Northern VirD.C., and attended a dinner arranged ginia/Maryland BR gathering. I will

by Jack Keane that was also attended be up your way the second weekend

by Joe Belkoski and Tracy and Jenniin June! (Hint!)

Bob Sievert wrote in with big news: fer Wilson.

“Did the ‘early retirement’ thing with Steve Andrews sent an email Nov. the state Dec. 31 and started a consul10 recognizing the Marine Corps birthday and Founders Day Nov. 11. tant job with Civic Initiatives out of Tom Gelles also left a Marine Corps Austin, Texas, so I could help other birthday voice message. states that want to implement procureDan Conn sent an email with an atment systems. Already been working Class of 1979: Bob Morris, right, and Brian Tollie atwith Missouri and Ohio, spending tended the special NBC/Universal pre-showing of Ange- tachment explaining a Mediterranean most of January in either Jefferson lina Jolie’s movie, “Unbroken,” hosted by Tom Brokaw at cruise.

City, Missouri, or Columbus, Ohio. the Newseum in Washington, D.C. Gary Levenson called. He said the Very cold, but great folks to work October get-together was well atwith. With me gone so much, Angela is having to high school lacrosse games this spring while I’m tended and included Ed Baker, Tom Bersson, manage the homefront for us. She says she’s OK recovering – what a great BR. I did receive some Pat Griffin, Andy Ludlum, Mike Lunning, with it, other than too much ‘alone time’ in the good news. Right after I awoke from my surgery, Jay McConnell, Yves Pollart, Rob Quarles, evenings. Going forward, we are starting some a Delta classmate called me on my iPhone to con- Hal Snyder and Preston Vock. Gary also saw work with Georgia and Hawaii soon. So maybe gratulate me on becoming a new captain. I’ll be Pat Griffin at the Institute Society dinner. Also I’ll get to enjoy some warm climate soon! Other flying the Boeing 767 International from New at the dinner were Hugh Fain, president of the news ... we’re going to be grandparents! Our son, York. Cathy and I plan to stay in Georgia, and VMI Foundation, Jack Keane, and Jay and Trudy Matthew, has this well underway with delivery I’ll commute to New York for my trips.” Thanks Melvin. expected in early August timeframe. This news for writing in, J.R.! Hope recovery goes well, and Hal Snyder sent an email requesting Tim Mehas helped Angela some with the ‘alone time’ in congrats on the promotion! credy’s contact information. Did you guys connect? that she’s spending time making baby afghans On a romantic note, Sal Vitiello and Deb reI spoke with Steve Andrews just before Thanksand shopping for baby clothes.” Congrats to you newed their wedding vows after 35 years, Jan. 18 giving. Steve and Cathy were planning to spend and Angela on all the great news, and good luck while vacationing in St. Maarten, N.A. Congratu- Thanksgiving at Clemson University, where their with the new adventure. daughter, Caroline, is a sophomore. Their older lations, Sal and Deb! John Kailey added: “Just some more mundane On the homefront, Renee graduated from Old daughter, Virginia, is a teacher in Arkansas. things. Oldest boy is graduating high school this Dominion University in December with a BachNovember ended with me and Patti having year and has been accepted into college (no, not elor of Science degree in business management. Thanksgiving dinner with Matthew and Tanya VMI...). For our BRs that are orthos, I need to A journey that started “in her youth” ended after a Keys at their NYC apartment. have my knee replaced. As of May, I get paid for dedicated effort over the past five years working December began with a call from Pat Griffin, staying alive (retirement), but alas, with two boys while attending class. I cannot tell you how proud with the discussion focusing on our reunion and a to put through college, not quite at the lemonade I am. “Never say die!” Now, out into the execu- request for volunteers. Pat will again organize us. on the porch stage. Officiating lacrosse this year – tive workforce you fly, my scholarly dove!

In response to his birthday card, Don BradI see Jim Pigg, who is recovering from a motorcyBrother rats, please continue to stay in touch, shaw sent an email from Brooklyn, where he is cle accident. Just taught my first class of the year and keep up on your physicals and all that other the deputy garrison commander at Fort Hamilat Emory continuing education, and I still have a “healthy, take care of yourself” stuff! So looking ton. Don wrote that he hopes to host an alumni day job. Other than that, trying to keep Mom and forward to more notes inputs and pictures next association event. time!

Jack Keane sent an email with a photo taken at the kids happy.”

Stay well, Speaking of Jim Pigg, he scribed: “On SunVMI where Jack and Rick Fowler, Pat Griffin, –M day, Jan. 11, 2015, I had my second motorcycle Jim Lunsford and John Shuman participated in

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CLASS NOTES the annual Cadet-Alumni Networking Forum.

Jack also wrote that he attended a VMI basketball game at George Washington University with Dan Conn and Tracy Wilson.

Jonathan Ives sent an email with a photo taken in Paris. Jonathan has accepted a civil service position with the Department of Defense in Germany, where he and Whitney and their two daughters, Peyton and Hadley, will spend the next five years.

Each year, Christmas wishes arrive as cards, cards with photos, letters or cards with letters recapping the year and email messages.

Cards were sent by Steve and Cathy Andrews from Connecticut, Larry and Lynn Avery from Florida, Rob and Rebecca D’Alessandro from Virginia, Gary and Karen Levenson from Virginia, Dennis and Donna Milsten from Virginia, and Rich and Beth Zott from St. Louis. Dan Conn sent a holiday email from northern Virginia.

Vince and Sheila Copenhaver sent a card from Virginia noting that their daughter, Victoria, was married Nov. 8.

Chris and Jen Dombalis sent a card from New Jersey with a photo of their daughters, Taylor and Alexis.

Pat and Beth Griffin sent a card from Massachusetts with photos of their sons, John and Michael.

Dave and Diana Hageman sent a card from Michigan with multiple family photos.

Larry and Vera Hupertz sent a card from Ohio with photos of their daughters, Alex and Monica, noting that Alex received a master’s in creative writing and Monica received a Doctor of Juris Prudence degree.

Tom “Gunny” Kelly sent a card from Virginia, where he works for the Navy Federal Credit Union. Tom keeps in touch with his VMI roommates Eli, Cowboy and Elliott.

Phil and Kathy Munisteri sent a card from Long Island with photos of their children, Meghan and Connor.

Class of 1980: Jonathan Ives with his wife and daughters in Paris in December 2014.

Rob and Elizabeth Quarles sent a card from Tennessee with a family photo including their children, Arkell, Marshall and Fielding.

Rob and Traci Robinson sent a card from Virginia showing their daughters, Maddie and Caitlin.

Bert and Peggy Schneider sent a card from Arizona with a note saying that their son and daughter would be home for Christmas. Bert also wrote that he takes his Corvette out on the track every once in a while.

Wade and Lannie Stinnette sent a card from

South Carolina with a photo of their children, Katie, Walker and Langhorne.

Terry and Kelly Stoneman sent a card from Delaware with a photo of their extended family.

Robby Wheeler included a note in his card, sent from Dallas where he lives with his fiancé, Mary Anne. Wheelz, a pilot for U.S. Airways, was just hired by American Airlines.

John and Anne Alerding sent a card with an enclosed letter from their home in Lexington.

Both teach at VMI, Anne in the biology department and John tutors math. Congrats to Anne on earning tenure. John’s son, Johnny, earned his wings and will be flying F-22 Raptors for the U.S. Air Force.

Aaron and Nancy Bush sent a letter from their home in Pennsylvania that provided family highlights from 2014. In May, they welcomed their first grandson. Aaron is retired from the Army and completed his eighth year teaching high school and coaching. They plan to attend our reunion.

Bill and Patty Kelly sent a photo of their extended family (there are now three grandchildren) and a note from San Antonio, written while they were closing their pool (NYC wind chill is below zero Feb. 15). Bill is an energy efficiency manager with responsibilities on 10 Air National Guard bases.

Walt and Carrie Kreitler sent a card with an enclosed letter from Fairfax, Virginia. Walt is still with Northrup Grumman but has moved from business development to corporate. Also included was a photo of their grandchildren, Sky, Jace and Estelle.

Tim and Becky Mecredy sent a card with photos from Augusta, Georgia, showing their extended family. Tim is a physician, and working with Becky, their business is doing very well.

Brian and Kim O’Neill sent a letter from Virginia Beach with an enclosed photo of their extended family. They plan to attend our 35th.

Brian is retired from the Navy and works in

Class of 1980: John Blankenship, left, and Paul Burkholder on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River in January 2015.

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CLASS NOTES

’81

Class of 1980: Rick Fowler, John Shuman, Pat Griffin, Jack Keane and Jim Lunsford at VMI in November 2014.

Norfolk as the deputy director of Submarine Operations at SUBLANT. Their son, Brendan, has applied to VMI. Mark and Darleen Sobota sent a letter and a page of photos from Ohio. The highlight of their year was the birth of their granddaughter, Lily.

They are expecting a grandson in March. Mark is retired from the Air Force and works with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program at WrightPatterson Air Force Base.

Hal and Kathy Snyder sent a holiday email from Maryland with an attached page of photos.

Hal is retired from the Army and runs a dental practice. Their daughter, Margot, is getting married in May in England. Their son, Hunter, completed graduate school at Oxford and is in Greenland on a Fulbright Scholarship. Their son, Connor, is a 4th Class cadet at VMI. Tracy and Jennifer Wilson sent a card with a note and photos from Alexandria, Virginia, showing their daughters, Sienna, age 10, and Ellie, age 7. Also shown were photos taken on their vacation in Italy. Jennifer is employed at the International Monetary Fund. Tracy is with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in D.C. Walt and Mary Lynne Wood sent warm Christmas wishes from the Peruvian Andes where they run a nonprofit that they founded. They plan to attend our reunion.

Thank you to all who reached out.

December ended with an email from Charlie Hansrote in response to the end-of-year class agent letter. Charlie and Jill plan to attend our reunion.

January began with an email from Bert Schneider with photos of the view from his Arizona home after a snowstorm.

2015-Issue 2

Phil Munisteri sent an email with a link to an article containing a story about Phil being named 2014 Educator of the Year. The details should appear elsewhere in this issue. (Editor’s Note: See page 158 for more on Phil Munisteri’s award.)

John Blankenship sent an email with photos taken at the house purchased by Paul and Ann Burkholder on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River near Woodstock, Virginia.

No one recognized Jan. 28 this year.

I spoke with Chris Dombalis. Chris has returned to New Jersey full-time to run a startup.

Chris had been dividing his time between New Jersey and Florida running a shipping company.

Dave Hageman called from New Orleans, where he and Diana were participating in the Krewe du Vieux parade. They live in Michigan where Dave occasionally sees Jody Weatherwax.

February began with Patti and me hosting Matthew and Tanya Keys for the Super Bowl.

Pat Griffin, through Hugh Fain, arranged for a conference call to discuss plans for our reunion.

Participants included John Alerding, Jack Keane, Rob Quarles and Scott Sayre. Stay tuned for details.

During the call, Scott Sayre mentioned he had been joined by Mike Bellamy, Craig Jones, Andy Ludlum, Pat McCarthy, Dan Sweeney and Walt Wood at the 50th anniversary of the installation of the VMI chaplain.

Lastly, Elliott and Amy Wolffe have fully relocated from New Orleans to New Jersey. They recently closed on a house and plan to attend our reunion.

Thank you for your continuing support.

Please keep in touch and please save the dates of our 35th Reunion.

Trip Lloyd

Dear Brother Rats and Families, Our Brother Rat Gordon T. Ivascu died Nov. 20, 2014, after a determined battle against cancer. Gordie was 54 and a resident of Winchester, Virginia. His life was celebrated with his family Tuesday night, Nov. 25, 2014, in Strasburg, Virginia. Gordie was born Dec. 24, 1959, in St. Paul, Minnesota, a son of Elaine U. Ivascu and the late George Ivascu. He graduated from Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, and was a 1981 graduate of Virginia Military Institute. He was the owner of Anthony’s Pizza in Strasburg, Virginia, and the prior vice president of Toll Brothers Builders, Inc. He married the love of his life and best friend, Nancy Lee Piccioni, Jan. 10, 1987, in Olney, Maryland. In addition to his loving wife, Nancy, he is survived by his mother, Elaine Ivascu; his beloved children, Kristi and husband John, Mike and wife Samantha, Mallory and husband Christopher, and Jessica; five grandchildren; and brother, George.

Jim Frishkorn shared the following: “The Class of ’81 had a great turnout at last night’s visitation for Gordie – 18 of our BRs attended.

His mother was very emotional as the guests started arriving, but as our BRs began paying their respects to the family, she quickly bounced to her feet and gave everyone big hugs, swapped stories and reminisced about the great lessons that VMI had taught her son. Gordie was apparently not the most organized kid while growing up. She shared some fond memories from his rat year, to include Parents Weekend where she marveled at the way he folded his socks into little ‘smiley faces’ and his underwear was the width of a Brasso can. She was quick to share that he shed these lessons after leaving (or perhaps while still at?) VMI. Both Gordie’s mother and his wife, Nancy, were very appreciative of all the support and well-wishes that his BRs had given him over the past year. They shared that he loved VMI, and he especially loved his BRs. Those in attendance included Trip Lloyd, Mark Vasco, Ben McClellan, Hank Lee, Rick McCue, Bruce Kitchen, Gary Morgan, Grover Outland, Ken Herbert, Mac Spears, Gene Loving, Jeff Adler, V Wood, Ron Mislowski, Scott Marsh, Clinker Moss and Gunny Olsen.

The VMI Alumni Association sent a stunning bouquet of flowers. Gordie’s family wanted the evening to be a celebration of life and they succeeded, complete with beer and pizza.”

Brother Rat John Ferry’s beloved father and

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CLASS NOTES hero, Donald Ferry Sr. ’54, died Jan. 20, 2015, after slipping on ice and suffering a severe blow to the head. Don was 83 and a resident of Medford Lakes, New Jersey, for 56 years. Don was surrounded by his loving family when he left this earthly world. Many of us remember Don and his beloved wife of 58 years, Beau, for their gracious hospitality and love of VMI through the years – especially when they would drive their RV onto the Parade Ground for tailgate parties of old. Don attended both the Virginia Military Institute (Class of ’54) and St. Joseph’s College, and he proudly served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He was the owner of Ferry Associates, Inc. in Medford since 1982. He was an active member of the Medford Lakes Country Club for over 50 years, where he enjoyed playing both golf and cards. BRs Bill Stamm, Jim Hart, Dave Openshaw, Grover Outland, Rob Digby, Mike Denton, Gabe Mastrobuono, Tom Albro and Jerry Manley, as well as John’s cousin, Brian Gardner ’03, were present for the family or church services and paid respects at the follow-on reception with a hearty Old Yell for both Don Ferry and for the Class of ’54. Our hearts and prayers remain with Beau, John, the entire extended family and friends in their time of loss.

Brother Rat Rob Lawless’ loving father, Robert J. Lawless Sr., died peacefully Monday, Jan. 26, 2014, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Rob shared that he was extremely grateful and found tremendous comfort from all the BRs and other VMI alumni who reached out to him and his family. The memorial service was held Jan. 30, 2015, in Lady Lake, Florida. As he

was member of the U.S. Army and Korean War veteran, an inurnment with military honors will be held at a later date at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. Our hearts and prayers remain with our BR Rob and his mother, Joan, who enjoyed a beautiful and joyful marriage with Robert Sr. for over 62 years.

The northern Virginia ’81 group had a mini reunion at the Chantilly, Virginia, International House of Pancakes Nov. 9.

Dan Gallagher wrote to send his hopes and prayers out to everyone and shared that he is going through some medical issues himself.

Mike Plazcek sent a quick message reporting that all is quiet on the Placzek front this time.

Nothing earth shattering to report.

C.P. Davis wrote that he has been incredibly busy with his business turnaround and restructuring activities this year. He just began as the interim chief executive officer of a large outdoor furniture and accessories company just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. His mergers and acquisition advisory practice continues to remain very active, as well. He was fortunate to work with one client in Lynchburg this past year and was able to get to VMI on several occasions. His family is doing well. His older son, Tyler, is with the Norfolk Southern railway based in Atlanta, Georgia.

His daughter, Courtney, is a sophomore at North Carolina State University, and his sons, Jackson and Thomas, are at Charlotte Latin. He is hoping either Jackson and/or Thomas will consider the “I” when the time comes. He invites any BR to stop by Charlotte if driving through 85/77 for visit. He also shared that he saw Jim Friskhorn and Bill Leftwich while in Lynchburg and enjoyed catching up.

John Dixon shared that all is well on his end.

He is now well into the second semester at Carson Long Military Academy, and he is enjoying an excellent year. He is teaching three sections of physics and two sections of chemistry, in addition to serving as a building officer and basketball coach (his Warriors basketball team is presently 9-6 with an excellent chance of making their district tournament). With spring almost here, it looks like he will be coaching track and field, as well. He traveled down to the Institute the last week of January with his vice president for operations, Lt. Col. Mark Morgan, and five prospective cadets.

Scott Falls wrote that things in Arkansas are chugging along pretty well; however, he is a bit incapacitated. He had rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder in December (they reattached a rotator ligament, ground down a bone spur and once the surgeon got in there, she found a detached bicep tendon which she reattached). So now he is involved with physical therapy to rehabilitate everything and get it back to normal. He is trying to stay patient and not rush anything but will be glad when it is all over. He wished he had a good story to tell about how he tore it, but the truth he shared was last May, he was cutting off hanging tree branches in the yard when the saw hung up, and in an effort to free it, he tugged just the right way to cause it to tear. Scott anticipates retiring from the FBI at the end of 2015, which will give him a little over 29 years of bureau service in Oxford, Mississippi; New York City; and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Add in 5-and-a-half-years in the Marines with a year’s accumulated sick leave, and the total retirement shouldn’t be too bad. Scott and his wife plan to move a little farther out from town, buy some acreage (his “playground,” as she calls it) and build a modest house. He hopes nothing changes between now and then so they can get that done.

Denise plans to continue working as a secretary at the middle school. Scott doesn’t plan to be actively searching for a retirement job, but if he stumbles across something that interests him, who knows?

Jerry Manley shared that his daughter is engaged.

The Lloyd family has been out skiing several times during the season, and other than that, things have been fairly quiet.

’82 Class of 1981: BRs and Nancy Ivascu at Gordie’s memorial service.

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It is amazing and helpful that my most recent Alumni Review arrived two days ago as of this writing. Amazing that the turnaround time has gotten down to 90 days. Helpful because I needed to know where I left off last time! I closed out the notes with the terrible news that Darryl Horne was in hospice care at home. Darryl died

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES within two weeks of that notice after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dan Clymore sent me an email with a nearly complete list of those who attended Darryl’s memorial service in Hampton, Virginia. Using the social media of Facebook, we were able to compile a full list. The following BRs were there: Ozzie Belcher, Joel Benefield, Doug Burdett, Bill Burnette, Scott Crumpler, Dan Clymore, Ed Daniels, Dale Davis, Doc Davis, Daryl Deke, Gordy Hammock, Jim Hickey, Joey Keyes, Dave Kohler, Bill Jennings, Chuck Kause, Bob Louthan, Ron Mecredy, Tom McCune, Darren McDew, Jeff Modisett, Elliott Morales, Chuck Pace, Van Noah, Jeff Roseme, Tom O’Sullivan, Larry Williams, Allen Wilson and Scott Woodell. The VMI Honor Guard was hosted by Gen. Cedric Wins ’85. Joey Keyes, Darren McDew and Ozzie Belcher each spoke, and all did a great job, especially Darren with his imitation of Daryl’s “slow walk.” How could someone so fast walk so slowly?! It was a great turnout for Darryl’s memorial Friday and a great send-off for a life well lived! Thanks to Joey and Darren for all their help in the several weeks leading up to this service.

Now I want to backtrack to the closing of my last set of notes. Breakfast with Gen. Darren McDew. Darren was in Nashville attending a convention as a key note speaker. I begged him to let me come up and at least have breakfast with him Sunday before he was to fly off on another engagement.

Darren was staying at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center. I was coming in from a scouting trip and following the GPS to get there, not realizing I would almost need the GPS again inside the place. It was huge! Darren travels with aides now,

but that still does not stop him from getting lost trying to find his way back into the place after going for a run. Breakfast at the Opryland Convention Center was an incredible experience.

Having never been there before, and I have been living in Tennessee for 13 years, I started gawking while driving up to it on the interstate. Darren had delayed eating until I arrived, so he was starving, I on the other hand, was playing the Hobbit, and this was to be my second breakfast of the day. My scout crew had been up at 5:30 a.m. preparing breakfast for a horseback endurance ride, so I was ready for seconds.

So over a breakfast of giant sized blueberries and pancakes, we spent the time telling stories about Darryl, since he and Darren had been roommates for several years. Darryl got sick the weekend at promotion event for Darren’s fourth star. A battery of tests determined that it was pancreatic cancer, and the family chose to fight it as long as possible over the summer but kept the news private. Over this time period, Darren made repeated visits and kept in touch with Charlene and the family. He said he had just found out that each time he deployed, Darryl would call and check up on both Evelyn and their daughter. She considers him her uncle.

Before this illness, Darren had asked Darryl to speak at a convention during Black History month, and he was not even sure Darryl could speak in front of a crowd. Darryl immediately said yes and did a superb job. As a payback, Darren took him in and set him up in a flight simulator for the big Globemaster C-17. You know, the one that Darren has flown since he was a baby pilot. Darren figured this would prove just how hard a job it was ... except Darryl, once again,

did superb. Next up, how about inflight refueling? Darryl nailed that one, too!

While we were telling tales, the subject came up about the West Point game and the mule theft.

Darren gave me his version of what is was like from being the quest of the West Point ranking cadet. A messenger came in to tell him he had a phone call in the guard shack. So he goes and takes the call, and it is the mule thieves on the line! They asked him if he was near a TV and to turn to channel 6. Darren asked the cadets to do so, and there was a rebroadcast of an interview from the TV crew with infamous thieves and the mule right behind them! Darren said it got very quiet in the guard room. He did survive that, but later on that night, he was kidnapped by a hoard of plebes who burst into his room and carried him off on their shoulders! He was rescued by a West Point first classman who stopped their adventures. I think Darren said he was concerned that he would not have been traded back for the mule. (I understand Steve Checca might still have a videotape of that broadcast – hope he can find it for us in time for the next reunion!)

Final note on that memorable weekend: Darren and his West Point counterpart, who shall remain nameless, have been friends ever since. Darren outranks him by one star and as such, is able to “demand” he retell the story of that weekend anytime he likes. Like the time they were both in a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Darren gave him the nod. Despite silent pleading for mercy, he still had to obey his superior officer.

Priceless! Rah Virginia Mil! Dee Shannon has returned to our ranks after a long eight year absence due to extreme health related issues. Darryl’s tragic news brought him

Class of 1982: At the memorial service for Darryl Horne were Ozzie Belcher, Joel Benefield, Doug Burdett, Bill Burnette, Scott Crumpler, Dan Clymore, Ed Daniels, Dale Davis, Doc Davis, Daryl Deke, Gordy Hammock, Jim Hickey, Joey Keyes, Dave Kohler, Bill Jennings, Chuck Kause, Bob Louthan, Ron Mecredy, Tom McCune, Darren McDew, Jeff Modisett, Elliott Morales, Chuck Pace, Van Noah, Jeff Roseme, Tom O’Sullivan, Larry Williams, Allen Wilson and Scott Woodell. Class Agent Will Council said, “Not everyone made it in the photo, but somehow Steve Ross ’83 did.”

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CLASS NOTES back, as well as the fact that his daughter was in the so she would not have to do a forced march in medical and dental facilities. Of their three lovely daughters, Kathlene is in her senior year at James Corps of Cadets as a 4th Class cadet! He may even high heels.

Since I was also in town for the Class Agent Madison University, Hailey is in 10th grade and on get two of his to attend. Sadly, shortly after the news of Darryl’s passing, Dee’s daughter withdrew from Conference scheduled for the next morning, Keith her varsity dance team that placed second in the nagave me a personal tour of all the work projects tionals at Disney World, and Mia is in third grade VMI. In trying to pass the word about Darryl’s memo- going on at VMI. Impressive! He also helped me and is a multisport girl with soccer, lacrosse and rial service, I got to speak with a few BRs. Chris sort out care packages for our legacy cadets in bar- swimming going through three seasons.

Well, “the gunny” has finally retired. John Abbott is not working as a Wal-Mart greeter as he racks – all nine of them. Later that evening, I met told me he would be after retiring from the Navy. up with Joe Buchelle along with Jeanne and Keith Holmes is no longer teaching school; a back surgery He is working for John Hopkins Applied Physics, for dinner and catching up. Great finish for a short ended that career. He is, however, still very active, guest speaking at numerous graduations and also in doing pretty much the same thing he did in the trip to Lexington.

Navy but without the cute uniform. Chris reported The following weekend was Ring Figure and The the Patriot Guard and Purple Heart Riders. He had his family is doing well. Both daughters are in Citadel football game. Jeanne and Keith opened the privilege and honor to welcome home and bury college with the younger one still at home, so no their home up for the class, and a huge crowd turned the remains of an Air Force staff sergeant shot down empty nest feelings yet. out: Chuck Kause, Jeff and Tara Modisett, Bob and in ’69. He was buried in his hometown of Warsaw, Joey Keyes was a great help being boots on the Kathy Louthan, Chuck Pace, Doug Burdette, Jim North Carolina. What an honor. Besides the back isground to help run interference for Darryl’s family. and Maureen Hickey, Dave Kohler, Neal Fortney, sue, John says his health is very good, although hitEd Daniels returned my call and told ting a deer last year on the Blue Ridge me what he had been up to for the past Parkway slowed him down for about several years. Working in Richmond four months while the five broken but living a little farther north and has ribs healed. (Not sure, but I think John a new hip! All that fast and long dishit it on his motorcycle.) His 2014 Honda now has over 12,000 miles on tance running wore it out. it and still going strong. He plans to The class database from VMI does ride down to Daytona for bike week not specify if the person listed graduagain this summer ... that’s a hoot. He ated nor how long they stayed at VMI. is also looking forward to putting the There are 334 names listed, which is sailboat back in the water as soon as short of the 400-plus who matriculated the ice melts. He has made numerous with us. This all led me to call Joseph trips to Lexington, visiting friends Drischler, who lives in the Hampand recalling the good years he had ton, Virginia, area to tell him about at VMI. John says he sees Joel McBthe memorial service. Turns out, Joe lasted only three days as a rat, half of room out and about in Jacksonville. which was spent in the infirmary! Had John Mathews notified me that a nice chat with Joe dredging up de- Class of 1982: Rusty and Andrea Woods with four of their six his wife, Anita, died in January after tails, but he could not even recall what kids still at home – twins Emily and Katie, and Alex and Tanza. a brief battle with cancer. They had been married for 30 years. John still company he had been assigned to. He recently retired as a welder for Norfolk Shipyard Scott Crumpler, Emmitt and Lynn Heltzel, Keith lives in Roanoke. As of this writing, he is on a road trip with Mike Frailer. They are going to Florida and worked on three aircraft carriers. That really and Jeanne Jarvis and Larry Williams.

I think it was shortly after this event that I received to see Dave Holzbach and his wife. Lots of photos kept him busy for 30 years. Now he is working in a pizza joint just to keep from being bored. Joe said he a phone call from my roommate, Steve Fudge. were showing up on Facebook of their adventures. would try to get by the service for Darryl and maybe Wow! Had not heard from him since several re- Airboat rides, gator sights and sitting on the beach!

John Meadows checked in to make sure the class meet some other BRs. unions ago. We talked each other’s ears off for over I attended the Institute Society Dinner on Found- an hour. Steve is working in the computer field in was aware of John Mathews’ wife passing. He also ers Day. Had to get a tux to get in, so at least I have North Carolina, so he is refusing to get into the so- wished me a belated happy birthday and called me my outfit picked out for my daughter’s wedding ... cial media after he leaves work. Makes it difficult an old man! Hey, 55 is the new 35, I keep saying. it is up to her to find the groom. Daryl and Sherry to keep up, except his wife Teresa is on Facebook, John is still doing software for new teacher inducDeke, Maureen and Jim Hickey, and Richard and and I communicate through her. The biggest thing tion and professional development in school disJill Woolwine were there and seated at the same going on of news for Steve is that he is also trying to tricts, has a kid looking at colleges (junior now) and table. I got relegated to sit at the next table over with stay involved with his daughter through horseback trying to stay out of trouble. Thank you, John, and members of the Class of ’80: Jack Keane, Pat and riding. We joked about that for some time, since I keep the news coming.

Beth Griffin, and Trudy and Jay Melvin. Jeanne have been trying to get out of the horse business Paul Pendorf sent in a nice update in reply to my and Keith Jarvis must have pissed off the maître for years. So, Steve, thanks for the call, and I look Christmas card plea. Paul has been living in Laguna d’ because they were several tables away with the forward to the next one. Now I need to go harass Niguel, California, since 2000. He has been with his newer classes. The group photo can be found on Chip Gibson! girlfriend, Maripaz, for almost 10 years now and reour Facebook page. The Dekes and the Woolwines Chuck Fanshaw sent me a note along with the ports that one of these days they will get married. She called it early (Sorry, I really did not get to spend any family Christmas letter. For the record, Chuck said has two grown children and two grandsons, one of time with them, but Richard says he has sold his he will “...try to write regularly.” I would like that which they take care of every few weeks for a weekbusiness for now), but Keith got us invited back from everyone! He is still at the National Defense end or over the holidays. Paul has been an insurance to have drinks in a back room of the Moody Hall. University while Hope is getting set to return to salesman now for almost 28 years and specializes in I gave Maureen and Jim a ride back to their hotel the workforce with the Navy Bureau to work on Medicare insurance products, as well as long-term

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Class of 1982: Paul Pendorf at Hotel Del Coronado in fall 2014. care insurance. He is also a registered representative with IFG, an independent broker dealer out of San Diego. Through IFG, he sells investment products such as REITS, annuities and mutual funds. Business has been very good the last few years. When not working, Paul stays active by swimming in the early mornings at a heated outdoor pool a couple of miles away and takes 20 minutes to walk down to the beach on the weekends. He also tries to attend VMI alumni chapter meetings as much as possible, and there are a lot of opportunities for those in SoCal. In early December, they attended an alumni luncheon in San Diego. He saw Rick Hall ’79 and met a member of the Class of ’44. Paul still talks often with his dyke, George Graham ’79, who has lived in Richmond for the last 10 years or so. He also spoke recently with his former roommate, Eric Erlendson, from 4th and 3rd Class years. Eric’s son, Tom, is a freshman at JMU. Eric just retired last year from the county in northern Virginia as a paramedic. Both are well.

Jay and Christy Roach have been in Texas now for two years after a move from the Kansas City area. Their three kids are scattered about. Drew is in medical school at the University of Kansas. Hilary is still in Kansas, as well, out in the workforce.

Their youngest, Sarah, is still at home and hoping to finish high school this year. Jay is still with TGI Fridays, now in their corporate headquarters. Christy is doing a ton of service groups from the area food bank to Women’s Club.

I know as we are growing older we can expect more medical issues, and this period of the notes brought way too much of that. Keith Jarvis put the word out that Greg Picklesimer was in the hospital for an emergency dealing with an aortic tear. Keith said that Mike Shea and Eric Karell were en route to pay Greg a visit. The roommates from 122, “The

2015-Issue 2

Squirrel Cage,” rallied to his bedside to cheer him up and hopefully provided some comfort and moral support. Mark Harrington, who lives in that neck of the woods, stopped by also. The last report, and I just called Jeanne to confirm, is that after six weeks in the hospital and rehab center, Greg may be coming home this weekend. Jeanne hopes he might get one more rehab week to really get his strength back up, but everything is doing well except for some pain in his elbow, and his voice has not fully recovered from the tube. Thane Duray was not able to make the trip but has been calling for updates. I asked Jeanne to get on all of them to take a moment to contact their class agent sometime, as well.

Rusty Woods sent in a great update. He lives in Fayetteville, Georgia, the same town where he went to high school. He met his beautiful wife, Andrea, in 1985 in Clovis, New Mexico. They have been married for 28-and-a-half-years and have six children.

Rusty spent nine years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force flying F-111s and instructing in OV-10s. He left active duty for Delta Airlines in 1991 and has been with them since. He is currently a captain on the Boeing 767/ 757, flying out of Atlanta. Very occasionally, he runs into Scott Barger at Delta.

Back in the ’90s, Rusty and Andrea adopted two teenagers, James and Renee, from long term foster care. They also had 5-year-old natural-born twins at that time. The twins, Emily and Katie, are now 21 and seniors at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. James is now 33, and he just got out of the U.S. Marine Corps after a 12-year enlistment.

Oldest daughter, Renee, lives in Alabama. Fourand-a-half-years ago, they became guardians of Renee’s two children, Alex (12), and Tanza (6), so now they go to soccer practice four days a week like they are still in their ’30s! If their lives weren’t complicated enough, Rusty joined the Air National Guard in Savannah, Georgia, and is now a lieutenant colonel in an air support operations squadron doing the job of joint terminal attack controller). They used to just call them ground forward air controllers. They control all close air support missions while imbedded with joint service units (mostly Army). Yup, he used to fly fighters, now he carries an M-4 and controls them!

In 2002, Rusty took a two-year leave-of-absence from Delta, and they moved to Ethiopia with an international mission group. They taught conversational English in the public school system. It was a great time of learning to live simpler and to be thankful for what we have been given. The people there were very caring and kind. Closing out his note, Rusty said his parents still live over the mountain from Lexington in Bath County, Virginia. During our cadetship, quite a few of our fellow Double E’s were able to camp at our hunt camp there (which is now in his parent’s front yard).

Mike and Heather Albert reported in from the Dallas, Texas, area. One daughter, Rebecca, got married back in 2012 and now lives near Atlanta.

Samantha, after graduating from the University of the South a few years ago, is now living and working in Memphis, Tennessee. Mike is teaching fifth grade social studies, science and math in a small Catholic school in Dallas. Although Mike said there was not much news, I did not know if he was no longer in Memphis.

Tommy and Julia Avent are still in Arlington, Virginia. They started their own real estate company two years ago and are doing great. They are also doing some spec homes. Tommy claims this is to support their daughter Emma’s nasty habit ... Horseback riding! And after seeing some of his posts on Facebook, I can assure you he will be needing to sell more homes to keep that up. He has been in touch with Chris Schrichte, Andy Doulthat and Dick Moore on a regular basis.

Speaking of Dickie Moore, he announced his retirement on Facebook and was then back out to play golf. I expect to see him on the ProAm circuit. He joked that he has always wanted to shoot a round like Tiger Woods, and recently he has been matching Tiger’s numbers. I’ll let you tally the score.

So I made my first class agent contact through LinkedIn, the “other” social media connection. I reached out to Dave Shutt fishing for more details on the West Point mule story. Dave is the business development manager for Conner Sport Court International in northern Virginia. He is living in Lake Ridge, Virginia (south of D.C.). Both kids are “back home” in Alaska, so they make that trip quite a bit.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy at your place.

He did not get to a single football game this year due to travels. He was not much help on the mule story but said he did get to see Steve Checca sometime last year, when Steve came through to visit his sons who are attending the University of Richmond. He said Steve was looking great and still the same ole Steve-O. Robert Zins is still serving in Cape Town, South Africa, only this time, he is not alone. Robert is now blessed with a beautiful wife named Abigail. They were married in Cape Town June 21, 2014. It’s the first marriage for both of them. OK, he admits to being a late starter. Since 2006, Robert has been with a nondenominational Christian organization named Creation Ministries International (South Africa) www.Creation.com. CMI-SA serves the church in South Africa and Namibia. Abigail and Robert are due to be in the U.S. between Nov. 21Dec. 29, and most of their time will be spent in Virginia. He hopes they will make a visit to Lexington (and surroundings), which he always finds to be an inspiration. (Frustrating issue: Robert sent me this news with a photo of his wife, and I can’t find it anywhere! Sorry, Robert and Abigail).

This has been an interesting three months. In the Council household, some changes have been taking place. Susan has returned to work as Siskin Rehab Hospital on a part time basis. Good thing, since we had just about gone through her

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CLASS NOTES severance package from Unum. Our daughter, Dana, is still bringing in great grades at the University of Tennessee - Chattanooga while double majoring in chemistry and criminal justice. Son Hayden is taking this semester off since he can’t seem to figure out that one must study to pass college classes, so he is now doing a minimum wage job to pay for his entertainment and hopefully figure out college is really not that bad. I am still actively looking for employment that would provide benefits since health insurance is not included in part time employment, but we are all happy and healthy for the time being.

Keep up with the emails, cards, smoke signals or whatever form of communication works best for you. This job as class agent is so much easier if you give me something to work with. While you are at it, go to the VMI Alumni Agency website, www.vmialumni.org, and update your profile. By doing this, if you select the communication app, I can get an email out should we have any more emergency news regarding classmates. Between that and Facebook, I will keep trying my best.

Take care, Will Council

Al-Can Highway. If that is not enough adventure for you, Trent, Sheri and daughter Becca ran the Mount Marathon in Seward. Daughter Becca is a student at Colorado University in Denver, and daughter Nikole is a state champion track star.

Apologies go out to Warren Groseclose. I neglected to include his last update in the first 2015 issue. I will not quibble and will take my 5-1-5. Continuing Trent’s example of high adventure, Warren and his boys spent August 2014 on Mount Rainier, Washington. Warren reports, “We summited at 6:20 a.m. PST Monday, Aug. 18. We left Camp Muir at the 10,000 foot level at 12:20 a.m. and arrived on the summit six hours later.” On the summit, Warren and son David ’17 popped out the VMI flag for a picture with his other sons, Michael and William. The Institute was heard from at 14,400 feet.

For those of you on the class Yahoo group, you saw the exciting news from Steve Ross. As many of you know, Steve has spent 27 years in Lexington in various roles, including director of athletic academic advising and head soccer coach. He has accepted a position as the director of military student services at Virginia Commonwealth University and is heading home to Richmond. Congratulations, Steve!

Globe-trotting Lynn Seldon checked in before hopping on a cruise. Lynn reports continued sales success for his novel, “Virginia’s Ring,” with more than 40 signing events with the VMI Bookstore, the Keydet Club and alumni chapters in 2014. He says the Class of 1983 has still purchased more paperbacks and e-books than any other class.

A great update came in from Phil Shepard.

Phil’s dad has been the agent for the Class of 1959 for over 20 years and didn’t want me to rat him out at the next conference about how I never hear from him. The big news at the Shepard house is

Class of 1983: At a Founders Day dinner just outside of Detroit, Michigan, were, from left, John Cooper, Mark Benvenuto, and Diana and Dave Hagemann ’80.

that 24-year-old daughter, Megan, was selected for the Team USA Special Olympics swim team.

She is one of only 34 swimmers selected nationHugh Daughtry wide. The 2015 World Games will be held in Los Angeles from July 24-Aug. 2. It sounds like wife Isabelle’s aquatic genes are strong, as Phil’s son, Connor ’16, swam for VMI as a 4th and a 3rd Class cadet, but decided to pursue music as a 2nd Class cadet. He is a drummer in the Pipe Brother Rats, Band. Phil’s youngest, Collin, is a highly reI hope this update finds you well, having survived the holidays and full speed into 2015. The cruited high school swimmer and is looking hard Christmas mailbag had several cards. at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Brent Dunahoe checked in from Mount PleasPoint, New York. Phil has already reached out to ant, South Carolina, where I doubt they had a California state police officer, Pete Hahn, on his white Christmas. Robin and I will be looking upcoming trip to the left coast. Pete has assured forward to another outstanding tailgate him his planned hotel is safe and not this fall for The Citadel game. in the “hood.”

As I neared the deadline for these Steve and Mary Amato also dropped notes, I sent out a plea for you to your lowly scribe a Christmas greeting. update me on what’s happening: a Nice montages came in from John move, a promotion, a new job, marGeis and Dave Warriner with great family shots. Dave passed along that riages and yes, grandchildren. Well, his daughter, Martha, is in pharmacy there is a lot of activity on the grandschool and son, David, a VMI grad, children front. just pinned on first lieutenant.

Bryan “Binky” Henderson took a A beautiful card and picture came break from shoveling snow in New in from Trent Boggs in Alaska. I am Hampshire to welcome granddaughpretty sure he did have a white Christter Sydney Mae Henderson Jan. 8. Binky and son Jeff are active in mas. Anyone on Facebook with Trent the Temple Town Band. Known as knows about his adventure driving “America’s first town band,” it was their new motorhome from Texas to founded in 1799. Jeff wrote a march Alaska. In true Griswold-ian fashion, for the band that was performed in they trekked thousands of miles. Trent Class of 1983: At the summit of Mount Rainier in August February. Binky also wrote a march did not mention any encounters with 2014 were, from left, Michael Groseclose, Warren Grosefor the Townsend Military Band in Christie Brinkley, but they did hit the close, David Groseclose ’17 and William Groseclose.

Massachusetts and hopes to conduct Grand Canyon, Vegas, Tahoe and the

’83

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CLASS NOTES receiving class rings for the Class of a performance. He says he continues to 2016. Steve Hupp’s son, Mo Khanbe inspired by the Regimental Band’s dan-Barani’s son and my very own favorite “On” piece, Cadet Daze, and Tony, all 2nd Class privates, reached ended his update, “rfusng, hwvr, to snd an abbr. ‘Gansz-O-Gram,’ lest smthg the milestone in their cadetship and get lst in the trnsltn.” I’m still laughing. lives. Jim Kenkel’s son just broke out Your fellow Band Company BRs and I of the Rat Line and became a memappreciate that blast from the past. ber of the Class of 2018. I met Jim’s Teddy and Ann Parker Gottwald’s son one Saturday midmorning when son, Thomas, and wife had a son in I went to wake up my son who lives September. Teddy and Ann Parker are in room 236. As I crossed the courtenjoying the grandparent lifestyle. They yard, I glanced at a face from the past. also got two sons married off, Ted in I did not need to see a name tag, but October and Clarke in January. Their Jim’s boy was the sentinel and frankly, inn in Lexington, The Georges, is open it was kind of spooky. He looked just and getting rave reviews. Teddy’s hoplike Jim. He was already serving in the National Guard and had an Army ing plenty of his brother rats are guests. scholarship. We should all be proud Dave Clarke has been a busy man of him. His dyke is Don Craighead’s with two updates in from Winchester. son, who is another terrific young man He checked in with an update in Noand has mentored Jim’s very well. vember, having just returned from Well, back to my story: I was wakPakistan. He and Steve Patton ’85 were Class of 1983: At Shahbaz Air Base, Jacobobad, Pakiconducting a site survey at Shahbaz Air stan, in October 2014 were, from left, Lt. Col. Mary Tee- ing mine up. He is applying to law Base, Jacobobad, Pakistan, in October, tor, U.S. Air Force TST commander; Elizabeth Prusch, school and taking an Army commisand he sent along a picture. They both structural engineer; Steve Patton ’85, civil engineer; Dave sion next year. I could only hope he Clark, electrical engineer; Mike DuBois, U.S. Army Corps work for the Middle East District and was still in the rack, because being an of Engineers project manager; and Bruce Foster, Air Force are working on a project for the Paki- Security Assistance Center program manager.

English major, he was up late reading. Not! If you are wondering, you stan Air Force. Dave reported Pakistan can remain in bed on an uneventful was pretty dry, but the U.S. Embassy had $1.50 beers. Unfortunately, Natty Bo’s were you recall, he was editing a book titled, “What Saturday. Thirty years ago, we would have been You Need for the First Job, Besides the Ph.D. to class and back to clean the room for SNIs. I not available.

Dave’s oldest son, Patrick, and his wife, Lauren, in Chemistry,” published through the American do not mean to slight the other classes or chilhad a baby girl, Olivia Sweedlin Clarke, Nov. 15. Chemical Society. Congratulations to another dren, but I tried to remember the milestones this That is his third grandchild! His youngest son, Ben BR author! year. Please fill me in on everyone’s, regardless That puts the wraps on another notes update. of where they are in school. ’15, is set to graduate from the Institute in May, and Dave says he has raised the bar on Clarke academic Please take a minute and drop me a message We had a mini reunion this past fall at The achievement, sporting Academic Stars. He will re- when you have the time so I can share it with Citadel game. Carlos Zamora, Hank Selman, ceive an Army commission and will be in military the class. Hope you get a chance to get by Lex- the Cav (as only he can be known in our home – intelligence. ington, and as always, remember the Institute in with a “the” in front of his name as dubbed by my children) Jeff Levinson, Bob Chapman, Steve Tony Arnold has no grandchildren to report. your giving.

Reardon, Robert Doyle, Barry Coceano, R.G. A “knucklehead” at Tech, one at Longwood, a That is all.

McManus and Bill Janis all were enjoying Cav’s ninth-grader who is turning heads at fullback and hospitality at the Keydet Club tent. Speaking of a “hoopster chick” in the eighth grade. Love the Andy Protogyrou Bill Janis – he has just thrown his hat back into updates from Snake. As he reported previously, the political ring. Just when he thought he was Bubba Hazelgrove is still not returning calls. out, he was pulled back in! Bill will be running Steve Amato checked in with several BR for the Virginia Senate and has a great chance of sightings. In early December 2014, Mary and making it back into the General Assembly. He Steve had dinner with Mark and Kim Sykes in Old Town Manassas, Virginia. Mark and Kim It has been almost one year since our 30th Re- will need all our help. We should have a class had recently returned from a three week trip to union, and it feels like yesterday. I guess it may fundraiser this summer/fall. Pay attention to our Australia to visit their daughter. As they did last be true the older we get, the faster time seems to Facebook for future information. I was proud to year, Steve and Mary participated in the Wreaths fly. Since my last epistle, news has been scant. be his first campaign check!

I spoke to Bob Chapman this week. He is Presacross America Program at Arlington National Please email me at protogyrou@cox.net or proCemetery with Tim and Mary Crawl. Steve re- togyrou@prlaw.org. Also, please remember our ident and chief executive officer of Bank of the cently accepted a new position with the FBI as a class has a Facebook page with almost 100 of us James in Lynchburg. Bob helped form the bank in program manager and as Steve said, “crossed es- as members, so please contact me in that man- 1999 that today has over 100 employees and multiple branches in the region. I concluded upon my calator paths” with Matt Waring at a DC Metro ner, also.

I feel compelled to start this post with news of visit to Lynchburg – he owns the place. Literally! station. They probably had a few people wonderour children, whom have reached certain mileing what shouts of, “Hey, BR,” meant.

I also just referred a matter to Jamie ShoemakMarc Benvenuto dropped me a quick note stones at the Institute. This past November, three er. Jamie is the top employment lawyer in eastto let me know he had gotten his book out. If of us had our children enter our brotherhood by ern Virginia and considered one of the best in

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CLASS NOTES the state. He can often be found in Norfolk federal court taking money from some company or city on the behalf of an aggrieved or some big union.

This week, I received word from the Cav while he was in Florida. He sent a great picture of him and Carl Romano lifting a pint. Carl is a lawyer in West Palm Beach and known as a “super lawyer.” This distinction places him in the top 5 percent of all Florida attorneys. All I can say is, I knew him when...

I will wrap up with some news of my own. My daughter, Demetra, will be joining her brother as a rat this August. It will prove interesting to have a son 1st Class cadet and a daughter rat! Needless to say, we have told her she must make sure her brother graduates on time! Please stay in touch and follow the class on Facebook.

’85

Matt Daniel

From somewhere in Fairfax.

As I am writing these notes in February, challenging the deadlines and good humor of the staff of this publication, I must remind myself that you won’t be reading these until May. (Agent note: It feels like we have access to some sort of a time machine. Wishing that were true, I would have made some better choices: I would have never bought that timeshare in Massanutten. And I would have invested everything I could scrape up in bottled water, bagged lettuce (Seriously, who would have guessed? Bagged lettuce and bottled water!), and this silly messaging capability called “Twitter.”

When you are reading this, our 30th Reunion will have already taken place. You will be wanting to know more about the crazy chandelier-swinging reunion antics of Bert Saunders and Davidson Scott, Mac MClelland and Don Scroggins.

“What really happened? Was Jeb Wilkinson really involved? He was always so quiet and reserved as a cadet. Dang, sounds more like Mike Wooten or Kurt Minne.” That is why you’ll eagerly flip through the 2015 spring Alumni Review and hunt down the Class of 1985 notes. But, you’ll find only these notes, some three months latent. Here you go: Dave Wood, Jeff Fraser, Hugh Hill and Jake Spivey all worked exceptionally hard to put together the reunion festivities. Please take some time to drop them a note and thank them for their efforts.

I received a nice and well-appreciated note from Greg Williams. Greg was in attendance at the memorial service of Darryl K. Horne ’82 in November. He, along with our own Tim Harris and Cedric Wins, was joined by a large Class of 1982 contingent (too many to mention) and Coach Wade Williams in paying respects to Darryl. Darryl was a fine man, a great role model, a generous

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benefactor and a superior businessman. We will all miss this leader from our elder dykes’ class.

Greg also relayed that he had a chance to visit Mother I in November and show the place off to his wife, who promptly looked at him oddly and rattled off some questions. It went something like this: “Did this place start off as a federal prison?

Did you have an Alcatraz wish, dear?” And then she went on something like this, “Sure, they have a new luxurious and Gucci Third Barracks, and sure, it’s a sort of coed place and yes, they now have WiFi in the cell blocks, but why are all those shaved headed people with ties on pinballing around the inside of the wards, banging against corners and making only 90 degree direction changes with their arms pinned down by their sides and their chins stuffed deep into the tops of the chests? Looks like real life PacMan. And why is everybody so mad at them? Oh, and how come your team can’t beat The Citadel?” It’s hard to explain, honey. It was gratifying to hear from Greg.

I received a Christmas card from Ken Hirlinger.

It told of his substantial work as a high school and club swim coach and a basketball coach for the club team: Upward, his work with “yoots” in the church and more. His business: Joint Venture won a large contract which will help keep many (1,000plus) in the workforce and will require much travel and many sacrifices from the Hirlinger family. Truly this family is a rock of foundation in the Smithfield, Virginia, area. He and his family give his BRs much to be proud of. He included a photo of himself; his wife, Anne Hirlinger; Jack Emerson; and Graham Shirley and his better half together with Mike Ceroli at Mike’s retirement ceremony (29 years of service). Unfortunately, the picture was not of a fidelity (pixel count) that I

could include it in the Alumni Review.

J.J. Wranek also sent me a note and a photograph. Here is what the note said: “On Sunday, Jan. 24, 2015, at J.M. Hall, Brother Rat and Chaplain Pete Sniffen preached at the service and gave a stirring message to all present about maintaining your humility before God. He also talked a bit about his cadetship and that how you begin your journey is not how you may finish, but keep your eyes on the road before you and stay modest before God and man. Pete was part of the VMI Sacred Assembly weekend here on post that featured a number of guest speakers and events hosted by the chaplain’s office.” Attending the service from our class were J.J. Wranek, Joe “Beef” Irby, Meade King and Kyle Goldsmith.

I also received a very nice note, which choked me up. The note was from Sean Lanier ’94. It read like this: “Matt, I recently attended the National Society of Black Engineers Region 2 conference in Pittsburgh this weekend (November 2014). Two graduates of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at University of Maryland, Baltimore County were in attendance.

Your BR, LaMont Toliver, was the backbone in building this scholars’ program. One of the graduates is now a Ph.D. candidate at Carnegie Mellon University and the other is a Ph.D. candidate at Duke University. It is a tremendous legacy that LaMont left behind. What was really profound is how the program’s alumni networking and sponsorship mirrors VMI. These graduates were profoundly grateful to LaMont’s contributions and were more than willing to aide current cadets. Hundreds of students have gone through and will go through this program. LaMont’s legacy is immeasurable.” (Agent: indeed it is. Thank you, Sean. We

Class of 1985: The class was well represented in January at Jackson Memorial Hall. Pictured were, from left, Meade King, J.J. Wranek, Kyle Goldsmith, Pete Sniffen and Jumpin’ Joe “Beef” Irby. Pete Sniffen, chaplain, delivered the sermon.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Speaking of cold weather, that might are all proud of BR Toliver and miss him spur a lively debate on global warming greatly.) between our two favorite denizens of Danks Burton also sends that George Facebook. I’m speaking of course, of Halages’ company, Archer Advanced our own version of Crossfire with Clif Rubber Components (Winston Salem, Tinsely on the right and Sean Poremba North Carolina) was named Small Busion the left – goaded on by Jeff Smiley ness of the Year Runner-up by Busiwith a few smart-aleck remarks thrown ness North Carolina. Congratulations to in from Chuck Steenburgh.

George and his workforce! Thanks for The really fun part about the debates the note, Danks. is the folks outside of our brotherhood In January, LinkedIn told me Dave who chime in and get the full treatBarthol was appointed to a new post as the master planner for Arlington Nament from either side. I smile to myself thinking they are getting an introductional Cemetery. Maybe that means we tion, albeit briefly, to life in barracks. will see more of Dave?

There are lots of updates this go As my last bit of news, I wanted to pass Class of 1986: Bob Rainer and his fiancée, Kirby, enalong as a proud papa that my youngest ‘round from our boys in blue – and I joyed a football game at Notre Dame in fall 2014. son has been recruited and has verbally ain’t talking about the fuzz. I’m talkcommitted to play lacrosse at VMI as a ing about our beloved boys in U.S. Air future cadet of the Class of 1985+35. His Force blue. name is Johnny Daniel. He is currently a First up from our favorite son of high school junior playing ball for James Utah: Father Troy Lanier. Troy W. Robinson Secondary School somechecked in to let us know that all is well with him and his posse in amongst the where in Fairfax. We really hope he can Mormons, where he is still working at help the ’Rooz be successful.

L-3 Communications. BR Lanier reI recently ran into our hilariously unique brother rat (and Rear Adm. ports that his son graduated last May (lower half) Matt “Sanka” Carter in the from the U.S. Air Force Academy and is now stationed at Keesler Air Force Pentagon (Naval Air Warfare). Sanka Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he told me that he had just recently received is attending Cyber Warfare School. orders to the Far East, and as such, he Troy says the proudest moment of his would regrettably miss our April affair. life was giving the oath of office to his This is quite a feather in BR Carter’s son. (I actually thought his proudest tannish cap: commander, U.S. Naval Class of 1986: After a long absence, Jim Jenkins, formoment was getting back at Jim TagForces, Japan, and commander, Navy mer battalion commander and class valedictorian, returned to VMI for a visit in fall 2014. Class Agent Clint Region Japan, Yokosuka, Japan. Matt gart after Taggart set him up with a Hubbard said, “He didn’t mingle with the little people, leaves his post as commander, Patrol “healthy” girl on a blind date ... as Dave but he did wave to them from the superintendent’s box and Reconnaissance Group, Norfolk, Grimm might add, “I’m just sayin’...”) at a football game.”

Virginia. His wife, Julie, and son, Decaf, The good news is that Father Troy will will be traveling with him. Earlier today, get to do it all over again in about 18 I sent a notice forward to the Yokosuka Base Hous- came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. months, as his daughter is a second classman at USing people: “Now hear this: (Ding ding. Adm. There was an earthquake ... a terrible flood ... lo- AFA now. Troy says it was nip and tuck to see if he Carter arriving) Be advised, it is suggested that custs! It wasn’t my fault, I swear! Sorry I missed the could squeeze into his Mess Dress uniform for the you raise the clearance heights of your door- last issue, BRs; the deadline was moved up a couple ceremony and was proud that he could, although ways in Quarters 1. (Ding ding. That is all.)” of weeks, and I was in the middle of a purge. Yeah, the buttons were straining.

Speaking of Jim Taggart, it is with great Hey, didn’t we have a great time at the reunion?! yeah, I know – quibble, quibble, quibble, right?

Unfortunately, even while we were absent from pleasure that I report his new venture into legal (Time machine at work.)

Semper Fi, check six and Rah VA Mil. Go Big Alumni Review, I didn’t happen to run Jim Urie, whiskey-making is bubbling right along. Woods Roman Malavet, Tom Kardos, John Rapacki, Tim Mill Distillery is rolling along in Nelson County Red! Young, Chris Kanter, Karl Kuhrman, Dave Mc- to complement the wineries and beer breweries – MD Carthy, Glenn Phillips, Joe Ruf or Rich Weede. already in the vicinity of Nelson County and One might imagine that as cold as it has been this Wintergreen Resort. I don’t know all of their Clint Hubbard winter that a certain area of netherworld may have products but know they’ve been making bourfrozen over and we’d hear from one of these, ahem, bon and an apple brandy. BR Taggart reported a few months back that the Virginia Department of gentlemen.

This edition is being written in early February. Alcoholic Beverage Control had picked up their It’s pretty cold outside, and the local forecast is for products and begun selling them in some stores With a nod to Jake (John Belushi) in “The 4 to 8 inches of snow starting tomorrow evening. in central Virginia. The unofficial word from the Blues Brothers,” I ran out of gas. I had a flat tire. As Scott Wagner has always said about forecasts: ABC boys was that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em; I didn’t have enough money for cab fare. My tux “Snow is like sex; you never know how much meaning they’ve been after the Taggart clan for years for both manufacturing and consumption didn’t come back from the cleaners. An old friend you’re going to get or how long it will last.”

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CLASS NOTES offenses with little success, so they hope that joining forces will be good for both sides.

Other than the liquor business, Jim and Paula have become VMI parents as their son, Cole, is a member of the Class of 1986+32. Wow, it is painful to write that number out! Steve and Lori Hall’s son is also a member of that same class.

BR Taggart did mention in passing that he ran into BR Tim Armstrong in Lynchburg, Virginia, at a church one Sunday. My, how those boys have calmed down! BR Armstrong, how ’bout an update?

While still in tune with Room 130, Tom Russell is the new proud owner of Silver Eagle Stable in Nokesville, Virginia. Silver Eagle is a 72 acre horse boarding and riding facility with 56 stalls for horses. Sounds like a big time horse facility to me.

We would expect nothing less from a thoroughbred like our BR Russell.

Our next man in blue is Michael Lakos. Make that “used to be in blue,” as BR Lakos retired from the Air Force at the end of August after 28 years in active duty. At last communication, he was in full job search mode, which I think has been fruitful, as his old roomie John (Jeff) Ax reported recently that he and BR Lakos had lunch together, and Mike is now living in the Austin, Texas, area. BR Lakos reported he attended BR Steve Gray’s “finny flight” in a T-38 trainer jet at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio last summer. Steve’s wife, Robin, and several other people were there to watch Steve pilot and land an Air Force jet for the last time and then “hose him down” with the ritual water extinguishers. Mike reported the highlight of his own retirement ceremony was when his wife, Lucinda, and their 8-year-old daughter, London, sang the national anthem. After 28 years of wearing the Air Force blues, BR Lakos is looking forward to the next chapter. Godspeed, BR. Another man in Air Force blue is Dion Scaglione, who is retired from active duty but working with a JROTC unit in Illinois (I believe near the Chicago area). Bolingbrook High School U.S. Air Force JROTC has won several awards, and our BR Scaglione is making sure they are spit and polished. All that practice he

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Class of 1986: The Africa Chapter of the Class of 1986 met recently near Harare, Zimbabwe. Present were the two members, Duke Ellington, left, and Michael Laban.

Class Agent Clint Hubbard said, “Brother Rat Laban says this confirms he likes to eat more than Duke.”

Class of 1986: Present at Todd McCullough’s 50th birthday party were, from left, kneeling, Dave Grimm and Rob Mason. Standing: Jeff Smiley, Jamie Inman, Bob Cabell, Clint Hubbard, Todd McCullough, Dan Monahan, Ken Cobb ’89, Kurt Owermohle ’81 and Richard Howell ’77.

The party was in July 2014 at Dave Grimm’s house.

Class of 1986: Troy Lanier administered the oath of office to his son upon the latter’s graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

had at VMI trying to square away Emmet Gathright, Jeff Maclay and Jim “J.J.” Walker was good practice for him. Dion joins several other Air Force BRs in the JROTC arena; namely Scott Harbula, Frank Ladson and Jay Thompson.

Speaking of BR Scaglione – I’m talking about the other one, now – Bob Scaglione. Wayne Fuller tells me Bob’s son is quite the lacrosse stud and is getting a lot of attention from some big-time Division 1 lacrosse programs such as Duke University and the University of Virginia. Keep an eye out for that lad!

A former man in blue is John Ax, aka Axman, who is living large in San Antonio, Texas, and working as a civilian employee for the Air Force.

Reportedly, he still maintains an immaculate car and still enjoys chicken wings – all courtesy of the young ladies at the famous restaurant with the owl motif. Axman is contemplating his second retirement in a few years and looking toward Wyoming and Idaho, I think. I guess the winter there will be a change from the heat of San Antonio, and the upside is that his car will need some extra washing with all the road salt. You don’t even have to be a calculus stud like his alter-ego, Cadet Hatchet, to figure all of that out.

Speaking of the other boys in blue (or actually gray), the Virginia Department of State Police ... they may be of assistance in helping you visit with a BR. Stay with me for a minute; the next time you’re busting up or down I-81 from Harrisonburg to Winchester, if you should encounter a state trooper in his official duties and you go to court to fight the ticket, your case will be tried in the General District Court of Virginia’s 26th Judicial Circuit. The relevant info is that one of the judges in that circuit is our very own John Hart. BR Hart was installed in November and is fully engaged hearing cases. The word is that in Judge Hart’s court you may plead one of three ways: “guilty,” “not guilty” or “correct, but wish to quibble.” Well done, BR Hart!

You faithful readers may recall that two of ’86’s own are at large in Africa. Since 1986, Michael Laban has been fighting the good fight and keeping the faith in his native Zimbabwe,

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES or as it was formerly known, Rhodesia. Mark “Duke” Ellington, who was raised in Africa and spent much of his Army career there, retired from the Army and joined the Africa Development Bank as their regional security officer for Southern Africa. On a recent business trip to Harare, Zimbabwe, BR Ellington connected with BR Laban for a visit, and they even had time for a brew at Euanrigg, which is a national park east of Harare. They both enjoyed their visit together and being reconnected, as they believe they are the only two ’86 BRs in Africa and wondered if there were any other VMI alumni there? They also both lamented how much they miss Courtney Cox – BR Laban kindly included a bikini shot of her in the pictures he sent.

Just under the wire before submission, I got a great update from Dave Brackett. His 6-year-old son won the Pinewood Derby for his Cub Scout level. Young Cub Brackett won first place in his first four heats to take that level, then moved on to the finals and took second, third, second. In horse racing parlance, it was either win, place or show – not sure the Cub Scouts characterize it the same way, but never mind, because he won something and got a trophy. BR Brackett and I agreed we have reached the age where those accomplishments mean the world to us proud dads.

Keep up the good work, Dave.

All the rest of this will be drivel. All this talk about San Antonio and still no one has seen Glen Ralston! Tim Spivey is retired and working part time in the catering business to support his hunting habits. Gordon F. McKinley is moonlighting as a midget boxing promoter. Frank Trice’s new bedtime is 2200 – that is about the same time he used to head out to the frats. Jon Aycock has finally given up on Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins and is looking for a new team in the NFC East. No word of late from Stew Barnes, but perhaps his personal staff will see this and let us know how the ski season in Aspen went. Eddie Talbott is still smoking it in the old boys’ Ironman competitions. Brent McManis is fly-fishing the world. Some of this was exaggerated.

All right men, such as it is, that’s the report for this quarter. My apologies again for missing the last issue. Hope 2015 is shaping up well for you and yours. Reach out to a BR and/or your class agent to share an update. Take care, brother rats.

’87

Class of 1987: Bill McCarthy and Steve Wilson in Great Falls, Virginia. few guys were able to get together last fall for the VMI versus The Citadel game. Despite the outcome, a good time was had by all. Present were Jeremiah Sexton ’08, Joe McIntosh ’08, Curtis Nieboer ’03, Carl Trask ’99, Rick Blocker ’88, Justin Guy ’06 and Alan McGreer ’83.

Back in November, I was able to link up with Andy Korol, who came down from Rochester, New York, for a visit, and Mike Wright, who lives here in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. We were able to spend a few hours together touring the Gettysburg battlefield. If you are ever in the area and would like to see the battlefield, let me know – I’m getting pretty good at it.

I trust everyone had an enjoyable Breakout day and was able to celebrate our class birthday in some manner. Hard to believe it’s been 31 years.

In the spirit, Gerry

Gerry Tertychny

Brother Rats, I imagine that most of us have heard of the passing of Dave Hoke, who died Feb. 7, 2015,

2015-Issue 2

after a long battle with cancer. He had just celebrated his 50th birthday Jan. 17.

Dave graduated from Waynesboro High School in Waynesboro, Virginia, served his country for seven years in the U.S. Army and began a career with the Virginia Department of Transportation in 1994.

Dave is survived by his wife, Lori; his daughter, Erica Ryan; his son, Matthew; his brother, Jeffrey, and wife Lara, (all of Waynesboro, Virginia); his grandmother, Lucille McDowell, of White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia; his mother- and father-in-law, Joyce and Nolan Huffman of Waynesboro, Virginia; and a number of uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

Dave was laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Fishersville, Virginia. Bill Wanovich, Sgt. Maj. John Neel and a group of cadets were able to attend.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dave’s memory to the VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 or Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939. Friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.

Dave will be sorely missed. He had a great sense of humor and was a good friend and brother rat.

On a happier note, Bill McCarthy had the opportunity to meet up last fall with his old roommate, Steve Wilson, over in Great Falls, Virginia. Bill was visiting family in the area, and he and Steve were able to get together for a beer.

Bill reported Steve is doing well and currently has two boys in college and a daughter in high school.

Ever-dependable Dean Kratzenberg checked in from his home in Omaha, where he is assigned to U.S. Strategic Command. Dean and a

Class of 1987: The VMI Omaha contingent were, from left, kneeling, Jeremiah Sexton ’08 and Joe McIntosh ’08. Standing: Curtis Nieboer ’03, Carl Trask ’99, Rick Blocker ’88, Justin Guy ’06, Dean Kratzenberg and Alan “Hoov” McGreer ’83.

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CLASS NOTES

’88

Sam Tate

Brother Rats, I hope this finds you doing well and by the time this is published, enjoying the end of the school year and the start of summer. I know everyone had a very busy spring, as noted in this edition of the class notes.

Of course, summer means a new batch of rats starting soon. The VMI 88 legacy will continue again this year. To the best of my knowledge, the following BRs will have new cadets entering this year: Walt Coleman: “Quick note to say that Class of 1988: At the VMI versus The Citadel tailgate, were, from left, Kim my son, Sam, will matriculate this August as an Sloane, Ted Wagner, Ted Cusick, Bob Clay, Hugh Brien, Lisa Turnage, Dave Carter, Jim and Leigh Anne Ring. academic 3rd. He’s excited and looking forward to the challenge.” In addition, Dan Riley’s son, Steve; Tracy Neary’s daughter, Riley Carr and Frank DeVenoge have been Joy; John and Rosanna Keppeler’s organizing an early morning weekday daughter, Ceci; and Cloyd Tavenner’s breakfast in Richmond. Andrew Usnephew. If you are visiting VMI this tach and Jay Smaaladen got a small next year, I am sure they all would group together in Portland, Oregon, appreciate a status slip and an alumni for the VMI versus The Citadel game story or two that gets them out of barthat also included Karen Bill ’07 and racks for a few moments.

Wes Thomas ’07. A small group of Other transitions continue to touch VMI 88 alumni in the Pentagon has the lives of our brother rats. Scott started a monthly coffee session at (Judd) Hurst recently wrote an upthe instigation of Dan Shrimpton date: “Hard to believe it has already and has included Steve Neary, Lew been a year-and-a-half since our reSigmon, Carlos Lofstrom and Sam union ... but perhaps more shocking is Tate, with more promising to join in the fact I have been in the Navy for the future.

27 years. I am planning to retire July A lot of VMI 88 BRs were in Lex17 at 1000 on Naval Air Station Jackington for the VMI versus The Citasonville at the Officers Club. I would Class of 1988: From left, Lew Sigmon, Chris Barker del game in November. Thanks again certainly like to invite all my brother ’90 and Paul Pardew ’89 took in the sites in Verona, to Kim Sloane and Ted Wagner for rats to stop by for the ceremony or the Italy, while in Europe working with U.S. Army Africa in hosting the tailgate portion. It was December 2014. party afterward. Caroline and I have tough to keep track of everyone in the not solidified our plans yet but are crowd, but it was an awesome outing. hoping to find an opportunity that will Spotted on the parade deck (hey, reallow me to stay in Jacksonville.” member U.S. Navy retired) and at the Let’s not wait until the next reunion football and basketball game: Hugh to keep in touch with each other. It is McGloin, Bob Clay, Adam Volant, encouraging to see small groups of Sam Tate, Chris Long, Jim and Leigh brother rats getting together across Anne Ring, Hugh Brien, Ted Cuthe country and elsewhere. This insick, Dave Carter, Kirk and Cindy cludes the monthly northern Virginia Dewyea, and Steve and Tracy Neary. lunch hosted by John Keppeler. ReAdditionally, Scott Turlington and cent attendees included several of the his wife, Cynthia, were visiting from usual suspects: Tom Kennedy, Guy Kentucky for their son’s Ring Figure Gormley, Jim Ring, Mike McGraw, weekend.

Tung Phan, Drew McKone, Sam A check of the VMI 88 mailTate, Mike Owen, Jim Florio, Scott bag finds the following notes from Stachelek and special guests John Class of 1988: Brother Rats at the annual Hugh and brother rats. Aubrey Walton writes, Regina McGloin Christmas party in December 2014 Gillespie, recently returned safely “I am working in South Korea and were, from left, Dan Shrimpton, Tom Kennedy, Mike from Sudan, Andy Tate ’90 and Steve have been here for about 3-and-a-half McGraw, Sam Tate, Chris Long and Hugh McGloin.

Medeiros ’85. Additionally, Mack years with another one-and-a-half

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES exhibit honoring several of our BRs mentioned in previous notes. Attendees included Adam and Terry Volant, Rosemary and John Williams, Jim and Leigh Anne Ring, Sam Tate, Rob Taylor, and Dan Riley and his father.

Brother rats, I hope you enjoy reading these notes as much as I did participating in the interactions they represent in keeping us all in touch.

As always, you can reach me at the following: VMI 88 Facebook page (join 244 BRs and family and growing) 571-659-0904 (home) 703-772-0854 (cell) samtate88va@gmail.com

Steve Chiles Class of 1988: In attendance at the VMI Institute Society Dinner were, from left, Adam and Terry Volant, Rosemary and John Williams, Jim and Leigh Anne Ring, Sam Tate, Rob Taylor, and Dan Riley and his father. to go. We have completed building three Ultra Deep Water Drill ships and have one more and one semi-submersible still under construction.

My son, Kyle, was accepted to VMI but chose to go to Texas A&M University, where he is in Naval ROTC studying electrical engineering. I haven’t run into any VMI grads over here in Ulsan. I suspect there are a few on the other side of the country (Seoul), but I only make it over there about once a year.”

Bob Hildebrand recently received a promotion to a senior management position with one of the largest maritime shipping and terminal operators in the world: promoted to chief operating officer for APM Terminals, Cai Mep International Terminal in Southern Vietnam. APM Terminals is part of the AP Moller-Maersk Group.

Frank Musarra just went through a monthlong stint in the hospital with a bad infection.

He had to have surgery at the Veterans Affairs to get it all, but fortunately he was able to recover at home for the Christmas holidays. After getting over his whining, Frank sends his greetings and that he enjoys hearing how everyone is doing.

Lew Sigmon has been globe-trotting to Europe and Hawaii. He met up with Col. Chris Barker ’90 and Col. Paul Pardew ’89 while taking in the sites in Verona, Italy, while in Europe working with U.S. Army Africa. The three of them went to support U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Africa as they conducted Operation United Assistance in response to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. Lew also celebrated John Keppeler’s birthday with fellow DAKS Steve Neary, John Williams and Scott Stachelek.

Finally, it was a privilege to be able to attend the VMI Institute Society Dinner and have our photo taken very near the VMI Hall of Valor

Class of 1988: At the monthly northern Virginia lunch were John Keppeler, Tom Kennedy, Guy Gormley, Jim Ring, Mike McGraw, Andy Tate ’92, Tung Phan, Dew McKone, Sam Tate, Steve Medeiros ’85, Mike Owen, special guest John Gillespie, Jim Florio and Scott Stachelek.

2015-Issue 2

’89

David A. Martin

Let’s start with the big news! Mark Whisenant gave “reunion” a new name when he made it “official” Jan. 3, 2015, marrying Joy Braswell.

Those of you that did not attend the reunion missed their first marriage ceremony during the ’89 reunion weekend Sept. 12, 2014. The Whisenants have three children, Alicia (13) and twin 18-month-olds, Annabelle and Andrew.

That’s a triple-AAA rating for all you bond brokers out there. The official wedding was in Fairfax, Virginia, attended by about 70 family and friends, including Mark’s father, Herman Whisenant ’63. On behalf of the class, congratulations and best of luck to the new Mr. and Mrs. Whisenant.

Congratulations to Todd Patnesky for his promotion to colonel! The ceremony was held at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs Jan. 9, 2015. Todd is the Army National Guard counter drug liaison to U.S. Northern Command.

Way to go, T.P.!

Chris Ogden, a close follower of heavy metal and the class Facebook page, sent a nice note: “Drilling at NSA and working at Ford ... still cranking Metallica.” Speaking of the class Facebook page, check out Andy Tunnard standing behind New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during one of this past winter’s crazier storms. Nice work keeping those Jersey roads free and clear, Andy!

Nat Cross and Tom Spivey continue to meet for breakfast the first Friday of every month with any who are interested from the Richmond area.

Tom Hamner and Steve Stafford came up from

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CLASS NOTES Williamsburg for the bacon while Tom Henning, Ned Cox and Ashley Fairchild have been known to show their mugs from time to time. Nat said these pow-wows have been a great way to stay in touch, network and potentially open up new business opportunities. Ned also ran into James Black and Robert Kolb on the Tough Mudder/Spartan Beast circuit recently. Speaking of Ned, according to Allan Stoneman, Ned was the keynote speaker at a Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Stoneman children’s elementary school. Sounds like Allan is also a member of the breakfast club, as are Dave Brown and Matt Tederick. Allan also keeps up with Eric Buchanan which, judging from the wars in room 423 4th Class year, one would never expect. Thanks for the note, Allan. It’s been a long time ... I think the last time we had a good conversation was at Estelle’s almost 30 years ago when we were listening to the Beastie Boys, fighting for our right to party!

The breakfast club sounds like a great idea, and if anyone wants to honcho a gathering in Loudoun County or Washington, D.C., now is your chance.

Speaking of taking the initiative, John Piedmont recently took it upon himself to have a ceremony at Union Cemetery in Leesburg to lay some red, white and yellow flowers on the grave of Valentine Cook Saunders ’842, a Leesburg native and one of the first 25 cadets to matriculate. Well done, J.P.! Hopefully next year, the weather will cooperate and we will have a better turn out.

John Corley is in Korea until summer 2016 working with Special Operations Command.

Brandon Baca is doing well out in Utah – very dry there.

Not so dry for Quinn Donovan, who has already made plans to bottle a special wine for the 30th Reunion. He needs some BRs with clean feet to come out and help stomp grapes to make

Class of 1989: At the Institute Society Dinner were, from left, Wuzzer Rader, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Bissell, and Mr. Mitch Fridley and Elaine Deimler.

25 cases of the appropriately named Syrah Virginia Mil. Keep us informed, Quinn.

Steve Chiles finally was able to bring his brood to Austin, Texas, at the beginning of the year. I was able to get down to San Antonio to break bread with Dan and Tina Fitzgerald in December. Fitz and family look terrific and are getting ready to move to a new house but stay in the same general area. Fitz, John Osborn and Brian Duffy were able to get together at an engineering conference in Kansas City in December, not long after Duff, Pedro DeJesus and Buzzard were able to pull off a mini reunion in November. Speaking of John Osborn, his oldest started college this past fall ... yet another member of the “we’re old enough to have kids in college” club – membership is growing fast.

We keep hearing of Rick Skiff sightings in southern California. We’re getting a little concerned that they’re all happening at Disneyland! Let’s hear from more of our west coast BRs! If you have any mini reunions or get-togethers, please feel free to use the class Facebook page to get the word out. For those of you who did not get reunion golf shirts but you responded to our email campaign to get the issue resolved, you should have received your shirt by now.

Thanks to everyone for the emails and Facebook updates – keep them coming!

’90 Class of 1989: Newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Mark Whisenant. Photo

by Celestial Sights Photography.

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happy to pass our winter onto the Northeast this year – we hope you enjoyed it!

Our 25th Reunion planning continues to come along nicely. The Reunion Committee will be reaching out to you – if they have not already – to provide info, answer questions you may have and ask for your financial support as we use this opportunity as the honored class to demonstrate our support for the Institute.

Stay tuned for details on the agenda, registration and information on hotels, etc., as well.

We know this is going to be a great weekend of reconnecting, fun and reflection on our time at the “I.” The Reunion Committee is hopeful that everyone will be able to make it and we hope to see you there – Sept. 11 and 12 in Lexington.

I’m pleased to pass along some updates from our BRs around the world...

Jim Cox checked in and let me know of a new Richmond Class of 1990 “Breakfast Club” which is now getting together on a monthly basis around the fourth Thursday or Friday of

Robert Clark

Happy spring to all, and I hope those BRs in the Northeast were all able to sanely make it through the winter! Having lived through the past two tough winters in Minnesota, we were

Class of 1990: A wooden replica class ring for the Class of 1990 carved by Ron Buxton during 1st Class year.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Dusty’s brother, Bill Crone ’89, moved back who were recently married. The Tolleys, ineach month at Aunt Sarah’s Pancake House on Broad Street. John Gottwald, Dave Kaulfers, from Italy a few years ago and is now back in cluding his son, Kyle, are located in Buchanan, Sam Stocks, Bill Gaspar, Rich Duke, Charles Tidewater. His brothers, Sandy Crone ’93 and Virginia. He lives within a “cannon shot” of his Plageman, Mark Cunningham, Mike More- Brady Crone ’96 are now in St. Louis and Rich- father Ed Tolley ’60, who is retired and serves as class agent for the Class of 1960. lock, Ramon Williams, Buddy Garbett and Jim mond, respectively.

Kyle is a freshman at James River all made the first breakfast. Molly High School and a member of the Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Emilio Esteswim team, and hopefully, he’ll be vez and Ally Sheedy all have standconsidering the Institute. Attending ing invites, as well. If you happen to swim meets has allowed Tom to enbe in Richmond or passing through, shoot Jim a message at jmcox@mancounter several BRs and alumni, inryrawls.com for details. cluding Garrett Thompson and Gary Chris Whittaker wrote in from Bissell ’89. Tom also recently crossed Texas. He’s now running a whole paths with Steve Fitton in a TJ Maxx city ... as city manager of Rockdale. parking lot. How did they recognize Rockdale is between Austin and Coleach other? Tom had on his “banana dyke hoodie,” of course. He also lege Station – not sure if he’s cheercaught up recently with Wheaton Galing for the Longhorns or the Aggies, but I understand the food is spicy lagher in Maryland for a cup of coffee. there and the beer is cold, so look All seems to be well with Wheaton. him up if you’re traveling through.

Brian Woodford continues to serve Class of 1990: In attendance at the wedding of Tom Garrett Peck keeps churning out and Sherry Tolley were, from left, Kyle Tolley, Tom and in the Army Reserve. He is finishthe books. His sixth book came out Sherry Tolley and Allan Tolley ’87. ing up his battalion command and is March 23 and is titled, “Walt Whitpreparing to start Army War College.

He is currently employed with Steel man in Washington, D.C.: The Civil Dynamics and recently celebrated his War and America’s Great Poet.” Stay 15th year with the company. tuned for the book promotion and I also received a wonderful New Amazon to get a copy!

Year’s card and update from Tim and Steve Linder recently moved from Christi Bosetti. The Bosettis are now Atlanta to Baton Rouge. He is buildliving at Camp Zama, Japan, on the ing a new house there and runs his island of Honshu, which is about 25 own information technology consultmiles southwest of Tokyo. Tim graduing business doing Oracle P6 consulting. He’s on the road extensively ated from the Air War College in May and was last seen in Tempe, Arizona. and is now commander of Public Rich Mehl and his family continue Health – Pacific, which provides pubto enjoy Wilmington, North Carolilic health support and veterinary serna. Rich’s wife, Eva, is a professor at vices through the pacific region. By all The University of North Carolina at accounts, Tim’s wife, Christi, and their Wilmington and will be finishing her children, Joseph (7) and Elizabeth (4), dissertation soon. Rich is minding are all adjusting and thriving with their the homefront and watching his son, new assignment in Japan. It was great Alexander Jackson, who just finished to get their card and beautiful pictures preschool and is starting kindergarof cherry blossom and Mount Fuji from Japan. ten next year. Rich is staying active I will say that I’ve been a bit conin the Cape Fear Alumni Chapter and stays in touch with Darren Payne sumed over the past eight months and Sean Hoover. and have been a bit tardy on the class Dusty Crone checked in from New notes. My company, Medtronic, anKent County, Virginia, where he now nounced and completed a $50 billion lives. Dusty is working in downtown acquisition of Covidien – the fourth Richmond for C&F Financial Corpo- Class of 1990: At the Outer Banks in October 2014 were, largest health care deal ever. As head ration, where he runs one of the com- from left, brothers Brady Crone ’96, Sandy Crone ’93, Bill of communications, my time has been consumed on completing this deal pany’s subsidiaries, C&F Finance, Crone ’89 and Dusty Crone with father Bill Crone ’64. and managing all of the global media which is an indirect auto lender.

The Crone family is also doing well. Dusty’s Dusty frequently connects with Kenny Rob- coverage and employee communications for daughter is a junior at Old Dominion University, inson, who recently started his own investment 88,000 employees throughout this time. Doing and its sounds like he’s been enjoying some tail- company, KCR Wealth Management, as well as a tax inversion (I now get to spend some time gate time there during the football season. His Keats Wade, who he enjoys attending the Rich- in Dublin!) and having the president trying to block your deal makes it all the more challengson recently graduated from high school and is mond NASCAR race most every year. working in downtown Richmond, as well.

Congratulations to Tom and Sherry Tolley, ing. We closed the transaction in late January,

2015-Issue 2

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CLASS NOTES 1991/Dave Williams Memorial Scholand I’m pleased to be getting back to some semblance of normalcy with arship. The current market value is $45,063.41. Note that the amount of Laura and the kids. My apologies for missing some notes and being hard to gifts and commitments is $37,780.44.

Included in this number is an outcontact during this period! standing pledge balance of $3,275.

Finally, I have been remiss in passThe amount of gifts and commiting along a great story from Barry ments must equal $50,000 for a scholJohnson, so here it is: arship to be fully endowed, and then Pictured nearby is a hand carved any restrictions (i.e., legacies of the wooden replica of our 1990 Class Class of 1991) are in full effect.

Ring. Ron Buxton hand carved this sometime around the beginning of So, if we can pull together and drop our 1st Class year, and Barry immean additional $16,000 in before June 30, 2015, we can set up the charter for diately showed interest in inquiring the fund and begin disbursing funds. this piece of art. Ron held strong for If we miss the $50,000 mark June 30, several months but eventually offered we must wait an additional year. All to trade him the “ring” for a game money donated to this fund counts for ball from a VMI baseball victory. the amount on the check we present in Barry told Ron this was a very unfair autumn 2016. trade for him and didn’t want to make Class of 1991: Chuck Story stretching out with, from In closing, I would like all the fanthe trade. Ron said that the wood he left, Kenny Draper, Bob Cole, Charlie Schindler and used was too soft and he could easboys of the Matt Childs’ quarterly David Manning near Lynchburg, Virginia, just after photograph section know that he did ily carve another one that would look Christmas 2014. send a picture from his phone, but it better, so “semi-reluctantly” the trade was made, and Barry has enjoyed displaying the doughnuts, honey buns and other high calorie is likely not sufficient quality for print. Matt was “ring” for almost 25 years at home and his of- treats during a long-distance backpacking jour- pictured with Joe Casey ’94 at U.N. General Asfice. Barry’s not sure if Ron ever made another ney on the Appalachian Trail. (A long distance sembly in New York. He stays busy as a shift wooden ring, but as Barry passed along: “I do backpacker can burn 7,000 calories per day.) supervisor for State Department security. Matt know this one belongs with him! If Ron does Rufus’ love of doughnuts naturally extends to has been all over the world on a weekly basis renot object, I would like to give the wooden ring running, another of his favorite activities. After cently. Keep an eye on the news whenever some back to him at our 25th Reunion.” So stay tuned, all, what better than a tasty doughnut (or 12) to state official is going on about something or and here’s yet another reason to come back to power you through the last half of a 5-mile run? other; you just might catch a glimpse of his mug. the reunion!

Rufus enjoys competing in the 10K, 10-mile, BRs, it’s always great to hear from you and half marathon and marathon distances. He recently William Woodward your families! Please keep the emails and cards completed the Park-to-Park Half Marathon in coming, and I look forward to seeing everyone Waynesboro, Virginia, and the Charleston Marain Lexington in September 2015 for our 25th! thon in South Carolina. See if you can guess his favorite food for carbo loading: D______ts. (Fill Andy Tate George Petty III in the blanks! Hint: Krispy Kreme original glazed.)

Rufus will also run the Waynesboro Park-to-Park half marathon in April. As a reminder for 2016, it is the last Saturday of April, and I will host a gathering of BRs that afternoon. Mark your calendars and please come for the food, if not the run. I believe Michael Milner is now the assistant director of Doug Yeabower will be running again, also.

BRs, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Dean Bailey, Susan and their two girls are all Here are the latest updates from our classmates overseeing their Glynco Training Directorate in well and still living in Amherst, Virginia. They who provided inputs.

Georgia. He’s thrilled to have this opportunity have been back to the “I” several times in the last Dean Case reports that he is working at the and the chance to provide leadership for the nine few months visiting some cadets that are family Pentagon as an action officer in the Office of the training divisions there friends. Dean says it has been very cold the last few Secretary of Defense - Special Operations/Low There are a number of BRs and other alumni in months, but the cadets are not hearing that distinc- Intensity Conflict office. Dean mentioned that law enforcement, so give him a shout when you tive banging from the radiators anymore. It is much his son is a junior at Woodberry Forest School go there for training. different from when we were there – getting “Air in Orange County, Virginia, and is looking at atRufus Owen sent this website link – http:// Force soft,” he thinks. The football team still plays tending the Institute. I also heard from Dean’s www.fleetfeetraleigh.com/doughnuts/coach-ru- about the same, though. dyke (and my uncle dyke), Paul Pardew ’89, Recently, Dean has been working with Amherst/ that they met for lunch in the Pentagon and had fus. A veteran Krispy Kreme Challenge finisher, Rufus prefers a snack with a hole in the middle! Central Virginia Search and Rescue, and there are a great time catching up. Paul is a colonel in the This avid runner, hiker and soccer player main- quite a few VMI guys in that organization. AREVA Army and currently assigned to the Joint Chiefs tains an otherwise healthy diet but occasionally in Lynchburg continues to keep him busy. Anyone of Staff, J4. His son, Josh Pardew ’18, is a 4th Class cadet. feels the need to pound down a dozen Krispy interested in nukes, give Dean a call.

Here’s an income statement for the Class of I got an email from Scott Swanigan in which Kremes! Recently, he honed his appreciation for

’91

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’92

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES he reported he and his family live in Oswego, a suburb of Chicago. Scott and his wife, Emily, have three children, Grant (15), Grace (10) and Cole (1).

With nine years between the last two kids, Scott says he and Emily are “starting over again.” Scott works as an executive for an information technology firm based out of downtown Chicago, and Emily manages the home. Scott ran into Dick Owens a while back. It turns out they live less than five miles away from each other. Dick and his family are doing well. Scott commented that it was good to catch up with BRs so close by.

I received an email and photo from Philip Moore showing him and his family on a vacation in Oahu, Hawaii. Phil was there with his wife, Christine, and children, Benton and Mary Elizabeth. The family photo was taken atop the Diamond Head Crater overlooking Honolulu.

John Williamson updated me about a few of our BRs playing in Fort Lauderdale at the Grand Masters National Lacrosse Championship Tournament this past January. John was there with Jim Myers, Dick Owens, Matt Ott and Chris Phelps.

They were playing for a Maryland-based team Tom Ripley ’93 helped put together. Jack Collins also stopped by to see everyone.

I received an email from Mike Arness letting us know about the birth of his son, Isaac, born Jan. 28, 2015. Isaac is Mike and Geneva’s fourth child, along with Annabelle (10), Isabelle (6) and Aaron (2). Mike sends his best wishes to our BRs, wherever they may be.

Chris Bergstol reported he has been off the VMI grid for a while, so he figured he would provide an update. He wrote he has yet to make it to one of our reunions but hopes to in the future. At the time of

Class of 1992: Stephen Morris holding seemingly innocent get well package from Keith “Monkey” Frantz. this writing, Chris was deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Inherent Resolve (Iraq and Syria) and Resolute Support (Afghanistan).

He was flying F-15Es and served as the Expeditionary Operations group deputy commander during a six month deployment from October 2014 to April 2015. When not deployed, he is stationed out of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. He has served as the 366th Operations group deputy commander since May 2012. Chris stated, “This is my last ever combat deployment. When I get home, I will most likely put in my retirement papers since I was passed over to O-6 last year. I have been fortunate to fly the F-15E as a weapon systems officer and will miss it when I leave the Air Force. Not

sure what the future holds for me and my family, but we are looking forward to a new adventure.”

While deployed, Chris stated he was fortunate to have flown with another VMI graduate and fellow F-15E WSO, Stanley Cheng ’08. See a picture of Chis and Stanley holding a VMI flag in front of an F-15E in the Our Alumni Serving section in the first few pages of this publication.

Stephen Morris sent in a picture of him with some Sesame Street characters that came in a get well package from Keith “Monkey” Frantz.

Within the characters, Monkey hid some “medicinal” contraband that Stephen will be able to enjoy later. Even the nurses commented on the package’s originality. For those that have not heard, Stephen is battling leukemia. He and his team of doctors are investigating various clinical trials around the country with remission as the goal. He and his family greatly appreciate all the love and support that has flowed in. Continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they battle through this disease. If anyone wants to receive updates on Stephen, they can become a member of his website at: http://tinyurl.com/stephenmorris. Another way you can help Stephen and others battling leukemia is to be a bone marrow donor. You can go to “BeTheMatch” and join online at: http://bethematch.org/Supportthe-Cause/Donate-bone-marrow/Join-the-marrowregistry/Join-now/.

Please continue to send me any updates and pictures for inclusion in future class notes. Additionally, please let me know of any major life events such as marriages, births, deaths and advanced degrees so that I can inform the Alumni Review. If you have a change of address, let the Alumni Association and I know so that we can continue to make sure you get all VMI and class correspondence.

Best regards, Woody

’93

Jim Sharp

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes from the Class of 1993.

’94 Class of 1992: Former VMI lacrosse players competed in the Grand Masters National Lacrosse Championship Tournament held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Jan. 16-18, 2015. Pictured were, from left, Dick Owens, Tom Ripley ’93, Bill McCarthy ’87, Ted Wilkinson ’88, Matt Ott, John Williamson, Chris Phelps and Jim Myers.

2015-Issue 2

Clay Campbell

Dear Brother Rat/Sister Rat: Nathan Rush, that was specifically for you.

Let me wish everyone a belated merry Christmas and happy New Year. I hope everyone and your respective families are doing well. I would also like to welcome VMI’s newest class, the Class

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CLASS NOTES

Class of 1994: Lee Worrell at his retirement ceremony. of 2018, who broke out Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015.

Now on to the news and updates from the greatest class to ever grace barracks with their presence, 1994. Thanks to all the brother rats that made the trip back for The Citadel game. We had an awesome turnout at the tent for the mini reunion. Huge thanks to John Campbell, Sally Moore, and Jim Bratina for getting out in the cold morning hours to stake out our spot, set up the tent and get the food. Next year, I need some support to help baby-sit Fat Jimmy the night before; I’m not as young as I once was. It was great to catch up with some guys that I haven’t seen in a while: C.J. DeBernard, Jim Motley, Tim Silva, Jeremy Schlussel, John “Fig” Newton ’97, and Randy Elliott. It was just as good to see some of the guys that I’ve had the chance to speak with in the last year, such as Robin Riviere, Chris Gros, Charlie Evans, Paul Curley, Dustin Devore, Sean Goldsmith, Vince Porter, Sean Lanier, Jeff Guild and so many others. Many of us never even made it down to the game, but looking back, I think it just as well we stayed put on the Parade Ground. The conversations were better than the game. I don’t want the ladies to feel left out, because let’s be honest, they are the ones who allow us to get together and act like we are kids again. Sally, Christy, Dee, Karon, Melissa, Kathy, Tammy and others; thanks for putting up with us.

Honestly, I would rather talk to many of you than your husbands. The stories are much better when you tell them. After the big turnout, I believe we should make this a yearly event.

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I received a call from Chris Tujo, and it was great to catch up and talk some John Deere equipment with him. He is looking at maybe starting a side venture out in Oregon where he lives.

I also heard from Sean Small. He is living in Richmond with his wife, Autumn, the twins, Zern and Zander, and the new boss of the house, Oakes.

He reports all is well with the family and his business River City Sports and Social Club. He met up with Brian Collins, Scott Bass and Tom Morris ’93 at Jake Stenner’s house. He informed me that Scott Bass could not stop talking about his great dane using the couch as a chew toy. He also planned to meet up with Mike Grippo over Thanksgiving.

Jason Nicholls has been working on the TV show, “Diggers,” for the past few years. I love hearing the stories and getting calls when he is on set telling me the cool stuff they are finding. They recently had a shoot in Virginia, and he brought Ringy and K.G. by the house to hang out for a bit.

I also recently caught up with Lee Worrell, who is in the process of retiring as a major and starting a new career in cyber security. I was not aware that he had also received a doctorate in management. Congrats, Lee, and I know you will succeed in any career path you choose.

Lee told me that James Gaston and Mike Wilkenson came to his retirement ceremony.

I bought a house in Warrenton last year and received a call from USAA that they needed to send someone out to update my homeowners’ policy.

When I answered the doorbell, it was a friend I went to middle school with, Dana Knight Hyde.

She married Eric Hyde ’91, and they are living in northern Virginia. She began to tell me how much Eric and their sons love to hunt. I finally got to take Eric and his sons, one being Jake Hyde ’17, hunting on the last day of the season. It was cold, and the rain held off long enough for us to get in a few hours in the woods.

I also got a chance to meet up with John Campbell, Sally and his son, Jacob, for a day of pheasant hunting. It was a great day, and I hope John can work on his shooting some before we get back together. I’m glad Jacob let his dad get a few shots off.

I had been getting calls, texts, Facebook messages and care packages from the one and only Chris Coolidge in regard to him and Mandy coming to The Citadel game. He was as pumped up as if they had brought back the 12th man, and he was going to get the chance to suit up. His family had some unforeseen bad news, and they were unable to attend. They were in our prayers, and Chris asked if he could write a statement to share with the class.

The following was sent to me from Chris Coolidge, and he asked me to please pass along, so gentleman I give you the Breeze: “As you know, Mandy lost her grandmother a week before

Thanksgiving, and then two weeks later lost a man who was her neighbor growing up and was a second father to her. It was a very rough time for her, but it was made much easier for her by the outpouring of support and love that she received from my brother rats and even some of their parents. I cannot tell you the amount of cards, emails, texts, phone calls and Facebook messages she received from our BRs passing along their condolences, prayers and love. On behalf of Mandy and me, please pass along our sincerest thanks and deepest gratitude to all of those BRs who supported my wife in her time of need. It was greatly appreciated and speaks volumes of the bond that we all share as brother rats. Many thanks, gentlemen.

“Now for the few updates I got from some of my roommates. Mark ‘M.C.’ Cameron recently completed a two year tour at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. During his time there, he was in charge of all the Marine Corps security forces at the base. After completing his tour there, he received a billet to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He reported up there sometime this past summer and has been seen around post straining cadets and making them recite the Parapet, give Old Yells for the Class of ’94 and makes them scream ‘Roll Tide’ while in the front lean and rest.

“Addison ‘Fudd’ Field is still up in Alaska, where he has been working in the state museum system up there since 2004. I am proud to say that the FuddMan currently holds the position of chief curator of the Alaska State Museum in Juneau, Alaska. Fudd has also become fully engaged in cross fit and is ridiculously fit and disturbingly buff. As much as I’d love to see him at a reunion, it’s probably best that he stays in

Class of 1994: At VMI on the weekend of The Citadel football game were, from left, John “Fig” Newton ’97 and Clay Campbell.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Alaska so as not to give our wives a sense of false hope for our physiques.

“Maxwell ‘K-Dawg’ Bulloch is still living up in Jasper, Alabama, about an hour or so from here. He and his family came down for a visit a few months ago for the Alabama versus Florida game. We had a great time watching the Tide stomp a mud hole in the Gators. He is working at US Steel near Birmingham where he had been the Casey Jones of the plant and was driving a huge train around the place and hauling ... well, whatever it is they haul ... but he was recently promoted and is now in charge of a whole bunch of people and does stuff ... fancy steel plant leadership stuff. In his spare time, he has been raising a whole bunch of chickens and selling the eggs at a local farmers market for less than market price and stealing business from the other chicken farmers.

“Jim ‘Jimbo’ Motley and his family are living in South Carolina. Jimbo is still with the Secret Service and is doing some really high speed, Mach two with my hair on fire type stuff ... He told me all about what he is doing in great detail but said I can’t tell anyone about it since it is a secret. Jimbo says he is planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail during the middle of the winter next year, just because he can ... and that is all he had to say about that.

“John ‘Hammer’ Cunningham and the girls still live in Connecticut.

He travels to Mexico quite a bit for work and says he has become quite a connoisseur of Mexican cuisine and tequila (which I thought he already was). He said that he is currently in the planning stages of opening a Mexican themed food truck to serve the business district of Hartford. He said that all the food will be organic and that everything will be infused with tequila.

He said he is going to call the business ‘Hammer’s Hacienda de Nachos Libres’ in honor of himself and that crappy Jack Black movie where he plays a fat Mexican wrestler.

“Christian Cornelius Robert Badger, aka Kit Badger, and his family live near Denver. Kit continues to work for Bates Engineering doing large water reservoir type projects and other fancy stuff like that ... perhaps the fanciest duty that he performs: Kit is the voice of the automated phone directory.

I like to call and listen to Badger’s

2015-Issue 2

Class of 1994: Jason Nicholls has been working on the TV show, “Diggers,” and he brought Tim Saylor (“Ringy”), left, and George Wyant (“K.G.”), right, to Clay Campbell’s house to visit.

Class of 1994: Tiffany and Jimmy Bratina’s son, Milo Bratina, was born Dec. 5, 2014.

Class of 1994: At a VMI career networking dinner at the Institute were, from left, Sean Lanier, Brett Wilkinson, Cory McCallum and Vince Porter.

voice tell me who is at each extension. If you are interested in calling, the number is 303-980-1212. In his spare time, Kit helps coach his son’s wrestling teams and both are doing great and crushing their opponents.

Kit informed me that he recently won the prestigious King of Karaoke contest for the greater Denver area for his age group and musical category.

He had been competing in the ’80s hair band category but switched last year to the ’70s disco category. He brought the coveted trophy home with a stirring rendition of the Bee Gees’ ‘Staying Alive.’ That’s all I’ve got for updates, Pig. Again, please pass my thanks along in the next notes to all the BRs who supported my spouse ... including yourself. I hope all is well and look forward to seeing you this year at the ‘I.’ Love, Breezer.”

I don’t think I could have said it any better. Chris did leave out the fact that he spent two weeks on the Kentucky bourbon trail after Ohio State University beat the University of Alabama. I guess that also means that Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University beat Alabama since they did beat Ohio State. We will save a spot for Chris and Mandy at the next mini reunion.

I also had a recent article in the Richmond Times Dispatch and on CBS channel 6 brought to my attention. It was a story I had no idea about, but after watching the video online and reading the article, I found a greater respect for Damon Richardson. I could not do the story justice myself, and I ask that all brother rats take a moment and look it up.

I want to lastly say congrats to Jimmy and Tiffany Bratina. They welcomed a little boy, Milo, into the fold Dec. 5, 2014.

I received word after putting this together that three of our Air Force brother rats have been selected for promotion to colonel. They are Dale Hybl, Mike Weaver and Sang Yoo. Congrats, brother rats. Way to represent the Class of ’94.

Please reach out to me with any updates, and if anyone wants to be a guest writer such as Chris, please send me whatever you would like to post.

Always, Pig

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CLASS NOTES Thomas A. Brashears

’95

Dan Williams

Brother Rats, These notes will be short, as about the time this Review is published, we will have just completed our 20th Reunion.

Life here at the Institute continues to roll along ... hard to believe I’ve been back here full time for almost two years. Jill and I are having a great time here in the valley and welcome visitors at any time.

I actually haven’t heard from too many brother rats lately, although Rich Pitchford emailed me just the other day. He commands a security force battalion for the U.S. Marine Corps in Kings Bay, Georgia. From all accounts, he and his family are doing well.

Even though Marlin Ikenberry is not the baseball coach anymore, he and I talk regularly, and he is really enjoying the new job. Shannon and his two boys are also doing quite well.

I see Jamie Joyner and Brad Coleman a good bit, as they both live here in town. Brad is very well respected here for his work in the history department and with the John Adams Center for Military History. The conferences he’s helped put together have all been extraordinary.

Bob Staley emerged recently on the social media scene and is doing well in the Hanover County area. Bob was at Fork Union for a while and has now been an administrator in Hanover for several years.

Again, short update because of the reunion ... will give an extended report based on the reunion in the next Alumni Review.

As always, please continue to stay in touch, shoot me an email, call on the phone or feel free to stop by the office or house here in town. ’95, ’95, ’95.

’96

Nick Latsios in the evening for a couple of beverages.

I can’t remember who had sent me a link to it, but there is video promo for the U.S. Navy featuring none other than Mike Burchik and the silent service. Pretty cool video and great to see him in it!

Like a Bigfoot sighting, I amazingly was in Washington, D.C., to meet up with Curt Bourn.

Curt had a layover in D.C., being a pilot for Delta.

Surrounded by hipsters and the other lots in D.C., we managed to have a great time catching up and a pretty awesome brunch.

Sean Callahan and his lovely wife, Kelly, checked in recently. Their daughter, Kortney, will be graduating from high school and headed to college with a few choices to choose from! Congrats!

Benjamin Venning recently met up with some of our classmates and other alums to watch the Super Bowl. In attendance were Holm Ankoma-Sey, Cedric Canada, Howard Byrd and Kendall Clarke ’95. Diggin’ the ’Skins jersey, Ben! Well, that’s it for this round for class notes! Keep in touch!

Cheers, Pete Segersten

’97

David Zirkle

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes from the Class of 1997.

Peter Segersten

Brother Rats, Good Evening on this bone chilling evening here in Virginia!

Charles Gates reported Brian Hartless has been selected for promotion to colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Congratulations, Brian, on your promotion!

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Jethro Piland has been busy recently down in Mechanicsville, Virginia, while in jail. Yes, I scratched my head when I first heard of this. What happened to him, why did this happen, etc. What was it like with life behind bars? Just kidding. In reality, he was raising money in a charity event for the muscular dystrophy association where the “bail” for the imprisoned Jethro went to charity.

Good cause and great creativity. He is currently the chief of Hanover Fire and EMS. Over the Christmas season, I met up with a few of our brother rats for a Yuletide happy hour. In attendance were Shannon Hume, Wes Parmer and Kevin Boteler. It was great catching up with them.

Wes recently did a flyby over VMI with Hunter Phelps ’99. There were many suggestions of dropping propaganda leaflets or fake specials over barracks.

Mike Waltz has been on a tour for his book, “Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret’s Battles from Washington to Afghanistan.” From C-Span to Fox and numerous radio shows, Mike has been making the rounds for not only his book but other topics of current world events.

Chris Noe and family were recently in Guam on vacation. While driving around on the island, they ran into a marker for the command post of Lemuel C. Shepherd ’917 during the invasion of Guam in May 1944. They were impressed to visit the landing beaches during the invasion there in World War II. Christian Hoff made his way up to Philadelphia on a short business trip recently and met up with

Class of 1998: July 27, 2014, during UNCLE’s bridging the gaps mentoring session. UNCLE stands for Unified Need for Courageous Leadership and Empowerment and is a youth mentoring program started by Andre Thornton and Mike Rogers. Included in the photo are Avi Hopkins, Brent Taylor ’99, Queshaun Wigfall ’00, Aaron Yarbough ’01 and Tyler Owens ’14. Also present are two 2013 College Orientation Workshop program graduates and additional middle and high school students ranging in age from ages 13-17.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES John A. Strock

’98

Hamel Reinmiller

We’re well into 2015, but Happy New Year, folks! Thanks to all who submitted this time. I hope everyone is doing well and survived the wild winter. As always, thanks to all BRs who have or are serving in the military or as policemen, firefights, EMTs, doctors ... We are all citizen-soldiers in one way or another.

I’ve heard from a few guys that are first time Class of 1998: From left, U.S. Army Maj. Simon Macioch; U.S. Army Cpt. submitters, so here goes: Mark Searles ’06, Delta Company commander, 1st Battalion, 3rd Infantry; Scott Houser and his wife, Maria, had their U.S. Army Cpt. Jonathan Buckland ’10, regimental ceremonies officer; first child, Alexandra Christa Houser, born Jan. and U.S. Army Cpt. Nathan Goldsmith ’09, ceremonies officer, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry.

13. He is also the new alumni chapter president for Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, so if any BRs are down there, let me know, and I can connect you into the water with his favorite hobby – search- Tomb-of-the-Unknown Soldiers or the Caisson if you aren’t on his distribution list. ing for gold and silver with underwater metal barn, please do not hesitate to contact him to get Brendan Toolan and his wife, Gijin, were reas- detecting equipment. From experience in the that set up. Very cool, Simon!

Mark Redman is currently deployed to Afsigned from Korea to West Point, New York, this Caribbean and in Dubai finding on average an summer. He is teaching and overseeing the ca- ounce of gold per week, Chad’s real dream job is ghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. He’s det’s branch assignments. He is doing his best to to be a coastal prospector. flying the AH-64D Apache helicopter supporting I received an update from Simon Macioch the guys on the ground while harassing the lomake sure the West Point cadets know that VMI was harder. Recently, he and his wife, Gijin, who is serving as the regimental operations of- cal Taliban and al-Qaida. He’s doing his part to welcomed Grady Toolan into the world. Grady ficer for the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (the Old settle some scores from Sept. 11. He will be rewas born on Halloween. Brendan’s brother, Sea- Guard) in Fort Myer, Virginia. After six years in turning to the U.S. in May and will be embarking mus Toolan ’99, is the godfather, so the kid is in the Army, Simon reports this is the largest con- on a motorcycle trip throughout the Midwest. He tingent of VMI alumni he has ever served with. and Jason Duffy keep in touch on a regular batrouble. Congrats, bud!

By the time these notes are published, Susan Additionally, if any alumni are in the Wash- sis. They got together back in March to celebrate and Neill Holloran are likely to have had their ington, D.C., area and want to get a tour of the St. Patrick’s Day in Rochester, New York. Much fourth child well in hand, their second green beer was consumed and good boy. They have a set of each now, and times were had by all. Jason finished they’re done. Neil is still living the his Ph.D. and is a professor at Syradream in Fredericksburg, Virginia cuse University. Mark also hears from – house, cars, dog, kids. As always, Jason Lamb from time to time, who the door is open for brother rats in is doing well in the financial sector the area and passing through on I-95. outside of Nashville.

His boss hails from Napa Valley, and Adam Werner checks in from while visiting home, ran into Shane Richmond. He just recently took an Finley and his fine wines ... so the engineering position with Youngworld is only getting smaller. blood, Tyler and Associates. YTA is Chad Novacek is still working on an engineering firm in Old Mechanthe railroad paying down his pesky icsville that was founded in 1971 student loans in Nebraska. He’s lookby Dick Youngblood ’61. Adam is enjoying his new digs but misses his ing forward to a weeklong vacation daily coffee breaks with Daniel Smith in Georgetown, Colorado, in March – although Smith and Werner still afwhere he will go skiing for the first ford themselves lunch a few times a time since ’98, try some snowboardweek. ing and reunite with BR Henry EhClass of 1998: Brendan Toolan and his wife, Gijin, J.P. Morris reported he and his rgott for a beer or two. Chad’s hoping pictured with future cadet Toolan, G. to use future vacation time to get back family were able to attend Sunday

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CLASS NOTES morning chapel service to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration of the chaplaincy at the Institute. Paul Moosman, Greg McDearmon ’99 and Billy Scott ’97 were among the other familiar faces in attendance that morning. This event was held over the weekend of Jan. 24-25 and included a number of alumni speakers from the ministry and experienced strong alumni attendance in the congregation, as well. As we work toward the goals of the current Campaign for VMI, J.P. encourages each of you to consider the designated funds that support the chaplain ministry, including support of the associate chaplain, the annual giving of books of faith at commencement exercises and the current fundraising effort to support a full time secretary for that office.

Thanks for all you’re doing for “I,” J.P.!

’99

William Steinbach

Class of 1999: From left, Dallas Clark, Cadet Andrew Bradshaw ’17, Greg McDearmon, Matt Stephens, Brad Wineman and Cameron Tabor at a basketball game. teacher, and our kids have done a great job adapting to the schools in Albemarle County. I recently ran into Jamie Myers in the hospital and hope to connect again soon.”

Dallas Clark reports that the Dark Ages get-together Jan. 24 resulted in a great win over The Citadel in Cameron Hall. Attending the get-together were Dallas Clark, Greg McDearmon, Matt Stevens, Brad Wineman and Cameron Tabor. After the game, the group took over Foothill Mama’s BBQ in Lexington for dinner and catching up.

Cadet Andrew Bradshaw ’17 joined the group during the first half of the game. Cadet Bradshaw is the current recipient of the Cliff Flournoy ’99 Scholarship. Speaking of Cliff, I am sure most of you received the email from Mike Wilson regarding Cliffs’ scholarship. I am including it here so people from other classes can see it as well.

“Brother Rats, “I hope this note finds you and your family doing well. What a great 15th Reunion we had in

September. Perfect Lexington weather set the backdrop for a weekend of tailgating, catching up with old friends and making new ones. As we Brother Rats, compared notes with each other about jobs, chilHope this round finds everyone well. It has been dren and future plans, we also set aside time to a cold winter, and I know I am looking forward remember our brothers who are no longer with to spring. us.

Wes Barrow graduated from Liberty Univer“After Cliff Flournoy lost his long and hardfought battle with cancer Dec.16, 2004, we were sity with his Master of Business Administration able to establish a scholarship in his name. This degree in international business. scholarship is dedicated to helping hardworking Mike Nelson is still traveling the world with the cadets of limited financial means afford the everArmy. He sent me this note: “I just got back from increasing cost to attend VMI. an Afghanistan deployment last fall as a company “At the current in-state tuition rate of more commander in 5th Group. The two pictures I atthan $20,000 per year, the scholarship needs to tached are from that deployment. The first one is have $500,000 in value so that the annual interfrom Bagram, where I ran into BR John Holmes est on that investment will pay one year of full right as I was getting ready to redeploy. The sectuition. Cliff’s scholarship currently has a balond one is of me, Andrew Walton ’06 (who was one of my ODA commanders in my company) ance of about $45,000.

“Although this sounds daunting, if our entire and Ms. Laila Ismail. Laila was an adviser for class contributes only $25 per month from now us over there, and in a small world coincidence, until our 25th Reunion, we will meet Conor Powell’s wife’s aunt. After rethe audacious goal of fully funddeploying from Afghanistan, I PCSed ing that scholarship. Additionally, to Tampa and deployed again to Qaour contributions to this scholarship tar. As soon as I got there, I ran into count toward The Campaign for VMI. John Holmes again as he was passing “During his last days on Earth, Cliff through on his way home.” told us just how important VMI and David Dixon sent me the following: the Class of ’99 were to him. The best “We have moved to Charlottesville, way we can honor his memory is to Virginia, where I have taken a great fund a permanent scholarship that job as the director of the Hospital will support future cadets in perpetuEducation Program at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital. We ity. work with sick children from birth to “As we mark the 10 year anni21 years of age in both inpatient and versary of Cliff’s death, we have a outpatient clinics. It is a very rewardunique opportunity to do something challenging, but truly great. Our class ing job, but some cases are hard on the needs widespread and dedicated supheart. However, I feel very lucky to have an opportunity to give back to my com- Class of 1999: Mike Nelson and John Holmes in Afghanistan. port over the next 10 years, to make our 25th Reunion one for the record munity. My wife is a local elementary

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CLASS NOTES books. Indeed, 15 years after graduating, we are only now starting to realize the full meaning of the VMI experience. Best regards, Mike Wilson.”

How to contribute: 1. Go to https://www.vmicampaign.org/scholarships.

2. Then click the “Cadet Scholarships” button and type “Flournoy” in the search bar.

3. Click on the “R. Clifton “Cliff” Flournoy Class of 1999 Scholarship” then click “Give Now” and follow the instructions for a recurring donation.

Many thanks go to Mike for spearheading this effort. That is all for now.

In the bonds, Bill

’00

Matthew McComas

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes from the Class of 2000.

’01

Brandon Farris

Brother Rats, Anthony Peter Conway, 36, ended his relationship with ALS Friday, Feb. 20, at his home outside Lexington. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and grew up in southern England. He loved sports and played rugby and soccer while growing up. He was also a member of the Royal Air Force Air Training Corps. His love of soccer and interest in the military brought him to Virginia Military Institute, where he was a varsity letterman and soccer team captain.

He had a broad range of talents and interests, and was good at almost everything he tried; he had a special talent for making others feel important. After graduating in 2001, he worked in construction and then taught English and technology at Rockbridge County High School for several years. He was then able to use his computer skills as a database manager at Rockbridge County Schools and then the Washington & Lee University Office of Admissions. He continued his love of soccer by following Celtic FC, coaching at RCHS, playing pickup with the Lexington Vultures and becoming assistant coach of the VMI men’s soccer team.

In 2011, he was diagnosed with ALS and devoted himself to making the most of the time

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he had. He had many incredible adventures and encouraged everyone who knew him to make the most of every day. He wrote about his adventures and his illness on his blog, www.dontshrink.com. The example he set made an impact around the world, especially in the Celtic FC and Rockbridge communities and within the VMI family. The outpouring of support during the Ice Bucket Challenge was a testament of the strength of his presence.

Tony is survived by his wife, Amanda Tardy Conway; daughters, Cora and Louise Conway; parents, John and Pauline Conway of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother, Martin Conway, and his wife, Julie, and children, Clare, Ryan, Norah and Ella Conway of Huntersville, North Carolina; and his wife’s family, Claudia Huffman, David Tardy, Phyllis Bennington, and Renata and Brian Kleinchester.

In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to Rockbridge Area Hospice and the Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins. Arrangements were handled by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, and a memorial service was held Friday, March 6, at 11:30 a.m. in Jackson Memorial Hall at VMI, with a reception to follow at Moody Hall. By Tony’s special request, no one attending the service should wear black.

I hope that everyone had a great holiday season.

Although, by the time you read this it will be summer and all thoughts of the cold will be gone.

We have a team representing ’01 playing in the Conway Cup again this year, which supports Tony Conway’s family. A photo and details of our triumph (or at least stories of how we didn’t get injured) will follow in the next review.

Rich Groen is deploying with 1-77 AR to Djibouti for nine months or so and will be in Camp Lamineer.

Justin Walskey and his wife, Andrea, met up

with Stephen Skakandy and Julia Leuthardt in Wilmington, North Carolina, for a New Year’s Day dinner. “Skak and Whiskey entertained the ladies with some old VMI stories.” Justin, I’m glad Andrea still listens to your stories; I think Lorin gave up a long time ago. She heard my three good ones and can now tell those stories better than I can ... although we all know the details change every time we tell our stories.

Justin recently started a new job with Noregon Systems in November in Greensboro, North Carolina. Andrea and Justin also just celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary and have two kids. Abigail is four, and R.J. just turned one.

Justin said that R.J.’s favorite lullaby is the “Doxology,” which works until Abigail hears and shouts VMI. Jared Kuhnhenn got out of active duty in the Army in October but is still in the reserve. He was able to get a job right out of the gate with TruGreen as a general manager in October. Also, Jared is getting married to Christine Chang (also an Army captain) Sept. 5, 2015. Congrats, Jared!

Nick Pomaro moved up to northern Virginia and is stationed in Quantico. Nick is currently deployed and recently ran in Campbell Kane and Luke Pernotto, and he might try to link up with Adam Stanley-Smith while he is out there.

Ben Griffith sent me the following update and I’m just going to run it as is with quotes: “So let me catch you up on my adventures: During 2013, my wife and I moved from Fairfax, Virginia, to Bozeman, Montana, so that I could attend Montana State University. Before we left Virginia, we spent some time rooming with Kevin Fromm, as we sold our house faster than expected. That, in part, has lead Kevin to make several trips to Montana. Fast forward to summer 2014,

Class of 2001: Justin Walskey and his wife, Andrea, met up with Stephen Skakandy and Julia Leuthardt in Wilmington, North Carolina, for a New Year’s Day dinner.

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CLASS NOTES the Review unless you’ve given me Kevin Fromm talked Victor Zottig into permission to do so, which is why, an adventure out to Montana – which despite lots of great news, this ediwas a great way to do it, because my tion is somewhat limited. Please send wife and I worked/lived for the summer me pictures and updates and permit in Yellowstone National Park. My wife me to post them here! Not all of our worked as a nurse in the Old Faithful brother rats are as connected on so(Medical) Clinic, and I volunteered as a cial media, and this is a great way to paramedic with the National Park Serkeep in touch. vice. During their visit, we ventured into On to the notes: the backcountry of Yellowstone to get off On Nov. 9, 2014, Kevin Fields and the beaten path, joining the 1 percent of Ross Booth installed a marker that tourists who get past the drive up sights.

Ross had inscribed for Pvt. HartsHowever, our adventure off the beaten Class of 2001: Nathan Josiah Quash, son of U.S. Army path was in prime mosquito season, field ’866 in the North Carolina Maj. and Mrs. Jason Quash ’04, left, with Samuel Mark where at times, the mosquitoes were so Ward, son of U.S. Army Maj. and Mrs. Elijah Wood. section of Memorial Hill in Petersthick that we could kill 20 with one swat. Nathan was born Dec. 14, 2014, and Samuel was born burg’s Blandford Cemetery. Getting Somehow we all survived with only mild Nov. 11, 2014. The photo was taken in January 2015 approval for the stone involved a blood loss, and no one fell into any of in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Both fathers are stationed coordinated effort between Kevin the hundreds of thermal features that we with the Army in Korea. and Ross, the Blandford Cemetery hiked past. site manager, the Petersburg Police “After our Yellowstone summer ended, my wife out to Montana for the winter season at the end of Public Information official, the Petersburg VMI and I set out to go around the world in less than January. So needless to say, more details will fol- Alumni Chapter and Booth Memorial. A cer80 days. While our adventures were not as grand low.” emony was held Nov. 11, 2014. as the book, we did have an amazing time. We Elijah Ward and Jenn welcomed Samuel As it turns out, the Blandford site manager is toured the vast majority of Ireland and a huge Mark Nov. 11, 2014, (Founders Day) in Seoul. an avid VMI supporter with many alumni in her portion of Italy, before landing in New Zealand. Samuel is doing great and happy. Elijah has run family. She informed Kevin and Ross about the While we were in New Zealand, we did some re- into several fellow alums since being in Seoul. A story of Pvt. Hartsfield being wounded at New search on vineyard operations and learned about few months ago, Elijah had lunch with Dan Lee, Market and being transported to Richmond for growing methods as compared to what we had and in November, they had Guy Workman over treatment. He wanted to return to his family in learned in Italy. It was quite the experience. To- for supper while he was in Seoul from his unit North Carolina, but the travel was not approved. ward the end of our trip, we were heading back to stationed elsewhere in Korea. In May, Elijah is Instead, Pvt. Hartsfield decided to walk. He the Auckland and nearly ran into Jeff Kuehne but moving up to 2nd Infantry Division to serve as collapsed in Petersburg and later died of commissed him by a day, as he was traveling through the S3 of an Artillery Battalion there. plications from his wounds and illnesses. SubseAs always, thanks to everyone for letting me quently, Pvt. Hartsfield was buried in the North Auckland heading back to the U.S. “On our last day of sightseeing, we ventured to know what they are up to.

Carolina mass grave on Memorial Hill. Kevin I say this all the time, but if you are not on actually got to see the cemetery register in which Waitomo and the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. While there, we saw the amazing little my email blast list and want to be, please shoot his name was entered. buggers (glowing maggots, not really worms) and me an email and I will add you. Have a great While planning a ceremony for New Market heard the history of the area, but most amazingly summer!

Day, the VMI Club of Petersburg was made Brandon on our second cave tour, we joined up with a group aware of Pvt. Hartsfield having been buried of younger Americans. After a short introduction unmarked in a mass grave. They expressed an around the group (two from the U.K., four from Salmaan Khawaja interest in placing a marker but found it was Australia, one from Russia and six (including the against the cemetery rules. The Petersburg Potwo of us) from the U.S.), I got to talking to one lice Public Information official attended the New of the American guys in the group. He said he was Market Ceremony, and efforts to have the stone living in Guam after getting out of the U.S. Coast approved were mentioned in conversation after Guard, but two of his group were stationed in Guam the event. She researched the events and advoand one in Norfolk. So I threw out the, ‘I went to Brother Rats, cated for the stone before Petersburg City CounVMI...’ to which I found that I was on this cave I hope that this edition of the Review finds you cil. The regulations of Blandford Cemetery were tour with Riley Worth ’09 and Fletcher Wasson and yours well. As I write these notes, New Eng- changed to allow the stone. ’09. We spent a while talking about VMI and get- land has been hit with over 7 feet of snow, and Booth Memorial (Ross’ family’s company) ting a group shot before parting ways. Just goes to we in Richmond are complaining about a mere 8 ordered the stone with an inscription matching show that after spending three months on the road inches or so, which, of course, has shut down the the one in Lexington. The stone arrived, and the traveling all the way around the world, VMI really entire region. Hopefully, by the time you read VMI spider was incorrect. Ross flipped the stone is present in the last place you look – in this case, this, winter is behind us and you are enjoying over and sandblasted the side you can see in the 20 meters under New Zealand and directly under your spring. Since the last edition of the Review, picture.

Kevin wrote: “I think it’s a great example of there have been quite a few new additions to a huge rock!

“We are now back in Bozeman, preparing families of our brother rats! I’m sure many of respect for our veterans, our Institute’s legacy to head down to Las Vegas for the wedding of these can be seen in the births section of this Re- and collaboration.”

We have a lot of new parent brother rats. I Carl Haas to Judy Spelz Jan. 10, 2015. And Kevin view. I’d like to remind everyone that while we Fromm has booked some airline tickets to venture stay in touch on Facebook, I don’t post things in know you all are busy, but please shoot me a line

’02

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CLASS NOTES

Class of 2002: Dr. Kevin Fields and Ross Booth recently had a marker installed for Pvt. Alva C. Hartsfield ’866 in the North Carolina section of Memorial Hill at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. A ceremony was held Nov. 11, 2014, to honor Pvt. Hartsfield, one of the VMI fallen. with the goings on and milestones and such so that I can share your wonderful news with the ’02 family at large. Same goes for everybody else! I enjoy catching up with folks online, and please keep me posted! Best wishes for the coming year! ’02! ’02! ’02!

In the spirit, Salmaan

William Talley V

’03

Nichole Kramer

Well, brother rats, as I write this set of notes, the temperature is in the teens here in Virginia and we’ve got a sizable (for Virginia) snowstorm approaching in the next 24 hours. I’ve got three kids in bed for the night, a wife passed out on the sofa and I’m pouring myself bourbon to enjoy. However, by the time you read these notes, it’ll be mid-May and most of us will have pulled out our shorts and will be looking forward to the summer.

Let me start off by saying, “Thank you.” I put

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out the call updates for this set of notes and several of you responded. So many that I can’t fit all the photos sent to me in this set of notes; we’re capped to five per issue. Your answering the call makes it so much easier to put these together. Please keep the updates coming, and I’ll be sure to get them in the set of notes that’s due after they’re received.

So without further ado, here we go...

Our class family continues to grow as the months pass! What exciting times members of our class are experiencing! Bryan and Andrea Wacker celebrated the birth of their twin girls, Avery Marie (3 pounds, 7.7 ounces) and Brenna Catherine (3 pounds, 9.1 ounces), Aug. 26, 2014.

While they came early at 31 weeks and spent four weeks and three days in the hospital, they are doing great. They were welcomed into this world not only by Bryan and Andrea but also by big sisters Kylie (9 years old) and Emma (3 years old).

Everyone is doing well, and I understand that Bryan and Andrea are able to get some relief from family members on the weekends. I know Brandon Matthews and his wife, Audrey (Andrea’s sister), have gone up on several weekends to help with loads of laundry, among other things.

Keeping it in Company D, Dave and Denise Woody welcomed their daughter, Addison Brielle (7 pounds, 6 ounces, 19.5 inches) into the world Oct. 27,, 2014. Brielle was welcomed by older brothers Cole and Bryce, who, based on the pictures I’ve seen on Facebook, are going to be mighty protective of their little sister. In the midst of getting to have their third, Dave and

Denise made the move from Florida to Monterey, California, where Dave is holding down a stout 3.5 GPA at the Naval Postgraduate School. Dave reports that he’s run into several BRs while there, to include Pat Lavoie and Gary Pembleton.

Continuing with new additions, Josh Gonzales welcomed a daughter, Kenzie Layne Gonzales, June 17, 2014. I’m sure Kenzie is doing her best to keep Josh in check down in the bayou!

Jared and Julie Swanson welcomed their son, Eli Stone, into their family Dec. 23, 2014. Jared also reported that Adam Monteleone married Laura Kelly in the Poconos Aug. 29, 2014, and Jordan Fox purchased Williams Restoration Company in Omaha, Nebraska.

Vadim Simakhov relayed that his wife, Lindsey, is expecting their first child, due sometime in the April/May 2015 timeframe. Vadim is currently assigned to Helsinki, Finland, where he serves as the assistant Army attaché.

A.J. and Jessica Schmaus paid Vadim and Lindsey a visit, and I understand a good time was had by all.

It’s my understanding that Steve Nakazawa completed the Army Ten Miler this past year and has started a new job with the Department of Treasury. I’m not sure if it’s been officially released yet, but now that Steve is with the Department of the Treasury, I understand that we’ll finally be able to get a three dollar bill with Chaz Wagner’s face on it!

Chris Adams reports that he and Jennifer have moved from Houston to Austin, Texas. Chris was selected into the Texas National Guard Active Guard Reserve program, so he’s back on active duty as his full-time job. Chris credits Libby Swank with being a big help during the

Class of 2003: Jared Swanson and his wife, Julie, with their son, Eli Stone, who was born Dec. 23, 2014.

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Class of 2003: Dave Woody with Denise celebrating the birth of Addison Brielle, born Oct. 27, 2014, with her big brothers Cole and Bryce. move. Chris and Jennifer’s son, Jackson Weston, is growing up fast. He will turn one in March and will soon learn that doing “WOD” is not optional! I understand the new job has been a Godsend for both Chris and Jennifer, and they are extremely happy.

Keeping the Texas theme for a moment, AmieAnne and I were privileged to break bread and celebrate the Institute’s 175th anniversary with Conner Evans ’02 and his wife at the Institute Society Dinner this past November.

Continuing with the Texas theme, Chris Mission reports that he just moved back to Alexandria, Virginia, from San Antonio, Texas, after a successful company command. His company gave him the gift that every man needs: “A friggin’ tomahawk.”

Chris relayed that now that “Sons of Anarchy” is over, he’s trying to fill a void in his life by watching “Black Sails” and walking the streets at night with his tomahawk looking for zombies. He’s also back at the National Guard Bureau, now in the J2.

Chris Drinkwater checked in that after graduating from his residency in internal medicine from Walter Reed in June 2014 he was PCSed to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and subsequently deployed to Monrovia, Liberia, in October as a part of Operation United Assistance. Aaron Fegley is with Chris in Liberia, as well, although they haven’t run into each other yet. Chris reported that before leaving the Washington, D.C., area, he was able to grab some food and drink with Derek Brown, Chaz Wagner, Steve Nakazawa and Vicki Ortiz. Chris indicated he should be redeploying to Fort Campbell soon and plans to remain there for a year before returning back to Walter Reed for more training in hematology and oncology. Get you some, Drink!

I understand that Derek and Kelly Overstreet are expecting their second child sometime in 2015, so Abby will be a big sister.

Blake and Jennifer Traina recently celebrated their son David’s first birthday. His birthday

Class of 2003: Chris Drinkwater, M.D., with Al Cavillo in Liberia with Operation United Assistance.

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Class of 2003: The beautiful daughters of Bryan Wacker and his wife, Andrea, Avery (3 months), Kylie (9 years), Brenna (3 months) and Emma (3 years). sparks another couple of birthdays in our room, as Amie-Anne and I celebrated Chappell’s first birthday in mid-March and Andy and Chelsey Biesterveld will have celebrated Lincoln’s first birthday in mid-April. It’s been a good 2015 for the Biesterveld clan thus far, considering the Buckeyes won the National Championship in January.

Life in the Talley family continues to be as joyfully chaotic as ever. Both Savannah and Billy will be playing ball this spring, so I’m hoping gas prices stay down. Chappell is walking and trying his best to keep up with his older siblings. Amie-Anne has started back to school and actually ran into Andy Barden at MCV-Virginia Commonwealth University a few weeks ago.

As you can see, our class family continues to grow and BRs continually distinguish themselves. Thanks again to all that contributed to this set of notes, and keep those updates coming in! Rah Virginia Mil ’03, ’03, ’03!

Class of 2003: Josh Gonzales with his daughter, Kenzie Layne, who was born June 17, 2014.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES Stephen Linkous is now assigned to the chapel at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. He and his family moved to Williamsburg at the end of December.

His wife, Dr. Michelle Linkous, joined Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg! Welcome back to Virginia!

Will Simmons and his wife, Danielle, are expecting their first child, a son, in June. Will completC. Justin Roberts ed his Master of Business Administration degree through Norwich University this past summer and he is working on his Master of Jurisprudence degree through Seaton Hall University School of Law now. If anyone is interested in a VMI ’04 Hunt, Will is interested in organizing a hunt! His email is waIt seems like the reunion was only yesterday, and simmons21@yahoo.com.

January has already flown by as I write these notes!

Joe Montagna wrote from Marine Corps Air StaThe rest of the year looks to be equally busy!

Raymond L’Heureux and his wife, Amy, are tion New River, where he is assigned to the Marine parents again. Amelia Brynn L’Heureux was Corps’ Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron born Jan. 29. Evelyn L’Heureux is a proud big as the CHE-53E operational test director. The year sister at age 2!

2014 was busy for him, and 2015 is shaping up for Gary Cutler and his wife, Erin, more of the same as the corps begins welcomed their second child to the testing new technologies. He and his world. Catherine Lee Cutler was born wife, Jessica, are in Surf City, North Feb. 1 in Wiesbaden, Germany. EvCarolina, and are welcoming company for some beach and barbecue time if eryone is home and doing well. Gary anyone is in the area. is keeping busy at U.S. Army Europe, Matthew Cage will graduate from his where he took command of the 60th orthopedic surgery residency at Tripler Geospatial Planning Cell in DecemArmy Medical Center in Honolulu, Haber. His time is split between Wiesbaden and TDY throughout Europe. waii, this summer. Then he moves on to Look him up if you end up across the a spine surgery fellowship at University pond. of California at Davis! Congratulations, Paul Boulden and his wife KimMatt! berly (Mary Baldwin College ’04) Libby Olson was in Kathmandu, became parents Nov. 13, 2014. He Nepal, when I heard from her a few days ago. She’s doing well, in spite of was sorry to have missed the reunion due to work, travel and in anticipation Class of 2004: The Linkous family: Stephen, Michelle, the need for the occasional “pollution Carson and their newest edition, Elaina Linkous, born mask,” compliments of the air quality. of Lucille Anne Boulden’s arrival.

Libby is seeing the world and trying to Craig Hamilton and his wife, Sar- Aug. 22, 2014. figure out what comes next. ah, became parents for the second The Class of 2004 10th Reunion Campaign Comtime Dec. 4. Emma Grace Hamilton is happy to Virginia and passed up Rose Bowl tickets to Derek for the Florida State University versus mittee received an email from John Wranek ’85 have Lydia as a big sister!

Tony Peters and his wife, Manuela, welcomed University of Oregon game in Pasadena, Cali- earlier this week. The final numbers are in! baby number three, Stella Lavinia, in October. fornia. Derek was very appreciative of the tickStarting Total: $60,539.54 They have been in Burke, Virginia, working ets and offered condolences to Ryan on FSU’s Deferred Gifts: $10,000.00 with a tutor studying Hungarian 4-5 hours a day loss.

Current Gifts and Pledges: $192,500.88 If anyone is looking for insurance in the Virin anticipation of their next move. Manuela is Total: $202,500.88 slated to be the next Air Force assistant attaché ginia-North Carolina area, Derek Wiley AgenSean O’Donnell, Andy Harris, Joe Montagna, to Hungary. She will report sometime toward the cy, Inc. is open for business! Derek Wiley has Brandon Smith, Paul Boulden, Matthew Roscoe middle of next year. opened the independent insurance agency head- and anyone else I missed: Thank you all for the I heard from Michael Coakley after the first quartered out of Danville, Virginia. He and his work you put into making our campaign a success! email went out. He and his wife, Jessica, are still wife, Christian, are expecting their second son Misia, Anya, Kellan and I are doing well. I am in Maryland. Mike is looking for a new job as a in May 2015. back on the street working for the Richmond Pofinancial analyst. He’s on LinkedIn, so give him Andrew Hardin, Megan and their two “little lice Department. The transition off the mobilization a heads up if you know of anything. monsters” are doing well. They are busy plan- with Army Cyber has been interesting. For the time Christopher Richman surfaced a day later to ning a New Market gathering for the Austin being, I’m somewhere around the Fan in Richmond, express regrets on missing the reunion ... Go Alumni Chapter and working with Steve Barcik if you’re in town. Who knows what will come in the Army! Chris, you weren’t alone on that one. He ’85. Andrew dropped a 9-point buck earlier in next few months, but hopefully I’ll have a new job made it back to VMI this past Christmas and, like the deer season. He also made it out to Houston to announce for the next set of notes. the rest of us, was blown away by the renova- for a duck hunt with John Ginder. John is doing Take care. Be safe, and keep in touch!

Scott Campbell tions. He is now an 18B, Special Forces weapons well and getting used to married life.

Scott E. Campbell

’04

2015-Issue 2

sergeant on an A Team with the guard. On the civilian side, Chris is a private investigator living in the Midwest.

Derek Raymond is on the West Coast living in Monterey, California, and completing Intermediate-Level Education and a master’s degree at the Naval Postgraduate School. Derek’s wife, Lilya, is pregnant with their second son, who is due April 2. As if he didn’t have enough going on, Derek is in training and plans to run the Big Sur International Marathon later in April.

Derek mentioned Edward Chen in his email.

Since then, I’ve seen updates on Facebook. Edward and his wife, Joanne, welcomed their first son, Jackson Alex Chen, on the morning of Feb. 9. Everyone is doing well!

Josh Powers is still bumming around Joint Base Lewis McCord, brewing beer and planning training operations in the Pacific.

Ryan Walker couldn’t make the game from

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CLASS NOTES

Class of 2004: The newest edition to the Hepfer family: Annalise Maria Hepfer, born Nov. 14, 2014.

Timothy Johnson

’05

for almost a year-and-a-half now. He routinely handles civil issues involving real estate, wills, trusts, debt collection, business law and family issues, as well as criminal issues such as traffic tickets, misdemeanors and felonies in the state courts. Reach out Jim if you need an attorney around the Richmond area.

The Hendricks clan is now four. Sean is now 4 years old, and his little sister, Hadley, will be two on St. Patrick’s Day. Matt has moved over to the administration side of my high school as the dean of faculty. He is still able to teach one AP literature and composition course, though, which keeps him balanced and in touch with why educators are on campus! Matt sends all his best to his brother rats out there.

Will Deshazor is on the move again. He, Ashley and the twins have moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Will still works for Norfolk Southern. Will says any brother rats in the area should feel free to drop him a line.

As for me, I don’t have anything major to report, and frankly, I find myself a bit pressured to get these notes turned in on time for the deadline.

Much of this has to do with the hectic schedule I have had for the last few months.

Before I close, I do want to add a reminder that our 10th Reunion will be held on the weekend

William Ray

Brother Rats, I hope the winter has crept away from where you call home. As I write this, Richmond is bracing for its first major winter storm of the season.

When I think about the nearly foot of snow that is projected for the region, I chuckle to myself and think, “At least I don’t have to build a 20 foot 2 inch snowman in the courtyard ... and then take it down when it melts below the aforementioned height. While the notes are a bit brief this time, there’s no lack of great news coming from our ranks. Lots of moves, job promotions and new little Keydets have been added to our number. Without further delay, here is the latest edition of the class notes.

Paul and Dana Bryan, along with their daughter Anna (2), are still living in Roanoke. They actually closed on a new home toward the end of 2014 and have just gotten settled as of lateJanuary. On Aug. 11, 2014, they welcomed our newest addition to the family – a daughter, Lydia Mae. She has been growing fast and is adored by

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her big sister, Anna. Paul is looking forward to bringing them up to the “I” for our 10th Reunion next year.

Paul still works in Roanoke as an engineer and business development manager for Froehling & Robertson, Inc. In the last two years, he has also picked up a responsibility for doing that work on a limited basis with the office in Crozet, Virginia, near Charlottesville. That has made it necessary for him to travel more frequently, but Paul said, “It’s not a bad change of pace.”

Ian and Autumn Foley welcomed the newest family member Jan. 30, 2015. Larkin Glenn Foley was 8 pounds, 23 inches. Ian added, “We all made it home in time to watch the Super Bowl.” Ian was promoted at Duke University again and has just been keeping his “nose to the grindstone.”

Jim and Crystal Driggs are excited to announce the birth of their first child, James Carson Driggs Jr. Their son will go by the name Carson in honor of Jim’s father, Carson Driggs, who died in 2013. Baby Carson is presently eight months old and just learning to crawl. He has already been to the “Mother I” several times, and last fall he watched his first parade alongside some of his dad’s brother rats from 2005.

Crystal is back at work as a school counselor, and Jim has been practicing law in Virginia

Class of 2005: Paul Bryan and family welcomed Lydia Mae into the world Aug. 11, 2014.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

Class of 2006: Colleen Barton’s son, James Ryan, Aug. 26, 2014.

Class of 2005: Autumn and Ian Foley welcomed a son, Larkin Glenn, into the world Jan. 30, 2015.

Little Larkin Glen made it home in time to watch (or sleep through) his first Super Bowl. As you can tell, he’s a big Patriots fan. of Oct. 9-10, 2015. By now, you should have received contact from the Institute concerning the schedule and one of our many outstanding brother rats who has volunteered to help with the class fundraising efforts. I do ask that you plan on attending the reunion and making a financial commitment to the reunion fundraising effort. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or one of the committee members as to how you can get involved in this undertaking.

That’s it for now. I wish you all the success and happiness in the next few months, and I excitedly await seeing you all in October at the reunion. Remember, we’re all in this together.

Until next time...

In the bonds, Tim Johnson

’06

Shawn Driver

Brother Rats, Judging from the outpouring of updates on our Facebook page, I am happy to report that the class is alive and well!

I recently took command of Alpha Company, 4-3 Assault Helicopter Battalion at Hunter Army

2015-Issue 2

Class of 2006: Shawn Driver with his wife, Jamie, and daughter, Averie, crossing the finish line.

Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. We will be “deployed” to Europe until December in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The good thing is, I just bought a 1959 Chevy Apache that I will have to garage for roughly nine months. I should probably burn the tires out before I go – no sense letting them dry rot while I’m gone.

It was great to hear from Al Arline recently – he’s been teaching English in Taiwan for the past year. He hasn’t run into Han-Lung Jin yet but hopes to. (Ranger Jin, if you’re reading this, call Al.) Kurt Ivins, thanks for sharing our Breakout photos on the Facebook page. It was great to reminisce on the birth of our class 12 years ago.

Since then, we have managed to make quite the presence at home and abroad.

Joel Burger joined the Foreign Service last year and moved to Mumbai, India, where he will serve a two year tour at the American Consulate before moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2016.

Robyn Chatwood (Schaperjahn) and her husband (Albert Chatwood ’05) had their second son (Dec. 31, 2014 – New Year’s Eve!) and named him Robert Maxwell Chatwood. They just moved from Seoul, South Korea, to Virginia, where she is a criminal appeals attorney for the Army at Fort Belvoir. John is an ROTC professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Derek Gouker is back in Huntsville, Alabama.

He got his Master of Business Administration degree a while back. He volunteers for LifeSouth in his free time, conducting blood drives

all over the greater Huntsville area.

Todd Wilson and his wife, Brigid, along with their business partner, recently opened their first gym in Arlington, Virginia, called 9 Round. It’s a franchise boxing/kickboxing themed fitness facility, and they have plans to open four more locations in the next 18 months.

Todd’s wife, Brigid, gave birth to their first son, Ronan Joseph Wilson, Oct. 13, 2014. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces and was 21 inches long. Ronan’s godfather is our BR, Matt Oliver.

Matt is living in Delaware and teaching middle school social studies. Todd, Brigid and Ronan have had quite a few visitors, including Bobby McGraw, Grant Harris, Graham Alley, Adam Rosenbaum, Clark Dudley, Mike Carney and Chris Stolle – all of whom are doing very well and enjoyed meeting the little guy – a future Keydet, VMI Class of 2033.

While training for his 17th pro fight in November, Todd suffered a significant ankle injury that required surgery. The ankle reconstructive surgery was completed Dec. 3 and was successful.

Todd is currently in physical therapy and hopes to be ready to fight again in summer 2015.

Todd has been keeping in touch with quite a few guys from the class, including Steel Nardozzi, who is a police officer down in Florida.

Steel is enjoying Florida with his wife, Aubrey, and their baby daughter, Violet.

Todd also recently heard from Ryan Alexander. Ryan is stationed down at Fort Benning with his wife, Hayleigh, and their two daughters.

Graham Alley is splitting time between Reston and Virginia Beach and will be helping Todd train for his next fight.

Bobby McGraw and Chris Stolle are still in the Navy.

Mike Carney is protecting and serving with his wife and baby boy.

Rosie and Katie just gave birth to their second daughter.

Grant Harris, as always, is keeping it stylish with his own image consulting business.

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CLASS NOTES

Class of 2006: Todd Wilson’s first son, Ronan Joseph Wilson.

Phillip Lacey is in Kuwait serving as the Virginia Army National Guard 529th CSSB S4 (supply officer).

Jon Kelton lives and works in New York City as a bond trader at Morgan Stanley.

Andrew Upshaw finished company command this summer in Korea and is now stationed at the George Marshall Center for European Security Studies in Garmsich, Germany. He wants everyone to know that they are welcome to visit anytime.

Jessica Fulton is living in Virginia Beach, where she just started working as a hospice

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chaplain. She graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2010, was ordained in the Anglican Church of North America as a deacon in 2011 and as a priest in 2012. She’s been serving Church of the Redeemer in Camden, North Carolina, since 2010. Also, she was married Dec. 14, 2013, to Evan Lee, and her married name is Jessica Fulton Lee. Colleen Barton (Logan) bought a new home in July in Stafford, Virginia, and gave birth to baby boy, James Ryan, Aug. 26, 2014. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces.

Jo Wall lives in New Jersey, works three (and-a-half) jobs and loves every second of it.

She’s been with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for three years. She started with transportations systems management – this year is her first year with the Office of Maritime Resources. OMR is a unit dedicated to maintaining the state’s navigable channels. She spends most of her time there securing reimbursement from Federal Emergency Management Agency for sediment deposited in our navigable channels from Superstorm Sandy.

When she’s not maintaining the waterways, she spends her time professionally belly dancing at a local Lebanese restaurant, power lifting, riding horses (both normal and iron – an SV 650, to be exact), teaching at a dance studio and costuming. She’ll be just outside San Francisco, California, in July for dance workshops if anyone is around the area.

Adam Good just celebrated four years of living and working in New Zealand. He started working with Mainstream Engineering in December 2010. They’re a small mechanical engineering consultant firm that provides engineering and project management support for the local pulp and paper mill. Being the only civil engineer on-site, he’s kept busy handling anything that deals with dirt or concrete, all the way from design, contract documentation, tendering process and construction management.

New Zealand is ripe with outdoor activities, and Adam spends his downtime taking full advantage. He competes in running events that vary from off-road half marathons to his first full marathon. He enjoys lots of awesome mountain biking through some great single track trails and also participates in track days on his motorbike.

Adam will be finishing up his work in April 2015 before spending about five months traveling around the world to get back to the States in October. Plans include traveling through Indonesia, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, India and to cover as much of Europe as possible.

Seth Enterline is a physician assistant at Fort Campbell with the Bastogne Brigade, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st. He’s currently deployed to Kandahar Airfield and works at the Role 3 Hospital, where he is responsible for primary care for all personnel assigned to KAF, excluding aviation and special ops. He recently ran into Matt Kluk ’03. He is an orthopaedic surgeon attached to the special ops units at Kandahar. Seth’s family recently moved to the Atlanta area, where he will move after he transitions out of the military in August. He hopes to start working in orthopedics as a physician assistant. He also ran into 1st Lt. Dalessandro ’12, who is a platoon leader in Seth’s unit.

Nate Parsons is an instructor pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He met some VMI

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES working in the Army Reserve watercraft community. He still works for Verizon Enterprise Solutions full-time.

Kevin Simpson and his wife had their daughter Aug. 26, 2014. Her name is Daphne Blair Simpson.

That’s it for now. For a small class from a small school, we manage to cover a lot of ground. It gives me great pride to hear about all the amazing things everyone is doing.

I hope you all have a great summer. Best of luck to all those transitioning into the next chapter of their lives and careers. Additionally, a special thanks to our vets making the transition into civilian life. Thank you for your service and sacrifice and good luck in your endeavors; Cincinnatus would be proud.

Rah Virginia Mil, Shawn Driver

Class of 2006: Andrew Upshaw and his grandfather, Charles B. Upshaw Jr. ’49B. students and passed all of them (what a coincidence). He plans to be there another year or so and then instruct at pilot instructor training in San Antonio, Texas. He’s getting married in June in Colorado and then off to Turks and Caicos for the honeymoon. If all goes as planned, he hopes to get stationed in Europe after his assignment in Texas Frank Dolberry has been serving as the professor of military science (normally a position filled by a lieutenant colonel) of Tarleton State University Army ROTC program in Stephenville, Texas, since July 2014. He’ll be in that position until he gets on the promotion list for major and get orders for the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Charlie Brennan is living on the North Carolina coast near Camp Lejeune, where he currently works as a drilling reservist because he “can’t stand not being around Marines.” Rut, Charlie, rut.

Charlie and his wife just had their third child, Charlie, who joined sisters Anya and Abigail to make a really cute handful. He just took over ownership of a small bar, as well, and hopes to get that really booming come summertime. It’s an Irish place with the best pint of Guinness on the coast!

Jason Prichett was recently stationed at Camp Lejeune with the 2nd Transportation Support Battalion, where he serves as maintenance management chief, staff sergeant.

Nick Saccone is stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and is deployed to sunny Al Udeid. He should be back in July 2015

2015-Issue 2

and ready to buy a new car with the money Uncle Sam is helping him save. (Nick – enjoy the two beers a day, and remember, the Hefeweizen has the higher alcohol content.)

Tom Bradford is stationed at the overly named Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. He was a C-130 navigator for the last eight years, and now he tests new flight equipment and aircraft for the Air Force. He got married a year ago (wife Mallory) and has a 3-month-old daughter, Elizabeth. In his spare time, he gains proficiency on his Barret M-82 50BMG and yells at the neighborhood kids when they so much as look at his ’63 Corvette wrong.

Will Maddox is stationed at Hurlburt field with Paul Welsh. He’s been married for five years with two kids and two dogs, and as usual, is deployed right now.

Adam Rosenbaum and his wife, Katie, welcomed their second daughter, Madeleine Marie, to the world Jan. 19, 2015. Katie and baby are doing well as they try to keep their heads above water, juggling full-time jobs and kids.

The gentlemen and their better halves from the Sinks have been very supportive, so a big thank you to them. The Rosenbaums have also been able to spend some time with Clark and Kate Dudley and Mike and Lauren Carney – he says it’s awesome to see the kids interact! Adam was promoted to major in the Army Reserve in October 2014 and transferred command of the 818th Support Maintenance Company the same month.

He is now assigned as the plans officer for the 3rd Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary)

’07

Sally Bushore

I keep hearing some crazy things about the weather on the East Coast. I hope everyone is staying safe during the blizzards. Would it help if I said I was jealous? Here in Las Vegas, I’m lucky to get any temperature under 65. I sure do miss the snow. Hopefully a move back toward Virginia is in the near future for me, but for now I’ll have to settle for the desert a bit longer. I even just returned from a 12-night cruise in Australia/New Zealand (and it’s summer over there now), but it was actually colder than Las Vegas is right now! What the heck, Nevada?

Anyway, it looks like it’s going to be a short entry from me this time around for the notes.

Hopefully, no news is good news, and everyone is doing great. There’s been a ton of babies born recently (The next generation of VMI grads?) and I know a newborn can keep you busy. So, congratulations to all the new baby mamas and papas and to anyone else for any other reason.

If you think of something you want added in the next edition of notes, just shoot me an email!

Elizabeth and Josh Gauthier just welcomed their first child, Noah Robert Gauthier, Jan. 17.

Elizabeth said they are living in Ruther Glen, Virginia. Josh is working for General Electric and she is working for the Department of Homeland Security Office of Infrastructure Protection. Congrats on the new Gauthier, guys!

Justin Chetney recently received a work promotion. He became an account executive for Enterprise in the car sales division. Awesome news, Justin!

Also newly promoted is Deuntay Diggs. He is still with the Stafford County Police Department

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CLASS NOTES in the patrol division and just made first sergeant. Congrats!

Nathan McCall is spending the next year in Cuba as of Feb. 1, 2015. Heads up – if anyone knows of any alumni living in Cuba, Nathan would love the info.

Brant Priest is living in Wilmington, North Carolina. He says he has spent a good amount of time with Addison Palanza; his wife, Beth; and their two children. Brant says that Elijah Huston lives in Wilmington, as well, but he hasn’t been able to catch up with him yet. Andrew Williams has set up an entrepreneurial space there called Elite Innovations that helps people develop products and ideas. Brant says he enjoys hanging out there with Andrew in “the massive man space he’s put together.” Brant also wrote that Colin Burns and his wife, Amanda, had a baby boy named Connor in January and all are doing well.

I hope everyone is gearing up for another great year! Looking forward to hearing from everyone in the near future!

In the bonds, Sally

home to see his wife, Andrea, and the kids. Brett was kind enough to send in a photograph with Mike Golike ’07 from Japan before Cobra Gold ’15.

Chris Beyer and wife Misty are moving overseas. They currently reside in Washington, D.C., but will be moving overseas to the United Kingdom, as Chris has transferred to PricewaterhouseCoopers London in their audit/assurance practice. They plan on being overseas for three years. If anyone is in the areas, I encourage you to reach out to them.

Ben Curle and wife Megan recently celebrated the first birthday of their daughter, Ada, with the news they are expecting another addition to the family later this year. Ben and Megan are both working on their master’s degrees, with Ben being about halfway through his Master of Business Administration degree at Delaware Valley College and Megan working on a Master of Education degree from Gwynedd Mercy University. In addition to his master’s work, Ben has stayed busy preparing several trainings with the Pennsylvania Homeland Response Force as they get ready for the Papal visit to Philadelphia in September. Ben is also a company commander for the 1067th Transportation Company, and they will be convoying to and from Wyoming this summer to participate Operation Golden Coyote, an exercise involving several Western Hemisphere military forces.

Ben was also kind enough to give an update on a few of our other BRs, such as Sean Ruppert, Nick Cutting, Jim Andrew and Josh Gemedschiew. Nick and wife Cristina welcomed Emilia Grace to the family Feb. 13, 2015. They recently bought a house in New Jersey, as well.

Sean is still working as a vice president with the Bank of America. Sean, Ben and their families had dinner recently while the Curles were visiting family in Charlotte. Ben competed with

Class of 2008: Jeremiah and Stephanie Sexton with Reid Lyon, born Sept. 26, 2014.

Jim and Josh in a fantasy football league, which was won by Josh this year. Ben also runs into Andrew Milford ’07 at Fort Indiantown Gap, where Ben is employed.

Congrats to Jeremiah and Stephanie Sexton.

On Sept. 26, 2014, they welcomed Reid Lyon Robert Hill Sexton to the family. Jeremiah mentioned he’s a future VMI Keydet and quite possibly maybe playing ball like his dad.

Robert Kelly checked in on his way to Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk. Rob took command of Alpha Battery, 2-15 Field It amazes me how quickly the time flies. Ten Artillery March 27. Just after taking command, years ago, we were finishing our first year at Rob headed to Afghanistan during the first week VMI. It’s hard to imagine the pre-strains our loof April to preform security force operations cal alumni chapter hosted in August are almost in Kabul. Rob and fiancée Amanda Moore ’09 done with their 4th Class year. I hope you all were married at VMI March 7, a few weeks behad a wonderful holiday season and survived the fore he took command. Congrats on the wedding cold winter. and the command position, and we hope to hear Before I get into the class notes, I wanted to from you while in Kabul! reiterate an email I sent in January to the class Rob talked with Zach West as he regarding the sale of an ’08 class ring. is fighting Ebola in Africa. Zach’s The ring was sold to a jeweler by one deployment is scheduled to end in of our BRs. I attempted to contact the March. Rob met up with Paul Chiljeweler to buy the ring and was told drey in Lynchburg during a trip to the only way I could win the ring was Virginia. Paul and wife Aly were exthrough the eBay auction. Unfortupecting their second child a day before nately, I wasn’t the high bidder and the Kelly/Moore wedding. Rob also lost within the last 30 seconds. With talked with Dan Boyd. Dan is living that said – if you ever want to get rid in Tampa, working as a bartender and of your ring because you don’t wear going to medical school. or for whatever reason, please contact Andrew Czaplicki and wife Nikki me. Hopefully we can find a way to are still getting some sleep with newkeep the ring within the VMI family born Zane. While he has a good sleep or the gold can be donated back for schedule, he’s still a handful with lots future cadets who can’t afford a ring. of crying, screaming and sleeping – all Brett Skoog said hello while deof which Andrew thinks will make a ployed on another WestPac deploygreat Keydet. Andrew was recently ment. The deployment had stops in Class of 2008: The Willsons, Boyers and Wilsons in selected to be the community relations Guam, Korea, Japan and Thailand. Richmond, Virginia, for their annual Christmas dinner. officer for the Virginia National Guard Brett is looking forward to getting

’08

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

Class of 2008: Robin Anne Braisted, daughter of Stephanie Mills Braisted, born Aug. 14, 2014.

Class of 2008: Tim Green receiving his diploma in December 2014 from Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintendent, in Jackson Memorial Hall.

in addition to his position as the puband Jared Siebinaler. We all met up lic affairs officer. He’s looking forfor breakfast at John and Nicki’s apartward to the added challenges. The ment before Matt, Arlene-Raquel, Czaplicki family joined Tim Green Lauren and I headed to the Washingand his family for Tim’s graduation ton Redskins versus the Philadelphia from the Institute Dec. 17, 2014.

Eagles game at FedEx Field. To make Congrats to our brother rat! things fair, I cheered for the ’Skins During the Christmas season, Miwhile the girls cheered for the Eagles.

The ’Skins came out with the vicchael Wilson and wife Peyton, Dawtory. After dinner, we all met up again son Boyer and wife Corey, and Greg downtown and hit the bar. Before we Willson and wife Lauren met up in Richmond, Virginia, for their annual knew it, we were the last ones. The old holiday dinner. Everyone is doing farts, Lauren and I, headed back to the well and they enjoyed an evening hotel as the rest of the group continued of Cpl. BD homebrews, baby stories the party. We had a great time trading from the Boyers and catching up on old VMI stories, solving the world’s the past year’s event. problems and watching a couple reStephanie (Mills) Braisted and peatedly use the restroom together. It her husband, Matt, welcomed Robin was a great time!

Anne and her flaming red hair to the Lauren and I spent the New Year’s family Aug. 18, 2014. As a threein Florida with her family and then month-old, she was already in sixheaded to Disney. It was an interesting month-old clothes. Her nickname is trip with two car accidents (neither our “little amazon.” Robin’s older sister, Class of 2008: Robert Kelly during a training exercise fault) and a long day in the airport as with the U.S. Army in upstate New York.

Helen, loves the addition to the famsnow was messing up our travel plans in Philadelphia. ily. Stephanie and family are movI hope you all enjoy the summer months, and ing from Alabama to Tennessee as her husband holiday season was a busy time. In December, leaves active duty and looks for a job as a police Lauren and I hosted an event with the Central I look forward to hearing about your vacations Keystone Alumni Chapter for the VMI wrestling and such. Rah Virginia Mil! officer. Congrats on the addition!

Speaking of adding family members, Travis match versus Franklin & Marshall College in Hughes and wife Alex welcomed baby Layla Lancaster. In addition to about 10 alumni and Bradley Simpson to the world Feb. 4, 2015. Layla James weighed their families, we had the pleasure of having in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 20 inches in Wanda and Daniel Henderson join us. Their son length. Joe Rainey and wife Kristen welcomed is Dalton Henderson ’17. After dinner at the LanCharlotte Jeanette to the family Jan. 2 at 7:08 caster Brewing Company, we headed to campus. a.m. Charlotte weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce The match started with Dalton pinning his oppoBrother Rats, and was 20 inches in length. Congrats to both the nent. A tight victory was achieved with a big win

by Juan Adams ’14. It was a great event.

I hope this edition of the Review finds you and Raineys and Hugheses.

A few weeks later, Lauren and I traveled to your families well. As I sit down to write this, Lauren and I are doing well during this cold February. We’ve managed to avoid major snow- D.C. to see Matt Mitchell and girlfriend Arlene- we are approaching our class birthday – even falls, unlike our neighbors to the northeast. The Raquel, John Sollock and fiancée Nicki Held, though when all of you read this, we will be well

’09

2015-Issue 2

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CLASS NOTES

Class of 2009: Graham and C.J. Stolle with their new baby girl, Olivia Stolle, during their first Christmas together as a family.

Class of 2009: Matt and Roxanne Hyatt with their son, Weston, and new baby, Camden.

Class of 2009: Jake Riggs training at low level in a canyon. past the birthday. So happy belated birthday, brother rats. It is crazy how time flies. It doesn’t seem like it has been that long ago. Just to put it in perspective, our rats’ rats’ are graduating this year. Man, we are old.

I have had a couple of email updates from Daniel Johnson. He is still currently deployed (as of mid-January), and is doing as well as can be expected being deployed.

I wanted to congratulate Kip Joerdens and his new wife, Christina. They were married at the beginning of the year. Judging by the pictures, it was a beautiful ceremony. Kip and Christina, here’s to many years of happiness together.

138

Class of 2009: Camden Robert Hyatt, born Nov. 17, 2014.

At the beginning of the New Year, I had the opportunity to catch up with Jake Riggs. He was able to stop in Roanoke on his way up north to visit family. Jake is doing well and still out flying all over the place with the Navy.

In early October, Chris Johnston married JoBeth Agnor. The ceremony was held at VMI and was well attended by our class. Chris and JoBeth, I wish nothing but the best for the both of you. I am sorry again that I was unable to make the wedding.

On the same front with weddings, Justin Tammelin recently got engaged to Meg Pitts. I want to be one of the many to congratulate you both.

Brad Cooper has officially named the brewery he is working on getting started Steam Bell Beer Works. He has finished all the preliminary branding and legal work. He is beginning to secure his investors for the brewery, which is always the fun part of any business venture – asking for money. He is also working with a hop farmer who just so happens to be another VMI alum, Jon Scott ’93. Jon and Brad are working on developing a VMI-themed IPA. You can find information about the brewery on their social media outlets by going to steambellbeer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Matt and Roxanne Hyatt welcomed another

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES baby to their wonderful family. Camden Robert Hyatt was born Nov. 17, 2014. Camden weighed in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. Matt and Roxanne, I couldn’t be happier for the both of you. Congrats, and I seriously cannot wait to meet the new fellow. Hopefully Camden will look more like Roxanne than Matt.

In other baby news, Graham and wife C.J. Stolle gave birth to Isabelle Olivia Nov. 14, 2014. Olivia weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. Graham told me that everyone is doing wonderful, and Olivia has her mother’s smarts and his good looks. I hope for her sake that isn’t true. Graham and C.J., congrats, and I wish you nothing but the best as new parents.

Well, I guess that is all I have for this issue.

If I haven’t had the chance to catch up, please send me a note. I am always looking for notes to put in these things. If not, I will just Facebook stalk to get them. OK, well, I hope everyone is out doing wonderful things and just plain being awesome. Stay classy, 2009!

’10

Cody Hennelly

Well, wouldn’t you know it ... it’s been just about five years since we left the “I!” I can’t believe it myself; it actually takes me a minute to conceptualize the idea. Although most things take me a couple of minutes to conceptualize!

(Laugh out loud.) But on a serious note, I hope this Review finds everyone in good health and happiness.

And without further a due, let’s get to you ripe b@st@rds! I got a chance to catch up with Joey Simmers via text messaging. He and his wife are living down in Chesapeake, Virginia. He is serving as a captain in the Marine Corps as a military police officer but is looking to get out of the Marine Corps in the near future and go into business with his wife. They both created a side venture mentoring new and young entrepreneurs. Good luck, you crazy kids. Hopefully we will see you in Forbes within the next few years!

Another couple of go-getters, Sean Kennedy and Hayden Cox, are living the dream in San Diego. They both enlisted in the Navy together and then got stationed together ... can we say, bromance? Haha. Just kidding, guys. Sean is an operations specialist and just submitted his officer package a few months ago. He ran into none other than Angie Gomez over Labor Day 2014.

Needless to say, it was like no time had passed at all! Good luck with the officer route, Sean.

Hayden – or as he is formally known now, Gus McCrae – didn’t specify what he did for the Navy but said he is loving it out in San Diego! As many of you probably saw on Facebook due to the 400 “likes,” my best friend, Garland Gray, got engaged over the 2014 Ring Figure weekend to his lovely girlfriend of six years, Val. Great to know Garland finally wised up and took that broad off the market! (Laugh out loud.)

Donte Brown and I got a chance to chat via Facebook a little while back. He is up in the

Class of 2010: Caleb and Abigail Dixon’s oldest daughter, Alana, kissing her newborn sister, Evelyn.

2015-Issue 2

Class of 2010: Nelson Page and James Hartzell in the Post Exchange at Fort Stewart, Georgia. James is an executive officer for an infantry company and, according to Class Agent Cody Hennelley, “Nelson is ... I don’t know what Nelson does actually! Last I saw, he was in Asia with his wife ... I think he is still in the Army.” northern Virginia area working at the Patent and Trademark Office and is a captain in the Marine Corps Reserve. He didn’t specify what he did at the trademark office, but I will assume it’s all hush-hush and super interesting ... yeah, ’bout that! (Laugh out loud.) Just kidding, Donte.

Keep crushing it, dude!

Mitch Messick wrote in from Hohenfels, Germany. It’s about an hour north of Munich. He is stationed there with the Army and will be there until September 2015, and then he is off to Captain’s Career Course at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Mitch and I actually ran into one another at Benning a few years ago outside the Post Exchange.

It is always awesome and mostly random where I run into our BRs. Steve Kerr sent me a short note to update his address and let me know he and his lovely wife, Leann, are living in North Carolina. Steve is still crushing it in the Marine Corps.

Asia Pastor is another young hellion living in the San Diego area. She is debating whether to stay in or get out of the Marine Corps, but she says the fun and sunny San Diego is keeping her in California currently. Well, Asia, just let us know before you leave so we can come vacation down there! Seriously, not kidding!

Kaine Toomey and I chatted a bit recently. He is working and living in the Richmond area. He works for a health plan agency called Virginia Premier. Seemed like he really enjoys it!

Preston Landt has been blowing up Facebook with all of his crossfit and straggly beard pictures,

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CLASS NOTES officer, and his wife, Rachel, is finso naturally, I had to give him a shout ishing occupational therapy school at and see what he has been up to. He got Campbell University. out of the Marine Corps in July 2014 and is now living in the Wilmington Also at Fort Bragg is Erin Hawes area with his girlfriend. Keep crushLime, who just gave birth to her and ing those WODs, dude! her husband’s first child. Emily Claire Another rascal that has been eluding Lime was born early Jan. 25 and is doing great. Erin and her husband, me for years is Ty Suttenfield, who Patrick, are enjoying every minute finally gave me a short message about with their new bundle of joy. Patrick life. “Living in the Richmond area is currently at Campbell University and enjoying the married life.” I guess working on his degree in divinity. that says it all brother. Stay frosty!

On the opposite coast in WashingJohn Maurice wrote in from the Hampton Roads area. He is down ton, Lizanne Carlos and Jake Hentthere supporting the Navy’s “Bubble ges are doing well and just bought a Heads,” as he put it, and has a pretty house. Although drastically different rad motorcycle collection. He said he from back east, the two are enjoying and the Ole Man continually try to get living in Washington. together, but Ole Man is always out Another birth in our class was Steand about too busy filming his “adphen Rhodes’ second child, a little boy named Alex. Stephen and his ventures.” Sounds about right. (Laugh wife are in Korea and are doing well. out loud.)

Their kids are certainly keeping them VMI track star Matt Sagar is up busy! in the Washington, D.C., metro area I was glad to hear that Andrew Tunand says he is working hard and reaping the benefits, all while having fun. nell is staying hard at work for the Couldn’t be any better than that, bro.

Class of 2010: Caleb and Abigail Dixon’s newborn lit- Virginia State Police and is doing his Keep it up! tle girl, Evelyn, in her daddy’s arms. Evelyn was born best to keep Greene, Albemarle and Jacob Cox has had a pretty interestNelson County in line. He said that Nov. 3, 2014, and weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce. ing career since the “I” released us he is enjoying his job but along with unto the world. He spent a few years overseas when I do, the messages and snippets of news it comes paperwork, which he does a lot of. In traveling to Africa and India for research and got will be flying around! Until next time ... y’all his little free time, Andrew continues to scuba dive. He is actually currently working on his his master’s in England. If that wasn’t enough, stay classy!

I would like to dedicate this issue to Erricson scuba instructor and assistant scuba instructor he is now up in Baltimore, Maryland, finishing up medical school. He said he couldn’t be happi- Davis. Can’t believe it has been a year since certifications. Andrew aspires to eventually be er. Sounds awesome, dude. Keep at those books! we lost you, brother! We keep you close in our on the search and recovery team for the Virginia State Police and get to do what he loves more I heard through the grapevine (Ole Man) that thoughts.

Proudly serving the great Class of 2010, often – dive. Andrew was happy to tell me that Tim Moran and his wife just had their second Cody Ryan Buell just finished Army basic training and child! Ole Man didn’t give me much detail to is currently doing well at Advanced Individual go off but said Tim is a petty officer with Navy Training. As Andrew was finishing typing, he Special Warfare in the Norfolk area. He and Jack Allen McCown and Travis Daniel were headed out to go shootKielty are still up to their old antics!

Ryan Stull sent me an email telling that he ing. Travis is working for AT&T in Charlottesis still in the Army. He made captain last year ville. and went on to say he was selected through the Earlier this month, Alex Crow returned from a Ranger Assessment Program to serve in 3rd deployment at sea and is already gearing up for a Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Awelonger tour later this year. He is doing well and is I write this in the bitter cold of February, fresh enjoying his shore time in Virginia Beach. some accomplishment, dude!

Marshall Jarrett gave me a call as I typed this, Abigail Dixon sent me a lovely email telling after a Keydet basketball victory over The Citathat she, Caleb Dixon and their first daughter, del. Although not the sensational season of our and I am pleased to report he returned safely Alana, welcomed a second beautiful daughter, 4th Class year, we did beat The Citadel three from a deployment to Iraq. After deploying in June, he spent five months in Baghdad serving Evelyn Irene, to the world Monday, Nov. 3. She times this season.

I’d like to first congratulate Adam Greene on as an engineer deployed with an infantry batwas 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 21 inches long. Evelyn sounds just about perfect! Caleb works at his marriage last summer to his wife, Rachel. talion. While overseas, Marshall reported no VAMAC, Inc. in Richmond, Virginia. He was Before dating Adam, Rachel had a close connec- shortage of Keydets. Marshall’s unit replaced promoted last year to the position of brand de- tion to VMI already – her older brother is Nic Jeremy Chuidian’s, and they were able to catch velopment manager. Pretty great stuff, Caleb. Harrelson ’09. Rachel and Adam were married up during the overlap. Marshall also managed Keep working hard and growing that beautiful in Virginia Beach in a small ceremony with close to see Chris Kenny in Kuwait, as well as Josh friends and family. James Handler and Adam’s Bookwalter. Another chance meeting happened family!

Keep a lookout for reunion news. I have not rat, Will Shehan ’14, were in attendance, as well. during dinner. Marshall was eating and met Lt. gotten my “Reunion Book” from the “I” yet, but Adam is stationed at Fort Bragg as an artillery Col. Solobey ’96. After talking, Marshall realized

’11

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES that a friend of his was Solobey’s ’96 co-dyke at VMI. Marshall is stationed in Kansas but plans to head back to Virginia during leave. Also on his list is hitting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with his cousin.

These notes are a little shorter than usual, but I would love to hear from everyone else and update the class on what you’re up to – big or small. Remember, it’s never too late to send in a submission.

Rah Virginia Mil, Allen

’12

Bruce Howard

Brother Rats, It is hard to believe, but by the time this edition prints, our rats will be graduating. How quickly time flies. It is our job to now welcome the Class of 2015 into the next chapter as VMI alumni.

First, let me thank all of you who sent in updates. I know everyone has a busy schedule, so it’s nice to hear what’s going on with members of our class.

Marshall Dalessandro is currently in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He is an executive officer for Bravo Company in 2-327 IN, where his commander is a VMI alum, as well. Wish you the best over there, Marshall, and be safe.

Bradley Chamberlain is working for the State Corporation Commission as an associate utilities safety inspector. He travels across the state inspecting natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines here in Virginia. Bradley also moved into a new home here in New Kent, so technically he and I are neighbors now. The timing couldn’t have worked out better since his wife, Kandi, who is in the Army, returned from Afghanistan only 10 days after moving into their new home.

Congratulations, Bradley!

Michael Fiorelli, who many of you know was a member of our class before transferring to the U.S. Naval Academy, finished his first phase of flight training before moving to Kingsville, Texas. He is going through tailhook training in the T-45 jet trainer. Michael was able to make it home to Richmond over Christmas to attend the wedding of his brother, Matt, who was a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in 2014. Keep up the good work, Fio, and I wish you the best.

Bruce Leuthold married Elizabeth Brower

2015-Issue 2

Jan. 10. The two were married at the First United Methodist Church in Cameron, Texas. Congratulations, Bruce and Elizabeth, on your marriage.

As always, it’s nice to see BRs supporting one another at their weddings.

I appreciate all the information that is sent my way. If there’s anything you would like to include in the next edition, feel free to email me or contact the Facebook group. Please continue to update your email and physical addresses. I look forward to hearing from all of you soon.

Until next time, Bruce

’13

Charles P. Jones

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes from the Class of 2013.

Samuel Guidry

’14

Taylor Floyd

I would like to apologize to everyone for my absence and my lack of class notes since we have graduated. As I am sure most of my brother rats can agree with, everything after graduation has been somewhat of a blur. From the euphoria that followed walking across that stage to the struggles of getting our footing out in the real world, it has been a very exciting, stressful and busy eight months.

First things first, I am the class agent for 2014.

Some of you probably only know me from the usual note that is seen under the Class of 2014 section, “We did not receive notes from the Class of 2014.” Hopefully we won’t be seeing that in the Alumni Review for some time. Second, I am glad to see that the Class of 2015 has managed not to burn down barracks so far this year.

To really start out the first notes for the Class of 2014, I would like to congratulate all of the

newest December graduates of the Class of 2014.

I know there has been an Alumni Review since you have graduated (sorry, I missed the deadline ... as usual) but Lt. Geyer was kind enough to attend the December graduation and sent me a list of our class’ newest members. Congratulations to: Alex Falcetti, Hannah Gilbert, Ricky Haller, Jordan Hollowell, Zach Hill, Matthew Ray, Carson Towne, John Washington, Dwaine Wintz, Jack DiCiero, Daniel Aguirre, Victor Roberts, Brett Nichols, Bronson Cocke, Alex Grant, Michael Maloney, Andrew Marcotte, Ben Osen, Trae Patterson, Logan Pinotti, Loren Rolls, Will Shehan, Logan Staib, Patrick Stansbury, Lucas Champion, Matt Spalding, Zach Jones, Scott Pease, James Shepard and Tyler Owens.

If anyone was left off this list, my apologies, as I was not able to come down to VMI for the ceremony.

There have also been numerous weddings. I don’t even know how to keep up with everyone even with social media. Who knows how class agents kept track of all their BRs back in the Old Corps. Congratulations to Keith McDonald and Molly Western, Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock, Mr. and Mrs. Gottwald, Ryan McDaniel and Alyssa Ford, Mr. and Mrs. Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Kee, Mr. and Mrs. Blazevich, Mr. and Mrs. Delekto, Mr. and Mrs. DeMaria, Meghan Doss (now Pileggi) and Mr. Pileggi, Mr. and Mrs. Zembles, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd, Mr. and Mrs. McCarty, Caroline Pryor (now Clubb) and Mr. Clubb and Caitlin Bradley (now Drown) and Mr. Drown.

These are the few that I know of. If I left anyone out, please send me an email or a message to keep me updated, and know that it’s probably because you were in Golf.

That really goes for anything. Please do not hesitate to ask for anything, and if anyone would like to add something to the next Alumni Review I am always open to suggestions. Here’s hoping to better Reviews in the future! I know that there is probably tons of stuff that I am forgetting to mention. There has been so much going on in the latter half of 2014 that it was hard to keep up.

One final congratulations to my BRs who graduated from The Basic School: Mike McDonald, Joey Bishop, Billy “The Crab” Cheatham, John Delekto, Meghan Pileggi, Kord Pauly and Will Thompson. Congratulations also to my BRs who graduated from Ranger School: Tanner Knight, J.P. Hansen, Tyler Spadine and John Mattingly. *Help received to Nicole Harding. She is officially the new assistant to the class agent for 2014.

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CLASS NOTES

Where is your VMI gear traveling this summer?

Share your VMI gear pics! @vmialumni /vmialumni

Don’t forget to tag your images with #vmialumni and #vmionvacay.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

CLASS NOTES

BIRTHS

BIRTHS

BRATINA – A son, Milo, to Tiffany and Jimmy Bratina ’94, Dec. 5, 2014.

PETERS – A daughter, Stella Lavinia , to Manuela and Tony Peters ’04, Oct. 20, 2014.

WARD – A son, Samuel Mark, to Jennifer and Mark Ward ’01, Nov. 11, 2014.

BRYAN – A daughter, Lydia Mae, to Dana and Paul Bryan ’05, Aug. 11, 2014.

GONZALES – A daughter, Kenzie Layne, to Joshua Gonzales ’03, June 17, 2014.

DRIGGS – A son, James Carson, to Cystal and Jim Driggs ’05.

GORSKI – A son, Luke Baldwin, to Janelle and Thomas Gorski ’03, Jan. 21, 2015.

SWANSON – A son, Eli Stone, to Julie and Jared Swanson ’03, Dec. 23, 2014.

WACKNER – A daughter, Avery Marie, to Andrea and Bryan Wackner ’03, Aug. 26, 2014.

WACKNER – A daughter, Brenna Catherine, to Andrea and Bryan Wackner ’03, Aug. 26, 2014.

WOODY – A daughter, Addison Brielle, to Denise and David Woody ’03, Oct. 27, 2014.

BOULDEN – A daughter, Lucille Anne, to Kimberly and Paul Boulden ’04, Nov. 13, 2014.

CHEN – A son, Jackson Alex, to Joanne and Edward Chen ’04, Feb. 9, 2015.

CUTLER – A daughter, Catherine Lee, to Erin and Gary Cutler ’04, Feb. 1, 2015.

HAMILTON – A daughter, Emma Grace, to Sarah and Craig Hamilton ’04, Dec. 4, 2014.

L’HEUREUX – A daughter, Amelia Brynn, to Amy and Raymond L’Heureux ’04, Jan. 29, 2015.

FOLEY– A son, Larkin Glenn, to Autumn and Ian Foley ’05, Jan. 30, 2015.

SIMPSON – A daughter, Daphne Blair, to Kevin Simpson ’06, Aug. 26, 2014.

BRAISTED – A daughter, Robin Ann, to Stephanie and Matt Braisted ’08, Aug. 14, 2014.

CUTTING – A daughter, Emilia Grace, to Christina and Nick Cutting ’08, Feb. 13, 2015.

HUGHES – A daughter, Layla James, to Alex and Travis Hughes ’08, Feb. 4, 2015.

RAINEY – A daughter, Charlotte Jeanette, to Kristen and Joe Rainey ’08, Jan. 2, 2015.

SEXTON – A son, Reid Lyon, to Stephanie and Jeremiah Sexton ’08, Sept. 28, 2014.

MARRIAGES MONTELEONE – Laura Kelly to Adam Monteleone ’03, Aug. 29, 2014.

VMI’s 25 Most Senior Alumni According to the records of the VMI Alumni Association, the people listed below constitute the 25 senior alumni of the Institute. Please contact the Alumni Review staff if any errors are noted.

William E. Cantrell ’26 Richard D. Schmitz ’31 Ernest C. Johnson ’29 Thomas M. Zeledon ’30 William R. Landrum ’34 E. Lane Whitley ’34 Emmett J. Heerdt ’34 Richard H. McCormick ’34 James E. Kirk ’36 Edwin T. Arnold ’35 James C. Sherman ’35

Oct. 17, 1905 Feb. 24, 1908 May 19, 1908 Dec. 21, 1908 Dec. 3, 1910 April 1, 1911 Feb. 27, 1912 Dec. 4, 1912 Oct. 25, 1913 Feb. 7, 1914 March 31, 1914

John H. Divine III ’36

Nov. 13, 1914

Henry B. Johnson ’38

Aug. 9, 1915

Floyd S. Smith ’41

Sept. 7, 1916

Raymond W. Parks ’37

Oct. 6, 1916

James M. Whitt ’39

Dec. 23, 1916

Ira N. Saxe ’39

Sept. 18, 1917

James L. Lennox ’40

March 23, 1918

David R. Gaitskill ’40

April 9, 1918

Preston T. Syme ’41

April 13, 1918

Donald E. Hillman ’40

Aug. 24, 1918

J. Randolph Tucker Jr. ’37

June 29, 1914

B. Anthony Fisher ’40

Sept. 14, 1918

John A. Gialanella ’36

Aug. 28, 1914

William Middleton Jr. ’39

Sept. 20, 1918

2015-Issue 2

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PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2019 Kyle E. Phillips

APPOINTEE’S NAME

Adam T. Phillips ’83

Father

Anna R. Collier

Richard T. Greene ’77 Richard L. Clary ’71

Uncle Great-uncle

Sophia R. Waggoner

Grandfather Father Uncle Uncle Cousin Grandfather

Christopher R. Gorman ’96 Timothy J. Boylan ’82 Floyd D. Merrey ’62

Father Grandfather Grandfather

Lucas A. Merrey

Floyd D. Merrey ’62

Grandfather

2031

Jennifer L. Chase

Willard G. Plentl Jr. ’67

Great-uncle

2033

George B. Corrigan Rose E. Harbach Sophia M. Schaerrer

Frank D. McElwee Jr. ’68 David V. Harbach ’61 Patrick P. Schaerrer ’03

Grandfather Grandfather Father

Frank D. McElwee Jr. ’68 John C. Lane ’68 Gardner A. Mundy II ’98 Gardner A. Mundy ’931

Grandfather Grandfather Father Greatgrandfather Great-uncle Grandfather

2029

2022 Charles S. Cathcart III

Caleb McLaren

Charles S. Cathcart Jr. ’91 Andrew H. Hoofnagle ’89 Gregory C. Hoofnagle ’88 Timothy J. Boylan ’82

Father Uncle Uncle Grandfather

2023 John L. Bole

Nicolas D. Matenopoulos

Grandfather Uncle Cousin Greatgreat-uncle Cousin Jack F. Ross ’873 Cousin Jack F. Ross Jr. ’06 Cousin John R. Triplett ’866 Theodore N. Matenopoulos ’89 Father C. Ernest Edgar III ’58 C. Ernest Edgar IV ’87 Terry L. Moore III ’67 Terry L. Moore Jr. ’933

Carter T. Gorman Jasmine McLaren Parker D. Merrey 2030

2034

2024 John C. Cathcart

Henry G. Corrigan Madison G. McDonald Watson A. Mundy II

Charles S. Cathcart Jr. ’91 Andrew H. Hoofnagle ’89 Gregory C. Hoofnagle ’88

Father Uncle Uncle

Charles E. Edgar III ’58 Charles E. Edgar IV ’87 Terry L. Moore III ’67 Terry L. Moore Jr. ’933 Jack F. Ross ’873 Jack F. Ross Jr. ’06 John R. Triplett ’866 Christopher R. Gorman ’96

Grandfather Uncle Cousin Greatgreat-uncle Cousin Cousin Cousin Father

Timothy J. Boylan ’82 Floyd D. Merrey ’62 Floyd D. Merrey ’62

Grandfather Grandfather Grandfather

2036

Henry L. Brown Liam S. Chardon

Charles S. Smith ’90

Uncle

Kennedy A. Dexter Jocelyn R. Elliott

2025 Stephen E. Bole

Anna E. Gorman 2026 Jayden McLaren Ian D. Waggoner Nathan L. Waggoner 2027 Zachary D. Kiser

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RELATIONSHIP

Richard E. Collier ’57 Brian B. Collier ’89 Richard E. Collier Jr. ’82 Warren M. Goddard ’78 Christopher D. Duty ’10 Floyd D. Merrey ’62

2021 Benjamin Mathews Carter L. Patterson

ALUMNUS-CLASS

2028

G. Marshall Mundy ’56 Watson A. Mundy ’59 2035 Ryan J. Caudill

Gordon L. Jacks ’43

Max W. Lombardo Joseph B. Rodriguez Mason R. Sprinkel

Michael L. Soares ’75 Bryan J. Rodriguez ’02 Robert V. Stransky ’72 Douglas J. Stransky ’93

Greatgrandfather Grandfather Uncle Grandfather Great-uncle

Grandfather David G. Taylor ’81 Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. ’917 Greatgrandfather Wilson E.D. Shepherd ’50B Grandfather Grandfather Thomas J. Hickey ’68 Grandfather David R. Elliott ’61

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENTS APPOINTEE’S NAME Jack W. Haire Bruce D. Hart Tucker W. Hood

Caleb L. McDonald Elinor C. Mundy

Scarlett R. Redd Henry M. Ross William G.Taylor Tanner H. Thornton

2015-Issue 2

ALUMNUS-CLASS Kyle D. Haire ’03 Norman J. Worrell ’72 John A. Strock ’98 Roger O. Hart ’72 Roger O. Hart Jr. ’99 William H. Long ’72 Clyde W. Long ’78 Charles H. Story Jr. ’91 John C. Lane ’68 Gardner A. Mundy II ’98 Gardner A. Mundy ’931 G. Marshall Mundy ’56 Watson A. Mundy ’59 Harry C. Redd III ’63 John F. Twombly III ’38 Michael Mendez ’79 David G. Taylor ’81 John S. Thornton Jr. ’64 Robert C. Thompson III ’74 Robert B.P. Thompson ’07

RELATIONSHIP

APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

Father Grandfather Godfather Grandfather Uncle Great-uncle Great-uncle Cousin Grandfather Father Great-grandfather Great-uncle Grandfather Grandfather Great-grandfather Grandfather Grandfather Grandfather Great-uncle Great-great-uncle

Tanner H. Thornton (continued)

Warner C.E. Thompson ’11

Great-greatuncle

Vincent A. Wood III ’81 Richard E. Baltimore Jr. ’00 Stuart M. Seaton Jr. ’73 Stuart M. Seaton ’41

Great-uncle Father Grandfather Greatgrandfather Great-greatuncle Great-greatuncle Cousin Grandfather Great-grandfather Great-uncle Grandfather Uncle

2037 Maziar E. Baltimore Reese V. Braun

Emmett T. Seaton ’925 John M. Seaton ’39

Margaret A. Crump

Connor D. Myers

Kyle D. Braun ’09 C. Terry Crump ’66 Chalmers C. Crump ’39 Stephen D. Crump ’74 Michael D. Shealy ’70 Michael R. Shealy ’04

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TAPS TAPS Joseph H. Keller ’36

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joseph Howard Keller ’36 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died Oct. 26, 2014. He was 99.

Keller matriculated from Portsmouth, Virginia, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Raye Zfass Swartz Keller; daughters, Emmy Lou Kreger (Arthur) and Sue Ann Berlin (Kenneth); stepchildren, Jeffrey Swartz, Susan S. Hookman (Perry) and Charles Swartz (Paula); grandchildren, Jacqueline Kreger Ris (Peter), Jennifer Sara Berlin and Theodore Elliot Berlin; stepgrandchildren, Heidi Keller ’36 Brodsky (Michael), Shari Hookman Berger, Dr. Wendy Vassa (Tony), Aimee Robbins (Brian), Kinberly Swartz, Tracy Wynee, Jennifer Swartz, Robert Nomberg, Matthew Swartz, Jessica Swartz, Dee Dee Swartz, Steven Swartz and Stephanie Swartz; and 14 great-grandchildren.

William B. Baldwin ’37

William Barton Baldwin ’37 of Norfolk, Virginia, died Dec. 29, 2014. He was 99.

Baldwin matriculated from Norfolk and attended VMI for one year.

He is survived by his wife, Cordelia; children, Katherine Taylor, Margaret Guinn and Barton Baldwin; son-in-law, Taze Taylor; and grandchildren, Gifford and Stuart Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his son-inlaw, Thomas P. Guinn, and seven brothers and sisters.

Matt Friedlander ’40

Matt Friedlander ’40 of Atlanta, Georgia, died Dec. 3, 2014. He was 94.

Friedlander matriculated from Moultrie, Georgia, and attended VMI for one year.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; sons, Stephen, John (Pamela) and Charlie (Teresa); grandson, Jesse; granddaughters, Cait and Kelly; great-grandchildren, Eliana and Adin; and brother, Jack.

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Harold P. Clark ’41

Harold Page Clark ’41 of Williamsburg, Virginia, died Jan. 5, 2015. He was 93.

Clark matriculated from Waynesboro, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his son, James Page Clark (Cindy); daughters, Susan Slagle Clark, Sarah Jean Clark and Cathy Clark Betz; and grandchildren, Ashley Marie and Emily Helen Forcke and Gillian Maine and Oran Bratton Betz.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Wayt Phillips Clark ’37, who died Oct. 14, 1940, and cousin, John Alden Phillips ’58, who died Aug. 11, 2002.

Walter L. Richards Jr. ’41

Walter Leland Richards Jr. ’41 of Richmond, Virginia, died Dec. 10, 2014. He was 95.

Richards matriculated from Baltimore, Maryland, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys W. Richards; children, Carolyn Sue Bodenheimer (James) and Walter L. Richards III (Linda); grandchildren, Mica and David Bodenheimer and Vicki Henley; and seven great-grandchildren.

Hugh R. Nevitt ’42

Hugh Rodney Nevitt ’42 of Houston, Texas, died Nov. 11, 2014. He was 94.

Nevitt matriculated from Houston and attended VMI for one year.

Nevitt is survived by his son, Rod Jr.; daughter-in-law, Jo Ann; and grandchildren, Allie and Andy.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Flora; brother, Bill; and sisters-in-law, Anne Lawton Eisenhart and Nell Clarke Frost.

Charles H. Purdum Jr. ’42

Charles Henry Purdum Jr. ’42 of Syracuse, Indiana, died Dec. 7, 2014. He was 94.

Purdum matriculated from Syracuse and graduated with distinction from VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.

He is survived by his daughters, Ann

Bennett (Carlos), Janet Lant (Larry) and Amy Williams (Scott); grandchildren, Christina Handorf (Tony), Jeremy Jackson (Charity), Joanna Prescott (Michael) and Margaret Williams; and four greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Vanderveer.

Andrew W. Stumpf Sr. ’42

Andrew William Stumpf Sr. ’42 of Vestavia, Alabama, died Jan. 17, 2015.

He was 94.

Stumpf matriculated from New York, New York, and attended VMI for two years.

He is survived by his wife, Louise Holman Stumpf; son, Andrew Jr. (Wynne); daughter, Patti Gibbons (Michael); and grandchildren, Thomas Gibbons (Joanna), Jonathan Crawford and Elizabeth Crawford.

Edward W. Lindsay ’43

Edward Williams Lindsay ’43 of Ponca City, Oklahoma, died Dec. 18, 2014. He was 93.

Lindsay matriculated from Jackson, Mississippi, and attended VMI for less than one year.

He is survived by his brother, John Tucker Lindsay (Virginia); children, Edward, Winston (Betty) and Peggy Davis (Tom); grandchildren, Winston Lindsay (Brooke), Natalie Fraser (Marshall), Marjorie Barnes (Tyler), Tommy Davis, Emil Reynolds (Tyler) and Katie Davis; and great-grandchildren, Winston, Harper, Lorelei, Olivia and Madeline.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ruth Upton, and brothers, Winston and James.

John H. Van Landingham ’43

John Henry Van Landingham ’43 of Petersburg, Virginia, died Dec. 4, 2014.

He was 92.

Van Landingham matriculated from Petersburg and graduated with distinction from VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, John H. Van Landingham IV ’68 (Martha), James P. Van Landingham ’72 (Winifred) and Kevan E. Van Landingham (Debara); VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

TAPS and grandchildren, John V. Cassady, Susan, Frederick, Nathan, Julia and Alec.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Robertson, Jean Lombardi and Ann Van Landingham.

Wilbert T. Woodson Jr. ’43

Wilbert Tucker Woodson Jr. ’43 of Wilson, Wyoming, died Nov. 17, 2010.

He was 88.

Woodson matriculated from Fairfax, Virginia, and attended VMI for four years. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland.

(Editor’s Note: We have no further information on Mr. Woodson.)

Edward C. Brand ’44

Edward Cabell Brand ’44 of Salem, Virginia, died Jan. 13, 2015. He was 91.

His obituary appears in the front section of this Alumni Review issue.

G. Williamson; son, Richard W. Galliford (Nicole); grandchildren, John Williamson (Lana), Christopher Williamson (Andrea), David Williamson and Stephanie Galliford; and great-grandchildren, Leland, Lola, Rylan, Jones and Ella.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve Marie Jacqueline Mulard Galliford.

Philip B. Fairman ’46

Philip Benson Fairman ’46 of Hallandale Beach, Florida, died Dec. 15, 2011. He was 87.

Fairman matriculated from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, and attended VMI for less than one year. He earned his Bachelor of Education degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.

(Editor’s Note: We have no further information about Mr. Fairman.)

Thomas G. Morris ’46 William T. Thomas Griffith Morris ’46 of Katy, Eickelberg ’44 Texas, died Dec. 11, 2014. He was 89.

William Thomson Eickelberg ’44 of Baltimore, Maryland, died Dec. 13, 2014. He was 92.

Eickelberg matriculated from BaltiEickelberg more and earned his ’44 Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Chrystal L. Rutter; stepdaughters, Georgia S. Viswanathan and Lindy N. Quesenbery; stepson, William A. Niermann Jr.; and three grandchildren.

Walter T. Galliford Jr. ’44

Walter Thomas Galliford Jr. ’44, Ph.D., of Naples, Florida, died Jan. 4, 2015. He was 91.

Galliford matriculated from Portsmouth, Virginia, and attended VMI for two years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of Virginia and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

He is survived by his daughter, Christine 2015-Issue 2

Morris matriculated from Petersburg, Virginia, and attended VMI for less than one year. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Lafayette College.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen Kauffman (Jim); sons, Tom Morris (Laura), Jeffrey Morris (Bonnie) and Randy Morris (Karen); and grandchildren, Dr. Matt Kauffman (Candace), Kimberly Kauffman, Thomas Morris (Christy), Sarah Morris and Chandler Morris.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ione, and sisters, Judy Grindle and Betsy Zeugner.

Butler-Brayne T. Franklin ’48A

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. ButlerBrayne Thornton Franklin ’48A of Washington, D.C., died Dec. 27, 2014. He was 88.

Franklin matriculated from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Penelope; sisters, Bessie Franklin Turk and Jenny-Lynn Guth; daughter, Penelope McDonnell; and grandsons, Paul, Maxwell, William and Nicholas McDonnell.

Johnson Y. O’Neal Jr. ’48A

Johnson Younger O’Neal Jr. ’48A of Birmingham, Alabama, died Dec. 7, 2014. He was 87.

O’Neal matriculated from Dade City, Florida, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his son, James P. O’Neal; daughter, Peggy A. O’Neal; granddaughter, Catherine O’Neal Adams (Andrew); and great-granddaughter, Archer Adams.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Lou Palmer O’Neal.

Charles M. Alberto ’48B

Charles Michael Alberto ’48B of Matthews, North Carolina, died Nov. 18, 2014. He was 87.

Alberto matriculated from Paterson, New Jersey, and attended VMI for less than one year.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Seton Hall University and his Master of Arts degree from Lynchburg College.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sons, Charles M. Alberto Jr. (Bonnie), James Alberto (Carol) and Michael Alberto (Nancy); daughters, Janice Keil, Cara Jokell and Lisa Roden (James); 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

John R. Eldridge ’48B

John Rolfe Eldridge ’48B of Augusta, Arkansas, died Nov. 25, 2014. He was 88.

Eldridge matriculated from Augusta and attended VMI for two years. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Arkansas.

He is survived by his wife, Kitty; sons, John R. Eldridge III, Charles P. Eldridge (Anne) and William C. Eldridge; daughter, Mary Laura Eldridge (Mitchell); stepchildren, Karen Chandler, Krista Taggart and Alan Taggart; grandchildren, Elizabeth McNair (Hight), J.R. Eldridge (Audrey), Mark Eldridge (Anne), Chris Eldridge (Whitnee), Connor Eldridge (Mary Elizabeth), Cathy Curley (Mike) and Preston Eldridge (Lauren); three step-grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bette.

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TAPS William N. Rutledge ’48B

William Nunez Rutledge ’48B of Tampa, Florida, died Nov. 17, 2014. He was 87.

Rutledge matriculated from Conway, South Carolina, and attended VMI for one year.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

(Editor’s Note: We have no further information about Mr. Rutledge.)

John R. Cummings ’49A

John Robert Cummings ’49A of El Cajon, California, died Aug. 22, 2014.

He was 86.

Cummings matriculated from El Paso, Texas, and attended VMI for one year.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Texas and his Master of Science degree from San Diego State University.

(Editor’s Note: We have no further information about Mr. Cummings.)

Richard K. Lenci ’49B

Richard Kenneth Lenci ’49B of Virginia, Minnesota, died Dec. 11, 2014. He was 87.

Lenci matriculated from Virginia and attended VMI for one year.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Pagnucco Lenci; children, Mark Lenci (Beverly), Greg Lenci (Shirley), Kate Maguire (Stephen), Patrice Ciernia (Steve) and Dan Lenci (Jessica); grandchildren, Nicholas Lenci, Amelia Lenci Boudreau, Matthew Lenci, Julie Lenci Anderson, Alison Maguire Matthees, Curran Maguire, Lauren Ciernia, Paige Ciernia, Craig Lenci, Kylie Lenci, Danielle Lenci and Katie Jo Lenci; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Rebeca Lenci.

Samuel C. Marty Jr. ’49B

Samuel Clinton Marty Jr. ’49B, M.D., of San Mateo, California, died Nov. 29, 2014. He was 86.

Marty matriculated from Kansas City, Missouri, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medical from VMI. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

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He is survived by his wife, Juliana G. Marty; children, Elizabeth M. Goman, Clinton G. Marty, Julia M. Johnson and Madeline M. Feeley; grandchildren, Nicholas and Jessica Goman, William and Heather Johnson, Bethany Johnson Bowers, and Emily, Deirdre and Davis Feeley; greatgrandchildren, Benjamin and Madeline Bowers; and sister, Susan M. Dexter.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary M. Eberhardt and Elizabeth M. Tait, and grandson, Timothy Goman.

Edward J. Mead ’49B

Edward Jairus Mead ’49B of Hockessin, Delaware, died Nov. 14, 2014. He was 86.

Mead matriculated from Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated with distinction from VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He earned his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Purdue University.

He is survived by his wife, Pearl H. Mead; daughters, Janet Meade Parent (Stephen) and Joan Mead Jones (Rick); granddaughter, Caroline Parent; grandsons, Reed and Hunter Jones; brother, Dr. John Meade; and sister-in-law, Nancy.

John H. Young III ’49B

John Henry Young III ’49B of Roanoke, Virginia, died Sept. 21, 2014. He was 86.

Young matriculated from Washington, D.C., and attended VMI for one year. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his second wife, Carolyn Vaughan Young; children, John H. Young (Claudia), Molly Simpson (Hank), Thomas F. Young ’85 (Trish), Stephen Vaughn (Terri), Scott Vaughn (Deborah) and Andrew Vaughn; and grandchildren, Christine, Ann Marie, Nancy, Ema, John-Haile, Thomas, Jay, Celene, Bryce and Alex.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Fitzgerald Young.

Yerbury G. Burnham ’50B

Yerbury Goldsborough Burnham ’50B of Vero Beach, Florida, died Dec. 2, 2014.

He was 86.

Burnham matriculated from Montclair, New Jersey, and earned his Bachelor of

Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from New York University.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, and sister-in-law, Anne Burnham.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Burnham Hinckley; brother, Beverley Burnham; cousins, Robert K. Waring ’924, who died Aug. 27, 1989, and Mowton L. Waring ’927, who died Oct. 28, 1990; and great-uncle, James M.S. Waring ’894, who died Oct. 23, 1946.

Lorenz Neuhoff III ’51

Lorenz “Larry” Neuhoff III ’51 of Montgomery, Alabama, died Dec. 27, 2014. He was 85.

Neuhoff matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and attended VMI for one year.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Cathy Lonergan (Larry), Lawrence (Susan), Robert (Lisa), Steve (Ruth) and Julie Price (Eric); sister, Kay Blankemeyer; and brother, Bill.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Chalfont, and brothers, Jim and Bob.

Bromfield B. Nichol Jr. ’51

Bromfield Bradford Nichol Jr. ’51 of Cantonment, Florida, died Nov. 8, 2014.

He was 85.

Nichol matriculated from Arlington, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his daughter, Lee Nichol Salm; sons, Bradford Nichol (Peggy) and Robert Nichol (Ronni); grandchildren, Nathaniel Nichol and Catherine Salm; and special cousin, Margaret Nichol.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Boone Nichol, and cousin, Ridley Thom Nichol ’47, who died July 12, 2014.

Victor Parks III ’51

Victor Parks III ’51 of Petersburg, Virginia, died Dec. 3, 2014. He was 84.

Parks matriculated from Petersburg and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Gracelyn M. Parks; sons, Victor Lee Parks and Lewis M. Parks; granddaughter, Allyson C. parks; and sister, Hilah Lee Terry.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

TAPS He was preceded in death by his father, Victor Parks Jr. ’915, who died Oct. 8, 1954; mother, Eloise M. Hinton Parks; grandson, Benjamin L. Parks; and sisters, Eloise Parks Veal and Marietta Parks Cofer.

He is survived by his wife, Caroline Barthelmess; son, John V. Barthelmess; daughter Peggy Robb (Jeff); grandson, Eric T. Robb; and granddaughter, Jamie L. Robb.

David H. McAvoy III ’52

Donald Ignatius Ferry ’54 of Medford, New Jersey, died Jan. 20, 2015. He was 83.

Ferry matriculated from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended VMI for two years.

He is survived his wife, Beau Ferry; children, Donald Ferry Jr. (Lauren), John F. Ferry ’81 (Maureen), Kevin M. Ferry (Leslie), Maureen Dzwill (Michael) and Kathleen Schindler (Chip); and 11 grandchildren.

David Harrison McAvoy III ’52 of Leesburg, Florida, died Sept. 16, 2014.

He was 84.

McAvoy matriculated from Livingston, New Jersey, and attended VMI for one year.

He is survived by his wife, Carol McAvoy; children, Joyce Moreau (Michael), Denise Watson (Mark), Dennis McAvoy, Jerry McAvoy, Richard Schneidenbach (Lisa), Susan Schneidenbach and James Schneidenbach; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister, Patricia Haydu (Joseph).

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Carner McAvoy, and children, David H. McAvoy IV, Kevin McAvoy and Patricia McAvoy Colabella.

Charles J. Shoaf ’52

Charles Jefferson Shoaf ’52, Ph.D., of Vero Beach, Florida, died Dec. 9, 2014.

He was 84.

Shoaf matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and graduated with distinction from VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Delaware Law School and his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Purdue University.

He is survived by his wife, Mary La Salle Shoaf; daughters, Susan Barton (Curtis) and Sarah Cabot (Charles); grandchildren, Andrew and Kevin Barton and Charles and Hannah Cabot; and cousins, John W. Cure III ’52 and James D. Cure ’78, M.D. He was preceded in death by his uncle, John W. Cure Jr. ’923, who died July 24, 1969.

John L. Barthelmess ’54

John Lindley Barthelmess ’54, M.D., of Tallahassee, Florida, died Jan. 19, 2015.

He was 83.

Barthelmess matriculated from Savannah, Georgia, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Georgia.

2015-Issue 2

Donald I. Ferry ’54

John D.P. Fuller Jr. ’54

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Douglas Pitts “Jack” Fuller Jr. ’54 of Blytheville, Arkansas, died Jan. 4, 2015.

He was 82.

Fuller matriculated from Lexington, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Syracuse University.

He is survived by his wife, Molly Beaseley Fuller; daughters, Molly Collins (Jeff) and Lillian Bolinger (Todd); and grandchildren, Noah and Lucy Bolinger.

John A. Sanguigni ’54

John Alexander “Jack” Sanguigni ’54, Ph.D., of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, died Nov. 19, 2014. He was 82.

Sanguigni matriculated from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

He is survived by his daughters, Lauren Boyd, Sondra Wojewodka (Jim) and Leslie Law (Jeff); grandchildren, Liza Struzinski (Stanley), Byron and Jackson Boyd, Jeffery and Grace Law, and Jameson and Cullen Wojewodka; and great-grandchild, Lucas Struzinski.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Sanguigni, and son, John Domenic Sanguigni.

John D. Stevenson ’54

John David Stevenson ’54, Ph.D., of

Cleveland, Ohio, died Oct. 30, 2014. He was 81.

Stevenson matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He received his Stevenson ’54 Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Case Western Reserve University. Stevenson served as a professor of civil engineering at VMI in the 1980s.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen Hayes Stevenson; daughters, Mary Hahn (Dwight), Margaret “Molly” Pifer, Ann Bornhorst (Mark Bornhorst ’85), Ellen Lucey (Thomas) and Patricia Khayat (Clark); and 15 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Donna Stevenson Leary and Frank Dumars Stevenson.

John W. Wescott ’54

John Wise Wescott ’54, M.D., of San Diego, California, died Jan. 19, 2015.

He was 81.

Wescott matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and attended VMI for three years. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his daughters, Susan Rowland (Paul), Kimberly Kinne (Chris) and Stephanie Isaacson (James); and grandchildren, Zachariah, Rowland and Alexandra Rowland, Caroline, Kylie and Cooper Kinne, and Emory and Annabelle Isaacson.

Horace W. Woodhouse Jr. ’54

Horace Wilson Woodhouse Jr. ’54 of Norfolk, Virginia, died Jan. 2, 2015. He was 83.

Woodhouse matriculated from Norfolk and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Owen Woodhouse; son, H. Wilson Woodhouse III ’91; stepchildren, Robert Arnold Parks Jr., Patricia Parks Hammersley and Carol Virginia Parks; and sister-in-law, Sigrid E. Woodhouse.

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TAPS He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert M. Woodhouse.

Samuel W. Hill ’55

Samuel White Hill ’55 of Norfolk, Virginia, died Jan. 2, 2015. He was 81.

Hill matriculated from Norfolk and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Sue Trant Hill; daughter, Catherine McKenney Harcus (Sandy); son, Samuel White Hill Jr. (Susan); and grandchildren, John Harcus, Bruce Harcus (Sarah), Leigh Hill Blum (Tim) and Samuel Landon Hill.

Logan R. Ritchie Jr. ’55

Logan Robins Ritchie Jr. ’55 of Mountain Brook, Alabama, died Nov. 8, 2014.

He was 81.

Ritchie matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned his Master of Science degree from Georgia Institute of Technology.

He is survived by his wife, Wilda Markus; son, Henry L. Ritchie ’84 (Margaret); grandchildren, Rob and Leanna; and sister, Jeanne.

Lawrence E. Frase ’56

Lawrence Evan Frase ’56 of Dallas, Texas, died Dec. 27, 2014. He was 80.

Frase matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned his Master of Science degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Dallas.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Frase; daughters, Laura Ann Frase and Martha Jean Frase; son, David Evan Frase; daughter-in-law, Gina Wild Frase; and grandchildren, Hunter Evan Frase, Haley Ann Blunt and Eva Margaret Frase.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Rachel Laura Blunt.

Kenneth D. Reese ’56

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kenneth Duane “Ken” Reese ’56 of Southport, North Carolina, died Nov. 4, 2014. He was 80.

Reese matriculated from Ridgewood, 150

New Jersey, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Martha Reese; daughter, Sharon Hess (Dennis); son, Steve Reese (Lorrie); and grandchildren, Lyndsay and Ryan Reese and Nicholas and Madelyn Hess.

Richard C. Murphy Sr. ’60

Richard Curry Murphy Sr. ’60 of Winchester, Virginia, died Nov. 21, 2014.

He was 76.

Murphy matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Mary Anne Wrigley; son, Richard C. Murphy Jr. (Patty); daughters, Susan. E. Murphy, Catherine R. Murphy and Cynthia M. Murphy; and two grandchildren, Kevin and Michael Murphy.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Dana A. Murphy Jr ’47, who died May 8, 2001.

Brock B. Sturz ’60

Brock B. Sturz ’60 of Chandler, Arizona, died April 29, 1984. He was 46.

Sturz matriculated from Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, and attended VMI for one year.

(Editor’s Note: We have no further information on Mr. Sturz.)

William K. Dance ’61

William Kirkwood Dance ’61 of Lynchburg, Virginia, died Dec. 7, 2014. He was 76.

Dance matriculated from Lynchburg and attended VMI for two years.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Duke Dance; son, William Kirkwood Dance Jr. (Debra); and daughter, Karen Dance Schwartz (Michael).

He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Pendleton Dance Jr.

John F. Eckler III ’62

John Francis Eckler III of Woodstock, Illinois, died May 19, 2010. He was 69.

Eckler matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and attended VMI for less than one year.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Eckler; daughters, Patience Eckler and

Rachael Eckler-Klabunde; granddaughter, Ellie Klabunde; and brother, Paul C. Eckler (Janet).

John W. Cocke ’65

John William Cocke ’65 of Lynchburg, Virginia, died Jan. 9, 2015. He was 72.

Cocke matriculated from Lynchburg and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned his Master of Arts degree from Lynchburg College.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Taylor Cocke; daughter, Lisa Cocke Bradley (Scott); son, J. Andrew Cooke (Laura); grandsons, Tanner Bradley, Cameron Bradley, Henry Cooke and Simon Cooke; and brother, Brice Tinsley Cocke Jr. (Cathy).

James R. Porterfield Jr. ’65

James R. “Moon” Porterfield Jr. ’65 of Aldie, Virginia, died Jan. 1, 2015. He was 71.

Porterfield matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Rose Sansoucie; daughter, Patti Collins (Chris); son, Brian Kelliher (Eileen); grandchildren, Andrew and Catie Collins; and sister, Norma Jean Irwin.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert C. Porterfield.

Franklin B. Green ’67

Franklin Bernhardt Green ’67 of Richmond, Virginia, died Jan. 21, 2015. He was 69.

Green matriculated from Lexington, North Carolina, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Anna C. Green; daughter, Jennifer G. Brand; stepchildren, Kenneth and Kristine Arutunian, Deirdre and Bradley Farrell, and Tara and Kent Monkan; grandchildren, Colton A. and William D.B. Brand, Tyler and Ashley Arutunian, Emma and Ellis Farrell, and Camilla Monkan; sister, Lillian G. Yarborough; and brother, Paul M. Green.

Donald L. Harrison ’67

Donald Lynwood Harrison of Concord, North Carolina, died Jan. 4, 2015. He was 69.

Harrison matriculated from Chesapeake, VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

TAPS Virginia, and attended VMI for one year.

He is survived by his daughter, Summer H. Floyd, and sisters, Sherry, Debbie and Brenda.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances “Frankie” Isenhour Harrison, and brother, Bobby Harrison.

Thomason matriculated from Roanoke and attended VMI for one year.

He is survived by his mother, Joyce Thomason; sisters, Dawn DiCarlo (Mark), Joy Wingfield (Clarke) and Mary Gray (Joe); and nieces and nephews.

Francis J. Sheme ’67

Charles Thomas Crosby ’75 of Athens, Alabama, died Oct. 18, 2014. He was 62.

Crosby matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and attended VMI for one year.

(Editor’s Note: we have no further information on Mr. Crosby.)

Francis Joseph “Frank” Sheme ’67 of Fort Myers, Florida, died Nov. 3, 2014.

He was 69.

Sheme matriculated from Madisonville, Kentucky, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Tracy Skladanowski (Ken) and Mark Sheme (Debra); stepchildren, Frank Marcoccio (Marypat) and Nicole Rahm (David); and grandchildren, C.J., Ava, Mark, Trish, Dominick, Cade, Cole and Coco.

Charles T. Crosby ’75

Michael Williamson ’76

Michael Williamson ’76 of Sidney, Kentucky, died Jan. 11, 2015. He was 60.

Williamson matriculated from Barton, Florida, and attended VMI for less than one year.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida Southern Richard R. Martinez ’68 College.

Richard Raymond Martinez ’68 He is survived by his wife, Sheme ’67 Kathryn Krasse; sons, Eric of Middleburg, Virginia, died May 17, 2014. He was 67.

Williamson, Dirk Williamson Martinez matriculated from Stony Point, (Michelle) and Matthew Williamson New York, and earned his Bachelor of Arts (Kayla); and grandchildren. degree in history from VMI. He earned his Gordon T. Ivascu ’81 Master of Public Administration degree from Gordon Traian Ivascu ’81 of Winthe University of Oklahoma and his Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School. chester, Virginia, died Nov. 30, 2014.

(Editor’s Note: We have no further infor- He was 54.

Ivascu matriculated from Morrisville, mation on Mr. Martinez.)

Pennsylvania, and earned his Bachelor John T. Baker ’69 of Arts degree in economics from VMI. John Tennyson Baker ’69 of Scottsbluff, Ivascu is survived by his wife, Nancy Nebraska, died Jan. 9, 2015. He was 67. Lee Piccioni; children, Kristi (John), Baker matriculated from Norfolk, Vir- Mike (Samantha), Mallory (Christopher) ginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science and Jessica; five grandchildren; mother, degree in civil engineering from VMI. Elaine Ivascu; and brother, George.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; son, Jack (Kristi); daughter, Libby Holmes Darryl K. Horne ’82 (Carlo); and grandchildren, Grace, Luke, Darryl Keith Horne ’82 of Vienna, Noah, Avery and Molly.

Virginia, died Nov. 5, 2014. He was 54.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Horne matriculated from Hampton, VirDorothy McCook. ginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. Alfred G. Thomason Jr. ’72 Horne served on the VMI Board of VisiAlfred Gordon Thomason Jr. ’72 of tors from 1999-2007 and the Keydet Club Roanoke, Virginia, died Jan. 15, 2015. Board of Governors from 1998-2001.

He was 65.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene

2015-Issue 2

Manns Horner; children, Charles Jerome, Maya Rae and Lewis Clark; mother, Ethel “Bomp” Horne; and siblings, Albert Lynn Horne (Michelle), James Flagg (Marie), Rhonda Horne Reeves (Frank), MiHorne ’82 chelle Horne Gary, Alburtos Horne Jr. (Daphany), Eric Horne (Renne), Michael Horne and Alicia Karol Horne.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Alburtos “Tex” Horne Sr.

Robin L. Pitaniello ’91

Robin Lindsey Pitaniello ’91 of Liberty Township, Ohio, died Nov. 10, 2014.

He was 46.

Pitaniello matriculated from Lynchburg, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Pailin “Cheery” Pitaniello; children, Christopher and Joseph Pitaniello; father, James “Carmine” Pitaniello (Linda); mother, Bonnie Olzack; and sister, Kristie Pitaniello.

Death in the VMI Family Clifford W. Shorter Clifford Wade “Buck” Shorter of Lexington, Virginia, died Jan. 24, 2015. He was 77.

Shorter worked at VMI, starting in 1981 as the building and grounds supervisor. In 1989, he became building and grounds superintendent, and he remained in this position until his retirement in May 2004.

He is survived by his children, Tony Shorter and Stephanie Maddox, and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole McCullough Shorter.

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AFTER TAPS AFTER TAPS

O

ften, obituaries don’t include personal facts, and at times, they do not pay adequate homage to those who have died. With this in mind, the After Taps section was created. This section provides you with the opportunity to share a memory or information about a deceased member of the VMI family. If you would like to write a contribution to the After Taps section, you may do so at anytime. Submit remembrances in writing to your class agent, who will coordinate input and forward it to the Alumni Review staff for inclusion in a future Review.

1960s Albert M. Orgain IV ’65

by Joe Nichols ’65 Thinking of Albert: Live large and put up a big tent. Be inclusive. Life needs some excitement and a little danger. Take some risks. Go flying. Buzz the barracks. Jump off the fourth stoop. Go to Vietnam. Come home with a Purple Heart.

When there’s ice on the Maury River, stand up in the canoe.

Life also needs a foundation. Join the God squad. Read the Sunday paper during the service, but have faith and be faithful. Be loyal in all your personal and business relationships.

Wear costumes when possible. Scare small children, and then make them giggle. Make adults react in horror before they fall down laughing.

Go painting in Scott Shipp Hall on a weekend. Have a little Thunderbird. This painting needs a little pizzazz. Char it with a road flare. Jackson Pollack would approve. Name it, “Wart on the Back of a Blue Whale,” and give it to your girlfriend, Jan, and then marry her after graduation. While you’re at it, have two sons so they can go to VMI and jump off the fourth stoop, too.

Carve on a piece of wood while roommate struggles with a thermodynamics assignment.

Later in life, set up Waterstep Woodcrafters and reduce large pieces of good wood into large piles of wood chips with the largest machine at hand.

Play Music. Drums, that is. Be the drummer for the Rejects and drum away to Venture’s songs in back rooms downtown. Have great fun with lots of noise.

Too much noise is a good thing.

Take lots of photographs wherever you go.

Is a zillion photos too many? Be generous in sharing them. They let us remember old times.

That’s important.

Happiness is a spotlight; a microphone and 152

a tuxedo. Let the magic happen and the auctions and fundraisers roll ... and roll. It’s all for a good cause.

As if you hadn’t done enough for your family, country and friends, be installed into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame for all the work you did for things avionic. Some of those roadside historical markers in Virginia are there because of you.

Every event must have a cannon salute. No, many cannon salutes. Just when people think you are finished, surprise them.

Master the art of living. Wear that specially tailored green plaid sports coat with the brown slacks.

Be a party goer and a party thrower. Put some ice in that glass of expensive red wine.

Now, that is better.

Love life and squeeze it to the last drop.

Have lots of friends and always surround yourself with them.

Never go out with a whimper. Live large.

James R. Porterfield ’65

by Doug Thomas ’65 [Eulogy given at Jim Porterfield’s funeral.]

Good Afternoon, I’m Doug Thomas. My wife, Lucia, and I moved to Winchester approximately when Jim did. He and I have met and reminisced many times since then; about our roots in the VMI Class of 1965, as well as our origins in Roanoke, where we first met in senior high church youth groups. Forever identified with Jim in VMI lore is his nickname, “Moon.”

Insofar as the explanation of the origin of the nickname, besides the obvious roundness of his face, and other explanation remains obscure and the object of much speculation.

Today, I will share with you some of those memories of the foundational experiences of his life, our VMI heritage.

Our routine high school days came to a screeching halt on that clear September day in 1961 when we signed in at VMI. Jim had a

phenomenal memory. So, to most of us, that day is a blur of frantic activity – hard work, yelling, pushups and hilarious missteps. Jim, however, could remember who was ahead of him in that line, who was behind him, what number he was in the sign-in, the date, the time, etc. He loved it! He could recall obscure VMI events in minute detail, and we loved regaling each other with memories.

Once, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Wayne Chiles, Donny White and I went to a movie.

Suddenly, I saw it – just a few rows ahead of us. Even though we didn’t even know he was in the state, a perfectly round head like that, in all the universe, could only belong to Moon Porterfield. Therefore, all three of us began saying, “Moooon,” increasingly louder until he heard us and turned around.

The rest of the people probably thought we were nuts, but Moon loved it. The stories are the stuff of legends, such as Moon cooperating with and being photographed while being folded and stuffed into a big trashcan and so many other hijinks.

Certainly near the top of Jim’s priorities was the pursuit of academic excellence.

He was as dedicated a teacher as you could find. His reputation among his students was absolutely legendary, as I am sure many of you today will be reflecting upon. The major endowment established in honor of his teaching was a source of great pride to him.

One day, my curiosity overcame me, and I sat in on one of his classes. It was great.

The second the bell stopped ringing, he slammed the door. I suppose all his students understood, so no one came in after the door closed. Then, he launched into his delivery.

It was like a machine gun-style of imparting knowledge. Names, facts, dates and events were sailing a mile per minute. The students were taking notes frantically, and none were slacking off. You might think the students would rebel at such expectations – not so.

They loved it, and his class was full. I’ve seen him greet many former students in VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

AFTER TAPS recent years, and invariably, the greeting was the same. It went like this: “Aah – Smith, Sam W. You sat in the third row, second seat back, fourth period. You were a good student. How are you doing?” Amazing, after all those years and thousands of students, to remember them all? What amazing recall.

He loved Handley High School, because like VMI, he was given the academic freedom to make his portion of it rapid-fire, demanding, excellent and highly memorable.

If Jim were here today, he would insist I explicitly pay tribute to his closest friends – Jan Brueckman, Snuffy Smith, Johnny Jordan, Doug Williams, Spanky Hammond and Doc Huffman. Naturally, at Jim’s passing, I can’t help but reminisce about these guys and our great classmates in the Class of ’65 – our brother rats. Our devotion to each other was forged through hard work, absolute honor, academic excellence, devotion to duty, patriotism and a no excuse style of life, demanding excellence. This produced

2015-Issue 2

camaraderie, many wonderful memories, and a determination to live a good life and make the world a better place.

West Point coined the expression, “Long gray line,” and it’s so appropriate here. As our “long gray line” stretches to the sunset, I’m confident we’ve done our part to pass on the principles we’ve learned to those who follow us. Jim stood emphatically for honor, academic excellence, taking care of your family and making the world a better place. He, our classmates and I have hopefully passed on the general principles of duty, honor, and God and country that we learned at VMI. It’s been great knowing you, Brother Rat Jim Porterfield. I pledge to you we will continue to insure that these attributes are alive, well and passed on as our legacy. We will remember you, lift a toast to you and give you an Old Yell at our 50th Reunion this spring. We will never slack off, and we will press on for excellence. May God bless you in heaven, may God bless your family and may God bless America.

1980s Vernon David Hoke II ’87

by Gerry Tertychny ’87 Vernon David Hoke II ’87 of Waynesboro, Virginia, died Feb. 7, 2015. He was 50.

Hoke matriculated from Waynesboro and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He served for seven years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of captain, before beginning a career with the Virginia Department of Transportation in 1994.

In addition to his mother, Mary Lee Hoke, he is survived by his wife, Lori Huffman Hoke; daughter, Erica Ryan; son, Matthew David Hoke, brother, Jeffrey Wayne Hoke and wife Lara, grandmother, Lucille McDowell; mother- and father- inlaw, Joyce and Nolan Huffman and a number of uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

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THE VMI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY The VMI Alumni Association, Inc. President

Edgar J.T. Perrow Jr. ’96 P.O. Box 3133 Lynchburg, VA 24503-0133 tperrow@wwassociates.net

First Vice President

Robert P. Louthan ’82 809 Lindsay Ct. Richmond, VA 23229-6823 rlouthan1@gmail.com

Second Vice President

Asa H. Page III ’79 5321 N. Point Ct. Virginia Beach, VA 23455-6827 vmi79@verizon.net

The VMI Foundation, Inc.

Executive Vice President

Adam C. Volant ’88 P.O. Box 932 Lexington, VA 24450 avolant@vmiaa.org

Brian S. Crockett

The VMI Keydet Club, Inc. President

Chief Executive Officer

William A. Paulette ’69

Historian

Thomas W. Davis ’64 davistw@vmi.edu

Directors at Large

Immediate Past President

Robert A. Heely ’69 507 Westover Ave. Norfolk, VA 23507 bobheely@yahoo.com

Chief Executive Officer

President

Hugh M. Fain III ’80

Gregory M. Cavallaro ’84

Terms Expire June 30, 2016 Joel W. Andrus ’04 jandrus@kemperconsult.com A. Damon Williams ’90 damonwilliams@msn.com

Terms Expire June 30, 2017 Terms Expire June 30, 2015 Jessica J. Schmaus ’04 jessica.schmaus@gmail.com Anthony U. Moore ’78 amor_78@comcast.net Matthew Hemenez ’90 mrhemenez@cox.net E. Sean Lanier ’94 av8sean06@hotmail.com

Region/ Director

Chapter Name

Jim Dittrich ’76 jfdinarkansas @aol.com

Region III Northeast

Felix Wolkowitz ’75 fwolkowitz@ wolkowbraker.com

Arkansas Bluegrass Centex

James F. Dittrich ’76 Gregory G. McDearmon ’99 Stephen J. Barcik III ’85

jfdinarkansas@aol.com ggmcd34@earthlink.net steve.barcik@htds2.com

Chicago

Daniel C. Young ’88 & Molly. M. Hastings ’13 Brian D. Skusa ’00 David C. Hagemann ’80 Jeffrey D. Vordermark ’79 R. Conor Evans ’02 Hamel B. Reinmiller ’98

dan.young@wfadvisors.com hastingsmm@mail.vmi.edu BSkusa@kforce.com dhag80@aol.com vordermark@juno.com conorevans@hotmail.com HBRvmi98@vmialumni.org

Daniel J. Fitzgerald ’89 Steven P. Weiss ’86 J. Micah North ’00 David P. Loduca ’81 Murray F. Hudson ’82

Daniel.Fitzgerald@hdrinc.com Steve.Weiss@LibertyIU.com j.micah.north@gmail.com loduca@pbworld.com murfh@urbaneng.com

Thomas R. Shaw ’78 Steven P. Weiss ’86 J. Micah North ’00 Robert C. Polk ’61 M. Douglass Payne ’73

Patrick L. McGuire ’85 Patrick J. Griffin ’80 George T. Mosby ’97 Richard C. Wolffe Jr. ’78

magsvmi@email.com anchors80@comcast.net gmosby@liquidnet.com RWolffe@tspcapitalmgt.com

Patrick L. McGuire ’85 John W. Wainwright III ’82 John R. Gibney Jr. ’80 Kevin P. Sincavage ’87

Thomas M. Wirth ’98 Robert P. Hill ’08 Frederick J. Killmeyer IV ’95 Allan R. Berenbrok ’80

twirth@mragta.com rphill48@gmail.com rkillmeyer@mcintyre-group.com allan.berenbrok@tetratech.com

Thomas J. Hickey Jr. ’68 H. Larry Mays Jr. ’73 John T. Pace IV ’77

Terence L. Bowers ’68 Thomas N. Daniel Jr. ’60 David R. Nagel ’01 Mark P. Parton ’08 Christopher R. Jones ’96 William E. Kirby III ’96 Robert P. Quarles III ’80

terrybowers@vmialumni.org tomdaniel60@charter.net nageldr78@hotmail.com partonmp@gmail.com crj2112@gmail.com ktkirby@comcast.net rpquarles@buckman.com

Raymond R. Lawson ’81 Campbell C. Hyatt III ’65 Charles C. Schoen IV ’86

Cleveland/Northern Ohio Detroit Kansas City, Missouri North TX - Dallas Oklahoma Rio Grande San Antonio SE TX - Houston Southwest Ohio St. Louis Third Coast (Corpus Christi) Albany Greater Rhode Island New England NY City - Long Island North Jersey

Maryland Central Keystone Peter Charrington ’66 Delaware Valley pcharrin@ Western PA - Pittsburgh comcast.net

C. Patrick Haddock ’00 vmitranspo@ hotmail.com

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Chapter Representative

tboggs@gci.com kblack@executive-command.com tdegray@gmail.com russell.takata@yahoo.com andrejg@aol.com krynskiks@pendleton.usmc.mil brian.k.andrew@gmail.com seattlefarmer@comcast.net vmiman@comcast.net vailkeydet@gmail.com mwei100@yahoo.com

Region IV Mid Atlantic

Region V Southeast

President’s E-mail

Trent L. Boggs ’83 Kevin Black ’99 Terrence S. DeGray ’04 Russell Shun Takata ’74 Andre J. Gibson ’78 Kenneth S. Krynski ’89 Brian K. Andrew ’03 James R. Farmer ’68 Thomas R. Clark III ’73 William V. Trumpore ’89 Micah T. Wei ’99

Alaska Arizona Matthew Hemenez ’90 Greater Los Angeles Hawaii mrhemenez@cox.net Inland Empire Chapter Las Vegas Northern California Pacific Northwest Pikes Peak Rocky Mountain San Diego

Region I Far West

Region II Midwest

Chapter President

Augusta Appalachian Atlanta Coastal GA - South Carolina East TN - Knoxville Middle TN - Nashville Midsouth

Trent L. Boggs ’83 Joseph S. Howard III ’97 Matthew R. Hemenez ’90 Russell Shun Takata ’74 John D. Christie ’59 Todd E. Arris ’87 James R. Farmer ’68 Katrina D. Powell ’06 William V. Trumpore ’89

Hugh R. Hill ’85 Christopher J. Whittaker ’90 J. Andrew Hardin ’04 Donald A. Noschese Jr. ’92 Stephen M. Chiles ’89 Mark A. Benvenuto ’83 Todd J. Jacobs ’90 Garry C. Varney ’76

Kevin L. Snell ’82 Charles S. Sanger ’82 Philip J. Altizer Jr. ’80

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

THE VMI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY

Region/ Director

Chapter Name

Chapter President

President’s E-mail

Chapter Representative

Camp Lejeune/Crystal Coast Cape Fear Central NC - Raleigh Charles L. Ramsburg ’66 Charlotte clramsburg@gmail.com Club of the Triad Coastal Carolina, SC Palmetto, South Carolina Wilmington, NC

John A. Moder ’98 Charles L. Toomey ’74 Ronald R. Wall ’69 Michael S. Anderson ’88 Terrin R. Tucker ’95 N. Aric Southworth ’94 Carl B. Hammond ’00 John P. Gangemi ’61

john.moder@gmail.com toomeyl@pinehurst.net ronaldrwall@mac.com vmi2army@gmail.com tuckertr@hotmail.com aric.southworth@yahoo.com hammondcb@yahoo.com jgangemi@ec.rr.com

Birmingham Central Florida Greater New Orleans Mississippi Mobile NE Florida - Jacksonville Southern Florida Southwest Florida-Fort Meyer Tennessee Valley The Villages - Florida Treasure Coast West Coast FL - Tampa

William H. Cather Jr. ’65 J.C. Nagle IV ’87 Rhys D. Williams ’07

billcather@bellsouth.net jay.nagle@parsons.com rhys.david.williams@gmail.com

William H. Cather Jr. ’65 John Nagle ’87

Charles M. Rogers IV ’83 Jason M. Goldstein ’02 Scott A. Houser ’98 Bradford T. Herrell ’01 Herbert U. Fluhler ’77 Don L. Holmes ’66 Donald D. Carson ’64 Robert M. Bailey ’72

max.rogers@mobileinfirmary.org jmgoldstein@mactec.com housersa@yahoo.com vmigrad1@hotmail.com huf2000@aol.com donlholmes@aol.com dcarson678@bellsouth.net bobngracebailey@tampabay.rr.com

John H. Friend III ’82 Grafton D. Addison III ’82

Lynchburg New River Valley Roanoke

Charles R. Schindler Jr. ’91 Gerald B. Burrus ’96 Andrew M. Reel ’03

vmimwc@comcast.net bradburrus@yahoo.com reeldadx2@gmail.com

Christopher M. Boswell ’00 Gerald B. Burrus ’96 J. Patrick Henderson ’99

Allegheny Highlands Blue Ridge Charlottesville N. Shenandoah Valley Rockbridge County Stonewall Jackson Valley

T. Troy Barbour ’89 G. Wayne Eastham ’76 James E. Duncan ’98 W. Douglas Thomas ’65 T. Keith Jarvis ’82 Jason K. Gruse ’97

troy.barbour@hcahealthcare.com weastham@carrhyde.com jim@realcentralva.com wdtllt@comcast.net jarvistk@vmi.edu jasongruse@hotmail.com

Harrison L. Fridley Jr. ’61 R. Edward Duncan ’60 Mark H. Bryant ’77 Kevin J. Callanan ’78 Lewis V. Graybill ’62 Roger A. Jarrell II ’91

Eastern Shore

Michael S. Ogden ’79 David G. Tyler IV ’86 Joshua P. Priest ’80 Edward M. Plucinski ’86 Gary J. Haste ’77 John L. Rowe Jr. ’66

vmi79classagent@aol.com dtyler4@cox.net joshua.p.priest@navy.mil ed.plucinski@hanson.com ghaste@associatedcontracting.com jrowe66@cox.net

Thomas F. Wilson ’80

George C. Marshall

John D. Kearney Jr. ’00 Christopher L. Haney ’00

Kearney.jay@gmail.com Stephen Traina ’03 christopher.haney@duffandphelps.com Henry J. Foresman Jr. ’76

Richmond Tri Cities

M. Keenan Entsminger ’02 Samuel L. Mattocks ’74

keenan_entsminger@ccpsnet.net samuelmattocks762@gmail.com

Marc L. Antonelli ’06 Augustus Robbins III ’47

Rappahannock Richard A. Duke ’90

Carl J. DeBernard Jr. ’94 Stephen E. Wilson ’68 George D. Dyer ’66 John E. Karafa ’84

carl.debernard@dhs.gov sewilson68@verizon.net spookfive@aol.com john.karafa@leebcorservices.com

R.C. Thompson III ’74 William F. Brent ’67

rduke517@gmail.com

Fredericksburg - Quantico Rappahannock Southside Williamsburg

Region XIV Pacific Rim

Taiwan Thailand

Ching-Pu Chen ’85 Vaipot Srinual ’72

chingpu@saturn.yzu.edu.tw

Ching-Pu Chen ’85 Vaipot Srinual ’72

Region VI Carolinas

Region VII Deep South

Walter L. Chalkley ’72

waltchalkley@aol.com

Region VIII Southwest VA Bland Massie ’77

Charles L. Toomey ’74 Ronald R. Wall ’69 James A. Sharp ’93 Charles H. Alligood ’61 Steve E. Hively ’72 Henry Brown ’60

Brett R. Martin ’00 Raymond J. Pietruszka ’77 Don Holmes ’66 Robert M. Bailey ’72

super77@vmialumni.org

Region IX Shenandoah Valley

Thomas K. Jarvis ’82 jarvistk@vmi.edu

Region X

Hampton Roads Michael S. Ogden ’79 VMI79ClassAgent@aol.com Sean P. Hingley ’07 sean.p.hingley@ wfadvisors.com

Norfolk Peninsula Virginia Beach Western Tidewater

James A. Parsons ’80 David J. Trenholm ’70 H. Ali Mahan ’80 Oliver D. Creekmore ’66

Region XI Metro D.C.

Douglas B. Warner ’03

douglas.warner1 Potomac River @vmialumni.org G. Anthony Esteve ’00 anthonyesteve@gmail.com

Region XII Central VA

Hilbert S. Wilkinson III ’94 bretwilkinson@gmail.com

Samuel N. Stocks ’90 sstocks@kbsgc.com

Region XIII

2015-Issue 2

Jim E. Henry ’68

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ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS The University of New Mexico Press has licensed a book written by Charles M. Williams ’53 titled, “The Crash of TWA Flight 260,” as an audiobook to University Press Audiobooks. University Press Audiobooks publishes over 500 titles – including award-winners, recent classics and cutting edge texts – from over 50 presses, such as Harvard University Press, Yale University Press and Princeton University Press.

Williams matriculated from Carmel, California, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in physics. He earned his Master of Science degree from Stanford University and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Texas.

Lt. Gen. Josiah Bunting III ’63, former VMI superintendent from 1995-2003, was unanimously elected to serve on the board of directors for the Friends of the National World War II Memorial organization in October 2014. His term will last four years and began Feb. 1, 2015.

The Friends of the National World War II Memorial is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ensuring the legacy, lessons and sacrifices of World War II are not forgotten. In order to meet this mission, the organization sponsors annual public lecture series featuring prominent historians, provides teachers with curriculum materials, and collects and archives video interviews of World Bunting ’63 War II veterans and other members of the Greatest Generation.

Before returning to VMI to serve as superintendent, Bunting was president of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and headmaster of the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey.

Bunting matriculated from Litchfield, Connecticut, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He earned his Master of Arts degree from the Oxford University of England, a Doctor of Letters 156

Two Alumni Earn Outstanding Faculty Award Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Arts Two VMI faculty members and alumdegree in biology from VMI. He earned ni, Col. James E. Turner Sr. ’65 and his Master of Science degree from the Lt. Col. Tim O. Moore II ’97, were University of Richmond and his Doctor each awarded an Outstanding Faculty of Philosophy degree from the University Award by the State Council of Higher of Tennessee.

Education for Virginia. Honored at the Moore, an associate professor of civil Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, and environmental engineering, Feb. 19, 2014, Turner and Moore began his VMI career in 2010. were among 13 faculty members He was awarded VMI’s Jacksonfrom across the commonwealth Hope Teaching Award in 2011 to receive the award. Presented and is recognized for creating annually since 1986, the awards both the Field to Forum Program recognize excellence in teaching, and the VMI Clean Energy and research and service, and the Air Resources Program. The recipients are chosen by their Field to Forum Program works contributions to their students, with the Department of English, academic disciplines, institutions Rhetoric and Humanistic Studand communities.

Turner ’65 ies with the goal of producing Turner returned to VMI in engineers who are prepared 2001 after a career in biomediprofessionally and are capable cal research, medical education of explaining their research to and administration. He served audiences, and the CLEAR as VMI’s founding director of Program uses a hands-on apundergraduate research from proach to research and analyze 2001-09. Since 2009, Turner has alternative energy and sustainserved as the chair of the biology able fuel development. Moore department and is titled as the also founded Keydets Without Beverly M. Read ’41 Institute Borders, a service group that Professor in the Arts and Sciences. He became the founding Moore ’97 now has more than 150 members. Moore matriculated from chair of the VMI service comVirginia Beach, Virginia, and earned his mittee in 2013. He was also the recipiBachelor of Science degree in civil engient of the 2014 Jackson-Hope Prize for neering from VMI. He earned his Master excellence in academic achievement of Science degree from the University of and a two-time recipient of the Virginia Maryland and his Doctor of Philosophy Military Institute Achievement Medal degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute for exceptional service. and State University.

Turner matriculated from Richmond,

degree from both Washington College and Hampden-Sydney College, and a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Catawba College.

Thomas G. Slater Jr. ’66, a partner at Hunton & Williams, received the Richmond Bar’s Hunter W. Martin Professionalism award Oct. 23, 2014. The award

was created in 1993 to recognize those with adherence to the highest standards of professional conduct.

Slater became a partner of the firm in 1976 and has been with Hunton & Williams since 1969. His practice focuses on complex litigation matters with an emphasis on antitrust, intellectual property (patents and trademarks) and unfair VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS trade practices. He currently serves as Business Services, LLC. The Five Star at Reilly Mortgage Group, Inc., and a group head emeritus, litigation, intel- Wealth Manager Award winners were partner at Ernst & Young LLP. Sommers matriculated from Brownlectual property, competition and labor announced in Richmond magazine.

Wealth managers do not pay a stown, Indiana, and earned his Bachelor of group. Slater is also a fellow of fee to be considered or placed Arts degree in math from VMI. He earned the American College of Trial on the final list of 2014 Five his Master of Arts degree from Ball State Lawyers, American Bar FoundaStar Wealth Managers. The Five University. tion and Virginia Law FoundaStar Wealth Manager Award is tion. He is a past president of Kimber L. Latsha ’77 was selected for based on 10 objective criteria the Bar Association of the City associated with providing qual- the seventh consecutive year to the Best of Richmond and served on the ity services to clients such as Lawyers in America© in the practice Executive Committee of the credentials, experience and as- of Health Care Law. Best Lawyers is a Virginia State Bar from 1996-98. sets under management, among well-respected peer-review publication Slater matriculated from Richmond and earned his Bachelor of Slater ’66 other factors. Clary is a regis- recognizing the top 4 percent of practicing tered representative with and attorneys in the United States annually.

Arts degree in history from VMI. offers securities through LPL Latsha was also awarded an AV rating by He earned his Bachelor of Laws Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Martindale-Hubbel Peer Review Ratings degree from the University of Virginia. in 2008, which indicates the Clary matriculated from Richhighest level of legal ability and Virginia Business magazine selected mond, Virginia, and earned his ethics, as well as reflects the pinCyrus A. Dolph IV ’70 for the 2014 Legal Bachelor of Arts degree in hisnacle of professional excellence.

Elite in the practice area of business law. tory from VMI. Latsha’s firm, Latsha Davis & Legal Elite was established in 2000 in Mckenna, PC, was ranked a Professional Warranty Service collaboration with the Virginia Bar AsTier 1 law firm in the practice sociation. Voting is open to any licensed Corporation named Gale F. area of health care law for the lawyer in Virginia. A quarter of the 2014 Sommers ’72 chief executive second consecutive year by U.S. officer Oct. 30, 2014. The cornominees – 920 – made the final list.

News and World Report-Best Dolph was also recognized in the 2015 poration specializes in new home Lawyers in their Best Law Firms edition of the Best Lawyers in America© warranty products, warranty Sommers ’72 annual publication. The firm in trusts and estates and is AV® Preemi- administration and risk mancelebrated its 20th anniversary nent™ peer review rated, with over 40 agement solutions to America’s top builders. In this position, in May 2014. years of legal experience advisAs a cadet, Latsha was the recipient of Sommers will direct the overall ing clients in business transaccompany strategy, maintain and the Second Jackson-Hope Medal, symboltions and with the planning manage relationships with cus- izing the second ranked academic cadet in and administration of estates, tomers, expand alliances with his class. He matriculated from Dornsife, foundations and trusts. insurance partners, and further Pennsylvania, and was a distinguished Dolph matriculated from Virthe growth of PWSC’s menu of graduated of VMI, earning his Bachelor ginia and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He earned his products and services. of Arts degree in English from Sommers brings 20 years of Juris Doctor degree from the University VMI. He earned his Master of experience in the real estate of Pittsburg School of Law. Laws degree from the MarshallLatsha commissioned as a second Wythe School of Law at the ColDolph ’70 and insurance services industry lieutenant in the U.S. Army and and almost 40 years in lege of William & Mary and his entered active military service as the financial services Juris Doctor degree from the T.C. a prosecutor and special assistant Williams School of Law at the University sector to this position. He most United States attorney with the recently served as senior vice of Richmond.

Judge Advocate General’s Corps president and chief financial from 1981-84, after which he Richard L. Clary ’71 is an invest- officer for PWSC. In this posiserved in the Army Reserve for ment advisor with Claris Financial, tion, he managed and directed five years.

LLC located in Glen Allen, Virginia. all financial functions of the Latsha is a member of the Clary received the Freedom Club Award company as well as oversaw the Planning Commission for Lower 2014 for Outstanding Client Service from information technology, human LPL Financial. This award is given to resources, customer service, Latsha ’77 Swatara Township. He previously served as a board member advisors with $225,000 - $324,999 in underwriting and insurance de2013 yearend total gross production. partments of the company. Before work- and chair of the Steering Committee of Clary also earned the Five Star Wealth ing with PWSC, Sommers was the senior Harrisburg Christian School and was a Manager Award in 2014 from Crescendo vice president and chief financial officer member of the elder board and church 2015-Issue 2

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ALUMNI NEWS secretary of the Evangelical Free Church of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

A Jan. 8, 2015, Suffolk Times article featured Philip B. Munisteri ’80 and named him The Suffolk Times 2014 Educator of the Year. Munisteri, a fourth-grade teacher at Southold Elementary School in Southold, New York, previously served for 13 years as the school’s technology instructor. Munisteri incorporated his technology skills in his new classroom by creating a video production area for his students to utilize in writing original scripts and producing videos.

A U.S. Army veteran, Munisteri uses his team-building experience within his class, creating a space for students to be able to rely on one another and be rewarded for their contributions.

In a recent challenge to his students, Munisteri promised to bike more than 40 miles from his home to the school if his students read 80 books in 80 days. They succeeded, and he completed the trek on his bike.

Munisteri matriculated from Setauket, New York, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned his Master of Arts degree from Dowling College.

John S. Hart Jr. ’86 was sworn in as General District Court judge for the 26th Judicial District of Virginia Nov. 19, 2014. The district covers the cities of Harrisonburg and Winchester, as well as the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren.

His position comes after a 2013 study – the Virginia Judicial Workload Assessment Report – determined the district needed three additional circuit court judges. Hart is a Rockingham County resident and one of four new judges for the district.

Hart was most recently in private practice at Hart Law PLLC, which he founded in Harrisonburg in 1998.

Hart matriculated from Hanover, Virginia, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from VMI. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Mercer University.

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Mantz matriculated from Portsmouth, The City of Hampton, Virginia, presented Delaney C. Williams ’88 with the Virginia, and graduated with distinction Spotlight on Citizens Award in November from VMI with a Bachelor of Arts degree 2014. Williams, a Hampton native, was in English, modern languages and interpresented with the award in recognition of national studies. his many accolades during the span of his Michael S. Milner ’91 started career, including his more than his new position as assistant 20 years of service in the U.S. director of the Federal Law Marine Corps before retiring in Enforcement Training Centers June 2008. He currently serves in Glynco, Georgia. In this posias operations research analyst for tion, Milner oversees the Glynco the Department of Veteran Aftraining directorate that consists fairs in Fredericksburg, Virginia. of nine training divisions and Williams matriculated from a training research component.

Hampton, Virginia, and earned a The FLETC has more than 90 Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and modern languages Milner ’91 federal partner organizations and trains the majority of deeral from VMI. He earned his Master of Science degree in management from the officers and agents, in addition to state, local and international police in selected Naval Postgraduate School. advanced programs. Approximately 70 U.S. Navy Capt. Peter M. Mantz ’90 thousand students graduate annually was promoted to executive officer of the from the FLETC, making it the largest USS Essex May 28, 2014. This promotion law enforcement training establishment comes after his most recent assignment in the country.

Milner matriculated from Newto U.S. Joint Forces Command, port News, Virginia. He graduwhere he served as the chief of ated from VMI with distinction, staff for the J-9 Directorate and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree was involved in the disestablishin history. ment of JFCOM and the stand-up of Joint Staff J7, where he served Timothy O. Trant II ’98 was as deputy assistant deputy direcnamed to Inside Business’ Top 40 tor for joint development.

Under 40 in October 2014. Peers Mantz commissioned in 1990 nominate the honorees for this and was designated as a naval award based on career success aviator in 1992. He reported to Trant ’98 and community involvement.

NROTC Unit VMI as the senior Trant is a member of Kaufman & naval instructor in August 1996.

During that time, he received a mid-career Canoles, P.C., in the firm’s Newport News/ certificate at the Woodrow Wilson School Williamsburg offices. His particular pracof Government and Foreign Affairs at the tice focuses on real estate, environmental and business consulting. Trant is involved University of Virginia.

Between serving multiple deployments, in many community organizations and Mantz was assigned to United States serves as a board member for both the Central Command to work in the J3-Force Peninsula Housing & Builders Association Protection Division as the risk assessments and Victory Family YMCA. Trant matriculated from Prince George, branch officer and maritime antiterrorism/ force protection officer. He completed Virginia, and graduated with distinction Joint Professional Military Education from from VMI with a Bachelor of Science the Naval War College distance learning degree in civil engineering. He received program and the Joint Forces Staff College his Juris Doctor degree from the College of William & Mary Law School. in Norfolk, Virginia.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam ’81 Joins Alumni to Honor America’s Heroes by retired U.S. Army Col. Bob Morris ’79

Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam ’81; Brig. said Northam. “Colonel Bob Morris, his Part- who works with Morris to raise awareness Gen. Jeffrey Smith ’79, VMI dean of the ners International Foundation and its Global of IEDs, veterans and first responder issues.

The weekend’s events began Oct. 4, 2014, faculty and deputy superintendent for aca- Campaign against IEDs are to be commended demics; and other alumni honored veterans, for raising awareness and support for those with A Dinner in the Dark, where guests police Medal of Valor recipients and heroic injured or killed by IEDs. Virginia is home to navigated a meal without sight to grasp firefighters during The Best of Jethro Tull one of the world’s largest military populations. an understanding of the lives of the over Helping the Heroes event at Richmond’s Honoring and supporting those who risked 198,000 visually impaired veterans. The Blinded Veterans Association gathered National Theater. vision impaired veterans who could Ian Anderson, progressive rock mushare their stories, as well as an expert sician and founder of the band Jethro speaker from the Richmond Veterans Tull, donated his time to perform, Affairs polytrauma center. and when VMI class agents from Northam, along with over 80 VMI 1940-2014 rallied alumni to sponsor alumni, guests, honored veterans the show and provide the funds necesand first responders, gathered at a sary for veterans to attend, retired U.S. VIP reception preceding the Oct. 5 Army Col. Bob Morris ’79 utilized benefit concert. Brian Rock, an Army his military retirement for the startup veteran using art therapy to recover process. “Without the alumni, this from PTSD, displayed his works and wouldn’t have been possible,” said was escorted by renowned artist Jos Morris.

Biviano ’79.

Helping the Heroes is part of Morris’ The VMI Commander’s Jazz Band vision under his 501(c)(3) all volunopened the show and brought the teer, nonprofit Partners International crowd to its feet when Anderson joined Foundation and its Global Campaign Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam ’81, left, with Ian Anderson them in Van Morrison’s “Moondance.” against Improvised Explosive De- at the event. Photo by Bob Harper Photography.

Steve Baskis, an Army veteran, took the vices. The current focus of both is stage from his seat next to Northam to on the global improvised explosive describe losing both his sight and best device threat, as well as supporting friend in the same IED attack while veterans and first responders. serving in Iraq. Despite this tragedy, The need for this mission is evident, Baskis inspirationally summited the Ixta as IEDs produced over 84 percent of volcano in Mexico, a mountain in Nepal all U.S. military injuries and deaths and Mount Kilimanjaro. Baskis stated in Afghanistan and Iraq. They cause that his only dream is “to represent my hearing loss, vision loss, post-traucountry in the Paralympics in the crossmatic stress disorder and traumatic country biathlon.” Participation in this brain injuries. The total incident cost event requires a specialized audio rifle to of military eye injuries alone from engage targets without sight. Later in the 2000-10 was $25.107 billion each year. There are over 500 IED incidents Bob Morris ’79, left, and Anderson, right, presenting show, Anderson called Baskis and Morper month worldwide, excluding Af- veteran Steve Baskis with the audio rifle necessary to ris back onstage and presented Baskis ghanistan and Iraq, and 91 percent of compete in the Paralympic Games during the Helping with the rifle necessary to compete in the casualties are civilian. In the U.S., the Heroes concert. Photo by Bob Harper Photography. the Paralympic Games.

“What made this especially poimany recent school shootings had an IED component. their lives to protect our commonwealth and gnant,” said Morris, “is that Lieutenant Northam is a strong advocate for the mili- our country is one of our most sacred respon- Governor Northam took time from a very busy schedule to honor these heroes. It speaks tary, veterans and first responders as both a sibilities.” physician himself and Army veteran of eight Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliff echoed the volumes for his character and dedication to years active duty that included time in Desert support for this work with a certificate of our heroes and the people of Virginia.”

Alumni can find more information or Storm. recognition commending Morris; the Global “I was honored to attend this tribute to our Campaign against IEDs; VMI alumni; the support the work by visiting www.Partnersactive duty, veteran and first responder heroes,” Commander’s Jazz Band; and Ian Anderson, International.org or by contacting Morris.

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ALUMNI NEWS Meade ’13 Receives Awards Upon Flight School Graduation Orville Wright Achievement Award.

This award is presented to outstanding graduates of the undergraduate pilot training schools of the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command, the U.S. Navy Naval Air Training Command and the U.S. Army Aviation School for students with academic prowess, flying skills, leadership and military bearing.

After graduating from VMI, Meade commissioned in the Air Force as a second lieutenant but admitted that going to flight school was something that “kind of fell into [his] lap.” He stated, “I’d always been interested in flying, but the actual concept of becoming a pilot seemed a little far-fetched, so I never really pursued it.” He attributed his success in his career to the skills he learned in the Class of 2013 brother rats and flight school classmates were, mechanical engineering program at the from left, Bryan J. Vance, Nathan T. Meade and Ian C. McGhee.

Institute as well as his Air Force ROTC commander, Col. David A. Miller, who strongly pushed Meade toward flight school, insisting that it would be a career in which he Nathan T. Meade ’13 graduated from flight school would excel. at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Nov. 21, 2014, “I would attribute a lot of my present success to going earning all four awards given to those who excel the to VMI ... the combination of being a part of the Corps of most during the 55 weeks of training.

Cadets and holding rank within the Corps was a growing The first of the awards Meade received is the T-38 point, but then the mechanical engineering program really Distinguished Graduate Award, which is only earned prepared me for how to learn, the right way, and how to by a student who ranks in the top 10 percent of the retain information and understand things ...” entire flight class. During the 2013 program, only one The relationships that Meade made at VMI continued of these was awarded, and the recipient was Meade. with him into the Air Force, as well, as two brother rats, The second is the Academic Training Award, awarded Ian C. McGee ’13 and Bryan J. Vance ’13, went through for the highest academic average throughout pilot the flight training program alongside him, which is not training. Meade received this, as he graduated pilot a common occurrence. However, Meade stated that training with a 99.5 percent average, missing only 5 many alumni of the mechanical engineering program at questions out of a total 660. Meade was also a recipithe Institute have entered into the flying world and are ent of the Flying Training Award for the highest flying “absolutely dominating.” score. Meade stated that every time that a student flies, “It’s awesome that the brotherhood that comes out of they are graded on myriad things. He was the one with VMI never ends. You see each other, and you see the ring the highest flying average, after receiving a grade of or the sticker on the car, and you’re instantly bonded,” “excellent” in all seven category check rides: T-6 consaid Meade. tact, final contact, instruments and formation, and T-38 Meade is contracted for 10 years with the Air Force and transition, instruments and formation. Finally, Meade will soon be flying F-15E Strike Eagles. He matriculated earned the Daedalian AETC Commander’s Trophy from West Point, Virginia. He graduated with distinction after being ranked number one amongst his class by from VMI, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in his commander. As a result, Meade was nominated mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics. and later awarded the national Daedalian Foundation

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ALUMNI NEWS ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ...

May You Live in Interesting Times: My 1960s! by Calvin C. Seybold ’62. BookBaby eBook Publishing, 2014. ISBN: 978-1483-54057-3. Available via Amazon. com, BarnesandNoble.com and other e-book publishers.

“May You Live in Interesting Times” is a collection of short stories of the author’s humorous “war stories” as a second lieutenant of infantry in 1964-65 Korea, as well as tours as a first lieutenant in 1966 and captain of U.S. Army Special Forces in Vietnam in 1968-69. The short stories deal not with the horrors of warfare but rather the events and escapades of a junior officer. According to the author, the stories are a lot funnier now than they were when they transpired.

About the Author: Calvin C. Seybold matriculated from Mount Carmel, Illinois, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned his Master of Arts degree in economics from the University of Oklahoma, as well as a Master of Arts degree in educational media and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in educational administration from the University of Utah. Seybold retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel of Special Forces in 1993 and has worked as a government contractor since his retirement. He and his wife of 50 years live in his wife’s 100-plus-year-old family home in Mount Carmel.

The Chickamauga Campaign – A Mad Irregular Battle: From the Crossing of the Tennesee River Through the Second Day, August 22-September 19, 1963 by David A. Powell ’83.

Savas Beatie LLC. 2014. ISBN 13:978-1-61121174-0. Available via www.savasbeatie.com.

“The Chickamauga Campaign – A Mad Irregular Battle: From the Crossing of the Tennessee River Through the Second Day, August 22-September 19, 1963” fully explores the battle from all perspectives and is based upon 15 years of intensive study and research. It uncovers nearly 2,000 primary sources from generals to privates; stitched together to relate the remarkable story that

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was Chickamauga. Readers will absorb the thoughts and deeds of hundreds of the battle’s veterans.

In addition to archival sources, newspapers and other firsthand accounts, Powell grounds his conclusions in years of personal study of the terrain itself and regularly leads tours of the battlefield. His prose is authoritative and definitive.

About the Author: David A. Powell matriculated from Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. After graduating, he went to work for CBS Messenger, a family business in the Chicago area, but never lost his intense interest in military history – especially that of the American Civil War. Powell has written numerous articles for a variety of magazines, more than 15 historical simulations of various battles and regularly leads tours of the Chickamauga battlefield.

His previous books include, “The Maps of Chickamauga: An Atlas of the Chickamauga Campaign; Including the Tullahoma Operations, June 22 - September 23, 1863” (2009); and “Failure in the Saddle: Nathan Bedford Forrest, Joseph Wheeler, and the Confederate Cavalry in the Chickamauga Campaign” (2010), which was a recipient of the Atlanta Civil War Round Table’s Richard B. Harwell Award.

Powell lives in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.

The Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret’s Battles from Washington to Afghanistan

by Michael G. Waltz ’96. Potomac Books, November 2014. ISBN: 978-1-61234-631-1.

Available via Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and other booksellers.

Grappling with centuries-old feuds, defeating a shrewd insurgency and navigating the sometimes paralyzing bureaucracy of the U.S. military are issues that prompt sleepless nights for both policy makers in Washington and soldiers at war, albeit for different reasons.

Few, however, have dealt with these issues in the White House situation

room and on the front line. Michael G. Waltz has done just that, working as a policy adviser to Vice President Richard B. Cheney and also serving in the mountains of Afghanistan as a Green Beret, directly implementing strategy in the field that he helped devise in Washington.

In “Warrior Diplomat,” Waltz shares his unique firsthand experiences; revealing the sights, sounds, emotions and complexities involved in the war in Afghanistan. He also highlights the policy issues that have plagued the war effort throughout the past decade – the drug trade, civilian casualties, a lack of resources in comparison to Iraq and the overall coalition strategy. At the same time, he points out that stabilizing Afghanistan and the region remains crucial to national security and that a long-term commitment along the lines of South Korea or Germany is imperative if America is to remain secure.

About the Author: Michael G. Waltz matriculated from Jacksonville, Florida, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies. He is the president of Metis Solutions and a co-founder and partner of Askari Associates, an international consulting firm.

Waltz previously served as Vice President Dick Cheney’s special adviser for South Asia and Counterterrorism. Before his time in the White House, Waltz was the director for Afghanistan policy and was responsible for shaping policy and providing recommendations to the undersecretary of defense for policy and the secretary of defense. He also served in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics, leading the establishment of the DoD’s funding, programs and strategy for counternarcotics activities in Afghanistan and South Asia.

Waltz commanded a U.S. Army Special Forces unit in the reserve component with multiple deployments to Afghanistan and the Middle East.

He was awarded four Bronze Stars (including two for Valor) for his service in Afghanistan.

Waltz is a senior national security fellow at the New America Foundation and regularly provides commentary on counterterrorism and regional issues for BBC, PBS Frontline, FOX and the Voice of America. He also founded the Sumar Ghul Foundation, which cares for the families of fallen Afghan National Army soldiers.

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INSTITUTE INSTITUTE VMI Marks 40 Years Since Historic District Designation While much attention was given in 2014 to the 150th anniversary of the Battle of New Market and the 175th anniversary of the founding of VMI, a third, lesser-known anniversary was reached. Just before the 2014-15 academic year began, the 40th anniversary of the designation of the VMI post as a national historic district took place.

The designation, which came from the Secretary of the Interior under the aegis of the National Park Service Aug. 15, 1974, recognized the post for its historic and architectural significance to the entire nation.

the historically oriented achievements of Lt. Gen. George R.E. Shell ’931, superintendent from 1960-71.

“General Shell was very mindful of the role that heritage and tradition play at an institution like VMI,” noted Col. Keith Gibson ’77, executive director of the VMI Museum System. “We see, over General Shell’s tenure during the decade of the 1960s, several efforts to codify and protect and bring awareness of the heritage and traditions of VMI.” The designation of the VMI barracks as a national historic landmark, said Gibson, has just as much to do with the

a crossroads of great Americans,” said Gibson.

He noted that the barracks’ inclusion on the list of national historic landmarks was quite a coup for the Institute because even today, there are only about 2,500 national historic landmarks across the entire country. And while the barracks could qualify as a landmark on its own, it’s likely that without the efforts of early 20th-century architect Bertram Goodhue, the post would never have attained the architectural cohesion necessary to achieve the status of a national historic district, which as Gibson said,

This 1857 drawing of VMI was the cover photo of a booklet titled A National Historic District: Virginia Military Institute published by the VMI Public Information Office in connection with the American bicentennial celebration.

Courtesy of the VMI Archives.

While the designation of the post as a national historic district was a momentous occasion for those associated with the Institute, it came eight years after an earlier, more prestigious designation – that of the barracks as a national historic landmark.That designation came in 1966, immediately after the passage of the National Preservation Act, which created the National Register of Historic Places. Both national historic landmarks and national historic districts are automatically listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At VMI, getting the barracks listed on the national register was just one of

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“who” of the place as it does with the “what.” Gibson referred to the parapetted and crenellated structure as an “incubator for people who’ve changed the course of history,” making the barracks much more than just a college dorm.

“It’s a place where young people – and for most of VMI’s history, young men – came to receive their preparation for lives as citizen-soldiers.” Yet the inclusion of the barracks on the list of national historic places is “just as much a recognition of [architect] Alexander Jackson Davis’ early use of Gothic Revival architecture in a college setting as it is recognizing that the barracks is

“recognizes the interweaving of the fabric of a place.”

Today, it’s easy to look around the VMI post and see how one building seems to flow seamlessly into the next, beginning with Old Barracks, originally constructed in 1851, and ending with Marshall Hall, completed in 2009. But as VMI entered its first full century of operation, the entire post didn’t yet have that classic VMI “look.”

In the 1890s, during a spate of postCivil War construction, several buildings were erected on post that bore little resemblance to their Gothic Revival predecessors. “There were some members

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

INSTITUTE of the Board of Visitors and others who had the good sense to realize that the new construction was not quite up to par with what came before it,” Gibson noted. “They became a little concerned that we were losing the ‘place.’”

At that point, Goodhue was commissioned to design buildings for the then-dawning 20th century that would fit into the style of Alexander Jackson Davis, the original barracks architect.

In his work at VMI, Goodhue sought to return the post to its Gothic Revival roots. Not only did Goodhue design the faculty residences which now line the Parade Ground, but he also instigated a major shift in VMI’s architectural focus by moving the main entrance to the barracks from Washington Arch to Jackson Arch.

“It’s only been in the last 100 years that the Jackson Arch has dominated the façade of the barracks,” said Gibson. “That created the logical extension of the barracks into initially a completed quadrangle, and then the addition of the New Barracks and then the Third Barracks.” Gibson noted this continuity is so important that any new architect seeking to work at VMI must begin with a review of the original plans drawn up by Davis, who designed not only the barracks but also Crozet Hall and three faculty residences. The purpose of the review is to ensure that new construction complements the old.

Today, Gibson serves as VMI’s liaison with the state Department of Historic Resources and as preservation officer on all of the Institute’s renovation or construction projects.

Neither is a job he takes lightly. “Our designation as an historic district and the barracks as a landmark have been a constant reminder of the responsibility we have as stewards,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherwise, the articles and photos in the Institute section of the Alumni Review are produced

by VMI Communications and Marketing.

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STEM Conference Focuses on Engineering Grant Imahara, television personality and robotics guru, and Nicole Hastings, biomedical engineer, were among the speakers addressing nearly 300 educators from across Virginia during the 2014 STEM Education Conference Oct. 7-8, 2014. The conference, titled, “Engineering Ingenuity: Math and Science Concepts in Action,” was the third in a series of four focusing on the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics sponsored by the Center for Leadership and Ethics.

Imahara gave a high-energy keynote presentation designed to show elementary and middle-school teachers how to make science and engineering more appealing to students. Best known for his recently ended 10-season run on the Emmy-nominated show Mythbusters, Imahara demonstrated concepts in action as he showed still photos and video clips from Mythbusters and talked about what has made the show so popular among young audiences.

Allowing students to discover, choosing topics they can relate to, adding humor, and being willing to be wrong and accept errors are all techniques the show uses that appeal to students. “We like to say that we wrap our science in a delicious candy coating of explosions and car crashes,” said Imahara.

“And that way, kids, well, they eat it up.”

Hastings, vice president of operations for HemoShear, a human disease biology company, talked about her own transformation in her presentation, titled, “A Metamorphosis from Student to Scientist.” She explained that when she earned a doctorate in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia, she thought she’d reached the pinnacle she’d been striving for. She added that the exciting thing about a scientist’s life, however, is that it is one of metamorphosis and change, with no time for stasis.

Hastings noted that four out of five students majoring in the STEM fields in college made the decision to do so in high school or earlier. For 61 percent of men, an interest in computer games was a key driver, whereas for 68 percent of women, a teacher or a class provided the spark. She described a four-week summer high school program that inspired her own interest.

STEM jobs are expected to increase by 16.8 percent by 2020 – a good reason to encourage students’ interest in the STEM fields and to have programming such as the STEM conference that helps educators learn how to inspire students.

Over the two days of the conference, participants were also offered their choice of workshops, led by both VMI faculty and public school personnel. Topics ranged from “Exploring Chaos Through Games,” headed

by Lt. Col. Meagan Herald, associate professor of applied mathematics, to “Concrete for Kids,” led by Maj. Matthew Swenty, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering.

Col. David Gray, director of the Center for Leadership and Ethics, said he was pleased by the turnout at this year’s conference, with 290 educators from 110 different schools being registered one month in advance.

“The feedback we’re getting is very positive, especially having to do with the handson portion,” said Gray. He described the four speakers – Hastings; Imahara; Mitchell Nathan, educational psychologist; and Steven R. Staples, Virginia superintendent of public instruction – as “great catches” who’d been able to connect easily with their audiences.

“From our perspective, it’s been a very successful conference,” Gray commented.

Grant Imahara addresses STEM education conference participants in Gillis Theater. Photo by Kevin Remington.

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ATHLETICS ATHLETICS Wachenheim Named Head Football Coach

Scott Wachenheim, VMI’s new head football coach, spoke at a Dec. 16, 2014, press conference. VMI photo by Kevin Remington.

Scott Wachenheim was named VMI’s newest head football coach Dec. 14, 2014,

by Dr. Dave Diles, VMI director of intercollegiate athletics.

A 1984 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and veteran coach with over 25 years of experience in the college ranks, Wachenheim comes to VMI from the University of Virginia, where he has served the past five seasons as the Cavaliers’ offensive line coach. Before his tenure in Charlottesville, Wachenheim was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Liberty University for three seasons (2006-08).

On naming Wachenheim to the post, Diles stated, “VMI football is a historically important program, and the search began focused on getting three things right. First, we needed a coach with great leadership attributes and skills. Second, given the uniqueness of the Institute and the learning curve of working within our system, we needed someone with high intelligence and the vision to utilize our systems as assets. And, finally, finding someone who understands and respects the varied experiences of cadet athletes was paramount. In Scott Wachenheim, we have found all of these things.”

“It’s an honor to be selected to lead the VMI football program,” said Wachenheim.

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“The Institute’s mission so closely reflects the goals and values instilled in me from the United States Air Force Academy.”

“His experience as a cadet and as a football player at the United States Air Force Academy, his impressive breadth of coaching assignments at great schools with winning programs across the country, and his leadership ability lend great optimism for the future of VMI football,” said Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintendent.

While at UVa, Wachenheim helped the Cavalier offense in 2011 amass the most rushing yards (2,107) in seven seasons, and his offensive unit finished the year ranked number 24 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.23) as UVa advanced to the Chick fil-A Bowl. In 2012, the Cavalier offense passed for over 3,000 yards for the third consecutive season – the first time that had been accomplished in school history. Four starters from his 2011 offensive line unit at UVa were on 2014 Opening Day NFL rosters. In 2013, the offensive line paved the way for UVa’s Kevin Parks, the school’s first 1,000 yard rusher since 2004.

At Liberty, Wachenheim helped the Flames attain a 10-2 record in 2008 and a second straight Big South Conference championship while averaging 33.7 points

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and 446.7 yards per game. The offensive unit ranked ninth nationally in the Football Championship Subdivision and led the Big South Conference in total offense for the second consecutive season as they averaged 429.6 yards a game and 42.6 points per contest in 2007.

At Liberty, Wachenheim was elevated by then-head coach Danny Rocco to assistant head coach before the 2007 season. Wachenheim also helped develop three-year starting running back Rashaad Jennings – a consensus All-America selection and Walter Payton Award finalist who rushed for a Big South record 3,633 career yards, 633 attempts and 42 touchdowns.

Jennings was a seventh-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 NFL draft. Wachenheim also recruited and coached Flames offensive standout and two-time Big South offensive player of the year, Mike Brown.

Wachenheim spent the 2009 season in the NFL ranks as the tight ends coach with the Washington Redskins and helped with the development of tight end Fred Davis, who had 48 catches for 509 yards and six touchdowns while filling in for All-Pro Chris Cooley, who sustained a seasonending injury.

Before his tenure at Liberty, Wachenheim spent 12 seasons (1994-2005) on the staff of Ken Hatfield at Rice University and served the last five seasons as the Owls’ offensive coordinator. Wachenheim helped Rice build a dominant ball-control offensive attack, and in 2004, the Owls led the nation in rushing offense (306.5 yards per game) after gaining a school record 3,800 yards the previous season, which ranked them second in the country. In 2001, Rice broke the school single season record for points and total offense (4,846 yards).

Wachenheim served as recruiting coordinator and coached offensive tackles and tight ends at Utah State from 1992-93 and was part of the 1993 Big West Championship staff that claimed the Las Vegas Bowl.

Wachenheim graduated from the Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and was a four-year starter from 1980-83. He VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ATHLETICS earned first team All-Western Atlantic Conference and honorable mention All-America honors his senior year.

The 1983 Falcons posted a 10-2 record and were ranked second in rushing offense and attained a 13th team ranking overall.

Wachenheim began his coaching career at Air Force in 1984, when he served as offensive coordinator of the Air Force Academy junior varsity squad before embarking on his active duty commitment.

After serving as an officer in the Air Force, Wachenheim returned to the college coaching ranks at the University of Arkansas in 1989 and spent two years on the Razorback staff that won a Southwest Conference Championship and Cotton Bowl title. Wachenheim earned his master’s degree in athletic administration at Arkansas in 1991. He later served one season at the University of Colorado under head coach Bill McCartney and helped the Buffaloes win the Big 8 title and a Blockbuster Bowl bid.

A native of Woodland Hills, California, Wachenheim and his wife, Karla, have two sons, Kyle and Tyson.

Diles added, “Coach Wachenheim is a coach with demonstrated leadership abilities and he articulated a compelling message for developing our cadet-athletes. In addition, he is a bright, innovative and confident coach, and through his experience at the United States Air Force Academy, Coach Wachenheim has unique insight into the life of a cadet athlete.

A bonus is his extensive experience working and coaching in Virginia and his deep connections throughout the commonwealth. He quickly emerged as the top candidate for this position, and he articulated a vision and plan for moving our football program back to a position of competitive prominence in the Southern Conference.”

Editor’s Note: With the exception of the rugby photo and caption, the articles and photos in the Athletics section of the Alumni Review are produced by the VMI Sports Information Office.

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Freeman Named Men’s Soccer Head Coach Jon Freeman was named the 10th head mark in his first season. Freeman guided coach for the VMI men’s soccer program the Eagles to a national ranking, as Ashland Jan. 5, 2015, in an announcement made was slotted No. 20 in the Division II rankings during the 2010 season – the

by Dave Diles, VMI director of same year that saw Ashland earn intercollegiate athletics. a berth in the NCAA tournament.

A native of Blacksburg, Virginia, That season, Ashland went 9-1-2 Freeman comes to the Institute in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate after serving as an assistant coach Athletic Conference, won the with the men’s team at Washington and Lee University during the regular season title and earned 2014 season, and as the volunteer the league’s automatic qualifier assistant coach for the women’s to the NCAA tournament by winning the GLIAC Championship. soccer team at Radford University During his time at Ashland, for a season.

Freeman Freeman saw 12 players earn A 2000 graduate of the College All-GLIAC honors, including six firstof Wooster, Freeman has experience as a team selections, five second team and head coach after serving as the head coach one honorable mention. In April 2013, at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, for Ashland dropped men’s soccer as a varsity three seasons. This position at VMI will be program.

Freeman’s second stint as a head coach in Before Ashland, Freeman guided the FerVirginia, after guiding the Ferrum College rum program for the 2009 season. Freeman program for one year in 2009. has extensive experience in Virginia after Freeman was the head coach at Ashland serving as an assistant coach with the men’s from 2010-13, amassing a 27-22-8 overall program at Radford from 2000-04. record with the Eagles, including a 13-5-3

Men’s Rugby Cardinal Collegiate Champions

On Dec. 12, 2014, the VMI men’s rugby team was presented with a trophy

by Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintendent, for winning the 2014 Cardinal Collegiate Rugby Championship playoffs in November. In the final rankings for Division II rugby from Rugby Today, VMI finished 8th in the nation out of over 300 college teams.

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ATHLETICS Bergmann Named Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Tabs Staff Chris Bergmann was named the new VMI women’s soccer head coach in December 2014 by Dr. Dave Diles, VMI director of intercollegiate athletics. Bergmann comes to VMI after six years as the head coach at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois.

There, he coached the men’s team in back to back conference championships in 2012 and 2013 and earned Midwest Conference Coach of the Year honors both years. After the second of those championships, he took his team to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time since 1981.

Bergmann posted a 67-41-7 overall record at Lake Forest. He coached eight NSCAA North All-Region players including Mahir Mameledzija, three-time conference player of the year and the 2012-13 CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-American of the Year.

At Lake Forest, Bergmann also served as the athletic department liaison to the Career Advancement Center, where he created The Forester Game Plan, a personalized mentoring program for the student-athletes at Lake Forest College.

“I’d like to thank General Peay, Doctor Diles and the search committee,” said Bergmann. “I appreciate this opportunity and respect everything that these cadet-athletes stand for. I look forward to investing in their lives and being a part of the Virginia Military Institute’s mission to produce wellrounded, outstanding student athletes.”

Before his time at Lake Forest, Bergmann was an assistant coach for the women’s program at Northwestern University for the 2008 season, where he helped the team to a quarterfinal berth in the Big 10 Tournament.

Bergmann spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons in Deerfield, Illinois, working as the head men’s coach at Trinity International University. There, he was responsible for all facets of the program and saw his team get votes in both the 2006 and 2007 NSCAA and NAIA national polls, reaching as high as 23rd overall in the 2006 campaign. He also served as the athletic advancement liaison at Trinity, where he was responsible for meeting with the school’s advancement team to develop various fundraising concepts to enhance athletic programs.

Bergmann got his start in the college ranks at Hope International University in Fullerton, California, where he served as men’s coach during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. He was the 2005 NCCAA West Region Coach of the Year, as he guided his team to a sevenwin improvement and a fourth-place finish at the national tournament. His squad finished that season ranked ninth in the country at the NCCAA level, all while Bergmann served as an assistant athletic director and an adjunct professor in the kinesiology department.

Before he began college coaching, Bergmann spent several years with the United Soccer League’s Chicago Eagles Select Premier Development League team, serving as the general manager, and was also involved with the Southern California Seahorses PDL team.

Over the past four-plus years, the new Keydet coach served as the director of coaching for the Lincolnshire Lightning Soccer Club, where he was responsible for all facets of the day to day operations for the U8-U18 travel team. He has also served

in the club ranks for Pegasus, Lindenhurst Soccer Club, the Chicago Eagles club team, Kopion F.C. and the SURF Soccer Club, along with the Southern California Development Program.

Away from the field, Bergmann and his wife, Kelly, founded AIM Academic Mentoring Services, an academic support service focusing primarily on middle and high school-aged students. The couple has two children, Aidan and Mackenzie.

Just weeks after being hired, Bergmann tabbed Chris Haught-Thompson, his former player and top assistant at Lake Forest, to be his assistant with the Keydets, as well. Haught-Thompson helped lead Lake Forest to a pair of conference titles and one tournament title while coaching an NSCAA All-American and Capital One Division III Player of the Year. He also served as an assistant with the women’s program this past season.

Haught-Thompson also spent several seasons as head coach of multiple teams for the Lincolnshire Lightning Soccer Club in Illinois, ranging from U10, U 16 and U-23 College League teams. He also managed summer programs that contracted with Lake Forest for two summers, as well as serving as a broadcaster for both basketball and hockey programs at his alma mater.

Haught-Thompson graduated from Lake Forest in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and was both a three-time allMidwest Conference selection and a threetime All-Academic MWC selection. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree from the California University of Pennsylvania.

Cadet-Athlete Development Announces Don Jamison Team Award The Office of Cadet-Athlete Development has announced that the top team honor for VMI athletics will be named for Col. Don Jamison ’57, Ph.D., longtime professor of civil engineering and VMI athletic department employee.

The Don Jamison Team Academic Achievement Award will be given to the team with the most honorees on the

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Athletic Director’s Honors List and CadetAthlete Honor Society over the course of the academic year, relative to the size of the program.

Jamison, a 2013 inductee into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame, was a former VMI tennis coach, academic advisor and civil engineering professor emeritus. He served as the Keydet tennis coach from 1968-84

and supervised academic advising for cadet-athletes for an eight-year tenure that ended in 2002. He also spent several years as a special assistant to the athletic director.

Jamison taught civil engineering at the Institute for nearly 40 years and served as head of the civil engineering department from 1971-78 and 1984-91. He led VMI tennis to a 17-win season in 1981.

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

ATHLETICS Keller Named Assistant Director of Athletic Academic Services Sarah Keller was named VMI’s assistant director of athletic-academic services Jan. 15, 2015. She will work primarily with VMI’s Olympic sports.

Keller comes to VMI with a well-rounded resume that includes both coaching and academic Keller experience. Most recently, she spent time at the University of Toledo as the school’s student-athlete academic services intern, where she worked closely with a group of the university’s highestrisk students to tutor, support academic progress and monitor eligibility. Among many other responsibilities at Toledo, Keller also developed an advising protocol and a framework for a lifeskills program.

Keller also spent just under a year as a graduate assistant at the Gordie Center for Substance Abuse Prevention in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she advised the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team student group. She also organized, marketed and implemented efforts regarding Substance Abuse Awareness Week and National Hazing Prevention Week, along with assisting with grant writing and managing registration for NCAA-sponsored APPLE conference.

Much of Keller’s other experience comes from the athletic arena, where she was a four-time Division III National Championship competitor in women’s rowing for Trinity College. She then advanced to spend two summers competing for the U.S. on the under-23 national team, where she rowed at the World Championships in both 2010 and 2011. She then spent time at both Bucknell University and the University of Virginia as an assistant rowing coach and added recruiting coordinator duties at her first stop with Bucknell. There, she also organized and implemented all official and unofficial recruiting visits and was responsible for all operations logistics.

Keller graduated from Trinity College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and educational studies. In 2013, she earned her Master of Higher Education degree from UVa.

2015-Issue 2

2015 VMI Baseball Schedule Feb. 13 at North Florida 6 p.m.

Feb. 14 at North Florida 1 p.m.

Feb. 15 at North Florida 1 p.m.

Feb. 17 at William & Mary 4 p.m.

Feb. 20 BUFFALO+ 4 p.m.

Feb. 21 MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE 12:30 p.m.

Feb. 21 BUFFALO 4 p.m.

Feb. 22 MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE 4 p.m.

Feb. 28 HOFSTRA (DH) 1 p.m.

March 1 HOFSTRA 1 p.m.

March 3 at Virginia 3 p.m.

March 6 BINGHAMTON 4 p.m.

March 7 BINGHAMTON 2 p.m.

March 8 BINGHAMTON 1 p.m.

March 11 JAMES MADISON 4 p.m.

March 13 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 4 p.m.

March 14 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 2 p.m.

March 15 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 1 p.m.

March 17 at Old Dominion 6 p.m.

March 18 at Old Dominion 6 p.m.

March 20 at Wofford 6 p.m.

March 21 at Wofford 3 p.m.

March 22 at Wofford 1 p.m.

March 24 at VCU 6:30 p.m.

March 25 OLD DOMINION 3 p.m.

March 27 SAMFORD* 6 p.m.

March 28 SAMFORD* 4 p.m.

March 29 SAMFORD* 1 p.m.

March 31 at Virginia Tech 5:30 p.m.

April 3 at Furman* 6 p.m.

April 4 at Furman* (DH) 1 p.m.

April 7 RADFORD 6 p.m.

April 10 EAST TENNESSEE STATE 6 p.m.

April 11 EAST TENNESSEE STATE 4 p.m.

April 12 EAST TENNESSEE STATE 1 p.m.

April 14 VCU 6 p.m.

April 15 RICHMOND 6 p.m.

April 17 at Gardner-Webb* 6 p.m.

April 18 at Gardner-Webb* 2 p.m.

April 19 at Gardner-Webb* 1 p.m.

April 21 WILLIAM & MARY 6 p.m.

April 24 at The Citadel* 6 p.m.

April 25 at The Citadel* 2 p.m.

April 26 at The Citadel* 1 p.m.

April 28 at Radford 6 p.m.

May 1 MERCER* 6 p.m.

May 2 MERCER* 4 p.m.

May 3 MERCER* 1 p.m.

May 8 UNCG* 6 p.m.

May 9 UNCG* 6 p.m.

May 10 UNCG* 2 p.m.

May 14 at Western Carolina* 5 p.m.

May 15 at Western Carolina* (DH) 2 p.m.

May 19-24 SoCon Tournament - Charleston, S.C. Home games in caps and played at Gray-Minor Stadium *Denotes Southern Conference Game +Buffalo/UMES will play Feb. 20 and 22.

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ATHLETICS An Interview with Donnie Cowart ’08, Track and Field Alumnus

Q A

: Let me first ask you about your sub-four minute mile this summer. What was the reaction to that among people who follow

your exploits?

: I received a huge influx of congratulations and attention from friends, family and fans. It was a very surreal experience, and

I am very humbled by just how many people keep up with my journey. After 15 years of competitive racing and training, breaking the historic four-minute barrier was definitely a dream come true. Every runner has the bench marks they definitely want to reach before they are done in the sport, and for me, that was definitely one of those goals. My next goals will be focused more on the 5K and the 3K steeplechase.

Q

: More recently, you were 16th in the USA Track and Field 12K in November in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s far from your first

road race – talk about not only the 12K, but getting more into road racing as a whole. Is that something you enjoy, and how do you feel it converts to on-track?

A

: Road races have great atmosphere and competition. It is almost like going back to collegiate cross-country because it is just

about competing for place, and time doesn’t mean much. I have always felt that I do my best when I get caught up in the race and being a competitor, so I believe the roads treat me well. I can’t wait to compete in more road races later in my career. I have dreams of stepping up to the marathon eventually and turning my focus solely on the roads at a certain point in my career, because it’s just fun.

Q A

: How is your training going currently? What races and events are you looking forward to right now? : In my current training, I am in a high volume, cycle running at least 98 miles each week. On top of that volume, I am also

lifting weights, running strides a few times each week, and doing yoga and pilates once each week. Of course, an important part of training this time of year is my sleep and nutrition habits. I cook all my meals, only allowing myself to eat out on rare occasions, and I do my best to be in bed before 10:30 p.m. to make sure I get nine hours of sleep each night.

On the race calendar this indoor season, I plan to rabbit the Camel City Mile here in Winston Salem, North Carolina, at the JDL Fast Track, and it would be great to get a mile qualifier to race indoor nationals. Outdoors, the focus will turn to the 5k and Steeple with USA’s being the big race this year. A top-three finish would give me the opportunity to compete on the U.S. World team and that is a big career goal I would like to achieve.

Q A

: What are you currently doing away from the track? : Currently, I am staying very busy with a part-time job at Fleet Feet Sports here in Winston-Salem, educating runners about

their shoe needs. I’m also a part owner in a group called Crazy Running. We help kids become better coordinated athletes, improve their running efficiency and learn about track and field. Our goal with the company is to get more kids active with healthy outlooks on exercise and nutrition.

I am also a volunteer assistant coach for the Wake Forest track team, where I try to help the athletes learn what it takes to be better at our sport. Keeping up with all these things off the track has helped me lead a balanced and fulfilled life. My running is a very selffocused goal, and it brings me lots of joy and happiness to help others in the sport I am so passionate about.

2015 VMI Football Schedule Sept. 3 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10

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at Ball State MOREHEAD STATE at Richmond at Furman* BUCKNELL SAMFORD*

TBA 1:30 p.m.

TBA TBA 1:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 CHATTANOOGA* 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 at Mercer* TBA Oct. 31 WOFFORD* 1:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 at The Citadel* TBA Nov. 21 WESTERN CAROLINA* 1:30 p.m.

Home games in caps *Denotes Southern Conference game

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

FOUNDATION, INC.INC. VMIVMI FOUNDATION, Message from the VMI Foundation CEO

by Brian Scott Crockett

The humorist P.J. O’Rourke once observed that the best car in the world is not a particular make and model, such as a Ford Mustang.

It is, instead, a rental car. His reasoning is simple: you can subject a rental car to immense abuse with no concern for the ultimate consequences of doing so. It’s all short-term fun, he asserts, without any long-term responsibility. People laugh at that idea, I think, because it speaks to something we all know about ownership. It is never just about calling something yours. Ownership is also about accepting a certain set of responsibilities, depending on what you own. A homeowner will attend to the tasks of maintaining a house, such as mowing the lawn and cleaning the gutters, with a diligence that a renter would rarely display. People who own valuable pieces of art will take pains to preserve them and keep them safe. Today, when someone is urging a person or a group of people to take responsibility for something, he or she often will use the phrase, “Take ownership of it.” That is particularly strong advice because, when you think about it, “ownership” is a particularly strong word.

The concept of ownership often comes up when I meet with people to discuss their potential role in the Institute’s latest comprehensive fundraising effort, An Uncommon Purpose: A Glorious Past, A Brilliant Future: The Campaign for VMI. Often, they ask me, “So, whose campaign is this? General Peay’s? The VMI Foundation’s?”

In other words, they are asking, “Who owns this campaign?” To that question, the only possible reply is, “VMI does.”

By “VMI,” however, I don’t just mean what we might call “the official Institute.” The campaign is much more broadly based than that, and it always has been. The process of setting the campaign’s priorities and goals, for example, involved many people. There

were faculty, staff and coaches who are dedicated to the advancement of VMI and the welfare of cadets. There were the trustees, officers and staffs of the VMI Alumni Agencies. There was the campaign cabinet, of which each of the seven members has provided years of service to VMI as volunteer leaders. Of course, the Institute’s leadership – especially Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintendent, and the VMI Board of Visitors – played a major role.

The goals that these people developed encompass all aspects of the VMI education – academics, co-curricular programs and intercollegiate athletics. However, they also take in such things as an expansion of scholarship dollars and the preservation of VMI’s legacy and promotion of its history.

In another sense, this is VMI’s campaign because, in order for this effort to be successful, everyone associated with the Institute – the friends, parents, faculty, staff and alumni who all are often referred to as “the VMI family” – will need to participate in it by making a gift or commitment.

To take it a step further, what the VMI family is being asked to do is to take ownership of the Institute itself. It is our responsibility to provide the school we cherish with the resources it needs to continue what has been its mission for more than 175 years: graduating young people who are ready to accomplish great things, offer principled and purposeful leadership, and be active citizen-soldiers willing to serve their neighbors and their country.

If you want to see the many ways you can participate in this effort, to take your own share of ownership of VMI’s future, please visit the website of An Uncommon Purpose: www.vmi.edu/campaign.

Class of 2016 Receives Check from Foundation In December 2014, the VMI Foundation presented the Class of 2016 with a facsimile check totaling $40,000. This presentation was made by Stewart Wilkinson ’12, VMI Foundation assistant director of annual and reunion giving, as part of the Barracks Program, which educates cadets about the importance of private support to VMI. The amount represents the $100 that 388 brother rats of the Class of 2016 and 12 cadets in other classes received to help purchase their class rings. The members of the class’ Ring Figure Committee who accepted the gift were: Carter Chatwood, Daniel Warner, Bridgett Pouliot, Zane Mitra, Joe Lamagna, Jacob Norris, Leo Szalkowski, Shawn Gardner, Connor Chow, Dillon Wright and Scott Beasley. Photo by Stewart Wilkinson ’12.

2015-Issue 2

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VMI FOUNDATION, INC. A Continuing Legacy: E. Stuart James Grant Trust By any measure, Elizabeth Stuart James Grant led a remarkable life. In 1937, the death of her father, Rorer Anderson James Jr. ’919, unexpectedly thrust her into the role of managing her family’s newspaper and publishing business. Such a challenge would be daunting for anyone at any age, but Grant took on that role at the age of 17. Much like another famous lady from Danville, Virginia, Nancy Langhorne – who is better known as Lady Nancy Astor – Grant proved to be indomitable.

Becoming the newspaper’s publisher in 1941, she oversaw the development of the Danville Register and Bee into one of the most successful small town newspapers in the United States. When her husband returned from military service in 1945, he assumed the position of publisher.

When he died in 1972, however, Grant reassumed the position and held it until her death in 1990. Grant also established a reputation for leadership in civic affairs and philanthropy in the Danville area.

Among the projects she supported was, appropriately enough, the preservation of Langhorne House, the birthplace and early childhood home of Lady Astor in Danville.

Grant also took a keen interest in VMI. She came to this quite naturally, as her family had a long tradition of attending and serving VMI. The 17 relatives, by her count, who were alumni included her two grandfathers, Rorer A. James ’882 and James Ewell Brown Stuart ’881; father, Rorer A. James Jr. ’919; two sons, Walter L. Grant Jr. ’69 and Rorer J. Grant ’71; and two paternal uncles.

Her paternal grandfather and a granduncle served on the Board of Visitors.

The former did so 1908-20 and served as the board’s president from 1910-20.

In a letter to the superintendent in 1919, James stated, “I never expect to again hold an honor that appealed to me as much as president of the board of my alma mater.” Grant’s grand-uncle also served as the post surgeon and as an instructor from 1926-30. One of her nine cousins who were alumni, Samuel M. Millner ’911, was a longtime professor 170

of French, spending his entire 50 year career at VMI. During her lifetime, Grant shared her relatives’ deep devotion to the Institute and closely followed its progress. She also provided several contributions to VMI in support of its efforts to restore and protect the Institute’s art collection, which includes a portrait of Rorer Anderson James ’882 created in 1921 by the famous artist and alumnus Benjamin West Clinedinst ’880. However, it was only after her death in August 1990 that the depth of her affection for VMI and her determination to support it became wholly apparent. Through her estate, she established the E. Stuart James Grant Charitable Trust, administered by American National Bank and Trust Company, which among its beneficiaries included many organizations and institutions in the Danville area, as well as the University of Virginia and VMI. Since then, the trust has donated close to $3 million to VMI. The giving includes $250,000 in support of the construction of Marshall Hall, the home of the Center for Leadership and Ethics. It also includes donations to the Foundation Fund, some of which were used to support the establishment of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. In the 1990s, a grant of $100,000 from the trust was used to renovate the reference room of Preston Library, and, in recognition of the gift and Grant’s ties to the Institute, it was named in her honor. However, the focus of the trust’s support has been the E. Stuart James Grant Scholarship and the VMI-Danville Community Internship Fund.

The scholarship, which was established to support cadets from Danville and the surrounding counties, currently provides financial aid to four cadets from that area.

The initial purpose of the VMI-Danville Community Internship Fund was to support internships for cadets from the Danville area in various agencies that dealt with public services, such as law enforcement. Since 2014, however, the program’s focus shifted to providing

cadets with the opportunity to intern at American National Bank and Trust Company, which serves 18 communities in Virginia and North Carolina and administers the E. Stuart James Grant Charitable Trust. In the summer of 2014, two cadets inaugurated the new program: Jarred Marlowe ’14 of Dry Fork, Virginia, and Derek Ziglar ’15 of Martinsville, Virginia.

“I believe the E. Stuart James Grant Scholarship has been an invaluable resource for funding local youth’s dreams of attending Virginia Military Institute and receiving the prestigious education VMI has to offer,” said Jeffrey V. Haley, president and chief executive officer of American National Bank and Trust Company. “I am happy that American National can be a part of the VMI-Danville Community Internship experience, and I have enjoyed getting to know and providing mentorship opportunities to the participating cadets.”

Of the relationship that has developed between VMI and American National, Haley said, “Our relationship is strong and has grown significantly in the last five years or so with the overall objective of meeting the goals of VMI and the Elizabeth Stuart James Grant Trust.”

“The family of Elizabeth Stuart James Grant – including Mrs. Grant – has a long and close association with the Institute and an enviable record of serving it and supporting it. It also has a cherished legacy of supporting the Danville community through personal service and generous philanthropy. We are delighted, therefore, that the E. Stuart James Grant Charitable Trust has intertwined those two legacies with the support it provides to cadets from Danville and the surrounding area,” said Brian Scott Crockett, chief executive officer of the VMI Foundation. “We also have come to value our relationships with people from American National Bank and Trust Company, like Jeff Haley and Dexter Gilliam ’76, who appreciate both the value of VMI to the commonwealth and the value of a VMI education to young people.”

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Charitable IRA Rollovers Net More than $866,000 for VMI At the end of any calendar year, the VMI Foundation staff is busy helping hundreds of alumni and friends make end-of-the-year donations and ensuring that the gifts are properly directed, credited and acknowledged. Things were no different in the waning days of 2014.

Two people, however, were exceptionally busy during late December: Terrie Conrad, vice president for planned giving for the VMI Foundation, and her assistant, Rita Blackwell.

For them, the last-minute enactment of a piece of federal legislation sent them off on a series of tasks centered on something known as “charitable IRA rollovers,” which ended in more than $866,000 in gifts for VMI. “Since 2006, federal law has allowed people who have built up substantial wealth in individual retirement accounts to use them to make charitable gifts without incurring any tax penalty for early withdrawal,” explained Conrad. “This provision has been widely popular among donors who want to see their money going to their favorite charities while they are living. Charities appreciate it, of course, because it has resulted in increased giving.”

The trouble, however, is that the provision has never been made permanent under the law. Therefore, every year, charities must await action by the Congress and the president before they can contact potential donors asking them to consider this giving option. This year, federal action came very close to the end of the year, giving charities across the country less than two weeks to swing into action.

“The provision allowing the rollover to be used in 2014 was part of a piece of legislation which had been the source of contention within Congress and between the Congress and the White House,” Conrad explained. “In the end, President Obama did not sign the bill until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.” Happily, Conrad and Blackwell anticipated the need to act fast and formulated a plan to notify those VMI alumni and friends who might qualify to use the rollover provision.

First, they compiled a list of those people who meet the provision’s age requirement (the law limits the use of the provision to people who are 70.5 years or older) and wrote an email message about the rollover’s availability. Early Dec. 22, Blackwell sent the email “blast” out to potential donors. “There 2015-Issue 2

Conrad

Blackwell

also were a number of people who had asked me to inform them personally of the renewal of the provision,” explained Conrad. “I did that Monday morning, as well.”

The reaction to the news was immediate and gratifying, as donors began contacting Conrad either to tell that they made a gift using the IRA rollover or asking for assistance in doing so. “There are a series of rules associated with the rollover – for example, the gift cannot exceed $100,000 and the proceeds must go directly to the charity – that need to be followed precisely if the donor wants to enjoy the associated benefits,” said Conrad. “This meant lots of calls and lots of emails with donors.” In the end, the painstaking preparation and the hard work paid off: 38 donors made gifts that totaled $866,835, with five of those donors giving the $100,000. maximum. Furthermore, the donors directed their support to a wide range of activities on post.

“Some directed their gifts toward athletics, including specific teams and the Keydet Club Scholarship Fund,” recounted Conrad. “Some decided to give to endowments that generate unrestricted funds or support the Center for Leadership and Ethics.”

When asked for her final thoughts on this busy period, Conrad replied, “First, of course, I want to thank everyone who used this vehicle to help VMI. They not only helped the Institute and its cadets, but also helped advance VMI’s current fundraising effort, An Uncommon Purpose: A Glorious Past, A Brilliant Future: The Campaign for VMI

past $200 million. I also want to thank Rita Blackwell for all she did to make this effort a success in such a short time.”

“The careful crafting of a plan of action and its immediate and vigorous execution resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in new aid for VMI and many satisfied donors,” said Brian Scott Crockett, chief executive officer of the VMI Foundation.

“It is important to note, however, that this success also is rooted in the trust that people have in the VMI Foundation and the strong relationships that our staff has developed with alumni and friends. Thanks, of course, are due to the members of the VMI family who used this vehicle as a way to support the Institute, and Rita and Terrie for all they did to make this effort successful.”

A Correction: Raymond J. Hanlein ’61 A clerical error caused Raymond J. Hanlein ’61 to be absent from the list of members of the Gen. Thomas J. Jackson Order of The Institute Society that was published in the 2014 edition of the VMI Alumni Agencies Annual Report. The VMI Foundation regrets the error and reiterates its appreciation for Mr. Hanlein’s continued support.

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VMI FOUNDATION, INC. VMI Victorious in Second Silver Shako Showdown At VMI during the third quarter of the Military Classic of the South football game versus The Citadel Nov. 21, 2014, the results of the second Silver Shako Showdown were announced. For the second time, VMI’s young alumni were declared the winners over those from The Citadel with 10.97 percent of the Institute’s younger alumni providing a gift to VMI, as opposed to the 10 percent of The Citadel’s young alumni who made a donation to their alma mater.

“In 2013 and at the invitation of The Citadel Foundation, we engaged in a competition to see which school could persuade the greater percentage of its young alumni to make a gift in support of their respective schools,” Said John J. Wranek III ’85, vice president for annual and reunion giving for the VMI Foundation. The initial challenge, named after the trophy awarded to the winner of the Military Classic of the South football game,

ran from Oct. 2-Nov. 16, 2013. With 751 (13.6 percent) of the 5,500 VMI alumni ranging from the Classes of 1999 to 2013 and which had not yet celebrated their 15th Reunion, the challenge ended in a VMI victory against the 10.8 percent of The Citadel’s 6,800 young alumni. “Everyone involved with the showdown was delighted with the experience,” said Wranek. “It was great to engage younger alumni, as well as add another element of fun to the traditional rivalry.”

The 2013 experience was so positive that, early in 2014, The Citadel Foundation and the VMI Foundation agreed to repeat the challenge. On post, the responsibility for managing the effort belonged to two young alumni: Stewart Wilkinson ’12, assistant director of annual and reunion giving for the VMI Foundation, and his brother rat, Andrew Deal ’12, development officer of the VMI Keydet Club. In their effort, Wilkinson and Deal were

VMI’s mascot, Moe, and Brian Scott Crockett, chief executive officer of the VMI Foundation, celebrate the Keydet win in the Second Silver Shako Showdown.

Photo by Chuck Steenburgh.

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again supported by VMI’s Office of Communications and Marketing, who produced the VMI video that was placed in the showdown’s website. The office also established a webpage to track the participation of each young alumni class from the Class of 2000 to the Class of 2014. The website also contained a countdown clock for the showdown, images of programs from previous VMI versus The Citadel football games and a link to the giving page. Wilkinson noted, “In addition to the challenge with The Citadel’s young alumni, we created an inter-class challenge among our young alumni classes to see which VMI class could engage the most members. The class with the highest participation was the Class of 2004, with 21 percent of that class making a gift during the challenge.”

After the VMI victory in the inaugural Silver Shako Showdown, the expectation was that The Citadel would mount a strong effort to motivate its younger alumni to deny VMI a repeat victory. According to Wranek, they did – but VMI was ready. After the initial email announcing the second version of the showdown was sent Oct. 1, the VMI Foundation sent out various reminders that urged participation in the effort. “Our young alumni got off to a strong start, and thanks to the efforts of Stewart and Andrew, they maintained the momentum through Nov. 19, which was the last day of the challenge,” said Wranek.

Although it was not counted as part of the showdown, the 600 VMI alumni who provided a gift gave $202,994. Of them, 26 were first-time donors whose gifts totaled more than $47,000.

“The repeat win by VMI can be credited to many things,” said Brian Scott Crockett, chief executive officer of the VMI Foundation, who, in the company of VMI’s mascot, Moe, was on the field for the announcement.

“For example, there was the excellent cooperation between the VMI Foundation, the VMI Keydet Club and the Institute’s Office of Communications and Marketing; the enduring effects of the Barracks Program, through which we engage cadets on the importance of private support at VMI; and, of course, the generosity of our young alumni.

Again, it was an excellent experience and a demonstration of that loyalty, drive and determination known as ‘the VMI spirit.’”

VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

VMI FOUNDATION, INC. Jacob Stetson ’15 Gives Back During Cadetship In summer 2014, the VMI Foundation That same summer, Stetson made another, culture and way of life. As an engineering received an extraordinary letter from a cadet very different trip. The destination was Lithu- major at VMI, I doubt I would’ve gotten who had just ended his 2nd Class year – Jacob ania, where, for a month, he was part of a much cultural experience without these R. Stetson ’15, a civil and environmental group of eight cadets led by Col.Troy Siemers, trips.”

He also came away convinced of the imengineering major from Brockton, Massa- head of the Applied Mathematics Department chusetts. In it, he expressed his thanks for the at VMI. For a month, the group stayed at the portance of foreign study to VMI’s overall scholarship support from the VMI Foundation Gen. Jonas Zemaitis Military Academy in mission. “For my generation in particular, that enabled him to participate in three trips Vilnius and took two mathematics courses ‘the digital age’ provides an illusion of abroad he had taken in his cadetship. These from Siemers. Although the academic work increased knowledge and understanding. journeys to Bolivia, Taiwan, and Lithuania, was intensive, on the weekends, the cadets It’s easy to get pages of information [about] in his words, “have far exceeded my expecta- had time to tour Lithuania, visiting a medi- a country on the internet, but that’s nothing tions of a college education, and I won’t forget eval castle at Trakai, the country’s Baltic Sea compared to going there to live and work alongside its citizens. We can’t say we’re any of them soon.” coast and historic Vilnius. serious about producing leaders It is not uncommon for cadets to who can represent America on write to Foundation or the donors the world stage if all our graduates who established an endowment know about other countries comes that provides, say, scholarship from Wikipedia.” support, expressing their thanks.

The appreciation of his experiIndeed, Stetson did so, too, writing, ences and his conviction of the “I would like to extend my gratitude importance of foreign study for to the families who made these cadets prompted his decision to scholarships and my experiences make his gift. “When I came to possible.”

VMI, I didn’t plan on studying What made Stetson’s letter stand abroad at all. The fact that VMI out was its enclosure: a check for gave me three opportunities to do $1,100, which was equal to the this – on three different continents amount given to him through the in two summers, no less – comBurress International Study and pletely surpassed my expectations.

Internship Fund and the Ruth Miller Lanford Memorial Fellowship An early completion of the Engineers Without Borders I also think cadets should study Fund, both of which support cadets project allowed Jacob Stetson ’15 and other members of abroad in order to become better the team to enjoy such activities as mountain biking in informed citizens and leaders. I who travel overseas to study. the Andes Mountains. wanted, therefore, to ensure other All three of the trips in which Stetson participated were summer programs Stetson’s third trip took place in late May cadets could have the special experiences sponsored by VMI’s Office of International 2014. In company with another cadet, Mike I did. The cost of the Taiwan trip was less Programs. The first was to Bolivia under Souza ’15, he traveled to Taiwan and took than I expected; therefore, I gave the money the auspices of VMI’s chapter of Engineers courses for two weeks at the Chung-Cheng I saved back to the Lanford and Burress Without Borders. Over three weeks in late Institute of Technology, a military technical Funds.”

After graduation, Stetson will commisMay and early June 2013, a team of 15 ca- school outside of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. dets and two students from Washington and The faculty taught Stetson and Souza in sion in the U.S. Army’s Corps of Engineers Lee University led Col. Tim Moore ’97 of English. “If that wasn’t gracious enough,” and plans to make his career in the Army. the Department of Civil and Environmental said Stetson, “our host cadets at CCIT kindly He also will continue his philanthropy. “I Engineering installed a water line in the showed us around their country during our certainly plan to give what I can, especially remote village of Pampoyo, where nearby one free weekend with them. We visited to the Civil Engineering Department and lead mining had contaminated the village’s Taipei 101, the city’s landmark skyscraper, any program supporting international travel original water supply. This, in turn, caused and the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial as well for cadets. Both have done wonders to make many health problems, including a high rate as the city’s famous ‘Night Market,’ where my cadetship memorable.” of infant mortality. “Although I didn’t get traditional Taiwanese cuisine is sold.”

Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherany credit hours from it, I learned volumes This travel made an indelible impression wise, the articles and photos in the about the culture and lifestyle of the Bolivian on this young man. “In all instances, I took Foundation section of the Alumni Repeople,” said Stetson, adding, “The internal away more than just credit hours. I took view are provided by the Foundation. satisfaction of the trip was priceless.” away a special understanding of a country’s 2015-Issue 2

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KEYDET CLUB KEYDET CLUB Thoughts from the Club House

by Greg Cavallaro ’84, Keydet Club Chief Executive Officer

To ensure that VMI remains one of America’s treasured and respected undergraduate colleges, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, VMI superintendent, rolled out Vision 2039 in the very early years of his leadership. The past 10 years have brought massive improvements to the capital infrastructure of VMI, including its athletic facilities. In recent years, approximately two-thirds of VMI graduates have commissioned, and in 2015, 265 of VMI’s 425 NCAA athletes are pursuing a commission. VMI won The Big South Sportsmanship Award seven of the past eight years, reinforcing that VMI’s cadet-athletes play with civility and dignity and that they are young men and women of honor and extreme pride. Most encouraging is that VMI has a four year graduation rate of 64 percent and a six year graduation rate of 82 percent. These impressive stats have helped VMI be recognized as the number four public liberal arts college in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report and the 18th National Best College according to Money Magazine! Now, the time has come to get VMI’s athletic side of the house in order and balance the third leg of the proverbial three-legged stool. Athletic excellence, like most everything else at VMI, will require money!

As the public phase of An Uncommon Purpose: A Glorious Past, A Brilliant Future: Cavallaro ’84 The Campaign for VMI hits full stride, it provides everyone an opportunity to join together to ensure that financial resources are in place to maintain and advance the future of the Institute. Peay ensured that VMI athletics and the VMI Keydet Club would be a part of this comprehensive campaign, and he has, from its inception, been the key proponent for the much needed additional funding to grow the endowment in support of the athletic program for one of the smallest Division I schools in the country. Our superintendent’s foresight and timing is critical when you consider the following: •

The commonwealth of Virginia does not provide money for intercollegiate athletics.

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VMI generates only about 10 percent of the money needed to fund the athletic budget from athletic revenues such as ticket sales and game guarantees.

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VMI must derive more than 60 percent of the money needed to fund its athletic program from private sources, unlike most all Virginia schools, which rely on student fees to fund their athletic programs.

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VMI is able to offer only 127 of the 148 full scholarship equivalencies the NCAA allows. The additional 21 equivalencies needed for VMI to compete successfully equates to approximately $750,000 per year.

While early campaign progress is encouraging and the growth of VMI’s athletic endowments will have a significant impact on future funding models for VMI athletics, more funds are needed. It is extremely important for the Keydet Club to continue garnering the annual support from alumni, parents and friends while the endowment grows through capital appreciation and the realization of new gifts.

It has been said that “annual support is the bridge to the endowment future,” and it still proves true . For VMI, annual gifts provide cadet-athletes and coaches the financial resources that enable them to be successful on and off the fields of play.

Were you the recipient of a scholarship while at VMI? Do you enjoy when VMI competes successfully?

Are you proud of the Institute and all it stands for?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, please consider joining our team and doing your part – whatever that may be – so you will be present and accounted for in the Campaign for VMI. We need every person who has benefited from the VMI experience to support the Keydet Club Scholarship Fund and/or the Athletic Operations Funds on an annual basis. Our coaches and cadet-athletes need you! Our beloved VMI needs you! Your financial support to the Keydet Club will be greatly appreciated.

For more information on how to make a gift, to learn how you can create an endowed scholarship or set up a bequest, please call the VMI Keydet Club at 1-800-444-1839.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

KEYDET CLUB Scholarship Presented in Honor of Coach Gary “Mac” McPherson The VMI basketball game against The Citadel Jan. 24, 2015, was special – not just because VMI won, but because alumni from 1964-72 came back to honor Coach Gary “Mac” McPherson. During halftime, players from the McPherson era were introduced, and John Kemper ’68 presented McPherson with the Coach Gary McPherson Basketball Scholarship. The scholarship will provide support for a cadet-athlete who is a member of VMI’s Division I basketball program.

Alumni who registered to attend the celebration of Coach “Mac” were: Jeff Gausepohl ’65; Judge John Prosser ’65; Jack Cooper ’66; Charlie Schmaus ’66, VMI hall of fame member; John Gupton ’67, Ph.D.; Robert Klink ’67; John Kemper ’68; Peyton Brown ’69; Maj. Walt Judd ’69; John Mitchell ’69, VMI basketball hall of fame member; Ralph Wright ’69; James Gillespie ’70; Reed Heddleston ’70; John Patrick ’71; and Sam Kirby ’71. Attendees enjoyed the basketball game, a postgame celebration in Moody Hall and finished the evening with a special dinner with McPherson and his family.

McPherson spent six seasons on the VMI coaching staff from 1964-69. He served as an assistant coach for one year under Louis F. “Weenie” Miller (Hon.) and the last five as head coach for the next five years. Under Miller, McPherson helped lead the Keydets to a Southern Conference Tournament Championship and a first round NCAA Tournament game against nationally-ranked Princeton University, led by All-American Bill Bradley.

Coach Gary “Mac” McPherson with members of his family and some of his former players on the court at halftime.

The next year, McPherson became the youngest Division I head coach in America at age 27 when he took the reins as Keydet head coach.

McPherson and his wife of 56 years, Peg, loved the VMI players he coached. McPherson got the most out of his players both on the court and later in life, as solid citizens and successful businessmen.

As VMI’s head coach, his teams beat West Virginia University in 1968 and 1969. In 1970, McPherson joined the WVU basketball staff and served 20 years as an assistant coach.

McPherson speaking after being presented with the Coach Gary McPherson Basketball Scholarship.

2015-Issue 2

He retired in 2013 after a 40-year career that included the last 20 in development with the WVU athletic department. McPherson and his wife have often said their years at VMI were the best in his long career as a coach.

The creation and initial funding of the Coach Gary McPherson Basketball Scholarship was provided by Kemper. Kemper matriculated from Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated with distinction from VMI in 1968, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He was a star on the VMI basketball team, starting at guard for three years.

Kemper was a co-captain his 1st Class year, and he led the team in scoring his final two years while garnering All-Southern Conference honors. Kemper was inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. While in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1969-72, Kemper earned the rank of captain and the Army Commendation Medal.

If you would like to contribute to the Coach Gary McPherson Basketball Scholarship, please contact Rebekah Powers of the Keydet Club at 800-444-1839, ext.329.

Editor’s Note: Unless stated otherwise, the articles and photos in the Keydet Club section of the Alumni Review are provided by the Keydet Club.

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KEYDET CLUB Fraim ’71 Establishes New Athletic Scholarship Endowment

The Keydet Club is proud to announce the establishment of the Paul D. Fraim 1971 Endowed Athletic Scholarship. The scholarship was created in 2014 and will

provide support to a scholarship athlete who is a member of VMI’s Division I football program, with preference given to a cadet from the Tidewater area.

Paul Fraim ’71 matriculated to VMI from Norfolk, Virginia, after graduating from Norfolk Catholic High School. He graduated from VMI with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While at VMI, Fraim was a scholarship athlete on the VMI football team and played defensive back. He was named a co-captain of the team his 1st Class year. He actively participated in the monogram club and was a member of The Cadet newspaper staff during his cadetship, as well. After VMI, Fraim received his Master of Education degree from the University of Virginia while serving as a graduate assistant and full-time coach on the UVa football staff.

He continued to pursue his education while coaching at the University of Richmond,

achieving a Juris Doctor degree during that time. By trade, Fraim has been an attorney for almost 40 years; however, his civic duties have made him a true leader in his community. He was voted to the Norfolk City Council in 1986, and in 1994, he was named the mayor of Norfolk. He was reappointed every two years to continue as mayor, and in 2006, he became the first mayor of Norfolk to be popularly elected since 1916. He was overwhelmingly re-elected in May 2014 to serve the current four-year term. Fraim is the immediate past president of the VMI Board of Visitors. He is currently the president of the law firm Fraim and Fiorella, PC. He is a trustee of the Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation and serves as chairman of the Slover Library Foundation Board. Paul and his wife, Elizabeth (“Beth”), have lived in Norfolk since their marriage, and they raised all four of their children there, as well.

Scott Wachenheim Set to Highlight the Keydet Club’s Annual Leadership Outing The Keydet Club will host its Annual Leadership Outing Friday, June 5, 2015. The outing is the Keydet Club’s way of saying thank you to all of the generous annual leadership members. The day includes the following special events: •

Lunch: Provided for all participants at the Lexington Golf & Country Club.

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Golf: The golf outing begins with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. June 5 at the LG&CC. On-course complimentary beverages are provided.

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Tennis: Play takes place at the Washington and Lee Duchossois Tennis Center (indoor) or the LG&CC tennis courts, depending on weather.

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Sporting Clays: A fun time shooting clays with Coach Doug Bartlett at Lexington’s Quail Ridge.

•

Dinner and Cocktails: Enjoy one of the best meals and events of the year at VMI’s Moody Hall with fellow leadership members, VMI coaches and cadet-athletes. Scott Wachenheim, new head football coach, will share his vision and excitement for VMI Football.

If you are not yet a leadership member in the Keydet Club, all it takes is a leadership gift between now and June 5, 2015, to join.

Leadership membership levels are as follows and a special 25 percent discount is given for first-time members moving up in their level of support: Keydet Club Leadership Membership Levels $1,000 Big Red ($750 for first-year members)* $1,875 Letterman ($1,400 for first-year members) $3,000 Flying Squadron ($2,250 for first-year members)

$5,000 Spirit ($3,750 for first-year members) $7,000 Sportsmen ($5,250 for first-year members) $12,000 Scholarship ($9,000 for first-year members) $18,000 In-State Full Scholarship ($13,500 for first-year members) $36,000 Out-of-State Full Scholarship ($27,000 for first-year members)

*For young alumni (Classes 2000-14 that graduated 15 years ago or less), the annual gift amount is $500 ($375 for first-time members).

If you would like to bring a spouse/guest to the outing and/or dinner, please note that this is a special privilege provided to Flying Squadron and above members. Go to www.vmikeydetclub.com to make your gift, or call the Keydet Club at 800-444-1839.

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VMI ALUMNI REVIEW

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