2022-4 VMI Alumni Review

Alumni

Alumni

The VMI Brick Program Comes to a Close

Whether it’s falling in on the bricks for march down or counting them in the middle of the night on guard duty, bricks hold a unique station in VMI’s collective memory. Many hours of our past have been stamped into them. Understandably, a brick represents both one’s memory of the Institute and its memory of us. So it is appropriate to etch a tangible reminder of ourselves into the bricks for posterity.

After 25 years, the VMI Brick Program is ending June 30, 2023. Now is your opportunity to be recognized for your loyal support of the Institute and its Corps of Cadets.

To learn how to qualify for your brick, please visit vmialumni.org/brickprogram or scan the QR code for answers to frequently asked questions about the VMI Brick Program.

For additional questions, contact Sydney Coffey, direct marketing specialist, by email at scoffey@vmiaa.org or by phone at 800-444-1839, ext. 260.

Virginia

Institute Alumni Review

In This Issue . . .

PUBLISHER

VMI Alumni Agencies

items covering the time period of May 15, 2022, to Aug. 15, 2022.

This issue includes class notes and

of Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command

Chief Executive Officer: David Prasnicki

Chief Communications Officer: Amy Goetz Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Whitman

Assistant Editor: Madeline “Mattie” Marsh Editorial Specialist: Molly Rolon

ALUMNI REVIEW ONLINE www.vmialumni.org/alumnireview

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The VMI Alumni Agencies Alumni Review Office

VMI Moody Hall, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450; 540/464-7224 review@vmiaa.org

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

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TELEPHONE NUMBERS

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WEBSITE ADDRESSES

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vmialumni.org VMI: vmi.edu

Matriculation Week culminates with Rat Crucible, which includes training on the North Post obstacles. The event concludes with a march up Letcher Avenue and the rats’ first Old Yell.—VMI Photos by H. Lockwood McLaughlin.

Outside Cover and

Prasnicki

Message from the VMI Alumni Agencies CEO

The members of the Rat Mass of 2023+3 accepted VMI’s “Don’t Do Ordinary” challenge, and on Matriculation Day 2022, they began their transformation in true VMI style. It was great to take it all in—watching new rats take luggage to their barracks rooms, sign the Matriculation Book, and have lunch with their families.

At the welcoming ceremony in Cameron Hall, hundreds of young men and women about to begin their cadetships sat with their families. The civilian clothes they wore earlier were gone, and they were now in their first VMI uniform. They had not yet met the cadre, slept in their hays, or received their haircuts, but the reality of being a cadet—being part of a disciplined team and part of the Corps—was coming at them quickly.

As I watched the rats march out of Cameron Hall toward barracks, it reminded me just how seriously the Institute takes its mission of transforming cadets into citizen-soldiers. As the father of a West Point graduate and a VMI graduate, I know there are few—very few—colleges in the United States that are so deliberate in how they educate their students. VMI is focused on ensuring cadets’ intellectual, moral, and physical development and instilling in them a sense of selfless service and active citizenship. For more than 37 years, I have witnessed the start of the cadet experience to its finish; every detail, every action, and every challenge contributes to the VMI mission. Every coach and each member of the faculty and staff have a role in providing an extraordinary education to every cadet. It has been successful for hundreds of years and continues to be successful today.

I have had the opportunity to speak directly with members of the Corps of Cadets, and I am confident in the future of VMI, the course on which they are focused, and their contribution to our nation. I invite you to get to know some of our cadets and alumni through videos and written stories in our monthly Turnouts email newsletter and at vmialumni.org/stories-of-impact. Based on the talented cadets we have on post, the key pillars of the Honor Code, the excellent academic program, and the rigorous system, the future is bright for VMI.

With every graduating class, we add to the ranks of outstanding VMI alumni who watch out for and take care of one another. That training begins here on post and continues throughout their lives. We are told of many stories where alumni step up to help other alumni in need.

Recently, we reached out to alumni affected by Hurricane Ian in Florida and elsewhere, reminding them the VMI family was here for them if they needed help. Within 24 hours, an alumnus deployed overseas reached out, concerned about his family severely impacted by Hurricane Ian on the west coast of Florida. He tried to contact his parents during the storm, but the phone service was spotty, and they were cut off. Lucas Whitman ’10, director of alumni outreach, reached out to the Alumni Association regional director and the chapter presidents in the area, and they immediately formulated a plan. Within 24 hours, a young alumnus who is a project manager with an engineering firm drove an hour from his home to help the family. He checked on them, repaired several areas on their roof, helped them clean up debris, and made sure they had everything they needed to move forward. The VMI alumni network is renowned for good reason, and cadets know this as they enter the Institute; they are becoming part of a group they can depend on in any situation. Cameron Cavanaugh ’23, 1st Class president, recently said, “This place does mean a lot to not only myself, but to my brother rats, to the alumni ... [we are] just striving towards being able to call ourselves a VMI alum.”

We continue to support the VMI network by reenergizing many of its activities, especially those curtailed by restrictions related to the pandemic, by helping chapters get into full swing with events, hosting excellent reunions, and aiding and supporting VMI’s admissions efforts. We hope you will join us by encouraging high-quality young people to apply to VMI. The admissions office has a number of online links to share with your friends and family.

Leading the charge in engagement and outreach will be retired U.S. Navy Capt. Edward A. Johnson ’79, who will fill the role as Alumni Association chief operating officer at the end of November. Ed returns to VMI after more than four decades of combined military and civilian service in the U.S. Navy. He brings a wide array of professional experiences and a proven record of leadership at many levels. Ed has been involved with the Potomac River and George C. Marshall Chapters of the Alumni Association and served his class, as well. Since 2013, he has been a member of the Keydet Club Board of Governors and, in that role, made many contributions to improving the organization’s work on behalf of VMI. I am supremely confident Ed will be a highly effective leader who will provide the vision and the leadership needed to achieve exemplary results on behalf of the entire VMI family.

This year’s Founders Day celebration will be of particular importance, as we celebrate the impact and contribution of Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, superintendent emeritus, and Mrs. Pamela Peay during their tenure at VMI. Founders Day also gives us the opportunity to consider the ambitious vision VMI’s founders had for the school and how VMI has fulfilled that vision for more than 180 years.

Thank you to all the dedicated alumni and friends who have taken part in this noble effort, and I encourage everyone else to join them. Truly, there are few things you can do that will be more important to our country’s future and more rewarding to you.

Our Alumni Serving

Recognizing Those Who Serve Others in Their Communities, Country, and the World

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

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

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

If you or someone you know is serving others, please sub mit 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, Lexing ton, VA 24450, Attention: Alumni Review. We will review your submission and consider it for publication.

Vincent ’92 Retires

Alumni Gather at Marine Corps OCS Graduation

Hartwell ’95: Command Master Chief of Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command

Alumni Meet in Poland

Alumni came from three separate units which converged at the V Corps Tactical Headquarters in support of Defender Europe 22 in Krakow, Poland, in May 2022. Pictured are (from left) Col. Max Casteleyn ’96, 244th Digital Liaison Detachment; 2nd Lt. Ciera Henderson ’21, Headquarters, V Corps; and Capt. Mason Malone ’17, 5th Engineering Battalion.

Alumni Deployed Together with U.S. Central Command

Deployed together to a U.S. Central Command area of responsibility are (from left) Capt. David Harpen ’16, Capt. Mike Williams ’16, and Capt. Ian Garlock ’16.

Williams ’16 and Dillon ’14 Serve in Syria

Pictured while serving in northeastern Syria in the late spring are (from left) Capt. Michael D. Williams ’16 and Capt. Rory Dillon ’14. Williams took command of an infantry company in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, in March and deployed to Syria in April, where his company replaced Dillon’s company from the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, in May.

Carpenter ’21 and Anthony ’21 Train at Fort Benning

Splees

Goldstein

Deploy to Eastern Europe

Lynch ’69 Continues Service as MOAA General Counsel

From launching a rock band and meeting his wife during summer school at VMI to ex celling in law school, retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph “Joe” Lynch ’69 still car ries the memories and lessons of the Institute with him, including his initiative to serve.

Though he originally dreamed of being a fighter pilot, Lynch changed course after a failed eye exam and instead entered a suc cessful career as an Air Force judge advocate. After 10 years active duty, Lynch spent 22 years in the Air Force Reserve while also serving as a senior civilian attorney for the Navy Department. He retired from govern ment service in 2003.

Today, Lynch serves military servicemen and servicewomen as well as their families through his position as general counsel and corporate secretary for the Military Officers Association of America.

While he was born in Syracuse, New York, Lynch spent much of his childhood living all over the world as the son of a military officer. He first came to VMI after his father’s encouragement, as the elder Lynch wanted his son to be prepared to serve as an officer in the ongoing Vietnam War.

“I think my story is very similar to a lot of other VMI cadets whose fathers were in the military,” said Lynch. “My dad served in World War II and subsequently stayed in, making his career with the Air Force. When it came time for me to go to college, he said, ‘You’re a young male, and whether you like it or not, you’re going to end up going in the military. There’s a war going on in Vietnam, and it’s my obligation as your father to see that you are prepared to survive that any way that you can.’”

After witnessing young men in combat with little military experience in World War II, Lynch’s father felt it was important that his son attend VMI where he would gain self-discipline and leadership skills. Because of the Vietnam draft, Lynch’s father felt it was his obligation to ensure his son was as prepared as possible for the demands of military service.

“My dad said, ‘If you learn to be a good, solid professional military officer, you’ll survive military service and be successful for the rest of your life,’” reflected Lynch.

While taking summer school classes at

decision to go to law school and serve as a lawyer instead.

Lynch attended law school at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and grad uated in 1971.

The self-discipline and determination VMI taught him carried him through law school, as well. To make ends meet and pay for law school, Lynch maintained a parttime job in Atlanta delivering newspapers. With this job, he was able to pay his living expenses and save a little to pay tuition, in addition to a couple of student loans.

After graduating, he served 10 years on active duty in the Air Force as a judge advocate. Lynch spent 22 more years in the Air Force Reserve. After retiring from government service in 2003, he began work ing in consulting until a friend called him and suggested he join him at MOAA as its general counsel.

With 350,000 members throughout the world, MOAA is the largest association of military officers and a pivotal lobby on Cap itol Hill to protect the benefits of military personnel of all ranks and grades.

’69

VMI in 1967, Lynch began a summer rock and roll group with his two VMI room mates in which he played drums. By the end of the summer, he had met his future wife, Pat, at one of their concerts in Lynch burg; Pat was his Ring Figure date that fall, and they were married his last year of law school.

“I look back and reflect upon it, and there were times at VMI when things were just going right, and I felt like a million dollars. I was proud I was there and felt I was doing things to move myself along in my life and career. Then, there were many other times when my experience was extraordinarily difficult, facing some major disappoint ments that I didn’t expect.”

One of those disappointments was learn ing that his eyesight would prevent him from entering the Air Force as a fighter pilot. From this disappointment came his pivotal career

“MOAA serves the military community by advocating for active duty service mem bers to get pay that is comparable to civilian pay raises in the private sector and ensuring health care for military personnel who are retired and can no longer access military treatment facilities,” Lynch explained.

“We also provide financial assistance and scholarships to the children of military personnel. Some of these scholarships are set aside specifically for children of military personnel when a parent has died serving on active duty.”

In one recent example, MOAA advocated for better benefits for spouses and families of service members killed in action. He explained that spouses of active duty and retired military members can receive sur vivor benefits equal to 55% of the military member’s base pay if they die. At the same time, the families and/or spouses of de ceased military service members also receive dependency and indemnity compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, many years ago, Congress decided to deduct the VA compensation from the sur vivor benefit. As an unintended consequence

of the deduction, the families and spouses of those killed in action faced a real finan cial hardship.

“This was costing some of our spouses, especially the junior spouses, to lose the entire survivor benefit,” said Lynch. “At MOAA, we worked really hard on Capitol Hill to get legislation to fix that because it affected just about every spouse of a deceased military member who was killed in combat.”

In December 2019, MOAA persuaded Congress to pass legislation that removed the offset between the two pensions. Now, the family members and spouses of those killed while on active duty get both the sur vivor benefit plan as well as the veterans’ benefits they are entitled to.

In another example, MOAA obtained repeal of a bipartisan budget deal that put an end to a budget-balancing technique the government was using at the time in which 1% of retirement pay for service members was deducted to balance the budget. MOAA was able to correct this injustice and save retired service members as much as $100,000 in retirement benefits over their lifetimes.

“Finally, we were able to restore the percentage and ensure these veterans and their families could depend on this retirement. We consider it one of our major accomplishments for the military community,” Lynch explained.

For Lynch, lobbying and advocacy on the part of MOAA is vital, especially at a time when few American citizens serve in the military. “Today, the statistic is close to 99% of Americans who have never served in the military,” said Lynch. “[M]any peo ple don’t really understand what military service is and what it demands of service members and their families.”

He sees part of MOAA’s work as edu cating the public on what military service is and how it affects not only those who serve but also their families. He finds that with this understanding, people are quick ly more supportive.

As he continues to serve as general coun sel, Lynch finds his work worthwhile and enriching.

“I find my working with MOAA very rewarding. While it is a lot of very detailed legal work, the efforts we make are very important to our active duty soldiers, vet erans, and military families,” said Lynch. “I enjoy it because I’m working for the military community.”

Steenburgh ’86: “A Witness to All That History”

Sometimes, the best seat in the house is no seat at all.

Charles “Chuck” Steenburgh ’86, unoffi cial VMI Keydets photographer for the past 24 years, describes his sidelines business as “the best seat in the house,” but at sporting events, Steenburgh’s seat is most often the smooth hardwood of a basketball court or the well-manicured grass of a football field. He can also be found poolside in the Clark King Hall Annex, sometimes climbing onto the diving platform to get shots of the swimmers or water polo players from above.

It’s been a labor of love for almost a quar ter-century, but after the 2021–22 academic year, Steenburgh’s regular gig as the Keydets’ photographer came to an end. In July, he moved to Maryland, where he is now assis tant vice president for integrated marketing and communications at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

The son of a retired Navy lieutenant com mander, Steenburgh came to VMI with the support of the F.D. Gottwald Scholars Pro gram. “That was just huge,” Steenburgh not ed. “My folks were middle class. To afford a VMI education even then would have been a huge challenge.”

When Steenburgh was a cadet, he was in the stands rather than out on the playing field. On

the hill, he was a member of the regimental staff whose primary focus was attaining an Army commission. He graduated with dis tinction, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a minor in international relations, and served four years in the Army field artillery while simultaneously earning a master’s degree. In 1990, with the support of Col. Patrick “Pat” Mayerchak, then-professor of international studies, he returned to the Institute to teach government.

Steenburgh worked toward a doctorate at the University of Virginia but eventually realized that his heart wasn’t in it. At that point, he moved across post to Smith Hall, where he worked in what’s now the Office of Commu nications & Marketing alongside Col. Michael M. “Mike” Strickler ’71, then-head of public relations. In 1998, he began his career as a sports photographer, learning as he went and buying his gear from eBay.

“I’m a big gearhead,” he commented. “So, I started with old manual focus film and worked up to autofocus. And then digital came around in 2000. I convinced VMI to invest in an early digital SLR, the old Nikon D1, back around 2000. And I had to lay out how many rolls of film a year it would save us.”

It goes without saying that Steenburgh has seen a seismic change in photographic technology.

Churck Steenburgh ’86 and his camera on the Parade Ground in spring 2022.—Photo by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.

Steenburgh describes this photo as “a random goal celebration for women’s soccer,” but the photo captures much more: Exhilaration, an emotional con nection with teammates—and a reminder that not all games are played on sunny days. “People don’t always realize how physical soccer is as a sport,” said Steenburgh.

At the end of the 1990s, the end of a football game would mean a trip to Walmart for one-hour photo processing, followed by another trip to pick up the negatives. By feeding the negatives into a scanner, Steenburgh could have photos from the day’s game to put on VMI’s website, but the entire process took several hours.

Today, transmittal takes seconds. “I can pull midgame photos from my camera onto my phone, right, and blast them out to social media during the game,” he noted.

Close relationships have helped Steenburgh thrive as a sports pho tographer. He and Wade Branner ’83, recently retired VMI associate director of athletic communications, worked together for years, in proximity both at home and on the road. Their offices were next door to each other in Smith Hall when Steenburgh was working in VMI’s Office of Communications & Marketing, and the two often shared a hotel room away from home.

“[Branner] and his team, they’re awesome to work with,” said Steenburgh. “We were very tight. [Branner] is very accommodating.”

Steenburgh’s status as an alumnus, former member of both the faculty and staff, and former tactical officer in barracks has added value, as well. “When you know the school as well as I do, and you cover so many games, you really get a feel for how the teams play and what to do,” Steenburgh commented. “So that’s always been an advantage I’ve had.”

One thing Steenburgh can’t do at games is socialize, even when he sees friends and brother rats in the stands. He’ll wave, but that’s all he has time for when there’s action on the field—safety has to come first.

“I’ve had footballs smack the front of my camera and bust up my lenses,” he stated. “I’ve had football players run into me.”

Thankfully, though, Steenburgh has never sustained a serious injury on the sidelines. His motto? “Get the heck out of the way—live to shoot another day.”

Steenburgh describes being there for the magic moments—such as the basketball team’s victory over Kentucky in 2008 or the football team’s clinching of the Southern Conference championship in spring 2021—as “priceless.”

“You’re there as a witness to all that history,” he stated.

And even as he’s getting spectacular shots, Steenburgh is also giving back to the Institute.

“Everybody has their reasons for trying to give back to VMI,” he commented. “The sports photography is kind of my way to still keep my hand in things, to still do things that help the Institute and support the athletes, the competitors.”

And even though he’s moved out of state, Steenburgh hasn’t aban doned his favorite sports teams. For the big events on post and games in the Northern Virginia/Maryland area, Keydet fans can expect to see him and his gear bag on the sidelines.

Steenburgh describes this photo as an example of the power of composition in photography and how hard it is to achieve. “For every one of these, there’s 20 or 30 misses,” he commented.

D.J. Covington ’14 grabs the rim after making a shot in Cameron Hall during a game against Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, part of the College Invitational Tournament. Steenburgh noted that this photo, one of his favorites, ran on the front page of the Roanoke Times’ sports section.—Photos courtesy Chuck Steenburgh ’86.

Serving His Fellow Citizen: Jahkola ’01 Mobilizes Relief Efforts for Ukraine

In February 2022, the world witnessed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the catastrophes that followed in the ongoing conflict. From his home office in the Netherlands, Harri Jahkola ’01 did not watch for long before he was compelled to action. With the help of a team of friends, Jahkola provides relief aid to Ukraini ans. Through their keen strategy, meticulous detail, and hearts for civilians in the war-torn country, Jahkola’s team has provided resources like medical aid and vehicles for medical trans port to Ukraine thus far.

Not only does he feel conviction to help Ukraine due to Finland’s similar geopolitical situation, but Jahkola is further motivated by his citizen-soldier mentality which became second nature during his time at the Institute.

Originally from Finland, Jahkola chose to attend VMI after prompting from his childhood friend, Harri Humaloja ’96. Before attending the Institute, Jahkola completed his mandatory 11-month military service in the Finnish mili tary at the age of 20, which also influenced his decision to attend VMI.

“I had an awareness that I needed the disci pline and structure of VMI at that time in my life. And I was right,” said Jahkola. “It was a very formative experience for me. I don’t think ‘enjoy’ would be the word I would use, but it was a worthwhile experience. If I had to choose again, I would go again.”

After earning a degree in business from VMI, Jahkola joined KFOR, the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo, where he worked in military intelligence. He attended graduate school, but midway through, he decided to take a job offer instead.

He currently resides in Amsterdam, the Neth erlands, where he works in corporate finance with a specialization in financial planning and analysis. Jahkola has worked for a number of major companies over the years; for the last four years, he has worked for the multinational Dutch publisher Wolters Kluwer in its legal and regulatory publishing division based in the U.S.

Jahkola credits VMI for connecting him to U.S. companies, as well as preparing him for the corporate world. “It can be tough at times, but VMI definitely prepares you for it,” said Jahkola. “You’re not too concerned about little things. You maintain the attitude that we will live, keep our head down, and keep on working.”

When the war between Russia and Ukraine began, Jahkola put his professional military and corporate skills to use.

His desire to help Ukraine arises from his sense of duty, as well as his country’s long, complex history with Russia. Jahkola grew up cognizant of the threat Russian expansion poses to coun tries like his own and Ukraine.

“We used to be a part of Russia, and we be came independent 105 years ago in 1917, right after World War I. However, during World War II, Russia invaded Finland.”

At that time, the Finnish fought three wars— two against Russia and one against Germany. Yet, the country prevailed and retained its in dependence.

Harri Jahkola ’01, his team, and their Ukraine connections unite as they hand over the truck and med ical supplies in Krakow, Poland. Pictured are Jahkola (back left), Harri Humaloja ’96 (back center), and Matti Metsämäki, who Jahkola said was “a key member in the project.” The women pictured in front are Ukrainians from Zaporizhzhye who came to Poland in the first days of the war to coordinate aid while their family members, including a female surgeon, stayed behind.

Jahkola notes that Finland and Russia’s rela tionship has improved in the last 30–40 years. Nonetheless, he said, “I would still say Finns have always been cautious about Russia’s ascen dancy and also their belligerency when it comes to Eastern Europe in the 2000s.”

Thus, for Jahkola and his friends, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was feared, and the news

“came as expected” to them. Immediately, they began strategizing ways to help Ukrainians.

“It took us a few weeks to decide the best way to provide aid because we could throw money at the problem and donate to Red Cross, UNICEF, and so forth, which is great,” said Jahkola. “But we wanted to get involved personally.”

Sending aid privately also ensured resources reached the people. “There is, unfortunately, a very high level of corruption in Ukraine, so aid that is sent can sometimes end up in the wrong hands.”

Instead, Jahkola and his team of friends be gan to channel supplies through Ukrainian families with relatives and connections where help is needed most. In one example, there was a Ukrainian family in Poland in which the men stayed in Ukraine to fight, as well as one of the women, who was a surgeon. These women organize aid, raise funds, and then send needed items across the border.

Jahkola’s team asked the women what they needed, and he says this was the moment they “truly found a way to help.” Instead of clothes and food, the women said people really needed vehicles and medical supplies. Because of the surgeon who stayed in Ukraine to continue serv ing at the hospital, the women intimately know the country’s need for medical aid.

“They need evacuation aid to bring people from the front lines to the major hospitals in the big cities. This means pickup trucks and ambulances,” Jahkola stated. “So, that’s exact ly what we did. We bought a used pickup truck that is one of the more reliable trucks there is. We also raised money from our circle of friends and bought medical supplies like tourniquets and field dressings with those funds.”

Jahkola notes that the medical supplies and vehicles are not problematic because they are part of humanitarian aid. “When a sol dier becomes wounded, he or she becomes a civilian according to international law,” Jah kola explained. “Hospitals are struggling with acquiring medical supplies because much of international aid goes to the government and the government will prioritize soldiers, which makes sense. When we provide aid, however, it goes to civilian hospitals, which are serving the wounded civilians mostly, but there’s going to be soldiers, as well.”

Jahkola and his team are meticulous about vet ting contacts and ensuring the resources they do nate reach the right people. “We receive videos and pictures of the aid—the actual tourniquets and the dressings in the hands of the people and their families.”

When Jahkola’s team sent an ambulance and a pick-up truck, they ensured the vehicles were

Medical supplies reach the hands of the Hospitallers Medical Battalion through the combined effort of Jahkola’s team and a Ukrainian family connection.—Photos courtesy Jahkola.

used and not flashy. One of the men is a me chanic who spent weeks making the vehicles field worthy.

“The risk is that the vehicle will go to Kyiv, where it will belong to some general for private use,” said Jahkola. “We want reliable models that will withstand another 100,000 kilometers or miles but not something that you’re going to be boasting to your neighbor.”

In addition to raising money for the aid they deliver, Jahkola and his team pay for their own overhead so that all of their aid goes directly to Ukraine. He is also passionate about serv ing overlooked groups such as animal shelters which are struggling to feed the many pets left

behind when their owners were forced to flee the country. He said they are short on supplies, especially pet food.

As the war wages on, Jahkola and his friends have no plans of stopping their relief efforts.

Jahkola credits his sense of duty to help Ukraine to the citizen-soldier mentality he developed while at VMI.

“In the citizen-soldier mentality, even though I am not active military service anymore, I am still serving my country and my fellow man and woman,” said Jahkola. “It’s something I feel very strongly about and is one of the main reasons why I started helping Ukrainians; I felt I needed to do something.”

Keith Gabriel ’12 came to VMI on a basketball scholarship. At first, he was not sure VMI was the place for him, but now, a decade after graduating, he is a successful businessman who can’t imagine what his life would be like had he walked away from VMI.—Photo by Christian Heilman, VMI Alumni Agencies.

Gabriel ’12: The Strength of Community

When Keith Gabriel ’12 agreed to come to VMI on a basketball scholar ship, he knew so little about the school that he thought he might be allowed to bring the family dog with him. A decade from graduation, Gabriel is a successful businessman and a member of the Keydet Club Board of Governors. He laughs at the memory of his younger self, a teenager from Charlotte, North Carolina, who thought a canine would be welcome in barracks and didn’t read the packing list carefully enough to see the V-neck T-shirts he’d brought were against the rules.

Needless to say, the Rat Line was a rude awakening. If it hadn’t been for a pact he made with a brother rat, Ron Burks ’12—that if one stayed at VMI, the other had to stay, as well—Gabriel might not have completed his education at VMI.

Now, he can’t imagine what would have happened if he’d left. “I genu inely feel that if I had left VMI my freshman year, I would have given up on a plethora of things later in life, and I am certain I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he stated.

At 33, Gabriel is working in human resources for JE Dunn Construction in his hometown of Charlotte and earning a Master of Business Administra tion degree from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School to complement his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from VMI.

Throughout all four years at the Institute, support and friendship from alums and community members bolstered Gabriel. Retired U.S. Army Col. Leland Caldwell Jr. ’63 reached out to him before matriculation and remains a friend to this day, as the two often see each other at Charlotte Chapter alumni events.

In Lexington, the Cathcart family—Charles S. Cathcart Jr. ’91, Cheryl Cathcart, Charles S. “Trey” Cathcart ’22, and Cadet Cole Cathcart ’24— formed a special bond with Gabriel during his cadetship after Gabriel joined the Cathcart sons and others for a game of Uno in a hotel in Ashe ville, North Carolina, after a basketball game during his 3rd Class year.

Gabriel’s years in Lexington were not years of smooth sailing. During his 3rd Class year, Gabriel was caught having a car on post, which resulted in him receiving a 10-6-30 and losing his S-6 corporal ranking. It was only after a call to the Cathcarts that Gabriel began to reconsider his impulse to bag it all and go home.

“At that point, it wouldn’t have been walking away from an institution,” he explained. “It would have been walking away from family. ... [There were] so many people that I felt looked up to me, and it wasn’t about my happiness. I couldn’t let those folks in that area down.”

On the basketball court, Gabriel drew strength and inspiration from his teammates. During his 4th Class year, there were Travis Holmes ’09, Cha vis Holmes ’09, and Willie Bell ’09, who contributed substantially to VMI basketball’s success during their cadetships; in addition, there was Austin Kenon ’11, one of the top shooting guards in VMI basketball history, who is now entering his sixth season as an assistant coach for the Keydets.

During furloughs, Gabriel would visit with his twin brother, who was then playing basketball for Auburn University, and he received a taste of life at a “typical” college, complete with off-campus housing. But Gabriel was always glad he’d chosen VMI because deep down, he knew that the “limited distractions” and the lifelong relationships he was cultivating at VMI were helping him to succeed.

“It was something in me that was like, this doesn’t feel right,” Gabriel related. “I don’t want to do this. I want the structure. I want the discipline. I want to learn. I want to be in barracks going through similar situations

with my roommates, Dion Mosley ’12 and Casey Riggs ’12. I want to grow as a human being.”

After graduation, Gabriel headed to Bradenton, Florida, for the NBA pre-draft camp, but he didn’t receive much interest from NBA teams. He wound up playing professional basketball in Europe for three years. After being released from a team in Germany and the passing of his grandfather, Joseph Hunter, Gabriel realized it was time to start his transition from professional basketball and search for opportunities in the U.S. Once he began reaching out to the VMI Alumni Agencies, the VMI network started to show its strength.

When Gabriel graduated in 2012, he received an email from Stuart “Stu” Heishman ’86 introducing himself and mentioning that he was the vice president of business recruitment and economic development at Duke Energy Corporation. In 2015, Keith was playing basketball in Serbia and applied for a position to join Heishman’s team at Duke En ergy Corporation.

During Gabriel’s freshman year, Heishman had attended a game at Gardner-Webb where Gabriel racked up 34 points that game and after ward watched Gabriel laugh and joke with a group of young children. Years later, Heishman told him that he’d watched how competitive he was on the court and how humble he was with those children. “He was like, that’s what we need at Duke Energy,” said Gabriel. “We need team players. We need competitors. And we need people who have compassion and empathy for others.”

At a larger school, Gabriel believes this might not have happened and the bond between alumni of different class years might not be so strong. “What VMI did for me was equip me for every challenging situation that has happened in my life,” he stated.

In 2019, Gabriel and his wife, Samantha, got news that would traumatize any expectant parents. Their daughter, then a 12-week-old fetus, would be born with many of her internal organs outside her body.

Immediately after receiving this news, Gabriel chose a mindset forged by four years in barracks. “I went into VMI mode,” he stated. “I went into: There’s no time to worry or complain about it. It’s time to face this challenge head-on and get through it. And the way that VMI taught me was that with friends through good times, it’s twice the happiness. With friends through bad times, it’s just half the battle.”

Reaching out to BRs for support helped Gabriel weather the storm. “And so, whenever I had something that I needed to talk about, or just cry about, there was a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen.” Today, Ryleigh Gabriel, now 3 years old, is a healthy, intelligent, and active girl.

One of Gabriel’s fondest memories of his cadetship was graduation when the valedictorian for the Class of 2012 mentioned how much he’d miss going to VMI basketball games. “That really stands out to me because that just shows how much support my teammates and I had from our brother rats, the Corps, and the VMI community. They enjoyed seeing us compete and winning.”

Gabriel has some advice for young athletes at VMI who are considering the transfer portal: Consider what you’re giving up—and stay the course.

“Where can you get the discipline, the accountability, the organization, the time management skills, and making sure that you’re a holistic person?” he asked. “Don’t just leave VMI based on playing time that you are getting or not getting to go to another school because, at the end, VMI is going to hurt this year, but you’re going to hurt in the long run.”

Governor Announces Appointments to VMI Board of Visitors

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed John Adams ’96, C. Ernest Edgar IV ’87, Thomas E. Gottwald ’83, and Meaghan Mobbs to four-year terms on the VMI Board of Visitors. Adams, of Midlothian, Virginia, is a partner with McGuireWoods, where he represents corpo rations, boards, and executives facing significant legal and reputational risk in criminal, regulato ry, civil, and congressional proceedings. After earning his degree in economics and business at VMI, he served as a surface warfare officer in the Navy, deploying to the Middle East and Central and South America, until 2000. He then attended the University of Virginia School of Law. Adams previously served as the secretary of the VMI Club of Richmond and spent 10 years on the board of the VMI Foundation.

Edgar lives in Tampa, Florida, and serves as general counsel for Atkins North America, an engineering, design, and project management company. A third-generation VMI graduate, Edgar earned his degree in civil engineering before serving as an Army engineer officer in

Germany and in the Persian Gulf War and later as an activated reservist serving after the Sept. 11 attacks. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law and is a member of the bar in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Florida. Edgar previously served on the board of VMI Research Laboratories, Inc., and as the 1987 class agent.

From Richmond, Virginia, Gottwald is chair man and CEO of the NewMarket Corporation, which is the parent company of Afton Chem ical and Ethyl Corporations. After earning his VMI degree in chemistry, he earned his master’s degree in business administration from the Har vard School of Business. He previously served as a member of the VMI Keydet Club Board of Governors and is on the VMI Jackson-Hope Board of Overseers. He is also involved in civic activities throughout the Richmond area, includ ing Virginia Home for Boys and the Children’s Museum of Richmond.

Mobbs is the president of the Romulus T. Weatherman Foundation and vice president for

client strategies for LINK Public Affairs. She lives in Vienna, Virginia, and is a graduate of West Point. She is an Afghanistan veteran and former Army captain. She earned a master’s degree in forensic psychology from George Washington University and holds a doctorate in clinical psy chology from Columbia University where her work focused on the psychosocial impact of an all-volunteer military and the role of transition stress in the lives of military veterans. She’s ad vised numerous nonprofits and has worked with other veteran-focused organizations.

Leaving the board are Conrad Hall ’65, Richard Hines V ’66, E. Sean Lanier ’94, and the Hon. Joe Reeder.

“We are very excited to have these individuals joining the board,” said Tom Watjen ’76, VMI Board of Visitors president, of the new members. “Each brings to the board unique experiences and backgrounds, which, along with our existing members, gives me great confidence that we are well positioned to support the needs of the Institute as it moves forward.”

Cadets Research Load Carriage at High Altitudes

Over the past 20 years, most of the U.S. military’s active conflicts have been fought in mountainous areas of the Middle East. Because the air contains less oxygen at higher altitudes than it does at lower ones, that means a hard workout for a soldier’s heart and lungs. Once the heavy gear a soldier typically carries is added to the mix, the situation becomes even more extreme.

Understanding how load carriage affects the cardiac performance and endurance of indi viduals at high altitudes is a research interest for Maj. Dan Baur, Ph.D., assistant professor of human performance and wellness (formerly physical education), and his wife, Capt. Kath erine “Katie” Baur, an instructor in the same department.

This summer, Cadets Abaigeal Doody ’23 and Beverley Buchanan ’23, both majoring in

biology, worked under the Baurs’ direction in their Summer Undergraduate Research Insti tute projects, “Effects of Simulated Altitudes and Load Carriage of Cardiac Output” and “The Effects of Heavy Load Carriage and Simulated Altitude on Ventilatory Physiology.”

Doody explained the heart functions as a pump to supply the body with blood enriched with oxygen. When the heart contracts and all the blood in the ventricles is ejected, the amount of blood pumped during one beat is known as stroke volume. The number of times a heart beats per minute is known as heart rate. Cardiac output is the total volume of blood pumped by the ventricles per minute, the product of heart rate and stroke volume.

“Heart rate is an important indicator of cardiovascular stress and strain,” Doody said. “During exercise, the heart rate increases in

direct response to increased exercise intensity, to supply working muscles and organs with enough oxygen and nutrients to function. As exercise intensifies, HR approaches a maxi mum heart rate. Research has shown SV also changes to meet the demands of exercise, up to and including the point of exhaustion.”

At high altitudes, where the air is thinner, the lungs and the heart must work harder to supply the bloodstream with enough oxygen. This causes shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure.

“The delivery of oxygen to the muscles during intense exercise begins with the movement of air into and out of the lungs—breathing,” said Buchanan. “Carrying a heavy load, a com mon task for soldiers, is known to add to the difficulty of breathing. As the heart and lungs work together to deliver oxygenated blood to

the muscles, it is possible that the heart must overwork during such challenging conditions, causing important implications for soldiers engaged on the battlefield.”

The research involved healthy male subjects who were tested on six separate occasions by performing exercise tests in VMI’s privately funded hypoxic chamber, which simulates a high-altitude environment. First, a baseline for oxygen consumption was established through three exercise tests. The first test was without weight with normal oxygen levels and the sec ond was with a 65-pound rucksack. The third test was loaded under hypoxic conditions of 12,000 feet. For reference, many of the Rocky Mountains have summits that are between 12,000 and 14,000 feet tall.

After those three tests are completed, three walking tests are done for comparison, with varying weight loads, speeds, and oxygen levels.

“The military does not stop when they reach high altitudes or when they need to carry everything on their backs, so results of the study will provide more insight into the effects carrying a heavy load at high altitudes has on the body’s ability to get oxygen to the muscles and all other vital organs,” Doody comment ed. “The effects of load carriage at altitude on cardiac output are mostly unknown. By furthering our understanding of altitude and load carriage on cardiac output, we can begin to further understand how to help make it easier on the body.”

The Baurs, meanwhile, have been pleased with the research. “Buchanan and Doody have assisted me with research at various points over the last year, and I’ve been lucky to have them,” said Dan Baur. “They have worked hard, and I believe their efforts will result in data that they can present at a national conference and

publish in a prominent journal. Their project will likely have important implications for the health and performance of soldiers, and both understand and value their role in producing knowledge that may someday support their peers who serve.”

“Buchanan and Doody have each embraced their individual roles in the research process and take their responsibilities seriously,” Katie Baur added. “They work well alongside one another and ask questions that exemplify their interest and understanding of our larger research question.”

Doody came to VMI from Ladera Ranch, California. After graduation, she plans to go to graduate school, where she will pursue a degree in physical therapy.

Buchanan is from Richmond, Virginia. After graduation, she plans to go to graduate school, where she will study sports medicine or pharmacy.

VMI Superintendent’s Quarters Renovated

One of the oldest buildings on the VMI post, the Superintendent’s Quarters is a crown jewel of Gothic Revival architecture designed by 19th-cen tury American architect Alexander Jackson Davis, who also designed the barracks. With its copper roof, twin turrets, and prominent location by the Parade Ground, the house immediately attracts the attention of visitors.

The house was completed in 1862 but was moved in 1914 from its original location (what is now the center of the Parade Ground) when the Parade Ground was enlarged from 5 to 12 acres. Two other houses were moved at the same time, including the current commandant’s house.

Beginning in 2021, the Superintendent’s Quar ters underwent a $2.4 million renovation project that took nearly a year to complete, in addition to a full year of planning and design. Before this renovation, the last significant work on the house was completed in the early 1990s.

Since the home is part of the VMI historic district and is on the National Register of His toric Places, renovation consultants included architectural historians at the Commonwealth’s Department of Historic Resources. Now that Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, has moved in, the structure has served as a home to all 15 of VMI’s superintendents.

Many U.S. presidents and foreign heads of state, as well as U.S. and foreign military leaders, have visited the house. Like the White House and the Governor’s Mansion, the Superintendent’s Quarters was built for both public and private use.

According to Col. Keith Gibson ’77, VMI Museum System director, President Franklin D.

The built-in bookshelves in the library were refurbished during the recent renovation of the Superintendent’s Quarters.

Roosevelt was scheduled to address the Corps of Cadets in person Nov. 11, 1939, the centennial anniversary of VMI. “Special alterations were made to the house for the president, who had been a victim of polio,” said Gibson. “A special entrance to accommodate his wheelchair and a first-floor bedroom with adjoining bathroom were quickly constructed. But when Hitler invaded Poland Sept. 1 of that year, the president had to cancel his VMI visit. Instead, loudspeakers were placed on the Parade Ground and the president addressed the Corps as they stood in parade for mation via a long-distance phone call from the Oval Office,” said Gibson.

Lt. Col. Daren Payne ’90, deputy director of construction, said it had been at least 25 years

since any significant renovations were done to the quarters. “This yearlong project enabled us to upgrade and modernize the building with more reliable and energy-efficient systems, make the building handicap accessible, update interior fin ishes and furnishings, while also providing fresh landscaping and fixing the roof and some exterior features. Seeing such a historic building undergo a renovation and come back to life, looking fresh and modern while retaining its historic character, is a rare opportunity,” said Payne.

The project included a new HVAC system, new sewer and water lines, a new electrical sys tem, new copper roof, gutters and downspouts, plaster work, fresh paint, new bathroom fixtures, updated landscaping, and new furniture. A ramp was built from the sidewalk to the side door, making the home accessible to all. A first-floor bathroom was retrofitted to comply with current ADA requirements.

A modern feature to the house is fiber optic access to the internet. Wins is the first superinten dent to be able to access the VMI network from his living quarters.

The first floor, used mainly for entertaining and special events, consists of an entry hall, dining room, sunroom, kitchen, breakfast room, butler’s pantry, drawing room, game room, library, gover nor’s suite, and den. There is a full basement, but it is only partially finished. A caterer’s kitchen to be used for large special events is in the basement. The second and third floors are private quarters for the superintendent and family.

Three Keydets Earn Preseason All-American Status from HERO

HERO Sports announced its FCS Preseason All-Americans with VMI’s Stone Snyder ’23, Robert Soderholm ’22, and Jerry Rice ’23 all getting nods.

Snyder was named First Team Defense, Soderholm garnered First Team Specialist honors, and Rice was named to the Third Team Specialist squad.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Snyder is in his fifth preseason All-American nod this year. Additionally, Snyder was recently named to the Buck Buchanan Watch List, which is the award given to the nation’s top defensive player at the FCS level.

Soderholm now has three Preseason All-Amer ican awards in 2022, joining Snyder on the Stats Perform All-American list, with the trio all gar nering Phil Steele All-American recognition.

The Keydets opened the 2022 campaign Thursday, Sept.1, when they visited Wake Forest.

Eaton ’19 Makes Major League Baseball Debut

Nathan Eaton ’19, VMI baseball alumnus, made his Major League Baseball debut July 14, 2022, and played a star role in lifting the Kansas City Royals to a 3-1 win over the host Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

The Chester, Virginia, native homered in the ninth inning to lead the Royals to victory. Fac ing Anthony Banda, Blue Jay pitcher, with zero on base and one out, Eaton hit the 10th pitch of the at-bat—a 3-2 changeup—and sent it over the left-center field fence for his first career hit and home run as a major leaguer. In four at-bats, Eaton earned one run, one hit, one RBI, and a .250 hitting percentage to go with one strikeout in the effort.

Eaton—drafted in 2018 by the Royals in Round 21 as the 632nd overall pick—is listed as a utility for the Royals and can play all three outfield spots and all over the infield. Prior to his call-up, Eaton was slugging .498 with 13 home runs in the Double-A and Triple-A within the Royals organization.

He is the third VMI baseball alum to make his MLB debut this season. Former Keydets Josh Winder ’19 (Minnesota Twins) and Reed Garrett ’15 (Washington Nationals) have also seen major league action in 2022.

Roberts ’11 Announced as Baseball Head Coach

Jim Miller, VMI director of athletics, announced the promotion of Sam Roberts ’11 to head baseball coach Aug. 5.

“I am pleased to announce Sam Roberts as the head coach of VMI baseball,” Miller said. “From his playing days on post to his return as an assistant coach in fall 2016, Sam has played an important role in the Keydet baseball program. He is clearly the right person to move us forward.”

A 2011 graduate, Roberts becomes the 21st head coach in the program’s history. Roberts spent the 2017 season as a volunteer assistant with the VMI program after retiring from the professional ranks following spring training 2016.

Roberts ’11

as I went through this process. I also want to thank Jonathan [Hadra ’04] for helping me get to this point in my career and for all he has done to lift this program up over the past eight seasons.”

mound, both in starting and relief roles. Roberts was drafted by Oakland following the 2011 season and spent five seasons in the A’s system. Following the 2013 season, Roberts transitioned full-time to the mound and spent his final two professional seasons in that role.

“It is a tremendous honor to be chosen to lead a team and program that has given so much to me over the years as a player, cadet, [alumnus], and coach,” said Roberts. “I want to thank General Wins [’85] and Jim Miller for giving me this opportunity, as well as Emily Fulton [’18] and Lenny Brown, as they were first class

Roberts was promoted to VMI’s associate head coach/recruiting co ordinator in fall 2020 after serving as an assistant coach for four years. During 2018, Roberts worked with staff, including Josh Winder ’19, then a 2nd Class cadet who was drafted in the seventh round by the Twins. Rob erts also mentored Matt Eagle ’18, who posted the third-most saves in a single season in VMI history and went on to sign a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels. In 2019, Zak Kent ’20, then a 2nd Class cadet, was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the ninth round after setting the program record for strikeouts in a single season.

As VMI’s all-time hits leader, Roberts ranks in the program’s top three in nine career categories and leads in hits, walks, at-bats, runs scored, and games played. He was also a regular on the

Roberts replaces Jonathan Hadra ’04, who has moved on to pursue other coaching op portunities.

“I am fired up to continue the great work being done within this organization as we con tinue to improve facilities, raise scholarships, and work towards creating cadet-athletes who are prepared for life on and off the field,” said Roberts. “I believe in the young men we have on our roster and am committed to adding first-class players to this team. There is much work to be done, but the future is bright for VMI baseball—all of which is possible through the continued support of our alumni, donors, and supportive administration at VMI. It’s time to go to work. Go Keydets!”

Roberts is married to the former Haley Taylor, and the couple have two children, Madison, 3, and Grady, 1.

2022–23 Men’s Basketball Schedule

Nov. 7 – at Richmond

Nov. 10 – vs. Penn State New Kensington

Nov. 13 – at Davidson

Nov. 18 – at Longwood

Nov. 19 – vs. SIUE (at Longwood)

Nov. 20 – vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (at Longwood)

Nov. 26 – vs. Regent

Nov. 29 – at Presbyterian Dec. 3 – vs. Navy Dec. 7 – vs. Carlow Dec. 10 – vs. Radford

Dec. 13 – at American Dec. 22 – at Fordham Dec. 29 – at Furman* Dec. 31 – vs. ETSU*

Jan. 4 – at Samford*

Jan. 7 – at Chattanooga* Jan. 11 – vs. UNCG*

Jan. 14 – at Wofford*

Jan. 19 – vs. Mercer*

Jan. 21 – vs. The Citadel*

Jan. 25 – at UNCG*

Jan. 28 – vs. Western Carolina* Feb. 2 – at The Citadel*

Feb. 4 – at Mercer*

Feb. 8 – vs. Furman*

Feb. 10 – at ETSU*

Feb. 15 – vs. Chattanooga* Feb. 18 – vs. Samford*

Feb. 22 – vs. Wofford*

Feb. 25 – at Western Carolina*

Southern Conference Tournament March 3–6, 2023

Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, North Carolina

Events

Arkansas Chapter Picnic

Ted Goodloe ’65, Veronica Goodloe, Lee McNeely ’73, Debbie McNeely, Scott Falls ’81, Denise Falls, Jim Dittrich ’76, Tish Dittrich (photographer, not pictured), and Caroline Robinson (wife of Al Robinson ’77) meet for the annu al Arkansas Chapter picnic.

Cape Fear – Fayetteville Chapter Enjoys Woodpecker Game

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter Holds May Senior Breakfast

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter Social

Alumni and family gather at a New Market Day social May 15 at Backyard Bistro in Raleigh, North Carolina. Pic tured are (seated, from left) Rachel Peterson ’01, Dorris Gibson, Pat Kelly, Judy Brooke, Allyson Ishihara, (stand ing) Frank Brooke ’55, Luke Hale ’00, Bill Gibson ’65, Tharen Peterson ’00, Mike Kelly ’73, Bill Leonard ’96, Oscar Davis ’77, Rufus Owen ’91, John White ’74, Luke McDonald ’24, David McDon ald, and Paul Johnston ’61.

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter Holds June Senior Breakfast

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter members gather for their senior breakfast June 21, 2022. Alumni attending are (from left) Don Brown ’71, Richard McCue ’81, Bill Murchison ’70, Bill Gibson ’65, Mike Kelly ’73, Roger Rosenfield ’47, Glenn Garland ’75, Larry Wilson ’62, Parky Parkman ’66, Drew Turn er ’72, and (leaning forward) Dixie Walker ’70.

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter Holds July Senior Breakfast

Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter members enjoy fellow ship and breakfast July 19. At tending are (front row, from left) Sam Hening, Bill Murchison ’70, Roger Rosenfield ’47, Larry Wil son ’62, Snookie Parker ’74, Pete Shelley ’74, (back row) Rick Hen ing ’75, Paul Johnston ’61, Parky Parkman ’66, John White ’74, Bob “Turtle” Frank ’74, Barton Pasco ’77, Don Ferrell ’74, and Don Brown ’71 (not pictured).

Kansas City Chapter Holds Gathering

New England Chapter Social

Potomac River Chapter Gathers at Bull Run

The Potomac River Chapter gathers at The Win ery at Bull Run to celebrate New Market Day June 4, 2022. At the event, the chapter recognized Joel Hoisington ’15 for his tireless volunteer efforts on the chapter’s behalf.

Rappahannock Chapter Celebration Brunch

Richmond Cedarfield Dinner

Members of the Richmond Chapter enjoy a din ner at Cedarfield April 27. Pictured are (first row, from left) Reed Johnson ’53, Claiborne Minor ’67, Warren Koontz ’53, Doug Gottwald ’56, (second row) Jimmy Wiley ’52, John Taylor ’50B, John Phillips ’51, Claiborne Terry ’54, Charles Bryan ’69, and Richard Sessoms.

Rocket City Chapter After-Work Gathering

Rocket City Chapter members meet for an after-work gathering at the Brewer’s Cooperative in Huntsville, Alabama, May 19. Attending are Scott Haas ’72, Mari anne Haas, Fred Hair ’01, Andrew Patrick ’13, Christo pher Simpson ’01, Paul Wagner ’66, and Lynn Wagner.

Graduate School Partnerships

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

Partnerships include Virginia Commonwealth University,

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

Contact Ashley Clarke at clarkean@vmi.edu for more information.

Rocky Mountain and Pikes Peak Chapters Hold Memorial Dinner

The Rocky Mountain and Pikes Peak Chapters join for a memorial dinner at Bonefish Grill in Green wood Village, Colorado, May 14, 2022. In attendance are Parke Smith ’79, Deb ra Smith, Henry Ehrgott ’98, Jessica Ehrgott, Rich Dixon ’97, Amanda Dixon, Bob Fricke ’78, Nancy Fric ke, Luis del Valle ’90, Paul Goldman ’61, Rae Goldman, Dave Whitt ’66, Warren Weiss ’87, John Forsyth ’67, Leslie Forsyth, Chantal Stark ’15, and Ben Zupancic.

Rocky Mountain and Pikes Peak Chapters Hold Rat Send-Off

Rocky Mountain and Pikes Peak Chapters join to send off incoming rats at Philip S. Miller Park in Castle Rock, Colorado, July 30, 2022. Attending are (from left) Renee Hamilton, Bonnie Clark, Lee Anderson, Karen Floyd, Cadet Andrew Wright ’25, Kristina Wright, Christopher Wright, Warren Weiss ’87, Maxwell Floyd ’77, Tom Clark ’73, Bob Fricke ’78, Creigh Kelley ’68, Joe Irby ’85, Ryan Vigil 2023+3, Ruth Whitt, Dave Whitt ’66, Tom Reimann ’88, Parke Smith ’79, Tracey Reimann, Isabel Vigil, Chantal Stark ’15, Ben Zupancic, Marcus Vigil, Cadet Jacob Martin ’23, Cadet Ethan Hybl ’23, Cadet Stephen Dudar ’23, Miles Ehrgott, Lazzara Maz za-Hilway ’23, Dale Hybl ’94, Katherine Hybl, and Henry Ehrgott ’98. Not pictured are Paul Goldman ’61 and his wife, Rae Goldman.

Southeast Texas – Houston Chapter Holds Spring Gathering

At the Southeast Texas – Houston Chapter’s spring gathering at Saw yer’s Icehouse in Houston, Texas, May 7, 2022, are (from left) John Ginder ’04, Jeb Cox ’00, Bill Turpin ’75, Rody Grant ’94, Manuel Caballero ’07, Mi chael Wong ’83, Curtis Johnston ’82, Jim Neikirk ’71, Hank Rhodenizer Jr. ’12, Robert Senn ’13, and Mike Cor tese ’01.

Rat Send-Off in Bangkok, Thailand

In Bangkok, Thailand, alumni, a current cadet, and family celebrate a rat send-off. In this group are five general officers, a second lieutenant, and a 3rd Class cadet sending off Paphawin Setasawatpong. Pictured are (seated, from left) Lt. Gen. Paisarn Ngarmwong wan ’87, National Defence College superintendent; Mrs. Setasawatpong; Gen. Surapong Suwana-Adth ’79, member of the Senate of Thailand and former chief of defence forces, Royal Thai Armed Forces; retired Gen. M.R. Krita Kritakara ’68; Maj. Gen. Kultawat Vaijai ’88, Directorate of Joint Intelligence deputy director, RTARF; Maj. Gen. Noppadon Kuljanyavivat ’96, Office of Permanent Secretary for Defence expert; (standing) Cadet Pasawat Khamsam-Ang ’25; 2nd Lt. Patiphan Kaeosanit ’20, 3rd Army Aviation Battalion pilot; and Paphawin Setasawatpong 2023+3.

Valley and Rockbridge Chapters Dine at New Market Battlefield

Alumni Gather in Leesburg for New Market Day

Alumni gather in Leesburg at the grave of Henry Johns Mead, Class of 1867, to com memorate New Market Day May 15. Attending are (from left) John Piedmont ’89, Jack Hayes ’73, Steve Price ’71, Jack Curtis ’10, Geoff Schelhorn ’71, and Mike Virden ’10.

Jonathan Hadra ’04, former VMI head base ball coach, and his son, Colton, hold the finish line for the President’s Race at the Nationals game June 18.

VMI Night at Nationals Park

Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, and Col. Adrian Bogart ’81, commandant, attend the VMI Night at Nationals Park for VMI alumni of Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania chapters.

Fiscal Year 2022 Giving Underscores the Value of VMI

By the close of Fiscal Year 2022—one of the highest fundraising years in the history of VMI—5,282 members of the VMI family stepped forward to impact the lives of the Corps of Cadets. More than $50.3 million in cash gifts, pledges, and planned giving was recorded for the current and future benefit of the Institute and the Corps.

There is much to celebrate. VMI alumni, family, and friends supported cadets’ ability to refine their purpose, secure their goals, and step into their futures with confidence as leaders in their communities. This outflowing of support will allow VMI to advance its comprehensive approach—in the classroom, the barracks, military and leadership train ing, and in competition—to build leaders of character who live honorably and lead with integrity. They recognized the importance of investing in the values and virtues of a VMI education.

Philanthropy at VMI spans every aspect of each cadet’s educational experience, from state-of-the-art programs to multiple capital projects. If you are one of the Institute’s do nors and supporters, we are grateful for you.

Through the Foundation and several of its academic enrichment funds, donors addressed improvements to faculty compensation, teach ing resources, and innovation through cadet

research. These donors and the advances they fund help maintain and improve VMI’s compet itiveness for talented faculty and dedicated cadets.

The Keydet Club is celebrating the third-highest

FY22 at a Glance

• Raising $50.3 million in total, this was the fourth-highest year in fund raising history at the Agencies and the highest giving year to date when not in a formal fundraising campaign.

• Of that total, $30.1 million was from planned gifts and new pledges—nearly three times the most recent five-year average.

• Donors partnered with the Foun dation and Keydet Club to establish 18 new funds—17 of which were scholarships.

fundraising year in its history—increasing in both donors and dollars. These gifts provide support for cadet-athletes and NCAA compe tition through scholarships, daily operations,

and enhancing coaches’ salaries. Twelve new Keydet Club scholarships were created during FY22.

In FY22, more alumni increased their previous investment in VMI to reach leadership giving levels in the Keydet Club and the Foundation Fund. More young alumni stepped forward as leadership-level donors than in the past. Leadership donors are ex tended invitations to coveted events such as the celebration at the Keydet Club Leadership Outing and the gala event known as the Insti tute Society Dinner.

Reunions—a significant part of fundraising efforts—were in full swing with a record num ber of classes and attendees being honored by their alma mater. Alumni showed up gener ously with their time, talent, and treasure to make this possible.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity and support of our donors. While we celebrate these benchmarks in giving, we know that donors and their gifts are about improving the circumstances of others,” said David Pras nicki, VMI Alumni Agencies chief executive officer. “Through private support, the VMI family makes an incredible difference in the lives of the VMI Corps of Cadets, faculty, and coaches, and their families for many years to come. Thank you.”

Kemper ’68: Seeking the End Game

During his six decades of involvement with the VMI basketball program as a team co-captain, fan, and now a scholarship donor, John Kemper ’68 has seen it all: Victories over powerhouse Division I schools, heartbreaking hair’s breadth losses, coaching changes, and more. He’s seen generations of cadets come through the program, and he’ll tell you right away what makes writing those checks and driving those miles to games so worthwhile: Developing relationships with cadet-athletes, getting to know them and their families, and seeing once-unsure young men become confident VMI graduates who flourish long after they’ve left the barracks behind them.

Kemper didn’t have to wait very long to have his first scholarship recipient flourish: Reggie Williams ’08 was recruited to play basketball out of Prince George High School in Prince George, Virginia, and would go on to become the Keydets’ all-time leading scorer, a record that still stands. After graduating from VMI in 2008 with a Bach elor of Arts degree in psychology, Williams went on to become the second VMI graduate after Ron Carter ’78 to play in the NBA.

As a new scholarship donor in 2004, Kemper knew that he wanted to do more than provide financial support. He wanted to get to know the

young men his dollars were supporting, get to know their families, and be a resource for them. In Williams’ case, Kemper knew he’d been suc cessful in establishing that bond when he showed up at a home game, and Williams’ aunt came prepared with a special gift.

“I will never forget this,” Kemper comment ed. “She brought me a birthday cake there in the stands.”

For Kemper, being a scholarship donor is a good thing—but being an effective mentor is even better. “I consider myself first as being a mentor to Reggie, and that’s just as special as watching him play at VMI and in the NBA,” he comment ed. That mentorship continues to this day and has deepened into a friendship, as the two men both live in the Richmond, Virginia, area and get together for lunch or dinner several times a year.

During Williams’ cadetship, being a mentor meant encouraging, motivating, and nudging him to complete his education at VMI and then think beyond the basketball court. With Williams and others, Kemper related, he always asks, “What’s your end game? What do you want to achieve?”

In an ideal world, Kemper stated, each cadet would be paired with an alumnus mentor at the end of his or her rat year, if not before. As a young

alumnus, Kemper was on the receiving end of mentoring from Lt. Gen. John W. Knapp ’54, now superintendent emeritus, and Col. James M. “Jim” Morgan Jr. ’45, longtime professor of civil engineering. It was thanks to Morgan that Kemper found his first job, one with the city of Norfolk, Virginia, after completing his military service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

It isn’t easy to get a teenager or young adult to see the long view of life, and thus Kemper is par ticularly concerned when he hears that a player is considering entering the transfer portal. Other schools might be easier academically, but there’s a cost to leaving the Institute, he tells potential transfers. “You can make a name for yourself at VMI,” Kemper noted, “and a degree from VMI is special and allows you the opportunity to de velop an alumni network that is second to none.”

Even today, more than 50 years after gradua tion, Kemper can still remember the somewhat circuitous path that brought him to VMI and its basketball court, then in Cormack Hall and affectionately known as “The Pit.”

Kemper’s own path to VMI started with want ing to play football, not basketball. He’d hoped to be the Institute’s quarterback or cornerback, but John McKenna, then the Institute’s football coach, found out that Kemper weighed less than 145 pounds. “You might be a little small for football,” Kemper recalls McKenna telling him, and with that news, Kemper went on a basket ball recruiting trip to the College of William & Mary, where the Keydets were playing the Tribe in basketball. There, Kemper first encountered Louis F. “Weenie” Miller, a mainstay of Keydet athletics from the 1960s to the 1980s. At the time, Miller was coaching the VMI basketball team.

“Weenie Miller was quite a character, always stomping and always raising Cain,” Kemper related. “I just got in my mind that I wanted to play for this guy.”

Miller resigned in spring 1964, shortly after leading his team to the Southern Conference championship, but Kemper remained on course and matriculated to the Institute, as his older brother, Richard “Dick” Kemper ’62, had done several years before.

Under Gary McPherson, who succeeded Mill er as head coach, the Keydets attained VMI’s first winning record in the Southern Conference in 21 years, a feat they achieved in Kemper’s 1st Class year. That same year, Kemper led the team in scoring for the second straight year—an accomplishment Williams would replicate 40 years later. In 1983, Kemper was inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame. (Editor’s Note: Photo courtesy Kemper.)

Williams ’08: “Someone I Had in My Corner”

“VMI really pushes you and challenges you as a person, as a cadet, and as an athlete to prepare you for the next step in life and prepare you for the real world.”

That’s what Reginald “Reggie” Williams ’08 has to say about his VMI experience. And while it’s a sentiment that’s been expressed many times before by many cadet-athletes, coming from Williams, it carries special weight because Williams achieved what becomes a reality for only a tiny fraction of basketball-dribbling youth: Playing as a professional.

Following his graduation from VMI, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, Williams went on to play for the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the San An tonio Spurs, in addition to several teams in Europe. In doing so, he joined Ron Carter ’78 as only the second VMI graduate to play in the NBA.

As a cadet-athlete, Williams was simply outstanding, leading the nation in scoring for two consecutive years. In March 2008, the 6-foot-6-inch forward became VMI’s leading scorer, a record that still stands today, more than 14 years later. His jersey, No. 55, was retired in 2010 and now hangs from the rafters in Cameron Hall.

After a long professional career, COVID-19 pushed Williams to retire in 2020. He moved to the Richmond, Virginia, area, close to where he grew up. In 2022, he began coaching an AAU 16-and-under basketball team and is now considering further coaching opportunities.

Had it not been for a very special alumnus, though, Williams might not have attended VMI.

As an incoming rat, Williams received a Keydet Club scholarship en dowed by John Kemper ’68, a Richmond, Virginia, businessman and former standout basketball player for the Keydets. Then-teenage Williams didn’t realize at first that there was a real person behind the scholarship, however; he’d thought the funds simply came from the school. How could he have known, at almost 18 years old, that not only was there a real person paying for his education but that this scholarship donor would become his friend and mentor for life?

At first, “I didn’t know him [except from] from a piece of paper,” said Williams of Kemper. Soon, though, a relationship began to blossom. “I realized that this was someone I had in my corner, someone I could lean on if need be. ... I felt that as his scholarship recipient, he chose me for a reason. He personally invested in me.”

Williams recalled that Kemper attended many games and made himself available as a resource to himself and his teammates. Thus, when Kemper got word that Williams was considering leaving VMI after his 3rd Class year, he sprang into action.

“He didn’t call me,” Williams stated. “He came to VMI.” Soon, Wil liams, Kemper, and Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, then-superintendent, were sitting in Peay’s office, hashing out a plan for Williams to stay at VMI. Williams doesn’t remember what they said or did; he just remem bers Kemper dropping whatever he was doing at the time to make the two-hour drive to Lexington.

These days, Kemper and Williams stay in touch regularly and have a meal together several times a year.

“He’s done a tremendous job trying to help me navigate through the

real world,” said Williams of Kemper. “If I have a question, I can just pick up the phone.”

In addition to Kemper, Williams keeps in touch with many brother rats and often speaks to people who have a VMI sticker on their car or are wearing an item of clothing that shows their VMI affiliation.

“You see somebody with a VMI ring or shirt or license plate or some thing,” he commented. “You know, you just go up to them and say, you know, what class or Rah Virginia Mil—next thing you know, you just have a conversation. I think that’s pretty cool, as well.”

In December 2021, Williams came back for the 40th anniversary cel ebration of Cameron Hall—and even played a little pickup basketball game with members of the team afterward. “VMI is a special place,” he concluded. “It’s a great place. It’s also a very challenging and tough place. But it’s like they say—if it was easy, everybody would do it.”

Benjamin “Finney” Kimsey ’09 Academic Scholarship: “It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This”

By now, it’s common knowledge that crowd funding can raise a large amount of money in a short period of time. But even with this in mind, the speed and outstanding success of funding the Benjamin “Finney” Kimsey ’09 Academic Scholarship was a surprise to all involved.

Kimsey, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom with three deployments to his cred it, served as president of the Class of 2009. He died Nov. 4, 2020. Following his funeral and burial at Arlington National Cemetery April 29, 2022, the scores of brother rats in attendance discussed the best way to raise additional funds for a scholarship in mem ory of Kimsey. These brother rats, of both Kimsey and his twin brother, David Kimsey ’06, had already begun fundraising shortly after Kimsey’s death. Initially, however, the amount raised for the scholarship stood at less than $4,000.

“We wanted to do something to keep [Kim sey’s] memory and spirit alive within our class,” Bradley Simpson ’09, class agent, said of those early efforts to get the scholarship established.

With that goal in mind, Simpson and Barrett

Luxhoj ’09, Class of 2009 vice president, ap proached the VMI Alumni Agencies. They hoped to raise $25,000 by June 30, 2022, the end of the Agencies’ fiscal year, but in an amazing show of support, brother rats and other members of the VMI family blew past that goal in less than 48 hours and unlocked a $10,000 challenge gift offered by Reza Eftekhar ’09.

In the true VMI spirit, the organizers set a new goal of $35,000 and 50 donors. When the clock struck midnight June 30, the Kim sey scholarship had attracted the support of 56 members of the VMI family and reached a total of $35,182.

“The Class of 2009 demonstrated the sincere power of the VMI spirit through their generous acts,” said Patti Cook, VMI Alumni Agencies director of annual and reunion giving. “Theirs is a great example of how gifts both large and small can really move the needle to make a difference for cadets today and in the future.”

Those who knew Kimsey well expressed how his drive and determination inspired others and likely motivated the success of the scholarship drive. “It goes to the character of who [Kimsey] was, the man he was within

our class,” Simpson noted.

“He always made you feel like you were best friends,” he continued. “He [was] always just that kind of person. He was the glue that kind of held the class together.”

Kimsey’s father, MacGregor Kimsey, is a member of the VMI family in his own right, as he’s an adjunct professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies.

“My heart is with everything VMI rep resents,” said MacGregor, noting that their family has a long record of military service. He recalled when his deceased son, then studying at Virginia Commonwealth University, learned that his twin brother was going to be deployed to Afghanistan, he immediately traveled to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and convinced his brother’s commanders that he should also be deployed.

“He couldn’t rest knowing his twin was in harm’s way,” MacGregor remarked. The scholarship, he believes, is a way for his son’s spirit of generosity and service to live on. “Think of the future cadets that will be bless ed by this [scholarship],” he commented. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Williams ’70: “Go the Extra Mile”

Growing up in his home state of Illinois, Gor don Williams ’70 always knew he’d attend VMI. In his alumni-filled family, which included his father, an uncle who served on the VMI Board of Visitors while Williams was a cadet, and a brother in the Class of 1969, coming to the Institute was as natural as breathing.

Even with VMI in his DNA, though, Williams had to forge his own path and quite literally run his own race. He was a track athlete, and not just an ordinary one: Recruited during his rat year, Williams joined a group of track athletes men tored by the legendary coach Walter Cormack, for whom Cormack Hall is named, and soon thereafter, Williams decided to excel.

That commitment he made in the 1960s as a cadet carried through his entire business career; today, he derives great satisfaction from serving as a member of the Keydet Club Board of Gov ernors and supporting track athletes through a scholarship that bears his name.

But in fall 1966, Williams was simply a physi cally fit cadet who’d run track and played football in high school. One day, Paul Bouis ’67, a captain on the track team, stopped at Williams’ room and invited him to try out for the team.

“Nobody stays the same in track and field: Ei ther you get better, or you get worse,” Williams commented. “And so, I wanted to get better.”

To accomplish that goal, Williams trained hard er than others on the team, climbing the steps in Foster Stadium 10 times when others might do six. “So go the extra mile,” he counseled. “You actually had to teach yourself to go the extra mile. It’s there. You can get by, you can graduate, but if you really want to excel, go the extra mile.”

That extra mile approach paid off during his 2nd Class year when Williams set a new VMI record in the pole vault during a meet against archrival Virginia Tech and won the Southern Conference championship in that event. He also learned to throw the javelin and placed second in the conference and third in the state.

Academics did not come as easily to Williams, especially with a major in chemistry, but he perse vered in the classroom as he did in the fieldhouse. After graduation, he discovered that a degree from VMI alone can open doors.

Approximately 25 years ago, Williams was acting as a manufacturer’s representative, selling sound abatement and air pollution reduction

equipment, when he visited a businessman in Buffalo, New York. The businessman had mili tary décor in his office, and soon, a conversation ensued. When this man learned that Williams had gone to VMI—like many of the officers he had known in the Army—he gave Williams the Chicago-area contract on the spot.

This experience underscored a lesson Williams had learned from his father, Luther Williams, VMI Class of 1937: Live honorably, and others will trust you to hold up your end of the bargain and do the right thing. When he was a child, Wil liams overheard his father on the telephone one Sunday afternoon, sealing a multimillion-dollar deal with nothing but his word as his bond.

“My father was one of the most honorable individuals I’ve ever met,” said Williams. “If he would say something to you, he would always follow through.”

Even as a young alumnus, Williams knew the value of VMI, and he tried to give as much and as often as he could. “It’s tough to write that check when you’re kind of scraping by,” he acknowledged. “But I tried to always give something back. As the years kind of flew by, I tried to increase that.”

Eventually, Williams sought to give back even more, and that’s when he established a scholar ship for a track and field athlete. For Williams, it’s a way not only of giving back to a place that gave him so much but also a way of investing in young people and helping them achieve their full potential.

Luke Phillips ’17, who ranked as the No. 1 Army ROTC cadet in the nation during his 1st Class year, was a beneficiary of Williams’ scholarship, as was Ahliyah Williams ’22, a first-generation college student who qualified for the national track and field championships in her 1st Class year.

Williams delighted in seeing the latest recipient of his scholarship progress, and not only on the track. Over the course of her cadetship, Williams went from being on academic probation to wear ing academic stars. In May, she graduated with an English major and a psychology minor.

“I’ve gotten as much out of it as they do,” Gordon Williams stated. “Actually, I probably get more out of it. ... There’s such a joy when you meet these athletes, and you talk to them, and they tell you what they’ve been doing and what their aspirations are. And it really gives you a good feeling.”

Williams has not been one to keep that joy to himself. At a recent reunion, he encouraged some brother rats to meet with a handful of today’s cadet-athletes. The alumni were so impressed, Williams recounted, that they decided to support the Williams scholarship as well.

Wherever he goes, Williams encounters people who recognize the VMI spider on his vehicle and know what it stands for: A commitment to hon or and always doing the right thing. Supporting VMI, Williams believes, is a way of strengthen ing that legacy before it’s passed on to the next generation.

“I really owe it to the previous alumni that graduated before me,” he noted. “They have basically run their lives with honor. They’ve run their businesses with honor. They’ve contributed to not just their family, but they’ve contributed to the country, militarily, in all phases. And so, if you look at what the VMI alumni have done before you, they pave the way for you. And so, what am I trying to do? I’m trying to pave the way for the future.” (Editor’s Note: Photo by Christian Heilman, VMI Alumni Agencies.)

Alumni Agencies Welcomes Three New Hires

Jordan Buswell joined the Alumni Association in July 2022 as assis tant director of reunions. Buswell’s father served more than 20 years in the Navy, and she has lived in a few different places; her final stop was Norfolk, Virginia, where she lived most of her life.

Buswell graduated from Old Do minion University with a bachelor’s degree in human services in 2012 and a master’s degree in school counseling in 2015. She moved to Rockbridge County after college. Buswell is an active member and former officer for the Lexington-Rockbridge Jaycees where she met her husband, Brent. The couple love to travel, play pickleball, and have two cats, Pip and Rocky.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jordan as a new member of our reunion team,” said Corri Sensabaugh, Alumni Asso ciation director of reunions. “She will provide substantial support to volunteers throughout the reunion planning process while organizing and executing memorable reunion events. The level of meticulous detail she was required to keep in her pre vious profession will continue to add substantial value to our team. We’re

excited to have Jordan onboard and ready for fall reunions!”

Madeline “Mattie” Marsh joined the VMI Alumni Agencies’ communi cations team in June 2022 as assistant editor. Marsh received her Master of Arts degree in English from James Madison University in May 2022. During her studies, Marsh also served as assistant editor for an academic journal, worked as a freelance journalist, and hosted a long-form radio show. Prior to gradu ate school, she spent a year reporting for The News-Gazette in Lexington.

Raised in the Shenandoah Valley, Marsh grew up with a deep connec tion to the area and the Institute. She is excited to serve VMI in her new role, in which she assists with and contributes writing to quarterly and monthly publications; acts as a liaison between chapter presidents and the Agencies’ publications; and supports communication between the Agencies and alumni.

skills, and family ties to VMI, she will excel in her role as assistant editor.”

Marsh currently resides in Middlebrook with her border collie, Kate. She is engaged to her fiancé, Emmett Montgomery, and the couple will marry this November near Staunton.

Lucas Whitman ’10 joined the VMI Alumni Association in June 2022 as director of alumni outreach. He matriculated from Jarratt, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from VMI.

During his time at VMI, Whitman played on the VMI rugby team, served as a cadet EMT, volunteered with the Lexington Fire Department, and was part of the VMI combat shooting team. He also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve while he was a cadet and after graduation while working in law enforcement.

While at VMI, Whitman met his wife, Jordan. They reside in Lexington with their son, Caleb, and black lab, Zoe.

“We are thrilled to have Mattie join the communications team,” said Jor dan Whitman, Alumni Agencies ed itor-in-chief. “With her background,

“I have known Lucas for several years and think the world of him,” said Thom Brashears ’95, former VMI Alumni Association chief operating officer. “He brings with him a great work ethic and strong desire to keep our alum ni informed and engaged. He has hit the ground running and is making a very positive impact.”

Alumni Agencies Advancement Services Team Created

The newly formed Alumni Agencies advance ment services team works to successfully manage stewardship, events, and relationships for the VMI Alumni Association, Keydet Club, the VMI Foundation, and the Institute.

marketing, and related activities.

Members of the advancement services team are Tamera Horn, digital and event logistics specialist; Diane Brown, advancement services office manager; Christina Cummings, director of event management; and Avis Slagle, director of stewardship.

“With this team, we are bringing these compo nents of the Agencies together and strengthening them under one umbrella,” said Cummings.

As the digital and event logistics specialist,Brown Cummings

The advancement services team plays a critical role in the operations necessary for engaging and stewarding those who fuel and fund cadet and VMI support through the VMI Alumni Agencies. The team mainly does this through communications, events management, direct

Horn manages the Agencies’ event setup and email platform, works with the accounting department, assists with registration and execution of various events, and more. Horn joined the Alumni Agencies in March 2016 as the Alumni Association executive assistant. She lives in Covington, Virginia, with her husband, Dave Horn. When not busy with work, she and Dave can be found traveling in their RV or spending time with their kids and two grandsons.

Brown, advancement services office manager, sup ports the advancement services team, Keydet Club, and corporate secretary; manages weekly and monthly reports; coordinates quarterly Marshall Order mailings; assists with major stewardship efforts; and helps with planning events. Prior to her current position, Brown be gan working part-time in the VMI Alumni Association in December 2008 and then joined the VMI Foundation as a full-time employee in 2012. She moved to the area from Northern Virginia with her husband after he retired from the military.

Cummings and Slagle continue to aid in events and stewardship as

they pertain to the Agencies and the Institute; plan, organize, and execute the annual calendar of events and stewardship; manage class officers of the 2nd and 3rd Classes for event staffing and stewardship efforts; oversee all events funded by Alumni Agencies’ dollars except for reunions; and more.

Cummings joined the Alumni Agencies in 2014 as donor relations coordinator before transitioning to the role of director of event man agement in 2018. She has a degree in business management from Mary Baldwin University.

Slagle began at the Agencies as Keydet Club office manager in 2016 and transitioned to her current position as director of stewardship in 2018. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Liberty University.

The team looks forward to greater collabora tion and cohesion with their new team model. “It is a more effective and efficient model not only in how things are handled, but in knowing there are people there to be supportive,” said Slagle.

Price, Sensabaugh Transition to New Roles

Mary Lanford Price, who joined the Alumni Agencies in October 2021 as associate editor, transitioned to the newly created role of development writer/communications spe cialist in May 2022.

Before coming to the Alumni Agencies, Price served as a writer and photographer for the VMI Office of Commu nications and Marketing since 2012. In that position, she wrote extensively about cadets, faculty, and events on post and captured photos for the Institute.

Before working with C&M, Price served as a newspaper re porter and college instructor, as well as managing editor of a newspaper in Stanardsville, Virginia. She has won more than 10 Virginia Press Association awards over the past 20 years. A native of Rockbridge County, Price earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sweet Briar College and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Alabama, both in English.

“Mary has been a great asset to the communications team since she joined us last fall,” said Jordan Whitman, Alumni Agencies editor-in-chief. “In her new role, she will continue to work with class agents—a group she enjoys immense ly—and will also craft compelling development stories and correspondence.”

In July 2022, Corri Sensabaugh was promoted to Alumni

Price Sensabaugh

Agencies director of reunions. Sensabaugh joined the VMI Alumni Agencies in February 2019 as assistant director of reunions before obtaining her most recent role as associate director of reunions in late 2019. In her almost three-and-ahalf years on the reunion team, Sensabaugh has experienced reunion events both pre- and post-COVID-19, having the unique opportunity to be involved with facilitating the Agen cies’ first virtual reunions during the pandemic. Additionally, she assisted with coordinating the planning and execution of 28 reunions over the past year, when historically the Agencies only hosts 14–16 reunions per 12-month period.

Before joining the Alumni Agencies, Sensabaugh worked for Kroger Company in several capacities, including human resources and operations. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College in 2009. Sensabaugh resides in Rock bridge County with her husband, Chad; son, Hutson; and daughter, Henly Cline.

“Corri Sensabaugh’s new title reflects her tremendous abil ity and potential going forward,” said Thom Brashears ’95, former Alumni Association chief operating officer. “She was the linchpin to a record-breaking year of reunions this past academic year and received numerous laudatory comments from alumni and their guests. She is a true rock star!”

1946

David M. Hudock ’97

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

Class of 1945: Douglas Lindsey (back row, second from left) standing with one of his flight groups. He most often flew the P51D Mustang as part of the bomber escorts with the 369th Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force.

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

1947

Paul Munson ’87

These notes are being submitted just before the Class of 2026 matriculates and 82 years af ter the Class of 1944 came onto post.

Unfortunately, with that much passage of time, there are not many left from that era. Bob Smothers has been a constant since those days, and he remains so today, as the last confirmed member of 1944. At our last communication, Bob relayed that he was “A-OK” and still man ages to find the time to attend a few dances from time to time. He celebrates his 100th birthday a few weeks after these notes come out, so we all wish him the very best and continued health and happiness.

That’s all for now. As always, I remain avail able for the friends and family of 1944, and we wish you all a merry Christmas and happy new year.

Class of 1945: The emblem used for the 369th Squadron that Douglas Lindsey flew with.

unit. During World War II, half of the U.S. Army Air Force casualties were suffered by the 8th Air Force. Furthermore, more men died in the 8th Air Force than the entire Marine Corps com bined during World War II. Mr. Lindsey lost several friends in the 8th, but their memory car ries on through him as he passes down their sto ries to the next generation.

It is my sad duty to report that Ben Pushmataha McCarley died July 26, 2022, at the age of 96. Mr. McCarley was born in McAlester, Oklaho ma. His mother was part Choctaw, and his middle name reflects his Native American heritage. After high school and during World War II, he attended Virginia Military Institute and started, as a fresh man, on the varsity football team. He then served in the U.S. Army Air Force and went on to grad uate from SMU and then Duke Medical School.

Mr. McCarley’s obituary is noted in the Taps section of the Alumni Review. His time on earth is a great example of a life well lived. Our condo lences to the McCarley family at this time.

As I write these notes, summer is drawing to an end, but as they are being read, it is closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Class of 1945 wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday sea son.

I recently received an update for Douglas G. Lindsey He is still going strong as he prepares for his 98th birthday in September. In my last notes, I mentioned Mr. Lindsey was a proud veteran of the 8th Air Force and since then I have come to have a new appreciation for that

I’d like to remember Daniel Walser Jr. as the anniversary of his passing approaches in Sep tember. Mr. Walser was a great man, as was his family, who was instrumental in keeping me in touch and up to date with him. His legacy is one worth remembering, and I am so honored to have had a small window into his life.

Lastly, I wanted to again call out a couple members I’ve been unable to reach; perhaps the VMI community could help track them down. They are Robert G. Moore and James W. Tins ley. I’d love to hear from them or their family or friends and get an update if possible.

Brother Rats, I hope you had a great summer. I called George Ramsey of Lynchburg, Virginia. George had sad news. He reported that his wife, Harriet, passed away June 26, 2022. George, we are very sorry for your loss. Harriet was a very close, lifelong friend to my wife, Marion, and to me. In early 1949, as an Army second lieutenant, I was transferred from Fort Riley, Kansas, to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. When Marion and I arrived at Fort Sill, we found George and Harriet already there. We rented apartments in the same apartment complex. Of course, we got together frequently for bridge and other so cial activities. Harriet and Marion developed a very close friendship. Later, when Harriet became

Class notes

pregnant, Marion was able to give care and com fort. Harriet had a previous pregnancy where the unborn child was lost. She was worried that simi lar problems would happen again. This time, Har riet gave birth to Peter Ramsey ’72 shortly before George left for Korean War service. Harriet never forgot the help that Marion gave. They remained very close friends until Marion passed away in 1996. George reported that in going over Harri et’s effects, he found a letter from Marion to Har riet informing her that I was now also in Korea. George has not given VMI much thought lately. He added that he hoped to go to Lexington in No vember for the celebration of the tenure of Gen. Binford Peay ’62

Al Loth of Richmond, Virginia, reported that he spent most of the summer at his daughter’s house in Urbanna, Virginia, on the Rappahannock River. He was happy to be away from the city heat and politics.

I called Lou Castellano of Bay Shore, New York. Lou, our oldest brother rat, sounded great. He said he was blind in one eye and had poor vi sion in the other. He had to stop talking because Sherri was taking him somewhere.

Angus Crook of Nashville, Tennessee, reported that he sold his house for a very good price. He and Nancy will rent an apartment at the nearby Bellemeade Country Club. Angus, a retired phy sician, was diagnosed with COVID-19. A visiting nephew may have been a carrier. Angus was not feeling well and went to the hospital and tested positive. He is on medication and feels much bet ter now. Stay well, Angus, and enjoy your new living quarters.

Rod Kallgren of Dearborn, Michigan, is still doing well at his assisted living community. He talked about his six sons and the sports they were involved in as they were growing up. He had to wait for grandchildren to get involved with girls’ sports. Now, he is involved with great-grandchildren. Soon, he will be involved with great-great-grandchildren’s sports. Rod has not been playing much golf lately because his golf course closed (flood damage). His son takes him to another golf course, but he doesn’t like it much. He walks, and the new course is too hilly. He and his son will take part in a hole-in-one competition soon. You have to have a hole-in-one to partici pate. Rod and his son have numerous holes-inone on record. Rod is still participating in a week ly TV sports show which he enjoys immensely. Keep it going; you are doing great, Rod.

Numerous attempts to contact Charles Brown of Shreveport, Louisiana, were unsuccessful.

Recently, my daughter, Marie, converted all the TVs here from cable to Firestick streaming. I found and watched The Field of Lost Shoes about Civil War VMI. I watched and actually cried when I saw the cadets charge the federal artillery

position. Two VMI men received credit in large print at the end of the movie. They were Elmon Gray ’46 and Robert Patterson ’48A. Both were at VMI with ’48B. George Ramsey and John Gorman roomed with Elmon Gray our 1st Class year. Bobby Patterson roomed on the first stoop beneath my room (217) our rat year. Early on I had some unpleasant experiences, but we eventu ally became friends. He was the first upperclass man to take me in. Some 50 years later, we re newed our friendship at several reunions.

Brother rats, have a great fall season.

1949A

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

These notes cover the period from May 15–Aug. 15, 2022.

Inga Van Hook called and said that Mack fell so often it became necessary for him to relocate to Morningside, a health facility associated with the apartment project where they live. She visit ed him daily. Subsequently, he fell again, break ing his femur. He had to be hospitalized, where other unrelated conditions were discovered and required several surgeries. When he was released, he went to the Martha Jefferson House in Charlot tesville. Mack could no longer stand and used a wheelchair for mobility. Inga still visited him dai ly, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anni versary July 26. Mack also had some short-term memory problems. (But don’t we all at our age?)

Sadly, Mack passed away Aug. 13. His obituary will appear in the Taps section in a future edition of the Alumni Review.

Further bad news arrived with the notice that Brother Rat Alonzo Walter also passed away the same day. Lon had a distinguished career in the Air Force. Among his many accomplish ments, he was among the 31 final candidates for the Mercury 7 project. He also was proud of testing the A-12, precursor of the SR-71.

Upon promotion to brigadier general in 1974, he became the first graduate of the VMI Air Force ROTC program. His obituary will also appear in the Alumni Review in the future.

Got an email from Bill Stribling who said that he and Ann are both well and enjoying all the ser vices at the Westminster Canterbury House in Winchester.

I learned from Boyd Guttery’s daughter, Sar ah, that he had been one of several veterans fea tured in a video about the Korean War which was shown on public television in St. Augustine, Flor ida. They told of their experiences there, and it was an interesting program. Boyd was recover ing from COVID-19 for the third time when the video was made shortly before his death. If you missed my earlier email with the address, you can view it at youtu.be/TUgNf_ryFPY.

The final report on financial giving for the fis cal year arrived recently. The Alumni Associ ation records show ’49B having 12 solicitable alumni with 10 donors and 83% participation. Our class’s total contribution was $7,975. Total contributions from all classes for the year were in excess of $20 million.

Jim Enochs regularly calls and usually is go ing fishing or visiting children. He claims that he still goes to the office regularly and must be the only BR still working. Let me know if I am wrong about this.

Harvey Bradley had a stroke July 4. It was a left posterior cerebral artery, and he has some loss of use on his right side. He had been recovering in the hospital and receiving inpatient physical therapy. He was scheduled to go home July 22. Barbara said they have moved again, trying to keep close to their two youngest grandchildren. They are now located near the Atlanta Braves Stadium and grandchildren. Their new address is 1927 Powers Ferry Rd SE, Unit 124, Atlanta, GA 30339.

Greg Nelson emailed that he and Kitty are fine despite many doctors’ visits for various ailments. Kitty continues to enjoy her plot gardening and helping others in various ways. He is still crank ing out projects in the wood shop, and all in all, life is good with many blessings. I appreciate Greg’s staying in touch.

Grover Outland ’81, our BR Grover’s son, has been appointed by Gov. Youngkin to the VMI Board of Visitors. He is following in his father’s footsteps at law and at VMI.

Tommy Altizer is back in Staunton for the summer, but we haven’t had time to have our an nual meeting with Braxton Green ’50B

I wish that some of you brother rats who left the Institute before graduation would write, phone, email, smoke signal, or some way communicate with me and tell what you have been doing. All of us would be interested in knowing. I want to

Class Notes

thank Nux, Greg, Inga Van Hook, and others who keep in touch regularly.

God bless America, VMI, and ’49B. Yours in the Spirit of VMI, Ding

1949C

before Scotland. But COVID-19 put the kibosh on that. Their two sons have provided interest ing grandchildren, so the Jollys can travel vicari ously. One granddaughter was bitten by the trav el bug after being an exchange student in Brazil during high school. After graduation, at the age of 19, she took off alone for Mumbai, India, and then to Sri Lanka; Hanoi; and Melbourne, Aus tralia, before returning for college years. Another granddaughter has been spending a college year in the Netherlands, visiting capitals of Europe. And a grandson is studying at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Did they get their urges for overseas experiences from their grandparents?

art museums. Most recently, she has a piece com missioned that will be displayed in the Dallas Museum of Art. She now lives in Marietta, Geor gia, in a townhouse where she has her studio and workshop. She has her own website at juliawood man.com. It includes a nice bio of Dick, without whose encouragement she never would have ac complished her dream and be where she is today. And she’s still going strong at 89.

Editor’s Note: The Class of 1949C is no lon ger submitting class notes. Haywood France re mains the point of contact for the class.

1950A

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1950A.

1950B

This issue is a little different than earlier ones. I was out of commission for a bit waiting to be scheduled for a hip replacement, having the opera tion, and then recouping. All of which impeded me somewhat. But I have healed rapidly, so I had per mission to drive because it was my left hip. Right hips wait longer to drive. Can you guess why? In the meantime, I did receive some responses to my early pleas for input. So, here we go.

Bert Jolly responded to my request for more in formation on his family’s life and travels. Until recently, he and Marie would spend Septembers in England. They’d rent a flat in London where their daughter lives permanently, enjoying the at tractions of that city. Then they’d spend a week with a walking/hiking group, exploring from Cornwall at the very southwestern tip of England to the coast of Northumberland, the last county

Tom Kirk gave me an update on what’s go ing on in his world. He and Ann are still in good health, both golfing at least twice a week. Tom goes to the gym five days. They took a week’s trip to Milwaukee to drink, party, and golf with Tom’s business partner of 44 years. Tom has written a book about his life experiences—says it took him five years to do it. The title is Hits, Misses and Wins—A Fighter Pilot’s Life Story Sounds intriguing. At the time of this writing, he said it should be published in about a month. So, by the time you read this, it should be out. He and Ann are going up into the Arizona high coun try (7,000 feet) for the summer to get away from the Phoenix heat. Turns out the resort has not one but two golf courses which will be keeping them busy. He’s thinking about making a final trip to Italy in the fall but nothing definite yet.

Received a short note from Ann Witt. It’s good to know she’s still with us and that her email ad dress is correct. I’m glad to get confirmations of correct email addresses or phone numbers. Then I know that folks are getting my messages. But they don’t always respond like Ann did—wish they would.

I had a nice long phone call from Julia Wood man telling what her life has been since the pass ing of Dick. Actually, it all began when Dick retired from the Army after 30 years. He had transferred from Armor to Intelligence and had been the assistant military attaché in Yugoslavia and later the military attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway. When he retired, they settled in Atlanta, and Julia, who had always wanted to be an artist, decided to go back to school. Dick en couraged her to pursue her dream, and she grad uated from Georgia State with a Master of Fine Arts degree. She found she was drawn to work ing with metals and has become a very success ful silversmith. On a Fulbright grant, she earned her master silversmith in Lahti, Finland, work ing and studying with Fabergé masters. Dick continued to encourage and support her and be came a househusband while Julia expanded her career. Dick died in 2012, and Julia has kept on silversmithing. She has exhibits in quite a few

Randy Trappey writes that he has a friend who was cycling near VMI and decided to stop and visit the Institute. The friend, Gene, had a nice tour of the campus and, in particular, the VMI Museum. One of the items of interest to Gene was the fact that Gen. George “Blood and Guts” Patton ’907 attended VMI, Class of 1907. He was only there for a year and then went to the USMA at West Point for his commission. Inter estingly, his highly polished helmet liner that he wore during the latter part of the war, with its four stars and the insignia of his various major com mands, resides in the VMI Museum. Randy was really impressed with the changes that have taken place over the years. That was one of the great ac complishments of Gen. Peay ’62, superintendent emeritus. Randy says the development of the old Trappey Plant is moving very slowly because the city, the parish, the state, and the Corps of Engi neers are all involved. We all know how tedious it is for a project to wend its way through all the governmental bureaucracy while watching the snails rush by. Randy ends by saying, “all’s quiet on the western front.”

Had a nice exchange of emails with Jane Small wood. She reported that she’s still alive at near ly 94 but not dancing anymore. She and Gerry first met when he was in high school, and she was attending dancing camp. They dated for a while and then Gerry went off to VMI. Gerry’s parents moved to southern Virginia, and they didn’t see each other for some years. Jane says Gerry went to W&L law school after VMI. Gerry married a lady he met while practicing law in Huntsville, Alabama. While dancing at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Jane met and married an Air Force officer stationed nearby at Nellis Air Force Base. Both she and Gerry had children. Jane’s husband left the Air Force and became a U.S. congressman from Virginia living in Falls Church, Virginia. Gerry became a patent attorney in Washington, D.C. The two met again and eventually married in 1975. Gerry died of Alzheimer’s in 2011, and Jane now lives alone in Kitty Hawk, North Car olina, in a house she inherited from her parents. She has two daughters. I really appreciate Jane sharing her story because it tells us what hap pened to Gerry after VMI graduation, and it is so common to lose touch with folks after that.

Nancy Mitchell emailed the following. “It’s Nancy Mitchell, Alex’s wife. As I told you several

Class notes

months ago Alex passed July 4, 2018. He has been sitting on our mantle since then with his favorite white hat on waiting for us to be able to coordi nate his burial in Lexington at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery (I know that’s no longer the name, but I prefer that). Right now, we are hoping to have all the family together for the burial Sept. 9 this year. That date being when you all matriculated in 1946. COVID-19 has caused this delay.

“I am doing well, living in Fredericksburg, Vir ginia, where we moved from New York 11 years ago. Two of our children and their families live here, as well, and one lives in New York. I have the New Yorker’s almost 13-year-old son living with me. Two of Alex’s sons live in New York with their families, and another lives in Florida with his family. One of the granddaughters will be getting married in October. And that’s it for now.” Hope Nancy is successful in setting up the Sept. 9 date. I know she’d like anyone in the area to come for the inurnment. I’m sure she’ll let us know when it’s all set.

In response to my last plea for info, Tom Kirk confirmed he is having a great time in the White Mountains of Arizona. Also confirmed that he hopes to get his book to the publisher in August or early September. I know we will be anxious to read it. I’m not aware of any other book written by a brother rat.

Also responding to my last plea, Randy Trap pey kept us up to date with the following email. “Thanks for the reminder but can find nothing which I can report on. Being more or less con fined to my home, the most I do is listen to the news and have been reading a book on the life of Harry S. Truman. I am sure all of the broth er rats of our time remember when we marched in his inaugural parade when we attended VMI. It is a very interesting book and gives you quite an insight into the man, and believe me, he be lieved in ‘the buck stops here.’ The book Truman was written by David McCullough, for which he received the Pulitzer Prize. We all can associate with most of the men and activities referred to during the history of the man who was president while we were at VMI. My next is John Adams, so that should keep me busy for a while. Wish I could do more but that will have to be it for to day.” Oh, yes, we remember, all right. You may recall that, in an earlier issue of the Alumni Re view, John Taylor still has some vivid recollec tions of that trip. The early morning train ride, the breakfast, and the incident of trying to march through the horse droppings left by a mounted contingent from Texas.

Carole Sue Coupland writes, “Bob, wanted to let you know that I was leaving the grocery store here in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and I saw this guy looking like he wanted to speak with me. That was because I had a big VMI spider on my

back window! We briefly chatted; his name is Joe Collins [’60]. I have had this happen before, and I truly enjoy those times.” Sounds like a good reason to have some VMI association identifica tion; you’ll never know how many kindred spirits you’ll run into.

During the quarter of the year that this article covers, we lost Brother Rat Robin White. Robin did a great job as our class agent for several years. He was a successful lawyer in Miami, Florida, and an all-around great guy. He, like those who have gone on before, will be sorely missed.

At the last minute before this article submis sion, I received a most interesting email from Randy Trappey. He forwarded a message from his daughter-in-law, Amy, who lives with hus band Charles, Randy’s son, in Taiwan. Both are professors there. Amy became aware of Sun Lijen ’927 when attending a wedding of a friend which was held in a house which had once been the residence of Sun. She looked him up in Wiki pedia and discovered Sun, a 1927 graduate of VMI, was a famous Chinese general. He was in volved in the Sino-Japanese wars of the 1930s and fought along with U.S. Gen. “Vinegar Joe” Stillwell’s U.S. command in World War II. Sun was also involved in the Chinese Nationalist movement led by Chiang Kai-shek. Seeing that Sun was a VMI man, Amy sent the article to Randy. Sun’s story is a fascinating one and you can learn more by typing “Sun Li-jen” into Goo gle. Thanks, Randy.

So, that’s it for this time. Kinda slim pickins, but glad to receive the responses that did come. Interesting that our sister rats wrote in more than our brother rats. Fellas, you gotta get with it!

Rah Virginia Mil!

¡Hasta la pròxima vez!

1951

Today is Aug. 10. I want to thank all of you who have been so kind to me as I try to do all of you proud.

It is with great sadness I report hearing of three deaths this past quarter. Fredric Taylor died in June, and John Blakemore and Jack Ross, for mer class agent, died in July.

I received a lovely letter from Bounce Carstens’ daughter, Mary Louise Hopson, with a picture of the annual dinner in Dallas. Bounce Carstens trav eled from Alexandria, Louisiana; Jim Enochs and his wife, Jean, came from Jackson, Mississippi;

and Pete Philp lives nearby in Dallas. They looked at some photos of the October class reunion, dis played the VMI flag, examined some old newspa per clippings about fellow cadets, and enjoyed a specially decorated VMI cake.

Taylor Hay sent me some things he wanted to share. First it is an intention, then a behavior, then a habit, then a practice, then a second nature, and then it is simply who you are. His advice was to keep exercising and to never give up.

I had a wonderful talk with Robbin Jordan, Johnny Jordan’s widow. She told me her grand son, John Hartley Jordan IV ’23, will graduate from VMI this June. I know Johnny would be so proud. He was the priest when Jigger and I were married in 1964. Robbin still sings in the choir at her church. I asked about their son, Hartley, and she said he has retired and had a few health prob lems but is well.

Thank you all for giving me something to say; remember I need more by early November!

1952

James M. Mecredy

I received a nice note from Carol Clingem peel thanking me for the annual birthday card. I also hear from many of you at Christmas. Carol writes: “Just a note to let you know much I appre ciate the birthday cards you send each year. As we age and our friends depart, there are many fewer greetings to enjoy. Yours is always a blessing. God

Class Notes

bless your caring heart!”

This issue of class notes is sad because I am reporting so many deaths, which is to be ex pected as we all reach our 90s. We are still about 25 strong, so we do have a way to go.

Robert Curtis “Bob” Yore passed away peacefully at home June 10, 2022. Beloved husband of Carol Yore for 33 years; father of Mary (Hugh), Lucy, and Kate (Bill), Amy (Chris), and Cheryl; brother of Penny (Dick); and proud grandfather of seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Bob was born in 1927 to Evelyn Yore Mroz and Bernard Yore of Pennsylvania. Bob was a sergeant in the U.S. Army. He attended the Virginia Military Institute and later studied at George Washing ton University. He was a career foreign service officer with the United States Department of State with assignments to London, Stockholm, Milan, and Saigon. During their life togeth er, Bob and Carol shared their passion for the water, sailing the Chesapeake Bay and up and down the East Coast. When not enjoying the seas, Bob enjoyed skiing, carpentry, painting in oils, and sharing his love of reading. He will be missed by family and friends, especially around the fire on camping trips to Montauk. Bob will be remembered by all as a gentleman of great intelligence, wit, and class. He was in terred at the Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery.

Langhorne McCarthy called me to report the death of Mitch Mays. Mitch died Thursday, June 16, 2022. He was the only child and son born to Mitchell Rutherford Mays Sr. and Mar garet Paul Mays Oct. 23, 1930, in Lynchburg, Virginia. Mitch was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of 55 years, Kath ryn Cummins Mays. He is survived by his chil dren, Debbie Mays Rechner (Joe), Mitchell R. Mays III (Jeni), John Fenner Mays (Lorraine), and seven grandchildren. Mitch graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1952 with a degree in civil engineering and was commissioned sec ond lieutenant (infantry) upon graduating. He was assigned to the Sixth Division, Fort Ord, California, where he was an instructor in tac tics. He began his civilian career with E.I. du Pont de Nemours at their cellophane plant in Old Hickory, Tennessee. He met the love of his life, Kathryn Cummins, in Nashville, mar ried, and had two children. In 1960, Mitchell moved his family to Lynchburg from Nash ville to begin working as a sales engineer with Montague Betts Company. When the company closed in 1992, he spent the next seven years as a mid-Atlantic sales manager for Queensboro Steel Corporation. After retiring from Queens boro Steel, Mitchell became involved in the res toration of the Academy of Music in Lynchburg.

He served as president during the merger of the Fine Arts Center and the Academy of Music. He then served on the board of the Academy of Fine Arts. He was also a member of the Ki wanis Club of Lynchburg. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and served as a deacon, elder, and as a Sunday school teacher.

Barbara Welsh called to tell me that Cecil Welsh died June 24 after a period of declining health. Cecil was 92. Cecil’s father graduat ed from VMI, and Cecil’s son graduated from VMI Class of ’78. Cecil passed away peaceful ly June 24, 2022. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Nov. 11, 1929, and was the son of Ce cil T. Welsh Sr. and Carrie Lee Rawles Welsh. Cecil was educated in Norfolk public schools and graduated from Granby High School. In 1952, he graduated from Virginia Military In stitute with a degree in civil engineering. He married Barbara Stanley of Norfolk before leaving to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War. Upon returning, he worked for Truscon Steel Company, the Veterans Hospital Administration, the Naval Facilities Engineer ing Command, and Applied Management En gineering. After retiring, Cecil enjoyed reading about American history, fishing on the Eastern Shore, and traveling with Barbara in the Unit ed States and Europe. He was a member of Baylake United Methodist Church for over 50 years and enjoyed singing in the choir. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Mar tin S. Welsh (Sonja) of Virginia Beach, Leigh Welsh Gallalee (Drew) of Richmond, Carolyn Welsh Atherholt of Virginia Beach; grandchil dren, Hunter Gallalee (Katie), Caroline Gal lalee, Ben Atherholt (Rachel), Carrie Ather holt, Brooke Atherholt, Emily Welsh; and great-grandson, James Pierce Teaford Gallalee.

Clarence Redman’s wife, Harriet, celebrated her 90th birthday Aug. 6, and a friend sent out invitations. The invitation contained beautiful photos of Harriet at younger ages and at her present age.

Peggy Stallings wrote thanking me for her birthday card. She adds that there are a number of VMI men and VMI wives at Westminster in Richmond. It has been hard not being able to see each other very much throughout the last two years of COVID-19. They are all grateful for the care the staff has taken of them and the care given to some who have come down with it. Finally, this year things have eased up, and they were able to have their usual spring din ner together.

That is all of my report this time. Take care of yourselves. Be of good cheer. In the world we have tribulations, but know that Jesus our Lord overcomes the world.

1953

WilliamC.NoellJr.

Brother Rats and Our Widows,

Regretfully, I have to advise you that we lost our BR “Floogie” Moore in July, and it was kind of unexpected, due to an infection. Floogie was at our class’ April lunch in Richmond and in great spirits in retirement. His wife, Harvey, died a few years ago. Warren Koontz and I attended his graveside services administered by Floogie’s church’s Methodist minister, which was very nice. We then attended the reception at a local restaurant in Chester, Virginia, Friday, July 29. I was notified of Floogie’s passing by his son, Lee Moore. Floogie and Harvey loved their home town of Hopewell, and Floogie and Jim Morris played football together at the same high school, as at VMI. I did receive an email from Bob Mill er that they would be out of town and could not attend. We have a Lexington neighbor who has known Floogie and Harvey for years and even came over to our house to visit with them at a past reunion. I drove down to Richmond Thurs day night, staying with Warren and Win, and then rode with Warren to Chester. Thursday night, I had dinner at Cedarfield with Warren, Win, and John Taylor ’50B. John was in the class of those guys we dyked our rat year, so we had some great conversation with him. Win said she even heard some old VMI war stories that she had never heard before.

Richard Burdeshaw died in Anderson, South Carolina, in May of this year. Dick was with us for three years but graduated from Hofstra Uni versity.

We also lost Jim Morris in February, but I have not been able to find out any specifics from fam ily. I did talk to Jim a couple of times after Mar ilyn’s death, but for some time after that, I have not been able to contact him. At the Richmond lunch, Floogie said that he had not been able to get in touch with him. Neither of us at the time knew of his passing. I regret that I did not know about Jim, as we have been good friends since the days we use to live in Tidewater and got together for dinner on occasions and visited at our homes.

Well, these notes are fairly short since none of you have sent me any details of your fascinating summer this year. We, as usual, are at our lake house on Norris Lake outside of Knoxville since June. However, I did send all of you a 70th Re union letter encouraging you to make a strong at tempt to attend it next April. In doing so, I said

Class notes

I would furnish transportation to/from Roanoke for those who that felt like they could not make the drive or are not inclined to rent a car. Seeing that I still drive the five-plus hours from Lexing ton to Tennessee and back at least a half-dozen times a year, I assume I will still be in shape to make the Roanoke drive next April to get you to our 70th.

1954

multiple times and was senior club champion at the Fredericksburg Country Club. Once retired, he and Bea enjoyed traveling; looking after their home, Buck Run Farm; and spending time with family, friends, and beloved pets. Their garden was shared by many, and his woodworking shop was always busy with projects. He is survived by his son and daughter and extended family.

Jack Tiller told us about his great love for rail roads. He actually has 25 American Flyer loco motives. Two areas of his house today have been given over to his model railroad trains. His Amer ican Flyer “S” gauge train is laid out on his dining room table and covers approximately 24 square feet. In his basement, he has two trains that cover 64 square feet of space.

After VMI, Bob attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After that he went into the Marine Corps, graduating from PLC. Instead of continuing in the Marines, Bob decided to go into the ministry, and after honorable discharge from the USMC and graduation from Macal ester College, he entered Princeton Theolog ical Seminary. In June 1957, he was ordained a Presbyterian minister. He served as pastor of Andrew Riverside Presbyterian Church, the oldest Presbyterian church in Minneapolis. He never left the ministry. He served on the Minneapolis City Council for eight years, as well.

Greetings and Salutations:

BR George Ramer died July 8, 2022, at 90. George was born in Stafford County, Virgin ia, and grew up in the Stafford and Fredericks burg, Virginia, area. He attended Falmouth High School in Fredericksburg, where he met his fu ture wife, Bernice Poyck. George was an out standing athlete, playing varsity football, base ball, and basketball. He was valedictorian of his senior class, and his future bride, Bernice, was the salutatorian. He earned a full athletic scholarship to Virginia Military Institute, graduating in the Class of 1954 with a degree in civil engineering. While at VMI, George was a student officer and started on the varsity football team as an offensive lineman and the varsity baseball team as catcher. He was selected as co-captain of the football team his 1st Class year and was All-State in baseball. Years later, he was voted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame.

After graduating from VMI, George served for four years in the U.S. Army as an officer in the Corps of Engineers. He was based on both Baffin Island in the Arctic and then in Texas, rebuilding airfields. While in Texas, he married Bernice Poy ck, and they spend 65 years together. After leaving the military, George and Bea settled in Culpeper, Virginia, and George began his career in building materials, working in the cement, ready mix con crete, and crushed stone industry. He rose to vice president of Culpeper Stone and then president of Massaponax Sand and Gravel in Fredericks burg. He was very involved in the Virginia Ready Mixed Concrete Association and was selected as president twice. He was locally active, being cho sen as the Rotary Young Man of the Year and re ceiving the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. He served on the Culpeper County School Board in the mid-1970s and on the board of directors of Central Fidelity Bank.

George was an avid golfer and outdoorsman. He won the Culpeper Country Club Member-Guest

Jack grew up in Richmond about four or five blocks from the Richmond railroad yard where the Richmond, Fredericksburg, & Potomac trains operated. On Mondays, when his mother hung the washing on the line, the smoke and coal dust would make her have to wash about 30-40% of the clothes all over again. When diesel engines re placed coal-burning ones, Mrs. Tiller was a happy woman. It will not surprise you to know that Jack is a member of the RF&P Historical Society.

Don Walden wrote a note. He is a Texas Rang ers (baseball) fan and recently took a tour with his lovely wife, Maureen, of Rangers stadium. This one cost over $1 billion. Two nearby Rang ers stadiums are used for other sports. The Bush family, as former owners of the team, have their own box with several seats. The norm for a game is four umpires, but when the Bushes are present, there is a fifth umpire somewhere on the field. He has one job—keep an eye on them. Don said that he and Maureen were disappointed that they were not allowed to go out on the field. Don wanted to walk around the bases and “score a run.” There are four Rangers numbers that have been retired: No lan Ryan and three others. All of those have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The stadium has many great features, including a cafeteria. Don says the team is not doing so well this year.

Bob MacGregor and wife Mari contacted us. As we have written before, Bob is one of the brother rats who left the Institute after one year but who especially treasures VMI and his time there. His father graduated from VMI and won the Jack son-Hope Medal. (Donald Lane MacGregor ’923.) He was largely responsible for Bob’s going to VMI.

Bob has been mentioned a few times in these pages; however, we have touched upon only the surface of his life. It is one of accomplishment, to say the very least, and all cannot be written here, but we will add a bit.

First, he left VMI because of the love of his life, Mari, whom he later married. We gather that she and Bob are a team in just about everything.

We have reported on Bob’s work for the CAUX Round Table, but he also was in several leadership positions elsewhere, including Kansas City Cham ber as president, CEO of Chicago United, presi dent of Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsi bility, and other organizations. This work has also taken him to 16 foreign countries and involved teaching youth in many places. Bob just turned 90.

Ed Rojas got in touch. We may have told you that he was born to an Italian mother in Costa Rica, making Ed a citizen of Costa Rica. His mother never took Costa Rican citizenship. She was nat uralized as a U.S. citizen in 1945. In order to enter VMI’s senior ROTC program, Ed became a U.S. citizen. Fast forward to 1992—Italy passed an im migration law permitting people born to Italian cit izens to regain Italian citizenship, but not automat ically. Ed has been in Lucca, Italy, since Dec. 2, 2021, going through the legal process required to regain Italian citizenship. This apparently rigorous process is made easier for Ed because of the great food and wine of Italy. He returns to San Francis co in October. To contact Ed, his email address is patriciarojas43@yahoo.com.

That’s it, folks!

This will be rather short due to a small response, but everyone expressed regret at Read Hanmer’s passing. He may have been small in stature, but he certainly was a giant among us, or wherever he went. He will be sorely missed.

Tom Williamson referred us to his entry in the last issue of the Alumni Review (which I would suggest that you look up) about the accomplish ments of the physics majors of the Class of 1955 and further notes that he is now the last survivor of the physics majors.

Frank Brooke noted he was sorry about Read’s

Class Notes

passing and further noted that he was an upstand ing VMI alumnus and a great class agent. Our class reunions were always well planned and organized and that he and Lois were always glad to welcome brother rats. We will miss him. Frank further notes that Judy and he are still plugging along and still spending their summers at Lake Gaston and win ters in Jacksonville, Florida. They went to a Ra leigh, North Carolina, VMI Chapter meeting and celebrated New Market Day April 15. He says he was hoping to see someone from an earlier class but guesses he was the oldest one there. He is the oldest member of the Jacksonville Chapter and guesses this is true for most of our ’55 BRs. He and Judy are great-grandparents now and guesses that makes us old! They plan to go to Winston-Salem for the VMI versus Wake Forest football game and says it would be fun to watch the Big Red whip ’em. They will be staying at VMI’s headquarters hotel, The Courtyard Winston-Salem University, and he hopes to see some BRs there. He further asks if there are any pictures or videos of Gen. Tate’s funeral at Arlington National Cemetery— same for Read’s funeral. He hopes to get to Lex ington for a football game this September.

Leon Cock sent his regrets to hear about Read Hanmer! A real loss for our great Class of 1955. He notes that the snow may be in Lexington by the time you read this, but they are having a heat wave of huge proportions in the Dallas–Fort Worth area as of July 21, 2022—109 degrees! Who knows, maybe there is something to this cli mate change, huh? El Niño? Hot air from politi cians of all parties? Happy 70th to all of you still alive in 2025, and let’s all go to No. 75 in 2030! (From the writer of the “stoop poop” for the Ca det newspaper.)

Pete Haake sent his regrets at the passing of Read Hanmer, wishing that he and Cathy could attend at Arlington Cemetery, further asking that we give Lois our condolences. He is sweltering, as is most of the country. At least the evenings are cool in the 70s. His family members are all local, so they are very fortunate in that. The St. Lawrence River is a great place to be on hot days, and they can’t get there enough. Their health so far is good. They wish they could get down to Lexington oc casionally to see BRs and a parade. He thanks his lucky stars so far and hopes we are good, too.

Bob Beale says he and Mary Ellen live in a re tirement home at Williamsburg Landing, Wil liamsburg, Virginia. He has artificial knees and hip but is still pretty mobile. He plans to get back to the golf course as soon as it gets cooler. Mary Ellen uses a walker, but they still make it to the dining room every day.

Sherry Sidney sent regrets to hear about Read. He really kept the Class of 1955 together. “One of the few I still remember my husband, Jack, talking about with great fondness.”

’56 Brother Rats and Families and Friends of ’56 Brother Rats, I had a delightful conversation with Marshall Mundy a couple of weeks ago. He is doing well, and he and his wife, Monika, were planning a vis it to the north to see Wes Foster. (Marshall indi cates that fate has delivered true love that makes these latter years far more pleasant!) I trust that in the next Review, we might have a report from him with some pictures as documentation!

Paul Gronroos reflected on his matriculation when accompanied by his father. Paul’s father knew a little about VMI (the “harshness” of the Rat Line); he knew Paul had a lot of freedom growing up and might resist the discipline. He notes that his dad huddled with Walter Newton ’53, Paul’s dyke, and he found that his dad had offered to buy a meal for Walter (a cash offer). “Walter said, ‘I can’t do that.’ My father said, ‘Keep an eye on him; I don’t want to see him thrown out the first week!’” We’re glad Paul made it without such supervision.

Dick Smith informed me of the death of Bill Miller in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Bill’s son, Da vid, confirmed that, and the notice will be in the spring Review. Dick also reported that Fred Farthing’s body is to be interred at Arlington

National Cemetery—certainly a notable hon or. It was short notice, and if anyone was able to attend it would be good to have a report for the spring Review.

Pete Jennings let his boat go after 50 years! Tough to maintain in those small spaces un der the hatch, and tough to find good help these days! Without a boat, it is hard to justify water front property, so after 30 years in his house, Pete is looking for a retirement location. Currently favored is Patriots Colony near Williamsburg, where he was surprised to find Chuck and Jean Jundt also reside.

Beth Pendleton (wife of Ed Pendleton) sent an email with a recent picture of Edmund and said that Ed is doing well but slow walking and pretty much just enjoys home. She reflects that the two of them have just gotten older (a fair amount of that is going around). Fred Farthing was Ed’s roommate, and Edmund regretted not being able to make it to Fred’s ceremony at Arlington. Ed’s cousin, William Pendleton ’63, has a musical grandson (William Pendleton ’23) set to graduate next year. Good to see such family tradition, and since Beth and Ed have three married children and six grandchildren; there may be more to this story for later years!

James “Russ” Wiltshire tells me that things are slow, but he and Margarete are still alive. As with many of us, lots of his “social” engagements con sist of multiple appointments with doctors but not hospitalizations so far! Grateful to be alive. (And I wish you and Margarete many more years, Russ!)

And as for me, I have adjusted to single life and solitude since Julie died and again would like to extend an invitation to visit me here in Lewisburg if ever the opportunity exists for any of you. Sort of lonely here, but I’m certain Julie would wel come all of you were she here!

1957 George Sydnor Jr.

Ben Elmore once more led his intrepid team

The Virginia Military Institute. An Uncommon Purpose!

1956 Randolph S. Knipp

Class notes

of callers into the communication fray of calling all standing brother rats and checking on them with, “How goes it?” Without pause, Mo Levine, Nick Kallelis, Bill Huffcut, Dick Collier, Ben Elmore, John Whittle, B.D. Ayres, Ron McMa nus, Tony Di Cesare, and Bill Gay stepped for ward manning their respective call posts. Team caller No. 1: Mo Levine reported in and wrote, “I hope you and your wife to continue to do well in Fincastle. Cindy and I are holding our own in Colorado; she better than me.” I was able to reach four out of seven classmates.

Drummond Ayres, as we all know, worked for The New York Times for 40 years, retiring after a distinguished career in about 2002, which was followed by teaching a writing course in the En glish department at VMI (lucky students). He is now fully retired, and he and wife Clare live al ternately in Accomac on the Eastern Shore of Vir ginia and in NYC, where he has maintained an apartment for many years.

B.D. has two sons, one living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and owner of a successful construc tion company, and a daughter in the Washington, D.C., area who is a correspondent with an area of expertise in Russia and the Ukraine.

Post-graduation, Bill Batten earned his Mas ter of Science degree from the Emory School of Basic Medicine and then embarked on a dis tinguished military career in the Army Infantry, 1959–86, that included two tours in the Vietnam (Laos) theater before he retired in 1986 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. After his military ca reer, Bill delved into the business world to in clude, but not limited to, wine, liquor, and pest control. (Class agent’s note: Now what exactly is the correlation between Class VI supplies and pest control?) He and wife Martha have lived in Simpsonville, South Carolina, nearly 30 years, where Bill devotes countless hours with his lo cal Rotary Club helping exchange students and mentoring grade school children. He and Martha have several grandchildren living nearby in Gaff ney and Rock Hill, who they visit often, “staying young again.”

Bill “Ensign” Benson indicated he was expe riencing a few health issues but was “hanging in there.” He had a rewarding 20-year career in the Army Ordnance Corps, retiring with the rank of major. He and wife Kathy have two children and two grandchildren. (Class agent’s note: Bill, you entrusted George with the ’57 guidon a couple of years ago, and you will be pleased to know that the said guidon made a notable appearance at the class’s 65th Reunion celebration in April, proudly leading the class with Huffcut, regimental com mander, on the march off the Parade Ground and into barracks for an Old Yell for the Class of ’57.)

Bob Blocker said he “wisely” left VMI af ter two years and completed his education at

the University of Texas in business administra tion. Although his parents were originally from Texas, business interests had taken the family to Sao Paulo, Brazil, from where he matriculated to VMI. He was “led” to the Institute by his moth er, who was a graduate of Sweet Briar and rec ommended VMI to Robert. Following stints in NYC and Sao Paulo, about 20 years ago, Bob bought Northern Camps Ranch in Markham, Texas, where he continues to live and enjoy ac tively taking care of the cattle. He has three chil dren: One lives in Austin, Texas; one in Florence, Italy; and one in São Paulo, Brazil. “Great times visiting the kids when he is not taking care of the cattle.” Mo said he was unable to make contact with Martin Andersen, Sam Barker, and Alan Baumgartner but left messages with them that their brother rats hope they are in good spirits and wish them well.

Team caller No. 2: Nick Kallelis’ first assign ment to call brother rats was a nice experience. The first call was to Bob Bolling, aka Mad Dog. We had a nice discussion about his VMI and Army experiences and how much we had both enjoyed the 65th Reunion and the oppor tunity we had to spend time together at lunch and some of the activities. Bob said he is look ing forward to the next Alumni Review in hopes that our 65th Reunion picture will be included. Bob is not satisfied with Roanoke media and spends weekly meetings with individuals lacking VMI experience and expresses his views about VMI to ensure the Institute is viewed with cred ibility. Bill Boice did not attend the reunion but said his health is OK, and he is hanging in there. Bob Christopher said he is getting along well in Wicomico in the Northern Neck of Virginia. He missed the 65th but hopefully will attend the 70th. Several attempts to contact Wiley Clapp were unsuccessful. He did not attend the reunion; hopefully all is well with him. Dick Collier and I reminisced about our earlier days. After gradua tion in ’57, Dick and wife Sarah were in Buffalo, New York, where Dick and I worked for Allied Chemical prior to reporting for active duty. We always enjoy visiting with the Colliers at our re unions. The contact also gave me an opportunity to thank Dick for all his efforts and contributions to support our class and VMI. We both enjoyed the 65th and look forward to the 70th. Bill Colvin attended VMI for two years and has never at tended a reunion. However, his continued interest in VMI is evident by his occasional visits to the Institute and observing the expansion over the years. Bill’s favorite stories were remembering the day the evening gun went missing, march ing to the mess hall with the road coated with ice, and waking up in the morning with snow on his hay. He now has a grandson, born in April, after four granddaughters. Nick encouraged Bill

Class Notes

to consider attending the 70th; we would all en joy seeing him. Don Coombs and wife Judy are doing well in Roanoke. Don is still playing golf in his gorilla style—long, straight drives accom panied by over-long puts. Don and Judy recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. I was honored to be their best man at their wedding and also had the pleasure of being Don’s roommate at VMI, along with Ray Mackay and Carl Schla ditz. The Coombses and Kallelises have spent many joyful experiences over the years visiting each other and sharing time with Ray and Mar tha Mackay and Carl and Joyce Schladitz at mini roommate reunions. Don was instrumental in helping Jim Piggott and others in organizing our successful 65th Reunion. We all give thanks to the Reunion Committee. Claiborne Coupland said he thoroughly enjoyed the reunion and is looking forward to the 70th. He converses with Don Coombs occasionally, noting they were on the VMI basketball team together. Claiborne met a couple of enterprising young brothers in the area and had them detail his car. The broth ers have a successful business during the sum mer. Interesting enough is the fact that the older brother is a second classman at the “I,” and the younger one, a high school student who plans to follow and attend VMI. Somewhat of a family tradition since their grandfather graduated from VMI in ’59.

Team caller No. 3: Bill Huffcut, old Semper Fidelis himself, reported that Tony DiCesare was doing well, still living in West Long Branch, New Jersey. His seven children are providing the family with a ton of grandchildren, and all are do ing well. Tony sounded good and says his health is fine. Kenny Dickinson just had a kidney stone removed, and he said there were no complications from that procedure; he had no use for the stone anyway. Sounded like the old Kenny—fun con versation in an off-beat version of the English lan guage. Lew Diuguid said life was “not half bad” in his retirement community; he is happy there but sorry he did not make the reunion. Mark Doty sounded good, health is good, and allowed as to how he was still teaching mathematics and chem istry in a private high school in Bishopville, South Carolina. Says the kids keep him young but pre vented him from making the reunion, as he was right in the middle of giving exams. (Class agent’s note: Why not give the kids a break next time and bring the entire class to our 70th?) Ben Elmore and wife Damaris sounded good. Ben is having some issues with his walking but other than that is doing fine. He regretted they could not make the reunion but hopefully will make the 70th. Carter Fox is living in a retirement community in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where he moved to be near his children in that area. Enjoying the retire ment daily activities. Carter sounded good and

said to tell George not to stand next to tall peo ple when having his picture taken. (Class agent’s note: Gee, thanks a lot, Carter, but let me remind you that at parade when Dog Company passed in review, the crowd in attendance would shout: “Stand up, get off your knees.”) Bill Gay and wife Frances are doing well and keeping a low profile due to COVID-19. They are living in a high-rise in St. Louis, Missouri, and doing fine, no problem with keeping their feet dry during a recent downpour and subsequent local flooding. Were sorry they did not make the reunion but felt it prudent to sit it out. I enjoyed talking with ev eryone, and, taking into consideration the dates on our birth certificates, I think all the brother rats that I contacted were doing well and already looking forward to the next reunion. “Semper Fi delis.”

Team caller No. 4: Dick Collier was unable to talk to Clint Glover but after a number of calls was finally able to reach his son, Matt, who ad vised that Clint has very limited mobility and is battling white matter disease. Clint’s wife, Bel kis, said that the family had brought in a care giver to assist her in taking care of him. I asked Belkis and Matt to keep us informed as to how Clint was doing going forward. Lionel Hancock, my roommate for our four years at VMI and classmate and fellow cadet for the previ ous four years at the old John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia, said he and wife Carol Lee were doing well and staying active, albeit at a slower pace. They spend their winters in their condo in Norfolk and the warm weather months at their cottage in Sandbridge (part of Vir ginia Beach). Lionel said he is no longer driving and that, in fact, he and Bill Moore “hired” a lim ousine to drive them and their wives to Lexington for our 65th Reunion. Lionel said, “Not cheap but well worth the cost; a great way to travel as we age and helped make for an enjoyable reunion.” Milt Hargrave and I had a very pleasant call; he is quite the conversationalist. He said he en joys anything that has to do with “tractor work;” in fact, he is the proud owner of a John Deere lawn tractor, “air-conditioned with every avail able gadget.” What a great way to cut the grass. However, maintenance and mechanical work on tractors (and vehicles) can be dangerous. Milt reports that while working on “a full moon roof” that buckled and collapsed, he broke four ribs back in March. That little mishap occurred on top of a hip replacement six years ago, and with the addition of a few stents and valves, Milt is a proud member in our elite group of bion ic (part) mechanical men. All things considered, Milt says we all have much to be thankful for and closed by saying what a great reunion we had; he and wife Nancy thoroughly enjoyed our 65th. Kirk Hubbard reported he lost his wife,

Kitty, this past November to Alzheimer’s, which she had battled for about five years. Kirk attend ed our 65th with daughter Page, a delightful lady and a real “ball of fire.” With a wry smile, Kirk said he had no additional news at this time, “but, in fact, that’s good news, since most news are re ports of the loss of friends and acquaintances.” (Class agent’s note: Glad to know you continue to have that dry sense of humor, Kirk, and our thanks for your longtime support of VMI). Bill Huffcut reported that he and wife Betty are do ing well in Tallahassee, except “the weather is hot as h$#%!” A leader to “his core,” Bill played an integral role in our 65th Reunion and also serves as a team caller for our class. After reminiscing on how much everyone enjoyed our reunion, the conversation then drifted off on a tangent as we talked about military aviation. I shared with him that one of my grandsons, Shelton Collier, is a graduate of the USAF Military Academy and now a captain and pilot of a military version of the Swiss-built, single-engine, turboprop U-28A. Shelton is stationed at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, literally at Bill’s back door and just min utes away. Bill was quite aware of Shelton’s unit and their unique mission. In closing, Dick said everyone he talked with feels that VMI is doing a great job keeping us all informed and com municating. Several felt our unique program of staying in touch with class members through the Elmore/Sydnor/Lawrence calling teams was important, especially at our stage in life. Team caller No. 5: Ben Elmore’s call to Tom my Hunter was a great one; they talked for over 25 minutes and reminisced on events concerning about 20 BRs at VMI. It was amazing the num ber of people he grew up with in Richmond who went to VMI. Tommy was so enthusiastic he said he would be in touch about possibly becoming a team caller come next January. John Kilday seemed to appreciate the call and had no status updates to share. Frank Kline was “marching” into a church in St. Louis for a religious ceremo ny and was unable to talk further at the time. Nick Kallelis indicated he had a nice chat with John Kuchnia, who had recently lost his wife, Loret ta, May 22. John indicated he misses her terribly and is still in the “recovery mode” after his loss but said he was better and might be interested in being a team caller the next time around in Jan uary. (Class agent’s note: We would love to have you join our ranks, John; you would do a great job. Time to get active again.)

Team caller No. 6: John Whittle thoroughly en joyed talking with the BRs on his assigned con tact list. Carl LeBourdais was in good spirits, al though, with age 88 fast approaching, he and wife Mary are experiencing a few medical issues. Mary had a stroke recently but happy to report she is re covering nicely. Then Carl had a hip replacement

Class notes

which went well and made a huge positive differ ence in his mobility. He also mentioned that Ray Collins ’55, D.M.D., with the Army and retired colonel, lived nearby. “Stud” has a good call with Mo Levine, one of our team callers, and retired internist M.D. He regretted that he and wife Cin dy could not make it to the reunion—hopefully next time for the 70th. An upbeat Tiger Locke was next on John’s list. The Tiger sounded good and said he and wife Carol stayed close to home during COVID-19. He was sorry circumstanc es prevented them from making the reunion and being part of it, especially to see BRs and other VMI people who are “few and far between” in his neck (Bristol) of the woods. Curly (no pun intended) Mason was upbeat as well and talk ed about how much he and wife Darrel enjoyed the reunion—just keep up the good work, guys. Ron McManus said the Lexington heat and rain had interrupted his passion for mowing his lawn; actually, he gave thanks for deliverance. His wife, Patty, continues to battle Alz heimer’s, and he devotes his time as her caregiver. Joe Moody, aka Magoo, and wife Sue are doing well in the retirement home facility they recently moved into. Joe said he was continuing to receive treatment for his recalcitrant prostate and is glad to report that he is doing well. Joe and Sue regret they were unable to attend the reunion, but as they both drive only sparingly these days, the long trip was “not in the cards.” Bill Moore and wife Florine said they had a wonderful time at the reunion. Nothing but plaudits for the chairman and his missus. Both said they couldn’t be better, happy as can be, en joying good health, and staying occupied. Speaking of which, Florine should be ad dressed as “the honorable Florine Moore, past mayor and current vice-mayor of Smith field, Virginia, home to the best hams produced anywhere in the world.” John could only say, “Wow,” what an enjoyable conversation.

Team caller No. 7: B.D. Ayres: “I’m at the point now where I’m not very good at remember ing what people say, so I initially sent an email to each BR, and then my wife, Clare, and I followed up with phone calls; this could not have been done without her help. Please edit as you wish. Chins in!” Paul Muldowney, when asked how he was doing, his response was a succinct one: “Every thing is hunky dory.” ’Nuff said. G.E. Murray and wife Rosalie stay hunkered down at their home in Bedford, not having traveled much since the scourge of COVID-19 hit. Both are well and enjoyed the reunion. Family visiting from Port land, Oregon, and Cape May, New Jersey, is a real plus. Everyone loves staying at their Smith Moun tain Lake home; however, the Bedford residence

has been G.E.’s home his entire life except for his time at VMI and while he was in the Air Force. He allowed, however, that like many his age, he has slowed his pace a bit, is enjoying life, and will tell many old yarns for those who are will ing to listen. Jay Musser, upbeat as ever, talked about how much he and wife Sonja enjoyed the reunion. At the present, he endures the sting of the proton gun attacking a prostate, the curse of the male species, but is confident of a favorable outcome. Fred Newcomb suffered a fall back in early July and went to the local hospital in Char lotte, at which time cancer was discovered, for which he is undergoing treatment. Wife Betty Lou said they now live in a nice retirement facility, The Cypress of Charlotte, 3442 Cypress Club Drive, 28210, where Fred is in the nursing home there. They can be contacted through the concierge at 704.714.5500. George Niedermayer said he had not been in touch with any brother rats recently,

and all roommates at the “I” are now deceased. George says his life is pretty simple. He and wife Helen reside in center city Philadelphia, where he spends most of his time and energy managing and maintaining the gardens at their historic church, Christ Church Philadelphia, and serves as a docent assisting some of the 250,000 visitors seen each year. George says he has been lucky from a health standpoint and, like everyone our age, little prob lems are beginning to accumulate but nothing ma jor so far. “Still on the right side of the dirt.” John “Pags” Paganelli says all is well with he and wife Diane. They drove from their winter home in Fort Myers to our 65th Reunion before heading north again to reach their home in Rochester. They had not done that arduous trip in many years and prob ably won’t do it again—too much (horrendous) traffic. Not a fun trip for 87-year-olds! The reunion was terrific, definitely worth the “physical price” of the trip, glad to see that those who attended were in pretty good shape—that, in itself, was reassuring. Pags went on to say he was playing a lot of golf; enjoying fishing trips with one of his sons and grandsons; their first granddaughter was getting married in the fall; no COVID-19 so far; family all intact; kiddos good; and all grands work ing and holding their own. Life is good— could ask for nothing more. Randy Pend leton said all was good with him, but he had nothing to report that was “worthy of mention” in the Alumni Review. Randy did say that he recently heard from Lew Diuguid, who was trying to enlist him as an Orioles supporter—no commitment yet but thinking about it.

The gim: Don sent Phil Miller and daughter Betsy a card following an un successful attempt to reach them by phone. The same with Billy Elmore and wife Chloe, John Quillen and wife Judy, Jim Snead and wife Janice, and Jim Rust and wife Bobbie. George did see Bobbie at a farmers mar ket in Roanoke recently and had a nice conver sation with her. She is well, and Jim is “holding his own.”

The widows’ corner: Attending our 65th Re union were Ann Gilmore, Patti Hammond, Mar tha MacKay with daughter Debbie, Shay Peters, and Joyce Schladitz with daughters Karen and Kathy. We have received nice cards from many of them expressing their appreciation for honor ing the widows and including them in all class communications and events. Shay Peters said her grandson, Spencer Boardman Peters ’21, is now in the Air Force and stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB. Ruth Wills Smith sent us a nice note thank ing us for the many courtesies extended to all the widows. She and husband Jimbo Smith ’60 are enjoying their new home in Lexington, having

Class Notes

moved from their residence of many years in Southport, North Carolina. Ann Gilmore stays in touch. Diana Kyle is doing well, “all things con sidered.” She plans to continue living in Pough keepsie, New York.

Since our April reunion, we have lost Brother Rats Bob Fravel, Bill Haas, Bob Newbill, and Dick Newman. George, Howard, and John were able to represent the Class of ’57 at the memorial service for Bob Newbill that was held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Rocky Mount Aug. 12. Al ice Newbill was most appreciative of their pres ence; it did not go unnoticed—our class motto is, “We care.” And, before signing off this edition of our ’57 class notes, we continue our honored tra dition of remembering our brother rats who have “crossed over the river to rest under the shade of the trees.” Our ninth list of “those gone but not forgotten” Class of ’57: Frank Dalton, March 31, 2004; Tom May, May 19, 2004; David Jackson, Oct. 10, 2004; Bob Burns, Sept. 8, 2005; and Roy Hammond, Sept. 13, 2005.

Rest in peace, brother rats who have passed, un til at last we are all reunited. Close ranks, brother rats still standing, as we continue our march for ward on life’s path into whatever the future may bring. Proud, and a privilege, to be your class agents.

God bless our Class and VMI, George and Howard

1958

Well, we’ve almost made it through one of the hottest summers of our lives. Laura says she re members this time of year in her childhood, when her mother would have been shopping for backto-school winter coats for four children. Now we both have wool coats we haven’t needed in years. We’re grateful to Congress for finally getting se rious about climate change.

A highlight of our hot summer has been hav ing a very showy passionflower vine (passiflo ra incanata) in our “outback”—named that by grandson Jefferson Miles ’24 because it’s not a patio, not a garden, and not a deck but some kind of weird hybrid of the three. The vine was a gift that arrived last summer looking pitiful, went into a big pot, and spent the winter grow ing. Now it spans a horizontal 20 feet, covering the ugly wires left over from extinct “utilities” from our city’s past. It beats all its competitors in our view: Virginia creeper, hyacinth bean,

sweet potato, ivy, and honeysuckle. We can’t recommend this plant enough. Our blooms are white, but they come in many colors and have dramatic and beautiful centers that look like something from another planet. But they are Vir ginia natives, and they only bloom for about 24 hours. From the cool comfort of our kitchen, we can take a glance at the vines many times a day, count the blooms and watch them open and close. On the day of our record number of blooms— nine open at one time—we called neighbors to come see. We highly recommend it as a pet sub stitute since it’s endlessly active and entertaining and requires nothing but water.

On a recent trip to Lexington, we noticed that the tall fence around the superintendent’s house is down now, so the renovation must be com ing along nicely. Laura has friends at Glavé & Holmes Architecture, the Richmond architecture firm masterminding the project, and they are very excited about it—as they were about the com mandant’s house, which they also renovated.

Speaking of Glavé & Holmes, if you’re in Richmond, don’t miss their dramatic redesign of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (vir giniahistory.org). When it was called the Virginia Historical Society, it was known by some of its employees as “Virginia’s Attic.” Now a vibrant cultural mecca, it’s filled with ever-changing ex hibits and great programming. We go to many lectures there, and it’s still an important place for scholars of Virginia history. Around 35 years ago, a very smart board of directors decided the orga nization should stop being an attic and become a force for history education. They hired Charles Bryan Jr. ’69, Ph.D., who put the museum on the map and retired to many accolades and awards.

On three September weekends, we’ll be in Lex ington for football and family tailgating with, among others, my two brothers and their wives, our two 2024 cadet grandsons, two granddaugh ters at JMU, and one at Virginia Tech; two packed days marking the 25th anniversary of women at VMI; and a concert at the Lime Kiln Theater.

It’s reunion planning time, so Jane and Stirling Williamson and Laura and I met with George Sydnor ’57 in Lexington to hear about his class’s 65th Reunion, which he described as a well-at tended success. We had lunch in the Patton Room that’s part of The Georges hotel complex, named originally for George Marshall ’901 and George Washington, which appeals to alumni of both Lexington colleges. The Patton name came later and fits the history of VMI.

The George that we were with that day—the Sydnor—was helpful and entertaining, as al ways, and he commended the VMI staff for their masterful reunion organizing and attention to im portant details. BR Paul Royer, our usual reunion transportation chief, will be relieved to hear that

VMI now takes care of that through Rockbridge Area Transportation Service, and they are very efficient.

George had a serious message for all of us about the significance of the 65th and the impor tance of attending if at all possible. “Don’t for get,” he said, “this is going to be the last one for many of you.” Thank you, George, for that suc cinct and powerful reminder.

Our 65th Reunion is April 24–25, 2023. Our headquarters are in the Holiday Inn Express (540463-7351), and the rates are favorable at $110 per room and $120 per suite, plus tax. Call the hotel

Class notes

directly for reservations and let them know you are Class of ’58 (VA8 block code). As recom mended by George, we’re planning a catered din ner at the hotel Sunday, April 23, for those who arrive early. We hope to see as many BRs and SRs as can possibly be there! Reservations are open now through March 27, 2023.

In response to one of our always interesting emails from Dave Pitkethly, this one featuring exciting Japanese fireworks, our SR Sandy Yon wrote this: “Lee, the fireworks [in Dave’s email] were spectacular. I lived in Japan when my father was stationed there while I was in elementary school. We left Japan to return to the U.S. July 4, 1949, and I saw the fireworks in To kyo. The grand finale was a display featuring the Stars and Stripes that literally lit up the sky. It remind ed me that after living in Japan for three years, I was still an American. I will forever be proud to see our flag flying all over the world. I have seen it in Sri Lanka, South Africa, South Korea, as well as Cambodia and Vietnam, and so many other places throughout the world. Our flag is an important symbol of our country, and we should continue to fly it throughout the world.”

We have dinner frequently with Sally Witt, wife of BR Sam Witt, and always have a wonderful time. Sam can no longer join us in their beautiful house as he’s in the health care section of Westminster Canter bury. Sally and their dog, Sassy, vis it him every day. Sam recently had a visit from Blackstone Drummond Ayres Jr. ’57, a retired national correspondent for The New York Times. Sam recruited B.D. to teach at VMI years ago, and they have stayed in touch. He surely has one of the greatest Virginia names ever.

B.D. began his career writing obituaries for The Richmond News Leader, the now-deceased afternoon paper. I shared a house with him and Tom Vaughn ’57 at the time, but Tom and I rarely saw him as he worked nights. I recall a time we three went to a steakhouse for dinner. When asked how he wanted his steak cooked, B.D. replied, “Walk it through a warm room.” Tom and I ordered ours medium-rare.

A recent evening with Sally was very spe cial as we joined her to watch son Sam IV get married in Boston, standing with his bride on a small, beautiful rug the Witt family has used in

weddings for generations. It was a moving cere mony, even when viewed on a cellphone screen, and the newlyweds will be coming down for a visit soon. I expect a recording of the wedding with a bigger screen will be coming with them.

Our Richmond family has gotten a thrill out of how a local baseball standout, Nate Eaton ’19 from Chester, made national sports headlines this summer. Nate has been playing infielder/

13 vaccinated players from their farm teams, in cluding Nate. It turns out that Laura’s personal trainer and his roommate went to schools K-12 with Nate, thought he was a great athlete, and de cided to bet on his hitting a home run in his first game. And he did. Ninth inning, into the left field stands, helping lead to a 3-1 victory. In the fourgame run, Nate also had two RBIs and a walk. He is now under contract with the Royals and playing right field regularly, with a batting average of 0.241 as of Aug. 14, 2022.

Our Richmond VMI ’58 lunch gathering was at the barbecue mec ca of Buz ‘N’ Ned’s, in its spacious Parham Road location. Everyone was happy to see Jack Cunning ham for the first time at one of our lunches, chauffeured by Stuart Whitehurst. Another first-timer was Brooke Doggett’s wife, Linda, whom we were also happy to see.

This restaurant is a surprise the first time you go there because it has a ceiling fan that appears to be big ger than an airplane propeller and likely to fall. (It’s perfectly safe.) It’s a fun place, with lots of pig and hog art. Also attending were Carol and Moon Menefee, Paul Royer, Jane and Stirling Williamson, and Lau ra and me. We were sorry that those normally in attendance who had planned to be there—Charlie Hayes and Becky and Onza Hyatt—had some of life’s interruptions.

outfielder for the AAA Omaha Storm Chasers since VMI. They’re one of seven minor league teams affiliated with the Kansas City Royals. When the time came for the Royals to play four games against the Toronto Blue Jays this sea son, it was disclosed that 10—yes, 10—Kan sas City players weren’t fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Therefore, Canada wouldn’t let them in the country. So, the Royals called up

Laura has had the pleasure of a news-filled conversation with Lan da Holt, widow of Bill Holt. He and Landa were married for 58 years, and she says in his 86 years of life, he spent one night in a hospital. At the time of his death in February, she spoke with us about her plans going forward. Although the goal of moving to Roanoke where her daughters live was a definite, she said she wasn’t in a rush to move. But given the hot real estate market in the Richmond region, her agent convinced her to sell, and after five immediate offers, the house sold in a day-and-ahalf at $50,000 more than asking price. The bid ding was fierce, and Landa was ultimately able to choose a family with children over a retired couple as the buyers, saying the neighborhood needed some young people. She moved in with her daughter, Leslie, in Roanoke and is now look ing for a place of her own with people her age. She says she’s hoping to find a place half as nice

Class Notes

as Leslie’s basement! She does miss her friends, neighbors, and her beautiful church in Powhatan County.

We look forward to seeing her in Roanoke, my hometown and a great place to live. At one time, the joke was that it was “a great place to raise grandparents,” but it’s hopping now, attracting and retaining young people.

We’re still having the pleasure of seeing Dave Martin at our popular biweekly neighborhood jazz concerts. They take place across the street from where his daughter, Julia Carr, and her hus band, Bryan, live, so Dave can watch and listen from their front yard. It’s always great to see the license plate on Dave’s car, a very low number because his beloved Annie Mae worked for three Virginia governors.

Our neighbor, Jane Carlson, started the concert series two years ago out of concern for VCU stu dent musicians when COVID-19 killed their per forming opportunities. She worked with Tony Gar cia, who headed VCU’s Jazz Studies Program, to find the best musicians and determine how to pay them. They came up with a creative combination that has been very popular with the performers: Sponsors—mostly but not entirely neighbors— provide a set amount, and a straw hat is nearby to collect tips from the audience. The season now runs every other week, April through October.

We said goodbye to my old buddy, Bob Spur rier, at Arlington National Cemetery on a beauti ful day in May, 10 months after his death. We all know about the long waits at that cemetery. Need less to say, the U.S. Army gave him a proper sendoff with a horse-drawn carriage and a band. His daughter, Terry Stephenson; his wife, Cathy; and Terry’s children and grandchildren dressed in har monizing blue outfits, and I was glad Laura had talked me into wearing my blue seersucker suit. Bob was one of a kind, a true warrior and lots of fun during our years at the “I.” Rest in peace, Bob.

That’s it for this time. Sign up for the reunion!

In the Spirit, Lee

On June 9, 2022, 63 years to the day that we graduated from VMI, our BR Rob Sommers passed away. Rob succumbed to a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. After graduating with our class from VMI, he received an MBA from the University of Virginia. After mandatory military

service in the U.S. Army, he worked for Mobil Corp. and then Mobil Mining and Minerals un til his retirement in 1995. Please keep Kay and his family in your prayers. We also lost one of our stalwarts, Jim Sam Gillespie, who passed away July 17. Jim was vacationing with his fam ily in Florida, and on the return trip, while vis iting his daughter, Ann Brett, in North Carolina, he fell ill and unfortunately passed away. We will always remember the man with two first names from that obscure little town in the backwoods of Virginia; “Jim Sam Gillespie from Pound ing Mill, Virginia, sir.” Jim Sam’s obituary said that he developed a deep love for VMI, and the friends he made there would become some of the most important people in his life and in his family’s life. Jim Sam’s daughters, Liv and Ann Brett, sent me a nice note telling me that there was a significant VMI contingent at the funeral services and sent lots of love to the VMI Class of 1959. Dick Phillippi attended Jim Sam’s fu neral and said the service was packed with VMI alumni. If you are looking for a way to honor our brother rat, Dick and Jim Sam’s daughter, Liv, suggest that you donate to a recently established scholarship fund in Pounding Mill, Virginia. The Tazewell County Farm Bureau set up a scholar ship fund in the name of Jim Sam to go to Taze well County students who ideally want to pursue higher education in an agricultural field. Checks may be sent to Tazewell County Farm Bureau, 145 Chamber Drive, Tazewell, VA 24651. In the memo line, put Jim Sam Gillespie Scholarship. Rest in peace, Jim Sam. Until Jimmy Johnson brought it to my attention, I was not fully aware of the VMI legacy of Jim Sam. Jimmy reminded

me that he and Jim Sam were cousins, as they shared the same great-grandfather who served in the 23rd Virginia Infantry from Southwest Vir ginia as the executive officer of Company C and fought in the Battle of New Market. His daugh ter, Nancy, was Jimmy’s grandmother. Jimmy’s father, George Ben Johnson ’932, and Jim Sam’s father were brother rats in the Class of 1932. Al though he was suspended several times for unsa vory escapades, Gen. Lejeune was kind enough to pardon him several times so he could graduate.

Lee and Nancy Southard have had a nerve-wracking couple of months, and it isn’t over with yet. Lee’s granddaughter, Allie, was born with a bad heart and had a heart transplant when she was only 3 years old. Things went well for 25 years until just recently when she began experiencing problems that eventually lead to the requirement for another transplant at age 28. They found one, but it failed within the first 24 hours. It was removed, and she receive her third heart within another 24 hours. She was on a heart lung machine all that time and a respirator, and when she came off the machine, she lost kidney function and had a hard time breathing. As of this writing, she is still in a lot of pain, on three anti biotics for a stubborn pneumonia bacterial infec tion, on pain meds, cannot take solid food again, very weak, and not walking like she was. She had to go back on a respirator, and the worst part is she has asked the question, “What if I don’t re cover?” She has always been a fighter, and Lee and Nancy do not want to see her give up. By the time you receive these notes, our prayer is that she is fully recovered and living a normal life with her fourth heart.

Billy Kornegay wrote that after 66 years, he got together with his rat roommate, Tom Martin Davis Jr. Billy and Sonny Bishop roomed with Tom our first year, after which Tom decided to transfer to the University of Texas, where he subsequent ly graduated and went on to get his degree in law and became a practicing attorney. They had not seen one another since 1956, 66 years ago. Tom and his vivacious wife, Jan, were attending their granddaughter’s graduation at UVA, and Billy and Sue arranged to meet them in Staunton where Jan had gone to college at Mary Baldwin. They brought each other up to date on the 66-year gap and then reminisced about their rat year during a great three-hour dinner at the Mill Street Grill in Staunton. It was almost as if time never passed. Tom and Jan promised to consider coming to our 65th Reunion in 2024.

Rusty Loth and his lovely daughter, Laura, re turned to Virginia not long ago, and on the way, they stopped by Roanoke to look in on Eddie and Carolyn Barnes. They were very impressed with Eddie and Carolyn’s new digs but more impressed with the “red carpet” treatment they received from

Class notes

them. They got the royal treatment, including a two-hour tour of Mill Mountain, the Star City, and the surrounding area. Sometimes during their visit, Rusty felt like he was back at the Liquid Lunch. Brother and sister “ratery” at its best. Rusty’s next big adventure will be in Memphis at the local Que and Brew with BR Noland Pipes and a couple of Memphian Minks. Got a nice note from Eddie Barnes, and he and Carolyn seconded the motion; it was a nice visit and such a pleasure to spend the day with Laura. Their son, Stewart Barnes ’86, and his wife, Susan, joined them for an evening of laughter and the retelling of stories that have been told a thousand times or more but ones that we never seem to get tired of hearing just one more time.

Dick Phillippi writes all is well with he and Linda. Art and Ginny Brandriff passed through on their way from Florida and stopped by to say hello. Dick has a feeling they both miss the Tidewater area but are un likely to return. They drove over to Pounding Mill to spend the day with Jim Sam Gillespie and had a won derful visit with him and his lovely daughter, Liv. Dick said that Jim Sam was a fighter and was hanging in there, but he lost that fight just a few weeks later. Tex and Emily Carr were back on the high seas—this time cruising the Mediterranean sailing from Rome aboard the Celebrity Edge through the Greek Islands to Naples. Unfortu nately, when they reached Naples, Tex tested positive for COVID-19, which resulted in seven days in quarantine. They did enjoy three COVID-19-free days in Rome before boarding the ship, but the remainder was confinement to their cabin. Emily remained with Tex even though she tested nega tive, which made his confinement to quarters a bit more bearable. He did enjoy lots of room service and got to know the crew intimately. Naniti, their order taker, is now on their Christmas mailing list.

Jack and Joy Angolia sold their big, beautiful home in Leawood and have moved to a down sized apartment in Prairie Village, Kansas. This must come as a cultural shock to both of them, since their old home had a basement that could hold Jack’s enormous collection of U.S. World War II paraphernalia which he sold several years ago. This does, however, give them a lot more stress-free time so that they can continue to travel about the world seeking out new experiences and adventures.

Don and Carol Messner moved back to their

summer home in Pennsylvania a few months ago, and on the way, they stopped by Butler, Pennsylvania, to have lunch with Dean and Kathryn Helfer They made it to a neat little

western Pennsylvania restaurant, after which they adjourned to the Helfer farmhouse on Three Degree Road where they enjoyed the rest of the afternoon reminiscing about those won derful days in the ’50s. Dean contin ues to board horses, and he admits it is taxing his stamina at times, but his enthusiasm is unabated. Kathryn has a bit of difficulty moving around, but like the gallant lady she is, manages it with a great sense of humor. With Don and Carol tucked away in Penn sylvania, we won’t get to enjoy their company at our next Florida group mini reunion in Hontoon, Florida, in September.

Over the past two years, I have been in contact with our Brother Rat Rick Santos, who lives in Ecuador with his lovely wife, Rosita. They have a condo in Sunrise, Florida, and come to visit every year. It is only about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from where Ann and I live, so we thought it was a good idea to get together for lunch someday. Last year, we planned to get together when we thought we were going to have the spring Florida group mini reunion in Okeechobee, but as things turned out, we changed the location to Mount Dora and were not able to make it happen. Howev er, in late June, we finally got together at the RH Rooftop Restaurant in West Palm Beach, and it was like 63 years had not gone by since we last saw each other. Rick graduated as a civil engineer and went to work in Louisi ana right after graduation. He even tually returned to Ecuador, where he joined his father and brothers in the family Santos Engineering business, and this is where he has been for the past half-century. We had a great time reminiscing and bringing him up to date on where all our brother rats are and what they are doing. It was a great afternoon, and Rick and Rosita promise they will think about coming to our 65th Reunion scheduled for 2024.

Ann and I have had a busy quarter beginning with our return from the luncheon for Gen. Peay ’62 at the Country Club of Virginia in Richmond. On the way home, we picked up a virus and spent the next week in bed recovering from the flu. Thank goodness it was not COVID-19. It took us nearly the whole month of May to recover, but we are up and about and feeling OK now. Un fortunately, we had to cancel our trip to Bozeman, Montana, where we planned to see our grand daughter, Lilly, graduate from graduate school, but we were in no shape to make a trip like that. Even

Class Notes

without us there, she successfully graduated and is now working for Front Range Capital Partners in Denver, Colorado, involved in strategic part nerships with real estate operators. Needless to say, we are very proud of her. Our daughter from Springfield, Missouri, Colleen, decided she need ed to come over and make sure we were taking care of ourselves, which made for a few pleas ant weeks in June. After her departure, Ann and I took a drive up to Deland, Florida, and checked out a location for our fall mini reunion. We se lected a very nice spot right on the beautiful St. John’s River, Hontoon Landing Resort and Ma rina. The landing is located 35 miles from Orlan do and 25 miles from Daytona Beach, across the river from Hontoon Island State Park and 3 miles from Blue Spring State Park. It is a nature lov er’s paradise. We will be taking an Eco Boat tour of the St. Johns Riv er and Blue Springs State Park, one that Ann and I took 10 years ago and thought it to be one of the best we had ever been on. In the mean time, we have been putting togeth er plans for a family reunion in Pi geon Forge, Tennessee, the first part of August. We will bring the fami ly together to celebrate Ann’s and my 62nd wedding anniversary. We originally scheduled the reunion for two years ago in Hilton Head to cel ebrate our 60th anniversary, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused us to change our plans. We are looking forward to seeing all of our chil dren and grandchildren, but most importantly, we will meet our first great-grandchild, Maggie Merrigan.

John Kemp says that rather than report the usual information about retirement trivia and old age infir mities, I must report he has become the master of time, space, and dimension. He won’t be able to field inquiries regarding how he is accom plishing this or, for that matter, what it means. Ned Addison has moved lock, stock, and barrel from Richmond to Norfolk and has had the plea sure of dining with local residents Lee Wilkin son and Harlee Pate at least once since he has been there. Lee lives at Harbor’s Edge, and Har lee still resides in his beautiful old home in Nor folk’s historic Freemason District. He hopes that they can continue to get together more often. He also hopes they can get together with other broth er rats who live in the area and did recently by having lunch with Danny Coogan and Harlee Pate They started off having Bloody Marys at Harlee’s place, then adjourned to a local restau rant where they told old worn-out, but good, sto ries about the bad old days at VMI. Ned has a

rising grandson at VMI who is a 3rd Class cadet now and was recently promoted to corporal. Har rison is ruining the stellar reputation Ned worked for four hard years to get at VMI by doing things the correct way. Jimbo Smith ’60 and Steve Re ithmiller ’63, both who live in Lexington, have been great to Harrison, having him to their homes and treating him to wonderful home-cooked meals. Ned and the family are very appreciative and have been giving old yells for the Classes of ’60 and ’63. Ned is looking forward to a foot ball game in the fall, when he’ll be joining Eddie Barnes in cheering on the Big Red.

Betty Whitescarver wrote that after one year and seven months, Penn Whitescarver final ly had a beautiful funeral service at Old Post Chapel in Fort Myer, Virginia. The service was

she and Penn were always such an important part of the group.

Bobby and Alice Ross recently moved into Lakewood Manor Retirement Community in Richmond and were amazed at how well the tran sition went. The hardest part was getting rid of all that stuff they had accumulated over the past 63 years. It was a serendipitous happening when they discovered that John and Teddi Martin live there, as did Dr. Rolfe White ’71 and his wife, Sally, so VMI is well represented. Bobby says it has been fun renewing old friendships, and he is looking forward to attending a football reunion at VMI the first weekend in August. He hopes there will be more members of the late ’50s teams there, and he knows that meeting with the coaches and players and attending practice sessions will bring back a lot of great memories. Bob by and Alice have a granddaughter, 1st Lt. Jessica Wheeler, in the U.S. Navy, who is now attending flight school learning to fly helicopters. They take great pleasure in follow ing her career and are so proud of her carrying on the tradition of their family’s military service. Family members have previously served or are now serving in the Marines, Air Force, Navy, and Army.

performed by U.S. Air Force Col. John Elliott, chaplain, July 7. Their son, David, delivered a beautiful eulogy during the chapel service. Af terward, the Arlington representatives had the family and guests form a procession which drove through Arlington National Cemetery to join the Honor Guard for the 21-gun salute, taps, and folding and presentation of the flag. Penn’s in terment was in the Arlington National Cemetery columbarium. They were all delighted with the way Arlington, the many military officers, and staff all made Penn’s day one of such respect and beautifully done. Betty is currently living in Maryland and will stay there until the end of September when she will return to Florida. Her plan is to place the condo in Stuart on the market and, when sold, move permanently to Maryland where her younger son, wife, and grandson live. The Florida group will sorely miss Betty because

Niels and Maggie Andersen are getting it together and are com fortably settled in as guests of Ted Andersen ’88, their son who lives in Troutville, Virginia, located just outside of Roanoke. Niels has al ready had lunch with Brother Rats Eddie Barnes and Billy Kornegay and looks forward to getting togeth er with the remainder of the Shenan doah Valley crowd in the very near future. Niels sent regards to my wife, Ann, as he fondly remembered standing around the piano in the Dreelin Grove Avenue living room singing old Irish songs while Nana Dreelin played the piano. I can certainly relate to those wonderful afternoons because it is there that I fell in love with Ann.

If Royall and Geri Geis did not have bad luck, they would have no luck at all. This past year has not been kind to them. A year ago, while visiting their daughter, Stacey, in California, Royall broke his hand in five places, and Geri’s breast cancer metastasized around her spine, destroying three vertebrae, which subsequently had to be removed in an emergency operation. They could not leave California, as she had to endure six weeks of ra diation. In the meantime, Royall, who is suffer ing with Alzheimer’s, was placed in a rehabilita tion facility. Eventually they were flown back to Naples, Florida, each with a nurse, first class, no

Class notes

cost. Geri says it was absolutely wonderful. They had stayed at Stacey’s for over three months and were very happy to get home. Sadly, she was un able to care for Royall, so he had to go back to a rehab facility. Three months later, on the morning of new year’s eve, Geri woke and had a problem breathing. She told her daughters, but they did not take her seriously, and it went on for six months. She brought Royall home but soon discovered that she couldn’t handle it; his short-term memory is gone. Not only that, but he caught pneumonia and the flu while in rehab. They both ended up in the emergency room at the same time. Geri has been in the hospital ever since. She also got pneumonia, as well as COVID-19. As of this writing, she is in rehab and feeling absolutely wonderful. Stacey, on the other hand, had just been made vice president of Earth Justice, and they are so incredibly proud of her. Geri is considering putting him into skilled nursing rather than memory because he’s so social and loves to mingle and talk. Geri and others think his condition is a result of Agent Orange, as he was exposed to it for two years in Vietnam where he personally dropped it from his helicopter. They have no idea what to do, and Royall gets no dis ability compensation because the government has not recognized it as being caused by Agent Or ange. Hang in there, Geri; you are in our prayers.

Received a nice note from JoAnne Dreelin Ansett with an article out of the Richmond Times-Dispatch titled “No Joke-famed com ic is seriously fond of VMI.” It seems that a guy named Melvin Kaminsky, a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn, fresh out of Eastern District High School, joined the Army in 1944 and was bound for Europe and the final push against Nazi Ger many. He had signed up for a special program that gave enlistees a freer hand in picking their assign ments. It required that budding fighting men at tend college. Kaminski, a native New Yorker for whom the city was the center of a universe from which he never strayed, was ordered to VMI for a semester to study electronical engineering. The young man later changed his name to Mel Brooks, the Oscar-winning, nonagenarian comedian, writ er, actor, and filmmaker. Brooks’ only beef with VMI, which he described as welcoming and a “truly great school” was reveille: “The terrible part was having to get up at 6 a.m. to shave, shower, have breakfast and have to make his own bed with hospital corners.” Thanks for keeping us up to date and educating us, Jo Anne.

Ann and I are preparing for our family reunion in Sevierville, Tennessee, where we have rented a 10-bedroom home for the week. All our kids, grandkids, and our only great-grandchild will be there, with the exception of one grandson and his wife. He recently enlisted in the Coast Guard and is away at school learning his trade. We are look ing forward to a fun-filled week. I was going to

tell them to wear nametags because we have not seen them in such a long time due to the pandem ic. Keep those cards, letters, and emails coming in, and make it a point to contact just one brother rat you have not seen nor heard from in some time and open up a line of communication. You would be surprised at how good it feels; just ask me, Rick Santos, Billy Kornegay, and Tom Davis Yours in the Spirit, Shep

1960

of nine of Charles Lloyd Tolley and Elizabeth Brownlee Barger Tolley.

“A man dedicated to family, God, and country, Ed was our mother’s husband of 47 years, father, friend, son, grandson, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Professionally, he was a leader with vast experience. A United States Air Force officer, parishioner, deacon, elder, profes sional engineer, project manager, chief engineer, executive vice president, and a city councilmem ber.

“Growing up in a large loving family with both loving parents, he honed his foundation with his brothers and sisters through hard work, loyalty, honesty, and love. He lived a passion for base ball (he loved the Yankees) and played through his college years. A member of the Virginia Mil itary Institute Class of ’60, he graduated from VMI in 1961 and began his service with the U.S. Air Force.

Greetings from 12 Evergreen Tree Drive, Lex ington, VA 24450. There have been few birthdays since our last note.

On June 12, Tom Beaver had his latest birth day. I spoke with Tom. He is well.

On June 18, Gary Kramer celebrated his latest birthday. I spoke with him, and he is well.

On June 22, Bill King and Phil Shiner celebrat ed birthdays. I didn’t speak with Bill; thus he got an email. Phil was in Atlanta getting ready to go to a Braves baseball game. He is doing well.

On June 28, John Olsen had another birthday. John is an accomplished “shot gunner.” I hope he was able to enjoy his sport. John got a voice mail birthday wish. On July 3, Gerry Hermann had his next birthday. He got a voicemail birth day wish.

On July 6, “Doc” Mallory had his next birth day. He got a voicemail birthday wish.

On July 17, I finally caught up with Brother Rat John Moore. John is well. I was glad to finally speak with a “birthday boy.”

On July 19, Ruth and I had lunch with Hap and Mary Miller. Plans are being made for a lunch with Joe Sisler, Jim French, Hap and Mary, and Ruth and me, and our wives. Joe Sisler and Otis Pool recently went south for a golf trip to Point Clear, Alabama. On their way, they stopped off to visit with Sam Horner and Joe Morabit.

In July, received the sad news of the passing of Ed Tolley, our former and famous class agent. There is no way to describe all that Ed did for our class for many years. For years, he and Hap Miller have been the glue that has kept us togeth er and informed. His obituary follows: “Lloyd Edward Tolley, Jan. 17, 1937–July 23, 2022.

Lloyd Edward Tolley, 85, of Buchanan, Virgin ia, passed peacefully into eternal rest at his home in Buchanan Saturday, July 23, 2022. Born in Natural Bridge, Virginia, he was the fourth child

“While serving in the USAF at Travis Air Force Base, California, he met the love of his life, Nancy Heiser. Marriage followed March 2, 1963. They began the journey to raise four boys into man hood: Bruce Edward, Charles Andrew, George Alan, and Thomas Preston Tolley. Having four biological children at home, he also influenced many more than his own. His influence and lega cy among many continues far beyond his imme diate family.

“Many have known him from the local stone projects in the area or the handicap ramp brick work at Buchanan Presbyterian Church, but his profession was engineering. He said, ‘I knew I wanted to build stuff,’ and build he did. His ac complishments included: Roads and bridges in Virginia; nuclear power plants in Virginia, Texas,

Class Notes

and South Carolina; petroleum re finery reconstruction in Canada and Kuwait; a geothermal power plant in Indonesia (atop a dormant volca no); and environmental reclamation projects in California and the North Sea. Always fascinated with the bril liance of creation and how this plan et works, learning was critical. Pro fessionally, he traveled the country and around the world. He explored many different places and experi enced different climates, cultures, and societies. But make no mis take, Virginia was his home. He was quick to tell everyone, ‘I traveled around the world and never found a more beautiful place than Virginia.’

“His social ease invited conversa tion and debate, making him fun to be around. He enjoyed any event, as the people present are what made the event great. He encouraged us all to engage in our communities and fol low these rules: ‘Do what you say, when you say, for what you say,’ and ‘Be the man you are supposed to be. It will make a difference.’

“Ed was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Nancy Heiser Tolley; sisters, Jeanne Tolley Bourne and Susan Tolley; and brothers, Charles P.‘Bill’ Tolley, Carl A. Tolley, and W. Brownlee Tolley.

“He is survived by four sons, Bruce Tolley of Roanoke; Alan Tolley and his wife, Eleanor, of Belmont, North Carolina; Andy and his wife, Dinna, of Lockhart, Texas; and Tom Tolley and his wife, Sherry, of Buchanan, Virginia. His surviving im mediate family contains nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother, Steven Tolley, and wife, Kim, of Alabama, and his sisters, Nancy Hostetter of Lexington, Virginia, and Doris and her husband, Bill Trussell, of Fair fax, Virginia. There are numerous nieces, neph ews, special relatives, and friends, as well.

“Though we will miss his easy style, big laugh, and quick wit, we are so glad to have had his life to mentor, guide, and love us all. The family will have a viewing from 6–8 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Botetourt Funeral Home at 14920 Lee Highway in Buchanan, VA 24066. A grave side service will be held 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the High Bridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery located at 67 High Bridge Church Road, Natural Bridge, VA 24578, followed imme diately by a memorial service in the main sanctu ary. Once the service ends, we invite everyone to follow us to the family homestead at 527 Lloyd

Tolley Road, Natural Bridge Station, VA, for casual socializing continuing his celebration of life from 4–7 p.m. Online condolences may be made at botetourtfuneralhome.com.”

On July 31, I caught up with John “Toot” Barr to wish him happy birthday. Toot was well, but his wife, Cecile, had some health issues that seem to be improving.

On Aug. 1, I spoke with Ed Smith on the occasion of his next birth day. As we’ve mentioned before, Ed does beautiful woodwork. Please go to his website, edwardssmithfine woodworking.com, to see his work. He is well.

On Aug. 5, Bill Enniss had his next birthday. I only have wife Sal ly’s cellphone number, so she got his birthday message.

On Aug. 6, Frank Fox had his next birthday. We have no contact infor mation for Frank. Also Aug. 6, Joe Sisler, Hap and May Miller, G.G. and Frances Phillips, Jim French, and myself had lunch in Lexington. Joe was in town for the VMI football alumni reunion.

I recently spoke with Sam Horn er. Sam is not as active as he has been due to chronic health issues, but he reports he is “doing OK.” As always, he sounded well.

On Aug. 7, Brother Rat Mike Pitt, who graduated with Class of ’61 but is still on our rolls, had his next birthday. I went home with Mike to Portsmouth on our first Corps trip our rat year. I’ll never forget it, as it was a real treat being out of barracks for the first time and having those great homecooked meals. Mike always reunions with the Class of ’61. That’s OK, Mike, for you are still our brother rat.

On Aug. 11, I caught up with Henry Shirley to wish him birthday wishes and wishes for many more. He reported he is doing well. He looked good at our reunion. On Aug. 12, I left a birthday message for Walt Witschard. It was great to see Walt at our reunion. He always comes a long way from Lake Oswego, Oregon.

This brings this short version of our class notes to a close. Please stay in touch with personal in formation or pictures. We all want to stay con nected. Please be generous to the Jim Tumlin son Scholarship, our Bayliss Scholarship, and to VMI. I look forward to hearing from and about you. Stay safe and healthy.

In the Spirit, Jimbo

Class notes

1961 Sal Vitale Jr.

If you thought the last quarter was fast, this quarter was at the speed of sound. Soon after the class notes were submitted, we attended the fu neral for Charlotte Harbach at Arlington Ceme tery. The Harbach grandchildren participated in the services, and Charlotte’s son, David, gave the eulogy. At graveside Col. Brodie (Hon) played My Old Kentucky Home on his trumpet, and tears flowed by all those present. After the cer emony, we gathered at the officers club, where we enjoyed a slide presentation of Charlotte’s life. Attending from our class were John Thar rington, Holmes and Jeanette Smith, Carl and Becky Hirsch, Ray and Sally Hanlein, Spike and Mary Callander, Col. John and Sarah Bro die, Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, Tony Munera ’64, Dan Weatherford ’97, Steve Nichols ’98, and the Vitales.

Spike and Mary Callander are moving to a se nior living community, as is David Harbach. Da vid moved the last week of July to his new home in Martinsville, Virginia, and when I called him, he said, “Moving is not for old people.” Golf is now David’s game, and he’s playing 18 holes at least three times a week.

Just learned that Rhett and Jan Clarkson sold their house and will eventually be going to Ce darfield, a community like Westminster Can terbury, as soon as a cottage is available. In the interim, they will be living in Kings Crossing apartments. (That should be interesting!)

Carl Hirsch was back in the hospital for correc tive surgery to his stomach area, and all is good so far.

Sue and I went to Williamsburg and enjoyed an evening with Larry and Joann Respess. We went to Larry’s favorite restaurant, and yes, I paid off the bet owed Larry and picked up the tab. (Smile.)

The rest of May was very quiet with only visits to the doctors. Ray Hanlein had eye surgery. It was a great success, and he now looks 20 years younger.

In early June, the funeral for Irv Wells was held at his church. Braithwaite gave a very inspiring eulogy that Irv would have been proud of. Cop ies available. We had a wonderful turnout from our class that included David Harbach, Bill and Joyce Gibbings, Jim and Frankie Ring, Ashby and Sandra Taylor, Larry Wetsel, Sue Patrick, Jim and Blair Bickford, Alison Drescher, Kim Wise, Mike and Betty Pitt ’60, Brian Tollie ’79

and Bill and Wendy Braithwaite. Bill Nelms missed coming because Connie had COVID-19. Bill and Irv used to get together in Virginia Beach several times a year. Bill Braithwaite is still teaching at St. John’s in Annapolis, Maryland, and his health is “OK.”

Bill and Joyce Gibbings still have beer and cookies on Friday.

Ashby and Sandra Taylor are fine, as are Jim and Blair Bickford Larry Wetsel was off again to Europe with the Virginia Historical Society. Larry and Jerri are in wonderful health. Sue Pat rick is doing well and every so often she stops by. Alison Drescher and Kim Wise just get young er every year. Brian Tollie ’79 told me that his brother rat, Josh Biviano ’79, painted a picture of House Mountain and donated the painting to VMI in honor of Brother Rat Lee Badgett. I talk ed to Badgett. His health has improved, and he is reading again. His daughter, Nancy, hopes he will remain that way so they will not have to move him into a memory care facility. Also, and before I forget, Dave Elliott is not in senior care but in a facility for memory care. Sorry! Jude said his health is pretty good.

In early June, the Vitales were off to Maryland to attend the graduation of our grandson, Jackson Cross. Jackson will be attending Anne Arundel Community College on a full scholarship. In his spare time Jackson works as a sandwich creator at Subway. (Smile.)

I had a special visitor at my home, Col. Boga rt ’81, VMI commandant. The colonel met with me and Larry Respess to discuss Col. Bogart’s answers to the 37 questions Larry and I sent him.

Should you be interested in what we discussed, and more importantly what the colonel said, you will need to read your emails.

I blinked and it was July. Sue was off to An napolis for a long-awaited reverse shoulder op eration. Several orthopedic doctors in Virginia Beach refused to operate because she was too old. Thankfully they were wrong, and Sue’s oper ation was a success thanks to Dr. Lashgari at Lu minis Health. She has no pain, and is wearing a sling until sometime in September which means I have to help her wash, dress, etc. No complaints, except the days keep flying by and I am get ting behind. Intense therapy begins soon, and I am confident she will handle it well. Our grand son, Mark Muckelbauer, is spending the summer with us, and Mark and I attended the Tidewater area goodbye party for rats. I was the only 1961 representative. It was nice to see graduates from 1956, 1958, Bill Knowles ’60, and John Rowe ’66 each with several of their BRs, and the twins, Bill Smith ’72 and Phil Smith ’72. Sue and I are in a wine club with the Smiths. What a surprise it was when I went to sit down at a table and the person said, “Hello, Mr. V.” It was Jeff Kaster ’90, who took my daughter, Barbara, to Ring Fig ure. Jeff is retired from the Marine Corps, and he and his wife, Allison, live in Chesapeake, Virgin ia. There were other classes present, but I do not remember them all.

I blinked again, and it is August. Class notes are due, and lots of doctor visits and therapy, so you will have to wait to hear what happened at our out ing and mini reunion in Asheville and our special day at Arlington Cemetery.

Class Notes

What’s happening in the rest of the class? Here’s what I know. Jim and Connie Oliver are holding on a day at a time. Connie has Lewy body dementia, which is a little different from Alzhei mer’s. Lewy body dementia targets a different set of cognitive functions, specifically problem-solv ing and reasoning, while Alzheimer’s affects the brain’s ability to store new information in the form of memories. Please keep them in your prayers.

Bobby and Jeanne Burks are working through knee and back problems. They do chaperone sin gles events at The Villages and have seen Dude Copenhaver surrounded by several women. Dude is a wonderful dancer, and the ladies love him. Dude stays busy with dance lessons and arranging various singles and dance groups in The Villages. Dude is waiting for Arlington Cemetery to sched ule Kathy’s interment.

Jim Harrison had COVID-19 and was one of the first people in Geor gia to take the monoclonal antibod ies. Jim still struggles with a-fib and prostate, as so many of our BRs do. Jim’s wife, MJ, had a bad fall and has trouble talking, but she looks terrific.

George and Edna Henning took a quick trip to the Midwest and visit ed with her son in Mississippi, who works for one of the unnamed gov ernment agencies. George and Edna are fine, and Edna especially enjoys eating out and being with her old Ro anoke lady friends.

Bob Reitz is still penning letters to the superintendent and the comman dant and hopes of getting a response. Suellen is still recovering from her head injury.

I was very saddened to learn that Brother Rat Larry Williams lost his son. Larry was a regular at beer and cookies and Fridays have not been the same with out him.

Pauline Manly, Charlie’s wife, is doing OK, as things are settling down with issues with the VA. She still lives in Karnack, and her children would like her to move closer to them. (We are getting the same request).

Anne McCormick is missing. Anyone know where she is?

Stuart and Sylvia Woodcock are very active, and their picture was in the Jamestown Rediscovery magazine. Both look great.

Gaylia Hudgins is still working out West vol unteering at National Elk Refuge and loves it. She has mucho energy, and we follow her on Facebook.

Dick Weede got his turkey on the second day of the season. Dick is doing OK and managing his old age issues like the rest of us.

Skip McDannald had 18 months of medical challenges and now is on the upswing. Skip and Harriotte constructed an addition to their son’s house, and they plan to stay in Atlanta. Skip’s son’s pet store business is busting out at the seams.

Bill Maurer penned another article for publica tion, This Was the Turning Point, and if you ask him, he will send you a copy. I enjoyed it.

Andy and Peggy Myruski are doing fine, ex cept the blue crabs are thin in the bay.

This year has been challenging for the Shubas. Lou was in his sunroom watching the rain and hail when he heard the sound of a train coming. He called to Pris to head toward the basement as he saw a 2-foot diameter tree sheared off 6-feet above ground and a neighbor’s 2-foot diameter tree sheared off at ground level. Thankfully, the Shubas’ house had minor damage, but the storm downed seven of his trees and damaged several others. The power was off, and there was lot of debris to clean up. On top of all this, Lou is still coping with shingles, and his body doesn’t like the bouncing in a car. On the bright side, Pris came through her knee re placement with flying colors.

Don and Ann Rishell are doing much better. Don is walking again and without a cane.

Bill and Marci Keech are both doing well. Bill had a few ups and downs and now is stable.

I received a wonderful call from Dick Youngblood. Dick’s cancer appears to be gone, and Dick will be released from monthly visits to VCU in early January 2023. Yeah! Judy is still having shoulder problems, and

Class notes

her rotator cuff tear was likely exacerbated by her fall Jan. 8, 2022. Judy’s doc doesn’t want to do surgery on her at her age. (Sounds like an age dis crimination case to me. What say you, Wyatt?)

Tom Phlegar reports that Barbara has recov ered to a point where they are planning a cruise. That is great news.

Bill and Sylvia Haeberlein will be cruising in Europe in the fall. They are going to trace Syl via’s family roots.

About every three months, the Kigers, Phil lipses, and Jarvises meet for lunch. The room mates and wives have been doing these lunches for several years except for about a year during the pandemic. This year, they met in Scottsville, Virginia, and had a wonderful time.

John Tharrington had the pleasure of having lunch with his old roomie, John Rudibaugh, and his wife, Doris, along with their older daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, William. They met at Union Station. John Rudibaugh was quite pleased that one of his many grandsons will be starting his rat year in August 2022. John, as you probably know, is quite the entrepreneur and has created a very successful engineering firm and is well known in the rail transportation industry.

Dave and Cammie Bella are still very cautious about COVID-19 and are masking indoors and only going into places briefly and attending no “gatherings.” Their county in Oregon is now in the “red” zone of number of cases. Dave’s recov ered well from his heart attack of April 2021, and Cammie is doing OK. Their 16-month-old gold en retriever just passed her test to be a “petting” dog and goes to care facilities hospital and hos pice patients.

Don Kern’s health is only fair! Bill and Sandra Fout are dealing with their medical issues and are still in Maryland. Bill sounded good when I talked to him on the phone.

Bob Coltrane had a complete left hip replace ment and can walk around using one of those four-legged walkers. Loretta is doing great. Bob wanted to open up the tree canopy to improve the forest environment for all the wild critters, so they hired a logger to thin out their 34 acres of prime oak forest.

Honey and Marilynne Tarrall are doing well. They just remodeled the kitchen, and Honey re lied on what he learned from his dad’s cabinet business and did the work himself. The only out side help was for the quartz countertop. They also moved their office two blocks from home and walk to work almost every day. Yes, they still work. Health is good and “We are blessed!”

Gerry and Charlene Eubank are spending the summer at Lake George where it is cool.

Pete and Carole Roberts had a great time in St. Maarten. Their timeshare facility at Dawn Beach Club is about 2,000 feet from our timeshare at

Oyster Bay. Pete also has a second timeshare at Divi Little Bay, which is managed by a good friend of ours.

I also learned that Pete Roberts had an aneu rysm, and he came through surgery with flying colors. He is back home and good to go. The Robertses and Brownings get together often and hoist a glass or two. Pete and Copenhaver say Hill Browning is definitely “our VMI contact man in southwest Florida.”

Hugh and Nelle Gouldthorpe went to Turkey to attend his grandson’s wedding. The couple met when they were in graduate school at George Washington University. She is from Bursa, Tur key. Hugh will update when he returns.

I receive several emails a month from Bill Hala The pictures he sends are beautiful. Bill says the level is way down, which will make boating diffi cult. Bill keeps moving back and forth from USA to Canada, and it is tough to keep track of him.

Dave and Edwina Thomas, along with their son, Gregg Thomas ’88, and his wife, Laurie, toured Florida in late May to get away from the Texas heat. (Smile.)

Clayton and Jan Smith are doing fine. Clay ton hopes that those who attended Amelia Island had as much fun as the Smiths had hosting. It was a pleasure to have Harold Kurstedt, Hugh Gouldthorpe, and Larry Wetsel join the event as non-golfers—a trend we hope to see in the future.

Harrison and Terry Fridley send their regards from Lexington. “Today is New Market Day and no parade at VMI.”

Tom Whalen, my second semester rat room mate, has severe problems with DVTs in his legs and foot, and leg amputations may be in the near future. We pray he does not.

Mitch and Jennifer Kot are having a wonder ful hot summer with their four informally adopt ed Vietnamese children. Mitch has been working with Vietnamese businessmen and their children for years.

John Tharrington and Ray Hanlein are coor dinating with Maj. Megan Ederle (Ken’s daugh ter) on our visit to Arlington in September.

Cinny Murray said Hershell Murray is doing OK and is driving locally. There is a chance he will participate in the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hershell is trying to find a way to be there. Presently, Bill Daniels, Jud McLester, and John Tharrington will accompa ny the wreath to the tomb. Tom and Annett Jones are doing fine. Due to Tom’s Parkinson’s, he uses a walker to get around much of the time. Cam den, Maine, is booming! The tourists seem to be everywhere, which is good unless you are look ing for a parking space. Tom said they are having great sailing weather. Which reminds me—years ago, George J. Collins ’62 helped me with some financial transactions, and I have never forgotten the favor. I know George to be a great swimmer and sailboater. George is on the worldwide ocean race circuit. I watched him on TV, sailing through monster waves. Currently, George is not sailing due to medical issues with his wife and some per sonal surgery. George said he should be back rac ing very soon.

Col. Keith Gibson ’77 prepared a wonderful presentation for the 150th anniversary of New Market. Contact Col. Gibson for the video link. John Tharrington has been working with Col. Gibson in bringing up to date our portion of the Hall of Valor. The new entries are Bill Daniels, Fred Stephenson, Russell Wayne Andrews, and Bill Powell The Daniels citations were classified until a few years ago. Should you think someone should be included in the Hall of Valor, let John Tharrington know. We have a list of about 50 brother rats who are either lost or dead. Ray Han lein conducted a search and was able to bring fi nal closure to the following BRs who have passed: Edmond John Phillips; Michael Frederick Horne; Thomas Odell Kirspel; and Richard Dean Riley, who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In terestingly, all of these people were “short timers.” We still have 36 lost or deceased out of our 346 who matriculated.

Losing brother rats and close VMI friends is nev er easy. This past quarter, we lost an old friend, Ed Tolley ’60. Ed had to sit out his 3rd Class year and graduated with us. I knew Ed as a great class agent and, along with Dick Jarvis, was co-captain of the VMI baseball team our 1st Class year.

Class Notes

Irvin Beech Wells III passed May 17, 2022. Irv was predeceased by his wife, Sue, who was the light of his life. We all knew Irv as a great FBI agent who served as special agent in five field di visions, including Norfolk and FBI Headquarters. At headquarters, Irv’s first assignment was in the Foreign Counterintelligence Division, and the sec ond as an executive assistant in the office of the director. Following retirement, he was president of Wells and Company, where his clients includ ed United States Treasury Department and foreign police entities and ministries of finance to enable them to address financial crimes.

Sometime in 1995, Irv began writing his manu script, which was called Women of Summer. It was published, and those who read it wondered how much was fiction? Bill Braithwaite gave the eu logy and commented, “Irv always made me feel I was important to him,” says one of our brother rats, who knew Irv as long as Bill did and “that [Irv] was truly interested in who I was and what I was doing.” I can tell you this was true. Amen

Kenneth Joseph Ayala passed April 27, 2022. After graduation, he served in the USAF and then taught at Western Carolina University. In 1995, he published his first technical book entitled The 8086 Microprocessor: Programming & Interfac ing The PC 1st Edition, a state-of-the-art docu ment at that time. The book was dedicated to his wife and reads, “To Anne Thomas Ayala for thir ty-two usually pleasant, often exciting, occasional ly irritating, but never dull, years of life together.” Ken wrote several other engineering books, to in clude The 8051 Microcontroller 3rd Edition, The 8051 Microcontroller, Architecture, Programming and Applications, and The 80251 Microcontrol ler. All are still in circulation. As I recall, royalties from book sales went to VMI.

Ken lived in The Villages and then moved to Asheville with his son. Brother rats and widows who attended the class golf outing will remember Ken coming to socialize, play bridge, and paint scenes under the watchful eye of Jim Bickford.

Russell Wayne Andrews passed May 14, 2022. After graduating from VMI, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army and began service which lasted 23 years. He served in Vietnam and, upon return ing, received a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. Wayne began working in the Army’s public affairs office and later for the U.S. Army in the Pentagon and finally as chief of public affairs for Fort Benning, a position he held until retiring from the Army. He then joined Co lumbus Bank & Trust as vice president for military banking, where he helped open a CB&T branch at Fort Benning. Russ is now in the VMI Hall of Valor.

Death notifications are not always timely, and therefore in some cases I can neither noti fy you nor arrange for flowers. For those, I use

our flower money to send a small gift to a selected charity of the family’s choice. Have you have iden tified someone who will notify me or VMI when the time comes? Think on it! Also, a family can contribute to VMI the ring from a deceased gradu ate, and the gold is used to offset the cost for future graduates who cannot afford one. I received many thank you notes from families praising you for par ticipating in celebrating the life of their loved ones.

For those reading my emails, you know that for almost two years, Larry Respess and I have been communicating with the VMI BOV, the superin tendent, and the Alumni Association concerning the direction of VMI. Since I’m not permitted to discuss our communication in the Review, I ask you to consider reading the emails sent to you for the details. Please check your spam to see if my emails are going there. Responses from you are very few, and I am wondering why. Larry has put hundreds of hours into research, emails, meetings, and letters, and I am blessed to have him help me. So please stay well. God bless our troops; USA; VMI; and you, my brother rats, and your families.

1962

John Mott Robertson

Department of Medicine at the University of Pitts burgh. In 2019, Bruce was inducted into the South Hills High School Hall of Fame for his Lifetime Achievements in Business and in Public Service to Church and Community. Bruce was our second class agent and served from 1964–67. He will be missed by all who knew him.

By the time these notes hit paper, it will nearly be winter again, and we will be looking forward to 2023! I don’t like to start on a sad note, but we have had two brother rats pass away since the last posting of class notes. Bruce Seiling passed away July 10, and Darden Nelms passed July 30.

Bruce always said that what he learned at VMI guided him throughout his adult life. He later earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and completed executive training at Harvard Uni versity, University of Virginia, and Northwestern University. He worked at Alcoa and North Amer ican Rockwell and established his career at West inghouse, where he was a business development manager for Europe, Africa, and Middle East re gions and later the sales and international projects manager for their nuclear fuels division for Asia and South America. His experience in sales and marketing later transferred to fundraising at Car low College and Robert Morris University, and to becoming founding director of the Simmons Fund for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in the

Darden Nelms graduated from Hampton High School in 1958, VMI in 1962, and took graduate courses at the University of Virginia. He went to work for the Office of Naval Investigative Service (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) in 1966. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia; Bain bridge, Maryland; Vietnam; Sasebo, Japan; Vir ginia Beach, Virginia; Adak, Alaska; and Annap olis, Maryland. He then went to work for Defense Investigative Service and retired from the Office of the Inspector General in 1990. He briefly had his own private investigation office until Jackie retired in 1994. While in Annapolis, Maryland, he was an avid sailboat racer and was president of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association. After retirement, he was involved with the Florida Shuffleboard Association, where he managed the record keeping and yearly publishing of the shuf fleboard magazine. He was inducted into the Flor ida Shuffleboard Hall of Fame in 2009. Darden was also instrumental in laboriously researching records to support the Vietnam group of NCIS to receive veterans’ status. Darden was a disabled veteran. He got together with the group often and enjoyed all the NCIS agents that made up this group over the years. As an aside about Darden and Jackie: When I was moving to Texas in 1973, I was driving a U-Haul and towing my car which had Virginia tags, “VMI 62.” I stopped at a gas station in Mississippi and went inside to get a drink. I felt a tap on my shoulder, “Edmund?” It was Darden. He and Jackie were heading in the opposite direction, and when they pulled in, Jack ie saw the tags and said, “You must know who that is!” We had a small reunion. Boy, is it a small world. He will be missed.

Considering how fast time flies, John Carles re ports, like many of us, he is a little surprised by his longevity but is happy to report that life has turned out pretty well—including the blessing of good health, two good men as sons, and four grandchil dren—three boys and a girl. As one or the other of them has reported over time, he still sees Robert Evans, John Anthony, and Geoff Mitchell and planned to again in June or July in Chestertown, Maryland. They miss Bill Sydnor, who was part of this group, but Bonnie still comes along and brings breakfast supplies from Frederick. The best part of the Institute experience is the bonding with brother rats. His best wishes to all.

George Collins sent a photo on Memorial Day weekend taken from his Guilford, Connecticut, home. It is of a neighbor who was out showing off

Class notes

his new sail. There were perfect conditions, and the sail was properly trimmed. George couldn’t resist saying that he always beat him across the finish line. He and Maureen spend 180 days there and the rest in Miami Beach. They are always by the water unless they are skiing. This was a big day for them, thinking about our fathers and rela tives who fought in World War II. Maureen’s fa ther survived a sinking off Okinawa. The destroy er USS Twiggs. His father was a first lieutenant in the 3rd Army. On July 4, George also mentioned that his Connecticut home sits on property where the local militia drove off the British that were an chored off his beach at Guilford, Connecticut. See more from George at the end of these notes.

Ed Northrop reports that May 19, 2022, Candy Wagner and her son, Jerry, a Delta pilot, came to South Georgia to visit their family and also visited him, Joan, and their sons in Albany. Candy and Joan were classmates at Southern Seminary. Ed also said that he and Joan attended the National Infantry Museum Memorial Day event and pav er dedication ceremony at Fort Benning, Georgia, May 30 when 170 pavers were dedicated to hon or or remember lost loved ones. A large group of families was there. It was an honor to attend and provided many, including Ed and Joan, an oppor tunity to reflect and remember why we recognize Memorial Day. Ed was the officer in charge for building the 12th Infantry Regiment Monument. It cost over $85,000 and was designed and com pleted in nine months. The grey granite obelisk is 20 feet high and weighs about 14 tons. The black granite wall is 5 feet high. It was designed by the wife of one of his lieutenants from Vietnam. She was an artist, but it also turns out a design engi neer.

One of Ed’s many retired roles is that of “hon orary colonel” of the 12th Infantry Regiment. The regiment is assigned to the 4th Infantry Divi sion at Fort Carson, Colorado. He has been there twice, but COVID-19 has stopped that for now. He works with their commanders and top enlisted men to try and support the troops.

Pat Lang suffered a fall April 1 and had to have a hip replacement. He says it is quite an ad venture trying to get around on a walker. Hope fully, that is only temporary.

Ed Vinieratos writes from Athens, Greece, and has been hotel living for the last 22 months while in remission from prostate cancer. He is do ing well, thank you, and enjoying taking the met ro (subway) down to the Acropolis to do his al most daily constitutional walk in and around the ancient streets of old Plaka. He enjoys meeting American tourists and jabbering about Amer icana that he misses and hopes to recoup in the near future—but without present plans. On July 4, Ed wrote that he will have passed two years in remission from prostate cancer with flying colors

Aug. 1. Also, he plans to move to Poland to meet a Ukrainian refugee that he has sponsored.

Mark Muth says that Morgantown, Kentucky, is “the catfish capitol of the world,” and there is a big celebration July 4. Being more or less house bound, he is unable to attend. They tag a whole bunch of catfish in the Green River. Catch one, and you get a prize. Catch “the” catfish (not sure which is “the” catfish), and you get a lot of mon ey. He doesn’t know how much this year. Since fireworks were banned because of the drought, there may be no barking dogs this year, which is a good thing.

Pete Pettit writes that his only news is a holein-one June 29—90 yards with pitching wedge.

Pete’s golfing buddy wrote the following ballad about the hole-in-one. Alfred Lord Tennyson and other famous poets are probably “rolling over in their graves!”

’Twas a balmy summer day on June 29 / The foursome was nearing the end of their time On Huguenot 6, across water and sand / They faced lots of hazard to safely ball land Each took his turn flailing away / With di vergent landings from the cup far away The final man up was a steely old gent / With FiggyPop n’ cheek and cigar in his lip He measured the goal, set up for his swing / And let her all out on a smooth as silk swing

The ball sailed through the air on track to ward the pin / But two thirds through flight the ball vanished for all them

The four heard a crack and looked hither and yon / For the ricochet ball that must dearly be found Finally John said to Pete, ‘Just look in the cup,’/ And lo and behold, the jig was all up! So we air ily cruised through the rest of our holes / And raised toasts at the end so everyone knows!

Doug Marechal writes that he really enjoyed our 60th Reunion and appreciated those who worked hard to make it such a success. The Tues day night dinner was a classy event in every way, especially the recognition of Binnie and Pam Peay for their many years of service to VMI.

Doug wanted to give some recognition and pay tribute to two special friends in the Class of 1963. He wants to emphasize that these two have been extremely loyal supporters of the In stitute. (I would like to add that Doug fits the same description!) First would be John Mitch ell ’63. He and Doug grew up together in the same neighborhood in Roanoke County. They ended up graduating from separate high schools, where John played football for Cave Spring High School and Doug played basketball for Andrew Lewis in Salem, Virginia. John had a distinguished military career as a paratrooper and was in Special Forces. He later was a part ner in the Hammond-Mitchell Company in Cov ington, Virginia. They built roads, bridges, and a

large part of the Gathright Dam in Bath County.

At one time, John owned a 3,000-acre cattle farm in Wyoming. John and Maudie own Fall ing Spring Farm in Hot Springs, Virginia. It is ap proximately 300 acres with cattle, and he is still active with help. They get together at least once a year with another childhood friend, Kent Wom ack, who went to Roanoke College.

His second friend from that class is William Crisp ’63. He was regimental S-3 in his 1st Class year and a ranking history department major. He was one of very few rats on the VMI Ranger Pla toon under Capt. Lewane. After VMI, he earned a master’s degree from John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He was also a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne and Rang er Schools and a rifle platoon leader with the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry Division in Vietnam 1966–67. After Vietnam, Will served in the U.S. Foreign Service in Yugoslavia from 1968–70, and was a European consultant in Vien na, Austria, 1974–99. He retired to Staunton but commuted to VMI to teach in the Department of International Studies and coach the VMI rugby club. He is also an author, and his writings in clude three nonfiction and six thriller novels, in cluding 375th Personnel Recovery Detachment, Balkans, a novel of wartime. Will is a great cook, and he resides in Staunton with his wife, Ani ta, and daughter, Oana. They spend many days and nights in their McDowell-Highland County home. Doug and Will recently joined together on a project to have McDowell Presbyterian Church designated as a historic landmark.

This church served as a hospital for both North and South in the Civil War when Jackson’s Valley Campaign was nearby.

Speaking of McDowell and Doug Marechal, he and Cigne invited us to their “home away from home” near McDowell for the day July 2. They have a beautiful place with a fantastic view. We had a very enjoyable time and later in the after noon we practiced a little pistol shooting. The tar get survived and just to “rub it in” the local deer showed us no respect. Within five minutes after we quit, a deer calmly walked into the yard as if to wonder what the noise was all about! On our way back to Staunton, we stopped by the McDow ell Presbyterian Church to see the historical mark er that Doug and Will helped to become a reality.

John and Cynthia Anthony are well. After more than half a century in the nation’s capital, they have relocated to 6626 Claymore Court, Mc Lean, VA 22101, and invite any BRs visiting the Washington, D.C., area to visit them. John also reports that he just completed the National Coun cil’s Annual 10-week Summer University Stu dent Internship Program. The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (which he founded in 1983 and continues to head) completed its program of

Class Notes

providing a rigorous professional work and lead ership development experience for 25 university students. A special component of the program is a twice-weekly seminar on Arabia and the Gulf provided in association with George Washington University. An additional feature included site visits to and/or briefings by specialists at the De partments of Commerce, Defense, and State; the CIA; congressional committees on international affairs; and a range of institutions in the nation’s capital administered by career foreign affairs pro fessionals.

George Collins initially reminisced some about our reunion in April. The Lexington Golf & Country Club was the site of the golf cham pionship. George Barnes, Buck Bradley, John Traynham, and George Collins braved the ele ments and a course that was a little rough since it was early spring and new grass was just popping up. Nonetheless, George Barnes emerged as the 1962 class champion by shoot ing even par, hitting nearly every green in regulation, and never a three putt. A magnificent perfor mance! Close by at two over 38 was Buck, who hit every fairway. Next was Traynham, long bomb er, who had the longest drive at 320 yards. He is entered in the next super senior driving contest, which will be held on the Parade Ground! Finally, George Collins at four over was closest to the pin on the par threes. Both Collins and Traynham were nursing inju ries but gave a good fight and stat ed they will back! George Barnes is now scheduled to try out for the super senior tour in January 2023 at Pebble Beach. Details to follow. (I hope these statements aren’t “certified.”)

There were some very good wines at our class dinner and an outstanding Macallan 18, as well as an equally excellent Horse Soldier bourbon. The latter was the courtesy of Ed Northrop, who unfortunately couldn’t make the reunion. Ed told me he does not own the distillery, and he plans to make our next reunion in 2027 and bring a very old and coveted Horse Soldier bourbon. George’s racing sailboat, Invicta, a Farr 400, has been in the Long Is land Sound while he has been re covering from a sport hernia sur gery, so he has not been on board.

He did plan on racing and helming Invicta in the Sachem’s Head Yacht Club coastal distance race Aug. 13. They are the defending champion. In victa means unconquerable in Latin, showing that George was a Latin scholar in high school and the boat is 24-1 in races! Such a brilliant schol ar was also valedictorian of his kindergarten class, as well! In early June, he and Maureen flew from NYC to Vancouver to embark on the Rocky Moun taineer Train trip. It was 10 days from Vancouver to Banff in Alberta, British Columbia. The scen ery was breathtaking, with snowcapped mountains and roaring streams everywhere. Banff is a neat little ski paradise, much like Aspen. Ski season had only ended the week before they arrived, but many golfers were out on the course except when bears were navigating around. Black bears are not a big problem, but grizzlies are a different story!

Red-jacketed Mounties on their horses are on the ready to safeguard golfers who might be qualifying for a “Darwin award!” Some of the side trips took them through deep forests, and they walked on a gla cier. There were an abundance of big horn sheep and mountain goats. In August, they plan on cruising the Great Lakes. The trip starts in Milwaukee and ends in Toronto.

Mackinaw Island and the Niagara Falls are part of the trip, as well as several Canadian bays they have never heard of. They will attend the Council of Chief Executives’ meet ing in Washington, D.C., in Sep tember, which includes economists and political and military speakers who discuss major issues. George’s old men’s club meets every two weeks to solve all the current world issues! (I wish they would hurry up!) It is a group of about 24 and all are over 75, with two exceptions. The OMC consists of several for mer CEOs (who think they know it all), three attorneys (who do know it all), three professors, three former Goldman Sachs partners, the evil empire members, two investments guys, and two former military of ficers. The other is an Israeli engi neer who was an Air Force officer and did some intelligence work, most likely with Mossad. Two managing consultants are also in the mix, formerly with the Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey and Company. Interestingly, they sometimes have Uruguay, Tel Aviv, Montreal, London, Fisher

Class notes

Island, Aspen, NYC, Eastern Shore, Maryland, and Moscow on the line. The man in Moscow, who runs a Russian English newspaper, seems to have vanished of late. Some of the issues include Roe v. Wade and the aftermath; the upcoming mid term election; inflation; the economy; Trump and his grip on the GOP; Putin; Ukraine; crime in the U.S., racism; antisemitism; CRT; ongoing and fu ture threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea; and terrorists. They usually cover three

to four topics. The group leader is a Harvard art professor, who ran several companies and owns a couple of art galleries. If their solutions ever gain traction, he will get back to us. It is a very intel ligent and interesting group that freely entertains very pointed views. It appears they have enough to keep them busy for the next 1,000 years.

Bowles Pender writes that he and Patsy are just trying to stay safe and keeping a low profile. Just like when we were rats! They have one son in D.C. with two boys. Their other son is in Portland, Or egon. He has a son at Tufts, a daughter at the Uni versity of Rochester, and a daughter who is a soph omore in high school. He really hated missing our reunion but hopes to make the next one.

That’s about it for this issue. Keep sending me info and pictures to help keep everyone informed.

In the Spirit, Edmund

1963

with the swamp rats. I let Bob Walton know of my fate at once; he spread the word among the attendees, and as far as I know, I didn’t ruin any one else’s day. Speaking of the swamp rats’ lunch in June, we had a great gathering and good lunch per usual, only to hear a few days ago that one of the lunch attendees, Beau Walker, had an en counter with one of Virginia’s most poisonous snakes, the copperhead ... right in his own front yard in Virginia Beach! According to Beau and John Mills, he’s doing fine after receiving the an tivenom. Just in case anyone is concerned about the snake, we’ve added a picture of the gnarly critter shortly after meeting his maker. Good job, Beau. Wishing you a quick recovery! Rumor (my source: Taz Hubard) has it that you bit the snake’s head off in retaliation—true? A confes sion from your class agent: The RVA rats gath ered at The Pickel Barrel once in May and again in July for our bimonthly lunch. Sadly, no one snapped a picture, even though we had a full table of ravenous brother rats. My apologies, it won’t happen again ... promise.

I’m writing these notes near the end of July amid a worldwide heat wave. Talked with Mell Lacy’s wife, Jan, a couple of days ago. She had just returned from a drive to and from her childhood home in Nebraska to inter her near ly 103-year-old mom’s remains near the family farm. She was busy marking out the dead spots in her grass in the 103-degree Oklahoma City heat when I called! I’m sure you noted that many western states have experienced weekslong peri ods of 100-plus-degree temperatures ... and here I thought Virginia was hot!

Surprises for Peg and me during July. First and foremost, I’m going to be a great-grandfa ther in October. How’d that happen ... and I’m just 81? Eldest child Debbi’s youngest daughter, Mackenzie, claimed the prize of being the first in the queue to bear us a great-grandchild! Then I learned this morning that Cole and Stacy Spicer ’16 are joining this major family expansion with another great-grandchild. Next surprise was the positive COVID-19 tests for me and then Peg, three days following ... wow, could have done without that one! Fortunately, our symptoms were light, especially when we considered how tough it would have been had we contracted it in 2020. Can neither fathom how we escaped it for so long nor where we could have contracted the pesky virus. Our first symptoms and positive tests came just a few days after Bob Earle and I drove together to Hampton in mid-June for lunch

Taps. “Roy Leon Hartless passed away Sun day, May 15, 2022, in Pocatello, Idaho. He was born in Lexington, Virginia, April 23, 1940. Roy was with us at VMI for only one year, maybe less; however, he lived a very interesting life af ter leaving VMI. He was interested in sports and started playing Little League baseball at age nine. Leon played four sports in high school and made All-State in all four. After high school, he attend ed FUMA. He played sports and was able to ac cept a scholarship to VMI to play baseball. After one semester, Leon signed a professional contract with the Houston Colt 45s on his 21st birthday. Leon played four years with Houston and three years with the Durham Bulls. After the military, he went to work with a sporting goods company in Lexington. He worked there for 13 years. He traveled to various colleges and high schools sell ing uniforms and sporting equipment. Leon was a member of the Bannock County Idaho Blue grass Association and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving on the high council and in three bishoprics. He loved music, especially bluegrass, and he knew hun dreds of songs by heart. He also was a great gui tar picker and enjoyed teaching guitar lessons. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.”

“Mitzie Lynn Smith Craddock, wife of 58 years to Roger Craddock, died at her longtime res idence in Kingwood, Texas, May 16. She was born in Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1942. Mitz ie was raised in Worthington, Ohio, surrounded by a large, extended family. She graduated from Worthington High School in 1960. The summer after graduation, she met her future husband Rog er while on vacation in Alexandria, Virginia. They married Sept. 21, 1963, at the United Methodist

Class Notes

Church in Worthington, Ohio. She graduated from The Ohio State University, class of 1964, with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and a minor in mathematics. Having begun col lege as a dance major, she continued ballet and dance throughout her time at OSU. After gradu ation, she reunited with Roger in Europe, where they spent the next two years stationed in France and Germany with the U.S. Army. Upon return to the U.S., they moved around, living in Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia before settling in Kingwood, Texas, in 1979. She received her MBA from Houston Baptist Univer sity in 1993.”

Our Rev. Doug Sterrett lost Rachel, his be loved wife of 59 years, July 8. “... her birth fam ily moved often, as her father, the Reverend Liv ingstone, served churches in North Wilkesboro; Old Fort; Concord and Charlotte, North Carolina; Fayetteville, Tennessee; and Timber Ridge, Vir ginia. There, she graduated from Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Virginia, in June 1959. Ra chel also met her future husband John D. (Doug) Sterrett III while in high school. In September 1959, she entered Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, transferring a year later to Winthrop Women’s College, where she graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in home eco nomics. On June 15, 1963, she and Doug were married following his graduation from VMI and commissioning into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. From June 1963 until Doug’s retire ment in 1983, they moved 21 times from one Army post to another. In 1966, she gave birth to John Benjamin Sterrett and in 1968 to Joseph William Sterrett. Rachel quickly proved to be a loving and creative parent, rearing her boys alone for two years while Doug served in the Republic of Vietnam and during other periods when he was away on duty. Rachel used her extensive leader ship skills organizing groups in Army chapels, unit wives’ groups, and was employed as a civilian at Fort Sheri dan, Illinois. Following Doug’s retire ment and seminary, she followed him as he became a pastor in the Presbyte rian Church (USA), serving churches in Dallas, Texas, and Lebanon, Win chester, Warm Springs, and Harrison burg, Virginia.” Doug cared lovingly for Rachel for years as she struggled with Alzheimer’s.

And from the Richmond Times-Dis patch, we also learned of the death of our Brother Rat Stanley Taylor Ware July 31. Taylor was only with us for our rat year and never darkened Jack son Arch again during his lifetime, as did my 1st Class roomie, Eric Pohl not an unusual phenomenon! Taylor

was a very successful medical consultant who worked in that industry for over 50 years and was a founding partner of Ware Langhorne and As sociates.

Although we do not have any information from his obituary, we learned that we lost another best of the best at about 8:30 p.m. Aug. 10, according to Frank Allison. Sadly, Charlie Talbott suffered for years with an undefined and painful illness; he was in hospice when he passed. Charlie’s re mains will be cremated and interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a time to be announced. May he rest in peace.

Sometime around the end of May, I chatted with Mike Spencer, my 3rd Class roomie, along with Mike Warring. Spencer is single, healthy, living in Florida, and works out regularly. After seeing a picture of him working out, I was im pressed. Mike Warring, on the other hand, is suffering from Parkinson’s and is severely affect ed by its ravaging effect on his body. He and his lovely wife, Elinor, who is now caring for him full-time, live in Queenstown, Maryland.

Medical tidbit: Mid-June, Dr. Dave Thom as checked with us to recommend us all to get a shingles shot ... sounds like he might know some thing or other on the topic!

I made a short “out and back” trip to VMI June 11 to attend an Alumni Association meeting. Joined Bill “Sleepy” Moore and Bill Wells there. Sleepy sent me an email following the morning meeting: “Great to spend a little time with you and Bill, Mike. Our impromptu visit (sic) with the commandant and your company made what was otherwise a rather disappointing trip an en joyable and informative time. The poor man cer tainly went out of his way to accommodate us, and I certainly got a little feel for what life in bar racks is like these days. Take care, Sleepy.”

The alumni meeting was its usual confronta tional event; afterward, the three of us trudged up the hill (in my car ... I lied about the trudging) looking for coffee. PX was closed, but we were invited by the new commandant, Col. Adrian Bogart ’81, to join him for coffee in his residence adjacent to the Third Barracks and spent an hour and a half with the man and left impressed by his firsthand account of all things VMI and his insight as to improve ment of the VMI experience. Must tell you, a conversation like that is much more impressive and memorable than all the emails floating through the sys tem, and we left thinking as if there might still be life in the VMI system, even with the very obviously missing symbols around the post.

Received a note from Texan Mike

Class notes

Walton in mid-June: “Thanks for sharing the photo of the swamp rats June gathering. The change in the water table must be driving the swamp rats to higher ground. Nice gathering and wish I could join periodically. As a teenager, I spent many hours at the Hampton Yacht Club— not as a member but as an at-large crew member for hire. Cheers, Mike.” Bet you didn’t know that Tom Whitford had once been commodore of the HYC, did you?

Here’s the note from Leland Caldwell accompanying the Charlotte gang mug shots: “I am sending a picture taken this past Tuesday at our Charlotte Old Corps gathering. [Left to right], Gary and Sha ron Eifried, Harry and Sarah Tatum, Sharon and Yogi Doar, and me. We had a great presentation by Meade King ’85, VMI Foundation COO. Got an in-depth update on the Institute. Our reunion should be quite an experience due to all the chang es since our 55th. The new Aquatic Cen ter will be open by then. We’re all hang ing in there, and some of us plan to join John and Janet Macrae in Winston-Salem Sept. 1 for the VMI opening football game against Wake Forest. All best regards from the Charlotte gang.”

Received an email recently from Pat Kelly, who said, “On my way to Corpus Christi to visit BR Walt Kleine and Karen for a few days. Weather in Hamilton is 106 degrees today. Heck with the lawn, we’re watering the trees, which are stressed by the drought.” Just to be a wee bit devilish, I asked Pat to check with Walt for the cur rent number of his descendants, to which he responded, “The current count is: 9-259. That’s nine children, hopefully not to increase! Twenty-five grandchildren, number stabilized at this time, and nine great-grandchildren, very volatile count still!” Walt and Karen have held that class record for years ... any challengers? Pat re ports that “Karen and Walt are off to make a circuit of the family homes soon. Should be back on Padre Island before the polar icecap melts!”

Just received a wonderful “butt-dial” (certified) from Cliff Miller, who was on a trail ride in the mountains of Virginia. I promised not to write anything bad about him and told him since I hadn’t heard from him, I simply couldn’t do that, although while chatting, he nearly stepped on a large blacksnake. Bet he heard of Beau Walker’s mishap and was try ing to top it! Some people will do anything to get in the news, won’t they? Speaking of Beau, we’ve attached a picture online of the copper head that bit him recently. For the record, Beau

is doing well; the snake ... not so much!

Since we accidentally jumped to the subject of pictures, I have yet to select the five photos (our limit) that will run in the Alumni Review, but we have a healthy selection from which to choose from Linda and Dennis Crowley, who recent ly toured the great but sweltering western U.S.; Pete Brunel with a gun and a rare trophy; and Jim and Catherine Hoge, who visited a place near

some of which were over two times more pow erful than the nuclear bombs detonated in the Second World War. Launch approval for a Nike missile only required that three designated peo ple at each site flip their switches simultaneous ly. There were 12 Nike sites in the San Francisco Bay area. Today, one of them, known as SF-88, has been restored and is open to the public. Cath erine and I spent an afternoon there learning its history and seeing how an actual launch would have been conducted in less than five minutes after the order to launch had been received. Thankfully, such an order was never given. Here are some photos from our visit.”

Of his picture, Pete Brunel said, “Shot my first ‘clean,’ perfect score, in OKC yesterday, 600 with 30 Xs at midrange 600 yards. Guess even an old blind hog will find an acorn occasionally. Great day with great friends. Life is good!”

In the news this quarter was an intriguing article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch written by our Jeff Shapiro, outlining Mel Brooks’ semester at VMI in 1944 studying electrical engineering; he loved it. His ex perience was revealed in the recently pub lished All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business (Ballantine Books, New York).

Mike Schwartz commented, “Interest ing about Mel Brooks. I’m pretty sure an other famous Jew who actually graduated from VMI was Burt Bacharach’s father. The elder, unknown today, was an excel lent athlete and celebrated reporter. Think I am correct?” I’ll bet you are, Mike. One of my favorite VMI memories is of Carl Hirsch ’61 heading alone across the Parade Ground to temple every Sabbath! Carl’s living in Greenbelt, Maryland, ac cording to the VMI Ranks.

and dear to his heart, a missile silo in San Fran cisco! “My best assignment in the Army was as the executive officer of a guided missile company in western Germany in 1966–67. We maintained all aspects of Pershing, Hawk, and Nike Hercu les missiles, except for their nuclear warheads, which were supported by a sister company. Re cently, I finally got to see an actual Nike missile launch site. During the Cold War, there were near ly 300 Nike launch sites located across the United States. Each site had up to 10 nuclear warheads,

Kent McCraney: “Just happened to tune in to NBC 12 Richmond news at 11 p.m. yesterday and this video came on about 25 years of women at VMI. Well done video. I sent to guys in our lunch group, but some may miss it. Also, might be worth your time to send to whole class, Kent.” And I did! Taz Hubard respond ed to the women at VMI article with, “Hoorah, Virginia Mil. I served as a mentor to a female from Virginia Beach in the first graduating class. She wanted to leave several times. She ended up graduating and assumed a position with admis sions at VMI recruiting other females.” Did you notice that there was no Pete Brunel with hand fuls of wildlife or large fish pictures in this issue?

Me, too! So, we sent WO “Greybeard” Jones and Doug “Doc” Rowe to the Chesapeake Bay Aug. 2

Class Notes

to catch or kill something large and wild. I soon received a picture and sent it around to the class. Brunel responded, “Fabulous, especially on a fly rod.” Not surprisingly, there was a doubter in the crowd in one Wayne “Dusty” Custer, followed up with, “That’s pretty impressive, even if you did buy it at the fish market. Haven’t seen one like it in a long time!” Think I’ll end the dis cussion there ... whadaya say?

Stay well, stay safe, and we’ll see you at the 60th in April 2023! Just in case you need the details, here’s the late-breaking information from Artie Phaup. “The 60th Reunion: April 24–25, 2023! Your 60th Reunion Committee has been hard at work with visits to Lexington in May and June to meet with the VMI Alumni Agen cies associate director for reunions and to view our reunion locations. As you no doubt already know, our reunion headquarters will be at the Best Western Plus Hunt Ridge (540) 464-1500. If you have not done so, you should call the ho tel directly to make your reservation and iden tify yourself as a member of the ‘VMI Class of 1963.’ The hotel is 2.7 miles from VMI, with continuous shuttle service available Monday and Tuesday. Our class banquet will be held in Moody Hall Tuesday evening. The Alumni Agencies online and mail-in registration, which will list all events and fees, will be available ear ly January 2023.

Please go to vmi63.net frequently for re union updates. Should you have a specific question, you may email Bill Wells directly at wawells6@gmail.com.”

curleyrat

First, please look above. We have moved— we hope for the final time. Though we’re not in the house yet, we should be able to move in by the end of September, two months before these class notes arrive in your mailbox.

We signed a contract to have our new home built in March 2021. Lots of delays caused by shortage of materials, companies losing employ ees to who knows where. Prices went up, but the majority of costs were covered by the initial con tract. Anyway, we have a pool, a well-equipped

guest bedroom, and a wine cooler full of wine and beer. Come on down.

Don Jones sent me the following: “I watched the video of the New Market presentation this afternoon (May 15) after we got home from church. I wanted to make sure that they gave the award. As soon as I saw the beginning of the video, I saw the award. Jeff G. Smith ’79 gave it for our class with the script that has been used for all of the presentations to date. I was amazed that there was no change in the script. ...

“Earlier this year, I closed my John A. Mc Causland Scholarship, leaving just enough money in it to keep it viable. The balance in that scholarship fund I moved to my Preston Endow ment for Museum Operations. It was consider able and made Colonel Gibson ’77 very happy. After many discussions with my attorney and my accountant, this was the better of the options on the table and the less costly to me from a tax standpoint. The new CFO and Terrie Conrad were very helpful in getting this accomplished and actually very supportive of it.

“Outside of this, we are well health-wise for

our age. We stay very busy as well. I have taken on a project manage ment role for the Carver-Price Leg acy Museum which has been trying for 20 years to get off the ground. It is a Black history museum and will be a great museum once we are fin ished. I am also a church elder for Liberty Baptist Church, and this has been a rewarding position to be a part of.

“Williamsburg is again back on our radar screen after a three-week hiatus with several projects there, as well.”

Frank Parker sent a short note and a photo of his restored car. Unfortunate ly, it had far too few pixels to be reproduced in the Alumni Review. “I finally finished rebuild ing my 1948 Willys Jeep. It only took 20 years. I was able to debut it at our Christmas family gathering. You get it going 30 mph, and it is ex citing.”

We’ve lost three brother rats since the pre vious class notes: Bishop Reed, Robert Kor manik, and Oaklie Drumheller. All are sorely missed. I must ask again that you keep your con tact information current with both me and VMI. In only one case above did we get notice quick ly enough for anyone to attend the service. Plus, every time I send out a class email, two or three bounce. Address has changed?

Dan DeForrest, who handles flowers to the family of deceased brother and sister rats, re ceived two nice notes: The first one from Bob Kormanik’s family: “Robert was al ways a proud VMI graduate. Thank you for remembering your fellow (brother) rat.” Dan also received a note from the florist who delivered the arrangement to Kathy Drumheller: “Your arrangement was hand delivered this af ternoon. Kathy was very surprised and extreme ly touched by the sentiment, immediately com menting on the VMI colors.”

Don Jones, who sent me the longer email in May, sent the following in July, “For three years, I have dodged the COVID-19 bullet. As you know I am very active in our community and have been associated with many who have been ill with COVID-19. Suddenly, last Sunday, I knew I was in for it and tested positive. Did not lose sense of taste or have trouble breathing but was really sick with cough, slight fever, sore throat, and more. It was Thursday until I could get the antiviral meds, and today is the fifth day for them. Hopefully, I am over the hump now. Diana is on her second day of meds, so hopeful ly we are coming out of this stuff.”

I’ve heard from a dozen or so brother rats who have tested positive for COVID-19. A few had

Class notes

symptoms, but most did not. Even getting a little sick at our ages is nothing to kid about.

Cliff Crittsinger has been living in Iowa with friends while receiving treatment for a rare blood cancer. The treatment has been brutal.

Andy Tucker, who has been in and out of the hospital, physical therapy, and rehab on a reg ular basis for the past year, is finally home. Callie has had a really tough year.

We also have many brother rats with various medical conditions ranging from mild to life threatening. So, please reach out to those you know and even some you don’t know so well. A little contact (phone, email, text, or card) goes a long way.

Mary Jo Jordan sent the following email in reply to an invitation from Bob Warren to a mini reunion in Chattanoo ga. She’s such a good and interesting writer, I’ll just quote it directly: “Thank you so much for the invitation to the mini reunion in Chattanooga in Octo ber. It sounds fabulous, and we’d love to be able to attend, but unfortunately, we had already confirmed reservations with Carol Allen and her husband for a Roads Scholar trip to NYC with tickets to a couple of plays etc. It’s the only oth er thing we have planned in the fall, and wouldn’t you know they are exactly at the same time. So, we will be unable to attend but will be thinking about all of you. We love the Chattanooga area and all the beautiful scenery and history. You have so many fun activities planned, and I know it’s going to be wonderful for all who are able to be there. We are very disappointed to miss it and can’t wait to see pictures.

“Speaking of pictures, I have enjoyed seeing your pictures from Calgary to Banff and am looking forward to the Co lumbia/Snake River pictures. My broth er and sister-in-law (Jim and Marilyn— John and Sherrel, you know them, of course) loved that river cruise. It’s one they said they’d go back on anytime, as they enjoyed it so much. We were un able to go with them and have kept it on our bucket list. So, I’m anxious to travel along with you. Bill loves Banff (I have never been there) and thinks it’s the most beautiful place to go summer or winter. I think he’s skied there and also spent vacation time there during the fall a few years ago. I love the pictures and certainly agree that it’s majes tic.

“Thought you’d all be interested to hear that Bill and a couple of his and Walt Sykes’ NSA

colleagues met at Walt’s recently for an hour visit (and ended up staying over four hours un til the aides ‘kicked them out’ so Walt could go to dinner). Bill said Walt looked good though his mobility continues to decline. That was the issue with his attending John Thornton’s services. He is very unsteady, and we always worry about a

They hope to get together again soon. Of course, he loves hearing from both of you, as well as oth er brother rats. He often mentions how much he misses John, as they used to talk frequently. He seems to have adjusted to his care facility. He is certainly doing well considering his Parkinson’s, and we don’t want to imply otherwise. But mo bility is definitely a big issue for him. You could mention Bill’s visit if you want and add another reminder to ‘stay in touch’ with BRs who are having health issues. It’s so sad to think of all the BRs who’ve died this year!

“Bill and I are doing well. We’ve cut back on our travels, though we did get to go to Egypt in March, and we plan to go to Turkey in late August. It’s been hot here, but not as bad as some regions, and we’ve had lots of rain recently which has helped. Everything is green and lush. Bill is still very involved with several start ups and is submitting patents for them, has endless phone/Zoom calls, is writing white papers etc. He never slows down, it seems. His own company, Matrics2 (which is a continuation of his original Matrics), just received funding, so it’s now officially a ‘real company.’ He’s very excited about that, and it keeps him busy all of the time. He’s like the four of you and needs to stay active and in volved. And he’s certainly doing that!

“Well, I don’t know if you made it down this far! I certainly didn’t intend to go on and on. But I haven’t touched base for a while so thought I’d catch you up on our lives. Again, we are really sorry we will miss seeing all of you at the mini reunion. If anything changes with the NYC trip, I’ll get back in touch. I know you will have a fabulous time with you as the great host and hostess with the most and mostess.

“Take care, enjoy your trip, Cathy and Bob. It’s all on our bucket list. And what are you two up to, Sherrel and John? Any more big trips in your Tesla? Our son continues to enjoy his! He has not taken any long trips in it, but it’s great for city driving. Hope you all continue to be well and take good care of yourselves and each other.”

fall, even on flat surfaces. We are no longer able to take him out to restaurants as we used to do and that makes us feel badly, but it’s simply not safe with uneven sidewalks, curbs, etc. Anyway, I got sidetracked. Walt really enjoyed seeing the NSA group and reminiscing and catching up.

A short note from Penny Kaliski to my wife, Sherrel: “Hi. I hope all is well with you and John. I am heading to Hilton Head in late August. I remember that you had a home there. Looking forward to being with family who are vacationing in Folly’s Field Beach. I am interested in traveling again but concerned about the future with inflation, supply issues,

Class Notes

etc. I was interested in the OAT trip to Geor gia and Armenia, but I am unsure of the stabil ity over there. Anyway, I hope to see you both sometime in the future. This world is so crazy.”

King von Schilling and I have had sever al phone conversations over the last couple of months. He sent, “I am better, having had my meds adjusted by my cardiologist. I still get diz zy and use a cane for balance but getting ready to take some combat vets out again for some hunt ing this year. One has been coming out for seven years. He’s retired now. I usually get a couple of newly assigned soldiers, and we usually have a corps of five or six. So, I try to be available ev ery weekend. We have a long season here, and that’s great. I swear it helps keep me young and healthy. I think I show signs of PTSD during the offseason. There are members of Class of ’85 I hunt with also, and that’s always a treat. I try to make sure my vets each get at least one deer a season. I take only combat vets because they know when not to shoot. I have only 250 acres to hunt, with a house on all four corners and two in the middle. We’ve had fox hunters follow the hounds through as we were hunting. We did scare up some deer, and the sergeant major got one.”

Bob and Cathy Warren recently took off on an extended vacation of the Northwest and Canada. They flew in and out of several scenic locations, including Banff, Calgary, the Snake River, etc. No photos to share, but a super trip.

A group of Bill Garber, Bill Crone, Dan DeForrest, and Tom Sebrell gathered to en joy the beach near Garber’s home on Emerald Isle. I’m told they suspended the Honor Code during prolonged discussions, all of which were well lubricated.

In addition to those brother rats with whom I’ve corresponded, I’ve been able to have sever al phone calls with Hank Cronin, WJ Kitchen, Dick Atkinson, Dan DeForrest, Bill Garber, Bob Warren, and Butch Nunnally WJ and Dick continue to make several trips overseas on a reg ular basis.

Sherrel and I hope to take another marathon, two- or three-month car trip next spring, plus we’ve signed up for our last overseas trip in Oc tober 2023. That’ll be a small boat river trip from Amsterdam to Vienna, with a side trip to Prague. Unless we can break the bank and fly private jets after that, we don’t foresee another single air plane ride.

Charlie Suiter, Ron Rogers, and Dan DeFor rest, longtime roommates, got together in Nor folk in June. No information on what they did there. We can only speculate.

A reminder that our 60th Reunion is not that far off. Spring 2024 is less than 20 months away. As soon as I hear from VMI, I’ll let everyone know. There is one issue which always comes up, and it’s not so far removed that early discussion isn’t warranted. The location? Do we want to return to Lexington or try another venue? If you have dru thers, let me know.

1965

I received a note from Floyd Taylor who seems well. He mentioned a few extra certified pounds he has accumulated and invites visitors to visit in St. Simons Island with him, coming or going from Florida. He complimented Mickey Finn for all his years of service to the class. Floyd men tions knee therapy and jumping over a tennis net soon. Probably not a certified thought.

Irwin McCumber, Joe Straub, and Easley Moore visited together at Easley and Alice’s home in Massies Mill, Nelson County, Virgin ia. The home has been in Alice’s family for gen erations and is located in a gorgeous area of the state. They claim to have exchanged stories of true events “and other lies” that occurred in bar racks a few years ago (57-plus).

I had lunch with Easley in Lexington a few months ago. We met at a restaurant that only takes cash. No checks and no debit or credit cards. Easley had to buy.

From Johnny Mac Marshall: “Well, it has been a sort of busy springtime and summer so far. I have been sitting as a visiting judge in several

courts in North Texas. The longest was a fiveday divorce case in Sherman. The trial was put on in front of a jury ... something I never did in a divorce case when I was in private practice. Of course, I can’t go into detail, but suffice to say I was glad when it was over. Also, I had a paper published that compares Moby Dick with modern technology, and it was fun to write. What amazes me is how many folks have read and enjoyed it.

“In July, Jamie and I went to Galveston for a le gal education program put on by the College of the State Bar. As you can see from the photo, it was re ally tough duty. I have been a member for 30 years or so. She, of course, was just licensed last year, but she has worked hard to attend continuing legal education courses so that she qualified to become a member herself. I don’t know anyone who has done this in just over a year, so kudos to her.

“We had some happy news in June when my older daughter, Alexandra, called late June 14 with the message, ‘I have some news.’ Now, for those who don’t have daughters, let me say that this is a scary way to start the conversation. For tunately, she followed up quickly that she and her boyfriend of 20 years took the plunge and got married. Needless to say, we were delighted. Of course, it is a little odd to be a father-in-law twice over, but I guess that is what happens with time.

“It has been interesting to watch what has been happening at VMI, and I realize that there are a lot of pros and cons to be considered. That said, as fondly as we remember our days as cadets, it is useful to remember what Doc Carroll said about remembering the Old Corps: ‘It never was.’ For my part, I am satisfied to recall the time we were cadets as happy times overall (with some excep tions, depending upon the number of penalty tours) that laid the foundation for the friendships that have lasted through the decades since. Hope fully, there are more decades to come for all of us.

“Jamie and I wish all of the brother rats and their families a happy and healthy autumn, and we hope to see you on Founders Day in November.”

Dave Kiger: “Life is good in Virginia, although we are not home much, traveling the roads. Upper New York for a week (August) visiting daughter and family next week. Hilton Head for a week soon afterward to check on our villa there after daughter and friends stayed there for three weeks. West Yellowstone for a week in September to vis it friends. Home for couple of weeks then head on down to Hilton Head basically for the winter months. I’m blessed with good health so far. My wife has had some surgery due to cancer, but ev erything was caught early and no problem. Keep ing a close eye on her, though. Looking forward to another mini reunion when it happens.”

Bill Cather: “During the World Games in Bir mingham last month (July), Mia and I were asked to meet the Dutch consul from Atlanta and his

Class notes

deputy for a drink while they were in town for the day. My oldest son, Heath, is now president of Stewart Perry, a large commercial construc tion company headquartered in Birmingham. His younger brother, Robbie, is one of three vice presidents. Mia has been in and out of the hospi tal the last six months. First with kidney stones then four weeks later blood clots in both legs and last week with peritonitis. It’s been tough on her, but she is still in good spirits. I’m hoping to leave her at my daughter’s and see some of you in Lex ington Nov. 11!”

Tom Howard says, “Have about totally healed from a knee replacement last Oc tober and am currently healing from car pal tunnel syndrome. What’s next? My list of doctor visits is growing faster than Lou’s. But am looking forward to another great VMI football season. Get your tick ets and will see ’65 there. Great to see two VMI studs doing great in the MLB. Stay healthy.”

Lou’s favorite comment of the quarter came from Butch Hemphill: “The parts wear out, but the mind keeps ticking.”

Marshall Henry sent a note and best wishes from Sandbridge, Virginia. They have vacationed there for the last 47 years with their children, Jay and Anne, and their families. He sends best wishes to all.

Gordon Eubank checked in with a quick, “Hello.”

Norm Radford noted that as of Aug. 7, 2022 (the date of his note), we were four days from our 61st matriculation anniver sary. He must be getting old.

One of the many thoughtful notes as my knee replacement was postponed twice came from Liam Murphy: “Will light a prayer candle for you in the chapel at West Point Wednesday when I am there to collect prescriptions. More important, I will put in a good word for you with the chaplains’ secretary (her husband is a reg ular Army colonel, VMI 2000, currently on faculty there). She has a soft spot for VMI, as well as a lot of influence with chaplains. I guess it is not surprising as to how many of us and spouses have had one/several parts replaced.”

Karl Zeller checked in with a wonder fully irreverent note on his health. Some thing to do with Ivermectin and a rotator cuff.

Also checking in with short notes: Fred Viele, Gordon Eubank, Wayne Chiles, Warren Self, Bob Wilkinson, Ben Dyer, Rusty Evans, Carr Hyatt, Jeff Gause pohl, Richard Marshall, Chuck Hough, Ted Goodloe, Richard Timmons, Frank

Crawley, Jack Mountcastle, Doug Mathews, Godwin Jones, Ron Petitte, and Greg Robert son.

Jack Mountcastle retired from teaching at the University of Richmond. “After 14 years of team-teaching a course in Civil War leader ship with professor Al Goethals in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, I retired. Fortunately, the 17 un dergrads we had during the spring term were, without question, the best group of students we

had in all those years. I will miss working with the juniors and seniors who made up the class es in this one-semester course, especially during their two-day field trip to Gettysburg, where the young Richmond Spiders were able to walk the hallowed ground where leadership really made a difference—when lives were on the line.”

Charlie Russell and Granny Amos attended the rat send-off in Northern Virginia in August. “We were the only ‘Old Corps’ present.”

Skip Aldous reported on the death of Smuff Smith, concerning the great comman dant’s office caper our 3rd Class year: “It was just Smitty and me. We gathered up our stash and stored it in the mail room area and then carried them to the top steps of the stairs leading to the first stoop. Then when the sentry was in the new quad, we raced armloads of newspa pers into the outer office. After that, it was easy to ball them up and put them in the commandant’s office. Heading for BRC, there was the big laundry truck in [main arch] being loaded with the newspapers. I don’t remember who the commandant was, but he was supervising and was not happy. Don’t think the OD was, either. But, to my knowledge, the Corps never heard anything about it. Does anyone re member the hearts painted on the senti nel box? That was Smitty for Valentine’s Day ’63.”

Tom Lilly: “Hey, Lou: Thanks for all you are doing as class agent. Best for your knee replacement. I have a torn meniscus and only 15% of cartilage left, so I will be in the same boat shortly. After 54 years of playing lawyer, I retired at the end of June. Still going to the office a time or two a week to clean up things. It has been a good ride. Sometimes I think I would pay clients for being able to represent them because of the satisfaction of a good job. I give much of the credit to VMI for being able to manage my time, and most ly importantly, the character building of the honor system. UNC law school great ly helped in expanding my knowledge. I have been playing golf at least once a week. (Shot my age from the forward (la dies’) tees this week). I run errands for the barn, like picking up feed and mowing fields with my tractor. My wife still goes to the barn almost every day. She and my oldest son, Smith, have 44 stalls in the barn and a riding arena training American Saddlebred horses. They have customers from California, Texas, Iowa, Pennsylva nia, Virginia, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and other states. I tell folks that

Class Notes

if I were as good a lawyer as Smith is a horse trainer, I would be a talking head on television. They have won too many world championships to count. My other son, Wyatt, recently opened another store in Bristol, Virginia, where he sells records, CDs, and other sundry things. Both boys graduated from Davidson. As we embark on our 80th year, (something I never imagined) we have much for which to be thankful. Hope I can still say that in 10 years. Look forward to the next re union in 2025. I promise not to throw the parade lines as we stagger down the Parade Ground.”

Carl Ennis: “Hi, Lou, I know I owe many years’ worth of notes for the Review! Howev er, I saw you are going to get knee replacement

surgery, and I just wanted to wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery. I just had my left knee replaced with something called MAKO plasty. It assists the surgeon with a robotic arm. Cosmic! All goes very well and am ahead of re covery schedule. No cane or walker, and they had me home same day as surgery and therapy next morning. Just follow your doctor’s orders. The process works. So sorry to hear about Smuff; he was certainly one of those special characters you can never forget. I stay in touch with Fred Bishopp, Lou Lahendro, Mac Cranford, and Speed Thomas on a regular if somewhat erratic basis. Hope my knee continues to heal as I plan on heading to SD in November for annual wild pheasant hunting trip with our five bird dogs! The very best to you and your new knee!”

Russell Proctor sent in a picture of Bill Wil burn’s memorial headstone.

In fall 2021, Doug Thomas came back to post with a special guest: His brother-in-law, Sam Li onberger, a Virginia Tech graduate whose family construction business, Lionberger Construction, built Moody Hall in the late 1960s. Lionberger recalled meeting Mary Moody Northen, the Tex as philanthropist for whom the building is named. With the help of Meade King ’85, VMI Founda tion chief operating officer, Lionberger was able to meet Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superin tendent, and received a challenge coin from him.

That’s all; take care of yourselves.

1966

As a former history major, one of the more dif ficult tasks I face when beginning to put these notes together: What can I lead off with that will “grab” your attention? And then keep your atten tion, as you read the happenings of other brother rats. By the way, I still choose not to write about the negative things that life brings us, unless you specifically ask me to inform the class ... just my preference.

On May 21, Clark Reifsnider and Woody Mill er: “As Bill Gregory’s roommates, [we] had the honor of joining Bill’s sister-in-law and niece (Mary Gregory and Mary Reid Clapp, respec tively) for a presentation to the VMI Museum of items belonging to Bill. Presented to Keith Gib son ’77, executive director of the VMI Museum System, were Bill’s class ring, two class rings and a miniature belonging to relatives, a diorama, and an Old Corps picture of barracks. Joining us for

the presentation were Paul and Joanne Robblee, with whom the ladies, Woody, and I stayed, and Mary Reid’s two roommates from Mary Baldwin (class of 2001).

After the presentation, we joined brother rats at a reception at the home of Woody and Lori Sadler. In addition to all those mentioned above, guests included Hugh and Deane Adams, Joe Dictor, Bill Talman, Cliff Martin, Jay Adams, Eddie and Joanne Willis, and Sam English. It was a great day and a fitting remembrance of a really special man.”

Class notes

On May 30, 2022, Rick Kiernan was honored by the Township of Warminster, Pennsylvania, with a proclamation summarizing his 26 years of service with the United States Army, begin ning with VMI and ending with the Global War on Terrorism. The proclamation was released pri or to Rick’s appearance as their Memorial Day guest speaker. Congratulations, Rick!

In the “small world” category, Hugh and Deane Adams spent a few days in Georgia watching their grandson’s team play in a big baseball tour nament. One of the team coaches was Tom Slat er’s son, Andrew, whose son Will plays catcher ... so, in the last game they saw, there was a ’66 grandson pitching to a ’66 grandson catcher! The following week, they traveled to see their other grandson’s team play in the state tournament. Hugh’s comment: “Guess you could say we’re baseball fans.”

Woody Sadler spent the Fourth cooking hot dogs for the Masons for the kids’ bike parade and then assisting the Rotary with the fireworks, which Woody helped to start 25 years ago in Bue na Vista. He noted that it was a “fun, hot day!”

Pete Charrington and Paul Maini got togeth er in Lexington last June to play in the annual Lexington Golf & Country Club Member-Guest tournament. They did not score too well but were just happy to be out there playing. Roomie Peter Farley joined them after golf, and they all went to Smith Mountain Lake for a little fishing and catching up with each others’ kids and families. Pete and Anna May are still getting down to St. John Island, the USVI, several times a year and enjoying the snorkeling, hiking, and having a few rum drinks at one of their properties. Their oldest grandchild just finished her first year at William & Mary, and they planned visit her down there in the fall. The Charringtons have plenty to do with the other seven grandkids, all of whom live

within 15 minutes of them in Wayne, Pennsylva nia. They also have space for any BR visiting the Philadelphia area. Give Pete a call if you’d like to take him up on his offer.

Impact a Hero’s second annual Over the Edge building rappel was held in September, and Rob Ritchie went “over the edge” once again! Each rappeler had a goal to raise $1,000, so Rob ap preciates any and all donations. Funds raised are used to support the veteran community served by Impact a Hero. A fun day for a worthwhile cause. Additionally, Rob and Jan spent 12 days in Rome and the Amalfi Coast, as well as Pompeii. The Amalfi Coast “was beautiful and, as a histo ry buff, Rome and Pompeii were great” to visit, since Rob had never been to either place.

Interesting and complimentary note from Doug Adams: “Our 1st Class room was directly in front of Marshall Arch. I can’t get over how the view has changed. It looks impressive and prop erly honors General Marshall.”

Jane Conner wrote in about her granddaugh ter’s marriage: “Hannah was sad to think that her late grandpas could not attend. Therefore, to hon or and remember them, she had the florist place a Marine emblem for one and a VMI emblem for Al Conner on the ribbon wrapped around her wedding bouquet.”

Dick Daugherity provided information about a ’66 mini reunion at Maggiano’s Restaurant. At tending were Jim and Sandra Smith, John and Susan Meybin, John McEwen and Delores Lee, Doma Browder, Sandy Smith, Herb and Nancy Chittum, and Dick and Kathy. “Wonderful to see everyone for a good, lengthy visit.”

George and Pilar Newton are back in Spain for their annual visit and are delighted to have sur vived the trip—a 24-hour journey according to George. They will return to Florida next February.

Little known fact: In an email from Jim Smith,

he noted that he and James Whitehurst are also cousins. Jim and James, along with their wives, Sandra and Susan, visited the New Market bat tlefield this past summer and also the relocated Stonewall Jackson statue. Jim’s comment: “If the statue had to be relocated, it’s a job well done. Beautiful new location.” Thanks for the photo graph and comment, Jim.

Finally, if anyone has an “extra” ’66 Bomb available, please contact me. We have a brother rat who would like one.

By the time you read these notes, Thanksgiv ing, Christmas, and 2023 will be right around the corner. Time flies.

Best to each and every one of you. You are a great group of distinctly unique brother rats.

Nick

1967

When I assembled these paragraphs in August, I was just lazing the summer away. Many of you were still sending me comments about the re union, and I had just asked for summer travel sto ries. (Even those who went somewhere seemed reluctant to share this time.) But I had just shared my memories about our naked rat drowning events and by now will have sent out your replies by email as a group—maybe too salty for the AR. BR stories about our beloved pool experiences. I let them—you—share your memories. It started with a short description of just how my section of some 50 or so rats came to the pool naked, as was

Class Notes

the custom in those days. If you missed my email, I have it stored in my machine. Just ask. I have saved just one reply to publish, with permission, for these notes.

Mike Ingelido: “Your story matches what I remember about swimming class with Coach Arnold pretty accurately. As I recall, in our group, Doug Goodall was the lucky head dunker, perhaps because he was on the swimming team. And I think we were butt naked from the be ginning of the course and never in gym shorts, but I could be wrong. Finally, one of the tasks we had to pass was to float around for 60 minutes without touching the sides or bottom of the pool. Cheers! Wop.” Mike’s P.S.: “When they took down Jackson statue, personally, I was hoping they would replace it with one of Fish Arnold in his swim trunks and holding a buck et of water in his hand. Guess that was a ‘bridge too far’ for the BOV, and The Washington Post would probably figure out some new way to crit icize the choice.” Pretty sure that these memories come close to covering the subject. I said I never cared for pools, and now the TV news is nothing but shark coverage. No need to fret over interna tional news.

Jim Ferrell: “Enjoyed recalling the many swimming memories. I, for some obscure and ill-advised reason I didn’t even know at the time, even took drowning 102. I hope I’ve gotten smarter with the passing of the years.”

The rat swimming story came just at the time Dave Fink passed. I share a couple of tributes to Dave here. Chuck Keblusek: “Thanks, Jan. I was so sorry to hear about Dave. We swam together on the team for two years, and I remember him as a tough competitor and skilled at the butterfly. He seemed in such good health during a reunion 10 or 15 years ago when we all got in the pool and tried to grasp a bit of our youth. But most of all ... and I think this accounted for Dave’s toughness ... I remember the garbage he got in the Rat Line with his name. ‘Whoa, Rat Fink!’ followed by laughter. I heard that a lot and had no idea who they were addressing until we started rat swim ming and I got to know him. A good guy, a tough guy, a nice guy—my brother rat.”

Jim Wilson: “Sorry to read about Dave’s pass ing. Way back in the ancient days (summer 1970) when he was in Omaha at Offutt AFB, he kind ly found me a small garage apartment in central Omaha. I arrived there in late June after my RVN tour, which ended in mid-May. I was attend ing a USAF run course there that midsummer. With Dave and several of other contemporary Air Force captain friends of his, we had a great summer carousing. There were three Corvettes (blue, red, and yellow) and a Pontiac Grand Prix

(green). (Best summer of my life! Ne braskans, indeed, are great folks!) And I was still young and stupid! In those days, $25 per diem also was more than adequate! Did not draw a formal mil pay check until I finally got to Baltimore and Fort Holabird in late September.”

Dave Fink was also a sax player in the band. Our ’67 Tweets are dwindling, as Dave joins Chip Chafey, John Foret, Vance Powell, Tom Coughenour, Taras Galysh, Paul Gustafson Jr., George Ir vine III, Bob Kerr, Wayne McDermott, Stephen McElroy, and Tom Sibley from the ’67 Regimental Band brothers.

On July 16, 2022, J.I. Orrison com pleted his three-year term on the Univer sity of North Georgia Corps Advisory Council. J.I. is shown in our photos receiving a commemorative print of the UNG Corps of Ca dets from Maj. Gen. James Cravens, chair of the CAC. J.I. was the only non-UNG graduate serv ing on the CAC during his term. J.I. presented every member of the CAC with a VMI challenge coin as a thank you and reminder that all gradu ates of our nation’s senior military colleges are brothers-in-arms for service to our nation.

Bootsie McCracken (Mrs. Jimmy Rogers) forwarded this message to share from Perry Graves, phgraves@hotmail.com: “It’s been al most 12 years since I’ve communicated with you or anybody else in the Class of ’67 at VMI. I knew you the best, even though we never really met except for that short time during the funer al. We buried Denny (Graves) in June at Arling ton. Dad died in ’13, and mom died in ’17. Den ny’s son, Perry the fourth, is doing pretty well. Has a little boy named Walker Dennis Graves. If you have contact with anybody from the Class of ’67, thank them for their support. My dad was very impressed with what happened at Ar lington. The entire family was. Hope all is well with you and your family. God bless you all.”

Barrett Graham: “Now that the dust may have settled a little, I want to thank you, Joan, and the committee for a most enjoyable reunion. Its lowkey nature made the whole thing a lot of fun for me. In some respects, this one was the most fun so far. Once again, please congratulate and thank the committee—definitely a job well done! Pres ently, not a lot of news from the great eastern North Carolina boondocks, other than that we’re awaiting the arrival of hurricane season and pre paring for a zoning catfight in our little residential subdivision. Some religious group has purchased a house and lot in our neighborhood and is trying to force a drug rehab clinic on top of us.”

Jan adds that Carole Green and her team in Vir ginia did the lion’s share, as Georgia was a bit out of the way for most of the work. Jane Brooke

Class notes

(Chip Brooke’s widow) arranged the best food dinner ever at our banquet. Others also did a great deal of unrecognized jobs. Thanks once again to a great committee for what many of you have said was our best reunion ever.

John Chiles: “Hi, guys. I am enjoying being in the choir at church, and I am delusional enough to think my voice is improving and more in tune with practice. Our minister always has a great message, plus our church experiences unexpect ed surprises.” John did not explain what the sur prises might be.

Tommy Gillette: “Glad to hear that you are on the mend. Health issues really become disruptive to our normal lives when we have so often taken good health for granted. I am recov ering slowly but steady from major surgery April 22 to remove 39 inch es of my small intestines because of some obstruction supposedly from scar tissue from an appendicitis op eration 70 years ago.” Subsequent contact with Tommy has him back to hooking up with Larry Adams for golf dates!

Wayne Marshall: “In a meeting, a group of BRs discussed John Lee’s continuing quest to find and mark previously unmarked New Mar ket cadets’ graves. Against a back ground of all this, I met four of our brother rats and their wives at New Market earlier this month. John Lee, Howard Seal, Rick Brooks, Tom Gritzmacher, and I had lunch at the Southern Kitchen and then went out to stand in the shadow of Stonewall Jackson on his pedestal just like we did outside the bar racks more than 50 years ago. And I was so proud to be standing there with men who have held on to their dreams and ideals throughout all these years. I don’t know if the country is going to sur vive the current onslaught; that appears to be in God’s hands. But when the final roll is called at St. Peter’s gate, I can hear the response echoing across the sky when these men arrive: ‘Died on the field of honor, sir.’”

Many of us have known of John’s work on this since the 150th New Market reunion time and the effort to find and mark all New Market graves with small Virginia and New Market battle flags. All but a few were marked, with hundreds of vol unteers helping. Some are still lost: One is in Ar gentina, and one is in a covered-over and buried cemetery in California after the 1906 earthquake destroyed the original site. John seeks and marks ones he has found all over in Virginia and other states. At the time of the 150th reenactment, I had one photo in the AR with a gravestone he bought and paid for then placed near a family plot of a

lost New Market cadet somewhere in Virginia years ago. VMI has not expressed any interest in the past after I prodded them to continue this as a tradition. Time for me to try again.

Jim Wilson: “We [are] doing OK ... well, at least Liep is. I seem to be increasingly a bit struc turally ‘iffy.’ And the timing right now is really bad. Our big issue at this late stage of our lives is aiding (as best we can) Liep’s brother and the two kids—18 (boy) and 16 (girl)—all U.S. citizens— moving from Vietnam to the local area Aug. 4. Wife still awaiting immigration approval ... hope fully will be coming in next few months. Luckily the kids, due to their father, speak better English that most of us. Wife will find it more difficult.

Still, is a helluva age for parents to restart their lives. Move is solely for the kids’ futures, a level of sacrifice I do not know I could undertake, even if younger.”

Chuck Keblusek: “I’d be happy to describe our recent trip to Europe. It was a Viking cruise/ land tour called the Cities of Light Tour centered on Paris and Prague with a river cruise in be tween. Ginny and I had scheduled this for 2020 but were canceled twice because of COVID-19. We had scheduled a pre-tour tour of England then but, upon cancellation, were offered four days in Prague for free. It ended up being 18 days long—an endurance contest! We landed in London (Heathrow) and were bussed to Oxford for three nights, during which we toured Highclere Castle, Blenheim Palace (where Churchill was born), and finally Oxford University itself, where we got some insight into Brit ish education. Thereafter we took a ‘bullet’ train to Paris under the chan nel, where we spent two nights and one full day taking a bus tour of the city, a tour of Versailles Palace (and the hall of mirrors where the World War I Armistice was signed), and a cabaret that evening with dinner. We got home at 1 a.m., only to pack again and strike forth toward Germany by way of Reims Cathedral (where French kings were crowned; St. Joan of Arc was able to get a French king crowned there during a war with En gland in the 1200s, I believe.) We ultimately arrived in Trier, at the

Class Notes

lower end of the Mosel River, where we board ed our river boat. I was stationed at Hahn Air Base near the Mosel during the ’70s, which was one reason we chose this cruise. While on board eating great food and having fun, we vis ited Bernkastel, Cochem, and Koblenz until we reached the Rhine, where we turned east for a scenic cruise until we turned north on the Main River where we stopped to tour Heidelberg, Wurzburg, Rothenberg, and Bamberg. You all may know Bamberg as it was a large U.S. Army installation until some years ago. We got off the boat after seven days and bussed to Nuremberg, where we saw the building where the World War II trials were held and the pris on where the executions took place. That after noon we took the four-and-a-half-hour bus trip to Prague, where we spent four nights. On sev eral occasions, several Czechs mentioned my last name, recognizing its Czechoslovak origins. My grandfather would be so proud. Beautiful city with much history and very nice people—most speak English, as they learn it in primary school. Our flights back were rough, as we flew from Prague to Munich to Dulles but missed the flight to Richmond until the next day. It was a great trip but also tiring. It took us almost a week to adjust back; I would highly recommend it!”

Bruce Weiner: “I just got back from Dave Fink’s funeral. I was asked by his family to deliver a eulogy. I related our VMI experi ence and the special bond which exists among brother rats. The flowers you sent from the class were beautiful. Wish I had taken a photo. There were a few other red, white, and yellow arrangements on display. I was told by one of Dave’s family that the service was recorded. If you’d like, I can send you a copy. As for our bike trip to Italy ... we were delighted to have the opportunity to reschedule this trip, which had been planned two years earlier but can celed due to COVID-19. We spent two weeks in Italy—the first week in Milan, Lake Como, Padua, and Venice. The second week, we met up with our biking group (12 of us) and cy cled through vineyards and lovely villages be tween Venice and Verona, riding between 30 and 45 miles a day. We got to see two operas, one at La Scala in Milan and the other, Aida, in a 2,000-year-old outdoor amphitheater in Ve rona. I feel most fortunate that Hollace and I are still able to enjoy such travel experiences. It was a magical trip. Be well, my friend. Best to Joan. Thanks for keeping us all in touch. Re gards, Bruce.”

Please take care of yourselves and those you love as we continue our journey through life together. Love you guys.

Very respectfully, Jan Abernathy

1968

Here is an excerpt from Gerry and John Hince’s (Bryan, Texas) May 2022 letter: “The Hince boys and their families are busy, and the grandkids are growing too fast for John and I. God bless Pe ter and Jac; he has managed to make it home to Pope AFB in North Carolina for a few long weekends. Their three boys are all into different sports, for poor Jac never stops ... TJ is still loving soccer, Chris is into golf, and Henry, at 5, is start ing to give baseball a try. Elizabeth, at 15 months, hasn’t started team sports. Matt and April have a graduation coming this month, and Colette will [be] down here come the fall. Ethan just keeps moving on in his band career. Charlies is doing well in flag football. Their house is another one where the parents are on the road with their kids!”

And from the Hinces’ June update: “Started out this week with back-to-back Memorial Day services in Bryan, and they were just beautiful. Small town Texas (and, yes, that is what Bryan considers itself to be!) knows how to take special days and get its citizens all involved. Vietnam veterans had an outside ceremony at the monu ment we built in 2014 with the name of the men from BCS we lost in ’Nam. This morning, our American Legion Post had another outside one, and the weather was perfect, the attendees were there for the right reasons, and the speaker nailed it. Memorial Day is a tough one for most of us, but remembering those we lost is what life is all about. I think back to the older brother of my first boyfriend who was one of the first to die in ’Nam, or one of our West Point friends who never made it back from the desert, or the only son of one of my Texas girls who died in our most recent war. Lots of heroes waiting for us in heaven.

“The Uvalde situation hits home as [we] were there this quarter, and the American Legion Post that hosted us lost two grandchildren. Daily calls to the commander and ongoing prayers are a start to a rough walk home. Do not let a day go by without telling those you love just that ... you love them.”

Rick Brothers (Sedona, Arizona): “Jane and I are lucky to have dodged the COVID-19 virus and still love the Southwest, living in Sedona. We recently traveled to the Galapagos Islands with friends. This is a place like no other in the world ... 600 miles west of Ecuador straddling the equator. Giant tortoises, penguins (yes, penguins), islands inhabited mainly by different species of birds ... all

brother rats would enjoy hiking on the different islands within 2-3 feet from the blue-footed boo by birds and more. Most of the islands are inhab ited by a biodiversity of living things only found on the Galapagos Islands. Charles Darwin spent five weeks there in 1835 and started his research on The Origin of Species, which was published in 1852. It was quite a trip, above and underwater!

“Our families are well and all grown. Jane and I think we are still young, but looking into the mir ror tells another story.”

Tom Coffey (Wytheville, Virginia): “Not much to report from Wytheville. When asked how I am doing, I generally reply, ‘Better than I deserve.’ Children and grandchildren still doing well, which is a blessing.

“We live about two blocks from Laurie Mock, a professional saxophonist, who gives ad hoc con certs from her yard on holidays such as Christ mas and Thanksgiving, which folks from the neighborhood enjoy. Today we learned that for Memorial Day she would play taps at 3 p.m., so Ilona and I wandered over and joined a dozen or so others to listen. Laurie said that we should first observe a minute of silence, and then she would play taps for us.

“She did a very fine job, and when she was done, I spoke up to say, ‘Laurie, I thought there was a possibility that someday taps would be played for me. But I never imagined I would be alive to hear it!’”

Bill Flavin (Carlisle, Pennsylvania): “I am still teaching distance learning at the Army War Col lege and assisting and consulting around D.C. In a few weeks, my daughter will be getting mar ried, and that is an opportunity to see old friends. Clay Thompson (Salisbury, Maryland), my roommate, will be there, as will Jim Williams ’66, my daughter’s godfather.”

John Andrews (Yorktown, Virginia): “Diane and I continue to stay busy visiting our six grand children and their families. In the summer, they come to visit at our beachfront condo in North Myrtle Beach. Diane’s mother just turned 90, and we spend a fair amount of time going to see her and fix up projects around her house. We had been taking yearly cruises, one up the Rhine and one through the Great Lakes, before the COVID-19 quarantine shut that down.”

Bob Mills (Miramar Beach, Florida): “Oldest granddaughter, Avery, visited from Charleston where she is a senior at College of Charleston go ing for a PA. Rita and I doing well after a bout with COVID-19.”

In my email to Steve Powers (Malvern, Penn sylvania), I asked if he was still competing on the indoor rowing machine. He responded when he wrote: “My family is growing older (like all of our brother rats). We leveled off at nine grandchildren with only one still in high school, four in college,

Class notes

and four now earning their own living.

“John ‘Augie’ Augustine still keeps many of us entertained with his emails. We can pick and choose what to read or respond to. I am learning more about our brother rats now that we have a little extra time to tell some of our old personal stories. My appreciation seems to grow for those who served in Vietnam or any combat area. My life in the U.S. Army was easy, since I was sta tioned in Heidelberg, Germany, for three years (1969–72).

“Yes, I am still ranked No. 1 in the world in the 100-meter sprint for old guys (75 and old er) on the Concept 2 Indoor Rowing Machine. I have been blessed with good health lately, so I would like to keep exercising on my C2 Erg. I use this ‘attention getter’ to raise money for Wa ter for People of Denver, Colorado. I am just one of many brother rats who are helping others in need. As you know, Paul Hebert (Steamboat Springs, Colorado) set a high standard for all of us to follow.”

Skip Roberts (Virginia Beach, Virginia): “I met up with Tom Province (Madison, Virginia) yes terday. I gather he goes by John now. We were at a state bar luncheon celebrating 50 years at the bar. Tom has had a great career being a true coun try lawyer. They’re not making them much any more. It was good to catch up, and I reinforced to him his brother rats would love to see him.”

Based on Skip’s comment about Tom’s name, I asked Tom if he wanted VMI’s records to be up dated. Tom cleared up the situation: “My son, dad, and grandad all had ‘John’ as their first names— as do I—way too many ‘Johns’ in the family (and especially now with the expected coming toilet paper shortage!), so the middle name was the name used, e.g., my son, John David, went by David, and I go by Thomas/Tom. The various state and federal bars to which I belong use my first name as my ‘official’ name. So, let’s leave it as ‘Tom.’ It was good to be able to visit with Skip, and I am in frequent touch with Steve Strickler (Virgin ia Beach, Virginia), who lives and practices law in Virginia Beach, and with Jay Reeves (Lynchburg, Vir ginia), who lives and practices law in Lynchburg.”

John Augustine (St. Petersburg, Florida): “We are still hanging in there. Rosemary and I continue car ing for my mother, who turns 98 in September, and my sister with Par kinson’s. No exciting trips or vaca tions for us.

“Everyone survived COVID-19. In Florida, we did have less of the shut down/mandate style of forced

room confinement and masked-up penalty tours.

“I plan to attend the 55th by getting away for two or three days—assuming we don’t have a medical crisis here or some ‘major meltdown’ nationally—or there at VMI. Let’s hope Gover nor Youngkin appoints some good people to the BOV.”

Bryan Barton (Oakton, Virginia): “Following a valiant two-year battle with ALS, Chandler Williams passed away April 4. Mary Ann and I, along with Jim and Susan Henry (Williamsburg, Virginia), Dick and Letty Wood (Richmond, Vir ginia), and Jack Ferguson (Round Hill, Virgin ia) attended his inurnment at Manakin Episcopal Church Memorial Garden. Another roommate, Bill Bouck (Deerfield Beach, Florida), was un able to attend but was there in spirit.

“A celebration of life followed at River Road Baptist Church where Robbie; their children and families; and his brother, Randolph and Priscil la Williams ’66, were joined by dozens of our brother rats and many friends. Following the celebration of life and a reception, Randolph ar ranged for a VMI bagpiper to play. It was a true testament to his life well lived.”

Wayne Burton (Saint Marys, Georgia): “We took a two-week land and sea tour through Alas ka. Very interesting place to visit. But I would wait another year before taking a tour or cruise due to the constant COVID-19 threat. Looking forward to seeing BRs in November.”

Mike Smythers (Chesapeake, Virginia): “Carol and I went to Cyprus to visit our son, Jim, and his family. While there, we flew over to Israel and stayed in Jerusalem. Took a tour of Yad Vashem (Holocaust memorial) and Masada, just south of the Dead Sea.

“Recently did the Crozet Tunnel with BR Chips

McCallum (Norfolk, Virginia). Chips and I then went to the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory and hiked up to the tower on Peters Mountain. We got rained out at the top, so we had no view. Good exercise only.

“Staying plenty busy. Cataract surgery com ing soon—more old age activity. As a friend is always reminding me—‘Too many birthdays.’”

Billy Seargeant (Fredericksburg, Virginia): “My youngest daughter, Jessica, and her fami ly moved from Connecticut back to Virginia in King George County, while our son-in-law joins the Dahlgren facility. My wife, Dianne, is in heaven with two granddaughters and a grandson nearby.

“Meanwhile, I am still working on the Mor son’s Row project since the contractor is about a year behind schedule. I am so looking forward to retirement when I no longer have a one-hour commute each way to Richmond. I do not feel comfortable leaving this project, since I report to the state of Virginia PM, who is relying on me to bring continuity to the project. This project is now costing the taxpayer about $12.5 million, and the contractor is submitting change orders weekly, some of which I recommend be denied (I am the first reviewer).

“I still support the VMI Armory with anything I would like to donate that the armorer needs. My latest project is to ‘repair and return’ black nylon slings for the M14 rifles. I will have outfitted all 1,600 VMI M14 rifles with GI slings, made here in Virginia by a subcontractor at my expense, and I finish them with ball tips and locks, etc.”

Bob Fletcher (Annapolis, Maryland): “Kim and I are doing fine and still living in Annapolis, Maryland. We spend half of our time on the boat and half ashore. We are both still consulting with FEMA on disaster programs and stakeholder engagement after ac tion. We are blessed to do what we love to do and see many of our past initiatives bear fruit for the emer gency management practice.

“The complexities of assessing national policies and programs are legend. So many people dedicating their intellect, education, time, and lives to helping those impacted by disasters. And with climate change unfolding in dramatic fashion with extreme weather for the world to see, there is little time to waste in order to salvage our environment for generations who follow.

“Of course, politics throw the monkey wrench into everything. I have lost so much confidence in the local, state, and federal politicians [who] appear to care little about this

Class Notes

country. I wonder why there are no qualifications required for the people who we pick to run this nation. Anyway, it’s good to remain engaged in the fight!”

Jack Bareford (Swainsboro, Georgia): “I basi cally go to work, go to the grocery store, and go home. Occasionally, of course, I go to Wilming ton Island, Georgia, to see my grandson and fam ily and to Charleston, South Carolina, to see my granddaughter, via my ex-wife’s house in Paw leys Island, South Carolina. We have a great rela tionship, and I visit her about once a quarter, and she comes to see me in Georgia.”

1969

Greetings, Brother Rats and Friends of the VMI Class of 1969,

It is mid-August in eastern Virginia and hot and humid. Jim Chapman just sent a text that sad dened me so. Pat Branch, trying so hard after lung transplants during the winter, died on a Sun day morning. Dick Jeter, Pat’s friend and physi cian for so many years, passed the word to many folks in a hurry.

Patteson Branch II lived and worked his en tire career in Richmond. He was my financial counselor for many years and good friend. He had confided to me earlier he did not expect to ever retire, and I can now say he never did. “Pat passed away Aug. 7, 2022, after a courageous battle with a rare lung disorder. Born April 11, 1947, he attended St. Christopher’s from kinder garten through graduation in 1965. He graduat ed from Virginia Military Institute in 1969. He enjoyed wrestling in both schools. He especial ly cherished his friends from St. Christopher’s and VMI. After college, Pat served as an artil lery officer in the U.S. Army. He began his ca reer in 1973 with his family’s investment firm, Branch & Company. In 1976, Pat joined Wheat First Securities, and then moved to Davenport & Company in 1983, where he practiced as a cer tified financial planner and senior vice president of investments. Pat was energized by working with clients and engaging with friends. Pat and Trish were married for 18 years. Pat served on The Cabell Foundation for 37 years, most recent ly as president of its board. He took great joy in helping others and serving the nonprofit commu nity. Pat was a member of St. Stephen’s Episco pal Church, the Country Club of Virginia, and the Richmond German.” As this word is just getting

out as notes are due, I will add more info about Pat next time.

You guys certainly are busy! Thanks for sharing your adventures with the rest of us. Let us move now to those activities.

The Alumni Association meeting scheduled for June 11 was a hot topic for a few weeks. Bunny Paulette and Bob Heely, both former leaders of the Alumni Association, were concerned about the meeting, as new officers were about to be elected. Apparently, at an earlier meeting many alumni still wanted to know more about the ways the school was responding to DE&I issues and had interrupted the normal processes of electing new leaders until their questions were addressed. The meeting in June, however, was conducted by the normal rules, and the new leaders of the asso ciation were duly elected and are working.

I heard those concerns aired the week before, June 7, when I met with Bob, Bunny, and Mike Santoro at Elizabeth Manor Golf & Country Club in Portsmouth for golf and fellowship. At the course, Bob and Bunny scored better than Mike and me, but we all had fun talking and laughing. Both Bunny and Mike were on vaca tion in the Sandbridge (Virginia Beach) area and enjoyed playing a course in Tidewater. When the golf was finished, we discussed the VMI politics over lunch at the club’s restaurant.

Mike and I met for golf on other occasions at different courses. We are still finding room for improvement and keep trying to hit good shots. In July at his home venue in Midlothian, Mike recorded a two on a par four hole when his sec ond shot from 160 yards found the hole. An ea gle! Great shot!

Jim and Beth Long and Tom Morris played golf at the Keydet Club Leadership Outing June 10 in Lexington but did not win any prizes this year. Bunny Paulette and Bob Waldo also played golf, while Chuck Becker, John Sebrell, Ron and Betsy Wall, and Dave and Susan Prugh came for the fantastic dinner and Keydet Club fun. Just before time for me to travel to Lexing ton, I had a high blood pressure episode and had to miss the fun. Later, my doctor changed my meds and got my BP back to a better range.

VJ Petrella got a certificate as a basic welder from Carroll Community College near his home, as he was trying to keep his old car in good shape. “Boy, that was a lot harder than I thought. Ten three-hour classes at night with metal fumes, heat, and a really dirty [environment]. Bifocals, safety glasses, mask, and helmet topped it off. Not a pretty job, but at least I can glue together the 1967 VW that I left VMI in. I’ve been driv ing it for 53 of its 55-year life. 170,000 miles on a flipped over 5-digit [odometer]. I bought a life time battery for it in 1978 and have been getting a free BEST battery every five years since.”

Charlie Bryan advertised his new book, Imper fect Past, on a Facebook Live session with Adri ana Ink, The World’s Biggest Book Club, June 14.I also saw it for sale in the gift shop at Char lie’s old stomping grounds, now called the Vir ginia Museum of History and Culture.

Led by Drew Brantley and Gary Mackey June 22, members of our class met in Norfolk at a brewery. Attending were Tom Catlett, Richie Daub, BA (Ted) Rennolds, Bruce Gregory, Bunny Paulette, John (Chalk) Hardy, TO Palmer, Lee Barnes, Webb Hatch, Nick Psimas, Bob Heely, Wip Priest, Taz Taylor ’70, and John Griffin (’68/’69). Several more (including John Ishon, Bobby Watts, TB Thompson, Bob Flowers, Skinny Baker, Glenn White, and Walt Judd) could not make the midweek trek to Nor folk and sent regrets.

Mike Santoro met with Bunny Paulette, Bob Flowers, and Charlie Bryan in Williamsburg for War Memorial Foundation business mixed with VMI tales. “I am active on the board of the Vir ginia War Foundation, and there is a lot of VMI Class of ’69 influence there these days. On Thurs day, July 7, Martha and I joined Bob and Lynda Flowers, Charlie and Cammy Bryan, and Bunny and Carolyn Paulette as guests of Joe and Linda Inge for a luncheon at the Two Rivers Golf Club in Williamsburg. Bob, Charlie, Joe, and I are all board members at the Foundation, and Bunny’s company, KBS, built the last two expansions of the Virginia War Memorial. Joe Inge is a member of the VPI class of ’69 and a retired Army threestar general. Carolyn, Bunny, Linda, and Joe were high school classmates in South Hill (Brother Rat Randy Crocker was also a member of that high school class).”

After not traveling far for over three years, my wife and I hit the road the last Sunday in June for the drive to the Greenbrier in West Virginia, about 66 miles north of Lexington. Thank you greatly, BRs, for the gift card at our 50th Reunion. I had never been to the old resort hotel, and my stay there was made extra special by reminding myself of why I was there. Our room was on an end of a hall with several windows and a view of gardens. The food was good and service excellent. We laughed when we attended high tea each afternoon and could only get tea! No coffee at that event. I played golf at the renewed old Greenbrier Course in the rain and was very impressed. Five or six years ago, the rains and ensuing flood messed up the courses there and the others—more difficult— got fixed first. A man named Sam Snead made the courses known to the golfing public, and his in fluence is still there to be seen. At Bob Alexan der’s recommendation, we ate the breakfast buf fet one morning and were almost overwhelmed at the many choices offered. I would definitely sec ond his choice of a great start to the day. All in

Class notes

all, my wife and I felt our stay was well worth the drive into West “by-God” Virginia. I can still hear Doc Carroll say that phrase! We visited the nearby town of Lewisburg after we left the hotel and en joyed the art galleries and antique shops along the main street. And, as I almost expect these days, I heard the familiar “Rah Virginia Mil” as I left the lunch restaurant. Turner Perrow ’96 was in town to deliver his wife and kids to summer camps in the hills nearby and spoke as I walked by. When Turner worked on engineering projects at VMI, we used to talk often.

The hot summer weather has been good for growing plants and vegetables, but harvest ing them involves a lot of work and sweat. Bob Alexander now helps me weekly at our church “giving garden,” harvesting, weeding, grass cutting, and any other task needing to be done. We take the produce raised to a local food bank or other com munity sites. Retirement from the practice of the dental arts has not slowed Bob down at all, and he still keeps busy on the water in a variety of boats when not working on my garden tasks. His daughter’s family brought his grandson, Jackson, to Virginia in June and kept Bob busy en tertaining (and loving it) young Jackson. Bob’s next project is to raise his house by several cinder blocks’ distance during August. All was supposed to get started July 8.

I attended a rat send-off in Williamsburg July 30.I met several incoming rats from local high schools and their parents at a local restaurant. My good bud, Charlie Evans ’94, and his wife and I tag-teamed the families. I gave the long-ago per spective while Charlie, the father of a rising 3rd Class cadet, talked of the “what you can expect” during these next few months. The event was sponsored by the Alumni Association and orga nized by local chapter presidents in the Peninsula Virginia area. Jim Henry ’68, Tom Morehouse ’70, and John Kokolis ’96 were all there to wel come the new students and their families. These parties are a relatively new idea for various areas and help the parents as much as the students get a glimpse of what is coming down the road.

My letter to the class in late July rewarded me with many replies. Bob Waldo, Ken Houston, Lee Swats, Jim Baker, Mike Harper, Jamie Totten, Jay Hoenig, Tommy Thompson, Don Mercer, Frank Novakowski, Jim Baker, John Mitchell, and John DuBose talked about various

topics. Frank wrote, “The birthday and golfing suggestions are super. Once I know dates, I can see if they will work out for us from Michigan. Shelly and I will be in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in late August and first few days of September.

We’ll be doing some horseback riding and fly fishing and more in and around the Grand Tetons/ Yellowstone area. We have a lot of items/places left on our bucket lists! Wine country in north ern Michigan in early October, Scottsdale plus

other places in February and March, then to It aly/France next May. I started fly fishing—great places to do that here—a few years ago. Clearly, something I should have picked up a long time ago. The great outdoors is so great, but the eye sight (even with bi-focs) is challenging when try ing to get that incredibly small filament through what appears to be an even smaller hole on the hook. And then comes the challenge of the knot! But, we did learn to persevere, right? I’m beyond pleased to see that the Institute will be honoring General Peay [’62]. It is surely very fitting and the right way to capstone his ten ure as [superintendent].”

Tom Jones: “Thanks for the update. I doubt I will make any activities. In Florida for twoweek vacation and relaxing. Back to work Monday. If there is an official class golf outing, it should always be called the two bellies. We are going to Jona than Daniels [’61] Pilgrimage and then to Boca Raton for ex perimental treatment for E. She continues to improve, but we are looking for a miracle and pray ing. We will probably go to Wof ford game. Excited about girls’ soccer team coming to Macon. My heart condition is OK, and I might do a 5K Labor Day run/ walk. Life goes on. Had a wild 75th birthday in Key West. Stayed where Sebrell stays. Take care and will talk later.”

Doug Marks: “First of all ... thanks so much for your untiring efforts to keep the ‘classy Class of ’69’ in the know! It’s obvious that you enjoy writing, but from experience as the writer of a newsletter for my neighborhood, I know the en joyment is often tempered by dread and writer’s block! In any case, you have done a great job for us for many years, and you continue to do so. As we all age, our opinions on many matters don’t necessarily match as they once did, but you do a good job of allowing those different viewpoints to come through without judgement. Janet and I are continuing to do well. We’ve just completed a week at Garden City Beach with our children, their spouses, our grandkids, and a few other family members. We had as many as 25 at din ner in one house much of last week! We’ve done this for all our years of marriage (now 26), and although the crowd has gotten larger over those years, we continue to look forward to it every summer! We’re also enjoying our condo in North Myrtle Beach whenever we can. I have to come home to Columbia from time to time to make

Class Notes

sure the grass is cut and the bills are paid! My love for what VMI has done for me and many others will never be erased. I appreciate your ef forts more than you know, and I look forward to getting together with you and other BRs soon.”

John Mitchell: “Nothing that new down here these days. Still exercising two-three hours/day to manage my disequilibrium syndrome so I can play golf five to six days a week, drive my 911s (a new one, GT3 Touring, coming at the end of October to replace my 2018 GTS; still keeping my 2017 Turbo S for rest of life), house clean the small hotel we live in, and continue managing our family. Hope all is well in your world.”

Jay Hoenig: “Hot and humid (40%) here in Scottsdale. Monsoon season. Golf at 0600; fin ish at 0900. Too hot in afternoon to do anything outside, so I go to gym. Linda is redoing three bathrooms, which is traumatic. Thought I had some experience in construction, but home im provement is very different. Contractor has all the leverage! Everything is ‘out of stock’ even after purchased. It, too, will pass. I’m still con sulting for companies involved in China, and the dynamics are rapidly changing. Many not tied to the domestic market are diversifying their supply chains. Taiwan and other geopolitical issues are a major concern. Bob Clingenpeel and I play golf and cycle from time to time, but our summer is like winter elsewhere. At least we don’t have to shovel sunshine. In midwinter, Bob and I could host some golf, sightseeing, Grand Canyon, Se dona, spa for spouses, etc. Let us know if inter ested. Hope everyone is healthy and enjoying re tirement.”

Don Mercer: “I am sitting in a dive shop’s parking lot after just coming ashore from two more dives on my Florida scuba diving sabbat ical. So far, I dove out of Riviera Beach/West Palm Beach, Key Largo, Looe Key, Venice for prehistoric fossils in the Atlantic (what a hoot!), Clearwater in the gulf, and tomorrow I head for Crystal River for two more planned dives. Have gotten 31 dives in on this trip so far. Then a twoday drive home while towing my 21-foot travel trailer. Camping has been great. It only took 73 years to upgrade from a tent and sleeping bag to a trailer. Third daughter expecting Nov. 3, a girl to round out my baseball team, as I will then have nine grandkids! Noreen and I have a trip planned for September, during which I will hopefully wrap up my personal photo project when visit ing the last three of all 63 U.S. National Parks, which I began in October 2013. It has been quite an odyssey!”

Paul Curs in Texas has time to send out lots of humor. Loved the sign saying, “The last car that parked here is still missing.” Who knew Webb Hatch had such a great sense of humor? One of his recent texts read, “All I’m saying is, at any

point during that ride through the desert, he could have given that horse a name.” It does make you wonder!

Tony Gentile called one day to report on the many VMI guys he has discovered in his neigh borhood in Fairhope, Alabama. He was distressed at the passing of a ’79 grad who lived nearby.

Gary Mackey and Doug Marks have had some interesting conversations. Doug reported that football coach Jim Sam Gillespie ’59 had died, and we remembered the coaches back when. I recently discovered that football coach Dick Harmison was alive in a senior home in Wil liamsburg.

Ward Carr sent a newsy note talking about a group of BRs who meet periodically via Skype. “Brant Collins, Ward, Bill Ellerman, and Lew Henderson gather occasionally to talk and ex change emails. Brant and Betsy were recently up in Bar Harbor, Maine, and were having a great time.” Ward asked me to find out if anyone was interested in acquiring a document from 1861 concerning Trump’s great-great-grandfather, Ludwig Hartung, born March 29, 1833, in Kall stadt. “It was issued by the Palatinate and certi fied Ludwig Hartung’s change of military status from active duty in the Royal Bavarian Army to duty with the local militia. I translated it quickly for a friend last year. Dimensions of the framed original document are 40 cm x 32 cm. If people are interested, I can help. It should be OK to send a scan of the document and a few excerpts from the text—in German and English.”

Jim and Beth Long got to spend time in North Myrtle Beach in June. “While we were at the beach, Dave and Jan Reid drove up and had din ner with us one night. Not the best of pictures, as our waitress was very busy as the restaurant was packed. It was good to visit with them and listen to their tales. Thank you for the birthday card, Mav.”

Jim Campbell wrote in June, “I ended up spend ing a week in the VA hospital with several issues. The main issue was excess fluid. I went in weigh ing 313, left weighing 298. I lost 15 pounds of wa ter weight! They put me on a really strong diuretic, and that made the difference. The fluid was affect ing my heart and causing tremendous shortness of breath. So much better now! I am set to have cata ract surgery this Wednesday. I am a bit antsy about it, but everyone says it goes pretty smoothly. Final ly, Cathy and I are looking forward to celebrating our 53rd anniversary in early July.”

Time to wrap up these notes, friends. Follow the lead of John DuBose, who told me he fin ished paying his pledge and then started adding some more. Keep those donations coming. We want to keep VMI financially strong and thriving.

In the Spirit, Walt

Greetings, Brother Rats, Spouses, and Friends of the Class of 1970, August has brought the summer doldrums to the Shenandoah Valley, home of the mighty Vir ginia Military Institute. Highs are in the mid-90s, humidity likewise. Rain abundant. Idyllic farms sport tall, verdant cornfields, suntanned lasses in calico dresses tend gardens, and kids wallow in nearby spring-filled mountain streams.

In May, Gary Weishaar, Gray Chandler, Steve Craddock, and wives Lynn, Nancy, and Sherrie went on a 13-day Mediterranean cruise. They ran into Burt Mackenzie in Florence, cruis ing in the opposite direction. What are the odds? They also found VMI alumni Val Sledd ’68, John Pittinger ’72, and an unknown from ’62. Our BR trio booked this cruise for 2020. Then came COVID-19. Eventually plans worked out, and away they went, laughing and imbibing their way from Barcelona to Marseilles, then Venice. They were in Monte Carlo the day before the Grand Prix, where drivers performed time trials to see who would get first shot at surviving a fiery crash. On to Italy with day trips to Pisa and Flor ence, stops in Rome, Naples, Corfu, Greece, Du brovnik, and Split, Croatia, where many Game of Thrones episodes were filmed. Game of Thrones storyline: Robert of the Baratheon House (played by Stix Chandler, who got the part by flashing that crazy mustache) sits on the Iron Throne in Westeros. Nine noble families fight for power and the throne. Lots of people get beheaded and have their tongues cut out. The original group for the venture was 15; Sherrie and Steve; Gray and Nancy; Warren Grasty and his lovely wife, Liz; Gary and Lynn; Charlie Walker and Margaret; a friend of Margaret’s; John Bailey and June; and Gary’s brother, Steve, and his girlfriend. Sadly, Gary’s brother, Warren, and John passed. Marga ret Walker got her COVID-19 booster in prepara tion but had a reaction that put her in the ICU for 24 days and on dialysis. After a two-week stint in rehab and lots of effort at home, Margaret is doing well. What a story! In Venice, their troop hung out in Saint Mark’s Square. They visited the the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the Palace of Doge Marino Grimani to a prison on the other side of the canal. When the Doge ran the joint, palace guards escorted prisoners across to bridge as they “sighed” at their fate. This reminded Craddock of [main arch] on Matriculation Day.

Class notes

We all sighed our way through that portal. Our travelers wore their 50th Reunion medals to dinner one night. Only the ’62 VMI guy knew what the medal was. That did not stop Weishaar from telling everybody that he and his amigos were retired Mexican generals.

Tommy Cooke checked in to say that he and Jill returned recently from a Rhine River cruise with Lan ny and Terry Gault ’71. Lanny test ed positive for COVID-19 two days in and had to isolate in a Frankfurt hotel. Tommy and Jill made it to Amsterdam but caught COVID-19 on the way home.

Blindman Bill O’Conner met Ralph Costen and Mike “Sissy” Sisler at Ralph’s beach house at Ocean Isle, North Carolina, July 4, as they have been doing for 20plus years. Believe me, “Sissy” is no sissy. The faithful wives Pau la, Marsha, and Connie attended to their much-loved husbands, work ing diligently to keep them out of jail. According to Blindman, “a golf cart parade passes right in front of Ralph’s front porch. We play pa triotic music, sing patriotic songs, drink patriotic liquor, and get stu pid.” The getting stupid part I get, but what the h@&% is patriotic li quor?

Another gladsome BR gaggle, including Dave Schmidt, Herb Braun, Bill O’Connor, Stix Chan dler, Tom Cooke, Bill Huffman, Ralph Costen, Bobby Brown, Al Kirk, Mike Snead, Tom Massey, Jim Maw yer, and Paul Dickenson, gathered this summer at Myrtle Beach for their annual GOMBAC golf trip. Warren Grasty’s and John Bailey’s spirits hovered above the fray, no doubt laughing their heavenly crowns off at the GOMBAC hooks and slices rendered. Except for the modest Bill Huff man and Paul Dickenson, the guys wore shorts on the links—a sight that surely brought guffaws from the gallery. These guys are in their 42nd year of raucously celebrating one another. Carry on, BRs. May you have many more GOMBAC gatherings. After golf, Jim Mawyer went to Flor ence, South Carolina, to visit Will Huntley, with whom he roomed his last two years at VMI. They had not seen each other for 15 years. Will has had health challenges and lost a lot of weight, which he passed on to Jim.

Bill O’Connor, Peel Dillard, Lew Reynolds, Lee Moon, Mike Sisler, and Dick Marshall

gathered at Ralph Costen’s beach house in Ocean Isle at July’s end. Judy Reynolds, Connie Moon, Pen ny Marshall, Connie Sisler, Pau la O’Connor, and Marsha Costen were there, having not learned in 50 years how dangerous such gath erings could be. Bill Gearhart and his family were in the area, smart ly staying at a different location to avoid the cops. “Getting together with BRs is always fun. We keep reminiscing and telling the same old stories but with different endings,” Bill said. In a more sober moment, he added, “We are fortunate to have attended a school where friendships last a lifetime. Our class is truly the best of the best.” Well said, BR Bill.

Ralph’s son, Tripp Costen ’97, rent ed the house beside Ralph but dis avowed any connection to the guys next door, who subsequently staged an invasion to take over possession of Tripp’s pool. Our merrymakers drank patriotic liquor in the pool, which led to much bellowing, and the creation of volumes of hot air that raised the pool water tempera ture. All that hot air and patriotic liquor led Ralph and Dickie Mar shall to challenge Lee Moon and Bill O’Connor in the first annual chumps versus champs golf tour nament. Bill and Lee won and reign as champs for a year. The chumps better ready themselves for a year of bellowing from the proud champs.

Moving on to other BR exploits: On June 19, Don McQueen and his

Class Notes

wife, Tucker, went to a Nationals baseball game with Paul and Lynn Munch to celebrate Lynn’s birthday. They stayed at the Alexandrian in Old Town, where they noticed that someone had em broidered the hall carpet with a repeated “Ca det—VMI” motif. It turns out that the Alexandri an stands on the footprint of the Marshall House, the site of the “Marshall House incident,” which occurred just after Virginia seceded from the Union. During the Union Army’s takeover of Al exandria, Union soldier Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth saw a Confederate flag flying over the Marshall House. He and seven other soldiers, including Frances E. Brownell, entered the hotel with the intent of removing it, which they did. On the way out, they encountered proprietor James W. Jackson, who killed Ellsworth with a single blast from a double-barreled shotgun. Jackson shot at Brownell then but missed. Brownell then shot Jackson in the face, killing him instantly. These were the first two casualties of the Civil War in Virginia. The hotel staff told me Ellsworth was a VMI graduate, which is inaccurate. So, we still have somewhat of a mystery. Any ideas?

In May, Kent and Judy Schlussel attended commissioning ceremonies for VMI cadets. Kent gave the oath of office to his grandson, Ethan Schlussel ’22, one of four distinguished Air Force cadets in the VMI Class of 2022. Ethan attended VMI on an AFROTC scholarship, was an Institute Scholar, and Band Company com mander in his 1st Class year. The Air Force is sending Ethan to graduate school at Virginia Tech to obtain a master’s in aerospace engineer ing. I did not know Virginia Tech had graduate schools. Carl Strock was there to administer the oath to Jeff Guild’s grandson, John Samitt Jr. ’22. John Jr. commissioned armor and is going to Ranger School and an M1 tank battal ion at Fort Hood. Jeff’s son, Jeff Guild Jr. ’94, a Navy SEAL who served with SEAL Team 6, was also present for the commissioning exercise. As military tra dition goes, John Jr. handed a silver dol lar to Jeff Jr., the first enlisted soldier to salute him. Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Carl Lopez, our Brother Rat Jeff Guild’s former first sergeant, was there also. The relationship between a company com mander and his first sergeant is unique and enduring. Carl Strock says that CSM Lopez’s presence was a great trib ute to our Brother Rat Jeff and his fam ily; that he would come to Jeff’s grand son’s graduation and commissioning was a resounding show of respect. Chad Lash was there in support of his nephew, Glen Lash ’22. The latter defied Chad’s grade and rank achievements by attending VMI on AFROTC and Institute scholarships,

wearing stars, and attaining rank and rat platoon leader in Golf Company.

Other news. Tom Morehouse ran into Bob Grossman at the NOLA International Airport. Tom reports that Bob looked young enough to be in the VMI Class of ’80 or ’90. No comment from Bob on how Tom looked.

I heard from Ben Morris. He and Valerie moved in January 2021 to be near their daughter, her husband, and three children. Unfortunately, Valerie has some medical issues, and their family is pulling together to help her. The first month af ter they moved in, she fell, broke her hip, and had pins inserted to stabilize the joint. After lots of physical therapy, she is on the mend. They had to cancel plans to attend the September reunion and a planned cruise with their family to celebrate

their 50th wedding anniversary. So, Ben and Valerie, happy 50th to you. May you have many more to come. The Morrises are taking a New England cruise this October and have planned a few other short trips. Ben reports that he is doing quite well despite some mobility issues.

Dave Lawrence up next. He and Pamela live on Pigg Hollow Road, Petersburg, Tennessee. They can’t even spell “pig” right in Tennessee.

Dave reports that life is much better in Tennes see than in California. His most important news is that he and Pamela welcomed their fourth grandson, Calvin Roger Lawrence, into this top sy turvy world March 23 of this year. “All oth er news pales by comparison,” says Dave. Many of you probably know that Tom Clingerman has been involved with Boy Scouts for over 30 years, serving in many roles, including rifle instructor. At a recent summer camp, Tom had a VMI in signia on his jeep that the camp leader, a retired colonel, noticed. He told Tom his father-in-law attended VMI and was in the Class of 1970. That ended up being Ron Henry

A story from Ned Haley illustrates how broth er rat-ism extends beyond one’s class. In sum mer ’67, a publishing company recruited Ned to sell encyclopedias or Bibles door-to-door. After training in Nashville, Tennessee, they sent him to Texas and assigned him to the Bible detail. They gave him an “other side of the tracks” assign ment. One day, Ned went to the local post office, where he saw an old station wagon with a faded VMI sticker on the rear window. He stood out side until an older man came out and approached. “Hello,” said Ned, “I see your VMI sticker. Did you attend the Institute?” “I did, indeed,” the man replied. Ned reports, “The man graduated in the ’20s and never returned for a reunion or saw any of his classmates. He took me to a nearby restaurant, bought me lunch, reminisced about his years at the Institute, and asked questions about my rat year. A real gen tleman he was.” Several years later, Ned decided to reach out to him but found he had passed away. To this day, he remem bers his kindness. It just goes to show how strong the bonds of VMI are, even with over five decades of difference. What a great lesson in brother rat-ism and how it extends well beyond one’s class made that venture a resounding success even though he did not sell many Bibles.

Speaking of brother rat-ism, here is an other story from Elizabeth Grasty and Dave Payne. Liz told me that when BR Warren Grasty grappled with cancer, he and Liz received many cards, flow ers, and letters offering condolences and support. Brother Rat Payne took that en deavor to a new high. For months, Dave

Class notes

sent a weekly card to Warren and Liz with sweet notes, words of encouragement, and an obligato ry pun, one of Warren’s famous torture tactics. I called Dave recently. He answered promptly and related to me that, at that very moment, he was sitting on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, engaged in his favorite hobby, photography. He did tell me he could only take partial credit as his wife, Mary Kate, was the motivation behind the card operation. According to Beast, Mary Kate has sent many cards to friends, neighbors, and loved ones through the years. Think of all the people whose spirits she lifted in their time of need—what a thing for which to be remembered. As Liz told me this story, I could tell that Dave and Mary Kate’s cards touched her and Warren deeply. Brother rat-ism at its best. It’s the little things that make us great.

Thank you all for the notes and cards as I went under the robot’s knife July 13. Before the sur gery, I worried about not waking up. But wake up I did, in the recovery room surrounded by three nurses. I asked one, “Are you an angel?” She replied, “Hardly.” I asked nurse No. 2, “Are you an angel?” She grinned ominously and re plied, “Ha, no, not an angel. My name is Nurse Ratchet.” The third nurse chortled, “Welcome to hell.” Then I remembered that the unsympathetic Joe Jenkins had requested Nurse Ratchet to care for me. Thank you, Joe. Jerry Nickelsburg sug gested I hire members of the ’67 RDC to provide sponge bath service. Tuck Worsham ’67 would be perfect if I desired a Brillo pad, hydrochloric acid sponge bath. Happy as a pig in a slop yard to have woken up, I decided to use the rest of my days on Earth to do as much good as possible. I related that to BR Carl Strock, who said, “I, too, had a near-death experience some time ago, and I, like you, decided to do good works in my re maining days. That lasted for about two weeks.” I conclude Carl has permitted me to go back to being a ne’er-do-well. Speaking of guys with one kidney, it turns out that BR Charlie Walker has only one kidney, having found that out during a routine medical procedure just before his matric ulation. How about them apples, er, kidneys?

Many of you told me stories about their en counters with severe medical conditions. Here is a sample. Bob Hart has had medical issues late ly relating to a genetic abnormality that ultimate ly caused a brain bleed which took five surgeries to repair. He reports that he is on the mend and doing well. In 2012, Craig Lewis contracted the same cancer I have and had the same robotic sur gery. These 10 years later, “I’m still around both ering people,” he says. Craig goes to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, New York, every year, where he says compassionate people see to his after care. Fourteen years ago, Doug Davis was diag nosed with Parkinson’s disease. Sadly, he has not

found it convenient to spend much time at VMI since 1970. However, he also says that his formal and informal VMI education has been invaluable through the years, and he is grateful for that. Bill Scherer suggested a competition for BRs with serious disease encounters. He has offered to do nate VMI golf head covers to the winner. He told about replacing a hip and a five-artery heart by pass to get the competition going. He reports that he is more robust, has more wind, and hits the golf ball further. Then there is Matt Curtis, who lives with his wife, Lynne, in Mexico for eight to nine months of the year and the rest in Ama do, Arizona. He told me about the inguinal her nia repair he had five years ago, which slowed his fishing. Cry me a river! Lynn would only let him drive the boat while she pulled in all of the yellowtail and white sea bass. “I know you will appreciate my misery,” he taunts. The year before the hernia, Matt had a partial parathyroidectomy to address some metabolic issues and get to the bottom of his fish obsession. After that surgery, his calcium levels returned to normal, and his suf fering from years of pseudo-gout ended. “As my grandfather used to say, ‘Bow your neck when things get tough.’” That’s it. A new VMI slogan, “Bow your neck when things get tough.” From Gary Tyler, my Staunton homie, “I had gallstones removed last August and, ultimately, the gallblad der. That was part of the reason why I didn’t make our VMI 50th Reunion. I also had a bad kidney/ liver reaction to some antibiotics they gave me during that episode. It took about five months to get over all of it.” And this advice is from Tommy Cooke, who has battled stage 4 (bad) metastatic prostate cancer on five occasions. “Always keep a positive attitude and get good doctors.” The lov ing wife, Jill, and caring brother rats help, too, I bet. Diehl Jones reported that he has been cancer free for 15 years and thanks God when he wakes up every morning. He says that his and Patricia’s lives have been boring lately. Diehl and Patricia designed an addition on their first floor to prepare for whatever folks like us prepare. “A year later, it’s still under construction. We are on the down hill now, thank the Lord. The 800-square-foot ad dition will cost more than our 3,700-square-foot house.” Bob Wood shared that he discovered that he had stage 4 prostate cancer three years ago. It had metastasized to his bones and lymph nodes.

Everything he read talked about three-to-five-year survival rates, which is not good. After treatment, most of the cancer in his bones is gone except in his pelvis. Lymph nodes are OK. Bob says, “I went from, ‘I’m going to die,’ to, ‘What the heck.’

My doctor was also surprised.” Ben Harvey re ported from Southern California and told me he had the same cancer as Bob, diagnosed a year ago. “Due to the true miracles of modern medi cine with hormone therapy which takes your PSA

and testosterone down to zero, giving the cancer cells no fuel to grow, I am coping just fine.” After commissioning from VMI, a stint in Vietnam, and a military career spent mainly in Germany, Ben retired in 1994. He says that he has not returned to the Institute in 30-plus years. His wife, Jean nie, had a great job, and his daughter was entering college, so they decided to dig into sunny South ern California. Jeannie fought and defeated pan creatic cancer. Sadly, she has also struggled with dementia in recent years and will soon live in an extended care facility near her daughter and her family in San Diego. Her condition makes travel impossible. Ben is the ever-faithful husband who will remain by her side. He asked me to say hel lo to his brother rats for him. So, hello BRs, from Ben. Chad Lash informed me that he has stage 4 chronic kidney disease, but it has been stable for almost eight years since a three-day stay at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Cen ter (and spa) ICU. He already got rid of Type 2 diabetes by losing 60 pounds. A remarkable feat. Way to go, Chad. And finally, from John Jordan, who had his cancerous prostate removed five years ago. Through that challenge, he decided to show his sons and grandson how to beat back se rious diseases by being in charge of their health. In John’s view of the world, “coping with his condi tion was not nearly as challenging as dealing with the ’68 Good-to-Mes and the Rat Line. These sto ries are about hardship and triumph. VMI-earned grit and determination on display.”

On Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, the VMI Class of 2026 will matriculate. Upperclass cadets will drag themselves back, and life will recommence at the Institute. “Pressing up the hill of science with no ble emulation” will resume. The rats will enter the Rat Line, and in the words of Tuck Worsham ’69, “Rats, those leaves will fall off the trees, days will be short and dark, a cold wind will blow, hail, sleet, rain, and snow will envelop you and VMI, but spring will eventually come, and you, rats, will still be in the Rat Line.” (Or words to that effect!)

That is all for now. Until next time, as Warren used to say, “In the Spirit.”

It is with great trepidation that I begin this first edition of our class notes. I feel as if I am putting size 9 feet into size 15 boots. To try and come even close to the conscientious dedication and hard work accomplished over the last 21 years as

Class Notes

class agent for the Class of 1971, as personified by Brother Rat Jim Kelly, is truly a daunting job. We can thank him for the joys of birthday cards, Christmas cards every year, and also the sadness of the news of severe illness or death of one of our brother rats. During all this time, he labored with out complaint—always meeting deadlines so that every issue of the Alumni Review was filled with news of our class. Jim and Kathryn, please accept the deep and heartfelt thanks for all your work on behalf of our class.

Although the exact date will have passed by the time you read these notes, this September marks the 55th anniversary of our matriculation and in troduction to the Rat Line. Three brother rats, Luke Boyd, Skull Turner, and Bill Wadsworth celebrated (?) their birth day on that momentous day, probably their 18th. Welcome to adulthood, and oh, by the way, pull that chin in, rat!

Soon after the reunion, Jane and I had the opportunity to host Jim and Alise Sefick and Jerry and Maryann Acuff for supper. Jim and Alise split time be tween a “cabin” on Lake Ontario in the warm months and a home in Ven ice, Florida, in the colder months. It is a long drive, and they usually will stop in Lexington coming and going to vis it. After VMI, Jim became a physical therapist, working in the Rochester, New York, area. Their two children also live in the general area, one of whom is quite a wheelchair athlete. Rumor has it that he can beat the old man in the paint. Jerry is still going strong in his consulting and motivational speaking work. I have heard Jerry’s presentations on several occa sions, and they are both fascinating and entertain ing. In addition to his speaking and consulting, the Cuffer has written five bestselling business books on sales, relations, and what it takes to become a success. Who would have thunk it?

The reunion was filled with many great mo ments, as we had a chance to catch up with our brother rats we had not seen in a long time. Room 321 had four, including me, of five roomies stay ing with us for the event: Ned and Anne Miku la, Murphy Sprinkel, and Rives and Nancy Potts

After graduation, Ned went in the Air Force and then went on to law school at TC Williams in Richmond and, after his tour of service, has prac ticed in Richmond ever since. I have never seen him in action, but I hear that if you ever get a ticket, call Ned. Anne taught with Jane in Richmond and met Ned at our wedding. Marriage and four chil dren soon followed, one of whom, Matt Mikula ’04, followed in his father’s footsteps and practices law with him in Richmond. Murphy finished his chemistry education at VCU and then embarked

on a long career as a chemist for Phillip Morris in Richmond. He and his wife, Woody, live in the Ashland area, where, until recently, Murph was very active in officiating youth soccer. Looking at him and listening to him talk makes one think that he just stepped out of a time machine—totally un changed. Rives has had one of the more interest ing lives in his post-VMI time. After graduation, he graduated from the Darden School of Busi ness at UVA. His love of sailing then led him to crewing on yacht racers on the international level. Over the next several years, Rives crewed on two America’s Cup champions. One victory was with Ted Turner and the other with Dennis O’Conner. He also crewed—and lived to tell about it—in the

ill-fated Fastnet race off Great Britain in 1979. Af ter that, he captained and won the Newport to Ber muda race and then served as the commadore of the New York Yacht Club. He is trying his best to retire now but is still working 60-plus-hour weeks overseeing marinas he manages. None of this in formation is easily obtainable from Rives, as he is one of the most modest, unassuming people you will meet. I was on the phone one day and asked him if it was true, as I had just read that he had been recently elected to the World Yachting Hall of Fame. He immediately changed the subject and started talking about the weather and how his kids were doing but had forgotten he was on a speak erphone. His secretary, who was listening, yelled, “You are absolutely right he was; he’s just never going to tell you!” Interest ingly, Rives keeps in touch, as much as one could say this is possible, with Herbie Moore, who remains one of the great free spirits, not only of our class but of the entire world.

Heard from our own Marco Polo, the peripatetic Lanny Gault. He writes that he and Terry Sue joined Tommy Cook ’70 and his wife, Jill, on another (of his many) Viking River Cruises. They initially started the grand tour in Lake Como and Bellagio, Italy, and then tra versed the Alps and toured Switzerland before boarding the cruise in Basel. They then sailed down the Rhine and Mosel Rivers before finishing in Am sterdam. They didn’t get enough adven ture on this trip, so they took another cruise in August, going from Budapest to Germany on the Danube. As Lanny says, “If there is someplace to go, I’m going. Too much to do and too little time!” Between cruises in the Ca ribbean and the river cruises, Lanno must have ac cumulated several million frequent cruiser miles! Lanny has also heard from Ox and Ann Schrad er, who are doing well and were great supporters of the Tampa Bay Lightening’s run for the NHL Championship. I think Ox sends out more birth day greetings to BRs than I do. I know that every year Ox does a better job of remembering import ant holidays and sending out well wishes than I do. It’s a good thing that my wife, Jane’s, birthday is just one day before mine, or I would stay in trouble without his help.

Jane and I just returned from a trip to Irvington, during which we visited with Tim and Leah Gold en. They are doing well, splitting time between Ir vington and Richmond, where their children and grandchildren live. Tim has settled into the river life, complete with his own crab pots, oyster floats, and boat. I am a hillbilly, but the life there sure was nice. Interestingly, when Jane and I walked into the Tides Inn, we met two other couples within

Class notes

10 minutes, Buzz Moncure ’76 (father of the rat roommate of my son, David ’02) and his wife, Va nessa, and Bob and Marge Fowler ’66, who were staying there, also. Small world, indeed!

We left Irvington to drive back to Lexington to attend the special Alumni Association meeting and missed the Keydet Club Leadership Outing. But I am very proud to announce that a team composed of our own Mike Stricker, Buddy Bryan, and Jim Gearhart, coupled with Buddy’s uncle, Ron Bry an ’55, were on the winning team in the golf tour ney. Ron was the oldest alumnus competing but saved the day for the youngsters of ’71 with sev eral clutch putts. Not to be outdone by this, Lex ington’s and ’71’s own Dr. Golf, Bob Pickral, has been burning the links up both locally and interna tionally. Bob and Buddy Bryan joined other locals in domestic forays to Bandon Dunes in Oregon and South Carolina to play, with Bob pressed into medical service in at least one occasion. Bob also has made separate trips to Scotland and Ireland with his son to play courses there. I was excited to hear that Bob had scored a hole-in-one in Ireland, but when I called to congratulate him, it turned out that his son, George, a scratch golfer, was the one deserving the praise.

The special meeting of the Alumni Association was well attended by our class. BRs Acuff, Bry an, Ellington, Haywood, Jolissaint, Kennedy, Littleton, Westbrook, and Whitley were in atten dance. There were several questions from the at tendees which were referred to the Alumni Associ ation’s counsel for consideration and then the vote for the slate of candidates for the alumni board was taken. Afterward, several of us headed uptown for lunch and spun a few tales—some recognizable, many not. All of us had some rendition of the eve ning after we beat VPI in the Thanksgiving Day game our rat year. If the stories are true, it’s hard to imagine that there were any left standing after the evening of celebration, but I guess our presence to day confirms the concept of survival of the fittest.

I received notes from many of you regarding the notification of the death of Tony Conques. It was great to hear so many notes of concern from so many BRs. Tony attended our 50th, and many commented on seeing and talking with him then. He appeared to have lost some weight but looked well. I think Will Wickun summed it up best: “Life is certainly unpredictable.”

Spook Mays checked in from the Atlanta, Geor gia, area. He and his wife, Nancy, operate a yogurt shop in Roswell. His yogurt empire encompassed two shops until recently when he sold his Marietta shop due to the challenges of COVID-19 and just the time it took to run the two separate business es. Spook states that he is doing well and regrets missing the reunion, seeing the BRs, and hearing all the old stories again.

Rolf White writes from his new home in

Williamsburg, a house on Lake Norman in North Carolina, and taking care of grandchildren. BJ is a docent at Colonial Williamsburg, which keeps her very busy. Skull admitted that he has finally retired after spending 50 years in the aviation busi ness. He joined the Air Force after graduation and spent the first five years flying T-37s as a training pilot. He then graduated to flying F-4 fighters for the next nine years. In an accomplishment that should have Tom Cruise looking over his shoul der, he attended and graduated from the F-4 Fight er Weapons Instructor Course (similar to the Navy top gun school) and was the top graduate! He then transitioned to the F-15E and was deployed to the Middle East for Desert Storm. There he was the squadron commander for the 336th Fighter Squad ron. His squadron flew 1,200 missions, dropping over 6.5 million tons of ordnance with no loss of personnel or aircraft. I will never forget our 20th Reunion and Skull entertaining us with films from his aircraft nose camera as he dropped bombs with pinpoint accuracy down industrial smokestacks in Baghdad. After 27 years of active service, he re tired from the Air Force in 1998 and immediate ly went to work flying 747 cargo planes for Atlas Air, an international cargo airline. After reaching mandatory flight retirement age of 65, he retired again but then went back to work as director of op erations for another cargo airline, Southern Air. He finally hung it up at the end of 2021 but admits that trying to supervise three grandchildren and be the best househusband in the world is multiple times harder than flying fighter jets or 747s. Good luck with the grandkids, and I’m sure you will do well as permanent room orderly at home.

Class of 1971: Winners of the Giles Miller ’924 Flight at the 2022 Keydet Club Lead ership Golf Outing in June 2022 are (from left) Buddy Bryan, Mike Strickler, and Jim Gearhart. Also in this foursome was Bud dy’s uncle, Ron Bryan ’55. Ron will be 89 this year and has played in the golf out ing since 1979.

Lakewood in Richmond where he and his wife, Sally, have moved. As it turns out, Lakewood has plenty of VMI connections. Coach Bobby Ross ’59 and his wife, Alice, and our new athletic direc tor, Jim Miller, both live there and all have already connected. Small world, indeed.

Skull Turner and BJ have settled into the Williamsburg area and are doing well but stay ing very busy. They divide their time between

Bernie Groome sent a very nice note from his home in Summerfield, Florida. Bernie and I are the only two of five who are still around from rat Room 435; Alex Bearov, Wayne O’Brien, and Mel Years have all passed away. Bernie was one of four physics majors in our class and then went on to get a law degree before working at Teledyne Brown Engineering in Huntsville, Alabama, be fore he and Wanda retired to the good life in Flor ida.

I had a nice phone conversation with Andy Ash right before the reunion. Andy was fired up about coming to the reunion, but as past president of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, he had to attend their annual meeting and so was unavail able to come. He has now retired from the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he taught for many years in the biology de partment. Gup and Hotrod would have been proud of him.

Speaking of Andy Ash, another Williamsburg matriculant popped up on the radar from an un expected source. Reading a book review on Life on the Mississippi; An Epic American Adventure by Rinker Buck, a story about cruising down the

Class Notes

Ohio and then the Mississippi Rivers in 2016 from Pennsylvania to New Or leans on a self-built flatboat, I thought, I’ve heard this story before. I went to my bookcase and unearthed a copy of Rafting the Mississippi, Up the Creek 1972 by Jack “Jules” Walklet. For ty-four years ago, Jules and Tom Guth rie, “during four late summer weeks in 1972 with a retired riverboat captain and 11 young acquaintances, built a raft and navigated the Ohio and Mississip pi Rivers from Paducah, Kentucky, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Only the cap tain had spent time on either river.” The book is a wonderful read befitting Jules’ education in the English department at VMI and his experience in the publish ing world. After this adventure, Jules continued his education at Northeast ern and then went into the publishing and printing industry in California. He initially was associated with producing wine labels and became extremely knowledgeable about the budding California wine industry and also became well acquainted with many of the ear ly producers in the Napa Valley. This led to Jules having one of the most enviable wine cellars in the Bay area. Unfortunately, following a severe stroke in 2014, he has had a series of health challenges and now is back in the Boston area. Jim Neale and Jim Sefick have kept in touch with Jules and his wife, Judy, and made a trip up to see him recently. Jim Neale is firmly ensconced in University Park, Florida. He sees Sefick and Schrader on a regular basis. George Dancigers was also living in Sarasota for a while but has relocated back to Virginia Beach. Jimmy stays fit and, until recently, was riveling Bob Pickral for our class golf pro, but a rotator cuff injury and subsequent surgery has kept him off the course recently. Through hard work and a lot of PT, he is looking forward to re turning to play soon.

Since our last notes, we have lost two more brother rats. Tim Heilman died May 22 of this year after an extended battle with cancer. Tim at tended VMI for two years, where he was an En glish major, but he knew that his true calling was in art, so he transferred to Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) to pursue his bachelor’s degree in art education. He then spent the next 44 years teaching art at the high school level. In ad dition to his love of art and teaching, Tim had a keen interest in history, especially the Civil War and World War II. He also was very knowledge able about the Titanic, giving lectures and having membership in several Titanic societies.

As mentioned earlier, we also lost BR Tony Con ques July 1, 2022, also from an extended battle with cancer. Tony matriculated from Fairfax and

was a history major. He played football throughout his cadetship. After VMI he obtained a Master of Public Administration degree from American Uni versity and was a director of the U.S. Division of Administrative Services for the U.S. government until his retirement.

Lastly, the first weekend in August, Ned Miku la and I represented ’71 at the first VMI football reunion held in Lexington in early August. There was a broad level in attendance from the Class of 1959 to the Class of 2019. I was especially happy to see Charlie Bishop ’68, my dyke as a rat, among many others.

I hope to see many of you in Lexington this fall at the football games. Please keep the cards, notes, and emails coming to inform me of your pres ent and past adventures. I have recently been on an email thread with BRs Biersack and Billings, where we discussed our adventures of living in Germany while serving in the Army or as service dependents. Their stories were incredibly inter esting, and I am sure that many of you have even more, so send me some fodder for the notes. Go Big Red!

Zeke

1972

Market Day and mid-August, one week before cadre returns for the 2022–23 academic year and one week from the anniversary (54th) of our ma triculation. While I can’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday, I recall every detail of Aug. 22, 1968. From midnight on, though, the rest of that year is still a blur.

Our 50th Reunion Campaign closes Dec. 31, 2022. Pete Ramsey and the Campaign Committee have done an outstanding job ensuring ’72’s role in the success of innumerable future ca dets. Over 87% of today’s Corps re ceive some form of support from the VMI Foundation, the Peay Endowment for Academic Excellence, and the Key det Club. Additionally, the Foundation provides significant support for faculty academic sabbaticals, professional de velopment, and recruiting.

The ’72 campaign’s goal is to pro vide at least $7,200,000 in gifts and pledges from at least 72% of our potential donors. As of June 30, gifts and pledges total $6,187,111 (86% of our goal) and 70% participation (97% of our goal). The committee heartily thanks all who have participated. And for those still considering participating in the campaign, please check out vmialumni.org for valuable information on the Foundation, Keydet Club, and Alumni Associa tion. The online giving links identify the dozens of opportunities available. Thank you, BRs!

When you get a chance, refamiliarize your selves with the 36-year-old College Orientation Workshop program headed by Gene Williams ’74. From its website (cow4life.org): “COW is a four-week challenging summer educational en richment program at the Virginia Military Institute which prepares male minority high school rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors to achieve suc cess during the remainder of their high school ca reers and beyond. This is done by cultivating con fidence, greater self-esteem, a stronger work ethic, and a commitment to achieving success in spite of the many challenges facing them. Students are also encouraged to seek higher education at the college of their choice, and the program helps prepare them for the varied demands of the college expe rience. Being integrated into the college environ ment and associating with college professors and students exposes these young men to a world of new possibilities.” I mention this simply because the recent spate of adverse publicity surrounding VMI clearly does not address genuine successes such as this. And you can designate contributions to COW through the VMI Foundation.

BRs, Families, Friends, and Passers-by, These notes cover the time between New

Some Institute news of note: Col. Nichole K.A. Scott recently assumed command of VMI’s Air

Class notes

Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. A career civil engineering officer with multiple OEF/OIF deployments and squadron command assign ments, she was commander of the 316th Mission Support Group—effectively the “governor” of all functions supporting the deployed, reserve, and National Guard units at Joint Base Andrews.

Jim Miller has been appointed director of inter collegiate athletics. During his 12 years as athletic director at the University of Richmond, the Spiders won an FCS national championship in football, had three NCAA appearances in men’s basketball, including a trip to the Sweet 16, and captured 44 conference titles among 12 sports. Miller was also associate athletic director at North Carolina State University. During his college days, he played bas ketball and baseball at Old Dominion University.

VMI moves from No. 26 to No. 5 in Money Magazine’s latest Best Colleges List. With medi an early career earnings of nearly $72,000, we are in good company in the top five overall with Uni versity of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, and Massa chusetts Maritime Academy. The rankings include U.S. colleges reviewed on 24 factors in three main categories: Quality, which notes graduation rates and instructor access at each school; affordability, looking at short and long-term affordability, net price of a degree, and amounts typically borrowed through federal programs; and outcomes, which is primarily based on reported earnings and em ployment data. The full 2022 list can be found at www.money.com/bestcolleges. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education 2021 rankings and the 2022 U.S. News & World Report placed VMI as the No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, on their lists of top public liberal arts colleges in the country.

To our news. From Bill Cooper: “It’s been a busy summer in western Pennsylvania. I did get to Houston in June to visit son Ken ’05 and family, and we attended an alumni dinner there featuring Major General Wins ’85 as guest speaker. I final ly got to meet him and shake his hand.” Thanks, Coop.

Norm Worrell said autographed ring posters of both Gen. Peay ’62 and Vern Beitzel were “re ceived very gratefully.” Well done, BR, and thanks for shepherding that through.

Dick Vogel sent this: “Greetings from Kilkenny, Ireland. Deb and I renewed our vows. Our 50th anniversary is Oct. 8 in Newbridge, Ireland, home of our priest, Father Tommy Conway, at his home town church, St. Patrick. We are on a nine-day Ire land tour.” You two still have “the glow,” BR.

Fred Bauer wrote, “The Bauer clan contin ues to expand; our ninth grandson (we also have five granddaughters) was born three weeks ago, and (God willing) No. 10 is due in late Novem ber.” In my prime, I might have said, “I’ll have

what my BR’s having,” but not now!

Buzzy Chacey said he “just got back from a trip to Egypt with my brother (Allan). We got a chance to see the Cairo Museum, the Sphinx and pyra mids, a boat ride on the Nile River, and into the catacombs in Alexandria.” Thanks, BR!

Drew Turner shared this: “After living in Ra leigh for the past 50 years, Laurie and I made a fulltime move to the mountains of North Carolina. We left a city of a million folks for one with 1,500. We moved to West Jefferson July 1. We have a beau tiful location only 0.4 miles from the New River. (Trivia: The New River is the second oldest river in the world. The Nile is the oldest.) Fly fishing, hiking, tubing, kayaking, and free fiddler concerts are the order of the day. The air is cool, and the only sounds we hear are the birds in the trees and Rusty the rooster next door. He reminds us we’re not in the city any longer. Deer walk through the yard virtually every day. I highly recommend it if one wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living. We had a great time at the reunion. Any brother rats headed out this way, give us a call. We would love to see you.” Living large, BR.

Bill Dunlap says, “Nothing to report from Oak Island except both Diane and I are still able to get ourselves out of bed every morning, dress our selves, and find the bourbon bottle when it’s need ed. If you’re ever in the area, stop by and we make sure you have food, drink, and all the ‘Old Corps BS’ you can handle.” Careful what you offer, BR.

Eric Hammersen wrote how they’ve stood up to Texas’ Hill Country heat in constructing their new home. “Nothing to report, other than we’ve been ‘hot’ here, too. The temperature in the Texas Hill Country has hovered at or above 100 degrees for almost all of July and August. Thank good ness we built our house out of insulated concrete form (ICF = 6 inches of reinforced concrete be tween two 3-inch-thick polystyrene panels, which provides an incredible R-value in terms of insula tion). So far, the inside temperature has maintained a constant 75 degrees without having to run the air conditioner more than occasionally. Works just as well in the winter when you have days on end of sub-freezing weather. Our average heating/cooling bill over the past three years has been about $50/ month.” He says the concrete cube “Hammersen house” can “survive hurricanes, tornadoes, wild fires, and floods. Tensile strength is 4,000 psi, and the house is so ‘tight’ that you can meet Texas’ new energy code requirements (toughest in the nation) even with a couple of fireplaces. Also cuts down on the ability of ‘critters’ to get through the seams and into your house, and you never have to worry about termites. An ICF house will last for over 100 years.” You’re set for life, BR.

Henry Knick said, “Terry Bowers ’68 and I at tended a presentation by Ray Lawson ’81 July 21. The presentation to the Sergeant Berry G. Benson,

Class Notes

Camp 1672 of the Sons of the Confederate Vet erans (North Augusta, South Carolina), was ‘The Virginia Military Institute—from the Inside.’ Ray did an excellent job. His wife, Gale, took the pic ture.” Thanks, BR.

Phil Clayton shared, “Ava and I attended the VMI football reunion this last weekend. Paul Bouis ’67 shot both these pictures of us listening to Coach Wachenheim’s fantastic post-practice speech! We have never seen this much spirit in a VMI football team! I predict a fantastic season! These guys fully believe that they are going to be Southern Conference champions! In front of us are Leroy Thomas ’23, Max Brimigion ’23, and Chance Knox ’24, wide receivers. The second pic ture is us with Collin Ironside ’24, quarterback. He and four other players stayed on our farm for the July summer school session.” Put me in, coach!

Wade Houston reported in. “With only just five years and a month until the Class of 1972 55th Re union golf tournament, I needed to start seriously practicing. I headed to Scotland in June, playing several of the old favorites and then worked my way down to Southport in England, where I met up with Florence and my eldest daughter. They toured as my golf adventures continued with sev eral of the courses on the British Open rotation. The shot here is the 18th hole at Royal Lytham & St. Annes in June with 17 of the dreaded pot bunkers lurking in the background. Later down in Wales, after numerous attempts to get out of one of these dreaded sand traps, my caddy and I had a lengthy conversation of whether my ef forts qualified me to join the Welsh Miners union. For the golf aficionados in the group, add England and Wales to your bucket lists. Play ing links golf in the U.K. or Ireland is the great antidote for age, although as a note of caution, please bring a good rain suit and gear.” Ay lad, I’ll be sure.

Bob MacMeccan shared his major health up date and more golf news from Mother U.K. “Af ter being incapacitated with ulcerative colitis for a year, I finally got a reprieve late in June. Early in June, my condition deteriorated to the worst it had been since I was diagnosed with UC in June 2021 with 20–25 attacks on my colon each day. I started a new IV infusion process (Stelara) the third week of June, and while it shouldn’t have shown any results for a week, I saw immediate results. Personally, I think this was an answer to prayer. The trip to England and Scotland had been planned for three years, and I accepted the fact that I would not be able to go but that Glen da would with our grandson. Our daughter had agreed to come from Kentucky and stay with me while Glenda was gone in case my condition continued to deteriorate and I needed to go to the hospital for a third time. I made the decision to go with Glenda and our grandson two days

before we departed Richmond and continued to get better during the trip.

“This trip was very special to me. I played the Old Course in St. Andrews in 1994, and this was the 150th anniversary of the Open Champion ship at the birthplace of golf. It was a very excit ing tournament the way it played out, with Cam eron Smith shooting an eight under 64 Sunday to win. Glenda and I sat behind the 18th green all day Sunday (attached picture) and watched everyone finish. The whole experience all four days of the tournament was magical for me.

“At this point, it is too early to say I am in remission because I am still tapering off of prednisone, but I have my life back and can do anything I want. In January, I had lost 25% of my body weight, and I still need to regain 20 pounds, but other than that, I am doing well. Stelara maintenance doses are injections, and my first one is next Wednesday. I will have them every eight weeks as long as it is effec tive.” You’re right, BR; if that’s not an answer to prayer, I don’t know what is.

Tom Hathaway shared this upon hearing of Bill Green’s passing. “So sorry to hear about this. As you’ll notice, Bill was a Ruffin on his mother’s side. As a kid, my grandfather used to take me to Charles City to visit the Ruffins. He and ‘Mr. Ruffin’ were hunting buddies, and I also recall that the Ruffins raised chickens. I remember going into the coops and watching them collect and then later candle the fresh eggs, a dozen of which would always accompany us home. My grandfather always used to refer to Mr. Ruffin as a cousin, and I vaguely remember somehow linking them to his family in Charlot tesville. Whether my grandfather was related to Mr. Ruffin or not, when I met Bill at VMI, we remembered the connection and always referred to each other as ‘cousin.’ Sad to hear of his pass ing.” The ties are strong, BR.

OK, that’s a wrap. Stay safe and stay in touch. Rah Virginia Mil, brother rats!

Larry

1973

I hope all of you are having a great summer. As you read these notes, we will be well into fall and close to Founders Day. Many of the lo cal Alumni Association chapters will be having events, so I encourage you to attend one in your area and hope to see some of you in Lexington

Class notes

for the Institute Society Dinner.

Pat and I have had a busy summer. We went to Palm Harbor, Florida, to celebrate our youngest granddaugh ter’s birthday, then had our usu al Fourth of July celebrations at the ranch in Pulaski County. That was a little different this year, as we had a celebration of life for my mother, who passed away May 2, and we had a lot of family members in town for that service. The Fourth of July cel ebration was wonderful; about 40 folks for hot dogs, hamburgers, and homemade ice cream, and about 60 for the fireworks. We went back to Florida in July, as my youngest son moved from the Tampa area to Pan ama City. His company has contracts to help rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base after it was damaged by a hur ricane in 2018. We helped my son move into their house and returned home via Atlanta, where we spent a couple days with my oldest son.

We attended five rat send-offs in the area and had a great time talking with alumni, current cadets, and in coming cadets and their families. It is always interesting to see the contrasts with people’s experiences with VMI.

As I finish these notes, Pat and I are in Nags Head with Klaus and Lau ra Worrell, Art and Susannah Pend leton, Bill and Linda Spencer, and Sandy and June McNamara. Larry and Deborah Mays were hoping to come, as well, but it didn’t work out. This group has been coming here for several years, and this was the first time we have been able to join them. Weather is perfect, compa ny great, and food outstanding! Really nice to be away on vacation, as this is the first time Pat and I have been able to get away for three or four years, and this year has been super busy, as well. (Some times I feel like my consulting business has gotten to be full time!) I planned to enjoy the week! Klaus spoke with Webb Tyler, who has a place in Duck, just north of us. His family planned to be in town, too, and we all planned to get together.

We stayed in a really nice place; lots of room, on the beach, has a pool and two decks! Thanks to Klaus and Laura for putting it together. Hopefully we can make it back next year!

In the last issue of the Review, I mentioned that Wayne Fox had contacted me and was the “lost BR” for the quarter. After I commu nicated with Wayne, he also spoke to Sandy McNamara and has been in touch with John

Sykes, Darrell Rickmond, and Billy Stephens. Sandy told me they talked on the phone for nearly two hours, and Wayne was very happy to be reconnecting with our BRs. He re cently sent me a note to say how nice it was to be back in touch with class members. Wayne and Nina plan to visit with Sandy in November and then spend some time with other BRs in Sandbridge, Virginia, at Vir ginia Beach and have a mini reunion. Our hope is that we can continue to “find” other BRs we have lost con tact with as we proceed with plan ning our 50th Reunion. If you are “one of the lost ones,” please reach out to us and let us know. (And join the VMI Ranks to ensure your con tact information is correct.)

Planning continues for our re union to be held in April 2023. I have heard from some of you who are up set that we are not having our 50th in the fall to coincide with a football game. Larry and I fussed, fought, ar gued, pleaded, and clearly voiced our preference for the fall (on mul tiple occasions) and were not able to get it changed. Unfortunately, when COVID-19 hit, reunions were can celed, and for the past year, the VMI staff has been playing catch-up try ing to get reunions scheduled and completed. Activities in Lexington with reunions, W&L, the horse cen ter, and the larger classes of cadets and incoming rats make accommo dations tight and hard to plan. I was told recently that a move is underway to get the “honored” class reunions back to the fall; however, it will not make any change for us. If you have any questions, please contact me or Larry.

Larry and I had a meeting at VMI in June, along with Blake Thomas. Rich Lykins also attended the meeting, and Larry, Rick, myself, and Debbie Mays had lunch together; however, Blake had to head back to Florida as his brother, Blade ’74, was critically ill in California. Blake left the next morning for Los Angeles and got to spend time with Blade, who passed away later that week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Blake and his family.

Condolences are also being sent out to Ralph and Rebecca Littreal, as Rebecca’s mother, Frie da Hedrick Greiner, 93, passed away in August. Ms. Greiner lived in Rural Retreat, Virginia, where Ralph is from. We are all very sorry for your loss.

Tom Jennings said he and Lois were surviving

Class Notes

the heat and humidity in Virginia. Lois got a rechargeable fan to put in their golfcart, and all of their fellow golf friends soon fol lowed suit! Tom said it just added to all the “stuff” they had! He said they were look ing forward to attending some football games in Lexington and seeing BRs.

Ray Burton recently joined the class Facebook page, and he told me he spent some time visiting with Dan Williamson and Mark Weiss in June. He said he had been working with two rising 3rd Class ca dets from his church, as well as one new incoming cadet. Ray recently took over as the commander of Post 116 of the Scottish American Military Society veterans’ orga nization.

Mac Kirkpatrick told me he and Mark Skupien had a three-and-a-half-hour lunch in August at PJ Whellihan’s Pub & Restaurant in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Mac said this was the first time they had gotten together in quite some time, and they enjoyed reliving the “good ole days!” He and his wife, Melanie, are excited as their son, Clark ’15, and wife Yoli had their first child (Mac’s first grandchild) July 25. The 8-and-an-half-pound baby girl is named Tia Hiu Kirkpatrick. All are do ing well. Mac sent me a picture of a rifle he owns. Mac said that he picked it up one day and was looking over it and noticed it was stamped with the words Lexington, Virginia. Mac’s son, Class of ’15, took it by the VMI Museum, where it was identified as a rifle made by J. Beeton around 1850 at the VMI armory. Mac said he doesn’t know where the rifle came from, but he is glad that it ended up in a VMI family.

Stuart Seaton sent me a picture of a few BRs that got together for the Keydet Club Leadership Outing in June. Stu, Mark Weiss, Billy Stephens, Tom Napier, Tim Gundlach, and Yerry Kenneal ly had a great time together. No information was provided on scores. Thanks for your support of VMI athletics!

Malon Updike contacted Larry Mays and me about a new book Steve Smith has written titled, Leading Like a Swamp Fox. Steven is a research professor at the South Carolina Institute of Archae ology and Anthropology at the University of South Carolina. The story is about the leadership of Fran cis Marion, nicknamed “the Swamp Fox” by one of his fiercest enemies during the American Revo lution. Keep an eye out for this great book coming out on military leadership.

ED Woomer sent me a note on the Upstate SC –Pisgah NC Chapter of the VMI Alumni Associ ation about their annual meeting held July 31 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. PX English has been president of this chapter since starting it in 2016, and he and his wife, Caroline, have orga nized many events over the years for alumni and

friends. PX is succeeded by Avery Martin ’16 as the new president. Thanks to PX and Caroline for all their hard work over the years. I also want to thank ED, as he has been a huge help to PX in the Asheville/western North Carolina area.

David Schwab told me that one of his cadets from the junior ROTC in Germany will matricu late this August. Dave said he heard there may be three coming from his old school, but he has not been able to confirm that. He is really proud!

Michael Smith told me he had a gathering with some friends of his, Chip Cox, The Citadel class of ’73, and Dick Burch, The Citadel class of ’81. Mi chael said they had a great time telling war stories, and he posted their picture on our Facebook page. If you are not on our Facebook page, please con tact Tom Clark to get added.

I didn’t have a lot of information for this set of notes, and I hope we see many of you this fall. When you receive this issue, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be rapidly approaching. As a re minder, if you need an end-of-the-year tax deduc tion, please consider giving to VMI. I mentioned in the last issue that the brick program will be end ing next year; Larry Mays also posted information on our Facebook page about the program. VMI re ally needs our support, and all donations are count ed for our class as we approach our 50th Reunion.

Take care and have a great holiday season. Stay safe!

In the Bonds, Mike

1974

Snookie Parker

the Class of 1974!

I trust these notes will find you in good spirits. The class notes following Christ mas quarter are usually thin, and this year is no exception. The following covers the period from May 16–Aug. 15. On May 26, the VMI ’74 Southeast North Car olina lunch bunch met at the Sailfish at Marsh Creek Marina in Wilmington, North Carolina. Attending were Andy Young, Arnie Leonard, and Jim “Space” Huddle with unexpected surprise visitors Dave Sheppard and yours truly. Won derful venue on the water! Good food, good cheer! We did have one BR missing in action: Bob Frank, our resident bour bon aficionado. Bob had to back out at the last minute, so I guess he had to miss out on the Pappy Van Winkle bourbon we were sharing in his honor—not! I guess, in our dreams! T’was a great venue and even better company.

The OBX breakfast club is alive and well. On May 31, Phil Parker and Dave Stormont met Bruce Pence at the club’s favorite haunt, the Sand Trap Tavern, a neighborhood bar and grille located on the Seascape Golf Links in Kitty Hawk! Pete Shelley usually attends when he and Susan are at their beach cottage on The Banks. The club (Phil and David sans Pete) met again in July when Bert Graham paid a visit to the Outer Banks! Sounds like a great excuse to come visit. It’s on my bucket list to make an OBX breakfast soon!

Hear ye, hear ye! It is official. In May, Tom Patykula retired (second retirement) from his post as admissions chief for the Asian-Pacific Center for Security Studies organization located in Honolulu, Hawaii (across the street from the Hale Koa on Waikiki Beach). Tom and Ida have left the island and have moved to Jupiter, Flori da. Does life get any better than that—Waikiki to West Palm? Congrats, Tom! I’ll be down to visit at some point to check out your new digs!

Terrell Williams, rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, happened to be in St. Maurice d’Ibie, France, to attend the wedding of a good family friend. Russell Wilson (quarterback for the Se attle Seahawks) was a groomsman. This family friend and Russ went K–12 in school together. Russ’ singer/model wife, Ciara, was there, too. Terrell said she seemed very genuine and charm ing. Nice pic of Terrell and Russ but not enough pixel strength to publish in the AR!

Greetings Brother Rats, Family, and Friends of

Mike Cole called to report on and sent a pic of his niece, Charlotte (daughter to his sister, Tricia), who was on Center Court Wimbledon for the pic. She was there to see Treat Huey compete in dou bles. Treat was ranked at one time as high as 26th in the world but currently ranked 108th. He re cently got to the semifinals recent Asian Open in

Class notes

Hanoi, Vietnam. Nice pic, Mike!

Al and Kathy Vicory just got back from a trip to Galapagos Archipel ago. Al claims it was a fabulous adventure. He did mention he had trained hard to be able to “run with the giant turtles.” I am told by those in the know that if there was a race, Al would prevail, but it would likely be photo finish! Never say die, Al!

Early in June, while on my way to join some BRs on a portion of Ken tucky’s Bourbon Trail, I flew into Nashville, Tennessee, and met Rich Forbes and Al Beaty for dinner— steaks at Nashville’s Sperry’s Cool Springs. I flew into Nashville to see a portion of the CMAs before join ing the crew on the Bourbon Trail, so all I had with me was very casual attire. Got to the high-end Sperry’s Cool Spring Restaurant early and noticed a sign posted on the door— dress requirements, and I’m there in shorts and tennis shoes. Not sure if I would be admitted/seat ed for dinner, I went in to see what everyone was wearing; to my relief, most of those dining were in shorts and tennis shoes. So much for the sign. Someone said the sign was there to keep the riff raff out; however, they did seat me, Rich Forbes, and Al Beaty, so I’m not so sure about that riff raff idea. After some interesting stories and live ly conversation, we finally parted ways—four hours later as the place was closing. What fun! The next morning, I drove to Louisville, Ken tucky, to meet Don Ferrell, Bob “Turtle” Frank, and Andy and Marcie Eason for a bourbon tast ing adventure. The purpose of the trip was to vis it the Woodford Reserve Distillery to sample the offerings and select a barrel for the class for our class reunion. The trip included some high-end dining at Jeff Ruby’s Steak House in Louisville, a tour and tasting at the Woodford Reserve Distill ery, and a bonus tour and tasting of the Limestone Branch Distillery (a Jim Beam relative resurrect ing the most popular bourbon in Kentucky in the 1990s). We were tutored on the uniqueness of the local water (with a hint of lime), the local white oaks for barrels, and the distilling process—each of which contribute to the distinct characteristics of a libation they call bourbon and all of which are found in Kentucky (which is why I conclud ed Tennessee’s Jack Daniels does not qualify as a bourbon). As Marcie went to locate branches of her family tree, we BRs toured the Woodford Reserve facility. After the tour and with the assis tance of the head distiller, three different barrels were selected for tasting. The four of us partici pated in a blind taste test to rate the three barrels selected. Our rating was generally in agreement: Barrel No. 3 the best smooth finish, barrel No. 1

the worst taste and harsh finish. And then the tasting of the blends began: Barrels 1 with 2, 1 with 3, and 2 with 3.Believe it or not, blind taste test ing rendered a unanimous selection, a combination of the worst and the best barrels: 1 and 3 – taste of barrel 1 and the finish of barrel 3. In sum, Don Ferrell has been working some “bourbon favor magic” for the class. He coordinated with Woodford Re serve Distillery for our unique per sonal select blend, which at this writing appears for a cost of less than $60 a bottle, which includes VMI spider etched on one side of the bottle and three lines etched on the other side: Name, VMI Class of 1974, 50th Reunion. On July 19, Don drove to Raleigh, North Carolina, from Appomattox, Virginia, to attend the VMI senior alumni breakfast and to show a select group of BRs (those available locally and willing to attend the breakfast: Bob Frank, John White, Don Fer rell, Pete Shelley, and yours truly) two examples of the etched bottles of bourbon. After a pleas ant stroll down memory lane—who roomed with who through the years, the ghetto versus the zoo, and eventually got to shoulders, hips, knees, and meds—we were laughing so loud and having so much fun that a nice lady came over to ask us to lower the volume for others in the restaurant. We tried, but not very hard. Kudos to Don for his ef fort; a tough job, but someone had to do it. Don, You “da man!”

On the way back to Wilson from Raleigh, I re ceived a text from Wilson and Anne Johnson They were on I-95 headed south and were plan ning their usual stop at Parker’s BBQ in Wil son and wanted to know if I could join them for lunch. BRs and BBQ. My answer, of course: I’ll be there! We had a wonderful visit over sweet tea and Q. We did talk about the possibility of Q on their return trip. We’ll see!

Ahoy there, mate! Pirates of the Chesapeake or just a casual cruise! Boat captain Ken Terry and first mate and wife Betsy hosted a motley crew for a boat ride on the bay—the Chesapeake Bay, that is! Members of the motley crew: Gary Trin kle, Henry and Peggy Moncure, Steve and Ann Ham, and Al and Judy Rasper. I am not sure if Capt. Terry had members of this crew swabbing the deck, but I am confident that no one had to walk the plank!

A reminder: Reunion planning is in full swing and gaining momentum. Lane Toomey has his hands full herding all the cats on the planning committees. Gary Trinkle, Mike Coleman, and Tom Puskas of the attendance group has locat ed all our BRs who matriculated Aug. 20, 1970.

Class Notes

We were aware of 26 BRs that had passed as of our 45th Reunion. They have discovered several who had been missing in action. The number of deceased BRs is now 45 as of July 2022. On a more promising note, our VMI Alumni Associ ation reunion POC working with Class of 1974 reports that we have $6.1 million donated to date for the 50th Reunion gift, and we are just getting started. Reminder: The target date for the reunion is April 2024. Keep your calendars open. Stay tuned, as specific dates and details will be forth coming soon!

At the moment, I am on a second-floor balcony in Como, Italy, overlooking Lake Como while putting the finishing touches on these class notes. There is a group of BRs and spouses inbound and on short final for an Avalon River cruise in Europe in August. The 11-day trip be gins with three days at Lake Como (near Milan), then a day in Lucerne, Switzer land, before boarding the boat that will travel up the Rhine with stops in plac es like Strasbourg and Cologne before debarking in Amsterdam. The trip has been in the works for quite some time. As our departure time approaches, the group has been meeting periodically via Zoom. The group: TJ and Kerri Wil son, Rod and Debbie Beard, Bruce and Sue Jones, Charley and Debbie Ban ning, Arnie and Maria Leonard, Bert and Cherryl Graham, Henry and Peg gy Moncure, Rich and Ann Forbes, and David and Leslie Pepper (TJ’s sister). Talk about a motley crew! After some interesting tales of flight delays, cancellations, and rerouting, all have arrived less Bert and Cherryl Graham, who will join us in Lucerne. We will be on the trip as these notes go to press, so expect a pic and some details in the next set of notes!

As a side note: Small world story. Marla and I started this European touring adventure in Lis bon, Portugal. We were touring an ancient fort that occupied the strategically dominant terrain in and around the city. I wandered off into a less crowded area where archeological digs were un derway and stopped to read a plaque explaining the history and the findings. This other couple and I were the only ones in the area reading the plaque. After moments of polite silence as we both read the plaque, they spoke to each other— Americans. I asked how long they had been in Portugal. They had been there a week and were headed back soon. They had been all over Por tugal and had mentioned that it was much more expensive in Lisbon than in other places in Por tugal. As we were parting ways, I happen to ask where they were from. Their response: Norfolk/ Tidewater area. I mentioned I had a bunch of

classmates from the area—several brother rats. He said, “No kidding, what class?” I told him ’74. The couple: Ron and Ann McGee ’81.

Mike Stark received his combat/anniversary ring and reports he is very pleased with the de sign, quality, and especially the cost. He had lost his original class ring in a snowball fight in the woods in 1978. Mike explained that this was a great option for replacing a lost ring and not have to pay today’s extreme cost of an original ring—especially for those of us who don’t wear our rings daily and for all those BRs whose rings

have shrunk for some unknown reason. Mike passed on his thanks for working this option; Thank you, John McLaren!

Sad news to report. BR Blade “Sunshine” Thomas has passed away. I understand Blade had been living with neck and back pain and decided on surgery in a Detroit hospital that did not go well. His daughter transferred Blade to Sinai Hospital in Louisiana. Blade was pro gressing well in rehab after eight additional surgeries. Three weeks later, Blade was ad mitted to the emergency room. His daughter called brother Blake Thomas ’73 to come see Blade. Blake and wife San dy did see Blade on that Monday eve ning. Blade passed Tuesday at about 4 a.m. Blade had converted to Judaism when he was with his first wife. Ac cording to Judaism, one is to be buried within three days of death. Blake hon ored Blade’s wishes. Blade was buried that Thursday. Keep Blade’s family in your prayers.

Late-breaking news just before these notes were due: BR Edgardo Vazquez-Bruno has passed away in the hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Very little detail is known at this time. We un derstand that Ed spent 57 days in the hos pital before succumbing to pulmonary fi brosis. May you rest in peace, brother rat!

Late-late-breaking news: On Aug. 12, Brother Rat Mike Mahoney did not sur vive a massive heart attack while on the golf course near his home in Conway, South Car olina. Keep his wife, Patty Mahoney, and family in your prayers.

Class contacts: snookieparker1974@earthlink. net. Charley Banning cbanning@cox.net. Send me a note. Yada, yada, yada, and yaba daba Dooooo!

In the bonds, Snookie

1975

Thomas Mason

Brothers, Sisters, and Casual Readers,

The dream of fanciful narratives and artful storytelling, or in this case, charmless swill, is on the way. My constant hope is that these of ferings don’t make the reader blanch, sniff, and crinkle your nose like you’ve just gotten a vile whiff of spoiled lunch meat, your nostrils flare

Class notes

and you recoil just a bit as you slam the Alumni Review closed and toss it back onto the coffee ta ble, awaiting a moment until your eyes stop wa tering and your sinus clears.

You are reading this in mid-November as I write in August. Your news this quarter covers mid-May through mid-August. I encourage you to return to VMI to visit, tour, observe. Soon, the Corps will be back and the percus sive rhythm of drums, the marching and molding of new cadets will be heard on post. There’s nothing in the world like a football weekend on post!

The Keydet Club Leadership Out ing June 10, 2022, started with a beautiful day of golf at the Lexing ton Golf & Country Club and end ed with a very nice casual affair on post at the Center for Leadership and Ethics. No fewer than 13 from our class were present. Those stal warts were O. Way, P.A. Morgan, M. Hunter, B. Hunter, B. Van derberry, R. Mills, D. Harvey, G. Furr, A. Nunn, M. Hall, S. Chapin, R. Taylor (who shot skeet), and myself. We got to visit with the su perintendent and AD and hear from many of the coaches on the aspira tions for the coming year’s athletic clashes.

Skydive Orange in Orange, Vir ginia, June 24, 2022: Close your eyes very tightly and imagine Art Nunn with long hair looking like Keanu Reeves in the movie Point Break as he made his first parachute jump. This is the image the support group of Judy Nunn, Judy Baur, Ol iver and Bonnie Way, Steve and Sherry Chapin, and Allen and San dy Morgan witnessed that stunning ly beautiful day. Art was surrounded by family: Daughter Meredith, sonin-law James (who joined Art for the jump), and three grandchildren made up a vocal cheering section! Another bucket list item checked off the list for Art.

A gratifying summer conversation with Keith Frey revealed he had a meaningful missionary trip to Po land in late May and that he looks forward to an October trip to the South Carolina coast to meet up with several BRs in late October.

Robert “Jelly Bear” Taylor, news from field reporter, uncovered the fact that Steve and Sher ry Chapin are summering in the exclusive resort village of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, staying in a

home just five doors down from the Taylors. At this writing, the HOA association has not yet ap proved teaching Steve the secret handshake.

Robert Mills has continued an ambitious travel agenda these last three months. After a nice vis it with Robert in Lexington at the Keydet Club Leadership Outing, Robert journeyed to an ex tremely remote part of the Philippines on a scuba

Giro d’Italia bike race. After returning from this junket, Roberto and Babs Benesh slipped off to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to sip the tequi la and test their patience with the airlines ... not good (the air service). After hosting his kids and grandkids for the Fourth of July holiday, Robert and Babs took a joint birthday trip to the Swiss Alps. He described the incredible postcard vistas; lauded the dependability and ease of the train travel, the service, cleanli ness and quality of the beautiful ho tels; swam in glittering lakes; rode a cable tram up to the Matterhorn; and experienced snowfall in July!

July turned out to be Lone Star month, as I spoke with Larry LaMonte, TP Ridley, Bill Turpin, and Taylor Slate about various matters of state.

A phone call “all right” came in from Tyler, Texas, via TP Ridley, who is preparing for a fall wedding of his fourth and final daughter.

Larry LaMonte let me know of his weekly treks between Copperas Cove to Marshall, Texas, for work with the Texas National Guard and a stopover in Tyler for a visit with Mr. Ridley

Bill Turpin is on the mend and taking twice-weekly physical ther apy after his second shoulder re placement. Bill will be in Richmond in mid-October, and we will jointly try to muster a small gathering of Richmond folks for lunch.

Taylor Slate continues to work as a PE with Hamilton Form, Inc., in Fort Worth, Texas. Taylor is also as sisting and supporting his daughter, Abbey, as she deals with settling her mother’s estate.

Dan Schultz and John Maples continue to play golf and fish to gether. They have traveled with their wives to Smith Mountain Lake, Vir ginia, and to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, to absorb the beauty and history of different parts of the re gion.

diving trip with his dive group. Travel took many days in planes, boats, vans, and finally on foot.

The little village had no streets, just footpaths and stairways. He returned briefly, recharged, did laundry, and repacked for Verona, Italy, to tour the vineyards of Valpolicella, play golf and tennis, and watch the exciting finish of the

Len Reidel’s report supplied an update to the planning for the class trip May 6–23, 2023. Len and Dean Armstrong will make a dry run of the trip from Dunkirk to Paris beginning Sept. 24. Currently there is space to fill six more rooms (12 more people). Bill Terpeluk will lead the large travel contingent from JFK in New York to London, where we will link up with Len at the Royal Air Force Club. From there, the group will enjoy

Class Notes

tours, elegant dinners, and hear speakers of in ternational renown to begin this adventure.

Greg Stultz reports in as “all right” from North east Ohio.

Via Larry LaMonte, an “all right” came from Gerry Irissarri. Now then, I’ve read a lot of Clancy, Grisham, and Ludlam novels over these long years, and I don’t know “the company” with whom Gerry works, but I’m grateful for his safety and brief report.

A welcome report from Jay Jones reports in as “all right!”

From the Pacific Northwest, Tad and Lee MacGowan shared that he’s had a summer of family visits, from a daughter and her fian cé, Lee’s father and his friend, another daugh ter with her husband and two kiddos, daughter number three along with husband and their two daughters, and experienced fourth daughter’s Ph.D. graduation from the University of Ari zona. Their cat, Blossom, weathered the storm well.

A newsy note from Rocky Mount, North Car olina, came in over the transom from the Henings. Rick and son Sam are regulars at the Ra leigh, North Carolina, VMI senior breakfasts.

The Henings have enjoyed a summer of trav el from Alabama to Maine and Massachusetts.

Rick plans to attend the home football game against Cornell in September.

Dan Darnell wrote in an “all’s well” with he and Vickie after just having returned from the U.K. and attending the Farnborough Airshow.

And in the spirit of dining with interesting neighbors, Larry Groome and Larry Hendry shared a potluck dinner in which the principal topic of discussion focus was best propellants

for potato cannons! The old tradition of food as a weapon lives on and the two imaginative miscreants captioned above lead the way!

For the musical wags in our midst, Felix Wolkowitz’s response to the heartfelt request for notes was simply f-sharp, b-flat, a-minor ... ba-da-bing, ba-da-boom!

A rather cryptic June dispatch I received read like shorthand/code: “Hoon, sons, giant cheeseburger, bear, glacier, snake ...” Well, this memo required deciphering, and I enlisted the advice of Glenn Garland in the smart part of North Carolina, the Research Triangle. He, too, was unable to interpret the text and I was di rected to the Czech Embassy in Washington,

D.C., whose security team took on the project. The resulting decryption was that Art Sigsbury had taken his two sons to Missoula, Montana, and stayed at the Charlie Hoon summer manse, driving the tractor with power takeoff, log splitting, bush hogging, post hole drilling, fish ing, hiking in Glacier National Park, observing bears from distance, seeing a snake and eating tremendous burgers in a town I’ll just call Big Food, Montana. I’m hungry just writing this.

A late but informative bulletin arrived from John Young III covering much of his last three months. He and Brenda Honeycutt took a road trip to New Orleans in mid-June for a con ference. While in NOLA, they toured battle fields and museums—particularly the National World War II Museum. The return trip to South Carolina included travel through Columbus, Georgia, and the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning. July activities included a Fourth of July family reunion in Kilmarnock, Virgin ia, near where the Rappahannock River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Later in July, John attend ed the Old Corps luncheon in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Frank and Melody Cole visited the Young homestead for dinner. A final late summer event was John and Brenda’s atten dance at the Charlotte Chapter’s rat send-off.

Mike Garten excitedly reported he had noth ing to report.

Your scribe seems to have settled into a pat tern of leading off or ending many a column with a bit of a rant or observation about the hu man condition. As life has slowly and begrudg ingly returned to a bit of normalcy, I hope you have gotten out of the house a little more. I wish to comment on the phenomena of hon eys, sweeties, and dears. I enjoy the occasional meal outside the home, especially breakfast. I don’t go to many places with linen napkins and tablecloths. I’m certain my age and appearance motivate this observed behavior. The waitress es invariably address me familiarly as honey, sweetie, and—somewhat less frequently— dear. They typically wear comfortable shoes and the slightly soiled apron, which attests to quick, efficient duty. I enjoy the small talk at these din ers and pancake houses as much as they do as they pour coffee, sling hash, and wipe down countertops. It’s a Southern thing, hon!

As many of you are reading this short missive, I’ll have dusted off the equipment and thrown open the doors to the Christmas card production factory. Call, write, or email; that’s where you’ll find me for the next month!

Humbly, I remain,

Never above you, never below you, always beside you ...

Your friend, BR and Scribe, Tom Mason

notes

Despite a daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and three dogs temporarily living with Michelle and me—David ’06 is deployed, and his family is awaiting the build of a new home nearby—I managed to complete these notes on time!

Mike Hillsgrove checked in. His wife con vinced him to move from off grid western Texas into a new house in Socorro, Texas, southeast of El Paso, not very far from the Rio Grande. Mike said, “Wife complained that she never had a new house, so as time is growing short for both of us and as it was the single condition she leveled for moving to the great state of Texas (and she want ed my sorry $#@ out of the deep desert with the other snakes and lizards), she got her wish.” But Mike is also “keeping my 20 acres of Texas as a hidennout from humanity.” He also said, “I doubt that my 2008 F-250 (former Border Patrol prison truck) will make the journey to Virginia, so I have to beg off of the reunions. I will continue to write books that no one will ever read and doing free computer work for seniors upgrading to Linux.”

Jim Delisio and JR Mott bumped into one an other on the lacrosse fields in June. Jim said, “We were at my granddaughter’s lacrosse game when my daughter said to me that there was a guy walking up that had the same hat I did. I immedi ately recognized ... JR Mott! He was there to see his daughter play in the game following ours. He is doing well—just got promoted at his job and living in the Orange Hunt section of Springfield, one of our old haunts. Said he will keep working a few more years, maybe.”

Dave and Barb Bass complet ed their 40th anniversary cruise in June. Dave said, “Flew to Honolu lu and then cruised the islands for five days. Then across the Pacific for five days to Juneau, Alaska, and five more days on the Inside Pas sage ending in Vancouver—16 days total. Back to Indy on the 29th!”

Dick and Ruth Williams are set tling down in Virginia after Dick’s job in Israel. Dick said, “Since re tiring from DIA at the end of Jan uary, I’ve been unpacking hundreds of boxes from our four-year stor age, tilting with various government and commercial bureaucracies, and

making several trips, visiting car museums along the way.” Just to prove it is a small VMI alum ni world out there, Mike said, “Our son, Michael ’16, took command of an infantry company at Fort Drum, New York, in March and deployed to Syria in late April. Ruth and I went to Fort Drum for his change of command and to see him off on deploy ment. The company that his company replaced was commanded by Captain Rory Dillon ’14. I don’t have any plans for a third career for sure, but if something comes along that piques my interest for part-time, or if the Lord calls me into a fulltime volunteer position, I trust I’ll be ready.”

Keith Dickson is retired. He said, “I retired last

year from the Joint Forces Staff College and was designated professor emeritus by the National Defense University.” That’s a big deal! “I am con tinuing to write, contributing chapters to books on urban warfare and amphibious warfare.”

It was a slow BR news cycle the past three months, so, since I have the white space, here are three BR administrative notes for your consider ation.

The VMI Brick Program will end June 30, 2023. The program acknowledges those whose cumulative giving to any area of support since July 1, 1998, meets or surpasses $2,500. If you do not have a brick in the Class of 1976 area, there is still time for you to qualify for one. Contact me if you want to get a brick or have any questions.

I volunteered to sell the remaining Put the Boys In print by Don Troiani. The print was former ly sold through the VMI Alumni Agencies. Jim Joustra coordinated Don’s effort, which culmi nated in Don’s creation of the painting in 2004— currently located in Moody Hall. If you want to purchase one or more prints, contact me directly. The print size is 19 inches x 29 inches. There is a limited number available; all are numbered and signed (except one for some odd reason).

The Class of 1976 kicked off support of VMI’s Pass in Review Program in August. It is a fouryear cadet mentorship program; the first itera tion started last year with the Class of 1975. Each year, it will pair the VMI alumni class approach ing its 50th Reunion (in four years) with the cur rent matriculating class. It provides an opportu nity for the affected class to share its individual and collective wisdom with the new class during their experience at VMI. (The Pass in Review program is very similar to other programs at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, West Point, and the Naval Academy.)

So, we are linked with the current Rat Mass, the future Class of 2026! Dexter Gilliam and I discussed the program with BRs this past sum mer during two Class of 1976 Zoom meetings. Thanks to everyone who attended! We believe our Pass in Review purpose will be to help the Class of 2026 strengthen class and brother rat unity during their fouryear journey at VMI. But our role has been limited so far. We started with sending a Class of 1976 email to the incoming Rat Mass introduc ing us and the program. In several cases, brother rats were also able to leverage alumni chapter rat send-off events to introduce themselves and the program; thanks to Mike Con ley, Jim Delisio, and Phil Upton for efforts at their local chapters (and

Class Notes

others I may not know about)! There will be more discussions/meetings in the future. I suspect the first major event for us will be before the academ ic Christmas break this year.

Finally, I have sad news. Gary Knight was killed when his private airplane crashed July 18, 2022. Gary was 68 years old. He is survived by his wife, Joanne, and his children, daughter Amanda of Kansas City, Missouri, and son Col in of Chandler, Arizona. Charlie Archer, Ron Lagrone, Kurt Lukenbill, Greg Speaker, and Rory Walsh were able to attend Gary’s funeral in Leavenworth, Kansas. Doug Johnson really wanted to attend, too, but was unable. Here are some BR reactions to Gary’s demise.

Charlie Archer: “I lost my dear friend of 50 years ... in an airplane crash. Brother rat, brother tanker, fellow barracks study room commando, order of the flaming bathrobe with crossed-match stick cluster, Army officer, pilot, husband, father, grandfather. Gary chased his dreams. He discov ered a passion for aviation. He had the neces sary eye surgery, enrolled in pilot training, and spent years working his way through the labori ous qualifications and certifications required to fly commercial aircraft. He started flying region al turboprops and jets and eventually moved up to Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 types. He devoted years to his project building and flying his repli ca Nieuport 28, a French World War I biplane. If Gary had a ‘bucket list,’ he surely must have checked off most of it. He had a quirky person ality and sense of humor, and the reaction to his antics would be either a smile, shaking head of disbelief, or a confounded ‘Whaaa ... ?!’ Except for Joanne, I think most of our wives fell into the confounded camp. A story: He had his reload ing gear for handgun ammo set up in the BOQ at Fort Knox. To show me how safe it was to store powder in his quarters, he poured some out on the floor and tossed a match in, resulting in a big flaming ‘whoosh!’ ‘See,’ he said. ‘It just burns, no explosion.’ Gary was as true, loyal, and de pendable a friend as one could ask for. My heart aches for Joanne, Amanda, Colin, and everyone in the Knight family.”

Dave Bass: “Sad and shocking news about our BR and my roommate! God bless the family and our thoughts and prayers to Joanne, Colin, and Amanda.”

Jerry Eggleston: “While I only knew Gary as part of Echo Company at VMI, I am stunned by the magnificence of his construction of the World War I plane. That picture is amazing, and it will stick in my memory banks till I see him on the other side of the veil someday.”

Maury Gatewood: “So sad to hear about the loss of our BR. He will be missed by us and his fami ly. My condolences to them on this terrible loss.”

Lee Godsey: “I am sad to hear about this. I

remember talking to Gary at reunions about his flying, working his way through the ratings from private pilot on up. Flying was definitely something he loved to do.”

Ares Koumis: “He built his own plane. I work with some aeronautical engineers who did the same, and knowing Gary was not an AE, I am truly amazed at where talent and the discipline VMI provided us can lead. Along with pursuing a career in a cockpit that, as far as I know, was not facilitated by military-government-provided training. A life well-lived, and it seems he died with his boots on, doing what he loved.”

J.R. Mott: “Gary was a great friend. We were great buds in barracks and went through Airborne and Ranger Schools together. At the last reunion, I had such a great time with Gary and Joanne. We hadn’t seen each other for many years. It was a gift. To realize that I will not see him again is devastating.”

Greg Speaker: “When I was at Fort Leaven worth, I told our BRs that I was having the best time I ever had at a funeral, and I am sure Gary would be delighted. Seeing Ron, Rory, Kurt, and Charley brought back so many memories of 50 years ago. After the service at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, the family hosted a gathering at a local winery. They had an ongoing slideshow of Gary’s life that included many cadet pictures. It was incredible how many of our BRs we got

to see in these photos. Those years were truly the best of times.”

Rory Walsh: “Gary told me of the incident at Ranger School where he found a pair of dog tags with the name of ‘Robert Hair,’ and he put them on in an attempt to deceive the Ranger instruc tors. It was a simple matter of elimination to find who he really was, and then he took a thrashing for it. I laughed so hard, shook my head, and said, ‘You idiot! Did you think that was going to fool anyone?’ He smiled, shrugged and said, ‘It was worth a try.’ So, whenever I called him Rob ert Hair, he’d laugh and reply, ‘You can call me Bob.’ He was hilarious.”

1977

Mark Bryant

Brother Rats of ’77, I once again am writing notes in August that you will see in the November issue of the Alum ni Review.

It is mid-August before matriculation, and the Corps returning, etc., and I am getting into final planning details for our reunion, which just hap pened in October! As you read this, I’m sure we will still be resting up from a great weekend.

So, I will keep these notes rather brief. I’m sure as we read these, we will all be remembering our recent reunion after 45 years and looking forward to our next. Just think—by next August, we will be marking 50 years since the best class in bar racks matriculated!

Bland Massie called in to let me know that he and BRs Chris Nash and Chip Davis were all at the Aug. 5–6 VMI football weekend, and along with other alumni were able to meet this year’s players, talk with coaches, share a meal in Crozet, and no doubt tell all of their “Old Corps” football stories!

Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brother Rat Steve Kelly, Ph.D., has bravely and graciously stepped up to be our new class agent! Bravo!

I know Steve “Woodtick” will do a great job, and he has the added advantage of his two old er brothers being class agents for their respective classes (’71 and ’73) for many years. So, he will never be at a loss for advice. Steve has offered his contact information here:

“Brother rats, it is an honor and privilege to take over as class agent. I want to again thank Mark for the great job he did in this role—especially in these difficult times at the ‘I.’ I know I have some big shoes to fill—not just from Mark but

Class notes

notes, we are less than a year out from our 45th Reunion. At this writing, the date is not set but if the pattern remains the same, we should be the sec ond fall reunion, around the third weekend of Oc tober 2023. Go to vmialumni.org/events/reunions to stay informed.

I encourage you to make plans to join your BRs and enjoy the time and memories we can only re call when we are gathered together. Start digging out those pictures that were stashed away and bring them and your memories to reunion. Wheth er you have never been or have been to them all, we look forward to seeing you.

Class of 1977: Mark Bryant, class agent, says of this photo, “Rhys D. Williams ’07 was kind enough to send in the photo of BR Dr. Stephen Heinrich. Heinrich treated Williams’ son for a fracture, and the VMI connection made it all easier.”

all our BRs who previously held this position. I will endeavor to do my best for our class: The best class ever to matriculate at VMI! Please send class notes/pictures to VMIdoc77@gmail.com. My phone is 434-473-9786. Thanks, and again I look forward to serving as your class agent. Steve ‘Woodtick’ Kelly.”

I will finish this last set of notes by me simply by saying that it has been a great experience do ing this. I feel like I got to know my brother rats even better and cannot imagine being part of any better group of men. It has truly been my honor and privilege to serve as class agent for the best VMI class ever known! I look forward to many more years in the company of all of you. Take care of yourselves!

Greetings and Salutations to All,

I hope all had a wonderful summer despite the heat many of you endured and are enjoying the coolness of fall. The seasons of our lives seem to go along with seasons of the year, as so many BRs are now among the ranks of the retired.

These years seem to pass more quickly as we get closer to our next reunion. As you read these

Now for the news from around the class: Matt Schell: “I will be officially retired from teaching high school mathematics full-time in Ari zona as of July 1, when I receive my last paycheck from the school district. I will keep my hand in the ‘wonderful world of education’ either most likely by subbing or working as a full-time mathematics teacher in California. So, I won’t be retired com pletely.

“This past May, my family and I flew out to Col orado to attend my oldest grandchild’s graduation from high school. She will be enrolling in the nurs ing program at the University of Hawaii this fall. See attached a copy of picture of my granddaugh ter, Mirissa Marie Ogimachi, and me standing to gether outside the Colorado State University bas ketball arena in Fort Collins, Colorado, where her graduation ceremony was held.

“My family and I spent time together in Honolu lu, Hawaii. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Resort & Spa right on Waikiki Beach. During the week, we visited the University of Hawaii, where my granddaughter, Mirissa, will be attending as a freshman in the nursing program. We went snor keling over the turtle reef in the ocean not too far from the hotel we were staying at. I tell you, I have never swallowed so much salt water as I did. We managed to see several sea turtles close up. Then we visited Pearl Harbor and went on a tour of the ‘Mighty Mo’ battleship USS Missouri (BB-63), did a tour of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island (you can see the bullet holes on Hangar 79 from the aerial attack Dec. 7, 1941), and then we went on a walking tour of the subma rine USS Bowfin. That sub sank 44 Japanese ships during World War II. I can’t imagine being sub merged underwater in that vessel because it is so cramped inside. Unfortunately, we were not able to see the Arizona Memorial because we were not able to get a boat ride across the harbor in time, even though I took several pictures of it from the battleship and submarine. We all had a great time in Hawaii. It was lots of fun, but a week in Hono lulu isn’t long enough to do the neat things one can do, that’s for sure.

“While in Hawaii, I did try to connect with some fellow VMI alumni and was lucky enough to meet

Gary Rose ’91, a retired Air Force fighter pilot and Hawaii Chapter president, over some beers, slid ers, and chips at the Elks Lodge. We reminisced about our experiences at the ‘I’ and discussed the current state of affairs there ... We may be over shadowed by the federal service academies, but we’re the toughest and most demanding of all the military schools in the country. We’re easier to get into than the federal service academies because our three-legged stool system of education is not 100% funded by taxpayer dollars, but we are the most difficult to get through. The federal service academies no longer have an honor code, but our alma mater does in the truest sense. Well, enough said.”

Steve Powers checked in with pictures of a vis it by Charlie Alphin stopping by New Hampshire while going to Maine (Acadia National Park) for some R&R. “On a side note, don’t know if you want to include this tidbit to our class notes. I am a member of LinkedIn, which last month posted my first anniversary as a security guard at Man chester Boston Regional Airport. Lo and behold, I received a ‘Congrats’ from Bryan Peterson (your VMI senior year company commander) and my former roommate.”

Rick Wolffe: “On my way to the Elks Nation al Convention in Atlanta, I dropped in on Butch Brown and ended up in Lake Lanier.”

Tom Sliwoski: “I just found out that Nelson Cur tis bought a house on the same street as me, three doors down. Touched base with him via email, and he told me he’s not moving in until early Septem ber. Hard to believe that Aug. 21 is 48 years since we matriculated. Cheers and take care.”

Class Notes

Illinois. Wendy and I are ‘continuing on continu ing on.’ All the best to you-n-yours.”

Jay Hutt: “It has been a pretty good summer run for ’78 encounters. I chatted with Paul Mitchell while he was on vacation in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his daughters. It has been a while since I have heard him so upbeat, which was ter rific to hear. Says he is healing well from all his surgeries and after-effects and really enjoying truly living his life again. A similarly positive re port from Tim Frederikson, who has new digs at a facility attached to McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond. He is surrounded by veterans, so I imagine way more than a little ‘can you top this’ conversation amongst that crowd. Tim is mak ing big strides, literally, in his quest to get back on his feet after his fall almost a year ago. Keep it up, Tim! Brion Smith stopped by the burg in mid-June for a really good and way-too-quick visit over lunch. The Smiths are doing well, and plans are to repeat the visit again soon. We have seen Jim and Kathy Cure several times, dinner at their house (never turn down that invitation!) and also a day or two at the Cure family spot on Smith Mountain Lake (another command perfor mance). I believe it’s our turn to host. JK Whit mer and wife Betty have a new granddaughter, Margaret Dove Whitmer, over in Richmond; we hope to be seeing more of JK and Betty soon and often. Lynchburg ’78 gathered a few weeks back; in ranks were Cure, Lowe, Gitchell, and Hutt, and MIA were Thornton, Loflin, and Faulcon er. Am pleased to report that us working stiffs still outnumber the retired gentry, and rumor has it that one might be switching sides from retired back to worker. Not my story to tell, but that’s po tentially good news, as my future Social Security check needs all the help it can get. Paula and I had a very pleasant dinner last week with Stu Gitchell and the always delightful Marga ret Ann Hill. It was a very last-min ute idea. We actually tore them away from the pool, and Stu had to ride his bike home quite quickly for a ward robe adjustment. But he said it was all good, adding, ‘My middle name is Spontaneous.’ That’s not true; his middle name is Stuart. I looked it up. How many demerits for that at this stage? Just the other evening, I had a long chat with my old friend, Steve Lyon ’79; our dads had a business connection, so naturally we were in troduced early in our 3rd Class year. It had been a long while and was re ally good catching up, but I’m heart broken to let you know that Steve lost his dear wife, Beth, very sud denly and unexpectedly in June. She was a terrific lady who is and will be

missed so very greatly. Steve is doing OK, and thanks all who have reached out in these recent weeks. The ’78 monthly Prayer Calls are cruis ing right along—typically 12–16 BRs, and as you can expect, it’s like herding cats to get off the jaw jacking and knuckle busting in order to get to the main thing. It is always a blast hanging with any and all who show up, and there’s plenty of room for more. And good news: None of us bite any more, so it’s safe in the pool; come on in! Later.”

Jimmy Leech: “My wife and I traveled to Vir ginia in late June/early July to attend a fami ly wedding and spent a very enjoyable evening and morning with Brion Smith in Keswick, near Charlottesville. As you probably know, Brion is now fully retired, and we did a lot of catching up, having not seen each other for over 20 years. His wife, Judy, was out of town, unfortunately, but she and their two adult children (and assorted grand children) are also doing well. We also had a nice visit in Lexington with my sister Jane (widow of

George M. Brooke III ’67) and her son (George M. Brooke IV ’94, professor of physics at VMI) and his family. It was nice to be back on the road after lying low for two years!”

Mark Seely: “It’s all good out here in Cali; well, except for the fires. Recently went on a honey moon cruise in the Med and am enjoying mar ried life. Planning to visit the ‘I’ this fall during a trip back East and also see some BRs during our travels.”

Bruce Kay: “All are doing well here. I dropped my papers and will be retiring in December! It’s time.”

Those are the last of the status checks I am able to pass along at this time. I messed up and some how deleted the other emails that were sent along and was unable to recover them. I humbly apolo gize for not including several other submissions.

On that somber note, I thank all of you for stay ing in touch and passing along your interactions with BRs. Please do not allow the bonds of our experience to fade. Stay connected or reconnect with one another, share your memories so that the spirit of ’78 remains. It has been 48 years since we began building that bond; keep it alive!

1979

Brother Rats, Hope this finds everyone safe and well.

If you have not heard, we lost Jay “Vester” Thompson suddenly in August to a heart attack. Sad news, indeed. A great BR and super guy. Please keep Amy and family in your thoughts and prayers.

We start off with what I believe is a first time contributor, Tom Man ley, who writes in with: “Pete Un derwood, Tony Pais, Doug Doerr, Joe Jenkins and I, all VMI ’79 Ma rines, met with retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Dick Weede ’61 July 24 in Lexington, Virginia, to thank him, some 43-plus years later, for the encouragement and great role model he set in ‘kickstarting’ our ’79 Ma rine Corps careers. We had a nice lunch and presented Colonel Weede with an embroidered USMC fleece blanket from all VMI ’79 Marines

Class notes

to thank him for his stewardship. Everyone enjoyed swapping sto ries and catching up. Collectively, they toasted the Corps, VMI ’79, and those Marines gone before, in particular Tom Kovach. It was a special lunch and day, for Colonel Weede and all who attended, with best wishes and regards passed on from all ’79 Marines who could not attend. It was especially good to see Joe Jenkins, who traveled furthest, driving up from Fayetteville, North Carolina. It was his first visit back to Lexington since 1980!”

Phil Andrews, who I believe is also a first-time contributor, re lays: “I have recently reconnected with the Class of ’79 New Barracks Room 185 roommate crew: Joseph ‘Joe’ Jenkins and Thomas ‘Tom’ Manley. I had a long chat with Joe over this past weekend and with Tom last night. They are both doing well and re tired from the Marine Corps. Tom lives in Staf ford, Virginia, and he and I are meeting for break fast Saturday, Aug. 13, in Stafford. Joe now lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and I expect all three of us will be at the VMI/The Citadel foot ball game Nov. 19. Tom and I may road trip down for a game or two before then. The last time I had seen Tom was at the U.S. Air Force Kadena Air Base Okinawa Officer’s club in 1986–87. I had not seen Joe since his wedding/reception in Clin ton, Maryland, shortly after graduation.” Thank you, Phil, and great hearing from you!

Marc Withers sends: “I’m winding down my career and employment at MITRE. I’m still in discussion whether I’ll do some part-time work or pull the plug completely. I plan to shift my time to our small farm. We’re just finishing lamb and kid season and have had about 40 babies this year. Now we are focusing on the gardens and orchard.”

Jeff Vodermark sends: “Kansas reporting in! Susan and I hosted our annual KC area New Market gathering in May. A modest gathering but some great discussion, catching up, and of course the mandatory ‘back in the Old Corps’ stories. One of the attendees (Nick Shallcross ’03) had quite the collection of Bomb yearbooks. Even one from 1900! Of course, he didn’t possess one from the best class in barracks; I remedied that shortcoming on the spot!

“Today we head to downtown Kansas City to see off the latest rat to matriculate from the area. Appears we’ll have a great turnout, but no BRs, unfortunately. Hank St. Pierre is in the area, but I don’t seem to have good contact info for him. Only real news from here is that I’m teetering

between whether or not to start a small business with my woodworking products. I’ve gained a small following and can pretty much sell what I want. Of course, that means less hobby and more work! I was kind of hoping to avoid that. We’ll see. In the meantime, I stay busy running my sawmill and managing my 60 acres for habitat improve ment. My time with Colonel Byers way back when is paying off! Sure wish some of you engi neer types were out here to help this poor old En glish major design a solar kiln for the wood I cut. Would have saved me from stooping to using an

online Virginia Tech product. If you make it through the KC area, we’ve always got room. And I’ll even let you run the mill! So easy, a Hokie could do it ...”

Bob Sievert writes: “Only two big changes for Angela and me. First, I’ve officially gone to semi-retire ment by becoming halftime in my job with the National Association of State Procurement Officials. So, I’ve given up my CIO duties and staff but kept my role in working with states to help them automate their procurement operations. Even with the reduced responsibilities, it’s still a real challenge for me to keep to 20 hours a week! The other change is that we bought a 37-foot motorhome so we could take time to see parts of the country that we haven’t been able to get to. We took our first ‘big’ trip a few weeks ago with a run down to Las Cruces, New Mexico, then over to Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, with a final run through Navajo country in Utah before we made our way back home through the moun tains of Colorado. The theme for our trip quick ly became ‘d@#% hot,’ as we hit 105 degrees in New Mexico, followed by 110 in Tucson and 115 in Phoenix! Not an ideal trip but was its own ver sion of memorable! Other than these things, life is a nice routine of working from home with lots of video calls and spending time locally with re ally great people in this small-town area of Colo rado City that we love.”

John Kailey says he has not much to report, other than a two-and-a-half-year countdown to retirement from the feds. He took my advice on a physical (listen up and take note, BRs!): “I was generally pleased with the results.” Thank you, John, for both the input and sound advice.

The always faithful, ever-entertaining and in formative Bill Albro submission: “As with all BRs I talk to, I am saddened by the loss of BR Vester. He left us too soon, and my condolenc es to family. Hot humid here in Southern Mary land. I just got back from a few days with Jim Leadbetter on Fleets Bay in the wilds of Anti poison neck. Sput had a few projects lined up, and we got in an afternoon visit to Doug and Ginny Mauck in Topping, Virginia—about 12 kilometers over the bridge as the osprey flies. All is well with Doug and Ginny as they get set tled in. Contact with BRs Pekarik and Sheehan last week about the end of September dive trip on the Vandenberg. Dean Smith is on the mend with regard to his foot surgery but won’t be able to drive. Brad Jones was working to put in some sort of duck habitat at his game preserve. Sam

Class Notes

Murphy informed Pete Alverez and I via email that he is retiring and moving to the Tidewater area. Bill Smithson is doing fine in Georgia and looking for a time to come up and visit in Rich mond. Bill Bersson was working remotely for a few weeks in Pensacola, Florida. Doing the tele work while also renovating and fixing—multital ented BR we have there. He’s like a mental jug gler in Cirque du Soleil or something. Barbara and I had a great trip and visit to California in June for family and visiting nature sights. We had a great stay at a ranch outside of SLO and got in road trips and hiking in Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Channel Islands National Parks—just trying to get the most out of my National Parks Senior Pass. My niece’s graduation as a highlight. I have a trip at the end of August to Scotland with my mother and brother, Brian Albro ’90. It should be a fun time with family as mom visits her sis ters and nieces/nephews. Brother Brian sent me a selfie of he and BR Don Zimmer at a VMI func tion out in Seattle last Sunday. I looked Don up on the handy dandy VMI app (get the app, BRs!) and sent him an email saying he is looking pretty good and that I would look him up if I go visit ing that way. I had lunch last Saturday with my brother, Tom Albro ’81, and his roommate, John Ferry ’81. Tom is doing well. John was his usu al—keenly convivial. John credits our BR John George with keeping him at VMI, and I sent a note to ‘Yonny’ saying so. Finally, I just complet ed my technician amateur radio and am currently working on the general level—all the neat things you can do with computer keeps it simple for me, as I don’t have a radio yet. (Yes, still a rat without a radio). Don’t forget the annual physical. Keep skunks and bankers at a distance. 73 - K3WPA QRV. That is all; return to what you were doing.” (During review and checking and grading and correcting, Renee remarked that “the Albros are a true VMI family!”)

Speaking of John George, an update from him: “I had a long talk with Janet, and we agreed it’s time to give you an update. I finished my che mo and radiation. I go Thursday for an MRI to check the progress of the treatment. The follow ing week we meet with the neurologist to discuss progress and next steps. What we know for sure as of today is: 75% of the brain tumor was re moved, the remaining 25% is made up of three distinct cancer cells. Very unique. The remaining tumor is a low grade but very aggressive. Hope fully the chemo and radiation helped to slow its progress, but it will grow back. The only thing that can be done in the future is cyber knives. If that is not successful, they give me about three years. I do still intend to fight this thing because that’s what VMI men do. My dad used to say, ‘Hope for the best but plan for the worst.’ That’s what I’ll be doing over the next few weeks.

Planning for the worst. If it’s time to close the book, I’d like to know if I could have my ash es spread on the parade deck. VMI gave me the basis for a life well spent. I’d like to add to my will that my sons, their spouses and my Janet be present to spread my ashes and view a full-dress parade. I want them to see what I’ve been talking about all this year.” You are in our thoughts and prayers, brother rat. Stay strong and kick @#$.

News from ESVA: Renee caught COVID-19 and was “med down” for a week or so. We went into quarantine condition 1-Alpha-4-Zebra and kept separation, wore masks in each other’s pres ence, and (sigh) slept separately. Renee recov ered well and I remain—I say again, remain— COVID-19 free. For now. Go figure.

I’d like to put a plug in for Ed Johnson’s monthly class Zoom meetings. Good fun, infor mative, and an easy way to catch up and stay in touch with BRs. Last Monday of every month, usually with a guest speaker and a really easydo. I put out meeting instructions via Facebook and email, so if you are not getting these, let me know. My email, address, and phone are at the top of our notes section. Yes, really. No kidding. Go look. Now. Dare ya. (See? Told ya!)

Stay in touch, take care and be safe BRs. –M

These Class of ’79 notes were reviewed, proofed, corrected, scrutinized, and approved by Renee.

1980

John Gibney Jr.

Hello, Brother Rats!

These notes cover the period May 16, 2022, through Aug. 15, 2022, and include the sad news of the passing of George Condyles in June. Ave atque vale.

The period began with an exchange of text messages with Steve Andrews, who sent a pho to of his dog, Rover, and with Tom Gelles, who wrote happy New Market Day. Tom also com mented on the 42nd anniversary of our gradua tion. In hockey, Tom’s Penguins were playing my Rangers in the playoffs, and I got to brag after the Rangers emerged victorious. This was followed by an exchange of email with Dave Hagemann on his birthday, who asked if I was celebrating on the golf course.

I also exchanged messages with Paul Burk holder on his birthday. Paul wrote that he is well and now covered by Medicare. Paul retired as of

May 1 and babysits his grandchild each Wednes day and would like to visit Ukraine at some point. I also exchanged texts with John Casamassa on his birthday. John reported that all is good.

Dennis Jacobs sent an email after receiving his birthday card. Jake and Becky were heading to Ireland, a trip that was delayed by COVID-19.

I exchanged email messages with Jonathan Ives on his birthday. Jonathan is a brigadier gen eral in the Army stationed in Germany. He was considering retiring prior to the Ukraine invasion. He is now targeting 2025 with a return to the U.S. His daughters, Peyton and Hadley, are 7 and 9, respectively.

Jack Keane sent several messages regarding Ray Joinson’s battle with cancer. As always, Ray was in great spirits. At the time, he was being con sidered for a motorized wheelchair and next steps in his treatment. Replies were sent by Ali Mahan, Dave Gleason, Jeff Basilotta, Dennis Hackemeyer, Dennis Jacobs, Tom Gelles, Mike Luning, Rick Fowler, Tom Bersson, Chal Glenn, Frank Hilton, Dusty Boyd, Mike Flinn, George Con dyles, Kirk Deadrick, Rob Robinson, Rob Gear hart, Don Briggs, Allen Ramer, Joe Belkoski, Don Bradshaw, Jeff Washington, Tracy Wilson, Patrick McCarthy, and Tom Kelly Kirk Cole sent a message after receiving the Alumni Review. He wrote that he has not seen anything in the class notes about Frank Graven er, Jody Weatherwax, Ben Gore, Wei Chang, W.L. “Bill” Brown, or Bill Schul. I responded that the class notes contain information I receive firsthand. We then exchanged email regarding the late Bob Cadmus, who was my roommate for our last three years in barracks, and an encounter Kirk had with Bob aboard a nuclear submarine in the Newport News Shipyard in 1983 or 1984.

Bob Hillard sent an email with a photo of the baseball team he coaches in Franklin, Tennes see. I received the details of my golf club’s an nual member-guest tournament and invited Tim Hodges to return again this year. He accepted.

I exchanged email with Chal Glenn on his birthday. Chal was celebrating on Sunset Beach, North Carolina, with his family, including 6-month-old grandson Jackson and 4-month-old granddaughter Lainey.

I exchanged email messages with Paul Keel on his birthday. Paul and Angela live in and just closed on a condo in Hawaii. Paul works in hu man resources for Hawaiian Airlines. Angela works for the IRS. They were “on the mainland” attending their granddaughter’s high school grad uation in Kansas City. Paul also preached at his church, and John Hughes was able to attend. They then traveled to Richmond, where they had dinner with Gene Scott and Jeff Washington John Hughes wrote that it was wonderful seeing Paul after more than 40 years.

Class notes

Frank Leech sent an email with an attached link to an article (foxnews.com/lifestyle/meet-ameri can-who-200000-war-heroes) titled, “Meet the American who honors the memory of 200,000 fallen war heroes” subtitled, “Robert Dalessan dro of the American Battle Monuments Com mission believes in a ‘sacred mission.’” The ar ticle describes Bob, his military career, and his role with the American Battle Monuments Com mission. I forwarded the article to the Alumni As sociation.

I spoke with Wade Stinnette, who then sent a photo taken fishing with his 5-year-old grandson, William. I also exchanged several text messages with Ed Baker during the NHL playoffs.

May closed with an exchange of email, sepa rately, with Kirk Deadrick and with Mike Harp er on their birthdays and an exchange of texts with Dwight Pearson and Jed TenHoeve on their birthdays. Jed reported all good. Dwight was cel ebrating on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and I connected him with Ed Baker, who lives there. Kirk wrote that all was well. Mike wrote that he spent his 64th birthday on an Alaskan cruise with Joy and two of his adult children, Allie and Brendan. Mike is retired from the Air Force and retired from Microsoft in December 2021. He was recruited by Jack Keane and has joined the advisory board of Southern Maryland College.

June began with another update from Jack Keane on Ray Joinson’s status. Replies were sent by Jeff Basilotta, Rick Fowler, Kirk Dead rick, Don Bradshaw, Frank Hilton, Mike Flinn, Chal Glenn, and John Caplice

Bert Schneider sent a text with a photo taken 40 years ago on the day he and Peggy were married. They celebrated by dining at a fancy restaurant. Forrest Marion sent an email in connection

with the election of VMI Alumni Association board members. Congrats to Pat Griffin and Dennis Maguire on their election.

John Hughes sent a text with a When I’m Six ty-Four by the Beatles video after receiving his birthday card.

Scott Sayre sent a text after receiving his birth day card. Scott and Mary were in New Hamp shire visiting with their son and granddaughter. They have moved permanently from Lexington to St. Petersburg, Florida, and were expecting a visit from Frank and Wanda Hilton

Typically, a group of our BRs led by Mike Lun ing, with a lot of help, gather in Lexington in the fall to attend a football game. Mike sent an email with the 2022 dates (Oct. 6–9) and noting that since Gary Levenson has retired, his house on post is no longer the group’s HQ. The weekend plans include dinner Thursday for early arrivals; golf, parade, and other events Friday, followed by dinner; attendance at the football game Saturday; and departure Sunday. Those who planned to at tend included Dave and Diana Hagemann, Ali Mahan (it is his birthday weekend) and Melody, Dixon Tucker (also his birthday weekend), and Tom and Amy Bersson. Preston and Shari Vock were also considering attending.

After an exchange of text messages, I spoke at length with John Alerding. John is retired from the Air Force but is employed at SAIC, working remotely from his home in Lexington but occa sionally commuting to Oklahoma City. His wife, Anne, a full professor at VMI, is still teaching in the biology department. John is also a grand father. His son, Johnny, and daughter-in-law, Brooke, welcomed Olivia Maeve in March.

On June 12, George Condyles passed away. I was first notified by Jack Keane via text. I then spoke several times with George’s wife, Harriet, who provided details regarding George’s health issues and the funeral arrangements, which were provided in three blast email messages. Replies were sent from Dave Madden; Mike Hall, who recalled encountering George and Harriet in the early ’80s when both were stationed in West Ger many and again in the ’90s at our reunions; Sean Gallagher; Steve Andrews; Matthew Atkinson; Wade Stinnette; Dave Hagemann; Bruno Loef stedt; Don Bradshaw; Bob White; Joe Belkos ki; Dan Conn; Bert Schneider; Kevin Davis, who wrote in a separate message that he is doing well but recovering from COVID-19; Jeff Wash ington, who remembered George as a fantastic guy; Jim Poulakis, who wrote that George was his roommate and friend from matriculation un til Jim left at the end of our 3rd Class year; Bob Hillard; Mitch Alexander; Mike Flinn; To lar Nolley; Ed Kopsick; Phil Altizer; and Jody Morgan. Thanks to Hugh Fain and Tolar Nolley for attending and for sending a photo and the list

Class Notes

of attendees (Tom Bersson, Steve Ikenberry, Jack Keane, Bruno Loefstedt, Mike Luning, Jay McConnell, Gene Scott, John Shuman, Dixon Tucker, and Tony Zoetis) at George’s service in Richmond.

I received an email from Bill Kyle in response to the blast email mes sages. Bill and I dyked in the same room as rats. Bill wrote that he and Debby are settling into the home in Richmond where they plan to live in retirement. Bill was planning to attend our 40th Reunion and looks forward to attending our 45th.

Each year after receipt of his birth day card, Robby Jones mails back the top half with a hand-written note. Robby wrote that he and Beth are well and that their eldest daugh ter, Katie, had her second little girl June 9, Emma.

Rob Quarles has a bucket list item of attending the Little League World Se ries in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, about an hour drive from our house in the Poconos. COVID-19 prevented his attending in 2020 and 2021, but he is attending in 2022 and invited me and Patti, as well as Larry Hupertz and Yves Pollart, to join. As of Aug. 15, we are all planning to accompany Rob. Rob’s daughter, Arkell, works in Ft. Lau derdale, Florida, as a yoga instructor. One of her clients plays for the Baltimore Orioles.

Jack Keane sent an update on Ray Joinson’s condition, which was not very positive. Again, our BRs who replied in support of Ray and Carla were Don Briggs, Tom Kelly, Patrick McCar thy, Bob Dalessandro, Dave Hagemann, Mike Flinn, Jeff Washington, Kirk Deadrick, Bruno Loefstedt, Tom Bersson, Frank Leech, Dennis Jacobs, Dave Gleason, Mike Flinn, Walt Wood, Mickey Cole, Mike Harper, and Rob Gearhart.

I sent an email to Rob Gearhart on his birth day and copied 10 of our BRs who were com missioned in the Marine Corps upon graduation: Steve Chace, Dan Conn, Tom Gelles, Tom Kel ly, Brian Lake, Frank Leech, Steve Letts, Robby Wheeler, and Wade Stinnette. Steve wrote that very few things in life beat a good old-fashioned jarhead thread!

Wayland Patterson hosts events in the Pensac ola area for graduates of VMI, The Citadel, Nor wich, and Texas A&M. He copied me on an email he sent regarding the event he hosted June 21.

Walt and Mary Lynne Wood sent two email messages with attached photos. The first mes sage noted their celebrating 37 years of marriage and Walt’s Appalachian Trail milestones as he crossed the halfway point. The second message noted that Walt was suspending his hike.

I exchanged text messages and email with Sean Gallagher on his birthday. Sean currently lives in Roanoke but is planning to move to Oregon by the end of the year.

July began with a follow-up email from Mike Luning regarding the planned gathering in Lex ington in October. Bob White is planning to at tend, but Shari and Preston Vock were undecided.

I spoke on two occasions with Harriet Con dyles. She truly appreciates the support provid ed by our BRs, specifically those who attended George’s service and those who have sent cards.

I sent a text to and called Elliott Wolffe on his

birthday. Elliott and Amy were in Cape Cod on vacation. I then fol lowed up with the intent of sched uling home-and-home golf. We are still planning.

Patrick McCarthy sent an email in advance of his mission trip to Peru.

Ed Baker sent a message with an attached photo taken during a threeweek trip to Montana of a huge fish he caught. We also exchanged text messages throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs as Ed is a big Caroli na Hurricanes fan. By the way, the Rangers eliminated the Canes!

I spoke with Rob Quarles. As not ed above, Patti and I will be joining Rob at the Little League World Se ries in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Aug. 20–21.

Tracy Wilson sent a text while in New York City in connection with a class his daughter, Siena, was taking at the Fash ion Institute of Technology and a culinary class his daughter, Ellie, was taking. Patti and I were away on separate trips followed by a week at our house in the Poconos, so we were unable to connect.

Jeff Basilotta responded to a birthday email message that all is well.

I exchanged email messages with Craig Jones on his birthday. Craig wrote that all is well in North Carolina, and his grandson was born two weeks prior.

I spoke at length with Ray Joinson’s wife, Carla. Ray was in hospice, and their son, Eric, who is in the Secret Service, was staying with Carla while traveling from Oklahoma City to Washington, D.C., between assignments.

August began with a series of text messages with Frank Hilton. As noted above, Frank and Wanda were in NYC in May for Frank’s surgery. Frank re ported that his surgery was a success, and all tests have been negative. However, surgery did not im prove his golf game, although he is looking at new clubs.

I also exchanged email messages with Tim Hodges, as he is my guest at my golf club’s an nual member/guest tournament Aug. 12–14. Tim’s son was married in August, and Tim and Vicki were babysitting their grandchildren in advance of Tim’s arrival.

I spoke with Allen Ramer on his birthday and offered condolences on the passing of his dad, a VMI graduate, in July. Our BRs attending the fu neral included John Blankenship, Dusty Boyd, John Caplice, Hugh Fain, Tolar Nolley, and Josh Priest. Allen’s concrete business is doing very well, and he plans to continue working. He at tended the Keydet Club Leadership Outing and

Class notes

played with John Caplice and Robby Jones John Blankenship was supposed to play but had a last-minute conflict.

Tom Shedd sent an email after receiving his birthday card. Tom is retired from U.S. Cus toms and audits classes at Winthrop University in South Carolina. He wrote that Bruno Loefstedt relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, and they plan to get together.

Bill Roelfson sent an email with his new ad dress in Charlottesville. Bill has retired, sold his chiropractic practice in Roanoke, and he and Gin ny have purchased a new home.

Tim Hodges arrived Aug. 9, and we spoke with Tolar Nolley, who sought Tim’s expertise with an environmental project. We also spoke with Gary Levenson, who has begun his new job as a ci vilian employee in the Army ROTC department. Gary confirmed his intent to stay in my apart ment in NYC over Thanksgiving. Tim and I won our flight but were eliminated in the shootout.

Lastly, Ed Kopsick sent an email requesting a connection to Dave Hagemann. Ed was receiv ing strange messages from Dave’s Facebook ac count and wanted to confirm that Dave was not sending these. It appears Dave was hacked.

Thank you for your continuing support and for keeping me in the loop via phone calls, text mes sages, and email. Please stay safe.

and other game. Patti and John’s new place has four bedrooms and two fireplaces, the latter of which will keep John in shape splitting firewood. John is hoping to find time to kayak in Codorus Creek and the Susquehanna River. Specifically, he plans to spend time at Shanks Mare on the Susquehanna, where he and Patti were married! (Always great hearing from you, Johnny! You re main a blessed man, sir.)

taken interest in your AT adventure, please know that we all remain in awe of you! Tremendous ef fort ... especially at our age! Looking forward to future updates.)

Brother Rats and Sisters, I am penning this write-up in mid-August. Summer has been super busy for so many of us, and from Facebook and other social media, there have been a lot of BRs traveling, celebrating family births, career changes, and more. Inputs for this edition were somewhat limited, howev er, and I attribute that to everyone enjoying their many life blessings! That said, and since I have the article space, I am going to do something a bit unique and include a great account from BRs Tim Nitz and John Reed of our class’ role—and their lead—in the “evolution” of Breakout as we see it today. It is a great read, and I anticipate that you will all enjoy. First, let’s go to the individu al inputs!

Patti and John Dixon sold their home on Gwynn’s Island and have moved to Hanover, Pennsylvania. Per John, they desperately need ed more room for their growing family and now have an acre on a nice “hill” with deer, black bear,

Pete Tranchik gave us an update on his Appa lachian Trail adventures. In early August, Pete shared that he was healing well from his June hernia operation but that he still remains on a very limited (15 pounds) lift restriction. Even with that, he has started training to get back on the AT after being off the trail for 60 days. As of August, Pete has hiked 1,000 miles on the trail. He plans to pick the hike back up in Sep tember. He hopes to meet BRs Mike Shupp and Dave Openshaw in Harpers Ferry on or about Sept. 17, where they will hike the Maryland por tion together with Pete. Pete then plans to hike Pennsylvania to the Delaware Water Gap or fur ther, depending on time and weather. In spring (March timeframe), Pete plans to pick it back up and complete the AT no later than Memorial Day 2023. As many may know, Pete will find the end of the trail on Mount Katahdin, the northern ter minus in Maine. This portion of the AT does not open until mid-May due to weather conditions. That will conclude his 2,194-mile journey. Pete shared that the first 1,000 miles was a tremen dous experience, both physically and emotional ly. That said, he also added that “[my] blog was pretty much underwhelming (my bad), but I plan to update it this month to address physical training, equipment, etc. Once I have covered that, I will decide whether to continue the blog or switch to a Facebook site that will be updated periodically with pictures and videos.” (Pete, while you have routinely thanked all our BRs and family that have

Gene Loving proudly shared that his son, Lucas, tested for two hours in early June and achieved his half-orange, half-green belt in Krav Maga. Teens test every six months on half the upgrade of the next belt. Next milestone for Lu cas will be a full green belt. That same week end, Gene tested for three hours and successful ly achieved his green belt. (Great job to you and Lucas, Gene! Looking forward to watching you both progressing in your belt rankings.)

Ski bash was another tremendous event this year! As a class, we simply cannot possibly thank Jim Hart and his brother, Derek Hart ’94, for hosting this event each year over the past 40-plus years! Kudos also go to BR Rob Costello for his continued key role in planning and execution of meals. While there were a number of alum ni from other classes in attendance, from 1981 (the best class to ever grace barracks) we had: Larry Butler, Rob “Cos” Costello, Tim Dean, John Ditillo, Bruce Gitchell, Jim Hart, Geoff Hinshelwood, Bruce Kitchen, Hank Lee, Jerry Manley, Gary Morgan, Ken “Catman” Mor ris, Robert “Clinker” Moss, Tim Nitz, Lou Rolan, Mackay “Mac” Spears, Billy Stamm, Bob “Gator” Underwood, Greg Wolven, and Vince Wood. (Hope I didn’t miss anyone in that roll call.) Brides, other family members, and friends were also in attendance, along with various pups! Once again, the food and drinks were over the top! The musical talents of Tim Nitz and Gator Underwood were enjoyed by all!

Dave Openshaw shared that while cruising the Chesapeake the Fourth of July weekend, he and Lily had a great overnight port call at Shupp Har bor. With Mike and Sherrye Shupp, they shared cocktails by the pool, a cookout, and a great deal

Class Notes

of “catching up until midnight by the lazy Wye River.” Dave reports that Mike and Sherrye’s place is magnif icent, and they look forward to meet ing up with them on another cruise adventure later this summer.

Bob Munno shared that he spent Independence Day week in Poland visiting his in-laws. He and wife Ag nieszka had a great time. Some may not know, but Agnieszka had an ear lier surgery to remove a brain tumor, and thankfully, all went well! They ac tually took what Bob called a “postbrain-tumor-surgery check-out dive” in Europe’s deepest pool, Deep Spot. Agnieszka descended down to 150 feet without issue. (Bob, we are happy and grateful that Agnieszka is well!)

Jim Frishkorn provided a quick up date in July. Jim is enjoying his role as BB&E’s site lead assisting the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Natu ral Disaster Response Division with the ongoing F-35 bed-down military construction program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida (a $4.9 billion Hurricane Michael rebuild effort); Of futt Air Force Base, Nebraska (U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) flood recovery effort); and Joint Base Langley-Eustis (relocation of the F-22 FTU training program from Tyndall Air Force Base to Langley Air Force Base). In this role, Jim is manag ing the efforts of 36 multidisciplined architects, engineers, construction managers, GIS technicians, master schedulers, and other tailored exper tise. Specific to the Tyndall Air Force Base rebuild effort, the Air Force will be incorporating a wide variety of cutting-edge technologies to include drone detection capabilities, facility occupancy sensors, gunshot detection, facial recognition, incorporation of a variety of robotic technologies, and digital twin technology that supports the Air Force’s Installation of the Fu ture. Tyndall’s focus on resiliency will include designing facilities to with stand 165-mph hurricane winds, site base facilities above the 14-foot flood plain, and use of building materials that can withstand the impact of stormblown debris. Additionally, in an unan ticipated turn of events, Jim received a verbal heads-up from Wayland Patter son ’80 that his name came up as a po tential candidate to assist the PACAF

staff at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hick am plan and deliver facility infrastruc ture in support of the U.S.’s Pivot to the Pacific basing strategy. Jim said that he deferred Wayland’s call to Mei-Ling, Jim’s Hawaiian bride, who responded, “I can’t pack fast enough!” At last re port, they were standing by to see if a formal offer will be extended. (By the time this edition roles to print, Jim, we hope to hear that you are enjoying local Hawaiian grinds, brah!)

Lou Darden chimed in! Lou shared some “fun stuff [he is] contributing to here in Richmond Executive Airport ...” Lou joined the Civil Air Patrol and flies as a scanner in the Cessna 182G1000 aircraft. On missions, he prac tices search and rescue techniques to find downed aircraft, lost hikers, etc. The Cessna 182G-1000 Lou is pic tured with is at the Chesterfield Air port. Each aircraft is maintained as a USAF asset. As a private pilot, Lou also serves as a backup pilot for added safety for the cockpit crew. Lou shared that this is a truly rewarding addition al duty.

I also want to remember the hearts and souls we lost in our extended class family in these recent months:

In early June, Mark Gonsalves and I attended funeral services for the beau tiful Katherine Protogyrou. Katherine was the loving bride to Andy Protogy rou ’84, Sloppy’s rat. It was a beautiful service with many alumni, family, and friends in attendance. Mark and I were blessed to share a reception lunch ta ble with Andy and a few of his BRs, to include Frank Kolmansburger ’84 (my rat), Greg Cavallero ’84, Barry Coceano ’84, and William Gottwald ’84.

In early July, we lost Ms. Maureen Hart Ripley Steele, beloved mother of Beth Ripley Owermohle. Many will remember Maureen’s husband, Beth’s father, U.S. Marine Corps Col. George Ripley ’52, as the first CO of VMI’s NROTC unit and, subsequently, as the VMI deputy superintendent. BRs Adrian Bogart and John (and Lisa) Aulbach represented the class by at tending the Friday visitation.

Also in July was the passing of Jay Thompson ’79, beloved brother of our BR Fletcher Thompson. This was a very tragic and unexpected loss while Jay was visiting his ranch in Montana.

Class notes

At time of this writing, we are still waiting to learn of potential plans for memorial service.

Our collective hearts remain with the families of Protogyrou, Ripley/Owermohle, and Thompson. You have our deepest sympathies and prayers for continued comfort.

That completes the submitted inputs on re cord and remembrances. Here, now, is the “Breakout” write-up from BR John Reed as supported and edited by BR Tim Nitz: “The year was 1980. The Virginia Military Insti tute was being tasked with reexamining another of its longstanding traditions due to safety impli cations within barracks. As with most VMI tradi tions, the majority of cadets did not want to see change; but this one was needed and necessary to ensure that no cadet was hurt, injured, or even killed.

“In question was the final ritual in what was known as ‘Resurrection,’ the monthslong process of the Rat Mass evolution to becoming a class. Breakout was the culmination of that process, and it was highly anticipated by all classes in barracks. ... It sounds easy enough, but like many traditions, the last several years had seen an escalation ... in which upperclassmen had exceeded the boundar ies of the tradition’s intent. That, coupled with the fact that the concrete and steel structure of the ‘bat tlefield’ itself (often iced over by the current resi dents of each stoop), created an unsafe and poten tially hazardous environment. The Institute could no longer sanction such an event.

“The illustrious Class of 1981 was the 1st Class in barracks at the time and was summoned to come up with a solution to the problem. The new tradi tion needed to be voted on and in place within the next several months to accommodate the Break out of the newest Rat Mass hoping to emerge as the Class of 1984. Word was passed down from the office of the superintendent to Bob Morris, the 1st Class president, and Ron Mislowsky, the president of the Rat Discipline Committee, and ul timately to any cadet who could come up with a solution.

“[John Reed] was first secretary of the RDC 1st Class year and [his] roommate, Tim Nitz, was sec ond secretary. One afternoon while carrying out some menial RDC task on the fourth stoop, Tim and [John] looked down at the VMI Rifle Range, easily viewed from rat room windows on the north side of Old Barracks. [They] started to think about how [they] could utilize the range area as a new location to hold Breakout. In looking at that prop erty, Tim and [John] came up with the idea of dig ging a huge trench across the open range area. The dirt removed from the trench could be mounded behind the trench, creating a second large hill. The 2nd Class could position themselves on top of the main range wall, while the 3rd Class could defend the top of the hill above the ditch. Instead of the

rats fighting their way up the steps in barracks, the same, traditional concept could be kept in place, except in a more natural and much ‘safer’ environ ment.

“[They] thought [they] had a pretty good plan. Tim and [John] worked over the basic details. [They] came up with the idea that if [they] could get a fire truck on site to hose down the entire set up, it would make the plan even more challenging. [They] needed, however, to go down to the site and check if there could be access in and out as need ed. Excited about the new idea to save Breakout, [they] bolted from the fourth stoop and ran down out of barracks to the Rifle Range. Together, [they] walked the site to assess the feasibility of [their] plan. [They] must have walked around the site for an hour or so, developing the plans when [they] remembered that [they] both were on confinement (as usual) and had missed the evening check. We had to bone ourselves for being in an ‘un-all right’ place. That’s all right, we thought, this will give us an opportunity to present our idea to assistant com mandant, Captain Harold Wilcockson.

“[John] drew a schematic, outlining the plan in black sharpie, on the back of an 11” x 17” Spanky’s place mat. [They] showed [their] idea around and took some input from several class mates. Ultimately, [they] pieced together a presen tation for Captain Wilcockson. [They] took their special reports, tucked [their] hair behind [their] ears as best [they] could, and went in to see Wil cockson together. [They] entered his office early and calmly explained [their] situation to his sec retary who sat just outside his door ([they] had learned over the years that he didn’t like surprises). After four years at VMI, you came to understand: It was Captain Wilcockson’s secretary, Sandy, who was the essential key to almost everything.

“Sandy went in and talked briefly to the assistant

commandant. Captain Wilcockson begrudgingly let [them] into his office to answer [their] special reports together. [They] explained [their] situation to him, and he listened intently. [They] shared with him [their] schematic, and though he would never show it, he seemed impressed. He asked if he could keep the drawing so that he could show the com mandant and superintendent the plan. He slowly took out his black marker, drew a line across both special reports and said, ‘This is the first time in four years that you two have shown the potential that I always knew you had. Special reports can celed.’ [They] looked at each other proudly and smiled. [They] saluted the assistant commandant and turned to exit his office, only to hear him say: ‘But you both need a haircut!’ [They] exited his of fice as fast as possible without reply.

“The idea was quickly presented to Ron Mis lowsky and then approved by the entire RDC. After taking it to class President Morris, it was learned that Vice President Terry Murphy had also been strongly encouraging some type of out side of barracks experience. With that leadership momentum, it was easy to get the idea ratified by a 1st Class vote and without any opposition!

Within weeks, the backhoes were digging the trench, and the Class of 1984 would become the first to experience ‘Muddy Hill’ (libguides.vmi. edu/blog/A-History-of-Breakout), which was the Breakout site for the next 20-plus years.” Written by John L. Reed and Timothy A. Nitz

With that, my brothers and sisters, I close this edition’s input. Thanks to all and special thanks to John and Tim (Huge kudos on the write-up, BRs!)

Until next edition, cheers and God bless!

Jerry

1982 Will Council

Hello, BRs, Happy summer to you. Schools are starting back around here in Tennessee. Not much hap pening in the class news since our 40th Reunion. We have lost another classmate at the end of July. Scott Fairburn passed away after a brief battle with cancer. His son had reached out to the class to share the news. The funeral services were held in Lexington with Joey Keyes, Jack Wainwright, Keith Jarvis, Scott Wooddell, Rob Born, Larry Williams, and Willy Funkhouser able to attend. Thank you, guys, for representing us.

Jose and Fran Suarez have completed the move

Class Notes

from Montreal to Florida. They had mentioned it at the reunion, but it took them all summer to sell off their winter clothing and exchange them for board shorts, bikinis, and flip flops. Beach pictures are already showing up on social media—not that they are bragging.

The reunions keep happening. Alex and Robyn Kuchnia came to the reunion with Paul and Lisa Webb. Or at least traveled together. According to their posting on the class Facebook page, they got together again by the Webbs traveling down to en joy Panama City Beach. We all should be doing more of this!

Another move is rumored to be that Bob and Kathy Louthan have pulled up roots in Richmond and, I believe, have permanently resettled on the banks of a river joining the Chesapeake.

I did get a wonderful email update from a BR’s wife, which I will preface by saying I was a little afraid to open at first. At the time I did not real ize it was from a BR, and the name was the same as a former girlfriend before I got married 30-plus years ago. Thought my past was coming back to haunt me.

EllenMarie and Cliff Rockwell will be celebrat ing their 40th wedding anniversary this year, so El lenMarie is wanting to surprise Cliff with a “Cliff note” anniversary snippet. EllenMarie sent a short note about the upcoming celebration with an im age of the original VMI Theatre production of Sta lag 17. I was intrigued by her story and asked her for a more detailed story of their lifelong adven tures. And she surprised me with a most incredible storyline that reads like those dreaded Christmas letters that we all have come to love. So, here’s an unauthorized thumbnail of the last 40 years from EllenMarie.

“Married at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The last weekend of Basic Officer Leader Course, Cliff’s

branch Signal Corp. Honeymooned traveling in two separate vehicles, towing our TDY kit cross-country to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for Artillery Support Course. Stationed CONUS at Fort Hood, Texas. Supporting 2AD, 1-78 Field Artillery Bat talion. We witnessed the decommissioning of that historic division and battalion as the flags and bat tle ribbons were furled and cased. The first of the 78 decommissioned ironically Oct. 1, 1983. Then after Fort Hood, Captain Rockwell PCS’d to Dal las, Texas, ‘environs,’ (small Texas towns don’t register like big ‘D’ in the collective conscious) and served with the Texas National Guard.

“Civilian work for Cliff. Class As to EDS gray. Senior software analyst, in FIS Banking division, amazingly is with the same company (33 years) irrespective of numerous name changes and buy outs, EDS (Electronic Data Systems) now called FIS (no translation for that acronym, go figure). Telecommuting forever, or at least until FIS is de commissioned, no ‘job end’ punch card in sight.

“EllenMarie, after designing and/or technical directing 22 consecutive plays off-off-Broadway and off-Broadway, changed direction as a military wife. First supporting the Battalion as SPOC for wives (enlisted and officers), and OWC committee woman. Once settled in Dallas, she started work ing for Northern Telecom (Nortel) as a technical trainer and fast-earned American Airlines perma nent Million Mile status traveling to Air Force bases and civilian sites worldwide. Telecom went Cisco, thus new right turn and ended her career at EDS as a SPOC and project manager for Bank of America systems installation.

“Regrettably missed the fabulous 40th: Four weeks prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, Ellen Marie was diagnosed with cancer; with the che mo and being locked down until three weeks ago, anywhere was a no-go. Just beat cancer, with

a last flourish of contracting and overcoming COVID-19 2.0. Now released and is flying low and fast.

“From Rounding Cape Horn, pushing through the pilgrims at the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Cliff climbing Huayna Picchu, waved on from below Machu Picchu by EllenMarie, to arguing with ped dlers on the Great Wall and souks in Egypt, as well as scuba diving the Caribbean, Red Sea, and Great Barrier Reef, those air miles never went to waste. Next stop revisiting Seward, Alaska, for the Whale Bubble netting in March ’23.

“Leveraging his degree in economics, Cliff or ganized and implemented the 501(c)(3) require ments for Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of North Texas (MSRNT). Fostering, working with sever al rescue groups over the past 30-some years we have housed, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 200 dogs of various breeds. The current pack is sev en strong looking for rehoming. Schnauzer, Chi of Pitty, anyone?

“Cliff is serving his fifth year as treasurer (mem ber since 2016) for the Lakeside Chapter of AM BUCS, ‘Inspiring Mobility & Independence.’ (AMBUCS.org) What’s an AMBUC? A charity dedicated to providing mobility for children and vets by providing them with Amtrykes therapeu tic tricycles. Our fundraiser is Sept. 13, 2022, the ninth annual Lakeside AMBUCS Charity Golf Tournament. We hope to exceed our past $25K this year and bring in a hefty $40K. lakesideam bucs.org.”

Closing out the letter, EllenMarie wishes to con tact Kevin Wilkerson, “Trey” Birch B. Phillips III, and Jorg Ronke ’81

Thank you, EllenMarie. Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! We wish you continued good health recovering from cancer, and send us some updates on your trip to Alaska.

There you have it, folks. The challenge is now out there for others to step up and send in wonder ful updates that we have been missing out on for the past 40 years.

Enjoy the fall, and I hope to see some tailgating party pictures this year.

Sincerely, Will Council

1983

Hello, BRs,

The period for these class notes is May 15, 2022, to Aug. 15, 2022. Hopefully you all had a

Class notes

spectacular summer. Upon receiving this Alum ni Review edition, we will be five months from our 40th Reunion, which is scheduled for April 14–16, 2023. The 10-member reunion Planning Committee has been working diligently over the past six months, and the reunion events scheduled are shaping up. Be sure to save the dates, and let’s have a wonderful 40th Reunion turnout with many BRs, especially those first-time reunion attendees!

On May 9, 2022, our BR Stephen Patten passed away in Westport, Massachusetts, from brain can cer (glioblastoma). Stephen matriculated from Stamford, Connecticut. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

From Richmond, Virginia, Skip Goodwillie wrote, “Steve, it’s been a minute for sure, but here are some tidbits from the western part of Gooch land, Virginia. Cal Murray; me; and our sons, Cam ’12 and James ’12, rounded out a foursome to play in the VMI lacrosse fundraising tourney a couple of weeks ago in Richmond. We missed the money by one stroke, and we’re firmly blaming the boys. It could not have been us after all, right? The best part of the whole tourney was that they each called to ask us to play. I believe even the last two kids to get picked declined the offer, so we got the call. We all had a blast and always enjoy play ing with the lads and supporting any VMI athletic program. My clan is growing, as Staci and I have three grandkids now, James VI, Ella, and Caleb. I think the Eagles are scouting Caleb for the blind side, as he just turned one and is over 30 pounds. He’s a beast. James VI clipped me for $350 after turning in 35 laps for his elementary fun run. Yeah

that was fun. Ella is going to be a flyer on the cheer team, as she’s a petite thing. James V ’12 is run ning his Brightleaf Mortgage company in Rich mond and has grown it to be a solid mortgage firm. He’s looking to expand in the near future, which is a good sign. Our daughter, Ashton, will finish her school year at Goochland Middle School and be promoted to a stay-at-home mom! She has seen firsthand what is going on in the public school sys tem and wants no part of it. She says they’ve al ready lost their Teacher of the Year for the same

reason. Pitiful. Staci and I have been playing golf, cycling, running up and down to Myrtle Beach (well, that is technically in a car), and engaging with family memory activities. I’m still working and recently was promoted to run business devel opment for a region from Maryland to Texas for ePlus, a $3 billion publicly traded, global technol ogy consulting firm. The team I run is responsible for all annuity and managed services in the region. Apparently, I earned the job when they asked, ‘As it relates to managed services, how do you think outside the box?’ I replied with, ‘There’s a box?’ All I got for now.” Skip, thanks for the updates and comical twist.

Phil Hubbard sent me a note. He included a picture of his goldendoodle dog wearing Phil’s VMI Class of ’83 hat. Phil’s note stated, “I am still working for Hampton Roads School District in Virginia Beach as a project engineer. I am do ing a project, design/build, on the Virginia East ern Shore installing a 22-mile-long sanitary sewer force main. This will be the first HRSD facilities on the Eastern Shore. I have been working with the Shore since 2017, and when the project is complet ed, it may be time for retirement. Hope everyone is doing well! See everyone at the 40th Reunion!” Keep us posted on your project, Phil.

Providing a Bubba Hazelgrove update, Tony “Snake” Arnold submitted this SITREP: “All good here at the beach; went to Richmond, Vir ginia, for some business, but Bubba was busy with some kinda amphitheater project. I talked with his children instead; they’re more fun, anyway.” We appreciate the SITREP, Snake.

Class Notes

Beekeeper Will Creekmur informed me in May that Bob Mednikov was in California. Bob and Will were able to spend some time together. Brad Norwood emailed me an update from one of his recent road trips. “Hey, Steve, not much of an update, except to say I took a little road trip down to Kingsport, Tennessee, this past week to attend the Falcon Club of America National Meet. The travel route down used mainly Routes 360 and 460 (this was my first extended trip driving in my 1961 Ranchero, so I was playing it safe). The car did well both on the drive and at the show. I won a class award for Stock Rancheros, 1960–63. So, for the return, I took I-81/I-64 back to Caroline County, which naturally took me right by the ‘Mother I.’ Of course, I stopped by to take a few pics.” Brad, con grats on your award, and for our BRs who didn’t realize it, Brad is a heck of a classic car restorer.

Our chemistry professor, Mark Benve nuto, wrote me, saying, “Steve, thanks for sending out the class notes reminders. I’m always interested to hear what our BRs are up to. As for me, I got lucky and just had the eighth volume in the Green Chemical Processing series published. It’s Green Chemistry: Advances in Alternative Ener gy, which I co-edited with a pal who just retired from BASF. We learned a lot go ing through those chapters. Beyond this, the Detroit area is pretty hot right now, al though I suspect others are taking it worse than I am. Beat the heat. Looking forward to the reunion! Stay safe, stay healthy.”

In a short message from Doug Urbanek, he stated, “Hi, Steve, thank you for the birthday card. Nothing significant to re port on my end. Still in Winchester work ing my FEMA deployments from home. Expect to be busy and deployed when hur ricane season peaks.” Thanks for helping our fellow citizens, Doug.

Author Lynn Seldon has finally com pleted Carolina’s Ring, the sequel to Vir ginia’s Ring. Lynn is pleased to report that Virginia-based Koehler Books will be releasing it in hardback and paperback mid-February 2023, in time for our 40th Reunion. In early summer, Lynn and Cele were able to enjoy a dinner with Jim and Jodi Outland and Wade and Elizabeth Branner at the Oyster Farm restaurant in Cape Charles, Vir ginia. They were celebrating Wade’s recent retire ment from the VMI sports scene.

Whit Owens spent some memorable time with his grandchild as he wrote me: “Hi, I just got back from taking my two oldest grandkids on our an nual vacation. This year, we went snorkeling in

Puerto Rico, then spent five days in New Orleans enjoying the awesome food.”

I received an email update from Gray Carter which said, “Hey, Steve, got together with Ste phen Ross in Rogers, Arkansas, weekend before last. We were guests of Courtney Lambert ’92, who played soccer for Stephen. Great weekend on Beaver Lake and a Darius Rucker concert.”

reconnect with Don and meet his wonderful fami ly at the wedding reception.

News alert. I received a great class note update from Jack Ditt, who lives in Shreveport, Louisi ana. Jack’s update is “Steve, I have been rather low profile, but wanted to let everyone know that our Shreveport, Louisiana, based firm, Eagle Fi nancial, has been acquired by Richmond, Virgin ia, based Wealthcare Capital Management LLC, 100% owned by Philadelphia-based private equity firm NewSpring Capital. An excerpt from the June 16, 2022, press re lease follows.”

“Wealthcare, a technology-enabled full-service RIA that supports indepen dent financial advisers and a NewS pring Holdings platform company, to day announced the acquisition of Eagle Financial. This deal accelerates Wealth care’s penetration in the direct advisory market, expanding the company’s pres ence in this important channel. Based in Shreveport, Louisiana, Eagle was founded in 2006 and advises on more than $120 million in assets under management. Through this acquisition, Wealthcare’s ad visor team grows to more than 150 advi sors across the country with $4.75 billion in AUM. ‘We’re thrilled to welcome the Eagle Financial team to the Wealthcare family,’ says Matt Regan, president of Wealthcare. ‘Eagle’s client-focused and planning-centric approach to wealth man agement makes them a natural fit for the Wealthcare organization. I’m excited that we’re expanding further into the direct advisory channel with people who share our passion for client experience. We will continue to seek more firms like Eagle Fi nancial as we expand our direct advisory business and execute our strategic growth plan.’

While my family and I attended the wedding of a good friend’s son in May in Waynesboro, Virginia, I ran into Don and Karen Komara and their three daughters. Apparently, Don and his family are great friends of the bride, as my family are long time friends of the groom. Don is an engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was great to

“Led by founder Jack Ditt, the Eagle Fi nancial team will remain fully involved and engaged with their clients. The client experience will be enhanced through Eagle Financial’s access to Wealthcare’s propri etary goals-based technology platform and its broader wealth management services offering. ‘We were immediately drawn to Wealthcare’s innovative goals-based plan ning technology platform, GDX360®,’ says Jack Ditt. ‘By leveraging Wealthcare’s tech nology, infrastructure, and broader services capa bilities, we are able to focus on clients’ needs and growth, offer them best-of-breed wealth manage ment services, and even attract other top-tier ad visors.’ Tune into The Jack and Bill Show, live on Facebook and YouTube Friday afternoon’s after-market closure. For more information, visit

Class notes

eaglefms.com.” Jack, your news is quite exciting, and congratulations to your team.

Mark Roltsch provided some exciting news. He wrote, “Just a quick update. I am still working for the Veterans Affairs in the office of research and development. I am in D.C. two days every oth er week. Spend most of my time in Gulf Breeze, Florida. I got selected for the Leadership VA fel lowship program. It’s a seven-month leadership training program preparing me for future senior executive service positions. I also got engaged. Haven’t set a date for the wedding yet. I hope all is well with you.” Wow, Mark, we are happy to hear of your engagement to Nathiphrada Phoksanit and the best life has to offer you both.

Chris Caudill provided me an update as he vis ited his dad, retired U.S. Air Force Col. C. Caudill, chaplain, and honorary Class of 1983 BR. Chap lain Caudill celebrated his 90th birthday. We have invited Chaplain Caudill to our 40th Reunion, and he has accepted.

One of our events for our 40th Re union will be a hike up House Moun tain. Our class also had this event for our 35th Reunion, and over 15 people participated. Well, in June, five BRs, myself, and two wives met in Lex ington to conduct a reconnaissance of House Mountain. The objectives for this recon mission were to know where the trailhead is located, time the hike, survey the level of difficulty of the hike, and identify any safety concerns. We first had to decide whether to hike Big or Little House Mountain? The hike to Big House Mountain would be longer, and there were a few more difficult ar eas to hike over versus Little House Mountain. The following BRs partici pated in the mission: Hugh Daughtry, Ivan Marcotte, Spencer Westbrook, Bill Cornett, Mark and Kim Sykes, plus Mary and me. The recon team successfully achieved all mission ob jectives. The total hiking time was four hours and 33 minutes, but this didn’t include water stops and lunch at the top of the mountain. The trail hiking level of difficulty is mostly moderate with two areas of difficulty. Everyone safely returned to “base-camp,” and we didn’t have any corporals yelling at us on the march ... I mean hike ... up ward. It is recommended anyone who plans to hike Little House Mountain to practice and prepare several months before our reunion.

In closing, your 40th Reunion planning committee will strive to have a final program of all events

and activities by early fall 2022, which I can then transmit through a class agent email to everyone. As a reminder, for those BRs who have not re turned to the “I” for any class reunion, we hope you can join us and plan to attend. Once again, the reunion dates are April 14–16, 2023. Plan now to attend. Continue to be safe BRs, stay healthy, take care, and God bless you all!

1984

Yet again, as I sit down to reduce these notes to writing, I am confronted by the sobering reality

of the far-too-rapid passage of time.

Soon after submitting my last set of these notes for publication, I was saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Cathy Pras sas Protogyrou. I have spoken with Andy, who told me that, after having lunch with him in Nor folk, Cathy had returned to her office at the law firm, where she suffered a massive heart attack. The funeral services for Cathy Protogyrou were held at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk, and according to all accounts, our brother rats showed up in great numbers to show er Andy with love and support, for which I know he is very grateful. Please join me in continuing to pray that our loving God grant Cathy eternal rest and count her among the flock of those He has chosen. Please also pray for Andy, Tony ’16, and Demetra ’19 that God might grant them con solation and peace, as they mourn their beloved wife and mother.

On the same theme—the rapid pass ing away of things—but on a light er note, I submit into evidence three more exhibits as irrebuttable proof that “time does indeed fly.”

For several years now, Jamie Shoe maker has hosted an annual get-to gether in Hampton for his former roommates in barracks Room 101, Alec Thompson, Mark Morgan, Frank Kollmansperger, and Bruce Hauck. Styled “the annual Shoemak er slam,” the four-day get-together in cludes a round of golf, as well as time underway on Commodore Shoemak er’s flotilla. Recently, the invitee list has been expanded to include class mates who, because they were appar ently more welcome among the resi dents of Room 101 than amidst their own roommates, spent enough time there to earn the status of “honorary Room 101 members.” This year they numbered “Distinguished F Troop Blue Blood” Tom Anthony, David “Perennial Participant” Pruitt (Note to Bruce: Notice the alliteration?), and first-year honoree Col. Lee “Long Drive” Wimbish.

Four days of fun were had by Wim bish and Hauck, who arrived one day early. Morgan and Thompson de feated Wimbish and Hauck at golf; however, Wimbish has launched a formal protest to the Rules Commit tee. The apparent grounds for his chal lenge are that his concentration was distracted by his partner, who spent the entire round on his cellphone call ing Phil Schied, Spruill Thompson,

Jeff Perkins, Cubby Zendt, and Hank Selman to tell them how much fun he was having at an event to which they had not been invited!?

The fishing expedition was once again a suc cess. After coming up empty on their “three-hour tour,” Kollmansperger redeemed their seafaring reputations by catching a pregnant crab and one minnow, while Anthony and Hauck consumed 20 pieces of chicken each and a case of beer while at sea. The Shoemaker fleet, the good ships Windfall and Golden Minnow, were returned to port safely thanks to the excellent seamanship of Pruitt, Thompson, and the commodore.

The Shoemaker estate survived intact, as all seven bathrooms appear to still be functioning, and according to unnamed sources (O.K. it’s Bruce), the four large bars were being restocked Saturday morning by an emergency alcohol ven dor that Jamie has on call 24/7. This correspon dent intends to report on this event based on first hand observation next year.

Finally, many of you may be aware that our Brother Rat Hank Selman has been having some serious health challenges lately requiring signifi cant surgery, as well as follow-on chemo and ra diation. In characteristic style, Hank remains irre pressibly upbeat, and has maintained his unique sense of humor throughout. Please feel free to reach out to Hank with words of encouragement and support, and keep Hank and Carol in your prayers. Semper Fi, Hank!

On that note, please take the time to catch up with your brother rats, especially if it has been a long while since last you spoke, and make sure to send me photos and updates! So, until next time, I’ll close by saying, “Goodnight, Reggie Smith, wherever you are!”

1985

Dear BRs, Family, and Fabulous Friends, Listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young, Sac co, and Vanzetti as I try to get this in under the deadline, like dancing the literary limbo.

Let me recognize and acknowledge the non-al um folks who read, and sometimes appreciate, these scribblings. I have been unaware, selfish, or otherwise obtuse and have not yet taken the op portunity to RND (yes, it’s a verb now ... random name drop). That ends today.

Friends and Family of the boys from ’85 RND: Polly Williams (Flea’s mom), Ann Bornhorst

(Borny), Lauren Hagan (Hook), Lisa McGuire (Mags), Jennifer Tingley (Dave), Suzanne Spiv ey (Jake), Cathy Wranek (Toaster), Laura Orrison (Rusty), Leslie King (Meadus Maximus), Cindy Irby (Beef), and Cathy Daniel (me) ... mostly to Cathy Daniel, as she has, without complaint, en dured many late nights with me, in Ebeneezer Scroogean fashion, hunched over the keyboard typing out last minute fall-away jumpers. Some times for the win, sometimes for the embarrass ing defeat, but at least we showed up.

I’d also like to acknowledge Jake Spivey’s con sistent assists in these notes.

Jake’s organizational prowess in bringing the class together for our annual safari event-laden weekends is without compare. I will say again for Jake’s efforts: All are welcome, and if you de cide not to participate in these well-planned and executed events, you are missed. But you should be here if at all you can make it. We are brother rats. We started that way, and that is the way we played it when we were here. That’s the way we play it now. Pushing some buttons here, but as we would say in the FMF: “You can do anything on your last flight.” That’ll play out later in these notes.

No other class does what ’85 does—not even close. This year, we had over 60 malcontents show up and play at some level. Golfing, lob ster massacring (absolute carnage), Maury Riv er floating and associated shenanigans, balcony sitting, Lexington restaurant and bar terroriz ing, and river house elbow bending. I am usu ally a mini-safari-participant guy, but the time I do spend recharges my batteries. Jake has written an outline for me to fix, which will follow here, though the real creative juices are from Jake, in spired by the goofy and incredibly stupid antics of a tussled band of aged men of almost 60 years.

Here are Jake’s lightly, slightly, lovingly (but appropriately) edited safari stories (hello and apologies to Mr. Joseph Spivey III ’57).

The annual Charlie Company golf safari ’22 got off to a rough start. It was approaching the first

Class notes

weekend of August, a mere 48 hours before the safari advance party was to arrive in Lexington. The gate keepers of Moody Hall, otherwise known as the Physical Plant or P2, declared the building unfit for occu pancy. Not only did this year’s safa rians have to scramble and find new space for hay down, but the Keydet Club’s football reunion, the Alumni Agencies’ Board of Directors meet ing, and a memorial service for Mrs. John Ripley had to be relocated. Most notable was the inconvenience to the Ripley family. But after that, the displacement of the ’85 contingent made for a significant emotional event for safari-chief Spiv ey and his squad. Where would they hang out be tween events now? To boot, the scourge of the past two-plus years (COVID-19) claimed some safari scalps. Two pillars of the party were affect ed by the COVID-19 infection: Mark “Knobby” Carroll’s better half and Jack “the Jarhead” Em erson were both diagnosed as COVID-19 posi tive, so Mark and Jack stayed home looking for some way to Zoom call in. Sadly, Greg Enterline’s mother passed away the week prior to the safari, and her services were over the safari week end. This makes two years in a row Greg has had a parent pass away near the safari. Please keep the Enterline family in your thoughts and prayers.

Arriving on a hot and sticky Wednesday, the commode-man, Jake Spivey, Rich Williams, and Steve Hagan had a nice lunch at Pure Eats and then met Mark Bornhorst and Neb Neb lett at the Lexington Golf & Country Club for a

sweat-soaked nine holes of whack-$%!k (golf). Clint Eastwood, as Harry Callahan, once said “A man’s got to know his limitations.” Spivey, ful ly knowing his limitations playing golf, simply accompanied his BRs while they hacked away. He would go find their errant golf shots and of fer them cool beverages and encouragement. Frustrated with his game, Neb took to naming each individual hole of the LGCC. Most of those names are unsuitable for reprint, except for No. 5, which will now be known as “major suck.” Also playing that day was John Pollock with Pat Loo ney and Pat’s son. He has three, so it’s anybody’s guess: Seamus, Finn, or Patrick.

After playing nine holes in 92 degrees and 99% humidity, and after the club’s lightning si rens sounded, they decided it was time for swim call, and the group retired to the Maury River. There, they were joined by Dr. Steve Marsh, Hugh Hill, and Owen “Bush” McIntyre. Af ter their cooling soak, the group cleaned up and

went out in different directions for dinner.

Thursday morning, several BRs decided to check out the bookstore and see if there were any good deals before the Corps returned. Enter ing the bookstore from the Lejeune Hall stairway, the alumni were tak en aback by the large prominent dis play of alcohol and whiskey-related paraphernalia, complete with lit tle brown jugs, bottle carriers, and bottle openers made from bourbon barrel staves. It is quite the display and a contradiction, considering the repetitive counsel and warnings Institute of ficials deliver to alumni, family, friends, and ca dets (General Order No. 22) about alcohol on post. After scoring some logoed merchandise, the crowd grabbed lunch and then most headed back to the LGCC to continue their divot digging ef forts. (Agent: I love that, “divot digging.”)

Fishermen McIntyre, Hill, and Marsh float ed the Maury River from Jordan’s Point Park to Ben Salem Wayside in search of the ever elu sive 3-inch wiggler (red eyes and blue gills). Of course, Steve “PW” Medeiros would be able to help them in that regard, but he had not yet ar rived. For the hackers, once again the heat and humidity were too powerful, and the group re tired after 11 holes to the Maury River to, once again, “just chill.” Joining the group Thursday af ternoon was local engineer-extraordinaire, Russ “Rusty” Orrison, who arrived straight from work. Without any hesitation, Russ kicked off his shoes and socks and waded into the river with all remaining clothing still on. While standing, or sitting, in the river, Mark Bornhorst shocked the safarians by explaining to them how the sa fari’s success was reliant on his cooking prow ess, which he would exhibit the next day. More on that carnage later. But please be sure to thank Mark for all his past and future safari efforts the next time you see him. The post-golf lunches would not be the same without him.

Friday, the golfing portion of the safari returned to its course of origin, The Lexington Golf & Country Club. Thirty-two duffers showed up for the affair, including first-timers Danks Burton, John Keenan, Spencer Williamson, and Steve Palmer. Again, the heat and humidity were high, and the club’s lightning sirens sounded near the end of play. With only a hole or two left to play, a few played on, but most safarians retired their round and headed to the Jordan’s Point Park pa vilion for the long-awaited and highly touted surf and turf dinner by Chef Bornhorst (crustacean carnage). Stories abound about the beer cart lady (not the Georgious Halages/Ken Hurst cart girls, but an actual cart lady: Sofia, I think) outdriving

Class Notes

an entire foursome. (Tom Greenspon, Dave Campbell, Rob McIntire, Hayden Bayer, or was it PeeDubs Sarver?) (Note: Agent is taking liberties here and cannot be trusted.)

Patiently, while the golfers dodged lightning strikes and eardrum-piercing warning wailings, a middle-sized crowd amassed at JPPP. This crowd included the agent, Marvin Smith, Dave Tingley, Kerry “AcStars” Kirk, Tabb War litner, Joe Pauley, Steve “DeltaBSwift” Me deiros, Meadus King-lius, Graham “Judge” Shirley, John Pollock, Jim “Admiral” Spell man, and others that I lost track of. Uranus and Suns craft beer was served up, along with plenty of cans of loudmouth for the less adventurous. What type of beer you ask? A 5-gallon keg of Kentucky Common Crystal Ale by the intrepid private brewery (Uranus and Suns) was tapped and floated. Success. Additionally, a tasting of Central Virginia Plum Licker, manufactured by the 3 Sisters Selective ’Stillery, was held. Mmm, mmm, good.

By this point, lunch was already late, and it only got later. Borny, juggling cooking respon sibilities both at the pavilion and inside Bill Wiener’s kitchen on the other side of the riv er, somehow managed to pull it all together, and the large group enjoyed succulent sweet corn; pulled pork; macaroni and cheese; salad; and plenty of juicy lobster, tails, claws, and tamale. Borny was in his prime as the chef showman he is. He truly entertained the crowd.

Armed with his “Dexter” cleaver, he would re trieve a lobster from its pot and swung Dexter with both authority and flair. Whack! Off came a claw, whack! The second claw. Whack! The tail was cleaved from the carapace. Grabbing the tail, whack! Borny would split the tail into two easy-pickin’ pieces and shove them into the aluminum pan for BRs to grab and start build ing their dinner plate. As Borny whacked and whacked and whacked, he became covered in lobster sputum and was quite the sight at the end. Murder. Lobster murder; tasty, tasty lobster murder.

After DRC and cleanup, the obligatory photo was taken, then it was back to the river to cool off (and slightly clean up).

Saturday was a superb and uneventful float. No popped inner tubes. No lost cell phones. Just a warm day and clear skies. Friday’s late afternoon summer shower put an additional 1-2 inches of water into the Maury River. This made the river muddy and obscured the bottom, but the several creeks along the way ran cold and clear. The extra water allowed Tucker Maloney and John Keenan, riding in their bathtub rafts, and Chuck McCarthy, in an inner tube towed by Neb Neblett, to make it downstream without in cident. Saturday night, guys went out separately

in small groups for dinner. Several groups ended up on the balcony of the Julep restaurant, where there was much fun and storytelling.

Sunday morning, the guys gathered at the Lex ington Restaurant, aka the diner, for the tradi tional jumbo breakfast with a side of grits. Then it was time to hit the road. It was another suc cessful safari event in the books.

Thanks, Jake, and I hope I didn’t muff it up too much.

At dinner Friday night of the safari with Steve Hagan, Ricardo Williams, Jake Spivey, Jim Spellman, and the agent, I learned of gentleman Jim’s promotion to flag rank, NYPD-style. No kidding, Jim is a cop admiral in NYC! Look it up! I Bolshevik you not! Way to go, Jim!

Speaking of generals and Jims, a quickie about Gen. Jim Begley: While the golfers were out do ing their thing, Borny had asked the general to stir the polenta (like grits) for the surf and turf. Jim heads over to Cadet Wieners’ river house to stir the polenta. He pulls up to the house and rings the doorbell. No answer. He tries the knob—nothing. Then he knocks on the door. No answer. Then he bangs on the door. Then again and louder. Finally, a dude comes out and says, “WTH do you want!?” Except he doesn’t say “H.” Seems the general was at the wrong house! From now on, we are calling him Jim “Avon” Begley!

Gents, on a serious matter, please lend your prayers, thoughts, and well-wishes to our BR Matt Henderson and his family. Finally, I received a phone call recently from a very good friend and brother rat. As anyone who is paying attention knows, I, with others,

have engaged in doing what I think needs to be done to stand in defense of our legacy from the onslaught of unfair, inaccurate, and mostly un answered criticism and then resulting actions from that criticism. I have done my level best to keep this job (VMI class agent ’85) separated and segregated from my other unpaid job (de fender of legacies against unfair and unfound ed assaults). To continue, my friend asked me if I thought I was being fair to the class by this razorblade tightrope walking (job 1 versus job 2)thing. My answer: Well, I think I have been fair, but if the question is asked by someone oth er than myself (I ask myself that question con stantly), then my answer has to be: “No, I think I must not be acting fairly.” So, there it is, fel lows and friends and fans of ’85. These are my last class notes.

I will be turning the class notes and agency over to Bill Wieners of much ’85 fame. Bill is a great guy to do this job. He is smart, funny, con scientious, and most important of all, he loves our class and never met a stranger.

Thank you for yuks, fellows. I will see you around town. Thank you to Jake and others, thank you to Polly Williams for paying atten tion, and especially thank you to Cathy for tell ing me to get my brass moving and get this quar ter’s notes done! (Except she didn’t say “brass,” and it was every quarter).

Check six, boys, It’s a wrap.

Matt

1986

Greetings Brother Rats, Hanger-Ons, Loved Ones, and Devoted Fans,

Welcome to the quarterly installment of the mighty Class of 1986 class notes.

We start off this quarter with the sad news of the loss of our BR, James Dickinson. BR Dickinson was living in Florida after living a number of years in Alabama and passed away in early July. He had served our country in the U.S. Navy after graduation and then embarked on a career with the U.S. Postal Service before his retirement in 2019. James is survived by his parents, one broth er, and two sisters. I confess I didn’t know James very well and don’t remember him ever attending a reunion since graduation. Nonetheless, he was a brother rat, and I know we are all saddened at his passing. May God grant him eternal rest and

Class notes

comfort to his loved ones.

I wish that were our only loss, but sadly, it is not. BR Scott Wilson and his wife, Diane, lost their oldest daughter, Hayley, in mid-July due to complications from epilepsy. Hayley was a bright and charming young lady who had graduated from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia and was studying for a paralegal certification in order to support Scott’s law practice. Her remembrance service was a lovely service and well-attended by all ages, including a large number of VMI gradu ates and brother rats. It was obvious that Hayley touched many people in her short 23 years and made a positive impression on all of them. Sure ly the world is a lesser place without her, and our heartfelt condolences to Scott, Diane, and (sister) Hannah.

The list of ’86 retirees continues to grow. I had a delightful phone conversation with one of our favorite sons of New England, Tim Macaulay BR Macaulay was afraid of becoming the com pany curmudgeon, so with his kids all grown and independent, Tim hung up his pharmaceu tical sales bag in January 2022. He had designs for great travel plans and living a Stew Barnes like existence, but the world’s economic for tunes have dimmed somewhat, and BR Macau lay light-heartedly lamented his bad timing.

I looked at it in a different lens and made the (to use an old Tom McHugh term) correlation that when BR Macaulay hung up his spurs, the world economy tanked without him in it. Tim was pushing the economic engine, and the rest of us were just coasting along. He took his foot off the pedal, and the rest of us relaxed our hands on the wheel and took our eyes off the ball. Look where it got us?!

BR Macaulay had earned his private pilot’s license and bought an airplane, although I be lieve he has divested himself of it by now. Of course, BRs David Moore and Wayne Full er both spend a significant amount of time in their respective cockpits, so any of us might be able to conjure up a flight if we need one.

Speaking of Wayne Fuller and flying high, the word on the street is that Joe Schinstock is liv ing large in Crozet, Virginia, rumored to be just down the way from Tom FitzPatrick. Maybe Joe and Fitz can connect for a beer and send us some photographic evidence. I know BR Schin stock dropped by the reunion last fall for a quick check in, and it was good to see him.

Mark Laughon, Cameron Stephens, Steve Gray, and Tom McGinnis are all airline pi lots according to their W-2 forms, and all are still actively flying, as far as I know. I believe Mark and Cameron are Delta pilots, Steve flies for Southwest, and Tom was flying in Alaska— maybe Alaska Airlines? And remember Sam Holmes is a corporate pilot in Phoenix. Now

that Jamie “the long arm of the law” Inman is no longer chief of staff at VMI, we should be able to get someone to buzz the “parade deck” at some point with no real repercussions other than censure from the FAA. Nothing to worry about. Look out, Maryland; he’s on the move. Chuck Steenburgh wrote in to tell us he tore out of Roanoke, Virginia, like he was running from the law. Chuck accepted a position in Southern Maryland to become AVP of Integrated Com munications & Marketing at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. It’s a state school located in St. Mary’s City (hence the name). BR Steenburgh notes that, most notably, this new gig will mean the end of the Sports Photo Guy for VMI— which Chuck notes is probably fitting as it will coincide with the retirement of Wade Branner ’83 as VMI SID. Chuck plans to return for a guest appearance or two from time to time, but the new job promises to be all-consuming, and he is looking forward to that.

Speaking of Roanoke, Virginia, and living large, our “country club” BR Stew Barnes was included in the 2022 Forbes Magazine Best-inState Wealth Advisors list. That is a huge ac complishment, particularly when you consider that BR Barnes works maybe three days per week on his busiest weeks.

Stew offered kudos to his office colleagues, staff, and clients: “Thank you to my hard-work ing team and loyal clients for your trust. Our work together goes beyond the numbers in a portfolio. We are truly uncovering the possibil ities for your financial lives, and that inspires me every day.” Not sure if the award made any requirement of a single-digit golf handicap, but our boy is chasing that with all his being. Stew concluded his award comments, “If there’s any one you care about who could benefit from our services, I’d be happy to speak with them.”

Here’s a tip for connecting with Mr. Stewart L. Barnes, esquire: Join the Virginia Golf Associa tion, and that will greatly improve your chances of finding him.

Actually, in early August, Stew Barnes, Dave Miller, Dave Grimm, and your dedicated class agent teed it up on the links at the Waynesboro Country Club, where BR Miller is a member. Of note on that golf outing, the beverage cart girl was a female rising 2nd Class cadet.

The ’86 house band, Sammy Shako, and their alter-ego, Tidewater Valley, have been barn storming across Virginia this summer playing multiple venues. Among their audiences has in cluded Tim Keilty, Mark Thompson, and Frank Clark. BR Clark made the trip all the way from North Carolina to get his Sammy fix on.

Remember the old days when an invitation from a BR on social media might include some ques tionable decision-making or otherwise behavior?

I recently got an invite on LinkedIn to connect with the Adams Strategy Group out of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The principal is one Dr. David Adams, our esteemed BR with a Ph.D. Way to go, BR Adams.

While enjoying a bit of respite this summer at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, my bride and I met up one evening with Jeff and Tina Morgan for a BR gathering at the beach. Pretty cool to make the connection at the beach, and we enjoyed a few cocktails at the bar on the Oceanic Pier.

Well, that’s all we have for this quarter. Happy holidays to you and yours, and best wishes for 2023. Keep your loved ones close—and that in cludes your brother rats.

1987

Only two submissions this time.

From Matt Howard: “Around 1994, a young corporal by the name of Rick Lopez was at my house while we were both stationed in Yuma.

I had a VHS tape sitting around, the one with Dabney Coleman pitching VMI fundraising. Rick saw it and asked, ‘What’s that?’ I said something about it being about VMI, so we watched it. He asked if I liked it there. I said no, it sucked, but it was a good place to be from. This week, I returned to the ‘I’ to watch Rick’s son, Martin Lopez ’22, graduate with the Class of 2022. Martin introduced me to his roommate as ‘the reason why I’m here.’ Pretty cool. He commissioned U.S. Navy and will be headed to flight school. Here I am with Martin and his proud dad. Yes, he’s from Texas, a fed, and is carrying. Cheers, Matt.”

This from Drew Campi: “My wife, Kelly, and

Class Notes

I met up with Adrian Garcia and Owen Curly in Jacksonville back in July. Had a nice lunch and told many a tall tale. That was followed up with an impromptu visit with Bill and Tina Wanovich We were in the Beaufort, South Carolina, area and didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to catch up with them. They were kind enough to invite us over, and we had a great time. We’re hoping we can all get together at the upcoming Army versus Coastal Carolina football game over Labor Day weekend. Finally, my roommate of three years, Ken Devero, and his wife, Mickie, came into town during the first week of August. We spent the week getting together and enjoyed catching up. I’m in cluding some pictures as evidence and use as deemed appropriate. Hope you are well! Drew.”

Drew added that all are welcome in their Myrtle Beach home and asks that you please contact him if planning to pass through. He won’t let a brother rat pay for a drink, or lobster boil, or gas.

Cancer killed Michael Hastings July 5 in Bar rington, New Hampshire. The day before John Pilloni, Mark Lund, and Dean Barr took him out to dinner and said farewells. This BR was tough.

Michael Hastings, 57, of Second Crown Point Road, died Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at his home af ter a long illness. He was born in Rochester, New Hampshire, the son of Neal Hastings Sr. and Madeline (Wells) Roberts and has resided in this area all of his life. Michael worked as an engineer for Local 4 of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Mike proud ly served in the U.S. Army. He was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting and fish ing. As quoted by a friend, “Michael was a soldier, historian, author, builder, son of New Hampshire, wildlife enthusiast, fish erman, adventurer, world traveler, organ do nor (he donated part of his liver years ago), benefactor, friend, and beloved brother rat. “He faced death as he faced life and the Rat Line—with guts, determination, and his dry New England wit. Always brave; always honorable.” We love and will miss you, Mike. (John Pilloni wrote most of his obit.)

Members of his family include his fa ther, Neal Hastings Sr.; his mother, Made line Roberts; brother, Neal Hastings Jr.; sisters, Beth Goss, Jennifer Sarcione, Charmon Klaeson, Karly Chipman, Kris ta Sanders, Lynda Hastings-Edgerly, Lisa Hastings-Daudelin, Mary Goss, and Paula Hawkes; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A graveside service was held with military honors Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 11 a.m. in Pine Grove Cemetery, Barrington, New Hampshire.

Paul Munson flew to Michael’s service to represent ’87.

1988

Brother Rats, I hope this finds you and your families well and having enjoyed a nice summer.

As I mentioned in the last edition, BR Mike “Ace” Leeney was a brigadier general (P). Mike has since been promoted to major general and is currently serving as the division commander for the 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Mike fittingly assumed command May 15 this year. His previous assignments included oversees de ployments to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as division chief of staff and prior to that, Kunar, Afghani stan, as executive officer, task force reaper as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. His most recent assignment prior to assuming command of the 40th Division was deputy commanding general. We wish him well in his current assignment!

We had another class lunch in Fredericksburg in August. In attendance were Chris Long, Guy Gormley, Jim Florio, Andy Tate ’92, Kirk Dewyea, Wayne Sinclair, Lew Sig mond, Rich Stone, Hugh Brien, myself, Ted Wagner, JJ “Rock” Keppeler, and Mike Beyer

Brother Rats Mike Wood and Tim West were able to connect at a Kentucky Derby event in Richmond. They are both doing well. Mike is living in Germantown, Mary land, and Tim is living in Ivor, Virginia, near Suffolk.

Brother Rat Pete McCrary and his wife, Claire, were at Quantico MCB to see their son, Sam ’23, graduate from OCS this sum mer. Pete and Tim West stay in touch in get together occasionally for dinner or drinks in the Virginia Beach area.

I got to catch up with BR Cloyd Taven ner and his brothers, Jamie ’91 and David ’03, for a few days in July at Myrtle Beach, where Jamie played golf and the rest of us lost of lot of golf balls and enjoyed a few beverages.

I hope to see many of you in Lexington this year and am looking forward to our next reunion, only about a year out. As soon as I have firm dates and a few details, I will let everyone know. Until then, as al ways, I would love to hear from all of you!

Please give me a call and send emails and pictures whenever you have an update or get together with BRs and other alumni.

notes

Stay safe, and all the best to you and your fam ilies.

1989

Brother Rats, It’s August in Ohio, crossroads of America. Time to harvest the corn! We hope this edition of the Review finds you and your families well. There is but one submission from a BR this quar ter, and it’s a big one! We can always count on this BR to grace these pages and a hearty “con grats” from the class for stepping up and set ting the example for others to emulate Buzzard Spivey! On May 21, 2022, Thomas N.C. “Buz zard” Spivey married Susanne Garnett Williams at Lower United Methodist Church in Hartfield, Virginia. Alumni in attendance included Joseph M. Spivey III ’57, Joseph M. Spivey IV ’85, and Timothy A.W. Spivey ’86. Congrats Buzzard and welcome to the ’89 family, Susanne!

By the time this edition of the Review is in your sweaty palms (ahh, Palms), our reunion will be less than two years away. Due to the lack of vol unteers, I guess we will just defer to whatever the “I” has in store for us. Probably something similar to the last one, minus the bourbon-induced debacle at table four, whose members proved the Moody Hall tables no longer support the weight of two grown men in their prime. We will get a football game to make the event even more fun, and I have a few ideas to spice it up a bit. Your inputs and fa cilitation of any event are welcome.

At this point, it is worth reiterating the same housekeeping items that adorn these pages almost

every quarter: Unless you want me to write five pages about myself, which I can easily do in the honeymoon phase of my still-fresh retirement, these pages are only as good as you make them. You can’t beat me up for writing about my DAM-life if you haven’t written anything! So, having nothing else to write about from 1989, I could blather on with tales of my two-month epic sojourn to Alaska and back, backpacking and mountain climbing in July snowstorms, spending almost $4 grand on gas. A truly glorious endeavor, cut short by mighty Ca nadian beaver. Yes, a veritable plethora of bea ver built a dam. (A damn dam you might say, as in “Whole damn team!”) The Alaska High way flooded in the middle of nowhere and then washed out down a mountainside somewhere in the Yukon Territory about 30 miles in front of me, necessitating a three-day, 1,800-mile detour. The dam damn beaver blew my timetable to see Mary and Brian Duffy in Anchorage, but plans are al ready underway for a mini reunion in the Denali area in 2023. I traversed both the U.S. and Ca nadian sides of the Chilkoot Trail, 250 miles of hiking, 10 miles kayaking, little sleep given the 22 hours of daylight up north, and 10,889 miles driven (true mileage).

Back to beating you all up about writing in and sending updates. This is a safe space. No one cares if you haven’t written in ever; no one cares if you didn’t like anyone in 1989; I don’t care if you didn’t like me in the 1980s, don’t like me in the 2020s, or want to date me ... this is 2022. We are ONE-989, so please, reach out by email,

phone, or look for the ’89 Facebook page.

We can run photos. In fact, they are preferred and make my life easier as I can thus write less, but please, they need to exceed 1MB in size.

I have a new protocol to make these pages even more inclusive and will continue to include spous es, as in the following shameless plug: Class Agent Dr. David “Doc” and Steffi Martin will be mar ried 25 years next year. We are willing to give all types of marital advice to Thomas “Buzzard” and Susanne Spivey: Every day a holiday, every meal a feast; let your spouse go to football games; etc. Genesis for the inclusion idea actually came from the late Ron Nelson’s spouse, Jan, when she noted she will continue to read these pages and be in terested in all things 1989. Thanks, Jan, hope all is well.

Speaking of my DAM-25th, anyone else have big anniversary plans? Please send your 1MB or greater pics. (Up to PG-13 level!)

More housekeeping items as we rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic that is the class agent home office: Congratulations to Amy and Chris Ogden! In addition to his position as 1989 rod and gun club OIC (Kent Doane, unit armorer), Chris recently accepted a position as special advisor to the 1989 class agent. Seriously. No joke. Like wise, Steve and DeDe Nezas continue to excel as flower fund OICs. Remember to keep Stevie in the loop for weddings, significant flower-worthy events, and other occasions that call for flowers on behalf of the Class of 1989. Steve recently accept ed yet another leadership position as 1989 histori an. Seriously. No joke. It’s truly amazing the 1989 memorabilia in the Nezas archives. Staying with the Nezas paragraph, Steve and Dede continue to support the VMI Commanders and all things VMI band-related. Steve is all agog over hosting/facili tating Col. Brodie (Hon) and the VMI Command ers this Veterans Day up in Norwalk, Connecti cut, a potential tax-break trip, check-formation for class agents everywhere. Look forward to a full re port in the next edition of the Review! Might be a Gary Bissell sighting, as well?

Finally, I have a list of those who have made fi nancial contributions to VMI. Our donations are up—way up. On behalf of the Class of 1989, thank you for your financial support! I hope to call each of you in the coming days and express thanks on behalf of VMI and 1989. Also, many years ago, it was decided to have three 1989 scholarships. I am happy to report that the military scholarship is now active! Well done! Please remember that in addi tion to the 1989 Memorial Scholarship, we also have the athletic still in need of significant funding to get to a minimal “active” level. I asked the fine folks at Annual Giving to provide an update on the recipients and suggested the recipients write the class a thank you note.

Football season is fast approaching as of this writing. Hope to see you at a game. Come up and say hello. Saying hello carries with it an exemption to writing an update—two-for-one PT credit, you might say. Until next time, we remain, ONE-989!

1990

Daren Payne

Unfortunately, I have to start this set of notes off with several items of sad news. In August, we lost two of our BRs. The first was BR Mint Ralston. As many of you were aware, Minter had been in very poor health with some serious

Class notes

brain issues for the past two years. He leaves behind his wife, Stacey, and his 9-year-old son. As of this writing, services were to be held at Arlington National Cemetery approximately 12 months from the time you read this. Of course, I will provide more specif ic updates as they become available. I know I speak for all involved when I say what a spectacle it was to see the way our class came together and sup ported Mint with a generosity that is seldom seen among a group of com rades. The $200K-plus that was raised enabled Mint to have home care and ultimately be surrounded by family until his passing. Big thanks to all who helped support Mint over the past two years—especially our man on-site, Brian Tate, who did a great job work ing with local alumni to assist and in keeping me informed.

Secondly, Ramon Williams in formed me that BR Renard Johnson was called home a few days later of an apparent heart attack. Renard ma triculated and broke out with our class but left second semester of 3rd Class year. He was a star basketball player and was the first of our class to start a game our rat year. He was named Rookie of the Year in the SoCon in 1987. He continued his college bas ketball career at Delaware, graduated from Widener University law school, and at the time of his passing, he was an attorney and the head basketball coach at Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland. He was room mates with Ramon and Damon, Fin nie Coleman, and Eric Harrison As of this deadline, arrangements were still pending.

Next, I was informed of the passing of Tony Baker’s mother by Chuck El lis in August. Chuck is still retired in Guam, while Tony had just returned from business in Europe at the time of this mother’s passing. Many thanks to Chuck, Errol Martin, Donnie Rob erts, Travis Mabrey, and Glenn Dick enson for representing the class at the services.

On a happier note, as I write this from a muggy Lex Vegas, we are all preparing for the matriculation of around 400 new cadets in about two weeks. Football players and other fall sports athletes are back and practicing, the cadre and support staff are starting

to trickle back in, and all of us at VMI are making sure the facilities are in top shape for the big event. I expect over the next few days to see BRs Mantz, Doczi, Handford, Tate, Cabell, Rich, Garbett, Johnson (AJ), and Ibañez among others dropping off kids.

As a matter of fact, I got the follow ing from BR Ibañez: “So, I’m en joying the Fourth of July festivities when who walks into the party but Jay Whittington! Turns out Jay’s fi ancée works for the father of my son’s girlfriend! (I know, very convoluted!) My son, Jonah Ibañez, is matriculating next month.”

At the annual Keydet Club Leader ship Outing, I met up with Pablo Mar tinez and Mike Kemp, who are both members of the Keydet Club Board of Governors. Pablo actually took on a couple interns from VMI this sum mer and also reported he’d actual ly had contact with long-lost Monte Craft, who apparently remains down in Georgia. As I write this, Mike was getting set to host the annual Roanoke Valley rat send-off event and hoping to see Ramon and Damon Williams and John Hahn

Chip Chenery had a wedding cel ebration at his place up near Win chester, and I was told Mike Mullori, John Lanzillotta, Lenny Carson, and Hunter Trumbo would be in at tendance, but I never got a report back from them, so it must have been one really good time.

Luis del Valle checked in from afar with the following: “As for some news, I’ve moved to Black Hills in South Dakota. Do you know of any of our BRs [who] live in the Black Hills/ Rapid City area? Or, is there a biker BR [who] lives in Sturgis?” Luis also mentioned he lives to hunt, and what better place than South Dakota? In checking to see if BR Agostini still lived in South Dakota, I was pleased to find out he’s relocated south to Geor gia, where he continues his work in higher education.

Also from out West, I heard from Bill Ator who sent the following: “We just had a mini reunion with some of our BRs out here in Colorado tonight. Brian Tate was out here in Denver for a conference, and we met in Cas tle Rock, Colorado, for dinner and drinks. Paul Hartigan lives here in

Class Notes

Castle Rock, and Tim Haynie and I live in Col orado Springs. It was great circling the wagons and catching up and reminiscing a bit.”

From Texas, Sean Hoover dropped me a note to let me know he is relocating from the DFW area to New Hampshire, of all places. Seems his wife got an offer she couldn’t refuse, and Sean will be able to continue with both the ATF and the Army Reserve, where he intends to stick around and take a shot at lieutenant colonel before he hangs it up.

Speaking of the Army Reserve, big shoutout to Dave Kaulfers and Garrett Thompson, who continue to serve in the reserve, along with Brig. Gen. Weedon Gallagher—all fair specimens of citizen-soldiers! In fact, Brig. Gen. Gallagher sent the following: “I had the opportunity to visit VaARNG TF Red Dragon in the Horn of Africa last month. They are doing good things to good people and bad things to bad people! All goes well. The TF is lucky to have a dozen VMI grads among them.” If anyone else is still in the reserve, I’d love to hear from you and what you are doing.

From Arkansas, I heard from Dave Walsh, who had a son graduate from West Point this spring and is looking forward to winding down his own Air Force career and heading back to Gwynn’s Island, Virginia, in the next couple of years.

In the DFW area, I was interested to find that in addition to Tim Feagans, Bill Arnold, Sean Hoover, and Pete Tunnard, we also have John Weich working there for L3 Harris Technologies as a project engineer. Further south in Texas, we have Chris Whittaker, who works in city man agement and seems to attend a lot of conferences and events.

I continue to hear regularly from Dave Mc Graw, Brian Woodford, and several others on our conservative political text group—always great to start my day with a text from McGraw! I’ve also heard recently from Barry Johnson, Scott Spellmeyer, Garrett Peck, John King, and Sal Bora. All are doing well, mostly staying out of trouble and contributing to society.

Matt Hemenez made his way through Lexing ton in August but didn’t contact me in time to catch up with him, unfortunately, as I was out of town already. Also passing through on business was BR Kvasnicka, who remains busy getting his recently graduated son set up in adult life.

Mark Cager, Mike Kemp, Pablo Martinez, and Beau Quatrone were among those making their way to Lexington for the football players’ reunion at the start of fall practice. Mike Pilley reached out to me, as he was bringing a prospec tive cadet into town for the weekend to visit VMI when no cadets were here (smart move on his part).

In other local news, I was able to give Charlie Plageman and the rest of the Alumni Association

staff a tour of our new construction projects, and I also spoke with Neil Whitmore as he prepares to matriculate yet another class of rats this August.

I also saw Keith Kornegay driving to work but don’t think he noticed me.

Tom Tolley checked in from nearby metropolis of Buchanan, Virginia, but I have sighted neither John Burleson, Chris Larlee, nor Ramon Wil liams in quite some time. Of course, part-time resident Pat O’Leary is always around town keeping VMI legal as our chief of counsel.

Lastly, BR Joey Jones is still trying to get all in and settled as he completed the long 10-mile move from his home in the county to the Lex ington suburb of Fairfield, Virginia, where he’s remodeled and renovated the family farmhouse.

John Hahn actually showed up at a scouting event my brother and nephews were involved in. John, a former Eagle Scout, still resides near Smith Mountain Lake and remains very involved in Boy Scouts.

From social media sources, I see that Finnie Coleman has now accumulated 17 years at Uni versity of New Mexico, and Foster Taliaferro just surpassed three years in the big city of Auburn, Georgia, with Acrossa Aggregates. Meanwhile, Doug Henderson started a new job as director of business development for defense and geospatial for Konsberg and is living in Ashburn, Virginia.

I see where our BR Sam Stocks has a son headed to Notre Dame this fall who just com pleted his initial Navy training for ROTC at Great Lakes.

Right before the deadline for these notes, I heard from Mark Dick at his spread in Rappah annock County, where he’s doing well and talks quite regularly with Raynor Garey, who is still in North Carolina.

In terms of long-lost BRs, all the stuff going on with China and Taiwan lately got me to thinking I haven’t heard from any of our Far East con tingent in quite a while other than Dave West, who was here visiting from Singapore. I was hoping Charlie Lin, BRs Wang; Li; or my rat roommate, Liu, might be able to check in and let us know how things are going. Don’t forget we also still have Jeff Millican over in the part of the world in Korea. We would love to hear from you guys and are also still looking for BRs Buxton; Sluggo Sullivan; Keats Wade; Wetsel; Skeletor Swanson; Monte Loving; Larry John son; Butler; Bob Cunningham; Duthie; Eck loff; fastest man in barracks, Mario Small; and basketball legend, Bill Dowd, who’ve not been seen or heard since I started this job five years ago. I would love to find you and get you roped in, so I don’t feel like such a failure as class agent; please reach out BRs if anyone knows the where abouts of these gentlemen.

1991

Chuck Story

Well, here we are in the middle of August. My kids are getting ready to go back to school, and I’m wondering where the year went.

We had a great reunion. They become more en joyable to me every time I get to come to one. One of the suggestions thrown around during the reunion was for us to choose a weekend during the football season for us to designate as a mini reunion weekend.

Here it is: Oct. 22, 2022.

Mark your calendars; save the date; come one, come all.

The weekend we’ve chosen is the Oct. 22 game against Furman. This is a reunion weekend for other classes, so it will be a nice chance to catch up with our BRs, as well as other classes we knew in barracks.

Chuck Story will be tailgating in front of Moody Hall in the Keydet Club area. Jamie Tavenner and a couple of other BRs, as well as sev eral from the ’88–’94 classes, also set up in that area. We can come up with a more detailed plan

Class notes

closer to the game.

We won’t have any registration fees or other costs associated with the weekend. If you can make it, great. You’re on your own for football game tickets and hotel rooms or AirBnBs.

We’ve heard from a bunch of BRs this sum mer, so let’s get down to it. Chad Kunkel said, “I am down in Fulshear, Texas (outside of Hous ton), where I work as a business and systems in tegration specialist for BP. As you know, after a 27-year hiatus, I am dating my old college sweet heart from Southern Sem, Kirstin Davy, who lives in Pamplin, Virginia. During a visit in July, we went up to Culpeper, Virginia, for a mini ’91 reunion with Trae Wilhelm and Drew Apostle to watch Craig Dodson perform a concert at Grass Rootes. A great time reconnecting and reminisc ing. Looking forward to reconnecting to more BRs during my Virginia visits.”

Andrew Collier noted that he “took a new job with my company, Lockheed Martin, and left To kyo after five years to relocate back to the D.C. area. So now I’m a Beltway Bandit and gunrunner.

“In my 30-plus year career since grad uation, this is the first time I’ve been sta tioned anywhere near Virginia, and I am really happy to be back home. I look for ward to seeing you and the rest of our BRs [who] make it to the October foot ball game mini reunion.”

Pat Krug chimed in that “you haven’t heard from me in a while, so I thought that I would include a pic of our Fourth of July family get-together at my house in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Just my family and Andy’s, with six VMI alumni pres ent: Pat Krug, Andy Krug ’92, Jarod Krug ’16, Carter Chatwood ’16 (An dy’s son-in-law), Ty Krug ’18, and Nate Krug ’21. We had a great day playing volleyball, cornhole, etc. Let’s just say

that the Old Corps was heard from!

“To catch you up: I am the lead for the veterans group at Bristol Myers Squibb, Andy is a state health vaccine account lead for GlaxoSmith Kline, Jarod works as a civilian intelligence ana lyst at Fort Bragg, Carter is a petroleum distribu tion manager at CLI, Ty is a psychiatry resident, and Nate is in dental school at Pitt.”

Frank Mulcahy wrote in to say, “Other than coming up to speed as the Arizona Alumni Chap ter president, two big events to report. One, I got married March 4 in Phoenix to Eve O’Hannigan. Wedded bliss still reigns.

“Second, I just graduated from a 32-month leadership program sponsored by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. It [is] designed to pre pare candidates for the senior executive service. It is called the Director’s Development Program in Leadership.

“That’s the big news for now. We’re doing a rat send-off in Tucson at the end of the month.”

Wade Hawkins wrote in as well, saying, “Hey, guys, since the ‘I,’ I’ve served/retired from the U.S. Air Force (military) and now work as a contractor PM on USAF contracts. I earned my masters from Liberty Uni versity back in 2010. I’m married (Holly) with three boys (Spencer, 25; Connor, 19; and Owen, 9). We reside in Waynesville, Ohio (near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base). The only BR I’ve seen is Jeff Ru dolph when he visited us last year while traveling from Virginia to Iowa. If you know of a BR wanting a job serving the USAF customer as a contractor, let me know.”

If you follow the class on Facebook, you might have noticed Stephen Smith’s adventures in building a boat in his ga rage. He recently finished his 20-foot runabout and has hit the water. He named the boat after his wife, Mari Elizabeth. He not ed that Bob Nickel (who runs a marina on Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland) helped him in stalling the engine and controls. He says, “Life is good.”

Dap Tillery wrote in to say that he and Matt Matheney recently returned to Lexington to at tend the inaugural VMI alumni football weekend Aug. 6. Dap noted that over 80 former players returned for the weekend and had a chance to en gage in fellowship, watch the team practice, and speak to current players.

On the same weekend, Rob Edwards I went to upstate New York to go fishing on Lake Ontario. Chris Isakov was supposed to go too, but his wife made him stay home to see the musical, Hamilton

Finally on a down note, our BR Buck Sessoms lost his son, Carr, just after our reunion. The me morial and funeral were in early August. Carr

Class Notes

was interred in Buck’s space at Arlington Nation al Cemetery. Mike Robichaud hosted about 20 BRs to help celebrate Carr’s life and extend our condolences to Buck and his family.

As always, it is a pleasure to know and serve all of you. If you have news, feel free to send it to me on Facebook Messenger or at cnedmonston@ gmail.com. See you soon!

1992

BRs, Here are the latest updates from our class mates:

Bill Sharp sent in an update in which he said, “Jason Troxell and I were honored to attend the retirement ceremony for Colonel Douglas G. Vincent June 6 (D-Day, aka Doug-Day), at the historic Victory Pond and the Ranger Hall of Fame, at Fort Benning, Georgia (aka the Home of Armor). The respect shown by the officers and NCOs in attendance [who] served with Doug through his 30 years and five combat deploy ments was a great testament to the impact he made as a leader of heroes. Doug; his wife, Irene; and their children, Alex and Lola, were surround ed by family and friends, and it was a great sendoff as they now settle into civilian life. They each made many sacrifices to reach this milestone, and they have most certainly earned this opportunity to enjoy more time together. Jason and I had the chance to meet three Army cap tains that waited until the end of the re ceiving line that followed the ceremony to make certain they had the chance to thank Doug for all he had done to men tor, motivate, and ready them for service in the Ranger Regiment. Not surprising ly, these men were all VMI graduates (Classes of 2017 and 2018) who were cadets while he was the VMI professor of military science. Each of them are shining examples of our nation’s greatest treasure. Way to go, Doug! What a phe nomenal contribution to liberty. Rang ers lead the way!” As mentioned in the last update, Doug and family have set tled into life in Saint Augustine, Florida. Please see a picture of Doug, Bill, and Ja son in the Alumni Serving section of this Alumni Review.

Col. Frank Harrar sent in an update where he said, “I’m sorry I missed the 30th Reunion; I’m sure it was a great

time. I finally retired from active duty June 1, 2022, after 30 years—six in the Marine Corps and 24 in Army Special Forces. I did not have a retirement ceremony. Instead, my family and I got on a plane that same morning for an eightday Hawaiian vacation. I will start working for a

defense contractor in the Tampa area in mid-Ju ly. We plan to stay in the Tampa area in the near term. Looking back, I faced a lot of challeng ing tests throughout my career, but nothing ever compared to the stress of the Rat Line. No matter how cold, wet, hungry, or tired I was, I would al ways think, ‘At least I’m not a rat!’”

Dan Agostini sent me an update when letting me know about the tragic death of Alicia Mona han (Bryan Saunders’ fiancée) in late June that I reported out via email in early July. Dan let me know that he and his wife, Dawn (who was his Ring Figure date!), live in the small rural com munity of Boonsboro, Maryland. It is close to Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Fer ry, West Virginia. They have two children, Ben (21)and Samantha (19). Dawn is an optometrist and works in Hagerstown, Maryland. Dan is a mechanical project engineer for Intelligrated, a material handling company, in Frederick, Mary land. His group specializes in high-speed sorta tion. Dan also works for Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group, which is how he has maintained contact with Bryan, given both work in the search and rescue community, as did Alicia.

For those who did not see my email from July 5, on Alicia’s untimely passing, I am reposting here: It is with great sadness that I pass along the news that our BR Bryan Saunders’ fiancée, Ali cia Monahan, passed away unexpectedly June 25, 2022. Dan Agostini let me know, and he was able to attend the memorial service for Alicia July 2. In addition to Dan, Bryan’s brother, Alan, was at the service, as was Dick Richardson. Alicia was a member of Chesterfield County, Virginia, fire and EMS, where she was on the SCUBA Res cue Team and the elite Virginia Helicop ter Aquatics Rescue Team. Dan wrote, “I was able to attend the service. It was very moving. Alicia was an elite firefighter and was also very involved in the search and rescue community. It was a formal ceremony with several excellent speak ers—friends, family, and colleagues. The bagpipes and the ‘end of shift’ bell were especially poignant. I spoke to Bryan a little after the ceremony. It is comforting to know that he is getting so much sup port from his family and the fire/rescue community.” I also wanted to let the class know that I authorized a donation to a fund set up to support Alicia’s two sons. I used a portion of our surplus funds left over from the 30th Reunion.

My roommate, Charlie Martin, also sent in an update on his family. They have lived in Glen Allen, Virginia (just outside Richmond), since 1994. Charlie worked for Woodfin Oil for 20 years, specializing in residential heating and air design/sales,

Class notes

etc. He has been a partner in a smaller firm for the last 10 years which focuses mostly on indoor air quality and energy efficiency. He and his wife, Denise, were married in 1993 after she graduated from Mary Washington University. Denise worked as a computer pro grammer with Circuit City for 13 years before going part time and then focusing full time on their two kids, Nancy and Chad. Nancy is 23 and just got her master’s degree in spe cial education from Mary Washington and has been teaching full time for two school years at a school in Spotsylvania County. Chad is 17 next week and is a rising high school junior at Glen Allen High School. Chad is an accomplished left-handed baseball pitcher and has already com mitted to Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for 2024. Charlie said that their summers (especially this summer) have been devoted to travel baseball showcases and baseball camps at colleges in Virginia and North Carolina.

Carney Taylor sent me an update to let me know his oldest son, Marshall, will be matriculating to VMI this year as a member of the Class of 2026. Marshall plans to major in biology in preparation for medical school. Marshall may also try to walk onto the soccer team. We know of at least three more BR children that will be rats this year, in cluding Jim Stone’s son, Harold Stills’ son, and Charlie Petzold’s son. We also have four 1st Class cadets who are sons of BRs, including Wes Poff, Neal Corson, Tim Jordan, and Lee MacGregor Wes Poff sent in an update on his son, Logan ’23, who is our 1992 Memorial Scholarship recipient.

Class of 1992: On a recent trip to Balti more, Doug Bartlett, Keydet Club vice president, met up with Jack Collins and his family. Pictured are (first row, from left) Bartlett, Collins, Jess Collins, (second row) Aspen Collins, and Cou gar Collins.

Logan graduated from USMC OCS Aug. 6. U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 gave the commencement address to the OCS graduates. Please see a picture of Wes and Logan at the OCS graduation in the Our Alumni Serving section of this Alumni Review. Logan is the Echo Compa ny XO this year. He also made the VMI calendar this year with a picture of him and his Ring Fig ure date! Wes said that Logan was very thankful for the advice and insight he got from our Marine Corps BRs during our 30th Reunion.

Starling at the retirement ceremony of retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Cesar Rodriguez in New Orleans July 9. Jim said, “A good time was had by all, and the daylong celebration concluded over many beers at the New Or leans Brewing Company. Colonel Rodriguez was the G3, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Par ris Island, South Carolina, when I was serv ing at the same unit as the chief of staff. Mike Starling served with Colonel Rodriguez in the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion during combat operations in Iraq.”

Hopefully everyone saw Tom Christman’s update on the class Facebook page on the Allen Stone Memorial which took place July 16, 2022, on the Virginia Beach oceanfront. In addition to Tom, Matt Ott, Will Current, Greg Lee, Matt Dalton, and Mike Starling were present.

I got a few quick notes, mostly responding to birthday cards, from Bill Leimkuhler, Scott Pe terzell, and Dan Mazzei

Rear Adm. Matt Ott sent me a picture of him and his wife, Amy, at a change of command ceremo ny where they ran into Marc Orgain and his wife, Betsy. Matt also mentioned that Dave Womack has been nominated for promotion to major gen eral. Congrats to Dave! Coach Bartlett also sent in a picture of him visiting Jack Collins and family. I also noticed on our class Facebook page that Tim Rodriguez pedaled his road bike up Pike’s Peak in Colorado. Way to go, Tim! Mike Perfetti also posted a picture of him, Neil Hennigan, and Flip Robles meeting up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for dinner.

Do not hesitate to reach out to me with any ques tions you may have related to what is going on at VMI. If I do not know the answer, I will contact someone at VMI who does and get back to you. Please let me know of any major life events such as marriages (including for our children), births, deaths, and advanced degrees so that I can inform the Alumni Review. If you have a change of ad dress, let the Alumni Association and I know so that we can make sure you get all VMI correspon dence.

In the Bonds, Woody

Class of 1992: Chad Martin, son of Char lie Martin, is a left-handed pitcher who has committed to playing baseball for Coastal Carolina University.

Greg “Jabba” Andricos sent a picture and said, “The Institute was heard from at the retirement cel ebration of Colonel Mike Larsen, The Citadel ’92, which occurred at The Citadel Boat House June 11. Despite sporting his custom VMI tartan blazer with ‘Beat Citadel’ lining, Jabba was not thrown in the drink.” Jabba went to Robinson High School in NOVA with Mike Larsen. Goff Fuller and Larry Murray ’91 served with Larsen in the Army. Jim Stone sent in a picture of him and Mike

Brother Rats!

Hope everyone had a great summer and are ready to roll into the fall, which, of course, means

Class Notes

VMI football! I plan on attending as many games as I can and hope to see many of you there.

I am starting off this update with two of our BRs who were honored for their ser vice to this country recently, and both hon ors are awesome. What follows is a writeup from Charles Leggett for Tom Miller’s honor: “On Independence Day at the 2022 Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival, ‘America’s Air Show,’ the United States Air Force Thunderbirds honored one of our fallen classmates, Cap tain Lowell Thomas Miller II, VMI Class of 1993. Attending the Air Show as VIP guests of the Thunderbirds were Tom’s parents, Tom and Linda Miller, along with Tom’s youngest daughter, Alex, and her mother, Jennifer Edwards Miller. Tom’s oldest daughter, Dani, and her husband, Kris, were unable to attend.

“Tom’s family were invited to attend all the activities for the day in the VIP tent. At the time of the show, they were given headsets so that they could listen to what was said by the pilots and the ground crew. They were taken to the hangar area where we were introduced to the flight crew and all the pilots. They greeted each of Tom’s family individually and spoke of Tom. Jen nifer spoke about Tom and his desire to be a pilot. Tom’s dad spoke of his own Naval service and how much Tom looked up to him. The family was given a ‘tour’ of the lead jet, and they explained all the modifi cations that were made. Tom’s family was also presented with a print of the Thunder birds in Delta formation signed by all the pilots.

“The Thunderbirds dedicated their per formance on July 4th to Tom. Each plane of the Thunderbirds carried an inscription that read: ‘In Memory of CPT Lowell “Tommy” Miller II.’ Lieutenant Colonel Justin Ellsworth, lead pilot and commander of the squadron, also presented each member of the family with his challenge coin.”

Charles, thank you for the write-up. That’s a great honor for Tom, and I’m glad his family was able to attend and be a part of it.

Paul Syverson was also honored. In July, Bob Matson shared that the Island Lake VFW was renamed in honor of Paul, as he grew up in the area. Paul’s parents attended the event. Another great honor.

We also had our ’93 summer get-together at Kindred Spirits Brewery, again courtesy of John and Heather Barefoot. Another great time and turnout, including Scott Coleman, Van Hard enbergh and Jim Langley as first timers. Joe

Kennebeck, Rusty Smith, Don Spears, Darin Ramsey, and I made repeat appear ances. Scott and his wife, Stephanie, were “summering” in the Fredericksburg area and drove down. Van and Mari made the trip up from Petersburg, with Van looking resplendent as ever. Great seeing Jim, who works right in the area.

Looking forward to the next one, which will be in the first part of September (de tails to follow). Thanks again to Darin and Rusty for starting this whole thing.

Brian Southard sent a quick email with, “Greetings from Lollapalooza!” I didn’t think they let the 50-plus crowd in there, but Brian made it work. He mentioned all is well in the Midwest, and he is look ing forward to seeing everyone at football games and the 30th Reunion, which, as we all know, is the 14–16th!

Jim Sharp checked in with an update: “If any of our BRs are looking for Todd Brickhouse in Richmond, they can stop looking. He took the role of CFO of a large electric cooperative in Bismarck, North Dakota, which happens to be one of my clients. I am working for Regions Bank covering the utility sector. Todd’s company had all their bankers in Bismarck for meet ings and gave us a tour of some of their fa cilities. Pictured are Todd and me standing in a Dragline Bucket, which can hold sev en Chevy Suburbans. We had a good time catching up.”

Congratulations on the gig, Todd!

Jon Casarotti recently made a quick trip back to the “I:” “I spent the first week end of August at a VMI football reunion in Lexington, which had nearly 100 regis tered attendees. The event was largely or ganized and pitched to the coaching staff and Keydet Club by Kelly Holbert. Many for mer players from all eras came back and met the current players and staff.

“The attendance was from a great cross sec tion spanning ballplayers from at least 50 years. As for other BRs, Lorenzo Carpenter and Dale Johnson were there and doing very well. There was a solid turnout from many players in the ’90 through ’96 ‘wishbone years,’ which we would all remember from our time there together.”

John Harper checked in with a great update above catching up with BRs: “Over the past two years, I have enjoyed seeing BRs in Lexing ton during VMI’s football resurgence but got a chance this summer to catch up with a couple of roomies I hadn’t seen in a while. We took my son Henry up to Northern Tier, Minnesota, to canoe the Boundary Waters for a week, while the rest of us hung out on the northern shore of Lake

Class notes

Superior. On the way home, we stopped in Mad ison, Wisconsin, to visit Jason Denham and fam ily (wife Laura and kids Haley and Connor). He truly is the mayor of Madison, giving us a great tour of the city and University of Wisconsin. He even stopped off at a little-known landmark: A marker designating the very spot where the king himself, Elvis Presley, stopped to get out of his limo and break up a fight between two youths. True story. Jason is back in the wine game, travel ing to exotic places, conducting copious amounts of ‘research’ involving fine wine and food, and de ciding what wines should be offered to an unsus pecting population.

“Also wanted to brag about another roomie and the VMI spirit, as well. We met up with Craig Eu bank and family in Cincinnati. Craig’s daugh ter, Mae, is visiting colleges and checked out the dance program at UC, so we met up for Thai food, rolled ice cream, and local brews. He’s gotten ad dicted to PT and is now permanently thin and im possible to overheat. Craig is one of many VMI men and women who live as true citizen-soldiers, sacrificing professional and family time to serve.

“You probably know that he was mustered to ac tive duty and moved to East Africa (Djibouti, al ways fun to say) for over a year with the Com bined JTF-Horn of Africa, and that’s not counting a lengthy quarantine after returning. He got to miss the pandemic over here but also missed some of his children’s milestones and time with his wife, Ann (nee Dalton, Hollins ’93).

“Before we parted in Cincinnati, he gave me an encased U.S. flag that was flown at that outpost in remembrance of Sept. 11 and as a gesture to the Harper family. To say I was moved is putting it lightly. What Craig does is something that thou sands of men and women handle for our country, and as one of the millions of the protected, I’m constantly in awe and eternally grateful.”

John, thanks for checking in. Great to hear that Jason is doing well, and the gift of a flag from Craig is truly awesome. Well done, Craig!

James Smith went and got married! He sent in the following: “Becca Johnson and I were mar ried Aug. 6, 2022. We had a small, intimate wed ding with mostly family and some close friends behind the lodge at Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia. We had the canyon view as our backdrop. We then hiked down to Elaka la Falls for photos, followed by a small reception. Between the two of us, we now have a combined four kids ranging in age from 5 to 20. We are in the processing of buying land and building a house outside of Snow Hill. Maryland (small town just south of Ocean City).” Congratulations to you and Becca, BR!

Brian Melvin shared on Facebook that he, Bud DaRin, and Jon Lauder ’94 got a chance to play on the VMI alumni team recently.

They had a great time.

Alex DeVarona got a chance to meet up with Kevin Morris while vacationing in Amsterdam. Kevin and his wife, Helen, moved there earlier this year, I think, from the U.K., and Alex and his wife, Lora, had dinner with them one night. They had a great evening and are all hoping to make it back for the 30th in April.

Jeff Williams posted a great Facebook update back in July that he let me know I could share here: “The President’s Pistol Match is a prestigious na tional championship match that complements the President’s Rifle Match, which dates back to 1884 and is based on Great Britain’s Queen’s Hundred, which dates to 1860, during the reign of Great Britain’s Queen Victoria. So impressed was Queen Victoria with the establishment of the award, she donated a cash prize approaching $250,000 USD in today’s economy. The President’s Matches

are fired each year at the United States National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, and the top 100 competitors in each match (rifle and pistol) are called the President’s Hundred. There are no gen der, age, or other categories.

“My first service pistol match was the Presi dent’s Pistol Match in 1988, shooting a borrowed 1911A1 and 0.45 ACP match ball ammo issued on the firing line. I was 16 years old, and that ammo (I can’t remember if it was WCC or TZZ) was a lot for me to handle! I did not make the President’s Hundred, not even close, but a spark was lit. Four years later as a VMI cadet, I won the intercollegiate trophy during the National Trophy Individual Match, my first 10 points to ward distinguished, and then fired on the Virginia State Association team and won the Oglethorpe trophy, but no President’s Hundred that year, ei ther. Within 10 months/three additional matches, I ‘legged out’ for my Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge, and upon commissioning, I became the youngest Army officer on record to be a Distin guished Pistol Shot (age 21) since the origin of that award in 1891. Over the next 25 years until I resigned my commission, I shot the individu al ball matches at Camp Perry several times as a member of either the NGB All-Guard or USAR teams, winning several Custer Medals, but I nev er placed among the President’s Hundred. Most of you know I had quite a struggle with cancer and had to teach myself how to walk again, com pounding the difficulty for me to shoot competi tively. This year, with leadership from my coach, Robert Parker, and mentors, Shane Clevenger, Brian Zins, and Jim Henderson, and the assis tance of numerous others, including many Ma rines from Weapons Training Battalion back in the day, I finally made the President’s Hundred. I became the first American with a disability to earn the designation with a pistol. I am so grate ful for Robert’s coaching; Shane’s, Brian’s, and Jim’s counsel; and the help from others along the way, especially the support of both of my parents. I should also mention my gratitude for my gun smiths, Sandy and Robert Garrett of Northern Virginia Gun Works, and my good friend, Phil McFall. Also, Major Tom Bourne ’91, OIC of the U.S. Army Reserve pistol team and longtime friend and teammate, pinned me with my Presi dent’s Hundred tab. Finally, I am thankful for Jeff Wade Saddlery for retrofitting my old gun box with new leather. My dad would have loved to have been at Camp Perry for this.

“My VMI brother rats will be amused to know that, within the President’s Hundred, my place was 93. Rah Virginia Mil.”

That’s awesome, Jeff! Congratulations, BR. I know it has been a lot of work and effort for you, and we’re proud of you!

I also “crossed paths” with Emil Moster on the

Class Notes

Insta. Emil is doing well out West. “All is well out here. It’s my year for upgrades, so I just had [right] knee replaced Wednesday. [Left] knee will be a couple of months from now. Had [left] big toe fused in May, and [right] big toe will be in Novem ber/December. High mileage ... other than that, it’s great! We love adventuring out here, and there’s so much to see. We’ve been empty nesting, so that adds to the joy. Once I’m back to it again, Kath ryn and I love to play tour guide out here, as well, leading friends through slot canyons, canyoneer ing, rappelling, rock climbing, and seeing some of the beautiful formations in ‘the Big 5’ Nation al Parks. We live about 45 minutes from Zion and just minutes from some of our favorite climbing crags, mountain biking trails, and hiking trails. Would love to see you sometime. Take care!”

I also got a chance to play golf with Rusty Smith, Vic Kane, and Ayen Torchik at the VMI Club of Richmond Tournament. It was a hot day, but we hydrated, and I’d like to think we gave it our best shots. Many, many shots. In all seriousness, it was a ton of fun, and I’m looking forward to next year.

As for the Swineford family, we had a great summer, going to OBX for a week in June and just coming back from a week in Hilton Head, which is beautiful. It’s the first time I think I’ve taken two vacations in one summer, and I honestly don’t know why I haven’t been doing that, beyond the fact that work gets in my way from vacation ing whenever I want. Other than that, April and I have got a kid about to start her sophomore year of high school, so she’s looking forward to bullying some freshmen; one starting her sophomore year of classes toward her nursing degree; and one con tinuing to work her grown-up job, which she just got a promotion for, which is nice.

One quick note: I live in fear of forgetting some one’s update. I have people respond to me on Gmail, texts, and Facebook and Instagram messengers. And then there’s things I see on Facebook, like Jeff Williams’ posts that I just think are cool and should be shared, so I reach out to them to ask if I can include them. I’ve got a system that helps me keep track of everything, but if I ever forget an update you sent in, please let me know so I can make it right. Also, I’m only allowed five pictures, so if you sent a picture and I didn’t include it, it usu ally means I ran out of slots. I tend to give preference to the pictures showing BRs together, for what it’s worth. And there’s also a size requirement that causes a fair amount of pictures to get kicked back.

Thanks to everyone who sent in an up date. If you’ve never sent one in or ha ven’t sent one in recently, please con sider doing so. You can send it either by email, text, or Facebook. I’d love to hear

what y’all are up to. Be well. ’93, ’93, ’93.

1994

I sit writing these notes on the one-year anniver sary of Jason Nichols’ passing, and I’m reflecting on how, in sickness, he brought so many of us to gether again. I also reflect on another great man who passed recently I wish I could have come to know better, Mr. Jim Sam Gillespie Jr. ’59. Jim Sam passed away July 17.

Ethan Schlussel ’22, son of BR Jeremy Schlus sel, graduated in May. He was a distinguished Air Force graduate with a degree in mechanical engi neering. Jeremy goes on to write that his daughter, Isabel, just finished up her first year at Longwood, where she was selected as the official photogra pher of the men’s basketball team. Bill Stegemer ten is stationed in Germany and continues to serve in the EUCOM Theater. He reached out to say that while looking through an old vintage store in Mu nich, he came across an old VMI sweatshirt. He also said that he and his wife, Renee, got to attend the German premier of Top Gun. He also ran into Corey Cheers while on TDY to DISA HQ.

Mike Eason dropped a note that he is still in San Antonio, Texas, and the girls are growing up fast. He caught up with Andrew Blair while he was back in the U.S. before heading back to South Ko rea. Mike also worked with Zack Becker ’95 on a project to ship a medical clinic to Ukraine. Mike’s

wife is from Ukraine, and her family is still there. He reports that they are safe for the most part, but it has not been easy on them having to flee from the Russians, then getting to come back after the terri tory was taken back. Mike has also been in touch with Jim Todd with plans of catching up at some future date.

Ty Johnson reached out that he and Julie are back in Florida and working on a project.

H.Wayne Lambert has been traveling around and visiting BRs. He recently visited Matt and Kristi Losquadro’s bed-and-breakfast, The Sal tair Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine. He stopped in Burl ington, Vermont, and caught up with Ro and Eliza Browning. Wayne then headed to Manhattan to see the Connells and spend time with Ro Brown ing, Pete Major, Brian Jones, Charles Downs, Rusty Stein, Ed Henning, and Tim O’Boyle. He also hosted Aric South worth’s daughter, Morgan, for the sum mer while she was doing research with Wayne’s research group. She is a senior neuroscience major and captain of the la crosse team at Sewanee. Aric Southworth also just earned his master’s degree from the School of Architecture. Jason Doucet ’98, who owns Battlefield Jiu Jitsu, re cently held a fundraiser for The Boys and Girls of Fauquier. At the event Jason, my self and another F-Trooper, Grant Holmes ’17, were all in attendance.

Kevin Vermillion’s son, Carter, will ma triculate this year, along with John Camp bell’s son, Jacob. Good luck to all our BRs’ kids who are at the Institute this year. Always, Pig

Class notes

1995

Brother Rats,

Hey, guys! I hope this set of notes finds you all well. Can you believe that 31 years ago we set foot into barracks as the Rat Mass of 1992+3? How fast the time goes. Just a few weeks after I submit these notes, post will again have the sounds of cadre, rats, and football games.

I hope everyone has had a good summer. Aron Buss was down here at Smith Mountain Lake for a small vacation. I did not get to meet up with him, but I did text with him, and he is doing well.

I spoke on the phone with Todd Rupright He and his family are doing great. They are still liv ing in Michigan, but I am slowly trying to weak en Jen’s defenses to get them to move down here to Virginia. Haha!

I met up with Bill Eger and his wonderful wife, Heather, while I was on vacation with the family at Great Wolf Lodge. Bill is still teaching some college classes and has a great full-time gig teaching at a charter school in Norfolk. They have spent as much time as possible on the beach at Sandbridge this summer until school starts back up.

I also caught up with Paul Whitmore ’94 while we were on vacation. Our kids had a great time playing at Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg.

If anyone has any news to report, just shoot me an email or give me a call. Would love to hear

from you guys. Let me know if you are coming to a football game, and maybe we can meet up. That’s it for now. Take care, guys! Rah Virginia Mil! ’95, ’95, ’95.

1996

Jon Dano

Brother Rats,

I hope everyone has had an amazing summer and hopefully caught up with a few brother rats over the last few months.

Speaking of amazing, we have some terrific news from some BRs for this edition.

Congratulations to Brian Hartless for his pro motion to brigadier general of the United States Air Force. This is a tremendous achievement, and I am happy to say the Class of ’96 was there to see him pin on the stars. Thank you to Nick Latsios, Bryan Eberhardt, Chris Noe, Sean McMurry, Mike Ohleger, and Sterling Sweeney for attending. The now Brig. Gen. Brian S. Hartless is the Air Force director of civil engineers, deputy chief of staff for logistics, engineering, and force protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pen tagon, Arlington, Virginia. He is responsible for

providing policy and oversight for the planning, development, construction, maintenance, utilities, and environmental quality of 176 Air Force bases worldwide valued at more than $420 billion.

John Adams has been appointed by the gover nor of Virginia to be on the VMI Board of Vis itors. In addition to his career as a partner with McGuireWoods law firm, John is now actively working on the board. A proud moment for the Class of 1996 to have such distinguished represen tation on VMI’s board.

Nathan Straub officially retired from active duty July 14. He sent this note: “After 26 years in the Navy, my retirement ceremony was July 14 at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. It was a great time! I am taking about two months off and touring the East Coast with beach stops in North Carolina, Delaware, and New Jersey. Grow ing my hair and getting sunburned. I start with an architect and engineer firm, Black & Veatch, at the end of August.” Congrats, and best wishes in your new career.

Brandon Porter reached out to inform us of son Josiah’s accomplishment of reaching the Little League World Series! As the left fielder, he and his team will be representing the state of Tennessee and the Southeastern Region in mid-August. Way to go, Josiah! He has the spirit of VMI on his side.

John Buchanan and Eli Wahesh recently met up in Congressman Mike Waltz’s office during a summer vacation trip for Eli and his family in the Washington, D.C., area. Mike wasn’t there, so I hope they played a good VMI prank with some thing in his office.

JJ Rivera has retired from the Marine Corps! I recently met up with JJ at a Pennsylvania/New Jersey VMI Chapter event, along with Nick Lat sios, Jim Tinguely, and Andre Johnson. It was a

Class Notes

great time, and our class had the best showing of any class at the event. JJ said he retired Aug. 1; his ceremony is pending. Congrats, JJ, and we are all excited to see what your next career will hold for you. Jim Tinguely was also able to tell us how much fun he had on his solo road trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota with his self-custom-made camper. Check it out on his Facebook page.

Thanks to some great work by John Adams, we have gotten in touch with Jamie Edge’s moth er and brother. We have told them about Jamie’s scholarship, and we are hoping to get them back to

VMI to meet with this year’s recipient, who should be announced shortly. More to come on this, but we are committed to making the Jamie Edge Spirit of VMI Scholarship something special.

We plan to have a tailgate gathering for The Cit adel weekend at VMI, so please mark that Satur day, Nov. 19, on your calendars and come join the class.

Finally, we have some bravery news from our very own Vern Wilkens. This summer, Vern was highlighted in the local Louisiana Natchitoches Times newspaper. Vern had been vacationing in

the Louisiana bayou when a local dog walker had one of her dogs dragged into the water by a gator. Without hesitation, Vern jumped in and was able to free the dog and fight off the 10-foot gator and get to shore with the dog safely. Vern was quoted as saying, “It’s not every day you jump headfirst into a swamp to fight an alligator, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.” Vern got some reward, as the value of VernCoin jumped a half a cent based on his newfound local celebrity status. Well done, Vern.

All the best to you and your families, Jon and Nick

Gentlemen of the Old Corps!

You might begin reading this quarter’s entry thinking, “Ooh, there will be some juicy tidbits in here about our recent 25th Reunion and per haps some flying mac ’n cheese!” This would be a fair assumption, considering you are reading this as you are shopping for a frozen flightless bird and a 30-pack of domestic beer for your up coming Thanksgiving family dinner, and the re union by now, if everything went according to plan, is a distant, jail-free, foggy memory. Alas, thanks to the time-space continuum that is the VMI Alumni Review-notes-entry-process, I’m actually writing this before the reunion, and you

Class notes

are experiencing the great joy of reading it after the reunion! It’s like a literary time machine, except this ain’t literature, and I can’t go back and make it stink less, so, on that note, I will get on with ...

Flounder’s beard, which has become self-aware, created and moved to its own ZIP code, and will be headlining Burn ing Man later this month (see above regarding the literary time machine; sorry). In the in terim, look for it on TikTok.

Speaking of memes, Dano Owens just posted his first meme—ever—on Facebook. It’s actually a rarely seen snap of CDC COVID-19 guidance that is timely, coherent, and ef fective. Thanks, Dano!

In not-so-fake-news, Steve Strain broke away from his new forever home in San An tonio, Texas, crashed with me for a couple of nights, and went back to the Pentagon to promote a fellow Airman to the rank of colonel. Steve recently relin quished command of the 502nd Installation Support Group and will be relishing non-command life behind a desk for the next year while he contemplates his next move for USAF. To help celebrate Steve’s return to the NCR, Mike Belenky stopped by and allowed us to buy him some beers. “Wait, I thought Belenky was in Germany,” you say?

Class of 1997: Attending George Mosby’s wedding to the former Kaitlyn Crompton April 23 are (from left) Chris Berger, Steve Mills ’94, Worth Burns ’00, Jason Gruse, Rev. Kurt Polk ’95, Chris Antonelli ’96, Scott Saunders, Joel Kusterer, Frank Dingle ’96, Charles Ayers, Erik Seaman ’98, Justin Wolfe ’98, Dave Hudock, Kaitlyn Crompton, Chris Berry, Chris Braun ’98, Tripp Costen, Matt Guise ’98, Mike Fellows ’95, Bob Polk ’61, and Rob Sarver ’03. Not pic tured is Thomas Walton ’74.

a healthy throng of brother rats and alum. If you felt the earth’s rotation stop last spring for a minute, now you know why. Great news, Troy, and thanks for sharing! Hopefully the wed ding in April was a sufficient warmup exposure for Kaitlyn to our class ahead of our re union in October. Look forward to seeing you both there!

Class of 1997: Ad Hagan and Dave Hudock with Mike Belenky shortly after Belenky took command of the Army’s 44th Medical Brigade.

He was ... until June, when he left the fatherland for the holy land of North Carolina and its Fort-formerly-knownas-Bragg. Mike took command of the Army’s 44th Medical Brigade there July 12 and, for the next two years, will be leading 4,000 soldiers in the skillful art of Army Medical Support. It was an august occasion, shared by Blythe and their kids, Sarah, Emma, and Cooper. Ad Hagan and I were there to ensure the Institute was heard from that day. Congrats, Mike; it’s good to have you back stateside.

Filed in the “no one thought this would ever happen” folder is the recent marriage of George “Troy” Mosby to the former Kaitlyn Crompton at the Bowens Island Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, April 23, 2022. The event was officiated by Rev. Kurt Polk ’95 and attended by

Class of 1997: Tyler Chase and his broth er, Justin, a graduate of James Madison University, on the 18th hole on the Old Course at St. Andrews with Channing Powers’ VMI flag.

Tyler Chase dropped me a note that is best cut and pasted directly from his email: “My mom, brother, and aunt finally made it to Scotland after plan ning the trip for 2020. We were able to get two rounds in St. Andrews at the Castle Course and the New Course from the annual raffle. On our first day in town, my brother and I went down to the Old Pavilion at 4:30 a.m. to put ourselves on the waiting list for the Old Course later that day. We ended up being No. 12 and 13 on the list. (No. 1 had shown up just after midnight!) Who knew we’d get to play? So, we headed to the Castle Course and played an almost rain-free round with a 30-mph wind off the North Sea. We were back in town by 3:30 p.m., checked the waiting list, and were pleased to see that we were up next and had been paired with two “Royal & Ancient Members” for a 4:20 p.m. tee time! The accompanying pic ture is of my brother, Justin Chase, JMU ’99, and I hold ing the last VMI flag Channing Powers ever purchased from the VMI Bookstore. He always wanted to play the Old Course but was unable to get there before his passing. He was there with me as I shot a 90 from the tips and was the only one in the group to par the Road Hole and 18 to finish the round just before 8:30 p.m. We ended up walking 17.2 miles that day. Not bad for someone who hasn’t had a good forced march in 29 years! Look forward to seeing ev eryone in October!”

Hard to top that entry, fellas, so I’ll sign off here and save my razor-sharp writing skills for the next episode, in which I will recount what I can only imagine was a memorable and classy 25th Reunion for the Class of 1997.

See you soon!

1998

Hello again from Lexington, Virginia, and what seems like another summer gone too fast. Town started to move at a much faster pace two weeks ago when the W&L students began to move into their rentals, and with VMI set to return, it seems primed for fall.

Eric Eisemon checked in right after the bell in May, admitting that he was not quite sure when he last sent an update in and that it had been quite a while. Eric had just returned from a weekend school camp with his son and attempted a cou ple of obstacle courses like the ones that we had at VMI. He said that the 20-plus years since Rat Challenge truly showed, as he could barely jump or get over any of the obstacles. He and his wife, Sarah, were also getting ready to celebrate their 17-year anniversary. They have three children ages 15, 10 and 6, who keep them busy running around the San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland). They moved around quite a bit during his train ing following medical school (Richmond), and he completed his orthopedic surgery training in Brooklyn, New York, followed by his fellowship in adult reconstruction (hip and knee replace ments) in Boston, Massachusetts. Eric, thanks for checking in and for helping people feel comfort able, again as I know a few who have had joint replacement and their largest regret is waiting too long. Stay well, and send another update soon!

Chad Novacek decided to pop up from obscu rity and get back on the Class of ’98 radar with an update. After an eight-and-a-half-year train ride as a BNSF conductor, Chad resigned in June amid the ruthless culling of the herd that they ex perienced (>1,800 gone) due to the new “draco nian” attendance policy that they rolled out in February, and he hopes that the nationwide strike will come in September after the cooling off pe riod. He left the amazing adventure of the desert for the more low-key existence as an immigration services officer for Homeland Security in Lin coln, Nebraska, where he is helping asylees ob tain work authorization permits. He admits that it is extremely nice to have weekends, nights, and holidays off again! Additional changes since his last update include that he discovered 130-plusyear-old evidence suggesting that Senator Bar ry Goldwater’s uncle, Morris, may have killed a young woman, and he wrote a paper on his find ings. Brother Rat Mike Gorman helped him date the photo, which got the ball rolling. Chad also

had an exciting time night/shark/wreck diving and underwater metal detecting in Roatan, Hon duras, before COVID-19 came along and shut down the world. He has been in regular contact with Miten Bhavsar ’00, hiking in Flagstaff and pub crawling in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chad is not married (but open to suggestions, lol) and now finally has the schedule for a dog. He cannot wait to see us in the fall ’23 for the 25th. Chad, it is al ways entertaining to read your submissions, so do not wait so long the next time!

I have shared some text messages with John Moder and Kris Dietrich about various comings and goings in their lives. I hope to have an update from them and many more of you in November!

That does it for formal submissions this time, and I did not receive any pictures to share.

We managed to break away for a day with Sean Hicklin and his family (well he broke away and came to Lexington), and I am sure that I will have more to share next time around after my son goes to his farm for youth deer hunt weekend.

I also run with Thierry Lemercier from time to time, most recently to Lowes to help him load up some things for the Abigail Inn.

I hope to attend the 25th celebration of the ad mittance of female cadets the weekend of Sept. 8–10, but I leave for a Kansas deer hunt that weekend, so we shall see what I am able to do. We still love living in Lexington, and I still commute down for two to three nights per week to Char lotte for work. Our summer was action-packed (some family and some individual), but Tori went to Portugal and Spain for three weeks with her mother, and I went to Alaska twice (fishing once with work friends and a cruise with the family), which was great on both accounts. I managed to catch a 98-pound halibut on salmon gear, which was a tasty use of one hour. Fishing and kayaking on the Maury, an excursion to Myrtle Beach for work, and Hull’s Drive-In and local music events in the Jeep. In between, we remodel this old house that does not really need it, but she wants it ... so we do it. Hit us up if you are in Lexington, and look Tori’s room up on Airbnb if you need a place to crash.

A group of us are working on the 25th Reunion planning. As of writing this submission, we do not yet have a date, which is frustrating because W&L and other entities plan things years in ad vance. However, as of reading this submission, I will have sent out emails concerning the reunion dates, swag for sale, potential opinion surveys, tentative plans for the weekends, and other hap penings for TBD in October 2023. If you did not see an email prior to reading this in November, then your information is likely outdated with the “I,” and we need to update it, please.

The quickest way to reach me is via text or joeybates@hotmail.com, and my commitment

to you is a response, along with working hard tire lessly to make sure that we all enjoy the trips to post in the years ahead. We want the 25th to be the beginning of gathering again and hope to sched ule things for a football game (or two) each year.

I hope you are well and, when you read these notes in November 2022, that you take a few min utes to shoot me an email, Facebook message, or text message so that I have more to share. If you are coming to town this fall/winter for any activi ties, then please give me a shout in advance. Rah Virginia Mil! ’98, ’98, ’98.

1999

Jay Witt

Brother Rats,

It is with a heavy heart that I report the trag ic and untimely passing of our BR and friend, Christopher Todd “Chris” Reid. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, especially his parents and wife, Kandy. Chris had a tremendous impact on many and will be greatly missed. In other updates, Matt Hart was in Lexington re cently with his son, Zachary, and stopped by the Institute for some sightseeing and reflection. Along their travels, they also visited U.S. Army Fort Belvoir and the Sight and Sound Theatre in Pennsylvania.

Brother Rat Jeff Morrison dropped a line to let us know he earned his MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in June of this year. Con gratulations, Jeff! Jeff also noted that he and his

Class notes

family are well in Apex, North Carolina, and that he ran into BR Shane Stille recently.

Col. Dave Kaczmarek took command of the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, this past May. In attendance was Col. John Wilcox. John was gracious enough to up date the class of BR Kaczmarek’s promotion on the class Facebook page. Thank you for the update, John, and congratulations to Dave on as suming brigade command! I had the pleasure of attending Cmdr. Jeremy Obenchain’s retirement ceremony in D.C. earlier this summer. It is always impressive to see the positive impact our brother rats in and out of uniform are having all over the world. There were many officers from multiple nations who thanked Jeremy for his highly influ ential service in the U.S. Coast Guard. Also in at tendance at BR Obenchain’s re tirement ceremony was Brother Rat Mike Purdy; Chris Antonelli ’96; and VMI Spanish pro fessor, Kathleen Bulger-Barnett, Ph.D.

Brother Rat Wes Barrow sent the following update: “Baylor and I left Richmond after 35plus years and moved to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, so if any brothers are in the area, please give us a shout. It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere! I also left EY after 15 years and joined Tru ist as vice president, talent. I’m currently work remotely and based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.” Congrats on the new position and move, Wes!

Gentlemen, please take some time over the next quarter to update your contact information. Changes/updates can be sent to Norma Robin son at nrobinson@vmiaa.org or to me. I look forward to speaking with each of you soon, but until then, all the best to you and your families.

2000

Chris Abbott

This summer ...

Ron White entered and won the Mr. Universe Best Smile competition.

Will R. Beverlin’s son, Jeremy Beverlin, grad uates high school from Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville, Virginia. His daughter, Melina, is now 16 and a junior at Wilson, and his daughter, Emma, is 14 and in eigth grade at Wil son Middle School.

Mathew Martin ran more along the Florida coast.

Donald O’Sullivan waited for Chris Abbott and the rest of the class to visit but instead spent his time coaching soccer, taking a promotion at work, and enjoying the memories with the fami ly—Krysta, Conal, Cassidy, and Donnie III.

Luke Hale posted on Facebook for the first time in years, grew a grey beard after retiring from the Army last July, surrounded himself with 20-some things while going to North Carolina State fulltime for an MBA, and joined the corporate Rat Line (otherwise known as an intern) with IBM. He also thought he’d find a way to pester Mickey Wing and Tha ren Peterson by becoming the VMI Alumni Association Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chap ter president ... Personally send ing them event spam, with love. Chris Abbott did a lot of laying out by the pool and drinking rum.

B.J. Arvin finally made it back to Jamaica after multiple delays due to COVID-19. He also spent a good chunk of summer prepar ing to start year No. 15 of teach ing.

Conrad Bicknell took a climb ing trip with the family in the south of France, visited family in Idaho, texted Charles Minski a lot, and had lunch with Jimmy

Class Notes

Sheldon (it had been 22 years!) in Richmond.

Brian Skusa decided to go veg an, ending a 44-year love affair with steak, chicken, and pork. He is requesting encouraging texts daily at 5:30 a.m. to motivate him to get through the day. He an nounced this publicly in a bar in Nashville, where he met up with Michael Mule

John-Michael Bently Archer decided to add an additional mid dle name to match his ever-grow ing family and hidden love affair. He would like to be addressed as Mr. John-Michael Bently-Had dock Archer. His son, Eli, was dropped off at the Institute, and he could be heard laughing while drinking nonalcoholic beers with Joe Gorski, who dropped off his son, as well.

Ryan Cengeri toured all of Idaho and participat ed in mashed potato tasting. It’s his favorite fruit (and mine). He might have a custom golden spoon which cleans the palate.

Carl Hammond didn’t post once all summer.

Chad Welch finished his third Ironman and is wasting no time training his two-and-a-half-yearold son, Fox, in the bicycle portion of the event. His wife, Jean, and he are both attorneys practicing in Jackson, Mississippi.

Don Ferguson spent six months on Babbel to learn Spanish for his family vacation and 21st wedding anniversary to Mexico, to only realize

everyone spoke English.

Justin Dodge chilled in the Outer Banks this summer (he has two in VMI).

Adam Priest made a pilgrimage to the Florida Keys to find the Lost Boys surf shop; he almost gave up his job to make surfboards full time.

Cole brothers (Justin and Jason): One went hik ing, and the other still hasn’t accepted my friend request from nine years ago.

Will Moore received an HOA violation for cam paign signs from Lola campaigning for a seat on the local elections.

John Wilson Sr. was able to quickly dry off and remove his rat speedo in time to meet up with Jack Thorton for a refreshing beverage.

Devon Jones once again blessed us with the an nual Fourth of July Hulk Hogan video. He and his family are doing great in Richmond.

Brad Allen, having realized that 2000 was the best class at VMI, bought a new truck and did a road trip from the liquor, hardware, and grocery store round trip until it hit 2,000 miles so he could send us a picture on Facebook.

James Royce joined the VMI 2K Facebook group.

Scott Martin would like everyone to check out his YouTube channel.

2001

embarked on our college jour ney as a historic gaggle of coeds ready to press up the hill of science, or as I preferred, slide down the slopes of liber al arts! Truth be told, I quick ly realized there was no slid ing to be had, and I suspect a couple of hundred more of you felt the same way ... if you know, you know. But the humbling truth of it is, while we navigated a full academic load with a regimented life style in the fall of the age of a fledgling internet and when your Case Logic CD book let was the most important trav el companion in the car, none of us knew where we’d be 25 years later ... and we’re just getting warmed up! Some of us have kids starting col lege this fall, while some of us have kids pooping on their own for the first time, and yet some of us are sans kids, living our best life! Speaking of kids doing things on their own, in the Gelormine house, our daughter has started her first college semester, and our son is marching in his dad’s footsteps playing the trumpet in band. I’m inch ing my way closer to finishing my car restoration and completing home projects when Heather’s patience runs thin on said car restoration. Special thank you to Guy Workman for dragging a set of seats from Kansas to Virginia to help me a ton on shipping costs! I hope to have it on display for Christmas card pictures this year! We had a lot of responses this go-around, so let’s begin!

Will Alley and Aaron Yarbough had a chance to link up at the VMI football alumni reunion back in August. He says, “We had a great time catching up, reminiscing our ‘glory days,’ meet ing past VMI football legends, and hanging out with the current wide receivers and coaches. The Keydet Club put together a great weekend, and we hope to see more of our VMI ’01 football BRs at the next one!”

Harri Jahkola writes, “I’m currently in Finland and just finished the first proper vacation since corona started, stayed with my parents at their summer cottage. Apparently, I needed it, since I was sleeping over nine hours a night during the first week! In other news, we just received a re quest from our Ukrainian contacts for further aid to replenish their dwindling first aid kits. Fortu nately, we have some funds so we can do that. Any donations and shoutouts on social media more than welcome!” Keep up the incredible work, Harri!

Happy Fall, Class of 2001!

It’s hard to believe that, 25 years ago, we

Oscar Alfaro checks in that he and Adam Woy towich met up in New Jersey back in June, and

Class notes

Oscar and his family made the OBX excursion only to miss catching up with Top Palmer and Rich Bruce at Pigman’s. He did, however, get to spend too much time with the emergency room staff. As Oscar tells it, “My family had an extra ‘treat’ this year. On Sunday night while preparing dinner, I almost chopped off the tip of my fin ger and was rushed to the emergency room at the hospital. Since I normally am the one that cooks for the family and I was at the hospital instead of in the kitchen, my brother-in-law quickly went to Pigman’s to pick up dinner for the family and to drop some off for me at the hospital while I was in the waiting room. Fortunately, he did because I wasn’t seen by a doctor until 0500 hours the next morning. Currently still healing, fingertip is numb, but so far there is still a whole finger.” By the time this is published, I hope you’re cooking back at full speed or at least training a sous-chef to do your chopping! Oscar also tells us that Jar ed Kuhnhenn is out at Camp Parks, Cal ifornia, teach ILE Phase 1 to majors and doing well.

Drew Dickinson writes in from the Richmond Chapter, “I’m still living in Hanover County (Richmond area) work ing for Carter Machinery (local CAT dealership) covering our eastern oper ations. I get to work with Brother Rat Brandon Garrett, which is always a treat and gives us the opportunity show other people how strange we are often. I have a rising eighth-grader and a rising fifth-grader, so next year will be one of change since I’ll have to identify as a par ent of a high schooler without the bene fit of one in elementary school to offset.

Got both their provisionals when they were born, and I keep them hung above the doorway in their bedrooms just to make sure that their minds don’t wander to less significant choices.” That’s just good parenting! He also shares, “I check in with both Brian Ferguson and Parker Reeves often; both are doing great, families are thriving, doing well at work, and living near the Roanoke area. Made a pact with Brian Wilson, Songho Pak, Brandon Garrett, Taylor Mawyer, Will Char lotte, and the rest of the Richmond alumni gang that we are getting together for drinks soon, and we are going to make that happen in the next few weeks and keep the reunion vibes going. I sometimes get to play basketball in an ‘old guys’ league with Mike Andriliunas; ridiculously, he seems to be in the same shape that he was at VMI, and he always tells me to give everyone his best. Looking forward to fall football season and seeing many of our classmates back on post.”

Nick Pomaro drops in from Florida with his update. “I graduated from Air War College and just finished my com mand tour. I turned the battalion over to Tim Riemann ’05. We are staying in Tampa a few more years for my joint tour. We are thankful that the children will have a little more stability for school, and it al lows my wife to continue building her rep utation as a Realtor here.” Congratulations on the end of command! You may now sleep through the night as you see fit!

Brad Herrell sends (arguably the best update) from Florida, “I’m in the Florida Keys these days buried in work [not that part]. I run the South Florida Bass Pro Shops [that’s pretty cool]. I’m excited to

Class Notes

announce my daughter is matriculating to VMI (this fall) and will be part of the Class of 2023+3 on an Army scholarship. [This is the one!] She is so excited to attend VMI, and it’s pretty cool that she will be graduating on our 25th anniversary year.” Brad, that’s phenomenal news and really excited to see the incredible things she will ac complish. If she’s anything like her dad, she’ll be an indispensable friend and selfless leader ... but I’m a bit biased toward my old roommate!

Speaking of former roommates, Kevin Conse dine and Angela Scott (Winters) graduated from Army War College back in June, with Kevin re ceiving multiple writing awards. Congratula tions, Kevin and Angela!

John Koubaroulis sends his best from North ern Virginia with the following, “Alex and I are doing great. We are busy with work and are [as of this publishing] 1 mile away from the Air and Space Forces Association, where I work as the donor relations and and stewardship coordina tor. We recently visited Canada twice and just re turned from a visit to Virginia Beach. We look forward to hanging out with BRs in the coming months!”

Ben Griffith sent in his note by way of carrier pigeon from out in Montana. Sorry my lab puppy ate your bird! All kidding aside, Ben shares news from the northern Rockies: “So here at Watchdog Winery, we have turned a corner and are now ful ly licensed and ready to get our wine out in the world. We have a web designer making our fi nal connections between our website and our on line store and hope to have that up and running smoothly by Oct. 1!” Woohoo!

Ben continues, “We have had a horribly cold start to summer that has turned into a horribly hot summer. For the grapes, it has been a slow start to the growing season, and now we hope that they will have enough summer left to ripen into next year’s vintage. We humans are surviving the heat but looking forward to fall; luckily for us, the Flathead River is literally a stone’s throw from the house and able to provide some heat relief with daily dunks. However, we did experience two weeks of island life when the river decided to rise nearly 10 feet above normal, which sur rounded the house with water. The kids loved ca noeing in the front/backyard, to include a chance to canoe from our backyard through our western pasture to the creek head, which is about threefourths of a mile away, without leaving the tree line and never being in the main river channel. Crazy times! Beyond the vineyard, the kids are growing like weeds and keeping us busy as they seem to have more energy on the daily than mom and dad do. We are looking forward to having a kindergartner but also in disbelief that we are starting our educational pursuit after what seems like an eternity to get this far in her young life.

Her sister is close on her heels but at home for another year. If anyone is ever out in the Mis soula, Montana, area, please give me a holler, as we have fly fishing in our front yard, wine in the backyard, and cows running the flanks. Hope all is well with the rest of the cohort.”

Justin Prior sent a quick note to share that he ran into Mike Judge at Blackhat in Las Vegas in August. He also was able to have lunch with a few cadets with the VMI Cyber Defense Lab at DEFCON. He also shares that if anyone in the class works in infosec and wants to help out to please let him know!

Last and certainly not least, I checked in on our class’s favorite German-blooded superhero, Wil helm Skakandy, to see what crime-fighting antics he’s up to these days. Steve Skakandy checks in that the doctors are chasing the right num bers for his white blood cell count. In his words, “[We’re making] micro adjustments for wind age, elevation, etc. ... It’s like being on the rifle range again or adjusting for fire for indirect.” But he’s a trooper all the same. Steve continues, “All that aside, he looks good, and he’s getting after it. Grandpa and I had him out fishing for the first time on the boat the first weekend in August, and he had a blast. He only caught a sea bass, but he was ecstatic. To me, he looks good, enjoys life ... I wish the doctors could see what I see. Check these out, you would never know by looking at these that five short months ago he had a bone marrow transplant.” He’s an incredible little man, and we all wish him nothing but the best!

Thank you all for the submissions! It’s truly amazing what I get to write about every quarter, and I consider myself fortunate to tell your sto ries. Wishing you all the best this fall and hope to see you all at a football game or two this season. See you in the countermarch!

In the bonds, Tony G.

2002

Salmaan Khawaja

2003

William Talley V

Brother Rats,

What a summer it has been! I feel like I’ve had more interactions with BRs the last few months than any time period prior to that in a long time. It’s been great! When these hit your mailbox, it will be mid-November The last set of notes was done back in May, and a lot has happened since then. I haven’t gotten any updates directly, so please indulge me as I recount the interactions had since May 16.

I caught up with Dave Tavenner in early June on the phone while driving up to the Institute for a Keydet Club function. Dave is doing well; he’s still teaching and coaching. He and his wife have a son and daughter, and they’re in Pennsylvania. He’s hoping schedules will work out to get back to our 20th Reunion next April. Make sure that date is on your calendar: April 14–16, 2023!

In late June, the Biestervelds, Matthewses, Trainas, and Talleys all gathered down in Duck, North Carolina, for a week at the beach. This was truly a great event, as all family members were present. Biesterveld:Andy, Chelsey, Lincoln (8), Alden (6), and Sawyer (3). Matthews: Brandon, Audrey, Wyatt (6), and Ava

Brother Rats,

I hope all of you are faring well these days! I did not receive any class notes this time around, save for those that were submitted and are in the reunion section of the last Review.

Again, I hope all is well with you and yours, and Rah Virginia Mil!

In the Spirit, Salmaan

Class notes

(4). Traina: Blake, Jennifer, Da vid (8), Daniel (3), and Chief (9 months). Talley: Bill, Amie-Anne, Savannah (17), Billy (12), Chap pell (8), and Moose (almost 2). In true VMI gathering fashion, stories were shared, memories were made, beverages were consumed, and law enforcement was called.

Following right behind this gath ering was Joe Vorhees and his family in Duck, North Carolina, for their annual family gathering. While I wasn’t able to catch up with Joe, a good time was had based on social media postings.

Speaking of social media post ings, you never know who may tag a BR in a Facebook post that pro vides you with an update. A friend of mine shared that Adam Holloway and another firefighter from Chesterfield County spent a day providing water safety instruction to various companies within the Dinwiddie County Fire Department in July. From the looks of the picture, Adam is keeping himself in good physical condition.

I caught up with Chris Mision in July one evening via text. He had another successful crawfish boil at this house in June. Steve Nakazawa and John Roche were able to make it to the party. Chris is still in an AGR role up in NOVA and relayed that Brendan Barclay works in the same building as him.

I ran into Adam Britt a few times in July, as both his son, Nate, and my youngest, Chap pell, had made their respective All-Star base ball teams and ended up playing each other in a tournament hosted by Huguenot Little League.

Nate’s team pulled out the “W” that game, but both boys had a good tournament.

Chaz Wagner, Juan Sanchez, and Mike Poliquin caught up in D.C. one evening in July. Chaz reported that it was a “rare sighting of the elusive Mike Poliquin outside of his natural habitat.”

Talking about elusive, Pat Schae rrer is all over the world these days. His travels have taken him from his home in Malta to Poland, Thailand, Malaysia, and Ukraine. Pat’s been pretty active with the European Se curity Academy.

Andy and Rachel Onello wel comed their third child, a daugh ter, Aubrey Marie Onello, into the world July 14, 2022. Keeping Au brey safe are her twin brothers, who are heading into the fourth grade.

I want to thank everyone who took time to reach out to Joe Ingram on his birthday in July. Joe’s father called me early August to let me know how much Joe appreciated the cards and messages. He also wanted to let me know that messages for Joe can be sent to the follow ing email address: raandjn@gmail.com. Joe’s brother, Allen, sent me a picture of Joe on his birthday grinning from ear to ear. Please con tinue to reach out to Joe and his parents so they can feel the support from our class for them.

As I wrap this set of notes up in August, we’re in the final stages of preparation to take our

Class Notes

daughter, Savannah, up to JMU to begin her freshman year. We’ll be departing in just under 36 hours to move her into her dorm. It’s almost surreal, even though we’ve been waiting on this for the last four months or so. It seems like just yesterday we all arrived on post, dropped our trunks off in the Old Barracks courtyard, and then headed down to Cameron Hall to sign the book and get issued our rat tag. However, in re ality that was 23 years ago. Yes, we’re getting old! I told John Noonan in a text conversation today that we must embrace it. Life passes us by faster than any of us would like it to. So, let’s make sure we take the opportunities that are given to us to engage with each other. This means be sure to be at our 20th Reunion!

Until next time ... Rah Virginia Mil! ’03, ’03, ’03!

2004

Stuttgart, I have come across Anthony Peters (reserve stint at USEUCOM), George Cushman (recently PCS’d back to the states from USAFRICOM), Derek Raymond (stationed out in Stuttgart with SOCEUR) and Harley Jennings (the latest addition to SOCEUR here in Stuttgart).” Personally, I’m convinced this was the romantic getaway you and Rob were hoping for. Jane and Lindsey were simply in nocent bystanders. Give us a heads-up next

time, and I’ll add Misia to the list of witnesses. Gary Cutler has also come home to the states. He writes, “Erin, the girls, and I just wrapped up a two-year exchange assignment in Sydney, Australia, with the Army. Although COVID-19 hampered a lot of our travel plans, we did get to see a fair bit of the country and, of course, kangaroos. Moe and his cousins were out in full force and were pretty much everywhere in the training areas of most military installations. We’ve just settled in Mobile, Alabama, and I’m working as the deputy commander with the USACE District for the next couple of years. If you find yourself down on the Gulf Coast, give me a shout. Mardi Gras is a hoot in Mobile, so let us know if you’re down this way.

“We’re planning to make the VMI versus Samford game in Birmingham in November, as well as The Citadel game in Lex-Vegas. Let me know if y’all are at either of those, and we’ll catch up.”

For the stateside hat trick, Maja Čavlović is attending the Naval Postgraduate School until September 2023. She writes, “In case anyone is in the area of Monterey, California, let me know and let’s catch up.”

Ross Garnett wrote in from the states for the first time in a long time: “Recently com pleted our PCS from Okinawa, Japan, to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. We spent five years in Japan and had a great experience (except COVID-19). We’re settling into 2nd Marine Division G-4 and bumping into several other VMI alumni—Joe Montagna is here, as well as several others from across different class years. We were recently selected to command U.S. Marine Corps Supply School aboard Camp Johnson here at Marine Corps Base, Camp Le jeune. We’ll be here through at least 2025, and we’ll see where the journey takes us!” Welcome home, and congratulations on your selection for command!

Brian Hudak succumbed to peer pressure and wrote after a recent hiatus in Greece with Rob Wilson: “I have been living in Stuttgart, Germa ny, since January 2020 supporting USEUCOM and DIA as a contractor (just in time to explore Europe during COVID-19). I was touring Am sterdam, and saw something that reminded me of Rob Wilson, so I sent him a text. He respond ed right away and informed me that he would be in Greece at the end of July for a getaway with his wife. So, in true brother rat spirit, I took Jane to Greece to crash Lindsey’s romantic getaway with Rob. It was a blast, and we had a great time touring Mykonos and Santorini together.

“It’s always good to see friendly faces, es pecially across the pond. So far since being in

John Puvogel has gone in the opposite di rection. “I’ve been deployed to HOA (CLDJ) since October 2021 (got volun-told for an ac tive duty Navy IA assignment) and will be redeploying back home around Sept. 1. The countdown is on, and I’m looking forward to getting home and back to the family and my regular job. I’m still working as a GS civie for the Navy in Virginia Beach—been there for 14 years now. The girls are well; Kinsley starts fifth grade this fall, and Elly will be in second. Ashley is still doing great working as an event manager for the National MS Society on their Bike MS programs. If anyone is interested in getting involved or volunteering for any of the rides around the country, let me know; it’s a good time for a great cause. I’m going to drop Rod a line on my way home through Germany and attempt to grab a beer—hoping that works out. I hope you and your family are well; if you or any classmates are in Hampton Roads, let me know, as I’m always up for a beer.”

Misia and I are still grinding our way through a renovation that started in February 2021. Hopefully we’ll be done by February 2023. Anya is looking forward to starting fifth grade. Kellan would rather play Minecraft. The kids and I started jiu-jitsu the first week of April with Revolution BJJ here in Richmond. I picked up my L-2 with Crossfit at the end of May with the possibility of coaching in the area. We’ll see.

Take care! Be safe, and keep in touch!

Hello, Brother Rats!

It’s hard to believe that another four months have passed since our last update. As we gear up for what I’m sure will be another eventful holiday season, I have a few updates to pass along from earlier this sum mer.

Derek Rankin has had a very eventful 2022; in March, he at tended the Air Force AFA Con vention in Orlando, Florida, where he met up with other VMI alum, Peggy Serig and Matt Vogel ’04 In June, Derek hung up his patch and relinquished command of the 32nd ARS out of Joint Base Mc Guire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jer sey (featuring a tearful change of command ceremony, as well as an incredible send-off video from Ra vens’ great Ray Lewis) and moved with his family to Ferrara, Italy, to

continue his career working for NATO. Wellearned congrats, BR!

Jim Driggs and Ben Rand ’04 got their fam ilies together for a beach vacation in Corolla in July. Jim and his wife have two boys, and Ben and his wife have three children (two girls and a boy). Both Keydets practice law around the Rich mond, Virginia, area. Contact Jim for real estate closings and drafting estate documents, and con tact Ben for civil litigation issues. Fortunately, no bail money was required because of this trip.

Andy Karnes sent along his annual update from Pinehurst, North Carolina: “In what has be come the unofficial start of summer for our golf group, the seventh edition of what we have come to refer to as the Keydet invitational took place once again in Pinehurst this June. It is with a heavy heart that I inform the VMI com munity that the red team (Will Pau lette, Henry Lynch, Rich Litwin, Ben King, Tom Innes, and John Baber) came away victorious in the Ryder Cup-style event over the much-preferred white team (Lawton Way, Ryan King, Duke Acors, Jeff Smith, Matt Mikula ’04, and Andy Karnes). Despite this unsavory re sult, a great time was once again had by all. Too many beers were shot-gunned, too much liquor was shot, and as always, it still wasn’t enough. This annual get-together is a high-water mark of the year for those of us on the trip, and it’s a great reminder of what makes VMI so special to all of us.”

That’s all for this notes edition, BRs. It continues to be a pleasure serving the class in this capacity; please keep those submissions coming in. Have a great hol iday season, and as always, stay safe and be well.

Will Collier

Brother Rats of the Amazing Class of 2006, Shelly Pauling (Mackall) wrote, “I was recent ly appointed as a member of the board of gover nors for the Keydet Club at VMI. I am serving on the board with BR Kelly Sweppenhiser. I am about to celebrate my fourth year with SOCOM at the Special Warfare Center and School. I am working as a mental performance coach for those

Class Notes

soldiers going through the qualification course and am loving every minute of it!”

After hearing from Shelly, I reached out to Kel ly Sweppenhiser. Kelly responded, “Good hear ing from you. It’s a VMI-kinda weekend—just got back from Lexington last night and now your note in my inbox. For the review, my wife (and Ring Figure date), Erica, and I are living in the Philadelphia suburbs these days. I work in the investment management industry for Vanguard. Lucky to stay connected to VMI through serving on the Keydet Club Board of Governors along side BR Dr. Shelly Pauling in support of our ca det-athletes. Saw BR Grant Harris at a recent Alumni Association meeting. He was looking great and making a difference, as usual. Lastly, during the recent Keydet Club leadership event, couldn’t help but send this fitting tribute along to all our squared-away class. Forever in the bonds, forever bar sponsors!” I did have to remind Swepp that the real No. 27 was a la crosse player.

Burgess Lindsey sent a few text messages and emails. Burgess report ed that all is well on his end. Burgess did mention that he gives “electric bike tours on the Skyline Drive and Shenandoah County wineries. This is the second season (for the tours), and it’s a fun way to see the Shenandoah Valley.” So, if you are in the area and have interest in a E-Bike tour, give Burgess a shout.

Justin Huggard checked in letting us know that “the family is current ly wrapped up in football activities in our community down in Chester, Virginia. My son, Kyree, plays on the flag football team, and my daughter, Kadence, is a cheerleader for the ju nior team. I am coaching the flag team, and my wife, Crystal, volunteers throughout the season helping things run smoothly. Our goal is to one day provide a football program that is free for all who want to join. Go Chester Bengals!” Glad to

see your son is following in your grid iron greatness!

Brian Yannetti checked in saying, “Ian Camper and I got to work to gether on a job in Naples, Italy. I have attached the picture. Sadly forgot the flag in my room.”

Grant Harris, a member of the Alumni Association board, let us know that “Jaxon (son) celebrated his fourth birthday last weekend. Joselyn (daughter) completed ninth grade last week. The Harris family will be go ing on a trip to Bush Gardens in July, and our backyard pool is finished and ready for action.” Sounds like things are going well, BR!

Berit Aloisio (Oftendahl) wrote in that “Jo Wall invited me and Diana Khaksar to her belly dance show in Sterling, Virginia, this month. Jo’s shared her ex tensive knowledge of the art and culture with us, and we were amazed with her athleticism and art istry during her performance. It was great to catch up over tacos and beer, which makes Diana plac ing second in her age group in her mini-triathalon the next morning even more impressive.” Thank you for the report, Berit!

The Class of 2006 continues to dominate in all phases of life. As I stated in my class email at the beginning of August, we have some glasses, la pel pins, and coins available. Just let me know. If you did not get the email, send me a note with your new contact information and email address, and I will be sure you are included in the future. Please keep the emails and photos coming. We all want to know, “What is going on with you, brother rat?”

Your BR, Will

Class notes

Maury Denton

Brother Rats,

Here are the class notes for this quarter, submitted in August. Our 15th Reunion was held Sept. 16–18. I know we were all stoked to see everyone and get back on grounds. On the baby news, John Schluge’s son, Calvin Schluge, was born June 15, 2022. John’s family planned to attend the class reunion! Back in March, Nathan Adam McCall went to a New Market Day event with local alumni in the Kansas City area. At the event, he saw Noah Diehl ’04 and caught up with several alumni from older classes, as well. Nathan re cently had a divorce, and he is living in Leaven worth/Lansing, Kansas. Since being there, he has seen Thane Keller and Vincent Noel from our class and several younger alumni, includ ing Steve Huffman ’09 and Tim Johnson ’12 Kyle Wills and his family just PCS’d to Camp Humphreys, Korea, and they will be there for the next two years. He is sorry he won’t be able to make the reunion.

Kenny McWilliams had international work travel resulting in an unexpected blessing, as he met his wife, Paulina McWilliams, in Mex ico. COVID-19 was not a fun time to start a Visa application, but they are both officially in the U.S. and moved from Memphis to Nashville,

Tennessee, where he started a new job. With all the changes, Kenny figured he might as well relook at joining the Army and signed up for the National Guard. He assumed there might be some retraining, but it turned out he had to go through the entire boot camp experience starting from day zero. He is proud to say he represented the Institute well by not only keep ing up but leading the way for many that were half his age.

Rhys Williams’ son, Rhys, broke his arm right below the shoulder. Thankfully, he could take him to see renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Heinrich ’77. This VMI surgeon also passed on some stories from the Old Corps about Col. Hutchings ’77! Rhys was very thankful to have a doctor he knew he could trust. This concludes the notes for this quarter. Cheers, all, and see you at the reunion!

In the Bonds, Maury Denton

2008

Greetings from our new home in Hershey, Penn sylvania. After jumping around from temporary housing to temporary housing, we were able to land in our home after the July Fourth holiday.

Earlier this year, several of our Air Force BRs learned of their selection for promotion to lieu tenant colonel. This list is not an inclusive, and if I missed you, please feel free to drop me a line. They include Branden Delong, Mike Vinac co, Adam Barr, Katie (Bopp) Kuc, Joe Picken paugh, Nathan Harris, and Ben Switzer. Con grats to our BRs!

On Aug. 4, 2022, Kyle Adams and wife Ash ley welcomed their second child, Brooks Mason Adams. Brooks joins big brother Reid and tipped the scales at 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 19 inches. Brooks arrived just before the Adams fam ily relocates from western Pennsylvania to central Pennsylvania later this year. Congrats to the Ad ams family.

Dennis Harbin checked in from Everett, Wash ington, where he is serving as the legal advisor to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. During his previous assignment on the Joint Staff, Dennis was able to work with Ryan Weisiger ’98, Bran don Bissell ’98, and Dan Gibson ’98. While working at the Pentagon, he also ran into Adam

Class of 2007: Kenny McWilliams (far right) at his graduation from National Guard boot camp. Maury Denton, class agent, said of this photo, “He is proud to say he represented the Institute well by not only keeping up but leading the way for many that were half his age.”

Class Notes

Barr. Prior to leaving for Washington, Dennis and AJ Fortier were neighbors in Chesapeake.

Matt Mitchell relocated his family to the Hershey area before his recent deployment to Europe with the 101st Airborne. Lau ren, Addyson, David, and I got to spend a few days with Matt, Arlene-Raquel, Ava, Everleigh (our goddaughter), and Ryker before Matt returned to Fort Campbell and his deployment. Throughout the sum mer, we’ve been able to visit Hersheypark, church, and other local activities with the Mitchell family.

A few people have reached out about our upcoming reunion. It will be in Septem ber or October 2023. The date will be an nounced either later in 2022 or early 2023. Similar to years past, we’ll have a few class gifts available for purchase, and a dinner Friday and Saturday nights with the parade, football game, and other activities sandwiched between. If you have ideas for a class gift, please let me know. I know a popu lar item from five years ago from the Class of 2003 were the VMI/USA flag patches.

Brother Rats:

I hope this edition this of the Review finds you and your families well. I have had a chance to catch up with a few here and there this go around, and it sounds like everyone is doing well. Holly Yoffe went to Alex Kari’s daughter’s (Austen) birthday at their home in Naugatuck, Connecti cut. She turned two. Ran into Zach Tharp there and met his wife and two daughters. Zach is well, still with the Secret Service. Hoping to maybe get a position with the Secret Service in Richmond, which would put them closer to family. Alex is good. Alex and Shelby are expecting baby No. 2 this fall—also a girl. Holly and her family are do ing well.

Isaac and Corie Putnam are on the move again. The Putnams just PCS’d from the Pentagon to sunny Dayton, Ohio, where Isaac is assigned to a doctorate and a teaching payback at AFIT and where Corie will finish her doctorate in clinical psychology. They said if anyone is looking for a place, they have space to offer.

Barrett Luxhoj and wife Caroline welcomed their fourth baby girl to their family. Bennett Louise Luxhoj was born May 5, 2022, coming in

at 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and 20 inches long. Both Bennett and Caroline are doing well.

Kurt Seidl has had a busy few months. They had their first child born back in April, Hana Elizabeth Seidl. She’s doing well. He also moved up to D.C. early July and will be working on the J3 staff at the Pentagon.

Mitch Ress and his wife, Chelsea, are expecting their first child, a baby girl. Baby girl Ress is due to make her arrival Christmas 2022.

Well, that does it for this issue. Please let me know if you have anything going on in your lives. It is always great to hear from all of you. As always, stay safe and stay classy.

2010

Howdy, folks! Another quarter around the sun!

Brandon Stratz wants everyone to know that not only is he still alive but has started a new job. Mysterious and enigmatic, eh? Oh ... right, I al most forgot. He wanted everyone to know that he is alive and breathing. He was adamant about re porting that last part.

Justin and Amanda Minter have a new ad dition to their family! Rose Ruth Minter is the new, healthy addition! Congratulations, Justin, if you’re reading this!

And we have another! Mike Casper is the APMS at Texas A&M (go Aggies!) and will be there another two years before he plans to leave the Army. His fourth child (third girl) is Gemma Estelle Casper and is the new addition.

Jacob Robertson was able to visit with Rob Stockman and saw him graduate from Naval graduate school in June. They went on a road trip and met up with Steve Kerr, Shawn Fox, and Arturo Harvey in Virginia. Jacob Robert son is also getting ready to start his final year of the executive MBA program at VCU. The whole gang is doing well and doing great things!

That’s all I got for now, guys and gals. I hope everyone is doing great, and I look forward to hearing (and reporting) about the awesome things y’all are up to.

2011,

Huge news for the Class of 2011: Our Brother Rat Sam Roberts was announced as the new head coach for VMI baseball! Congratulations, Sam!

I met up with Chris Cashen on the beach in Ki awah Island while he was on Air Force Reserve duty at Charleston Air Force Base. He lives in Greenville, South Carolina, with his wife and three kids, working in financial management. I also got to spend the Fourth of July weekend with Matt Talbott. He recently moved to Galveston, Texas, where he and his wife, Maddie (Maddog), are ex pecting a son this November.

David Stronko moved down to Tampa “cham pa,” Florida. He’s living it up and just graduated chiropractic school. Rah Virginia Mil!

Big shoutout to Tommy Fields, keeping the rat cut going since 2007.

Isaac Cyder, now an Army major, recently grad uated from Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Congrats, brother rat!

Chis Moser and his family arrived in Fort Irwin, California, in May and took command of Compa ny C, 2916th AVN, Desert DUSTOFF. He says, “Let the BRs know that if they’re ever in the des ert and need reprieve from hell to give me a call. Hopefully not for a pickup on a helicopter.”

Matt Deacon has once again has requested that picture of him, Bruce Hazelgrove, Chad Lawson, and Budge Hunter ’10 winning the gold tourney last year. Once again, nope. “Annoying my old roommate Matt Deacon ... a longtime tradition at VMI.”

Josh Bryan is in Charleston, West Virginia, working as a senior maintenance engineer for a

chemical manufacturing company called Kure ha. He and his wife have a son named Joel, who will be turning three years old in July. In his spare time, he drag races and builds race cars, hunts, and spends time with his family.

Chris Milligan says that he may not have been first, but he was better.

Steve Sargent is working full time for Blue Al pha now in the research and design section. He says, “Work has been awesome, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I got to see my dyke, Brandon Carter ’08, this past weekend in Savannah while I was at a convention. The family has been doing well, and my daughter is—not surprising—an absolute giant for her age.”

Aaron Castro got engaged to his girlfriend of seven years. He proposed on the Transmountain Parkway in El Paso during EENT. El Paso is spe cial to them because Brooke Worcester (Baylor ’10) and he started dating while he was still sta tioned there. Aaron says we can probably blame her for all the future stories about Ironman racing in class notes, as well.

Kevin Bocanegra is currently deployed to the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, supporting the education and training of Iraqi military. He works under Lt. Col. Jon Cecalupo, who taught Army ROTC MS300/400s at VMI during our 4th Class year. Upon return from his deployment, he will be starting his MBA at UNC – Chapel Hill. His son, Nolan, graduated high school this spring and will be attending University of Oklahoma as a fresh man in the fall.

Never Say Die, Tom Pace

2012

Bruce Howard

2013 Charles Jones

2013,

I hope everyone is doing well. We’ve got a short round of notes this quarter, but I want to encourage you to mark your calendars! As you read this, we are just about a year away from our 10th Reunion.

For anyone in or coming to the Augusta, Georgia, area, feel free to give me a shout. I’m currently stationed at Fort Gordon. I just com pleted a company command, and by the time these notes are published, I’ll be on my next command.

I recently spoke to Corinne Lindemann, who let me know that she and Matt are doing quite well! They’ve welcomed their third child,

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2012.

Class Notes

and Matt started his own residential construc tion company. If anyone is looking for a build er in the Charlottesville area, reach out to Lin demann Construction Services!

As always, don’t think twice about sending in notes if you’ve got any updates you’d like to share. For anyone interested in being involved in planning for our class reunion, you’re more than welcome to reach out.

Until next time!

2014

Johnny Partin

BRs of 2014, I hope these notes find you all doing well and staying safe.

As many of you all know, we recent ly lost a great BR this summer, Thomas Bradshaw. The family had a beautiful service and a ceremony at New Market to spread some of his ashes. Jonathan Vignali, Ben Kier, Joe Kohm, Garth Harbert, Brubaker, Jack Dixon, Carly Day, and Manu Trikha all caught up at New Market. Glad there was a good representation from our class. Please continue to pray for the Bradshaw fam ily during this difficult time. We are currently working with Mike Sobey on a memorial scholarship. There will be more in formation to follow.

Matthew Reardon recently took a new en gineering job in “HotLanta,” Georgia, where he met up with Cameron Weatherholtz. I can only imagine the brain trust meeting that was going on there, since I think they were the only two CE majors in our class that kept a major GPA of 4.0 (sorry, Jeff Mitchell; Capt. Ned Ri ester ’78 gave you that “B” in intro to thermodynamics, heat transfer, and circuits).

Johnny Partin recently went out to New Mexico Tech with his National Guard unit in July. They completed the Incident Response to a Terrorist Bombing Course. Johnny said they got to watch the instructors blow up a truck with 300 pounds of ANFO. Since Johnny did

a great job planning this trip, his commander says he gets to plan the next one in 2023 for the five-day follow-on course. I also want to thank Johnny for stepping up to help with the class notes. He will be doing the notes going forward. Welcome to the party!

Tyler Cross got her new VMI license plate. And Johnny is still trying to convince Tyler to join his guard team. Atta boy, Johnny, rack ‘em and stack ‘em! The Virginia Guard needs more VMI Keydets!

Billy Cheatham recently got married Sept. 24!

Harrison Kee just got a big Marine Corps ap pointment! I sense the making of a future com mandant of the Marine Corps is in the works.

John McQuade joined the FBI and is being stationed in LA.

Cameron Dunnavant got accepted to Wil liam & Mary Law School for next year and recently bought a house in Williamsburg. This might have the making of a future judge ... the Hon. Cameron Dunnavant has a nice ring to it!

Abby Dawson and Ben Waterbury ’13 got married back in December of 2021! Congratulations, guys; we wish you both many happy years of mar riage. Abby and Ben have moved from New York back to North Carolina.

Sam Guidry is now a daddy! He and his wife welcomed Lucy Guidry April 12, 2022.

Cory Reinecke and his wife, Lexi, welcomed a baby boy to the world July 27, 2022! Bryce Reinecke weighed in at solid 8 pounds on the dot. The fu ture Keydet’s favorite activities include feeding and sleeping as he preps for matriculation in about 18 years.

Lastly, ole salt of the earth Kyle Rea vis is now a head chef for a three-di amond restaurant in Saint Kitts. Con gratulations, Kyle!

Reminder to everyone! The deadline to order your brick for in front of barracks is June 30, 2023. If you want your brick, please go ahead and order it because this program is being dis continued after this fiscal year.

That’s all the updates I have for now. It is wonderful to see so many of us doing well and doing great things. Please remember if you need anything or someone to talk to, please know that myself, Sam Guidry, Jon Mattingt ly, and Johnny Partin are always here to talk and help!

Keep up the good work and continue to be that “gratifying spectacle!”

Rah Virginia Mil, Nicole Harding

notes

2015

Johnny McDonald

Keydets!

We’ve got just a handful of notes this quarter. As I write this, it’s the middle of August, and I’m ready for things to start cooling down here in Raleigh. And speaking of Raleigh, Meghan and I are excited to share that we recently closed on our first home! Can’t wait to have some Keydets down for a barbecue soon.

I received our first note from Adam Diehl since graduating, by request of his wife, Gretchen. The two currently live in Enterprise, Alabama, with their children, Molly (3) and Luke (1). Adam is stationed at Fort Rucker and is currently in command of HHC, 1-223rd Aviation Regiment, which oversees the UH-72 Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course of the U.S. Army’s Flight School. He recently had the privilege of flying with our fellow BR Sean Connolly conducting his end of stage evaluation, or “checkride.” Small world!

Adam is excited to be getting out in about a year to move the family back home to Virginia

and attend more VMI events!

In more family news, Clark Kirkpatrick and his wife, Yoli, are excited to announce their first child, a girl named Tia Hui Kirkpatrick, born July 25, 2022!

Lastly, I received a note from Brice Scott Looks like he and his old roommate, Dam Ar naiz, were in Kuwait together. They got a picture together the day before Dam left theater to head back stateside. Brice is currently a physician as sistant for an infantry battalion out of Fort Drum, New York. Sounds like he will be there for an other six months until heading back stateside, as well.

That’s it for now! As always, I hope everyone is well. Ping me if you or a BR need your address/ contact info updated with VMI.

Rah Virginia Mil, Henry Meredith

2016

JacobNorris

PatrickHine

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2016.

2017

Benjamin Stewart 2018

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2017.

Class of 2018, Happy late summer. I hope all is well. Recent ly, I actually got to see several BRs. I bumped into pilot extraordinaire Tristan Silverstorf while supporting/LARPing at an exercise in Neva da. While attending the wedding of Ben Cord le ’19 and Maddy Moger ’20, I hung out with Joe Bruchalski in downtown Farmville, Virgin ia. There was in fact a nearby Macado’s, but we decided not to stoop to old habits.

Several BRs were promoted in or entered the military. Luca Melendez recently commis sioned into the United States Air Force as a pub lic health officer. He is assigned to the 62nd Air lift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and runs

the occupational health, deployment health, and COVID-19 operations for McChord Field.

Christina Hill promoted to captain in the pres ence of her parents and grandfather. She’ll con tinue serving as a U.S. Army MP.

Lastly, for all the soldiers of the sea, the cap tain ALNAV came out (three months late), but congrats to all the sea homies.

I’m sure there are friends and family who are matriculating as rats this year (or worse, 3rds). Good luck and congrats to those beginning their journey. To the Class of 2023 running the hill this year, enjoy every second of living next to all 500 of your best friends while you can.

If you guys need anything, don’t call me. You can probably still call Taggart; he’s probably patrolling somewhere. (JK, you can still call me.)

any of your agents through the class Instagram, the class Facebook group, or through any of our personal socials. We love hearing from you all and hope to see you around soon! Mizpah, Nate Mumford

2020

Welcome to fall, BRs! At the time that this comes out, deja vu is kicking back in for me, as I’m back again in Virginia for Captain’s Career

Course. Considering the significant portion of our class that is still in this state, it promises to be six months of regular reunions that I’ll en sure to capture and post on the class Instagram (so make sure you’re following along there for updates). But enough about me; let’s get into these updates.

Congratulations to some of our newest unions! Not long after our rats graduated, Kyle Sabourin married the love of his life, Rachel, in a beautiful ceremony. Within weeks of their union, our class had a few proposals occur, as Jake Bailey proposed to his now fiancée, fol lowed right on their heels with the engagement of our BRs Isela Vasquez and Oscar Lloyds!

Closing out our recent weddings for this note’s period, it’s our honor to celebrate Connor Rhodes’ wedding in July, and the marriage of our very own cadet chaplain, Ben Cordle, to Madeline Moger ’20. Overall, it was a beauti ful season for weddings and engagements, and we wish you all the best in your futures!

This quarter, we also got to welcome three new legacies into the 1-9 family. Congratu lations to new parents, Bryan Munoz, Corey Johnstone, and Corey Taylor on the babies you’ve welcomed into the world! Also, one fi nal congratulations to Nick Schweers and his wife, who are now expecting an addition to their family! We are so proud of you all and look forward to seeing them matriculate to gether in 18 years!

That sums up this quarter’s note; if you have any requests or shoutouts you’d like to add, we have multiple ways to reach out. You can contact

2021

2019 Nathan D.A. Mumford

Class notes

Greetings, Brother Rats!

It’s hot and humid here in Quantico! Ryan Morello, Liam Kelly, and myself are finishing up training and will find out our military occu pation soon.

The rest of the Class of 2021 has had an in credible summer! In May, Caleb Blank pro posed to his fiancée, as did Jacob Saunders and Cole McCarty in June.

Noah Cook married his wife, Madison, in June, as well.

On July 1, 2022, Matt Keane married his wife, Emily, and Brady Biller proposed to Natalie Carpenter in July. Jay Kennedy proposed to

his fiancée in July, too.

Perhaps most amazing of all is we have two new additions to the family! Sam and Savan nah Slagle welcomed beautiful Selah Margaret into the world! Kiley Hupp and her husband,

Thomas Hupp ’20, are expecting come Febru ary 2023! Congratulations!

In other news, Jordan Russell graduated nuke school and has been assigned to the USS Jef ferson City out of Guam starting in December!

Matthew Jingle graduated Army Basic Train ing in June.

I keep waiting for tickets to Chuck Weatherman’s first concert tour, but I guess I can wait a little while longer. Until then, keep shredding that guitar!

That’s all I have for now. If I missed some thing or you would like to add anything to the Alumni Review’s next issue, just send me an email at vmiclassagent21@gmail.com. Until next time, brother rats!

Editor ’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2022.

Baby Keydets

ADAMS—A son, Brooks Mason, to Ashley and Kyle Adams ’08, Aug. 4, 2022.

RYERSON—A son, Max Thornton, to Grace and Will Ryerson ’17, Aug. 7, 2022.

Something

With

Update your contact information on VMI Ranks today!

users: vmialumni.org/newuser

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VMI’s 10 Most Senior Alumni

According to the records of the VMI Alumni Agencies, the people listed below constitute the 10 senior alumni of the Institute. Please contact the Alumni Review staff if any errors are noted.

John M. Patton ’42

George A. Crane Jr. ’44

Robert W. Smothers ’44

Robert G. Moore ’45

Allan E. Ferrey ’46

James W. Tinsley III ’45 Russell B. Newton Jr. ’45 Paul E. Greenlee ’45

James L. Moore ’50B Malcom B. Lacy Jr. ’46

Sept. 14, 1921 Nov. 23, 1922 Dec. 2, 1922 June 15, 1923 June 23, 1923 Oct. 18, 1923 April 18, 1924 May 18, 1924 June 1, 1924 July 27, 1924

Provisional Appointments

APPOINTEE’S NAME ALUMNUS-CLASS RELATIONSHIP

2028

Anna G. Hayes Jake Yokubaitis 2032

Dylan M. Lowe Savannah Tackett 2034 Sara A. Barker 2036

Charlotte L. Adams 2038 Reese M. Hebert 2039

James Berkowitz Brock E. Norwell 2040 Mary Jane C. Jones 2041 Owen H. Jones

Timothy L. Hayes ’91 Vincent D. Carag Jr. ’86

Tyler M. Shelbert ’98 Eric D. Hutchings ’77 Michael B. Hutchings ’10

Curtis W. Barker ’93 John C. Barker ’23

Joseph B. Adams ’97 Hugh Adams Jr. ’937 Hugh W. Adams ’66

Eric D. Hutchings ’77 Michael B. Hutchings ’10

Seth J. Berkowitz ’08 Eric D. Hutchings ’77 Michael B. Hutchings ’10

Christian T. Jones ’16 Mackenzie Jones (Harrman) ’16 Samantha L. Jones ’12

APPOINTEE’S NAME ALUMNUS-CLASS RELATIONSHIP

Liam W. Cowart

Saoirse R. Cowart

Jackson M. Gilliland Finnegan J. Hutchings 2042

Madeline G. Walls

Christian T. Jones ’16 Mackenzie Jones (Harrman) ’16 Samantha L. Jones ’12 Frederick Walker ’72

Robert L. Suthard Jr. ’79 Frederick K. Walker Jr. ’72 Robert L. Suthard Jr. ’79 Christopher B. Gilliland ’06 Eric D. Hutchings ’77 Michael B. Hutchings ’10

Albert J. Graham III ’74 James S. Gillespie ’927

James S. Gillespie Jr. ’59 James S. Gillespie III ’94 John A. Stuart ’85

Father Step-father Father Grandfather Uncle Father Uncle Father Great-grandfather Grandfather Grandfather Uncle Father Grandfather Uncle Father Mother Aunt Father Mother Aunt Grandfather Cousin Grandfather Cousin Father Grandfather Uncle Grandfather Great-greatgreat-uncle Cousin Cousin Cousin

2042 (cont.) Poppy L. Hebert

Roland H. Vaughan III 2043

Calvin N. Rose

Eric D. Hutchings ’77

Michael B. Hutchings ’10

Roland H. Vaughan Sr. ’70 Robert R. Jones ’80

Trey C. Rose ’16

Andrew L. Rose ’89

Braedyn A.E. Rose ’24

Graham C. Rose ’85

Horace L. Rose ’82

Ryan L. Rose ’08

Beckett W. Baldwin

James C. Fox Jr. 2044

Arlo G. Brown Wadsworth Bugg V

Caleb A. Baldwin II ’18

Caleb A. Baldwin ’53

Carter G. Baldwin Sr. ’94

Carter G. Baldwin ’25 Robert L. Senn ’13

John A. Garrett ’78

Patrick W. Farrell ’86

Wadsworth Bugg IV ’07

Wadsworth Bugg III ’78

Wadsworth Bugg Jr. ’43

James E. Burton IV ’79

Louis J. Burton ’16

Thomas B. Stauffer ’09

Rose R. Minter Winston W. Vesey

Justin S. Minter ’10

Albert J. Graham III ’74

James S. Gillespie ’927

James S. Gillespie Jr. ’59

James S. Gillespie III ’94

John A. Stuart ’85

Luke C. Attanasio

Charlotte M. Bartlet

Brexton L. Chatwood

Chris C. Attanasio ’15

Heather Bartlet (Chichura) ’14

Carter L. Chatwood ’16

Andrew J. Krug ’92

Tyler A. Krug ’18

Nathan P. Krug ’21

Patrick R. Krug ’91

Jarod P. Krug ’16

Kellen M. Rosenthal

Harvey T. Walls

Francis J. Rosenthal III ’82

Albert J. Graham II ’74 James S. Gillespie ’927

James S. Gillespie Jr. ’59

James S. Gillespie III ’94

John A. Stuart ’85

Grandfather Uncle Grandfather Great-uncle Father Grandfather Great-uncle Great-uncle Great-uncle Cousin Father Great-grandfather Uncle Cousin Uncle Grandfather Grandfather Father Grandfather Great-grandfather Great-uncle Cousin Cousin Father Grandfather Great-greatgreat-uncle Cousin Cousin Cousin Father Mother Father Grandfather Uncle Uncle Great-uncle Cousin Grandfather Grandfather Great-greatgreat-uncle Cousin Cousin Cousin

Provisional Appointments

APPOINTEE’S NAME ALUMNUS-CLASS RELATIONSHIP

2044 (cont.)

Lucy D. Wilson James S. Hickey Tolson W. Louthan

Colin S. Wilson ’15

Thomas Hickey ’68 C. Blake Louthan ’14 Mason A. Louthan ’18

Robert P. Louthan ’82

Michael R. Louthan ’10 Charles M. Louthan ’75 B. Richard Hill ’68

Frank G. Louthan III ’66

Frank G. Louthan IV ’91

Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41

Colin Marco Cox

Francis J. Rosenthall III ’82

Father Grandfather Father Uncle Grandfather Cousin Great-uncle Great-uncle Great-uncle Cousin Great-grandfather Grandfather

APPOINTEE’S NAME ALUMNUS-CLASS RELATIONSHIP

2044 (cont.)

Leland Fish

Oliver Russell Gilliland Michael Handler

Terrell H. Hoskins

Sean M. Fish ’14

Christopher B. Gilliland ’06

George L. Handler IV ’09

James H. Handler ’11

Christopher J. Nash ’77

R.L. Terrell Williams ’74

E.H. Williams Jr. ’935

L.R. Williams ’937

L.R. Williams Jr. ’69

Gordon E. Williams ’70 J. Parker Cross Jr. ’54

Father Father Father Uncle Great-uncle Grandfather Great-grandfather Great-uncle Cousin Cousin Cousin

Use the interactive map to find BRs and other alumni.

Search for alumni in your field of interest or by degree or class year.

Edit your profile and easily hide information you do not wish to share.

Jack N. Williams ’41

Jack Newton Williams ’41 of Hot Springs, Virginia, died May 1, 2022. He was 101.

He matriculated from Hot Springs and spent seven months at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Medical College of Virginia.

He is survived by his children, Ann Drew Wil liams and Randall Reed Williams.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Emmaline Hash Williams; wife, Thelma Allen Williams; sons, Allan Williams and Lee Wil liams; grandson, Ryan Williams ’10, who died April 14, 2011; sister, Marjorie Fultz; and brother, Bruce Williams.

Benjamin P. McCarley ’47

Benjamin Pushmataha “Ben” McCarley ’47, M.D., of Edmond, Oklahoma, died July 26, 2022. He was 96.

He matriculated from McAlester, Oklahoma, and spent just over two years at VMI. He earned a bachelor’s degree from SMU and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Duke University.

He is survived by his children, Hannah, Bet sy, Ben, and Luke; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice, and brother, Tracey H. McCarley ’45, M.D., who died July 18, 2005.

Henry C. Scott Jr. ’47

Henry Chatard Scott Jr. ’47 of Richmond, Virginia, died Jan. 2, 2022. He was 95.

He matriculated from Frankfort, Kentucky, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his son, Henry C. “Hal” Scott V ’81 (Kathy); daughter, Margaret; and grand sons, Robert Scott and Ryan Scott ’16.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy.

Charles E. Brown Sr. ’48B

Charles Ellis Brown Sr. ’48B of Shreveport, Louisiana, died June 13, 2022. He was 94.

He matriculated from Shreveport and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Centenary College and a Master of Science degree from Louisiana State University.

He is survived by his daughter, Ellice Brown Richardson (James); son, C. Ellis Brown Jr. (Bo bra Kay); grandchildren, Lt. Col. Todd Brown Richardson (Calina Franzosa), Christopher Ellis Brown, Sally Brown Richardson (Ronald J. Scalise Jr.), Alan Michael Brown (Jessica Jones), Alissa Brown Klaus (Kellan), and Paul Cavett

Brown (Julia); and great-grandchildren, Saman tha Rose Scalise and Elizabeth Rae Brown.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; sister, Eleanor Brown Greve; and brother-in-law, Bertrand J. Greve Sr.

Walter C. Stevens Jr. ’50B

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Walter Clarence Stevens Jr. ’50B of Barksdale, Louisiana, died May 7, 2022. He was 93.

He matriculated from Macon, Georgia, and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.

He is survived by his sons, Dr. Walter C. Stevens III and William Stillwell Stevens; daughters, Norma Buteau Tarver, Paula Stevens Frierson, and Katherine Stevens Lewis; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline Stillwell Stevens, and brother, Dr. Ed Layfield Stevens.

Robert A. White ’50B

Robert Anderson “Robin” White ’50B of Pinecrest, Florida, died May 24, 2022. He was 93.

He matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his children, Warren Thomas White II (Lu), Peyton White Lumpkin (Tom), Charles Stansbury White (Joi), Preston W. Dag gett (Arie); grandchildren, Alexandra Peyton Lumpkin, Thomas D. Lumpkin III, Crissy White Beach, Lina Victoria White, Isabella Taylor White, and Robert Anderson “Bobby” White II; and brother, David Wesley White, M.D. (Betsy).

He was preceded in death by his brothers, War ren Thomas White and Richard Marion White; sister, Nancy Ann White Wallace; and son-in-law, Walter Daggett.

John A. Blakemore Jr. ’51

John Augustus Blakemore Jr. ’51 of Richmond, Virginia, died May 25, 2022. He was 93.

He matriculated from Emory, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Gentner (Tommy); grandchildren, Ty (Gabby), Blake, Riley, and Wyatt; siblings, Sarah Drummond, Frank Blakemore, and Bill Blakemore; and sisterin-law, Lilo Splittgerber (Harold).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanore Erna Wahrheit, and siblings, Martha McCrary and Mary Johnston.

John J. Ross III ’51

John Joseph “Jack” Ross III ’51 of Alexandria, Virginia, died July 19, 2022. He was 95.

He matriculated from Woodhaven, New York, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Georgetown University.

He is survived by his children, Terry, Bren dan, Maura, and Kara, and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie.

Frederic L. Taylor ’51

Frederic Lord Taylor ’51 of Richmond, Vir ginia, died June 13, 2022. He was 95.

He matriculated from Bon Air, Virginia, and spent three years at VMI. He studied industrial management at the University of Cincinnati.

He is survived by his wife, Jaquelin Payne Taylor; children, Frederic Lord Taylor Jr. ’79 and Jaquelin Taylor Bishof (Mark); and grandchildren, Katherine, Jaquelin, and Re becca Bishof.

Mitchell R. Mays Jr. ’52

Mitchell Rutherford “Mitch” Mays Jr. ’52 of Lynchburg, Virginia, died June 16, 2022. He was 91.

He matriculated from Lynchburg and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineer ing from VMI.

He is survived by his children, Debbie Mays Rechner (Joe), Mitchell R. Mays III (Jenni), and John Fenner Mays (Lorraine); grandchil dren, Taylor Rechner, Meg Rechner, Mitchell R. “Cort” Mays IV, Robert Mays, Henry Story, Morgan Pinelli, and Taylor Timper; brother-in-law, Robert Tuke; and sisters-inlaw, Polly Cummins and Susan Tuke.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kath ryn Cummins Mays.

Cecil T. Welsh Jr. ’52

Cecil Teaford Welsh Jr. ’52 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died June 24, 2022. He was 92.

He matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; chil dren, Martin S. Welsh ’78 (Sonja), Leigh Welsh Gallalee (Drew), and Carolyn Welsh Atherholt; grandchildren, Hunter Gallalee (Katie), Caroline Gallalee, Ben Atherholt (Rachel), Carrie Atherholt, Brooke Atherholt, and Emily Welsh; and great-grandson, James Pierce Teaford Gallalee.

Taps

Robert C. Yore ’52

Robert Curtis “Bob” Yore ’52 of Cambridge, Maryland, died June 10, 2022. He was 94.

He matriculated from Drums, Pennsylvania, and spent one year at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Yore; children, Mary (Hugh), Lucy, Kate (Bill), Amy (Chris), and Cheryl; seven grandchildren; three great-grand children; and sister, Penny (Dick).

C. Richard Burdeshaw ’53

C. Richard “Dick” Burdeshaw ’53 of Ander son, South Carolina, died May 27, 2022. He was 90.

He matriculated from Alexander City, Ala bama, and spent three years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Hofstra University.

He is survived by his wife, Delores; son, Stephen Burdeshaw (Sandra); daughters, Layne Rives and Debbie Stacy (Mark); grandchildren, David Rives, Katheryn Rives, Scott Stacy (Tia), Kelly Stacy, Sean Burdeshaw, and Stephanie Burde shaw; great-grandchildren, Grant Stacy and Ryan Stacy; and sister, Jane Hales.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dean Burdeshaw.

Floyd L. Moore ’53

Floyd Lee “Floogie” Moore ’53, D.D.S., of Chester, Virginia, died June 2, 2022. He was 92.

He matriculated from Hopewell, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engi neering from VMI. He earned a Doctor of Dental Science degree from the University of Maryland. He is survived by his son, Lee Moore (Liza Butler).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Layne “Harvey” Moore, and brother, James W. Moore Jr.

James S. Morris Jr. ’53

James Sherman “Jim” Morris Jr. ’53 of Midlo thian, Virginia, died Feb. 21, 2022. He was 90.

He matriculated from Hopewell, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen; sons, Bruce C. Morris ’78 and Robert James “Bob” Morris ’81; and grandson, Robert Peyton “Bob by” Morris ’10.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Morris.

George A. Ramer ’54

George Allen Ramer ’54 of Culpeper, Virginia,

died July 8, 2022. He was 90.

He matriculated from Hartwood, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his son, George Allen Ramer Jr. ’80; daughter, Linda Ann Ramer; grandsons, Curtis Allen, William Reid (Colleen), and Mitchell Vaughn Ramer; and great-grandchil dren, Rowan, Oran, and Niamh Ramer.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ber nice; daughter, Elaine; and brothers, Daniel and Ralph.

John D. Heater ’55

John David Heater ’55 of Gassaway, West Virginia, died May 13, 2022. He was 89.

He matriculated from Gassaway and spent just over four months at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University.

He is survived by his children, Laurie, David, and Sam; grandchildren, Patrick, Carrie, Leah, Jacob, Rose Anne, Noah, Grayson, Tatum, and Christian; and sisters-in-law, Zelma Murphy Heater and Ann Hickman Heater.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Dobbins Heater, and brothers, Fred “Baxter” Heater, William “Bill” Heater, and James “Jim” Heater.

Stephen R. Hanmer ’55

Retired U.S. Army Col. Stephen Read Hanmer ’55 of Staunton, Virginia, died May 18, 2022. He was 89.

He matriculated from Arlington, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from VMI. He earned Master of Science de grees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California – Marshall.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Eileen Boteler Hanmer; children, Susan Eileen Hanmer Alex ander and Stephen Read Hanmer III ’80; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sara Lynn Hanmer Black.

Howard F. Knoell Jr. ’56

Howard Franklin Knoell Jr. ’56 of Sterling, Virginia, died July 28, 2020. He was 87.

He matriculated from Orange, Virginia, and spent just over a year at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Virginia Knoell; sons, Chris Knoell (Patricia) and John Payne (Clarissa); grandchildren, Christian Knoell, Shannon Knoell, Spring Reid, Michelle Beltzhovver, Amy Knoell, Kimberly Payne, Kira

Payne, and John Payne Jr.; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Ben, Denver, Makayla, Keaton, and Winifred; and sister, Virginia Haley.

Russell T. Quinlan ’56

Russell Thomas “Russ” Quinlan ’56 of Buf falo, New York, died May 9, 2022. He was 87.

He matriculated from Buffalo and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI.

He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Buffalo.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Rachel Stevenson Quinlan, and son, William A. Quin lan (Elizabeth).

William E. Haas ’57

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. William Elridge “Bill” Haas ’57 of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, died May 2, 2022. He was 86.

He matriculated from Dayton, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; sons, David C. Haas and Michael W. Haas; and grandchildren, Elaine, Michelle, Jade, and Connor Haas.

Robert K. Hall ’57

Robert Kilian “Bob” Hall ’57 of Castro Valley, California, died April 3, 2022. He was 86.

He matriculated from San Francisco, Califor nia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his daughter, Cathleen Anderson (R. Toby); son, Robert W. Brasiel (Michelle); and sister, Elizabeth Brunker.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Tymna Moore Hall, and sons, James Alfred Brasiel and James Hall.

Robert A. Newbill ’57

Robert Alexander “Bob” Newbill ’57 of Wirtz, Virginia, died July 17, 2022. He was 87.

He matriculated from Wirtz and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from Purdue University.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Peake Pat terson Newbill; son, Clarke Everett Newbill (Terri); granddaughters, Caroline Elizabeth Taylor (Seth), Laura Allison Newbill, and Katherine Mary Newbill; brothers, Richard (Susan), Jack (Illa), and Joseph (Carolyn); and sister, Rachel Yungman (Tom).

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Daniel and James.

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James S. Gillespie Jr. ’59

James Samuel “Jim Sam” Gillespie Jr. ’59 of Pounding Mill, Virginia, died July 17, 2022. He was 84.

He matriculated from Pounding Mill and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Gillespie McRae (Steve) and Ann Brett Gillespie Strickland (Sam); granddaughters, Katherine Elizabeth and Lucy Caroline McRae and Camp bell Suzanne, Sarah Elizabeth, Charlotte Olivia, and Nora-Ann Gillespie Strickland; and sister, Sarah Gillespie Seale (Pep).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Brett Campbell, and son, James Samuel Gillespie III ’94, who died Nov. 25, 1992.

Robert A. Sommers ’59

Robert Alan “Robin” Sommers ’59 of Rich mond, Virginia, died June 9, 2022. He was 85.

He matriculated from Charlottesville, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine “Kay” Sommers; son, Rob Sommers (Andrea); daugh ter, Holly Sommers (Lisa); and grandchildren, Everett and Rennie.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. George Sommers ’53, who died Nov. 20, 1986.

Warner B. Cole ’60

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Warner Booton Cole ’60 of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, died June 5, 2022. He was 84.

He matriculated from Macon, Georgia, and spent two years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; six children; and grandchildren.

Lloyd E. Tolley ’60

Lloyd Edward “Ed” Tolley ’60 of Buchanan, Virginia, died July 23, 2022. He was 85.

He matriculated from Natural Bridge Station, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his sons, Bruce Tolley ’86, Alan Tolley ’87 (Eleanor), Andy Tolley (Dinna), and Thomas “Tom” Tolley ’90; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; broth er, Steven Tolley (Kim); and sisters, Nancy

Hostetter and Doris Trussell (Bill).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Heiser Tolley; sisters, Jeanne Tolley Bourne and Susan Tolley; and brothers, Charles P. “Bill” Tolley ’56, who died July 9, 2014, Carl A. Tolley, and W. Brownlee Tolley.

Russell W. Andrews ’61

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Russell Wayne “Russ” Andrews ’61 of Columbus, Georgia, died May 14, 2022. He was 83.

He matriculated from Blue Grass, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Master of Public Relations degree from the University of Georgia.

He is survived by his wife, Dannie; children, Elizabeth Graham (Garry), David Andrews (Kelley O’Brien), and Russell Andrews; grand children, Jin and JeeHoon Andrews; and sisterin-law, Jane White (John).

Kenneth J. Ayala ’61

Kenneth Joseph Ayala ’61 of Asheville, North Carolina, died April 15, 2022. He was 82.

He matriculated from Lakeland, Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Irvin B. Wells III ’61

Irvin Beech “Irv” Wells III ’61 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died May 17, 2022. He was 83.

He matriculated from Abingdon, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI.

He is survived by his sons, William Bradford Wells and Mitchell Mead Wells ’94 (Peyton), and granddaughters, Sarah Jean Wells, Rachel Mead Wells, and Elizabeth Page Wells.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Summerson Wells.

Nowell D. Nelms Jr. ’62

Nowell Darden Nelms Jr. ’62 of Gainesville, Georgia, died July 30, 2022. He was 82.

He matriculated from Hampton, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Jacqueline Veneris Nelms; son, Nowell Darden Helms III (Choul Hee Nelms); daughter, Stephanie Gail Hrehor (Donald John Hrehor); grandchildren, Nowell Darden Nelms IV, Alexis Ann Nelms, Christopher Dakota Hrehor, Morgan Mackenzie Nobbe, and Ethan Nathanial Nobbe; brother,

Chandler Clinton Nelms (Emily Nelms); and sister-in-law, Debbie Nelms.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Edwin Nelms.

Bruce G. Seiling ’62

Bruce George Seiling ’62 of Valencia, Pennsyl vania, died July 10, 2022. He was 81.

He matriculated from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in phys ics from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila Hawkins Seiling; sons, U.S. Air Force Col. Brett Seiling (Jenna), Derek Seiling, and retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Trevor Seiling (Jessica); grandchildren, Scott, Sarah, Ava, Emy, Theodore, and Juliette; and sister, Mae Elizabeth Fitzgerald.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Wil liam Donald Seiling.

Roy L. Hartless ’63

Roy Leon Hartless ’63 of Pocatello, Idaho, died May 15, 2022. He was 82.

He matriculated from Lexington, Virginia, and spent just over a year at VMI.

He is survived by his former wife, Georgia Sant; daughters, Dana Hartless and Heather Hartless McClung; step-sons, Travis Sant and Christopher Sant; and step-daughter, Courtney Sant.

He was preceded in death by his son, Patchin Hartless; siblings, Beatrice Hostetter, Ann Wheel er, Louise Sweet, and Tommy Hartless; and step-daughter, Angela Sant Crowe.

Stanley T. Ware Jr. ’63

Stanley Taylor Ware Jr. ’63 of Mechanicsville, Virginia, died July 31, 2022. He was 80.

He matriculated from Dunnsville, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Senell Ware; daughters, Jennifer Ware Baldwin (Michael), Mary Ware Morrow (Ethan), and Anne Ware Hoey (Sean); and grandchildren, Brandon (Lily), Taylor, John, Grace, Ben, Colin, and Caitlin.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Ware Shepherd.

Robert Kormanik ’64

Robert “Bob” Kormanik ’64 of Richland, Pennsylvania, died June 29, 2022. He was 80.

He matriculated from Windber, Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from Lehigh University.

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He is survived by his wife, Paulette Korman ik; children, Kathleen Battista (Michael) and Robert J. Kormanik; grandson, Paul Battista; sister, Joan Kozora (John); and step-mother, Virginia Kormanik.

Bishop P. Read ’64

Bishop Porter Read ’64, M.D., of Newport News, Virginia, died May 12, 2022. He was 79.

He matriculated from Hampton, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila D. Read; daughter, Mariah Gaffigan (John); son, Curtis Read; grandchildren, Brenna Gaffigan and John Gaffigan III; sister, Katharine “Tinka” Massey (David); and brother, J. Winston Read (Leslie).

John C. Chisholm ’65

John Colin Chisholm ’65 of Southampton, New York, died June 13, 2022. He was 78.

He matriculated from Ayer, Massachusetts, and spent three years at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Cara; sons, Scott, Kevin (Melanie), and Joseph (Valeriya); daughter, Tracey; and granddaughters, Ryan, Chloe, Zoe, and Shannon.

He was preceded in death by his son, Keith, and sister, Nancy.

Robert H. Deaderick Jr. ’65

Robert Hardin Deaderick Jr. ’65 of Fred ericksburg, Virginia, died May 10, 2022. He was 78.

He matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University.

He is survived by his wife, Caroline; chil dren, Robert H. Deaderick III (Becky), Eliz abeth Tubbs (Jeffrey), and David; grandchil dren, Huck, Nettie (Elizabeth), and Robert H. Deaderick IV (Robert); sisters, Sally Thomp son (Gary) and Diane Montgomery-Logan (Lanny); and brother, Doug Deaderick.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert H. Deaderick, Class of 1940, who died May 26, 2008.

Frederick W. Harvey ’65

Frederick Warner “Rick” Harvey ’65 of Moon, Virginia, died May 14, 2022. He was 78.

He matriculated from Carlisle Barracks,

Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Sci ence degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree in international business from the Uni versity of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Ryall Har vey; children, Lisa Marie (John) and James Bradley (Elizabeth); and grandchildren, Na than and Dexter.

George E. Hierholzer ’65

George Edward Hierholzer ’65 of Chester field, Virginia, died May 10, 2022. He was 79.

He matriculated from Ashland, Virginia, and spent just over four months at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Emily Hierholzer; daughters, Ann Hierholzer (Andrew), Chris ty Williamson (Ian), and Sarah Hierholzer (Michael); son, Craig Hierholzer (Terri); and grandchildren, Coleman Hierholzer, Gabrielle Williamson, and Angelina Williamson.

He was preceded in death by his siblings.

Henry C. Smith III ’65

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Henry Clay Smith III ’65 of Hockley, Texas, died Dec. 3, 2021. He was 78.

He matriculated from Guntersville, Alabama, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Troy State University.

He formerly taught at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Smith, and brother, Joe O. Smith ’68.

Robert H. Wieler III ’70

Robert Henry Wieler III ’70 of Dallas, Texas, died May 23, 2021. He was 72.

He matriculated from Syosset, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI.

Anthony L. Conques Sr. ’71

Anthony Lawrence Conques Sr. ’71 of Fair fax, Virginia, died July 1, 2022. He was 72.

He matriculated from Fairfax and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from American University.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Conques; children, Tony Jr. (Kara), Carrie, Leanne, Kristen, and Billy (Katie); grandchildren, Cole, Reed, Jake, and Ryder Conques; brother, Col. Duane Conques (Loula); and sister, Deborah Burns.

Timothy R. Heilman ’71

Timothy Rankin Heilman ’71 of Niskayuna, New York, died May 22, 2022.

He matriculated from Willingboro, New Jersey, and spent two years at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Annette Whalen Heilman; son, Daniel Heilman (Christina); daughter, Wendy Bradwell (John); grand daughter, Kylie Curran; sister, Donna Cortese; and step-sister, Susan Beck (Mitchell).

He was preceded in death by his brother, Theodore.

Blade R. Thomas ’74

Blade Ross “Sunshine” Thomas ’74 of Irving, Texas, died June 14, 2022. He was 69.

He matriculated from Los Angeles, Califor nia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI.

He is survived by his daughters, Alissa Thomas-Newborn and Zoe Thomas; son, Zack Thomas; granddaughter, Ella Newborn; brother, Blake Thomas ’73; and sister, Denise Thomas Garlan.

Edgardo J.J. Vazquez-Bruno ’74

Edgardo Jose Jorge Vazquez-Bruno ’74 of San Juan, Puerto Rico, died June 28, 2022.

He matriculated from Santurce, Puerto Rico, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

William C. Creighton II ’75

William Carlton Creighton II ’75 of Sugar Land, Texas, died June 26, 2022. He was 69.

He matriculated from Ocean City, New Jersey, and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma Creighton; children, Dennis, Christopher, and Christine; grandchildren, Connor, Andrew, Alex, and Elizabeth; and sister, Marilyn.

Gary L. Knight ’76

Gary Lloyd Knight ’76 of Lansing, Kansas, died July 18, 2022. He was 68.

He matriculated from Beecher, Illinois, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne McGrath Knight; children, Amanda Boyers and Colin Knight; granddaughters, Adeline Boyers, Phoebe Boyers, and Seraphine Boyers; sisters, Sheila Fiorini and Shae Knight; and brothers, Glen Knight, Paul Knight, and Evan Knight.

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John D. Creedon ’77

John David Creedon ’77 of Downington, Pennsylvania, died Feb. 10, 2020. He was 63.

He matriculated from Philadelphia, Pennsyl vania, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in modern languages. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific.

Vester J. Thompson III ’79

Vester Jay Thompson III ’79 of Montrose, Alabama, died July 24, 2022. He was 65.

He matriculated from Mobile, Alabama, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Amy; children, Emily Mattie Thompson, Kathryn Slaton Thompson, and Vester J. Thompson IV; brother, Edward F. “Fletch” Thompson ’81 (Karen); and sisters, Elizabeth Thompson Day and Chandler Thompson Russell (Jim).

He was preceded in death by his father, Vester J. Thompson Jr., Class of 1940, who died Nov. 16, 2007, and brother-in-law, Robert Clark Day Jr.

George N. Condyles IV ’80

George Nicholas Condyles IV ’80 of Mechan icsville, Virginia, died June 12, 2022. He was 64.

He matriculated from Mechanicsville and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Harriet Ramsey Condyles; daughters, Laura Condyles Houck (Ira Houck ’08) and Allison Condyles; grand daughters, Emmeline and Clara; parents, George and Alice Condyles; sister, Kathy Evans (Hill); and brother, Mark Condyles (Cindy).

Thomas S. Fairburn Jr. ’82

Thomas Scott Fairburn Jr. ’82 of Collierstown, Virginia, died July 16, 2022. He was 62.

He matriculated from Crozier, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI.

He is survived by his sons, Daniel Scott Per kins (Hillary) and Thomas Conno Fairburn (Chelsa); grandsons, Evan Michael Perkins and James Matthew Perkins; and parents, Thomas Benjamin Fairburn and Reva Wade Fairburn.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Brooke Michelle Perkins.

Stephen W. Patten ’83

Stephen Walter Patten ’83 of Westport, Mas sachusetts, died May 9, 2022. He was 61.

He matriculated from Stamford, Connecticut, and spent over three years at VMI.

He is survived by his children, Sadie Patten Milot (Dan) and Cole Patten (Nicole Riley); grandchildren, Sawyer and Lucie Milot; mother, Judith Patten; sister, Lisa Patten; and brother, Scott Patten (Dana).

James E. Dickinson ’86

James Earl Dickinson ’86 of Interlachen, Florida, died July 25, 2022. He was 58.

He matriculated from Glen Allen, Virginia, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in math ematics.

He is survived by his parents, Russell Dickin son and Jacqueline Browning; brother, David Dickinson; and sisters, Carol Dickinson and Paula Caroway.

Richard W. Harrell ’87

Richard Wilson Harrell ’87 of Chesterfield, Virginia, died Oct. 15, 2018.

He matriculated from Fries, Virginia, and spent just under one month at VMI.

Michael L. Hastings ’87

Michael Loren Hastings ’87 of Barrington, New Hampshire, died July 6, 2022. He was 57.

He matriculated from Rochester, New Hamp shire, and spent one year at VMI.

He is survived by his father, Neal Hastings Sr.; mother, Madeline Roberts; brother, Neal Hastings Jr.; and sisters, Beth Goss, Jennifer Sarcione, Charmon Klaeson, Karly Chipman, Krista Sanders, Lynda Hastings-Edgerly, Lisa Hastings-Daudelin, Mary Goss, and Paula Hawkes.

John C. Powers ’97

John Channing Powers ’97 of Maryville, Ten nessee, died May 25, 2022. He was 50.

He matriculated from Dublin, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business from VMI.

He is survived by the mother of his daughter, Aubrey Powers; daughter, Meredith Aubrey Powers; step-father, Robert Ingram (Nancy Young Newton); brother, Kenneth Bradley Pow ers; and sister, Karri Powers (Lawrence Stash).

Christopher T. Reid ’99

Christopher Thomas Reid ’99 of Madison Heights, Virginia, died July 14, 2022. He was 45. He matriculated from Lynchburg, Virginia, and spent three years at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Kandance “Kandy” Reid; mother, Julie Paris White; father, James Edward Reid; grandmother, Florris Reid; moth er-in-law, Carolyn “Pug” Wise; and in-laws, Kimberly White, Chris Coffey, Linda Muncher, and Patrick Muncher.

Jessica E. Schulze ’10

Jessica Erin “Caleb” Schulze ’10 of Rockville, Virginia, died July 2, 2022. He was 34.

He matriculated from Rockville and spent just over two and a half years at VMI.

He is survived by his parents, Kathleen and James Schulze, and brother, Jeremy Schulze (Jay).

Thomas A. Bradshaw II ’14

Thomas Allen “Tom” Bradshaw II ’14 of Goldsboro, North Carolina, died July 16, 2022. He was 33.

He was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earn ing a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.

He is survived by his wife, Emily Bradshaw; mother, Barbara Bradshaw; and sister, Alice Bradshaw (Sean Huneycutt).

He was preceded in death by his father, Thom as A. Bradshaw.

VMI Family

Larry W. Blackwell

Larry Wayne Blackwell of Lexington, Vir ginia, died July 26, 2022. He was 70.

He worked for VMI for 34 years.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Moore Blackwell; daughter, Lauren Blackwell Wright (Steven); granddaughter, Leighton Olivia Wright; sisters-in-law, Cindy Blackwell and Dorothy Blackwell; and brother-in-law, Gus Moore (Susan).

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Carl Campbell Blackwell Jr. and William “Bill” Blackwell, and mother-in-law, Marie Deacon Moore.

Beverly M. Clements

Beverly McGuffin Clements of Fairfield, Virginia, died June 23, 2022. She was 73.

She formerly worked as an administrative assistant in the Department of Economics and Business.

She is survived by her husband, James Bryant Clements, and sister, Susan Alexander (John).

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Kenneth W. Hartless

Kenneth Wayne “Kenny” Hartless of Buena Vista, Virginia, died May 14, 2022. He was 57.

He was the operations manager for Crozet Hall.

He is survived by his wife, Angie Hartless; children, Jamie Wayne Hartless, Christopher Simpkins, and Jeremy Barr; and two grand children.

Mary E.D. Hostetter

Mary Elizabeth “Connie” Davis Hostetter of Fairfield, Virginia, died May 21, 2022. She was 79.

She formerly worked in the VMI Barber Shop.

She is survived by her children, Marla Kay Hostetter, John Sidney Hostetter Jr. (Sarah), and Donna Marie Lotts (Sidney); grandchil dren, J.D. Painter (Kim), Beth Painter, Corey Painter, Matthew Hostetter, William Hostetter, Flora Hostetter, Brody Wade, Katherine Lotts, Caroline Lotts, and Julianne Lotts; great-grand children, John Wesley, Mackenzie, Skylar, and Eliza; sister, Janice Barger; and sisters-in-law, Alice Baker and Lucy Swisher.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Sidney Hostetter Sr.; brothers, Matt Davis Jr. and Gary Michael Davis; and sisters, Donna Shull and Shirley Allen.

Olivia L. Patton

Olivia Lynn Patton of Lexington, Virginia, died May 4, 2022. She was 68.

She formerly worked for the VMI Alumni Agencies (Foundation office). She earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Vermont.

She is survived by her sister, Karen Patton Priest; brother-in-law, Joshua Patton Priest ’80; and sister-in-law, Pamela Messer Patton.

She was preceded in death by her father, Claude Herbert “Red” Patton ’50B, who died July 9, 1992, and siblings, Claude Herbert “Pat” Patton Jr., Katherine Jane Patton, and John Fewell Patton.

Robert R. Ratcliffe III

Robert Richard Ratcliffe III, M.D., of Co lumbus, North Carolina, died July 8, 2022. He was 88.

He formerly taught English at VMI.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Hartman Cook, and children, Armour Ratcliffe and Andrew Morgan Ratcliffe ’08.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Cyn thia Thompson and Nancy Morgan Wichard; son, Robert R. Ratcliffe IV; and sisters, Judy Ratcliffe Wilson and Joan Ratcliffe Mialik.

James T. Rowsey Jr.

James Thomas “Coach” “Red” Rowsey Jr. of Lexington, Virginia, died June 19, 2022. He was 84.

He formerly worked at VMI as a baseball coach and as service manager of the PX and Crozet Hall.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; children, Thomas, Eddie, Charles, Jimmy Lewis, Chris, David, and Bryan; daughter, Debbie Pruett; 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and brother, Charlie.

Charles N. Roys

Charles Nathan “Chuck” Roys of Leverett, Massachusetts, died July 25, 2022. He was 82.

He formerly coached baseball at VMI.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Dunkum Roys; sister, Dorothy Morissey; and brother, Arthur Roys.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Valiton and Eleanor Woodward, and brother, Robert Roys.

Marilyn D. Savage

Marilyn Dew Savage of Glasgow, Virginia, died May 20, 2022. She was 89.

She formerly taught geology at VMI.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from

Bryn Mawr College and a Master of Science degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree, both in geology, from Arizona State University.

She is survived by her husband, James Savage.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Maisano; brother, Tom Dew Sr.; and sisters, Deborah and Margaret.

Mike Schuler

Mike Schuler died June 28, 2022. He was 81.

He coached basketball at VMI from 1969–71.

He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly S. Foxx (Bryan) and Kristin Schuler Baker (Rick), and grandchildren, Weston Michael Foxx, Madison Morgan Foxx, Jaxson Schuler Baker, and Jordan Brooke Baker.

Francis G. Watts

Francis Gerald Watts of Lexington, Virginia, died July 28, 2022. He was 91.

He formerly worked as an athletic equipment assistant in the VMI football office.

He is survived by his daughter, Rose Watts; son, David Watts (Beth); and grandson, Mat thew Watts.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cather ine Eldridge “Teenie” Watts, and siblings.

Linda L.W. Wickline

Linda Lee Watson Wickline of Buchanan, Virginia, died July 1, 2022. She was 63.

At the time of her death, she was employed by VMI as assistant bursar.

She is survived by her husband, F. Preston Wickline III; daughters, Candace Wickline Monaghan (Patrick) and Kristi Wickline Porter (Wayne); son, Bradley Adam Wickline; grand children, Ella Grace Monaghan, Brennen Riley Monaghan, Haleigh Wynn Porter, and Addison Willow Porter; parents, Betty Jean Powers Wat son and Ronald John Watson; brother, Danny Watson (Pamela Milliner); and in-laws, Charles and Elizabeth Provost, Kate H. Loope, and Jane W. and Andrew Huff.

She was preceded in death by her brother-inlaw, Bobby Loope.

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Col. Stephen R. Hanmer Jr. ’55

On May 18, 2022, we lost one of the true Cold Warriors who worked to preserve peace through the thoughtful management of nuclear weapons. I credit him as one of the forces that brought down the Soviet Union through his work over the decades to position our strategic resources in a way that preserved peace through ultimate strength.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Stephen Read Hanmer Jr. ’55 was a strong soldier and diplomat and a gentle man who loved his family, who extended far beyond his immediate flesh and blood. Our actual family tree is pretty slim because he and Lois were only children, but their house was always filled with the sounds of joy and large gatherings for the holidays. I can’t count how many adopted “aunts,” “uncles,” and “siblings” my sisters and I have shared over the years, all because of the way his gentle soul welcomed them into our inner circle.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Aug. 15, 1933, Read was the only son of Stephen Read and Mary Virginia Marchant Hanmer. In his child hood, his father’s Army career had him moving around the world. He spent time in Denver; New Paltz, New York; the Washington, D.C., metro area; and the Philippine Islands. While playing with his cousin, Bob Leard, in D.C., he would meet his future wife, Lois Eileen Boteler.

Read graduated from Washington and Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia, in 1951 and matriculated to Virginia Military Institute from which he graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. At the beginning of his 1st Class year at VMI, Lois saw him at a friend’s wedding and decided that she was going to marry him (he was not aware of this yet). They started dating, and before the year was out, they were engaged. Shortly after graduation, Read and Lois were married June 25, 1955. In 67 years of marriage, they never went to bed angry at each other and were models of how to be a happy couple.

Between August 1956–March 1959, their three children, Susan Eileen Hanmer Alexander, Ste phen Read Hanmer III, and Sara Lynn Hanmer Black, were born. The family grew to include their spouses, Dan, Lisa, and Dennis; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Read took a job with General Electric right after graduation from VMI, but while fulfilling his six-month commitment to the Army in 1956, he decided he would stay and accepted a commission as a second lieutenant. He rotated between Fort Bliss and Fort Sill before taking his first overseas post in South Korea, where he commanded an artillery battery. Between 1962 and 1964, he attended the University of Southern California, graduating with Master of Science degrees in aerospace and mechanical engineering. With those credentials in hand, his next station was teaching those disciplines at West Point from 1964–67.

In addition to teaching, he also brought in his talent for singing and helped lead the cadet Glee Club. We have fond memories as children of listening to him strum his guitar and sing rock abilly, bluegrass, and folk songs. The next stop was the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth in preparation for a tour in Vietnam. In summer 1968, he took command of the 6th Battalion, 32nd Artillery in Tuy Hoa.

After his return from Vietnam, Read worked out of the Pentagon and supported both the Army and the secretary of defense in managing the nation’s nuclear weapon stockpiles. One of his key postings in this period was as a negoti ator in the Mutual and Balanced Force Reduc tion talks with the Soviets in Vienna, Austria, in the mid-1970s. He sacrificed advancement in his career to provide stability for his children to not be changing schools every few years. He retired with the rank of colonel in 1977.

Between 1978–81, he was with the U.S. mis sion to NATO in Brussels, Belgium, where he focused on defense planning and the nuclear planning group. In 1981, he was named the director of theater nuclear force policy for the secretary of defense. In 1984, he became the primary deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security policy. (I always loved that mnemonic PDASDISP.) In these roles, he was responsible for negotiating with our Euro pean allies for the placement of nuclear mis siles as a deterrent to Soviet expansion. From 1985–89, Read was involved in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty II negotiations with the Soviets in Geneva, Switzerland, achieving the rank of ambassador and chief negotiator.

His Soviet counterparts referred to him as col onel ambassador, as they valued military over diplomatic rank. During that time, his watch acquired a bug as a present from the Soviets. It had disappeared from his dresser one day and returned to the same spot the next. His friends at the National Security Agency discovered and disabled the varmint and left it in the watch as a souvenir. Lois would walk around their apart ment talking to the lamps, saying funny things that might pique the spies who were listening. But during that time, he gained the respect of his foes and negotiated a sound treaty to protect the peace. In 1989 he became the deputy director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, continuing his effort to reduce the threat to the world from the use of nuclear weapons. During these years, Read was appointed to his positions by three different presidents.

After 1993, Read worked as a consultant to the president of Kaman Sciences Corporation and was a lecturer at the National Defense University and around the world on topics of nuclear proliferation and keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists. He officially retired in 1998 and took some time to relax, visit with the many friends he had accumulated over his life, travel for leisure, and spend time with family. He really enjoyed daily visits to Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts, and the baristas at their local haunts knew what to prepare as he and Lois entered the shop. He devoted many years to his alma mater, VMI, as class agent for the Class of ’55 as well as the board of trustees for the VMI Foundation. He was also a longstanding member of the St. Andrew’s Society and McLean Post 270 of the American Legion.

His final years were impacted by his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. In 2013, he was declared a disabled Vietnam veteran due to Parkinson’s disease brought on by the Agent Orange exposure. He fought a valiant battle, but it was Parkinson’s that ultimately took him from us. We all love and miss him but know that he is in a better place because when he got his wings, he was freed from his body that could no longer hold his spirit. As our dear Pam said to me, he is sitting next to Sara watching Redskins games, and in heaven, the ’Skins never lose.

After Taps

Blade R. Thomas ’74 was born in Fresno, California. Blade grew up in a family of patriots, with many of his family members serving honorably in the military. He graduat ed from high school during the Vietnam War and chose to go to VMI during a time period when attending a military college wasn’t a popular decision among his peers. Even after I told him how demanding VMI was and that

Blade R. Thomas ’74

maybe he should consider a different college, Blade wasn’t swayed in his determination to attend the Institute. While at VMI, he devel oped that special respect and admiration for his brother rats that he carried with him for the rest of his life.

After graduating, he served a short period of time in the Army and then began his 47-year ca reer in advertising and writing. He held numerous

vice president of marketing positions in many successful companies which supported such organizations as the Dallas Cowboys, the MLB, NBA, NHL, and government agencies such as the CIA, FBI, and Secret Service.

Blade was a true patriot and loved his country. He was a mentor and teacher to his family, friends, and employees. He will be missed by all.

On Jan. 1, 2022, James E. “Jim” Brown III ’76 was appointed presi dent and CEO of the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, California. Brown joined NTPS in 2016 follow ing retirement from a 21-year career with the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. At Lockheed, he served as the chief test pilot for the F-117, the F-22, and other special projects. Upon retirement, he was the Skunk Works’ chief of flight operations.

The NTPS is a nonprofit civilian institution of higher education located and incorporated in California. NTPS was established in 1981 to meet the flight test training needs of the U.S. and international aerospace communities. NTPS students and customers come from diverse international civil and military back grounds, including military organizations, the aerospace industry, governments, certification agencies, and even private citizens. NTPS is the first and only accredited test pilot school in the world, the first to be certified as an approved training organization by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and the first to achieve ISO 9001-2015 certification. Graduates from NTPS return to their home organizations having earned a master’s degree in flight test engineering or flight test and evaluation and are

prepared to perform evaluations on a wide spectrum of aircraft.

Brown matriculated from Birming ham, Alabama. He played on the football team and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI, graduating with distinc tion. He later earned a Master of Science degree in management from Troy State University and conducted graduate studies in mechanical engi neering at California State University – Fresno. He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and served as an F-4 and F-5 fighter pilot in Germany and the U.K. Following graduation from USAF Test Pilot School, he served as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base in California testing the A-7, the F-15, and several classified aircraft. He is a fellow and past president of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and an eagle of the Flight Test Histor ical Foundation.

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress elected L.F. Payne ’67 as their new president June 21, 2022.

Based in Washington, D.C., the FMC is a nonpartisan alliance of more than 800 former U.S. senators and representatives. FMC also

helps support Congress through programs like Congress to Campus, which brings bipar tisan pairs of former members to colleges and universities around the country to educate the public about the institution; the Congressional Study Groups, which connect current members of Congress to their counterparts in allied de mocracies, as well as with key transnational business leaders and ambassadors; and sup ports the work of the select committee on the modernization of Congress.

As the 38th president, Payne will serve a two-year term in his new position. Payne was elected to the executive committee along with Barbara Comstock, FMC president-elect. After Payne’s two years are complete, Comstock will then be elevated to president of FMC and a Democratic former member will become president-elect. FMC alternates these positions between the two parties as a nod to the orga nization’s bipartisan focus. Payne previously served as president-elect from 2020–22.

In addition to his role at FMC, Payne has pre viously served as McGuireWoods Consulting president from 1998–2020. He sits on several boards, including the board of visitors at the University of Virginia.

Payne matriculated to VMI from Amherst, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.

The Battle We Must Not Lose by Dr. George L. “Lee” Southard ’59. Faithful Life Publish ers, 2021. ISBN 978-1-63073-394-0. Available through Amazon, or for a signed copy go to www.toknowwithcertainty.com.

The Battle We Must Not Lose: A Call to Save Our Youth and Restore America as One Nation Under God pulls no punches. The book decisively demonstrates that the source of diminishing Christianity in America directly results from losing church youth to the faith. Noting that Christianity will be a minority faith in America by 2039 and replaced by the religious ly unaffiliated, the book offers valuable suggestions for parents and the church that need to be implemented urgently to retain youth. The Battle We Must Not

Lose is an essential tool for parents, pastors, and youth leaders concerned about the future of the Christian church and America enough to fight for it.

About the Author: Southard matriculated from Richmond, Vir ginia, and graduated from VMI with a degree in chemistry.

He later earned a Master of Sci ence degree from George Wash ington University and a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He spent 40 years in the research and devel opment of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products. In this time, Southard served as board chairman, CEO, and chief science officer. In his citizen-soldier career, he served as an artillery, chemical,

and military intelligence officer, which included two commands over his 26 years in the active and reserve U.S. Army before retiring as a colonel.

Additionally, he served in youth ministry for 30 years. His goal is for youth to become disciples of Christ who confidently contend and defend their faith in any setting. He believes that faith coupled with a better intellectual understanding of the faith will achieve that goal. As a result, he wrote To Know with Certainty: Answers to Christian Students’ Questions Upon Leaving High School (West Bow Press 2017). With his wife of 51 years, Mar ilyn, Southard had four boys, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild before her passing. He is remarried to Nancy, and they reside in Fort Myers, Florida.

Business Not Battle for Non-Profit Boards by Elise Woodworth ’07. Thriving Best Sellers, 2022. ISBN 979-8835153534. Available on Amazon or through the author.

A nonprofit board’s role is to govern and provide strategy. But if that board is in battle, it is easy to get stuck. Battle is conflict that has been misplaced onto people instead of the issues at hand. Battle is a lack of interest and awareness. Battle is frustrating and stressful. Business, on the other hand, is focused on achiev ing the mission––realizing the vision. Business is a mutually beneficial exchange of services, ideas, and products.

Using Business Not Battle as a guide, readers can engage with their boards and effectively support the missions of their organizations. They can ignite impact for the entire group. The book walks readers through how to gain aware ness of themselves and their organizations. It

also shares how asking thoughtful questions is the key to unlocking potential. It also outlines the importance of becoming the ad vocate a nonprofit needs.

If one is new to board member ship or thinking about joining a board, this book is for them.

If one wants to learn to be sup portive to the organization they serve, this book is for them.

If one is on a board that is not as effective as it could be, this is the book for them.

With the stress, demands, and pressures of ev eryday life, it is easy to lose focus on the mission of an organization. Without that focus, it is hard to be engaged. The behaviors that come from this lack of engagement lend themselves quickly to battle. Don’t let yourself—or your board—get

stuck in battle. Get into business, not battle.

About the Author:

Elise Woodworth, MBA, innovation catalyst, and organizational culture expert, is the president and founder of Woodworth Enterprises LLC, a veteran-woman-owned small business located in Northern Virginia.

She is a 2007 graduate of VMI. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and an MBA specializing in project management from Capella University. She is an honorably separated Air Force logistics officer, a proud wife, and mother of five children. She has volunteered with numer ous nonprofits in a variety of ways, including the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees. Her service on boards and interaction with various organi zations inspired her to write this book, sharing with readers what it takes to be an effective board member for their respective organizations.

The Washington Arch Society

Thank you to the loyal members of the Washington Arch Society who have designated VMI in their estate plans. The generosity of new members resulted in a record year for planned gifts in Fiscal Year 2022.

Join the Society: The Time is Ripe for Charitable Gift Annuities The current market provides favorable conditions for Charitable Gift Annuities with the VMI Alumni Agencies to benefit VMI. Our strong credit rating, the market rates for return, tax deduction, and guaranteed lifetime income at a fixed interest rate for you and/or your spouse are all reasons to consider this option for planned giving.

If you are over age 60 and considering a gift of $25,000 or more, now is a great time to join the Washington Arch Society via Charitable Gift Annuities.

The next generation of citizen-soldiers will benefit from your thoughtfulness.

For more information, visit vmilegacy.org or contact Terrie Conrad at tconrad@vmiaa.org or by phone at 800-444-1839, ext. 238