Class of ‘70, VMI

Dear BRs: It is a little early for first call to our 40th reunion but I wanted to give you all a quick up-date as to where we are with the reunion planning. We have formed the reunion committee  and they are busy at work getting things organized. The members of the committee are; Ralph Costen, Tom Cooke, Herb Braun, Bill Gearhart, Ned Haley and me. A number of BR’s have offered some good ideas and all are encouraged and welcomed. Our reunion will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 23 & 24, 2010.

Our reunion headquarters will be the Holiday Inn Express on Route 11 (540-463-7351) and the Best Western (540-458-3020) which is adjacent to the Holiday Inn. Class of 1969 held their 40th there and said it was great and very accommodating. Identify yourself as “Reunion Class of 1970″ for the reserved block and reunion rates.

Our tentative itinerary is as follows:

Friday - April 23rd.

9:30am: Class of 1970 Golf outing at Lexington Country Club for those who want to play.
6:00pm - 11:00pm: Cocktails, dinner and dance at Lexington Country Club.

Saturday - April 24th

9:30am: Class pictures at VMI
10-10:45am:  Class meeting at a location to be determined
11:00am:  Parade 12-1:30pm: Lunch - location to be determined (hopefully tent on parade ground)
3:00 - 5:30pm:  Baseball game at Grey-Minor Stadium (Coastal Carolina vs VMI)
6:30 - 9pm: Dinner at Alumni Hall - Hopefully Gen. Peay will be our speaker

As always - the hospitality room will be opened and fully stocked. These plans are tentative and subject to change but hopefully it will be something close to it.
Carole Greene in Alumni Affairs is “mission control” for all reunions and will be mailing out various updates which will include times to register for hotel rooms, cost etc.

We want this to be our biggest reunion yet and Ned Haley has graciously offered to head the “Lost BR” committee to find missing BRs and get them back in the fold and more importantly, try to get them to attend the reunion. If you would like to assist Ned please e-mail him. His address is: nedhaley@gmail.com.

Also, we would like to put together a CD with  pictures that we took during our cadetship. If you have any old pictures you took that can pass a mild censorship inspection, please send me a copy or scan a copy and e-mail it to me at wroc1970@verizon.net.

We will keep you advised as plans develop. Take care and RAH VA Mil - Class of ’70.

Bill O’Connor

All BR’s:

As you are aware our 40th Reunion is coming up next April. We have formed a reunion committee and events are falling in line. A reunion letter will be going out in the next couple of weeks with a tentative schedule of events. One thing we do need help on is finding “Lost BR’s”. One of the benefits of being Class Agents is getting reacquainted with Classmates that we have seen or heard from in a long while. I am going to try to get a list of our BR’s who have attended the last couple of reunions and see who hasn’t. I need a volunteer to head a search committee to find these “lost” guys and try to get them back to Reunion. Ned Haley and Chips Lanier and Bob Copty have done an excellent job locating BR’s. Any volunteers to head the “Search Committee’? Please let me know. Hope you all are enjoying the summer.

Bill (from Bill’s post on Facebook, 8 July 09)

Greetings BRs. If any of you guys know of any work and/or a place one of our BRs on hard times can stay for a while in the Richmond area, please contact me for more information. No, it ain’t me…I was far beyond any help many years ago.

This BR has had a run of bad health and fortune and needs a step up if anyone has thoughts. I’ll not mention his name in this post as he is more than embarassed to be in such a predicament. I’ve helped to the extent I’ve been able, but what he really needs is a job, any job, and a place off the street to stay for a bit.

I very much regret having to write this, but could use any suggestions at this point. He’s in a very tenuous spot at the moment and I didn’t know how to reach all of you any other way.

Best wishes,

Dick Cheatham

Editor’s Note:  You can contact Dick through the web site at rac@vmi70.org. — Chips

BR’s:
Once again it is my sad duty to report on the passing of Allen Anderson, devoted wife of Phil Anderson. Allen passed away last Thursday after battling Sclerderma for a long period of time. She fought the good fight and now her pain and suffering are over. Allen’s funeral service will be held at the Holy Family Episcopal Church in Jasper, Ga. at 11:00am on Wednesday, July 2nd.

I’ve sent Phil a note letting him know that the Class is thinking of him and our prayers are both with he and Allen.

Please take care and be safe.
Bill

Historic Presentation. The VMI Museum will host a fascinating evening of four nationally recognized historical scholars portraying equally nationally recognized historical characters: Generals R. E. Lee, Douglas MacArthur and Benjamin Davis along with Captain Meriwether Lewis at 7 p.m. on Friday, 25 April in Jackson Memorial Hall. These four American soldiers who have exemplified the model set by Cincinnatus 23 centuries ago will be brought to life temporarily for an evening in a “Chautauqua” style first person impersonation. Portrayals will be made by Dick Cheatham ’70, Al Stone, Bill Young and Jim Armstead. Each providing 15 minutes giving examples of military contribution to civil life from the lives of the characters they portray, followed by a 20 minute period where the audience can ask questions of the famous visitors and a short discussion in panel of the scholarship that makes such a presentation possible. A reception will follow in the VMI Museum.

BR’s:

Class notes are due in May — Please drop me a line with some info. Hope you all have a great summer and look forward to seeing you all in the fall.

Bill
admin note: You can send by email to wroc1970@comcast.net or class-agent@vmi70.org

November 2007 Greetings to all from Richmond. We have had a very unusual fall this year. The temperatures have averaged on the warm side all year and here it is a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving and virtually all the leaves are still on the trees. No telling what Mother Nature has up her sleeve for the winter but I must tell you that a little bit of cooler weather will be welcomed. Now on to the news:

It is with the utmost sadness that I inform the Class of the tragic passing of Dr. Rebecca Clary Harris daughter of Dr. Richard and Kay Clary. Rebecca was involved in a freak accident in Charlottesville last September and was laid to rest in Richmond. Her celebration of life service was attended by an over flow group of family, friends and BRs. It was truly a wonderful testament to her life. Rich and Kay, our hearts go out to you and your family. Please know we are thinking of you.

(Read on …)

As this unusually hot summer winds down and the coolness of the fall is just around the corner, one wonders if there is something to the global warming alarm or did we just experience the consequences of the hot air generated by Al Gore in his quest for the Holy Grail. I don’t know but one wonders. The summer yielded very little news regarding our BR’s and I suspect vacations, retirements and such were the culprits but some did offer some news. Ben Dick wrote fromCharlottesville pleading poverty as he has both son Tyler and daughter Brittany in college. Ben continues to practice law and occasionally sees Kent Schlussel and Ned Haley. Ben reported that his brother, Tom Dick ’74, son, was stricken with cancer and has waged a major battle to survive and the ordeal has been very trying on the family. We wish your nephew the best Ben and will keep him in our prayers. Ben wishes all BR’s the best and hopes to get to Lexington this fall for some Keydet football. (Read on …)

Brother Rats: It is my sad duty to report the tragic death of Rebecca Clary Harris, daughter of Rich and Kay Clary this past weekend in Charlottsville, Va. I do not have details but apparently Rebecca had an accident while riding on a wagon during a hay ride. A memorial service will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church on Grove Ave. in Richmond at 2pm this Wednesday, September 12th. Please remember Rebecca and her family in your prayers. May God bless the Clary family and help them through trying time.

Bill

(Updated, 11 Sept) There is an article about Becca online on the Richmond Times Dispatch web site here, the Charlottesville Daily Progress, and the obituary and on line Guest book here from both papers. Please keep Rich, Kay and the Clary family as well as Becca’s husband Justin in your prayers and thoughts in this very trying time. — Chips

BR’s:

Greetings from Richmond. I hope everybody is enjoying their summer and are getting ready for the Fall and some Keydet football! I wanted to let you all know that the Alumni Office just notified the Class Agents that they are a few issues behind in getting out the Alumni Review. The new schedule is to get the Nov notes out in Aug., the Feb notes issue in Sept and May’s & Aug in a double issue in Jan ‘08. Sorry for the delay but I believe the editor of the Review had a serious illness.

I did want to let you know that Roland Vaughan’s son “Bear” was seriously wounded in Iraq. Apparently he was in a Humvee when an IED wnt off. He was evacuated to Walter Reed in DC to begin a long convalesence. In talking with his Mom, it appears he will recover. I told Jeannie (his Mom) that our prayers we with them. She thanked me and said please remember ALL OF OUR SOLDIERS in our prayers. Thank you Roland and Jeannie for the service of your son. Thank you Bear for all that you have done for us. Please know your service and and those of your fellow comrades are appreciated by all. You are the best America has to offer. God bless you.

Take care BR’s, be safe and please drop me a line when you get a chance.

Bill

I received a note from Carl and Julie announcing Carl’s retirement. Carl will retire on 17 May at 10 AM with a formal retirement ceremony at Summerall Field, Ft. Myer, Va. Carl has invited all BR’s to attend. The ceremony will include the Old Guard, Drum and Bugle Corps and the Army Band and all the pomp and circumstance that makes military ceremonies so entertaining. I know Carl and Julie would love to see old friends and classmates so if you can, let’s meet at Ft Meyer and give Carl an Old Yell that’s truly deserved.
Bill

From: Fred Werth III, ‘95
To: Bill O’Conner
Subject: Fred Werth, Jr. Class of 1970 Update
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007

Bill,
I decided that my Dad needed an update to his class in the VMI Alumni review. My father, like myself, tends not to be very good at communicating on matters that don’t concern our work. However, I told myself in this new year that I would finally send an update to my class (1995) and while I was at it, I would send one for my father. As you are probably aware, we had a major tragedy in our family in September 2002 when the car that my father was driving was hit and resulted in the deaths of my mother Pat and sister Sally. They were visiting friends in Fredericksburg, VA and were on their way home to Grayson County when they were hit outside of Orange, VA.

(Read on …)

August , 2006
Class Notes

Greeting to all from the fair city of Richmond. I trust everyone had an enjoyable safe summer and are now looking forward to enjoying the cool fall weather and watching the Keydets play inspired football!!

Retirement news — After 35 years of serving in a multitude of positions and assignments around the world, our last active duty military BR tendered his retirement. Lt. General Carl Strock retired as head of the Army Corps of Engineers after 2 years of guiding the Corps through many unprecedented challenges of nature and war. Carl on behalf of a grateful country, the entire Class salutes you and Julie for your service. There are not many people who could cope with what you had to deal with - thank you for all that you have done. You made us proud. We wish you and Julie the best and look forward to seeing you all more often in Lexington. (Read on …)

BR’s:

It is my sad duty to report the passing of Betsy Davis, the wife of Bill Davis. I don’t have any details but I understand that Betsy passed away last week at their home in Bluefield. I will write Bill on behalf of the Class. Please remember Betsy and Bill in your prayers.

Bill

ps:

Bill’s address is:

315 Brierwood Dr.
Bluefield, VA 24605

The hardest duty of any Class Agent is to inform the Class of the passing of one of our classmates. It is my sad duty to report the death of Richard (Rick) Corbett who departed this life on July 21, 2006. Rick passed away from the consequences of abdominal cancer at his home in Newark, DE. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Barbara Elizabeth Corbett, daughter Kristine Elizabeth Schmidt, son, James David Corbett and son R. Andrew Corbett and two grand children. His obituary will appear in the fall edition of rhe Alumni Review.

I have written his wife on behalf of the Class and will send in a donation to Deleware Hospice as requested by the family. Please keep Rick and his family in your prayers.

Bill

Greetings from Richmond. As I write these notes I am looking outside at green grass, leaves on the trees, blooming flowers and 78 degrees — Spring is finally here and sure is welcomed!!!!

This September will mark the 40th anniversary of our matriculation at the Institute and the beginning of many long term friendships that we enjoy today. We started that September over 400 strong and probably to a man couldn’t contemplate 40 years hence. Our Class has been fortunate that for the most part we have prospered and done well. I was reviewing our Class roster and saw the names of Brother Rats that weren’t able to make the 40 year journey with us. The following is the list of our deceased BR’s and the date of their passing: Kerry Newberry (6/11/72), Philip R. Ramsey (1/23/76), Henry Parrish (10/5/78), Frank H. Whitenack (8/6/80), Theodore B. Bolton (1/25/81), Edward D. Holmes (9/1/85), K. Scott Strong (9/23/92), Joseph E. Vojtecky (5/18/02) and Randolph B. Jones, (7/19/03). Although they are no longer with us their spirit continues. Sleep well BR’s — you are missed. (Read on …)

FEBRUARY 2006
CLASS NOTES

The doldrums of winter has firmly made its presence felt. Our 35^th reunion is now a fond memory. Football is over, basketball is winding down and baseball is still a few weeks away. The sky is gray and the air is cold. The annual hibernation of many BR’s is in full swing. But all is not lost, a few BR’s have kept their eyes and ears opened and have reported back with some Class news. (Read on …)

BR’s:

The following class notes were supposed to appear in the last edition of the Alumni Review. I was told they will be published in the next Review but that’s another 3 months past our reunion.

Hope everybody had a happy holiday. I’m looking forward to a great year in 2006 both personally (another year closer to retirement) and for VMI. Substantial improvement in our football and basketball programs are just around the corner and I think we will see the beginning of the turn around in ‘06. Please keep the faith - we will be better!!

Bill

(Read on …)

BR’s:

The following class notes were supposed to appear in the last edition of the Alumni Review. I was told they will be published in the next Review but that’s another 3 months past our reunion.

Hope everybody had a happy holiday. I’m looking forward to a great year in 2006 both personally (another year closer to retirement) and for VMI. Substantial improvement in our football and basketball programs are just around the corner and I think we will see the beginning of the turn around in ‘06. Please keep the faith - we will be better!!

Bill

(Read on …)

1 December 2005 @ 18:42

Ain’t technology wonderful!!!! Good job - Chips. My first posting to the site is to alert the Class of a great new year’s party to be hosted by the Keydet Club. The party will be held in Falls Church, Va (Northern VA) and will follow the VMI - Maryland B-Ball game.

It will be a fun event and if you haven’t made New Years Eve plans yet - plan to attend. It will be well attended and I can promise you a good time will be had by all.

Bill O