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Staunton Military Academy Newsletter Published quarterly by the Staunton Military Academy Foundation • Staunton, Virginia Second Quarter — June 2002

Classes of ‘27, ‘32, ‘37, ‘42, ‘47, ‘52, ‘57, ‘62, ‘67 and ‘72 to be honored: WHERE? Holiday Inn Golf and Reunion set for July 26-28 Conference Center Staunton, Virginia (540) 248-6020 at Holiday Inn, Staunton Reservations: 1-800-932-9061 Fellow SMA Alumni – it’s less The reunion banquet will be held Be sure to ask for the special than 60 days from Reunion on Saturday, and the food, even if half SMA Reunion Weekend Rate 2002! The Honor Classes for this year as good as last year, will be worth it. E-mail: [email protected] are all the graduating classes that end A block of 60 rooms has been reserved with either a “2” or a “7”. That’s by the SMAAA on a first-come/- SCHEDULE: right, everyone from 1927 first-served basis at our reunion through 1972 should get those hotel headquarters, the Friday, July 26 9:00 a.m. Board Meeting fingers dialing or use the in- Holiday Inn Golf and ternet to find your roommate, 2:00 p.m. to Registration and Conference Center in Staun- 6:00 p.m. Refreshments classmate or good friend from ton, VA (located at Route 275W, SMA and make your way to 8:00 p.m. Cash Bar and Exit 225 off I-81). Reservations BBQ Cookout Staunton for a part of the July 26-28 must be made by 19 July to receive Saturday, July 27 reunion weekend. Everyone else, do this special rate. When making reser- 09:00 a.m. General Meeting the same thing. After all it’s the gath- vations, be sure to mention SMA 11:00 a.m. Board Meeting ering of friends and fellow classmates Alumni Association Reunion to re- 12:30 p.m. Wreath Laying for a couple days of camaraderie that ceive the discounted rate of $72.00, 01:00 p.m. Museum Open makes the reunion special. You just plus 8.5% tax. 01:30 p.m. Memorial Wall never know who you’ll run into at one Dedication of these reunions (roommates, class- 04:00 p.m. to Registration mates, teachers, coaches), and when 0 6:00 p.m. you do, you’ll never forget it! 06:00 p.m. Happy Hour The key events this year are 07:00 p.m. Reunion Banquet the dedication of our new SMA Sunday, July 28 Memorial Wall on Saturday, July Holiday Inn Golf and Conference Center Breakfast and Check-out 27. Brig. Gen. William Louisell, Staunton, Virginia Jr., SMA ‘46, son of the former Please note in the schedule at right SMA Commandant, will be the that there are two registrations guest speaker. planned. Friday registration will be INSIDE THIS ISSUE In addition to the installation of from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., and registra- plaques purchased last year, the Mu- tion for those attending Saturday only President’s Message ...... 2 seum Committee has approved the in- will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Deadline for Cheese Sandwiches...... 3 stallation of memorial plaques this year advanced registration is July 19. For Thank You, Major Wease ...... 4 honoring three alumni: Barry Gold- your convenience, an SMA Alumni Opinions & Commentary ...... 5 water, ‘28, Phillip Enslow, ‘18, and Association Reunion 2002 Regis- Reflections on SMA ...... 6 David McCampbell, ‘28. tration form has been placed on Alumni Continue to Visit ...... 7 The SMA-VWIL Museum will be page 13 of this Kablegram. The Messer Tradition...... 8 open extended hours over the week- Accompanying the form is the 2002 Scholarship Awarded ...... 8 end to allow alumni to enjoy the ex- reunion fee schedule. There is an ob- Taps ...... 11,12 hibits and to reminisce. On Saturday, vious savings to early registration, and Reunion Registration Form ... 13 we will again honor the founder of all alumni are encouraged to complete News Briefs ...... 14 SMA, William H. Kable, with a wreath and mail their registration forms with I Remember When...... 15 laying ceremony at the Kable family their checks as soon as possible. Dues and Donations ...... 16 plot in Thornrose Cemetery. — Mark Orr, SMA ‘73 — 2 — PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President ...... Tom Phillips, ‘74 Vice President .. Stuart Smith, ‘48 Secretary ...... Mark Orr, ‘73 Fellow Old Boys.... Treasurer ...... Tom Davis, ‘62 When we gather on the last weekend in July for the 2002 SMA an- PERMANENT AND AD-HOC nual reunion and meeting, there will be 99 members of the Corps absent. The reason they will not be with us is not because they chose not to attend, COMMITTEES but because they could not attend. They are gone. But they will be with us Alumni Relations in spirit, and we will recognize them by their names on the SMA Memorial Gene Ehmann, ‘74 ...... Chairman Wall. Mark Orr, ‘73 ...... Member I know they gave their lives for our country so that we could be in Finance Staunton to see old friends … so that their families could be anywhere Alvan Arnall,’56 ...... Chairman they wanted to be on a Saturday afternoon … so that I could live free. Tom Davis, ‘62 ...... Member Bob Parrino, ‘75 ...... Member One Saturday in April, fellow board member Mark Legal Orr ‘73 (a retired Navy officer, by the way) and I Tom Phillips, ‘74 ...... Chairman spent some time at the SMA-VWIL Museum check- Tom Davis, ‘62 ...... Member ing the school records of the Old Boys who had died Scholarships Stuart Smith, ‘48 ...... Chairman during the wars this na- tion has fought. “Killed in Bob Parrino, ‘75 ...... Member action in France” was on one of them. “Killed in ac- Fred Burner, ‘68 ...... Member tion in South Korea” on another. It was a moving ex- Annual Fundraising perience to see these names, think of their sacri- Bill Leeman, ‘50 ...... Chairman Alvan Arnall, ‘56 ...... Member fice, and acknowledge that people at SMA over the Gene Ehmann, ‘74 ...... Member years had taken the time to annotate their records. Bill Kearns, ‘74 ...... Member Over the years, we have watched our friends and former roommates Memorabilia age as life takes its toll on our bodies. But for these 99 young men, they Jack Dalbo, ‘68 ...... Chairman Stuart Smith, ‘48 ...... Member will be remembered as forever young. Look at their yearbook pictures, Fred Burner, ‘68 ...... Member and you will see the faces of the young men who died in uniform for Reunion something they believed in. Bill Kearns, ‘74 ...... Chairman Join me in July at SMA. The corps that Jack Dalbo, ‘68 ...... Member Kit Regoni, ‘64 ...... Member you and I were a part of has a proud heri- Don Tobin, ‘70 ...... Member tage. We have earned it through work, SMA-VWIL Museum achievement, caring for others, and Brocky Nicely, ‘65 ...... Chairman with our blood. Together, we will cele- Mark Orr, ‘73 ...... Member brate the living, share memories and Tom Phillips, ‘74 ...... Member John Hooser, ‘73 ...... Member honor the dead. You will laugh, and Website you will probably cry. Mark Orr, ‘73 ...... Chairman And you’ll be glad you came. John Hooser, ‘73 ...... Member Truth, duty, honor. The Kablegram C. David Litzenburg, ‘58 .... Editor Tom Phillips, SMA ‘74 SMA Alumni Association P.O. Box 958 President, SMAAA Staunton, VA 24402-0958 Phone: (540) 885-1309 Email: [email protected] To contact Tom by e-mail: [email protected] — 3 — Your response is critical! Alumni Association Toasted Cheese Sandwiches Directory in the works, by Bob Horvath, SMA ‘47 Finally, as I finished the last sand- due in early 2003 his was the year Wally and I be- wich, Wally said, “Jack you are amaz- The Harris Publishing Company has came entrepreneurs. It began in ing. You just ate about 20 grilled cheese already begun work on our updated TJanuary when a fellow Cleve- sandwiches!” Wally had polished off a Staunton Military Academy Alumni Di- lander named Wally Morris brought a few himself, but then just rectory. It is planned for completion waffle maker back from started counting them off and sale early next year. In the mean- home after Christmas. Not while I kept stuffing my time, a campaign has begun to obtain long after, Wally and I were face. I had probably put in current and updated address informa- in business selling toasted 150 laps down in the com- tion from each SMA alumni. We are cheese sandwiches at break petition pool in the base- asking for your support to ensure we time. ment of Kable Hall that day; get a quality product by providing your We would sneak out to and I always had a pretty current contact information. a local Mom-and-Pop gro- good appetite. Even for me Harris Publishing will begin mass cery store and pick up the this was something of a per- mailing a one-page survey/question- goodies. We would get five sonal record. We chuckled naire to every SMA alumni to obtain up- or six loaves of bread, and then went to sleep. plenty of cheese, and The next morning enough butter to keep the there was nothing funny grill from being sticky and to add a about it. When I woke up I felt this couple hundred more calories and a general aching feeling and I could not deliciously rich taste to those grilled move. I just could not move! When it dated contact data for the Directory. cheese sandwiches. We usually ate the came time to get up for reveille and They will also send an email to those firstbatch ourselves after we learned breakfast formation, I couldn’t make alumni that we already have an e-mail the hard way that our fellow Kable Hall it out of bed. When it came time to go address offering the option of complet- cadets would buy up and eat all we to class I still couldn’t get out of bed. I ing an online survey/questionnaire. could make. just had Wally tell someone where I Please take a few minutes to complete The profits didn’t seem so great that was. My guess is that he told Sgt. Lou your one-page profile, using either op- first night when we were Onesty what happened, and my swim tion, when you are contacted. both hungry and all the coach “took care of me.” Right now, a friend could be trying product was At any rate, for some reason, I to reach you with the job offer of a sold. But didn’t get in trouble with anybody. I lifetime. A former classmate might don’t remember any more about the wish to drop you an email, or the incident, except that I think our entre- friend you’ve been thinking about, but once we preneurial ambitions pretty much died. never quite got the time to locate, ironed out that admin- That cheese must have worked — I could be within reach if your contact istrative detail, we had full stomachs, won every one of my races for SMA , information were up-to-date in our money in our pockets, and loads of fun and Lou Onesty, that year. records. The SMAAA has partnered as part of the bargain. Wally Morris was one of the really with Harris Publishing to produce this Then one night, for some strange rea- good guys! important directory, which will contain son, we didn’t sell a single sandwich. We complete listings of all SMA alumni, made our usual stack and waited for the Editor’s Note: Bob Horvath may have including email addresses, profes- break period. When nobody showed up, gotten away with that in 1947, but in sional and personal information to we went down the hall and around the the late 1950’s, I had my hotplate taken help meet your communications net- barracks looking for our usual custom- away. I used it to make coffee. Then I working needs. The key to success in ers. No dice. Nobody was hungry. Well, tried a can of Sterno, but the odor gave this endeavor will be your cooperation Wally and I, as I recall, sat down on our it away. So, I ended up stopping at the and your response. bunks and just started talking — I don’t Mess Hall on my way back to evening The SMAAA Board of Directors ex- know what about. We chatted on all “lock-down” and asking “Colonel Joe” presses their appreciation in advance for through the final study period and well or “Chick” for a cup of coffee. That stuff taking the moment to ensure that we after taps. All the time we were talking, was as strong as motor oil but it was have your most current and accurate in- I just kept munching away! still coffee. formation for the SMA Alumni Directory. Your SMAAA dues make The Kablegram possible! Harris’ commitment to protecting the ....and the publication of stories like the one above and those on privacy and ensuring the integrity of the other pages of this issue. information collected for the SMAAA Di- rectory is reflected in their privacy policy, Help make things happen! Send your $50.00 dues today to which you will find online at http:// SMA Alumni Association • P. O. Box 958 Woodrum Station www.bcharris-pub.com/privacy.html. Staunton, Virginia 24401-958 — 4 — Thank You, Major Wease! Things Could Have Turned Out Different By Mark Orr, SMA ‘73 away with during my last year on the gone! Scholarship – gone! College – I remember the day as vividly as if Hill. So, how were Gene Ehmann, my not looking good! Parents? Yikes! It it were yesterday. It was just partner in crime, and me sup- was so close to graduation and so much four-five weeks before my posed to know that Major Rob- was at stake. I began begging (yes, and graduation from SMA in 1973. ert Wease would be parked in crying) for Major Wease to have mercy Freedom! It seemed like the his car, waiting for his wife to on us. Gene was a junior and the im- worst was over and I had sur- finish a shopping errand, and pact wasn’t as great, so I don’t recall vived my three years on the have a direct line-of-sight view him begging as much. Anyway, it was Hill. I had already received of our beer deal that day? He a long, slow drive back to campus and word that I would receive a saw the whole thing go down! Major Wease didn’t say much, except four-year U.S. Marine Corps As Gene and I were walking “You should have thought about that ROTC scholarship at my first back toward the Hill, we no- earlier.” Or something like that. choice college, Pennsylvania tice a car slowly pull up along- When we got on campus, he told State University. I was feeling Major Wease side us. Then we saw it was Ma- us to go to our barracks (we both lived on top of the world and wanted jor Wease! Of course, we tried in South) and stay there until Sunday, to celebrate. to act innocent, but the gig was up — leaving only for meals/formation. On After being on the Hill for three years, he said to “get in the car.” Once we were Sunday, we were to report to the li- you learn the ropes on how to “get stuff.” in the backseat, he informed us that he’d brary where he would inform us of his Getting beer/wine was a breeze – go seen the whole thing and to pass the bags decision. I didn’t sleep well that night. downtown and find a wino to make the up front, which we did immediately. The next day when we met with purchase for you and tip him a bottle of As everyone knows, drinking or buy- Major Wease, he said he had thought Boone’s Farm for his trouble. I’d done it ing beer/liquor was a kick-out offense. long and hard about what he should dozens of times and never got caught. I was scared and began to see my life do with us. He reminded us of the se- I won’t admit to the other stuff I got flash before my eyes. Graduation – riousness of the offense, but that he had decided to handle it in his way. This meant that we were both re- New look, new face for stricted to the Hill for the remainder of the school year and had to report to the library every Saturday. It was also The Kablegram important that no one else know about By Mark Orr, SMA ‘73 ences during your years at SMA and to this punishment. If word leaked out, You’ve probably noticed that The share your memories. You can do this he couldn’t guarantee what the conse- Kablegram has a new look, specifically by sending us articles, photographs, quences would be. Of course, this designed to create excitement about news items, and letters. meant Major Wease had to be in the what the association is doing. There will be an Opinion/Commen- library as well to supervise us. We hope you like what you see, and tary page where alumni can offer com- Neither of us said a word to any- encourage you to offer comments and ment and/or critique. We need to one and we did exactly as Major Wease critique. After all, this is your news- know what you think, good or bad. said. It was a tough way to end my letter, paid for by your dues, and in- We’ll always provide “Taps”, announc- time on the Hill, but better than any tended to keep you informed. ing those former cadets who have other alternative. It also taught me an Together with the new look we passed away. important lesson about compassion have a new editor. C. David In addition to the e-mail address on and giving someone a second chance. Litzenburg, SMA ‘58, has accepted the our website, Dave will accept articles, Things could have turned out very challenge of designing and producing photo, inquiries and comments at differently in my life if the rulebook the newsletter and making sure it gets [email protected]. had been followed. As it was, I gradu- to you on time. Articles can be submitted in ated, received my scholarship, went to Dave acquired a 20+ years of ex- Microsoft Word, WordPerfect 6.1, text Penn State and was commissioned in perience in the newspaper industry, in format on e-mail, and as hard copy if 1977 as an officer in the U.S. Navy. news, advertising and management/ you wish. For mailing purposes, Dave’s I had not mentioned this secret but marketing. Since his semi-retirement address is 12718 Pinecrest Road, to just a handful of people over those in 1996, he has created newsletters Herndon, VA 20171-2608. Questions? 25 years. I only shared the details of and marketing materials for a number Call him at (703) 860-8052 evenings this event with my parents at a family of organizations in Northern Virginia. and weekends. gathering in 1990. Keeping secrets is One of the most important ingredi- As for me, my cup is already full. my line of work. ents in an effective newsletter is the Having Dave handle The Kablegram In 1998, I attended my very first SMA active participation of those who read will free up some of my time for other Reunion and met now Colonel Wease it. We want to know about your experi- association responsibilities. — Continued to page 14 — — 5 — LETTERS OPINION & COMMENTARY to the editor Letters will be published unless the originator specifically requests that the Invest in nostalgia! communication not be printed. Back in April, I received an e-mail time relationships we developed there. May 5, 2002 by e-mail: from Mark Orr, Secretary of SMAAA. As alumni, we have an obligation “Wonderful idea of a web site for That e-mail prompted me to go to the to support the efforts of what to date SMA graduates. Went by SMA in May of SMAAA website and browse, and that has been a few dedicated graduates. 2000 and Mary Baldwin has done a great led to my introduction to The They have done an exceptional job. We job of restoring and using the old SMA Kablegram. have a website to be proud of. The facilities. Going to SMA for just one year One thing led to another and I Kablegram has been resurrected. We helped me to get into Vanderbilt Engi- found myself going down the list of have a museum. Some of the buildings neering and stay there to graduate, so it people I graduated with and people are still there. We have the support of was very tough but beneficial. who have passed on. Several in par- Mary Baldwin College and their mili- Quite a few of my schoolmates in ticular touched me. I knew Bill Rucker, tary contingent. Waxahachie, Texas flunked out of SMA ‘60, and Stan Novack and Julio We are far more fortunate than school (including our Salutatorian), so Ossa, both 1959 graduates. many schools who have no more than I know going to Staunton Military As I read on, I realized that for a mailing list. We can see our past, visit School was the right decision for me. someone who loved SMA as much as I it, touch it, and contribute to it in many It is unfortunate that SMA has passed did, I have been derelict in keeping in ways. It has been preserved in part by away physically so more young people touch with classmates, and equally lax a group of people who understand the could not acquire good academic skills by not paying my dues. The check was importance that SMA held in our lives. to have good future careers in one of mailed that very day. Then I picked up Not everyone can offer a significant the professions. SMA was difficult but it the telephone and called someone I infusion of cash to the association. provided a real gateway to a better life had not talked to in 40 years....a close Those who can are appreciated for for a lot of young men. friend and a fellow graduate in 1958. their willingness to further SMAAA I also miss running track in the foot We talked for an hour. He had been growth through their contributions. hills of the Shenandoah Mountains in wondering about me as well. However, I have to believe that every- George Washington National Park — I read in The Kablegram about how one can afford $50.00 a year to keep the scenery was beautiful. I know a lot only a small percentage of SMA alumni this effort going strong. Those who pay of people are leading pretty good lives actually pay dues and support the as- their dues are appreciated as well for today because of their parents sacri- sociation. Much like myself, they no their involvement. ficing to make it possible for their sons doubt have put their years at the acad- If you can do no more than just pay- to attend SMA. I know mine did. emy on the back shelf and not dusted ing your dues, at least please do that! If Regards, them off in a long time, and support- you can do more, then perhaps you can Ed Leigh” ing the association has not been a pri- buy a brick in the walk at the museum Editor’s note: Edmund Pendleton Leigh ority or in many cases not even a con- or contribute to the scholarship fund. graduated in 1974. His name is being sideration. The important thing is to do what added to the 1974 class registry and is I opened a couple copies of The you can! If you have doubts, just get e-mail address added to the SMA e-mail Shrapnel I had hidden away. I experi- your yearbook out and browse through directory. enced a sudden swell of memories of it for an hour, or go to our website May 5, 2002 by letter mail: how unique those years were, and I (www.sma-alumni.org) and spend “Our son, Joseph Lore Kersey, was hooked! I made my reservations some time there. graduated from SMA in 1973. We have for the 2002 Reunion....only the third You’ll find, as I did, that your $50 many nice memories of our weekend that I will have attended. dues can make a truly significant dif- visits to Staunton. We believe that his Every graduate of Staunton Military ference. You’ll probably also realize just six years at SMA greatly contributed Academy needs a dose of this type of how important SMA was to you and to the successful life that he achieved. nostalgia. It’s good for the soul! While how much you can help SMAAA....now Unfortunately, Joe died of cancer in it reminds us of how old we may be, it and in the years to come. July of 1999. When a friend passes also reminds us of what our years — C. David Litzenburg, SMA ‘58 along a recent Kablegram for us to onThe Hill meant to us, and the life- The Kablegram Editor read, we decided to subscribe. We miss hearing news of Joe’s old friends at the Articles, news items or items of interest accepted electronically at [email protected] Academy. We also enjoyed reading or by mail to the SMA Alumni Association office. Submissions should be in Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, or text document format (Netscape and other internet browsers). Photos about alums of many years past. should be submitted as attachments (ZIP files, if possible) as .JPG images. — Continued on page 14 — — 6 —

by John H. “Jack” Craigie, SMA ‘47 I am not sure just how it came The average American citizen thinks about, but my attitude during that sec- of a cadet at a military academy as ond-year became that of a fun loving something of an automaton, someone hell-raiser, rather than that of a seri- who has been stripped of his personal- ous cadet. I was in good company. My ity. Those of us who have been there roommate, Bob Martin, ranked second know better. As we know, nothing in the SMA Corps of Cadets in demer- could be further from the truth. Think- its. His roommate ranked first! We ing back about my own experience at were Virginia’s version of Tom Sawyer SMA, I remember just how different and Huck Finn. As a result of all this I some of us were; but I remember as got to know the SMA Commandant of well how SMA brought each one of us Cadets, Col. William Louisell, a lot bet- along our separate trajectories toward I remember how much I looked for- ter than did most of my classmates. graduation and manhood. ward to delivering, rather than receiv- Col. Louisell probably didn’t think our I don’t mind saying that, at age 13, ing, those awesome swats. Guess pranks were anywhere near as hilari- finding myself getting yelled at by an what? About the second or third day ous as Bob and I did. If he enjoyed any upperclassman three years older than of my sophomore year, SMA officials of them, Col. Louisell didn’t show it. me was quite intimidating during my announced that there would be no He was always quite firm, but never angry or harsh. I didn’t look back at the time I stood at attention in his of- fice as being terrifying, or even un- pleasant. Col. Louisell’s admonitions were more along the line of instruction, as opposed to punishment or harassment. All of the details are long gone, unfor- tunately, but my own recollections about the man were a combination of admiration and — believe it or not — a measure of affection. In preparing to write this article, I got out my 1945 and 1947 issues of the Shrapnel. During my senior year the senior staff of SMA included a West Pointer as Superintendent, a West Pointer as Professor of Military Science and Tactics, and three career Army of- ficers as Commandant, Assistant Com- Pictured in May 2001: Back row (left to right), Jack Craige, SMA ‘47, Ted Atkeson, SMA ‘47, Bill mandant, and Business Manager. In Louisell, SMA ‘46 (son of the former MSA Commandant), and Fred Henney, SMA ‘46. All were addition there were eight other career 1951 graduates of USMA (West Point); Front row (left to right), Dick McLean, USMA ‘51 and Dabney Neff McLean, Miss SMA 1947. Photo provided by Jack Craige, SMA ‘47. Army personnel in the tactical depart- ment. “Rat Year” at SMA in 1943-44. How- more corporal punishment — no more The headmaster, however, was a ca- ever, yelling was not our real source delivering the devastating question, reer high school and military prep of dread. Each infraction of the SMA “The stick or the swat?” We second- school teacher, not a career Army of- discipline system was written down, year “men” were all furious, but, of ficer. And, for SMA, that was as it but not immediately submitted to the course, SMA was right. Fourteen-year- should be. I remember, in public jun- tactical department. Such a submis- old boys should not be allowed that ior high school and high school, a few sion, when it took place, was in cadet much power, and especially not that really good teachers. At SMA, however, jargon, a “stick.” kind of power. SMA Rats still had a really good teachers were the rule, not On Sunday afternoons we were of- tough time; and military training was the exception. fered the opportunity to avoid this for- rigorous for everybody. Before I looked up the staff I first mal submission to the tactical depart- During the spring of our freshman looked up Bob Martin. During his senior ment. The “opportunity” we were of- year, the tactical officers gave us year at SMA Bob was a First Lieutenant, fered to avoid it was to bend over and detailedindividual, examinations in a member of the Howie Rifles Drill Team, take an appropriate number of briskly field exercises. World War II was go- and a member of the Honor Committee. delivered swats to our posterior. So, it ing on; so the subject was important, That hell raiser had grown up. Come to was our choice -— “Do you take the and we knew it. Furthermore, I found think of it, I had changed a bit myself. I stick or the swat?” But it wasn’t really the subject interesting, studied hard, competed on the swimming team, which a choice. It was considered manly to and did well. Accordingly, my second undoubtedly burned off a number of take the swat; so that’s what we did. year at SMA in 1944-45, I found my- otherwise mischievous kids grow. I remember how much I looked for self as a sergeant and a squad leader. — Continued to page 7 — — 7 — “The SMA Museum is worth a trip....” Alumni continue to visit SMA Museum Not reported in the last issue of The Kablegram was the visit to the SMA Museum by David Dunlap, SMA ‘55, and his wife Pat, of Hummelstown, PA. “The visit was part of our trip over Christmas to visit our son in Texas,” Dunlap reports, adding that he and Pat “also made plans and met with my classmate Lawrence Marks, SMA ‘55, and his wife.” The two alumni had not seen each other since their graduation 46 years ago. Meeting in Johnson City, TN, the two alumni and their wives enjoyed a four- hour lunch, and “could have talked all day and evening.” — Continued from page 6 — “Of great interest to me,” Dunlap said, “was going through the ‘56 Shrapnel calories. Far more important, I com- and seeing for the first time the officers and their positions achieved by the ‘55 peted for and won SMA’s Honor Mili- juniors.” “We were followed by a group of good men”, he added. tary School principal appointment to “The SMA Museum is worth a trip, and there is still enough of ‘The Hill’ there West Point. SMA helped a couple wild to bring back many memories as to where our formative roots were.” kids grow up. Edward B. Jones, SMA ‘41, of Ed Peter, SMA First Captain in 1947, Savannah, GA and Mrs. Jones were on Simon M. Painter, SMA ‘58 and Ted Atkeson, an A Company First their way to Connecticut and stopped Staunton, VA Lieutenant, were outstanding SMA ca- in Staunton. It was evening and the Richard Wilson, SMA ‘41 dets and later they were my classmates office and Museum were closed. How- Chesapeake, OH at West Point. Both became general of- ever, Ed called the Thompson and Bill Becker, SMA ‘57 and Gloria ficers in the U.S. Army, as did our West Kivilighan homes to catch up on the Selinsgrove, PA Point classmate, Bill Louisell, Jr., who news about SMA. Ed was a former Randolph Dodge, SMA ‘65 graduated from SMA a year before us. president of the SMA Alumni Associa- Brockton, MA After gaining the appointment to tion and a board member in 1986. Edward Dodge, SMA ‘42 West Point and passing the physical Others who have recently visited Staunton, VA exam, I suppose I started to relax a bit the SMA Museum are: Mr. and Mrs. James Horton too much. Col. Louisell would not let Phil Carletti, Staunton, VA Scottsdale, AZ, staff to the late me return to my wayward ways. I didn’t Paul J. Kivilighan, SMA ‘29 Barry M. Goldwater, SMA ‘28 ready get into any trouble, but he called and Nita, Staunton, Virginia Brig. Gen. William C. Louisell, me into his office one day and told me Will Parkins, AMA ‘35 SMA ‘46 that I could still lose out on West Point. and Bill Parkins, AMA ‘70 and Mrs. Louisell, Whitestone, VA I got the message — straighten up both of Bridgewater, VA John S. Harrison, SMA ‘76 and fly right — and was grateful for Gwendlyn E. Walsh, Staunton, VA and Mrs. Harrison, Overland Park, KS it. Perhaps Col. Louisell gave me this Malcolm Wells, Staunton, VA Mr. and Mrs. Philip Kable warning because another West Point M. Haskins Coleman, SMA ‘48 Westminster, MD appointee, Ted Atkeson, was reduced Staunton, VA Deidre Kelly Perrin, Hampton, NH to Private for some spring indiscretion. Maj. Gen. John P. Henderson, Jr. daughter of Both the military and academic as- Richmond, VA Joseph S. Kelley, SMA, ‘43 pects of Staunton were outstanding; John E. Allen, SMA ‘61 Michael Hutchison, SMA ‘72 but so were the other two elements of and Jean Allen, of Bowie, MD Gettysburg, PA our growth experience there. From my Bill Kingdom, College Park, MD Harold L. Walters, Leesburg, FL senior year copy of the Shrapnel I Dorothy Thacker, Staunton, VA Oliver M. Meiss, SMA ‘48 noted that, for the athletic teams that Mark Lawrence, SMA ‘71 Staunton, VA listed their records, SMA won 58 con- Newark, DE Michael Lanery, West Hartford, CT tests and lost six, a 90 percent win- Sonny Major, SMA ‘74 George “Buck” Dorman, SMA ‘67 ning average. The final pillar of our Manquin, VA Charlottesville, VA development at SMA was that of char- Ralph Sebrell, SMA ‘45 and Ann Denise and Brian Katz acter. Over the last few years I compared Richmond, VA Toronto, Canada notes with a few of my SMA school- Alton L. Peck, SMA ‘47 Elizabeth Moody, mates. We agreed that, by far, the dead- Meriden, CT Bridgewater, VA liest of the seven deadly sins at Staunton Charlotte Waters, Waynesboro, PA, James Alley, SMA ‘43 and Marge was the rendering of a False Official daughter of an SMA alumni Aiken, SC Statement. Hearing that someone was being punished for an “FOS” was about We would like to know what you think of the SMA Museum. If you have the as ominous a piece of news as you could opportunity to visit in the near future, please take the time to either send us an hear. In this time of Enron scandals and e-mail or write a letter and tell us of your visit and impressions. This museum worrying about what the definition of was established for the alumni and their families, and your impressions and “is” is, it is refreshing to remember how opinions are important. E-mail: [email protected]. important the development of charac- SMAAA • P. O. Box 958 Woodrum Station • Staunton, VA 24402 ter was at that school up on the Hill. — 8 — John, and their six grandsons, Roy, John, Jack,, Doug, Alan, and Ken, all If one family could ever be cred- proudly wore the SMA uniform. Even ited with holding the record for the with this large number of cadets from largest number of SMA cadets, it would one family, there was never more than have to be the descendants of John and two attending the school at the same Augusta Messer. Here’s the lineup, in time. If SMA were in operation today, order of attendance: more than likely, there would be a fam- •Kenneth G. Messer, Sr., SMA 35 ily member in attendance. •John A. Messer, Jr., SMA ’37 When one grandson was asked if he •Roy P. Nunn, Jr, SMA ’50 was given the choice of attending SMA, •John J. Nunn, SMA ’51 he replied, “I don’t remember having a •John A “Jack” Messer, III, SMA ’59 choice, it was just a thing I was going to •Douglas G. Messer, SMA ’61 do.” Another grandson replied that af- •Kenneth G. Messer, Jr., SMA ‘66 ter the death of his father, his uncle of- •Alan M. Messer, SMA ’68 fered him the opportunity to attend SMA, Having spent a career as a U.S. if he was interested. Even though his Navy cryptologist and now supporting uncle told him it was a “Messer family the SMA Alumni Association as the tradition” and that his father would have webmaster, I began noticing a pattern wanted him to attend, he was allowed with the name “Messer” appearing sev- to make the final decision. eral times in the online SMAAA Email Not only did he and his father share Directory. Then, quite by accident dur- some of the same teachers, but also they ing an internet search, I came across a were in the same company. His father Florida newspaper story about a fam- by Judith Nunn Alley was lieutenant of B Company in 1935, ily history that Judith Nunn Alley, and Mark Orr, SMA ‘73 and he would become Captain of the B daughter of Beatrice Messer Nunn, had Company in 1966. John Messer, Sr.’s compiled in the mid 1990s. plants, known as Messer Industries. An- legacy through his sons included one It included the following quote from other American success story! who became a decorated WWII Navy Judy: “One of the most interesting If one travels southwest down the pilot and the other who shared his love parts is devoted to the eight family road from Staunton into the Blue Ridge of mirror manufacturing. members who attended Staunton Mili- Mountains, you will discover the beau- Needless to say, the grandsons have tary Academy. Each is pictured in his tiful little town of Galax, Virginia. The carried on the family tradition of an in- cadet uniform.” community had only been in existence terest in furniture and mirrors. More im- I decided to contact Jack Messer, SMA for about 22 years when John A. portantly, John Messer, Sr. believed ’59 and ask him if the story was true and Messer, Sr. moved his wife and four strongly in helping his fellowman. what an interesting part of SMA’s his- children (Beatrice, Gertrude, Kenneth, Through his example and the values tory it would make to capture it for The and John Jr.) from Bassett to Galax in instilled at SMA, these eight Messers con- Kablegram. That resulted in the prepa- December 1927. It was written of John, tinued to contribute to their communi- ration of an article written by his cousin, Sr., “….he arrived in town with a gleam ties through their involvement in fam- Judy Alley. in his eye and a shine on his pants.” ily, civic, church, and political activities. John A. Messer, Sr. arrived in New John was considered the “Horatio When asked what they considered York City in 1897 as a 10-year-old pen- Alger” in the history of Galax.The the most important things they learned niless Russian immigrant, who began his Messer family doesn’t know exactly as SMA cadets their answers included new life as a paperboy on the streets of when John and his wife Augusta leadership, responsibility, discipline and New York City. By the 1950s, he would Messer discovered Staunton Military self-reliance. They learned their lessons parlay this meager start into ownership Academy, but over the span of thirty- well. They became concerned, and dedi- of two mirror plants and three furniture seven years, their two sons, Ken and cated parents, citizens and businessmen. SMA Leadership Scholarship awarded to VWIL sophomore The 2002 SMA Leadership Scholarship has freshman class and has this year been vice been awarded to Nicole Littlejohn, a VWIL present of the sophomore class. She is also a sophomore from Landover, MD. member of the Black Student Alliance, The Upon graduation in 2004, Ms. Littlejohn will Army Aviation Association of America, the be commissioned in the U.S. Air Force.She is Physical Training Cadre, the Emergency Re- majoring in Psychology with a minor in Lead- sponse Team and holds the rank of Corporal in ership. Ms. Littlejohn is “extremely active in the regimental system. extra curricular activities” according to infor- The SMAAA Leadership Scholarship is mation provided by Mary Baldwin College. awarded by the association to a VWIL cadet in Nicole Littlejohn In 2001 Ms. Littlejohn was president of her a ROTC commissioning program. — 9 — David McCampbell, SMA ‘28, U.S. Navy DID YOU KNOW?

“Ace of Aces” THE U.S. NAVY’S NEWEST ARLEIGH BURKE CLASS DESTROYER WILL by Mark Orr, SMA ‘73 BE COMMISSIONED IN HONOR OF AN SMA GRADUATE! We have two great opportunities this summer to honor the memory of a SMA Class of 1928 graduate—David S. McCampbell. The first is with the installation of a memorial plaque hon- oring David McCampbell on the new SMA-VWIL Memorial Wall on July 27, 2002. The second is when the U.S. Navy commissions its newest Arleigh Burke class Aegis destroyer, the USS Mc-CAMPBELL (DDG-85), in San Fran- cisco on August 17, 2002. USS McCAMPBELL is the same class of ship as the USS COLE, which was attacked by terrorists in the Gulf of Aden with the tragic loss of 17 U.S. sailors. USS Cole has since been re- USS McCAMPBELL (DDG-85) built and returned to the fleet to fight again, and on commissioning day USS Please mark the note section of your Apollo 13 Commander and U.S. McCAMPBELL will join other Navy check “Staunton Military Academy” Navy Captain Jim Lovell and Former ships of the fleet, serving on the front and the total of our contribution will Secretary of State George Shultz are lines of our defense. The ship is named be attributed both to you individually, Honorary Co-Chairs, USS for Navy Captain David McCampbell, and collectively to Staunton Military McCAMPBELL Commissioning Com- the Navy’s “Ace of Aces” and Medal of Academy Alumni, in the donor’s bro- mittee. Additionally, about 15 members Honor winner who shot down 34 en- chure and in a San Francisco Business of McCampbells’ Air Group 15 (“The emy aircraft in World War II, includ- Times newspaper ad. Your contribu- Fabled Fifteen”) are expected to attend ing a record nine in a single mission. tion, large or small, may be made pay- the commissioning. To do this, the Commissioning Com- able to “Navy League McCAMPBELL In addition, the first 20 SMA alumni mittee needs to raise $30,000. The bud- Commissioning.” Those who make a who submit their name and address to get not only sup- me via email at ports traditional markorr@con- “The San Francisco Business Times joins with the Pacific Central Region of the Navy events for invited League of the United States to invite you and your organization to take an ownership centric.net or fax guests, plus spon- interest in a historic special event in San Francisco in August 2002, by supporting the to (757) 631- sors, dignitaries and commissioning of the USS McCAMP-BELL (DDG-85). In addition to acknowledgement in 7315 will be sent special events for San Francisco Business Times, the Pacific Central Region of the Navy League of the United to the U.S. Navy, States will provide contributors special seating and recognition at the commissioning cer- and the U.S. Navy the crew during pre- emony where they will join an estimated 4,000 invited guests to witness USS McCAMPBELL commissioning “come alive” as the newest ship in the U.S. Navy.” will issue you a week in San Fran- general invitation cisco, but includes to attend the com- plans to make a con- missioning event. tribution to the crew’s “Morale, Welfare tax-deductible contribution to the com- Each of the 20 invitations will be in and Recreation Fund.” Your support on missioning event, at a level of $100 or your name plus will include one guest the very first day of 30 years of service more will receive VIP seating and other seat. It is important that I for this ship, and your appreciation for gifts commensurate with the “Level of have these names not later than June her 300 plus crewmembers and their ser- Giving”. Mail your contribution to: 15, 2002. vice and sacrifice, will help send Information about the ship and America’s strong message that we care CAPT. McCampbell can be found at the and we support our men and women in USS McCAMPBELL following web sites: http://www.mc- uniform. Commissioning Committee campbell.navy.mil and http:// I hope you will join others who have CAPT. Michele H. Lockwood, www.sma-alumni.org/navy- already given, in making a tax-deduct- Treasurer, SFBT, ace.htm. Please turn to the next page ible contribution to this very worthy 2222 Alameda De Las Pulgas for more information on how you can cause. San Mateo, CA 94403-1216. support this cause. — 10 — Order your “Walk of Honor” bricks today!

As part of the SMA Legacy Projects, a paved brick “Walk of Honor” has been added in front of the SMA Memorial Wall. The purchase of individually inscribed commemorative bricks is a way to not only support your association, but also to honor or recognize SMA alumni, former faculty members, teaches, coaches, staff, graduating classes and/or SMA friends and supporters. The blank bricks on the existing walkway will be replaced with each 100 orders of inscribed bricks. Each 4” x 8” brick costs $50.00 and can be purchased with a tax-deductible contribution to the SMA Foundation, Inc.

Name:______SMA Class Year:______Address:______City, State, ZIP:______Telephone: (Home: (______)______Work: (______)______E-mail:______

Inscription information (please print) Inscriptions may be up to three lines (maximum if 20 characters per line). Punctuation marks Line 1:______count as characters. If multiple bricks are being Line 2:______purchased, please make copies of this form to submit orders for the additional bricks. Line 3:______

Mail this order form and your check (payable to SMA Foundation, Inc./Brick Paver) to: SMA Foundation, Inc. • Attn: SMA Walk of Honor • P. O. Box 958 Woodrum Station • Staunton, Virginia 24402-0958 WE NEED YOU TO SERVE ON THE BOARD! The best way to insure SMAAA continuity and growth is to step up and serve! Nominations are being accepted for six vacancies on the Board of Directors. If you believe you can make a contibution by serving as a member of the board, please contact Bill Leeman at (703) 360-4810 or (757) 220-1087.....or e-mail to [email protected]. You can nominate yourself or someone you believe would serve effectively. The election will be held July 27 at the reunion general meeting.

Use the form below to schedule your attendance at the commissioning of the USS McCampbell. For specific levels of giving, please contact Mark Orr at “[email protected]”. Please detach and mail this form with your tax-deductible contribution.

• YES, I look forward to attending the commissioning of the USS McCampbell. • YES, I’ve enclosed my contri- bution

Name: ______Organization: ______

Address: ______City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______

Phone: (_____ ) ______Email: ______Check enclosed for $______

or VISA/Mastercard: No.______Exp. Date: ______Signature: ______

Make checks payable payable to: Navy League McCampbell Commissioning. Mail contribution to: CAPT Michele H. Lockwood, Treasurer, McCampbell Commissioning Committee, 2222 Alameda De Las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA, 94403. — 11 — TAPS Cadet Store Order Form QUAN. ITEM EACH TOTAL

The SMA Alumni Association regrets to announce the passing _____ Baseball Cap $10.00 $______of these alumni. SMAAA and its members extend their Navy blue with “Staunton Military Academy” in gold sincere condolences. _____ SMA-VWIL Video $50.00 $______John Glenn Harris, SMA ‘30 _____ T-Shirt (blue) $15.00 $______Mr. Harris was born in Sioux Falls, SD on June 1, 1910. As a cadet, Harris was promoted to Corporal in 1927 and Ser- with shield (L, XL and 2X only) geant in 1928 and Lieutenant in 1929. Glenn graduated from _____ Sweatshirt (white) $15.00 $______SMA on June 5, 1930 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army (S, M, XL and 2X while supply lasts) Reserves and went to on to earn a de- gree in Industrial Engineering from _____ Belt Buckle (gold) $20.00 $______Alexander Hamilton Institute. with eagle emblem Harris married Mary Catherine Van _____ Belt Buckle (silver) $20.00 $______Buren in 1939 and was subsequently Old Boys buckle ordered by the Reserves to serve as company officer and construction of- _____ Leather Belt $15.00 $______ficer in the Civilian Conservation Corps Sizes 28, 32, and 36 available (CCC) in New Jersey during 1936-37. _____ Note Cards $02.50 $______From 1938 to1941 he held various in- dustrial engineering positions. In April _____ Postcards (original) $02.50 $______1942 his commission was activated _____ SMA Patches $02.00 $______into the U.S. Army. _____ Rank Insignia $01.00 $______He served in the Ordinance Corps and in April 1943 was _____ Blue Book (reprint) $10.00 $______sent to the China-Burma-India theatre. Harris was awarded the Bronze Star for organizing rescue parties for two airplane Total: $______crashes in Burma in 1943 and 1944 which saved 19 lives. Har- ris was responsible for invention, design and production of Please print! colored flares needed by Merrill’s Marauders in the Burma Name: ______jungles. These flares were used for spotting enemy soldiers infiltrating through American lines and his action had a direct Address: ______impact on the conclusion of the Burma Campaign. City:______State: ____ Harris graduated from the Command and General Staff Col- ZIP:______Telephone: ( ______) ______lege in Fort Leavenworth, KS in 1949. In 1956 he was de- E-mail:______tached from the Ordinance Department to the Surgeon Gener- als Office to assist in the negotiating and drafting of the De- Mail to: pendent Medical Care Act. Harris retired as a Lt. Colonel and SMA-VWIL Museum • P. O. Box 958 Woodrum Station died on June 4, 1965 and is buried in Arlington National Cem- Staunton, Virginia 24401-0957 etery. He is survived by two sons, Glenn John Harris II, Marietta, or FAX this order form to (540) 885-1366 GA and Franklin Dewitt Harris, Fountain Hills, AZ. or e-mail your order to [email protected] Editor’s note: We appreciate the Harris family’s efforts in pro- viding The Kablegram with this detailed documentation. To order, contact the SMA Alumni/Museum Office, and detail the items you wish to order. For convenience, you Joseph H. Abel, Jr., SMA ’50 of Sun Valley, CA, age 70, can complete the order form below and either mail it or fax died February 3, 2002. An established pilot, Mr. Abel was a it to the Cadet Store. Your order will be calculated and ap- contract pilot for the USAF and later a flight instructor. He propriate shipping and handling fees added. spent 31 years helping the disabled and handicapped chil- The fee will be based on UPS weight and distance rates dren with learning and speech difficulties, instructed fenc- in effect at the time your order is being processed. ing to students at Los Angeles Valley College and was later If you faxed or e-mailed your order, you will be con- selected to assist with the fencing venue during the 1984 tacted in a similar manner with the total cost of your order. Summer Olympics. He is survived by his wife, Rosann, and If you mailed your order, you will be called or advised by two sons, David and Carlos. return mail of the cost of your order. Murphy D. Albury, Jr. SMA ’42 of Elkins, WV, age 77, Once you receive the total cost, mail your order and your died November 6, 2001. check payable to SMA Foundation, Inc./Museum to the — Continued on page 12 — address shown on the order form above. — 12 — Charles S. Allen, Jr., SMA ‘24 of Robert C. Schultz, SMA ’41 of Erie, Novato, VA, age 94, died July 2, 2001. PA , age 81, died September 23, 2001.Mr. Mr. Allen’s career took him to various Schultz served in World War II after marketing and sales management posi- graduating from SMA, receiving the tions. While at SMA, he roomed with Bronze Star. Worked his entire career the late Maj. Gen. Robert T. Frederick TAPS atthe company his father founded, serv- of the infamous “Devils Brigade” of ing as Chairman. He was involved in World War II. He is survived by a son, The SMA Alumni Association numerous charitable organizations. Mr. Rex, San Francisco, CA, and two daugh- regrets to announce the Schultz is survived by one daughter, ters, Marianne Morse, Green Acres, WA passing of these alumni. Loretta M. Schultz of Sarasota, FL, and and Joannie Bowie, San Clemente, CA. two sons,Arthur C. Schultz and Robert Virgil J. Ashbaugh, SMA ‘42 of Dur- C. Schultz, Jr., of Erie, PA; two sisters; ham, NC, died July 28, 2001. and three grandchildren. Robert H. Burstein, SMA ‘38 Harry E. Hull, SMA ‘44 of Cuyahoga David F. Shields, SMA ‘34 of Pitts- Pittsburgh, PA Falls, OH died in 1990. burgh, PA, died May 4, 2002. Mr. Shields James Carroll, SMA ‘38 of Parkville, Andre M. Karns, SMA ‘44 of Severna was past owner of the McCann Shields MD, age 82, died January 15, 2002. Mr. Park, MD, age 75, died February 20, Paint Company, was a former president Carroll served in the U.S. Army during 2002.Lt. Col. Karns entered the U.S. of the Pittsburgh Paint Society, and past World War II with tours in North Africa Army in 1944, was assigned to the 29th trustee of Westminister Presbyterian and Italy. He retired as vice president of Infantry Division as an infantry mortar Church. He was co-founder of the Up- Grier Oil Co. He also served as town gunner in France, and was decorated per St. Clair Baseball Association. commissioner of Aberdeen, MD. Mr. with the Purple Heart in 1945. He also Harry R. Smith, SMA ’55 of Branch- Carroll is survived by his wife, Beth, two received the Legion of Merit and the ville, MD, age 64, died August 9, 2001. sons, James Wade Carroll, Jr., and Wil- Combat Infantry Badge. Following the Thomas H. Steck, SMA ‘48 of liam G. Carroll. war he attended the Georgetown Uni- Muncie, IN, age 71, Died: February 20, Augustus R. “Ray” Cavanna, Jr., versity School of Foreign Service, where 2002. Mr. Steck served in the U.S. Army SMA ’45 of El Paso, TX, age 80, died he was in the ROTC. He was commis- during the Korean War. Since 1955, he April 28, 2001. Mr. Cananna’s military sioned a second lieutenant and served owned and operated Steck’s, Inc., a background in the Citizen Military Train- in the Army until retiring as a lieuten- clothing store chain in Indiana. He ing Corps (CMTC) and at SMA helped ant colonel in 1968. Lt. Col. Karns then served as president of the Downtown carry him to a U.S.M.A. (West Point) served 22 years with the State of Mary- Muncie, University Village and Muncie graduation in 1945, after which he land Board of Trustees, State Universi- Mall merchants associations and served served in various assignments around ties and Colleges, rising from staff spe- on the boards of several national and the world during a thirty-year career in cialist to director of administration when local organizations. Survivors include the U.S. Army. Mr. Cananna was he retired in 1990. He is urvived by two his wife, Patricia Jenkins Steck, three awarded three Legion of Merit medals. sons, Michael A. Karns, Del Rio, TX, and children, Michael Thomas Steck, Janine He taught advanced math at Bel Air Peter T. Karns, Severna Park; a sister, Steck Huffman and Amy Steck Wolfram, High School, El Paso, TX until 1985. Marie Marcouyeux, Washington, D.C.; and two grandsons. He is survived by wife and children in and five grandchildren. Michael S. Swider, SMA ’74 El Paso, TX. Joseph Lore Kelsey, SMA ‘73 Virginia Beach, VA Richard S. Cranmer, SMA ’31 of Solomons, MD James R. Taylor, SMA ’40 of Lowell, Doylestown, PA, age 89, died March 16, Norman J. Learned, SMA ’48 of El- MA, age 77, died September 14, 2001. 2002. Mr. Crammer joined the U.S. Army mira, NY, age 68, died in October 1998. Mr. Taylor retired in 1986 following a following the attack on Pearl Harbor, W. Stuart Leech, Jr., SMA ’50 of Will- 40-year career at the Courier Citizen Co. participated in the Normandy invasion, iamsport, PA, age 69, died July 12, 2001. He is survived by six children and 12 and served in the Korean War. Mr. Cran- William Matsos, SMA ’46 of Madi- grandchildren. mer is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann, a son, WV, age 73, died December 3, 2001. Robert D. “Bob” Young, SMA ’63 son, Richard S. Cranmer, Jr., a daugh- Harry R. Nadal, SMA ‘59 of San of Bethlehem, PA , age 58, died April ter, Nancylee, and seven grandchildren. Juan, PR, age 61, died February, 28, 13, 2002. Mr. Young served in the U.S. Andrew E. Dotterwick, SMA ‘36 of 2002. Navy during the Vietnam War. There- Allison Park, PA, died August 1997 Lawrence M. Noble, SMA ‘43 of after, he owned and operated Bob Raymond E. Forrest, SMA ‘42 of Blue Bell, PA died August 1998. Young Trucking, Allentown, PA. Mr. Kinnelon, NJ died March 11, 1999. Stanley E. Novack, SMA ‘59 of Young is survived by his wife, Eve, and Rowland S. Greene, SMA ’26 Lyons, IL died March 14, 1996. three daughters, Kalli E, Stacey R., and Fort Myers, FL Julio Edwin Ossa, SMA ’59 Robyn D. Samuel Godwin, SMA ’64 Newark, OH William A. Waters, Jr., SMA ‘48 Warsaw, NC Donald Pepper, SMA ‘46 died April died September 2, 2001. Harry Lee Harner, SMA ’41 of 1999. Mrs. Joan Pepper made a gener- Allen B. Winkoff, SMA ‘58 Boynton, FL, age 78, died October 26, ous contribution to the SMA Foundation Melville, NY 2001. Annual Fund in his memory. Bernard Zents, SMA ‘44 Richard Hipple, SMA ’30 of York, John N. Sanderson, SMA ’46 Cuyahoga Falls, OH, died in April PA, age 90, died March 16, 2002. Smithburg, MD 1999. — 13 — sma 2002 reunion REGISTRATION FORM

PLEASE PRINT! LAST NAME:______FIRST NAME:______MIDDLE INITIAL:______SMA YEAR:______ADDRESS (1):______ADDRESS (2):______It is time now to register for the 2002 CITY:______STATE:______SMA Alumni Reunion. The advanced registration form has been design for ZIP:______TELEPHONE: (______)______ease of completion, not only to tell E-MAIL:______SMAAA who to expect in attendance, but to make it simple to calculate the ALUMNI GUEST REGISTER appropriate fees for the reunion week- end events. It is important that you SPOUSE NAME:______provide all the requested information, CHILD’S NAME:______especially address, telephone and e- mail information in the event we CHILD’S NAME:______should need to contact you. The dead- CHILD’S NAME:______line for advanced registration is July 19, 2002. This form is available on the GUEST’S NAME:______www.sma-alumni.org website and GUEST’S NAME:______will also be available at the reunion at the registration desk. GUEST’S NAME:______

ADVANCED REGISTRATION FEE COMPUTATION REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE Deadline for advanced registration is July 19, 2002.

ADVANCE AT DOOR This computation form is for ADVANCED REGISTRATION ONLY. If you elect PMT. PER PMT. PER to register at the door, a similar form with the “at door” fees will be available. PERSON PERSON Weekend ____ADULTS (Friday/Saturday) x $75.00 per person: $______Adult ____ADULTS (Friday only) x $35.00 per person: $______Friday/ Saturday $75.00 $90.00 Teenager ____ADULTS (Saturday only) x $55.00 per person: $______Friday/Saturday $40.00 $60.00 ____TEENAGER (Friday/Saturday) x $40.00 per person: $______12 and under Friday/Saturday $20.00 $40.00 ____TEENAGER (Friday only) x $20.00 per person: $______Friday Only ____TEENAGER (Saturday only) x $30.00 per person: $______Adult Friday only $30.00 $35.00 ____12 & UNDER (Friday/Saturday) x $20.00 per child: $______Teenager ____12 & UNDER (Friday only) x $10.00 per child: $______Friday only $20.00 $30.00 12 and under ____12 & UNDER (Saturday only) x $10.00 per child: $______Friday only $10.00 $20.00 Saturday Only TOTAL COST:$______Adult Saturday only $55.00 $60.00 If you can, keep a copy of this form for your personal expense records. Teenager Mail this form and your check payable to SMA Alumni Association to Saturday only $30.00 $40.00 SMA Alumni Association 12 and under P. O. Box 958 Woodrum Station Saturday only $10.00 $30.00 Staunton, Virginia 24401-0958 Alumni Not Eating Friday only $25.00 $25.00 Telephone: (540) 885-1309 • FAX: (540) 885-1366 Saturday only $25.00 $25.00 E-mail: [email protected] — 14 — News Briefs Tradition knows no boundary... Former Headmasters’ emblems are still displayed Secretary Sends Note "I am not an alumnus of SMA, but I did spend 23 years on the Hill as secre- tary to three Headmasters. I recently vis- ited the SMA-VWIL Museum and think you have done an excellent job! I also greatly enjoy receiving the Kablegram with news of so many people I remem- ber. I am enclosing a check which I hope will help with mailing costs. Sincerely, Dorothy C. Thacker " John H. Baldridge, SMA ‘42PG, SMAAA Note: Dorothy, anyone that has kept one tradition alive for more served 23 years on the Hill is considered than 50 years....mounting the SMA an alumnus in our eyes. We remember shako emblem on his vehicles. He has you and thank you for your support.. added Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vanity plates. These two photos were John Dean, SMA ‘57 set submitted by John following an article in a recent issue of The Kablegram ask- This photograph from 1939 shows to release an E-book ing for photographs of vanity plates dis- John Baldridge, SMA ‘42PG sitting played by SMA alumni. Look real close on his father’s 1938 Studebaker in front According to a recent report on in the back window and you may see of Kable Hall. Look close on the left WTOP radio in Washington, D.C., John the SMA caps on the window ledge. side of the car’s grill and you will see Dean, SMA ‘57 will soon release an E- the SMA shako emblem. book on the internet. The e-book is titled “The Deep Throat Brief” and promises to reveal the identity of “Deep Throat” , the secret source for information pro- vided to The Washington Post during the ‘70’s. If you want more details, contact The Kablegram editor and a copy of the news release will be sent to you. Things Could Have Turned Out Different — Continued from page 4 — John Hooser, SMA ‘73 submit- for the first time in the 25 years that ted this photo of his Virginia vanity passed since that event. I asked if he plate, which displays his loyalty to both remembered me, and he said, “Of SMA and to the U.S. Marine Corps. course, it was something I will never forget. It was one of the hardest deci- sions I ever had to make.” In 2001, I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR attended my next SMA Reunion and met my old friend and partner in crime Gene — Continued from page 5 — would like to hear from you! Ehmann, now 27 years later. We then Thanks for helping to keep the SMA both went over to talk with one of the spirit alive! best teachers SMA ever had. What a Joann L. Kersey” Letters to the Editor moment – two guys whose lives may Editor’s note: Thank you, Mrs. Kersey. can be sent by e-mail to: have turned out quite different if not for All of us in the SMAAA are saddened to Kablegram@sma-alumni-org Robert Wease. While he never said it, I hear of the passing of Joe, and hope that or by regular mail to: got the feeling that he was proud that you will accept our condolences. We will The Kablegram we turned out okay. The boys at make sure you receive all future issues SMA Alumni Association Fishburne are very lucky to have Rob- of The Kablegram so that you can keep P. O. Box 958 Woodrum Station ert Wease as their instructor now. in touch. Your comments are appreci- Staunton, Virginia 24402-0958 Three cheers for The Wease!!! ated. We’ll keep the spirit alive! — 15 — spent six years at Staunton Military School to The Hill, Michael and I were I took the assignment, not only be- Academy. Since my father had at- assigned to a second floor room in cause I actually enjoyed drawing, but I tended in the late 1920’s and early Kable Hall with a cadet from North moreso because it got me out of after- 1930’s, and considering that my grades Carolina whose name has escaped me. noon Drill on Kable Field. I never told in the seventh grade in Cumberland, . Our room overlooked the roof that Colonel Webb that, but he knew. MD were terrible, my grandfather de- covered the swimming pool. My most One of my fondest memories is my cided I needed a more structured and memorable experience there was the graduation in 1958. I was awarded a academically intense environment. disappearance of my bunk. beautiful watch as that year’s recipient He was, of Short-sheet- of the Perservearance Award. I put the course, right, ing was in watch (already in a felt case) in my cap but at the time vogue at the and returned to my seat. When the Corps I refused to time, and I was dismissed, we all tossed our hats in endorse the tempted fate the air. Mine went up with the watch in idea. It really by short sheet- it and came down just as quickly, bounc- didn’t matter. ing both my ing off someone’s shoulder and into a My path was roommates’ lady’s lap....and ended up with me mo- set for me. bunks one Fri- ments later. I started in day evening For years after, my father would never Junior School while they let me forget that. He would always tease in 1952 and were on leave me that he would not give me anything hated every- and I was re- unless I was sitting down and sedated. thing about it stricted for Another graduation memory is the for about a some reason. dubiousgift my father gave me...a 1948 month. Everybody offered consolation, When they returned and climbed in Studebaker coupe. Keep in mind that this but nobody took steps to withdraw me bed, they said nothing. They got in bed was 1958, when the 1957 Chevrolet was from SMA. After that first month I and went to sleep without a comment. “the car” to drive, when Cadillacs had found life a bit better and began to ad- I was sure I had not short sheeted prop- enormous fins, and Sen. Barry Goldwater just. erly and worried about it for days. I showed up for graduation weekend in a I have to clear recollections of the would soon learn that I had succeeded. brand new Ford Thunderbird. two years in Junior School. The first is The next Friday night I went to the Ever seen a 1948 Studebaker? It was of my roommate, Michael Goldwater. west end of Staunton to see Ms. Ramsey, ugly as all sin, His father and mine had lnown each and when I returned at the appointed steered like a other at SMA and during World War time I found my bunk missing. Mack truck, and II. They put us together in 1952 and Gone! Nothing but open space. looked like a we stayed that way for all our six years Michael was supposedly asleep. My poorly-designed at the academy. other roommate claimed to know noth- battering ram. The second clear image is the ing. Lt. Dennis Case was the faculty But it was my weekly dance classes in Memorial Hall. officer on duty that night and after very first car! I How and why I became involved is a some searching we found my bunk out thought it would be “cool” to take Ms. mystery. I was terribly shy and gangly on the roof over the swimming pool. Ramsey home after graduation in my old and not anything close to coordinated. Fortunately Lt. case saw the humor car. Her father had serious reservations But I was learning to dance, somewhat. in it all when I confessed that I had but he finally gave in to us. I remember that the heart throb of probably caused it by the short sheet- Two hours later I made a left turn the dance class was a girl named Faye ing incident, and nothing was ever (not exactly correctly....from the Hatcher, who lived on North Coulter done about it. Neither Michael nor righthand lane) into a drive-in restau- Street. Her home, thanks to her Wilson ever admitted to it. I never rant across from what was then (and may mother, became a routine hangout for short sheeted anyone again! still be) the Western State Hospital. We those of us in the dance class. Yet another clear recollection is my were hit broadside by another car. There Eventually, thanks to Michael three-year stint on the Decorating were no injuries other than my pride and Goldwater, I was introduced to Kay Committee....the folks who created all a badly damaged Studebaker, plus a Ramsey, who was all of 5’1” and a those cutouts and signs and music notes $25.00 ticket from the City of Staunton. bundle of energy. We ended up dating that lined the walls during SMA dances. There are probably hundreds of for five more years and then four years Somehow Colonel Webb, faculty su- memories like these out there. This quar- after SMA while she attended Radford pervisor of the Decorating and also su- terly feature is designed for the alumni University. We never married. pervisor of the aforementioned dance who want to relate those recollections I was in the U.S. Army, stationed at class, apparently decided that I had suf- for all of us to enjoy. Why not take a few Arlington Hall in Northern Virginia, ficient talent to be on the committee. moments and detail some of your spe- still young and not ready to settle Thus, I frequently found myself in the cial memories and experiences at SMA? down. I am told that she ended up mar- tiny room at the top of the steps in Me- Send them along by e-mail or regular rying a doctor and relocating to the morial Hall, drawing, cutting and creat- mail and we’ll include them in a future midwest. ing less than artistic materials for the Kablegram issue. When I graduated from theJunior dances in the Little Gym and Big Gym. — C. David Litzenburg, SMA ‘58, Editor — 16 —

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