The SMA Legacy Is Alive and Well!
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Staunton Military Academy Alumni Newsletter Published by the Staunton Military Academy Foundation • Staunton, Virginia First Quarter — February 2007 Looking back, and into the future: The Spirit the SMA legacy is alive and well! Lives On! It all started in 1999 when several In July 2001, the SMA-VWIL Museum, alumni banded together to breathe new a joint endeavor of the SMA Alumni As- life into the SMA Alumni Association, and sociation and VWIL, was opened, made do what they believed could be done to possible by financial help from Mr. Henry perpetuate the legacy and memory of and more than 50 “plank owners” who Staunton Military Academy. made significant contributions. Although the association had been The SMA Legacy Projects continued active since it was formed in 1976, it had with the creation of the Memorial Wall experienced mixed results. A small of- outside the SMA-VWIL Museum in 2002. fice was opened in Staunton and the pro- Funded by Mr. Henry, it displays bronze cess of collecting names and addresses plaques honoring alumni from all walks of alumni was begun by Paul “Ike” Kiv- of life with a centerpiece plaque titled lighan, SMA ‘29, and former superin- “The Ultimate Sacrifice”, designed by tendant Colonel Harrison S. Dey. alumnus/sculptor Lawrence B. Perkins, From 1976 to 1986, numerous alumni SMA ‘51. Other plaques pay honor to became involved, and it was SMA alumni, faculty and staff through their donations that COMMENTARY and those who were lost in today’s SMA Alumni Associa- World War I, World War II, tion and the SMA Foundation were es- Korea and Vietnam. tablished. The SMA name, records and At the foot of the Memorial Wall is a memorabilia were purchased and do- “Walk of Honor” comprised of inscribed nated to the organization. bricks purchase by alumni and families The first Staunton reunion was held in of alumni, honoring fellow cadets as well 1986, and in 1987, help was enlisted from as SMA staff and faculty. the Tucker family, who donated the use There is a brick patio at the end of the INSIDE THIS ISSUE of office space at Ingleside Resort Hotel walk where the SMA eagle (once located Food for Thought .................... 3 for the association’s Alumni Office. Also over the entrance to North Barracks) and Alumni News ........................... 4 in 1987, the address list was computer- the sallyport gates to South Barracks are Notes of Appreciation ............. 5 ized into the database we have today. permanently displayed behind the eagle. VWIL News ............................... 6 The SMA Alumni Association website The SMA-VWIL Museum has become Looking Back .................. 7, 8, 9 (sma-alumni.org) was created in 2001 by a focal point of alumni who return to the Then and Now ........... 10, 11, 12 Mark J. Orr, SMA ‘73, and has become a “Hill”, and will this year be expanded to Profile of Brig. Gen. Michael treasure trove of both historical and cur- nearly twice its current size — a move Bissell, VWIL Commandant rent information about the organization made possible by VWIL and Mary Baldwin Reunion Attendees ................ 13 and its membership. College that reflects the close relation- Reunion Information ............. 14 Beginning in 1999, a series of scholar- ship that has developed between the Reunion 2007 form ................ 15 ships were established to be awarded to college and the SMA Alumni Association. Where They Are Now ....... 16 ,17 Virginia Women’s Instutute for Leader- In 2005, the association was invited Pass In Review ...................... 19 ship (VWIL) cadets. The SMA Alumni As- to participate in the annual Promotions Hierome L. Opie, SMA ‘32 sociation provides a yearly leadership Board at VWIL, a process that interviews Lawyer, veteran, publisher award of $1,000 and in 2002 Hunter W. candidates and selects the senior and TAPS .......................... 20, 21, 22 Henry, Jr., SMA ‘46, established the underclass leadership of the Corps of Cadet Store...................... 22, 23 Henry Scholarship Honoring SMA and the Cadets for the following academic year. Dues/Contribution Form ....... 24 Henry SMA Legacy Scholarship. — Continued on page 3 — — 1 — BOARD OF DIRECTORS REFLECTIONS FROM THE HILL President ........ C. David Litzenburg, SMA ‘58 Vice President .... Harry W. Bruckno, SMA ‘62 This issue of The Kablegram has a single “Then and Now” profile, Secretary ...... Thomas E. B. Phillips, SMA ‘74 providing an in-depth look at the outstanding career of VWIL Comman- Treasurer .............Thomas A. Davis, SMA ‘62 dant: Brig. Gen. Michael Bissell. PERMANENT COMMITTEES Mike Bissell and I first developed a close relationship when I became ALUMNI RELATIONS president of the SMA Alumni Association several years ago, and I have Eugene K. Ehmann, SMA ‘74 ........ Chairman watched the bond between us grow year by year, on both a personal and Mark J. Orr, SMA ‘73 ......................... Member professional level. Lee W. Lawrence, SMA ‘56 ............... Member We have consulted with each other on all occasions when an action by FINANCE VWIL would impact our association, and when the efforts of our organi- Thomas A. Davis, SMA ‘62 ........... Chairman zation would impact VWIL. He is tireless in his praise, publicly and pri- William J. Kearns, SMA ‘74 .............. Member vately, for the benefits that VWIL has enjoyed as the result of the SMA LEGAL Alumni Association. When our business contacts in the private sector Simon M. Painter, Jr., SMA ‘58 ...... Chairman made significant contributions of computers and furnishings, Mike Bissell Thomas E. B. Phillips, SMA ‘74........ Member made sure each of them received a personal letter of appreciation. He SCHOLARSHIPS has always “gone the extra mile” to accommodate the needs of our G. Richard Staunch, SMA ‘61 ....... Chairman association, at our annual reunions and year-around. Lee W. Lawrence, SMA ‘56 ............... Member To be sure, we have had our differences. Mike and I have always Craig E. Hanson, SMA ‘74 ............... Member sought a common ground for us to continue to build upon, with a mutual Brig. Gen. N. Michael Bissell ............ Advisor goal to benefit both VWIL and the SMA Alumni Association — and to AD-HOC COMMITTEES perpetuate our legacy as well as enhance the future for VWIL. SMA-VWIL INITIATIVE I have learned a great deal about Mike Bissell, the man, and have William J. Kearns, SMA ‘74 ........... Chairman witnessed his day to day interaction with the young ladies in the VWIL C. David Litzenburg, SMA ‘58 .......... Member Corps of Cadets. The profile and the accompanying accolades from SMA Eugene K. Ehmann, SMA ‘74 ........... Member alumni speak for themselves and serve as a fitting testimony to Mike’s William K. Bissett, SMA ‘74 .............. Member integrity, dedication, and to the VWIL program as it is today. G. Richard Staunch, SMA ‘61 .......... Member BEREAVEMENT I am now halfway through my third year as president of the SMA Dr. Wilfred Webb, Jr., SMA 61 ........ Chaplain Alumni Association, a job that has presented many challenges and of- REUNION fered periodic rewards. It has been as close to a full time vocation as C. David Litzenburg, SMA ‘58 ....... Chairman one can imagine, and one that I have for the most part enjoyed. Thomas E. B. Phillips, SMA ‘74........ Member Whether I continue in this post after this August is a decision that the Lee W. Lawrence, SMA ‘56 ............... Member membership and the Board of Directors will make at the annual reunion Edmund A. Smith, SMA ‘76 .............. Member in April in Staunton. While I can say that we have accomplished a great Jay Nedry, SMA ‘69 .......................... Member deal in two-and-a-half years, there is certainly much more to be done. Craig E. Hansen, SMA ‘74................ Member Leading our organization requires a constant dedication, a willingness SMA-VWIL MUSEUM to listen and respond, communicate, maintain relationships, and have a John H. (Jack) Lowe, SMA ‘49 ...... Chairman spouse who is willing to not only tolerate the long hours of work that the Harry W. Bruckno, SMA ‘62 .............. Member president puts in, but to become involved herself. I have enormous re- Mark J. Orr, SMA ‘73 ......................... Member spect and appreciation for the support and involvement that my wife Jo Thomas A. Davis, SMA ‘62 .............. Member Ann has given me throughout my tenure. Dominic (Jack) Dalbo, SMA ‘68 ....... Member No leader could ask for a better Board of Directors than the one that Brig. Gen. N. Michael Bissell ........... Member guides the SMA Alumni Association. These dedicated gentlemen provide WORLD WAR I MONUMENT the level of enthusiastic support, critique and wisdom that a president Harry W. Bruckno, SMA ‘62 .............. Member needs to achieve success and continue to perpetuate the SMA legacy. John H. (Jack) Lowe, SMA ‘48......... Member The support from the Board of Directors deserves far more recognition WEBSITE than I can provide in this limited space. Thank you, one and all. Mark J. Orr, SMA ‘73 .................... Webmaster SMA ALUMNI OFFICE We have spent the past nine months working toward a record-setting Arlene Nicely .............. SMA Alumni Secretary reunion this year. As of this issue of The Kablegram, the attendance log SMA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION reveals more than 100 alumni returning to the “Hill” in April. Much of P. O. Box 958, Woodrum Station this has been accomplished through networking by members of various Staunton, Virginia 24402-0958 classes who have taken the time and effort to contact and encourage (540) 885-1309 others from their classes. Some are returning because of their experi- ences at our most recent reunions. No matter what the reason for your © Copyright 2006-2007 attendance, you will find the 2007 reunion to be one of the most memo- SMA Alumni Association rable events in your later life. — C. David Litzenburg, SMA ‘58 — 2 — The SMA legacy is alive — Continued from page 1 — Also in 2005, the first VWIL Kable Le- FOOD FOR THOUGHT gion of Honor was awarded to a gradu- ating senior, reviving a tradition that was Yes, there will be dancing...