USS McCAMPBELL (DDG-85)

David McCampbell,SMA ‘28, U.S. Navy“Ace of Aces”

by Mark Orr, SMA ‘73We have two great opportunities

this summer to honor the memory ofa SMA Class of 1928 graduate—DavidS. McCampbell. The first is with theinstallation of a memorial plaque hon-oring David McCampbell on the newSMA-VWIL Memorial Wall on July 27,2002. The second is when the U.S.Navy commissions its newest ArleighBurke class Aegis destroyer, the USSMc-CAMPBELL (DDG-85), in San Fran-cisco on August 17, 2002.

USS McCAMPBELL is the same classof ship as the USS COLE, which wasattacked by terrorists in the Gulf ofAden with the tragic loss of 17 U.S.sailors. USS Cole has since been re-built and returned to the fleet to fightagain, and on commissioning day USSMcCAMPBELL will join other Navyships of the fleet, serving on the frontlines of our defense. The ship is namedfor Navy Captain David McCampbell,the Navy’s “Ace of Aces” and Medal ofHonor winner who shot down 34 en-emy aircraft in World War II, includ-ing a record nine in a single mission.

To do this, the Commissioning Com-mittee needs to raise $30,000. The bud-get not only sup-ports traditionalevents for invitedguests, plus spon-sors, dignitaries andspecial events forthe crew during pre-c o m m i s s i o n i n gweek in San Fran-cisco, but includesplans to make a con-tribution to the crew’s “Morale, Welfareand Recreation Fund.” Your support onthe very first day of 30 years of servicefor this ship, and your appreciation forher 300 plus crewmembers and their ser-vice and sacrifice, will help sendAmerica’s strong message that we careand we support our men and women inuniform.

I hope you will join others who havealready given, in making a tax-deduct-ible contribution to this very worthycause.

DID YOU KNOW?

THE U.S. NAVY’S NEWEST ARLEIGH BURKE CLASS DESTROYER WILLBE COMMISSIONED IN HONOR OF AN SMA GRADUATE!

THE U.S. NAVY’S NEWEST ARLEIGH BURKE CLASS DESTROYER WILLBE COMMISSIONED IN HONOR OF AN SMA GRADUATE!

USS McCAMPBELLCommissioning Committee

CAPT. Michele H. Lockwood,Treasurer, SFBT,

2222 Alameda De Las PulgasSan Mateo, CA 94403-1216.

Please mark the note section of yourcheck “Staunton Military Academy”and the total of our contribution willbe attributed both to you individually,and collectively to Staunton MilitaryAcademy Alumni, in the donor’s bro-chure and in a San Francisco BusinessTimes newspaper ad. Your contribu-tion, large or small, may be made pay-able to “Navy League McCAMPBELLCommissioning.” Those who make a

tax-deductible contribution to the com-missioning event, at a level of $100 ormore will receive VIP seating and othergifts commensurate with the “Level ofGiving”. Mail your contribution to:

Apollo 13 Commander and U.S.Navy Captain Jim Lovell and FormerSecretary of State George Shultz areHonorary Co-Chairs, USSMcCAMPBELL Commissioning Com-mittee. Additionally, about 15 membersof McCampbells’ Air Group 15 (“TheFabled Fifteen”) are expected to attendthe commissioning.

In addition, the first 20 SMA alumniwho submit their name and address to

me via email atmarkorr@con-centric.net or faxto (757) 631-7315 will be sentto the U.S. Navy,and the U.S. Navywill issue you ageneral invitationto attend the com-missioning event.

Each of the 20 invitations will be inyour name plus will include one guestseat. It is important that Ihave these names not later than June15, 2002.

Information about the ship andCAPT. McCampbell can be found at thefollowing web sites: http://www.mc-campbell.navy.mil and http://www.sma-alumni.org/navy-ace.htm. Please turn to the next pagefor more information on how you cansupport this cause.

“The San Francisco Business Times joins with the Pacific Central Region of the NavyLeague of the United States to invite you and your organization to take an ownershipinterest in a historic special event in San Francisco in August 2002, by supporting thecommissioning of the USS McCAMP-BELL (DDG-85). In addition to acknowledgement inSan Francisco Business Times, the Pacific Central Region of the Navy League of the UnitedStates will provide contributors special seating and recognition at the commissioning cer-emony where they will join an estimated 4,000 invited guests to witness USS McCAMPBELL“come alive” as the newest ship in the U.S. Navy.”

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• 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 MicheleH. Lockwood, Treasurer, McCampbell Commissioning Committee, 2222 Alameda De Las Pulgas, SanMateo, CA, 94403.

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 “markorr@concentric.net”. Please detach

and mail this form with your tax-deductible contribution.

WE NEED YOU TO SERVE ON THE BOARD!The best way to insure SMAAA continuity and growth is to step up andserve! Nominations are being accepted for six vacancies on the Board of

Directors. If you believe you can make a contibution by serving as amember of the board, please contact Bill Leeman at (703) 360-4810

or (757) 220-1087.....or e-mail to President@sma-alumni.org. You cannominate yourself or someone you believe would serve effectively. Theelection will be held July 27 at the reunion general meeting.

Name:________________________________________SMA Class Year:____________Address:______________________________________ City, State, ZIP:________________________________Telephone: (Home: (________)_______________________ Work: (________)_____________________________

E-mail:________________________________________

Line 1:___________________________________________Line 2:___________________________________________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

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 tohonor or recognize SMA alumni, former faculty members, teaches, coaches, staff, graduating classes and/or SMA friendsand supporters. The blank bricks on the existing walkway will be replaced with each 100 orders of inscribed bricks. Each4” x 8” brick costs $50.00 and can be purchased with a tax-deductible contribution to the SMA Foundation, Inc.

Inscription information (please print) Inscriptions may be up to three lines (maximumif 20 characters per line). Punctuation markscount as characters. If multiple bricks are beingpurchased, please make copies of this form tosubmit orders for the additional bricks.

Order your “Walk of Honor” bricks today!

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_____ Baseball Cap $10.00 $________

Navy blue with “Staunton Military Academy” in gold_____ SMA-VWIL Video $50.00 $_____________ T-Shirt (blue) $15.00 $________

with shield (L, XL and 2X only)_____ Sweatshirt (white) $15.00 $________

(S, M, XL and 2X while supply lasts)

_____ Belt Buckle (gold) $20.00 $________with eagle emblem

_____ Belt Buckle (silver) $20.00 $________Old Boys buckle

_____ Leather Belt $15.00 $________Sizes 28, 32, and 36 available

_____ Note Cards $02.50 $_____________ Postcards (original) $02.50 $_____________ SMA Patches $02.00 $_____________ Rank Insignia $01.00 $_____________ Blue Book (reprint) $10.00 $________

Total: $________

Name: __________________________________Address: ________________________________City:__________________________State: ____ZIP:_________ Telephone: ( ______) ________E-mail:__________________________________

Please print!

Mail to:SMA-VWIL Museum • P. O. Box 958 Woodrum Station

Staunton, Virginia 24401-0957or FAX this order form to (540) 885-1366

or e-mail your order to SMAOffice@sma-alumni.org

Cadet Store Order Form

John Glenn Harris, SMA ‘30Mr. Harris was born in Sioux Falls, SD on June 1, 1910. As

a cadet, Harris was promoted to Corporal in 1927 and Ser-geant in 1928 and Lieutenant in 1929. Glenn graduated fromSMA on June 5, 1930 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. ArmyReserves and went to on to earn a de-gree in Industrial Engineering fromAlexander Hamilton Institute.

Harris married Mary Catherine VanBuren in 1939 and was subsequentlyordered by the Reserves to serve ascompany officer and construction of-ficer in the Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) in New Jersey during 1936-37.From 1938 to1941 he held various in-dustrial engineering positions. In April1942 his commission was activatedinto the U.S. Army.

He served in the Ordinance Corps and in April 1943 wassent to the China-Burma-India theatre. Harris was awardedthe Bronze Star for organizing rescue parties for two airplanecrashes in Burma in 1943 and 1944 which saved 19 lives. Har-ris was responsible for invention, design and production ofcolored flares needed by Merrill’s Marauders in the Burmajungles. These flares were used for spotting enemy soldiersinfiltrating through American lines and his action had a directimpact on the conclusion of the Burma Campaign.

Harris graduated from the Command and General Staff Col-lege in Fort Leavenworth, KS in 1949. In 1956 he was de-tached from the Ordinance Department to the Surgeon Gener-als Office to assist in the negotiating and drafting of the De-pendent Medical Care Act. Harris retired as a Lt. Colonel anddied on June 4, 1965 and is buried in Arlington National Cem-etery. He is survived by two sons, Glenn John Harris II, Marietta,GA and Franklin Dewitt Harris, Fountain Hills, AZ.

The SMA Alumni Association regrets to announce the passingof these alumni. SMAAA and its members extend their

sincere condolences.

TAPS

Joseph H. Abel, Jr., SMA ’50 of Sun Valley, CA, age 70,died February 3, 2002. An established pilot, Mr. Abel was acontract pilot for the USAF and later a flight instructor. Hespent 31 years helping the disabled and handicapped chil-dren with learning and speech difficulties, instructed fenc-ing to students at Los Angeles Valley College and was laterselected to assist with the fencing venue during the 1984Summer Olympics. He is survived by his wife, Rosann, andtwo sons, David and Carlos.Murphy D. Albury, Jr. SMA ’42 of Elkins, WV, age 77,died November 6, 2001.

— Continued on page 12 —

Editor’s note: We appreciate the Harris family’s efforts in pro-viding The Kablegram with this detailed documentation.

QUAN. ITEM EACH TOTAL

To order, contact the SMA Alumni/Museum Office, anddetail the items you wish to order. For convenience, youcan complete the order form below and either mail it or faxit to the Cadet Store. Your order will be calculated and ap-propriate shipping and handling fees added.

The fee will be based on UPS weight and distance ratesin effect at the time your order is being processed.

If you faxed or e-mailed your order, you will be con-tacted in a similar manner with the total cost of your order.If you mailed your order, you will be called or advised byreturn mail of the cost of your order.

Once you receive the total cost, mail your order and yourcheck payable to SMA Foundation, Inc./Museum to theaddress shown on the order form above.

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Charles S. Allen, Jr., SMA ‘24 ofNovato, VA, age 94, died July 2, 2001.Mr. Allen’s career took him to variousmarketing and sales management posi-tions. While at SMA, he roomed withthe late Maj. Gen. Robert T. Frederickof the infamous “Devils Brigade” ofWorld War II. He is survived by a son,Rex, San Francisco, CA, and two daugh-ters, Marianne Morse, Green Acres, WAand Joannie Bowie, San Clemente, CA.Virgil J. Ashbaugh, SMA ‘42 of Dur-ham, NC, died July 28, 2001.Robert H. Burstein, SMA ‘38Pittsburgh, PAJames Carroll, SMA ‘38 of Parkville,MD, age 82, died January 15, 2002. Mr.Carroll served in the U.S. Army duringWorld War II with tours in North Africaand Italy. He retired as vice president ofGrier Oil Co. He also served as towncommissioner of Aberdeen, MD. Mr.Carroll is survived by his wife, Beth, twosons, James Wade Carroll, Jr., and Wil-liam G. Carroll.Augustus R. “Ray” Cavanna, Jr.,SMA ’45 of El Paso, TX, age 80, diedApril 28, 2001. Mr. Cananna’s militarybackground in the Citizen Military Train-ing Corps (CMTC) and at SMA helpedcarry him to a U.S.M.A. (West Point)graduation in 1945, after which heserved in various assignments aroundthe world during a thirty-year career inthe U.S. Army. Mr. Cananna wasawarded three Legion of Merit medals.He taught advanced math at Bel AirHigh School, El Paso, TX until 1985.He is survived by wife and children inEl Paso, TX.Richard S. Cranmer, SMA ’31 ofDoylestown, PA, age 89, died March 16,2002. Mr. Crammer joined the U.S. Armyfollowing the attack on Pearl Harbor,participated in the Normandy invasion,and served in the Korean War. Mr. Cran-mer is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann, ason, Richard S. Cranmer, Jr., a daugh-ter, Nancylee, and seven grandchildren.Andrew E. Dotterwick, SMA ‘36 ofAllison Park, PA, died August 1997Raymond E. Forrest, SMA ‘42 ofKinnelon, NJ died March 11, 1999.Rowland S. Greene, SMA ’26Fort Myers, FLSamuel Godwin, SMA ’64Warsaw, NCHarry Lee Harner, SMA ’41 ofBoynton, FL, age 78, died October 26,2001.Richard Hipple, SMA ’30 of York,PA, age 90, died March 16, 2002.

Harry E. Hull, SMA ‘44 of CuyahogaFalls, OH died in 1990.Andre M. Karns, SMA ‘44 of SevernaPark, MD, age 75, died February 20,2002.Lt. Col. Karns entered the U.S.Army in 1944, was assigned to the 29thInfantry Division as an infantry mortargunner in France, and was decoratedwith the Purple Heart in 1945. He alsoreceived the Legion of Merit and theCombat Infantry Badge. Following thewar he attended the Georgetown Uni-versity School of Foreign Service, wherehe was in the ROTC. He was commis-sioned a second lieutenant and servedin the Army until retiring as a lieuten-ant colonel in 1968. Lt. Col. Karns thenserved 22 years with the State of Mary-land Board of Trustees, State Universi-ties and Colleges, rising from staff spe-cialist to director of administration whenhe retired in 1990. He is urvived by twosons, Michael A. Karns, Del Rio, TX, andPeter T. Karns, Severna Park; a sister,Marie Marcouyeux, Washington, D.C.;and five grandchildren.Joseph Lore Kelsey, SMA ‘73Solomons, MDNorman J. Learned, SMA ’48 of El-mira, NY, age 68, died in October 1998.W. Stuart Leech, Jr., SMA ’50 of Will-iamsport, PA, age 69, died July 12, 2001.William Matsos, SMA ’46 of Madi-son, WV, age 73, died December 3, 2001.Harry R. Nadal, SMA ‘59 of SanJuan, PR, age 61, died February, 28,2002.Lawrence M. Noble, SMA ‘43 ofBlue Bell, PA died August 1998.Stanley E. Novack, SMA ‘59 ofLyons, IL died March 14, 1996.Julio Edwin Ossa, SMA ’59Newark, OHDonald Pepper, SMA ‘46 died April1999. Mrs. Joan Pepper made a gener-ous contribution to the SMA FoundationAnnual Fund in his memory.John N. Sanderson, SMA ’46Smithburg, MD

Robert C. Schultz, SMA ’41 of Erie,PA , age 81, died September 23, 2001.Mr.Schultz served in World War II aftergraduating from SMA, receiving theBronze Star. Worked his entire careeratthe company his father founded, serv-ing as Chairman. He was involved innumerous charitable organizations. Mr.Schultz is survived by one daughter,Loretta M. Schultz of Sarasota, FL, andtwo sons,Arthur C. Schultz and RobertC. Schultz, Jr., of Erie, PA; two sisters;and three grandchildren.David F. Shields, SMA ‘34 of Pitts-burgh, PA, died May 4, 2002. Mr. Shieldswas past owner of the McCann ShieldsPaint Company, was a former presidentof the Pittsburgh Paint Society, and pasttrustee of Westminister PresbyterianChurch. He was co-founder of the Up-per St. Clair Baseball Association.Harry R. Smith, SMA ’55 of Branch-ville, MD, age 64, died August 9, 2001.Thomas H. Steck, SMA ‘48 ofMuncie, IN, age 71, Died: February 20,2002. Mr. Steck served in the U.S. Armyduring the Korean War. Since 1955, heowned and operated Steck’s, Inc., aclothing store chain in Indiana. Heserved as president of the DowntownMuncie, University Village and MuncieMall merchants associations and servedon the boards of several national andlocal organizations. Survivors includehis wife, Patricia Jenkins Steck, threechildren, Michael Thomas Steck, JanineSteck Huffman and Amy Steck Wolfram,and two grandsons.Michael S. Swider, SMA ’74Virginia Beach, VAJames R. Taylor, SMA ’40 of Lowell,MA, age 77, died September 14, 2001.Mr. Taylor retired in 1986 following a40-year career at the Courier Citizen Co.He is survived by six children and 12grandchildren.Robert D. “Bob” Young, SMA ’63of Bethlehem, PA , age 58, died April13, 2002. Mr. Young served in the U.S.Navy during the Vietnam War. There-after, he owned and operated BobYoung Trucking, Allentown, PA. Mr.Young is survived by his wife, Eve, andthree daughters, Kalli E, Stacey R., andRobyn D.William A. Waters, Jr., SMA ‘48died September 2, 2001.Allen B. Winkoff, SMA ‘58Melville, NYBernard Zents, SMA ‘44Cuyahoga Falls, OH, died in April1999.

The SMA Alumni Associationregrets to announce thepassing of these alumni.

TAPS— 12 —

sma 2002 reunion REGISTRATION FORMLAST NAME:__________________________________________________

FIRST NAME:______________________________MIDDLE INITIAL:______

SMA YEAR:____________

ADDRESS (1):_________________________________________________

ADDRESS (2):_________________________________________________

CITY:_________________________________________STATE:_________

ZIP:_______________TELEPHONE: (__________)___________________

E-MAIL:______________________________________________________

ALUMNI GUEST REGISTER

SPOUSE NAME:________________________________________________

CHILD’S NAME:________________________________________________

CHILD’S NAME:________________________________________________

CHILD’S NAME:________________________________________________

GUEST’S NAME:_______________________________________________

GUEST’S NAME:_______________________________________________

GUEST’S NAME:_______________________________________________

PLEASE PRINT!

WeekendAdultFriday/ Saturday $75.00 $90.00TeenagerFriday/Saturday $40.00 $60.0012 and underFriday/Saturday $20.00 $40.00

Friday OnlyAdultFriday only $30.00 $35.00TeenagerFriday only $20.00 $30.0012 and underFriday only $10.00 $20.00

Saturday OnlyAdultSaturday only $55.00 $60.00TeenagerSaturday only $30.00 $40.0012 and underSaturday only $10.00 $30.00

Alumni Not EatingFriday only $25.00 $25.00Saturday only $25.00 $25.00

ADVANCEPMT. PERPERSON

AT DOORPMT. PERPERSON

REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE

If you can, keep a copy of this form for your personal expense records.Mail this form and your check payable to SMA Alumni Association to

SMA Alumni AssociationP. O. Box 958 Woodrum StationStaunton, Virginia 24401-0958

Telephone: (540) 885-1309 • FAX: (540) 885-1366E-mail: SMAOffice@sma-alumni.org

____ADULTS (Friday/Saturday) x $75.00 per person: $________

____ADULTS (Friday only) x $35.00 per person: $________

____ADULTS (Saturday only) x $55.00 per person: $________

____TEENAGER (Friday/Saturday) x $40.00 per person: $________

____TEENAGER (Friday only) x $20.00 per person: $________

____TEENAGER (Saturday only) x $30.00 per person: $________

____12 & UNDER (Friday/Saturday) x $20.00 per child: $________

____12 & UNDER (Friday only) x $10.00 per child: $________

____12 & UNDER (Saturday only) x $10.00 per child: $________

TOTAL COST:$_____________

This computation form is for ADVANCED REGISTRATION ONLY. If you electto register at the door, a similar form with the “at door” fees will be available.

It is time now to register for the 2002SMA Alumni Reunion. The advancedregistration form has been design forease of completion, not only to tellSMAAA who to expect in attendance,but to make it simple to calculate theappropriate fees for the reunion week-end events. It is important that youprovide all the requested information,especially address, telephone and e-mail information in the event weshould need to contact you. The dead-line for advanced registration is July19, 2002. This form is available on thewww.sma-alumni.org website andwill also be available at the reunion atthe registration desk.

ADVANCED REGISTRATION FEE COMPUTATIONDeadline for advanced registration is July 19, 2002.

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— Continued from page 4 —for the first time in the 25 years thatpassed since that event. I asked if heremembered me, and he said, “Ofcourse, it was something I will neverforget. It was one of the hardest deci-sions I ever had to make.” In 2001, Iattended my next SMA Reunion and metmy old friend and partner in crime GeneEhmann, now 27 years later. We thenboth went over to talk with one of thebest teachers SMA ever had. What amoment – two guys whose lives mayhave turned out quite different if not forRobert Wease. While he never said it, Igot the feeling that he was proud thatwe turned out okay. The boys atFishburne are very lucky to have Rob-ert Wease as their instructor now.Three cheers for The Wease!!!

Things Could Have TurnedOut Different

Former Headmasters’Secretary Sends Note

According to a recent report onWTOP radio in Washington, D.C., JohnDean, SMA ‘57 will soon release an E-book on the internet. The e-book is titled“The Deep Throat Brief” and promisesto 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, contactThe Kablegram editor and a copy of thenews release will be sent to you.

John Dean, SMA ‘57 setto release an E-book

News Briefs

would like to hear from you!

Letters to the Editor can be sent by e-mail to:

Kablegram@sma-alumni-orgor by regular mail to:

The KablegramSMA Alumni Association

P. O. Box 958 Woodrum StationStaunton, Virginia 24402-0958

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR— Continued from page 5 —

Thanks for helping to keep the SMAspirit alive!

Joann L. Kersey”Editor’s note: Thank you, Mrs. Kersey.All of us in the SMAAA are saddened tohear of the passing of Joe, and hope thatyou will accept our condolences. We willmake sure you receive all future issuesof The Kablegram so that you can keepin touch. Your comments are appreci-ated. We’ll keep the spirit alive!

Tradition knows no boundary...emblems are still displayed

John H. Baldridge, SMA ‘42PG,has kept one tradition alive for morethan 50 years....mounting the SMAshako emblem on his vehicles. He hasadded Commonwealth of Pennsylvaniavanity plates. These two photos weresubmitted by John following an articlein a recent issue of The Kablegram ask-ing for photographs of vanity plates dis-played by SMA alumni. Look real closein the back window and you may seethe SMA caps on the window ledge.

This photograph from 1939 showsJohn Baldridge, SMA ‘42PG sittingon his father’s 1938 Studebaker in frontof Kable Hall. Look close on the leftside of the car’s grill and you will seethe SMA shako emblem.

John Hooser, SMA ‘73 submit-ted this photo of his Virginia vanityplate, which displays his loyalty to bothSMA and to the U.S. Marine Corps.

"I am not an alumnus of SMA, but Idid spend 23 years on the Hill as secre-tary to three Headmasters. I recently vis-ited the SMA-VWIL Museum and thinkyou have done an excellent job! I alsogreatly enjoy receiving the Kablegramwith news of so many people I remem-ber. I am enclosing a check which I hopewill help with mailing costs.

Sincerely,Dorothy C. Thacker"

SMAAA Note: Dorothy, anyone thatserved 23 years on the Hill is consideredan alumnus in our eyes. We rememberyou and thank you for your support..

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I spent six years at Staunton MilitaryAcademy. Since my father had at-tended in the late 1920’s and early

1930’s, and considering that my gradesin the seventh grade in Cumberland,MD were terrible, my grandfather de-cided I needed a more structured andacademically intense environment.

He was, ofcourse, right,but at the timeI refused toendorse theidea. It reallydidn’t matter.My path wasset for me.

I started inJunior Schoolin 1952 andhated every-thing about itfor about amonth. Everybody offered consolation,but nobody took steps to withdraw mefrom SMA. After that first month Ifound life a bit better and began to ad-just.

I have to clear recollections of thetwo years in Junior School. The first isof my roommate, Michael Goldwater.His father and mine had lnown eachother at SMA and during World WarII. They put us together in 1952 andwe stayed that way for all our six yearsat the academy.

The second clear image is theweekly dance classes in Memorial Hall.How and why I became involved is amystery. I was terribly shy and ganglyand not anything close to coordinated.But I was learning to dance, somewhat.

I remember that the heart throb ofthe dance class was a girl named FayeHatcher, who lived on North CoulterStreet. Her home, thanks to hermother, became a routine hangout forthose of us in the dance class.

Eventually, thanks to MichaelGoldwater, I was introduced to KayRamsey, who was all of 5’1” and abundle of energy. We ended up datingfor five more years and then four yearsafter SMA while she attended RadfordUniversity. We never married.

I was in the U.S. Army, stationed atArlington Hall in Northern Virginia,still young and not ready to settledown. I am told that she ended up mar-rying a doctor and relocating to themidwest.

When I graduated from theJunior

School to The Hill, Michael and I wereassigned to a second floor room inKable Hall with a cadet from NorthCarolina whose name has escaped me.. Our room overlooked the roof thatcovered the swimming pool. My mostmemorable experience there was thedisappearance of my bunk.

Short-sheet-ing was invogue at thetime, and Itempted fateby short sheet-ing both myroommates ’bunks one Fri-day eveningwhile theywere on leaveand I was re-stricted forsome reason.

When they returned and climbed inbed, they said nothing. They got in bedand went to sleep without a comment.I was sure I had not short sheeted prop-erly and worried about it for days. Iwould soon learn that I had succeeded.

The next Friday night I went to thewest end of Staunton to see Ms. Ramsey,and when I returned at the appointedtime I found my bunk missing.

Gone! Nothing but open space.Michael was supposedly asleep. My

other roommate claimed to know noth-ing. Lt. Dennis Case was the facultyofficer on duty that night and aftersome searching we found my bunk outon the roof over the swimming pool.

Fortunately Lt. case saw the humorin it all when I confessed that I hadprobably caused it by the short sheet-ing incident, and nothing was everdone about it. Neither Michael norWilson ever admitted to it. I nevershort sheeted anyone again!

Yet another clear recollection is mythree-year stint on the DecoratingCommittee....the folks who created allthose cutouts and signs and music notesthat lined the walls during SMA dances.

Somehow Colonel Webb, faculty su-pervisor of the Decorating and also su-pervisor of the aforementioned danceclass, apparently decided that I had suf-ficient talent to be on the committee.Thus, I frequently found myself in thetiny room at the top of the steps in Me-morial Hall, drawing, cutting and creat-ing less than artistic materials for thedances in the Little Gym and Big Gym.

I took the assignment, not only be-cause I actually enjoyed drawing, butmoreso because it got me out of after-noon Drill on Kable Field. I never toldColonel Webb that, but he knew.

One of my fondest memories is mygraduation in 1958. I was awarded abeautiful watch as that year’s recipientof the Perservearance Award. I put thewatch (already in a felt case) in my capand returned to my seat. When the Corpswas dismissed, we all tossed our hats inthe air. Mine went up with the watch init and came down just as quickly, bounc-ing off someone’s shoulder and into alady’s lap....and ended up with me mo-ments later.

For years after, my father would neverlet me forget that. He would always teaseme that he would not give me anythingunless I was sitting down and sedated.

Another graduation memory is thedubiousgift my father gave me...a 1948Studebaker coupe. Keep in mind that thiswas 1958, when the 1957 Chevrolet was“the car” to drive, when Cadillacs hadenormous fins, and Sen. Barry Goldwatershowed up for graduation weekend in abrand new Ford Thunderbird.

Ever seen a 1948 Studebaker? It wasugly as all sin,steered like aMack truck, andlooked like apoorly-designedbattering ram.But it was myvery first car! I

thought it would be “cool” to take Ms.Ramsey home after graduation in my oldcar. Her father had serious reservationsbut he finally gave in to us.

Two hours later I made a left turn(not exactly correctly....from therighthand lane) into a drive-in restau-rant across from what was then (and maystill be) the Western State Hospital. Wewere hit broadside by another car. Therewere no injuries other than my pride anda badly damaged Studebaker, plus a$25.00 ticket from the City of Staunton.

There are probably hundreds ofmemories like these out there. This quar-terly feature is designed for the alumniwho want to relate those recollectionsfor all of us to enjoy. Why not take a fewmoments and detail some of your spe-cial memories and experiences at SMA?Send them along by e-mail or regularmail and we’ll include them in a futureKablegram issue.

— C. David Litzenburg, SMA ‘58, Editor

— 15 —

SMA Alumni AssociationP. O. Box 958Staunton, Virginia 24402-0958

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSTAUNTON, VAPERMIT NO. 90

Staunton Military Academy Alumni Association, IncorporatedP. O. Box 958, Woodrum Station, Staunton, Virginia 24402-0958

Telephone: (540) 885-1309 • Fax: (540) 885-1366E-mail: SMAOffice@sma-alumni.org • Website: http://www.sma-alumni.org

SMA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC. MEMBERSHIP DUES Amount enclosed: $_______________• Dues ($50.00) are credited for fiscal year Sept. 1 - Aug. 31)• Dues are not tax deductible. Please make checks payable to: SMA Alumni Assn., Inc.• Funds aee used to maintain the office, publish newsletters, and help support the annual Reunion.

SMA FOUNDATION, INC. ANNUAL FUND Amount enclosed: $_______________• Contributions are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to SMA Foundation, Inc./Annual Fund• Donations are used for museum, scholarships, and related expenses.

Name::________________________________________________________________Class:_________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip:_________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: Home: ______________________________ E-mail:___________________________________

Complete this form, include your check(s) and mail to SMAAA. Your support andinvolvement are critical to the continued success of the association and the activities andprograms that have been developed and implemented in the memory of Staunton Military

Academy and the Corps of Cadets and staff.

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