Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Pondering points for Hargrave's administration

photo courtesy of Ed Berlien

For the past several years, I have noticed a dramatic increase in the amount of slick promotions Hargrave has invested in to send out requests for monetary donations from Alumni and all those other financial estate planning, endowments, etc.

No doubt the academy has relegated considerable sums to this necessary area of continuing Alumni participation and I am all in favor of this. However, built into this are a number of issues which I feel can be opened up for comment with our Hargrave Alumni Forum participants.

I am particularly dismayed at this very high emphasis on sports, especially the PG football program. To me, the academy seems to be forwarding the overall impression that these salt aways are there to get their grades up for admission to selected universities… and those certainly who have high profile football programs.

All this to be accomplished in six months and certainly nothing more than a full year at the academy only?

I don’t buy into that at all.

Today’s academy administration gives me the personal impression this is the only way on a singular basis to maintain overall enrollment and revenues to keep the academy in existence. I don’t buy into that at all either.

Just this week here on my block in suburban Chicago, three of my neighbors are having their homes either remodeled and/or additions placed onto their structures. Traffic on our somewhat busy street at times is now snarled during daylight hours as we’ve got fifteen or more trucks of all sizes parked there. The vehicle owners are the hard working men and women who provide the skills needed to get the work completed…

Vocational Skills

Even when I was at Hargrave in the Sixties, the main emphasis was having everyone who graduates being accepted to some prestigious university. Same is true I guess today in my view. But how about some, maybe like me who never cared much about that, and/or those of a certain class who didn’t have the grades or aptitude to continue with furthering educational matters. You can certainly put me in that bunch.

So it got me into that dangerous category of thinking about the matter and possibly considering other alternatives Hargrave could consider to accomplish future goals of having high enrollment and the revenues that go along with it. Further, and at the same time maintaining the very high prestige level the academy enjoys to this very day to go along with it’s long storied past.

Personally I feel one has to look no further than Girls & Boys Town in Nebraska. This very famous institution was formed on a humanitarian basis to help disadvantaged children of practically all age groups and this is the basis of their ongoing success. At the very same time, Girls and Boys Town is a self-sufficient organization. Each and every kid of all age groups is required to participate in that self-sufficiency effort by working in all types of environs that gives them a vocational skill of some sort or the other. How many Hargrave cadets today know how to farm or repair plumbing?

Thus, I feel future enrollment prospects could be very well accommodated by having the academy offer vocational courses. Many will feel I’m nuts… personally I don’t care. But here is the greater built in potential.

Major companies such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and others are just dying to lend their support and monies to this kind of idea. My goodness…they can provide guest instructors, help set up vocational training programs, supply tools, equipment, and even if the cards are properly played they can provide endowments to the academy.

Problem is I don’t think anybody other than me has thought about this and/or knows just how to go about it. Well, I do and I can lend my support of exactly showing them how to do it, yet overall me, like most alum’s are ignored of their potential in assisting in the future development of the academy. I have never understood this. The sorry fact is that they only want my money. And as I started off with this possible posting, I quite frankly am not going to donate my funds, which may in fact go towards footing the bill of groceries in feeding some 350 pound-football lineman.

The academy has two routes to go in my estimation in gaining an edge on positive future enrollment. First, the academy can go out and pay some high priced mystery consultant to come in and give advice, but in my view this can come from professional alum’s, just like me, in all fields of endeavors who would be willing to lend their expertise for free. As far as I know of it, Hargrave administration has never solicited this. Why?

To conclude, I feel this overall issue is solid enough to open an ongoing forum and encouraging the very best of positive and/or differing views from those currently involved and those future members of the Forum.

Certainly I would assume the folks in charge of Hargrave today would closely monitor our Forum and see what we are all talking about in our sincere desire to see our famous academy perpetuate itself in these current times.

Fred L. Hardman
fredhardman@comcast.net
hardman@helloworld.com
Chicago, Il
Class of '65

Monday, May 29, 2006

A Curtis English haircut

Tommy Tomoff (photo courtesy of Leon Rue)

Hargrave has been my Camp David Retreat. Whenever I cross the Chatham Town Limits, I would automatically start feeling like my old 17 yr. old Hargrave self again, forgetting all of my troubles, burdens of life. I've been driving or flying down to get my Curtis English Haircut every 3 months, since I left in 1969, which has enabled me to not ever feel a day over 17 going on 38 years now.

While at Hargrave, I had aspirations of becoming 5 Star General. Instead, God gave me a higher calling, yet however, He did allow me to discover what Ole Ponce never found. The poor soul was born 450 years too early, and he was 900 miles off course. Had he been a Hargrave Alumnus, and gotten himself a Curtis English Haircut 3 months after he graduated, he would have immediately realized his Fountain of Youth!

Well, if you're not feeling like your old 17 yr. old Hargrave Self any more, let me strongly encourage you to hop in your car, and head on over to Curtis' house. He is retired, but he has a barber chair in his basement for "The Faithful". Especially if you're paying more than $5 for your haircut, and if it isn't lasting you any three months! Not to mention the added perpetual added benefit of starting to feel like your old 17 yr. old Hargrave Self Again!

Curtis' house is located on top of the first hill on the left hand side off of Hwy 57 West on the way to Martinsville. You'll see his gravel drive way 10' parallel to the road so be sure to slow down as you approach the first hill because it will be a quick zig and zag, and before you know it, you'll see his red brick house on your left as you drive up the drive way.

Just park around back, and go down the only down steps to the basement, and he'll be waiting for you. Well, he normally cuts hair on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, but if he knows you're coming, he'll try to be there for you just as long as he doesn't have any weddings or funerals to officiate.

Oh yeah, he's been a Church of the Brethren Preacher for about 15 years now. He tried to retire from that a few years ago, but they wouldn't let him. They love him too much.

Tommy Tomoff
hargrave1969@yahoo.com
Class of '69

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Charles R. Warren

photo courtesy of the Preston B. Moses Collection

Charles R. Warren was the Headmaster of the Warren Training School in 1908-1909. He was the coach and second baseman for the school's baseball team in 1909. Warren was reputed to be an excellent baseball player. He also played on Chatham's Countyseat Giants baseball team in 1912 (see photo), which posted a record of 14 wins and 2 losses. In the photo, Warren is in the center.

I assume the Warren Training School was named after Charles Warren or his father (or grandfather). Prior to 1908-1909, the school operated out of an old tobacco factory behind the Episcopal Church in Chatham.

Note: The Warren Training School was the precedessor to the Chatham Training School, which in turn was the predecessor to Hargrave Military Academy.

Down on the Farm

photo courtesy of the Pittsylvania Historical Society

Hargrave was originally founded in 1909. At that time, however, it was called the Chatham Training School. It wasn't until 1925 that the school was renamed after one of its cofounders, J. Hunt Hargrave.

The predecessor to the Chatham Training School was the Warren Training School, which was led by Headmaster Charles R. Warren. After the 1908-1909 school year, a group of businessmen led by J. Hunt Hargrave purchased the Warren Training School and renamed it the Chatham Training School.

On Friday, February 19, 1909, Warren Training School's Dramatic Club put on a stage performance of the musical, Down on the Farm. The photograph from the Dr. Glenn B. Updike, Sr. Collection of the Pittsylvania Historical Society is of a wagon on Main Street in Chatham advertising a local show. That show is thought to have been Down on the Farm by the drama students from the Warren Training School. The individual standing up holding a megaphone is Dick Reid. The driver is Fletcher B. Watson, Jr.

The lyrics to the music of Down on the Farm was written by composer Raymond A. Brown in 1902. The music was written by Harry Von Tilzer.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Brasso

There are some smells that remain with you for eternity because they immediately conjure up memories of good times or bad times you experienced in the past. For example, I can't bear the smell of gin or squash. Any proximity to the drink or the vegetable make me nauseous because... well, let's just say they each came up the wrong way once.

One of the most disgusting smells out there is probably the odor emitted by Brasso, that famous metal polish. Oddly enough, though, I find the smell not so unpleasant because it reminds me of Friday nights at Hargrave preparing for inspection on Saturday morning.

As if it were yesterday, I clearly visualize me and my Colombian roommate, Fernando Manrique, sitting at our desks rubbing the hell out of our uniform buttons, our belt buckles and our metal band insignia on our hats, using an old handkerchief or towel. The smell of Brasso permeated every room on our barracks, and it remained on our hands even after several washings.

I'd never even heard of Brasso before going to Hargrave. Now, every time I use the stuff to clean something around the house, I find myself reminiscing a little about long hours rubbing in a circular motion till my wrist ached.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Mentoring graduating cadets

Cheatham Chapel (photo courtesy of HMA)

Hargrave's 2006 graduating class consists of 78 cadets. Thes eindividuals have received letters of acceptance from 117 different colleges and universities. Does anyone know if Hargrave has some sort of "mentors" program that brings together alumni and graduating cadets, so that alumni can share information and insights about the colleges/universities they attended?

Seems like this could be helpful in better preparing students for what to expect. It would also be a good additional marketing point for the school. It wouldn't take much to match those alumni who attended a particular college/university with the students who plan to attend that same institution... especially now that we have the Hargrave Alumni Forum.

For example, there are three universities on the list that I attended: American University, George Mason University, and the University of Richmond. I graduated from the University of Richmond and took graduate courses at American and GMU. There are four graduating cadets this year who have been accepted by these three universities, including Philippe-Olivier Armand, Stephen Kendall, Walter Whitt and Michael Wheeler.

I would've been glad to drive down to HMA during one of these past weekends (ideally Homecoming weekend) and spend a few hours with these cadets, fielding questions about the universities and the cities of Fairfax, Richmond and Washington, DC, where the schools are located.

It's just one more thing that Hargrave can offer its students that would give them even more of an "edge" than they already have.

Greetings from Chicago...

Hello Col. Baker, greetings from Chicago, Fred Hardman, Hargrave Military Academy, Class of 1965, and before I get started Colonel, take a look at Hargrave's site there... my good old Barracks 4, my first room at Hargrave, number 408. I'll never forget that as long as I live. View complete video letter

Legends

Joe Fratangelo (photo courtesy of Ed Berlien)


One of the great "fun" things about coming to a Homecoming is to catch up with long lost friends, and, of course, to hear the stories. I thought I'd share a couple of stories I picked up at homecomings.

Joe Fratangelo arrived at HMA from New Jersey to play varsity football. Those of you who knew him will remember that he was a helluva football player, as well as a waiter in the mess hall.

Joe was (and still is) a great guy, but being from NJ and speaking like a Soprano, he initially had a lot of trouble understanding our Southern drawl. He roomed with another football player, Larry Berry, from Morganton, NC. Joe says that when he first met his new roommate, it sounded like the guy said, "Hi, my name LahBurr." Joe said it was two weeks before he could finally understand that the guy was saying, "Larry Berry". (Of course, I'm sure Larry had a hard time understanding anything Joe said... other than "f**k, which all Yankees from NJ can pronounce perfectly and frequently!)

Those of you who knew (or know) Massie Simpkins know he was/is also a great guy, and he also played football at HMA. Near the end of his senior year in college, Massie had yet to decide what he would do upon graduation (Those of us who know him would not be surprised to learn this!). One day, while walking across campus, he ran into friend who was heading to a meeting with the Navy recruiter. Massey had no interest in the military, but agreed to accompany his friend for "moral support". His friend ended up taking the potential pilot's exam, and Massie took it too, just to kill time, as he knew he didn't have the math, physics, etc. skills needed to pass the exam.

As we all know, Massie has always had a horseshoe up his ass. The answer sheet was one of those "fill in the dot" things. Apparently the guy before Massie had beared down really hard on his answer sheet, and the impressions had come through to the blank answer sheet underneath. In other words, there were "impressions" on Massie's answer sheet, so he just blackened the dots where the impressions were. His friend flunked the exam; Massie got one of the highest scores ever recorded! But, as I said, Massie had no interest in the military.

Several months after graduation, Massie had yet to find employment, so he returned to the Navy recruiter, and ended up flying jets during Viet Nam. But the horseshoe was still there, so naturally he ended up spending his tour of duty in Hawaii. (I think that's why he still wears those Hawaii shirts all the time.) Massie spent most of his career flying for USAir, and retired a year or so ago. He is now flying for some organization in Africa. If you know of some private company in the USA who could use a well-experienced--albeit OLD stick jocky--you might drop Massie a line.

The above mentioned "legends" are still around.

Marc Axel
marc.axel@verizon.net
Class of '63

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Hargrave goes to court to stop website

(photo courtesy of Henry H. Mitchell)

Hargrave Military Academy attorneys were scheduled to be in federal court today (Wednesday) to convince Judge James C. Turk to extend a temporary restraining order as a preliminary injunction. It would continue to shut down an inflammatory website about the school.

Judge Tuck's docket, however, has Hargrave's appearance listed as May 31.

Added to the mix this week is an interest by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia which filed a memorandum in opposition to Hargrave's motion for a preliminary injunction.

One of the ACLU's greatest concerns is the protection of the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, purports the organization.

The website was launched May 5 by Jerry and Melissa Guyles of Holly Springs, N.C., whose son, a Hargrave senior, was dismissed March 17 for stealing DVDs and an Ipod.

His dismissal was recommended by the Hargrave Cadet Honor Council and upheld by Hargrave president Col. Wheeler Baker.

The site attacked Col. Baker, criticizing his leadership ability and decisions and the school's operations and policies.

The ACLU says Hargrave's requested injunction restricts the Guyles' freedom of speech to an enormous degree, calling it unconstitutionally vague, overly broad and an unprecedented and unjustifiable restraint on speech.

Jerry and Melissa Guyles also sent letters to Hargrave parents expressing their discontent with the academy and threatened to sabotage recruiting efforts and school activities by speaking out.

The letter said Baker lacked courtesy, professionalism, honesty and integrity and that cadets are expelled frequently and capriciously.

The ACLU contends that much of what is in the letter and on the website is either opinion or statement of uncontested fact.

The ACLU says Hargrave seeks to shut down the entire website and enjoin further contact between the defendants and other parents.

Such an overly broad injunction, they contend, would violate both the First Amendment and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure which "require injunctions to be specific in terms" and "describe in reasonable detail the act or acts sought to be restrained."

Hargrave sent a letter on April 28 urging the Guyles to cease and desist their malicious attack on Hargrave as an institution and refrain from further interfering with Hargrave's contractual relationship with parents of its students.

On May 3 Mr. Guyles sent an email to Baker, Admissions Director Frank Martin and School Commandant Mike Jeffcoat "laced with profanity and vulgarity," according to court papers.

It stated that Baker lacked "testicular fortitude" for failing to respond to Guyles' demands and advised that the letter to parents is generating "a hell of an interesting response."

Hargrave and Baker filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Roanoke Division, last week against Jerry and Melissa Guyles for libel, assault and slander.

A temporary restraining order was issued May 8.

They attempted to dissuade parents of prospective students from enrolling, to convince parents of current students not to re-enroll next year, and solicited other parents to join in their vendetta against Hargrave and Baker, according to court records.

Additional papers filed Tuesday reference allegations that the Guyles teen and perhaps his parents are destroying information the youth posted on MySpace.com that incriminated him in stealing and drug use.

The lawsuit says Baker affirmed the recommendation of the Honor Council and expelled the Guyles teen for multiple violations of the Honor Code pledge as well as violating Hargrave regulations.

In pertaining to stealing, the code provides that "any cadet caught stealing on or off campus or in possession of an article reported stolen has violated the cadet Honor Code and will be subject to punishment up to and including dismissal."

Melissa Guyles said she acknowledges her son did something wrong, but dismissal with only nine weeks left until graduation was not appropriate.

The Guyles have attempted to "vilify Hargrave as an institution in the eyes of parents and its students," according to court records and are attempting to "defame" Col. Baker.

The lawsuit contends that without a permanent injunction the efendants "will continue to cause Hargrave to suffer irreparable injury."

It also specifies that the academy is entitled to damages in excess of $75,000 to be determined through discovery and trial.

The federal court has jurisdiction because the plaintiffs and defendants are citizens of different states and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.

Susan Worley
Chatham Star-Tribune
May 17, 2006

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Reborn at Hargrave

On a forgotten old sod runway, deep enough in the woods that deer scat marks its boundaries, one of the galaxy's unique football teams is about to take it to the house.

A low sun dipping below the Blue Ridge behind him, Robert Prunty, the coach, has already quoted Marcus Garvey, cited Moses and the Canaanites and, with just a few days left in the season, is working one more time to stir something within the players kneeling before him.

"Stay humble!" Prunty rumbles. "There's a reason that each of you are here. Your job is to find out what that reason is."

Generally, that reason would be to make someone else's Friday miserable. For around Prunty is the postgraduate team from Hargrave Military Academy, as impressive a collection of high school talent as the game affords.


Some are here to seek NCAA academic eligibility. Others asking for a second look by Division I recruiters. Others just chasing the big-time college ball dream. They have come from 18 states to Hargrave --- "The Grave" to the initiates --- for a crash course in, it ends up, humility.


"The first week, I was like, 'Dang! I could be in high school and going to the prom and stuff,' " Vidal Hazelton, a receiver from Virginia Beach, said. "But I'm almost over that now."

A year from now, they will be as far away as imaginable from this cold field. From a roster of 54 players, 17 have either signed with or committed to major college programs and a host more will follow come national signing day. (The school holds its own annual scouting combine Dec. 5, which is expected to draw about 300 coaches.) Over the past three years, Hargrave has placed 120 players in Division I schools.

And Hazelton, at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and still only 17, might be the best high school receiver in the nation. Not that that will get you anywhere around here. As if anyone needs daily reminder, the team must hike a round-trip mile from the main campus to the school's unused airstrip, up a rocky dirt road that can't really lead to the SEC or Big Ten or ACC. Can it?

"We demand respect," said Dr. Wheeler Baker, a retired Marine colonel and Hargrave's president. "We demand what they do here. And I tell [the players] that's what the coaches are going to say on the practice field. They don't have time for nonsense here. You're out of high school now. You've grown up a bit.

"This is what your real world is going to look like, if you want to be in it. If you don't, that's OK. That doesn't matter to us."

Setting right for mission

Located a block off Chatham's picturesque Main Street, Hargrave's campus could pass for a small college, once you get past the cannon --- it's a 105-mm howitzer and a beauty --- that guards Camden Hall, the main building. With a 300-acre campus, a $3 million endowment and a uniformed student body of 400 (grades seven through postgraduate), the place hardly resembles the football factory some believe it to be.

Fact is, Hargrave resents the "factory" inference. Hall of Fame basketball coach Larry Brown went here. NASCAR's Ward Burton went here. The 96-year-old school's list of distinguished alumni is stocked with doctors, lawyers, politicians and even the editor of Reader's Digest (Henry Hurt).

"We are not a football factory," said Frank Martin, a 20-year Navy officer who is director of admissions. "We have a good program, but I will tell you we are an academic factory. We have 100 percent acceptance rates into colleges and universities, including our postgraduates. That should tell people something."

But since its PG football -- and basketball -- programs resumed some 15 years ago after nearly 20 years of dormancy, rosters have amazed. The St. Louis Rams' Torry Holt (1999) became the school's first first-round NFL draft pick. Three more Hargrave alums became first-rounders over the past four drafts: defensive end Charles Grant (by New Orleans in 2002), defensive tackle Jon Sullivan (by New Orleans in 2003) and cornerback Carlos Rogers (by Washington in 2005).

That Grant and Sullivan went on from Hargrave to the University of Georgia is hardly coincidental. Since 1998, Georgia has referred 11 players to Hargrave, including six current Bulldogs: tight end Leonard Pope, defensive tackle Darrius Swain, tailback Danny Ware, defensive end Ray Gant, defensive tackle Marquis Elmore and receiver Jamar Bryant.

"I think I respect football more," Ware said of his 2003 PG season, "and I cherish every minute of it."

The latest would-be Bulldog in the Hargrave pipeline is Darius Dewberry, a 6-3, 220-pound outside linebacker. Dewberry realized he would not qualify academically early in his senior season at Peach County High School, and Georgia suggested he consider Hargrave.

"It was a change for me," Dewberry said, "but I knew I had to do what I had to do to get where I want to get."

Most populous among the 2005 Hargrave Tigers are Florida State prospects. With 6-2, 320-pound tackle Callahan Bright, ranked by Scout.com as the country's No. 5 defensive tackle, Matt Hardrick (6-5, 340) and defensive end Justin Mincey (6-5, 240), line play in Tallahassee is about to get a boost.

Ole Miss has two signees on the team, as does Maryland. Alabama signee Mike Ford, a bruising 210-pound tailback, has had a solid season. In all, the ACC (Maryland, FSU and North Carolina), SEC (Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky and Tennessee), Big East (West Virginia and Syracuse) and Big Ten (Illinois) are represented among the signees. And with a starting offensive front that averages 6-3 1/2 and 329 pounds, Hargrave will get any opponent's attention.

"That's true," Prunty said. "We win a lot of [games] getting off the bus."

Playing a schedule composed of Division I freshman teams, junior colleges, Division II and III varsities and rival Fork Union Academy, Hargrave was 8-2 entering this weekend's finale at West Virginia. The Tigers intentionally play 10 of their 11 games on the road to expose the players to college campuses as well as to facilitate college scouting.

"Some teams, they dress out full-grown men," Dewberry said. "I'm like, 'What are they doing?' "

School one of 3 of its kind

What is Hargrave doing?

Though the nation's number of military secondary schools is stable at around 40, there are only three field top-flight football programs. Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pa., claims Chris Doleman ('81) and Larry Fitzgerald ('02) as alums. Fork Union, 40 miles west of Richmond, is one of only two high schools to produce two Heisman Trophy winners: Vinny Testaverde ('82) and Eddie George ('90).

Since re-establishing its PG program, Hargrave has sent 10 players to the NFL, and player response to the program has swelled annually. Prunty fields interest from between 300 and 400 players each year, which he can swiftly cut down to 100, based on quality of player, his academic bearing and his prospects for adapting to military life. Isolation is also a consideration; Chatham (population: 1,338) is located 20 miles north of Danville, Va., precisely near nothing.

"We're not in the business of qualifying kids," said Baker, the president. "We're in the business of helping the kids we think we can help out. There are some that are just so far down that they're beyond any honest help."

"Every student who comes to Hargrave has his curriculum individualized," said Walter Sullivan, the academic dean. "We don't have a cookie-cutter mold for any student, whether they be high school or otherwise."

Postgraduates report in mid-August for three weeks of practice and indoctrination. They form their own company, bunk in the same two-floor quadrant of Camden Hall, learn how to wear the uniform and even how to march. The corps of cadets marches to all three meals, drummed in by three drummers (down from 10, after neighborhood objection). Recently, the school has averaged two PG withdrawals per year, those usually quitting after the first several weeks.

The school has a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and alcohol. Cadets must sign a 10-point pledge governing conduct, appearance and achievement before their application is even accepted. Each PG cadet is issued a day planner crammed with rules and regulations when he arrives, and each is required to write down their goals for coming to Hargrave. That page gets periodic review.

"We ask them to come in with an open mind," said M.K. Payne, a 23-year Marine who serves as the PG TAC Officer (or class mentor). "We take away all the frills. No telephones, no TVs, and if there are TVs, we confiscate them. We shut it down to the point where it's sports, classroom work and getting the scores, getting what you're here to get."

Reveille is a 6 a.m., classes are completed in the morning, and lab work takes up the afternoons before athletics at 3 p.m. Chapel is held twice a week, and there is a two-hour study hall five nights a week with taps at 10:30 p.m.

As imagined, discipline is vigorously enforced, and a listing of infractions, all the way from uniform violations to missed classes, is tracked daily on a big board outside the student center. A cadet lacking his hat before formation may be asked to drop and rip off 25 push-ups. Those who accrue too many demerits are assigned "tours," which are solitary one-hour marches around a 10-yard square in a back parking lot.

Any cadet failing to complete a homework assignment is banished to a special "No Homework Study Hall" before lunch formation and cannot eat until his work is completed.

Culture shock? Asked if he ever considered leaving, Dewberry said, "Woo. Every day. Probably like three or four times a day during camp. When school started, everything calmed down for me."

Tuition is steep: $23,000 for a postgraduate year. And while the school dedicates $240,000 (or nearly 11 scholarships) in financial aid for the football team, how Hargrave manages to draw so many star prospects with such budget limitation has been subject to speculation.

"We finance a little bit for some of the kids, but the rest come and pay," Baker said. "We don't have a huge stadium here. We play on the road. We get some financial assistance sometimes --- a donation of a bus or something --- but that's about it. ... We minimize the expense here."

Prunty said he tries to limit individual aid packages to $5,000 for those students who qualify, though Ware said nearly all of his expenses were covered during his 2003 year. Referring schools may not underwrite a player's tuition, and for some families the cost is simply too high. Georgia 2005 signee Corey Moon from Decatur originally opted for Hargrave when his spring SAT score failed to gain him eligibility but could not afford to enroll. He is still in Decatur with a tutor.

"These families are taking out loans on their homes, second mortgages, everything, man," Prunty said. "They believe in their kids so much, it amazes me what people will do for their child. I would say we got 30 kids that took out mortgages or loans on their home. We also use Sally-Mae, Freddie-Mae and Fannie-Mae.

"It's a tough situation on me because with the colleges the way they are, they want me to bring in 50 kids with 11 scholarships. We're the top prep school in the nation, but I've got to bring in 50 kids on 11 scholarships. How long can that last? I don't know."

Nor are there any guarantees. Georgia signee Andre Zellner, for instance, enrolled in 2001, never gained his eligibility and wound up at Valdosta State. One-time Georgia signee Tavarus Morgan became eligible at Hargrave in 2000, only to transfer once he reached Athens.

"A lot of the kids will come in here having committed to the big schools and believe that that's all it takes," Payne said. "But once they get here, they find they're not the big fish in the small pond. Everybody here is good. So they have to swallow their pride to a degree and work with the team. And that's a little bit harder for some than it is for others."

Fork Union game biggest

It is the biggest day of the season: the Fork Union game. After a 2 1/2-hour bus ride, the Hargrave Tigers warm up in silence while a stadium P.A. plays a collection of John Phillip Sousa marches. The two PG powers meet in near seclusion. Aside from the Fork Union cadets, barely 100 fans are assembled, mostly family but also a passel of scouts. Clemson, Georgia, Texas and Virginia coaches are present, but so are others from Towson, Richmond and Carson-Newman. For recruiters, this is one-stop shopping.

While the quality of play is understandably high, the speed, even down to kick coverage teams, assures this is no ordinary prep school game. Admission is free. There are no cheerleaders. For two teams that get only one season together --- just this big rival game --- the moment is sublime.

"We're like a family up here," said George Helow, a reserve safety from Jacksonville who still awaits his first recruiting pitch. "We march together. We live together. We play football together. We eat all our meals together. ... Playing with all these guys that have scholarships, it's just making me a better player every day."

Fork Union eases out to a nine-point lead, but gradually Hargrave's massive offensive line asserts control. Running backs Ford and Keiland Williams, a bruising 225-pounder from Louisiana, accumulate 420 all-purpose yards. Hazelton scores on a 45-yard bomb. The Tigers prevail 40-34. Their only two losses --- to the Navy Plebes and Virginia Tech ---were by a total of four points.

Within two months, those committed players who have satisfied academic goals will be allowed to depart for their respective colleges and who knows where else. Others hitch their future to turning some coach's head at the December combine. For almost all of them, military life ends come June.

But the big game isn't over yet, not until the team cheer. Gathered at midfield, hopping in unison, the team from The Grave gives itself permission to stand down, chanting into the late afternoon, "At ease ... at ease ... at ease ..."

Thomas Stinson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
November 13, 2005

Col. E.A. Floyd

Cadet Fred Hardman and his father (photo courtesy of Fred Hardman)

Col. Floyd was a mainstay at Hargrave for a very very long time. I got to know him during my years there (1959-1965). At that point in time he was mainly retired and was severely crippled. If I recall correctly, his wife was in charge of the library. He took all of his meals at Hargrave at the staff Headtable -- seven days a week.

This man was a true professional and entirely devoted to Hargrave and the welfare of the cadets. As many of my era will remember, Col. Floyd was notorious for writing down notes (mostly positive things) on a small tear-off notepad he always had with him. He then pointed to you to come over to him and he'd give you the note without saying anything to you, yet with a sly smile was on his face. One of the most positive men I have ever known...

Fred L. Hardman
fredhardman2000@yahoo.com
Classs of '65

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Coral Sea: Lt. Edward Max Price

Lieutenant Edward Max Price, of Princeton and Charleston, was killed on the U.S.S. Lexington in the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 8, 1942. Lieutenant Price was officer in charge of weapons in the after control station of the Lexington. He was responsible for the training and action of the automatic gun crews, and when in battle he directed the aim for his gunners.

On the second day of the Coral Sea Battle, the Japenese were coming at the Lexington from all directions. The dive bombers zoomed close. Their deadly missiles fell all about the marked ship. The men were too busy to think of dodging them. Their minds were on their jobs. Their young officer´s attention was focused on the job he had to do- fight off the Japenese planes. A bomb whistled close- then exploded. A fragment struck Lieutenant Price. He died giving the command "Keep firing!" And the gun crew did.

Although the Lexington sank later that day, those surviving shipmates remembered the young lieutenant and his orders. William Harbour, a shipmate, who was directly under him in the ammunition handling room when the bomb exploded, told the most complete story of his galant death. Mr. Harbour, later released from the Navy to become an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corps, said further: "My first three Japanese planes will be offered as a token to the memory of Lieutenant Edward Max Price."

He attended Lincoln Grade School in Charleston; Hargrave Military Academy (Class of 1932) in Chatham, Virginia; Concord State College, Athens, West Virginia; and the United States Naval Academy with the highest scholastic record in the class. He was valedictorian, and received medals for scholarship and marksmanship on the rifle team, and an award for being the most outstanding senior of the year. His high record was maintained at the Naval Academy where he ranked twenty-sixth in a class of 550. On graduation from the Academy he was assigned to the Lexington as an ensign. In the line of duty, his superiors rated him as a "splendid officer.

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet, commended the young officer in a citation for bravery: "He contributed immeasurably to the destruction wrought on the attacking aircraft by skillfully directing the fire of his batteries. He perished at his battle station carrying out his duties in the best tradition of the Naval Service."

Hargrave's presidents

Col. Joseph Hathaway Cosby (photo courtesy of HMA)

I'm trying to nail down the authoritative "order of presidents" of Hargrave. I have some gaps, but we're getting there. I believe that Rev. T. Ryland Sanford was the school's first president. I understand that his term began in 1911, although Hargrave was founded in 1909. Sanford's term must have lasted through 1917. Not sure about the administrative structure of the school during 1909-1910.

Col. Aubrey H. Camden became president in 1918, and I think he lasted until 1950. Col. Joseph H. Cosby took over as prez in 1951. Cosby's term lasted through 1970. Vernon T. Lankford took over in 1970. His term went through 1987.

Next came either someone named Colgrove or Carlton. Not sure which is right. My understanding is that Col. Andy Todd served as interim president in 1990. Col. Tom Cunningham took over from Col. Todd, and his term lasted from 1990 to 1997.

Col. John W. Ripley was president during 1997-1999. Col. Wheeler L. Baker has led Hargrave since 1999.

If anyone can help fill in the gaps, that would be great.

A second tour in Iraq

Hello all from "The Graveyard". In the next four months, I will be redeploying for my second tour in Iraq. Thanks to God and my fellow soldiers, we have had no casualties. I am currenty assigned to the mighty 101st Airborne Div. I hope to see you all at the next Alumni Weekend. I guess I need to pratice my golf game. (I am pretty good at the sand traps though)

James R. Phillips
russ_phillips1982@yahoo.com
Class of 2000

Monday, May 15, 2006

Fallen soldier lived, loved military ways

Whenever Tommy Vitagliano flashed one of his "mischievous, contagious smiles," longtime friend Andrew Kratz instantly knew a lighthearted prank was sure to follow.

But even if Vitagliano played a joke on Kratz — many of which he contends were too wild and risky to mention without getting in trouble with their alma mater, Hargrave Military Academy — Kratz could never remain mad for long.

"He’s kind of a loose cannon in regards that he liked to have a good time," said Kratz, chuckling to himself at the memories. "You just couldn’t stay mad at him for long."

Eighteen years of fond recollections flooded back to Kratz Thursday, just two days after Vitagliano’s sister called him to say his "best friend" and military compatriot was killed Monday while serving in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

While Vitagliano’s family is in seclusion, his fiancee, Nerina Giolli, described her feelings Thursday through a family spokesman.

"Tommy is my best friend and I knew from when we first met that we would be together forever," Giolli said.

"We had so many plans, and now he will be treasured in my heart always."

Vitagliano, 33, an Army staff sergeant who grew up in Orange and West Haven before residing in New Haven, died when a car bomb detonated near his position, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Vitagliano served in the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, South Korea.

"Just the idea that we’d live a little closer geographically (one day) and share our lives together, his family with my family," said an emotional Kratz, pausing to clear his throat. "To know that won’t happen is difficult to swallow."

Though he deeply grieves the loss of his friend, Kratz said he and several of Vitagliano’s closest buddies, including their other best friend from Hargrave, "Stevie T.," plan to get together Jan. 29 at Kratz’s Virginia home to celebrate Vitagliano’s life in true, off-duty military fashion.

"We’ll eat steaks, drink tequila, smoke cigars and talk about Tom," said Kratz.

It was clear to Kratz when Vitagliano arrived at Hargrave for his junior year in 1987 and tacked a large U.S.

Marines Corps flag on the barracks wall that the two "were cut from the same material."

"That tipped us that he wasn’t just one of those kids sent here because they were doing poorly."

Instead, Vitagliano’s shared love for military life attracted him to Kratz and other like-minded students, who soaked up all they could from Hargrave, including joining the school’s color guard.
Even after they graduated in 1989 and Vitagliano went to North Georgia College and State University, Kratz said they stayed in close contact.

But the military, and impending war in the Persian Gulf, was too much of a draw, Kratz said, for Vitagliano to sit still at college. By May 1990, Vitagliano dropped out and enlisted in the Marine Corps, with "Stevie T." and Kratz to follow.

Kratz and Vitagliano held mini-reunions at their military training camp in Camp Lejeune, N.C., when they’d return from their separate deployments.

"It was a really fun time," he laughed, adding that they would often head down to Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they’d "reminisce, tell stories, tell lies or whatever" during such encounters.

They would also venture back to Hargrave alumni reunions, where Kratz now works as the director of student activities and adventures.

Kratz recalled one sleepless night in 1994 when Vitagliano’s platoon held a crazy going-away party on Onslow Beach, N.C., when his four years of active duty ended.

"I had this big, what we call a force march, (that started) at 3 a.m. after the party where I had to hike 20 miles with all this gear. I was trying so hard to stay awake."

While the duo had some good times, Kratz said he’s always been proud of Vitagliano’s ability to achieve the military goals he set for himself, including being selected for the prestigious Marine 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion.

Vitagliano specialized in amphibious reconnaissance, Kratz noted.

After his Marine duty ended, Kratz said Vitagliano briefly held a job making "cold calls" for American Express.

It didn’t come as a shock for Kratz when Vitagliano quit civilian life and enlisted in the Army about 1995.

"In peacetime, he’s a good guy and in war times, he’s the kind of guy you want next to you," Kratz said.

Vitagliano’s gentler side was also remembered this week at Turkey Hill School in Orange, where his niece, Molly Ronan, attends third grade.

In December, the students donated treats to Vitagliano’s unit, which sent the class letters. Vitagliano also sent the class his own thank-you-note, saying he’d visit them when he returned from Iraq.

Marissa Yaremich
New Haven Register
January 21, 2005

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Crow

Rogers/Fuller Field (photo courtesy of Bob Richards)

My name is Dannie Mirovich but when I attended Hargrave my last name was Vukmirovich and perhaps known by my fellow cadets as Crow. I so miss the aviation program as I earned my pilots license, and the horses as I miss to this day riding my mare Jeannie.

I will always remember the look on Mr. Hale's face when I showed up at the skeet range with my Browning semi automatic 12 gauge shotgun 30" full choke. He said the barrel was too long and I would be lucky to hit any birds. My first round I hit 22. Oh how I like my 26" now!

Having grown in Lynchburg, VA. I had spent 7 years as a batboy and clubhouse manager for the Minnesota twins and the Chicago White Sox working out with players now in the hall of fame. When arriving at Hargrave in the fall of 1973 a lot of cadets had already made there way onto teams from previous years which left me holding the bag, so to speak, especially since basketball season started before baseball. Needless to say Coach Fuller found very little playing time for me as a basketball player.

I will never forget the start of baseball season when the pitchers and catchers gathered in the old gym to start working out as the rain prevented us from going outside. Coach Fuller and Col. Rogers were both standing above us all on the indoor track when I let go of my side arm fastball that made this echoing popping noise as it hit in "Skip" a PG catcher's mitt. They both leaned over to see who made that pitch. I looked up at Coach Fuller and said, "Hey Coach how are my playing odds next year on the basketball team.

While my playing odds never improved on the basketball courts it was an honor to play both on the B baseball team and on the PG squad my junior and senior year. I will never forget sitting in the mess hall the night of the sports awards with my fellow team mates who had loads of talent as well from our short stop Tim Beam who had the best foot speed and balance of any high school player I have ever seen. Jim Wilkinson a left handed pitcher and first basemen as a sophomore I just knew in time he would land in a Division 1 school as a top player.

When Coach Fuller called my name out as the MVP, I thought to myself, how can this happen! As my fellow cadet Chip James won the MVP award for golf, I said to myself, " Thank goodness he can't hit a baseball ".

Needless to say, over the years the relationship between Coach Fuller, Col. Rogers and I grew stronger and very special. I never knew how the experience at Hargrave would affect the rest of my life as time and mainly distance separated me from my fellow cadets and the academy. To date I have been very fortunate to have been a guest motivational speaker to numerous fortune 500 companies, recieved endorsements from numerous professional baseball players and executives in the American and National League.

As father of 3 girls Rebecca 12, Lacy 11, and Danielle 7 who are all playing every sport and seem to have more talent than I did at that age. But it's the goal-setting and discipline that I have passed onto them from my days at Hargrave that is contributing to their sports, as well as educational success.

However, the true test came August 29, 2005 when Hurricane Katrina ran us out of our home in the New Orleans area. For the past 9 months we have been separated from their mother and all there friends living with my 80-year old mother in Lynchburg, VA in a three bedroom trailer not knowing if or when our lives would ever return to what it once was.

Through it all, we have survived thanks to a lot of prayers and help from our family and friends. As soon as school is over and my 11 and 12 year-old girls softball team has finished there season we are moving to Mt. Pleasant, NC which is located about 12 miles north of Concord, NC.

Dannie Mirovich (Vukmirovich)
danraym@cox.net
Class of '75

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

The Musketeer before computers

During my senior at Hargrave in 1975-76, I was the editor of the school newsaper, The Musketeer. I haven't been able to find a reference to the publication on the HMA website, so I assume it is no longer being published? Any information would be welcomed.

Our faculty sponsor was Mrs. Shirley Gates. Our managing editors were Richard Huizenga and Dan Paganini. Our sport editor was Eric Nenon. Our cartoonist was Fernando Manrique. Photographers included Robert Richards and Wiley Corbett. Reporters included Richard Clark, Lynn Emerson, Gary Hupp, Edward Saunders, Mitzi Gillispie, Becky Bardin, and Todd Money. Our proofreader was Victor Umberger, who took over as editor in 1976-77. Our typist was Timothy Dallas. Our circulation team consisted of David Burnsworth, John Robelen, Michael Watson, Timothy Dallas and Lynn Emerson.

I recall that we put out four newspapers during the school year. Of course, back then we didn't even know what computers were. So the paper was pieced together by hand at the offices of the Chatham Star-Tribune. We relied on the Star-Tribune's typesetter to type in the text of the articles into this huge machine. The machine would spew out the sticky paper typeset, which I would then cut and lay out onto large sheets on a kind of drafting table.

I had expressed an interest in The Musketeer during my junior year, and I had written a few articles. By the end of the 1974-75 school year, I had been tapped to be the next editor. Unfortunately, I can't recall the name of the editor that year, from whom I learned some of the basic skills. He ended up going to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

That summer, I spent a couple of weeks at a journalism workshop at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I took courses in layout & design and editorial writing. The stuff I learned allowed us to give the paper a different look... a new, floating masthead and a generally more modern design. We gradually increased the length to 8 pages and tried to cover a wider variety of stories, such as sports, concerts, dances, clubs, religious activities, parades, inspections, military displays, general orders, class elections, and colleage preparation tips.

If The Musketeer still exists, I would love to establish a relationship between it and this Blog.

Monday, May 08, 2006

Tyler Smith signs with the University of Iowa

Small forward Tyler Smith signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes on April 26, 2006. The 6 ft 7 Smith averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and just over five assists per game at Hargrave under Coach Kevin Keatts. Hargrave finished with a 28-2 record during the 2005-2006 season and ranked as one of the top prep school teams in the country.

In 2003-2004, Hargrave's basketball team was ranked No. 1 among prep schools, with a 25-1 record. In 2004-2005, it finished No. 2, at 28-1. Over the past five seasons, the school is 134-6.

Prior to Hargrave, Smith attended Giles County High School in Tennessee. In 2005, he had committed to attending the University of Tennessee and playing for the Volunteers. Instead, Smith chose to attend Hargrave as a post-graduate.

While attending Hargrave, Smith improved his jump shot, added strength and beefed up to nearly 225 pounds, according to his father. He also earned a qualifying ACT score to enter college.

Asked about his decision to go to Hargrave rather than play college ball at Tennessee, Tyler said, "I can't sit here and say I regret it. [Hargrave] has been a great learning experience for me."

Smith was ranked as one of the top 50 seniors in the nation a year ago and was named a second-team All-American by Street & Smith. He is regarded the number two post-graduate player in the nation by Scout.com, and is rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com.

Friday, May 05, 2006

The Sims House

(photo courtesy of Chatham Hall)

The first home of what is now known as Hargrave Military Academy was the Sims House (now the Sims-Mitchell House B&B at 242 Whittle Street SW, Chatham). The Sims House was the home of the Warren Training School in 1908-1909. The Warren Training School was the predecessor to the Chatham Training School, which was renamed after J. Hunt Hargrave in 1925.

During 1909-1910, the Warren Training School was moved to the Ingleside house, where it became the Chatham Training School--a general training school for boys. Ingleside, which is Scottish for "fireside" was built by Dr. Chesley Martin in 1844. The school's founders eventually moved the school to a hill immediately to the west--Hargrave's present spot.

Ingleside was the boyhood home of Dr. Martin's son, Rawley White Martin, who participated in and survived Pickett's Charge during the third day (July 3, 1963) of the Battle of Gettysburg as a member of the 53rd Virginia Infantry Regiment, which was one of the five units that made up Brig. Gen. Lewis Addison Armistead's brigade. Lt. Col. Martin led his unit, was wounded and captured in the battle.

The other units in Armistead's brigade were the 9th, 14th, 38th and 57th Virginia Infantry Regiments. It was this brigade that absorbed the brunt of the charge.

Note: Historical background courtesy of Henry H. Mitchell

Leonard Pope's experience at HMA

I've been reading about tight end Leonard Pope from the University of Georgia. Pope was picked in the 3rd round (72nd overall) in the NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Turns out he attended Hargrave in 2002. But from the sound of the following article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Pope's experience at HMA wasn't so pleasant. The culture of the school definitely has to grow on you, and for some it never quite does.

To balance off Pope's comments in the Milwaukee paper, though, note his thoughts in an article by Larry Mayer on the Chicago Bears website...

"I kind of took the hard way to get to (Georgia), but it was a blessing in disguise," Pope said last season. " [Hargrave] helped me appreciate what I've got, to not take things for granted. It taught me to work hard and made me grow up."

>>
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Possibly the tallest receiver in college football, Pope has that perfect blend of size, strength and speed needed to consistently stretch the defense and break tackles to gain extra yardage. Anyone looking for a validation of his hard-driving running skills after the catch need only to talk to Tennessee cornerback Jason Allen, who suffered a dislocated hip trying to tackle Pope in 2005.

At Americus High School, Pope earned Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Top 50 in Georgia, Class AA All-State, Georgia Sportswriters Association All-State honors and was invited to play in the Georgia-Florida All-Star game. He led his team to two consecutive Class AA state titles during his junior and senior seasons.

Pope registered seven touchdowns as a tight end, catching eight passes with a pair of touchdowns in the playoffs as a senior. He also returned an interception for a score while lining up at safety that year. As a junior, Pope caught 25 passes for 491 yards and six touchdowns. "We always saw an unlimited potential for Pope," said Erik Soliday, who coached Pope at Americus his final three years. "To get where he is as quick as he has, I don't know if anyone saw that coming. He's just an extremely talented kid."

Heavily recruited out of high school, academic problems forced Pope to attend Hargrave Military Academy in 2002, where he was a roommate of Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Pope describes the Hargrave experience as a "tough and crazy year," where time stood still and the only way home was a Greyhound bus. "Minutes were like hours," Pope said. "I hated it with a passion. I was like 13 hours from my house."

Pope wasn't fond of the regimented lifestyle of military school, and found himself a long way from the comforts of home, including his kitchen.

"He used to come to my room to try and get snacks," said Brooks, a Butkus Award finalist last year who became close friends with Pope. "Hargrave was a learning experience. We had to get our SAT scores. We were like a family, picking each other up and encouraging each other to do good, on and off the field."

Brooks earned his qualifying score fall semester and left Hargrave. Pope remained behind, still trying to land his one-way ticket out. He dreaded having to return. "When he left, I cried because I was the first one back on the Greyhound," Pope said. "I always thought in my mind, 'If I had a chance, what would I do with it?' "

With his academics now in order, Pope enrolled at Georgia in 2003. He appeared in every game as reserve tight end, but only had one catch for 21 yards. He started ten contests in 2004, grabbing 25 passes for 482 yards (19.3 avg) and six touchdowns.

Pope was a unanimous All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2005. He started eleven games, missing the Louisiana-Monroe contest when head coach Mark Richt suspended him for a dorm room incident. He ranked second on the team with 33 receptions for 491 yards (14.9 avg) and three touchdowns. In 35 games with the Bulldogs, Pope started 21 times. He gained 994 yards with nine touchdowns on 59 catches (16.8 avg).

Thursday, May 04, 2006

The Fires

Former Hargrave president, Col. Joseph Hathaway Cosby, wrote a book called From Ashes to Excellence: 1950-1970. The book tells the story of the recovery of Hargrave from the "devastating" fire of February 20, 1950, to the retirement of Col. Cosby on June 20, 1970. The book was published in 1984 by McCain Printing Co. of Danville, VA.

There have been at least three major fires at Hargrave. The one in 1950 was apparently the worst. According to the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department, which lists that fire as having occurred in in 1951, "Many of the original buildings were destroyed and the school was forced to house students in town and cancel part of the school year due to this massive fire."

The Department lists the second fire to have taken place in 1981... "Much of the upper floors of both the Camden and Sanford buildings were heavily destroyed. Hydrants were at a minimum in those days, so the Hargrave pool was used as a source of water."

The third fire occurred in 2000... "The fire destroyed a brand new roof and heavily damaged the two upper floors of the Sanford Building, which was being renovated at the time of the incident."

The Enfields & Hargrave's political incorrectness

Hargrave's famed Camden Rifles (photo courtesy of HMA)

I began my Hargrave career in summer school, 1961, between my sophomore and junior years. Prior to that, I attended a public high school (Thomas Jefferson; "TJ") with a voluntary JROTC program. Hargrave's military aspect was a cakewalk compared to TJ's. We had to memorize FM 22-5 (Drill & Ceremonies), our boots had to have a high gloss spit shine every day, we marched every day and the entire corp learned precision marching. In fact, during the 1st 6 months of our freshman year, we were all "rats", and treated accordingly.

One of the things all the cadets at TJ learned (in addition to regular marching and the normal rifle commands) was special drill/silent drill; there was an annual competition between companies. We used Enfields. While a drill team can open the bolt of an M-1 with a snappy looking Karate chop, it doesn't have the flare of grabbing the bolt of an Enfield, and flipping it around.

Several years prior to my arrival at H, the Camden Rifles precision team had been disbanded due to lack of interest and lack of someone who could teach the moves. I reinstituted the CR's with little initial enthusiasm/support from the school. (My mother made our guidon, as the school wouldn't spring for it!)

Leon Rue "diplomatically" states, "there was a period when the government took back the Enfields after the school dropped out of the Junior ROTC program," which makes it sound as though this was some sort of decision based on H's military program. It wasn't; here's what happened:

Hargrave was (is) a Southern Baptist school. Many African Americans are Southern Baptist, so H wanted to appear to be willing to accept Black students while not actually accepting them. My senior year I was appointed to the newly-created Battalion Staff position of Assistant to the Commandant (Col. Todd). One of my duties was to show prospective cadets and their parents around the campus. The tours always started with my being called to Col. Cosby's office.

On those rare occassions when the prospects were African American, Col. Cosby would always throw into the conversation that I was Jewish. This was obviously a poor attempt on his part to try to say, "See, we're willing to accept anyone." The tour would always end up in his office, and he would say, "Your son will be living on a barracks with 40 White boys, mostly Southerners. We won't be able to guarantee your son's safety, and if he enrolls at Hargrave, you and he will have to sign a waiver of liability."

Apparently the tactic always worked; when I graduated in 1963, there were, and never had been, Black students at HMA.

The Feds had already decreed that public schools must integrate, but they could not mandate that to private schools. So they came out with a policy which stated that if a school did not integrate, it would lose all Federal funding--which included those Enfields. H refused to integrate, so the Feds took back the Enfields. As Leon states, a "benefactor" paid for rifles for the school.

I also went to the University of Richmond, which also refused to integrate, and lost Federal funding. U of R also had a benefactor. E. Claiborne Robbins, Sr. donated $50 million to the school when the Feds split.

What finally caused schools like H and Richmond to integrate?

It was not that they finally got a sense of social justice; it was because of athletics. The integrated public school teams were whipping the heck out of private school teams in football, basketball, track, etc., so integration became a necessity in order to be competitive.

I wonder: What percentage of the varsity athletes at H are Black? What percentage of the cadet corp not engaged in varsity atheletics is Black?

Marc Axel
marc.axel@verizon.net
Class of '63

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

My journey from Colombian to American

Ken Taber and Fernando Manrique (photo courtesy of Tripp Smith)

"I'm an American soldier too!" Those simple, powerful words were spoken by Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch upon being freed by her rescuers in a hospital in Iraq. Those words resonated with truth for me. "I am an American soldier too," I thought.

An unlikely set of events have transpired to make those words come true for me. As the sixth child of a Colombian cattle rancher, I should have grown up and continued the family ranching tradition in the ancestral lands of the State of Huila, Colombia, where the Manrique de Lara family settled in the early 1600s. They had been looking for a new life in the new world, and settled in the Magdalena River Valley, the area reminded them of their home in southern Spain.

But 374 years later, I embarked on a different journey to another new world, leaving a troubled land for one that promised a life free of fear and uncertainty. My new life began appropriately at a southern military boarding school called Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. I was 15 years old and proudly wearing the uniform of first sergeant in the Marching Band Company. My journey had begun.

After two years of marching to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I graduated near the top of the class and was accepted into the College of William and Mary in Virginia. No more uniforms for me, I thought at the time. I wasn't quite sure what to study, but had always enjoyed learning about relations among nations, so I majored in Government and International Politics. As an undergraduate at William and Mary, I met the two most important people in my life. One was Kathy, my college sweetheart and now my wife. The other was Jeff, my aviation-obsessed roommate, and the person who would spark my interest in flying.

Kathy began my transformation from Colombian to American. It was through her family that I learned the traditions of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter - and more importantly - Dallas Cowboys football. Jeff, on the other hand, shared with me his passion for flying, and I spent countless hours in his Cessna 172, 59 model, flying between Virginia and the Bahamas and Daytona Beach during our spring break jaunts. He was the pilot and I was the trusted copilot.

After college, Jeff joined the Air Force to begin his flying career. Kathy and I were married one day after graduation, and departed for Colombia for a long honeymoon at "Balmoral," my family's cattle ranch. A few months later, Jeff called me from pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and insisted that I was destined for an Air Force flying career. Never mind that I was neither a U.S. citizen - as required by law to be an officer - nor had any formal flying training, except for our spring break trips in the Cessna.

The citizenship issue was fixed with a visit to the office of Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, where his helpful staff promptly submitted my application for naturalization. Within six months, I was a United States citizen. Not able to afford formal flying training, I bought a basic flight manual aptly called "Stick and Rudder," memorized it, and went for my first visit to an Air Force recruiter. It must have paid off, because my Air Force Officer Qualifications Test scores were high enough to qualify for a pilot slot after completion of Officer Training School.

After a grueling year of Undergraduate Pilot Training in sunny Del Rio, Texas, Kathy and I were off to see the world with our first operational assignment to Kadena Air Base, Japan. While at Kadena, I really began to appreciate the special nature of wearing the Air Force uniform. I found that every time I landed my KC-135 in a foreign country I was always met and treated as the representative of the United States Air Force.

After five years and countless typhoon evacuations, alerts, and numerous flying exercises throughout Asia, it was time to return to the states and start our family. Our first daughter, was born a few months before we left Japan, and our second daughter, was born during our following assignment to Castle AFB, Calif., at the time, the only KC-135 schoolhouse in the Air Force. Though the excitement and adventure of international flying was temporarily over, the challenging job of training others to follow in our footsteps was just beginning.

I was called by a staffer at the U.S. Air Force Academy to inquire about my interest in coming to Colorado Springs to teach Spanish to cadets. Since Castle was scheduled for closure as the result of the drawdown of the early '90s, I thought coming to the Academy would fit our timing perfectly.

At the Academy, I was given the task of teaching cadets about Latin American culture. I also had numerous travel opportunities, exposing cadets to Spanish by immersing them in Spanish-speaking countries. It was on one of these trips that I fully realized I had completed the journey from Colombian to American. I was selected as the escort officer to lead a delegation from the USAFA to the Republic of Colombia. There I was, the sixth son of a Colombian cattle rancher, representing the U.S. Air Force and the Academy, briefing the Chief of Staff of the Colombian air force on educational and training programs.

My journey was complete. I, too, was an American soldier.

Lt. Col. Fernando Manrique
Fernando.Manrique@pentagon.af.mil
Band Company '76

"Mr. Science"

(photo courtesy of Tripp Smith)

One of my favorite teachers was Prof. Carl Burke (see 2001 photo by Tripp Smith), under whom I took Chemistry 101. I recall he had a sharp sense of humor. It was good to see him at the 2006 alumni homecoming a couple of weeks ago... a lot greyer (... well, actually whiter) and with a beard, but still very much recognizable after 30 years. I played soccer with Prof. Burke's son, David.

Prof. Burke retired in 1999. The following excerpt is taken from a May 6, 2005 press release issued by Hargrave:

"Carl Burke, a former 33 year teacher at Hargrave, received the Outstanding Inactive Educator Award. He was renowned at Hargrave for his effective teaching ability in a subject such as Physics. His larger than life personality and devout Christian attitude touched many people during his time at Hargrave. In the community, he is still known as ‘Old St. Nick’ when embracing the Christmas spirit in costume. "

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

The Hargrave Century

J. Hunt Hargrave

D
uring 2009-2010, Hargrave will celebrate the 100th year anniversary of its founding. The school, which had been preceded by the Warren Training School located at the Sims-Mitchell House, was founded in 1909 as the Chatham Training School by Rev. T. Ryland Sanford, Jesse H. Hargrave and his son, J. Hunt Hargrave (see photo). It opened with 35 students.

The school was renamed in 1925 in honor of J. Hunt Hargrave, a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist from Chatham, VA. By then, it was clear that the primary identity of the school would be that of a military academy, rather than a general training school for boys.

J. Hunt Hargrave died on April 2, 1935 following an automobile accident on February 26. His estate was valued at $260,000. His adopted daughter, Gladys Hargrave Nenon, was left as the chief beneficiary.

As Hargrave nears its century mark, it would be great if alumni could begin to coordinate plans for coming together at HMA for alumni weekend in three years. Please use the newly-created Hargrave Alumni Forum at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hargravealumni as a homebase online to start the process. To subscribe, just send a blank e-mail message to: hargravealumni-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Monday, May 01, 2006

The Ageless Col. Todd

(photo courtesy of HMA)

I was happy to see Col. Todd at the 2006 homecoming. I must admit that I did not expect to find him around. At the breakfast, I was very surprised when I heard his named called out and he stood up. When I attended HMA during 1974-76, Col. Todd must have been at least in his late 60s, so I guess he's nearing 100 or has already reached it. In any case, he seemed very well indeed.

I am glad that some things haven't changed. I still recall seeing Col. Todd walking with his German shepherd (... anyone remember the dog's name?) as if it were yesterday. He was always very distinguished looking and always in a pleasant mood.

30th Reunion, Class of '76

(photo courtesy of Carl Burke)

There were nine of us at the 30th reunion of the Class of 1976 at Alumni Weekend on April 22, 2006, including John Banks, Glenn Beeson, Jeff Bowling, Marco Caceres, Chuck Dodson, Fernando Manrique, Bob Richards, Rick Riley, and Bob White.

I was also glad to see David Burke, with whom I played on the soccer team. David was a few years younger than us. Carl Burke, under whom I took chemistry, was also there. Great to see him again.

The reunion was cut short due to rain. The afternoon baseball game, and tennis and golf tournaments were cancelled. The parade at 11 am was moved indoors to the gymnasium, which was okay but it certainly lacked the splendor of having it on the soccer field and being able to march with one's class.

It was nice to see everyone at breakfast in the mess hall. We had lunch under a large tent set up in the middle of the track field.

I was saddened to learn of the death of Richie Huizenga, Hiram Saunders and Jimmy Wheeler. Jimmy died not too long ago... He attended the 25th reunion in 2001.

I spoke at length with Jeff Bowling and Bob White about trying to locate as many 76ers as possible in preparation for the 100th anniversary of Hargrave's founding in three years. It would be great to have a large contingent from our class there. I think we graduated just over 50, so I'd like to aim at mobilizing at 25-30.