"Coup" in Honduras - Marco Caceres, Class of '76

William "Bill" Hathaway dies

William "Bill" Hathaway, 85, formerly of 163 Sutherlin Avenue, Danville, died Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Sitter Barfoot Veteran Care Center in Richmond, Virginia.

Born July 7, 1923, in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the son of the late Samuel Devereaux Hathaway and Katheryne Taylor Hathaway. He was married to Mildred New Hathaway who predeceased him.

He lived most of his life in the Danville area and was a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy and Averett University. He served 8 years with the US Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War. He retired as Resident Naturalist Emeritus for the Pittsylvania County School System and was of the Episcopalian faith.

Bill Hathaway was an avid naturalist and devoted most of his life to the study of nature and science. He was always eager to share his knowledge with others through his writings in Nature's Niche, the various local museums he contributed to, and field trips that many students still remember. Bill began teaching a few years after he left the Marines in 1956. He taught at Dan River, Whitmell, Tunstall, and the Governor's school summer program. His practical approach to teaching with hands-on techniques generated enthusiasm in his students. It is much more interesting to apply trigonometry measuring the height of a tree than solving equations in the classroom. Bill touched many lives with his love of nature and he will always be remembered as the teacher from the University of Outdoors.

He is survived by his daughter, Katheryne H. Terry of Richmond; two brothers, Samuel D. Hathaway of Virginia Beach and Gardner Rugg Hathaway of Falls Church, Virginia. He is also survived by three grand-children, Jonathan T. Decker, Matthew and Benjamin Terry and two great-grandchildren, Ruby and Bella Decker. In addition to his wife and parents he was predeceased by a daughter, Peni Ray.

The family request memorial contributions may be made to the Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, Virginia 24541 or the Danville Science Center, 677 Craghead Street, Danville, Virginia 24541.

Those who wish may visit Bill's web site at http://www.pittpaths.com.

Published in the Danville Register & Bee, March 19, 2009

HMA teacher resigns after bringing weapon to school

An instructor at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham has resigned after bringing a weapon to the school.

The instructor brought the weapon, a World War II relic, to class April 2 as a prop for a lesson about the conflict, William Wiebking, director of communications at Hargrave, said Friday. The school declined to identify the instructor.

The weapon was not loaded and was brought to the campus with no malicious intent, Wiebking said. A student informed Hargrave officials after the class ended, he said.

"He was in violation of policy," Wiebking said. "He offered his resignation, and it was accepted."

Students and staff are forbidden from bringing weapons to the school. The academy has weapons for its rifle team and a shooting range, but the firearms are secured, and special staff must be present for them to be used, Wiebking said.

"School safety is extremely important to us," Wheeler Baker, a retired U.S. Marine colonel and president of Hargrave, said in a prepared statement. "A weapon has no place in the classroom."

The instructor's actions were not illegal and no arrest was made.

By John Crane
jcrane@registerbee.com
Danville Register & Bee
April 10, 2009

"Hambone"

Bill Hathaway's photo album can be viewed at http://www.pittpaths.com/author/photo. Bill attended Hargrave. The photograph is from the school yearbook of Bill's senior year (1941-1942). The photo is captioned:

William Taylor Hathaway, Danville, Virginia — “Hambone”
Private, Second Platoon, Co. B; Private, First Class, Second Platoon, Co. B; Corporal, Second Platoon, Co. B; Sergeant, Second Platoon, Co. B; First Lieutenant, Commanding Co. D; Track Team; Football Squad; Intramural Basketball; Military Proficiency Award; Y. M. C. A. Social Service Committee; Varsity Club; Sabre Club; Honor Roll.

Homecoming 2009

This year's Homecoming weekend at Hargrave will be on April 24-26. The school will welcome back returning alumni, former students, former teachers and current faculty and staff. The reunion classes served will be for the years 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2008.

Weekend activities will include a round of golf, alumni class photos, a Cadet parade and an awards ceremony. There will be a breakfast and lunch on Saturday. See the schedule at www.hargrave.edu/alumni/reunions.html

For more information, please contact Brad Broskie, who is the Director of Alumni Relations. Brad's e-mail address is broskieb@hargrave.edu. His phone number is (434) 432-3187.

The Sounds of Hargrave

By Leon Rue, '49

The slap of several hundred rifles hitting the left hands of several hundred cadets when "Port Arms" was called.

The splash of a "cannonball" into the pool.

The rat a tat tat of my drum playing "My Old Man" along with the bugles as the batallion marched into the mess hall.

The lornful sound of Taps.

The rifle reports on the firing range.

The lush sound of Russ Carlton and his 17 piece orchestra.

The thud of my vaulting pole hitting the "box".

The "ain no mo" of the dining room servers when asked for seconds.

The swish of the officer's sabres coming out of the scabbards.

The clink of medals on my dress uniform.

The bellow of the Battalion Commander as he called for "ATENNNN-HUT".

The peal of Chatham church bells calling us to worship.

These sounds of Hargrave still echo in my mind.

The Bullring

Hargrave history

Graduation Day in 1963

Lt. Col. William Zemp awarded Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Lt. Col. William Zemp on duty in Iraq

Lt. Col William Zemp said his most recent duty in Iraq was his most gratifying. He recently returned from service in Iraq has been awarded two of the nation’s top medals by the United States Army.

In December 2008, Zemp, commander of 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his service as a battalion commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The medal is awarded to an individual who, while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, has performed a heroic act, meritorious achievement or distinguished service during armed conflict or ground combat while engaged against an armed enemy of the United States,” according to a brief from the Army/Air Force Hometown News service. “(Lt. Col.

Zemp’s) superb leadership, technical and tactical expertise and commitment to excellence while serving in combat operations contributed to the overwhelming success of the command’s mission,” the brief continued.

Zemp, son of Sid and Madge Zemp of Hartsville, was stationed in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, and commanded 700 soldiers responsible for an area known as the Triangle of Death. He and his unit worked with Iraqi security forces to defeat al-Qaeda and Iranian-sponsored insurgent groups, and the Bronze Star was awarded for the unit’s efforts during deployment.

“Being in a position of a commander,” Zemp said, “there is a tremendous amount of pride (in being awarded the medal) because it represents what your men have done. And it serves that someone is recognizing that.”

Zemp was injured in a blast that also injured two others soldiers and killed one Iraqi Army soldier. “That was a hard day,” he said of the injuries and casualty. “It doesn’t matter if it’s one of your guys or not. That’s one of the good guys. That was one of the guys who was charged with making sure I was protected.”

Zemp said the 15-month deployment is the third such deployment for many of the 700 soldiers under his command. “(The younger soldiers in the unit) continue to dispel the myths about them,” the 16-year military member said. He said many believe the younger generation doesn’t take things seriously and underachieves, but his soldiers have consistently proven those myths to be false.

“We see day and day again, they do a tremendous job with very little resources,” he said. “And whether it’s the scale of ethics, morals or the amount of courage they show on a daily basis, it is unmatched. It’s a privilege to be with them.”

Zemp said the situation in Iraq was much different this time around than the previous two assignments. “It’s just marked improvement all the way around,” he said. “It’s horrific. It’s war. You see some things that no person should have to see, but at the same time, with the Iraqi people stepping forward, it is marked improvement.”

In another difference, Zemp and his troops lived among the civilians in Mahmudiyah on this assignment. The soldiers also worked side-by-side with the Iraqi military. “My troops developed very strong bonds with their Iraqi counterparts,” Zemp said. “They’re good people over there. They just want to live in peace. Yes, there are some bad people over there, but if you treat people with respect then you are treated that way. It was a really good relationship, and that was one of the reasons for success.”

Zemp said due to the heat in the summer, each soldier’s day began at 4 a.m., and soldiers ran missions night and day.

Morale was also not an issue, Zemp said, thanks to the U.S. Army and some citizens back here in Hartsville. Zemp said the Army takes great care of each soldier’s family, and that is a major issue for troops.

The commander said many residents of Hartsville sponsored troops in his unit. He also said Ed Haney of Hartsville raised $3,000 to purchase soccer balls for troops. That was a great gesture, Zemp said. “There is no other way to say it but ‘thank you.’” Zemp said the care packages and letters were a wonderful treat for troops and are part of the things that keep them going strong.

The troops were also in some tough living conditions. “The standard soldier lived (inside a tent) in a four foot by eight foot square built out of plywood with a cot,” Zemp said. “It’s extremely cold in the winter and it is extremely hot in the summer. We were out in what is known as a forward operating base, which is pretty secure. But (soldiers) are never there. We are usually out and about doing things for up to three weeks at a time.”

Zemp said one of the most memorable moments of the last mission was a triumph over incredible odds. He said his troops were surrounded during a Shiite uprising.

“It was a small unit. About 300 of us in a small urban area, in about 24 hours, were surrounded. It was a pretty good fight for seven days, and our guys came out on top. But what came out of that was it was one of the first times the Iraqi unit stayed on top of it. They didn’t run, and they stood up for their population. From that point forward, it was kind of a turning point. Things got better after that.”

Zemp said this tour was more encouraging than any other. “Our guys and gals got a lot out of it this time around,” he said. “There was a lot of hope, and things are generally better over there.”

Zemp is a 1988 graduate of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., and a 1992 graduate of The Citadel. He also attended Hartsville High School where he played football and wrestled. He and his wife Amy reside at Fort Campbell in Kentucky with their two children.

Chad Rhoad
The Messenger

WSET Interview Part 2: Cadet Life

Sandy Gregory named director of North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry

Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina will undertake a new ministry to aid aging adults. The North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry will be an educational and information-based ministry connecting aging adults and their families to the resources they need.

"Baptist Children's Homes has had the privilege of meeting the needs of children and families through our statewide services for more than a century," said BCH president Michael C. Blackwell. "This new aspect of BCH's ministry is a natural step as we strive to help meet the
growing needs of older adults."

BCH's corporate offices and the institution's Mills Home residential campus are in Thomasville.

Blackwell has named Sandy Gregory as director of NCBAM. The Statesville native has served BCH as director of development, south central region since 2005.

"Sandy has been a tremendous asset to BCH's development team helping to grow and secure support for the children and families we serve," Blackwell said. "I am confident he will bring to NCBAM the same level of commitment and success as we move forward with this new, dynamic resource to the aging and their families."

Gregory will direct NCBAM's daily operations under Blackwell's leadership. Gregory is a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest and completed his Doctorate in Ministry from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.

Prior to joining BCH, Gregory served as a pastor, associate pastor and children and youth minister at churches in Virginia and North Carolina. He has also served as executive director for the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry and the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation in Virginia.

"I am delighted to be appointed as director of NCBAM, and I am looking forward to working with aging adults and their families across the state," Gregory said. "There is a great need to provide quality resources and information to this rapidly growing population."

In 2008, a task force appointed by Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Executive Director/Treasurer Milton Hollifield, with the approval of the BSC Executive Committee and Board of Directors, created the concept for what is now NCBAM. Blackwell, who served as an ex officio member and advisor to the task force, agreed for Baptist Children's Homes to oversee the new ministry.

NCBAM will offer aging adults and their families education and information through practical and personal ministry applications. NCBAM will also aid North Carolina Baptist churches and Baptist
associations in developing ministries to benefit the aging. The new ministry will be fully funded by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and will not involve building residential facilities or any type of brick and mortar construction.

"There are a number of quality institutions already providing residential services to aging adults," Blackwell said. "Our emphasis will be focused on identifying and connecting families to the resources that will best fit their needs."

NCBAM will begin by focusing on three defined areas. First, the ministry will provide education and information on issues important to aging adults ranging from assistance with Medicare/Medicaid to emerging issues such as identity theft and adult day care. Second,
NCBAM will coordinate practical ministry assisting older adults with a variety of in-home needs. Last, the ministry will assist in developing transportation services for older adults who cannot drive.

WSET Interview Part 1: Academic Instruction