Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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1 WA History of the Class of 1944 The Class of ' 44 has indeed come a long way. On September 9, 1940, two hundred and thirty-eight men, from twenty-eight states and three possessions, reported to the Virginia Military Institute for matriculation. We can hardly remember anything more than walking into Washington Arch until two weeks later, when we began to live again. During the first month, drills, parades, inspections, daily finning out, and regular company room kept us busy and miserable. But there were pleasant events, too. How could we forget the Corps trip to Charlotte and the V. P. I. game, through which we were free for three days! It did not seem long before Christmas furlough came, and on December 21st, we were out for four- teen enjoyable days. When we returned, most of the cadets were unhappy, especially the rats. Cramming the examinations, more finning out, plus resurrections, made us feel that our rat year would never end. The 157 days had almost gone before we realized it. Then came our first finals and we became old cadets. The summer furlough ended, and we came back Third Classmen. To us, the rat system was not at all a part-time job. We did our best to assume the privileges that had been denied us the previous year and to enforce the rat rules that time had laid down. INIost of us found the courses to be more difficult than last year, but we were well represented on the Honor List and in the extra-curricular activities throughout the year. Ring Figure was undoubtedly the most important and thriUing event of our Second Class year. Our Christmas furlough was slashed down to 10 days, and we had to spend Xew Year ' s Eve in barracks. The successful performances in the Second Class Show, the Cadet and the Turnout proved our participation in the school activities. During the second semester we were granted First Class Privileges, and we took over the companies at drill and went on guard as O. D. ' s and 0. G. ' s. A large part of our class was called into the armed services in June, with the exception of seventeen, who returned to the Institute. In November, 1943, we, the Class of 1944, gathered at V. M. I. once again. But before Christmas, the Cavalrymen were sent to O. C. S. at Fort Knox, and now the Field Artillerymen and the Infantrymen are going to Forts Sill and Penning, respectively. Best of luck to everyone of them. They have done a splendid job in keeping up the traditions of V. M. I. here and in the field. Through them, these words will again take on an important significance — The Institute will be heard from today.

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CLASSES

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0MB 1 FIRST CLASS Robert Q. Marston President v