Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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-i- RICHARD HARE BELSHA Bugs Norfolk, Virginia Electrical Kngiiieeriiig, Artillery — Private 4, 3, Corporal -2, Sergeant 1; Hop and Floor Committee ' 2, 1 ; AIEE -2, 1 ; Armed Forces Club 4, 3, -2, 1 ; Intra- mural Football. Swimming 4. 3; Tidewater Club 4, 3, ' 2, 1: Artillery Salute Detail ' 2, 1. The taxi canie to a halt in front of Jackson Arch, and Rick Belsha stepped out to begin his cadetship. He kissed otf the last mundane pleasure, wiped ott the mud, and was quickly grabbed by the anxious cadre. Several months later, after several OGA and GC sessions. Rick decided this was not the place for him. He started doing the studying necessary to enable him to have some weekends back in the swamp s. Countless weekends and a succession of girls and parties have tried to keep his mind from the values the VMI offers, but the Belch is not one to shun rank and academic demands. He has managed to be a high-ranking sergeant and a talented electrical engineer. . t last, graduation is here, and Rick hopes to return to the swamps and surf again. We always remember him as one who did more than enough for our class, not jii.it enough. CHARLES DODSOX BENNETT, .IR. Buddy D. NVILLE, VlRGINU History. .Vir Force— Private 4, 3, -2, 1; IRC 3; Political Science 2, 1; Cdee Club 1: Iritraniurals 4, ■2, 1. Yhen Old Bud arrived at the IiLstitutt- !) Sej)- tember 1959, he had mixed ideas about the military system. It wasn ' t long, however, before his dyke had convinced him that military life was definitely OTL. Thus, over a period of four years. Buddy has made the military life at the Institute adapt it.self to him Bennett-wise; not vice versa. But don ' t be misled. Those of us who know him best know that the military is the only facet of col- lege life that Buddy has ignored. He has risen to great heights in academics, and his achievements in this field never cease to amaze his contemporaries. Let ' s not forget the social part of the story. Al- though studying came first, trips to Staunton, Lynchburg and occasional treks back home to Dan- ville (Stratford and Averett) always seemed to keep the lover away from barracks on weekends. What else is there to say except that an indivi- dual as well-rounded and well-liked as Buddy Bennett can expect nothing but good luck in the future. JERRY CLINTON BENNEIT .lerry RoANOKK Rapids, North Carolina Civil Engineering, Armor — Private 4, Corporal 3. ' 2, Sergeant 1; Di.stingui.sked Military Stuile?it; Floor Committee 1; ASCE 3, ' 2, 1; Glee Club 4. On 9 September 1959, the doors of .Jackson Arch opened to this Roanoke Rapids lad, changing his life from that of an easy-going fiigh schooler to that chaotic state — ratdom. Jerry soon mastered the essentials of this way of life, proving himself capable in Shining 101, Rifle Cleaning 111, and Bed-making 1 ' 21. It must be remembered that academics during this year did not count. Later, .Jerry settled down for the regular school session and for the summer. As a result of his mastery of the essential Rat subjects, .Jerry got his corporal stripes, which were conveniently equipped with zippers. His thoughts turned to wine, women, and song, if indeed they had ever strayed. .Jerry made trips to the many girls ' schools in the Valley, even reaching North Carolina. Can one ever forget the wild car rides and spilled beverages during the summers. Now, as a first classman, .Jerry has his eyes set on that coveted piece of sheepskin which will return him once more to that wonderful civilian life. Few know what the future holds for him, but one thing is assured — whate%cr goal .Jerry .sets for himself, he will attain it. FIRST CLASS -J

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«L . WILLIAiSI FRANKLIN BALLENTINE Bill Portsmouth, Virginia Electrical Engineering, Artillery — Private -1, 3, 2, 1; Lea Scholarship 4, 3, S, 1; AIEE 2, 1; Armed Forces Club 2; Intramural Basketball 3, 1, Handball 2; Tidewater Club 4, 3, 2, 1: Delta Company Food Representative 1 ; Cadet Waiter 2, 1 ; Salute Detail 1 . Barrelling Bill, sometimes known as Sun- shine in the swamps of Tidewater, came to the VJNII with strong intentions of making his future in the Double E curriculum. This he has done admirably, along with displaying many character- istics of an L.A., as exhibited in his famous Episodes written for Colonel Rehg ' s Humanities class. Bill ' s feelings toward the Rat Line could not be sympathized with by members of the upper three classes during his Rat Year. This he discovered quickly as he found himself at the fifth stoop OGA meetings. These skirmishes with the upperclassmen as a Rat were only minor trivialities, and he came through with fljing colors and numerous tours. . lthough never achieving fame in the world of the Spit-shine and Stripes, witnessed by his clean sleeves, he has given strong support to the E-1 Resistors in their daily assaults on the electro- magnetic knowledge barrier that Colonel Jamison has generated around the first class E.E. ' s. Good luck to a true brother rat who will un- doubtedly find success in all that he attempts. Delta Company will be losing its most gung-ho supporter, but Candy Bar will be gaining hap- piness. VERNON MOUNTCASTLE BALTHIS Burley New York, New York Chemistry, Armor — Private 4, 3, 2, 1; Basketball Manager 4, 3, 2, 1; Golf 4, 3; . CS 2, 1; Monogram Club 2, 1. Although Vernon knew about the system at the VMI, he came that bright day in September 1959 to make a name for him.self in the Corps of Cadets. His knowledge of the Rat Line evidently assisted him in evading the OGA and the GC during that dark year. Burley, as he is now known, has become the bar- racks authority on basketball, having been mana- ger of the Keydet teams tor four years. His 5 ' 7 body can be seen with the gigantic centers at any basketball practice or game. Burley is also one of the three Chuck Gorens of room 180, where he is a charter member of the New Barracks Bridge Clique. His strategy and cunning play have meant the downfall of many contracts. Vern has always stood high in the Chemistry Curriculum and spends much of his free time in e Olde Lab. He is very popular with all the men in the Corps because of his characteristic drive and determination. Whatever he lacks in physical stature, he more than balances with a sterling personality, amiable character, and quick wit. To Vern, we of the Class of 1963 wish the best of luck in all his ventures. WILLIAM AUGU.STLS BKLL, .IR. BiUy COCRTLAN ' D, VlRGrVIA Chemistry, . rtiUerj ' — Private 4, i. Corporal 3, Sergeant 1; ACS 4 3, 2, 1; .Salute Detail 2, lit Sergeant 1. In the fall of 19.59, the pride of Courtland came through .Jackson . rch with a hog-calling voice that shook the barracks. Billy sur ived hLs rat j-ear to become ' 63 ' s ow-n turnout. A hard-working Chemistry major, lie almost met his match with Ritchey ' s Organic c-ourse, but passed with flying c-olors in the end. or Billy finally found the one person that be could not out-talk, a little Longwood lady from lack home. brother rat who will always be remembered by his classmates as the fellow with a heart as big as his mouth, with a smile to boot, is Bill. We wish Billy and Edith Lane the best in their future together. FIRST CLASS

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1963 BOMB LANCE VINCENT BEVINS Beaver MiDDLEBtJRG, NeW YoRK History, Artillery — Private 4, 2, Corporal 3, i. Regi- mental Serfieaiit Major 1; Distinguished Military Stuiiott: Cadet Staff 3, i, Military Editor 1; Bomb Staff 1; Ring Figure Magazine Staff, Business ]Maiia- ger; Political Science Society i, 10; Armed Forces Club 4, 3, ' 2, 1; IRC 2, 1; Catholic Choir 4, 3, 2, 1: Newman Club 4, 3, -2, 1; Intramurals 4, 3, -i, 1; Yankee Club 4, 3, ' 2, 1. The Beaver has been a pleasant experience! A charter member of the MOB (Moose, Oge, Beaver), this particular Beaver has been damning things for four years, and one might expect him to do the same for many years to come. Though Beaver loves the military life, his attitude toward the same at the VMI has been somewhat incongruous. For instance, he is the only man in Band Company who waited until he was first ranking corporal before he pulled the chain. Beaver has really kept everyone on his toes. The women in Beaver ' s lite have been innu- merable; yet at one time he loved them all, and never for any period under 24 hours. The miniature he bought at Ring Figure is so worn that it could pass for a cigar band. Beaver ' s ability to welcome and accept anyone and his great respect for his country and his fellow man, will make him the best of leaders and a genu- ine source of pride to any man who serves under him, just as he has been to us who have served with him. GEORGE HARDY BLOOD Mung H. MPTON, ' Virginia Electrical Engineering, Artillery — Private 4, Cor- poral 3, 2, Lieutenant 1; Distinguished Militartj Student; AIEE; VMI Commanders 4, 3, 2, 1, leader 1; VMI Combo 3, 2, 1. George came out of the swamps of Tidewater Virginia with two saxophones and orders from home to go to the VMI. He decided that it would sound pretty good to be called an E.E., and George was one of the very select group to make it to the first class year in that department. Still, music was George ' s first love at tlic VML Although he would (ahem) have to lay down on the job once in a while, he was, nevertheless, a mainstay in the VMI Commanders and rose to the exalted position of leader of that group. George also was a star performer in the Band, having been featured in his lifetime as everything from a bassoon virtuoso to a majorette. His musical adoration ranged from J. P. Sousa to Beethoven, but Ray Charles was always first in George ' s Ijook. Mung has gone before us to the better things in life, but not without the best wishes and aff ' ection of the Class of 1963. .rOHN RK HARD BOYDA .rack Carnegie, Pen nsylvan-ia Civil Engineering, Armor — Private 4, 3, 2, ] ; Mono- gram Club 2, 1; Football 4, 3, 2, 1; ASCE: Intra- mural Basketball, Softball 3, 1; Fellowship of Chris- tian Athletes. On 31 August 1959, the boy from the big city re- ported earl.y for football camp. That was the day that Jack started to win friends and influence people for four years at the VMI. Although his manner of speech and actions are quite foreign to most people here. Jack is able to get his point across. His action on the football field is not foreign, as he has been the stalwart of the ' MI line for the past two seasons. .Jack started off as an E. E. but finally saw the light and changed to Civil Engineering. For the past two years, .Jack has shown his drive and desire to learn as he does on the football field. The oody Man has been a rat-daddy for his four years here and has as many friends in the lower three classes as he does in the first class. .lack, at home, is calm, cool, and collected aromid the girls, and at school is more than willing to play the heavy in getting rid of someone ' s girl. All of us will always remember .lack and are assured of his successes ahead. r v