Augusta Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Fort Defiance, VA)

Page 7 text:

Resume of the ““Drama’’ There IS drama in a school year, especially when the President of the United States pays a visit, a parade is held in his honor, and he then returns to his mother’s home which is only one mile west of AMA. There’s a fascination in watching the flashback of the year . . . those events which stand out in our minds. “Tke’s” visit will probably rank first with us, but there were so many other events . . . let’s take a good look at them . . . let’s look at the excitement of September, the reverence of Veteran’s Day, the dances, the classes when there was deep snow, the athletic highlights, and cer- tainly, the climax, graduation . . . come on along. THE PRESIDENT IS HERE! ... An electric thrill went all over the grounds as President Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the front arch. Cadet Nick Carter snaps to attention as the President waves to the crowd beyond. Thrill of the year . . . Eisenhower Visits A. M. A. SUNSHINE ON A GLOOMY DAY... It made no dif- ference to First Captain Jim Crawford, Al Escoda or Bill Pugh, for they were too excited to notice anything except the President and his entourage. For the first time, the corps was lined up around the entire field, and with over 560 cadets, the President said that he was impressed. AMA is one of the only schools in the country to wear the “Ike” jacket . . . his welcome was a rousing one!

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They set the standards of our performance. Principal of AMA Brig. Gen. Chas. S. Roller, Jr. B.S., M.S., Virginia Military Institute “THIS 1S THE WAY TO PLAY THE GAME!” ... Nothing can keep Gen. Roller from showing the football team how to stop the opponent or how to win the game. With a minimum effort, he instilled enthusiasm, spirit, and team drive into every boy. GIANTS OF DEVOTION TO DUTY .. . Mrs. Chas. S. Roller, Jr., Gen. Roller, and Battle Group Commander Jim Crawford display the affection they have for one another .. . an additional reason why the ’61 corps goes down in annals as the top one. In many ways .. . our directors Few couples in the United States have earned the love, respect, and devotion of so many boys over such a long time... for over 51 years together Gen. and Mrs. Chas. S. Roller, Jr. have given their lives to the service of others. No day goes by that the General does not talk to his boys in the Mess Hall and individually as needed. Seldom do we fail to see Mrs. Roller talking with boys about their problems and never has either one failed to give his advice when it has been requested. In every way they have directed our future. They have shown us the path to success by their unselfish devotion to duty, by their love for their church, by their concern for each cadet who has been at Augusta since 1909, and by every act of kindness which they so frequently extend collectively and individually. “Tt’s not what you make... it’s what you save that counts ... save your money, your love, and your interests. What makes a man is what’s on the inside, boys,” pro- claims the General. Augusta has such a Principal and his lady . . . they are a storehouse of what we need in life . . . people who care enough to help others.

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C in UP! First assembly, first parade, and “WELCOME TO VIRGINIA” .. . Gen. Roller and Jim Crawford congratulate Myles Vandegrift for the spirit he dis- played during early football practice. From the opening mo- ments of the First Assembly, there was a wave of excitement which seemed to assure a successful year for Augusta. OPENING DAY FRIGHT .. . Jim Crawford receives words of praise from Clay Willcox, but nothing could stop Jim from feeling apprehension about the first formal parade. By Finals, however, one could detect confidence, maturity, and authority in each officer. RIGHT INTO THE ACT ... AMA is one of the only source of wonder, “A’’? Company’s Second Lieutenant schools in the country to have a formal parade on the Raymond Kerlin had his boys in fine dress for the first Sunday after registration! To the parents, it’s a occasion.