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

Page 8 text:

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.

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!

Page 9 text:

Ripples of enthusiasm augur a banner year! There was just something different about the boys when school opened in September . . . it was a feeling which could be felt by every teacher and by all of the old cadets alike — it was simply that 1960-61 was going to be a smasher. Tactical officers could detect it from the moment when Jim Crawford stepped in as Battle Group Commander and displayed genuine leadership. Cadets began to sense it when the officers displayed the understanding that rank has its duties as well as its privileges. Parades were better, class work more thoroughly pre- pared, and the spirit everywhere was high. Gen. Roller rapidly knew that this corps was the great one... and his enthusiasm for the officers and the new cadets began the drive and the push which lasted right on through °til June. COURTYARD RALLY .. . Fired up spirits couldn’t foretell a defeat from the W L Frosh at the first home game. Cheer- ing, songs, and banners started and never ceased, even when the Blue Streaks tasted defeat 13—23. SWEEP UP THAT MASS-O-NOTHING! Madley, Juby sanutten game. And a fired up team smashed the Purple and Sauers lead the boys in their cheers during the Mas- Raiders 42-21. Cheering was better than ever this year.