Texas Military Institute - Crusader Blue Bonnet Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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The third stretch was the most pleasant yet. The heavy forest had thinned considerably and we could see for many miles around. Since we were now old hands in this climb, we knew just which trails to follow, and many of us were led to shady nooks beside a tumbling waterfall or brook. Here we could stop and reflect - an ideal spot to publish our Crusader. Others of us, with a gift for marching in excellent style, were rewarded with stripes. Then came the three-quarter mark and the end of the timber line. And now on the fourth, the last part of the climb, we are getting higher and higher, the View is more extensive than it has ever been before. The impediments are less except for the steepness. Buttons have replaced the stripes , and stripes have gone to new climbers. Our trail has led its followers to another nook of reflection where the Crusader might well be created. All the trails meet at the summit where in a few days We, the Class of 1953, shall come together for the last time. It will be wonderful to realize that we have mastered those trails, and that we have received such sagacious counsel from the wise ones along our paths. Our four-year climb has been in an in- vigorating and inspiring atmosphere, with the heights always before us. It has been the sort which inspires moral courage and character. When we have reached the summit of T. M. I. we must set our pace for even higher and steeper peaks in the range of the world beyond. As we leave T. M. I. we leave behind our sorrows and mistakes, taking with us only those truest friendships, the richest experiences, and'the benefits that have so bounteously been lavished upon us. -I. Wilburn Chapman III Class of '33

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THE CLASS OF 1953 In a few days, we, the Seniors, the Class of 1953, will disbcmd. We have worked and played and drilled together, always with but one and the same goal before us. At graduation, the climax, our reaching the summit, will have been effected. It is all like the climbing of a great mountain, one of a series in a range, and in its completeness the range may well be representative of our lives. Let me explain my comparison. Four years ago a group of T. M. I. cadets were stumbling through a dense forest in search of a particular mountain. We arrived at its foot, and there, many trails presented themselves. We separated as each climber took the trail that looked best to him. This was the first mountain any of us had ever attempted and the going was hard indeed. We stumbled often, and were wholly afraid of the massive, domineering trees as they swayed in the breeze and seemed to whisper things about us. For a year we climbed through their thickness, cautious of every step, and always fearing the tall, foreboding trees. Finally we assem- bled at the one-quarter line and exalted in our supremacy of the first year. As we looked out about us, vision was a bit clearer. We felt greatly superior to the new group, just starting down at the bottom. The going steadily became easier and our greatest pastime was looking back at those below us and snickering. Then, we reached the half-way mark. We stopped to rest a while and when we were about to resume our climb, we noticed that some of our original group had not yet arrived, and too, there were some whom we had not seen before - ready to climb with us.

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CLASS OF 1953 DAVID S. CHRISTIAN ll ll San Antonio, Texas 1949-'50 Entered T.M.I. from S.A.A.g P.F.C. Bandg Captain Ir. A Footballg Ir. A Basketball Tearng Varsity Baseball: Varsity Track: Ir. Literary Society 1950-'51 Cpl. Bandp Varsity T Club: Varsity Footballg Varsity Trackp Varsity Baseball: President Sophomore Class: Ir, Literary Society 1951-'52 Sgt. Co, B g Honor Guard: Honor Councilp Varsity T Club: Varsity Footballg Varsity Trackp Varsity Baseballg President Iunior Classp Winner Springall Award 1952-'53 Captain Co. B p Honor Council: Honor Guard: Captain Varsity Football: Manager Varsity Basketball Teamp Varsity T Clubg Varsity Baseball Team: President Senior Class College Preference: Southern Methodist University Service Preference: U. S. Army Ambition: Public Relations