Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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General INIarshall paid tribute to his predecessor and spoke of V. M. I. ' s outstanding contribution to the national effort in World War II. He said that civilians whose prior education and training at V. M. I. enabled them to step into command and staff positions in the armed forces had proven a contribution of almost incalculable value. Dr. Freeman, entitling his address, The Rightness of V. M. I., said that the Institute was eminently right in name, leadership and morale. Calling for the continuation of V. M. I. as essentially a Virginia institution, and also fundamentally military, Dr. Freeman declared: I do not believe there has been mistaken leadership in all the 107 years of V. M. I. history. We are very fortunate in the man we ' ve had

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General Dwight D. Eisenhower, present Army Chief of Staff, extended his best wishes and declared that he was sure that V. M. I. ' s future role of producing leaders thoroughly trained in complete citizen- ship will be no less vital to the nation than in her glorious past. Among the many prominent officials on hand for the ceremony were Major General Manton S. Eddy, Commanding General of the Third Service Command; Brigadier General S. Gardner Waller, Adjutant General of Virginia, members of the General xA.ssembly, and others prominent in state affairs. Representa- tives of a number of other colleges also were present.

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and no less fortunate in the man we ' re installing. He recalled that the superintendents of V. ] I. I. all had been professional or semi-professional soldiers, and mentioned the distinguished record of V. M. I. students in the nation ' s military history, and their high esprit de corps. Thus, he said, the rightness of V. M. I. is demonstrated in all its phases. Following the introduction of the Superintendent, the gathering assembled on the parade ground for the review and change of command. The trim Cadet Corps in full-dress uniform moved smartly past the reviewing stand, and a moment later an exchange of salutes and a handclasp marked the opening of a new administration.