Reunion 2011

Ahhh....Louisville in June! What a sight to behold. The deluge of rain that hit the midwest this spring gave us a needed break. We couldn't have asked for much more sunshine. The Crowne Plaza, that weekend, was a happening place for more events than just those involving us old-codger cadets. A most festive group of motorcycle enthusiasts were in attendance, and there was a huge gun show going on across the street at the Fairgrounds. So the Crowne was full, and that fact was good news for commerce.

We all got a lot of exercise. Most of you know that the Crowne Plaza is a huge square hotel. Our registration booth was set up at the very back of the main hallway on the first floor. It only seemed like a 1/2 mile hike to register. When we got there we found stalwarts Jim Burrows ('53) and Greg Rohrer ('69) already set up to keep the names and numbers straight. The '63 duo of Bill Vermillion and Frank Lively, our reunion co-chairs, were on hand at registration to make sure everyone got their nametags (that Frank made), and their packets for the events. You know who was missing from registration? Our old buddy Forrest Respess, class of 1944. His acting career down in south Florida has been taking precedent over KMI reunions. The last time Forrest and I talked, he had a part in Oklahoma. 1962 class rep and web site keeper Jim Flora and wife Cheryl were conspicuously absent. Jim is tackling a couple of health issues that hit him within days of coming to the reunion. Two former members of our military department from the mid '60s also developed "last minute" health issues that prevented them from attending our reunion: Bill Brand and Richard Mazur. So we wish everyone the strongest and speediest of recoveries and look forward to seeing them in Venice in 2013.

Brad Lyman welcomed us Thursday evening as we disembarked from the buses in front of Kentucky Country Day School. The school houses decades of important memorabilia as well as our transcripts and other information that were kept by Miss Mary until she passed away. The display cases are packed, and the contents are rotated on a regular basis. Students learn KMI history as part of their curriculum, and the KMI Honor Code is in plain view. We were treated to a delicious buffet and enjoyed some great fellowship. Realizing that KCD has become an important part of the KMI legacy, Bill Vermillion suggested we send the school $1000.00 to continue its efforts on our behalf. No one objected.

Friday was a BUSY day! Many people hopped back on the buses early in the morning and rode out to our beautiful old campus in Lyndon. Ormsby Hall remains a fascinating place, and the stories about Colonel Williams and his strategically placed mirrors in his bedroom (so he supposedly could see the entire campus at night without ever having to get out of bed) still are told today with gusto. We have to be greatly appreciative of the management at "The Brook" hospital (as it's called now). Privacy is an ongoing issue at any facility of this nature. Entertaining a group the size of ours results in a lot of security related work for the protection of everyone.

The Belle of Louisville fed us well and took us up river for a few hours on Friday afternoon. A DJ played our favorite and not-so favorite oldies as we relaxed (some of us snoozed) on board this world famous vessel. We had many opportunities to leisurely walk the decks of the Belle, bump into some of our old buddies coming the other way, and get caught up. The Louisville skyline, as seen from the river, has grown up since we were at KMI. Could it really have been THAT many years ago?

The remainder of Friday afternoon was free. A bunch of us stayed downtown, after disembarking from The Belle, and toured the Louisville Slugger Museum or the Frazier Arms Museum on our own. We knew we had to grab a little dinner and a little rest, first, if we were going to survive that physical obstacle course known as the "dance floor" back at the hotel around 8:00 P.M. Most of us had all but forgotten Louisville's famous Monarchs. When the band kicked into its million seller from 1964, however, "Look Homeward Angel", a bunch of memories began to return. What a performance! The guys played until midnight. They were awsome. Two of the original members continue to perform and travel with the band. CDS and DVDs were for sale along with a history of The Monarchs penned by long-time Kentucky sports writer Billy Reed. The group has an active web site, and its music can be ordered from the site.

The aches and pains from the dance floor followed us into Saturday morning's Alumni meeting. Moderator Bill Victor ('69) brought us up to date on our tax-exempt and 501 status for our legacy efforts going forward. The 2nd printing of Jim Stephens' most important KMI historical work is now sold out. We need to determine the demand for a possible 3rd printing so that Bill Victor can get busy with it. Part of our legacy could be to gift a book to as many libraries in the U.S. as possible. Greg Rohrer gave us an updated treasurer's report. We were all a little antsy about how the current reunion numbers would play out. 2011 is the first reunion where we actually broke down the registration fees to individual days of attendance. Fortunately, those final numbers came in much better than we expected, and we all breathed a little easier. Greg was running around like a madman all weekend anyway. He had a knee replaced in April, and wife Donna (Donnabelle...as some of us call her...including Greg) was with us to give him a hand (and a prop) when he needed one. Charlotte Vermillion was a great help to Bill as was Mary Lively to Frank, Betty Burrows to Jim, and Bonnie Victor to Bill. We appreciate the efforts of all of you.

Our banquet was well attended and featured roses for all of our ladies at the front door. Two young grandchildren dressed in West Point uniforms approached the podium and led us in the Pledge Of Allegiance. We recognized returning faculty Tim Churchill, a retired guidance school counselor from northern Ohio, Rob Haworth, an expert in probation issues from Maryland, and Cappy Gagnon, soon to retire as one of the heads of security at Notre Dame. Billy R. Harris, former military department member, attended with his wife and daughter. Charlie Norman, who taught at KMI from 1949-61, came by for the coctail hour before the banquet and then scooted. Dr. Simpson addressed us with some KMI history and let us know that he often plays golf with former faculty member George Bales. Son Kennedy Simpson also was in attendance. We lost Diane Simpson last year. Having recognized Diane Hodgin, Alex came to the podium and offered us an historical perspective of KMI from his point of view. Bill Vermillion brought to our attention recently that KET is interested in doing an historical work about KMI. Fortunately, for all concerned. we have people like the Hodgins and Simpsons who can offer a rare view of KMI life, through the eyes of their immediate ancestors, from 1925 to the present. The class of 1966 had the largest turnout followed by 1961 (it's 50th reunion), 1963-1968 (tie), 1962, and 1955.

Our banquet's Guests of Honor were a father and son team from Frankfort, Ky. Frank Sower, class of 1929, is now the oldest known living alum of KMI. Frank, through his son John, told all of us that the secret to his longevity was his ability to keep his mind active on a number of fronts. Many of us were glad to know that his longevity was NOT due to two packs of cigarettes and a pint of whiskey every day. We were happy to give Frank a copy of Jim Stephens' book for making the trip to Louisville. John said that he himself did not go to KMI although other family members over the years did attend. Bill Pedigo ('56) came to the podium, gave us a short history of TAPS, and then played it for us on his trumpet to adjourn the banquet. How moving!

The reunion packets everyone received as they registered contained a small KMI poster suitable for framing Check in with Bill Vermillion for availability. There is another person, however, who has been making special theme reunion posters starting with the 2003 reunion in Venice. George Ward, class of 1966, is quite a graphic artist. He has a disc available where we can see the reunion posters for 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011. He can be reached at geoward@columbus.rr.com or 614-562-1948.

The 2013 reunion will be held in the spring in Venice. Stay tuned for information on the KMI website as the plans unfold.

Leon Hirsh KMI 1968

KENTUCKY MILITARY INSTITUTE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION REUNION

JUNE 9 - 11, 2011

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

REUNION 2011 AGENDA & BUS SCHEDULES
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
JUNE 9-11, 2011
THURSDAY JUNE 9, 2011

12:00 NOON to 5:45 PM   REGISTRATION ROOM A: CROWN PLAZA HOTEL
6:05 PM                       THREE BUSES DEPART FOR KENTUCKY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL RECEPTION
6:15 PM                       TWO BUSES DEPART FOR KENTUCKY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL RECEPTION
6:30 PM                       REGISTRATION AVAILABLE AT KENTUCKY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
6:30 PM                        WELCOME RECEPTION/CASH BAR AT KENTUCKY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL/KMI MUSEUM. THERE IS AMPLE
                                         PARKING
                                         FOR AUTOMOBILES. SEE: http://www.kcd.org/content/about/campus FOR DIRECTIONS. IF DRIVING FROM THE
               CROWNE, THE DEPARTURE ADDRESS IS: 830 PHILLIPS LANE, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 40209.
8:40 PM                       STAGGARED BUS DEPARTURES COMMENCE AS BUSES ARE FILLED. LAST BUS WILL DEPART AT 9:00 PM

FRIDAY JUNE 10, 2011

7:30 AM to 1:00 PM        REGISTRATION ROOM A: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
8:25 AM                             ALL BUSES LOAD (NO AUTOMOBILES PLEASE*) FOR KMI CAMPUS
                                           * The Brook Hospitals welcome us to our former campus, but require that we arrive as a group in buses due to very
                                              limited available parking.
10:30 AM                            ALL BUSES LOAD*ON KMI CAMPUS FOR TRIP TO BELLE OF LOUISVILLE DOCK
                                             *In order to make our Belle of Louisville 11:30 AM boarding connection, we will bus directly from the KMI campus to the
                                              Belle of Louisville dock in downtown Louisville. Driving directions @ www.belleoflouisville.org under “schedule &
                                              fares” dropdown.
2:15 PM                            ALL BUSES LOAD FOR RETURN TO CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL.
3:00 PM to 6:30 PM       REGISTRATION ROOM A CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
3:00 PM to 8:00 PM       FREE TIME FOR CLASS GATHERINGS AND EVENING MEALS
8:00 PM to MIDNIGHT   DESSERT RECEPTION/CASH BAR/LIVE MUSIC BY THE MONARCHS/DANCING/ REGISTRATION AVAILABLE:
          CROWNE PLAZA ROOMS B&C

SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2011

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM   REGISTRATION ROOM A: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
9:00 AM                       ALUMNI COFFEE GATHERING: WHITLEY ROOM
9:30 AM                       REMEMBER, REMINISCE, AND REFLECT WITH TIM CHURCHILL
9:45 AM                       ALUMNI BUSINESS MEETING: WHITLEY ROOM
11:00 AM                       BREAK & REGISTRATION ROOM A UNTIL 12 NOON
11:20 AM                       FIRST BUS LOADS/DEPARTS FOR CHURCHILL DOWNS LUNCH AND RACES
11:25 AM                        SECOND BUS LOADS/DEPARTS FOLLOWED BY THREE REMAINING BUSES AT FIVE-MINUTE INTERVALS TO REDUCE
                                          ELEVATOR WAIT. FIRST RACE 12:45 PM.
5:05 PM (APROX.)   THE 9TH RACE WILL END AND STAGGARED BUS DEPARTURES COMMENCE AT THAT TIME AS BUSES ARE FILLED.
      THE LAST BUS WILL DEPART CHURCHILL DOWNS NO LATER THAN 5:30 PM.
6:15 PM to 7:30 PM   REGISTRATION AVAILABLE @ CROWNE PLAZA TAYLOR-WHITLEY ROOM
6:30 PM                       PRE-BANQUET GATHERING/CASH BAR: TAYLOR-WHITLEY ROOM
7:30 PM                       BANQUET MEAL SERVICE: TAYLOR-WHITLEY ROOM
8:45 PM                       REUNION PROGRAM AND CLOSING REMARKS