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Thanks to All!

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Mon, 10/27/2025 - 20:58
 

October 27, 2025
Eden Prairie, MN

My Fellow Alumni and Friends:

It has been over a week since Matt Winans, Dan Pennington and I piled into my rental car after lunch with Jim Dodway and headed out of Lewisburg. Me being the chauffeur dropping my charges at various airports: Lewisburg and Columbus, Ohio.

In the pouring rain on the way to Columbus, Dan and I relived the weekend while Matt sat in that small Lewisburg airport. I was certainly happy that the rain held off until after we struck the flags on Sunday afternoon. I would have been happier if it held off until we got to Columbus.

On that wet drive we discussed the almost perfect last GMSAA Reunion. The events ran virtually without a hitch. And the one hitch was something only a few of us recognized.

First and foremost, I want to thank the almost 100 cadets who attended the 2025 Reunion weekend. Their guests brought this event to over 200 in attendance throughout the weekend. And once more, thank you to all of the alumni from the 50’s whose presence was an inspiration to us all.

To those who took up roles during these events I want to extend my deepest appreciation: John Arbuckle, Beaman Cummings, Robert Duff, John Horlbeck, Lee Martin, Dan Pennington, Lee Webb and Perry Woodside. The Retreat flag detail: Bill Stinnette, James Ewing II, John Little, and Truman Doran. Frank Frashier and John Horlbeck for being our last Company Commanders. Myron Pierson for being the retreat bugler for all these years. And to Jim Downer for operating the Cadet Store. Thank you to the GEHS JROTC, the Color-guard and the GEHS Marching Band.

To all those who participated in the Quad Photo, it was a classic. To Ellsworth Buck, Herb Pearis, Ed Rock, Rodney Weikle and their spouses, THANK YOU for your continued support.

Musicians Theresa Gaffney and The Sweet Lipzz Jazz Orchestra gave us wonderful music for the two big events of the weekend. Thank you Michael Crews for recommending Theresa and to Bob Boles for finding the SLJO.

Our guest speakers, Jim Nemitz, President of WVSOM, Betsy Ranson, President of the GCWAA, and Alan Mollohan, Former U.S. Representative from West Virginia. We greatly appreciate your words and humor. And yes, Dr. Nemitz, be assured there will always be cadets wanting to visit the ol’ Brier.

To Alan, who’s address at the banquet was a most fitting tribute to GMS and the Alumni Association. How many of us knew that Alan Mollohan was one of the initial board members of the GMSAA? Alan was here at our beginning in 1983 and here at the end. It was only right that he address us at our final gathering. I sincerely thank you, Alan.

From WVSOM, I want to thank Belinda Evans and Donette Mizia for their assistance. Without them the weekend would not have been as successful. And to our Archivist, Mary Essig whose enduring dedicated service to our memory is second to none.

Thanks to our bookkeeper, Mary Thompson for keeping track of all the registrations and having to deal with my email bombardments. Thanks to our keeper of all things check-in, Sherry Phillips.

To Jim Dodway, our go to guy in Lewisburg. When we needed a photograph or a bit of research on something like the canon in the Alumni Park, he would be willing to find it for us. And naturally, he was the Bourbon runner.

I want to personally thank the Board of Directors for all their work and putting up with my emails and discussions to make the 2025 Reunion Weekend a memorable event. The BoD are: Michael Crews (VP), Perry Woodside (Treas), Denton Staley (Sec), at large members: John Arbuckle, Bear Baker, Steve Downer, John Little, and Bill Stinnette. And as noted in the meetings, we still have work to do.

There is one guy, whose assistance was undeniably indispensable. Bob Boles’ institutional knowledge of how to do these reunions and guidance to the Board was critical in making this reunion the success that it was. Thank you, Bob, for all you have done for the Association.

Thanks to all the GCW women who came to join us. I don’t know who all of you were, but I want to recognize Carmen Crisco, Sherrie Tennant, Kitty Allen, Betsy Ranson, Heather Chagaris, and Charlotte Hollinger.

And a shout out to Rev. Julie Olt from Old Stone Presbyterian Church for the service honoring the Greenbrier Military School memory. The brass band was a nice touch.

Please accept my apologies if I missed someone. There were so many of you who assisted in making this fine weekend unforgettable. It should also be noted that there were those alumni who donated time and money for special items for the weekend. These include: the champagne, the bourbon, the brass band at church, the plaques, certificates, shot glasses, and the banquet programs, to name just a few.

Finally, we must recognize those whose absences were felt. Besides those who passed in the last year, there are some who for various reasons were unable to make it but were usually at the reunion. Among those whose absence was noted and missed are: Webster Trant, Brock Townsend, John Byrnes, CJ Richardson, Dick Barber, Scott Nelson, Ed Haynes, James Williams, Jr., Joanne Pearis, Sally Parker and Suzi Crozier Piguet. And to all of you who couldn’t make it not named, we missed you. Know that our spirits walk through campus now and forever.

Again thank you all for making the 2025 Reunion weekend extraordinary! Matt Winans is in the process of revising the website to memorialize this special event. Link will be available soon.

With all Respect,

Mike Ruth, President GMSAA
Class of 1969

auction complete

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Mon, 10/06/2025 - 16:43
 

Who is coming to the reunion?

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Fri, 09/12/2025 - 16:16
 

As promised, here is a partial list of Alumni coming to the 2025 GMSAA Reunion. If you don't see one of your friends who should be here, contact them and give them a little nudge. As of October 12, we have 193 people signed up for the reunion, which includes 101 cadets.

1950’s
1953 Robert Kaufman
1954 Bill Stinnette, John Tessiatore
1955 George Counts, Truman Doran, Larry Updike
1956 Charles Duncan, Joseph McGlothlin, Herb Pearis
1957 Lee Hadley
1958 Stephen Adkins, Dick Barber, Simon Haddad, John Iddings
1959 Robert Duff, Richard McClung, Robert Skinner

1960’s
1960 Jim Coleman
1961 William Allfather, David Downs, James Ewing, Leon Johenning, Al Mollohan, Robert Richardson , Bink Wilson
1962 Raleigh Macklin, James Watts
1963 John Arbuckle, Beaman Cummings
1964 James Burns, Bill Deck, Ed Garmhausen, Craig Lindahl, Lee Martin, CJ Richardson, Perry Woodside, Grey Webb
1965 Greg Benjamin, John Little, Don Newell,
1966 Eldred Adams, Bear Baker, Terry Basham, John Dakan, Duff Smith
1967 Art Hartley, Larry Springer
1968 Terry Byrnes, Neal Francisco, Charles Long, Dan Magnuson, Marshall McClung
1969 Jack Alvarez, Hugh Boggs, Jim Dodway, Steve Evans, Frank Frashier, Tom Lechner, Dan Pennington, Mike Ruth, Bill Schneck, Jackson Tully

1970’s
1970 Bob Boles, James Booher, David McCoy, Geoff Mohn, Tony Sadler, Butch Wingo
1971 Jim Downer, Bruce Ehas, Chris McKeever, Al Morgan, Greg Pelfrey, Carl Warner, Lee Webb
1972 Don Campbell, Michael Crews, Paul Christy, Larry Clifton, Steve Downer,
John Horlbeck, John Romine, Denton Staley, Webster Trant

Faculty
Ed Rock, Rodney Weikle, Ellsworth Buck, Herb Pearis

COME TO THE REUNION!

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Thu, 09/11/2025 - 11:30
 

A letter from Perry Woodside and Lee Martin, paraphrased be me.

GMS 2025 REUNION

As the designated class contacts for the GMS Class of 1964, we are gathering the troops for one final blast on the October 17-19, 2025 reunion weekend the old GMS campus. While this is written on behalf of the class of ’64, this pertains to ALL GMS Alumni.
It’s hard to believe that this is the 61st year since the class of ‘64 left the campus to begin our adult lives. Some of us went on to higher education while others entered the work force. Some went into the military and some to war. Thankfully, if you are receiving this letter, you’re still breathing. As there will be no more formal reunions after this one, this could be your last opportunity to ever see your classmates again. So why not come for a fun weekend of camaraderie, good food and reminiscence?
We have a number of our classmates already registered. But we usually get most of the registrations back in late August and September. We will begin posting the names of those who have signed up on our website starting in September. We will post them by class. We will also be giving away a special gift during the weekend to the class that has the most members back.

The motels are already filling up, so make your reservations as soon as possible. Bring your wives and sweethearts so that we all can see how well you did. Don’t worry if you can’t recognize some of your classmates. We may have lost our boyish looks along with some hair and added some pounds and wrinkles but we’re still the same guys you knew back then. Come help make this last hurrah a memorable weekend on the grand old campus. You’re gonna love it.

Your classmates,
Lee Martin
Perry Woodside

GMS 2025 Runion

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Thu, 07/17/2025 - 15:28
 

We have a number of our classmates already registered. But we usually get most of the registrations back in late August and September. We will begin posting the names of those who have signed up on our website starting in September. We will post them by class. We will also be giving away a special gift during the weekend to the class that has the most members back.

Leadership Scholarship Question and Response

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Mon, 11/04/2024 - 13:17
 

Bill Deck, Class of 1964, on Nov 2nd posted on the GMSAA Facebook Group the following important question. I promised him a response from Perry and myself..

“It is with mixed emotions that I put down my thoughts. As my wife likes to remind me, we are much like the Shakers with no one coming in behind us to carry on. There has always been a push to leave a lasting legacy. Starting with the GMS leadership courses and then moving to the GMS scholarships. At the time, I was not in favor of the change of course, but now I believe we made the right choice to switch to the scholarships.

I am reminded of the Dylan Thomas poem “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.” With the last reunion and dissolution of the association coming up next year, I’m afraid we are going gently into the night. Unless the board makes some hard decisions in the next year, many of us will outlive our legacy. My question for the board is do we want to provide high dollar scholarships that will die out in 10 to 15 years or do we want to base our financial aid to reflect what will allow the fund to continue for generations to come. Might I suggest that 75% of the earnings of the fund be made available each year for scholarships and 25% be retained by the fund to maintain the viability of the fund.
As we “rage against the dying of the light” there is one scant year to get things right.

—Bill Deck”

Bill,
Thank you for your comments regarding the Leadership Scholarship. Rest assured that we are quite aware of the Scholarship’s overall financial position to include anticipated disbursements. We have an integrated model that includes expected portfolio returns which considers interest and dividends as well price appreciation, management fees, and inflationary adjustments to the awards. The Leadership Scholarship Fund will receive the residual from the Museum Fund and a portion of the residual from the Life Membership Fund (probably a total of about $125,000). The current scholarship amounts will be adjusted to an appropriate level by reducing the annual amount or the number of years awarded (or a combination of the two). From the outset, we knew that the awards would have to be flexible. The goal has always been to make the Scholarship fully funded. The Scholarship agreement we have with the GGV Community Foundation includes a Scholarship Committee, the composition of which can carry on in perpetuity, that is charged with ensuring that the considerations and requirements for evaluating student applications are followed. This Committee has the authority to adjust the scholarship disbursements should additional adjustments be needed after we are all gone.

With respect, Mike Ruth and Perry Woodside

PS: The Association will not end next year. It is scheduled to cease operation by Dec. 2026.

Message from the President

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Wed, 10/23/2024 - 19:16
 

To all GMS Cadets, Family and Friends:

On behalf of the GMSAA Board I would like to say THANK YOU!  to all who celebrated with us this weekend. I believe we had 98 people register early for the Friday night get together. While there were 14 no shows, there were about the same number who registered upon arrival to campus. We had 104 people at the dinner. While there wasn’t much dancing as we hoped, there were plenty of conversations and reconnection.

We also raised $6100 for the Leadership Scholarship, with a number of people pledging to contribute once they got home. 

If you want to contribute to the Leadership Scholarship please access the GMSAA website, or send a check made out to GMSAA.  Send to GMSAA, PO Box 922, Lewisburg, WV 24901, Attn: Mary Thompson. In the memo area of the check indicate the Leadership Scholarship.

What follows are not the minutes of the meetings but a summary. The important items of business this weekend were the signing of the agreement transferring the GMSAA Collection to WVSOM, discussions around the dissolution of the Association and the final official reunion. 

On Friday morning, after years of long and sometimes difficult discussions, the Board voted to bring the business of GMSAA to its end by Dec 31, 2026. The motion to hold the final GMSAA Reunion in October 2025 was also voted on. Both motions to close the association and hold the final GMSAA Reunion were passed unanimously. 

Friday afternoon the final documents were signed by the WVSOM Foundation, the WVSOM Board of Directors, the Greenbrier Historical Society and GMSAA to transfer the GMSAA Collection to WVSOM. After our board meeting, Governor Justice was on campus to sign a bill providing $13 million for WVSOM deferred maintenance. During this ceremony he spoke in depth about his time at GMS.

Finally, during the general meeting on Saturday a motion was made to keep the board membership as it is with its current 9 members until the Association closes. The motion passed unanimously.

Plans are already underway for the October 2025 reunion. Please note that after the October 2025 event, WVSOM has agreed to help facilitate informal reunions as long as we want to hold them. There will be a committee set up to assist in the transition to the informal get togethers.

One more thing before closing, I learned that the Greenbrier Jeep Rally will move to the 4th weekend in October thereby freeing up hotel rooms and parking lots!

Thank you to those who attended the board and general meetings, plus all your contributions throughout the last year. I appreciate your input and guidance. More information will be made available as we proceed.

See you October 17-19, 2025.

With respect,

Mike Ruth, President GMSAA
Class of 1969

Change is Inevitable

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Thu, 08/08/2024 - 14:49
 

This letter was composed in June for the upcoming version of the Alumni Record, which should be in your mailbox early next week. I am posting this now because of certain emails that have been floating around as of late. This is my opinion, and mine only as to where the Association should head.

June, 2024
To all GMS Cadets, Family, and Friends,

Change: Make (someone or something) different; alter or modify.- Oxford Dictionary-

Change doesn’t come easy and it’s certainly inescapable. Some of you are aware that after the New Year, I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. With the help of a number of men including GMS alumni, I am now working through the biggest change in my life. The reason I tell you this is not for sympathy, but to say change happens and sometimes it is harsh with little time to prepare for it.

This letter is about change.

I feel it is time for the Greenbrier Military School Alumni Association to come to an end. Not our reunions, but the business side of our Association. I believe it is our duty to determine an appropriate timeframe for our Association’s termination. I would like to be clear, the Association and the reunions are separate matters.

As the Association goes, there is already a dissolution plan in place. It was written into our charter and amended a number of years ago by the Board of Directors. It was felt then, as I feel now, that we must methodically go through the legal and emotional process of dissolving GMSAA. This isn’t going to happen over night and it wont be simple. For the sake of continuity, I am recommending the people who have been working on these documents remain involved.

Why should the Association close? After discussing our situation with many alumni, it basically comes down to participation and money. The number of dues paying members are declining and our expenses aren’t being covered by our dues revenue. There is a real financial cost in keeping the association running, including paid and unpaid personnel, not related to reunion expenses.

Some of you would like to see the Association continue. Let me ask, continue until when? We don’t need the Association to see our classmates and friends. WVSOM has guaranteed we will be welcome on campus into perpetuity. We can continue holding reunions as long as anyone cares to go. The difference is GMSAA won’t be coordinating them. That responsibility will fall on those who want to get together, and WVSOM has people in place to help.

In my opinion our true legacy are the scholarships we award every year and the GMS Museum. We already have documents in place that will ensure these GMS legacies well into the future. Closing up shop while we are still active will save the Association in a multitude of ways, and quite frankly, it’s the proper thing to do.

As for the last “Official” GMSAA Reunion, let me suggest October 2025. Let’s honor those cadets from earlier years before they can no longer travel to Lewisburg in the fall. Let’s do this right with dignity and integrity and have this Final Reunion a monumental shindig while as many of us are able to attend.

Last year Lee Martin said it best with the following quote: “T’was Longfellow who said… ‘Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.’ ”

The above are my thoughts as President of the Association. It is my belief the board needs to move towards the closure of GMSAA sooner rather than later. I look forward to any and all comments and suggestions you may have.

With all Respect,

Mike Ruth ‘69
President
GMSAA

gms.mike.ruth@gmail.com

2024 GMSAA Reunion: The Thought Process Behind the New Schedule

Submitted by Matt Winans on Tue, 06/25/2024 - 17:06
 

From the Reunion Committee: After the new year the board organized a Reunion Committee to research what were the best options going forward. The Board members making up this committee were: Michael Crews (Association VP), Denton Staley (Association Sec), Steve Downer and Bear Baker.

On April 8, after discussion of their recommendations, it was unanimously agreed that the schedule now on the website be adopted for this upcoming 2024 GMSAA Reunion. If you have done so, please refer to the Reunion Schedule.

The rationale for the new reunion schedule is as follows. Concern was expressed at the elimination of the Saturday evening activities. Financial reports have shown that Saturday events have been our major expense in the past and is where we have the best opportunity to reduce costs. This proposal eliminates the need for the Student Center and another catered dinner. This also saves us the cost of hiring a group of musicians from outside the area, a cost that burdens the association’s members.

Attendance records show that the numbers have been declining at the Saturday Night Dinner Dance activity as expenses climb. It became obvious that this was the best place to cut expenses and still offer dancing at the Sharp center. To continue the Saturday evening activities and not dip into operating funds would require an increase in prices. This increase possibly could further lower the numbers willing to participate.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The GMSAA Board

GMSAA Board Update

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Mon, 05/27/2024 - 16:27
 

Memorial Day, May 27, 2024
Greetings from Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

The board would like to give you a brief update of what has been going on since the October 2023 Reunion. We have met a few times via zoom to discuss various matters GMSAA will need to address in upcoming years.

What’s most likely on your mind is the reunion schedule, without further adieu here it is.

After the new year the board organized a Reunion Committee to research what are the best options going forward. The Board members making up this committee are: Michael Crews (Association VP), Denton Staley (Association Sec), Steve Downer and Bear Baker. On April 8, after discussion of their recommendations, it was unanimously agreed that the following schedule be adopted for this upcoming 2024 GMSAA Reunion.

1) Reunion Schedule

Schedule for Oct 2024 GMSAA Reunion
All Events at the Sharp Alumni Center unless noted otherwise.

Thursday, Oct 17, 
Registration 4-7 pm

Friday, Oct 18
Registration 9 am-7 pm

Golf @ Lewisburg CC: 9am-3pm

Flag Raising Ceremony: 9:30 a.m.

GMSAA Board Meeting 10am-12n

Retreat Formation, Front Court 3:30 
   Retreat Rehearsal: 3:30 pm
   Retreat: 5 pm
   Group Photo inside the Quad immediately after Retreat Formation

Catered Dinner Buffet 6 pm Sharp Center

Dance/Sock Hop 7:30-10 pm

Saturday Oct 19
Pre Meeting Beverages Coffee and Pastries 9:30
General Meeting: 10am-12n

12 noon: Dismiss the Corp, Free time.

The rest of the day open to do what ever you wish. Denton has been in contact with various restaurants around town to inquire about available private gatherings. Restaurant contacts coming soon.

Sunday, Oct 20 
Church at Old Stone Presbyterian: 11 am
 
NOTE: Registration window will be open as soon as final costs are determined.

Also, the DJ Denton has contacted will provide a website where you will be able to request songs of your era. That will be available soon.

From the Reunion Committee: The rationale for the new reunion schedule is as follows. Concern was expressed at the elimination of the Saturday evening activities. The financial reports have shown that Saturday events have been our major expense in the past and this is where we have the best opportunity to reduce costs. It was noted that Bobby Nichols, who we have used extensively over the past years, is spending more time in London with his son and is harder to get in contact with him. This proposal also eliminates the need for the Student Center and another catered dinner.


Attendance records show that the numbers have been declining at the Saturday Night Dinner Dance activity with expenses climbing. It became obvious that this was the best place to cut expenses and still offer dancing at the Sharp center. To continue the Saturday evening activities and not dip into operating funds would require an increase in prices. This increase possibly could further lower the numbers willing to participate.


Bill Stinnette recommended that the buffet be a little nicer with a second meat option and something for a vegan option. The DJ has agreed to furnish an email address where music requests can be sent and he will arrange to play that list plus the best dance tunes from your day.

2) GMSAA Awards. In the past GMSAA has bestowed awards to individuals who have met certain criteria that would merit him to receive special recognition. The Board would like to reinstate some of those awards. More information will be coming soon.

3) Inventory of the GMSAA Archives. Denton, Michael Crews and Steve Downer have been working in Lewisburg going through the items in the archives to meet the legal requirement that all items in our care are inventoried for the eventual dissolution of GMSAA.

4) Members of the Board have represented GMSAA at various functions at WVSOM and at the two Greenbrier County High Schools. They have also met with WVSOM IT personnel to review security and received assurance the website will be maintained by WVSOM in the event of various scenarios that have been brought up by members of the association. Plus, Jim Dodway and Jackson Tully have also proudly represented GMSAA at various activities.

5) Michael Crews, Denton Staley and Steve Downer have been doing extraordinary duty for you, the members.

Respectfully, on behalf of the Board,
Mike Ruth

Your Stories Need to be Written

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Sat, 03/02/2024 - 16:39
 

Good 1st Weekend of March to you:
Sorry for this long windy post.

I am an avid reader of WW2 personal histories and memoirs. My bookcase has more books that describe the stories of the men and women who struggled so valiantly to keep the world free, than novels. There is something in those books that provide me a grounding in my place in the world. We can learn a lot from reading about other people's stories.

Denton Staley and I were talking a few nights ago. Think about this fact, there are a lot of our comrades who were juniors at GMS when it closed, thereby missing out on the final tradition many of us enjoyed. We should do something to recognize them. Denton told about one cadet who wanted to write something about this but didn't know where to start. We should encourage those who want to write about this experience to do that. 

GMS closed 52 years ago and we still have attachments and strong memories of our time in Lewisburg. We really should hear from the Class of '73. As far as I know there has never been a recognition of what these guys went through. Can we encourage this for the next reunion? Perhaps have a program for these guys from what should have been the Class of '73, (an honorary diploma?). A few of them do show up each year. Plus, how did this closing impact the class of '72 being the last class?

My niece graduated high school in the spring of 2020. It was very traumatic for 2020 high school kids to graduate, yet not graduate like they were planning on. She wrote an editorial for the Columbus Dispatch which she has given permission to share and use as a template.

Another thing we were discussing was starting a column on our website we thought might be called "War Stories".   We would like to see stories of things that occured while we were at GMS. Everyone has something funny or not funny to share. I know I had my share of escapades. For example: Phil Fullerton (a roommate from 1967-68) and I strung over 300' of bell wire on the roof of D company to use as an antenna for my Hallicrafter multiband radio. The better story is how we got on the roof. (You know there was a lot of cadet activity on the roof of GMS, none of it authorized.)

Currently we have a space on the website which we call Greenbrier Remembrances, (http://www.gmsaa.org/cadets/remembrances). But rarely used. Perhaps we could rename that or start a new column altogether.  We would need help in promoting people into writing for it.  Could there be potential to compile those articles into a printed piece that we could offer for sale where profits could benefit scholarships.

Just some thoughts that have been on my mind. If you have any stories to share email them to me at: gms.mike.ruth@gmail.com

Mike Ruth, Class of 1969

Greenbrier Military School year end letter.

Submitted by Emmitt Staley on Thu, 12/28/2023 - 12:11
 

Hello, my name is Emmitt Denton Staley. I am a 1972 graduate of GMS and was recently elected to serve on your Alumni Association Board and subsequently have become your new Secretary. I would not say that I was elected Secretary but instead was the only person gullible enough to take on this task. In less than two months, I am overwhelmed at the discovery of the huge amount of work and time that Herb Pearis and Bob Boles have given our association over their course of service. I accept the office as my way to honor Herb, my teacher, advisor and dear friend. I have asked Bob to continue as my mentor as long as possible to lend continuity to this office at a time that will need someone with a grasp of our school history, a working knowledge of our Association processes, and a commitment to cementing our legacy through our scholarships at Greenbrier East and West, and at WVSOM. That is why I am communicating with you today.

Much has been said and written about how we are a “graying” group and in talking to our members, it is obvious that many of us are asking the question “how long will our association and/or our reunions continue?” That is a question asked not out of a morbid fascination but instead a real sense of responsibility to the association. A responsibility, I would point out, that we learned at GMS. The Board of Directors has approved a plan that will take us through the steps of closing the business side of the association when the time is right. This plan was created by your board several years ago as they looked down the road at our smaller membership numbers and shrinking resources. You could call it our estate planning document. But once the plan is initiated, it won’t mean we stop getting together in Lewisburg the third weekend in October. Yes, we are planning for the inevitable, but we will still be able to get together for years to come.

Communication is key to a healthy association. As I see it, the board has worked hard to be as transparent as possible with the membership. We have a nice balance of new and seasoned board members working for our association. There are some tough decisions your board will need to make in the next few years, but with everyone working together, we will succeed.

One of the big decisions made last year was minimizing our mailings and changing how we will be communicating with you in the future. In the past, we have had at least 3 annual mailings go out to the membership. Producing these in the traditional way results in an expense of $1200 to $2500 per mailing. In the future, we will be using e-mail and our website as our main communication tools. We will also be providing a link in every Facebook post that will direct you to the website for more information. The board does not want this to be difficult for anyone or to lose our connection with you. If you really need conventional (snail) mail, contact me at the information below, and I will try my best to accommodate you.

A great way for you to help make this a successful transition is to help ensure your Cadet Database information is up-to-date. Also, I am as old school as any of you, but even I've managed to navigate our modern website to share a Greenbrier Remembrance – a chance for all of us to share our stories about “The Brier”. It's surprisingly simple, just head over to our Greenbrier Remembrances page, type out your story directly on the site and it will be instantly posted for all our alumni to see. If you're a registered user, you can edit or delete your post anytime – no need to call in your grandkids for tech support. Another option is to share your memories and media in our Official Group on Facebook. Make Col. Benjamin proud.

This is an exciting time for GMSAA. So that you will understand my commitment to you, I am adjusting my will so that our Scholarship Fund will be the recipient of a bequest from my estate and have instructed my lawyer to notify our association of that fact in writing. This is one example of how you can help fund our Scholarship program. Another option is to make a year-end gift. These contributions could be tax deductible because GMSAA is a 501C-3. Please note you are free to do both. Donate to the association in your lifetime and remember us in your last wishes. The amazing thing I have learned in the last few months is that we have alumni from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s that plan to be coming to Lewisburg for many years to come. I think there are quite a few of us that have our eye on that bottle of scotch in the GMS Museum.

Thank you for your time to read this. Please make sure we have your email and phone number so that we can keep in touch. You can update this info by using the “Request an Update” button on the upper-right of your online Cadet Database profiles, or by contacting us directly through our at Contact Form. We will be looking into another fundraising and bequest drive in the next few months with the goal of raising $250K to finish securing our Scholarship Fund into perpetuity. If you would like to start the ball rolling on our fundraising goals, by all means, push it off. Remember, our scholarship program is our legacy to the school.

E. Denton Staley
GMSAA Secretary, Class of ’72
gms.dentonstaley@gmail.com

PLEASE HELP GMSAA THIS YEAR

Your support is vital to the continuation of our legacy. We invite you to make a tax-deductible donation to the Greenbrier Military School Alumni Association. To contribute, you can mail your donation to the address below, or visit our online Donation Form and choose how you would like to allocate your donation:

  • The GMS Leadership Scholarship Fund
  • The WVSOM Scholarship Fund
  • The GMS Museum Fund
  • General Operating Fund

Truth • Duty • Honor

GMS Alumni Association
P.O. Box 922 Lewisburg, WV 24901

Recent Cadet Passings

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Fri, 07/07/2023 - 13:13
 

It has recently been brought to our attention the following cadets have passed away. At this moment we have no further particulars. If any of you have any information on these alumni, could you forward those details to me at: GMS.Mike.Ruth@gmail.com

Fred F. McIntosh III, Class of ’45
Old Tappan, NJ
March 10, 2022

Dr. Robert Bell , Class of '52
San Antonio, TX
July 12, 2022

Robert Nelson, Class of '53
Lady Lake, FL
No Date Available

Barham Parker, Class of '57
Black Diamond WA
February7, 2021

Mike Amling, Class of ’69
London, OH
June 2022

GMS 'Brier Patch' Yearbooks NOW AVAILABLE FOR VIEW!

Submitted by Matt Winans on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 10:47
 

Hello to all GMS Alumni & Friends,

I am happy to announce as of today (May 24th, 2020) that 50 years of GMS yearbooks are now available for FREE VIEW on our website!

I hope many of you find pleasure in viewing these archives of history as I certainly did in the process of optimizing, stabilizing & cropping all 4,289 total pages from a dark microfilm state. Each yearbook has been carefully lightened with level & curve adjustments for easier visibility. As seen in this photo, the PDF reader allows for the PDF to be downloaded if you'd like to keep a copy for yourself. Also, to view the yearbook in full screen, click the "Presentation Mode" button above the reader.

A huge thanks also goes to Mike Ruth '69 and our museum curator, Mary Essig, for making this yearbook project possible!

Ready to check it out? View them under the Cadets dropdown, select "'Brier Patch' Yearbooks!"

Enjoy,

Matt Winans
GMSAA Webmaster

Read James "Deak" Roberts Jr.'s New "Passing in Review" Article

Submitted by Matt Winans on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 22:33
 

Read the Newest and Final Edition of James "Deak" Roberts Jr.'s "Passing in Review" series!

This is a Tribute to Herb Pearis, The Force that brought GMS alumni together and The Glue that held them together for over 30 years. Two years as a Student, 10 years as an Instructor / Counselor, and 30+ years as the GMSAA Secretary, Creator / Editor / Publisher of the Alumni Record, Herb has been an integral element of Greenbrier Military School and its alumni for over 42 years.

Read it all here! gmsaa.org/history/passing_in_review/james_herbert_pearis

A Poetic Tribute to Bob Blair '56 - by Deak Roberts

Submitted by DEAK ROBERTS on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 13:41
 

It happened again a couple of days ago. I lost another old friend. I suppose I am of the age that I should expect these things. This may be true, but I damned sure can’t get used to it. Regardless, it stimulated the artist (as you may know, my art is poetry) in me, and I wrote this:

GOODBYE DEAR FRIEND

YOU ARE SITTING THERE DOING NOTHING AND THEN YOU GET A CALL
OR A FRIEND YOU SELDOM HEAR FROM SENDS AN E-MAIL THAT’S QUITE SMALL
YOU LISTEN OR READ IN DISBELIEF TO THE NEWS THAT IS ALWAYS BRIEF
ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS HAS PASSED AWAY AND THAT IS ALL

ANOTHER FRIEND IS GONE FOREVER AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO
YOU THINK OF THE LAST TIME YOU WERE TOGETHER JUST THEM AND YOU
YOU CAN SEE THEIR FACE, BUT YOU CAN’T REALLY PLACE THE PLACE
BUT WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE, YOU KNOW THEY ARE THROUGH

YOU THINK OF THEIR FAMILY AND HOW THEY MUST FEEL
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU SHOULD DO, SEND A CARD OR TAKE A MEAL
YOU KNOW THERE IS NO WAY TO CONSOLE THEIR FAMILY TODAY
YOU FEEL RATHER POWERLESS AND IT ALL SEEMS UNREAL

YOU REALIZE THE LOSS OF ANOTHER FRIEND AND WONDER HOW MANY
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FROM DAYS GONE BY LIKE OLD WAYNE AND BENNIE
WHO WENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO TO JOIN THE OTHERS GONE BEFORE YOU KNOW
THE COUNT WAS RISING AS OLD FRIENDS WERE FALLING APLENTY

YOU SIT THERE ALONE AND PONDER THE PAST
YOU THINK OF THOSE GONE AND WONDER HOW LONG YOU WILL LAST
YOU WONDER WHY YOU ARE STILL HERE WHILE THOSE ARE GONE SO DEAR
AND YOU CONCLUDE THAT GOD’S WILL IS EVER STEADFAST

YOU REALIZE IT IS NOT FOR US TO WONDER WHY
GOD DECIDED WHEN WE ARE BORN AND HE DECIDES WHEN WE DIE
IN BETWEEN EACH DATE MANY THINGS IMPACT OUR FATE
AMONG THOSE ARE THE GOOD FRIENDS FOR WHICH WE SAY GOODBYE

THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT WE HAVE SUCH FRIENDS
AND IF THEY ARE WRONGED BY US WE SHOULD MAKE AMENDS
FOR FRIENDS ARE NOT SOMETHING WE USE TODAY AND THEN THROW AWAY
GOOD FRIENDS ARE WITH US UNTIL ONE LIFE ENDS

SO WHEN THAT TIME COMES AND COME IT WILL
WE THAT SURVIVE MUST CHERISH OUR FRIEND STILL
WE MUST CHERISH OUR TIME TOGETHER AND MEMORIES THAT LAST FOREVER
AND THANK GOD FOR THAT FRIEND WHOSE LIFE IS NOW STILL

POETRY BY DEAK, JUNE 5, 2017
Jim Roberts (Deak)

Rev. P. Roger Bowen's Closing Prayer on 10/16/16

Submitted by Matt Winans on Tue, 10/18/2016 - 13:51
 

We pray for children
who put chocolate fingers everywhere
who like to be tickled
who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants,
who sneak popsickles before supper
who erase holes in math workbooks
who can never find their shoes.

And we pray for those
who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,
who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
who never "counted potatoes,"
who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead in,
who never go to the circus
who live in an X-rated world.

We pray for children
who bring us sticky kisses and fistsfull of dandelions,
who sleep with the dog and bury goldfish,
who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money,
who cover themselves with Band-Aids and sing off key,
who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink,
who slurp their soup.

And we pray for those
who never get dessert,
who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
who watch their parents watch them die,
who can't find any bread to steal,
who don't have any rooms to clean up,
whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,
whose monsters are real.

We pray for children
who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
who throw temper tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,
who like ghost stories,
who shove dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse out the tub,
who get visits from the tooth fairy,
who don't like to be kissed in front of the car pool,
who squirm in church and scream on the phone,
whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.

And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,
who will eat anything.
who have never seen a dentist,
who aren't spoiled by anybody,
who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
who live and move but have no being.

We pray for children
who want to be carried and those who must,
for those we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance,
for those we smother...and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

We pray for the least of these – we pray for children.

Amen.

Written by Ina J. Hughs, for the Children's Defense Fund

President’s Message, March, 2014

Submitted by William Isbister on Thu, 03/27/2014 - 16:00
 

It is an honor to greet my fellow alumni for the first time in these pages as your new President. I begin by thanking our Board of Directors for their dedicated service in leading our Association and for the confidence they have expressed in me by electing me to this responsibility. Thanks to Larry Springer, Charlie Duncan and Fred Woitscheck for their five years of service as Directors as we welcome new Directors Bill Deck, Denton Staley and Sam Woods. Very special thanks to Grey Webb, who has lead our Association as President for the past two years. Grey has successfully initiated several important changes in the governance and operation of our organization. He has kept the officers and directors involved and informed these past two years, which has insured a smooth transition of leadership. We are grateful for his service to our organization.

I am sure many of you have had the same experience as I when you try to explain to non-GMS friends about our Association. They marvel at the facts that the alumni of a school that closed 41 years ago: (1) continue to return to the site of their unique common experience each October, (2) have a vibrant organization with a museum and memorial plaza and (3) are actively sharing our values with new generations of West Virginia youth through our GLI Program. We are truly a very special organization that has a great deal to be proud of and to celebrate.

Change is inevitable, and this year is no exception. After more than 20 years as our Association Secretary, Herb Pearis has retired from that position. Herb has been so much more than that title would suggest. He has been the face and voice of the organization, the one that answers the phone, the institutional memory, the editor of the Alumni Record and the magic hand behind the scenes that insured that everything went smoothly throughout the year and especially at our reunions. For those who were not with us at the reunion, Herb and Joann were recognized and honored with the gift of a trip to the Canadian Rockies. If you are interested in participating in this gift, details are provided elsewhere in this Alumni Record. Herb will continue to help us with responsibilities that require a Lewisburg presence, but will give up major responsibilities of the position.

Bob Boles, ‘70 has been elected as the new Secretary of our Association and we have a new telephone number. The new number is (304) 520-3214. The phone will be answered by a voice which will identify the GMSAA and offer you the options of connecting to myself, Bob Boles, Herb Pearis or Beaman Cummings, Executive Director of GLI. The call will then be automatically transferred to each of our designated numbers (home, office or mobile). Please make a note of this number.
Bob Boles, I and others have begun working on the 2014 Reunion and look forward to another successful gathering in Lewisburg October 16 – 19, 2014. So, mark your calendars now and “Come Back to the Brier”. We look forward to seeing you in Lewisburg October 16 – 19, 2014.

Greenbrier Forever,

Bill Isbister ‘52

Charles Edward Stokes Elected to GMSAA Hall of FAme

Submitted by Herb Pearis on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 19:49
 

Charles Edward Stokes, Jr., Colonel United States Army (Retired). Greenbrier Military School (GMS) Class of 1956. He came to GMS from Buffalo, WV and sent four year at GMS. He served as Executive Officer of Band Company, playing football on the Junior Varsity (High School) Team. He played trumpet and a very distinguishable revile and taps. He currently resides at Holden Beach, NC.
Charles has a Bachelor’s Degree from West Virginia State (WVSU) and a Master’s from Louisiana State University in Political Science. He is also a graduate of Senior Services College (War College with less that 2% selection from all services) and the Foreign Service Institute
His teaching experience includes International Relation and African Affairs, Campbell University, Military Science, WVSU, Comparative Political Systems and Government & Politics of Latin America at the United States Military Academy (West Point), and University of Maryland (Overseas Program, Korea).
Charles military career spans over 25 years. He is a Viet Nam Veteran. His Awards and Decorations include Master Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, Bronze Star with V device, Air Medal. Legion of Merit, and two Purple Hearts. Most of Charles’ service was as a Tactical Strategic Intelligence Officer (TSIO) which includes Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs (PSYOPOS-CA). The standards for the Branch assignment are very high and include Combat Arms Basic and Advance Course, Airborne, Masters Degree, Language skills (reading, writing, and speaking). Advancement in the Branch includes service as a Detachment Commander, Staff Officer at the Battalion level, Instructor in a Service School, Staff Officer at a Brigade or higher organization. Officer in a Special Forces Group, Headquarters Company Commander, and Political Military Affairs Officer in a Psychological Operations Command, and Propaganda Officer .
Charles’ last active duty command was Deputy Commander of the Special Warfare Center and School, FT. Bragg, NC his duties included overseeing curricula directed toward engaging Special Operations in the Global War on Terror. He was responsible for the entire Special Warfare Center and not just the Special Forces School.
To truly appreciate and understand Charles’ contribution to our national interest, one must look at the dates of his service, locations, political and historical significance, and the state of world affairs. 1964-65: Commander of the 681st Intelligence Corps Detachment, Dominican Republic: 1967-68: Commander, 181 MI Company, 101st Airborne Division, Republic of South Vietnam, and operational control of the 2nd South Vietnam Military Intelligence Company; 1978-80: Commander, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion Of which there is only one active duty Battalion in the entire United States Army; 1980-82: Commander, Recruiting Battalion, WV achieveing a successful rating of 8th out of 56 (previously the rate was 52 out of 56); 1982-85: Defense Attache, Guatemala, during a time when Nicaragua was near collapse and falling under communist control, Honduras was in conflict with the Contras and El Salvador was having civil strife, and the Northern half of Guatemala was being overrun by communist guerillas.; 1985-86: Director of International studies at John F. Kennedy Center, Ft. Bragg, NC; 1990-93: 1st Gulf War, Charles was selected as support manager, wrote execution , alert, defense plans for expatriates, and evacuation plans for the Saudi families, Support Manager for Saudi Naval Base, Jubail, Saudi, Arabia; 2000-2002: Republic of Nigeria, source of 17% of the United States’ crude oil , recognizing the need for a stable and civilian government. Charles provided consultation to reform Nigerian Armed Forces and wrote their National Security Strategy and Defense Policy; 2003-07: Lead seventy monitors and support staff investigating allegations of abuse and atrocities against civilian in Sudan and Kenya. Charles considers his assignment as Deputy and later Project Manager of the Civilian Protection Monitoring Team his most noble position ever held; 2006-2007: Ethiopia, neighboring Somalia and considered one of the most dangerous areas of the world. Somalia was previously controlled by warlords and is best known for the incident of “Blackhawk Down”. Somalia is now controlled by Ethiopia, and Charles was charged with Curriculum and Coordinator and Principal Instructor in the Ethiopean Defense and Staff College; 2008-09: Charles was hired by the Department of Defense as Program Manager, Special Operations in Zamboanga, Philippines. The area is an Al Qaeda stronghold on the Sullu Sea which is considered by many as the second most dangerous region in the world for piracy and second only to the Horn of Africa/Somalia.
Charles has had a most interesting career and has brought credit to GMS, his country and himself. We are proud to name him to the GMS Wall of Honor.

The Greenbrier Military School Story DVD

Submitted by Mike Ruth on Tue, 10/30/2012 - 16:06
 

The Greenbrier Military School Story DVD is now available for purchase in the Cadet Store.

Go back in time and enjoy this 45 minute documentary that presents the Greenbrier Military School Story: Celebrating 200 Years of Education in Lewisburg, WV.

Greenbrier Military School was part of the educational landscape of Lewisburg for many years. In 1812, Dr. John McElhenney established a school known as "The Old Brick Academy". This school was the foundational institution from which Greenbrier Military School was born. Young men were educated at Greenbrier in a structured, discipline environment living by the standards of Truth, Duty and Honor until it closed in 1972. Greenbrier changed the lives of many who attended the school over the years. This program tells the story of the school, the staff, and the cadets.

The DVD was produced by GMS alumni Phil McLaughlin ('58), Bob Boles ('70) and Mike Ruth ('69) with generous support from the GMSAA.

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