Hey Brother Rat,

It’s hard to believe that five years have passed since our 35^th reunion. Yes, it is now time for our 40^th reunion. If you haven’t done so already, mark your calendar for April 25 – 27, 2008. Here’s the current plan for those three days:

Friday, April 25	10:00 am – 10:30 pm: · Optional golf at the Lexington Country Club, Lexington, VA · Four tee times are available, first come, first serve
	12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: · Sign in social at the Holiday Inn Express 880 N. Lee Highway Lexington, VA 24450 1-540-463-7351 · Open bar and finger food
	6:30 pm – 10:30 pm: · Dinner at Moody Hall · Dress – business casual · Open bar
Saturday, April 26	9:30 am: · Memorial Service · Memorial Garden (JM Hall in case of rain)
	10:15 am: Class Picture Preston Library steps
	11:00 am: Reunion Parade and Old Yell
	1:30 pm: Optional golf at Vista Links, Buena Vista, VA Shotgun start
	TBD: Optional tour of new VMI facilities
	6:30 pm – 11:00 pm: · Dinner at the Virginia Horse Center · Dress – Sports coats, ties optional · Open Bar from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, cash bar until 11:00 pm
Sunday, April 27	No host breakfast, location and time arranged by BRs

Our reunion headquarters is the Holiday Inn Express on Route 11. You should have received a letter from Carole Green late last year telling you to make your hotel reservations at the Holiday Inn Express.

About the Memorial Service. When I sent out an email survey back in August 2007, I hoped to be able to dedicate a plaque in honor of the Brother Rats of VMI’68 at this reunion. This idea got positive responses from everyone. Even though I had previously discussed this with members of the VMI Administration, when I tried to firm up the plan, VMI reversed course on me saying that a regulation published in early 2007 had been overlooked when I first asked. The result of all of this is that the only new plaques in Memorial Garden will be those honoring VMI men and women who die as cadets (there is a plaque for Ross Clark who died while we were Rats) or who die as a result of hostile action.

I want to call your attention to the Saturday night event. I’ve invited faculty and staff from VMI with whom we shared Barracks to join us that evening for drinks and dinner. As of the date of this letter, I‘ve invited the following old Keydets (and their spouses or guests):

VMI’65	Mike Friski, Jim Turner, Donny White	VMI’70	Bob Spore
VMI’66	Paul Maini, Woody Sadler	VMI’71	Tim Golden, Jim Adams, Buddy Bryan, Mike Strickler
VMI’67	Chip Brooke, Bob Green, Jim Joyner

I hope you’ll enjoy the opportunity to get working level view of what’s happening at VMI, catch up with old friends, and, maybe, strain a rat. Col. Jim Turner, who directs VMI’s outstanding Undergraduate Research Program, has agreed to have a couple of cadets attend and to provide a short talk on the Research Program.

About mementoes, rather than have a “one size fits all” approach, you can tailor your reunion mementoes to your interests and needs and can order items even if you can’t make the reunion. Included in this packet is a flyer from Sayre Promotional Products. Order items from the enclosed sheet directly from the company and either pick them up at the reunion or have them shipped to your home.

The cost for the weekend of events is shown below. To accommodate those who can attend the social events on only one of the days, here is the schedule of fees, exclusive of room deposit and mementoes and golf:

· All social events, Friday and Saturday: $145/person

· Friday check-in and evening socials: $70/person

· Saturday evening social: $75/person

Here are the Not Later Than Dates:

· Hotel reservations must be made Not Later Than March 1, 2008. After that date uncommitted hotel rooms will be released.

· Registration via the VMI-provided web site at www.vmialumni.org and total advance payment is due Not Later Than April 4, 2008.

· For those who are “Internet-challenged” mail-in registrations are due to the address shown Not Later Than April 4, 2008.

· Memento orders must be in the hands of the vendor Not Later Than March 31, 2008. Mail your order forms to:

Sayre Promotional Products

Attn: Kali McLeod

324 E. 32^nd Avenue

Buena Vista, VA 24416

Now, if you’re one of those BRs who have never been to a reunion – or it’s been a long time – don’t sweat it. All BRs are welcome whether you were at VMI briefly or you took a little longer to graduate than others. And to the spouses of our deceased BRs. Please plan to join us for any and all events.

We looking forward to seeing you again so don’t disappoint us. Friends may come and go, but Brother Rats are forever.

Yours in the bonds,

Tom Hickey’68

6008 Winter Grain Path

Clarksville, MD 21029

Phones: 410-531-5720 (home) 410-299-4210 (cell) 240-373-5324 (office)

Email: hickey1@comcast.net

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