Van Langdon Wrote:

Hack,

You are my hero. That said, I would like to share a few stories about a Man who we both admired (and still do). Col. Johns was the commadant at VMI my first three years and although he was not physically imposing he was a "stud" nontheless as this story will illustrate .

He had pull up bars installed in all the showers and after several months challenged the corps to a pull up contest, the winner, if a cadet, would get a week or two of "no duty". Well, the corps had an elimination tourney and a varsity wrestler won. I mean this guy was built like a gorilla with huge arms. The corps was assembled and our champion performed a huge number of pull ups on an elevated stage built on the parade ground. We all thought this skinny little red headed runt would'nt even come close to matching that number. Col Johns matched that number and then did one more, just amazing.

When I stepped into a little shi--- my junior year (consumption of alcohol in Rockbridge county), my penalty was suspension for one semester. My class had a meeting and pledged to not consume alcohol for the remainder of the year if I would be allowed to stay in school (this was allowable by institute rules). Col Johns called me to his office and said "Langdon, just think about all your brother rats come spring time and they are all out partying but can't touch the forbidden fruit" (and boy, they would'nt have - our honor system was that strong)." Would you wish that upon them? If I was you, I would take reponsibility for your mistake and take the suspension". I did and it did'nt ruin my life. He was quite a guy and at the class of '61 40th reunion this spring he was remembered fondly (by 110 out of 220 classmates).

The next commadant, Jeffery Smith, rose to the rank of general and could'nt hold Col Johns' jockstrap.

Best Regards

Van Langdon
VMI ' 61

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