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Even the dense smoke and poor air quality from the Matts Creek Fire in neighboring Bedford County could not hinder the Virginia Military Institute Class of 2025 from celebrating Ring Figure, one of the most anticipated events for cadets, on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 16 and 17, before leaving post for Thanksgiving furlough.
The traditional presentation of the combat rings was held Thursday in Memorial Hall and was followed by a class supper in Crozet Hall. The Douglas Carter France III ’71 Memorial Award for “excellent character, selflessness, graciousness and enthusiasm” was presented by Warren J. “Buddy” Bryan ’71 to Noah Ahrens ’25, a biology major from Lynchburg.
Corps Sgt. Maj. Tom Sowers shared with the cadets that there is a unique loyalty that reaches through generations of VMI alumni, and when they put on their class ring for the first time, they become more than ever, part of that VMI “bloodline” of courage, pride, determination, selflessness and dedication to duty.
Sowers reminded the cadets of when Château-Thierry in France fell during World War I. “On June 1, the German troops moved into Belleau Wood. The U.S. 2nd division, which included a brigade of Marines, was brought up along the Paris-Metz highway. The retreating French, having suffered heavy casualties, urged the advancing Marines to turn back. Their response to the French came from Captain Lloyd W. Williams when he uttered the now famous retort, ‘Retreat? Hell, we just got here.’” Sowers added that when Capt. Williams had been wounded on the battlefield, he told the approaching medics, “Don’t bother with me. Take care of my men.” “That sounds like something many of you might say,” Sowers told the cadets.
Sowers, who joined VMI in 2018 after retiring from the Marine Corps, deployed multiple times including Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom,and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a distinguished graduate of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy and has been awarded numerous military decorations.
The class nominated Cpl. Jake Rogers, military sciences instructor, to be their honorary brother rat for the evening. Nathan Benton ’25, Ring Figure Committee president, presented him with a signet dinner ring. “Rogers began working at VMI when we matriculated in 2021 and is well liked. He has a phenomenal attitude, and has had a profound influence on our class,” said Benton.
In his acceptance speech, Rogers demonstrated a lesson his father had taught him. He called for a volunteer to squeeze a hand grip strengthener while maintaining a quarter between the grips. After a few minutes of squeezing, the quarter dropped, and Rogers revealed, “The secret of keeping the quarter from dropping is to grip tighter, and give it everything you’ve got. You either get better or worse, you never remain the same. Now until the day you die, you are in a constant quest to develop mentally, physically and spiritually. After great achievements, people tend to rest on their laurels. Don’t let your talents atrophy and slip away, like that quarter.” He closed by telling the class, “I look forward with anticipation to hear of your great accomplishments and glorious deeds in the years to come.”
Rogers joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007. He was mobilized for deployment for security and joint training in Israel and again to embassy security in Yemen. He has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Mobilization Ribbon, a Meritorious Mast and two Certificates of Commendations awards.
A family brunch was held Friday in Crozet Hall that was followed by the formal ring presentation ceremony, where Second Class cadets received their individualized rings in Cameron Hall. Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent, opened the ceremony by reminding the class that they were the first rat class for him as superintendent, and he holds them in high regard. He continued by telling them that Ring Figure is a tremendous achievement. “You’ve made a giant step forward, one step closer to the successful completion of your undergraduate academic journey. Wear your ring with honor and wear it with a sense of duty as you continue to forge your legacy in VMI’s history books,” he said.
Alumnus guest speaker, Lt. Gen. David J. Furness ’87, then addressed the cadets, sharing his thoughts on the symbolism, service and sacrifice that the VMI class ring represents. “In our postmodern society of moral relativism and shifting ethical goal posts, such symbolism is important. It helps anchor us to our core values and ideals. Symbols on the rings capture the revered principles, historical events and artifacts that VMI has built, developed and refined over the many decades of its existence, honor above self, and commitment to selfless service.”
Furness spoke to the cadets about the reality of military service to the nation, and of the American servicemen and women who gave up all their tomorrows for others to enjoy the fruits of liberty and freedom today. “While you may not pay the ultimate sacrifice, I’m quite certain that all of you will eventually be met with challenges that exceed everything you’ve ever imagined. You might doubt yourself, and your abilities, but it will be the moment to deliver on this institute’s promise to produce men and women of high character and action.”
Throughout Furness’ career he has served in a variety of command and staff billets in both the operating forces and the supporting establishment. As a general officer he commanded Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and the 2d Marine Division. He participated in contingency operations in the Republic of Panama, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Unified Assistance, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. His personal decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device.
Wins presented cadets with their rings, and cadets and their families had the opportunity to visit Memorial Hall for a ring blessing. Col. John Casper ’04, VMI chaplain, shared his thoughts with the class that “the prize is worth the price,” a slogan he had read on VMI admissions literature when he was a high school student considering VMI. It encouraged him to matriculate and to get through the Rat Line. “That slogan helped me get through a lot at VMI. I remember finally getting my ring 20 years ago almost to the day, right here in this building. My date had backed out just less than a week earlier, I was overwhelmed with academics, and I had a boxing match that very morning. Then, I looked down at my ring. Inside was inscribed, ‘the prize is worth the price,’” he reflected.
The tradition of VMI’s ring dates to the Class of 1848. Members of the class designed the first VMI ring, which was presented to the graduates during finals celebrations. The design was simple — the word “Mizpah” was cut in the stone and on the inside of the band was engraved, “1 of 24, July 1848.” Mizpah, from Hebrew, is translated as “the Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.” The term signified brotherhood, the enduring connection among the 24 graduates of the Class of 1848. Modern rings have become increasingly larger and more elaborate in design, but the tradition of the class designing their one-of-a-kind ring remains the same and the word “Mizpah” is often still found.
The custom of second class cadets receiving the class ring was established in 1907, and the addition of the Ring Figure dance started in 1927 with the Class of 1928.
This year’s festivities wrapped up with the Ring Figure ball held Saturday night in Cocke Hall with the traditional dress code of coatees, white ducks/long white skirts for cadets, floor-length white gowns and elbowlength gloves for female civilian dates, and tuxedos with white bow tie for male civilian dates. Couples were able to process through sabers and have their photograph taken in the large replica ring.
