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W&L Honors Its Veterans At Nov. 11 Event
Editor’s note: The following story was written by Brian Laubscher for W&L.
Washington and Lee President Will Dudley hosted the university’s annual commemoration of Veterans Day at Lee House on Monday, Nov. 11, welcoming current and retired members of the staff, faculty and student body who have served in the military.
The event, which W&L has hosted for nearly 15 years, was coordinated by Paul Youngman, associate provost and professor of German, and Mark Fontenot, fire and life safety systems technician in facilities management. Together, Youngman and Fontenot oversee an employee resource group for veterans.
Those in attendance shared their experiences in the military or the experiences of family members who served and offered gratitude for the service of others. Fontenot noted the contributions of the nearly 17 million living U.S. military veterans and shared an inspiring message about how those who serve are part of something greater than themselves.
Carola Tanna, Dudley’s spouse, was introduced as the event’s featured speaker. Tanna served active duty in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps from 1996 to 2002 at the National Naval Medical Center and Great Lakes Naval Station.
Tanna spoke of the origins of Veterans Day as a celebration of the armistice that took effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. She then shared her own experiences in the military as well as those of her family members who served, including her father and brother.
Tanna noted that people are called to service in varied ways and while life in the armed services may have its ups and downs, there is a tradition of respecting orders and a duty to advance in rank while setting an example for leadership that serves everyone well in their future endeavors. Tanna closed her speech by stating that as a veteran, it’s always meaningful to receive gratitude for her service but that she “got every bit as much as she received” from her time with the U.S. military.
After Tanna’s remarks, retired public safety director Mike Young led a closing prayer for the “gathering of heroes,” followed by a reception for the veterans. - The veterans in attendance included current and retired members of the W&L staff and faculty, as well as students currently participating in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).
Those veterans included the following: Buddy Atkins ’68, retired director of donor relations, voluntarily joined the U.S. Navy in 1968 and was later assigned to a destroyer, USS Lowry DD-770. When his active-duty obligation expired, he left active duty as a lieutenant (select) and then served 23 more years in the Navy Reserve. He retired as a commander.
Jerry Clark, a retired plumber from facilities management, was in the U.S. Army’s 23rd Battalion, serving in Hanau, Germany, between 1970 to 1972. He was a specialist E-4.
Jimmy Cornish ’27L, a first-year law student, served eight years with the U.S. Air Force from 2015 to 2023. He rose to captain and continues to serve in the U.S. Air Force reserves.
Jerry Darrell, retired from dining services, served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1961. His service included 20 months in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the ammunition ship USS WRANGELL AE-12, homeport Naples, Italy. He was the ranking enlisted man in the log room/engineering office aboard the ship and was honorably discharged with the rank of E-4.
Mark Fontenot, who works in fire and life safety in facilities management, served in the Virginia Air National Guard for 21 years and retired in 2008 as an E-7. As an aircraft maintenance technician crew chief, he worked on aircraft such as A-7, F-16 and F-22.
Luke Frerichs ’26L, a second-year law student, was a member of the U.S. Army from 2016 to 2020 as a fire direction officer and platoon leader. He served in Grafenwöhr, Germany, and Vicenza, Italy.
Don Gaylord, research archaeologist and instructor, was a nuclear reactor operator in the U.S. Navy on the fast-attach submarine USS Key West (SNN722) out of Norfolk. He served for six years of active duty and was an electronics technician second class.
Brooklyn Hills ’25L, a third-year law student, served with the Department of Defense from 2018 to 2021 as a mental health specialist.
Collin Hills, IT systems architect in information technology services, attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and served as a captain and pilot with the U.S. Air Force from 2016 to 2023.
Tom Jones, retired athletic trainer, was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Air Force from 1960 to 1964, followed by two years of reserve duty. He was a navigator/tactical coordinator on a P2V “Neptune” aircraft with Patrol Squadron 24 home based in NAS Norfolk. The squadron’s mission was antisubmarine warfare and search-and-rescue operations.
Dan Rexrode, who is retired from public safety, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1977 to 1981, where he worked on intercontinental ballistic missiles. He separated as a sergeant.
Dan Stauffer, institutional effectiveness analyst in the Office of Accreditation and Institutional Research, served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984 to 1987 as a mechanic with the HMH-465 heavy helicopter squadron.
Bob Strong, professor of politics emeritus, was a U.S. Navy officer from 1971 to 1975, serving off the coast of Vietnam and later as a tender in Charleston, South Carolina.
Carola Tanna, spouse of President Will Dudley, served in active duty in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps from 1996 to 2002 at the National Naval Medical Center and Great Lakes Naval Station.
Daniel Throckmorton ’25L, a third-year law student, served in the U.S. Army performing signal intelligence from 2014 to 2019 in Korea and also at Fort Mead, Maryland.
Mike Young, retired director of public safety, was a Sergeant DS in the 716th MP Battalion in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, serving from 1967 to 1968.
Paul Youngman ’87, associate provost and professor of German, served in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 1993. He was stationed in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. He separated as captain of the 82nd Airborne. He is a holder of the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor in a combat zone.
The ROTC cadet honored was Carey Camp ’25, senior student and member of the Army ROTC (MS4).
