Class Notes

Fall 2020 Corps Review

Submit news about your deployments, job and rank changes, awards and honors, family announcements, photos, and other news at vtcc.vt.edu/classnotes.

1960s

Bob Miller ’67 was chosen by the Virginia Beach (Virginia) Jaycees as this year’s Virginia Beach First Citizen. The award honors those who are instrumental in furthering the welfare of the Virginia Beach community.

1980s

Karen Connors ’86 is president of the first chapter of the Gary Sinise Foundation in central Florida. The foundation, started in 2011 by the actor Gary Sinise, supports military, veterans, first responders, and their families.

Col. Norman Hepner ’88 has retired from the Air National Guard, effective Dec. 31. His final assignment was as the 156th Medical Group commander for the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. Photo courtesy 156th Wing Public Affairs.

U.S. Army Col. Mark R. Himes ’88 graduated from the U.S. Army War College with a master’s degree in strategic studies on June 5.

1990s

U.S. Navy Capt. Rich Davis ’90 (retired) was hired in June as an assistant director of admissions and Corps of Cadets liaison for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Virginia Tech. He also acts as the veterans liaison within the office. Photo courtesy Virginia Tech Undergraduate Admissions.

U.S. Army Reserve Col. Andrew J. Talmadge ’93 graduated from the U.S. Army War College with a master’s degree in strategic studies on July 24.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jason A. Darish HT’95 recently reported to U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, from headquarters, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

2000s

Maj. Waldon W. Jue ’01 (right) commissions as a cyber officer. — Maj. Waldon W. Jue ’01 (right) became the first Army National Guard soldier to direct commission as a cyber operations officer on July 30. Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams ’84, the adjutant general of Virginia, presided over the direct commissioning ceremony. Jue is assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s Fairfax-based 144th Cyber Warfare Company, 124th Cyber Protection Battalion, 91st Cyber Brigade. Prior to his commissioning, Jue held the rank of sergeant first class and was assigned as a platoon sergeant in the 144th Cyber Warfare Company. He had previously deployed twice to Afghanistan and was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

2010s

Master Sgt. John Grimesey ’14 (right) receives the medal. — Master Sgt. John Grimesey ’14 (right) was awarded the nation’s third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal, during a ceremony at Pope Field, North Carolina, on Aug. 14. A special tactics combat controller with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing, Grimes was recognized for his efforts in Afghanistan in 2013. He not only saved the life of a fellow special operations troop, but called in multiple airstrikes while being under attack by the enemy. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Katie Spencer.

Maj. Ahmad Martin (left) and J.P. Synder '16 (right) — J.P. Snyder ’16 (right) was promoted to captain by his former Virginia Tech Naval ROTC Marine officer instructor Maj. Ahmad Martin in a private ceremony aboard MCB Hawaii in July.

Eric Zimmerman ’16 (right) and Jocelyn (Lamb) Zimmerman ’17 leave the church. — Eric Zimmerman ’16 and Jocelyn (Lamb) Zimmerman ’17 were married in Alexandria, Virginia, on Nov. 2, 2019. Photo courtesy KPC & Co. Photography.

Parker S. Manning C’18 and his brother in Lane Stadium. — Parker S. Manning C’18 was appointed vice president and president-elect of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Chapter for Columbia, South Carolina. Manning commissioned into the Army in May 2018 and has been on an educational delay to complete law school at the University of South Carolina. Parker Manning is pictured with his brother, Bruce, at the November 2019 Notre Dame game in South Bend, Indiana.

2020s

Cadet Corbin Will ’23 holds a large salmon. — Cadet Corbin Will ’23 spent part of his summer catching King Salmon in Craig, Alaska.