SPONSORS' PAGE

  Sponsors, this page is for you. Send us your pictures and memories when you were a Sponsor in the John Marshall Cadet Corps. They will be posted here. We also plan to include excerpts of Sponsor memories in the upcoming Cadet Guidon Newsletter.

                    

Firstly,  let us honor Elsie Virginia McClintic 1907-1982, who was the Faculty Sponsor of the Corps. She was the key to the success of every figure, hop and other Sponsor functions. Miss McClintic was the cog in the wheel that kept things running smoothly.

The following two photgraphs are from the collection of Byron Walker Marshall, class of '44.

I am very grateful to Tim Garrison, Captain of B Co, for choosing me to be the sponsor of such a wonderful group of boys. They welcomed me with open arms. Fall of '59 was a great time for B Co. They won both the Efficiency Cup and the Competitive Drill Cup. I was so fortunate to have the pleasure of displaying both engraved cups on the mantel in my home where all visiting cadets could see them. What sponsor could ever forget "Let Me Call You Sweetheart"--that is a tune that still lives in my heart.

Among my many memories are sponsor's day, the cadet hop, the Sunday football games between companies, the Competitive Drill, the parties, cadet visits to my house, parades, and the everyday interaction with "my boys". Sadly for all, this was the last time that any cadet company would enjoy a Fall at old Jayem.
All too quickly my wonderful time as sponsor of B Co came to an end. To all Fall "59 B Co former cadets who may read this, please know that you made my time as sponsor a wonderful experience. Thanks for the memories. Sandra Carver Penland ’60

I loved attending John Marshall High School and being a part of the outstanding Cadet Corps as sponsor of F Company, Fall of 1951. It  was a wonderful and happy experience. Robert Parr was captain. My family moved away from Richmond and I lost touch with Robert, but that semester remains a special memory. Life does go on, but the honor of having been a sponsor and all the friendships made during those high school years are memories that will never be forgotten.

Patty Dingley Bell has been married to Joe Bradley Bell for 55 years. They have one daughter, Belinda, and two granddaughters.
Patty now resides in Atlanta Georgia.

Pictured with Nancy are Captain Linwood H. Clarke. Pinning the ribbons, soon to be Captain, is Ellis B. Grady. Nancy was sponsor for both.

    Teens to Seventies

The 1950's were happy and fun years to be a High School student. My social life revolved  around the JMHS Cadet Corp, namely A Co. I had the privilege of being an A Co. sponsor, twice. The captains, Linwood H. Clark and Ellis B. Grady were nice guys that did the Cadet Corp proud. Linwood died last year and I attended his funeral along with some other former cadets. We met his wife and two sons. Ellis and I cross paths and email occasionally.
  A few years after graduation, I met and married another former A Co. Captain, William E. Knight. We had 48 years together until his death in 2002. I have one daughter and one wonderful grandson and one beautiful granddaughter, both in college now.
From my teens to my seventies, the JMHS Cadet Corp has touched my life. I am grateful for the friendships and the memories.

 
 The wedding of William E. Knight Captain A Company, 1943 and Nancy Yates Knight.
Bill became a United Methodist Minister. 
 
   

                 THEN    1951                &               NOW     2008

 Sponsor of B Company Spring 1954       
Thelma Fussell Dunn 
“Pitta Pat”

     In the spring of 1954 Albert Stegner, Jr. was promoted to Captain of B Company and was looking for a sponsor. I was a “Company Sponsor.” William (Bill) Rice with whom I had gone all the way through school together suggested to Stegner that I would be a good sponsor to B Company. I cannot recall the details after 55 years how, when, or where Stegner asked me to be his sponsor but I do remember I was thrilled and honored. Since my house was small, Bill Rice kindly offered his home for me to have the sponsor’s party.
    Having no brothers, it was great having 28 “brothers” to hang out with and with whom to do fun things as a group such as going swimming in the off limits granite quarry in “South Richmond.” Many times we would ride around Virginia Barbecue just checking to see who was there. The students could watch the cadets on the drill field, parades and in the armory. It would such a special proud feeling as B Company passed in review, especially when they won the Efficiency Cup and the Competitive Drill in the spring of 1954. Stegner and the other young men worked very hard to achieve these awards.
 

        Through the years Stegner’s and my paths have crossed in the vital times of our lives. I went to his mother’s funeral, he was there for me when my son was hospitalized and we accidentally met in the Cavalier Hotel at Virginia Beach for a wonderful event a few years ago.
    I phoned Bill Rice before he passed away to thank him for suggesting to Stegner that I be Sponsor of Company B. Bill replied, “I have loved you since I tied your shoes in kindergarten.” Needless to say, I was very touched.
      Sometime during my sponsor days it became embedded in me that Duty, Honor, and Country were everyone’s responsibilities.
      Life has been very kind to me since my graduation in 1956. I have been married for 42 years and have one son, two stepsons, three grand children and lots of travel behind me. My husband I have had the pleasure to serve our country in the Foreign Service. We served in SEA for six and half years and in West Africa for two years. I have traveled in over 45 countries always keeping in mind that I represented the United States of America in foreign countries and put my best foot forward. Just for fun I even made a parachute jump at age 61 in Queenstown, NZ.
     It has been a pleasure to come back to Richmond and attend the Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day services at Hollywood Cemetery, giving me the opportunity to see old friends and. most of all, to reflect on the service and ultimate sacrifice others have made for the amazing United States of America. I am grateful for the opportunity and privilege to have served our country as well as being B Company Sponsor.   

With gratitude,
Thelma Fussell Dunn “Pitta Pat”
Mrs. James A. Dunn, III, Williamsburg, VA

From the collection of Sandra Henrick Jinnette.