Alumni Update: Doug Payne ’84 recaps Richmond, VA Alumni Event

Posted November 30, 2009
Filed under FMS News

FMS-AMA-RMA Richmond Fall Social: Good Times, New Friends

On Saturday 24 October, Richmond area alumni James Reid ‘93, Doug Payne ’84 and Ellliott Park ’86 hosted an alumni social with Daniel “Bud” Oakey, Augusta Military Academy and Riverside Military Academy ’74 at Rosie Connolly’s in Shockoe Bottom, Richmond. This was the fourth Richmond social hosted by the trio and the first that combined the alumni of Fishburne, Augusta and Riverside with the help of co-host Oakey. The event was attended by 37 alumni and guests, including the new president of Riverside Military Academy, Dr. James H. Benson, Col., USMC (Ret.) who traveled from Gainesville, GA.

“The shared experience of military school is something we can all identify with,” said CPT James Reid III, FMS Battalion Commander, Class of ’93. “Old FMS-AMA rivalries were put to rest and we realized we had more in common than we knew.”

Indeed, the tight-knight communities of military academy alumni are few and far between, and the alumni who attended the Richmond social believe the military school model remains an important educational choice in today’s world.

“Whether you attended for a two years or six years, there is a connection we all share,” said Doug Payne ’84. “I know Fishburne changed my life for the better; it helped me to achieve in college and in life. These alumni socials are a celebration of that connection, and the opportunity to strengthen old bonds and make new friends.”

Everyone in the Richmond area is looking forward to the next Fishburne alumni social that will be hosted by Cheryl and John Goshorn, III ’67 at their home in Varina on Saturday 12 December from 2:00-4:00 pm. Area FMS alumni are invited to contact Cheryl Goshorn at bks4cks@aol.com for more information.