Fishburne Military School Celebrates Blessing of the Colors

The FMS Color Guard files out of Lawton Chapel after posting the Colors during last week’s ceremony.

Story by Cadet Daniel May ’15, Battalion S-5
 Photos by Cadet William Curt ’16, Assistant S-5
Video available at: www.youtube.com/fishburnemilitary

Waynesboro, Virginia – On Wednesday the annual traditional of blessing of the colors took place at Fishburne Military School. The time honored tradition is meant to unite the corps under one banner and to bless the corps in its mission to produce disciplined and educated young men. The guest speak was Major Steven A. Sherrill a 1989 graduate of Fishburne Military School who spoke about the impact of a Fishburne education in his life.

“FMS is equipping you for your life ahead,” said Major Sherrill as he addressed the corps. Sherrill is an Army Helicopter aviator who has served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo. He attended Western Maryland College and earned a degree in communication.

The blessing of the colors is an age old tradition that is meant to bring good luck onto the unit the

MAJ Steve Sherrill, AV,MDARNG, Fishburne Class of 1989, delivers his address to the Corps

colors represent. In pre-modern warfare the colors (or flags) were the primary way of identifying a regiment during the heat of battle. It was, and still is, a disgrace for a unit to lose their colors, as a result the colors are always accompanied by armed guards.

In addition to the corps of Cadets, local parents, and alumni special guests included Pastor Tim Bohlmann (of Bethany Lutheran Church), who blessed the colors and prayed for the school year; Colonel Robert Miller, former Fishburne superintendent; Mr. JB Yount III, Class of 1956, Chairman emeritus of the Fishburne-Hudgins Educational Foundation, Inc. and Former Mayor of Waynesboro.

“It was a very special day for Cadets and Alumni alike,” remarked Fishburne Battalion Commander Cadet Major William Rowell (Chesapeake, VA). “It means a lot to the corps and myself to hear a Fishburne graduate who has accomplished so much, It inspires me to bring honor to Fishburne in every action I make.”

Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. Boasting a 100% college-acceptance rate for the past 10 consecutive years, FMS has also been designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academics. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command. For more information visit www.fishburne.org.