Fishburne Participates in Honor Ceremony at VA State Capitol
The Fishburne Military School Color Guard was on view and in action in the historic rotunda and Old Hall of the Virginia House of Delegates in the Thomas Jefferson-designed Virginia State Capitol at the dedication of a heroic-sized bronze bust of Revolutionary War hero General Andrew Lewis on Monday afternoon, March 22, 2010.
Several hundred guests and dignitaries, including Governor Robert F. McDonnell of Virginia, former Senator Charles S. Robb, many elected officials, and representatives of the Governor of West Virginia, participated in the ceremony and afterwards complimented and visited with the Fishburne cadets who had presented the state and national colors, as well as the historic 3rd Virginia Regiment Battle Flag, restored for the occasion by the Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
FMS alumnus Douglas Payne ‘86, an officer of that patriotic organization, worked with the sponsoring Salem Educational Foundation to arrange the invitation for the Fishburne Color Guard. Its presence was deemed particularly appropriate because General Lewis grew to manhood in Augusta County, Virginia, and led his militia forces from there to victory in the 1775 Battle of Point Pleasant, which many historians consider to be the first battle of the American Revolution.
Cadets participating in the ceremony were accompanied by lSG James Hensley, USA, of the Fishburne JROTC staff and included Knapp, Turnidge, Valverde, Green C., Tisdelle, Ulrich and Burkard.
Among the invited guests were FMS alumni Elliott Park ‘84 and J. B. Yount III ’56 and FMS President and Superintendent COL Roy F. Zinser.
The cadets particularly enjoyed talking with Mrs. Lynda Bird Robb, wife of the former Senator and Governor and daughter of US President Lyndon B. Johnson. Mrs. Robb took time to meet the cadets individually and graciously honored their requests to sign their souvenir programs.
