Joe Johnson ’71 Reflects on the Alumni Weekend Festivities

“Do you remember when……?”   If I heard that once over alumni weekend, I heard 100 times.  Well maybe not that many, but enough that on the way home from Waynesboro it got me to thinking.  My wife always worries when I get to thinking – because I think about a lot of things.

This time, I got to thinking about relationships – real relationships – the kind of relationships that so many of us have with each other.  In the relationships I have had with folks over the years, there has always been a third party.  If you follow Christian beliefs as I do, you have heard about relationships with Jesus.  If you have been married in a tradition Christian church (twice for me, so an expert) you have heard words that God is involved with that relationship.

Back to the point!  Fishburne Military School will always be a third party – holding my relationship with each of you.  The very cool thing about that is we do not even have to know each other, or even be Facebook Friends for this to work.

Friday night, I briefly connected with some of the alums from Staunton Military Academy who were meeting.  When I posted pictures of our current cadets on parade, a friend who is a retired Air Force Colonel, having gone to their academy connected with the photos and commented.

“Do you remember when…..?” The story told was the same, regardless of the class, regardless of the school.  The military school environment lends itself to establishing relationships that will endure.  AMA – gone but for the memories, SMA – gone but for the memories.  Those schools and others will no longer produce graduates with the common life lessons only found in a military school or college. As the memories fade – that third party bond loosens and the relationships fade.

I have fathered two daughters – no sons.  No legacy for me – unless one of those daughters has a son.  A grandson who just might need Fishburne one day.  I need for that cement of Fishburne to remain strong and proud to connect that young man to me one day.  I need for each of you to remain committed to Fishburne for your sons and all of our grandsons.  That commitment includes this Group, attending events in your area, going to Alumni Weekend and other events at the school.  It also includes your financial support.

Alumni for a Lifetime – Brothers Forever

– Joe Johnson, Class of 1971