Once a Marine…always a Marine…

Trustee Mac McNaught ’76 sent me the information on the USMC announcement about their Special Operations Command.  Mac also noted that our own Captain Chris Doty ’06 is now officially a “Raider.”

A couple of thoughts run through my head.

“Special people do special things” is one of them.  To belong to this elite group you need to be extraordinary…in a number of ways.

“It won’t be easy – it will be worth it.”  When you’re called to be the best you can be…you don’t want it to be easy…you want the tasks to be as tough as possible.  Like these Marines…

“It’s not for everyone.”   Certainly isn’t.  But where would we be without the Marine Corps or these talented professionals?

Those should sound familiar.  Wabash is pretty far removed from the Marine Corps…but in a lot of ways…Little Giants are Raiders as well.

Tim DeLong ’86 and Jim Davlin ’85

My good friend Jim Davlin sent me this photo.  He invited his fraternity brother Tim DeLong up to his Country Club to play a little golf recently.  I think their ride was also pretty special – looks like a serious Camaro!

Tim and Jim go way back…now over 25 years of “way back.”  I am sure they retold some great Phi Delt stories…and chased the little white ball all over.

That made me think of the IAWM Sendoff party last Saturday…some of those guys will be posing for the same kind of photo in 25 years or so.

That’s just what happens at “this good place”.

John Bridge (r) welcomes Kim and Tom Gunderman ’89, and their sons, to the IAWM BBQ

Where else started the sentence.  Then came the “would you meet the President of the College at a get-together like this?”

But it just as easily could have been “would you find alumni willing to give up their Saturday just to welcome the newest class to Wabash?”  Or “alumni and their families willing to answer all of your questions?”

The IAWM Sendoff last Saturday was a fun time.  No real program other than to make each new student and his family feel welcome.

The food was excellent – Coach’s BBQ & Catering – Matt Clark ’00 is part owner along with his brother.  Just getting started in Indy, give them a call!  Tell them the Grunge sent you!

THE Chapel

The early morning fog…coupled with an inability to stay in bed this AM…gave me the excuse to do a Croc. Dundee “walkabout”.

In the back of my mind was the thought that next week the guys who play fall sports begin to arrive and practice.  NEXT WEEK!  Where did summer go?

Of course, the first stop always seems to be the Chapel…the fog and the sprinklers tried their best….but the Chapel is the Chapel…and it’s always visible….it is the cornerstone, after all, of “this good place”.  I wonder…how many alumni will come back this year and grab a little quiet time for themselves in the Chapel?  How many alumni will get married?  And, in the circle of life, how many Memorial Services?

The Senior Bench

Of course, I had to stop at the Senior Bench.  These two wait patiently for what they know will be another long fall season of “decoration.”  How many coats of paint will these guys get?  How many seniors will find a time, as the year progresses, to catch a quick moment of reflection sitting between these two guardians?

Forest Hall

Forest Hall is in the midst of getting it’s yearly coat of paint – preparing to take on another Hoosier winter.  You have to wonder – how many coats of paint has Forest Hall had in its lifetime?

Rounding the corner…another Wabash landmark is calling…my desk and computer…

It was a great day for golf – that’s what the told me! (The Grunge arrived in time for dinner.)  The players dodged a little rain but it it turned out a nice day – especially for this time of year.

The outing increased in size this year with almost 50 golfers playing.  The George Dunne National Golf Course in Oak Forest, IL, was the site of the outing.  A good time was had by all – as you can tell from this photo.

That’s probably all the help he needs!

The outings are great times for guys of all ages to get together and talk Wabash.  Young alumni, especially those new to an area, can gain a lot of contacts and information.  Plus, it beats a day at the desk!