FMS Then and Now cadet photos

Ok, here's the scoop on the LOLLAPALOOZA weekend. In a word -

W O W ! ! !

No fights broke out, nobody got sick, and
discipline problems were held to a minimum.

It was GREAT!!!

Reunion Committee: Dr. Max Elliott Class of 1958 and Sue Courtney
Thornton Ridinger Class of 1959 (Treasurer) Andy Staley Class of 1968 Robert Mouro Class of 1966 Rex Riley Class of 1970

Major Pendarvis between Robert and Thornton

Colonel Ward
in the center

Rex Riley must have taken the picture (LOL)

Every Class (from 1957 - 1971) was represented.
Over 270 in attendance!!!

To try and describe the highlights would be to describe every moment of the weekend. From Check-In time on Friday thru Sunday around noon, the spirit of F.M.S. was definitely present in De Land (especially on our former campus grounds)

With even a little recollection, you could almost hear the cadences of marching platoons at drill (left, right, left); some senior yelling "GET OFF THE GRASS!!!" (that would have a whole new meaning today (LOL)); the thought of walking the campus and knowing (for sure) I'm not restricted this weekend; "Column-Left - March!"; Wiborg stratgically rotating between Major Steely and Major Pendarvis' Office(s) and the resulting echoing of the character-building pat(s) on the back (I believe Major Pendarvis called it that); our "Free-Time" which was spent anyway we wanted, as long as it involved shining shoes or brass; "Tap - Right Shoulder Arms" (pre Col. Henry days); the Saturday Night Movie in the Gym - usually "SHANE"; soupee in the Mess-Hall (some of which resembled what I saw Thursday in the Painter's Studio, which currently occupies our former Mess-Hall), and you could picture Gene Johnson or Rex Riley coming out of the back with a tray full of something Willie didn't serve us; Frank (I won't mention his last name) observed that there is no longer a ditch for the cannon to - uh - well let's not go there; and of course (you didn't really have to listen that carefully) you could almost hear Robert Mouro on the telephone.

where we used to eat 3 meals a day and

this is where we used to MARCH in to the Mess Hall

Friday, in to the early evening - uh - make that in to early Saturday morning we all enjoyed remeniscing about non-pre-selected topics while munching on some good old Tom's Pizza. Some of us visited the old Tom's Pizza and had Steak & Onion Subs, while others visited other eating establishments in the De Land / Daytona area. Charlie Jenkins was starting to think maybe an Orlando Restaurant started sounding good (LOL) and how about those bugle-calls? Everytime we went to formation they played the same song. Why not go to formation occasionally to other music like "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"- I mean really how hard can that be to play on a bugle?

Saturday was a full day of ghost stories (so to speak). This was very strange visiting the former Florida Military School Campus and seeing an Industrial Park where Alleyne Hall, the Mess Hall, Howard Hall, the Bull-Ring, the Canteen, the Drill Field, Administration Building, Classroom Building, Dress Parade Field, Gymnasium, Laundry, and Pool formerly resided. But even though there was no indication of their pressence, I think their presence was felt and realized, very much (as was the purpose of the Ghost Tours). Next to where the Laundry was - is a Tavern. Now here's where timing comes in to play - I think we could have lived without the Laundry being there (had the Tavern been there instead) and speaking of the Laundry, I'm still wondering where they got that Industrial Strength Starch - remember trying to get in to those white-duck pants before parades? And then when you finally got the pants on - good luck being mobile at all, but not only did we have to eventually break the crease so we could walk - uh - march - but we also had to figure out a way to put our shoes on and tie them (LOL)

Saturday evening, as we entered the chow hall for dinner, in one of the hangers at Sky Harbor Station, we were greeted by: Col. Ward, Lt./Col. Prentiss, Major Pendarvis, other Faculty and Staff and the Reunion Committee. You could see in the faces and expressions of both the Greeters and Greetees (sp) the appreciation and gratitude for all the work that it took to put this Reunion together and all the work it took to both build and maintain Florida Military School to be the significant De Land landmark that it became, and continues to be, to former Cadets and the city of De Land.
I don't think any of us would disagree (in hindsight) that Florida Military School was a school that built character and instilled a respect for correct social behavior (some of us needed one more than the other (LOL)), but the attitude toward Florida Military School varied, especially during it's existence. This was called to my attention Thursday (10/10/02) when I stopped by the campus on my way to Lakeland. I saw a gentleman working at the old Mess-Hall and told him F.M.S. was having a reunion this weekend starting tomorrow. The gentleman appeared to be about my age, and he said, "Oh yes, I remember Florida Military School. I can't tell you the number of times my Dad said if I didn't straighten up, he's going to send me there!!!" Gees!!! Well, it's nice to have a legacy (LOL)

Well, at any rate, Saturday evening we had an excellent dinner and entertainment afterwards. I think I recognized the band from my Senior Christmas Dance. Then it was time to go back to the barracks - uh Holiday Inn and watch LSU - or was that FSU - well if you were watching, most of it seemed to be LSU :-(

Sunday morning began with a delicious breakfast buffet at the Holiday-Inn from 9am and a final Dedication Ceremony would take place at 11am at the brick columns, which were the entrance to Florida Military School. We drove over to where the dedication was to take place, and many of us were still kind of in disbelief - "I would have never thought 35 years ago - I'd be here 35 years later on the former Florida Military School Campus." Well, about 11:00am Chris Bolton made the infamous call "BATTILION - TENCH - HUT"; afterwhich Thornton Ridinger began the Ceremony for dedication of the plaque by introducing Col. Ward. Col. Ward spoke to us for several minutes regarding the formation of Florida Military School and how he surrounded himself over the years with outstanding educational and administrative talents that either complimented his own talents or added to the talents required to form and maintain a well disciplined Military School with a high standard of academic achievement. Well, Col. Ward, I think it's safe to say "You achieved the objective you were striving for - with the talents you have - and the talents you surrounded yourself with".

After Col Ward's talk, he unveiled the plaque, which is mounted on the right column at the entrance. The plaque is a memorial and indicates that this was the home of the Florida Military School.

The final portion of the ceremony featured Max Elliot reading the names of former cadets who have passed away - and Andy Staley placing their picture on the wall of the column.

Taps was played (with an echo - thanks Charlie Jenkins) and the ceremony was over.

We all retreated back to the Hotels and had lunch, said our so-longs, but with the response and enthusiasm of the group, I have a feeling they weren't good-byes :-)

Stay tuned ...

Once again, thanks for everyone's enthusiastic participation and the attending Faculty and Staff Members' involvement(s). Who (among us) would have ever contimplated 31 to 46 years ago that such a weekend of comradery could or would have occurred 31 to 46 years later??? But who would have thought I would have invested $50.00 to win a bottle of "Lancer's" and a Holiday-Inn table knife??? - but I digress - Seriously - thanks for the Memories of times, which I've never really pictured myself looking back on fondly. Some of the times weren't so hot, but they're kind of amusing to reminice about now and NOW, I think you would agree with me (especially after this weekend - and some of us might have already realized it) but there is the realiziation that Florida Military School was a major contributing factor to our education, respect, and behavior as adults.

Thanks again,

Tim