The Boo (14 page)

Monk did not graduate with his class. He went to summer school to get enough quality points to satisfy The Citadel’s requirements for the diploma. He is making the Air Force a career.

CHRISTMAS

Each Christmas since 1965
The Boo
has sent out three or four hundred copies of his annual Christmas message to his departed lambs. Every cadet who keeps in touch with him receives this Christmas greeting from
The Boo.
The letter is written in the typical Courvoisie style, without flourish and without pretense of literary merit. Within the letter are the standard Courvoisie jokes, the esoteric pitch of Corps humor, which the uninitiated find boring, but the ex-cadet finds hilarious. The letters are newsy and short. They often mention the more infamous senior privates, five-year men and muscle-headed jocks. They tell of Citadel trends, changes in personnel, and shifts of emphasis within the disciplinary system. In essence, these letters keep many alumni in touch with The Citadel that ordinarily would hear nothing from the school. One cadet who received the Christmas greeting wrote
The Boo
and told him it was the first time he had heard from The Citadel in eight years. Several ex-cadets have joined the alumni association after reading the letter. Since most alumni who attended the school when the shadow of
The Boo
covered the campus, remember themselves as lambs and bums, the letter is a very personal and intimate reminder of their college days. The school is there.
The Boo
is alive and well. The Corps is changing; the school is changing, but
The Boo
is there, thinking long thoughts, and believing in the worth and value of the graduates …. and the school.

’65

Dear

I can’t tell you how happy it makes the old
Boo
to hear from his former “little lambs.” How is the cold cruel world? I bet they don’t love you and treat you so kindly as we did.

Now for a little gossip. Summer school went pretty well. I only had to ship two this past year, for stealing and both from well to do families. I am quite proud that our Honor System works in the summer time as they were both turned in by cadets.

We started the year off with 70 more cadets than we had beds, so we were quite crowded. The upperclasses have taken the inconvenience in good grace and we have lost only about 75 cadets as of the Christmas furlough.

As you know the football team did not win many. But I want you to know that you can be proud of them. They fought 11 the way. The University of South Carolina had to appeal to heir team at half time to beat The Citadel for a dying Carolina football player. West Virginia and George Washington were ever the same after our cadets hit them. I could name, name after name of outstanding cadets on the squad, good in academics, cadet rank and fighting football players, very few bums and they were only minor. Charlie McDonald always needing a haircut and Wilbur Fallow always needing a shoe shine. That Wilbur is one helleva football player.

Our new President, General Harris is still looking around, not saying much. He gave all of The Corps Thanksgiving leave his year. At his inauguration on 15 October he rescinded all punishment, by the 15 December there were 61 black “little lambs” walking tours, plus over 400 lambs serving confinements.

This year I sat in the senior date section at the football names. Didn’t need a drink, the fumes kept me going. One cadet introduced a non-Citadel man in Citadel uniform into the senior date section. I was lucky enough to spot him. The cadet only received 10/40/2 months.

The basketball team has only two veterans, but they are lighting.

President Harris is putting complete new beds and furniture in the cadet rooms. In about four years it will be The Hilton Citadel.

My wife has lost 60 pounds. I have lost 40 pounds by dietrig. My son, Alfred, has lost 50 pounds by being a plebe in Company A. My daughter will graduate from U.S.C. in June 66 with a degree in Biology (took her three years) and has already been accepted at the Medical College of South Carolina to study to be a real human doctor.

Oh yes, the plebes are the worse class to ever enter The Citadel, but they are being “shaped up” and will make the grade. The class of ’66 is doing a good job.

The Citadel has had at least 8 graduates killed in Viet Nam and quite a number wounded. Major Savas, a former Assistant Professor of Military Science, died in Viet Nam in October ’65 from a back injury he had before he left here.

We are always proud of our lambs.

My family and I, and Miss Betsy send our love and regards.

Boo
’66

Merry ’66 Christmas, Lamb

As usual we are marching along. September ’66 saw over 2,100 so called cadets, with only 650 ‘knobs.’ Most of the remainder were refugees from Saigon U. Now we are down to 2040, however, the ‘knob’ percentage is the same.

The Citadel Hilton has acquired 2000 brand new beds with box springs and ten inch (honest) inner springs, have to have MC’s and PP’s now; also 1,000 new desks and 350 new chairs. It is hoped by September ’67 to have everything new, except cadets.

General Harris likes to give amnesty, having given six in 11 months. The Corps and I really cooperate to keep him happy. One lamb earned 160 tours in 3 weeks and a friend of his 140 tours, so you can see we are trying.

As you may know Mrs. Clark died in October. There was a memorial service for her in Summerall Chapel well attended by cadets. We have lost 16 lambs in Viet Nam, Skip Murphy ’65 being the latest. Cheer up, the good die young; you and I will be around a long time. But always remember, I’m going to be Sgt. of Lesesne Gate in Hell.

The same lamb, whom I took blue jeans off in the middle of the parade ground during Summer School, showed up at Christmas muster in civilian long tails and white tie. He had his coat and tie just like regulation state.

All the jock teams are playing hard even though they aren’t winning all of them.

Colonel John Williams, Assistant Commandant, is retiring in June
’67.
He is a West Pointer who has been with The Citadel over 20 years and has helped the college in many ways.

My family, Miss Betsy and all The Citadel send our best regards to you and yours.

Boo

’67

Happy ’67 Christmas Lambs,

The Ashley and the Cooper keep rolling along and so does El Cid. For the first time in 3 years, we started off in September only about 20 over in barracks. With all the new furniture in the rooms they are really crowded now. With 3 men rooms, you have to go outside to change your mind. With 4 men rooms, you can move around, and 2 men rooms are fat cats; more places to hide junk.

Major Freda, Dr. Cathcart, Colonel Warren Stutler and Colonel Causey all died during the past year. General Clark was married in October 1967. The new Chemistry Building is being built across from #4 Barracks and should be ready for use by September ’68. Also the Alumni have a new house outside SOUTH Gate.

The Tactical Officers handle WEL’s and C.P.’s in their Companies; it sure has been a help to me, no more late calls. Had our 8th suspension of punishment in September. However, the quad has not been empty. Cdr. Coussons is “Tac” to Company “Top” and is doing a good job. Can you picture “Tango” winning a parade? They did! Colonel John Williams retired last June and has been running all over the nation. This year General Harris let 5 year men live off the campus and be “Day Students.” J. Bowditch, S. Dewey, Fletcher, etc.; what a blessing. The old green dragon is gone; I now operate a Blue ’66 2 door low priced Ford.

I know all of you will enjoy hearing that Dan Brailsford, ’66, was caught non-brown-bagging at the Furman game; our future Governor.

My little girl is a soph at Medical College and Al is trying to catch up to be a Second Classman.

The Citadel has lost more than her fair share in Viet Nam this year, all fine, good, young men, so you lambs don’t worry, you are too wicked to die. You will be back here wanting a pass or 3 merits.

The footballers played well, there just was not enough of them to go around for ten games. The new basketball Coach has them fired up. Can you picture Bridges or Cauthen excited? H. Read, Business Manager, is leaving 1 January ’68.

We are still here trying to produce the “whole” man, but there is always something missing; a toe, finger, or head.

My family, Miss Betsy, and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Safe New Year.

Best Always,

Boo

’68

Dear Lambs:

We have had a few changes; General Tucker was relieved in Feb. 68, Miss Betsy quit in Feb. 68 and I was relieved 1 May 68. Filled in for John Holliday as Provost Marshall until 1 Aug.

John had quite a serious operation but has recovered real well and is doing fine. Dr. Sandifer & Miss Maloney have left the Hospital, Rembert J. ’61 is in English, Moore J. R. ’62 & Muller K. L. ’66 are Asst. PMS’s. I have heard that at least 9 PhD’s have joined the faculty.

I am now the Supply & Property Officer, it is ‘fat city’ but I do miss the contact with cadets. I do have one big problem if I can clear up, it will be gone for good. I found 546 pieces of luggage belonging to cadets who have departed from The Citadel. I have sent out over 300 pieces but still have a hard core I can’t find. Attached is a list, if you run into any of them. Please ask them to write me for their luggage.

The football team was magnificent, good boys (no bums) playing hard, but we really were hurt in the legs and neck. At one time the top three line backers could not play. Nine will require leg operations this year. Six made All-Southern and three made All State. Ken Diaz was on both of them and it was well deserved.

Basketball is getting off to a good start but we don’t have any goons, our tallest duckbutt is 6’5”. , I don’t know much of cadet life these days as I don’t see them.

Tom Evans ’68 (Co D) was killed in an auto wreck in Atlanta in Nov. 68, first of his class. We still have a lot in V.N. but Thank God not many killed or wounded. Goble ’66 was wounded bad but has recovered and is still over there.

“Sandy” Kelly widow of Bennie Kelly ’61 KIA, V.N. presented The Citadel with a “Kelly Cup” for the best drilled squad awarded each year, in addition the Squad leader will get a medal.

Larry Latini, an animal if there ever was one, had his sister draw a charcoal portrait of me. It is one of the finest gifts I have ever received.

Incidentlly, Latini, Coburn, Windham, all crack football players gave it up to study and all graduated with their class.

My office is in the luggage warehouse so I will be changing from a cariBoo to a Swamp Rat.

My wife is not too well, my little girl is doing well as a junior in Med school and Al needs 120 Q.P.’s, with the grace of God and a long handle spoon he should make it in Aug. 69.

We all wish you the best.

Boo

Dear Lamb:

’69

1969 has been quite a year for me, besides the men walking on the moon. My son Al graduated in August so that’s one worry I’ll never have again. All my family except myself have been sick but everyone is fine now except my wife.

The Corps is in good shape; ’69 got an extra weeks’ furlough last Christmas and had a girl in a parade, June week. ’70 had a mob visit to Furman, they did too much damage and made the Furman football team mad but our cadets were quite shrewd.

Our football team was good, you won’t see a better game anywheres the day we beat Davidson. The basketball team is young but is hustling. We play our first basketball game with Vanderbilt this year and our first football game in Sep. ’70 with Vanderbilt.

The new Chemistry Building SW of Bond Hall is a dream, even you could pass chemistry in Byrd Hall. The West wing of Bond Hall is completely down and is being rebuilt. For the past two years and the next two, 4th Bn won’t be able to hear an artillery barrage come in, when they leave The Cid.

We lost some mighty good boys this past year. ’68 T. H. Evans, C. A. Peterson

’67 F. J. Carter MIA, G. L. Miner, N. A. Rowe, Jr., B. R. Welge ’63 E. M. Collins, Jr.

The good part is that some of our biggest bums and I do mean bums have gone out and have done well. I wouldn’t have enlisted them in the Salvation Army.

We have a lot more beds than bodies this year, so if you can send something warm down here please do, not quite as shiftless as you were but some body to fill a bed and pay the tuition.

The Citadel will be on College BOWL (TV) Mar. 8, 1970 hold both of them for us.

Saw Miss Betsy about two weeks ago and she is fine.

I have the best job I ever had in my life but I miss the Lambs.

With all the best wishes for a New Year.

Boo

AFTERTHOUGHTS

The next letter was sent to Cadet Dave Savarene in 1964. Cadet Savarene came to
The Boo
as soon as he got the letter, swore he had not been frequenting Charleston brothels, and could not understand how the underworld had put him on its mailing list.
The Boo
racked him about loose morals and sins of the flesh, then told him he was the victim of a cadet prank. Greatly relieved, Savarene left the letter with
Boo
and departed from his office determined to lead the righteous life.