FMSAlumni

SHORT HISTORY OF THE GARNET AND GOLD

Rick — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:16:09 +0000

BRs in doing the research on the FIshburne Military High School ring, i have found out some interesting news that I already suspected and is now confirmed. FMS is the oldest operating military high school in the nation. its founder james a fishburne was a student of Gen R E Lee when Lee was the president of Washington U. The Alpha Kappa Order was formed at Washington U as a memorial to perpetuat…e the ideals of Lee. Col. Morgan Hudgins went to VMI and later was a supernintendent of FMS for James Fishburne. Hudgins was a member of the Beta chapter of the order at VMI. the fraternity colors were garnet and gold so those colors were selected by Fishburne and Hudgins as the school colors for FMS to honor Lee. If Lee was the model for the cadets at FMS then VMI was the model for the insitution. On one side of the FMS ring is the old coat of arms for VMI and on the other side is the new coat of arms for FMS to denote the new institution, which grew from Lee , the Kappa Alpha Orderand the VMI beginings. Therefore the FMS school and the FMS ring is very deeply rooted in the traditions and foudations of VMI. it is with distinct pleasure that i wear the FMS ring as i am member of both alumni associations.

Hon. Coy M. Kiser (1933-2012)

Derrick — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:30:04 +0000

“You could say, in a way, that Coy Monroe Kiser Jr. wound up in law because he wasn’t good in math. As a cadet at Fishburne Military Academy in Waynesboro, he set his sights on working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
- Full article at Richmond Times Dispatch

“Mr. Kiser was the first Commandant and instrumental organizer of The Hudgins Rifles, Fishburne Military (FMS) drill team, in 1951. Serving as catcher for the FMS baseball team, he also had a life-long love for baseball.”
- Full article at The News Leader

From the 1979 FMS Yearbook:

Col. Morgan Hudgins and cadet Coy Kiser reviewing the Hudgins Rifles.

ALUMNI RING PROJECT

Rick — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:20:51 +0000

ALUMNI RING PROJECT……..THE GARNET and GOLD ….After All isn’T It All About The Ring

Rick Hess FMS 70

As FMS Alumni, we wear the Garnet and Gold in our hearts, in the way we live, and in the stories we share. For many of us, FMS rings that we received when we were cadets were an outward sign of the love we carried for our school and our brothers.

But some of our alumni have lost their rings, or feel that the rings they wore as cadets are no longer a good size for their more mature hands. Some alumni started talking about this during the 2011 Alumni Weekend and an idea was born. Members of the FMS Alumni Facebook group (Join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/FMSmembers/), talked about the idea and decided to move forward with the idea to create rings for FMS alumni.

Rings can identify us to each other, offer reminders of fond memories, and bring recognition to the school we love.

The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation of the Board of Visitors Alumni Relations Committee and Jostens was commissioned to create an alumni ring.

The ring is a larger version of the FMS cadet ring. The ring is 40 penny weight; it is available in 10K gold, or in a gold alloy overlay called Lustrium Suncast. Other than its size, the ring is identical to the cadet ring design. Each alumnus may personalize his ring with the year of his graduation at no additional cost. The other option is an Old English “F” encrusted on the garnet stone, also at no additional cost. Whether you choose 10K gold or the gold alloy overlay, the rings carry a lifetime warranty. If the ring should tarnish, chip, or lose the look of the original ring, it is under warranty for life through Jostens.

The Alumni Ring is available to anyone who attended FMS. You may contact Rick Hess, FMS ’70, at rickhessfms70@g mail.com, or call him at 434-470-1871 for order forms and questions.

About 30 rings have been ordered so far, and the first was delivered in January to Drew Scearce of the class of 1955. He wears his new ring with pride and is very pleased with the look of the ring.

“The project involved the ideas and comments of many alumni. I did the legwork on this project, but this was a collaboration by more than 600 alumni. It is a fine example of the fraternity at work, Hess said. “It was my pleasure to see this come to fruition as a member of the Alumni Relations Committee on the FMS Board of Visitors.”

Rick Hess FMS 70

Board of Visitors

Alumni Relations Committee

Alumni are willing to help.

Joe — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:16:19 +0000

Attention: If you are a pastor or mental health provider – Please follow this thread and comment on your availability. Brothers – from time to time, we all are faced with obstacles that we cannot handle alone. Among our graduates and members of this forum are several men who have chosen or have been chosen to help others with these life obstacles. We recently learned of a loss of life by an accidental overdose. It is easy for us to say to someone – You Need Help! I would like for us to be able to say, I can help. The help can come in the form of a referral, a listening ear, a prayer or even an intervention. If you would be in a position to say “I can help!” Please share a comment below or contact me privately. Thanks.

Welcome to the New FMSAlumni.com

Derrick — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:03:55 +0000

Over the years, FMSAlumni.com has undergone many changes. For 2012, a new look and some new features are in the works. This is the first phase of the new FMSAlumni.com website, but there’s much more to come. Check here often to see updates and current events. Also, if you join our Facebook FMS Alumni Group, you will have access to even more features!