Greetings from Tom Cadenhead

Tom Cadenhead 2010

Unlike a lot of other folks, who went straight-a-way to the top, on an 
unerring line that promoted them to the annals of the country's list of 
heroes and political moguls, I've been muddling along on my own path, 
looking for success in all the little crannies I passed.  It's been a 
long, but interesting trip so far. 
 
 From a study of Entomology at the University of Georgia and a couple of 
years burning up testosterone racing  motorcycles, I did a stint in the 
Navy.  Went to boot at Great Lakes Training Center, Sonar School in Key 
West and then on to an old Fletcher class destroyer, the USS Eaton 
DD-510.  I spent my time churning circles in the Atlantic, chasing 
Russian submarines.  But, there was a high point.  We were chosen to 
represent the United States in Barbados when they declared their 
independence.  That was mighty special to me. 
 
Getting out, I worked for a The Ft. Pierce News Tribune as a 
photographer, sports writer and eventually a free lance photographer, 
covering events for Dixie Cycle News and helping to cover Daytona 
Speedweek for Cycle World. 

Then, to make a little money, figuring that I wasn't rolling in it in 
the news profession, I went to Florida Technical College and learned 
Computer programming, etc.   It was a difficult time finding work 
afterwards, so I bought a small boat and started commercial fishing 
while filling in some daytime hours moving pianos and working on musical 
instruments for a music company in Ft. Pierce.

Tom with his sawmill

Then it was off to RCA 
Computer Division, until they went out of business and then to a company 
called Carnett-Partsnett, the computer division of Southeast Toyota 
Distributors Inc.  Retiring from there in 1988, as Director of Computer 
Operations,  I bought a sawmill and started a portable sawmill service 
business, mostly within fifty miles of the house, but occassionally 
traveling as far as three-hundred miles for special jobs.  It was one of 
the most fun things I've ever done.  I've sawed many locally historic 
trees and sawed for many locally famous farmers and furniture makers in 
North Florida and South Georgia.  I got hooked up with a company called 
Historic Trees and sawed "The Spyglass Oak",  Ohio's champion cottonwood 
tree,  Trees planted by Washington, Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson.  I 
also had the honor of sawing the cedar tree, beneath which it is 
reported that the bugle call, Taps, was written. 
 
I got sick in the end of 2008 and have been spending my time, up until 
now, trying to recover.  It's slow, but positive and I hope that I will, 
again, be putting saw to log. 
 
This down-to-earth profession has taught me that there are many 
important and intelligent people living in the background of the 
Headlines and I feel very special to have had the opportunity to rub 
shoulders with them.  I've met WW II war heroes, Korean war heroes, Viet 
Nam War heroes, Ranchers, loggers, and swampers in the Okeefinokee, 
among those for whom I've sawed, as well as hundreds of men and women 
that have no medals to tout, but are the fabric that has held this 
nation together.

Cadet Cadenhead c. 1960

Tom Horton with his Sons and Grandsons

"Butch Plunkett (BG Cmdr 1962) Talks about his Viet Nam Experience

"Butch" Plunkett  HS 1960

  Thanks Cal - I have spoken to Earlene about this several times before -
  This is one of those nasty fights ( 23 KIAs, 40 WIAs 21 lost vehicles est
  150 NVA casualties ) in RVN that fell under the radar screen was not even
  included in the Marine Corps Archives until we did the "Road to the
  Graveyard". ( now accepted into the Archives )
  There were many heroes that day ( not me ), one even deserving of the
  Medal of Honor posthumously. These guys have been forsaken for 42 years
  and most have never received so much as a "how do you do" for their
  magnificent service.
  Now, we are blocked in our efforts to have several Marines considered for medals of     valor because of the "Statutes of Limitations". I know that the
  Corps will waive those requirements if it is in the interest of the Marine
  Corps to do so, they have done it before. So we are attempting to get as
  much publicity and attention as we can - I want to be in the position to
  embarrass the Corps into considering the awards. We do have support of
  several Senators, Congressmen and General Officers.
  I believe that with substantial Public Interest - the story is so rich
  that the Corps just might change their position.

  Example:
  During the fight at the "Bypass" HM3 Jerry Collier ( Corpsman ) could see
  Sgt Headlund ( Swede ) badly wounded, fall into the ditch, Swede was lying
  exposed to enemy fire, being hit with small arms fire. Jerry, in total
  disregard of his own safety, threw himself over Swede to render aid, Jerry
  was killed and we found his body laying over Swede as if to protect him.
  This is the stuff that should transcend mere "Statutes of Limitations".

  Swede was found alive, MedEvaced out that night but died the next day.
  There was only one survivor of the fight at the "Bypass" that was PFC
  Lenard Lindquist ( Link ) very badly wounded, floating in the adjacent
  rice paddy, he pretended to be dead, the water was so bloody that the NVA
  took his watch and ring and left him for dead, what a miracle!

  SO MANY THANKS FOR THE HELP remember www.2-7-68.com
  BTW The Marine Corps Gazette ( on line ) featured "The Road to the
  Graveyard" for the Month of Nov. 2009 - got very good reviews - this
  helped

LINK TO:    "ROAD TO THE GRAVEYARD"

Tommy Horton earned Battlefield Commission in Viet Nam

Tommy Horton

Ralph Hudgens is running for GA Insurance Commissioner

Ralph Hudgens, pictured above as a state Senator(R)and as a GMC High School Senior (L)

Ralph is running for State Insurance Commissioner and is looking forward to seeing his classmates at the October Reunion.

Cal Battle is Class Agent

2Lt Cal Battle

                                        

Cal Battle (HS 1960) is class agent for the High School Class of 1960.  He has recruited volunteers who will be contacting you regarding the "Golden Brigade" Reunion in October.

Ussery Hall - Our new Prep School Building

October Reunion GMC

Listen up!
Ed Robinson was the point man for the '59-'61 Reunion. Now he has stepped up again for those
in the '60-'62 Reunion. This is to be an all inclusive reunion, not for '60-'62, but for anyone attending GMC during that era.
I found that contacting people by e-mail or telephone and asking them to contact others was well accepted. Looking up and trying to contact "missing people" who were classmates is time well spent. Extend a hand...renew an old friendship.
October 22-23 is the date for our next get together. Earl Hamilton will be making contact.
One thing that impress everyone last year...remember we have doctors, lawyers, judges,members of the Armed forces and teachers and educators amongst us...yet not a single one made a statement as who or what he was.
A classmate, Jimmy Stein, puts it best..."I left GMC, but GMC never left".
Looking to see a bunch of old friends in October.
Larry(Buffalo) Stafford

All Hail the Class of 1960

Congratulations!  It has been fifty years since you marched from the hallowed halls of GMC.  You are now promoted to the "Golden Brigade", a unit that has fond memories through the years and has lost many comrades.

My name is Ed Robinson (HS 59)  Last October our class celebrated with the Junior College Class of 1959 our "Golden Brigade" Reunion.  We had a very good turnout and shared many memories and hugs.  It was very moving and everyone that came was so glad he did!

I started a blog for our 1959 Class last year that passed along stories and information. I am doing the same for your class this year in hope that it will build enthusiasm for your reunion.  I hope you will come and see the many changes, including the brand new Prep School Building, Ussery Hall, that GMC has made. But, most important will be renewing of friendships and  sharing memories with your classmates.  You will be glad you did.

Please share your information (50 years worth) with me at wermmr@charter.net and I will post it on your blog. You may share the blog messages by clicking on the e-mail envelope below.