Founder's Day – A VMI Tradition

&emsp;&emsp;The foundation of VMI began in 1818, not with the opening of VMI, but with the institution of an arsenal in the city of Lexington. This was part of a state order to create an additional three military arsenals within Virginia as a result of the War of 1812. Per the order, "[the arsenal] shall contain at least 20,000 stand of arms and there shall be a guard of one officer and twenty men for the Arsenal." This was filled by the required twenty military men with a supplement of two hired musicians, although the town of Lexington found their new residents to be less than satisfactory. The protests of the "townies" and the educated residents of Washington College (now known as Washington and Lee University) caused the state to propose a new institution, one of higher learning inspired by the military system of West Point. This call for change ushered in a new era, that of the Virginia Military Institute. &emsp;&emsp;On 11 November 1839, John B. Strange was posted as the first Cadet sentry, formally marking the opening of VMI, a military college separated into four classes with a curriculum including military exercises, study, and guard duty. This principled lifestyle of both academics and military training was advocated principally by Col. John Thomas Lewis Preston, a lawyer and a well-respected member of the Lexington community, as well as a legendary figure at modern day VMI. This "School under military discipline" sought to answer the issue of an "inefficient militia organization" by creating educated and honorable men who were ready in every time of deepest peril, a concept which would later be realized at the Battle of Newmarket. This concept was encapsulated in the words, "a corps of young men, guided by virtuous principles, ennobled by the ardor of patriotism, and cheered by the proud consciousness that they were preparing themselves for the highest posts under their own free government." The birth of VMI was at hand and the future of Virginia and the United States as a whole grew brighter. &emsp;&emsp;Service to state and country was at the forefront of VMI from its conception, with graduates required to serve as teachers in a Virginia school as repayment for their free education. Although no militia involvement was stipulated, it is within the core values of the Institute that its alumni serve as citizen-soldiers in both civilian and military capacities. This attitude toward service stretched from the first superintendent Prof. Francis H. Smith – a West Point graduate who served as a lieutenant in the artillery before becoming a professor at Hampden-Sydney College – down to the Cadets themselves. Charles P. Deyerle Class of 1842 is one of these as he left VMI to lead a life of service in the areas of teaching, medicine, and military service. The example of what VMI stands for and who its Cadets are, has continued throughout history with each Cadet graduating and pursuing a life of service to others. &emsp;&emsp;While the citizens of Lexington may have traded the "drunkenness, revelry, and confrontations" of undisciplined guards for only slightly more disciplined Cadets, the impact which VMI has offered to the immediate location and the greater United States is truly unparalleled. I would like to take this opportunity of Founder's Day weekend to thank the countless Cadets, both past and present, who have led virtuous lives of servitude, bringing honor and respect to the Institute. Due to their efforts, the actions of Col. J. T. L. Preston and all of those who have come before, remain justified and fruitful. &emsp;&emsp;In order to memorialize the Institute's founders, as well as VMI itself, the Virginia Military Institute hosts an annual parade on 11 November. This is a small way in which current Cadets are able to express their gratitude and respect for those who came before them, in addition to reminding themselves of the legacy which they carry. Though hardships such as rain or snow may befall all students of the Institute throughout history, they will remain objects of honest pride to their instructors, following in their footsteps and leading lives of moral and physical service. &emsp;&emsp;Regardless of time period, one constant remains: the VMI Cadet. Happy Founder's Day everyone.