This Homecoming weekend at Virginia Tech, the class of 1958 was welcomed back to Blacksburg to its 50th "golden anniversary." The class of 1958 highlighted its momentous induction to the "Old Guard" with a $1.2 million gift to the Corps of Cadets' endowment.
"Once you pass the 50th anniversary mark, you are in the Old Guard," said Col. Rock Roszak, Corps Alumni Director. "I look forward to the day I join."
The Old Guard was organized in 1967, and accepts new members every year from the 50th anniversary class. The Old Guard conducts a celebration every year a week after spring commencement in May, in which all members of the Old Guard participate.
To honor those who are entering the Old Guard every year, the Tech Corps of Cadets holds a parade for all of those who are in the 50th anniversary class. The members of the 50th anniversary class then hold a memorial in War Memorial Chapel to commemorate those class members that have passed.
After this memorial service, the members of the class of 1958 walked across the Drillfield to stand and watch the Corps of Cadets perform their Pass in Review for all in attendance.
The cadets performed many of their military drills, including a sound off of all the companies of the Corps. Both the Commandant of Cadets Jeff Allen and Col. Bill Roberts, member of the 1958 class, spoke at the ceremony. The cadets even fired off the cannon Skipper for all of the campus to hear.
This year, more than 350 members of the class of 1958 and their families attended the event.
"It is a high point of every fall for me to see the alumni," Roszack said. "They have given so much to the university and it is nice that the Corps of Cadets can do something for them."
The class of 1958's philanthropic donation to the Corps received appreciation within the younger members. Those members of the Corps were given a chance to thank those members of the class of 1958 who have helped them, and the Cadets did not disappoint with the Pass in Review parade.