A Speech Delivered by Bob Miller Class of 1965

with a small American Army, led by General Winfield Scott, who defeated the British in 1812 during an engagement along the Niagara River. The gray uniform became a badge of honor and was adopted by West Point because of this engagement, and it has since been worn by all Military Cadets. This became a part of esprit de corps. 

"No one can appreciate the sense of pride which is developed in serving a cadetship unless he or she has had the experience."

Experience. I am sure those listening today, whether they attended a military school or college, will acknowledge it was an experience with its highs and lows, but that is only the peripheral experience. The real experience is the camaraderie, pride, self-esteem, learning, respect for one's self and for others, and learning to be a leader. I am beginning to describe the making of a cadet. A person who wears the gray uniform and is proud of it. A cadet that looks to the future but is anchored by the traditions and teachings of the past.

It all began September 1899 when the Reform Church opened a school in Riddleberger House with forty students; half were borders. The first graduating class was in 1902. Howard J. Benchoff was appointed school president in 1905. He and his family maintained their devotion and love for this institution for over the next six and a half decades.

Howard Benchoff was a believer in "To train boys with a discipline." He instituted a military program in 1917. In 1930, the US War Department formally appointed the school a JROTC unit, placing it on par with the highest rated military schools in the country.

Courage, Industry, Purity, MMA's emblem and character were born. Those three words have been emblazoned on our school flag and uniform for close to 100 years. Our flag and our gray uniform have been carried and worn by the gray line of young men and women of the past, present, and future.

Courage is defined as having mettle and moral strength to venture, preserve, withstand danger, fear or difficulty.

Industry is defined as hard work, exhibiting one's energy, vigor, diligence, dedication, and steadfastness.

Purity is defined as being clean and of sound mind, righteous, honest, and trustworthy.

Our cadet honor code embraces these three words and created the foundation for a cadet's character and fortitude. A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate those who do. These three words are the pillars and soul of MMA. They have molded cadets of the past, and will mold the cadets of the future. It takes inner courage and resolve to stand with these words. There will always be naysayers who challenge our character and show disrespect to the gray line, wherever it resides.

"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost.
When health is lost, something is lost.
When character is lost, all is lost."
- Col. Frank K. Hyatt

Challenges to our character test our courage, industry, and purity. It is the resolution of a cadet of MMA's Gray Line whether past, present or future to respect one's self and therefore respect others. 

Then cadets, we begin to learn to lead. The spirit of our long gray line is and always will be of courage, industry, and purity. Many a young soul trying to find oneself has found his or her way to MMA's doorsteps. Courage, Industry, and Purity has delivered.

Benchoff's teaching, to train young men and women with a discipline, is invaluable and gives them a cornerstone for the future. She has bore from her halls cadets who have achieved the highest professions and honors in business, military, government, tradesmen, medical, and law. She has given many of her own in the service and defense of our country from WWI to our latest conflicts. She thrives upon the spirit of those who have marched and do march across her fields.

As we look to the future we need to remember the journey of our past. MMA was established in the former home of US Senator Harrison Riddleberger, which was purchased by the Reform Church in 1899.
The Reverend J. Silar Garrison, a clergyman of the church, was in the forefront of the founders of the school.
Between 1908 and 2015 buildings and grounds were erected and improved. A formal military training program was introduced in 1917.
The 1960's saw the largest enrollment of the cadet corps and sad loss of the last Benchoff as Head Master.
In 1984 Massanutten's name was officially changed from Massanutten Academy to Massanutten Military Academy.
The uniform and instructions have evolved over the years, but the message never changed - Courage, Industry, and Purity.

One needs to remember that brick and mortar do not house the soul of the school. Those who have walked and marched on the walkways and fields of Massanutten are the Long Gray Line of Massanutten. She lives and breathes through their spirit.

You, the corps of the future, live in a changing world, one with excitement, opportunities and challenges for the future. Anchor yourself to your learning and training, your MMA principles, and the pride of the gray uniform you wear. It may be ten to fifteen years before you realize what MMA has delivered to you. But MMA will deliver.

I leave you with this: Courage, Industry, and Purity are my creed. For over a century wherever a long gray line of MMA sons and daughters have gathered with dignity, honor, and loyalty, there I have been. 
Of Courage, I am the advocate.
Of Industry, I am the Custodian.
Of Purity, I am the Guardian.
Now and forever, I am the Corps.

Colonel Layman, may we, the alumni make a charge of responsibility to the corps?

We the long gray line of the past charge you, battalion commander, your commissioned and non-commissioned officers, your cadet battalion, to carry on the traditions, the remembrance, the love, and character of the gray uniform you wear and the flags you carry. For you are the long gray line of today and of the future, which is the soul of this school.

Thank you all in attendance, and thank you to the cadet corps.

Non Nobis Solum.