Welcoming one of the largest turnouts on record, Legacy Day 2024 hosted 285 participants, including 189 children who spent the day on post as young cadets April 13, 2024. Youth ages 5-17 attended Legacy Day, an annual event providing alumni and their families a chance to return to the Institute and share the VMI spirit with the next generation.
Legacies began their day with breakfast in Moody Hall, followed by forming up on the Parade Ground before each age group split off into activities, which included rock climbing in the Corps Physical Training Facility, a tour of barracks, games on the Parade Ground, and a rifle range simulation in Kilbourne Hall. A favorite activity for participants was marching in platoons organized by age group with Moe, bagpipers, drummers, and a drum major leading them down to Crozet.
More than 30 cadet volunteers facilitated the day, including Thomas Schultz ’25, Legacy Day cadet-in-charge and Alumni Association intern. “I would not have traded anything in the world to miss this day. Seeing the faces on the kids who attended made me feel like I was helping [with] something bigger than that of myself,” said Schultz. “I look forward to seeing their children call themselves cadets here in the future.”
For Justin Tammelin ’09, Alumni Association director of alumni engagement, watching legacies enjoying their experience at the Institute and forming bonds with each other and the cadet volunteers was impactful. “Seeing whole families on post for the day and watching current cadets teach, engage, and lead young children is a rewarding feeling,” said Tammelin. “It really highlights the high-level product that the Institute is producing and shows the quality of character of these young men and women who will go out and impact the world. It is an incredible legacy to be a part of, and I could not be prouder of the cadets who made Legacy Day a huge success.”
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Mattie Montgomery Assistant Editor
The assistant editor assists the editor-in-chief in various tasks relating to the production of quarterly and monthly publications, as well as prepares written materials for publication. The assistant editor serves as liaison between class agents and chapter presidents and the Agencies’ publications, as well as provides backup photography for events.
