Gilmer “Gil” Minor IV ’93 (center) accepts the New Market Medal on behalf of his late father, G. Gilmer “Gil” Minor III ’63, during the Memorial Parade May 15, 2024. With Minor are Tom Watjen ’76, VMI Board of Visitors president (left), and Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent.
G. Gilmer “Gil” Minor III ’63 was posthumously awarded the New Market Medal, VMI’s highest honor, during the annual Memorial Parade May 15, 2024. The VMI Board of Visitors established the New Market Medal to recognize exceptional individuals who have demonstrated the qualities of duty, honor, devotion, and leadership that carried forward the VMI Corps of Cadets at the Battle of New Market May 15, 1864. Minor is only the 17th award recipient since its introduction in 1962. His widow, Charlotte; daughter, Cameron; and son, Gilmer Minor IV ’93, were present to accept the honor on his behalf.
Minor IV addressed the BOV, his fellow alumni, friends, guests, and the Corps of Cadets in an emotional message. “I never could have imagined I would be here speaking on behalf of a man who so graciously dedicated much of his life, time, and energy to supporting and upholding the longstanding traditions and values of VMI,” said Minor IV. “I’m able to reflect on the spirit that he exuded, the pride he had, and the memory and sheer joy my father felt being with and part of this community.”
He continued, “My father lived his values of honor, duty, service, loyalty, integrity, and community. This honor today is about my father’s commitment and loyalty to VMI, as well as what VMI gave him that enabled him to be the man he was. Were he here today giving these remarks himself, he wouldn’t speak of any of his accomplishments or contributions. He would simply say it was his duty and responsibility as a citizen-soldier. I can say without hesitation that while he was recognized and honored for so many things throughout his life, this is the honor that would have meant the most.”
Minor, who passed away last May, graduated from VMI with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a Master of Business degree from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He served a term on the Keydet Club Board of Governors and was a Foundation Board of Trustees member from 1993–2000, serving as its president from 1997–2000. In 2000, Minor became a member of the Board of Visitors and served as president from 2005–08. He was a recipient of the VMI Foundation Distinguished Service Award in 2008. He also received the Spirit of VMI Award, the VMI Keydet Club’s highest honor, recognizing his outstanding support for VMI’s intercollegiate athletic programs. He was inducted as a member of the VMI Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
During an interview in 2014 with Amy Goetz, VMI Alumni Agencies chief communications officer, Minor became emotional as he reflected on his time as a cadet and all he experienced and learned at VMI. He described what he called a “toolkit” of skills and abilities available to all cadets and alumni throughout their lives: The skills to make good decisions, recover after failure, and meet the next challenge. “The toolkit starts with integrity, and living a life that is completely encapsulated with honor and integrity and being able to put your head on the pillow every night and go to sleep, and know that you’ve done the right thing. VMI also teaches you time management because you never have time at VMI to do everything, but you have to make choices and priorities. VMI teaches you to not give up. You’re going to falter, you’re going to fail, but get up and keep moving forward,” Minor said. He went on to share that he considered it an investment each time he made donations to VMI. “I want to keep a good thing going. Whether it’s $10, $100, or $500, every investment means giving up something as an individual, but investing in something that lasts forever.”
A leader in Virginia business, Minor joined the family business, Owens & Minor, a healthcare distribution and logistics company, in 1963 and served in numerous sales, management, and operations roles before becoming its president in 1981, its chief executive officer in 1984, and its chairman in May 1994. Minor was active in many civic, charitable, and industry organizations, including the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Virginia Health Care Foundation, the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center, VCU’s School of Business Foundation, Virginia Business Higher Education Council, and Virginia Business Council.
The Minor family joined Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent; Tom Watjen ’76, BOV president; and Col. Adrian T. Bogart III ’81, commandant, in taking review of the parade as the Corps marched from the Parade Ground down Letcher Avenue toward barracks.
Editor's Note: Story originally published by Virginia Military Institute.
