Wilkins attends Ole War Skule reunion
B.O. Wilkins of Houston TX, and an enthusiastic member of K/393, recently attended the Cadets of the Ole War Skule reunion in Baton Rouge LA.
Louisiana State University inducted 10 new members in the Cadets of the Ole War Skule Hall of Honor as part of "LSU Salutes," an annual two-day celebration honoring the contributions of LSU veterans. The late former LSU president General Troy H. Middleton was one of the honorees. Gen. Middleton commanded the VIII Corps south of the 99th in the Battle of the Bulge.
The induction ceremony included a wreath-laying in honor of LSU's war dead and remarks by the chancellor. The Corps of Cadets performed a pass in review. The Bengal Brass, a segment of the 350-piece Tiger band, provided martial music and the Corps artillery fired a 21-gun salute, followed by "Taps."
The ceremony was followed by a brunch and the annual meeting of the Cadets of the Ole War Skule in the LSU Faculty Club.
Inductees to the Hall of Honor were recognized during ceremonies before the LSU-Louisiana Tech football game in Tiger Stadium. During pre-game ceremonies, one of the oldest LSU cadets, John Hendrix, 93, passed the colors of the Ole War Skule to the current commander of the LSU Corps of Cadets, Cadet Col. Justin Thornton, symbolizing the continued support today's cadets give to LSU's distinguished military history.
The Tiger Band honored the inductees, veterans, and LSU cadets with a patriotic half-time show, and all U.S. veterans were asked to stand and be recognized.
The Hall of Honor inductees, all of whom must have attended LSU and served in the military, are selected based on their involvement with the university, as well as military and community service.
Wilkins said of the 130 cadets inducted at Camp Beauregard in May 1943, nine ended up in K/393 in March 1944, and many others went to other units of the 99th.
