Washington and Lee Commemorates Veterans Day The W&L community gathered to honor the military service of current and retired members of the staff, faculty and student body.

By Brian Laubscher
November 11, 2026

Washington and Lee University hosted its annual commemoration of Veterans Day at the Watson Galleries on Wednesday, Nov. 11, welcoming current and retired members of the staff, faculty and student body who have served in the military to honor fellow service members.

The event, which W&L has hosted for many years, was coordinated by Paul Youngman ’87, P’21, P’27, dean of the college and professor of German, and Mark Fontenot, fire and life safety systems technician in University Facilities. Together, Youngman and Fontenot oversee an employee resource group for veterans.

Interim President Ken Ruscio ’76 opened the event, sharing his experience growing up in a Marine Corps family. He spoke on the pride and humility often exhibited by military members and shared his gratitude for those who serve. Attendees then shared their experiences in the military or the experiences of family members who served, offering additional gratitude for the service of others.

John R. Maass ’87, a historian at the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was the event’s featured speaker. Maass holds a Ph.D. in early American history from The Ohio State University and is the author of several books on early U.S. military history. He was a member of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps as a student at W&L and served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve in the 80th Division for six years.

Maass, who lives on land that was once part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon farm in Alexandria, Virginia, told those in attendance that 20 years of reading Washington’s letters have left him with a recurring thought about Washington’s perseverance. Maass described the early setbacks of Washington’s military career, including surrendering his entire regiment and the fort he had built when he was just 22 years old. Later, during the Revolutionary War, shortages of troops, money, supplies and recruits repeatedly made Washington fear the cause would collapse, yet he never gave up. From June 1775 until late 1783, he returned to Mount Vernon only once. He stayed with the Continental Army while others resigned or went home, determined to honor the commission Congress had given him. Maass said his own challenges don’t compare, but he keeps a small picture on his desk of Washington to remind him to stay focused and determined. He hopes he has passed that lesson on to his children, and he encouraged the audience to persevere themselves.

After Maass’ remarks, Mike Young, retired director of Public Safety, led a closing prayer for the “gathering of heroes,” followed by a reception for the veterans.

The veterans in attendance included current and retired members of the W&L staff and faculty, as well as students currently participating in ROTC.

Veterans
Mark Fontenot, fire and life safety systems technician in University Facilities, served in the Virginia Air National Guard for 21 years and retired in 2008 as an E-7. As an aircraft maintenance technician crew chief, he worked on aircrafts including the A-7, F-16 and F-22.

Gavin Fox, associate professor of business administration, spent two years in the U.S. Army in active duty and eight years in the Army Reserve.

Don Gaylord, research archaeologist and instructor, was a nuclear reactor operator in the U.S. Navy on the fast-attack submarine USS Key West (SNN-722) out of Norfolk, Virginia. He served for six years of active duty and was an Electronics Technician Second Class: ET2 (SS).

Michael Hill, an electrical supervisor in University Facilities, served six years of active duty and two years of reserve duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Scott Humphries, electrician in University Facilities, served as an electrician in the U.S. Navy, where he worked on submarines.

James Ito, registrar for the Art Museum at W&L, served in the U.S. Army National Guard for eight years.

Dick Kuettner P’07, director of the Global Discovery Laboratories, served in the U.S. Army from  1970 to 1975. He worked in intelligence collection in Germany and Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Laurie Lipscomb, retired from the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, served in the U.S. Navy and left for Vietnam on the evening of his 21st birthday. He was in the I Corps Tactical Zone (Northern Vietnam). He came home in late 1969.

Dan Rexrode, retired from Public Safety, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1977 to 1981, where he worked on intercontinental ballistic missiles. He separated as a sergeant.

Bob Strong, William Lyne Wilson Professor in Political Economy Emeritus, was a U.S. Navy officer from 1971 to 1975, serving off the coast of Vietnam and later as a tender in Charleston, South Carolina.

Dawn Wilcox, nurse practitioner at the Lindley Center for Student Wellness, served as a nurse in the U.S. Air Force for seven years.

Mike Young, retired director of Public Safety, was a sergeant in the 716th Military Police Battalion of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving from 1967 to 1968.

Paul Youngman ’87, P’21, P’27, dean of the college and professor of German, served in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 1993. He was stationed in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. He separated as a captain of the 82nd Airborne Division. He holds a Bronze Star with “V” device for valor in a combat zone.

ROTC Cadets
Margot Carr ’27, Army ROTC
Francisca Childs ’27, Army ROTC
Kylee Cross ’27, Army ROTC
Allan Gushue ’27, Army ROTC
Claire Hutchison ’27, Army ROTC
Zariyah Williams ’30, Army ROTC