Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Please join us in thanking and remembering our Vietnam Vets.

On March 11 members of the Class of 1966 gathered at the Bay Street Biergarten for their 43rd consecutive monthly noon formation, honoring the lives of eight classmates who passed away since March 2025. Attending were (front row, left to right) Ed White; Tom Burbage; Charlie Clark; Francis Grant; Hal Coar; Regie Price; Joby Upton; Jack Daniel; (second row) Lou Perella; Butch Volf; Gary Baker; Tim Slaight; Tom Dodd; (back row) Horace Canady; Jimmy Benton; Jimmy Reed; Frank Freeman; and Harry Jones. Ed Grimball attended but is not pictured. This fall, ’66 will return to The Citadel to celebrate its 60th reunion on campus.

On March 22 at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Wora Maha Wiharn, the Thailand Citadel Club held its inaugural Muster in remembrance of nine Thai alumni who passed away in recent years. Buddhist monks from the temple conducted a traditional chanting ceremony, dedicating merit to honor and commemorate the lives and service of the departed alumni. The ceremony was presided over by LTG Charoensakdi Thiengtham, ’63, president of the Thailand Citadel Club, and attended by members of The Citadel Alumni community in Thailand.

The Puerto Rico Citadel Club gathered for its annual Muster, with the following alumni present (from left to right): Billy del Toro, ’58; Mike Limeres, ’58; Felix Torres, ’60; Ivan Dominguez, ’64; Jimmy Colon, ’78; Blas Contreras, ’80; and Francisco Parga, ’82.

On March 21 MG Christopher Samulski, ARNG, '95, commander of the 29th Infantry Division, was promoted to his current rank in front of family and friends during a ceremony at the National Museum of the US Army. The Adjutant General of Virginia, MG James Ring, presided over the ceremony. facebook.com/29thID/posts/on-saturday-march-21-2026-bg-christopher-samulski-commander-of-the-29th-infantry/1360278469463082/

The Citadel Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Highlight Col Randolph J. Bresnik, USMC, Ret., '89 Col. Randy Bresnik, The Citadel's first man in space, has had one of the most decorated careers in modern military and space history. He launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in November 2009, spending 11 days on the International Space Station and completing 2 spacewalks. In 2017, he returned to space aboard the Soyuz MS-04, this time serving as ISS Commander and completing 3 more spacewalks. Before NASA, Bresnik was a USMC test pilot who flew combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom, logging 6,400+ flight hours across 85 types of aircraft and attending both TOPGUN and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He was selected for NASA's astronaut program out of 4,000+ applicants — one of only 11 chosen — and has since commanded an undersea research mission and is now helping shape the next generation of spacecraft. His awards include the Legion of Merit, multiple Strike/Flight Air Medals, and 2 NASA Spaceflight Medals. On his time as a Citadel cadet, Bresnik said it best: "To this date it was the hardest mental and physical challenge that I've come up against. After The Citadel, I knew that I could do anything." Learn more about distinguished alumni at citadelalumni.org/news-stories/distinguished-alumni/dcal/.

Today on Medal of Honor Day, we remember The Citadel’s Medal of Honor recipients: BG John Thomas Kennedy, Class of 1907; CPT Hugh Reavis Nelson Jr., Class of 1959; and SFC Christopher Andrew Celiz, Class of 2008.

March 24, 2026

March 24, 1663: King Charles II grants the territory called “Carolana” to eight Lords Proprietors, serving as a blueprint for the colonization of Carolina, setting the stage for the establishment of Charles Towne in 1670 charlestonmag.com/features/defining_moments_in_charlestons_history_1663_1736