ROTC class of ’55 reunites Saturday

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A group of cadets who trained to fight communists instead of terrorists will return to Central Michigan University this weekend.

The “Michigan 22nd” was the first group to join up with CMU’s ROTC program, founded in 1953. They also were the first 22 students to report to Ft. Campbell, Ky., for summer camp in 1954.

“We’re going to meet in the office (Finch 111 on Saturday) at 10:30 a.m.,” said Kim Bailey, administrative secretary for military sciences.

Though a particular emphasis is placed on the original class of 1955, all ROTC alumni are welcome to join the celebration.

The ROTC graduates will meet at the offices and then attend the Homecoming football game against Eastern Michigan at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Although the 1955 graduating class’ ties to each other were cemented more than half a century ago, they remain strongly knit, Bailey said.

“They get together once a year,” she said.

Meeting in honor

One alum who is particularly active in keeping the group together through events and regular communication is Bill Sowle, the former owner of Sidney Sowle and Son Inc. Mayflower Agency, a moving business in Mount Pleasant.

“We started getting together on a regular basis since our 50th in 2005,” Sowle said. “For the first 30 years after we graduated, we seldom gathered because we never knew where anybody was.”

The 22nd has a particularly strong reason to reconvene this year. The attending alums will honor the late Ron Patrick, a member of the 22nd, a lifetime Manistique resident and a National Guard Captain who retired with 38 years of combined service.

“We’re having a little ceremony for Ron,” Sowle said.

He died on March 31 at age 75.