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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 18, 1993                   TAG: 9303180556
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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PROTECT VMI FROM ASSAULT

AS PARENTS of a Virginia Military Institute alumnus, class of 1982, we are firmly against admitting women there.

We do not think the general public realizes the importance of keeping the VMI tradition. The whole-man concept, or educating the citizen soldier, could not continue with female entrance into the corps.

VMI is unique as an educational institution. It is not, and does not copy, West Point or any other military schools. Others have given us many great men. However, VMI is the only school in our nation that ever fought as a unit in combat and that has shed blood as a unit.

The first moment any woman enters VMI, she will be fooling herself - because VMI will cease to exist. It will be history, not just a distinguished part of history.

The public should be proud of VMI, should preserve its heritage, defend its remarkable qualities, and protect it from assault.

RICHARD and CHARLOTTE WOOLWINE JR.\ ROANOKE

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