Herewith, the complete story concerning the picture on page 59 of the Fall 2007 edition of your (and our) Alumni Magazine:
Those 12 dashing "would-be females" are really 12 fine 1947 S.A.E.s playing the third part of that year's Homecoming float depicting our return to campus following WWII.
Part 1 was a flattop truck carrying our S.A.E. jazz band setting the tone for our return to campus. Proud band members were: Bill Murphy '48, bass; Jay Ball '49, B.C.L. '51, trumpet; Brack McCaskey '49, drums; Pat Indence '48, clarinet; Dick Beatty '47, piano.
Part 2 (of which I was part-dressed as a prisoner complete with striped outfit, ball and chain) was a truly horrible group of brothers in a pile of rag-tag clothing ... all racing away from the Part 3 gang of love-starved young ladies who seemed quite happy about our return and their opportunity to "mother" us back to post-war campus civility.
Of the "girl-guys" I can all but positively identify only one. That's Dale Clark '46 in position two with whom I've discussed this matter. The other 11 are on their own as to identification. Needless to say, I'd be delighted to hear from them.
The sad ending to this story is that S.A.E. was placed only second by whoever the judges were. Small wonder that they never again put such effort into their Homecoming offerings.
Thus endeth the story of the picture on page 59.
BILL SMITH '44
Richmond, VA
