The Rock
The First World War is the third deadliest war in American history. Between 1917 and 1918 the United States lost over 116,000 men. Around 50,000 of those lost died in combat. During the war Virginia Polytechnic Institute lost 26 former students and alumni – 12 died in battle, 1 died of disease while overseas, and 13 died in training.
Immediately after the war VPI’s community made plans to commemorate the sacrifices of alumni in France. Using funds raised by the graduating class of 1919, the college erected a stone memorial, later known as “the Rock,” on July 2, 1919 in memory of VPI’s fallen heroes in France. The memorial bears the names of 11 of 13 VPI men who died in France: Lloyd Williams, Howard Barger, Robert Butler, J. Frank Clemmer, Jerome Cudlipp, James France, Alfred Harvey, Arthur Moore, Sylvester Moore, Seth Murray, and J. Campbell Berkeley. The two names not included are Harry Williams and Maury Lake, who attended VPI but did not graduate.
A tradition began before the memorial’s dedication when the campus newspaper declared, “From that day [dedication day] hence let every student of VPI salute or uncover to the memory of eleven brave warriors, and respect the small space it covers with the respect due the King of England, always being proud of VPI, her records, and her sons.”
Virginia Tech cadets continue that tradition. According to Corps of Cadets regulations, “All cadets while in uniform will salute the Rock… They will salute as they pass, facing the Rock… three paces before and three paces after it. All cadets in civilian attire will put their hand over their heart and look at the Rock as they pass… three paces before and three paces after.”
Today the Rock, located between Pearson East and Pearson West Halls, remains roughly in the same place it was dedicated in 1919. The Rock continues to be a focal point of Virginia Tech tradition. Nearly every morning when classes are in session the Corps of Cadets forms in front of the Rock for morning formation.
