Meet Our Special Guests

We are honored to welcome several distinguished guests who will join us for the Salute to Service Reunion Celebration. These individuals bring with them powerful stories, unique perspectives, and a shared commitment to service. Their presence will help shape meaningful conversations and connections throughout the Reunion. Check back often as we continue to confirm additional special guests. 

General James Henry Binford "Binnie" Peay III is a retired four-star general of the United States Army. He served as the 14th superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute from 2003 to 2020, and as chairman of the Allied Defense Group from 2001 to 2003.

Military awards and decorations Peay has received include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. He wears U.S. campaign ribbons for combat duty in Vietnam, (seven campaigns) and Saudi Arabia (three campaigns) and has received foreign awards from Vietnam, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph C. Barto III is a retired United States Army Lieutenant Colonel, serving in peace and war both in the United States and abroad. During Operation Desert Shield, he was the Chief of Current Operations for the 25,000-soldier 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) and then was the Executive Officer of the 2nd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment which led the division into the Euphrates River Valley during Operation Desert Storm. From July 1992 - August 1994, he was assigned as a Special Assistant to the Commanding General of Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, VA.

Prior to retiring, Mr. Barto was one of the key developers of the Joint Training System and the author of the June 1996 Joint Training. He serves on the Virginia War Memorial Foundation Board of Directors and is chair of the Salute to Service Reunion Celebration. 

 

Lieutenant General Robert B. Flowers is a United States retired Lieutenant General after 35 years of distinguished service. As Chief of Engineers and Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he led an organization of 37,000 personnel in managing and executing engineering, construction, and real estate for the U.S. Army, Air Force, and other federal agencies and foreign governments.  He directed the execution of a worldwide $15.5 billion per year program of engineering and construction services in over 90 countries and began the $20 billion progm for reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. He worked closely with the State Department and country team to aid developing countries, building infrastructure, and developing water resources. Prior to his selection as the Chief of Engineers, he served as the Commanding General of the Maneuver Support Center and Forst Leonard Wood. His other commands include an engineer company in German; the 307th Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division; the 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Corps (Airborne); and  the Mississippi Valley Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

During Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, he had command of an extended brigade of 10 battalions. One of the young men memorialized on the Virginia War Memorial's Shrine of Memory served under his command. Lieutenant General Flowers is a Fellow and past National President of the Society of Military Engineers. He is Chairman of the Civil Engineering Advisory Board for the United States Military Academy at West Point and serves on the Virginia War Memorial Foundation Board of Directors.