The Princeton Tigers were playing The Citadel in football at Princeton Stadium. Designated "Military Appreciation Day", it was decided that there was going to be a short recognition of my father, General John R. Guthrie, Class of 1942. I was asked to participate in the pre-game coin toss, and was told that there would be a very brief announcement.
I got down to the field about 20 minutes before the coin toss, and spent some time talking to Princeton Athletics Director Gary Walters on the sideline.
I knew it was going to be a special day when I went over to ask the referees what I was supposed to do. The head referee handed me a coin and said, "what do you think?" I wasn't sure what he meant at first, but then he said, "Look at the date." I saw the coin was from 1921, the year of my dad's birth. He said, "Isn't that your dad's birthday year? I wanted to honor him. I have been told he was a great man." It was such a nice simple gesture.
I was waiting to walk out for the coin toss, not expecting anything, when the band announcer paused for a moment, and shifted from his normal comedic tone. Here is what he read:
"This past May, Princeton lost a great alumnus with the passing of John R. Guthrie, Class of '42. As a four-star general, Guthrie was Princeton's highest-ranking alumnus in military service. He never forgot his alma mater, however, and was a lifelong supporter of Princeton's football team and ROTC program in particular. More information about his career and accomplishments may be found in your program. (to see the program page, see http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/16316983/h2zch9qfihtsjj0ri96).
The band would like to honor General Guthrie with the playing of 'The Orange and the Black."
The band is normally so completely irreverent. It felt very special that they honored him in such a serious way. I have to admit; my dad would have been surprised by that one!
After the band finished the tribute, they played the National Anthem. And I went out for the coin toss. As I ran off the field after the toss, another official chased me down from behind, and stopped me to shake my hand. "I read about your father in the program and I want to recognize his service. He was a great man." It was all quite moving.
In 2006, Princeton established the General John R. Guthrie Memorial Fund. With a lead gift from former Princeton President William G. Bowen, the fund supports students who want to participate in ROTC and serve our country but who are not on ROTC scholarships. If you are interested in supporting this worthy cause, contributions can be mailed directly to the Alumni & Friends-PUROTC, P.O. Box 964, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550. Please make checks payable to Alumni and Friends of Princeton ROTC with the notation: General Guthrie Fund;
or
you can donate with a credit card through the Princeton ROTC website at http://purotc.org/.
All other inquiries regarding the Guthrie Fund can be made directly to the A&F-PUROTC Contact the A&F-PUROTC in writing at: Alumni and Friends of Princeton University ROTC, P.O. Box 964, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550; e-mail -- president@purotc.org; phone at (609) 314-1904.
I got down to the field about 20 minutes before the coin toss, and spent some time talking to Princeton Athletics Director Gary Walters on the sideline.
I knew it was going to be a special day when I went over to ask the referees what I was supposed to do. The head referee handed me a coin and said, "what do you think?" I wasn't sure what he meant at first, but then he said, "Look at the date." I saw the coin was from 1921, the year of my dad's birth. He said, "Isn't that your dad's birthday year? I wanted to honor him. I have been told he was a great man." It was such a nice simple gesture.
I was waiting to walk out for the coin toss, not expecting anything, when the band announcer paused for a moment, and shifted from his normal comedic tone. Here is what he read:
"This past May, Princeton lost a great alumnus with the passing of John R. Guthrie, Class of '42. As a four-star general, Guthrie was Princeton's highest-ranking alumnus in military service. He never forgot his alma mater, however, and was a lifelong supporter of Princeton's football team and ROTC program in particular. More information about his career and accomplishments may be found in your program. (to see the program page, see http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/16316983/h2zch9qfihtsjj0ri96).
The band would like to honor General Guthrie with the playing of 'The Orange and the Black."
The band is normally so completely irreverent. It felt very special that they honored him in such a serious way. I have to admit; my dad would have been surprised by that one!After the band finished the tribute, they played the National Anthem. And I went out for the coin toss. As I ran off the field after the toss, another official chased me down from behind, and stopped me to shake my hand. "I read about your father in the program and I want to recognize his service. He was a great man." It was all quite moving.
In 2006, Princeton established the General John R. Guthrie Memorial Fund. With a lead gift from former Princeton President William G. Bowen, the fund supports students who want to participate in ROTC and serve our country but who are not on ROTC scholarships. If you are interested in supporting this worthy cause, contributions can be mailed directly to the Alumni & Friends-PUROTC, P.O. Box 964, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550. Please make checks payable to Alumni and Friends of Princeton ROTC with the notation: General Guthrie Fund;
or
you can donate with a credit card through the Princeton ROTC website at http://purotc.org/.
All other inquiries regarding the Guthrie Fund can be made directly to the A&F-PUROTC Contact the A&F-PUROTC in writing at: Alumni and Friends of Princeton University ROTC, P.O. Box 964, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550; e-mail -- president@purotc.org; phone at (609) 314-1904.
