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

DATE: TUESDAY, March 19, 1991                   TAG: 9103190407
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: T.C. FISHER JR.
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PLUNK IN EXALTED COMPANY

IN NEARLY all of the media accounts of the death of 1st Lt. Terry Plunk, it was noted that he was the recipient of the award of the Cincinnati in his last year at Virginia Military Institute. But the special significance of the award never was described.

In 1783, the Continental Army, stationed near Newburgh, N.Y., on the Hudson River, was about to be disbanded. The officers on Washington's staff formed a society and elected the general as their president. Today, any direct descendent of a commissioned officer of the Continental Army or Navy may seek membership.

The name of the society was that of a Roman general and statesman, Lucius Cincinnatus, who lived during the 5th century B.C. He twice left peaceful pursuits to head Roman armies to victory over their enemies. When the safety of Rome was secured, he relinquished his command and power, and returned to the peaceful pursuits he recently had left.

Because Washington performed in similar manner, he has been called the American Cincinnatus. The award of the Cincinnati, consequently, is a peculiarly prestigious one and is awarded to that student who has exceeded all others in the combination of leadership, studies and sports.

Lt. Plunk is in exalted company, as he merits.

by CNB