From the beginning Edwards Military School had a Major who reigned supreme.
EMI's Major was named H. H. Sloop. Commandant of the entire Cadet body.
The purpose of Military School to the Major was by strict discipline and constant practice, establishing an Officer class with the knowledge and ability along with confidence to position men expeditiously and strategically in the field with a best chance of attacking head on or by flanking maneuver whether Squad, Platoon, Company, Regiment, Brigade, or Corp.
Assurance that these warriors were all Christian trained was not the Major's strong suit, except to be certain his boys arrived each Sunday at church on time and seated moving not a muscle...frozen in their seat...paying strict attention... Any miniscule squirming was duly noted and followed with an appointed time on the quad marching for an hour with a nine pound rifle accomplished...Needless to say we had no other choice than to listen to the sermon. We did.
Major Sloop did not appear a contented man. He rarely smiled. His attitude was to stay apart and above. His unofficial presence in the building and on the grounds was seldom witnessed. His office which stood just inside the main entrance and remained a place Cadet's avoided except for invited egress and ingress. It was not a spot to loiter...Major Sloop was trouble. When you did see him, he was impeccably dressed in the uniform of a United States Army Officer, A short stocky bulldog observing and taking notes.
Notwithstanding, we all wanted to be like him. He was our role model. A warrior. A person to follow into battle. Sort of a hero who stood out as being unbeatable. invincible, instilling genuine pride to our hearts and minds. I sometimes wonder if he did not see himself as General Stonewall Jackson...Asking much....Rejecting any nonsense...Always at the right place at right time. Ready to fight. Prepared.
Edwards Military Institute, served as Major Sloop's Shenandoah valley, and Henry Hill, A place to plant the flag. Staunchly defending a position. Always the high ground. Never to surrender or retreat...to move forward...Attack..Attack Attack.
Pineland, had its share of strong characters. Mrs. Jones, the former Mrs. Edwards, was the premier power behind the School. When she dropped over for the infrequent sharing of a meal, always took her position at the head of the VIP table. I serviced this table as Cadet waiter. Put in charge at this station because it took more walking to replenish food served family style along with any seconds when requested. Kept me trotting.
Mrs. Jones on her last luncheon visit to EMI, while on my watch, was with effort by the Major assisted and aided into her seat, She was always dressed prepared for church. Preacher husband sitting to her right. with the Major to her left. Her husband, in a white suit sat quiet, intimidated, beaten, a wilted funeral flower. The Major, stiff and to her left, formal and correct in every way.
Mrs Jones did the talking. I look back and surmise that at this lunch taking place was much similar to Jesus and his disciples at the last supper. A lot going on. The end near. Silver exchanging hands. The die being cast...Preordained.
Within days Major Sloop would be gone.
I remember one instance never forgotten when at our bi-weekly Literary Society conclave, each Cadet was required to stand and give a recitation...a poem, a short speech, a bible verse, or anything that allowed one to stand before a body to look across into eyes and speak.
Major Sloop placed emphasis and worth on this particular part of the school curriculum and when present, observed closely, keeping a lookout for leadership and promotion material.
Sadly, my first attendance, as the newest member of Henry Clay Literary Society, found me nervous and was not taking this event with due respect and diligence My preparation had not considered Major Sloop would be attending.
Memorization had never been my strongest suit.... and I made the mistake of planning for as little time as possible on my feet in front of the group. I had learned from a couple of my classmates that there was a short bible verse that might satisfy the requisite requirement.
Shortly after the session began, Major Sloop stepped into the room to observe. Unexpected.
When my turn came around to recite, after we had listened to such achievements as recitation of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, along with other just as relevant, I stood up looked around, took a short pause...and said, "Jesus wept"....The crowd sucked in its breath...Silence....than snickering became laughter...An explosion of laughter.
Major Sloop leaned forward and glared....
My reputation instantly took wings...crashed and burned...First impression....Lasting impression....Not good.
5 demerits and an hour on the quad
******
There was running, shouting, Word was hurriedly passed, Major Sloop was leaving. In fact he was gone...No warning...No farewell.
Everything came to halt... Formations were ragged and more voluntary than mandatory...Evening approaching. ....Cadets packing and leaving...The end?....Everyone on the go ....I decide to go also... Where?
Flagged ride to Roseboro....Took in a movie...Came out...What to do now...At a loss...Hitched again back... a ride on first thumb...
Up to my room....Bed....Next day, Cadets were returning.... Within 24 hours order was restored...It was announced a new person would replace the Major. He would be on premises in quick time....
I do not remember much about the new replacement. He was unproven. There seemed little interest. Cadet Officers and Non-Com's were in charge. There was no Damocles sword hanging over our heads any longer as had been with Major Sloop...It was never the same afterwards...It was a new time in an old setting....Something alien.
Life went on....Not as before....There was a pervasive sense of loss. It never left.
How could this be. We all began to realize, and I mean all....Major Sloop was EMI..... The heart and soul...
This was mid April, School would be over in May.... That last day was here... Pack up time. On my departure my father arrived and we loaded my few belongings...It was a sad moment.
I never looked back....I never came back...Just like Major Sloop I don't recall ever saying goodbye.
For a long time I wondered what happened to Major Sloop.
I had heard that he was recalled into Service to be placed in charge of taking men into harms way. The War in Europe started just months after he disappeared from EMI and would have provided an opportune time for the Nation to use his skill.
I will tell you this, I never forgot the Major. I don't think any of us did. He was a force to have been reckoned with.
I loved EMI
Years later, last time back, A visit after 20 plus long seasons, EMI, the building and towers presented a silent ghost...Empty, forlorn with interior burned and outside boarded up....An abandoned shell...
********
Today, Long passed from sight, decades later....leveled...Replaced by monuments of remembrance, EMI is alive and well in hearts and minds all over North Carolina and beyond...Proud, Unvanquished, Having served its purpose. Victorious. Never to be forgotten.
Cadet Alfred Dyson, Jr.
Private 4th Platoon
Henry Clay Literary Society
EDWARDS MILITARY INSTITUTE
1938/39
