LEXINGTON, Va., May 15, 2024—The late G. Gilmer “Gil” Minor III ’63, was awarded posthumously, the New Market Medal, Virginia Military Institute’s highest honor, during the annual Memorial Parade on post May 15. The VMI Board of Visitors (BOV) established the New Market Medal to recognize exceptional individuals who have demonstrated in their lives the qualities of duty, honor, devotion, and leadership which carried forward the VMI Corps of Cadets at the Battle of New Market May 15, 1864. Minor is only the 17^th recipient of the award since its introduction in 1962. His widow, Charlotte, daughter, Cameron, and son, Gilmer Minor IV ’93, were present to accept the honor on his behalf.

In an emotional, sometimes tearful message, Minor IV addressed the BOV, his fellow alumni, friends, guests, and the Corps of Cadets. “I never could have imagined I would be here speaking on behalf of a man who so graciously dedicated much of his life, time, and energy to supporting and upholding the long standing traditions and values of VMI. I’m able to reflect on the spirit that he exuded, the pride he had, and the memory and sheer joy my father felt being with and part of this community. My father lived his values of honor, duty, service, loyalty, integrity, and community. This honor today is about my father’s commitment and loyalty to VMI, and also what VMI gave him that enabled him to be the man he was. Were he here today giving these remarks himself, he wouldn’t speak of any of his accomplishments or contributions. He would simply say it was his duty and responsibility as a citizen-soldier. I can say without hesitation, that while he was recognized and honored for so many things throughout his life, this is the honor that would have meant the most,” he said.

Minor, who passed away last May, graduated from VMI with a degree in history and received an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He served a term on the Keydet Club’s Board of Governors, was a member of the VMI Foundation’s Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2000 and served as its president from 1997 to 2000. In 2000, he became a member of the Board of Visitors and, from 2005 through 2008, served as president. He was a recipient of the VMI Distinguished Service Award in 2008. He also received the Spirit of VMI Award, the VMI Keydet Club’s highest honor recognizing outstanding support of VMI’s intercollegiate athletic programs. He was inducted as a member of the VMI Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

During an interview in 2014 with Amy Goetz, chief communications officer for VMI Alumni Agencies, Minor became emotional as he reflected on his time as a cadet, and all he experienced and learned at VMI. He described what he referred to as a “toolkit” of skills and abilities available to all cadets and alumni throughout their lives: the skills to make good decisions, recover after failure, and the ability to meet the next challenge. “The toolkit starts with integrity, and living a life that is completely encapsulated with honor and integrity, and being able to put your head on the pillow every night and go to sleep, and know that you’ve done the right thing. VMI also teaches you time management, because you never have time at VMI to do everything, but you have to make choices and priorities. VMI teaches you to not give up. You’re going to falter, you’re going to fail, but get up and keep moving forward,” Minor said. He went on to share that he considered it an investment each time he made donations to VMI. “I want to keep a good thing going. Whether its $10, or $100, or $500, every investment means giving up something as an individual, but investing in something that lasts forever.”  

Minor was a leader in Virginia business. He joined the family business, Owens & Minor, a health care distribution and logistics company, in 1963 and served in numerous sales, management, and operations roles before becoming its president in 1981, its chief executive officer in 1984, and in May 1994, chairman. Minor was active in many civic, charitable, and industry organizations including the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Virginia Health Care Foundation, the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center, VCU’s School of Business Foundation, Virginia Business Higher Education Council, and Virginia Business Council.

The Minor family joined Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent; Mr. Tom Watjen, BOV president; and Col. Adrian T. Bogart III ’81, commandant, in taking review of the parade as the Corps marched from the Parade Ground down Letcher Avenue toward Barracks.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE