The following letter was written by Ann Telling, retyped and submitted by Mike Ruth

October 4, 2024

Greenbrier Military School Reunion 2024
Lewisburg, WV 24901

Re: Floyd Lawrence, Jr. aka Dink

Dear Sirs:

I would like you to remember Floyd Lawrence, Jr., who graduated from Greenbrier Military School, Class of 1955. Floyd loved Greenbrier and said many times some of the best years of his life were spent there. He told me he gained a great education and formed habits that would serve him all his life. He remembered so much and was so glad he had been able to attend two reunions before he passed due to a one-car accident.

After Greenbrier, Floyd went on to college at Florida State University where he played football on a scholarship and at one point roomed with Burt Reynolds for a while. He mentioned Burt was not the best football player. (Big grin!) After a couple of years at Florida State, he was accepted to Clemson, again on a football scholarship. He lettered at Clemson also. He played in four bowl games: Blue Bonnet Bowl, Orange Bowl in Florida, Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl.

After graduating from Clemson, he went on to become a Navy Aviator during the Viet Nam war. Navy pilots are called aviators rather than pilots because they have to be super pilots. …

Floyd was shot down once in the South China Sea where he has afloat with his parachute trailing ahead of him due to the wind just trying to stay alive. A Japanese trawler picked him up and he always laughed and said, “the first thing they gave me was Miso Soup … salty Miso Soup … . I had stalled enough salt for four days, that was the last thing II wanted to taste.” But they saved his life.

Floyd was a very special person. He was kind to a fault and if he saw anyone in trouble or needing help, he was on his feet in a flash. He was always trying to help in any way he could

Floyd was such a character and such a good, decent man. He was the love of my life and I will miss him until the day I die. He loved Greenbrier and loved the people he met when we were able to attend two reunions. The men of Greenbrier are all special!

God bless all of you and the bless the men who strive to keep the legacy of Greenbrier alive.

Warmest regards,
Ann Telling