Name/Title
Table Five at 50th Anniversary DinnerEntry/Object ID
2021.6.44Description
Color photograph. Rectangular. Shot landscape orientation. Pictured are eight dinner guests seated at a round table. In the center of the table is a large floral arrangement centerpiece. On the reverse, "5512" is written in blue ink in the bottom right corner.
The reverse also includes a small label that lists in handwritten cursive the names of all the individuals in the photo. The names are not written in sequential left to right order, meaning not all the individuals can be identified. Claudia Bates, wife of Murrie Bates, is pictured on the far left with short red hair. Ruth Gentry, wife of Colonel Tolbert Tracey Gentry, is the third individual from the right, partially covered by the woman wearing the bright pink top. Mrs. Gentry's dress appears to be some sort of tartan pattern. Colonel Gentry is the gentleman with white hair seated to the right of Ruth Gentry. Ida Mai Miller, wife of Lt. Gen. Thomas H. Miller, is the last woman on the right, wearing a bright pink top. General Miller is the fourth individual from the right. He wears glasses, a black bow tie, and a collection of military campaign patches and medals on his left lapel. Senator Charles Hawkins is seated to the immediate left of General Miller, right behind the large floral centerpiece.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
LabelLocation
Reverse, centerTranscription
TABLE FIVE
Col/M T. T. GENTRY
Gen/M T. H. Miller
M/M Murrie Bates
Sen. Charles Hawkins
Earl G. SheenaLanguage
EnglishMaterial/Technique
InkProvenance
Notes
The PHMF Golden Anniversary Celebration was held on Thursday, October 27, 1994, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Foundation's establishment. The PHMF was incorporated on October 27, 1944. The event was held at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia.
Claudia Bates (1951–2008) was a trustee for the PHMF at the time of this event. Anna Ruth Gentry (1925–2017) was the secretary for the PHMF Board of Trustees at the time of this event. Her husband, Colonel Tolbert Tracey Gentry (1922–2009), was a pilot who flew combat in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. By his death in 2009, he had obtained the rank of Brigadier General.
Gen. Thomas H. Miller (1923–2007) was a United States Marine Corps Naval Aviator and test pilot. Miller saw active combat in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Miller is known as the "Father of STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) aviation in the USMC." Ida Mai Miller is his wife. Charles R. Hawkins (1943–) served in the Virginia Senate from 1992 to 2008. He was an honorary trustee for the PHMF during this event.
Staff found this photograph in the existing files of Red Hill's collection and accessioned it on May 30, 2024, due to its importance to PHMF's institutional history.