Rev. Frank Hughes, Jr.
 
After graduation from Old Dominion University, Joe began his first teaching position at Fork Union Military Academy in 1971.

He taught World Geography and World History. As Assistant Planetarium Director, he used his Astronomy and Planetarium education to offer planetarium programs at the FUMA Planetarium and sponsored the Astronomy Club.  He was a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society.
 
Additional information on Joe's Astronomy education and use of the Planetarium may be found on the webpage: "Jim and Joe in College." Additional information about Jim and Joe may be found on the webpage: "Sermons from South Norfolk (Audio)."
Joe outside the Planetarium:
(Photo by Jim Hughes)
Joe and his brother Jim on a visit to FUMA:
Joe was Tactical Officer for E Company, housed in Memorial Hall Barracks, seen in the background of the next photo. Cadets are seen formed up on the circle. One-half of Memorial Hall, in the foreground, housed C Company; the other half of the building housed E Company.
(Some photos/videos are provided courtesy of FUMA)
KEVIN C. KOONTZ, CAPTAIN OF 
E COMPANY
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KEVIN KOONTZ - OBITUARY
CAPT KOONTZ WAS LATER SUCEEDED BY STOVER S. JAMES. 

E COMPANY WON COMPANY COMPETITON FOR 1971-72; AND THE COMPANY WAS INFORMALLY KNOWN AS THE "JAMES GANG." 
STOVER WAS LATER ACCEPTED INTO WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY. HE IS NOW RETIRED FROM THE U.S. ARMY, WITH THE RANK OF COLONEL.
DOUG SULLIVAN
1st LIEUTENANT
E COMPANY
T.H. LINEBERRY  
2nd LIEUTENANT
E COMPANY.
Jeff Gianokis
2nd LIEUTENANT
E COMPANY
JOHN VENUTO
2nd LIEUTENANT
E COMPANY
SCIENCE CLUB MEETS INSIDE PLANETARIUM, BEFORE THE BASE AND STAR PROJECTOR WAS DEFACED WITH BLUE PAINT (MORE INFORMATION BELOW):
FUMA is fortunate to have a Spitz instrument. It is well known that if an institution could not afford a Zeiss Planetarium, the next best was the Spitz.  It has high grade optics, much better than other brands; and the dome is constructed without any seams showing during a presentation.
A3P Instrument at Chesapeake Public Schools. (Where my brother an I attended). In operation with the same Spitz instrument and dome for over 50 years:
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SPITZ A3P PLANETARIUM PROJECTOR - DEMONSTRATION
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SPITZ EDUCATIONAL PLANETARIUM SYSTEM - COURTESY OF THE SPITZ CORPORATION
I first became interested in Astronomy one summer when our family visited my Mother's parents in Norman, Oklahoma.  She had graduated from Oklahoma University and knew the current Astronomy professor.
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BIOGRAPHY OF PROFESSOR WHITNEY
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"THE NIGHT IS CLEAR" - STORY ABOUT PROFESSOR WHITNEY BY THE SOONER MAGAZINE
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BINARY STARS EXPLAINED
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OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY - SOME OF THE FACULTY THERE WHEN MOTHER ATTENDED
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PRIDE OF OKLAHOMA - FROM OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY PREGAME PROGRAM
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UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA - DRONE TOUR
Our family often took trips during the summer to visit the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, NC. where I first became interested in the application of Astronomy through the Planetarium.
Entrance to the Morehead Planetarium Theater:
Note the Bible verse over the entrance:
The Morehead Planetarium used this Zeiss Instrument illustrated in the following tribute video:
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MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM ZEISS MODEL VI STAR PROJECTOR - TRIBUTE VIDEO
School groups often attended programs in the FUMA planetarium:
The Spitz A-4 instrument installed in the FUMA Planetarium can be lowered out of sight with a sliding electric cover.  It uses a desk-type console.
Photos of Academic Dean and President when Joe was at FUMA:
REMEMBERING COL WHITESCARVER
ROANOKE TIMES: SEPTEMBER 13, 2007:
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Fork Union celebrated their 121st Anniversary in 2019
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IT'S MORNING AT FORK UNION - AN INTRODUCTION TO FUMA BY A FORMER PRESIDENT
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THE FORK UNION EXPERIENCE
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WHAT SETS FUMA APART
As a former Instructor at FUMA who used the One Subject Plan, I highly recommend it to any parent thinking of sending their son there. They will not be disappointed in the excellent education their son will receive. I found the student-to-teacher ratio was more efficient and the cadets learned more by staying focused on one subject.  My highest recommendation.
-Joe Hughes
Several videos provide information about the school, courtesy of FUMA:
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THE ONE SUBJECT PLAN
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THE FORK UNION ONE SUBJECT PLAN
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THE FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY STORY
RETAN RIFLES is named in memory of former Cadet George Retan, who entered FUMA in 1937 and graduated in 1941. He served overseas and was killed in action in 1944.
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RETAN RIFLES AT FUMA - AN INTRODUCTION
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CADET IN RETAN RIFLES PERFORMS ROUTINE.
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TWO CADETS IN RETAN RIFLES PERFORM ROUTINE.
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MORNING COLORS FORMATION



CPT LAZIZZA CONDUCTS THE FUMA BAND IN THE DECEMBER 15, 1971 CHRISTMAS CONCERT:
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FUMA CHRISTMAS BAND CONCERT - DECEMBER 1971 - RECORDED BY CPT JOE HUGHES
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FUMA BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT PROGRAM
MAJ BILLY OZMENT WAS GIVEN TITLE OF PLANETARIUM DIRECTOR, AND ASST. TO THE DEAN. (HENCE MY TITLE AS "ASSISTANT PLANETARIUM DIRECTOR"):
SABRE SHOP:
HATCHER HALL:
Information about the fournder of FUMA, 
Dr. William E. Hatcher:
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DR. HATCHER WROTE ABOUT THE FOUNDING OF FUMA IN HIS BOOK
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DR. HATCHER - BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
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DR. HATCHER - EXTENSIVE BIOGRAPHY
Former FUMA Presidents:
Some photos from the past and present day:
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DEDICATION OF JACOBSON HALL BARRACKS - FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY - (PARTIAL FILM)
Films about Fork Union from past years:
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FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY - 1947 - PART 1
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FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY - 1947 - PART 2
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FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY - 1955 - PART 1
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FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY - 1955 - PART 2
(Details of trip photos in PDFs below)
The statue was first unveiled in the Virginia State Capitol:
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Casteel Statue first appeared in Virginia State Capitol
J. CALDWELL WICKER SCIENCE BUILDING AND PLANETARIUM


THE SCIENCE BUILDING AND PLANETARIUM WAS NAMED FOR FORMER FUMA PRESIDENT 
J. CALDWELL WICKER
DURING THE MAY 2024 VISIT TO FUMA, I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT THE PLANETARIUM HAD BEEN REMOVED:
NEGLECTING PROPER MAINTENANCE, WHICH LED TO MAJOR WATER LEAKS AND SUBSEQUENTLY NOT LOOKING FOR PROPER REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT OF THE DOME WAS THE REAL CULPRIT.

EXAMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN MAP CLEARLY INDICATES THAT THE ACADEMY DOES NOT SIT ANYWHERE NEAR A FLOODED AREA.  AND: PREVIOUS EARTHQUAKES IN VIRGINIA PLAYED NO PART IN DAMAGE TO THE PLANETARIUM.

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE APPEARED IN AUGUST 2023, BY FORMER PRESIDENT COGGINS, WHO ORCHESTRATED THE REMOVAL OF THE PLANETARIUM, AND WHO IS, THANKFULLY, NO LONGER THERE:
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"STARRY SKIES AND STEWARDSHIP" - AUGUST 2023
WHY WAS THE BASE INTO WHICH THE STAR PROJECTOR RETRACTS ELECTRONICALLY, PAINTED BLUE?
THE FORMER PRESIDENT (COGGINS) WANTED TO REPLACE THE PLANETARIUM LAND AREA, WITH THIS RIDICULOUS SUBSTITUTE:
MY TRIP TO THE ACADEMY IN 2024,
ALSO REVEALED TWO MORE BUILDINGS TORN DOWN: MEMORIAL HALL 
AND THE SABRE SHOP.

WHY WAS MEMORIAL HALL TORN DOWN? I WAS NOT GIVEN ANY REASONABLE EXPLANATION; NOTHING ABOUT EARTHQUAKES, FLOODING, LEAKS, ETC.; EXCEPT THAT IT WAS NOT BEING USED.
I learned that the Sabre Shop was torn down, presumably because a major water leak under the foundation went undetected.  Why?  Who was/is in charge of facilities maintenance and inspection?
What are the Alumni saying about all these buildings coming down?  
A Facebook page run by one Alumni has posted many critical comments about the removal of the Planetarium, and one in particular was telling: "When are they going to stop tearing down buildings? There won't be many left."
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A PLANETARIUM IN A SCHOOL
THE PLANETARIUM AT 100 in 2023
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THE PLANETARIUM AT 100 - (MP4 FORMAT)
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF PLANETARIUMS - COURTESY OF JAMES DINGLEY
Schools and Colleges employ Physics and Earth Science instructors who use the Planetarium to teach astronomy and physics; also how to locate constellations and star groups. Some college courses are entrance level, and some lead to advanced degrees.  Old Dominion University offers several 4 hour lab science courses of study that cover 2 semesters in Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Earth Science and Astronomy.  They offer a graduate level Planetarium course with permission of the professor. Currently (2023) there are 200,000 students in the United States studying Astronomy.
In a Planetarium, students learn to identify star groups and constellations:
Motion of the planets, the sun, and stars across the sky are identified and charted easily with use of the Planetarium:
INTERIOR OF CHAPEL STILL USING ORIGINAL SEATS AND THE ALLEN ORGAN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, GRAND PIANO ON THE LEFT.
(As you enter the chapel, four of the windows on the right side, depict Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
CHAPLAIN (MAJ) JOSEPH HUGHES, USA, Retired:
DETAIL PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTION 
OF HIS TRIP TO FUMA, 
MAY 20, 2024
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CHAPLAIN MAJ JOSEPH HUGHES USA (Ret) VISIT TO FORK UNION MILITARY ACADEMY - MAY 20, 2024
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CHAPLAIN (MAJ) JOSEPH HUGHES, USA (RET) TRIP TO FUMA MAY 2024
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https://revfrankhughesjr.org/images/TRIP_TO_FUMA_MAY_2024.pdf
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FORK UNION CHAPEL OVERVIEW
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CHAPEL STAINED GLASS
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COL PERKINS WINDOW
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ELLYSON WINDOW
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ETHEL PERKINS WINDOW
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FORBES WINDOW
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GARLAND WINDOW
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HOOPES WINDOW
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J.J. WICKER WINDOWS
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WICKER FAMILY - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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MALCOLM PILCHER WINDOW
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JOHN ALFRED RUCKER, II WINDOW
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SNEAD - BAGBY WINDOWS
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TITMUS WINDOW
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WAITE WINDOW
OTHER WINDOWS, NOT IN PDF FORMAT:
A 2024 Trip to Fork Union Postscript...........

In spite of what I found on my May 2024 trip to Fork Union, which I found unnerving due 
to the removal of the Planetarium building, 
I still support the Academy and it's traditions. I feel it is far superior in educating young men for life than what can be found in today's public schools.  I would encourage all parents to take a careful look at Fork Union and consider it for their son.  The One-Subject Plan is excellent and the faculty-to-student classroom ratio ensures quality instruction not found in many high schools that are overcrowded. 

My 2024 trip had the express and intended purpose of immediately funding any repairs needed to the Planetarium and endow a chair for an instructor who would teach Physics or Chemistry; and Astronomy, with particular emphasis on duties as Director of the Planetarium. My prearranged contact with 
the school included my verbal request to speak with someone in the administration about making an immediate donation and subsequent bequest concerning the Planetarium.

Perhaps someone will consider funding a new Planetarium for the school and endow a chair for an instructor who will teach Astronomy and Physics and/or Chemistry.
THE VALUE OF THE PLANETARIUM IN EDUCATION - 
PUBLISHED IN AUGUST 2023
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The Value of the Planetarium in Education (AUG 2023)
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SAMPLE OF PLANETARIUM MUSIC USED BY JOE AT FUMA