LEXINGTON, Va. March 4, 2026 — Virginia Military Institute honored one of its own on a chilly and foggy morning March 4. Jonathan Daniels ’61, alumnus and Episcopal seminarian who sacrificed his own life to protect that of another, was solemnly remembered during an annual wreath laying ceremony held in the Daniels Courtyard.

The service was attended by the entire 4^th Class and moderated by Garrett Maye ’28.

Col. Ley Havird ’90, commandant, offered encouraging words to the cadets on Daniels’ selfless service. “He chose the hard right over the easy wrong, and when called upon, he had the courage to step forward.” Havird urged the cadets to honor Daniels’ sacrifice by never tolerating bigotry, always defending the helpless, and extending dignity and respect to all.

Col. John Casper ’04, Institute chaplain, offered the benediction as the wreath was laid by Devin Auzenne ’26, regimental commander; Maximus Ankrah ’26, 1^st Class president; and Havird. The ceremony concluded with the playing of “Amazing Grace” by bagpiper Alden Rhodes ’26.

In 1965, Daniels responded to the pleas from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. for clergy to become more actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement, and traveled to Alabama to assist with voter registration efforts in the South.

In August of that year, Daniels and 22 others were arrested for participating in a voter rights demonstration in Fort Deposit, Alabama, and detained in the county jail in nearby Hayneville. Shortly after being released August 20, Richard Morrisroe, a Catholic priest, and Daniels, accompanied two African American teenagers, Joyce Bailey and Ruby Sales, to a Hayneville store to buy a soda. They were met on the steps by Tom Coleman, a construction worker and part-time deputy sheriff, who was carrying a shotgun. Coleman aimed his gun at 16-year-old Sales, and Daniels pushed her to the ground to protect her, saving her life. The shotgun blast killed Daniels instantly. He was 26 years old. When King heard of the tragedy, he responded, “One of the most heroic Christian deeds of which I have heard in my entire ministry was performed by Jonathan Daniels.”

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE