Items of Interest

PMA

The Academy

Its life has passed

Through the halls of time,

But its special memories

Will always be mine.

From a kid to a cadet,

From a cadet to a man --

PMA, The Academy,

Was a strong guiding hand.

The echoes of the parade field commands,

The echoes of the cheer of the games,

The echoes of the laughter from the barracks

Have all faded away

To become part of yesterday.

The school,

The cadets,

The time,

Are part of history now.

For those here today

Let's take this solemn vow

Never to forget

Or let fade away

The history and the memories

Of The Academy

And the cadets

PMA

(Compliments of the King brothers)

A letter from Vance Hunter

My name is Vance Hunter and I live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. I am not sure were to start but I guess the beginning is the best.

After the PMA was closed and put up for sale, Rick Brewer purchased the PMA. My father and Rick were best friends. Over time Rick tried to find a way to save the school buildings. As I am sure you are aware of, funding was impossible to locate as well as finding a use for the facility as a whole. Many things were suggested but no one would help with the funding to protect the facility. I am not sure anyone knew but even a State Senator was approached for help. All talked but no one would help.

I do know one single fact that not many are aware of. Rick wanted the PMA to survive and completely understood the historical loss of the facility. Any rumors about the money for development is incorrect as many dollars were invested until all avenues were exhausted to save the facility.

Several years passed where a grounds keeper lived in the administration building in an attempt to prevent destruction by vandals. Over time it became very apparent that it would be impossible to maintain the facility as it was so no other option ever presented itself and the facility became a liability due to the buildings needing much attention. The decision was made to remove the facility and it became what it is today.

Rick and my father began the removal of the useable items which were never sold and actually became a big part of all our lives. If I remember correctly, some items were taken by cadets who visited during the tear down.

This historic facility took much effort to take down. We worked for several months in the effort and the buildings seemed to the end to fight the effort. I was saddened at the time to see and be part of the removal and have for years have always kept the PMA in my heart. To explain this, have in my home two of the lights from the main hall which can be seen in the catalog. These are always a topic of discussion in my home as visitors immediately see the hand made fixtures and comment and want to hear the story. Sadly, I can only tell of the final days of the facility and not of the glory days of the PMA.

Now boys being boys, I suppose the most interesting and yet mysterious part of the facility were the tunnels we found under the Administration Hall. We found these tunnels prior to the dismemberment of the facility and as a young man I only dreamed of what happened under the feet of the commanders. I clearly remember working my way thru the tunnels with a flashlight and thinking we might find anything. I no longer have any of the artifacts of the tunnels as they were stolen when my father passed along with many other things I so dearly miss.

Tunnel Artifacts included Belt Buckles, Cigarettes, Bullets, Girly Magazines, empty bottles (spirits), a couple of chairs, and many other small things that I am sure that punishment would have been issued if found. I admire the effort in the creation of the tunnels and the spirit of such. I can only imagine the laughter, stories, shushes "hold it down", patches, carpets and a other items that brought a smile to ones face.

I found it so sad to see it go. I used to sit on a bench with dad by the flag pole and wonder how many mornings some young man woke early to raise the colors and who was the one who took it down for the last time. I would walk the parade ground aka football field and think how many miles were marched and drilled. It was almost scary as I could hear the voices in my head. Serious calls, hidden laughter, cheering, laughter, loneliness and yet fellowship.

I suppose the saddest day was a few cars drove up and some gentlemen got out. I do not know their names. They asked if they could walk the halls for a last time. All dad and I could do was sit in silence and watch. I never had seen a man so emotional without showing it as they passed thru the halls and relived the "Rocking Chair Memories" made there. The single most lasting picture in my head was seeing that PMA was a most important part of their life and watching that part of their life be removed was so very real. How I wish that facility could have been saved.

The Theater seemed to retain the most life after the closing. I say that as in the Barracks and Administration Building only echo's could be heard when walking, talking and passing along. Once one passed into the Theater and got on the stage, one could almost see the faces in the vastness of the seats. What a wonderful space to take in and relive something I never had the honor and pleasure to witness.

The buildings were the most solid construction of any I have ever seen. The thick walls that provided safety to the cadets during their stay where truly massive and stronger than the equipment trying to bring the facility down. It fought all the way.

I do have a few lights of the facility in my possession at this time. Proudly, I have restored a couple for my home but have some in the original condition. My father cherished the atmosphere of the facility and dreamed of utilization of the things he kept in his home at some time. I can not remember what happened to all the items.

I would be interested in donating a couple of the items I have to a museum in an effort to bring back the memory of the PMA for those who truly lived the life, the students who passed thru the doors, and the honor of the people who created the facility to help the youth of this country.

Fell free to contact me to discuss the PMA, I will gladly share what I know about the facility as I was one of 4 who assisted in the tear down and got to know the facility much better than most from the inside out.

Regards,
Vance Hunter