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Eubank and Barrett Inducted Into Boys’ Home
Alumni Hall of Fame
“It’s been 58 years – I’m so glad you’re back at Boys’ Home.” That’s how the
evening started for Malcolm Eubanks as he
was greeted by Larry Price ‘51. The trip
down memory lane began with reacquainting
himself with Boys’ Home and former
alumni and ended with the Hall of Fame
ceremony. Roland Bob Barrett ‘55 had
similar greetings as he celebrated with the
many family and friends, some from long
distances, who gathered to honor him. This
ceremony not only honors the inductees, but
it is also a chance for current residents to
learn about past residents, their
experiences and
accomplishments. Donnie Wheatley commented,
“This has become quite a highlight in
the year at Boys’ Home.” The Alumni Hall of
Fame was started in 1997. It pays tribute to
personal or athletic achievements, or
significant contributions made to Boys’ Home
by individuals.
Roland B. Barrett was presented by his son, Johnny. Johnny described his
father as, “a man of courage and integrity
throughout his life.” Bob arrived at Boys’
Home from Norfolk, Virginia in 1949 at 12
years of age. He graduated from Covington
High School in 1955. After graduating, he
joined the U.S. Army and served for 30 years
before retiring as Command Sergeant Major.
Barrett served in Korea, Vietnam, and
Grenada. He earned Jump Wings from the U.S.
and Taiwanese Armies and received the Legion
of Merit, and Meritorious Service medal,
Bronze star (5 times) and the
Gallantry Cross with silver star.
Outside of the Army, he has been a member of
the American Legion, VFW, Disabled American
Veterans, the Loyal Order of the Moose, and
the Benevolent and Protective Order of the
Elks.
In his induction speech, Bob said in many ways, Boys’ Home prepared him for
Army duty. As a resident, he had to wake up
at 4 a.m. every day to milk cows. He
compared that to when he had to wake up in
the military and said that, “I realized that
I haven’t left the home yet.” Coming to
Boys’ Home was the best thing to ever
happened to him.
Mr. Barrett has 10 children, 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He
resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina with
his wife Elizabeth.
Malcolm B. Eubank was presented by Boys’ Home alumnus, Bob Ramsey. Bob
talked about Malcolm’s nickname, “Froggy”
and how work was his priority every day.
Malcolm came from Norfolk, Virginia and
stayed at Boys’ Home from 1943-1947. He
returned home and graduated from Granby High
School in 1948. After completing an
Associates degree, he served in the U.S.
Army, achieving the rank of Sergeant First
Class, until 1952. In 1958 he received a
Bachelor of Arts degree from the University
of Georgia. Mr. Eubank served as an District
Executive for the Boy Scouts of America from
1959-1969. He attributes his love of
scouting to being a scout at Boys’ Home. He
was the Executive vice president with the
Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce
from 1969-1998. He is a life member of the
Hopewell Emergency Crew and has served as
President five times. Even one of his
hobbies is tied to Boys’ Home - golfing. To
learn to play, he commented, “I dug three
holes in the ground, installed tin cans and
made a three hole golf course!” He ended his
speech by saying that, “I look on the “Hill”
and there are so many changes. The only
thing that remains the same is the boys.
They’re building character here.”
Mr. Eubank resides in Hopewell with his wife Diane. They have two sons,
Malcolm and Michael Duree.
Links:
E-mail the Alumni Association
E-mail the President of the Alumni
Association
E-mail the Alumni Representative to the
Board of Trustees
Find us on the Web at: Classmates.com
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