At our Spring dinner meeting, Thursday, May 10, 2007, The Greek Interpreters of East Lansing honored a very special and admired member, Miller Perry, possibly the oldest of active Sherlockians. The introductory four toasts were given by Mike DeGrow, Michael Ellis, Bill McHarris, and Jim Conroy. Then Will Mapes toasted Miller Perry and Gil Wanger added to the accolade. Miller was asked to choose an honorary first prize. He modestly selected a Sherlock Holmes button from the old Abbey Bank. Following dinner, Miller was presented with a bottle of champaigne, several Sherlockian tomes, and a birthday cake blazing with candles, followed by a loud and heartfelt Happy Birthday to You! Photographs of this occasion will be posted as they become available.
Miller Perry, aka “Colonel Ross”, will reach 100 years of age on June 13th. As General Perry of the U. S. Army Artillery, he was part of the First Army forces that landed on the Normandy beaches and fought their way across France and Germany during World War II. He later commanded a battalion in the Korean conflict. He was awarded The Distinguished Service Cross, one step from the Congressional Medal of Honor.
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The story selected for study and discussion was “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans”. A quiz, written by Bill Reusch, aka “the chemist”, was resolved, with top prizes awarded to Shari Conroy and Rilla McHarris. This quiz and many earlier quizzes may be viewed in our archives. Many interesting points were brought up during the discussion. These included the importance of the foggy conditions to the story line and the possible reasons Cadogan West may have had for suspecting Colonel Valentine Walter of treacherous designs. The origin of the names associated with the submarine plans was raised, and Michael Ellis promised a full analysis at a future meeting.
As the evening came to an end, Miller thanked his fellow Sherlockians and then was asked to close the meeting by reading, as is traditional, 221-b by Vincent Starrett. Members chimed in on the final, “and it is always 1895”. The Greek Interpreters then rose and sang God Save the Queen to close out a very happy evening.
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Many members requested an email address for Howard Brody, aka Foulest Antecedent, so with his permission it is: habrody@utmb.edu
