Salina, KS — When Howard Haythorn returned to St. John’s Military School this year, it was not just another reunion. It marked 80 years since he first arrived at the Salina campus, a milestone few ever reach, and one that connects the past and present through a story of grit, discipline, and an enduring love of the land.
At 98 years old, Haythorn remains sharp and steady, a man whose handshake still feels like someone who has worked with his hands every day of his life. A lifelong rancher from western Nebraska, he continues to represent the values that defined St. John’s for generations: hard work, responsibility, and honor.
A Rancher at Heart
Haythorn was born into a ranching family that has worked the same land since 1884, when his grandfather arrived in America from England. “He was a farm boy,” Howard said, recalling stories passed down through the family. “He stowed away on a ship to get here, ended up in Texas tending bulls, and later came to Nebraska to start ranching. We’ve been there ever since.”
That homestead became the foundation of a six-generation legacy. “I guess I was born a rancher,” Haythorn said. “That’s the way it works. It’s in the blood.”
The ranch remains a fixture in his family’s life today. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren continue the work he once did, rising before dawn, checking cattle, fixing fences, and keeping the rhythm of rural life alive.
Sent to Salina
When Haythorn was a boy, school was not exactly his passion. “When the bell rang, I was the first one on the bus,” he said with a grin. “All I wanted to do was get home, saddle my horse, and ride.” His mother, however, had other plans.
It was during World War II, and the nation was changing rapidly. His mother had a cousin who attended St. John’s Military School, and she believed the structured environment could help steer her son’s energy in the right direction.
“My dad wasn’t for it,” Haythorn admitted. “But when Mom made up her mind, that was it.”
So, at just 14 years old, he packed his bags and headed from the Nebraska plains to Salina, Kansas, trading wide-open fields for the regimented life of a cadet.
A Lesson in Discipline
The adjustment was not easy. “It was pretty tough to start with,” Haythorn recalled. “I even tried a few things to get kicked out, but it didn’t work.”
He eventually accepted that he was there to stay, and that realization changed everything. “Once I made up my mind to stay, things got better,” he said. “You had a schedule. You did what you were supposed to do, whether you liked it or not. That’s what I learned here.”
That discipline became the cornerstone of his life back home. “It’s no different from the ranch,” he said. “The animals have a schedule. The weather doesn’t care how you feel. You just do what needs to be done.”
He credits St. John’s not only for his education but also for shaping his work ethic and character. “I got an education I wouldn’t have gotten at home,” he said. “And I met some super people. The friends you make here, that’s the number one thing.”
Photos: Howard Haythorn, Class of 1945, and his original St. John’s Military School uniform, preserved on display during his 80th reunion visit.
The Years Between
After graduating in 1945, Haythorn returned to Nebraska to continue the family ranching tradition. Over the years, he stayed in touch with a few classmates, sending cards and letters back and forth for decades. “I used to send birthday and Christmas cards every year to one classmate’s daughter,” he said. “But this year I didn’t get a reply. I’m afraid she’s gone.”
The reality of time passing has not been lost on him. “I keep coming back hoping maybe a classmate would show up,” he said quietly. “None of them have.”
Still, that has not stopped him from making the trip. “I come to see what’s going on, see the school again,” he said. “It’s part of me.”
Lessons from a Lifetime
When asked the secret to his long, healthy life, Haythorn did not hesitate. “Just work,” he said. “Keep moving. That’s it.”
He still speaks about ranch life with deep affection. “Every day is a different day,” he said. “You never knew what you were going to do when you got up in the morning. Things change fast. But if you love what you do, it’s not work.”
That, he says, is the advice he gives to younger generations. “Do something you like. If you like what you do, you’ll never work a hard day in your life.”
A Living Connection to History
As he walked the halls of St. John’s during the reunion, Haythorn paused at the museum display where his old cadet uniform now hangs in mint condition. “That’s mine,” he said proudly, pointing to the preserved jacket. “I could probably still fit in it.”
His photograph still hangs on the wall, a young man in uniform, standing tall, unaware that one day he would be back in the same place eight decades later, sharing his story with a new generation.
“I had high hopes for the next generation,” Haythorn said as the visit came to a close. “A lot of people didn’t, but I think they’re going to be just fine.”
Howard Haythorn, Class of 1945, remains one of the oldest living alumni of St. John’s Military School. His story is one of perseverance, purpose, and pride, a reminder that the lessons of hard work and character, once learned, last a lifetime.