Class News

CLASS NEWS ’38

Life Membership: 0% Donor Participation: 0%

Sec’y: Donald E. Brown Son of CAPT C. Donald Brown, USN (Ret.) 4105 Elizabeth Ln., Fairfax, VA 22032-1453 p: 703-978-4571; e: donaldbrown@earthlink.net

’39

Life Membership: 50% Donor Participation: 0%

Vice Pres: CAPT Chip Seymour, USN (Ret.) Son of Harry A. Seymour 309 Melvin Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401 c: 410-279-9195; e: seymour65@comcast.net Sec’y: Barbara Fidel Adams Also Sec’y for ’39 Navy Juniors Daughter of Jack and June Fidel 215 Ikerd Dr., Concord, NC 28025 p: 704-784-3876; e: adamsjimr@aol.com Thirty-Nine On Line: Barbara Fidel Adams e: adamsjimr@aol.com

This ’39 Shipmate column brings sad tidings with the passing of one of our grand ’39 Navy wives, Alice Elizabeth Compton. She was the widow of Capt. Emmett Mobley Compton, USN (Ret.) (dec. 2003).

Emmett Mobley Compton, ’39 Lucky Bag: Company Rifle 4,3,2,1; Chess Club 2,1; C.P.O.

The ’39 Lucky Bag said of Emmett…

“A native of Greenwood, South Carolina, Emmett brought with him to the Naval Academy the traditional friendliness of the South, and also some of the independence for which South Carolina is especially famous. He possesses athletic potentialities and a healthy, easy-going, tolerant attitude toward life. His tolerance, good sense and friendliness have shown his value to all who know him. Throughout the Navy he will without doubt be welcomed, liked and respected….”

Alice Elizabeth Compton was an extraordinary mother, consummate hostess, realtor, singer and soloist. She passed from this world on 29 May, 2021 at the age of 93. Alice was born in Elberton, GA in 1927 and attended Shorted College in Rome, GA as a music major, but left after her sophomore year to marry Lieutenant Commander Emmett Mobley Compton in 1946. For 28 years, she enjoyed the life as a Naval officer’s wife, while simultaneously sharing her vocal talents and starring in musical theatre productions at many of their duty assignments locations- from Coronado, CA to Alexandria, VA. When Emmett retired from the Navy, they moved to Las Cruces, NM where Alice acquired her BA in Economics and began her career in Real Estate with Mather’s Realty. She also loved playing tennis, traveling with friends and grandchildren, painting, entertaining, playing bridge and working in her garden. Alice was very active at St. James Episcopal Church in Messilla Park, NM where she was on the Vestry and sang in the choir well into her 80’s. She is survived by her 3 children—Catherine Anne Masterson (Tipton, dec.), John Douglas Compton (Nina) and Mary Alice Durbin (Brent); 5 grandchildren— Tipton Scott Masterson, Elizabeth Compton Gerzetich, Caroline Durbin Cecil, John Benton Durbin, and James Barrett Durbin; and 2 great grandchildren.

In the” Class of 1939 Golden Anniversary” reunion book, Emmett related the following about his Navy Career:

“Earliest sea duties were in SAVANNAH, MONTGOMERY, and CONEY. Saw WWII exclusively in Pacific destroyers. Received Japanese surrender party aboard BEARSS, dramatically surrounded them with armed Marines and transported them to cruiser ceremony. (The show’s the thing). Saw Korea as Operations Officer, MISSOURI. Shore duty included positions in SecNav, OpNav, SecDef, Joint Chiefs, Naval War College (student), National War College (student). While in Operations Directorate, Joint Chiefs, dangerously tendered plan for original strategy for fighting Vietnam War. It is obvious to all, from subsequent events, that my plan was not accepted. ‘War is too important to be left to the politicians’…

Emmett concluded his 50th Reunion entry with: ”As in all things my lovely wife Alice was the perfect Navy wife. If she ever thought service life was difficult, I never heard it. But then inner beauty together with outer radiance is always her hallmark.”

“But still when two or three shall meet, and old tales be retold...”

Alice Elizabeth Compton

No more beautiful tribute could be given to a grand ’39 Navy wife.

What About ’39!

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Fidel Adams ’39 Class Secretary

’40

Life Membership: 0% Donor Participation: 0%

Corr Sec’y: Dr. Virginia Trimble Widow of Dr. Joseph Weber e: vtrimble@uci.edu p: 949-824-6948 ; fax: 949 824 2174

’41

Life Membership: 25% Donor Participation: 0%

Send News directly to Shipmate at: classnews@usna.com

’42

Life Membership: 40% Donor Participation: 0%

Pres: CAPT John (Jack) C. Crawford Jr., USN (Ret.) 11405 Farmland Dr., Rockville, MD 20852 p: 301-881-4268; e: jcraw71544@aol.com Vice Pres/Sec’y: Joan Curtis Wife of the late CDR Richard E. Curtis, USN (Ret.) 14518 Faraday Dr., Rockville, MD 20853 p: 301-989-8885; e: joan@jfcurtis.com

Hello Class of ’42 Classmates, Family and Friends,

OCTOBER IS HERE AND THAT BRINGS FALL AND NAVY FOOTBALL!!!!!!

DALE REED’S 102ND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION— MAY 14, 2021. Festivities celebrating Dale’s birthday consisted of surprise party given by the staff of the doctor’s office, residents, and staff of Falcon’s Landing Retirement community serenaded Dale with an ice cream cake, Dale’s daughter and son-in-law joined him later that day for opening of presents and phone calls from his other children and grandchildren. Cards, letters, and gifts were received from Dale’s hometown of Batesville, Indiana who had known him and his family over the years. Dale continues to paint portraits, walks and cooks every day. Reads multiple books at a time, especially maritime histories and wishes he could discuss them with his ’42 classmates just like in the old days. “I’m fortunate and grateful,” Dale says. “Life is Good”.

LUCKY BAG OF BOOKS

To check out all the options for your reading pleasure, visit usna.com/LBB

42-DALE REED - 102 MAY 14, 2021

IN MEMORANDIUM MARIE ANGELIQUE de GOLIAN KIDD, 97 departed on June 27, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Angelique was the wife of the late ADM Isaac Campbell Kidd, Jr. USN. Angelique was the daughter of Polish nobility who built the American dream, lived a life of opportunity, growing up in Atlanta society. After a two- week courtship, ADM Kidd and Angelique were married. They travelled the globe, moving her family of six children nearly every year, in the arduous life of a Navy beauty. Renowned for her classic beauty, quick wit, and Southern charm, she served beside her husband, as a stylish and spirited cultural emissary. Known for elegantly entertaining both military leaders and heads of state around the world. Angelique was a master at making the best of every turn of life for her six children, as she would say, “off on another adventure” to start anew at each duty station, fixing up a house and finding new schools and activities for each child. Never complained, was ever full of laughter and praise for everyone around, while poking fun at herself. Angelique leaves behind a legacy of devotion to God, country, and family. Mrs. Kidd is survived by her six children, 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life took place on July 20, 2021, at the United States Naval Academy Chapel.

Father Laurence T. Murphy, MM, 102 departed on June 1, 2021, at the Assisted Living Unit at Maryknoll, New York. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering in June 1941 and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific and North Atlantic. He received a Presidential Citation and a Purple Heart for serving in the Battle of Savo Island and took part in eighteen separate combat operations as an Ordnance Engineer. He resigned from the Navy in January 1947 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1948 he entered Maryknoll Seminary in Ossining, NY as a seminarian receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Master of Religion Education degree. Father Murphy was ordained a priest in June 1954. After his ordination Father Murphy was assigned to Maryknoll Mission Region in Taichung, Taiwan and in 1960 to Mindinao, Philippine Islands and returned to the US for health reasons. In 1986 Father Murphy set up the China House in South Orange, NJ, as a residence for Chinese scholars at Seton Hall University and as an intercultural center, where he served as Director until 1999. Through the years he continued to work with the Catholic Churches of China, North and South Korea and maintained his involvement with the Chinese Catholic Church until 1999, when he retired. In 1933, he was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope John Paul II. A wake service was held on June 4, 2021, in the Holy Spirit Chapel at the Maryknoll Society Center followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. GOD BLESS THE CLASS OF ’42 and their families. – Joan Curtis ’42 Class Vice President /Secretary

GO NAVY!!!!!! BEAT ARMY!!!!!!

’43

Life Membership: 33% Donor Participation: 0%

Send News directly to Shipmate at: classnews@usna.com

’44

Life Membership: 38% Donor Participation: 16.67%

Shipmate Corr Sec’y: William “Bill” Wakeland 9019 Antietam Dr., San Antonio, TX, 78239 h: 210-646-5870; e: wrwake@satx.rr.com

’45

Life Membership: 64% Donor Participation: 16.67%

Vice Pres: LtCol William P. “Bill” Cosgrove, USMC (Ret.) 10450 Lottsford Rd. #5016, Mitchellville, MD 20721 p: 240-770-7333; e: billcos45@yahoo.com Corr Sec’y: Bonnie Boyd Daughter of CAPT E. L. Cochrane, Jr. ’45 4606 Marble Rock Ct., Chantilly, VA 20151 p: 571-342-2266; e: bonnieboyd2266@gmail.com Website: www.usna.com/classes/1945

’46

Life Membership: 43% Donor Participation: 43.75%

Vice Pres: Larry Baldwin 13708 Leland Rd., Centreville, VA 20120 p: 703-631-9817; e: owl22@cox.net Send News directly to Shipmate at: classnews@usna.com DEFENDI RESPUBLICAM ADOLESCENS, NON DESERAM SENEX

’47

Life Membership: 86% Donor Participation: 41.18%

Pres: CAPT Jack M. Stevens, USN (Ret.) 200 Ankersa Way, Hunt, TX 78204-3400 p: 830-238-4355; e: captjack47@hctc.net Corr Sec’y: Eileen Marousek Daughter of Col. L. Marousek ’47 310 King St., Alexandria VA 22314 p: 703.507.2350 e: eileen_marousek@hotmail.com Tres: Priscilla Myerson Wife of Ed Myerson

Dear Forty-Seven, hello from Annapolis. Hope you are all doing well and happy in the world. Please send me a note and a photo. We all want to know how you are doing! OX

Kicking off this update with a note from your Class President CAPT Jack: M Dear Members of the USNA Class of 1947: All this uncontrolled virus baloney has made things pretty tough for everyone -especially we older folks. All we can do is hang on, take the prescribed medications and keep smiling. That’s what I’m doing and I hope the future gets here pretty soon.

The class of ‘47 recently lost one of its greatest members, officers and supporters!! It was sad news to learn that our Bo Heininger passed away. Bo was our class Vice President and was always quick to respond to any request for assistance. He was a Class officer over the years and a great MID. Rest in Peace my good friend. You will be missed!

Beautiful photo of Jack and Frances out on their Farm in Hunt Texas. Love this picture Team Stevens! OX

Shout out to one of my best correspondents — Carl Otto who celebrated his 99th in April. Looking good Carl. You are remarkable! OX

CAPT Jack M Stevens, USN (Ret), President, USNA Class of 1947

Beautiful photo of Joan and Bob Roche out at the vineyard in Napa. You guys look wonderful soaking up the sun and hopefully the grapes too!

Love Letter from Mary Lou Richards on John Richards ‘47: M Ours was definitely a love relationship and not a marriage of convenience. So let me begin. We were both in our 50’s. John had lost two wives to cancer and according to the friend who introduced us, he was at a very low point in his life. I had recently moved from Michigan to San Diego following a divorce from a 28-year difficult marriage. We both had 3 children all grown up and on their own. I had become friends with a couple in SD who had been longtime friends of John’s back in Los Alamitos, CA. She thought I would be good for John and wrote him a long letter telling him about me and inviting him to come down to their home to meet me (love this Mary Lou). She stressed the fact that we had several common interests such as my love of knowledge of sailing. We both belonged to the Presbyterian church and both enjoyed playing bridge. Following that initial meeting John returned back to San Diego 2 more times in order to get more acquainted with me. We took long walks on the beach in the parks, the zoo, out-to-dinner. They were all places where we could just talk and share our past experiences. The next time we got together we drove to Los Angeles area to attend a Dalmation (dog) show. I was staying with a friend. He had me follow him in his car to the freeway. John asked me to call him when I got home so he was sure I was safe. That’s when I fell in love with that honorable wonderful man. We were married in July and spent the next 22 years of life together. John has been gone for 16 years now and I still miss him but thank God for the time I had with him.

A clip from an article written by Tom Stuckey (many years ago) “Carter’s class of ’47 brags it’s the best”: Even before one of its members moved into the White House, the Naval Academy class of ’47 liked to think of itself as something special. When members of “Forty-Seven Best on the Severn” got together they bragged about all the admirals and successful businessmen their class had produced {as you should}! Even the class reunion last fall they acclaimed “the biggest and best class reunion in the history of the Naval Academy”. {The article goes on to state that ’47 was no better than many of the other classes. I beg to differ. Stay strong ’47. YOU ARE THE BEST!}

Fabulous photo of my pal and your Classmate Stan Gary at his 96th Birthday and one July 4th with his great grandbabies!! The photo with his kids — Don and Barbara feature the Navy cookies his granddaughter Kendall made for his B-Day! {Now that’s talent – Go Navy}! Today I had the opportunity to learn a little about your last Class Secretary Mrs. Suzanne Stroup. She was married to a ’47 — Thomas Brittain Jr. in 1951. Suzanne Murray Stroup was a true “military brat” and her father was a graduate of the Class of USNA 1919 and later became a 4 star Admiral! Thomas Baldwin Brittain, Sr., her husband’s father was Class of 1920 and a 3 star Admiral. Her husband’s grandfather was Carlo Bonaparte Brittain, Jr. USNA class of 1888 and was a 2 star admiral. (that’s a lotta stars)!

Suzanne’s dad ADM Murray was Commandant of Midshipmen during Suzanne’s college years. Her brother Stu was also an Academy grad — Class of 1947! (I profiled Stu earlier this year – hi Stu). Suzanne made a deal that with her Dad that he couldn’t use anything she told him about her ’47 MID friends against them. Suzanne went to College at GW for a year and then on to the West Coast for 3 years at Stanford.

Thomas’ Dad became the Commandant of Midshipmen when he relieved ADM Stuart Shadrick Murray, Suzanne’s Dad. Thomas and Suzanne met at their Dad’s Change of Command in Little Creek, VA and the rest was history. Thomas was a submariner and gone half the year (his work experience included diesel, nuclear and Polaris boats). The Brittains went on to have four boys. Three of their sons went to the Academy — Class of ’82 (Bryan), ’78 (Bruce) and ’75 (Bill). Thomas Brittain, III her first born son is in the real estate investing business with Suzanne to this day. Suzanne and Thomas enjoyed playing tennis together and raising their boys. Thomas, unfortunately passed away on July 4th, 1971. Four years after Thomas died, Suzanne married Eugene Stroup.

Photos of Suzanne and brother Stu ‘47 in 1930 {adorable}! Photo of the Brittain wedding party in 1951. Photo of Suzanne on her 90th with her family in Annapolis!! One photo of the Brittain boys (before Bryan was born) with their Mom and Dad!

Had a fun meet-up with PG Miller and his son Rand in Baltimore for lunch. PG is doing very well and did well during the pandemic. It was great to see him and catch up on life. I will see PG at the Air Force game. PG and family will be sitting at his regular spot on the 50YL! Go Navy!

Final Hours: It is my sad duty to notify you of the passing of your Classmates and wife… Dick Gardiner, Marge (Louis) Rossi and Bo Heininger. May they all Rest in Peace.

That’s all for now Team ‘47! Look to the next Shipmate for more updates. I love receiving your notes in my mailbox, so please don’t stop sending them! Yours loyally for ’47. “FoBotS” (Fan of Best on the Severn) OX, Eileen

’48

Life Membership: 47% Donor Participation: 11.67%

Sec’y/Webmaster: John Tsiknas 16061 Avenida Venusto, Apt. E218 San Diego, CA 92128-4414 p: 858-451-0967 e: johntsiknas@att.net Website: http://1948.usnaclasses.com

Steve Comiskey ’69, Chair, COCP (Council of Class Presidents) recently sent me an email on the Critical Race Theory which I emailed to all those who are on the Class of 1948 email address directory. I got several positive comments on the article, so I am repeating it here for the benefit of those who are not on our email address list. Following is Steve’s email: M “The Alumni Association and Foundation have received many questions in recent months regarding the Naval Academy’s alleged adoption of Critical Race Theory and similar subject matter into its coursework. Much of these questions stem from reliance on inaccurate reporting. The Naval Academy has expressed a commitment to diversity and to building a Brigade that better reflects today’s nation, Navy and Marine Corps. The Alumni Association and Foundation share that commitment. However, as the Superintendent has made clear at many of the Alumni Association and Foundation volunteer leadership meetings held virtually this spring, there is no aspect of the Naval Academy’s curriculum devoted to Critical Race Theory, white privilege, whiteness, or any philosophies that insist the U.S. is an inherently racist country.” Since the last issue of Shipmate, we learned of the loss of the following classmates and wives: Classmates:

W.V. Hauck, N.G.—6/04/21

D.W. Cammack, 17th Co.— 8/05/20

R.H. Gormley, 3rd Co.— 6/08/21

J.P .Rogers, Jr., 9th Co.—7/12/21 Wives:

Lillian Hauck—7/18/07

Colene Hansen—7/10/21

Marianne Schenkel—7/14/21

’49

Life Membership: 66% Donor Participation: 15.63%

Pres: CAPT Richard A. (Rick) Claytor, USN (Ret.) 701 King Farm Blvd.,#203, Rockville, MD 20950 e. retxnavy@aol.com Exec VP & Treas: CAPT Richard A. (Al) Frost, USN (Ret.) 6516 Bellamine Ct., McLean, VA 22101-1481 Paul Laric, Honorary Secretary of the Class of 1949 Sec'y: Ursula Vosseler 2214 Chesapeake Harbour Dr. Annapolis, MD 2140 e. navygolfergirl@gmail.com Webmaster: CAPT Richard A. (Rick) Claytor, USN (Ret.) Website: www.usna-class49.org

From the President

The Naval Academy Athletic Director, Chet Gladchuk, recently asked each Class President to submit to the NAAA the names of five to eight athletes from the class that classmates considered highly accomplished who contributed in a significant way to the athletic program and could be defined as varsity athletic legends in their respective sports. The purpose of this submission is to honor and display the names of these former midshipmen in the newly created Ron Terwilliger ’63 Center for Student-Athletes in Ricketts Hall.

We canvassed the class and as a result of the response from several classmates, I submitted the following names to the NAAA for these sports:

Basketball – John C. Barrow

Lacrosse – Lee Chambers

Football – Pete Williams Scott Emerson Reaves Baysinger 150-lb Football – Ham Stromberg

Soccer – Al Schaufelberger

Squash – Tom Gill

While the class considers all of them “Class Legends” in these sports, I am providing an example of our supporting documentation (submitted by classmate Bill Stutt) that we provided for Lacrosse:

Lee Chambers

J.H.L. Chambers, Jr. (Lee) was one of the great lacrosse players developed at USNA. Over his four years, 1946 to 1949, he became the heart of the Navy team. Playing “Attack” he was a skilled play-maker, prolific scorer and inspirational leader. Opponents learned that to do well against Navy, they had to stop Chambers. Upon graduation he was awarded the Thompson Sword (now called NAAA Sword for Men) for personal excellence in athletics.

Chambers’ accomplishments included: *Selection as All-American - 4 years (3 years as First Team). One of three such Navy lacrosse athletes since 1923 receiving 4 years of All-American honors. *Selection to Navy Hall of Fame and then to National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.· *Key to Navy being National Champion in ’46 and Co-Champion in ’49 (with Hopkins) when Chambers was team captain. *In his first North/South All-Star Game in 1946 final score was 14 - 14 after two overtimes. Chambers scored 7 goals for South in a dramatic come from behind. *Scored four-year total of 143 goals, a Navy record which still stands – “Assists” were not recorded at that time. *Recipient of Jack Turnbull Memorial Award in 1949 as nation’s top player at Attack. *Lead Navy to wins over Army in 1946, 1948, and 1949.

’49: Lee Chambers at Practice

*Following 1949 graduation, Chambers served as an assistant lacrosse coach for one year.

In Memoriam (October 2021)

John Thomas “Jack” Traynor (non-grad), died July 11, 2021 in Devils Lake, ND.

’50

Life Membership: 66% Donor Participation: 12.12%

Pres: CAPT Thomas H. Ross, USN (Ret.) p: 410-757-3745; e: thasross@hotmail.com Vice Pres and Exec. Sec’y: CAPT John J. McNally, USN (Ret.) p: 703-765-8808; e: jmcnallyj@gmail.com

Treas: Col William K. Rockey, USMC (Ret.) p: 703-842-3153; e:wkrockey@cox.net Email System Mgr: TBD Webmaster: CAPT J. Patrick Kittler, USNR (Ret.) p: 612-481-7948; e: pkittler@me.com Website: http://usna50.mysite.com Send News directly to Shipmate at: classnews@usna.com

Bill Martin writes that the intrepid Coronado group resumed their monthly first Friday lunches with a get-together at the Coronado golf course club:

No news about golfing results, but Mark and Tracy Fruden, and son Scott attended, as well as Dick and Tracy Martin, with sons Rich and John; Hank Hancock; Bill and Debby with daughter Alison. Lots of chatter.in the privacy of the Board Room. Forgot to mention that we are still at the Coronado golf course club house.

Bill Martin

’51

Life Membership: 66% Donor Participation: 15.38%

Pres: CAPT Thomas A. Boyce, USN (Ret.) 9014 Belvoir Woods Pkwy., Ft Belvoir, VA 22060 p: 703-780-7525; e: moomapa51@gmail.com Vice Pres: CAPT Bob Small, USN (Ret.) 874 Coachway, Annapolis, MD 21401 p: 410-849-2149; e: rhsusna51@verizon.net Sec’y: Lt Col Wallace G. Christner, USAF (Ret.) 8804 Gibbs Pl., Alexandria, VA 22309 p: 703-780-8632, e: wallace.christner@aol.com Class Fundraiser: RADM Guy Shaffer, USN (Ret.) 7101 Bay Front Dr., #125, Annapolis, MD 21403 h: 410-269-6609; e: ghbs51usna@comcast.net Communications: VADM Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret) 819 Marshall Lane, Alexandria, VA p: 703-370-9589; e: robtdunn@aol.com Website: www.usna51.com

'51 PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

Tom Boyce

Monthly luncheons for those who live in the Maryland and Northern Virginia areas and any who may be visiting have recommenced on the first Thursday of each month. beginning 3 August 2021. I will send out email reminders. It will be great to restore our pre-pandemic camaraderie.

Needed ASAP: Please provide me updated info (including email addresses) for our Blue Book directory. Current edition is sorely out of date and we need update.

Finally, thanks for trusting me to be your president. I hope and pray that you nonagenarians and your young wives are in good health.

KEEPING UP

As you may have noticed the lead time on Shipmate material is quite long; on the order of six weeks from submittal of copy until publication. If you would like to keep more current than that on class activities, check the website: www.usna51. com. Updates thereon are posted bi-weekly or sometimes even more often. The site also carries posts and pictures that may not make it to this column for a variety of reasons. The site also occasionally carries vignettes authored by classmates from around the country. Should you have such a vignette, please send it to Bob Dunn at: robtdunn@ aol.com.

GETTING UNDERWAY

With COVID now in the rear view mirror class activities and rendezvous are cranking up again. Our San Diego area contingent is once again leading the way with Jean and Andy Kremm organizing regular class luncheons at the San Diego Yacht Club. The number of attendees is falling but the spirit and camaraderie have been sustained. Good on you, Kremms. Close behind San Diego is the Washington-Annapolis group, re-convened in early August.

SOME THANK-YOUS

When our former scribe, John McGrew, flew west (as his Air Force brethren would say) Barbara Crawford, widow of Dick Crawford, stepped in. She did a great job on short notice and is still helping out in a variety of ways. Thank-you, Barbara.

When a call went out to help on the website, Andy Kremm and Bob Carius wrote well-received essays about personal experiences. Once again, check the website to read their work. Thank-you Andy and Bob. If others of you have experiences you’d like to share please send them to your correspondent.

We have a plethora of photos from our 70th Reunion not yet published, just waiting room in either this column or on the website. For those photos we thank many classmates but especially Bob and Marilyn Miller and Roy Malone and his son Roy, Jr.

Finally, special thanks to Bob Small for overseeing for so many years and with such dedication our interest in the Naval Academy Museum and its Ship Models Collection. Special thanks also to Guy Shaffer for managing so well over these many years our class giving, giving which includes that magnificent Naval Academy Organ pictured on the website.

CLASS GIVING

At our 70th Reunion Class Fundraiser, Guy Shaffer, gave a detailed report on our efforts to support the Naval Academy, the Alumni Association and other non-profit activities over the years, a report later posted on our website. The following is a summary of Guy’s report with a comment or two thrown in.

For over seventy years now the Class of 1951 has operated in the “Black,” yet set a precedent for generosity in class giving that is hard to match.

In June 1951 we graduated with no class debt by decree of Captain Bob Pirie, the Commandant. To effect this it was insisted that each member of ‘51 would purchase a minimum of three Lucky Bags. That we did so meant that the class in fact graduated with no debts and a bit left over. It was President Bill Lawrence backed up by Herb Zoeherer and others who were on scene in Annapolis that first

summer who invested the bit left over. That beginning nest egg was added to by many generous classmates over the years and grew from a relatively small sum to an amount sufficient to fund the large number of gifts summarized below. *The Chapel: Organ, Organ Console Upgrade and Maintenance, Elevator and Pew #51. *Commodore Levy Center and Jewish Chapel construction. *Civilian Faculty Teaching Excellence Award *Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Gate and Cold War Arch *Alumni Hall Construction and Class Plaque in Alumni Hall

Naval Academy Museum Ship Gallery Exhibit Procurement, Maintenance Endowment and More *National Museum of the U.S. Navy Cold War Gallery *McDonugh Basketball Memorial Award *Naval Academy Athletic Association Terwilliger Exhibit

It should be noted that these gifts are in addition to individual gifts made by individual classmates to specific Alumni Association and Athletic Association needs. We can be proud of what has been done and, “It ain’t over yet!”

On an entirely different subject and on the sad side, classmates in the San Diego area have recently represented all of us at the funerals for Jim Rough and Walt Schutz. Dick Seymour also passed on in the San Diego area this past May. Jim and Walt were Naval Aviators with outstanding records and many honors. As for Dick, after his retirement from the Navy he became a highly regarded oceanographer with Scripps Institute in La Jolla. A full report on Dick’s outstanding second career will appear on our website. As for statistics re other departed classmates and some non-grads a Necrology Report is on the website.

Finally, some pictures from our 70th Reunion.

HOTEL GATHERING

’51: CLASSMATES IN ATTENDANCE, 70TH REUNION ANOTHER GATHERING

MONTE MAXWELL AT OUR ORGAN

SHIP MODEL COLLECTION

CLASS SECRETARY COLUMN DEADLINES

Send to: classnews@usna.com

2022

ISSUE: DUE DATE: Jan-Feb ’22 Nov 29, 2021 Mar-Apr ’22 Jan 24, 2022 May ’22 Feb 22, 2022 June ’22 Mar 28, 2022 July-Aug ’22 May 26, 2022 September ’22 Jun 27, 2022 October ’22 Jul 25, 2022 Nov-Dec ’22 Sep 25, 2022

’52

Life Membership: 71% Donor Participation: 16.89%

Pres: CDR Robert H. Schulze, USN (Ret.) 1017 Towlston Rd., McLean, VA 22102-1116 p: 703-757-0332; e: rhschulze1@verizon.net Vice Pres: Jack Young 20624 Highland Hall Dr. Montgomery Village, MD 20886-4021 p: 301-208-3550; e: jcy52@verizon.net Sec’y: CDR William J. Laux Jr., USN (Ret.) 2004 Whispering Ridge Dr. Great Falls, MT 59405-7813 p: 406-781-5475; e: wjlaux@verizon.net Treas: Col George W. Lester, Jr., USAF (Ret.) 5400 30th St., N. Arlington, VA 22207-1502 p: 703-241-1989; e: geova@verizon.net 70th Reunion Cord.: CDR G. Phillip Case, Jr., USN (Ret.) 7452 Spring Village Dr., Apt. 107 Springfield, VA 22150-4947 p: 703-451-3937; e: casep29@gmail.com Webmaste: to be announced Website: www.toughshoes52.org

As this is being written, the Class is anticipating its 5 August 2021 Zoom meeting. Since this Zoom meeting will be history by the time you read this, I submit some prefatory remarks that RADM Al Kelln, USN (Ret.), the scheduled presenter, sent to Class President Bob Schulze: M “Hi, Robert….I describe in my book about the planning, approach and decision-making in the 1956 era for the very new USS SKATE to make a detailed survey of the Arctic Ocean to determine if that area could be operationally safe for US attack and missile subs. What was not known is that the President was already deeply involved, especially with the Polaris Missile which was soon to be operational. His interest was top secret and the operation by Skate was treated as an operational display of nuclear propulsion and Admiral Rickover was the center of the event. The first Arctic visit prompted later a semi-classified local Skate underway visit by the President’s son John for three days and his debriefing is of high interest. As the Skate’s operations officer, I was very involved. I can give our

ZOOM folks a 35-minute brief of Skate’s two trips to the Arctic

I would like to very briefly mention that I have a published book, mention its title and that it is on the market, and even the movie guys may be getting interested. I give local briefings often so timing of a brief in usually not a problem. The name of the book is LIVING THE MIRACLES. [ A SAILOR’S LIFE IN THE NUCLEAR POWER AGE ]

Many Thanks, Al” Phil Case reminds us: M “Our 70th reunion is planned for April 24 (Sunday) through breakfast on April 27 (Wednesday) 2022, at theDouble Tree Motel in Annapolis. 33 classmates plan to attend (all things being equal) along with widows and families. I hope to hear from some more of you. casep29@ gmail.com –Phil”

Father Chuck Pollak sent in the following, regarding the Memorial Service for fallen classmates, during the reunion: M As we look forward to our big #70 next year, Honorary Classmate Kimberly Moses and I will be conducting the Memorial Service for our fallen classmates. We believe that many of our classmates performed unusual service for our country that has gone generally unrecognized. Our plan is to try to bring at least a few heretofore untold stories to light as a part of our tribute to all of them. What we are hoping is that some such stories are known to their widows, children, or close friends, and that they would be willing to share them with us.

“And while the Memorial Service will be focused on fallen classmates, Kimberly and I also believe that it might be appropriate to include some accounts of Classmates who are still standing tall. We will never be able to do justice to our many Classmates who have performed unusually important or brave service to our nation, but telling a few such tales would be a blessing to all of us and those closely associated with the Great Class of 1952.

“If you know of any such incidents, please contact me at chuckpollak@ lowcountry.com or 843-538-6497. Kimberly and I would be most appreciative to hear from you. But more importantly, those who performed in unusual ways, and their loved ones, might very well be richly blessed by special recognition. Fr. Chuck Pollak

We continue to receive word of the passing of Classmates, wives, and widows. Received recently:

Jacqueline Marshall Meeks, widow of CAPT Thomas L Meeks, USN (Ret.), 24 April 2021, Haymarket, VA.

Obituaries are distributed by e-mail, can be found in the Class website, www.ToughShoes52.org, and are published in the Last Call section of Shipmate. I encourage you to refer often to the Class website, as obituaries and other news items are available immediately as they are posted. This column is generally not published until two or three months after submission, and is therefore not a source of timely news regarding deaths, final services, etc.

IMPORTANT! (—Still!) Timothy Woodbury, the Memorial Affairs Editor for Shipmate, sent the following: M “This may be something to pass along to your classmates: https://www.moaa.org/content/ publications-and-media/newsarticles/2020-news-articles/ advocacy/arlington-cemeteryeligibility-changes-two-ways-tomake-your-voice-heard/ ” This has to do with eligibility for interment in Arlington National Cemetery, and I urge you to give it your immediate consideration, if you are considering in-ground interment at Arlington, or in the columbarium. The rules have changed. Let us hear what is going on in your life. Please send in your news, both by Chapter and individually. our Classmates would like to know what you are up to.

Bernard Grossman (18) died May 20, 2021 in Spotsylvania, VA. Bernie attended Tulane before enlisting in the Marines, entered NAPS’49, and appointed to USNA’53. He opted for the USAF when he graduated. After six years he left the USAF. He then worked for GE before returning to the government for a long career as an engineer. Bernie was preceded in death by wife, Laura of 25 years, and his son, Curtiss. Survivors include four children and five grandchildren.

Gunnar O. Hansen (9) died July 10, 2021 in Louisville, KY. Gunnar “Swede” enlisted in the USMC entered NAPS’49 and appointed USNA’53. He again served in the Marine Corps in Japan, Korea, and several Marine Corps bases in the USA. He rose to Captain USMC. He resigned to 1965 and enrolled in San Diego State University and earned a Master’s Degree in Mathematics in 1968. He taught Mathematics in the U of Indiana and volunteer work tutoring prison inmates in Mathematics. In 1968 he married Diana who survived him. Other survivors include two children.

Mary D. Kubiak died July 22, 2021 in Boulder City, NV. She was widowed in 1963 when her first husband, James C. Welsh, CAPT. USAF (20) died December 11, 1963 in an aircraft accident. They had two children. She later married John M. Kubiak, COL, USAF (USMA) West Point for 50 years. He died June 22, 2020. They had one Child. Survivors include the three children and three grandchildren. *See 50th Year Legacy Book

Mail Bag

There was no mail from Classmates for this October column so I will use a story from my grandson Andrew Pack. He is a super adventurer, a graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, but he works as a carpenter in Oregon. He sent an email 4/22/2021 as follows: M “I have a new job working as a carpenter for a company called Polar Field Services contracted by the National Science Foundation

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

Log into Online Community at usna.com to update your profile.

’53

Life Membership: 66% Donor Participation: 21.53%

Pres: CAPT Chris Zirps, USN (Ret.) 1902 Toll Bridge Ct., Alexandria, VA 22308-2447 p: 703-780-6124; E: CZirps53@aol.com Exec Vice Pres: CAPT Alvin S. Glazier, USN (Ret.) 7619 Leith Pl., Alexandria, VA 22307 p: 703-768-2762; e: glophin@aol.com Admin Vice Pres & Corres Sec’y: CAPT Arthur C. Bivens, USN (Ret.) 7448 Spring Village Dr., Apt.323 Springfield, VA 22150 p: 703-270-5940; e: acbivens@aol.com Webmaster: CAPT Paul Dudley, USN (Ret.) e: pdudley@1953.usna.com Website: www.usna53.com

68th Reunion

My deadline is July 28 for this SHIPMATE Oct 2021. It is also the same date of July 28, the opening day of our 68th USNA’53 Reunion in Annapolis. There have several registration numbers that have cancelled. I am one. I have a basal cancer in my left ear that has a big bandage on it that no one would want to see me. There are others that have medical issues. Chris Zirps (5) is hopefully that will reach 60 attendees. I asked Al Glazier (15) to take some photos for the SHIPMATE Nov-Dec 2021. Anyone else taking pictures, please send to me at acbivens@aol.com.

Passing’s

Arnold J. Orr, LCOL USMC (Ret) (9) died May 16, 2021 in Alexandria, VA. Arn enlisted in the USMC in 1947, entered NAPS ‘49, and appointed to USNA’53. He then returned to the Marine Corp, assigned to the infantry as a platoon leader, then as an infantry company commander, and then as an infantry battalion in Vietnam. His military decorations the Legion of Merit with combat V, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal. Arn served two tours in R&D, one with the Navy and with the other with the Army. One more memorable assignment was at the US Embassy in Beirut. Survivors include four daughters, and seven grandchildren. Arn’s wife, Midge of 50 years, died from breast cancer in May 2007….*

funds research stations in the Artic, North and South. I’m currently in Kangerlussuaq, a small town in Greenland, a logistics hub, since it has the longest runway in the country with C-130 Hercules equipped with snow skids. I flew to Summit Station in the middle of the Greenland Ice Sheet at 10,00 elevation ft where I will live in a little 8’x5’shed without heat or water.”

He sent another email 5/2/2021. M “The hut didn’t really keep you warm but it keeps the wind off you. The other night it was -40F. It’s astonishing how fast our bodies acclimate to the cold, working in the cold in -5F if there is not much wind. The last season 2020 at Summit Station was canceled from COVID which means some of the buildings are completely submerged in snow and ice this season. My main project was working raising the buildings to reset them.” Andrew

left Greenland July 24, 2021. He had applied for the next exciting job, to work in Antarctica and was accepted. He will leave September 21, to Christchurch, New Zealand before leaving to Antarctica October 3 and finish his job Feb 16 ~ 41/2 months. Where next? ….ACB

Greenland Polar Bear Inn

Greenland Station Summit

’54

Life Membership: 56% Donor Participation: 18.31%

Pres: CAPT George V. Zeberlein, USN (Ret.) p: 410-570-3233; e: gvzeberlein@gmail.com Exec VP: MGen William W. Hoover, USAF (Ret.) p: 757-221-0921; e: Hoovsf8@aol.com Sec’y: Mr. Phillip N. Livingstone 718 Appomattox Rd. W., Davidsonville, MD 21035-1909 p: 443-607-8666; e: livingstonep1@verizon.net Deputy Sec’y: LtCol Edward C. Tipshus USMC (Ret.) 8315 Fairway Dr., Worthington Hills Columbus, OH 43235-1148 p: 614-571-5565; e: ed@tipshus.com Treas: CAPT Robert R. Briner, USN (Ret.) p: 757-464-4850; e: bobbriner@cox.net Webmaster: CDR Will H. Croom, USN (Ret.) e: willyaye@gmail.com Website: www.54net.org RADM Ronald J. Kurth, USN (Ret.) A Memorial Service was held at the USNA Chapel July 16, 2021. As a distinguished graduate of the Class of 1954, he served as an aviator, Commander of the Sixth Fleet, and with fluent Russian, served several tours in Moscow as Naval Attaché and Defense Attaché. In attendance were family, many friends, and Classmates.

The Honor Guard are departing the Chapel enroute to the USNA Cemetery.

2021 NAVY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Follow Navy Football at: navysports.com

2 OCT 9 OCT 14 OCT 23 OCT 29 OCT 6 NOV vs UCF vs SMU

@ Memphis (Memphis, TN) vs Cincinnati

vs Tulsa (Tulsa, OK) @ Notre Dame—TV/NBC

(South Bend, IN) 20 NOV 27 NOV 4 DEC 11 DEC

1-800-US4-NAVY vs East Carolina

@ Temple (Philadelphia, PA) AAC Championship TBD

@ Army—TV/CBS (East Rutherford, NJ)

’55

Life Membership: 64% Donor Participation: 14.04%

Pres: VADM J. Theodore Parker, USN (Ret.) Vice Pres: RADM R. R. Fountain, Jr., USN (Ret.) Treas: CDR Robert P. Pirie Jr., USN (Ret.) Sec’y: CAPT Thomas F. Stallman, USN (Ret.) e: staltom@aol.com Corr Sec’y: Frederick Schoenberger e: fredseod@gmail.com Website: http://1955.usnaclasses.com/

William Russell Forbes (22) passed away on June 6, 2021, at his home in Mount Dora, FL.

John Theodore (Ted) Parker, Jr. (19) passed away at his home in Annapolis, MD, on June 25, 2021.

Roger Gareth Betsworth (7) passed away on June 17, 2020, in Indianola, Iowa.

DRUM BEAT FOR THE 67th REUNION !

By now you should have received the Registration Package for our delayed Reunion together with the Registration instructions. While the erosion of additional years has taken a bit of a toll on our numbers, we’re never going to have more than we do now! It would be very helpful to know now how many plan to attend as certain guarantees with the DoubleTree Hotel start to lock in by the end of October. At minimum, make your room reservations soonest. There is no out of pocket cost until arrival. The reservation phone number is 1 800 222 8733. Our Group Code is Z55. The group rate is $139/night plus local taxes. The Reunion dates are 28-30 April 2022. In addition, our meal planning with the hotel and Club and ancillary expenses such provision for transportation, photography and the like are dependent on accurate estimation of attendance, so send your Registration forms in to the Alumni Association with your fees as soon as you can. We’d love to see as many as possible there this time! Your Reunion Committee, Bob Fountain Chairman

Class Luncheon at Portofino Restaurant, Arlington, VA, July 27, 2021.

Left to right: Spud Flowers, Bob Hinton, George DeLano, Bob Fountain, Monroe Hatch, Tom Stallman and Robin Pirie

Our new “Ghost Fleet”

A U.S. Navy “Ghost Fleet Overlord” unmanned vessel has completed a second long-range autonomous transit, traveling from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast via the Panama Canal. The unmanned surface vessel (USV), named Nomad, travelled a total of 4,421 nautical miles, 98 percent of which was in autonomous mode. The first Ghost Fleet Overlord vessel, Ranger, completed a similar transit in October 2020. Both vessels passed through the Panama Canal while in manual mode. The Navy said the Nomad transit provided an opportunity for extended testing of vessel endurance, autonomous operations, and interoperability of government command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems with vendor autonomy, hull mechanical and hull electrical systems. Remote mission command and control for the transit was conducted from an ashore Unmanned Operations Center operated by the Surface Development Squadron One. This is another significant milestone for SCO’s Ghost Fleet Overlord program and supports the Navy’s Unmanned Campaign Framework by adding a second Overlord vessel to the West Coast. The SCO Ghost Fleet Overlord program provides new technologies and is a key piece of the “build a little, test a little, and learn a lot” philosophy articulated in the Navy Unmanned Campaign Framework. Two additional Ghost Fleet Overlord prototype USVs are currently under construction.

Fred Underwood’s (22) uncanny memory brings us back to the mess table rituals of plebe year.

We had an awful lot of memory work at the meal tables. If a Firsty

asked you a question, we had three options: 1. Recite the answer, 2. Aye, Aye Sir, or 3. I’ll find out, Sir. At Monday morning breakfast, some upperclassman might give an order as follows: “Mr. Underwood, Greet the Week.” I would stand in my chair and yell as loud as I could, “Goody, Goody, Monday Morning and another week in which to excel.” Other midshipmen at the adjacent tables would throw breakfast rolls, which I would then have to dodge. If I were asked, “What time is it?” the expected response was: “Sir, I am deeply embarrassed and greatly humiliated, but due to the inaccuracies of my chronometer and it’s in accord with the great Sidereal Movement, by which time is commonly reckoned, I am unable to state the exact time. However, without fear of being too wrong, the time is (after looking at my watch) 13 minutes 25 seconds and three ticks past the hour of 7, Sir”. If I were asked, “How’s the Cow?” After looking at the milk pitcher, I would say, “Sir, she walks, she talks, she’s full of chalk. The female of the Bovine species is prolific to the 3rd degree, Sir.” The 3rd degree indicated that I estimated that there were three glasses of milk left in the pitcher. If I received the order, “Greet the Day,” I would stand on my chair, and sing the following to the tune of Ghost Riders in the Sky. “Good morning merry sunshine. What makes you rise so soon and chase away the little stars and far outshine the moon. I saw you go to bed last night before I said my prayers. Now you’re way up in the sky. How did you get up there?” As usual, I had to be prepared to dodge the breakfast rolls. If we had Hamburgers or Hot Dogs on the menu, one of the Plebes would be directed to make Goo. He would take a small bowl or saucer and mix up a large quantity of Mustard, Ketchup, and Pepper. I don’t recall ever having to do it.

’56

Life Membership: 73 % Donor Participation: 25.00 %

Class Co-Chairman: Col George Mushalko, USAF (Ret.) (15) e: gmushalko56@gmail.com; p: 703-768-4543 Class Co-Chairman: CAPT Jim Van Metre, USN (Ret.) (4) e: jimvanm@aol.com; p: 410-224-3860 Shipmate: CAPT Pete Fitzwilliam, USN (Ret.) (13) p: 703-501-6776; e: petefitzwm@aol.com Sec’y: CAPT Doug Hayman, USN (Ret.) (11) p: 410-268-0740; e: dfhayman@comcast.net Webmaster: Alex Morris (2) p: 941-378-5598; e: alex.morris@1956.usna.com Website: www.usna56.org “Deo Fidelis et Patria” Hi All,

We’ve been gifted a very nice opening for this month’s column, courtesy of Mike Shelley, who is the class secretary for ‘63. Thanks again, Mike.

AND, congrats and continued success to Mal MacDonald (16) and his wife Joan! — Pete Fitz The following announcements are made about the recent passing of classmates and classmate wives. Full obituaries for classmates will be presented in the Last Call section of this or a future issue of Shipmate.

The following obituary was provided by his family.

Commander Richard W. Shafer, USN (Ret.) (23) died of cancer at the age of 87 on 1 June 2021. Born in Hinsdale, IL, Dick attended the University of Wisconsin prior to receiving his Congressional appointment to the Naval Academy. At Annapolis he participated in intramural track & field and wrestling and was company commander. He graduated first in the class of 1956, as a member of the 23rd Company.

Dick served in destroyers for three years, including USS Brenner (DD-807) and USS Lyman K. Swensen (DD-729). After graduating second in his class from Submarine School in New London, CT, he served as missile officer in USS Grayback (SSG-574); and as navigator and third officer in USS Carbonero (SS-337).

He next attended Nuclear Power Training School, finishing third in his class. He then served as communication officer, assistant navigator, and reactor plant officer in USS Ethan Allen (SSBN-608). He also served as executive officer in USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600).

After obtaining his MBA from Stanford Business School, his designation was officially changed from Line Officer to Engineering Duty Officer. He served as a founding officer for the Ship System Maintenance Monitoring and Support Office (SMMSO) at the Hyattsville, MD, Naval Ship Engineering Center. Its charter was to reduce the maintenance effort and operating costs of nuclear submarines, saving the Navy billions of dollars in maintenance costs and earning Dick a Meritorious Service Medal for his involvement. He also served as ship superintendent for a major overhaul of a fleet ballistic submarine at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

Immediately after retirement in 1976, Dick taught at California Maritime Academy for three years. He then began working as a financial planner and real estate investor. He served on the Benicia, CA City Council for four years. He was active in the churches he attended and in the Rotary Club; and he maintained his physical fitness by running in half-marathons and marathons. He enjoyed teaching at all levels and continued working as a substitute teacher when he moved to Lincoln, CA in 2003.

He was predeceased by his first wife of 38 years, Cleo Mae (Kroll) Shafer. He is survived by his second wife of 21 years, Patr5icia (Ely) Shafer; his three children, Steven, David, and Kari (Marshall; and seven grandchildren.

Memorial services were conducted 19 June 2021 at Lincoln Hills Community Church, with interment on 31 July at Prairie View Cemetery in Lake Hallie, WI. Military honors were provided by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council.

David A. (Dave) Shelso (12) died in Fremont, Nebraska on 24 June 2021 at age 87. Dave was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Throughout his childhood he often spent summers at his maternal grandparents’ farm in Fergus Falls, MN. He was active in sports and Boy Scouts, and he played the piano and trombone. While in high school in Minneapolis he played football and became an eagle scout. In 1952 he was appointed to the Naval academy by Senator Hubert Humphrey. While at USNA he played in the drum and bugle corps. His first duty station was USS Rochester (CA-124), flagship of the Seventh Fleet. In 1957 he was sent to Submarine School. After SubScol he was assigned to USS Chivo (SS-341) in Key West, FLA. He next served in USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628), the first Polaris submarine assigned to the Pacific Fleet. While on submarines he would be deployed for nine months at a time without any communication home. He also served in USS Carbonero (SS-337), USS Merrik (AKA-97), and finally USS Passumpsic (AO-107). In 1970 he was ordered to USNA as a commander where he taught and

then served as Assistant Dean for Faculty and Finance. He became the officer representative to the golf team. Golf was a passion and he continued to play throughout his life. From Annapolis he was sent to Athens, Greece, to serve as a senior U.S. Representative on the NATO staff. After 22 years of service Dave retired in 1978 back to Fremont, Nebraska where he worked for Peter Kiewit and then Northwestern Mutual Life. He continued to be and avid golfer at the Fremont Golf Club and was active in the Nebraska Golf Association. He was also active at St. James Episcopal Church in the choir and as a reader, as well as the Rotary Club and the Masons. Plus, he served on the board of Public Works and the Department of Natural Resources. He was a devoted Husker fan and loved his dogs — all named Barney. Dave is survived by his son, John Shelso; and his daughter, Ann Haynes, as well as five grandchildren. He will be interred in the columbarium at the U.S Naval Academy at a later date.

Andre L. (Andy) Jernee (01) of Ocean City, New Jersey passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side, 22 June 2021. He was 88. Andy came to USNA from Wyoming Seminary. After graduation he married his love, Nancy, in a military wedding at the Lutheran Church in Ocean City. During his four years in the Navy, he served in USS Wisconsin (BB-64) and USS Cecil (DDR-835) as Chief Engineer. In July of 1960, Andy resigned his commission and joined the IBM Corporation in data processing and communication. In 1969 he left and joined GTE where he served in a variety of executive positions. In the late 1980’s he retired from GTE and returned to Ocean with his family. In 1992 he ran for and obtained a seat on the City Council. He served there for eight years, three of which he was president. He owned and operated the Scarborough Hotel for ten years. The real thrust of his life was involvement with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Andy is survived by his four children, Mark Jernee of Somers Point, Gary Jernee (Barbara) of Ocean City, Lisa Naumann (Frank) of Somers Point, and Amy Talley (Rich) of Newark, DE; ten grandchildren, Megan (Ryan), Frankie, Jake Jarred (Bridget) , Matt, Patrick, Sophia, Pierce, Jackie (Zack), and Steven; and three great grandchildren, Sawyer, Ryder and Riley. Andy is also survived by his “Lovely Lady” of four years Joan Kurtz. Andy was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and love of 58 years married and 64 years together, Nancy, in 2014.

Nancy Jernee of Ocean City, NJ, wife of Andy Jernee (01) passed away on 6 Nov 2014 at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, NJ. She was a graduate of Cedar Crest College and worked as a teacher for Pleasantville High School. Mrs. Jernee was a successful business owner along with her husband of Scarborough Hotel in Ocean City, and the Snoop Shop in Connecticut. She loved being with her kids and grandkids, and she loved her cats. She loved travelling to Florida, dining at various Ocean City restaurants and her bridge club with close friends. Surviving are her husband, Andre Jernee of Ocean City, NJ, four children (listed above), and ten grandchildren (also listed above).

On 12 July 2021 Doug Hayman received a letter from Charles L. Monson III saying, “My father, Charles Monson Jr (08)… passed away August 27th, 2019. His time at the Naval Academy and his subsequent 7-years serving as a pilot in the Marine Corps were some of the best times of his life, and he often told stories about the Academy and his time flying. Being a warrior and protecting his country were his highest goals. However, when my mother started experiencing health issues, he knew he couldn’t risk long deployments away from his children…”

We have no reunion book bios from Chuck; however, in our 55th reunion book Dar Lundberg (06) wrote: “In December of 1961, after completing Basic School, Flight Training and two squadron tours together, the Marine Corps finally sent Joe Wuertz (08), Rick Klingensmith(07) and me our separate ways. Charlie Monson had been with us most of the way but decided he’d opt for civilian life…”

Re Vern Dander (05). Vern and Claire Dander’s daughter Kathy wrote to change her mom’s mailing address. She wrote:

M “Mom has been living independently at Linden Ponds in Hingham, MA since my Dad passed, but with her progressing health issues she is moving to a Continuing Care living group, still at Linden Ponds.

“I am having all her mail forwarded to me so I can more easily sort and bring her mail to her; you can still address it to her, though, the mail people know!

“The address is: Claire Dander, 2 Hawthorn Place, Unit 4a, Boston, MA, 02114”

’57

Life Membership: 69% Donor Participation: 19.44%

Pres: VADM Daniel L. Cooper, USN (Ret) e: dandbcoope@aol.com Vice Pres: CAPT William H. Peerenboom, USN (Ret.) 1003 Rachel Ln SW, Vienna, VA 221280 e: whp36@aol.com Sec’y: LTCOL Bart C. Campbell, USAF (Ret.) 4351 Kingspark Dr., San Jose, CA 95136 e: bcampbell57@pacbell.net Corr Sec’y: Col William S. Hamel, USMCR (Ret.) e: wshamel@aol.com Treas: COL John D. Regenhardt, USAF (Ret.) e: don.regenhardt@gmail.com Webmeister: CDR Charles R. Hall, III, USN (Ret.) e: crhall@comcast.net Website: http//1957.usnaclasses.com/

Taps continues to sound:

Philip Arcuni, of Greenwich, Connecticut, born on November 7, 1935, died 28 June 2021 in Durham, North Carolina, due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Warner Paul Basse (21), born 9 August 1934, in Port Alexander, Alaska, died from natural causes on 18 July 2021 in Buckeye, Arizona. Paul was a mainstay in our D.C. chapter golf group for many years.

Lawrence Everett Masten (22), of Annandale, Virginia, died Saturday, 14 November 2020, in Falls Church, Virginia. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on 6 January 1934.

Robert Nelson (16) Born 28 November 1933, died peacefully on 26 July 2021 in Ocean Grove, New Jersey (non-graduate).

Richard Sargent (7) died suddenly 15 July 2021. As reported by Jim Googe (7):

Sarge and wife Tricia were attending a happy hour with friends at a local restaurant Thursday evening, 15 July. Dick was in his element, shooting the breeze as usual and enjoying the banter. Tricia left for their car before Dick, and urged him not to take too long in his goodbyes. When it became evident he had taken too long, she started back to see what was happening. It was then that one of their close friends approached her and told her that Dick had suddenly collapsed, that they partially arrested his fall, laid him down, and attempted to resuscitate him, without success. His death was thought to have been instantaneous. Tricia was and is, of course, devastated. But when I think of what might have happened if Dick had been driving down the mountain with Tricia when stricken, it’s not that much of a stretch to consider the timing to have been Providential.

From Blowing Rock in the mountains of North Carolina, Jerry Peterson (21) reports on his golden years:

M I feel like I’m stranded here. My wife and I left Hawaii in 1991 and came to NC because her folks were on the East Coast. (I’m still a left coaster.) Kids were in California, Colorado, Boston, and Richmond. Obviously, our decision was to avoid tormenting any one of the kids. They’re all still there, but they visit when they can. But Ginny died last November so here I am in a beautiful house that backs up to a beautiful golf course. Just me and my yappy little dog. And, sadly, I’ve aged out of golf. I’m trying to get rid of thirty years of “stuff”, but it ain’t easy. So maybe someone can advise me of what I can do with an old ill-fitting class ring and my sword. I look forward to Shipmate and the MIT magazine, news from many of my old friends. And I enjoy both bridge and gin rummy with good friends here in Blowing Rock. One day, I’ll develop a new plan to get out of here, but I can’t help but think back to the good old days when the Navy always took care of those details. Enjoy! And LFC comes through again with this piece of photojournalism: M The photo captures the lunch ‘57 classmates had today at our favorite Italian restaurant, Il Forniao. Jim Beatty (4) arranged the event at the request of Ray Fazzio who came to San Diego to watch his great grandson (Jack Perotti – age 15) play in a cross-state (CA & AZ) club baseball tournament, as a pitcher. The attendees, from left to right: Jim Beatty (4), John Holt (14), Stan Bass (20), Joe Koch (11) Dick Madouse’ s stepson Scott Blaylock, Ray Fazzio’s son Paul Fazzio, Harry Gimber (4), Ray Fazzio (14), George Lanman (6), George Kachigian (23), and Dick Madouse (18). Discussions ranged from Sam Bass saying we need a ROUND table next time to discussing the menu, health issues, sports and a modicum of politics. Most of us seem to be at various levels of surgery survivors, thank the Lord. We had a very energetic waiter, Jorge, who took the picture for us using phones. – Lanman.

A (Sea) Story by Earl Piper (6)

The time: August, 1949. The occasion: departing New York Harbor. My family was aboard the SS AMERICA sailing to Southampton, England. My father, a Marine officer, was under orders to the U.S. Embassy in London. My younger brother and I loved to explore the ship. About a day out of New York, we found an empty green ginger ale bottle. It gave us an idea. Let’s put a note in the bottle, cork it, and toss it off the stern into the wake. This we did. On the note I put my name and the Fleet Post Office address we would have for the next two years. We had beautiful weather all the way across the Atlantic - a six-day crossing.

When we arrived in England our family settled into a row house located in West Kensington, London. My brother and I attended British boy’s schools. The city still showed many signs of the Blitz of WW2. There were still large areas of rubble This award is made annually by the Naval History Foundation. It recognizes an individual for a lifetime body of work in the field of U.S. naval history. I am proud and privileged to congratulate Professor Williams on behalf of our Class for this great achievement. On that high note, we close, and start looking at the inbox for next issue’s inputs. Readers, don’t be shy.

and half-destroyed buildings, and some food was still on rationing. My father’s tour of duty approached its finish in the early summer of 1951 and we looked forward to returning to the States. I was fifteen. One afternoon my father came home with a letter in hand. It was a blue envelope with French stamps addressed to me. My father asked “Who do you know in France?” I told him I knew nobody there. We excitedly opened the letter. It was written in French.

My schoolboy French was good enough to read that a little girl and her father had been walking along the beach close to their home in Landes, France, on the Bay of Biscay and had found a green ginger ale bottle washed ashore with my note inside. The girl was four years old. Her name was Marie Christine Deleste. The letter to me had been written by her school teacher and signed by all of the eight students in her class. They wanted to know who I was, my age, and where and when I had thrown the bottle into the sea; they asked for my picture, and seemed thrilled to be able to share news of life in rural France and to correspond with this mystery person from afar.

Several letters, two or three each, were exchanged during that early summer of 1951. I still have those letters, a picture of Marie with her daddy and their little dog, and also the actual note that rode in the bottle; they provided that in their second letter. A bit of recent homework reveals that the bottle drifted over 2000 miles in a period of some 20 months, pushed along by the Atlantic Gulf Stream, the Bay of Biscay currents, and the prevailing winds. Its forward progress averaged an amazing 3.3 miles per day. Since that early time the whole odyssey has given me a unique lifetime story. From Class VP Bill Peerenboom (3): M In more recent news, our 2018-2019 Distinguished Professor, Dr. Kathleen Broome Williams, was just named 2021winner of the prestigious Commodore Dudley W. Knox Lifetime Achievement Award.

’58

Life Membership: 63% Donor Participation: 19.05%

Pres: Lt Col Gordon M. Gerson, USAF (Ret.) e: gordon.gerson@1958.usna.com Corr Sec’y: CAPT Bill Schramm, USN (Ret.) 17 Calera Canyon, Salinas, CA 93908 p: 831-484-9058; e: w_schramm@comcast.net Webmaster: CAPT Fred Victor, USN (Ret.) e: avictor@erols.com Website: www.usna.com/Classes/1958

CLASS ATHLETIC LEGENDS

In the last couple of Class columns I have listed 4 of our 6 Classmates who were nominated as Class of ’58 Athletic Legends. Here are the final 2 from that list:

Tony Stremic, 20th Company * Wrestling Team (Co-Captain) * Undefeated in wrestling meets * Football Team * Most Valuable Lineman, 1958 Cotton Bowl * 2nd Team All American

Al Swanson, 21st Company * Basketball (team Captain), Football Team, Track Team * 7 Ns, 6 N stars

CLASS ATHLETIC LEGEND (2021 VERSION)

Gordon Gerson, 11th Company, our Class President participated in the 2021 National Short Course Masters Swimming Championships. The meet was held in Greensboro, North Carolina from 21 to 25 July. Gordo came in first in both the 100 Backstroke and the 200 Backstroke, and third in the 50 Backstroke. He also finished 5th in 100 Breaststroke and 200 Breaststroke and 6th in the 50 Breaststroke. WAY TO GO GORDO!!!

National Swimming Champion

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Bill Bauer, 18th Company, and his bride Judy celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary on 6 July 2021. Is 58 great or what? Advanced Training. Several of the Class were assigned to the S2 pipeline and expected to be assigned to Anti-Submarine squadrons flying the S2F. But the Navy had other ideas and 6 of the 58ers received orders to Airborne Early Warning Squadron-12 (VAW-12) home-based in quonset Point RI. The reason was that VAW-12 was receiving the E2 which was the S2 with a very big radar antenna on top. The six were Mike Woodbury, Hugh Palmer, Mike Frawley, Dave Stubbs, Jack Dittrick and Fred Victor who provided me ''with all this information. VAW-12 was unusual in the sense that the Squadron had 40 aircraft that were divided into 4 plane detachments which were assigned to Atlantic Fleet CVAs and CVSs. The E1s and later the E2s would go on to become an important element in early warning and vector control of carrier fighters and attack aircraft and our six intrepid airmen from the Class of ’58 played a vital role in implementing these advances in carrier aviation.

Bill and Judy Bauer

EARLY WARNING!!! HERE COMES ‘58

By 1959 those of us who went into Navy Air had moved on to

CLOSING RANKS

James Lyons, 6th Company, died on 30 June 2021

Ralph Carestia, 20th Company, died on 8 July 2021

Frank Gamboa, 17th Company, passed away on 8 July 2021

James Silldorff, 5th Company, died on 1 January 2020

William Geoghegan, non-grad, died on 14 June 2021

’59

Life Membership: 66% Donor Participation: 17.03%

Chairman Exec. Committee: Gerald G Garbacz Sec’y: CAPT Charles C. Pease, USN (Ret.) 20510 Falcons Landing Cir., Apt. 1404 Potomac Falls, VA 20165-7596 p: 703-549-4285; e: classsec1959@gmail.com Shipmate Editor: Ed Hill p: 301-943-4185; e: hilled@aol.com Webmasters: Pete and Elaine Stout Website: www.USNA1959.com

My Skinny Prof, by Walt Wynn (11). During our early USNA days, you will remember we had officers from the fleet returning as profs for various subjects. Some were badly placed without a clue as to their subject matter and simply ran down the gouge for the day. Others were well qualified for their positions such as LTJG Ed Sverdrup who had a PhD in electrical engineering and actually made us think. More about him in a later story.

Today I want to tell you about CDR William Bible Prigmore from the Bible family of Tennessee. He had just come from command of a submarine to teach us EE, or skinny as we called it. He made skinny interesting for all. He wanted us to succeed, and he preached EE to us. One day he might put an equation on the board and rather than point out the obvious that it would be useful on the quiz, he would point it out and say something like, “Let this be as a shining light unto you, leading you ever onward and upward in your quest.”

It was more interesting and closer to preaching when he would have a circuit drawn on the board and say, “What does brother Kirchhoff tell us? Brother Kirchhoff tells us that the sum of voltages around any closed loop is zero!” Or at other times he might say, “What does Brother Ohm tell us? Brother Ohm tells us that E = IR!

Toward the end of our 1/c year he told us he was being reassigned to JUSMAG (Joint US Military Advisory Group) Greece. We all assumed that he was going to teach skinny to the Greeks. He invited any of us who might be in Greece to look him up. Well, it turned out my first ship after graduation, USS TROUT (SS 566), deployed to the MED in the fall of 1959 and our second port of call was Piraeus, the port of Athens. I told the story to my CO, LCDR Carvel Hall Blair and asked if it would be OK to invite him to the ship and it turned out that he did visit. When I first called him he invited me to join him and his wife for dinner at a Greek restaurant. I accepted with the proviso that I could return the favor and take them out to dinner at another restaurant. One of the restaurants was Epta Adelphi, seven brothers. We went in and had a lovely steak dinner. We went to the butcher counter and picked out our steak. Nothing would do but that we had to also have some Greek wine – one bottle each if memory serves me well. For dessert we had a ripe apple. Now in Greece, one doesn’t touch the apple with fingers, one peels and slices the apple with knife and fork. After dinner there was Greek music and dancing. All in all, a delightful evening. Somehow CDR Prigmore was able to drive me back to the ship without incident. As CDR Prigmore might have said, “Here endith the lesson for today.” 1/c Cruise by Bob Armour (16). I went over to the Med on USS Des Moines, then shifted to USS Albany, one of the first two missile cruisers. Coming back, we were dropped off at Souda Bay, flown to Port Lyautey, Morocco in a Flying Box Car (where mine and several other Sea Bags were stolen) and from there by R5D (DC4) at 199 MPH to the Azores, Greenland, and, finally, to Maryland. This was my first flight across the Atlantic. Interesting, my first flight across the Pacific was in 1970 from Constellation to Danang (C2), to Subic Bay (C130) and then another 199 MPH R5D to Hawaii where I caught a 707 to San Diego.

Med Cruise 1958, by Ray Howell (16). In June of 1958, my group was transported from USNA to the Mediterranean on a DD, as our assigned ships, DDEs, were already there. We were passengers with no

duty assignments. About midway across, a crew member contracted appendicitis, and our ship ran ahead at high speed to Gibraltar for his hospitalization. This provided us a day to explore. I was assigned as Navigator, and enjoyed “navigating” the Med. We then met our ships, and traveled east to Piraeus Greece, port for Athens. We spent 3-4 days, touring Athens and other areas. We then proceeded back west, through the Straits of Messina, to Naples, where we were scheduled for a week of training, and a 3-4 day trip to Rome. 1/C Cruise During the Lebanon Crisis, by Walt Wynn (11). I was attached to USS THREADFIN (SS 410) out of KWEST for our 1/c cruise. We were in GTMO when the flare went up about Lebanon. On that day, the XO and I had stayed ashore to go to the PX. I bought a rod and reel and another thing or two. When we got back to the pier, after the sub tied up pandemonium was apparent. The CO, CDR Don Millar, asked Jim Collins (the other mid) and me if we should stay aboard for a war patrol and we both said yes. Meanwhile the supply officer had ordered stores, the weapons officer had ordered war shot torpedoes and things were bustling on the pier. We prepared to offload practice torpedoes and onload supplies when we received a FLASH message to return to KWEST immediately. We lit off all engines and singled up ready to depart. Once everyone was onboard, we pulled out of GTMO leaving everything on the pier and headed back to KWEST on the surface at full speed. I had the morning watch as JOOD on the bridge. We were headed NNW having rounded Cuba’s east side when we saw in the northern sky what we found out later was a missile launch from Cape Canaveral. That was the only exciting thing we saw, and THREADFIN was not called for war patrol. As a result, Jim Collins and I resumed our pleasant 1/c cruise, rewrote the cruise manual to be appropriate for subs (no type M boilers for example), snorkeled from my Vespa motor scooter around KWEST, went deep sea fishing from the admiral’s barge and enjoyed life in submarines for the rest of the cruise. My parents drove down from Gainesville to pick me up for summer leave. When we got to Miami or thereabouts, we heard on the car radio about the brief message from the USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) to the CNO “NAUTILUS 90 NORTH.” This had been a top secret operation to bolster US military and technical achievements after the Navy’s Vanguard rockets had blown up on the launch pads.

TAPS

Captain Bill Clautice (3) died on 14 June 2020, after 12 years with Parkinson’s Disease and complications from a near drowning event several months prior. Early in his Navy career, he served on the destroyer USS SARSFIELD and the diesel submarine USS BASHAW. He then joined the nuclear power submarine force and served on the

USS SAM RAYBURN, USS WILL ROGERS, Instructor Staff at the Naval Submarine School, USS DACE, and as Executive Officer of the USS GEORGE C. MARSHALL. Captain Clautice served in three command positions: Naval Ordnance Test Unit (Cape Canaveral, FL), Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific (Bangor, WA), and Naval Research Laboratory (Washington D.C). Following his Navy retirement in 1989, he served as a consultant to Atlantic Research Corporation and Coleman Research Corporation, and as Vice President for Dynamic Research Corporation. Memorial service was held in June 2020 and inurnment at USNA was scheduled for 26 July 2021.

Hugh (Dusty) Rhodes (23) passed peacefully on 2 October 2020 with his family by his side. Hugh attended University of Tulsa for two years prior to USNA. After graduation from USNA he was transferred to Pensacola for flight training. Dusty then served for ten years prior to leaving the Navy. He lived a full and adventurous life and was known as an avid golfer, soccer coach, military veteran and businessman. Dusty’s ashes will be inurned at USNA, and a Celebration of his life will take place at a later date.

Harry J. Brock, Jr (23) passed away peacefully in the presence of family on 15 July 2021, at Penn Highlands Elk, following a brief illness. Harry was born in 1933. He graduated high school in 1951, enlisted in the Navy where he served for two years and then reported to USNA as a member of the class of 1959. Following graduation, he chose to serve in the Supply Corps, with his first duty as Supply Officer on the USS Putnam, and then Disbursement Officer at the U.S. Navy Propellant Plant in Indian Head, Maryland. Harry chose to leave the Navy in 1963 when he took a job as part of the Controller’s Staff of Corning Glass Works. He then worked for several companies in positions involving data management, sales engineering, and sales management before retiring in 1995. Burial services were held on 19 July 2021.

John Knief (2) passed away suddenly in his home on 5 May 2021. After high school, John completed 2 years at Menlo College and 17 months enlisted in the Marine Corps. At USNA, John participated in several sports and set a record in Steeplechase. Following graduation from USNA, he was commissioned in the Marine Corps and reported to Flight School in Pensacola FL where he became a Marines Corps pilot. A few years later, he Settled in the San Francisco area, working for Social Services for 55 years, retiring in 2019.

Jean McCall, wife of Peter McCall (11), passed away on 27 June 2021. She was born and raised in Alabama and graduated from University of Alabama with a degree in History. Jean began her teaching career in Columbus, Georgia, but it was a teaching assignment at a TV station in Jacksonville, Florida, where she encountered fellow teacher, Peter McCall, who would become the love of her life. Jean and Peter married in 1967 and settled in Gainesville, FL when Peter was awarded a fellowship for graduate school at UF.

In Gainesville they raised a family and built their teaching careers. Jean taught social studies classes for 43 years - first at Howard Bishop Middle School and then at Loften High School. Jean earned her Doctor of Education degree from UF in 1988. In the course of her career, Jean had the distinction of being named Alachua County Public School’s Teacher of the Year. She was also awarded two Fulbright Scholarships for educators, one to Italy in 1986 and later, to Tanzania and Zambia in 1992.

When the McCall’s retired in 2003, they visited many spots in Europe, South America and even as far away as Tibet. They loved seeing new places and also had many adventures traveling the US with their grandsons, Joaquin and Simon.

Memorial service was held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, July 19th.

Sharon Jeanne Udebrock, wife of Jack Udebrock (14), passed away at home in Gaylord, Michigan on 14 June 2021, after a long illness. Born in August 1939 in Detroit, Michigan, she graduated from Berkeley High School in 1957. Sharon married Jack Udebrock in December 1959. They lived in several locations while Jack was an officer in the Navy, later returning to Berkeley. She went on to attend the Carnegie Institute where she received her Associate Degree as a Certified Medical Assistant in 1977. Sharon worked as a nurse at several doctors’ offices in Southfield and Troy, Michigan. Having been part-time residents at their Michaywe home in Gaylord since 1982, they became full time residents in 2000.

Memorial service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gaylord on 26 June 2021

60/61 CLASS NEWS ’60

Life Membership: 69% Donor Participation: 20.98%

Pres: RADM Peter G. Chabot, USN (Ret.) p: 443-624-0094; e: pgchabot60@gmail.com Vice Pres: CAPT Douglas M. Johnston Jr., USNR (Ret.) Treas: CAPT Geoege W. Dowell III, USN (Ret.) Sec’y: Bill Lewis 1300 S Hwy A1A Unit 508, Jupiter, FL 33477 p: 804-334-6353; e: bilewis@comcast.net Web Master: Richard Harper p: 805-583-1640; e: Richard.Harper@1960.USNA.com Website: http://www.1960.usnaclasses.net

Another reminder – Check out the Class Web page. New/Old news as well as early details on upcoming events such as the future minireunions with latest details. Do you have a sea story to pass on? The perfect place for it.

I recently heard from Jay Newbern (8): “Hi Bill, Glad to see you’re grinding along. And with a lot of recent caution, we have too, still in Ponte Vedra Beach (PV) (home of the TPC, where Don Boecker (15) bumped into me.

A couple of years ago I saw PV High School play three lacrosse playoff games and couldn’t fathom the substitution scheme(s) or scoring plays because the has game evolved. They were leaner and seemingly faster than our players and highly ranked nationally. Army got their goalie that year. The next season, after they finished #1 in the country, they took a road trip to Baltimore and played Boys Latin, losing big, like 6-20 or something. I heard Navy got this year’s PV goalie. See the pattern? PV frequently has the #1 FL school system so it’s a good recruiting area. BTW, Rip and Tom Mitchell ’61, started the game in CA, and it’s in lots of places if you care to see something good with young people.”

Bob Towle (8) had a funny story about his dog back in the June Shipmate, and my lady friend and I recently got a terrier mix. The pup stays in my condo and about 0730, I text the lady when we’re walking the 100 yards to her condo for coffee, and when she comes out I release GiGi, who sprints over for a treat, leash trailing. So the condo rule to keep dogs leashed - are we in violation? Whatever…. When we go out in the middle of the night, we hear four gators grunting - it’s still mating season. One got to be 5’8” so a trapper harvested it. They’re protected, so there are many more than when I was young. That’s not all. The state has special hunts for these 20’ pythons descended from some nut’s pet.

Finally, with no reunion, a recent activity has been reading The First Thirty Years, I recommend doing that to all to remember faces from cruises, teams and years in the Fleet. Congratulations to classmates for your good services. Reading your histories has been gratifying here in our twilight. Jay

From Rod Friedman (5): M Bill, we just enjoyed our July Class Luncheon at the Le Yaca French Restaurant in Williamsburg graciously hosted by our Williamsburg gang (Bob Osmon (17), Al Whitaker (16), Pete Chabot (14), Bob Antonio (14), Dick Hamon (8) & Jack Suddath (6)). Attendees from the South side included: Bob Ianucci (16), Rod Friedmann (5) and Ed Clexton (10) (who somehow avoided a speeding ticket). Le Yaca is a consistently fine restaurant, with an outstanding bill of fare and service.

Pete provided a good summary of the class events based on the results of the Class Survey completed by the Committee. These Class events are in lieu of reunions at Annapolis. Next month’s luncheon will be held at the Dockside restaurant in Virginia Beach. This a repeat by popular request.

We have four members on the Binnacle List: Tom Inderlied (21), Paul Cooper (5), Bob Powers (8), Joe Febel (5). Please keep them in your prayers.

USNA CANDIDATES

Start the youngster you know on the road to USNA. To request infor or apply online, visit usna.edu/Admissions

’60: Tidewater group

Pete’s presentation to Tidewater group

Bill, attached are some photos from the luncheon for possible inclusion in SHIPMATE. Rod

We also heard from our “World Class Marbleer (I think that’s right) Jim “Tug” Knorr (20). Tug sent a picture and information which I will paraphrase. He attended an annual championship event in Pasadena, California (Takes dedication). Pasadena had an official Marble Rink upon which the event was held. The two champions (King & Queen) were a pair of 14-year-olds from Allegheny and Ambler PA. There was an Alumni Champ, which must mean a former, but now older champion. Tug, as “Anchor man” ended up in last place but being the oldest participant by over 30 years must earn points in the “senior or master” category.

Finally, Tug feels that a ground swell of support should generate in the Annapolis

Area so that an official Marble Rink can be made available to future local marbaleers. With some support from a Concrete company and some local company donations, Annapolis could have a world class Marble Rink as well. In the meantime, Tug awaits 2023 when he will play in the National Marble 100th anniversary Tourney in Wildwood, NJ (Alumni bracket).

With the future Mini reunion coming up in Sarasota, I’ll be putting information in the column from time to time. Hopefully, if you check the class web page any late breaking news will be available there as well. Information will be available at any time and getting it to you in a timely manner is what we will try to do as best we can.

’61

Life Membership: 71% Donor Participation: 21.20%

Pres: RADM Jerome F. Smith Jr., USN (Ret.) Corr Sec’y: . RADM E. S. (Skip) McGinley II, USN (Ret) 1935 Independence Ave., Melbourne, FL 32940 p: 321-622-4640; c: 202-549-2472 e: skip.mcginley@1961.USNA.com; skipmcginley@cfl.rr.com Webmaster: Howard Winfree e: winfree@1961.usna.com Website: www.USNA61.org

This comes from Ken Craig: M “My father had command of the USS SABLE In 1942, I believe that was the year. We lived in Chicago, the city fathers found us a wonderful suite at the Edgewater Hotel for a modest rent for the time we were there. Housing was very scarce due to the expansion of the war effort so we were exceedingly fortunate.

The ship was berthed at the Navy Pier right downtown on the waterfront of Lake Michigan. The SABLE trained hard all year long including during the very cold winters. There were many landing accidents in those days training new pilots on their carrier qualifications. The Navy with the help of commercial salvors are now recovering many of these wrecks from the bottom of the lake. Since it is fresh water and very cold, there has been very little corrosion on these aircraft and they are now very rare. Naval aircraft always remain the property of the government and cannot be raised without the Navy’s permission. I remember quite clearly my Dad taking me to visit the ship. We toured the engine room and the machinery for the paddle wheels which were huge and to a 4-yearold kid frightening as heck. It was a good tour for our family as Dad was home. Ken”

From Skip McGinley: M When I was serving as the WEPS Officer on my second diesel boat (the USS RUNNER, SS476), we made a PR trip from Norfolk to Chicago, via the St. Lawrence Seaway. It was Spring of 1963.

It was a very interesting trip, through numerous locks (especially to get up the Niagra escarpment). Along the way, we had large crowds (it was summer), high school bands, cheerleaders, etc. all along the way. A Navy PR guy followed us in a Navy unmarked car and drummed up spectators along the way. He was good at it. We traversed every one of the Great lakes except for Lake Superior, even making a stop at Green Bay, where we watched the Packers working out, and talked with their even then famous coach.

When we arrived at Chicago, we were met by the Mayor and his entourage, along with large crowds of people. After a bit, we opened the sub up for tours. I had the watch that day, and the crowds were unending. However, about halfway through the tours, one of the lady visitors got stuck in the hatch leading from Officer Quarters to the Forward Torpedo Room. I had the duty and saw it all from the wardroom. We tried to squeeze her through, but she wouldn’t budge. So, I told the Torpedomen in the forward Torpedo Room to break out a grease gun, and I got one from the engineers back aft. After greasing her all up where she was stuck, she eventually slipped through without too much fuss. However, now she had to make it vertically up through the forward lockout chamber hatches. So, here we go again…it worked better this time, as these hatches were a little wider. Soon she was topside, and I followed her up. She was mortified, as you would expect. I calmed her down and told her that she was NOT the first one to get stuck in our hatches. She seemed to calm down, was apologetic, which I told her was NOT necessary, and eventually she walked ashore.

While we were there, we rescued one downed pilot who had crashed into Lake Michigan. He was more surprised than anything else, when he saw a SUBMARINE coming over to rescue him, in Lake Michigan…??

These “aircraft carriers” were actually originally passenger ships. Two of them were converted into makeshift aircraft carriers, in record time. They provided few services to their aircraft, but they carried fuel and some basic tools to keep operations going, once they were “at lake.” They were serving mainly as training ships for the aviators, in a MUCH safer environment than off either coast, where everything would be threatened by the enemy. I think you can move the photos around, if you want to get a better view.

’61:

’62

Life Membership: 75% Donor Participation: 17.78%

Pres: CDR Walter F. Welham Jr., USN (Ret.) p: 703-501-1665; e: wwelham@aol.com Sec’y: Robert Giles 1749 Baldwin Dr., Millersville, MD 21108 p: 301-395-4379; e: robert.giles@gmail.com

Joseph R. John reports his pending resignation from The Board of The Combat Veterans for Congress PAC and is looking for his own replacement. If you really want to serve your country this is a tremendous opportunity. M On June 25th, I experience symptoms of the COVID-19; I was taken to Scripps ER on June 29th, examined, and released and told to return if my condition worsened. Two days later I was transported back to Scripps ER in an Emergency Medical Service Vehicle, tested positive for the COVID-19 and admitted for treatment to The Scripps Hospital. I was treated by three different doctors with normal medication, was never on a ventilator and after excellent normal medical treatment was released on July 6th. The hospital assigned a doctor and, a physical therapist to work with me at home every week, and an Occupational Therapist who makes house calls. I am getting stronger by the day, eating three protein based meals daily, have gone back on my vitamin regime, am now back at lifting weights daily and I’m doing my physical therapy exercises daily.

When I get a little stronger, I am planning to do more to support Combat Veterans running for Congress. I would certainly be available to help and support a replacement Chairman. Please visit the website for information if interested: https://www.CombatVeteransForCongress.org

Or https://www.facebook.com/ combatveteransforcongress?ref=hl

Joseph R. John, USNA ’62

Capt USN(Ret)/Former FBI

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” -Isaiah 6:8 Everyone keeps telling me that this job of Class Secretary is difficult. Well, it takes some thought, a plan and a lot of follow through, but the return on my investment is the enjoyment of working with our Classmates now as adults.

I have met some I didn’t know even existed and like in the month’s article Joe and I were in the same Battalion, so that’s where we met. Then Earl and I both came to the

CLASS SECRETARY COLUMN DEADLINES

Send to: classnews@usna.com 2022

ISSUE: DUE DATE: Jan-Feb ’22 Nov 29, 2021 Mar-Apr ’22 Jan 24, 2022 May ’22 Feb 22, 2022 June ’22 Mar 28, 2022 July-Aug ’22 May 26, 2022 September ’22 Jun 27, 2022 October ’22 Jul 25, 2022 Nov-Dec ’22 Sep 25, 2022

Academy from Griffin, Georgia where Earl and I were both on the track team for three years together. So I more or less already knew their stories, but I learned a lot more by reading their current submittal, and they both have a lot more to tell. Now, its Earl’s turn, so enjoy it. I would almost bet that Earl has more Academic Degrees than any other Classmate. Accept the challenge, tell us about your academic achievements.

Now for a few words from Earl Wheeler. M Greetings from not so sunny Florida. This is my 60 year follow-up to a letter for Shipmate that I started almost 60 years ago but never finished. Not much has happened since then but here is a not so brief synopsis.

After graduation I was assigned to a decrepit AKA homeported in Norfolk. I reported full of enthusiasm which took a crushing blow as soon as I came aboard and was slammed again when I met the XO (the Captain was never aboard except when underway, he came aboard just as the brow was being brought aboard and left before it was solidly on the pier.) The XO, a knurly mustang, let me know immediately that he had no use for Academy graduates. We were to get underway early the next morning and I was to be on the bridge so that he could evaluate my navigational skills and that I was to be first wave leader in a landing exercise that was to take place one day hence. Of course, I had missed all the briefings and planning that had taken place earlier. Navigating the ship out of port and to our rendezvous and subsequent station off the beach was a piece of cake. All I knew, which was nothing, about landing of troops ashore was what I had learned 2/C summer at TRAMID. That night I remembered watching a movie on a date when I was in high school. The movie I recalled was Away All Boats, starring Jeff Chandler. Mostly I was interested with scoring with the girl but I must have seen some of the movie. Thanks to Jeff I was able to display my identification boards, arm signal circle, when the first flare from the control boat went up to signal line abreast and on the second dual flares signal the line to shore. Everything went OK; when I eventually returned to the ship the heavies all congratulated me and afterward the XO pretty much left me alone while he dealt with the most disreputable bunch of misfit officers I have ever seen.

Eventually I hauled my new wife to Pensacola where my most noteworthy accomplishment was to take part in the destruction of a naval aircraft by having it bury me in flaming wreckage.

Blessedly I managed to dig my way out (see the tunnel in picture) with assistance of my survival knife (which I still have) and go back and help the GIB out. This happened on a Friday and the Navy in all its wisdom had me out solo very early Monday morning. (Now they require a mandatory 30-day time out.) As luck would have it, I had an unsafe gear indicator and made my first post-accident, solo landing to a foamed field.

Many of you who were in flight school at the time may have memory of these events. After that the next year or so in flight school it seemed pretty uneventful.

I picked patrol after flight school because in 1963 they were the only ones flying real operational flights against a potential enemy (the Soviet Union had lots of subs close aboard the US for those of you with short memories.) Assigned to a squadron in Jacksonville, I deployed to Bermuda (paradise at the time) Azores, Norway. Someone with no brains decided to prepare a squadron to mine rivers in North Vietnam. We came home early from Norway and started flying high, speed low level (50 ft) flights up and down the rivers of Florida, endearing ourselves to the fishermen. Of course all the LCDRs in the squadron thought it best that the junior plane commanders get that training opportunity and eventual operational experience of such flights. Off we went to Sangley Point, RPI where the mines were ocated. Fortunately some genius decided that a P3 or P2 was likely to be only AA practice targets for NVA gunners and we spent time in RPV, Thailand and PI flying coastal recon of north and south Vietnam and a few other totally inappropriate things for P3s that didn’t get recorded or officially recognized.

Immediately on leaving that squadron, I had orders to USNA as a Company Officer. Unbelievable; me, who probably had grease standings lower than we had graduates, a Company Officer. Best job I ever had – mostly great midshipmen in my company, got to fly when I wanted to, was Officer Representative of the Antiphonal Choir and when Prof. Gilly took sick I became director and performed at St. Patricks’ Cathedral and Fifth Avenue Presbyterian and several times at the National Cathedral. I had no idea what I was doing but thanks to the midshipmen it went well. Lots of classmates CO there at the time. I think 13 while I was there.

Getting a little long so the rest is very condensed. After four weeks of damage control school, four weeks of firefighting school and four months of various NTDS and operation schools I went to the JFK as assistant operations officer. In short order I was OOD and CDO underway, ships TAO, COD god, the only summary Court Martial and was kept pretty busy by a couple of great Cos and some pretty poor XOs on 2 med cruises that lasted a total of 22 months, then off to Monterey and grad school. Slipped out of there with a couple of masters degrees and went as Ops to a squadron in Hawaii. I was also designated a SWO, so had two warfare designations. Deployments to PI, Guam, Thailand, Diego Garcia and stayed Ops O, until short toured after 30 months to the USS ENTERPRISE where my OpsO on the JFK was CO. Great Skipper. Did back to back tours on the Big E where among other duties I was the senior SWO.

Next up was University of Florida where I was nominally XO of the NROTC unit (a job one could do in an hour on Monday and an hour on Friday) and managed to knock off a couple of PhDs to match the MS degrees and began to teach in both the Education School and the Civil Engineering departments. I was extended at UF NROTC because the Navy could not find a suitable candidate for the job, and then was on medical leave for a year or so, then retired.

I stayed on at UF for several years of teaching, and post-doc research then moved on to a faculty position at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. I moved to my present location on Fleming Island (an ancient mud flat in the St. Johns River). In a short few years I was a tenured full professor, and at various times served as a

’62: The “JO Jungle” on USS Nimitz, with Ross and Joel, and many others.

department chairman, program chairman and Speaker of the Faculty Senate. I also taught a residential semester each year for several years at University de Madrid, in Singapore and in Thessaloniki, Greece. Best of all I was forced to live semesters at a time on Maui, all the time teaching only one graduate course at a time. In 2012 I retired from the University and in short order closed up my consulting businesses. At that point I had worked full time for 60 years, having had every day, full time after school, and summer jobs since 5th grade until arriving at USNA.

The highlight of each year for many years has been getting together with Bill Heine and Barry (Bugs) Ketner and sailing out of Newport on Bill’s boat, Frolic. We missed last year because of Covid travel restrictions and this year is problematic. I look forward to seeing classmates at our 60th reunion.

Earl is going to the Hospital on 3 August to have a Pacemaker installed so his heart will beat with more regularity.You might give him a call and checkup on him. It is always fun to visit with Earl.

Send me your memory treasures so I can publish them in Shipmate.

Bob Giles.’62

’63

Life Membership: 62% Donor Participation: 19.46%

Pres: CAPT W. Spencer Johnson IV, USN (Ret.) Sec’y: Michael H. Shelley 27 Cambridge Dr., Brevard, NC 28712 p: 828-506-2201; e: nstar@citcom.net Website: www.USNA63.org

Since my last report we have learned of the deaths of three members of the Class of 1963.

Charles N. Calvano passed away on 30 June. Chuck’s widow, Kathi, can be contacted at 3008 Reliant Street, Ft. Collins, CO 80524.

James E. Leeper died on 30 June. Speed’s widow, Janet, can be contacted at 50 Shore Boulevard, Keansburg, NJ 07734.

Jack G. Dranttel passed away on 19 July. His widow, Mary Jo, can be contacted at 5203 Willow Links, Sarasota, FL 34235.

Please visit the Last Call section of our web site to see their obituaries and other information about their lives. Chuck and Speed, who died on the same day, were in the 10th, and later the 8th, Companies together.

“Sir, the Class of 2025 is formed!” Candidates for the class arrived at the Naval Academy in late June. Our classmate and former faculty member Eli Dabich tells us why this Induction Day was a major event for his family. M On June 30, almost 62 years to the day that our class was inducted into the Naval Academy, Eileen and I had the distinct pleasure of watching our grandson, Benjamin Dabich, take the oath and be inducted along with approximately 1,185 classmates.

Eileen worked many Induction Days when she worked for the Naval Academy Alumni Association but this one was special since our grandson is a member of the class of 2025. She volunteered to work again on Induction Day and was able to check Ben in at the Alumni Association table. After the class swearing-in, I had the opportunity to do a private ceremonial swearing in at Smoke Hall. It was a very proud day for both of us. In this picture (L-R) are six proud members of the Dabich family: me, Eileen, Samantha, Charles, Benjamin ‘25 and Marsha.

The Dabich family on I-Day for the Class of 2025

We have never seen the yard so crowded. Tents along Stribling Walk and in front of Mahan Hall and food trucks spread around the Yard. It was extremely hot that day so the opportunity to have food and water close by was helpful. With so many families in attendance, I’m left wondering who is really going to the Naval Academy – the parents or their child.

When I was teaching plebe Chemistry, we would have a Dark Ages party in February at our house on the Eastern Shore. We would invite four or five midshipmen, classmates, family and friends who were in the military so they could meet the new plebes. We also used this party as a fund raiser for Wounded Warriors. Looks like we will have the opportunity to resurrect our Dark Ages Party. John Peterson, who was photography editor of The Log magazine at USNA, has sent me a number of old photoprints from our midshipman days. I will scan some of them for use in future Shipmate columns. John also told me about the fabulous employment he had for several years until the pandemic intervened. M For the past seven years Jeannie and I have had an incredible job as onboard representatives for associations of cruise travel consultants, Distinctive Voyages and Virtuoso. That, of course, came to an abrupt halt with the well-publicized disaster of the virus infections but not before we had logged 15 cruises ranging from ten to 80 days with groups up to 170 people on the longer cruises. Bill and Jennifer Earner were on one cruise with us down the Brazilian coast.

Prior to the cruising gig, we had a sailboat for eight years in Southern Turkey near Bodrum and cruised most of the Eastern Aegean from Kusadasi to Marmaris and the Greek islands in between . We had numerous friends and family joining, Sandy Stoddard, Bill Umphrey and Jim Oakes among them. We sold the boat just as the big ship cruising bit was starting up but, perhaps more importantly, before the diaspora of refugees started flowing westward and really impacting the whole cruising economy in that area.

John and Jeannie Peterson in London

When not sailing or cruising, we have maintained our residence in Central California, Pebble Beach, where I have focused on a 30 plus year house remodel plan. Far from over, it keeps me active and is a testimonial to my dear wife’s tolerance for drywall dust and tools scattered throughout the house. We moved here after spending a wonderful seven years in Northern Italy where I worked for NATO at a center focused on underwater research. I still do a lot of local hiking and backpack for a week every year (26 trips for me) with a small group of aging hikers in the Sierras, Sandy Stoddard, Dave Moore and Phil Marsden each joining up for a period. Life is good.

Watt Miles sent this good news note from Norfolk, VA. M I was at the annual USNAAA Hampton Roads Chapter annual meeting and luncheon today, 30 June. The speaker was retired ADM Mark Ferguson ‘78, who is the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alumni Association. In his short oral presentation one of the points he singled out for praise was the ‘63 Center for Academic Excellence. He noted that “in the old days” help was Extra Instruction or a classmate who hardly knew more than you did. Now, the CAE is staffed with professionals and the graduation rate is over 90 percent, the highest it has ever been. He said the CAE had 50,000 midshipman visits this past year.

The Fifth Company is having its’ quint-annual mini-reunion in Charleston 14-17 October. We plan to watch the Memphis game on TV in a sports bar and partake of finer culinary treats later in the festivities. A visit to Patriots Point Naval

Museum is also on the agenda. Some alcohol may be consumed and some sea stories may be told. Fortunately, we are reaching the age when we can’t remember from one reunion to the other what we have heard, so they are all ever-new. Our OAOs are very patient women.

Bonus comment. Our 60th Reunion is coming up in two years. I always thought it would take longer to get to this point. During our plebe year the Class of 1899 was at their 60-year point.

Ken Sanger writes from his home in northern Idaho to report time well spent with a classmate. M Ray and Judy Kutch moved to Coeur d’Alene, ID, in October 2020. On July 18, they paid a visit to me and Dawn Leeds at The Idaho Club near Sandpoint, ID, where Dawn and I reside. We enjoyed a lengthy brunch on the deck of the clubhouse restaurant next to the Pack River. It was a beautiful day with the quiet regularly broken by the arrival of firefighting helos, as they swooped in to scoop water from nearby Lake Pend Oreille. The fires were a few miles east and not threatening to us.

North Idaho now is home to three members of ’63: Ray, Pete Optekar, and me. Dawn and I have abandoned part-time in California to reside permanently in Idaho, though there will be an occasional escape from bad weather to Saint George, Utah.

Ray and Judy Kutch, Ken Sanger, and Dawn Leeds

Checking in from San Diego, Phillip Marsden reports on the resumption of a tradition by our classmates there.

M There was a good turnout of local ‘63 classmates at the resumption of our concert in the park gatherings on a warm and beautiful Coronado day. We really enjoyed the opportunity to see and catch up with each other in person after two long years. This picture shows the attendees. Standing are Lee and Sue Cargill, Ted Krohne, Jim Oakes, Kay Krohne, Gail and Vern Von Sydow, Martha and Phillip Marsden, and Ron Wills. Seated in front are Karl and Marirose Kozak, Jim Oakes’ friend Suzanne Fuqua, and Dee Wills. Unfortunately Dave Meyers arrived too late to be in the photo! A second gathering is planned for August. That’s a wrap for this month. Why don’t you take a few minutes soon to send me an email about your recent activities? A photo or two will be most welcome. We need your participation to keep this news exchange full and lively. Thanks!

QUALITY —- ‘63

’63 Gathering in the Coronado park

’64

Life Membership: 64% Donor Participation: 20.53%

Pres: CAPT Micheal Farmer, USN (Ret.) e: farmer.mike@comcast.net Corr Sec’y: Roland Marquis 333 Valverde Ln., St. Augustine, FL 32086 p: 847-970-7562; e: bigroland1@comcast.net Website: www.usna64.org

This month’s column suffers from a serious dearth of material! Surely there’s got to be stuff all of you would like to pass on to your clasmates – C’mon Guys!

We start with a short note and photo from Doug Cutter: “Here’s a picture of Ken Middleton and me at Bushnell National Cemetary, participating in the annual placement of flags to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Ken provided the entertainment, I did the manual labor, along with several hundred other hardy souls. Ken and I started out as next door ‘roommates’ plebe summer, served in two squadrons together, and now are neighbors in The Villages, Fl. Needless to say, we have a few good stories about each other. But, as he keeps reminding me, his stories are more ‘juicy’ than mine!

Doug and Ken at Bushnell National Cemetery

The Hon. Bernie Maguire (Now there’s a name we haven’t heard from in a while!) recently sent in a clipping he found in the The Villages Daily Sun reporting on Joe Neal’s eight continuous participation in the annual Tampa Bay Frogman Swim. This year Joe did it both in support of the Navy Seal Foundation and to honor a recently deceased fellow USN O6 comrade. The article, written by Daily Sun Staff Writer Bill Thompson, describes the event as a 5K journey across the bay to raise money for the nation’s elite warriors and Gold Star families.

Registration for the Frogman Swim opens each year exacty on 6 August, a date of special meaning within the Seal Commmunity according to event director Kurt Ott. On 6 August 2011, Taliban rebels, armed with rocket propelled granades, downed a Chinook CH-47 near Kabul killing all aboard including 15 Seal Team 6 members, which three months earlier had killed Osama bin Laden.

Frogman Joe trying to catch his breath following his 5K swim

In 2016, the Frogman Swim folks recognized Joe’s enthusiasm for the cause presenting him with its Captain Joe Doolittle Spirit Award given to the swimmer who captures the attitude of the namesake who participated in the first year’s event in 2010. “Joe Neal is not only a great guy but one of our most passionate supporters and fundraisers” said Ott, “He has also been our oldest swimmer each year. This is not an easy swim for anyone and he crushed it at 78. He shows us the lifestyle we should all strive to live.”.

This year Joe dedicated his effort to his longtime friend Navy Captain Norm Olsen. Olsen, 89, was a Villages resident who passed away last year. He was a legend within the Seal Community as the first Seal to command a shore installation and was the founding director of both the National Seal-UDT

Museum in Fort Pierce and the Seal Foundation headquartered in Viginia. In 2019, Capt. Olsen was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame.

Joe was thrilled when Joe Whitson, Norm’s son-in-law, joined the Frogmen Swim in his father-inlaw’s place. “It was so neat to have a member of Norm’s family there and be a part of it.” he said.

Just as worthwhile, he added, was being presented his medal for finishing by a Gold Star mother.

We close this month with the recognition this year marks 246 years of the U.S. Army serving and defending our country. No matter the challenges the Army has faced along with our nation, Army Soldiers and Civilians have had the courage and patriotism to answer the call to serve. Accordingly, it is appropriate we call on our resident poet Ted Lyster to commemorate the occasion.

BAND OF BROTHERS

It’s 6 AM on Monday

Time to quit the bed.

Pull on boots and get some coffee Then get the horses fed.

Finish up the morning chores And grab my coat and hat. Start the truck and head to town ‘Cause Jake’ is where it’s at!

It’s time for Band of Brothers,

Best way to start the week With men (and women) who swore to serve And help protect the weak.

These are my “real life” heroes,

But you could never tell That they have served around the world, And some spent time in Hell.

Each one stood and took an oath To rid the world of strife, To serve and fight for country, Perhaps to give their life.

It is a band of brothers, My heroes, one and all. It’s an honor to be one of them. It helps me to stand tall! Fair winds and a quartering sea, classmates

.

’65

Life Membership: 64% Donor Participation:44.22%

Pres: CAPT Jim Minderlein, USN (Ret.) e: jimm65@verizon.net Corr Sec’y: CDR Dave Anderson, USN (Ret.) 1600 Ala Moana Blvd. #2208, Honolulu, HI 96815 c: 816-621-0878; e: daveand65@me.com; daveand65@earthlink.net Class of 1965 Home Page: http://www.daveand65.com/USNA65/ https://daveand65.wixsite.com/usna65photos

First some news from Jim Minderlein on 14 Jul about Paul Michelson’s funeral service. The funeral service and interment for Paul was held this morning at the Naval Academy Chapel and Columbarium. There was a large gathering of family and friends in attendance including a good turnout of classmates. Paul’s daughter, Holly, eulogized her father with very heartfelt and moving words and just the right amount of humor. There was a beautiful wreath of flowers on the altar from the 11th Company thanks to Ron Bishop. Classmates present were Charlie Morrison, Ted Nanz, Sam Dutrow, Bob Green, Chip Seymour, Jeff and Deirdre Gaugush, Mike Malone, Dan Mitchell, Phil Ferrara, Doug Norton, Bill Matton, Andy and Shelley Prince, Bob Andretta, Rich and Missy Harden, Art Wittig and myself and Diann. Chip Seymour took some good pictures and sent them to Ron Bishop. A very nice reception followed the interment at the newly renovated Naval Academy Club. May Paul Rest in Peace.

From Pete Lumianski, 07 Jun

Chris and I just returned from a ten-day trip to California – Singing Hills Golf Resort in El Cajon, then a week in our Newport Beach timeshare. Most of the time we were fogged in, very little sunlight, temp around 70 degrees, so freezing for us desert lizards. We used up some of our beach time visiting friends, among them, classmates Bob Gosnell, Denny McComb and Mike Dudine and their significant others, Shoni Blevin, Karen McComb and Cheekie Dudine. We’re never sure what to make of California, but it’s a change of pace from AZ, so we keep coming once a year. Pete

From Mike Epprecht. 02 Jul

Our class has sponsored and organized in the past two great cruises with our classmates, spouses, family members and friends. On the first cruise we had so much fun that we were exiled to the back of the dining room. Many of you have asked what is next? Well, first we will have our 55th reunion scheduled for this Labor Day Weekend and then the calendar is open. The purpose of this email is to solicit your input regarding future events. We are doing this before the reunion so that we can use that time to refine the options. I produced a survey, with which to gather your thoughts. We would ask that only those classmates actually intending to participate in these events complete this survey. We are looking forward to your feedback and a great time at our reunion. If you didn’t get Mike’s email on this with the survey form, please contact him at mike.epprecht65@gmail.com and he’ll send it to you.

From Phil Ferrara, 07 Jul

For July a hearty and rowdy crowd of 23 of our ’65 classmates gathered at McGarvey’s Saloon for lunch. The group is returning to its normal size! Jim Minderlein offered us a chance to buy a new model Bill the Goat and described the results of the Terwilliger exhibits in Ricketts Hall.

All 23 classmates received a gag gift to enhance their mental, gastronomical and grooming needs. Present at lunch were Sim Pace, Pat Philbin, Steve Mladineo, Charlie Morrison, Jim Stark, Phil Ferrara, Sam Dutrow, Jim Minderlein, Doug Katz, Carter Refo, Bob Andretta, Tom Kinder, Frog Kristensen, Ted Nanz, Bob Green, Skip Shealy, Doug Norton, Art Wittig, Frank Peterson, John Collins, Skip Orr, Bill Matton, and Jeff Gaugush. Everyone enjoyed seeing classmates they haven’t seen in many months, and none look a day older!!!

From Ted Nanz, 14 Jul

Ron Henderson and I were friends since plebe year. On long weekends we would go to DC by bus and stay at the Manger Annapolis Hotel that many of you may remember. After checking out we would wait at the DC Bus Station adjacent to the hotel and try to hook up with Mary Washington coeds waiting there to return to school. Ron was from Waukesha, Wisconsin and I was from Grand Rapids, Michigan across the lake from each other. Ron was an avid Packers fan and I was an avid Lions fan. Prior to June week Ron had bought a new VW

’65 Class lunch -7 July:

and drove it home dropping me off at East Lansing, Michigan to see an MSU girlfriend. During 1/C year he was in 18th company and I was in 16th company. From East Lansing I flew to Scarsdale, New York, met with my roommate Skip “Superman” Lane who had bought a new Ford Fairlane, visited a girlfriend at the College of New Rochelle, and rode back to USNA with Skip. During our reunions Ron and his wife Phyllis and my wife and I would enjoy meeting up again.

If any of you have lost touch with Ron and wish to contact him, his address is 3743 Beechway Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614. Ted

From Sted Garber, 21 Jul

Rand Paul who recently passed away was a long time member of the Rocky Mountain Rowing Club where he participated in a number of Masters National Championship regattas and always did very well. His crew mates at the club dedicated a shell to him at a nice ceremony this past spring. As part of the ceremony, the shell with his name on it put out to the water with seven in the crew and an empty spot in memory of Rand’s position. Continuing condolences to Susan on her – and the Class of ‘65’s loss. Blessings, Sted

From Phil Ferrara, 26 Jul

On Sunday, July 25th, three ‘65ers encountered each other at the USNA Chapel service. We gathered for a photo and to chat, then adjourned for some coffee and donuts. We see Linda and Phil Ferrara. Sonny and Judy Harrison and Dian and Jim Minderlein in the photo below.

Since the mailbag was particularly light this last month (July), I’ll tell you a little bit about Judy’s and my Great Northwest US Road Trip. We traveled from our second home in Independence, MO to the Omaha area in early July (for some family visits there) and then on to South Dakota for a stop by Pierre, SD to tour the state capitol building and then to the Black Hills. Spent two overnights in Deadwood taking in some of the historical sites and doing some biking along the Mickleson Trail and hiking up to the top of Black Elk Peak. Then on to Cody, WY for a lengthy tour of the Museum of the West there. The highlight of the trip was, of course, Yellowstone. We spent a whole day hiking and viewing the sights in the northern section of the park and exited through Gardiner. From there up to Helena for another state capitol building tour then down to Salt Lake City via Idaho Falls. Leaving the state capitol building at SLC, we figure we’ve now notched 40 of those we’ve visited, along with 47 of the 50 states. Eastward on Hwy 80, with stops at Fort Bridger, the Frontier Days Museum in Cheyenne, the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln and the Lewis and Clark Center near the Nebraska-Iowa border. Just the kind of trip Judy and I really enjoy – lots of nature, lots of history, lots of scenery!

Thazzit, guys! Aloha, D

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’66

Life Membership: 65% Donor Participation: 19.01%

Pres: Gen Carlton W. Fulford, USMC (Ret.) Sec’y: CDR Mike Baird, USN (Ret.) 10439 Rivington Ct., Lone Tree, CO 80124 e: mike.baird@1966.usna.com West Coast Sec’y: Robert G. Johnson Jr., Esq. 41391 Kalmia St., Ste. 210 Murrieta, CA 92562 Website: www.usna66.org

Wow! October already. It’s great to be back to some semblance of normalcy in dining out, shopping and sporting events. I don’t want to ever go back to that kind of shutdown. There has been reasonable activity so let’s get to it.

On Thursday, 15 July 2021, a group of local Tidewater `66ers welcomed Pierce Johnson and Chuck Grutzius to Norfolk for the annual awarding of the HUÉ CITY (CG—66) Outstanding Leadership Award for a Petty Officer. There was no Junior Officer (JO) award presented since there are only two officers assigned, the CO and XO. HUÉ CITY is out of commission with a crew numbering in the mid30s. HUÉ CITY is on the CNO’s list of ships to be decommissioned on 31 March 2022. Seven CGs are on the list for decom in 2022. There is also the possibility that Congress will not accept the CNO’s list to decom seven CGs, and HUÉ CITY may get a new lease on life and continue her modernization upgrade. The crew is tasked with maintaining the ship’s material condition until a final decision is made.

On Wednesday evening, Peggy and Charlie Pfeifer, Jim Powell, Joyce and Rob Ploeger, Kate and Pat Muldoon, Hank Strickland, and Fay and Tom Martin hosted Pierce at Rancho Grande for some great Mexican food and fantastic margaritas.

At 0930 on 16 July 2021, Pierce led the delegation of Chuck Grutzius, Rob Ploeger, Hank Strickland, and Charlie Pfeifer to the foot of pier 2 where each of us had a reserved parking spot with a van standing by to transport us from our parking spaces to the brow. Five Star service for sure! Pierce was welcomed aboard with proper honors by the CO, CDR Ethan Reber and the XO, LT Brian Skirvin. We were escorted to the flight deck for the presentation where we had an opportunity to interface with the crew. The Leadership Award for Superior Leadership by a Petty Officer was presented to GM2 (SW) Johnny J. Hoyos, USN. His outstanding accomplishments are listed in the letter he received from the Class, along with a framed certificate and a check for $200.00.

Since the ship is uninhabitable during its 3-year modernization overhaul, the crew has spaces ashore. After a tour of the ship,

’66: PRE-AWARD CEREMONY DINNER

we were transported to the ship’s ashore offices where we were treated to a fantastic buffet lunch with the entire crew and some of their families, providing plenty of time to interface with the crew in a more comfortable setting.

The hospitality and friendliness of the crew were outstanding. HUÉ CITY is a ship truly worthy of the hull number “66”. Pierce – Thanks for officiating. Chuck – Thanks for the great writeup and pics.

AWARD CEREMONY CLASSMATES Jim Persels provided the following picture of George Phillip, his father, and Rey Bald. The picture was taken at Rey’s house in April 2015. The significance is that Rey’s father and George’s father served together in WWII aboard ELLET (DD-398). ELLET was a Benham-class destroyer named for five members of the Ellet family who served during the American Civil War. Aboard ELLET, Rey’s father was the Senior Petty Officer, and George’s father was the ship’s Gunnery Officer. Great story. Thanks to Jim.

GEORGE AND REY WITH GEORGE’S DAD

In keeping with the story on Rey, Clay Spikes reported the following on Rey’s memorial service and interment. M Rey Bald’s Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) ceremony and inurnment occurred on 22 July 2021; two years after his passing, due to the pandemic. Representing the Class of 1966 were: Dominique and Andre Simonpietri; Nunna and Clay Spikes; Linda McCook (Kevin); and Kathy Madaleno (Rich). After the impressive ANC ceremony, members of the party adjourned to the Army-Navy Country Club for a celebration of Rey’s life. In attendance were Marcia Bald; son Michael; son Andre, and his family from Singapore; and daughter Rene and her family from Bonn, Germany. Rey’s sisters Aurely, Adrian, and Doreen, brother Frank, and their families also attended.”

Thanks for the report, Clay.

Charlie Cronan forwarded me an email from Irma Geib that Bill Geib (32) passed away at noon on 23 July 2021 after a long battle with brain cancer. His life was celebrated at The First Presbyterian Church of Manasquan NJ, Saturday, 31 July. In keeping with his wishes there will be an interment at the Naval Academy Columbarium in the future.

As I presented in the Class-wide message regarding the new Class web site, it is hoped that the site will become the source of information for the Class. Hopefully, everyone will use it to keep up with Class announcements and other news. This will become especially important as we near the 55th + 1 Reunion, slated for 1-4 September 2022, in Annapolis.

And that’s it for October. Let’s hope the Navy football team is having a much better year than last. Happy Halloween and Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Until December…All the best… Mike!!!

’66: CLASSMATES WITH GM2 HOYOS

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’67

Life Membership: 76% Donor Participation: 26.56%

Pres: CDR David E. Church, USN (Ret.) Sec’y: LtCol Jim McNeece, USMC (Ret.) 1603 John Worthington Way, Crownsville, MD 21032 p: 410-849-3423; e: scribe67@gmail.com

It’s a hot July day as I write. Here’s hoping it’s cooler when this hits your mailbox. We heard from Bill Gibson that 15th Company had an early I-Day event on 25 June. He said:

M We started having a Zoom get together on the last Friday of the month in October 2020. Dick Collins and I started because emailing seems so impersonal to me. We have about 15-16 each month. It is a great way to help each other because we each talk about what we are up to. Last month we got into 3D printing, is Bitcoin good or bad, national park visit issues, etc. You got a question…someone knows something about it! So we were a bit early this year celebrating I Day!

On a personal note I think I have really reconnected with everyone like I would not have been able to do with emails. The stories of USNA and what folks did for the last 50 years have been so great. We are going to see if we can get Helen Robinson ‘17, the mid that I donated my sword to, to join us sometime in the future. What great participation! The Annapolis area I-Day ”picnic” get together was toned down a bit. We did it at the Severn Inn across the river from USNA. It was our first chance to break out a bit as the pandemic slackened. Since it was indoors instead of a picnic out in the heat we got to see several who’ve had (or have) medical issues. Good morale boost for all of us, I think!

Dale Heely checked in from out in Montana. He and Joy had had visitors:

M My wife Joy and I had a delightful visit from Megan and Sarah Leonard from LA. They are the daughters of our classmate and

my roommate, Wally Leonard who passed away in 2013. They spent a week camping in Glacier National Park, and spent three days with us in Columbia Falls before returning home. They are wonderful young ladies. It was strange for me when I was around Sarah because she looked so much like Wally, and she had the same quiet manner that he had. I am sure he would be proud of them.

Megan & Sarah Leonard with the Heelys

‘Nita and Jack Parry have been rolling out west for the summer in their motor home and have seen a couple of folks along the way. Here’s a shot at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, CA. We have Nina and Pete Dabbieri with Glenn Shindler ‘64 along with Jack and ‘Nita. They also visited with Kay and Ed Meintzer in Denver and Mike Svendsen in Fruita, CO along the way.

Visitors to Nixon Library and Museum

Of possible interest to aviators in the Florida neighborhood, this note from Buzz Lawlor:

M A couple months back I bumped into a retired Naval Air Rear Admiral (Red Best) in Home Depot. We chatted a bit and then he informed me about a very informal group of retired Naval Aviators that get together the second Monday of every month at 1630 in the River Rocks restaurant on US-1, Brevard County, FL 32955. We trade sea stories and drink a few beers and start leaving about 1800. All branches of Naval Air are represented and encouraged to show up. Most are retired, but some are still working (airlines, management, etc.). At the June meeting I bumped into Jim Kiefer ‘68.

Along those same lines, Larry Pigeon sent a photo of what he termed a “Geezers session.” It took place on 21 July. His description: M The Geezers are (L – R): Larry, Jack Macidull, guest Charlie Good, Ted White and UBB, the Ubiquitous Buddy Barnes. Charlie Good is a retired Marine air observer, who lives across the street from Ted White – possible challenger to Mike Williams for best story teller ever. Nothing special occurred at this session, other than Buddy flew in to attend, and Ted brought his neighbor. Good turnout in this session, including a couple of POWs … Paul Galanti ‘62, and his jail mate Al Carpenter, also commissioned in 1962, both of whom flew A4s (Sorry, I forget which boats). Paul and Al went through flight training together.

July Geezers

I’m sure you recall that I reported the death of Rick Brydges a couple of columns back. According to Jack Feehan there was a great turnout at Rick’s services in June.

M Rick Brydges passed away on 28 April 2021, a Catholic Funeral Mass was held on 16 June 2021 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Oceanside, CA. Rick’s interment at Miramar National Cemetery was on 21 June 2021. Classmates who attended either the Mass or Interment were:

Pete Burggren, Jack Feehan, Marty Cover, Jack Airlie, Dick Glasow, Bill Stedfield, Bruce Wright, Jim Gilbert, Paul Ward, Norm Hapke, Mike Samuels, Buddy Goodwin, Warren Millard, Soupy Campbell, Terry Brown, John Filose, Steve Fisk and Mike Cathey. Pete Burggren and I were honored to deliver eulogies at Rick’s mass and Pete Phelps and Michael Cathey shared their remembrances of Rick at Miramar. In the words of John Filose, Rick got a great sendoff

Mary and Al Lawver’s daughter, Kim, passed away on 13 June 2021 at the age of 52. She was diagnosed with cancer this past December. She graduated from Akron University with a bachelor’s degree in dance and a master’s degree in Art Management. She was a resident of Ohio until 2012 when she moved to Virginia Beach. Kim loved the beach, but dancing was her passion and her life. She involved herself in every aspect of competitive, professional, and recreational dance. She taught complex styles of dance for students seeking careers in the professional dance world. Many of her students achieved success in professional careers as entertainers, professional dancers, and teachers. Kim’s true love was connecting with her students and spreading her passion for dance, especially tap. Often families and friends of students that she taught would be pulled into her classes because they were fun, entertaining and healthy. Her life was blessed because of the positive influence she made in peoples’ lives who met her through dance or took her classes. Gifts in Kim’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society at https://rb.gy/wgkadi.

A note from Buzz Lawlor remembering Jim Potts whose death in May was reported in the last column:

M Jim and I graduated from the same high school in 1963 (Northwood HS, Silver Spring, MD) and immediately entered USNA plebe summer. Along with John Hiltabidle ’66, we had three guys from the same high school in the Academy at the same time. Jim excelled in a cademics in both high school and USNA. Immediately following graduation, Jim went to the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA and earned his Master’s degree in mathematics. While there he married Barbara, his high school sweetheart, then headed to Nuclear Power School followed by five years in the Nuclear Power Navy. Upon separation in 1973, Jim was hired by the Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO). He immediately started his meteoric rise to two senior vice president positions in the company. In his spare time, he served on various commercial and non-profit boards of directors. Jim retired from PEPCO in 2007, and he and Barbara traveled extensively both in the US and overseas. Jim was most proud of being a devout Christian and teaching adult Sunday school every week until his death. Please keep his family in your prayers. We’ve lost a great American. And we got word via Warren Millard that John Kieley passed away peacefully on 6 July 2021. John, 76 years old, was a Surface Warfare Officer for over 20 years. His distinguished career included serving as the Commissioning Commanding Officer of REUBEN JAMES (FFG-57), a fellowship with the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group, as personal aide to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Admiral Stansfield Turner ‘47 and Executive Officer of BADGER (FFG-1071). In January 1989, while on active duty, John was involved in a tragic accident which ultimately caused him to retire from the Navy. During the second chapter of his life, John, his wife Candy, and his canine companions frequently traveled. John was dedicated to his family. He was a soccer coach scout leader, marathon runner, carpenter, and a man who loved his family, friends, and country. He is survived by, Candy, his wife of 54 years; three sons, J.J. (Carmen), James (Gina) and Jeff; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren, and his loyal canine companion, Gaby. Remembrance services were planned be held in late August. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his honor to the Canine Companions for Independence (https://canine.org/) and Elizabeth

Hospice of San Diego (https://elizabethhospice.org/).

That’s where we end it for this time. Even though it was into 90’s outside here today (cool compared to the temperatures some of you have been experiencing) I hope you have a Happy Halloween! It really felt weird writing that! …That’s it…Goodnight!…Jim

’68

Life Membership: 61% Donor Participation: 14.61%

Pres: CAPT Gary A. Storm, USN (Ret.) 66 Franklin St., Unit 509, Annapolis, MD 21401 p: 410-757-7156; c: 443-924-1130 e: gastorm@verizon.net Corr Sec’y: CAPT Gordon I. Peterson, USN (Ret.) 5200 Brittany Dr., S., Apt. #102 St. Petersburg, FL 33715 p: 703-282-3411; e: gpeters621@aol.com Website: www.usna68.com The full-length version of this column was distributed by e-mail class wide and is posted on our Class website. Shipmate’s June issue ran Ray Wallace’s interesting narrative in its New Mexico Chapter News section describing how he and Martha moved during the height of the pandemic from their home in Sante Fe, NM, to a continuing-care retirement community in Highlands Ranch, CO. “We wanted to grow ‘really old’ someplace where there would be more compete care,” Ray wrote. He credits Joe McGuire, the secretary of the New Mexico Chapter, for asking him to tell the story. “Joe thought others might find it useful,” Ray told me. “We are all in the age range to downsize and move to a new chapter in our lives.”

Ray described the challenges of downsizing from their home during the pandemic when other individuals were also cleaning out their closets and bringing their collectibles to consignment stores. Everything worked out well in the end, and they are enjoying their new senior-living community. “We have been meeting very nice neighbors and making new friends,” he wrote. In July, they met Lynn and Gary Francis at their home in Broomfield, CO, while Rose and Tom Houghton were also visiting.

“We all started in the living room, but as the old tales began to be retold the ladies got up and moved into the den,” Ray said. “Tom and I hadn’t seen each other in a long time and had a very enjoyable catch-up. Gary and I served together at SOSMRC (Senior Officers Surface Material Readiness Course) in Idaho Falls and then were around together in the Norfolk area through subsequent department head, XO, and CO tours. It is always a good time to get together with them. It is always special to see classmates!”

From left, Tom Houghton, Ray Wallace, and Gary Francis had a good time catching up during a brief get-together in Colorado in July.

Cathy and John “JP” Kennedy returned to the East Coast in 2018 after living in Colorado for a few years. “We loved it there,” JP reports, “but our kids and grandchildren live in Virginia and despite semi-annual visits, we were missing a lot. Our home is now in Lake Frederick, Virginia, an ‘over 55-active’ community in the Shenandoah Valley about 10 miles south of Winchester. We can look out the window and see the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Shenandoah River is only a few miles away. John Denver is smiling down on us.”

John continues to enjoy woodcarving. “We have plenty to do here, and there is a club for everything from golf, kayaking, pool, and chess to several different kinds of dance, travel, and cooking. There was no woodworking club when we arrived, so I helped to start one.” He also teaches classes on soap carving and wood carving. Of note, more than 260 veterans also reside at their community.

“When the pandemic began, we were never so glad to have hobbies,” John said. “Cathy and I each have actual hobbies and our own rooms for them—hers for quilting and mine for carving. We also read a lot and took a few trips to places where people were not likely to be. Mostly I carve wood, but I also bought a power carver and learned how to make rock carvings. During the isolation months, I made boxes and boxes of wood carvings.” They also enjoy hiking in Shenandoah National Park and visiting local Civil War battlefields.

Looking ahead, Cathy and John look forward to more distant travel. “We are going to reschedule the trip to Hawaii we had to cancel last year,” he wrote. “And the trip to Dollywood and Nashville. And Washington Nationals spring training. Life goes on.”

John and Cathy Kennedy enjoy their new home in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The 30th Company’s Mike Danesi continues his extraordinary retirement project—the “plank-onplank” construction of a 40-foot wooden fishing boat. With a displacement of 22 tons, the craft is typical of the small fishing schooners found in New England waters during the 1800s. His website (www.buildingaboat.org) describes how the keel was laid in 2012; the “ribs” (frames) were completed in 2015. Planking began in 2017 and is about half completed. Mike is building his boat in a construction shed he built next to his home in New Jersey.

“Progress is very slow,” Mike told me recently, “but I work on the boat at least an hour or two a day. Hip surgery about a year ago was just a minor setback. It goes without saying, however, that age is a more insidious and pervasive factor. Linda and I bought a vacation home in Lubec, Maine, last year which has also taken a big chunk of time. Somewhat ironically, the place is a boat shop in which the loft has been converted to an apartment.”

Mike was reluctant to forecast when his project will end, but he estimates 2026. Five Years to Water is the title of a local high school’s videography class documentary production about the boat. The video vividly describes Mike’s commitment to pursue his dream to completion and his remarkable, painstaking craftsmanship. Press on, Mike!

Lubec, Maine, is also home for Lori and Jefferson Prestridge, a 12th Company roommate of Mike’s plebe year. Now that Linda and Mike have a second home there, future reunions are sure to be more frequent. Jeff, a talented carpenter, built a summer home on the shoreline of Lake Sebec, 170 miles west of Lubec, “It was a nine-year project,” Jeff related recently. “15,000 nails and 5,000 screws later it was completed. There was a one-year delay for treatment of bladder cancer. Navy math, physics, and mechanical drawing never failed me.”

This past summer, Jeff began construction of a screened-in porch on his lakefront cottage. “Maine black flies have been known to lift your hat and attack your head in squadrons,” he related. Jeff and Lori clearly relish their lifestyle in the great outdoors in northern Maine. “It is all woods from my camp to Canada. We do snowmobiles, ATVs, dirt bikes, kayaking and 17-ft fishing boat,” Jeff said. “I fish off my dock for bass, but don’t catch much. Lori, has a three-wheel Spyder, and I have a cruiser and dirt bike. It’s all old stuff, but everything runs well. There’s too much to do, but it keeps me fit and active.”

Lori and Jeff’s daughter, Stevie, graduated from West Point in 2013. Now a captain in the Army’s JAG Corps and married to Army Major Alex Brubaker, they are stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Tacoma, WA. “My new grandson, Nathaniel, is leaning towards Navy air,” Jeff confided. They visited Lori and Jeff last summer. “I hope some classmates will PM me for a visit and stay awhile,” Jeff concluded.

Building a porch for his lakeside cottage is no challenge for Jeff Prestridge.

The 20th Company’s Gordon Brown has also stayed active in South Carolina during the pandemic by helping high school athletes through his collaboration with Coach Mike Srock, the speed-andstrength coach at Byrnes High School in Duncan, SC. “Coach Srock is one of only five high school speed-and-strength coaches inducted into the U.S. National High School Strength Coaches Hall of Fame,” Gordon explained recently. “I ask the Coach what areas of athletic development need improved devices to allow athletes to train and perform to a higher level,” Gordon continued. “He tells me, and I make prototypes for evaluation by his athletes.” During the pandemic, they focused on the Byrnes High School Lady Rebels fast-pitch softball team. “Our efforts, combined with the Byrnes softball coach’s unique ability to teach and motivate to a higher level, resulted in the team winning the 2021 SC State Championship in Division 5A in June with an overall record of 32 wins and 1 loss.”

Gordon’s latest invention is a flexible training bat called the Swing Stick™ (patent pending). Its design resulted from his research into the science of vestibular feedback that the device provides to the athlete during use. “Vestibular feedback, properly used, helps to train the sensory receptors in one’s tendons and muscles allowing more effective communication from the brain to the muscles,” Gordon explained. “Every Lady Rebel used the flexible Swing Stick™ in the on-deck circle before going to the plate throughout the entire season. Result: More home runs!”

Owing to its design features, a batter swings the device just like a normal bat. Gordon said this allows the athlete to refine their swing owing to the vestibular feedback of feel and sound. “The coach can also see and hear the athlete’s swing and provide effective feedback,” said Gordon. “Result: Better batting averages.”

Gordon was first exposed to the invention process during his time with Owens Corning Fiberglas in the 1970’s. In 2004 he formed his own company, Flexi-StiX, LLC, for the manufacture of composite, flexible exercise devices. He now holds nearly 30 U.S. and/or international patents. Previously, he worked with Clemson University’s football team from 2011 to 2014 where he invented the Tsunami Bar® flexible barbell. “Since then, I have focused my efforts on high school athletes as the opportunity for overall improvement is greater, and I find them more eager to learn,” Gordon said.

Following their stellar season, the high school’s ladies softball team honored Gordon with the presentation of a 2021 SC State High School Championship Ring for his contributions to their championship. “I played a lot of sports in high school, but never won a state championship,” Gordon concluded. “So, at age 75, I now have one. It feels pretty good!”

Gordon Brown displays his latest invention— a flexible training bat for baseball players.

That’s a wrap! Please keep those stories and photos heading my way!

All the best and take care, Gordo

’69

Life Membership: 58% Donor Participation: 19.85%

Pres: MAJ Steve Comiskey, USMCR (Ret.) e: swcomiskey@gmail.com Vice Pres: Pat Stroop e: pstroop@hotmail.com Sec’y: Dr. Steve Hudock p: 571-419-0290; e: shudock@1969.USNA.com Treas: Ron Gumbert e: rongumbert@icloud.com e: ron.gumbert@gartner.com Website: www.usna69.org

’70

Life Membership: 61% Donor Participation: 19.14%

Pres: CDR Edmund E. Moore, USN (Ret.) e: edmund.moore@gmail.com Sec’y: CDR Royal Connell, USN (Ret.) 7230 Meir Henry Rd., Pensacola, FL 32506 e: royal70@1970.usna.com Webmaster: Ed Moore e: edmund.moore@gmail.com Website: http://1970.usnaclasses.com Greetings all, this will be the first news since the reunion, but since it’s being written in July, I haven’t heard from you with all your sea stories. Make sure you send them to me, along with photos (embarrassing or not) before you forget. I for one, am really looking forward to seeing you all and hoping that normal approaches normal again. But in the meantime, it’s time for news.

Last month we reported the passing of Russ Panico. His obituary should be in this issue of Shipmate.

Thanks to Bob McPhail for helping his family write this for submission.

Also last month we reported about the class of ‘70 grandsons in the incoming class of ’25. Well, miracle of miracles, Dan Bowler tells me that they were Plebe Summer roomates in 16th Co.

John Hertel writes that he is retiring as a Law Prof at the Air Force Academy after 23 years with the Zoomies (and after 28 in the Corps). He says: “It’s been a wonderful time and given me a solid respect for the Air Force, and now Space Force too. We’re staying in Colorado Springs with kids and

grandkids close by. I’m proud to have imparted some USNA & USMC lore and spirit into several hundred terrific sister Academy grads. Among the many things we always agreed on . . . Beat Army!”

In July, members, wives and, widows of the 24th company, and three class officers had lunch at Killarney House in Davidsonville, MD to honor Fred and Mille Eliot as honorary classmates. Before a formal sponsorship program was established at the Naval Academy, the Eliots hosted many midshipmen from the class of 1969, and this hospitality, mentoring, and love continued for our classmates and other classes for many years. Attending from 24th Company were: Marilyn and Bill King, Rod Anderson, Suzanne Colbert (for Mike Aycock), Linda and Dwight Denson, Janet Malone (for Bill Malone), Carl Smith, Preston Rusch, and Bob Viney, and Shelly Abrams. Ed Moore, class president, along with Lynn Widener and Gino Marchetti presented Fred with the recognition after lunch with many memories of Eliot generosity shared by classmates who were close to them.

Fred Eliot

Neil Midkiff is becoming one of my go-to regulars now that he is an ex-pat in Nerja, Spain. He writes: M Another thought worth passing on to our classmates… My Royal Navy Submariner buddy Eddie Bowe got this pin for me. It is to remember the Indonesian Sub KRI Nanngala lost earlier this year.

Even though our service is long in the past it reminds us that all submariners are part of a brotherhood. Every loss is a loss to us all. The accompanying message reads: We remember submariners. To remember the tragic loss of the sailors that perished on the Indonesian submarine KRI Nanngala (402) that sank off Bali on 21 April 2021. She was a Cakra-Class diesel-electric submarine launched in 1980 and was declared missing last April. Three days after the declaration, debris from the Nanngala was found floating on the surface over 850m of water.

My other stalwart is of course the Tenth Company scribe, Frank Reifsnyder. He reports: M “Here is the latest Shipmate input from Tenth Company. Unfortunately, I was not able to join them on this trip, but the facts in this report have been verified by those that were there... Beat Army!

“Members of Tenth Company recently completed an expedition to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The trip was organized by Shauna and Jim Bowlin and was originally scheduled for 2020. Additional Tenth Company participants included Chris Lawrence and Greg Sessler, Jean and Phil Eslinger, Charlotte and Bob Miller, Barb and Buzz Savage, and adopted Tenth Company members Carol and PJ Falten (16th Co) and Kathy and Gary Vine (26th Co). Phil’s son, Brent, and daughter-in-law, Jenny, also participated. The group rendezvoused in Quito, Ecuador for an introduction to Ecuadorian life. Some of the members of the group rode the tram up the side of a 13,500-ft volcano making an arduous hike the last 500 feet to the summit. They also made the first of many crossings across the Equator. After a brief stop to Guayaquil, they flew on Avianca Airlines to Baltra Island in the Galapagos. There, they met their guide/naturalist and took a short boat ride out to the 16-passenger, 115-ft powered catamaran, the Endemic. During their seven days on board the Endemic, they visited eight of the Galapagos Islands including Balta, Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Santiago, Isabela, Fernandina, Rabida, and Mosquera. The shipboard routine included a combination of snorkeling, kayaking and hiking in the morning followed by more of the same in the afternoon. One of the main reasons people come to the Galapagos is to see the amazing variety of marine and land wildlife endemic and often unique to these islands. On land, they saw giant Galapagos Tortoises at the El Chato Ranch, a private reserve for free-ranging giant tortoises adjacent to national park land. They also visited a captive tortoise breeding center. Other land animals included the large land iguanas, colorful crabs, seals, sea lions, baby sea turtles, and Ghost Crabs that retreat so fast into their burrows that they seemed to vanish. They also observed a wide variety of birds including Frigate Birds,

70: Jim, Gregg, PJ, Gary, Buzz, Bob, and Phil

70: Buzz, Jim, Gary, Phil, Bob, and Gregg

Brown Pelicans, Flamingos, Blue-footed Boobies, Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos Penguins, Galapagos Hawks, and a large variety of finches made famous by Charles Darwin in his book The Origin of the Species. Most of the birds and animals showed no fear of people. The group snorkeled with seals, sea lions, penguins, sea turtles, marine iguanas and a school of 14-ft Galapagos Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks. Another highlight of the trip was seeing the stars in the Northern and Southern skies simultaneously. The two photos show the Class of 70 members with some of the local wildlife.”

And finally, reporting in from Northwest Lower Michigan our former class president Mike Novak writes:

M “Last month (June 19th, to be precise) I got a bit nostalgic for Plebe Year. So I put two hours of “Teach Me Tiger” on a CD, drove two hours, and participated in the 2021 Tough Mudder Michigan. It only took me one hour and 15 minutes to complete (note, I did not say “run”) the five kilometers and 13 obstacles. And to be truthful, I skipped some of the obstacles — but not the one that gave me a bruised rib and black and blue marks all up and down my left arm.

Tough Mudder Michigan

Tough Mudder Michigan

Ring-A-Ding-Ding!

SHOP. CONNECT. ENJOY!

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TM

NAVY TAILGATE @ NOTRE DAME

Hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association SATURDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2021 11:30 A.M. TO 2 P.M.

*NEW LOCATION: Angela Athletic Wellness Center, St. Mary’s College, Madelava Drive, South Bend IN 46556—Free parking with tailgate registration!

ORDER YOUR TAILGATE TICKETS TODAY @ WWW.USNA.COM/TAILGATES

We are no longer able to support mailed in or paper registrations for this tailgate

TAILGATE MENU:

All included with food, water/soda/beer and wine, details are available on the registration website, www.usna.com/tailgates

TAILGATE ENTERTAINMENT:

Performances by the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corp/USNA Cheerleaders and Bill the Goat (two-legged mascot). Special guests will include the Naval Academy Superintendent, Midshipmen from the Brigade and distinguished USNA alumni and guests.

’71

Life Membership: 62% Donor Participation: 19.42%

Pres: CAPT Perry Martini, USN (Ret.) e: pmartini71@gmail.com Sec’y: CAPT Mike Longworth, USN (Ret.) e: duke.longworth@1971.usna.com Website: http://1971.usnaclasses.net/

October! Fall is in full swing now! I have only fond memories of the Yard in October – the cool air, the leaves, football season! Only this year I’m not so sure about football. As I write this column, the Navy vs. Notre Dame football game will be at our Navy Memorial stadium; however, with the COVID-19 issue still with us there may be only a partially filled stadium for social distancing. Regardless, I hope the game is played and that NAVY WINS!

First up is a note from Randy Hartshorn: M “Duke, here are some notes from my ‘come around’ log of September 1967. Date and to whom the come around is owed: 7 September – a. eyes not in the boat – twice from Mr. Bradford, b. not filling glasses fast enough – Mr. Green, 9 September – not having liquid on the table – Mr. Green; 10 September – reporting to battalion office in improper uniform – Mr. Green.”

This is excellent Randy! There are plenty more entries in Randy’s log. It is prime material for our 50th reunion! I sent it to the reunion committee!

Mike Cavell (McDanold) sent this note from his home in Australia: M “Duke, I heard from Jan Milligan and Bruce Gallemore about the recent passing of Mike Trice. I am pleased to hear that Mike had a successful career after USNA. Given that Australia has closed its borders for the foreseeable future, I will not be able to go to Lake Placid this year; however, I will make an effort to get back to the USA for a future 36th Company reunion in Lake Placid when the pandemic is over. In addition, as our 50th reunion is next year it is possible I can attend! I am sorry I missed the chance to spend more time with Ron Spratt by going earlier, and it would have been good to see Mike again.

“Both Wendy and I are doing fine. Australia has largely been unaffected by the virus because it is easy to close our borders, although the economic fallout has yet to be fully understood. Because I have so much family in the US, I feel very cut off and I hope the world regains its senses soon. I think the economic consequences of the virus will far exceed the health consequences. Anyway, glad to hear you and Lisa are doing well. Focus on your family, mate - they are the most important thing in our lives. Take good care of yourself, and hopefully, we will all get through this so we can get together again. Cheers, Mac.” Mac, thank you for the update! We are doing fine navigating the COVID-19 while thoroughly enjoying our two grandsons! I am glad to hear you and Wendy are fine, and I most certainly look forward to seeing you in Lake Placid once life returns to a more normal situation! I hope your plans work out to attend the 50th! Cheers Mate!

Next is an update regarding the Distinguish Graduate Award (DGA) ceremony for Bob Cabana. Due to the COVID-19 implications, the celebration for the 2020 DGA recipients was delayed until spring of 2021. As noted in an earlier column, Bob is the Director, Kennedy Space Center. His continued leadership in this billet assures our nation is in the forefront of space! I look forward to seeing Bob next spring at NAVY!

Speaking of our 50th Reunion, please ensure you have marked your calendars for Wednesday, September 29th to Monday, October 4th (Wednesday and Monday are travel days) to be with classmates as we celebrate our 50th reunion!

Also, in preparation for our 50th Reunion, did you know the USNA Class of 1971 Academy Stories is at the publisher! Over 250 classmates submitted stories for this two-volume set with Hank Turowski, as editor, added the finishing touches. Perry Martini commented, M “Having read much of this outstanding book (pictures and color pages included) and series of sea stories about our four years by the Bay, I can attest that these missives about life in Bancroft will serve as a great ‘sea story sneak preview’ for our soon to be celebrated 50th reunion in October 2021! Thanks to Hank for his hard work and literary masterpiece!”

Troop 408

I hope you ordered your copy!

Too soon, it is time to close. Please keep our classmates and their families in your prayers for good health, especially protection from the COVID-19 virus, healing when needed, and safety in their travels. Today is the gift of “the present.” Certainly, this pandemic highlights how life is precious and too short – love passionately, give and share your blessings generously with others – as we are richly blessed so may we richly bless others. Our leadership at home, in our social circles, and in daily routines is vital to maintaining our nation’s constitutional republic. Now is the time to shape the future of our great nation as we strive for a more perfect union. There is plenty of work remaining as we increase our wisdom! Time, tide and column due dates wait for no man!

Duces Virum, Duke

CLASS SECRETARY COLUMN DEADLINES

Send to: classnews@usna.com 2021-2022

ISSUE: DUE DATE: Nov-Dec ’21 Sep 27, 2021 Jan-Feb ’22 Nov 29, 2021 Mar-Apr ’22 Jan 24, 2022 May ’22 Feb 22, 2022 June ’22 Mar 28, 2022 July-Aug ’22 May 26, 2022

’72

Life Membership: 57% Donor Participation: 23.09%

Pres: CDR Bob Leib, USN (Ret.) e: rcleib1972@verizon.net Sec’y: CDR Rich Robison, USN (Ret.) 3126 North Greystone Dr. Morgantown, WV 26508 e: Scribe72@comcast.net Website: http://1972.usnaclasses.net Class Listserv: TheGouge-USNA72@googlegroups.com Facebook: USNA Class of 1972

Happy October, Mates! A thin mailbag this month.

Vining Sherman and his bride, Pam King, celebrated their 25th anniversary with an extended road trip back in June that included hikes into the depths of Grand Canyon and the heights of Yosemite. He says they survived both, but it’s getting harder. On their way home they stopped in Colorado Springs to visit Melissa and Steve Sisa, and Tana and Scott Lewis. As Vining says, “It’s good to be out and about again and seeing classmates!”

Vining and Pam on top of Half Dome

12 months until the 50th Reunion —27-30 October 2022. More information will be forthcoming soon.

Have a great October and Halloween. More to come. D. O.

Tried and True with ’72.

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

Log into Online Community at usna.com to update your profile.

73/73 CLASS NEWS ’73

Life Membership: 65% Donor Participation: 30.93%

Pres: Mr. Dirk P. D. Mosis III p: 210-204-0352; e: dmosis3@aol.com

Sec’y: CAPT James H. Chapman, USN (Ret.) 769 Largo Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23464-2417 p: 757-462-0344; e: chap769@yahoo.com

Hello all, I hope you are enjoying the fall, Navy Football and Navy is winning. It has been a slow and hot summer but at least it is better than the summer of 2020. Although its 95+ degrees in Virginia Beach today, as you read this, the Holidays are approaching so you need to start thinking about that extra special Holiday gift for your ex-roommate. Hint JJ!

My first item is a note from Dirk; M Classmates, I hope you have had a good fall. Just shy of two years before our 50th. I hope you are in touch with USNA.com and your Company Reps for information. Doug Rice and his team are putting together a great weekend for us. The Company Reps are our most important link to each of us for fund raising, tailgates, updating our list of deceased Classmates and all communication. A quick link to all Class Info is http://1973.usnaclasses.net/. Rick Elliott does a tremendous amount of heavy lifting to keep this updated. It is invaluable. You can find info from Bill Short and the VA, Agent Orange, prayer groups, Doug Leland’s Ride Across America, Color Company Competition for our 50th Reunion Gift percent participation and more! Heard any good wipe ‘em offs lately? Jim Schaefer was 23d’s best! Could you beat Vince Nigro at “baseball”? (Fred Minier was always good for a far out stumper!) What are you remembering about 50 years ago? Let’s post ‘em! In other news, our daughter, Annie, has started classes at Texas A&M and our son is in LSU MBA program. Virginia and I are officially empty nesters. I hope our travels take us near you. Many thanks to Jim, our Scribe. He always needs mail. Shipmate and his column is my favorite periodical. Non sibi, Dirk Thanks Dirk, I appreciate the kind words.

I received the following photo from David Hoagland. M Jim, in getting ready for the recent 1st Company Memorial at USNA for Ray Wenderlich, Ray Herring and Tim Hale, I came across an old photo in the archive that I thought might be a good... “Can you recognize any of these classmates?” It’s not the best photo quality given the 1970 technology of Kodak Instamatic versus today’s hi-def digital on our phones but I’ll let you decide if it makes the grade. I still recognize some of that 3”/50 Cal gun crew from our Youngster Cruise on the USS SPIEGEL GROVE (LSD-32): Frank Lane (22), Jim Jackson (31), Dave Young (11), Ron Provencher (1), “Beaver” Van Oss (20), Randy Ni (4), “Rocky” Ferraro (13), and Brooke DeVilbiss (28). It was a great cruise to Europe and back during the summer of 1970. I too was in the SPIEGEL GROVE for Youngster Cruise and agree it was a great time. I learned a lot and I give David a big “Up Arrow” for recognizing everyone. I do not recognize as many folks but I remember almost everyone from the cruise. I also remember a couple of things about the SPIEGEL GROVE; It had the best pecan ice cream, watching the Blue Max in the well deck about 6 times and never being able to hear a word of the movie and swim call in the North Atlantic! As a reminder, SPIEGEL GROVE was sunk and made an artificial reef about 10-15 years ago. I think off Florida.

Since we are going down “memory lane”, I included a photo of 9th Company celebrating Dave O’Connor’s birthday. I received this from John Seaberg a while back and have been saving it for the appropriate time. Since Dave’s birthday is next month now seems like a good time. I think this was second class year so it would have been taken 50 years ago. A couple of comments; Some great looking guys, the quality of photos has significantly improved in the past 50 years and it has been a long time since I had that much hair! Dave says we threw him in the shower. I do not remember that. I’m sure it was somebody else.

That’s all the news. I hope you are all well and stay safe. I am still looking for some photos and stories on your midshipman car and/or our time at the Academy so if you want to share please pass them on.

‘73: USS SPIEGEL GROVE during our Youngster Cruise

’74

Life Membership: 59% Donor Participation: 33.69%

Pres: John Yaeger Corr Sec’y: Roger McEvoy 745677 p: 559-905-7362; e: usna745677@hotmail.com

“Those friends thou has, and their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel” (Mid’n 1/c Polonius, USNA Class of 1471) I’m pleased to report that the San Diego contingent of USNA ’74 has resumed their regularly scheduled Monthly Dose of ’74 luncheons. Bruce Lowman (16th Co.) has taken up the slack created when Stu Cvrk (10th Co.) departed for the northern region of the Dakotas shortly before the pandemic began. Stu did yeomen’s duty in keeping the SoCal group in touch with his regular communications and coordination of the Monthly Dose each month. It seems that when we get together, his presence is felt in his absence, because without his efforts over the years, the Monthly Dose may have died long ago.

When I first took over the duties of Class Secretary from Branch (19th Co.) eight years ago, the first classmate I spoke with regarding the collection of class info for ’74 Shipmate columns was Stu. It just so happened that the next Monthly Dose of ’74 was convening the following week, so I decided to drive down for the event. It was so great to spend time with classmates that I vowed to try to make it down for the Monthly Dose once quarter. I think over these past eight years, I have made at least 4 trips down per year, and with special events like ArmyNavy watch parties, Notre DameNavy football games held in San Diego, Navy’s appearance in bowl games in San Diego, I think I have exceeded that frequency. Here in Fresno, there is no USNA Alumni activity. I have learned of a couple other grads that live locally, and reached out, with no response. So I have come to think of myself of being part of the San Diego contingent. Last week we had 10 attendees at Shakespeare’s Pub. In addition to Bruce and myself (8th Co.) we had Jay Wells (16th Co.), Evan Rasmussen (26th Co.), Tim Rastok (19th Co.), Dick Plush (32nd Co.), David Topolewski (31st Co.), Gary Leupold (4th Co.), Bob Foltyn (34th Co.), and as a rare treat, Hugh Story (13th Co.). Hugh lives in the Tidewater area, but has family in the San Diego area, so he visits often. It was great that his recent visit coincided with the Monthly Dose. Unfortunately, Hugh had to leave before I could get the camera out, so he didn’t make the photo.

I’ve been blessed with many opportunities to gather with classmates since Branch handed me the responsibility of being your scribe. These events stand out in a memory that is becoming typically weak with advancing years. I am continually being reminded just how important is the bond we share and the values we hold in common. Whether it is a small group convening for drinks or lunch, or certain classmates going well out of their way to help a fellow classmate [and although there are many examples of this, I am now thinking about Fred Stuvek (26th Co.), Keith Jones (25th Co.), Mick Halbreiner (8th Co.) and a host of fellow football teammates rallying to support Bert Calland (25th Co.)] the lesson Polonius tried to pass on to his son Laertes becomes definitive in my mind when I share time with classmates. So much so, that in my mind it has become one of the key standards by which we exist. For this reason, I have decided that as long as I write this column for you, each issue will be headed with Polonius’ immortal words printed at the top of this column.

I got a nice note from Gary Carter (14th Co.) four weeks ago. Rather than re-writing, here’s his note: M Gary Carter from 14th Co. checking in, shamelessly promoting my second book, a memoir titled Checklist Complete, Stories from My Life in Aviation. Published in April (2021), I included a chapter regaling my inauspicious performance before 30th company upperclassmen during our first meal together after the brigade returned in September 1970. Talk about First Impressions (the name of the chapter). Target: Nimitz, a novel and my first writing endeavor, came out in the spring of 2019. Both are available on Amazon.

My wife Debbie and I live in northern California (near Chico). Our daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren are nearby. Our son (with NCIS), his wife, and two granddaughters reside in Tel Aviv, Israel.

If our health holds up, Debbie and I look forward to attending our 50th reunion. In the meantime, all are encouraged to pray, meditate, or otherwise harness your special powers to bring rain to northern California. The drought is devastating. All the best - Gary I’m embarrassed to say that I did not know Gary had written his first novel, let alone his second book. The reviews of both have been outstanding, and I’m saving my copies for reading during my future travels, away from all the interruptions at home.

I also got a great note from Dave Antanitus (13th Co.) re. the noble quest he and Neil Rondorf (30th Co.) have jointly taken upon themselves. The note speaks for itself, so: M The quest by Neil Rondorf and Dave Antanitus (and his intrepid French Brittany Spaniel, Brie): To sample the wares of every brew pub in the Norfolk, Virginia area continues. During June, we visited the Reaver Beach Brewing Company in Virginia Beach and the Garage Brewery in Chesapeake. Reaver Beach gets the award so far for the best beer, and it is a small brewery we can both recommend highly. While we were at the Garage Brewery, Neil got a phone call from his wife Cheryl saying her Doctor recommended she go to the emergency room for an infection she developed (thankfully the issue got resolved and she is ok). When Neil told Cheryl he would be right home, Cheryl told him to stay and finish his beer first! Cheryl certainly gets bonus wife points in our book! We also attended our USNA 74 “I-Day” gathering at the Pleasure House Brewery in Virginia Beach, and we considered this a bonus visit as it was one we had visited a few times in the past. Thanks to Rich Vizzier for organizing this event we and over 20 classmates and many wives in attendance. Neil gets the next choice of breweries to visit in July - so much great craft beer - so little time!

‘74: July 2021 Monthly Dose of’74 – San Diego

Neil, Dave and Brie

Rich Vizzier (17th Co.) is the coordinator for most classmaterelated activities in the Tidewater area. He sent the attached photo for the afore-mentioned I-Day gathering. Thanx Viz for all you do for USNA ’74. Here’s the gouge for that photo: Front row: Dave Zacharias (8th Co.), Kevin Dilley (18th Co.), Bill Lee (15th Co.), Walt Donovan (11th Co.), Rich Johnson (27th Co.), Mike Dow (19th Co.), Ken Juul (18th Co.), Jay Smith (18th Co.), Steve Burich (14th Co.),

George Yacus (32nd Co.), John Wiles 18th Co.), Luis Gazzolo (16th Co.), Jim Fry (7th Co.), Neil Rondorf, Bill Walsh (28th Co.).

Top Row: John Brown (26th Co.), Dick Costello (14th Co.), Shawn Smith (26th Co.), Eddie Hayes (28th Co.), Joe Robb (31st Co.), Dave Antanitus, Viz and Phil Polefrone (4th Co.).

Neil Rondorf added following narrative of the day: M We had a great turnout at the Pleasure House Brewery in Virginia Beach. It was better than 90 degree’s with humidity that Heinz Lenz would have been proud of on Farragut Field. “Go Hard 74”. The brewery had shade canopies and misting fans. The only cooling on the field in 1970 was the sweat off the guy next to you. Social distancing - no, just developing young men. As you all can see the collection of Tidewater Region 74’s is still robust - no casts / no crutches. It was great to see so many of the guys. Many did not even know each other back at USNA, If fact very few knew each other on I Day so many years ago. Listening to the tales (some tall) it was amazing the range of remembered details. Some of the guys remembered that day very clearly and some (I for one) had very little recall of those moments. Some could argue that we have suppressed those memories but John Brown would argue it was the career choice that dimmed my recall. The big surprise was Phil Polefrone who was up from Naples Fl. just wandering around Maryland and Virginia. He got the note from Viz and decided to crash the party. He did say his wife was working so I assume he is now a “kept man”. A number of the guys were still working and enjoying the challenge of still getting after it. Many of us have to confess we enjoy the morning coffee with little to no pressure. Thanx Dave, Viz and Neil.

On a sadder note, we lost Jeff Schuller (26th Co.) and Bruce Brunson (7th Co.) in the last month, both had been fighting intense health issues for quite a long time.

For a change, I’ll sign off before I exceed Shipmates 2000 word limitation, with yet another pearl of wisdom from Mid’n 1/c Polonius: …this above all; Go Navy, beat Army! Rog

‘74: Tidewater I-Day Celebration

’75

Life Membership: 59% Donor Participation: 33.69%

Pres: Chris Cikanovich e: chickc975@gmail.com Sec’y: CAPT Larry Warrenfeltz, USN (Ret.) 5732 Tamarack Dr., Pace, FL 32571 p: 850-525-8727; e: usna75scribe@hotmail.com Website: http//1975.usnaclasses.net/

Dear ’mates,

While our Link-in-the Chain class of ’25 brothers and sisters were preparing for their I-Day on 30 June, the older half of the link was hitting the links. Vice President Gary Jones provided an update on a recent outing of the FIRST COMPANY GOLF GANG.

M “The Gang is made up of golfers (and non-golfers) from First Company. We’ve been getting together for golf (and other adventures) for 10+ years now. Previous golf outings were conducted in California, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, Oregon, South Carolina and Scotland. Our most recent adventure was at Myrtle Beach in early May and marked the third time we’ve gathered in Myrtle. With COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards in hand, we assembled for three days of golf that included the reciting of previous golf exploits. The GANG’s Golf Commissioner—Doug “Rhino” Ayars—outdid himself yet again with arrangements, formats, detailed spreadsheets, etc… As Commissioner, Doug is authorized to provide “amplification” and on-course rulings that oft times seem to benefit the non-aviators in the Gang. Other members of the Gang include Bob Phillips (Doug’s fellow Seabee), the “flyboys” (Rob Reed and me), plus Jimmy Miller and Terry Blake (the Old Salts). For this outing, Terry’s brother Tom and Bob’s brother Wayne joined us. Tom retired from the USNR as an EP-3 pilot, while Wayne is a retired USMC O-6.

While this trip did not include wives, our brides often accompany us to ensure adult supervision. Their general observations often include comments like “… why do they always laugh so hard at the same ole’ ridiculous stories…” and “… there they go, acting like juveniles again…” We count it as a blessing that most First Company Classmates still enjoy good health and are able to share in the special bonds of friendship, laughter and camaraderie that USNA ’75 formed 50 years ago.

The first photo nearby shows us just prior to our second 18 holes on Day 2. Note the forced smiles as we prepare for additional muscle aches and pains that evening. The second photo is proof that history was made during this Myrtle Beach outing. I was finally able to win $$ for what seemed like the first time in ten years. Rob and I are proudly displaying our $20 winnings from the final match. I was able to get the Commissioner to sign and date the $20 bill to officially document the historic occasion.”

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Gary, Terry, Tom Blake, Jimmy, Bob, Doug, Rob, and Wayne Phillips.

Gary and Rob were the final match winners.

Gary took his solid game to the Central Virginia Chapter’s Navy/Marine Corps golf outing on 26 May. Chapter President CB Morgan ’83 reported the results. M The chapter’s diehard golfers gathered at Zion Crossroads for a ‘Friendly’ match, which was broadly supported by classes from 1955 to 1985. Present were: Jack Renard ’55, Alan Swinger ’66, Jim Barron ’71, Gary Jones ’75, Jeff Bust ’75, Bill Murray ’83, CB Morgan ’83 and Dan Newman ’85. Gary Jones was the spark and organizer of the event, held at the exquisitely maintained Spring Creek course. The field promptly began on Hole #10 on a warm morning with ‘youngster’ Dan Newman ’85 paired with the wise Jack Renard ’55, facing off with Alan Swinger ’66 and Jim Barron ‘71, followed by the Class of 1975— Jeff Bust and Gary Jones—and the formidable upstarts from 1983—Bill Murray and CB Morgan. After nine holes and a heat index of 90, the first foursome retired to more genial matters of sea stories and wisdom sharing. While the upstarts from 1983, only trailing by a stroke after the first nine holes, felt victory remained well within their grasp and pressed on in pursuit of the 75ers. Following a grueling back nine, with brilliant play by Jones and Bust (from the Class with the best

Herndon time in modern history) ’83 finally gave up the ghost when 75 made their 17-foot downhill eagle putt to finish the contest with a 73 to 76 victory. Many thanks for the course accommodations and the generous 19th hole refreshments courtesy of Gary Jones. In other golf news, Rod Repka hosted Phil Troy, Steve Laabs, and Mark Milliken for four days of golf at Rod’s local club in Easton PA. A good time was had by all.

Troy, Repka, Laabs, and Milliken in PA

In June, Trent Powers and his wife Debbie traveled to Washington DC to have lunch with Ed Jablonski and wife Dee. It was one of the few times that Trent and Ed got together since the Jablonskis wedding in 1977. They decided to meet at the Hawk & Dove in downtown DC, only to find on arrival that the H&D was victim to a five-store electrical outage, forcing them to find another restaurant on a crowded Saturday afternoon. Ed’s superior navigation of downtown DC got them to the Scarlet Oak, where they spent a few hours re-connecting. Debbie and Dee had never met, but after only a few minutes, they were talking like long lost friends. Ed works at the Library of Congress. His office has a view of the West Portico of the Capital. He was in his office on 6 January and had a few stories to tell that never made it into the press reports!

Jablonskis and Powers in DC

Chick Cikanovich reported on an impromptu brunch in Ocean City: M “Earlier in the year, Diane and I were in Key West on vacation. Cindy and Bob Sweeney were on a post-retirement road trip for Cindy, who had not been to Key West since her father was stationed there when she was a child. Bob called for a dinner recommendation (not knowing we were there). That led to some good partying in Key West and an agreement to get together again when they were in Ocean City. Fast forward to May. Bob and Cindy came to OC to get their condo ready for the season, so we got together for dinner. As the week progressed, we got a phone call from George Melnychenko. He was headed to Ocean City for some golf with his lady friend, Jo. In the meantime, Bob Guida had contacted George to say that he was in Annapolis for USNA Graduation. George convinced Bob to take the ride to the beach. Diane and I decided that we should all get together for brunch the next morning. When we couldn’t find a restaurant to take a large group, we decided to just host it at our house. Diane made her world-famous breakfast casserole. I brought out the vodka and Prosecco so we could have some morning beverages. Bob and Cindy brought donuts, George and Jo brought some great homemade lemon blueberry bread and more vodka. (Ukrainians always bring extra vodka.) We called Ellen and Steve Howse to join us (they live across the bay). Ellen had to stay home and baby sit her daughter and son in law. But Steve joined in for what turned out to be a five-hour brunch.

As we shared stories and talked about the remainder of the weekend, we mentioned that we usually go to church and then to Fager’s Island in Ocean City for brunch. The Sweeneys attend the same church when in town, so they were already on board for brunch. George and Jo joined, and the six of us had a second brunch together on Sunday morning. (Unfortunately, Bob had to get back to his Senatorial duties in New Hampshire.) Cindy and Bob brought a second round of donuts. There is a small market across the street from their condo that has the best homemade peanut butter-filled donuts. Since it was early in the season, they only make them as a special order. For Saturday’s brunch, Cindy could not get the special donuts, so we had just “regular” donuts. They talked the baker into making some special peanut butter-filled donuts for Sunday and felt compelled to bring a dozen. They were fantastic. Even our waiter decided to sit down and join us in a donut.”

OC Brunch. George, Jo, Bob G, Diane, Steve, Cindy, Bob S, and Chick.

If you follow our USNA 75 Facebook page, you saw some great pictures and posts of our guys on I-Day (30 June) and of the presentation of Honor Coins to ’25 on 19 July. See you in Annapolis in November! ’75 Sir! Larry

’76

Life Membership: 58% Donor Participation: 16.33%

Pres: Kevin Stone 928 Lynch Dr., Arnold, MD 21012 p: 410-974-4313; e: kevin.stone@1976.usna.com Sec’y: Mark Hubbard 774 Settlers Ln., Kure Beach, NC 28449-4907 p: 301-514-1645 e: Mark.Hubbard@1976.usna.com Website: http//usna76.wordpress.com/

I’d like to start this column with a major THANK YOU to Carol and Bruce Petit for their Herculean effort in organizing the 45th Reunion. This is no small accomplishment. There are a lot of moving parts in putting a reunion together and the Petits handled the task seamlessly! BZ!

From Kevin McNamara (31st Co):

M I had hoped to get this in on time for the September Shipmate but didn’t, and as we learned during Plebe Summer, all I can say is “No excuse, Sir!”. Oh well, it will give folks something to talk about at our 45th reunion the first week of October. Our son Brian graduated with the Class of 2021 on 28 May. In attendance for his big day were his entire family, all three sisters and husbands, seven nieces and nephews, numerous cousins including a member of the class of 2012, and my 31st company mate, Peter Varsanyi. It was a great week with all the typical events including P-rades, Superintendent’s reception, Blue Angel practice and Air Show, and parties. The big question mark was the weather for that Friday and the forecast was not encouraging calling for rain and thunderstorms. I had visions of a repeat of 2JUN76, but I couldn’t believe we would have two indoor graduations in the same family. In the end it was a beautiful day and the Blue Angels, along with the hat toss, then and now, were the stars of the show. After graduation Brian and four of his 16th company mates took off for California in an RV to see the country on the way to LA for a wedding. The stopover along the way in Las Vegas was uneventful, thank goodness. He then went to Alaska for some fishing and another wedding. In between he was stashed at Annapolis in the Aero Department. He headed down to Pensacola and the start of Flight School on 6 AUG. Can’t believe how fast the last four years went by. It was a special time for Kathy and me, and I will miss our family’s personal “Link in the Chain”. Looking forward to seeing you all at our 45th.

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Proud parents of a newly commissioned Ensign Brian McNamara

Brian McNamara receives his new Ensign shoulder boards

Kevin McNamara administers the Oath of Office to son Brian

Gary Greenfield provides an inspiring update: M July 4th is inspirational for all the reasons we know, but Brittany and I found this one particularly inspirational. We were spending the long holiday weekend at our home in Colorado and were invited to an event for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Two gold medalists joined at the event – Dan Jansen, a speed skater who won the gold in the 1000 meter in 1994 and Dan Cnossen ’02, a Paralympic who won gold for Biathlon in the 2018 Paralympics. Both shared amazing stories of their training and perseverance that led to their medals in their respective events. I remember Dan Jansen who was a favorite for many events over multiple Olympics in speed skating but finally prevailed in the 1000 meter and set a world record to win the gold, despite not being the favorite. The dedication over many years is inspiring. I was not familiar with Dan Cnossen, but he shared an even more incredible story. As a LCDR in the Seals he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, losing both of his legs above his knees. He remembers little, other than his teammates and Navy pilots saving him and waking ten days later at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Through a rigorous recovery at Bethesda and at Walter Reed, he ultimately became connected with a program in San Diego that helps disabled veterans take advantage of their skills and move to new heights. Dan’s focus was on becoming a Biathlete (cross-country skiing and shooting) and in his second Paralympics won gold. He will be participating next in China. As it turns out Dan and I had other things in common, so I made a point of striking up a conversation. In addition to Navy, he was in a Harvard Graduate program (John Kennedy School and Divinity School) and lives just outside of Boston. I hope to keep up with him.

On July 4th, Brittany and I joined friends in the morning for Boogie’s Buddy Race. Boogie (Leonard Weinglass) is from our general area – Baltimore and is a local institution in Aspen. As the name suggests, the race supports the Buddy Program, supporting Big and Little Buddies. It was great to see such a large turnout on the 4th, though we might have been bringing up the rear!

Both events, as well as the 4th, are a reminder why we live in a special country. Carl Sharperson is one of several contributing authors in the book, The Experience of Leadership, written by Fred Stuvek ’74. It will be available this fall in paperback and eBook.

John Withers ’79 sent me an input: M Wiz Withers, USNA ’79 Secretary here. Forwarding a short email / photo (see below) from one of my classmates (Steve Walsh ’79) meeting up with two of yours. I’m sure they braced him up at some point, since you guys gave us a “REAL” Plebe Year!

Tom Colella was one of my Plebe Summer firsties (he was in 20th Co; I was in 19th). I think I escaped getting fried by him - but his 19th Co. counterparts made up for it!

Contrary to what Walsh says, Steve Clark was not in 19th Co - the alumni directory lists him in 31.

Hope things are well in your world.

Wiz Withers

‘76: Brittany and Gary with Dan Cnossen, winner of the Gold at the 2018 Biathlon Paralympics

‘76: With friends at the Buddy Run Steve Walsh wrote to Wiz:

M “Wiz-trust you and the family are well and making it through these trying times. Last week when visiting my mom and sister in Bedford, NY, I had lunch with 2 fellow Marines from the Class of 76. Tom Colella was in 20th Co. and after active duty stayed in the reserves retiring as an O-6. He works as an executive recruiter. Steve Clark, aka “Father Steve” was in 19th Co. and flew Frogs until he received the call and became a Catholic Priest. He runs a big parish in Mt. Kisco, NY and is still 100% a Marine, despite working for the Lord!”

Tom Colella, Steve Walsh, and Fr. Steve Clark meet up in Bedford, NY

Martin Brittingham (15th Co) and his wife, Deborah, traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, to hike Goldstar Peak (see https://www. goldstarpeak.org/) on July 20, 2021, to leave a memorial emblem and dog tag for their son, Chris. From there, they headed to San Diego for a Memorial service on July 30th at the Team 3 base for Chris and Britt Challenge on his birthday July 31st.

Deborah & Martin Brittingham at Goldstar Peak in Alaska

That’s it for now – hope to see you at the 45th! BEAT UCF!

’77

Life Membership: 74% Donor Participation: 15.25%

Pres: John F. Vuolo 71 Hidden Gin, Hinton, WV 25951-5184 Sec’y: Thom McKee 1202 Shady Creek Rd., Marriottsville, MD 21104 p: 410-489-5080; f: 410-489-5071 c: 202-438-1541; e: magoo1310@verizon.net

“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t spot naval gunfire support.” – Jim Surch, in a classic one-liner courtesy of John “Amazing” Grace (7th Co.).

Now, attention to a rather brief but important brief:

First up, Mike “Ducky” Laviano (20th Co.) recently had the occasion to get together with Mike Scott, the older brother of our classmate Steve Scott (36th), who was lost in the crash of a TA-4J he was piloting at NAS Beeville back in February of 1980. Mike is a retired police lieutenant whose former partner, one Don McCarthy, is a very good friend of Ducky’s, the two having been together on an “old man” baseball team for some 20 years. Small world! The three of them played golf together recently, and while enjoying a libation (or two…or three) at the 19th hole, Ducky presented Mike a USNA challenge coin formed from the copper sheathing of the recently-renovated Chapel dome on behalf of the class:

Ducky and Mike

Steve’s brother was “overwhelmed” with appreciation and requested Ducky express his sincere thanks to ’77 in its entirety. Ducky, that’s a helluva gesture, as we know that coin ‘tweren’t cheap.

Second, we regret to inform you Ray Bozman (33rd Co.) passed away on June 23, 2021. Ray, a native of Baltimore, received his MD in 1981 from the George Washington University School of Medicine, after which he served 30 years in the Navy Medical Corps specializing in radiology, retiring as an O-6 in 2007.

Immediately upon retirement from active duty, Ray began his second government career as a civilian diagnostic radiologist at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth where he served as Program Director for Radiology Graduate Medical Education from 2007 –2012 and continued as a senior member of the teaching faculty. He was elected to Fellowship in the American College of Physician Executives and the American College of Radiology.

Ray is survived by Patti, his kindergarten classmate and wife of 44 years, who he married at the Chapel in 1977 and his son Jeff, who emulated his father’s example of service by entering The Corps following his 2005 graduation from Princeton. Ray was honored to administer Jeff the Oath of Office during his commissioning. Shown left to right below are Patti, Jeff and the proud father:

Patti, Jeff and Ray

We know you join us in extending heartfelt condolences to Patti, Jeff and the rest of Ray’s extended family.

Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill.

Magoo

’78

Life Membership: 81% Donor Participation: 33.53%

Pres: Glen Woods Sec’y: Vince Balderrama 1320 Homewood Ln., Annapolis, MD 21401 e: canoeu78@aol.com Website: usna1978.org

This is a short column as it was a slow month and not many sightings. I also guess for a while that many people were getting back to their lives and some semblance of “normalcy”, enjoying life and not banging away on a keyboard or iPhone. But as this goes to print, it seems that many are once more being directed to, as the Mids say, ROM (restricted overall movement) and mask. The Dark Ages return. By the time this Shipmate edition comes to your house, I hope the cycle has changed again and we once more are out and about moving freely.

Since we could all use some good news- how about some Bravo Zulus?

The first is to Charlie Pangburn (31st Co). After decades as a Marine, Charlie is still wearing a uniform. This time it is that of a volunteer with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Still looking trim and like a “300 PFT-er” he joins the many selfless volunteers who contribute to the safety and security of our citizens, ports, waterways, and coastal regions with the main goal of recreational boating safety and education. Thanks for your continued service, Charlie.

Coastie- Charlie Pangburn

Bravo Zulu to Leviticus Lewis (25th Co). He celebrated a work anniversary at FEMA (15 years?). The last couple of years he was FEMA’s liaison to the DHS Joint Incident Advisory Group. That tour ended and he is now serving as a NASA Planetary Defense Program Officer in the NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office. That makes him the first FEMA detailee to that office and he will report to the NASA Planetary Defense Officer. Guess we can now call Levi the “Defender of the World”- you are like Superman! I will now sleep well at night knowing you have the watch against Armageddon-like asteroids, Alf, Mork and the Great Kazoo. Seriously though, it sounds like a very interesting role and mission. I’d love to hear more about it one day over cold beers. We wish you well in this new “adventure”. .

Congrats also goes to Bob “Bubba” Destafney (14th Co) for being named “Military Hero of the Month” for July by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Columbia Southern University, and Leidos. The Blue Wahoos are a Minor League Baseball team of the Double-A South and the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Each month, the team and their co-sponsors honor local military heroes in their game day program. Although they’re not playing games at the moment, they

‘78: Bubba is Military Hero of the Month

‘78: Laurie, Russ and their wedding Family

emphasize that “our military servicemen and women deserve recognition each and every day”. BZ, Bubba. I know you welldeserved the recognition; but I also know you would be the first to say you represent all our Military heroes. That’s just how you are.

Congrats also to Laurie (nee Tawney) and Russ Dedrickson (29th Co) who were surrounded by family when they tied the knot on August 8th. It goes without saying that your family, friends and classmates wish you both all the happiness in the world. We look forward to seeing you at tailgaters this year where we’ll be able to toast you. Final Bravo Zulus go to Terry Crawford (24th Co) who started a new position. He’s now as Insurance Agent at New York Life Insurance Company. Congrats also to our Class VP, Sean Coffey (13th Co) who was nominated by the President to be the Chief Counsel for the Department of the Navy. We know they both will do very well. In particular, when appointed, Sean will give great advice to our new 78th Secretary of the Navy – and fellow NAMA buddy – Carlos Del Toro (’83). Of course, Sean, you need to advise Carlos to say not say he is the 83-5 SECNAV! Ha, ha! Best to all.

Well, that’s the short of it. Until next time, Launchin’ Spot Four.

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’79

Life Membership: 91% Donor Participation: 19.13%

Pres: CAPT Dave Jackson, USN (Ret.) e: djackson@usna.edu Sec’y: LCDR John “Wiz” Withers, USN (Ret.) 1886 Woodpoint CT, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 p: 240-298-1006; e: JDWithers@1979.usna.com Social Network Links: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wizwithers Facebook Group: USNA Class of 1979 Website: www.usna79.com

Greetings 79ers!

My recent move to Georgia prompted Phil Renaud (15th Co.) to reach out and welcome Karen and me to the state. Because he’s a great guy, he also had the foresight to provide this update: M I live on a mountaintop in Ellijay, Georgia. Most of my close neighbors are Black Bears. Here’s a short story of my journey here:

After retiring in 2004 (last posting was CO, Naval Oceanographic Office at Stennis Space Center, MS), I became the Executive Director of the Living Oceans Foundation. My boss was a Saudi Prince who bankrolled the private operating foundation. I lived in Annapolis for 15 years while periodically running one of the prince’s ships around the world with a team of coral reef scientists. The highlight of that job was leading the “Global Reef Expedition’’; a 5-year, round-theworld survey and multispectral mapping of many of the most endangered and amazing coral reefs on the planet.

In 2018, I transferred to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on Cape Cod and became the Program Manager of a TED Audacious Project called the Ocean Twilight Zone Project. The Twilight Zone is the mid-water (aka mesopelagic) - it’s too dark for photosynthesis but is home to about 10x the biomass of the surface layer. The creatures down there are small, but toothy and fierce looking. If you want to see what twilight zone creature your personality matches best, take our creature-pairing quiz at: www.keepitweird.org.

There’s a Navy connection with the twilight zone. When sonar first came into use, the signals showed a false bottom due to the massive layers of twilight zone fish (scattering layers).

During the pandemic, we missed seeing our daughters (both in Atlanta) and we found this mountain top home to settle in. The only good thing about the pandemic was remote work becoming the norm so I’m still working full time for Woods Hole even though I’m far from the sea. Best Regards, Phil Thanks, Phil, for reaching out, and really appreciate your note. Looking forward to getting up your way soon.

I also received an email from another Georgia resident, Mike Leigh, formerly of 8th Company. Mike left Navy after Youngster year, but still went on to have a 30-year Navy career as an aviation maintenance officer (AMO). He currently is the CEO of AKTOptimize, a communications company supporting DoD.

Mike and his wife Lori live on Lake Lanier, which is just north of Atlanta. Lori telecommutes as the program manager of the Science Technology and Research Lab in Port Hueneme, CA. She is also a competitive Masters rower with the Atlanta Rowing Club, and recently medaled in three events at a regatta in Tennessee.

On a recent west coast visit Mike caught up with his Youngster Year roommate Lee Bond. Lee is enjoying an active retirement which includes a lot of cycling.

8th Co. roommates Mike Leigh and Lee Bond

As most of you are aware, Class President Dave Jackson sends out a monthly (or as needed) “Pres Sez” email to all ’79ers, including updates on class projects and other

items of interest to ’79 at large. These include our sponsorship of the Trident Scholar program and the Class of ’79 Alumni and Foundation Center Deck project. Regarding the latter, Dave says that as of this writing we’ve raised 79% of our $500,000 goal in donations/ pledges, so we’re well on our way. We’re also creating a new Trident Scholar plaque (plaque!) with our class crest that will be dedicated this fall.

Because of Dave’s position at USNA, he also includes a snapshot of life in the Yard in his updates. During the summer the Yard was open to the extent that Russ Keller’s memorial service could be held at the Chapel and Columbarium. And on a more upbeat note, Dave mentioned that Phil McConkey’s daughter May was recently sworn in as a member of the class of ’25!

If you are NOT receiving these emails from Dave, it’s because we don’t have a good email address for you. Drop me a note and I’ll help you get that updated.

Next week Karen and I are hosting a gathering of several classmates and spouses, so I’ll update you on that in the next issue. If your travels bring you to the Atlanta area let me know. Meanwhile, enjoy the fall and I’ll see you next month.

Wiz

’80

Life Membership: 96% Donor Participation: 17.12%

Pres: Tony Verducci e: Ajverducci80@gmail.com Sec’y: CAPT Joseph A. Grace Jr., USNR (Ret.) 15 Allard Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 p: 504-915-6711; e: joe.grace@1980.usna.com Website: http://1980.usnaclasses.net

Greetings Classmates,

It’s 100 Degrees here in New Orleans, we’re getting hammered by summer rains, flooding, new mask mandates and life is just wonderful. We are now just months away from our 40+ Reunion in the first weekend of November 2021. The Delta Variant of Covid 19 is doing it’s best to disrupt the country and hopefully this won’t have an impact on our festivities. We shall see and we will certainly keep everyone informed.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been meeting with Company Reps and the Class Officers to put the final touches on the Reunion and making sure that we contact everyone within the Class. Chuck Marsh, cmarsh@dcscorp.com has just taken over for 5th Company relieving Beth Leadbetter Gordon who has done an amazing job of helping us find lost Classmates. Welcome to the team Chuck! If you haven’t contacted your Company Rep to make sure your profile is updated and check in – please do! Also, please go to the Alumni Association’s website, www.usna.com and update your profile there. That is how we contact and communicate with everyone via our Class Email system. Speaking of the Reunion, here is a note from our new Class President, Tony Verduci: M Classmates,

Registration for our 40th+ Reunion is available. I’m privileged, on behalf of the Class Officers and Reunion Committee, to encourage you once again to register at the SignUpNow Events site (signupnow.events/usna1980) as soon as possible. There are a number of “first come, first served” events such as the Thursday, 4 November golf outing (48 spots in a shotgun start), and the Friday, 5 November Class Luncheon (300 people). The luncheon is limited to Classmate plus one guest. Time, tide and formation wait for no one as we are already one-third full for lunch on Friday!

Early registration has the added benefit of being less expensive— registration and event prices go up by 50 percent after 10 September! Take advantage of these lower prices and help the Reunion Committee better plan the best possible events.

Everything you need to know about the reunion is at our class website http://1980.usnaclasses .net/reunion-info-2/, which is managed by our Webmaster Extraordinaire, Bill Personius. You’ll find info about Class of ’80 SWAG, parking, uniform of the day, schedules, maps, and so much more. If you have any additional questions, contact your Company Reps, they are standing by to handle inquiries about the reunion as well.

Janie Mines, Barb Geraghty, Joe Grace, and Stefanie Goebel oin me in looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible in November. If this past 18 months has shown us nothing else, it’s that our bonds as Classmates are enduring and remain strong. Celebrate those bonds by registering for our reunion today! Beat Army, Tony. SECRETARY NOTE: Here is a repeat of the information that has more details on the sign-up process, how to update your profile and make sure you’re up to date on all aspects of the Reunion:

If you cannot make the reunion - we ask you to please do the two following things: -Go to: https://www.usna.com/login and update your information so we have the most accurate email address for you. This site is maintained by the Alumni Association and is not linked to the reunion registration site, so it needs to be updated separately. -Go to: https://signupnow.events/USNA19 80 and register for the SignUpNow website by clicking on Classmates Register Now. This does not obligate you to any reunion activities, but it does allow us to capture your contact info so we can reconcile it with the Alumni Association. If you previously registered for the September 2020 or April 2021 reunion events, or you voted for Class Officers, you are already registered at SignUpNow and do not have to complete this step. To sign up for the November reunion, we ask you to do the following: -Go to https://www.usna.com/login and update your information so we have the most accurate email address for you. This site is maintained by the Alumni Association and is not linked to the reunion registration site, so it needs to be updated separately. (This is the data base that we use for all Class emails and notifications) -Go to: https://signupnow.events/USNA19 80. If you haven’t already registered for a username and password at this website, click on the Classmates Register Now option. If you already have a username and password, click on the Login option. (Please note that if you use your browser’s autofill option for username and password, you may need to disable that function and manually type that information in.)

Very much looking forward to seeing the registration numbers climb and to hear from one and all! Company Reps, check in with your Company Mates and encourage them to join us in November. Please update your information on the website and with the Alumni Association.

Sign up – and hope to see you there! In the midst of all of the restrictions and uncertainty, Connie and Nels Frostenson, frostynels@aol.com sent in this update: M Ahoy Joe,

At the invitation of Kim and Emory Zimmer, Connie and I broke out of COVID restrictions in March to join the Zimmers on their sailboat “Someday” in the Bahamas. After all the red tape of health visas and tests. it was so worth it to board Someday and sail into the crystal-clear waters of the northern Exumas for a week. Kim and Emory were great hosts and such an amazing sailing team that they actually let us just sit back and enjoy.

SOMEDAY

The Gang

USNA at Sea

Archers and Sonnefelds in Indiatlantic FL_June 2021

The Sailing Gang

While anchored at Norman Cay, drenching our thirst in a Dark and Stormy at an isolated tiki-hut bar, we were “photo bombed” by Pete Peterson ‘84 and his wife Diane, sailing through on “Eos”. This called for a Shipmate photo. A week in Nassau - fresh fish, conch salad and cold beverages. Yes, “Someday” we’ll do it.

Sounds like the perfect way to avoid the pandemic! Well done and great update!

Jim Gosnell, jim.gosnell @viasat.com is a faithful supporter of Susan and Skip Anderson, danderson@san.rr.com and his health recovery journey. This note came in, along with a few others that I’ll combine: M RFM = relentless forward motion 100%

RFM = final round of chemo this week! : )

RFM = Optune Cap continues with some modifications. Skip is such a “patient patient” while Susan does her best to keep up with the treatment!

RFM = one of our best friends, Woodie, supporting us from the All-Star baseball game in Denver! Skip is in Monterey this weekend for his in laws 60th wedding anniversary and trust and I will be there. They are also doing wedding planning as their daughter Kate is getting married at the Carmel Mission in October where Skip and Susan did 32 years ago. Skip, Susan and family recently celebrated Susan’s Parents at a Family Party. Skip is looking great since he has finally adopted my hair stylist!

This afternoon I was lucky enough to have a long conversation with our new Vice President, Janie Mines joined recently joined Academy Securities on their advisory board as well as holding the position of Senior Vice President, Inclusion and Innovation. Besides being a great Classmate and friend, she is a highly sought out speaker, and has been a keynote for such organizations as Dow, Liberty Mutual, AIG, NASDAC, Naval Academy Alumni Association, Bases and Installations, Naval District Washington and ASNE. We are so fortunate to have her on our Leadership Team. She is truly making a difference in the conversation across the country. Here are some photos from her recent panels and publicity shots.

Janie on one of her many panels

This note came in from Tina and Danny Archer darcher@mitre.org who are now East Coast dwellers – along with keeping their home in San Diego. M Joe-Joe,

Very nice note! Time does fly, it’s hard to believe it was 45 years ago we were on T-Court raising our hands to take our Oath of Office as a Class.

The Archer’s are presently in Melbourne, FL at our beach condo we bought 3 years ago. It’s my dream come true as I can walk the beach at sunrise and sunset while also playing golf at Patrick AFB during the day. I am on a phased retirement at MITRE Corporation, with my home base out of San Diego, CA. I work about half time now, but think I’ll fully retire at the end of this year. Tina and I plan to be bi-coastal and go between both the left and right coasts throughout the year. We are excited about our upcoming USNA 80 reunion in November and seeing everyone! The pandemic year was long, and I never want to experience that again in my lifetime.

While speaking with Nels Frostenson in May, he informed me Mike “Bones” Sonnefeld and his wife Colleen had recently bought a second home in Satellite Beach, just outside the back gate at Patrick AFB on South Patrick Drive. Colleen’s sister and family live in Cocoa Beach just up Highway A1A from us. With Nel’s intel, the Archer’s & Sonnefeld’s were able to synch-up and rendezvous at the Tiki Hut located at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Indialantic, FL for a few cold beers. Mike and Colleen are doing well and plan to maintain their home in Crofton, MD. Their plan is to go back and forth between MD and FLA. Mike recently was hired as the “Master Golf Starter” and the Naval Academy golf course (My ultimate dream job!).

Kudo’s to our new USNA Class Officers, we know you will excel! A special shoutout and thanks to Tim Kobosko, aka “Kobo”, for his many years of leadership and guidance as our Class President for the great Class of ’80. BZ Kobo! Lastly, thank you Joe for the tremendous job you have done as Class of ’80 Scribe and Secretary. You have faithfully ensured our Shipmate Class column was always written with inputs from the Class.

Well, that’s all the news that I can fit into the Column. In closing, I hope that this finds each of you healthy, happy and wiser today than yesterday. Please take a few minutes to renew a friendship, call / visit / teams / zoom / text a Classmate and take care of each other. You never know what a difference you can make. Wishing all of you a very safe summer and early fall. I am hopeful that the new variant will not shut us down in November. Plan on attending – renew your connection with the Class! Go Navy!

As always, BEAT ARMY,

Joe

’81

Life Membership: 95% Donor Participation: 31.15%

Pres: CDR Otto Stutz, USN (Ret.) 217 Coyatee Court, Loudon, TN 37774. c: 757-618-4487; e: otto@1981.usna.com Vice Pres: CDR Tim Disher, USN (Ret.) 1405 12th St NW Apt #2 Washington DC 20005 c: 410-507-9040 e: timothy.disher@1981.usna.com Corr Sec’y: Chuck French e: classof81scribe@gmail.com chuck_french@charter.net Webmaster: Patty Crandlemire Whitney Website: www.usna1981.org Classwide messages: usna1981@yahoogroups.com

Once again, solemn greetings Great Class of 1981. By the time you read this article we will have celebrated our 40th reunion, with lots of laughs, storytelling, and camaraderie. Unfortunately, I must start this article reporting the death of another of my classmate/company mates, Chris “Deke” Forbes (21st). While in my last article I stated hope for good news about his recovery, it was sadly not to be. Deke passed away on July 7 due to ongoing complication and infections resulting from a tragic fall from a ladder about 3 months prior. Again, Fun ’21 and the class of ’81 as a whole has had to reminisce and console each other over the loss of a terrific human being, classmate, and friend. Our hearts and prayers and thoughts continue to go out to Deke’s family. Words simply cannot adequately express the feeling of grief we know they are bearing, and that we all feel as classmates and friends. RIP Deke, you will be sorely missed. For this month’s inbox, I received a terrific note from Dave Branzell (36th) detailing the legacy offspring of his company mates who have graduated from our nation’s service academies. Here is Dave’s note in full:

Recently we had Paul Schartung graduate in the top 10% of the class of 2021. Paul is the son of Joe Schartung (36th) (who passed away in 2009) and Connie. Paul graduated with a degree in the new major of Cyber Warfare. Paul is heading to Pensacola to be a Naval Flight Officer. 36th company is very proud of Paul.

Paul Schartung and mom Connie, son and wife of Joe Schartung (36th)

Paul is not the only Class of ‘81 legacy graduate of a service academy from 36th company.

This year we also had Bradley Kim, son of Steve Kim (36th) and his wife Karin, graduate from USAFA. Bradley is the second USAFA graduate from the Kim family, with Mitchell Kim graduating in 2014. 2nd Lt Bradley Kim will be going into Air operations, and Capt. Mitchell Kim has transferred to the reserves after being in Air Force Acquisitions.

Bradley and Mitchell Kim, sons of Steve Kim (36th) and USAFA grads

In 2006 the son of Tom Sanchez (36th) and his wife Kim, Peter McGavin graduated from USAFA. Lt Col Peter McGavin was a KC135 & C5 pilot after graduation. He is currently posted at Joint Forces Command in Naples (our own ADM Jamie Foggo’s (8th) former command). His current boss is Larry LeGree (USNA ’91) who constantly reminds him he graduated from the WRONG academy.

USAFA graduate Peter McGavin with proud parents with Tom Sanchez (36) and his wife Kim

In 2009 Patrick Shannon, son of ADM Jim Shannon (36) and his wife Lisa, graduated from USNA. At USNA, Patrick was a football player, boxer, and played rugby. After selecting SWO on graduation, Patrick was on USS HIGGINS (DDG 86) and participated in the Haiti earthquake recovery (pictured). He then went back to Mother B as a company officer (Rugby Club Officer Rep, pictured nearby) before returning to sea on USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). LCDR Patrick Shannon is finishing up as Reactor Electrical Assistant and is heading to the Line Lockers at Naval Reactors.

USAFA In 2015, Kellie Freer Graduated from USNA. Kellie is the daughter of two proud 36th company grads, Bob (’81) and Dori (’82) Freer. After completing two SWO tours on USS SULLIVANS (DDG-68), and USS MAHAN (DDG-72), Kelli is now at MIT working on a Master’s degree before embarking on a career as an EDO.

Bob Freer (36), wife Dori (’82) and daughter Kellie (’15)

In 2020 Matt Christenson, son of ADM John Christenson (36) and his wife Teresa, graduated from USNA. Matt was Supe’s list and 11th company commander. Matt is currently the 1st Lt on USS JOHN FINN (DDG113). Due to the Covid restrictions no one was able to be at their graduation, but John was able to swear him in at their home in Annapolis.

Matt Christenson and proud dad ADM John Christenson (36)

On the Tennessee front, I got to briefly see classmate Vince Hartmann (1st) here in Tennessee when he was down here for a family gathering on Tellico Lake. Vince came out to see my band play and hang with my wife Reecy for a bit. Vince, we need a longer visit next time! I also ran into my community neighbor and our class president, Otto Stutz (32nd) and his wife Meg at one of the golf course restaurants. Otto and I have big plans for golf and boating here in our beautiful East Tennessee homestead.

Up in the next issue will be a recap of our 40th reunion…in the meantime, stay safe out there!

V/R, Chuck. GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!

’81 Second to None! ’82

Life Membership: 97% Donor Participation: 21.92%

Pres: CDR Janeann Treadway Conley, USN (Ret.) p: 410-251-7893; e: Jtcnaples@yahoo.com Vice Pres: CAPT Matt Moury, USN (Ret.) p: 410-263-7640; e: vicepresident@usna82.org Treas: VADM Terry Benedict, USN (Ret.) p: 703-913-7183; e: treasurer@usna82.org Corr Sec’y: CDR Mark Shields, USN (Ret.) 3 High Meadow Ln., Newark, DE 19711 p: 302-234-0835; c: 302-229-1085 e: m.shields75@yahoo.com Website: http://1982.usnaclasses.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/USNA82

Greetings to the great class of ‘82!

You should be receiving this issue of Shipmate at some point during my favorite month of October, although I am submitting it at the height of the summer doldrums of late July. Maybe it is these hazy, lazy days of midsummer that explain why my class of ‘82 mailbag has been nearly empty in recent weeks. This column relies entirely on your submissions, so please consider dropping me an email, especially if you have been a slacker over the past few (or maybe 39 or so) years! So on to what I have:

This first pic from Bobby Sturgell (03) was forwarded to me way back in April, so I apologize for the delay. No excuse, Sir!! If you follow the Navy men’s lacrosse team, you may remember when 16th ranked Navy upset #10 Army by a score of 9-4 at Navy Marine Corps Stadium back on April 24th. I am sure that it was the support of the following pictured contingent of ‘82 lax stars (and one from ‘83) that was a key factor in this huge victory!

Speaking of great pics, John Vanden Berghe (27) recently posted to our class Facebook page some great photos that his father had taken on May 25th, 1979 during our epic climbing of the Herndon monument. John gave me his permission to post a few of these pics for those of you who may not be on Facebook:

That’s a lot of grease!

Looking good ‘82!!

I also heard from Jeff Hughes (30) regarding some exhausting yet rewarding “duty”: M ”Hope you are well, and thanks for taking over as the Shipmate coordinator. I was in San Diego in June on “emergent Day Care” duty for my grandson, Noah. Pictured are my son, Steve Hughes (2010), a Navy Doctor at Balboa, and my grandson Noah. Had a great time with family - I was a bit exhausted after my 8 days of “duty” but I wouldn’t have missed the opportunity! All the best, Jeff Hughes ‘82” My wife and I regularly watch our 3 grandkids (ages 4,2,and 1), so I can certainly relate!

‘82: Former Navy lax stars help bring down Army. Left to Right: Billy Anderson (31), “Davey” Jones (20), Pace Kessenich (22), Tyrone Hughes (13), Bobby Sturgell (03), Pat Greene (32), Phil Skalniak (class of ‘83)

‘82: Teamwork!!

3 generations of Hughes men!

So that empties my mailbag for this month. I am hoping to get a lot of submissions for the next issue, which will be arriving near the start of the holiday season and the big game against those Black Knights. Who remembers buying one of these from the machines in Bancroft Hall?

As always, looking good ‘82 and GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!!

Mark

’83

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 21.93%

Pres: LCDR Stephen L. Fischer, USN (Ret.) 31 Call Ct., Fredericksburg, VA 22405-2144 p: 540-840-7051 Vice Pres: Ms. Geraldine W. Santos Treas: Frank Vernet e: fgvernet@gmail.com Sec’y & Shipmate Contact: CAPT Chris Pietras, USN (Ret.) 9404 Jackson St., Burke, VA 22015 c: 860-885-9009; e: 83shipmate@gmail.com Facebook: USNA 1983 LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/83 Website: http://1983.usnaclasses.net

Well I guess I hexed a couple of things with last month’s column (September 2021) but thankfully not everything.

When I submitted the column in June and mentioned Carlos’ nomination as SECNAV, I actually thought it would be in the done pile before the next column and we maybe would have a picture of his swearing in ceremony. Thankfully his nom is still on track – passed out of committee as of the end of July, just really slow going. No doubt Carlos will be the Navy leader sometime soon and before this column hits your mailbox – well he should be considering how lightning fast Congress moves on things

I also mentioned that we were out of masks and Covid restrictions were ending everywhere. Weeeelllll not so fast. I really thought we turned the corner and then the delta variant reared its ugly head. Covid numbers up, hospitalizations up, … Mostly in the unvaccinated population. I know that not everyone believes in masks or the vaccination, but I hope that each and every one of you and your families have been vaccinated to the maximum extent possible and that you’ve been wearing your masks to keep your family, friends and colleagues safe while the numbers are up.

Also by the time you are reading this column, Navy Football will be back at Navy Marine Corps Stadium – and hopefully so will fans. 5 or 6 games will have been played, including Navy vs Air Force on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. And we will be enjoying food and soda, water and the occasional beer, cider, wine or other beverage of your choice at the Class tailgaters. I hope to see many of you at the games this year.

Da Newz:

Alan Mangan checks in: 2021 is shaping up to be a milestone year for the Mangan family. We bought a home on Daufuskie Island, SC and will move there from Annapolis in the Fall. Elliana and I lived in Columbia, SC 1995-2000 and are returning to our adopted home state. I retired in March finishing off my final six years with Booz Allen Hamilton and in the National Security Policy Community at U.S. Cyber Command. Elliana will work from home in our new Carolina Room. Our youngest, Sean, graduated from High School in June. He is headed to join his older brother, Conor, at the University of South Carolina. Alex, our daughter, is in Baltimore working at a law firm and intends to make a career in the profession of Law. In cleaning out the house for our move, I found this gem of a shot. PROTRAMID, July 1981, Surface Warfare week at Dam Neck. We were in our glory - Alan Mangan, Bill Cusack, Tim Bonnett, Dan Dixon, Tom Corcoran, and John Amy. A shout out to my roommates Tim Bonnett and Bobby Corolla whose company with their families Elliana and I and our family have enjoyed at the football games since 2003. We love you and thank you. Go Navy!

Congrats on retirement and the new digs Alan and Elliana !

Tom McKavitt (Katz) looking good and sporting the new class bow tie at the stadium command center at ‘21’s graduation.

Thinking about running a 50K, or would you rather just sponsor the guy doing it. Our own Luke Lukenbill (lukenbillfc @gmail.com) is running a 50K (30 miles). He’s already passed his goal of $5K for the run on October 31st. So even though he’s passed the goal and has probably upped it by the time you read this, there’s still time to sponsor him.

In Luke’s words: “I am honored to be running in the Marine Corps 50K on 31 October. What a thrill to be running in this live event while honoring our fallen brothers and sisters. I will be raising money for Run to Honor this year (http://www. runtohonor.com/)

The Mission of Run To Honor is to honor Naval Academy Alumni lost in combat or military operations in service to our Nation. In a spirit of camaraderie and through participation in athletic and memorial events, we perpetuate the memory of our fallen brothers and sisters and express support for the families they leave behind.

Run To Honor also supports our Gold Star Families through assisting them in their participation in the Marine Corps Marathon, honoring their fallen loved ones.”

Luke’s fundraising link is: https: //www.gofundme.com/f/gzp4t6 -runtohonor?utm_medium =email&utm_source=product&utm _campaign=p_email+2300 -co-team-welcome

Run to Honor

In a straight steal from Steve Fischer’s monthly update, here’s some words from Dixon Smith:

“This coming fall I’ll be riding my bike from San Francisco to San Diego to help raise funds in support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Since 1994, CAF has supported and provided the opportunity for individuals with physical challenges to get back into the game of life through sports. In 2020, CAF funded 3,921 individual grants totaling $5.9M across 103 different sports in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and 42 countries around the world. One such athlete is Chase Merriweather; you can see his story here: https://www. challengedathletes.org/athletes/ chase-merriweather/

Having seen firsthand the incredible benefits adaptive sports play in the recovery of our wounded warriors, I am fully committed in my support to helping all challenged athletes. If you’re so inclined, I’d ask you to consider joining me in supporting CAF and those they serve - any donation will help make a difference. Just below you’ll find a link to my personal webpage where

you can contribute. Thank you. Kiki and I send our best to everyone!!

Sail fast, Dixon” https://support.challengedathletes.org/site/TR/ActiveCompanies /General?px=1324231&pg= personal&fr_id=1760

On June 12th Jim Nail was sworn in as the Missouri State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 2021-2022. (Jim, sorry I didn’t include the picture, but not of a sufficiently good quality for publication)

Two photos taken from our class Facebook page. The first is from a post started by Jim Laufer and included a picture of the 32nd company barber shop (the statute of limitations has run out for all form-2s). What year was this Jim? The second photo is from Frank Blundetto celebrating the class and his Mom. Frank posted it on hi Mom’s ‘83rd birthday ! Happy bday Mom !

Barber Shop

Celebration

I’m still looking for the earliest classmate on Active Duty. I believe the earliest that I have confirmed information on is Dan Casmey with a June 17th, 1975 date. Is there anyone else out there that can beat his date?

A reminder for you to update your profile on usna.com Only you can do it. Update with your latest mailing address, your correct phone number, your spouses name (if you have one – or at least update it to the correct one). And when you retire and move, update it again – that’s the only way you will get Shipmate in your mailbox. https://www.usna.com/profile

Send me your newz: Please tell us what is going on (what went on) in your life. Don’t make the first time your name shows up in the column be the last time. Several Classmates are in their most important battle – if you know who they are, keep them in your thoughts. And if you pray, then pray for them and their families.

Please be sure to reach out and touch your loved ones, reconnect with an old friend or roommate, whether in person or on the phone. Pick up the phone, send an email or knock on a door – Life is fragile. Just do it today, as we can never count on the opportunity to be able to do so tomorrow.

Got Newz? send to: 83shipmate@gmail.com

Don’t forget our Legacy Giving effort. Go here: http://www.usna.com/give/1983

Once a classmate, always a classmate.

’83- A Class Act! ’84

Life Membership: 100% Donor Participation: 41.30%

Pres: Mr. Brian D. Goodrow e: goodrow2@comcast.net Vice Pres: Karen M. Halverson e: dkhalvy@earthlink.net Treas: Mr. Stephen J. Shepherd e: stephenjamesshepherd@gmail.com Sec’y/Shipmate Contact: Kevin Monahan 428 Santa Mesa Dr., San Jose, CA 95123 p: 408-624-0773 e: kevin_monahan@comcast.net Website: www.usna84.org

When I stepped into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie theater, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.

It’s that kind of afternoon here on the editorial floor of the ’84 Column Media Building. I rolled back into Podunk after two and a half weeks on the road with the band and sellout crowds in Fayetteville, Peoria, Lafayette, Dayton, Cedar Rapids, El Paso and not a thing to say so I’m just rewriting old classics to get the pen warmed up.

Writing is easy, He said. All you have to do is sit at a typewriter and bleed on it. He said write one true thing. That one true thing is the ’84 Column is not due at the Alumni House until 4 days ago and I have writer’s block, jet lag and zero gouge so I’m bringing out the big guns to word craft another thought provoking column: reaching out to Summer School mates, dialing up ‘80s Music, and coaxing a shoulder rub from Stella Artois. Never fails. Ever.

Hurry boy it’s waiting there for you.

‘It’ being a text from Summer School Companymate Kathleen Murray with a picture from the launch of son Michael ‘22 to Plebe Detail in early July. Michael served as Training Officer for the Midshipman instructors who thought playing Call of Duty qualified them to instruct Plebes in rifle and pistol. In tow, he had his 1977 Fiat which Kathleen gladly allotted valuable driveway space for over two years despite the fact it didn’t run so she could race it on the Mid-Atlantic Circuit. Days after, Our Girl found a set of Fiat front and back seats on the top of a garage shelf and two boxes of Fiat parts, all now free to a good Fiat home per Kathleen. Kathleen reminisced about her Midmobile, a Datsun 210 and Ann Tolg’s Blue VW which she tooled around in 1st Class Summer while taking a Shakespeare class to smooth out her GPA.

“Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s Day?”

“Please don’t. You spent the last 3 Summers in Texas.”

Kathleen Murray, MIDN/LT Michael Zanti and non-rate Christopher at the Fiat send off. Chip Lindsey and Toni Chase sent Plebes Finn and Tommy to the Class of ’25 and took a 34th Company photo at The Chapel on I-Day.

Toni’s daughter Mimi ’22 had an internship at Vanderbilt, giving Toni a great opportunity to realize her lifelong dream of visiting Nashville and the Grand ‘Ol Opry.

Tom, Toni and Mimi Chase in Nashville

Mimi Chase ’22 at the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

Bret Muilenberg’s son Dean used summer training to help with the big service selection decision. Bret sent this picture of Dean at a wedding in Texas from last Summer.

Dave Terwilliger just completed his first year as Chairman of the Steering Committee of the USNA Admissions volunteer program. The Committee advises the Dean of Admissions on supporting and utilizing the 2200 Blue and Gold Officers spread out across the country and also support the volunteers by advocating for program improvement and assisting the program’s 89 area coordinators with things like volunteer recruitment.

Dave has been a Blue and Gold Officer for 30 years and is still enjoying it. BGOs play three roles: promote USNA in our local area, support and counsel interested students, and perform admission interviews.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with many really fantastic kids. The attached photo is with Tito on the day his family celebrated his 2021 graduation and Navy commission. Tito was not awarded the USNA Appointment he so desired but we formulated a backup plan that got him both scholarship money and his commission. There is great satisfaction in simultaneously supporting USNA and working with truly exceptional kids, I highly recommend it and will gladly assist anyone interested in joining the program.

Dave Terwilliger and one of his newly commissioned Ensigns I’m still working as a pilot with American Airlines but thoughts of retirement are becoming very frequent. Thankfully, work has allowed me to reconnect with my 15th Company roommates from time to time. Jeff and Kari Schmitt are in the DFW area and we are able to get together almost every time I’m there for training. Work also allowed me to reconnect with Philip and Michele Dobbs on a recent Nashville layover.

Philip officially announced his pending retirement from Bridgestone where he has been Chief Marketing Officer for the past ten years. In Philip’s official retirement announcement, CEO Paolo Ferrari said, “I congratulate Philip on his retirement and thank him for his vision, leadership and innumerable contributions to our company.” Must have done some good work in the automotive world to get props from a guy named Ferrari. Phil is also on the Bridgestone Golf Board of Directors and got to play in the 2021 Bridgestone Senior Players Championship Pro-Am with tournament winner Steve Stricker. Phil is on the verge of a single digit handicap so retirement may be all he needs for a breakthrough.”

Phil Dobbs, playing through at the Senior Players Pro-Am

Tailgate Committee Head Blake Ratcliff, Andrew Gallotta, Rick Muldoon, Karen Halverson, Doug Thomas and Mel Hamner began planning for the season in early Summer, working the issues behind the curtain so the Tailgates run smoothly and everyone looks like they do it for a living.

Massive Gratitude to Mel and Susie Hamner for cleaning out, inventorying and reorganizing the ’84 Tailgate Trailer in July.

Stay Gold, ’84.

’85

Life Membership: 95% Donor Participation: 17.88%

Pres: Bob Smith 1009 Caiman Ct., Sellersburg, IN 47172 p: 502-432-6185; e: robertsmith5@att.net Vice Pres: Stephen J. Pimpo e: sjpimpo@comcast.net Corr Sec’y: Vic Otero e: vic@otero-pearl.com

Hey 85

Big News Rear Admiral Babette Bolivar retires from the Navy. This news comes from Captain John Figuerres. Here is the note.

Today I was honored to attend Rear Admiral Babette Bolivar’s retirement ceremony. Over 40 years ago we started our Navy journey together. Flew on the same flight from California to travel to Annapolis. She and I were the last ones to get off the bus dropping us off at the Naval Academy the night before Induction Day. Well done Bette! You are the best of us, leader extraordinaire, no better God-mother to Alexa. My next note is from Paul McElroy. He and a couple of his boys Brad Olds and Joe Papetti were running around on a boat. On the South River in Annapolis. The second pix was taken moments before running aground.

By the time this article is read we would have had our 35th reunion. I bet we had a great time.

Go Navy

VO

LUCKY BAG OF BOOKS

To check out all the options for your reading pleasure, visit usna.com/LBB

86/89 CLASS NEWS ’86

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 11.32%

Pres: Michael Cadwell e: michael.caldwell@accenture.com p: 505-400-3406 Vice Pres: RADM Jim McNeal, USN SC (Ret.) e: jamesm@ispards.com Treas: CDR J.T. Young, USNR (Ret.) e: jty2664@gmail.com Sec’y: CAPT Todd Wagner, MC, USN (Ret.) e: todd.wagner86@gmail.com Corr Sec’y: Mike Althouse e: mike.althouse@gmail.com p: 410-688-9060

Are you out there, ’86?

This article should be reaching you after our 35th reunion – how is it possible that we’re in the same place that the Class of 1951 was during our firstie year? Those dudes were OLD.

As this is my first article after relieving Anne-Groves Hammond of her corresponding secretary duties, please join me in thanking her for all of the hard work she did keeping us informed and connected over the past several years. She has set a high bar for me to meet, so I’ll need your help with those updates. My contact information is in the header so please drop me an email or a text any time.

Fortunately, John Collins sent in the below and didn’t even know he was helping the newbie out: M Had the privilege of representing the class at VADM Brian Brown’s retirement on July 1st at Stennis Space Center. It was a wonderful celebration and Brian spoke eloquently of how blessed, lucky and thankful he was. His career started as a SWO, then a lateral transfer to Oceanography culminating as the head of Meteorology and Oceanography as a one star. Next was an unexpected left turn to Vandenberg AFB as the two-star Deputy Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space (STRATCOM) and head of the Navy’s Space Cadre, and most recently as the three-star Commander of Naval Information Forces (oceanography, intel, EW, IO and space).

Here is Brian, his wife Kim and their children Eric and Anna after the ceremony

All of us in 30th Company knew that this easyography major was going to be a successful leader, but it was great to see friends representing so many points of his life from high school through all 35 years of service all singing his praises as a leader, mentor and friend. COVID limited the attendance but fortunately Doug Edwards and Brian had organized a couple Zoom 30th company reunions over the past year so we’ve been able to catch up and see what we’ve all been up to. Congratulations Kickstand, we’re proud of you. -JC As for me, it’s been a while since I sent in an update, so I’ll start from the beginning. After graduation, I went to flight school and winged in October 1987. Went to VQ-4 in Pax River for 3.5 years and then went to USNA to teach in Luce Hall. I got out in 1994 during the exit bonus extravaganza and moved back to Michigan. I went to work for a small consulting firm until 2001 when Capital One recruited me and we moved to Richmond, VA. I worked there for 13 years and then took a job with PayPal in Timonium, MD. I worked there from 2014-2018 and moved to just outside Wilmington, DE, when I went to work for Barclays. In mid-2019 I became the Chief Compliance Officer for The Bancorp, the bank behind a lot of fintechs like Chime and Oxygen. I expected to be there for a good bit but I was just recruited to be the Chief Compliance Officer for Green Dot and will be able to work from anywhere (thank you, pandemic!). I’ve been married to Alison since 1988 and we have two sons, Drew and Evan. Drew lives in Michigan with his wife and one year old daughter, and Evan is getting married this October. Life is definitely good.

So, how about y’all? Send me news or I’ll be forced to regale you with stories about my only granddaughter.

Beat Army!

’87

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 13.49%

Pres: Jim Matheson e: jmatheson@1987.usna.com Shipmate columnist: Robert Pinataro 9953 Watermark Ln. W. Jacksonville, FL 32256 e: rpinataro87@gmail.com; p: 770-722-6373 Website: www.usna87.org

Hello Classmates,

I hope this column finds you well and enjoying the fall weather.

Chief of Naval Operations, Mike Gilday, posted on LinkedIn, “Honored to promote John Fuller to the rank of Vice Admiral today! He is a passionate, thoughtful, & committed leader and makes excellence a habit in everything he does. Congratulations to you & your family John”

John Fuller and family at his Promotion to Vice Admiral

John Chandler recently posted news about Mike Spanos. “Six Flags is proud to donate 50,000 tickets in support of California’s vaccination efforts. CEO Mike Spanos met with Gov. Gavin Newsom to discuss safety - and fun - this summer.”

Governor Gavin Newsom and Mike Spanos, CEO of Six Flags Go Navy!

Please send your news to: rpinataro87@gmail.com with “SHIPMATE” in the subject line.

’88

Life Membership: 100% Donor Participation: 15.82%

Pres: Jim Schwab c: 972-489-4061 e: jschwab@crimstonepartners.com Vice Pres: Henry Stoever w: 202-572-2102; c: 301-787-9700 e: henry.stoever@gmail.com Sec’y: Sara Salas Wickard c: 757-589-0678; e: swickard88@gmail.com Website: www.usna.com “find my class”

’89

Life Membership: 100% Donor Participation: 18.09%

Pres: Denise (Shorey) Willert 1700 Pilgrims Mews, VA Beach, VA 23455 h: 757-464-0429, m: 757-238-1102 e: denise.willert@1989.usna.com Corr Sec’y: Scott McFadden e: jscottmc89@yahoo.com Listserv: usna89@yahoogroups.org Listserv Subscription: send a blank email to usna89-subscribe@yahoogroups.com from the address you wish listserv traffic to be sent To Post a Message: write your message and send it to usna89@yahoogroups.com Unsubscribe: send a blank message to usna89-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Webmaster: Ingar Grev e: igrev@1989.usna.com

’89ers! Can you believe it’s October already? This year is flying! By the time you read this I will have run about 42 half-marathons with a goal of running 52 for the year. In January, my wife, Joanne, and I will be going to Disney World, barring any Covid delays, to run four races; a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon and a full marathon. A race a day for four days. It should be fun.

Our class president, Denise Willert, provides this update: Dear friends,

Happy fall! Hopefully as you read this, you’re enjoying a fantastic Navy football season and we’re having the good fortune to attend the games in person. I’m grateful to Ingar Grev as always for running

the class tailgate program, and maximum participation is the goal — so head on over if you can and share some camaraderie with dear friends! Unfortunately, as I write this in July, COVID is still quite in the forefront of the news cycle. I know we’re all hoping to get beyond this pandemic soon and to keep our loved ones safe and healthy.

You should have had the opportunity by now to enjoy a customized Class of 1989 Herff Jones Chapel Dome product, as the target date to advertise them on the company’s website was early fall. I hope they turned out as nice as we had imagined and that you love them.

On a personal note, as my parents live in Milton, Florida, I had the opportunity prior to heading to Europe to visit my old stomping grounds of NAS Whiting Field and NAS Pensacola. It was an honor to see the venerable H-46 once again, and hard to believe that I ever flew that great machine. A bigger honor, however, was to have my photo taken with Rear Admiral Sara “Clutch” Joyner, even if she was only an image on a screen. FIrst image: Marie Shorey (my mother), me, my girls, Stella and Johanna

Second image: My girls, Stella and Johanna, and me. I’m hoping to visit with Rear Admiral Pete Garvin, Commander, Naval Education and Training Command, this week as well if our schedules permit. I’m humbled and privileged to be a classmate of such awesome warriors and great people!

That’s all for now — take care everyone and have a wonderful October. Now’s the time, ’89!

Fondly, Denise Thanks, Denise!

Scott

USNA.COM

Bringing the Alumni Association to you.

’90

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 10.47%

Pres: Frank Bendik e: fbendik90@yahoo.com Vice Pres: Joe Gugluizza e: joe@academyglobalinvestments.com Ops: Maj Carter Honesty, USMC (Ret.) e: carterhonesty@yahoo.com Treas: Lawrence “Kai” Yeh e: kyeh@mpsgc.com Sec’y: Trey Alexander e: shipmate1990@gmail.com Website: www.usna90.com Facebook: USNA Class of 1990

’91

Life Membership: 98% Donor Participation: 12.96%

Pres: Evan Barnet p: 203-249-0071; e: evan@USNA91.info Admin VP: Julie Shank p: 858-663-9852; e: julie@USNA91.info Exec VP: Ray Barata e: ray@USNA91.info Sec’y and Shipmate Contact: Sue (Slaven) Macaluso e: sue@usna91.info p: 631-365-2070 Treasurer: Mike Smith p: 847-421-5850; e: Mike@USNA91.info At Large: Ian Hadden p: 501-313-9597; e: ian@USNA91.info At Large: Craig Benson p: 612-203-4280; e: craig@USNA91.info Website: www.usna91.info

“Shipmate apologizes for the duplicate photo in the July-August Shipmate column. It is reprinted here with the proper caption. Congratulations again to Andy and the Gebara family”

With Regrets

We were saddened at the passing of our dear classmate Ross Bruce Cheairs III. As notified by

’91: The Gebara family: AJ, Josh, Nikki and Andy

’91: The “JO Jungle” on USS Nimitz, with Ross and Joel, and many others.

Joel Gutierrez: It is with great regret and sadness that I report our Classmate (and my HS-8 squadron mate) Ross Cheairs III passed away on July 4th of natural causes. Picture included is of us in the ‘JO Jungle’ on USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) WESTPAC circa 1994-1995. Ross was a great friend and wonderful shipmate in addition to being a great father to three young children and his lovely wife Elizabeth. Please keep the Ross family in your thoughts and prayers. Totally devastating to lose such a great person so suddenly and unexpectedly.

Another (Continued) Link in the Chain

Richard Norvell, from 8th Company, dropped off his son, Samuel Norvell, on June 30th for I-Day to join the Class of 2025. Samuel also received offers of appointment to West Point and the Air Force Academy. He made the right choice and picked Navy (was there any other choice?!? C’mon…)! From the first time he visited USNA, Samuel has always said that he wanted to attend the Naval Academy. He has worked very hard to make this dream come true. His parents, family and friends are very proud of him. Best of luck to Samuel Norvell, 9th Company, Class of 2025. Congratulations!

Picture from 2009: Samuel Norvell and younger brother Jackson Norvell on their first visit to the Naval Academy. Picture remake from June 30, 2021 (before I-Day Begins).

Samuel Norvell as a Plebe Class of 2025. Picture of Richard and Samuel Norvell.

It’s Our 30th Reunion!!! Go 91!

Wow! It seems impossible that we graduated from the Boat School 30 years ago… I can remember some of it like it happened yesterday, and much of it I think I have blocked out (LOL!)… Let’s just say I am grateful to be making “new” memories with our classmates, not just from 30+ years ago! And I am looking forward to more memories to be made during our 30th reunion this month! Hopefully you have already registered for this event and please be sure to take plenty of pictures and share them… I will be including some of these in upcoming Shipmate articles so make sure you send to me and caption them as well… You can email me at: sue@usna91.info. I look forward to it!

91 Sightings

On the lighthearted side… Plenty have shared their 91 “sightings…” Enjoy.

From Sandi Massanelli White: Now this was a great meal!!! See everyone in October!!!!

From Anthony Faro Gutierrez: Next weekend’s weather is a bit motivating. Maybe teach the kids DC in the back yard From Hope Renee Palmer: Not sure how many of you Peloton but I scored a 91 output during a 10 minute climb ride!

From Tim Ernst: Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream - cooling off on a hot and humid day! #91naturallyocuringinnatureFrom Brent Andberg: Found this. Too funny.

Keep Us Updated!

Share your news with our classmates and help get connected! To submit information to be included in Shipmate magazine, please send to Sue Macaluso at email: sue@usna91.info.

“THE HELM”

Classmates…Welcome to the Reunion month! Hope you are gearing up for the reunion and looking forward to getting together! Please take a minute as you see the Reunion Committee throughout the weekend to give them a warm welcome thanks for all their efforts. They have put in many months of planning to make the weekend a fun time for all. Safe travels and look forward to seeing you all! Go Navy!...Evan sends…

’92

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 17.95%

Pres: Creighton Armstrong e: Creighton.Armstrong@am.jll.com Corr Sec’ys: David Ornstein and Jerry Deren e: USNA1992ClassUpdate@gmail.com Website: www.usna92.com

‘92,

By the time you are digging-in to this fine periodical, we will be well into Navy Football season and (of course equal in importance) into class fellowship at the ’92 tailgater at NMCMS. Hope a lot of classmates are taking the opportunity to get out to a game and re-connect.

As this column went to press, we were delighted to see that Jake Ellzey was successful in the special election for Texas’ Sixth Congressional District, and by the time you read this he will be the newest member of the House of Representatives. Many congratulations to Jake as he moves on in his journey to fulfill that last part of the Academy mission. Also, we look forward to a bill designating 6 July as “National USNA ’92 Day.”

The Honorable Jake Ellzey, representing Texas’ Sixth Congressional District (and ’92, of course!)

A big BZ to RDML Jamie Sands, who has taken command of SOCOM Africa. Wishing Jamie fair winds for this important mission.

RDML Jamie Sands

“But still when two or three shall meet…” - Shelby Mounts and Greg Gilliland bumped into each other at MSP and flew on to Sioux Falls together.

Shelby Mounts and Greg Gilliland at their unplanned mini-reunion

Classmates: You may notice that we are a bit compact in this space this month. We aim to do better for the next issue, but as ever to do better will require your support. Please get us your tales of current or past exploits (still looking for those Black N stories!) at usna1992 classupdate@gmail.com

Keep looking out for each other ’92!

’93

Life Membership: 98% Donor Participation: 11.23%

Pres: Bob Kuberski e: bob@usna93.com Vice Pres: CAPT Colleen C. Salonga, SC, USN (Ret.) Corr Sec’y: Maj Shogo Cottrell, USMCR Treas: Jay Matzko e: jtdjm@yahoo.com SHIPMATE Correspondence: Maj Shogo Cottrell, USMCR 20902 W 117th St., Olathe, KS 66061 h: 913-782-8149; e: shogo@cottrell-family.com Website: http://www.usna93.com

’94

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 7.56%

Pres: Jim Keck c: 904-477-2133; e: JKeck@usna94.com Vice Pres: Julie Spencer e: jspencer@1994.usna.com Treas: Brian Bruggeman e: btbruggeman@hotmail.com Sec’y and Corr Sec’y: Maria J. Pallotta p: 410-440-7552; e: mariapallotta@yahoo.com

Editor’s note: See images on next page.

‘94 at Harry Fulton’s Retirement

’94: BGen Williamson with wife Mattrice and ’94

’94: Frank Brandon’s son’s company mates after Herndon

’94 at Hollywood’s Change of Command

Will with his new stars ’94: JP takes over as Dant

’94: Kinnear Family

Fulton Family at Harry IV’s graduation

Three USNA Harrys and a Gabe

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Harry IV salutes Dad

Jake Kinnear and Mom Andrea

Knuckleheads on the golf course

’94: Luke James’ funeral

’95

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 14.10%

Pres: CDR Andre Coleman, CEC, USN (Ret.) c: 571-344-0336 e: andre_coleman@hotmail.com Vice Pres: CAPT Robert “Bobby” Coogan, USN e: flynavy95@gmail.com Tres: Maj James B. Burke, USMCR c: 808.228.3877; e: burkejbusmc@yahoo.com Comms Dir/Webmaster: Ed Galloway e: edward.galloway@1995.usna.com Sec’y: Kate Dooley c: 202-320-6776; e: ktdooley@hotmail.com

The event we’ve all been anticipating for more than a year has finally arrived…our 25th (+1) reunion! But first, we have a few updates from our classmates doing great things:

Capt. Bartley “Bart” Randall, commodore, Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWCEN), was relieved by Capt. Brian Drechsler in a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, July 23.

Bart Randall’s Change of Command Jason Fitch, Bart Randall and Brian Gilhooly

How the Center evolves and changes in how it recruits, assesses, selects and trains its SEALS, Combatant-craftsmen, and technical support personnel will be critical to Naval Special Warfare’s role in our nation’s preparedness to preserve peace. Capt. Randall, you’ve done an incredible job laying the groundwork for change and modernization of Naval Special Warfare,” said Vice Adm. Timothy Szymanski, deputy commander, U.S. Special Operations Command.

Randall began his tenure as NSWCEN commodore in June 2019, overseeing several milestones including: • Maintaining sea, air and land (SEAL) and special warfare combatant-craft crewman (SWCC) candidate selection goals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Establishing new outreach initiatives to meet Naval Special Warfare’s (NSW) needs for the next generation of operators to join the force. • Spearheading the development and implementation of a new talent management program to enhance the method of leadership selection and promotion within NSW. • Overseeing the successful assessment, selection and graduation of NSW’s first female operator.

Randall joined NSWCEN by way of Naval Special Warfare Command. His previous tours include SEAL Teams 1, 5 and 2, Special Boat Team 12, and Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He has completed multiple deployments to the U.S. Central

Command, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Europe Command, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command areas of operation. Randall is a 1995 graduate of Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL (BUD/S) Class 203.

“It has been my honor and pleasure to serve alongside the men and women of NSWCEN. Any success noted during my tenure is a testament to their hard work and professionalism,” said Randall. “What we do every day is truly a team sport. Our mandate is to assess and select those with the character, cognitive and leadership attributes required to join the NSW community, and I know that the reason we are able to do so successfully is that our team lives out those traits every day. I depart NSWCEN with full confidence that this team is ready for any and every challenge ahead.”

Great job, Bart! An update from Brian Gilhooly M After graduating from USNA, I headed out to Coronado and was in BUD/S class 203. Upon completion, I was assigned down the Strand to SEAL Team 3 from ‘96 to ‘99, primarily deploying to the Middle East. Next, I went to NSW Unit 1 in Guam for two years and traveled through Asia and Southeast Asia. My final stop was NSW Group 1 in Coronado, until I transitioned to the FBI in early 2002. In the FBI I have been assigned to San Francisco, San Diego, Washington DC, and I am currently in Los Angeles. From a June 21 press release: M Director Christopher Wray has named Brian T. Gilhooly as the special agent in charge of the Mission Services Branch of the Los Angeles Field Office. Gilhooly most recently served as a deputy assistant director in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

He joined the FBI as a special agent in 2002 and worked in the San Francisco Field Office, where he served on the Safe Street Violent Gang Task Force and the SWAT Team. In 2009, he was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Safe Streets Gang Unit in the Criminal Investigative Division at Headquarters, where he was a program manager for the western region.

In 2011, Gilhooly reported to the San Diego Field Office, where he served as a field supervisor on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. In 2016, he was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the San Diego Intelligence Branch. The branch included the intelligence programs, as well as foreign language, IT, security, and other programs.

Gilhooly was promoted to section chief in the Counterterrorism Division in 2018. His section focused on the overseas terrorism threat, including prevention, investigation, and response to terrorism threats worldwide. It also included the Counterterrorism Fly Team and the Military Commissions Prosecution Unit. In 2019, Gilhooly was named deputy assistant director of the Counterterrorism Operations Branch in the Counterterrorism Division.

And finally, another classmate turns over the reins after a successful tour:

Capt. Michael “Bobby” Orr (22nd company) turned over the Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Systems Program Office to Capt. David “Roto” Rueter during a private change of command ceremony Aug. 5 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Over the past four years, Orr led a 1,100-member workforce responsible for acquiring, delivering and sustaining AEA systems. Under his leadership, the program office retired the EA-6B Prowler; established a Joint Program Office with the Royal Australian Air Force; received approval for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band jamming capability to enter the production and deployment phase and proceed with low-rate initial production; and awarded the engineering and manufacturing development contract for NGJ Low Band jamming capability, which was only a concept when he first accepted command. Orr’s next assignment is Director of Global Sustainment, Joint Strike Fighter Program Office.

Mike “Bobby” Orr’s Change of Command

Orr was selected to fly the EA-6B Prowler out of flight school and spent his entire operational career supporting the Electronic Warfare (EW) mission.

With characteristic humility, Orr professed what an “honor and humbling experience” his time spent with the program was and then took a moment to thank attendees including Scott Dailey, PMA-234 principal deputy program manager and his family for being his inspiration and motivation.

“Leading the men and women of PMA-234 these last four years has been the highest honor of my professional life,” said Orr. “I am so proud of what this amazing team has done in support of the EW warfighter and look forward to hearing the even greater contributions that they will achieve in the future.”

We’re proud of our classmates and their ongoing accomplishments…26 years in the Fleet and going strong!

“Bobby” Orr and family.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Kate & Heidi

’96

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 13.96%

Pres: Bill Pennington Vice Pres: Ghislaine (Williams) Stonaker Sec’y: Cara Albright e: caramalbright@1996.usna.com Treas: Nikki Battaglia

Good Navy day, ’96!

Hard to believe this is the last column of the summer, and one which you all will read just days before our 25th reunion. Compared to last summer, this one has flown for me. It seems like quite a few other folks have been busy as well – graduations, change of command ceremonies, retirements, HHG moves, and vacations have dominated the headlines throughout the months of June and July. For your highlights reel: shout out to Greg Petrovic, who is now Commanding Officer of US Naval Research Laboratory as of 25 June. And another to Matt Farr and his family, who moved to London (also in June) in advance of Matt becoming Commanding Officer of ONR Global in July. They look to be having epic adventures already, which you can follow on their YouTube channel aptly named “Farrs From Home.” Congratulations to you both! A big BZ also goes out to Jen Goddard and Julie (Maynard) Alfieri, who were announced as part of the Navy Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2021. They will be inducted the same weekend as our reunion. What an honor! Rounding out the marquee, I saw quite a few area (NCR) ’96ers at Kim Mitchell’s housewarming party in Edgewater in mid-July. It was tons of fun catching up with Jamie Achee, Rhoan Boucher, Rebecca (Stein) Norton, Jill (Quinton) Rough, and Chris Georgi.

Here’s a great update for you all from Jim Masterson. Jim writes: M It’s an exciting but apprehensive moment in my life when I depart the Navy for life in CIVLANT. For the past two years I’ve been stationed at NAS Jacksonville, FL but we will be moving to Annapolis, MD in August to start my new job with Chesapeake Urology. That’s right! We’ll be less than a mile from Mother B only a few blocks from the stadium. I anticipate being a regular at home football games. But, you’ll be more likely to find me at the ’96 tailgater rather than the stands. It’s fun! Make sure you stop by the ’96 tailgater if there. My wife especially loves the Annapolis area and moving there also lets us overlap a year with my oldest son, Jack, who graduates from USNA next year as a member of the class of ’22.

I’ve seen multiple class of ’96ers over the past month. The class of ‘96 was represented at my retirement party by John Lydon and Mike Klinke. John works as an Ob/Gyn down the hall from me and is still a fitness guru. His son works with my son as a lifeguard at a natural spring and his wife is a good friend of my wife. Mike lives in Virginia and surprised me by flying down for the party. He is still a young JO at heart. We stayed out until 1:30 AM and then he caught a 6 AM flight that same morning!

Keith Alfieri surprised me with a video excerpt for my retirement party. He is an orthopod in San Diego. I was expecting a tearful video thanking me for teaching him the finer points of performing a good surgery (sarcasm) but it was actually an entertaining and heartwarming short clip. He and Julie (Maynard) Alfieri have several kids that are chips off the old block. I last saw their kids in Okinawa several years ago and it was entertaining because they had similar expressions and a sense of humor as their parents.

I saw my old roommate Troy Garwood in June. He lives in a beautiful house overlooking a craggy green valley just outside of Seattle. His son, a valedictorian, just graduated from high school and was able to meet us on our “arduous” 2mile hike after completing an 8-mile hike earlier in the day. He’s a tough kid, just like his parents.

Because the VA had me travel 1.5 hours for an exit appointment, I had the chance to see my other roommate John Ferri. He flies for FedEx and was luckily in town that day. He has a beautiful house just south of Daytona. Over the years his culinary skills have excelled. He and his family treated me to a full blueberry pancake breakfast prior to my appointment.

Hope to see quite a few people at the reunion!

Troy Garwood and I hiking near Snoqualmie Falls

(L to R) John Lydon, myself, Mike Klinke in Jacksonville, FL

’96: Nagel Sullivan with Jim Hanley, Chad Fulgham, Kitch Kennedy, Kevin Watkins, and Brian Reardon

The last group of smiling faces I have for you all comes courtesy of Nagel Sullivan, who recently attended Sea-Air-Space 2021 and rounded up some fellow ’96ers for a group photo. He is pictured below along with Jim Hanley, Chad Fulgham, Kitch Kennedy, Kevin Watkins, and Brian Reardon. It is still sometimes a bit surreal to see ourselves in spaces and places that show how far we’ve come from our younger selves. Don’t be fooled, though – we’re young at heart and ready to party in Annapolis very shortly. Until the reunion, be well! And GO NAVY, BEAT CHAIR FORCE!!! —Cara

’97

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 7.95%

Pres: Tom Wagner e: twagner1@san.rr.com Send news to: LtCol Aaron Shelley, USMCR (Ret.) 1148 Via Jose, San Jose, CA 95120 c: 619-980-8297; e: apshelley@hotmail.com

Hey 97! Apologies for a few gaps here and there with the column; it has been quite a crazy year in many regards. I’m sure you can relate. While back in the DC area in late June for my uncle’s interment at Arlington National Cemetery, I was able to make an impromptu stop through Annapolis – just enough time to take a brief stroll downtown, grab lunch at McGarvey’s, and inhale a Chick & Ruth’s milkshake before heading back to the airport. It also happened to be Induction Day which was entertaining to see many wide-eyed teenagers walking with their families to the checkpoints on the Yard. Then I felt old thinking back to when I was one of them…28 years ago! We continue to have more sons and daughters of classmates attending USNA and the other service academies. Below is a photo of Herb Lacy and Tasya Lacy with their son, alongside Mike Hollenbach with his son, as they were walking to check in for USNA Induction Day. I heard that Jeff Walker was also dropping off his son that day. Lots to be proud of ’97!

Here’s an inspiring photo (albeit a little outdated from last spring) of Tom Keefer and Jon Clemens after they had finished their adventures in Cascades National Park in northern Washington. They were able to link up for a ski weekend and traverse four different summits. Looking good fellas.

Jon and Tom atop the Cascades

Next, an update on Brannon Bickel: M On a sunny San Diego morning in June, Captain Brannon Bickel assumed command of Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific (COMHSMWINGPAC). Brannon relieved Captain Jeff Melody (97-1) as Commodore during an in-flight Change of Command with two MH-60s. Bick’s boys Bennett (7) and Lucas (5), along with the Melody children, did an amazing job leading the pledge of allegiance during the ceremony. Bick’s youngest, Marianne (4 months), did a superb job sleeping during the ceremony on mom (Kristi ‘07), and stole the show in her sailor outfit. Although the crowd was somewhat smaller due to COVID restrictions- it was a great ceremony between two friends and northwest Ohio brothers. In attendance were several classmates including Jara Tripiano, John Kiefaber, TJ Zerr, Katie Ellis, and Kevin Carlson. Congratulations! Here are a couple photos from the ceremony.

Captain Melody and Captain Bickel The Bickel family

Captain Matt Frauenzimmer recently assumed Command of Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, VA. Captain Brett St. George completed his tour as Commanding Officer of Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) in Pensacola, FL.

Henry Hurt was promoted to Colonel in early June at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. See photo below.

Colonel Quentin Vaughn, Captain Jaja Marshall, Colonel Henry Hurt and Colonel Llonie Cobb

Some very impressive milestones - congratulations to all!

Beat Army! -Aaron

’98

Life Membership: 100% Donor Participation: 6.39%

Pres: David Forman c: 904-321-6459; e: DSForman@aol.com Corr Sec’y: Mark Symmes 529 W. 29th St., Baltimore, MD 21211 e: shipmate98@yahoo.com Temp Corr Sec’y: Alex Savage e: asavage98@gmail.com

In an effort to make us all feel our age, the class of 2025 is on deck and started classes on 23 August. For a bit of perspective, ‘25 is the last class with anyone born the year we graduated. Tempus Fugit.

Another month with nothing to report. You can send me your updates at: shipmate98@protonmail.com.

’99

Life Membership: 93% Donor Participation: 5.89%

Pres: CDR Jason Birch e: jb1999@me.com Vice Pres: Dr. Joy Zelinski-Marquez e: drjoymarquez@gmail.com Sec’y & Shipmate Contact: Darlene Delk e: darlene.delk@yahoo.com Treas: Stacie M. Gibson e: staciegibson22@gmail.com Communications Director: CDR Jose Pehovaz-Diez e: jose.pehovazdiez@gmail.com Website: www.usna99.org

Hello all! Hope everyone is having a great summer so far. I have a few updates to provide this month.

With Plebe Summer for the Class of 99+26 starting at the end of June, our very own CAPT Rob Matthias saw his son, Arland, take the oath of office. I’m not sure how long that smile will last on Plebe Matthias’s face, but at least in this moment he was happy!

Sonja Hanson ran into Sarah Rhoads, VP Amazon Global Air. Sarah was the keynote speaker for a mutual friend’s Change of Command/Retirement ceremony at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Mike Hurley spent a quick weekend in DC/Annapolis and was able to catch up with Chad Redmer. You can see they didn’t miss the opportunity to take a picture in front of the newly completed Chapel Dome. I wonder if the Plebe smell of white works and sweat was as prevalent as I remember the last time I was there during Plebe Summer.

And finally, as I’m getting settled in Arizona and catching up with Classmates, I was invited to a lovely dinner hosted by Armando Aviles and his wife Maria. Maria was gracious enough to snap this photo, proof to Fun One that the elusive Mr. Aviles does exist. Short and sweet this month! I look forward to seeing some tailgate photos since Football season in on this year! Be sure to check out our class website: www.usna99.com and our Facebook page for any updates.

Navigamus Honore -Darlene

’00

Life Membership: 97% Donor Participation: 6.74%

Pres: J.V. “Murph” McCarthy Vice Pres: Art Terry Treas: Nick Lalota Sec’y: Tim O’Connor e: Shipmate00@yahoo.com

Shipmates,

By the time you read this, you will have about a month to lock on your reunion logistics. For the latest and the greatest contact one of your classmates that is on social media and get the scoop. We have been sending email updates, so if you haven’t been getting them, update your info with the alumni association and you will be “in the know.” Send us something to Shipmate00@ yahoo.com -Murph

Mike Donnelly writes: M Never fear a note is here! Hello 2000, I have had a few shipmate sightings over the past few months beginning with Patrice Longshaw Sossou-Gloh. Patrice and I attended rival high schools and we were squad mates in Summer Seminar in 1995. As luck would have it “all those crossed paths and time in between only to discover that we live about two miles apart. Kristy Nistler Kamarck called me out at the gym not too long ago, a feat made more impressive by the fact that we both wore masks and had not seen each other since graduation. I also ran into Lenny Wise at a Change of Charge with the JSF Program Office a few weeks ago. We had a lot of fun catching up and it goes to show that if you stick around long enough, you will eventually know everyone. By the time this finds its way to your mailbox, I will be on terminal leave and adjusting to my new roles as full-time Navy spouse, and stay-at-home Dad while planning the big migration back to the Pacific Northwest. Whatever the future, it will not involve a cubicle. I figure on a few moves before the Donnellys’ drop anchor for good and hope that whatever the adventure brings, it affords me the same opportunities to cross paths with old friends. As ever, Mike D September Wilkerson (wife of Rob) writes: Hey USNA 2K - just dropping a quick submission as the official Wilkerson Family director of communications. :) M After a post-command sunset tour at USCENTCOM, Rob officially retired on August 1st, and then promptly started a new job on August 3rd. There was barely enough time to grow the minimum requirement of retirement facial hair and overhaul the contents of his closet, but we’re nothing if not motivated.

We’re happy to be anchoring down in the Tampa area for the time being to let our boys (now “manchildren”) get through middle and high school, and so we can enjoy these “west coast” sunsets for a while. If you’re in the area, please reach out - our bar is always

’00: Keep the PartySmart handy when the Wilkerson/Kelley crew celebrates! (Josh (’00), Carla & kids, Norah and Grant)

stocked and ready to welcome guests for happy hour.

And, after a lifetime of social media silence, you can now find Rob on LinkedIn - please connect! Apparently, going through a military transition during the entirety of a global pandemic really makes you appreciate modern technology even for Rob, who will always be that “face-to-face” kind of guy. LOL

I’ve attached a couple photos from the low-key retirement celebration in August! (Josh & Carla Kelley and kids were in town to toast!) Thank you to those of you who were sweet enough to contribute to Rob’s retirement video! We are really looking forward to reconnecting with everyone at the Reunion in November to celebrate 20 years (+1) and enjoy some DTA time!

Many Hugs!

September Wilkerson

Rob, September, Preston & Thatcher cutting the retirement cake.

’01

Life Membership: 96% Donor Participation: 30.25%

Pres: Jen (Bohr) Tyll p: 302-528-9306; e: jenbohrtyll@gmail.com Vice Pres: Amy (Baxter) Laczek p: 240-393-9120; e: laczekaxter@gmail.com Treas: Adam Borcz e: adamhenryborcz@gmail.com Sec’y: Jen McCullough e: jennifer.mccollough@gmail.com

’02

Life Membership: 98% Donor Participation: 9.00%

Pres: David Gravseth Vice Pres: Kate (Kranz) Jordan e: katherine.kranz@2002.usna.com Sec’y: Kristi (Tjoa) Laughlin e: shipmate2002@gmail.com Treas: Andy McCann At-Large Directors: LTCol Elizabeth (Kreft) Brienza, CDR Sean McClintock and Charlie Mello Send Submissions to: shipmate2002@gmail.com Website: www.usna2002.org

MATCHING GIFTS

Call 410-295-4178 to find out how you can match your recent contribution.

’03

Life Membership: 97% Donor Participation: 4.91%

Pres: LtCol Lisa (Steinmetz) Cordonnier, USMC e: lisacords03@gmail.com Vice Pres: CDR Fernando R. Reyes, USN e: delux1981@gmail.com Treas: CDR Megan Barnett, USN e: mmbarnett03@msn.com Sec'y: Heather M. (Garland) Selig e: heather.selig@2003.usna.com Class Website: http://2003.usnaclasses.net/ Webmaster: CDR Kevin Hagan, USN e: kevin.r.hagan@gmail.com Shipmate Submissions: Kenneth Michel e: kennethmichel03@gmail.com

’04

Life Membership: 95% Donor Participation: 3.70%

Pres: Lincoln Lukich e: Lincoln.Lukich@gmail.com Vice Pres: James Brobyn e: Brobs@2004.usna.com Treas: LT Joseph Zukowsky e: JMZukowsj@gmail.com Sec’y: Andrew Froistad e: froistad@hotmail.com

’05

Life Membership: 98% Donor Participation: 2.91%

Pres: LtCol.Thomas A. Kulisz, USMC hometown: Oceanside, CA e: kulisz@2005.usna.edu Vice Pres: CDR Matthew J. Bernhardt, USN hometown: Annapolis, MD p: 619-889-1968; e: mjbernhardt@gmail.com Treas: Allen J. Murphy hometown: Severna Park, MD p: 410-212-1082 e: allen.murphy.2005@gmail.com Sec’y: CDR Reed A. Kitchen, USN hometown: Arlington, VA p: 619-208-0770 e: 2005@oxblood.33mail.com? Website: 2005.usnaclasses.net

Classmates,

What a reunion! Thanks to all the volunteers who helped pull it off despite a year of uncertainty.

If you have any photos you would like to share, please email them to me and I’ll post in the next issue of Shipmate. See you again in four years! Cheers, Reed

’06

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 8.79%

Pres: LCDR Andrew Lukich e: andrew.m.lukich@gmail.com Vice Pres: LCDR Joshua Campbell Treas: LCDR Jeffrey Foulds Sec’y: LCDR Jamison Lupo e: jamisonlynn@gmail.com

’07

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 5.06%

Pres: Brady Beauchamp Vice Pres: Major Benjamin Tuck e: Benjamin.Tuck07@gmail.com Treas: LCDR Patrick Sullivan e: patrick.timothy.sullivan@gmail.com Sec’y: LCDR Dan Bellomo, USNR e: dbellomo@umich.edu Send Articles to: classofficersUSNA2007@gmail.com

Summer is here, Plebe Summer is in full effect, and Navy Football is right around the corner. In the last issue we mentioned that the submission was being written on 25 May or the 14th Anniversary of our graduation. If that number didn’t give you arthritis, then the fact that our very own Plebe Summer was EIGHTEEN years ago surely will.

We continue to look forward to seeing what the future can bring. Go Navy, Beat Covid!

The subject of our first photos this month might be of interest to anyone who picked up some unique hobbies or interests during Covid lockdown. Anyone with interest in activities such as quilt making, vintage clothing wearing, or even eBay flipping will appreciate this fantastic find coming out of the childhood home of one of our Classmate’s high school classmates. We present to you a vintage Class of 2007 class name t-shirt. The shirt was never worn, still has the original tag, and even has potentially 18-year-old fold-induced creases. Can you spot your name? Can you spot your roommate’s name?

’07: Can you find your name?

Vintage Front

Dan (4th Co) and Lanaya (30th Co) (Martin) Bellomo snuck away to Washington D.C/Northern Virginia in July for a weekend and were able to spend time with family and engage in a double Class of 2007 mini reunion. The first reunion occurred at the Pentagon of all places. Rob Kreuz (4th Co) is currently stationed at the Pentagon and was able to give his brother-in law, sister-in law, and niece a 5-star rated tour of the building. While there they were able to meet up with Michael Lower (4th Co) and connect like it was firstie year all over again. While that food court cup of coffee wasn’t the same as a Harry Brown’s cocktail it was still a great meet up! The second reunion occurred that same weekend when Dan, Rob, and Josh Parsons (4th Co) were able to connect late one evening. Josh had just returned from a Reserve mobilization which made it doubly great to get together. WELCOME HOME JOSH! Good times and good laughs were also had, even if it wasn’t a modern wonder of the world like the Pentagon.

Can we go home yet? Height order

To our Classmates currently deployed and/or away from home –be safe and come back soon. We miss you! Your friends, Classmates, and loved ones wish you the best.

’08

Life Membership: 97% Donor Participation: 26.48%

Pres: Donald H. Horner III Vice Pres: LCDR Gerald Brooks, USN Treas: LCDR Daniel E. Foose, USN Sec’y: LCDR Dianna Dietrich, USN e: dianna.dietrich@gmail.com

Hey classmates, I hope the new year is treating everyone well. I closed out 2020 successfully completing my joint command tour at the Oklahoma City MEPS supporting our recruiting partners and implementing the various phased COVID responses to continue processing applicants into the Armed Services. It was a great tour, and glad I was able to have my family join me, as they moved ahead of me to start the new school year.

Finally, as a home owner again, we have been extremely busy. We are loving the area, even though we have been on lock down for my time here. I have fully transitioned into my new job at US Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base as the J1-PN Branch Chief for the Navy and Marine Corps Element. Late this summer I will also assume XO for the Navy Element & CO for Enlisted.

My family enjoys following your updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, and here in Shipmate. Hope to see everyone in 23’ at the next Reunion. Let me know if you visit through the St. Louis area. Till then, stay safe keep doing the great things.

Daniel J. Walker

’08

09/12 CLASS NEWS ’09

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 27.08%

Pres: LCDR Andrew Poulin, USN e: andrew.poulin09@gmail.com Vice Pres: LCDR Art Griffin, USN Treas: LCDR Cody Forsythe, USN Sec’y: Micky Matus, USN e: michaelmatus09@gmail.com Shipmate Submissions: e: Shipmate09@gmail.com

Happy Fall 2009!

We wanted to extend a big congratulations to our classmate, Major Alfonso Meidus, who was just selected as the next head coach of the Navy Sprint Football team! Apparently we are old enough to be head coaches now, who knew? Great work Fonz! Check out the article here: https://navysports.com/ news/2021/7/1/meidus-announcedas-sprint-football-head-coach.aspx

An additional reminder that this year’s Army Navy game is around the corner and will be held in the New York metro area at MetLife stadium on December 11th to honor the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. A few notes for Army Navy tickets: 1) If you want to get a jump on tickets you can become a Blue-N*-Gold member for anywhere from $50 to $2500 per year which will open up different levels of benefits. 2) For Alumni who are not Blue-N*-Gold members, an e-mail is usually sent out by mid-April by Navy Sports if tickets are still available, and Alumni are limited to 2 tickets each. 3) You can always check the other ticket sites out there…of note, StubHub is the official secondary market for Navy Athletics tickets and will usually become active in mid-August for football tickets. Check out more information at navysports.com.

Please keep the stories, life updates, and pictures coming our way via our USNA ’09 Facebook page or our Class Slack channel: usna09.slack.com. - ’09 Class Officers course—Brigade SUPPO would put a stop to that charade immediately. All jokes aside, we do have a knack for time management. We thrive wearing many hats, especially in high stakes scenarios. We are adept at identifying complex problems and designing innovative solutions. 2012 classmate Jordan Foley is showcasing these skills realtime. Active duty Navy officer, Georgetown law student, Eisenhower fellow, devoted husband and father of two, … and now founder and leader of Chow, the fastest growing non-profit in the state of Maryland.

There are many nuggets of wisdom I hope to garner from Jordan (life skills, law advice, etc.). In the meantime, I’m excited to share more about his incredible vision and work with Chow:

What is Chow and how did it come to be?

Chow is a vocational training program for veterans and their spouses who aspire to develop their skills and careers in the culinary arts. We have a fleet of food trucks through which we conduct not only our training but also community outreach via meals and communitybuilding operations for those in need.

Chow is really a fusion of passions: food, community engagement, and military service. I’m Italian; I’ve always loved food and dreamed of having my own food truck. More than that, I’ve always had a passion for working in the community. Moving six times in eight years often felt like a barrier to that engagement, but my family made it a priority to do what we could when we could. I was living in Annapolis in 2019 when classmate and friend Gary Myers tragically passed away. Losing Gary raised a lot of questions for me, and I began researching how to support current military members and veterans through the transition. Coupling that experience with my law school journey at Georgetown, I was quickly inspired to act upon my questioning and research. People often say, “Thank you for your service.” I think there’s a missing phrase that I hope to unveil and honor, “Thank you for your service, and how can I help?” Chow is one vehicle to help, to serve those who served.

You mentioned that your passion for military service inspired Chow. How has your Naval Academy experience influenced your role as a non-profit entrepreneur and leader?

Undoubtedly, my most valuable leadership experiences were serving as Training Officer and Brigade Commander during Firstie year. The problem-solving that you face in that role, as a 21 or 22-year old leading your peers, is invaluable. The daily interaction that you have with very senior leaders at that point in your leadership journey is enlightening. At its core, I had to understand social structures and how policy impacts them. Those same experiences are the ones I leverage today as a non-profit leader.

You launched Chow in January of 2020. How did COVID impact Chow?

We certainly had to pivot our focus a bit, but I think it’s been for the better and it’s brought to light Chow’s strength as a “community driver.” We’re always partnering with other organizations and focusing on bringing the community together. For example, early on in the pandemic, we were working with local churches and American Legion posts to augment and inject our services into communities in need. We also worked with medical organizations to support vaccination drives, including offering food and transportation.

But as much as Chow is a community driver, it couldn’t be without the support of incredible networks such as the Naval Academy (Shout-out to classmate Mario Smith-Mena for his incredible web design support!), Georgetown Law, Anne Arundel Community College, and even childhood friends like my brand manager.

What’s next for Chow?

We’re growing fast. Truly, we’re a local organization with potential for national reach; we have a proven model for repetition. With every $75k investment (food truck),

’10

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 25.43%

Pres: LT Robert Battle, USN e: rhbattle@2010.usna.com Vice Pres: LT Garth Thomas, USN Sec’y: LT Margaret Boyle, USN e: mcboyle@2010.usna.com Send Articles to: Shipmate2010@gmail.com

’11

Life Membership: 97% Donor Participation: 17.12%

Pres: Michael E. Orzetti, CIV Vice Pres: LT Ricky Dobbs, USN Treas: LT Matthew Pierson, USN Sec’y: LT Natalie Woodward, USN e: NNWoodward@2011.usna.com

’12

Life Membership: 98% Donor Participation: 26.00%

Pres: Capt Ian Cameron, USMC Vice Pres: LT Nicholas DeMasters, USN Treas: LT Nicolas Woods, USN Sec’y: LT Jane M. Baird, USN Send Articles to: shipmate2012@gmail.com

Company Mates again! Captain Greg Steinbock and Captain Marc Figueroa (both 24th Company) are currently serving as Commanding Officer and Executive Officer of Bravo Company, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, respectively. Photo taken at Limestone Hills Training Area in Montana during Annual Training July 12-26, 2021.

Naval Academy graduates thrive at spinning plates. Not literally, of

’12

we create five new jobs and inject $20k back into the local economy and more specifically into veteranowned businesses. With grants we most recently received from philanthropies such as the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, we plan to purchase three new food trucks and expand into Northern Virginia and my hometown of Pittsburgh.

How can others get involved? And any takeaways for those looking to launch their own non-profits?

Spread the word about Chow; tell your Sailors and their families! We’re here to support them. We’re also always looking for non-profit leaders looking to work remote.

As far as takeaways go, I’d say don’t underestimate the time. Chow was an organization many years in the making. And being remote throughout the pandemic afforded a lot of flexibility to make calls, fundraise, etc. Regardless, I would encourage anyone who’s interested to pursue that passion. You’re certainly time-constrained when you’re active duty, but we all have dreams and responsibilities.

Learn more about Chow at www.LetsChow.org!

’13

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 41.01%

Pres: LT John-Rex Spivey, USN e: johnrexspivey@gmail.com Vice Pres: LT Daniel Murphy, USN Treas: 1stLT Ted Baumgardner, USMC Sec’y: LT Hannah Yun, USN

’14

Life Membership: 98% Donor Participation: 41.38%

Pres: 1stLt William R. Roberts, USMC Vice Pres: 1stLt Conor J. Kearney, USMC Treas: LTJG Emily L. Kreyenhagen, USN Sec’y: LTJG Elizabeth J. Powers, USN Send Articles to: shipmate2014@gmail.com

’15

Life Membership: 97% Donor Participation: 38.24%

Pres: CAPT Ward “Bubba” Scott III, USMC p: 603-236-1011; e: wardscottiii@gmail.com Vice Pres: LT Dylan Cawdery, USN p: 801-638-0724; e: dcawdery@gmail.com Treas: LT Joshua David Elliott p: 772-643-4468 e: joshuaelliott2015@gmail.com Sec’y: CAPT Madeline Zell, USMC p: 410-370-3068; e: mad.zell.15@gmail.com

’16

Life Membership: 98% Donor Participation: 39.77%

Pres: Capt Eric B. Kellogg, USMC Vice Pres: Capt Matthew L. Chavez, USMC Treas: LT Renata M. Kolinko, USN Sec’y: Capt Zachary L. Coffman, USMC Send Articles to: Shipmate2016@gmail.com

’17

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 28.57%

Pres: 2ndLt Chosnel Raymond, USMC e: chosnel.ra@gmail.com Vice Pres: ENS Robert Winning, USN e: robertwinning34@gmail.com Treas: ENS Theodore Schopf, USN e: tedschopfii@gmail.com Sec’y: ENS Molly McGuckin, USN e: mollykmcguckin@gmail.com

’18

Life Membership: 100% Donor Participation: 34.50%

Pres: LTJG Dan Stitt, USN Vice Pres: LTJG Michael Pahissa, USN Treas: LTJG Gio Hernandez, USN Sec’y: LTJG Rachel LaBuda, USN Send Articles to: 2018usna@gmail.com

’19

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 6.37%

Pres: 2ndLt Isaac Phillips III, USMC Vice Pres: ENS Tate Schumacher, USN Treas: ENS Leor Golan, USN Sec’y: ENS Gil Wright, USN

’20

Life Membership: 98% Donor Participation: 2.49%

Pres: 2ndLt Mike Smith, USMC Vice Pres: 2ndLt John Finnegan, USMC Treas: ENS Grayson Gossett, USN Sec’y: ENS Nolan Kreipe, USN

’21

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 2.49%

Pres: ENS Cameron R. Kinley, USN Vice Pres: N/A Treas: ENS Lakayla D. Deshields, USN Sec’y: Ann M. Jackson

’22

Life Membership: 99% Donor Participation: 0.0%

Pres: MIDN Andre C. Rascoey, USN Vice Pres: MIDN Jonathan D. Miranda, USN Treas: MIDN Hampton B. Boyd, USN Sec’y: MIDN Rory S. Cox, USN