Class Notes festivities. While in Lexington for both the Thursday parade (commanded by the rising 1st Class) and the New Market Day parade, Mike sent an email. “Mike, greetings from beautiful downtown Lexington. The Corps looks like it needs the practice it is getting, with 2nds taking over the reins. I watched practice parade yesterday afternoon and hope for improvement. It will come. In the meantime, we are blessed with good weather so far for graduation and New Market Day ceremonies. Friday parade is at 1400 hours and I am planning to Class of 1963: At the Hobbs’ residence in Sanibel Island, Florida, meet Bill Moore, Bill Wells, Kent in April were, from left, Bobby Spence, Hobbs Goodwin, Hinton Wilson and Steve Riethmiller for Lampley, Eddie Shield, John Mills, Dusty Custer and Bobby Byrd lunch Friday before parade. Can (seated). Class Agent Michael Curley said of this photo, “Rumor has it they are planning an assault on the bars of Cuba.” you also join? Thanks for the hay and the sinks Friday night. See you soon. Mike.” (mjc: Whadaya want to bet Mike was grading lines at both parades?) “Sally and I (Frank Allison) have sold our condo on North Hutchinson Island, Florida, effective May 15, 2015. After that, our phone and Internet at that location will be disconnected, but we still have the same cell numbers. We can still be reached at (please see the online class directory) which is our Virginia number. We will be back in Class of 1963: At a New Market Day lunch at The Palms in Lexington Virginia on the 18th of this month. were, from left, Mike Smither; Sleepy Moore; Kent Wilson; Becki and Bill Wells; and Maggie Straub ’16 and her father, Charlie Straub. Busy, busy times! Frank and Sally.” (mjc: We’ve missed you both; welcome home!) Pete Brunel alerted me to a serious incident involving Doug Rowe that caused Doug to withdraw from a couple of Pete’s famed fishing ventures. “Let me share some issues with all. Doug Rowe had a bad accident a few weeks ago while inflating an air rifle tank. The compressor piston somehow ‘backfired,’ so to speak, and broke his right thumb and caused soft tissue and nerve damage to his right hand. A few days later, he was also experiencing pain in his Class of 1963: In May, Artie and Ann Phaup explored the complicated tastes of Vin de Bordeaux while visiting the region in France. elbow area. More X-rays revealed 2015-Issue 3
that the piston had entered his hand and traveled up to his elbow, where it was lodged. Initial X-rays did not show it. He then had another surgery from wrist to elbow to remove the piston. He has been undergoing all kinds of post-op procedures, physical therapy, keeping arm elevated to heal, etc.” He continued, “We’ve talked several times in the last few weeks, and yesterday he said he had to pull the plug on both trips. Doug has had a really rough time of it. He asked his physical therapist how long it would be before he regained about 80 percent of his right hand/arm (in view of fishing and hunting trips) – estimate was six to eight more months.” (mjc: Thanks for completing Peg’s surgery first, Doug! She looks great!) And from Doug: “Can’t make it (to the Richmond lunch), Mike. In the past, Tuesdays were one of my surgery days, but now they are my hand therapy days. Hopefully at some point that will change. Doug Rowe.” “Just received the Alumni Review and read your class notes again,” quoting another email from Pete. “Like spaghetti, it’s even better warmed over. (mjc: Wow, thanks!) You have a fabulous gift for an electrical engineer, latent English major. I relived the Earle mini. For your information, Diana and I spent three days in suburban Mount Calm, Texas, last week at the ranch! Chuck made me mow his grass, just like Earle did! For your information, yards in Texas are 2-3 acres; Chuck said two. (mjc: Chuck lies!) He chewed me out for not raising the mower deck when I got to the St. Augustine grass ... picky, picky, picky ... a perfectionist 1st Class private – isn’t that an oxymoron? He still refuses to let me use his John Deere tractor to 81