I sent in 113 via email earlier today and am sending ten photos via Express Mail on Monday. All of this should appear in Nov-Dec Assembly. Judy and I are enjoying vacation on the sunny shores of Lake Michigan, so I am taking a leaf from Freed Lowery’s ‘67 classnotes and am starting this one early. Really early.

28 Aug. A few tidbits from my email collection of information. First sad news that Ray Coffey’s mother died unexpectedly in May. She had been recovering nicely from hip surgery her time came. Gerry & Ray think it may have been a blood clot. Many of you will remember seeing the lovely quilt Ray’s mother made commemorating ’58 and ’85 (Ray’s daughter‘s class). For the record, Ray was my "first wife" in 3d New Cadet Company. Our sympathies to Ray & Gerry.

Bob Tierney, Tommy Thompson and George Lawton combined their sleuthing talents to find our former classmate Bob Bier. George called and explained to Bob that we were not looking for money! Simply trying to find former classmates and get them back into the fold. Lawton sent Bob a copy of our 30^th Reunion Book and added him to the class-mailing roster. Welcome back, Bob!

An aside: both Lawton and I have copies of the 30^th Reunion Book. We would love to send one to any classmates or former classmates who does not have one. GCL beat me to Bier, but I recently sent a copy to Ron Recher ’59 who began his cadet and Army career with ’58 in July 1954—I think we lost Ron during Cow year.

While exchanging emails with John Schroeder during the recent West-Point.ORG fund-raising drive, I got the following from John: "Next time we'll do even better. I do believe that we have developed a bit of pride at being the top Class -- by a wide margin. Should be able to use that to whip up some more interest and money. I really feel that we get far more value from this net than folks believe. If they charged $25 per year, I believe that most of the folks would pay that without even flinching, but when it comes to voluntarily paying a few bucks, they don't connect. Human nature, I suppose.

John continues, "Started building our hangar this week. Looking forward to doing some flying soon. Libby wants to learn, so we bought a Cessna 150 to fool around in, until my project (N58WP) takes wing. It is taking longer than I had anticipated." [Scribe’s translation: John is building a plane with the tail number N58WP, but is using a Cessna 150 until his home-built is flying.]

A Texas report from Chuck Densford: "I had dinner with Stan on Monday night. Also included were Jill Bacon, Patsy Densford, Nelle & Glenn Hall, Jo D & Joe Krankel, Leslie & Sam Myers, and the guests of honor, Ann & Bob Tredway. We had a great evening at the City Grill in an old section of downtown Austin.

"As for ‘Pepe’ Bacon’s helping to find Fred Seiler, he is willing to help, but needs to get some directions and guidance (normal for other Armor officers too!). I will get with him on a less festive occasion, bring him up to speed on what we have done and what we have left undone! As for your friends in Texas, if you have any other than me, please

identify them so I will know friend from foe! - Chuck" [Aside: GCL located Fred Seiler as reported in 113^th].

Lawton put a 28 June letter to the Class from George Walker’s sister, Patricia Esposito, on the class email net following the dedication of the George W P Walker Debate Room in Lincoln Hall during our In-Barracks Mini. Excerpts are provided here for the technologically-challenged members of the class not on the email net.

"On behalf of my sisters and our families, I would like to thank you for the honor that you bestowed upon our brother, George. When Tom Carpenter first advised us of the intentions of the Class of 58', we were very pleased. We never fathomed the extent of the project. The room design and decor is exquisite…most of all we love George's smiling face, greeting all who enter the room.

"We thank all who participated in bringing this plan to fruition. A loving thank you to Tom, our dear friend, who spearheaded the entire project. Tom and Emily Carpenter have always been very special to our family. The Class of ‘58 adopted the plan and supported it financially. We thank all of George's classmates who were able to attend the dedication. Many of your names were familiar to us and some of your faces were recognizable. Remember that we were 8,11 and 13 when George graduated.

"We appreciate the presence of Lt Gen Abbot Greenleaf… we thank him for the kind words he shared regarding George and our parents. We all remember that he and Jean shared their home with us during our many weekend visits to West Point.

"Col Kaufman and Lt Col Meese were welcoming hosts and demonstrated their appreciation for the renovated debate room. We sincerely thank them for all their efforts in preparing the display case, photographs and diploma. You did a great job!

"Mom and Dad would have been so proud. I'm sure that they were looking down on all of us on Wednesday, June 16, 1999 and I'm sure that our brother George was right beside them. Thank you again. Words cannot express our gratitude."

To make you all feel a little older, here is some news about class kids. First from Art & Sue Meyer whose email was about "the promotion of our daughter Janet Kasmer to Major in the USAF. Her husband made Lt Col in the Air Force also. They both are stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio."

And from Mark Sigurski (via telephone; Mark is NOT on the net yet) word that Jimmy Moentmann ‘81, son of Bud, is LTC and Aviation Bn Cdr at Ft Campbell following service in Bosnia. Meg Roosma ’85, daughter of Garry & Jill, is a MAJ and Commandant of the SC High Tech School at Tobyhanna Army Depot.

FYI. One real definition of old age: onset occurs when class offspring begin retiring from the service. Sadly, this will begin happening too soon!

Another definition of old age is travelling by train. Story from Roger Waddell follows: "I want to tell you about the train trip that Laurelei & I took 30 March through 13 April. The basic mission was to visit my brother in Anaheim, CA. [Aside: Roger’s true confession next] Back when I was young (emphasis added), I had made the 30-hour trip between Lincoln, NE and NYC several times, but that was in coach class and with limited food.

"In order to maximize the routing, we decided to visit John & D'Ann Stone in Florence, OR. That made the route Savannah, Jacksonville, LA, Eugene (where John and D'Ann picked us up), Portland, Chicago, DC, Savannah. This routing also got us through ND, one of two states I had not been in. Most of ND was covered in darkness, but I got off at that tourist destination, Minot, and took some pictures to authenticate our visit. We had a total of eight nights on the train and covered about 7600 miles.

"One certainly needs to get a sleeper for any trip more than 24 hours long. [Aside: or stay home, or fly, or something] The food was good and was included with the price of the sleeping compartment. [Aside: AMTRAK lost money on Roger, he still eats the way he did as a cadet!] Most routes had a brochure describing points of interest along the way, but often failed to say which side of the train they were on, so, one of us would look out of our compartment window and the other would go out into the passageway to look. Overall, it was great, however, we may not be taking another train trip for a while."

The movie, The Long Gray Line was on TV recently and prompted much traffic on our email net. The following "factoids" are provided by Pete Trainor with help from over 20 classmates who provided input, especially Mike Daley: (1) We went to NYC for the movie premier in March 1955 of our plebe year. (2) The whole Corps made the trip. (3) The '57 guy who received the Maureen O'Hara buss was Ken Kyne (F-1). (4) The movie is available on video. (5) Mike Luck (G-1) got in a good punch on Tyrone Power during the making (Mike was at USMAPS at the time of filming). (6) Chuck Toftoy shows up in two of the scenes (then a plebe in ’57). (7) Picture was made in Spring 1954 before we entered. (8) Quite a few 1802nd (Prep School) classmates where used as extras. (9) There were myriad bars between the theater and the assembly point for the trip back -- evidently many of us bought stock in these establishments. (10) I (Pete) seem to be the only one remembering the rain -- several of my classmates have always said I am all wet."

And a few more "factoids: from Tom Carpenter: "(1) The movie was based on a book co-authored by Dodie Hruby's father, Col Red Reeder ‘26, and his sister, Nardi Reeder

Campion. (2) After Col Reeder lost his leg in Normandy, he was evacuated on a ship from England captained by John Ford, who later directed the movie. (3) Col Reeder played the part of the Com at the swearing in ceremony. (4) Pat Wayne (John Wayne's son) played the role of a plebe and missed an opportunity for a date with Dodie because of a previous engagement in Paris." Good news for Dale and ’58!

Continuing on Dodie & COL Red Reeder, here is info from Dale, "Classmates -- Here is a little known fact about the Bronze Star Medal which is understandably a source of family pride. The originator of the Bronze Star Medal was none other than Dodie's wonderful Dad, Colonel Red Reeder. While serving on the Army Staff under General Marshall, Red wrote a proposal to General McNair that the Bronze Star be established as a ground forces equivalent to the Air Medal. General McNair approved it and ordered it done."

PS. Another Long Gray Line movie story revealed by your Scribe. I was a guest at the Com’s quarters in May 1954. Then-BG Michaelis, both ’36, were classmates. The Com was having a party for the director, producer and cast of the movie while I was there. At the tender age of 17, I was standing back against the wall when LTC Timothy ’42, then on the Com’s staff, commented to me: "If I were your age, I would be talking to that woman over there." The woman he indicated was the actress Betsy Palmer. She was enjoying the attention of Tyrone Power and others from the cast and post. I responded that I was a bit young for her, but was willing to give him some advice. I then said, "If I were your age, Sir, I would be talking to that lady over there because she is without a doubt the most beautiful woman in the room!" LTC Timothy readily agreed. In time he left to make conversation with other guests. A few years later I learned the most beautiful lady in the room was Mrs Timothy.

Begun early this edition is being completed late. Out of time and space. There is nothing new under the sun. Hope this makes ASSEMBLY, even in the late ranks.