D-1 in Durango, Sep 02 Pictures at end of column
133d Column. 1 Nov All Saints Day. Just submitted 132d with too much sad news, therefore, starting this one early with good news about company reunions. Really a continuation of reports in 131 & 132 – this time with names.
B-2 Reunion, its first ever in Lynchburg, VA in late Sep thanks to Don Johnson, who left on a 23-day camping trip immediately afterwards. The following attended: Bill Buchly, Ted & Pat Childress, Paul & Earldean Dean (non-grad, first ’58 reunion), Tony (Rooster) & Ann Forster, Jerry & Rosalie Hoblit, Don & Pat Johnson, John & Nancy Manos, Jack May, Karl & Sue Oelke, Jerry & Marjorie Prochaska, Ron & Judy Recher (one of our gifts to ‘59), Dick Schonberger, Paul & Virginia Vanture and Wayne & Ruth Ann Wyatt.
According to Don, “The troops, in various numbers, took side trips to Monticello, Appomattox, Natural Bridge, Poplar Forest (Jefferson's summer home), Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and even a P-rade at VMI. All of us went together to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. It is a magnificent memorial and everyone was VERY impressed.
“Chaplain George Bean came to the dinner with portable oxygen. He did a special memorial for our five deceased B-2 classmates, and when we got to telling ‘special’ stories about our cadet days, he made several contributions. Having George present was very special to us all.”
Scribe received a B-2 Reunion “scrapbook” with digital photos and great captions courtesy of Karl Oelke. Some of these may be on our class web site. This is the first such product of a company gathering I have seen. Kudos to both organizer Don and chronicler Karl!
D-1 Reunion, also a first-ever. The following report is extracted from CCQ John Schaefer’s email to his company entitled “SW Colorado Town Reportedly Left in Ruins Following ex-Military Officers' Visit...”
“This is the formal initial CCQ report of the 2002 D-1 '58 Reunion held this past 25-29 Sep in the Durango, CO area. It is being prepared in the usual Schaefer style: little research, no outline, ad hoc, based on incomplete information and inattentive observation but lots of innuendo and hearsay, and will be undoubtedly followed by several clarifications and apologies and denials.
“The message subject is pathetically misleading: this group was mostly in bed by 9 PM every evening, and consumed so little of the Franklin-provided booze that I won't even offer to reimburse Ben for it. BUT, we had a great time (this was not true at all times for all of us: Sandy Stender got the flu Thu night; it knocked her out of the Fri narrow gauge ride; and yours truly lost all desire and capacity for social intercourse from Sat noon on followed by Betty from Sat evening on, same reason.) So far as I know there were no disturbances and no arrests; closest we got to violence was over some international political issues.
“We had 21 attendees: Bunkers, Franklins, Galens, Hills, Johnsons, Joan Normington, Stenders, Stevens, Wentworths, Schaefers and Schaefer daughter Judy and beau Tom Slocum. Tamarron Resort was great; Franklin's Community Clubhouse was greater; Franklin cabin absolutely greatest. I did not make the Chophouse dinner Saturday nite but heard it was mighty fine. Joan and Schaefer set saw a golden eagle on Saturday. Weather varied from beautiful to somewhat challenging, but I heard no complaints. Curt & Joan brought photos and Bill Callaghan (a Cow Year gift to ’59) shipped in some (I suspect there were more that I did not see). Curt promised to scan his and email out. We did have a formal photo session; I have not yet gone thru to see what I have but will do that in the near future (if you don't want me to email you photos please holler). But lots of folk took lots of stuff; I bet we have at least some good one's worth sharing. Curt got some input on Oz Osborn's obit, and likewise Ben on Tony Evans'. Bob reminded us there, and I remind all of you, to PLEASE work on your own obits!
“I thank all of you that came, and I thank all of you for your thanks: I really did not do much work, but what little I did was well worth it. We who came do owe a great deal to Ben & Rose Franklin! Thank you for your planning and arranging the best for us and for your hard work and the use of your home in the mountains. That's all this time. I will try this (company reunion) at least once again, and hope to get everybody still able of the 27 in Curt's 1954 photo there! Best, JFS”
C-1 Reunion in late Oct at South Padre Island (scene of class Mini in 1991). The class Mini and C-1 gathering were organized by Jack Tierney. This was the fifth company reunion for these party-hearty guys. Earlier reunions were a multi-class affair in DC in 1988 followed by ’58 gatherings in Oct 1998 in Kansas City, MO; May 2000 in Richmond, VA; Apr 2001 in Salt Lake City, UT. Attendees other than Pacific Hurricane Kenah that passed over Mexico and joined the C-1 gang at SPI will have to wait. In fact, the hurricane prevented some from getting there. I do know that last weekend of Oct at SPI will become an annual multi-class affair for C-1. That should be a magnet for hurricanes.
7 Nov and bad news again. Red Warner’s death made Assembly as a PS to last column. Again, thanks to Stan Bacon for his updates on Red’s deteriorating condition and to Mike Daley for his informing the class of plans for Red’s memorial service in Berwick, PA. Following the service, Red’s ashes were interred in his father’s grave. Many of those who attended the service and funeral met afterwards at Weikels, a neighborhood restaurant owned by a friend of the Warner family. Attendees (I think) included Joe Schwar (Kathy maybe), Ed & Marilyn Linkiewicz, John & Alice Brinson, Branch & Nancy Worsham, Mike & Suzanne Daley, Vince DeBoeser, Bob Donovan (Anne Marie perhaps) and Jim & Peggy Morgan. Red's mother and his daughter, Michelle Reidy, appreciated the support of classmates.
More sad news – death of Willie Jon Marshall on 5 Dec 02. Jon died of lung cancer following a long battle with this scourge. The class sent a donation to the Virginia LeFlore Marshall Scholarship Fund, established by Jon’s mother for the education of Choctaw Indian youth. I believe that H-1 company-mates John Devens, Glenn Hall and Denny Rupprecht attended the memorial service and funeral in Leesburg, FL. Our sympathies are with Jon’s wife Carol and their family. Grip hands, rest in peace.
And, learned via ’57 notes in Nov-Dec Assembly that Earnest S Collins died on 6 Jul 02. He served in both ’57 and ’58 as a cadet. Earnest joined us on 31 Aug 54 when he was not advanced with his original class due to prolonged hospitalization. He resigned on 18 Mar 55. He and Sue are on our snail mail roster. Their son Brad notified AOG of his death. I hope to have more information about Earnest next time after checking with C-2. Our sympathies to Sue, Brad and others of the Collins’ family.
Back to reunions, I-1 held its second such affair in Las Vegas. To save space, I will let you figure out the attendees from the photo sent by CCQ Tony Bauer. Confession time again. The list was on the back of photo and I mailed to Assembly because I can submit this via email at the 11th hour.
The photos are
of C-1, D-1 and I-1 plus four from the 35th in 1993, famous in class
history for turning over the FCC to the Firsties of ‘94. The 35th
photos are included to remind you all to plan now to attend our 45th
at West Point 10-14 Sep. As I have written in earlier editions of these
notes, we are in the primary zone for the final selection, therefore, don’t miss
another class reunion. Out of time and space. One final comment about Joe
Guenther, a loyal son of ’31. John submitted the winning bid for a ’31
miniature to keep it within its class family and the greater USMA community.
That’s it for this one. Looking forward to seeing the ’31 miniature and all of
YOU at the 45th.
1.
D-1 in Durango, Sep 02
2.
C-1 at South Padre Island, Oct 02
3. 
I-1 in Las Vegas, Oct 02
4. 
Continuing Reunion Theme – 35th in 1983
5. 
More 35th – don’t be AWOL from 45th
6. 
And More 35th – standing tall for review
7. 
Still More 35th – “see you in September”
2003