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141st Column


   (Pictures at bottom of page)

 

            141st Column.  25 Mar, an early start for Jul-Aug Assembly (due end of April).  Topics on class forum recently included goat meat – not the goat meat we yelled about as cadets before Army-Navy games, but real goat meat eating sessions.  Hugh Fisher and Edgie Waller were face to face with goat meat in VN in 1962 as advisors.  Pete & Janice Brintnall encountered it on paddle wheeler for a trip down the Rio San Francisco in Brazil as diplomats.  Pete relished the dinner while Janice passed on this opportunity.  May explain our recent losses to Navy!

            Scribe’s favorite message from class forum traffic from Doug Sedgwick follows: “My father joined the army in late 1920s.  After his basic training he was assigned to West Point as a waiter in the cadet mess hall.  While at West Point he met my mom, the daughter of a Master Sgt stationed at West Point for most of his career.  My mom, her brothers and sisters (all ten of them), my brother and sister and I were all born at West Point.  My great-grandfather was custodian of the cadet chapel for many years. At one of my first meals in the cadet mess, my waiter was one of my cousins from Ft Montgomery, since (by then) the waiters were civilians.  After my grandfather retired from the Army he was the custodian at Round Pond for fourteen years.  It was certainly foreordained for Doug to become a cadet!

           

Unusual activities in retirement.  “I blush to disclose that I too have written books. I edited and published my Dad's memoirs, ‘A Man of Intelligence: Memoirs of War, Peace and the CIA’; I wrote a book on theology, ‘Our Father: A Fresh Look at God’; I co-authored a book, ‘Just for Kicks: Fly-Fishing from a Belly Boat’; I co-authored a book on music theory, ‘Chordially Yours’; and I helped a friend put together and publish a book of his poems, ‘Unmasking the Heart.’ Within the year, I hope to write another book, ‘Practicing Away From the Piano.’  I only did this to outdo ‘One-Book’ Bob Moscatelli.    Book writing is note-worthy, but not unusual.  Now for the unusual activity by this as yet unnamed classmate: “I have really gotten interested in music.  In 2000 I co-founded (and am current president of) ‘Amateur Pianists International’ a non-profit organization that, among other activities, puts on an annual ‘Celebration of the Amateur Pianist’ (which contains the Rocky Mountain Amateur Piano Competition) here in Colorado Springs.  We get people here from all over the world -- Brazil, Japan, France, Germany, Canada -- and have a really great time.  In answer to your question: no, I am not good enough to play in my own competition.   Chuck Cabell

 

            Gross Plebe Stories.  This sterling topic was raised by Ron Turner who related this story: “My favorite is when at the dinner table and our Plebe necks well screwed in, the waiter brought a serving of food and presented it to ‘our hero’ to pass to the head of the table.  The food was Brussels sprouts.  After some hesitation, and loud prompting from upperclassmen for the delay, the Plebe announced, ‘Sir, the little cabbages are on the table, little cabbages to the head of the table.’  Needless to say, all hell broke loose.  Who was this Gross Plebe?  Do you know?  A hint -- he was the Honor Graduate of the Ranger Course 5 in December 1958.”  Bill Miles replied by email that this gross Plebe must be Don Martin.  Any other guesses?

 

            Another story, submitted by Dan Charlton:  “Okay, here's my favorite happening in all four years at West Point.  It was our plebe year.  ‘Bulldog Drummond’ was the fearless and fear-inspiring CO of F1.  I think it was during lunch when our erstwhile and much-liked classmate Francis X Flaherty approached the table where sat the noble Bulldog, pointed his finger at him and said in a loud, authoritative, stentorian voice ‘TAKE OFF THAT MASK!’   He did an about face and marched back to his table.  To this day it causes me to smile and wonder who put him up to it.”

 

            Bataan Death March.  “Here's old #1234 in the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range on March 21, 2004 (Scribe: hope the digital photo works).   Guess they gave me that number to make sure I would remember it.  It's 26.2 miles long and took me 8 hrs and 50 minutes or about 3mph.  About half way, Bonnie Schurtz passed me.  She set the pace and I tagged along.  She finished with a time of about 8hrs and 40 min.  Gerry was laid up that day and was also making things happen for the march.  Next year I'd sure like to see a sizable number of 58ers do it with us; we need to get off our @##$%&* and get walking and get ready.  Lord willing and the creek don't rise. See www.bataanmarch.com.   Let's do it guys!!!  Neil Mathis

 

            Sad news from Alan Salisbury 12 Apr.  “I 'm deeply saddened to inform you that Antonia Giallourakis, wife of our classmate Bill, died early this morning after losing a courageous battle with a recurrence of brain cancer.  “Bill's youngest daughter, Christina, is an attorney here in DC with the new  Department of Homeland Security.  Their son Cosmos is an MD and PhD researcher

at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and is married to Jenny Lee.    Stammie, their oldest, is married to Aris Despo and lives near Bill in NJ.”  Scribe knows that Alan & Florence Salisbury and Branch & Nancy Worsham attended Antonia’s funeral.  Our sympathies are with Bill and family.  “Well done, rest in peace.”

            Further information from Alan, “in lieu of flowers, Bill has asked that anyone wishing to honor Antonia's memory can do so through donations to the foundation Antonia recently established, the Children's Art for Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc.

            “As many of you know, Antonia was herself an accomplished artist as well as an iconographer in the original tradition.  (Florence and I are blessed to have hanging on our walls two original icons created by Antonia.)  She had a wonderful career as an art teacher in the Shrewsbury, New Jersey school system.  Building on her years of working with children in school art programs, as well as in response to her own journey through the cancer care medical system, Antonia took a strong interest in how art can help children who are coping with their own cancer diseases.  She visited and worked with the children and counselors in the arts and crafts programs that were available to them in the hospitals where Antonia was receiving her own care.  Eventually she developed a curriculum of art projects that children could work on in their schools as a way of supporting other children who are suffering from cancer.  “Bill helped her bring it all together through the establishment of the Children's Art for Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc.  Florence & I saw first hand how hard Antonia was working on developing these materials, handing them off to teachers, and learning how to administer a growing foundation.  The joy that this work brought to Antonia was contagious.  We are delighted to know that Bill wants this to be her living memorial and that the foundation, with the support of other teachers who had worked with Antonia, will continue her good work.

            “Those wishing to contribute should make their checks out to the foundation,  and mail them to Bill at 46 Winding Brook Way, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702.”  Alan, thanks for the information about the foundation, a wonderful legacy for Antonia.

 

            March Back with ‘08.  As of 27 Apr there are 43 marchers.  It may not be too late to join the party.  Contact Ed Weckel (OIC) for information.  Report after the March Back should appear in 143d Column (Aug submission) for Nov-Dec Assembly.

 

            Class Endowment Fund.  Interesting message from Ed Weckel 27 April.  Those of you on the forum received a Message from Stan Bacon dated Fri, 16 Apr 2004, subject: ‘Self-Proclaimed Philanthropist Strikes Again.’ (A copy of this email will be provided to non-forumites upon request to Ed Weckel)

            “Stan recounts how a member of our Class donated $58,000 to the Endowment (50th Anniversary Gift Fund) with a check dated 4 June 2058.  Unfortunately Fidelity would not accept the check as a deposit.  This check is in the possession of the Endowment Board and is the property of the Class.  “It is the duty of the Endowment Board, acting as the fiduciary for the Class, to determine how best to monetize the aforementioned check.  Accordingly a Class Auction will be held.  The check will be sold to the highest bidder.”  Bidding began at $100 and, as of 27 Apr, was up to $300.  More info next time, if Scribe remembers…

 

            Patty Jones, daughter of Ann & Linc celebrated birth of Alexis Ann and promotion to LTC.  Photo includes proud grandparents and husband Malcolm Frost ’87.  Patty and Malcolm are selected for and in the queue for battalion commands (both) in Afghanistan.  Jim Jones came east to Quantico to visit daughter Jennifer (married to a Marine).  She arranged a surprise 70th for her father with M2 files Tom Carpenter, Pete Brintnall, Van Van Fleet and Bob Tredway.

 

            Out of time and space.  Must mention that Herb Johnson has organized a cruise following San Antonio Mini.  See you in Texas 21-24 Oct.  Remember the Alamo!

 

Photos for 141st Column -- July-August Assembly

 

  1. Neil Mathis on Bataan Death March
  2. Margie Downing, Sue & Bob Miller
  3. Surprise 70th for Jim Jones (center) at Quantico
  4. Palladinos & Collins at Cape Cod after 45th
  5. WPS Silicon Valley Founder’s Day: Jerry & Barbara Lewis, Susan & Carl Sullinger
  6. Patty Jones promotion to LTC with baby Alexis Ann
  7. The Gonzo Compadres at SPI Oct 03

 

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