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155th Column


          Pictures at end of column

  155th Column for Nov-Dec 06 Assembly.  4 Aug, starting early (due late Aug).  Want to toot the class horn first.  The starting point is Annual Reunions: mini reunions which have grown well beyond the “mini” name.  Of course we have the every-five-year return to West Point for a shot of Black Gold and Gray maxi reunions.  Next up is our 50th Reunion 24-28 May 2008.  However, the class of ’58 gathers annually for a Mini Reunion: first was Palm Springs in Sep 1989 (31st Reunion) and most recent was Savannah in May 2006 (48th).  We went to Thailand in 1992 (34th) thanks to Pete Kullavanijaya.  The inspiration for annual reunions came from ’36 who had a 36th Reunion at AFA in July 1972 hosted by AFA Supe LTG Bub Clark ’36.  It was so much fun ’36 continued with annual reunions around the country, including Hawaii, through their 56th back with the Falcons hosted by LTG Brad Hosmer, the first AFA grad in ‘59, the first AFA grad to become Supe and son of Hosmer ‘36.

Roll Calls.  A feature of our mini reunions since Portland, ME (32d) in Sep 90 has been a memorial service (similar to five-year reunions at WP) with Roll Call of classmates who have joined the Ghostly Assemblage.  Mark Sigurski asked for the Roll Call to take place while waiting for sunrise on Cadillac Mountain.  In addition to ’58 grads, the Roll Calls have included deceased former cadets and those who were turned back and graduated with ‘59.  Beginning with our 40th Reunion Roll Call at Chapel Point, Camp Buckner the roll is called by cadet companies: company-mates then call out the names of classmates and wives (wives have been included in roll calls since the 35th at West Point).

            Next Mini.  More poop about New Orleans (49th) from Tom Sands via his email on the class net: The 2007 Mini will be Oct 21-24.  This will have us arriving on Sun and departing on Wed (similar schedule as Savannah).  Our reunion hotel will be the Omni Royal Orleans.  It is located in the French Quarter.  Will provide registration information (hotel and otherwise) within the next few months, just wanted to get firm dates to all so you could block your calendars.”  For the record, this makes two reunions to block on your calendars – our 49th in New Orleans and our 50th at our rock-bound highland home.

            Other opportunities.  We have myriad other opportunities to gather with classmates.  These are less heavily attended than our annual reunions.  Let me call these specialized events such as the annual service at VN Memorial to honor our classmates whose names are engraved on the Wall followed by brunch at Army-Navy CC.  Kudos to ’56 from whom we got this super idea.  And now ’59 is following suit.  Our first service at the Wall was in May 1989.  Our 18th annual service will be 20 May 2007 when we focus on Dave Nidever L2, the last of our classmates who fell in Southeast Asia: he was killed on 30 Mar 71.

Other luncheons in the DC area with different schemes or themes.  Remember the 2d Friday of even months made famous by Jae Stanton?  For some years, our Yearlings from ’57 have invited us to join them at Ft Myer O Club annually in Mar.  They allow us to fall-out!  We have an annual lunch/election of new member to Exec Cmte in Apr (Tony Smith was elected to replace John Herren, retired after six years on EC).  We have a joint lunch with USNA ’58 at ANCC in Nov each year.  Brad Johnson provides info on Army Team while two Middies do the same for Navy.

            Skiing.  Since Mar-Apr 1997 the class skiers have annually attacked the slopes in protest to summer 1994 Winter Park Mini (36th).  Skiers are often supported by classmates and wives who do not ski but love partying when the sun goes down.  Next will be the 11th 58Ski, 24 Feb - 3 Mar 2007 in Breckenridge.  Contact Mike Dugan for coordinating instructions.

Golf.  Not sure when the Williamsburg annual golfing began, some time after the 1607 Jamestown settlement.  This event is now named the “Billie Nadal Memorial Golf Tournament” (the premier USA golf tournament of the year).  6-9 Oct event will be history when you read this, but contact Tony Nadal for 2007 dates for this moveable feast.

Cruises.  Virtually an annual event.  We have cruised before the 40th and after the 45th (Betty Puscheck); to Alaska before and after the 42d in Portland, OR (Dick Oberg); most major rivers in Europe (Jerry Mitchell & Phil Pryor as duo planners).  Jerry has continued with smaller cruises see photo for Greece in 2006 and check with Mitchell for 2007.

Civil War Staff Rides.  Jack Downing & Herb Puscheck organize these annual battlefield jaunts each summer, often in conjunction with Army historians from Ft Belvoir.

Horse racing.  George & Mary Jane Lawton are leading us down this primrose path to perdition.  Their plan is that big winnings will finance retirement.  Most recent was trotters at Rosemont in June.  Contact George for future events and betting advice on the ponies.

First Class Club Turnover.  In Aug each year the FCC is turned over to the new First Class.  Bob Pointer initiated this annual event in Aug 94 when the FCC passed from ’94 to Firsties in ’95.  Bob has continued the FCC Turnover each year since then, just completed for ’07 on 17 Aug.  Inspired by the ’58 renovation of FCC as a sports bar based on the theme “every cadet an athlete,” the Class of ’94 asked its members to make an allotment of $10 per month for five years to establish its AOG memorial fund in time for their fifth reunion (took us until our 35th to raise about the same amount of money).  ’95 followed suit and even asked the Supe if they could begin with allotments as First Classmen.  The Supe declined.  As far as I know each graduating class since has continued the “allotment tradition” begun by ’94!  This fund raising began with the First Class Club presented to ’94 at our 35th Reunion.

Awards honoring classmates.  Walker Award for two top cadet debaters (details check with Tom Carpenter).  Ramsden Award for top cadet in Chemistry (details Jack Downing).  Capelle Award to top cadet candidate company at USMAPS (details Bill Serchak and Hugh Trumbull).  Malone Award to top ROTC cadet at Georgetown Univ (details John Herren).  Further details of 2006 presentations are included later in Column.

Info from Dale Hruby’s recent newsletter.  Scribe has removed from Dale’s info events summarized above.  These are a few of the “extras” that pop up on ’58 social calendar.

Groves Memorial Golf Center.  The Golf Center was dedicated on 7 Apr 06.  The center was funded by Dick & Margaret Groves.  When completed, the center will have a putting green and chipping green inside, as well as showers, locker room, storage, and an office for the coach.  A must see at our 50th!  Attending from Dick's company, K1: Sands, Shrader, Trumbull, and Turner.  Other classmates: Graves, Parks, and Will Roosma.

WW II Battle of the Bulge Program.  Feb 8: Bob Rhodes presented an inspirational talk and video account at our ANCC luncheon of his visit in Dec 05 to "Battle of the Bulge"' sites.  He was an escort officer for a large group of WWII veterans.  Bob was joined by battle participants: an Army Nurse, an Army Air Corps C-47 pilot and GEN Knowlton ‘Jan43.  They told their “war stories” to a rapt audience.

Cadet Glee Club Concerts in DC.  March 10 & 11:  The Glee Club performed a concert at the Kennedy Center "Millennium Stage" on Fri.  Next evening they had a concert in the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress.  Alan Salisbury played a key role in setting up these programs (and logistical arrangements).  The second concert was in support of the Library’s "Veterans History Project": collecting oral histories from veterans of all wars, with current emphasis on WWII.  (Bob Rhodes is involved in this Veterans project.)  Classmates assisted with housing Cadets, provided transportation and assisted patients attending from Walter Reed and Bethesda.

Savannah Mini.  May 14-17: Roger Waddell and Jae Stanton can take credit for “The Mother of All Mini’s” -- a top rate event held on Mothers’ Day weekend in beautiful and historic downtown Savannah.  (Love the line “The Mother of All Mini’s” and Mothers’ Day)

History Project and 50 Year Book.  SIR!  There are less than 22 months (18 when you read this in Nov) until our 50th reunion!  The Uniform is White Hats and Dark Blazers…”   The History Project committee is working hard to produce a Howitzer-quality 50-year reunion book, but THEY NEED YOUR HELP.  The goal is to have every classmate included with both a write-up and pictures.  At this point we are a long, long way from achieving that.  If you have not already done so, PLEASE go the web site (http://www.west-point.org/virtual/usma1958-reunionbook/ and provide your input.  Anyone needing help on getting into the site should e-mail Glenn Brown (ltcbrown@comcast.net).  For those who have not yet joined the 21st century, snail-mail a postcard or letter to Alan Salisbury, 2605 Geneva Hill Court, Oakton, VA 22124-1534.  Or, if you can figure it out, e-mail him (AlanBS58@aol.com).  Alan will send you the outline for manual submission of your information.  You don't want to be left out or, worse yet, have a classmate write your entry on the basis of the sketchy and cryptic info from the Register or our 10th and 30th Reunion Books.  Thanks to Dale for this reminder!

Affirmation Oath ’08.  News since Dale’s letter: Alan Salisbury & Palmer McGrew represented ’58 at this 13 Aug ceremony.  Alan gave thoughtful remarks and Tac Officers & NCOs passed out the coins with ’08 crest on one side and ’58 crest on the other. 

Grandson Cadets.  Everyone should know we have three grandsons in the Corps: Mike Hill (Paul Bons), Charles Maliska (Tom) and Tommy Moentmann (see photo of Bud and three generations!)

Scribe’s Final thought.  Know your enemy!  USA Today sports on 21 Aug said Navy has 18 starters returning from its 8-4 season last year, expects to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy (already three in a row) and go to Meineke Car Care Bowl in  Charlotte (already agreed), if bowl eligible.  They won Poinsettia Bowl in Dec 05.  They have won four in a row over Army.  Scribe says it’s time for a change.  When you read this it will be close to Army-Navy game.  BEAT NAVY!  And, Merry Christmas.  25 Aug: photos and finished!


Photos for Nov-Dec 2006:

 

  1. Moentmann three generations: Bud ’58, Tommy ’10 and Jim ‘81

 

  1. Great-grandmother Patsy Densford and Drew Parish Matteis born 8 Jul 06

 

  1. Last Plebe Boxing Team.  Front: Max Pearsall, Don Johnson, Ralph Cassetta, Pete Kullavanijaya, Barry Zwick.  Back: John Nowak, Joe DiTommaso, Bill Harry, Ken Clark, Jack Burke, Jerry Hoblit, Coach Kroetman, Wayne Hagberg

 

  1. A-2 Files: Stan Toney, Chuck Densford, Les Gibbings, Don McCullough, John Holecek

 

  1. Gibbings Family: son LTC Tom, grandson John (NC State), Les, Tom’s wife Julie

 

  1. Greece 2006: Pete Trainor, Jude Theibert, Jerry Mitchell, Priscilla Greene ’82, Glenn Bugay, Jack Halsey