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162d Column. Labor Day 2007. Working on 161 to submit tonight for Nov-Dec
and have too much stuff. Therefore,
getting an early start on 162d for Jan-Feb 08 – magical ring to 08. Hope YOU as in all of you dear readers are
coming to 50th in May.
Cadet First Captain. Jason Crabtree '08 from Kingston, WA and Thomas
Morgan are shown in the Cadet Mess Hall on 16 August before the handover
of the FCC from the Class of 1958 to the Class of 2008.
Tom’s email with further details: “Jason was one of my Candidates from
Washington and I was his guest at the First Captain’s
table. It was a real thrill for me as
you can imagine. I had never dined with
a First Captain and his Staff before. It
almost gave me a nose bleed!” Pop your
chest up, Tom!
Long cross-country flight. John & Libby Schroeder flew their
home-built plane N58WP to Alaska (first flight on 6 Oct 06 was covered belatedly in 160th). Outbound they visited M-2 company-mate George Michael in WA and homeward bound
they stopped to see Jack, Lynne
& Brian Bradshaw.
Wounded
Warriors. An email from Palmer McGrew to Class Leaders: “We have an urgent need for more volunteers in
our Wounded Warrior Program. Despite what you've heard about the
Army responding to criticism of its handling of these heroic young soldiers,
much more is still needed. That's where we come in. Please read the
information below.
“The West Point
Wounded Warriors Program was founded at Walter Reed approximately three years
ago by the Class of ‘58 with the
purpose of mentoring Wounded Warriors to achieve a successful, meaningful
and professional life within three to five year time frame after being
wounded. This includes a Follow-On Mentor Program for the Wounded
Warriors after leaving Walter Reed and going home with support and benefits
coming from the VA and Montgomery GI Bill. Because of the need, the Program has grown and
taken on a life of its own as the Classes of ‘56, ‘59, ‘60, ‘61, ‘63, ‘80
and ‘84 as well as the USAFA Academy Class of ‘64 have joined ranks with ‘58 in providing
approximately 70 one-on-one mentors in the Washington Area.
“The one-on-one
mentors, normally combat veterans, bond with the Wounded Warrior in a surrogate
father relationship and assist the wounded soldier and marine, both male
and female, to set and achieve objectives related to an academic or professional education,
internships, jobs and the VA and Social Security disability benefits. The
mentors operate as a team as the need arises. An educational
counselor, a professional aptitude assessor and counselor, a psychologist
consultant, an orthopedic surgeon consultant, a lawyer and a combat
surgeon are readily available and can be called upon for assistance.
“The Program
is fully supported by the Walter Reed staff, the Wounded Warrior
Brigade at Walter Reed, units from which the Warriors came such
as the 101st and 82nd Abn and the 10th Mtn Divs, Reserves and
National Guard as well as several higher level staff elements in the Army and
DoD.” Scribe must cut about half of
Palmer’s email to Class Leaders.
However, in August there were some 350 Wounded Warriors in outpatient
status at WRAMC with about 110 actually having mentors – the need is greater
than the volunteers available. For any
who read this and desire further information, here is contact info from
Palmer’s email: “For classes (or individuals) interested in volunteering for
the Walter Reed DC area Program, please contact Lee Miller at mlmiller58@comcast.net
or phone H 301-601-2733 or W 301-295-7159. For
Classes (or individuals) interested in volunteering for the Follow-On Mentor
Program for Wounded Warriors once they go home, please contact Bob Tredway at bobtredway@aol.com, Phone H 202-484-2981. Lee, Bob and corps of mentors are saints!
Portland,
OR gang. They escaped the
city to visit John & D’Ann Stone
on the coast in Aug. In the 160th
this active group appeared in a photo taking a train ride together, the “Apple
Blossom Special.” As this photo demonstrates
– they are a photogenic bunch.
West Point
Glee Club Alumni and Other Alumni Singers. Email from Alan Salisbury to DC area alumni seeking singers: “Following on the
tremendous success of the July reunion of Glee Club alumni at West Point, several
participants from the Washington,
DC area suggested
getting a group of local alumni together, perhaps on a regular basis, for
continued singing and fellowship. And several volunteered to help in
getting things organized. With that in mind, five of us (Alan Salisbury,
Jim Ferguson, Mo Faber, Bill Cosby and Terry Ryan) met recently over dinner to
discuss how to proceed. We are pleased to announce that we have
unanimously and enthusiastically decided to take the initial steps
necessary to create the (working title) "West Point Alumni Glee Club of
the National Capital Region."
Retirement from public service. An account of John Schaffer’s retirement, reported by Palmer McGrew: “Last night Ceda
& I joined Van & Julie Van Fleet
and Bill Gillette at John's official
retirement from public service. The state, county, town all made
proclamations of appreciation for his fantastic service. The food was
great and the wine was free.
“It was obvious that John, in
his usual fashion, managed to keep New Carrollton laughing for 14 years.
You will see John holding a football autographed by his city council members
(John was Chairman.) John was famous for walking around town with his
football and using it to engage the youth in conversation.
“It seems that John once suggested
that, just as the Navy names ships after famous sailors, the town should
consider naming its garbage trucks after members of the city council.
That didn't pass, for some reason, but now one is named after John.”
Sad news.
Neil Williamson died 17 Sep: reported on email by
WP-ORG TAPS and our CINC
Obits Jack Downing. “Sad news indeed. Prompted by the (TAPS) message, I called
Neil's wife Sue and verified the
information. She also said that he had a memorial service and was buried
on Sep 21 in the Santa Barbara cemetery near
his parents. Neil died of multiple myeloma caused by Agent
Orange. He spent eight months in hospice and three months of
chemo. Sue said that Neil was a fighter and lived much
longer than expected. Sue praised the help she is receiving from a
VA representative who supported Neil during his time in the hospice and is
continuing to help her. The class (sent) a donation to the American Cancer Society,
PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.” Class thoughts and prayers are with Sue.
Sad news continues. Email from Sam Collins: “The new stroke and two hemorrhages took their
toll. Joan passed away at
Marin General Hospital on Sunday, October 21, at 9:30 pm. We will have a service for Joan here in
Novato in early November, and in the spring of 2008
transport her cremains to the cemetery at West Point. Best regards, Sam.” All class losses are tough, but this one hits
your Scribe hard because over many, many years Joan has been a great source of
news and photos. Our sympathies are with
Sam and their kids, Ken and Pattie, spouses and grandchildren. “Well done, be thou at peace.”
Sad news of a different kind. Dick
Oberg’s email report of his stolen class ring: “we had a smash and
grab burglary at our house in Everett. The bad guys got a small amount of cash but
they scored a big hit by stealing my class ring. There is one detail in the
police report I would like to clarify in my own mind. The ring is priceless to me, but it has a
defined value to the outside world. It
is that value I would like to get some feedback on. Is there anyone in our class who has a feel
for the cold monetary value of a 1958 class ring? The stone is a flat onyx and would probably
not add to the overall value substantially. Thanks.” At last report, the bad guys were
apprehended, but no ring. Judy has hit all the local pawn shops
and other outlets to no avail. Think
they are monitoring E-bay as well. Dick
has been in touch with Balfour about monetary value for insurance purposes and
replacement if his original is not recovered.
NOLA
Mini. Rave reviews of New Orleans
Mini from Robert Higgins via cell
phone while driving north. He said Tom & Barbara Sands knocked
themselves out! Other
reports via email. History: on a
bus ride to West Point during 30th Scribe was explaining concept of
mini reunions based on ’36 model (my father’s class) to Dick Groves and Tom Sands.
I needed to line up someone for the
first one – Dick volunteered and hosted the 31st at
Palm Springs,
CA in Sep 1989. And on same bus trip, Tom described hosting
one in New Orleans. Between 30th and 50th Reunions,
31st Palm Springs Mini and 49th NOLA Mini are the
bookends for the 16 annual mini reunions between the five-year major reunions
at West
Point.
Tough job to select only seven
photos, but that is the limit. Please stop
transitioning to the Ghostly Assemblage, hang onto your rings and make your
room reservations for 50th.
See you back at West Point and Westchester, 24-28 May 2008.
-
First Captain Jason Crabtree
and Tom Morgan - Aug 07
-
Bob Moscatelli, John Hill, Bob Dey
and Ron Hudson (each holding his glasses)
-
John Schroeder (en route
Alaska) and George
Michael
-
front: D’Ann Stone, Virginia
Vanture, Harriet Hill rear: Terry Connell, Paul Vanture, John Stone,
Harriett Connell and Orlie Hill – Aug 07
-
John Schaffer and his famous
football – Sep 07
-
Schaefer and Mathis picnic
-
Walt Patterson hiking in Antarctica - Feb 07