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164th Column

            Goto Pictures at end of column           

164^th Column.  4 Jan (11^th day of Christmas).  Getting started early to handle good news (some is old news) before sad news again invades this effort.  Certainly do not want another like 163d, filled with our losses: four classmates (three grad and one non-grad) and two wives.  163 should arrive in early March and 164 in early May, month of our 50^th Reunion.

            Christmas cards and letters.  One of the blessings of being your Scribe is hearing from classmates throughout the year, especially at Christmas.  Jim & Dottie Castle keep a travel schedule that makes them appear at least 20 years younger.  Truly amazing!  Bob & Marion Bunker wrote of recovering from eye repairs (Marion), loss of beloved pet, gathering of family, trips, visits from friends, loss of friends, church activities.  Terry & Harriett Connell provided news of family and her 50^th Anniversary of Univ of Michigan Nursing School.  During their Michigan trip (Aug 2007), Scribe shared lunch with them in Ludington, MI.  Daughter Ann was selected to attend the Yaddo Artists Colony in Saratoga Springs, NY in Feb – a real plus for her painting career.  George & Gale Robertson included a group photo (hope it scans well enough for inclusion in these notes) of the family present when son Russell ‘82 retired as a colonel.  Russell is joining his wife Susan ’84 in the transition from Army Green to mufti.  Jack & Marie Tierney sent a computer masterpiece filled with news and photos.  I need computer lessons from that pair!  Hugh & Ann Trumbull wrote of trips taken and missed (medically), recovery, family, and planned trips in 2008 before and after the 50^th.  Look forward to seeing all these correspondents at 50^th.  For my sins of omission (cards not mentioned), please forgive me.

            Robert E Lee look-alike.  Lee County, NC chose our own Robert Hattler in contest.  Newspaper clippings are wonderful; unfortunately the photos won’t transfer to column.  I have been trying to get the reporter from Sanford Herald newspaper to send me digital versions.  Hope they appear in a future column.  White hair and beard, Confederate gray uniform with three stars and Bob looks as though he were threatening Gettysburg or defending Richmond.  “When asked about winning the title, Hattler responded ‘I knew it all the time.  You’re either General Lee of you’re not.”  Until photos arrive, trust your Scribe, Bob is General Lee!

            Older news gathering dust in my files.  Author Bob Moscatelli wrote to confirm receiving a paperback of Burma Shave verse.  I sent it to him in appreciation for his having sent me a copy of his second book, “The Quote Manual.”  Bob’s father once submitted a jingle to Burma Shave: “Fee, fie, foe, fum; Don’t have whiskers like a bum.”  According to Bob, Burma Shave didn’t buy it.  Does anyone else miss the signs and roadside verse as I do?

            From BY GEORGE, the official newspaper of the George Washington University, May 2007: “Charles N. Toftoy, associate professor of management, received the 2007 American Medal of Honor, awarded by the American Biographical Institute Inc.  The medal is bestowed upon men and women of exceptional distinction who have significant individual accomplishments and contributions to society.”  No mention was made of Chuck’s specific accomplishments or contributions.  Here is my candidate his accomplishment and contribution (email on class net): “We will have free beer again for our Benny Havens Tavern located at the hotel.  It will be Samuel Adams, rated the #1 beer in the USA. Cheers, Chuck.”  Actually, this is another Oak Leaf Cluster added to his legacy of free beer at 30^th and 45^th Reunions.

            29 Feb.  Back to column.  Time to wind this up and submit it, but first some sad news.  Those wired to our class net read the email earlier from our CINC Obits: “Sadly, we have lost another classmate -- John Stone.  Orlie Hill reported that John died this morning, Feb 12.  He has suffered from cancer this past year.  As Orlie said in his message to me, ‘We are very sorry for his loss, but he was very tired and very sick...he is now at peace.’”  The class made a donation to the American Cancer Society in John’s memory.  The Oregon gang has been great visiting the Stones the past few years (photos in 160^th and 162d).

            And from a second email: “John Stone's memorial service was held in Florence, OR on Saturday, 23 February, at the Florence Christian Church.  In attendance for the class were Jim Sigler, John George, Rube Waddell, OK Hill, Terry Connell, Bruce Hamilton and Paul Vanture.  Flowers from the class were purchased by those attending plus and from John's A-1 company-mates.  It was a very nice service, with many of John's friends telling us of their feelings toward John.  It was quite obvious that John was well known and liked in his community.  Roger Waddell gave remarks for the class.  The class flag was on the podium along with the National Flag.  After Roger's remarks, (we) came forward and sang the Alma Mater.  We had dinner together that night.  On Sunday morning we had breakfast with D'Ann Stone.  At that time, OK Hill presented D'Ann with a Company A-1 guidon, which he made, with signatures of all present along with Bob Miller who could not attend due to illness. Be it said, ‘Well done.’”  Thanks to Paul Vanture for the excellent report.

            More sad news.  From CINC Obits and A-2 CCQ:  “Sad news from Patty Toftoy that Barbara Gibbings, Les' ex-wife died (18 Feb).  They were divorced shortly after Les retired, but lived near each other and neither remarried.  Barbara was in the same Assisted Living facility in Fayetteville, NC where Les lived until he died on 11 Dec 06.  Their son LTC Tom Gibbings left Ft Bragg for Iraq in January with the 18th Abn Corps (he did not get back from Iraq before his mother died).  I will check with Julie Gibbings, Tom's wife, and get any details I can on funeral arrangements. – Chuck Densford”  Chuck as in Toftoy & Patty have been great about reporting on both Barbara and Les when visiting Patty’s mother at the same facility.  In fact, they were the first to learn Les had been moved there from Massachusetts by son Tom.  Tom later moved his mother there also.  You readers may remember the photos (155^th Nov-Dec 2006) of A-2 files visiting the Gibbings en route to Savannah Mini.

            Photo of Tof last Sep is evidence of attempted heist of Senior Olympic Torch with assistance from retired colonel Bill Stephens.  Chuck cleaned up on medals again.  And, so did Palmer McGrew in swimming, as he said, because Chuck did not compete in those events!

            Mea culpa.  “George, You normally get everything right in your Assembly articles, but this time (Nov/Dec 07) you made one error.  I was at Don McCullough's funeral with Phil Raign in Lubbock.  Tom Morgan was not there.  Dick Buckalew.”  I know that Tom lives in WA and Dick in TX.  Dumb mistake.  Dick is Lists Moderator and Tom is a faithful provider of info and photos for our class notes.  Scribe needs to stay in good graces with both these guys!

            WPSDC Distinguished Member.  Proud to announce that Lee Miller has been selected to receive this award at Founder’s Day on 15 Mar for his work on the Wounded Warrior Program  (see article by Bruce Holmberg ’61 in Nov/Dec Assembly).  Lee, Pete Brintnall, John Herren and Bob Tredway began the program, expanded it to the class and further expanded it to ’56, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’63, ‘80, ’84 and AFA ’64 and more to join.

            Das Ende.  Space is gone.  See you at 50^th shortly after you receive this one.

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