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Classmates—
Not
much left of December and year 2017 – however, we do have 12 days of
Christmas and there are (were when I had to split Part 1) 7 remaining.
And, Christmas is a good place to start these notes. Merry
Christmas to all and best wishes for the New Year. And, the New
Year will include our 60th Reunion: 26-29 April 2018.
BE THERE FOR THE 60TH. I still find it difficult to
believe that we graduated almost 60 years ago. Allow me to repeat:
BE THERE FOR THE 60TH.
Of course, deaths of classmates and wives make the passage of
time all too real. Sadly, I must begin with death of another
classmate: Edward Vincent DeBoesser Jr E1 -- Vince
to all of us. Reality creeps into these notes all too often.
Vince died on 17 Nov 2017. His widow, Anne, was one
of our June Ladies. According to my class roster, they lived in
Gettysburg PA. Vince was an artilleryman who retired as a colonel
in 1988. You can look up his Register entry by his Cullum #21911.
Our paths did not cross over our time in the Army as soldiers.
Vince left the Pentagon as I entered in 1976. Close only counts in
horseshoes and hand grenades. I hope the E1 CCQ was able to
provide more information to their company-mates.
This is a good place to mention that we classmates should
communicate information about deaths with Jack Downing H2,
our CINC for death information. You can always copy me on emails
to Jack about the death of a classmate (or wife). And, of course,
we should be in touch with CCQs and company-mates. Jack will then
communicate the information to the class and the West Point Association
of Graduates (WPAOG).
Sadly, we lost another class wife: Martha Meals.
Martha died early Thanksgiving morning, 23 November, joining husband
Bob Meals K2, who died on 22 July this year. I believe
that Martha and Bob are the 49th couple from our class to
transition to the ghostly assemblage. My roster shows they were
living in St Helena, California.
2017 has not been kind to the class. During this year we
lost seven wives, fifteen classmates who graduated in June 1958, one who
graduated in June 1960 and three former cadets.
For
those of us who live in DC area and subscribe to the Washington Post,
Dick Schonberger B2, our esteemed Chairman of the
Executive Committee has been working with the paper to improve the
coverage of our Army athletics, especially football. Navy is a
“local” team and gets good coverage. Here is a response from Ava
Wallace of the Post: “Hi Richard, Thanks much for your feedback. I
just recently switched onto the Navy beat and this is the first I’m
hearing of fans’ displeasure with our coverage of the Army-Navy game.
We cover Navy throughout the season as a part of our local college
coverage, therefore, I covered this weekend’s game from Navy’s point of
view, as I’m their beat writer. That being said, I think you have a
good point, especially with Army’s recent upturn under Coach Monken. I
will speak to my editor about our coverage going forward. Best,
Ava” Now, if the coverage improves, let Dick know about it!
Army-Navy
game.
I know that all were thrilled with the Army 14-13 victory. We were
fortunate that Navy penalties back them up and their field goal attempt
went wide – closer without the penalties and it might have been good.
Many of us enjoyed the game at the annual party hosted by Florence
& Alan Salisbury L1. Cannot remember when they first
hosted this event, but thanks to them both and myriad helpers for a
wonderful afternoon and evening. And, thanks to all who brought
food! And, thanks to those who helped clean-up. And, thanks
to Jack Gordon A1 for his email reminding us all about the
party: “I aim to reinforce the gracious
invitation from Salisburys' since in my limited experience, we do need
reminders. December 9, please contact them directly. Social Chair
(but not for long).” Good place for me to thank Jack for his
handling the DC social events for a number of years.
From the left coast, Terry Connell F1 writes: “Turning
again to MAJ Howard T Wickert '43, our treasured English ‘P’ (and may he
rest in peace): ‘The deed is done...’ ‘The die is cast...’
‘Nevermore, quoth the raven...’ Terry closed with “Merry Christmas
to all!”
John Schroeder M2
was in DC recently and some of us met him for lunch: Alan Chase C1,
Jerry Mitchell C1, Bob Rhodes F1, Van
Van Fleet M2, and your Scribe. The subject of marching at
the opening ceremonies for the AFA, temporarily established at Lowrey
Field near Denver, came up. I reminisced that 5th
Company from Camp Buckner was sent there along with our color guard
(John was in the color guard). Anyway, Bob sent us all the
following photo via email. Bob, Alan and I were on the trip
section to AFA at Lowrey AFB along with John and the rest of our Color
Guard. And, of course, all the other classmates from 5th
Company.
Quoting from Bob’s (Dusty’s) email: “John, Alan, George, Jerry and Van;
I believe the ceremonies were held during the summer of 1955. Note
two Constellations and one F-86 on the tarmac. Dusty aka Bob.
PS: I enjoyed our lunch together today. Thanks for setting it up.”
In the opinion of your Scribe, John Schroeder needs to come north from
Atlanta area more often!
More on the AFA trip in the summer of 1955.
Note the cadets in upper right of photo in FD over white trou. The
Middies were behind us. They were class of 1957 and tried to pull
rank on us. No way, Jose! However, in those days the Middies
were truly senior to us – strange, but true! Let me explain.
Cadets USMA were then the junior warrant officers in the Army.
Meanwhile, the Midshipmen USNA were the senior warrant officers
in Navy. Therefore, in fact they were senior to us. My
father class of ’36 pointed this out to me. I wrote the Com a
letter about this injustice. No reply from then-BG Messinger.
This Scribe has no clue where cadets actually rank today. I have
always preferred the ranking from our Plebe Knowledge: What do plebes
rank? “Sir, the Superintendent’s dog, the Commandant’s cat, the waiters
in the Mess Hall, the Hell Cats, and all the Admirals in the whole
blamed Navy” (pretty sure that in H2 plebes said “whole damned Navy).
Dusty aka Bob came up with this photo immediately after lunch.
Amazing.
Buckner 5th Co had a grand trip to Colorado, but
making up the missed training took its toll. Our Tac was a
miserable USAF officer (not a grad). He was later relieved from
being Tac of a lettered company (E2? I think. Cannot remember.)
Anyway, we had an inspection on first Saturday after returning to
Buckner the AFA ceremonies. We looked terrible. Dirty gear,
rifles, etc. Out outgoing Tac praised us for our work to prepare
for the inspection along with making up the missed training. Then,
after the incoming USAF Tac took over, he told us how sorry we were.
My ’56 platoon leader, Jack Woodmansee, as I recall, kept telling us he
wanted to take the first weekend to NYC. He lost it due to
demerits from the miserable USAF Tac. The Tac kept using honor to
give the Firsties a difficult time at Buckner and back at West Point.
I was not sorry he was relieved of his duties. Memories…
Class
Ring Melt.
As you all know, the class ring melt wherein gold from earlier class
rings is incorporated into the gold for new class rings is a program
begun by our own Ron Turner K1 (he wrote an article for
Assembly originating the idea). I think that gold from prior rings
was used first for the class rings for class of 2002. A “lump” of
gold is saved each year to be used in the gold for the next year’s
class. Net effect is that rings include gold from all the prior
rings donated. Anyway, here is an email from WPAOG to our
President Jack Bradshaw M2 about rings melted this year
for the class of 2019:
“I am writing to you today to let you know that your class will
have seven rings in the upcoming Ring Melt for the Class of 2019. Those
rings belonged to Donald Johnson B2, Daniel Carter
H1, William Ganey H1, Gordon Goodman B1,
Robert Meals K2, Joseph Shea L1 and
William Dunning G1 (cadet companies added by Scribe).
“You can click here to see a list of all rings donors by class year: https://www.westpointaog.org/file/ListofAllRingDonorsbyclassyear.pdf
“Our office prepares a bio on each ring donor that we publish into a
booklet that is handed out at the Ring Melt. The biography is also
framed and used at the melt as the place holder for the ring before it
placed in the crucible. Please see attached photo. William
Dunning does have a memorial article, but we are writing to you
(Class President, Jack Bradshaw M2) because the other five
individuals do not have memorial articles. We often will use the
memorial articles as an additional resource when preparing their Ring
Melt bios. Attached is some preliminary information that we have
gathered on each individual.
“You can click here for information on the memorial writing
process: https://www.westpointaog.org/memorials.
Please let us know if you would be willing to assist us in this
worthwhile endeavor.
Respectfully, Cathy Kilner ’90 Director Class Services”
Memorial
Articles.
We have a number of classmates who have died and need Memorial Articles
written. Five are mentioned above, but PD Vanture B2
is the keeper of this flame. He needs your input wherever
possible. Please help! All of us living classmates can help
by writing a Memorial Article for YOURSELF and submitting it to WPAOG.
I have been working on my draft and should submit it soon/early in 2018
well before our 60th Reunion. Good project for each of
us: write your Memorial Article prior to the 60th and let PD
Vanture know you have done it.
As you all will remember, the originator of the class ring melt
program was our own Ron Turner K1. He wrote an
article, published in Assembly which initiated the program.
His ring is one donated long ago to be incorporated into the ring melt
program. Sadly, Ron joined the ghostly assemblage on 29 April
2013. The gold from his ring is in the blob used each year.
Wearing
class rings: left hand or right?.
I was asked by a classmate recently which hand is the one normally used
for wearing the ring. So, I am now asking you all: left or right
hand? I believe that most of our class wears our class rings on
the left hand (as I do). But, more recent photos of grads reflect
the ring moving to the right hand. When did the practice change?
And, why did it change? Does it have to do with wearing wedding
rings? Any comments or answers? Send your friendly Scribe an
email or send one to the class forum.
Class Forum.
I recently received an email via the Class Forum from
deaconwpc@earthlink.net.
I had no clue who that was. The address was not on our class email
list. So, I tried to respond and then received an email with
copious instructions to complete to have my response received. Far
too much trouble. Especially for someone I could not identify.
Therefore, I wrote our lists moderator, Dick Buckalew A2.
His reply: “George,
I have no idea who
deaconwpc@earthlink.net is.
That address isn't on any west-point.org list. Apparently, some of
our classmates are sharing forum postings with non-classmates. I
have warned against that in the past but have come under fire for
censorship. Dick”
Censorship on class lists.
My reply to Dick was that some censorship is warranted. Let me add
my admonition not to share our forum or other class emails with
non-classmates. The contents may be OK, but do not share the class
addresses of the Forum or other lists. You can share emails but
delete the addresses and keep us all safe from the likes of deaconwpc.
Thanks.
Scribe just checked my email traffic and received the sad news of
another classmate’s death -- Tom Orr I1. “Classmates,
I hope that you all received the email from Marilee Meyer, AOG
announcing the death of Tom Orr. Very little is known except that
he died on Dec 11. I fly out tomorrow morning to have Christmas
with the Gary Graves C1 in Florida. George
Lawton G2 will act as CINC Obits until I can relieve him.
Jack Downing H2 Cinc Obits”
Tom Orr is another classmate with whom your Scribe did not cross
paths in the Army. He retired in 1976, blessed with enlisted time
before West Point, including time at USMAPS (photos of the Prep School
are in the 30th Reunion Book).
Info on the web for Tom provided by West-Point.org: “We
have prepared the graduate's eulogy page at .http://defender.west-point.org/service/eulogy/listing/1,,22123,00.html
The graduate's homepage is located at
http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1958/22123/
Sincerely, WP-ORG Operations”
An email from Joe Shea I2 had further info about
Tom: “I remember ‘Tiger’ Orr from USMAPS ‘53/54. As
I recall Tom had been in combat during the Korean War. He had a
friend who was at USMAPS with us but didn’t get into West Point. I
believe they had served together. The friend always joshed Tom
about being in ‘Graves Registration.’ I believe it was he who gave Tom
the moniker! At that time Tom was a shy man of few words. Brad
Eliot G2 may remember more.”
Scribe’s addition to the foregoing: Joe is the second Joe Shea in
our class. He is one of our class who loved West Point so much
that he extended for fifth year and graduated in 1959. As you will
remember, the other Joe Shea L1 who graduated in June
1958, departed our ranks on 31 Aug 2016.
An email from Palmer McGrew I2 provided further
info about Tiger Tom: “Plebe year, when we
had early morning PE, and used gym lockers assigned to us, I came in one
morning to find ‘my locker’ all decorated for my apparent locker mate,
Tom Orr. I had never met Tom, I had no idea that guys from the
other regiment also used "our lockers", and what is it with this locker
decorating, anyway? Though I hadn't met Tom Orr I was impressed
that our classmates would go to the trouble of decorating his locker and
calling him ‘Tiger Tom Orr.’ I did meet him at the Bar Harbor mini
and had long conversations with him. Never saw him again. If
his company mates who decorated his locker are still around, please post
an obit for him on the obit web site. RIP Tiger Tom.”
More
on the funeral of Vince DeBoesser via an email to Scribe
from attendee Joe Schwar I2. “According to
Anne DeBoeser, Vince had been ill for about six months. In
and out of hospitals with a number of unexplained complaints which,
again according to Anne, just wore his system down until it just quit.
Neither Kathy nor I had much time to talk to Anne so this
will be skimpy and much of it second or third hand. Vince died on
November 17th. The service was held at St Mary's Catholic
Church in Fairfield, PA, a very small town about eight miles west of
Gettysburg, on November 25th. He will be cremated
(according to the funeral director). Burial will be at Arlington
at some time in the future. As an aside, Fairfield was the site of
some skirmishing as Lee retreated from the battle at Gettysburg.
“I didn't know, until the priest talked about it, how religious
Vince was and how active he was in the small catholic community in
Fairfield. Last I knew their mailing address was Gettysburg so was
surprised at the location of the service, but his obit stated they lived
in Gettysburg. There were four classmates in attendance. In
addition to Kathy and me, there were George & Barbara Yurick A1,
Bob & Ann Marie Donovan E1, Bill Serchak K1
and his daughter (Bridget: spelling?). There were at least two
other West Pointers (classes in the mid-80s) from Northern Virginia who
had presumably served with Vince at some point, but don't quote me on
that. The priest seemed to be impressed that classmates attended
the service and commented on that as being representative of the bonds
existing among members of the military. Ironically the priest's
name was DiTommaso. I meant to follow up with him to see if there
was a connection, but, alas, I did not.
“The mass was followed by a short ceremony outside the church by
a local color guard. Did the folding of the flag and presentation
to Anne. Even had a firing party. Nothing like Arlington but
surprising that it all got pulled together in such a small town.
Reminded me of something out of a Norman Rockwell painting -- and I
don't mean that as a put down. People who were there and
participated in any way because they knew and respected Vince and Anne.
About what I've come to expect in small town Pennsylvania. We
classmates all talked about the fact that the class flag was not
present. No one knew what had happened or why it was missing. I
doubt that anyone but us would have known enough to even miss it.
“Now a little history. Anne DeBoeser was
one of the 'girls' that traveled from Philadelphia to West
Point frequently when we were cadets. Among the group, in addition
to Pat, were Lois Deely, Barbara Bellows,
and Peggy Hankee (all their married names). Seems
that there may have been one more, but... I always admired how
that group of women hung in there with such a bunch of reprobates.
Undoubtedly, we were better men because of them. I've got to quit
before I get too melancholy and forget what my purpose in this note is.
Hope this is helpful. Joe”
Scribe’s additional information: Pat Schwar,
mentioned in the email, was Joe’s first wife who was a cancer victim in
March 1997. Joe subsequently married Kathy Stevens (Schwar).
Scribe was exchanging emails with George Lawton G2, one
was about the H1 Robertsons, George & Gale.
Lawton wrote: “George
& Gale are at the Fairfax near Belvoir. I saw son Russ Robertson
Tuesday nite at the PEF board meeting and he’d been with his parents all
day at the Fairfax. They moved there this past summer. John
& Carol Devens (also H1) live just across the courtyard from the
Robertsons.” Company-mates as neighbors – is this a great life, or
what? In the process I got the younger George Robertson’s ’82
email
Scribe is in a lunch group with some veterans of our Pentagon war years
circa 1976-1980 or so. There are only a few classmates in this
group (Van Van Fleet M2 and Andy Andreson G1
come to mind). One member of the group sent me an email about some
parasite that VN veterans are having problems with. I dutifully
sent it to the Class Forum and received this reply from Tom Morgan
A2: “Perhaps
we are too old to die from this VN disease? I have been back
several times and have not caught anything that I can attribute to
that.” All veteran stories should end with this sort of good news.
This also gives me the chance to ask classmates who have been back to VN
to let me know via email. I know that, in addition to Tom,
Dick Schonberger B2, has been back many times with his
involvement in 82d or is it 101st Airborne activities.
Others?
An email from Jack Gordon A1, our esteemed social chairman
(he thinks “not for long”) reminded the DC gang of the annual Alan
& Florence Salisbury L1 Beat Navy Party. Jack did this
because he has discovered at our age we need to be reminded. Great
party. Great game. And an opportunity to say thank you to
Alan & Florence for another wonderful evening. They have done this
for many, many years – not always with the same game result we enjoyed
the last two years. No matter the game result, the evening at
their home is always wonderful. And, the potluck food is always
great – thanks to the cooks (mostly ladies) of our class. Their
party was first held at the home before the present one. As I
said, they have been doing this a long, long time.
Beer
Survey.
On the subject of thanking classmates for doing things on behalf of all
of us, time to thank Chuck Toftoy E2 for two things he
does for all of us. First is Tof’s Tips, mostly for
a healthier life style. I will let you all respond to Chuck on
this subject. Second is BEER. It may not be
healthier, but when I was four years old my pediatrician put me on a
beer diet to encourage a little weight gain. Back to Chuck who has
arranged for free beer at class reunions for ever and ever. As a
beer drinker myself, your Scribe wants to let Chuck know how much the
class and his Scribe appreciate his efforts. And, thank in advance
for FREE BEER at the 60th coming up 26-29 April 2018. I
hope YOU responded to Chuck’s email. Not too late. Regular
or Light beer is the question. State your preference.
Chuck wrote: “I received 43 responses. Wow! That's got to be a
record! Right now the results are: 63 regular, 21 light. So, for
you math hives, that means I'll order Samuel Adams free cases in the
ratio of 3:1. Remember, I'm only the beer guy. Garry Roosma
H2 stated that the Thayer will set up a cash bar for wine and
other beverages. They won't allow free wine to be brought into the Benny
Havens Tavern (The Pershing Room). This is the first time in the
Thayer's long history that they are allowing free beer to be brought in.
That took some negotiating.
“It's not too late to put in your request for either regular or
light Samuel Adams. Email me at
casb@gwu.edu with the words, either reg (regular) or lgt (light).
Do not reply using Class email. Thanks. You guys are great.
Happy Thanksgiving. Hang in there. Chuck, E-2 CCQ”
And, here is an opportunity to thank the CCQs again, and again,
and again. Do you and your CCQ exchange emails? Hope so!
And, to thanks Garry Roosma H2 for organizing
another West Point Reunion. He has been doing this since I
classmated him into doing our 30th Reunion. Of course,
he reciprocated by classmating me into doing the 30th Reunion
Book. He put it in his first letter about the 30th
Reunion. Actually, the book was a natural follow-on to being the Class
Scribe. Have done that since about 1986 or so. Except, of
course, when Pete Penczer C2 took on the job while I was
committed full-time to taking care of Judy. I got it back to
scribing for the notes in Feb 2017. I will continue as long as
health and mind hold out. And, as long as you all can stand it.
30th Year Book time flies. Now we have a wonderful 50th
Year Book who main force was Alan Salisbury, he of the
Beat Navy Party fame. Our class is truly blessed to have Alan and
Florence doing so much for us all.
Classmates who actually attended the Army-Navy Game. From
Andy Andreson G1: “We
will not be with Alan and Florence because we will be at the game –
which Artie and I almost always attend.” Were there others at the
game? Send an email to your friendly Scribe to let me know.
And
from Norm Monson K2 in response to my message about the
Salisburys game party: “As much as I'd like to join in the festivities,
I think it's a bit too far afield to be making it from SoCal. But
I thank you for the invitation anyway. So, enjoy yourselves and
hopefully every bit as much as you did last year!! 😊”
And from
Edgie Waller G2,
another response: “George, I expect that you will be our oldest living
graduate.” My reply: “Edgie—you
are kind, but George Lawton G2 has already expressed his
intent to be the oldest grad. Of course, I am younger than Lawton,
therefore, technically we could both do it. George-the-younger”
Social
Security for our cadet years.
The expert on this subject is Bill Serchak K1. There
have been a number of emails to/from Bill on this subject. For
those not on the Class Forum or other class lists or lists from Bill, if
you have any questions or need help getting Social Security credit for
our cadet time contact Bill directly. His email is
wserchak@comcast.net and do it
so you get the credit you are entitled to. I am including this
admonition in the Class Notes because the subject keeps coming up on the
Class Forum, but not everyone is on that email address list.
Getting credit is not difficult, but it is important. Contact
Bill. Do it if you have not done it earlier. Many classmates
have followed Bill’s advice and have gotten significant checks from
Social Security for back time and pay increases since then. Not
all qualify because of earnings since working after the service, but
many have benefited from Serchak’s info.
A mid-Nov email from Pete Groh I2: “Carol
and I have moved to Indiana and I want to let Jack Bradshaw
know that I am nearby and get in with the West Point Society here.
But I've lost all my email contacts. Would you please send his
email to me so I can contact him? Thanks, Pete Groh 11139 Lincoln
Trails Circle, Indianapolis IN 46236”
Pete provided his telephone number 317-855-7732 and Scribe was
able to give him contact info for Jack. Loop closed.
Time to quit and launch this version while it is still 2017.
My next one will not be until February 2018. I have done them
monthly during 2017: February through December. If you did not get
them all, send me an email with some news for future Class Notes and I
will cheerfully send you the missing notes for 2017. I am sending
them all to Karen & Mark Sigurski C1 (but have to call
them again because I cannot find Karen’s email). Again, my thanks
to Pete Penczer for taking over for me while I was taking care of Judy.
And, thanks to Pete for relinquishing the job after she died. I
miss her terribly, but am glad to have a class function to fill up my
lonely time. And, glad that Judy moved us to Goodwin House
Alexandria in August 2008 – a CCRC is just the place for me these days.
I will close with my normal request for CCQs to send these notes
to classmates not on the unrestricted senders class list. When in
doubt, just send them to everyone in your company. If you wait a
few days before sending the notes, they can read them twice. At
our age it cannot hurt to read them twice. Smile. George
Sibert
Merry Fifth Day of Christmas, but without the five golden rings.
And, Happy New Year which includes our 60th Reunion. BE
THERE! It will not be the same without YOU!
George Sibert
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