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Classmates—
Highly disorganized this month. Have no clue what will show up in
Class Notes, but here goes.
Our
Losses.
Sadly, we lost two classmates and another wife since the last Class
Notes in October. Classmates deaths that I do not think have been
recorded in our Class Notes begin with Robert L Hultzen K2
who very recently transitioned to the Ghostly Assemblage. Our
prayers are with his wife Lisa. Bob went Signal
Corps at graduation in 1958. Our paths did not cross in the Army
before he resigned in 1961 as a 1LT. Bob and Lisa lived in
California. His entry in the 50-year book was taken from our
30-year book. Scribe highly recommends you read it. Most of
this info came via an email from Bo Craddock K2, which I
will quote it here: “Just got off the phone with Lisa Hultzen, Bob’s
wife for about the last 10 years. Bob died peacefully with what Lisa
called an ‘aortic dissection’ on October 9th in a hospital in Las Vegas.
His death was sudden. He was cremated and wanted no ceremonies. He had
written his own memorial article (which is what motivated Lisa to call
me). She will mail it to me and I will submit it. Her address is 6169
North Hwy 66, Kingman, AZ 86401. Lisa will send me the obit when
it is available. Lisa was impressed with how much Bob loved USMA and
what it meant to him. His diploma graced the wall of his law office. I
plan to pass to Dave Bourland K2 CCQ any future
correspondence I receive from Lisa.”
Dwain
T Moentmann C1
followed all too quickly on 10 October. Most knew him as “Bud.”
His is another good entry in 50-year book. Scribe loves the
paragraph “I will always be indebted to Jim and Peggy Morgan I2
for introducing me to Holly, a young widow with a
four-year old daughter, Lane. We had our first date on the fourth
of July 1972 and were married later that year. I adopted Lane soon
after our marriage.” Lane became a step-sister to Bud’s two
children from his first marriage: James (#38665) class 1981, a retired
COL, and Jennifer. And, they have produced in Bud’s words “eight
wonderful grandchildren. Life is good!” Two of his eight
grandchildren are grads: Tommy (#66691, son of James) Class of 2010 and
Grant Petersen (#71044, son of Jennifer, I think) Class of 2014.
Our prayers are with Holly, their children and grandchildren. I
have always been sympathetic for those who have lost a soul-mate, but it
became far more personal with my loss of Judy year ago.
The wife who left us earlier this year was Ann Henninger,
wife of Corky E2. Ann died on 17 Feb 2017. The
Henningers were among the first of 1958 to marry on 5 June – the day
after graduation! Sorry about the late notification of Ann’s
death, but Scribe just received the email forwarded by Chuck
Toftoy E2 CCQ. This explains why she was not mentioned in
earlier Class Notes. Ann and Corky produced a son Kermit who
graduated from USMA in 1981 (#38461). Corky’s entry in the 50-year
book is an edited version from our 30-year book. They spent 7-plus
years at West Point, which culminated with his working for then-LTG
Goodpaster while the latter was Supe “during times of great change…”
Now to more cheerful news. I was then-MG Goodpaster’s aide
(1961-62) some years before he became Supe while he commanded the 8th
Infantry Division in Germany. The division had an Airborne Brigade
which caused General Goodpaster to go through airborne training. A
memorable event for me was completing five jumps in one day at Finthen
Army Airfield when Gen Goodpaster became Airborne qualified.
Garry Roosma H2 was our Otter pilot. In my memory it
was only “the day before yesterday.” Five jumps in one great day!
Football.
A recent email on the forum from Tony Smith I1 had these
football stats which are repeated here because (1) not all are on the
Class Forum, (2) they are great stats and (3) I needed something to
brighten up these notes. Tony wrote: “Army
received votes in both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Polls; Navy got
none. Want to know why Army football is doing so well? The stats
tell the story.
“Individual: Ahmad Bradshaw is #10 in the nation in rushing yards at
1132. Navy's Zach Abey is #8 at 1202. Team (there are 129 teams
in FBS football):
·
Rushing Yards:
Army #1 with 365.4/game; Navy #2 with 346.1; AF #6 at 324.8. (Air
Force had been #2 until Army held them to 95 yards rushing Saturday!)
·
Fumbles Lost:
Army is #6 in fewest fumbles lost - 2 (that's huge!) (Navy not in top
25 in this)
·
Penalties:
Army is #8 in fewest penalties at 4.11/game; Navy is #14 at 4.38. Army
ranks #5 in least amount of yardage lost to penalties
·
Time of
Possession: Army ranks #4; Navy is #2
·
3rd Down
Conversions: Army is #2 with 59 out of 115 tries; Navy is #7 with 55 of
113.
·
4th Down
Conversions: Army is #16 with 14 of 21 tries; Navy is #26 with 10 of 16
·
Tackles for
Loss Allowed: Army is #3 at 3.22/game; Navy is #17 with 4.38
“And here's my favorite! Sacks Allowed: Army leads the nation
with fewest sacks allowed - a grand total of 1 in 9 games this season!
(If you never throw a pass, you can truly eliminate the sacks.) Navy
is #14 in this stat. Seriously, the stats tell a story. Army is
playing disciplined football (few penalties) and minimizing miscues
(fumbles lost, tackles for loss)). If you don't beat yourself, you can
beat your opponents.
“Go Army, beat Duke and Navy!” Hal Lyon C2
replied to Tony’s email “Tony, good report. And, Scribe can
endorse both of Tony’s final thoughts re beating Duke and Navy and
support Hal’s reply.
Class Stats.
Recently your Scribe sent an email to the class with stats on our
losses/deaths. They are repeated here in case you missed them and
info is always required to fill up these notes:
- 228 graduated classmates
- 9 who graduated in 1959
- one who graduated in
1960 (Tom Taylor, our last graduate from the class)
- one honorary classmate
(Chaplain George Bean)
- 26 former cadets (did
not graduate – these are difficult to track – there are probably more)
- 93 wives
The
stats have prompted a few replies already. Butch Saint I1
asked for the positive number: how many of us are alive from those who
graduated in June 1958? The math is 573 grads minus 228 deaths.
And, the answer is 345. Sadly, not all of us are doing well in the
health department, therefore, stay in touch with your company CCQ and
with one another. Chuck Davis G1 wrote “Thanks for
those stats, George. Much appreciated, even if the subject is one
we all tend to push down the line of time. Man does, indeed, not
know his time.” I will repeat Chuck’s final thought: “Man does,
indeed, not know his time.” Andy Andreson G1
commented “Thanks, George, for the information. Pete
Trainor’s ‘Taps’ list at the website has both grads and some
non-grads, but I was unaware until now how may classmates we have lost.”
Rich Gell C1 replied with a stat from Wikipedia which says
“the
latest life expectancy figure for the US male is 76.9, from 2015 WHO
DATA. Looks like we are doing pretty well!” Rich then sent a
follow-up message “P.S. A different website shows 79.1 for white
males and also shows data for each state. FWIW.” Scribe
likes the upgrade in life expectancy. Also, thinks the ending
abbreviation FWIW means “for what it’s worth.” There are many
different numbers for life expectancy, but those of us still standing
seem to out-lasting them all. This is one stat to keep beating!
Six-year
Men.
Scribe has written this before, but it bears repeating. We have
three six-year men in our class. I say again THREE. First,
Bud Davenport E2 began his cadet career with 1956 and
graduated with us on 4 June 1958. Next, Tom Fletcher F2,
who died on 22 Sep 1998, began with 1957, joined us and then was
graduated with 1959. Our third in this category was Tom
Taylor D1 who began with us, joined 1959 and was graduated in
1960. Tom Taylor died 1 Oct 2017, which was reported last month in
the October Class Notes. Bud Davenport is still with us! He
and I were Army brats together at Ft Leavenworth in 1947-48. He
was my hero -- a high school freshman football player in the town of
Leavenworth while I was in the 6th grade. Pretty sure
we lived in the same apartment building. And, Bud is still a hero
with whom I crossed paths only a few times during our service years.
Bud’s is another great write-up in the 50th year-book.
Scribe loves the photo of Bud and his FAC aircraft in SEA. I hope
to see Bud & Ginger at the 60th.
60th
Reunion.
An exchange of emails between Bill Serchak CCQ K1 and
George Lawton CCQ G2 provided info about Josh & Noni
Jaschen K1. The Lawtons had visited the Jaschens in
Naples, Florida. The latter are preparing to move to a CCRC
(continuing care retirement community). Scribe applauds the move.
We Siberts made a similar move in August 2008 to Goodwin House
Alexandria, a CCRC here in Northern Virginia. No yard, meals
provided, plenty of neighbors, smaller “house” (Judy and I moved to a
two-bedroom apartment with space for most of our furniture). The
sad news provided in Lawton’s email was that the Jaschens are not
planning on attending the 60th Reunion. Among other
reasons, too far to travel. Not included in the emails, but
reported earlier is that son Daryl (class of 1982 who resigned in 1990,
I think) was selected for BG in VA Army National Guard in 2014.
Another I think fits here. Unfortunately, I cannot find my old
notes, so I hope this information about son Daryl is accurate.
Enough of my lousy memory and back to emails between Serchak and Lawton.
Mary Jane and George expect to see Noni and Josh again after Christmas
when the Lawtons return to Florida.
Free Beer Again at 60th!
Here is another reason to attend the 60th Reunion –
Chuck Toftoy E2 has done it again! Here is his email:
“All: I’m really happy because we are getting free beer again, for our
60th from the Boston Brewery. Samuel Adams for Benny Havens
Tavern.
🍺
Please respond to me,
casb@gwu.edu,
as to whether you want regular(reg) or light(lgt). Do not reply to
this email address (the Class one) because it will not count. You
only need to send me one abbreviation, ie ‘reg’ or ‘lgt’. That keeps it
simple. Thanks. Again send your choice to me only at
casb@gwu.edu.
Thanks. Hang in there. Chuck, E2 CCQ Beat Navy!
🏈”.
Plebe Boxing.
Wally Ward M1 replied to an email from Jack Downing
H2 about this topic. Scribe quotes: “Palone
was teaching us a boxing lesson. He had us lined up in straight
line & requested each one to try & hit him. All failed & then it
was my turn. I hit him with full face hit & he counter-punched me
with a strong right to the jaw after I let my arms down at my side.
He immediately hugged me to let me know he had made a mistake in hitting
me. He did know that I was the runner-up champion in the First
Army the year before I came to West Point. You may want to pass
this on to our classmates.” At age 17 your Scribe was lousy in
Plebe boxing. I am surprised that I am including this information,
but Wally was most recently our leader in the Plebe March Back and looks
like he can still box!
TOF’s TIPS #86
is quoted here: “As we get older, we lose our sense of taste and we lack
our appetite. Even our sense of smell diminishes. Some
people only take small bites even if it's their favorite food.
Patty's Mom ate 2 or 3 bites of food at the Assisted Living facility or
when we took her out to a restaurant. She became frail and loss a
lot of weight. It was hard to watch her deteriorate.
“Some of the reasons for this problem are: ulcers, dementia,
thyroid disease, depression, ill-fitting dentures (causing difficulty in
chewing). Swallowing can be a problem too. All of these
issues impair a sense of hunger. Another consideration is that
chemotherapy kills off most of the taste buds. And a person may
have a touchy digestive system.
“Basically, you or whoever it is, needs a medical evaluation to
ascertain what is causing the loss of interest in food. Also, your
Doc needs to determine whether supplements you take interfere with your
meds. If you are trying to get someone to buck up their eating
ability, here are my suggestions:
- Go for a high-fat, high
calories diet. This is based on my research. For the general
population, a low-fat, low-calorie diet is recommended. But for
seniors, becoming frail and/or losing weight...go for higher fat and
calories.
- Eggs (7 grams protein
per egg), peanut butter (2 tbls = 8 grams protein), cheese, fruits,
dried fruits, nuts, raw veggies, hummus I love it), edamame, ice cream
(an expert Doc recommends a bowl of ice cream). Make sure it is
the person's favorite (mine is butter pecan).
- Make healthy smoothies.
Add nut butter, avocado slice, some spinach and wheat germ (a winner).
- Add lots of color to
meals. Important. Make it look super. But very small
portions, otherwise it is intimidating to the person which could be you.
Eat the same meal right with the person. This is my brainstorm.
Important. Smaller meals, more often is helpful. Gradually
make changes.
- Try Boost or Ensure.
These drinks are not a substitute for a meal and are not a complete
source of nutrition. But, they do provide vitamins and minerals.
I suggest Boost (I like the Chocolate Sensation with 15g of
protein-Yes!). I take it daily with my vitamins. The vits
seem to go down easier.
- Pump in protein and
calcium...however you can do it. That person (maybe you) -
will suddenly buck up. Don't forget protein is the main building
block of our body. Needs: Men = 56g daily; women = 46g. DRI
(Dietary Nutrition Intake) calls for 0.36g per pound of weight.
More protein is needed if active,
- Exercise. If you
have joint pains or using a power chair or wheelchair, water aerobics is
best. Docs agree with this 100%.
“Hang in there, Chuck E2 CCQ”
Scribe is on a roll. Here is TOF’s TIPS #85. “Pacemakers
treat fatigue, light headedness, dizziness, and fainting. You
might want one if you have an abnormal heart beat, congestive heart
disease, or afib. It takes about 3 hours to insert a pacemaker.
I have one and can't even remember the surgery...it was so simple.
Outpatient. It's great because, in my case, my heart rate is not
allowed to go below 70 beats/minute. If it does, the pacemaker kicks in.
“The pacemaker is composed of a small titanium encased pulse
generator that contains a lithium battery. Batteries last from
5-15 years depending on how active the pacemaker is. Average
battery life is 7-8 years. It only takes 1-2 hours to change the
generator battery. Usually the original leads (connected to the
heart) do not have to be replaced.
“You can exercise with no difficulty---walking, running, cycling,
swimming. I still compete in the Senior Olympics. Nobody knows I have a
pacemaker and I never even think about it.
“If you have a pacemaker and want to know symptoms of your
pacemaker failure, here they are: dizziness, fainting, palpitations,
shortness of breath, twitching of muscles in chest. Mine has never
failed and I don't know of anyone who has had it fail. Keep in
pace with the rest of us by getting a pacemaker (if you need it).
Talk to your Doc. Hang in there. Chuck E2 CCQ”
Scribe is still on a roll. TOF’s TIPS #84 re SLEEP –
How much is enough? “This tip and the last three, were topics
suggested by several of you. I'm always open for topics.
“Bottom line -- for adults 65+ you need 7-8 hours of sleep per
night. The National Sleep Foundation states that 35% of all adults
get less than 7 hours. Their study showed an average of 6 hrs, 45 mins
during the week.
“UNHEALTHY
BEHAVIOR CAN OCCUR DUE TO HAVING JUST A LITTLE SLEEP.
Examples are mood swings, grogginess, and weight gain.
“Take a test---by going to bed at the same time...do not set
alarm clock. See how many hours you sleep. Try this for
several days. After this test, you can determine your sleep
cycle.
“If you are sleep deprived, a nap can be awesome to improve your
mood, alertness, memory retention, and overall performance. A NASA
study reveals that a 40 minute nap increases alertness by 100%.
They try this with astronauts. Even a 6-minute nap can improve
your memory retention.
“I've never napped but ardent nappers were JFK, Churchill,
Edison, and Napoleon. (Your Scribe is a napper!)
“An optimal nap according to experts is 90 minutes, taken between
1-3pm. For ways to get to sleep and sleep soundly see TIP# 79.
(per Scribe, #79 is not included here)
“One additional suggestion is to not have caffeine or other sleep
disruptive meds 6 hours before bedtime. Check with your Doc...
some meds should be taken in the morning because a side effect could be
sleep disturbance.
“All of this info I've provided is fine...but frankly, just make
sure you get a minimum of 6 hours of sleep/night. Hang in there,
Chuck E2 CCQ”
Memorial Service.
Jim Tilley D2 reported on the memorial service for
Joe Keyes D2 at West Point. “The memorial service was as
perfect as is possible to be. Cloudless sky and bright sun.
The process began with a mass at the Catholic chapel which was personal
and inspiring finishing with everyone singing the third verse of the
Alma Mater. Very emotional. Next was the ceremony at the
cemetery which was, as usual, executed to perfection. As the
actual internment was completed, a single Monarch butterfly flew over
the urn. It literally took everyone’s breath away. The group
eventually assembled at the West Point Club for lunch. Joe’s
daughter Jennifer had orchestrated the entire weekend with dinners, a
tour of the Academy, a cruise on the Hudson and myriad other activities.
They had decided that Joe would have wanted happiness and celebration
not sadness.
And more from Paul Ruud D2 CCQ. Paul provided
the info from Jim Tilley and had this ending: “The family and class were
represented by Jan Keyes and their daughter Jennifer,
Bob McCann D2, Bill Gillette/Nancy D2, Ed
Ofgant/Marisa D2, Gary Roosma/Jill H2 and
Sally Kurtz and me (Jim Tilley).
Prostate Cancer
and the roles within 1958 on this subject for John Brinson C2
and Stan Bacon I2 from an exchange of emails between them
and shared with class forum. Stan: “To view the latest updated PC
Diagnosis Distribution Table posted for us by Dale Cockle I2
on our PC Support website, go to <http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1958-pc/>.
“It shows the distribution over time of our 87 known diagnoses.
While we remain below the national average and new cases have steadily
declined since the latest peak in 2006, we continue to be assaulted—one
more diagnosis so far this year, and the threat persists.
“That 87 total may be understated. We thought we had a fair
handle on the number, but we continue to be surprised with ones we
hadn't known about. Your help in our keeping stats accurate and
our providing support where requested will be greatly appreciated and
treated confidentially.
“The Class PC Support Group places emphasis on prevention up
front and support after the fact in working through one's diagnosis,
treatment selection and post treatment issues—all dealt with in
confidence. Let's be really careful out there.”
John: “Great job. You have led the way for other Classes as well.
All of us owe you a bunch of gratitude for helping so many West Pointers
deal with prostate cancer.”
Stan: “Thanks for the kind words, John. But recall it was you who took
me by the hand and taught me the difference between a DRE and a PSAT and
what all the group needed in the way of support. ‘We who rise to new
heights stand on the shoulders of giants.’”
John: “Thanks, but truth be known, you get all the credit for this great
project, a project that has helped so many West Pointers deal with
prostate cancer.”
Scribe: AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! And, thanks to you both for information
on prostate cancer, its prevention and cure.
More
on boxing.
“I read this article about boxing at WP in the WSJ but here is an
alternative address that may not need a subscription to the paper.
http://tinyurl.com/y7e5q84f
It would make ‘Punchies’ Creighton and Palone proud.” Provided by
Jack Downing H2.
Perpetual Endowment Fund (PEF).
Info via George Lawton G2. “The PEFB has two
members, Gerry Mitchell and Dale Hruby, Jr (USMA 83) who are
completing their term of service on the board. IAW Art IV, Sec2(a) of
the PEF By Laws, the board is nominating their replacements for your
vote and confirmation. Jack Downing is nominated to fill
Jerry Mitchell’s position, and Dan Peck (USMA 83), Jim Peck’s son is
nominated to fill Dale Hruby, Jr’s position. Please submit your
vote on these two gentlemen to me NLT 16 Nov 2017 so we can reconstitute
the board prior to our upcoming meeting. (Scribe: submit your vote via
email to Lawton).
Alumni
Glee Club concert.
This concert will be on 18 November at the Schlesinger Center (just off
Beauregard in Alexandria). Garry & Jill Roosma H2
will be attending with his brother John & Diane Roosma. John is a
former cadet 1952 and retired USAF Colonel. Our own Alan
Salisbury L1 and Palmer McGrew I2 will be singing with the
glee club. Are there any other classmates singing? Your
Scribe will be attending but not singing. Remember what Mr Mayer
said to him during choir tryouts during Beast Barracks in July 1954:
“Your grandfather could not sing; your father could not sing; and you
cannot sing. Next.”
Memorial
Articles.
Paul Vanture B2 has the unenviable task of getting
Memorial Articles written and published. He has worked a miracle
in that “We now have 47 classmates who have signed up to write living
memorial articles. Many have already sent them to AOG.” PD
is collecting the remainder and will send them to WPAOG. If you
have not written your own, please consider doing so and contacting Paul.
Scribe has begun his own and will send it to Paul in due course.
Far easier for YOU to do your own than for some other classmate to be
stuck doing it for you. And, if you do it, the memorial article
will say what you want, how you want to be remembered.
Mike
Harvey.
Brad Johnson K1 and Brad Eliot G2 and some
other classmates were exchanging emails about Mike Harvey E1.
Scribe did a little research and came up with the following: Mike Harvey
served in 61st Avn Co during his first tour in VN (1963-64),
as Troop Cdr in 1st Bn 9th Cav during his second
tour (1966-67) and in 7th Bn 17th Cav during his
third tour (1971-72). You can look him up in 2015 Register of
Graduates: #22182-1958. He died 8 Nov 2013 and his memorial
article was in 2014 TAPS.
The
Schroeders and Gretes recently got together
in Destin FL. Please see the photo of the four attached. My
grandfather lived in Destin for many years and even has a street named
for him there. He is responsible for the Infantry opening the Rest
Camp there while he was a battalion commander at Ft Benning in 1930 or
so. He then retired there after WW2. Judy and I visited him
there often, as did Garry & Jill Roosma during flight
school at Ft Rucker AL in 1959 or so.
Time to end this effort launch it.
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