Dear
Classmate,
With less than two months to go until the end of the capital campaign in support
of our Class Gift, I am pleased to report that we have raised over $2.8
million. We can’t formally declare “victory” yet, since we do not have firm
final cost figures for all aspects of our class gift, but we can all be
increasingly confident that the final dust, when it ultimately settles, will
come to rest on an unmitigated success thanks to the hard work of a large number
of classmates who put a shoulder to the boulder and pushed as members of the
fund-raising team, and an even larger number of classmates who generously
supported the effort with their financial contributions. At this date, over 66%
of living classmates have contributed in support of our class gift - - and every
penny has helped close the financial equation and is greatly appreciated.
The proximity of success, of course, raises a number of questions that should be
anticipated and answered:
Will the library be done in time for our 40th reunion? We have been
assured by the Superintendent and the Dean that, barring any unforeseen
catastrophe, Thomas Jefferson Hall will be completed in time for our reunion.
We plan a class dedication ceremony for the library Rotunda and an unveiling of
the Thomas Jefferson sculpture as a part of our 40th reunion. It is anticipated
that the move of library assets into Thomas Jefferson Hall will still be
underway at the time of our reunion, but the Class of 1968 Rotunda will be
complete and available. In fact, the formal and official dedication of the new
USMA library building is scheduled for later in September - - so we have reason
for high levels of confidence that the library will be complete and ready. By
the way, a number of Thomas Jefferson maquettes are still available for purchase
<
http://secure.west-point.org/isma1968/classgift>. Through the generosity of
the sculptor, James Muir x68 and his wife Linda, one third of the purchase price
for each maquette sold will be deposited in the class gift account as a
charitable contribution from the purchaser. The final form of the Jefferson
sculpture has been vetted through the Academy’s “Memorials Committee”, and the
life size version is being crafted now at a foundry in Oregon. Barring any
unforeseen catastrophe, it too should be in place in time for our 40th
reunion.
What if we come up financially short? If we’re financially short, we’ll
put out a panicked call for help as soon as we can do so with some precision as
to how much off the mark we are. Fortunately, some already generous classmates
have indicated a willingness to dig a little deeper if necessary - - and I
suspect a number of other stalwart classmates would respond to a final call for
help as well.
If we go over the top financially, what will happen to any money in excess of
the final cost of the class gift? Any money beyond that needed to cover
the cost of the class gift will remain in our class gift account at AOG and be
available to help fund any subsequent gift the class may decide to present to
the Academy. The residual funds would also be available to defray the costs
associated with our class’ participation in the “50 Year Affiliation Program”
under which classes “adopt” younger classes 50 years further down the Long Gray
Line, supporting and participating in various events during the course of that
younger class’ four years at West Point culminating with presentation of 2LT
rank insignia during graduation. The Class of 2018 will enter USMA in 2014 - -
just 6 short years away. Our class charter, like that of most classes, calls
for a final sweep of any remaining balance in our class gift fund when we are
all on the brink of going “glimmering into the gossamer world of things that
used to be” - - those residual funds will be used for the benefit of our alma
mater.
Is there still time to make a contribution in support of the class gift?
The answer today is “Yes”. It would be great to have an even higher number of
classmates as supporters of our Class Gift, but all contributions must be
received by AOG not later than 5 June 2008. That date will mark the end of
the capital campaign in support of our class gift. Any contributions to our
class gift account received after that date will be accepted by AOG and
deposited into our class gift account, but they will not be credited in
support of the Class of 1968 Rotunda, and will not count toward eligibility for
bronze and silver class coins or inclusion on the major contributor plaque
that will be displayed permanently in the library rotunda. By the way, an
updated (a/o 3/31/08) class coin list
and an updated (a/o 3/31/08)
mock-up of the major contributor plaque are attached to this note and will
be posted on the class webpages at <
http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1968>. If you have questions regarding
your contributions to date or corrections regarding names, spelling, etc. please
let us know asap - - we don’t want to cast any mistakes in bronze.
We are in the home stretch on this effort, and I and the other members of the
Class Gift Committee are all confident that the end result will be a truly
outstanding marker for the place of our class in the Long Gray Line - - a
lasting contribution to Academy and the Corps - - and a fitting place to honor
the memory of our classmates who fell in Vietnam.
No Task Too Great!
Dutch Hostler
Class Gift Committee Chairman
E-Mail Addresses:
John Calabro
PAUL A. DeCoursey
Page Last Updated: Apr 15, 2008