16 October 2007
Greetings Fellow '68 Classmates,
For the past year and a half, it has been my honor to
chair the '68 Memorialization Committee, working with
committee members Dutch Hostler, John Calabro, Joe
Fowler, and Paul Decoursey. Our mission is to
coordinate with USMA to determine the best way to recognize our class in the
new Jefferson Hall rotunda. We have not
taken this responsibility lightly, especially honoring those in our class who
gave their lives in service of our country. Apparently, at West Point there are rules and
regulations (what a surprise) governing recognition for gifts to the Academy
and for $2.7 million, a solitary 18" x 18" bronze plaque recognizing
the gift is officially authorized. Our committee toured numerous Class
Gift locations last year and realized the rules can be waived at times,
allowing some additional recognition and memorialization
opportunities. After several written proposals and meetings with various
USMA officials, including the Superintendent, formal approval has been obtained
for the Class of 1968 to be recognized and memorialized as follows:
A bronze plaque recognizing our gift of the "Class of 1968
Rotunda", with our class crest and our motto, "No Task Too
Great."
Inlaid marble Class of 1968 Crests, centered
in the floor just inside each of the two main corridor entrances flanking the
rotunda.
A bronze plaque recognizing by name the most significant financial
contributors (those contributing $15K or more) in support of the Class Gift.
And most
importantly, a bronze plaque, approximately 24" x 30", honoring and
memorializing the sacrifice of our classmates who died in Vietnam,
or as a result of wounds suffered there.
Also, as part of our gift to the Academy, our class has commissioned a unique
life-sized bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson by the widely renown sculptor (and
former USMA classmate) James Nathan Muir. That statue, which will depict
Jefferson about to sign the Act establishing the Academy, is to be placed in the
library rotunda. The granite pedestal base for the statue will bear a bronze
plaque acknowledging the artist and this additional gift from our class.
We plan to
share drawings of the various plaques and other memorialization
particulars with you in future update emails, as these materials become
available. We are pressing to ensure that the design, manufacture, and
installation of these plaques and the Jefferson statue are completed in time
for our 40th reunion in September 2008 - - just ten
short months from now.
That brings us to my next point: the final push to get us to our goal of $2.7
million. To help in that regard, a small group of classmates, mostly from
the Class Gift Committee, are offering the "$68K Challenge."
For each incremental dollar pledged and paid after October
15, 2007, this group will match, dollar-for-dollar, up to $68,000,
adding a total of another $136,000 to our Class Gift coffers. We have
achieved a lot in the last four years, thanks to Paul Decoursey
and his committee and to the generosity and support of a large and growing
number of classmates, but we still need to raise about $300,000 more in these
next few months to complete our class commitment to West Point. When you
make an additional pledge or contribution, please let me know by email at
<mailto:nvelop@aol.com>nvelop@aol.com
so we can track the amount to be matched.
As a personal note, I have been deeply moved by the recent letters to the class
regarding our Class Gift, as well as the many emails about departed classmates,
leading up to the last two "Virtual Marcher" fund-raisers. This
is it ...our opportunity after 40 years, to give something back while honoring
those who gave all. Please don't wait another week, or even another day,
because soon it will be too late. The easy method for pledges and
contributions is to go to <http://www.westpointaog.org/>www.westpointaog.org, click on "Give to WP", then "Class
Gift Campaigns" and follow the instructions, or simply call AOG at 845-446-1500. Be sure to indicate that your
contribution is for the "Class of 1968 Gift Fund".
I look forward to seeing each of you next September in the Jefferson Hall
"Class of 1968 Rotunda" as we dedicate our gift to West Point, honor
our fallen classmates, and celebrate our 40 years since graduating from this
hallowed institution. Thanks to all for your generous contributions. "No Task Too Great."
Sincerely,
Pres Miller