USMA Class of 1968 – Class Gift Update

Hershey, Pennsylvania

21 SEP 07

Classmates:

Greetings from central Pennsylvania.

On Monday 13 August I had the privilege/honor/stupidity to complete the eighth March Back with the Class of 2011 and about 150 "old grads".  Albeit this year's march was "dumbed down" a bit (only about 12 miles, and 100% in daylight), my shins were still unhappy a week later (yes, the downhills were more painful than the uphills - even Bull Hill).  Most rewarding, however, was being with the Corps and the Long Gray Line, to include a total of fourteen 1968 classmates.

Since we stayed over after the march, Linda and I had a great opportunity Tuesday morning, to join Dutch Hostler and Pres and Clem Miller on a tour of the partially-completed Jefferson library.  Unbelievable!

This is a massive 6-story structure, situated pretty much where the Patton memorial used to be.  In a nutshell, it will provide enough space for all the cadets' library, IT, and "making out in the stacks" needs, as well as providing more than enough archival space for USMA.  On the top floor is a huge gathering room with a view of the Hudson Valley better than that from Trophy Point .

Only one gripe about the march - two if you count the 45-minute shower as we were forming up at Camp Buckner:  although actual and virtual marchers, as well as other classmates, contributed in excess of $100K in August, we still remain about $365K short of our Class Gift goal, and 2 in 5 of us have not contributed at all .

Gents, we're really getting down to the wire:  the Supe is expecting the final check for the gift pretty soon, and we're not there yet.  Priority number one, of course, is fulfilling our pledge of $2.5 million.  706 grads minus those who died in Viet Nam and those who have passed away since leaves 664 of us to tote the load - do the math to come up with the $5,000 figure that has been described as your "fair share."

Or if that amount isn't within your reach, please, just contribute something.  The good news is that we've had some classmates generously ring up some very big numbers.  While this is commendable, personally, I feel it's every bit as important for each of us to be able to say he's contributed:  no task too great, no gift too small.

Please, don't put it off any longer.  During next year's 40th Reunion (4 - 7 September 2008 - see you there) we should all be able to walk through our rotunda, and feel that we each did our part in making it happen.

To contribute:

Send your check, made out to "West Point Fund: Class of 1968 Gift", to:

Director of Annual and Class Giving

Association of Graduates, USMA

698 Mills Road

West Point, New York 10996

OR:

Send your check as above to classmate

Dutch Hostler

98 Chestnut Hill Road

Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877

OR:

Contribute online using your major credit card by going to:

Best,

TONY AMBROSE