DAVE GERARD  
8822 Harbor Circle  
Terrell, North Carolina 28682
828-478-9813
gerardd@charter.net
www.west-point.org/class/usma/1968

 

 

Classmate mingling continues where it left off at the Reunion.  Gary & Cookie Roberson spent some time last fall between Pittsburgh and Asheville at “Barker House” – a B&B owned and run by Steve & Elizabeth Lyons in Hendersonville, NC.

 

 

 

[Photo #1 – “Steve & Elizabeth Lyons and Cookie & Gray Roberson at Barker House”]

 

On the cover of the recent Taps, there is a photo of the interment ceremony for General Rogers, our Commandant, held on 12 December at the West Point cemetery – a gray misty day.  On the inside cover there is a moving description of that ceremony.  Not mentioned was the presence of Dave & Susan Ohle at the earlier service at Ft Myer and Gary Halstead and Robby Robinson at the interment to pay tribute to a great soldier and to offer condolences to his gracious and courageous wife, Ann.  Mrs. Rogers was thrilled to see representatives of our Class – “my cadets” as she introduced them.  It was a poignant coincidence that Gen Rogers wrote the lead article and Gary and Robby both chose to write about Gen Rogers in our book, Both Sides of the Wall.  Ever the good Aide, Ray Paske (’65) requested a copy of the book for Mrs Rogers, which Dutch Hostler and Joe Fowler arranged for.  However, Gary and Robby were way ahead of us and sent Mrs. Rogers a copy – appropriately inscribed – as a remembrance of the Rogers’ first Firstie class – right after the ceremony.

 

[Photo #2 – “Steve Marcuccilli, John Hedley, Tom Beierschmitt, and Ray Rhodes in Hawaii”]

 

John & Margie Hedley have been going to Hawaii around the holidays since they craved being on US soil while John was a VP with Raytheon in Japan.  They usually met up with A-1 company mate Tom & Stephanie Kurkjian, a VP with Nolte in San Francisco.  This year, the Hedley-Kurkjian tradition continued and grew with another company mate, Ray & Mary Jane Rhodes, who opted to split the distance between their home in Texas and most of Ray’s security consulting work.  Then came Tom Beierschmitt, who was looking to get away from icy temps in Michigan.  As a result of an earlier Army-Navy Game and the reunion hook up, Steve Marcuccilli and Pam Fern had Tom, the Rhodes and Hedleys over to their home for a luau and spectacular view of Diamondhead.  After that, the Hedleys and Rhodes crashed a USNA Society holiday party honoring Mids in the area, and then went to hide out on Maui.  On Maui, the Hedleys met up with Dutch & Megan Hostler, who were winding down from engagement and reconstruction activities on Oahu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Photo #3 – “Vic & Pat Hiatt, Henry & Karen Riser, Jon & Aj Dodson, and Orca & Barbara Gerard – New Years in the Outer Banks”]

In the meantime, we commandeered time-share condos on the Outer Banks to celebrate New Years with Jon & Aj Dodson, Vic & Pat Hiatt, and Henry & Karen Riser.  While the camaraderie and single malt were great, we could have picked a warmer and less windy area.  The Hiatts came from Tampa in the biggest vehicle and brought the most stuff – apparently Pat was unaware that they had kitchen sinks in time share condos.  Henry and Jon looked tired – maybe because Henry had just completed a successful business proposal and Jon was catching his second wind as a key player in the Walter Reed Wounded Warrior Mentor Program.

 

 

 

[Photo #4 – “Sharon & John Cruden with grandkids Lauren, Katelyn, Ryan, and Jonathan”]

 

John & Sharon Cruden completed 2008 in Wichita Falls, TX with their entire family.  Son-in-law Scott and daughter Heather moved there after a tour in Okinawa.  Sharon spent time at Johns Hopkins hospital last year where she received more successful cardiac attention (we pray for her continued health and vitality).  John remains at DoJ and continues to coach a special Olympic swim team.  He traveled to South Africa where he gave the keynote speech at an international environmental conference.  While he completed his DC Bar responsibilities, he has now been selected as Chair-Elect of the ABA Section on Environment, Energy and Resources.

 

Fortunately, the Risers and Gerards had a Plan B after the Outer Banks – Tahiti and French Polynesia in January on an AOG-sponsored trip with Charlie & Janet Lieb and Dale & Joyce Hansen.  The trip was par for the course for the Liebs since they went on their honeymoon and R&R with the Risers and travel extensively during the 11 months of winter in Green Bay.  Prior to flying to Papeete, we stayed at a hotel near LAX with the Risers and ran into Russ & Marge Fuhrman who were attending a west coast association of heavy construction contractors and engineers (called “Beavers”) banquet.  Two years ago, Russ was presented with the Beavers’ Lifetime Achievement Award.  Currently, Russ is Director of Projects for Parsons Brinckerhoff a and spends much of his time either in NYC or commuting to international job sites.

 

 

Photo #5 – “Henry & Karen Riser, Charlie & Janet Lieb, Barbara and Chunky Monkey Gerard, and Joyce & Dale Hansen cheating Gloom Period in the South Seas”]

 

The Tahiti trip was excellent – partly due to good weather, cruising on a four-masted clipper, and knowing that the money we spent for the trip would have been worth half its value if left in the stock market, but mainly because of the company.  Prior to leaving, Dale Hansen sleuthed through records, found next of kin and relatives for all of our deceased classmates who have not had Memorial Articles published, and sent that info to all of our classmates who have volunteered to write the articles.  Thanks to Dale’s noble efforts, we are now down from 17 reported at the reunion to less than a dozen articles that still have to be written.  Dale & Joyce tried to keep us in shape during the cruise with morning PT and afternoon mast climbing, but we quickly fell into slothful ways with boat drinks and shipboard cuisine.  Karen Riser is related to a Tahitian princess and kept us on the straight and narrow regarding Polynesian history and heritage.  I’ve never seen Henry Riser happier – on a sailing ship with his own Tahitian princess.  He even saved me from getting a vasectomy by a moray eel.  Janet Lieb taught us that we all have different names depending on our level of sobriety, and Charlie continued his vain pursuit of keeping Janet calm and away from black pearl boutiques.  Upon our return, we all went back to our respective frigid abodes where we vacuumed skin peelings out of our beds. 

 

 

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Photo #6 – “Bud Bucha (65) and Dick Steiner at the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball”]

While we were in search of fun and warmth, Dick Steiner was working for a living – plying his magical skills at the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball attended by 50 Medal of Honor recipients and Dave & Susan Ohle.

 

Walt Meinshausen wrote to let us all know that his last day as a DA civilian was 3 January 2009.  He is now a "Double Dipping Retiree" both Military and Civilian after 44 years and six months service (he got to claim his 4 years as a Cadet).  In the meantime, he is investigating how to "Triple Dip."  All this retirement and life transition got Walt to muse over 44 years and how he most of all cherishes his lovely bride, Ann Marie, who he met at a mixer on 14 October 1967.  Walt, Ann Marie, and most of their family were able to celebrate their 40th anniversary oof meeting at West Point during Plebe Parent weekend in 2007.

 

 

 

 

[Photo #7 – “Chuck Jones, Joe Guignion, Earl Newsome, Jack Bussa, Bill Flowers, and Jess Gatlin cheating Gloom Period in Palm Springs”]

 

Joe Guignion reported that the E-3 gang made its annual trip to Palm Springs California for a week of golf, eating, and adult beverage consumption.  This year, they managed to get Jess Gatlin, Chuck Jones, Bill Flowers, Earl Newsome, Jack Bussa and Joe to participate.  The very first night the jinx was on as Jack won all the money and never let up for five days.  No one yet has been able to figure out how he keeps score so that he always wins – except all begrudgingly agree that he plays smart consistent golf.  They too noted that it was so nice to get away from WINTER.  While the courses were in perfect condition, our classmates admit that they played just a little less than perfect golf.  Chuck has a wicked three wood that most of the gang would like to break.  Earl still hits massive drives right down the middle, while Jess can line up and execute a putt perfectly, and Bill is totally relaxed and in control the whole time.  Joe confessed to barely keeping the ball in play.

It appears the class is well primed and on auto-pilot with regard to gathering and enjoying each other’s company.  Regiments, companies, teams, and clubs seem to meld into one important thing – classmate.  We can look each other in the eye and KNOW even though some of us are like Slinkies – not really good for much, but you still can’t help but smile when you see us fall down the stairs.  We’ll get through the economic times in style because we know what’s important – YOU’RE ALL WE’VE GOT.