Dave Gerard
DAVE GERARD
8822 Harbor Circle
Terrell, North Carolina 28682
828-478-9813
gerardd@charter.net
www.west-point.org/class/usma/1968
More
news from NOLA. Bob Shaw is still “sloggin’ away” at the local utility
company, working on regulatory issues. In 2001 Dan Adams
decided that he had enough put away to quit his job
as a senior manager in an environmental company, and put his energy into
upgrading preexisting homes. Now, he divides his time among places in Paris,
Pensacola, Dayton, and New Orleans. His New Orleans home is a two story
Victorian in the French Quarter, which did not flood when the levees failed, but
sustained wind damage. After quitting his NASA job, Joel Pigott
has become a gentleman farmer in Mississippi and the guys only see him on
Founders Day. Victor Farrugia (changed from "Vic" when stationed in
Germany and his German friends at the Dolmetcher Institute of the University of
Heidelberg called him “Viktor.” But, “Vic” is still OK from classmates) is an
employment lawyer in New Orleans – representing employees in disputes with their
employers or former employers. His home, about three quarters of a mile from
the 17th Street Canal breach, was destroyed by 12 feet of flood water that
stayed around for several weeks after Katrina. His rebuilt home – now well –
has a guest bedroom, which is open to any classmates in town. His law business
is down because there are fewer employers in this area. However, he is just as
busy because of rebuilding his and his brother's homes. Jerry Weeks, a
personal injury lawyer, is also rebuilding his Lakeview house about three blocks
from Victor’s.
[Photo #1 – “Dan Adams, Joel Pigott, Victor Farrugia, and Bob Shaw at the NOLA FD 07 Celebration”]
Last
April, Joe & Maureen Guignon hosted Franki Cummings Bennett, her
and Ken’s daughter, Kimberly Page, and Kim’s children, Ryan (a swimmer
like his grandfather), Molly, and (Molly’s twin brother) Connor (a snow skier
that competes at the age of 7) – all redheads... They flew from Boston to DC to
sightsee and get to know Ken’s teammates. The family is remarkable and wants to
be part of the Class of 68 – Ken would be proud of them all.
[Photo #2 – “1968 – Kim Page (Ken Cummings' daughter), Molly Page 7, Ryan Page 10, Connor Page 7 (twin of Molly), and Franki Cummings Bennett with Jess Gatlin. Dwight Lee, Jon Dodson, and Joe Guignon”]
Joe
also reports (somewhat tardily) that, he has been joining other K1/E3- files for
annual reunions. In 2005, they met in Colorado Springs for the Army - Air Force
football game. In 2006, they held the gathering in Chicago and attended the Army
- Notre Dame game. The organizers were Jack & Marilyn Bussa, and the
attendees were Joe & Rebecca Mance from San Francisco, Bill & Robyn
Flowers also from California, Joe & Judy Creeden from New York,
Earl & Gail Newsome from Texas, Bob Stroud from Maryland, Joe &
Carla Henry from Colorado, Mike & Jan Selvitelle from Kentucky
(Mike’s 1st reunion of any type – ever), and Joe flew in from
Virginia. The gang did everything in style with some of the best meals that
anyone can obtain in Chicago. Jack had rented a luxury (lounge chairs,
microwave, refrigerator, four televisions, and the all important restroom) bus
to take them from the hotel to the stadium in South Bend. The golfers in the
group gathered in Palm Springs over Valentine's Day 2007 to play some of the
most beautiful courses in the world and dine (Italian, of course since the
Bussas were hosting) in style. The K-1/ E-3 golfing guys consisted of Jack
Bussa, Joe Creeden, Earl Newsome, Bill Flowers and Joe. Since Jack
and the two Joes had left their wives behind to shovel huge amounts of snow,
they are now opening the Valentines Day event to all 1968 members to get us in
as much trouble as they are.
[Photo #3 – “Deserving members of a St Valentines Day massacre: Joe Guignon, Joe Creeden, Jack Bussa, Earl Newsome, and Bill Flowers in Palm Springs”]
In
another boy’s adventure, Don Davis hosted a fly-fishing extravaganza for
Al Aker, Norm Miller, and Jon Dodson in the Big Horn River
country of Montana. Norm almost couldn’t attend because of the
bio-hazard he created in the area last year. Ask Al and Jon why
they were in the river with their rods up during an electrical storm.
[Photo #4 – “A trout jumps gasping from the Big Horn River into Miller’s hands”]
I’m sure that many of you know that Flip Jack needs our support and good wishes after being accused of allegedly being the arms supplier for a discovered overthrow of the current Laotian government.
Dutch & Megan Hostler met up with Andy & Betty Shaffer at the Class of 2007 graduation activities last May. Dutch & Megan, and son, David (04), were there to see other son, Christopher, graduate with honors. Chris will now go to Med School at Duke. Dutch has been selected to run for the AOG Board of Directors. Although he is up against some stiff competition, he’s clearly the man for the job based on his vast business, legal, and West Point-oriented experience. Remember to vote in October. Andy & Betty were present so Andy could commission a cadet that they had helped get into WP. They also met up with another Midland, TX graduate that they had helped and celebrated their current safety and good fortune.
[Photo
#5 – “1LT(P) Dustin Navarro (04), Andy & Betty Shaffer, and 2LT Zachary Frisbie
at 07 Graduation”]
Walt Meinshausen came close to becoming a human bomb due to buttons popping off of his chest. Son (MAJ) Brian (95) is attending the Naval Post Graduate School. Other son Paul is finishing four years at U of Louisville with a 4.0, is in Ankara Turkey on a David Boren National Security Scholarship, and has been selected for a Fulbright scholarship to earn a Masters Degree in Turkey. And, young son Tim has joined the Long Gray Line as a member of the Class of 2011. One-man population explosion Ron Feher also announced that his youngest son, Ronnie, is also in the Class of 2011. Walt and Ron will joined Tim and Ronnie on the Marchback. – along with Dutch Hostler, Bill Brown, Tom Jewell, Gary Roberson, Tony Ambrose, Pres Miller, Dave Martin, Dale Hansen, Tom McNaugher, and Doug McKenna.
According
to Mike Potter, doctors rarely retire – they just fill in for other docs
who need a break. Mike & Rachel flew to Phoenix last March for a meeting
and to see Mike & Kathie Kulikowski, but Mike was away on assignment.
Turns out both Mikes do similar type work – provide stand-in medical coverage.
The Kulikowskis and Potters managed to get together for lunch on the day the
Potters were leaving.
[Photo #6 – “Rachel & Mike Potter with Mike & Kathie Kulikowski in Phoenix”]
Last May, Mike & Becky Fellows hosted a barbeque at their home in Boulder for “Denver-North” classmates, which included Larry & Cheryl Stevenson, Joe & Carla Henry, Gary and Patti Halstead, Greg & Donna Johnson, Bob & Lynne Uhler, and Chuck & Gayle Jones, and John Hoffman. As part of the gathering, Becky had everyone participate in creating a quilt for the “Quilts of Valor” program, which provides quilts to soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
[Photo #7 – “The Colorado Gang -- at last year’s Army-AFA tailgate
[Photo
#8 – “James Muir with his Jefferson Marquette creation in Arizona”]
Am I the only one to go through our Howitzer periiodically? I do it to remember OUR West Pont experience (Duty, Honor, Country, Cooperate and Graduate, and No Task Too Great), and to reflect on our many blessings over the years. Our class contains generals, doctors, lawyers, captains of industry, gifted artists, and folks who make things run and fun. No one can say that we became these things on our own. We had each other. So, now, when it really counts, why are we still behind in our Class Gift goal? You can see where your company and regiment stand in the class at our class web site. Nobody can be proud of our record right now. If, 3rd and 4th Regiments would only donate as much as 1st and 2nd, we’d easily meet our goal. Earlier, I threatened publishing posture pictures – maybe your contribution would be even more embarrassing. Go to the web site, talk among yourselves as classmates, team mates, and company mates, and reach deeper because YOU’RE ALL WE’VE GOT.