February 20, 2006

Dear Classmate,

I am pleased to report that we have made good progress in the last couple of years toward achieving the $2.5M financial target associated with our Class Gift and it feels like we are finally beginning to close on our goal.  From a pledge point of view, AOG’s most current report shows us to be only about $200,000 short of our target.  We should take into account, however, AOG’s admonition from historical experience with the fund-raising efforts of other classes, that changed circumstances are likely to cause some pledges to go unfulfilled.  As a result, we need to aim a little high of the mark in our fund-raising effort.  We should also plan to raise sufficient additional funds beyond the $2.5M to cover the cost of appropriately memorializing our class in the library Rotunda.  Pulling together, we can make 2006 the year that we go over the top on this project.

To recognize the support already provided and to encourage additional contributions, we are pleased to announce that the class officers have authorized the creation of a class coin – actually two coins: one cast in bronze and another cast in silver.  Both will have the Academy crest and motto on one side, and our class crest and motto on the other.  A picture of the bronze coin can be seen on our class webpage <http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1968>[editor's note: or by clicking class coin underlined above].

The first recipients of the bronze class coins will be those classmates and friends of the class who have already contributed at least a “fair share” to our class gift fund.  We determined a “fair share” by dividing the amount associated with fulfilling our commitment to upgrade the library Rotunda in the new USMA library by the number of living classmates, then we rounded up to the nearest thousand dollars.  This calculation yields a “fair share” contribution level of $5,000.

We already have quite a few fair share contributors.  We also have a number of classmates who have generously contributed well beyond a fair share.  That’s where the silver class coin comes into play.  Silver class coins will be presented to those classmates who contribute at least twice the fair share amount.  The attached list indicates those classmates whose contributions already qualify them to receive bronze and silver class coins.  As additional contributions are received and pledges are fulfilled, appropriate class coins will be mailed to newly eligible recipients, and the list of qualifying contributors will be updated on our class webpage.

Eligibility for class coins will be determined from AOG’s record of contributions (including employer matching grants) made by each individual classmate to our class gift fund since the date of our graduation.  Other contributions you may have made to West Point to support the Bicentennial Fund, Long Grey Line Endowment, AAA, teams, clubs, etc., although extremely worthwhile and beneficial to the Academy, will not be included in determining class coin eligibility.

If you have not yet made a commitment to support our Class Gift, our only class project, or if you have contributed but have not as yet reached the “fair share” level, and it’s within your means to do so, please consider digging a little deeper.  If you have already exceeded the “fair share” level, and you have the means, please consider digging even deeper still to help ensure that we reach our financial goal.  If a “fair share” contribution is out of your financial comfort range just now, please consider making any contribution you feel you can.  We want to have our gift to the Academy supported by as many classmates as possible so that it will truly be a gift from and on behalf of the Class of 1968.  And please be assured that each contribution, however large or modest, is highly valued and greatly appreciated.

If you would like to know the total amount you have contributed to our class gift fund as currently reflected on AOG’s records, you should contact your company rep.  A list of current company reps is attached.

If you have any questions regarding our class coins, how they play into our class gift, or if you have suggestions on how we might more effectively and efficiently attain our classmate participation and financial goals, please feel free to contact any of the members of the class gift committee listed below.

Once again, thank you for your support and assistance to date.  Together, we can and will make our Class Gift to USMA a reality.

No Task Too Great!

Paul A. DeCoursey

Capital Campaign Chairman

Dave Ohle: dohle@csc.com

Dutch Hostler:  dhostler@west-point.org

Dan Kaufman: dkaufman@ggc.usg.edu

Dave Gerard: gerardd@charter.net

John Calabro: john.calabro@usma.edu