Happy New Year and here is a toast to Benny Havens for prosperity for all. I have a number of past and upcoming events to update you on.
Army – Navy 2011 in Washington, DC
We didn’t Beat Navy this year in Football, but we had some great celebrations. The weekend started off with Jill Maurer, Bonnie Schweppe, and the Class of 1983 ladies having a rocking party at the class hotel - The Embassy Suites in Olde Town Alexandria. There were rumors that security had to be called several times…but I don’t remember. Eighty-nine classmates and guests attended the remembrance dinner Friday night where we read the names of our deceased classmates. Finally, over 200 Classmates and guests attend the Pre-and Post-Tailgates in the Platinum Lot at the stadium. I’m sure I speak for everyone, Washington DC was a terrific venue. Thanks to Jill, Mike Olson, Steve Klynsma, Dave Sacha, and the tailgate committee for a memorable weekend. We will do this again in Philadelphia next year so make attendance a priority.
General Officer Announcements
Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta announced today that the President has made the following nominations: Army Brig. Gen. John G. Rossi has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Rossi is currently serving as commanding general, 32d Army Air Missile Defense Command, Fort Bliss, Texas. Army Brig. Gen. John Uberti has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Uberti is currently serving as deputy commanding general/chief of staff, Installation Management Command, San Antonio, Texas. They join recently announced BG(P)s Miller, Snow, and Tovo to the Active Two Star Rank. Congratulations to all.
The Chief of Staff, Army announces the following officer assignments:
Brigadier General (Promotable) Jeffrey J. Snow, Director, J-5, United States Forces-Iraq, OPERATION NEW DAWN, Iraq to Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, United States Army, Washington, DC.
In 2012, we will once again visit the Auburn Marriott Opelika at Grand National golf resort in Opelika, Alabama. This stop on the RTJ Trail was the location Jones himself proclaimed as “the single greatest site for a course” he had ever seen. The resort is located just a few miles from Auburn University. Grand National has been the host site for the 1997 Nike Tour Championship, the 1998 LPGA Tournament of Championships, and the 2000 NCAA Men’s Division I Championship.
The basic three-day package is for the evenings of April 19 - 21. Additional night packages (accommodations and breakfasts only) are available for periods either before or after the basic package dates.
Last year we were very fortunate to have astronaut Doug Wheelock, USMA ’83, speak to us about his recent stay at the International Space Station. This year, we have asked MG Bob Brown, USMA ’81, a B-ball player under Coach K and the current Fort Benning commander, to speak about the establishment of the US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning.
We have two changes for 2012. We will use the Short Course (the par 3 course) for the Two Man Best Ball and Scramble. The course will be set up with 6 holes greater than 175 yards, 6 holes between 125 and 175 yards, and 6 holes less than 125 yards. We will also allow players to choose between using the regular men’s tees (WHITE) or the senior’s tees (TEAL). However, players must indicate on the reply sheet which tees they will use so that the scorers can input this information into the computer.
The hotel has given us the Lobby Lounge off the hotel lobby to use as our hospitality suite. Practice rounds will be available but you will have to contact the RTJ Pro, arrange your own times and foursomes, and guarantee payment. As usual, several of the participating classes will share in running this event. Our thanks go to them for all their help.
We have made reservations for 160 golfers. We hope you will be among them…
Tyler & Dan Willson
PS. We have a new website. Check it out at www.GolfingGrads ofUSMA.com
The full reply document for the outing is located HERE
The class presented a gift to the Academy at our 20th reunion. Since then, we have not been in an active fundraising campaign, although I wish to thank the many classmates who have continued to make donations during this period.
