Dear Proud to Be ’83,

Thank you for your positive feedback on the Quarterly Newsletter. 

We now have about 775 classmates up on email out of 930 alumni that participate in our activities – 120 missing address and about 35 bad email addresses.  If you know of someone not receiving the letter, please forward and tell them to send me an email update.  This will be our primary means of communication of class events until the first mailings for the 30^th reunion somewhere around the June 2012 (if Spring 2013) or Jan 2013 (if fall 2013).  We will send out a ballot to determine the date. 

I would also like to encourage you all to subscribe to Assembly.  Mark and Cheryl Connors write the best column by far of any class.  Here is the link to subscribe – https://www.westpointaog.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=2553

Stars are Falling on Proud to Be’83

Four new nominations for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General were announced this summer from Proud to Be ’83 – Colonels Billy Don Farris II, Mark S. Martins, John J. McGuiness, and  John G. Rossi.  Billy Don is currently Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C. Mark is currently serving special assistant to The Judge Advocate General, U.S. Army, Arlington, Va. and further detailed to deputy commander, Detainee Operations, Joint Task Force – 435, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. Mark spent the past seven months co-chairing President Obama's task force on the future of detention policy.  John McGuiness is currently serving as Assistant Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), Washington, D.C.  John Rossi currently serving as Effects Coordinator, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas.  They join previously announced Brigadier General’s Ernest C. Audino, ANG, Maria (Corsini) Britt, GAANG, Scott Miller, USA, Jeff Snow, USA, Sonny Uberti, USA, Ken Tovo, USA and COL (Promotable) Brain Balfe, NYARNG and BG Reynold Hoover, ALARNG.  Please let me know if there are any GO promotions in the Active, Guard and Reserve that I am not aware of.  Congratulations to our new GOs!   

Class Gift (2013)

The construction plan for our 30th Reunion gift, the West Point Leadership Center (WPLC) is starting to take shape.  We are getting in on the ground floor of this terrific leadership development venue.  The location for the building will be at the Golf Course and plans are for cadets, staff and faculty, as well as civilian firms to partake in the Leadership Programs it develops and runs.  The Purpose of the center is to “Establish a universally respected leadership center at our academy—the West Point Leadership Center.”  The Vision for the center is “Operating at the nexus of the military, the private sector, government, technology, and society, a Leadership Center at West Point prepares leaders – ranging from cadets to statesmen – to tackle, and resolve the world's most formidable challenges.”  This is going to be a great gift to the Academy.

It might be easy to say “so what” and be a continuing, no dues paying member of the Zero Club (no donation to the center or class)?  However, if you think about how your donation will contribute to the development of cadets during their 47 month experience.  If you think about how these cadets have volunteered to serve during a Very Difficult time in our world and country.  If you think about the 70+ Graduates and 5000+ soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedoms – including our very own Ted Westhusing and now class son, SGT Andrew McConnell.  And, if you think about how easy it is to do without $50 – 100 dollars a month until the reunion, this monitory sacrifice pales in comparison to what our soldiers and their families are enduring.  We will also be setting the standard for our 50 year affiliation class, the class of 2033 (who won’t be born until 2011).  Join with me and let’s get everyone donating something – Every Dollar Counts.

 

Progress Update:  We continue to make steady progress toward our 30th Reunion gift of $1.5 Million to the West Point Leadership Center (WPLC) – since Jan 2008 (reunion year) we have received pledges and donations to the value of $337,635 (11% participation); this coupled with past donations since the 20 year gift which are credited to each person's contribution level, gives us roughly $573,625; We still have a long journey ahead.  With the economy turning (hopefully it is sustainable) and yearend tax planning on the calendar, now is a good time to consider a pledge and donation (http://www.westpointaog.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1503 ) to the class.  We have a number of classmates that have answered the call and are commited to $50K and $25K giving levels!  However, we cannot achieve the gift goal without the entire class support.  We understand the ever increasing demand for donations to all organizations in this environment, we would only ask that the class be one of your priorities.  Make your pledge today!  We are looking to post to the class website more detail of the WPLC soon; significant progress has been made to take it from a concept to reality.  I would like to think our class was the catalyst!!  Thank You and thanks to Harry for your continued effort with this campaign.

Class Offspring R-Day (29 June 2009)

The Class had at least four Cadets enter USMA on 29 June and make it through Beast – Donna Brazil and Tim Trainor’s daughter Kori Trainor;  Ron and Barbara Costella’s son Brian (See Attached Photo, Third New Cadet Back);  Cliff and Irene Crofford’s son Daniel;  and, Eileen (Mulholland) and Jim Trainor’s son Brian.  I also found out that Mike and Barbara Tomaszewski’s had a son graduate in 2005 – Cameron Keogh.  Acceptances to Class of 2014 are starting to come in – Jasmine Morgan, a sophomore at LSU and daughter of Tommy Morgan.  If I have missed anyone, let me know immediately.  Good luck as they begin the Academic Term.  Beat the Dean. 

Rocketman Update – COL Doug Wheelock

COL Doug Wheelock is currently training at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia as a back-up ISS Expedition 22 crew member.  Doug is scheduled to launch on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in the Spring of 2010, and serve for 6 months in space as the Commander of the International Space Station, and its 6-person international crew, during ISS Expedition 25.  That will be a long air trip.  Good luck Doug!

USMAPS at West Point Groundbreaking

Many of you know that USMAPS is moving from Fort Monmouth, NJ to West Point.  Recently, our very own COL Tyge Rugenstein, Commandant/Dean, participated in the groundbreaking for the new school (See Attached).  It will be located near Washington Gate in place of the Transportation Motor Pool.

Tune in to West Point Radio to Hear our Very Own Mike Lyons

West Point Radio – host Mike Lyons '83

Visit the site now to learn more and listen to our shows.
http://www.wsradio.com/westpointradio

Tune in live on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm (Eastern), or You can listen later via the archives.  Shows are also available as podcasts if you prefer listening on-the-go! Visit Archives.  I know this photo is from 10 years ago.

That is all for now.  Go Army.

 

 

Pete aka Fizzer

Dear Proud to Be ’83,

 Many of you have told me that you are still not receiving the updates on the class.  I think I have solved this issue, however if you do not wish to be included, let me know and I will delete your address.  I want to continue to welcome all Proud to Be Alumni (not just those who graduated) to join us in our alumni events and support of the Academy.  Please pass this update to others who may be interested or who have had an email change I don’t know about.  If you would like the other two updates, check our website at http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1983/ .  This is the third update on class events and initiatives.  I apologize if you have not been receiving them.  There is much to report. 

 

Cadet Bob Lewis, ’09 Wins Inaugural Proud to Be ’83 Cadet Spirit Award (See Presentation Picture1 ,

Presentation Picture 2 and Presentation Picture 3)

 

 I was reminded how slow the bureaucracy at West Point was in establishing the Proud to Be ’83 Cadet Spirit Award.  After seven months, it is finally approved.  The first presentation venue could have been from any “Joe College” night of the past 30 years (although maybe not as spirited as the 4,000 C-ration boxes flying through the mess hall).  At the Corps Dinner on 7 May 2009 assembled on the Poop Deck were representatives from the Pep Band, Rabble Rousers, and some good old fashion mascots.  The Corps had assembled to recognize Cadet Bob Lewis ‘09 for his leadership in instilling Spirit.  COL Jeanette McMahon Agresano, our Rabble Rouser extraordinaire, made the first presentation.  The award is a mounted Bayonet.  Bob hails from Carbondale, Pennsylvania and graduated from Carbondale Area High School in 2005.  He majored in Environmental Geography and was commissioned in Armor.  Thanks Jeanette for making this event more than I ever imagined. 

USMA Class of 1983 Donates $5,000 at Wounded Warrior Project’s 2009 Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner

The WWP’s 2009 Courage Awards & Benefit Dinner was held on Thursday, May 14 2009 at Cipriani, 42nd Street in New York City.  Nearly 700 guests attended, including Bill O'Reilly, New York Giants Coach Tom Coughlin and Tony Sirico from the Sopranos.  Bob Costas was the Master of Ceremonies for the event.  Amongst the star studded crowd was a table of USMA Class of 1983 Alumni there to support our wounded warriors – Tim McDonald, Joe Bassil, Bill Selman, Frank Giordano, and Mark Sullivan presented a check from the class for $5,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of our classmates on Active Duty.  The idea for support of the WWP was offered by BG Scott Miller at our 25^th Reunion Class Meeting.  The Dinner provided the ideal location for the presentation.  Thanks Tim for encouraging and coordinating our participation.  Each year, the awards dinner provides the opportunity to bring together and honor many of the brave wounded warriors who have sacrificed much in service to our nation. The funds raised support thousands of injured service men and women and their families from battlefield to bedside and beyond. Almost $500K was raised to support the WWP from their signature program, which provides comfort items to newly injured service members — to TRACK, the first education center in the nation designed specifically for wounded warriors.  WWP’s benefits counseling, peer mentoring, and adaptive sports programs also aid in the challenging transition from a hospital bed to an independent, productive, and successful civilian life.  The following awards were given out during the ceremony:   The Talkhouse Award for Community Service – Johnny Damon, New York Yankees; The Tony Snow Award  – Michael Ward, CSX Corporation; The George C. Lang Award – John Fernandez, USMA 2001, Wounded Warrior & WWP Alumni member; and The John Melia Award For Warrior Service – John Melia, WWP Founder.

Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

 

Class Offspring Silver Dollar Presentation Graduation Week (See Coin1 , Coin2 , Coin3   pictures)

 

COLs Tim Trainor and Donna Brazil once again did an outstanding job recognizing our class Offspring during Graduation Week at the Honor Monument.  They presented 2009 Lincoln Silver Proof Dollars to our three graduating offspring – COL Laureen Barone and Joe Leforte’s son and daughter, Joseph and Kathleen Leforte, as well as Laurie and Gregory Gongaware’s daughter Andrea (remember she parachuted onto the parade field during our 25^th).  Please make sure we are aware of anyone joining future classes.  The class leadership wants to make sure our class sons and daughters know we all are proud of their accomplishments.  Thanks Tim and Donna for another memorable event.

 

Class Gift (2013)

 

We are making slow headway towards the funding for our 30th Reunion gift of $1.5 Million to the Global Leadership Center.  Since Jan 2008 (reunion year) we have received pledges and donations to the value of $268,255 (11% participation); this coupled with our current balances gives us roughly $438,973 which is less than a third of our commitment. We understand the economic climate and the ever increasing demand for donations to all organizations, we would only ask that the class be one of your priorities.  If you haven’t made your pledge yet, please take the time to commit to our gift.  AOG has an easy online donation signup where you can pledge an affordable monthly donation to be put on a credit card for a specified period of time (i.e. 60 months) – https://www.westpointaog.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=859.  

Harry Shablom is moving forward with classmate volunteers to contact every alumni of the Class of 1983.  Set up your pledge now to avoid a last minute donation around reunion time.  We currently have three classmates who have pledged $50K to the cause!  The Class Coins are beginning to make their way out to those who have pledge $1000 or more to the class gift.  Make your pledge today!  Thank You and thanks to Harry for your significant time and effort.

 

Exxon Mobil Presents Matching Gift Contributions (See Picture)

 

Representing Exxon Mobil, our very own fundraising officer, Harry Shablom, presented a check for $144,837 to the USMA Dean, BG Patrick Finnegan '71 on 30 April 2009.  Exxon Mobil matches employee gifts 3 to 1 for individual employees.  Their lifetime giving to USMA is $1,295,097.52.

  

Division I NCAA Softball Champions

 

Alyson McWherter, daughter of Laura and Len McWherter ’83, is the starting Center Fielder on the 2009 NCAA Division I Softball National Champion University of Washington Huskies.  During the championship series she made several outstanding catches to rob opposing players of extra base hits.  Len and Laura were able to visit with Pete Brual in Atlanta (Super Regional) and Tommy Morgan for the finals in Oklahoma City.  Alyson is a member of the Army ROTC at the UW.  See ESPN article – http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?columnist=hays_graham&id=4224381

 

and the Washington News Tribune – http://www.thenewstribune.com/1042/story/766655.html 

 

Congratulations to the McWherter family.  That is all for now.  Go Army.Pete aka Fizzer 

Dear Proud to Be ’83,I’m going to try to get an update to the class on a quarterly basis on class events and initiatives (depending on progress).  The Assembly continues to be an excellent publication to keep up with Academy events and Mark and Cheryl Connors do an outstanding job keeping up with Classmates.  If you don’t subscribe, please reconsider.

 

Class Gift (2013)Once again, the class gift for presentation at our 30^th Reunion is to the Global Leadership Center.  I ask now that we all rally behind the selected gift and support its success.  AOG has an easy online donation signup where you can pledge an affordable monthly donation to be put on a credit card for a specified period of time (ie. 60 months) – https://www.westpointaog.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=859 .  In any case, Harry Shablom is honchoing the greatest task ever contemplated…contacting every alumni of the Class of 1983.  Expect a call from one of your former company mates in the future.  Set up your pledge now to avoid a last minute donation around reunion time.  We currently have three classmates who have pledged $50K to the cause!  The Class Coins are in and we have decided they will be used to reward those classmates who pledge to the class gift.  Harry Shablom will send me a monthly report of pledges and I will mail the coins to classmates.Wounded Warrior ProjectThe class intends to make a donation in the near future to the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of our classmates on Active Duty – either RA, IRR, or Reserves.  I will report completion of this in the next update.Proud to Be ’83 Cadet Spirit Award (March or April)The Class of 1983 is continuing to move forward to established an Endowed Cadet Award to recognize the highest ranking cadet involved in Cadet Spirit.  We are awaiting approval from the Superintendent and planning to make the first presentation of the Award in the Spring of 2009 during the cadet spirit dinner to the Brigade Cadet Spirit MWR Officer.  The Proud to Be ’83 Cadet Spirit Award recognizes the cadet’s efforts to inculcate spirit in the Corps, while honoring the spirit and fun loving nature of our class.  The first presenter will be one of our class members still on Active Duty.  The Award will be an M9 Bayonet.  Those looking to attend the award ceremony please contact COL Jeanette McMahon at Jeanette.McMahon@usma.edu to find out particulars about getting on the guest list.Golfing Grads of USMA (April)For the past eight years a gaggle of “Proud to be’ers” have been reserving a long weekend a year to play golf and enjoy company.  The first four years we held the event at USMA during the Alumni Golf Weekend in June.  For the past four years we have joined a group of Grads predominately from the early 1960s in Florida and Alabama as their “Youngest Grads.”  There are several RTOs from our era that are part of the crowd and the observation of how crazy we were from their perspective makes for some great “Corps Has” declarations.  Anyway, this year we are going to be in Prattville, Alabama from 15-19 April at the Marriott Hotel & Conf Center at Capitol Hill.  We won’t be hard to find so if you are in the area come find us in the Presidential Suite!Class Offspring Presentation (Graduation Week)The Class has procured three 2009 Lincoln Silver Proof Dollars for presentation to our three graduating offspring – COL Laureen Barone’s son and daughter, Joseph and Kathleen Leforte, as well as Gregory Gongaware’s daughter Andrea.  These Class Gifts will be presented by COLs Tim Trainor and Donna Brazil during Graduation Week.  Last year, Tim and Donna presented six 2008 Silver Eagles to our classmates children at the Honor Monument.  If anyone knows of a son or daughter graduating from USMA this year that is not listed above, let us know immediately.  Also, please make sure we are aware of anyone joining future classes.  The class leadership wants to make sure our classmates’ sons and daughters know we all are proud of their accomplishments.  Army/ Navy Game FYI – The Game has now moved to the second weekend in December.   PassingsAs many of you have already heard, Danny Kellas passed away on 9 December in Charlotte, NC due to complications from surgery.  Johnny Thomas and Joel Johnson attended a Memorial Service in Winchester, Va. in January representing the class and Danny’s Company mates.  Here are their observations from the service:  

From Johnny Thomas:Bandits,
 
I want to give you an update on Danny’s Memorial Service.
 
JJ and I attended the Memorial  Service for Danny at the Braddock Street United Methodist Church in his home town of Winchester, VA.  It was a very moving service.  The church was filled and JJ remarked that it was fortunate that we arrived early.  It was truly standing room only.  There was no sermon given by a minister but as you can see from the program Danny’s Aunt, two best friends from high school and sisters gave very moving tributes to Danny.  Some were funny and some were serious but they all had a similar theme in that Danny never met a stranger.
 
After the service JJ and I attended a reception at the home of Danny’s sister Beth.  At the reception JJ and I had a chance to meet all of Danny’s family including his son and daughter.  
 
I know some of you may want to contact the family and Danny’s wife and parents definitely would like to hear from you.  I can tell you that Danny’s parents were very happy to see JJ and I at the Memorial Service.  Below are mailing and e-mail addresses:
 
Danny’s Parents
Mr. & Mrs. Carter Kellas
353 Sheridan Ave
Winchester, VA 22601
(540)667-0299
ctkellas@verizon.net
 
Danny’s Wife
Mrs. Barbara Kellas
7605 Summerwood Lane
Charlotte, NC 28270-2175
(704)874-1216
kellas1@windstream.net
 
Additionally, the family has requested that contributions are made to the Danny Kellas Children’s Education Fund at Summit Bank, 100 W. Jubal Early Drive, Winchester, VA 22601 to the attention of Steven Tavenner.  If we want to contribute as a class I am more than happy to collect and send to the fund.  If we want to give individually you have the address.
 
From Joel Johnson:JTGreat summary.  I'll admit I shed a couple of tears during the very moving service.  If I may I'd like to add a couple things…

All (Danny's parents, sisters, family and friends) were extremely happy that Johnny and I could attend and represent USMA and, specifically, his classmates and company mates.  We passed on to everyone we talked to that we were representing all of his friends from '83 and B-3 who were not able to attend.  We relayed that word of Danny's passing was slow to get out to the general West Point community as it was such a shock but we were helping to spread the news to all his many friends and they would most likely hear from others.  Danny's mom told us she received a call from our classmate Chuck McGould, who was married to Danny's sister Beth for a while, and thanked us repeatedly for attending and representing West Point.  His West Point years and accomplishments were repeatedly mentioned during the ceremony remembrances.

There weren't a lot of additional details provided around the cause of Danny's death.  Pretty much still a mystery – acute abdominal pains which drove him to go to the hospital, some quick surgery (thought he had an aneurysm in his torso) to address the issue, was awake and sitting up after surgery, then suddenly lapsed into a coma from which he never responded.

Danny was truly a star in the small town of Winchester as attested to the number of people attending yesterday.  Recently (think in September or October of this year) he was inducted into his high school's athletic Hall of Fame – captain of his tennis team, after only picking up a tennis racket for the first time his freshman year and without any formal tennis instruction, that won state titles his junior and senior year.  We heard it was one of the highlights of his life in recent years and no one smiled brighter during the ceremonies.  Johnny provided the program in his earlier message which includes a picture of Danny and his two best friends from high school during the Hall of Fame ceremonies.  Both friends, Boots and Steve, gave very moving tributes to Danny yesterday.

Johnny and I are tentatively planning on attending the Winchester Apple Blossom Festival during the first week in May.  I remember Danny fondly talking about it and saying you have to attend some time.  Pretty big deal for Winchester when the year 'round 20K population swells to 250K that week.  Danny's parents and sisters asked that we contact them if we were going to attend so we could get together again.  As we get closer we'll reach out to everyone, particularly those who are in the DC area at the time (Winchester is about an hour and 15 minutes or so from the VA side of the Beltway) to see who'd like to attend and meet Danny's family.

All the best to everyone in 2009.

JJSorry for the length, but I wanted you to read JTs and JJs emails.That is it for now, make those Class Gift Pledges and Go Army.Pete aka Fizzer