West Point Parents' Club of Oregon & SW Washington Newsletter -Jan/Feb.'02
Notice of Jan. 26th Meeting
LARSON'S FAMILY  PIZZA , 4435 LIBERTY ROAD S. , SALEM, OR      (503) 763-9939
DIRECTIONS FROM I-5:  EXIT 252 - KUEBLER BLVD GO WEST TO LIGHT AT LIBERTY STREET S, AND TURN RIGHT AND CONTINUE TO SMALL SHOPPING MALL ON LEFT WHICH INCLUDES (AMONG OTHERS) THE DMV, ROTH'.  Member Barb Campbell, who set up this facility for us says they will provide free soft drinks, and 20% off any menu item.  Typical items:
pizza, including personal ones from $3.50-4.50; calzones 4.80 & large 6.90, buffalo wings, salads, sub sandwiches, & desserts.
**If your hometown paper published any of the publicity you submitted for the ball, please bring it with you to the Jan. meeting for our historian book. Also bring your choice of boodle for 34. Your editor is choosing to bring homebaked cookies, because winter is the best time to send semi-perishable foods, and will have however many a big batch recipe** (see sample recipe in newsletter, below) makes, divided equally into 34 zip lock bags; if anyone would *like* to do likewise, you may put them in the zip lock bags I have (gallon size) at the the meeting.  Other good winter food suggestions are cup of soup; hot chocolate, cider, echinacea tea; also personal or office items, stamps, funny things to take away gloom, throat lozenges,etc.

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List of Newsletter Articles:
All Service Academies Ball After Action Report
Cadets in Rose Parade '02
PBS/OPB Special on West Point
Military Pay Raise
Write a Soldier
Directions for Flag Bead Pin
Note from CEO, West-Point.org
Persuasion - WWII style
Cookies for Gloom/Finals, etc.
Spring Break Bus Schedules
Official Bicentennial Website:  http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/

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This is our handsome/gorgeous group!

Two firsties, Craig Klascius & Matt Adams, with their dates.

All Service Academies Ball After Action Report (AAR)

A grand night!  Wonderful turnout (over 230) of cadets and midshipmen from all five academies and their families and friends, all in their dress uniforms.  Greetings at the curb and door, and presentation of the colors by the Ft. Vancouver Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, who did a wonderful job!  A great setting & lovely displays (thanks to Pearson Air Museum), excellent decorations (thanks to Miss DeVany's ASAB banner, Sylvia Hartzell's stockpile of decorating treasures, Carole Adkins {who brought ten gorgeous poinsettias}, and all those who came to help decorate-Jeanne Bumcrot, Christine Doyle, Marie & Charles Knutsen, Al & Jill Hoffman, Terry & Carole Cox, Cadet Craig Klascius & Britney Seitz; wonderful music (piping by our cadet Sam Wilbourn, two great acapella solos by volunteer Bethany Wheatfield, Richard Lee {who in addition to bringing over 35 guests, cut some special CD's for the event} and our DJ Greg Mathews, a former paratrooper, Gresham fire and now police man. Nice (but long for some) program--toasts by oldest grad {a 1935 USNA grad who brought a 1909 Howitzer, with George Patton, whom he knew, in it!}, cadets and midshipmen from every academy, letters of greetings from each academy's superintendent (except Air Force) read by the senior cadet or midshipman, a short address by Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard (also a former Vancouver Barracks Commander), and six Ft. Vancouver docents (a true Chinook Indian Chief, Hudson Bay Company Chief Factor McGloughlin, 1836 USMA grad Maj. John Hathaway--the first commanding officer for Ft. Vancouver, USMA 1943 grad Ulysses  S. Grant & wife, and Rosie the Riveter) all secured by USMA '80 grad and former Ft. Vancouver Barracks Commander Bob Knight {who also provided table lanterns from the Vancouver Historic Reserve, provided risers for the DJ,etc.}. Tasty sit-down dinner and wine, beer & soft drink bar (provided by our member volunteers Terry & Carole Cox). Great door prize gifts (thanks to the members of each club), plus the poinsettias and commemorative wine glass.  Most of all, good company!  No weather problems, and we ended up making some money, although our primary goals were to: 1) encourage inter-service contact; 2) honor all our cadets & midshipmen; 3) heighten the awareness in our communities of a military presence; 4) have a great family time; and 5) break even.   It doesn't get much better than that, folks.  Thank you all so much!

Registration by USMA Presidents Susan & Richard Adams (who also registered Air Force); Patty Klascius consults with USNA President Sam Dickey and Mrs. Broderick (who also registered Coast Guard) & younger son Joseph Broderick (who's going to "jump ship" and apply at USMA--older brother is at Annapolis); not shown (to right) is USMMA's Sylvia & Ted Hartzell.

View from the balcony (of about 1/8 of entire floor); we danced the night away!

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Cadets in Pasadena Rose Parade '02

If you grew up/lived in southern California (Klascius/Hoffmans/who else?), you'll understand why this is a BIG deal!  Yours truly was in a highly competitive (Burbank) high school drill team, which won a coveted invitation to march in 1966!  Too bad the TV coverage didn't show me how they did the corner--fan style (easiest), or column & rank (much more difficult; but looks so professional!)
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PBS/OPB Special on West Point

PBS will PBS will present a 120-minute documentary "West Point" on Wednesday, January 30, 2002, at 9 pm ET. The show was produced by Driftwood Productions for Oregon PBS and highlights the Bicentennial. Globe Pequot Press also published a companion coffee table style book that is available at the USMA Bookstore.
and other retail outlets.  This information was provided by Dolores L. Salvatore, Public Affairs Office,West Point, New York  845-938-5650.
* Your editor checked the OPB listing on-line 1/6/2002 in preparation for this article, and did not find it scheduled for broadcast in Oregon!  Seems odd, being produced by Oregon PBS; if anyone has a schedule that has information on when it will be broadcast in Oregon, please contact me (klascius@teleport.com).

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Military Pay Raise

The 2002 Defense Authorization Bill (signed on 28 December) provided that effective 1 January 2002, all 1.3 million active-duty military members, including service academy midshipmen and cadets, get pay raises.   The new monthly Basic Pay for a 2nd Lieutenant with less than two years of service is $2,097.60.   This is important to the Academies because cadet pay is tied to the pay of a Second Lieutenant with less than two years of service, and is now 35% of their Basic pay.  Based on this, the cadet monthly pay has risen to $734.16.   Also of note for officers: 0-3 and 0-4 received a slightly higher pay rate increase, 6.0 and 6.5%, respectively, because retention at that rank (captain) is a problem.   If you want to look at past rates, click on the words "Military Pay" toward the bottom of the page on this link, http://www.dfas.mil/money/milpay/pay/, then hit "prior Years Rates" on the new page.

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Write a Soldier

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2001 -- A Vietnam vet in Alabama. A single Mom in Alaska. A World War II veteran in Big Fork, Montana. A fifth-grader in Minnesota. A chaplain in Tennessee.   These folks are proud of the nation's armed forces and they're not afraid to say so. Like thousands of Americans, they've sent holiday messages to U.S. service members overseas.
     Since 1967, when Sgt. Billy Thompson wrote Abigail Van Buren and mentioned that a wonderful Christmas present to U.S. armed forces would be "just a letter from home," American citizens have been sending holiday wishes to servicemen and women stationed overseas every holiday season. Dubbed "Operation Dear Abby," the program has brought holiday greetings to hundreds of thousands of U.S. service members.
     Military officials suspended this year's letter writing campaign due to the threat of anthrax being delivered by mail. The Navy's LifeLines2000 Services Network, however, offered to provide an online resource so the public could send holiday greetings to soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines or Coast Guardsmen. To send an e-mail message, or to read others' messages, go to http://anyservicemember.navy.milnav4/ .
     U.S. troops are currently serving at duty stations around the globe. They're combating terrorism in Southwest Asia, providing a secure environment in Bosnia and Kosovo, and patrolling the border between North and South Korea. These soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are maintaining freedom far from America's shores, and people back home are grateful. Just as they have for more than 30 years, they're letting the troops know, and this year, they're doing it by email.
"Stay low. Cover your buddy. Leave no one behind in the field and you will always win respect and support," advised Vietnam vet Larry Castagneto of Enterprise, Ala. "Keep up the good work. We're very proud of you. My heart is with you," he wrote."Please know that there are MILLIONS of Americans and supporters around the world," wrote Allison R. Turner, of Birmingham, Ala. The single Mom and Army brat wrote: "I ask each of you to keep the faith and fight the good fight - as my dad would say. Do what you've been trained to do and do it well."
    Mothers, grandmothers, wives and schoolgirls -- make up the majority of those who've written to date. Some offered advice. Others expressed gratitude and pride. Aunt Beannie from Richmond, Ohio, wanted to let her nephew Shell Hollen know she can't wait for his return.  "My 11-year old son doesn't have a father in his life," wrote Diane Prince, "but he has been watching the news reports and is therefore learning about honor, commitment, sacrifice, and service to God and Country by watching all of you who have chosen to be in the armed services. Thank you and God Bless!!"
     Jennifer Malave of Alexandria, Va., said her Dad served in the Navy for 32 years. "If any of you have children at home who you know are missing you," she wrote "just know that when they grow up they will be proud of the fact that their mommy or daddy set such a good example by fighting for what we all appreciate - our freedom to live in AMERICA!!!"
     Some writers offered personal e-mail addresses, volunteering to be pen pals. "We are all here for you in your time of loneliness and uncertainty to offer encouragement and strength," wrote Tina Ingram of Birmingham, Ala. "If you need to "talk" with someone at 'home base' please don't hesitate."
     "I have a son in the Navy," wrote Kathy Papp of Iowa Park, Texas. "In 2001 he was in the Persian Gulf and I missed him terribly. … If you need anything you can email me and I will do my best to send what you need. You make Mom's like me PROUD!"
     Every so often, fathers, grandfathers and young boys sent their messages to the troops. Often short and to the point, several encouraged troops in Afghanistan to kick butt and "don't bother takin' names."
     "I was in the South Pacific in WWII and the Korean 'thang,' so I know what it's like to be away from family and friends," wrote Norm Julian of Bigfork, Montana. "This too will pass and soon you'll be back where you belong. But in the meantime we appreciate you protecting our security and safety."
     "My name is Jeremiah Fettig," wrote a future military recruit from LeSueur, Minn. "I am in the 5th grade at St.Anne's school. I am happy that you are fighting for us.When I grow up I am going to be in a branch of the military. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
     After expressing his pride and gratitude, Chaplain Rod Davis of J103 Radio in Chattanooga, Tenn., noted that he, too, had served his country. In Vietnam, he said, he was fighting a just cause, but with little moral support from the nation.   "That is not the case this time," Davis assured his reader. "We're behind you, my friend. You have our prayers and our respect. We are grateful for the sacrifices that you are making for us and we are deeply in your debt."
      Zack Fulmer, 12, from Freedom, Pa., sent a message to the Marines: "I know you probably will get a lot of these but I hope that mine means something -- something that will stay with you now and in the future. "I hurt for you that you must stay at sea or away from home on the holidays," Fulmer wrote. "For this reason, I give you a present. The present of thanks, the present of care, the present of love. Your friend, Zack "
     Alexandria Polise, 11, from Jenison, Michigan, wrote about a present she'd received. "For Christmas I got a shirt that said: 'These colors (red-white-blue) don't run, never had, never will,' and you support that!!! THANKS AGAIN, God Bless you all!!
     Sarah Woods, 23, "a plain old civilian" from Anchorage, Alaska, summed up the most frequently expressed sentiments in her short message:"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for being so brave," she wrote. "Thank you for working so hard to protect the USA. To me you are all heroes."

You too can write a note.  Why don't you?  The link is at the beginning of the article.  What goes around comes around, maybe someday your son/daughter will get one.

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Directions for Flag Bead Pin

You will need: 9 standard safety pins; 20 blue seed beads, size 6; 20 red seed beads, size 6; 32 white seed beads, size 6.
1.Open 1 safety pin, slide 5 blue seed beads onto exposed sharp end.
2.  Starting with a white seed bead, slide 1 white bead and then 1 red seed bead onto exposed end.  Repeat until there are 3 white beads and 2 red beads on the sharp end. Fasten safety pin; and repeat above directions with three other safety pins.
3. Open 1safety pin. Starting with a white bead, slide 1 white bead and then 1 red bead onto exposed end of safety pin. Repeat until there are 5 red beads and 5 white beads on the sharp end.  Fasten safety pin.  Repeat these steps with 3 other safety pins.
4. Open last safety pin.  Slide exposed end through coiled end of safety pins that hold only red and white beads.  Fasten pin.  When gathered, the group of pins that hold beads will form the pattern of an American flag.

** I have also seen a nice pin made with smaller (gold) vertical pins (probably smaller size beads), with one more blue pin, and two more red & white pins on the right end.** -ed.

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Note from the CEO or WP-Org. (whom hosts our club web-site)

Dear Susan and Richard (Adams),
Please accept my personal thanks, and those of the WP-ORG advisors, for your club's donation during our recent fund drive.  We will also appreciate it if you will express our appreciation to the other officers, as well as the members, of your club.
Warm regards,
Dick Breakiron  CEO, WP-ORG, Inc.
(Thanks also to our treasurer, Lou Fox, who sent the funds in from our club account.-ed.)
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A Look at Persuasion through some WWII Government Posters

What's notable on the first one is the star flag (the gold star signified that the serviceman had given his life in service to our country).   One might see parallels in "Get a War Job" (which changed the workplace forever; notice the star flag again--this time blue, signifying a family member presently serving) and our president's current request to keep the American economy going through purchases.  Rosie the Riveter (last picture)  paid us a visit at the All Services Academy Ball!  The service flag was displayed from homes (we had one on display at the All Service Academy Ball), places of business, churches, schools, etc., to indicate the number of members of the family who were/are serving in the Armed Forces or died from such service. Service flags have a deep blue star for each living member in the service and a gold star for each member who has died. Thus, the term Gold Star Mother was applied to mothers whose sons or daughters died in the World Wars.  If interested, flags may be purchased from the Navy parent forum at  http://www.usna-net.org   (You'll get to see the Navy's corresponding parents' forum site.)  Enter their on-line store, near the bottom of the page (pennants & mom's pins), then click on Blue Star Service Pennant.

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Big Batch Cookies for Gloom/Finals, etc.
(Neiman Marcus Cookies)

3 cups blended 0atmeal; 2 cups butter, 2 cups sugar, 2 cups brown sugar, 4 eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla; 4 cups flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, 2 tsp. soda, 1 tsp. salt, 24 oz. chocolate chips, 1 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated),    3 c. chopped nuts (your choice).
Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder.  In a separate bowl, cream the butter and both sugars.  Add eggs and vanilla, then mix together with the dry ingredients (flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and soda).  Add chocolate chips, grated Hershey Bar, and nuts.  Roll into balls, and place 2" apart on a cookie sheet.   Bake for 10 minutes at 375. Makes 112 cookies, depending on ball size.

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Spring Break Bus Schedules (read carefully!)

Bus Ticket Sales will be on March 11, 18, and 19, 2002 from 1700-1930 inGrant Hall.
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BUS DEPARTURES FROM WEST POINT : MARCH 23, 2002
TO NEWARK AIRPORT: OW $ 15.00 RT $ 27.00;    1115    1215    1315
TO LAGUARDIA AIRPT: OW $ 18.00 RT $ 35.00;    1115    1215    1315
TO JFK AIRPORT: OW $ 25.00 RT $ 45.00;    1115    1215     1315
TO STEWART AIRPORT: OW $ 10.00 RT $ 19.00;    1115      1215    1315
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RETURN BUSES TO WEST POINT : APRIL 01, 2002
FROM NEWARK AIRPORT:    0800    1000    1400     1700
FROM LAGUARDIA AIRPT:    1200    1400    1700
FROM JFK AIRPORT    1100    1330    1630
FROM STEWART AIRPORT:    1515    1745
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Cadets should allow significant time due to the possibility of traffic to and from the airports. Also add extra time for getting through security at the airports - on holiday weekends expect even longer delays for both check-in and going through the scanners.
Approximate time from West Point:  To Stewart/Newburgh 35-45 MINS
To Newark 1 3/4 - 2 HRS,  To LaGuardia 1 1/2- 1 3/4 HRS,  To JFK 2 - 2 1/4 HRS

2001 Oregon/SW Washington Club Officers
(Please accept my apologies for making premature changes in officers at the bottom of this webpage and on our main page; sometimes I just get ahead on myself! Richard & Susan Adams are our presidents through the January meeting--and thanks for serving us so well!--ed.)

Liaison Officers-OR & Newsletter Editors/Listserv Moderators:
Al & Patty Klascius (Chad ‘01, Craig '02)  klascius@teleport.com

Ring Weekend, 2002
http://www.west-point.org/service/candidates/

L.O.-WA: David & Mary Graham (Doug '01, Franchesca '04) merovin@halcyon.com

http://www.west-point.org/service/candidates/

**Please feel free to contact any of the above with questions, suggestions,  corrections, or for "free" advice.  Your  newsletter editor regrets any errors, and appreciates notification of such. Thank you.

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