For our first outing in January 1994, we assembled in the Vail/Beaver Creek area in Colorado. The first night, the group assembled and Rod Vitty issued distinctive arm bands to make sure we could tell the good guys from the bad.
Then we began by skiing Beaver Creek, followed by Ski Cooper where the 10th Mountain Division trained during WW II. Most of the group did the normal ski runs but Bob Newton, Rich Cardillo and Bob Camp were like kids, starting down one slope, cutting through the woods to an adjacent slope and bouncing back and forth. Some evenings for entertainment, we would have Helmut, of German decent, play his accordion or Swiss Mountain Horn, accompanied by jokes. We would end by singing 'Army Blue."
Rich Cardillo, ever alert, would issue us CU items of clothing.
The next year, 1995, we again gathered in the Vail/Beaver Creek area. One night we took a sleigh ride to Beano's Cabin. Going up, we gazed at the stars and on the way down, the footman sang lullabies for us.
Lunches were generally on the mountains at elevations of 10,000 feet or higher. Getting three adjoining tables for a group this size required some advance efforts. The evenings were enjoyable with ample food and filled with anecdotes and jokes.
We also went over to Keystone. From Keystone, we descended on the Cardillo house where Inez and her assistants had prepared an Italian dinner unsurpassed.
We ventured out and rented snowmobiles for a fun ride.
Year 1996, again, we used the Vail/Beaver Creek facilities. The first evening we met in the Christiania to share camaraderie and listen to Helmut amuse us.
On this trip, Fred Pirkey suffered two torn ligaments in his left knee. Fortunately, John Feagin was there and the problem was in hand. The Ski Patrol took him down the mountain with an escort befitting a king.
We rented some snowmobiles and toured the area. OATHA (Our Answer To Hell's Angles) had a good run and at one point looked over Camp Hale, where the 10th Mountain Division trained and was named for Brigadier General Irving Hale, #1, Class of 1884.
Year 1997, here at Vail/Beaver Creek, the group was led by a skier carrying a black banner with a gold number '55' down the slopes. This banner became synonymous with the group hereafter.
One evening, Fred Pirkey modeled his 'T' shirt which the group had signed and sent to him after his accident the previous year.
Year 1998, we leave Colorado and meet in Utah where prior events to skiing had been arranged by Quent Bates. We viewed an interesting and informative film, 'Legacy' on the Mormon exodus from Illinois. We attended services at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast. Here, the West Point 55 Ski Club was recognized.
At Deer Valley, an instructor/guide provided us a quick insight to the ski resort. The evening meals were accompanied by a bevy of jokes provide by Dick Regnier and Danny Dienst. The '55' flag was prominently in front of the group. The flag raised considerable interest. After a few days, the lift operators would salute when it came by.
In the evening after the dining and the conversation had begun, Dick Regnier doffed his shirt to show a red 'T' shirt with an American Flag and above it were the words, 'TRY BURNING THIS ONE."
We had developed a practice of celebrating three birthdays during our ski outings for Bill Heyer, Fred Pirkey and Pat Vitty and we had one on this trip.
Year 1999, Kaye and Judy Lathrop handled this outing held at Telluride, where Butch Cassidy held his first bank robbery. The first night, we were given an orientation by the Ski Resort and the next morning an informative tour of the mountain. The ski area is essentially surrounded by 12, 13 and 14,000 foot mountains. It is spectacular. Looking at it, one feels that when God goes skiing, this is where he comes.
In addition to skiing, we went to Ouray for swimming in a pool (mind you this is in early February) with the pool temperature 92 to 110 degrees. Plus dinner at the Bon Ton Restaurant which has the atmosphere of a 1920's Speakeasy.
One night we saw a documentary, of the 10th Mountain Division, 'Fire on the Mountain'.
In the Telluride brochures was a statement, 'The Mountain cannot be tamed.' Maybe we did not tame the mountain but we did slide down its back.
Year 2000, back at Vail/Beaver Creek, one night we had a Chinese dinner. The head cook was Jon Fea Gin. Ah so.
Then the confession began, Fred Pirkey had talked to his company honor rep and felt compelled to confess that his birthday was in December. We awarded him a front and back sign that read, 'LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE."
In 2001, the group travelled to Sun Valley Idaho. This is outside Ketchum where Earnest Hemingway committed suicide. Del Jacobs did some skiing there in the early 1950's as a member of the Olympic ski team.
In 2002, we went to Arrowhead, just west of Vail/Creek. On one run, It was noticed that a skier wearing black seemed to be trying to catch up with us. We paused and he stopped and asked if we were West Point graduates. He was in a 1990's class.
2002 Ski Club Pictures
In 2003, we skied Snowmass, outside of Aspen. Bergen, Camp, Pirkey and Strom had a dinner catered for the group. The act caught on and they were followed by catering for four nights. One night the group had a snow cat ride to Britt Cabin for dinner.
2003 Ski Club Pictures
Year 2004, we were in Midway, Utah where the first night's entertainment was highlighted by Fred Pirkey graciously assisting a lovely singer.
One evening, Sandy Sanderson and Maren Palmer pinned names on the back of each individual who then had to determine who he/she was by asking yes or no questions. This paired everyone with a dinner partner. Following dinner, we organized into six teams. Each team had a table with rolls of toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, sheets of colored paper, magic markers and scotch tape. Each team selected an individual who was adorned with a theme. Pete Fikaris won as a Greek God.
Jim Bergen and Bob Camp estimated that the '55 Banner' had traveled 300 miles downhill.
2004 Ski Club Pictures
On 25 October 2004, Bob Camp had his left hip joint replaced and after the surgery, the doctor told him not to do this and not to do that etc, etc. He thought about the way he skied and realized that he was a high risk to dislocate his left hip. He also realized that he could not change overnight and he could not concentrate 100% of the time, and decided to stop skiing.
Year 2005, the final year, was in ??????
2005 Ski Club Pictures
Attendees over the years: (not everyone is a skier)
Don and Mary Andrews, Dick and Norma Auer, Quent and Anna Bates, Dick and Sally Bean, Jim Bergen, Woody and Sharon Black, Bob Camp, Jack and Paula Campbell, Rich and Inez Cardillo, Bob and Marley Carpenter, John and Andra Carter (X55), Danny and Lo Dienst, John Feagin, Pete and Angee Fikaris, Joe and Connie Franklin, Bill Graham, Todd and Sue Graham, Jack and Susan Griggs, Bob and Helga Hinrichs, Bill and Laurie Heyer (X55), Del and Shirley Jacobs, Charlie Johnson, Kaye and Judy Lathrop, Roy and Sandra Lynn, John Martling, Bob Meisenheimer, Bob and Linda Newton, Ski and Ute Ordway, George and Patti Page, Tom Phillips, Fred and Pat Pirkey, Dick and Georgianna Regnier, Sandy Sanderson and Maren Palmer, John and Ellie Schick, Bob and Pat Strati, Jack and Candy Strom, Stan and Carla Sydenham and Rod and Pat Vitty.
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