Toni and Norm Gustitis, Tri-Cities (TN/VA) Founder’s Day
Toni and Norm Gustitis, Tri-Cities (TN/VA) Founder’s Day
Cadet Clint
Dodson, football captain ’02, Dick Warner, Bill Graf
The May/Jun edition was submitted 2 Mar, therefore, beginning the Jul/Aug bit
seemed the thing to do. I can add to this
over the next two months and, the plan is, submit it on/about 27 Apr. The world according to “Scribe time.”
6 Mar.
Great summer reading—here is Ski 58 report from OIC Mike Dugan for those not wired or in need of
cool thoughts on a hot summer day. “The Colorado Cup, emblematic of great skill, competitive
spirit and late waxing, was won by Hugh Trumbull
with Frank Harlem only a shadow behind. The
cup, similar in appearance to the old, revered and long gone "Sammy Pitcher,"
now has Jim Tilley ('97) and Hugh ('99 and '01) engraved on its base as a testament to
their NASTAR victories during class ski outings in Colorado. A good time was had by all.” During Jul heat the 58 Skiers should begin to
“think snow.”
Plebe
Marchback. It may be too late when reading
this to join Ed Weckel and at least 11 other
classmates (10% of 120 authorized marchers), but it is NOT TOO LATE to make a mileage
pledge to support them and contribute to our Class Endowment Fund. Email (Weck58@cs.com), call (410-472-8903) or write (120 Regent Dr, Bel Air, MD
21014-5931). The four classmates in Marchback
2000 netted over 100 contributors and more than $15K.
Of course the 12 this year would like to increase contributors (participation) and
donations (total dollars). Ed suggests a
minimum of $0.1958 per mile for $35.24 (his slide rule accuracy—Scribe suggests
rounding up to $40).
30 April (where
did the time go?). More cool thoughts for
summer reading in Jul/Aug Assembly, that is, more on skiing. The class 58Ski net has been active with
suggestions and voting on next year’s ski gathering.
According to Palmer McGrew, “So far
16 class skiers have ‘voted’ in our straw poll: Taos momentarily took the lead;
however, the last vote received put Whistler up by one.
In other words, it's still close. The
only surprise is that it's a two-way instead of a three-way tie. Lots of people had nice things to say about
Telluride but it didn't get many votes for THIS TIME.”
Palmer extended the voting hours in hopes of avoiding taking this to the Supreme
Court for a decision. Where the class skis
ranks high on the national political spectrum. Scribe’s
math: 16 votes might split 8-8 for tie or 9-7 for a majority. Not sure about “up by one.”
H-2 Micro. For years I have been
reporting on other companies having company gatherings.
Can now report that this weekend H-2 will meet in San Antonio thanks to John & Suzie Soper. Those planning to attend include: Clyde & Ethyl Brown, Rich Clements, Jim & Betsy Hall, Joe & Peggy Luman, Bill & Mary Jane Parks, Phil & Lynn Pryor, Joe McElroy, Garry Roosma, Will & Sandy Roosma, Denny & Shirley Sharon, and George Sibert (not Lawton, he’s a G-2 file). Soper is including “Mike Riordan, only because he's in town and may
or may not make it.” What possible
b-ache could Riordan produce to avoid a major slug for missing this company formation in
his hometown?
New class activity. Those on the email
net know that Mungy Moore and John Herren are planning a bike ride on the
Eastern Shore on 13 June. Report on who made
the trip will appear in 124th Column, I hope complete with photos!
Grandparents. “We are happy to
report that our third grandson was born to Andrew Vanture and Diana Conzoneri on Patriot's
Day, April 19. Alexi Orion Conzoneri-Vanture
arrived prematurely but healthy weighing in at 5 pounds, 1 ounce. Alexi was born at the University of Washington
Hospital in Seattle. Proud grandparents
traveled to Seattle this weekend to count all the fingers and toes to ensure they were all
there.” Congratulations to Paul &
Virginia Vanture.
Founder’s Day 2001. I normally
have myriad photos. This year I have only one
courtesy of West Point Society of Tri-Cities (TN/VA).
Toni & Norm Gustitis look great! The photo I ordered of the DC gang has not
arrived. Too bad because we had another
ringer in the group, Cadet Christine Ray ’02, daughter of George Lawton’s older brother Bill
ex-’47. Sadly, Bill died in Sep 2000. Christine was here with the Crew Team for training
during Spring Break. Dedication! The WPSDC invited the cadets to attend the dinner.
Shortened version of Chuck Densford
email about Emus (Chuck has been a dedicated follower of Big Bird since his cadet days
watching Sesame Street): “Tonight (19 Apr) Patsy
and I were watching the local Austin area news a segment on Emus. We immediately recognized Dale & Betty (Cockle’s) property west of
Burnett, TX. Sure enough, here came Dale,
carrying a sack of bird feed (pellets, range cubes), and the reporter went on to say how
the emu breeders are looking at the meat problems in Europe as the answer to their
prayers. Dale then proceeded to wax eloquent
on how the emu is a good bird to have around, and if they can make some money at it, so
much the better (or words to that effect). Dale
got in a good plug for shipping bird meat to Europe, and stated loud and clear that emus
are not subject to foot and mouth disease or mad cow disease. That should be a given, since the birds have beaks
and legs, and if they have a brain, it can't be very big.”
Chuck
continues, “I can attest to the fact that, if properly prepared, emu tastes good. In February, the Cockles invited us and Stan Toney out to their country property
overlooking Inks Lake. Betty prepared a large
meatloaf (one of my favorite meals). They
waited until I had asked for, and eaten, seconds before they told me I was eating Big
Bird! At that point, I had to admit it was
good!”
Tom Carpenter accepted the
Social Sciences Department invitation to make the annual George Walker Award presentation to the two Cadet
winners on 31 May. Again, details and photo
next time. Thanks, Tom, for representing the
class.
Hugh Trumbull and Bill Serchak will represent the class at the 30th
presentation of the Capelle Award at USMAPS. The class EC is arranging for a new trophy and
refurbishment of the original at the request of USMAPS.
Those on the net know that Bob Pointer
is organizing the FCC annual turnover festivities for August.
Sad news.
Our former A-1 classmate, Harry Kirschner,
died on Christmas Day. Roger Waddell spent considerable time tracking
down Harry a few years ago. They have talked
by phone, but had not gotten together. Harry
was to attend the A-1 micro in Williamsburg 17-20 May when Roger received “letter from his daughter today with the news. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in October. His daughter said he was really looking forward
to the A-1 reunion and that it meant a great deal to be included. Roger will provide further details via the
class net when received from Harry’s daughter. Your
Scribe hates losing anyone, but really hates losing guys we have not seen since cadet
days.
On a happier note, from Mike Davall, married on 10 Apr “I am marrying a delightful lady named Anita Beth Polinsky. We will live in Columbia, Maryland after the wedding. Anita is a second grade school teacher, whom I met 16 months ago, on the Internet! Anita has no children, but my three will be there, along with other family members.” Those on the class net had this info before-the- fact complete with instructions to attend “virtually.”
June Ladies.
Another classmate has added another name to my list.
His puny b-ache for taking so long is that they were married in Feb 61, having met
at Plebe Christmas! Norma Lindquist is the addition and husband Bob now ranks with your friendly Scribe as a true
procrastinator. Procrastinator squared that
is, slow to get to the altar and slow to get Norma on the June Ladies list.
His true confession came via Bob’s email giving me information that Joel Moore “is pretty well recuperated from his accident. He walked with a cane up until a couple of months
ago, but is doing fine now. He is again retired. (Joel)
chose not to seek a second term as a county commissioner (Hart County, GA).” For
those who did not know, her is the old news about Joel’s having been “involved
in a rather serious accident on Mon, 18 Sep on his farm in Hartwell, GA. He was dismounting his tractor when his clothing
got caught and threw it in reverse, causing one wheel to run over him. He suffered a
fractured pelvis and a ruptured urethra. His
prognosis is good, and a full recovery is expected.”
Back to the
Lindquist saga. Bob has a challenge for us. “I may hold the record for the longest
courtship of anyone in our class who met their wives after entering West Point. Know of anyone with a longer one?” The key qualifier here is “after entering West Point.”
My first-class roommate, Clyde Brown, dated Ethel for a number of years before entering.
Their courtship-engagement may approximate the 6 plus years it took Bob to convince
Norma to join the Army too. As I recall,
Clyde and Ethel were married graduation day. I
will check on this at the H-2 gathering later this week.
More true
confessions. This from Wally Ward who described two upper classmen his
first plebe year “who decided to give me a difficult plebe year. Since I had two
years of Army service, I didn't take the plebe system too seriously. Anyway, I signed up
to box in one of the winter sports. CPT Haig considered me the white hope of the First
Regiment since M-1 usually did poorly in these events.”
Story
continues, the two upperclassmen “wanted to teach me a lesson & decided to train
Willie Pope to give me a boxing lesson. However, they did not know that I was in the
finals of the First Army Boxing Championship at Ft. Devens, MA while serving in the Army.
To their utter disbelief, I knocked out Willie Pope in the first round on my way to
winning the Brigade Boxing Championship. Most
of the M-1 firsties and other upper classmen recognized me immediately (Scribe’s
aside, there were two notable exceptions to the recognition bit, who continued to gave
Wally a difficult time for the rest of the year).
Out of space
and I do have another photo. This one comes
from Bill Graf after his visit to see Dick Warner.
This was reported last time without the photo.
You know two of three and the third is Cadet Clint Dodson, football captain for
2002.
Keep cards,
letters, email, phone calls and photos coming!