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162nd Column

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            162d Column.  Labor Day 2007.  Working on 161 to submit tonight for Nov-Dec and have too much stuff.  Therefore, getting an early start on 162d for Jan-Feb 08 – magical ring to 08.  Hope YOU as in all of you dear readers are coming to 50th in May.

            Cadet First Captain.  Jason Crabtree '08 from Kingston, WA and Thomas Morgan are shown in the Cadet Mess Hall on 16 August before the handover of the FCC from the Class of 1958 to the Class of 2008.  Tom’s email with further details: “Jason was one of my Candidates from Washington and I was his guest at the First Captain’s table.  It was a real thrill for me as you can imagine.  I had never dined with a First Captain and his Staff before.  It almost gave me a nose bleed!”  Pop your chest up, Tom!

            Long cross-country flight.  John & Libby Schroeder flew their home-built plane N58WP to Alaska (first flight on 6 Oct 06 was covered belatedly in 160th).  Outbound they visited M-2 company-mate George Michael in WA and homeward bound they stopped to see Jack, Lynne & Brian Bradshaw.

            Wounded Warriors.  An email from Palmer McGrew to Class Leaders:  “We have an urgent need for more volunteers in our Wounded Warrior Program.   Despite what you've heard about the Army responding to criticism of its handling of these heroic young soldiers, much more is still needed.  That's where we come in.  Please read the information below.  

            “The West Point Wounded Warriors Program was founded at Walter Reed approximately three years ago by the Class of ‘58 with the purpose of mentoring Wounded Warriors to achieve a successful, meaningful and professional life within three to five year time frame after being wounded.  This includes a Follow-On Mentor Program for the Wounded Warriors after leaving Walter Reed and going home with support and benefits coming from the VA and Montgomery GI Bill.  Because of the need, the Program has grown and taken on a life of its own as the Classes of  ‘56, ‘59, ‘60, ‘61, ‘63, ‘80 and ‘84 as well as the USAFA Academy Class of ‘64 have joined ranks with ‘58 in providing approximately 70 one-on-one mentors in the Washington Area.

            “The one-on-one mentors, normally combat veterans, bond with the Wounded Warrior in a surrogate father relationship and assist the wounded soldier and marine, both male and female, to set and achieve objectives related to an academic or professional education, internships, jobs and the VA and Social Security disability benefits. The mentors operate as a team as the need arises. An educational counselor, a professional aptitude assessor and counselor, a psychologist consultant, an orthopedic surgeon consultant, a lawyer and a combat surgeon are readily available and can be called upon for assistance.

            “The Program is fully supported by the Walter Reed staff, the Wounded Warrior Brigade at Walter Reed, units from which the Warriors came such as the 101st and 82nd Abn and the 10th Mtn Divs, Reserves and National Guard as well as several higher level staff elements in the Army and DoD.”  Scribe must cut about half of Palmer’s email to Class Leaders.  However, in August there were some 350 Wounded Warriors in outpatient status at WRAMC with about 110 actually having mentors – the need is greater than the volunteers available.  For any who read this and desire further information, here is contact info from Palmer’s email: “For classes (or individuals) interested in volunteering for the Walter Reed DC area Program, please contact Lee Miller at mlmiller58@comcast.net or phone H 301-601-2733 or W 301-295-7159.  For Classes (or individuals) interested in volunteering for the Follow-On Mentor Program for Wounded Warriors once they go home, please contact Bob Tredway at bobtredway@aol.com, Phone H 202-484-2981.  Lee, Bob and corps of mentors are saints!

            Portland, OR gang.  They escaped the city to visit John & D’Ann Stone on the coast in Aug.  In the 160th this active group appeared in a photo taking a train ride together, the “Apple Blossom Special.”  As this photo demonstrates – they are a photogenic bunch.

            West Point Glee Club Alumni and Other Alumni Singers.  Email from Alan Salisbury to DC area alumni seeking singers: “Following on the tremendous success of the July reunion of Glee Club alumni at West Point, several participants from the Washington, DC area suggested getting a group of local alumni together, perhaps on a regular basis, for continued singing and fellowship.  And several volunteered to help in getting things organized.  With that in mind, five of us (Alan Salisbury, Jim Ferguson, Mo Faber, Bill Cosby and Terry Ryan) met recently over dinner to discuss how to proceed.  We are pleased to announce that we have unanimously and enthusiastically decided to take the initial steps necessary to create the (working title) "West Point Alumni Glee Club of the National Capital Region."

            Retirement from public service.  An account of John Schaffer’s retirement, reported by Palmer McGrew: “Last night Ceda & I joined Van & Julie Van Fleet and Bill Gillette at John's official retirement from public service.  The state, county, town all made proclamations of appreciation for his fantastic service.  The food was great and the wine was free.
            “It was obvious that John, in his usual fashion, managed to keep New Carrollton laughing for 14 years.  You will see John holding a football autographed by his city council members (John was Chairman.)  John was famous for walking around town with his football and using it to engage the youth in conversation.
            “It seems that John once suggested that, just as the Navy names ships after famous sailors, the town should consider naming its garbage trucks after members of the city council.  That didn't pass, for some reason, but now one is named after John.”

            Sad news.  Neil Williamson died 17 Sep: reported on email by WP-ORG TAPS and our CINC Obits Jack Downing.  “Sad news indeed.  Prompted by the (TAPS) message, I called Neil's wife Sue and verified the information.  She also said that he had a memorial service and was buried on Sep 21 in the Santa Barbara cemetery near his parents.  Neil died of multiple myeloma caused by Agent Orange.  He spent eight months in hospice and three months of chemo.  Sue said that Neil was a fighter and lived much longer than expected.  Sue praised the help she is receiving from a VA representative who supported Neil during his time in the hospice and is continuing to help her.  The class (sent) a donation to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.”   Class thoughts and prayers are with Sue.

            Sad news continues.  Email from Sam Collins:  “The new stroke and two hemorrhages took their toll.  Joan passed away at Marin General Hospital on Sunday, October 21, at 9:30 pm.  We will have a service for Joan here in Novato in early November, and in the spring of 2008 transport her cremains to the cemetery at West Point.  Best regards, Sam.”  All class losses are tough, but this one hits your Scribe hard because over many, many years Joan has been a great source of news and photos.  Our sympathies are with Sam and their kids, Ken and Pattie, spouses and grandchildren.  “Well done, be thou at peace.”

            Sad news of a different kind.  Dick Oberg’s email report of his stolen class ring: “we had a smash and grab burglary at our house in Everett.  The bad guys got a small amount of cash but they scored a big hit by stealing my class ring. There is one detail in the police report I would like to clarify in my own mind.  The ring is priceless to me, but it has a defined value to the outside world.  It is that value I would like to get some feedback on.  Is there anyone in our class who has a feel for the cold monetary value of a 1958 class ring?  The stone is a flat onyx and would probably not add to the overall value substantially. Thanks.”  At last report, the bad guys were apprehended, but no ring.  Judy has hit all the local pawn shops and other outlets to no avail.  Think they are monitoring E-bay as well.  Dick has been in touch with Balfour about monetary value for insurance purposes and replacement if his original is not recovered.

            NOLA Mini.  Rave reviews of New Orleans Mini from Robert Higgins via cell phone while driving north.  He said Tom & Barbara Sands knocked themselves out!   Other reports via email.  History: on a bus ride to West Point during 30th Scribe was explaining concept of mini reunions based on ’36 model (my father’s class) to Dick Groves and Tom Sands.  I needed to line up someone for the first one – Dick volunteered and hosted the 31st at Palm Springs, CA in Sep 1989.  And on same bus trip, Tom described hosting one in New Orleans.  Between 30th and 50th Reunions, 31st Palm Springs Mini and 49th NOLA Mini are the bookends for the 16 annual mini reunions between the five-year major reunions at West Point.

            Tough job to select only seven photos, but that is the limit.  Please stop transitioning to the Ghostly Assemblage, hang onto your rings and make your room reservations for 50th.  See you back at West Point and Westchester, 24-28 May 2008.

 

 

  1. First Captain Jason Crabtree and Tom Morgan - Aug 07
  2. Bob Moscatelli, John Hill, Bob Dey and Ron Hudson (each holding his glasses)
  3. John Schroeder (en route Alaska) and George Michael
  4. front: D’Ann Stone, Virginia Vanture, Harriet Hill rear: Terry Connell, Paul Vanture, John Stone, Harriett Connell and Orlie Hill – Aug 07
  5. John Schaffer and his famous football – Sep 07
  6. Schaefer and Mathis picnic
  7. Walt Patterson hiking in Antarctica - Feb 07