Class
Notes
USMA 1958
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July 2017 |
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“Health Care” (on both
Class DC net and Class Forum)
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“Moderate Drinking
Associated with Structural Brain Changes”
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“Senate health care bill by
‘13 white men’”
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“Unbelievable!” (this was
about General Welfare, Article 1, Section 8 of US Constitution)
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“Military Town, Ft Walton”
(your scribe even began high school at Ft Walton HS back in 1950 when my
dad went to Korea and my mother and I returned to states/Florida from
Japan)
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“Interesting reading – book
recommendation” -- “The Day of ISLAM” -- sent by Ken Herberger
(L-1)
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“1st Call for
Luncheon on 20 July 2017” – an email to DC group from Jack Gordon
(A-1), our DC Social Guru) – if you are in DC area on 20 July,
do come says your Scribe: contact Jack via email or phone
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“Poe” (this was Edgar Allan
Poe, but shortened by sender)
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“Literary Legacy of Edgar
Allan Poe” -- kicked off by Jim Seltzer (E-1)
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“Who, what, when, where and
how much”
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“NATO Assessment”
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“Good news about Navy
Sailor refusing to stand for National Anthem and immediately regrets it”
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“Telos, George Patton and
the warrior caste”
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“General Mattis Speech at
West Point 2017 Graduation”
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“West Point Father’s Day
Tribute”
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“Mensa Award” -- awardee
was our classmate Hal Lyon (C-2)
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“Can Trump get anything
done?”
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“Lobotomizing History”
(among other examples, removing Confederate statues in Richmond VA)
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“AFIB Treatment Info”
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“Red Platoon, A True Story
of American Valor” -- book recommended by Palmer McGrew (I-2)
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“Monuments” (this is about
removing Confederate statues)
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“Opinion: How Desert Storm
Destroyed the US Military”
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“TOF’s FITNESS TIP #74”
(Scribe asks, does anyone have them all?)
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“Civil War Quiz” -- many of
us have been receiving emails from Bill Serchak (K-1),
however, you must now contact Bill to continue receiving his emails:
wserchak@comcast.net)
“Red Platoon”
Here is what Dick Schonberger (B-2) had to say about the
book “Red Platoon…” which was recommended by Palmer McGrew (I-2):
“Thanks for the recommendation on the book. A truly gripping and
detailed account of one day on COP Keating. The valor and sacrifice
demonstrated and documented by that overwhelmed unit is nothing less
than inspiring. Palmer introduced the book but don't recall if he
recommended it on this net, therefore I am. It truly reflects
great honor and professionalism and makes you wonder how you might have
done in similar circumstances. The author, Clinton Romesha,
received the CMH for his actions that day, 3 Oct 2009, with Tp B, 3-61st
Cav, 4th BCT, 4th ID. Check it out!” A great book review by
Dick, easily worthy of 2.8 or so from the English Department.
Tony Smith (I-1)
was recently a guest columnist for Washington Merry-Go-Round, the
longest running newspaper column (since 1932). It was begun by
Drew Pearson and then Jack Anderson. It is now normally written by
Douglas Cohn and Eleanor Clift. Doug Cohn is USMA 1968. Back
to Tony Smith: Scribe cannot do justice to Tony’s article, therefore, if
you are interested in reading it send me an email. The summation
of Tony’s career at the end of column was interesting: brief and to the
point. It does bear repeating. Tony graduated from high school in
Paris before joining our ranks at West Point. He later completed
grad school at Sciences Po, also in Paris. Tony was awarded the
Legion of Honor by President Jacques Chirac. The article is a
great read whether you are a Franco file or not. Send Scribe an
email if you are interested in reading it. And, send some news
about yourself while you are at it. Tony gets another 2.8 or so
from the English Department.
Palmer McGrew (I-2)
said the following about Balfour and our class rings (in addition to
recommending the book “Red Platoon…”): “As for our class rings, L G
Balfour was the manufacturer selected by our ring committee and what I
was told by the Balfour rep, and I presume you all were, too, was that
Balfour would fix any problem with our rings for life. The problem,
however, was: whose life? Presumably ours. But, as time went on, Balfour
turned into something else and the current company claims to have no
records from '58 or any promises to fix the rings.
Class Widows.
Dick Schonberger (B-2) our EC Chairman, the EC members
plus some of the widows including Audrey Webb (I-2),
Betsy Hall (H-2) and Paula Johnson (L-2)
probably along with other widows as well, have been working to organize
the Class Widows. Here is where they stand (from an email from EC
Chairman Dick): “We are in the process of reactivating the Widows Email
List as a function of the Widow Outreach Team (WOT) who selected Margie
(Scribe addition: Margie Downing is not a widow, but she volunteered
because of her computer skills) to become the moderator.
Concurrently, CCQ's are asked to contact their company widows to make
them aware of this initiative and determine if they want to be on the
list (or not). CCQs should forward that information to Margie as
the new list moderator. Margie or Jack’s email address is
ejdowning@cox.net
“Reactivating and moderating the widows list was seen as a related
responsibility under the newly organizing WOT that is also picking other
widow-related activities for the class. We are pleased by the way
the ladies have stepped up, albeit, there is a learning curve and some
turbulence, to be expected when implementing any new system.
“For those not aware, the WOT now makes the initial condolence call to
new widows, sends a follow-up condolence card and sends the "Grip Hands"
Booklet, Betsy developed. They are planning a follow-up call as
well after some time has expired. They responded to the
recommendation about networking local widows, developed and conducted a
survey, and are on track to have a Fall function for local widows.
We have talked to Garry Roosma (H-2) and a Widows luncheon
is being planned for the 60th and for other follow-on class activities.
We think that's something Sue Kernan (C-1) seems to be
interested in could assist. What we don't need is a bunch of
carping about lack of leadership or organization. Rather, we might
consider expressing our appreciation to those who have agreed to turn
outward to assist newly bereaved class widows.”
Let your Scribe be among those who publicly say we appreciate the
efforts of our widows working on organizing the Class widows.
Let’s face it, many of our widows will be around far longer than us
classmates (grads and former cadets). They will need a Scribe at
that point and then continue to march.
“Grip Hands”.
Another Scribe addition is in order here: “Grips Hands” is a booklet
created by Betsy Hall : it is very useful. She did a
great job creating the booklet. Many other classes have asked for
copies so they can make the booklet available to their widows.
Frank Waskowicz (C-2) has gotten “Grip Hands” copyrighted.
The other classes who want to use it, reproduce copies as needed for
their widows.
Bob Bunker (D-1).
We were all saddened by the death of Marion Bunker on 24
June. Harriett Connell (F-1) has been doing some
internet mining and hit a golden vein by finding Marion’s obit.
Too long for these notes, but you can read it by clicking on
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=marion-bunker&pid=185932082.
We have lost four wives since my Judy died at the end of Oct 2016.
Many of you have reminded me of my remark some ago about our class, and,
sadly our wives as well, “being in the zone for the final selection.”
We have lost 221 graduated classmates, 25 former cadets and now 91
wives.
I am reminded of Tony Smith’s (I-1) remark to me after the
Memorial Service at the Hershey Mini some 20 years ago: 11-14 Sep 97
hosted by Stu Matt
(M-1).
Tony said that he did not want to be the last one standing in the class
because he did not want to read all the names.
On the subject of Mini Reunions, we might try off-season places as we
did in the beginning: Palm Springs and Bar Harbor after their season,
South Padre Island whenever it was, etc. This made them less
expensive. Worth a try. Does someone (grad or former
cadet) want to step up with a suggestion for our 61st Reunion
sometime in 2019 after our 60th at West Point next April?
Remember, we are going back to the principal of KISS with regard to Mini
Reunions. Simple registration fee and everything else is
pay-as-you-go for meals and drinks. The Mini organizer will
arrange for a hotel, but reservations are up to YOU. No refunds of
any kind. Profits (if any) will go to class fund, which will also
make up any shortfalls for the organizer.
More from Palmer McGrew. “Remember
the sudden popularity in the Corps of the Argus C-3 camera? I felt like
I was the only one not buying one. And now I really regret it. In
I-2 there was a little ceremony that took place whenever there had been
a chance to visit Europe or someplace interesting. Cow trip for
example. The word would go out with the room and the time and we
would gather to watch the slides taken by our buddies. My
suggestion is: find those slides you made as cadets, or find prints of
our experience at West Point. Prints have probably fared better
over the decades than slides that have gone bad or at least fuzzy.
However, if your slides have endured, wonderful. Sharing the pix
on internet will be a challenge, but if you have some to share, let
Dick Buckalew know that we need a temporary dispensation.
And you will have to find a way to create documents from them. I would
love to see them. We don't have much time left to share those
54-58 photos. Find them and let us see them. Good hunting,
Palmer.”
Wounded Warriors Mentors Program.
The four founders in 2004 at the old Walter Reed were John Herren
(G-2), Pete Brintnall (M-2), Bob Tredway
(M-2) (sadly Bob died 10 Mar 2006), and Lee Miller (A-1).
Scribe asked Lee for information recently. Lee responded: “Three
of us are still very active: leading and operating the Program with a
Leadership Team of 12. Pete Brintnall (stroke) is taking a leave
of absence. He was very active since 2004 at Ft Belvoir until the
day of his stroke. John Herren and I have been doing Walter Reed
since 2004. Bob Tredway was our database person until he passed.
Jack Gordon (A-1) joined our Leadership Team when he moved
from San Francisco about five years ago.”
Sammy Sookmark
(M-1).
Via recent exchange of email with Sammy’s son, Pitch, who is in the
Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa Canada, who reports on his father: “Hi
George, My father is well. He'd just had a birthday on 10Jun (that
makes him 84 years young!). I will check with him what he says.
We are planning for next year's Reunion as well!” Good plug for
info about 60th. If Sammy can make it from Thailand,
you can make it from anywhere USA.
60th Reunion. Wed 25
– Sun 29 April 2018. In an email received today, you are alerted
to watch your mail and email for info on the 60th per
Garry Roosma H-2, “forever” 5-year Reunion Chairman. I
have more, but need to launch this one. What better way to end
than with a reminder of our 60th Reunion. I will be in
Michigan until 18 July, then begin my trip home. No need for
address here because mail is being forwarded. Email needs no
forwarding.
Reminder about our various email addresses follows:
Class List (unrestricted senders)
usma1958@west-point.org --
anyone on the list can use this one – subjects restricted to information
about the Class of 1958 --moderator is Dick Buckalew
Class Forum
usma1958forum@west-point.org -- anything goes subject wise for
persons on this list -- moderator is Dick Buckalew
Class DC
usma1958-dc@west-point.org -- subjects of DC interest, normally
social in nature – used by Jack Gordon (A-1) our social
guru for such items as upcoming DC Lunch on 20 July -- moderator is
probably Dick Buckalew
Class PC list
usma1958-pc@west-point.org -- subjects related to PC and health –
moderator is Stan Bacon (I-2)
Class Widows list – do not know the address, but think the
moderator is Margie Downing (H-2). I thought her
address was included somewhere, but here is Jack’s for good luck:
ejdowning@cox.net
George 58 Scribe
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